Condecending.

Hypocrisy: (noun) the practice of claiming to have moral standards.

New American Oxford dictionary.

There is little sense in speaking about hypocrisy. It is in fact deceitful to say that someone is lacking in moral standards because in this respect, we have reduced ourselves to one that claims to have moral standards. In other words, who isn't a hypocrite. I have been bearing the Sanseveria tongue of some. The tip, the blade. All capable of inflicting wounds. Now, if you put it into perspective, it'll make more sense. I am upset with those who constantly fire statements that invoke moral standards against others. It is okay when the matter is raised a couple of times. However, consecutively in profusion, ever so incessantly, does not seem very appropriate. Have we become discontented beings that we really need to feed on hatred?

Chinatown.

"Chinatown,or foreign town"

The streets of Chinatown still retain its rustic feel. That nostalgia of the halcyon days that was precedes us. Yet, as I look around, Chinatown is gloomy. She is sad. She has gone through a makeover that has turned her from what was the centre of the Chinese culture to what is the sprawling tourism hub. Shops filled with goods to entice foreigners to purchase. Prices that are exorbitant. Chinatown has lost herself. Like a woman that ages gracefully, she has developed her wrinkles. Yet, like a woman that thinks aging is ungraceful, she underwent Botox.

Though, this lost of heritage has be quite a sad phenomenon, a may well be this ugly truth that the new face of Ann Siang Hill is great. Rows of shops that sit quietly by the road. The beauty of the place has been restored, although not to its former glory. It has become a shopping arcade. There a nice little cafes and restaurants along Ann Siang Hill. A perfect dating location. Fred Perry has also dug his claws into Ann Siang and set up a store there. Though the store has been around for some time (notably being the first store in Singapore), it most certainly surpasses the looks of the other Fred Perry stores found in Orchard.

I was trying to look for style:nordic but to no avail. Though, I was quite delighted in seeing Front Row for myself. Front Row is a store that stocks A.P.C (a french brand) and it is moving to a new premise in Raffles Hotel. I think it will replace the Louis Vuitton that I heard was moving out. Okay, I'd be going to school now. Yet another day of PW... The life of a teenage student in Singapore.

10km.

I woke up and it was 4a.m. on the screen of my iPhone. Snoozed the alarm and tumbled around. I had to actually wake up at 4a.m. to go for a 10km! What a life! Well, after much procrastination, I finally gathered enough energy to stand up and wash up.

At the F1 Pit-stop was a sea of red. Literally, the red sea with only the barriers dividing it. Hannan and I had to push through the masses just to reach the middle portion of the crowd. That sets us back by a homo sapien sapiens from the starting line. Just 5 minutes before the race a voice blared through the sound-system. That accent was so familiar. The voice reverberated through my skull. It was just toooooo familiar.

Well, after I was done with the route (Singapore flyer to the Indoor Stadium, up Bugis and down to the Flyer again, all in 56 mins :) *thats achievement*)I grabbed my finisher's wristband and waited at where my school flag was. "*words words words", the voices was speaking again. I went closer only to see Utt speaking. The shock! The flabbergasted look on my face that could have stopped aliens in their search for intelligent civilisations. It was no wonder the voice was so familiar.

Oxymoron.

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."

Benjamin Disraeli

It is a paradox to say that a person behaves in a certain way because when you say so, you could just be behaving in the similar manner. As Darwin's Law of Natural Selection is essentially the survivability of a species, adaptation is fundamental to it. A person needs to adapt to his new environment in order to survive. Therefore, calling upon a change. Sounds like an Obama line? Well, true enough that a change is needed. Like how Natural Selection may produce seemingly undesirable traits such as a shortened lifespan with a larger progeny, a person may change to become seemingly undesirable. This then changes the conditions. It puts another in an uneasy position. The discomfort calls for an explanation and it, many at times, puts others in an unfavourable light.

The feeling of a lack thereof is envy. Envy fuels anger, the impetus of many propaganda machines. I feel that some may have such a lacking that envy blinds the person. The person has coloured opinions of others. He sees green. He sprouts balderdash and tries to take the other down. This, makes the most saddening part. To think that envy can colour a person to the extent that he sees the people in a different light.

Self-interest?

A friend asked me, "Why are people selfish? What good is it?"

I pondered over the subject and decided to create a post on it. They are just pure opinions, my two cents worth.

Self-interest drives the World.

I bought this pie, therefore, I get a larger portion of it. However, I am sharing this with you still. You just do not get as much. Maybe I'll give you more, but I do expect something in return. Are we machines of self-interests? Driven by the need to know that we will gain from doing something? What is the impetus of our actions? Altruism, equity or love? What is that driving force?

Ever since Adam took the bite out of the forbidden fruit, he realised he was not clothed. He gained knowledge and became envious. He did not care if Eve had sufficient garments to wear, he clothed her because he did not want to constantly look at her genitals. Self-interest, therefore, drives the the ambitions and actions of men. Altruism, as defined by the New Oxford Dictionary, is the belief in selfless concerns for others. I, for one, believe that deeds may seemingly be altruistic, however it is self-interest that drives 'altruism'.

