Tribute to LKY #3: United as One People

When the news of the Lying in State ceremony was announced, I was thinking to myself if it was really necessary to have it opened to public for as long as 4 days. However, when I saw the procession from Sri Temasek to Parliament House on Wednesday morning, I knew we would be in for a long wait if we really wanted to be there to pay our respects.

So my family and I decided to go wait it out on Friday night. When we were there last night, never have I felt so overwhelmed by the events that took place. Singaporeans are known for being pragmatic and efficient. The queue last night started from City Hall Mrt Station and one had to go through a few underpasses to first get to Padang and then onwards to the Marina Floating Platform and finally round Boat Quay before reaching the security checkpoint before the Parliament House. After waiting for almost an hour outside of the Singapore Recreation Club, senior police officers and army personnel came over to make announcements to urge people to go home because there were way too many people and the Padang is absolutely packed. It can no longer take in any more people for safety reasons. I was expecting people to start leaving or stop joining the queue on the opposite side of the road but to my surprise, people stay rooted to their feet. The queue was hardly moving at all and even after 3.5 hours, we only moved a mere 100 metres. The crowd did not diminish but instead grew larger as we waited longer. Being realistic did not overrule people's emotions to want to be at the Parliament House to mourn for a great man. For a good 5 minutes, there was absolute silence along that stretch of road. Cars were stopped by the policemen before the junction, people kept silent and waited for further announcements. For the first time in my life, I witnessed how our nation had come to a standstill. It did not matter whether we were sleepy or tired, we just knew that we had to wait.

At around 1 a.m., people started distributing bread, water, h2o, apples, sandwiches, etc. At that point in time, I started to wonder what should be the decision - to leave or to stay? I think if I were on the opposite side of the queue, I would definitely turn back home. However, we were just at the entrance to the Padang and that "so near yet so far" feeling really was too ingrained. I started to discuss with one of my cousins my thoughts. The police had made repeated pleas for people to leave because young children were having a hard time staying amidst the crowd and for safety concerns, it would be better for some people to leave so that there will be more space for others. It takes courage for someone to give up at this juncture and say, "I will make way for others" and though I will not be able to pay my respects to Mr. Lee at the Parliament House, at least the others can. This brings me to Economics and the idea of the "Tragedy of the Commons" Vs "Invisible Hand". Adam Smith said that if everyone were to be rational and maximise their own self-utility, the outcomes to society will be the best. Yet, when everyone in this case persevered in order to gain their maximum utility - which is to pay their respects, why then would this result in a stalemate situation? Everyone was waiting for the person next to him or her to leave. Anyway, we decided to leave at around 2.30 a.m.

What warmed my heart a lot was how this entire saga had unfolded throughout the week. My cousin and I went back to queue just a few hours ago and along the entire journey, there were volunteers giving out all the necessary items - umbrellas and ponchos, bread, biscuits, h2o, jia jia liang cha, water, chrysanthemum, ribena, wet tissue, trash bags, etc. They did it with a smile plastered on their faces, constantly reminding us that we need to stay hydrated. The army officers were also stationed at various checkpoints to encourage us and tell us how far we were away from our destination. People spoke politely, without the usual frustrations of people who emphasise so much on efficiency and being realistic. The queue was long but it was not too chaotic overall. None of the jostling and pushing, just the occasional one or two desperate to move a step ahead. I felt that if everyone had lined up in rows of two, it would have been more comfortable for everyone. While queuing up for the security check, I noticed people were trying to cut corners to get into a queue that was non-existent so I decided to turn around and politely asked everyone not to attempt to cut corners because it will simply slow everyone down. I was not too hopeful of people listening to me but to my surprise, people indeed stopped attempting to cut the corners. Bravo, Singaporeans!

Over the last week, I am pretty sure the top search on all internet search engines was probably none other than Singapore's founding father, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. I think we, Singaporeans, have indeed showed the world who we truly are.

All the talk about Singaporeans being the most emotionless, apathetic about politics, uncaring, kiasu, pragmatic have all been overthrown by our display of our unity in the last 4 days. I have never seen Singaporeans so united in my entire life, sticking it out with each other during this period of national mourning. When we remain silent about your criticisms, it does not mean that we do not have a view of things. We just choose to respond at the appropriate time and the time has come with the passing of a leader whom we have a love-and-hate relationship yet have so much respect for him and bear so many bittersweet memories of him in our hearts.

Westerners say that Singaporeans do not have freedom because we fear the PAP. It is just that everyone's opinion of freedom and definition of success differ. I agree with an article which argued about what freedom is like in Singapore:

- to be able to walk on the streets in the middle of the night without fear, especially for women
- to have our young children going to school without fear of being gunned down, etc.

I think I personally value the above more than freedom of speech. There is a Chinese saying, 祸从口出，which means that words spell trouble. Whatever you do in life and whatever decisions you make, there are bound to be people who will agree and disagree. Their judgments and opinions stem from their experiences and way of life. Someone might tell you to stand up for yourself while another might tell you to let live and let go. There is no right or wrong, just who and what kind of a person do you want to be.

People also measure success differently. Some of us measure success by wealth, fame and status and there they go, chasing after the numbers and economic outcomes. Some of us measure success by our relationships with others - friends, family, colleagues and social outcomes affect them. They want less money but more time. At the end of the day, is there one measure that is more superior than the other? No doubt Mr. LKY used his own measure of success - strong economic growth to ensure Singapore's sustainability and made that the mantra of Singapore's governance, but a nation's definition of success is and will always be set by its founding politicians, ain't it? Americans value freedom because they were a colony and their fight of independence was successful when the campaign was fight upon the basis of freedom for all. Likewise, Mr. LKY fought a successful campaign to help Singapore gain independence because that was what Singapore needed at that time. We need employment, housing, and stability during those turbulent times when the world was divided between communism and democracy. There are critics out there who talked about how he had forced his definition of success down Singaporeans' throats but I disagree. If he had forced it down our throats, he would not have won the election in 1959 and in 1963. He won because he delivered the needs of the electorate - jobs and houses.

