Let's get this right once and for all...
Is it a SAF rule that no one else, but the recruit, can handle the backpack?
And must the recruit only carry the backpack on his back? Can he use other means to transport the backpack, e.g. use a trolley?
Kamis, 30 Juni 2011
Exactly who can transport that green backpack?
RE: Recruit's father carries his backpack for him
Let's get this right once and for all...
Is it a SAF rule that no one else, but the recruit, can handle the backpack?
And must the recruit only carry the backpack on his back? Can he use other means to transport the backpack, e.g. use a trolley?
Let's get this right once and for all...
Is it a SAF rule that no one else, but the recruit, can handle the backpack?
And must the recruit only carry the backpack on his back? Can he use other means to transport the backpack, e.g. use a trolley?
Selasa, 28 Juni 2011
But What About the Loudest Noise Makers?!
NEA and LTA are looking into 'noise levels of 60 roads and rail locations across the island.'
This sounds like a specific study that covers locations, rather than targeting noise source.
Here, I am going to bring to your attention to a recent phenomenon.
As you know by now, Singapore has the world's most number of millionaires per sqm. I don't have the statistics, but this probably correlates to the density of expensive fast cars in Singapore.
With the concentration of fast cars and egos in Singapore, we have come to witness more and more of these cars racing on the roads.
Check out this video made by tourists from the 54th floor of Swissotel. Obviously, it is an 'organised' race (albeit illegal) because the race went on and on with more than a handful of cars involved. The tourists heard them zooming past while they were walking to the hotel, and still managed to film the racing cars AFTER they made their way up to the 54th floor of the hotel.
In fact, there are many such videos on Youtube, because such sports car behaviour is getting too common in Singapore.
There are 2 problems here. (A) Crashes and (B) Noise.
Both ought to be factors of Road Safety.
Yes, noise at high levels is unsafe.
(A) Crashes
These drivers obviously get the kick out of a 'real city circuit'. As if they were participating in the Singapore F1 city race. If you notice, they were racing past normal traffic.
Also, such sports car behaviour has resulted in many accidents, mostly involving the sports car driver inadvertently 'losing control' of his machine. E.g #1, E.g. #2. O_o
I'm sure % of sports cars getting involved in accidents is higher than that of normal cars.
(B) Noise
At 54th floor, the digicam could capture the noise created by these machines so clearly. Imagine if you were at road level, standing beside such cars. These machines are so loud that you can feel the vibrations within your rib cage.
These machines are too loud for everyday use on public roads. And to make things worse, these drivers get a kick out of revving their engines, especially at the traffic junction while eyeing the traffic lights. Now, you just need a little girl standing innocently at the junction, waiting to cross the road.
Let's not assume that these powerful monstrous machines are gonna run the little girl over, coz the fast car egos are gonna tell you their driving skills are superior to us Toyota-driving commonfolks.
Let's just think about how the loud explosion of the engine is enough to shatter the little girl's vulnerable eardrums for life.
Who's gonna pay for that?
Her parents may not even have the time to note down the licence plate number of the sports car. Even if they do so, what's the law gonna say? Is it ILLEGAL to be loud on the streets?
Even if compensation is obtained, are your kids' eardrums worth the risk?
So, you parents out there...
Remember to keep a lookout while out on the streets with your your kids. Remain vigilant and quickly remind your kids to cover their ears in time whenever you spot these sports cars coming from a distance. They move about fast and loud.
..........................................................
Why should a few (rich) egos cause so much dis-amenities and even permanent damage to the rest of us?
I say, we nip the problem in the bud.
Control the use of such vehicles.
This could be via a host of measures, e.g. licensing of the driver of powerful vehicles, limiting the maximum noise level of ALL vehicles (some bikes are loud too) + specifying that noise creation above X-decibels on public streets is illegal, allocating specific locations where such vehicle-users can rev their engines and wring their egos etc.
Policy changes, legislation changes, enforcement, public awareness... Loads to be done.
Do not pick the easiest.
Do not shape the follow-up actions to this problem with merely "ease of administration" in mind.
Phronesis... If you don't know what that is, try to learn about it... And perhaps you may gain some in the process.
Let's not wait till one of our kids gets damaged.
Or is it that the norm these days?
Who wants to his kid to be the sacrificial lamb?
This sounds like a specific study that covers locations, rather than targeting noise source.
Here, I am going to bring to your attention to a recent phenomenon.
As you know by now, Singapore has the world's most number of millionaires per sqm. I don't have the statistics, but this probably correlates to the density of expensive fast cars in Singapore.
With the concentration of fast cars and egos in Singapore, we have come to witness more and more of these cars racing on the roads.
Check out this video made by tourists from the 54th floor of Swissotel. Obviously, it is an 'organised' race (albeit illegal) because the race went on and on with more than a handful of cars involved. The tourists heard them zooming past while they were walking to the hotel, and still managed to film the racing cars AFTER they made their way up to the 54th floor of the hotel.
In fact, there are many such videos on Youtube, because such sports car behaviour is getting too common in Singapore.
There are 2 problems here. (A) Crashes and (B) Noise.
Both ought to be factors of Road Safety.
Yes, noise at high levels is unsafe.
(A) Crashes
These drivers obviously get the kick out of a 'real city circuit'. As if they were participating in the Singapore F1 city race. If you notice, they were racing past normal traffic.
