21st May 2011 has come and gone, unlike the prediction of the doomsayers, the birds are still chirping, the sun is still shining (hotter than ever) and the monkeys are still terrorizing humans for food (evolution happening right at our own backyard). Signs of the apocalypse were not evident, however, that doesn't signify that it will not happen. The worse is not over because the worse hasn't been realised. Much has been speculated about the end of times since the dawn of the previous millennium. Every now and then, self-proclaimed doomsday prophets would posit their bizarre theories, however, this theory can only be proven true when life cease to exists. Who then, would be there to crown the winner? Do we spot a Catch 22 situation here?
In Christianity, the end times was synonymous with the judgment day of humanity. The Rapture will be a day where the believers will be caught up to heaven to be with Christ, whereas judgment will be cast on the rest.
In popular culture, alien invasion has been the trend for the world to end, and it usually starts in a major city in US, naturally so since that's where the movies are made. If you have been following my blog, you would recall that I did mention that all we need is Will Smith to save the world Haha.
And who hasn't heard of Nostradamus, his documentation of quatrains has lead many to believe that he predicted the worldwide catastrophic events. Purely a logical fallacy of cause and effect?
The only true prophecy is a self-fulfilling one, whereby humans being weak-willed would believe any plausible theory and thus in effect alter their behaviour to lead to that outcome.
This being said, would fear, eventually lead to the downfall of the human race? So how do we overcome ourselves?
If we succeed, would it lead to the immortality of the Earth and it's living creatures all big and small?
The planet Earth is physical matter just like everything else in the Universe. In theory, infinity is possible, theories are merely words and numbers, created by Man.
Humans may be the most sophisticated being that walked on this Earth, but we are not alone. Flora and fauna complete the Eco System and each creature has it's role to play. Modernity and industrial progress has upset this delicate balance of nature that has been forged through eons of evolution; the adverse effects of our plundering may not be immediate however the realization may arrive too late. Science has long taken over religion as the ruling ethos of society. However, human nature does not change with the times, the obsession of power and greed hasn't lessen. It's just manifested in different even more complex forms. How does one make use of Science to weld power as the religious leaders did in ancient times? By amassing the most resources and in turn monopolizing the most advanced technology feasible. Nuclear warheads and biological warfare (pure evil) are probably at the head of this game.
Although, I've forgotten what I've learned about particle physics but clearly the use of nuclear energy seems more fatal than beneficial. Apparently, the countries (the usual suspects) seem to be competing against each other on who has the most resources to manufacture weapons of mass destruction.
Why would anyone want to split the fundamental building block of matter?! It's like a curious toddler experimenting every toy with his teeth and hurting himself in the process.. duh?
Although I'm not starting a Green movement like dining in the dark or hugging every tree. I admit I'm a tissue paper monster, and this terrible habit has got to go! So I'm threading with baby steps here :)
One thing I know for sure that when Man thinks that he can play God, he is just thwarting the course of nature. Lest we forget that we are just an inconsequential speck in the Universe. Once Man believes that we are at the top of the food chain, Nature is not going to relent to this provocation and that will be the beginning of the end.
You can't choose when or how when you will die, but you can choose how to live.
So ask yourself, if the world would come to an end tomorrow, how would you live your life?
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
My fellow Singaporeans
Since stumbling into adulthood, I have never thought I would address my countrymen and countrywomen as such.
Back during my school days while I was still wide-eyed and innocent, wearing a school uniform gave me an identity. Singing the national anthem and reciting the national pledge at every morning assembly instilled in us that we should never forget who we are.
This daily routine however, was long forgotten once I've entered NUS. My concerns were far from what I can do for my country or what my country can do for me. Fortunately, by virtue of my gender I didn't have to serve NS. Although it made men out of boys, it didn't exactly make any of them more willing to die for their country. Conversely, these men questioned the rationale for NS when PRs and foreign talent were not required to serve their national duty. Furthermore, if war breaks out, does it mean that our natives have to defend the immigrants? When it comes to the crunch, where do the true-blue Singaporeans stand?
What is it that binds us together as one?
What is our national identity? The Flag? The Orchid? The Merlion? Singlish? Complaining? Chilli-Crab?
For the teenage me, it was the national pledge that vaguely gave me a sense of national identity. As powerful as the national anthem is when our voices resonate in harmony with the orchestral fanfare, it was however in Malay. Which was none of my learned languages.
The pledge however, by sheer memory through endless repetition, never fails to overwhelm my heart with pride whenever I recited it during the National Day celebrations accompanied with the instrumental background.
