Archive for the 'Singapore' Category

Give up your seat to those who wants it

Published
by
admin
on July 9, 2007
in Random and Singapore
. 14 views | 2 Comments

I was on the LRT train chatting happily with my girlfriend when I overheard someone in her 60s (although still healthy looking, and very fit), thanking someone else for giving up the seat to her, and commenting aloud (more like announcing) that old people give up seats for other old people, and that young kids nowadays cannot be depended upon to give up seats.

On her newly acquired throne on the LRT, she went on to lecture the entire LRT worth of passengers about how kids nowadays pretends to be sleeping when they see old people boarding a public transport, how she once gave up a seat to some one who is old but actually younger than her, how she felt about it, and how Singapore is doomed to be run by youngsters who only knows how to pretend to sleep on a public transport went an old person enters and has no seat, all in perfectly sound and fluent english, and while giving my girlfriend and I weird stares that I almost thought her eyes needed medical attention.

Just to clarify, I wasn’t sleeping, I was chatting with my girlfriend. And also I do not have my attention on both the doors of the LRT at all time, at high alert, with my muscle tensed, ready to spring up and give up my seat to any old person who care to enter the transport vehicle.

That aside, I certainly don’t feel like giving up a seat to someone who is damn healthy and can make a public announcement in English much better than mine in a crowded LRT train for 20minutes.

Perhaps I should give up suggestion to LTA went they are importing the next batch of public transport vehicle. Senior Citizens can apply for a new membership called “I want my seat”, which is billed right off from their CPF (if there is any left), with which they will all be issued with special EZ-link cards. When a senior citizen boards a bus with the said ez-link card, the bus will automatically detect if there are any seats available for the senior citizen. If there is none, the bus will automatically detect which seats were occupied by youngsters, randomly pick one poor soul, and give him or her an electric zap so that he or she will spring up from the seat and make a physical contact between the floor and his or her forehead. Then the senior citizen an then calmly waddle his or her way through the crowd and settle upon the seat, resting his or her feet upon the remains of the poor kid.

Patent pending. Please do not steal my idea!

-
Maybe if the old lady and me were to switch role, this is what she would write:

I give up my seats to senior citizens who obviously look too fragile to withstand the rock and roll of a public transport vehicle. However, I do not have my eyes on the doors at all time. So when a perfectly healthy and well-educated old lady notice that I didn’t give up my seat to her when I didn’t even notice her presence, she gave the entire LRT a good 20min lecture about the importance of giving up seats and how it helps to build a strong country. As a youth contributing greatly to government tax once I join the work force, I often wonder why should my money be spent on keeping such irritating old ladies alive. Economy would be happier if she was not alive.

(I mean no offense to senior citizens who need seats. But making such a big fuss because I didn’t notice her entry, and carrying on to lecture all the passengers on the LRT while gluing her eyes to me is really one reason why senior citizens who had ate more salt [and maybe because of that suffered from diabetes] than the amount of rice I ate [I prefer noodles] are bad role models. Shoo! Go and be an english teacher or something.)

Rate this post: 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

The end of time

Published
by
admin
on June 24, 2007
in National Service, Random and Sad
. 194 views | 3 Comments

I remember distinctively that I equate National Service to the stoppage of an individual’s time, where he cease to live his own life but let the country seize his. Only during weekend book outs do time flow again and the word freedom comes into mind again.

In a few hours I’ll be reporting in at Jurong Camp, as a Plant Engineer for 30th SCE, the siong-est SCE around.

The black puma cap which Si Hui bought for me which I wear around all the time will be replaced by an ugly free gift from SAF.

I’ll have to do as much pumping as the amount of potato chips and twisties I ate as a civilian.

Computer will soon be a rarity.

I’ll miss playing around with my new Nikon P5000.

