Take12: The Birmingham Grid for Learning

So, these are my statistics from the Multiple Intelligences test. Seems I fall in the categories of Music and Interpersonal.

• Musical: 22
• Interpersonal: 20
• Intrapersonal: 19
• Visual/Spatial: 18
• Linguistic: 18
• Kinaesthetic: 17
• Logical: 16
• Naturalistic: 9

So this is my task:
Post your learning profile on your blog and write in no less than 100 words the implications or what you feel about the Multiple Intelligence test. 

I feel that the MI test has its degree of accuracy. If the questions are carefully pondered upon, the test results could give you a rough estimation of which intelligence you excel in. From these results you will know where to angle your studying methods. For example, one who is naturalistic will be able to remember more things when studying outdoors, while one who is musical can form acrostic poems to help them remember a term. 

However, I find that a test like this has many flaws. For example, it only has a handful of questions for each category. Also, many who punch in the answers so surely might not even know themselves well. They might not hold a certain characteristic though they deem themselves as such. 

On overall, I believe the Mulitple Intelligence test is more accurate than not.  

Take10&11: Peer Pressure/ The Mental Game

Before I begin I'd like to apologise for not posting for so long. Had a lot of thoughts but couldn't find the time to do it as Week 8 was extremely hectic.

Peer Pressure
Well on Wednesday our school hosted a pretty interesting event. Our Annual Cross-Country Meet, an event where the people of  Hwa Chong run a span of 4 km throughout the school compound. Many of us were elated by the fact that this meet would mean a day's off of work. To be frank, I was quite happy that we had Wednesday off and was contemplating on whether or not to follow some of my peers' 'brilliant' idea to walk the majority of the distance. But in the end I decided to say no. It was an onerous task to run 4km after a day of exhausting training but nonetheless I just wanted to take on this challenge. I turned out top for my classes' non-competitive run so I guess that's kind of an achievement.
But I want to point out that it takes courage to say no. Yes, it might be pretty cheesy to be referring to To Kill A Mockingbird now but I believe that that theme of the book is one lesson we should all pick up on. It's the ability to decline a game of football after school when you know the work is piling up, the ability to turn down that opportunity to unleash havoc in class when you know you want to. Basically, resisting temptation is something can come real handy in our lives. I encourage my readers to try and exercise self-discipline and fall not to the depths of temptation. So I want to conclude now at the risk of sounding like some hysterical preacher and say this: Say no when you know you have to.

The Mental Game of Sports
So now, drifting back into the topic of the cross-country meet. Yes, a blistering 4 km. For those who will retort with sentences like "4 km nia!" and such, bear in mind I had training the earlier day and because of nearing competition dates training was naturally harder. However, through this experience, I realised what a mental game sports really is. Having to endure that seemingly-endless path is a tiring thing for both mind and body. But I tend to thing of the body as a tool and it's just the psychological effect that takes a toll on you. Steeling your mind and mentally preparing yourself is extremely important and it's the determination in your mind that keeps you going. That's how Liverpool, trailing 3-0 to AC Milan at half-time managed to equalise 3-3 and take the Champion's league trophy home in that memorable night in Istanbul, that's how Manuel Orantes, in the 1975 US Open semifinals, came back from 6-4, 6-2, to win 3-2. In the deciding set, he came back from 5-0 down to win 7-5! Now that's some amazing examples of mental endurance. So, I would just like to emphasize that it really pays to have that 'never-give-up' mentality, because it is that kind of mind-set that gets us far in life.  

TakeNine: Back Home

I'm many of us went back to our primary schools today. The place where you picked up a lot of stuff, be it good or bad, and have carried it over as you transit from the primary to secondary level. And yes, I went back today too. I saw many familiar faces and relived some nostalgic memories during  my trip there. And there was one face of course, I had mixed feelings about saying hello to..


During the draggy days in primary school there was a rather erratic boy in our class. He was diagnosed as autistic and had some behavior problems. He was really an intelligent guy, having got a Grade 7 for piano and scoring well for his math. But his occasional quirkiness and rather weird sense of humor simply drove him out of everyone's friends lists. Simply talking with him was a horror to my class mates. To be completely honest, I too saw him in a negative light. Its really not easy at all to socialize with people with such unfortunate defects. Even our compassionate form teacher couldn't seal the lid on this particular firefly at times. But God gives his blessings from time to time. And it was to me a blessing that I got to know this autistic figure better because of a peculiar situation.


This autistic dude wandered away from the herd from time to time. So, my physical education teacher assigned me as his "buddy". I was like *face-palm* when I heard about the impromptu decision. What a drag, I had thought. But this assignment actually brought me closer to him and I decided to just accept whatever quirks and queers he had to offer. Sure, in the modern society, conversations with him would be considered lame, but I felt that I ought to give him a chance. Never hurts to be friends I guess. 


I saw him today and he went up to me to converse. Figured I tried my best to entertain him. And I have to say I don't regret any of the time I've probably wasted walking and talking aimlessly around the school. He's a nice guy I guess.


Likewise, we will never really understand some one unless you really get to know 'em. Discrimination and prejudice grow from the seed of arrogance and misunderstanding. I'm sure racism is a great example. Blacks are equal too, not just "three-fifths of a man". And just because majority of construction workers are not Chinese, we cannot brand them as uneducated or inferior;we are the same. "God created all man equal." is a very good statement we can follow. 


I just hope after this I learn to accept the flaws of others and not judge them by their problems, flaws and such.


Peace Out.       

TakeEight: Please, If You're Gonna Put a Ring On It, At Least Be Loyal

Oh boy, Tiger Woods has become such a role model. Now Chelsea Football Club's John Terry is doing it too. Previously we've seen South Carolina governor Mark Sanford and famous talk-show host David Letterman fall prey to the temptation of adultery. So I bring a warning to all my classmates, be loyal to your future spouse!


Just use the Atticus method if you're doubtful. "Climb into" your spouse's "skin and walk around in it". You do not want to regret it in the future. Don't under estimate the power of temptation. It can devour you and melt you down.


I bring this up because it's just discouraging to see so many "famous" men commit the grave sin of adultery. Many of these people are idols, figures which many look up to. Father figures, professional players, charismatic characters- so many people around the world look at these celebrities and really admire them. These well-known people make marriage seem like pointless vows on a piece of scrap paper. Is that the reason why so many cases of adultery has risen?


Just want to end off saying that it's not cool to cheat.