| Thursday, April 23, 2009 |
| Battle with the Chinese Language |
We are in Singapore where our only resource is human resources. We only have brains to survive. Thats why our parents, the government and everyone else has instilled in us a standard, straightforward and clearcut mentality from the moment we could walk.
When i was in Primary School, the pressure is on. Not for me to pass, but to score Band 1 or Band 2 for all subjects. I was never a fan of the Chinese Language. I could speak it proficently (picked it up from peers), but my compostion writing level up to date has remained at a basic level of Pimary 3. I failed the Chinese Language for the first time during Primary 4, which fumed my parents.
I was sent for Chinese Tution and Chinese Creative Writing Classes. But even the kids at tution were better than me, no matter how hard i tried.
I escaped the Chinese PSLE in Primary 6 when I was wisked off to the States for a year(Thankfully). But had to face the music when i came back to enroll in Secondary 2.
But i made it to the second best class. I dont know how but i just did. There, I continued to do poorly in the Chinese Language. I had scores which i would fail by a few marks or pass by a few marks. Very borderline and risky year i had, considering that year was my streaming year to be evaluated for Secondary 3 specialization.
But i managed to pass in the overall grade. Things were still boderline until i reached Secondary 4, the year of the stressful Os. Chinese O Levels were to be taken half a year early. In May 2005, i had my Chinese Oral Examination. The invigilator asked me in chinese, "What measures should Singapore do to prevent Kong3 Bu4 Fen4 Zi3?"
I blanked out the moment she finished asking because i had no idea what was Kong3 Bu4 Fen4 Zi3. But she managed to hint me somehow and i got the idea. It means terrorists in Chinese. Even though i managed to squeese out some crap, i got an F9 for overall Chinese O Levels. To add oil to the fire, i was the only one who did so. Kimberly Ho was every Chinese teacher's worst nightmare.
Thus, I took up Chinese Basic, a subject that would not be counted in the total agregate score but will be indicated in the GCE Cert that i do know something about Chinese.
I got a Merit for that, thus making me confused about my proficency in my second language.
After the Os, I was delighted that Chinese was no longer something i have to be stressed over anymore. I spoke English to everyone from then on, even when people talk to me in Chinese, I would reply in English. Not because i look down on Chinese or the people speaking it, but Only because its a language i can express myself comfortably with no barriers with the limited words and phrases in my vocabulary.
Now, I'm awaiting graduation from a diploma in poly despite discouraging subject teachers in Secondary school remarking that i would not make it to the polytechnic.
Happy as a clam i am :) |
posted by kimmiee @ 3:21 PM  |
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| Wednesday, April 1, 2009 |
| I'm hot, and really bothered |
niceee?
taken with a k850i which sadly, is gone :(
I dont know what the hell is wrong with the weather.
it can be so hottttttttttttt
and so coldddddddddddd.
it's confusing my eczema reaction.
its times like these i wish i was back in USA.
I would be enjoying spring now.
it never rained in Washington State, umbrellas were foreign objects.
in fact, i dont recall the malls selling any umbrella!
My 12 year old jack russell is showing signs of aging!!!!
he's sleeping a hell lot more. small sounds doesn't wake him up anymore.
******
Uni application is a drag.
seriously. i hate doing up portfolios.
well till then,
wait for pictures again.
(if i even remember to snap some) |
| posted by kimmiee @ 5:57 PM |
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