My Common Sense of Nostalgia
I studied in Mei Chin Primary School. It became history following its closure in 2001 (?). Its name, however, resonates in my mind even as today. So be it for as long as it wants to.
I first stepped into the school in 1990, before which my poor memory could barely recall. If I have not been gravely mistaken, my first friends-cum-classmates were Melvin, Ruiliang, and Limin, none of whom should be reading this because we had long lost touch with one another (except for Melvin, but he knows nuts about this blog). And then by Primary 3 and 4, I got to know Crystal, Javern, Moiha, and Yonghan. Amongst others, these were the bunch with whom I had spent a significant part of my childhood.
I was never too bright a student in primary school. I fared badly in class tests and final exams. I was too talkative for my own good. But it takes two hands to clap. I was, however, the unlucky one to be punished most of the time. Just my luck I guess. No grudges borne though. Those were the innocent days when I spent each day without thinking how the next would be.
I went home every day for my daily dosage of cartoons and TV programmes. I was so glad that my parents did little to interfere with my routine. The lazy bum of me simply hated sports and the rough outdoors, and Chip & Dale with their Disney friends kept me entertained for afternoons upon afternoons. Lackadaisical? But I loved such inactivity. I am the epitome of such a past.
Something changed all these. The wretched streaming system came and drove many parents into unnecessary panic, and to some extent including mine. I was marched into tuition without much of a consciousness of what it actually entailed, except for working through countless assessment books rather aimlessly. I usually copied the answers from behind and made some deliberate mistakes to make my assignments look "authentic" before submission, but my individual tests showed it all and I was often reprimanded for my lack of effort. Even my Chinese was bad during this period of nonachievement. I was, however, not at the least affected. I had not understood the importance of studying then.
The tuition did help, however. By a twist of fate, I found myself in an undersized EM1 class of only 8 students. I had an excellent teacher Mdm Tan who forced us to recite idioms and poems every lesson, and Chinese characters relentlessly flooded my brain until they were all too firmly imprinted to be dislodged. My EM1 stint was a turning point in my academic life. I finally felt a slight urge to maintain my grades and to pursue my interest in the Chinese Language.
The tuition helped in other ways too. I actually topped Maths in class on a few occasions. My class position rose to unprecedented levels after Primary 3. My English poem of 6 lines was chosen on display at the school bulletin boards. I was never too mindful of these things, because I had other pleasures to derive from my life then.
I loved my Social Studies projects. I think they had boosted my interest in current affairs and general knowledge. And they offered perfect opportunities for me and my project mates to enjoy some great fun at the playgrounds and games arcades. Ice-cream sticks and super-glue. Styrofoam boards and plasticine. I could always look forward to either Police-and-Thief and Street Fighter after my project ordeals were done. Eventually we got sick of queueing for our turn at the arcades, and when Yonghan's parents bought him a Sega set (?) we would piously visit his home everyday to discuss homework with him. On a pretext of course. Behind closed doors.
I dreaded rainy days. Earthworms abound under a shroud of muddy tracks that we walked on to get to school. Our young scientist Ruiliang would lead us all on a trail of adventure and excitement in his opinion. For me it was more of fear and disgust. Nonetheless, by peer pressure, I would drag my prudent feet with a few others to follow him in his daring explorations. Millipedes and toads often joined the earthworms in a concert of unison, and I simply prayed that they would not crawl onto me or cross my path for any reason.
Delinquency was in the air in my final primary school year. My classmates Ken and Denise were caught smoking at a carpark within the neighbourhood, and I happened to sit in between these two colourful characters. I myself was involved in a tussle with an EM1 girl and soon our parents became involved when it became too heated. I guess we just could not stand each other then. Kinda childish eh? Well, we were young and juvenile, and hence excusable!
My lazy bone has called out to me to stop acting like an old man. I should get some sleep before I really look like one.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Generous Donations!
Wow! I had either messaged (only to those whom I thought would help) or spoken directly to some friends to ask for contributions in aid of the Sichuan quake victims, and Chee Ming, Crystal, Derrick, Gail, Kenny, Si-Rong, Soon Kit, and Yuting all pledged to make donations (not to me of course but through the various channels; some of whom did so without my appeal). They offered sums that vary from SGD 50 to SGD 300. In any case, it was kind generosity on display, even though many of them are not working adults! Not to be outdone, I shall cut down on my shopping and hence my expenses in my impending trips to Beijing and Taipei.
Humans have short attention and memory spans. The overwhelming emotions that we feel for the victims at present may not stay with us for long, but the agonizing pain suffered by the victims themselves may linger on forever. The damage had been done, and the psychological scar wallowed in. Facing the aftermath is just as crucial as the tackling the disaster. Our aid must continue. Sustain it!
Wow! I had either messaged (only to those whom I thought would help) or spoken directly to some friends to ask for contributions in aid of the Sichuan quake victims, and Chee Ming, Crystal, Derrick, Gail, Kenny, Si-Rong, Soon Kit, and Yuting all pledged to make donations (not to me of course but through the various channels; some of whom did so without my appeal). They offered sums that vary from SGD 50 to SGD 300. In any case, it was kind generosity on display, even though many of them are not working adults! Not to be outdone, I shall cut down on my shopping and hence my expenses in my impending trips to Beijing and Taipei.
Humans have short attention and memory spans. The overwhelming emotions that we feel for the victims at present may not stay with us for long, but the agonizing pain suffered by the victims themselves may linger on forever. The damage had been done, and the psychological scar wallowed in. Facing the aftermath is just as crucial as the tackling the disaster. Our aid must continue. Sustain it!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Fund-Raising for China
Singaporeans are kind, having donated millions in kind to help the quake victims in China. Taiwan, however, has offered the biggest amount of foreign aid in monetary terms, amounting to nearly 70 million USD. As I have always said, the Taiwanese are rich!
Please, everyone! It is all for a good cause! Donate if you can!
Singaporeans are kind, having donated millions in kind to help the quake victims in China. Taiwan, however, has offered the biggest amount of foreign aid in monetary terms, amounting to nearly 70 million USD. As I have always said, the Taiwanese are rich!
Please, everyone! It is all for a good cause! Donate if you can!
Thesis completed: Abstract
Thanks to its success in economic reform, China in recent decades has rapidly transformed its economic and political landscape, rekindling global academic interest in the country and its people. However, analyzing and interpreting developments in China has always been and will remain a daunting challenge for both non-specialists and China experts. China’s diversity, a product of its enormous size, is an important feature that has contributed to the challenge. To rule the vast country effectively, China’s governance from the imperial age of dynasties to the present has to function at multiple administrative levels, but this is only a lesser aspect of its political operations.
Given China’s diversity, what then actually holds China together? Renowned American anthropologist James L. Watson argues that a perceived, perceptible unified culture is the key to holding China together. If anything is central to the creation and maintenance of a unified Chinese culture, it has to be the standardization of ritual. This view forms the essence of Watson’s “Orthopraxy Hypothesis”, which claims that for the Chinese state, the standardization of ritual practice takes precedence over efforts to legislate or control beliefs, resulting in profound consequences for the creation of a unified cultural system. By enforcing orthopraxy (correct practice) instead of orthodoxy (correct belief), state officials were able to incorporate people from different ethnic or regional backgrounds, with varying beliefs and attitudes, into an overarching social system we now call China. Such is the strategy that has enabled Chinese culture to reach the coherence and uniformity that we see today.
Using Watson’s hypothesis as a theoretical framework, this paper argues that the Chinese imperial state had indeed valued rites over beliefs in its flexible and realistic construction of a unified culture. The paper presents this argument by discussing the City God cult in the Song and Ming dynasties, and in particular how the religious cult was merged with the state as a symbiotic tool to govern the local populations which had resided far from the direct jurisdiction of the political centre. In state opinion, ritual standardization in the approved sequence performed by the people was very much cultural unity on display.
Underlying the City God cult was indeed the fabric of a unified culture that had successfully accommodated the various backgrounds and beliefs borne by the people. By comparing Watson’s hypothesis with the opposing arguments presented by other scholars, the paper will also examine the limitations and the validity of the hypothesis in exploring issues pertaining to Chinese culture. The paper will conclude that the City God cult per se and the assumption of a unified Chinese culture fostered by the imperial state was a social, ideological construct and illusion aimed at promoting effective governance over diverse populations.
Thanks to its success in economic reform, China in recent decades has rapidly transformed its economic and political landscape, rekindling global academic interest in the country and its people. However, analyzing and interpreting developments in China has always been and will remain a daunting challenge for both non-specialists and China experts. China’s diversity, a product of its enormous size, is an important feature that has contributed to the challenge. To rule the vast country effectively, China’s governance from the imperial age of dynasties to the present has to function at multiple administrative levels, but this is only a lesser aspect of its political operations.
Given China’s diversity, what then actually holds China together? Renowned American anthropologist James L. Watson argues that a perceived, perceptible unified culture is the key to holding China together. If anything is central to the creation and maintenance of a unified Chinese culture, it has to be the standardization of ritual. This view forms the essence of Watson’s “Orthopraxy Hypothesis”, which claims that for the Chinese state, the standardization of ritual practice takes precedence over efforts to legislate or control beliefs, resulting in profound consequences for the creation of a unified cultural system. By enforcing orthopraxy (correct practice) instead of orthodoxy (correct belief), state officials were able to incorporate people from different ethnic or regional backgrounds, with varying beliefs and attitudes, into an overarching social system we now call China. Such is the strategy that has enabled Chinese culture to reach the coherence and uniformity that we see today.
Using Watson’s hypothesis as a theoretical framework, this paper argues that the Chinese imperial state had indeed valued rites over beliefs in its flexible and realistic construction of a unified culture. The paper presents this argument by discussing the City God cult in the Song and Ming dynasties, and in particular how the religious cult was merged with the state as a symbiotic tool to govern the local populations which had resided far from the direct jurisdiction of the political centre. In state opinion, ritual standardization in the approved sequence performed by the people was very much cultural unity on display.
Underlying the City God cult was indeed the fabric of a unified culture that had successfully accommodated the various backgrounds and beliefs borne by the people. By comparing Watson’s hypothesis with the opposing arguments presented by other scholars, the paper will also examine the limitations and the validity of the hypothesis in exploring issues pertaining to Chinese culture. The paper will conclude that the City God cult per se and the assumption of a unified Chinese culture fostered by the imperial state was a social, ideological construct and illusion aimed at promoting effective governance over diverse populations.
Thesis completed: Acknowledgements
James L. Watson is a renowned American anthropologist, and it was out of sheer ignorance that I knew of his “Orthopraxy Hypothesis” only in late 2007. I must thank Jack for introducing me to the hypothesis which I now use to form the crux of my thesis. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Peggy for having airmailed me some research materials from Taiwan. I am indebted to Siyu, Yong Chang and Yuting for taking the time off to proofread my drafts. I am grateful to my family for providing a loving environment under which this thesis is completed, and for nursing my weak constitution when I was down with bouts of flu while writing it.
This thesis marks the end of my academic life at NUS. I thank A/P Peter Pang for giving me many opportunities to learn and experience in USP, A/P Albert Teo for his care and friendship, and the USP admin staff for their fun-loving nature. At the Chinese Studies department, I enjoy the unreserved assistance of A/P Lee Chee Hiang and the office staff. At the NUS Chinese Library, I benefit from the dedicated service offered by its friendly librarians. Indeed, this thesis is a true epitome of the wonderful experiences that I have shared with these individuals over the years.
Last but definitely not least, I would like to extend my gratitude to my thesis supervisor A/P Lee Cheuk Yin for his guidance and inspiration. It is through him that I am exposed to a comprehensive overview of how academic inquiry and research should be conducted. I thank him for all the recommendation letters that he has written for me, the delightful coffee treats in Beijing, and my appointment as his research assistant. I am grateful for his expertise when my thesis became engaged in tautology and for his patience when I could not submit my drafts on time. He has to be the best thesis supervisor that a student can have, and this thesis would not have been possible without him. All fault and responsibility, however, remains invariably mine. Thanks to all my friends as well!
James L. Watson is a renowned American anthropologist, and it was out of sheer ignorance that I knew of his “Orthopraxy Hypothesis” only in late 2007. I must thank Jack for introducing me to the hypothesis which I now use to form the crux of my thesis. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Peggy for having airmailed me some research materials from Taiwan. I am indebted to Siyu, Yong Chang and Yuting for taking the time off to proofread my drafts. I am grateful to my family for providing a loving environment under which this thesis is completed, and for nursing my weak constitution when I was down with bouts of flu while writing it.
This thesis marks the end of my academic life at NUS. I thank A/P Peter Pang for giving me many opportunities to learn and experience in USP, A/P Albert Teo for his care and friendship, and the USP admin staff for their fun-loving nature. At the Chinese Studies department, I enjoy the unreserved assistance of A/P Lee Chee Hiang and the office staff. At the NUS Chinese Library, I benefit from the dedicated service offered by its friendly librarians. Indeed, this thesis is a true epitome of the wonderful experiences that I have shared with these individuals over the years.
Last but definitely not least, I would like to extend my gratitude to my thesis supervisor A/P Lee Cheuk Yin for his guidance and inspiration. It is through him that I am exposed to a comprehensive overview of how academic inquiry and research should be conducted. I thank him for all the recommendation letters that he has written for me, the delightful coffee treats in Beijing, and my appointment as his research assistant. I am grateful for his expertise when my thesis became engaged in tautology and for his patience when I could not submit my drafts on time. He has to be the best thesis supervisor that a student can have, and this thesis would not have been possible without him. All fault and responsibility, however, remains invariably mine. Thanks to all my friends as well!
Fulbright Association dinner
I had just attended the Fulbright Association dinner at USP's invitation. The dinner was held at the Tanglin Country Club, frequented by the Americans who reside in Singapore. I wore a suit, and my friends would know how stifling that was for me.
In any case, I am not anywhere near my goal of heading to the States. I mingled with the USP gang half the time, and spent the other half eating my full-course dinner. I had never liked socializing and making small talk for the sake of it. Anyway, it was fine dining literally and I had enjoyed the food. At the dinner's end, Kishore Mahbubani gave us a talk on how Asia has influenced the world and will continue to do so in the next decades to come. This century will belong to Asia, it seems. My USP professor won Mahbubani's autographed new book through a lucky draw, but he gave it to me because I had expressed my interest in laying my hands on it before the dinner. So embarassing. I thank him for his generosity.
The Fulbright Association is prestigious, and its dinner posh. I felt honoured to be invited to it. This shall be my last moment of glory before I leave USP 2 months later.
I had just attended the Fulbright Association dinner at USP's invitation. The dinner was held at the Tanglin Country Club, frequented by the Americans who reside in Singapore. I wore a suit, and my friends would know how stifling that was for me.
In any case, I am not anywhere near my goal of heading to the States. I mingled with the USP gang half the time, and spent the other half eating my full-course dinner. I had never liked socializing and making small talk for the sake of it. Anyway, it was fine dining literally and I had enjoyed the food. At the dinner's end, Kishore Mahbubani gave us a talk on how Asia has influenced the world and will continue to do so in the next decades to come. This century will belong to Asia, it seems. My USP professor won Mahbubani's autographed new book through a lucky draw, but he gave it to me because I had expressed my interest in laying my hands on it before the dinner. So embarassing. I thank him for his generosity.
The Fulbright Association is prestigious, and its dinner posh. I felt honoured to be invited to it. This shall be my last moment of glory before I leave USP 2 months later.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Important Notice:
5月12日，中国四川省汶川县发生7.8级强烈地震，造成巨大人员和财产损失。中国政府和人民正全力投入救灾工作。
新加坡各界人士高度关注中国灾情，纷纷致电我馆表示慰问，并提出捐款要求。我们对此深表感谢。
为便于各界捐款，中国大使馆已设立如下帐号，接受电汇、财路及现金捐款。
收款人名称：Sichuan Earthquake Relief Fund-- Chinese Embassy
开户行名称：Bank of China Singapore Branch
帐 号：011-0-024188-6
同时，使馆也接受支票及现金捐款，支票抬头请填写“Sichuan Earthquake Relief Fund-- Chinese Embassy”。
无论何种捐款方式，都请提供姓名和联系方式。
中国驻新加坡大使馆
二00八年五月十四日
There is a saying: "God helps those who help themselves." Premier Wen and his people are currently facing one of the worst calamities in Chinese history. Please help them during this critical period. They offer us a stark contrast to the Burmese government, which has allowed one of Asia's worst catastrophes develop into a humanitarian crisis that no one sane enough would want to imagine.
