What problems do we have with the current playground?
~The current playground is old, some have paints pealing off the walls, some of the facilities of the playgronud is not working. And not all playground is sheltered. This is dangerous as childen might injure when they are playing. And it is not go for the lungs, if they breathe in the paints that fall off the walls of the playground.
~Some inconsiderate people vandalised the walls with markers/correction liquid. They wrote words like vulgarities, which is not suitable for children to read.
~The playgrounds are dirty , as there is sweet wrapers, plastic bottle, and sweet drinks often poured on the ground, which attact alot of ants and other pests to the playground.
~There is also a strong smell of urine in some of the playgrounds. Some of the inconsiderate owners allowing their dogs to unrine around the playground. Sometime there is also young childen also urine around the playgrouds.
~There is little or none facilities for people with different abilites.
How can we as citizens improve the playgrounds?
~We should not litter, if we see any litter around the playground, we can help by throwing the litter into a bin.
~If we have pets, we should not let them urine anywhere they want. Owners should not allow their pets to urine at the playgrounds.
~As parents of young children, they should educate their own children that if the kids wants to urine, they should go to the toilet.
~As citizens using the facilities government bulid for us, we should take good care of the playgrounds' facilities. E.g, We should not sit on top of the monkey bars, as it is dangerous and we might cause the monkey bars to unabe to work well.
In what ways can we make the playground more attrative for people with different abilites?
~We can add windchimes, so when wind blow, the sound of the windchimes can clam the kids down. Also when the blind children know that they are near the playground.
~They should use colours like light blue/yellow/pink/green/purple which is appealing to the eyes.
~The shelter of the playground can in form of wings of angels/castles.
How can we make the playgrounds more accessible to childen with different abilites?
~We should have playground that need the different senses of human to play. So that even children thet could enjoy more facilities of the playground. E.g, using different materials for different texture(sense of touch)/Can add in some simple music instruments for the childen to play(sene of hearing)
~There should be more handle around for both disable and blind children.
~The playground should be sheltered.
~Florence~
1. What problems do we have with current playgrounds?
Our current playgrounds are badly vandalised. Most teenagers would love to take out markers and scribble vulgarities and love notes. But I think, this is not their playground, they didn't pay for it, how could they vandalise anywhere like nobody's business? Residents around that area probably share the same playground. Wouldn't they be not pleased about having a vandalised playground? Next, lots of teenagers love to hang around at playgrounds. Another example would be gangsters meeting place. They would occupy the whole playground as if that is their gang's territory. It would definitely make residents around that area feel uneasy while walking pass the playground or children wanting to play the playground. Who knows what the gangsters might do to you? Badly littered playground also makes residents around that area not to come to use the playground. So if no one use the playground, what is the point of building one?
2. How can we as citizens improve the playgrounds?
Firstly, if we see any people attempting to vandalise the playgrounds, we should therefore walk to he/she to tell them it's wrong to do that and we ourselves should not do that as role models. As for gangsters, we should call for neighbourhood police,if possible, to chase them away. Of cause, for bad littering situations, we can write to the town council to put up notices stating that he/she will be fined if found littering or to provide more dustbins around that area so that litter bugs wouldn't have excuses to say he/she could not see any dustbins around.
3. In what way can we make the playground more attractive for people of different abilities?
Instead of vandalising of vulgarities and love notes, we could scribble encouraging words for people with different abilities. Make the playground as colourful, paint the whole playground by an artistic person, draw cute little cartoons that children may like, for children of course. For adults, I've seriously never thought of that. Designing shorter playground would make it easier for wheel-bound people.
4. How can we make the playground more accessible to children with different abilities?
People of different abilities, such as paralysed could also use the playground. Not necessary, playgrounds should only be of slides. We could also design a fitness corner beside the playground. Some that is inclusive of bars at the side to hold on and try to walk for those who are paralysed down-wards or do some exercise for stretching their limbs for some people that might recover, just like doing some kind of therapy. Of course, wheel-bound people can't go to playgrounds and fitness corner on wheels. What i meant was actually to design slopes for wheelchairs.
by AMANDA XD
1. What do I see as the problem in the playground I have?
I think that they are not very attractive and some are dull, which are old. The paint of the playground has also peel off and it looks ugly. It has alot of vandalisms on it and this kind of things are not very good for young children to see. Parents would not want their child to learn this kind of things and then, won't bring them to the playground anymore, in which the child will be upset.
