Been rather busy since last week and this week seems to be a far cry from the mad sleepless nights and endless running around.
I still have some backlog to clear but that doesn't mean much.
Recently, I have developed a rather haughty sense of my own self. Today, I realized my folly and decided that I should be as humble as I could be. I have not arrived. In actual fact, this is just the beginning of perhaps an interesting affair with my passion.
Maybe I have lost the vision that I saw just two months ago and interestingly, I have to introspect before I can see what lies outside. The memories, the experiences; light and shadow, mingle to form an indelible image within and without. Am I poised to capture every moment of it?
Here's to a brand new start (once again), the road of never ending improvements. Cheers.
Tuesday, May 23
Friday, May 12
hmm.
Been having stomach problems lately and have avoided quite a few social drinking sessions. A deep fear starts to take root that I am slowly missing out on that part of life, and also, the friends involved. I guess it's time to sit down and really dwell on what I really want to achieve for now but I believe a fair bit of socializing wouldn't hurt! (I am so out of the scene though.)
Need to submit a portfolio by Monday to bid for a job on a magazine. Hope it would be a good start.
Other than that, the dream I had last night confirmed the fact that I have been letting too many little issues crowd my life and missing the things that I really should. Multi-tasking maybe good but one can't juggle too many balls. I believe that I will be letting more balls drop onto the ground as the days progress.
It ain't funny when you dream of giant ants crawling up your body and waking up to find yourself desperately trying to sweep them away. =(
Need to submit a portfolio by Monday to bid for a job on a magazine. Hope it would be a good start.
Other than that, the dream I had last night confirmed the fact that I have been letting too many little issues crowd my life and missing the things that I really should. Multi-tasking maybe good but one can't juggle too many balls. I believe that I will be letting more balls drop onto the ground as the days progress.
It ain't funny when you dream of giant ants crawling up your body and waking up to find yourself desperately trying to sweep them away. =(
Wednesday, May 10
Laos Politics
Laos' ruling communist party, the only legal party, won 113 of the 115 seats in the parliament today. The remaining two seats were won by independent candidates.
Somehow, it resembles, on the surface, the situation that occurred here last week. Ha.
Somehow, it resembles, on the surface, the situation that occurred here last week. Ha.
Strangers on Trains
The man speaks on the phone with his son, very much like how my father talked to me when I was young. I wondered how old this man was, trying hard to judge from the lines on his face and the sparse white hair on his head. Then it occurred to me that I may have noticed him before, traveling on the train together.
Figments of my memory surface, like wisps of smoke, piecing together a hard-to-decipher picture - of him and his China wife and a little babe in the pram. I must have wondered then how a man like him could not find a bride in Singapore, perhaps he was too shy? Now, I looked at him and admired his sharp features. And again, I wondered, why he could not get a local wife but was it the same him I saw in my hazy mind? The baby must have grown now, to be able to communicate over the phone. I wondered whether he still had those chubby cheeks. Yet, I could scarcely remember the wife, save for her very strong Chinese accent.
They are after all, just some strangers I meet on the trains.
Figments of my memory surface, like wisps of smoke, piecing together a hard-to-decipher picture - of him and his China wife and a little babe in the pram. I must have wondered then how a man like him could not find a bride in Singapore, perhaps he was too shy? Now, I looked at him and admired his sharp features. And again, I wondered, why he could not get a local wife but was it the same him I saw in my hazy mind? The baby must have grown now, to be able to communicate over the phone. I wondered whether he still had those chubby cheeks. Yet, I could scarcely remember the wife, save for her very strong Chinese accent.
They are after all, just some strangers I meet on the trains.
Sunday, May 7
Settling Dust
The elections results, on first glance, may seem like the PAP had lost its support as compared to 2001 but if considering the trends of the other election years, one could see then that nothing has changed much. It is saddening to realize this simple fact that no matter what has happened, Singapore will largely remain the same and we have yet transited to another higher plane for politics.
I do not wholly agree with the WP for their somewhat more left-winged ideology as compared to the PAP but they did put up a fine show for this elections. If they continue to grow properly, not resorting to dumb tactics that other parties use, they might even get more seats in the next elections.
As for the rest of the opposition, I wish they could emulate more from the WP and learn. No more name-calling and wild accusations. I'm tired of seeing that.
