IOTA Publications

Welcome to IOTA Publications' blog! We aim to spread a writing culture in St. Andrew's Junior College and eventually to the people around us! For enquires/submissions: [email protected] Follow us on Twitter/Instagram at @sajciota :-)

[sajciota]

Spoken Word Poetry

When I was younger,

the stereo was my best friend.

I’d pop in a record and Led Zeppelin would

shake

the room.

I’d jump on my bed and

suddenly it was as if I lived the life of a British rockstar in the 1960s.

I’d play a mean air guitar solo,

plagiarising

Jimmy Page’s Stairway To Heaven.

I stopped playing air guitar after a while.

Instead,

I picked up the hairbrush on the corner of my bed

and lip synced to Robert Plant’s wails and screams.

My favourite line by far?

“There’s a feeling I get

when I look to the West,

and my spirit is crying for leaving.”

Ten years later,

I’m still stuck here

in Asia.

The stereo no longer works.

The old records are stored in that

old dusty drawer.

The bed is not a stage.

It is just a place where dreams haunt me.

I sit and wait,

yet for another day

Sometimes, I hear Stairway To Heaven

when I visit old record stores overseas.

I smile a quiet smile.

Ng Wen Ni || 15A06

I dragged my feet heavily, pulling my tired soul in the darkness of the morning.

When the traffic light turned a glaring green, I walked on, 2 steps, 3 steps..

The next thing i knew, i was on the rough cemented floor, hands scratched, legs bruised, blood covered knees.

I looked around, schoolchildren and working adults and curious teenagers stared, their wide eyes penetrating the morning darkness. They stared and stared.

Did staring help me off the road? Did it lift me to my feet? Was staring a superpower that i was unaware off?

I picked myself up and walked, feeling the pressure of eyes staring at my wounds,

Like bloodthirsty animals, such unforgiving selfishness, men without heart.

What are you looking at?

Ho Yong Huei || 15A06

The Look of Devastation

A mother and her two children scampering,

As the train doors started shutting,

They approached as the pistons of the doors were reverberating,

The doors shut,

And one boy was left standing,

Outside the doors as the train starting leaving,

With his mother and his twin brother,

As his mother was restlessly banging,

On the window while signalling to her son

To stay put and it won’t be long,

But as she faded into the darkness,

His eyes grew wider and pierced the darkness,

As if he assumed he was telekinetic,

And could save her from this avoidable darkness,

But alas; he couldn’t,

He was left standing there in trust,

Thinking that his mother wouldn’t just leave him in the dust,

Seconds turned into minutes,

His pupils grew wider,

Trying to decipher,

Why would momma leave without her dearest,

And that was it; the flicker of hope in his soul, extinguished; true devastation.

Wilbur Fong || 16S16

I am facing the one thing writers fear the most; Writer’s Block.

My mind is empty and blank, like a fresh piece of paper, waiting to be filled up with words and images.

It’s like there is this great big wall in my head.

It is probably an old brick wall full of cracks and cobwebs, with moss creeping up on its surface.

That wall is a tall, imposing structure, preventing me from seeing what is on the other side.

Good ideas and entertaining stories all lie across the wall, like unobtainable jewels and gems.

It is All. Very. Frustrating.

I am trying not to tear out my hair in desperation as I rack my brain frantically for something to write.

Maybe I shouldn’t have spent so much time on that drama with the usual “tall, dark and handsome” male lead and the typical slender and pretty but useless female protagonist.

Maybe I shouldn’t have played so much of that video game with its addictive missions and extremely hard boss level that I just had to complete.

Maybe I should have started earlier instead of allowing all those precious grains of time flow from my fingertips.

But it’s too late for regrets.

I only have myself to blame.

All I can do now is watch the clock going ‘tick tock tick tock’ and wait for inspiration to strike.

Quek Ser Han || 15S01

Dawn breaks out

I could see the sun peeking away

My lady sluggishly slipped out of bed

Sauntering to the shower

Choosing from a variety of clothing

Followed by a scrumptious breakfast

All under a pin-drop silence,

as updates filled the hybrid (plastic and metal) in her hands…

A rushed pat on my head and

Off she goes out of the door.

Left alone in the labyrinth of a house

By my lady, the one who saved me

Prancing aimlessly in the Maze,

boredom stopped me in my tracks,

And all I decide to do is to relax,

dragging myself around lifeless...

How I wish that she was here

To fill my day with happiness,

But now here I am stranded

With no one but myself...

“Lonely, I am so Lonely

I just want you to

care for me,ooooh

Don't leave me alone

basking in sorrows,

lazing around

with nothing at all…

Empty is all I feel,

and nothing makes me happier

than hearing the chimes

of the door at dusk.”

Suriyana Abdullah || 16S23

Seafood on ice.

Cold as ice.

Lemon slices by its side.

I picked it up with metal thongs

And placed it on a plate for Mrs Wong.

Then it was my turn to devour it

So the knife went slicing it to bits

Popped it in my my mouth to begin tasting it

And Mrs Wong asked how great was it?

So then I replied “ it was stunning!”

And then thanked her for paying for it

But it was my birthday, yes it was,

So don't you think I should deserve much more?

Not as it turns out.

Because as digestive juices broke down the food

My mind urged me to go to poop.

And while I let it all out on the throne

A stabbing pain hit my bones

Luck went right out the door……

Argh! What was that? So I thought

And decided I needed to stay right on top

The throne, heated by my buttocks

Had decided that enough was enough!

*Flushing of toilet bowl* Gshhh!

Kenneth Tan || 16S19

Entered the building,

Whose grey facade,

Greeted me sternly.

