Over the last few years, the government has been trying to reduce the number of road deaths by promoting road safety among the people in Singapore. According to a recent report, all these efforts have not gone to waste. Road deaths have decreased significantly. People have become more aware of road safety and are taking more precaution.
However, the government is still concern about the elderly and also the motorcyclist. According to the article, old folks find that it is very inconvenient to use a pedestrian crossing or using the overhead bridge. This means that older folks have a higher chance of jay walking. This is a serious issue. Old folks are weaker and more prone to injuries. If they meet with a traffic accident, the possibility of fatality is rather high. So, the government has to find a method to solve this problem. In my opinion, I feel that a method to solve the problem is to rethink the positions of the overhead bridges and pedestrian crossings. Although to shift these bridges is going to be a very expensive project, I feel that it is worth it for the sake of the people's welfare. Another method is to install escalators in overhead bridge. Some elderly feel that it is a tough job climbing the overhead bridges. This would help them overcome this problem. I understand that there are already escalators in some of the overhead bridges in Singapore. Finally, the last solution would be the traditional way of education. Education can solve many problems we have Singapore now. Perhaps the community clubs and resident council could arrange talks to tell the elderly about road safety. This would be a long process and that the effect would not be seen almost immediately.
Another concern is about the motorcyclists. The vehicle these people ride provides them with little if not no protection. This means that if they meet with an accident, they would probably be very severely injured. In the article, these accidents are due to the fact that many motorist are unable to see these motorcyclists well and thus hit into them. So, the article mentioned about a possible method which is to ask the motorcyclist to wear more bright and visible colours. This is definitely a rather good idea. However, getting so many motorcyclist to wear bright colours is going to be a big challenge. Of course, I would suggest the use of education to solve this problem once more. By educating the motorists and the motorcyclists to be more aware of their surroundings, I am sure many fatal accidents can be prevented.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
National Identity
National identity has been an issue the government has been concerned about. They have many programmes to try to teach the younger generation about the importance of national identity.
National identity is indeed an important part of building a strong and united nation. National identity is very important especially in times of crisis like economy downturns. In such times, only if the people stay united, then will they make it through these events.
As mentioned earlier, the government has been trying to teach the younger generation about the importance of national identity. For example, there is the annual N.Emation, in which the students of different schools create an animation which would expresses what they feel about total defense and the country. These videos usually show the importance of unity as a country and nation.
However, has all these efforts the government put in paid of? Has people come to posses this important trait - national identity? Perhaps yes. according to a survey done, about 97% of the people surveyed said that they are proud to be a Singaporean and another 98% consider Singapore as their home. These data shows that Singaporeans posses a sense of national identity.
National identity is indeed an important part of building a strong and united nation. National identity is very important especially in times of crisis like economy downturns. In such times, only if the people stay united, then will they make it through these events.
As mentioned earlier, the government has been trying to teach the younger generation about the importance of national identity. For example, there is the annual N.Emation, in which the students of different schools create an animation which would expresses what they feel about total defense and the country. These videos usually show the importance of unity as a country and nation.
However, has all these efforts the government put in paid of? Has people come to posses this important trait - national identity? Perhaps yes. according to a survey done, about 97% of the people surveyed said that they are proud to be a Singaporean and another 98% consider Singapore as their home. These data shows that Singaporeans posses a sense of national identity.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Singaporeans, Bad Drivers?
I refer to the article on the TODAY newspaper "Are We A Nation Of Bad Drivers?" (january 16-17 2010). In my opinion it is somewhat common knowledge that Singaporeans have bad driving habits. However when the the TODAY paper surveyed 100 people, only 50% of the people surveyed said that Singaporeans were bad drivers.
Singaporeans indeed have bad driving habits. For example, many drivers speed and overtake other cars without signalling. This might result in fatal accidents happening. It is as if Singaporeans treat the roads and highways as a giant race track, racing each other every where they go.
So, what is the problem? Does the government has poor control over the roads of Singapore? Perhaps not. In the article, Mr Richard Tan, the manager of the SSDC, mentioned that the training they offers emphasizes a lot of safety. Maybe it is the attitude of the drivers. Singaporean drivers do not really care about safety rules as they probably think they are invulnerable. Also, they do not care about others and are very inconsiderate.
This inconsideration which Singaporeans posses perhaps have been in us ever since we are young. These are some of the more usual inconsiderate actions we see in modern day youths - not letting up their seats in crowded public transports, not giving way to others on escalators. If we educate these children properly from young, maybe we can gradually and slowly change this trend of bad drivers in Singapore.
Singaporeans indeed have bad driving habits. For example, many drivers speed and overtake other cars without signalling. This might result in fatal accidents happening. It is as if Singaporeans treat the roads and highways as a giant race track, racing each other every where they go.
