Singapore's IR project : Casinos

Casinos, a place where people can take a gamble to solve problems financially, or just for the pleasure and thrill. But will casinos in Singapore do any good? As you all may know, the recent economical crisis has caused a down turn to many countries and fortunately, the economical situation is already becoming better. Singapore's reason for buying a casino company was to attract tourist and which would benefit the country's economy. However, will it benefit the social and work life of our citizens? I believe many of you have watched the anti-gambling advertisement of the father who persuades her young daughter to give him her piggybank which was done by the National council of Problem Gambling (NPCG). The message that it was trying to let out was that when people gamble, they are not only hurting themselves, but they are also hurting the people around them. Here is a quote from an interview on NPR radio from a man named Johny . W, who battled his gambling addictiona nd changed for the better, " I wanted more and started always going back to win, but in the winnings, i starter to lose as well, and the more I loss, the more i wanted to return to reclaim my losses". His quote really very cleary depicts the mentality of many gamblers. Relating back to the casinos, I feel that it will only be contribute to this addiction that is already happening in Singapore. People have already got into gambling without casinos, sometimes even kids! Yes, kids, young boys and girls who are our age. Casinos will only add on to this. Sure it will attract tourists and earn money, but it will attract our own people as well. Tourists come and go, but our people will stay in this country and it wil result in more gambling addicts. Of course, gambling is good to relax and have fun from all the stress at work, but when you gamle, it's not just about a gamble of money, it's also a gamble of life and family. Next point, many people think that casinos will provide jobs for people within the casinos. However, some people who are desperate for a job may turn to illegal deals and work in the casinos with illegal liscences. If this is found out, the casino company will be sued and the casino will not only be shut down, but the casino will also be forced be asked to pay a fine. This ultimately will lead to more losses than gains.

To sum it all up, I support the building of the casino but I do think that if proper self-control and

legalism is adhered to, the casino may be a good way to support our economy.

My favourite poet.

Relating life to poems
My favourite poet would be Robert Frost. I find Robert Frost's poem very interesting as they all share the same style. He likes to write about small things that occur in our daily lives and make it interesting. Like for example, in his poem Christmas Tree, he talks about his descision wether or not to sell his christmas trees which he grew to a stranger and how he was not willing to sell them to the stranger at any price and finally came to a descision not to sell them. The way he decribes his poems is as if he is decribing something that happened to him before, maybe an interesting event that happened in his life and in fact, his work is principally associated with the life and landscape of New England when went there in 1912. So, we can actually relate to his life through his poems! Another example would his poem After Apple-picking. He talks about how he was sick of apple-picking and apples, so much so to the extent that he dreams about it has nightmares about it at night after apple-picking. Once again, in this poem we can sense a very "farmhouse" feeling it and indeed, Robert Frost did lived in a farm! This really intrigues me.
Influences in life
Now let's talk about his life which another thing which I like about him. Robert Frost is an American who moved to England after his farm failed. In England, he met and is influenced by such contemporary British poets as Edward Thomas, Rupert Brooke, and Robert Graves. While in England, Frost also established a friendship with the poet Erza Pound, who helped to promote and publish his work. So he not only writes great poems, but he is also influenced by many other great poets, which is why some of his poems are very different from on another.
Nature in poetry
Last but not least, I like Robert Frost because of the way he always talks about nature in his poems. Like for example, we have the famous poem The Road less taken which gives you a feeling of spring and even a very short poem, Nothing Gold Can Stay which relates the idea that nothing good remains to nature and many many more.
To sum it all up, I would say that Robert Frost is indeed an inspiring poet and even after his death, his poems continue to tell his life story.

