in retrospect.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
yesterday i visited mrs joseph at her house. hz went along too. we went for dinner at pizza hut's, and talked about many things, ranging from our plans, to hers.
i've only been to her house once, but i've liked it trememdously since. so it came to me as a surprise when she said she has sold her house, and will be shifting to somewhere at changi village soon.
if you know the location of her house you would know that her house is worth a lot. money aside, her house is one which gives you a cosy feeling; one that makes you feel that you are really at home. so when she explained to us the reasons why she chose to sell the flat and shift to somewhere less congested and more relaxed, i could tell that she has thought it through and made a firm decision. and a very good one too.
you see, most urban people like you and me spend their lives slogging their guts off in work. some of us even work till we die. i guess it is important that at a certain age, we slow down and take a look at what we have achieved thus far and what are the things that we want to achieve but have not, because of our busy schedule. choosing to retire at a more secluded part of the nation is definitely a good choice; it allows us to appreciate the finer things in life, things we probably never took notice of in the past. and for that, i really admire her.
during dinner, she also talked about her son, who just graduated from cambridge. in a nutshell, he's quite lost after his graduation, and has spent the past month thinking about his future. i could tell her helplessness and her love for her son as a parent...somehow such simple yet genuine love is getting increasingly difficult to find. sigh...
i was reminded of my late grandmother. as she aged, what she really wanted was accompaniment, and the only worry she had, even on her very last breathe, is her children. i see a similar reflection on mrs joseph. as she retires, she's happy that there are still students who look for her and keep her company, and giving her opportunities to try new things (like pizza hut and ice cream - she's very strict on her diet). and of course, how she is constantly worried about her children, who doesn't want to stay in singapore. i hope i've made the right step in keeping in contact with her, and hope this visit won't be the last one anytime soon.
on a seperate note, someone asked me if i have ever wondered if the ongoing office politics around me (they seem to happen everywhere i go) is due to myself. i thought about it, and came to this conclusion: office politics is present wherever you go. the only difference is whether you care about it, and whether your values cause you to feel strongly against it and thus complain about it. i admit i complain a little bit too much sometimes, but i only see it as a way of relieving my frustrations from work. i hope this is a good enough explanation.
i've only been to her house once, but i've liked it trememdously since. so it came to me as a surprise when she said she has sold her house, and will be shifting to somewhere at changi village soon.
if you know the location of her house you would know that her house is worth a lot. money aside, her house is one which gives you a cosy feeling; one that makes you feel that you are really at home. so when she explained to us the reasons why she chose to sell the flat and shift to somewhere less congested and more relaxed, i could tell that she has thought it through and made a firm decision. and a very good one too.
you see, most urban people like you and me spend their lives slogging their guts off in work. some of us even work till we die. i guess it is important that at a certain age, we slow down and take a look at what we have achieved thus far and what are the things that we want to achieve but have not, because of our busy schedule. choosing to retire at a more secluded part of the nation is definitely a good choice; it allows us to appreciate the finer things in life, things we probably never took notice of in the past. and for that, i really admire her.
during dinner, she also talked about her son, who just graduated from cambridge. in a nutshell, he's quite lost after his graduation, and has spent the past month thinking about his future. i could tell her helplessness and her love for her son as a parent...somehow such simple yet genuine love is getting increasingly difficult to find. sigh...
i was reminded of my late grandmother. as she aged, what she really wanted was accompaniment, and the only worry she had, even on her very last breathe, is her children. i see a similar reflection on mrs joseph. as she retires, she's happy that there are still students who look for her and keep her company, and giving her opportunities to try new things (like pizza hut and ice cream - she's very strict on her diet). and of course, how she is constantly worried about her children, who doesn't want to stay in singapore. i hope i've made the right step in keeping in contact with her, and hope this visit won't be the last one anytime soon.
on a seperate note, someone asked me if i have ever wondered if the ongoing office politics around me (they seem to happen everywhere i go) is due to myself. i thought about it, and came to this conclusion: office politics is present wherever you go. the only difference is whether you care about it, and whether your values cause you to feel strongly against it and thus complain about it. i admit i complain a little bit too much sometimes, but i only see it as a way of relieving my frustrations from work. i hope this is a good enough explanation.
busy busy.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
it's a long break, been busy as usual. meeting up with old friends and teachers, holiday planning, and personal statement.
it's going to be the same for the next few weeks till i ord. at least i'm doing productive work.
i'm beginning to question the existence of my blog. it's really becoming a monologue. or maybe that's how it is supposed to be.
random thoughts crossing my mind...makes me appreciate random thoughts even more.
cheers. and seven-11. =)
it's going to be the same for the next few weeks till i ord. at least i'm doing productive work.
i'm beginning to question the existence of my blog. it's really becoming a monologue. or maybe that's how it is supposed to be.
