And they flowed...
I am a victim of circumstances - the Asian society does not allow the male sex to show emotions freely. Asian males are expected to keep a veneer of aloofness, infallibility, stoicism, and detachment. At least.
Asian males are, therefore, not expected to show emotions that betray any weakness. For instance, shedding tears is frowned upon. Even if your loved ones die, a few tears are grudgingly tolerated but an outburst is most likely a no-no. Two Asian males meeting each other are both expected to behave like alpha males, each guarding his "territory" as though his life depended on it. Horsing around is for young boys, or young siblings (read immature).
The greeting that involves any hugging or cheek touching is never ever allowed between two Asian males, lest they be regarded as gay or have homosexual inclinations.
I try to fit within the stereotypes. But I'm beginning to see the futility of it. I am, in reality, a person capable of more emotions that I would like to admit.
I like the hug of a close friend, someone with whom a hug tells everything and does everything that words and other less intimate actions fail to address. I "horse around" with my very close friends (many are teachers). We jab each other (verbally and physically) and tease each other in brotherly fashion. We pull playful punches even when walking and the relationship between us far surpasses mere platonic friendship - like I've said, we are like very close brothers. We talk about everything under the sun. We go out and share an ice-cream over coffee. We attract weird stares, but what the heck.
Human beings are social animals. Why should any sex be granted any less freedom of emotional display than the other(s)?
Today, for a very special reason, my tears flowed. The trigger was a new one. I've never experienced something like this before. And I never thought I ever will.
Today, I learn a new and very important lesson in love and compassion. I realise how little and insignificant I am in the entire scheme of things. I discovered how SELFISH and how UNFEELING I've become in my pursuit of material wealth and success in work. I felt so low down and dirty.
This afternoon, before my office relocation meeting at the Ministry of National Development Building, I went for a quick lunch at the Maxwell Road Market. Singaporeans will not find that place unfamiliar.
Sat at table 12, right in front of stall selling curried dishes. The stall on the curry stall's left sells fish porridge (I think they are called Porridge Garden or something).
Nearing the end of my meal of rice with mustard greens in oyster sauce, lily bulbs in soya sauce and minced meat paste, I saw a mildly retarded, spastic guy (let's call him P for now) walk towards my table.
P walked with an unsightly gait, with a severe limp (possibly from polio or some musculoskeletal disease), supported by a walking stick. His left arm was flailing from side to side as he struggled to find his balance from his limp. As he walked towards my table, I realised that I was sitting along his left. As he walked towards me, I slinked to my left and cringed inwardly as I thought about dodging his flying arms. Deep inside me, I never realised that given where I am sitting, he would never have hit me. But yet, I was trying to avoid him. Or was I avoiding myself?
Dressed in a brown shirt, brown bermudas and brown slip on shoes, P also had a Nike knapsack on his back and a prominently displayed disability card hooked on his bermuda's belt loops.
Trudging ungainly past me, P disappeared from my consciousness. I was only too relieved that he had not hit me as he walked past. I am beginning to find that my minced meat paste (which by the way is one of my favourite dishes) is starting to taste less savoury.
P was out of my mind's eye momentarily before he reappeared in the table right beside mine. [I was seated at table 12; he at table 11.] There were two ladies who are just beginning to eat their yong tao fu (assorted vegetables smeared with fish paste) and P was just seated opposite them. There were 2 seats between P's right and the first lady and a seat between him and the second.
The ladies did not even flinch a bit. They just let P be. P sat uneasily in his seat. He rocked back and forth as he tried to keep himself from falling off his seat.
Soon, the food came. P had ordered from the Porridge Garden stall. The first guy first served him a bowl of piping hot fish soup. He made sure that P was suitably out of the range of the bowl of hot soup before he placed it down in front of P. P tried to pay but the guy patted P on the hand and made P keep the money.
As P grappled with his little pouch which was initially hidden from my view to keep his money, the second guy from the stall brought him a bowl of rice. The first guy held out a pair of chopsticks and a spoon for P after he kept the money. It was so touching to see him guide P's hands so that he was able to get a grip of the chopsticks and spoon.
It was painful seeing P eat. P could not separate the chopsticks like most of us and used it more like a spatula instead. He could not really manage his spoon either. He filled the bottom of his spoon with rice, then piled on more rice on his spoon using his chopstick-spatula and then in a gulp only manage to swallow around half of the rice mound. Not a lot. P has problems eating too.
Meanwhile, the first guy came to the table with a small dish of soya sauce for P, in case he wanted his food to be more flavoursome. The second guy, by now, is seated on P's right, keeping P upright at the table (possibly providing support, which I could not see clearly from where I sat) so that P could have a less fidgety meal.
The two ladies ate as though P was like any other normal diner at the food centre.
I was so touched by these people. I felt so ashamed too. Seeing this, I felt tears swimming in my eyes. Pride forbade me from letting the tears fall. So I swallowed them with my rice and minced meat paste. It tasted awful. Was that the taste of wounded pride? I don't know.
I only know some things such as the following.
I have lots to learn and much to do in learning to be a servant leader. People will only begin to respect you when you start to respect them. Every single one of them.
Nobility is earned, not bestowed. Only he who is able to serve the lowest of all brothers is noble.
What is the gift of money if it represents merely dumping excess cash that you can part with? Is it that all powerful? A simple gesture of supporting someone so that he can eat a meal is more than all the things that money can buy.
What is the value of staying the course of non-discrimination?
I left quickly after the meal with my colleague who ate with me. I never dared to reveal my thoughts. I kept up with my facade.
Tonight, as I drove home, the shame, the guilty-consciousness, the feeling of being touched by the warmth of the people around all came rushing back. And the tears flowed...
Monday, May 16, 2005
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Bread
Bread
Goodness gracious! I finally found enough sense to surf for some bread recipes and I'm amazed there are so many bread aficionados out there! [I know Marlina had been "screaming" at me for my "boring" breads for the longest time, but I've added new stuff to my bread list!]
Yay... More to bake, more to try. More mouth watering breads and more fun, more fun, more fun!
Goodness gracious! I finally found enough sense to surf for some bread recipes and I'm amazed there are so many bread aficionados out there! [I know Marlina had been "screaming" at me for my "boring" breads for the longest time, but I've added new stuff to my bread list!]
Yay... More to bake, more to try. More mouth watering breads and more fun, more fun, more fun!
Blog Incidents 3
Blog Incidents 3
Just to remind myself what I'm facing.
Sometimes I think that if I speak, I am damned; if I don't speak, I am condemned.
Whatever.
Just to remind myself what I'm facing.
Sometimes I think that if I speak, I am damned; if I don't speak, I am condemned.
Whatever.
Blog Incidents 2
Blog Incidents 2
I don't know whether it's true or not, but this is what I read about the PSC scholar who spread "racist remarks".
This guy was eventually rapped by PSC, who issued him a "love letter" for his actions.
I don't know whether it's true or not, but this is what I read about the PSC scholar who spread "racist remarks".
This guy was eventually rapped by PSC, who issued him a "love letter" for his actions.
Blog Incidents 1
Blog Incidents 1
Some interesting articles gleaned from the net, arising from the recent debacles involving bloggers and people of authority.
Monday May 9, 10:10 PM
Singaporean shuts blog, apologises after libel threat
By Geert De Clercq
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A Singapore student said on Monday he has shut down his blog and apologised unreservedly after a government agency threatened to sue for defamation. Chen Jiahao, a 23-year-old graduate student in the United States, told Reuters he closed down his personal Web site after A*STAR, a Singapore government agency focusing on science and research, threatened legal action for what the agency said were untrue and serious accusations.
International freedom of speech and media advocates have criticised the agency's methods.
The U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists said last week it was alarmed that the threat of defamation lawsuits was being used to inhibit criticism of the government in cyberspace, much as it has in Singapore's traditional media.
Chen said he had removed all material from his site and posted an apology on April 26 after receiving e-mails from the agency's chief. He added that the agency told him last week his apology was insincere and that they wanted a new apology.
On Sunday he posted the new apology on his "Caustic Soda" blog, saying "I unreservedly apologise to A*STAR, its Chairman Mr. Philip Yeo, and its executive officers for the distress and embarrassment caused to them."
"They sent me an e-mail with these words," Chen told Reuters on Monday by telephone from the United States, where he studies chemical physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
A*STAR's Yeo said in a statement on Monday he accepted Chen's apology and considered the matter closed. "We wish him well. My invitation to Mr. Chen to meet for tea in the fall still remains," Yeo said.
Paris-based Reporters without Borders said the case highlighted the lack of free expression in Singapore, which is among the 20 lowest-scoring countries in the organisation's worldwide press freedom index.
"Chen criticised some of A*Star's policies but there was nothing defamatory in what he wrote," Julien Pain, head of Reporters without Borders' Internet freedom desk, told Reuters.
A*STAR said in a statement that it recognised the value of a diversity of views and welcomed that in all media. "But the particular public blog had statements which went way beyond fair comment." It did not elaborate.
Bloggers are generally not journalists, but some of the thousands of private online blogs -- short for Web logs -- on the Internet have gained political relevance. The campaign for the May 5 election in Britain saw an explosion of blogs, much like in last year's U.S. presidential election.
"We are troubled that the (Singapore) government has raised the spectre of costly legal action to chill commentary on the Internet," Ann Cooper, Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, was quoted on a CPJ Web site as saying.
Singapore-based politicians as well as international media organisations have paid large amounts of damages in libel cases brought by senior government figures.
Singapore leaders have defended their use of defamation lawsuits, saying that such actions are necessary to safeguard their reputation.
Some interesting articles gleaned from the net, arising from the recent debacles involving bloggers and people of authority.
Monday May 9, 10:10 PM
Singaporean shuts blog, apologises after libel threat
By Geert De Clercq
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A Singapore student said on Monday he has shut down his blog and apologised unreservedly after a government agency threatened to sue for defamation. Chen Jiahao, a 23-year-old graduate student in the United States, told Reuters he closed down his personal Web site after A*STAR, a Singapore government agency focusing on science and research, threatened legal action for what the agency said were untrue and serious accusations.
International freedom of speech and media advocates have criticised the agency's methods.
The U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists said last week it was alarmed that the threat of defamation lawsuits was being used to inhibit criticism of the government in cyberspace, much as it has in Singapore's traditional media.
Chen said he had removed all material from his site and posted an apology on April 26 after receiving e-mails from the agency's chief. He added that the agency told him last week his apology was insincere and that they wanted a new apology.
On Sunday he posted the new apology on his "Caustic Soda" blog, saying "I unreservedly apologise to A*STAR, its Chairman Mr. Philip Yeo, and its executive officers for the distress and embarrassment caused to them."
"They sent me an e-mail with these words," Chen told Reuters on Monday by telephone from the United States, where he studies chemical physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
A*STAR's Yeo said in a statement on Monday he accepted Chen's apology and considered the matter closed. "We wish him well. My invitation to Mr. Chen to meet for tea in the fall still remains," Yeo said.
Paris-based Reporters without Borders said the case highlighted the lack of free expression in Singapore, which is among the 20 lowest-scoring countries in the organisation's worldwide press freedom index.
"Chen criticised some of A*Star's policies but there was nothing defamatory in what he wrote," Julien Pain, head of Reporters without Borders' Internet freedom desk, told Reuters.
A*STAR said in a statement that it recognised the value of a diversity of views and welcomed that in all media. "But the particular public blog had statements which went way beyond fair comment." It did not elaborate.
Bloggers are generally not journalists, but some of the thousands of private online blogs -- short for Web logs -- on the Internet have gained political relevance. The campaign for the May 5 election in Britain saw an explosion of blogs, much like in last year's U.S. presidential election.
"We are troubled that the (Singapore) government has raised the spectre of costly legal action to chill commentary on the Internet," Ann Cooper, Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, was quoted on a CPJ Web site as saying.
Singapore-based politicians as well as international media organisations have paid large amounts of damages in libel cases brought by senior government figures.
Singapore leaders have defended their use of defamation lawsuits, saying that such actions are necessary to safeguard their reputation.
Monday, May 09, 2005
The Keys to Your Heart
The Keys to Your Heart
The Keys to Your Heart |
You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. |
In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved. |
You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change. |
You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please. |
Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets. |
Your risk of cheating is low. Even if you're tempted, you'd try hard not to do it. |
You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. |
In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted. |
Frighteningly Accurate
Frighteningly Accurate
Your True Birth Month Is February |
 Sharp Ambitious Spendthrift Loves reality Loves freedom Temperamental Low self esteem Honest and loyal Abstract thoughts Daring and stubborn Changing personality Showing anger easily Intelligent and clever Loves aggressiveness Quiet, shy and humble Learns to show emotions Rebellious when restricted Determined to reach goals Superstitious and ludicrous Dislikes unnecessary things Realizing dreams and hopes Too sensitive and easily hurt Loves entertainment and leisure Romantic on the inside not outside Loves making friends but rarely shows it |
Thursday, May 05, 2005
It Rained
It Rained
Finally, the rain came. Didn't wash out the place fully enough, but at least it did remove some of the heat.
But I did enjoy the rain. At least my drinking water doesn't feel lukewarm to drink, bathing water doesn't feel unrefreshing.
Took a COLD shower today. At least I could feel myself cooling down under the continuous spray of cold water.
At least I'm not perspiring now.
Finally, the rain came. Didn't wash out the place fully enough, but at least it did remove some of the heat.
But I did enjoy the rain. At least my drinking water doesn't feel lukewarm to drink, bathing water doesn't feel unrefreshing.
Took a COLD shower today. At least I could feel myself cooling down under the continuous spray of cold water.
At least I'm not perspiring now.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Former President Dr Wee Kim Wee
Former President Dr Wee Kim Wee
Singapore's former President Wee Kim Wee died at his home on 2 May 2005 at 5.10am on Monday from complications due to a relapse of prostate cancer.
-oOo-
Just a little entry about the People's President, whom I had met when I was a JC 1 student during Pre-U Seminar 1992. The seminar participants were invited to tea at the Istana, and during tea, Mr Wee walked round and talked to the young adults. He was encouraging, humorous, and always wore a smile.
He left me with a great impression - this is a president, our President, but yet there was never any moment that you felt out-of-place when he was around.
I'll miss him.
Singapore's former President Wee Kim Wee died at his home on 2 May 2005 at 5.10am on Monday from complications due to a relapse of prostate cancer.
-oOo-
Just a little entry about the People's President, whom I had met when I was a JC 1 student during Pre-U Seminar 1992. The seminar participants were invited to tea at the Istana, and during tea, Mr Wee walked round and talked to the young adults. He was encouraging, humorous, and always wore a smile.
He left me with a great impression - this is a president, our President, but yet there was never any moment that you felt out-of-place when he was around.
I'll miss him.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Dinner
Dinner
Home alone.
Had to clear a mango and some honey dew.
Heck.
So I scraped the mango flesh into a blender, added the honey dew and squeezed in the juice of one lemon.
Blend to smooth pulp.
Drink.
Home alone.
Had to clear a mango and some honey dew.
Heck.
So I scraped the mango flesh into a blender, added the honey dew and squeezed in the juice of one lemon.
Blend to smooth pulp.
Drink.
Monday, April 25, 2005
A Whole New World
A Whole New World
Just a few quick rhetorical questions.
On the proposed integrated resorts (aka casinos)
1. What if our integrated resorts (IRs) didn't take off because in so trying to protect Singaporeans from gambling, the casinos were deemed too small by the big rollers?
2. Which ministry will the IRs fall under? Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, or will there be a new Ministry of Integrated Resorts?
On F1 racing in Singapore
3. Who will make sure that the F1 drivers keep to the speed limits while racing in Singapore?
4. Why can't we designate the stretch of expressway from Changi Airport to Tuas Singapore's official race track and allow cars to race each other every Sunday?
On being labelled plastic bag junkies of the world
5. What's wrong with winning?
Just a few quick rhetorical questions.
On the proposed integrated resorts (aka casinos)
1. What if our integrated resorts (IRs) didn't take off because in so trying to protect Singaporeans from gambling, the casinos were deemed too small by the big rollers?
2. Which ministry will the IRs fall under? Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, or will there be a new Ministry of Integrated Resorts?
On F1 racing in Singapore
3. Who will make sure that the F1 drivers keep to the speed limits while racing in Singapore?
4. Why can't we designate the stretch of expressway from Changi Airport to Tuas Singapore's official race track and allow cars to race each other every Sunday?
On being labelled plastic bag junkies of the world
5. What's wrong with winning?
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
A Challenge
A Challenge?
I knew this was coming some way or another. It was unintentional that I had juxtaposed my casino piece and personality disorder test side by side. It's really Blogger's fault, because they list by days. This means that all the posts within one day will be placed within the same bounds.
Now, here is the interesting nugget: A highly enlightened soul, no less, from USA asked:
"All right, you talked me into it.
How much do you want to bet that this is a common profile for bloogers.
I mean bloggers."
I've got a challenge.
Well, fortunately for me, I'm no oppressive compulsive gambler who has to take on every challenge thrown in my face. I'm no indiscriminate gambler who frizzles away every single cent I have. I'm controlled and cultured and I know the social ills of gambling. I am a gentleman and gentlemen challenge each other to duels, not lowly gambles.
Betting is not good. The odds are always in the house's favour. More often than not, the social bettor loses his or her bet. So, it's better to earn your keep through sheer hard work than gambling.
