The Mentor

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Here's wishing Jia Xin, Say Yee and Kai Yang all the best for the Chinese O' Level paper tomorrow. Score!

Yeah! =)

The tutor announced at 10:44 PM.

When Momo first arrived at The Mentor, he was dark grey in colour. After a few months, he seems to be getting whiter. Perhaps it could be due to his diet of oats. Or maybe it is the bathing powder. Hm... or perhaps there could be other hereditary reasons?

Whatever it is, Momo seems to have recovered from his nose allergy and is now as active and healthy as a hamster can be. :)

The tutor announced at 11:04 AM.

Friday, May 29, 2009

It is the one month school holiday again. Guess most of you are in good spirits. So here's wishing one and all, Happy Holidays~ Don't forget to revise your books as well. Play hard, but work harder.

Cheers!

The tutor announced at 2:30 PM.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Plot Synopsis
by Nathan Southern

A young girl finds a desperately-needed escape from a tumultuous past via professional dance, in this deeply emotional melodrama - a co-production of Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea.

Though merely 17 years old, Subaru bears on her shoulders the weight of a lifetime of trauma. Her mother and twin brother died long ago from the same hereditary illness, which left her dad lonely, depressed, isolated and incommunicative. Subaru discovered a release, however, beginning at the age of 10 - thanks to a strict but compassionate strip-club owner (filmmaker Kaori Mamoi) who encouraged her to slip into ballet shoes and channel her inner turmoil through the art of dance.

The approach worked - Subaru finds a level of ecstasy in ballet performance that exceeds anything else in her world - but she must still learn to contend with the day-to-day difficulties that life throws into her path.

Lee Chi-ngai directs.

The tutor announced at 11:23 PM.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The patient, a 22—year—old Singapore Management University student, is currently being treated at the Communicable Disease Centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and is in stable condition.

The Singaporean woman was in New York from May 14—24. She arrived back in Singapore from New York on SQ25 on 26 May at 6.30am. She was seated at Row 55.

She began to develop a cough while onboard. She passed the thermal scanner uneventfully as she did not have fever then.

Later in the morning, she consulted a GP who decided to send her to TTSH via a 993 ambulance, given her travel history.

She was immediately admitted for testing. Laboratory confirmation of her infection was made by midnight of 26 May.

The patient has been vigilant in monitoring her own condition and had sought immediate medical attention once she realized that she was unwell.

Her attending GP, through his quick response in activating the 993 ambulance for the patient, had also helped to minimize the spread of infection from this case.

The Health Ministry says it has initiated contact tracing of her close contacts. They will be quarantined and provided with antiviral prophylaxis.

Passengers who had travelled in the same flight and were seated in rows 52 to 58 are urged to call the hotline at 1800—333 9999 to enable the MOH to check on their health condition.
The MOH adds that all medical practitioners and healthcare institutions should continue to be vigilant to suspect cases.

Singapore will continue with temperature screening for passengers entering Singapore at all checkpoints (land, sea and air).

All passengers passing through or entering Singapore are given Health Alert Notices on board their flights, advising them to monitor their own health if they have been to affected areas and to seek medical attention immediately if they are not well.

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said: "We know that sooner or later we will have our first case (of H1N1 flu) and now we do. I suppose we have been lucky —— we have now five weeks since the alert to prepare ourselves, as well as Singaporeans for this eventuality. So there should really be no cause for alarm.

“Especially in this case the patient has been most responsible and the GP is highly commendable. (The GP) made the right judgement —— calling 993 so that within six hours of (the patient’s) touchdown in Singapore, she was isolated in the hospital, so the risk of her causing a spread in Singapore should be very low."

Speaking at a labour event on Wednesday, NTUC Chief Mr Lim Swee Say said Singapore is prepared for its first case of the H1N1 virus.

He said: "All of us are psychologically prepared for this but the issue here is not so much on when, now that it has happened. I think what we have to focus on is the speed of spreading. What we have to do is ensure that the entire community plays their part."

