Friendship. It is defined as the state where two people are friends. But this brings us to another issue. What are friends? To me, friends are seen as two people communicating with each other, recognising each other and acknowledging their presence. However, friendship is not as simple as it seems. There are two sides to friendship, one being positive while the other, negative. There are true friends and bad friends. These two different types of friends are really extremely different and worlds apart.
True friendship are those that include friends who are of no negative influence to you, but only positive. They influence you only in positive manners. For example, a true friend would actually help you in areas they are better than you. They will find all ways to help you whenever they can and are do not mind sharing all of their knowledge with you. They are of positive influence to you. And you reciprocate their kind intentions by helping them whenever you can as well. With this, you friends are helping each other constantly and influencing each other positively. True friends are also friends who are really honest with you, giving you their true comments. They are not shy to tell you that your way of doing things is wrong. However, when doing so, they take into consideration your pride as well, applying the most tactful manner to tell you so that they do not hurt your feelings. This, to me, is what true friendship is, influencing each other positively.
On the other hand, there is an artificial type of friendship. This type of friendship is seen almost everywhere among many people. These friends take advantage of you and use you to commit crimes. They are the givers of the ideas while you are the strength to fulfill their wishes, without you even knowing that they are using you to do the wrong things. Artificial friendship are those that gives you a negative influence on your life. Many people even tell you the wrong things, in hoping that they mess up your life while theirs would be successful. This type, is what I call artificial friendship.
In life, you never know when the friendship you have with your friend is true or artificial. It is by the instinct that tells you so. You can choose to trust your friend, but you can also choose not to. It is all up to you to how you want to view your friend, whether they are reliable or not. It is up to you to view your friend, whether they look truthful to you and whether you want to trust them or not.
My purpose of writing this is because in life, there are many friends you can have, but having a true friendship is very rare. So, whenever you have a friend, you must always be wary of them, but of course, being too suspicious is also not healthy for your friendship. Take me for example, I have friends too. But I don't know which ones are true friends. Some "backstab" you while others truly mean well. However, you never know what they are thinking. The only way to make a friendship true is to choose to trust them. But on the other hand, being too gullible is not good as well.
In conclusion, true friendship does not come by easily. If you have a friend who treats you and is better than others, accept them as your true friend and get close to them, because if you lose him or her, you will regret it for the rest of your life as no replicas of them will ever appear in your life again.
P.S. Maybe you could tell me about your experience with your friends?
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Risks -- Unavoidable Part of Your Life
Everyone takes risks in their lives, whether they want to or not. Risks are not very appealing to many people, however, they take them at many instances. Some risks taken have dire consequences, while others have positive ones. Risks are unavoidable in everyday life and nobody can possibly evade them. Many times, people understand the risks involved in whatever they do, the repercussions, the possibility of something backfiring, but they still do them when they have the confidence in succeeding.
For instance, risks are taken in academical instances. Everyone takes risks in their daily homework without even knowing them. When they do their homework, they will think of the possible answers to the question and answer them. At this point of time, they have inevitably taken a risk. Risk in the sense that they do not know the answer to the question, so they are in a sense taking a risk by answering it, since they might make a mistake. However, this type of risks are necessary to take because if they don't, they will also take the risk of getting scolded. At this instance, you are faced with two risks you need to take. Therefore, people will definitely go for the risk which causes less dire consequences, that is answering the question and take the risk. This type of example is an uncontrollable type of risk that everyone has to take in their lives.
Another type of risk is one where you get a choice whether or not to take a risk. An example would be in class. When the teacher asks a question, you have the choice whether or not to answer it. By answering it, you are actually taking a risk. I feel this way because when I answer a question, I am constantly under the pressure that my answer would be considered stupid and my classmates would laugh at me, giving me peer pressure. But if you choose not to answer, you are actually not taking a risk. Another example would be when you are choosing a CCA. When choosing a CCA, you know that every one of them consists risks in them. For example, my CCA, water polo, has risks in it. I am aware of them and it is a decision made. I am constantly at the risk of getting scratches or being hurt when playing the game. However, I made this decision.