2. How can we as concern people improve the playground?
We can help keep the playgrounds clean and tidy, free from all litters. We can also prevent vandalisms from happening by telling the people off if caught by us. We can also make friends with the small little children and get them to play with us together to have fun. We can also clean off the vandalisms once in a while to observe how often the people vandalise.
3. In what way do you think you can make the playground appealing to the people of different ability?
We can add beautiful and cute pictues with wonderful colours to the playground to make it look attractive and creative for the children so that they will have a better environment to play and can be as happy as possible. This can also brighten up someone's day when the person is feeling rather down at that moment of time. We can create special kind of things that is rather rare to the surrounding so that those handicapped people can have a chance to experience the fun that most children always have!
4. How can we make the playground more accessible to children with different ability?
We can have special corners in the playground for the disabled people so that they can communicate with each other and know each other better and they could always meet up together to play. They can also have a area of space for themselves so that the other children will not hurt them when running about. This is to prevent injuries from happening. We should spare a thought for the disabled ones and not let them be as rough as the other kids may be. This should be able to make them have fun in the playground!
- YANLING.
1) What problems do we have with current playgrounds?
Firstly, most of the current playgrounds are very old. Among all the playgrounds that I've been to regardless of whether it is in Pasir Ris or Tampines, it has been badly vandelised with vulgarites, love notes and all. I think this is not a very good act, as those vandelisers are vandelising for their own good, not sparing a thought for others that are using the playground.
Secondly, most playgrounds are badly littered. This is so as many teenagers like to use playgrounds as place for them to 'slack' and they tend to eat there. But after eating, they don't bother to throw away whatever is left behind by them, they just simply leave it in the playground and leave. This too, would affect the childrens who wants to play in it.
Lastly, some very disturbing teenagers like to stay there and disturb children that happen to walk by or intends to play in the playground. This is not something worthed being praised for because the children would just become scared, and won't dare to go to that particular playground to play anymore.
2) How can we as citizens improve the playgrounds?
Being citizens, we might think that there is nothing much we can do. But we're wrong, there is indeed a part for us to play.
Firstly, whenever we walk past playgrounds and see litter or rubbish left behind, we should take a step forward in helping to throw it away. This might seem like something small, but if everyone does that, playgrounds in Singapore would have a much nicer environment for kids to play in.
Secondly, if we see any teenagers disturbing children around that area, we should tell them that they should not do such things. We shouldn't be scared of them, because they are the ones in the wrong. If everyone does not dare to do such things, those teenagers would think they are right, and go around disturbing many other children.
Lastly, if we do see people vandelising, we should walk up to them and tell them to stop immediately. If everyone does that, the playgrounds would become much cleaner.
3) In what way can we make the playground more attractive for people with different abilities?
Normally, children with different abilities feel that playgrounds are not a place for them because they cannot play in it. Yet, there are many ways in which we can make them feel and think of a playground in another perspective.
Firstly, we can add in more colors. Colors always attract people's eyes, regardless of whether they are children or not.
Secondly, we can put in a spot in the playground to put their 'accessories' like wheelchairs or cluthches. Then they would be able to lay wholeheartedly without worrying that things would be missing.
Thirdly, we could create things for them to play in without much difficulties. We can add in lower slides, shorter monkey bars and maybe even longer swings.
Lastly, we can make use soft material (Like rubber) for the ground. This is so in case the children do fall down, they would not be so hurt as to being compared to playgrounds made with concrete ground.
I believe all this would make a playground a place that is for all kinds of children to go to, including those with different abilities.
4) How can we make the playground more accessible to children with different abilities?
Personally, I think that almost all the playgrounds (or rather all) in Singapore are catered to people that are normal. It does not cater to those that have different abilities, hence, making them feel depreived of what their peers can enjoy.
Firstly, I think we can have swings for these children with different abilities. The swing can be made with a bigger surface area, and lower to the ground, so that the children can easily go up and down the swing, yet at the same time being able to enjoy it.
Secondly, we can have low monkey bars. Most of the monkey bars are very high, hence children that are wheel-chair bound are unable to play it. But if its lower, the children would be able to sit on the wheelchair and at the same time being able to play the monkey bars like any other children.
Lastly, we can slopes beside the stairs so that it would be much easier for them to climb up and down the playgrounds.
These would make the playground more attractive to them because they would feel that there is a playground in which is comfortable for them to play in. Also, they would be able to have fun like any other children.
Ethel posted this post.
All the posts are below.
There is no need to navigate, just scroll down for all our previous posts.
