[}}.Untainted Enrapturement}}.]

"Papa, my wish is than when I grow up, I want to work for the government just like you!" Hiresh exclaimed excitedly after he blew off the candles of his third Birthday cake.

"Hiresh, pay attention in class and expert your English and you will definitely be able to enter the government service and become very powerful!" Hiresh's father, Nilesh, replied with encouragingly, patting Hiresh's head.

Years past. Hiresh had always worked hard for his dream to work for the government.

However, his dream was threatened when Sri Lanka gained independence, when the Sri Lankan government passed the Ceylon citizenship Act at 1948. As Hiresh and his family was Tamils, they found themselves stateless.

The Tamils were upset as they found it difficult to find jobs or be promoted. Ethnic violence sparked off like a norm during those days as a result of the unfair management of the government of Sri Lanka.

Hiresh asked his father, seethingly, as he shook his head in disgust, "Papa, why do we have to learn Sinhala?"

"This is to benefit the Sinhalese, the majority," Hiresh's father responded in dismay, looking into his son's eyes. "They are at a disadvantage as they could not read or speak English well."

"But, isn't English the most important language?" Hiresh wondered out aloud confusingly, as he tried to read his father's face.

Holding on to his son's shoulders, Hiresh's father told Hiresh thoughtfully, "It is but Sinhala have been declared the official language in Srilanka. Now, only Sinhala is used as the language of administration in Sri Lanka."

"But don't you think it is really unfair that out of the sudden, given only three weeks, we have to master Sinhala?" Hiresh muttered under his breath agitatedly, staring into his father's eyes.

Hiresh's father was stumped by the question Hiresh asked him.

Hiresh and his family had no other choice but to abide by the new law. Hiresh studied Sinhala, treating it as a small obstacle towards his dream of working for the government.

After the Resettlement in 1950, Hiresh and his family are heavily out numbered by the Sinhalese in the area they live.

Hiresh's effort of making it into the government service was paid off when he was given a post in the Government. However, it made Hiresh disappointed and also made him thought himself as a complete failure. He could not make a difference in the treatment provided to the Indian Tamils.

Through the years, it was Hiresh's family's support was what kept him staying in the government service. University admission was based on merit and the examinations were in English, before 1970.

After 1970, to benefit the Sinhalese, the government introduced a new university admission criterion. Hiresh felt a great sense of guilt when he was informed that the Tamil students had to score higher than the Sinhalese pupils in order to enter the same course in the universities.

Moreover, a fixed number of places in the university were reserved for the Sinhalese. Admission was no longer based solely on academic results.

Hiresh thought that, this system clearly showed that the Sinhalese were selfish. However, he had to witness the unfairness hopelessly.

"Father, I feel hopeless and useless. I have to witness the injustice towards us Tamils, knowing that there was nothing that I could do... I feel that my choice of joining the government service was a mistake," Hiresh stammered distressingly, fighting back his tears.

"Son, follow your heart, do what you want," Hiresh’s father encouraged hopefully, wiping the tears from Hirsh’s face.Hiresh’s father exclaimed confidently, “We believe in you and your choices."

Hiresh followed his heart and quitted the government service. Unknowingly, he heaved a sigh of relief.

All the policies had made the Tamils felt that they were discriminated. Though they have tried various ways to voice their unhappiness, none of them were successful. Therefore, the Tamils had to depend on their last resort, violence.

A militant group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was formed. They believed that resorting to violence was the only way to demand and obtain the rights of the Tamils.

When Hiresh found out about the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, he smiled sarcastically. Although the LTTE was a terrorist organization, he hoped with all his heart that, the rights of the Tamils could finally be retrieved.

Violence did not come only from the Tamils. The Sinhalese also showed their hostility to Tamils. Riots sparked a long armed conflict between the government forces and the Tamil Tigers. The Tamil Tigers wanted an independent Tamil homeland in the north and east of the country.

Hiresh could no longer state his stand whether the LTTE were a terrorist group or heroes of the Tamils. He wanted the best for the Indian Tamils but he also did not approve that violence was the correct way to earn back their respect.

Only until recently, the Riots between the Sri Lanka government and Tamil Tigers came to an end, due to the wipe-out of the Tamil Tigers. However, will things stay peaceful in Sri Lanka? Or is the peace only temporary?




