Finally. Internet that works.

About a year ago, my family upgraded our main computer. We upgraded it from a Dell to a Compaq. My first reaction was actually: Yes!! Another computer to take apart(Read: Destroy)! I have a knack of taking apart objects and never being able to restore them.

Some "victims" are:

1. A remote control for A RC car (It was never the same again)
2. A computer which ran on Windows 98 (I kept the parts for a year until I threw them away) (I also salvaged 40 screws and various thingamajigs)
3. A Creative e-Dictionary
4. etcetera, etcetera.

However, since the computer was still in a good condition, we kept it. In my room. It was not used for some 2 months, until we bought a wireless adapter for it, so that I could use the internet on it. However, that was a failure, due to unreliable internet access (Which died halfway through a game or assignment). So, the computer was un-used, and the monitor was taken by my Father. He connected his laptop to it for a bigger display.

This would have stayed like that, if not for 1 reason: the TV was next to the main computer & my parents believed that TV and work did not get along (Which was true). So, I was moved into my room with the computer.

The computer (at the time) was slow. After removing some less important applications, it was slightly faster. As for the internet, nothing worked for it. Finally, after I reverted to using the main computer, my parents bought a 15m internet cable and connected the outside modem right to my computer. Heh. It stretches through the whole corridor. It was well hidden behind a massive shelf and some well placed rugs/mats.

Now it works. FYI. I am using it currently to post this.

CCA allocation results... are finally out!!

Hi everyone!!

The CCA allocations results were out last Friday, 19th Feb.

The results were brought to the class before the reading period and pinned onto the noticeboard. Everyone swarmed around the noticeboard as they (frantically) tried to read the results. Soon, cries of "Yes!!" and groans were heard throughout the class. While some were joyful and proud of their allocation, some people were unhappy. Some of my friends (from other classes as well as 1I3) were planning to appeal.

You may be interested to know what CCA I got into. I got into a uniformed group... St.John's Ambulance Brigade.I also found out that two of my classmates were in SJAB (Short for St.John's Ambulance Brigade) with me.

After receiving the allocation results, we had to report to our respective CCAs later in the afternoon, at the respective times. Although I was a little disappointed with the results of my allocation, I decided to try out SJAB first before coming to a decision. There were 27 Sec 1s there on Friday. We learnt about Foot drills (we learnt two foot drills) and we also had the opportunity for some recreation, later on during SJAB. We went to the field to play Soccer. Although it was quite tiring (SJAB ended at 6.30) it was still very fun. I am not going to appeal as I like SJAB.

Bye!

Jonathan

P.S We had a cross-country practice. We will be having the real thing Day After Tomorrow (Wednesday 24 Feb)

Chinese New Year is here again!!

Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, holds a place in many hearts. Many people have different ideas and thoughts about it. Some people remember it as a time of visiting relatives and of the Reunion dinner on the eve of Chinese New Year. Others may remember it as a time when many festive snacks and tidbits are bought, or when festive songs are played on the radio, and other places.

For me and my friends, Chinese New Year, for this year, was when we went back to our Primary Schools. We had a half day to visit our old schools, and to show our gratitude towards our respective teachers. Also, this was a good opportunity to meet and catch up with my other friends from different Secondary Schools.

Everyone was thrilled to see each other. Many of us had gone to different Secondary schools, so we took the opportunity to meet up again. After meeting in school, some of us decided to go to a shopping centre to have lunch together, before heading for home. It was really fun, and there was a different feeling as we had not seen each other for 3 months. (13 people went out for lunch at Jurong point in one big group.)

However, while most families have "Tuan Yuan Fan" (Reunion Dinner), most of my relatives do not stay in Singapore. Thus, we have no opportunity to visit them. Although I do not get to meet my Grandparents and cousins, I am still quite content with having a Reunion Dinner with my parents and sisters. This is because, as a student, my commitments are increasing, meaning that I am more busy. My sisters and father can also be very busy with work. Thus, I treasure the time when we are able to sit down together to have dinner.

