Contemplating life after 'O's

Life is like a never-ending carousel, spinning around us and bring joy when the speed is right, boredom when it's too slow and nausea when it's too fast.

The various events in life are like the many different types of seats that are found on the carousel, we tend to start with the safe ones (carriages, cars,etc) and when we are older, lust after the ones with more danger( horses, motorcycles, etc).

i like to think of the transition period when we move on from one part of life to another as the changing of mounts on a moving carousel. THink about it for a while, those of you who have just completed your 'o' levels, you are now presented with several choices in front of you; the shiny red motorcyle (Polytechnics) the nice brown pony (JCs) and the little bicycle(ITE) that is tied to the carriage that you were previously seated on.

Each choice is a step away from your carriage (Sec Sch), which one you choose depends on your innate ability to do well or at least look good, on that mount. The people around us are all shouting their own comments but remember that they are not on the carousel as you, focus on what you think is suitable for your needs and walk carefully towards it.

just a reminder before i end, walk fast cos the no mans land in between mounts on a carousel is shaky and the carousel of life does not slow down for slow coaches. if you are not careful, you just might get swung off.

Cheers
Psycho

SUCCESS IN O LEVELS

IF YOU ARE READING THIS, YOU MUST BE REALLY DESPERATE.

I DO NOT SPOT QUESTIONS, THAT IS UNFAIR TO YOU AND ME.

REMEMBER THAT WHEN YOU ARE ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS, YOU ARE COMPETING WITH THE ENTIRE COHORT OF SEC 4 STUDENTS, SMART AND OTHERWISE. YOU ARE NOT ONLY COMPETING WITH THE SMART ALEC IN YOUR CLASS.

REMEMBER THE GEOGRAPHY UNIT SLOGAN : 'PEE'

POINT: Identify the point that the question is looking for. Give it and move on.
EXPLAINATION: Explain the point that you have given. No point just giving a point.
EXAMPLE: State real-life example of where we can find that thing you are describing.

{This is the normal practice that students in most school would follow, so please also follow to be among the best.}

GOOD LUCK, WHETHER YOU NEED IT OR NOT.

PSYCHO IS ALWAYS WITH YOU........LOL

Human Geography

SPECIAL NOTE TO 'N' level PURE Geog students, Ignore the following topics.
Resources
Industries

'O' Level Candidates, avoid spotting questions, it is very risky... ... :)

Agriculture

1.Plantation Agriculture (Malaysia : Oil Palm)
Cultivation Process
Harvesting and Processing of Oil Palm
Reason for rise of oil palm in P Malaysia

2.Subsistence Agriculture (Thailand / Indonesia : Wet Rice)
Cultivation process
Target markets of the products
Key Inputs and Outputs

3.High Tech Farming (singapore : Aero & Hydro ponics)
Key Inputs and Outputs
Cultivation Processes
Limitations to the techniques.

Population
1. Definitions (BR, DR, IMR)
2. The Demographic Transition Model
3. Migration
a. Rural-urban (Thailand: NE Thailand to Bangkok)Look for job
b. Urban-rural (USA : Major Cities to Florida)Retirement

Resources & Env Conservation
1. Types of Resources
2. Oil Case-study (Brunei)
A. Dependence on Oil
3. REMEMBER THAT THIS TOPIC IS VERY RELEVANT TO DAILY LIFE, USE LOGIC AND REAL LIFE EGs

Tourism
1. Definitions (visitor, tourist, amenities, attractions)
2. 3As of a successful tourist site.
3. Rise of global tourism
4. Singapore Case-study
A. Tourist HUB
B. Integrated Resort
C. Cultural Tourism
D. Limitations singapore faces

Industries
1. Heavy vs Light industries
2. manufacturing industries (Sugar: SIS sugar singapore)
3. Assembling industries (Computers: APPLE computers Singapore )

Physical Geography

Ask yourself if you can explain clearly (with or without diagrams) the following concepts in the following topics of Physcial Geography. They are vital to getting a good grade in the 'O' Levels.

Plate tectonics
1. Theory of Plate tectonics
2. How Convectional Currents can lead to the following:
A. Destructive Plate boundaries (possible physical landforms)
B. Constructive Plate boundaries (land and underwater)
3. Locate the following on a world map
A. Major convergent and divergent plates
B. Tear fault (Sierra Nevada, USA)
C. Major Fold Mountain belts (Andes, Rockies, Himalayas)
4. How earthquakes are formed, describe the effects on human activities.
5. Compare and contrast the following volcano types
A. Composite volcano
B. Ash & Cinder Cone
C. Acid lava Cone
D. Shield Volcano

Rivers
1. Erosional Processes in a river (C.A.S.H.)
2. Transportational Processes in a river (T.S.S.S)
3. Explain where and how meandering takes place.
4. Explain how Waterfalls, Levees & Floodplains are formed
5. Benifits and Disadvantages of living on a Floodplain / Delta
6. The features found in the Upper, Middle & Lower courses of a river.
A. Vertical erosion vs Lateral erosion
7. Drainage basin & catchment area