I have already made a donation. Please do your part too.
5月12日，中国四川省汶川县发生7.8级强烈地震，造成巨大人员和财产损失。中国政府和人民正全力投入救灾工作。
新加坡各界人士高度关注中国灾情，纷纷致电我馆表示慰问，并提出捐款要求。我们对此深表感谢。
为便于各界捐款，中国大使馆已设立如下帐号，接受电汇、财路及现金捐款。
收款人名称：Sichuan Earthquake Relief Fund-- Chinese Embassy
开户行名称：Bank of China Singapore Branch
帐 号：011-0-024188-6
同时，使馆也接受支票及现金捐款，支票抬头请填写“Sichuan Earthquake Relief Fund-- Chinese Embassy”。
无论何种捐款方式，都请提供姓名和联系方式。
中国驻新加坡大使馆
二00八年五月十四日
There is a saying: "God helps those who help themselves." Premier Wen and his people are currently facing one of the worst calamities in Chinese history. Please help them during this critical period. They offer us a stark contrast to the Burmese government, which has allowed one of Asia's worst catastrophes develop into a humanitarian crisis that no one sane enough would want to imagine.
I have already made a donation. Please do your part too.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
America
What charm does USA hold that has attracted so many of my friends (both Singaporean and Taiwanese), who flock to it every summer vacation? I have never been there before. I didn't go for my HPAIR conference in 2006, where I could have a taste of what Boston is like.
Frankly put, Taiwan offers me an outlet to escape from my Commencement Ceremony. I need a place that I am familiar with to prove right my decision to skip it. However, I am now increasingly curious about America. Maybe I should go there soon to experience the things that had captivated my friends so much.
First, from now on, I shall keep a lookout for the international conferences that will be held in America. Next, I need to submit my ethnographic data to earn my keep. Finally, off to the States I go. Whatever Wacky Jacky pledges to do, he will get it done.
What charm does USA hold that has attracted so many of my friends (both Singaporean and Taiwanese), who flock to it every summer vacation? I have never been there before. I didn't go for my HPAIR conference in 2006, where I could have a taste of what Boston is like.
Frankly put, Taiwan offers me an outlet to escape from my Commencement Ceremony. I need a place that I am familiar with to prove right my decision to skip it. However, I am now increasingly curious about America. Maybe I should go there soon to experience the things that had captivated my friends so much.
First, from now on, I shall keep a lookout for the international conferences that will be held in America. Next, I need to submit my ethnographic data to earn my keep. Finally, off to the States I go. Whatever Wacky Jacky pledges to do, he will get it done.
平平无奇的一天
到国大医院探望玉婷，聊了三个多小时。手发炎了，仍以宫廷语言与朕对话，使朕无言以对。不过当然也聊了一些正经事，整个过程是开心愉快的。祝她早日康复，永保安康。
与佩颖越洋对话，求她代我向Bing说声Happy Birthday!，允之。台湾，我来也！
印度、土耳其，后会有期。先解决北京事项，才来安排台湾行程。刺激台湾经济，朕不遗余力。亏空国库，也义无反顾。反正国库空虚，有劳台湾众卿家掏出银两赈灾了。
与身在深圳的高品联系，知她安好，甚感欣慰。希望能与她聚首，无奈现实无情，人生一小小的诉求也无法实现。人生啊！
欲旧地重游，却物是人非。友人皆出游，独留过客守空情。
宪哥老了，高品，是时候我们接棒了。
一生命运似乎早已注定，与汉学结缘。正当朋友毕业后，将为未来做冲刺时，我裹足不前、固守原地，久久不肯离去。赫然发现，我只能回顾过去，不能展望未来。
原来我背负的，是中华五千年的文明、历史与文化，好一个重担，也难怪我无法如其他人一样，向前迈进。
到国大医院探望玉婷，聊了三个多小时。手发炎了，仍以宫廷语言与朕对话，使朕无言以对。不过当然也聊了一些正经事，整个过程是开心愉快的。祝她早日康复，永保安康。
与佩颖越洋对话，求她代我向Bing说声Happy Birthday!，允之。台湾，我来也！
印度、土耳其，后会有期。先解决北京事项，才来安排台湾行程。刺激台湾经济，朕不遗余力。亏空国库，也义无反顾。反正国库空虚，有劳台湾众卿家掏出银两赈灾了。
与身在深圳的高品联系，知她安好，甚感欣慰。希望能与她聚首，无奈现实无情，人生一小小的诉求也无法实现。人生啊！
欲旧地重游，却物是人非。友人皆出游，独留过客守空情。
宪哥老了，高品，是时候我们接棒了。
一生命运似乎早已注定，与汉学结缘。正当朋友毕业后，将为未来做冲刺时，我裹足不前、固守原地，久久不肯离去。赫然发现，我只能回顾过去，不能展望未来。
原来我背负的，是中华五千年的文明、历史与文化，好一个重担，也难怪我无法如其他人一样，向前迈进。
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Troubled
I didn't really want to attend the Commencement Ceremony, but I have been facing pressure from all sides. I need to display my filial piety, respect the professors and other individuals who have egged me on, as well as endure the accusations that have placed me in the realm of stupidity and eccentricity.
Frankly speaking, the Ceremony holds little purpose for me. As mentioned earlier, I am not at all happy that I will be graduating soon. Next, not that I am a big shot, but this Ceremony is definitely not a big thing to me: I have attended numerous ceremonies, seminars and conferences that are more "tua ki" (forgive my poor Hokkien) than this. Finally, I really want to offer my admission cards to those who covet them more than I do, namely Boredin. I may not be able to deliver on my initial promise to him.
My First-Class Honours friend Melvin (whose CAP wins mine by an entire grade) has also no intention of attending the Ceremony. He shares my sentiments. And he shares my birthday. Why do our CAPs differ by so much?! Sigh. Haha!
Anyway, however, filial piety has to come first. If you see me attending the Ceremony eventually, it will be my ethics and priorities on display. Nothing should ever be more important than the family.
I didn't really want to attend the Commencement Ceremony, but I have been facing pressure from all sides. I need to display my filial piety, respect the professors and other individuals who have egged me on, as well as endure the accusations that have placed me in the realm of stupidity and eccentricity.
Frankly speaking, the Ceremony holds little purpose for me. As mentioned earlier, I am not at all happy that I will be graduating soon. Next, not that I am a big shot, but this Ceremony is definitely not a big thing to me: I have attended numerous ceremonies, seminars and conferences that are more "tua ki" (forgive my poor Hokkien) than this. Finally, I really want to offer my admission cards to those who covet them more than I do, namely Boredin. I may not be able to deliver on my initial promise to him.
My First-Class Honours friend Melvin (whose CAP wins mine by an entire grade) has also no intention of attending the Ceremony. He shares my sentiments. And he shares my birthday. Why do our CAPs differ by so much?! Sigh. Haha!
Anyway, however, filial piety has to come first. If you see me attending the Ceremony eventually, it will be my ethics and priorities on display. Nothing should ever be more important than the family.
Gratitude
Thanks to Debby and gang for their card and "shitty" gift from Hong Kong! I was so touched that I wept all night! Haha! Please visit Singapore soon. Or I can go over!
And thanks to those who had remembered the day and sent me the greetings that I was happy over! Thanks thanks!
I had completed my thesis on time. And I have gotten enough rest by now. It's time that I move on. My new project is the compilation of ethnographic data for the amount of research that I have conducted over the past few months. Then I can call it a day and start planning for my overseas trips. My plans so far have been nothing but a chaotic mess. Some organizations are simply too slow in their operations. I just can't help it too.
Code of the year: ykchan83@live.com
Thanks to Debby and gang for their card and "shitty" gift from Hong Kong! I was so touched that I wept all night! Haha! Please visit Singapore soon. Or I can go over!
And thanks to those who had remembered the day and sent me the greetings that I was happy over! Thanks thanks!
I had completed my thesis on time. And I have gotten enough rest by now. It's time that I move on. My new project is the compilation of ethnographic data for the amount of research that I have conducted over the past few months. Then I can call it a day and start planning for my overseas trips. My plans so far have been nothing but a chaotic mess. Some organizations are simply too slow in their operations. I just can't help it too.
Code of the year: ykchan83@live.com
Sunday, April 27, 2008
A Dull and Lacklustre Life ahead
I find myself increasingly uninterested in the things that I used to hold great passion for. My usual hobbies, despite the fact that I have not engaged in them for several months, include singing, mahjong, and going to the movies. It seems that I have either reached a bottleneck for these activities (knowing that there will be little improvement and hence less satisfaction derived from them), or lacked the motivation to conduct them at all. I have grown to become a geek. I still possess the drive to read my books and aim high in the academia. Like what some of my friends say, I am on my way towards monkhood, devoid of all desires and feelings. Despite the use of some negative-sounding adjectives to describe what my life may turn out to be, I think it will nonetheless be enjoyable in its own terms. I love to travel, both abroad and spiritually.
By the way, I am 90% sure that I will be skipping my Commencement Ceremony. I will most likely be giving Boredin my letters so that he can invite his siblings over to grace the Ceremony. Call me nuts or weird, but I am not at all happy that I will be graduating soon. Quite on the contrary, I wish to stay on forever.
Loads of thanks to Peggy for her birthday present! I love the Ma Ying-Jeou figurine. See you soon!
I find myself increasingly uninterested in the things that I used to hold great passion for. My usual hobbies, despite the fact that I have not engaged in them for several months, include singing, mahjong, and going to the movies. It seems that I have either reached a bottleneck for these activities (knowing that there will be little improvement and hence less satisfaction derived from them), or lacked the motivation to conduct them at all. I have grown to become a geek. I still possess the drive to read my books and aim high in the academia. Like what some of my friends say, I am on my way towards monkhood, devoid of all desires and feelings. Despite the use of some negative-sounding adjectives to describe what my life may turn out to be, I think it will nonetheless be enjoyable in its own terms. I love to travel, both abroad and spiritually.
By the way, I am 90% sure that I will be skipping my Commencement Ceremony. I will most likely be giving Boredin my letters so that he can invite his siblings over to grace the Ceremony. Call me nuts or weird, but I am not at all happy that I will be graduating soon. Quite on the contrary, I wish to stay on forever.
Loads of thanks to Peggy for her birthday present! I love the Ma Ying-Jeou figurine. See you soon!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Some facts from individual findings
I'm now slightly freer than I was just 2 weeks ago, so to prevent my brains from going idle, I did some research on my own regarding the topics that I have always been interested in. Just for fun.
Singapore used to administer, if not own, Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean before the Australians took over. We were paid a hefty sum of pounds for the deal.
India is actually closer to Singapore than we thought of it to be, because India owns a stretch of islands at the throat of the Malacca Straits called the Andaman Islands.
We Singaporeans are Commonwealth citizens, enjoying many exclusive privileges accorded to past British subjects. We are no longer colonized, but the United Kingdom continues to bestow the privileges upon us. A statement of emphasis, however, is that we are all equals now. It is remarkable to see how the Commonwealth of Nations has grown to incorporate most of the old British colonies and become an international organization of modern, self-determining nation-states. And it works on a voluntary basis. It seems that past British subjects have little hard feelings towards their old colonial masters. That, to me, is remarkable.
For instance (correct me if I'm wrong; what I say here is not Gospel Truth), if Singaporeans reside in the British Isles for work or study, they can choose to be neutralized as British citizens after a few years. One key note is that the immigration process is simpler than in other circumstances, explaining why many Hongkongers (prior to 1997) flood to the British dominions of Australia and Canada that have erected similar clauses in their laws.
Sounds like a viable option for a quick getaway.
Compare this scenerio with the stories of hatred and warfare that have occurred elsewhere and the difference is obvious.
I'm now slightly freer than I was just 2 weeks ago, so to prevent my brains from going idle, I did some research on my own regarding the topics that I have always been interested in. Just for fun.
Singapore used to administer, if not own, Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean before the Australians took over. We were paid a hefty sum of pounds for the deal.
India is actually closer to Singapore than we thought of it to be, because India owns a stretch of islands at the throat of the Malacca Straits called the Andaman Islands.
We Singaporeans are Commonwealth citizens, enjoying many exclusive privileges accorded to past British subjects. We are no longer colonized, but the United Kingdom continues to bestow the privileges upon us. A statement of emphasis, however, is that we are all equals now. It is remarkable to see how the Commonwealth of Nations has grown to incorporate most of the old British colonies and become an international organization of modern, self-determining nation-states. And it works on a voluntary basis. It seems that past British subjects have little hard feelings towards their old colonial masters. That, to me, is remarkable.
For instance (correct me if I'm wrong; what I say here is not Gospel Truth), if Singaporeans reside in the British Isles for work or study, they can choose to be neutralized as British citizens after a few years. One key note is that the immigration process is simpler than in other circumstances, explaining why many Hongkongers (prior to 1997) flood to the British dominions of Australia and Canada that have erected similar clauses in their laws.
Sounds like a viable option for a quick getaway.
Compare this scenerio with the stories of hatred and warfare that have occurred elsewhere and the difference is obvious.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Confusion
I don't know what I can and will do in the next few months. Or should I say, I have too many choices at hand.
I had just rejected an invitation to go to Turkey in May-June, because I need to compile some ethnographic data in my capacity as a research assistant. I could have compiled the data earlier this year, but was too busy and tired with my thesis to do so. There was also a chance for me to go to India on a USP summer programme in May, but I have to give that up too. The ideal plan for me in May-June was actually to head first to India and then to Turkey.
Most probably I will be visiting Beijing (again) in June to immerse myself in the Olympics mood prevalent there. More precisely, I will be the Programme Assistant again for the USP overseas module in Peking University. However, the outcome for my Master's application is not out yet and a high degree of uncertainty lingers on whether I will enrol into NIE or NUS later this year.
Finally, I had expressed my intention to Peggy and gang that I will be visiting Taiwan from China (via transit in Hong Kong; then I can meet Debby, Paul and others) in June-July. However, even this is subject to the approval of my application. What's worse is that USP has allocated me a seat at the USP Graduation Dinner, because (I think) I qualify for their Honours Roll or something. The dinner will be held in mid-July, and even though I had intended to give my whole Commencement Ceremony a miss, I am now undecided on whether I should skip the Dinner because the media may be there and I am still someone who craves for such "transient" fame and glory. And if I am accepted into the Master's programme, I need to rush back by late July for my diagnostic English test (which is like duh) and to complete my registration formalities with NUS.
In a nutshell, I am hopelessly lost in my plans for the holidays.
I don't know what I can and will do in the next few months. Or should I say, I have too many choices at hand.
I had just rejected an invitation to go to Turkey in May-June, because I need to compile some ethnographic data in my capacity as a research assistant. I could have compiled the data earlier this year, but was too busy and tired with my thesis to do so. There was also a chance for me to go to India on a USP summer programme in May, but I have to give that up too. The ideal plan for me in May-June was actually to head first to India and then to Turkey.
Most probably I will be visiting Beijing (again) in June to immerse myself in the Olympics mood prevalent there. More precisely, I will be the Programme Assistant again for the USP overseas module in Peking University. However, the outcome for my Master's application is not out yet and a high degree of uncertainty lingers on whether I will enrol into NIE or NUS later this year.
Finally, I had expressed my intention to Peggy and gang that I will be visiting Taiwan from China (via transit in Hong Kong; then I can meet Debby, Paul and others) in June-July. However, even this is subject to the approval of my application. What's worse is that USP has allocated me a seat at the USP Graduation Dinner, because (I think) I qualify for their Honours Roll or something. The dinner will be held in mid-July, and even though I had intended to give my whole Commencement Ceremony a miss, I am now undecided on whether I should skip the Dinner because the media may be there and I am still someone who craves for such "transient" fame and glory. And if I am accepted into the Master's programme, I need to rush back by late July for my diagnostic English test (which is like duh) and to complete my registration formalities with NUS.
In a nutshell, I am hopelessly lost in my plans for the holidays.
Why?
