tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52788164393961496822024-02-20T14:01:37.322-08:00A SHELF OF PROSE & POEMSHaslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-56575847779938766542015-03-14T07:12:00.000-07:002015-03-14T07:12:22.537-07:00Waste Not, Want Not<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Most people know Penang is a food heaven. But few realise that Penangites throw away a whole lot of food at the same time - 181.5 tonnes or 181,500kg daily to be exact.</div>
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That amount is 33% of the total 550 tonnes of domestic waste that ends up in landfills in the state every day.</div>
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According to the statistics obtained from the Penang Municipal Council, islanders discard 200,750 tonnes of domestic waste per year including 66,250 tonnes in food waste.</div>
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That's shocking! The huge amount of discarded food could have actually fed millions of people in poverty-stricken countries.</div>
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Parents have an important role to play in this matter because they are in a position to instil the do-not-waste-food value in their children from young.</div>
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I remember my mother reminding us at the table not to waste the food on our plates. Sadly, I've never taken her advice seriously while growing up. Now I see food wastage as a'crime'.</div>
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Recently, I read a report stating that the root cause of climate change could be food waste because of the toll it takes on the environment due to the increasing demand for water, energy and land.</div>
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Food not consumed results in wasteful use of fertilisers and pesticides, more fuel for transportation, and more rotting food creating more methane - one of the most harmful greenhouse gases that contributes to climate change.</div>
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The huge amount of food carted to landfills adds to global warming. Also, food wastage costs the authorities hundreds of millions of ringgit each year in proper collection and disposal.</div>
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Often, food is wasted at buffet parties and social functions when the meal is free. It is quite common to see uneaten food left behind at open houses during Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Deepavali.</div>
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We should just take what we can eat. No need to be greedy because leftover food will end up as garbage. </div>
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Not too long ago, an assemblyman advised Chinese restaurants to serve smaller portions at banquets in order to reduce food wastage. I think that's a good idea. Seriously, the government should raise more awareness about food wastage. All of us must learn to be more thrifty.</div>
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Next time you want to throw away food, even if it's free, spare a thought for the hungry people all over the world. Let's not take food for granted because there's a price to pay for waste.</div>
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Adapted from: PINANG POINTS by Logeiswary Thevadass StarMetro Tuesday 27 Jan 2015</div>
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Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-75986145071324797762014-11-20T06:28:00.001-08:002014-11-20T06:28:40.804-08:00Tips On How To Cheer Yourself Up<img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When
you’ve had a sucky day or a sucky week, don’t despair! Check out some tips to
cheer yourself up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Firstly,
scare yourself. Yes, it’s a weird idea but part of feeling down is that your
body is on slow too. Give yourself a brain boost by getting the adrenaline flowing.
There are fun parks with scary roller coasters or you can do something that
gives you a bit of a shiver. Think scuba diving on a coral reef or even public
speaking. Whatever it is, just get out there and do it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next,
read an eBook. Submerge yourself in a different world by picking out an eBook
and becoming someone completely different. An action adventure to keep you on
the edge of your seat, a hot romance that sweeps you off your feet or a sci-fi
that puts you in a different world altogether.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why an
eBook? Because it’s just a click away! Buying online can be tough with a
Malaysian address but two hot places for bargains where you can pay with Paypal
are Smashwords and Kobo.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then,
praise yourself. The usual trend is to critique yourself honestly so you can
improve, but as you’re feeling down, you deserve a pick-me-up. So, make a list
of your good qualities and good deeds. Don’t forget to include the times in the
past when you’ve been down and got over it. That will help send the message
home that, “ This too will pass.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lastly,
be nice to someone. Studies show that people who are good to others tend to
feel good about themselves. So, write that letter praising someone’s job
performance, leave a good review for your favourite product, and see if there’s
a local charity nearby that needs a few hours of help.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Adapted from: Ellen Whyte
pg 12 Body, Mind & Soul, StarSpecial Tuesday 10 September 2013</div>
<br />
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(310 words)</div>
<br />Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-44052302059309532352014-08-10T22:43:00.000-07:002014-08-10T22:43:35.375-07:00Using the details from the novel that you have studied, choose a character, discuss how the character has taught you one valuable lesson. Support your answer with close reference to the text.<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB">I choose the novel Catch Us If You Can written by Catherine
McPhail. I choose <u>Rory as the character that has taught me one valuable
lesson</u>. <u>The lesson I learnt from him is to be responsible.</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> Firstly, <u>his responsibility
can be seen by him being caring towards his grandfather whom he called
‘Granda’.</u> Everything changed after Rory’s mother passed away and his father
left him and his grandparents. When his grandmother passed away too, Granda had
been taking care of Rory all by himself. However, everything started to change
after Granda started to have lapses of memory and had the tendency to forget
things. Since then, Rory took over the responsibilities of an adult in the
household. He took care of Granda; his meals, his medicine and everything. Rory
was willing to do anything for Granda. This is because he believed that they
(Rory and Granda) only had each other to protect and to love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> Secondly, <u>Rory’s responsibility
can be seen when he decided not to play football for his school.</u> The reason
why he made such a decision was because he wanted to prepare or buy lunch for
Granda. Usually he would stop at the baker’s and bought pies for lunch. Other
than that, he had to be home by lunch time to make sure Granda take his
medicine according to the doctor’s instruction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> Lastly, <u>Rory also shows his responsibility
towards his Granda by taking out his Granda from Rachnadar, the old folks home</u>.
He knew that Granda loathed that place, ‘the place you go when nobody wants
you’. He knew that Granda was not happy living there. Therefore, because he was
a responsible boy, he decided to save his Granda by planning The Great Escape.