So, what is the problem? Does the government has poor control over the roads of Singapore? Perhaps not. In the article, Mr Richard Tan, the manager of the SSDC, mentioned that the training they offers emphasizes a lot of safety. Maybe it is the attitude of the drivers. Singaporean drivers do not really care about safety rules as they probably think they are invulnerable. Also, they do not care about others and are very inconsiderate.
This inconsideration which Singaporeans posses perhaps have been in us ever since we are young. These are some of the more usual inconsiderate actions we see in modern day youths - not letting up their seats in crowded public transports, not giving way to others on escalators. If we educate these children properly from young, maybe we can gradually and slowly change this trend of bad drivers in Singapore.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Revamped Blog !!! ><
This blog has been REVAMPED slightly... New application has been added and Mousehunt pictures has been posted too. There would be more changes to improve on the layout of the blog. Possibly just more applications or maybe even a new skin claps, claps.
Note: the MouseHunt pictures are place in no particular order
Note: the MouseHunt pictures are place in no particular order
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Casino more harm than good
I feel that the casino in Singapore should not be built. Although it would be able to generate jobs for the people, allow a boost in tourism in Singapore and help our society earn revenue, think about all the problems that come with it. The casino would cause an increase in the number of people addicted to gambling. Because Singapore currently do not have a casino the problem of gambling addicts are not so obvious yet. However, gambling addicts already exist in the society. People are getting addicted to betting on horses, football, 4 digits, toto etc. So, with a casino so close to them, they need not leave the country just to gamble. This would cause an increase in the number of people getting addicted to gambling.
The government is broadcasting advertisements on television to remind people about the negative impacts of gambling, allowing the families to restrict their family members from entering the casinos etc. However, would all this be useful to prevent the rise in gambling addicts among the citizens? With a casino in our own country, it is impossible to stop or even minimise the negative impacts of gambling. Take a look at Las Vegas, it is now known as The Sin City. This is because of its casinos and the prevalence of crime. It is impossible to open a casino without corrupting the moral fibres of the citizens.
When the number of gambling addicts increase, the government would soon be forced to have to
provide counselling to these people. A lot of resources has to be wasted, a lot of money has to spent. Despite all these efforts, it will still be very difficult for the gambler to kick his habit.
Although there are some of good the casino would bring to Singapore, it is not worth sacrificing the well-being of the people in Singapore just to earn more revenue.
The government is broadcasting advertisements on television to remind people about the negative impacts of gambling, allowing the families to restrict their family members from entering the casinos etc. However, would all this be useful to prevent the rise in gambling addicts among the citizens? With a casino in our own country, it is impossible to stop or even minimise the negative impacts of gambling. Take a look at Las Vegas, it is now known as The Sin City. This is because of its casinos and the prevalence of crime. It is impossible to open a casino without corrupting the moral fibres of the citizens.
When the number of gambling addicts increase, the government would soon be forced to have to
provide counselling to these people. A lot of resources has to be wasted, a lot of money has to spent. Despite all these efforts, it will still be very difficult for the gambler to kick his habit.
Although there are some of good the casino would bring to Singapore, it is not worth sacrificing the well-being of the people in Singapore just to earn more revenue.
Monday, June 29, 2009
My favourite poet
"Words in themselves do not convey meaning" this statement was said by the famous poet Robert Frost when he tried to explain the importance of the sense of sound. I chose Robert Frost as my favourite poet because his poems are very interesting. They are often set in the more rural areas and also, his poems are very closely in touch with nature. Robert's works were most probably inspired by his daily life and also his many experiences in life. He collected many different experiences while working as he had worked in many different professions before. His professions range from being a farmer to a teacher. Robert loved language and the crafting of it. As poetry was supposed to be the highest art of language, it enticed him. Robert was a poet very closed in touch with nature both in his poems and even his daily life. Robert Frost was born in San Francisco. Although his works were associated with rural life, Robert Frost was brought up in the city. After he attended Darthmouth College, he held a large number of jobs. He even worked in a textile mill. Many of his poems were drawn from his own life, everyday tasks and also his recurrent losses. When Robert moved to England, he was inspired by many of the poets there like Rupert Brook. He also taught at Amherst College and Michigan universities. Many of the poems Robert wrote depicted the farms and fields that he had own throughout his whole life.
Robert Frost wrote many poems in his life. Some of the poems are "mowing", "into my own" and "stars".
Mowing
There was never a sound beside the wood but one,
And that was my long scythe whispering to the ground.
What was it it whispered?
I knew not well myself;
Perhaps it was something about the heat of the sun,
Something, perhaps, about the lack of sound--
And that was why it whispered and did not speak.
It was no dream of the gift of idle hours,
Or easy gold at the hand of fay or elf:
Anything more than the truth would have seemed too weak
To the earnest love that laid the swale in rows,
Not without feeble-pointed spikes of flowers(Pale orchises),
and scared a bright green snake.
The fact is the sweetest dream that labour knows.
My long scythe whispered and left the hay to make.