As for the ruling party, I felt that the PM's speech was overtly hypocritical. After much lambasting of the WP over their integrity, he praised them for being a good opposition for Singapore. Sigh. If only more people knew. But I think that the PM must be rather shocked at his 66% win in his constituency when a 85% was first predicted, and to a suicide squad nonetheless!
Oh well. Now that the PAP is back in power, it's time to expect the MRT fares to hike up (again!). Maybe I should write in to my MP and ask him about it.
I do not wholly agree with the WP for their somewhat more left-winged ideology as compared to the PAP but they did put up a fine show for this elections. If they continue to grow properly, not resorting to dumb tactics that other parties use, they might even get more seats in the next elections.
As for the rest of the opposition, I wish they could emulate more from the WP and learn. No more name-calling and wild accusations. I'm tired of seeing that.
As for the ruling party, I felt that the PM's speech was overtly hypocritical. After much lambasting of the WP over their integrity, he praised them for being a good opposition for Singapore. Sigh. If only more people knew. But I think that the PM must be rather shocked at his 66% win in his constituency when a 85% was first predicted, and to a suicide squad nonetheless!
Oh well. Now that the PAP is back in power, it's time to expect the MRT fares to hike up (again!). Maybe I should write in to my MP and ask him about it.
Friday, May 5
It's Been Awhile
Past 3 weeks been rather hectic, running all over the country and also up north. Gonna start work next week which means less time for my other leisure pursuits.
*Long rant ahead about the elections. Hoping not to get sued over this.*
I have been keeping a check on the local elections the past two weeks. It is saddening that I could be liable to be sued if I ever posted anything considered "defamatory". The country's media is ranked 140 out of 167 countries and I would still consider this elections to be a farce. Nevertheless, tomorrow will be the first time I am voting but I think it will be a non-event. Everyone knows who will be voted back in parliament. I am however rooting for the underdogs because in a true liberal democracy, the goverment shouldn't be afraid of "10, 15, 20 oppositions" and "spend time fixing them".
An alternative voice is definitely important in the growth of a country. Comparing us with countries like Thailand, Taiwan or the Philippines is after all, a fallacy in it self. Our political systems and cultures are so different, I would doubt that having opposition parties will lead to "investors' confidence to drop" in our country. All the laws stacked up against anyone brave enough to step up against the ruling party just makes it a even harder battle. I admire their courage but perhaps the opposition still needs more work before being considered a formidable force.
While many people I spoke to, especially the older generation, have expressed their disdain for the ruling party, I am wondering if that will change anything. Given the current political apathy of my generation of first-timer voters, what could the government do to turn them into critical thinking people? And also, the bread and kaya issues were not addressed till yesterday due to the James Gomez issue. And even so, promises that we will turn Singapore into a country with more opportunities feel like empty words.
Credit must go to the ruling party for guiding the country's growth since independence but as we head towards half of century of that, perhaps more could be done for people to be more politically shrewd. Perhaps then, we would not be so easily taken in by words, by the ruling party or the oppositions, and decide for ourselves which is the right choice. Let the political scene flourish, I say. The current trend seems to be more like a playground fight than a proper elections, with its name-calling and threats to sue. It is like two bickering kids calling one a liar, and the other getting angry and threatening to tell mommy. What good would this do for our country?
The media may not be controlled by the government but it does not yet paint the best picture for us. I overheard a conversation yesterday regarding the JG issue, where the lady said that she wouldn't vote for the opposition because they are liars and she hates this kind of behavior. Though it may seem like a generalization, I feel that if this was an accurate picture of the younger voters, the government should be worried. How can one make such a decision because of one's feelings instead of the head? There might be more people unlike that but will they still dare to stand up and make a point? Given the conversation with the Minister Mentor a few weeks ago, it seems that the journalists are feeling very oppressed and that they want changes to be made. I salute them for saying something many of us don't. But look at the backlash that has occurred because of that.
I am also deeply concerned regarding our bread and kaya issues. What oportunities would there for a small country like ours? The integrated resort will be but a temporary solution to boost the economy and it might end up like Fantasy Island on Sentosa. Fun for a while but disappearing after a few years. I am entering the work force in a few years and I don't know how the economy will be like then. The threat of terrorism (ok...a US government plot), Bird Flu and raising oil prices (US government's fault again) paints a very bleak picture. Talking about HDB upgrading, lifts on every floor and increased subsidies may appear to be very important to people but is that all that is to making our nation happy? What would happen after this needs are satisfied? The nation of non-critical thinkers will be happier and continue in their blind worship?
