Dan

What art means to me.

2012-02-15T15:50:00.009+08:00

What art means to me.

Is art useless? An age-old question society has time and again asked. We ask how art has shaped our society and if there is any importance in today’s fast paced economic world. Why should we be placing emphasis on the arts if we are marred by the great number of socio-economic and environmental problems we face today? I for one believe that art has the power to tackle these issues. I believe that the explorative, contemplative, dynamic nature of art can inspire society to rethink how we handle problems and in the process better society.

Let’s first look at how art has evolved to what it is today. There was a change in the perception of art after French artist Duchamp challenged tradition art beliefs with his work entitled Fountain. Traditionally, art was purely aesthetic. However, with Duchamp’s work, art became a social commentator. Art became contemplative. Today, art is used as a medium to explore society’s norms and to question beliefs.

With the idea that art is contemplative in nature, we can use it to encourage people to try and better understand others. Art allows the artist to express the intangible in a more tangible form for others to understand. Take the work of local artist Amanda Heng for instance. Her work revolves largely around the role of women today and in the past. One of her works depicted an iron on top of a type of traditional female wear suspended over words like womb written on the floor with the artist’s hair. The artist was trying to convey what society deemed was what made a woman. What one simple exhibit has done was not just to offer a tangible glimpse of the predominant culture and belief of a given era regarding certain groups of people but also to allow a person to visually juxtapose those beliefs to the ones in current times. Art is therefore essentially a platform for people to gain understanding of the different strata in society. This is something that we could exploit. The ability for art to express ideas in manners that is aesthetic and more tangible.

A way to exploit art is as an alternative way to complement current teaching methods today. In the case of education, students depend on text to gain understanding on certain subjects. Art does not discriminate between the literate and the illiterate and offers an opportunity for people of all cultures and ages a chance to have an interpretation of a given subject. The use of art offers the student a visual and more tangible way of gaining learning. Concepts across the subjects of history and social science can be expressed through the use of art. Let us also not forget that using art is not mutual exclusive with traditional styles of education. This way, students with varied aptitudes can have alternative ways of learning. What we are doing in this instance is to help students view links between different subjects and in doing so, create a more holistic education. This way, we reach out to more students and in the process tackle apathy amongst youth towards society.

Along with the knowledge gained from exploring new interests through art, the imaginative nature of art encourages people to explore beyond their boundaries. This helps allows people to develop their creative side and what the world needs today are innovative and creative solutions to tackle problems. This is where art along with engineering and other field have a role to play.

 Innate skills such as creativity can be developed through art. Also, the constant need to explore and embrace new ideas either during the course of creating art or trying to understand art, make one’s mind a fertile ground for innovative ideas to not just take root, but to flourish. Creative solutions such as solar cookers distributed by SunFire Solutions in Johannesburg are examples of good innovation and good design that can help combat climate change by reducing the number of forest cleared for the burning firewood in poor parts Africa and provide remote locations the means to heat food. As such, we can better develop creative societies that can handle the increasing complexity of today’s problems through the use of artistic exploration.

If we examine our economic and environmental problems and there is a common underlying cause - the human desire for more. The problem of climate change today is a cumulative effect of burning fossil fuels to feed the energy hungry world. What sparked the series of recent economic downturns were the leading men who threw ethics to the winds in the name of money. We want bigger cities, bigger homes and bigger bank accounts. We are beginning to lose ourselves to materialism. Art can serve as a reminder to an individual of the non-material. Art softens the edges of everyday life. The aesthetic quality of art cultivates an appreciation for beauty and the fact that art draws inspiration from life, shows how art is essentially an expressed form of the beauty life holds.

One of the things that set humans apart from animals is the ability to appreciate beauty and feel inspired. One of the key drivers of society today is the economy and if we focus too much on the material, what we begin to lose is the sense of being human. We get lost in today’s lifestyle and start to become ‘cogs in a machine’. However, if we begin to embrace just a little bit more of the arts at our workplaces then what art can teach you is to enjoy beauty. There is more to just money. Take for instance the story of an artist named Jane Echelman. She was invited to speak at a TED conference about her urban art. She shared a story of how an attorney from phoenix who was never interested in art saw Jane’s sculpture suspended over a field and dragged all her colleagues from the office to sit under the sculpture (Her Secret is Patience) to enjoy the piece. Art offers us a space to repose and think and that is what people these days seek for. The spread of Yoga throughout the world and how spas are becoming increasingly popular are signs that people recognise the need to slowdown in life. What art does is to remember the beauty in the non-material aspects of life and give us another way to slowdown.

Lastly, I have to add that though art, on a more direct and immediate level does not add much to the material economy of the world, it should not be neglected as there is much long-term and intangible benefits to gain. So, despite comments like how art is for the rich or art carries little practical sense in a world profit, I see art in a different light. I see it as beneficial and relevant to our society.

University.

2012-02-13T14:56:00.001+08:00

Admissions. Admissions. I pray that I get into any of the 2 local law schools this year.

So long.

2012-01-28T23:41:00.003+08:00

Been some time since I last typed anything on this blog. Time sure flies. It flashes by right in front of your eyes. Sometimes I wonder what time would look like - how it would manifest itself in a visual form if it could. Looking at images of children in their grandparent's laps or a child hidden safe in his mother's bosom seem to bring the idea of time into my mind. I guess I tend to relate time to precious moments in the past. Say 'time' and I'd probably be thinking of the past as opposed to the future.

Speaking of the past. This song really makes me think of the process of aging; of time lapsing. The sand in our 'life' glasses slowly building up to our expiry.

Unspoken.

2011-04-24T11:08:00.002+08:00

I doubt anyone will ever find out but I long for you to know. It is odd, it is very unnatural, yet I have a strange longing. I dream of hypothetical scenarios that serve well to my emotions. Yet, I am drained in the morning that I wake. Perhaps I'd find some peace if I do forget. Yet, I choose not. I do not want. There is a strange longing that says, hold on to that tiny spark. The world may look upon it as stupidity. Is there any intellect in this? All is fair in love and war.

Epilogue.

2011-02-06T10:12:00.001+08:00

The end of things. The last chapter.

Imperfections.

2010-12-22T22:19:00.001+08:00

The world is marred by imperfections. The blemish on your skin, the dead leaf on the tree. Yet, in all it's imperfections is a system perfected over time. On a macro scale, the little imperfections make nature relatively perfect. If it were not for mutations to DNA, there would be no variation and there would be no selection of the fittest. Every mechanism works in tandem. Gaudi, the Architect of Sagrada Familia, a basilica that has taken more than a lifetime to complete and well, is still pretty much incomplete, knew this well. The cathedral featured sinewy columns and organic shapes. In all the twists, the flow, the cathedral was an architectural marvel. The weight distribution was done so in a very different way from previous Gothic designs. Gaudi understood nature. It is nature to have imperfect shapes. I have spoken much but made little a point. Well, it is pretty simple. Imperfections, you just have to view them in a different light.

The Maid Trade - Singapore

2010-11-04T20:05:00.000+08:00

Before the 8th of February.

2010-11-04T19:43:00.002+08:00

I plan to create a painting depicting what I feel about Singapore's political scene and probably a video about youth issues.

Gone. All gone.

2010-10-29T22:23:00.002+08:00

One day you are going to wake up to find that everything you hold dear is gone. You lead a life of superficiality; like a plant that has not sunken it's roots deep into the soil. One day the winds will come and uproot you. I feel strangely empty. What I know, what is constructed around me seems so paper thin, so fragile.