He planned this because he was not happy staying at the children’s home at
Castle Street. He planned the escape so that he and his grandfather could stay
together, and never be apart again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> In my opinion, regardless of
age, people should be responsible in whatever they do. In Catch Us If You Can,
the character of Rory has taught me a valuable lesson that is to be a
responsible person. We should emulate Rory’s examples of responsibility and use
them in our life. He has also taught us that if we love somebody sincerely, God
would give us a happy life in the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0South East Asia6.6646075621725851 101.6015625-24.095138437827416 60.2929685 37.424353562172584 142.9101565tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-16965252566402455742014-08-09T06:26:00.000-07:002014-08-09T06:26:28.044-07:00Waiting For The Rainbow<img height="211" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Rainbow_02.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
Fifteen years ago, my life took a dramatic turn for the worse when I was diagnosed with meningioma, a form of brain tumour. By the time the tumour was discovered, it had grown to 5cm in diameter. Immediate surgery was needed.<br />
Four days later, I was wheeled into the operating theatre. It was an eight-hour operation and I was glad to emerge alive. I spent a few weeks in hospital and made a good progress.<br />
After my recovery, I was able to walk, swim, drive and work. Just when life was looking good again, I had a relapse two years after the first operation. This time around, I was advised to opt for stereotactic radiosurgery which involves a precise delivery of radiation to the tumour while sparing the surrounding tissues. The treatment was a success and I was delighted to be given another lease on life.<br />
However, six months later, I had a violent convulsion which lasted for almost two minutes. Later I learnt that it was an epileptic attack. Following the seizure, my mobility deteriorated gradually and I ended up using walking aids and a wheelchair.<br />
The loss of mobility was traumatic for me and my family. I withdrew into my shell and spent a few years grieving, daydreaming and wallowing in self-pity. I was at my lowest ebb in life. Family members and friends rallied to my support, and their unconditional love stirred something deep within my being. It was the turning point for me. Gradually, I came to my senses.<br />
I began to put life in perspective. I registered as a disabled person with the Social Welfare Department. I went through an intensive rehabilitation programme which included physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. I encountered many challenges in the programme which demanded discipline and perseverance but I soldiered on. I knew I could not give up. As my physical condition improved, my confidence grew too.<br />
I had to adapt to life as a disabled person. Regrettably, not all places I visited were equipped with facilities for the disabled. The disabled want to live life like any normal person. It doesn't help when we come across buildings without lifts, inaccessible pavements, and uneven surfaces.<br />
As a brain tumour survivor, I have to undergo an annual MRI scan. The results for the past few years were always the same: the residual tumour had not shown any growth or decreased in size. According to the doctor, this is a very positive sign indeed. I am thrilled. Though I am hopeful that my condition would improve eventually, I am aware that it may take a long time.<br />
Someone once told me that studies have shown that nerve fibres in the brain do not regenerate, but who cares about science? Miracles do happen. Maybe I could be the blessed one.<br />
Life has not been easy, but the unexpected knocks have steeled my resolve to accept whatever life throws in my direction.<br />
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Adapted from : Jackie Ng Beyond Barriers Star2 Thursday 17 October 2013<br />
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0Kelantan, Malaysia5.115146 101.88917213.09208 99.307385099999991 7.138212 104.4709591tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-60681868075344733072013-12-21T07:55:00.001-08:002013-12-21T07:55:10.245-08:00The Gorilla and The Lioness<img 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" /><br />
<br />
A gorilla is sitting in a tree when he espies a lioness quenching her thirst by the river. The gorilla thinks naughtily, " It'd be fun to pull her tail.". Without wasting any time, he <b>swings into action</b>. He pulls the leonine creature's tail with all his strength.<br />
<img height="240" src="http://newzstreet.com/uploads/news-files/lioness.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
The lioness gets such a fright that she jumps into the river. <b>Showing a clean pair of heels</b>, the gorilla thinks, " I have to think of something fast. It's not easy to outrun this mighty beast."<br />
Luckily for him, the gorilla sees a hunter's tent and nips inside to hide. The shirtless hunter drops the paper he is reading and runs out of the tent. The gorilla decides to pretend to be the hunter - he wears the hunter's shirt and hat, and starts to read the paper.<br />
" This is a safe place for me to <b>lie low</b>," he says to himself. "The lioness is sure to try <b>to get her own back. There is no telling</b> what she'll do to me if she finds me!"<br />
Meanwhile, the lioness says to herself, " I'll search <b>every nook and cranny</b> for this gorilla. When I find him, I'll<b> tan his hide!</b>" A minute later, the lioness pads into the tent. Thinking that it is the hunter reading the paper, she says, " Mister, did you see a gorilla run in here?" From behind the paper, the gorilla answers, "You mean the one that pulled the tail of a lioness a while ago?"<br />
With a look of utter disbelief on her face, the lioness says, "What?! It's in the papers already?!"<br />
<br />
Swing into action - Begin doing something energetically<br />
Show a clean pair of heels - Run away fast<br />
Lie low - Hide so as to avoid being discovered or caught<br />
Get one's own back - Get revenge<br />
There is no telling - It is impossible to know / determine<br />
Every nook and cranny - Everywhere<br />
Tan / Whip someone's hide - Beat someone severely<br />
<br />
<br />
Adapted from: Oh Teik Theam Insight Star2 Tuesday 17 September 2013<br />
<br />
<br />Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-40687703295231555352013-09-05T07:26:00.001-07:002013-09-05T07:26:18.872-07:00Love <img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /><br />
<br />
Let's talk about love. Love is not a one-day commercialised event that deludes you into spending a tidy sum to prove your love for another person.<br />
<br />
The reason a bunch of roses is more expensive on February 14 is pure economics. As long as there is a willing buyer, there will be a willing seller.<br />
<br />
Actually, I love flowers. A bouquet of flowers given or received at the right time, for the right reason, is actually one of the joys in life. And I follow the principle set by a dear friend who said : 'Please send me flowers while I can still smell them, not when my body is in a coffin. For that, it's better to give the money to a worthy cause.<br />
<br />