	Wednesday, August 5, 2009 Mock Test 2 (summary) Lukas family was worried because … Lukas disappeared when the fog arrived. People who grew up in the Forest knew what awaited a child that wandered from a footpath or a sled-path alone. Anna and the men searched for Lukas, as she knew the footpaths. Malie, Sofie and Elias searched and called out for Lukas until dark. Something else that worried them was the bigfeet, as it might have stepped on Lukas unknowingly. Anna and the men return from the search at midnight. The men in the family went to the Forest and searched all directions for Lukas. Malie and Sofie made a big fire in the middle of the Island to attract Lukas' attention. Koos, left for Deep Walls at daybreak to tell the foresters about Lukas. As days passed, people taking part in the search increased. They searched for Lukas for eight days. Months later, a skeleton, which possibly belongs to a smallish child was found. Posted by ShAnNoN at 6:53 AM Tuesday, August 4, 2009 summary Lukas family was worried because … 1Lukas disappeared. 2When one grew up in the Forest, he or she knew what awaited a child that wandered from a footpath or a sled-path when there he was alone. 3When the fog closed in, they kept the children in the house. 4Anna went to fetch the men as She knew the footpaths and she knew what to do when there are bigfeet along the way Malie, Sofie and Elias searched and called out for Lukas until dark. Barta cried so much that she could no longer cry anymore. There were many children that disappeared and were never found. Something else that worried them was the bigfeet. All week they've been tearing off bark and branches and eating around here. They would not even feel it if they stepped on a child in this dark night. Anna and the men were back at midnight. The men in the family went to the Forest and search all directions for Lukas. Malie and Sofie made a big fire in the middle of the Island to catch the attention of Lukas. Sofie's husband, Koos, left for Deep Walls at daybreak to tell the nearest forester about the missing child. Wherever the news had spread through the Forest, the woodcutters would offer help. As the days went by, the people taking part in the search of Lukas increased. Posted by ShAnNoN at 9:26 PM Sunday, August 2, 2009 It was all too much (draft 6) "Papa, my wish is than when I grow up, I want to work for the government just like you!" Hiresh exclaimed excitedly after he blew off the candles of his third Birthday cake. "Hiresh, pay attention in class and expert your English and you will definitely be able to enter the government service and become very powerful!" Hiresh's father, Nilesh, replied with encouragingly, patting Hiresh's head. Years past. Hiresh had always worked hard for his dream to work for the government. However, his dream was threatened when Sri Lanka gained independence, when the Sri Lankan government passed the Ceylon citizenship Act at 1948. As Hiresh and his family was Tamils, they found themselves stateless. The Tamils were upset as they found it difficult to find jobs or be promoted. Ethnic violence sparked off like a norm during those days as a result of the unfair management of the government of Sri Lanka. Hiresh asked his father, seethingly, as he shook his head in disgust, "Papa, why do we have to learn Sinhala?" "This is to benefit the Sinhalese, the majority," Hiresh's father responded in dismay, looking into his son's eyes. "They are at a disadvantage as they could not read or speak English well." "But, isn't English the most important language?" Hiresh wondered out aloud confusingly, as he tried to read his father's face. Holding on to his son's shoulders, Hiresh's father told Hiresh thoughtfully, "It is but Sinhala have been declared the official language in Srilanka. Now, only Sinhala is used as the language of administration in Sri Lanka." "But don't you think it is really unfair that out of the sudden, given only three weeks, we have to master Sinhala?" Hiresh muttered under his breath agitatedly, staring into his father's eyes. Hiresh's father was stumped by the question Hiresh asked him. Hiresh and his family had no other choice but to abide by the new law. Hiresh studied Sinhala, treating it as a small obstacle towards his dream of working for the government. After the Resettlement in 1950, Hiresh and his family are heavily out numbered by the Sinhalese in the area they live. Hiresh's effort of making it into the government service was paid off when he was given a post in the Government. However, it made Hiresh disappointed and also made him thought himself as a complete failure. He could not make a difference in the treatment provided to the Indian Tamils. Through the years, it was Hiresh's family's support was what kept him staying in the government service. University admission was based on merit and the examinations were in English, before 1970. After 1970, to benefit the Sinhalese, the government introduced a new university admission criterion. Hiresh felt a great sense of guilt when he was informed that the Tamil students had to score higher than the Sinhalese pupils in order to enter the same course in the universities. Moreover, a fixed number of places in the university were reserved for the Sinhalese. Admission was no longer based solely on academic results. Hiresh thought that, this system clearly showed that the Sinhalese were selfish. However, he had to witness the unfairness hopelessly. "Father, I feel hopeless and useless. I have to witness the injustice towards us Tamils, knowing that there was nothing that I could