Also, such sports car behaviour has resulted in many accidents, mostly involving the sports car driver inadvertently 'losing control' of his machine. E.g #1, E.g. #2. O_o
I'm sure % of sports cars getting involved in accidents is higher than that of normal cars.
(B) Noise
At 54th floor, the digicam could capture the noise created by these machines so clearly. Imagine if you were at road level, standing beside such cars. These machines are so loud that you can feel the vibrations within your rib cage.
These machines are too loud for everyday use on public roads. And to make things worse, these drivers get a kick out of revving their engines, especially at the traffic junction while eyeing the traffic lights. Now, you just need a little girl standing innocently at the junction, waiting to cross the road.
Let's not assume that these powerful monstrous machines are gonna run the little girl over, coz the fast car egos are gonna tell you their driving skills are superior to us Toyota-driving commonfolks.
Let's just think about how the loud explosion of the engine is enough to shatter the little girl's vulnerable eardrums for life.
Who's gonna pay for that?
Her parents may not even have the time to note down the licence plate number of the sports car. Even if they do so, what's the law gonna say? Is it ILLEGAL to be loud on the streets?
Even if compensation is obtained, are your kids' eardrums worth the risk?
So, you parents out there...
Remember to keep a lookout while out on the streets with your your kids. Remain vigilant and quickly remind your kids to cover their ears in time whenever you spot these sports cars coming from a distance. They move about fast and loud.
..........................................................
Why should a few (rich) egos cause so much dis-amenities and even permanent damage to the rest of us?
I say, we nip the problem in the bud.
Control the use of such vehicles.
This could be via a host of measures, e.g. licensing of the driver of powerful vehicles, limiting the maximum noise level of ALL vehicles (some bikes are loud too) + specifying that noise creation above X-decibels on public streets is illegal, allocating specific locations where such vehicle-users can rev their engines and wring their egos etc.
Policy changes, legislation changes, enforcement, public awareness... Loads to be done.
Do not pick the easiest.
Do not shape the follow-up actions to this problem with merely "ease of administration" in mind.
Phronesis... If you don't know what that is, try to learn about it... And perhaps you may gain some in the process.
Let's not wait till one of our kids gets damaged.
Or is it that the norm these days?
Who wants to his kid to be the sacrificial lamb?
Senin, 27 Juni 2011
家又有喜事 I
Erm... Word got around in the local pink-neck green pigeon community that the bamboo trees in our tiny planter box are the best location for nesting.
Another pair of them came by a few weeks ago... And started to build their nest.
I'm sure they are not the same pair because:
(A) They are physically smaller; and
(B) The nest they built is of a different 'design'. This nest is robust and made up of 3 distinct layers of twigs, i.e. biggest, big and light.
Here's Mr Bird nesting. I realised that this Mr Bird is more conscientious than the previous. He's on duty most of the time, and so is unlikely to be a DOTA-addict.
Because the nest is a tight weave, I could not see the eggs for weeks. Only managed to catch a quick glimpse during one of the change of shifts. These eggs are smaller than those before.
One day, I woke up to something weird amidst the bamboos...
And it's not a bird...
This bat is kind of cute, ain't it? It looks sorta like Blinky. =))
Just a few days earlier, 'Good Fren' thought he saw Mr Bird's claw sticking out from under his belly. We then realised that one of the eggs have hatched!!
Here's Mrs Bird in the same position.
The other egg is well hidden under the warm bodies of its parents.
Let's hope we will see the other birdling soon.
Another pair of them came by a few weeks ago... And started to build their nest.
I'm sure they are not the same pair because:
(A) They are physically smaller; and
(B) The nest they built is of a different 'design'. This nest is robust and made up of 3 distinct layers of twigs, i.e. biggest, big and light.
Here's Mr Bird nesting. I realised that this Mr Bird is more conscientious than the previous. He's on duty most of the time, and so is unlikely to be a DOTA-addict.
We have a theory.
This pair of pigeons must be first-time parents. Hence, the enthusiasm... The kiasu-ly-designed nest, the fatherly presence etc.
This pair of pigeons must be first-time parents. Hence, the enthusiasm... The kiasu-ly-designed nest, the fatherly presence etc.
But the time, they are seasoned egg-layers, they would as bochup as the previous pair. Reducing all resources to a minimum. I think human beings operate this way too.
Back to the pigeons...
One day, I woke up to something weird amidst the bamboos...
And it's not a bird...
Just a few days earlier, 'Good Fren' thought he saw Mr Bird's claw sticking out from under his belly. We then realised that one of the eggs have hatched!!
Here's Mrs Bird in the same position.
Let's hope we will see the other birdling soon.
Kamis, 23 Juni 2011
Housing Singapore
See the table comparing the 3 models below.
From a socialist perspective, the most ideal situation is Model (A). It is the model that allows citizens to maximise their benefits, e.g. profits from the public flat. However, it takes a lot of discipline, motivation and the RIGHT HEART from the government, especially MND and HDB, to pull off Model (A) in a sustainable manner.
Model C is logical, but the transition from (B) to (C) is daunting. Many casualties will emerge. And the eventual buyers of the lowest priced private housing will suffer the most, i.e. those between the bottom 10%-20% of households, which include young couples and struggling mature households.