You see, when we fall into the trap of expressing love only on a particular day, like the way hampers are delivered to people on festive occasions, it is no longer special. So, let's talk about real love.<br />
<br />
Every morning, my neighbour in an adjacent street takes her mother out for a walk. Her mother is in a wheelchair and she has to be particularly careful when she reaches my street as it is a main road. Her cheerful disposition is always a welcome balm for a tired soul. Love, generously shared, makes us want to exclaim: 'I am loved. I am rich. I am privileged. My cup runneth over.'<br />
<br />
There is also another aspect of love that we seldom want to grapple with. Love is action It calls us to deliberately reach out to others - people who are different, people who can't speak out for themselves, total strangers, and even our worst enemies.<br />
<br />
We don't need a special day to show love. If you want to experience love, just look at ordinary people doing extraordinary things every day. They are the people who walk that extra mile, share your burdens and sow love in the midst of hatred.<br />
<br />
And, you can be one of them.<br />
<br />
Adapted from: Soo Ewe Jin Sunday Star, 17 February 2013<br />
<br />
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-83314056697615840652013-02-13T06:25:00.006-08:002013-02-13T06:25:51.005-08:00Square expressions<img height="200" src="http://dludvigson.edublogs.org/files/2011/08/square2-19ma13w.gif" width="200" /><br />
<b>Square</b><br />
<br />
An open area in the middle of a town.<br />
<i>eg: The Dam Square in Amsterdam is a bustling commercial hub.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Be back to square one</b><br />
<br />
To be back in the same situation from which you started with no progress.<br />
<i>eg: His shop was burnt down so his business is back to square one.</i><br />
<br />
<b>A square</b><br />
<br />
An old-fashioned person who is not interested in the latest styles or music.<br />
<i>eg: The girls found Keith boring because he is a square.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Square somebody</b><br />
<br />
To pay somebody to do what you want.<br />
<i>eg: We have to square the driver extra fare for waiting twenty minutes.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Square your shoulders</b><br />
<br />
Push back your shoulders while keeping your back straight to show your determination.<br />
<i>eg: He squared his shoulders and walked into the squash court with confidence.</i><br />
<br />
Adapted from: Mind Our English, Star2 Tuesday 5 February 2013Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-15539946152094927202013-02-13T06:05:00.001-08:002013-02-13T06:05:36.109-08:00Round Expressions<img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTUJEgGP8AnFRhyUXu7sCc--WKAHx5xFCJ16GhiLnXfiZI1E9UA" /><br />
<b>Enough to go around</b><br />
<br />
Enough for everyone<br />
<i>eg: Are there enough drinks to go around?</i><br />
<br />
<b>Round the corner</b><br />
<br />
Not far away<br />
<i>eg: There is a bakery round the corner</i><br />
<br />
<b>Round the clock</b><br />
<br />
24 hours - both day and night<br />
<i>eg: The 7-eleven shop is open round the clock.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Rounds</b><br />
<br />
Visits that someone makes regularly as part of his/her job.<br />
<i>eg: The physician is out on his morning rounds now.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Round of applause</b><br />
<br />
Period when people are clapping to show they enjoy a performance.<br />
<i>eg: There was a thunderous round of applause with whistles and shouts at the end of the concert.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Daily round</b><br />
<br />
Things you have to do every day.<br />
<i>eg: My daily round of cooking, washing and cleaning keeps me busy for hours.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Round table</b><br />
<br />
A round table discussion or meeting is one in which everyone can talk about things in an equal way.<br />
<i>eg: The rulers had a round table conference to discuss the latest laws.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Round robin</b><br />
<br />
A competition in which every player or team plays against each of the other players or teams.<br />
<i>eg: Many football matches are first held on a round robin basis within groups before the later knock-out stages.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Round trip</b><br />
<br />
A journey to a place and back<br />
<i>eg: The round trip to Emerald Bay takes about two hours.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Roundup</b><br />
<br />
A roundup of people means they are captured or arrested by the police and brought to one place<br />
<i>eg: Every now and then there is a roundup of drug addicts on the streets in certain seedy areas.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Adapted from: Mind Our English Star2 Tuesday 5 February 2013<br />
<br />
<br />Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-33863825801630868192012-12-06T08:26:00.002-08:002012-12-06T08:26:56.622-08:00Facebook<img height="276" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/300032_10151265439085768_1649087448_n.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
Spending too much time on Facebook, perhaps?Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-34935549082789077812012-11-21T06:41:00.000-08:002012-11-21T06:41:15.092-08:00Well done steak<img alt="Correctly placed commas are good. Appropriate hyphenation is too." height="251" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mded58uKMH1r5j6uso1_1280.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
Taken from http://blog.grammarly.com/post/36108547882Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-37066410292466135792012-11-20T21:17:00.004-08:002012-11-20T21:17:52.551-08:00My Role Model<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><img alt="Cancer Survivors" height="266" src="http://www.prlog.org/11352683-cancer-survivors.jpg" width="320" /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My role model is my sister. Her name
is Joy and she is thirty-years old. She is working as a lecturer in a local
university. She is very small and petite. She has beautiful black hair and the
prettiest smile I have ever seen. She is also very cheerful and it is no wonder
that she got the nickname of Joy. She is almost 10 years my senior and she has
made a great impact on my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She was diagnosed with cancer of the
breast at age 25. When my family and I heard the news, we were in shock and
distress. I was devastated. I felt as if my sister was going to die. I cried
and cried. I only stopped when she smilingly asked me why I was crying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I am scared that I am going to lose
you!” I cried with fear. She said calmly, ”Hey, you silly goose. I am not going
to die. I am just having a cancer. It is not life threatening. It is something
that can be treated. And if I had to get cancer, then I am glad it is breast
cancer because I can easily go for a mastectomy and get on with life. So, what’s
your problem?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I stared at her and then started
thinking. How come she never cried? How come she never whined and complained?