We all know how bad gambling is. So no matter how tempting the proposition is, the best thing to do is to stay away. Not engaging in an activity like betting is not cowardly - it's akin to saying no to unprotected sex, saying no to smoking, saying no to drugs. It's the RIGHT thing to do.
Of course, I'll do just the right thing. Exactly the right thing. Nothing less than the right thing.
I'll bet my bottom dollar most bloggers have profiles similar to that one shown below.
I knew this was coming some way or another. It was unintentional that I had juxtaposed my casino piece and personality disorder test side by side. It's really Blogger's fault, because they list by days. This means that all the posts within one day will be placed within the same bounds.
Now, here is the interesting nugget: A highly enlightened soul, no less, from USA asked:
"All right, you talked me into it.
How much do you want to bet that this is a common profile for bloogers.
I mean bloggers."
I've got a challenge.
Well, fortunately for me, I'm no oppressive compulsive gambler who has to take on every challenge thrown in my face. I'm no indiscriminate gambler who frizzles away every single cent I have. I'm controlled and cultured and I know the social ills of gambling. I am a gentleman and gentlemen challenge each other to duels, not lowly gambles.
Betting is not good. The odds are always in the house's favour. More often than not, the social bettor loses his or her bet. So, it's better to earn your keep through sheer hard work than gambling.
We all know how bad gambling is. So no matter how tempting the proposition is, the best thing to do is to stay away. Not engaging in an activity like betting is not cowardly - it's akin to saying no to unprotected sex, saying no to smoking, saying no to drugs. It's the RIGHT thing to do.
Of course, I'll do just the right thing. Exactly the right thing. Nothing less than the right thing.
I'll bet my bottom dollar most bloggers have profiles similar to that one shown below.
Monday, April 18, 2005
Personality Disorder Test Results
| Personality Disorder Test Results
|
personality tests by similarminds.com
Casino?
Casino?
The taglines of the casino opposers have been casiNO, caSINo, and CAsinO (a play on the China Aviation Company, CAO, which is going bankrupt because of the rogue CEO).
Today, the dust has settled. We, Singaporeans, are getting not one, but TWO casinos. These dens will be a part of larger integrated resorts meant to attract tourists. In fact, these resorts will be touted as family entertainment centres.
Well and good.
I am a strong believer of family values (though I have absolutely no faith in the entity called marriage, which is prone to self-destruct. But that'll be another blog entry, I suppose). I had my reservations and am still an opposer of the casino.
I know myself well. A decade back, throw me in the den with enough cash at hand and I'll squander them faster than you can say "GO"! I am a big stakes person, especially if I don't have to watch my budget.
But with age comes wisdom. About 5 years ago, while I was in Monte Carlo, I went to feed the slot machines. I spent 30 minutes at the machines, made $15, took my money and scooted out of the casino. And I spent the rest of the day sitting with rueing tour mates who had lost at the machines. Some of them lost $300 in a mere 15 minutes!
Well, I've also paid my price at gambling. I lost RM 100 ($45, USD25) over 12 hours in Genting Highlands feeding 1 sen (RM 0.01) jackpot machines. I must also confess that I did not play throughout the entire 12 hours. If I had, the losses would have been at least 5 times of what I had lost.
The odds are always in favour of the house. I am always aware of that. If I had a couple of tens to dump and I've really no place to dump them, I probably would go into a casino and walk around and play some.
I've learnt enough to know how to limit my losses. But I don't think many people have learnt this intricate skill. Psychologists have long agreed that gambling is the only instance where negative reinforcement actually leads to the increase of an undesired action. Says a lot about gambling!
I've seen my fair share of people gambling their lives away. I have seen how debts accumulate to hundreds of thousands over a weekend of horse racing. Trust me. You really don't want to be a part of a family where such ills befall you.
Looking at things, I can only hope that there will be stern enough measures to tackle indiscriminate gambling. If drug takers can be jailed so that they can turn over a new leaf, I think incorrigible gamblers who land their families in dire straits, too, should be put behind bars. I would think this isn't punishment enough for them.
Loansharks should also be caned and jailed. Enough said.
Introducers to loansharks should be jailed as abettors and accomplices. They should be jailed and caned.
Casinos which operate money lending facilities or extend credit to local gamblers ought to lose their lisence. Or fined S$5 000 000. Their choice.
Banks should pool resources to ensure that their clients do not abuse the unsecured line of credit for gambling. There should be legislation to protect the family members' living, even if another in the family is being persecuted for gambling.
All application for bankruptcy arising from gambling will be thrown back and the bankrupt is to be jailed with immediate effect. The family and the matrimonial homes and properties shall not be seizable by the creditors.
I'm getting carried away. But I think I am making some sense here (I hope). After all, the purpose of a casino is to effect what Robin Hood, Communism and Social Welfare failed to do - to legitimately ROB the RICH to clothe the poor. If the poor goes in to give, then the purpose would have failed.
The taglines of the casino opposers have been casiNO, caSINo, and CAsinO (a play on the China Aviation Company, CAO, which is going bankrupt because of the rogue CEO).
Today, the dust has settled. We, Singaporeans, are getting not one, but TWO casinos. These dens will be a part of larger integrated resorts meant to attract tourists. In fact, these resorts will be touted as family entertainment centres.
Well and good.
I am a strong believer of family values (though I have absolutely no faith in the entity called marriage, which is prone to self-destruct. But that'll be another blog entry, I suppose). I had my reservations and am still an opposer of the casino.
I know myself well. A decade back, throw me in the den with enough cash at hand and I'll squander them faster than you can say "GO"! I am a big stakes person, especially if I don't have to watch my budget.
But with age comes wisdom. About 5 years ago, while I was in Monte Carlo, I went to feed the slot machines. I spent 30 minutes at the machines, made $15, took my money and scooted out of the casino. And I spent the rest of the day sitting with rueing tour mates who had lost at the machines. Some of them lost $300 in a mere 15 minutes!
Well, I've also paid my price at gambling. I lost RM 100 ($45, USD25) over 12 hours in Genting Highlands feeding 1 sen (RM 0.01) jackpot machines. I must also confess that I did not play throughout the entire 12 hours. If I had, the losses would have been at least 5 times of what I had lost.
The odds are always in favour of the house. I am always aware of that. If I had a couple of tens to dump and I've really no place to dump them, I probably would go into a casino and walk around and play some.
I've learnt enough to know how to limit my losses. But I don't think many people have learnt this intricate skill. Psychologists have long agreed that gambling is the only instance where negative reinforcement actually leads to the increase of an undesired action. Says a lot about gambling!
I've seen my fair share of people gambling their lives away. I have seen how debts accumulate to hundreds of thousands over a weekend of horse racing. Trust me. You really don't want to be a part of a family where such ills befall you.
Looking at things, I can only hope that there will be stern enough measures to tackle indiscriminate gambling. If drug takers can be jailed so that they can turn over a new leaf, I think incorrigible gamblers who land their families in dire straits, too, should be put behind bars. I would think this isn't punishment enough for them.
Loansharks should also be caned and jailed. Enough said.
Introducers to loansharks should be jailed as abettors and accomplices. They should be jailed and caned.
Casinos which operate money lending facilities or extend credit to local gamblers ought to lose their lisence. Or fined S$5 000 000. Their choice.
Banks should pool resources to ensure that their clients do not abuse the unsecured line of credit for gambling. There should be legislation to protect the family members' living, even if another in the family is being persecuted for gambling.
All application for bankruptcy arising from gambling will be thrown back and the bankrupt is to be jailed with immediate effect. The family and the matrimonial homes and properties shall not be seizable by the creditors.
I'm getting carried away. But I think I am making some sense here (I hope). After all, the purpose of a casino is to effect what Robin Hood, Communism and Social Welfare failed to do - to legitimately ROB the RICH to clothe the poor. If the poor goes in to give, then the purpose would have failed.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
My Favourite Things
My Favourite Things
Rain drops on roses
Well, well, let's start from the very beginning. A very good place to start. When it rains, it begins with "some small drops", then it pours they become "damn big drops". "Damn big drops"! The wonderful things that wet the ground. "Damn big drops"! And almost all Singapore motorists cannot drive...
Singapore drivers and motorcyclists have a very bad habit of not respecting each other and other road users. To cut the long story short, everyone thinks they own the road.
Motorcyclists in Singapore are mostly demented adults who were deprived since kindergarten days. When they were kindergarten kids, their teachers disallowed them from doing their "join-the-dashes" assignments. That's why when they grow up, they compensate their loss by using their bikes to join up the road lane marking dashes. They never figured out that most of them are not exactly that slim (Singapore has just revised downwards it's BMI readings!) and not exactly that agile (we don't have that many people who are actually Cirque du Soleil calibre) and thus, they only learn their lessons when they go under wheels.
Other motorcyclists drive in lanes that they should not drive in. Today, I witnessed a motorcyclist who was flung off his bike along a three-lane road. His bike lay in the extreme right lane (where he ISN'T supposed to be) and the motorcyclist was sprawled in the second and third lanes. The traffic slowed to a crawl and when I finally drove past him, I just went, "That's great! One less moron on the road!"
And whiskers on kittens
Erm, Singapore cats and dogs, but especially cats, are really not road-trained. They are mostly strays and they cross at the most inopportune moments. Every time I drive past a patchwork on the road, I go "Meow! Hahahah....! Meow"
When the dog bites, when the bee stings
Went to eat at Pioneer Seafood at Tuas today. As it was, I was already in a bad mood because of a whole series of idiotic, time-wasting, nonsensical meetings for the past few days and also the thought of continuing meetings of the same type in the coming two days already made me feel really vile.
So, went into a so-called higher end restaurant to eat. But alas, I had to fight with flies. I had to defend my food from flies, chase them away and at times, the flies help themselves to my food!
Before dinner, I was swatting flies.
I was combatting the pests for the next two dishes.
By the third, I was exasperated. I called the manager and asked him what he's doing about the flies. I can't eat in a place where I'm fighting with flies for food. The flies have stopped on enough places for me to declare the entire table a biological hazard.
By the fourth dish, I was cursing. Our chopsticks, bowls, plates and all were changed because I complained that they were already contaminated.
The straw that broke the camel's back was the fifth dish. Seafood fried rice came up. I asked the waitress to portion out two bowls for us, which she did. We were still eating our fourth dish when the flies landed on the fried rice.
That's it!
I threw down my chopsticks, called the manager, told him I can't eat and fight with flies at the same time, and called for the bill. I pointed out very very clearly to him that the restaurant's hygiene needed relooking into. If his systems are in order, the vectors would not be such a niusance. Anyway, he was unfortunate for a fruit fly landed on my plate as I riled at him.
The manager walked to the cashier, came back and told me that since the restaurant was unable to satisfactorily allow me to complete my meal, he couldn't bill me. Anyway, I told him too that I'm not here for a free meal.
I slapped $50 on the table and walked off.
[For the interested, the meal is likely to have cost $97 thereabouts, and we've got 3 dishes (out of 6 or 7) uneaten.]
I simply recount all my favourite things and then I don't feel so bad.
Rain drops on roses
Well, well, let's start from the very beginning. A very good place to start. When it rains, it begins with "some small drops", then it pours they become "damn big drops". "Damn big drops"! The wonderful things that wet the ground. "Damn big drops"! And almost all Singapore motorists cannot drive...
Singapore drivers and motorcyclists have a very bad habit of not respecting each other and other road users. To cut the long story short, everyone thinks they own the road.
Motorcyclists in Singapore are mostly demented adults who were deprived since kindergarten days. When they were kindergarten kids, their teachers disallowed them from doing their "join-the-dashes" assignments. That's why when they grow up, they compensate their loss by using their bikes to join up the road lane marking dashes. They never figured out that most of them are not exactly that slim (Singapore has just revised downwards it's BMI readings!) and not exactly that agile (we don't have that many people who are actually Cirque du Soleil calibre) and thus, they only learn their lessons when they go under wheels.
Other motorcyclists drive in lanes that they should not drive in. Today, I witnessed a motorcyclist who was flung off his bike along a three-lane road. His bike lay in the extreme right lane (where he ISN'T supposed to be) and the motorcyclist was sprawled in the second and third lanes. The traffic slowed to a crawl and when I finally drove past him, I just went, "That's great! One less moron on the road!"
And whiskers on kittens
Erm, Singapore cats and dogs, but especially cats, are really not road-trained. They are mostly strays and they cross at the most inopportune moments. Every time I drive past a patchwork on the road, I go "Meow! Hahahah....! Meow"
When the dog bites, when the bee stings
Went to eat at Pioneer Seafood at Tuas today. As it was, I was already in a bad mood because of a whole series of idiotic, time-wasting, nonsensical meetings for the past few days and also the thought of continuing meetings of the same type in the coming two days already made me feel really vile.
So, went into a so-called higher end restaurant to eat. But alas, I had to fight with flies. I had to defend my food from flies, chase them away and at times, the flies help themselves to my food!
Before dinner, I was swatting flies.
I was combatting the pests for the next two dishes.
By the third, I was exasperated. I called the manager and asked him what he's doing about the flies. I can't eat in a place where I'm fighting with flies for food. The flies have stopped on enough places for me to declare the entire table a biological hazard.
By the fourth dish, I was cursing. Our chopsticks, bowls, plates and all were changed because I complained that they were already contaminated.
The straw that broke the camel's back was the fifth dish. Seafood fried rice came up. I asked the waitress to portion out two bowls for us, which she did. We were still eating our fourth dish when the flies landed on the fried rice.
That's it!
I threw down my chopsticks, called the manager, told him I can't eat and fight with flies at the same time, and called for the bill. I pointed out very very clearly to him that the restaurant's hygiene needed relooking into. If his systems are in order, the vectors would not be such a niusance. Anyway, he was unfortunate for a fruit fly landed on my plate as I riled at him.
The manager walked to the cashier, came back and told me that since the restaurant was unable to satisfactorily allow me to complete my meal, he couldn't bill me. Anyway, I told him too that I'm not here for a free meal.
I slapped $50 on the table and walked off.
[For the interested, the meal is likely to have cost $97 thereabouts, and we've got 3 dishes (out of 6 or 7) uneaten.]
I simply recount all my favourite things and then I don't feel so bad.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Unbelievable
Someone should really really go to the Dictionary of Names and key in the 5 letter word for male reproductive organ. It's a male name.
Enough said.
Enough said.
Name Analysis
From Old Whig's Blog.
Eugene
Your name of Eugene gives you a very happy-go-lucky, spontaneous nature. You see the humorous side of many situations and can laugh at yourself as well as at others. This name gives you a musical, artistic nature and you would do well in any occupation in the entertainment field. You have many friends because of your generous, happy nature, but if crossed you have a quick temper, although your annoyance does not last too long. You do enjoy an argument and will at times say things just to get others going and then you sit back and enjoy the debate. You lack system and order and find it very difficult to budget and save money. This name creates a nature that can be the life of the party, but many times you can become involved in emotional situations against your better judgment. Your compassionate nature causes you to be too generous and you often give more than you can afford to. You are too fond of sugars and starches, thus you could have a weakness in your liver, kidneys, or skin, creating pimples or eczema. While this name gives you a wonderful personality, and attracts much love and friendship, it is far too emotional and scattering an influence and will not allow the material accumulation nor personal happiness you should have.
Dictionary of Names
Eugene
Your name of Eugene gives you a very happy-go-lucky, spontaneous nature. You see the humorous side of many situations and can laugh at yourself as well as at others. This name gives you a musical, artistic nature and you would do well in any occupation in the entertainment field. You have many friends because of your generous, happy nature, but if crossed you have a quick temper, although your annoyance does not last too long. You do enjoy an argument and will at times say things just to get others going and then you sit back and enjoy the debate. You lack system and order and find it very difficult to budget and save money. This name creates a nature that can be the life of the party, but many times you can become involved in emotional situations against your better judgment. Your compassionate nature causes you to be too generous and you often give more than you can afford to. You are too fond of sugars and starches, thus you could have a weakness in your liver, kidneys, or skin, creating pimples or eczema. While this name gives you a wonderful personality, and attracts much love and friendship, it is far too emotional and scattering an influence and will not allow the material accumulation nor personal happiness you should have.
Dictionary of Names
World Mourns Pope's Death
World Mourns Pope's Death
"Our beloved Holy Father John Paul has returned to the house of the Father," said Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, announcing the death of the Pontiff, who died on Saturday, 2 April 2005, at 9:37 p.m. (1937 GMT) in his Vatican bed after an extended struggle with ill health.
His dying word was "Amen," newspapers said.
My sentiments exactly.
"Our beloved Holy Father John Paul has returned to the house of the Father," said Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, announcing the death of the Pontiff, who died on Saturday, 2 April 2005, at 9:37 p.m. (1937 GMT) in his Vatican bed after an extended struggle with ill health.
His dying word was "Amen," newspapers said.
My sentiments exactly.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
What so bad about death?
What so bad about death?
On March 31, 2005 at approximately 9.05am, Terri Schindler-Schiavo lost her nearly 14 day struggle against starvation and dehydration and died at the Hospice Woodside in Pinellas Park, Florida. Her family was not permitted to be with her as she passed. Terri's family and the volunteers of the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation have vowed to focus the Foundation, named for her, on assisting other desperate families in their efforts to protect vulnerable loved ones. Updates will be posted soon.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- "Whoever stands idly by without trying to prevent the death of Terri Schindler Schiavo becomes an accomplice to murder", said Cardinal Renato Martino, head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
The death of the severely brain-damaged woman "would represent a homicide in which it is impossible to idly stand by without becoming accomplices," he said in a March 31 interview with Vatican Radio.
