In a bid to blog more frequently, I think I might just start blogging more casually now. Whereas previously I would pigeon hole my posts down to chicks, movies etc. I think from now I might just post what's on my mind.
After a hiatus from posting to post on Twitter and the like I still think blogging like this is the best way to write. So much more freedom and proper useage of the English language no?
So anyways, I've started watching a TV series named, Californication. Starring the affable David Duchovny in the lead role, the series is about this broken down guy, who's a writer and became famous because his book was made into a movie that he hates but did well. Because of this fame and possibly his good looks, he draws women with no problem at all. Every episode there's at least a sex scene if not 2. So a warning not to watch this with your parents eh?
This guy though, who's aptly named Hank Moody by the way, is a divorcee who's still kinda in love with his ex-wife. She has moved on however and is getting married to another guy, Bill. So it's quite a funny situation where he hates Bill but has to just put up with him cause his daughter, Becca, would be staying with him and all that.
For some reason, I kinda feel there's something inside there we can all relate to. Even though this guy's a loser and a bum, he appeals to the viewer in some weird way. It's also got excellent dialogue which is witty and is pretty funny in most parts.
Yeah... so just wanted to get that out as a start. Check it out if you got the time.
Hope I'll be writing more soon, till then, Au Revoir.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Chick of the Week: Caroline Wozniacki (US Open Watch)
Ah, tennis season is around again and that means my obsession with women's tennis's women will cause this blog to arise from the depths of Davy Jones's Locker. These urges to post are usually caused by watching the matches and wanting to share them with all of you. Ah well, down to the post then eh?
Followers of this blog will be no stranger to the name Caroline Wozniacki, who, at 19 is actually 1 year younger than I am. She turned pro in 2005 and has very quickly risen to her current world ranking of #8.
Affectionately known as Caro, or in other quarters as "Danish Delight", she was also awarded WTA newcomer of the year 2008. Stunningly beautiful and with a megawatt smile, this girl can actually play some tennis, as proven by her match against Kuznetsova. Anyway, some pics of her in action in the US of A.
Trademark smile, in her doubles match.
In action against Kuznetsova.
Some promo shots from earlier.
P.S. Cast your vote in the poll on the right. Vamos Rafa!
Followers of this blog will be no stranger to the name Caroline Wozniacki, who, at 19 is actually 1 year younger than I am. She turned pro in 2005 and has very quickly risen to her current world ranking of #8.Affectionately known as Caro, or in other quarters as "Danish Delight", she was also awarded WTA newcomer of the year 2008. Stunningly beautiful and with a megawatt smile, this girl can actually play some tennis, as proven by her match against Kuznetsova. Anyway, some pics of her in action in the US of A.
Trademark smile, in her doubles match.
In action against Kuznetsova.
Some promo shots from earlier.Those that cannot learn from history,
Are doomed to repeat it.
Are doomed to repeat it.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Is our education system putting too much emphasis on grades?
Ah, exactly one month from my previous post. So, I wrote this piece for my public speaking but didn't manage to do it due to several reasons. It's something I've been wanting to write for quite awhile so when I got the chance I just sat down and got to it. If you've got the time and interest, I'd be honored if any of you guys read it and give me some feedback.
Right, so here goes:
One of the definitions that the Oxford dictionary gives us for education is the process of 'bringing up' or the manner in which a person has been 'brought up' with reference to social situation, kind of manners and habits acquired, calling or employment prepared for. This definition seems to be the ideal outcome of a successful education system. However, as you will soon find out, unfortunately our education system does not function in this way.
I will start with the simplest of examples and what our entire education system is built upon. Examinations, tests, call them what you will, like it or not, they are the backbone of our education system. And to people that don’t already know, we have these exams in abundance, and quite a fair bit of them are rather useless. The 3 main ones in the school system as of today are the UPSR, PMR, and SPM.
Just an example is UPSR, which is a compulsory exam set by our education ministry to indicate the finishing of primary school. I would like to ask one question. How necessary is this exam? Students are made to believe they study 6 years building up to it, but what does it signify? You continue to secondary school regardless of your results. The problem with our exams though, is how they are presented. Students memorise rather than learn, for the sole purpose of passing or acing the exam, only to forget everything once they have done so. There is a quote which says, Too often we give our children answers to remember rather than problems to solve. I believe this sums up our examination system and the way we are taught to study.