"Please sign here!"

Replied the receptionist briskly.

The splendid entrance hall,

How welcoming.

But with armed guards around,

Was it really that welcoming?

Walked past the chambers.

Old and new mixed together.

Comfy sofas, antique-like tables,

Nicely placed all over.

Gifts, gifts and gifts,

decorated just about everywhere!

Ah, a nice place to find love.

Well, maybe!

Littered everywhere,

No, not scraps or garbage,

But men and women,

Dressed smartly and with lanyards.

Perhaps also pens behind ears,

Talking 'cheem', out of the world stuff!

Wow, so smart!

Am I really ready to be there?

This, is bureaucracy at work.

This, is MFA.

Edric Wong || 15A02

[sajciota]

Creative Writing

Silvery flakes drifted down

glittering in the bright light of the harvest moon.

 Blackbird covered in tar falls

Low.

Nearly collapses but rises again unsteadily.

It tries to navigate through

but cannot seem to find its home.

 The light of the moon was too bright

like its feathers had been

once.

 The blinded blackbird realised

it could not go on

so it halted and dropped

alongside silvery flakes

in happiness.

Ng Wen Ni || 15A06

 The most beautiful smile I ever saw is a natural phenomenon. This smile, is not any ordinary smile because it's technically impossible to describe it. It's so bright that it will hurt our squinting eyes if we looked straight at it. No human can proudly declare to have a smile brighter than this because nothing in this universe can blanket us with warmth,bringing sustenance to all life on earth 24 hours day at nearly every corner and crevasse on the globe. Since time immemorial, that radiating smile has shone across the years and will continue to do so for another 4 billion. It heralds the dawn of a new epoch, a symbol of hope, something unquantifiable that brightens our mood and the atmosphere. Even as it goes into hiding, an ominous signal of trouble ahead, the smile will radiate nothing but positive vibes, smiling meekly at us as we drown in the sea of despair, and then all of a sudden, emerge triumphantly through the dissipating dark clouds. Our Sun, the most beautiful smile anybody will ever see, is the shining example that tough times do not last, only tough people do.

Kenneth Tan ||16S19

 The most beautiful smile

I ever saw came from

a person who gave me

assurance and courage

to improve myself daily.

 We are complements, in

which we make each other

stronger and more complete,

how we face obstacles

And challenges together.

  That's whom the most precious

smile belongs to: someone

of great importance to

me. Dependable and

polar opposites to

me, I guess opposites

do attract one another...

Suriyana Abdullah ||16S23

 The most beautiful smile I ever saw was his. I remember the way his bright rectangular smile lights up his face, the way his eyes turn into crescents. This special smile appears when he is with his family and friends. One can tell from his smile the amount of love he has for these people and how much he enjoys being around them. This smile can also be seen when he accomplishes something; after managing to dance that really difficult choreography without any problem or coming up with a melody for his group’s new song. His smile shows the excitement and happiness at having achieved something after the amount of hard work he puts in. It is this image of him that motivates me to give my all and to never give up even though the going might get tough. The reason why I love his smile is because it is filled with sincerity, filled with hope, filled with pure joy. Just looking at his smile cheers me up when I am feeling down. As I watch him from afar, all I wish is for him is to always be happy, to always smile that beautiful smile of his.

Quek Ser Han || 15S01

 The nation is controlled

By animals, of one kind,

Of great intellectual capacity,

Of great teamwork,

Of great empathy.

The nation is all full

Of such animals,

Who can live long,

And sustain altogether

For countless generations.

Multiply the nation,

By two hundred and something,

We have the world.

How poignant it is,

That humans have evolved,

With such sophistication

Like no other.

It may be painful at times,

Yet the beauty is a story

To be told forever.

 Edric Wong || 15A02

The most beautiful smile I ever saw was a smile of recognition, acceptance and most unexpectedly, alacrity.

 Growing up I had a domestic helper who originated from Indonesia. She was by my side all my life until I was about 13 years old. Not only did she help with housekeeping, but when my parents were absent as a result of work, she came to the rescue. She helped my sister with math homework, and I with helping me look for my precious toy car which had disappeared into the abyss which was the underside of my bed. Her name was Elaine. From the moment she unloaded her luggage into our home, I instinctively knew she was family.

 As time flew by, suffice to say I wasn’t old enough to notice, but her health slowly deteriorated, as if something was eating her away inside. She wore a sweater in the inferno of a kitchen we had, and sleeps with the windows only slightly ajar so as to prevent the breeze from entering her room as she slept.

 One day, as I was studying for my geography end-of-year examinations, my dad told me to bring Elaine along with me to the car, stating that she was gravely ill and needed to be admitted into the A&E department. She was hospitalised. Two days later when I was about to enter the exam hall for an examination, a teacher pulled me out of the crowd and told me that my dad requested my presence. When I got into his car, I was expecting to hear the good news about Elaine’s recovery. Instead, when I shut the door, he solemnly told me that Elaine had leukaemia, knowing what it was, I was lost for words. After staring into blank space in shock for a few minutes, I asked how bad she was. He told me, “She hasn’t got long. We’re going to see her now.”

 The whole way there, I was bawling my eyes out knowing that Elaine was soon to meet her demise. As I managed to clear my face up before I entered the ward. As I entered, we greeted each other and talked like cancer wasn’t eating her from the inside out. After what felt like an eternity, visiting hours were over. As I bid her farewell, she just smiled and said very cheerfully, “Goodbye!” That was the last time I ever saw her. That very smile still lingers in the depths of my mine. That smile was a smile of recognition, acceptance and most unexpectedly, alacrity, just mere hours before her passing. That was the most beautiful smile I had ever seen.