Satisfaction.

2010-10-27T20:31:00.004+08:00

Are we never satisfied? The consumerist society we live in today is a striking example or want over need. America's consumption has ballooned over the decade, first 60 percent now 70 percent of US GDP comprise of consumer expenditure. Discontented with what we have, we seek for more. Indeed this is an attribute of progress, the search for the greater, however when is enough enough? Living life on excess.

Consumerism aside, have I plateaued? It seems like despite the want to achieve good grades - mind you this is not of those pragmatic-type of achievements whereby education = success, but rather more of a benchmark to say, 'I have come thus far, now push forth.' - I seem to not put in as much work as I ought to. I am regressing.

My thoughts are messed up.

Tweed

2010-10-10T23:32:00.001+08:00

Like woven mats, how intricate tweed is. Much like life if you put it in perspective.

2010-09-20T20:19:00.003+08:00

'Plop' another marble dropped out of the boy's bag. The hole the netting had been there since a few weeks back but the boy did little to fix it. It has only gotten bigger and now, it is gaping. He watched the marble roll away. Down, roll, bounce, down. The marble descended the steps. He has lost so many marbles and was down to his last. What is the point of saving that one that just fell out, you can't play with only 1 more left. As he watch the glass sphere bounce off the steps, he remembered the first time he bought the sack of marbles. He took 2 weeks to save up for that sack and when he finally had the money to buy the marbles,he lost his wallet. Relentlessly, he saved for another 2 weeks before finally buying what he had desired. The sheer joy of finally obtaining what he had planned for continued for days. However as the days grew by, the less he remembered of the marbles. Day by day, until one day, he realised a hole was forming in the netting. Yet, he brushed it aside. The hole grew and grew and the boy started losing marbles. Initially, he'd pick the fallen marbles up and put it in his pocket. But, as time past, the less bothered he was. 'Crack', the boy snapped out of his thoughts. The marble had hit the wall and it broke. He was down to his last marble. The boy got up clutching the marble in his hand and went home to sew the netting. It may be his last marble, but he should never forget what the marble gave him. It gave him hours of fun. He decided that he will save this last marble and cherish it. After all, it stuck with him when the bullies came to steal his lunch money. It helped him past time when everyone avoided him. He swallowed the marble.

GP 2009

2010-09-19T23:28:00.003+08:00

Fashion is as much a good thing as a bad thing. To what extent do you agree?

The world of fashion is rather polarising. On one end of the spectrum you have fashion worshippers who would grow pale upon hearing the death of Alexander McQueen. On the other, we have detractors who abhor what fashion perpetrates. Fashion has been slammed for the industry’s use of sweatshop labour, for negatively impacting the image of women. Critics scream vanity when they speak of fashion. It is sad to say this multi-million dollar industry has much negative connotations to it. However, whilst criticising fashion, we must recognise what fashion has brought to society, what it stands for. By the very virtue of being one of the most pervasive players in popular culture, fashion has left quite a mark in the developed world. Fashion is a reflection of individuality; it is a reflection of an individual’s need to have an image. It is inspirational in nature, both to the wearer and designer. It is an industry that has fuelled world-leading economies. Fashion has added colour and life to the developed world, into the cities. It is no wonder why New York, London, Tokyo and Paris are coincidentally both financial and fashion capitals of the world. I for one feel strongly that fashion is as much as a good thing as it bad.

It is easy to say that fashion industry is another capitalist venture to exploit society. The industry has been so diverse that it has created different markets to cater for the different groups of society. Take the Armani group for instance, at the end of the scale we have entry level Armani Exchange and haute couture Armani Prive on top. The clever use of branding and persuasive advertising has allowed many of these fashion firms to exploit both the consumer and the workers. In the shops, fast fashion entry-level retail stocks low quality clothes at a rather heavy price tag. However, the cost in producing that piece of garment is equivalent to that of a sweatshop labourer’s pay. Guess inc. was in fact taken to court for exploiting Mexican workers. This led to groups of activist boycotting the brand. It is an industry that is built upon the backs of the desperation of poor trying to find income and at the same time, it feeds on our consumerist culture in the developed world. However, it is after all a by-product of human’s nature. By nature, we are but self-centred. We would do something in return for benefits as clearly demonstrated by the lack of support from UN member states during the Rwandan or Darfuri genocide. Both areas could offer little in return for the help they would receive and so international aid was if not token, not provided at all. However when Greece was in financial trouble, the European Union acted swiftly in drafting a plan to aid Greece. Likewise, if sweatshop labour did not directly impact the developed world, people will mostly continue with their consumerist habits. However, we must not negate the occasion whereby the fashion industry in itself has remedied the very problems it has caused. Ethical fashion is a relatively new concept in the fashion industry. It aims to develop both sustainable clothing manufacturing by using eco-friendly methods of production and to promote fair trade. The British Fashion Council has in fact given slots to fashion labels that promote fair trade such as People Tree alongside heavy weights such as Burberry during London Fashion week in earlier this year. Also, established names like Burberry have departments set up to ensure ethical trading as part of their corporate responsibility. As the voices of activist increases, we are seeing a trend towards social responsibility by corporations in the fashion industry. Small steps in the direction. Fashion is therefore as much a good thing as it is a bad thing.

There are also those who claim that fashion has impacted the way we see our bodies rather negatively. They say that fashion has perpetuated gender stereotypes and to bombard us with images of unattainable beauty. Anorexia has been one of the main arguments put forth. Ever since Twiggy, there has been a slew of size zero models walking down the runway. Kate Moss, one of the leading icons on the runway, has been criticised for her weight. In fact, she once said that nothing tastes better than being skinny. It has created an image of what women should be - skinny and frail looking. A perpetuation of gender stereotypes. It does not help that the advertisements carry such subliminal messages along with depicting women as sexual objects. Tom Ford’s advertisements show women naked ironing trousers whilst the male reads the papers. In fact, leading photographer Terry Richardson, a person endorsed by the queen of the fashion world, editor of Vogue, Anna Wintour, is famed for taking shots of women in degrading positions. He has been, on accounts, accused by models of sexual harassment. However, fashion is after an industry. It is, by basic economics, controlled by the demand of the people. If society did no endorse such activities, then slowly, the fashion industry would respond and in fact, it has. Many labels have jumped on the bandwagon of discouraging anorexic models. Prada used plus sized models for the 2010 Fall collection. Fashion blogger Tavi criticised Terry Richardson and it garnered strong support. We are seeing a shift in the fashion world as people begin to take greater interest in what they are buying. It is consumer’s awareness and consumer’s power that plays a pivotal role in encouraging the industry to become more socially responsible. Then again, fashion has proven to becoming progressively, as much a good thing as it is bad.

In fact, despite opinions that fashion dictates your dressing, I would like to think that fashion breeds individuality. The assumption that an individual has no ability to decide for himself and merely accept what is thrown at him is simply flawed and derogatory. There are a plethora of choices in fashion and that choice gives one the ability to decide what goes and what does not. Fashion has in that aspect played a central role in defining cultures today. The British mod culture is very much defined by the look they have. The clothing choice of Dr Martens has been one of the main characteristics of mod culture. Fashion has thus added to the vibrancy of city life. One of Paris largest exports is fashion. Japan’s population is rather fashion obsessed and China’s rising middle class has only made the industry larger that it was before. There is a strong correlation between fashion and city life. Fashion gives a person that chance to be individual and creative with his image. That in itself has created the many trends on the street which adds on to the vibrancy and culture of a country.