How come she continued to bring joy to everybody’s lives? Where did she get her
strength from? What was wrong with me? Why was I crying like life has ended?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was a very traumatic time for all
of us. She went through radiation, chemotherapy and the saddest time of our
lives was when she lost all her hair! Her beautiful black hair simply dropped
onto her pillow as she slept. I collected all her hair and I still keep it in a
bag! I just can’t throw it away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But, she taught all of us lessons in strength
and patience. She taught us to laugh in the face of pain, hurt and fear. She
simply would not stay down. She bounced right back!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even the doctors were amazed at her
recovery and ability to cope with the situation. My sister Joy made all of us
aware of all the fragility of life and showed that we had to be thankful for
every minute that we had. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We became one of the families who
laughed and celebrated a lot. We would find any occasion to give thanks to just
be alive because after all life is a gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Today, she is a cancer survivor and
is a counsellor to other cancer patients. I am totally in awe of her. From her,
I learnt to live life fully, happily and contentedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(458 words)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Adapted from Tutor Utusan Malaysia
Wednesday 6 August 2008<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-74714180880966172472012-11-18T20:13:00.002-08:002012-11-18T20:13:31.024-08:00The Cliff<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><img height="240" src="http://unadorned.org/images/dandruff/cliff_20030807.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> One day, a despondent young man who
was bankrupt decided to end his life. He felt his life was miserable, having
failed in all his undertakings. He wanted to commit suicide by jumping off a
cliff that was a two-hour bus ride from his house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The cliff was a famous tourist spot.
It overlooked a lush green valley and offered a wonderful view of the sea
beyond. Sometimes, if you are lucky, the reflection of the sun creates a
beautiful rainbow in the blue sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> After a hearty breakfast, the young
man took the first bus that left for the cliff. It was 7.30 am and the bus was
quite empty. After a few stops though, the bus became crowded with people on
their way to work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> A middle-aged man in a security
officer’s uniform sat next to the young man and started a conversation. He said
after a big yawn, “Didn’t get enough sleep last night. The cost of living is
getting very high. I have to work two jobs to support my family and mind you,
my wife is also working. Only the rich can enjoy their life. It’s getting
tougher every day – what a world.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The young man thought in his heart, “Yes,
and that’s why I am leaving it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The middle-aged man got off at the
next stop. By now the bus was nearly empty again, and thirty minutes away from
the last stop at the cliff top, an old man got onto the bus and sat in front of
the young man. It was drizzling then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> He was untidy-looking, his hair
unkempt, his shirt faded and stained and it looked as if he had not bathed in
days. Turning to the young man he said, “I guess you are going to the cliff
too.” The young man nodded coldly, remaining silent. The old man continued, “I’ve
waited nearly a year to come to the cliff. My children left me after they got
married and of course after getting their inheritance since all the properties
willed to them by their mother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “I was imprisoned in a posh old folks’
home. After some time, my children decided that I was becoming too expensive
for them, so they dumped me in a state-run old folks’ home. I decided then to
leave the place. I worked as a gardener and did odd jobs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The old man then asked, “Where are
you coming from?”. The young man said, “About 50km from here.” The old man
said, “I have actually come from 250km away and had to take a few buses to get
here. I skipped some meals to save enough cash to come here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The old man continued,” I remember
when I was small, my parents used to take me to the cliff to see the views. It
was a wonderful sight. The cool blue sky matched by the lush green valley
below. Sometimes the blue sky was dotted by spots of wild birds. I could see
the sparkling reflection of the sunlight on the sea. It was heavenly”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Unperturbed by the young man’s scowl
and silence, the old man went on. He said, “I haven’t felt proper sunshine in
years. Our cities are choked with smog and the sky is polluted by haze. Thank
God I made it here today. I just want to see the view from the cliff so that I
know it’s worth living here on this great planet no matter what we go through.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The old man then asked,” Are you
working at the tourist kiosk there?”. The young man paused for a moment and
answered, “No, I’m going there for the same reason you are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The rain had stopped by then. The sun
was shining again. As the bus drew to a stop by the cliff top, the bus driver
called out, “Hey, you guys are lucky. There is a double rainbow today!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(649 words)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Adapted from: Leonard Selva
Gurunathan Heart & Soul Starmag Sunday
30 March 2008<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-79886876807460660082012-11-18T07:21:00.002-08:002012-11-18T07:21:36.476-08:00Greek God Injury Report<img height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/231061_10151237954575768_1062019219_n.jpg" width="400" />Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-81002652781629404582012-11-06T07:56:00.004-08:002012-11-06T07:56:55.578-08:00Making A Difference<img height="213" src="http://www.hertsmereleisure.co.uk/images_centres/sirjames/swimmer.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As much as I love inspirational
quotes and stories, I never imagined that someday, I would figure in one of
them. But life is full of surprises, so here’s my story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The day started just like any other and
I waited patiently for the sun to go down so I could go for a dip. At 7.15pm, I
looked out the window and saw a beautiful sunset. It was my cue to head
downstairs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I approached the pool, I noticed a
