EleCt ELiTeRaTi

2007-09-12T21:58:00.000+08:00

I'm slow at posting this, but better late than never :D

_anis.

custody chaos

2007-09-04T15:48:00.000+08:00

Hello people!

Just a follow up to the lesson today - who do you think Christopher should choose to stay with? Feel free to share any other relevant ideas such as your impressions of Father, Mother, Christopher and even Mr. Shears.

Cheers,
Mrs Venod

resurrecting the novel

2007-08-31T21:47:00.000+08:00

ACHTUNG (that's German for 'attention'): Bring along your copy of Curious Incident for Lit Holiday Lessons. I trust you still remember the novel...
For those who have lost their copy, it's HIGH TIME you either search for it or buy another copy.

See you on Monday...bright and early @ 0800 in 3E3.

Buenos noches (that's Spanish for 'good night'),
Mrs Venod

on puns and humor.

2007-08-29T12:25:00.000+08:00

/.

Just thought I'd share something in reference to our discussion on word puns and word plays. (yes, there are sexual overtones, but try not to take it too seriously. I found it hilarious.)

"Sex Changes" by The Dresden Dolls.

Dear mr. and/or mrs. sender-
We're pleased to inform you that your applications been accepted
Starting from the time you get this letter
Your life will be one never-ending
"hope you're feeling better"
You get your choice of an aesthetic
We'll need to chop your clock off (tick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock)
It might not be what you expected
There is no money back once you've been ripped off ripped off ripped off!

Today's a very special day
The boys'll murder for it but what will the neighbors say
It leaves you feeling pretty hollow
It might be nice to look at
Don't forget you're stuck with it tomorrow (and tomorrow, and tomorrow....)

You're big enough to stop pretending
You'll start to really show within a week or so
So don't go saying it's just come to your attention
You'll get more than you're asking for without the right protection

Today's a very special day
And how you'd love to have a little thing with which to play
But love won't get you very far
Today be still your beating heart
You'll have to keep on feeding it tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

Boys will be boys will be boys will be boys will be boys will be boys will be girls with no warning
Girls will be girls will be guys will be boys that don't cry over toys that they use to beat girls they
Despise by the morning
They always said that sex would change you...

No second thoughts the knife is nearing
You'll never hear the little pitter patter pitter patter
Of this little feat of engineering
Of course i love you and of course it's what's inside that matters
But i think the whole charade is ending
It seems to me to be the only way to keep from getting
Caught up in a long life of regretting
The doctors said that once you get a taste for it you'll keep on cutting

But while you happen to be here
Why don't you whisper all those sweet forevers in my ear
Stiff upper lip for all this sorrow
Hurry up and stick it in
You never when it will end
Tomorrow or tomorrow or tomorrow...

happy hauntings.
_anis.

2007-08-17T19:27:00.000+08:00

hello people...
hehehehe... first time posting at this blog..
sorry mrs v. ..

okay .. first day at kindergarden(i suddenly forget how do i spell it..)
was "WHAT??!!!"
my form teacher called me...
KAMALAI !! instead of KAMALIAH ..
i was like...
hehehehe ..
who is the person with such a funny name ..
not knowing it was actually me,KAMALIAH ..
i cannot remember my teachers who taught me back then..
1st year..
i took chinese...and was like...
ermmm ..."hello everyone my name is kamaliah"
while the rest were speaking in mandarin..
went home .. scolded my mom .. hahahahha .. i was the only malay girl there ..
then 2nd year.. i took malay .. AT LAST !!
but there's one thing that happen ...
this particular day..
i went to the toilet with a friend..
the toilet is at another room and it was dark.. i mean the room...
i asked my friend to wait for me.. she said "okay..kita tunggu awak"
that means okayy.. i'll wait for you ..
so after doing my business..
i went out ..
and..i
i'm ALONE !!
she left me in the toilet ALONE !
worst still !!! i tried to open the door which connected my malay classroom to the empty room .. IT'S LOCKED !!
i knocked it real hard .. and like 5 mins later my teacher opened..
i was like ..." ????????"

primary school i remembered i cried telling the teacher "i want my mother"
because everyone was looking at me like i'm n alien which came form pluto or mercury ..

and yeah ... this one i experienced every first day at school...
i stepped into the school gate ..
and everyone will start looking at my left eye ..
first time was really irritating..but now, i manage to accept the teases ..
till now they still call me names.. because of my eyes ..
and one of the names they called me is "terminator" and i have no idea why...
does terminator have the same left eye as me ??
and yeah .. I will not be offended if people ask me straight what happened to my left eye..
but i will be offended when they start making fun of me...TILL NOW !!!

