20,000 leagues under the sea

This book is called 20,000 leagues under the sea. It was a classic novel written by Jules Verne in 1870, before submarines were a reality and invented. The story begins with everyone in Europe and America spreading rumors about a giant mysterious creature sinking ships on the sea and destroying surface vessels. Due to this mystery that haunts every sailors and people that involved, the United States government decide to send out Abraham Lincoln to search and capture the creature. On board the ship are a marine biologist and a protagonist, Professor Pierre Aronnax along with his servant, Conseil. And in addition, Ned Land , the king of the harpooners. They had join a task force to rid the seas of a monster terrorizing shipping lanes which also known as the "monster".

And so, the journey starts at the Alantic Ocean. Traveling across the sea for a long period of time, the team still has not find the sea monster, but little they know, they find out the creature in the Pacific Ocean and they chase it along to where it goes. But unfortuntely, the monster is far beyond faster than the Abraham Lincoln to catch its prey. During the long chase, the Abraham Lincoln is damaged badly and sinks to the bottom of the sea the three characters have fall overboard into the ocean. To their surprise, they eventually become conscious and find that they are on top of the mysterious creature that they are hunting for. And on top of it, they realize that the creature is not alive at all, its actually an underwater vessel controlled by the commander of this vessel, Captain Nemo. Under Captain Nemo's acknowledgement, the vessel is called Nautilus. It is powered by electricity and is a highly technoligical submarine. Captain Nemo is also a scientific genius, he created the vessel. In order to "escape" the real world and seek for adventure. He recruited his crews and live his life alone under the sea.

Later, Aronnax, Conseil and Land were captured and were told to stay in the vessel and enjoy the freedom . And also they were permitted to leave the ship and were treated as prisonners. In the vessel, Captain Nemo treats the men very wel, especially Aronnax. They are clothed and fed and could wander around the vessel for their pleasure. However, Ned Land remains firm and promised that he will try to escape the vessel. In the vessel, they almost spend all their time in the vessel observing the mysterious sea life . Arronax who are guided by Captain Nemo was fascinated by the wonders of the sea, as well as Conseil. Meanwhile, Aronnax also studies and writes about every sea creature that he sees and observes. Despite the amazing sea life surrounding the Nautilus, that was difficult to be found by man in a hundred of years and the captain's continous generosity and servings. Ned still want to escape the vessel and was losing impatience day by day. Sighting Ned's impressions, Arronax gave his words to Ned that if there are chances to leave, they will leave. But because of the greatness of the captain's genourisity, he does not want to least anger the captain and was still hesitating about his promises to Ned and Captain Nemo.

Years in the submarine, they experience exciting adventures like travelling to barbarian lands, the lost city of Atlantis,trapping underneath a gigantic iceberg and even the fight of an enormous squid monster. On the voyage to the South Pole, the Nautililus was stuck in an iceberg. At that moment, everyone was told to take turns to break the ice so that the vessel could work again. Because of the incident, The vessel almost runs out of oxygen and the men in the ship eventually grew tired. However, they manage to escape under the hardworks of the men. After about one year on the Nautilus, the submarine was in the North Atlantic, the vessel met an incident again, it was attacked by a giant squid. The three main characters and the men in the vessel were forced to fight the squid with axes and spears because they cannot kill the squid with bullets. Along the great fight, a crewmember is killed by the squid and Nemo was depressed and in tears. Finally, the men drived off the squid. After the attack of the squid, the three main charcter decide to take the chance to escape from the vessel. But on their way, they got trapped in a whirlpool that no ships had ever survived through it. But amazingly, the small boat they boarded manage to overcome the whirlpool and emerge safely.

At the end of the story, Aronnax is awaiting his return to France and rewriting his memories of his journey under the sea. After reading this classic novel, I feel that this book is incredibly amazing and interesting to read as it had lots of science-fiction and a space of imaginations. I also feels that this book inspired me alot to think more creative and in depth when writing a story. And more importantly, the pleasure of imaginating unbelievable stuff.

