Post 141 Always be a good person
I have been asked to give my opinion for what it is worth on moral values by a group of college students. They raised this question because the supposedly sinful acts of Criminal Breach of Trust (CBT) in society have now become a norm among the so-called high society.
All societies, oriental and Western alike, attach much importance to both cultural and moral values. People in general have long been influenced by religions to manifest how pious and God fearing they are. They try their best to be morally upright to shine forth light to the world. However there is now a tendency for people who are guilty of corruption, be it financial or moral, to defend their actions without any sign of remorse and compunction. Their focus in life is no more on righteous actions and on human morality.
There is a Chinese proverb which says that a single slip may cause lasting sorrow; the mistake committed due to fleshly desires becomes the regret of a lifetime. When a person is richer in ill-gotten wealth, he is poorer in integrity.
Your moral values are what you are. – Quote by Ho Nee Yong
24 April 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Old habits die hard
Post 140 Existing habits are hard to change
After my retirement I have more free time to go to my club for a swim. It is at the changing room that the English proverb of ‘Old habits die hard’ always comes to my mind. The habits of a few adults are so shockingly annoying that it is hard to believe until you witness them yourself. They will just leave the dressing room with their slippers and towels strewn around thereby causing inconveniences for other users. It is obvious that they have not been properly nurtured to be tidy and considerate. The prestige that goes with the club membership has not added to them the more refined art of behaving in public. As one cannot teach old dog new tricks, the bad habits may most likely be tagging along with them wherever they go.
A person’s manners reflect the background of his family. As bad habits are contagious, children learn them with ease but will find it difficult to get rid of them. Hence good parenting begets children with good character. This explains why in ancient China parents had to find out in great details the family background of a prospective daughter-in-law. They had to make sure that she was from a family of good character. The honour of a family must be preserved as far as possible.
Good habits must be nurtured early before less desirable ones overtake them.-Quote by Ho Nee Yong
17 April 2012
After my retirement I have more free time to go to my club for a swim. It is at the changing room that the English proverb of ‘Old habits die hard’ always comes to my mind. The habits of a few adults are so shockingly annoying that it is hard to believe until you witness them yourself. They will just leave the dressing room with their slippers and towels strewn around thereby causing inconveniences for other users. It is obvious that they have not been properly nurtured to be tidy and considerate. The prestige that goes with the club membership has not added to them the more refined art of behaving in public. As one cannot teach old dog new tricks, the bad habits may most likely be tagging along with them wherever they go.
A person’s manners reflect the background of his family. As bad habits are contagious, children learn them with ease but will find it difficult to get rid of them. Hence good parenting begets children with good character. This explains why in ancient China parents had to find out in great details the family background of a prospective daughter-in-law. They had to make sure that she was from a family of good character. The honour of a family must be preserved as far as possible.
Good habits must be nurtured early before less desirable ones overtake them.-Quote by Ho Nee Yong
17 April 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
"What day is today?"
Post 139 Language learning
When I was in the Chinese primary school in a small town in the 1950s, the first thing my Year 3 English teacher would do when he entered the class was to ritually ask us: “What day is today?” The class would then respond by saying “Today is Monday” or “Today is Friday.” To us his name was “What day is today?”
The environment for learning English in my hometown at that time was at best, very unsatisfactory. It is a totally different scenario now. The state-of-the-art digital technology has made language learning joyful for children through DVDs and other Audio-visual aids inventions. As a learner and speaker of the English language, I wish to convey my thoughts of the importance of English in Malaysia.
English played a vital role in nation-building. Malaysia is what it is today because of our forefathers' ability to use English to negotiate independence from the British, communicate with the international community, acquire knowledge and ideas to move ahead of other neighbouring countries, and attract foreign investments and tourists. However it is a pity that the same cannot be said of the present generation and students as the majority are struggling with English, both spoken and written. They simply lack the competence, confidence, fluency and skills in English. How are they going to lead, run and manage the affairs of the country in the globalised world? English is not to be deliberately denied and ignored. The sooner we know and acknowledge this fact, the better it is for us.
