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Thursday, August 19, 2010 @ 9:03 AM
Life - Pressure
 It has been over a year since I stepped into the Hwa Chong campus as a proud Secondary 1 student. Now, approaching the end of year, I am leading an ordinary life as a Secondary 2 student, in a reputable class of outstanding students. This year has not been easy going for me. Under the constant reminder that this year is crucial in determining my path of studies, pressure from studies increased three folds. With the introduction of the new academic system, competitiveness is as intense as ever. I want to choose my future. What other ways to achieve my goals than to work for it?
It is never as straightforward as I thought. No shortcuts. This is not primary school. Every term presents an increasing difficulty of topics to be tested, or is it just me not being able to grasp everything in the mind of mine? Term 3 has not sparred me. Tests and Projects Day are a lethal combination that rob me of my sleep. For the past few weeks, I came to a realisation that studying till 2'o clock in the morning only to wake up after 3 hours of sleep is a norm among us students.  And very often, the thought of giving up flashed across my head. I have a strong will. But more often than not, I felt like succumbing to pressure. I just felt like letting go and
 ridding myself of all the stress that I was undergoing. Stress from my friends, stress from my teachers, stress from my parents, stress of living life as a student.
Term 3 tests are over. The End Of Year examinations are two months away. I have put up with so much this year, more than this blog post will take. It should be time for me to make the final leap. I would not think I would be giving up any time soon though, for I have said that I have a strong will. I cannot deny that these 2 years have been memorable for me, but I will be lying by stating that they were fun ones.
Monday, August 16, 2010 @ 10:10 PM
Youth Olympic Games
14th August 2010 marked the opening of the first ever Youth Olympic Games. Unless you have not known, it was hosted in our very own country, Singapore. Just like the current Olympic games, this inaugural event is planned to be held every 4 years, featuring athletes aged 14-18. In other words, the games only allow most people to compete once in their life.
So above was basically a brief introduction of the Youth Olympic Games. As mentioned, Singapore had the privilege of hosting the first Youth Olympic Games. I was elated yet sceptical when the results were announced, especially after putting into account the size of Singapore. Would Singapore be able to pull it off? Would the first Youth Olympic Games turn out to be a success?
I remember when Padang was torn down, the government promised to construct a new stadium for the Youth Olympic Games (following Beijing's footsteps? :D). Is the stadium ready for the games? Well, no, unfortunately. Now let us take a look at the opening ceremony. Not being a fan of these ceremonies, my eyes were hardly glued on the television screen during the performances. However, if you were to compare with the ceremony held in Beijing, this ceremony felt like child's play. No offence intended, but the performances seemed like it was meant for National Day rather than an international event of this enormous scale. Nevertheless, this is the first Youth Olympic Games and I am certain that Singapore will pave the way for many other impressive events in years to come.
Enough said on how successful Singapore is organising the games. One thing I know for sure, it has succeeded in uniting top youth athletes around the world and provided them with a conducive environment to compete in. It has succeeded in inculcating Coubertin's, founder of the Olympics, ideals. It has occurred to me that the competitive element in the Olympic Games have been on a drastic rise over the years. Countries has resorted to underhanded means to attain victory. It has brought out the worse of human nature. Singapore strives to deter this, ridding of the medal tally that determines the achievements of a country (although we do still keep track). In the Youth Olympic Games, everybody is a winner. Here is a quote extracted from the Olympics creed: The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to conquer but to have fought well. How idealistic, and so very meaningful in life.
With that, I leave you with the theme song of the Youth Olympic Games together with its lyrics. Enjoy.
Lyrics
E v e r y o n e Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games Theme Song Ken Lim © 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) Tabitha
Walls are down
Hopes arise
Rings of the world unite Steve
Every child
Has a wish
To glow like the stars above Jessica ~ Bridge 1
Lift our voices as victories blaze
This is the day to win with grace Chorus
Raise your hand for our generation
Fly the flags of every nation
Reaching out for that moment in our lives
Raise your hand for our generation
Living out your aspiration
Time to fly way beyond the skies
A world that shines for everyone Jody
Be the best
Go all the way
Friends beyond the race Sean
Cheer the joy
Share the tears
The journey remains our pride Bridge 2 *
Lift our voices as victories blaze
This is the day the world will shine on for everyone |
Comment | 2 Comments
Sunday, August 15, 2010 @ 3:26 AM
Projects Day, Sigh... Part 2
 The Finals are over. And we are pretty pleased with the outcome. Although we are still unaware of the results (I'll update at a later date :D), we knew very well that the judges were satisfied. Our mentor was satisfied, and we were satisfied.
After 8 months of continuous struggle and bickering among ourselves, we managed to pull through. And I must say, it has been a very meaningful process for me. Despite the countless, and I mean countless, challenges that we faced, I have forged a strong bond between my friends and I. All four of us have persevered these gruelling months together. And I must add, this is collective perseverance. It comes from the need to ease someone's else pressure when you see your team member to your left and right suffering, and you want to relieve it so you can join in chipping in and helping when you can.
I have to admit, this project has been mentally, physically and time taxing. Additionally, it gets very confusing at times since we frequently split the immense load of work up. Sometimes ,there is just confusion in the team. Fortunately, with tedious backtracking, we were managed to keep everything in check.
Now, I just want to see this project come to fruition. Hopefully, just hopefully, we will shine in the Finals.
