ramble \RAM-buhl\, verb, noun:
1. to wander about
2. a walk for pleasure without predetermined destination
3. to talk or write about one thing and then another without useful connection
As you ramble along them, it is difficult not to feel something of a peeping-tom; this is Surrey at its most intimate, with arches over garden gates framing views of tile-hanging and leaded lights.-- Clive Aslet, Telegraph.co.uk, 11/17/2008
Pierce and Carmen were on a northward walk markedly better organized than our own: having rambled throughout Europe, they had entrusted a local company to plan their trip.-- Gregory Dicum, New York Times, 2/3/2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
A word a day.
paltry \PAWL-tree\, adjective:
1. almost worthless; trifling
2. of no worth; contemptible, despicable
The Denver defense is in tatters, ranking among the worst in the league, surrendering 31 points to a Raiders team that had been averaging a paltry 12.8 per game.-- Mark Kiszla, Denver Post, 11/24/2008
It has long been acknowledged, for instance, that the British Secret Intelligence Service has compensated for its paltry size - it has about one-tenth the manpower of the CIA - by leveraging the reputation of its most famous fictional spy, James Bond.-- Kelly M. Greenhill, Los Angeles Times, 5/28/2007
Almost everything on the vastly unimaginative happy hour menu contains pico de gallo and sour cream, including small, wizened potato skins containing a few paltry crumbles of bacon.-- Nikki Buchanan, The Arizona Republic, 11/25/2008
1. almost worthless; trifling
2. of no worth; contemptible, despicable
The Denver defense is in tatters, ranking among the worst in the league, surrendering 31 points to a Raiders team that had been averaging a paltry 12.8 per game.-- Mark Kiszla, Denver Post, 11/24/2008
It has long been acknowledged, for instance, that the British Secret Intelligence Service has compensated for its paltry size - it has about one-tenth the manpower of the CIA - by leveraging the reputation of its most famous fictional spy, James Bond.-- Kelly M. Greenhill, Los Angeles Times, 5/28/2007
Almost everything on the vastly unimaginative happy hour menu contains pico de gallo and sour cream, including small, wizened potato skins containing a few paltry crumbles of bacon.-- Nikki Buchanan, The Arizona Republic, 11/25/2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
A word a day.
jaded \JEY-did\, adjective:
worn out; tired, weary
The bad guys were potential Islamic extremists. But anywhere, at this jaded stage in the global war on terror, was literally and metaphorically off the map: a remote African laboratory for the long anti-terror struggles of the future.-- Paul Salopek, Chicago Tribune, 11/18/2008
The dynamism of this U.S. election will have important ripple effects elsewhere. Voters in much of the developing world have become jaded about elections, especially those heavily promoted by the United States.-- Trudy Rubin, Miami Herald, 11/9/2008
worn out; tired, weary
The bad guys were potential Islamic extremists. But anywhere, at this jaded stage in the global war on terror, was literally and metaphorically off the map: a remote African laboratory for the long anti-terror struggles of the future.-- Paul Salopek, Chicago Tribune, 11/18/2008
The dynamism of this U.S. election will have important ripple effects elsewhere. Voters in much of the developing world have become jaded about elections, especially those heavily promoted by the United States.-- Trudy Rubin, Miami Herald, 11/9/2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
A word a day.
fabricate \FAB-ri-keyt\, verb:
1. to make, build, or construct
2. to make up, invent
3. to fake or forge a document or signature
"I've had more people tell me that throughout my career: 'Man, we love to watch you play. Your enthusiasm and stuff like that.' I mean, it's not fabricated. I love to play the game …"-- Dennis Waszak Jr., The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 11/19/2008
At the same time, Mr. Heinonen acknowledged that the agency "did not have sufficient information at this stage to conclude whether the allegations are groundless or the data fabricated."-- Elaine Sciolino, New York Times, 10/9/2008
The complex-shaped crystals of calcite were fabricated using a technique that involves depositing the mineral in a way that creates intricate microscopic patterns.-- Sandeep Junnarkar, CNET News, 2/21/2003
1. to make, build, or construct
2. to make up, invent
3. to fake or forge a document or signature
"I've had more people tell me that throughout my career: 'Man, we love to watch you play. Your enthusiasm and stuff like that.' I mean, it's not fabricated. I love to play the game …"-- Dennis Waszak Jr., The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 11/19/2008
At the same time, Mr. Heinonen acknowledged that the agency "did not have sufficient information at this stage to conclude whether the allegations are groundless or the data fabricated."-- Elaine Sciolino, New York Times, 10/9/2008
The complex-shaped crystals of calcite were fabricated using a technique that involves depositing the mineral in a way that creates intricate microscopic patterns.-- Sandeep Junnarkar, CNET News, 2/21/2003
Monday, December 8, 2008
Cambodia
I've been away to Cambodia, and hence, a lack of posts in my domain.
In general, it is always more convincing if you see it for yourself, rather than me telling you. Therefore if you have the chance, go TRAVEL. Widen your horizons!
I don't mean to preach, but I've decided to post this, just so you know how fortunate you people are in Singapore. While you may be busy spending your time playing your PSP (which by the way, in your official English composition is Playstation Portable game) or XBox 360 or Wii. Guess what an average kid in Cambodia is busy doing???
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*
*
*
*
*
*
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A girl stationed by the tree, waiting for passing tourists...
She came up to me, asking me to make a purchase...