random thoughts crossing my mind...makes me appreciate random thoughts even more.
cheers. and seven-11. =)
AHM 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
i'm a proud finisher of the 21km Army Half Marathon.
for someone who had a ankle surgery not too long ago, i consider this a great achievement. although i had cramps at the 6km mark and walked from the 18km mark to the 20km mark, i still managed to complete the run in about 2 hour 45 minutes. Not a good timing, but for a beginner like myself, it's good enough.
i decided to run with 2 of my friends today, and coincidentally it's their birthdays today. it was a good run, with us encouraging each other to push on. but on retrospect, i think that it would better if i had run alone. a marathon is an individual sport; it is a challenge between your body and your mind. although perhaps every run will make you a lonelier person...but there are certain things only one can do for oneself.
so, if i ever decide to be crazy and sign up for standard chartered marathon, i will be running it alone.
that aside, i had a good talk with one of my bmt section mates yesterday (or was it the night before?). he reminded me many things which i tend to forget as i get depressed or feel lousy. i guess i appreciate what i have around me more with friends like this, and i am eternally grateful.
for now, it's more decisions to make; decisions that will affect my future. =)
世界那么大，人生本是五味杂陈。
不过我想只要有一颗热爱生命并且知足惜福的心，
酸甜苦辣都将幻化为一股滋养的清香甘甜。
for someone who had a ankle surgery not too long ago, i consider this a great achievement. although i had cramps at the 6km mark and walked from the 18km mark to the 20km mark, i still managed to complete the run in about 2 hour 45 minutes. Not a good timing, but for a beginner like myself, it's good enough.
i decided to run with 2 of my friends today, and coincidentally it's their birthdays today. it was a good run, with us encouraging each other to push on. but on retrospect, i think that it would better if i had run alone. a marathon is an individual sport; it is a challenge between your body and your mind. although perhaps every run will make you a lonelier person...but there are certain things only one can do for oneself.
so, if i ever decide to be crazy and sign up for standard chartered marathon, i will be running it alone.
that aside, i had a good talk with one of my bmt section mates yesterday (or was it the night before?). he reminded me many things which i tend to forget as i get depressed or feel lousy. i guess i appreciate what i have around me more with friends like this, and i am eternally grateful.
for now, it's more decisions to make; decisions that will affect my future. =)
世界那么大，人生本是五味杂陈。
不过我想只要有一颗热爱生命并且知足惜福的心，
酸甜苦辣都将幻化为一股滋养的清香甘甜。
before i get too busy...
Thursday, September 09, 2010
finally, the integrated audit is over. what follows is 3-day 'work' weeks...and slackiness in camp!
well, i hope it will be another meaningful weekend. university applications, scholarships, holiday planning...and ahm! that's provided i get well...21km will be an achievement for me. =)
i was watching Chee Soon Juan's response to PM Lee's National Day Rally, and some comments posted on popular forums in this issue. Well, while there are things that PM Lee missed and that PAP's policies are never perfect, we really need to put things into perspective. PAP has done relatively well in the past decades, and has built a strong enough foundation for us to tide through crisises. To say that PAP doesn't deserve our next vote in the next election because of petty reasons...you really need to think again. And for all those superficial and poor policies that people are coming out with, please, think of the consequences. Policy making isn't as easy as it seems.
Or maybe I should be glad that Singaporeans are finally concerned with politics, and are no longer the apathetic lot? hmm...
well, i hope it will be another meaningful weekend. university applications, scholarships, holiday planning...and ahm! that's provided i get well...21km will be an achievement for me. =)
i was watching Chee Soon Juan's response to PM Lee's National Day Rally, and some comments posted on popular forums in this issue. Well, while there are things that PM Lee missed and that PAP's policies are never perfect, we really need to put things into perspective. PAP has done relatively well in the past decades, and has built a strong enough foundation for us to tide through crisises. To say that PAP doesn't deserve our next vote in the next election because of petty reasons...you really need to think again. And for all those superficial and poor policies that people are coming out with, please, think of the consequences. Policy making isn't as easy as it seems.
Or maybe I should be glad that Singaporeans are finally concerned with politics, and are no longer the apathetic lot? hmm...
national day rally 2010.
Sunday, September 05, 2010
another busy weekend - holidays to plan for, tuition classes to prepare, comex, and the list goes on. well, at least i'm being productive here.
however busy i am, i promised myself i will talk about the National Day Rally 2010. PM Lee, I must admit, is a good speaker, although his mandrin could still be improved. He brings forward a personal touch that not many leaders could do as well, and memorizing such a long script is impressive to say the least. Now for the issues covered.
Firstly, the usual stuff about the economy. Yes, our economy is improving, nothing much to comment on here.
