Sights and scenes of a rainy and overcast day in school and on the way back.

Each drop, each puddle.

Image Credit: GQ.com

Image Credit: Reji K. A & ArchDaily

Impressive piece of modern architecture, that being said it was truly hated by the Parisians when it was first constructed. Its interesting how the Parisians seem to hate modern architecture ruining their historic city, but yet every piece of modern architecture that gets built in the Haussmann districts seem to fit in quite well.

15 more days.

Letterpress is so pretty... Here's a local purveyor of this fine art. www.papertigerpress.com

I learnt a new word today…

GESUNDHEIT
[guh-zoo nt-hahyt]

It literally means “health” in German. When employed in the English language, it conveys the same meaning as “bless you” – the two words you [are supposed to] say after someone sneezes.

So the next time someone sneezes, say “gesundhiet” instead of the regular “bless you” and make them feel a little more special. Besides, it sounds more unique and cute!

Image Credit: The Sartorialist

I love the idea of cycling around the city, its just so laid back and nonchalant. That being said, our (i.e. Singapore’s) weather forbids us from entertaining such a notion.

On November 21, 2010, Rachel Lin reported in the Straits Times various statements made by Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew regarding the local primary education.

He was quoted as saying the following:

“[Admissions into primary schools are]  not meritocratic; it's based on the social class of your parents, whether they went into better schools.”

I don’t believe that the relevant authorities/government bodies/Ministry of Education have acknowledged this properly for the longest time. Kiasu parents channel their time into volunteer work for schools a year before their child’s enrollment just to try to get their children the limited but coveted places in many seemingly prestigious institutions. They move closer to such schools, just to get within the 1 km radius, so as to increase their odds. Clearly, the economic principals of demand and supply are at work here.

Interestingly, MM Lee was also quoted to have said that there was “no difference” in terms of facilities between the 2 schools he visited – Raffles Girls Primary School (RGPS), one perceived to be a prestigious institution, and Punggol Primary School (PPS), its neighbourhood counterpart. Truth be told, I think his statement nailed it quite aptly. Facilities in Singapore’s primary schools today are largely similar, thanks to the aggressive upgrading schemes that the Ministry of Education has put in place.

However, I do believe that the quality of teaching is vastly different, and statistics probably do show it. 85.6% of RGPS students qualify for the express stream in secondary schools, while a significantly lower proportion – 54.2% of PPS students qualify. This is probably attributed to the better quality of teachers available in RGPS, given the fact that they can offer the Gifted Education Programme, unlike its neighbourhood counterpart, PPS. I do not mean to degrade any school here, but let’s face it, equality clearly isn’t present here. Furthermore, the demographics of both schools are vastly different – RGPS, being in District 10, has an enrolment of mostly students who come from well-to-do backgrounds. They are clearly at an advantage over their less wealthy (but not necessarily poor or impoverished) counterparts in PPS. They are definitely able to afford more choices – be it more tuition (this itself may be a curse not a benefit), more enrichment programmes etc, all of which would make them more inclined towards “Learning, Creativity, Graciousness, Responsibility and Integrity”.

My point here is to show how unfortunate the situation is for Singapore’s children. Right from an early age, they are put in a rat-race, and they are judged right from the start. Even if they are not given equal opportunities.

MM Lee, you may say that the “PSLE levels [the] playing field”, but sadly to say, that is most certainly only its aim, and not a reality.

Image Credit: ArchDaily and Philip Vile

 
The remarkable and spectacular use of technology.

Every day, each individual is granted 24 hours to live out their life, which works out to be 1440 minutes or 86400 hours daily.

The biggest question is, how we spend this?

God has blessed us with the freedom of choice to use it according to our discretion, but like Paul appropriately puts it, while everything may be permissible, not everything is beneficial. That got me thinking, how exactly am I spending my time?

For starters, I am pretty certain that a lot of it has now been allocated for my studies. Good heavens, this is a far cry from how I was just a year ago. Never before had I so highly prioritised my studies. i wonder if this is truly God’s plan. And with that comes sacrifices – I now have less time for God, for my piano, for my own social life (that is, if I truly even have one).

Then there is Council. Truth be told, it is really a rollercoaster for me – there are many good moments, and there are equally as many low points. More alarming is the amount of time that has to be dedicated to it lately. This week, there are 4 council meetings, one for each day of the working week, with the exception of Friday. It is not really overwhelming (I think) on its own accord, but it is when it has to compete with the upcoming Project Work examination, which has to be religiously prepared.

I feel I’m selling my soul to all the wrong things.

God please help me prioritise my life in a manner pleasing to You.

On a related note, don’t we all wish that time were like Salvador Dali’s The Persistence of Time, flexible and unrestricted?