In general, these models do not address the issue of high resale flat prices, which is caused by other factors such as sudden inflow of foreigners. Model (C) may address this issue slightly, but it will simply mean major bleeding of public funds, and eventual unhappiness amongst those in a financial crunch.
| MODEL | (A) HDB Monopoly | (B) HDB + Private Developers | (C) 90% Private Housing |
| Developer of housing for lowest 10% of Households |
|
|
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| Developer of housing for next 10% to 80% of Households |
|
|
|
| Subsidies |
|
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| Estate Maintenance |
|
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|
| PROS | |||
| (From home buyers’ pov) |
|
|
|
| (From government’s pov) |
|
|
|
| (From private sector’s pov) |
|
|
|
| CONS | |||
| (From home buyers’ pov) |
|
|
|
| (From government’s pov) |
|
|
|
| (From private sector’s pov) |
|
|
|
Ideally, a hybrid of (A) and (C) should help our situation, i.e.
- HDB is the sole provider of housing for majority of all households. It can be 90%, 80% or even 51%. Depends on how much control the government wishes to retain.
- HDB to build flats, then sell them. Not the other way round.
- HDB to sell flats to buyers on a cost-recovery basis.
- HDB to improve on aesthetics of flats, e.g. provide flat furnishing so that households do not have to take on expensive renovation loans.
- HDB to improve on its aftersales service.
- HDB to expand buyers eligibility to allow more people to buy flats, e.g. singles etc.
- HDB to review income ceiling, e.g. tie it to a function of median HH income and cost of public flat.
- HDB to tie subsidies to the buyer, instead of the flat. This means, the same subsidies are also applicable to resale public flat buyers.
- Higher subsidy amounts = Longer MOP. Develop a transparent Subsidy amount vs MOP scale. There should be a clearly different scale for PRs to differentiate between the rights of Citizens and PRs.
- Equally transparent list of 5-year estate upgrading plans and criteria.
Selasa, 21 Juni 2011
The DBSS GSS!!
RE: Prices slashed after DBSS flats uproar
"Sim Lian's announcement of its 'confirmed price range' came in the heels of a letter from the Ministry of National Development to the Straits Times Forum page that it would be reviewing the DBSS as part of its overall review of housing prices."
DBSS is a silly scheme which determines that developers are to profit from (i) a captive audience in the lower to middle income groups, and (ii) government housing subsidies.
I can imagine the internal justification. It's a 'free market'!
If the developers set the prices too high, (i) buyers can choose not to buy, and (ii) 'market forces' will pull down the prices of DBSS flats.
Really?
'Free market'? How big is the market such that it is 'free'?
Did market forces bring the price down in this case?
No lor... It's absolutely State Intervention, albeit 'soft' (without policy changes), causing the developer to lower its prices and profit margins.
The developer yielded because it doesn't want to leave behind a bad aftertaste for this project. There are more HDB/DBSS projects it wants to bid for from HDB in future. No point screwing up their long-term relationship for a few million bucks.
So stop kidding yourselves with 'free market', or 'self-regulation' or any of those euphemistic terms which simply means you don't have to do anything about the difficult situation. HDB and MND have to relook at their roles and approaches, and mostly importantly, with a fresh set of eyes, i.e. officers, coz the existing ones created and/or have not helped with these problems. DUH?
When such situations arise, I always wonder about the officer(s) who put up the policy for approval, and got promoted for it.
Where is he now?
What is he thinking about?
"Sim Lian's announcement of its 'confirmed price range' came in the heels of a letter from the Ministry of National Development to the Straits Times Forum page that it would be reviewing the DBSS as part of its overall review of housing prices."
DBSS is a silly scheme which determines that developers are to profit from (i) a captive audience in the lower to middle income groups, and (ii) government housing subsidies.
I can imagine the internal justification. It's a 'free market'!
If the developers set the prices too high, (i) buyers can choose not to buy, and (ii) 'market forces' will pull down the prices of DBSS flats.
Really?
'Free market'? How big is the market such that it is 'free'?
Did market forces bring the price down in this case?
No lor... It's absolutely State Intervention, albeit 'soft' (without policy changes), causing the developer to lower its prices and profit margins.
The developer yielded because it doesn't want to leave behind a bad aftertaste for this project. There are more HDB/DBSS projects it wants to bid for from HDB in future. No point screwing up their long-term relationship for a few million bucks.
So stop kidding yourselves with 'free market', or 'self-regulation' or any of those euphemistic terms which simply means you don't have to do anything about the difficult situation. HDB and MND have to relook at their roles and approaches, and mostly importantly, with a fresh set of eyes, i.e. officers, coz the existing ones created and/or have not helped with these problems. DUH?
When such situations arise, I always wonder about the officer(s) who put up the policy for approval, and got promoted for it.
Where is he now?
What is he thinking about?
"Heng ah! Posted out oredi!"
Senin, 20 Juni 2011
I 'L' You!
This may be a little difficult for those who have not been in an all-girls' school to understand.
'L' = 'Lemon' = 'Lesbian Love'
Please wipe the pornographic image off from your minds now.
It's usually not physical.
Just a rush of emotions, with little gift gestures, a lot of giggling and gawking in the school canteen, and if the stars are aligned well, a lot of chatting over the phone. =))
I am not sure when the term 'Lemon' or 'L' emerged in the girls' school lingo. It was already prevalent when I was in school, i.e. in the mid to late 1980s.
Here's how the term and its variants could be used in a conversation.
A: Oi... Do you hear? Angela Ls Charlotte leh!
B: Issit??!! Since when? I thought Angela was L-ing Linda?
A: Har? Linda? No lar!! CANNOT!! Coz I L Linda!!