The cardinal said having Schiavo die of starvation and thirst was "one of the most inhumane and cruel" ways to die.
"Beyond the possible political exploitation" of the Schiavo case, her "painful, heartbreaking agony" should be enough to force humanity to prevent what will be an otherwise tragic end to her life, said the cardinal.
So, what did the cardinal do about the ailing Pope? Nothing. So, if you are not facing the issue, you probably are not FIT to speak. So, shut up!
Blog from David Scott Anderson
I have avoided this debate so far. After reading Megan's heartfelt post I will only say a couple of things.
1. If I were lying in a hospital bed for 15 years, I would hope my family would be unselfish enough to let me go. Terri is not going to improve. If there were conclussive proof that there were a chance for that, this would be a non argument.
2. I resent the politicizing of a family decision. If the same thing happened to me, I would not want my Mother, father, sister, brother, arguing with my wife about her decision or my wishes, when they were not there.
3. This case makes a nice diversion from Tom DeLay stinking up Capital Hill.
4. I am a Christian and I believe Terri will not be at peace attached to a machine for the next God knows how many years.
MURDER, no... Terri died 15 years ago. Before you give me the shame on you line, I want one just one person, to show me conclussive evidence that there exist a possibility (A good one, not a theoretical one, that Terri will ever leave that bed and live a normal or near normal life.)
THE TERRI SCHIAVO INFORMATION PAGE Concerns The Legal Aspects Of The Overall Schiavo Saga
Did she have a living will?
No. If she had, this case would probably never have generated much controversy. The one sure lesson to be taken from all of this is that each of us should have a living will. Florida law permits living wills and defines how and when they may be effective.
If you take away the "evil" allegations that have been leveled against everyone, it's easy to see what you're left with.
You're left with a woman who suffered a heart attack 15 years ago, who essentially died but was resuscitated, though not entirely. Her brain had suffered enormous damage from the heart attack.
Doctors hired by Terri's husband say the deterioration of Terri's brain left her without thoughts or feelings, that the damage is irreversible, and that Terri's life-like appearance is merely the result of brain stem activity -- basically involuntary reflexes we all have. An independent doctor hired by the court reached the same conclusions. Doctors hired by Terri's parents did not dispute the physical damage done to Terri, but they claim there are new therapies that could improve her condition. In two separate trials, the trial court found such claims of potential improvement to be without merit.
A physician practicing as a hospitalist in Texas wrote:
What about Terri's right? Yes, what about her "right to die" and her right to decide how she would want to spend her life? In her current condition she is unable to express her wishes (if she in fact is capable of having wishes at all). The courts have already heard the arguments and have made a decision. It is a travesty that any government would step in to intervene on any single case. It's a case of political bravado that makes any conservative legislator (and the Gov.) look good in the eyes of the voters but not a single politico will spend a second of their lives in Terri's shoes nor caring for her daily and watching a horrendously slow death and decay as the years drag on. Thank God I don't live in Florida where the government decides when and how it will allow people to die!
So Terri Shiavo is a big deal, right? I reckon so. The Schindlers must be damned rich, damned free, damned idealistic or all three. Can't see how so, if otherwise.
Now, contrast Terri with this other person.
Pope Losing Consciousness, Condition Is `Very Grave'
The 84-year-old pope is not in a coma, Navarro-Valls told reporters at 11:30 a.m. in Rome. He said he may give another briefing at 5:30 p.m. By the pope's bedside are his personal secretaries, Stanislao Dziwisz and Monsignor Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki, both from his native Poland.
The pontiff, who asked not be taken back to hospital, yesterday received the blessing for the dying after suffering heart failure and running up a high fever.
Pope Edges Near Death As Faithful Pray and Wait
On Thursday night, John Paul received Holy Viaticum, a special Holy Communion provided to Catholics as they near death, according to Vatican officials.
The pope suffered heart failure and oscillating blood pressure Friday after developing a urinary tract infection Thursday, the Vatican said. Informed of the gravity of the situation, he gave instructions that he would rather remain in the Vatican than reenter Gemelli Polyclinic hospital in Rome, where he has been treated over the years for a variety of illnesses, the Vatican said.
Friday, from his bed in his Vatican apartment, he had listened to a reading of the story of Jesus's crucifixion, made the sign of the cross repeatedly and co-celebrated a Mass, according to an emotional Navarro-Valls, the Vatican spokesman. The pontiff, 84, was "lucid, fully aware, and, I must say, very serene," Navarro-Valls said.
Pope John Paul II is slipping in and out of consciousness, the Vatican spokesman said Saturday.
"We cannot speak of a coma technically," said spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls at a morning briefing for reporters. "From this dawn, the conscious state has been seen to be compromised."
The Genoa newspaper Il Secolo XIX (The Age)reported that John Paul, with the help of his private secretary, had written a note to his aides urging them not to weep for him. "I am happy, and you should be as well," the note reportedly said. "Let us pray together with joy."
So, the preserver of lives lies in his apartment in the Vatican and bravely faces death, knowing that it is inevitable.
And yet, the already dead had been forcibly kept alive through artificial means.
What an irony!
On March 31, 2005 at approximately 9.05am, Terri Schindler-Schiavo lost her nearly 14 day struggle against starvation and dehydration and died at the Hospice Woodside in Pinellas Park, Florida. Her family was not permitted to be with her as she passed. Terri's family and the volunteers of the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation have vowed to focus the Foundation, named for her, on assisting other desperate families in their efforts to protect vulnerable loved ones. Updates will be posted soon.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- "Whoever stands idly by without trying to prevent the death of Terri Schindler Schiavo becomes an accomplice to murder", said Cardinal Renato Martino, head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
The death of the severely brain-damaged woman "would represent a homicide in which it is impossible to idly stand by without becoming accomplices," he said in a March 31 interview with Vatican Radio.
The cardinal said having Schiavo die of starvation and thirst was "one of the most inhumane and cruel" ways to die.
"Beyond the possible political exploitation" of the Schiavo case, her "painful, heartbreaking agony" should be enough to force humanity to prevent what will be an otherwise tragic end to her life, said the cardinal.
So, what did the cardinal do about the ailing Pope? Nothing. So, if you are not facing the issue, you probably are not FIT to speak. So, shut up!
Blog from David Scott Anderson
I have avoided this debate so far. After reading Megan's heartfelt post I will only say a couple of things.
1. If I were lying in a hospital bed for 15 years, I would hope my family would be unselfish enough to let me go. Terri is not going to improve. If there were conclussive proof that there were a chance for that, this would be a non argument.
2. I resent the politicizing of a family decision. If the same thing happened to me, I would not want my Mother, father, sister, brother, arguing with my wife about her decision or my wishes, when they were not there.
3. This case makes a nice diversion from Tom DeLay stinking up Capital Hill.
4. I am a Christian and I believe Terri will not be at peace attached to a machine for the next God knows how many years.
MURDER, no... Terri died 15 years ago. Before you give me the shame on you line, I want one just one person, to show me conclussive evidence that there exist a possibility (A good one, not a theoretical one, that Terri will ever leave that bed and live a normal or near normal life.)
THE TERRI SCHIAVO INFORMATION PAGE Concerns The Legal Aspects Of The Overall Schiavo Saga
Did she have a living will?
No. If she had, this case would probably never have generated much controversy. The one sure lesson to be taken from all of this is that each of us should have a living will. Florida law permits living wills and defines how and when they may be effective.
If you take away the "evil" allegations that have been leveled against everyone, it's easy to see what you're left with.
You're left with a woman who suffered a heart attack 15 years ago, who essentially died but was resuscitated, though not entirely. Her brain had suffered enormous damage from the heart attack.
Doctors hired by Terri's husband say the deterioration of Terri's brain left her without thoughts or feelings, that the damage is irreversible, and that Terri's life-like appearance is merely the result of brain stem activity -- basically involuntary reflexes we all have. An independent doctor hired by the court reached the same conclusions. Doctors hired by Terri's parents did not dispute the physical damage done to Terri, but they claim there are new therapies that could improve her condition. In two separate trials, the trial court found such claims of potential improvement to be without merit.
A physician practicing as a hospitalist in Texas wrote:
What about Terri's right? Yes, what about her "right to die" and her right to decide how she would want to spend her life? In her current condition she is unable to express her wishes (if she in fact is capable of having wishes at all). The courts have already heard the arguments and have made a decision. It is a travesty that any government would step in to intervene on any single case. It's a case of political bravado that makes any conservative legislator (and the Gov.) look good in the eyes of the voters but not a single politico will spend a second of their lives in Terri's shoes nor caring for her daily and watching a horrendously slow death and decay as the years drag on. Thank God I don't live in Florida where the government decides when and how it will allow people to die!
So Terri Shiavo is a big deal, right? I reckon so. The Schindlers must be damned rich, damned free, damned idealistic or all three. Can't see how so, if otherwise.
Now, contrast Terri with this other person.
Pope Losing Consciousness, Condition Is `Very Grave'
The 84-year-old pope is not in a coma, Navarro-Valls told reporters at 11:30 a.m. in Rome. He said he may give another briefing at 5:30 p.m. By the pope's bedside are his personal secretaries, Stanislao Dziwisz and Monsignor Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki, both from his native Poland.
The pontiff, who asked not be taken back to hospital, yesterday received the blessing for the dying after suffering heart failure and running up a high fever.
Pope Edges Near Death As Faithful Pray and Wait
On Thursday night, John Paul received Holy Viaticum, a special Holy Communion provided to Catholics as they near death, according to Vatican officials.
The pope suffered heart failure and oscillating blood pressure Friday after developing a urinary tract infection Thursday, the Vatican said. Informed of the gravity of the situation, he gave instructions that he would rather remain in the Vatican than reenter Gemelli Polyclinic hospital in Rome, where he has been treated over the years for a variety of illnesses, the Vatican said.
Friday, from his bed in his Vatican apartment, he had listened to a reading of the story of Jesus's crucifixion, made the sign of the cross repeatedly and co-celebrated a Mass, according to an emotional Navarro-Valls, the Vatican spokesman. The pontiff, 84, was "lucid, fully aware, and, I must say, very serene," Navarro-Valls said.
Pope John Paul II is slipping in and out of consciousness, the Vatican spokesman said Saturday.
"We cannot speak of a coma technically," said spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls at a morning briefing for reporters. "From this dawn, the conscious state has been seen to be compromised."
The Genoa newspaper Il Secolo XIX (The Age)reported that John Paul, with the help of his private secretary, had written a note to his aides urging them not to weep for him. "I am happy, and you should be as well," the note reportedly said. "Let us pray together with joy."
So, the preserver of lives lies in his apartment in the Vatican and bravely faces death, knowing that it is inevitable.
And yet, the already dead had been forcibly kept alive through artificial means.
What an irony!
Friday, April 01, 2005
2 Trips That Changed My Life
Two Trips That Changed My Life
I made two trips over the past two years (2003 and 2004) and the sum total of the experience changed my life entirely. I live life as fully as I can and I know when I should give up the pursuit of certain things. I learn the value of contentment and I also learn that money, indeed, cannot buy happiness.
I've not found enlightenment or entered the state of selflessness but I've become more willing to speak my mind, spend my money and time, or do something that can bring back happiness and stability to my life. It's not being fatalistic, but being at peace with nature, with your inner self.
I've stared right into my core and on many occasions, covered my face in shame when I reflect on my life so far. During introspection, I have shed some tears of regret, smiled at my foolishness, hated myself for my stubbornness and stupidity, laughed at my happy thoughts and basked in the glory of my past successes. I am not a perfect person, but I have dared to take the first step out to come to terms with who I am inside. How many people out there will really dare to face their true inner selves?
I'll share with you the turning points of those trips.
2003, I went to Yunnan, China. Shangri-La was the place where I finally learnt what is the value of a breath. The Chinese have this thing about needing your breath to be smooth flowing. I'll tell you that in Shangri-La, for some reason which I can no longer recall, I was so fuming mad that I raised my voice slightly at the waitress. But to my amazement, I could not even finish my sentence! Because of the high altitude, I had to pause half-way, inhale, before I can resume speaking. And because of the breathless condition that I felt for the first time in my life, I knew what it meant to have a smooth airflow. I simply could not carry on my tirade. I sat down, and resolved never to lose my temper over needless things again. Since then, I have been rather successful.
2004, I went to Sri Lanka. I needn't say more about the tsunami that struck. What happened to the people in Sri Lanka taught me about the fragility of human life, of death. What were previously sights of beauty and tranquility turned into gory dumps of death for the gentle, peaceful people. The tsunami, which I had earlier predicted, left me indelible lessons.
Through these two trips, I've learnt the gift of living and the inevitability of death.
I have become a more contented person. I know when to let go. And I know what I am really pursuing now are my happiness and worth of and in life. These are very important to me.
I made two trips over the past two years (2003 and 2004) and the sum total of the experience changed my life entirely. I live life as fully as I can and I know when I should give up the pursuit of certain things. I learn the value of contentment and I also learn that money, indeed, cannot buy happiness.
I've not found enlightenment or entered the state of selflessness but I've become more willing to speak my mind, spend my money and time, or do something that can bring back happiness and stability to my life. It's not being fatalistic, but being at peace with nature, with your inner self.
I've stared right into my core and on many occasions, covered my face in shame when I reflect on my life so far. During introspection, I have shed some tears of regret, smiled at my foolishness, hated myself for my stubbornness and stupidity, laughed at my happy thoughts and basked in the glory of my past successes. I am not a perfect person, but I have dared to take the first step out to come to terms with who I am inside. How many people out there will really dare to face their true inner selves?
I'll share with you the turning points of those trips.
2003, I went to Yunnan, China. Shangri-La was the place where I finally learnt what is the value of a breath. The Chinese have this thing about needing your breath to be smooth flowing. I'll tell you that in Shangri-La, for some reason which I can no longer recall, I was so fuming mad that I raised my voice slightly at the waitress. But to my amazement, I could not even finish my sentence! Because of the high altitude, I had to pause half-way, inhale, before I can resume speaking. And because of the breathless condition that I felt for the first time in my life, I knew what it meant to have a smooth airflow. I simply could not carry on my tirade. I sat down, and resolved never to lose my temper over needless things again. Since then, I have been rather successful.
2004, I went to Sri Lanka. I needn't say more about the tsunami that struck. What happened to the people in Sri Lanka taught me about the fragility of human life, of death. What were previously sights of beauty and tranquility turned into gory dumps of death for the gentle, peaceful people. The tsunami, which I had earlier predicted, left me indelible lessons.
Through these two trips, I've learnt the gift of living and the inevitability of death.
I have become a more contented person. I know when to let go. And I know what I am really pursuing now are my happiness and worth of and in life. These are very important to me.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Praises
I guess even though my readership is a little limited because I am by nature a rather intensely private person, I'm pleased that I've got a "big fan" on the other side of the world, something like a wise big brother who cares.
He recently blogged something that touched me so much. Thank you for your kinds words and praises, Alan.
He recently blogged something that touched me so much. Thank you for your kinds words and praises, Alan.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Blubber Bed
Blubber Bed
A little background to set the context.
Indonesia Quake Death Toll Around 1,000
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia — The death toll from the 8.7-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia has climbed to near 1,000, officials reported.
The powerful earthquake hammered Indonesia's west coast, collapsing homes and burying sleeping residents inside and sparking panic across Indian Ocean countries still traumatized by the tsunami disaster three months ago.
While fears of another tsunami catastrophe faded Tuesday when no waves appeared in the hours immediately after the overnight quake, the force of the temblor brought down 70 percent of the buildings in a market district in a town on nearby Nias island, officials said.Poor weather conditions have hindered relief efforts to reach survivors of the disaster.
On Nias, about 70 percent of the houses and buildings in the market area in Gunungsitoli town collapsed from Monday night's quake, local police Sgt. Zulkifli Sirait said.
Nias, a renowned surfing spot, was badly hit by the Dec. 26 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that killed at least 174,000 people in 11 Indian Ocean nations. At least 340 Nias residents perished and 10,000 were left homeless.
Indonesian officials said the epicenter of Monday's quake was 56 miles south of the island of Simeulue, off of Sumatra's western coast, and just north of Nias. It was felt as far away as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
© Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2005 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved.
So, the massive soil shaker hit Indonesia at around 2300 local time, midnight Singapore time.
In fact, I had just got onto the bed and prepared myself to go to sleep when the tremors reached Singapore.
I started feeling my mattress turning into jelly. In fact, I felt my skeleton shake and my fat back wobble. It was like sleeping on a bed of fats and for the record, I started getting light-headed, ready to puke. It was a terrible case of motion- or more accurately blubber bed-sickness.
I thought I was going to get something really weird, like a stroke or something, but it did not feel that way. I looked up and saw my lights shaking in their sockets and my belt swaying in the air. My belt is heavy - no thanks to my big waist, big cows had to sacrifice - and it is rarely possible for it to be moved in a windless night.
So I reckoned something must be wrong.
Sent out a few messages to check if any news were available but no replies came. After a good 2 minutes or so, the shaking stopped. My jelly bed became firm again. I tried shifting and shaking my heavy frame on the bed in an attempt to see if it was indeed me hallucinating but I simply could not replicate the motion.
