JEFFERSON!

YOYOYO JEFFERSON! MY CRAZY IMH NEIGHBOUR AKA UNO PARTNER!
It has been a great time chatting with you and going siao about all the different singers and songs etc. Thank you for everything! Another fun thing is to sit straight for 2.5hours in front of the computer screen playing UNO! (It was fun owning the computer eh?) You are really one senior I will treasure cause you are fun and helpful (excluding your himboness) HAHAH! Whatever it is, great to have known you! See You Soon!
Quote for you: A special friend to go siao with!

Continuation

HUIYING:
Little Girl! YOU ARE SO VERY ON WITH THAT BET MAN! My poppers all ready! BRING IT ON! :)
Hehheh. Thank you for everything you have done for me as a friend. It is really sweet to have known you! The times spent together with you has all been locked in the "sweet things" compartment in my brain! After O's, we will have more fun!

ELISE:
WOOHOO! Thanks for everything you have done for me! For our case, you portrayed the true meaning of "actions speak louder than words"! THANKS!! Love you loads! A friend like you is hard to find, with you around, life is so much better!

Quote for my 2 darlings:
Lovely and sweet people like you guys will stay in my heart forever!

LAST DAY OF 2008!

WOOHOO EVERYONE!
EXCITED TO START A BRAND NEW YEAR? I AM! 2009 HERE I COME!
SO HAPPY THAT EVERYTHING HAS COME TO AN END!

It has indeed be a year filled with smiles, laughters but of course a little of sorrow. However, after this last post of 2008, I will only store the happy things and memories in my brain. The sad happenings will already be a dream/ nightmare of my life.

Now here, I have a post for a few of my friends as an end to year 2008:

XLXT:
A crazy friend I have indeed! Thanks for everything you have done for me for the past don't know how many years. You have indeed brought a lot of joy and fun to mu life especially those SYNCRONISED things that happened! Those things are the ones that will stay with me forvever! LOL! It has been really pleasant to have known you (: Another thing, Sorry loads that I sorta ignored you on MSN and with those amazingly slow replies. My bad :( But promised that no more already(:
Quote for you: A friend like you is hard to come by, I will remember you forever!

CLAYTON:
"Wuhu"... Something you like to say. I am really blessed to be able to meet a nice and even-tempered friend like you! Thanks for being to take in all my nonsense! I know sometimes I a bit nonsensical and crazyyy!Thank You for being someone who is always there to be a listening ear and to help me when I am in need ! (I owe you ice cream!) Someone who shares the same interest as me is really hard to come by! Being very understanding and forgiving is something I like you about! Love you as a friend!!! THANKS BABE! :)
Quote for you: Someone like you is meant to be treasured!

BUDDAYE:
OMG!! YOU ROCK MY BUDDAYE! You are really someone I really never regretted making friends with I swear! You are really someone I look forward to talk to! I am super duper lucky that God had given me such a sweet and nice buddy who cares about many people around him! Thank you my dearest buddy! Even though you always like to insult me, but I know it is all a joke! As to heed an end to our buddyship for this year, "LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU BUDDAYE! YOU ROCK MY SOCKS!" (No. 7 ROCKS!)
Quote for you: A buddaye like you, is a gift by God.

THET:
WOOHOO! THETTY MAMA! Thanks for being such a fun camp-mate! Even though I only talk to you mostly during camps, but I learnt a lot about you during camps. Thank you for being such a nice friend to me and hope to talk to you more for years to come! :)
Quote for you: A friendship that is unique

MERVYN:
YOYOYO! Thanks for being such a Siao friend of mine! 10 weeks of suffering sitting beside you was horrendous but to be truthful, it was kind of entertaining. Sorry when I whacked you with newspapers because you called me "Mariam". (KILL YOU) LOL! Another thing I want to apologise to you about is that you got ..... on my birthday partly because of me! Sorry! And lastly, Bringing you to the wrong movie was a sad case! My Bad too :) But thanks loads for being such an understanding friend! :)
Quote for you: A friend with a special personality is unique. like you!

Surprise!

Hello all!

Firstly, receiving that tag from Wei Jie was a big unexpectance, I want to use this chance to apologise to Wei Jie and Trevor for not being able to make it for the meeting that day! Had something last minute on the next day. I remember about the Super Budget Airline thing that Wei Jie and I came up with. Till now, I still think it was kind of cool and unique.

The crazy 2 weeks at China last year with the 3 other TMS girls and 4 Nan Hua guys was really etched in my mind forever. The fun and friendship formed there was indeed one of a kind experience that not many will chance upon. Really hope all of us still can remain good friends as years past! Of course, we will definitely meet up next year after O-levels! Good Luck! :)

Back to the usual updates...
I stayed at home the whole of today to revise on my subjects.
Only went to E!Hub at night as my parents suggest to go NewYork NewYork to eat dinner.
I am glad to know the ending of Little Nyonya already! Pretty expected I guess (:
And of course, Countdown is tomorrow! For young people like us, we should all come online and add eveyone to a similar convo and countdown together! (Who says that countdown must be in a place with crowd to be fun?)

I shall leave my final post of the year till tomorrow! :)

Fun Day!

