Aqua_Monkey

Sporting Spirits in Olympics

2008-08-27T21:33:00.001+08:00

$3.7m for athletes' reward
http://straitstimes.com.sg/Breaking%2BNews/Sport/Sport.html
The recently held Beijing Olympics was an international-scale sporting event – or so it ought to be. Putting all those pure competitive instincts aside, we can in fact see that there are a lot of other motives and reasons why people are so steeped in this particular event. It must have been dear to people’s ears to hear of people gambling through sport matches, whether the match is big or small does not really give any big impact. What’s more important is the amount of gain on stake. I believe that this is what a lot of people, adults especially, have when they get involved in this event.

The issue I am addressing here is not much on the spectators, but on the athletes themselves. “Is the term sporting spirits still applicable in nowadays sports competitions?” is the question raised the moment I see this article “$3.7m for athletes' reward” in the Straits Times - August 26, 2008, Tuesday. I know that it’s not at all wrong to prize the winning athletes with a considerable amount of wealth for their efforts. And yes, that’s exactly what countries nowadays are doing: promising prizes to burn the spirits in their athletes so that the country’s name would be lifted. I’m not here to criticize this tradition, but if wealth becomes the sole purpose for the athletes to strive forward, I believe that there would be no point in such event anymore. Is that even any different with any random simple betting games on the streets?

As such, I believe that the athletes must once again think it over – or moreover the athletes to be. Sports world can be alive because of the sporting spirits in it. If wealth overcomes that spirit within, sporting world is more or less dead. This is the current issue and problem, whereas motivator such as wealth and pride replace the spirit. Is there anything to be done about it?

Democracy & Stabiity - Which One??

2008-05-27T21:09:00.000+08:00

Democracy creates stability in a state. What exactly is democracy? No one could correctly describe democracy as there is a great variety of description which depends on the perspective of people who describe it, the state adopting the system, and social state at the moment. Still, there’s similarity to any form of democracy: people have freedom to present ideas and people have access to power equally. I myself describe democracy as a political system where everyone can participate in reforming the country and have liberty that’s not constrained by the ruler. Next, is it true that democracy creates stability in a state? So far, some people say “yes” whilst the others say “no”. Several different cases show that exactly, democracy can create stability in a state or vice versa. I simply oppose the motion; I think democracy has created more instability rather than stability in a state/country.

Initially, Western countries are the ones practicing democracy, but lately, more and more countries, including most Eastern countries, have practiced or in some sense adapted the democracy. These two sides, East and West, practice a more or less different kind of democracy. The Western countries’ democracy is far more liberal than those of Eastern countries’ as the Eastern countries hold tightly to conventional tradition and beliefs. Nevertheless, in both cases democracy has several times created chaos and instability. Important aspects in democracy are representative, power to the people, election, political party, majority rule, and freedom for all.

Basically, by applying democracy, a country grants to every single one of its citizen
“power”. In so doing it as well tells the people that they have equal rights of freedom: of speech, of choice, to live, etc. We can already foretell just by this one principal that if democracy isn’t correctly executed, chaos and malfunction of government is inevitable, and it has affected several countries spread across the world.

Election can never be neglected if we’re talking about democracy since it’s such a crucial matter. As far as we have known, to obstruct the problem of uncontrolled movement of citizen due to their power, representative democracy is one the most popular method, and well, most of the time it works! But it doesn’t simply end like that. In representative system, there has to be one party/person to sit at the top position of the country but yet, that’s where the flaw lies. Why did I say so? Firstly, in a representative democracy, one will vote without knowing the exact “face” of the ruler-to-be. What they said in their campaign is the only thing they do know and it’s yet to known what they will do for the latter. Worse is when in their campaign they gave something to the people to pay for their vote – bribery in other word, which is quite commonly happen in several countries at the moment. As the country just blindly voices their choice in such a fatal occasion, the result for the country’s future might be severe. One case is when they actually vote for a dictator who if later come to power will grant the people pain and sufferings.

