My biodata :)

I am Teo Shu Juan, born in Singapore. When I was young, I took up lessons in swimming and the electric organ. These were lessons that I used to hate going to. However, the 21 year old me today is thankful that my parents made me go for these lessons as I think those are important skills to have.

In Zhonghua Primary School, I was a prefect. It was my first time experiencing what it is like having a responsibility to set a good example. I joined the Red Cross as an extra curriculum activity where I picked up some basic first-aid skills.

I then entered into Cedar Girls Secondary School. In class, I took on different roles such as Additional Mathematics representative. I learnt management skills as I had to not only ensure that work is handed up but also that while asking my classmates to hand in work, I do not put any strain to our friendship. I joined the symphonic band where I played the clarinet. I learnt the meaning of teamwork as co-ordination between every instrument was crucial. Many close friendships were gained as everyone went through much hardship and stood by each other while training for the Singapore Youth Festival Competition.

I went into Anderson Junior College where I joined the Outdoor Activities Club. I was the Assistant Quarter Mistress where I had to account for every item and make sure logistics are effectively utilized for every project. Through this role, I gained management skills. We organized many overseas expeditions and activities such as the MOE Scholars’ Orientation Project. During our overseas expeditions where it was very straining physically, everybody was there to support each other and through that we formed a bond that up to today still exists. By organizing various projects, I gained even more experience in teamwork and co-ordination.

During the break before entering into NUS, I had many part-time jobs. One of them was Ben & Jerry’s. When I joined, the outlet at Sentosa was newly opened, thus my friend and I were given the honor of being the pioneers under a supervisor. We could decide on matters pertaining to the shop such as the decoration of the shop. I think it was a really great experience ‘setting’ up your own shop.

I am currently in NUS, majoring in Applied Mathematics. As I was rather strong in Mathematics, I decided to pursue my studies in that area. However, as I took more business modules, I realized Mathematics as a career is not what I want. Thus, when I am applying for jobs now- I will be graduating this semester- the areas I am looking at are finance, human resource and even corporate communications. Without a degree in those areas, it may be rather hard to compete with those who have but I am going to give it a try. I aim to gain some working experience and apply for a Master in Business Administration in 2 years time.

my SMS style

Mobile phones have become a common gadget such that even primary school children have one of their own. I still remember my first primary six tuition kid a few years ago. I was shell-shocked when she requested to exchange mobile numbers! Considering that I was using a pager back in my primary school days and only had a mobile phone of my own at 17, I was surprised when she told me she possessed a mobile phone.

One of the most commonly used functions of a mobile is sending short text message, also known as sending an SMS or SMS-ing. Unlike writing and emailing where proper formal English is required, there are no standard rules or styles in typing an SMS. One may use proper English whilst another may add in a lot of icons together with their message. Basically, there are no hard, fast rules in typing an SMS. I, for one have my own way of writing an SMS. For those who I have SMS-ed before, I’m not sure if you noticed but I have a few habits when SMS-ing. Here it goes:

The use of ‘haha’

Looking through my sent messages in my phone, I realize I tend to use the word haha many times. Even though the message may not be very funny, I will still put in the word. A few such messages are ‘u reach alrd? Haha okie see ya there’ and ‘ haha im in town now so….’ There is no definite rule when I will add in that word but generally when my reply is one of a positive tone I will use a lot of haha. It’s my way of expressing that I am good and happy. However, if I am corresponding with someone formally, I would definitely omit out this word.

Using abbreviations

I tend to use abbreviations when I am SMS-ing. Actually, I guess this generally applies to almost everyone who uses SMS too. To me, a text message is very informal , therefore there is no need to type out in Standard English. In fact, if I SMS-ed my friends using Standard English, they would most probably think that I am angry and ask if I am fine. A list of SMS text abbreviations can be found here http://y2u.co.uk/Knowledge_Information/Technology/RN_Mobile_SMS_Texting_Slang.htm

Encompassing a smile icon in my SMS

There are two main reasons as to why I would put a smile icon in my SMS. Generally, when I am typing a SMS to someone for the first time, I would put a :) in the message as a friendly gesture. I did not used to do this until one day, a friend I had just gotten to know messaged me and she put the icon in her message. When I read her message, I could feel her friendliness and it just made me feel very warm. From then on, I picked up the practice.

The second reason I would put the icon is when I am being cheeky in my message. Some people would put :p as a sign for cheekiness but for my group of friends, we find it very weird to do that and instead we use :)

These are just some of the more common traits found in my SMS to others. How about you? Do you have a certain way of writing a SMS?

Blog post #4: Intercultural situation

Intercultural situation:

A is a teenage boy, who lives in a private housing area where having pets was common. His family has 3 dogs and as far as he could remembered, he had not encountered any conflict with anyone pertaining to his dogs.

One day, A decided to order MacDonald’s delivery in the afternoon. The man (let’s call him B), who delivered the food, happened to be a Malay and an awkward situation soon occurred. When B stopped outside the gate, A’s three dogs immediately ran to the gate and started barking ferociously at B. B maintained a distance away from the gate, not wanting to go near it. Thus, instead of pressing the doorbell, he opted to shout out for A, hoping that he would be heard.

When A came out and saw the situation, he thought it was not necessary to leash the dogs and as he walked towards the gate, he told B, ‘It’s alright! I won’t open the gate! Just pass the food over the gate!’ However,B did not step forward and continued to stare hesitantly at the dogs. By this time, A had already reached the gate and had stretched out his hand over the gate to reach for the food. Still, B did not move forward and instead, tried to stretch the food out from his position, hoping that it would be near enough. However, the distance was still too far apart.

A was started to get irritated with B and did not understand what his problem was. Not wanting to waste any more time, he angrily leashed up the dogs and then opened the gate, snatching the food from B. As he snatched the food from B, he snapped at B ‘Wait till your company hears about this! What kind of service is this?’

Explanation & Interpretation:
Muslims generally regard dogs as impure animals and even to the extent of dogs being devil in animal form. There are many reports, each with their own stand of dogs and how dogs should be treated. One such report states that dogs’ saliva is a contaminant that voids a Muslim’s ritual purity and when a dog licks a container, the container should be washed over a certain number of times, the number differing with different versions of the report. The majority of jurists held that there is no rational basis for this command, and that dogs, like pigs, must be considered impure simply as a matter of deference to the religious text.

Though there are difference viewpoints with regards to dogs, it is a common consensus that dogs is a taboo for Muslims, including Muslims in Singapore. Linking it back to the scenario mentioned above, it is due to this belief that kept B away from the gate. It is his culture not to go near dogs and thus even though a gate serves to separate the dogs and him, he still did not want to be of close proximity to the dogs. His viewpoint of dogs must have been influenced by his family since young and thus this cultural belief is already deep-rooted in him. Wanting him to go against this belief can only lead to a undesirable situation.

On the other hand, A did not know and understand this cultural belief of B. He had never encountered such situation before and thus could not figure out why B was so hesitant in going near the gate. To A, B was rude and had a bad attitude in serving customers. Furthermore, he initially did not want to leash the dogs and having to do so to get his food infuriated him further, leading him to shout at B.

This conflicting situation could have been avoided if there was better communication between A and B. On B’s part, he should have sounded out to A that he could not be near the dogs. As for A, when he saw that B was hesitant about being near the gate, he should have tried to think whether there were any particular reasons for it or asked B in a courteous manner what the problem was. Clarifying and asking can be the key to effective communication.