Victims of Economic Success

Was visiting a distant relative today, staying at a rental flat in sg. Though I heard of such rental flats from the newspaper, this is my first time going into one. There about 3 such blocks in the area, flats meant for lower income people who could not afford to own their own home.

I grew up learning and accepting meritocracy, and have been taught that in this society, success will follow hard work. Study hard to get into Uni, get good jobs and earn good money. People in my generation grew up believing that fully. But over the years, I came to realise that it's only half the truth. Circumstances matters.

Many times, I had foreign visitors asking me, how is it that we had so many of our old people still working, at coffeeshops, clearing plates, cleaning toilets, collecting cardboards etc. But it is not of their own doing. One economic success have resulted in a different generation of people growing up, with good education and capabilities, opportunities which our previous generation of people did not have. And it have resulted in a whole generation of people left behind, unable to catch up.

Singapore is sometimes a victim of our own success.

If they had grew up in a different world, in today's world, their lives would be a lot like ours. One where they had the options to chose their path.

Thank You Mr Lee

I'm never a fan of queue, but I joined one that lasts the whole of 6hrs yesterday. Its the least I could do, to pay my last respect to the man who was indirectly involved to my life today.

There's many things to be thankful for in Singapore, which at most times we have taken for granted in the midst of complaining about numerous things. Sure, this island is not perfect, but I would say there were more rights than wrong. And its heartening to see many Singaporeans counting their blessings now, and recognising the man who was very much involved in the progress of this country.

I travelled alot, comparatively more so than many of my countryman, and I'm thankful for having the opportunity to do so. Having seen so much of the world, I could envision the many paths which the country could have gone, many of which we would have been worse off. And each time I'm thankful this country have you around.

Thank you Mr Lee for making this country the way it is. Thank you for your vision and leadership in bringing us here. For spending your life for Singapore.

Rest in peace Mr Lee.

Respect The Man

There is really a lack of respect shown to Mr Lee, especially in his current condition.

Remembering Toro

Remembering the times when you came into the household,
mischievous and naughty,
refusing to keep yourself confined in the kitchen by climbing over the fence each time

when you stole a whole piece of chicken chop right in front of me
sleeping on top of the laundry
barking at every reunion dinner, to ensure you get your fair share

biting off my bag strap when you were young and teething
shitting all over my bed and room when you were sick
climbing out of the windows 3-4 times, giving us a scare
and biting us whenever we try to cut your nails

Sorry
that you had to pass away at the clinic without us by your side
for the fracture leg when you were young because of me
for punishing you, sometimes excessively

Thank you Toro
for welcoming me home at the door each time without fail
even if I been away for 3-4 months a couple of times
for bringing so much laughter
and accompanying me in times of loneliness

Thank you for spending all your life with us
Thank you for all your love and attention
Thank you for all the memories

I will miss you.. I already do..

Love you.

Was looking at my blog the other day, when I realised I need to update my bucket list.
I actually done a couple more things in the past month, getting to Old Trafford to catch ManU live! And finally got to Ireland after seeing the beautiful place in PS I Love You.

Lucky enough to catch Giggs play his last competitive match too, before he retire =)