These are just minor instances of risk taking activities. Major ones would be those which include life and death. Everyone would have at least taken a risk in their lives. Some might be major ones which could affect them drastically while some will be minor ones which do not affect them much. Nonetheless, whether the risks taken are major or minor, there will always be something to motivate you to take the risk. For me, I took the risk and joined water polo because I had the burning passion in that sport. I enjoy playing water polo and this motivated me greatly to take the risk and join water polo.
In conclusion, what my main point is, is that everyone would have to take risks in their lives. And whether the risks taken would be able to be overcome is all up to them. Risks are normally taken when they are motivated by something. With this, I end this post and by posting this, I am actually also taking a risk because what I say may not be appealing to everyone and I might be condemned for an illogical post, if you feel this is one...
For instance, risks are taken in academical instances. Everyone takes risks in their daily homework without even knowing them. When they do their homework, they will think of the possible answers to the question and answer them. At this point of time, they have inevitably taken a risk. Risk in the sense that they do not know the answer to the question, so they are in a sense taking a risk by answering it, since they might make a mistake. However, this type of risks are necessary to take because if they don't, they will also take the risk of getting scolded. At this instance, you are faced with two risks you need to take. Therefore, people will definitely go for the risk which causes less dire consequences, that is answering the question and take the risk. This type of example is an uncontrollable type of risk that everyone has to take in their lives.
Another type of risk is one where you get a choice whether or not to take a risk. An example would be in class. When the teacher asks a question, you have the choice whether or not to answer it. By answering it, you are actually taking a risk. I feel this way because when I answer a question, I am constantly under the pressure that my answer would be considered stupid and my classmates would laugh at me, giving me peer pressure. But if you choose not to answer, you are actually not taking a risk. Another example would be when you are choosing a CCA. When choosing a CCA, you know that every one of them consists risks in them. For example, my CCA, water polo, has risks in it. I am aware of them and it is a decision made. I am constantly at the risk of getting scratches or being hurt when playing the game. However, I made this decision.
These are just minor instances of risk taking activities. Major ones would be those which include life and death. Everyone would have at least taken a risk in their lives. Some might be major ones which could affect them drastically while some will be minor ones which do not affect them much. Nonetheless, whether the risks taken are major or minor, there will always be something to motivate you to take the risk. For me, I took the risk and joined water polo because I had the burning passion in that sport. I enjoy playing water polo and this motivated me greatly to take the risk and join water polo.
In conclusion, what my main point is, is that everyone would have to take risks in their lives. And whether the risks taken would be able to be overcome is all up to them. Risks are normally taken when they are motivated by something. With this, I end this post and by posting this, I am actually also taking a risk because what I say may not be appealing to everyone and I might be condemned for an illogical post, if you feel this is one...
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Spirit Like No Other
Today marks the day of the end of the high school Water Polo Championship. I saw what true water polo is today and it really gave me a complex understanding to water polo. Water polo is not about the technique or the swimming, oh well guess it might be, but today, I finally understood what my seniors always meant when they say, "Go down there and play like there's no tomorrow."
I went to watch the B Division water polo championship today between HCI and ACSI. At the preliminary round, HCI lost to ACSI 6-2. With this result, it seemed as though ACSI were the favourites to beat HCI in the finals, already proving their mettle. ACSI were all extremely fit swimmers and there was no doubt their team was one of the best in Singapore. With all these factors, ACSI were extremely confident of winning.
However, HCI, not being wavered by the preliminary performance, went to CCAB with high spirits, knowing that if they worked doubly hard, they had a chance, and that chance wasn't a small one, that they could just well walk away with the gold. Furthermore, with the fact that HCI has had a drought of the B Division gold, my seniors really wanted to place their names in history to be the batch to break the drought. In addition, the supporters for HCI was really awesome, cheering their hearts out, not minding to break their vocal chords. They were really great, supporting as best as they could, and with their vocal support, it overwhelmed ACSI till ACSI's drums and props which were used for support instead of voices, was nothing compared to us. With these great motivations, there was really a urge and a craving in them to snatch the gold.
