Of blogs and anonymity part 2

Take a look at the picture.

So you go to google and under the 'more' tab scroll down till you hit blogs, and then you can search for stuff in people's blogs.

And the simplest part is, you just need to find any person's blog because this person will have 100 links from his or her blog and then you can navigate from there, to read everyone's blog.

You can see from the picture, that the entry I posted yesterday can already be found.

What's the purpose in telling you this?


Very simple. Just one.

#1: Your blog can be seen by anyone in the world.

That's all. Whether people are free to go and read, it's a different story altogether. The fact is, it can be read by anyone. If you only want it to be accessible by readers you know, then install a password (though some say it can be hacked)

It is your own diary, yes, but that doesn't mean you can write about anything in the world. You have read stories on Singaporean bloggers being fined or sentenced to jail because of racist comments.

You may want to click the following link to find out more:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBS_enSG261SG262&q=Singaporean+blogger+goes+to+jail+for+a+month+for+%22sedition%22

As a simple rule, please think before you post. It is not what you think it is, like many blogs have those templates of "I am blah blah blah...if you don't like to read please f*** off."

It's not as simple as that.

Sensitivity
If you want to complain about someone, please do not do it in a blog. How would you feel if you were the 'victim' and everyone talks about you in a bad light? Worse, hurling insults and insensitive comments about this person; that's very mean, and disrespectful.

Blogging is supposed to be fun. If your posts are just about flaming people, then there is something wrong. Take note, that everyone can see this blog. Although people should not be judgemental about what they read from another person's blog, surely there's an impression formed from the way you type, or criticise. Who knows, your future employer might remember your blog and dislike the way you behave, just because of your online behaviour.

Some even talk about terrible things about the school. What a shame. Totally embarrassing.

Conclusion

Basically, I hope this is not scary, but for a lack of a better phrase, I would like to say that "everyone is watching". Sure, you want to type LikE ThIS aLl ThE TiMe, or l13t t4i5 also can, or in your own act cute language spelling "like" as "lyk" or whatever, or using net lingo like lol or roflmao, or more derogatory terms like wtf or even knn or even the f word, that is your own choice, but just pay attention to what you are saying when you are talking about other people.

You can't use the argument saying that THIS IS MY BLOG I DO WHAT I WANT.

THIS IS MY MOUTH I SPEAK WHAT I WANT.

THIS IS MY HAND I PUNCH WHO I WANT.

See? No can do.

So, on that note, happy blogging! =D





Pic obtained from:
http://www.innovationfactory.nl/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/blogging.JPG

Of blogs and anonymity.

Again, in my teaching capacity,

I find it TREMENDOUSLY fun that students think that ONLY THEIR FRIENDS CAN READ THEIR BLOGS.

To their horrors of horrors *GASP x 10000*, teachers too, now how to use the internet and know how to *GASP x 1oooooooooooo* surf blogs.

Ok sorry that gasp x 1000 thing is quite irritating.

In my class today, a student said something along the lines of:

Student: Mr Ng you go see her blog there's ............
Another student stares at her (as if trying to say, "Oui why you tell teacher about blogs.")
Mr Ng: Oh, how you know, maybe I HAVE ALREADY SEEN ALL YOUR BLOGS.
Students stare at me in disbelief.
Mr Ng: Don't believe? Later on I will tag at your blogs.
Students continued to be unimpressed.

So 10 minutes earlier, I've tagged at two of my students' blogs, with my nickname as *surprise surprise* 'theONE'.

Haha. Once again, to me, the fact that I'm reading other people's blogs does not surprise me, and should not surprise anyone else. But somehow to students nowadays, it's like the BIGGEST SHOCKS OF SHOCKS.

It's now 6.30pm and I'm just done with NCC so I shall pack and go. In my next post I shall tell you how to search for blogs. It's quite simple. But of course you need to be quite free lah.

CNY Poll

Was it that bad? =x

I love my job.

This is done up by my awesome, beloved class of Sec 3-2. It's nothing much; just a piece of red paper drawn with a marker pen and then filled up with greetings by the class.

But it touched me.

In modern society English, you can say it touched me deep deep.

