BUZZ FROM OLD BAI

I am really comfused about the process of the registration.......JIONG.....Anyway....Eh, two weeks of JC finished in flash of memories. Pictures are still vivid and I started to recollect the days of being with buddies,friends,tutors.Memory replays in songs.Here they come.....I missed PE class(which I really missed...),struggled in the bed getting rid of sounds of alarm and Uncle's hands....,standing in the crowd trying to remember the lyrics of the national anthem....,following with buddy passing every doors of the corridor.....,charting with someone when puzzled and bored.....,....Don't know why ,I feel more like a family in JC than in university.Maybe next week things will change when everyone realizes it.I don't know whether this blog will be read by anyone or not, I just write it to myself.Moving on,I really thankful for organizers about my buddy....I also really appreciate him making friends with us patiently...I dare to say that Kent is no doubt the most popular buddy in TJC.Don't you think so?
Fourteen days gave me time and platform to think about life in Singapore,changing my feelings of being in Singapore into "living a 'my'life" from taking a tour in this susceptible city.I think planting memories in where we are living now should be tried by everyone new in Singapore although hometown is holding too many pieces of everyone's lives.I AM TRYING.
Ok,I think I should stop here,we will take some exams next week and I wish everyone get it!!!

Old Bai
14/3/2010
21:12

A view of TJC

I'd made less efforts to take photos of the school.Instead,I've spent a lot of time breathing the air. My first impression of the JC was that the air inside was so inhalable,10,000 times more breathable than that of my school in China,and I can't help inhaling as much as possible during the two weeks. Thanks to the Ministry of Enviroment and Water.(an obsolete cold joke,ha~)
The two weeks,what I call "The Immersion Time",gave me none of others but a peaceful learning time.I brought to school my books everyday to read for a whole day,which made me really satisfied.
Two days staying at my buddy's apartment left me a precious view on the ordinary Singaporean's life.By the way, singaporean homely food whetted my appetite.
On my last day,I received a present from my buddy's classmates with best wishes on it.BEST WISHES TO THEM ,TOO.
That 's all about my JC Immersion.Books and the air, and my buddy and his classmates,will remain sharply engraved on my mind.

Stress Along With Happiness

When I first saw students at Temasek Junior College, I was a little shocked: the canteen hadn’t been fully occupied but almost everyone arrived was reading notes or writing something even if having breakfast at the same time. How could students in the seemingly casual campus live such a hurried life?
The agenda next strengthened my doubts even deeper. The first class I attended is Biology Experiment. Unlike the way in China that students conduct experiments following teachers’ instructions step by step, all the one in my buddy’s class were required to test out the content of the unknown solution and finish the report within a limited time, during which students do everything alone. My buddy said these tests count. As a result, I cannot be involved in doing the experiment… Later the class was project work and after this economics and so on. They came on after another, even without time to have a break. I can’t help asking my buddy: “how can you be so energetic?” Although she denied, in my mind, it requires such a great perseverance to listen so carefully in every class in condition of sleeping at midnight every day. Not until 1.30p.m., did we have lunch. Then I suddenly realized the importance of adding energy at 9.30a.m.Temasek JC ranks 5th in Singapore now and students here are generally carefully selected from their secondary schools. I have to say, anyone who wants to be excellent needs to pay more sweat than others, no matter which country he or she is living in. What makes me envious of is their colourful co-curricular activities on every Wednesday and Friday. Debating, guitar, tae kwon do…students really spend lots of time on them and after 2 years they will be bound to harvest a lot. This reminds me of the tense life in China’s high schools; we are also tired but what we get in the end maybe limited.
Above are my strongest feelings—stressful and happy lives are combined together in TJC!