The 20th century has seen the burgeoning of ideologies. Marxism-Leninism or as we commonly call communism with a dash of socialism advocates, fundamentally, equity amongst man. No social classes and anti-capitalist (the American economic model). The bourgeoisie (owns most of society's wealth) and the proletarians (workers) were on level grounds. The soviet union failed and collapsed. The military drained the funds for economic and social development. Self-interest, thus, is the impetus of the seemingly 'equity' promised.

The economic principles that underlie the free market is demand and supply. The self satisfaction for the former and profit maximisation of the latter. The prices and quantities are all determined by these two forces, thereby, eliminating the problem of scarcity in the world. Then again, it is self-interest that has sustained us.

However, there are those who save lives but chose not to be known. There are times when we willingly give. Not because we expect something in return, but, because of other innate reasons such as love. If I give you a ring and I expect you to buy me a wallet, then, I may well just go buy a wallet for myself without having to go through the trouble of buying you the ring. Beside, I can exercise my choice over which wallet I'd like to purchase. I give you this ring, because I love you. A love so unconditional, the cupids call me blind. You do not have to love me, but I know I do and I want you happy. The clichéd television romanticism that do exist in the world.

I suppose there are things in this world that cannot be explained that easily. We are, in this sense, driven by what our heart desires be it self-interests or not.

The smell of burning rubber.

"Run run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man!"

I had an 8km training today. 8 klicks below in about 30 - 40 mins.

My tummy now really hurts from all running. I suppose my diaphragm gave my tummy a

real good pressing.

That is the least of my pain now. The major pain comes from Project Work!

It is sucking up all my energy and time!

Oh well, life is, afterall, bitter sweet. You gain some, you lose some.

Jeans.

"Nudie Jeans"

Denim, a twill material that is ever so common. When made into bottoms, we call them, jeans.

I am in serious need for a new pair of jeans. When you lose those pounds, you'd have to lose your wardrobe too. Besides, it is to celebrate what I've achieved so far in JC. Since the promos have ended and we have had a glimpse of our results. By the way, I am grateful that I'll be promoted to JC2!

I have digressed, so back to the jeans issue. I was looking at Dr Denims but, I already own a pair of chinos from Dr Denims. So, I continued to search for other Scandinavian designers and will settle for a pair of Acnes. Yes, Acne. No, not the skin condition whereby you face is covered in bumps, but 'Ambition to Create Novel Expressions'. Yeah but if I do remember vaguely, Blackjack sells them for about $500. Well, I'd have to forgo a pair of boat shoes then. So that'll be a no. Then, back to Google and on with the search.

Nudie jeans was next. I remembered Queen's Couture selling this brand at about $200. It was an instant hit. I had to get a pair. Therefore, I am now planning my budget for the November shopping.

P.S. I need suggestions on what to purchase.

Images: http://hypebeast.com/image/2007/07/nudie-jeans-fw-2007.jpg

Laughter.

Patch Adams taught us that laughter was the best medicine. Well, this is just plain weird.

The video really did make me laugh in the end. I guess laughter is after all contagious! Maybe when I'm down, will I watch videos of children laughing. That'll help!

Home club.

I did some shopping today. I finally bought an agnes b. scarf and a pair of suspenders. Well, after the very arduous task of hunting down the pieces, I met my friends at the Home Club. Darshenee, Mirjam, Ching Shean and Amos were there with me for some underage party. It was funny because our drink coupons wrote Bacardi Breezer but all I ever got was a glass of Coke. Although club had a great ambience, the crowd was anything but happening. It was disappointing because there was absolutely no one dancing and I swear the that socialising seemed to be just sitting around. Well, but there was an occasion when Mirjam pretended to be from an international school (because of her German blood) and the rest of us kinda got dragged into the situation. I did try to give my best Brit impersonation though. It does irk me a little at the lack of pride in being local. How sad to note that I have been so influenced by the media that I am slowing becoming a pseudo-westerner. Okay, going back to the club, I guess I can sum up the whole experience in a matter of words. 'I paid $18 for a glass of Coke.' I suppose, I'm a still greenhorn to this scene, though I must pride myself in starting a human chain in Zouk some time ago.

Granny.

"Her grandmother, as she gets older, is not fading but rather becoming more concentrated."