Flowers for Algernon (fictional) interview

We were meant to complete an assignment -- Issues in Flowers for Algernon and post it on our blogs. I chose the linguistic activity since I like writing. I had to write a fictional interview with Miss Kinnian, who was close to Charlie Gordon, the main subject of the story. For those who have not read the story, Flowers for Algernon is about a mentally challenged man who undergoes an experimental surgery to triple his IQ. The story focuses on Charlie's relationship with his co-workers and close friends. The story gets its name from a lab rat which underwent the same operation. The rat was called Algernon. The (fictional)interview transcript can be found below:

Interview transcript with Miss Kinnian regarding the Algernon-Gordon experiment

This interview was carried out with Miss Kinnian, who was Charlie Gordon’s teacher at a Adult Centre. She recommended him for the experiment to increase intelligence levels by almost three times. Charlie Gordon eventually reached the peak of his intelligence before regressing rapidly. At his peak, he had an IQ of roughly 185, much greater than his original IQ of 65. He wrote the famous thesis on the Algernon-Gordon Effect, when he reached the peak of his intelligence, (Refer to Page 56 ) which is now being studied all over the world in many prestigious universities. After he regressed, he disappeared. His current whereabouts are unknown.

How were you involved in the Algernon-Gordon experiment?

I was Charlie’s teacher at the adult centre. I was among the many teachers at various adult centres who were contacted to recommend someone from our class for the experiment. I decided to recommend Charlie Gordon as he fit the criteria; he was hardworking and he was very enthusiastic about learning to read and write.

I was told that the experiment could triple his intelligence, but it may be a temporary increase. I informed Charlie of this opportunity and after receiving his consent, I forwarded his personal details to the scientists in charge, Dr Strauss and Dr Nemur.

After the operation, I went to the laboratory to teach him personally. I started to teach him spelling, reading and punctuation. His progress was very quick after the operation. He started to learn the rules of punctuation and proper spelling quickly. He started to become a very quick reader and he developed a very accurate memory.

What can you tell us about how Charlie behaved before and after the operation?

As he started to progress in terms of intelligence, we could no longer relate to each other. During one such incident, he invited me to dinner, but we had nothing in common to talk about. I did not see him often after that, but I soon learnt from Dr Strauss that his intelligence was deteriorating quickly.

I went to visit him at the boarding house he stayed in, but he refused to talk to me. I was deeply saddened by his refusal to talk to me. I paid his rent, for he owed the landlady two months of rent, before leaving. I had gone back to the adult centre when Charlie walked in one night. On seeing him, I broke out into tears, because I did not realize the extent of his regression. I have not seen him since, and to this day, I do not know where he went.

Did you have any regrets about recommending Charlie for this experiment?

Well, Yes and No. I understood the risks of the experiment, and I was well aware that he might regress back to his original state. However, I ignored my doubts and I still recommended him for the experiment. Although I knew the risks of the experiment, I still felt very hurt and sorrowful when I saw how he had reverted back to his original state.

I am very motivated to try and enrich the lives of these mentally challenged adults. I feel disappointed that many people do not pay attention to them, or worse, laugh at them. These people are just like us, except that they do not possess the same mental capacity. They have feelings too.

I wished that Charlie could bring about a way to help these people, or even if he could not, he could at least raise awareness of the difficulties they face. I am glad that he managed to do so. Hopefully, maybe the surgical technique used by the doctors will be available to other mentally challenged people.

(Note: I used the novella for the interview, rather than the novel)

(The interview was also written as if a science journal was interviewing her.)

Introduction of myself

I’m Jonathan from 1i3. This is a short introduction of myself.

I like reading the Sunday Times and Urban on Friday. They both include food reviews and recipes. Although I do not cook much, I like finding out about ingredients used to cook various dishes.

My other hobby is reading. The magazines I read include DMAG, K-Zone and Reader’s Digest. I buy these magazines frequently to get updates on the latest games, etc. Reader’s Digest is my favourite magazine because of the many articles as well as the jokes section. I also enjoy reading books. My favourite books are: The Alex Rider series,the Horrible history series and the far-flung adventure series by Paul Stewart.

I recently went through the Hwa Chong Sec 1 Orientation. There were many fun team-building activities which we got to take part in. We were issued a "Survival Guide" at the beginning of orientation. The guide contained the lyrics of the various Hwa Chong school songs (there are 4 core songs) as well as the words to many cheers. There was also a letter from our seniors and the schedule of what we would be doing. Although the three day orientation period was quite tiring (We stayed in school till about 5.30), it will still very enjoyable.

Some of the team building activities included:

1. Building of a "structure" with materials (Logistics) gathered from games
2. Cheering together, and a Cheering competition
3. Catching of water balloons with rubber bands inside (Everyone got soaked)
4. A treasure hunt (We looked for Post its in the SALT centre which we could swap for logistics) (Some post its were hidden in rubbish bins)
5. And many others......

It was truly a fun experience and I made many friends from my orientation group (Group 7).

Also, we had a CCA orientation on the second day there. We got to see and visit all the sports CCAs. This was the first of a three part CCA orientation. I am not sure when the other parts will be held.

Jonathan