young lady getting out from the other end. Well, it’s going to be me swimming
alone that night, I thought to myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I geared up and got into the pool
gently. Once I had gotten used to the temperature of the water, I noticed the
same person had returned and begun swimming. I could not keep my eyes off her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">She swam lap after lap without
stopping. Feeling a little </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">let down</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> by my own speed, I pushed myself a little
harder at the start of each lap, pausing occasionally to enjoy the view around
me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After seven years of living in the
same condo, most people would have gotten tired of the same, although amazing,
view from my pool. But I never fail to gloat about it – it’s the main
attraction for anyone who visits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had planned on doing 20 laps. After
the 18<sup>th</sup> lap, I stopped to take a rest. It was then that the young
lady came up and started thanking me profusely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At first I did not quite understand
her. She then explained that she had given up her passion for swimming some
years ago. But that evening, after a long day at work, she decided that she
would get back into the pool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, she was only two laps
through when everyone else in the water started to get up and head home. She
felt uneasy swimming alone and wanted to do the same. That was when she saw me approaching
and decided to continue with her laps as she now had company. My presence in
the pool that night had also inspired her to swim again, she added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her words caught me by surprise and
all that I could mutter was, “You’re welcome,” while flashing a wide smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As we both swam to the other end of
the pool, she whispered, “See ya,” before getting out. As I completed my last
two laps, I started thinking about what had just happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How could my presence make such a
difference in someone else’s life? After all, I did not offer her any
assistance; I was simply going about my own business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then it struck me that in most of the
stories I had heard or read, the characters were unaware of the effect they
would have on someone else’s life. It just happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thinking back on that experience
still gives me goose bumps: what if I had been lazy and decided to go for my
swim the next day instead? I would have killed your passion, young lady. Surely
I would not be guilty, as I was unaware of the situation. But now, I know the
impact of my presence on you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, the next time anyone thinks of
herself as unworthy of making a difference, think again. I am proof of that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(550 words)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Adapted from: Caren Alyssha Philip
Heart & Soul Star2 Sunday 27 May 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-43057485737727459402012-11-04T05:48:00.001-08:002012-11-04T17:09:29.209-08:00Nautical Expressions<img height="237" src="http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/ships/ship2.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(To show/fly a) false flag<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To
pretend to be something you are not<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cars are identified by their license
plates; ships use flags. In the old days, pirates would check out the
nationality of their quarry, run up either the same flag or one of a trusted
ally, get in nice and close, and then launch their attack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Example: Our CEO got caught in false flag operation.
He thought she was an investment banker but she was actually working for one of
our rivals.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To take the
wind out of someone’s sails<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To depress someone. To bring someone
down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A sailing ship can only travel when
the wind fills its sails. The sight of a sailing ship suddenly coming to a
stop, its sails dangling uselessly, inspired this idiom. A captain may use his
ship to block the wind, thereby forcing a rival to come to a halt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Example: Discovering
we all have MBAs really took the wind out of Jeff’s sails.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To run a
tight ship<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To be very organised and efficient.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the old days, ship captains may or
may not have been efficient but they were certainly cruel. One of the many
legal punishments was keelhauling, where sailors were tied up, thrown overboard
and dragged underwater from one side of the ship to the other so that they will
be scarred or even killed by the sharp barnacles on the keel or bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Example:
Jack runs a tight ship so we should cut our overheads drastically.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To sail
close to the wind<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To do something dangerous. Also to do
something that is within the rules – but only just!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">A </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">sail boat</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> can only move if the wind
fills its sails. Therefore, if you sail directly into the wind, the air will
slide past your sails rather than fill them, and you will come to a stop. You
may even be blown backwards!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Example:
Sue-Anne enjoys sailing close to the wind but her mum is worried </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">she'll</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> land
herself in trouble one day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Adapted from: Ellen Whyte Logomania
Star2 Tuesday 4 Spetember 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-36385662222402703412012-10-29T07:28:00.000-07:002014-08-10T22:58:47.799-07:00How is the theme love shown in the novel you have read? <br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0f243e;">I have read the novel </span><span style="color: #0f243e; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‘</span><span style="color: #0f243e;">Catch Us If You Can</span><span style="color: #0f243e; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">’ written by Catherine</span><span style="color: #0f243e;">MacPhail.