This said, I believe many would say, why bother? We're happy the way I am and that's it. Well, given the relative freedom of speech on the Internet, I felt that I should at least make my thoughts noted, even if among a selected group of people. I am no dissident, nor am I truly unhappy with the ruling party but I just felt that more could have been addressed during this elections. It just makes me more jaded about things here and perhaps staying in the country would not be enticing anymore in the future. I am neither pro-government nor pro-opposition but I just wanted my voice as a first-time voter to be heard, somewhat. I do wish that the opposition would think up more concrete plans though. Although the silent protest last night has been kind of inspirational.
*Long rant ahead about the elections. Hoping not to get sued over this.*
I have been keeping a check on the local elections the past two weeks. It is saddening that I could be liable to be sued if I ever posted anything considered "defamatory". The country's media is ranked 140 out of 167 countries and I would still consider this elections to be a farce. Nevertheless, tomorrow will be the first time I am voting but I think it will be a non-event. Everyone knows who will be voted back in parliament. I am however rooting for the underdogs because in a true liberal democracy, the goverment shouldn't be afraid of "10, 15, 20 oppositions" and "spend time fixing them".
An alternative voice is definitely important in the growth of a country. Comparing us with countries like Thailand, Taiwan or the Philippines is after all, a fallacy in it self. Our political systems and cultures are so different, I would doubt that having opposition parties will lead to "investors' confidence to drop" in our country. All the laws stacked up against anyone brave enough to step up against the ruling party just makes it a even harder battle. I admire their courage but perhaps the opposition still needs more work before being considered a formidable force.
While many people I spoke to, especially the older generation, have expressed their disdain for the ruling party, I am wondering if that will change anything. Given the current political apathy of my generation of first-timer voters, what could the government do to turn them into critical thinking people? And also, the bread and kaya issues were not addressed till yesterday due to the James Gomez issue. And even so, promises that we will turn Singapore into a country with more opportunities feel like empty words.
Credit must go to the ruling party for guiding the country's growth since independence but as we head towards half of century of that, perhaps more could be done for people to be more politically shrewd. Perhaps then, we would not be so easily taken in by words, by the ruling party or the oppositions, and decide for ourselves which is the right choice. Let the political scene flourish, I say. The current trend seems to be more like a playground fight than a proper elections, with its name-calling and threats to sue. It is like two bickering kids calling one a liar, and the other getting angry and threatening to tell mommy. What good would this do for our country?
The media may not be controlled by the government but it does not yet paint the best picture for us. I overheard a conversation yesterday regarding the JG issue, where the lady said that she wouldn't vote for the opposition because they are liars and she hates this kind of behavior. Though it may seem like a generalization, I feel that if this was an accurate picture of the younger voters, the government should be worried. How can one make such a decision because of one's feelings instead of the head? There might be more people unlike that but will they still dare to stand up and make a point? Given the conversation with the Minister Mentor a few weeks ago, it seems that the journalists are feeling very oppressed and that they want changes to be made. I salute them for saying something many of us don't. But look at the backlash that has occurred because of that.
I am also deeply concerned regarding our bread and kaya issues. What oportunities would there for a small country like ours? The integrated resort will be but a temporary solution to boost the economy and it might end up like Fantasy Island on Sentosa. Fun for a while but disappearing after a few years. I am entering the work force in a few years and I don't know how the economy will be like then. The threat of terrorism (ok...a US government plot), Bird Flu and raising oil prices (US government's fault again) paints a very bleak picture. Talking about HDB upgrading, lifts on every floor and increased subsidies may appear to be very important to people but is that all that is to making our nation happy? What would happen after this needs are satisfied? The nation of non-critical thinkers will be happier and continue in their blind worship?
This said, I believe many would say, why bother? We're happy the way I am and that's it. Well, given the relative freedom of speech on the Internet, I felt that I should at least make my thoughts noted, even if among a selected group of people. I am no dissident, nor am I truly unhappy with the ruling party but I just felt that more could have been addressed during this elections. It just makes me more jaded about things here and perhaps staying in the country would not be enticing anymore in the future. I am neither pro-government nor pro-opposition but I just wanted my voice as a first-time voter to be heard, somewhat. I do wish that the opposition would think up more concrete plans though. Although the silent protest last night has been kind of inspirational.
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