Especially apparent here, is the mentality set in our minds. The need to achieve a certain grade that is deemed acceptable means they are forced to endure countless hours of extra tuition to achieve the grades, sacrificing time for extracurricular activities. As the saying goes, all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy. This way of thinking comes from the parents, who value grades so much higher than other achievements, that they are willing to bribe their children with money or gifts to push them towards those results.
Another view here is that the science stream is somehow better than the art stream. The education system streams students with better results into science and students with lower grades into the arts. The logic of this is baffling. People automatically think that students in the science streams are smarter than those in the arts. And because of this, students with good grades automatically go into the science stream, without considering the arts. Students like me, who regret that decision, because it is simply not what I am interested in doing.
The next sign that our education system is flawed and puts too much emphasis on grades, is the dire condition of the nation’s sports infrastructure. Here, it is frowned upon when someone’s ambition is to be a professional athlete. Why? Because there are no proper channels in which someone can reach this goal and make something out of his life. Sport is something schools do once a week, which they label Physical Education. It is not hard to see that the classroom is the emphasis of every education institute here. Look around you for example, we’re in an office building. How often are we encouraged take up a sport or an emphasis put on taking up sports seriously? Never, not in this country anyway.
Take a look at the US meanwhile, how many students there realise their potential at a certain sport in high school, then go on to receive sports scholarships from colleges and universities, and finally go on to make that sport a full time job. Are they products of the education system? Yes; they may not be able to explain to you Quantum Physics, or do integration, but they came out of the schooling system, and made themselves a career. I doubt very much anyone will realise any form of potential or talent from Physical Education, one hour a week. You may ask me, what has sports got to do with our education system? It’s just an example to show that grades are not everything.
So, what can be done to remedy this predicament we find ourselves in? First and foremost, we have to actually realise that the education system is flawed. We have to recognize that something needs to be done to cure this imbalance; because grades do not help us in one of the biggest parts of our lives, which is socially and culturally. Walker Percy once said, you can get all A's and still flunk life. The student who cheats and bluffs his way through school is considered smart, because he does not get caught. In the end, in the real world, he becomes a hopeless, helpless bundle of confusion and unbelief. If this does not show us that the system is flawed, I don’t know what will.
There is a saying that goes, a person may be well schooled, but that does not mean he has been well educated. He may have gone to the best schools, gotten the best grades, but he may be morally bankrupt. Our system is one in which culture plays no role in our education. Does one mature and grow up locked in a study, memorising words and passages simply because that’s how he has been taught to learn? No.
A balanced education system will do more than just help us study better, it will make us more cultured, more refined and overall, more civilised. All the more in a nation like ours, where we are growing as I believe this will do a lot in helping the country mature and develop. The first steps our education ministry need to take are to put aside the politics and have a serious review of the examination system, if that can be achieved; we could already be laying the groundwork and moving in the right direction. They then need to ask themselves, what should we gain from an education? And proceed from there. After all, there is a great deal more to the process of becoming educated than the actual instruction and schooling one may receive. Before I go I would like to leave you with a few sayings to ponder.
The aim of education is the knowledge not of fact, but of values.
The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think.
An educational system isn't worth a great deal if it teaches young people how to make a living but doesn't teach them how to make a life.
Right, so here goes:
One of the definitions that the Oxford dictionary gives us for education is the process of 'bringing up' or the manner in which a person has been 'brought up' with reference to social situation, kind of manners and habits acquired, calling or employment prepared for. This definition seems to be the ideal outcome of a successful education system. However, as you will soon find out, unfortunately our education system does not function in this way.
I will start with the simplest of examples and what our entire education system is built upon. Examinations, tests, call them what you will, like it or not, they are the backbone of our education system. And to people that don’t already know, we have these exams in abundance, and quite a fair bit of them are rather useless. The 3 main ones in the school system as of today are the UPSR, PMR, and SPM.
