The Golden Years Ahead?

Yesterday's sunday times seem to echo the tagline "The Golden Years Ahead" very prominently, with its special mention of Singaporeans who splurge on $580 risotto, flashy cars, million dollar condo, and the like. What the papers fail to mention is how many of such singaporeans are there?

We often forget the papers only report what its audience is interested in. Even the 'proper' and not 'tabloid' papers do that ok...
Hence, I'd take what I see in print , particularly the papers with a pinch of salt. Perhaps I am too much of a skeptic. or is it a case of sour grapes?

Yet when I strolled along orchard road, from grange road to botanic gardens on Saturday, I observed the myraid of landed properties and the size of these sprawling mansions. There are indeed many uber rich in Singapore. Whether they splurge on birdnest mooncakes (888 bucks each), etc , I wouldnt ever know since I am not in the 'inner clique'..

But then again, if I am THAT rich, I probably wont care what I spend on huh? Its only because I am not , that I am looking at all these... with hmmm... 'sour grapes' ? :p

When will man stop using God as a scapegoat?

I am very apalled to learn about the death of the south korean pastor who was killed by the Taleban in Afghanistan. I just hope that the hostages will be released soon, by some work of miracle... though I am not too hopeful.. I am not sure how the situation is like right now, I havent read any news. I hope that no news means good news.. The Taleban has even gone on to say they encourage more 'kidnappings'..

I also just read about the bombing in the red mosque in Pakistan.. All the violence commited in the name of God makes me wonder.. when will man stop using god as a 'scapegoat' for their own atrocities and selfish agenda?

I am not going to start 'preaching'. I am not hopeful that the violence will stop anytime soon. Just flip through any history book and its pretty easy to read about violence and wars. If it feels like there is more violence in this new 'generation', then I beg to differ. Its probably that we are more 'aware' now when we are 'older' (when we were younger, maybe we didnt pay that much attention). If some said the 70s were the golden era, alot of peace , etc. then I beg to differ again. Memories play tricks on us and those times were violent and turbulent too.

I suppose its 'safe' to conclude that it is man's sinful nature.. There is always a 'reason' however 'irrational' behind our 'actions'. Man is fully capable of rationalising any decisions made.. Furthermore concocting stories and glorifying the cause..

Technology may have advanced, lives may have changed. But we remain very much the same..

近 朱 者 赤 近 墨 者 黑 。。

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn12343

Got this article from friend. From the way things go, does that mean I better make friends with skinnier people too (to balance up) and probably make friends with 'richer' people, to balance the 'wealth' level? Haha. Maybe huh?

The article reminds me of the chinese saying. There is , I think, some semblance of truth. If you make friends with people who are negative, invariably, you'd be influenced. Likewise, if everyone around you strive to excel and are 'high fliers', then you'd somewhat be driven as well to want to do so.

I suppose this is like 'group think'...

I dont like this conditioning, but I think I am still 'subjected' to it. Can I be like the 'Matrix' , and get out of the 'system that bind me' ?

Property Woes

My colleague has starting looking for an apartment. The current rental unit she is staying in may just go en bloc next year. In view of the prices that seem to be only increasing, not falling any moment, she thought she better start looking. For those who had bought their homes before the hike , they will most likely be very glad. For those with additional housing and who wants to take this chance to sell (since they already have a roof over their head), they can see themselves alot more richer. Some businesses are also hit . Gaia Yoga has closed its business, citing property rental hikes and inability to sustain business at current costs. (maybe also due to intense competition)

Hopefully the prices will be more reasonable a few years down the road? Or will it only escalate further? I shudder to think. I am not the kind to plan long term..Perhaps I should learn to plan now! But since I cant get an apartment yet, I guess I dont have to think too much about it.

I hope the prices will 'stabilise' soon. I think there is enough supply actually. Just that Greed and now Fear is driving the market crazy. That probably happens when 4 million and in future , maybe 6.5 million people are cramped on a tiny island.. Even 'brain waves' get affected and everyone just feel the 'impulse' to 'jump' when they see others 'jumping' ...:p (hence the faddish crazes that range from bubble teas, cinnamon buns, rotiboys and now donut factories.. singaporeans cant help but 'jump on the bandwagon' )

Poppy Power

Spidey came over to take some pictures of Poppy last saturday. Here are 2 of the pictures. He took like 19 in total!