That’s almost all about it; all in all, democracy is all but another imperfect system. After all, no such thing in the world which is “perfect”. If there is one, it’s just a matter of time until truth reveals all the lies. Isn’t being perfect against the ‘law of the world’?

Altruism

2008-05-08T19:48:00.003+08:00

This post is dedicated to this particular topic, altruism. Basically, altruism is the will to sacrifice one's own desire or goal for other's sake. I will compare the logic of the bee with the live of people nowadays. In the story, the bees are willing to sacrifice even its own lifes for the sake of their queen and the next generations. Whereas we can see and realize such beatiful relationship could be generated amidst all threats they are going through their rough lives, it's so ironic to see people living without mercy for one another. Well, in fact, I think it's already human's nature to compete, to seek golden glimpse of victory all along the road of their lives, and that's true. We can even see this from the very beginning of the world, as written in the Holy Bible. One example which can be taken from there is the story of Cain and Abel.

Passage Genesis 4:5:5
but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.

then

Passage Genesis 4:8:
8 One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.”[a] And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.

(source : http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Genesis+4%3A5&version1=51 )

This vividly shows the competitive spirit within Man. This as well applies in our daily lives. The very simple example for this era, which is very real is : When you see people litter in front of you, do you even bother doing anything about it?

So, my conclusion is that altruism, as time passes, has become simply similar to a myth, moreover because the intelligence people gained day by day, they become even more and more competitive.

Handphone, Bliss or Menace?

2008-03-07T09:59:00.003+08:00

This is the era of technology, the days of modern civilization, the time for globalization! Handphone cannot be neglected when we talk about the modern era.

By now, it has been several years since cell phones were invented. The discovery really gives big impact to the society, their communication, their time management, and their lifestyle. As cheaper cell phones has been massively created, even small children nowadays might bring cell phone inside their pocket. To school kids, Secondary boys and girls, to the class of businessman and higher-ups, cell phones have been an essential thing.

Now, back to our topic. Is it actually a menace or a bliss? I am particularly neutral, so I will now reveal how phones can become a bliss or menace.

The first one , as a bliss. How it can be a bliss? It is mostly because of its contribution to our daily life and scientific improvement. Now, our communication within this grandly designed world is lots easier. We don't even need to travel within country just to get a chit-chat. A few steps to pick up our handphones, and that's it! Maybe "It's a kind of magic." Besides communication, now handphones have such features we might have never expected. The so called "Bluetooth", for instance. It gives us access to other phones' data and can even transfer them. Musics and videos are no exception. It really adds color to our life.

The second one, as a menace. This is clearly shown in Dave Barry's article, "Ban Cellphones-unless you're attacked by a giant squid." Read it, and it explain most of the things on you.

Now , reconsider and write your comment on it. Which one do you tend to bend to? Do you think it should be banned, or improved even more instead?

Marriage or Money!?

2008-03-07T09:28:00.002+08:00

Marriage issue nowadays have become very popular. Most people now have their right to choose their own coupe. If we reminisce, in past years couples were chosen by their parents. There are still some cases similar with those of past years, though, but not as much.

Ironically, lots of people don't make good use of this right of theirs. Money has now become priority. Referring to the passage by Irene Ng, My View, business is now above marriage. The reasons are reasonable and we cannot blame them for it. They want to grant happiness to their children through wealth. Yet, are you sue they will get jubilant life on wealth?

Another case it be when we are married yet we're still unsure about our income. How long will it lasts? Our husband and/or wife can be very monetarily demanding. Before marriage, they might be satisfied with what we have at the moment, yet after marriage, it all may become upside down. Have you ever imagine how painful can it be when your world turns upside down just because of economical problem?

Those two cases really drop us into the state of dilemma. Some people might even give up on it before trying. This is what really happens in the world nowadays, and the solution is yet to be known. It is almost impossible for us to know all about our partner before marriage really occurs, and when it already happens,there's no turning back. We cannot know how bad they are in the inside, and how demanding they can be. Which way will you particularly choose and what solution can you suggest to this particular case?