Why are cockroaches such big insects? It is hard not to notice them.
What can't insecticide kill them? I had once sprayed half a can of Bygone on a cockroach and miraculously it survived the attack and flew (albeit in zig-zag motion) out.
Why do they like to crawl around aimlessly? It gives me the creeps.
What do they hope to find? I have kept my place clean.
What's worse is, why can they fly?! Flying cockroaches are the ultimate horror because you never know when they may just bump into your face. With them around, who needs horror films?
Why are cockroaches such big insects? It is hard not to notice them.
What can't insecticide kill them? I had once sprayed half a can of Bygone on a cockroach and miraculously it survived the attack and flew (albeit in zig-zag motion) out.
Why do they like to crawl around aimlessly? It gives me the creeps.
What do they hope to find? I have kept my place clean.
What's worse is, why can they fly?! Flying cockroaches are the ultimate horror because you never know when they may just bump into your face. With them around, who needs horror films?
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Friends or Foes?
It is necessary for us to take the bitter pill when the occasion calls for it. Similarly, we should possess a huge capacity for criticisms, both kind and unkind, so long as these criticisms are constructive ones that allow us to improve. Friends who offer criticisms should be treasured because they are actually placing their friendship at stake by this gesture. They suffer from an imperfect knowledge of how their subject reacts to it, whether positively or negatively. It is better to hear the cold, hard truth face-to-face than to receive it when you least expect it from gossip-mongers who talk behind your back. Offering criticisms is different from hurling abuses, the latter being insulting and offensive and hence yields no tangible outcomes.
Many friends fall out due to misunderstandings, and these misunderstandings arise from either a lack of communication or too much of it, too much in a sense that people simply have enough of criticisms of themselves from their friends. The transition from friends to foes is a high price to pay. You lose a friend and you learn nothing from the experience. Take heed!
It is necessary for us to take the bitter pill when the occasion calls for it. Similarly, we should possess a huge capacity for criticisms, both kind and unkind, so long as these criticisms are constructive ones that allow us to improve. Friends who offer criticisms should be treasured because they are actually placing their friendship at stake by this gesture. They suffer from an imperfect knowledge of how their subject reacts to it, whether positively or negatively. It is better to hear the cold, hard truth face-to-face than to receive it when you least expect it from gossip-mongers who talk behind your back. Offering criticisms is different from hurling abuses, the latter being insulting and offensive and hence yields no tangible outcomes.
Many friends fall out due to misunderstandings, and these misunderstandings arise from either a lack of communication or too much of it, too much in a sense that people simply have enough of criticisms of themselves from their friends. The transition from friends to foes is a high price to pay. You lose a friend and you learn nothing from the experience. Take heed!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Stardom
Mandarin-pop has been dominated by the Taiwanese entertainment scene in recent years. While it holds true that Taiwan produces many well-known celebrities, it is Hong Kong that produces the stars. The Four Heavenly Kings were a classic, followed by the likes of Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui. I belong to the old school, and my personal favourites are Chow Yun-Fatt and Adam Cheng.
I was in Hong Kong last May when my Canadian friends happened to chance upon Chow Yun-Fatt at a cha can tang, the Hong Kong version of our kopitiam. Being excited as they were, they approached him for autographs and photos which he had all gladly obliged. I mean, wasn't Chow Yun-Fatt nice, given his celeb status in the Chinese community and subsequent breakthrough in Hollywood? Having seen this excellent example of humility and modesty despite immense fame and prestige, I wonder why some budding starlets choose to put on airs even though they have yet to make their mark.
Adam Cheng will be holding his concert in Singapore in May, but I am financially strapped to catch it. Oh well, I had missed Jacky Wu's concert a few years back anyway. Might as well.
Mandarin-pop has been dominated by the Taiwanese entertainment scene in recent years. While it holds true that Taiwan produces many well-known celebrities, it is Hong Kong that produces the stars. The Four Heavenly Kings were a classic, followed by the likes of Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui. I belong to the old school, and my personal favourites are Chow Yun-Fatt and Adam Cheng.
I was in Hong Kong last May when my Canadian friends happened to chance upon Chow Yun-Fatt at a cha can tang, the Hong Kong version of our kopitiam. Being excited as they were, they approached him for autographs and photos which he had all gladly obliged. I mean, wasn't Chow Yun-Fatt nice, given his celeb status in the Chinese community and subsequent breakthrough in Hollywood? Having seen this excellent example of humility and modesty despite immense fame and prestige, I wonder why some budding starlets choose to put on airs even though they have yet to make their mark.
Adam Cheng will be holding his concert in Singapore in May, but I am financially strapped to catch it. Oh well, I had missed Jacky Wu's concert a few years back anyway. Might as well.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The World around "Us"
Does "us" literally refer to only us or does it include "them" as well? I think these distinctions are rather useless. People complain about globalization and its ills, claiming that the growing trend is killing off local heritage and individuality. However, why should cultural diversity be celebrated when in its defense we can only gain enmity and suspicion from "them"? To a fair extent, cultural diversity and hence a "clash of civilizations" has led to genocide, terrorist attacks and civil wars, amongst other calamities plaguing the world of today. Look at the fight between "us" and the terrorists. Or the Darfur conflict in Sudan. Or the massacres in the former Yugoslav states and Rwanda. Or the more recent case in which the Chinese have reacted strongly against the West regarding issues pertaining to Tibet and the Olympics. Cultural diversity is a worthy price to pay in order to make the world a more coherent and homogeneous one to live in. Let there be no demarcation between "us" and "them". We are all global citizens, everyone a part of the human race.
Does "us" literally refer to only us or does it include "them" as well? I think these distinctions are rather useless. People complain about globalization and its ills, claiming that the growing trend is killing off local heritage and individuality. However, why should cultural diversity be celebrated when in its defense we can only gain enmity and suspicion from "them"? To a fair extent, cultural diversity and hence a "clash of civilizations" has led to genocide, terrorist attacks and civil wars, amongst other calamities plaguing the world of today. Look at the fight between "us" and the terrorists. Or the Darfur conflict in Sudan. Or the massacres in the former Yugoslav states and Rwanda. Or the more recent case in which the Chinese have reacted strongly against the West regarding issues pertaining to Tibet and the Olympics. Cultural diversity is a worthy price to pay in order to make the world a more coherent and homogeneous one to live in. Let there be no demarcation between "us" and "them". We are all global citizens, everyone a part of the human race.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Lost MSN password
May I request that those who had bothered to read this blog at all to add me on MSN via ykchan83@live.com because I have yet to recover my old password and am now stuck with this new address. It may eventually become my permanent one if my brain cells really fail to recollect that silly set of alphabets and numbers. It is more economical to broadcast my folly here than to SMS or call everyone regarding the loss. Thank You very much!
I wonder if raking in big bucks is really that important. Are graduate students unproductive units that leech onto the resource base of society? In any case, I will never give up my plans for further studies in favour of fatter paychecks and prospective promotions, if any. A higher degree may seem useless in the eyes of many, especially when it yields little utility in monetary terms. I know that I will remain poor for many years to come, but I simply don't care, so long as I don't become a burden to anyone. I have my own principles when it comes to the academia: I will only study on scholarships and nothing else. If I receive no sponsorship whatsoever, I will work till I have the means to provide for myself, period.
It is only in my last year at NUS that I realize that studying is indeed better than working. At least in my opinion, this is so. This is my plan for the future, if I am doing any planning at all.
Academics are useless on their own. However, they wield great influence on the lives of others and the world per se if their papers are substantial enough to break stereotypes and change mentalities. Intellectuals can muster the strength and resilience of civil societies and effect phenomenal, sweeping transformations for the better. Newton, Einstein, Al Gore etc. offer good examples in this context. For them to have an impact requires an audience to listen to their appeals. This depends on their ability to write and to convince.
I am still in the learning process. I shall strive on.
May I request that those who had bothered to read this blog at all to add me on MSN via ykchan83@live.com because I have yet to recover my old password and am now stuck with this new address. It may eventually become my permanent one if my brain cells really fail to recollect that silly set of alphabets and numbers. It is more economical to broadcast my folly here than to SMS or call everyone regarding the loss. Thank You very much!
I wonder if raking in big bucks is really that important. Are graduate students unproductive units that leech onto the resource base of society? In any case, I will never give up my plans for further studies in favour of fatter paychecks and prospective promotions, if any. A higher degree may seem useless in the eyes of many, especially when it yields little utility in monetary terms. I know that I will remain poor for many years to come, but I simply don't care, so long as I don't become a burden to anyone. I have my own principles when it comes to the academia: I will only study on scholarships and nothing else. If I receive no sponsorship whatsoever, I will work till I have the means to provide for myself, period.
It is only in my last year at NUS that I realize that studying is indeed better than working. At least in my opinion, this is so. This is my plan for the future, if I am doing any planning at all.
Academics are useless on their own. However, they wield great influence on the lives of others and the world per se if their papers are substantial enough to break stereotypes and change mentalities. Intellectuals can muster the strength and resilience of civil societies and effect phenomenal, sweeping transformations for the better. Newton, Einstein, Al Gore etc. offer good examples in this context. For them to have an impact requires an audience to listen to their appeals. This depends on their ability to write and to convince.
I am still in the learning process. I shall strive on.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
5-7 April: Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China
Not to be outdone by time constraints, I had tried to cover as much as I could of Xiamen within 3 days. I first visited a beautiful islet called Gu Lang Yu, famous for its high piano population and rich European architectural style.
The red house shown below is a legacy of the islet's past as the prominent site of European embassies during the Qing Dynasty. Like the hundreds of its kind on the islet, it has now become a residence of the common folk after 1949.
The islet is a pleasant place to be in, and indeed it had attracted many influential Chinese of the past to house their residences here. There is a pavilion atop the highest point of the islet, where a skyline view of opposite Xiamen can be obtained. An image of Zheng Chenggong looms near, symbolic of a successful takeover of Taiwan during the Ming-Qing period. It is up to the visitor to decide if it continues to bear any significance as a contemporary.
I hopped onboard a cab to Xiamen University, known as the most beautiful tertiary campus in mainland China. For me, it has to be the most beautiful campus that I have ever visited in the country, followed by Peking University by my own standards.
At the risk of stating the obvious, Xiamen University was founded by Tan Kah Kee. Mini-museums, monuments, statues and buildings bearing his name are scattered all over the campus, adding a nostalgic touch to the picturesque campus.
I stumbled upon a calm and peaceful pond where couples populate by its circumference. By the way, the air is fresher and less polluted in Xiamen than in most other Chinese cities, so it had been a pleasant experience strolling the pathways and roads.
After a while, I decided to get in touch with my material side by going to Zhongshan road, the equivalent of our Orchard Road. The variety of goods and services offered there is decent, not to mention the abundance of discs and more discs.
I realized that I had to fulfil my spiritual needs as well. Off I went to a hilltop temple the next morning. The history of this temple can be traced to as early as the Jin Dynasty.
And then at noon, I prayed at the most famous temple in Xiamen known as Nan Pu Tuo (南普陀). It was established in the Tang Dynasty and had enjoyed imperial patronage for many generations. The vegetarian biscuits and dishes served were superb, so it does not seem too bad an idea to seek monkhood at the temple.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Xiamen and Kinmen
I visited Xiamen en route to Singapore from Anxi. Xiamen is a beautiful city that faces the Taiwan Straits. However, the first thing that I did in Xiamen was to take a ferry and observe the Kinmen archipelago from a distance onboard. The ferry crossed the green indicator below that marks the boundary between China and Taiwan.
I was overwhelmed with joy when the “青天白日”flag greeted me from afar. I had wanted to salute it but I reckoned that if I did, I might not have returned home alive.
The “三民主义统一中国”tablet on the Dadan island was erected by Chiang Ching-kuo to rally all Chinese under the principles expounded by Sun Yat-Sen. The words were big enough to be seen using a pair of binoculars along the Xiamen coastline. He was frustrated at the fact that Taiwan had been expelled from the United Nations.
I visited Xiamen en route to Singapore from Anxi. Xiamen is a beautiful city that faces the Taiwan Straits. However, the first thing that I did in Xiamen was to take a ferry and observe the Kinmen archipelago from a distance onboard. The ferry crossed the green indicator below that marks the boundary between China and Taiwan.
I was overwhelmed with joy when the “青天白日”flag greeted me from afar. I had wanted to salute it but I reckoned that if I did, I might not have returned home alive.The “三民主义统一中国”tablet on the Dadan island was erected by Chiang Ching-kuo to rally all Chinese under the principles expounded by Sun Yat-Sen. The words were big enough to be seen using a pair of binoculars along the Xiamen coastline. He was frustrated at the fact that Taiwan had been expelled from the United Nations.Prior to this, Chiang Kai-Shek had erected a tablet that says “还我河山”on the Lesser Kinmen island in Yue Fei fashion after the Chinese Civil War. To counter both the tablets erected by the father-and-son duo, China constructed at the beach a big one that says “一国两制统一中国”. It is interesting to see how China and Taiwan have communicated via silent messages indicated on gigantic tablets.
The Kinmen archipelago is smaller than Singapore in its combined land mass. However, it had for the past 60 years experienced massive shellings and repulsed three major invasions from the mainland. This is remarkable for an archipelago that seems too small to be defendable. In fact, Kinmen had protected Taiwan so well that the whole course of history was changed to reflect the status quo that we now see in the Taiwan Straits.
厦门和金门，两地近在咫尺，却又遥不可及。
两门遥相望，却又紧闭门户，不留丝毫缝隙。
Friday, April 11, 2008
3-4 April: Anxi County, Fujian Province, China
I went to Anxi last week to conduct some field research at a local temple. I have a disclaimer to make here: Anxi is a very scenic place, but the photos posted here do little justice to its beauty because the best pictures remain in the memory card of my professor's hi-pro camera, and I failed to capture on a bus in motion the lush green tea plantations that dominate the rural landscape. My first picture here shows urban Anxi as a rather sleepy town:
In a nutshell, I was busy snapping photos of the temple, its architecture, offerings, devotees, altars, idols etc. I had also participated in an annual festive procession to celebrate the celestial birthday of the City God. Again the best pictures of the grand carnival of enacted deities and teeming crowds are left in the hi-pro camera.
Nothing was left to be done at night, so some of the uncles in my tour group decided on something that cannot be done legally in our local context. Here's a glimpse at our arsenal:
My eardrums were almost shattered when the firecrakers fired off.
And I didn't know that fireworks were this cheap even though I understand that the Chinese invented them. The uncles ignited one bout after another like nobody's business. Indeed, it was nobody's business without the kind of enforcement that we have here. I became convinced that we don't need millions to light up the sky.
I went to Anxi last week to conduct some field research at a local temple. I have a disclaimer to make here: Anxi is a very scenic place, but the photos posted here do little justice to its beauty because the best pictures remain in the memory card of my professor's hi-pro camera, and I failed to capture on a bus in motion the lush green tea plantations that dominate the rural landscape. My first picture here shows urban Anxi as a rather sleepy town:
In a nutshell, I was busy snapping photos of the temple, its architecture, offerings, devotees, altars, idols etc. I had also participated in an annual festive procession to celebrate the celestial birthday of the City God. Again the best pictures of the grand carnival of enacted deities and teeming crowds are left in the hi-pro camera.Nothing was left to be done at night, so some of the uncles in my tour group decided on something that cannot be done legally in our local context. Here's a glimpse at our arsenal:My eardrums were almost shattered when the firecrakers fired off.
And I didn't know that fireworks were this cheap even though I understand that the Chinese invented them. The uncles ignited one bout after another like nobody's business. Indeed, it was nobody's business without the kind of enforcement that we have here. I became convinced that we don't need millions to light up the sky.Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Crisis!!
I have not completed my thesis yet. Anyway, I had forgotten my MSN password. Please:
1. teach me how to recover my password, or
2. add me at ykchan83@live.com (my new and temporary address)
Now I'm so glad that I had left my blog address in my MSN nick.
And it is no joke that I have lost all my contacts. :(
I have not completed my thesis yet. Anyway, I had forgotten my MSN password. Please:
1. teach me how to recover my password, or
2. add me at ykchan83@live.com (my new and temporary address)
Now I'm so glad that I had left my blog address in my MSN nick.
And it is no joke that I have lost all my contacts. :(
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Victory for Taiwan!!