Wilbur Fong ||16S16

 Silvery flakes drifted down, glittering the bright light of the harvest moon.  The blackbird swooped down and dived its delicate claws into the sparkling lake, creating light ripples on its way. The lake reflected the magnificence of the bright full moon, a horizon of light in the calming night. The faint calls of the birds, high up on the winter trees, and the shuffling noises of snow foxes and deers as they move through the wilderness of the thick snow that covered the ground. The blackbird spread its wings, swooping up with the wind, leaving behind the quietness and loveliness of the lake. All was still and sound, as the forest settled in for a night under the starry night sky.

Ho Yong Huei || 15A06

[sajciota]

Proof-Reading Exercise

The world’s greatest invention also happens to be one of my greatest inventions. Ever since the invention of cars in 1886 by Karl Benz, who would later become the founder of the first and one of the most renowned car brands, Mercedes-Benz, cars have been one of mankind’s workhorses. Carrying people around, fetching groceries, and fundamentally shortening travelling times you name it. In my opinion as a car enthusiast, the continued and rapid development of mankind’s greatest invention has come to a crossroad. With the increasingly widespread use of automation and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in cars nowadays, one question needs to be asked - Just how much technology is too much? 

At this point in time, luxury car makers like BMW, Mercedes and Audi, arguably the 3 consistently best luxury car marques in the world, have introduced a level of technology never seen before. The new BMW 7 Series for instance could start the engine and drive itself out of a garage on its own. A modern day BMW could dial the emergency services automatically should an accident occur and it could call BMW’s 24/7 service centre if you need directions to somewhere which the sat-nav doesn't recognise. The service staff would get the directions and download it to the car’s sat-nav wirelessly. Audi has installed Google Earth navigations system in its Multimedia Interface (MMI) infotainment system while Mercedes has even built a car that is the first and only one in the world that has Magic Body Control, meaning that it leans slightly while cornering to avoid body roll. All those features, believe me, are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the array of features these cars offer.

Kenneth Tan || 16S19

Who would have thought of the wheel being the world’s greatest invention? Chances are, you would have given that thought a miss, since it is an item we use on an everyday basis. But can you imagine life without the wheel?

The origins of the wheel can be traced to the earliest human civilizations 3000 years ago. It is believed that the wheel was first used to ease the transportation of chariots over long distances. Today, the use of the wheel has expanded to involve the likes of aviation and scientific technology, but its fundamental role of easing transport, has never changed.

Edric Wong || 15A02

In my opinion the world’s greatest invention is the modern day smartphone. In this day and age, people have become increasingly dependent and reliant on the smartphones. The smartphone has not only the functions of a normal mobile phone, but also many new features and applications that can aid us in organising our lives. Applications such as Whatsapp and Line enable us to communicate more easily with friends and family, thus helping to connect us with the people we care about and hence strengthening our ties. Furthermore, with the creation of various gaming apps, coupled with the ability to access the internet on our phones, the smartphone has become an important source of entertainment for many. It is indeed difficult to imagine life without a smartphone of our own.

Quek Ser Han || 15S01

The world's greatest invention is Korean Pop (K-Pop). K-Pop provides avid fans like myself with a range of entertainment, from Korean idol contests to music videos, not forgetting the entertaining variety shows. K-pop is a form of relaxation, and a way to escape from the stress of reality. Due to the popularity of K-pop, it has led to the spread of the Korean culture to many parts of Asia, including Singapore. For instance, an increasing variety of Korean food has been introduced and enjoyed by many non-Koreans. In addition, many nowadays show interest in learning the Korean language. Hence, K-pop and Korean culture adds more vibrancy and fun towards our everyday lives, so it is the world's greatest invention in my opinion.

Ho Yong Huei || 15A06

The world’s greatest invention is the mall. Why is it the best invention? This is where all the greatness on Earth comes together! There are clothes, bags, shoes, lingerie and so much more! Of course, everything is branded. The mall is the place where you can get all the supplies you need to survive. That’s right, it is quintessential for one’s survival. It also rewards us for our hard work when we earn enough cash to purchase all the brands in the world. From Gucci to Prada to Louis Vuitton, the mall has it all! How can one expect to live without the mall? How can one survive without the latest shoes from Jimmy Choo? Step into this magical invention of a location and realize that it is all you will ever need.

Ng Wen Ni || 15A06

From sundials, grandfather clocks and pocket watches in the past to watches (analogue/digital) and smartwatches in the present, the device that tells the time is definitely the most precious and the world's greatest invention. Time: the most precious intangible thing that runs away from you by the next second, minute and hour. Clocks and watches have the power to allow us humans to efficiently and effectively maximise this limited resource to the best of our abilities. From merely telling the time to helping one exercise, wouldn't it be great to have a friend like that? Well, it is definitely been man's best mechanical friend for quite sometime...

Smart, Powerful and Dependable, that's a watch for you.

Suriyana Bte Abdullah || 16S23

The silk road of information, the Printing Press, is by far the world’s greatest invention. This was the first information super-highway before the Internet came about. When it was first invented around 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg, books no longer had to be copied by typewriters or by hand. Instead, copies of books could be printed in huge volumes in assembly-line fashion, making the dissemination of information much easier than it was before the Printing Press came about.

With the invention of the Printing Press, printing had spread all over Europe by the end of the 15th century. This meant that most educated Europeans had gained access to a repertoire of books and thus information which they would otherwise have not gained access at that kind of speed if the Printing Press was not invented. This inadvertently led to the people becoming ‘smarter’; in other words, the way people perceived and described the world they lived in evolved. This marked the end of the Middle Ages as Europe ushered into the modern era.

