A Tribute to Mr Lee Kuan Yew

"....... he captured attention because he has the ability to speak as if he was personally talking to you..."

It has been a few days since the Founding Father of the Republic of Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, passed away. The whole of Singapore has been seen mourning in all sort of ways, in particular, visiting the Parliment building to pay Mr Lee a last visit.  I am not very demonstrative person by nature, but reading about news and posts and tributes contributed by friends online, I do feel a sense of lost and sadness inside me. However, the best way I think to pay tribute to someone who has passed away, is to remember the good of the person and to think about how it could have an impact on you and would affect you in a positive way.

On a personal level, I could feel deeply the impact of Mr Lee's leadership quality demonstrated largely by the way he communicated with people. When Mr Lee gave his speech, he captured attention because he has the ability to speak as if he was personally talking to you. Mr Lee has this ability and charisma to appeal to the general public on a personal level when he was speaking. I always remember that when I am giving my lecture to large group of students in front of me, that it is a skill to learn to speak and deliver speech with a personal touch that appeals significantly to large audience, on a personal level to each and everyone attending my lecture. On a different level, the fact that Mr Lee pushed Singapore towards international competition, with an aim to be made known globally for trades and others (largely for survival) and then by having English Language as the first language benefited so many that were borne in my generation. I was borne only 5 years after Singapore gained Independence. Having this language skills and abilities open doors for my subsequent career in my later life and more so when I then decided to seek advancement aboard.

It is no surprise why foreign countries such as New Zealand are having their flags lowered half-mast on 29th March 2015, to mark the funeral of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Indeed, in the eyes of the Western world, it is a "miracle" that Mr Lee's formula and model survives and bring prosperity to a small nation. Who can blame the West for thinking so, it was then been based on their formula anyway. Therefore, more so, their value and belief should work to bring miracle (as defined by the West) for economic survival. The fact that even Bill Clinton (with his U.S. Delegation) had planned to come to Lee Kuan Yew Funeral says something, that some Western leaders are convinced and bought into Mr Lee's idea of the model to grow an economy into prosperity .

Mr Lee's style however is not without criticism. One of the most commonly mentioned issue is the freedom of speech that was seen absence or not as well practiced in the media. This is interesting, because to quite an extent, this has affected the way people share and express their views on the media platform. Having said that, freedom of speech, however, is also not without its problem. The recent shooting of Charlie Hebdo arising from some humorous posts published, which some saw as "offensive" and hence provoking anger, had given the West something to (re)think about the serious implication of "free speech". It makes one wonder is there anything "free" here or are there unknown underlying prices that are to be paid. However, the recent opening of social medium outlets such as facebook and others had given Singaporeans a good platform to practice "free speech". However, sometimes this turns out to be an outlet for people to voice their angers as well, which is very unhealthy. In a country where free speech is not quite practice in the mainstream media (yet!), I suddenly recalled listening and hearing to Mr Lee's speech, sometimes it makes me think, what is important when you express your view, perhaps what is important when you speak, speak truthfully (rather than "freely") because your utimately aim is to convince others, and even to the extent of winning others to believing your vision into building a nation. He may be regarded as someone who is good in marketing, but marketing a vision to build a nation? You cannot NOT give that a second thought about what's additional skill and talent that involve! That is the spirit of Mr Lee, something that I will remember in me for a very long time, however the future may be. To me, it is already a blessing to be borne during his time, simply for what he had done for my generation.

Rest in Peace, Mr Lee!

Quality of life?

 "perhaps whatever that helps you to plan?"

Recently in Singapore, the government tried out a new way to ease crowds during peak hours for its MRT (underground) network. by granting free access to the network, for those travelling before 7.45 am on the weekday, and not applicable on weekend. I am expecting this to attract huge 'mad rush' given that it is not often that things are 'free' and even more so in Singapore. The follow-up question is, if you arrived the office so early, what would you do? Some say it might end up working for longer hours, while others start doing planning for their days if they were to arrive early in office.