My vocation is FD ENGR PNR - PLANT, which I hope means Plant Engineer, which is a relatively slacker vocation compared to those with just FD ENGR PNR. From my research Plant Engineers operate heavy machines or drive those heavy vehicles, like cranes, trucks, bulldozers, etc. If I am really a plant engineer, and if I can’t find a job in the infocomn industry next time, maybe I’ll just and drive the bulldozer in a construction site, or operate the crane. I heard it pays relatively well.

–

In the past 2 days I was very touched by 3 of my loved ones: my dad, mum and gf.

My girlfriend came to my house and accompanied me for a whole day both yesterday and today. We shared tears together.

My mum paid for and gave me the Nikon P5000 camera (at first she say I’ll have to pay her interest at $50 per month, but in the end she say she is giving it to me just like that). $540 is alot in my household, and I am touched that she was willingly to give that amount to me to acquire a camera. Regardless, I’ll try my best to save up and pay her back, although with the meager NS allowance it will take a long time. Donations are still welcome btw :)

My dad offered to take half day off tml, and use his $20 coupon to allow him to drive his red number plate car to fetch me to the camp.

In an environment filled with love, my affair with suicidal thoughts has become nothing but a dreamy one night stand.

Rate this post: 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

My NS Posting

Published
by
admin
on June 22, 2007
in National Service, Sad and Singapore
. 72 views | 1 Comment

(Please click on the images to enlarge)

I am a combat engineer. Die liao. It is a fucking siong vocation, from what I heard.

I did a search for 30SCE, and all I got was more bad news.

Damn, am I in for a great time!

Rate this post: 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

POP!

Published
by
admin
on June 16, 2007
in National Service, Photo Essay and Singapore
. 19 views | 4 Comments


Beautiful view from Tekong (1)


Beautiful view from Tekong (2)


Bronco Parade


Can you spot me?


There!


Put on that nike cap for me, dad!


With mum!


MUM!


Pals and foes


POP lor!

Rate this post: 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

Educating parents about Universities

Published
by
admin
on June 10, 2007
in Education and Singapore
. 19 views | 0 Comments

Judging from the amount of confusion, misinformation and incomprehension regarding University admission that parents of “potential” University students had vandalise all over the media nowadays, I think that it is perhaps time to properly educate hopeful parents in Singapore the “truth” about University Admission in Singapore. These “truths” as they appear on this blog entry, are actually nothing but my own first-hand thoughts and experience as someone who went through the education system, and managed to slip through the great filtering process by doing the minimal.

1) Project work, a very (in my opinion) primitive way of measuring one’s ability to work in a team and/or lead one, and to bring a project from its initial stage to its finality plays a very crucial role in University Admission. But, unfortunately for us Project Work is (in my opinion) the most inaccurate examination I have ever undergone. I have got friends following every single instruction from their teacher project mentor completely, and getting Band 3, while people who slack around can get a Band 1 or 2. Project Work is also highly prone to sabo-ing from team mates, which often happens in highly competitive schools. If you are lucky and get proficient team mates, you will certainly benefit. If you are unlucky, too bad.

2) General Paper in my opinion is the one subject that can determine if a student lives and die. The high number students getting failures and borderline passes in “above-average” colleges and the low level of GP education provided in many colleges (i.e Anderson Junior College) won’t help students achieve much. To me, getting As for all subjects and then a fail or C6 for GP only shows that that particular student cannot understand or write (create new content), but excels in recalling and memorizing textbooks. Although Universities have nothing against these people (yet), if I were an employer I would not want to hire a University graduate who obviously cannot think, and can only memorize data. Instead of paying 2k per month to hire such a graduate, I would just spend 2k to purchase a personal computer. Unlike a computer, I can’t spell and I can’t do grammar. But I can think. Thats how I get my A2 and maybe thats how I get my SMU.

3) A meritocratic educational system is in fact unfair to many in Singapore. Students who are interested courses like Business and Medicine will find it harder to be admitted as compared to those who are interested in Arts and Social Science and other less popular courses. Meritocracy does not mean fairness in Singapore at all. It only means that those who can perform damn well within the system will get all the choices, while those who couldn’t just lan lan and go grab whatever that is left. Meritocracy is not about rewarding those who can perform! Meritocracy is about leaving out those who couldn’t. Before parents give the green light for their kid to enter a Junior College, they must be confident that their kid won’t be left out by meritocracy, the Great Filtering Process.