Just an example is UPSR, which is a compulsory exam set by our education ministry to indicate the finishing of primary school. I would like to ask one question. How necessary is this exam? Students are made to believe they study 6 years building up to it, but what does it signify? You continue to secondary school regardless of your results. The problem with our exams though, is how they are presented. Students memorise rather than learn, for the sole purpose of passing or acing the exam, only to forget everything once they have done so. There is a quote which says, Too often we give our children answers to remember rather than problems to solve. I believe this sums up our examination system and the way we are taught to study.
Especially apparent here, is the mentality set in our minds. The need to achieve a certain grade that is deemed acceptable means they are forced to endure countless hours of extra tuition to achieve the grades, sacrificing time for extracurricular activities. As the saying goes, all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy. This way of thinking comes from the parents, who value grades so much higher than other achievements, that they are willing to bribe their children with money or gifts to push them towards those results.
Another view here is that the science stream is somehow better than the art stream. The education system streams students with better results into science and students with lower grades into the arts. The logic of this is baffling. People automatically think that students in the science streams are smarter than those in the arts. And because of this, students with good grades automatically go into the science stream, without considering the arts. Students like me, who regret that decision, because it is simply not what I am interested in doing.
The next sign that our education system is flawed and puts too much emphasis on grades, is the dire condition of the nation’s sports infrastructure. Here, it is frowned upon when someone’s ambition is to be a professional athlete. Why? Because there are no proper channels in which someone can reach this goal and make something out of his life. Sport is something schools do once a week, which they label Physical Education. It is not hard to see that the classroom is the emphasis of every education institute here. Look around you for example, we’re in an office building. How often are we encouraged take up a sport or an emphasis put on taking up sports seriously? Never, not in this country anyway.
Take a look at the US meanwhile, how many students there realise their potential at a certain sport in high school, then go on to receive sports scholarships from colleges and universities, and finally go on to make that sport a full time job. Are they products of the education system? Yes; they may not be able to explain to you Quantum Physics, or do integration, but they came out of the schooling system, and made themselves a career. I doubt very much anyone will realise any form of potential or talent from Physical Education, one hour a week. You may ask me, what has sports got to do with our education system? It’s just an example to show that grades are not everything.
So, what can be done to remedy this predicament we find ourselves in? First and foremost, we have to actually realise that the education system is flawed. We have to recognize that something needs to be done to cure this imbalance; because grades do not help us in one of the biggest parts of our lives, which is socially and culturally. Walker Percy once said, you can get all A's and still flunk life. The student who cheats and bluffs his way through school is considered smart, because he does not get caught. In the end, in the real world, he becomes a hopeless, helpless bundle of confusion and unbelief. If this does not show us that the system is flawed, I don’t know what will.
There is a saying that goes, a person may be well schooled, but that does not mean he has been well educated. He may have gone to the best schools, gotten the best grades, but he may be morally bankrupt. Our system is one in which culture plays no role in our education. Does one mature and grow up locked in a study, memorising words and passages simply because that’s how he has been taught to learn? No.
A balanced education system will do more than just help us study better, it will make us more cultured, more refined and overall, more civilised. All the more in a nation like ours, where we are growing as I believe this will do a lot in helping the country mature and develop. The first steps our education ministry need to take are to put aside the politics and have a serious review of the examination system, if that can be achieved; we could already be laying the groundwork and moving in the right direction. They then need to ask themselves, what should we gain from an education? And proceed from there. After all, there is a great deal more to the process of becoming educated than the actual instruction and schooling one may receive. Before I go I would like to leave you with a few sayings to ponder.
The aim of education is the knowledge not of fact, but of values.
The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think.
An educational system isn't worth a great deal if it teaches young people how to make a living but doesn't teach them how to make a life.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Chick of the Week: Wimbledon Special
Alright, been a loooooong time since I last blogged. Not much material really and just a plain laziness to actually do it.
Anywhooo, this is my attempt to revive this dieing blog and what better occasion to do it than in conjunction with Wimbledon? Yes, no Rafa this year, but what tennis gives us year after year, is fit, good looking girls who prance around in skimpy dresses while screaming and grunting. Fun? Definitely.
