Freedom

  

   So as promised, I'm trying to find more time to update this mouldy blog. The recent weeks had been tiresome for me - juggling NS, being a tutor and a tutee at the same time, studying for the Big One again, handling my CSO's and probation, handling my family's finances and finding time for myself. Yeah, even though I'm aided with a time management book, half the time I just couldn't muster enough energy to complete all the tasks I've set out to do (talk about having such an apt title for this post). Even now that it's 4 a.m and I should be sleeping  but guess whose studying? Nevermind that, let's start off with some updates.

   Studies have been a worrying issue for me as I've been slowing down in terms of my revisions through the weeks. It's the middle of April and I've only 6+ months to make this work. Maybe I should kick it up a notch now but the fear of going into a burnout struck me. I do not want to repeat the same technical mistake that I've done last 2 years ago at the Big One. I should just stick to my plans of shifting my gears only after June..

   With hard work inevitably comes some of it's rewards. And thank God I've finally have some financial space to get some stuff for myself and for my family such as bags. watches, books and certain other things that I've previously neglected. All that I'm hoping now is that my mom would join in the bandwagon and get a job soon. It would certainly ease my burden much more.

   As for Swan, he took the decision to head back to Brunei with his dad and pursue his studies there. He is one of the many examples out there, proving that love is a losing game. With every stab to the heart, regardless the heart is mine or others, I've grown colder towards women. No, it's not that I'm going gay nor I've lost taste in women. It's just that I couldn't trust them any further. Maybe my mentality that I'll be bringing forward to uni, somewhere in 2014 (so long to ORD la!!), is that women are good as acquaintances and great as friends, but never as lovers. I can never bring myself to trust them completely anymore.

   So that's it for my side. As promised (for myself to be exact), GP...

   An essay was recently written by me as a second attempt to the AQ, and it was fortunately better. This question deals with the idea of freedom, a very interesting topic as a whole :-

   

From the 2006 Cambridge GP A’ Levels :

11) In the final sentence, the author writes that by giving up all claims to individual freedom, we will discover the best way to achieve it. How far do you agree with his view? How free do you want to be? In giving your views, explain where and why you agree or disagree with the author.

  I agree to a large extent with the author’s view on giving up all claims to individual freedom to find the best way to achieve it. The author asserts that individuals from all communities had recognized that personal liberty can only be achieved if the government is able enough to guarantee it for all. This means that people have realized that the only way to obtain individual freedom is to give some of their freedom away to the state to safeguard it. I do have to agree to a large extent with his assertion as without our state, our personal freedom can be easily taken away by other parties, be it with other people or other foreign powers. In my opinion, our personal freedom encompasses many aspects and one main aspect of it is safety and security. With the threat of crimes in Singapore and the rampant terrorist activities and attacks in other countries worldwide, the state plays an important role in safeguarding our lives and the peace through its military and strict laws. However, it can be argued that the author’s assertion has its limitations. Not everyone agrees and is willing to give up some or all of their freedoms to the state. This is because the government may misuse it by creating laws and policies that will just further restrict the freedom of its people. This is evident from the massive demonstrations and rallies made by such people. One example of this is the demonstration that took place at the Speakers Corner in my country recently. More than 4000 people attended the rally, protesting the decision of the government to approve the Population White Paper, which projects the population to grow by 30% to 6.9 million in 2030, with half of it comprises immigrants. This is also seen in many other countries where people rallied through the streets protesting against the government due to its poor policy making. Then again, I still do agree to a large extent with the author’s views.

  

  The author debates that equality may contradict liberty if we allow unrestricted liberty for the strong and wealthy to obtain unfair gains for themselves, and that fraternity solves the contradiction instead. This would mean that liberty would clash with equality when too much freedom is given to the strong hence giving unequal opportunities to the weak. However, if people truly cared for each other like siblings do, the wealthy would not hesitate to share their profits with the poor and elect rulers who will tax their money to give a fair chance to everybody else. I do agree to a large extent with his view as people are able to compromise their freedom with one another to level the playing field if they sincerely cared for each other. In my opinion, if we really care for someone, we would want to see them succeed just as much as we would. It may be true in the world today that the rich get richer while the poor get poorer due to unequal opportunities. This is clearly seen in many developed countries like USA where income inequalities still exist. However, I still believe that just as much as we demand our freedom to pursue our dreams, inevitably pursuing wealth, we are still able to give way to the less fortunate to pursue their dreams as well. This is shown by the significant increase in donations and contributions made by Singaporeans to donation agencies such as Ren Ci and the Community Chest and self-help groups like SINDA and Mendaki, all in the effort to provide and improve the lives of the weak, poor and less fortunate. Hence I do have to subscribe to the author’s view to a large extent.

