Flowers for Algernon Play(Linguistic B)

Here is a play for a scene in Flowers for Algernon...

Scene in restaurant

Crash!(plates crash)

Everyone: Gasp!

Customers: Mazeltov!, Pick 'em up boy!

Manager(enraged): What is going on here!?

Boy: (frightened, shivers)

Manager: Well don't just stand there! Get a broom, you idiot, a broom!! It's in the kitchen!!

(Boy realizes he is not going to get whacked. He smiles sheepishly and walks to the kitchen.)

Manager: Well, you just can't get good help these days, I can't believe I got a mentally-
challenged boy for a dishwasher!

(Manager walks back into kitchen, the boy returns with a broom and a commotion starts.)

Customers: He's not so dumb after all! It's easier to break 'em then to wash 'em!Here, there's a nice piece behind you! No, no the other side you dope! (laughs)

(Boy smiles)

Charlie: Shut up! Stop mocking him! He can't help it! He was born this way, you know?

(Silence)

(Charlie feels his cheeks red hot, curses himself for acting so rashly. He walks out of the restaurant.)

END OF PLAY

Be Happy, Live Heathily

Studies have shown that people with a sunny outlook on life are less likely to develop heart disease than those who are less happy or outright glum. 1,739 men and women over 10 years participated in the health-monitoring project in Nova Scotia. Trained personnel gave a detailed report of the participants' health and risk before the start of the project. The observers rated symptoms of depression, hostility and anxiety as well as "positive" counterparts -- joy, happiness, enthusiasm and contentment -- on a five-point scale.

They found out that people with the "increased positive affect" lessened the risk of heart disease by 22 percent for each point on the scale, and may have 'longer' periods of relaxation and quicker stress recovery.

They caution, though, that clinical trials are needed to explore the heart-happiness link before doctors can issue any recommendations on how to prevent cardiac disease by enhancing positive emotions. However, I feel that overall, a healthy mindset can overcome the worst illnesses. Therefore, I urge you, Be Happy, and wear a smile on your face!

P.S. Feel free to comment!
P.P.S. Here's a link to the news article online:
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20100219/tts-health-disease-heart-psychology-c1b2fc3.html

$7b Boost to Transform Economy

I refer to the article dated 23 February 2010. The government has revealed a multi-billion-dollar plan to help companies and workers here work smarter, grow and become globally competitive. They will be trying to improve on these five areas:

1.BOOSTING PRODUCTIVITY
$5.5b over five years, including:
-$1b for new National Productivity Fund
-$480m annually in new incentives to spur innovation
-$2.5b over five years for training and skills upgrading

2.SPURRING INNOVATION
-$1.5b to promote research and development
-$450m over five years to boost government-private sector collaborations

3.BUILDING COMPETITIVE COMPANIES
-$250m over five years to upgrade local companies' capabilities
-$100m to strengthen business associations
-Up to $250m for Government to co-invest in promising companies

4.HELPING WORKERS UPGRADE
-At least $100m for new Workfare scheme and higher Workfare payouts

5.FAMILIES AND HOME-OWNERS
-$230m to lower property tax
-$310m to top up CPF Medisave Accounts of those aged >50
-$230m to top up Post-Secondary Education Accounts
-$200m more each for Medifund and the Eldercare Fund
-Higher relief for taxpayers staying with parents and the disabled

The aim of all this is to raise the productivity rate by a few percentile, and to help to upgrade jobs. If Singapore achieves this, incomes could rise by as much as one-third, which is important because this is a great opportunity for Singapore companies to expand abroad, while their skill-sets are in high demand. And if they are successful, better and more jobs would be in turn created back in Singapore. Measures that have been implemented would benefit the lower- and middle- income households.There will also be tax reliefs for those who are supporting their parents and grandparents. Housewives who are also breadwinners can also claim relief.

I think that the government has set an ambitious goal, but it is achievable if we try hard enough.

P.S. What are your views on the $7b boost? Feel free to comment!
P.P.S. Here are some helpful links: http://app.singaporebudget.gov.sg/budget_2010/default.aspx
http://app.reach.gov.sg/reach/NewsEvents/Events/Budget2010/tabid/281/default.aspx
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_444240.html
http://sg.video.yahoo.com/watch/7046459/18331562

Dozens of primate species on the brink

Close to half the planet's 634 known primate species are threatened with dying out, the result of habitual destruction. But in Southeast Asia, hunting for food and traditional medicines made from animal parts--fueled by an illegal trade in wildlife--is an even greater threat. Of the top 25 endangered primate species, five are on the island Madagascar, six on the African continent, three in South America and eleven in Southeast Asia. The least likely to survive would most likely be the golden-headed langur of Vietnam, found exclusively on the island of Cat Ba in the Gulf of Tonkin. Only 60-70 individuals remain. Two other species hover at the 100 mark: the lovable sportive lemur of Madagascar(In the movie "Madagascar"; I like to MOVE IT!), and the eastern black crested gibbon of northern Vietnam.

I feel that we should do our part to help the endangered species to stay on this planet for the many generations to come.

P.S. Feel free to comment
P.P.S. Here is the link for the online article:
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20100218/tts-environment-species-primates-c1b2fc3.html

From Worst to near First

For centuries, the northern Indian state of Bihar has been plunging downhill. Once the seat of one of the world's greatest empires, the state was first devastated by colonial policies that enshrined feudal landlords, then shunned by a succession of Indian governments, and finally riven and destroyed when the seeds of caste and class conflict matured into a small-scale civil war in the 1970s. By the 1990s, brazen and deadly highway robberies put an end to travelling after nightfall, and as business activity plummeted, kidnapping for ransom was declared the state's only growth industry. The state, had failed, 'epic-ly'. Institutions collapsed, and law and order came to a grinding halt.

However, this state, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has posted some stunning statistics this January. Despite the 2008/09 economic crisis and three years of draughts and floods, Bihar posted 11 percent average annual economic growth, making it the second-fastest-growing state in India and the second-hottest major economy in the world after China. The administration has transformed the once impassable badlands into 6800 kilometres of roads, 1600 bridges and culverts and shortened average journey time by half. Crimes by roving bandits fell rapidly from 1297 to 640, and kidnappings for ransom dropped from 411 to 66 between 2004 and 2008, prompting the rise of foreign tourists from 95000 to 365000 annually.

Under Nitish Kumar, things have dramatically improved. This state is the perfect role model for other states that are struggling with the same issues.

P.S. Feel free to comment

Is it fair for S'poreans and PRs to pay a S$100 casino levy at RWS?

Is it fair for Singaporeans and PRs to pay a $100 levy at RWS?

What do YOU think?

Personally, I feel that the government had done the right thing, because this will discourage gamblers from going there, as the $100 levy is equivalent to the transport cost to the Genting Highlands casino. Also, this will help filter out us curious Singaporeans from exploring and "jamming up" the casino. The casino will earn more money from foreigners and not from us, which is good as it will boost our economy. Some Singaporeans who just want to have the thrill of gambling, but are actually not hardcore gamblers, would be discouraged by the levy and not get into the casino, which reduces the possibility of them getting addicted.

All in all, I think that the levy was a good move by the government.
That's all for now! Thanks for reading!

P.S. Feel free to comment!
P.P.S Here's a link for a video on this topic: http://sg.video.yahoo.com/watch/6996626/18189687