Ethnic groups have also inspired fashion and it is often heavily reflected in runway pieces. Dries Van Noten, a Belgian designer, is know to use ethnic patterns inspired by the middle east in his designs and many a times, pieces are inspired by very personal events. Alexander McQueen’s latest collection was inspired by his English roots and carried this sense of Victorian England. His pieces often reflect his mood and individuality. Often, this is the case with most designers. US acclaimed designers of Proenza and Schouler used their mother’s names when deciding on the label. Fashion therefore has this human touch, this personal connection between the wearer and his clothes, the designer and his work. Often this personal connection is a reflection of social movements. During the 70s, the clothing choice of the Hippies has objects like the peace sign and shirts that said make peace not war. These were results of social movements such as the post world war anti-war sentiments or abolitionist movements. The idea was simple, have a message that is ingrained in society’s culture to choose peace over violence. Fashion thus played an important medium to reach out to the youths.

A person can reflect his individual through his clothes. In case you think that fashion then breeds vanity, then I question why we shun the attainment of beauty? It has long been innate within humans to be vain. The Queen of Switzerland did not bathe herself in blood if she did not believe it would renew her youth. The choice to find individuality in clothes gives you that sense of beauty. It helps you find your place and those like you in society. Looking good does help you feel good and having self-esteem is something intangible. No one should blame fashion for it’s discriminating nature. Society will always discriminate should there be differences and thus if a person’s ego is hurt due to his sartorial choices, one should not be the blame it on fashion but rather the person’s ability to handle criticism.

Therefore, in a nutshell, whilst fashion has her shortcomings, it is unfair to say that it is more of a bad thing than a good thing as fashion is and has been slowly evolving with society. After all, if fashion were really that bad, then I’d say we might as well be nudists.

Defy gravity.

2010-09-18T20:35:00.002+08:00

One day I will fly and when I do, no one is going to hold me down.

Mumford and Sons - Little Lion Man

2010-09-18T20:04:00.000+08:00

Yellow sky.

2010-09-07T18:59:00.003+08:00

As I went for my evening run I notice how unusually yellow the sky was. The neighbourhood washed in sepia. As I came to the field I noticed how beautiful the flyover looked. Instead of the dull lifeless granite gray, it was bronzed like old train tracks. It's funny how nature has her own take on design at times. My pace gathered and I was soon at 3 roadside tree. It is nearing the monsoon season and most of the flowers have withered; save for a few resilient yet undesired flowers for the bees have yet to pollinate them so that they may bear fruit. I noticed little specks that shuttled furiously between the leaves. Dragonflies. They swarm and fly all around. Some may find it revolting however, I for one, found it appealing. It felt magical. It felt for once that you mattered in the world. To the tiny dragonflies, we are but giants. They can only fly around and marvel at our size whilst we may so choose to kill them if we feel irritated by their presence. One dragonfly flew in front of my and straight up towards the sky. As my eyes trailed him, I caught sight of the clouds. The darkening clouds rolling in. In the patches where the ominous clouds have yet to reach, the sun's rays filtered through. It did seem like a little patch of heaven and there was a bright lining in the clouds. I guess, in every storm, there is a silver lining.

Catharsis

2010-08-24T21:26:00.008+08:00

Some times, pent up emotions erupt. It may be a dramatic release yet it could well be a mere realization. I feel like a rag doll going through the motions. Walking pass empty classrooms and vast corridors. I can be in a sea of people and still feel alone. I'm scared to some extent. Silence is a scary sound.

As weird as it may be but it's these times that I think the best. I naturally would be able to think deep enough, well, at least to me that is. It is also in such times that I seem to like black and white or sepia images. Those really oxidised photographs. In fact, my Father was showing me a couple of pictures of the GrandFather I have never met yesterday. He passed me a couple of pictures taken when I was really young. I miss the times I'd spend in United Mansion (Siglap). I would get up to the crowing of my neighbour's rooster. The times I would stand next to my Father with a torch in my hand shouting at potential thieves. I can remember the time when some one's painting was stolen from her house. My GrandMother would plant cactuses in the balcony to act as scarethieves (scarecrow). Apparently cactuses look like humans standing by the balcony at night. If that wasn't a good enough deterrent, I'm sure the thorns would prove handy.

You know, pictures of World War II seem to appeal to me. Well not the gore and the deaths but rather the smiles of the soldier and the streets of warring parties. It is perturbing but images of bombed walls and rubble appeals to me. In fact, I like walls. Walls are nice. Empty canvases just there for your imagination to take hold of. Paint, shadow play, anything you'd fancy. It gives you that sense of security too. The feeling of being protected. It feels nice to watch the world behind walls. Then again, this can all change. When I'm down or flustered by what ever that is and has and is going to transpire, it is this inexplicable feeling of sadness that provides comfort to the soul. It is like a battered hobo finding shelter in a less-than-perfect wooden hut in the midst of winter.

Snap

2010-08-23T21:12:00.001+08:00

Faces.

2010-08-22T09:10:00.005+08:00

It is weird how there are so many people in the world - 6,697,254,041 yet a mere fraction, no a mere 'nano' fraction of which consists of you and your circle of friends. Even within that circle, you have even lesser friends whom you can truly say are friends for the lines between acquaintances and friends often blur and maintain such fluidity. It is important to maintain relationships as it withers rather easily. Long periods of lack of communication does not mean the end of friendship but it does undo the intricately and meticulously weaved ties you have between the other. In fact, this rule may well apply to every relationship a person has. Darwinian as it seems but the relationships you put the most effort in to make it survive are the ones that remain and bear fruit. Those you leave to ferment turn sour like how sweet grapes turn to sour wine.

I have been wondering, pondering, any other word in the vernacular that describes a sense of thinking, about a lot of things lately. I don't know the me that I used to know. It is scary. Frightening to come to a realization that even you know little of yourself. Wait. No, that is not true. You know so much about yourself that you find it hard to embrace certain aspects of it. You refuse to acknowledge it. That is the frightening part. You are a part of yourself but yet apart.It is like this 'pyscho-physical' apartheid. I fear for the future, it yields so much uncertainty. I know not of what is to come and I am scare for what it brings. Life is this big complex web, much like a spiders web, where everything connects and entangles. A person is a mere insect flying through that web. You might get caught up in the web and if you do and try to break free, the more you struggle, it less futile your attempts may be. Then again, it might not be true. Who are the spiders then? The architects of the web? Everyone.

How sad that my take on life is so harrowing.

?

2010-08-15T00:34:00.003+08:00

Uncertainty makes the world a scary scary place. You don't know what to do, where to go. You might just fall into a hole. Uncertainty makes the world a scary scary place. You might soar high and touch the sky. You might not so, instead fall down below. Uncertainty makes the world a scary scary place. It's a double-edged sword.

Shut up.

2010-08-08T10:35:00.003+08:00

There are so many people talking at the same time. So many ideas floating around. So much to do, so little will. Shut up.

Trees.

2010-07-16T19:51:00.003+08:00

You know it's funny how people are generally drawn to natural things. Just look at the hype over organic products. Oh how women tell their friends that their cosmetics are made from organic material. I guess, in a way, we are drawn to nature.

