Saturday, December 31, 2011 @ 11:04 PM: the coming of a new year
Reflections about 2011:
How time flies. Now 24, and next year 25 and life throwing surprises and shocks along the way.
Here's a bit of what happened in 2011 (in no particular order):-
1. "A Love Story in Cambridge" musical
Somehow started by Puisan and me in late 2010, and somehow things looked from rather unclear when we started without prior experience and resources, things looked better in 2011 when the songs, script and cast was fixed. But a lot more work was needed, especially in terms of the rehearsals, adminstrative issues, translation work, ticketing and publicity, etc... And despite some hiccups nearing the musical when thoughts of giving up creep in, I was glad that I persevered and saw the pet project to completion. But really kudos to the entire team who worked effortlessly for the project... saikang warriors like Zhi Chen, Weijun and so so many people who really worked so hard behind the scenes despite the busy schoolwork... And now really looking forward to the musical in 2012 and beyond!
2. The comradeship and guidance during the Cambridge days
It was not easy in the first few months handling the daily running of the musical rehearsals and admin issues while still on 5 B courses and 5 C courses, but I really had my supervisors, seniors and batchmates to thank for, especially my DOS who allowed me to delay my supervision progress and also Xianjun who especially allowed me to catch up on some courses which I had signed up late for. Last but not least, Samson has especially been a great help, without whom I would have spent more hours at some work.
3. The holidays
Having survived a bad holiday period in Italy and Turkey in 2010, 2011 seemed a better year for holidays. Went to Spain and Portugal at the start of the year and it was really one of the best holidays I had in my undergrad days, staying free from the hospital but most importantly getting to know more about my travel mates. Went to Brugge for a short trip in Easter to recover from some of the busy days in Lent term, and after the exams a short trip around Europe to revisit some of the areas that I have loved like Amsterdam. And especially grateful for the end-of-the-year trip back to Cebu for some recharging of batteries. But I guess what's more impt about the trips is the opportunity to know more about yourself and to see how different places in the world are like without tinted glasses.
4. Graduation!
Finally graduated and left with a bit of reluctance as most of my batch mates are into the 4th year and most of the juniors are still there... but things always have to move on. It seems like a whirlwind when I walked into the Senate House and listened to some murmuring from the college principal and there I was, graduated!
5. Research Work
Am very grateful for the current nice mentor I am having... nothing much I can ask for really in the lab!
New Year Resolutions:-
1. Be more sensitive towards friends and people!
2. 2 papers.
3. 3 holiday trips (incl hopefully one for interview)
4. Stay healthy and happy everyday!
thank you for bringing me memories...
Tuesday, October 04, 2011 @ 11:44 PM:
When things are pretty obvious, and words are not truthful but just some mere anasthetic, I guess there's no more point in it at all.
Thanks for all the sweet memories but it is time to forget about all the pain.
thank you for bringing me memories...
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 @ 10:52 AM: Overseas education
I guess it is time to update my blog (other than chieh who else are reading this please shout out to me on msn/wall/fb? :P), especially in my one day mc with a half infectious eye now thanks to the diligent application of the eyedrop.
Was reading blogs by H and L on overseas education and singsocs (the shortforms of names inspired by the very one who likes to give names to other ppl) and I can't help but feel just a bit nostalgic about CUMSA, the very organisation that I've been with for more than 2 years and the knowledge that our distance will grow apart in the coming years just makes me miss those good times we had.
The necessity of singsocs overseas? Or basically country-based organisations? Both viewpoints iterated by two different points in the spectrum - one is a current comm member while the other is a non-member whom in my impression is friendly and approachable. It feels like doing a GRE essay (or social studies) looking at the merits and demerits of the system and trying to come out with a balanced viewpoint though I have to admit that I am inherently biased.
First, I would like to debunk the total unnecessary presence of such organisations in overseas universities as purported by L. It is of paramount importance to note that there are many different kinds of people in the world. Some people may be more adequately adaptable to different personalities and values, and are accomodating to contrasting viewpoints and criticisms. These are the pple who will benefit fully by exposing themselves to a wide range of people out there, learning more about each other in terms of cultures, disciplines and probably good contacts for the future. However, not everyone is made of steel. Where some efforts of friendships have been made, and these people remain as hi-bye friends they may not persevere in reaching out to pple of different values and will stick to those who share more similar thinking and approaches to life. Here, I am not assuming that if you are from the same country or region you will have the same values with your countrymen, but there is always this higher probability of having such occurence, considering that in the case of Singaporeans in Cambridge, most are from HC or RI which basically meant a rather homogeneous mix. And this is where the associations come in, acting as a comfort zone for many to recharge and refuel before they venture out into new friendships, the mind-boggling questions and intensive essays or basically find solace and comfort.
