Anw im so tired after playing basketball today with jeans for like 2 or 3 hours and playing with poly students =/ Own their rebound nia LOL =x Daniel chop until they no hair! ;D Gideon not really on form lor and somemore they challenged us after we already played for 2 hours non-stop and we still thrashed them 11-3 in one match. The other matches were closeeee but we already no stamina so they won the other 2 matches 12-10 and idk what. The last match i was just too tired to remember >.< rebound ="x="x="x
Yesterday got back Math and English results! Got 32/40 for Maths and 47/60 for English ;D A1 for both!! But overall for Math is still B3. If i didn't make so many careless mistakes then A2 liao. But no use talking about ifs since its over =/ But still not bad xD
Today was the host for Current Affairs. Walao everybody not listening =.= Then teacher come in then act LOL! After school go catch for Heng Yang with Coach coming down. Wa crazy pitchingggggggg suddenly so fast and much more accurate. Coach said he's gonna make me a very good batter who can control the bat and slug or punch or w/e technique so i dont have to be scared of pitcher. Lalala ownnnn. Im gonna come for every December holiday training =P
Ohh and Singapore won Korea 3-2 to go to Finals of the Women's Table Tennis!!! (: Was watching the last one. Feng Tianwei ownnnnnn LOL! But the Korean super pro also kip blocking the smacks =.= Means they confirm get silver medal! But gold medal still not sure. China very strong >.< lol ="x
Sleep-talked, 9:41 PM.
| Wednesday, August 13, 2008 |
Presenting the Exco of Hwa Chong Softball (:
Bottom Row: Daniel, Benji, Valentino, Li Hui
Top Row: Chi Hern, Rui Jie, Dominic, Izumi, Norris
LOL i got the crappy role of treasurer =.= No money to collect one! Aiya nvm saikang get a few free LEAPS =x Izumi is chairman, Dominic is VICE-CHAIRMAN AND CAPTAIN, Li Hui is vice-captain T.T Rui Jie is secretary saikang also! =x Benji is Quarter Master againnnnnnn.
Sleep-talked, 10:27 PM.
Whee finished Chinese ACE in 40 minutes ^^ Slacked this afternoon off LOL =x Aiya but not bad i did Chinese k! Packed with stuff to do in last weeks of Term 3.
1) Physics ACE
2) IHC AND IHE ACE
3) Physics Test
Haha okay la not really alot LOL! Got the saikang sabbatical week (: Math test today was quite okay. Low A1 will get me B3 though T.T
Dont think i'll get exempted for anything again for the 3rd year running xD Good job man. But good i will have exam experience and more exam skills (: Just to console myself >.<>
Sleep-talked, 9:43 PM.
Haha havent been posting for quite long and i see my tagboard's still alive yea? ^^ Anw happy belated birthday to Singapore! LOL! Didn't watch NDP at all >.<>
Hmm and Olympics are cool xD So many ppl watching! Today got USA vs China basketball 12am Channel U. Must watch the Dream Team~
Anw today was very quite slack. Spent morning until 2pm revising math then slack whole way liao. My fren's bro Desiree was hosting some farewell party for her tracker who's going to China then she suddenly came up and ask us go play badminton LOL! Okay she said ,"DOWNSTAIRS" and downstairs so big and she was nowhere to be seen =.= So specific. Haha but i got good sense of direction so we found them in the end ^^ Wa then go there kena dao like siao. All girls ROFL. So me and my bro stone and see them play badminton. And then they played catching but yea i bet all my money they wouldn't dare touch us and they didn't (: So i just sat there and did nothing. Cool yea? ;D
After tt playing badminton some gay guy came along and asked us not to play badminton there cos there were kids playing. Ohh and we were so far away from the kids =.= Blah effing gay but didn't wanna quarrel so just stop and then talk loudly about how gay he was =x Ah well didn't think he heard it =/ Then girls play in the same spot he diam diam. Walao seriously GAY! Then he walk around stalking the little children like a pervert tsktsk.
Okay finished cursing the gay =x Then they started to play catching again. Ohh and they dared to catch us finally after i kinda dared them by saying,"You all also dont dare catch us" LOL! Okay i was just running very slowly but well still faster =x Feel like bully luh >.<
Then they went back to Desiree's house and we went back home and further slacking and watching Hitch on Channel 5. Nice movie (: Lazy to elaborate =/ Sorta combines love and humour.
Gosh tmr i seriously MUST revise math. Functions is quite easy actually so i MUST get A1 =/
Sleep-talked, 10:02 PM.