Singaporeans are reminded to maintain high standards of personal hygiene. This means covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and washing your hand frequently with soap and water, especially after contact with respiratory secretions, for example, after sneezing and coughing.

Everyone also needs to be socially responsible. This means staying home and avoiding crowded places (including trains, buses, offices), putting on a surgical mask and seeing a doctor if you have flu symptoms.

MOH advises those who travelled to affected areas to closely monitor their health and seek treatment as soon as possible should they develop symptoms.

Members of the public are also advised to exercise caution over travel to affected areas.
In the event that travel is unavoidable, the public is advised to take precautionary measures such as avoiding crowded areas and maintaining high standards of personal hygiene at all times.
However, if you are unwell with fever and cough but have no travel history to affected areas, you are also advised to see a doctor and stay at home.

MOH is monitoring the situation closely and will update the public should there be any new developments.

For more information on Influenza A (H1N1—2009), you can access MOH’s website at www.moh.gov.sg, call MOH’s hotline at 1800—333 9999, or visit http://www.flu.gov.sg/.

— CNA/ir

The tutor announced at 11:13 PM.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Movie Review _ Night At The Museum 2

The baddies

She's cool.

Movie Review - Night At The Museum 2

Release Date:
21st May 2009

Language:
English

Running Time:
105 mins

Rating:
PG

Genre:
Action

Starring:
Bill Hader, Thomas Haden Church, Owen Wilson, Amy Adams, Ben Stiller [full cast]

Directed by:
Shawn Levy

Local Distributor:
20th Century Fox

Ben Stiller returns to the role of the unfortunate night watchman, Larry Daley who continues to encounter the living and breathing museum exhibits. This adventure takes the action to Washington D.C., where things at the Smithsonian aren't quite as quiet as one might think.

ersonally, I enjoyed the movie tremendously. If you had watched the movie (part 1), I bet you are going to enjoy this too. So watch it, kids.... the holidays are just around the corner!

The tutor announced at 10:37 PM.

Is this a hamburger?

No, it is Meina's birthday cake!

Sherwin had to come into the picture!

The tutor announced at 12:13 PM.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

What a mess... but interesting arrays of wares and goods can be found here.

Sungei Road 'Thieves Market'

What:

The oldest Singapore flea market

Getting Here:

Take the MRT to Bugis Station. Walk on Rochor Road until you hit the junction with Jalan Besar. Turn left and you'll see the flea market.

Best time:

Open daily. But the best times to visit are weekend afternoons.

My favourite flea market in Singapore is the Sungei Road 'Thieves Market', simply because it is one authentic, unchoreographed place.

If you are tired of Singapore's glitzy, air-conditioned mega-malls, head for the Sungei Road flea market to see another face of Singapore.

There are no pretensions here. Here, you'll find bare-chested, pot-bellied old men manning their stalls. Here, they cast their cigarette ash carelessly and make no attempt to put on fake smiles. Nor do they ask those rehearsed may-I-help-you-sir questions.

$7 only! Wan or not?" is all the man would say.

Then suddenly, the bargaining turns into a banter party as the other stall-holders join in, "Don't buy his jade. They are all fake!"

It's a family atmosphere here. And I find it very charming.

Many years ago, this flea market in Singapore was allegedly the place to buy stolen goods. Hence the name 'Thieves' Market'. And there is one saying that just refused to go away: if you had something stolen from your house, just go down to Sungei Road and buy it back. I heard this from my grandfather. I heard this from my uncles. And I still read about it in the travel guides. Amazing!

But the authorities have stepped in. The stall holders now have to declare that they are not selling stolen goods. Perhaps this has eroded the mystery of Sungei Road somewhat. But I've just returned from there, and liked it.

Take a leisurely stroll and soak up the atmosphere. Then look a little more carefully and you might find a gem among the junk. Perhaps a yellowed Shanghai cigarette advertisement? Or an original Beatles vinyl record? Don't rule it out. Let me tell you what I saw at Sungei Road...

