Happy Chinese New Year!

Here's a BIG Gong Xi Gong Xi to my dear Chinese friends.

However, I don't understand something.

Why do I see a lot of Chinese in black during a festive season? I remember being questioned if I wore black during this kind of season by my friends if I see them on the streets. Has Chinese culture in Singapore been eroded thus far? Or are they just being flexible on the old school thought or even redefining Chinese culture in Singapore?

I greatly admire those who dare wear the Cheongsam to school or anywhere at all. No, not because of the bare skin exposed but raw audacity and pride.

No need to talk about Cheongsam. Even the Baju Kurung. Maybe among the females, it's not so bad. But I must say I wouldn't dare wearing the complete set with the samping and songkok.

I find great diffrences between Hari Raya and Chinese New Year in terms of the way people dress to go out. During Hari Raya it is obvious that everyone is wearing their full-pledged costumes, be it bought at pasar malam for $19.90 or at high end boutiques for $150. ( I've both.) People look neat and happy to celebrate. Our differences are being sorted out through happiness after one month of fasting.

During CNY, it's kind of heart to differentiate people who are going to the provision shop and people who are visiting. The only difference is those little bags carried around. Not only it's hard to find anyone wearing the ethnic costume, some are dressed as if going to sleep. Can wear black some more! 


P.S. Not a happy Valentine's Day for me. People still think I'm Chinese till today. "Liang pei kopi, ah?" I wanted to say "Betul" (Malay for "Correct"). Maybe, it's just my orange shirt and the red bag I was carrying...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO DESPERATE, LOVE SICK PEOPLE.
Here's my romantic poem:

I die, 
You grief. 
You die, 
I still breathe.

Does SG life suck after all?

I feel very fortunate to be part of such a safe yet subtly dynamic community. I was discussing hard domestic and regional politics with my father and god-uncles. One of them, who was an Indonesian turned SG citizen was strongly in favor of SG's system of governance. They compared SG to Indonesia when we were under British rule where bribery, extortion and corruption to even survive was part and parcel of life. 

I can agree no more with this if not considering two points of my personal interest: education and how we live everyday.

Singapore's education system is roughly based on the 6-4-2 British system. And this model was crafted in the late 19th century where industrialization was kicking off. The sciences and mathematics were the most essential in the hierarchical order, followed by languages and the humanities subjects. The sciences and Mathematics were useful to train better industrial workers to maximise productivity. The languages are important in terms of communications. The feasibility of humanities at the time were almost negligible. IN THAT ERA.

Now, SG is cosmopolitan and a financially thriving metropolis, where ideas from all over the world are interchanged. We now have more room for the Arts. 

Just look at the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. All the past and present music directors and principal conductors originate from China. The current principal guest is Finnish. We only have a Singaporean young associate conductor and a pinky-full of (old) Singaporean players. Out of a population of  4 million, is it really impossible to establish a world-class body of 100? Even with musicians from all over the world to make SSO worthy to be considered a world-recognised orchestra, it is still short of becoming one which is deeply rooted in tradition and soul, like the Wiener Philharmoniker and the premiere British orchestras.   

This also applies to the better schools in SG> Perhaps the bottom of the top 20% and the top of the bottom 80% of the student population. They may take the best and produce the best academically but they lack the development of heart-ware, as compared to the independent schools run like British boarding schools. They produce scholars who will turn into office workers, engineers, researchers and bankers; but rarely officers, gentlemen and let alone leaders( be it of corporations or society). This kind of people make up 90% of the population. This is worrying figure. 

Another thing is the Gifted Education Programme (GEP). To begin with, do you think that a gifted scientist like Albert Einstein will ever be recognised as gifted through the education system here? He would spend most of his time in detention or counseling. Not that he was not despised by teachers durng his time, but the word "gifted" is simply not correct and has been misused here. By the way, kids grow up mentally at different rates at different times of their adolescence. And the above-mentioned gifted people specialise in only one or two fields of their interest. To be gifted in SG would mean to score well in English, Mathematics and Science. Furthermore, how can you be gifted when you actually need to be sent to Kumon to score well? Nonsense, right?

 ***

Now onto the second aspect of contention. For example, in Singapore, when it is said that the train departs at 1100, it means that the train will START TO ENTER at 1100. By the time everyone's on board and the door closes, it's already 1101.

In Japan, when it is said that the train departs at 1100, it means that the train will disappear from sight at the station BY 1100. The train comes at around 1058. People get ready at 1058. 

ANYWAY, PROSIT NEUJAHR! (Cheers! New Year!)

Guys, for the first time, I'm telling you I'm really scared.

I just want to go to the printing shop opposite my house. I can't; no, not my mother!

Worse...

My Neighbour (not Totoro) the DOG.

Worse than my mum. She still lets me out for band outings. This dog wouldn't even listen. The owner open the gate so wide and the dog is not leashed! And right now he's sniffing around the very short corridor. If he sniff me - Good Game!

It's not a kampong where you can run and hide. It's a HDB corridor; he chase after you - where to go?! You go downstairs he still can chase after you. The only hope is that Fujitsu lift - you die if he joins you and the door closes!

If not for that very minor printing mistake, I wouldn't be in such agony this instant!

