In life, you will meet many people; some will encourage and help you and others that will discourage or even distract you. These people will eventually play a part in molding your character, values and life principles. Can you identify the voices around you? “Voices” refers to those that are able to influence or make an impact on your actions/thoughts. E.g. Parents, friends, or even people who you do not know. Sometimes these “voices” can influence you without you being aware of it.

Question: As a student, what are the “voices” that surround you? What can you do to prevent those “voices” that can influence you negatively? Go to the website below, complete the quiz, and find out if you are the one influencing others.

After looking at the site, post the results of your quiz on your blog. http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/above-it.aspx#

The voices that surround us so far are our classmates. Some are bad influences, some are good. To prevent those "voices" that can influence us negatively, we should not talk to strangers. There might be good people but we don't know who are good, so we should not take the risk.

Results :
To be updated.

Read the article

In this article,“The girl said she thought that after having sex with the boy, the relationship would last. Do girls her age normally think like this?” My question to you is: Do girls her age normally think like this? Also, do you think its appropriate to go into a relationship at your age?


Girls at this age do not usually think like this, but there are some exceptions at times for some people. The sex is not only underage, she could get STDs or even get pregnant, and the rest of her future would be ruined.

It is rather inappropriate to go into a relationship at this age, BUT THERE ARE ALSO SOME EXCEPTIONS. Everyone has different perspectives in what a "relationship" is, so it really depends on how mature you are. But I think it is inappropriate. It is a waste of time and effort and feelings. You should just focus on your studies instead of crying in the end when you break up.

WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS! WE ARE DOING THIS ON OUR OWN ACCORD B-) [we are SUCH "hardworking" people. HEH]

“Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you.” Do you think it's true? False? What do you think?

It is completely false. Words hurt you as well, especially when people speak vulgarities. It can cause emotional pain and then lead to physical pain. People will start cursing and swearing at you at first, but later taunt at you. In the end you will end up with bruises and wounds when they gang up to bash you up.

"Read this article :

No child's play
Lack of parental support and academic guidance did not stop Jason Chionh from realising his dreams. SHERWIN LOH reports

As a games software engineer at Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, Jason Chionh gets to mix work with pleasure. -- PHOTO: LUCASFILM

IT WAS his teacher who inspired Jason Chionh to pursue a career in video games, but not in the way you would expect.
While doing his final-year Computer Science project at Victoria Junior College, Jason was discouraged from proposing a games-related one. According to his teacher, his design could 'never compete' with the commercial games that are in the market.

'I didn't do a games project but it got me thinking that maybe I can do something in the future,' recalls the 33-year-old, who grew up playing Wing Commander, Monkey Island and Ultima role-playing PC games.

After receiving a computer science degree from the National University of Singapore (NUS), he followed it up with a Master of Science, all the while dreaming of entering the fledgling game industry.

'There were no game-related studies but I knew what I wanted to do and was prepared to move overseas if I had to.'

There was also the fantasy of creating his own game with a few friends, if no one would hire him.

All this while, he kept his aspirations from his family and friends, knowing that job opportunities were scant, with gaming still considered mere child's play.

In 2002, he applied through the Economic Development Board job attachment program to work with noted Japanese games company Koei but was not selected.

He found a job as a full-time teaching assistant at NUS and tried again the following year. This time, he was accepted by Sega, another noted Japanese games developer and publisher, and went on an 18-month stint.

What he found really useful was the on-the-job training and experience he gained from working on console games.

One title he worked on was Altered Beast for the Sony PlayStation 2 console.

He worked on all the programming aspects for implementing the fight scenario, the artificial intelligence behaviour of the boss character, the visual effects and the sound and animation of the characters, to name a few.

Upon returning home, he took on a job with G-Gadget, a local start-up working on games for the Nintendo DS-Lite platform.

His parents, however, did not like his job because they felt that game piracy limited any possible success in the industry.

Things took a positive turn when industry giant Lucasfilm of Star Wars fame announced that it was setting up an animation and games arm here.

