That's my Cumulative Grade Point Average for my first semester at NIE, out of a maximum of 5.
Received A- (4.5) for Maths, and got C+ (2.5) for Physics I and Educational Psychology I. Got B (3.5) for all the other courses, except for Communication Skills, which I got B+ (4) for.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Homosexuality
A simple piece on why Homosexuality is Not Immoral by Peter Singer. I love the clarity of his writing in bringing out the absurdity of the "it's unnatural" argument for the immorality of homosexuality.
But we might just as well say that using artificial sweeteners is a "perversion of our sense of taste," which exists so that we can detect nourishing food. We should beware of equating "natural" with "good."There are so many issues worth fighting for, but sadly it seems that much of humanity doesn't listen to reason.
Books
Received an email from the Princeton University Store on their holiday book specials, pretty interesting-sounding books.
Not to discredit the other authors, especially Paul, who I took a poetry seminar with, I highly recommend The Way We Eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter by Peter Singer, co-authored with Jim Mason.
Actually, you could pop over here to read some of Singer's writings, there are articles like this one that discuss the Ethics of Eating.
Think about the issue. Food probably takes up one of the largest chunks of your spending, and as a consumer, you provide crucial financial support to the process of food appearing in front of you. Each day, with each meal, you are voting with your money. Do you vote with your conscience?
Not to discredit the other authors, especially Paul, who I took a poetry seminar with, I highly recommend The Way We Eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter by Peter Singer, co-authored with Jim Mason.
Actually, you could pop over here to read some of Singer's writings, there are articles like this one that discuss the Ethics of Eating.
Think about the issue. Food probably takes up one of the largest chunks of your spending, and as a consumer, you provide crucial financial support to the process of food appearing in front of you. Each day, with each meal, you are voting with your money. Do you vote with your conscience?
Thursday, December 07, 2006
More Upheavals
Now that the holidays are here, the 3 other NIE tennis courts are undergoing renovation. Just happened that I had just blogged about how Tennis Court 1 had been renovated when I first started NIE.
Had quite a good tennis session today, played through a drizzle that thankfully passed, though it got a little too heavy for comfort at one point. Lots of people clamouring to use that one court today, good thing we had a booking.
I'm able to get some consistency on my first serve, but I feel that I'm not getting optimal power on it. Meanwhile, my backhand is not too bad, though pretty weak when I'm caught. At least I get the ball in consistently, and can go for the cross-court winner when given the chance. On the forehand side, I can access the cross-court angles pretty comfortably, but need lots more work on the inside-out forehand.
Hope it doesn't rain this evening! I think the last time we had Thursday tennis was probably a month ago!
Let me leave you with this photograph taken in Thailand.
Had quite a good tennis session today, played through a drizzle that thankfully passed, though it got a little too heavy for comfort at one point. Lots of people clamouring to use that one court today, good thing we had a booking.
I'm able to get some consistency on my first serve, but I feel that I'm not getting optimal power on it. Meanwhile, my backhand is not too bad, though pretty weak when I'm caught. At least I get the ball in consistently, and can go for the cross-court winner when given the chance. On the forehand side, I can access the cross-court angles pretty comfortably, but need lots more work on the inside-out forehand.
Hope it doesn't rain this evening! I think the last time we had Thursday tennis was probably a month ago!
Let me leave you with this photograph taken in Thailand.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Cute Things
Did you all know I have a nephew? He likes to eat bananas.
And he might be slightly tipsy in this photograph.
Yet in this next photograph is someone far cuter!
And he might be slightly tipsy in this photograph.
Yet in this next photograph is someone far cuter!
GESL
Our group did our GESL project last week, which had dragon boat racing as the first activity. The weather held up throughout the 2 day 1 night camp, which was great. Very light drizzle as we were paddling.
The air that Kallang morning was slightly soggy, laden with a salty uncertainty. The smell of the sea, cold and churning with possibility. I know the sea and its horrible taste in the mouth, I know how it can make you free.