At least can blog a bit to wait for my other neighbour to go for dinner and be my decoy for a while and save me some trouble...

Upon reading LKY's memoirs "From Third Wold to First", I find that AMB and Singapore are similar (in size and circumstances).

Compare AMB and Singapore.

Size: Small
Resources: Very little
Neighbours: Not really friendly
Management: "If you don't want, get out."

I have learnt a lot from the fascinating book. It only looks thick and impossible to digest, but the language is after all very manageable and hard to bored of.

A must-read for aspiring leaders and managers, at least of their own lives. 

Went on a little trip to the Sembawang Giant outlet around noon. It was packed like hell! Try walking in Chinatown on CNY eve - with a trolley...


I think we should consider painting lane markings on supermarket floors. It's that pathetic you know! Anyhow walk only. Not only that. We should have traffic light.Some people so zai that at junction also can stop and talk on the phone. ARRGH!


Before that, went to Daiso. I couldn't believe that everything they sold was only for $2 until I reached the counter. The cashier has the easiest job on Earth, man! Just count the number of items and multiply by two. The funny part is how they try to follow the Japanese service.

1. Greet.
2. Count the number of items. 
3. State total amount payable. 
4. Count the money (ALOUD). 
5. State the amount received. 
6. Sate the change (ALOUD). 
7. "Goodbye .Please come again." 
   

Of course in Singapore it's... a little HARD. 

Excerpts from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"

1. Not vulgar yet wonderfully coarse. I wish my tongue could go that fast!



2. "Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony. "

Telok Blangah

Went to Telok Blangah Hill Park today. Set off at 1130, arrive at 1300! Once I alighted, I saw this magnificent-looking bridge over Telok Blangah Road. I suppose it links the park to Mt. Faber Park.

I did have intentions to cross the bridge but to find the entrance to the park itself is already difficult. According to the street directory, I was to enter via Telok Blangah Green. What made it so difficult was that the entrance was concealed by an elevation of the road. As a result, I was unsure if the entrance was there at all. I walked blindly only with my instincts as my walking stick and behold! The entrance!

Nevertheless, I still had to walk in (it was only the ENTRANCE, remember?).

I walked through the nature trail. The sign at the start says:

> 2.7km to Kent Ridge

>0.7km to Preston Road

>0.9km to Alexandra Road

I THOUGHT it wouldn’t rain (or so as the NEA man said) and I really had a lot of time in my hands. And so I chionged.

It looked very scary at first as the whole trail is at the canopy layer around 20 – 30m off the ground. The trail is supported only by two pillars every 20 m and metal cables to bind the structure. The path itself consists of triangular longkang covers!

This is going to support this light person here. > 

Actually, not that bad, lah. The maximum inclination of the trail is only about 20 degrees. Saw a few ah peks and aunties along the path; damn steady, all of them. Wah, if I can’t make it, shame on me!

The scenery is not that fascinating as you know, everything’s green. But it is still a very interesting concept. However, think of it… if the route is 2.7km long, then it means that 2.7km of vegetation has been grazed to accommodate this man-made marvel. Feel a bit guilty, hor!

About 45 min into the journey, I encountered separate groups of people but I believe they were on the same mission. In fact they all seem to be family members of employees of the MFA on a treasure hunt. They were saying things like “plants originating in Brazil” and the '”reproduction method of the Saga plant”. Very noisy and irritating bunch of people! I was there to “let go” and they interrupted the flow of my day!

At a certain point, I decided to turn back. Why was I going towards Kent Ridge? Silly me. I instead, then, walked towards Mt. Faber Park. I had difficulty overtaking those MFAs. They looked at me as if I was a 2nd class citizen or something. Remember, these people are responsible for the inner workings of an organisation responsible for our ties with the rest of the world…

And Then Mother Nature Cried, taking her toll on my initial unsubstantiated complacency. Damn the NEA Weather tele-robot!

Rain stained my glasses with naturally-purified water evaporated from the liquid excretion of an innocent 4-year-old bugger behind the cotton tree. 

Arrgh, my carefully combed hair! I briskly walked to overtake those MFAs. Walao, they popped open their umbrellas, splashing water onto me. Serves me right for not bringing umbrella! Now, I feel like a complain-kia!

I just realised that everything I use today is orange. My pen, shirt and notebook.

When in rain, I’ll bend my head down like a Japanese. Don’t want my face wet, mah? I learnt a simple benefit of plants for humans. Down the lane towards Telok Blangah Rd, a shelter of bush provided cover for me from rain all the way until the route towards Depot Road, where I had to walk through dense vegetation. Actually got resthouse halfway, but got couple (but not teenagers and not in a state of clothed undress), so I gave it to them. What a lovely setting for them! Don’t want spoil their mood…

Alas, I managed to find the bus stop! Took 57 to Bukit Merah Central and grabbed Wintermelon Tea, a Curry O’ and Sardine O’ from Old Chang Kee. Then, I realised Bkt Merah is under the electoral ward of Tanjong Pagar. LKY area!

To top it off, I boarded 851 home (I call “Yishun’’ home!).

[ If you wanna noe my experience on that bus, refer to  “thoughts on clothed states of undress” ;) Just change MRT to bus; MRT station to bus interchange.  ]