This was lost as the years past, when selling your time for money was the only way to carve out a living in the vicious rat race. We were all saddled with debts even prior to joining the workforce, not including the privileged who's families have deep pockets to fund their education with ready cash. Indeed, we don't live to work, but sadly we have to work to live. Only the fittest survive and this is the mandate in the corporate world, which reveals the ugliest in everyone, backstabbing, boot-licking, manipulation, Donald Trump would definitely approve.
Somehow, our culture has enhanced this characteristic, where the government is always quick to control any anomaly or disparity, any individualism or critical thinking was nipped at the bud hard and fast. People became wary and selfish.
The fear of being unconventional and shame from drawing unwanted attention has been ingrained into us, which is typically an Asian trait. However, this has festered into near-paranoia whereby folks are afraid even to speak openly about the government; for fear of being secretly surveyed and that ninja ISD officials will pounce out of nowhere and arrest you?!
It all started on 28th April 2011, around 7:30 PM, I was at Hougang with Aloysius, walking to the Workers' Party Rally. There were throngs of people heading towards the Rally ground. We were barely approaching the stage and it was already packed to the edge of the field. However, we managed to maneuver through the crowd and find a spot nearer so that we could listen to the speakers. The anticipation while nearing the Rally was already bubbling. I was marvelling at the turn-out and the positive response of the people around me and amused at a few 'loudspeakers' shouting in tandem with the speakers as well as throwing in their own quips. There was no doubt however, that I felt something that was dormant for the longest time, the last inkling of which was during the National Day Parade.
This time round, we were not just spectators watching a show, we were involved, we had a real stake in the outcome. The show would not go own without the other.
There were people of all races and ages, people who rushed from the office, still decked in their working attire and munching their takeaway dinner while listening attentively. Sprightly old folks making their way to the front of the stage like groupies attending a rock concert.
Each time the speakers emphasized a point that addressed the common pains we have, everyone cheered in unison. The field was uneven and we could scarcely see the stage, furthermore it was a humid night, still, everyone stayed put. There was no network reception (SingTel) at all, those on the ground did not know the extent of the crowd. Although, I left after sometime when my back started to act up, I did climb 10 flight of stairs to the top of a nearby HDB block nonetheless to look for Sebastian and Ai Jia.
The view from above was jaw-dropping.
It was alive, it was real, it was awe-inspiring, it was stirring something in all of us, a political awakening, telling everyone that apathy is for fools. The time is now, for everyone to make their decision count, it is a grand time to be an eligible voter in Singapore (except for Tanjong Pagar).
This was just a start, it was like a political......"tsunami". It starts off as an earthquake beneath the surface and the tremors surged through the waters and magnifies exponentially as it approaches the shore. Everyone came together as one. We were drops of water in the vast ocean, almost insignificant. All the puny water droplets bonded by a collective force of the water current that could reach the height of buildings and destroy anything in its like.Together, we have the power to make a change!
I was awed by the WP's drive for a change, moved by the SPP's (Chiam See Tong) heart to reach out to the common folk, skeptical of the PAP's frills and last minute apology, very impressed and proud of (girl power!) NSP's (Nicole Seah) maturity and confidence and of course revolted by TPL's presence throughout the campaign period.
Each time I watch Chiam See Tong's Rallies and while attending his closing session at Bishan Stadium, I felt a lump in my throat. His approach was not of the offensive by tapping on the gripes of the masses, it was simple and sincere. He's humble and he's real, he expressed his love for his country and his people which is driving force all these years (more than a quarter of a century) despite of the odds against him. I was elated to know that he was contesting in my ward. Yet I was apprehensive that this might be his last election in view of his health condition. Speaking of which, each time he was on the podium, it was far from easy for him. On top of which he was attending walkabouts throughout the day. He had difficulty walking and standing upright, spoke slower than the rest and lesser as well but he had the most cheers and you could catch a glint of sparkle in his eye, which showed that he still had the passion to fight for his conviction.
I knew my decision, but on the morning of Polling Day I was feeling unsettled. My intuition was going out of sorts. I was saddled with emotion and almost teared, I was genuinely worried for Mr Chiam. Everyone could see that he was taking (a calculated?) risk, by leaving his beloved Potong Pasir to his wife's hands and venturing towards Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. Being a Bishan resident for more than a decade, I knew very well, we're nothing like Potong Pasir. Bishan is a relatively new town, with not much history, culture or heritage to speak of except for having record-high HDB prices, which plainly spells out the type of folks that Bishan appeals to. Sigh..
It was too true...
Although I was present at Hougang Stadium to celebrate WP's victory,the atmosphere was like none other. Albeit it was with a heavy heart and mixed emotions, upon learning that Chiam See Tong has lost both Potong Pasir and Bishan-Toa Payoh. Was this the end of his legacy, since PAP taking over the helm allowed them to redraw the boundaries and thereby turning Potong Pasir to a GRC thus minimizing the opposition any chance to contest for it?