AND THERE ARE MANY LIKE HER IN THEIR COUNTRY.
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*
*
*
Let's just be thankful you are born in Singapore huh.
In general, it is always more convincing if you see it for yourself, rather than me telling you. Therefore if you have the chance, go TRAVEL. Widen your horizons!
I don't mean to preach, but I've decided to post this, just so you know how fortunate you people are in Singapore. While you may be busy spending your time playing your PSP (which by the way, in your official English composition is Playstation Portable game) or XBox 360 or Wii. Guess what an average kid in Cambodia is busy doing???
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
A girl stationed by the tree, waiting for passing tourists...
She came up to me, asking me to make a purchase...
AND THERE ARE MANY LIKE HER IN THEIR COUNTRY.
*
*
*
*
Let's just be thankful you are born in Singapore huh.
A word a day.
eminent \EM-uh-nuhnt\, adjective:
1. high in station, rank, or repute; prominent, distinguished
2. conspicuous; noteworthy
3. high; lofty
4. standing out above other things; prominent
Several others of the most eminent artists of our country had urgently requested Mr. Dickens to sit to them for his picture and bust, but, having consented to do so to Alexander and Dexter, he was obliged to refuse all others for want of time.-- G.W. Putnam, The Atlantic, October 1, 1870
Children who are to become eminent do not like schools or schoolteachers. Many famed men found their own homes more stimulating, preferred to skip school and read books omnivorously. Today's "regimented schools" would not consider them college material.-- Victor Goertzel, The Gifted Child Quarterly, December 1, 1960
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incursion \in-KUR-zhuhn; -shuhn\, noun:
1. a sudden attack; invasion, raid
2. a running or flowing in
Jerina's bulwarks failed to protect Bosnia from the last great incursion against Europe from the East, the invasions of Ottoman Turk armies into the southeastern corner of the continent beginning in the fourteenth century.-- Chuck Sudetic, Blood and Vengeance
1. high in station, rank, or repute; prominent, distinguished
2. conspicuous; noteworthy
3. high; lofty
4. standing out above other things; prominent
Several others of the most eminent artists of our country had urgently requested Mr. Dickens to sit to them for his picture and bust, but, having consented to do so to Alexander and Dexter, he was obliged to refuse all others for want of time.-- G.W. Putnam, The Atlantic, October 1, 1870
Children who are to become eminent do not like schools or schoolteachers. Many famed men found their own homes more stimulating, preferred to skip school and read books omnivorously. Today's "regimented schools" would not consider them college material.-- Victor Goertzel, The Gifted Child Quarterly, December 1, 1960
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incursion \in-KUR-zhuhn; -shuhn\, noun:
1. a sudden attack; invasion, raid
2. a running or flowing in
Jerina's bulwarks failed to protect Bosnia from the last great incursion against Europe from the East, the invasions of Ottoman Turk armies into the southeastern corner of the continent beginning in the fourteenth century.-- Chuck Sudetic, Blood and Vengeance
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A word a day.
adulterate \uh-DUHL-tuh-rayt\, verb:
1. to add an inferior, impure, or improper substance to; lower the quality or purity of a food or other substance without greatly altering the appearance; corrupt
2. debased by adulteration; adulterated
It would seem as if some men considered it a sin ever to sell a pure article, if it be possible to adulterate it with something cheaper.-- Adulterated Drugs, Drinks, and Diet, New York Times, October 23, 1949
Industrial plant directors bent upon fulfilling the Plan adulterate their products to increase quantity.-- Lance Morrow, The Inscrutable Soviets, Time, May 9, 1972
The disciples also promised not to adulterate milk with water, or flour with powdered stone.-- Atomic Vows, Time, May 14, 1946
1. to add an inferior, impure, or improper substance to; lower the quality or purity of a food or other substance without greatly altering the appearance; corrupt
2. debased by adulteration; adulterated
It would seem as if some men considered it a sin ever to sell a pure article, if it be possible to adulterate it with something cheaper.-- Adulterated Drugs, Drinks, and Diet, New York Times, October 23, 1949
Industrial plant directors bent upon fulfilling the Plan adulterate their products to increase quantity.-- Lance Morrow, The Inscrutable Soviets, Time, May 9, 1972
The disciples also promised not to adulterate milk with water, or flour with powdered stone.-- Atomic Vows, Time, May 14, 1946
Monday, November 17, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A word a day.
