Blog post #5 Persuasive Speech Self-assessment

Good evening fellow readers,

I would like to begin my thanking my team members and also our tutor for being supportive and understanding during a tough week 11. After being out on MC, I had to endure a loss of a very dear family member. Nonetheless, Petrina and Darryl assured me they would cover the tasks I was assigned and I took it upon myself to ensure the slides for the presentation was neat and well-done.

Persuasive speech-wise, I had prepared it. However, I felt I could not memorise key points effectively and resorted to frequent referring of my script. Still, I was satisfied that I managed to convey the intended message and central idea calmly and effectively. The flow required many rearrangements during the preparation process and the three of us were able to eventually sort out the chronological order promptly.

I felt the need to include sufficient evidence as our proposal was approximately 40% hypothetical. I was satisfied at being able to link points with key ideas from the interview with Prof. Andrew Wee (Science Dean) and Mr Wekie Tay (Toastmasters Club Mentor). In addition, I included our own interpretations of the survey as part of an evidence to support our cause.

Getting the powerpoint slides done was a personal challenge I found gratifying. Building on the "skeleton" Darryl provided, I included certain graphics such as the 2 branching charts, the 5 pointed diagram showing the 5 proposed modules and the balance in the conclusion to demonstrate the significance of the benefits in the long run. With inputs from Darryl and Petrina, we arrived at the final product used for our presentation. Nonetheless, I personally felt Team Excellence had a very visually stimulating and entertaining slide layout. I will definitely pick out certain pointers and incorporate them into future presentations.

I believe the major improvement I have to impose upon myself is being better prepared. I under-utilised the practice session we arranged at Petrina's place. Memorising key points and not being too relient on the script would be the key improvement I would like to achieve. In addition, doing a mock presentation once is definitely insufficient. I find this is the case for presentations which are content-laden. I would go through at least 3 mock presentations, each better than the last.

Overall, I believe the team did well and we rallied to finish strongly despite having a shaky encounter. We endured the rigorous Questions and Answer portion together and assisted each other accordingly. Good job guys, and may we do well in this section. ((=

Blog post #4

Evaluating Inter-Cultural Behaviour

The setting was at the "House of Traditional Javanese Massage".





She introduced herself as Idah, who originated from Sabah, East Malaysia. The second child from a family of 6 children, she came to Singapore seeking for a decent job. Though not awed by her decision to step into my homeland, I was dazzled by her enthusiasm and fluid articulation. Idah inquisitively spoke of issues one would never expect from a girl who comes from a kampong. The high standard of living in Singapore turns the younger generation into a pampered bunch, which “will not survive 3 days of kampong life”. I rebutted, stating that her statement is a generalization that might not necessarily apply. Stating myself as well as my social circle of friends as an example, I mentioned that we are educated to be aware of the less fortunate. From this statement, I realised that even us, Singaporeans, fall into categories of stereotypes by our neighbours from the nearby countries. Nonetheless, I was intrigued by her chain of thought in forming such a perception of the young Singaporean generation. It then triggered me, what about those in the Philippines or Cambodia? What would they make of us?

I realised from this experience (I had the conversation during the massage) I was very much ignorant to the fact other people had their perceptions and stereotypes towards us too. I walked away a more receptive and open-minded person, as the experience was rather humbling. Despite her comments, Idah was still friendly throughout. I thanked her thoroughly for the massage, and even more for the insight into the perspective of other young adults within the Southeast Asian region.

Blog post #3

My fellow readers, below is my application letter for the Joint Environmental Minor Programme with the University of Toronto.

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Block 451 Clementi Avenue 4
#09-168 Singapore 327451

2nd September 2010

Ms Issabel Fun Shu Cheng, Secretary Head
Department of Chemistry
21 Science Lane 8
Faculty of Science
National University of Singapore
Singapore 165773

Dear Ms Fun

Application for Environmental Chemistry Minor Programme

I am writing to express my interest in joining the Environmental Chemistry Minor Programme. I am currently a 2nd Year Chemistry major and I will have fulfilled the academic requirements for the Minor Programme by the end of this academic year. As of this moment of application, my CAP score is 3.30.

This programme covers a scope of the impact and consequences of human activities on the atmosphere, as well as the biosphere. Prior to fulfilling the NUS module requirements, I have also read the Module XD3103: Planet Earth. I believe the portion on the chemical composition, chemical reactions and chemical cycles of the earth’s atmosphere within this module would be complementary in aiding me to excel the Minor Programme.

I have secured a position within the Singapore Civil Defence Force and they have a Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Department, dealing with chemical threats and Hazmat Transport systems. Chemical threats will definitely result in detrimental consequences, to both man and his environment, should they ever be released into the atmosphere. Gaining an insight and having the opportunities to analyse how the soil, water and air are affected by such threats through the Minor Programme, I will be able to put into practice the methods to minimise damage when we respond to such incidents.

I find this Programme very relevant to both my future job as well as to create an environmental awareness for the public. As a member of the publicity committee, I have been involved in countless events held by National University of Singapore Students’ Union Students Against Violation of the Earth (NUSSU-SAVE) to fight climate change.

This specific Minor Programme is not offered by any other local universities and this is the most suitable platform for me to experience an Overseas Exchange programme. I strongly feel that by spending a semester at the University of Toronto, I will be able to gain an insight into the cultures of other educational institutions. By interacting with students from various walks of life, I will be able to share and develop new ideas and opinions with regards to our global environment.

Going overseas will also require me to be independent, allowing me to test my adaptability when I am placed in a foreign situation. This experience would definitely be something I can tap on should I be sent on an Overseas Mission by the SCDF, be it to assist in disaster-stricken areas or to mitigate large scale chemical incidents.