A few friends have been commenting that it is hard to say if Singapore has any sense of work-life balance at all. The working hours are rigid, rules are strict on staff flexibility with office hours. Perhaps that is an issue about 'value' and 'work ethnics'. One other friend in the past asked me how the UK survive if most of their shops close at 6 pm everyday? Interestingly, it happened and they have no problem with it. I guess gone are the days where the old Asian-type value about 'working hard' dominate what most would think as the determinant of success factor for an economy. There are always more than one way of doing the same things, and more so when considering different cultural backgrounds.

I only feel lucky with my situation in the UK, simply the fact that, I enjoy a healthy work-life balance, I am allowed to work from home and my boss would not doubt about 'what I do' at home. In fact, I choose my office hours, and can flexibly start my day, as long as I fulfilled my duty of 'teaching' and 'attending meetings'. Obviously, politics and others prevail (it is human that we are working with, right?), but there's another matter.

I am happy with the MRT service in Singapore despite previous episodes of delay and seems even more so increasingly. The only thing I complain is the lack of a day-ticket system (which can be understood as it would be costly and given the size of the population and the crowds, that perhaps won't be enough to make up for the loss of revenue from the day-ticket type scheme, which prevails in many cities already, such as London). Anyway, this inevitably affects plan and of course my 'work-life balance' each time I visit Singapore for short stay. But, there you go!

What makes a GREAT friendship?!

"There is a gentlemanly respect and tolerance between us, building on the mutual understandings accumulated over the years."

It's that time of the year where I should be planning for my trip home and getting in at the right time to book good bargain-hunting air-ticket. I inevitably think of my best friend in Singapore, FT. A colleague once said, as the more years you lived, the more you know it is impossible to establish new and lasting friendship with people you just knew, unless it's work or other social occasions, religiously related, family-related, etc. Anyway, this does not bother me very much, I count quality more important than quantity, and yes, less is more. I must have known FT for almost 20 years now. I knew him during my University day. As far as I can remember, that was towards the end of the final year, that I get closer to him, in term of talking about the future after University, etc. As we chat a bit more, I get to know more of FT. He seemed at times "let down" by friends by their seemingly mockery comments and that upset him. I thought perhaps he was quite sensitive, or perhaps his friends could have care a bit more about his feelings. I, however, can tell FT could be a little direct sometimes, but he means no harms and can be quite honest and willing to share his opinions. Once, seeing him again upset by his bunch of other friends again, I told him he can choose his friends no problem (not to imply that he should dump his other friends), just get on with it. I am not sure if it is because of that, our friendship gets better from then on.

It was FT who initially suggested that me and him to go sourcing for Overseas University Masters degree programs based in Singapore and to choose suitable one for us to help advance our career, as it seemed me and him also have a bit of problem on career progress at that time, when we are still at  early stage of working life. As it happens, things leading from one to another, I finally decided that I came to the UK to pursue my MBA in Leeds (rather than doing the distance program in Singapore). FT was not as lucky as me (as I got some financial loans from a good friend), so he didn't to follow me to come to the UK. However, I was not as lucky later as it turns out, since following my MBA completed in 1998, it was Asia Financial Crisis at its worst! I stayed behind to pursue my PhD until I completed it and started a full time academic career about 5 years ago.

FT, however, carried on with his life in Singapore, making every conscious effort to transform his career in the banking sector, as he was a civil servant initially for about 3 years. We kept in touch during my time in the UK, often using MSN to chat and communicate about just anything under the sun. FT later came to Nottingham University to do his MBA. We did visited each other as I was in Edinburgh at that time. After he returned to Singapore, his career progressed every well and I was really happy for him, working from bank to bank, with this role expanding from one to another, showing his increasingly important profile at work. He is currently heading a risk division in one foreign bank based in Singapore. He shared with me his experience on this latest role at work, not hiding from me that, behind all glamorous title holders in a bank, there is a always a dark (i.e., political) side, which I am sure, given his years of experiences, he will handle it well.