Went to school for council meeting and followed with Student Leader's Convention Meeting with the executive committee of the other 3 leadership groups.
Guess everything went find except for a little misunderstanding somewhere.
We went to KFC to chat a little and settle my dinner as well.
Felt a little moody as I had a couple of things running in my head,
moreover I am kind of lost about some things.

Nevertherless, I, Joelle Chin Hui Zhi, hereby declare that everything as of 1st January 2009 will throw and flush away any nonsensical stuff and promises that nothing in this world can affect me in anyway! I am sure I can do it!

Enough of that. I have indeed made up some decisions and as I thought back, I felt quite stupid to be so affected by such minor stuff that does not really matter anyway. What's most important is the current job I am hold- To be a good and obedient student! :)

Now waiting for my friend to receive a call from her mum. To that friend:
Do not worry too much girl, things will be fine and stay happy and bubbly as always :)

Talking to 3 crazy and fun-loving people now! :) My Buddayeeee, Rassssiiii and Rukkkkuuu!

That's all for now! Going to do work again! Toodles! :)

Things I'll never say

As I looked through the past 2 months of things I have done. I guess the holiday wasn't so bad anymore! :)
Firstly, I remember finishing my homework by November and left December to be revising and relaxing.

It was quite a fun holiday where I managed to bond with my buddy (Timothy!!!) and of course other councillors! I guess the feeling of having all councillors together can be really fun. We chatted and evaluated about many things where all laughters were mixed together as if it was a joyous season! Really cool!

Thanks to my dearest buddaye for being such a thoughful young guy and who always tried to add as many councillors as possible to one conversation to make it more fun!

Thanks to all my dearest councillors for making my life in council such a meaningful and unforgettable one. Will really miss those times we spend together!

Most of all.... Cannot wait for school to start! It is going to be a brand new year again :)

Sometimes, I don't know what to say

Hmm... I really don't know if I should trust you anymore
You lie, do you know that?
You are getting different, just like someone I don't know
Life is about looking at things in the better perspective
I tried, but to no avail
I treated you like a good friend, or I shall say best friend
But things have really gone haywire.
I don't treat you like a stranger
Hoping that things will go back to normal
You do not want me to feel sorry
But you want
It sounds quite complicated
But that is life
I tried to look at it in a simpler way, but of no way out
I shall learn to trust no one but myself
I trust my own instinct and
I will walk my own life through
With no one else to obstruct
You are no different.
I am sure I can walk a better road without you
I am Sure!
I don't know what motive you have in doing all those
But I no longer care
Cause all that matters is that I have others who really care! (:

(Nice post? I just wanted to write it for fun!) :)

MEETING UP WITH JEH

WHERE'S A?!?!??!
Amanda had to celebrate her dad's birthday and thus cannot meet up with us.
So sad right? :(
So met up with Hui Ying and Elise at Marine Parade Community Library to exchange gift and of course to do some revision and tuition homework.
We had so much to talk about just now, it seemed to be never-ending
With stories that ranges from daily life to friendships...
It was really an unforgettable experience and I really treasure it considering the fact that we hardly met up due to busy schedule in council,tuition and work(:
Time flew super fast
Reached home at around 6pm to find that the card both of them gave me were very sweet.
"Hui Ying and Elise.... Sorry that I didn't give you a card! No time to write"

So... I am going to dedicate a paragraph of words to them and thanking them for being such good friends of mine!

To both of you:
Thanks for being such great friends. I remember we all started to talk and became good friends in mid-year of our Secondary 2 year through the Vietnam trip! It was really a great time spent together especially when we went to the rooms to chit chat about life. Besides, having a hard time doing that "Pau-A-Li-Cious" animation was really a killer, especially for a computer idiot like me.. But I was really glad to have been able to go through the hard and pain times with you all and of course, never forgetting the FUN times :)

HuiYing aka Lim Thung!:

Yoyoyo babe! Thanks for being such a crazy and lovable friend all these while. Although we only get a chance to really talk once in a blue moon, however, those are the times that I will treasure for sure! Besides, it was really cute of you to put blu-tack on the photos (I can now paste it on my board)! I feel really honoured to have a friend like you and we shall all work hard for our O-Level next year! :)

Elise aka Alice aka Eliseeeeee!:

Yoyoyo! I will never forget how you wear your polo tee with your knee length pants! It looks really cute! Really nice to have known a thoughtful and caring friend as you always are :) Really thanks loads for that cute letter/bookmark you have given me! I will be laminating it! Anyway, hope to be able to go out again one day where the 4 of us will enjoy ourselves and chat through! :) Pleased to have you as a friend and work hard for our O-level next year too! :)

Love the both of you :)

Normal Updates

CHRISTMAS GIFTS!

THANKS TO ALL WHO GAVE ME CHRISTMAS GIFTS!

1) Buddaye - Thanks for that nice gift you gave me. First gift I received was from you!
Feel honoured :) Do not worry that it is not nice or anything. What's most
important is that the gift came from your heart and I loved it! :)

2) Rasi- Thanks for that really cool handphone strap with piano keys! It was really nice
and thoughtful of you to give me that! :) Love it too! Sweet girl!