4)Universities don’t give a hoot about sports.
The closest thing you can get in Singapore is physiotherapy. And only Polytechnics teach that. Not Universities.

There are more to this of course, enough to write a book with in fact. But I’ll leave it at that for now, as I had grown lazy to write. Maybe I will write everything down and hold a seminar to educate the parents, and make a fortune off it.

-

Actually, I have a rather simple solution for all this Not-Enough-University-Places saga. Brainwash all the Kiasu parents in Singapore to make them stop forcing their kids to go into Colleges and Universities. Then only students who want to enter Universities out of freewill will go. Then there will be no more debacle over lack of admission. Then there will be no complains. Then meritocracy will mean fairness. Then I will not be so keen to migrate before I form my own family so as to give my kids proper education.

The point I was trying to make in the above paragraph? Kiasu parents cause the Not-Enough-University-Places themselves.

Go, start complaining to yourself for being too kiasu!

Rate this post: 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

Wi-Fi makes We-Die

Published
by
admin
on June 2, 2007
in ST Forum and Singapore
. 17 views | 3 Comments

From ST Forum, 31st May 2007,

Widespread use of Wi-Fi raises health concerns
IN AIMING to make Singapore a wireless nation, has the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore commissioned any independent study into the health implications that such technology will bring?�

Reports such as the following have me concerned:

# Sir William Stewart, chairman of Britain’s Health Protection Agency, is lobbying the authorities to investigate the health risks of Wi-Fi.

# The Austrian Medical Association is pushing for the government to ban the setting up of Wi-Fi in schools.

# In America, a school in Illinois was sued in 2003 for installing a Wi-Fi system. Parents claimed that the radiation was causing headaches and memory problems.

# Last year, Lakehead University in Ontario refused to set up a campus Wi-Fi system, citing possible health concerns.

As people do not have control over the deployment of Wi-Fi in public and even some private spaces, should we as a nation be so quick to embrace this new technology without first considering potential health setbacks?

Lau Chee Nien

I read this with interest, so I took a dive into the internet and dug up the following (correct me if my source or I am wrong):

-The main group of people complaining about negative impact of Wifi are those who claimed to have this condition known as “EMF sensitivity”, which was not scientifically proven or confirmed yet. Most of those with “EMF sensitivity” complain of mild discomfort (such as itch, feeling of pins and needles) near EMF sources. These discomfort does not equal to negative health impact (such as dieases, cancers, etc). Those with “EMF sensitivity” may very well be having psychological problems rather than any real condition.
-Television screens and computer screens also emits a very large amount of EMF.
-Handphones too, emies a large amount of EMF too.

I certainly await further letters from Lau calling for ban of TVs, Computers, Cell Phones, Radios and many more things over the next few days or weeks. (Just kidding)

Hell, Lau may even start complaining about the harmful EMF from the Sun, and ask the Singapore Government to considering banning it. (Still kidding)

While I certainly do not dismiss entirely the idea of EMF causing some negative health impact, such impacts are certainly minor, and technology should not be made to remain stagnant because of it.

Rate this post: 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

University Places

Published
by
admin
on June 2, 2007
in Education, Random, ST Forum and Singapore
. 21 views | 1 Comment

I distinctly remember reading the ST forum about a parent complaining that his kiddy with a fantastic grade of A, B and E could not get into any local university, and Singapore government should have foreseen his situation and did properly planning to cater to weaker JC graduates.

I know how godly our government is, but isn’t this parent too much?

The first thought that struck me after I finished reading his highly logically and sensible (urgh, I am trying to be polite ok) letter was whether he or his kid had done any form of planning, or just blindly follow the crowd.