TJC

By Zhou Yingying

This morning we, sm2 scholars, stood in front of all students in TJC to introduce ourselves. It was my honor to spend two weeks studying in TJC. I think life is full of unbelievable things. Nobody knew which JC he or she would go before, however, we went to TJC. We were so lucky to get the opportunities to live with local students for two weeks. With the help of teachers, students and especially my buddy Ada, I had a fantastic and memorable experience in TJC, in Singapore, in my life. I could still remember the feelings when I first stepped into the entrance of TJC. I felt excited, nervous, happy, worried, and expectable. My mood was complicated. For me, I would like to know Singapore as much as possible. I was curious about the education system; in addition, I was fond of communicating with Singaporean. The life in TJC was colorful and totally different from China. Here we call the senior high school as junior college school; that is, the system in JC is similar with that in university. Because of the bridging course, I just spent a little time to get used to it. Another thing that I was proud of was that I have made many friends with local students. They are friendly, outgoing and enthusiastic. Whenever I came across difficulties, they helped me in time and patiently. All I want to say is thank you and best wishes. My buddy called Ada is a pretty girl. During the past 10 days, she took care of me very well. Since I knew nothing, she had to tell me everything such as which subject next class was, how long the break lasted and so forth. “Do you know the way to bus station? Do you want to eat something? I went to buy some food then I will come back in a few minutes. Did you have a good sleep last night?” These sweet sentences gave me warm. She explained to teachers that “she is sm2 scholar, so she does not have the textbook…” I like her very much. Thank you for giving me the chance to study in TJC, I learned a lot and had a wonderful time. Thank you.

enjoy the present life in TJC

We have been in the Temasek Junior College for a week, which leaves me a deep impression. The most important thing I learn is giving your whole heart to the present no matter where are you and who you are with. Not only it is a basic of politeness, but also it can access you to their friend circles.
At the first sight of my buddy, I felt very interested in her life and had so many topics to discuss with her, leaving me no time to think about other things. But when we came to the classroom, I found something I ignored---it is that she also had a circle of friends and I had to access to them! All of her friends were all the local Singaporeans and they were more accustomed to communicating in English, thus I found it a little bit to access to their circle. When the class came, I always wander when the class would end and when could I go back to Eton Hall. Such expectations made me miserable due to I set my mind off the lessons I listened at all.
Being in such state for the whole morning, I decided to make a change. I opened my heart to what I listened and who I am being with---I forced myself to listen to the lessons and asked questions to my buddy if I had anything confusing. This made me something to do in the class. Moreover, I took the innovative to make acquaintance with my buddy’s friends after the class. We shares snack and sweets, we went to the library and read the books, we went out and searched for delicious food. I focused more on the present instead of the future and consequently, I can get along with them better and better.
I really appreciate for this JC program. In this short period, I know the importance of being whole-hearted attention. It leaves you no time to worry about any other things. In this way, you can gain more knowledge and make more friends. The most beneficial aspect is that it can make you know what is the most important to you-¬¬¬--the present.
Ye Qiaoling

AHHHHHH... Mr. Bear is eating ice cream during the break.
This is the chemical lab. They doing chemical experiment.
A-What are you doing?
B-Taking photos.
It seems that Singapore students like taking photos.
Really? MAYBE 啦
They are fighting for the students council, which is a little bit different in China. Here is one of the students coming from my class. His name is Clement that is why he is holding a basket of lemons in the picture.

Announcement is made in class by one of the most interesting guys. Do you know who he is? He is Santosh, sounds a little bit like Sentosa Beach.

This is the morning assemble in TJC. What impress me most is the energetic students as well as the beautiful sky.

it's been such a long week

It has been such a long week for me. I don’t think it is because that we had to get up very early in the morning and thus felt sleepy and bored throughout the day, but instead, I think it is because this week is the most enriched week ever since and it is destined to be life changing.
Below is a reflection on my whole week in TJ, serve to record, and may be very boring!

Monday

Get there super early at about 6:40. Take a few shots while other students waited in the school canteen. Later orientation, got our uniform and afterwards, shown around the campus. Not big but compacted.

Meet my buddy. He is thin with dark color skin and small eyes but full of energy and commitment. He couldn’t speak Chinese very well. Actually one of the purposes of his joining in this program is to practice conversational Chinese. Having a buddy who couldn’t speak Chinese well can be both a good thing and bad thing. For the good side, you get to practice English a lot but the effectiveness of communicating in English is a major problem.
I think that is the one of the reason why he spent most of the time talking to his friends. Though from time to time, I felt that I had been ignored but I do not blame anybody but myself as I could not only keep up with their conversation (teasing and joking) but also I was not brave and straigh forward enough to join their conversation.