Thinking again about this friendship with FT and what makes it great (at least in my opinion, it is!), is that, I think we don't really have any expectation of each other. There is a gentlemanly respect and tolerance between us, that is built on the mutual understandings accumulated over the years. I remember when I visited him at Nottingham, he let me sleep on his bed, while he slept on the floor. In the morning, he tried to make scramble eggs for me, it didn't succeed, and we had a laugh. I still ate some of it. It's the thought that counts, and I appreciated a lot. Now each time when I was about to return back to UK, at the end of my holiday trip in Singapore, he would try to come to the airport to send me off, though sometimes he didn't make it, I still appreciated his thought.

I will always be thankful to FT, because without him, I probably won't see the importance of furthering my education. I probably would still be Singapore at this time and not even sure of my career progress. If FT gets closer to me, because I told him that he has to choose his friend, then I think I am very lucky. I like to think that he had chosen me as his friend. I am lucky. :D

Technologically leveraged friendship

"...Be careful what you wish for.."

Talking about being sentimental and age and how this affects one's view of friendship, I am beginning to realise how powerful technology has developed in such a way that it changed the way you see friendship. I am the more conservative type. I don't have lots of friends on facebook, for example, and not intend on increasing too many too soon, and NOT (what a "narrow escape" on facebook, at least I tried) knowing people without first knowing/seeing them in REAL life. I think friendship can be enhanced by technology, but technology cannot totally replaced how one will know a person. Feeling can be wrongly interpreted, words can be misled. People that you don't know (or not seen at all in real life) only get connected to you by common interest, for example, where exchanges of opinions took place and nothing else. Any attempts in this case to try and take things too seriously would only be at one's risk.Yes, it is "superficial" because it cannot get any deeper than the emotional depth, but it serves some purpose. People should really be careful what they wish for. This is  my personal experience and opinion and only apply to some people.

When I was younger, living/working in  a place like Singapore (as least for me) makes one feel a little difficult about establishing good friendship, as in what basis are you "friending" people and what "motives", if it is for business, and if you stripped off the element of "business", what make people connect with people began to be clear and if you are not up for a friendship, then it all fell into pieces. I often have this issue while I was working in the commercial sector, dealing with clients and customers and serving them, and putting my minds making them happy people. I certainly didn't quite understand the sophistication of human relationships. I was also often caught up with not "catching up" with existing friends, as in if you not seen them for a while the friendship will "fade away" and then you feel so weird visiting them on Chinese New Year. You just not sure you visit them for the New Year or because you want to "catch up" with them. When things are not making sense, it lost me altogether.

I often quite fancy a good old fashion long distance friendship. Letter writing is such a sentimental experience, where you put your thoughts and emotion down, putting them in words and expressed them beautifully to your pals. Over time, technology advanced the pace and depth of friendship development. Generally or at least for me, I find people do meet, but maybe not so often, and we should not really bother too much about it, unless if you began to expect a bit more then this way of developing friendship is not for you (or maybe you should find a different type of website or way of communicating with your friends).

In short, in this context of friendship, meeting or no meeting does not matter, it's the quality of friendship that matter. I am enjoying and benefiting from this. My recent chats with friends, whom I last met only one or two years ago have been empowering and reassuring. May this carry on for as long as possible. Of course, people may come or they may just go, still there is no expectation whatsoever, it's really whether your other chat mates share the same belief with you on building friendship this way. I have been lucky to know friends supporting this belief. I would just enjoy the time and the quality that I get from such meaningful interactions, so thanks to GG, YC, George and a few others. Friendship has never been so simple.It's GREAT! :D

Not SM(A)RT anymore

"... it was not meant to be, so don't be unhappy....."