Honours and the Lack of it

I asked my friend if he has honors degree and he told me he has. I asked if its a prerequisite for government sector jobs. He told me, because it is not honourable to work in there, hence its a prerequisite to have honors degree'. Haha.. I know it sounds pretty lame, but the lameness of the statement is really quite funny.

Another friend of mine is currently looking for jobs, and he sounded dismayed when the human resource person from a particular government sector asked if he has honours, why he could do master degree,etc, etc. He susbesquently told me , a manager friend of his told him, he shouldnt even include his master degree in his resume, and that he should have studied his basic degree well, etc, etc. .cos thats all the government will look at. That a master degree is only for those who are hardworking.. dont mean the person is smart..

If everyone thinks like this manager, graduate schools , Chicago business school, insead, to name a few , can all close shop. No one will be thinking of 'improving' 'knowledge' by going for extra courses, etc..since 'one would just look at the basic degree'.

Maybe the government works differently? Maybe this applies to only the government?Perhaps. All I know is if the dear ministers and the like wants the workforce to keep relevant and 'upgrade'.. then the mindset to only look at the 'basic degree' has to change... assessment will need to be made on a more rounded level.

That aside.. its indeed very stressful to go through interviews.. Its never fun to be 'grilled' by another party. If its any comfort, at least its not the "Apprentice' or 'American Idol'.. or any of those reality shows, when you are constantly subjected to scrutiny by other contestants, judges, tv audience, etc. So Interviews are really quite easy afterall huh?! :p

Wow, what a starting pay

If statistics dont lie , fresh graduates are are now said to enjoy starting pay of $2500, in some cases, this can be as much as $3000 or $3500. (The pay in the papers are usually taken from the 'brightest' , 'creme de la crop' high fliers).

No doubt this will leave a bitter after taste for some of us, who has started from much humbler 'beginnings',during the economic crisis that sees pay freezes, retrenchments and the like.

But taken from another perspective, its indeed been a good decade since we graduated. With rising costs and inflation, perhaps the increase in the starting pay is only understandable.

Wait! What about the rest of us still slogging with low pay that probably took us longer time to rise to the current levels these freshies are drawing? Oh well...as the saying goes, life is never fair.

All's not lost though. Just as starting pays are higher for freshies, it would probably be reasonable to see higher pay rise, etc for employees. If anything be, we better enjoy the current good times, before the next downcycle hit us again. Afterall, we mustnt ever forget, what goes up, will come down. All's a matter of time.

Nice Ending

I like how the last book in the harry potter series end. RK rowling has indeed tied everything up nicely. Great story

Blue Monday

Thank goodness today passed in a breeze. Was pretty blue day for me. NOt that things were not good. Its just a general state of mind. Feeling utterly regretful that I had 'wasted' my sunday sleeping away and doing nothing much, and having to face my monday and a truckload of work.. with impending deadlines that crept nearer and nearer with each passing day.

My weekend was good though.. Went to my friend's 'Hello Switzerland.. Goodbye Singapore' farewell bash on saturday. Was nice to chill out.

我爱我的国家!

Got this you tube video from Wolf. Thought its interesting so posting it here. On a different note, I heard a new song to be sung over national day this year. I thought its v nice. I wont be around to watch National Day Parade this year though. Would be in Malaysia for a diving trip. yeh. :D

Husband for Hire

Since Spidey mention about outsourcing, this reminds me of something I read about a 'husband for hire' business in the states some time back.

The novel concept created some uproar as it was unheard of.. In a sense, its a glamourised way of calling repair men, plumbers , 'husbands for hire' (I dont know what other 'plumbing' work they do though! :p) I heard the business is good. as there are indeed alot of single women, who would need such services of the 'handy' man around the house.. hence the term 'husband for hire'.

I am not sure if such a conce'pt can take off in 'prudish' , 'squeamish' Singapore. Perhaps if the terminology is changed, then it would be just like any other repair/handy' business. 'Husband for Hire' probably would come on too strong for our censorship board due to its innate "illicit" connotations..