For 27 years, he was the lone-ranger in Parliament. The only minister without a comfy office at his town council, the only minister who had to fight for HDB upgrading in this town when it can be granted freely to the rest of the constituencies. His accolades might not be as fanciful as the other ministers but he might be the only one of his kind to touch the hearts of many beyond the boundaries of Potong Pasir.
The very next day, I scoured the trusty Internet (Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo news) for any updates on the aftermath of his lost.
He was quoted "Next time we will do better. We shall never surrender. In the end, we shall win the battle, we shall conquer. Thank you everybody for coming,"
Wow! Mr Chiam won me over again and deserves all my respect. He's a fighter till the very end. Spirit undampened in spite his age, physical condition and the setback of the polling results. Words could scarcely describe the respect and regard I have towards him.
He has emerged victorious in spite of the outcome of this election, he made a difference in not just in my life but everyone else. Venturing out of his comfort zone, he's fully aware that he might jeopardize his ministerial position. He has spread the word of democracy and hope across this country which was crippled with apathy.
He holds a pivotal role in this dawning of a new era. I hope that everyone will return the favour and continue his fight together for a better future for us. A future whereby everyone is engaged in the public arena, the interests of the greater good of the community is the focus of the public service and constructive political discourse is encouraged not shunned.
This is just the beginning of a new age.
Back during my school days while I was still wide-eyed and innocent, wearing a school uniform gave me an identity. Singing the national anthem and reciting the national pledge at every morning assembly instilled in us that we should never forget who we are.
This daily routine however, was long forgotten once I've entered NUS. My concerns were far from what I can do for my country or what my country can do for me. Fortunately, by virtue of my gender I didn't have to serve NS. Although it made men out of boys, it didn't exactly make any of them more willing to die for their country. Conversely, these men questioned the rationale for NS when PRs and foreign talent were not required to serve their national duty. Furthermore, if war breaks out, does it mean that our natives have to defend the immigrants? When it comes to the crunch, where do the true-blue Singaporeans stand?
What is it that binds us together as one?
What is our national identity? The Flag? The Orchid? The Merlion? Singlish? Complaining? Chilli-Crab?
For the teenage me, it was the national pledge that vaguely gave me a sense of national identity. As powerful as the national anthem is when our voices resonate in harmony with the orchestral fanfare, it was however in Malay. Which was none of my learned languages.
The pledge however, by sheer memory through endless repetition, never fails to overwhelm my heart with pride whenever I recited it during the National Day celebrations accompanied with the instrumental background.
This was lost as the years past, when selling your time for money was the only way to carve out a living in the vicious rat race. We were all saddled with debts even prior to joining the workforce, not including the privileged who's families have deep pockets to fund their education with ready cash. Indeed, we don't live to work, but sadly we have to work to live. Only the fittest survive and this is the mandate in the corporate world, which reveals the ugliest in everyone, backstabbing, boot-licking, manipulation, Donald Trump would definitely approve.
Somehow, our culture has enhanced this characteristic, where the government is always quick to control any anomaly or disparity, any individualism or critical thinking was nipped at the bud hard and fast. People became wary and selfish.
The fear of being unconventional and shame from drawing unwanted attention has been ingrained into us, which is typically an Asian trait. However, this has festered into near-paranoia whereby folks are afraid even to speak openly about the government; for fear of being secretly surveyed and that ninja ISD officials will pounce out of nowhere and arrest you?!
It all started on 28th April 2011, around 7:30 PM, I was at Hougang with Aloysius, walking to the Workers' Party Rally. There were throngs of people heading towards the Rally ground. We were barely approaching the stage and it was already packed to the edge of the field. However, we managed to maneuver through the crowd and find a spot nearer so that we could listen to the speakers. The anticipation while nearing the Rally was already bubbling. I was marvelling at the turn-out and the positive response of the people around me and amused at a few 'loudspeakers' shouting in tandem with the speakers as well as throwing in their own quips. There was no doubt however, that I felt something that was dormant for the longest time, the last inkling of which was during the National Day Parade.
This time round, we were not just spectators watching a show, we were involved, we had a real stake in the outcome. The show would not go own without the other.
There were people of all races and ages, people who rushed from the office, still decked in their working attire and munching their takeaway dinner while listening attentively. Sprightly old folks making their way to the front of the stage like groupies attending a rock concert.