frowzy \FROW-zee\, adjective:
1. dirty and untidy; slovenly
2. smelling bad; musty
"Lady," said a frowzy, spiritless panhandler, "c'n ya lemmee have a quarter to buy my little boy some milk?"-- The Bleatniks, Time, August 10, 1957
Based on an old apartment building in Spokane, Wash., it is complete with frowzy lobby and stains on the wall that you wouldn't want to analyze too closely.-- Jerry V. Haines, Minneapolis mind expansion, Los Angeles Times, August 13, 2001
The chief of staff's normally impeccable office had become a frowsy litter of coffee cups, cigarette butts, carbines and musette bags.-- Frank Gibney, Help Seemed Far Away, Time, July 9, 1946
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ensconced \en-SKONST\, adjective:
1. sheltered comfortably and firmly
2. sheltered safely; hidden
Determined to make the continental crossing in style, Reed ensconced his wife and four children in an enormous, custom-built, two-story wagon, complete with sleeping bunks, upholstered seats and a built-in stove.-- Bruce Barcott, Meals on Wheels: A novel of the Donner Party," review of Snow Mountain Passage, by James D. Houston, New York Times, April 7, 1997
Hamish is our puppet millionaire: an aged plant-tub tycoon, ensconced in a country house of sprawling vulgarity, he remains the befuddled pawn of his wife Gemma.-- Martin Amis, Prose Is the Leading Lady," review of Words of Advice, by Fay Weldon, New York Times, October 1, 1973
Only when he was firmly ensconced in the prime minister's office, with the reins of power in his hands, did Atsuko Abe began to discuss his true agenda with his closest allies.-- Stephen Coonts, Fortunes of War
1. dirty and untidy; slovenly
2. smelling bad; musty
"Lady," said a frowzy, spiritless panhandler, "c'n ya lemmee have a quarter to buy my little boy some milk?"-- The Bleatniks, Time, August 10, 1957
Based on an old apartment building in Spokane, Wash., it is complete with frowzy lobby and stains on the wall that you wouldn't want to analyze too closely.-- Jerry V. Haines, Minneapolis mind expansion, Los Angeles Times, August 13, 2001
The chief of staff's normally impeccable office had become a frowsy litter of coffee cups, cigarette butts, carbines and musette bags.-- Frank Gibney, Help Seemed Far Away, Time, July 9, 1946
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ensconced \en-SKONST\, adjective:
1. sheltered comfortably and firmly
2. sheltered safely; hidden
Determined to make the continental crossing in style, Reed ensconced his wife and four children in an enormous, custom-built, two-story wagon, complete with sleeping bunks, upholstered seats and a built-in stove.-- Bruce Barcott, Meals on Wheels: A novel of the Donner Party," review of Snow Mountain Passage, by James D. Houston, New York Times, April 7, 1997
Hamish is our puppet millionaire: an aged plant-tub tycoon, ensconced in a country house of sprawling vulgarity, he remains the befuddled pawn of his wife Gemma.-- Martin Amis, Prose Is the Leading Lady," review of Words of Advice, by Fay Weldon, New York Times, October 1, 1973
Only when he was firmly ensconced in the prime minister's office, with the reins of power in his hands, did Atsuko Abe began to discuss his true agenda with his closest allies.-- Stephen Coonts, Fortunes of War
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Hot off the press!!!
Sometimes, I wonder... is life that worthless??? Or did this guy want to create a HUGE bang before he leaves this world??!!! I think I'm more horrified by the fact that a tiger can actually claw/ pound a person to death. I would never have imagined their viciousness, as the only form I have ever witnessed were these, which were caged up in the zoo. So yah, tigers in captivity kills too - it's their natural instinct. I forgot, they are not Alex, the dancing tiger in the New York Zoo in Madagascar, the movie. Anyway, the news had me dumbfounded for a while. Any thoughts from your side?
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The Straits Times
14 November 2008, Friday
Cleaner killed by zoo tigers
By Khushwant Singh
A CLEANER at the Singapore Zoo who jumped into the white tiger enclosure yesterday was killed by the animals as a horrified crowd looked on helplessly.
Malaysian Nordin Montong, 32, was set upon by two of the three big cats in the enclosure at around noon.
According to eyewitnesses, Mr Nordin, who was seen shouting and flinging items about shortly before the incident, vaulted a low wall and landed in a moat in the enclosure, four metres below.
Carrying a yellow pail and a broom, he then crossed the 1.75m-deep moat, walked up to a rocky ledge near where the animals were and began agitating them by swinging the broom.
As two of the tigers approached him, he covered his head with the pail, lay down on the ground, and curled himself into a foetal position, two eyewitnesses, an Australian couple, told police. Their identities were withheld pending investigations.
In a flash, two of the extremely rare white tigers were on him. One took a swipe at him with its paw - which is about the size of a softball glove - and he began screaming in pain, said another eyewitness, Dutch tourist W. R. de Boer.
He said many in the crowd of 30 or so onlookers at the enclosure initially thought the intrusion was part of a show.
But when Mr Nordin began screaming, they reacted with horror.
'Some were screaming: 'Go away' to the tigers and others were shouting to scare the tigers,' he said.
The cries alerted zoo staff, and the alarm was raised.
About 20 keepers arrived within minutes. Some tried to prevent the attack from continuing by throwing brooms and dustbin covers, while the rest ushered the shocked onlookers away.
Also deployed were two zookeepers armed with rifles and live ammunition, but these were not used, said the zoo's assistant director of zoology, Mr Biswajit Guha.
Despite the efforts of the keepers, one tiger continued attacking Mr Nordin for several minutes, the zoo said in a statement yesterday.
It only relented after a door to the tigers' feeding area was opened. The animals retreated to it, leaving the cleaner motionless on the ground.
Once the tigers were in the feeding area, the door separating it from the rest of the enclosure was closed, and keepers were able to reach the cleaner.
It was too late, however. Mr Nordin, who hails from Sarawak, had been bitten on the neck and suffered a fractured skull. He died before police arrived.
His colleagues later told zoo staff that the contract worker, who had been working at the zoo for about 41/2 months, had been behaving strangely minutes before the incident.
He had thrown his cutters and meal coupons about before telling them in Malay: 'Goodbye, you won't be seeing me again.'
He then rode off on his bicycle.