4 Singapore postcards from the 1930s
the so-called 'banana' notes (currency of the 1940s Japanese occupation)
a Cosina CT-4 and a Nikon FM (circa 1977)
a barbequed iguana (for potency, the vendor told me)
a pair of beaten-in Caterpillar trekking boots, and
several wooden dildos!!! (placed alongside Buddhist amulets!)

The last items, you'll agree, are quite funny. They looked so real I thought they had really been taken off some poor fellas. I walked up to the seller and asked, "Do you have something for the men?" He smiled politely and asked me to go back the following week.

This, in my opinion, is the most enchanting flea market in Singapore.

The tutor announced at 10:58 PM.

A LIE- Sasha Wijeadasa

He was a good guy and that was all she knew,
Every touch, every kiss , every word was nothing but a lie.
A lie so deep, that she wasn't aware of.
He said he loved her,
He charmed her till she was blind.
He was like a bright moon to her.
But, what she was not aware of,
He was not as bright as he was,
There was a darker side to that shinning moon.
Which actually had no glow, no light.
She fell into his arms, under his clutches.

With no way. no mean of escaping.
The ever so familiar silhouette,
Was once so safe and secure,
But never will it be again.

The tutor announced at 10:51 AM.

Friday, May 22, 2009

We celebrated Meina's birthday 2 days in advance yesterday. The above picture shows the friends of Meina getting ready to tuck in to the pizzas. See that silly smile of Sherwin? (Hey, he does not even belong to the group so what is he doing in the picture?) Sammie had to squat. Haha... no choice, everyone had to squeeze within the picture frame. :p

Here is the birthday girl, posing with a half-eaten piece of pizza. Smile..... :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MEINA !!!!

The tutor announced at 9:18 AM.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The Causes and Effects of Lack of Sleep

Those who suffer from a chronic sleep disorder frequently experience disrupted, non-restorative sleep. While some of these people have sleep problems due to a physical stress or condition, others suffer from sleep disorders due to some mental or emotional cause.

People who have the following conditions or lifestyle habits are at a higher risk of suffering from any type of sleep disorder:

depression
diabetes
lack of exercise
obesity
poor diet
use of prescription medication.

In general, the effects of sleep deprivation depend on the type of sleep disorder from which you suffer. However, some of the more general effects of lack of sleep include:

blurry vision
depression (While depression can cause a lack of sleep, it can also arise from sleep deprivation.)
dizziness
dramatic weight loss or gain
hallucinations
heart disease
hypertension (high blood pressure)
irritability
memory loss
nausea

weight gain
tremors
trouble speaking.

Although many of us experience the occasional night of poor sleep, persistent sleep disorders can clearly cause a number of serious conditions. As a result, getting immediate medical treatment for your sleep disorder is important to maintaining good health.

So Students and friends, get plenty of sleep and stay a bit longer touring Dreamland~ =)

The tutor announced at 9:34 AM.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Japan on Monday reported 163 swine flu cases and shut more than 2,000 schools and kindergartens in a bid to slow the spread of the virus that may already have infected hundreds, a report said.

The number of (A)H1N1 cases has risen rapidly in the urban areas of Kobe and Osaka since the first confirmed domestic infection -- a 17-yAuthorities said the real number of infections could already be in the hundreds with the virus spreading fast in the densely populated island nation.

"This is not just a matter for Hyogo and Osaka (prefectures)," said Health Minister Yoichi Masuzoe. "We have to act swiftly by assuming the virus is already widespread across the country."

The Japanese outbreak increases the chance the World Health Organization may raise its pandemic alert level to six -- the top level which would indicate sustained community transmission in a second region outside the Americas.
Experts in Japan now believe the virus spread quickly between the two urban areas after high schools from Kobe and Osaka met for a volleyball tournament, with some players and coaches feeling feverish after the games.
"We have to contain this in the region, but it is becoming very difficult," said Toshizo Ido, governor of Hyogo prefecture, which includes Kobe.

After a crisis cabinet meeting on Monday, Prime Minister Taro Aso urged the public to stay calm, stressing that most people recover quickly from the virus.
"Caution is needed because there are cases of patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes whose condition is serious," Aso said.