3) Jolin- Thanks Jolin for that letter you gave! Nice to have you in choir and council too
Didnt really talk much to you.Haha :) But really thanks. Have fun at TJC (:

4) XLXT- Yo man! Thanks loads for that really cool cd! (though wrong photo). Touching
letter you wrote and I will safeguard it well(: Hope you like your carebear and
do keep it away from children's reach! HAHAH! (:

5) Clayton- Thanks loads for that DVD you sent me. It was very observant of you to give
me Devil Wears Prada CD! And a nice letter you wrote on that photo too (:
Thank you! I am seriously super touched :)

6) JunShen- Yo Junior Choo! (LOL) Thanks loads for that cool small letter you gave me!
Very touching too and love you loads as a junior too! Thank you Thank you!
I really want to photocopy your sketch book!(:

7) NUMBER 7 LEFT UNTOUCHED COS IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE RESERVED FOR MY BUDDAYE!
(LOL)!

8) Mother- Thank you mum for that super huge winnie the pooh you gave me(:
It was indeed a great surprise for me(:

9) Guan Hong- Thanks for that really nice notebook and for coming for the BBQ!(:

10) Rachelle- Thanks for your gift too and for coming for the

11) Fiona- Thanks for the cookies (:

12) Cuthert - Thanks for the chocs! (:

LAST OF ALL, MY FAMILY MEMBERS!!!! (: LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU ALL!

Thank you one and all listed above(:

Parents ain't ATM machines!

For people who reads the forum page in The Straits Times...
There used to be this article that talks about parents not only to be ATM machines for the children but also a medium to inculcate good morals and values to young children.
Towards this article, I support exactly what the author wrote. Parents should not only be people who give pocket money to their children and just leave them to settle themselves the whole day. This will make children feel unloved by their parents and thus increase tendency of juvenile delinquency. Parents should really learn to take a breather off their job load and take time off to accompany their children.

This will really cut down the unacceptable behaviours in school and in public. I am sure that as long parents cultivat the right attitude and morality to their children, Singapore will have a bright future oath with many good citizens in futre:)

St- Hilda's Secondary School

If you read the newspaper today, you will learn about the news that St.Hilda's Secndary School is planning to upgrade their 20-year-old school with additional facilities that includes 2 indoor sports hall and a rooftop and hockey court.
I feel that it is a good plan to construct those facilities because it:
(1) Gives a larger platform for the students to try different kinds of sports
(2) Prevents students from skipping PE lessons due to bad weather
(3) Students get to train for their competitions with different sports at one go (save time)
(4) With more practices, there is a higher chance that they will win in competitions
(5) It can be opened to the public where people in the community can come together to mingle
and do sports together
(6) Can collect rental fees from the residents and money can be used for other purposes

It can be clearly seen that by constructing that it, it benefits the pupils, school and community :)

New EZ-LINK card!

I bet most of you already read in the papers to learn about the latest e-link card that has multi-function.
I think that such a new concept for EZ-link card is really interesting and advanced. Not only is it meant for us to pay for public transport fare, but also for drivers to pay Electronic Road Pricing (ERP)costs. It not only makes it easier for every driver, it also reduces the need to make a cashcard for the sake of paying the ERP cost.
Another thing mentioned that caught me was the "stickkey" concept that might be coming out middle of next year. I am really looking forward to it as it is a fascinating thing of how so many vital parts can be fit into one small card that can even be hung on the handphone.
This idea has made me understood how fast advancement if progressing to the extent we are unsure of it too.
Therefore, we should all study harder and be flexible to embrace such modern technology in future :)

Computer Addicts?

I have recently read an article regarding computer addicts...
It is really sad to say that the highest percentage of computer addicts actually comes from the teenagers. The main reason behind it is that teenagers have much more free time as compared to that of an adult that does not have time due to a pile of heavy work load.
I hate to read news that talks about different real-life scenarios revolving around computer addicts. For example, many family problems aroused due to all the computer addicts causing riot and disorder to the family. It is really sad and devastating to hear all these kind of news. Not only that, worst cases that includes murdering others due to teenagers unable to differentate themselves from the real and virtual world, making them have a misconception that they are superheroes to save the people. This is when their attitude changes and turns into a violent human that is no different to that of a serial killer.

In such cases, it is really hard to reduce if the society don't work hand in hand to stop teenagers from getting addicted to computer.The most important role is actually played by parents where they have to keep a look out on their childrens' gaming habits.

"Letting out steam"

I am just going to blog in general about what happened...
For anyone who is reading this post, I am NOT directing it at anyone.
If you people think you are so great, then why do that kind of thing?
We are upholding what we have as our dignity and also as someone who is well respected
We ain't wild, we put on out best behaviour at all times
We ain't pushover nor are we for you to look down on.
PLEASE! GO WASH YOUR FACES!
LOOK AT THE MIRROR!
AND REFLECT!
You people so need it. Sad to say :( awwww
Wells, maybe you all need a little wake up call that goes...
"PEEEEE" to wake you up from the horrendous illusions you all have
No one can save you all, SAVE YOURSELVES!

p.s. I am not directing it at anyone, it is just a random post(:

Singapore Flyer

I believe all of you have read the newspaper about the Singapore Flyer. The sad thing that happened where 173 people were stucked up there in flyer for 6 hours straight without ventilation... Worst of all, people on the top level cannot get any food!