What do I think of this? Well, it doesnt ring a bell for me, since I dont stay alone. If anything is spoilt, I'd turn to my dad.. That said, its indeed good to have a guy around the house! (Provided he can repair stuff! :p)

Central Mall

Went to central mall with my colleague and her friend to shop, but alas, was disappointed. You'd easily see the clothes sold at Far East Plaza just as well and you'd probably know that alot of those clothes are china made. Not that I have anything against china made.. but at the kind of hefty prices that the shops are pricing. I think no thank you! For that amount, I may as well pay for something of better quality.

Went to Tom Ton for black pig tonkatsu.. YUMMY. The pork is really tender and nice.. Lovely. On the way to the restaurant, saw a horrendous snaking queue outside the ramen place (forgot name, but supposedly v good). What is it with Singaporeans and QUeues? We seem to enjoy queuing.. You see a long snaking queue outside donut factory every night for the past 6 months and now this. Have we got too much time to spare?

Had an early night tonight. I must exercise and work away my fats. Next week I have yet another gathering , celebrating friend's birthday.. So More eating.. and that means I better work out harder!

Can such an arrangement work ?

Someone I know commented some time back that perhaps marriages shouldnt be forever but rather be made on a term basis, renewable once the term is up. For eg. Marriage based on 5 years plan, then both parties will live together as husband and wife for these 5 years. When time is up, then renew on how both parties feel at that point in time. The premise for such an 'arrangement' is that humans arent suitable for marriage now, particularly to face the same person day in day out for the rest of the person's life. Also, it will make 'both parties' work 'harder' and not take each other for granted, so as a result, the marraige will last longer. What do you think?

I think this arrangement wont work. This is like a halfway measure to a full commitment which is what marriage requires. How would the foundation for such a union be if its built with the premise that there could be no brightness of future? Many a marriage had failed because one or both the parties felt they were taken for granted and not given due respect. In such a case, I think even in such temporary arrangements, the union wont last since due consideration is already lacking in the first place.

I think all boils down to individual's mindset. The person who commented on that probably never had a wish to commit full time, hence such solution would work well. But for the rest of the population, marriage the good old style probably works better.

No matter what 'style' , ultimately its not the 'format' of it that determines whether relationships last. If the basic ingredients like respect, love, care, concern, consideration, communication (the list seems to go on forever huh?!) are not present, probably the union is a short lived one.

One conclusion : Humans are complex and tricky. Hence, tis not easy road ahead!

Ever saw someone you rather not see?

Met someone I rather not meet at an art opening today. Glad the person didnt see me. There were some occasions in the past when I experience this. A couple of times, I had no choice but to say hi, as the person (different people) had acknowledged me and I had to make small talk. You ever encounter that?

I rather avoid such situation rather than confront. Thats a problem , I know. Havent get over this habit..

Shock

Neko told me that a schoolfriend of ours had passed on. She was suffering from bladder cancer. Thats the first time I hear of this illness...

I am shocked at the fraility and uncertainty of life..

She was the same age as me.

Am reminded once again, never to take our blessings for granted..

Those Were The Days

A friend of mine was telling me about how she'd tear over this song.She just heard of it sometime in April. Oh yah, this song is no stranger to me. I am a sucker for songs in the 70s and 80s.. Hence, I am definitely familiar. I used to sing to it and each time I sing it, it reminds me of days gone by.. and I'd get all depressed and teary listening to it!

How about you? What songs get you teary?

The lyrics are as follows :

Those Were the Days

Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And dreamed of all the great things we would do

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Then the busy years went rushing by us
We lost our starry notions on the way
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
We'd smile at one another and we'd say

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
In the glass I saw a strange reflection
Was that lonely woman really me

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Through the door there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh my friend we're older but no wiser
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days

Computers

Last friday was almost like a holiday for me, because I cant send any emails out using company server.. Because the mail server was been migrated to another server in the morning 11am. So though I could receive emails, I couldnt do anything. Server suppose to work tmorrow. I spent the day reading articles. Was superbly boring.

I think ours must be the only company that would actually migrate mails in the morning. Oh well, certainly not complaining.