Actually though, I just needed a reason to post up some Hantuchova pics, but anyways here we go!
To mark the 50th post on this blog, Some of the hottest chicks playing Wimbledon this year:
(Click on the pics to maximize them should you want to.)
Maria Sharapova
The 22-year old has been out for the game close to 10 months due to injury and is slowly making her way back. Sadly though she lost to Gisela Dulko in the 2nd round, still looks beautiful as ever though, even if she's not my favourite.
Famous, or infamous rather, for her screaming, she seems to have lost focus on tennis slightly, being caught up in the glam of being tennis's poster girl and also earning millions in terms of endorsements. We do hope she makes a comeback cause boy does women's tennis need a boost now.
Caroline Wozniacki
You might not know her if you don't follow tennis, but that would be your loss. The 18-year old Danish beauty is definitely one of the sweetest looking girls on the tour, especially when she gives us that megawatt smile. Turning pro in 2005, she is the only Danish woman in the top 300.
Elena Dementieva
Ahh, the lovely Elena Dementieva. If you've followed my blog you will know that I absolutely adore her. Well, she is Russian and 26 this year. She has won 2 Olympic singles medals, including the gold at Beijing 2008. Here's hoping she does well at Wimbledon this year, and we love you Lena.
Gisela Dulko
Most of you might know her by now, seeing that she knocked Maria Sharapova out of Wimbledon. She might not be your typical stick-thin hottie but I just find her beautiful. She's Argentinian and 24 this year, and an interesting fact is, she previously dated Fernando Verdasco.
Maria Kirilenko
Another Russian beauty, Maria Kirilenko. Once again not your typical "bombshell" but she looks like a cute angel. Turning 22 this year, she's affectionately known as Makiri and a very close friend of Sharapova. She is also the face of Stella McCartney's Adidas range. As you will see at the bottom, she posed for Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit edition 2009, cute angel? Hmm, maybe slightly wrong description eh?
Zheng Jie
Some Asian flavour to the mix! Zheng Jie, is the pint sized cutie from Chengdu, Sichuan, China. 25 this year, she is Asia's highest ranked player at 15th. She has also already won 11 WTA doubles titles with partner Yan Zi. Standing at only 5 ft 4, she must be one of the smaller girls on tour. I find her so adorable though, very cute especially when she's laughing or smiling, and also with a good heart. She donated her 2008 Wimbledon winnings to the Earthquake victims of the Sichuan Earthquake 2008.
Daniela Hantuchova
Okay, basically I've been building up to this point in the post. I present you, the legs of Slovakia, Daniela Hantuchova. She's actually the sole reason I watch women's tennis, hoping I somehow get to watch her play. Her play has been up and down, mainly due to weak mental strength. 26 this year, she has dropped to 32nd in the world rankings.
Nicknamed Dani, I truly believe she is the perfect woman in every single way. Don't ask me why, I'm just obsessed with her and would like to marry her. She also posed in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Shoot as you will see below. We(I) love you very much Dani, and hope you do well this year.
legssssss
DAMN
Song of the Week: Nine Inch Nails - Head like a Hole
Anywhooo, this is my attempt to revive this dieing blog and what better occasion to do it than in conjunction with Wimbledon? Yes, no Rafa this year, but what tennis gives us year after year, is fit, good looking girls who prance around in skimpy dresses while screaming and grunting. Fun? Definitely.
Actually though, I just needed a reason to post up some Hantuchova pics, but anyways here we go!
To mark the 50th post on this blog, Some of the hottest chicks playing Wimbledon this year:
(Click on the pics to maximize them should you want to.)
Maria Sharapova
The 22-year old has been out for the game close to 10 months due to injury and is slowly making her way back. Sadly though she lost to Gisela Dulko in the 2nd round, still looks beautiful as ever though, even if she's not my favourite.
Famous, or infamous rather, for her screaming, she seems to have lost focus on tennis slightly, being caught up in the glam of being tennis's poster girl and also earning millions in terms of endorsements. We do hope she makes a comeback cause boy does women's tennis need a boost now.