One thing, amidst all these criticisms of him being autocratic, is that I would like to remind everyone that he empower you to make changes if you did not like his way of governance. If you think that Singapore lacks freedom, lacks options, lacks creativity, you can pack your bags and leave anytime. We are a highly connected air hub and you can always fly to another country to get inspirations. His bilingual policy enables you to travel to two of the most powerful economies in the world - U.S.A and China, free of barriers. We cannot all be the next USA or Japan or countries in Western Europe. We can have a democratic system but there will always be variations. The world is non-homogeneous and it should always be. God created mankind and made us to be different on purpose. You do know that animals and human beings are discouraged from breeding within their own family or among their own offsprings so that we will not have the same DNA and end up lacking the right immunity for different things. So if we are all meant to be different right from the start, why should we all work towards becoming the next USA or UK or France or blah blah blah.

Singapore does not have the creativity of the West but we have the discipline and rigour that they lack. People talk about Singaporeans not being creative and risk-taking and hence we do not have enough entrepreneurs. Any entity or project is successful because there are A FEW who wants to lead and MANY others who follow. If everyone wants to be a leader, who is going to do the dirty job? Let those who are risk-loving be the ones to lead and for those who value stability more, let them be the workers. In that way, the world can then function! At the end of the day, if you think something is not to your fancy, change yourself. Don't expect the world to change for you.

When I was blogging on Monday and Tuesday, my lil sis asked me, "Since when did you become so patriotic or a big fan of LKY?" I told her I love Singapore because she gave me everything that I own now. I like Mr. LKY and I truly respect him and Dr. Goh Keng Swee as well. There is this unspoken affection, not just because of what he did to turn Singapore into a homeland. They have such great minds and put them to such great use. I see these people, read about them and gain tons of inspiration from them. They propel me on whenever I want to say "FML" because I realise that actions ALWAYS speak louder than words. They give me strength in adversity and teach me not to be complacent even in good times.

However, I do not think that everyone has to agree with me and his fans. Those who are critical of him should still have the room to express their opinions. It is just that in this week of mourning, they should just let him enjoy the glory that he deserves. It is like how people cease fire during a war when something tragic happens to either party. Unless you are going to be dead tomorrow and today is the last chance that you have to chide him, just give this dead man a break. You still have the rest of your lives to express your opinions.

Before I sign off, I just want to sum up all that I have written with this - Despite all the claims about his one-size-fits-all approach to governing, what is important is "we live with dignity under his rule", and isn't dignity the most basic and also the most important need of every human being universally? If you are willing to work in Singapore, you never have to beg. If you are truly in need, the government will never leave you in the lurch. If you are able to give, don't hold back.

R.I.P. Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. 1923 - 2015.

31 things to say for a month - Day 28: Our Founding Father

Day 28: Our founding father - Mr. Lee Kuan Yew 

This is one post which I have shortlisted in my 31 things to say for a month since two years ago but never got down to writing it. I wanted to write it after I am done with reading his memoirs. Today, I finally finished the first of his memoirs - the Singapore story. I have been reading his memoirs for the past 2 months every night before bedtime and not too long after, he was hospitalised on 5 Feb due to pneumonia. The last time I blog about one of our founding fathers, Dr. Goh Keng Swee, it was after I read the book, "Men in White" and come to realise his contributions to our economy. 5 years later, I am writing about another of our founding fathers in Singapore.

There are a few parts of his memoirs that left me a deep impression and I shall talk about them as a tribute to this man who deserves the respect of ALL Singaporeans, PAST and PRESENT!

First, it is about the one whereby he visited the constituencies after his team and him decided to have a clean break with the communists in the PAP. They knew that they had to build up their own strong electorate and fight the communists face to face in order to realise their aspirations to help Singapore break free from colonialism. The visits were not restricted to his own constituency of Tanjong Pagar but all over Singapore. He went around in a Land Rover and he mentioned how his hands were so sore and swollen by all the hand shaking and his back knocked against the steel body of his open-top Land Rover, resulting in multiple bruises at his back. However, he persevered and thought of ways to overcome such issues because he knew that if he wanted to build a nation, he has to know the needs of the people and help them fulfill them.

Second, it is about his wittiness. He experienced Japanese occupation first hand and during this period of time, he was also creative and bold to help his family tide over their multiple problems. If you had known him at that time, you will know that this boy was meant to be someone great in the future.

Third, it is about how we learnt the various languages just so he could not communicate and rally the people. He was educated in English and spoke Malay to his grandma who is of Java descent. However, he knew he had to picked up Chinese if he wanted to connect with the bulk of the Chinese immigrants then. I am a Hokkien and I know how difficult it is to learn Hokkien because you cannot translate the words from Chinese directly, unlike Cantonese. However, Mr. Lee did and eventually was able to conduct his rally in Hokkien in order to fight the communists. Hokkien is really a language that can sound so uncouth yet has this effect of rallying people together for a common cause. Whenever I hear people complaining about how LHL was groomed to become LKY's successor and Singapore belongs to the Lee Family, I would want to challenge the person. When you were ten, what were you doing? You were probably playing marbles or hopscotch with your friends or Candy Crush for the kids these days or some other IT gadget. You may complain about PSLE blah blah blah but do you have any idea that at the age of 10, LHL had already learnt Javanese and was busy translating Utusan Melayu newspapers for his father. He knew as a kid how Singapore was constantly under the threat of our neighbours and because of this, he is more determined than anyone else to help continue his father's legacy and also Singapore's prosperity and peace.

Fourth, it is about how he went about running the nation. Many people might say that he is too undemocratic, disguising his communist ideals with a democratic front. However, I love this quote that he said:

I am no longer in active politics. It is irrelevant what young Singaporeans think of me. What they think of me after I'm dead and gone in one generation will be determined by researchers who do PhDs on me.
I did what I thought was right, given the circumstances, given by my knowledge at the time, given the pressures on me at the time. That's finished, done. I move forward. You keep on harking back, it's just wasting time.
I have no regrets. I have spent my life, so much of it, building up this country. That's nothing more that I need to do. At the end of the day, what have I gotten? A successful Singapore. What have I given up? My life. 

