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Khoo Yihan 2A112

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Narrative and Graphics - My Connection

Posted by Yihan 2A112 at 4:31 AM comments (1)
Hi everyone (again),

Recently, in my language arts lesson, we got help in identifying our learning styles (though I did it before in P5 and found out that I was a tactile learner) through graphic evaluation. We were split into groups, according to our learning styles, and then given quite a number of pictures which we had to put together to form a story. (Those who were visual learners got the most pictures with the highest difficulty level). The website from which we obtained our results from was this website.


So the story we had to form was the narrative part, and the pictures were the graphics part. My connection between them? As a picture paints a thousand words, then many pictures would paint many many words. (Okay, just kidding about that bit.)

Actually, between narrative and graphics, I feel that the graphics play an essential role in piecing together the different fragments of the narrative - each picture having its own story to tell. It is only with the pictures that the story can form.

Although I am not a spatial person, I can say that the way we (the group) piece the different pictures together in chronological order determines the way we interpret the story and how well we can interpret it. And this is something which I am not too good at, especially if there are no words involved - just images.

So my connection, generally, is that we need to go through graphics in order to understand a narrative, at least for the exercise we did in class.
Okay, so here are my Top 3 Learning Styles: (in no order of merit =)... )
1 Intrapersonal
2 Interpersonal
3 Logical

Do you have your own views about this topic? Share it here. All comments are welcome =D.
Photos From:


Public Speaking Competition'09 - My Reflections

Posted by Yihan 2A112 at 6:40 AM comments (1)
Hi all,
Recently, all the Sec 1s had to join a mandatory, annual English Speaking Workshop organised by our school. (And for certain confidential matters, I'm not allowed to reveal the name of this event, based on our RBP.)

During the workshop, after being briefed on tips on public speaking, we ajourned to our classrooms where our coach gave us an impromptu speech topic to prepare - 3 minutes to prepare for a speech 1 minute long. Some of us contributed, and our coach selected 2 of us (My friend and I) to meet the teacher-in-charge because they were considering of allowing us to participate in the competition's Grand Finals. We repeated our speeches in front of that teacher.
When it turned out that I would be admitted to the Grand Finals, my immediate response was: I'm so very dead. I mean, I didn't even know how to speak properly with my friends, what more with 400+ people and judges? I wanted to withdraw (I mean, I contributed during the workshop out of fun, and wasn't expecting this to happen.) from the competition, because I had no confidence.
But we were assigned coaches (last year's Grand Finalists) whom we had to meet up with at least twice before the competition. We were assigned various topics by drawing lots, and I was lucky enough to get this: Time waits for no man.

So we prepared and prepared, and even collaborated with other coaches. As the Grand Finals neared, we were just getting better (admist those term tests) - really surprising. Anyway, when the grand finals came, I just felt really quirky - despite the many rehearsals.

Although I have spoken in front of huge crowds before (those who came from my Primary School know what I mean), this was something totally different - there are spotlights, strong, yellow spotlights, shining so perisistently in your eyes. And all you have is a microphone squatting in the middle of the stage, and I was supposed to, with my 4 cue cards in my right hand, step in front of the microphone, and deliver a 3 minutes speech, bearing in mind that I am representing my class and my consortium. I got really nervous, because from the previous speakers, they were really loquacious, and speaking was their natural talent.

But for me? No. I forced out my prepared speech, holding the hopes of my fellow consortium-mates with me. However, after the impromptu speech, when the results were announced, I withheld with me even greater anxiety, as the consolation winners, in no order of merit, were called out to receive their award. I held the hopes of my classmates and consortium-mates, and as each name was called, I silently hoped that mine would not be next. Then, the time came.
"And our last consolation winner is...". The name was announced, and thankfully, it wasn't mine. I stood as 2nd runner-up and oh how much I would like to thank my coaches. And my classmates as well. Through this experience, I can say that hard work does pay off. And that winning a competition isn't just about everything (this sentence reminds me of my PSLE EL Oral Picture Discussion).

To all my friends out there, who were in the auditorium supporting me, and including my consortium counterparts, thanks a bunch for that moral support. This competition has in a way or another, moulded me into some form of a public speaker.
And yes, I found out that hard work does pay off, if you work hard the right way in the right time, or time would not wait for you either.
Photos From:



Diary Entry of Philip Malloy: "Why did I do it?"

Posted by Yihan 2A112 at 6:34 AM comments (1)
Disclaimer: I am writing this entry based on an assignment. To my friends who are not in the same class, please do not mistake this blog entry as my genuine diary entry. Do not get me wrong. =)

Dear Diary,

Today was rotten. Nothing went right. I feel like punching Narwin straight in the face. Life stinks. Narwin is just so totally unfair. Why is she even made a teacher of this stupid school anyway? Why was I even admitted to this school?