Much Love ,
Liiah <3 .

fat :D

2007-08-11T21:34:00.000+08:00

Firstly, to Anis : you're not that bad, people with those curly hair and straight fringes + THICK MAKE-UPS are worst ( they're whor-ish , i know it's insulting but think i care? ) .
* CHEERS *

Okay, back to the matter. When i was in primary 1-3, i seldom hang around with friends in school, because i was only given 50 cents and my 'friends' thinks that i'm stingy because i NEVER joined them during recess. Oftenly, " EEE.. Dingjie so niao (stingy) one, always tapao(takeaway) food from home. " can be heard. ANDANDANDANDAND probably because of that when i was in primary 4, when i was given a RAISE in my pocket money, I ATE&ATE&ATE&ATE&ATE until like this -.-

O________o nice one la .

poop.

2007-08-09T23:08:00.000+08:00

/.

aha. I'm always the outsider whether I like it or not. All my life.

I've always hated the idea of conformity-I whined about the fact that all uniforms were,well, uniform- and have tried really hard to avoid it. And failed. eh.

Primary school was a walk the park, until I transferred into a co-ed school. I was the only girl who spoke proper English, could back-sass the teacher, and was very outspoken (yes, even then.) But the girls never liked me because I was rough, and they could only either speak Malay or Chinese. They didn't like me because, well, they had no boobs (this was round primary 4.yes, I'm a fast bloomer). I didn't make the effort to hunch, because I was proud to have something they didn't :D
But I didn't really care back then. I had a couple of friends whom were brave enough to befriend me and not poke fun at my boobs. Primary school was goooood.

Secondary school began with much dislike. People poked fun at my boobs (...even now.), made fun of the way I spoke, people I associated myself with, yadayada, the way I dress...
I'm born with the IDONTGIVEASHIT-gene, so taunts don't usually get to me. Eventally, insults finally sink into my thick skull. And then my self-esteem level disintergrates, my love for life does as well, etcetcetc, and so I feel like shit. And mostly wondering why people hate me so much.(boy, that's...um..emo.) Then later, I come to a shocking conclusion ; my life does not really suck, people are arseholes, and anti-conformity will always be met with animosity.
But I think it doesn't really matter when you have so many good people in my life as I do :DDDD

....
.
.

RUBBER DUCKIES!

-a n i s.

2007-08-09T21:45:00.000+08:00

Somehow, when I was in kindergarden, I was stuck in a whole class of mostly chinese pupils. I was the only malay girl in class, & I took up mandarin instead. But I wasn't required to sit for the test (thank god). Maybe because I was a teeny weeny bit darker than the rest of them, I wasn't close to any of the female species in my class. However, the boys were rather nice, at that point of time, & include me in their games & sat beside me. The girls in the class was jealous, perhaps? So they stared at me like I was an alien, or some sort.

But soon, I became rather more tomboyish and mixed alot with the guys when I went to primary school. I was much more rugged & rough back then, what's with my very short hair. And I forgot to mention, for the whole of my primary school years, I've never had my hair go beyond my shoulder length. Its either that, or it is super short. So somehow, Iam always associated with the boys, and became one of them.

Secondary school, however, was a whole different thing. I was friendly, & I guess I made a lot of friends. Whether they really like me or not, is a different story. -______-''

Oddballs and Outsiders

2007-08-09T15:42:00.000+08:00

When I was about 10 years old, I felt pressured to conform, just so that I could fit in with a certain group of girls. I practically starved myself (I was REALLY chubby), forced myself to like the cheesy teeny-bopper music they listened to, and to act really interested in Barbie dolls. Nothing against those girls and anyone else who likes Barbie, but I felt miserable because I tried too hard to be accepted, but still failed.

At that age, it really affected me that others teased me. I was a plump, bookworm who still enjoyed watching cartoons (Transformers, Ninja Turtles, GI Joe, Batman - I was hooked!), and I was at risk of being left on my own, without any friends - and worse, as I was told by one of those snooty girls, no boy would like me because I was weird.