Coast
1. Coastal erosional Processes (C.A.S.H.)
2. Formation of the following features
A. Sea Cave, Arch, Stack, Stump, Wave-cut platform, headland & bay
3. Longshore Drift and the resultant features (spit & tombolo)

Natural Vegetation
1. Tropical Rainforest vs Equatorial Rainforest vs coniferous forests
2. layers, climate, soil and location of each forest type

Weathering
1. Chemical weathering
a. Carbonation, Oxidation, Solution,
2. Physical weathering
a. Frost Shattering, Exfoliation, Block disintegration, unloading
NOTE: WEATHER AND TYPE OF ROCK JOINT PRESENT IS KEY TO PHYSICAL WEATHERING

Reservoir High 4: Demise of the Door

The contents of this story are purely fictional, any coincidental similarities to the real world are purely coincidental and hugely unfortunate.

"Ding ding dong, Sorry for the interruption,. .. blah blah blah blah" the Public Announcement system rang.

"If you are sorry then don't interrupt!" Psycho muttered to himself as he sat in the teacher's workstation.

"All staff please meet in the Sound and Sight room IMMEDIATELY for an emergency gathering, Thank you." rang the VOICE.

The VOICE was the designated doer of dirty work in Reservoir High, He was often the target of the students' anger in the school but little did they know that he was but a voice for the Doorman and Grim Reaper.

"Sigh, when Robin Hood was around, he wouldn't agree to using this stupid sound system to call for these meaningless stuff, life was good when Robin was around... ..." The VOICE sighed to himself.

Gradually, the various General Education Officers moved into the Sound and Sight room. Parrot the head of parental involvement, Psycho, Blue, Dashing, He-man, Rotary and the rest of the 'fun squad' took up their usual position for these boring meetings. The rest of the school staff were soon seated and Grim Reaper started to speak.

"K-O-lleagues, prease sigh in at the table, this is important as we are tracking all our meetings." nervously, Grim Reaper scanned the motley crew assembled before him.

"They look tired, hope the news will perk them up, but hopefully nobody claps when Doorman gives the good news, he might just die of a stroke... ..." Grim Reaper sighed to himself. "What did I ever do to deserve this?"

"Must be announcing that he is staying...shit ..." Psycho whispered to Blue and gang.

"Don't be so sure, might be good news for all you know." Blue replied.
...
...
to be continued...

Reservoir High part 3: Psycho and The Grim Reaper

* The characters and places/ events in this story are totally fictional, any similarities with real people / places / events are purely coincedental.

Tom and Cat proceeded towards the assembly area, as they approached their class, Tom suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned around and saw PSYCHO!

"Oh no," Tom groaned to himself, "I haven't tucked in my shirt yet! He's gonna start berating me again."

"Goooood Morning to you Tom," Psycho said, "I hope it is Gooooood for you 'cos looking at your unkept state makes it Baaaaad for me." he continued.

"Er ... good morning Mr Psycho." Tom muttered, hurriedly trying to tuck in his school shirt.

"Well if you are trying to tell me that your pants are not doing their job, i can arrange for you to wear a skirt from tomorrow onwards. It might do a better job keeping your shirt tucked in, Right? Cat?" Psycho shot a glance at Cat.

Cat giggled. "Be on your way now, Assembly's starting soon." Psycho added and walked off towards his form class.

"He's such a psycho" Tom muttered, "So what if my shirt is tucked out, won't die right?"

"Well, at least you know he really cares, how many teachers are there in school that really care for us?" Cat replied. "Come on let's hurry, Grim Reaper is raising his sickle already.."

So they ran off to join their class just before the Grim Reaper raised his sickle and motioned for the school's attention...
...
...
To be Continued....

Reservoir High part 2: Doorman's secret

* This story is purely fictional, any character / event / places that are similar to real locations/characters/events are purely by chance.

When we last left reservoir high, Tom was astonished to see Doorman let his friend Cat escape without any warning for her multiple offences. Today, i shall let you in on Doorman's secret.

Doorman came from a poor family, he worked hard when he was young and eventually scored well enough to get admitted into Obnoxious High School, the top school in Coral Island. He was so proud of the fact that he had made it to Obnoxious High, but on the 1st day, he realised that he didn't belong. Everyone there was Obnoxious, they were intelligent, had good examination skills and were athletes to boot. All these were not a problem to Doorman, he believed that he would eventually catch up with his peers, with his determination (once described as tougher and more resilient than a cockroach) and sheer hard work. Unfortunately, he had a greater problem, his family.

Doorman came from a poor family, not that there is anything wrong with that, his parents were hardworking blue-collared workers who earned a meager salary. But to the students at Obnoxious High, it was better off being an orphan than to have poor parents. Doorman soon became the joke of his class and eventually the joke of the school. The day he left Obnoxious High after obtaining his 'o' levels, he swore to himself that he would do whatever it took to become somebody.