A friend on facebook posted a message about "income opportunity" and I asked her if she was short of cash and she told me the background to it. I didn't realize it was a joke. She explained to me and I saw where she came from. Report shows that following the huge 5 hours long disruptions, SMRT in the midst of clearing off huge passengers backlog, tried to mobilise its taxi drivers to help with transportation and inappropriately termed this as "income opportunity". It is always interesting to observe happenings in Singapore and see how people react. The reactions, in my opinions, would be what shaped up Singapore's thinking in the future. This should evolve over time and become part of our values. Interesting also is the integration of social media in the process moving people in the right and wrong directions.

To me, any "mistakes" made by the public services in Singapore is a "shock" because these were meant to be "perfect" and people have "high expectations", remembering and reasonable enough, Singapore also live by it's international rating of its quality and standard. I think sooner or later, we will all have to come to term with this and appropriately face it. Unfortunately, this made a lot of people not able to and not know how to "let go" and kept being hung up or angry over it all because we want it to be perfect. Honestly, this is just public transports, there has got to be more important things in life other than this, can we not just put it aside. I am sure the media will report lots of this and people will be reminded again and again.

By international standard, the "mistake" is quite normal. Over here, people face disruptions in transport very often, things do happen, and people also unhappy but accepting to it. Disruption due to weather, strikes, technical, etc, you can name it. The quality of underground also not as good as in Singapore MRT. Singapore may be one of the world's fastest growth economy, but there is no "short cut" coming to public transports, it is still a very steep learning curve. So, we ought to be patient and even to forgive those who claim about "income opportunity", inappropriate as it may seem, SMRT also not experience handling "shock". I am sure as time passed, people are also likely to face such things again, not to say we compromise on the standard, as things do happen and this is a fact. It is better we get ready to revise expectation and face this realistically.

Can we not be a bit "international" when facing this? Why not adopt a sense of humour, take it easy, take it in our stride and let your fiery reaction find a place to be put at rest. Stop reading how people wrote or react to this online or Twitter as this only makes you more angry and this is bad for your soul. Still, social media is good in shaming the bad behaviour (though in my view is forgivable) of SMRT. Having said that, we have to be very careful about how we are affected by social media.  If there were things that made you unhappy already, why add on to the list. Perhaps we should just take things one at a time and face everyday as if a new beginning.

What is the "attraction" of 阿娣

"At times, less is more.."

I seem not able to do without watching "Devotion" (阿娣) while in Singapore. Okay, mediacorp drama series is one of the most least favourite among some friends I know. But, sorry, I am actually quite interested in it. Some early critics had it that the storyline is very unrealistic. Ah Di, the main character, played by Zoe Tay is too good too be true. Her adoption of unwanted kids was criticised to be over exaggerating, as no one can be that kind in the real world. 

If we look at how Zoe Tay played this character, she is doing a good job, though the storyline sometimes has its problem. Having said that, I see something in Zoe Tay's character, that is, the attractiveness. Interestingly, one didn't find Ah Di to be a very outspoken person. She is quiet, introverted, but she has a way with things. I would describe Ah Di's type of personality to be effective, rather than efficient (other than her "efficiency" bringing up all her adopted kids). 

People attract people. Indeed, you find some characters slowly attracted and "glued" towards Ah Di as the story developed. The interesting thing is, you didn't find Ah Di to be "doing a lot", as in her sort of character, more of the inward looking type, you would have thought to be more on the "soft" side. But, why is she so "attractive" like a magnet?

Some people don't have to do a lot to win the hearts of others. It all based on their true nature and unpretentious personalities. At times, less is more, this just helped one to channel and focus every source of energy one has in the right direction, enabling one to take things in their own strides and slowly making things happened, given with some time, determination and more importantly, patience. Zoe  Tay, as an actress, has successfully portrayed such unique, distinctively different quality in the character. Her acting is great, though I think the story could be better written.

Home is where the heart is?

"No, home is in your hands!"