Towards this article, I really pity people who are stuck in the cabin as they cannot do many things even when nature calls, they will still need to bear with it. Worst still, the young babies who are crying for milk have to suffer in hunger and only portrat it through their loud hails of cries. They are of tender age and already have to be in such sad plight. For old people as well, they have to suffer being trapped in a place with no ventilation and food despite getting on their years.

Besides, I also cannot believe the way those people were rescued- by abceiling around 11 daring people down. I am sure if i were present there, I would not have the courage to actually get rescued by that way as it is really high frm ground floor. Should anything happen, I am sure they will not be able to survive. I will really sympathise on those who are lowered down individually as they get separated by their family members.

ARTICLE

Hi Mr Toh, as promised, this is an article review in responds to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7758204.stm
I am just wondering why are there so many weird and horrible natural disasters going around the world nowadays. It may not cause deaths to some cases, such as this flooding case, but it still brought about inconvenience for the people. This includes them being unable to live the normal lives they had in the past. Now, they have to go against the flow of the flooding waters, ,making it tough for people to walk or travel on pathways. I feel sad and sympathetic for people in Venice who are victims of this flood because their lives have gone haywire. Besides, it also takes some time for them to adapt to the current situation the place is facing.
I believe if people in Venice work together, they will soon be able to overcome the problem they are facing and soon return back to their normal lifes again(:

Joelle

POSTING

I am being nice to update my blog now.
Went ice-skating with some councillors on monday.
Paid $16.50 to get a blister and to fall on freezing cold ice
Main purpose was to get the 3 TYS (:
So all was kind of worth it ><
Will post up picts soon.

Then I have also been going to Marine Parade Library to study with my cousin
Also to read more since its the holidays
Started studying and notes-making
English tuition started

Oh YES! I finally got like a tagboard thanks too Xinyi (:
And I think the number of ice creams I owe people is piling up
And to know a friend who thinks money is more important than friends
Interesting concept ><

Back to my work(:
(Mr Toh, I will post up more articles soon)

JOELLE! ((:

Grad Nite!

Me and Cheng Tat!

COOL RIGHT?

On Grad Nite, I was in-charge of the staircase....

Really like the lightsticks around the handrail. It looks really cool!

Zoo on 12th Nov

me and NONO(:

Me and Cheng tat!

Here are some pictures I took from the zoo. Some off which I really like and some I don't. By the way, Cheng Tat, Frogs are definitely not my best friends! Yuck! Thanks Noelyn for the Zoo trip! It was indeed a memorable experience for us all and also a chance for all of us to bond

Cute Otter!

Looks so holy! Polar bears!(:

SNAKES!

Snake that "stands" so still up!

INCONSIDERATE!

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/viewContent.jsp?id=41655

After reading this article, I feel really embarrassed to be a young Singaporean. People like the 2 female are really examples of te behaviour of typical youngsters in Singapore. This type of behaviour is indeed very inconsiderate because they occupied a 4-person seat even though there's only 2 of them. It has caused inconvenience to people who want to eat lunch during the peak hour where there are many people waiting for seats to eat. I feel that people should learn to care more about people of the public by not occupying so many seats for such a long time. The worst thing is that their photos were taken by people, yet they have no idea. This shows they were insensitive towards their surrounding as they were too engrossed in their conversation.

However, I think it is not fully their fault. This is because there are other alternatives than to take pictures and post it on stomp. SIngaporeans are not as unreasonable than what people usually think. People who are waiting for their turn to eat can actually politely approach the 2 female and tell them to leave or something like that. Maybe this way, they will also gove up the seat and say "sorry".

Thus, to conclude, we should sometimes look at things in a different perspective and not only look at the bad side of things. (:

6 more days!

6 more days left to choir concert.
I am really in a lost now.
I am sure you guys can do it well.
But, do you think it is really time to wake up from you "great" behaviour now?
People are all commenting on your behaviour.
A bad impression left behind.
It is really time you all grow up and learn to keep promises.
Saying a sorry and then turn back to continue chattering the next second
Do you call that repent?
Please, I am sure you all can do better than that. Seriously.

Humans are born to be selfish, thats true!
But I am sure god set it to a limit.
Dont you think you all have gone a little to far now?
I have really enough.
Despite the countless talks I have been trying to give you
It just doesnt work.
I am really at dire straits now.
Really unsure about what I should do next.
I have really been trying hard to stop reprimanding you all.
But what can I do?

Wasting time is really not something we all can do now.
We are really short of time.
It is am important time for all of you!
Please, treasure it, make it the most memorable period time of you life in there.

Wake up people.
Seriously, wake up.
I really have not a single idea what I should do next.
I dislike those empty promises made.

I really do not want to be seen as abusing anything
But, I really hope the best for us.
I so wish that miracles could happen now.
Reducing the amount of things I have to do.

I am running both ways,
and things do happen on the way.
But I plainly just ignore them.
Because, I do what's more important to me now.

Hope you all understand,
It is time to change
I really am very tired.
Learn how to spare a thought for others.
It is good for everyone.

Signing off,
Joelle

English Post!