Honestly, given the circumstances that Singapore faced, we could possibly end up as the next Cuba. Besides, I do not think that he had been autocratic in the wrong way. The things that he insisted on were for the good for Singapore such as using English as the medium of instruction in schools, bilingual policy, nationalising public transport, public utilities, imposing National Service, etc. No doubt he banned the use of dialects in public broadcasting and made some of us lose our roots but I strongly agree with his rationale. Our roots are no longer in China and where we come from, we should see ourselves as a country in Southeast Asia - calling ourselves Singaporeans. Our heritage will be that of Malay, Chinese, English, Tamil - a blend of races in the country!

Yes our investment in Suzhou Industrial Park did not reap the desired returns but sometimes we cannot be too short-sighted. Investment is not only about the dollars and cents but also the networks that we built in the process and making ourselves known to the world.

You might hate CPF because you cannot spend your hard-earned money when you retire. However, I am all in for CPF. Imagine what would happen if the elderly did not have retirement savings. You have to pay higher taxes to support them, would you want to do that? CPF is just about not being able to use your hard-earned money when you are old but when you die, at least your children can benefit from your bequest. It is just insurance of another form. Imagine if there is no CPF, you cannot even spend your money when you are young because the government will have to tax your income even more.

You might say National Education is propaganda but what it promotes is the love for a country. It just so happens that our country is built by the PAP. Winners always have the right to write history. If Hitler had successfully dominated Europe through nuclear weapons, do you think you will have the chance to criticise him today?

I have seen so many Facebook posts paying tribute to Mr. LKY but this sums up my emotions in the most Singaporean way possible:

Ok... i read that former prime minister lee kuan yew... is critically ill... and we all know whats gonna come after that....
I am honestly gonna be very sad when he is no longer ard. He had a full life and at 91.... thats consoling to the mind....
I see alot of ppl saying... if the old man dies... i will be damn happy.... But i jus want to ask.... what r we angry at?? Coz he took a small shitty island and turned it into what it is today??
Coz today... our currency is almost on par with USA... 1.36 exchange rate... BY THE WAY... and that country is a giant... the world's superpower la.... and we are almost on par... our neighbour's exchange with us is at 2.4 smthg.... dun know... dun care
Today... companies all over the world come here to start their regional hq... coz of the stable platform created....
Today... india.... a country with the world's second largest population... has HIRED SINGAPORE'S EXPERTISE TO BUILD A NEW CAPITAL CITY FOR ITSELF!!!
sure... cars are expensive....here la... do u know in thailand... or jakarta... a small distance like yishun to ang mo kio... will take 2 hours... to drive... because everyone has a car and its congested very badly....this was said to me by a thai tourist and a indonesian tourist.....
Sure... houses are expensive... do u know that in hongkong... ppl dun own their flats??? Its so expensive... everyone rents!!! And the houses are smaller than our flats....
Everyday since i was born... till today.... i cannot remember a day when electricity or water went out.... i can drink the water out of the tap and toilet bowl... its that clean.... and i can switch on my fan anytime i want... it will work.... i went to india and i witnessed it first hand.... bloody every three hours... there was a power cut.... even in hotels... then the generators will kick in...
New delhi... a girl was raped and violently abused.... brought to SINGAPORE for treatment... we all remember that... dun we...
Superstar rajnikanth.... calls Lee Kuan Yew a hero... CAME TO SINGAPORE FOR TREATMENT....
sure we buy water from our neighbour... but how many of us know that we treat the same water and sell it back to our neighbour???
I had a tourist from paris... she told me that she lost her husband to a heart attack... they live in the outskirts of paris... she called for an ambulance... it took the damn ambulance 2 hours to get to them.... PARIS OK!!!! city of love... world reknowned tourist spot... 2 hours for ambulance response....
You dial 995 and call for ambulance now la.. you see how long the response time is...
God damn they even opened up independent ambulance companies so that the real emergencies can be attended to by SCDF laaa
Sure.. there was a riot in little india... but it was contained wasnt it??? Ya our police and civil defence got a beating... but still... did any civilian get injured??? Ppl living in the flats beside... got injured??? The ambulance that got burnt.... what does it show... singapore's patience or that particular nationality's uncivilised behaviour....
The very next day.... that road was cleaned and relaid....
Even in war laa.... its protocol to nvr hit safety vehicles.... what the hell....
I met a tourist from sweden... and she said... she got raped whilst going for a jog from her house to her neighbour's house which was 2 miles away.... there was nobody to help her.... and thats y she moved to singapore...
My current job allows me to meet different nationalities everyday... straight from the airport.... and we always get to talking... abt their country versus mine... and almost EVERY SINGLE person.... tells me
"You guys dun know how good u have it here"
Every government has its flaws and shortcomings..... every government.... they r humans laaa.... not machines.....
Our laws are amongst the strictest.... and i have personally felt the brunt of some of the laws... but u know what??? I aint complaining.... my mum.. sister... girlfren... can go out and come back whatever time... they r fine...
I can sleep in my van and wake up... with my doors unlocked... i will not be mugged and robbed
Ppl from certain countries come here... to study... they have to take cross over exams... to match our system
I go somewhere.... my education is recognised la god damn it
Foreigner influx was probably the blooper singapore did.... but hey.... i have got a job... i earn very well... i am happy...
I have got close friends that live in condos.. drive nice cars... live in landed houses... have lots of money.....
So its definitely possible for everyone to "live the life" here... sure it may be difficult to rise up to the top... but hey.... other countries easy ahhhh????? You know ahhh????
A flat in singapore is 300,000.... a landed house in the states is also 300,000.... u get alot of space... but u still NEED TO HAVE MONEY.....
Soooo.... if u r not successful.. blame urself.... not the country.. the system... the lamp post... or the dog....
U never study... ur fault... u nvr work hard... ur fault...
Other countries... got natural resources... to build on... what does singapore have??? NOTHING!!! the people are the resource... and that why we have to work and contribute to build the country...
America... canada... all 40% tax sia... and here we complain for paying CPF and tax....
U try la... go and say smthg bad abt our neighbour to their citizens... or better still say smthg bad abt india to an indian citizen who lives in singapore.... you see what happens....
Their country is full of injustice and problems.... but they will NEVER SPEAK DOWN ON THEIR COUNTRY...
Look at what we r doing.....
This social portal page... newnation or smthg... teases that singapore will be renamed Lee Kuan Yew... eh why laaa i ask u. Then name as what??
mohd goahead bin gostan???
Or
Angamuthu s/o singamuthu
Is it???
That man.... whether u like it or not... was a key installation to the life we have today..... not sang nila utama... or that tengku.... or stamford raffles.....
The name is LEE KUAN YEW...
and if he is no longer ard.... i WILL feel sad.... coz god damn it i am SINGAPOREAN... and even though my country has its fair share of bullshit.... i LOVE this damn place.... the life and opportunity it has given me.... the level playing field it has given me....
And it was because Lee Kuan Yew had a vision and he went abt executing it....
Lets show a little bit of gratfulness laaa... a little bit....
Whether he did right or wrong.....the man who gave us this quality of life has reached the end of the tunnel.... let him go in peace and respect.....