Of course I grew out of it and became a little more confident - I have my Dad to thank for making me realise that 'weird' was a term used by the masses of faceless people to label those who dared to be their own person - but thinking back, it was rather painful feeling left out.

For this post, I'd like you to share if you have ever experienced not fitting in, and how you felt.

Happy National Day!

Waiting for the fireworks =),
Mrs Venod

2007-08-05T23:19:00.000+08:00

Mornings never such as dull,
although the sun shone bright at my ass.
Mummy recklessly smacked my skull,
To force me out of my lovely nest.

Today marks the first day of school,
Mother made a most delightful breakfast for a start.
However going to school would never be cool,
No one's gonna make me cakes and tarts.

I remember getting lost for there were too many doors.
I cried and screamed and shrieked and kicked.
And even end up banging the wall,
Then i was told im no longer a kid.

What's for lunch and how many pennies they need?
Can i have my milo dinosaur with lots of ice?
No one was with me at my seat,
No one was trying to be nice.

The nasty monsieur tells me i can't read,
and hit me on my knuckles it swelled up red.
Who was he? Neither kith nor kin!
Mummy, i can't wait to escape!

- Li hua

the "oh-shit" feeling.

2007-08-04T22:35:00.000+08:00

/.

what else do I feel but fear?
fear, fear, fear;
of the death of love
of the not knowing

I die a little more inside.

Hollow and empty
I'm swallowed by emphaty
yearning, yearning to feel
other than fear itself.

Unrequited fear of the Everything,
Nothing and Anything-
Frost bites at my fingers,
nip at them 'till they turn black-

It doesn't engulf the fear,
It knows I'm afraid
I knows I fear
that my core suffers a failure.

on a side note, totally unrelated to the whole trauma first day at school thing. ~~And I know it's bloody emo. So sue me eh?~~ feel very paiseh for posting twice =.= In case you find yourself wondering, yes, the name of this 'poem' is "the OhShit feeling." Unless of course, someone may offer a less crude name, which I may happily adopt. What I want to put across(in the poem) is the severity of being an emotional cripple like myself.

Hope it hit home.
-♥
a n i s.

t r a u m a

2007-08-04T22:25:00.000+08:00

/.

Hello,my babies.
Here's my contribution.

The only traumatic first day I've ever had was waaaaaaaaay back in Kindergarden, which I may have mentioned. I wore a cute pink hat to school when the standard requirment for girls were a scarf, or tudung.
The teacher was really nice about it, she didn't do anything except ask whether I was of mixed blood. When I appeared in school the next day in a different,yet equally adorable hat, however, my teacher snatched the hat off my cute little (did I mention white?) head, smacked me squared in the middle with a ruler. She also made me stand outside until it was recess time, and drilled me on the importance of respecting Muslim laws. I stuck my tongue out at her and got another smack on my head.

Not very traumatic, but I didn't like the fact I had to be told what to do. I was (still am) a brat growing up. Being told to comform was a vaguely matured idea that occured to me around this time, and I still got pissed because I could not let my oh-so sparkling personaliy shine much.

Luckily the teacher switched schools. Or something. I just knew she was gone. HAHA.

I'd write it with a bit of balance- trying to illustrate the very thing most adults tend to overlook.
That children aren't really all that stupid and dim-witted as one might suppose. To write the poem with a childish tone that simply drips with irony because of the maturity displayed by said 5-year-old.

...I think I've confused you guys. O______o

-♥
a n i s.

The kaarangoni...

2007-08-04T19:35:00.000+08:00

Scared were we …
Seeing…
not a monster…
not a wolf…
not any evil supernatural events…

But a NEWS PAPER collector!!!

Scared were we…
Not because he looked scary…
We would never say he is….
As we have never seen him before…

Scared were we…
As we have been told…
He kidnaps children…
Who wander off without their parents…
Who hate to study and disobeys elders…

“KARANGONI…KAARANGONI…”

Here he comes now…
No need to be scared…
As we are safely under our bed…
He will never be able to find us now…

Will he???