B: You L Linda meh?? I thought you said last that Meiqin was cute?!
A: That was last week la! I am a confused Lemonee. Hee Hee Hee...
Why 'Lemon'? Why couldn't we just use the term 'Lesbian Love'?
I think 'Love' is too strong a word.
Some claim that using 'Lemon' or 'L' is simply a way for the girls to be secretive in their conversations, and to leave clueless classmates out of the conversation. Totally plausible. Girls enjoy being secretive. Till today I still dun understand this.
An additional claim is that using 'Lemon' or 'L' was a reaction to the circumstances. I remember there was obviously a comprehensive crackdown on the key Lemonades. These were the most L-ed figures in school, usually short-haired, handsome, confident, good at their respective sports/ECAs, sometimes prefects, good grades are not hygiene factors. LOL!
Back then, when I heard about the crackdown, I remember thinking,"Who the fuck snitched on them? Students? Teachers? Fucked up Kaypohs!"
That crackdown episode ended with a visit to the principal's office, where a long lecture was delivered on what friendship is, and how girls should not hold hands or hug, especially in school uniform and in Ang Mo Kio Central. LOL!
How to explain something like that to a bunch of kids effectively?
Afterwards, the 'Lemoning' did not stop, but went underground instead. Hence, the prevalence of codewords. LOL!
................................................................
So I had my own share of Lemoning done in Secondary School.
To date, I can recall 2 baskets of Lemonades.
Basket #1 = Peer Pressure Lemonades
These are those prominent figures who were ultra popular in school. It's like who doesn't like Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise.
These individuals had their tables piled with overflowing Valentine's Day gifts. Recess on Valentine's Day was the most exciting period. Everyone would be walking around with little gifts to give away or to have received. These included sweets, soft toys, flowers, stationery, home-made biscuits/cards, masking tape stickers etc.
While I did exchange a couple of letters with one of the ultra populars (we hid and exchanged the letters under the spectators' stand), I wasn't too crazy over them in general. Probably coz they were too 'mass-market'. The thought of having to 'share' is simply gross.
Basket #2 = "Boutique Lemonades"
These were the less popular individuals. I had 2, one of whom I had a close relationship with.
The first one, E, was a Company Leader in Girl Guides. She was 2 years my senior, and was made the Company Leader the year I joined Guides in Secondary 1.
E wasn't the most handsome around, and her hair was hardly boy-ish. But I guess I was enamoured with her coz she was confident, smart, and coolly leading the Guides.
It was a known fact that I would freeze in my spot and stared very hard whenever she walked past. I had fantasies of spending the campfire night under the stars with her. She would be pointing out the constellations to me, while I would be grinning. Erm... It didn't happen. LOL!
E was not the most easy-to-read person on Earth. In fact, she was rather guarded about her feelings, even though she obliged me with a few long phonecalls.
Years later... I attended her wedding with a then-boyfriend who was her classmate in RJC. She's now a doctor. A specialist. Married with a child. We are supposed to have tea together soon.
The second Lemonade, SY, was spotted when I was in Sec 2. She was in Sec 4 then, and was the ultra handsome and sart leader of the St Nicks NPCC.
I can still remember the sound of the metal pieces nailed to the NPCC shoes striking the concrete floor and track. The NPCC girls were very disciplined. Always foot-drilling and building tents.
The dark blue uniform has definitely left a huge (subconscious) impression in my psyche. LOL!
Unlike the first Lemonade, SY was tanned, boyish, extremely short hair, had lovely calf muscles (which I sorely lack till today), had the face of a small-eyed Manga character, and spoke Mandarin.
I still have pics of her at a NPCC camp craft exhibition, where St Nicks NPCC were the winners. Former President Wee Kim Wee was also in the pic. Weird fragments of the past. I wonder how I would feel when I look at them in my 80s.
I cannot remember how we hooked up. Probably thanks to a couple of my enthuz classmates in NPCC. I think it was also them who got me interested in SY as they would addressed loudly her as 'Ma'am', whenever they ran into her along the corridors.
There was this canteen-gawking episode where I almost fell into the huge 2m x 1m x 1m trolleys while returning my bowl and chopsticks, coz my classmates shouted to me,"Oi!! Look Look Look!! SY Ma'am 来了！" =_=
We exchanged so many letters that a single ring file could not hold all of them. We wrote about every little thing and exclusively in Chinese. I love her cute handwriting. Pilot V8 Dark Blue. She must have had a tough time reading mine.
I remember that day when she came back to St Nicks to collect her 'O' Level results. It was at the public phone outside the Sewing Room. She called her mother, while I waited. I remember her red NJC T-shirt under her St Nicks pinafore, and thinking,"We are not the same anymore."
That was the last time I saw her. I wonder what she is doing now.
................................................................
As I became a senior, the L-ing business stopped for me. Like for many others, it was a phase. An experience.
Also as I became a senior, gifts started to appear on my desk on Valentine's Day and on my birthday.
It's just like that... This Lemon business... Geddit?
'L' = 'Lemon' = 'Lesbian Love'
Please wipe the pornographic image off from your minds now.
It's usually not physical.
Just a rush of emotions, with little gift gestures, a lot of giggling and gawking in the school canteen, and if the stars are aligned well, a lot of chatting over the phone. =))
I am not sure when the term 'Lemon' or 'L' emerged in the girls' school lingo. It was already prevalent when I was in school, i.e. in the mid to late 1980s.