Around the world in 80 days - Book Review

This is a adventure based and science-fiction story written by an author called Jules Verne about a guy called Phileas Fogg traveling around the world in 80 days. He was one of the most prominent members of the London Reform Club. On the very day he hire a new servant Passepartout, Phileas Fogg bets half his fortune that he can travel around the globe in eighty days with the members in the club. Immediately, the pairs set off on a race against time that will see them either win fame and fortune or face obscurity and ruin.

Before they start their absurd journey, there was a bank robbing happened not long before the departure of Phileas Fogg who was then quite popular in his names in the newspaper indicating his impossible journey. So, here comes a detective, named Fix. He then suspected Phileas Fogg for the man who robbed the bank. Unfortunately, such coincidence that Phileas Fogg start his journey right after the case of robbing. And so, Fix the detective claimed that Fogg was undertaking the tour around the world on the pretext of a wager. Thus, Fix requested a warrant of arrest without delay to Bombay.

To assure Phileas Fogg to be arrested, Fix kept on track with him and consequently search opportunities to delay Phileas Fogg and his servant, Passepartout to get the warrant in Bombay to arrest them. Fix tried to approach Passepartout and be friend with him to gain his convidence and also seeking details about his master from him.

In India, Phileas Fogg saved a woman that would be force to sacrifice for her husband who died. The woman was to be burned alive for the ceremony. But the man of heart-Phileas Fogg decided to save her as he had twelve extra hours to spare during his journey. The woman was successfully saved by Fogg and she decided to follow Fogg to a safer place where she could land. The woman was Mrs. Aouda.

On the way, suddenly the detective Fix who continuously set obstacles on Fogg’s journey turned his objectives. He decided to sort of assist Fogg and make him reached London without delay so that he could arrest him in English ground. Passepartout who then knew that Fix was a detective and tracking them along the way bet with him that Phileas Fogg was an honest man and not a robber. The journey then continued with different exciting obstacles and a rush against time.

My favourite character in this story is the guy called Passepartout. I loved him because he was quite humorous and foolish (in the sense of funny).One time, He left a burning gas in his room and the expense of wasted gas will be docked from his salary. Every day along the journey, he was always worrying about the gas expenses. He was also very brave when rescuing Aouda. Besides, he was quite friendly towards the people around him such as Mr. Fix, the Frenchman and Aouda. He also expose to lot of strange things like get trapped or left behind which makes him a interesting role to find out. The greatest admiration of me in him was his loyalty. Along the journey, he plays a critical role, saving and companioned Fogg during the tough journey. Thus, without a loyal servant like Passepartout, Fogg would not have make it through the journey.

Kidnapped - Book Review

Kidnapped is a novel about a young man known as David Balfour. His parents have recently died and he was to stay alone .He received a letter from Mr. Campbell and was told to deliver it to the House of Shaws in Cramond, where David's uncle, Ebenezer Balfour, lives. During his journey, David seek help from people to find the location of the House of Shaws and he was been told that it was a place that filled with fear.

When David arrives at the house, he was confronted with his uncle. He was allowed to stay after he handed the letter to his uncle. Once, his uncle asked him to get a chest from the top of a tower in the house, but he refuses to provide David a lamp or candle. In the tower, he realizes that it was unfinished in some places and the steps was dangerous as well. David later found out that his uncle intended to make him dead to prevent him giving over his inheritance.

On the next day, a cabin boy, Ransome, arrives at the house of Shaw, and told Ebenezer that Captain Hoseason wanted to meet him. Ebenezer then took David with him to meet Hoseason. Leaving his uncle alone, he went to visit the docks with Ransome. Suddenly, David was struck by something on the dock and went unconscious. When he woke up, he found out he was kidnapped! On the dock, he was weak and sick due to lack of food. He also met some guy called, Mr. Riach, Mr.Shuan, Hoseason and of course Ransomes.

One day, they strike a small boat and all of the crew on boat was killed except one man, Alan Breck . Alan tried to be reasonable to the captain, Hoseason and he offered the captain money to take him to somewhere but until he acknowledged by David that Hoseason planned to kill him. He then with David armed with guns and swords prepared to defense themselves. At the end, they defeated five crews on dock and the others refused to continue fighting.