Even though I couldn’t keep up with their conversation, I do perceive, most of the times, what was happening around me. I appreciated it because it provided essential information in understanding their characteristics and their perception of the world.

Some of the classmates did come forward and talked to me, which made me very happy and thankful. Met a guy who look very much like a Cantonese and in fact his grandparents did come from Guangdong. He could even speak a little bit Cantonese.

Lesson filled out the whole time table of Monday. I could still remember the first class which is GP and the last which is chemistry experiment. My buddy’s team was doing a debate against the TA (Temasek Academy) people on the topic of “homosexual parents should be allow to adopt children”, and on Monday they are preparing for the debate due on Thursday. I could hardly keep up with their discussion as they are all very well prepared and I myself had practically no knowledge about how to set up points and how to rebut. Still

I learn a lot from them. The chemistry experiment is about titration (determination of the concentration of sodium hydroxide solution using hydrated oxalic acid crystals). My buddy demonstrated very good experiment skills while I stood by and watched out. But when we came to calculation, my buddy seemed a bit confused and careless as he rushed to conclusions. I helped him correct some of his mistakes. I don’t know what he would feel about it. Send him a text message to say thank you on the bus home.
Tuesday

I think there was physics lecture in the morning about the measurement of the specific heat of a liquid. The lecturer threw a question at us and I spent exactly the same time getting the answer without a calculator as my buddy with an advanced calculator. What I would like to emphasize here is not how good I was in physics or calculation (actually the digits of my answer were correct but the decimal place was wrong), but rather I see a difference in emphasizing the teaching of calculation skills between china and Singapore or, you may say, other western countries.

During physics tutorial, we performed an experiment using pendulum to determine the gravitational acceleration. Like the chemistry experiment, what I did was just helping out. What I learn was that they really emphasized on getting the correct significant figure and decimal place as well as plotting a good graph.

And also, something happened during math tutorial. They were studying AP and GP and there was one question in their notes stated“ a GP of 2k+1 terms has a common ratio 2, the kth terms is 124, the sum of the series gives 961, find the first term and k”. I told my buddy that since the sum of the series is an odd number, the first term then must also be an odd number and if you divide 124 by 2 for 2 times you get all the answer already. My buddy’s reaction was like a sudden enlightenment. I thought, haha, the Chinese students standard of science subject is really high amongst nations. But why couldn’t China produce world leading scientist? Something must have been missing. Something deeply rooted in the education and not only education but also political system must have prevented it from happening.


I stayed back till about 6 plus that day taking photos of the sports meeting selection. My buddy(in the picture on the left) took part in the 100 meter man and ranked 7th in his group. The first 6 were said to be “track people”. I also took some picture around the campus.

Wednesday

Had my first Chinese class on Wednesday. They are required to describe a person in the class on many aspects such as appearance, action and words etc. Sitting close beside me, my buddy and the “Cantonese guy” bombarded me with questions. Sometimes I had real trouble trying to satisfy myself with the answer giving to them. No way lah, my Chinese really sucks! So does my English!

Also today, I had my first PE class for about 8 mouths. My buddy told me since the school sports event was coming, the PE teacher would teach the students various track or field events. We learn triple jump on that day-fun and easy! Unfortunately I lost my pair of glasses on that class. I remember taking my glasses out when changing clothes but what happen after that I had absolutely no idea. My buddy and his friend tried to help me trace back the route but we found nothing. So sad!

After lunch, my buddy and his friend rushed to the piano and played the song “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. They were thinking about forming a band for the school art festival and “Bohemian Rhapsody” was definitely one of their options. My buddy played the song on the piano while his friend and I sang alone. He was so good and it was really amazing to hear the familiar melody flowing out as we sang together. Yesterday once more? I don’t know but it was really a coincidence that we actually loved the same song. Truly wonderful experience! Also I learnt that his friend, to be precise, my classmate (don’t know his name yet or I forgot) played the guitar very well. He has been playing for 8 years! I’ve got a real teacher this time!