I believe if we have the passion to care for our environment, we have the passion for life. We depend on our environment as much as it depends on us. I would be honoured to be given the chance to take a stand, pursue this programme and make a contribution back to the environment through application and further research. Should my application be successful, I can be contacted at +65 9833 4154 or mkz2810@gmail.com. I am grateful for your time in looking through this application letter.


Yours sincerely

[insert signature]

Muhammad Khalis Bin Zulkifli (Mr)

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I might consider using this for an actual application in my third year. Do give me your feedbacks, and I will take every one of them seriously. Thank you for reading! (=

**Certain names, addresses and contact numbers have been changed to protect the identities of the relevant parties.

Blog post #2

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict


I seem to have a super-hate to love relationship with my dad. The following scenario I’ll be sharing happened yesterday, revolving around the Dinner and Dance 2010 for Science Faculty.

Prior to the event, I had a long Saturday. It began in the morning, at 9am, with a soccer match. The Science Inter-Faculty Games team (IFG) had a friendly match with the team from King Edward VII Hall. I played as the goalkeeper for two-thirds of the match for the Science IFG team. It was a close game, as we narrowly lost 1-2. Despite making a few decent saves, I was largely to blame for a goal we conceded. My morale was low.

In the afternoon when I got home, my mum wanted me to run an errand on behalf of my dad who was out working. I was tasked to buy food for my grandpa to break his fast as well as some groceries such as fruits and packet drinks. Despite not having fully prepared my attire for the D&D, I agreed. A small part of me was hoping that my small intention for doing this would be fulfilled.

I reached home at 5.40pm after settling the grocery shopping for my grandpa. My dad was back from work and doing his prayers. I greeted him and I went to get ready. Once dressed, I approached him.

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“Dad, can I use the car? The dinner will probably end around 11pm. I’m afraid I might miss the last train should it end later”, I asked politely.

He curtly replied, “No need lah, it’s a Saturday evening after all. You’ll get frustrated at not being able to find a parking lot. No, furthermore we might want to use it at night.”

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I kept my head up, walked out of his room and left the house without saying another word.

I guess there is no win-win solution in this scenario. My interpretation for his response was, “I can’t find a parking lot in town area on a Saturday evening as it’s too crowded. What makes you think you can?” I was utterly disappointed, but I did not let it ruin the mood for the D&D once I’ve met the rest of my friends who were sitting at the same table.

He might have had a bad day at work while teaching his students, but if that was the case, I probably was a victim of his frustration. He probably thinks driving the car to such an event has little significance. I really was on the verge of writing a “bad news” letter to him but I doubt it can change the outcome of future instances. I comforted myself by telling myself these are such tests we undergo during the holy fasting month. Stay strong and overcome it as at the end of the day, it contributes to my emotional growth and self-honesty.

In such a parent-child scenario, do you think there will be any chance of negotiating a win-win situation?

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Something I would like to share. The part that came to my mind in relation to my above situation was the "People VS Thing".

# Blog post 1

This is the first week in which lessons have started. In the introductory lesson, we explored skills, process, models and channels of communication. A common misconception was underlined; communication was moulded according to a telegraphic model but this is largely inaccurate. In class, we then established that effective communication consists of:

1) Conveying messages or information clearly
2) Receiving the information or messages with minimal distortion

From here, we explored the process and models of communications, which consists of the following.

1) A source of information
2) Encoding (or packaging of the information)
3) Channel (method of delivery of the packaged information)
4) Decoding (the “un-packaging “ of the information)
5) Receiver/Audience (the target person/group at the end of the process)

Each of these 5 has its own process in which the person delivering the message has to account for. Any breakdown in between might lead to a failure in either of the 2 steps of effective communication.

The subsequent lesson covered listening, telling and questioning skills as well as interpreting non-verbal signals. From a book I read some time back, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, there was a Habit “Seek first to understand, and then to be understood”. Stating that we have 2 ears and 1 mouth, by nature we are supposed to listen more than we talk.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey


The undoubted outcome of failing to listen is lack of understanding. Left unchecked, it could escalate to a misunderstanding. A simple story as follows illustrates this:

I went on a scuba diving trip recently in July, and it was from Monday to Thursday. I departed by myself on Monday but since I knew I would be very tired after the trip, I told my dad to fetch me home when I return from the trip on Thursday. “Dad, pick me up at 10 on Thursday!” I shouted as I left the house. When I got back on Thursday evening, I waited at the SRC carpark but my dad was nowhere in sight. At 10.15, I called him, “Dad where are you?” “Where are YOU? You told me to fetch you at 10 so I was at the carpark at 10am!” he said in an exasperated tone. “Dad, I just got back. Didn’t I say I’ll be back at night?”

Well, simple enough. A misunderstanding occurred. So have you encountered something similar?

Testing

Testing 1,2,3.

After a hiatus of approximately 1 year, I am back blogging again. This is a test-post though, as I want to see how the text will appear on the blog.

Blogging to me is an outlet in which thoughts, emotions, observations, perspectives and opinions are expressed in the form of words. Stories can be used as illustrations to further highlight the points made.

Pictures can also be included to stimulate visual interest. Simiarly, video and audio clips can help in adding other dimensions to the blog post.

I believe in a semi-formal setting, as it produces the optimal atmosphere for learning. It keeps the barrier in between too casual and too formal in check, and allows for interaction at a comfortable level, bearing in mind that the purpose is to learn.

Till I return with my #Blog post 1, which should be very soon. ((= Toodles people!~