Hoseason has no choice but to give Alan and David passage back to the mainland. Soon, David and Alan are separated with David being washed ashore on the isle of Erraid near Mull, while Alan and the others row to the same island. David had a few days exploring alone in the island . Eventually, David found that Alan and other crews had survived.

Alan and David then began their flight avoid been seen from English soldiers day by day. As David and Alan continue their flight, David becomes more ill. On their way, they met a lawyer of David.s uncle who agrees to help David to gain back his inheritance and after which the story of David is revealed .It was said that his father and uncle had once quarrelled over a woman, and the older Balfour had married her; informally giving the estate to his brother while living as an impoverished school teacher with his wife. And so David was provided two-thirds of the estate's income for as long as his uncle survived and the novel ended with Alan going to France and David went to the back to settle his fortune.

My favourite character in this novel is Alan because he was courageous and was considered a hero to David as he always intended to help David to across different obstacles with all his might. And also he was very kind and friendly too, on the first day David met Alan. The two of them was very cooperative fighting against the crews of captain Hoseason and they got along very easily too.

Schooldays (A Poem by Me)

Sorry teacher for posting this poem for so late. I did those analysis and poem but I forgot to post it in here. Sorry again. This poem was about me during schooldays and the beautiful memories.

Waiting for a bus

to get to school

I make a fuss

And look like a fool

Late for the lessons

I crept into the classroom like a thief

But caught like a rat

Hoping forgiveness

Lessons were boring

I were sleeping

Heard friends laughing

Knew what was happening

Recess came

The students ran

Rushing for the line

To get a meal

Some did not eat

But play in the classroom

Chasing everywhere

And have a "Bang"

Crying sound was heard

And crowd was there

Search for the "Bads"

But could not find anywhere

Couples were everywhere

Holding hands

Friends laughed and teased

But the same goes to him

The bravest student was him

But when exam comes

The most afraid was him

Especially getting results

There's a curse on me

I never get one

But always get two

In exam

School ends

buses and cars waiting

Friends says goodbye

Hands wave in the air

The last day of school for me had arrived

Friends hug and cry

They have to leave

But memories stay forever

Looking back the annul yearbook

Memories flashing by with laughters and cries

I closed my eyes

And smile......

Analyzing Poem

This is the analysis of a poem entitled "The Son is in Secondary School" by Affian Sa'at which my LA teacher told us to do so in the Term 2 Online Home Learning. The poem was about the author’s feelings and thoughts about his schooldays and he gave us an imaginary and some views about his schooldays through this poem. There are no rhyming appear in the poem, it was in free verse. The analysis is as below:

My badge has a Latin motto
Hope for the future
The future is hope
Or something

In this stanza, he was talking about his badge what it symbolize and what it represents. “Or something” he wrote was just to tell us that he doesn’t really care what it means or its purposes back in the old days in school.

At times black crows try to interrupt
When we sing the National Anthem

This stanza described what occurs when he was singing the National Anthem where crows flying by above the sky and somehow distract him. This stanza also gave us a clear view about the place they have their flag raising which was outdoor and under the sky where crows passed by.

It is difficult to maintain
The whiteness of my shoes
Especially on Wednesdays

In this stanza, he was saying that his shoes was indeed not maintained as clean as it had to be all time on that single day. And there must be something happened as always that was unnecessary behind that specific day that drove his him mad and of course his shoes, Thrashed!

I must admit there is something quite special
About the bare thighs of hardworking scouts

He was talking about the scouts in his days.

The Malay chauffeurs
Who wait for my schoolmates
Sit on the car park kerb
Telling jokes to one another

He describes about the chauffeurs waiting for his classmates while chatting to each other. This probably also stated that his classmates was fortunate to have chauffeur fetched them home everyday unlike him.

Seven to the power of five is unreasonable

In this sixth stanza, he was telling us about his Mathematics and how difficult he think it was during his schooldays as he said the question was “unreasonable”.

On Chinese New Year
Mrs Lee dressed up
In a sarong kebaya
And sang Bengawan Solo

He was telling probably a joke to that his teacher wore sarong kebaya and sang Bangawan Solo which was the Malay culture during Chinese New Year. Or indeed this was a mistake done by his teacher (not feasible).