At around 3:30, I followed my friend to a briefing on the Temasek outreach program to Yunnan and Cambodia. Hell a lot of people went to the briefing but I figured that many of them changed their mind after the briefing intimidated by the harsh living conditions—as the teacher had putted “one place got no electricity while the other got no water”. But my buddy was not among those students. He seemed to be determined to go in spite of all that. I was truly impressed by the spirit of those brave Singaporean students including my buddy to explore, to experience and to help, the spirit that was lost among many Chinese students, hopefully not include me!

After the briefing, I went along with my buddy to attend his CCA which is rock climbing!!! Can you believe that I actually climbed! They’ve got all the professional gear, tied me on one end and connected the other end to my buddy (so that I would not fall) and then I started climbing. It was absolutely fantastic experience as you ascend vertically upward against the wall. To do the impossible, the unthinkable help you achieve great satisfaction. Even though I only climb half way up the wall before I can no longer feel my arms – I was simply too tired, I said to myself it was not bad for the first try and you had your skill but you were just not physically strong enough for climbing. In the text message I sent to my buddy later on that day, I told him that I really really enjoyed climbing but I had decided not to come climbing the next time on Friday because I didn’t think I was ready to cope with the sport physically, and then I added maybe I would take on climbing when I got into the university. What a brilliant day!

Thursday

Thursday was just another day. Feel really sleep that I slept almost the whole eco lecture. Hey, it was not because the lecture was boring, ok? In the eco tutorial earlier, I took some time to read their lecture notes and I found it really interesting and useful. We also have eco classes in china but economy is integrated into politics and since the emphasis is on politics, we never went to great depth in the field of economy as the local Singaporean students do. While most of us Chinese students are very good at science subjects, the local Singaporeans have more of an all-round education enriched with art, sports and social activity. I think there are a lot to learn from them.

Lessons ended at four. The class went on to discuss what to do for Martigra (don’t know how to spell out). I think it would be a combination of Halloween and carnival for our class decided to dress up and turn a classroom into a haunted house while selling fish balls outside on that evening. It was such a creative idea, but it would also require a lot of preparation. I told my buddy that I was interested to find out more about their plan, and then he actually invited me to come to the Martigra in May. I replied that there would be a series of exams for me in May, but if I have time I would be sure to come.

Friday

There was nothing new on Friday’s lessons. Read my own math lecture note during math and physics tutorial. Sleep half the chemistry lecture. Still manage to get something out of the lecturer, but certainly not as much as the previous days—I wasn’t paying attention for which I am deeply sorry.

Friday’s class ended at twelve thirty. I had already told my bubby on Thursday that I would like to go to the east coast to take pictures. So say good bye to my buddy at noon and on my way to the east coast. With the help of the ovi map on my cell phone, I managed to find my way there without much difficulty. My eyes lit up as I found there were people skiing on water! Yeah, I arrived at Singapore’s first cable-ski park! Take some nice pictures of course. Gain some experience of taking action shots. Later as I walked on by the beach, I was totally absorbed by the beautiful sceneries—all the coconut trees, park benches, white sandy shore decorated by little sand castles, waves flapping gently on the shore, see breeze coming out of nowhere and oil tanker in the distance. I walked all the way into the park till I got so tired and stopped to rest. There I saw a bicycle rental point -- 5$ for 2 hours of cycling. I said to myself why not have a go since it would be such a pleasure riding on a bicycle while appreciating the beautiful scenery of the east coast. So I paid my rent and again on my way to explore! I never thought that I would go all the way down the road, across the east coast, across changyi airport to reach the end of the road – a check point going out of the island (might lead to Malaysia). Yeah, you wouldn’t know what I felt when I was all alone on a straight road stretching to the limit of your eyesight. It was never-ending and as you ride along, you began to doubt whether you are capable of reaching the end. Yes, the end. All that I wanted, all that still drived me forward despite the thirst and tiredness and the fear of uncertainty was the desire to reach an end. I almost gave up half way. If it weren’t for the kilometer post on the ground, the navigation towel of the airport and the occasional rest place along the way as my reference, I would have given up easily. But I kept on riding and stuck till the end. On the way back, I thought life itself was like this long bike ride -- after endless repetition you finally reach an end. Some people couldn’t handle the loneliness, some couldn’t stand the boredom of endless repetition, and some just don’t want to put in their effort. These people either give up or stop moving forward half way and thus their life is not complete. In order to achieve self-accomplishment or self-realization, you just cannot stop the riding! This is an important self-taught lesson for me, and I hope that you could also benefit from my experience. Still another week ahead, sure that many things will happen in this week, but it will be another story!