I mean, most people should know that while A level is the most direct way to get into Uni, it is a path with higher risk for weaker students. Those were unable to get into a local Uni with their A level grades will have to either retake the exam, go to a poly, or scamper of to some private of overseas Uni. Certainly the parent who wrote in to ST should have considered these scenarios before forcing/encouraging/recommending/allowing his kid to go into a JC?

What a bad role model that parent is. Blindly taking a risk and then complaining that the government did not do enough to remove that risk.

And then another parent came in.

From ST Forum 31st May 2007,

JOIN Mr See Chee Wee (ST, May 29) and share his sentiments.

My son, who excelled in sports at inter-school level (junior college colours award recipient) was similarly rejected by all three local universities with his B, B (General Paper), D and E grades.

I saw clearly the sheer disappointment in his face after he read the third and final letter of rejection when he returned home for the weekend, exhausted from his basic military training on Pulau Tekong. I could imagine what went through his mind - the apparent lack of consideration given to the effort and time he devoted to athletics. This is despite the liberalisation of the universities and the supposed importance the Government and universities place on a well-rounded education.

Hearing of similar experiences reasserts not only the lip service paid to co-curricular activities in Singapore but also the mercilessly meritocratic nature of the system.

Jayampath De Silva

While I think this kid had done well with his B for GP, I think that a D and E is no go. Using his passion in athletics as a convenient excuse for the kids lower than average academic score doesn’t make sense. I also have my doubts about the writer’s definition of a “well-rounded education”.

A student can be free to pursue whatever he wishes. I spend all my time, energy, attention and soul on only 2 things during my JC years. My girlfriend and programming. None of the above are A Level requirements. However, can I use these as an excuse if I get lousy grades? No. And I didn’t. If I want I would have said that Singapore has its Romancing Singapore programmes and should give more better grades to students who understands love. And Singapore should also give me higher grades because was appeared in Digital Life as a creative and IT-inclined Singaporean, exactly the kind of talent that Singapore wants. I don’t exactly know how much the the guy’s son spent on running around the tracks or fooling around with balls, but I can safely say that no one can beat me in the amount of time I spent on my girlfriend and my programming.

Hell, if your interest lies outside what mainstream education has for you, stay away from mainstream altogether unless you are totally confident and capable or doing so many things at the same time. Otherwise, you will be like the guy above, exhausted and rejected, unwanted by anyone, unable to pursue both mainstream education and his own interest.

On a personal level, I think that everyone should be free to pursue his or her interest, but the sad truth in Singapore is that if you want to stay in the mainstream in Singapore, something have to be given up unless you are really capable of concentrating on two things at once.

–

My guide for my sister, when she was considering going to a JC was this: If you do not qualify for the first 5 JC in Singapore, or you did not get less than 10 points raw score for Olevel, please forget about going to a JC, because you may not be able to hold up against the tough competition and get into a local Uni through the JC route. Poly may be a better choice.

Rate this post: 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

The Grenade Experience

Published
by
admin
on June 2, 2007
in National Service
. 16 views | 0 Comments

I hands shook as I picked up the green blob from the table. Inside the 300gram blob lies 2200 tiny whiny ball bearings, ready to fly and give anyone a hell lot of pain and agony if anyone is stupid enough to be within its effective range when the ball bearings seek flight.

My palms were sweating so much that a few drips coloured the concrete ground. I was distinctly reminded of dogs hanging their tongues out to sweat, and both my hands looked like dog’s tongues then. Carefully, with ridiculous gentleness that could make nurses weep, I guided the little green blob into the pouch on my Load Bearing Vest.

With 3 others behind me, I walked towards the waiting point. I felt very uneasy, with pictures and images of explosions running through my mind. Will I die? I don’t want to, breakfast in the morning wasn’t exactly what anyone want for a last meal. If I were to die I would want to die somewhere closer to home, with a nice plate of fried carrot cake or roti prata in my stomach, and my girlfriend’s hand in mine.

Looking at the facial expressions of those around me, I could tell that they had similar thoughts as me. My thoughts wandered on and on, probably to the furthest point in the universe. When my thoughts came back to me, it was time. Time to awaken the little green blob.