Jason successfully applied to Lucasfilm Animation Singapore and soon found himself surrounded by his childhood movie and game heroes, from the Jedi masters, Indiana Jones to Guybrush Threepwood.

'I heard they were hiring and you don't question yourself if you want to join Lucasfilm,' he said.

As a games software engineer, he is currently working on several unannounced game projects. He already has one title under his belt - last year's Jedi Alliance game for the DS Lite.

His involvement in this game was more extensive, as he worked on programming both the engine for the game and the game systems, including the sound, visual effects and combat systems.

His parents have also come around and accepted his chosen profession.

For Jason, his long-time dream lives on. Although he is part of a large team working on several games, he still wants to create his own video game one day.

To turn that dream into reality, he realises it is going to take more hard work at Lucasfilm.

'What I find most valuable is to be able to work with a very talented pool of people here. We are able to openly discuss ideas and bounce these ideas off one another,' he said.

'Because of this, I have learnt a lot and I feel there is so much more that I can learn.'



After you read, I would like you to answer a few questions.
a) What are your views in pursuing a career with the gaming industry, especially in Singapore?
b) What qualities does Jason Chionh have that allow him to do what he wish to do?"



a) I think persuing a career with the gaming industry is worth, as many people these days love to play games, and even get addicted to them. On the other hand, if they want to persue that kind of career in Singapore, i think it would not be so good as Singapore is a small country, and there may not be so many people as expected playing their games. It should be worldwide.

b)He has attained a Computer Science Degree with NUS, and it shows that he would be able to create a computer game. When he became a full-time teaching assistant at NUS, he was accepted by Sega, another noted Japanese games developer and publisher, and went on an 18-month stint. He could use all these experiences to allow him to persue a career with the gaming industry. (:

"John was checking his email one day, and he saw this particular one, which was sent to him from someone he did not know. The subject of the email sounded urgent, so instead of deleting it, John clicked on it to read it.

Subject: 81 feared dead from swine flu in Mexico

I sent this email to you with a very heavy heart. I’m sure you have heard of the recent swine flu outbreak. Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that was first detected in April, 2009. The virus is infecting people and is spreading from person-to-person, and has sparked a growing outbreak of illness in the United States with an increasing number of cases being reported internationally as well.

To date, A/H1N1 flu has killed 337 people in 121 nations and regions and the number of the total infected exceeded 80,000, a top official of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday. There are already 1003 cases in Singapore, a country known for its stringent health measures.

Just FYI, in 1918, there was flu pandemic -commonly known as the Spanish flu- which was caused by an unusually severe and deadly Influenza A virus strain of subtype H1N1, claimed the lives of 50-100 million people. Researchers are speculating if the one that is ongoing will have that high number of death tolls, that is, if the pandemic persists.

I’ve attached a file on how to protect yourself during this period of outbreak. I sincerely urged you to take a look at it, so that you can take the said preventive measures. You are not only protecting yourself, but also the people around you.

My cousin, who lives in Mexico, introduced me to a type of medicine that is said to work effectively. I’ve also given you the link in the file attachment. I strongly encourage you to purchase the medicine, as I have also purchased it myself.


Yours sincerely,
Max Wilkertin

Now, what should John do? Should he open the file attachment? Should he buy the medicine?"



In my opinion, i think John should NOT open the file attachment, as maybe there may be a virus attached with it. Furthermore, he should NEVER by the medicine. I bet it is a scam. There may never even be a medicine in the first place, and he would be cheated of his money, which is precious.

"In Session 1, we shared about how your online identity is public, not private, and how you should always be careful what you post online.

Watch the following clip linked below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOwpGF1SOQM
What do you think the clip is trying to share?"


Well, I think the clip is trying to tell us to think before we post anything on the internet, and think of the consequences after we post them. Information we reveal on the internet can be seen by ANYONE at all, so they'd know everything about you that you had posted, and you may regret it in the future. In short, it is trying to tell us not to reveal our personal information on the internet.