Thank you.
Side view of model.Bird's eye view of model. Side view of model. These are the pictures of our finished models.
2a) Explain how the reading of the novel has inspired the design of the playground in 100 words. As Jess has always enjoyed drawing, we created a drawing corner situated at a quiet side of our playground so as to let the kids doodle around without any disturbance of noise. The swing in our playground represents Jess' and Leslie's swing in their playground, Terabithia. We have also placed some terrapins and rabbits for the kids to have some companions so that they won't feel lonely. In the novel, Jess had given Leslie a pet dog for her Christmas present, As Jess had always wanted to be loved, we created a Tunnel of Love in our playground so that the children will be loved and encouraged once they entered it. All this had inspired the design of our playground. 2b) Write a 100-word explanation as to why you had chosen the specific recycled materials for your model. Ice-cream sticks, cotton wool and the old reversi wooden box were used because they are biodegradeble and environmentally friendly. The straws we used were reused from a previous project one of us did. The soft drink can was reused after we drank finish from it. The old reversi wooden box was also reused as Ethel was clearing her room, and didn't wanted to play it anymore. We use water baby for the pool of balls to save paper and it just need water to be big.This is how we chose our materials and it is very useful as it can be recycled in the future. Total cost: $5. $2 cotton wool, $2 ice cream sticks & $1 glue.
Eco-friendly features about my group's 3D model.
- We use biodegradable material such as cardboard, ice cream sticks, wooden box and toothpicks.
- We reused cotton wool, straws, cans and plastic bottles.
Playground designs/concepts that are linked to the novel.
- We have pets such as terrapins and rabbit which represents Prince Terrien given by Jess to Leslie as her pet.
- We have a cupboard of drawing materials such as colour pencils and drawing blocks for them to draw on that represent the same liking for drawing as Jess.
- We have a swing in our playground that represents the same swing that Jess and Leslie built.
- We have a love of tunnel which represents the entrance of the Terabithia which is the bridge.
Playground designs/concepts that meet the special needs of the children.
- Our playground is built indoor. Hence, they will feel much safer in our playground.
- There is a few drawing blocks near the cupboard of books and drawing materials which means they are able to use the drawing materials in the cupboard and draw on the drawing blocks which showed block letters of L, O, V and E respectively to express their feelings, and without bottling up their feelings, they will feel much better.
- The tunnel of love is specially built as the entrance as the whole playground as when they first want to enter our playground, they have to pass by the tunnel of love where all encouraging words are written there to encourage them to be able to stand up once again.
- The pets are specially added to let them accompany those children who come into our playground. With the pets, they won't feel that lonely anymore. However, we certainly hope that the children would not torture the pets as to what their parents did to them. Therefore from another point of view, they will not toture the pets as they will see what it's like for the pets to suffer the same fate as they did.
- The pool of balls is placed below the slide to cushion their fall as to let them feel safe.
AMANDA.
Eco-friendly features about my group’s 3D-model
- we use biodegradeble materials such as cardboard, ice-cream sticks and a wooden box.
- some reuse materials were cotton wool, straws and cans
- the slide is made up of cans and plastic bottles. We re-use it by washing it and cutting it into the shapes that we want.
Playground designs/concepts that are linked to the novel
- the pets in our model (terrapins and rabbits) represents the pet dog given to Leslie by Jess during Christmas. This gave the children a companion which is the same for Leslie.
- there is also a drawing corner for the kids to doodle around in our playground as Jess loves drawing.
- the swing in our playground represents the times when Leslie and Jess swings on the swing happily.
Playground designs/concepts that meet the special needs of the children
- the drawing corner are for the children to express their emotions by drawing and colouring on it.
- the pets are companions for them because they might feel lonely and need someone to accompany them. They are also not totally exposed the the surroundings so pets are very rare to them.
- The tunnel of love is situated at the entrance so that once they step into the playground, they would feel encouraged and not feel scared to play the playground.
- The pool of balls located below the slide is to make them have a sense of security and not let them fall without any sense of security.
YANLING
Florence.1) Eco-friendly features about my group's 3D model.
2) Playground designs/concepts that are linked to the novel.
3)Playground designs/concepts that meet the special needs of children.
Ethel.1) Eco-friendly features about my group's model.
2)Playground designs/concepts that are linked to the novel.
3) Playground designs/concepts that meet the special needs to the children.
How does our playground link to the novel 'Bridge to Terabithia'?