I entered the bay after reciting a series of chant that just floated out of my mouth unconsciously. My Encik, a short handsome man who commands utmost respect from me, summoned me into the bay. My heart did push-ups as I took the small flight of stairs up into the bay. I got into my position.

…

And before I know it, the whole thing is over. The process of throwing the little blob was short and slipped away from my memory the way the content of a dream slip away the moment a person wake up.

I stepped down from the bay. Birds are chirping happily. The clouds are blue. A huge burden had been lifted from me and I felt lighter.

I began wondering what I’ll be having for lunch.

Rate this post: 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

Water Parade

Published
by
SiHui
on May 21, 2007
in National Service, Sad and Singapore
. 43 views | 6 Comments

-Entry deleted-

Rate this post: 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

Wealth, and a bright future.

Published
by
admin
on May 14, 2007
in Education, Random and Singapore
. 33 views | 4 Comments

The dream of a bright future is something that had its roots deeply curved around the soil of Singaporeans’ minds. Although money by itself does not emit light, and can in no way contribute to “brightness”, Singaporeans associate “bright” future and wealth with little trouble.

Using the pursue of a “bright future” as a convenient excuse for materialistic wants and pure greed is the norm nowadays. This by itself is bad enough. The fact that the pursue of wealth alone makes Singaporeans unable to think and reflect really trashes the future of Singaporeans and shoves all light into the black hole in some unknown location.

It is of course true that having more money is good. Do you rather earn $20000 a month or $2000 a month? Of course everyone would choose the former. With more money, one can buy more food, gadgets, furniture, and anything one wants, even the life of another human being. However, is it really that good to earn that $20000?

Assuming you do not earn the money through illegal means, earning $20k per month would mean that your job is of high importance, and of high responsibilities. Such would mean very high commitment, invasion of job into family life, and even stress related health problems. Are you ready for that?

Also assuming that you earn $20k per month, and can afford expensive home theatre system, while another person earns only $2k can only afford a normal CRT TV. At first glance, it would seem that you have a better life. But think about it: If your job pays in the area of $20k, do you think you would have the time to enjoy your home theatre system? On the other hand, the $2k earner can spend more time with his family at home, and can enjoy his plain CRT TV for long hours.

For me, a bright future does not equals endless accumulation of wealth. Life will lose its meaning if you can afford anything you want. Scotts Adams, the man behind Dilbert comic, and generally considered as one of the greatest thinkers alive, recounts his experience of his transition from poor to rich.

Before his comic became popular, he had always wanted to buy a particular car model. However, after his comic became a success and he found himself capable of affording as many of that particular car he wanted, he found that there is no meaning in wanting anything anymore. If you get everything you want, you will stop wanting anything. In the end, he just went to a car dealer and randomly picked a car.

The bright future I want consist of me earning a living in my favourite field - IT, with the ability to work from home so that I can be with my family all the time. To put it simply, my 2 dreams are:
1) IT job - which I love to do
2) work from home.

Now, people like NGCH will start giving me bullshit like in the real world it is hard to find jobs that a person like. Just find a well-paying job and make do with it.

To that, I say bullshit!

Dear reader, you have only one life on this world. Do you want to spend the rest of your short life counting notes in your bank, or do you want to do things that stimulate you, makes you happy, and let you die a happy man?

Thus when I look at unmarried but ****ing rich people in their 40s and 50s, I wonder why they had chosen that path. Why do they see wealth as more important than happiness? Wealth cannot follow a person to his grave, but happiness shall always be carved in to the brain. If heaven or hell exists, happy memories will be carried there, not wealth.

Another bullshit that people may give is that money can be used to buy happiness. Is paying for sex, buying exotic gadgets, comfortable furniture considered happiness? No! These are enjoyment, not happiness.

There has to be a cause behind the corrosion of the idea of a “bright future” from happiness to greed. And that cause is most Singaporeans’ parents. Their mindsets, to be exact.

To be continued…

Rate this post: 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...