I hope it is not too early to say this, but it seems that Ma Ying-Jeou has won the Taiwanese presidential elections, trailing Frank Hsieh only in the Tainan County. The Taiwanese have spoken! They have decided to usher in a new era of progress and prosperity! They have decided to rid themselves of the incompetent government that had led them to nothing but pains and woes for the past 8 years! They have decided to seek justice in their own hands, through their own votes! They have made a resounding war cry that shall resonate for the whole of eternity!
台湾一马当先向前冲！马英九冻蒜！Long Live the KMT!
Taiwan has a future now! Brighter than ever before! Jacky Wu will become richer! What wonderful prospects!
The "One China" Market plan proposed by the KMT definitely sounds better than the ethnic divisions that the DPP had been promoting in the past. As a foreigner, I wish Taiwan all the best. BUT, 青いうち、すてきですね！
Tribute to the KMT! Long live the party and its cadres!
And for the victory tonight, this picture that I have will always remain priceless in my eyes:
I hope it is not too early to say this, but it seems that Ma Ying-Jeou has won the Taiwanese presidential elections, trailing Frank Hsieh only in the Tainan County. The Taiwanese have spoken! They have decided to usher in a new era of progress and prosperity! They have decided to rid themselves of the incompetent government that had led them to nothing but pains and woes for the past 8 years! They have decided to seek justice in their own hands, through their own votes! They have made a resounding war cry that shall resonate for the whole of eternity!
台湾一马当先向前冲！马英九冻蒜！Long Live the KMT!
Taiwan has a future now! Brighter than ever before! Jacky Wu will become richer! What wonderful prospects!
The "One China" Market plan proposed by the KMT definitely sounds better than the ethnic divisions that the DPP had been promoting in the past. As a foreigner, I wish Taiwan all the best. BUT, 青いうち、すてきですね！
Tribute to the KMT! Long live the party and its cadres!
And for the victory tonight, this picture that I have will always remain priceless in my eyes:
Here's re-entering seclusion again! Haha!
Friday, February 15, 2008
My Last Entry for the Semester...
...and so I plan. I will 闭关修炼in the next few weeks to work on my Honours thesis, otherwise I will need to rely upon divine help to complete it on time.
I had received phone calls from Debby and Peggy, as well as greeting cards from Marvin. Thanks for all those thoughts! Here's wishing you all the best of health and luck in the New Year!
Valentine's Day was just over, and I had met enough friends last week to convince myself that most of the single and available around me are actively seeking the special someone in their lives. Good luck to them! Find one soon before your virtues are masked by your looks and wealth in the future, that is, on the basic assumption that all of which will improve in the next few years (with higher income you have the resources to doll yourself up and hence enjoy a better appearance). Those who stick with you when you are at your worst ought to be treasured and loved in kind.
Me? I wear shorts to school. Sometimes I don't shave. I prefer books to humans. Cracking jokes is my forte. I am only serious in my papers. Simply put, I just don't care. I have enough loved ones in my life to feel wholesome. Family and friends. What can be missing?
I am an aspiring academic. And an aspiring hermit.
I need to thank Peggy for helping me gather some of the research materials from Taiwan. She deserves a special mention in my acknowledgement list. My professor has been very kind and helpful too! And nice! Thanks to Jack who has always offered me timely advice when I need it. And to Jacky who has never failed to stress me out to make me see the fallacy of my wishful thinking. Thank You very much to every other person who has assisted me in one way or another. A more comprehensive list will appear in my thesis, if I ever get it done on time.
I shall camp at libraries. I shall sleep in campus. I shall feast my eyes on books and papers. I will do anything to complete the thesis. Never underestimate the willpower of a Taurean. But sometimes I do doubt my own intellectual ability. I hope everything works out fine.
On 15 February 1942, the worst capitulation of the British in Japanese hands occurred in Singapore. 66 years later, I make a vow to avoid that of my life.
China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Turkey. See you in my dreams.
Omniscience to my transient life!
...and so I plan. I will 闭关修炼in the next few weeks to work on my Honours thesis, otherwise I will need to rely upon divine help to complete it on time.
I had received phone calls from Debby and Peggy, as well as greeting cards from Marvin. Thanks for all those thoughts! Here's wishing you all the best of health and luck in the New Year!
Valentine's Day was just over, and I had met enough friends last week to convince myself that most of the single and available around me are actively seeking the special someone in their lives. Good luck to them! Find one soon before your virtues are masked by your looks and wealth in the future, that is, on the basic assumption that all of which will improve in the next few years (with higher income you have the resources to doll yourself up and hence enjoy a better appearance). Those who stick with you when you are at your worst ought to be treasured and loved in kind.
Me? I wear shorts to school. Sometimes I don't shave. I prefer books to humans. Cracking jokes is my forte. I am only serious in my papers. Simply put, I just don't care. I have enough loved ones in my life to feel wholesome. Family and friends. What can be missing?
I am an aspiring academic. And an aspiring hermit.
I need to thank Peggy for helping me gather some of the research materials from Taiwan. She deserves a special mention in my acknowledgement list. My professor has been very kind and helpful too! And nice! Thanks to Jack who has always offered me timely advice when I need it. And to Jacky who has never failed to stress me out to make me see the fallacy of my wishful thinking. Thank You very much to every other person who has assisted me in one way or another. A more comprehensive list will appear in my thesis, if I ever get it done on time.
I shall camp at libraries. I shall sleep in campus. I shall feast my eyes on books and papers. I will do anything to complete the thesis. Never underestimate the willpower of a Taurean. But sometimes I do doubt my own intellectual ability. I hope everything works out fine.
On 15 February 1942, the worst capitulation of the British in Japanese hands occurred in Singapore. 66 years later, I make a vow to avoid that of my life.
China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Turkey. See you in my dreams.
Omniscience to my transient life!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Jacky Wu and his variety shows
I have an idol named Jacky Wu. He currently hosts many variety shows in both Taiwan and mainland China. Occasionally, he directs a few films and cuts a few albums, both of which he has not done in recent years. How is he able to cope with such a heavy workload, traveling from place to place and having to transit in Hong Kong without direct flights across the Straits?
Jacky Wu has emphasized the "Three No's" principle for his variety shows: No rehearsal, No script and No re-take. The viewer has to accept whatever he does or says without NG. This endows his shows with the vibrancy and wit unseen in our local media. Everything has become so impromptu, so real, and most certainly unpretentious. I was in a live recording of his "Guess" show 2 years ago, and the entire process lasted for merely 1 hour for a 2-hour telecast. Yet, with a huge viewership, it is obvious that the quality and entertainment value of his shows are not at all compromised.
I met up with a Taiwanese senior during the New Year. She has a friend who is a Taiwanse-born TV compere working in our one and only media station. Her friend mentioned that it is stifling working in an environment filled with scripts and forced expressions. Unnatural.
My professor appeared in the papers a couple of weeks ago. Some of us had commented that the photos of him looked "fake": my professor was featured reading a book and apparently in deep thought. The photographer should have done something better, like capturing him when he was speaking to the reporter perhaps?
We live in a pretentious world. 也罢，这世界本来就是虚假、虚幻的，只是现在才察觉到。也不算太晚，知道总比麻木好。I need a respite. As soon as I am done with my Thesis, 我就会到那我熟悉和那熟悉我的国度去，独自过着自在和悠闲的生活: 起码要待上一个多月，必定允诺。我就是这副贱骨头，对那封存已久的境与事总是难以释怀。
哭也一天，笑也一天，干脆逢场作戏过一天。笑一笑，就过去了。
We are all a product of our memories and experiences. Without a future to look forward to, I have my memories to fall back on. Back to square one. For eternity. For nothing, if eternity is transient.
I have an idol named Jacky Wu. He currently hosts many variety shows in both Taiwan and mainland China. Occasionally, he directs a few films and cuts a few albums, both of which he has not done in recent years. How is he able to cope with such a heavy workload, traveling from place to place and having to transit in Hong Kong without direct flights across the Straits?
Jacky Wu has emphasized the "Three No's" principle for his variety shows: No rehearsal, No script and No re-take. The viewer has to accept whatever he does or says without NG. This endows his shows with the vibrancy and wit unseen in our local media. Everything has become so impromptu, so real, and most certainly unpretentious. I was in a live recording of his "Guess" show 2 years ago, and the entire process lasted for merely 1 hour for a 2-hour telecast. Yet, with a huge viewership, it is obvious that the quality and entertainment value of his shows are not at all compromised.
I met up with a Taiwanese senior during the New Year. She has a friend who is a Taiwanse-born TV compere working in our one and only media station. Her friend mentioned that it is stifling working in an environment filled with scripts and forced expressions. Unnatural.
My professor appeared in the papers a couple of weeks ago. Some of us had commented that the photos of him looked "fake": my professor was featured reading a book and apparently in deep thought. The photographer should have done something better, like capturing him when he was speaking to the reporter perhaps?
We live in a pretentious world. 也罢，这世界本来就是虚假、虚幻的，只是现在才察觉到。也不算太晚，知道总比麻木好。I need a respite. As soon as I am done with my Thesis, 我就会到那我熟悉和那熟悉我的国度去，独自过着自在和悠闲的生活: 起码要待上一个多月，必定允诺。我就是这副贱骨头，对那封存已久的境与事总是难以释怀。
哭也一天，笑也一天，干脆逢场作戏过一天。笑一笑，就过去了。
We are all a product of our memories and experiences. Without a future to look forward to, I have my memories to fall back on. Back to square one. For eternity. For nothing, if eternity is transient.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Unfair World
How can we claim that the world is rosy when as high as 50%, if not higher, of the world's population are suffering from famine and poverty? Doesn't it prove the Buddhist notion that life is an endless cycle of suffering （苦海无涯）?
A world of CEOs and presidents is unthinkable, and undoubtedly impossible. If I am not mistaken, about 40% of the secondary school students in Singapore fall under the Normal stream. Unbelievable? Unfair? This sounds logical given the disproportional number of independent/SAP schools compared to that of neighbourhood ones.
“大智若愚”，才是终极智慧，才不会自取其辱。
I am not bright, so I always prefer people to tell me the truth upfront to them being discreet and mindful of what they say. Why bother making suggestions and telling me things that you have no intention of fulfilling? All our feelings would have been hurt. To err is human, and I am a mere mortal. Please criticize me upfront if I fall short of your expectations.
I am a practical idealist. Sounds oxymoronic eh? I have my crazy ideals, but I know that my survival in the society fully depends on how I play the game of life. Although I don't dislike society, I have always wanted to leave it and enter reclusion. I will still work my guts out if need be, but given an opportunity, I would rather lead my own kind of lifestyle and forgo the dreams and riches that life has promised to offer.
Anyway, keep your spirits high! Happy Lunar New Year!
How can we claim that the world is rosy when as high as 50%, if not higher, of the world's population are suffering from famine and poverty? Doesn't it prove the Buddhist notion that life is an endless cycle of suffering （苦海无涯）?
A world of CEOs and presidents is unthinkable, and undoubtedly impossible. If I am not mistaken, about 40% of the secondary school students in Singapore fall under the Normal stream. Unbelievable? Unfair? This sounds logical given the disproportional number of independent/SAP schools compared to that of neighbourhood ones.
“大智若愚”，才是终极智慧，才不会自取其辱。
I am not bright, so I always prefer people to tell me the truth upfront to them being discreet and mindful of what they say. Why bother making suggestions and telling me things that you have no intention of fulfilling? All our feelings would have been hurt. To err is human, and I am a mere mortal. Please criticize me upfront if I fall short of your expectations.
I am a practical idealist. Sounds oxymoronic eh? I have my crazy ideals, but I know that my survival in the society fully depends on how I play the game of life. Although I don't dislike society, I have always wanted to leave it and enter reclusion. I will still work my guts out if need be, but given an opportunity, I would rather lead my own kind of lifestyle and forgo the dreams and riches that life has promised to offer.
Anyway, keep your spirits high! Happy Lunar New Year!
Happy Lunar New Year 2008!
Wacky Jacky and his Taiwan Desk would like to wish everyone a very Happy Lunar New Year! Thank You for accompanying him through a significant part of his life-the transition from carefree student to prospective working adult. Here's yet another year away from freedom and innocence, into a future of hopes and dreams.
I wonder if babies born in the Year of the Pig will enjoy good luck in the coming year. Superstition perhaps, but it is always welcoming (at least to me) to make your future seem more predictable according to the stars and signs.
I appreciate your SMSes of well wishes, dear friends!
Thanks too to Peggy and Marvin for their overseas greetings!
在此恭祝各界同仁新年快乐、身强体健、永保安康！
Wacky Jacky and his Taiwan Desk would like to wish everyone a very Happy Lunar New Year! Thank You for accompanying him through a significant part of his life-the transition from carefree student to prospective working adult. Here's yet another year away from freedom and innocence, into a future of hopes and dreams.
I wonder if babies born in the Year of the Pig will enjoy good luck in the coming year. Superstition perhaps, but it is always welcoming (at least to me) to make your future seem more predictable according to the stars and signs.
I appreciate your SMSes of well wishes, dear friends!
Thanks too to Peggy and Marvin for their overseas greetings!
在此恭祝各界同仁新年快乐、身强体健、永保安康！
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Global Warming
I saw my comment appear on Lianhe Zaobao dated 5 February 2008. I had commented on the use and payment of 10 cents for plastic bags in the NUS Co-Op bookstore. I supported the new policy, adding that it would promote the practice of bringing bags out for shopping.
I think we have to start somewhere. I can almost imagine that the air-conditioned nation of Singapore will contribute to and fall into what I coin a "heat cycle". Imagine this: the weather gets hotter by the day, and to make ourselves feel more comfortable we switch on the air-conditioners at higher blast. The engines and turbines with the CFCs emitted will then add onto the amount of greenhouse gases that the atmosphere has already contained. Thus hotter weather. Until we turn the air-conditioners onto full blast. Finally, the situation will reach a stage whereby no level of technology can sustain us and we shall suffer from our own un-doings.
We are already feeling the heat ourselves, so we need no Al Gore and his An Inconvenient Truth to tell us what we should already know. Let's begin bit by bit, starting from ourselves!
I saw my comment appear on Lianhe Zaobao dated 5 February 2008. I had commented on the use and payment of 10 cents for plastic bags in the NUS Co-Op bookstore. I supported the new policy, adding that it would promote the practice of bringing bags out for shopping.
I think we have to start somewhere. I can almost imagine that the air-conditioned nation of Singapore will contribute to and fall into what I coin a "heat cycle". Imagine this: the weather gets hotter by the day, and to make ourselves feel more comfortable we switch on the air-conditioners at higher blast. The engines and turbines with the CFCs emitted will then add onto the amount of greenhouse gases that the atmosphere has already contained. Thus hotter weather. Until we turn the air-conditioners onto full blast. Finally, the situation will reach a stage whereby no level of technology can sustain us and we shall suffer from our own un-doings.
We are already feeling the heat ourselves, so we need no Al Gore and his An Inconvenient Truth to tell us what we should already know. Let's begin bit by bit, starting from ourselves!
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
What is Civilization?
This is a chim question. I also don't know. I Chinese educated one. But in my words I think civilization is this: “穿着光鲜的衣裳，进行原始的搏斗”. Times may change, history may change, but human nature remains the same lah.
I heard they changing the bus and train system leh. For the better. I also think must change. During the off-peak hours, the frequency all freaky low. The bus-stop got people but bus bay bor bus. Once I wait for 20 minutes and a guy who reach the bus-stop before me still there waiting. 等你等到我心痛！等你等到没有梦！Why 没有梦？Completely lost hope, 没有梦想了！Now I see a bit of hope.
Then sometimes, I think my arm too short to be seen, the bus never stop! Then I take train, peak hours, jialat man. I too puny to wrestle in, so wait for about 3 trains then can squeeze in you know. People in the carriage think that standing at the entrance easy for the 财神爷to see them, so all crowd there. You think everyone alight at Woodlands or Boon Lay meh? Of course I know most people will drop off soon, but be considerate and move in for others to board lah. Even I can understand the announcement on air leh.