Here's how the term and its variants could be used in a conversation.
A: Oi... Do you hear? Angela Ls Charlotte leh!
B: Issit??!! Since when? I thought Angela was L-ing Linda?
A: Har? Linda? No lar!! CANNOT!! Coz I L Linda!!
B: You L Linda meh?? I thought you said last that Meiqin was cute?!
A: That was last week la! I am a confused Lemonee. Hee Hee Hee...
Why 'Lemon'? Why couldn't we just use the term 'Lesbian Love'?
I think 'Love' is too strong a word.
Some claim that using 'Lemon' or 'L' is simply a way for the girls to be secretive in their conversations, and to leave clueless classmates out of the conversation. Totally plausible. Girls enjoy being secretive. Till today I still dun understand this.
An additional claim is that using 'Lemon' or 'L' was a reaction to the circumstances. I remember there was obviously a comprehensive crackdown on the key Lemonades. These were the most L-ed figures in school, usually short-haired, handsome, confident, good at their respective sports/ECAs, sometimes prefects, good grades are not hygiene factors. LOL!
Back then, when I heard about the crackdown, I remember thinking,"Who the fuck snitched on them? Students? Teachers? Fucked up Kaypohs!"
That crackdown episode ended with a visit to the principal's office, where a long lecture was delivered on what friendship is, and how girls should not hold hands or hug, especially in school uniform and in Ang Mo Kio Central. LOL!
How to explain something like that to a bunch of kids effectively?
Afterwards, the 'Lemoning' did not stop, but went underground instead. Hence, the prevalence of codewords. LOL!
................................................................
So I had my own share of Lemoning done in Secondary School.
To date, I can recall 2 baskets of Lemonades.
Basket #1 = Peer Pressure Lemonades
These are those prominent figures who were ultra popular in school. It's like who doesn't like Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise.
These individuals had their tables piled with overflowing Valentine's Day gifts. Recess on Valentine's Day was the most exciting period. Everyone would be walking around with little gifts to give away or to have received. These included sweets, soft toys, flowers, stationery, home-made biscuits/cards, masking tape stickers etc.
While I did exchange a couple of letters with one of the ultra populars (we hid and exchanged the letters under the spectators' stand), I wasn't too crazy over them in general. Probably coz they were too 'mass-market'. The thought of having to 'share' is simply gross.
Basket #2 = "Boutique Lemonades"
These were the less popular individuals. I had 2, one of whom I had a close relationship with.
The first one, E, was a Company Leader in Girl Guides. She was 2 years my senior, and was made the Company Leader the year I joined Guides in Secondary 1.
E wasn't the most handsome around, and her hair was hardly boy-ish. But I guess I was enamoured with her coz she was confident, smart, and coolly leading the Guides.
It was a known fact that I would freeze in my spot and stared very hard whenever she walked past. I had fantasies of spending the campfire night under the stars with her. She would be pointing out the constellations to me, while I would be grinning. Erm... It didn't happen. LOL!
E was not the most easy-to-read person on Earth. In fact, she was rather guarded about her feelings, even though she obliged me with a few long phonecalls.
Years later... I attended her wedding with a then-boyfriend who was her classmate in RJC. She's now a doctor. A specialist. Married with a child. We are supposed to have tea together soon.
The second Lemonade, SY, was spotted when I was in Sec 2. She was in Sec 4 then, and was the ultra handsome and sart leader of the St Nicks NPCC.
I can still remember the sound of the metal pieces nailed to the NPCC shoes striking the concrete floor and track. The NPCC girls were very disciplined. Always foot-drilling and building tents.
The dark blue uniform has definitely left a huge (subconscious) impression in my psyche. LOL!
Unlike the first Lemonade, SY was tanned, boyish, extremely short hair, had lovely calf muscles (which I sorely lack till today), had the face of a small-eyed Manga character, and spoke Mandarin.
I still have pics of her at a NPCC camp craft exhibition, where St Nicks NPCC were the winners. Former President Wee Kim Wee was also in the pic. Weird fragments of the past. I wonder how I would feel when I look at them in my 80s.
I cannot remember how we hooked up. Probably thanks to a couple of my enthuz classmates in NPCC. I think it was also them who got me interested in SY as they would addressed loudly her as 'Ma'am', whenever they ran into her along the corridors.
There was this canteen-gawking episode where I almost fell into the huge 2m x 1m x 1m trolleys while returning my bowl and chopsticks, coz my classmates shouted to me,"Oi!! Look Look Look!! SY Ma'am 来了！" =_=
We exchanged so many letters that a single ring file could not hold all of them. We wrote about every little thing and exclusively in Chinese. I love her cute handwriting. Pilot V8 Dark Blue. She must have had a tough time reading mine.
I remember that day when she came back to St Nicks to collect her 'O' Level results. It was at the public phone outside the Sewing Room. She called her mother, while I waited. I remember her red NJC T-shirt under her St Nicks pinafore, and thinking,"We are not the same anymore."
That was the last time I saw her. I wonder what she is doing now.
................................................................
As I became a senior, the L-ing business stopped for me. Like for many others, it was a phase. An experience.
Also as I became a senior, gifts started to appear on my desk on Valentine's Day and on my birthday.
It's just like that... This Lemon business... Geddit?
Minggu, 19 Juni 2011
大開眼戒 ~ 陳奕迅
Unbearably lonely and insecure. Who has not been there?