Sometimes people ask, "Hey why teaching?"
Or questions like
"Wah you very good at taking care of yourself, now you want to take care of 40 kids?"
"You take care of 40 kids, now you want to take care of many classes of 40 kids?"
"You take care of many 40 kids, now you want to take care of their parents as well?"

I admit, the last 3 questions were made up. =x

But seriously, teaching is great.

Sure, you have gangsters or gangster wannabes who refuse to cooperate, or students who take out their books but refuse to open them and then tell you "Teacher I took out my book already. I give you face hor."

Or students who go to the toilet as if the toilet is all the way in China and thus they take so damn long.

Or students who forever refuse to submit work on time.

Or students who think they are so smart but actually they aren't.

Or students who talk so loudly, or lost in daydreams that when you stare at them, they don't even realise it?

But seriously, teaching is great.

Everyday, I believe that I've made an impact on at least one student, in some minute subconscious way or another.

(And for you smart alecs, I mean POSITIVE impact lah, why would I be proud to make a negative impact on people. -_-)

Marking can be a chore (OMG I'm marking now, but taking a break hence blogging), and I admit it's personally the part I don't enjoy most, but I feel it's necessary so I'll work hard in that anyway, just like you guys work hard in completing that very piece of QUALITY work.

Teaching is great, because I realise that I have the ability to make students learn something, everyday they are in school.

Teaching is awesome, because it's fun at times (Yes I admit other times I bore myself to sleep.) and when people understand what I'm trying to teach, it makes it even more satisfying.

Teaching is not just about content delivery, but I see myself as someone who has been through what the students are going through, and can dish out suitable advice.

Teaching keeps me young at heart because I'm interacting with youngsters everyday (and last year I used to call them nooblets hhahahaha!).

Teaching is interesting because I like to see students' shocked faces when they think teachers have a LIFE as well. They will go:

"WAH TEACHER U KNOW WHAT IS AUDITION?"
"TEACHER YOU ALSO PLAY VIWAWA?"
"TEACHER YOU KNOW WHAT IS DOTA?"
"TEACHER YOU ALSO PLAY COUNTERSTRIKE?"

I mean, they are 'no big deal' stuff, but somehow it amazes kids, and this amazes me. =p

The biggest 'shock' I've received to date is:

"OMG MR NG ALSO KNOWS HOW TO BLOG."

Like wow. So difficult huh. In fact, I've probably seen your blog before you even know it. Wahahaha. =x

Oh wait, back to topic.

So, to conclude, I love my job. =)

What do you want to be when you grow up?

(BTW I type awesomely fast, and to some of you this is like a uber long post, but to me it's not, and don't say I'm slacking here ok.)

Reply of tags.

Sorry. Busy. Me. See. Not free.

sihui: Yes yes I know your bro too. =)
Chrismeen: hello hello
tonghua: eh I forgot who you are lah!
-ira: I still don't see how that's a compliment. -_-
Wai Cheong: Hi!
Huimin: Yes be yourself!
Daryl: Hi!
Nasir: Good afternoon! Hope you had a good gym session.
Rizal: Yah was busy. Haha @ arsenal. =p Happy CNY!
Ashley: Happy CNY! Working hard earning $$?

Been busy + tired

Worst combo ever?

Happy Chinese New Year!

More pics can be found at my facebook album:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2004772&id=1130213615&saved#/album.php?aid=2004772&id=1130213615

Enjoy the longgggggggggggggggggg weekend!

Today

I went out carrying this bottle full of SOUR sweets, and surprisingly, many students liked this idea. -_-



Please don't argue over sweets ok! Haha.



Also, some ONE told me that my blog is very boring. Only what, 8 posts.

Yah lah, I just started mah. Plus there's nothing exciting to post recently. Boring then don't read. Simple as that. =D


Or anything you want me to blog about? Maybe I can interview you? Anyone?

School Digital Media Award - Vote for our school!

Our school's Infocomm Club had submitted 2 videos to the above competition and both have been shortlisted as finalist entries. Do show your support by voting for them!