The Australian tourists also said they saw him shouting and throwing some things as he walked by the crocodile exhibit, just 10 minutes from the tiger enclosure.
Yesterday's incident was the first time a person had been killed by an animal at the zoo since it opened in 1973.
Before this, the most serious incident occurred in 2001, when Chawang, a bull elephant, gored his keeper of 18 years, Mr Gopal Krishnan.
The keeper suffered fractured ribs and a punctured lung, and was in hospital for close to two months before he eventually recovered.
The zoo, which had to stop the tram ride and prevent visitors from entering during the incident, said yesterday that it would close the white tiger exhibit temporarily as a precautionary measure. It did not say how long the closure would last.
It said the tigers, which are nine years old and were brought in from Sumatra in 2001, would not be put down as they had acted naturally.
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The Straits Times
14 November 2008, Friday
Cleaner killed by zoo tigers
By Khushwant Singh
A CLEANER at the Singapore Zoo who jumped into the white tiger enclosure yesterday was killed by the animals as a horrified crowd looked on helplessly.
Malaysian Nordin Montong, 32, was set upon by two of the three big cats in the enclosure at around noon.
According to eyewitnesses, Mr Nordin, who was seen shouting and flinging items about shortly before the incident, vaulted a low wall and landed in a moat in the enclosure, four metres below.
Carrying a yellow pail and a broom, he then crossed the 1.75m-deep moat, walked up to a rocky ledge near where the animals were and began agitating them by swinging the broom.
As two of the tigers approached him, he covered his head with the pail, lay down on the ground, and curled himself into a foetal position, two eyewitnesses, an Australian couple, told police. Their identities were withheld pending investigations.
In a flash, two of the extremely rare white tigers were on him. One took a swipe at him with its paw - which is about the size of a softball glove - and he began screaming in pain, said another eyewitness, Dutch tourist W. R. de Boer.
He said many in the crowd of 30 or so onlookers at the enclosure initially thought the intrusion was part of a show.
But when Mr Nordin began screaming, they reacted with horror.
'Some were screaming: 'Go away' to the tigers and others were shouting to scare the tigers,' he said.
The cries alerted zoo staff, and the alarm was raised.
About 20 keepers arrived within minutes. Some tried to prevent the attack from continuing by throwing brooms and dustbin covers, while the rest ushered the shocked onlookers away.
Also deployed were two zookeepers armed with rifles and live ammunition, but these were not used, said the zoo's assistant director of zoology, Mr Biswajit Guha.
Despite the efforts of the keepers, one tiger continued attacking Mr Nordin for several minutes, the zoo said in a statement yesterday.
It only relented after a door to the tigers' feeding area was opened. The animals retreated to it, leaving the cleaner motionless on the ground.
Once the tigers were in the feeding area, the door separating it from the rest of the enclosure was closed, and keepers were able to reach the cleaner.
It was too late, however. Mr Nordin, who hails from Sarawak, had been bitten on the neck and suffered a fractured skull. He died before police arrived.
His colleagues later told zoo staff that the contract worker, who had been working at the zoo for about 41/2 months, had been behaving strangely minutes before the incident.
He had thrown his cutters and meal coupons about before telling them in Malay: 'Goodbye, you won't be seeing me again.'
He then rode off on his bicycle.
The Australian tourists also said they saw him shouting and throwing some things as he walked by the crocodile exhibit, just 10 minutes from the tiger enclosure.
Yesterday's incident was the first time a person had been killed by an animal at the zoo since it opened in 1973.
Before this, the most serious incident occurred in 2001, when Chawang, a bull elephant, gored his keeper of 18 years, Mr Gopal Krishnan.
The keeper suffered fractured ribs and a punctured lung, and was in hospital for close to two months before he eventually recovered.
The zoo, which had to stop the tram ride and prevent visitors from entering during the incident, said yesterday that it would close the white tiger exhibit temporarily as a precautionary measure. It did not say how long the closure would last.
It said the tigers, which are nine years old and were brought in from Sumatra in 2001, would not be put down as they had acted naturally.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
A word a day.
soiree \swah-RAY\, noun:
an evening party or social gathering
Rose was reminiscing at a soiree I hosted on a recent sultry evening on Chicago's North Side.-- Laura Washington, World still watching -- but now it's a love fest, Chicago Sun-Times, August 10, 2004
The couple will be honoured guests at this week's soiree and the evening's success will matter more to them than anyone.-- Someone is saving your bacon, Daily Telegraph, April 5, 1998
an evening party or social gathering
Rose was reminiscing at a soiree I hosted on a recent sultry evening on Chicago's North Side.-- Laura Washington, World still watching -- but now it's a love fest, Chicago Sun-Times, August 10, 2004
The couple will be honoured guests at this week's soiree and the evening's success will matter more to them than anyone.-- Someone is saving your bacon, Daily Telegraph, April 5, 1998
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A word a day.
resplendent \rih-SPLEN-duhnt\, adjective:
very bright or shining; splendid
A green and gold locomotive, resplendent with nickel-plated cylinder heads and carrying a brass plate reading "The Flying Yankee" at her front, will, some time this week, add to the distinctiveness of the Boston & Maine Railroad's crack, non-stop express as it races through Massachusetts.
-- 'Flying Yankee,' Resplendent in Green and Gold Colors, Ready for Business, Christian Science Monitor, June 29, 1926
All around the Pope glittered the gorgeous papal court, resplendent in a variety of colors.