Secondly, immigration. a problem that has been with us for many years. PM Lee made the justification for allowing foreign talent and workers in as easy to understand as he could. But as our population just crossed the 5 million mark, the key is now the quota that we should set for foreigners. and for embracing them into our society, Singaporeans must understand that foreigners are here to do jobs that Singaporearns either cannot or don't want to do. It is never an easy task integrating foreigners into a society, and more definitely can be done.
And then transport. The train distruption between Jurong East and Clementi this weekend is close to a disaster, if not one. But then again, the government is doing its best to improve the existing infrastructure. I'm not going to question why the government did not forsee a hike in ridership and start the works a few years earlier, especially so for the case of the Jurong East MRT. But what irks me are 2 issues - that (with the exception of Jurong East) the East are receiving more focus than the West, and that trains are still coming at 6 min interval during non peak hours, causing trains to be packed like they are in 7am in the morning.
Thirdly, housing. I'm not very familiar with the old rules, so I may not be in the best position to comment on this. But I've been following the papers closely this couple of days, and there are a few new rules that seem to be contradictory to our policies on immigration. One of which is that you got to sell your private property, whether in Singapore or overseas, within 6 months if you want to buy a resale flat here. This has the greatest impact on PRs. Many of them own private property in their home countries where their families reside in. Making it compulsory to sell their private property puts them in a dilemma - To sell their private property and result in their families having nowhere to stay or to not buy a flat in Singapore but opt to buy a condo or leave altogether? So much for making PRs feel more like home in Singapore and encouraging them to be citizens. I really wonder if the policy makers thought of this when they made the decision.
Finally, education. Another contradictory policy in place - IP. On one hand they are trying to shift the focus from a do-or-die examinations (especially the PSLE), on the other they are expanding the IP and even offering it to the N(A) students. While I do see the benefits of the N(A) one (that on another post when I'm freer), I think the current one has too many cons that come with it. Yes, it does allow more room for independent learning and reduces the dependence on O Levels, it is one which breeds complacency and inevitably makes PSLE extremely important, as that is the benchmark for acceptance into IP. I've talked about the IP before, so I guess I will leave the topic here, for now.
And I'm disappointed that the mother tongue policy isn't mentioned.
that's about all I have now...I have to get back to work. =)
however busy i am, i promised myself i will talk about the National Day Rally 2010. PM Lee, I must admit, is a good speaker, although his mandrin could still be improved. He brings forward a personal touch that not many leaders could do as well, and memorizing such a long script is impressive to say the least. Now for the issues covered.
Firstly, the usual stuff about the economy. Yes, our economy is improving, nothing much to comment on here.
Secondly, immigration. a problem that has been with us for many years. PM Lee made the justification for allowing foreign talent and workers in as easy to understand as he could. But as our population just crossed the 5 million mark, the key is now the quota that we should set for foreigners. and for embracing them into our society, Singaporeans must understand that foreigners are here to do jobs that Singaporearns either cannot or don't want to do. It is never an easy task integrating foreigners into a society, and more definitely can be done.
And then transport. The train distruption between Jurong East and Clementi this weekend is close to a disaster, if not one. But then again, the government is doing its best to improve the existing infrastructure. I'm not going to question why the government did not forsee a hike in ridership and start the works a few years earlier, especially so for the case of the Jurong East MRT. But what irks me are 2 issues - that (with the exception of Jurong East) the East are receiving more focus than the West, and that trains are still coming at 6 min interval during non peak hours, causing trains to be packed like they are in 7am in the morning.
Thirdly, housing. I'm not very familiar with the old rules, so I may not be in the best position to comment on this. But I've been following the papers closely this couple of days, and there are a few new rules that seem to be contradictory to our policies on immigration. One of which is that you got to sell your private property, whether in Singapore or overseas, within 6 months if you want to buy a resale flat here. This has the greatest impact on PRs. Many of them own private property in their home countries where their families reside in. Making it compulsory to sell their private property puts them in a dilemma - To sell their private property and result in their families having nowhere to stay or to not buy a flat in Singapore but opt to buy a condo or leave altogether? So much for making PRs feel more like home in Singapore and encouraging them to be citizens. I really wonder if the policy makers thought of this when they made the decision.
Finally, education. Another contradictory policy in place - IP. On one hand they are trying to shift the focus from a do-or-die examinations (especially the PSLE), on the other they are expanding the IP and even offering it to the N(A) students. While I do see the benefits of the N(A) one (that on another post when I'm freer), I think the current one has too many cons that come with it. Yes, it does allow more room for independent learning and reduces the dependence on O Levels, it is one which breeds complacency and inevitably makes PSLE extremely important, as that is the benchmark for acceptance into IP. I've talked about the IP before, so I guess I will leave the topic here, for now.
And I'm disappointed that the mother tongue policy isn't mentioned.
that's about all I have now...I have to get back to work. =)