MY JC Reflections

MY JC Reflections..

By Wan Liuyang

How time flies. It’s already been the third day of JC immersion. Listening to the old songs, contemplating the past time, I start to collect the memories of the past three simple yet satisfying days. Instead of dropping classes to shopping or whatever, instead of circumscribing self in the Chinese environment, instead of blaming buddies of neglecting us, we should really think of how we can make the full use of this JC experience and take advantage of it.

Here, I just want to write up something about my own perspective of the unique Junior Colleges in Singapore.

About JC

As the name suggests, Junior College, is in some way a college, though sounds a little bit strange. My buddy told the JC also got another name called pre-university. It’s true. ‘Pre’ means before, preliminary, or preparatory for being a college student. I think in this sense JC did a very good job compared with other senior high schools around the world.

From the facades of buildings to teaching style, JC resembles so much a university. From my observation, our JC - TJC (Temasek Junior College) has adopted the lecture and tutorial system, the same as what we have in NTU, meaning that lecturers do the mass teaching in lecture theatres and tutors discuss detailed problems with students in small rooms.

Difference with Chinese Counterparts

First, here I want to mention one thing I hate very much, which is we have to get up DEMN early, say, around 5:30 in order to catch the school bus to JCs. However, when we arrive at the school, many students have already been there and started their revision work. How hard-working Singapore students!

Apart from that, unlike in China, classes in JCs are usually conducted very late. We get hungry to death when the classes finish and flock to canteen. If reminds of the when our tutors in NTU told me that in Singapore, you will little time for lunch and even no time for lunch break, if you want to survive the university. I think that’s probably due to the rapid pace of Singapore society, in case of this small country fallen behind.

In China, usually we have the flag-raising ceremony on every Monday morning. But in TJ, ceremony was held every day. No wonder someone complained that we get up so early just to listen to National Anthem of another country. Come on! Don’t be so sad. Ok, just digress a little. Back to my topic. Even though I cannot understand what the Malay Anthem said, I roughly picture that it’s the same feeling of proud of being a citizen of your own country.

During the ceremony also have the daily announcements for the school. There’re all about what’s going on in school, from student council to overseas studying opportunities. (Their registration processes are all online. Sigh! Can’t be compared with situation in China. So advanced lah.)

About the student council (like the student union in China), I think it’s considered more seriously here. Putting up posters around campus, addressing in front of students and faculties, make proposal to predict outcome of actual activities, candidates make every effort to win the election. (I get a feeling that it’s a bit like the way we elect EXCO and SEPO)

Students, which are the major component of JCs, are also very different from Chinese counterparts. Instead of passive receivers as we are before in China, students are the owner of their own classes, just like the teaching style of the world’s best education in US and UK. Free to express opinion in class, no enforcement to finish homework, JC students have more freedom, which means they, at the same time, have more responsibility to lead their own study. Under this teaching mode, students have a very good environment to create, to invent ideas and let them out without hesitation. Therefore, when I had the first class, which is debate, I was startled by the students’ eloquence in expressing their opinion and refuting others’ arguments.

Singapore seems to have placed a special emphasis on physical training for its citizens. From the beginning of secondary school, Singapore students start to practice long-distance running. TJ is no exception. Most boys and girls can run much better than us. You see so many Chinese scholars struggled to drop PE classes. Think about National service that male Singaporeans have to join after graduation from JC, the aim, together with that of PE classes in Singapore, is to equip Singapore citizens with strong bodies and strong will to serve the nation and protect the nation.