-- Arnaldo Cortesi, 300,000 Hail Pope at Easter Service, New York Times, April 16, 1929
Queen Elizabeth II, amid the resplendent banners and bejeweled miters of ecclesiastical pageantry, came to Westminster Abbey today on its 900th anniversary and laid a bouquet of red roses at the shrine of its founder, Edward the Confessor.
The Straits Times
Nov 11, 2008
Failed robbery attempt
Man in disguise tried to rob the United Overseas Bank (UOB) branch in City Plaza on Geylang Road, but failed.
By Esther Tan
AT FIRST, bank teller Ow Soon Hock thought he had one of those pesky customers when the woman walked past the queue of waiting people and approached his counter.
He told her to get back in line. But the tudung-clad customer, who had on a coat and gloves, placed a green paper bag on the counter and told him there was a bomb in it.
Despite the lipstick, the voice was clearly that of a man's.
He ordered Mr Ow to fill up a plastic bag with cash in three minutes, or he would activate the bomb with his cellphone.
In the tense 25 minutes which followed yesterday, gutsy staff at the United Overseas Bank (UOB) branch in City Plaza on Geylang Road overpowered the would-be bank robber, and held him down until the police arrived.
A man in his mid-40s was arrested for attempted robbery.
Mr Ow recalled that moment in an otherwise ordinary afternoon: 'He told me: 'Don't be a hero, I'm desperate'.'
The bank's Certis Cisco officer, Mr Rosli Mohamad Sa'ad, 45, came up beside the man, as the small crowd slowly began to realise what was happening.
'I followed him the moment he came in. He looked suspicious wearing a black tudung, black gloves and a long coat,' said Mr Rosli, who has 20 years of experience as a security officer.
Mr Ow, who was barely four months into his job, got up and went to the back room to tell the branch manager what was happening.
'I had to stay calm. If not the other staff might panic and all would be chaos,' said the 46-year-old teller.
While he was gone, the man again warned the security officer not to be a hero.
'We stared at each other, then he showed me his watch and told me one minute had gone by,' said Mr Rosli.
The guard got his chance to act when the man looked away for a moment to fumble with his cellphone.
Mr Rosli hit him on the arm and wrestled him to the ground. Five UOB male employees, including Mr Ow, helped pin him down until the police arrived.
While this was happening, the customers in the bank retreated into a corner to watch.
Outside the bank, security guards were cordoning off the area to secure it.
'While we were holding him down, he shouted that he was in pain and asked us to let go of him,' said Mr Rosli.
The police said they received a call for help at about 3.40pm, and arrived 10 minutes later. They would not disclose the contents of the bag while investigations are going on.
Mr Ow said: 'I didn't fear for my life at that time. Everything happened so fast there was no time to be scared.'
In 2004, there was an attempted robbery on a Maybank branch in Upper Bukit Timah. The suspect was seriously injured after being shot by a Cisco officer but survived.
In 2003, an attempt was made to rob the Hong Leong Finance branch in Holland Drive. The masked robber was nabbed later the same day.
Failed robbery attempt
Man in disguise tried to rob the United Overseas Bank (UOB) branch in City Plaza on Geylang Road, but failed.
By Esther Tan
AT FIRST, bank teller Ow Soon Hock thought he had one of those pesky customers when the woman walked past the queue of waiting people and approached his counter.
He told her to get back in line. But the tudung-clad customer, who had on a coat and gloves, placed a green paper bag on the counter and told him there was a bomb in it.
Despite the lipstick, the voice was clearly that of a man's.
He ordered Mr Ow to fill up a plastic bag with cash in three minutes, or he would activate the bomb with his cellphone.
In the tense 25 minutes which followed yesterday, gutsy staff at the United Overseas Bank (UOB) branch in City Plaza on Geylang Road overpowered the would-be bank robber, and held him down until the police arrived.
A man in his mid-40s was arrested for attempted robbery.
Mr Ow recalled that moment in an otherwise ordinary afternoon: 'He told me: 'Don't be a hero, I'm desperate'.'
The bank's Certis Cisco officer, Mr Rosli Mohamad Sa'ad, 45, came up beside the man, as the small crowd slowly began to realise what was happening.
'I followed him the moment he came in. He looked suspicious wearing a black tudung, black gloves and a long coat,' said Mr Rosli, who has 20 years of experience as a security officer.
Mr Ow, who was barely four months into his job, got up and went to the back room to tell the branch manager what was happening.
'I had to stay calm. If not the other staff might panic and all would be chaos,' said the 46-year-old teller.
While he was gone, the man again warned the security officer not to be a hero.
'We stared at each other, then he showed me his watch and told me one minute had gone by,' said Mr Rosli.
The guard got his chance to act when the man looked away for a moment to fumble with his cellphone.
Mr Rosli hit him on the arm and wrestled him to the ground. Five UOB male employees, including Mr Ow, helped pin him down until the police arrived.
While this was happening, the customers in the bank retreated into a corner to watch.
Outside the bank, security guards were cordoning off the area to secure it.
'While we were holding him down, he shouted that he was in pain and asked us to let go of him,' said Mr Rosli.
The police said they received a call for help at about 3.40pm, and arrived 10 minutes later. They would not disclose the contents of the bag while investigations are going on.
Mr Ow said: 'I didn't fear for my life at that time. Everything happened so fast there was no time to be scared.'