The capital of Singapore is Singapore

This eighth stanza was telling us that the capital of Singapore is Singapore.

My best friend did a heroic thing once
Shaded all A’s
For his Chinese Language
Multiple-choice paper

His best friend was courageous enough to have the guts to shade the same answers in the Chinese Language Multiple-choice paper. This also shows that the friends he mixed with was quite mischievous in their behaving. And this probably reflects himself in his schooldays.

In our annual yearbook
There is a photograph of me

Pushing a wheelchair and smiling
They caught me
At the exact moment

When my eyes were actually closed

In this three stanzas as well as the last three stanzas was telling us about his unfortunate experience in his schooldays and it was recorded in his school’s annual yearbook. And he was quite happy of that unlucky to him again, his eyes were closed when the picture was caught!

Interpersonal

Interpersonal
Mok Jun Neng (26)1O2


Object: Conduct an interview with a friend(not from HCI) or family member. Find out his/her opinions about crime and punishment or the necessity to communicate in a relationship. Record the interview or write out the interview transcript.

I did an interview with my friend-Shwe Wen.She is my friend from primary school and she would like to cooperate with me.Hundred thanks to her for willing to help me.Here's the interview transcript.


Mok: Good morning my friend!
Shwe Wen: Good morning.
Mok: Did you know what's my purpose to be here?
Shwe Wen: Yes, It's about my opinions to crime and punishment right ?
Mok: Yes absolutely right.
Mok: So here goes.What do you think about crimes and punishments?
Shwe Wen: For my opinions, crime is something that we not surpose to do. Example:stealing, killing ,robbing and others. In Singapore, littering or smoking in a non-smoking area are considered as crimes too.But some people said these sort of crimes is something that cannot said as crimes.But for me, disobey the rules and did the opposite way is always considered as a crime and a crime that must be taken actions.But some crimes did by people is necessity.For example:people snatch goods because maybe their families are starving to death and they needed some money to buy some food.This is something necessity.Sometimes,for me as a people that hate crimes also felt pity for them.When they steal and found out by the police they may be put in to jail.And how about their families that are starving and suffer with no shelter?So, i also felt very sorry for them. Some people said that this was their fault because some of them didn't work hard for themself but choose to steal.Some even worst,they gamble until all their fortune was gone.And this causes them to rob or steal or even did something even worst.So,thats all for my opinions about crimes.
Mok: How about punishments?Did someone like you said deserve the punishments all they should be and we supposed to help them?
Shwe Wen: Actually what I know about punishments is if we done something wrong we will get some punishments.And the level of punishments are according to the heaviness of the crimes.For example:killing. It is a crime that is heavy and must take some serious actions to it and give a suitable punishments to the person who killed.But what about cases like the story Lamb To The Slaughter.Mary killed her husband and it is a fact.But how about the punishments she should have as she had an unborn baby.Should the court sentence her to death or wait till her baby was born only they make decisions.And what punishments should Mary had.If she was sentenced to death how about her baby?Surely we couldn't bear looking at the child with no parents.So,this is something that I couldn't figure out.Like the people I said that steals. What kind of punishments should they had?Death? Jail?Or what? This was also something that is difficult to make decisions.If we choose either death or jailing how about their families?I also don't bear to think about it it is way too awful !But I still think that people that commit whatever crimes they should get some punishments.Thats all I want to say about today.Do you still have any questions?
Mok: No,thats all thanks for letting me to interview you.
Shwe Wen: No problem!
Mok: Bye! Have a nice day!
Shwe Wen: Bye!

The multiple intelligence test

I think that the multiple intelligence test is a good survey as I can know myself better.The multiple intelligence said that I am interpersonal smart the most.But I don't really think so because I don't communicate with people that well and sometimes argue with people about wrongs and rights.So,I

don't think it is an accurate test.But i was satisfied 1 thing was it said that I'm nature smart as the second.It had that fact straight as I am a mature lover.I hate humans that destroyed their habitats.But the purpose of the multiple intelligence test is for us to know our learning styles as we can do our online lessons according to the test. I was chose to do interpersonal.It is about an interview and I manage to interview with my friend-Shwe Wen on MSN.