On the second day we went to deliver food to some elderly living in flats in Toa Payoh, and cleaned a flat. I worked mostly in the kitchen, and found a bottle of rice vinegar that expired in 1988. I was 7 years old then.
The air that Kallang morning was slightly soggy, laden with a salty uncertainty. The smell of the sea, cold and churning with possibility. I know the sea and its horrible taste in the mouth, I know how it can make you free.
On the second day we went to deliver food to some elderly living in flats in Toa Payoh, and cleaned a flat. I worked mostly in the kitchen, and found a bottle of rice vinegar that expired in 1988. I was 7 years old then.
This is NIE
It says library, but this is also the canteen. When you're hungry and have an assignment due in two hours, grab a bite at the canteen then rush up to find a computer in the library. See those trees in the centre? They shake with unholy fury at canteengoers during the vicious thunderstorms we've had this year.
Tennis Court 1 in its renovated glory. It was made ready for play just as we were welcomed on campus in July 2006. There are 3 other courts behind, and down some stairs.
This is a view from Tennis Court 1. The buildings in NIE are pretty good warm-up grounds if you're thinking of taking part in a vertical marathon.
My trusty steed rests in the shade of the midday sun. 
Tennis Court 1 in its renovated glory. It was made ready for play just as we were welcomed on campus in July 2006. There are 3 other courts behind, and down some stairs.
This is a view from Tennis Court 1. The buildings in NIE are pretty good warm-up grounds if you're thinking of taking part in a vertical marathon.
My trusty steed rests in the shade of the midday sun. 
Toys
AM's friend's daughter celebrated her first birthday over the weekend. Here's a photo of her with some of her gifts.
And my mum got me this from Hong Kong.
I think it will look perfect on my desk in the staff room, if I get a desk.
And my mum got me this from Hong Kong.
I think it will look perfect on my desk in the staff room, if I get a desk.
Another PS Clerk Wears The Ring
I am not sure if we are witnessing a trilogy of epic proportions here, but Bryan is third in a line of OPC PS Br NSFs to get married in recent history.
Photos tell the story... First, a little KTV with his understudy before the wedding dinner...
In case it's not obvious, the groom is the only person looking at my camera. I suppose that would make him the only person looking to the side in the other photo!
Where's Wally?
Wally certainly isn't in this picture, but Wally doesn't exactly know why. Perhaps because he ORD-ed quite long ago already?
That's all, folks!
Photos tell the story... First, a little KTV with his understudy before the wedding dinner...
In case it's not obvious, the groom is the only person looking at my camera. I suppose that would make him the only person looking to the side in the other photo!
Where's Wally?
Wally certainly isn't in this picture, but Wally doesn't exactly know why. Perhaps because he ORD-ed quite long ago already?
That's all, folks!
Monday, December 04, 2006
Watery Visions
A few days ago I was in the toilet at Boon Lay MRT. There was something about the particular dinginess of the lighting inside, the particular stench of urine, the way the sinks were off-color, and probably the guy changing in the corner... when I stood at the urinal, music coming through my headphones, for a fleeting moment I thought I was in New York City...
Friday, December 01, 2006
Sports
The new stadium and sports centre next to our place is open! Went to take a look around the other day.
A highlight of the place is the aquatic centre, which has a huge water slide. Great for the family.
Up on the roof there are two tennis courts. Good to know, though expensive to play.
Meanwhile, around the neighborhood... The MRT extension is taking shape...
And maybe one of these days I'll go try out the skate park near the PIE entrance...
A highlight of the place is the aquatic centre, which has a huge water slide. Great for the family.
Up on the roof there are two tennis courts. Good to know, though expensive to play.
Meanwhile, around the neighborhood... The MRT extension is taking shape...
And maybe one of these days I'll go try out the skate park near the PIE entrance...
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