In 2004, there was an attempted robbery on a Maybank branch in Upper Bukit Timah. The suspect was seriously injured after being shot by a Cisco officer but survived.
In 2003, an attempt was made to rob the Hong Leong Finance branch in Holland Drive. The masked robber was nabbed later the same day.
Results
To my students getting your report books tomorrow...
GOOD LUCK PEOPLE!!! Whatever the results, take it in your stride. If you think you have not performed as well as expected, then you have to work harder next year. If you are satisfied with your results, then I definitely happy for you.
Whatever the case, after this week, have a good rest and recharge during the holidays, and get ready to start work next year, because we have a REAL short time frame to work with!!!
cheers
Ms Q
GOOD LUCK PEOPLE!!! Whatever the results, take it in your stride. If you think you have not performed as well as expected, then you have to work harder next year. If you are satisfied with your results, then I definitely happy for you.
Whatever the case, after this week, have a good rest and recharge during the holidays, and get ready to start work next year, because we have a REAL short time frame to work with!!!
cheers
Ms Q
What are most diamonds used for?
Only about 20 percent of diamonds are made into jewels. Because they are so hard, most diamonds are used to make tools such as dental drills and metal cutters.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa
Do you know that watching movies can help improve your English too??!!! Well, you gotta pay attention to what the story is about & understand what the characters are saying, of course.
Anyway, this movie is hilarious and definitely worth you spending your limited allowance on! Go catch Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa soon!!!
Anyway, this movie is hilarious and definitely worth you spending your limited allowance on! Go catch Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa soon!!!
Proverbs
God knows where you people learn your proverbs from. But it's definitely not from the EL teachers!!!
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A Singaporean first grade school teacher had twenty-six students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the first half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading, keep in mind that these are first graders (6-year-olds) because the last one is a classic!
No First half of proverb Answer of first grader
1 Don't change horses until they stop running.
2 Strike while the bug is close.
3 It's always darkest before Daylight Saving Time.
4 Never underestimate the power of termites.
5 You can lead a horse to water but how?
6 Don't bite the hand that looks dirty.
7 No news is impossible.
8 A miss is as good as a Mr.
9 You can't teach an old dog new math.
10 If you lie down with dogs, you'll stink in the morning.
11 Love all, trust me.
12 The pen is mightier than the pigs.
13 An idle mind is the best way to relax.
14 Where there's smoke there's pollution.
15 Happy the bride who gets all the presents.
16 A penny saved is not much.
17 Two's company, three's the Musketeers.
18 Don't put off till tomorrow what you put on to go to bed.
19 Laugh and the whole world you have to blow your nose.
laughs with you, cry and
20 There are none so blind as Stevie Wonder.
21 Children should be seen and not spanked or grounded.
22 If at first you don't succeed get new batteries.
23 You get out of something see in the picture on the box.
only what you
24 When the blind lead the blind get out of the way.
25 A bird in the hand is going to poop on you.
26 Better late than pregnant.
********
A Singaporean first grade school teacher had twenty-six students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the first half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading, keep in mind that these are first graders (6-year-olds) because the last one is a classic!
No First half of proverb Answer of first grader
1 Don't change horses until they stop running.
2 Strike while the bug is close.
3 It's always darkest before Daylight Saving Time.
4 Never underestimate the power of termites.
5 You can lead a horse to water but how?
6 Don't bite the hand that looks dirty.
7 No news is impossible.
8 A miss is as good as a Mr.
9 You can't teach an old dog new math.
10 If you lie down with dogs, you'll stink in the morning.
11 Love all, trust me.
12 The pen is mightier than the pigs.
13 An idle mind is the best way to relax.
14 Where there's smoke there's pollution.
15 Happy the bride who gets all the presents.
16 A penny saved is not much.
17 Two's company, three's the Musketeers.
18 Don't put off till tomorrow what you put on to go to bed.
19 Laugh and the whole world you have to blow your nose.
laughs with you, cry and
20 There are none so blind as Stevie Wonder.
21 Children should be seen and not spanked or grounded.
22 If at first you don't succeed get new batteries.
23 You get out of something see in the picture on the box.
only what you
24 When the blind lead the blind get out of the way.
25 A bird in the hand is going to poop on you.
26 Better late than pregnant.
A word a day.
intimation \in-tuh-MAY-shuhn\, noun:
an indirect or slight suggestion; hint
She had always had an intimation of her destiny: all her senses would go on the alert, as if bracing her for a blow-a terrible, crushing, powerful blow-of luck, whether good or bad.-- Nina Berberova, Cape of Storms (translated by Marian Schwartz)
As it drew nearer he recognized it as a police car and some intimation of drama touched him, the prelude to some story, and he seated himself to watch.-- William Gay, The Long Home
Jake Hersh, like Mordecai Richler himself a Canadian, is a television and film director living in London and struggling against that awful time in life when possibilities suddenly close and a dire intimation of finality sets in.-- Jonathan Yardley, review of St. Urbain's Horseman, by Mordecai Richler, New York Times, June 26, 1967
an indirect or slight suggestion; hint
She had always had an intimation of her destiny: all her senses would go on the alert, as if bracing her for a blow-a terrible, crushing, powerful blow-of luck, whether good or bad.-- Nina Berberova, Cape of Storms (translated by Marian Schwartz)
As it drew nearer he recognized it as a police car and some intimation of drama touched him, the prelude to some story, and he seated himself to watch.-- William Gay, The Long Home
Jake Hersh, like Mordecai Richler himself a Canadian, is a television and film director living in London and struggling against that awful time in life when possibilities suddenly close and a dire intimation of finality sets in.-- Jonathan Yardley, review of St. Urbain's Horseman, by Mordecai Richler, New York Times, June 26, 1967
Sunday, November 9, 2008
A word a day.