Each time the speakers emphasized a point that addressed the common pains we have, everyone cheered in unison. The field was uneven and we could scarcely see the stage, furthermore it was a humid night, still, everyone stayed put. There was no network reception (SingTel) at all, those on the ground did not know the extent of the crowd. Although, I left after sometime when my back started to act up, I did climb 10 flight of stairs to the top of a nearby HDB block nonetheless to look for Sebastian and Ai Jia.
It was alive, it was real, it was awe-inspiring, it was stirring something in all of us, a political awakening, telling everyone that apathy is for fools. The time is now, for everyone to make their decision count, it is a grand time to be an eligible voter in Singapore (except for Tanjong Pagar).
This was just a start, it was like a political......"tsunami". It starts off as an earthquake beneath the surface and the tremors surged through the waters and magnifies exponentially as it approaches the shore. Everyone came together as one. We were drops of water in the vast ocean, almost insignificant. All the puny water droplets bonded by a collective force of the water current that could reach the height of buildings and destroy anything in its like.Together, we have the power to make a change!
I was awed by the WP's drive for a change, moved by the SPP's (Chiam See Tong) heart to reach out to the common folk, skeptical of the PAP's frills and last minute apology, very impressed and proud of (girl power!) NSP's (Nicole Seah) maturity and confidence and of course revolted by TPL's presence throughout the campaign period.
Each time I watch Chiam See Tong's Rallies and while attending his closing session at Bishan Stadium, I felt a lump in my throat. His approach was not of the offensive by tapping on the gripes of the masses, it was simple and sincere. He's humble and he's real, he expressed his love for his country and his people which is driving force all these years (more than a quarter of a century) despite of the odds against him. I was elated to know that he was contesting in my ward. Yet I was apprehensive that this might be his last election in view of his health condition. Speaking of which, each time he was on the podium, it was far from easy for him. On top of which he was attending walkabouts throughout the day. He had difficulty walking and standing upright, spoke slower than the rest and lesser as well but he had the most cheers and you could catch a glint of sparkle in his eye, which showed that he still had the passion to fight for his conviction.
I knew my decision, but on the morning of Polling Day I was feeling unsettled. My intuition was going out of sorts. I was saddled with emotion and almost teared, I was genuinely worried for Mr Chiam. Everyone could see that he was taking (a calculated?) risk, by leaving his beloved Potong Pasir to his wife's hands and venturing towards Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. Being a Bishan resident for more than a decade, I knew very well, we're nothing like Potong Pasir. Bishan is a relatively new town, with not much history, culture or heritage to speak of except for having record-high HDB prices, which plainly spells out the type of folks that Bishan appeals to. Sigh..
It was too true...
Although I was present at Hougang Stadium to celebrate WP's victory,the atmosphere was like none other. Albeit it was with a heavy heart and mixed emotions, upon learning that Chiam See Tong has lost both Potong Pasir and Bishan-Toa Payoh. Was this the end of his legacy, since PAP taking over the helm allowed them to redraw the boundaries and thereby turning Potong Pasir to a GRC thus minimizing the opposition any chance to contest for it?
For 27 years, he was the lone-ranger in Parliament. The only minister without a comfy office at his town council, the only minister who had to fight for HDB upgrading in this town when it can be granted freely to the rest of the constituencies. His accolades might not be as fanciful as the other ministers but he might be the only one of his kind to touch the hearts of many beyond the boundaries of Potong Pasir.
The very next day, I scoured the trusty Internet (Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo news) for any updates on the aftermath of his lost.
He was quoted "Next time we will do better. We shall never surrender. In the end, we shall win the battle, we shall conquer. Thank you everybody for coming,"
Wow! Mr Chiam won me over again and deserves all my respect. He's a fighter till the very end. Spirit undampened in spite his age, physical condition and the setback of the polling results. Words could scarcely describe the respect and regard I have towards him.
He has emerged victorious in spite of the outcome of this election, he made a difference in not just in my life but everyone else. Venturing out of his comfort zone, he's fully aware that he might jeopardize his ministerial position. He has spread the word of democracy and hope across this country which was crippled with apathy.
He holds a pivotal role in this dawning of a new era. I hope that everyone will return the favour and continue his fight together for a better future for us. A future whereby everyone is engaged in the public arena, the interests of the greater good of the community is the focus of the public service and constructive political discourse is encouraged not shunned.
This is just the beginning of a new age.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Where do we go from here?
This isn't where we intended to be
We had it all
You believed in me
I believed in you
Certainties disappears
What do we do for a dream to survive
How do we keep all our passions alive?
As we used to do
Deep in my heart
I'm concealing
Things that I'm longing to say
Scared to confess what I'm feeling
Frightened you'll slip away
You must love me
You must love me
Why are you at my side?
How can I be any use to you now?
Give me a chance
And I'll let you see how
Nothing has changed
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