"At the moment, however, many people are recovering smoothly after receiving appropriate treatment early," Aso said, adding that the government had no immediate plans to restrict people's movements and activities.
Japan's two main news agencies counted 135 cases of swine flu Monday but the Japanese Kyodo agency later said the figure had been revised up to 163 after 67 new infections were confirmed Monday in Osaka and Hyogo prefectures.
Masuzoe, in a Tokyo media briefing several hours earlier, said the central government had at that stage confirmed 125 cases -- excluding four cases where Japanese nationals caught the virus in North America.

In Kobe, many office workers, shop staff and public transport officials were wearing masks on the first working day since the outbreak hit the city. Public health announcements were broadcast via train station loudspeakers.
Hotel manager Kotaro Takeda said: "We have received more than 120 cancellations, mostly because of the influenza. We are concerned that groundless rumours may affect our business further."

At Kobe High School, where the first domestic infection was confirmed, all classrooms and schoolyards were empty, while teachers in staff rooms phoned students one by one to check whether they have flu symptoms.
The principal, Yukihiro Amano, told reporters: "We have done whatever we could, but the situation is beyond our expectations."

A housewife living nearby, 31-year-old Yoshiko Fujii, told AFP: "Now that the influenza is spreading so fast, I guess I have to be ready to be infected."
But other residents cautioned against over-reacting to the virus.
"I see the outbreak positively as the virus appears less dangerous than originally thought," said Kozue Yamagata, a magazine editor. "It's a good opportunity to learn how to act before we may face a more serious one."

The government will begin running television messages as early as Tuesday in which Aso will call on people to remain calm amid the outbreak, the Cabinet Office said, according to Kyodo.
No cases have yet been reported in greater Tokyo, which with almost 36 million people is the world's most populous urban area.

Japan's first confirmed cases of swine flu were four people who tested positive after they flew in from North America earlier this month. They were immediately quarantined along with about 50 fellow passengers.

The tutor announced at 9:14 AM.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Yes, the mid-year exams are out. I know, those who have done well, are celebrating, while others who haven done as well are feeling kind of down.

Hey,P5s... yes, you! Yee Xuan, Jeremy, Zu Da, Xiu Hui and Brendan. You guys must be feeling kind of lousy now due to your rather disappointing results. Yes, I am disappointed with your results but come on, I haven't given up hope on you. Don't despair okay? It is only a temporary setback, I have faith in you and I believe you guys will bounce back at the end of the year. Just work hard, believe in yourself and I am sure you will be beaming with pride for your final exam. Let's work hard together and get back the kind of results you are capable of achieving.

As for you, Sing Ning, I have nothing more to say but to wish you all the best. You are on your own now.

p/s: Hey Elaine, thanks for updating me on your Maths results... well done! Hope you'll do as well for the rest of the subjects.

Good luck to the rest of you! =)

The tutor announced at 10:41 PM.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) says it is a matter of time when Singapore will see an Influenza A (H1N1) case.

An MOH spokesman, who was responding to media queries on Malaysia confirming its first H1N1 case, said Singaporeans should not be surprised by this development.

The spokesman added that the Malaysian health authority had informed its Singapore counterpart that there were no Singaporeans and also no passengers connecting to Singapore onboard the flight taken by the confirmed Malaysian case.

He said the infected person in Malaysia is reported to be in stable condition and will likely recover fully — as in many other cases elsewhere — because he had sought medical treatment as soon as symptoms appeared.

The spokesman added that prompt treatment will lead to full recovery, unless there are other underlying medical conditions.

also said the only way to avoid infection is for people to maintain a high standard of personal hygiene and be socially responsible by staying at home if they are unwell and wearing a mask if they are on the way to see a doctor.

— CNA

The tutor announced at 10:47 PM.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Charade is a game which requires one to guess a phrase or sentence by merely acting it out with no spoken words, but by mere actions and gestures. It is played at tuition whenever we need to de-stress. Considered a good and fun game because it enables one to stretch his/her imagination as well as allows one to express himself/herself through body language. That is why, laughter would usually fill the small room whenever the game is played.