What makes one do to write lyrics so beautifully?
My 大哥 says cannot be straight.
詞: 黃偉文
不要著燈 能否先跟我 摸黑吻一吻
如果我 露出了真身 可會被抱緊
驚破壞氣氛 誰都不知我 心底有多暗
如本性 是這麼低等 怎跟你相襯
情人如若很好奇 要有被我嚇怕的準備
試問誰可 潔白無比
如何承受這好奇 答案大概似剃刀鋒利
願赤裸相對時 能夠不傷你
當你未放心 或者先不要 走得這麼近
如果我 露出斑點滿身 可馬上轉身
早這樣降生 如基因可以 分解再裝嵌
重組我 什麼都不要緊 假使你興奮
幾雙手 幾雙腿 方會令你喜歡我 順利無阻
你愛我 別管我 幾雙耳朵 共我放心探戈
如何承受這好奇 你有沒有愛我的準備
若你喜歡怪人 其實我很美
What makes one do to write lyrics so beautifully?
My 大哥 says cannot be straight.
詞: 黃偉文
不要著燈 能否先跟我 摸黑吻一吻
如果我 露出了真身 可會被抱緊
驚破壞氣氛 誰都不知我 心底有多暗
如本性 是這麼低等 怎跟你相襯
情人如若很好奇 要有被我嚇怕的準備
試問誰可 潔白無比
如何承受這好奇 答案大概似剃刀鋒利
願赤裸相對時 能夠不傷你
當你未放心 或者先不要 走得這麼近
如果我 露出斑點滿身 可馬上轉身
早這樣降生 如基因可以 分解再裝嵌
重組我 什麼都不要緊 假使你興奮
情人如若很好奇 要有被我嚇怕的準備
試問誰可 潔白無比
如何承受這好奇 答案大概似剃刀鋒利
但你知一個人 誰沒有隱秘
幾雙手 幾雙腿 方會令你喜歡我 順利無阻
你愛我 別管我 幾雙耳朵 共我放心探戈
情人如若很好奇 要有被我嚇怕的準備
試問誰可 潔白無比
如何承受這好奇 你有沒有愛我的準備
若你喜歡怪人 其實我很美
Sabtu, 18 Juni 2011
PinkDot 2011
Before we stepped onto Hong Lim Park for PinkDot 2011, we had ramen nearby.
Look, he's making his way to PinkDot. We will be there in a moment.
FWAH! So many people!! It's pink-ku everywhere!!
Look who I spotted amidst the pink crowd?
Was Dr Vincent Wijeysingha wearing his SDP polo-shirt??
Another SDP member spotted. Dr Chee Soon Juan with his family!
Last but not least, NSP's Nicole Seah was present too. Took this pic when she was standing near Dr Vincent Wijeysingha.
The atmosphere was carnival-esque.
With participation from other LGBT entities.
The most interesting to observe was the many many different people attending this event.
Can you see the old grey-haired folks?
Guys in uber high heels.
Chicks with strong ankles.
Angel!
Girl in pink yukata.
Funky girls in pink.
Mr PinkDot was very busy...
A peek at the public message board.
Dim Sum Dollies were present to lend their support. Here you see them getting everyone together for picture-taking.
It's the camera in the sky again! This time held by 3 strings.
Dim Sum Dollies getting everyone to wave at the cameras.
Everyone waving.
Pink-dotting the skies...
According to the Mainstream Media, PinkDot 2011 drew 10,000. Double that of PinkDot 2010!
It's not just about learning the Korean language...
It's been 10 months since I started taking Korean language classes. My class is now at Level 4.
But this learning journey has gone beyond the language. It is also about culture and friendship.
Last evening, our class brought our Teacher and 4 Korean students (who are in Singapore to learn English) for Bak Kut Teh at Song Fa.
Yumz!
There were 16 of us (including a classmate's 7 year old daughter). Can you tell who's Singaporean and who's Korean?
'Good Fren' joined us for dinner too!
Last evening, our class brought our Teacher and 4 Korean students (who are in Singapore to learn English) for Bak Kut Teh at Song Fa.
 |
| Woman in the foreground is not a friend of ours. =) |
There were 16 of us (including a classmate's 7 year old daughter). Can you tell who's Singaporean and who's Korean?
 |
| Bak Kut Teh Table 1 |
'Good Fren' joined us for dinner too!
 |
| Bak Kut Teh Table 2 |
After dinner, we made our way to Tanjong Pagar aka Little Korea for Makgeolli at this cute little Korean joint called Koko RooLoo, opposite Amara Hotel.
Makgeolli is incomplete without some side dishes!!
It's me, posing with the birthday boy! He's a final year Engineering undergraduate. Eventually, he was chatting with 'Good Fren' about lan gaming. =_=
 |
| Our Teacher pouring us Makgeolli! |
We also had a surprise for one of the Korean students. It's his birthday!!
It's me, posing with the birthday boy! He's a final year Engineering undergraduate. Eventually, he was chatting with 'Good Fren' about lan gaming. =_=
 |
| Check out my Ah Lian I 'red sequined-heart' SG T-Shirt! |
We chatted, drank, took pics and laughed alot... It's a great way to spend a Friday evening! =))
Kamis, 16 Juni 2011
Tough Life
I have been scarred by the entities at home.
First, Tiger decided to scratch me coz I stopped stroking him after 20 minutes of stroking.