I had a really nice meal with a former college senior earlier this afternoon in a nice, and cosy Malay's food outlet. Away from the nearby busy crowded Raffles place, we found this fine food outlet selling nice and very authentic Malay food. In front of us, we have curry of at least three different flavours, including the creamy coconuts flavours. They were really delicious and I enjoyed it a lot. My former college senior and I had a rather long lunch, talks and discussions. We of course didn't miss out bringing up our good old days in our Junior College (SAJC) days. We shared quite a lot and yes, and we began to miss those days, but realised though we appear to have moved on, one reason why what some people had said to us in those days remained in our memories forever, is because those words were real and truthful, whether out of anger or arguments.

My college senior walked me to the nearby bus stop after we finished the lunch, and she popped up one question, "Do you still find Singapore is like your home or you think you are on holiday?", I answered, "well, I supposed I am on holiday, see, I even sent a couple of postcards to my UK friends, so I am taking this trip as a holiday". I continued, "I am trying to feel the same wherever I am, and not get confused travelling across time zones and spaces, that way perhaps, everywhere is home." Before my college senior left me, she text me her address and ask me to send her a postcard when I return back to the UK. I understand she want to make me feel there is a "home" in Singapore too. I thought that was so nice and I was moved by her kind gesture.

They say, home is where the heart is, thank god, I still have a heart that know about this, but then, isn't that all about identity? if you can identify yourselves or able to associate with things whenever you go, everywhere is home to you. That perhaps is a bit higher level, as it meant you must really have travelled so widely to experience that. But then, it is also about expectation and adaptability, in everywhere you travelled, every experiences you encountered. It's a journey, so perhaps there is no home, only your luggage and you, forever seeking the "destination", but also enjoying what you see along the way, enjoying the view and having a good time :D

Visiting Singapore; Visiting people

"... but, who will I visit and how many will I visit"

I emailed a friend yesterday, telling him, how differently I felt each time I returned to Singapore. Indeed, I am suddenly a bit confused whether going back Singapore, as if a routine (just like some may think visiting relatives during the Chinese New Year), is this doing it for my parents (as they probably miss me) or doing it for me (taking time off, holidaying, etc) or perhaps a bit of both, but still not sure which is more. I find myself knowing lesser and lesser friends in Singapore, following my long stay and work in the UK, which is inevitable. Each time I went back Singapore, those who I SURELY want to meet, guess who? well, those who went to college/University with me, those friends I get along well in the past. So, hopefully something can be planned along those lines.

Sometimes, I thank facebook; some other times, I hated it. Facebook help bridged people who lost touch in the past, but also brought back nightmare, some old enemies, who you made during those immature years at school. Forget about "mending the relationship", something in life are just worth forgetting, right? I remember getting in touch with my secondary school mates once using a social media (i don't think is facebook), and we had a couple of gathering in a couple of years I went back Singapore. After that, I don't feel like attending and never attend anymore, just not sure what to chat about, also, I spent so many years in the UK, there is really no common talking point.

The social media change the way people perceived friendship. I always think there must be some gaps left behind. Human is complex enough. However, you do lost touch with your "self", and forget altogether what you want and doing things the majority are doing, which is not necessary. Interesting, I do find a couple of funny people during the University day that I like to get in touch back again. I am happy to find one such friend on facebook. I really look forward to meeting him in my trip back to Singapore.

I actually like meeting some of my aunties. Most of them adore me when I was little. I think I am really lucky here. I also like to meet a couple of  "distant" uncles. I like meeting them because they like to "chat" and downplay making meeting like a big thing, so normally will do with cup of tea, simple drink, etc, which I prefer. I guess this is a bit like a very Western thing, where you will say to a mate, "let's go for a pint, I buy you a drink and we can have a chat". We normally go to the "public house" (pub). In Singapore, we may go to the "coffee shop". However, "coffee shop" tends to be "greasy", but there are "posher" ones these days. On the other, pubs also have quieter one and nosy one, all up to your preference.

I had not made plans already to meet people this time back to Singapore. I guess I will meet the "usual suspects" and give some surprise phone calls to some on my lists that I had not contacted for ages. I guess I should not be too ambitious over the coming 3 weeks, also to take things easy. If not able to meet up with so and so, can also do next time. It is strange that some people still feel "offended" just because you didn't go and see them. I don't get it. Anyway, I can't spend too much time on them. I must think more for myself and have time for myself. There will be two hours left before my plane landed in Singapore tomorrow this time. I am looking forward to it, the journey more than the destination actually.