Source: Ganesh Sundram 

For me, I have only RESPECT for Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and nothing else. No hatred or displeasure of any sorts. He implemented the institutions that ensured that people are given equal opportunities to succeed in life, not just equal outcomes. Although I voice out my displeasure with the education system from time to time about how it takes away the love for learning, I guess this is the best solution Mr. Lee and his team had at that point in time when the nation was being built. I myself have tremendously benefitted from meritocracy. If you work hard in Singapore, you will not be left behind. 

Meritocracy breeds elitism, no doubt. Those who are well endowed (rich) will be better off because they have more resources to begin but would the outcomes be different without meritocracy? I doubt so. The rich will always get richer even in a communist regime and China and Russia speak of that. 

It is easy for us to voice our displeasure with the many things in Singapore but at the end of the day, if you do not have a better solution to the problems, then you just have to accept things as they are. I am pretty sure that although a lot of Singaporeans complain about our government, at the end of the day, we just want an avenue to rant. We still love Singapore and Mr. Lee who gave us this place to call home. 

Many years ago, I contemplated emigrating. However, as I age, my love for the nation grows. I still want to be a global citizen that travels around the world to experiment with and experience life. However, when I eventually age, I will bring with me my wealth of experience and contribute to my country in my own little way. 

There is still so much more for me to write about but this is getting way too long. I shall sign off. 

有国才有家, 谢谢您，李先生，给了我们一个家。 

After thoughts of my epic 49-day adventure #8

#8: Man of the 20th century, Albert Einstein

I vividly remember the first chapter of my Mother Tongue textbook in one of the levels in Primary school. It was about Albert Einstein, 爱因斯坦。Though I enjoy the stories written in the textbook, I never had any deep interest in this man or his life story. However, when in Bern, I went to the Natural History Museum, especially for the exhibit of this "crazy scientist" who is loved and hated by people all over the world at the same time. I ended up spending 3 hours walking through his life story.

I cannot remember everything that I had read so I shall summarise the main points.

• Born a Jew but was never religious
• Had problems picking up languages at a young age but grew up to speak a few languages! 
• Married twice, first to a female scientist then to his cousin (I think so) 
• Had two sons - one had some kind of disability and the other got married and had a family but did not have any sons to continue the Einstein lineage (so unfortunate) 
• Studied in Zurich and became a teaching staff at the university even though he had not completed his PhD. 
• Was highly sought after by institutions all over the world but eventually decided to settle in America after WWII broke out. 
• Wealthy and famous and was able to avoid the massacre of the Jews in Europe during WWII but constantly try to offer help to Jews who were seeking a better life outside of Europe
• His famous scientific research product, E=mc^2, was believed to have laid the foundation for the research of nuclear weapons
• Was remembered for writing a letter to then American president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, to consider developing their own nuclear weapons to fend off Germany's threat
• Had always been anti-War and was never involved in any research in nuclear programme in America (for fear that he was a spy - since he had German and Swiss citizenship)

The museum also has a lot of exhibits that explain Einstein's research, the most famous one being special relativity theory which revolutionise the way we see space and time. When I was in school, I kinda hate Science. I found it a laborious subject which I have to spend a lot of time memorising facts. Though I started to do better in the subject in Secondary school, I never had real interest in it. On hindsight, I find it pitiful. Science is such an interesting subject that explains the many phenomenons in our everyday life. I was so fascinated by Einstein's theories and research that I went through them over and over again just so I could fully understand everything. If only the Science teachers that I had in my 8 years of education had done a better job at delivering the subject. 

I have immense curiosity in learning about my surroundings and I kinda like to ask questions. However, I remember having been brushed off so many times and told to pay attention to what they have to teach that I simply switched off. All that I can recall now is their constant scoldings about performances during tests and examinations. There was simply no attempt at stimulating interest in the subject by relating Science to our everyday life. So I studied for the subject because I needed the grades and not because I truly love it. Perhaps I hated learning about plants so I always felt that the syllabus had over-emphasised on that topic. I really find learning about which plants float and which submerge, how they transport food and water, how they reproduce not my cup of tea. [LOL] However, I do not blame my teachers for that. I could have been more sensible and explore the subject on my own free time through reading but I did not. Instead, I thank them for shaping my education philosophy and my teaching style and that is to always stimulate interest to motivate students to learn Economics better. 

Back to the topic of Einstein, I admire his perseverance in pursuing what he loved and also his love for his family. Though his first marriage failed, he continued to show concern for his first wife during WWII to ensure her safety. His second son had some kind of disability but Einstein supported him throughout his entire life (not by being physically beside him but mentally and financially to pay for his medical bills), never giving up hopes on him. He also constantly wrote him letters to encourage him. When Israel was formed, he was invited to become the country's first president but he declined because he felt that he did not have the credentials to take on the job. Nevertheless, he would have been such an inspiration for the Jewish people for his life work in promoting peace and Scientific research. 

He is a truly brilliant person. Maybe if he had not existed, there would have been someone else who would have taken his place but the fact that he was the one who changed our world, he deserves all my respect. Of course there are many other inspiring Scientists around as well and we shall not forget their contributions. 