The taxi, bus and train system all change at one go, wrong lah. Must be gradual and one at a time. Now the transport system improve to discourage people from buying car, but first step to change the cab fare wrong liao. Now those used-to-take-taxi people change to taking bus and train, when the bus and train cannot tahan the new crowd! Why? This means we still don't have world-class transport system! And we always have to pay world-class fares! How can when we are even worse than Taiwan (the "last" of the Asian Tigers) in this aspect? Aiyah, don't know lah.
Monetized economy: everything calculate in relative gains and profit margins. When got LRT and NEL, bus services gone to make people use the new installations. Our convenience compromised. Like this civilized meh? Aiyah, I also don't know lah.
I don't know how to use nice-sounding words to explain things. I only know how to drink kopi and talk cock. Paiseh hor.
This is a chim question. I also don't know. I Chinese educated one. But in my words I think civilization is this: “穿着光鲜的衣裳，进行原始的搏斗”. Times may change, history may change, but human nature remains the same lah.
I heard they changing the bus and train system leh. For the better. I also think must change. During the off-peak hours, the frequency all freaky low. The bus-stop got people but bus bay bor bus. Once I wait for 20 minutes and a guy who reach the bus-stop before me still there waiting. 等你等到我心痛！等你等到没有梦！Why 没有梦？Completely lost hope, 没有梦想了！Now I see a bit of hope.
Then sometimes, I think my arm too short to be seen, the bus never stop! Then I take train, peak hours, jialat man. I too puny to wrestle in, so wait for about 3 trains then can squeeze in you know. People in the carriage think that standing at the entrance easy for the 财神爷to see them, so all crowd there. You think everyone alight at Woodlands or Boon Lay meh? Of course I know most people will drop off soon, but be considerate and move in for others to board lah. Even I can understand the announcement on air leh.
The taxi, bus and train system all change at one go, wrong lah. Must be gradual and one at a time. Now the transport system improve to discourage people from buying car, but first step to change the cab fare wrong liao. Now those used-to-take-taxi people change to taking bus and train, when the bus and train cannot tahan the new crowd! Why? This means we still don't have world-class transport system! And we always have to pay world-class fares! How can when we are even worse than Taiwan (the "last" of the Asian Tigers) in this aspect? Aiyah, don't know lah.
Monetized economy: everything calculate in relative gains and profit margins. When got LRT and NEL, bus services gone to make people use the new installations. Our convenience compromised. Like this civilized meh? Aiyah, I also don't know lah.
I don't know how to use nice-sounding words to explain things. I only know how to drink kopi and talk cock. Paiseh hor.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Crazy World
It's total madness at NUS. The Arts students of last semester require a SAP of 4.9 to qualify for Dean's List! The names of my friends "traditionally" "parked" on the list disappear, replaced by a whole chunk of new ones. I think our juniors are very very smart, a mighty force to be reckoned with in the last bell curves that we will experience at NUS.
It's total madness at NUS. The Arts students of last semester require a SAP of 4.9 to qualify for Dean's List! The names of my friends "traditionally" "parked" on the list disappear, replaced by a whole chunk of new ones. I think our juniors are very very smart, a mighty force to be reckoned with in the last bell curves that we will experience at NUS.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Being Humble
...is a virtue. And especially held in awe and esteem by the Chinese. “虚心”is the Chinese translation of being humble, but it literally refers to a "void heart". In order to be humble, you have to clear your heart of all bias, knowledge, presumption and misconceptions. This is why sometimes it is easier to learn something from scratch and not at mid-way. Without the implicit distractions that can unleash the best tamed hearts into a world of arrogance and deceit, we can all be humble at heart and learn to accept and see things the way they are. Being humble is never too easy, so it is a virtue to be attained only at great cost and effort.
Why bother filling your life up with fame and glory, when all hearts ought to be void to enjoy the best from life? Being humble allows us to empathize and understand others and things from their perspectives, alleviating ourselves of the agony or hatred that stem from despising or discriminating against certain individuals. We always feel a constant, inevitable sense of inadequacy. Nothing is ever enough, nor is anything enough to satisfy our lust for more. The perceived lack of things spurs us on to pursue better looks, smarter brains and greater wealth, all of which may prove unimportant when we recall upon our lives at twilight. I had almost forgotten how sad I was at Secondary 2 when I scored 0 for my Technical Studies.
“由简入奢易，由奢入间难”。It is hard for the rich and affluent not to be arrogant, but it is harder for them to remain happy in poverty.
...is a virtue. And especially held in awe and esteem by the Chinese. “虚心”is the Chinese translation of being humble, but it literally refers to a "void heart". In order to be humble, you have to clear your heart of all bias, knowledge, presumption and misconceptions. This is why sometimes it is easier to learn something from scratch and not at mid-way. Without the implicit distractions that can unleash the best tamed hearts into a world of arrogance and deceit, we can all be humble at heart and learn to accept and see things the way they are. Being humble is never too easy, so it is a virtue to be attained only at great cost and effort.
Why bother filling your life up with fame and glory, when all hearts ought to be void to enjoy the best from life? Being humble allows us to empathize and understand others and things from their perspectives, alleviating ourselves of the agony or hatred that stem from despising or discriminating against certain individuals. We always feel a constant, inevitable sense of inadequacy. Nothing is ever enough, nor is anything enough to satisfy our lust for more. The perceived lack of things spurs us on to pursue better looks, smarter brains and greater wealth, all of which may prove unimportant when we recall upon our lives at twilight. I had almost forgotten how sad I was at Secondary 2 when I scored 0 for my Technical Studies.
“由简入奢易，由奢入间难”。It is hard for the rich and affluent not to be arrogant, but it is harder for them to remain happy in poverty.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Success
What is success? Success is the ability to do the things you like at the highest level possible. One of my friends Tenghui wants to be successful. Please visit the following website to help him succeed in life: http://www.petalsandco.com.sg/
I am never an elitist. When I mean we should attain knowledge, "we" refers to the highly educated people of our kind, such as diploma holders and undergraduates. Those who face problems or struggling with their livelihood do not have the means to acquire knowledge and I can understand that. We do, so we should. Of course, knowledge does not necessarily mean success, but it can be an instrumental element.
I finally found something that I dislike most about people. I hate it when people refuse to reply to my SMSes. It shows the degree of respect the expected respondent has for me. Unless they are overseas or have really valid reasons, I will be the petty soul to ignore their SMSes if they ever text me. These people can succeed in ruining my day.
There are only a few corporations that are successful in the world. These corporations are known as the MNCs. Some of you may have already known this, but at the risk of repeating the obvious allow me to list a few of them here:
Close your eyes if you are in the supermarket looking for your favourite shampoo. I can bet with you at 95% confidence level that they belong to either Procter and Gamble or Unilever.
Just when you think that all Hollywood films are owned and distributed by the Americans, Sony from Japan holds Columbia and Tristar Pictures. Sony also owns our playthings such as PSB, Playstation, my Jacky Wu's SonyBMG, Sony Ericsson, and a truckload of electronic products.
Other than MacDonald's, most of the other fast-food chains that we come across belong to Yum! Brands, a spin-off from PepsiCo. Examples of which are KFC, Pizza Hut, and Long John Silver's.
As for our automobiles, don't be deceived by the wide variety of brand names that we may see. For one, Volkswagen owns Audi and Lamborghini, amongst many others. Ford owns Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover and many others. General Motors owns Opel, Saab and others. My list is not exhaustive; it can get very long.
Nestle is another giant. Most of the dairy products and ice-cream that we can buy at the market are somehow linked to Nestle, including Milo and Haagen-Daz.
We had a corporatized media industry. How corporatized was it? What about our cabs too?
We have some homegrown brands that I am especially fond of.
Sakae Sushi: Non-drinkers will actually prefer sake to sushi on the conveyor belt.
Shilin Delights: It is delightful to know that the authentic snacks remain in Shilin.
Thai Express: An express way to get depressed over Thai food.
I think they should stop multiplying in branches and numbing our taste-buds.
Having done so, it will be a success!
What is success? Success is the ability to do the things you like at the highest level possible. One of my friends Tenghui wants to be successful. Please visit the following website to help him succeed in life: http://www.petalsandco.com.sg/
I am never an elitist. When I mean we should attain knowledge, "we" refers to the highly educated people of our kind, such as diploma holders and undergraduates. Those who face problems or struggling with their livelihood do not have the means to acquire knowledge and I can understand that. We do, so we should. Of course, knowledge does not necessarily mean success, but it can be an instrumental element.
I finally found something that I dislike most about people. I hate it when people refuse to reply to my SMSes. It shows the degree of respect the expected respondent has for me. Unless they are overseas or have really valid reasons, I will be the petty soul to ignore their SMSes if they ever text me. These people can succeed in ruining my day.
There are only a few corporations that are successful in the world. These corporations are known as the MNCs. Some of you may have already known this, but at the risk of repeating the obvious allow me to list a few of them here:
Close your eyes if you are in the supermarket looking for your favourite shampoo. I can bet with you at 95% confidence level that they belong to either Procter and Gamble or Unilever.
Just when you think that all Hollywood films are owned and distributed by the Americans, Sony from Japan holds Columbia and Tristar Pictures. Sony also owns our playthings such as PSB, Playstation, my Jacky Wu's SonyBMG, Sony Ericsson, and a truckload of electronic products.
Other than MacDonald's, most of the other fast-food chains that we come across belong to Yum! Brands, a spin-off from PepsiCo. Examples of which are KFC, Pizza Hut, and Long John Silver's.
As for our automobiles, don't be deceived by the wide variety of brand names that we may see. For one, Volkswagen owns Audi and Lamborghini, amongst many others. Ford owns Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover and many others. General Motors owns Opel, Saab and others. My list is not exhaustive; it can get very long.
Nestle is another giant. Most of the dairy products and ice-cream that we can buy at the market are somehow linked to Nestle, including Milo and Haagen-Daz.
We had a corporatized media industry. How corporatized was it? What about our cabs too?
We have some homegrown brands that I am especially fond of.
Sakae Sushi: Non-drinkers will actually prefer sake to sushi on the conveyor belt.
Shilin Delights: It is delightful to know that the authentic snacks remain in Shilin.
Thai Express: An express way to get depressed over Thai food.
I think they should stop multiplying in branches and numbing our taste-buds.
Having done so, it will be a success!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
我的生活心得
于丹在中国中央电视台上的百家讲坛之“《论语》心得”，前阵子在中国热播并得到巨大回响，各界褒贬不一，尤以来自学术界的批判较为引人注目。我倒觉得于丹的诠释虽然只能够代表她自己的理解和看法，但也不失为以一种深入浅出的方式，把古代圣贤的精深道理融会贯通，使之通俗易懂，让普罗大众也能够通过她的讲解得到一些启示。我就肤浅点，对于《论语》只有以下的浅解：
孔子的中心思想的确是“仁”，其表现是：“己欲立而立人，己欲达而达人”和“己所不欲，勿施于人”。“仁”就是“爱人”，就这么简单。“智”就是“知人”，也就这么简单。“忠”、“孝”、“礼”、“义”都是“爱人”的表现，此乃建筑在“知人”的层面上。
凡事都需要“将心比心”。
"Don't do unto others what you won't want others to do unto you".
大家自幼学习，得到了一箩筐的知识：上通天文、下知地理。但是，人们往往欠缺的就是运用知识的“大智慧”。试想想：单单在一年里，遍布在全世界的各所大学就培育出数以万计的毕业生，为何真正成为the likes of Bill Gates, Stephen Hawking, Richard Feynman 的人却屈指可数呢？显然的，大学文凭只能作为我们事业上的踏脚石，而世界上的顶尖人物都不只局限于自己的专业里。In fact, to a fair extent, EQ works on the premise that you know what the others do and how the others feel. It is different from empathy because all you need to acquire is knowledge and not a floodgate of feelings. And when I mean knowledge I mean DIVERSE knowledge. Knowledgeable so to speak. This is my own interpretation of EQ. If EQ is indeed an essential quality to succeed, then human relationships should form the bedrock of our lives.
I was attending a Japanese lecture last week when the teacher asked if we know who the person in her picture is. She was surprised by the silence that we all shared, assuming that we know a lot as undergraduates. I didn't want to play the hero to answer her; I was too shy in a 100-student crowd. Only a small number of us know who the person is (at least I thought it was obvious), as most of the heads shook profusely in reply to the teacher. The person is Yasuo Fukuda, the current Prime Minister of Japan. Sigh, 我们真的活在一个知识贫乏的时代。In another lesson, people could not identify the flag of Finland even when they are using Nokia mobile phones. The lack of time should never be an excuse for a corresponding lack of knowledge. A lack of interest, perhaps?
Obviously, however, I won't succeed, although my definition of success is merely living within my own means. I am an aspiring hermit, whose life will rest upon the tranquility attained from a lack of bonds and relationships.
于丹在中国中央电视台上的百家讲坛之“《论语》心得”，前阵子在中国热播并得到巨大回响，各界褒贬不一，尤以来自学术界的批判较为引人注目。我倒觉得于丹的诠释虽然只能够代表她自己的理解和看法，但也不失为以一种深入浅出的方式，把古代圣贤的精深道理融会贯通，使之通俗易懂，让普罗大众也能够通过她的讲解得到一些启示。我就肤浅点，对于《论语》只有以下的浅解：
孔子的中心思想的确是“仁”，其表现是：“己欲立而立人，己欲达而达人”和“己所不欲，勿施于人”。“仁”就是“爱人”，就这么简单。“智”就是“知人”，也就这么简单。“忠”、“孝”、“礼”、“义”都是“爱人”的表现，此乃建筑在“知人”的层面上。
凡事都需要“将心比心”。
"Don't do unto others what you won't want others to do unto you".
大家自幼学习，得到了一箩筐的知识：上通天文、下知地理。但是，人们往往欠缺的就是运用知识的“大智慧”。试想想：单单在一年里，遍布在全世界的各所大学就培育出数以万计的毕业生，为何真正成为the likes of Bill Gates, Stephen Hawking, Richard Feynman 的人却屈指可数呢？显然的，大学文凭只能作为我们事业上的踏脚石，而世界上的顶尖人物都不只局限于自己的专业里。In fact, to a fair extent, EQ works on the premise that you know what the others do and how the others feel. It is different from empathy because all you need to acquire is knowledge and not a floodgate of feelings. And when I mean knowledge I mean DIVERSE knowledge. Knowledgeable so to speak. This is my own interpretation of EQ. If EQ is indeed an essential quality to succeed, then human relationships should form the bedrock of our lives.
I was attending a Japanese lecture last week when the teacher asked if we know who the person in her picture is. She was surprised by the silence that we all shared, assuming that we know a lot as undergraduates. I didn't want to play the hero to answer her; I was too shy in a 100-student crowd. Only a small number of us know who the person is (at least I thought it was obvious), as most of the heads shook profusely in reply to the teacher. The person is Yasuo Fukuda, the current Prime Minister of Japan. Sigh, 我们真的活在一个知识贫乏的时代。In another lesson, people could not identify the flag of Finland even when they are using Nokia mobile phones. The lack of time should never be an excuse for a corresponding lack of knowledge. A lack of interest, perhaps?
Obviously, however, I won't succeed, although my definition of success is merely living within my own means. I am an aspiring hermit, whose life will rest upon the tranquility attained from a lack of bonds and relationships.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The Singapore Walker
I have become the Singapore Walker. I have toured much of Singapore in the past few weeks, visiting temples and interviewing priests and devotees alike. I find myself increasingly detached from my own social circle, having talked to more strangers than friends during those weeks. These strangers are whom I regard as "transient friends", and I enjoy the conservations that I have with them. I am comfortable with such a lifestyle. There is no emotional burden, and I don't need to offer anything or hope to be reciprocated in kind. It is free for me and free for all as well.
One afternoon, I was on a bus bound for Jurong East when a group of "rowdy" students boarded it. As if to fit the common stereotype of neighbourhood students, they chunkled and chattered on the bus in obvious disregard of other passengers. The bus was approaching a halt at a bus-stop when two of them ran towards a man who was making his way down the stairs. One boy handed the man a wallet, which belongs to the latter. Most of the passengers who witnessed this scene were markedly impressed by this simple act of honesty and integrity. Therefore, "never judge a book by its cover!"