In life, you will meet many people; some will encourage and help you and others that will discourage or even distract you. These people will eventually play a part in molding your character, values and life principles. Can you identify the voices around you? “Voices” refers to those that are able to influence or make an impact on your actions/thoughts. E.g. Parents, friends, or even people who you do not know. Sometimes these “voices” can influence you without you being aware of it.

Question: As a student, what are the “voices” that surround you? What can you do to prevent those “voices” that can influence you negatively? Go to the website below, complete the quiz, and find out if you are the one influencing others.

After looking at the site, post the results of your quiz on your blog. http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/above-it.aspx#

The voices that surround us so far are our classmates. Some are bad influences, some are good. To prevent those "voices" that can influence us negatively, we should not talk to strangers. There might be good people but we don't know who are good, so we should not take the risk.

Results :
To be updated.

Read the article

In this article,“The girl said she thought that after having sex with the boy, the relationship would last. Do girls her age normally think like this?” My question to you is: Do girls her age normally think like this? Also, do you think its appropriate to go into a relationship at your age?


Girls at this age do not usually think like this, but there are some exceptions at times for some people. The sex is not only underage, she could get STDs or even get pregnant, and the rest of her future would be ruined.

It is rather inappropriate to go into a relationship at this age, BUT THERE ARE ALSO SOME EXCEPTIONS. Everyone has different perspectives in what a "relationship" is, so it really depends on how mature you are. But I think it is inappropriate. It is a waste of time and effort and feelings. You should just focus on your studies instead of crying in the end when you break up.

WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS! WE ARE DOING THIS ON OUR OWN ACCORD B-) [we are SUCH "hardworking" people. HEH]

“Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you.” Do you think it's true? False? What do you think?

It is completely false. Words hurt you as well, especially when people speak vulgarities. It can cause emotional pain and then lead to physical pain. People will start cursing and swearing at you at first, but later taunt at you. In the end you will end up with bruises and wounds when they gang up to bash you up.

"Read this article :

No child's play
Lack of parental support and academic guidance did not stop Jason Chionh from realising his dreams. SHERWIN LOH reports

As a games software engineer at Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, Jason Chionh gets to mix work with pleasure. -- PHOTO: LUCASFILM

IT WAS his teacher who inspired Jason Chionh to pursue a career in video games, but not in the way you would expect.
While doing his final-year Computer Science project at Victoria Junior College, Jason was discouraged from proposing a games-related one. According to his teacher, his design could 'never compete' with the commercial games that are in the market.

'I didn't do a games project but it got me thinking that maybe I can do something in the future,' recalls the 33-year-old, who grew up playing Wing Commander, Monkey Island and Ultima role-playing PC games.

After receiving a computer science degree from the National University of Singapore (NUS), he followed it up with a Master of Science, all the while dreaming of entering the fledgling game industry.

'There were no game-related studies but I knew what I wanted to do and was prepared to move overseas if I had to.'

There was also the fantasy of creating his own game with a few friends, if no one would hire him.

All this while, he kept his aspirations from his family and friends, knowing that job opportunities were scant, with gaming still considered mere child's play.

In 2002, he applied through the Economic Development Board job attachment program to work with noted Japanese games company Koei but was not selected.

He found a job as a full-time teaching assistant at NUS and tried again the following year. This time, he was accepted by Sega, another noted Japanese games developer and publisher, and went on an 18-month stint.

What he found really useful was the on-the-job training and experience he gained from working on console games.

One title he worked on was Altered Beast for the Sony PlayStation 2 console.

He worked on all the programming aspects for implementing the fight scenario, the artificial intelligence behaviour of the boss character, the visual effects and the sound and animation of the characters, to name a few.

Upon returning home, he took on a job with G-Gadget, a local start-up working on games for the Nintendo DS-Lite platform.

His parents, however, did not like his job because they felt that game piracy limited any possible success in the industry.

Things took a positive turn when industry giant Lucasfilm of Star Wars fame announced that it was setting up an animation and games arm here.