Swing:
The playground, Terabithia that Leslie And Jess came up with, had a swing in which they had enjoyed 'swinging' on.
Pets:
Jess gave Leslie a pet dog as a gift. And the both of them loved the dog very much, hence we put in pets too.
Drawing Materials:
Jess enjoyed drawing very much.
Drum:
There was a part in which a monster attacked them when they were at their tree house. When we watch the movie, it sounded like the sound of someone hitting a drum.
Tunnel Of Love:
Jess wanted the love and concern of his father, hence, we made this, The Tunnel Of Love.
These are the pictures taken during our literature lessons in school. It shows what we have done with the materials that we have used. In other words, the before and after effect. The materials we have used are as follows: Ice Cream Sticks- Biodegradable.Cardboard as base- Reused.Soft Drink Can and Plastic Bottles- Reused from those we drank from during recess in school.Newspapers- Reused.Straw- Reused. *We would try to scan in the OEE piece of paper as soon as possible.
These are pictures of playgrounds we took around the neighbourhood.
EMOTIONAL SCARS.
There’s an old children’s saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” If only that were true, but it’s a fable that needs to be laid to rest. Words can hurt a lot more than sticks and stones. They may not break bones, but they can surely break hearts. Words can devastate. Words can wound; words can kill. Words can ruin reputations and destroy relationships. There’s just no doubt about it-words hurt.
Judging, cruel, venomous, and hateful words are verbal abuse at its worst. They leave long lasting emotional cuts and bruises. When someone hurts us, we play the tape over and over. No matter how many times we try to dismiss the hurtful tirade, sometimes those words are with us forever. There may be words from your childhood that you still can’t escape. Stupid. Fatso. Ugly. Lazy. Crybaby. Dummy. Loser. Moron. Sissy. Chicken. And on and on. It starts with one word when we’re young, but as we grow, the hurtful sentiments become phrases and even paragraphs. If we don’t find a way to heal, they can cause lasting, permanent damage.
Some people are so angry and bitter that they are ready to strike out at everyone. Their words are a reflection of their souls. The tongue only speaks what comes from the heart. Often they are angry, bitter, resentful people who want everyone to be as miserable as they are. They need healing and deliverance. And they need to understand that so called “honesty” is never an excuse for rudeness or cruelty.
I have felt my heart physically ache from the pain of hurtful words. I have cried myself to sleep when words have wounded me deeply. A broken spirit is much harder to heal than a broken bone.
Even strong people will often collapse under the continual verbal attack of someone who really wants to wound them. Proverbs 11: 9 says, “The hypocrite with his mouth destroys a neighbor.” Proverbs 12:18 reminds us, “Reckless words pierce like a sword…” Put-downs are designed to gain control over someone else. (Hence, a lot of the “bullying” that children face in school and elsewhere.) When the person is confronted for their inappropriate actions, and not allowed to be in control, they get even nastier.
If someone continues to treat us with cruelty and disrespect, it is time to consider distancing ourselves from them. They are detrimental to our self-esteem, and quite frankly, we just don’t need those kind of people in our lives. It’s important to have boundaries, and to know your limits as to what you will allow.
Those closest to us have an extra advantage when it comes to wounding, because they know our vulnerabilities, and we care what they think of us. A few well chosen words can annihilate. When they use intimate knowledge of our weaknesses, it is the worst kind of betrayal.
Words are responsible for wars, and the end of friendships. Even the tone of the words can determine the meaning.
It may be one remark, thoughtlessly tossed our way, but it impacts our future happiness, because we just can’t get it out of our head. It becomes an inner dialogue with no “off” button.
Verbal abuse is more than an occasional raised voice. It can include intimidation, making fun of someone, threats, embarrassment, or an attempt to control, manipulate, or demean another. When these things occur, it is not okay;it is verbal abuse. Verbal abusers will try to put the blame on you, and make you feel like you did something to deserve their cruelty, when, in fact, you did not. They need to take responsibility for their actions. No one has a right to verbally abuse you because you don’t agree with them. They intentionally use the words they do, because they know they cause pain.
I have been hurt, not only by words that were said, but also by words that weren’t said. When we see an injustice, we have a responsibility to stand up for what is right. So your silence can bring great sorrow as well.
This is a post we found on the internet, : http://sparkle333.wordpress.com/category/emotional-scars/
Parts of Our Playground (emotional scars child)
Swing = relax.
Pets = see make them happy because always trap in the house cannot go out and play with frens, pets, etc.