Acting as an important base for freshers to explore fully the cambridge life, the friendships made before going there would give a certain headstart in terms of social life. In terms of like getting about, having lecture mates, etc. It has been especially useful to have listening ears about problems you face and situations where it meant a lot of help is needed (you wouldn't get someone relatively unknown to help you move luggages and boxes right?). However don't get me wrong. Coming overseas means that we should go right out and mix with the locals. But always take note it comes at the expense of additional energy required (especially if you are an introvert) having to approach new pple with new mindsets; or that they have different definitions to friendships.
I am glad that in my first year in Homerton, not many Singaporeans are there. In fact K (or affectionally called Jinbao) was my only senior there with W as my neighbour. These gave me the platform (or necessity rather) to make friends with pple from all different countries (but mainly natscis cos we shared slightly similar values) or from badminton. However, it was precisely this need for affirmation of values that I became heavily involved in CUMSA matters as well, and the natsci gang had helped me survive many incidents that occured throughout. Which is why I am of the view that you aren't restricting yourselves to only a singaporean context, but you are having the additional comfort zone when you are in CUMSA. And that has been really useful and essential to me. And also thanks to that, I have then the energy to make really good friends who are not from the Singaporean/Malaysian circles either in bridge, badminton, college or course mates =)
thank you for bringing me memories...
Thursday, June 02, 2011 @ 2:43 AM:
it is five more days to the exams and i realised i am so inadequately prepared!!!
freaking out!
thank you for bringing me memories...
Thursday, May 19, 2011 @ 6:20 PM:
really seeks motivation.
feels so drained and shagged!!!
argghghghghgh
thank you for bringing me memories...
Friday, May 06, 2011 @ 5:32 PM: Voting in five hours!
This post is fully intended to be a private post, and merely fully on my personal point of view.
I remembered it was just one month ago, I had been really wary of typing my first blog post on politics in Singapore, though that self-censorship still remained a very much part in me, I have seen many of my friends openly sharing their views, either supporting the current establishment or leaning towards the alternative parties for this election. This awareness should not be based on biased views towards certain people or certain incidents, but it should be one where you decide the future of your country and how it is navigated; and collectively it can make a difference.
Let me sidetrack a bit. Those who know me would know that I have been involved actively in an environmental NGO in the form of ECO Singapore before I entered university and had to step down from my duties mainly cos I would be based outside of Singapore for the undergrad years. (I do go back when possible to lend a hand if needed). There were times when we actively pushed for youths to remind the public in general that each of their little action helps - for example if everyone were to use an energy-saving light bulb, the energy saved up would be enough to reduce the amt of power generation required using increasingly depleted natural resources, etc. Then some members of the public would tell me, "Aiyah you all do like that token action no use one la. You know my neighbour switches on aircon everyday waste how much energy u know..." Indeed, everyone has to take a step towards it, and never underestimate the power of collective action in pushing for something mindful of the positive benefits it can generate.
Likewise, I hope the opening up of the political sphere marks just this sort of beginning for every Singaporean, where they will realise that every of their little voice can be heard and Singapore should move forward as a collective voice with everyone having a sense of ownership in it. A Singapore where people feel a sense of belonging to, respect each other's viewpoints and achieve a consensus on various issues, a society that prides on educating moral values such as integrity and honesty and most importantly a home where people can feel truly at home. It is this small step that we have to take, to break out of the mould that certain parties will be truly and always right in implementing policies, to break out of the perceptions that one needs to oppose for the sake of opposition, and that we can make a difference and great contribution to shape our future. The underlying theme is that we have to make sure humanity is in place, when each person is able to treat the other as if he or she is his or her own and everyone knows their place in society and is not left out. (Sorry that I am an idealist, you have to pardon me on my idealistic views)
To everyone, let me restate my political views - I would support a party that truly cares for people, one that will guide us out of the challenging times ahead, a party that is able to listen to the people and allow their own people to shape the destiny of the nation and one that plays pride in morals. Well, you may say I am an idealist (again!), how could there not be dirty tricks in politics? But a man who honours what he says, respects his opponents and views another as an equal is definitely one who is worth your respect. And most likely will not stop short at bringing you the voice.