Perhaps, it is the way nature has a calming effect on a person. Perhaps, we do feel that we are, after all, interconnected. We are apart yet a part of the ecosystem. If we go right down to the basics, from the largest whales to the smallest prions, we are all made of the same stuff. The same bases; purines and pyrimidines. Yet, we have evolved and deviated far from all other things natural. Our intelligence is one of our greatest gifts, then again, our greatest curse. We built civilisations. We built machinery. We are building our watery graves.

I just fluffed a whole lot of fluff...

Wrote a GP essay today.

2010-07-12T21:30:00.001+08:00

A levels 2009 paper 1, question 2

‘Only educated people should have the right to vote in elections.’ What is your view?

Democracy is one of the most influential and pervasive form of governance in many First World societies today. The basis of democracy is by the people, for the people, the idea of majority rights. However, it has long been criticised. Democracy is seen to fail due to the irrational voter and the sheer lack of sufficient political education. Who should hold the votes then? There are those who say that the educated professionals have the greatest capacity to make the most pragmatic and informed decisions. However, the consequences are great should they be the only ones to hold the vote. It destroys the fundamentals of democracy; instead, it could well be oligarchy. It may cause a clear dichotomy between the bourgeois and proletariat and such fragmentation of society is damaging.

One of the common arguments put forth when justifying the move to allow the educated the only ones to hold the vote is the idea of the irrational voter. As put forth by American economist Milton Friedman, the idea is that the voter makes ill-informed choices that are normally driven by emotional or populist ideas. If we examine the two distinct education levels of society, the educated professionals are most definitely better equipped with the necessary tools to discern and rationalise. With education comes knowledge and with it comes awareness of issues. Educated individuals tend to have greater interest in politics as it appeals to their level of intellect. There is a higher propensity for an educated individual to sieve out what is pragmatic and best for the society as opposed to an uneducated individual who would probably go with populist measures. We can see this in African communities. One of the reasons for poverty in African communities is the lack of foresight; to a struggling person, short-term goals such as using aid money for farming mean much more than the potentially long-term benefits of education. Similarly, short-term populist policies that may appeal to the uneducated and many a times money is used as a carrot. As such, we can draw a lesson that circumstance and the lack of awareness may lead to decisions that might not be the best for society. However, as the educated few are smaller in a society, their votes are diluted. We can see this trend across nations with significantly more educated individuals as compared to those with lesser of such individuals. The governments of First World nations tend to fare better than those in the Third World be it economically or politically. On a superficial level, we can see that there is a close correlation between educated populations and how well a nation is doing. So, educated people should be the ones holding the votes because they are discerning and can decide for what is best for a nation.

However, this logic is flawed. Such a train of thought is an Orwellian utopia painted out in 1984. We increasingly see how long standing proponents of democracy face economic or political problems. Japan with her ever-changing leadership; the last one ending after nine months. The controversial Bush administration in handling foreign affairs; look at how many relationships turned sour over the course of five years in office. Ironically, these are countries close to the ideal democracy and with high education levels. What we need today is more then mere education, more than being teaching individuals skills for the workplace. We need to teach politics and discernment. We need to instil in populations the strong decisiveness of what is right from wrong. We have long preached about giving rights to individuals and that individuals should be free to exercise those rights. However, have we stopped to give individuals the necessary tools to exercise those rights effectively? Educated or not, the education received may well be irrelevant if what is taught does not address this aspect. Einstein once said that God does not play dice. Can you imagine how our physical world would be if things were merely random. We cannot afford to play dice with who governs us or generations preceding us will have a greater problem at hand. This is evident with the immense task ahead of the new Obama administration.

Perhaps the educated may choose the most effective government, however the consequences would be disastrous. What is the message sent to communities when the educated are the only ones voting? It essential strips the uneducated off the rights to decide from himself how he would be governed. It is effectively then, the educated ruling over the uneducated. May I also point out that the truth of the matter is that with higher education levels do we have greater earning power in today’s knowledge based economy. In other words, it may seem like hegemony of one social class over the other. We fragment a society and the consequence of that is worse as compared to a less than competent government. Governments may change to suit the people however; to reunite divided people is difficult. How long will it take before the highly educated rich South Koreans and the less educated poor North Koreans join hands once again? The fall of aristocracy in most societies has shown how clear divisions in society cannot thrive. Dividing the people may cause great social upheavals that could lead to wide spread violence. It would take immense amount of energy to quell such violence, especially so for a group of once free citizens. The loss of rights to vote is the loss of deciding what benefits and policies you can gain. It is like a parent losing control over her teenage child. It is beyond your ability to change the situation. Should we risk such a possibility just to allow the elite to lord over the rest and decide for what is the best? The Orwellian utopia is too great a risk to take. Let us learn from history not to commit such a mistake again.

Besides, if a democracy calls for the mandate of the people, then the elitist movement is against the very grain of modern democracy. The Greek democracy was to allow the elites to decide, however in our progressive society today, we cannot fall back on that system. In a nutshell, I have present to you how the idea that the educated can decide the best is essentially flawed. I have also shown you that the consequence of the implementation of an elitist system is a great cost on society.

My two cents worth. Heh.

Strange loneliness.

2010-07-07T22:18:00.007+08:00

You know, it is weird that we have become so deeply dependent on technology that when we do lose touch of it, there seems to be a void. It takes a lost phone for me to find some peace. Some strange quiet. This eerie silence. Only up to lately, my head has been an endless buzz of white noise. It's like flipping between 2 radio stations. It is like rain drops on a zinc roof. Continuous and sustained. I guess this peace have helped me, inadvertently, achieve the much needed momentum I have been finding to get my studies back on track. Like a pendulum, it ticks and tocs to and fro, the only difference is that my pendulum gains speed. What is friction, what is gravity? It is but a void. Rubbish, bunk they exclaim but it makes perfect sense to me. Then again, I contradict for every time I think of my phone and money, I feel highly uneasy. Very much peeved. But the sounds of chimes, xylophones and electronic pianos fill my head once again. It's like the harmonics of a violin or guitar when you pluck. (try doing a quick light hit on your 12th fret whilst plucking the string. No? You're just not doing it right :p) Leaves you with that peace, that seemingly psychedelic feeling. Your eyes grow heavy and your worries slip away. Slumber may sometimes be the best temporal escape from worldly worries. Your conscious meets your unconscious. Soon after REM, you let the latter take over. Suppressed thoughts roam. The irony of humans is that, it does feel good when it hurts at times though you know it is a sick thought. It's just that, you become accustomed to it. You learn how to embrace hurt. It leaves you numb and that is sometimes much better than anything you would probably be feeling then. Numb, a void. Peace.

Deep well.

2010-07-01T20:11:00.003+08:00

"Spanish Pavilion at the World Expo 2010"

I have been swamped. I am lost. Lagged behind. I just don't know where to start. I mean, yes it is sure easy to take a book and start revising. However, it has got to feel right for the information to be absorbed. The mid year examination results have been really depressing and after weeks of holiday, gaining what momentum I have lost has been a vail attempt. I really need to buck up. I need that spark again. Sometimes I wonder if I should regret. However, wallowing in self pity isn't going to solve anything. I am going to pick myself up and get back on the road to the university again. Until then, I shall ponder and let the cooped up stress all out. (Don't worry, I'm not going to throw bins into the squash court, yeah someone actually did that in school.) In case you are wondering what relevance does the image have to this post, well it was chosen initially because it looked nice to me but as I stare at it, some sense came out of it. Life is full of intricacies woven together and layered. You can either see it as beauty and marvel at it and not do a thing, you can decide that it would be too tough to navigate through it or you can decide that you'd reach for the light at the end of the labyrinth.