1. The person who passed you this quiz is: MICHELLETAY (:
2. Your relationship with them is... good friends!
3. Your 5 impressions of her... hmm nice, funny, sometimes emo, good to talk to, rocksssss! wow finally done!
4. The most memorable thing she has done for you... gone on a date xD
5. The most memorable words she has said to you... you're nice or something liddat! cos she always says =P
6. If she becomes your lover, you will... LOL what else? love her luh =.= stupid question.
7. If she becomes your lover, things she should improve on... stop thinking she's fat ;D
8. If she becomes your enemy, you will... emooooooooooo
9. If she becomes your enemy, the reason will be... my fault >.<
10. The most desired thing you want to do for her now is... buy her a birthday present!
11. Your overall impression of her is... rockerrrrrrr!
12. How you think people around you will feel about you? shuai ge =x LOL jk. think im ego and of course very nice =x
13. The characteristics you love about yourself are... my ego-ness and photographic memory!
14. On the contrary, the characteristics you hate about yourself are... short! or else can dunk liao >.<
15. The most ideal person you want to be is...... myselfffffff
16. For people that care and like you, say something to them... love you too <33
17. Pass this quiz to 10 persons that you wish to know how they feel about you.
1. Jingwen
2. Samantha
3. Michelle Tay (BACK! =P)
4. Michelle Teo
5. Huilin
6. Benji
7. Xuyue
8. Zandra
9. Valerie
10. Yunxin
ROFLMAO anyhow pick one. Notice Benji's the only guy ;D cool eh?
18.Who is no.6(Benji) having a relationship with at the moment? aww i dont tink he have T.T
19. Is no.9 (Valerie) a male or female? FEMALE DUH!
20. If no.7 (Xuyue) and 10(Yunxin) are together, will it be a good thing? Yea very good (:
21. How about no.8 (Zandra) and 5 (Huilin)? even better w0rhxz!
22. What is no.2 (Samantha) studying? how would i noe.
23. When was the last time you had a chat with no.3 (Michelle Tay)? now?
24. What kind of music band does no.8 (Zandra) like? hmm i tink secondhand serenade type of songs?
26. Will you woo no.3(Michelle Tay) ? hmm i dunno if its possible anymore xD
27. How about no.7 (Xuyue)? LOL maybe?
28. Is no.4 (Michelle Teo) single? yea duh......
30. What is the hobby of no.4(Michelle Teo)? asking why (:
31. Do no.5(Huilin) and 9(Valerie) get along well? haha i dunno anything about her
33. Say something casually about no.1(Jingwen). Yay i might date her LOL!!!
34. Have you tried developing feelings for no.8 (Zandra)? nope xD
35. Where does no.9 (Valerie) live at? Omgosh let me try recall. She lives on the same boat as me!!! (:
36. What colour does no.4(Michelle Teo) like? oops dunno >.<
37. Are no.5(Huilin) and 1(Jingwen) best friends? Dont tink they noe each other LOL!
38. Does no.7(Xuyue) like no.2 (Samantha)? haha sure! i realise im making many lesbians!
39. How do you get to know no.2(Samantha) ? through Xuyue i think?
40. Does no.1 have any pets (Jingwen)? Don't think so
41. Is no.7(Xuyue) the sexiest girl in the world? Of course not. Got sexier ones ROFL!
42. Do you think its possible if no.4(Michelle Teo) and no.5(Huilin) date each other? NISEEEEE!
43. Say something more about no.6(Benji) ... something more about no.6(Benji) xD
44. what is your relationship with no.9 (Valerie) ... BOAT MATEYYYYYY!
45. List all the schools that no.1 to no.10 are in and originally from.
1.Jingwen: NYGH and hmm MPS. i just remember its an ulu school >.<
2.Samantha: NYGH. I dunno primary sch!
3.Michelle Tay: NYGH and St Margarets Primary!
4.Michelle Teo: NYGH andPei Hwa and some school in Seoul
5.Huilin: NYGH and idk.
6.Benji: HCI and idk.
7.Xuyue: NYGH and idk
8.Zandra: ROFL IDK BOTH!!! >.<>
9.Valerie: NYGH and Taonan Primary.