Sherwin gets ready to demonstrate his acting skill.

Making a point.

Jurgen and Samuel are concentrating hard on the message Sherwin is trying to put across.

Priscilla gives up and checks on her mobile phone.

Charmel finds Sherwin's antics amusing.

It is really a nice game.... do try it. =)

The tutor announced at 10:27 AM.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Although Momo behaves perfectly normal, he has this swollen nose syndrome for about 2 weeks already. It looks rather awful and seems a little raw at times. Kind of sad as he used to look really cute without an enlarged nose. However, I am glad that it is not affecting his lifestyle as he still loves food and tries to mischievously runs away when people attempt to catch him. Haha... but due to obesity, it is easier to catch him. :p

I tried to hold him in my hand in order to take a picture of his nose to put in the blog, but this naughty fellow simply refused to stay still, wasted so many of my shots. Finally, I placed him back in the cage and managed to take the picture above when he started eating. Guess that is the only time he stays really still (other than sleeping, of course).

Take good care of your pets. Although they may only be animals, each has a life as well. And each life is as precious as yours and mine.

Please be a responsible pet owner.

The tutor announced at 9:43 AM.

Thursday, May 07, 2009

This is to inform all students and parents that The Mentor will be closed on the 9th of May due to the Vesak Day holiday.

Finally, here's everyone at The Mentor, wishing all Buddhist students and their parents a Happy Vesak Day.

The tutor announced at 11:07 PM.

Hm...... why so many pizzas?

Oh, the sec 2s are celebrating Elaine's birthday.

Don't disturb us while we are eating or we may choke.

Jurgen happily helps himself to another piece of pizza while the birthday gilr looks on.

Cheers to you, Elaine~

Jurgen contemplates on eating on which pizza he should sink his teeth into.

What are u doing, Elaine?

Happy faces of all the Sec 2s.... but why aren't you smiling Sasha?

Contented face of Elaine, as Jurgen looks on..... lovingly. Haha....

Anyway, Happy Birthday, Elaine!!!! May your smile be as cheerful as ever. =)

The tutor announced at 8:36 AM.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

What rubbery mouth Damien has! Lol....... and why so stiff, Koon Kiat? :p

The tutor announced at 9:01 AM.

Monday, May 04, 2009

Hey kids, here are some pictures which were taken on Saturday. They are pictures of Momo, The Mentor's pet. Don't bully him/her k? Erm... u know why I am unsure of the hamster's sex? U see, it was given to me but someone who claims that Momo is a male. However, there are some people who say that Momo may be a female. Argh.... so what is Momo? A male or a female?

Momo is seen biting a food-stick- made of an assortment of nuts.

Momo says," I am so hungry. And you there, will u stop taking pictures of me while I am eating? I am shy, okay?"

So Momo decided to withdraw into the bathing sand tub.

Momo hides deeper in as the photographer persisted in taking his/her pictures. Lol

The tutor announced at 1:59 PM.

Saturday, May 02, 2009

Movie review : X-Men Origins-Wolverine

James Logan aka Wolverine and his brother Victor Creed (who will later become Sabretooth) run away together as children in the mid 1850's after Logan kills their biological father who had murdered Logan's adoptive father. After serving together in many wars they are recruited by William Stryker to serve in a special unit made up of mutants. When Stryker orders the destruction of a village that refuses to reveal the location of a 'precious metal' Stryker yearns for (hmm...I wonder what that could be?), Logan quits the unit and goes off to live a life of peace and isolation as a lumberjack in the Canadian Rockies. He resides in a cabin, high in the gorgeous mountains, with his girlfriend (later to be known as the Silver Fox) who helps calm him though the nightmares of the past.

For all super-heroes fanatics, this is a must-watch movie. I for sure will definitely catch the movie coz Wolverine is so cool. Which super-hero do you like best? Let me know, ya?

The tutor announced at 11:34 PM.