This week's journal entry is about blogging.

Everything has pros and cons, blogging has no exceptions.

We shall first start of with the pros of blogging. Blogging allows the blog owner to vent his anger and frustrations, it allow the owner of the blog to express what they cannot in reality. For examlpe, when I'm very pissed with a person, yet i do not have the courage to tell him in the face, blogging is a good way to let the person know how I felt about him.

Blogging also improves our language. As we all know, most blogs are interactive with the visitors. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. So Blogger normally do visit other people's blog for fresh idea or maybe a new style in blogging. Most bloggers also like to blog about hot topics such as football stars or the latest news on televison. Thus blogging will result in the increase of one's vocabulary and also general knowledge.

Now for the cons. Some unconsiderate bloggers would use the blog as a place to scold and curse their enermies, which will really cause alot of trouble and conflict. Blogging may also be used to slander people of different race or religeon, which is a very bad sign. Singapore is a multi-racial society, we have people of all races and religions living or working with us, what will they think of us if we were to pass racist remarks casually on our blog. Another thing is the need for constant updating of blogs. Bloggers should know, owning a blog actually takes up alot of time. Teenager nowadays treat blogging so seriously that they would sacrifise wthier studying time just for the sake of blogging, this is indeed a very bad sign. Although blogging might be entertaining, it would take us no where. Another thing is the use of 'Singlish' in blogs, short forms are commonly used in blogs and in would affect our use of proper english. For example, sometimes I get so used to the way I used the short forms for blogging, I end up using them during a english assignment.

So in conclusion, I want to appeal to all bloggers to blog only at the appropriate time and also to use the appropriate tone and language while blogging.

The man writhing on the ground claws at my leg desperately. Disgusted, I kick savagely at his body.

"Save me..."

As the man formerly known as my accomplice gasps out this last request, I kneel down at his feet. Forcefully, I yank back his head, putting his face so close to mine he can smell my triumph and satisfication. I brandish the knife, dripping with blood, wiping it on his face, enjoying the look of fear and disgust on his face.

"Well, Brandon. I paid the debt for you, went to jail for twenty long years. I lost my freedom, I lost my dignity. When I came out, friends turned their backs on me, and my own family refused to acknowledge me." I laughed mirthlessly, clenching my fist together as the memories brought back wave upon wave of fresh pain. "Yellow ribbon project? I went to find a job, and yet, everyone refused to hire me! They thought I was a serial killer, they thought that once they turned their backs, I would stab them, both metaphorically and literally!" My voice cracked open with raw emotion.

"I'm sorry..." These two words seemed a great deal of torture to Brandon, as blood spurted out of the wide gash on his chest. "I didn't mean to..."

"But you did! You didn't mean to, but you did!" I rounded on him, knelt before him and held the blade to his chest again, cutting the wound open, watching with satisfication as Brandon let out a scream. "You weren't supposed to kill them, we were just suppose to rob them to satisfy the triad leaders. You were the one who killed them, while I was the one who begged for their mercy. And yet, I was the one who paid for your sins in jail, while you got off scot-free!" I clenched my fists, trying to control the wave after wave of anger and cascading down on me.

And then, my mind flew back to her. Although she wasnt the prettiest in the strictest sense, she had a personality that anyone could fall in love with, warm, caring and open. We loved each other, in fact, we engaged and she was in the midst of all the wedding preparations. Although she had objected to the fact that I was part of a triad, she was merely worried for my safety. And then, I had been accused of murder, a sin so great that she had been unable to withstand it. I watched my relationship with her break down and tear apart, I vowed, then, that I would have my revenge.

"Goodbye." I watched in satisfication as Brandon heaved his last, rattling breaths, as his eyes closed, and his hand fell, limp and lifeless.

Strangely, I did not feel any remorse.

The story is about the a grey 'duck' that is very differnent in terms of apperance compared to his siblings. A mother duck hatches her eggs and, while most of her ducklings are normal, one is grey, too large, and too clumsy to fit in among the others. The mother duck tried to accept him but the entire farm does not accept him, after a period of ill-treatment, he decided to leave.
'The ugly duckling' is then being taken care of by an old woman in her poor cottage, but her cat and her hen will not accept him and he is forced to set off once again on his own. He wanders for the entire winter, for no one will take him in. He nearly freezed to death on several occasions, but was saved by a hunter. After a while, he eventually wandered to the wild again.

By the end of winter, he is miraculously still alive. He comes to a pond in a park, where white swans are swimming. He is drawn to their beauty, he then approach them. To his surprise, the beautiful swans accept him. Gazing at his own reflection, he sees that he too is a swan. The children declare that he is the most beautiful swan of them all, yet he is not proud.

I learnt that it would be tough for an 'outsider' to find him/her place in the society, so we must learnt to accept everyone, even if he/she is the minority. I have also leant that we must not look down on someone if he is weak in some areas, as he might turn out to be the next 'ugly duckling', turining into a gorgeous swan in the future. I leant that we must not be proud, even if we are beautiful, handsome etc, just like the ugly duckling. Because of all that the ugly duckling suffered, he now appreciates his happiness so much more. From that i also leant that we must cherish what we have now at the present.

'GERRARD MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY' is the book i chose.

There are a number of reasons i chose this book. Firstly, I am a loyal fan of Liverpool football club. Being a local lad and the captain of the Liverpool team, Steven Gerrard is obviously my favourite football player! Choosing this book, I will then be allowed an intimate glimpse of what makes my hero tick.