ACSI, with their victory over HCI in the preliminary round, thought that this would be an easy fight, but they were proven wrong, when HCI took the lead over ACSI with 2-1 in the first half. It was really a very tough fight, with ACSI taking the lead several times, but HCI really wanted the gold and fought really hard, when the centre back did his best to snatch as many balls as possible, fighting so hard, but unfortunately got a permanent sack, having collected three sacks. HCI did not back down without a fight, they persevered, defended and attacked. They equalised many many times and the score was finally tied at 4-4 in the last quarter. Heartrendingly, with about a minute or so left, ACSI put in a shot and made the score 5-4. And that was the final score, with ACSI grabbing the gold. At this moment, everyone in HCI were heartbroken, inside all of us, we knew we emerged the better team, but were unlucky that we lost. The entire water polo team was in low spirits, but we still congratulated the ACSI team. This sportsmanship was something every athlete should equip themselves with no matter what sport you play.
When I saw the rough fights in the pool, the sweat, the pain from the tough match and the scratches they endured, I was really emotionally moved by this scene. It seemed as though all the blood they bled, all the perspiration they sweated out, they all went down the drain, but in our hearts, we know who was the better side.
In particular, I noticed the B Division vice-captain. He had a medical history, and almost had to stop water polo. However, he persevered, with the support of his teammates, and he came back to play. He could well be said the man of the match, playing extremely hard for the team and snatching many balls from the opponent. The effort he put in although he almost could not play water polo anymore. I saw his chest, with scratches on it, and blood oozing out, but I could tell he didn't mind all this anymore, he was only heartbroken about the loss, because he really gave it his best and felt that they should have won the match. But at this time, it was all over and what's done was done. They accepted it and moved on, although it would be etched in their minds for eternity. At that time, I could really feel that sense of being in a team, that in a team, there was no blaming each other. You rise as a team, and you fall as a team. This time, they fell as a team, but they were able to pick themselves up and present themselves in front of their supporters to thank them. It was really a true spirit of athletes.
I really felt sad at that time and comforted them. Although they lost, I have never seen a fighting spirit like theirs before. It was extremely impressive and I aspired to be like them when I become a senior myself. Since they couldn't break the drought, it would be up to us to demonstrate and see if we can break it.
Lastly, I would like to talk about the purpose of this post. The purpose is to show that no matter what happens, whether the odds are stacked against you or not, you must never feel demoralised and should go all the way, not backing down a single bit at all. You should have the fighting spirit and determination to fight all the way. Because, you never know the result of a match till it's played, everyone has an equal 50/50 chance of winning the match. So, can you'll discuss with me what feelings have you'll felt when you lost or won a competition?
I went to watch the B Division water polo championship today between HCI and ACSI. At the preliminary round, HCI lost to ACSI 6-2. With this result, it seemed as though ACSI were the favourites to beat HCI in the finals, already proving their mettle. ACSI were all extremely fit swimmers and there was no doubt their team was one of the best in Singapore. With all these factors, ACSI were extremely confident of winning.
However, HCI, not being wavered by the preliminary performance, went to CCAB with high spirits, knowing that if they worked doubly hard, they had a chance, and that chance wasn't a small one, that they could just well walk away with the gold. Furthermore, with the fact that HCI has had a drought of the B Division gold, my seniors really wanted to place their names in history to be the batch to break the drought. In addition, the supporters for HCI was really awesome, cheering their hearts out, not minding to break their vocal chords. They were really great, supporting as best as they could, and with their vocal support, it overwhelmed ACSI till ACSI's drums and props which were used for support instead of voices, was nothing compared to us. With these great motivations, there was really a urge and a craving in them to snatch the gold.
ACSI, with their victory over HCI in the preliminary round, thought that this would be an easy fight, but they were proven wrong, when HCI took the lead over ACSI with 2-1 in the first half. It was really a very tough fight, with ACSI taking the lead several times, but HCI really wanted the gold and fought really hard, when the centre back did his best to snatch as many balls as possible, fighting so hard, but unfortunately got a permanent sack, having collected three sacks. HCI did not back down without a fight, they persevered, defended and attacked. They equalised many many times and the score was finally tied at 4-4 in the last quarter. Heartrendingly, with about a minute or so left, ACSI put in a shot and made the score 5-4. And that was the final score, with ACSI grabbing the gold. At this moment, everyone in HCI were heartbroken, inside all of us, we knew we emerged the better team, but were unlucky that we lost. The entire water polo team was in low spirits, but we still congratulated the ACSI team. This sportsmanship was something every athlete should equip themselves with no matter what sport you play.