It is an interesting novel. One of the
main messages the author highlights is that love is important in a family and
we should be willing to forgive our family for their wrongdoings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #0f243e;">Firstly, love between a grandparent and a
grandchild. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0f243e;">Granda loves Rory. To him,
Rory is his son. Rory and Granda share an amazing family love for each other,
Their love is deep and pure. Granda has been taking care of Rory ever since
Rory’s mother passed away and his father walked out of their life. Granda sees
to the needs of Rory in schooling and goes to see the class teacher whenever
being called such as Parents’ Night. Rory also loves his grandfather. Rory will
do anything to care for Granda and make him happy. He readily sacrifices his
love for football and to be on the school football team so that he has time to
care for Granda. Their love surpasses most level people are capable of family
love. This is because of the unique situation the boy and his grandfather are
in. Because of this love, they are willing to run away in order not to be
separated. They shun the safety of the children’s home (Castle Street) and old
folks home (Rachnadar).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #0f243e;">Next, love between friends. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0f243e;">Here Rory loves and is loved
by his friends such as Tyrone and Darren. Darren gives the key of his mom’s
caravan to Rory in the Great Escape. Tyrone along with his parents, Ruby and
Sammy, help Granda and Rory in their journey because he could empathise with
Rory and his Granda. These people believe that Rory and his grandfather are
doing the right thing to stay together and they do not expect to be paid for
helping Rory and Granda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #0f243e;">Then, Tyrone’s family too portrays family love.</span></b><span style="color: #0f243e;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0f243e;">They are a loving and
close-knit family. Sammy is the head of the family and a good provider. Ruby
sees to the family’s everyday needs. Tyrone tells Rory that he will never part
from his parents. It is his fear too that one day he will be taken away from
them by the authorities. Like Rory, he will never allow this to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #0f243e;">Lastly, we also see the love shown by the public . <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0f243e;">Their journey is a struggle
to stay free. Strangers help them all the way, giving them shelter and making
safe plans for them. Rab, the petrol station owner, gives shelter to the runaways knowing that
they are in trouble. He and his girlfriend, Annie helps Granda and Rory cross
the Borders to enter England and seeks Annie’s cousin’s help. Norma and her daughter, Nicola, allow Rory and
Granda to stay overnight at their house in Lake District. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0f243e;">As a conclusion, the theme
love is shown between the main character, Rory and the people surrounding him
that is his grandfather, his best friend and new friends like Tyrone and his
family, and strangers like Rab and friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0f243e;">It is true that ‘love does
not count’ and ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0f243e;">In my opinion, family
relationships should be nurtured and not taken for granted as family happiness
and stability depend on this positive attitude.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0f243e;">Adapted from : Modul Pecutan Akhir SPM JPN Kelantan 2012)</span></div>
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-4309279461607163322012-10-19T21:16:00.004-07:002012-10-19T21:16:54.682-07:00English, The Language of Opportunities<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If you meet a fellow Malaysian and he
doesn’t understand English, chances are you’ll be conversing in Bahasa Melayu.
Young or old, rich or poor, city or ‘kampung’ folk, all of us have at least
basic knowledge of our national language.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our parents spoke Bahasa Melayu. Our
neighbours would yell, ‘Hujan mari!’, or maybe ‘Hujan mali!’, and we always
knew what it meant: drop everything and take in the clothes. In school, we
greeted our class teacher with a loud ‘Selamat pagi, Cikgu!’ regardless whether
he or she was a Malay, Chinese, Indian, or any other race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From schools to universities to
offices to retirement homes, our beloved language holds a special place in our
hearts. We sang ‘Negaraku’ together, cheered for the Malaysian Tigers, laughed
and cried in front of the television watching P Ramlee or a Yasmin Ahmad
commercial or one of the more current films. And even when we speak in English
or Cantonese or Tamil, we still use Bahasa Melayu to some degree. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Its grammar, vocabulary and
pronunciation are unlike any in the world. That’s why you teach it to your
children and encourage them to do the same to theirs. Having said that, do not
stop them from learning English as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Over 1.8 billion people speak and
understand English. That’s one fourth of the world’s population. Just think
about the places your children could explore, people they will meet, stories
they will hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">English is the common language in
almost every endeavour, from science to air traffic control to diplomacy. It is
spoken at some of the best universities, during job interviews and in hospitals
everywhere. 80% of the world’s electronically-stored information is in English.
It is also the dominant language of the Internet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Scholars and researchers are already
calling it the world’s first truly global language. Like football, English
belongs to everybody and nobody at the same time. More non-native speakers of
the language (that’s us) are shaping and remaking it every day, creating new
words or giving new meanings to old ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sir Richard Branson famously compared
opportunities to buses: ‘There is always another one coming.’ Quite true.
Except that by having command of both Bahasa Melayu and English, your child won’t
have to wait for the transport. Instead, the bus will be waiting for him. And
who knows how far he’ll go?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(401 words)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Adapted from: English For More
Opportunities Star2 Sunday 2 September 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-90903347683232558122012-10-19T18:34:00.001-07:002012-10-19T19:02:20.416-07:00Nature - Questions<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>What are the 4 seasons mentioned in
the poem?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>What are the 2 colours mentioned in
the poem?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yellow, Green<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Name the parts of the poem that are
related to the sense of sound<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The sound of
rain beating down hard on the rooftops like bullets on the roofs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The swish of
water in the gullies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The sound of
bees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Name 2 types of
plants or crops mentioned in the poem<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sugar
cane/Guango trees/Mango/Logwood/Buttercups<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Name 2
different types of days mentioned in the poem<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sunny days/Rainy
days/Windy days/Days when there are storms/Days when the leaves fall from the
mango and the logwood blossom<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>How do you
think the persona feels about the natural beauty of his country?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He is proud,