Hey all! I have decided to be more "hardworking" and update my blog. I have indeed been very busy with my choir practices of late and so have no time to update. I really hope choir concert will be a success and to my dearest Temasek Choralist, please work harder and be more focussed as the concert is just in a week's time. I am very sure you all can do it! I have faith in you all. I believe if all of us coorperate, we are able to create wonders out of music (: So, please, work with the instructors, teachers and leaders. We will make this upcoming concert a success (:

TRUST ME (:
Joelle, loves all of you! JIA YOU!

CLIFF!

Cliffs are formed when water flows through a steep rock surface. Hydraulic action and abrasion are the main cause of erosion of the rocks by undercutting to form a notch. As undercutting continues, it will deepen to form a cave, which might then deepen further and cause the overhanging cave to collapse. As overhanging cave collapse, the debris form will accumulate at the base and will either be washed away by the sea water or carried away by the crashing waves. As this continues, a cliff is formed and a platform at the bottom of the cliff will also form known as the wave-cut platform.

COAST! (:

Coast is the part that merges and adjoins with the sea.
Wave is the movement of the water surface of the sea and is driven by wind.
The size of waves affected by 3 factors:
1) Fetch: The longer the fetch, bigger the waves formed
2) Wind movement: Bigger wind movement, bigger the waves
3) Wind duration: The long the duration of wind, the larger the waves.
-> Water that flows in deep water will lose energy
-> Water that flows near to shore will slow down due to friction
-> Friction will cause waves to rise and bend
-> As it continues bending, it will bend and form foams.

Constructive Wave Destructive Wave
Long wave length Short wavelength
Short wave height Long wavelength
wave frequency of 6-8 wave frequency of 10-14
spilling beaker plunging beaker
Happens in sheltered and gentle coast Happens in open and steep coast
Erosion is most prominent Deposition most prominent

Tides are the daily alternate rising and falling of sea level due to gravitational pull on the moon, and to a certain extent, the sun.
It has an impact on the coast: During high tide, erosion of the coast occurs and on low tide, it will transport large part of the coast away.

Currents are large-scale, persistent movements of the water, largely driven by prevailing wind.
They are responsible for shaping the coast and thus is able to transport a huge area of coast over a long distance in a short period of time.
Longshore currents are currents that are formed when waves approach the coast at an oblique angle, and is parallel to the coast.

Coastal Erosion is affected by 4 factors:
-> Type of wave: Usually destructive; more energy for erosion
-> Minerals and composition of rocks; Those with more lines of weaknesses will get eroded
first as compared to lesser ones. Softer rocks will get eroded faster than hard rocks; Those
with dissolve minerals will erode away faster ; usually in open and steep coast.

Coastal Deposition is affected by 3 factors:
Gradient: Gentle gradient
Sediments: Speed of coast is slow and a lot of sediments there and so it will settle down on
bed of coast and get deposited.
Position of coast: gentle and sheltered coast

Coastal Transportation: By Longshore drift
-> Waves that approach the coast at an obique angle and are parallel to coast
-> Sediments are transported to the shore by swash
-> Sediments will then be pulled back by backwash that moves perpendicular to the shore.

Let's Compare!

Hmm.. Lets all compare between the management of rivers and coast.

Rivers:
River channelisation rivers to the different methods and strategies to manage the river so as to prevent it from reaching flood height.
1) River alignment
- Refers to the altering of the river course so as to reduce the chances of erosion from taking
place.
- Can be done by removing large boulders from river channel and also deepening and widening
of the river through dredging.
- Examples where this is carried out is in Kallang and Singapore River
2) River re-sectioning
- Refers to the re-sectioning of a river which can be done by shortening the river
- Example of it is the Mississippi River that has been shortened by 240km to reduce the threat
of flooding
3) Vegetable Planting and Clearing
- By planting vegetable, it is to slow down speed of flow by reducing surface runoff to the
river channel and this has negative impacts which are adding weight to bank stress which
might eventually lead to the collapse of the bank and also debris from plants to increase
rate if erosion in different parts of the river.
- By clearing vegetable, it is to increase rate of flow as there will be more surface runoff.
This is to decrease the chances of flooding to occur. However, it is a viable option.
4) Bank Protection
- Building banks, levees and embankments to protect the banks and prevent it from collapsing
during heavy downpour.

Coast:
It is important to manage coast as it will ensure that development is properly planned and managed to prevent damage of coast by erosion.

Hard engineering approach that involves building of physical structures do as to defend against erosive power of waves.

1) Seawall
- Build along coast and is made of either concrete, wood or rock
- They help to absorb high energy waves before they erode away loose beach materials
Negative Impact:
It is unable to prevent powerful backwash from washing away beach materials beneathe the walls and so will cause undermining of the base of the walls and cause collapse and $$

2) Breakwaters
- To protect coast and harbour
- They are able to absorb energy waves before they reach the coast
- Can either be build with one end attached to land or be offshore
- If it is offshore, it will form a calm zone of water behind it.
- Deposition of load occurs behind it
Negative impact:
Only water behind the coast is protected, but those away will be unprotected and cause erosion at other parts of the coast.