Le Bistrot

Met some of my friends for dinner at Le Bistrot at Stadium Walk. Nice cosy little french restaurant. The food is really good , and we had fun and cracked jokes. My friend brought his colleagues along, and we had a ball of a time. If you like good hearty french food , then I recommend this place. The portions are good. Entree + Main goes for $38 bucks, while Entree+ Main + Dessert at $48. I like the fixed pricing, and find it reasonable.

Go try it sometime! :D

Ken Japanese Noodle House - Orchard Plaza

Had a delicious bowl of Chashu ramen at this tiny Japanese eatery , right across cuppage plaza , beside Ah meng restaurant (which also serve good local foood) . The soup base of the ramen is very flavourful.. and marvellous. I'd go back again if I can..Highly recommended..

Watched transformers after that.. I find it ok.. entertaining, but I wont be watching it again.. Story line is so so. I wonder whats the deal with 'aliens'. Many hollywood films would invariably talk about aliens, etc. Sometimes I wonder if its the workings of scientology.. or who knows, there maybe 'aliens'..:p

As usual, the machines fighting against each other remind me of the 'tumble and rumble' games Americans so love. think WWF, American Football, Monster Wheels.. Of course the graphics are great, alot more fine than the tumble and rumble of these 'loud antics, but still, tis not far off.

The last 30 minutes was rather slow.. lengthy fight and all, I lost focus. I mean its entertaining (some parts were v funny) and earlier part was nice, but still.. how much more can you fight?

So given a chance, I wont watch it again..

070707

There would be 777 couples getting wedded today on 070707. I suppose in 2008, there would be 888 couples getting wedded on 080808, and 999 couples on 090909, and so forth... Or perhaps there would be special lottery on 080808..

Such is our obsession with numbers. Even our identities also get a number, so as to 'record' our existence. Lose that number, you lose your identity and you would very well be 'non-existent'.. Or we could even learn to 'predict' our 'luckiness' with our birthdates with numerology, calculating how our birthdates add up and what lucky number would that be ?

Or on a practical note, we would be forecasting where the stock market goes next, hows the inflation rate? Whats the GST rate now? Interest rates?What would be the next highest selling price for a flat in say, queenstown? would there be any record breakers in the olympic games, whats the score? How much are your grades? How much do you earn ? How old are you ? Whats your weight? whats your vital statistics? Whats your baby's weight? How much you bought the car for ? What telephone number to call to get the cab, ask for information , for helpline? What bus to take? When is the deadline? What is the time?

All these questions pretty much sum up what goes on in our lives everyday... Such is our 'obsession'. .. I simply cant imagine a life without 'numbers'.. Though I am horrid at it.. I fear it, I have to face it.. Some even venture to say numbers, maths, is a 'universal' language.. though I prefer to think that music is.. since I have an aversion to math and numbers.. (mayb that explains why I am bad financially!)

Oh well, the mundane life.. Cant live without it, cant live with it..

May as well make 'numbers' fun.. so anyone going to play blackjack? Or buy lottery this weekend? Maye we can try for 070707 huh? who knows, we may just make a killing..

Manado Pictures

I dont think I'd be able to upload everything here.. just a sampler of what we saw in Manado. Upload some of the pictures at flickr. check this out http://www.flickr.com/photos/7795579@N04

Darwin's Nightmare ....

Watched a harrowing documentary yesterday. I must say its a sobbering 2 hrs plus documentary. On first take, it looks amateurish, but the tale takes a sordid dark turn and the plot thickens. Check the link www.hubertsauper.com for some of the other films the director had produced.

Stripped of snazzy images, special effects and glossy scripts, you see a stark reality that is happening everyday. I come away from it having a new sense of awareness and helplessness.

There seem no immediate solution for the situation..

As the title aptly puts it.. it is indeed Darwin's Nightmare

New pic of Ethan

Neko said she was 'scared' off by the 'skinnier' pic of Ethan I had posted earlier. I asked her to give me a new one. So here goes.. Isnt he cute? I like his small eyes.

Hmm, come to think of it. I think guys with small eyes are more charming and cute. :D

Que Sera Sera , Whatever will be will be

The song sums up my thoughts in many matters pretty well...

