Are we making a fool of ourselves with straight A's and Distinctions in public examinations and yet the system itself is questioned? Bad education not only affects our kids but also put the future of the country in jeopardy. The era of globalisation is raising the bar for the future generation, but given that our education is so appalling that it failed to meet expected learning outcomes, I don't think our education is capable of answering the questions posed tomorrow. Heck, we can't even answer the question on which medium of instruction for Mathematics and Science properly.
The rich can afford to send their kids to tuition centres or private schools but what about poor peasants in rural areas? They'll be the biggest losers under the system!
Education should prepare us to answer questions that are yet to be posed.
Although the video below was part of DAP's campaign message during General Election 2013, its message is still relevant as of today.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Good Morning Baby - A Pink
Was excited about a new song that'll be released in conjunction with A Pink's 1000 days since debut! It's something made for us fans...
The song turns out to be Good Morning Baby, and it's a lovely love song! Indeed, the song is 100% made for their fans! I bought this song from iTunes two days ago and listen to it when I wake up.
Now, if someone sings this to my ear every morning....
Verse 1
I believe that you can fall in love in a moment
It’s a love story like destiny
One day feels too far, I miss you, I have fallen for you, love is you
A guy who looks good in a red sweater
Just holding your hand makes me feel warm
I only have you, it’s only you forever, special you, season of love
Chorus
good morning baby good morning
I imagine spending mornings with you
Kissing your half sleeping eyes
Even if you don’t say it out loud, I know, I love you
Verse 2
Walking on the white path, leaving our footprints
The angels sing above in the clear sky
I feel good just looking at the sky, I like you because it’s you
I’ve seriously fallen for you, love is you
be be my my love wanna be be be my my love
Just holding your hand makes me feel warm
I only have you, it’s only you forever, special you, season of love
Chorus
good morning baby good morning
I imagine spending mornings with you
Kissing your half sleeping eyes
Even if you don’t say it out loud, I know, I love you
Bridge
I’ll fall asleep in a moment in your warm arms
Wanna be falling in love, be my only love
Chorus
good morning baby good morning
I imagine spending mornings with you
Kissing your half sleeping eyes
Even if you don’t say it out loud, I know, I love you
Translation credits: Pop!Gasa
The song turns out to be Good Morning Baby, and it's a lovely love song! Indeed, the song is 100% made for their fans! I bought this song from iTunes two days ago and listen to it when I wake up.
Now, if someone sings this to my ear every morning....
Verse 1
I believe that you can fall in love in a moment
It’s a love story like destiny
One day feels too far, I miss you, I have fallen for you, love is you
A guy who looks good in a red sweater
Just holding your hand makes me feel warm
I only have you, it’s only you forever, special you, season of love
Chorus
good morning baby good morning
I imagine spending mornings with you
Kissing your half sleeping eyes
Even if you don’t say it out loud, I know, I love you
Verse 2
Walking on the white path, leaving our footprints
The angels sing above in the clear sky
I feel good just looking at the sky, I like you because it’s you
I’ve seriously fallen for you, love is you
be be my my love wanna be be be my my love
Just holding your hand makes me feel warm
I only have you, it’s only you forever, special you, season of love
Chorus
good morning baby good morning
I imagine spending mornings with you
Kissing your half sleeping eyes
Even if you don’t say it out loud, I know, I love you
Bridge
I’ll fall asleep in a moment in your warm arms
Wanna be falling in love, be my only love
Chorus
good morning baby good morning
I imagine spending mornings with you
Kissing your half sleeping eyes
Even if you don’t say it out loud, I know, I love you
Translation credits: Pop!Gasa
NoNoNo for a festive season
It's the festive season! My favourite girl group A Pink did some special version of their 2013 hit song NoNoNo. And I found myself coming back again and again to these videos. Love them to bits!
It has been a while since these videos were uploaded, but they're always fresh to my ears.
This is the much awaited Girl's Day - A Pink special stage! Girl's Day started with NoNoNo & A Pink covered Expectation. I think A Pink looked better! But I still love Girl's Day.