10.Yunxin: NYGH AND NYPS
46. What would you do if no.10 (Yunxin)hates you? emoooooooooo
47. Which of the following are in a relationship? hmm let's see one of them ;D and i shan't name her.
49. How would you react if no.3 (Michelle Tay) and no.10 (Yunxin) are together? laugh (:
50. Last question! What would you do if no.4 (Michelle Teo) tells you she is pregnant? hahaha i wont believe it. does she noe how to have sex??? =x
Wa own 8 out of 10 from NYGH LOL! Cos i noe all the hci ppl will dao the quiz. At the same time i wanna sabo back Benji for making me do his stupid quizzes (: Sad i didn't want to put him as 5 as the most scandalous =P
Sleep-talked, 9:21 PM.
| Wednesday, August 6, 2008 |
Lol omgosh im so screwed for IHE. I dunno how to do then just anyhow crap. And i misinterpreted one questioned then sure screwed le. But ah well i just nid 4/20 to pass IH cos my IHC got 16/20 LOL! Own man! 16/20 for 3 terms consecutively ;D and my second essay question got 12 marks which is full marks and when i refer to model answer i found it exactly the same. Except tt i added in more points =x I think mine is better model answer LMAO! Just screwed up my first question or else can get full marks lor cos i suddenly mental block about the family support >.<
And today assembly Doctor Hon damn bastard sia go niao softball. Say softball has not been doing well consistently for these years, not even passing first round. Thus, they should aim for second round and maybe a win(sarcastic tone)? WTF we got bronze k and tts not bad already still must niao. Nationals okay =.= Talk so much cock. If we win we'll say,"We'll like to thank Doctor Hon for niao-ing us and motivating us to strive our best" =.= Made me super pissed >( Cannot stand his niao-ing already later one day i shout to him then i GG zzz!
Congrats to C div for attaining Bronze anw (: Next year we merge with Sec 2s we shall try to win and shut Doctor Hon up ;D Tmr Physics SPA and Chinese Compo Test then can slackkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk! Favourite <333
Sleep-talked, 9:47 PM.
Yay now for part 2. Housing!!!
Problems faced in the 1950s:
- Land constraints
- Housing Shortage
- Rapid Population Growth due to baby boom and immigration
- Poor housing conditions
- Poor sanitation
- Lack of electricity and piped water
- Slums and squatters
Solving the Housing Crisis:
HDB was set up to resolve the housing shortage in Singapore and improve housing conditions. HDB did that through five year plans. The first five year plan was to build as many houses as quickly and as cheaply as possible. 150 000 units of flats had to be built in 10 years to clear the slums and squatters and relieve overcrowding. Housing estates were built within 8km of the city centre. Some landowners were reluctant to give up their land and thus the HDB used the Land Acquisition Act which enabled them to acquire the land from the landowners and compensate them. 50 000 units of flats were built in the first five years, controlling the housing shortage.
Maximizing Land Use:
HDB built high-rise, high-density flats to maximize land use, e.g. Tanglin Halt and Queenstown. These blocks could go up to 25 stories and had their own shops and markets. Each flat had its own kitchens and toilets which was much better than the slums which had shared facilities. These flats were mainly rented.
Self-contained towns:
Towns were built away from the city centre to relieve congestion in the city centre. This towns were independent from the city centre and had their own shopping centres, bus terminals, schools and industrial estates to provide people with jobs. They also had better design and facilities.
Home Ownership Scheme:
Government encouraged home ownership right from the start. It gave people a greater sense of belonging, sense of pride and loyalty to the country. It was also a form of financial security. People who rented flats could buy the same flats at a discount, motivating people to work harder and get a stake in the country. The government helped by allowing citizens to utilise CPF for pay for flats or pay for the flats with monthly installments over a period of 5-10 years.
Social Cohesion:
Different racial groups settled in the same estate or block and shared common facilities with each other, thus is was very important for people of different races to live together in harmony. There were community centers to serve as meeting places for neighbours and for activities to bond people together. The government noticed that there was a higher proportion of racial groups in certain places and thus, they limited the proportion of races in a every block and estate so that different races reside in the same block of flats. Activities were organized to strengthen bonds and for people to interact and learn how to tolerate and understand each other.
Housing for middle income group:
Due to the thriving economy, standards of living went up and so did property prices. Thus, the middle income groups could not afford private homes while at the same time, they exceeded the maximum income required to own HDB flats. They were the 'sandwiched' class. HDB responded by raising the maximum income for home ownership several times. Finally, the HUDC built flats for the middle income group. They had designs and locations comparable to private houses and cost cheaper than private houses. Executive Condominiums were also built to satisfy the desire of middle income groups who have the desire to own private homes but cannot afford to. These flats are built near HDB estates and have better designs and finishes. They also have facilities such as swimming pools and tennis courts and are privatized after 5 years.