RIDICULOUSLY HAPPENING

2007-08-04T12:57:00.000+08:00

RIDICULOUS ' THEORIES ' OF MY FAMILY

1) If there's any leftovers on your plate, your wife's/husband's face will have moles/pimples.
2) If you swallow a seed, the tree will grow on your head.
3) If you see anyone urine/shit, your eyes will be swollen.
4) If you sleep with your leg facing the god, god will smack your butt.

FIRST DAY IN KINDERGARDEN

I seriously think that my teacher should have a brainwash then, when she was giving out the food, she gives out one by one, and she stopped giving when it was my turn and attended to other kids. As it was just the first day, i don't know what to say, so i kept my mouth shut throughout.

FIRST DAY IN PRIMARY SCHOOL

First, i went to school reluctantly. Then, we practiced writing ABCs and 123s. And the teacher came to my desk and look. She said my handwriting was the worst in the whole class. At first i don't really care, but after that this is what she said : " I am going to show to the whole class the neatest and the ugliest work. " I got pissed ( though i don't know what pissed is then ) and i sat alone with my mouth shut throughout again.

FIRST DAY IN SECONDARY SCHOOL

I don't want to keep my mouth SHUT anymore! So, i decide to make friend. So i sat in the middle of two guys and we talked non-stop until the teacher change our seats. -.-

Of Evacuees and First Days

2007-08-01T21:27:00.000+08:00

Hello hello!

The last 2 poems we discussed dealt with traumatic childhood experiences. Thrilling took a more serious and solemn stance, while McGough adopted humor for his piece.

For this post, I'd like you to plough through the recesses of your mind and think back to a distressing moment you experienced as a child.

If you were to write a poem about it, would you adopt a serious tone, or a humorous one? Why so?

You can choose to mention the experience, ONLY if you feel comfortable doing so. For those feeling particularly creative, write the poem and share it with us.

See you next lesson!
Mrs Venod

What happens if you forget your morning coffee?

2007-07-27T19:59:00.000+08:00

Well, yours truly left the list of email addresses in school, and something tells me that it's already disappeared into the uncertain depths of the abyss that is my desk. We can all safely conclude that Mrs Venod needs a critical caffeine buzz DAILY for normal functioning.
So instead of waiting till Monday to attempt a futile search-and-rescue of the email list, I offer you this option: post a comment to this entry leaving your name and your email address eg. Joanna - blahblahblah@yadayadayada.com
However, if you are afraid that some random (and creepy!) digi-perverts might chance across our blog, get a hold of your email addresses and start e-stalking you, then wait till Monday to pass me your email address.
Meanwhile, for those who have ideas to share about our blog title, feel free to post a comment!
Have a wonderful and restful weekend! Do your homework for heavens sake, and unwind too - some of you look too stressed for 15 year old teenagers!

Till Monday,
Mrs Venod

Finally on the WWW

2007-07-26T19:23:00.000+08:00

Yes, yes...I know I'm rather late in jumping on the digital wave, but I'm here and that's the only thing that matters.
And so ladies and gents, I proudly present to you *drumroll*

***EleCt ELiTeRaTi***

This blog is exclusive to a select few - 25 of you Elective Literature students to be exact - and moi of course, as the charming, eagle-eyed MODERATOR.

The purpose of this blog, you ask? Another platform (Note: "platform" is NOT synonymous with "Aunt Agony", "Slam-board" or "Whine-time") for you to share your opinions and ideas after an engaging and enriching Literature lesson (don't you dare disagree with this!).

For a pleasant blogging experience, here are certain blogkeeping commandments that we ought to adhere to:

1. Thou shall not desecrate the sanctity of this blog with vulgarities or any offensive and abrasive language or opinions.

2. Thou shall not discuss anything that is not related to Literature.

3. Thou shall adopt Standard English as a medium for your posts - need I remind you that you will need to write in Standard English for your 'O' Levels, and not Singlish.

4. Thou shall respect opinions of other members of this blog. However, we agree to disagree (without leading to any controversy or fights).

5. Thou shall always sign off in your given name. This just makes it easier for me. Memorising names is one thing - memorising nicknames and linking them to names is a whole different ball game.

I think five simple rules should be sufficient for now!

On to our first order of business - analyse the title of our blog! How did I come up with the title? What was the inspiration? And what does it mean?

Cheerio!

Mrs Venod