Holidays (compacted)

2010-06-28T16:16:00.004+08:00

Shanghai

"On a boat cruising down Huang Pu Jiang"

Shanghai was great fun, t'was really an eye opener. The Chinese-chinese and Singaporean-chinese are so different. The way we behave, speak and even the sort of basic questions we'd ask. Yeah, I guess we have established that idea but to actually see the stark difference for yourself, now that is something else. We push, we shove when places are crowded. The Chinese-chinese however, have what I'd term as 'body slamming'. Having someone's belly rub you from behind isn't anything unusual in China. I guess with the great population, to get your way around, you have got to 'body slam'. To be heard, raise your voice. Things like that separate sg-chis and chi-chis.

Well, it's not really Shanghai per se, but rather the other groups of Chinese that make their way to the world expo. One thing about the world expo is the clear demonstration of the great Chinese population. Imagine waiting for 2 hours under the summer sun (SH wasn't that warm, the air was chilly but the sun had no cloud cover so the UV rays are the cause of sun burns and the heat; 22degress thereabouts) just to enter the US pavilion. Well, Saudi Arabia's pavillion had the longest queue with a 6 hours waiting time because they were giving out diamond rings in their lucky draw. Japan was a good 3 hours. I did not bother waiting much and so along with Nad, Hai and Ken, we went to the lesser known (kecil) pavilions. North Korean... Iran (next to NK... *pause* I know right!)... Bangladesh... Kyrgyzstan (pretty ladies with nice eyes and nice llama wool toys)... Oh yar, being a Singaporean meant express queues to the Singapore pavilion. Now, every time we try to create something artsy fartsy, it ends up looking like a fruit. Esplanade = microphone = durian. Singapore pavilion = music box = rambutan. Not to forget a rooftop garden to end off the pavilion with. How very Punggol.

Bridging Minds

Bridging Minds programme was good fun. It was an extended 10 days of pure bliss upon returning to Singapore. Imagine 10 days of breakfast and lunch buffet at the Royal Plaza hotel (5 stars mind you) and having to stay in a nice room. (I fell off a treadmill whilst at the hotel and the darn thing had a touch screen display and so when I tried to stop the machine, I hit the speed up button, the rest is history and blood and pus) BM is this memorandum of understanding between Brunei and Singapore and both countries would send a delegation of 5 annually to meet up and discuss a given topic. The 10 would then stage a performance on stage which would be broadcasted on the television. This year, it was held in Singapore. It's like this debate-drama concept. Well, I got to meet the people behind the scenes at Mediacorp and even got to see some stars walking around. I remembered being at the broadcasting centre and saw Pierre Png. The girls were just gushing and swooning. Well, I'm not sure when this programme will air but it be on Okto. On a random note, I miss the BM team. Both team Singapore and Brunei. The cow, daal-lady, Japanese (who has an indian-cambodian accent), Ee Wei (girl who sleeps much), Lady Sha Sha, Alejandro, Chamreeup Swa,Guitar man, Faiz, Mr Michael (MOE dude who is responsible for your english syllabus), Ms Madhu (so motherly)... oh yar, the make up team.

NS check up

"Needles... Draw blood... Nah! Not too bad!"

I had to lock my iPhone in the locker provided because of the NO PHONES WITH CAMERA ruling. Walked up the cold stone steps towards the door. Every step was heavy, every step meant closer to the needle. Entered a room with not a single fami- wait, there he was, Boony, seated on number 4. I had to pull up my fringe using 10 spritz of water but in vail endeavour. The dude behind suffer a similar fate until *light bulb*, I had WAX! Used the miracle cream and unveiled my forehead *I really don't see why we have to for an NS picture which by the way, I look like a girl in*. Met up with Boony and went for the med check up. Whilst waiting, the dude with a problematic hair came by. Greeted and bam, there was new phy examination buddy. Urine test yeah that was fine, then... Jovi, "There was a dude shouting whilst having his blood drawn!" 0.0

Went for the test, closed my eyes and before I knew it. Over. Seriously, compared to the abrasion which I had from the treadmill, which by the way affected 4 spots on my body and the pus was all over the hotel room bed (poor chambermaid), wasn't as bad.

SH.

2010-05-28T09:21:00.003+08:00

"Mulberry Elkington and yours truly"

Look! Elkington! I have finally got a new bag. Nice leather satchel. Mulberry Hilton has great service by the way. One thing annoying about the bag is that care is a pain in the neck. It is like having a child, so to speak.

In a matter of hours, I'd be on a plane to Shanghai. I a matter of hours, I'd be flying. In a matter of hours, I'd rediscover the Chinese culture. All that in a matter of hours and I have yet to pack! 0.0

?

2010-05-17T21:07:00.003+08:00

"Mulberry Elkington"

"Loewe Amazona Satchel Messenger"

Pretty torn between the two. Both absolutely stunning. Dilemma.

Humans.

2010-05-16T00:17:00.003+08:00

Jellyfishes are 99% water. Humans are 70% water. There is something astoundingly similar between Man and Jellyfish. Jellyfishes are beautiful, elegant and graceful. Their bioluminescent displays are like one thousand fireflies pumping through their bodies; pulsating, glowing. Every movement is swift as it cuts through the water, yet at the same time, every movement is gentle. They are like miniature diving bells. Like humans, we are beautiful beings. Look at the very engineering in front of you. It is amazing how were are the only animals able to build civilisations. Humans have constructed and yet deconstructed. We build and tear down. Like the ebbing tides, humans have their rise and falls. Like the pulsating glow of Jellyfishes, like the sudden contracts of a Jellyfish's bell.

Some jellyfishes travel in schools. Millions migrating at the same time to warmer watters in search of plankton rich waters. They move in unison but in perfect silence. The travel as a mass but are then again essentially alone for they interact little. It is like a person being in a sea of people but still feel lonely. We gain strength from not those around us but from ourselves. We are intrinsically introverted beings. When there is no one around, we do not speak to ourselves. We think. We do not vocalise much.

As beautiful as it maybe, Jellyfishes are a paradox. They carry stinging cells and some of which can kill 10 cows. They are so dangerous, we have named some, the Portugese-man-of-war. The beauty and the unison are all facades. They are really made to be alone and to conceal dark truths.

Humans have long added layers to themselves. We have facades. We are not what we truly are. Instead, we are what people deem agreeable in a society. Why do we hide ourselves? Why is it that the very people who set boundaries hide themselves too? The Greeks set aside rules and codes in their society to ensure stability, however, at the same time, the very people who created the rules are the very ones who will commit to those vices. We fear from decadence and so we draw up rules.

What am I saying? I have no idea.

Mothers.

2010-05-16T00:10:00.002+08:00

A Mother never cease to protect, provide and love. As much as it pains a Mother to carry a child in a womb, as much as she is drained of her nutrients, she would love the child even before the child was born. After the child is born, she continues to feed the child and nurture him. The umbilical cord is never really broken. As a lamb be protected by his Mother, as a lioness protects her cub, so do humans protect their young. There is this intrinsic bond between children and Mothers. From conception, the Mother nurtures and grows the embryo. The blood of his Mother flows through his very veins. Yet, what is it that we see today. We find it increasingly difficult to reciprocate this love.