****************************************
When I was just a little girl

I asked my mother, "What will I be?

Will I be pretty, will I be rich

Here's what she said to me.

Que Sera, Sera,

Whatever will be, will be

The future's not ours, to see

Que Sera, Sera

What will be, will be.

When I was just a child in school,

I asked my teacher, "What should I try?

Should I paint pictures?

Should I sing songs?"

This was her wise reply:

Que Sera, Sera,

Whatever will be, will be

The future's not ours, to see

Que Sera, Sera

What will be, will be.

When I grew up and fell in love,

I asked my lover, "What lies ahead?

Will we have rainbows

Day after day?"

Here's what my lover said:

Que Sera, Sera,

Whatever will be, will be

The future's not ours, to see

Que Sera, Sera

What will be, will be.


words and music by: Jay Livingston and Ray Evans

My godson - Ethan

He's my good friend, Neko's son. The photo was taken many months back. Think now he would be much bigger. He is v v cute, v fair too, just like his mum (whose nick name is incidentally 'bei bei', meaning white white. While mine is 'or or' , 'black black'.:P)

My personality is somewhat 'rare'?

Tried the personality test on my sweet lullaby website too ..results as follows.Guess I am more 'common' than Oddy.. haha, she isnt oddy for no reason afterall. :D

Your Personality is Somewhat Rare (ENFP)

Your personality type is enthusiastic, giving, cautious, and loyal. Only about 8% of all people have your personality, including 9% of all women and 6% of all men You are Extroverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

And there is Ageism...

Tsk Tsk.. so women above 35 are not welcomed on ladies night at Powerhouse.. 'Ageism' is indeed truely kicking alive..

Indeed Ladies nights are ploys by club owners to 'attract' the 'nubile', 'pretty', 'young' , 'hot' ladies so that the men will follow them like bees to honey and Pay to enter the clubs, thereby increasing revenue for these clubs.. But hey, with an aging population in Singapore and with a sizeable population belonging to women above 35, surely clubs know better than to ruffle these feathers? Afterall, who hasnt heard of 'hell hath no fury like woman scorned'? Most of these women I know earn good incomes and are attractive, nubile, rich (case in point, Celina Lim, who is one such hot chick). Surely dennis , you wouldnt be denying entry to your rich tai tai friends who want to enjoy ladies' night?

Lets turn the tables around on this age old issue (pun intended) and look at ways to pander to this group of women..

Imagine a club that features 'Women Power' nights when on such nights, only women who are established and of a certain breed, need enter..(No ah lians or students) Instead of free drinks, these women would get the coveted attention of cute, handsome, young waiters who are straight, who would pander to their needs for listening ears and just listen to these women talk. (something like going to a 'shrink'). The club isnt closed to men of course. Men who enter on such nights must be young, not above 40, and cool looking. :p ..

u think this will work?

With more power women these days.. I dont see why not.. :p

I'd be first to queue up.. haha

Last Year's Salaries Highest in 6 years ?

Just as I was talking about how salaries didnt increase very much, the saturday chinese papers carry the above headlines "Last year's salaries is the highest in 6 years". The areas with the highest increase are in workers with specialised skills. Average salaries for professionals have risen to $2000 compared to $1850 10 years back, While lower skill works' salaries eg. cleaning workers have dropped from $860 to $600.

Component of the increase is due to rise in basic salaries of 3.6% and counting in 2.18 months of bonuses.. However the papers just mention that the inflation rate is 1% last year, so the real increase in wage is 3.5%.The increase is all well and good. But let us not forget that there was also pay freeze, pay cuts since the financial crisis, retrenchment, and restructuring. Hence,in my cynical opinion, this increase is hardly anything to celebrate by.

Furthermore, costs did increase over the years. Lets just take the simple GST hike for example. From 3% to 5% and now 7%. Just counting the increase from 3%-7% over the past 6 years, the increase in GST ALONE is 4%.

What's my point? Well, statistics aside (I am horribly bad at it anyway), its good salaries did increase, however costs still increase alot more. And if skillset doesnt increase , then the sad reality is salaries would just go down, like the case of cleaning workers.

Hence, headlines are just sensational, but truth is between the lines.