Economy - Aging Population (Reflection)

3 things that I found out:

- I found out that policies that restrict population growth may have negative impacts and implications in the long run.
- I found out that these policies have been implemented to control a fast growing country, especially for countries with large populations.
- I found out that these policies might cause uneasiness among the people and cause complaints between the people.

2 perceptions I have gained:

- With less people, more people will be able to attain jobs as there will be less competition.
- With a smaller population, the government will be able to build better infrastructure as there will be more money put aside to build infrastructure.

1 question that I have:

- Why did people have so many children before the policies were implemented?

Economy - Aging Population / Policies Poster

Introduction Of Myself

Introduction OF Myself. (200 WORDS)

Hi! My name is Khoo Jia Le. My Chinese name is 古家乐. I asked my mother before if there was any meaning behind my name and they said it was because of the phrase “家庭快乐”. I live in Woodlands and my Primary School is Woodlands Primary School. My family consists of me, my mother, my father, my younger sister and my grandparents. I like to play electronic games. My favourite subjects are Mathematics and History. My CCA is St. John Brigade. At first, I detested CCA as I didn’t know why I was in St. John Brigade when I didn’t put it as one of my CCA choice. But now, I am starting to enjoy CCA as I find it quite fun sometimes. My ambition is to become a lawyer or a successful businessman. I am looking forward to OELP as that is the time where I could go overseas with my class and have no parents controlling me. I am very lazy and therefore, I detest having homework over weekends as I would usually procrastinate and do it only last minute.

Thank You for reading my post and Thank You for your attention. Thank You.

Yours sincerely,

Khoo Jia Le.

Chingay parade 2016 - lights of legacy, brighter Singapore - Carmen

Chingay is the largest street performance and float parade in Asia. From the main parade site to the heartlands, this street extravaganza epitomises the dynamism of Singapore's vibrant and multicultural society. I think the purpose of chingay is to mark the years that have passed and to strive for a better Singapore. On the day in which me and all my year mates had went for the chingay parade, we all saw many memorable events and they all never fail to amaze me.

Vibrant floats, dancing dragons, prancing lions, stilt walkers, wushu masters, performers of different races in their traditional costumes and many many more were performing. Such of the events would be various Malay and indian dances and those of other races. Besides, the light effects that evening brought out the "lights of legacy, better Singapore' theme. They were colourful and also matched the costumes of the performances.

Their performances have warmed my heart as to how a huge performance could actually be put together. It is amazing that how thousands of Singaporeans can actually form up such a wonderful and spectacular performance. I believe this is all because of one main reason, the teamwork  and unity that us Singaporeans have. 

I find it really important that Singapore is a multicultural society as this ensures that regardless of race, religion and socio-economic background, are encouraged to develop to their fullest potential. Everyone has access to education, which equips them with skills and knowledge to earn a better living. 

Hence with this said, i think the organiser has fulfilled his purpose and make Singapore a more successful place.

Chingay Parade 2016 - LIGHTS OF LEGACY, BRIGHTER SINGAPORE

I think the purpose of Chingay 2016 was to connect Singaporeans together from different races, connect overseas memebers and celebrate the Lunar New Year. This has changed alot from the first Chingay as the intial purpose of the first Chingay is just to liften the spirits of the Chinese in Singapore. But now, the Chingay is an event where there are performers from all age groups, from all over the world and also backstage crew from all over the parts of Singapore. Performers and backstage crews have came united and stood together and completed this significant event. This changed has happened from the first Chingay to the Chingay this year as people were willing to put away their identies and work as one to have a better Chingay 2016. I think the organizers have successfully fulfilled this purpose as the performers and backstage crew have really unite together to put up a great Chingay show for audiences to watch. The organizers have also successfully bring the Singaporeans together and unite them as one Singapore. Lets all work together to a better SG100.

Chingay 2016 (Isaiah See)

Chingay's is an annual event with the purpose of celebrating the chinese new year. However, overtime, it became and multi-racial, inter-country event. This year's other purpose is to mark the next 50 years for Singapore to prosper towards SG100.

This has changed over the years since the first chingay as the first chingay was held as another way to celebrate chinese new year since firecrackers were banned in singapore that year. Over the years, it started becoming multicultural (1976) and started foreigners started joining in this event (1987). To make this relevant to everyone, Chingay took a step forward and became a uniquely Singapore event.