It took him many years before he finally claimed to this position as dean of the school, Doorman took great pain to make sure that all his subordinates worked to their max, to engage them in a whole gamut of activities that would highlight his vision and ability to innovate. If gaining awards was the buzz, then he went all out for them, They don't help the kids in school? "Not my Problem" was his retort.

But with the changes in the education on Coral Island, Doorman found himself faced with a problem that he could not solve. A groups of people had suddenly grown into great prominence in the landscape. They had such great powers over all matters that happened in schools all over Coral Island and the respective deans were all powerless to stop this group. They are known as the P & P gang.

P & P stood for Press and Parents.... ... This group was a great threat to Doorman, he did not care for the students and over the years he had lost the ability to develop plans to help the students academically. But with the emergence of P&P into power, he had a problem. Parents were not convinced by his 'systems'. After deliberating for several years, Doorman finally came up with a strategy to deal with the Parents from P&P : SUCK UP!

He went on a Sucking up campaign worthy of the different campaigns on Coral Island. Praising parents for having good children, etc. But he knew that his Achilles heel he couldn't afford to antagonize the Parents or they would go to the press!

You might be thinking "What's wrong? If you don't do anything wrong, then there is nothing to be afraid of." ... ... so why do you think he is worried? :-)

well, now you know Doorman's secret... until next time, when you will see what mischief Tom and Cat will be up to.

Reservoir High

*The people and places mentioned in this story are totally fictional, any similarities to the real world is purely coincidental"

This is a story of a typical high school in suburbia, typical on the island nation called : Coral Island.

Reservoir High is on the outside a plain simple high school with a very nice dean, an efficient vice-dean and a whole host of caring and loving administrators and lecturers. However, the various things that take place behind the scenes of reservoir high serve to invoke deep thought into what the education system has become.

Tom is a sophomore in Reservoir high, his class tutor is Mad Dog, the craziest teacher in the entire school. Tom, like most students in Reservoir High, doesn't know what he wants to do with his life. However, this should not be surprising as most 15 year olds don't even know what they want for lunch, much less what they want to do 5-10 years down the road. Tom is interested in Cattie, a freshman who is in his Bowling club. But as usual, Tom is too shy to let Cattie know.

One day, Tom was on his way to school, as he approached the gate, he saw Doorman, the principal, talking to Cattie at the School gate. "Oh shit, I'll have to greet Doorman again!" Tom thought to himself.

"He's smiling all the time, wonder what he's taking, prozac?" Tom wondered to himself. "But come to think of it, i've never seen him smile sincerely before."

This is not unusual, Doorman was an interesting character. He was infamous among the teachers as the one who expelled the janitor. Story goes that a janitor once mentioned that the students pee was very smelly and Doorman fired him! Reason? No one shall insult Reservoir High or their students!!!!

Doorman had one fear in life, no promotion. Yup, to maintain his record of promoting every other year, Doorman made life hell for the Teachers in Reservoir High. He didn't really care about results of the students, he was more interested in attaining awards like : Outstanding Love for the Nation Award, Superb Ability to Perform Menial Tasks Award, Morbid Love for Paperwork Award and etc.

He didn't want to worry about academic achievements as he knew that academics took a long time to build up. He didn't want to spend that time, so he chased the other awards to make it seem as if Reservoir High was improving and constantly moving forward.

Back to the story... ... Cattie was wearing a red hairband, pink socks and had multiple ear-rings in her ears, Tom gulped and thought "Oh no, Doorman must be reprimanding her for the platheora of offences that she has broken."

To his surprise, when he was about to reach where they were standing, Doorman motioned for Cattie to go! "What! he lets her go just like that! Shit!" Tom thought to himself. "I must find out what she was stopped for."Tom decided and ran forward past Doorman to catchup with Cattie.

"hey Cat, wait up!" Tom yelled.
"Morning Tom" Cattie smiled
"What did Doorman say to you at the gate?" Tom asked.
"Huh? ... oh nothing much, asked me where my books were, told him my dog ate them and he left me alone..." Cattie replied, giving Tom a mischevious wink.

"Shit, he must be blind, tomorrow i'm disregarding every rule in the book!" Tom exclaimed to Cattie.

Little did Tom know that Cattie had a stranglehold over Doorman, she had an immense power over him, because she had control over 1 thing he absolutely feared.....

........ to be continued.

Crazy thought

It is always believed that a good citizen should be law abiding and conform......but don't Patroits and Heroes normally break existing constraints and rules? THink about it.

Life Sucks big time

Life is starting to really suck at work, some people just don't care.

I always wonder why the education system is starting to resemble a business corporation to such a large degree nowadays.

In education, we deal with the lives of others, we are not talking about profit / loss, but many people who are in middle-upper management of the microsystems do not see it as so.

These buereacrats simply dont care, they are just interested in their own promotion, to the next scale, to the next post...what the fuck is this?!!?

life sucks...but many people dont' care.