It's Play Time! Introducing Traditional Games. 5:00
We introduce 5 of the more common traditional games : capteh, top, 5 stones, hopscotch and marbles.

http://www.evideo.edu.sg/sdma/vote.php/home/viewentry/119.htm


Unspoken Love 10:00
A typical Asian man shows his love for his son in an unobtrusive manner. The video ends with the son finally realising that his father is always there for him, loving him in his own quiet manner.

http://www.evideo.edu.sg/sdma/vote.php/home/viewentry/118.htm

Please go and check them out!

One is informative,

the second one is especially touching.


Note that you can only vote either one, as each person is only allowed to vote once in the "videos" category.


Here's the general website: http://www.evideo.edu.sg/sdma/vote.php/home/video.htm

M.A.S.K

Mobile Armoured Strike Kommand!

One of my favourite cartoons of the 1980s! The DVD I ordered from Amazon just arrived today! Yay!



Pilot episode Part 1


Pilot episode Part 2


People erm, as old as me, will definitely remember this. It's one of the best cartoons, like Transformers!

So nostalgic... back in those days, watching cartoons and sesame street. Everything was so 'low-tech', and everything impressed us tremendously.

You know you're old when:
You're telling the students that you first got your pager when you were in sec4/j1 and they ask:
"What is a pager ah?"

And then they absolutely can't believe the fact that you survived Secondary School without a handphone.

Has its good and bad of course. Parents couldn't contact me. =x

As for the DVD, it will give me an alternative to do over the CNY long weekend!

写一首歌 -顺子

I know it might be kinda odd that I'm playing a Mandarin song, but this is one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL songs in the world. Think it was first played in 1995, and I spent most of my schooling days listening to it. *emo*


写一首歌
月亮在你的眼睛
太阳在我心
现在我唱这首歌
ohh 只为你
想把所有烦恼都忘掉
做不做的到
你明白我心在燃烧
因为你因为你oh 为你
你心中的话
我全都想听
能不能相信
所有的梦里全都是你会不会停息
和你一起是否
不会再放弃
你的心里有没有秘密
我分不清不要在意
只想为想为你
写一首歌
写一首歌
都是你 ooh
月亮在你的眼睛
太阳在我心
现在我唱这首歌
oh 只为你
想把所有烦恼都忘掉
做不做的到
你明白我心在燃烧
因为你因为你
ooh 为你为你 ooh
oh, love's in the air it's everywhere
everyone can see everyone can feel
that love's in the air it doesn't matter where
everyone agrees love is all we need
when the moon falls in your eyes i know the sun has set
the fire still burns within me since the day we met
i know my heaven would be so complete you could make it real
i won't let this change go by i can see, i can feel you
when the moon falls in your eyes i know the sun has set
the fire still burns within me, within me
月亮在你的眼睛
太阳在我的心
现在我唱这首歌只为你

Ahh.

One of my favourite pics.
Many things to be done! Go go go!

Oh, and hope Liverpool loses tonight. =x

Gah

Weekend's over. =(

Friday's NE Seminar

On Friday I was not in school, BUT I was not on HOLIDAY OK! I attended an NE Seminar at Singapore Management University (SMU). Didn't bring my camera, so pics are obtained with my lower end Nokia camera phone.


So many photographers! Who were they waiting for?


Guest of Honour is Dr Ng Eng Han, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence. That's taken during the launch of the connexion website. He inserted his palm into this gadget.


Panel of distinguished guests which included a professor, an IT boss, a principal, an NSF, an army LTC etc etc answering questions on new media and National Education.


That's our minister in the red tie!

Pretty insightful. Speaking of which, I hope to get the NE website started by the end of this month.

Enjoy the weekend!

How I feel

For the whole of yesterday afternoon, I felt a little depressed.

Sure, I felt happy for those who did better than they expected, who got that so called 'miraculous' C6 for English, or a B3 for Maths when they have failed every single time prior to that. I felt happy that these students have finally completed a huge step in their life, and that is their secondary school life.

At the same time, I felt morose. These students have come and left. I took over some of the classes only in July, and I am depressed that I couldn't have made a bigger impact. Hopefully I have left some footprints in their hearts. People always say -The teacher might not always remember the students, but the students will always remember a good teacher. Hopefully I have not wasted everyone's time.