Now who in this lifetime or era of ours will have his name live on and be remembered and talked about by many others in the future? Prediction? Villains or Heroes? 

What's our world becoming to?

I walked past the kitchen yesterday night and saw the Shin Ming Daily lying around on the dining table. Out of curiosity, I stared at the numerous headlines.

2013 - Mother Earth shall experience stoppage of all power generated devices, basically we will get cut off our electricity supply.

Then I recalled the trip to Egypt. The tour guide told us about the Bedouin tribe (nomads) of Egypt, that they actually send their kids to village schools until the age of 10 before they stop schooling. The rationale being they do not want their kids to be educated because they fear they will pay the price of their kids abandoning the nomad lifestyle. For education empowers someone with knowledge and at the same time with desires for a better life. Education has its ugly side.

The various issues under scrutiny this time round is bound to upset some readers but there should be no resemblance to any particular person and if it does, it's purely coincidental. :)

1. Purpose of having a wish-list.

I watched tooth fairy on the flight back from Cairo to Singapore. The movie tells of "the Rock" as a professional ice hockey player who is well-known to be extremely critical and "kills off young children's dreams". As a punishment, he became a tooth fairy.

Honestly, I've come across countless discussions either with friends or listen to random strangers blabbering about their wish-list. Some post them on their blogs, others announce it on facebook, while a handful constantly have them at the back of their mind. As you can see, I've one too. So I start to ponder about the true significance of having a wish-list. Is it there to remind your loved ones and friends that you desire something and you hope that some day they will send it to your doorstep like what Santa does to kids every Christmas or is it purely a reminder to yourself that you have to work hard to attain whatever dreams or wishes you have?

Wish (meaning by dictionary on mac): feel or express a strong desire or hope for something that is NOT EASILY ATTAINABLE; want something that CANNOT or PROBABLY WILL NOT HAPPEN.

So why have a wishlist? If you really desire something, then work towards it yourself. Don't just dump it on whatever wishlist and secretly hope for a Santa Claus. DUMB.! Staring and listening to a list filled with millions of branded items, or the impossibles and is never exhaustive really makes me feel like rolling my eyes sometimes. So perhaps, it's time to take a few items off my wishlist. I don't wanna be a dumb ass.

2. The world of luxury goods in resemblance to the world of Narcotics.

I guess it is due to the environment that we are in and peer influences. Luxury goods store sprouting out everywhere in Singapore, from 1 Louis Vuitton store till 4 now, with a double storey one in Orchard Ion. Prada, Gucci, Burberry, blah blah blah easily available at one's fingertips. Subsidiaries opening one after another. Globalisation that connects us to the other side of the world more quickly, an international language that breaks down communication barriers, people flying across oceans and mountains in less than a day's time. It used to take months, FYI. Who will not be tempted by all these luxury goods? Colleagues competing with each other over who is carrying a more "atas" bag, friends "psycho-ing" one another to get the latest designer bag in town, increasingly eye-catching advertisements with celebrities endorsing the products. It's a vicious cycle.

Consumers pay more for a good, producers get more surplus, higher profits enable them to beef up their marketing campaigns, consumers become more hyped up about the product-branding, producers have higher monopoly power and end up charging even higher prices, people use such goods as a measurement of their status which creates an even higher demand...... and it goes on and on......

Stroll down Orchard Road and you will see the number of people carrying all the branded bags. I've interacted with kids as young as 14 years old who desire to buy a LV bag or Gucci wallet. I really feel like knocking some sense into her. She hasn't even earn her very first $1 in her life and she desires a gift that is probably worth her very first pay cheque. I've come across kids at the age of 18 who already own like a 2k Louis Vuitton bag on top of his wardrobe of Armani Jeans clothings, Marc Jacobs bags, Chanel sunglasses, blah blah blah.....

The harder we work, the deeper our desires to want something of material value to reward ourselves. So you think you studied or worked very hard thus you deserve something as a reward. You convince yourself to whack that branded jeans, bag, Iphone, Blackberry, Macbook, PSP, etc. After making the purchase, there is an awesome feeling that boils from within, bringing you to an euphoric state. And if your like-minded friends actually tell you "Hey dude, you got a cool bag, jeans, laptop, blah blah there", it boosts your ego and makes you wanna experience it the 2nd time.

Congratulations, you are officially in the "pig race" (as I would call it cause it's STUPID). So you make yourself work even harder so as to afford the second purchase. The harder you work, the deeper the desire for an even bigger reward. So you convince yourself and other people that you actually deserve to pamper yourself... and it goes on and on again.....

I'm the best person to relate this feeling to everyone out there. I've lost recollection of why my very first desire for a LV or a designer good budded but ever since it started, it has never stopped. Time immemorial had I developed such a fiery and burning passion for travelling, but it has never stopped either. So from my very first LV wallet to the bag to some other cardholder and a 2nd bag (and I honestly foresee the 3rd one coming very very very soon), to my D&G sunglasses, Tiffany & Co., Swarvoski, you name it, I have it. IF you ask me why don't I stop, I would tell you I ain't got any clue how to. My advice is, NEVER START instead! There's no end to it, up till the very end of your lifetime. That very moment that someone told me the LV bag fitted on me perfectly changed my life.

With great power comes great responsibility. With great power comes great desire. The desire to be empowered by that "great power". Like how Kings wanna rule a country for eternity, Cinderella's stepmother is eager to be the fairest lady of all, America wants to be the world policeman, blah blah blah.

3. Why travel?

For the stories? For the sceneries? For having memories? For leisure? For relaxation? For boasting?

I overheard this conversation just hours ago on the train:

A (should be bride-to-be): OK, I wanna go somewhere more exotic for our honeymoon.

B (should be bridegroom-to-be): Actually I think we should go to Europe. My colleagues said Europe is very beautiful.

A: But everyone is going to Europe. If we also go Europe, it's very sian. Nothing new. Plus, where in Europe do you want to go ah?

B: London, Paris and Rome. (Typical answer) Eiffel Tower is so romantic. If we go, we can take a lot of pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower then we both put it as our profile picture on facebook.