3) Groynes
- Built at right angles to coast
- Prevent longshore drift
- Help to absorb and reduce wave energy only at side of groyne facing longshore drift but not
at downdrift and so erosion occurs there
- To prevent erosion, groynes is angled at 5-10 degrees frm coast
Negative Impact
Erosion will still occur at other parts of the coast

4) Gabions
-Wired cages filled with crushed rocks
- Help to reduce erosion by reducing energy waves
Negative Impact
Only short term protection of 5-10 years
A lot of regular maintainence needed (corrode by seawater, excessive trampling, vandalism)
Very costly

Soft engineering measure which does not involve building of any physical structure buut focusses on planning and managing coastal areas and properties to prevent it from getting damaged by erosion.

1) Beach Nourishment
- Involves the replenishing of sand so as to increase beach quality and storm protection.
Negative impact:
Very expensive
Destroy natural habitat: Sand that is washed into sea will cover the coral reefs and prevent them from getting sunlight to survive.

2) Relocation of Property
- Green Line policy to restrict building of houses near to coastal regions where flooding might
occur
Positive impact:
A very useful policy as global warming is causing an increases in sea level and so it will help to prevent chances of building being affected

3) Planting of Mangroves
- Mangroves have prop, long, curved roots that prop up to trap sediments
- New anchorage of roots will cause the plant to trap enough sediments to form island
- It will be extending outwards to the sea
Negative impacts
Some coast cannot take the stress of the mangroves as they are affected by destructive waves
The depth of the coast with plants will be shallower and so hinders maritime trade

4) Stabilising Dunes
- Happens in places with large amts of sand and strong wind
- Wind will blow sand further inland
- Sand will pile up to form coastal dunes (Protect coast from sea)
- They are fragile and shrubs struggle to hold them in place

5) Coral Reefs
- Coral reefs help to reduce wavee energy in water
- If they die, then the waters will move at full force and cause erosion to take place
- Can be made artificially by using environmental materials and put in sea bed
- Help to enhance fishing opportunities and act as undersea barrier to reduce chances of
erosion.

Plants Wheeeeeeeeee.e...eeee.e..ee..e.e

Getting really really lame nowadays. LOL.

Hmmm... Getting bored now, so wanna post some info up again(:

Pressure Flow Concept is a really cool and interesting concept that I would really like to share with you all. It is somehow linked to Translocation which is the transport of substances like sugars manufactured to the other parts of the plants.
1) Sugars manufactured form the source will move out to the phloem (sieve tube)
2) Water will also move out to the phloem via osmosis
3) Water present will cause a pressure gradient for sugars to move through the sieve tubes.
4) In areas where sugars are used up or removed for storage, sugars will move out of phloem
via diffusion or active transport.
5) Water will then move out of phloem and get conducted back to xylem.

(Therefore, aphids will Ooozzzze out a fluid which is actually sugars)

Hmmm.... Transpiration is a process whereby water is loss through the stomata of the leaves
Transpiration pull is resulted from a few procedures:
1) Water from the mesophyll moves out via osmosis and forms a thin film of moisture
2) Thin film will then evaporate to the intercellular spaces and leave the plant via stomata
3) Cells that loses water will have decrease in water potential and so will get water from
deeper cells.
4) Deeper cells get water from xylem directly and so will form a suction force to pull water
upwards, causing transpiration pull

Water moves up xylem in 3 ways:
1) Root Pressure:
Difference in water potential between soil and roots will cause water to move from soil to roots and this pressure created will force water from root hair cell up to xylem vessel
2) Capillary Action:
Cohesion forces between water molecules and adhesive forces between water and xylem vessels will allow water to be conducted upwards without breakage.
3) Transpiration Pull:
Due to cells that draw water directly from xylem vessels, allowing water to move against gravity.

Transpiration rate affected by a few factors:
1) Wind Movement: Higher amount of wind present will lead to water vapour to be blown away and lesser humidity allows more water to move out of plant.
2) Humidity: The more humid, the lesser transpiration as high water potential in surrounding will hinder water out of the leaves.
3) Temperature: Higher temp. will allow water vapour to be evaporated off quickly and so allowing more water to move out due to less humidity
4) Light Intensity: More light will cause stomata to open as photosynthesis occurs and so more water vapour will move out of plant.
5) Water potential: More water supplied to plant, will allow plants to lose more water without wilting.

Wilting occurs when more water loss than uptake and will cause plant cells to become flaccid and photosynthesis cannot take place.
1) Leaves fold up to reduce surface area for sunlight
2) Guard cells become flaccid and closes stomata

Transpiration importance:
1) Allow biochemical reactions to take place.
2) Give plant cells turgor pressure to keep upright
3) A very good solvent

Transpiration's bad:
Causes wilting

Xylem- Conducts water and to provide plants with mechanical support with its lignified wall
Phloem- Conducts food substances and ions

How do plants reduce transpiration:
1) Having a thick boundary layer where water have to move through a long way before it can move out
2) Having a cuticle layer
3) Having hair: Reabsorb water back to plant and prevent excessive loss of water

Joelle (:

2 goodbye(:

YESYESYES! ENGLISH AND SS IS LIKE FINALLY OVER! (:
Waiting for the arrival of the rest(:

Joelle

How bonded we are!

Challenges faced in maintaining peace in Singapore in the early years...

1) Managing Perceptions of different Racial Groups.
- Resulted in the race riots between different racial groups
- All beacuse of UMNO who spread that PAP was unfair to the Malays by highlighting the Malays' poverty.
- These stirred up unhappiness amongst the Malay community towards PAP
- The policies have affected people from different groups, irresponsible media reporting and purposeful propagating had made the Malays doubt their status in Singapore.
- Shows that if racial problems are not settled properly, will result in suspision and unhappiness amongst the different groups.