Comment | 0 Comments
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Thursday, August 19, 2010 @ 9:03 AM
Life - Pressure
It has been over a year since I stepped into the Hwa Chong campus as a proud Secondary 1 student. Now, approaching the end of year, I am leading an ordinary life as a Secondary 2 student, in a reputable class of outstanding students. This year has not been easy going for me. Under the constant reminder that this year is crucial in determining my path of studies, pressure from studies increased three folds. With the introduction of the new academic system, competitiveness is as intense as ever. I want to choose my future. What other ways to achieve my goals than to work for it?
It is never as straightforward as I thought. No shortcuts. This is not primary school. Every term presents an increasing difficulty of topics to be tested, or is it just me not being able to grasp everything in the mind of mine? Term 3 has not sparred me. Tests and Projects Day are a lethal combination that rob me of my sleep. For the past few weeks, I came to a realisation that studying till 2'o clock in the morning only to wake up after 3 hours of sleep is a norm among us students. And very often, the thought of giving up flashed across my head. I have a strong will. But more often than not, I felt like succumbing to pressure. I just felt like letting go and
ridding myself of all the stress that I was undergoing. Stress from my friends, stress from my teachers, stress from my parents, stress of living life as a student.
Term 3 tests are over. The End Of Year examinations are two months away. I have put up with so much this year, more than this blog post will take. It should be time for me to make the final leap. I would not think I would be giving up any time soon though, for I have said that I have a strong will. I cannot deny that these 2 years have been memorable for me, but I will be lying by stating that they were fun ones. Monday, August 16, 2010 @ 10:10 PM
Youth Olympic Games
14th August 2010 marked the opening of the first ever Youth Olympic Games. Unless you have not known, it was hosted in our very own country, Singapore. Just like the current Olympic games, this inaugural event is planned to be held every 4 years, featuring athletes aged 14-18. In other words, the games only allow most people to compete once in their life.
So above was basically a brief introduction of the Youth Olympic Games. As mentioned, Singapore had the privilege of hosting the first Youth Olympic Games. I was elated yet sceptical when the results were announced, especially after putting into account the size of Singapore. Would Singapore be able to pull it off? Would the first Youth Olympic Games turn out to be a success?
I remember when Padang was torn down, the government promised to construct a new stadium for the Youth Olympic Games (following Beijing's footsteps? :D). Is the stadium ready for the games? Well, no, unfortunately. Now let us take a look at the opening ceremony. Not being a fan of these ceremonies, my eyes were hardly glued on the television screen during the performances. However, if you were to compare with the ceremony held in Beijing, this ceremony felt like child's play. No offence intended, but the performances seemed like it was meant for National Day rather than an international event of this enormous scale. Nevertheless, this is the first Youth Olympic Games and I am certain that Singapore will pave the way for many other impressive events in years to come.
Enough said on how successful Singapore is organising the games. One thing I know for sure, it has succeeded in uniting top youth athletes around the world and provided them with a conducive environment to compete in. It has succeeded in inculcating Coubertin's, founder of the Olympics, ideals. It has occurred to me that the competitive element in the Olympic Games have been on a drastic rise over the years. Countries has resorted to underhanded means to attain victory. It has brought out the worse of human nature. Singapore strives to deter this, ridding of the medal tally that determines the achievements of a country (although we do still keep track). In the Youth Olympic Games, everybody is a winner. Here is a quote extracted from the Olympics creed: The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to conquer but to have fought well. How idealistic, and so very meaningful in life.
With that, I leave you with the theme song of the Youth Olympic Games together with its lyrics. Enjoy.
Lyrics
E v e r y o n e Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games Theme Song Ken Lim © 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) Tabitha
Walls are down
Hopes arise
Rings of the world unite Steve
Every child
Has a wish
To glow like the stars above Jessica ~ Bridge 1
Lift our voices as victories blaze
This is the day to win with grace Chorus
Raise your hand for our generation
Fly the flags of every nation
Reaching out for that moment in our lives
Raise your hand for our generation
Living out your aspiration
Time to fly way beyond the skies
A world that shines for everyone Jody
Be the best
Go all the way
Friends beyond the race Sean
Cheer the joy
Share the tears
The journey remains our pride Bridge 2 *
Lift our voices as victories blaze
This is the day the world will shine on for everyone |
Sunday, August 15, 2010 @ 3:26 AM
Projects Day, Sigh... Part 2
The Finals are over. And we are pretty pleased with the outcome. Although we are still unaware of the results (I'll update at a later date :D), we knew very well that the judges were satisfied. Our mentor was satisfied, and we were satisfied.
After 8 months of continuous struggle and bickering among ourselves, we managed to pull through. And I must say, it has been a very meaningful process for me. Despite the countless, and I mean countless, challenges that we faced, I have forged a strong bond between my friends and I. All four of us have persevered these gruelling months together. And I must add, this is collective perseverance. It comes from the need to ease someone's else pressure when you see your team member to your left and right suffering, and you want to relieve it so you can join in chipping in and helping when you can.
I have to admit, this project has been mentally, physically and time taxing. Additionally, it gets very confusing at times since we frequently split the immense load of work up. Sometimes ,there is just confusion in the team. Fortunately, with tedious backtracking, we were managed to keep everything in check.
Now, I just want to see this project come to fruition. Hopefully, just hopefully, we will shine in the Finals.
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BENEDICT
HI THERE. I'm currently a student in Hwa Chong Institution. Quite clearly meaning that I'm a male/ female. I'm your extraordinary everyday kid who you see on the street.:D So if you ever recognise me, say 'HI'.
This blog is for work purposes ONLY. Feel free to browse through! And remember to comment and tag!
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The Finals are over. And we are pretty pleased with the outcome. Although we are still unaware of the results (I'll update at a later date :D), we knew very well that the judges were satisfied. Our mentor was satisfied, and we were satisfied.