A Pink did a sexy version of their hit NoNoNo
Christmas is in the air!
It has been a while since these videos were uploaded, but they're always fresh to my ears.
This is the much awaited Girl's Day - A Pink special stage! Girl's Day started with NoNoNo & A Pink covered Expectation. I think A Pink looked better! But I still love Girl's Day.
A Pink did a sexy version of their hit NoNoNo
Christmas is in the air!
Friday, January 31, 2014
SHINee's Taemin and A Pink Naeun for "We Got Married"
I know about this variety show for some time before I decided to catch episodes of it. Some idols that were in the show were YongSeo couple (CNBlue's Yong Hwa and SNSD's Seohyun), Khuntoria (2PM's Nickhun & f(x)'s Victoria), SunHee (ZE:A's Kwanghee & Secret's Sunhwa).
I am a big fan of A Pink for their excellent songs and my bias is Na Eun, the visual of the group. When I heard Na Eun was confirmed for We Got Married with SHINee's Taemin, I watched their first episode without hesitation and I never missed any subsequent episode with them in it. The couple was nicknamed the Taeun couple. I was glad for an opportunity to see more of my star.
Another reason for me to watch Taeun couple was my thirst for first love. I've been dreaming of getting my first love, but yet to get it. Perhaps I can learn from them? Their on-screen marriage that revolves around first love made them so cute in the show.
When I watched We Got Married, I actually didn't bother to watch other couples. I scroll the video to Taeun's part and sat back. Since I watched their part only instead of playing the full video for each episodes, I was able to marathon a few episodes in one go.
There were many cute moments involving them, and I laughed whenever they show up. Taeun couple has brought me much joy. Seeing how clueless they were at doing things made me think of the first time I did something.
What I like about them was the sincerity of interaction between Taemin & Naeun. Members of the show even commented that they should become a couple in real life based on how they interacted [in the show]! What a great compliment to my star couple.
Taeun couple has left the show. But they'll forever be in my hearts, as my model for first love. We Got Married is ongoing and I expect more idols and other celebrities will be featured as couples. You can head on to KShowNow.net to check out the episodes.
The screencaps of the show were taken from photo albums of A Pink Malaysia Community.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Looking forward to Singapore
Before I started work, I have submitted an application for PhD at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. All I can do now is wait and pray that my application be successful. To kill the time, I'm now working as sales assistant at Viewnet Hyperstore inside Low Yat Plaza.
I was offered to see a lab head in Monash Malaysia but declined it. Instead, I went to Singapore to enquire about a project in animal cell biology. The lab head's research interest lie in membrane trafficking and primary cilium.
Praise be to God, the interview went well. Seeing the lab head in Nanyang was an eye opening experience. He introduced me to a paradigm not taught in my class - that all events in a cell does not involve only proteins but most importantly, it must be placed in a spatial context (where, which organelle) which the event occurs.
Nanyang Technological University was a change from Melbourne University I had been attending. Architecture of the buildings speaks of a young university that takes an innovative approach to knowledge seeking. My prospective supervisor's lab was also a departure from the open lab I had in Walter & Eliza Hall. Nanyang may not rank as high as her NUS counterpart but I'm rest assured that quality is there.
After supervisor acceptance, it's time to formally lodge an application. Before this, I had been reluctant to take an additional test - the Graduate Record Examination - the test preparation book was bought in January 2013. In order to gain admission to Nanyang, there was no other way - I sat for the examination in October.
Another important part of my application was to come up with a research proposal worthy for doctoral study. The amount of readings required was unpredictable but I'm glad that I've started reading early before I sat for examination - a smart move indeed. No one is telling me what should be done, but I had to decide what needs to be done to close the knowledge gap.
Now that I have submitted my application, my fingers are crossed. And, pray to God for His favour in my application.
I was offered to see a lab head in Monash Malaysia but declined it. Instead, I went to Singapore to enquire about a project in animal cell biology. The lab head's research interest lie in membrane trafficking and primary cilium.