2) Managing Perceptions of different Religious Groups
- Maria Hertogh Riots over the custody of the girl, Maria
- Put under the care of a Malay lady when her parents were captured during the Japanese Occupation
- She was brought up as a Malay lady and even married a Malay teacher
- After war, Maria's parents came to get her back, and a court trial followed.
- Custody given back to the Hertoghs and caused the whole group outside to feel unhappy as they felt the British legal system was unfair towards them
- This aroused unhappiness amongst them towards the European and Eurasian communities.
- Case had many wide media coverage which made Malays feel upset as they felt their welfare were not taken care of.
- Caused the riots which led to 5 dead and 100 injured.
- Shows that if racial problems are not handled appropriately, will lead to hostility and distrust amongst the people.

3) Threats from External Forces
-Transnational Act refers to acts of violence that are global in terms of aims, organisation and impact. Example of this is Jemaah Islamiyah, a militant group that aims to set up an Islam state in Asia region
- S'pore was part of their aim after bombing areas like Jarkarta and Bali
- Aimed to bomed US embassy and gov ernment buildings
- 34 members captured for being involved in terrorism acts btw 2001-2004
- 1 memer caught in 2005
- These acts of violence, if successful, will kill and harm many people. Even if halted, it will test the social bonds of the people and may even divide the people.
- People who do not see things in perspective will blame the Muslims in S'pore for the act of violence done by Muslims of other countries and thus start to avoid them and make them feel unwelcome.
-Racist remarks hurled at them even though they had not done anything wrong.
- Muslims will thus feel unhappy.
-People who are influenced by JI radical ideas may be tempted to join and this will result in separation of the people.

How much you know about DIALYSIS!

hmmm.... Most of you should know that dialysis is all beacuse of kidney failure. But why?

Kidney failure may be due to overworking of kidney cells and causing them to die. They will not be able to:

1) Remove excretory waste like urea, ammonia and uric acid (Poison blood is not removed)

2) Maintain pH and composition of blood

3) Act as an osmoregulator

Haemodialysis

Properties of dialysis machine

1) Highly folded convoluted tubes: Increase surface area for diffusion of substances

2) Small holes present in tubes: Allow only small particles such as urea and glucose to pass though and not large protein molecules or red blood cell

3) Flow of dialysate is opposite to flow of blood: Maintain a concentration gradient to allow efficient diffusion of urea out of blood

4) Glucose and Salt in correct composition: To allow only substances above that concentration to diffuse out.

Peritoneal Dialysis

At the end of the treatment, urea and excess mineral salts will be found in the solution
- Urea is able to diffuse into peritonium and thus will allow this treatment.

Homeostasis ROCKS!

Well.... Any idea what homeostasis is? It seems a really unique and isolated word that not many has seen, except for biology students. Thus, I decided to post this up so as to share additional information with all of you!

Homeostasis is the maintainance of a stable and constant internal environment of an organism.
Let me give you an example:
Stimulus- Very hot weather
Receptor- Hypothalamus in your brain detects decrease in water potential
Effector- Pituitary glands secretes more ADH (anti-diuretic hormones)
Control centre- sends suitable responses and receives the negative feedback
Response- More water will be absorbed in the body
Feedback- Send messages back to the brain when it has reached norm [Negative Feedback]

Heat is produced in the body in 3 ways:
1) Breakdown of carbohydrate and lipids
2) Hormones that control metabolic rate
3) Physical exercise the requires muscles

Heat is lost in 4 ways:
1) Radiation is proportional to the temperature difference and accounts to 50% of heat lost.
2) Conduction refers to 2 surface in contact (Heat molecules transferred frm hot to cold).
3) Convection refers to the rate of air and water movement.
4) Evaporation where heat converts liquid to gas and allows latent heat frm body to be lost.

Lets's share some new terms!
a) Poikilothermic refers to those that are unable to regulate their body temp by physiological means.
b) Ectothermic are those that are dependent to the environment temp.
c) Homeothermic are those that are able to maintain a fairly constant body temp.
d) Endothermic are those that are independent of environment temp.

Lets take a look at what happens during different conditions!

Overheating
When temperature is higher than usual, a few things might take place:
1) Sweating occurs to remove latent heat of vapourisation via evaporation.
2) Vasodilation of the arterioles will occur to allow more blood to flow near the surfaces of the skin to remove heat via radiation, conduction and convection.
3) Reduction of hormones such as adrenal and thyroid that will increase metabolic rate

All these occurs until body temp has reached the norm.

Overcooling
When temperature gets too cold, a few things might take place:
1) Sweating will not take place anymore
2) Increase of metabolic activities such as shivering to increase heat production
3) Erector muscles will contract and thus causing hair to erect to trap hair and form a layer of insulation to reduce loss of heat.
4) Vasoconstriction of arterioles will take place so as to reduce amount of blood flow to result in lesser heat to be lost thru radiation, conduction, convection.
5) Curl up to reduce surface area for heat loss.

All these occurs until body temp has reached norm.