Comments were made by Arif, summarised in my perspective :-

• Grammar was intact - a good point to note
• Explanations should be more direct to the point in focus
• Good points should be backed up with apt examples
• Avoid using exaggerated words (ie. rampant, like siblings do.. , level the playing field)
• Rule - Idea towards example, Point to evidence
• Avoid giving sharp turns and using a double counter-argument (ie. Then again?!)
• Avoid using statements that may be too personal
• Try to back up points with stats rather than using that "significant increase" move time and again.
• Please use the author's name hor...

With that idea of freedom in mind, the most obvious point is sometimes overlooked. Geoffrey Cobley allegedly claims that "by giving up all claims to individual freedom, we will discover the best way to achieve it". Notice the hint of absoluteness when the author uses the words "all" and "will". He displayed the idea that every single claim to liberty should be revoked to achieve liberty in the first place. And he was so sure about it. This is a point that we can argue against. Does giving up all of your freedom a good idea? How sure are we that it is the only way to achieve liberty in the first place? Be that as it may, where does the line between rights and freedom drawn? This is a good set-piece for a great argument to be put forward. (Thanks to Arif for pointing this bit out.. :D )

N.B :- Speaking of freedom, the trailer for THG's Catching Fire is finally out!! I just can't wait for the movie to be released in November (which would also mean that I've got only 6 more months to my ORD Ohh!!). Every revolution begins with a spark... ;)

Fall from grace

   I don't know how to start up this blog anymore, and it's been two months ever since I last touched this blog. I've simply grew tired of updating about my life down here whereas I can live it. But then sometimes, when you just can find that time and space (and boredom too), you are still able to do some things at the sidelines. So, it took me some time off my sleep, some Ed Sheeran songs playing at the background and some inspiration to refresh my blog.

   Life updates. Hmm.. there's nothing much to update about emotionally. But the situation's getting much better now with the financial grants being approved, 2 tutees in the bag for some extra income and my rank pay getting it's well deserved increase by July. As for my studies, it's improving gradually with more practices being done on all my subjects across the board. I've already submitted the application for a second shot at the A's this November. Many had actually second guessed me going through with this "insane" move, but I have only myself to believe this time round. And it does not help when see your fellow friend falling from grace in the recent A' level results.

   Swan had been confident about scoring well this time round for the A's, if not at least getting into a uni this time round. What more choice does he have, after repeating 1 more year of junior college? Well I knew that he had fallen once after that fiasco with Kylie (What do you expect? She is naturally a flirt anyway..). But, never did I expect him to fall again, this time thanks to Lynn. I'd already knew he had a thing for her but I was sure that he wouldn't put his studies into jeopardy again this time round. But it was already inevitable. Many of the guys actually confessed seeing him putting everything he's got for the exams. But in the end, it was him storming out of the hall barely seconds after he's got the results (not to mention the double blow after seeing Lynn coming to the results with her boyfriend. Yes, her boyfriend...). His grades - C,D,E,E,C. What caught me by surprise was the fact that he scored an "E" for his GP, whereas his proficiency in GP were far superior than mine. So his only ways out? SAT in the Brunei with his Dad or going into the military and dying at the front-line. What scares me the most is the idea that I could also wind up like him if I failed again this time. Oh boy...

   On the other hand (and the side of the hall too), it was Celine celebrating her success in getting some good grades in the exams (Yah, YY was there but f**k care about her ah...) and even better my grade for Geography - A. So maybe there's hope for humanity afterall...

   So there are many other things that had happened like my up rank for the first time, guys ORDing and the roller-coaster ride of my life. And here we are in April, 1/4 of the year gone. With only 7 months left before the repeat of the A's, the plans and formations had been set. Study plans had been constructed and equipment are set in place. I am not going down this time round, Insyallah. And yup, till my next update. :))

P.S : If there's one song I can give to you Swan, it would be this. Hope you never read this blog lololol!!! :P