To be monolingual is like a one-eye Jack whose vision is narrow and limited.-Quote by Ho Nee Yong
10 April 2012
When I was in the Chinese primary school in a small town in the 1950s, the first thing my Year 3 English teacher would do when he entered the class was to ritually ask us: “What day is today?” The class would then respond by saying “Today is Monday” or “Today is Friday.” To us his name was “What day is today?”
The environment for learning English in my hometown at that time was at best, very unsatisfactory. It is a totally different scenario now. The state-of-the-art digital technology has made language learning joyful for children through DVDs and other Audio-visual aids inventions. As a learner and speaker of the English language, I wish to convey my thoughts of the importance of English in Malaysia.
English played a vital role in nation-building. Malaysia is what it is today because of our forefathers' ability to use English to negotiate independence from the British, communicate with the international community, acquire knowledge and ideas to move ahead of other neighbouring countries, and attract foreign investments and tourists. However it is a pity that the same cannot be said of the present generation and students as the majority are struggling with English, both spoken and written. They simply lack the competence, confidence, fluency and skills in English. How are they going to lead, run and manage the affairs of the country in the globalised world? English is not to be deliberately denied and ignored. The sooner we know and acknowledge this fact, the better it is for us.
To be monolingual is like a one-eye Jack whose vision is narrow and limited.-Quote by Ho Nee Yong
10 April 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Inflation
Post 138 Costs of living
When I was in the primary school Year one in the 1950s, I could buy a bowl of noodle at the school canteen for 5 cents. When I was in Year 4 it went up to 10 cents as compared to 20 cents a bowl sold in the market. A loaf of Cold Storage bread cost 24 cents. I remember queuing up for one hour at the only cinema in town to buy a 3rd Class ticket for Cheap Matinee shows on Sundays at 20 cents. The normal tickets were sold at 40 cents each. A single storey link house in town in the 1960s could be bought at RM10, 000. My late father bought his brand new Morris Minor for RM4, 000 in the 1950s. The cost of living has gone up tremendously since then. In terms of purchasing power, one practically cannot buy anything for 5 cents now.
The rise in the cost of living means less consumer goods and services can be had with the same amount of money. Therefore if the salary or earning of a person remains the same, he becomes poorer. To him inflation has set in. However in countries with good governance and leaders of integrity, the people will not feel the pressure of high cost of living because the increase in their earnings is more than the increase in inflation rate. In fact with more money in hand, they are able to travel round the world and spend freely.
Inflation is when your children’s starting pay is near your maximum on retirement. –Quote from Ho Nee Yong
3 April 2012
When I was in the primary school Year one in the 1950s, I could buy a bowl of noodle at the school canteen for 5 cents. When I was in Year 4 it went up to 10 cents as compared to 20 cents a bowl sold in the market. A loaf of Cold Storage bread cost 24 cents. I remember queuing up for one hour at the only cinema in town to buy a 3rd Class ticket for Cheap Matinee shows on Sundays at 20 cents. The normal tickets were sold at 40 cents each. A single storey link house in town in the 1960s could be bought at RM10, 000. My late father bought his brand new Morris Minor for RM4, 000 in the 1950s. The cost of living has gone up tremendously since then. In terms of purchasing power, one practically cannot buy anything for 5 cents now.
The rise in the cost of living means less consumer goods and services can be had with the same amount of money. Therefore if the salary or earning of a person remains the same, he becomes poorer. To him inflation has set in. However in countries with good governance and leaders of integrity, the people will not feel the pressure of high cost of living because the increase in their earnings is more than the increase in inflation rate. In fact with more money in hand, they are able to travel round the world and spend freely.
Inflation is when your children’s starting pay is near your maximum on retirement. –Quote from Ho Nee Yong
3 April 2012
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