HOLIDAY ARRIVAL...

The year has finally come to an end. It has been only awhile since the November and December break started. I suddenly feel that the days seem to be passing very slowly. I feel that though it's already the second week of the holiday or so, when it's just the first week of school break. A class of 41 has been decreased to an enrolment of 39 when Yi Wen transferred school at the beginning of the year and Stefan migrated to Canada on October this year. And now, it will be decreasing to 34 pupils in total for our class next year apparently; as four of our classmates were demoted to the Normal Acadamic level while one more is being retained. It is quite sad though, as our bond together as a class has always been very strong. But hopefully, these five of our classmates will be able to work hard and strive for good results still. DON'T EVER GIVE UP!! =D This goes for my classmates of 4V5 next year too!!! As for now,next year's 4 serve and 5 seek classes are having the Head start program to prepare us well fo rnext year's O'level. Overall,do make good use of the holiday! HAPPY HOLIDAY TO ALL!=D

DEEPAVALI

Hello everyone. Tomorrow is Deepavali. I found this article on the internet, and thought that you might like to read it if you want to know more about this festival. I would like to wish all our Hindu teachers and students 'Happy Deepavali'.

Introduction

Deepavali also known as Diwali, literally means "row or garland of lights". Locally, it has been called "The Festival of Lights". It is symbolic of victory of good over evil, celebrated by most Hindus the world over. It highlights the victory of Lord Krishna, one of the deities of the Hindu pantheon, over the Demon King, Narakasura. It usually falls around late October or early November on the new moon day. Deepavali also known as Diwali, literally means "row or garland of lights". Locally, it has been called "The Festival of Lights". It is symbolic of victory of good over evil, celebrated by most Hindus the world over. It highlights the victory of Lord Krishna, one of the deities of the Hindu pantheon, over the Demon King, Narakasura. It usually falls around late October or early November on the new moon day.

Legend

Legend has it that Narakasura, the king of demons, had tortured the common folk. After many years of hardship, the people, unable to bear the suffering, appealed to Lord Krishna who then declared war against the demon king. As he lay dying, the demon king begged for mercy from Lord Krishna and he asked that the people rejoice and be merry at the anniversary of his death as a reminder that ultimately evil will never triumph. Little clay lamps were then lighted as a sign of gratitude to Lord Krishna.Some Hindus believe that Deepavali is celebrated to mark the return of Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana after being banished from Ayodhya by his stepmother for a period of 14 years. An important reminder is that Deepavali is not the Indian or Hindu new year. The Tamil New Year falls on either 13 or 14 April every year.

Preparations

Preparations start weeks before with the spring cleaning of the home. New clothes are bought and women take great pains to make cakes, sweetmeats and other tidbits, the favourite being murukku. Hindus also believe that departed souls return during this time. So, favourite foods of the departed along with new clothes are placed on banana leaves before the photographs of the departed and prayers done.

Deepavali

Early in the morning, the Hindus will have the traditional oil bath. The body is rubbed and massaged from head to toe with gingelly oil (aka sesame oil) that is extracted from fermented sesame seeds. When all the members have had their bath and don their new clothes, special prayers are held at the family altar. Decorative designs or rice flour paintings (aka rangoli)with intricate designs usually done by womenfolk on the floor at the entrances of homes. Hindus also make it a point to visit temples early in the morning to receive the blessings of Lord Krishna and the Goddess of Wealth. Then it is time for either visiting friends or receiving them. At night, children play with sparklers and are allowed to light clay lamps and display them along the window ledges or doorways.

Author: Rakunathan Narayanan

hmm, well, just showing you guys a cute video that will just tickles you. So, have fun!




Well, baby sure will brighten up your day isn't it? However, my mum disagree. She said, ''they sure are cute but are sure tough to take care''. haa.. Maybe she's referring to me..hmm..

Bye Bye Stefan

Well, I've been waiting for someone to post this, but looks like no one will. A post to say goodbye to our classmate, Stefan Dimitrov. He and his family have migrated to Vancouver, Canada. We wish them all the best in their new life, and we hope that someday Stefan will return to Singapore a holiday.

Stefan was originally from Bulgaria, and he was one Pioneer student you couldn't miss because he was the only Caucasian student around. Stefan adapted well to life in Singapore and in neighbourhood schools. He was a popular student who enjoyed playing rugby, and he was a prefect too.

I am sure Stefan will fit in very well in Vancouver, and have lots of fun there. Thanks for the good times Stefan. Good luck!

Here is a picture of my group.Spartans.

sec 3 camp 2007

The sec 3 camp which took place on 15,16 and 17 Aug at Jalan Bahtera was really fun.I really enjoyed it and didn't regret going there.My group name is Spartans.Consist mainly students from 3v6 and 3v7.The activities organised were great.Such as the flying fox,kayaking and absailing.The campfire was really memorable as it was our last night there.All the groups are supposed to present something.My group danced to a catchy song-Beautiful Girl.It was a really good experience.

Cream puff and eclairs making

Today,the FNN student went to 201 keppel road for a baking course.We baked to items cream puff and eclairs.The name of the place is Baking Industry Training Centre(BITC).We went there by bus.
When we reached there, we were told to put our bag down, take our items and go to the kitchen.We had ourselves group in two or three.We were introduce to our instructor Khoo Kim Leng.we measured the margarine,water and flour.We were told to boil the margarine and water together.When the mixture boils we are suppose to put the flour in it. we had to keep on stirring to prevent our mixture from getting burnt. Next we put it into the cake mixing machine.they cake mixing machine was mixing up the mixture.we had to wait till the mixture was cold before putting the eggs in.After putting the eggs in,the mixture was very sticky.

Our instructor gave us the piping tip and piping paper.We had to pipe the puff and the eclairs.For the puff,we had to squeeze the piping mixture to formed a star shaped.And for the eclair we had to squeeze and drag it along to make a line.For piping of the puff we have to hold the piping nozzles straight and the eclairs to hold at an angle of 45* angle.We had to write our names on the baking tray.It was soon in the oven baking.After 20 minutes we took it out.

We had to cut the eclairs and puff at the side and pipe in the cream. After piping in the cream, our instructor had melted chocolate and were ready to put on the eclairs.We had to dumped the top side of it in the chocolate.After dumping them we had to place it in the fridge to harden up the chocolate.After that we packed it in our container and set off for home.It was an exciting and enjoying experience for all of us.