Due to this flow of information due to the Printing Press, it inadvertently led to the flourishing of knowledge that permeated all levels of society. One of the many ideas developed was the idea of political governance by a French lawyer by the name of Baron de Montesquieu, who wrote the book De l'esprit des lois, which translates into The Spirit of the Laws. He postulated that monarchy was an unstable form of political governance, where nations’ fortunes rise and fall together with the abilities of the political governance of the king, and that a nation may be more stable if the powers of government were to be separated into three branches of government. It only took a fortuitous combination of bad weather which resulted in hungry farmers and an oblivious king, for this idea to spring forth into the French revolution, which gave birth to democracy and modern governance that spread across Europe and eventually, the world.

Today, we have seen a second coming of the Gutenberg Printing Press, the Internet. Montesquieu’s idea had only led to a partial democracy as governments could still lock the Printing Press and lobotomies their citizens. The Internet-fueled Printing Press brings about true democracy with the Fourth Estate in countries where the Fourth Estate has been under control by the government. To conclude, the greatest invention of all is hence the Gutenberg Printing Press.

Wilbur Fong || 16S16

[sajciota]

Proofreading, an Eternal Art

Before an article or book gets published, it is proofread by the publishers for basic language and formatting errors. Accuracy in expression is definitely very important to any person; after all, it would be nothing but bad impressions left on the authors and publishers if a book with multiple language flaws is read each time. This is one fundamental reason why proofreading exists, much to say that it is indeed an eternal art, with one assumption that the publication of works goes on forever!

The IOTA members sat for a proofreading course conducted by the Teachers-in-Charge on Wednesday afternoon. They learnt about basic proofreading skills, its value in literacy and tried some hand-on practice. Amongst the most interesting tips shared by the teachers is that when one proofreads, he should be as focused as not allowing any other form of entertainment to distract him, especially if they contain spoken or written words themselves; this is to minimize disruption to the scrutiny of the proofread texts! I admit that it will not be easy for me, since I occasionally do watch Youtube videos myself whenever I do online work!

So, what are some aspects to consider for proofreading? For a start, basic spelling errors are obvious ones, such as what the title suggests. Grammatical issues are also considered, but however obscure it may be, even the inappropriate position of punctuations (ie. spacings in front or behind them) are carefully looked for! In essence, proofreading is about ensuring that the texts are basically well-presented without any direct changes to the meanings of them—that will be left to the editor.

Proofreading may be all about accuracy, something connotative with science. But the reason why I say it is an art is because proofreading enables us to appreciate the language as a whole, and that there will forever be imperfections to it such that we ourselves take it for granted. Anyone can proofread, if you have a heart for improving the service of expression through words. For a start, you can try assisting your friend’s essays for that! With countless papers, books of all kinds published each day, proofreading is certainly an eternal art!

Edric Wong || 15A02

[sajciota]

(If You) Keep me in your heart

If you keep me in your heart Then keep me in your wallet Tucked between the money that I wasted on you And keep me in your phone Keep me on your key-ring Keep rolling round about the bottom of your bag And keep me in your hall Keep me in your bathroom Keep me hanging up stretched out and dripping next to you Keep in your sheets Between the stripes and flowers Where the map we used to draw has long since washed away I'll be the highlights in your hair I'll be the cracked and flaking polish on your nails I'll be the wax inside your ears I'll be the overbearing perfume on your neck So keep me on your wall And glued into your albums With all the friends and family who never keep in touch And keep me in your drawers Keep me in your wardrobe Between the borrowed shorts and Christmas gifts you never wore I'll be the scratches on your arm I'll be the monthly useless lining of your womb I'll be the last drink before bed I'll be the puffy eyes and dampness on your cheeks -Aidan 

Ranice Tan || 16S01

[sajciota]

House of Cards Review

The beginning of the first Block Tests proved be a rather welcome strain on the mind of a certain Mr Nigel Goh, who now found a lack of time caused by the prodigous amount of study he was to undertake. But in the terse antebellums between the carnage and devastation the examinations was to wreak, were brief moments of respite whereby our writer was able to partake in the latest fourth season of his most beloved, Netflix-aired, politically machinating, tense and absolutely delightful House of Cards. He writes now of the enchantment that

Background:

House of Cards is a magnificent visual work of political wrangling, shady back-room dealings and delectable intrigue. This version itself was based upon a British drama of the same name, which had Ian Richardson as Sir Francis Urquhart. The Netflix version stars the likes of Kevin Spacey as Francis J. Underwood, our local American counterpart and a man willing to do anything to achieve as well as maintain his presidency. Robin Wright, appears beside him as his doting, and equally conniving wife, Claire. Both actors play off each other spendidly, spending most of the drama hand-in-hand and at times, with knives at each other's throats. We know Kevin Spacey from his countless turns as Hollywood leads, portraying Verbal Kint in The Usual Suspects and John Doe in Se7en to name but a few. His spell as a Hollywood lead thus cemented HOC showrunner, Beau Willmon, to consider him for the vastly complex and spellbinding role of Francis J. Underwood. Robin Wright playing Claire Underwood, was previously known for playing Jenny in Forrest Gump, clearly moving on from her acting in family movies and upping the ante by her participation in House of Cards.