When I saw the rough fights in the pool, the sweat, the pain from the tough match and the scratches they endured, I was really emotionally moved by this scene. It seemed as though all the blood they bled, all the perspiration they sweated out, they all went down the drain, but in our hearts, we know who was the better side.
In particular, I noticed the B Division vice-captain. He had a medical history, and almost had to stop water polo. However, he persevered, with the support of his teammates, and he came back to play. He could well be said the man of the match, playing extremely hard for the team and snatching many balls from the opponent. The effort he put in although he almost could not play water polo anymore. I saw his chest, with scratches on it, and blood oozing out, but I could tell he didn't mind all this anymore, he was only heartbroken about the loss, because he really gave it his best and felt that they should have won the match. But at this time, it was all over and what's done was done. They accepted it and moved on, although it would be etched in their minds for eternity. At that time, I could really feel that sense of being in a team, that in a team, there was no blaming each other. You rise as a team, and you fall as a team. This time, they fell as a team, but they were able to pick themselves up and present themselves in front of their supporters to thank them. It was really a true spirit of athletes.
I really felt sad at that time and comforted them. Although they lost, I have never seen a fighting spirit like theirs before. It was extremely impressive and I aspired to be like them when I become a senior myself. Since they couldn't break the drought, it would be up to us to demonstrate and see if we can break it.
Lastly, I would like to talk about the purpose of this post. The purpose is to show that no matter what happens, whether the odds are stacked against you or not, you must never feel demoralised and should go all the way, not backing down a single bit at all. You should have the fighting spirit and determination to fight all the way. Because, you never know the result of a match till it's played, everyone has an equal 50/50 chance of winning the match. So, can you'll discuss with me what feelings have you'll felt when you lost or won a competition?
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
A New Beginning
Today marks a new beginning for several things. Today is Wednesday, 24th April, a day memorable to me. I will be listing out the several issues that happened today.
Firstly, yesterday was my finals for the National Water Polo Championship 2010, C Division. Before we went down to play, I will be honest with you, I was feeling quite nervous, as it was my very first time playing at the Finals of the water polo competition. The match was against ACSI, a strong rival of my school. At the preliminaries, we lost to them 8-3, with ACSI then moving on the emerge victorious in the rest of their matches and proceeding to the finals. For us, because we lost, if we wanted a secure position in the finals, we had to win the rest of the matches. I became quite nervous as Raffles won ACS(Barker) by almost the same margin as we did. However, we did emerge victorious against Raffles and proceeded on to the finals, much to my relief and satisfaction. At the finals, I can say that I fought hard in the pool, and of course, with the help of my teammates, the score in the first half was 2-1 in favour of ACSI. However, we started to let in free men and counter breaks in the second half where ACSI increased the margin and finally the match ended with 10-4 in favour of ACSI. Although the margin is quite big, I feel that we have really tried our best to win this competition, but I have to admit that the other side was fitter in terms of stamina, enabling them to win us by such a huge margin in the second half. However, today marks a new beginning for my water polo life, being able to fight for the B Division gold next year, ending the drought for more than a decade!
Next, it is a new beginning for all of the students in Hwa Chong. This is the start of the new term, for everyone to start mugging for better results in the new term to pull up their results from term 1. In addition, it is also a new beginning for Hwa Chong as Founder's Day just passed and the celebration was today. I was helping out as a councillor and did not attend the CIP my class had to do. I helped out at the College auditorium where all the awardees collected their prizes. My brother was one of them, being an ARE winner. Watching them go up one by one, especially my brother, it really inspired me that I could be one of them, if I worked hard year after year. They really inspired me, especially my brother. Therefore, it's a new beginning for my school, having another year and more years to go by. It is also a new beginning for me, my journey to strive for excellence.