The Singapore GE 2011: Apology, Social Media's war and the voting outcomes

"..... in the long term, Singapore will be fine. It is what you expect from it that matters."

The Singapore General Election 2011 had just taken place on the 7th of May. The current government taking charge by the People Action Party had ruled Singapore for more than 30 years now, only managed to gain 60.14% of the total votes cast by the people, that is a huge reduction compared to that in 2006 which was 66%. News has reported that the government will investigate into this. Being living in the UK for about 10 years now, I already cannot imagine how it felt like living in Singapore. I do visit Singapore every year and can sense the difference one year after another. Reading some the news report and after observations and evaluations, the followings are the three areas which I found are the most important coming out from this most recent Election.

1) Apology - It is refreshing to see and hear political leader saying "sorry". This is a first. I am sure in the earlier years of the political development of Singapore, this could never have happened. What does it mean and what this imply? In my opinion, while it is commendable that apology was granted, but somehow this was not done at the right time. And strategically, it was unsound. It certainly not act in the favor to say sorry in the midst of the election, whether it is late or not. The PAP paid a price here, I am sure. In a positive light, to be able to apologize show that the government is willing to take a step back and see the big picture and to move forward from there. Perhaps the relatively lower votes cast for the PAP is a blessings in disguise?

2) The war of the social media - There were arguments that the recent GE 2011 is becoming like a Social Media Election. This is quite a new idea. It just made you amazed how far technological leveraging can go. Now it even goes to the extent to potentially influence the outcome of an Election. Singaporeans are known to be a bit reserved coming to voicing one's comments. This, apart from the environment that most are brought up, is also the rather restrictive "freedom of speech" being practiced. However, the social media like facebook and twitters, open up a new platform for opinions and viewpoints to be transmitted at unbelievably high speed rate. What is to be noted is that, this helped people formulate thinking and thoughts and which is something, the politicians should not ignore.Therefore, when PM Lee claimed "he was a newbie " when replying to questions on facebook, he appeared so uncool! Unless the government totally banned social media's expression of opinions and points of view like in other countries such as China, social media is a bit of a challenge as "freedom" is totally "uncontrollable".

3) The voting outcome of Aljunied GRC - I often admired people who put in effort and take time to see things materialise and be patient about it. At time, you don't get it right, but you keep going and in the end you made it. On this note, I have my respect for the Worker Party who won this. I must also say it is a VERY tough job. Looking at how well the PAP ruled Singapore, but still missing out on important points. How well these are conveyed to the people, without appearing too over-the-top is a tough job to learn, especially in Singapore when "freedom of speech" must be taken with extra care, it made it hard to really have allowances for "errors", and the more I admired what the Worker Party had achieved. They certainly know what they are doing and what role they play. They convinced the people and they won their votes. They know the people.

I am sure in the long term, Singapore will be fine. It is what you expect from it that matters. So, if you expect "more voices" to represent you in the Parliaments and if that happened, will you be happy? At the end of the day, it is the attitude to life that matters, whether there are  "more voices", "less voices" or without voice, it really does not make big difference strictly speaking. However, things only change for the better and we should all feel hopeful about it. :D

Who would say NO to a FREE meal?

