Singapore, environmentallly friendly?

Over the years, the Singapore government has encourage the citizens to play a more active roll in rescuing the environment. However, has all these plans worked, has Singapore citizens become a greener country? Perhaps, the project has not been entirely successful. For example, Singapore citizens have became more active in recycling. Even schools have been rolling out projects to encourage students to recycle. But, many people has forgotten about the "bring your own bag day" event. Now, many people hardly bring their own plastic bags to the supermarkets on Wednesdays. Even the cashiers did not remember about the project. They have started giving out plastic bags on Wednesdays even when the custiomers are supposed to bring their own bags.
In the recessions, being environmentally friendly could be a help in reducing expenses. For example, by buying bulbs which use less energy, not only can we save money on electicity bills, we can also reduce the anout of electicity used, and saving the environment. However, buying a hybrid car which uses less petrol might not be cost-effective even if it is environmentally friendly. The car would definitely cost much more and even the fuel is more expensive.

Parent's favourite read

Keenan: What is your favourite book?

Mum: I don't have one favourite book. I love all the books that I read. As you know, nowadays I am more into contemporary thrillers. But classics have always been my favourite. My favourite classics' writers are Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Gaskell.

Keenan: Please tell me more.

Mum: Pride and Prejudice is the first Jane Austen book I read. It was the literature text used in my brother's secondary school. I came across the book while rummaging through his stuff during the school holidays. I read the book and fell in love with it.

Keenan: What is the story about?

Mum: As the name suggested, it is about pride and prejudices. The main characters are Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. The latter, a proud gentleman due to his wealth and position in life is attracted to Elizabeth, a lively and spirited woman with no fortune. She is however prejudiced against him arising from a series of unfortunate events and rejected his offer of marriage. From her rejection, Darcy learnt humility. He went on to help her family avoid the devastating scandals of her sister's elopment and through it, Elizabeth reached a new understanding of Darcy. The story ended happily with the marriage of the hero and heroine.

Keenan: Why do you like the book?

Mum: Well, other than the "happily-ever-after" ending, the story brings to mind the reality of many of human relations which are beset with prejudices and pride. Don't we all look at things or people with tinted glasses and allow our judgement to be tainted with our prejudices? We are so intrisically bound in all these webs that conscious effort must be asserted to rise above them. And unlike novels, there may not be happy endings in real life.

Keenan: What is it about the writing of Jane Austen that appeals to you?

Mum: Beautifully crafted sentences - Jane Austen has a great way with words. Her writing is noted for its wit, irony and shrewd observations. Although her novels are confined to the closed society she is familiar with, there is much warmth and truth in them that appeals to the soul.

Nothing but the truth (point of view of Magret Narwin)

Philip Malloy has been accusing me of denying his rights to sing the "Star Spangled Banner". But, all I did was simply enforcing the rule set down by Dr Palleni, the Assistant Principal. In fact Philip was singing the song disrespectfully. Yet he fed the public with some cock and bull story about how patriotic he was by singing the song in my class and how I have been stopping him. Now, the public is unhappy with me! I am so baffled. Why is Philip doing all this? Does he want to get out of my class? Or does he want attention?Maybe he is in some trouble and if I help him, he might decide to clear all the misunderstandings up.
Phillip is such a bright boy. He has the potential of doing well academically. It is just that he just cannot focus. If I had the chance to help him, I am sure he would be a very outstanding student.
The news that comes out on the daily paper is a so bias. All they have is of Phillip's point of view. So, what about mine?! Doesn't public care of how I feel of being unfairly treated? Since they care so much of Phillip's rights, what about my rights to expalin the incident from my point of view. I am sure the school would blame me if they do not get their budget. Pherhaps, i should just resign from my post. But, I would not have a choice at the end if I want to stay or not... ...

Village By The Sea (10 Years Later...)

Ten years later, Thul was no longer a small traditional fishing village. In a decade, the small village just 14 kilometres from Bombay had transformed into a bustling establishment. The year the factory was built, people started streaming in. The new residents of the village lived in huge and tall buildings. The small huts were removed and in their places stood shopping malls and shops which sold goods to supply the needs of the new residents in Thul.

Just a short distance from the bustling markets, the fertilizer factory stood alone. The paddy fields which were destroyed had became swamps. Thick vegetation covered the more deserted areas. Effluent and chemical waste were pumped into the water. On the surface of the black murky were the bodies of fishes, victims of pollution. The shiny fishes which were sold at the markets were no longer fresh. Instead, these fishes were frozen and imported from all over the world.

Cars were no longer a rare occurence in the village. Vehicles travelled up and down the roads and alleys of Thul, day and night.

Among the shops along the streets was a shop that was always closed. The shutters were never opened and upon them were the words "For Sale". The signboard was dusty and black. It hung only on its last nail and was dangling dangerously at an awkward angle. Despite its conditions, the words upon it was still legible - "Hari Watchmender".

When the factory was built and the new housing colony was built, businessmen and merchants came to Thul. Among them were watchmenders. The more experience watchmenders open their own shops and business was good. Soon, Hari's customers started dwindling and finally he could not afford to pay the rent. Hari had to resort to doing temporary jobs to make ends meet. His poultry farm was a complete failure. The year before, a disease swept through Thul, killing all the livestocks in the village. Hari was catapulted back into povery and the slums of Thul.

When Hari went out of business, his last bit of savings was used to pay Lila's dowry. The moment Lilia was of age, she was married off to a rich man. But, after her marriage, the couple left for Australia. Lila lived in a huge and luxurious bungalow in Australia with servants at her beck and call. On her wrist were many gold and glittery bangles and she was was cladded in top quality silk sari. Despite living in luxury, Lila never sent a cent back to Hari. Never once did she remember the hard life Hari was leading back in the slums of Thul.....