Praise be to God, the interview went well. Seeing the lab head in Nanyang was an eye opening experience. He introduced me to a paradigm not taught in my class - that all events in a cell does not involve only proteins but most importantly, it must be placed in a spatial context (where, which organelle) which the event occurs.
Nanyang Technological University was a change from Melbourne University I had been attending. Architecture of the buildings speaks of a young university that takes an innovative approach to knowledge seeking. My prospective supervisor's lab was also a departure from the open lab I had in Walter & Eliza Hall. Nanyang may not rank as high as her NUS counterpart but I'm rest assured that quality is there.
After supervisor acceptance, it's time to formally lodge an application. Before this, I had been reluctant to take an additional test - the Graduate Record Examination - the test preparation book was bought in January 2013. In order to gain admission to Nanyang, there was no other way - I sat for the examination in October.
Another important part of my application was to come up with a research proposal worthy for doctoral study. The amount of readings required was unpredictable but I'm glad that I've started reading early before I sat for examination - a smart move indeed. No one is telling me what should be done, but I had to decide what needs to be done to close the knowledge gap.
Now that I have submitted my application, my fingers are crossed. And, pray to God for His favour in my application.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Biorefresher: I got a job, I do I do, Love Falls, Ringa Linga Taekwondo
Biorefresher 1
Yours truly is now a Sales Assistant in Viewnet Hyperstore in Low Yat Plaza. Glad to be able to learn more about electronic products and explaning to customers. Not exactly a dream job but good for learning things!
Biorefresher 2
Cutie solo artist Juniel has released "Love Falls" MV ft. CNBlue's Jong Hyun.
Biorefreser 3
Secret says "I do I do" to me before Christmas!
Biorefresher 4
You must check out this dance cover of Taeyang's "Ringa Linga" because it's so cool!
Sunday, December 1, 2013
K-pop 101: Breaking Down the Idol Group System
Eli Shand
KKonnect
June 25, 2012
In a K-POP group, you will most likely hear idols use terms such as Main Singer, Lead Rapper, or Visual to describe their duties as a member. But what does this all mean to us when we see our favorites in action? This is what I’m here to talk about in this article, so let’s start off with one of the most important bits of information to know: the difference between a Main and a Lead. To make it short and sweet, the Main is always the asset while the Lead follows and directly supports.
The main vocalists are usually in charge of singing in the chorus and the more difficult parts of the song; therefore they are usually the strongest and most prominent singers. A couple examples of Main Vocalists include Taeyeon and Jessica of SNSD. Lead vocalists, in turn, are the other strong singers who tend to have specific verses allotted to them. There isn’t a huge difference, but these members often sing a larger portion of the song in comparison to the Main Vocalists. This can be seen in Sunny, Seohyun and Tiffany’s cases. The main vocals are also known for having the best range and control, while the lead vocals come in second. Lead Vocalists are used as the support for the main, and act as the go-to when the Main isn’t able to perform.. These positions are often determined after training for a period of time and experimentation, due to the fact that the Main and Lead Vocalists should have voices that blend well together.
The same “Main versus Lead” concept applies when it comes to dance. There are Main Dancers and Lead Dancers, but it’s a bit easier to visually see the separation. The Lead Dancers are seen towards the front, especially in the chorus, and basically “lead” the dances. The Main Dancers are usually the people who get a specific part in the choreography and dance breaks, while the Leads act almost as backup dancers for the Main. Another interesting fact is that some dance formations sometimes set a few members towards the middle to make the group as a whole seem taller than average. A prime example of this concept is Hyoyeon versus Yoona, both from SNSD. As most fans know, Hyoyeon is praised as the dancing queen; however, she is usually placed towards the back. This is where taller members like Sooyoung come up front; these members act as Visuals and by doing so, this creates the illusion that the other members are more similar in height.