Plot:

After supporting the Democratic Party secure victory in a 2012 presidential election, House Majority Whip Francis J. Underwood is snubbed by his party leadership to remain in the halls of Congress. The position of Secretary of State was once offered to him, in an attempt to court his support. However, wishing to secure the party's dominance, President Garrett Walker nominates the incompetent Michael Kern in his stead, greatly infuriating our House Majority Whip. What thus occurs, is an untold amount of Machiavellian machinations which result in the meteoric rise of the Underwood duo to the highest offices and their continued attempts to maintain the neatly manicured and constructed niche they create for themselves.

Thoughts:

Perhaps what intrigued me the most was the amount of backstabbing and sacrifices that the Underwoods were willing to take in their efforts to secure the highest offices of the United States. It was absolutely delightful when I saw the manifold actions taken by the Underwoods culminate in a brilliant coup de grace, wiping out all opposition to their reign in one fell sweep. The grey and dark undertones the drama is shot in, are eerly representative of the dark and puerile actions the Underwoods take and is ever more compounded by the utter desperation of the duo to maintain their power. As they retreated ever deeper into the dank mires of political intrigue, we could see how our characters became tormented by their actions, cracking in a surprising moment of weakness to show us how dehumanising and immoral politics truly is. The ever so delightful portrayals of the Underwoods and the main cast, growing them into incredibly endearing characters. These often make watching the latest episodes a splendid experience, and it is a recommended watch for after the BTs.

Nigel Goh || 15A02

[sajciota]

A Haiku

Fell in a river

Light bouncing off the surface

Deep dark mires below

Nigel Goh || 15A02

[sajciota]

At the Airshow

How does aviation relate to you? If you love flying, you will feel thrilled by the experience of flying in an aircraft thousands of feet above ground, or maybe at ease and rejuvenation by the comfortable interior of the plane. If you love physics, you’ll maybe feel amazed by the mechanics of engines and everything else of engineering, formulas, the list goes on. Aviation is simply a big business for everyone, around the world, but it is not really possible to combine all these relations into one initiative! In Singapore’s context, the closest it can get is the biennial Singapore Airshow.

I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Singapore Airshow on a February weekend at Changi aerospace. What first greeted me were the static display of military aircraft, not just from Singapore’s but also others like the United States with their newest stealth planes like the F35 and F22s (You’d like these if you are a fan of high-tech stuff!). Not only were they impressive, but also accompanied by on-the-ground Military Experts who could explain the various characteristics of their displays. I did not however manage to sit inside any of them, thanks to long queues already formed. There were also other commercial aircraft like those from Gulfstream and Embraer on display; you can ‘google’ their aircraft, and then dream of having the grand lifetime opportunity of sitting and sleeping on cushy sofas abroad a sleek private plane!

What followed were the aerial display of of some of the military airplanes. I only managed to catch the afternoon one which was lesser, quite unfortunately, as I did think there could be just more to be delivered. Still, commendation should be reserved for, for such instance, the ‘cobra strike’ conducted by a Malaysian Sukhoi aircraft. This strike resembles how a cobra charges forward--it pushes forward with its own base before diving down in a steep angle, using its tailend as a pivot. There were also the spectacular displays by Korean Air Force fighter jets as they emit jet smoke-trails to depict familiar symbols like a heart!

This airshow is not all about displays, displays and more displays. Enter the galleries, and you’d have noticed many aircraft and engineering establishments ‘selling’ their products to people like us. I did manage to talk to some of these representatives on their business profiles, and in particular find out why they chose Singapore as their regional base; they share a common opinion, that Singapore employees are more highly skilled and trained to undertake more sophisticated tasks, more than just manufacturing, certainly one of many learning points for those who are more economically-inclined! Some of these galleries also exhibit hardware, from aircraft engines, to the stunning ones like the laser beams to be used by Israel’s army in neutralising enemy targets! (They actually unveiled this, called the ‘Iron Beam’, right in this Airshow two years back.) Amongst the most popular booths were none other than that of Singapore’s Air Force, with people queuing up for autographs of our local pilots, as well as that of ST Engineering, with their hardware and proposals of Singapore as a ‘Smart Nation’ all on vivid display!

I think this is also an interesting place for like-minded people to seek a job or internship. At least two firms whose representatives I interacted with did share with me more on applying for such positions. It is something worth considering, especially for those into engineering as a future pathway.

The next Airshow will most likely be only held in 2018. Still, it is the best place in Singapore for anyone with an interest into aviation, as it is not only about the awe of planes, but also getting to know about the sciences and business behind them! Just a little pity that the Airshow is not the place for anyone intending to seek a ride; you can do so all you like at Changi Airport! However, as more interesting developments in aviation spring up, all I can say is that you can definitely expect more, or even more of the unexpected, at the next Airshow! :)

Edric Wong || 15A02

[sajciota]

Writer of the Month - Winner (Feb - Beginnings)

genesis

thoughts taking centre stage this

season; continuing the trend of serif angles in

monochrome palettes, infused with

soul in shades of emotion-shades

muted tones and rustic

elegance of inked papyrus now

give way to mosaic-tessellated brightness:

gen y designers clad size 12 opinions in

adjectival dresses, adverb-studded suits  -

print-draped views lavished with

grandiose image-accessories -

before sending them to catwalk down

ip-coded runways for a pixel-faced audience

a celebration of style, masters at this

new art form –

grievance-models wrapped in

garish metaphorical finery.

Seraphina Tang || 15A06

[sajciota]

Writer of the Month - 2nd Place (Feb - Beginnings)

Beginnings

Step.

Step.

The last door had been closed, plunging the room into total darkness. The musky tenebrosity of the surroundings was nothing new, for he had awoken many a night in the same kind of circumstances, but the complete lack of any light left much to the imagination. His eyes darted around, hoping to find something, anything to lock on - a beacon to guide him onwards.

