Talk of the town

"I don't care what the elections is about. I will just strike my vote and make it a void vote. "

That was my attitude, just 2 weeks ago when I heard the news of the government being dissolved and that polling day would be in May. All I could be glad is that, wow, I have another public holiday!

But, this year's elections seem to be set for something much bigger scale than what I remember of the last one...somehow. It is definitely more exciting than I thought and created many 'wows' for me. For one, I think it was a walkover on my side in the last round since I have never seen the trucks with loud hailers in my district.

Many contested seats:
Wow, in the first place, I never knew that there were so many parties in Singapore with passionate people who cares for their country and try to want to make a difference. I admit, I lived in ignorance for the past over 20 years with regards to our political scene because I have been brought up so comfortably in a stable environment. This time, I start to see different things and different facts, as well as different opinions. I think this is a good sign, that I see Singaporeans fighting for the best of their country.

The 'Singaporean' spirit:
While it seems like many people constantly want to leave this country because of this and that, it feels to me that this elections has pulled Singaporeans back together and make them 'one' again to think for their own future. Credits to the many different parties contesting the seats this time, and people are thus forced to see and think rather than to be led on blindly. So it's another 'wow', we all have a common topic now to discuss. Wherever you are in Singapore, you can't miss the fact that elections are coming. And through this elections, you get to observe different people's behaviours and understand the society you live in better. What people say, and how they say things, really reflect a lot on how they are and the culture of the country.

Print media vs new media:
Well, print media, as everyone feels so, is definitely prone to skewed reporting and downscaling of certain news to push forth certain ideologies. On the other hand, new media is expected to liberate the 'minority voice' and let everyone be heard rather than only the prominent voices. Print media is still doing its job now, trying to be objective but seems to be slightly skewed in light of elections. But take a look at new media.. wow, impressive activity level. Oppressed voices are now all speaking up, news which were downscaled in print media are dug up and spreading like fire across the net. Amongst these, netizens voices - words, both beautiful and ugly, superficial and with depth, cheering and boo-ingl they are all appearing from everywhere! You can't miss comments on GE once you log onto Facebook.

Statistics:
These numbers are all just an illusion, a play of numbers, to create some sense out of some records of certain items. Statistics can be interpreted from different angles (guess most students who have used statistics to prove hypotheses before would know!) and can be presented in different lights to translate to created facts.. how true they are and how much we should believe would be totally up to us!

'Opposition':
Actually I don't understand why minority parties are called 'opposition' as this term, by itself, has a demeaning connotation..but it seems like now it is cool to label yourself as 'opposition' and to support 'opposition'. I feel that by using such a term, it stirs up more subjective feelings that objective judgments, and we can see quite clearly that the various parties tactics mainly are to attack your heart (emotions) or your mind (logic). In a way, to be objective, I think words with emotional attachments should be used cautiously.

Ignorance is bliss?:
As mentioned, this was the attitude I embraced. But this time, with so many parties contesting, suddenly you realise that your one vote might actually make a difference. Many people have been criticised for blindly being led on under one ruling party for a long time. Like me, I might have just blindly opted for stability in my area since I had no major concerns? But now, with many parties contesting and I am seeing many good calibres in the various parties, perhaps talent has been diversified and we should vote the best into the government. While I think it is wrong to be led on blindly, at the same time, I think it is definitely also wrong to believe and 'oppose' blindly. Ignorance is no longer bliss as you think about your future. I think we really have to exercise our judgment. You may not trust the mainstream media at all... but at the same time you should filter for yourself what you see on new media and not blindly believe what you see.

Simplification of ideas:
This is a must-have for leaders to put across their ideologies and plans they have for the country so that we can understand. However, we should not be led on to think that really, everything is that simple. I think we should learn to identify the complexity of issues and to weigh and relate them in terms of micro and macro level, from the individual level to national level to regional level and also in the context of the world. So, while issues might be singled out to pick on, we should remember that all these happened in the context of the larger society and you have to consider other factors which come along with it. There is no free lunch in this world, nothing can come only as the best without other effects which might not have been as desirable.

Moving on:
While many people harp on the past and lament about 'damage' done, we cannot go back and un-do anything (the already rising living costs/housing costs). Why not look ahead into the future and see what can be done about it (eg. slowing down the rate of rising housing costs)? There is no point in blaming and scolding because it gets you nowhere.. At this point while we appoint leaders, it is important to see what they can offer in the future and how they can make the future a better one for everyone. It is clear that every party has their own talents and capabilities, we should thus choose our leaders with care to move towards an all-rounded government.

A heart for Singapore can be felt from the bottom of our hearts...no matter whether you are a civilian or leader. Choose wisely!