Love is a very strange topic. It can get people really uncomfortable. One knows that love is unconditional and unwavering. Yet, why do we feel so difficult to love at times. We know that Mothers love, but sometimes we don't do the same. We feel it but then again, we superficial don't. It is a paradox.

Short stories: Shifting Sands.

2010-04-25T21:44:00.004+08:00

Across the arid planes of the Middle East lives very extraordinary people who live off extremely scarce amounts of water. Part of the Silk Road as it is, the nomadic Bedouins primarily depend on livestock, some form of agriculture and trade to keep afloat.

Now the Bedouins have very strict codes of conduct. After all, living in a location where easily extracted resources are scarce (Yes, that means we are not looking at OIL), these codes were necessary to maintain a form of social order. A way to ensure brothers fight not for food, cousins learn not to steal. Hierarchy of utmost importance. Tribes learnt to cohabit and live. The Hareeb in Yemen, the Beni Sakr in Jordan.

In one particular Yemenis tribe, the Sheik (chief) decided that enough was enough. Let there be no fighting amongst the people for common goods. A form of equal distribution must be obtained. Shall it be based on merit? Will it be a pool of resources in which everyone has a stake in? Should it be based on bloodlines? It was a difficult decision.

Troubled by this, he sat on a rock to ponder over the different ways of governing his people.

Now, the Sheik had a very prepossessing daughter. A charming creature. If there be a way to describe, then her beauty was akin to the egrets that greeted the evening skies. Under the cover of the Burqa, her skin like porcelain. Those of the Chinese variety the Bedouins received as merchants travelled the Silk Road. Her hair, a dark black like the obsidian of the African volcanoes. Like cowries from the shores of Yemen, her eyes were deep and dark as if the heavens have met Earth.

Looking at her father, the daughter felt unnerved and unhappy. She did not like seeing her father forced to make unfair decisions. She then decided that the rich will pay a greater price for goods and the money be used to help the poor obtain the goods. The poor will then give back by throwing feasts on the second Friday of each month.

Oh how her people rejoiced at her wisdom. They adored her...

Gerberas.

2010-04-23T15:26:00.002+08:00

It's a yes. Red gerberas are the bomb!

:)

2010-04-18T09:39:00.000+08:00

Inexplicable. Surreal. Wishing it'll last. Promises.

Stuck.

2010-04-09T20:06:00.002+08:00

I feel like life has been so stagnated, so invariable, so very routine-like. School, home. Study, walk around. There seems to be so much more that I should be doing with life. Yet, what is sad is that I don't seem to going out there to make things happen. I don't want my JC life to lapse into a routine. I hope to achieve something more, something greater. Confidence is one major issue here. On top of that, the very scarce amount to time which I can work with and the constant need for prioritisation are even greater hurdles. I really am going to have to do something for myself and step out of this web. As Lady Gaga sings in poker face, "I'm marvelous". Well, it is really something I need to feel right now. Some esteem to keep things going.

Adam.

2010-03-17T10:09:00.003+08:00

Adam pondered over why Man needed nomenclatures and names to remember things. He then thought of all the cats, who could not speak, using their sense of smell to remember locations, other cats and things. He then realised that it is one thing to use the senses God gave Man and another to use the ability to think. Adam was happy.

Adam then walked to a tree planted in memory of the war. He thought of all the suffering generations saw to obtain peace. He realised that great revolutions and unrest is necessary to find a stable foundation to build a nation on. However, have Man gotten too complacent with peace that another revolution could be knocking on our doors?

The end is a whole new beginning.

2010-03-12T09:00:00.002+08:00

It just dawned on me that after the common test, is the start of a very intensive period. A levels is practically rolling in at breakneck speed. Sometimes, I as myself, "Why have I chosen this path?" and it seems like the most obvious answer is, "Practicality. JC is the road to the University and ultimately, success."

I beg to differ. That is what it seemed at first, a rather superficial reason why I chose a JC. AS I continued my education, I realised that a JC education does one thing to your mind. I opens up your mind. It allows to view things from a different perspective. The world is grey, not black and white. I learnt that why a question asks you Yes/No. The answer is, "It depends and to a certain extent."

(It must be the after exams stress...)

I see the light.

2010-03-07T21:43:00.004+08:00

"Cosmic Wonder"

Cosmic Wonder is a rather unknown Japanese label that produces really quality wear. I remembered seeing this brand in Front Row once. Well, I seem to have a certain liking for the rather interesting 'cardigan' as shown on the left. The designs of Cosmic Wonder has a rather English touch to it. An interpretation of the European dressing by the Japanese. In fact, if one visits parts of Hokkaido and Osaka, the streets have a rather European feel to it. The architecture from street lamps down to the paths seem to model their European counter parts. I will be doing more research on this exquisite label before commenting more on it. For now, let's just take it that the label is a promising one.

images:http://thefashionisto.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/cosmic2.jpg

Alice.

2010-03-06T23:13:00.006+08:00

Yes, the exams are finally here... I shall, however, not grumble about this very sad fate of a student (face it, even if we all know that education is ultimately for the benefit of society, exams are not very beneficial to our mental well-being *stress*).

One of the few things I shall do after my exams...

1) Check out Dior

2) Check out Mulberry

3) Watch Alice in Wonderland

3: Another whimsical movie from Tim Burton. On an unrelated note, he seems to need the presence of Helena Bonham Carter (his co-inhabitant, not sure if they have decided to tie the know) and Johnny Depp in virtually all his movies. Back to my main topic, Alice is not going to be your childhood beloved bedtime story of a girl who falls into a hole. No, it is a tweaked version, a grown-up 19 year old Alice returning back to Wonderland. So for those who have yet to read of the book entitled 'Alice's Adventure in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking Glass' by Charles Lutwige Dodgson aka Lewis Carroll, please get acquainted. Did I just mention Alice's Adventure... yes, I did. It was the original name of the book, well of course the lazy folks shortened it to the very name we know so fondly today - Alice in Wonderland. Now what is up with 'Through the Looking Glass'? It is one of those lesser-know Carroll pieces out there. I remembered reading it as a child, but has completely forgotten most of the plot. Though, I do remember a chess board sorta feel to the story and tons of references to mirrors. I must so read the two books again. Anyway, do watch the movie as it combines the magic of both books into one. It, therefore, somehow mashes the cards theme of the former with the chess theme of the latter to make the movie somewhat appealing.

The Little Prince.

2010-02-28T22:22:00.004+08:00

星の王子さま：The Little Prince

It is my favourite book to date. It explores the mind of a child through adult understanding. The story has a comforting interpretation of death and friendship, I guess it makes it is then, a suitable book for children. Antoine Exupery intricately crafted how he perceived death in a rather beautiful manner. It is like returning home. The essential bulk of the book is about how a grown person slowly learns how to have a different perspective of life. He is ironically, taught by a child to do so. One puzzling thing is how the Prince is seen as a matured young man. From what I gather, maturity, in the book, is portrayed by a child who is so fascinated by his surroundings. A child so inquisitive. A child who wants to explore. I would really recommend the book to those who have been so caught up with life and lost their inner-child (my parents?).

"Miharayasuhiro Spring/Summer 2010"

I guess, I am not the only one who likes this book. A up and coming Japanese designer, Miharaya Suhiro, was too inspired by the book which lead him to create one of the most dazzling collections I have seen. Now, where do I go to get that crown...