Sense of Belonging - Precinct Concept:
It is the basic planning unit of the town. A precinct consists of 4 to 8 blocks and each precinct has a central place and a few basic facilities. They help enhance the sense of belonging to homes and helps build community spirit. RCs organize activities that involve the precinct like mass cleaning up days. RCs are also involved in home matters, environmental matters and maintaining security.
Meeting needs of single citizens:
Increasing number of single citizens wanted their own homes but were neither eligible for HDB flats nor could they afford private houses. The HDB allowed those who were at least 35 to buy resale flats and introduced the CPF Housing Grant to help them buy flats.
Meeting needs of senior citizens:
Studio apartments were introduced. These apartments have non-slip floorings and had pull-cords linked to the block's alarm system. They facilitate mobility and independent learning. They are also close the activity centres for social interaction, shops and facilities. They also have handrails, lifts that stop at every floor, easier to open windows and pedestal toilets.
Renewing of older estates:
75% of the estate or block must agree to this upgrading works which include upgrading of old towns, improving of lift lobby, additional linkways, covered shelters, children's playground, BBQ pits, new balcony or utility rooms and bird viewing corners. The costs will be shared between the government and flat owners.
Hmm finished =P Dunno if need to memorise why HDB was successful though. Haiz dao la (: Now i shall go revise for chemistry quiz.
Sleep-talked, 4:53 PM.
Ahh mugging for IHC test sucks. Missed Friday so slack =P Went for concert after a slack day of school. Oh and HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO MICHELLE TAY! (: LOL it was on Friday but i couldn't use com on Friday >.< So anw went to meet Jun Han at JEC there then take MRT to City Hall. Ate dinner and was still early. So slack around then walk to Esplanade. Wa very windy and alot of buildings xD Dunno how to describe u go see yourself...very nice (:
Ended up like 50 minutes early? Then sat outside for 50 minutes with nothing to do >.< Lol looking at people walk around very fun. Finally could go in. And Singaporeans are damn zai at watching concerts. Keep wolf whistling and clapping at everything. Either that or using handphones to shine at wall cos the lights all off ma. LOL and talking and laughing at every little thing. Pro LOL! But overall the concert was quite nice luh :D Ohh cool i didn't say NOT BAD LA =x
So after the concert we went home. Then found out 66 bus service had stopped at 23.00 and it was 23.30 already so me and Jun Han call our fathers come fetch us =/
Basically tt sums up Friday. Now for the mugging!
Hmm start with whether senior citizens are liability or asset to our country =P
Liability:
- Greater demand for healthcare services and social services. Although not all senior citizens will fall ill, there are certain age-related health problems such as loss of hearing and failing eyesight. Thus more resources will have to be used to set up healthcare centres for the aged, reducing resources for further investments and economic ventures.
- Singapore will have to spend more of its financial resources to set up community based services such as day care centres and nursing homes to take care of the aged. Befriender services and social services will also be needed. In other words, a large pool of trained welfare staff are needed to take care of senior citizens such as nurses and volunteers.
- With more senior citizens, there will be more stress on the working population to support the old. Thus, the working population must pay more taxes to provide the facilities and services need for the aged. In future, say 2030, 2.2 adults will be needed to take care of one aged person. The government would also need to use more of its revenue to take care of senior citizens, and part of the revenue is from taxes. With fewer babies, there would be fewer young people to support the aged and thus they will have to be taxed more heavily just to provide the facilities and services need for senior citizens.
Asset:
- With more healthy and better educated senior citizens in the country, it would mean a larger pool of people with valuable skills, knowledge, work experience and talent. Senior citizens can also help to take care of their grandchildren, making themself useful by contributing to the family. They can also act as mentors to the younger generation or become advisors in government organizations and private companies. In this way, they can make themselves useful and contribute to the society.
- Healthy senior citizens can still contribute to the society. The government has recognized their importance in the society and increased the retirement age from 60 to 62.
- Senior citizens can also engage in the 'back to work' program which can help them find suitable jobs and provide them with the necessary training.
- Senior citizens can help promote the growth of some manufacturing and service industries. With more senior citizens, demand for goods and services for them will go up, expanding the market for these goods and services.
Woohoo finished. Typed everything myself :D Now for how to prepare for an aging population.