"...... of course, unless if you are a fish. :D"

I am a bit under the weather last few days and start to cut back on meeting friends or going out, so I end up spending time at home with parents and doing some stuff on the web. I recalled people that I met last one week and count those who "paid" for me when dining out, like with my former lecturer. There were quite a number of them. Mom didn't like the idea of "being treated" for dining or meal. I think the Westerners will normally graciously say "thank you" to that. Traditionally, I think Asians or those more conservative one, regards "being treated" for meals as a sign of "people belittles you", so one must "return" that. As a result, people like my mom who detest such idea, think that is paisay (i.e., embarrassed) to have people treating you for something. I think this is an "attitude" issue. I didn't beg people to do the same to me, it's happen and when people do that, they are happy to do so, unless people do with an ultimate motive, which can be quite obvious from the start, and for that, I will stay away or avoid, but these are quite rare, how would one say no to someone want to give you a treat?! :D

The other days, a friend was telling me about vides and how they are magnetic and attract people. I then began to think about my vides and how it "attracts" people to "treat" me. Well, I am borne in the year of dog. Dogs are generally likable and they are man's best friend. I like to think that, perhaps these are the two qualities that attracts people around me. However, dogs are also great assets to man, like they guard doors, lead the blinds, hunt the dead, etc, so as long as "keeping an account balanced" is not necessary, as in, the person who treats me lunch, expects me to return the treat, I (i.e., dogs) am quite hamless and friendly, except a bit needy at times. LOL. I don't believe in keeping the accounts balanced, though I try to do so as best as I can, but somehow find it hard especially "repaying" to a senior as I don't know how to handle it when people, especially a senior becomes very "persistent" and "decline my kindness" to repay. To "compensate" for that, I normally would pass the "good deeds" forward.

I had a call today from a toastmaster friend, who suggested that we go for a meal on Friday with his family and friend, and that he openly says he will buy it for me. I told my mom about this and my mom told me me a junior should treat the senior. I told her, in that case, if I got chance, I will treat my junior peers then, students, friends, relatives, etc. Yes, like I said before, passing the "good deeds" forward and more people will enjoy the "fruits" and that should "balance things up". :D

Cabin Fever

Today is a typical day as if "working from home'. I worked on my research all day, spending time on the Excel spreadsheet and not leaving the flat. In the UK, this would have been bad as 'too isolated' could cause 'cabin fever". You could go bad just like Jack Nicholson in 'Shining'. Watch the Trailer and imagine what "cabin fever' felt like, scary huh? :D



In any case, it also rained almost all day. And it poured, unlike those rains I experienced in the UK, as if spitting. Actually, 'doing some work' is good during the holiday as it helps "holiday-work" balance and allow you to feel 'in touch' and 'control' on your research. Of course, you are enjoying this as you find good spirited moods taken over your emotion following you completion of a certain set of work, and then to leave some for later, :D

Healthy food/healthy living is an option

".. but we do have a choice, and we make choices."

Met my Friend LX at JCoDonuts at Bugis junction. Really like this coffee/Donuts cafe. It located at a rather cosy corner and has its own unique character. The website introduces its business and has a section on healthy ingredient. LX was a secondary friend, who is now pursuing a PhD at Australia, doing a topic on Education. I remember LX told me that fruits were really cheap at Australia, and he even bought a fruit juicers and going for a healthy living style. However, he will be back to Singapore following his expected completion of the PhD by end of the year.

We went for a walk nearby after finishing our coffee. The weather was very hot and humid, a total contrast to the cool environment in the cafe. Bugis areas are often very crowded with stalls situated along pedestrian walkway nearby, and there is a market place nearby, in which "fast food" style local dishes were served, you can "eat in" or take away. I remember now each of such stall is classified with governmental approval of "cleanliness and hygiene' standard, either A, B or C. Interestingly in the UK, I don't remember we see this, perhaps there were not very many such outlet, though takeaways are quite common. What however is practiced in the UK, is the food labels highlighting the food nutrients in term of sugar, fat and salt mainly. See the website here. UK has serious problem about overweight and especially among the men. Has any research about similar situation in Singapore been done yet?

I kind of feel that, I cannot imagine the Singapore government doing the food labels like what the UK did, because if that is the case, a lot of food stalls will have to close down, many things in Singapore like those you find in Bugis area, are nice but sweet stuff and what's more Singapore is famous for it's food. It is a food paradise, where do healthy option stands here, nowhere to be seen really. Foreigners visiting here is fine, tasting food like this once in a while is fine. If you live in Singapore, you are often surrounded by tempting and tasty food, healthy food/healthy living becomes an option but for some, they don't even have a sense about healthy living and sadly, only know the importance after problem arise like high fat, high blood pressure, etc kicks in.

whether you are happy..