華樂

收拾wardrobe，發現自己捨不得丟掉NYCO和NUSCO的華樂T-shirt。再次回想華樂過程，再次發現如果不是華樂，或許我的生命現在只是一片空。

小學華樂：我第一次近距離接觸音樂。
南中華樂：我最好的girlfriends就是這裡找到的。
國初華樂：我JC唯一一個朋友也是華樂的。哈哈。
精英華樂：我體驗了“外面的複雜”。
國大華樂：我認識了那個他，那個我第一個男友，有可能陪我走到最後的他。

華樂阿，曾想過要遠離你，看來還真難！

即将结婚的女孩感觉就是不一样

9.0 earthquake

While I'm typing this post now, people are waiting desperately for aid, for food, for their loved ones... It feels so weird that these are our fellow people in suffering, but yet they are so far that we cannot empathize with them fully. Through the screens, we watch the devastated scene replay again and again. I admire the Japanese for their calmness, yes I have to agree with the news, it really puts Japan in a different light and casts loads of thoughts on the cultures of different societies.

Magnitude 9.0.. it took this to shake my mind. With the previous Indonesia and Sichuan earthquake, I felt pretty..I guess you can call it nonchalant. But seeing this earthquake, it suddenly struck me how unpredictable life can be, what a good life I have been leading and makes me feel thankful. At the same time, I learnt to feel more for life, to empathize with those who lost loved ones, with those who are now fighting for their lives.

I also pray for the best for Japan. Gambette!

Cruising couple @ HFC

Met this really sweet British couple at Harbourfront Starbucks today. They were on this short stopover in Singapore, part of their cruise itinerary which they have embarked since January and is due to only finish end of March. Traveling at leisure around the world, seeing a little of everything hand in hand, I guess they are living life. Having worked for so long, raised children and then grandchildren, "this is what you need at retirement" as the lady told us.

How will my life be in future? Well, should I head into the "family" life (as opposite from what I had expected of my life previously), then I hope when we are grey-haired (hopefully still have hair by then), we can also take time off to ourselves and just experience life hand in hand all over again. :)

Remembering Edward Yang

You can be today's present, and tomorrow's history. It's that fast, the way society is evolving. While the society moves ahead fast, history is now being documented in films, with many "art" films reflecting and depicting lives in the 80s/90s/00s. An artist (re)creates what he/she sees and is exposed to in society, adding in values of their own to engage audience to think and reflect as well.

Day 1

Today marks day 1 of my new contract. Yes, time flies and I’ve completed the previous one. Learnt a lot, about the industry, about the job, about people, about myself.

In society, there are people who just head into a company, perhaps for a high-paying job, and slog their lives off without finding meaning in their jobs. At the same time, there are also people who find so much meaning in what they do, that they just live on their passion. Striking a balance is never easy. Being in my twenties and still new to the job market, I have been advised to try several jobs before settling down, instead of jumping straight into one company and proclaiming my life-long loyalty to that company. My neighbour and I have agreed several times that yes, we should explore while we are young and probably by around the age of 30, start thinking of what we really want as a career and stop hopping around already. But somehow, both of us decided to stay on.

Signing on another year, I have seen so many raised eyebrows from my friends.

“Why? It doesn’t pay you well.”
“Go for a government job instead, don’t be stupid.”

Of course, there were some encouraging ones who told me to go for what I like, but few.

So what do I like? Just barely less than one year ago, I stood empty and blank-headed after graduation, not knowing where to head to. I’m lucky, I found this job online, sent in my application and woo-hoo, I got it. Bringing worries of not being able to tahan a 9-6 office job, I stepped into office last July and told myself I have to endure this contract no matter what. It's only 8 months anyway, not short but not long either. I met nice people, had some really unique experiences, and wow, I realized I like this job. So, while people try out jobs to find that they do not like the job, I have to say I tried out this job and found how much I liked it, inspiring me to stay on here. Perhaps working in this field, you can never get rich. But the intangibles I get from this job cannot be compensated by money as well.



And so, moving on, I’ve decided to leave my part-time job. Similarly, that was a job which met with raised eyebrows from friends and family, but you can never deny the amount of experience I’ve gained, the life lessons learnt during the 3 ½ years here. No regrets about any time wasted, nor the relatively not so high pay I receive there in exchange.

When it’s time to move, get going! Now, I get to spend more time with my loved ones and to protect myself against dark eye rings!! Still finding my balance in life, I have to admit I pretty much love my life as it is now. Of course, this is not a time to get complacent about my life and stop moving forth. Coming year, I’ll see if I’m really up to my job as well, or whether it’s time to move on next year. At the same time, I better stop being lazy and open my eyes to see even more of this world!