Wooden bench = for the social people to sit/caregiver.
Drawing block & crayon = let them express their thoughts by drawing, colouring or scribbling.
Drum = for them to let go their anger by hitting it and let let them have some fun enjoying musical instrument.
Tunnel of love = let them pass through the encouraging words and make them feel a sense of security.
Slide = we have got the shelter and out-of-shelter so that the kid can adapt to this kind of environment.
Pool of balls = let them have a sense of security around them and soaking in the balls.
Monkey bar = as they get beaten often, they would cry and go to a corner..and they will shiver. So, we need to let them balance themselves by having a physical game by letting go of one hand by a time.
Books on the shelves = let them concentrate their mind on the wonderful fairytales story.
These are the pictures taken when we did the project at Yanling's house today. The others taken during our literature period would be uploaded soon.
1. Why did Leslie die off stage?
She died off stage because the main thing was not her dying. It was about the cherishing of friendship. If they show how she died, that would waste alot of time because it would take a long time to film her dying and it's hard.
2. Who/What does the Darklord represents;
(i) Jess :
Darklord represents his father.
(ii) Leslie:
Darklord represents her staying in a new environment alone.
(iii) Me:
Darklord represents the bees.
3. Which version do you like better, Movie/Novel? Why?
I like the movie better because I can be able to see the real happenings. Unlike the Novel, I can't quite understand well because it's full of words. I prefer the movie. It has sound effects, pictures and animations. This will give me a better understanding of the story easily. It makes it looked real, like I'm in it. It makes people feel the sadness and the happiness.
YANLING (:
1. Why did Leslie die off stage?
The director wouldn't take the part when how Leslie died. Because the main point isn't her dying. If they did, they would really pull down the whole mood even more. Making us feel terrible. And it's difficult to film one dying.
2. Who/What does the Dark Lord represents:
i. Jess.
Dark Lord represents his dad.
ii. Leslie.
Dark Lord represents her adaptation to new environment.
iii. Me.
Dark Lord represents cockroaches.
3. Which version do you like better and why?
I prefer the movie. The movie, which includes pictures and sounds where the book does not, create a better impact on us. It makes us feel more real. Pulling us into the movie. So this made us feel that we are in the movie, putting ourselves in their shoes and think.
AMANDA :D
Literature Questions:
1) Why did Leslie die off stage?
It would not be easy if they had to screen Leslie dying off stage. Also, the whole focus of her death is the impact that is going to be on Jess, and not her 'dying process'. Hence, Leslie died off stage.
2)Who/What does the Darklord represents for:
i)Jess?
Jess' Darklord is his father.
ii)Leslie?
Leslie's Darklord is her fear of moving to a new place, meaning, a whole new environment.
iii)Me?
Cats are my Darklord.
3)Which version do you like better? Movie/Novel? Why?
I prefer the Novel. This is so as in the Movie, even though there is the sounds, the characters and everything right before our very eyes, its totally unlike what I feel when I read the novel. When I'm reading the novel, my imagination is unlimited. This is so as I get to think how things are going on in the novel. Whereas in the Movie, everything is shown, hence, not much imagination is required. Everything is fixed. Hence, I would prefer the Novel version.
ETHEL.
1)Why did Leslie die off stage?
The main part of the story was not the sad ending for Leslie but was the real meaning of friendship. Thus Leslie die off stage.
2)Who/What does the Darklord represents for
i) Jess?
For jess his Dad represents his Darklord.
ii) Leslie?
For Leslie, loneliness represents her Darklord.
iii) me?
For me, lizard represents my Darklord.
3)Which version do you like better, Movie/Novel? Why?
I like the movie better because it gives me a clearer understanding of the whole novel. And for me, it is easier to understand by watching then reading. With the sound effect, the whole story is more interesting and it feels really real. Like i'm Leslie or Jess, i'm totally in the whole of terabithia.
FLORENCE:)
1. In the movie, Leslie went straight to Jess' class but in the novel, Leslie did a short introduction when Jess is running.
2. In the movie, Leslie went straight into the race but in the novel, Leslie has a short arguement with Gary Fulcher before the race.
3. In the movie, May Belle was thrilled to hear that Leslie is giving her something but in the novel, May Belle was in doubt for a while.
4. In the movie, the racing car set for Jess is meant for his birthday but in the novel, the racing car set was for Christmas.
5. In the movie, Leslie and Jess exchanged birthday presents before the play of Janice but int he novel, they thought of a play for Janice before the exchanging of Christmas presents.