"it worked out quite similarly like a zero-sum game"

I met two friends today. Both were my High School's mates. I should say both are of different stages in their career too. ZW is now a VP of international Sales in a Major MNC firm, while KH, still seems to me, finding its way getting a grip of what he is best at. All of us are of the same age. It is often easier to open up and share with friends of the same age, as we share similar things a lot more than others. As we open up the conversation, I realise a bit more about their attitudes and what they value. ZW, as far as I remember, inspired to have their own family, wants to settle down and have a good career, by the time he reached xx year old, which I think he already get it now. As for KH, he seemed to have up and down for the past few years in his life, which unfortunately, I was not being updated about, but that was also because I was not close with him, job change, sales of his business and divorce, all seemed drastic to me.

I am also lucky to have found my footing after all these days. There are obviously pros and cons in the UK compared to Singapore. Taxation is not something my friends like, but pension scheme is something not everyone understand. Pension crisis happens everywhere affected by factors such as aging population, and so is Singapore, and that should not make a different. KH also commented the high rank pay of professorship is "not very high", but I supposed that is depending on exchange rate and what one is looking for.

At one point, ZW even suggested I come back to teach in Singapore. SIM, ploy, etc, which I was not too sure because they are not really proper University. I find KH needs some solid speciality for him to excel in his career, which I also suggested to him. At the end of the day, you win some and you lose some. It worked out quite similarly like a zero-sum game. It is where you are and where you worked and whether you are happy, that matters.

The Anchorage

"She is one of the few people who know me a lot more than I know myself,...."

I am writing my blog now with the fan behind me turn its head right and left, left and right, as if showing the disapproval of the Singapore's weather, just like the way I felt. I met DL at the Anchorage this afternoon, modern shopping mall in the town area. DL is one of those friends from my University's day who did brilliantly for her career. She is one of the few I knew who has now taken senior management role and she can still tell me she finds no potential and want to find some more challenges elsewhere, despite earning an impressive 6 figures annually, anyone should feel jealous of her.

She is one of the few people who know me a lot more than I know myself. She taught me what it meant to be "perceptive" by claiming I am one and letting me later to find out more about this and excel in it, how charming is that! :D We were talking about the good old University's day and brought this up and had a laugh. That was like more than 15 years ago now.

DL might appear a bit aggressive and ambitious for her own good, by the way she describe to me how she deals with situation at work, but she is never untruthful, as direct and as honest she is and never failed to come with an air of charisma that you cannot help not notice it. She had three children, suffer a miscarriage of a pair of twins and nearly having a breakdown, and here she is, like she used to be and will be as always, full of energy. It was really nice having able to catch up and see her again.

My Last Saturday before I travel back S'pore

"......perhaps it is just me expecting too much...."

This is the last Saturday before I head home next Tuesday. My normal usual self expect that I clear as much as possible before I left here. I have a list of things to do. Get my DvDs, charge my battery of my laptop, burn my workfiles all on DVDs, etc. One final thing I like to bring back is a couple of novels just in case I get really bored. There are some excitements, but also fear of possible disappointment for not being able to get the most of my holiday, perhaps it is just me expecting too much or a bit of a perfectionist, I guess.

I have been wanted to send JL something about our next project, so I really should start doing some search tomorrow. Today I did some stuff for LLY, spent whole lots of time trying to figure out where my spreadsheet gone wrong. I kept writing notes and taking down points that I might have missed, all are rather tedious, but thank god, at the end, I get some expected findings, which I am pleased. I should be able to re-organise a new datafile for LLY for her to "train" them using neural network programme. Tomorrow must really get a bit more stuff organised. I always have to remind myself this, and then in the end, you don't find yourselves in situation as bad as you had thought, phew! :D