I is slave. =_=
Then, the frying pan took it out on me, near my wrist, while I was preparing steak for 'Good Fren'.
Again... I is slave.
My scars must be obvious coz even my Korean language teacher pointed them out to me as she stood behind while I recited a conversation in Korean.
I had 2 words for her: 아줌마 (Ajumma) & 요리 (yoli). Basically, "Auntie" + "Cooking" (cuisine).
Tough life. Hardship. I is poor thing.
Finally, I made my way to a Korean supermarket today and bought 2 different brands of Makgeolli. This was inspired by my first taste of Makgeolli at Togi some months ago.
This brand is not that good. It's a little fizzy. I expected it to be thick like barley, but it's not.
I hope the other brand "Jinro" will be better.
Been trying to find children's story book in Korean as supplementary readers, but the selection of Korean books in the Korean supermarket is severely limited. Of course it is. It's a supermarket!
Anyone knows where to get Korean story books?
First, Tiger decided to scratch me coz I stopped stroking him after 20 minutes of stroking.
I is slave. =_=
Then, the frying pan took it out on me, near my wrist, while I was preparing steak for 'Good Fren'.
Again... I is slave.
I had 2 words for her: 아줌마 (Ajumma) & 요리 (yoli). Basically, "Auntie" + "Cooking" (cuisine).
Tough life. Hardship. I is poor thing.
Finally, I made my way to a Korean supermarket today and bought 2 different brands of Makgeolli. This was inspired by my first taste of Makgeolli at Togi some months ago.
I hope the other brand "Jinro" will be better.
Been trying to find children's story book in Korean as supplementary readers, but the selection of Korean books in the Korean supermarket is severely limited. Of course it is. It's a supermarket!
Anyone knows where to get Korean story books?
Rabu, 15 Juni 2011
Corporate Governance - Proposed Directors' Roll
RE: Key changes on corporate governance guidelines
Akin to the curious phenomenon of how firms pay for audit companies for their services directly, I do not understand why independent directors are appointed and paid for by the firms directly. How is that 'independent'?
Under such an arrangement, it's perfunctory to tweak the % of independent directors in the board.
If we are serious about corporate governance, the State ought to ensure that independent directors are in fact independent.
To start, the State could select and maintain a 'Directors' Roll', by:
The firm pays this State entity a fee based on the size of the company, size of board etc. The directors are in turned paid by the State Directors' fees which are based on licence types and grades.
Firms can choose to fill up their boards based on licence grades to suit their corporate plan and budget, but are not allowed to choose the individuals being assigned to their boards. This is also means that females and minorities are more likely to get onto boards (provided that this State entity is blind to such differences).
Each director's term is for say, 3 years, and the number of directorships that each individual takes up is tracked and transparent. There should a universal cap on the number of directorships an individual can hold simultaneously.
All individuals on the Directors' Roll are required to complete introduction training and periodic refresher courses to maintain their licence and/or grade.
Of course, the above policy ought to be drafted with public consultation at various stages of its making.
We can do this coz we are small, and we should leverage on such unique attributes which large economies are unable to. Can't always be copying.
So now, which AO knows how to go about doing this?
From inception to execution?
Akin to the curious phenomenon of how firms pay for audit companies for their services directly, I do not understand why independent directors are appointed and paid for by the firms directly. How is that 'independent'?
Under such an arrangement, it's perfunctory to tweak the % of independent directors in the board.
If we are serious about corporate governance, the State ought to ensure that independent directors are in fact independent.
To start, the State could select and maintain a 'Directors' Roll', by:
- Working out a list of eligibility criteria for independent board directors
- Inviting eligible individuals to be on the Directors' Roll
- Assigning these individuals to all firms' board as 'independent directors'.
The firm pays this State entity a fee based on the size of the company, size of board etc. The directors are in turned paid by the State Directors' fees which are based on licence types and grades.
Firms can choose to fill up their boards based on licence grades to suit their corporate plan and budget, but are not allowed to choose the individuals being assigned to their boards. This is also means that females and minorities are more likely to get onto boards (provided that this State entity is blind to such differences).
Each director's term is for say, 3 years, and the number of directorships that each individual takes up is tracked and transparent. There should a universal cap on the number of directorships an individual can hold simultaneously.
All individuals on the Directors' Roll are required to complete introduction training and periodic refresher courses to maintain their licence and/or grade.
Of course, the above policy ought to be drafted with public consultation at various stages of its making.
We can do this coz we are small, and we should leverage on such unique attributes which large economies are unable to. Can't always be copying.
So now, which AO knows how to go about doing this?
From inception to execution?
Selasa, 14 Juni 2011
Tea Pot Joy
I am not a coffee drinker. It's too 'heaty' for me.
I prefer tea.
I used to like my tea with milk. In fact, I used to enjoy milk with tea, i.e. more milk than tea.
But somehow, my preference has changed over time. I don't even enjoy drinking anymore. I think it's part of aging.
These days, I prefer my tea with honey only.
In fact, sometimes, I take my ang moh tea (e.g. Earl Grey) without honey. Like a confused Asian old woman.
Over the weekend, we finally found a teapot set which we like.
It's Vietnamese. It's white porcelain with subtle lotuses and a Southeast Asian look. The teapot and teacups have handles like ang moh tea set.
Love it!!
Next stop: Crockery set with a mixed of large noodle bowls, small banchan dishes, single serving plates, Asian soup spoons which will not slide into the bowls etc. Black chopsticks with silver embellishments. =))
I prefer tea.