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on that sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Use of figurative
This poem uses many figurative languages to decribe a very strong sense of anger of man who nears death. Firstly, I will be talking about the use of hyperbole. As seen in the words marked out in red, there is a repetition of the words " Rage, rage" and the sentence "Do not gentle into that good night", and also "Old age should burn" This shows a very raw emotion of anger, and emphasises on the strong sense of anger for which people who face death feel. Now let's look at personification. In this poem, the use of personification will be "dying of the light" and "forked no lightning". In the poem, "dying of the light" refers to death and it assumes that light, in this case life" dies like a human being. "forked no lightning" refers to not being able to achieve anything. "lightning" would represent achievements or maybe money. Now let's look at metaphors. The metaphor used in this poem is "Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay". In the sentence, frail deeds is being compared to humans and denced in a green bay would mean be long forgotten. Now simile, the use of simile in this context would be "blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay". This shows again the similarity between the eyes of a man who faces death to that of meteors, full of energy even when they can't see any more. Finally, we look at symbolism. In this poem, "Do not gentle into that good night" symbolises a regretful death, with the so many regrets that man have in life. "Wise men", "Good men" and "Wild men" symbolises the many different types of people and "dying of light" would be the reason for the reason for their anger.

Why i chose this poem
I like this poem because it sends out a message to all of us, reminding us that we must work hard and achieve in life so that we would not regret when we grow old. I like the symbolism in this poem as it not only tells us to work hard in life, it also shows the evitability of death and its strong effect on man. I also like how the writer shows such strong sense of anger and regret with powerful and strong words. His poem though simple, yet has an underlying messago to the readers. His poem is also shows a very different view of death as it is. People normally think of death as peaceful and a time where a man can forget all his troubles, however this poem shows that death would only bring up all the regrets and troubles to a person and make him feel very raged. Finally, i like they way the poem repeats sentences ans words to emphasise on anger, giving the reader a clear image of what it is trying to potray.

Book report on " tales from outer Suburbia" by Shawn Tan

This book to be was really delightful. It has many stories of little mysteries in our daily life, accompanied by beautiful drawn illustrations. The stories in this book are short, but yet full of life. It tells of stories which are familiar yet mysterious, like for example the story “wake” which explains the question “why do dogs bark at night” in a very interestingly way, where dogs gather and sit on furniture and bark at a burning house where a fellow canine was killed. Yes, you may find it kind of weird, but yet it seems possible and is, in a way, philosophies respect and friendship. The stories in this book really give a lot of space for thought and makes small incidents and events in our life interesting.

Another story I found really delighting was the story “eric”. This story tells about a foreign exchange student who comes to live with this family, from the point of view of the son. This foreign student seems to act very differently, showing great interest and curiosity with the small things around him. The illustration of this is very interesting, illustrating the foreign student as a small black creature as if he was cut out of paper, which really brings out the fact that this foreign student is different. This creature goes around doing stuff like hiding in cups, reading books, discovering small objects, watching movies etc. The ending to me was truly beautiful. The foreign leaves without a word one morning, making the family feel very sad and uncomfortable. But, once you flip the page, you see this wonderful picture at the kitchen table, where many colourful flower like objects comes growing out of other small objects and right in the middle shows this cup, with a note saying “Thank you for wonderful time”. To me, this picture really brings out something different in a typical scene, it shows the beauty of a quite yet meaningful goodbye, and that miracles can happen from even the smallest things.

Of course, this only two of the stories in the book, and there are many more tale which are filled with delight and darkness. This is a really good book and I strongly urge you to read it. It really makes you stop and admire the beauty of the small things around you.

Nothing But The Truth: A possible meeting

Meeting between Phillip Malloy, Phillip Malloy’s parents, Dr Gertrude Doane and Mrs Narwin

Dr Doane: Please sit.

Mrs Narwin: Dr Doane, with all do respect I don’t think there is any point for this meeting, it is very clear that…

Dr Doane: Calm down and just listen. I have called for this meeting to solve this problem that has been caused once in for all. Yes I know that is very sudden but just try and cooperate for a while. Okay let’s start with Phillip, do you have anything to say?

Phillip: Erm…I did nothing wrong! Really!

It’s all Narwin’s fault, she’s the one who scolded me for being patriotic!

Mr Malloy: Yes, my son was just trying to show his love

for his country! If you ask me, I think that…

Dr Doane: Okay hold down Mr Malloy, you will have

your say. What do you have to say Mrs Narwin.