On another day, I was in Changi Village when I became thirsty and tired and had to stop for a rest near a jetty. I bought ice-cream from a roadside vendor, who was accompanied by his wife. They are a kind couple, and I talked to them for about half an hour. It was a pleasant conversation that spanned from how the DJ Zhou Chongqing broke a leg after biking on Pulau Ubin to why some bicycle tracks in Singapore are unsafe. When I had to go to the washroom, they offered to look after my stuff (which included my wallet and laptop), so I went and took my own sweet time at the loo, enjoying the trust that I had in them. I parted ways with them when a new shipment of returnees, their prospective patrons, arrived from Pulau Ubin.
I need to thank my professors for the time that I am having these days. They are always so kind and patient with me. I don't have to file progress reports, and there is mutual trust and understanding between us. Of course, I cannot rely only on their generosity and kindness to complete my ethnographic data. I have to count on my diligence and, more importantly, passion.
It seems to me, especially so in recent weeks, that research has to be fuelled by passion. The mere prospect of becoming a professor and earning fat paychecks cannot sustain any researcher on the long run. The fieldwork and research that I commit myself to has allowed me to rehearse and prepare for the kind of life that I may lead in the next decades and in retirement as well. I will need to work alone, be innovative in my research topics, squeeze my creative juices dry, be hardworking, and survive a lifestyle surrounded by strangers. I possess the calibre of a hermit, and I am well-aware of it.
I have become the Singapore Walker. I have toured much of Singapore in the past few weeks, visiting temples and interviewing priests and devotees alike. I find myself increasingly detached from my own social circle, having talked to more strangers than friends during those weeks. These strangers are whom I regard as "transient friends", and I enjoy the conservations that I have with them. I am comfortable with such a lifestyle. There is no emotional burden, and I don't need to offer anything or hope to be reciprocated in kind. It is free for me and free for all as well.
One afternoon, I was on a bus bound for Jurong East when a group of "rowdy" students boarded it. As if to fit the common stereotype of neighbourhood students, they chunkled and chattered on the bus in obvious disregard of other passengers. The bus was approaching a halt at a bus-stop when two of them ran towards a man who was making his way down the stairs. One boy handed the man a wallet, which belongs to the latter. Most of the passengers who witnessed this scene were markedly impressed by this simple act of honesty and integrity. Therefore, "never judge a book by its cover!"
On another day, I was in Changi Village when I became thirsty and tired and had to stop for a rest near a jetty. I bought ice-cream from a roadside vendor, who was accompanied by his wife. They are a kind couple, and I talked to them for about half an hour. It was a pleasant conversation that spanned from how the DJ Zhou Chongqing broke a leg after biking on Pulau Ubin to why some bicycle tracks in Singapore are unsafe. When I had to go to the washroom, they offered to look after my stuff (which included my wallet and laptop), so I went and took my own sweet time at the loo, enjoying the trust that I had in them. I parted ways with them when a new shipment of returnees, their prospective patrons, arrived from Pulau Ubin.
I need to thank my professors for the time that I am having these days. They are always so kind and patient with me. I don't have to file progress reports, and there is mutual trust and understanding between us. Of course, I cannot rely only on their generosity and kindness to complete my ethnographic data. I have to count on my diligence and, more importantly, passion.
It seems to me, especially so in recent weeks, that research has to be fuelled by passion. The mere prospect of becoming a professor and earning fat paychecks cannot sustain any researcher on the long run. The fieldwork and research that I commit myself to has allowed me to rehearse and prepare for the kind of life that I may lead in the next decades and in retirement as well. I will need to work alone, be innovative in my research topics, squeeze my creative juices dry, be hardworking, and survive a lifestyle surrounded by strangers. I possess the calibre of a hermit, and I am well-aware of it.
Rags and Riches
Deng Xiaoping had once mentioned that a small fraction of the population needs to be rich before the rest can be better off. Following such rhetoric, leaders such as Suharto and Peru's Fujimori have succeeded to a fair extent, but cronyism and corruption may indeed blur the distinction between national reserves and personal coffers. In any case, an economic disparity may seem like a social injustice, but it allows a domestic economic base to be built up and acted upon by the less affluent citizens in the long run, instead of exposing the whole population to the poverty cycle. However, if the income inequality gap continues to widen at the growing expense of the poor for decades, then it cannot be justified and ought to be eliminated. Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe (infamous for its 1-million % hyper-inflation rate) belong to this undesirable category, alongside with the failed states of Afganistan and Somalia.
I was in Taiwan in 2006, and although the island has been experiencing an economic downturn for the past 8 years, I did not see a significant drop in the Taiwanese standard of living. Conventional media coverage has always sensationalized Taiwanese politics, making Taiwan seem like a haven of chaos and mess. In actual fact, Taiwan has operated on a term which I coin “乱中有序”. The politicians may be fighting with their guts out, but the bureaucrats are still performing at the implementation level.
On a sentimental note, I like Taiwan. I dedicate this blog to it.
Deng Xiaoping had once mentioned that a small fraction of the population needs to be rich before the rest can be better off. Following such rhetoric, leaders such as Suharto and Peru's Fujimori have succeeded to a fair extent, but cronyism and corruption may indeed blur the distinction between national reserves and personal coffers. In any case, an economic disparity may seem like a social injustice, but it allows a domestic economic base to be built up and acted upon by the less affluent citizens in the long run, instead of exposing the whole population to the poverty cycle. However, if the income inequality gap continues to widen at the growing expense of the poor for decades, then it cannot be justified and ought to be eliminated. Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe (infamous for its 1-million % hyper-inflation rate) belong to this undesirable category, alongside with the failed states of Afganistan and Somalia.
I was in Taiwan in 2006, and although the island has been experiencing an economic downturn for the past 8 years, I did not see a significant drop in the Taiwanese standard of living. Conventional media coverage has always sensationalized Taiwanese politics, making Taiwan seem like a haven of chaos and mess. In actual fact, Taiwan has operated on a term which I coin “乱中有序”. The politicians may be fighting with their guts out, but the bureaucrats are still performing at the implementation level.
On a sentimental note, I like Taiwan. I dedicate this blog to it.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Death of Suharto
Although it should not come as a surprise, Suharto's death ought to be lamented and regretted upon. While it may be true that there was autocracy, corruption, political purges and prosecution of the Chinese during his reign, Suharto had undoubtedly brought prosperity and stability to Indonesia and the Southeast Asian region. Indonesia was once one of the richest and most economically viable country in the region, alongside with Myanmar and the Philippines. However, it was led by Sukarno and economic growth slowed for nearly 2 decades before Suharto overthrew him in 1966. Industrialization and modernization arrived in Indonesia with massive influx of foreign capital and domestic collaboration with the affluent Chinese magnates. Compare Indonesia with Newin's Myanmar and Marcos' Philippines and you will understand what I mean here. Politically, Suharto contributed greatly to regional stability when he ended the "Konfrontasi" and forged stronger ties with the ASEAN member states. His death deserves a week of mourning from the Indonesians.
This reminds me of a common flaw in the arguments made by Chinese historians with regards to the dynastic cycle. It has been a convenient excuse and explanation for Chinese historians to attribute the fall of a dynasty to corruption and decay. This is so superficial and being too simplistic. We need more research and better claims here. While a degree of extent lingers, there was and is corruption everywhere in every place. For instance, many people think that China suffered from humiliation by the foreign imperialist powers in the late nineteenth century because the Qing court was incapable, useless and most importantly in this context, corrupt. However, the fall of the Qing Dynasty proved to be a worse disaster for China, which succumbed to incessant warfare between the powerful warlords across the country. In fact, a little known fact is that Qing China used to possess one of the most powerful navies in the world, known as the Beiyang fleet which had unfortunately faced its destruction in the hands of the Japanese in the first Sino-Japanese War. A lack of armaments and gunpower in favour of grand celebrations and a marble ship for Empress Dowager Cixi's 60th birthday was the main cause. In addition, many Western scholars have pointed out that the economic productivity of Qing China in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries was on par with many of the strongest European nations, and at its peak even with the United Kingdom. Corruption and decay should never be used unilaterally in explaining the fall of dynasties and empires.
Similarly, I don't see that Indonesia has become any better without Suharto's rule. Economic mismanagement, rampant corruption and a general lack of confidence in foreign investors continue to plague the country, although the situation has picked up in recent years.
Having said so much here, I believe that Suharto's flaws should be forgiven and forgotten. This is what I, an interested foreigner, choose to believe in.
Although it should not come as a surprise, Suharto's death ought to be lamented and regretted upon. While it may be true that there was autocracy, corruption, political purges and prosecution of the Chinese during his reign, Suharto had undoubtedly brought prosperity and stability to Indonesia and the Southeast Asian region. Indonesia was once one of the richest and most economically viable country in the region, alongside with Myanmar and the Philippines. However, it was led by Sukarno and economic growth slowed for nearly 2 decades before Suharto overthrew him in 1966. Industrialization and modernization arrived in Indonesia with massive influx of foreign capital and domestic collaboration with the affluent Chinese magnates. Compare Indonesia with Newin's Myanmar and Marcos' Philippines and you will understand what I mean here. Politically, Suharto contributed greatly to regional stability when he ended the "Konfrontasi" and forged stronger ties with the ASEAN member states. His death deserves a week of mourning from the Indonesians.
This reminds me of a common flaw in the arguments made by Chinese historians with regards to the dynastic cycle. It has been a convenient excuse and explanation for Chinese historians to attribute the fall of a dynasty to corruption and decay. This is so superficial and being too simplistic. We need more research and better claims here. While a degree of extent lingers, there was and is corruption everywhere in every place. For instance, many people think that China suffered from humiliation by the foreign imperialist powers in the late nineteenth century because the Qing court was incapable, useless and most importantly in this context, corrupt. However, the fall of the Qing Dynasty proved to be a worse disaster for China, which succumbed to incessant warfare between the powerful warlords across the country. In fact, a little known fact is that Qing China used to possess one of the most powerful navies in the world, known as the Beiyang fleet which had unfortunately faced its destruction in the hands of the Japanese in the first Sino-Japanese War. A lack of armaments and gunpower in favour of grand celebrations and a marble ship for Empress Dowager Cixi's 60th birthday was the main cause. In addition, many Western scholars have pointed out that the economic productivity of Qing China in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries was on par with many of the strongest European nations, and at its peak even with the United Kingdom. Corruption and decay should never be used unilaterally in explaining the fall of dynasties and empires.
Similarly, I don't see that Indonesia has become any better without Suharto's rule. Economic mismanagement, rampant corruption and a general lack of confidence in foreign investors continue to plague the country, although the situation has picked up in recent years.
Having said so much here, I believe that Suharto's flaws should be forgiven and forgotten. This is what I, an interested foreigner, choose to believe in.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Notice Board
My dear friend Tips needs to complete his thesis by compiling data from an e-questionnaire. Please follow this link http://personal1198060194.bipvinsingapore.sgizmo.com/ and help him fulfill his required quota of respondents.
When you have the time, please visit the website http://blog.omy.sg/ming to know more about the world around us in Mandarin. We all need to be more knowledgeable these days.
I had just returned from the Lorong Koo Chye Sheng Hong Temple. I interviewed a friendly Taoist priest who had patiently answered all my queries within an hour. I must thank him in the acknowledgement page of my Honours thesis.
In addition, I saw The Flying Dutchman in SingPost @ Paya Lebar. And to build on such coincidence, I saw Pornsak at a MacDonald's outlet in Toa Payoh. If only I can strike lottery as easily in the Singapore Pools. My dream is to purchase property in the outskirts of Taipei, on the beautiful island of Formosa! I will donate the rest of whatever I win to charitable causes. As a devout Buddhist, what is wealth and fortune to me anyway? Ultimately, I hope to retire as a hermit on Yangmingshan.
It's been a year, but I still miss my Taiwanese friends, as well as the foreign ones such as Francoise, Hisashi, Marvin, Shingo and Yasushi. I hope that they have been getting on fine.
My dear friend Tips needs to complete his thesis by compiling data from an e-questionnaire. Please follow this link http://personal1198060194.bipvinsingapore.sgizmo.com/ and help him fulfill his required quota of respondents.
When you have the time, please visit the website http://blog.omy.sg/ming to know more about the world around us in Mandarin. We all need to be more knowledgeable these days.
I had just returned from the Lorong Koo Chye Sheng Hong Temple. I interviewed a friendly Taoist priest who had patiently answered all my queries within an hour. I must thank him in the acknowledgement page of my Honours thesis.
In addition, I saw The Flying Dutchman in SingPost @ Paya Lebar. And to build on such coincidence, I saw Pornsak at a MacDonald's outlet in Toa Payoh. If only I can strike lottery as easily in the Singapore Pools. My dream is to purchase property in the outskirts of Taipei, on the beautiful island of Formosa! I will donate the rest of whatever I win to charitable causes. As a devout Buddhist, what is wealth and fortune to me anyway? Ultimately, I hope to retire as a hermit on Yangmingshan.
It's been a year, but I still miss my Taiwanese friends, as well as the foreign ones such as Francoise, Hisashi, Marvin, Shingo and Yasushi. I hope that they have been getting on fine.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Reservations about some issues
If only Taiwan politics is part of my research. I just realize that I have been too optimistic about the KMT chances of winning the impending presidential election. The ratio of seats won by the KMT with respect to the DPP may seem impressive, but in effect it is translated to a tight 60% is to 40% of the total vote count, and the actual turnout at the polls was a mere 58% of the whole electorate. What this means is that there is always a chance for the DPP to revive itself and perhaps win the next election, as there are still many staunch "green" voters around to act as its ballast. Moreover, as high as 40% of the population have yet to decide on whom to support. A close fight between Ma Ying-Jeou and Frank Hsieh is expected, and I obviously support the former candidate.
To bring today's post to something relevant to home, I realize that Singapore has become increasingly crowded with each passing year. Overpopulated so to speak. This was not so just a few years ago. The streets of Singapore, be them within town or outside, were usually devoid of people, who were either at work or at least indoors at home. This has ceased to be the case. The most obvious example would be the packed trains that we experience all day round. Whether it is in a lazy afternoon or the peak hours at dawn and at dusk, we see streams of commuters flooding the MRT stations from all directions, led by the busy escalators that transport them. All of us instantly become packed sardines who have to bear with slamming our faces in the windows and jostling with the unduly crowd just to make an exit or entrance. Chaos is an apt word to describe these scenes.
I wonder if I can attribute the train phenomena to the cab fare hikes, which may have forced many people to opt for the MRT instead of the taxi. Or maybe we have been overwhelmed by the huge influx of foreigners that our small nation cannot accommodate, and that our infrastructure and transport system have failed to serve adequately. If I'm not gravely mistaken, Singapore's population has doubled in the past 2 decades, not taking into account the substantial number of foreigners who study and work here on long-term tenures. I'm not saying that we should be xenophobic, but we have to improve various aspects of our current structure before accepting the many many talents from all over the world.
For one, it is a disgrace to see zig-zag lines formed by our commuters at the escalators. I have been a frequent traveler to Hong Kong and Taiwan, and be it the MTR or the Taipei Subway, I can always see a distinct "keep left" attitude in the commuters who allow those in a rush to move up faster at the right. Here in Singapore, there is NEVER a left line of people, even when the overhead panel indicates "1 min" to the next arriving train. Then the poor folks who read the notice and yet miss the train due to the inconsideration of others will have to lament on their bad luck, looking at the screen that runs the same capitalist commercials over and over again. Movie thrillers, recurring songs......
Sometimes all it takes is a little empathy from all of us to make life work better for others. It is never too late to take a small step forward towards building a gracious society.
If only Taiwan politics is part of my research. I just realize that I have been too optimistic about the KMT chances of winning the impending presidential election. The ratio of seats won by the KMT with respect to the DPP may seem impressive, but in effect it is translated to a tight 60% is to 40% of the total vote count, and the actual turnout at the polls was a mere 58% of the whole electorate. What this means is that there is always a chance for the DPP to revive itself and perhaps win the next election, as there are still many staunch "green" voters around to act as its ballast. Moreover, as high as 40% of the population have yet to decide on whom to support. A close fight between Ma Ying-Jeou and Frank Hsieh is expected, and I obviously support the former candidate.