olfactory \ol-FAK-tuh-ree; -tree; ohl-\, adjective:
of smell; having to do with smelling
What stirred this olfactory reminiscence was the confession of a Philadelphia newsman that the situation in his home town was "stinking."-- Stinking, Time, October 26, 1937
Mr. Lichter's visitor inhaled the rich sour aroma of the establishement and remarked upon its olfactory munificence.-- Richard F. Shepard, Pickles, Peppers and Other Puckery Palate-Pleasers, New York Times, March 30, 1971
of smell; having to do with smelling
What stirred this olfactory reminiscence was the confession of a Philadelphia newsman that the situation in his home town was "stinking."-- Stinking, Time, October 26, 1937
Mr. Lichter's visitor inhaled the rich sour aroma of the establishement and remarked upon its olfactory munificence.-- Richard F. Shepard, Pickles, Peppers and Other Puckery Palate-Pleasers, New York Times, March 30, 1971
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Current Affairs
I held a current affairs quiz for the Sec 3s today. I hope they found the topics interesting and relevant to their current lifestyles.
Topics broached on:
1. Sanlu tainted milk scandal
2. Youth Olympic Games 2010
3. Marina Barrage
4. Formula1 Race
More pictures to follow soon!!!
Topics broached on:
1. Sanlu tainted milk scandal
2. Youth Olympic Games 2010
3. Marina Barrage
4. Formula1 Race
More pictures to follow soon!!!
A word a day.
I'm sorry that I've been tardy in my posts. A list of words for your reference.
abate \uh-BAYT\, verb:
1. to make or become less in force or intensity; decrease or diminish2. to be at an end; become null and void3. to deduct from something; reduce
Chicago law requires the landlord to abate lead paint hazards and provides fines up to $500 for each violation.-- Ed Sacks, Lead and asbestos worry mom, Chicago Sun-Times, July 14, 2004
Still, behind the scenes, he was desperately trying to cajole support from colleagues warily assessing whether the perfect storm that had engulfed him would abate--or sweep him into oblivion.-- Howard Fineman, Ghosts Of The Past, Newsweek, December 22, 1998
addle \AD-'l\, verb:
1. to make or become muddled or confused2. to make or become rotten or putrid
As TV audiences saw, it was enough to addle Fellow Oscar Winner Jon Voight's brain for the rest of the night.-- Frank Rich, Pros at Play, Time, May 6, 1975
United Nations troops waited to take up their posts as guards to ensure that no liquor, women or bribe money was smuggled in to addle the judgment of the Deputies.-- Empty Campus, Time, July 13, 1957
You'd think you'd have to be seriously dumb to be fooled in this way but there's undeniably something about residential property, whether an investment or simply a family home, that can addle the brains of otherwise quite sensible people.-- Liz Dolan, Money surgery: keep property out of pensions, Daily Telegraph, May 17, 2001
epicure \EP-ih-kyur\, noun:
1. a person who enjoys eating and drinking and who is very particular in choosing fine foods and beverages; gourmet 2. a person who is fond of luxury and pleasure
The journalists, bloggers, chefs and others who make up the Fat Pack combine an epicure's appreciation for skillful cooking with a glutton's bottomless-pit approach.-- Kim Severson, The Fat Pack Wonders if the Party's Over, New York Times, March 18, 2004
While taking courses at City College in the late 1930's, he became active in its Young Communist League, where he stood out as the only black person, as a talented organizer and as an epicure who introduced his comrades to good wines, cheeses and pates.-- Alan Brinkley, One Was a Multitude, New York Times, March 1, 1993
As a confirmed epicure, I have eaten just about every meat acceptable in the Western world.-- Robert V. Camuto, My Verona, Washington Post, May 3, 2004
abate \uh-BAYT\, verb:
1. to make or become less in force or intensity; decrease or diminish2. to be at an end; become null and void3. to deduct from something; reduce
Chicago law requires the landlord to abate lead paint hazards and provides fines up to $500 for each violation.-- Ed Sacks, Lead and asbestos worry mom, Chicago Sun-Times, July 14, 2004
Still, behind the scenes, he was desperately trying to cajole support from colleagues warily assessing whether the perfect storm that had engulfed him would abate--or sweep him into oblivion.-- Howard Fineman, Ghosts Of The Past, Newsweek, December 22, 1998
addle \AD-'l\, verb:
1. to make or become muddled or confused2. to make or become rotten or putrid
As TV audiences saw, it was enough to addle Fellow Oscar Winner Jon Voight's brain for the rest of the night.-- Frank Rich, Pros at Play, Time, May 6, 1975
United Nations troops waited to take up their posts as guards to ensure that no liquor, women or bribe money was smuggled in to addle the judgment of the Deputies.-- Empty Campus, Time, July 13, 1957
You'd think you'd have to be seriously dumb to be fooled in this way but there's undeniably something about residential property, whether an investment or simply a family home, that can addle the brains of otherwise quite sensible people.-- Liz Dolan, Money surgery: keep property out of pensions, Daily Telegraph, May 17, 2001
epicure \EP-ih-kyur\, noun:
1. a person who enjoys eating and drinking and who is very particular in choosing fine foods and beverages; gourmet 2. a person who is fond of luxury and pleasure
The journalists, bloggers, chefs and others who make up the Fat Pack combine an epicure's appreciation for skillful cooking with a glutton's bottomless-pit approach.-- Kim Severson, The Fat Pack Wonders if the Party's Over, New York Times, March 18, 2004
While taking courses at City College in the late 1930's, he became active in its Young Communist League, where he stood out as the only black person, as a talented organizer and as an epicure who introduced his comrades to good wines, cheeses and pates.-- Alan Brinkley, One Was a Multitude, New York Times, March 1, 1993
As a confirmed epicure, I have eaten just about every meat acceptable in the Western world.-- Robert V. Camuto, My Verona, Washington Post, May 3, 2004
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween, students!!!