Mrs Narwin: Well, the school rule clearly states that students should all be silent when the national anthem is played. I was just following the rules.

Mr Malloy: Is this what you call rules! What’s wrong with singing our country’s national anthem!

Dr Doane: Mr Malloy! Please calm down and wait. Okay It comes to my understanding that your son is going against the rules. I announce every morning for the students to stand at respectful silent attention when the national anthem is played. Whether patriotic or not he should obey the school rules.

Mr Malloy: I still don’t understand. Why must my son be suspended from school? Would it kill to sing the national anthem? If it is against the rules, I don’t know what kind of rules you have here.

Dr Doane: So are you saying that he actually SANG the national anthem, not humming?

Mr Malloy: Humming and singing.

Phillip Malloy: Err…I was sort of humming, but not really, it was kind of singing too I guess.

Mrs Narwin: He was causing a disturbance, he was not really singing it respectfully!

Dr Doane: Okay now I am confused. The media says that he was singing the national anthem, and you say that he was both singing and humming? What’s going on?

Mrs Malloy: Now I am confused. He told us the first time that he was humming the Star-Bangled Banner softly not loudly, but it seems that is loud enough to cause a disturbance. He told us the next few times that he was singing it and sent to see the vice principal.

Mrs Narwin: He was not humming or singing it softly at all!

Dr Doane: Yes I talked to some of his classmates and one of them said that they could he was well, I’m not sure whether singing or humming but he was doing it loudly, not very but loud.

Mrs Narwin: He did not stop when I asked him too!

Mrs Malloy: Is that true Phillip?

Phillip Malloy: I… I have nothing to say

Mr Malloy: Phillip don’t be afraid, stand up for yourself!

Mrs Malloy: Dear, we have to accept our son’s mistake. We were trying so hard to shield him that we never thought that he might be in the wrong.

Mr Malloy: But he did nothing wrong! He is being patriotic! He was standing up for his rights!

Dr Doane: According to his classmates, he did had something against his teacher and he was trying to get her into trouble.

Mrs Narwin: Yes. I was trying to help as much as I could but he just didn’t want to listen to me.

Mrs Malloy: He does complain about her every time at dinner.

Mr Malloy: Honey! Are you agreeing with them that our son is in the wrong?

Mrs Malloy: We can’t keep protecting him, or he’ll never learn. We have to accept his mistake.

Mr Malloy: I guess you’re right, Phillip?

Phillip Malloy: I… I’m sorry…

Mrs Narwin: Finally he admits he’s mistake!

Dr Doane: Well, so I guess this meeting was not in vain. Everything here is settled, you all may take your leave.

Meeting between Phillip Malloy, Phillip Malloy’s parents, Dr Gertrude Doane and Mrs Narwin

Dr Doane: Please sit.

Mrs Narwin: Dr Doane, with all do respect I don’t think there is any point for this meeting, it is very clear that…

Dr Doane: Calm down and just listen. I have called for this meeting to solve this problem that has been caused once in for all. Yes I know that is very sudden but just try and cooperate for a while. Okay let’s start with Phillip, do you have anything to say?

Phillip: Erm…I did nothing wrong! Really!

It’s all Narwin’s fault, she’s the one who scolded me for being patriotic!

Mr Malloy: Yes, my son was just trying to show his love

for his country! If you ask me, I think that…

Dr Doane: Okay hold down Mr Malloy, you will have

your say. What do you have to say Mrs Narwin.

Mrs Narwin: Well, the school rule clearly states that students should all be silent when the national anthem is played. I was just following the rules.

Mr Malloy: Is this what you call rules! What’s wrong with singing our country’s national anthem!

Dr Doane: Mr Malloy! Please calm down and wait. Okay It comes to my understanding that your son is going against the rules. I announce every morning for the students to stand at respectful silent attention when the national anthem is played. Whether patriotic or not he should obey the school rules.