In fact, it is not just this day that marks a new beginning for everyone. Everyday is a new beginning for everyone. It just depends on how serious people treat their days. Everyday, there is a chance, a new hope that something good might happen. And what happened yesterday, whether good or bad, is now history and it is no point thinking about it. Therefore, the last message I would like to say to my friends are, no matter what happened yesterday, whether you lost a competition, whether you failed your exams, whether a tragedy occurred, life moves on. There will be better things ahead of you. There will be a better tomorrow.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Believe. Confidence. Success.
Before I begin my post, please take a look at the link below.
Are you intimidated by the gladiators shown in the video? If you are already intimidated, how about going up close with them and battling with them in various events? Will you immediately back out of the competition?
Well, to the competitors in the American Gladiators, they are willing to give all they have to fight with the gladiators and pull through the entire event just for the pride and prize. I am sure the prize money of $100,000 US dollars does tempt the competitors, but I feel that the pride to win and the true interest in overcoming various challenges and feats do make them want to win this and really fight their way through to win this. Many competitors have participated. Many have failed. Many have encountered many setbacks. Many have went through various challenges just for the gold. But only one will remain standing strong on the podium, only one will bring back the gold of $100,000 US dollars.
Who then, will eventually win the prize? I feel that this game is more of mental than physical. If you go head to head with the gladiators, the immediate feeling will be, "This guy is so big! How do you expect me to win him hands down?" I feel that it is natural for people to feel this way. In order to win this competition, I feel that mental strength is the most vital factor to win this competition. Without the basic mental strength, where will you get the boost to win this competition? Without the confidence, nothing will be possible. It is all in the mind, the mindset.
I was watching this show just now. Before every event, the gladiators will say some mean and intimidating words to shake you off your feet and lose even the little confidence you would have. I could see the fear in the competitors' eyes, especially one of them. However, before the event, he said some confidence-boosting words to himself and to the camera. I believe these words were really the vital ones and he finally managed to conquer all difficulties in the event and reached the final spot by the designated time, even overcoming the gladiator in the end. This is really a tough feat to overcome if not for his confidence level. This really motivated me a lot and showed me that with will comes great power.
In the show, what I remembered the deepest were two sentences before the grand finale of the competition by two separate contestants. They are, "Get back up! Do not give up without a fight!" and, "Half the size, twice the heart." These two sentences really motivated me greatly in showing me the confidence level the competitors had to finally overcome the various challenges. The first sentences is to explain that you have to be determined and should not give up if you haven't even tried, but feel contented only when you have given it your best. The second sentence is to show that although you might be on the disadvantage physically, you should have the great mental strength to face this competition. These two sentences were apparently said by two separate competitors in the grand finale. I believe that this mindset was what brought these two great competitors to the finale and fight for the gold.
Why did I want to write this post then? Is it just purely because of teaching people morals? No. This is because I would like to motivate myself and also to motivate others, especially my water polo teammates who are currently going through the nationals. No matter what you do, just know that you have to have the confidence. What I am trying to say to my teammates is, be confident, treat every game seriously, with the mindset that you can bring home the gold. But also, no matter what we get, just know you have done your best and be contented. Working hard in the future will definitely pay off. This is just the exposure and we are still learning. If you think you will lose even before the match, the match is a goner. Just do your best and work hard. Last but not least, nothing is impossible! So, to all my brothers out there with me in the war, work hard and we are fighting not as one individual, but as a team and we have to support each other through thick and thin, hopefully bringing home the gold in the end!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Multiple Intelligences Test
Firstly, I have a very high math-logic and I could not agree with this more. I am not trying to be boastful, but I feel that my maths is my strongest subject and I have always gotten high grades for it, with a few exceptional and accidental slips due to a little complacency. I feel that math is a very enjoyable subject, where practice makes perfect. It is also true that once we know the formula, it helps to make everything so much simpler for us. This explains why my strongest point is in math-logic.
Next, I will be talking about interpersonal skills. So what is interpersonal? As the name suggests, it pertains to the relations between people. I feel that this is actually quite accurate. I am able to guess what people want. I am able to guess what people are thinking. I am able to guess what they are going to do. These are traits of a person with interpersonal skills. It best describes me as I am able to guess pretty well what other people really want. In several cases, I was able to guess what people are thinking and act according to the situation. I am able to understand people's emotions and see why they are feeling in this way. This has occurred to me several times. Thus, I would be glad to say that I am strong in interpersonal skills.
