And here perhaps, another explanation for the occurrence of neurological and developmental disorders such as Schizophrenia & Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). xplained through imprinting, where certain genes are "silenced" such that the balance of genes is disrupted, resulting in atypical brains and thus certain disorders .

Article also proposes that mothers' and fathers' genes contribute specific and different functions. Thus, genes from each parent influence differently, instead of similarly as previously thought. For instance, it is suggested that fathers' genes have a larger impact on development of instinctual behaviour such as feeding and mating, while mothers' genes impact more of higher-order cognitions like social executive functions.

Just a thought: Sounds to me like it again occurs because of some freak accident, this accidental imprinting and silencing of genes-which-should-not-be-silenced, rather than some particular process which can be pinpointed to explain why it occurs in the first place. But well, I guess there really isn't any explanation for it.

Knowledge without the skill

"You have the book knowledge but not the skill."

Colleagues at the school I'm attached too were talking about the issue of Singapore's education. The same issues that have been brought up and discussed by others before - We are so focused on books, exams and awards that our children are book-smart but without the hands-on, practical knowledge gained through experiencing it for real. Something which I agree with and for which I feel I am an example of, and I told my "senior" there so. He told me I'm not the only one. This is one reason why I chose to work instead of continuing my studies (if I can) at this point in time. As I was telling surfslayer last night, would you let yourself be treated by a doctor who has never treated a patient before, although the doctor might score straight As throughout his study life?

I saw a year's worth of stress

They say a person can change a lot in a year. They also say the eyes are like windows.

Caught a glimpse of my friend's photo on facebook this afternoon and witnessed how a year of work and stress can change how a person look. She doesn't look horribe, in fact, she is still pretty. However, there is now a hint of wistfulness in her eyes and she doesn't seem to smile as much. Somehow it added up to a sense of maturity around her.

Dumped

Today is a good day because a friend said she dumped the two-timing guy. I am happy for her! It probably won't be easy to maintain but it's a fantastic start and I hope she manages to stick to her decision.

加油!

Theory and Reality

Theory never prepares us sufficiently for reality.

Theory is a bed of roses - everything is nicely packed; Reality is a bunch of biting hamsters - painful and a skill to handle without getting hurt.

My wishes in life

I wish:

In my life, I don't want to just exist. It would be great if I could live.

If not, at least while I'm existing, please let me have done something meaningful and touched at least one person's heart in some way.

It is amazing how at many little steps in life, of unplanned meetings with various people, there are always words to be listened to and from which inspiration can be drawn from.

I remember hearing somebody said something like this in a speech on the day of Commencement, "A lot of us just live without existing."

Edmund, at Psychology Graduate Tea, said something along the lines of, "Do what you wish to do. Mistakes create short-term pain, but things people wish they had done but never did, create long-term regret." He also added at the end, a reference to Social Psychology journal. Well-trained indeed.

It is nice that at the very end of my journey at NUS, I have received such sound advice.

9 crimes

I'll admit, I don't understand the lyrics nor the videos. Is it indicating some sort of crime in particular, or a range of "crimes" in general and also portraying various people's guilt at having committed something? Or perhaps it is explaining how a single person took on a blame for a crime somebody else did? Can anybody explain?

Anyway, I've left the lyrics in small caps because it somehow visually portrays the feel of the song and video - feeling small and guilty, with an ending that somehow came back to the beginning, a full circle, as if they had never had each other.



link
9 crimes

by Damien Rice

leave me out with the waste this is not what i do
it's the wrong kind of place to be thinking of you
it's the wrong time for somebody new
it's a small crime and i got no excuse
and is that alright yeah?
i give my gun away when it's loaded
is that alright yeah?
if you don't shoot it how am i supposed to hold it?
is that alright yeah?
i give my gun away when it's loaded
is that alright yeah, with you?
leave me out with the waste this is not what i do
it's the wrong kind of place to be cheating on you
it's the wrong time she's pulling me through
it's a small crime and i got no excuse
and is that alright yeah?
if i give my gun away when it's loaded
is that alright yeah?
if you don't shoot it how am i supposed to hold it?
is that alright yeah?
i give my gun away when it's loaded
is that alright?
is that alright with you?
is that alright yeah?
if i give my gun away when it's loaded
is that alright yeah?
if you don't shoot it how am i supposed to hold it?
is that alright yeah?
i give my gun away when it's loaded
is that alright
is that alright with you
and is that alright yeah?
is that alright
is that alright
is that alright with you?
no?

Female Games

Female Games

R21

Director: Kan Lume

Cast: Evelyn Maria Ng, Shen Qiaoyun, Fish Chaar, Dean Kuan

Female Games is the first contemporary Singaporean film to portray female homosexuality, and also makes an exploration into other issues pertinent to women such as their self image and gendered roles. The film focuses on the relationship of two Singaporean female models, Alexia and Sandy, who travel to Kuala Lumpur to relax and find work from a casting agent. The tension that underlies their friendship emerges when jealousy gets the better of them both, and they turn enemies. Inspired by the insecurity that women possess to check who is better when they walk past each other, Kan obtained the themes of this film.

This film was actually due to be shown at the 22nd Singapore International Film Festival but was apparently withdrawn due to censorship issues. It is now finally on screen! Films by Director Kan Lume have constantly broached boundaries and Female Games is no exception. His other films include The Art OF Flirting (Best ASEAN Feature, Malaysian Video Awards, 2005) and Dreams From A Third World (MovieMax Award, Cinema Digital Seoul, 2008).

One of the reviews for Female Games is available here. If you're interested, you can read about the filming of the movie from a personal viewpoint of one of the actresses, Sheylara (Shen Qiaoyun), starting from Day 1, on her blog.

It sounds promising and just the sort of movie I would be willing to spend money to watch. Who says R21 movies have to be completely sleazy and without a proper storyline or theme?

Female Games premieres 22nd July 2009, Wednesday, 8pm (with panel discussion at 9.30pm), $15, Sinema Old School.

Other timings (without panel discussion):

Price: $8

July 17, 2009 - 7:45 pm
July 23, 2009 - 2:30 pm, 9:30 pm
July 24, 2009 - 8:00 pm
July 25, 2009 - 6:15 pm, 9:30 pm
July 29, 2009 - 7:45 pm
July 30, 2009 - 9:30 pm
July 31, 2009 - 2:30 pm, 9:30 pm

Location: Sinema Old School

More details here.

Tickets can be bought through Sinema Old School, through phone, email or fax.

Commencement

Oh yes, I officially graduated on Wednesday. How many times have I said that I've "officially graduated" already? Ah, well. I meant the commencement. Anyway, some photos are on my facebook account, here.

A lot of thoughts (and emotions) about it and would love to do a post recounting the events, but it'll have to be another day because I have to be up at 5am for work and I need to go to bed now.

滔滔不绝的问题

多余的追问，是因为不了解彼此？

有完没完

我笨得让我烦恼，天真得让我不知所措。

每一次告诉自己要努力、加油、一定做得到，但事实上根本就是觉得不可能。脑海和心里不是填满着自信和勇气，而是浮现了失败、失败与失败的念头和景像。我是不是真的不再那么害怕失败，还是只不过一直以来我无法在跌倒后站起来才所以没有所谓再次的跌倒？那... 这“我长大了”的感觉，是幻觉？总觉得后者较真。一直有种似乎垫地后无法再爬起来，这个愚蠢的感觉。

一心判断自己无能，做什么都一定会失败的人，又怎么能成功？

厌倦了这种想法啊!!!