Hereby, I can't help but admire some of the MPs who have been in the parliament advocating for particular issues and lobbying hard despite repeated turndowns from the parliament. You may expect me to name a few people from the opposition parties, well I am sure you guys have been sick of all those pro-oppo examples, but let me raise up a few pple who have been instrumental. One. Lily Neo... my mum used to say she is like a vase in the parliament, but until I heard her speeches, I could not believe how hard she was fighting for more money under the assistance schemes, and you can see the fiery eyes in her when she lobbied for more assistance. Likewise for MPs like Irene Ng, who had pushed hard for the bicycle tracks in Tampines... However, it has also not escaped my attention that I never see some MPs making speeches, falling asleep or not even attending the parliamentary sitting while proclaiming to be a voice in the parliament. I just hope that the voters are discerning enough regarding these issues.
As for those who have stepped out to the dangerous world of opposition politics, a big salute to them as well. People like Nicole Seah reminded many young Singaporeans that you can actively take part in the country's affairs and make an impact in it, rather than just complaining whole day abt jobs being snatched up by foreigners, or that little assistance is given to the elderly. People like Chen Show Mao and Tan Jee Say had reignited in many the passion for one's country, to even step down from really high-paying jobs at their peak of the career in order to arrest some of the moral issues that they thought had plagued the current establishment. The risks are high, with the returns almost guaranteed to be zero, and it was lack of glamour. A wrong word, you might get sued for defamation and there goes ur good life in Singapore. Indeed such motivation is already enough to convince me of their conviction for the Singaporeans.
As for moral issues, well I would say:-
1. If you have done something wrong, at least be sorry about it. Do not play your handphone while your boss is doing the apology for you at the very least.
2. If you have done something right, do not heap too much praise on yourselves. Be humble and sincere about it, and discerning people will see it and spread the good word for you. (for example I do see a lot of Hougang residents stepping out and telling their friends that Hougang is not a slum and is well-managed amidst those accusations)
3. Dirty tricks should not be employed to discredit some people (this applies both ways), where a fight should be honourable and gentlemanly with people's very concerns at the heart.
I hope for whoever is reading the blog entry will help you understand better regarding my stand. You may say "some parties have no substance and their policies are not solid..." Before you comment that, I really advise you to look through their rally speeches thoroughly and read thru their manifestos and arguments on the websites before making the decisions. If you are not fully aware of the policies they suggest at hand and make such sweeping remarks, then my advice is probably just listen to your friends during discussions rather than acting like a pro and slamming the other side with very general and sweeping comments. Remember after all, we are interested in our nation's future and it is constructive feedback that will help.
thank you for bringing me memories...
Tuesday, May 03, 2011 @ 8:56 PM: what i learnt about myself
As much as I would not want to join in the endless note writings on facebook, now I'm typing an entry on a bit of my views regarding me and the GE (I would not say who I am voting for and why... and I wouldn't want to sway any opinions anyway, since we are entitled to our own views and judgement)
It is a GE that I have paid a lot of attention to. I remember ever since the boundaries report was released by the Elections Dept, I went to analyse the different pockets and districts in which each falls under, and realised a few big changes, not only the much-hyped moving of 20,000 odd oppo ground from aljunied to ang mo kio, but also the splitting up of a few SMCs in sengkang (which houses voters who just got their new flats ten to five years ago at more reasonable prices), and the creation of Nee Soon GRC where it was suspected that a few SMCs there may have oppo presence increased there... among some other observations where Bukit Panjang is an odd looking constituency (my friend stays in Bt Panjang and is in Holland-Bt Timah) and Joo Chiat is not exactly the real Joo Chiat and shld be called Siglap. I remember days of scrutiny at the oppo candidates which are really surprising, people like Chen, Vincent to Tan joining the fray, setting the stage for an exciting elections.
Ok... now I shall go back to the topic abt myself and the GE and what I have learnt abt the GE!
1. I realise truly that I am an idealist, and a lot of my thoughts confirmed that.
In believing a world where parties can monitor each other, a world where the poorest will be covered and not subject to painful circumstances, a world where jobs will always be there for locals to take up, I am an idealist. Knowing that it is almost impossible to achieve, but at least an effort should be made towards achieving these ideals as a government in my opinion.
2. My values have been based on sincerity, frankness (accountability) and true conviction with no hypocrisy.
How I got angry with online smearing of candidates, how I hated discussions which went off course about how one should vote according to their upgrading priority, how the lack of humility on some part of the candidates really made me wonder what gave them the right to do so. And reflecting on myself to know what truly ticks me and what I admire in people - the very sense of willingness to do things they truly want to do, the desire to help the less privileged.
3. Further believing in my conviction that a life can only be considered a life if you are not living only to live - one has to live to serve a purpose - be it for the big aspirations of helping the poor and less privileged, doing research for the particular breakthrough, living to love others and revelling in the joy when you know you make someone's day. If one is to survive to just see money coming in and enjoying his/her life in the riches without considering the rest around u, I wouldn't be so envious of it.
thank you for bringing me memories...