A: Oh ya ya ya. That day I see (a couple's name which I apparently forgot) profile pictures. They are super sweet la. Both of them always put the same profile picture then everyone will comment on their wall.

B: Ok set, so we go Europe. I think we go free-and-easy 10 days or something.

A: But we also don't speak their language, later we cannot communicate with them how? Go tour package like better leh. But then hor, honeymoon go tour package very sian one lor. Got all the unwanted people around (xian zha ren deng).

B: Or I go ask my friends for their itinerary then we don't need to really plan also.

A: Ya, like this we also won't miss out all the places that your friends have been to. Btw, that time did your friends take video or not? Shall we go buy a video camera so that we can record the sceneries there? Then we can upload to facebook. I want to show that bitch in my office. She keeps saying what she go Europe until sian then say what we never go Europe very mountain-tortoise (sua gu).

B: Aiya, you just ignore her la. Or you are too sensitive? Abo you ask her go India la. A lot of people have not been to India, so if she go, she is smart liao what.

A: I don't care ah. Next year, we must go somewhere more exotic. Or why not we go Russia honeymoon la? Then I can tell her she never go to Russia before, she's damn sua gu. (Laughs out really loud)>>>>

--- Then I got off the train ---

I could have missed out bits and pieces of the conversation. This is the best that I can recall though.

After hearing that conversation, I feel it is an insult to have such fellow Singaporeans as like-minded individuals who share a common passion for travelling.

I travel for culture, for experience, to learn about the world, to take photographs and capture memories that will stay with me for life so that someday when I grow old and have limited mobility, I can flash out these pictures and reminisce about those awesome times. Like how I reminisce about Europe from time to time now. Those memories were awesome.

Travelling shouldn't be a competition whereby you use the number of cities and countries that you've been to as an indication of your grade or achievement. I have met those typical P** who always want to chop a place in front of some famous monument or architecture with ENGRAVINGS or SIGNS indicating the name of the monument. Think deeper and the bell strikes. They merely want to show off that they have been to this place. Honestly, I like having the monuments as a background, especially those that I have a fetish for them i.e. Eiffel, Pisa, Trevi Fountain, Pyramids, Old Trafford, (and of course if possible CRISTIANO RONALDO & FERNANDO TORRES especially), etc. Youth is countercyclical to age. 30 years down the road, age would have created a masterpiece on my face and I can only stare at it and marvel about how awesome it will be if I were 30 years younger. My biggest fear in life is "growing old". To overcome my fear in the foreseeable future, I intend to capture those youthful moments in the best possible manner. Having the monuments as a background is the intended way I am going about it. I wanna capture the moment that's brilliant like how Avril Lavigne sang it.

Waking up I see that everything is OK

The first time in my life and now it's so great

Slowing down I look around and I am so amazed

I think about the little things that make life great

I wouldn't change a thing about it

This is the best feeling

This innocence is brilliant

I hope that it will stay

This moment is perfect

Please don't go away

I need you now

And I'll hold on to it

Don't you let it pass you by

I found a place so safe, not a single tear

The first time in my life and now it's so clear

Feel calm, I belong, I'm so happy here

It's so strong and now I let myself be sincere

I wouldn't change a thing about it

This is the best feeling

It's a state of bliss, you think you're dreaming

It's the happiness inside that you're feeling

It's so beautiful it makes you wanna cry

It's a state of bliss, you think you're dreaming

It's the happiness inside that you're feeling

It's so beautiful it makes you wanna cry

It's so beautiful it makes you wanna cry

This innocence is brilliant

Makes you wanna cry

This innocence is brilliance

Please don't go away

Cause I need you now

And I'll hold on to it

Don't you let it pass you by

And I only experience such emotions when I travel. That I actually feel tears welling up in my eyes when I get to see those breath-taking monuments, nature, beaches, oceans, all of God's magical creations.

Not for the stories that I can tell my friends, or for boasting to my friends. It's extremely dumb!

It is like when I blog, it's not to share with others or show off to others about how awesome I think my life is or gonna be or how miserable or torturous it is. Rather, it is to capture my thoughts, my emotions, my memories which explains why from time to time I actually revisit my blog posts. :) Even till today, I still read about everything that I blogged about during those days when I was on exchange. :))

Of course I am not saying that if you are not in the ideal mindset, you shouldn't travel because everyone is motivated by different values and beliefs. But I just can't help lament such thoughts.

-------

Ask yourself, when was the last time you came across someone who told you that his or her wish is to have a happy family? less wars and conflicts globally? world peace (genuinely and not in the bimbotic pageant manner), less poverty? a caring girlfriend or boyfriend? a job? a skill in life? a language?

No more down-to-earth wishes these days, only to travel around the world, more and more branded goods, more money, more A's in school.

Will 2013 change us all? If it will, I'll be welcoming it with OPEN ARMS.

To late Dr Goh Keng Swee.

14.May.2010

One of Singapore's founding father, Dr. Goh Keng Swee passed away at the age of 92. When there is an ongoing discussion about the history or founding of Modern Singapore, most people will revolve around MM Lee. But most people have neglected the man behind the scene.

Perhaps I've forgotten about him myself too until lately, I started reading "Men In White" and I finally witness the accomplishments of this silent worker. I vaguely remember the social studies textbooks in secondary schools mentioning Dr. Goh as the architect of Singapore's economy. True enough, the luxurious and high standard of living that we get to enjoy must be credited to Dr. Goh!

He had a bird's eye view of Singapore's strategic advantages and disadvantages and he engineered our economy in different stages. Slowly, he transformed Singapore from entrepot trade to manufacturing-dependent and eventually now, knowledge-based driven. His footprints were left in the 3 most significant Ministries in Singapore i.e. he held the 3 largest portfolio as a Minister, mainly in Finance, Defence, and Education respectively.

Wherever he's been at, we've become world class.

World Class Central Banking System which can cushion us from external shocks and has helped us to survive major financial crises.

First Class Defence Force with the latest technology, military equipment, and weapons. We've got F16s Fighter planes! Once the most state-to-art technology that destroyed millions of countries like Egypt, Afghanistan, blah blah blah.