Lastly, I would like to post on my weakest intelligence, kinesthetic. Why then, some of you might be wondering, is my kinesthetic level so low but yet I am able to join water polo. I don't know about this sharing of mine but some of you might find it illogical. It just seems to me that in the swimming pool, I have a better stamina than on land. I am unable to do long-distance running. That is clearly evident in my NAPFA tests. However, by joining water polo, it has certainly aided me in improving my kinesthetic level, improving my 2.4km run timings. There is a reason why I joined water polo, in fact many reasons and this is only one of them. I hope that in the future, my kinesthetic will rise up and not be like this anymore. Hence, this is the reason why I have such a low kinesthetic level.
Ok, I will not continue to blow you away with my long sharing of my intelligences, lest you find me self-centred, making such a long post revolving around nobody but me! So, now I would like to place the attention onto you readers out there! What do you think about the multiple test, if you have done, and is it a reliable and verified source? Please drop a comment!
Last but not least, I would like to recommend this test to you. It is very accurate for me and I trust it will be for you as well. You just have to answer the questions truthfully and don't cheat yourself. I mean, what is the point of even cheating in this test? It is just purely ridiculous, unless some of you might be shy of showing low intelligences and want to 保持形象? I recommend you to take this test as it really shows you your strengths and weaknesses such that you can work on them and in the end, unleash your full potentials to the fullest!
Linguistic TKAM
Imagine you are one of the characters. Deliver a speech on what you think of the above question.
Is Maycomb a good place to live in?
Character chosen -- Tom Robinson
Are you asking me if Maycomb is a good place to live in? Well, the answer is pretty obvious, isn't it? If you are thinking that Maycomb is a good place to live in, there really must be something wrong with you! Maycomb, to some people, might be a peaceful and small town which is enjoyable, but to me, well, it is in fact a peaceful town, but certainly not enjoyable! In this state, it is impossible for the citizens to have equal rights! Just take a look at me, a perfect example, being accused of having raped a woman, Mayella Ewell, just because I am black, just because I am of a different skin colour which has been discriminated against all this while. We blacks have no right to speak. We have no right to justify ourselves. We have no right to decide our fate. Finally, we suffer and get discriminated by the whites. We are not even given the chance to fight for our rights against the whites, supposedly of a higher class. What we can do though, is to suffer and just hope for a better tomorrow, which will never come.
Look at my recent case regarding the raping of Mayella Ewell. I am a handicapped person. I have a withered arm. Do you think it is even possible that I am able to rape a able-bodied girl like Mayella? This is nothing but a big fat joke! However, the jury believed Mayella's account that I actually grabbed and slapped her at the same time! How ironical is this? No righteousness and justice was served. Just because I am a black, they gave me such a sentence, a sentence to death, even when I had not done anything and could not have raped a person. How could they have such discrimination against we blacks? Aren't we just like other whites? Aren't we human beings to them?
Despite all this, I must thank a person who gave me his full support, who stood up for me, who stood for what is morally right. This person is Atticus Finch. Although he is a white, he withstood pressure from others and stood up for me, fighting for me. This display of courage is so remarkable and I am really grateful for this. Skin colour was not what mattered most to him. What mattered most is what is right, what is just and what should be done. It really took him lots of courage to do this and I really know that he tried his best to protect my rights. However, what is this place? Maycomb. The prejudice against blacks still prevail and Atticus changes nothing for me. In the end, I am bound to be sentenced to death.
In Maycomb, courageous and morally upright people like Atticus are almost extinct. People just follow the norms and discriminate against the blacks, thinking we are the lower echelons of people. We the blacks can only wait, waiting for the day when justice will be done, waiting for the day when there is equality among everyone, no matter who you are, and finally waiting for a better tomorrow. However, when will this day come? 10 years? 100 years? A million years? I think it only comes when we leave Maycomb and seek for a better environment where there is democracy and equality. Thus, I would like to reiterate my point that Maycomb is definitely not a good place to live in.
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