Government support:
The Government can prepare for an aging population by policies implemented to help take care of the elderly. The government has a tribunal for maintenance of parents. Parents can get the court's help in seeking financial support from their children who are capable of supporting them but are not doing so. This applies to senior citizens who are incapable of supporting themselves and are above the age of 60. There is also the tax relief scheme which offers tax reductions to children who are taking care of the elderly in the family or contributing to their own or their elderly dependents' CPF retirement accounts. The Government also provides public housing schemes for first time buyers of government flats and housing grants if they are buying a flat in the area where their parents live.There is also 3 accounts in the CPF for all employees. The Special Account is for retirement, emergency and investment. The Medisave Account is used for paying for medical bills and the Retirement Account is for when you retire. People can withdraw money from this account at the age of 55 and money will be sent to you monthly through this account when you reach 62 years old to ensure you have money for your old age.
Individual:
The individual must also be responsible for preparing for his old age. They can attend pre-retirement talks to learn how to plan for their old age and go for regular medical check-ups to ensure they are healthy. They should also keep to a proper diet and exercise regularly so that they do not fall sick easily. They must also learn to be independent to reduce the burden on the younger generation. They should also spend more time with their family and strengthen bonds within their family so that there would be support for them and keep a more active social life.
All Singaporeans:
Every Singaporean has a part to play in helping the country prepare for an aging population. Children should have the moral responsibility to care for their parents and the community should also respect and show care for the senior citizens. The 'many helping hands' approach is Singapore's way of preparing for an aging population. The Government believes this approach is better than increasing taxes and this will reduce over-dependence on the Government to look after the people. When this responsibility of taking care of the senior citizens is shared, the Government will be less burdened and the resources saved can be used for other needs of the country.
Family Care:
Families should show care and concern for the aged and show respect to them. They must make the aged feel wanted and ask for their opinions, giving them a part to play in the family so that they do not feel left out and useless. They also need to be patients with the aged.
Community Help:
The community also has an important part to play in preparing the country for an ageing population. The community can give social and emotional support and provide healthcare and social services for the elderly. Voluntary welfare organizations like the Home Nursing Foundation involve members of the community like housewives and school children to look after the needs of the elderly. They also offer free health checks and recreational activities for senior citizens.
Haiz see how much i have to memorise? Now for the rest of population!
Family planning:
From 1966 to 1981. The aim was to control the rapid population growth at that time. This consisted of 3 five year plans. The first five year plan emphasised on smaller families. The second five year plan encouraged married couples to 'stop at two' while the third five year plan aimed to hit the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. At that time, Singapore encouraged the use of contraception and legalized abortion. Policies were also put in place to discourage couples from having many children.
- No paid maternity leave for third and subsequent child
- No priority given to large families in the allocation of government flats
- No income tax relief for fourth and subsequent child
- Delivery charges to increase with each additional child
Promoting Population Growth from 1980s: Why?
There was declining birth rate in the 1980s due to the family planning policies and late marriages. The total fertility rate reached 1.82 children per woman in 1980 which was below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. A larger workforce was needed to sustain the nation's development and manpower was needed for national defence. Singapore was also unattractive to MNCs because of the small consumer and labour market and expensive labour compared to other countries like China. More resources were also needed to take care of the senior citizens.
Promoting Population Growth after the 1980s: How?
The Graduate Mother's Scheme was started in 1984. It encouraged graduate couples to marry and have children. However it was scraped after one year in 1985 because many people felt it was unfair and population policies built on the belief that graduates had better babies were very controversial. Another scheme was the 'Three or More If You Can Afford It' in 1987. It aimed to bring Singapore's birth rate back to the replacement level of 2.1 but was very careful about it and made sure couples could afford it before having a third child. This was due to the economic recession in 1985 which led to may people getting retrenched and many MNCs pulling out their investments in Singapore. This scheme allowed people to use Medisave to pay for delivery charges. However, the Government overlooked the higher standards of living and the high costs of bringing up a baby, e.g. education. Also, due to the increasing cost of medical care, Medisave accounts were drained usually in 1 or 2 hospitalizations. Besides those schemes, there were equalised benefits which allowed mothers to make medical claims for their children, something that only fathers were allowed to do last time. The maternity leave was also extended from 8 weeks to 12 weeks. There is also the 5 day work week for the civil service to allow for better work-life balance and tax relief of up to $3000 if grandparents were helping to take care of children.
Ahh finished population. Basically population only liddat (: Happy reading LOL!
Sleep-talked, 5:05 PM.