do... I feel that my choice of joining the government service was a mistake," Hiresh stammered distressingly, fighting back his tears. "Son, follow your heart, do what you want," Hiresh’s father encouraged hopefully, wiping the tears from Hirsh’s face.Hiresh’s father exclaimed confidently, “We believe in you and your choices." Hiresh followed his heart and quitted the government service. Unknowingly, he heaved a sigh of relief. All the policies had made the Tamils felt that they were discriminated. Though they have tried various ways to voice their unhappiness, none of them were successful. Therefore, the Tamils had to depend on their last resort, violence. A militant group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was formed. They believed that resorting to violence was the only way to demand and obtain the rights of the Tamils. When Hiresh found out about the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, he smiled sarcastically. Although the LTTE was a terrorist organization, he hoped with all his heart that, the rights of the Tamils could finally be retrieved. Violence did not come only from the Tamils. The Sinhalese also showed their hostility to Tamils. Riots sparked a long armed conflict between the government forces and the Tamil Tigers. The Tamil Tigers wanted an independent Tamil homeland in the north and east of the country. Hiresh could no longer state his stand whether the LTTE were a terrorist group or heroes of the Tamils. He wanted the best for the Indian Tamils but he also did not approve that violence was the correct way to earn back their respect. Only until recently, the Riots between the Sri Lanka government and Tamil Tigers came to an end, due to the wipe-out of the Tamil Tigers. However, will things stay peaceful in Sri Lanka? Or is the peace only temporary? Posted by ShAnNoN at 7:10 AM Saturday, August 1, 2009 Flyer Experience Draft 3 Fantastic sceneries of the feast of iconic and historical landmarks and views emerge in my mind when we were told that we were going to the Singapore Flyer. I was very excited and anxious as it was my first time on a Ferris wheel, moreover it was the world's tallest observation wheel. On the bus, all of us were noisy and mischievous. Ms Ho, the teacher that was in charge of our class, who was also our Physics teacher, was enraged. She demanded us to keep quite. With utmost reluctance, gave in to her demands. When we finally arrived at the Marina Bay area, the place was filled with cacophony of students' chatter. When I saw the Singapore Flyer, I stared in wonderment. I was impressed by the majestic structure of the Flyer. Anticipated fear struck me as I boarded the capsule. My breath accelerated with excitement. During the 'flight', I had the panoramic bird's eyes view of the Marina Bay to the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Merlion Park, Empress Place and the Padang.The view was breath-taking and indisputably beautiful. The 'flight' was not rocky but very firm and stable. Due to the superb engineering feat, without looking at the spectacular view, I would have thought that the capsule was stationary. During the flight, I was very anxious. I was nervous and was praying that it would be a safe thirty minutes ride as there was onces when Flyer stopped due to a minor fault in the braking system. However, I also felt safe as I was not alone. I had my classmates to keep me company.The 'flight' on the flyer definitely exceeded my expectations. My friend, Yu Ting, pointed at the Merlion and exclaimed excitedly," Hey! Shannon thats you!" Everyone on the capsule, including me, laughed. This incident reminded me of how I was given that nickname. It was really funny and unbelievable. I was drinking water as spat it out because something funny occurred thus, she thought I looked like the Merlion. The Merlion was first designed as an emblem for the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in 1964 – the lion head with a fish body resting on a crest of waves quickly became Singapore’s icon to the rest of the world. Although I was embarrassed, it was a very joyous experience. The trip to the Singapore Flyer has imprinted in my mind as it filled me with excitement and anxiety. Although I might go for more trips on the Flyer, it would never be the same and fill my stomach with butterflies like this trip, as this trip was my first lesson in the world's highest classroom. I think that it’s the only place to see Singapore’s magnificent cityscape. I think that more places of attraction like the Singapore Flyer and the Intergrated Resort should be built in order to attract more tourist. It will improve the economy in Singapore. Although through this trip, I learnt that I suffer from Acrophobia, I will definitely recommend others to the Flyer. However, they will never experience the trip on the Flyer like I did! Acknowledgements : http://www.singaporeflyer.com/en/visitor-guide/9-great-reasons-to-visit.html and http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/what_to_see/landmarks_and_memorials/merlion_park.ht Posted by ShAnNoN at 5:17 AM		what? me? SHANNON 15 CBSS English all the way! :D extras Extras Extras Extras extras Extras Extras Extras extras Extras Extras Extras kindly. SHOUT. archives January 2008 March 2008 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 July 2009 August 2009 November 2009 January 2010 February 2010 March 2010 April 2010 linkages 3E2 credits Designer Eric Sim (Kukubird) Picture Eric Sim (Kukubird) Brushes and Textures Hybrid Genesis, Misprinted- Type, and Eric Sim Pattern Squidfingers