The final distinction between Main versus Lead is shown in the rapping positions, but doesn’t follow the same guidelines as the previous two descriptions; I’ll use Big Bang’s GD and TOP as the examples of this here. GD is the Main Rapper, and he usually gets more lines. On the other hand, TOP gets a few less lines and is the Lead, his raps following GD’s. This separation to me isn’t as difficult, but it’s not exactly the same concept; this is because there are Lead Rappers who have skills on par with the main, but they work more as a tag-team partner rather than a support. Therefore, they work together to come up with their own lyrics to fit the songs that they will be featured on.
So moving from the roles that have a Main versus a Lead; I’ll cover 3 other roles: the Leader, the Visual, and the Maknae. These roles aren’t as difficult to understand, but there can be confusion surrounding their contributions to the groups. I’m sure that there are plenty of people who wonder, “Where do they play in the grand scheme of things?”. Therefore, I shall begin with the pivotal role of being a Leader within the K-POP world.
In most teams, or groups in general, there is a Leader or representative of some sort. These people often demonstrate and give off an air of maturity, and take on responsibility for their fellow group mates.
When talking K-POP, people such as GD and CL, come to mind when we imagine a Leader. Most of the time, these people tend to be one of the older members, however this isn’t always the case due to things such as experience levels and attitude. The Leader acts as a spokesperson, whether it be talking in interviews or to higher-ups in their companies, which means that they have to know how to handle themselves in a reserved manner that will always leave a wonderful impression of the other members as well. Leaders are charismatic and kind people who will do their best to uphold the reputation and spirits of fans and fellow members alike.
The term “Visual” usually means an image that we can use to illustrate or accompany something; so the Visual in a K-POP group is usually someone with the face that we can relate to a said group. The aspects that make a person the perfect fit for the Visual role are dependent on the concept that the group would like to hold, but often times means that the person is quite attractive or has a distinct feature that sticks out in the best way possible. Siwon of Super Junior is an example of a Visual who is known for his body; which is apparent during the Mr. Simple era. There are also Visuals that stick out due to the “concept” , which can be seen through 2NE1 as a whole. There’s also the instance where a member is known for a “trademark”, such as Dara’s palm tree hair during “Lollipop” promotions. In summary, the Visuals are the members who act as the “face” or “eye candy” of a given group.
The final position that I’d like to teach about today would be the “Maknae”, or youngest member. It’s quite self-explanatory, but members in this position are usually expected to be youthful in appearance and in personality. Nonetheless, there can be an exception made here for the “Visual Maknaes”, or members who one would think are the youngest but aren’t exactly. Using Super Junior, most know that Kyuhyun is truly the youngest, but member Ryeowook is known as the “Visual Maknae”. In a way, the Maknae position is relative to that of a Visual member, and I’ll keep it short and sweet through this.
In closing, I’d like to leave a note by saying that things don’t always follow this model. Then again, when do things truly stick to a singular, universal pattern? I feel that this topic is something that has puzzled many fans though the years and I can say that it isn’t all too easy to grasp at all. My hopes with this article is that you as the reader are now able to see where numerous positions and terms come into place when you’re watching your favorite groups perform.
KKonnect
June 25, 2012
In a K-POP group, you will most likely hear idols use terms such as Main Singer, Lead Rapper, or Visual to describe their duties as a member. But what does this all mean to us when we see our favorites in action? This is what I’m here to talk about in this article, so let’s start off with one of the most important bits of information to know: the difference between a Main and a Lead. To make it short and sweet, the Main is always the asset while the Lead follows and directly supports.
The main vocalists are usually in charge of singing in the chorus and the more difficult parts of the song; therefore they are usually the strongest and most prominent singers. A couple examples of Main Vocalists include Taeyeon and Jessica of SNSD. Lead vocalists, in turn, are the other strong singers who tend to have specific verses allotted to them. There isn’t a huge difference, but these members often sing a larger portion of the song in comparison to the Main Vocalists. This can be seen in Sunny, Seohyun and Tiffany’s cases. The main vocals are also known for having the best range and control, while the lead vocals come in second. Lead Vocalists are used as the support for the main, and act as the go-to when the Main isn’t able to perform.. These positions are often determined after training for a period of time and experimentation, due to the fact that the Main and Lead Vocalists should have voices that blend well together.