Terrorism

2008-03-05T21:11:00.001+08:00

This is the topic now, btw... Terrorism is related with social issue. Well, lately, these kind of things just keep increasing among the human population.In Singapore, the latest issue is on Mas Selamet. He is reported to have been fleeing from a rehabilitation center by the toilet. This is quite strange since he was reported to be guarded by a quite large sum of personnel. Wonder why? The posters regarding his presence are already being spread all over. MRT Station, newspapers, and even RI Boarding! Well, most of them say the same thing, though.Anyway, this is not the first time terrorist escape, or terrorism happens. Nowadays, terrorism is global, whether it is open to public or still unrevealed. From my country, terrorism had happened more than once. Bom Bali, for instance, had happened twice.The impact of terrorism is bigger than what we can imagine. In smaller scale, it might only affect one person whereas in bigger scale, it might affect the whole world. This particular case of Mas Selamat, in my opinion, has only been national issue so far, but if this case is being neglected, i think the case will grow to the point where it may concern other states as well.The next question I'll be asking is, will the world b eable to wipe terrorism out?In my opinion, the answer is a no-no. Even if, let's say, they can wipe out all the big terrorist, but how about the small scaled ones? There is big possibility that the small ones will become bigger, replacing the last ones...Well, I think that's it for the moment. If there's anything u want to discuss, please leave a comment. Thanks!

Singaporean lack.....

2008-02-14T21:27:00.003+08:00

Hello, guys!
This one is my English assignment, and its topic is "S'poreans' Lack of Social Graces a Social Disgrace" which was taken from the Straits Times 14 January 2008.

This article is talking about how the Singaporeans discern about others.

In my opinion, Singapore is not as bad as it's stated in this particular article. I'm still new in Singapore, though, yet from what I see and have compared to some other conditions I have seen, it's not bad. Yes, it is crowded at certain places in busy hours, especially, the MRT and MRT Stations. But have any of them frets and fights over small things? Even if the answer is 'yes', it's very rare to witness such condition, right? It's correct that tehy still have many rooms for improvement, yet as the way things are now, it's not that hazardous and chaotic as such...

Tears_of_blue_sky

2008-02-14T19:54:00.005+08:00

Introduction

Hi guys! This is my first time making blog. Anyway, I hope I make it up to your expectation! Enjoy!!!!

First of all, my blog's name and title...

Where are they from?

Even though I'm not very found of Japanese Language and still could neitehr read nor understand 'em, I like anime and Japanese songs. A freak, or so you could say... The anime and the songs are very impactful and evocative, I personally think. And since I'm an anime freak, I take it from my favourite Japanese Bands and one of my favourite songs' name .

Here are the descriptions.....

Japanese Bands:

Aqua - Aqua Timez

I like their songs very much!

My favourites are "Sen no Yoru Wo Koete", which they sang in 'Bleach :Memories of Nobody', "Alones", which they sang in "Bleach as the 6th Opening, "Himawari", and "Shiroi Mori"....

I haven't listened to all their songs, though, but from those I have heard, I like most of them!!

Monkey - Funky Monkey Babys

I have no idea whether they have been singing for anime or not... I just like their songs!!Especially their combination of pop n rap style!!
I like almost all of their songs and among them are : "Lovin' Life" ,"Mou Kimi Ga Inai", and "Boku Ha Santa Claus"....

Those are my favourite Japanese Bands!

There are lots more, though, such as 'Do As Infinity', 'L'Arc En Ciel, 'The Brilliant Green', and lots more. And I like all of them and their songs!

There are also soloist that I like very much, such as Yuria, Lia, Mami Kawada, Rie Fu and many more.....

Then, about the site's address. I take it from a song title. The actual name of the song is "Aozora no Namida" which was sang by. The anime is titled "Blood Plus"

Any of you have seen it?

Anyway, that's it for my introduction, thanks to all of you for your support!

Look forward for my next post and feel free if you want to post anything!

See ya!