To bring today's post to something relevant to home, I realize that Singapore has become increasingly crowded with each passing year. Overpopulated so to speak. This was not so just a few years ago. The streets of Singapore, be them within town or outside, were usually devoid of people, who were either at work or at least indoors at home. This has ceased to be the case. The most obvious example would be the packed trains that we experience all day round. Whether it is in a lazy afternoon or the peak hours at dawn and at dusk, we see streams of commuters flooding the MRT stations from all directions, led by the busy escalators that transport them. All of us instantly become packed sardines who have to bear with slamming our faces in the windows and jostling with the unduly crowd just to make an exit or entrance. Chaos is an apt word to describe these scenes.
I wonder if I can attribute the train phenomena to the cab fare hikes, which may have forced many people to opt for the MRT instead of the taxi. Or maybe we have been overwhelmed by the huge influx of foreigners that our small nation cannot accommodate, and that our infrastructure and transport system have failed to serve adequately. If I'm not gravely mistaken, Singapore's population has doubled in the past 2 decades, not taking into account the substantial number of foreigners who study and work here on long-term tenures. I'm not saying that we should be xenophobic, but we have to improve various aspects of our current structure before accepting the many many talents from all over the world.
For one, it is a disgrace to see zig-zag lines formed by our commuters at the escalators. I have been a frequent traveler to Hong Kong and Taiwan, and be it the MTR or the Taipei Subway, I can always see a distinct "keep left" attitude in the commuters who allow those in a rush to move up faster at the right. Here in Singapore, there is NEVER a left line of people, even when the overhead panel indicates "1 min" to the next arriving train. Then the poor folks who read the notice and yet miss the train due to the inconsideration of others will have to lament on their bad luck, looking at the screen that runs the same capitalist commercials over and over again. Movie thrillers, recurring songs......
Sometimes all it takes is a little empathy from all of us to make life work better for others. It is never too late to take a small step forward towards building a gracious society.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Support the KMT!
Taiwan politics should be none of my concern. However, it is where my interest lies in. Most of the papers that I had written for my Political Science and Public Policy modules were on Taiwan politics and how Taiwan can seek survival space in global politics. I am not an advocate of Taiwan independence, but I am a supporter of the status quo in the Taiwan Straits.
Moreover, on a more selfish note, I had a picture taken with Ma Ying-Jeou in 2006, and I hope that the picture will value-add itself if he is elected as the President of the Republic of China later this year. :) In fact, I was elated when I first heard that the KMT landslide victory at the polls for seats at the Legislature Yuan. A hefty 81:27! That's 3 to the power of 4 versus 3 of 3! Splendid!
However, Nobel-laureate and former head of the Academia Sinica (the think tank of Taiwan) Lee Yuan Tseh had just voiced his support for DPP presidential candidate Frank Hsieh, saying that there is a need to counter KMT's political power in the Legislature Yuan with a DPP president. I am sure that he has his reasons for suggesting that, but it is pointless in having a "lame duck" president who cannot pass a law or policy without a face-off with an omni-powerful opposition party. The ensuing result can either be potential chaos that will threaten to erupt anytime or political crises that will undermine the efficiency of any decent government. A strong president and a strong party on a cooperative platform are instrumental to putting in place successful directives and implementing them. Of course, I am not an enthusiast of autocracy or despotism. However, I believe that the Taiwanese electorate is mature enough to vote the KMT out if the party fails to perform after its 4-year mandate in 2011. In any case, Taiwan cannot afford an unstable government, not even a coalition of sorts. It is sad to see that the former lead wagon of the "Four Asian Tigers" has now taken a back seat.
The Taiwanese people do not display any form of political apathy, and they know exactly what they are doing. The political atmosphere there exudes an attractive kind of vibrancy that is little seen elsewhere in Asia. The KMT has witnessed sweeping changes in the past decade, and it is no longer an icon for "black money". The Taiwanese electorate should allow the revamped party a chance to redeem itself and serve the people once more.
I look forward to visiting my beautiful Formosa later this year. To a blue-governed one that is.
Taiwan politics should be none of my concern. However, it is where my interest lies in. Most of the papers that I had written for my Political Science and Public Policy modules were on Taiwan politics and how Taiwan can seek survival space in global politics. I am not an advocate of Taiwan independence, but I am a supporter of the status quo in the Taiwan Straits.
Moreover, on a more selfish note, I had a picture taken with Ma Ying-Jeou in 2006, and I hope that the picture will value-add itself if he is elected as the President of the Republic of China later this year. :) In fact, I was elated when I first heard that the KMT landslide victory at the polls for seats at the Legislature Yuan. A hefty 81:27! That's 3 to the power of 4 versus 3 of 3! Splendid!
However, Nobel-laureate and former head of the Academia Sinica (the think tank of Taiwan) Lee Yuan Tseh had just voiced his support for DPP presidential candidate Frank Hsieh, saying that there is a need to counter KMT's political power in the Legislature Yuan with a DPP president. I am sure that he has his reasons for suggesting that, but it is pointless in having a "lame duck" president who cannot pass a law or policy without a face-off with an omni-powerful opposition party. The ensuing result can either be potential chaos that will threaten to erupt anytime or political crises that will undermine the efficiency of any decent government. A strong president and a strong party on a cooperative platform are instrumental to putting in place successful directives and implementing them. Of course, I am not an enthusiast of autocracy or despotism. However, I believe that the Taiwanese electorate is mature enough to vote the KMT out if the party fails to perform after its 4-year mandate in 2011. In any case, Taiwan cannot afford an unstable government, not even a coalition of sorts. It is sad to see that the former lead wagon of the "Four Asian Tigers" has now taken a back seat.
The Taiwanese people do not display any form of political apathy, and they know exactly what they are doing. The political atmosphere there exudes an attractive kind of vibrancy that is little seen elsewhere in Asia. The KMT has witnessed sweeping changes in the past decade, and it is no longer an icon for "black money". The Taiwanese electorate should allow the revamped party a chance to redeem itself and serve the people once more.
I look forward to visiting my beautiful Formosa later this year. To a blue-governed one that is.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
It's not such a Grim World after all
Most people are nice. Even if they seem mean or nasty at times, it must be an undeniable fact that their hearts are kind. I saw that when I stood at road junctions to sell "flag stickers" for charitable organizations. Some looked angry and fierce, but they would stop over to buy one. I also saw that when I appealed for help from friends. One notable example was my first academic talk in school late last year. Friends who are obviously not interested in the topic would still make an attempt to turn up when I told them of the low turnout that I was expected to enjoy. Even those friends whom I had not kept in touch with for ages came to give me their support. "A friend in need is a friend indeed". "Everyone within the Four Seas is a friend". So, don't lose faith in your own kind nature!
Most people are nice. Even if they seem mean or nasty at times, it must be an undeniable fact that their hearts are kind. I saw that when I stood at road junctions to sell "flag stickers" for charitable organizations. Some looked angry and fierce, but they would stop over to buy one. I also saw that when I appealed for help from friends. One notable example was my first academic talk in school late last year. Friends who are obviously not interested in the topic would still make an attempt to turn up when I told them of the low turnout that I was expected to enjoy. Even those friends whom I had not kept in touch with for ages came to give me their support. "A friend in need is a friend indeed". "Everyone within the Four Seas is a friend". So, don't lose faith in your own kind nature!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
A Chinese Buff? Not Exactly......
I major in Chinese Studies. I chose to do so after the release of my "A" level results. Although the Arts Faculty has always been regarded by many to be a "dumping ground" for poor academic achievers, a disclaimer ought to be made here that I was never forced by any kind of circumstances to enrol into it. And I have never regretted my decision, despite the possibility that Chinese Studies is a "sunset" industry.
But then again, I might have made a wrong choice. Unknown to many, including my closest friends, my real passion lies in History and Political Science, particularly the former. In some aspects, I know more about Athens, Rome and Persia than about China. Nonetheless, I chose to major in Chinese Studies because I do possess an interest in it and more importantly, I know that I can do reasonably well for it. The Higher Chinese subject had never posed a challenge to me, all the way from primary school to junior college. It was one that I could afford last-minute work and yet top the class and perhaps even the level at the end of the day. In fact, for the "A" level examinations for Higher Chinese, I skipped a whole 10-mark question and still got an A grade for it.
Of course, things are a lot different now from what they were in the past. Rote learning and mere memory no longer suffice, and I need to do considerable research before I can ascertain any claim or finding. Whatever the case is, I have never betrayed my true passion. The Chinese Studies discipline is actually very different from that of the Chinese Language. While it is true that we write most of our reports in the Chinese script, we don't do linguistics at all. The Chinese Studies discipline entails a whole array of topics, ranging from history and literature to philosophy and society. My actual specialty is Chinese History, and I kinda suck in the rest. I have decided that my Masters dissertation shall focus on the Sino-Japanese interactions during the Ming Dynasty, with an emphasis on the Ryukyu Islands as an important node in the relevant trade routes. That is, if my application to pursue a Masters Degree is approved. It is my ultimate wish that I can graduate as a PhD holder in History. So if you are talking about my lifelong goal, this shall be it. It may not be simple, but dreams make successful men, and I hope I can become one of them. :)
Now who dares to say that I bear only regressive thoughts? :)
I major in Chinese Studies. I chose to do so after the release of my "A" level results. Although the Arts Faculty has always been regarded by many to be a "dumping ground" for poor academic achievers, a disclaimer ought to be made here that I was never forced by any kind of circumstances to enrol into it. And I have never regretted my decision, despite the possibility that Chinese Studies is a "sunset" industry.
But then again, I might have made a wrong choice. Unknown to many, including my closest friends, my real passion lies in History and Political Science, particularly the former. In some aspects, I know more about Athens, Rome and Persia than about China. Nonetheless, I chose to major in Chinese Studies because I do possess an interest in it and more importantly, I know that I can do reasonably well for it. The Higher Chinese subject had never posed a challenge to me, all the way from primary school to junior college. It was one that I could afford last-minute work and yet top the class and perhaps even the level at the end of the day. In fact, for the "A" level examinations for Higher Chinese, I skipped a whole 10-mark question and still got an A grade for it.
Of course, things are a lot different now from what they were in the past. Rote learning and mere memory no longer suffice, and I need to do considerable research before I can ascertain any claim or finding. Whatever the case is, I have never betrayed my true passion. The Chinese Studies discipline is actually very different from that of the Chinese Language. While it is true that we write most of our reports in the Chinese script, we don't do linguistics at all. The Chinese Studies discipline entails a whole array of topics, ranging from history and literature to philosophy and society. My actual specialty is Chinese History, and I kinda suck in the rest. I have decided that my Masters dissertation shall focus on the Sino-Japanese interactions during the Ming Dynasty, with an emphasis on the Ryukyu Islands as an important node in the relevant trade routes. That is, if my application to pursue a Masters Degree is approved. It is my ultimate wish that I can graduate as a PhD holder in History. So if you are talking about my lifelong goal, this shall be it. It may not be simple, but dreams make successful men, and I hope I can become one of them. :)
Now who dares to say that I bear only regressive thoughts? :)
Friday, January 18, 2008
Minimum Workload Requirement??
How absurd! The Faculty had just sent me an email, asking me why I end up in its records for having failed to meet the minimum workload requirement for this semester! The email reads that I should read at least 16 MCs for every academic semester.
I decide to study only 12 MCs this semester, because I had already cleared 168 MCs in the past 7 semesters! Mind you that the standard workload for Honours students is 160 MCs! Haiz, as an "old bird" I deserve a break, don't I? I just want to focus on my research and thesis, as well as to enjoy my last (?) semester at NUS. :)
How absurd! The Faculty had just sent me an email, asking me why I end up in its records for having failed to meet the minimum workload requirement for this semester! The email reads that I should read at least 16 MCs for every academic semester.
I decide to study only 12 MCs this semester, because I had already cleared 168 MCs in the past 7 semesters! Mind you that the standard workload for Honours students is 160 MCs! Haiz, as an "old bird" I deserve a break, don't I? I just want to focus on my research and thesis, as well as to enjoy my last (?) semester at NUS. :)
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Monday, January 07, 2008
Regressive Thoughts?
Let peace and love reign! Never allow growth and progress to blind our path in life! I have never made an attempt to dispel these thoughts. In fact, I have persuaded himself that I am not living for this transient life, but for the life of eternity, and that there is tranquility in my heart.
Admit a transient splendour over our lives in the remotest ages!
Let peace and love reign! Never allow growth and progress to blind our path in life! I have never made an attempt to dispel these thoughts. In fact, I have persuaded himself that I am not living for this transient life, but for the life of eternity, and that there is tranquility in my heart.
Admit a transient splendour over our lives in the remotest ages!
Overloaded Academic Career in NUS
I had already earned 160 MCs, without taking into account my ISMs, Honours Thesis, and Japanese class. This means that by the end of my last semester, I would have cleared a total of 180 MCs! The difference is the normal workload of an academic semester. I could have graduated earlier!
However, I am not an over-achiever. I will not become a First-Class Honours graduate. I am just a nobody lost in a world of strangers.
I had already earned 160 MCs, without taking into account my ISMs, Honours Thesis, and Japanese class. This means that by the end of my last semester, I would have cleared a total of 180 MCs! The difference is the normal workload of an academic semester. I could have graduated earlier!
However, I am not an over-achiever. I will not become a First-Class Honours graduate. I am just a nobody lost in a world of strangers.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Enslaved
I will become a unit of production. I must turn myself into a valuable asset to society by working hard. There are obvious, tangible benefits to be derived from excellent work, but as a nobody I have to work extra hard to earn them. Although obvious, these benefits are few and only available to a selected few.
What happens if I work too hard? Will any organization take care of me? Who will bother?
I will be covered by a shield. Paid for by my own monthly contributions. Will it be enough? I think it can't protect me against the formidable viruses, with blood suckers as their accomplice. I will be left to the wastes if I fail to work further, so I must dodge ahead regardless of rewards nor sacrifices.
All is not lost yet. We have the slave union to fight for our rights, even though the union is always preoccupied with its other operations, such as slave insurance, gigantic supermarts and river taxis. Perhaps it can still be counted upon when real trouble brews.
My livelihood is a whip. Tormented souls are my neighbours.
I will become a unit of production. I must turn myself into a valuable asset to society by working hard. There are obvious, tangible benefits to be derived from excellent work, but as a nobody I have to work extra hard to earn them. Although obvious, these benefits are few and only available to a selected few.
What happens if I work too hard? Will any organization take care of me? Who will bother?
I will be covered by a shield. Paid for by my own monthly contributions. Will it be enough? I think it can't protect me against the formidable viruses, with blood suckers as their accomplice. I will be left to the wastes if I fail to work further, so I must dodge ahead regardless of rewards nor sacrifices.
All is not lost yet. We have the slave union to fight for our rights, even though the union is always preoccupied with its other operations, such as slave insurance, gigantic supermarts and river taxis. Perhaps it can still be counted upon when real trouble brews.
My livelihood is a whip. Tormented souls are my neighbours.
Friday, December 28, 2007
A Tale of Tails
If growth is Gospel truth,
Then I prefer a land before time,
Millions of years ago,
When nothing was known as gold.
All in the name of progress,
Never to look back!
Should I stumble and fall,
There will be no memories to fall back upon.
Again in the name of progress,
Leave nobody behind!
But I am a nobody,
And I am left behind.
I recall a time when we all had tails,
Living a life simple as it was.
No cars and trains to save time,
And no cheques to quantify time.
Time is now saved,
With which to slog more.
If time is money,
I would hate to be a prince.
If growth is Gospel truth,
Then I prefer a land before time,
Millions of years ago,
When nothing was known as gold.
All in the name of progress,
Never to look back!
Should I stumble and fall,
There will be no memories to fall back upon.
Again in the name of progress,
Leave nobody behind!
But I am a nobody,
And I am left behind.
I recall a time when we all had tails,
Living a life simple as it was.
No cars and trains to save time,
And no cheques to quantify time.
Time is now saved,
With which to slog more.
If time is money,
I would hate to be a prince.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Release of the Examination Results
I did not check my results when they were first out in the afternoon. I was out the whole day with Daniel and Jiayi, trying to clear my mind of the fear that had culminated as the day approached the release time at 2pm. Many of my friends such as Hauser and Tips had enquired about my grades, and I could not tell them then.