The organisers have indeed successfully fulfilled this purpose this year. the colorful costumes, high spirits of the participants and volunteers, floats and differnet programmes has indeed fascinated me as an audience. This celebration had showcased the high tech gadgets that we might be using in the near future as popularity rises (hoverboards , drones, etc. ). It also preserves the past in displaying some activities related to the chinese new year. ( The dragon dance made of firecrackers, the loud noises of chinese instruments , etc.) Although we must embrace the future that lays before us, we should also remember the past and learn from mistakes. On this point, i feel that the organisers have done a great job in making the audience feel this.

Chingay Parade 2016 - Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore - Jia Xuan

    2016 marks the first year of Singapore's next 50 and hence, Chingay 2016 is aptly themed, "Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore". I think that the purpose of Chingay 2016 is to mark the 50 years that have passed, as well as to signify a brighter and more successful Singapore in the next 50 years to come. 

    The first Chingay was held on 4 February 1973, and the parade was a relatively simple one which had been put together by the People's Association and the Singapore National Pugilistic Federation, and it saw a procession of lion dances, giant flag bearers, dragon dancers, stilt walkers, clowns and juggling acts down a 3 kilometre route from old Victoria School to Outram Park. While many in Singapore feel that the annual Chingay parade, now in its 43rd year, has moved away from its original purpose of a street parade for the masses first celebrated in 1973 to make up for a total ban on the long held tradition of letting off fireworks during the Luanr New Year, the parade is without a doubt still very much a celebration of what Singapore is and what perhaps Singapore has become. The parade has in its recent editions become a show of the spectacular, combining a street-like parade in which the people from all major races and from all walks of life participate, with a well-orchestrated show of lights, music and effects which never fail to dazzle the audience. I think that this change happened as Singapore has gone through many changes in technology and economy, hence the change in the way we celebrate Chingay. 

    I think the organisers have successfully fulfilled the purpose of Chingay 2016 which is the mark of the starting of the next 50 years to come before SG 100 arrives. In order to portray a brighter Singapore in the future, the organisers have incorporated bright and colourful floats with brightly-lighted costumes worn by the performers. All these bright and colourful "lights of legacy", with light sticks and a lightbulb included in the drawstring bag given to us, this allows us to get into the theme of "Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore". That definitely shows us that the purpose of Chingay 2016 is to aim for a brighter and more successful Singapore in the future.

Chingay parade 2016-Lights of legacy, brighter Singapore -Adeline

2016 marks the first year of Singapore's next 50 and hence, I feel that apart from bringing the people from different races to celebrate the new year of 2016, the purpose of Chingay 2016 is also to celebrate how successful Singapore have become in 50 years time and to look forward to a better Singapore as Chingay 2016 is themed, "Lights of legacy, brighter Singapore!" 

When Chingay first started in Singapore, it was held as a result of the ban on firecrackers due to fire hazards in 1972. Some people felt that the ban would dampened the festival mood for the Chinese New Year period. To address this issue, the People's association and the Singapore National Pugilistic Association organised a street parade, featuring the signature floats, acrobatic acts, lion and dragon dances, stilt walkers, which are mostly Chinese cultural performances to bring back some cheer to the public to celebrate Chinese New Year. When time passes by, the organizer make changes such that there are not only Chinese cultural performances, other cultural performances such as Malay dance and Indian dance are also included. With that, I believed that the change was made so that to bring people from all races and ethnic groups together to celebrate new year together as one Singapore. 

Chingay 2016 includes unique multicultural performances of all over the world which capture the essence of the Singapore's unique cultural diversity. Not only that, for the opening performance, the people wore costumes and props with LED lights. The light effect of the costumes and props symbolizes the theme "Lights of legacy, Brighter Singapore" which also brings out the purpose of Chingay 2016. Hence, with these, I feel that the organizer have successfully fulfilled its purpose.

-Adeline

Chingay Parade 2016-Yuxuan

I am very glad to have this opportunity to watch the Chingay 2016. 

My first impression on Chingay is a colorful, passionate, and exciting event. My friends and I screamed and cheered for the performance the whole night.

I think Chingay 2016's purpose matches with its theme," Light of Legacy, Brighter Singapore". It marked the prosperity of Singapore in the first 50 years and the well wishes to Singapore in the next 50 years. In the show, there are boats designed with words like " voyage to SG100" . There are also different races from the community performing their traditional dances to the audience. Hence the Chingay 2016 is wishing on a better, more prosperous and racial harmony SG 100.

The first Chingay is only organized  for the celebration of Chinese New Year. However, i think the change happened because Singapore is a multiracial society , therefore, such an exciting event must envolve all  Singaporean no matter of the races, languages or religion.