Natural Features (Geography-Related)

Maybe this post may be a little redundant but wells!

Any idea how the floodplain, levees and Oxbow lake is formed?

Floodplain and Levees
Floodplains are extensive low-lying flat land built up by deposition of alluvial soil due to repeated flooding. Levees are wide, elevated bank built up deposition of alluvial soildue to repeated flooding. During a flood, the rain that falls will result in water to overflow from the bank and thus causes the coarser and heavier materials to be deposited at the river bank and the lighter and finer materials to be carried further away and get deposited on the plain. As repeated flooding takes place, this alluvial soil will then be deposited layer upon layer, forming a thick, rich alluvial soil deposits known as floodplain. With coarser materials deposited at the bank, a layer above the floodplain is formed to form a natural embankment known as levees.

Oxbow-Lake
Firstly, understand how a meander is formed. In teh lower course, the velocity is low and so the river will flow through bends. These bends have an outer bank where erosion by undercutting takes place and an innderbank where deposition takes place. Over time, the outer bankwill form a concave shape and the inner bank will form a convex shape and thus forming a meander that is defined as the twist and turn of the river to form hoop-like bends.

So, now we will see how an oxbow lake is formed. Oxbow-lake is defined as a cresent-shaped lake found in floodplains and near a meander.Understand that oxbow lake is usually formed in the lower course of the river due to its low velocity where sediments are allowed to set down in river bed. In the outer concave bank, erosion by undercutting takes place that causes the meander's neck to be separated only by a narrow neck. And due to deposition in the inner convex bank, the oxbow lake will cut off from the river channel and flow in a straight stream.

Just for fun! (:
There are 4 ways to manage the river! River channelisation refers to the different strategies and methods to control both the volume and speed of flow of river.
1) River re-alignment that involves the altering of river channel by removing huge boulders or by widening and deepening the river channel by dredging. This helps to increase speed of flow.

2) River-resectioning that involves shortening of river to increase speed of flow.

3) Vegetation Planting and Clearance that involves binding the soil together and to increase speed of flow.

4) Bank protection that involves building artificial embankments, dykes and levees to preent the collapse of the river bank during heavy downpour when there is a increased in river volume. This is a really cool method as it actually have the ability to reduce the amount of erosion due to the force of running water that will thus reduce the amount of sediments to be deposited and piled up and thus increasing capacity of river to reduce threat of flooding.

That's all for today(:

Joelle

Thinking about the Environment

This will be just reflecting about the uses of rivers!

Any idea what a river, made up of only tributaries, distributaries and watershed etc. actually can do. It may be only be from a boring source, but if you think deep enough, you might feel that they are really cool natural phenomenon!

Firstly, rivers can actually form physical structures like the Grand Canyon of Arizona that is done by the Colorado River. It is really interesting to know about this as it is just a natural ability of the nature to do special things like that. Being able to form a unique physical landform will have a great impact on the country because it will bring about curious tourists to come to the country to have a look at it themselves and enjoy nature. Isn't it marvellous? Besides, the country also benefit from it as economic growth will increase.

Secondly, rivers can also facilitate human activities such as trading purposes and also to link indigenious people from various countries to have cultural exchanges to understand more about each other so as to reduce the chances of having conflict between countries. An example is the river that flows through Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia and Romania and empties at the Black Sea. Isn't it cool! People of various countries can easily meet one another by just a streamline! Wouldn't it be great if life was just that simple and thus reducing the amount of global warming caused by fuel used in machineries due to technology like aircraft. Gosh, the Earth needs to be saved from pollutants that causes the Earth to be sick! :(

Lastly, it provides humans the basic neccessity of our life! Water! For example, Ganges people go up to the Himalayas Mountains to obtain for cooking, drinking and washing. Water is one that will keep us alive and going and ensure that our cells have sufficient water to keep us alive with different functions. It also helps in maintaining our body temperature by homeostasis to maintain the stable and suitable internal environment in the body. So, dont you agree that rivers really have done a great part for the Earth? (:

Bomb Blast!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7614280.stm

Wells, Today is just going to be reflection on a quite tragic news (Click the link above to read).

I personally feel that the people who planted the bomb in India are really cruel people who have no idea that their wrongdoings have resulted in the deaths of many people. Have they ever thought that their actions could have caused the inconvenience of many people, especially the government.

Why do I say so? Look, if the areas bombed are places that people always go to, that is the places where the country's income will come from. Thus, through this incident, a lot of economic loss will be affected and India might even find it tough to cover the losses to need to rebuild a certain areas. Worst still, people who lost their family members must be drowned with sorrows and missed their family members dearly. It is indeed depressing to read a new like that.

Indeed, the government should try to find out those bombers and put them into justice. Otherwise, they might in turn do even more harm to others which is definitely not a good sign.

However, even if the bombers were be put to jail, it is not a full assurance that the same thing would not happen again. Who knows? There might be a case done by another group of people. Thus, India should come up with a plan to allow the people in their country to be prepared in those kind of horrid situations instead of panicking and in a lost. I believe that by giving the citizens a run through about what actions to take during life-and-death situations like that, will minimise the harm done to the humans.

What about you?

Joelle

Introduction

Hey all!
This blog created is strictly for reflections of newspaper articles or interesting facts. Nothing more.

Joelle