Some personal ideas

In Singapore where a lot of difference races, religions and languages co-existed, how can people with different background live in such harmony? Just the other day, I borrowed a book from TJC library, call the SINGAPORE - the legacy of Lee Kuan Yew. From the book, I got some glimpse of Singapore’s strategy to cope with difference in race. To eliminate discrimination and preserve culture heritage of each race, Singapore government decided to have four officially used languages, namely Chinese, English, Malay, and Tamil. But if each group concentrate on its own language and there was no common language with which they can effectively communicate with one another, how could ever a national culture be created? In order to minimize some confusion caused by these different languages, Singapore adopted English as the most often used language. For example, in school, all lessons are taught in English. And English is the most widely communication tool.

With Buddies

Last but not least, how should interact with our buddies? I’ve heard many people complaining that their buddies did not even take notice of them and just leave them alone. Chances are you buddy is very busy and he/she has no time to care about you. But at least you can do something. As long as are willing to share something with them, most of them are eager to pay back. For example, I have a friend who shared with his buddy history of Chinese swordsman fiction. It’s very simple so long as you’d like to share Chinese culture.

I envy very much those people whose buddy cannot speak Mandarin, because I would only communicate with my buddy in English and improve my Singish. I noticed that many people avoided the so-called Singapore English? Why? I was quite confused. In fact, I think it’s really beneficial if picking up a little Singish. For those who resist Singish, I guess you think ‘Oh, Singapore English is so nauseating, I will keep my standard English’. But remember, you are now in a different country where a majority of people speak this language. How can you really enter the Singapore society without speaking Singish? When in Rome, do as the Romans do. It’s true universally observed that people tend to be more comfortable when they are talking with people who speak the same language or have the same background with them. Therefore, Singish is tool, basic equipment with which we can survive in Singapore. Go and pick up some of the local phrases and speak out? Very refreshing, right? That’s right. You’re on the right track.

Last Words

The first week of the once-in-a-lifetime JC immersion has past. Rejoiced, tired, sad, exciting as we were, we are anticipating the next week while reflecting the past. Let’s make some reflections on our own. Why are we in JC? why do we come to Singapore? Not for playing, not for shopping, not for dating, right? But for what? Learning - experience another culture and enhance the understanding of our own culture. Don’t waste time here, don’t haste MOE, don’t blame on buddies? Think of you. Why you are here? You are here to CHANGE!


07/03/2010@Eton hall

Speical thanks to Li Chen for providing excellent photos

Temasek Life?! XD/

by Cai Xiao

We have spent a week in this beautiful schoolyard~^^

My first lesson....?Chinese  !.!..

My friends are having their chemical experiment~

Having an announcement~

See my buddy?!She's competing for Student's Council~Haha..

^-^

wyy:She has found her buddy, where is mine?

HAHA,it was very exciting for us when buddies came in. We all anticipate them~~

facility

I  am quite intersted in this clock. I like the design very much. It is quite hard for me to describe how wonderful it is with my poor English. So, just have a look and I think you will have the same feeling.

This is somewhere near the library, or maybe is the library. I can remember it clearly. wooo.......

Do you know who is she?
^-^ha, it's me!~~wendy

welcome meeting

We sit in a big circle, playing games and laughing. It is quite interesting. We try to remember others' names, but there are too many people. I think only Einstein can remember.

Do you see the biggest person in the first picture? Yeah, he is BEAR!Nearly everyone remember his name bacause he is really a bear~

In the second picture, my buddy is standing on the right. Oh , my excellent BUDDY...

If you are in these pictures-----reply~Let me know your names~~

We are a happy family!

March 1st, a very special day for all of us. We come to Temasek JC to begin our 2-week journey. You see, we are a happy famly! 30 scholars and 30 buddies. Oh a picture is not enough to contain all of us.

If you are in these pictures-----reply~Let me know your names~~