joyful and exultant <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Adapted from : STAR-NIE 19 September
2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-64340019526005326182012-10-19T18:30:00.002-07:002012-10-19T18:30:20.606-07:00Nature<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This poem reflects the persona’s
pride in his country’s natural beauty. It celebrates the natural beauty of
Jamaica in a joyous and exultant mood. The many aspects of Jamaican nature are
beautifully described.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Despite not having the seasonal
changes of winter, spring, summer and autumn, Jamaica has its own cycle of
changes. This is vividly described in the different days that Jamaica
experiences; bright hot sunny days to rainy days when the earth lies fallow until
it bursts with activity and beauty again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are shown images of tropical
rainstorms and strong winds that threaten to uproot trees as well as the
scorching heat from the sun that shines down on green cane fields<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are taken to the next change of
season when leaves fade and fall off from trees, only to have our senses waken
once again when the logwood blossoms and the bushes come alive with the sound
of buzzing bees and the smell of honey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The final, almost breath-taking,
image is of the earth being paved with yellow stars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Adapted from : STAR-NIE 19 September
2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-37784367827457692582012-10-19T08:36:00.002-07:002012-10-19T08:37:56.096-07:00He Had Such Quiet Eyes - Questions<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the first
stanza, what other words can you use to replace the word ‘quiet’ in the phrase ‘quiet
eyes’ without changing the intended meaning?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Deceptive/Dishonest/Pretending/Devious/Misleading/False<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What do
these lines mean?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">They were two pools of lies<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Layered with thinnest eyes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Danger lurked
beneath the seemingly calm and sincere demeanour of the boy/man<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She’d be free from the ‘hows and the whys’. Write 2
possible questions that could have been asked by the girl.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">How could I
have been so trusting?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Why did he
leave me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">How could he
have done this to me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Why was I so
blind?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">What do you think the line ‘<i>Be sure that nice really means nice’</i> from the poem means?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Being friendly
and cordial with a man is fine as long as there are no hidden motives or expectations
on his part for casual, physical intimacy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Adapted from : STAR-NIE, 19 September
2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-47844093065165308822012-10-19T08:09:00.002-07:002012-10-19T08:09:32.114-07:00He Had Such Quiet Eyes<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The poem describes how a girl is
deceived by the appearance of a seemingly sincere man. She eventually succumbs
to his desires for physical intimacy. She does this despite warnings and advice
from others about the possible dangers and consequences of being too trusting
and naive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She regrets later when she realises
how she has been taken in by his false expressions of yearning for her. The
poem ends with advice given to women; fleeting heartbreaks when relationships
fall apart are better options in comparison to the folly of naivety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Adapted from : STAR-NIE, 19 September
2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-14190752016660185662012-10-19T07:55:00.001-07:002012-10-19T08:08:14.072-07:00Are You Still Playing Your Flute?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the first stanza, the persona
feels guilt in longing for the song of the flautist. The persona continues to
pen about a conscience that is disturbed, in the third stanza. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>What do you think is the reason
behind the persona’s feelings of guilt and a disturbed conscience?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The reason she feels guilty in the
first stanza could be because it is she who has distanced herself from her
beloved. She therefore feels that she should not be longing for the melody of
the flute nor the flautist himself. In the third stanza, her conscience is
possibly troubled because her thoughts keep returning to the flautist despite
the knowledge that there are more pressing and urgent matters that demand her
attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>The last line of the poem states:
<i>This world is too old and bleeding</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This line makes reference to a world
that seems ‘wounded’ and depleted. It has aged and lost its prime and freshness.
There is only heartache and trouble now. In the lines before this, the persona
also mentions violence, unemployment and political disunity.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Adapted from: STAR-NIE 19 September 2012</span></div>
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-72809226045933338062012-10-12T08:41:00.000-07:002012-10-12T08:41:15.204-07:00Modern Day Frog Prince<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">“Helen dear, why
is there a frog on the chair next to you?” the king, who had just sat down for
the midday meal, asked his beautiful daughter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">With downcast
eyes, the princess shifted uncomfortably in her seat and kept quiet. The little
batrachian creature with shiny eyes and a green mottled coat explained, “This
morning, the princess lost her golden ball when it rolled into the pond,
dimpled its surface and disappeared completely.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Diving into a
pond to recover things is my <u>strong point</u>, and I was delighted when the
princess gave me her <u>word of honour</u> that I could live with her if I
retrieved the plaything for her. But she reneged on her promise, Your Majesty.
She said to me, “ <u>Buzz off – I have other fish to fry.</u>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">“Is that true?”
the king asked the princess. She nodded and said, “ I <u>wouldn’t be seen dead</u>
with a frog.” Placing an arthritic arm over her shoulder, the king said, “Promises
should never be broken.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">With a grim
expression, the princess invited the frog to jump onto the table. “What’s this
in the golden bowl?” the frog asked, as glutinous saliva dribbled from his
mouth. “Vegetable soup,” said the king. “For an amphibian, it could be an <u>acquired
taste</u>.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">As the frog
slurped his food, making swishing sounds like water purling between rocks, the
princess said to her father, “ <u>For crying out loud</u>, our tablemate doesn’t
care that it is bad manners to break your bread or roll in your soup!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">After lunch, the
princess reluctantly invited her guest to her room. When he hopped onto her
bed, she couldn’t control herself anymore. Gritting her teeth, she picked him
up and deposited him on the floor. And the frog turned into a wispy cloud of
smoke, which instantly metamorphosed into a handsome prince dressed in his <u>best
bib and tucker</u>!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">The princess
smiled in relief when the prince told her that a wicked witch had cast a spell
on him that could only be broken by the touch of a princess. Her brow
corrugating, she asked, “Will you turn into a frog again?” “ Definitely not!”