In my opinion, I think the organizer have fulfilled their purpose successfully. They invited the young audience like us, students from different races and background, to watch this amazing show. Which educated us, the students, on the importance of racial harmony in Singapore, and deepened our love towards Singapore as our nation. Chingay parade had also brought the whole nation together when the crowds screamed and cheered as one.

Does being rich means happiness

I feel that money will bring happiness. Money can buy us many stuff like: iPad ,computer, hand phone, house, nice car. Electronic devices will provide entertainment sources which in my opinion, can bring us happiness. With a big car and house, owe vcan attract girls and friends, which will make us happy.

Money can bring us anything we want which will make us really happy. I like playing soccer. With money I can buy a ball. I like gaming, with money I can buy a gaming device or even buy a really pro account. At times , I can treat my friends which will make some happy.

Singaporeans work hard every day which makes them unhappy. However if they are rich since birth, they can be happy and do not have to work. 

HENCE MONEY GIVES US HAPPINESS

Being a prosperous country, are we a happy country? Why or why not? Does being rich means happy?

Although Singapore is a prosperous country, but in fact Singaporeans are not happy. Compared to China and Malaysia, the Happy Planet Index is lower. This means that Singaporeans are not truly happy. Why is this so? This is probably because of the hectic life we have in Singapore. Many people may not have time to interact with each other due to busy lives. Furthermore, despite some Singaporeans being rich, that does not mean that they are actually truly happy. Although you maybe rich and can afford everything that you want, but think of what you did in order to get what you deserve today. You may have worked hard for most of your life and got rich today, but during you milestones in getting rich, you often overlooked many things. You often do not have time to bond with your family and friends. In the end, your relationship with your family members and friends may just get worts. However, being poor doesn't mean you are unhappy. As long as you are doing something that you enjoy, it will make you happy. Thus, being rich doesn't means happy.

Looking Beyond The Picture (Poverty) -Jia Xuan

Singapore is a relatively prosperous country, but does that really mean that we are a happy country? In my opinion, I definitely do not think that being rich is equivalent to happiness. Those points do not equate, and that might surprise many people. 

Many people expect Singaporeans to be happy, because of all that we have: good transportation and education etc. However, things definitely differ from what most people have in mind. Singapore, is no doubt a great country, looking at the levels of corruptions as well as economic performance. However, there are many other points that others do not consider. Singaporeans could be stressed and frustrated about living in a place with high population density and work stress. This includes the fact that Singaporeans are generally too caught up over academic grades, outcomes and materialism, and pragmatism still weighs heavily on people's minds despite affluence and the city's transformation. The competitive nature of Singaporeans can lead to many having the fear of losing out to others. This might affect the level of happiness that Singaporeans experience as they are more concerned about winning instead of being happy.

The points above prove that being rich doesn't equate to being happy. Instead there are many other factors that contribute to happiness, like good physical and mental health, good personal ad intimate relationships, such as those of marriage, the family and friendships etc. Being rich is definitely not the ultimate reason why people are happy, it can be one of the factors, however there are many who are rich, who are definitely poorer in terms of happiness in comparison to one with an average income. 

Looking beyond the picture -Yuxuan

In my opinion, being rich does not mean happiness of a person. However, a basic financial capacity of a person is very important to keep them away from sadness. 

For example,if  a person is struggling to survive in the underclass society, when he suffers from hunger,  despair, the despise from the rich; he is uneducated,  ignorant and empty minded ; will he be happy? 

I will say no.

In the contrary, does a rich man necessary equals to a happy man? 

Yea, I know,  he has huge possession: large houses, expensive cars, he might also be popular and respected because of his position and his manners. Will he then be a happy man?

My answer is: Yes and no. If a rich man is not contented with what he has, in all those temptations he faced, he might easily loss himself and his real happiness in that process.

In conclusion, the secret of happiness to me is to stay contented with what you have; enjoy all the love and happiness all around that is given to you.

Does being rich means happy?

Personally, I don't think that being rich means being happy. However, one can be happy if they are rich but it don't necessarily have to be this case. Money do not come with happiness. I feel that being happy is just simply being contented with what you have which has nothing to do with the amount of money we have. Sadly, I believed that Singaporeans are not happy even though Singapore is a prosperous country with good transportation, education system, and so on. Most Singaporeans are too caught up over academic grades, outcomes which weighs heavily on peoples' minds despite the city's transformation into a even more modern city and affluence. The modern environment and facilities the country provide residents with had turn most of us into ungrateful people. The affluence we have had caused us to take things for granted and becoming ungrateful and resulting to not feeling happy. Hence I do not think that being rich means happy.