Mr Malloy: I still don’t understand. Why must my son be suspended from school? Would it kill to sing the national anthem? If it is against the rules, I don’t know what kind of rules you have here.

Dr Doane: So are you saying that he actually SANG the national anthem, not humming?

Mr Malloy: Humming and singing.

Phillip Malloy: Err…I was sort of humming, but not really, it was kind of singing too I guess.

Mrs Narwin: He was causing a disturbance, he was not really singing it respectfully!

Dr Doane: Okay now I am confused. The media says that he was singing the national anthem, and you say that he was both singing and humming? What’s going on?

Mrs Malloy: Now I am confused. He told us the first time that he was humming the Star-Bangled Banner softly not loudly, but it seems that is loud enough to cause a disturbance. He told us the next few times that he was singing it and sent to see the vice principal.

Mrs Narwin: He was not humming or singing it softly at all!

Dr Doane: Yes I talked to some of his classmates and one of them said that they could he was well, I’m not sure whether singing or humming but he was doing it loudly, not very but loud.

Mrs Narwin: He did not stop when I asked him too!

Mrs Malloy: Is that true Phillip?

Phillip Malloy: I… I have nothing to say

Mr Malloy: Phillip don’t be afraid, stand up for yourself!

Mrs Malloy: Dear, we have to accept our son’s mistake. We were trying so hard to shield him that we never thought that he might be in the wrong.

Mr Malloy: But he did nothing wrong! He is being patriotic! He was standing up for his rights!

Dr Doane: According to his classmates, he did had something against his teacher and he was trying to get her into trouble.

Mrs Narwin: Yes. I was trying to help as much as I could but he just didn’t want to listen to me.

Mrs Malloy: He does complain about her every time at dinner.

Mr Malloy: Honey! Are you agreeing with them that our son is in the wrong?

Mrs Malloy: We can’t keep protecting him, or he’ll never learn. We have to accept his mistake.

Mr Malloy: I guess you’re right, Phillip?

Phillip Malloy: I… I’m sorry…

Mrs Narwin: Finally he admits he’s mistake!

Dr Doane: Well, so I guess this meeting was not in vain. Everything here is settled, you all may take your leave.

Book review on My Story by Dave Pelzer

This book is a truly inspirational novel about a boy called David who grows up as a child with a dangerous and unpredictable mother who abused him and ill-treated him as if he wasn't even her son. She does things like putting his hand into the oven, suffocating him in the toilet and even not letting him sleep and eat properly. David's childhood is spent in fear and terror with his montrous mother who calls him "It" (which shows how bad she treated him), enduring much pain and suffering. Even after he is finally brought out of the house into a foster home, he still feared that his mother would somehow find him and drag him back into the house wherehe will be tortured. Throughout his life, his only hope and motivation was his father, who during David's childhood years, tried his best to protect him from his mother. But eventually, his father leaves the family and never comes back, breaking his promise to bring David with him to another place for a beeter life. When David finally leaves the house into a foster home, he is relieved of all the pain and suffering that he has went through and grows up into a caring ad loving father. He always tells himself that he should neve become a parent like his mother. After his father's death, he finally gets a chance to meet up with his mother once again. He controls his underlying rage and grudge, after hearing his mother bring up the dark past and making excuses for her actions. Yes, he did feel like giving her a taste of her own medicine at that time, but he erased all these evil intentions from his mind as he knew that by doing that, he is no different from her.

This book really inspired me. It shows how the human spirit can overcome adversity. David grows up into a successful man who helped others to overcome the adversity which he had faced during his childhood. He is able to control al his anger and in turn do something for his family and the community. Even as a kid, he was patient and courageous, enduring all the pain that he has to suffer to survive. Sometimes, it's not about getting our revenge, it's about learning from the mistakes of others and ensure that we do not make the same mistakes. When we are able to do this, we are not only helping ourselves, but we are also helping our community. Another lesson that we can learn from David's life story is endurance. No matter how bad the situation we are in, or how many troubles we have to go through, as long as we endure and face these problem with courage, we will succeed.