Education

So how have you spent your education years? What was school like? Did you make lots of friends? How were your grades? Did you become a better person? School has got to be a significant phase in life. People lament how things learnt in school are not related to what they do afterwards from graduation ever since. But has it got to be exactly related to what you do for a living later on?

The fact is, school does prepare for work. For integration into society. Because at school, we learn to work with others. Interact. Manage social circles. Demonstrate professionalism. Develop confidence. And find true friends. And academic preparation is a test of discipline, punctuality, focus and so on. Just like work which as a simple example, requires puncuality at least. Think about coming to work on time. And turning up for lectures on time. There is a correlation.

The rat race in Singapore is pretty brutal. It's like and up- for- grabs race, with immigrants fighting together with the locals to make money. Immigrants have already shown they are capable of excelling in the service sector. And some have even settled down here in Singapore to get the best education the country can offer. Education in Singapore is big in the region. It has attained such a status as a result of decades of building reputation.

One young marriage

Marriage is an institution. Marriage is bliss. Marriage is civilisation. Marriage is pure.

Hence it is no mistake to say that a young marriage, which means marriage of young individuals, can bring a great amount of happiness and contentment. It is based on the fact that the time spent together then would be greater. That equals greater happiness if the time spent was full of good things, even if there was occasional friction. But how could things go wrong, like what we've seen in society? Being too young to marry is out of question. But being able to be a husband or wife at a young age can be trying if either or both is not ready to commit.

There is a lot to ponder in marriage. It means getting to know your in- laws. Getting accepted into a wider family. Being faithful to your spouse. Being there always for each other. Sharing the same dreams and ideals. Sharing a goal. Making a living for one's self, another and the whole family.

Speed

In what can be as simple as displacement can be a serious form of thrill. How exciting can speed be on the roads? Not until an accident or a meet- up with the police. But speed on the roads has its thrills based on what the engines can do and the unique landscape it can bring. What about speed round the bend? An even greater dare promising more excitement. Not to forget, a greater danger and risk. So this speed on the road is much like a dare, like dodging a bullet or skydiving or swimming shark- infested waters.

Speed is spectacular in sport. World- class 100m sprinters take every technical aspect and detail seriously. Biomechanics, reaction time and ability and running form are some of the aspects that decide if it is possible to go under 10 seconds or not. Once again the 100m has always been the most popular event in contention every Olympics. Football, too, is speed. The English Premier League is the most fast- paced game around that it so much can be a form of short, sudden and impromptu sprinting competitions. The most lethal forwards are the speedy ones, leaving the defenders in despair and gasping for air. Because these forwards are taught repeatedly to put the ball in the goal in the least time possible. It just makes the beautiful game thrilling.

Speed has been put equal to technology. Get something done in a faster time than before and it could become a new discovery, a new gadget. Who in the 1900s would have guessed what e- mailing could do? Man has always been trying to fight against time to as far as imagining teleportation.

Hari Raya 2010

I could remember of another Hari Raya in the past which fell on a Friday. I was reminscing being in the mosque twice in a day. One for the Hari Raya prayers and another, the Friday prayers.

I could remember the streets i would pass by every year. Haig Rd. Tampines Rd. Hougang Ave 3.

Times have really changed. I've seen little boys grown up into teenagers, teenagers grown up into adults getting married next month.

And grandma. She raised me up till I was two. She had never scolded or shouted at me till i was at the point of breaking. She knew what i liked to eat. I could see in her eyes how much she cared for me.

"So have you found a job?" asked grandpa. It was only recently that i think i got closer to grandpa. I think we understood each other in some terms. He is jovial, humorous and good- natured.

I also met my uncle who was hospitalised for a lymph node complication. How could a misfortune be a blessing in disguise?

My cousin in National Service said about a confinement order and i asked him if that was for getting caught smoking in restricted premises. He said it was part of a routine.

And i wished another cousin of mine good luck in her exams. Which is, kinda my exams too.

Warna keeps airing well- wishers who break down at the end of their dedications on live radio. For every person, in this Hari Raya, there is surely something nostalgic to think about. Something that could probably stir emotions.

Where are all the others whom I have yet to meet today?

Art gallery

Can someone explain what is the use of art galleries and museums? It is not exactly the best in generating revenues and entrepreneurial aspirations, but it still exists, standing tall in cities. It's like you need the phone and television, but you also want that lanscape picture hanging in the living room.

People buy Toyota Camrys, BMW 700 series and Land Rovers. But the Volkswagen Beetle, the Mini Cooper and Harley Davidson's is just as pricey, if not, greater.

So art still sells.

Jordan 2 Singapore 1

A windy and cold Amman was the setting for the Asian Cup qualifier between the Middle East nation Jordan and one of the better Southeast Asian football countries Singapore. Jordan, backed by an amazing home crowd drew first blood by their most lethal forward in the match who resembles French attacking midfielder Karim Benzema.

Jordan executed multiple split- second moves. They used whatever spaces they could find. Their moves were fast, instantaneous, effective, accurate and stylish. On top of it all, they were more composed than Singapore. They attacked from all angles. The Jordanian midfield team kept the balls sent in from now and then. They were consistently on the prowl.

Singapore needs to improve. We played slow. We moved slow. We lacked rythm. If we were to analyse what needs to be done, there are a few aspects to look into. We have a fitness gap we need to bridge. We need to play with a lion's heart. We need to be more confident. We still lack the technical skills. We need to, as a team, be stronger.

Some of the notable performances by Singapore were of custodian Lionel Lewis, forward Noh Alam Shah, Jia Yi and the promising youngster, Harris.

We are out of the Asian Cup.

My attempt at photography

No it is not anything about aperture effects, macro/ micro lens nor lugging the tripod around. It was just a pink Canon pocket camera and my attempt to capture.

The set above probably has a familiar theme: People. The theme interests me because we could see what emotions are. Wonder. Awe. Anticipation.

Children is another interesting theme. What could be more adorable?

I fancy scenes with great lighting effect. Such as the one of swirling waves basking in the bright sun rays. Totally amazing. There is something serene about the sea and I don't know what it is.