The same “Main versus Lead” concept applies when it comes to dance. There are Main Dancers and Lead Dancers, but it’s a bit easier to visually see the separation. The Lead Dancers are seen towards the front, especially in the chorus, and basically “lead” the dances. The Main Dancers are usually the people who get a specific part in the choreography and dance breaks, while the Leads act almost as backup dancers for the Main. Another interesting fact is that some dance formations sometimes set a few members towards the middle to make the group as a whole seem taller than average. A prime example of this concept is Hyoyeon versus Yoona, both from SNSD. As most fans know, Hyoyeon is praised as the dancing queen; however, she is usually placed towards the back. This is where taller members like Sooyoung come up front; these members act as Visuals and by doing so, this creates the illusion that the other members are more similar in height.
The final distinction between Main versus Lead is shown in the rapping positions, but doesn’t follow the same guidelines as the previous two descriptions; I’ll use Big Bang’s GD and TOP as the examples of this here. GD is the Main Rapper, and he usually gets more lines. On the other hand, TOP gets a few less lines and is the Lead, his raps following GD’s. This separation to me isn’t as difficult, but it’s not exactly the same concept; this is because there are Lead Rappers who have skills on par with the main, but they work more as a tag-team partner rather than a support. Therefore, they work together to come up with their own lyrics to fit the songs that they will be featured on.
So moving from the roles that have a Main versus a Lead; I’ll cover 3 other roles: the Leader, the Visual, and the Maknae. These roles aren’t as difficult to understand, but there can be confusion surrounding their contributions to the groups. I’m sure that there are plenty of people who wonder, “Where do they play in the grand scheme of things?”. Therefore, I shall begin with the pivotal role of being a Leader within the K-POP world.
In most teams, or groups in general, there is a Leader or representative of some sort. These people often demonstrate and give off an air of maturity, and take on responsibility for their fellow group mates.
When talking K-POP, people such as GD and CL, come to mind when we imagine a Leader. Most of the time, these people tend to be one of the older members, however this isn’t always the case due to things such as experience levels and attitude. The Leader acts as a spokesperson, whether it be talking in interviews or to higher-ups in their companies, which means that they have to know how to handle themselves in a reserved manner that will always leave a wonderful impression of the other members as well. Leaders are charismatic and kind people who will do their best to uphold the reputation and spirits of fans and fellow members alike.
The term “Visual” usually means an image that we can use to illustrate or accompany something; so the Visual in a K-POP group is usually someone with the face that we can relate to a said group. The aspects that make a person the perfect fit for the Visual role are dependent on the concept that the group would like to hold, but often times means that the person is quite attractive or has a distinct feature that sticks out in the best way possible. Siwon of Super Junior is an example of a Visual who is known for his body; which is apparent during the Mr. Simple era. There are also Visuals that stick out due to the “concept” , which can be seen through 2NE1 as a whole. There’s also the instance where a member is known for a “trademark”, such as Dara’s palm tree hair during “Lollipop” promotions. In summary, the Visuals are the members who act as the “face” or “eye candy” of a given group.
The final position that I’d like to teach about today would be the “Maknae”, or youngest member. It’s quite self-explanatory, but members in this position are usually expected to be youthful in appearance and in personality. Nonetheless, there can be an exception made here for the “Visual Maknaes”, or members who one would think are the youngest but aren’t exactly. Using Super Junior, most know that Kyuhyun is truly the youngest, but member Ryeowook is known as the “Visual Maknae”. In a way, the Maknae position is relative to that of a Visual member, and I’ll keep it short and sweet through this.
In closing, I’d like to leave a note by saying that things don’t always follow this model. Then again, when do things truly stick to a singular, universal pattern? I feel that this topic is something that has puzzled many fans though the years and I can say that it isn’t all too easy to grasp at all. My hopes with this article is that you as the reader are now able to see where numerous positions and terms come into place when you’re watching your favorite groups perform.
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