Par excellence education system that mould the future of our nation into holistic individuals and allow Singaporeans to challenge other Westerners in highly-paid jobs globally.

If not for him, would I be travelling around the world now?
If not for him, would you be lying on your couch watching television programmes in LED.LCD technology?
If not for him, would we be sleeping safely and soundly every night?
If not for him, would people ever know that Singapore is actually not part of China?
If not for him, would I have the opportunity to explore the world of Economics and see the beauty of the subject?
If not for him, would you have the ability to embrace whatever faith, religion, and likes of your own? (Without bread, you worship money and not anything else. Just look at the people from the poorer countries and you will know.)

If not for him, would there be Singapore?

Hale Dr. Goh! Hale the Economist! :))

Ethical or Not? You decide!

I am glad I am back to my reading newspapers habit. Apparently, I have been procrastinating whether to read those newspapers that have piled up like a mountain at home, not forgetting my Economist magazines! :(

Came across this interesting debate or rather diplomatic issue between UK and the US over the release of Libyan prisoner held in Scotland over the terrorist attack on a US plane sometime back in the 1980s who took away at least 100 over lives. He had been sentenced to lifetime imprisonment in Edinburgh but the imprisonment seems to have taken a toll on his health and he is claimed to have been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Left with only three months of his life, the Scottish government decided to let him return to Libya to serve out his jail term till he dies so at least he could be near to his family.

Rumours claim that this was an implicit agreement between UK and the Libyan government right from the start that the Libyans will hand him over but there was a stipulated release date on medical grounds. This is in exchange for the UK government to tap the vast source of natural gas in Libya.

Having killed hundreds of Americans from his terrorising plot, his release stirred emotions of the Americans who had lost their loved ones 2 decades ago. He was relentless when killing the Americans and having cause hundreds out there to lose their love ones, now who is he to have the right to be near to his loved ones?

I found it to be very debatable and I believe everyone who reads this would have varying opinions on a very broad spectrum. Are you a socialist through and through or do are you more of a capitalist? Do you think that we should be compassionate when dealing with such a merciless killer on social grounds or do you think that everyone should pay the price for their wrongs and let the invisible hand punish the erred?

Honestly, I couldn't come up with a conclusion myself, kinda struck in between the two extreme. I thought I especially love the last sentence on the report:

"He could probably be on the plane now back to Libya thinking of how to write a best-selling memoir."

The Marriage Vow

"UP" the movie rocks!
Everyone should catch it.
Friends close to me are aware that I am not an ardent fan of animations
Yet I was the one who suggested catching this show this time round
Well, it never disappoint me a single bit throughout the 102 minutes

Had anyone ever read the marriage vow?
If you did, were you able to appreciate what was being read by the priest?

To have and to hold from this day forward,
for better for worse,
for richer for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death do us part

The past week had made me realise the importance of this vow
That someone was living through the vow that she made
Encouraged and endearing to see that
Many a times, we say things without rumination for the consequences and of what lies ahead
Marriage allows us to ADD our INCOMES, MINUS our NARCISSISM, MULTIPLY our HAPPINESS and DIVIDE our SORROWS
Regardless of what lies ahead of the future,
Reflect before you take the oath and recite this:

"Say YOUR (MY) vow"
"Cross your (MY) heart"
"Pledge your (MY) soul" and
"Fulfill your (MY) Promise"
Before you (I) ever say "I DO!"

3 Cheers to Obama!

What has got the American presidency gotta do with me?!

Oh well, I am definitely a democrat rather than a republican. Abolish free trade? Remove Capitalism? Bring Change to America.!

Barrack Obama--> Someone with so much dreams and hopes for America.

I think him being elected sends a strong signal to the world, to Americans, to ordinary beings like you and me. :)) We would never imagine that the white Americans would vote in a Black president, didn't we? Thus, his success at the presidency sends the message that as long as you dare dream and you dare take the steps towards your dream, I am sure your footprints will not be hidden. It will lead you to where you wanna belong.

Go Obama!!

The story of being-in-existence

There are certain people that you want to treasure all your life.
<--> Dedicated to.... - she hears..<-->

As we stroll down the roads of the country at night,
Whining and mincing every little bit of life trying to make it right.
Yet at the end of day, we just left things to God to decide.

The company of someone to share your life,
You constantly feel YOU will be able to thrive,
And never have to hear yourself cry.

As we passed by the landscapes that envisioned our dreams,
We held in high hopes of witnessing how we realise them by our own means.
Yet all was torn apart by just one burst of steam.

The countless of complains that dominated our conversations,
The dependence on one to be sensitive to all emotions.
Why would anyone be able to handle such situations?

With the passage of time things turned for the worst,
The minute happiness could no longer quench our thirst.
So who on earth would give up first?

Those were the days that YOU and I missed Dearly,
Yet Neither would ever be able to piece things back neatly,
Cause something that's bro ken will never work perfectly.

I just randomly saw this piece of words in a blog and I thought it was really nice. I guess this person must be missing someone in his or her life a lot a lot. Lots of thoughts came to my mind.

-> Could it be life and death that made him or her wrote something like that?
-> Or was it the loss of a relationship?
-> Yet it could also be the separation between two best friends.
-> Was it the distance that started to lengthen between family members?

I believe everyone has had someone whom he or she wants to treasure all his or her life, so do I. No matter how bad things between two become, no matter how circumstances change their relationship, regardless of the conflicts that arose, you always need one party who is constantly trying to maintain and salvage what's been broken or hurt. I must say it is really a good attempt. Yet I can't deny the fatigue that comes with one party being on the heavier side of any kind of relationship. Perhaps at times, learning to let go generates a higher level of happiness.

Further, there are certain values that all of us want to uphold or the so-called morals and principles. Yeah, it might be nice to have them so it keeps you in check all the time. However, at the end of the day, sometimes it is these morals and principles that stagnates you.

In the past, I used to think that letting go is a stupid option. Why let go if you really wanted something? But perhaps my perspectives have changed. It takes more courage to let go and say no than to hold on to something that has already flown away from your hands not once, but maybe twice or even thrice. Something's that forced is never better. It only makes both parties more conscious of what they are holding in their hands.