Tsumori Chisato.

2010-02-26T21:48:00.003+08:00

"Kiyomizu Temple"

"Kuruma 車,car"

I miss the times I spent the day wondering through Japan like a child. With child-like wonderment at everything in a land so foreign; especially in terms of culture. My trip to Japan has opened my eyes to come to appreciate little acts like greeting and a smile. It really does go a long way in modern day Singapore - a place where one occasionally gets cashiers that don't even bother looking into your eyes when they serve you. I miss the times in Japan where I would walk down the chilly street. It is a funny feeling to walk amidst the Japanese because one can't tell the difference between who is local and who is not until one hears words that escape the mouth. Until one carefully notices habits and mannerisms. Until one hears that familiar sing-song accent we so fondly remember as Singlish.I love Singapore, I am random, I contradict.

Now to make sense of Tsumori Chisato. She is a rather interesting Japanese designer who is under the A net group - a subsidiary of Issey Miyake. Her pieces are somewhat, similar to that of Rei Kawakubo's legendary designs. To get to the point, I saw a piece from Tsumori and liked it so much I bought it.

Exam anxiety.

2010-02-26T21:15:00.003+08:00

Oh, may I have the strength to pull through the year. I can't do this on my own but I know that I have you. I shall not falter for I cannot afford to do so. I have to do reasonably well for my future depends on it in a very practical sense.

Sounds like a prayer does it not?

I sometimes marvel at how much a person can actually write on a blog. I am lazy, period.

Crash on my shore.

2010-02-25T22:42:00.004+08:00

"Great Wave off Kanagawa"

This has got to be one of my favourite pieces to date. The deep hue of the waves that curls into crests that become foamy whites is beautifully juxtaposed to Mt. Fuji. Looking at this gives me peace and serenity. Why do I say so? Well, the fact that Mt. Fuji is pictured to be standing behind the waves undisturbed by what is transpiring in the foreground gives a person the sense of stability. That stability to face the harshest conditions, the turbulent waves, the rage of the sea. The ability to remain calm in one's darkest moments (as how the background of Mt. Fuji is darkened and to look at the better days that is to come (as how Mt. Fuji reaches towards the bright and seemingly peaceful sky), it all comes together as a message in life.

image:http://www.omohide.com/TheGreatWaveOffKanagawa.png

Exams.

2010-02-21T21:14:00.001+08:00

It's coming! Exams... NAPFA... How critical, how crucial, how difficult. How am I to pass?

It is mine!!!

2010-02-14T10:47:00.004+08:00

"Pictures do speak a 1000 words."

CNY.

2010-02-13T00:28:00.003+08:00

It's amazing how a JC is able to find the conscience to forgo curriculum time and celebrate Chinese New Year. (It sounds like I am lamenting, does it not.) Truth is, I find such celebrations purposeful. Not only does it give us a temporal relief from all that work, but also, it the CNY celebration made me really thankful that I am Chinese. Although, my Chinese may not be really perfect (I certainly cant pull off any QinShiHuangnian Chinese (like how we say Victorian English, get the pun!)) I really like the culture, the values, the richness of the whole Chinese society. It is sad to stereotype China and her products as unreliable and her people as loud unruly beings. China is not decadent. The urbanised population may have altered their value systems, but there are parts of China that still holds on dearly to traditional Chinese belief. I really hope to experience the Chinese culture of China soon. So, as Chinese New Year approaches, I am really happy to be able to wish everyone a happy Chinese New Year!

School.

2010-02-11T21:01:00.001+08:00

School drains the life out of me (period).

"By the way, happy chinese new year..."

Pinstripe Shoes!

2010-02-07T19:52:00.003+08:00

"Paul Smith Toluca Espadrille"

I seem to have something for pinstripes or stripes for that matter. Things that are stripy apparently appeals to me. Well, there goes my Red Packet cash...

Paul Smith... It reminds me of the time when I was in Shinsaibashi, Osaka doing my shopping (bought a coin wallet from PS)... Ran up and down the old street trying to find Comme Des Garcon. I tried asking for directions but the Japanese have no clue if you pronounce it in the French way. You'd have to go 'comb-day-garoooson' to be understood.

Yay or nay?

2010-01-20T21:28:00.004+08:00

"Lanvin mirror necklaces"

So to buy or not to buy? $300 for a necklace that says Lanvin in graffiti. Buy online or wait till Lanvin re-opens?

image: http://www.selectism.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/lanvin-spring-2010-necklace.jpg

Blood Donation.

2010-01-12T20:48:00.003+08:00

"The Reservoir in front of the Hilton"

"The Long Boat (as in as long as a bus long) Ride"

"Campsite On Day 2"

"Batang Ai Dam"

"The Beaten Path (before the slopes when I had to stop using my camera to save my life)"

Mosquitoes and Leeches...

The Bornean Jungle is not to be underestimated. It is slippery and steep. However, the most amazing facts are that the immense beauty of the forest and the indigenous Iban who has very agile bodies.

Nights in the rainforest is not mean feat. Despite, the alluring fireflies by night, the ever annoying mosquitoes and those frightening fire ants can certainly make one lose a good night's rest. The fire ants grow to twice the size of an average human's thumbnail. However, the strangely pale looking jungle fare had a magnetic effect on us. Cooked over firewood, our meals were prepared in the jungle. Bamboo shoots were certainly the best! Yes, I have had bamboo shoots before (being the Chinese that I am), but the difference is the sweetness of freshly gathered bamboo. Palm shoots was something new. The bitterness of the core did put me off a little. Then there was Midin or Jungle Fern, I have had it once in my Udon when I was in Japan but the stir-fried ferns had a different taste and texture when cooked this way. It was slightly gooey, the kind of goo one gets from eating Lady's Fingers/Okra.

One thing is for sure, the Iban and Bedayu guides sure did save my life a couple of times along the tricky trail. Thorny leaves and termite infested branches aren't exactly the thing you'd want to grab.

The leeches were one of the biggest fear the group had. However, after a few of our group mates fell victims to the painless menace, we weren't very much concerned with the leeches. Actually, the Tiger Leech was still quite fearsome to us because it stings when it sucks your life force and it likes going for very specific areas of one's body (warm and damp locations).

We found heaven when we came out of the wilderness into the luxurious Hilton Hotel. The glass of juice served to us at the entrance was enough to make me call Hilton a hotel of my choice when I travel in the future. (Stayed at the Hilton Mauritius once and I had the exact same sentiments as I do now)

Sarawak.

2010-01-07T17:20:00.002+08:00

I am very very very drained right now. I touched down a couple of hours ago after spending 6 days in Sarawak, Malaysia. I trekked for 2 days from camp to camp and visited long houses of the indigenous Iban. I shall reveal the pictures and mention more about the trail once I get the strength to edit the images.

Shoyu Ramen

2009-12-29T22:31:00.004+08:00

Different parts of Japan is famous of different kinds of ramen.

Hokkaido Region: Miso Ramen

Kyushu Region: Tonkotsu Ramen

Tokyo City: Shoyu Ramen

and I have no idea where shio (salt) ramen is famous in.

So, I tried Shoyu Ramen at Sapporo Ramen Miharu today. It was nice, however, I prefered the miso-tonkotsu ramen I had the other time... Anyway, I found out the secrets to making the flavoured TAMAGO they add into ramens.

Prepare the sauce. Mix shoyu, sake and mirin together and microwave the sauce for 30 seconds.