I think that's how ants feel when they climb onto jello and someone starts shaking the plate.
Anyhow, I think it's really really really really time to lose some weight. Imagine getting sick on your own fat back.
EMBARRASSING!
A little background to set the context.
Indonesia Quake Death Toll Around 1,000
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia — The death toll from the 8.7-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia has climbed to near 1,000, officials reported.
The powerful earthquake hammered Indonesia's west coast, collapsing homes and burying sleeping residents inside and sparking panic across Indian Ocean countries still traumatized by the tsunami disaster three months ago.
While fears of another tsunami catastrophe faded Tuesday when no waves appeared in the hours immediately after the overnight quake, the force of the temblor brought down 70 percent of the buildings in a market district in a town on nearby Nias island, officials said.Poor weather conditions have hindered relief efforts to reach survivors of the disaster.
On Nias, about 70 percent of the houses and buildings in the market area in Gunungsitoli town collapsed from Monday night's quake, local police Sgt. Zulkifli Sirait said.
Nias, a renowned surfing spot, was badly hit by the Dec. 26 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that killed at least 174,000 people in 11 Indian Ocean nations. At least 340 Nias residents perished and 10,000 were left homeless.
Indonesian officials said the epicenter of Monday's quake was 56 miles south of the island of Simeulue, off of Sumatra's western coast, and just north of Nias. It was felt as far away as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
© Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2005 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved.
So, the massive soil shaker hit Indonesia at around 2300 local time, midnight Singapore time.
In fact, I had just got onto the bed and prepared myself to go to sleep when the tremors reached Singapore.
I started feeling my mattress turning into jelly. In fact, I felt my skeleton shake and my fat back wobble. It was like sleeping on a bed of fats and for the record, I started getting light-headed, ready to puke. It was a terrible case of motion- or more accurately blubber bed-sickness.
I thought I was going to get something really weird, like a stroke or something, but it did not feel that way. I looked up and saw my lights shaking in their sockets and my belt swaying in the air. My belt is heavy - no thanks to my big waist, big cows had to sacrifice - and it is rarely possible for it to be moved in a windless night.
So I reckoned something must be wrong.
Sent out a few messages to check if any news were available but no replies came. After a good 2 minutes or so, the shaking stopped. My jelly bed became firm again. I tried shifting and shaking my heavy frame on the bed in an attempt to see if it was indeed me hallucinating but I simply could not replicate the motion.
I think that's how ants feel when they climb onto jello and someone starts shaking the plate.
Anyhow, I think it's really really really really time to lose some weight. Imagine getting sick on your own fat back.
EMBARRASSING!
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Creativity? Stupidity!
Creativity? Stupidity!
Had tea after dinner at Pacific Coffee Company at Changi Airport Terminal 2.
Their Thought of the Day for today reads:
When choosing between 2 evils I always like to choose the one I've never tried before.
The folks were trying to be clever; to take a creative detour from "When choosing between 2 evils I always like to choose the lesser (one)".
But this is stupid. As stupid as stupid gets.
Moving along the lines of this warped thought:
Between a hooker who is disease-free and one who has full-blown AIDS, they'll choose... .
Exactly.
Carpe diem! Make my day.
Had tea after dinner at Pacific Coffee Company at Changi Airport Terminal 2.
Their Thought of the Day for today reads:
When choosing between 2 evils I always like to choose the one I've never tried before.
The folks were trying to be clever; to take a creative detour from "When choosing between 2 evils I always like to choose the lesser (one)".
But this is stupid. As stupid as stupid gets.
Moving along the lines of this warped thought:
Between a hooker who is disease-free and one who has full-blown AIDS, they'll choose... .
Exactly.
Carpe diem! Make my day.
Friday, March 25, 2005
The Inside Scoop
The Inside Scoop
Maybe I should tell. I should simply spill the beans. I should not hold anything back. I should be honest and tell everyone what happened. The truth is out there; it is with me. I need to open up. I need to shout out loud. I must not hide any more.
I HATED THE SINGAPRE - KUANTAN - SINGAPORE DRIVE.
What were you expecting?
For the interested, here's a short snippet what happened.
The customs on the way into Malaysia was easy. I entered Malaysia in less than an hour. We had lunch and changed some money and was trudging along the congested Johor Bahru roads to get out to the east coast trunk road. That took some time, especially when there were many instances where road works were on and at some places, the tarmac was ripped off and there was only ONE lane for cars from both sides to use.
Driving on the trunk road was not too tough, though the road signs were not always obvious or helpful. It's quite amazing that concrete distance markers by the road in Malaysia have a tendency of having their heads (where the distances are) decapitated. Can be quite confusing. Anyway, as I said, the trunk road was not that bad if you discount
1. Convoys tailgating each other
2. Large overladen vehicles
3. Speeding, large overladen vehicles
4. Speeding, large overladen vehicles who intentionally veer to the centre/side of the road
5. Speeding, large overladen vehicles who intentionally veer to the centre/side of the road attempting to thwart your attempts at over taking them
6. Speeding, large overladen vehicles who intentionally veer to the centre/side of the road attempting to thwart your attempts at over taking them either by blocking your view, racing with you or preventing you from moving back to your lane or all of the three
7. Psycho drivers driving in the reverse direction
8. Speeding psycho drivers driving in the reverse direction
9. Speeding psycho drivers driving in the reverse direction who accelerate when they see you move out of your lane to overtake so that they can thwart your attempts
10. Convoys of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and/or 9.
You get the picture.
As you drive along and succeed in overtaking the slower vehicles from time to time, you have to contend with
1. Occasional kumpungs (villages) that pop up from no where
2. Occasional red light junctions in the occasional kumpungs (villages) that pop up from no where
3. Occasional red light junctions in the occasional kumpungs (villages) that pop up from no where which will turn red when you approach
4. Occasional red light junctions in the occasional kumpungs (villages) that pop up from no where which will turn red when you approach for no reason
5. Sporadic vehicles, pedestrians, and animals bolting across the road into your lane.
It was harrowing.
So you accelerate and brake, accelerate and brake all because the road conditions were so unpredictable.
Worse still, the bigger towns proved to be bigger pains in the gluteus maximus. The direction signs Houdini when you most need them - at cross junctions, at round-abouts, at Y-junctions, at multiple exit junctions. So, you take a gamble and turn where you feel is right.
We did not lose our way even once but it still took a long time to get anywhere at all.
The distance from Singapore to Kuantan is merely 360 km or less, and it took 8 hours because of all the unforeseen road conditions that we had to contend with.
Granted we generally managed to drive at 60 km/h on the average, the killer incident on the way up to Kuantan was clearing Kuantan Town. I spent almost 45 minutes clearing one traffic light junction. It takes almost 6 minutes for the light to be in my favour for a mere 45 seconds. It took an eternity, as I watched time crawl from 1800 to 1845 before I cleared that junction.
On the way back, the infamous Singapore customs took the cake, jamming us for more than an hour. Anyone returing from Malaysia will know what it feels like to crawl in the car to clear the customs. When it was time to have my car checked, there were a couple of cars that were "stripped" down and I saw a sheepish driver shaking his head as the customs officer counted the number of DVDs that he tried to bring into Singapore - I think the flesh on the covers tell the content. When they checked my car, one of them looked at the car boot and saw some bags and he slammed the boot cover shut. I reckon he knew that there was no point in checking because what would greet his nose was most likely the stench of two sweaty men's clothes (but we washed everything before we came back, so the bags smelt good, actually) but hey, what would your mental image be if you see two unshaven men driving back with bags in the car boot?
Granted we took leaks about 3 times per direction, we hardly stopped 10 minutes. 2 guys' needs were easy - let go and let's go. We don't waste time and being rather used to long distance driving, I don't usually need breaks (though I sometimes would find it difficult not to turn down invitations to break a few heads or hands - especially those of the errant drivers who make my drive up so precariously dangerous). Nonetheless, having stamina helps. But being patient helped more.
Having a great travelling companion helps the most. People who travel often will know why.
There is an alternative route to drive to Kuantan from Singapore. First you drive almost 350 km to KL, then you drive another 300 km from KL to Kuantan on the East Coast Highway. Same amount of time, double the petrol, extremely dumb.
Kuantan? Another time, my dear.
At least you need to entice me with a fully paid 3 night stay there first.
Maybe I should tell. I should simply spill the beans. I should not hold anything back. I should be honest and tell everyone what happened. The truth is out there; it is with me. I need to open up. I need to shout out loud. I must not hide any more.
I HATED THE SINGAPRE - KUANTAN - SINGAPORE DRIVE.
What were you expecting?
For the interested, here's a short snippet what happened.
The customs on the way into Malaysia was easy. I entered Malaysia in less than an hour. We had lunch and changed some money and was trudging along the congested Johor Bahru roads to get out to the east coast trunk road. That took some time, especially when there were many instances where road works were on and at some places, the tarmac was ripped off and there was only ONE lane for cars from both sides to use.
Driving on the trunk road was not too tough, though the road signs were not always obvious or helpful. It's quite amazing that concrete distance markers by the road in Malaysia have a tendency of having their heads (where the distances are) decapitated. Can be quite confusing. Anyway, as I said, the trunk road was not that bad if you discount
1. Convoys tailgating each other
2. Large overladen vehicles
3. Speeding, large overladen vehicles
4. Speeding, large overladen vehicles who intentionally veer to the centre/side of the road
5. Speeding, large overladen vehicles who intentionally veer to the centre/side of the road attempting to thwart your attempts at over taking them
6. Speeding, large overladen vehicles who intentionally veer to the centre/side of the road attempting to thwart your attempts at over taking them either by blocking your view, racing with you or preventing you from moving back to your lane or all of the three
7. Psycho drivers driving in the reverse direction
8. Speeding psycho drivers driving in the reverse direction
9. Speeding psycho drivers driving in the reverse direction who accelerate when they see you move out of your lane to overtake so that they can thwart your attempts
10. Convoys of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and/or 9.
You get the picture.
As you drive along and succeed in overtaking the slower vehicles from time to time, you have to contend with
1. Occasional kumpungs (villages) that pop up from no where
2. Occasional red light junctions in the occasional kumpungs (villages) that pop up from no where
3. Occasional red light junctions in the occasional kumpungs (villages) that pop up from no where which will turn red when you approach
4. Occasional red light junctions in the occasional kumpungs (villages) that pop up from no where which will turn red when you approach for no reason
5. Sporadic vehicles, pedestrians, and animals bolting across the road into your lane.
It was harrowing.
So you accelerate and brake, accelerate and brake all because the road conditions were so unpredictable.
Worse still, the bigger towns proved to be bigger pains in the gluteus maximus. The direction signs Houdini when you most need them - at cross junctions, at round-abouts, at Y-junctions, at multiple exit junctions. So, you take a gamble and turn where you feel is right.
We did not lose our way even once but it still took a long time to get anywhere at all.
The distance from Singapore to Kuantan is merely 360 km or less, and it took 8 hours because of all the unforeseen road conditions that we had to contend with.
Granted we generally managed to drive at 60 km/h on the average, the killer incident on the way up to Kuantan was clearing Kuantan Town. I spent almost 45 minutes clearing one traffic light junction. It takes almost 6 minutes for the light to be in my favour for a mere 45 seconds. It took an eternity, as I watched time crawl from 1800 to 1845 before I cleared that junction.
On the way back, the infamous Singapore customs took the cake, jamming us for more than an hour. Anyone returing from Malaysia will know what it feels like to crawl in the car to clear the customs. When it was time to have my car checked, there were a couple of cars that were "stripped" down and I saw a sheepish driver shaking his head as the customs officer counted the number of DVDs that he tried to bring into Singapore - I think the flesh on the covers tell the content. When they checked my car, one of them looked at the car boot and saw some bags and he slammed the boot cover shut. I reckon he knew that there was no point in checking because what would greet his nose was most likely the stench of two sweaty men's clothes (but we washed everything before we came back, so the bags smelt good, actually) but hey, what would your mental image be if you see two unshaven men driving back with bags in the car boot?
Granted we took leaks about 3 times per direction, we hardly stopped 10 minutes. 2 guys' needs were easy - let go and let's go. We don't waste time and being rather used to long distance driving, I don't usually need breaks (though I sometimes would find it difficult not to turn down invitations to break a few heads or hands - especially those of the errant drivers who make my drive up so precariously dangerous). Nonetheless, having stamina helps. But being patient helped more.
Having a great travelling companion helps the most. People who travel often will know why.
There is an alternative route to drive to Kuantan from Singapore. First you drive almost 350 km to KL, then you drive another 300 km from KL to Kuantan on the East Coast Highway. Same amount of time, double the petrol, extremely dumb.
Kuantan? Another time, my dear.
At least you need to entice me with a fully paid 3 night stay there first.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Hotel Review
To strive for better service, I was asked to review the hotel and all when I returned. Well, there was ample opportunity to vent, so I did. Here goes!
Kuantan Swiss Garden Hotel Review
[1 - Poor, 5 - Average, 10 - Excellent]
Ambience - 6
Rooms - 4
Cleanliness - 7
Location - 7
Staff attitude - 8
Family friendliness - 5
Restaurant facilities - 5
Business facilities - NA (Because I didn't use)
Leisure facilities - 3
Value for money - 5
Overall - 5
COMMENTS ON HOTEL
Information which other guests would find useful (good and bad). This could include anything from the room, restaurants, quality of service, facilities to the location and whether you would recommend the hotel to a friend or return yourself. Please do fill this in - your feedback is really important to us.
Rooms - Ample and large room with a decent toilet, but still not 4* standard. Soundproofing works need to be done. You really don't wish to wake up before you want to because some kids were making a rukus outside your room. And certainly you don't want to know that the occupants upstairs are shifting furniture in the middle of the night. By the way, there's no such thing as a sea-view room. It is a pool-view room.
Restaurants - Make space for dinner at the wonderful Chinese restaurant and the cafe. The buffets were great value for money and the live entertainment (singing) at the Cafe was excellent. However, the hotel might wish to review its modus operandi for breakfast because for two days in a row, food ran out faster than it could be replenished. The queue at the omelette section was incredibly long (on Sunday) and nasi lemak just does not taste right with just rice and chilli (and with all other food gone). Even staples like fried noodles and danish and bread are gone faster than they are refilled. Sunday's coffee had even turned sour. Definitely a let-down.
Leisure facilities - Small swimming pool, limited sunchairs, tiny hot water jacuzzi which does not seem fully working. Generally falling short of expectations.
COMMENTS ON DESTINATION (TRAVELLERS' TALES)
Info about the destination, places visited, tours taken, recommended restaurants, how you got around etc. Your experiences are valuable to other travellers.
Getting from Swiss Garden to Cherating - Turn right at the hotel exit and drive up. Remember to turn to A3 or you'll end up at the Kuantan Port. Drive carefully all the time and get a dedicated road sign reader because the signs are haphazardly placed and once you miss it, you're likely to miss it again on the return journey because not all signs appear on both sides of the road!
Cherating Beach was awesome. Clear water and clean beach. Lovely. Actually, we drove to Cherating to check out Club Med but were stopped by the security guards at the entrance because we were not members. Anyway, beside Club Med is the turtle conservation museum. Free entry and definitely a good place to visit. Don't forget to take a look at the baby leatherbacks in the lab. They are very very cute.
There's a food centre at Black Rock Beach (Pantai Batu Hitam). So you get to eat by the beach. A nice stop to fill up the poor stomach after a dismal breakfast.
OVERALL
This was a nice trip but the drive took almost 8 hours each way. Definitely the most excruciatingly time waster for the entire trip. So, unless you take a long enough break for the trip, you are likely to come back more tired than rested. Furthermore, shopping is almost impossible unless you are a fan of salted fish in oil and dried keropok, a type of flour crackers which need to be deep fried before eating.
Compared to the beach resorts in Sri Lanka, Swiss Garden did not impress much. Not at least when the rooms were so bad (and because of average occupancy rates, the hotel actually switched off 2 out of 4 passenger lifts and left guests waiting for the lifts for a long time) and the insufficient breakfast. The general hotel experience is pretty dismal but I wouldn't think of spending three times of what I spend at Swiss Garden to splurge on a stay in Club Med.
I seriously doubt that Club Med would be able to deliver that much of an experience not because they are not good (I think they would have been great) but the destination itself is a great limiting factor for visitors to achieve that "visiting Paradise" feel.
The sun was not scorching but everything else and everywhere else was hot. Humid and searing hot. I burnt my feet getting back to my car some 20 metres away after soaking them in the lukewarm waters of the South China Sea. No guesses how many blisters I have on my feet: 2 burnt soles. :-(
In any case, visit Kuantan by all means but lower, lower and then lower your expectations. Better still, take a couple of square roots of your expectations and you'll end up quite fine. A good hideaway from civilisation but true to form, you're out of civilisation.
Enjoy the pictures.
Kuantan Swiss Garden Hotel Review
[1 - Poor, 5 - Average, 10 - Excellent]
Ambience - 6
Rooms - 4
Cleanliness - 7
Location - 7
Staff attitude - 8
Family friendliness - 5
Restaurant facilities - 5
Business facilities - NA (Because I didn't use)
Leisure facilities - 3
Value for money - 5
Overall - 5
COMMENTS ON HOTEL
Information which other guests would find useful (good and bad). This could include anything from the room, restaurants, quality of service, facilities to the location and whether you would recommend the hotel to a friend or return yourself. Please do fill this in - your feedback is really important to us.