In any case, I had an enjoyable day with both Daniel and Jiayi. Having broken into cold sweat and with trembling hands, literally, I logged onto the relevant website on my laptop, expecting the worst gift bestowed upon me by Heaven.
I have received one of my best results ever. With 2 A+s. Impossible! I almost cried just now! Not that they are super-duper terrific, but I had expected much worse from myself.
For my film modules, I was the crap who had crapped much in my assignments and papers. Throughout the semester, I did not even know the proper terminologies to be used in film analysis, and was a dummy who knew nuts about cinematic techniques. Jacky is the whiz kid in this field. For the examinations, I wrote crap. I didn't even know what to write about, but simply carried on anyway. Guess what: for one I achieved an A+ and for another, an A-. I'm more than satisfied. What a close shave!
My worst grade actually came from one of my ISMs, a B+. Nonetheless, given the overall circumstances, I truly have no regrets. Really.
The past semester had been my busiest and worst one ever. I am currently a Research Assistant, and had chosen to challenge myself by studying 6 modules, including 2 ISMs and 1 CBM. Thank goodness that everything has turned out fine.
I really have no complaints. Those who know how bad I had survived the semester would also know that I am not flaunting my results here. I am just plain lucky. Phew!
I did not check my results when they were first out in the afternoon. I was out the whole day with Daniel and Jiayi, trying to clear my mind of the fear that had culminated as the day approached the release time at 2pm. Many of my friends such as Hauser and Tips had enquired about my grades, and I could not tell them then.
In any case, I had an enjoyable day with both Daniel and Jiayi. Having broken into cold sweat and with trembling hands, literally, I logged onto the relevant website on my laptop, expecting the worst gift bestowed upon me by Heaven.
I have received one of my best results ever. With 2 A+s. Impossible! I almost cried just now! Not that they are super-duper terrific, but I had expected much worse from myself.
For my film modules, I was the crap who had crapped much in my assignments and papers. Throughout the semester, I did not even know the proper terminologies to be used in film analysis, and was a dummy who knew nuts about cinematic techniques. Jacky is the whiz kid in this field. For the examinations, I wrote crap. I didn't even know what to write about, but simply carried on anyway. Guess what: for one I achieved an A+ and for another, an A-. I'm more than satisfied. What a close shave!
My worst grade actually came from one of my ISMs, a B+. Nonetheless, given the overall circumstances, I truly have no regrets. Really.
The past semester had been my busiest and worst one ever. I am currently a Research Assistant, and had chosen to challenge myself by studying 6 modules, including 2 ISMs and 1 CBM. Thank goodness that everything has turned out fine.
I really have no complaints. Those who know how bad I had survived the semester would also know that I am not flaunting my results here. I am just plain lucky. Phew!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to all my readers! Have a happy, merry, joyous Christmas! The lack of adjectives to describe Christmas here has thoroughly exposed my lack of lexical richness and vocabulary and hence, my English proficiency level. After all, I am truly Asian or more specifically, truly Chinese.
I hate to face it, but English has been tagged a status symbol in Singapore. I was in Penghu last year when a Taiwanese told me that the Singaporeans ignored her pleas for help when she asked for it in Mandarin during her tour here. I had never realized that some of us can be so cold and aloof.
I have never really celebrated Christmas. Not that Christmas has been distasteful for me, but I can't sing the Christmas carols, don't really like turkey and ham, and dislike the foam and strands from the spray cans aimed at me. Perhaps I am too conservative for bashes and parties of any nature, whether or not they are of the Christmas content. I do like coffee though, and it is sustaining my consciousness now.
I find myself increasingly unsuitable for life in Singapore. Singapore has been too "Westernized" to my liking. Not only in the hardware but also in the software, that is, the behaviour and mentality of the people at large. Skyscrapers are one thing, the way people think is another. Capitalism and consumerism have already been embedded in the psyche of the people, and with globalization comes growing intensity of these trends.
I am a peace-loving person at ease with myself. At least I think of myself as such. I don't belong to the rat race culture in Singapore. I am not competitive either, and I understand that without the slightest competition I can never reach the cutting edge for my country. Given my inherent nature, I am definitely not an asset or talent to Singapore. At the very least, I just hope that I won't turn into a liability. If I ever become so, I will want to live abroad.
My favourite places: Hong Kong and Taiwan? I had earnestly considered the possibility of moving to either place in the future. However, from my conversations with friends from these places, there are also disincentives that I, a foreigner, may have overlooked. High stress levels, sky-rocketed property prices, poor job conditions are some of the "horror" stories that I have heard. Where else can I go to, or turn to, if I can't thrive in these circumstances?
I am at best a 2nd-Upper Honours degree holder. I will be pursuing my Masters degree in Chinese Studies upon graduation. Sometimes I wonder why I do so much research and academic work that entails little practical purpose. Then it dawned onto me that I just dislike working and studying is actually the lesser of the two evils to me. If I'm better-looking, I could have joined a boy band. If I can speak as well as my idol Jacky Wu, I could have become a TV compere. Alas, I can do neither! Although I am not a smart arse, I have to choose the academia, because it happens to be the field in which I can perform satisfactorily.
Am I willowing in self-pity? Not exactly. I'm just re-evaluating my possible options in life. A lack of confidence? Nope, I'm just coming to terms with the fact that I'm a heartlander at heart. I can never aspire to become the cosmopolitan that marks the lives of my PSC scholar friends, as well as the elite professionals of accountants, doctors and lawyers. The fact that I can face up to the harsh realities of life means that I am still a strong individual, mentally that is.
My Christmas resolution? To believe with all my heart that everything in life is transient.
Merry Christmas to all my readers! Have a happy, merry, joyous Christmas! The lack of adjectives to describe Christmas here has thoroughly exposed my lack of lexical richness and vocabulary and hence, my English proficiency level. After all, I am truly Asian or more specifically, truly Chinese.
I hate to face it, but English has been tagged a status symbol in Singapore. I was in Penghu last year when a Taiwanese told me that the Singaporeans ignored her pleas for help when she asked for it in Mandarin during her tour here. I had never realized that some of us can be so cold and aloof.
I have never really celebrated Christmas. Not that Christmas has been distasteful for me, but I can't sing the Christmas carols, don't really like turkey and ham, and dislike the foam and strands from the spray cans aimed at me. Perhaps I am too conservative for bashes and parties of any nature, whether or not they are of the Christmas content. I do like coffee though, and it is sustaining my consciousness now.
I find myself increasingly unsuitable for life in Singapore. Singapore has been too "Westernized" to my liking. Not only in the hardware but also in the software, that is, the behaviour and mentality of the people at large. Skyscrapers are one thing, the way people think is another. Capitalism and consumerism have already been embedded in the psyche of the people, and with globalization comes growing intensity of these trends.
I am a peace-loving person at ease with myself. At least I think of myself as such. I don't belong to the rat race culture in Singapore. I am not competitive either, and I understand that without the slightest competition I can never reach the cutting edge for my country. Given my inherent nature, I am definitely not an asset or talent to Singapore. At the very least, I just hope that I won't turn into a liability. If I ever become so, I will want to live abroad.
My favourite places: Hong Kong and Taiwan? I had earnestly considered the possibility of moving to either place in the future. However, from my conversations with friends from these places, there are also disincentives that I, a foreigner, may have overlooked. High stress levels, sky-rocketed property prices, poor job conditions are some of the "horror" stories that I have heard. Where else can I go to, or turn to, if I can't thrive in these circumstances?
I am at best a 2nd-Upper Honours degree holder. I will be pursuing my Masters degree in Chinese Studies upon graduation. Sometimes I wonder why I do so much research and academic work that entails little practical purpose. Then it dawned onto me that I just dislike working and studying is actually the lesser of the two evils to me. If I'm better-looking, I could have joined a boy band. If I can speak as well as my idol Jacky Wu, I could have become a TV compere. Alas, I can do neither! Although I am not a smart arse, I have to choose the academia, because it happens to be the field in which I can perform satisfactorily.
Am I willowing in self-pity? Not exactly. I'm just re-evaluating my possible options in life. A lack of confidence? Nope, I'm just coming to terms with the fact that I'm a heartlander at heart. I can never aspire to become the cosmopolitan that marks the lives of my PSC scholar friends, as well as the elite professionals of accountants, doctors and lawyers. The fact that I can face up to the harsh realities of life means that I am still a strong individual, mentally that is.
My Christmas resolution? To believe with all my heart that everything in life is transient.
June 2007: Beijing (a final note)
I have tried my best to condense my 2-week stay in Beijing into 3 entries. It has proven rather impossible to cover the density of my trip in totality, so these entries are neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. I felt kinda "numb" then, having been to China on so many occasions, and had taken very few pictures around.
Other than the numerous temples and rural villages, we had also visited the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan). I just couldn't find the famous Marble Ship.
I had the delight of watching a Peking opera performance with my professor and a few students of the module. We drank tea and fanned ourselves in squire fashion.
When it was time for us to part, I had a photo taken with the kind professor and her teaching assistants outside the university hotel.
I have tried my best to condense my 2-week stay in Beijing into 3 entries. It has proven rather impossible to cover the density of my trip in totality, so these entries are neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. I felt kinda "numb" then, having been to China on so many occasions, and had taken very few pictures around.
Other than the numerous temples and rural villages, we had also visited the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan). I just couldn't find the famous Marble Ship.
We also went to the Tiananmen Square. "Forward, Comrades!" seemed to be the cry for the Monument to the People's Heroes.
Of course, how could I have missed the sentry guards standing on alert near the Great Hall of the People? However, it was a pity that I failed to catch the changing of guards parade, as well as the hoisting of the China flag accompanied by the Chinese anthem in the wee hours of the morning.
I had the delight of watching a Peking opera performance with my professor and a few students of the module. We drank tea and fanned ourselves in squire fashion.
When it was time for us to part, I had a photo taken with the kind professor and her teaching assistants outside the university hotel.Monday, December 24, 2007
June 2007: Beijing (continued)
We visited the Temple of Heaven. For me, again. In fact, for the third time within a year.
And we went to the Forbidden City! The Palace is a place that I wouldn't mind going for a number of times. However, due to the Olympics preparations, the palace grounds had turned into a massive construction site. I was greeted by dust and smoke. Many chambers and pavilions became out of bounds due to the works.
Still, I managed to catch a glimpse of the Dragon Throne! Most Qing Emperors had sat on the Throne. I wish to sit on it too.
We visited the Temple of Heaven. For me, again. In fact, for the third time within a year.
And we went to the Forbidden City! The Palace is a place that I wouldn't mind going for a number of times. However, due to the Olympics preparations, the palace grounds had turned into a massive construction site. I was greeted by dust and smoke. Many chambers and pavilions became out of bounds due to the works. Still, I managed to catch a glimpse of the Dragon Throne! Most Qing Emperors had sat on the Throne. I wish to sit on it too.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
June 2007: Beijing (to be continued)
I was the Programme Assistant for a USP Summer Programme entitled Chinese Thought and Culture, and since the Programme was conducted in Peking University, I enjoyed the luxury of visiting China once more for the nth time in my life.
The following picture features a pagoda standing by the side of a lake. It is known as 一“塔”“湖”涂. The site is Peking University, and the whole campus is characterized by its picturesque landscape. It is a favourite spot for recreation and sightseeing.
I was the Programme Assistant for a USP Summer Programme entitled Chinese Thought and Culture, and since the Programme was conducted in Peking University, I enjoyed the luxury of visiting China once more for the nth time in my life.
The following picture features a pagoda standing by the side of a lake. It is known as 一“塔”“湖”涂. The site is Peking University, and the whole campus is characterized by its picturesque landscape. It is a favourite spot for recreation and sightseeing.
Of course, we climbed the Great Wall. It was my nth time as a 好汉. The scorching sun and heat had almost killed us all. Singapore could have lost a number of talents.
"One World, One Dream". Tell the barbarians that when they scale the walls again.
The 13 Ming Tombs is represented by an excavated one that belonged to Ming Shenzong, more commonly known as the Wanli Emperor. The underground mausoleum is splendid with grandeur. The following picture that I have was taken on the ground, and it features the Chinese impression of a mythical creature known as the "Qilin" (麒麟).
Friday, December 21, 2007
Some notes from life
1. Women can only choose between beauty and knowledge. Having both or having none, to her is a tragedy.
2. What are friends? Friends are idiots who stand by you even after you have made terrible mistakes.
3. Life is fuelled by fear. Stress results from fear. Performance stems from fear. Ultimately, everything becomes fearful.
4. Time is an imagined currency that quantifies your existence. Why bother counting down?
1. Women can only choose between beauty and knowledge. Having both or having none, to her is a tragedy.
2. What are friends? Friends are idiots who stand by you even after you have made terrible mistakes.
3. Life is fuelled by fear. Stress results from fear. Performance stems from fear. Ultimately, everything becomes fearful.
4. Time is an imagined currency that quantifies your existence. Why bother counting down?
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Phenomena
I notice that my towel has been crying excessively! Dripping tears non-stop! What can I do to console it?
Both my toothpaste and soap are getting slimmer by the day! They were so fat just a month ago! How can I boost their appetite?
Perhaps I should not do anything.
Nostalgia beckons because there is nothing to look forward to.
I always leave home early in the day, coming back at night,
And the sleeping cats will always be at the very position where I see them in the morning.
Isn't it nice to be cats?
Taking life at their own pace and time.
Waking up to food and grooming themselves with whatever free time they have.
I asked one of the cats: "How cute! How did you do it?"
The cat turned its head away.
Perhaps I should not have asked.
Silence is sanity's last resort.
I notice that my towel has been crying excessively! Dripping tears non-stop! What can I do to console it?
Both my toothpaste and soap are getting slimmer by the day! They were so fat just a month ago! How can I boost their appetite?
Perhaps I should not do anything.
Nostalgia beckons because there is nothing to look forward to.
I always leave home early in the day, coming back at night,
And the sleeping cats will always be at the very position where I see them in the morning.
Isn't it nice to be cats?
Taking life at their own pace and time.
Waking up to food and grooming themselves with whatever free time they have.
I asked one of the cats: "How cute! How did you do it?"
The cat turned its head away.
Perhaps I should not have asked.
Silence is sanity's last resort.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Jacky Wu's albums
Wow! All Jacky Wu's albums were sold out! It's hard to find any of them in the market these days. Unlike the Jay Chou and the Jolin Tsai CDs. They are piled up at almost every retail store and I still see the piles around after weeks. Isn't it great to see how Jacky Wu's albums had been selling like hotcakes? It's such a pity that he is too busy to cut another in recent years. It'll be great to hear his voice in melody rather than the usual, chirpy one in his variety shows.
Wow! All Jacky Wu's albums were sold out! It's hard to find any of them in the market these days. Unlike the Jay Chou and the Jolin Tsai CDs. They are piled up at almost every retail store and I still see the piles around after weeks. Isn't it great to see how Jacky Wu's albums had been selling like hotcakes? It's such a pity that he is too busy to cut another in recent years. It'll be great to hear his voice in melody rather than the usual, chirpy one in his variety shows.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Monday, December 03, 2007
Accomplishment beyond means
Wow! I had not spoken to anyone outside home for the past week! Except for chanced meet-ups at corridors and on buses, I did not really talk to anyone other than Jacky, John and Weizan! Nothing to be proud of here, unless I am an aspiring hermit!
I don't mind becoming one though. People always say that it takes courage to pursue your dream against all odds. I would say, however, that it takes greater courage to forgo all the fortune and happiness that you may accumulate and live in the mountains with the bare essentials to survive on. Now that is courage.
I have decided to deprive myself of most, if not all, sensual pleasures that I may possess. With no ambition comes no disappointment, and with no dream comes no hope dashed.
Wow! I had not spoken to anyone outside home for the past week! Except for chanced meet-ups at corridors and on buses, I did not really talk to anyone other than Jacky, John and Weizan! Nothing to be proud of here, unless I am an aspiring hermit!
I don't mind becoming one though. People always say that it takes courage to pursue your dream against all odds. I would say, however, that it takes greater courage to forgo all the fortune and happiness that you may accumulate and live in the mountains with the bare essentials to survive on. Now that is courage.
I have decided to deprive myself of most, if not all, sensual pleasures that I may possess. With no ambition comes no disappointment, and with no dream comes no hope dashed.
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