Alas, nothing.

...Step.

He could only walk forward - gingerly, slowly. Every footstep resounded in the silence, echoing slightly, the sound vibrating in the still, stale air. Cautiously, he reached out a hand; warm flesh met the cool surface of what he vaguely recognised as… marble?

One hand along the wall, reassurance surfaced. Now a little more confident, he continued his path forward, though still in absolute darkness. For a long while, he continued walking, no fatigue or exhaustion settling in. ‘Where am I going,’ he wondered, ‘and when will I get there?’ For he had left the last door far behind, but still the end was not in sight - and would not be for long to come, it seemed.

Little by little, an iota at a time, his surroundings began to brighten, almost as if ignited from within the walls themselves. Tiny sparks floated in the air, riding the breeze that had just came to life, each one as pure as the seven colours of the rainbow, and every other colour between. He could hear a faint melody, the tinny tinkling of keys carried to him by the breeze. ‘This is…’

The melody was simplistic in the beginning, with only a single voice accompanied by chords within a single octave.

‘I composed this…?’

Memories of his first time on a keyboard surfaced, faint and distant. The smooth kinetic motions of fingers running across the keys over and over again as he tried to create something presentable, something that wasn’t just a mash of repeated random banging. This very first composition had marked the beginning of his interest in music.

The sound went away, and something else took its place. It was faint, sure, but as he walked, it grew clearer and clearer.

‘Good job! I’m so proud of you!’

That day. He remembered playing his heart out, and the shiny gold trophy that was presented to him soon after. His father was behind him, fondling his hair and wearing a big smile on his face.

The happy memories associated with it faded away, but not before he saw the expression on his younger self’s face - it was completely unlike anything he remembered.

‘Why am I...frowning?’

He continued to walk, and as his fingers moved along the walls, he felt the stiffness of his joints swell them up for a moment. He hadn’t played for such a long time - not after...well.

The sound of glass breaking. His mother screaming.

The coppery taste of blood.

He shook his head. The accident was of no matter - not anymore, at least. For now, he had to understand what brought him here, and how he could leave.

A constricting feeling in his chest arose. Whatever warmth he once had was now lost, as a recollection of yet another first surfaced, almost as if trying to replace the former, but somehow making matters even worse. A pale pink mist covered the area, as if trying to hide the next scene from him - but he remembered it anyway. The first time after that incident when he felt the warmth of another’s hand, and it wasn’t simply a fleeting touch. A promise made, and broken.

His first heartbreak.

The lights seemed to dim a little, as if understanding his current turmoil. ‘Why…’

Just what was the purpose of making him recollect all these? They were just tiny fragments, fated to be lost in the vast sea humans call ‘time’. It was said that as you lay dying, memories of your life would flash by, reminding of all that you had ever done - reminding you of what you did and did not accomplish, giving rise to regrets.

But he wasn’t dead. ‘Not dying either,’ he said out loud, more to assure himself than anything else. ‘Hopefully not anytime soon.’ His voice was slightly hoarse, the words quivering - showing his unease, insecurity.

Almost as if in response to his statement, a chill set in. The temperature had dropped, and a recognised emotion washed - no, crashed - into him, in a feeling he knew all too well.

Guilt.

Loss.

Hand leaving the wall, he clutched at his chest, feeling the slow burn of the all too familiar pain settle in as his knees buckled, sending him crashing to the floor. But it wasn’t registered; rather, the gaping hole in his chest was the most prominent, allowing him to feel every inch of the bitter chill down in his very core. If the onset hit him like a truck, the disappointment that now followed was reminiscent of destructive waves crashing onto a coast.

Despair.

How long he stayed there for, he knew not - but then again, in the depths of suffering, even seconds can seem like hours, or even eternity. Slowly, the burning cold started to go, thawing his frozen self. It hurt - almost as if he were being stabbed by a thousand pins and scalpels - and he wanted to give up, to stop there and proceed onward no longer.

But he couldn’t.

He wouldn’t ever find his answers that way.

Taking in a shaky breath, he placed one foot forward. Ignoring the pain that shot up his leg, he moved his other leg, taking yet another step. Both hands were on the wall for support, the inner flame of determination burning, giving him the courage and ability to keep walking. He tasted melancholia tinged with nostalgia as he continued on his path, a bittersweet aftertaste left as residue causing him to grimace.

Small tongues of fire burst into being, igniting candles placed strategically on the walls… that no longer existed. Light now flooded the place, showing him that his current location was on a series of steps, floating in what appeared to be a black void with a misty stream running through it - as was everything else around him. Candles, graduation certificates, old toys, books… all were items that he recognised at least vaguely, that were connected to him in one way or another.

The path before him ascended up to a small door. Feeling a surge of positivity, he picked up speed, reaching out for the exit; he was so close, surely he could get out now?

What greeted him was something he did not expect to see.

The door looked plain enough, but the mirror that hung from a nail was large, and almost fit the doorframe to a tee. Reflected in it was the younger him surrounded by everything floating behind him in the river, as well as the void itself. That was, everything that he would be leaving behind if he chose to continue onward.

Step.

A small smile tugged at his lips, hinting of sadness yet also acceptance.

Step.

It was time to move on.

Reaching out, he pushed open the door…

To a new beginning.