A word a day.
gloaming \GLOH-ming\, noun:
Twilight; dusk.
The children squealed and waved and smiled, their teeth flashing white in the gloaming.-- Evan Thomas, Robert Kennedy: His Life
It was the gloaming, when a man cannot make out if the nebulous figure he glimpses in the shadows is angel or demon, when the face of evening is stained by red clouds and wounded by lights.-- Homero Aridjis, 1492: The Life and Times of Juan Cabezon of Castile (translated by Betty Ferber)
Arrived at the village station on a wintry evening, when the gloaming is punctuated by the cheery household lamps, shining here and there like golden stars, through the leafless trees.-- Margaret Sangster
Twilight; dusk.
The children squealed and waved and smiled, their teeth flashing white in the gloaming.-- Evan Thomas, Robert Kennedy: His Life
It was the gloaming, when a man cannot make out if the nebulous figure he glimpses in the shadows is angel or demon, when the face of evening is stained by red clouds and wounded by lights.-- Homero Aridjis, 1492: The Life and Times of Juan Cabezon of Castile (translated by Betty Ferber)
Arrived at the village station on a wintry evening, when the gloaming is punctuated by the cheery household lamps, shining here and there like golden stars, through the leafless trees.-- Margaret Sangster
Thursday, October 30, 2008
A word a day.
hubris \HYOO-bruhs\, noun:
Overbearing pride or presumption.
During his long tenure in the financial world, Friedman has watched dozens of his competitors' businesses killed by hubris born of success rather than by unsound business decisions or adverse market conditions.-- Lisa Endlich, Goldman Sachs: The Culture of Success
This is the actor's hubris, to imagine the world possessed of a single, avid eye fixed solely and always on him.-- John Banville, Eclipse
With dizzying hubris, Shelley elevated the vocation of the poet above that of priest and statesman.-- Peter Gay, Pleasure Wars
Overbearing pride or presumption.
During his long tenure in the financial world, Friedman has watched dozens of his competitors' businesses killed by hubris born of success rather than by unsound business decisions or adverse market conditions.-- Lisa Endlich, Goldman Sachs: The Culture of Success
This is the actor's hubris, to imagine the world possessed of a single, avid eye fixed solely and always on him.-- John Banville, Eclipse
With dizzying hubris, Shelley elevated the vocation of the poet above that of priest and statesman.-- Peter Gay, Pleasure Wars
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
A word a day.
bivouac \BIV-wak, BIV-uh-wak\, noun:
1. An encampment for the night, usually under little or no shelter.2. To encamp for the night, usually under little or no shelter.
Rob had made his emergency bivouac just below the South Summit.-- David Breashears, "Death on the mountain", The Observer, March 30, 2003
They were stopped by savage winds and forced to bivouac 153 m below the day's goal.-- Erik Weihenmayer, "Men of the Mountain", Time Pacific, February 4, 2002
1. An encampment for the night, usually under little or no shelter.2. To encamp for the night, usually under little or no shelter.
Rob had made his emergency bivouac just below the South Summit.-- David Breashears, "Death on the mountain", The Observer, March 30, 2003
They were stopped by savage winds and forced to bivouac 153 m below the day's goal.-- Erik Weihenmayer, "Men of the Mountain", Time Pacific, February 4, 2002
A Word a Day.
execrable \EK-sih-kruh-buhl\, adjective:
1. Deserving to be execrated; detestable; abominable.
2. Extremely bad; of very poor quality; very inferior.
His human-rights record was abysmal. His relations with Washington were adversarial. He rivaled Zimbabwe's execrable Robert Mugabe for the title "Africa's Saddam."
-- James S. Robbins, "The Liberian Opportunity", National Review, July 8, 2003
For while agents and editors often misunderstand their market and sometimes reject good or even great works, they do prevent a vast quantity of truly execrable writing from being published.
-- Laura Miller, "Slush, slush, sweet Stephen", Salon, July 25, 2000
Any theatergoer who has ever felt the urge to murder an actor for an execrable performance should get a kick out of two backstage mysteries that do the deed with a nice theatrical flourish.
-- Marilyn Stasio, review of The Gold Gamble, by Herbert Resnicow and Death Mask, by Jane Dentinger, New York Times, October 30, 1988
The decision to level the ancient cathedral is described candidly by one latter-day authoritative guidebook as having demonstrated "execrable taste."
-- Dick Grogan, "Pillars speak out to save cathedral", Irish Times, June 11, 1997
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