Caroline Wozniacki
You might not know her if you don't follow tennis, but that would be your loss. The 18-year old Danish beauty is definitely one of the sweetest looking girls on the tour, especially when she gives us that megawatt smile. Turning pro in 2005, she is the only Danish woman in the top 300.
Elena Dementieva
Ahh, the lovely Elena Dementieva. If you've followed my blog you will know that I absolutely adore her. Well, she is Russian and 26 this year. She has won 2 Olympic singles medals, including the gold at Beijing 2008. Here's hoping she does well at Wimbledon this year, and we love you Lena.
Gisela Dulko
Most of you might know her by now, seeing that she knocked Maria Sharapova out of Wimbledon. She might not be your typical stick-thin hottie but I just find her beautiful. She's Argentinian and 24 this year, and an interesting fact is, she previously dated Fernando Verdasco.
Maria Kirilenko
Another Russian beauty, Maria Kirilenko. Once again not your typical "bombshell" but she looks like a cute angel. Turning 22 this year, she's affectionately known as Makiri and a very close friend of Sharapova. She is also the face of Stella McCartney's Adidas range. As you will see at the bottom, she posed for Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit edition 2009, cute angel? Hmm, maybe slightly wrong description eh?
Zheng Jie
Some Asian flavour to the mix! Zheng Jie, is the pint sized cutie from Chengdu, Sichuan, China. 25 this year, she is Asia's highest ranked player at 15th. She has also already won 11 WTA doubles titles with partner Yan Zi. Standing at only 5 ft 4, she must be one of the smaller girls on tour. I find her so adorable though, very cute especially when she's laughing or smiling, and also with a good heart. She donated her 2008 Wimbledon winnings to the Earthquake victims of the Sichuan Earthquake 2008.
Daniela Hantuchova
Okay, basically I've been building up to this point in the post. I present you, the legs of Slovakia, Daniela Hantuchova. She's actually the sole reason I watch women's tennis, hoping I somehow get to watch her play. Her play has been up and down, mainly due to weak mental strength. 26 this year, she has dropped to 32nd in the world rankings.
Nicknamed Dani, I truly believe she is the perfect woman in every single way. Don't ask me why, I'm just obsessed with her and would like to marry her. She also posed in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Shoot as you will see below. We(I) love you very much Dani, and hope you do well this year.
legssssss
DAMN
Song of the Week: Nine Inch Nails - Head like a Hole
Thursday, April 23, 2009
This is..... Your Final 7.
Okey Dokey!!! It's been like lightyears since I last posted. I'm afraid this post will most likely turn out crap due to me actually physically forcing myself to post to avoid this blog from being deader than it already is. Well, the last thing I had on my mind was American Idol since I just watched it.
I will post my upcoming rant on the current state of the Music Industry if I can get myself to post after this.
So anyway, AI's top 7. We have, Kris, Lil' Rounds, Adam, Danny, Anoop, Matt, and Allison. In short, AI should have ended last week or 2 weeks ago and should just have crowned Adam winner, seems the show week after week is just a formality that will eventually lead up to that.
There, could've ended this post there. Oh but I won't, not to worry, I'll have a breakdown of the current state of the competition.
So, I'll start from the judges. Kara has actually proved me wrong in a way. I think her opinion actually makes sense most of the time, even if she still does seem a bit bitchy at selected times. I still think she was highly unnecessary though, and the farce that was last weeks episode where only 2 judges got to speak proves my point. Paula, on the other hand has gone off worse than ever, I seriously won't be surprised if someday they reveal that she snorts a truckload of Coke just before every show. Jumping around, pulling stupid faces and making far-out metaphors.
Crazy.
Contestants wise. I firmly think Adam is the winner of this season. I mean seriously, it's like man against boys here. Everyone is competing on 1 level and then Adam comes out and looks like a guest performer.
Closest we can get to an actual competitor is Danny but as much as I like the guy, I will admit that he fails to surprise us. Every week is a great performance though, very solid and consistent. But he dosn't have the same pull that Adam does, where you tune in week after week just to see what he will do next.