This book is defintely worth reading is because it's honest, passionate, revealing and exhilarating. This book tells the story of his lifelong obsession with football to his legion of fans. It also goes over all the highs and lows of his career from winning the Champions League in Istanbul to getting kicked out of the world cup in Germany. The book comprises of his personal journey from a young, gifted, determined lad to a most complete international football icon. It also tell us about his private life, his much-loved family and friends. The process of courting his wife has also been honestly written. This book is a must have for all the Liverpool fans especially those who adore Steven Gerrard but even for non-Liverpool fans this gives such a great insight into one of England's greatest sportmen of the current generation.

The most interesting event that happened has to be the UEFA Champions League final game against the mighty AC Milan. An estimated 40,000 Liverpudlians followed their heroes to Istanbul but when Milan raced into a 3-0 interval lead it looked as though their trip had been vain. Cue an inspirational half-time team talk from the boss, Rafael Benitez, a passionate rallying cry from the fans and the most amazing comeback of all time, inspired by none other than Steven Gerrard.

The Reds were hit with a sucker punch after just 53-seconds when Milan captain Maldini fired the Italians ahead. It was to get worse. Harry Kewell limped off injured in the 23rd minute and before the striker Hernan Crespo, added another two. Liverpool's Champions League dream looked all but over and the half-time whistle couldn't come quickly enough.

They were sitting in the dressing room and we could clearly hear thousands of fans singing You'll Never Walk Alone. They were 3-0 down in the Champions League final and all we could hear were 45,000 people letting them know they still believed in them. They knew they had endured a long journey and made so many sacrifices to be there. It was at that point we started to believe too.

The comeback of all comebacks began in the 54th minute. Riise crossed from the left and Gerrard glanced a header past Dida to lift Liverpool's spirits. Liverpool's first goal may, at the time, have seemed nothing but a mere consolation but when Vladimir Smicer, on as a substitute for the injured Kewell, added a second goal, hope sprang eternal.

Liverpool fans and they sent shivers down many spine. A mass of 40,000 people became one force behind their team. That's something not many teams have. With the Milan defence visibly rocking Liverpool continued to go all out and earn a well deserved penalty, when Gattuso brought down Gerrard in the penalty area. The all-important equaliser duly came when Xabi Alonso converted on the rebound after Dida had saved his spot-kick.

The tension heightened as the penalty shoot-out commenced, the Reds had to hold their nerve to triumph. Dudek's final save from Shevchenko sparked delirious scenes on and off the pitch. Liverpool were Kings of Europe once again and the celebrations commenced. It was indeed a wonderful feeling seeing Gerrard lift the Europen Cup up high again.

From the most amazing comeback of all time, i had learn that miracles really do exist. They showed that football is the most beautiful sport of all. The match will definitely last forever. The Liverpool fans also taught me to stick by someone through thick and thin, they showed their unconditional support at half-time when they were losing 3-0 and still they didn't stop singing. Determination is another thing that i have been taught, the Liverpool's players showed a lot of determination and never gave up. They showed a lot of character to come back from three goals down. They showed grit, determination and bravery.

Following the World Cup in 2006, a number of autobiographies by England players began to appear. Only this one sold. Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and especially Ashley Cole achieved sales on a scale from 'disappointing' to 'disasterous'. This book and this book alone among them stood out and was snapped up in huge amounts. Why?

If you do not know the reason yet, by the time you've finish reading the book, you will know...

What will make or break a team?

This is our journal topic for this week, I will focus on the qualities/ attributes of successful groups and the reasons for their success. I will also highlight the pitfalls that should be avoided so that the team doesn't break.

A successful group requires good teamwork. Good teamwork starts with a shared understanding with your team-mates and wanting to accomplish a common goal. Although team members have thier own designated responsibilities, they are suppose to help others when required. The teams work well and individuals do their fair share of the work.

On the down side, some students avoid learning important principles and skills. They are just after the grade and in the belief that real learning only starts when they get a job, resulting in little contribution to a team. A team might also consist of students who both care and don't care about learning. High performers have to carry the load of their own education they also carry the weight of the team slackers. Students who don't care get a free ride and a grade that they did not earn, giving them open opportunities for not learning.

What can you do as a member of your team to make success happen?

I will try to participate actively in all the activities and do my fair share of work. I will also try not to slack and help my team-mates, if they are unsure of anything. If evryone in my team does the same, we will most likely be successful.

School life for the first four weeks was indeed hectic, it was so different from our secondary two lifes. Teachers are more strict, lessons are more confusing and homework are more challenging. Many of us had a hard time trying to cope with the huge amount of homework given. My class, 3D consisted of students of all classes and students who take core geography, music or art. Many of us came from different class, so we do not know each other very well yet, but our boys in the class had already start to bond with one another, the first day of school and we were already playing soccer together.

They say secondary three is the 'prime period' for your co-curriculum activities (CCA), it was indeed true, many of us are very busy with our CCA nowadays. For me, i have been so busy with my CCA that i have to stay back almost everyday after school. Since we would be taking over our CCA soon, as the secondary four are preparing to step down due to thier O levels examination, it is a time for us to put in our best, and we will reap what we had sowed.

I will like to end this off with a quote.
"The fruit is at the back" ~Eugene Loh Heng Meng


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