Rachel Ong || 16S11

[sajciota]

Writer of the Month - 3rd Place (Feb - Beginnings)

There is little that I know except that the sun is not for me. I often wonder how you know when you have reached the bottom of the rabbit hole, how you know that it is but the end, when there is nowhere else to go. Is it a chasm of endless darkness, I ask myself, or simply some immovable wall, one that screams 'the end'? A person does not truly end when their bodies finally fail them, nor when that shell is burned or lowered into the ground, but when even the memory of them fades from this earth, for when every loved one also takes their leave. A play, or a book, never really ends either, not until even the vaguest recollection has crumbled into ashes. If this is so, what then, is the end of the rabbit hole?

I seek an answer. So I follow his chariot down into the shadows, for a creature of darkness always seeks out that tenebrous road that leads down, and down, and down. It never leads back up, no, not the road that I take, coaxed by silky words all but purred. I start off blind until my eyes blend into the night, until I regain my sight and the skin on my bones begin to harden, to protect from pleasure and from pain. Until they turn to stone, caving in on a withered frame. Until I am born again, cast from shadow and blood, from the suffering of those cursed to the darkness. And so I decide that if I must fester in darkness, I shall make it mine. It is with a smile and fire in my veins that I count the seeds, not one, not two but three. I cannot flinch, I do not flinch, a smile that splits my face like a dagger, the knowledge that no one can lift their eyes from a goddess.

From a queen.

The sun has set, bare feet progressing past trees, coated in a liquid the colour of dead flowers. I hunger not for fruit nor for flesh, nor the blossoms at the foot of this throne. I seek more, oh, so much more. There is more life in this night than the land of the living could offer to me, and so when he asks for what I wish, obsidian eyes imploring, it is with a smile that I deliver an answer.

Oh, my dear king, you shall kneel. Of an entire kingdom, bend your knee and call me Queen, call me Mercy. Give me your hand, your helmet and your heart, your spear and shield. Conquer for me and it is not your name but mine they all will fear. Build me a throne of skulls, steps of ebony and ivory and in this shadowy fjord of souls I shall rule anew.

Whoever decided to tell the stories surely did make a terrible mess of it. They call me helpless, call me a poor princess abducted from her garden. But it is of no matter, we know the truth, you and I. I was not torn from the world of the living, but left of my own choice, to venture down the rabbit hole and claim this stygian throne for my own. It is here where I will sit, with teeth like razors and a face like an angel, for when you finally arrive, it is I who will decide your fate.

Rachel Chia || 16A03

[sajciota]

Why should I

Why should I seek

To light a candle

When my determination

Can blaze a fire?

Why should I fear

The shallow waters

When my courage runs

Deeper than the Oceans?

Why should I climb

On slopes and hills

When my perseverance

Conquers the mountains?

Why should I be

Content with stones and rocks

When my value shines

Brighter than diamonds?

Why should I aim

To reach the sky

When my dreams and passions

Take me to the moon?

Ho Yong Huei  || 15A06

[sajciota]

Review of The Friendship Run 2016!!

The Friendship Run is based on a popular animation named “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic”. It consisted of 3 categories, 1km Family Run, 4km Fun Run and 6km Besties Run of which medals of different designs were given out. All of which are held at Sentosa Palawan Beach. Runners of different ages from as young to old, participated in the respective events. Runners also range from those who ran because they enjoyed the animation, to those who were avid runners.

Personally, I participated in the 6km Besties Run with my sister. I think that it is one of the most unique runs that I have ever joined as the runners running the Besties Run had to end together, holding hands, embracing the spirit of Friendship.

Many game booths named after the places that the animation featured were also available. I managed to make my own customised stamp at one of the booth.

Despite it being an excruciatingly hot day, I still enjoyed myself during the run, and so did many of the other runners who were present.

All in all, a great and memorable experience. A cute and shiny medal to add to my collection.

Suriyana Bte Abdullah || 16S23

[sajciota]

“With money, everything is possible.” Do you agree?

Money makes the world go round. It is the driving force behind virtually any action we take. We go to school so we can obtain a good degree to get high-paying jobs. Our parents work gruelling hours so that they can make money to put food on the table. Money is also a limiting factor for the things we can or cannot do. In this essay, I will be touching on how money is the only barrier for things that we cannot do, how money can buy you literally anything, and how money can change your life.

Money is something that you need to fulfil the pyramid of necessities. Money can give you food and water. If you make enough money to afford food and water with ease, you can move to the second stage of the pyramid, which are amenities like electricity, transport, and a proper home. The more money you make; the more things you can buy. If you want to watch the sunset from the Equinox Bar at Swisshôtel the Stamford, the only thing holding you back is whether you can afford that twenty-dollar Mojito. In this sense, money is the only obstacle to freedom, which leads me to strongly agree that ‘With money, everything is possible.’

Money can buy anything and make anything happen. If you want a block of 5-year-old sharp cheddar cheese that was left in a cave in the suburbs of England, you could get it shipped over for a hefty sum. If you want to be a doctor, you could pay to enter private schools that teach you medicine for quadruple the cost of Ivy League universities, without needing any sort of qualification. Want a book to come to life? Do what the Malaysian Prime Minister’s stepson did, which was to channel funds to bring a film about the book ‘Jordan Belfort’ to life, called The Wolf of Wall Street. This goes to show that money can make your wildest dreams a reality. With all this power that you possess with money, I firmly agree that ‘With money, everything is possible.’

Money can be life changing. If you are plagued with Leukemia, a cancer where your white blood cells attack your red blood cells, you could pay for your cancer causing cells to be eradicated by chemotherapy. If you struck the lottery and won 10 million dollars, you could move out of the crime infested streets of Compton into Beverly Hills. Money can change both you and your lifestyle in the blink of an eye. This reinforces my strong agreement that, ‘With money, everything is possible.’