Rooms - Ample and large room with a decent toilet, but still not 4* standard. Soundproofing works need to be done. You really don't wish to wake up before you want to because some kids were making a rukus outside your room. And certainly you don't want to know that the occupants upstairs are shifting furniture in the middle of the night. By the way, there's no such thing as a sea-view room. It is a pool-view room.
Restaurants - Make space for dinner at the wonderful Chinese restaurant and the cafe. The buffets were great value for money and the live entertainment (singing) at the Cafe was excellent. However, the hotel might wish to review its modus operandi for breakfast because for two days in a row, food ran out faster than it could be replenished. The queue at the omelette section was incredibly long (on Sunday) and nasi lemak just does not taste right with just rice and chilli (and with all other food gone). Even staples like fried noodles and danish and bread are gone faster than they are refilled. Sunday's coffee had even turned sour. Definitely a let-down.
Leisure facilities - Small swimming pool, limited sunchairs, tiny hot water jacuzzi which does not seem fully working. Generally falling short of expectations.
COMMENTS ON DESTINATION (TRAVELLERS' TALES)
Info about the destination, places visited, tours taken, recommended restaurants, how you got around etc. Your experiences are valuable to other travellers.
Getting from Swiss Garden to Cherating - Turn right at the hotel exit and drive up. Remember to turn to A3 or you'll end up at the Kuantan Port. Drive carefully all the time and get a dedicated road sign reader because the signs are haphazardly placed and once you miss it, you're likely to miss it again on the return journey because not all signs appear on both sides of the road!
Cherating Beach was awesome. Clear water and clean beach. Lovely. Actually, we drove to Cherating to check out Club Med but were stopped by the security guards at the entrance because we were not members. Anyway, beside Club Med is the turtle conservation museum. Free entry and definitely a good place to visit. Don't forget to take a look at the baby leatherbacks in the lab. They are very very cute.
There's a food centre at Black Rock Beach (Pantai Batu Hitam). So you get to eat by the beach. A nice stop to fill up the poor stomach after a dismal breakfast.
OVERALL
This was a nice trip but the drive took almost 8 hours each way. Definitely the most excruciatingly time waster for the entire trip. So, unless you take a long enough break for the trip, you are likely to come back more tired than rested. Furthermore, shopping is almost impossible unless you are a fan of salted fish in oil and dried keropok, a type of flour crackers which need to be deep fried before eating.
Compared to the beach resorts in Sri Lanka, Swiss Garden did not impress much. Not at least when the rooms were so bad (and because of average occupancy rates, the hotel actually switched off 2 out of 4 passenger lifts and left guests waiting for the lifts for a long time) and the insufficient breakfast. The general hotel experience is pretty dismal but I wouldn't think of spending three times of what I spend at Swiss Garden to splurge on a stay in Club Med.
I seriously doubt that Club Med would be able to deliver that much of an experience not because they are not good (I think they would have been great) but the destination itself is a great limiting factor for visitors to achieve that "visiting Paradise" feel.
The sun was not scorching but everything else and everywhere else was hot. Humid and searing hot. I burnt my feet getting back to my car some 20 metres away after soaking them in the lukewarm waters of the South China Sea. No guesses how many blisters I have on my feet: 2 burnt soles. :-(
In any case, visit Kuantan by all means but lower, lower and then lower your expectations. Better still, take a couple of square roots of your expectations and you'll end up quite fine. A good hideaway from civilisation but true to form, you're out of civilisation.
Enjoy the pictures.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Pictures
Pictures
The pictures have not arrived.
My travelling companion has been down with the runs since Sunday.
Poor guy!
The pictures will come soon.
When he stops running, I suppose.
The pictures have not arrived.
My travelling companion has been down with the runs since Sunday.
Poor guy!
The pictures will come soon.
When he stops running, I suppose.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Drops
Drops
Baby Drops
The Singapore government will not allow baby drops for fear that there will be too many abandoned babies.
Dropping Baby Down The Rubbish Chute
There is an increasing trend of illegitimate new-borns being thrown down the rubbish chutes from several storeys. I wonder how the mum felt when she closed the chute cover, while baby goes "wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee"?
Where Are The Rain Drops?
The recent dry spell seems to be getting from strength to strength. Although there were a few occasional showers, it seems like the hot, dry weather is back to stay. More bush fires?
Working Morale
Loads and loads of work drop on my shoulder but yet, I don't have the resources to get them them. So my morale drops.
Ringgit
Just went to Malaysia. The last time I went there, S$100 gets RM$230. Friday, I got RM$232.50. The ringgit dropped. My holiday became cheaper.
Bread
Placing two slices of bread into the toaster at the hotel, he went about to get other food. When he came back, he saw a shameless woman pick up his two toasted slices of bread that has dropped onto the collection tray. Without missing a beat, she picked them up, asked, "Yours ah? Heh heh...", and carried them away.
Morals
If the trip to Malaysia were anything to go by, Singaporeans do not have to worry too much about their dropping moral standards. We are in great company.
Century Egg (aka Black Egg)
Fear Factor viewers around the world cringe at the gooey black egg mess. They simply don't know how great this thing tastes. Anyway, I ordered a century egg congee for dinner today. The stall holder transferred the egg into the bowl where the congee was supposed to be poured into. He dropped a piece on the preparation counter, which was meant for my bowl. Didn't replace with another. He picked up the dropped egg and dropped it down his gullet.
Bed
Last part. Next round I'll try and post my pictures at Kuantan. I'm dropping down on my bed.
Baby Drops
The Singapore government will not allow baby drops for fear that there will be too many abandoned babies.
Dropping Baby Down The Rubbish Chute
There is an increasing trend of illegitimate new-borns being thrown down the rubbish chutes from several storeys. I wonder how the mum felt when she closed the chute cover, while baby goes "wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee"?
Where Are The Rain Drops?
The recent dry spell seems to be getting from strength to strength. Although there were a few occasional showers, it seems like the hot, dry weather is back to stay. More bush fires?
Working Morale
Loads and loads of work drop on my shoulder but yet, I don't have the resources to get them them. So my morale drops.
Ringgit
Just went to Malaysia. The last time I went there, S$100 gets RM$230. Friday, I got RM$232.50. The ringgit dropped. My holiday became cheaper.
Bread
Placing two slices of bread into the toaster at the hotel, he went about to get other food. When he came back, he saw a shameless woman pick up his two toasted slices of bread that has dropped onto the collection tray. Without missing a beat, she picked them up, asked, "Yours ah? Heh heh...", and carried them away.
Morals
If the trip to Malaysia were anything to go by, Singaporeans do not have to worry too much about their dropping moral standards. We are in great company.
Century Egg (aka Black Egg)
Fear Factor viewers around the world cringe at the gooey black egg mess. They simply don't know how great this thing tastes. Anyway, I ordered a century egg congee for dinner today. The stall holder transferred the egg into the bowl where the congee was supposed to be poured into. He dropped a piece on the preparation counter, which was meant for my bowl. Didn't replace with another. He picked up the dropped egg and dropped it down his gullet.
Bed
Last part. Next round I'll try and post my pictures at Kuantan. I'm dropping down on my bed.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Hate Work
Hate Work
My morning ritual of 5 questions.
1. Who won't be in office today?
2. If answer to Q1 is bosses, then ask can I go in late today?
3. If answer to Q1 is no one, then ask do I have important work to do today?
4. If answer to Q2 or Q3 is no, then ask can I report sick today?
5. If answer to Q4 is yes, then ask will I manage to get MC?
6. If the answer to Q5 is yes, call office, report sick. Else, curse and swear and crawl out of bed.
Drudgery. Hate it.
Big boss sent the following pics today to tell us "DO NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT YOUR WORK!"
I nearly wrote back and told him, "Sir, I'm fine so long as I can work as the fish."
Changed my mind. Not many can appreciate humour even though people like to think that they have GSOH (good sense of humour).
Sigh.
TGIF, TGIF, TGIF.
And NTFM (no thanks for Monday), which is just two days away.
Life.
My morning ritual of 5 questions.
1. Who won't be in office today?
2. If answer to Q1 is bosses, then ask can I go in late today?
3. If answer to Q1 is no one, then ask do I have important work to do today?
4. If answer to Q2 or Q3 is no, then ask can I report sick today?
5. If answer to Q4 is yes, then ask will I manage to get MC?
6. If the answer to Q5 is yes, call office, report sick. Else, curse and swear and crawl out of bed.
Drudgery. Hate it.
Big boss sent the following pics today to tell us "DO NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT YOUR WORK!"
I nearly wrote back and told him, "Sir, I'm fine so long as I can work as the fish."
Changed my mind. Not many can appreciate humour even though people like to think that they have GSOH (good sense of humour).
Sigh.
TGIF, TGIF, TGIF.
And NTFM (no thanks for Monday), which is just two days away.
Life.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Untitled 1
Untitled 1
Unplanned Plain Bread
The bread maker is mixing the dough. Just set a loaf of bread down to bake an hour ago. On a whim. Just 6 ingredients - bread flour, water, butter, sugar, salt and yeast - all extremes on their own but when together fills an empty stomach and restores some good spirits. Wanted to make bread with herbs and sundried tomatoes actually, but the fridge is filled up. There is no way I'm going to fit that huge bottle of sundried tomatoes in olive oil into the fridge without getting a earful from my mum. So, it's plain bread. Was tempted to throw in some coffee powder for coffee bread but realised I either have not put enough sugar (to balance the bitterness of the coffee) or have put in too much salt (I can't figure how a savoury coffee bread would taste) or both. So, I'll only have a plain loaf. Boring, but still better than nothing.
The Whole Truth And Nothing But The Truth
Someone asked me to write a testimonial because this someone is leaving the current job for a new one. I've already got the $250 draft in my head. I reckon that's what you pay others to write some sweet little lies for you, if you so need it. I'm now wondering if I should upgrade the draft to something closer to $1000 or downgrade it to something closer to $50. It's always a dilemma writing testimonials. Tell the truth and you put your friendship on the line. Tell a lie and you put your reputation on the line and disadvantage other people. It's always a delicate job to please both sides. You've got to be objective. It must be written to highlight the good yet not forget to remind that the person under review is not without flaws. Furthermore, it must be balanced yet not condemning to the point that all shortcomings are fatal. Got to start drafting the testimonial soon. Does not take me long but it often weighs on my conscience for a while, especially when I write a testimonial that I think has been overly generous. I've never been known to be anything short of generous in my written praises but these praises must carry weight. Otherwise, my testimonials would just be pieces of useless paper carrying my worthless signature.
Money Money Money
Am put in charge of my organisation's website. I've got to conceive, labour and deliver the baby and then keep it alive. And I'm next to computer illiterate (OK, I exaggerate. But I know next to nuts about website design, programming languages, hosting, scripting, web interface standards, yah dah yah dah yah dah...). Now you know my misery. Anyway, I'm just asking for money to solve my problem. Let's hope everything works out.
Polygraph machine
Definition: A polygraph or lie detector is a device which measures and records several physiological variables such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiration and skin conductivity while a series of questions is being asked, in an attempt to detect lies. A polygraph test is also known as a psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD) examination. Saw how one worked today at a briefing. Quite amazing.
Sex-o-graph Machine?
Now, I can't wait to see a machine that can verify Sigmund Freud's theories on psychoanalysis. Sigmund Freud was the first psychoanalyst. Many of his insights into the human mind, which seemed so revolutionary at the turn of the century, are now widely accepted by most schools of psychological thought. Although others before and during his time had begun to recognize the role of unconscious mental activity, Freud was the preeminent pioneer in understanding its importance. Through his extensive work with patients and through his theory building, he showed that factors which influence thought and action exist outside of awareness, that unconscious conflict plays a part in determining both normal and abnormal behavior, and that the past shapes the present. Although his ideas met with antagonism and resistance, Freud believed deeply in the value of his discoveries and rarely simplified or exaggerated them for the sake of popular acceptance. He saw that those who sought to change themselves or others must face realistic difficulties. But he also showed us that, while the dark and blind forces in human nature sometimes seem overwhelming, psychological understanding, by enlarging the realm of reason and responsibility, can make a substantial difference to troubled individuals and even to civilization as a whole.
Building on such ideas and ideals, psychoanalysis has continued to grow and develop as a general theory of human mental functioning, while always maintaining a profound respect for the uniqueness of each individual life. Ferment, change, and new ideas have enriched the field, and psychoanalytic practice has adapted and expanded. But psychoanalysts today still appreciate the persistent power of the irrational in shaping or limiting human lives, and they therefore remain skeptical of the quick cure, the deceptively easy answer, the trendy or sensationalistic. Like Freud, they believe that psychoanalysis is the strongest and most sophisticated tool for obtaining further knowledge of the mind, and that by using this knowledge for greater self-awareness, patients free themselves from incapacitating suffering, and improve and deepen human relationships.
Actually, to cut the long story short, I just hope to see a machine that can prove that everything is driven by SEX.
Election 2005
Met the representatives from the Elections Department today. Yes, the elections are on. Confirm. Surely surely on. Definitely on. Without a doubt on. Take the bets, it's on. And it'll be before 1 Sept 05. Guaranteed on. I can bet you my life, my car, my entire savings that it's on.
It has to be on.
The Presidential Elections are due by 1 Sept 05. Definitely will have an election.
Duh...
Unplanned Plain Bread
The bread maker is mixing the dough. Just set a loaf of bread down to bake an hour ago. On a whim. Just 6 ingredients - bread flour, water, butter, sugar, salt and yeast - all extremes on their own but when together fills an empty stomach and restores some good spirits. Wanted to make bread with herbs and sundried tomatoes actually, but the fridge is filled up. There is no way I'm going to fit that huge bottle of sundried tomatoes in olive oil into the fridge without getting a earful from my mum. So, it's plain bread. Was tempted to throw in some coffee powder for coffee bread but realised I either have not put enough sugar (to balance the bitterness of the coffee) or have put in too much salt (I can't figure how a savoury coffee bread would taste) or both. So, I'll only have a plain loaf. Boring, but still better than nothing.
The Whole Truth And Nothing But The Truth
Someone asked me to write a testimonial because this someone is leaving the current job for a new one. I've already got the $250 draft in my head. I reckon that's what you pay others to write some sweet little lies for you, if you so need it. I'm now wondering if I should upgrade the draft to something closer to $1000 or downgrade it to something closer to $50. It's always a dilemma writing testimonials. Tell the truth and you put your friendship on the line. Tell a lie and you put your reputation on the line and disadvantage other people. It's always a delicate job to please both sides. You've got to be objective. It must be written to highlight the good yet not forget to remind that the person under review is not without flaws. Furthermore, it must be balanced yet not condemning to the point that all shortcomings are fatal. Got to start drafting the testimonial soon. Does not take me long but it often weighs on my conscience for a while, especially when I write a testimonial that I think has been overly generous. I've never been known to be anything short of generous in my written praises but these praises must carry weight. Otherwise, my testimonials would just be pieces of useless paper carrying my worthless signature.
Money Money Money
Am put in charge of my organisation's website. I've got to conceive, labour and deliver the baby and then keep it alive. And I'm next to computer illiterate (OK, I exaggerate. But I know next to nuts about website design, programming languages, hosting, scripting, web interface standards, yah dah yah dah yah dah...). Now you know my misery. Anyway, I'm just asking for money to solve my problem. Let's hope everything works out.
Polygraph machine
Definition: A polygraph or lie detector is a device which measures and records several physiological variables such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiration and skin conductivity while a series of questions is being asked, in an attempt to detect lies. A polygraph test is also known as a psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD) examination. Saw how one worked today at a briefing. Quite amazing.
Sex-o-graph Machine?
Now, I can't wait to see a machine that can verify Sigmund Freud's theories on psychoanalysis. Sigmund Freud was the first psychoanalyst. Many of his insights into the human mind, which seemed so revolutionary at the turn of the century, are now widely accepted by most schools of psychological thought. Although others before and during his time had begun to recognize the role of unconscious mental activity, Freud was the preeminent pioneer in understanding its importance. Through his extensive work with patients and through his theory building, he showed that factors which influence thought and action exist outside of awareness, that unconscious conflict plays a part in determining both normal and abnormal behavior, and that the past shapes the present. Although his ideas met with antagonism and resistance, Freud believed deeply in the value of his discoveries and rarely simplified or exaggerated them for the sake of popular acceptance. He saw that those who sought to change themselves or others must face realistic difficulties. But he also showed us that, while the dark and blind forces in human nature sometimes seem overwhelming, psychological understanding, by enlarging the realm of reason and responsibility, can make a substantial difference to troubled individuals and even to civilization as a whole.
Building on such ideas and ideals, psychoanalysis has continued to grow and develop as a general theory of human mental functioning, while always maintaining a profound respect for the uniqueness of each individual life. Ferment, change, and new ideas have enriched the field, and psychoanalytic practice has adapted and expanded. But psychoanalysts today still appreciate the persistent power of the irrational in shaping or limiting human lives, and they therefore remain skeptical of the quick cure, the deceptively easy answer, the trendy or sensationalistic. Like Freud, they believe that psychoanalysis is the strongest and most sophisticated tool for obtaining further knowledge of the mind, and that by using this knowledge for greater self-awareness, patients free themselves from incapacitating suffering, and improve and deepen human relationships.
Actually, to cut the long story short, I just hope to see a machine that can prove that everything is driven by SEX.