Okay, it all happened like this: I wanted to annoy that Ms Narwin because she is just so partial in her thinking. I hate her. So, I deliberately sang the "Star-Spangled Banner" out loud in class when we were meant to observe silence as this anthem was played on tape. I knew that I was supposed to shut up. Everyone in class knew. But I didn't. Why? Because I want to make her blow her top. And I did.


At first, she started by questioning who was humming so loudly. And when she identified me, she asked me to stop, and I did not. She yelled - and I knew I got my way. I did it for another 2 times in succession, only that after each time I got sent to Palleni's office. And in the end, guess what?


I ended up on the losing end. I got suspended, but I did this dumb thing. I told Palleni that I was just fighting for my rights, like what Dad told me, but in the end, he just told me to play along with the rules. I got stubborn - and he suspended me.

I did it because I hoped that Narwin would know that she was paying for what she had done. I wanted her to pay. Which was why I did all that humming. I knew that she would go hopping mad - and I am glad she did. At least, although I end up in this sticky mess, I got Narwin to pay for her wrongdoings.

Now all I need to think about is how to get out of this situation. Getting suspended is never fun you know. And if I can, I want to transfer out of Narwin's class, if not out of school. I hate Harrison High, just hate it! And Ms Narwin? She's just such a numbskull.

(On the behalf of)
Philip Malloy


Photo From: http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/business/business-people/6537396-reading-rules-or-bill.php?id=6537396


My Reading Habits

Posted by Yihan 2A112 at 8:49 PM comments (1)
As the years go by, as time passes, I realised that my reading habits have changed really drastically. I know that this blog post might sound boring to you...but I just have this natural compulsion to share my reading habits in this blog, partly also because I am required to as part of my E.O.Y. Assessment. =)


Okay... let's just start off with my Nursery schooling years. I used to just to pick up a picture book - one with the most colours, pictures and graphics - and sit down on the floor; no matter how dirty the floor may be, and then flip through the pages (in an almost desperate manner), looking at the pictures only, not even caring about the content. So you might as well just say that I am not reading, but appreciating those illustrations only. As I was only four then, if I were to see a book loaded with words, I would just force it back onto the bookshelf and mark it as "unreadable".


Yes, that was when I was four.

As I proceeded to my later kindergarten years, I began to take up those "Budding Readers" books, and started to read some books written by Enid Blyton. I did not really understand who this person "Roald Dahl" (and I pronounced his name as "Road-Dial" [-_-"]) whenever I heard my older cousins buzzing about him. Nevertheless, I was confined only to children books written by Enid Blyton, but I was already beginning to have some form of interest in reading.

Okay... When I was in Primary school (P2 to be exact) I classified reading as one of my hobbies. You know, all these "milestones" seem to work out into a timeline, and this continuous line would not stop getting longer until I put down my last book and -

In P2, I started to read books written by award-winning authors, such as E.B. White (who wrote "Charlotte's Web" and the like (and I started with Roald Dahl books as well).

And then as I went on with my primary schooling years, the level of difficulty in the books I read increased and I began to read those wrist-thick Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling (I read one book only from this millionaire because I could not stand fantasy stuff). Also, before I reach the end of a book, I would be tempted to look at its ending. And the only book which I recall not doing this is "Nothing But The Truth".
The timeline goes on, but as of today, I feel that my reading has somewhat reached a sub-advanced level, meaning that I can somewhat decipher the connotational meanings behind stories (reading between the lines), but I am still working on this. As I progress in Secondary School, I sure hope (=D) that this reading standard of mine will constantly incline, and I hope that it will never stop completely.
Want to know more? Here is my link to my electronic bookshelf - which I will be updating every now and then:


A Big Problem with those Theft Prevention Devices

Posted by Yihan 2A112 at 7:30 AM comments (0)
This series of unfortunate incidents would always be etched on my mind. Why? Because they are too hard to forget. Its that simple. =)

Well, it all started when I had a reunion with my friends after the Chinese New Year Celebrations at my school. After meeting up at our alma mater, we headed to the nearest shopping mall to get some lunch. After which, we planned to split up for a while and do some of our own things.


One of my friends decided to follow me into a bookstore (I shan't say the name) and this bookstore was of course, equipped with the gates which will go off the minute you walk through it without paying up. Well, I was just about to enter the store when these gates, without any warning, went off the very moment I set foot onto the carpeted floor.


Stunned, I looked around, not knowing what to do. Luckily, my friend was not the one with the problem and he went into the bookstore and seeked some assistance. The cashier then beckoned me to enter the store and ignoring the alarm that went off as I stepped into the store, I placed my sling bag onto the table and the cashier started to scan the bag, suspecting that I committed theft.