Into my own
One of my wishes is that those dark trees,
So old and firm they scarcely show the breeze,
Were not, as 'twere, the merest mask of gloom,
But stretched away unto the edge of doom.
I should not be withheld but that some dayInto their vastness
I should steal away,
Fearless of ever finding open land,
Or highway where the slow wheel pours the sand.
I do not see why I should e'er turn back,
Or those should not set forth upon my track
To overtake me, who should miss me here
And long to know if still I held them dear.
They would not find me changed from him the knew--
Only more sure of all I though was true.
Stars
How countlessly they congregate
O'er our tumultuous snow,
Which flows in shapes as tall as trees
When wintry winds do blow!--
As if with keeness for our fate,
Our faltering few steps on
To white rest, and a place of rest
Invisible at dawn,--
And yet with neither love nor hate,
Those starts like somw snow-white
Minerva's snow-white marble eyes
Without the gift of sight.
Bibliography
http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/robert_frost/biography
http://www.ketzle.com/frost/
http://www.frostfriends.org/frostfaq.html
http://www.frostfriends.org/frostfaq.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Frost
http://www.bestoffrost.com/
http://www.internal.org/list_poems.phtml?authorID=7
Robert Frost wrote many poems in his life. Some of the poems are "mowing", "into my own" and "stars".
Mowing
There was never a sound beside the wood but one,
And that was my long scythe whispering to the ground.
What was it it whispered?
I knew not well myself;
Perhaps it was something about the heat of the sun,
Something, perhaps, about the lack of sound--
And that was why it whispered and did not speak.
It was no dream of the gift of idle hours,
Or easy gold at the hand of fay or elf:
Anything more than the truth would have seemed too weak
To the earnest love that laid the swale in rows,
Not without feeble-pointed spikes of flowers(Pale orchises),
and scared a bright green snake.
The fact is the sweetest dream that labour knows.
My long scythe whispered and left the hay to make.
Into my own
One of my wishes is that those dark trees,
So old and firm they scarcely show the breeze,
Were not, as 'twere, the merest mask of gloom,
But stretched away unto the edge of doom.
I should not be withheld but that some dayInto their vastness
I should steal away,
Fearless of ever finding open land,
Or highway where the slow wheel pours the sand.
I do not see why I should e'er turn back,
Or those should not set forth upon my track
To overtake me, who should miss me here
And long to know if still I held them dear.
They would not find me changed from him the knew--
Only more sure of all I though was true.
Stars
How countlessly they congregate
O'er our tumultuous snow,
Which flows in shapes as tall as trees
When wintry winds do blow!--
As if with keeness for our fate,
Our faltering few steps on
To white rest, and a place of rest
Invisible at dawn,--
And yet with neither love nor hate,
Those starts like somw snow-white
Minerva's snow-white marble eyes
Without the gift of sight.
Bibliography
http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/robert_frost/biography
http://www.ketzle.com/frost/
http://www.frostfriends.org/frostfaq.html
http://www.frostfriends.org/frostfaq.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Frost
http://www.bestoffrost.com/
http://www.internal.org/list_poems.phtml?authorID=7
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Figurative language in poems
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
-I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
This poem uses mainly symbolism. For example, the two roads represents choices in our life. Besides that, the less walked road road symbolised the less popular choice and the road which is mostly chosen by travellers represents the more popular choice. The poem also uses one personification - "and wanted wear" This short phrase shows that the road was hardly taken by the travellers and thus "wanted" to be walked on. The poems used a hyperboyle to express a long length of time - "somewhere ages and ages hence".
I like this short poem because it can be very easily related to our every day life. Everyday we have to make different decisions. However sometimes it is very difficult to make a decision when both choices appears to be equally appealing. Despite how much we want to choose both roads, we can only have one choice. Also, this poem expresses very well the dilemma of the author when he had to make a choice between the two almost equally good roads. However he choose the road less travelled in the end. Sometimes, we regret the choice we choose sometimes we are glad we made the correct choice. Finally, I like this poem because although it is short and easy to comprehend, it is very meaningful.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
-I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
This poem uses mainly symbolism. For example, the two roads represents choices in our life. Besides that, the less walked road road symbolised the less popular choice and the road which is mostly chosen by travellers represents the more popular choice. The poem also uses one personification - "and wanted wear" This short phrase shows that the road was hardly taken by the travellers and thus "wanted" to be walked on. The poems used a hyperboyle to express a long length of time - "somewhere ages and ages hence".
I like this short poem because it can be very easily related to our every day life. Everyday we have to make different decisions. However sometimes it is very difficult to make a decision when both choices appears to be equally appealing. Despite how much we want to choose both roads, we can only have one choice. Also, this poem expresses very well the dilemma of the author when he had to make a choice between the two almost equally good roads. However he choose the road less travelled in the end. Sometimes, we regret the choice we choose sometimes we are glad we made the correct choice. Finally, I like this poem because although it is short and easy to comprehend, it is very meaningful.
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