Election 2005
Met the representatives from the Elections Department today. Yes, the elections are on. Confirm. Surely surely on. Definitely on. Without a doubt on. Take the bets, it's on. And it'll be before 1 Sept 05. Guaranteed on. I can bet you my life, my car, my entire savings that it's on.
It has to be on.
The Presidential Elections are due by 1 Sept 05. Definitely will have an election.
Duh...
Sunday, February 13, 2005
I Thought I Could Love No Other...
I Thought I Could Love No Other...
[Alternative title: Rejoice!]
Fans of the Morning Express on Class 95 FM in Singapore would know that the title of this piece is part of the Morning Express Greeting Cards series. The guy says it in a very solemn tone, but the actual message was crystal clear:
"I thought I could love no other, until, that is, I met your brother."
Morning Express Greeting Cards... Tell your loved ones how you feel!
Was rather tickled when I first heard the greeting, but now I am viewing it through different lenses.
Baby Blues comic strip was rather spot-on in highlighting the difference in perspectives.
Baby Blues (12 Feb 05)
Well, if you are wondering why I am writing all this, let me hold you in suspense a little bit longer.
When I was a student, I faced many instances when I nearly freaked out when the results of my examinations were released.
I nearly went to see my junior college principal to repeat my A Levels on the day of the release of my results. I had thought of seeing him before even stepping into the school hall to get my results. I intentionally avoided going to the school hall first, even though the hall was right beside the entrance to the junior college. I walked to the office, all that while with my heart in my mouth (I remember I was in the middle of my relief teaching stint and I had asked for an hour off work to get my results) and as I walked towards the General Office, I saw the Honour Roll. I turned away, not wanting even to take a glance at it.
Somehow, I never found the courage to see my Principal, Mr Robert Tan (or MRT, as he is affectionately known to the student population). So I gingerly walked up to the second storey and teachers nodded to me with a knowing smile, even though they hadn't taught me before. I walked past the tutorial room where I saw my Chemistry tutor, Mrs Aileen Lim, teaching a bunch of provisional entry year ones still dressed in different secondary school uniforms. She threw down her chalk and zoomed to the door.
She extended her hands and said, "Congratulations!"
I went, "Huh?"
Then she said, "I want to strangle you."
Then I asked, "All distinctions but Chemistry S Paper F (grade)?"
She went, "Yah lah. You F Math students are always like that. You will study your F Math and give up my Chemistry..."
I was shocked. So not seeing MRT was right.
Walked to the hall, all the way thinking how it is possible at all to get an A for Physics. Really don't ask me how. If anything, I spotted 4 questions out of 39 topics (I actually spotted 11 topics from the 39 topics, which I predicted, correctly, would be tested and from those 11, I chose 4 to study because I only needed to answer 4 questions. Till now, I'm still a physics idiot. What is friction? Er... disagreements between two people?). Oh well, it wasn't that bad. Passed some, failed one.
See, failure ain't that bad, if it is not where it matters most. Well, it probably did matter because I didn't get my overseas scholarship but that's another story.
My point is, the O level results are coming out soon and don't ever ever think that there is no way out if your grades are less than satisfactory.
There is no need to "rejoice" (euphemism for committing suicide by jumping off a tall building, thanks to a certain fatalistic pupil whom I used to teach. Rejoice should remain the brand of a shampoo, ok?) or do something drastic. You can always love another path ahead.
Some of my ex-students went on to do nursing (though they could not understand enough math to properly dilute the medicine to the correct concentration!) but hey! They are doing well. Others are pursuing courses in polytechnics and some in ITE, while even others have decided to go for private diploma and private advanced diploma courses. Some even made it to the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, which for most represent the holiest temple of Arts (at least in the Singapore context).
Others have begun work (but please don't sell yourself, ok! Not at Changi Point, not at Geylang, not at Desker Road or at any other places where there is a meat market thriving)!
Whether or not it's the end of the world is in your hands.
Take care, good luck and enjoy yourselves while you can.
PS. In case you were wondering, my O level results were a disappointment. But then again, then, I was not able to accept anything less than complete success. With age, I am able to look back and say, hey, it was a little less than perfect but it made me a more complete person. Don't fret, don't grudge and NEVER EVER wallow in the failed past. Look ahead and there are abundant opportunities ahead. If you would bother to look, there'll be an opportunity.
[Alternative title: Rejoice!]
Fans of the Morning Express on Class 95 FM in Singapore would know that the title of this piece is part of the Morning Express Greeting Cards series. The guy says it in a very solemn tone, but the actual message was crystal clear:
"I thought I could love no other, until, that is, I met your brother."
Morning Express Greeting Cards... Tell your loved ones how you feel!
Was rather tickled when I first heard the greeting, but now I am viewing it through different lenses.
Baby Blues comic strip was rather spot-on in highlighting the difference in perspectives.
Baby Blues (12 Feb 05)
Well, if you are wondering why I am writing all this, let me hold you in suspense a little bit longer.
When I was a student, I faced many instances when I nearly freaked out when the results of my examinations were released.
I nearly went to see my junior college principal to repeat my A Levels on the day of the release of my results. I had thought of seeing him before even stepping into the school hall to get my results. I intentionally avoided going to the school hall first, even though the hall was right beside the entrance to the junior college. I walked to the office, all that while with my heart in my mouth (I remember I was in the middle of my relief teaching stint and I had asked for an hour off work to get my results) and as I walked towards the General Office, I saw the Honour Roll. I turned away, not wanting even to take a glance at it.
Somehow, I never found the courage to see my Principal, Mr Robert Tan (or MRT, as he is affectionately known to the student population). So I gingerly walked up to the second storey and teachers nodded to me with a knowing smile, even though they hadn't taught me before. I walked past the tutorial room where I saw my Chemistry tutor, Mrs Aileen Lim, teaching a bunch of provisional entry year ones still dressed in different secondary school uniforms. She threw down her chalk and zoomed to the door.
She extended her hands and said, "Congratulations!"
I went, "Huh?"
Then she said, "I want to strangle you."
Then I asked, "All distinctions but Chemistry S Paper F (grade)?"
She went, "Yah lah. You F Math students are always like that. You will study your F Math and give up my Chemistry..."
I was shocked. So not seeing MRT was right.
Walked to the hall, all the way thinking how it is possible at all to get an A for Physics. Really don't ask me how. If anything, I spotted 4 questions out of 39 topics (I actually spotted 11 topics from the 39 topics, which I predicted, correctly, would be tested and from those 11, I chose 4 to study because I only needed to answer 4 questions. Till now, I'm still a physics idiot. What is friction? Er... disagreements between two people?). Oh well, it wasn't that bad. Passed some, failed one.
See, failure ain't that bad, if it is not where it matters most. Well, it probably did matter because I didn't get my overseas scholarship but that's another story.
My point is, the O level results are coming out soon and don't ever ever think that there is no way out if your grades are less than satisfactory.
There is no need to "rejoice" (euphemism for committing suicide by jumping off a tall building, thanks to a certain fatalistic pupil whom I used to teach. Rejoice should remain the brand of a shampoo, ok?) or do something drastic. You can always love another path ahead.
Some of my ex-students went on to do nursing (though they could not understand enough math to properly dilute the medicine to the correct concentration!) but hey! They are doing well. Others are pursuing courses in polytechnics and some in ITE, while even others have decided to go for private diploma and private advanced diploma courses. Some even made it to the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, which for most represent the holiest temple of Arts (at least in the Singapore context).
Others have begun work (but please don't sell yourself, ok! Not at Changi Point, not at Geylang, not at Desker Road or at any other places where there is a meat market thriving)!
Whether or not it's the end of the world is in your hands.
Take care, good luck and enjoy yourselves while you can.
PS. In case you were wondering, my O level results were a disappointment. But then again, then, I was not able to accept anything less than complete success. With age, I am able to look back and say, hey, it was a little less than perfect but it made me a more complete person. Don't fret, don't grudge and NEVER EVER wallow in the failed past. Look ahead and there are abundant opportunities ahead. If you would bother to look, there'll be an opportunity.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Full Circle
Full Circle
Was doing my Lunar New Year shopping yesterday. It was quite crowded at the supermarket, even though I'm way out of the town area, where the crowds really are. Still, shopping at your neighbourhood shopping centre, you still see lots and lots of people who'd rather shop there and avoid the large crowds elsewhere. Anyway, what easier to cart home your groceries than to carry them home on foot?
Met my Primary (Grade) 1 form teacher at the supermarket. It was quite a surprise for me, since I do shop at the supermarket quite a lot and so does she, but it's the first time I met her. We caught up with life and the education system. She asked me where I was and it was, like you would say, a "since-we-are-here-we'll-find-out-all-we-can" kind of chat session, grocery carts by our sides.
Even more interestingly, I saw my Secondary 4 (Grade 10) pupils who had graduated last year, working at the supermarket too. I even caught up with a couple of them, chatting and asking each other how the other was doing. You know, the indescribable feeling of meeting a teacher and meeting your own students.
Just as I was about to leave, my ex-Sec 4 pupil who had graduated 2 years ago, and her sister, who is graduating this year, called me. We had another chat outside the supermarket.
This is like life. Being educated, then being an educator. It comes a full cirle.
Was doing my Lunar New Year shopping yesterday. It was quite crowded at the supermarket, even though I'm way out of the town area, where the crowds really are. Still, shopping at your neighbourhood shopping centre, you still see lots and lots of people who'd rather shop there and avoid the large crowds elsewhere. Anyway, what easier to cart home your groceries than to carry them home on foot?
Met my Primary (Grade) 1 form teacher at the supermarket. It was quite a surprise for me, since I do shop at the supermarket quite a lot and so does she, but it's the first time I met her. We caught up with life and the education system. She asked me where I was and it was, like you would say, a "since-we-are-here-we'll-find-out-all-we-can" kind of chat session, grocery carts by our sides.
Even more interestingly, I saw my Secondary 4 (Grade 10) pupils who had graduated last year, working at the supermarket too. I even caught up with a couple of them, chatting and asking each other how the other was doing. You know, the indescribable feeling of meeting a teacher and meeting your own students.
Just as I was about to leave, my ex-Sec 4 pupil who had graduated 2 years ago, and her sister, who is graduating this year, called me. We had another chat outside the supermarket.
This is like life. Being educated, then being an educator. It comes a full cirle.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Lively Exchanges
Straits Times Feb 2, 2005
Lively Exchanges
What happens when Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, 81, founding prime minister of Singapore, meets a roomful of students in their 20s? Differences of views, lively exchanges, laughter. Below are excerpts from some exchanges at the NUS Kent Ridge ministerial forum on Monday
A chance for everyone
Student: Singaporeans have the tendency to not regard Singapore as home. We lack that sense of ownership.
At best we tend to see Singapore as a comfortable hotel and, at worst, it's even a prison that people don't have money and resources and the talent to take off from.
MM Lee: What makes you feel you don't own this place?
Student: I do. It's just the impression I have from talking to people...
MM: Once you say you feel you own this place, then I'm prepared to say all right. Can you give me one friend who tells you that he feels...
Student: I've spoken to many taxi drivers and they come from various walks of life, aside from other people.
MM: What do you think will give those friends of yours who do not feel they own this place a sense of ownership? You tell me.
Student: I don't know. That's why I was hoping that you could say something on this.
MM: You're describing to me a malady which I do not know exists, which has been talked about.
The chattering classes talk about this, we want ownership. How do you get ownership?
Make all the decisions. Every decision, we are part of it...
This is a phase Singapore is going through because a younger generation feels that they are entitled to a bigger space...to be in charge. They will be in charge, but only some of them will be in charge. Not everybody. But everybody will have a chance to give his input.
Stability doesn't come easy
Student: My name is Jamie Han, history honours student.
I'm not questioning your decisions in the past, I'm sure at those times, there was a need for consensus and stability. But I think we have come to the stage where stability is already here and that, in order to progress, the minority viewpoints have to be heard.
And I'm not saying that the People's Action Party is corrupt or anything now.
The truth of the matter is this: No matter how enlightened a despot is, ultimately, he'll turn into a tyrant if there are no checks and balances in place.
MM Lee: There's nothing to prevent you from advocating that, pushing that strenuously and finally getting a political party to adopt your platform, and we will put it to the vote. That's the democratic way of doing it.
I would beg to express my reservation that we have established unity and therefore all is well. You do not, maybe you do not realise how sensitive and how fragile some of this apparent unity could be...
(MM Lee talks about the 1964 race riots, the Jemaah Islamiah plot to blow up seven bombs in Singapore around 2001 which was disrupted, making the point that fault lines exist in Singapore society.)
Please do not assume that what you see as stability is something we can take for granted. It has to be worked for, looked after, nurtured and any incipient problem nipped in the bud...
Student: With all due respect, sir, I just wanted to say: One, that you are using the fear of the past in order to prevent progress; and second, you are picking examples of countries which suit your argument but I can raise a dozen others to counter with you.
But this is not a philosophical discussion, so thank you for your time.
Adversity? Move on
Student: I'm a motivational speaker with my own one-man start-up... I go around the schools to give seminar talks to kids and youth but I don't charge, so am I considered a social entrepreneur?
And if so, are there any social entrepreneurs you could share with us to encourage me and other social entrepreneurs to have a passion or fire burning right here in our hearts and right in this place we call Singapore?
MM Lee: I'm afraid I'm very ignorant about this. What is a motivational speaker? I plead ignorance, real ignorance.
Student: Basically I talk to the kids...about personal experience, share some motivational stories with them hoping that you can inspire them.
MM: I'm not an evangelist, I don't go round trying to convert people. I'm a practical man. My answer to you is: If you like to do that job and if you think you can go into business and you have already started, try and get a lot of experience so that you will have a lot of data to draw from and give to people.r
Student: Actually, I do have one experience...I suffered a stroke when I was 16 and it has been five years. I have moved on.
I'm not 100 per cent now - but I could make it past the A levels, O levels, up to NUS.
MM: I follow, I understand. Well, good for you.
You've got to overcome adversity. My wife suffered a stroke. I have to spend all my time telling her: Forget it, let's start from here, move on.
And I say good luck to you, move on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement & Condition of Access.
Lively Exchanges
What happens when Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, 81, founding prime minister of Singapore, meets a roomful of students in their 20s? Differences of views, lively exchanges, laughter. Below are excerpts from some exchanges at the NUS Kent Ridge ministerial forum on Monday
A chance for everyone
Student: Singaporeans have the tendency to not regard Singapore as home. We lack that sense of ownership.
At best we tend to see Singapore as a comfortable hotel and, at worst, it's even a prison that people don't have money and resources and the talent to take off from.
MM Lee: What makes you feel you don't own this place?
Student: I do. It's just the impression I have from talking to people...
MM: Once you say you feel you own this place, then I'm prepared to say all right. Can you give me one friend who tells you that he feels...
Student: I've spoken to many taxi drivers and they come from various walks of life, aside from other people.
MM: What do you think will give those friends of yours who do not feel they own this place a sense of ownership? You tell me.
Student: I don't know. That's why I was hoping that you could say something on this.
MM: You're describing to me a malady which I do not know exists, which has been talked about.
The chattering classes talk about this, we want ownership. How do you get ownership?
Make all the decisions. Every decision, we are part of it...
This is a phase Singapore is going through because a younger generation feels that they are entitled to a bigger space...to be in charge. They will be in charge, but only some of them will be in charge. Not everybody. But everybody will have a chance to give his input.
Stability doesn't come easy
Student: My name is Jamie Han, history honours student.
I'm not questioning your decisions in the past, I'm sure at those times, there was a need for consensus and stability. But I think we have come to the stage where stability is already here and that, in order to progress, the minority viewpoints have to be heard.
And I'm not saying that the People's Action Party is corrupt or anything now.
The truth of the matter is this: No matter how enlightened a despot is, ultimately, he'll turn into a tyrant if there are no checks and balances in place.
MM Lee: There's nothing to prevent you from advocating that, pushing that strenuously and finally getting a political party to adopt your platform, and we will put it to the vote. That's the democratic way of doing it.
I would beg to express my reservation that we have established unity and therefore all is well. You do not, maybe you do not realise how sensitive and how fragile some of this apparent unity could be...
(MM Lee talks about the 1964 race riots, the Jemaah Islamiah plot to blow up seven bombs in Singapore around 2001 which was disrupted, making the point that fault lines exist in Singapore society.)
Please do not assume that what you see as stability is something we can take for granted. It has to be worked for, looked after, nurtured and any incipient problem nipped in the bud...
Student: With all due respect, sir, I just wanted to say: One, that you are using the fear of the past in order to prevent progress; and second, you are picking examples of countries which suit your argument but I can raise a dozen others to counter with you.
But this is not a philosophical discussion, so thank you for your time.
Adversity? Move on
Student: I'm a motivational speaker with my own one-man start-up... I go around the schools to give seminar talks to kids and youth but I don't charge, so am I considered a social entrepreneur?
And if so, are there any social entrepreneurs you could share with us to encourage me and other social entrepreneurs to have a passion or fire burning right here in our hearts and right in this place we call Singapore?
MM Lee: I'm afraid I'm very ignorant about this. What is a motivational speaker? I plead ignorance, real ignorance.
Student: Basically I talk to the kids...about personal experience, share some motivational stories with them hoping that you can inspire them.