6. In the movie, Janice felt sad when Willard was not interested in her but in the novel, Janice felt angry when Willard was not interested in her.
7. In the movie, a cleaner went into the classroom when Jess put the note in Janice's table but in the novel, a teacher came in when Jess put the note in Janice table.
8. In the movie, a tree hit the kingdom of Terabithia caused by a giant troll but in the novel, it only said about the giant troll.
9. In the movie, the bus driver is a male but in the novel, the bus driver is a female.
10. In the movie, Jess did not leave the bus after seeing the dog but in the novel, Jess left the bus right after he saw the dog.
11. In the movie, Prince Terrain was not given to Leslie as a Christmas present but in the novel, Prince Terrain was given to her as a birthday present.
12. In the movie, Miss Edmunds music lessons was conducted in the classroom but in the novel, Miss Edmunds conducted her music lessons on a old rug in the teacher's room.
13. In the movie, there was only one race that Leslie won but in the novel, there were several races won by her.
14. In the movie, Janice Avery met Willard in front of the school, in front of all her friends but in the novel, Janice Avery was supposed to meet Willard behind the school secretly.
Part C
Do research on any 2 festivals which you and your team mates have celebrated. Pick out interesting details to blog about and include your personal opinions about them. You may include photos and pictures in your blog. (20m)
Christmas
Christmas is an annual holiday on 25th december which most students love it. Not only we can enjoy our holiday, we also exchange presents with one another. We also have a christmas tree! We love decorating the tree with sweets, ornaments with a big STAR on the top of the tree. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. The specific date of celebration for Jesus' birth is traditional, and is generally believed to have been influenced by the dates of pre-Christian festivals. Modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, church celebrations, and the display of various decorations. The jolly mythological figure Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, is also a major aspect for Christmas. Christmas is celebrated throughout the Christian population, but it is also celebtrated by many non-Christian. The word Christmas originated as a contraction of "Christ's Mass". It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038, compounded from Old English derivatives of the Greek christos and the Latin missa. We really had an enjoyable time during Christmas and we received lots of wonderful presemts too.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is also known as Spring Festival. It is also called the Lunar New Year especially by people outside China. Celebrated in areas with large populations of ethnic Chinese, Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday for the Chinese and has had a strong influence on the new year celebrations of its geographic neighbours, as well as cultures with whom the Chinese have had extensive interaction. It's is celebrated all over the world. We really had an enjoyable time during Chinese New Year and we received lots of red packets too. But we thnk that Chinese New Year is not just receiving red packets and go another house, and take red packets, and this process repeats continuously. To us, we think that Chinese New Year is about eating tuan yuan fan on New Year Eve and building our relationships between our relatives and friends.
part b My celebration during Chinese New Year was much much much better than how Jess celebrated his Christmas. For Jess, his family is always quarreling with each other but actually, they cared for each other as each and every one of them tried their best to buy a gift for each other even though they are poor and their father only gives them $1 each. For me, my family and I would be happy and agree to each other. I am like the same as Jess because I also have a best friend whom I can share all my thoughts and happiness with. I can see that Jess had put in alot of effort to buy Leslie a gift which in return, Leslie bought him a gift too! They both loved each other's present because that's their favourite thing! As for me, my friend and I spent our New Year together by going out together and buying some things for one another. We have fun everywhere and even called a number of people to go ice-skating together! Although Jess' family is always argueing with one another, they have a family love but they just cannot face one another. For me, my family is a warm and lively one. We spent our New Year happily by eating goodies and playing games at the same time! We don't quarrel as much as Jess' family do. I think I am very fortunate to have this kind of family although Jess has a poor family. But, our thoughts counts more than the present we give to each other. (: YANLING (: part a
Chinese New Year is a festival that me and my family celebrate yearly. We celebrate Chinese New Year because it represents a new year ahead of us. It is also a cultural that Chinese celebrates Chinese New Year. Families would have to do spring cleaning, decorate their houses with flowers and some Chinese new year decorations which will make the house look beautiful!
On the eve of Chinese New Year, which is on 13th Feb, we had a concert in our school. It was quite good. After that, I went back to my primary school to wish my teachers and ex-students a happy Chinese new year! We started talking about our life and our secondary schools. And soon, it was time to go home. I quickly do all my homework so that I can spend my New Year happily and do not need to rush through my homework on Sunday night.