said the prince. “<u>What is more</u>, I intend to ask a beautiful princess to
marry me!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">One’s strong
point – something at which one excels</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">word of honour –
a sincere promise</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">buzz off – go away</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">have
other/bigger fish to fry – to have more important matters to attend to</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">wouldn’t be seen
dead – would have nothing to do with; strongly dislike</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">acquired taste –
something one learns to like over time</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">for crying out
loud – an exclamation of irritation or exasperation</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">one’s best bib
and tucker – one’s finest clothes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">what’s more –
also/furthermore</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">(459 words)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Adapted from: Idiomania
Star2 Tuesday 28 August 2012</span></div>
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-28094546774049295252012-10-12T07:56:00.003-07:002012-10-12T07:58:11.214-07:00Ways To Improve English<img height="320" src="http://images.ibox.bg/2008/03/17/sdfds/519x764.jpg" width="217" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Dimitar
Berbatov, the handsome Bulgarian football player worked on improving his
English by watching the Godfather films again and again, especially Godfather
III. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">We are told that
there are four skills to be developed in the teaching of a language: Reading,
Writing, Listening and Speaking. Let me try and suggest certain ways in which
we can improve our understanding and command of the language.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Reading</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Read books whose
subjects interest you, and try if possible to get some advice on whether the
books you have chosen are written well. Also, choose books whose language
provides some challenge to you, but not too much, because that might discourage
you. If there are 10 or more words on every page that you don’t know the
meaning of, find a simpler book.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Sometimes you
may hear of a good classic English novel, like Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens,
and you can’t find it in a bookshop. There is also no library near you. You can
go to the <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/languages/en.html.utf8.gzip">Project Gutenberg</a> website. Here you can find lots and lots of good books. You can read them online or
print them, all for free. But if you have some money to spare, you are encouraged
to donate any sum you like to the project. The books have been made available
by people who have lovingly typed every word in so that these treasures can be
read by everyone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Dictionaries</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Reading alone is
not enough, of course. I really do think that Malaysians have to develop the
dictionary habit. I have observed how reluctant so many Malaysians are to look
up a word in a dictionary to find out its exact meaning or meanings. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">This is such a
pity because never before we had so many free dictionaries available, on the
Internet. So please take advantage of that. Some of them even pronounce the
words for you if you click on the right icons. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Writing</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">How about
improving your writing? If you have no tutor or a friend to help you, just
write a diary. You don’t need to write every day. But whenever you feel happy
or upset or angry about something, try to write how you feel in your diary. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Never mind if it
is somewhat ungrammatical at first: you will get better as you read more and
write more. And if you feel upset or angry, writing it all down may actually
help you feel less upset or angry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Speaking</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Speaking may be the
skill that is hardest to improve. Having a friend who is proficient in English
would be helpful. If you don’t have such a friend, try getting a tutor, if you
can afford it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">If you have
neither friend of that description, nor cash to pay for a tutor, don’t despair.
If you listen to the language often enough, you can try to speak it on your own.
Try reading aloud in the privacy of your home or room. It can be enjoyable.
Finally, what about grammar? The BBC website has a grammar section and you can
also try to get a grammar book from a big bookshop. Browse around and find one
that you think is at your level and also affordable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">(536 words)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Adapted from:
Fadzilah Amin Mind Our English Star2 Tuesday 28 August 2012</span></div>
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278816439396149682.post-70078450241785369242012-10-07T07:24:00.000-07:002012-10-07T07:24:07.302-07:00Stress<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 35.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Stress is not an alien term to anyone. As teenagers, we often put up
with stress on a daily basis. I remembered how my mum used to tell me without
hesitating to repeat it over and over again: “Those days, we could not even
afford a hand phone. Even if we did, they would not fit into our pockets. You
are so lucky nowadays.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 35.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">I do not give two hoots about my mother’s rants as much as the next
teenager, but what she said does apply. Being born into a fortunate era has
made most of us more vulnerable and easily threatened by obstacles.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 35.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Just think about it, every little thing in our daily lives appears
stressful to us. Woke up 30 minutes late on a Chemistry quiz day? Stress. Got
to school and realised you did not study section 3.5 on page 154? Stress. Could
not find a single 2B pencil in your bag during the PMR objective test? Stress.
Had a public fight with your girlfriend in the hall right after your test
without knowing what you were fighting about afterwards? STRESS,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 35.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">It is simply too easy to trigger that little stress button at the
back of our minds. It all builds up to form stressors, and stressors, of
course, cause stress that encourages people to act out in unfavourable ways.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 35.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">The first step to overcome stress is to learn more about it. Things
would be more manageable when we realise what we are actually dealing
with. Prioritising and time management helps
as well , as it helps us determine what is most important, and what we should
avoid fussing over.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">For example, realising that the Chemistry quiz tomorrow is vital to
your studies will steer you towards making the right decision to turn down the
outing to town with your friends. By doing so, you’d have ample time to go
through section 3.5 on page 154 at least three times, wake up 30 minutes
earlier on the test day and packed extra 2B pencils, all nicely sharpened;
finish your test 10 minutes earlier and not bump into your girlfriend in the
hall. What seemed to be a strenuous and hectic day would simply turn
stress-free without us having to completely reconstruct our lives.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Stress is born in the brain and it wounds the brain. Therefore,
another effective option to combat stress is to stay positive. You may be
thinking, “easier said than done”. I agree. But by mentally convincing
ourselves that there are some things that we cannot control, we can minimise
potential heartache when it comes to dealing with dissatisfying outcomes. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We have to also understand that stress isn’t always the enemy.
Positive stress helps us strive, and can act as motivation. But as we all know,
too much of a good thing gives an opposite effect. We should never let stress
conquer our minds or be the excuse to bring out the worst in us.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">As entrepreneur and lifestyle author Bill Phillips said, ‘stress
should be a powerful driving force, not an obstacle”. Don’t let stress dominate
you; be its master instead. Have a happy stress-free life!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">(522 words)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Writer: Carmen Khor, Sunway University</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Adapted from : R.AGE Star 2 Friday 14 September 2012</span></div>
Haslinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379347642389791922noreply@blogger.com0