Paulette Bates Alden, 'Legacies,' Feeding the Eagles, 1988

Today at my Granny's place, I told my granny that I'll be leaving for Japan in December. My Granny who is suffering from dementia thought that I had finished my JC education and was leaving for a Japanese university. She looked at me and left. Shortly after, she returned and gave me a red packet and blessed me. She prayed that I may have guidance on my trip. Sadly, she is confused for I will only be overseas for a few days. When I reached home from my Granny's, I opened the packet to find $10. It may not be much but looking at the 10, it made me think. This is what's left of her treasures. It made me see how I valued money. However, this is beyond the real value for what it's worth. The dichotomy between what opulence is from abundance. The abundant wealth of love. I then thought of the treasures of the world. All the treasuries the world holds are but piles of papers with values written on them. When will there be a treasury where what is written on the paper is not values but names. Names of those who appreciate us. Names of those who we affectionately call out to. Names of those who see us with endearment and us, onto them. It is the act of giving me what little she can give that made $10, priceless. Besides, she spoke Chinese whilst I, whom have seemly abandoned my roots, do not quite understand. I guess this gesture really breaks down the barriers of communication. Love does seem to override all. So I decided that I will never spend this $10 and wrote a reminder on the red packet. It reminded me of the one who gave me this $10. Now, I will always be $10 richer that I'd normally would.

Glasses.

"LANVIN glasses, p.s. I like the bow tie"

I'm looking for a new pair of glasses. It's a pity that my favourite brands are rather uncommon in Singapore. I am in vail endeavour to find nice LANVIN, Paul Smith or Marc Jacobs glasses. By the way, LANVIN creates the most gorgeous shoes and creative clothes. Alber Elbaz, the head designer, in fact wears a pair of aviator-like glasses!

"Dries Van Noten"

Also, since I recent bought a new bow tie from LANVIN, I'll need a new shirt to go with it! I have looking at Dries Van Noten and Filippa K but I do not think Singapore will have the much desiderata (desired) pieces! Perhaps, a visit to the LANVIN store in Wisma Atria to check out the leftovers will prove fruitful. LANVIN is currently having some closing sales because they are moving to a larger premise. The new venue is said to be either in Ion Orchard or Mandarin Gallery. Truth be known, though it's great that LANVIN is moving and all, I kinda like the current location.

P.S. I found the meaning of 'P.S.'. It comes from the latin word post scriptum which means 'written after'.

images taken from: http://files7.lookbook.nu/files/looks/medium/182585_styleclicker.jpg, http://94.229.168.161/images/products150/1237253.jpg

A sea of faces.

"Bangle-Li"

Some may call it an unspeakable horror to be lost in a sea of highly unfamiliar faces. I call it Nirvana. I call this Utopia. My trip to the heartbeat of Deepavali in Singapore has opened yet another eye on my forehead. Deepavali, also known as Diwali, displays an extraordinary magnetic ability. It is able to draw the 8% Indian populace to Little India.

After my CCA training (I'm into long distance running by the way), Pabita (my interesting Indian friend), Dian Xiang (my ingenious running mate)and I went to have dinner at Hougang Mall. I had Salmon pepper rice and boy, did it fill me up! After leaving Hougang Mall, Pabita and I accompanied Dian Xiang home. I really had to get my hands cleaned, so I got a chance to wash my hands at Dian Xiang's. With Dian Xiang left at home, Pabita and I headed to Little India for the 11th hour Deepavali shopping which her mother needed.

From the moment I got off the train at the station, I saw a multitude (an understatement)of Indians. Some, I guess, were so excited, they started running up the steps! There seemed to be some countdown to Deepavali in the Verge (aka Tekka Mall). The 2 of us, however, had to meet Shakita (Pab's sis) and her mother. Well, the foursome convoy then set out to conquer the streets of Little India. There was loud music blaring from the speakers in all directions. I was really hoping for the song 'Kathaal Yannai' or "Daddy Mummy' to be played. Sadly, it was but a hope and did not become reality. I saw the streets flooded by people and the smell from the Jasmine flowers wafted through the air. Cars moved at such a slow speed (thanks to the 'road blocks') that one could literally walk faster than a car. The situation reminded me of how the cows in India can actually cause a massive traffic congestion should the cows decide to sit on the road. I guess the cows in my context are the people. The bazaar held in front of Mustafa sold all sorts of Indian-related products. I saw this panjabi (aka Kurtas,refer to image). *http://www.eastwesteducation.org/images/adult_kurta_pyjama.jpg that looked great.

They were priced around $20. I, however, bought nothing.

I was very happy despite my weariness from the training. Culture immersion is a form of self-discovery. Get lost in a sea of people and let the sights, sounds and smells get to you! Oh, do not waffle over where to go, just let the people push you there.

New chapter.

"Youth is something very new: twenty years ago no one mentioned it."

Coco Chanel (1883 - 1971)

School saps the life out of you. It practically drains every last drop of glucose available for bodily functions. Well, that is in the case of a Junior College student in Singapore.

Today was a weird day. Things were, though as bitter sweet as other days were, quiet. I felt silent today. Not as loud as I'd be. However, I did enjoy the evening. I had to attend a meeting on my upcoming Japan trip to Tokyo and Osaka. Mr. Tan managed to get us conversational books and also, a mandatory jab for flu before the 9th of December when we fly off. I can already feel the needle prickling my skin. Well, the good side of things is that... I AM GOING TO JAPAN! Also, we are taking the A3-- (something) plane that is said to be huge. I guess Japan is going to be MAJOR and I'll need the necessary funds to finance my shopping tendencies.