MM: I'm not an evangelist, I don't go round trying to convert people. I'm a practical man. My answer to you is: If you like to do that job and if you think you can go into business and you have already started, try and get a lot of experience so that you will have a lot of data to draw from and give to people.r
Student: Actually, I do have one experience...I suffered a stroke when I was 16 and it has been five years. I have moved on.
I'm not 100 per cent now - but I could make it past the A levels, O levels, up to NUS.
MM: I follow, I understand. Well, good for you.
You've got to overcome adversity. My wife suffered a stroke. I have to spend all my time telling her: Forget it, let's start from here, move on.
And I say good luck to you, move on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement & Condition of Access.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Convenience Patches
Convenience Patches
Looks like online quizzes (and results) have become convenient patches for blogs. It's not intentional that I am patch-working my blog with them but some of the quizzes are really interesting and in a way, they provide an insight to the blog owner's psyche.
In a similar way, the way a quilt blanket is done is reflective of the maker. I like my quilt blanket to be made with patches with geometric prints. Basically, it can be as simple as a permutation of squares. Monochromatic blue or yellow would be nice. Take a piece of cloth, cut it up into neat squares and then reassemble them into another piece of cloth. Nice.
I have simple but complicated tastes. Particularly, I like simple food which are cooked exquisitely. It can be just a dish with one main ingredient such as a vegetable, but it has to be cooked to perfection. Or a duck roasted to perfection (think Peking duck). Or a nicely steamed chicken without any seasoning except a thin layer of salt on its skin and in its insides for taste. Fruits are a perfect example of simple foods which are exquisite. Nothing thrills more than a sweet, juicy fruit, especially on a hot day. No point putting in a myriad of ingredients and serving something less than its parts.
In this aspect, I am very Gestalt. The sum must be greater than its parts.
And I am very Freud, too. But that'll be another sick entry.
Looks like online quizzes (and results) have become convenient patches for blogs. It's not intentional that I am patch-working my blog with them but some of the quizzes are really interesting and in a way, they provide an insight to the blog owner's psyche.
In a similar way, the way a quilt blanket is done is reflective of the maker. I like my quilt blanket to be made with patches with geometric prints. Basically, it can be as simple as a permutation of squares. Monochromatic blue or yellow would be nice. Take a piece of cloth, cut it up into neat squares and then reassemble them into another piece of cloth. Nice.
I have simple but complicated tastes. Particularly, I like simple food which are cooked exquisitely. It can be just a dish with one main ingredient such as a vegetable, but it has to be cooked to perfection. Or a duck roasted to perfection (think Peking duck). Or a nicely steamed chicken without any seasoning except a thin layer of salt on its skin and in its insides for taste. Fruits are a perfect example of simple foods which are exquisite. Nothing thrills more than a sweet, juicy fruit, especially on a hot day. No point putting in a myriad of ingredients and serving something less than its parts.
In this aspect, I am very Gestalt. The sum must be greater than its parts.
And I am very Freud, too. But that'll be another sick entry.
Is there a need to always walk on tight-ropes?
Is there a need to always walk on tight-ropes?
|
You Are a Liberal Republican |
 When you tell people that you're Republican, they rarely believe you. That's because you're socially liberal - likely pro-choice and pro-gay rights. You're also not so afraid of big goverment, as long as it benefits people and not politicians. You are the most likely of any Republican type to swing over to the Democrat side sometimes. |
Friday, January 21, 2005
Another Fact
Interestingly, this is another accurate profile.
You are Anarcho-Capitalist What: Anarcho-Capitalism Where: At the distant top-right of the politcal spectrum How: Anarcho-Capitalists believe that big business should take over goverment to the point of government not existing. While they believe there should be law, they also believe that the law should be owned by businesses. Anarcho-capitalism is a modern belief and has never been attempted. What political extremity are you?
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Tell me something I don't already know
Tell me something I don't already know
Something I cannibalised from OldWhig's site. It's interesting to confirm if I see myself the way others see me. So, here's the result:
How evil are you?
Something I cannibalised from OldWhig's site. It's interesting to confirm if I see myself the way others see me. So, here's the result:
How evil are you?
Monday, January 17, 2005
Why Will Anyone Be A Terrorist?
Why Will Anyone Be A Terrorist?
Well, why? According to how some terrorist groups read and interpret the Qu'ran, they claimed that it is believed that when a guy commits a suicide terrorist act in the name of jihad, he will go to heaven and get the 72 proverbial virgins. And he'll get to bring 70 of his family members and relatives up to heaven when they die. A female terrorist will get the best husband she can ever ask for and the 70 places in places.
So, it is really tempting to be a suicide terrorist.
Then someone told me that another intepretation is that those who perish in the name of jihad will go to heaven but get 72 proverbial grapes.
Virgins? Grapes? I'm confused. Is there any authority out there to confirm what these jihad terrorists would get?
Well, why? According to how some terrorist groups read and interpret the Qu'ran, they claimed that it is believed that when a guy commits a suicide terrorist act in the name of jihad, he will go to heaven and get the 72 proverbial virgins. And he'll get to bring 70 of his family members and relatives up to heaven when they die. A female terrorist will get the best husband she can ever ask for and the 70 places in places.
So, it is really tempting to be a suicide terrorist.
Then someone told me that another intepretation is that those who perish in the name of jihad will go to heaven but get 72 proverbial grapes.
Virgins? Grapes? I'm confused. Is there any authority out there to confirm what these jihad terrorists would get?
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
TSUNAMI
Tsunami
Some things the tsunami that ravaged South Asia and parts of East Africa taught me:
1. Human beings are so naive to think that air travel has made the world a global village. All along, Mother Nature has known this little speck in the universe to be at most a global village. She merely pops up a side of a piece of the jigsaw that forms the Earth's crust and unfortellable misfortune befalls the world's inhabitants.
2. If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. Or better still, tell him how you fail to plan.
3. Perhaps God and Lucifer are one and the same. Don't get me wrong here. I'm not trying to be blasphemous. But if you are seething over the first statement of this point, you have just proven my point. Otherwise, goodness and badness are just artificial constructs of the mind. Also, think along the lines of "too much of a good thing is bad". Does it tell you something?
4. What differentiates us humans from animals is our ability to reason. However, have we humans given up our ability to connect with the world we live in because we've learnt to reason? Think along the lines of Adam and Eve after they've eaten the apple at the Garden of Eden. They gained a sense of propriety (and therefore, shame) but lost the right to live worry free lives in God's garden.
5. Perhaps water is also a good servant and a bad master.
6. Many people who died in the tsunami were washed away when the second wave came in while they were picking up fishes that were exposed after the first wave receded. When men "fish", they use a bait; when the gods "human", they use a fish.
7. For some people, high heeled shoes are considered relief items. So, does the victim look "pretty dead" or "dead pretty"?
8. Cows should never be let near airports - a plane sending relief communications equipment landed in Aceh and then mowed into a herd of cows. Now the plane and the airport are out-of-commission.
9. Thirsty men won't share a drink - relief officials withheld a consignment of 500 bottles of drinking water because the 800 survivors will kill each other to get a bottle.
10. If we are not told, we don't know what to do - relief agencies and governments waiting for joint meeting to provide direction for disaster relief. I think I see arrows pointing skywards for the victims!
11. The French know how to use perfume to mask a stench. The Somalis know how to use the tsunami to inform the world that its people are dying of lack of water and food. The request for relief is nationwide though the tsunami probably just licked the coastal regions!
12. In tragedy, you see the best and worst in people.
May there be a swift end and nice closure for the event.
Some things the tsunami that ravaged South Asia and parts of East Africa taught me:
1. Human beings are so naive to think that air travel has made the world a global village. All along, Mother Nature has known this little speck in the universe to be at most a global village. She merely pops up a side of a piece of the jigsaw that forms the Earth's crust and unfortellable misfortune befalls the world's inhabitants.
2. If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. Or better still, tell him how you fail to plan.
3. Perhaps God and Lucifer are one and the same. Don't get me wrong here. I'm not trying to be blasphemous. But if you are seething over the first statement of this point, you have just proven my point. Otherwise, goodness and badness are just artificial constructs of the mind. Also, think along the lines of "too much of a good thing is bad". Does it tell you something?
4. What differentiates us humans from animals is our ability to reason. However, have we humans given up our ability to connect with the world we live in because we've learnt to reason? Think along the lines of Adam and Eve after they've eaten the apple at the Garden of Eden. They gained a sense of propriety (and therefore, shame) but lost the right to live worry free lives in God's garden.
5. Perhaps water is also a good servant and a bad master.
6. Many people who died in the tsunami were washed away when the second wave came in while they were picking up fishes that were exposed after the first wave receded. When men "fish", they use a bait; when the gods "human", they use a fish.
7. For some people, high heeled shoes are considered relief items. So, does the victim look "pretty dead" or "dead pretty"?
8. Cows should never be let near airports - a plane sending relief communications equipment landed in Aceh and then mowed into a herd of cows. Now the plane and the airport are out-of-commission.
9. Thirsty men won't share a drink - relief officials withheld a consignment of 500 bottles of drinking water because the 800 survivors will kill each other to get a bottle.
10. If we are not told, we don't know what to do - relief agencies and governments waiting for joint meeting to provide direction for disaster relief. I think I see arrows pointing skywards for the victims!
11. The French know how to use perfume to mask a stench. The Somalis know how to use the tsunami to inform the world that its people are dying of lack of water and food. The request for relief is nationwide though the tsunami probably just licked the coastal regions!
12. In tragedy, you see the best and worst in people.
May there be a swift end and nice closure for the event.
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Love is all around
Love is all around
Quick update before I hit the sack.
1. The earthquake has been upgraded to 9.0 on the Ritcher scale.
2. The quake caused 1 200 km of seabed to "break apart" - whatever that means.
3. The quake caused tsunamis that went out as far as Somalia, in east Africa. The tsunami arrived 6 hours after the quake and wiped out quite a few coastal villages there.
4. Attached is a short appeal in the Singapore Straits Times today:
Dec 29, 2004
How the public can help
(Aid) Requested by Sri Lanka
Tents, pre-cooked or ready-to-eat meal packs, water purification tablets,
wheat flour, rice, other staples, medicine (paracetamol, antibiotics), wound
dressings, suture material, vitamins, rehydration salts, vaccinations for
cholera, malaria tablets, saline intravenous infusions, portable generators,
clothes and blankets.
Drop-off venues
For Sri Lanka: Ananda Travel's branches during office hours. Tel:
6435-8422/18.
Virar's Rehab Centre at 553A Balestier Road.
No 2, Changi South Avenue 2,Singapore 486354.
Small parcels can be sent to SriLankan Airlines, 133 Cecil Street, Keck Seng
Tower, #13-02, Singapore 069535.
Donations can be sent to the Sri Lanka High Commission, Goldhill Plaza,
#13-07/12, 51 Newton Road, Singapore 308900.
For Sri Lanka and Indonesia: Restaurant 1827, The Arts House, Old Parliament
Building, 1 Old Parliament Lane.
General collection
Singapore Polytechnic, at counters along the walkway between Dover MRT
Station and the polytechnic. 6pm to 9pm.
Donation of essential food
From Jan 1 to 31 next year, the public can buy NTUC FairPrice Food Relief
Packages, comprising milk, rice, tuna and cream crackers, for $10. The
purchased packages will be directed to Mercy Relief for airfreight to
stricken areas.
Donation boxes are available in NTUC FairPrice outlets and Shell petrol
stations islandwide.
IP Address:203.116.59.24
5. Went to get some medicines for the Sri Lankans today. To cut the long story short, my friend and I were immensely thankful and touched by the staff of the Eastpoint Unity Pharmacy. They donated a total of several thousand dollars worth (easily $10k, I would think) of medicines and medical supplies. They really deserve our deepest admiration as they scrambled to find all the usable stuff for us to send over to the Sri Lankans.
6. We are also thankful to the helpful staff who were manning the collection centre at No 2, Changi South Avenue 2,Singapore 486354. This is Yusen Air Cargo (or something like that). They are collecting stuff on behalf of Sri Lanka Airlines and they had been most patient, accommodating and appreciative of all items they receive. For the willing donors who are not sure where they are really situated, the place is within walking distance of the Expo MRT station. As you exit (with the Singapore Expo behind you), the collection centre is at your 2 o'clock position. It's the first compound on the right-hand side of Changi South Avenue 2.
7. News today carried reports of an outpouring of donations from Singaporeans. However, most of the officials from the affected countries request for basic medicines because these are the most urgently needed items now.
Some of the stuff we bought/donated by the pharmacy included:
Paracetamol (go for the generics - they are a good 80% off the branded item!)
Alcohol swabs
Lomotil (anti-diarrohea medicine - again, go for the generics)
Charcoal pills
Gauze
Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
Saline for injection
Saline for irrigation
Chlorhexidine (for disinfection)
Chlorhexidine handwash (does not require rinsing)
Antihistamines (such as piriton/chlorpheniramine)
Therma Dots (disposable thermometers, where temperature is shown by the dots which have changed colours)
Syringes
Hydrating salts
Thermometer sleeves
I suppose other required items might include vitamins (e.g. A, B, C, D, E...), Dettol disinfectants, bandages, etc.
Do approach the pharmacists/staff in the pharmacy and tell them your intention to donate these medicines to the quake affected countries. Give them your budget and they will be able to recommend some stuff for you. For ease of purchasing, go for two or three items but in large quantities (but we tried not to exhaust supplies in the pharmacy). This could help in reducing confusion when the medical personnel are sorting out the stuff.
Get the stuff packed in boxes before dropping them off. One step which is very useful is to list the items inside the boxes. This is something we failed to do today and then we realised that the unpackers will have a hard time finding stuff.
8. All these people who have chipped in to help shows that there is still warmth and caring in our concrete jungle. Singapore, I'm so proud of all of you!
Quick update before I hit the sack.
1. The earthquake has been upgraded to 9.0 on the Ritcher scale.
2. The quake caused 1 200 km of seabed to "break apart" - whatever that means.
3. The quake caused tsunamis that went out as far as Somalia, in east Africa. The tsunami arrived 6 hours after the quake and wiped out quite a few coastal villages there.
4. Attached is a short appeal in the Singapore Straits Times today:
Dec 29, 2004
How the public can help
(Aid) Requested by Sri Lanka
Tents, pre-cooked or ready-to-eat meal packs, water purification tablets,
wheat flour, rice, other staples, medicine (paracetamol, antibiotics), wound
dressings, suture material, vitamins, rehydration salts, vaccinations for
cholera, malaria tablets, saline intravenous infusions, portable generators,
clothes and blankets.
Drop-off venues
For Sri Lanka: Ananda Travel's branches during office hours. Tel:
6435-8422/18.
Virar's Rehab Centre at 553A Balestier Road.
No 2, Changi South Avenue 2,Singapore 486354.
Small parcels can be sent to SriLankan Airlines, 133 Cecil Street, Keck Seng
Tower, #13-02, Singapore 069535.
Donations can be sent to the Sri Lanka High Commission, Goldhill Plaza,
#13-07/12, 51 Newton Road, Singapore 308900.
For Sri Lanka and Indonesia: Restaurant 1827, The Arts House, Old Parliament
Building, 1 Old Parliament Lane.
General collection
Singapore Polytechnic, at counters along the walkway between Dover MRT
Station and the polytechnic. 6pm to 9pm.
Donation of essential food
From Jan 1 to 31 next year, the public can buy NTUC FairPrice Food Relief
Packages, comprising milk, rice, tuna and cream crackers, for $10. The
purchased packages will be directed to Mercy Relief for airfreight to
stricken areas.
Donation boxes are available in NTUC FairPrice outlets and Shell petrol
stations islandwide.
IP Address:203.116.59.24
5. Went to get some medicines for the Sri Lankans today. To cut the long story short, my friend and I were immensely thankful and touched by the staff of the Eastpoint Unity Pharmacy. They donated a total of several thousand dollars worth (easily $10k, I would think) of medicines and medical supplies. They really deserve our deepest admiration as they scrambled to find all the usable stuff for us to send over to the Sri Lankans.
6. We are also thankful to the helpful staff who were manning the collection centre at No 2, Changi South Avenue 2,Singapore 486354. This is Yusen Air Cargo (or something like that). They are collecting stuff on behalf of Sri Lanka Airlines and they had been most patient, accommodating and appreciative of all items they receive. For the willing donors who are not sure where they are really situated, the place is within walking distance of the Expo MRT station. As you exit (with the Singapore Expo behind you), the collection centre is at your 2 o'clock position. It's the first compound on the right-hand side of Changi South Avenue 2.
7. News today carried reports of an outpouring of donations from Singaporeans. However, most of the officials from the affected countries request for basic medicines because these are the most urgently needed items now.
Some of the stuff we bought/donated by the pharmacy included:
Paracetamol (go for the generics - they are a good 80% off the branded item!)
Alcohol swabs
Lomotil (anti-diarrohea medicine - again, go for the generics)
Charcoal pills
Gauze
Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
Saline for injection
Saline for irrigation
Chlorhexidine (for disinfection)
Chlorhexidine handwash (does not require rinsing)
Antihistamines (such as piriton/chlorpheniramine)
Therma Dots (disposable thermometers, where temperature is shown by the dots which have changed colours)
Syringes
Hydrating salts
Thermometer sleeves
I suppose other required items might include vitamins (e.g. A, B, C, D, E...), Dettol disinfectants, bandages, etc.
