Part A: Update

Just like most, I was mainly involved in the Seniors’ Fair 2007 and the heritage trail at Chinatown. I will not be saying much as my experiences were similar to the other interns.

A warning I received from Seniors’ Fair is that my ability to comprehend and speak hokkien is seriously in the red. I was helping the elderly to fill up their survey forms and it was hard to relate well. Dialects should not be ignored. It is still very relevant in our society.

A whisper I could not forget during the heritage trail was about the spending power of young children today. Throughout the whole journey, the primary students kept complaining to me that I was lame as I did not allow them to buy things. At the end, they slipped away and returned with many plastic bags. The items were not cheap. Maybe it was the festive season and parents gave them more than usual. Maybe it is otherwise. I am really afraid I will be like them too.

A wish I hope that may come true is that people can engage elderly better in Singapore. After the spring cleaning, I realised that many old folks are rather lonely. It seems to me that there is a social stigma. The aged seems to be perceived by many as an outcast. Not many would not treat an elderly as a friend unless of the same age. Meanwhile, older people here seem to end up being cleaners when most of these jobs are taken up by youths in many other countries. The old lady whom I helped to clean her house was quiet. I wonder if she is just her or years of isolation. It is still a long way for this wish to come true.

Part B: Plato’s Republic

It is another book that startled me
Another book filled with complexity
As I do not fancy comprehension
I was reading with mounting tension

I do not really understand many of the points
Even though some of it may sound like Singapore
I hope I did not misunderstood the text
I hope I did not confuse you

I find the concept too idealistic
And it maybe a bit unrealistic
From a perfect education to justice being fair within
Achieving these will be tough indeed

With regards to education as the first stage
The book indicates that it must instil good
Literature should reflect love and kindness
So as to forestall an undue tolerance of wickedness

We can do that as it is beneficial
But not entirely with coercion
I should not be good because of what others say
I should be good because of what I say

Physical training is emphasize on males
As the book suggests that men should be should strong
Both on the physical and mental aspects So they can defend with respect

Protecting the country is crucial for all
But denying entirely a man to be soft is wrong after all
No matter how strong a person is at all times
It is still only his rights to seek comfort sometimes

Equality between genders is also raised
As the book stresses resources should not be left to waste
Men and women should not work in bipartisanship
They should be working in partnership

I do agree with that idea
As I belief the opposite gender can contribute
However, I think it will never be attained
As both sides are simply still selfish

Another interesting thing in the book
Is about guardians and auxiliaries and the classes
It is said all of them must work with determination
It is said a proper education must be taught to them

It is vital they must serve the community
Nevertheless the criteria maybe set too high
People with such noble characteristic are rare
And it hard for them to sustain that flare

Now I will move on to The Cave
Reading it first time was as if being lost in a cave
The third time reading allowed me to get it vaguely
This analogy daunted me silently

The concept of those being enlightened
Helping those who lives in the cave
Is very hard to learn
I am not, at any point, enlightened

Finally, I just want to ask another question
As I find it hard to swallow
How can a group of people have such a long conversation?
Without being carried away…

Jameson