In the evening, my cousins came to my house for the renion dinner as my grandparents stay with me so I have a big family. We had “yu sheng”, a type of Chinese salad to be eaten with raw fish. This dish is only available during the Chinese New Year as it signifies prosperity, luck and good health. In addition to “yu sheng”, we had 7 more dishes like abalone with spinach, mushroom with moss, lotus peanut soup, roast chicken, roast duck, steamed fish and mixed vegetables. We had to have 8 dishes as it signifies good luck! After dinner, we ate desserts such as oranges, watermelon, rock melons and agar agar. After that, we played mahjong, a popular game within the Chinese. My parents only allow us to play it during Chinese New Year as they are afraid we would pick up this bad habit and we are still a little kid. So, we have to cherish our time when playing! We also could not play real money so we played using monopoly money as our mahjong had no chips! When it was time to go home, we ended the day happily.
This is the big day!! Its Chinese New Year! I was dressed in my new clothes and shoes. We went visiting everywhere around Singapore! I received many red packets from relatives, cousins and friends. My mother brought mandarin oranges everywhere she go as it is to wish people good luck and good health. I had fun everywhere I go as at every place, we would play different kinds of games to keep us occupied while the adults talk to one another. We play games like mahjong and card games. We also kept eating and eating but we drank lots of water to prevent ourselves from being dehydrated and getting sore throats. It is really very fun and exciting as we get to play together not that often! I really loved my cousins a lot.
The others days were just visiting around but not with my cousins. It’s a pity as I don’t have them to keep me accompany. My 2 elder sisters were meddling with their phone the whole day long while my younger brother was staring into space. But, I still love the time when we were all eating together as a family, laugh together and chat together. I cherished it a lot as this would so called only happen once a year! Happy Chinese New Year!! (:
Part a.
Every year, we celebrate this day – Chinese New Year. Although most people may think that getting lots of red packets is a big thing. In fact, after u received all the red packets from other people, our parents will have given their red packets away. So in the end, there is not much profit or loss actually. It’s just wishing relatives happy new year, exchanging red packets and oranges. It just goes on and on like this every year.
I felt a bit boring. Because every year, we are just repeating the process. Can’t we change something newer, more interesting and more creative? But the best part is, celebrating with friends, on the Chinese New Year eve. The whole school was celebrating together. With the lion dance, the dragon and the chinese orchestra performances. I think all was good! To be honest, I performed in the chinese orchestra. No wonder I say good right?
But to me, I think the most important thing is, celebrating Chinese New Year, this special occasion with our family members. In such occasion, it’s very easy on building up family relationships. Spending precious moments with family members, how nice. Some people might think, family members? They are just family members, what’s the big deal. In fact, family members are the best. Because they are the closest to you, they understands you the most, they know what you need.
Hey people, family members ARE important okay!
Part b.
This festival, is no other than Christmas, when maybe the happiest moment because of the wonderful presents you received. One of my favourite occasion too!
For Jess, during Christmas, he gave a free puppy to Leslie. As his family is poor, he has no money to buy a better present for her. But what I think is, the most expensive present might not be the one with most sincerity. In other words, I think sincerity is the best thing to go with present. Whether or not the present is expensive.
For myself, Christmas is like gift exchange. You’ll get something and in exchange, you’ll get something back too. My experience was, during Christmas, we normally just stay at home cooking a feast or going out and eat. Nothing special.
The contrast between these two situations is that we are more fortunate because we have the money to buy presents for others whereas Jess has to get something that doesn’t need money which will not turn out to be a better Christmas that we are having today. But now, we do not have houses with chimneys and things like that for people who believed in Santa Claus!
But Jess living in that kind of life, it has its benefits too. One example is freedom. Those people has lots of freedom. Some even longs for freedom now.
I love Christmas!
AMANDA :D
Part A, :D
Okay, Im going to post about the festival I've celebrated last year, which was christmas.
To me, christmas was a time of giving, also, because Im a christian, its the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas always mean alot to me, because most of the time I get alot of presents from my relatives. Also, I would spend time to get my friends and close ones something for christmas too. But one thing I would always look forward to during Christmas is being able to put up and decorate the Christmas tree! Every year without fail, I would be there, twirling the colourful lights around the tree, hanging the beautiful ornaments up on it.