I used to like my tea with milk. In fact, I used to enjoy milk with tea, i.e. more milk than tea.
But somehow, my preference has changed over time. I don't even enjoy drinking anymore. I think it's part of aging.
These days, I prefer my tea with honey only.
In fact, sometimes, I take my ang moh tea (e.g. Earl Grey) without honey. Like a confused Asian old woman.
Over the weekend, we finally found a teapot set which we like.
It's Vietnamese. It's white porcelain with subtle lotuses and a Southeast Asian look. The teapot and teacups have handles like ang moh tea set.
Next stop: Crockery set with a mixed of large noodle bowls, small banchan dishes, single serving plates, Asian soup spoons which will not slide into the bowls etc. Black chopsticks with silver embellishments. =))
Senin, 13 Juni 2011
Kyaraben Charaben
I was surfing around when I chanced upon the Japanese phenomenon of 'Kyaraben'.
In short, 'Kyaraben' or 'Charaben' are portmanteaux. i.e. of the words 'Character Bento', where ingredients in a bento are used to form cartoon/anime/cute characters.
The Japanese have been obsessed with arranging their food for centuries. It is unsurprising that contemporary Japanese housewives are now doing it for their children and husband. It is said that these Kyarabens convey the mother/wife's messages of love and concern. E.g. A Kyaraben demonstrating cheers and sports flags may be made for the child on the school sports day.
You can watch this Youtube vid by a real Japanese housewife.
No laughing at her Japanese-accented English, please.
In another vid, I noted that the Japanese mother used a pair of tweezers to arrange the food. Now that's love for her kids. O_o
I've been discussing this phenomenon with my St Nicks friends, who are mothers, on Facebook.
My suggestion is the St Nicks ought to include Kyaraben-making in the Home Economics syllabus. Also there should be 'Kyaraben-making' Proficiency Badge for girl guides.
Scoring an 'A' in Kyaraben-making' ought to be viewed as having acquired a 'premium wifey' skill.
Just then, one of my friends kindly informed me that one does not have to start on Kyaraben-making only after marriage. That even Japanese girlfriends have begun to make Kyarabens for their boyfriends! *KNN! Spoil market!! Baka!*
In response, I told them I would be arranging Blinky and Tiger's cat food pellets tomorrow, probably in the form of "Eat your pellets. Mummy loves you!". I hope they will feel the love as they gobble their Blinkymummy-painstakingly-arranged breakfast.
Imaginary conversation with my imaginary kid:
Kid: Mummy! How come you don't make Kyarabens for me? They say Kyarabens are messages of love. The food you make for me looks... ugly... Does this mean you don't love me???!!
Me: This means you need to go find a Japanese mother. I'm learning Korean, not Japanese, remember? However! On the other hand, your daddy speaks some Japanese and has ever dated a Japanese chick, perhaps he knows more about Kyarabens and could make them for you. =))
Alternatively, you may choose to adopt my St Nicks mate's simple suggested response:
"Dun eat nair mind. Go sleep."
See this vid on how to make a Google Chrome Kyaraben. The person even bothered to colour a boiled egg using purple cabbage juice. O_o""
In short, 'Kyaraben' or 'Charaben' are portmanteaux. i.e. of the words 'Character Bento', where ingredients in a bento are used to form cartoon/anime/cute characters.
The Japanese have been obsessed with arranging their food for centuries. It is unsurprising that contemporary Japanese housewives are now doing it for their children and husband. It is said that these Kyarabens convey the mother/wife's messages of love and concern. E.g. A Kyaraben demonstrating cheers and sports flags may be made for the child on the school sports day.
You can watch this Youtube vid by a real Japanese housewife.
No laughing at her Japanese-accented English, please.
In another vid, I noted that the Japanese mother used a pair of tweezers to arrange the food. Now that's love for her kids. O_o
I've been discussing this phenomenon with my St Nicks friends, who are mothers, on Facebook.
My suggestion is the St Nicks ought to include Kyaraben-making in the Home Economics syllabus. Also there should be 'Kyaraben-making' Proficiency Badge for girl guides.
Scoring an 'A' in Kyaraben-making' ought to be viewed as having acquired a 'premium wifey' skill.
Just then, one of my friends kindly informed me that one does not have to start on Kyaraben-making only after marriage. That even Japanese girlfriends have begun to make Kyarabens for their boyfriends! *KNN! Spoil market!! Baka!*
In response, I told them I would be arranging Blinky and Tiger's cat food pellets tomorrow, probably in the form of "Eat your pellets. Mummy loves you!". I hope they will feel the love as they gobble their Blinkymummy-painstakingly-arranged breakfast.
Imaginary conversation with my imaginary kid:
Kid: Mummy! How come you don't make Kyarabens for me? They say Kyarabens are messages of love. The food you make for me looks... ugly... Does this mean you don't love me???!!
Me: This means you need to go find a Japanese mother. I'm learning Korean, not Japanese, remember? However! On the other hand, your daddy speaks some Japanese and has ever dated a Japanese chick, perhaps he knows more about Kyarabens and could make them for you. =))
Alternatively, you may choose to adopt my St Nicks mate's simple suggested response:
"Dun eat nair mind. Go sleep."
See this vid on how to make a Google Chrome Kyaraben. The person even bothered to colour a boiled egg using purple cabbage juice. O_o""
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