I totally concur with the last sentence, "Cause something that's broken will never work perfectly".

But sometimes when I look back in life and count the number of people that have walked into and out of my life, I questioned myself. Did I let go too easily? Would my life have been much different if I spent more time with him or her? Would his or her life have taken a different path if we had built up a different form of communication?

Memories of some people stay with me. For Life. Like what someone told me before, all of us keep those feelings that have hurt us in a small corner of our heart subconsciously. As the clock ticks, the pain in us diminishes. When long enough has passed, our wounds heal and we longer hurt. Yet those memories never leave us. Every now and then, when time permits, we take these memories out. The feeling or hurt and hatred no longer lingers yet we just can't forget them. That's why everyone says "Forgive and Forget". Forgiveness has to come first because it is must easier, and no one ever really forgets.

If at this moment, you are at one of the crossroads in your life, don't make things more difficult than necessary. Be brave just this once, make a change and move on with life. Cause you never know what beautiful landscapes lie ahead.

71:"I view the a glass that is half-filled with water as half-full rather than half-empty."

What is the world becoming to ?

Yet another piece of bad news when I bought the Straits Times today. It's been almost 3 months since I am back and everyday when I read the news, it's always more turmoil!

1. The US Bailout plan failed to go through. Imagine the implications that it will have globally. Millions of people will be affected. Sometimes, I wonder if Singaporeans are just passive or are they genuinely ignorant? People around me don't seem to be the least bit concerned about the failure of the US credit market. Maybe I misunderstood them. They are avoiding the topic because they are too traumatised? Come on, despite a diversified economy, Singapore is pretty reliant on the US economy for its survival. Hundreds of our citizens fill up positions at the US-based investment banks in Singapore. Millions of our cash deposited with the bank goes into investments in the US Debt and Equity Market. But are Singaporeans informed about all these things? Are they concerned about Singapore's prospects and future? Yes, Singapore has huge reserves backing the economy and the MAS has repeatedly provided assurance for Singapore's banking and finance industry. But think back to those times in the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Perhaps you weren't too affected by it that's why it didn't struck you this time round.

Thousands of people lost their jobs, investments pulled out, inflation was pervasive etc. If you think you are not going to start to be concerned about what's happening around us, slap yourself and wake yourself up and start to pay more attention. Be informed, don't be just another ignorant Singaporean who just knows how to eat, drink, work, sleep and wait for the day God receives you. Don't just idle and think that the government is going to solve any crisis for us. Yes, we are in good hands right now but there must be something that we all can do to play a part in driving Singapore's economy. You have enjoyed the fruits of labour laid by our ancestors. It's also our responsibility to ensure our kids and grandchildren have the same luxury as us. :)

2. Tainted-milk scandal in China. China's largest importer-US. The US has been running a trade-deficit with the Chinese for decades. With the toy scandal last year followed by the tainted milk products this year, China's economy is expected to suffer a setback for sure. Millions of food consumers worldwide are recalling products that are suspected to have used milk powder produced by the China San-Lu company. Despite having launched the space shuttle into space just last week, returning this week, your military and technology supremacy does not translate necessarily into global recognition. All eyes are on how this scandalous tainted-milk product drama is going to end? Will domestic and international consumers trust China's product like before?

3. Numerous cases of murders and suicides. Recently the news and newspapers have been making headlines of murders and suicides. From the Yishun's murder case to the recently homicide of the 15-year old China girl by her step-father and recently the suicide case at Bukit Batok. Just what's happening to the world? Yes, Singapore used to be largely-immigrant based in our history. It was the Chinese and Indian immigrants which contributed largely to Singapore's growth. But will Singaporeans be able to accept these immigrants today like they used to a century ago? Without technology and the temptations of greed, I am sure my answer will be a definite YES. After all, we are all descendants of China too. But circumstances have changed today.

A century ago, men and women who came from China purely wanted to lift themselves out of poverty and to escape the war with Japan. Men left in search of a better life while women left to avoid the humiliation by the Japanese. After they arrived in Singapore, their main priority was to work. Nowadays, those China women that came with their kids are simply atrocious! Getting into scandals with local Singaporean guys, creating social problems of all kinds.. Just take a look at the past 4-5 years. How many cases of murders, cheat, suicides involved these Chinese ladies. Why are we wasting our precious human talents and resources from the Ministry of Home Affairs to deal with all the problems that these non-locals have created? I can rationalise people's negative connotations and attitudes towards these foreign migrants. We all started with a neutral mindset and accepted them. But you can't help deny that it's their own behaviour, actions and attitudes that have altered our perceptions of them. It takes two hands to clap.

Well, of course these are just my personal comments and have no intention of directing any opinion against or towards anyone. Tomorrow will be BETTER! :)

Just a random thought

I was having a pretty restless journey on 198 SBS Bus this afternoon after my mid-term test in school. It was just like any other ordinary ride home on a typical school date. But a brief 3 minutes of playback on the TV Mobile left tears welling up in my eyes. For a moment, I felt proud that I was a Singaporean!

There she was, Ms Yip Pin Xiu, battling against her physical handicap fighting for a GOLD medal for Singapore in the Paralympics. The moment when she was wheeled up the winning platform and presented with the medal, in my opinion, should be one that will be etched in her memory. The National Anthem, which I have been singing every single day for my 12 years of elementary and secondary education, was ALAS played! Wasn't this what the government, the public, the whole nation were waiting for? However, from my observation of the passengers on the bus, none of them seemed interested in what was being shown on the TV.

I've always felt that being able to represent your nation in any form of competition, exchange, seminars etc is something that makes you take a lot of pride in it. It doesn't matter if you emerge as a champion, though being one amplifies the honour.

I am glad that some day in the near future, I too will be serving the Nation and I definitely hope I will be able to continue serving the Nation for the rest of my life in fact! :)

Closing Note: I wish the girl best of luck in her future. :)

When you have a problem and you keep dwelling on it, you do not solve the problem. Instead, you amplify it and make it a BIGGER problem.