During last year's christmas, my three younger cousins came over from Malaysia to celebrate it with me, coming a few days before christmas eve. On christmas eve itself, we opened our house for some sort of 'Christmas Party'. Many of my relatives came, and the food was a spread. Everyone had much fun, catching up with one another since we rarely see each other. Not long after, it was time for us to open our presents! Everyone was very excited. We went towards the christmas tree and took out all the presents below it with our names. Everyone sat at their own little corner and teared open their wrappers in different ways. Some very meticulously, some very roughly. Everyone was satisfied with what the had gotten! I too, was very happy with what I got.
Next, we got to eat the log cake. Its like a Chocalate swirl cake, shaped like a log, with many figuries around it. There was a mini hut beside it, made out of chocalate, also a few reindeers and a big fat santa claus on it made of plastic. Everyone took one of the figuries home, small and cute! Even though I dont have the picture, Im sure you can tell, it was very yummy! After this, my relatives from my father's side left, leaving my mother's one because they were all from Malaysia and going to stay over at our house that night.
I helped up with the cleaning up, vaccuming the floor. My dog was running around, and gosh, he was totally afraid of the vaccum cleaner, that everywhere I went with the vaccum cleaner, he would run somewhere else. Which was so totally cute!
After all the cleaning up and the hustle, I sat down at the dining table with my parents, and tried a teenee weenee bit of red wine. Boy, it tasted so disgusting. My parents said it was good wine, but I beg to differ. After some time, I settled down with sparkling water. That ended my Christmas celebrations! Now, for the pictures, enjoy, (:
My two younger cousins, tell me their cute!
I bought her the sunglasses thing.
MARCUS! He's one very cute boy.
Another cousin, :D Look like me right?
Handsome punk.
Sexy girl, :D
With that, I shall end this part, hope you have liked the post.Part b, :DIn anyway or other, I think I'm much more fortunate than Jess in the way he celebrated his Christmas. I had my family members all over, and had a rather much happy time talking with them, where as Jess wasn't feeling quite happy. This is so as his parents did not spend much time on him, most of their attention is spent on their other kids. Im rather lucky to be able to have parents that spend equal time on me and my brother and also mangling around with the guests. Also, I had a Christmas Party whereas Jess did not. I got to try red wine, and my parents even bought sparkling water for us to drink! But Jess wasn't as fortunate as me...But both Jess and I had celebrated Christmas. Seriously, celebrating Christmas is not just all about having fun, collecting presents and stuff. Its all about the time we spend with our family members, and this would draw us closer to one another. Well, indirectly, both of us had our share of fun during Christmas, hence, we should always remember the memories and time spent with our family members on such a joyous occasion! ETHEL, :D
Appendix1.6a
a)The special event I would like to share with everyone about this year's (2008) Chinese New Year. My mother is an indonesian-chinese, so every year we would go back to her hometown, Batam, to celebrate Chinese New year.
This year was the first year, my father did not celebrate Chinese New Year with us this year as he was working overseas. But other then that, the rest of the Chinese New Year celebrations were quite fun! In batam, the way people celebrate Chinese New Year is different from what we do in Singapore, as we could put on our own fireworks! I even took down video clips of the whole thing. It was so loud my ear drum almost burst! Its like whao! Its so different from what I've seen on television. Ther was once that the fireworks even hit my grandmother's house roof-top! Wow! Luckily, the house did not caught fire. Not only was the fireworks dangerous, it also cost a bomb! Six tubes for around $100. But I think it was quite worth it. The colours of the fireworks were simply wonderful!
Celebrating Chinese New Year was not only about collecting red packets, its also about celebrating it with your love ones, your family members. Unfortuantely, my father was not with us, but of course, we did talk to him on the phone. Although he did not say that he missed us, but from his voice we can hear that he was crying. I was so surprised that my father would have cried!
b)My family do not really celebrate christmas as a festival but treat it more like a family gathering or party as we are not christians. Early in the morning my mother would get the food for gathering ready. Her favourite dish is curry chicken, it's making me hungry even when i thinking about it. My two sisters would start figthing with each other early in the morning because of what we would be wearing for the party. They were just like Ellie and Brenda,fighting all day long.Sad to said that my father is different from jess' father. He just could not be bother with this event, all he care was the money we spent on his gathering and the food.
We do not have gift exchange like jess did. I wish that we would have gift exchange, as it sound quite fun.
During the gathering all my other family members would come to our house for dinner, this is the best part as i get a chance to chat with my cousins. They are much more better than my two irrating sisters. i think jess is more fortunate then me. Even that jess family was poor, they still celebrate it togerther and they have gift exchange.
This is the end of my blog entry, thanks for reading, hope you have enjoyed it.
FLORENCE.
