Thursday, March 10, 2011

Firework


By Katy Perry

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?

Do you ever feel already buried deep?
Six feet under screams, but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there's still a chance for you
'Cause there's a spark in you?

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

'Cause baby, you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh
As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh
You're gonna leave 'em falling down

You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow
And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

'Cause baby you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh
As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh
You're gonna leave 'em falling down

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It's always been inside of you, you, you
And now it's time to let it through

'Cause baby you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh
As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh
You're gonna leave 'em falling down

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

While most people thought big, my group picked a topic close to heart. Apart from all the common topics of unity, pollution and peace, we believe in self-esteem. Without the very basis of comfort and confidence, all other bigger issues can never be brought to attention. So we chose “Firework” by Katy Perry.

Its lyrics are very simple yet meaningful. It begins with referring humans to plastic bags, worthless, and a waste of space, then uses fireworks to symbolize the light and talent within each of us – a belief that everyone can shine no matter what they do or where they are. “You just got to ignite the light and shine”. Despite all the negatives you may feel about yourself, you just have to trust that you will do better.

For students, we believe this is a song that can speak to them more closely than any others. It has a beat you can dance your feet to and lyrics that are simple enough to follow. Furthermore, it is among one of the current songs on the mainstream radio stations.

Eliciting the meaning behind song lyrics to students is no doubt a fun activity. Even as a student myself I find joy in watching and listening to video clips in class and perhaps to even sing along with it! Not only does this gives life to a gloomy classroom, but also add a little colour with the confident boost amongst students.


Shine, y’all. Shine!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Old McDonald had a farm…no?

This is the story of the pigs. Once upon a time, there were three little pigs. They were red, white and black. Okay. I’m kidding.


This is not the story of the pigs, but about a farm led by the pigs.

All animals are equal; but some are more equal than others.


Of all lines in the novel, this is the one that left the most impact. Coming from pigs, the line is supposedly unintelligible. No? That’s where I was wrong. These are smart pigs we have read about. The novel alludes heavily to the political situation in England at that particular time and is therefore, a political satire meant at mocking the government at that particular time. I have never been a fan of politics so yes, this novel took me a week to complete. Though very political, this novel nevertheless brings forward important messages. For instance, the issue of corruption. Here the novel is a tale of how power corrupts, and human nature eventually leads to corruption and bloodshed in the search for greater personal wealth.

Personally, I find this a rather tough read. In my reading for pleasure, I rarely take up something with a message so heavy and so serious. So to review and reflect on the novel…well, I’d just say I’d perhaps need more time to learn to appreciate works like this. Nevertheless, it’s one witty novel and George Orwell did a good job in this masterpiece of allusion.