I felt depressed because I saw many people crying when I was seated there giving out results. From the body postures it seems as if they were tears of sorrow rather than tears of happiness.

I felt depressed because some of the students studied hard and did not get the results they aimed for.

I felt depressed because some of the students did not study at all, and only upon receiving those results did they start to regret how it could have been.

I felt depressed because I don't undestand why students nowadays can party or play for 3-4.5 years and then start studying in September and think that they will do well.

My mother taught me well. 早知今日， 何必当初？ Think ahead. Plan.

Anyway, that was yesterday afternoon.

It's a brand new day.

Embrace it. =)

Os aftermath

Congratuations everyone, you all have finally passed your O levels.

There is happiness, there is sorrow.
There is a sense of excitement - where can I go now?
There is a sense of regret - why didn't I work harder?
There is a sense of confusion - should I repeat?
There is a sense of relief - it's finally over!

Think carefully where you intend to go. Think far. After the next 2-3 years, where do I want to go? (For guys - NS, obviously). Think further than that. Picture yourself after your JC/Poly/ITE - Where do you wanna go? What do you want to do?
Choose your course carefully. Is this what I want to be when I grow up?

Yes. It is time to grow up. It is time to make such decisions.

Take the next couple of days to ask yourself such questions. Talk to your friends, family, teachers, advisors from various schools and institutions. Explore.

By Thursday have a clear picture of what you want, a 95% definite picture of the course you want to enrol in.

Then register.

Obviously, try not to do it on Friday where it will be 'last-minute'. That said, take your time to think it through. The next phase of your journey will be dependent on this decision of yours.

Reply of tags

Syazwani: Hi!
Daryl: Oh, I was trying to say it was already 855am and you guys were very late for your PE (I assume) lesson!
Weesen: Blog empty, 'cos I just started it mah... -_-''
Xuejin: Eh no advertising of particular CCAs here ok! And yeah I like emo songs. =x

It's the weekend! Enjoy!

For those coming back to get your results, see you in the hall Monday 2pm. Come in your uniform (or the guards might not let you enter) and please make sure your hair is not dyed. Don't want any disciplinary issues on your BIG day. =)

CCA: Hmm... How ah? Which one ah?

To the newly inducted Regenites,

Welcome! Tomorrow is your CCA Orientation Day. You may check out the schedule at http://eblaze.regentsec.net/.

There are many reasons why people join particular CCAs, for example:

"Wah the senior very handsome/pretty! I want to join this CCA!"
"All my friends are joining this CCA, so I'm also joining lor."

To me, to choose a CCA, the main factor is of course..... INTEREST.

Go find out more about the CCAs - training hours, tough or not, what will you learn etc, and then make an informed decision.

DO NOT join a CCA JUST because your friends are joining.
Sure, some of you don't have many friends, since you guys just started school, and it's only natural to stick to that same group of friends so you wouldn't feel alone or left out. However, you should really find out more about the CCA yourself and again be at least somewhat interested.

Your CCA is here to stay. It's not something like a hotel whereby you can come and go. You have to stay committed to your CCA, and at the end of your stay in Regent, hopefully you will be able to have a wonderful experience and at the same time secure enough CCA points to score a good CCA grade (which can be bonus points for your O-level score).

Choose a CCA which you think / know you will enjoy. Studies can be stressful or tiring. CCAs will help you to unwind, and at the same time socialise with fellow Regenites. Choose a CCA which you will look forward to going, so that you will learn valuable stuff that is usually not taught in the classroom.


Picture obtained at http://www.clipartof.com/

Choose your CCA wisely, and have fun! See you there!

Questions students ask.

What better way to start a first post than to share something interesting.

Was meeting a sec 3 class for the first time today.

Of all the questions, one which was asked was:

"Are you gay?"


-_-''

What the? By the way, my personal stand is there is nothing wrong with that; it's just your own sexual orientation. But you must know that society doesn't accept such people as readily as you think it would. It's improving though.

The answer is no! Happily attached. She's working in the construction industry.