Jason successfully applied to Lucasfilm Animation Singapore and soon found himself surrounded by his childhood movie and game heroes, from the Jedi masters, Indiana Jones to Guybrush Threepwood.

'I heard they were hiring and you don't question yourself if you want to join Lucasfilm,' he said.

As a games software engineer, he is currently working on several unannounced game projects. He already has one title under his belt - last year's Jedi Alliance game for the DS Lite.

His involvement in this game was more extensive, as he worked on programming both the engine for the game and the game systems, including the sound, visual effects and combat systems.

His parents have also come around and accepted his chosen profession.

For Jason, his long-time dream lives on. Although he is part of a large team working on several games, he still wants to create his own video game one day.

To turn that dream into reality, he realises it is going to take more hard work at Lucasfilm.

'What I find most valuable is to be able to work with a very talented pool of people here. We are able to openly discuss ideas and bounce these ideas off one another,' he said.

'Because of this, I have learnt a lot and I feel there is so much more that I can learn.'



After you read, I would like you to answer a few questions.
a) What are your views in pursuing a career with the gaming industry, especially in Singapore?
b) What qualities does Jason Chionh have that allow him to do what he wish to do?"



a) I think persuing a career with the gaming industry is worth, as many people these days love to play games, and even get addicted to them. On the other hand, if they want to persue that kind of career in Singapore, i think it would not be so good as Singapore is a small country, and there may not be so many people as expected playing their games. It should be worldwide.

b)He has attained a Computer Science Degree with NUS, and it shows that he would be able to create a computer game. When he became a full-time teaching assistant at NUS, he was accepted by Sega, another noted Japanese games developer and publisher, and went on an 18-month stint. He could use all these experiences to allow him to persue a career with the gaming industry. (:

"John was checking his email one day, and he saw this particular one, which was sent to him from someone he did not know. The subject of the email sounded urgent, so instead of deleting it, John clicked on it to read it.

Subject: 81 feared dead from swine flu in Mexico

I sent this email to you with a very heavy heart. I’m sure you have heard of the recent swine flu outbreak. Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that was first detected in April, 2009. The virus is infecting people and is spreading from person-to-person, and has sparked a growing outbreak of illness in the United States with an increasing number of cases being reported internationally as well.

To date, A/H1N1 flu has killed 337 people in 121 nations and regions and the number of the total infected exceeded 80,000, a top official of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday. There are already 1003 cases in Singapore, a country known for its stringent health measures.

Just FYI, in 1918, there was flu pandemic -commonly known as the Spanish flu- which was caused by an unusually severe and deadly Influenza A virus strain of subtype H1N1, claimed the lives of 50-100 million people. Researchers are speculating if the one that is ongoing will have that high number of death tolls, that is, if the pandemic persists.

I’ve attached a file on how to protect yourself during this period of outbreak. I sincerely urged you to take a look at it, so that you can take the said preventive measures. You are not only protecting yourself, but also the people around you.

My cousin, who lives in Mexico, introduced me to a type of medicine that is said to work effectively. I’ve also given you the link in the file attachment. I strongly encourage you to purchase the medicine, as I have also purchased it myself.


Yours sincerely,
Max Wilkertin

Now, what should John do? Should he open the file attachment? Should he buy the medicine?"



In my opinion, i think John should NOT open the file attachment, as maybe there may be a virus attached with it. Furthermore, he should NEVER by the medicine. I bet it is a scam. There may never even be a medicine in the first place, and he would be cheated of his money, which is precious.

"In Session 1, we shared about how your online identity is public, not private, and how you should always be careful what you post online.

Watch the following clip linked below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOwpGF1SOQM
What do you think the clip is trying to share?"


Well, I think the clip is trying to tell us to think before we post anything on the internet, and think of the consequences after we post them. Information we reveal on the internet can be seen by ANYONE at all, so they'd know everything about you that you had posted, and you may regret it in the future. In short, it is trying to tell us not to reveal our personal information on the internet.