Just then, one question struck me: What if something inside my bag really set that alarm off? And what if it came from that store for some weird reason? I was afraid - but fortunately, nothing went wrong. Relieved, I proceeded into the store and after a while, we had to meet up again and this time round, as I crossed my fingers, there was no trouble with the gates at all. And I thought that it was nothing serious.


Then, some of my friends decided to get some CDs from a CD Shop and this shop was also armed with these devices. Confidently, I strode in only to set that alarm off - again! Fed up, but not afraid any more, my friend explained everything to that nice shopkeeper who bought our story.


Again, as I stepped out of the shop, nothing went wrong. However, this time round, as my friends had already known about this problem, they asked me to take off my bag and empty the contents of my pockets, removed my watch, and got me to walk through those gates again.


To my utter shock, the alarm sounded again. I stared at my friends in disbelief - and they stared back too. Was I sensitised? Or what?


Never mind. After that day, I just went to the shopping mall near my house, and I wanted to purchase some pencils from a stationery shop (I shall'nt say the name of the shop). This shop has also planted the devices along its entrance. As I had forgotten about the incident on the day of the reunion, I walked through the gates only to be disturbed by the incessant ring of those stupid gates. What was I supposed to do now?


Shocked, I approached the cashier who bought the same story my friend told the CD Shop owner. And I was glad she did because I was completely inoccent.


As I made my purchase and stepped out of the store, the gates remained silent once again. While I went home and related this whole weird experience to my parents, I began to worry. Was it something that I had consumed that caused the gates to react this way? I am not sure...but if I were to experience the same thing again, I would definitely want to see a doctor.

Has this ever happened to you before? Feel free to comment. =D

Photos From:
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/isolated-objects/isolated-background-objects/4795507-security-concept.php?id=4795507

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/illustrations-vectors/vector-icons/5769237-internet-software-security-icons-premium-matte-series.php?id=5769237



The Trip Home From School

Posted by Yihan 2A112 at 4:34 AM comments (1)
Okay. I know that this is a boring start but I can't think of any others at the moment.

The afternoon was really warm and the I stepped into the bus bound for an MRT Station after my CCA Trials.

To my surprise, I saw a couple occupying not 2 seats...but 4 seats - because they were resting their legs on the other 2 empty seats facing them. Upon seeing this, I just tried to ignore them, and I did. But after a while, I spotted them hugging one another in front of everyone standing in the bus. I shall cut short on how I felt. You know...first the seats, then this. I ignored them. And I was glad that I could.

Never mind about what happened in the bus. As I boarded the MRT Train heading towards my home, I found out that there were:

firstly, two rowdy children running on the MRT Platform
and... secondly, another loving couple hugging in public.


This time round I couldn't just ignore it. One look and I knew it was too much. Hugging. Kissing. Whatever you think that would be included in some situation like this. Anyway, they boarded the train with me. I thought that they would stop (because the train was crowded). But they did not. In fact, they got more engrossed in it; and oh great. They chose the seats next to mine. Now, how would you feel if you were in my shoes then?

You know...they are treating that place as if it was their home. All I can say is that I felt very disturbed. And annoyed. I knew that I had to bear with this for at least 20 minutes. And again, I was glad that I could.

After alighting from that train, and thinking about these incidents that took place, the strangest question suddenly struck upon me: Why was it so that I was the only one annoyed and the others were not even affected by them?

Photo From: http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/concepts-and-ideas/modern-life/7572378-urban-transit.php?id=7572378


First Lost-and-Found Encounter

Posted by Yihan 2A112 at 7:17 PM comments (0)
I have been contemplating about writing this entry for a while already, but decided to do it anyway... =)

Well, it happened on a schooling day when I was feeling extremely tired, lethargic and you know...with all my energy drained. As I am dropped off at the carpark in school, I grabbed my bag from the boot and scooped up some files and very groggily, I headed for the classroom (thank goodness I was not late o.O...)

Then, before the flag-raising ceremony had begun, I realised that something from my uniform was missing - it could have dropped off; and I would be in hot soup if I was caught not properly attired.

Without hesitating, even though the bell would be ringing in just a couple of minutes' time, I traced my way back to the classroom, searching desperately for it. I couldn't find it. Luckily I brought spare. Or that would have been the last day I've seen daylight.

Placing the spare piece back to my uniform and vowing to hunt for the missing piece during recess, I hurriedly ran back to where the flag-raising was taking place, and I was relieved that my teacher (with the attendance list) was walking behind me. That would mean that I would not be considered as a'latecomer'.

When the recess bell rang, knowing that it could have dropped off when I slung my bag onto my shoulder (lol.), I ran back to the carpark and found it lying there peacefully. For a moment, I felt that I was in heaven (T.T). (Okay. Maybe I should change that ending phrase.)

Yar. So that's about it. =) Re-united.

Photo From:http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/concepts-and-ideas/modern-life/4100731-life-s-journey.php?id=4100731



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