Do approach the pharmacists/staff in the pharmacy and tell them your intention to donate these medicines to the quake affected countries. Give them your budget and they will be able to recommend some stuff for you. For ease of purchasing, go for two or three items but in large quantities (but we tried not to exhaust supplies in the pharmacy). This could help in reducing confusion when the medical personnel are sorting out the stuff.
Get the stuff packed in boxes before dropping them off. One step which is very useful is to list the items inside the boxes. This is something we failed to do today and then we realised that the unpackers will have a hard time finding stuff.
8. All these people who have chipped in to help shows that there is still warmth and caring in our concrete jungle. Singapore, I'm so proud of all of you!
Monday, December 27, 2004
Boxing Day 2004
Boxing Day 2004
Started my secondment on 15 Dec 2004. Wasn't a good start - went on two days' sick leave right after reporting. Damn! The flu bug is a resistant one. The cough is still there.
New place, new people, new routines, new environment, new politics, new information, new challenges, new working style... Except no (re)newed enthusiasm. Well, it's all right for me. I'll just learn whatever is there and equip myself with the skills needed to do the job well. Hey! When's my next promotion? My neck's growing and soon I'll be a giraffe... with a pig's body.
So, Christmas has come and gone. Boxing day is what I am more concerned with in this post.
This year, Boxing Day took on a new meaning. Before much of south Asia could unwrapp their presents, they had to place many of their loved ones and visitors into empty "boxes". A major 8.9 earthquake hit Indonesia, off Aceh, and sent tidal waves crashing into other countries like Sri Lanka (where I had just returned from a fortnight ago!), India, Bangladesh, Sumatra (Indonesia), Phuket (Thailand), and Penang, Kedah, and Perlis (Malaysia).
The death toll so far has exceeded 10 000 and is expected to rise. This is probably one of the biggest misfortune to hit this year.
In fact, it may seem quite out-of-place here but my travelling companion will tell you that I've actually mouthed that a major calamity will hit Sri Lanka while I was on my trip. I even told him it won't be 6 months before the even occurred and this event will wipe out most of the coastal regions (especially from Hambantota all the way up the Capital city, Colombo).
It seemed contrite now to say so but the signs were obvious. I stayed one night at the Unawatuna Beach Resort after visiting the Tea Plantation in Nuwaya Eliya, and at the UBR, I was terribly irritable and jumpy. Nothing felt right. The entire room looked downcast and forebearing. I was crumbling under the weight of the atmosphere in the room and this, to me, does not bode well.
Dinner and breakfast were terrible and I just wanted to get out of the UBR. Actually, there was a reason for not mentioning this during my earlier post - it could be just me or my demanding standards not being met. It's not fair to run down a beach resort establishment just because I feel awkward. But it's very rarely that I get so worked up over a stay there but it just didn't feel right. I simply hated that place.
The morning that we left, I told my travelling companion that UBR is facing something that could just wipe the whole thing out. It's just so bad and "evil".
Enroute, I had visited the Galle Reform Church during my visit and while I was in the toilet, the entire toilet turned a crimson shade of red. I thought it was me or my eyes making fun of me but I noticed the sunlight between the roof and the wall and nothing changed and then the room shone red again.
I finished my business, scampered out of the loo and resolved to stand at the gate of the church, never to step foot into it again. (A meditation master told my mum last week, as she recounted my experience, that this could mean that there is imminent danger and it could be a warning for me to get out of that place.) But who would have thought?
I went up to another resort at Wadduwa, up the western coast. I didn't enjoy my stay at Wadduwa either. The waves were exceptionally high that day. It was just about to rain and just for that, I could see the waves rise like 2 metres. There was an angry roar of the waves all throughout the stay. I commented to my partner that if the waves came in any higher, the pool, which lies between the sea and the rooms, would be entirely over-run, and if it were just that much higher, the rooms would be hit.
I cannot imagine the state that it's in now.
The entire feeling was simply not that good all the way up on the coast. To think about it, the first night when I arrived, I asked the porter, who was leading us to our room, if the hotel building housing our room was ex-British army barracks. I was told it wasn't but it still didn't diminish the feeling that I'm "descending" into "hell" as I walked towards my cell...
I'm just so glad that I'm back safely and yet, I'm so saddened by the fact that a simple ripple could do so much damage. Many of these places are enjoying an influx of tourists who are there to escape the harsh winters. Unfortunately, they could not escape the rising waters.
It will be a long while before these countries can get back on their feet again.
Boxing Day would never feel the same again for many many people.
Started my secondment on 15 Dec 2004. Wasn't a good start - went on two days' sick leave right after reporting. Damn! The flu bug is a resistant one. The cough is still there.
New place, new people, new routines, new environment, new politics, new information, new challenges, new working style... Except no (re)newed enthusiasm. Well, it's all right for me. I'll just learn whatever is there and equip myself with the skills needed to do the job well. Hey! When's my next promotion? My neck's growing and soon I'll be a giraffe... with a pig's body.
So, Christmas has come and gone. Boxing day is what I am more concerned with in this post.
This year, Boxing Day took on a new meaning. Before much of south Asia could unwrapp their presents, they had to place many of their loved ones and visitors into empty "boxes". A major 8.9 earthquake hit Indonesia, off Aceh, and sent tidal waves crashing into other countries like Sri Lanka (where I had just returned from a fortnight ago!), India, Bangladesh, Sumatra (Indonesia), Phuket (Thailand), and Penang, Kedah, and Perlis (Malaysia).
The death toll so far has exceeded 10 000 and is expected to rise. This is probably one of the biggest misfortune to hit this year.
In fact, it may seem quite out-of-place here but my travelling companion will tell you that I've actually mouthed that a major calamity will hit Sri Lanka while I was on my trip. I even told him it won't be 6 months before the even occurred and this event will wipe out most of the coastal regions (especially from Hambantota all the way up the Capital city, Colombo).
It seemed contrite now to say so but the signs were obvious. I stayed one night at the Unawatuna Beach Resort after visiting the Tea Plantation in Nuwaya Eliya, and at the UBR, I was terribly irritable and jumpy. Nothing felt right. The entire room looked downcast and forebearing. I was crumbling under the weight of the atmosphere in the room and this, to me, does not bode well.
Dinner and breakfast were terrible and I just wanted to get out of the UBR. Actually, there was a reason for not mentioning this during my earlier post - it could be just me or my demanding standards not being met. It's not fair to run down a beach resort establishment just because I feel awkward. But it's very rarely that I get so worked up over a stay there but it just didn't feel right. I simply hated that place.
The morning that we left, I told my travelling companion that UBR is facing something that could just wipe the whole thing out. It's just so bad and "evil".
Enroute, I had visited the Galle Reform Church during my visit and while I was in the toilet, the entire toilet turned a crimson shade of red. I thought it was me or my eyes making fun of me but I noticed the sunlight between the roof and the wall and nothing changed and then the room shone red again.
I finished my business, scampered out of the loo and resolved to stand at the gate of the church, never to step foot into it again. (A meditation master told my mum last week, as she recounted my experience, that this could mean that there is imminent danger and it could be a warning for me to get out of that place.) But who would have thought?
I went up to another resort at Wadduwa, up the western coast. I didn't enjoy my stay at Wadduwa either. The waves were exceptionally high that day. It was just about to rain and just for that, I could see the waves rise like 2 metres. There was an angry roar of the waves all throughout the stay. I commented to my partner that if the waves came in any higher, the pool, which lies between the sea and the rooms, would be entirely over-run, and if it were just that much higher, the rooms would be hit.
I cannot imagine the state that it's in now.
The entire feeling was simply not that good all the way up on the coast. To think about it, the first night when I arrived, I asked the porter, who was leading us to our room, if the hotel building housing our room was ex-British army barracks. I was told it wasn't but it still didn't diminish the feeling that I'm "descending" into "hell" as I walked towards my cell...
I'm just so glad that I'm back safely and yet, I'm so saddened by the fact that a simple ripple could do so much damage. Many of these places are enjoying an influx of tourists who are there to escape the harsh winters. Unfortunately, they could not escape the rising waters.
It will be a long while before these countries can get back on their feet again.
Boxing Day would never feel the same again for many many people.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Break
Break
Had wanted to write before embarking on my trip to Sri Lanka at the beginning of the month but fate dictated that I couldn't because Blogger WON'T load up. Some internal errors. We are all ridden with internal errors. We carry these internal errors and one fine day, these internal errors will do us in.
Morbid but true, nonetheless.
So, I've gone to Sri Lanka.
The journey was a tough one. It was quite physically demanding (if you are going to climb historical sites like the 220 metre high Sigiriya Lion's Rock or the 100 plus metre tall Dambulla Rock Cave Temples) and food-wise, the foodie in me found no satisfaction.
Still, the trip was remembered as a hiatus from "mankind". Not that the Sri Lankans were not human - they are terrific hosts - but the fact that you hardly get to see any newspapers or periodicals that are in your lingua franca, you feel like you can really leave the world behind.
For me, it was an escape of sorts. No doubt, it was tiring, I also had a very very wonderful time in Sri Lanka. Somehow, the serenity of the place (this peaceful country was recently rocked by protests against an Indian rock concert) makes the entire trip worthwhile.
The picturesque place is deeply etched in my memory. The feeling of being free from the world for those 9 days is priceless.
Do visit them one of these days.
Had wanted to write before embarking on my trip to Sri Lanka at the beginning of the month but fate dictated that I couldn't because Blogger WON'T load up. Some internal errors. We are all ridden with internal errors. We carry these internal errors and one fine day, these internal errors will do us in.
Morbid but true, nonetheless.
So, I've gone to Sri Lanka.
The journey was a tough one. It was quite physically demanding (if you are going to climb historical sites like the 220 metre high Sigiriya Lion's Rock or the 100 plus metre tall Dambulla Rock Cave Temples) and food-wise, the foodie in me found no satisfaction.
Still, the trip was remembered as a hiatus from "mankind". Not that the Sri Lankans were not human - they are terrific hosts - but the fact that you hardly get to see any newspapers or periodicals that are in your lingua franca, you feel like you can really leave the world behind.
For me, it was an escape of sorts. No doubt, it was tiring, I also had a very very wonderful time in Sri Lanka. Somehow, the serenity of the place (this peaceful country was recently rocked by protests against an Indian rock concert) makes the entire trip worthwhile.
The picturesque place is deeply etched in my memory. The feeling of being free from the world for those 9 days is priceless.
Do visit them one of these days.
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Another Has Fallen
Another Has Fallen
2004 marks somewhat a watershed year for the world - deaths, violence, elections, civil unrest, natural disasters...
A few memorable people have left us, among them former President Ronald Reagan, PLO leader Yasser Arafat, "Superman" Christopher Reeve, and jazz singer Ray Charles. The list is intentionally kept short.
Much violence has been reported in many parts of the world but most notably, the Middle East. I hope the war will come to an end soon. I wonder how many people understand the human cost of a war - a war takes away three generations of good men! Either way, I wish that the killings will stop but I also know that it does not work out that easily. Still, a wish is a wish and I do hope that the trouble makers can be eradicated and in so doing, the world becomes a safer place to live in.
Elections. Self-explanatory.
Civil unrest has been reported in many countries. Main cause of such violence stem of poor living conditions. Many of these countries, if their GDP were to be raised by some US$3,000, might not see any of such unnecessary activities going on. To think about it, when you are in a job that keeps a roof over your head, food on your table, clothes on your body, shoes on your feet and knowledge in your mind, would you actually bother to riot about things? You'll probably think twice. Perhaps a solution to such problems is indeed education. If education (brain-washing) could spur youngsters to become suicide bombers for their religion, then perhaps education can spur them to become the next generation of rocket scientists. Who is to say not?
The world this year is also ravaged by many natural disasters. Typhoons, cyclones, earthquakes, and what not have rocked us. I'm getting rather immune to seeing pictures of dead people on the news. Too much death.
I actually meant to write about Yasser Arafat's death. I think it marks the passing of an era. I still vividly remember him as this gun-toting, checkered head-scarf wearing, uniformed man on TV, with whom a lot of deaths, violence and unrest are often associated with. It comes to my surprise that he was already 75 when he died! I am getting old!
The occurrences this year have profoundly affected my life. I suddenly feel so "old", so vulnerable. I feel so inadequate, yet I also sense that so many people around me are beginning to value what I say, and some have even come to me for opinions. It seems to me that in the unpredictable world, I seem still predictable. I wonder if I'm alone.
Indeed, I do feel that age is creeping up. My hair is turning white (more visibly so now!) and I'm getting less bothered about the nitty-gritties of life. I now keep worrying that I do not live my life fully enough. I've stopped futile pursuits and have started prioritising and deciding what is worthwhile.
Fortunately, I've not lost the sense of adventure. In fact, my adversity quotient is rising. I thrive in challenging environments and I am very happy to be at the forefront of stuff. I still love a good argument and I still enjoy breaking new frontiers in research (even though what I do seem small-scale). I learn the importance of letting go yet I temper it with the good sense of knowing when to persevere.
I know I've aged when I've stopped looking around. I have found some focus. I hope I will age with grace and intellect. I hope to leave my mark and if not remembered by the world, at least be at peace with myself that I've done my best and lived a life that's full. It would be quite a crying shame if one day when I'm gone, I'm just another statistic.
Another has fallen.
2004 marks somewhat a watershed year for the world - deaths, violence, elections, civil unrest, natural disasters...
A few memorable people have left us, among them former President Ronald Reagan, PLO leader Yasser Arafat, "Superman" Christopher Reeve, and jazz singer Ray Charles. The list is intentionally kept short.
Much violence has been reported in many parts of the world but most notably, the Middle East. I hope the war will come to an end soon. I wonder how many people understand the human cost of a war - a war takes away three generations of good men! Either way, I wish that the killings will stop but I also know that it does not work out that easily. Still, a wish is a wish and I do hope that the trouble makers can be eradicated and in so doing, the world becomes a safer place to live in.
Elections. Self-explanatory.
Civil unrest has been reported in many countries. Main cause of such violence stem of poor living conditions. Many of these countries, if their GDP were to be raised by some US$3,000, might not see any of such unnecessary activities going on. To think about it, when you are in a job that keeps a roof over your head, food on your table, clothes on your body, shoes on your feet and knowledge in your mind, would you actually bother to riot about things? You'll probably think twice. Perhaps a solution to such problems is indeed education. If education (brain-washing) could spur youngsters to become suicide bombers for their religion, then perhaps education can spur them to become the next generation of rocket scientists. Who is to say not?
The world this year is also ravaged by many natural disasters. Typhoons, cyclones, earthquakes, and what not have rocked us. I'm getting rather immune to seeing pictures of dead people on the news. Too much death.
I actually meant to write about Yasser Arafat's death. I think it marks the passing of an era. I still vividly remember him as this gun-toting, checkered head-scarf wearing, uniformed man on TV, with whom a lot of deaths, violence and unrest are often associated with. It comes to my surprise that he was already 75 when he died! I am getting old!
The occurrences this year have profoundly affected my life. I suddenly feel so "old", so vulnerable. I feel so inadequate, yet I also sense that so many people around me are beginning to value what I say, and some have even come to me for opinions. It seems to me that in the unpredictable world, I seem still predictable. I wonder if I'm alone.
Indeed, I do feel that age is creeping up. My hair is turning white (more visibly so now!) and I'm getting less bothered about the nitty-gritties of life. I now keep worrying that I do not live my life fully enough. I've stopped futile pursuits and have started prioritising and deciding what is worthwhile.
Fortunately, I've not lost the sense of adventure. In fact, my adversity quotient is rising. I thrive in challenging environments and I am very happy to be at the forefront of stuff. I still love a good argument and I still enjoy breaking new frontiers in research (even though what I do seem small-scale). I learn the importance of letting go yet I temper it with the good sense of knowing when to persevere.
I know I've aged when I've stopped looking around. I have found some focus. I hope I will age with grace and intellect. I hope to leave my mark and if not remembered by the world, at least be at peace with myself that I've done my best and lived a life that's full. It would be quite a crying shame if one day when I'm gone, I'm just another statistic.
Another has fallen.
Friday, November 05, 2004
It's Bush for another 4 years!
It's Bush for another 4 years!
What can you say?
I heaved a sigh of relief when I found out that Bush was re-elected to another term. Seriously. Although America is not less than 20 or so hours from me, I still feel that who is the President of the Unites States matter to me.
We thrive in a world where there are attempts to keep peace. I don't think Kerry could provide that.
We need an environment where clear leadership is seen - a leader is someone who does what is right, even if it is unpopular, not just heard. Bush has shown what he is capable of.
We are again at cross-roads nonetheless, not knowing whether to hate or to love the man that the world's only hyper-power put in the president's office. But we should still look back in anticipation and hope that with age and time come maturity and wisdom.
I think and hope I'll see a better Bush.
What can you say?
I heaved a sigh of relief when I found out that Bush was re-elected to another term. Seriously. Although America is not less than 20 or so hours from me, I still feel that who is the President of the Unites States matter to me.
We thrive in a world where there are attempts to keep peace. I don't think Kerry could provide that.
We need an environment where clear leadership is seen - a leader is someone who does what is right, even if it is unpopular, not just heard. Bush has shown what he is capable of.
We are again at cross-roads nonetheless, not knowing whether to hate or to love the man that the world's only hyper-power put in the president's office. But we should still look back in anticipation and hope that with age and time come maturity and wisdom.
I think and hope I'll see a better Bush.
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