Anoop, Lil' Rounds, Kris and Matt are obviously just fillers even if Kris is slowly getting better. I really dislike the guy cause he's absolutely average but I'll have to say that, his performance today was pretty awesome. Today being Disco week, for those that aren't reading my blog on a day-to-day basis. Lil is definitely out, and shoulda been earlier. Same boring shit every week. Anoop meanwhile, I think he saved Matt for another week. Those 3 should be the bottom 3 but comparing Anoop and Matt, I think Anoop actually did worse.
The judges meanwhile fawn over their dark-horse, who has a face to match her title, Allison. Haha sorry, that was a cheap shot but yea I really don't like her and I don't see why the judges praise her every week. I get the feeling that people just support the youngest there everytime because... hmm, come to think of it, I dunno people do it, underdog votes perhaps?
So yea, she's just another chubby 16 year old who wants to be a rocker chick. I'll admit the tone of her voice is alright, husky and pretty suitable for rock n roll. But I see her being marketed as just another gimmick. If she wanted people to take her seriously, she would be in a band because thats what her talents would be best utilised. Then again maybe she will after this, after an increased profile.
So, thats the verdict so far to anyone who gives a damn. Danny Adam final with Adam winning it cleanly. Lil Rounds and Anoop to be eliminated next.
Until my next post,
See yas.
I will post my upcoming rant on the current state of the Music Industry if I can get myself to post after this.
So anyway, AI's top 7. We have, Kris, Lil' Rounds, Adam, Danny, Anoop, Matt, and Allison. In short, AI should have ended last week or 2 weeks ago and should just have crowned Adam winner, seems the show week after week is just a formality that will eventually lead up to that.
There, could've ended this post there. Oh but I won't, not to worry, I'll have a breakdown of the current state of the competition.
So, I'll start from the judges. Kara has actually proved me wrong in a way. I think her opinion actually makes sense most of the time, even if she still does seem a bit bitchy at selected times. I still think she was highly unnecessary though, and the farce that was last weeks episode where only 2 judges got to speak proves my point. Paula, on the other hand has gone off worse than ever, I seriously won't be surprised if someday they reveal that she snorts a truckload of Coke just before every show. Jumping around, pulling stupid faces and making far-out metaphors.
Crazy.
Contestants wise. I firmly think Adam is the winner of this season. I mean seriously, it's like man against boys here. Everyone is competing on 1 level and then Adam comes out and looks like a guest performer.
Closest we can get to an actual competitor is Danny but as much as I like the guy, I will admit that he fails to surprise us. Every week is a great performance though, very solid and consistent. But he dosn't have the same pull that Adam does, where you tune in week after week just to see what he will do next.
Anoop, Lil' Rounds, Kris and Matt are obviously just fillers even if Kris is slowly getting better. I really dislike the guy cause he's absolutely average but I'll have to say that, his performance today was pretty awesome. Today being Disco week, for those that aren't reading my blog on a day-to-day basis. Lil is definitely out, and shoulda been earlier. Same boring shit every week. Anoop meanwhile, I think he saved Matt for another week. Those 3 should be the bottom 3 but comparing Anoop and Matt, I think Anoop actually did worse.
The judges meanwhile fawn over their dark-horse, who has a face to match her title, Allison. Haha sorry, that was a cheap shot but yea I really don't like her and I don't see why the judges praise her every week. I get the feeling that people just support the youngest there everytime because... hmm, come to think of it, I dunno people do it, underdog votes perhaps?
So yea, she's just another chubby 16 year old who wants to be a rocker chick. I'll admit the tone of her voice is alright, husky and pretty suitable for rock n roll. But I see her being marketed as just another gimmick. If she wanted people to take her seriously, she would be in a band because thats what her talents would be best utilised. Then again maybe she will after this, after an increased profile.
So, thats the verdict so far to anyone who gives a damn. Danny Adam final with Adam winning it cleanly. Lil Rounds and Anoop to be eliminated next.
Until my next post,
See yas.
Fashion often starts off beautiful and becomes ugly,
Art meanwhile, starts out ugly, and sometimes, becomes beautiful.
Art meanwhile, starts out ugly, and sometimes, becomes beautiful.
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