Naysayers may argue that some things can never be bought with money, like true happiness. I beg to differ; it depends on what happiness is on an individual’s terms. Happiness could mean wealth to a person. One could be happy if he or she could afford one of the seven Koenigsegg Agera Rs (I know this exactly true but I just wrote it anyway), and roar down the streets of the city centre in that five-million-dollar carbon fibre coffin. One could be happy with buying a falcon worth thousands of dollars, and command it to dart at rodents and others bird and bringing its corpse back to him or her. So, it depends on one’s definition of happiness, which most of the time one’s happiness is inadvertently because of money. This has made me even more convinced to agree that, ‘With money, everything is possible.’

In essence, money is a pivotal possession that determines how hard your life will be. Money can give you limitless opportunities, allow you to have anything under the sun, and could change your life as a whole, which is why I am in full agreement that, ‘With money, everything is possible.’

Wilbur Fong || 16S16

[sajciota]

I sat down on a plastic chair, pondering over what to write for my next short story. I had just woken up from a long nap, and after snacking on chips and cookies at the dining hall, I trudged wearily up the stairs to the study room. It turns out paradoxically, that sleeping for extended periods of time in the afternoon makes you even more tired. Knowing that this decision to sleep for two hours may have spoiled my mood and my day, I urged myself to head back to the bed to waste the rest of the day away. I still had an English essay, three short stories, and one economics  assignment to complete. A weekend Is more than enough to complete these assignments. But then, I also had to revise to prepare myself for the common test that are just around the corner. It is a process that everyone dreads. I stared blankly at the window. Nobody was at home. The house was eerily quiet. Just then, the heavens opened and the incessant drone of raindrops hitting the roof surface punctuated the silence of the atmosphere. It was 2:36 in the afternoon. An hour had elapsed since I started on my third  story. Procrastination is indeed a thief of time. As I got more serious about finishing the story, my phone sounded. It was a Whatsapp notification. Distracted, I diverted my attention to reply to the message and then just when I turned back to the screen, I lost my train of thought. The many ideas that were flowing in my mind had jammed up. Frustrated, I slammed my fist on the table. I could not continue with my story. What do I do now? Since I was at a loss, it would be better for me to start from scratch. In the blink of an eye, all the words disappeared from the screen. And from there I began writing the story of everything that happened an hour before I wrote this third story. The rest is history.

Kenneth Tan || 16S19

[sajciota]

Love for Europe

My love for Europe has never faltered the minute I landed my wobbly feet on the soils of sunny Italy when I was at the tender age of two and I often proclaimed that I was born on the wrong continent. Despite many judgemental stares that ensue, I, up to this day, love Europe more than my country.

 I have always loved the architecture of the area, with its walls cold and mysterious. It is centuries old, and you feel something resonating through it once you place your hand on the cold cobblestone. All the history and all the time that it has stood in. How many people have passed this way? How many lives have the walls witnessed? The frantic whispers or the loud market hall yells, or the rainy days that flooded the city or, or the crimes that plagued the area filled with manipulation and profit, desire and jealousy?

 It is absolutely stunning in the mornings. In fact, words are not enough to express how magnificent it actually is. With sun rays peeking through the cracks of ancient walls, lazily populated streets with break taking architecture. However, when dusk falls upon us, and you can no longer see the beauty, you can only see shadows from harsh fluorescent lights that deliberately hide dark corners from you. You cannot help but wonder what is going on in the shadows, or even what has happened in those shadows centuries before your time. Was someone robbed of their life’s fortune by their husband, left to beg on the streets with all their assets whisked away by a drunkard lover? Was someone hastily murdered for fear of competition of the ranks in the infamous military, silenced because they knew far too much about the corruption that plagued the kingdom? Were someone’s chickens stolen from them, not for a petty crime but for revenge for their sons and husbands that have been slaughtered in the war for new, foreign land, and that was the only way that they could have vented their anger at injustice?

 It was like meeting people in public where you cannot help but wonder what their life story is. These 17 years of my life had been eventful, what about others’ 17 years? Do they see rainbows and sunshine, dreaming of better days and freedom from shackles of responsibility? Or do they see the grime that clings onto passers-by, and see the city as nothing but an overpopulated jail cell filled with monsters that will do absolutely anything in their power to achieve their desires? Do the walls tell a story of fun-filled festivities, or do they churn out stories of mass injustice and murder?

 The walls of ancient Europe tell much, much more than the smooth panels of fake walls of Singapore could ever muster. Perhaps that is why they are so cold, cold from all the sins and secrets they hold.

Cheryl Tan || 15A07

[sajciota]

What is the Use of an Oath?

"What is the use of an oath?”, this thought ran through my mind last year as I witness my seniors putting their right hands up with a disinterested look plastered on their weary faces on a cloudy morning that was supposedly dedicated to appreciating what CCA leaders have contributed.

 “What is the use of an oath?”, this thought ran through my mind just this morning as I caught myself putting my right hand up with the same disinterested look plastered on my (albeit more) weary face, with my juniors peering up at me with that same, disgustingly enthusiastic look on their faces that I have to admit, I wish I still possess.

 “What is the use of an oath?”, an anti-abortionist cried out when confronted with facts that alluded to  the possibility of both lives being lost to sheer stubbornness and ignorance, claiming (rather ironically) that the doctor’s oath clearly states its job scope of saving lives.

 "What is the use of an oath?”, I ask the world, screaming the question into the void that is my head.

 "What is the use of an oath? Has it lost its meaning? A promise that was never sincere or a worn out dedication?"

Cheryl Tan || 15A07