Boil eggs for 4 minutes.

Remove the eggs after 4 minutes and dunk them into ice cold water. Crack eggs in the bowl and peel the shells in the water.

Put eggs with sauce into a bag and leave it overnight in a fridge.

Rah rah rah rah ramen!

2009-12-26T13:16:00.008+08:00

Gallery Hotel, Level 1, Sapporo Ramen Miharu

Tucked away in a corner of Singapore and in a corner of a hotel is a quaint little ramen house. During my trip to Japan, the tour guide told us that we could find relatively 'cheap' (considering this is Japanese cuisine and that the ingredients are all imported from JAPAN!) authentic Japanese ramen in the restaurant.

So I went there along with 13 others (the Japan trip convoy) to try out what is said to be one of the best ramen in Singapore. I had a steaming bowl of Miso-Tonkotsu ramen. The funny thing is that Miso ramen is famous in the Hokkaido region (all the way up North) and Tonkotsu ramen is famous in the Kyushu region (all the way down South), so combine the 2 and you get quite an interesting tasting broth. I tasted sesame oil (I could even see the seeds) in the broth along with salty miso paste. The noodles were rather tangy and springy so to speak and there was this milky feeling that you get whilst slurping the noodles down with the broth. The smell of the broth was just oishii and the spring onions tasted fresh. I liked the fact that they used the lower stem of the spring onion more as compared to the upper portion where the leaves are because the lower stem gives this crunchy texture and it gives the soup a nice fragrant smell to it. Nothing much can be said about the Tamago/egg because it wasn't runny in the centre like it is supposed to be. Overall a good bowl of ramen and I'd recommend it to those seeking for something better than the cliched ramen chain, Ajisen.

Sandalous.

2009-12-23T10:55:00.004+08:00

"Lanvin Macrame' Embroidered Scandals"

Enough shoes, I think it is time to try on scandals. Lanvin has done it again. Another season with something to lust for. Though I was a little skeptical with next season's wear when I first saw it, I notice tiny details that stood out and make Lanvin the creative house that it is known to be. Those interested can check out the range of Lanvin products on Luisaviaroma.com or just wait for Lanvin at Hilton to open. By the way, Balenciaga has a new location at the Hilton.

image:http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dURsE3cWc_Q/Syz_H0iRWEI/AAAAAAAAEF0/hiT6ReoCz7w/s1600-h/Picture+9.png

Hello!

2009-12-21T00:48:00.005+08:00

Okay, ever since my return from Japan. I have crazy over Japanese food and the Japanese culture. MUJI is like wonderland for me now and I am always on the prowl for Japanese Designer labels.

In fact, I bought 2 pieces from Comme Des Garcon. What is CDG? Well, it is french for 'like boys' and the pieces are designed by Rei Kawakubo (the sensei of Junya Watanabe, a popular rather Japanese designer in Europe according to Vogue).

The Comme Des Garcon label has so many diffusion labels that labeling them would be a daunting albeit necessary task, so I'd just name a few.

Comme Des Garcon (the Japanese pronounces Garcon, Gar-soh-n, as Gar-roo-soh-n)

the mainline

PLAY CDG and BLACK CDG.

(I bought the long sleeved striped tee and the tee with a gigantic heart, the only difference is that my heart had blue eyes!)

PLAY (the famed heart) is a more accessible range. The clothes are less loud (imagine boys in skirts, yeah that is the mainline) and kinder on the wallet. It's funny how in Japan, one cannot try on the tees at the shop but one can try on other apparels. While I was in the CDG in Shinsaibashi, Osaka, there was a cube whereby PLAY was 'housed' in. I could not enter the cube and only the workers get to enter the cube. CDG is truly a quirky little brand.

BLACK is the cheapest range. It is a Guerilla shop. As the name suggests, it exists outside the mainline and is only temporal. CDG has this habit of setting up Guerilla shops that last for a couple of months to 1 year and then it closes down. BLACK will only exist for as long as this recession exists. It therefore aims to help people spend to save the economy. What an idea Rei!

image: http://thisislavie.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/comme-des-garcons-play-1.jpg

Konbanwa!

2009-12-13T21:16:00.006+08:00

Hello! I know that my correspondence has been rather inconsistent and I can explain this.

1) Too tired from a day of traveling

2) No internet access

3) Requires me to pay

Okay, so I have the pictures from day 2 and 3 of my trip. As I am very tired, I shall not say too much today. I'll let the pictures (shyashin) tell a 1000 words.

"Nagoya Castle"

"Mount. Fuji"

"Only the best toilet you'd ever find, it cleans your behind*"

"Mizuki, my school guide"

"Samurai! Ah!!!"

"Acting cool?"

Konnichiwa!

2009-12-10T16:25:00.011+08:00

"the clouds from the plane (A380, largest airbus)"

"Alfie at the car-park of the airport"

Hello people! I am currently blogging from a hot spring hotel next to Mount. Fuji. Yes! It is freaking Mt. Fuji! So it was a 7 hour journey from Singapore to Narita Airport (by the way, it only operates from 7am to 11pm GMT+9 because the farmers that live nearby refuse to move!) Oh yar, thanks Hannan, Edna and Nicky for sending me off and posing as my parents (except for Nicky, he was supposedly my 'wife').

So after a long ride from Narita airport, we finally arrived at the National Art Centre where we were given tickets to view the European pieces loaned to the NAC (bought some kind of Jelly about this time. the Jelly drink was in a cool packet and it tastes great. I think the brand M is like Yeo's in Singapore and Coca Cola to the world).

"Golden leaves outside NAC"

"The jelly drink!"

Had Nabe for lunch and Stuart's pot had a cockroach in it! Yucks

"mmmm Nabe"

We then proceeded to Mt Fuji! There are about 10 stations along the mountain all the way to the pinnacle! However, due to the snow, we can only reach the 4th station. But! Low and behold! We got to play with snow!!! (Those from the tropics will find this very very very very amusing, especially the mist that comes with every breath you take!)

"Station 4 of Mt. Fuji"

"Snow!"

"Elephante frolicking in the snow"

Down the mountain is the hot spring (onsen) hotel that I am currently residing in now. MMMmmm the dinner was great (great chawanmushi and all the grilled fishes that I have tried today were just perfecto!) and I'll be heading over to the ONSEN pretty soon! Yes, it is communal so I'd be looking at my friend's shlongs and them, mine. 0.0

Hours left.

2009-12-08T23:17:00.007+08:00

"the Yen, can you believe that 1000 Yen is SGD$15"

Clothes: checked

Charger: checked

Passport: checked

Socks: checked

and the list goes on...

It is only a matter of hours till I board A380 (one of the largest Airbuses around and it is said that Singapore Airlines have 'stocked' the plane with GOOD LOOKING air stewards and air stewardesses). I can't wait to reach Japan (GMT +9, so add an hour to Singapore's time)! I can barely contain my excitement. In fact, it reminds me of the night before I flew off to Melbourne. I just would not fall asleep!

Whilst packing my bag, I realised that I needed a new duffel. So I decided to check out Bottega Veneta. My oh my! Bottega's prices are cut-throat! But, it is indisputable that they produce the most intricate leather-ware. The bags do remind me of the Malay Ketupat.

"Bottega Veneta"

"Ketupat"

images:

http://un2kmu.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/ketupat-digantung.jpg

http://images.google.com/imgresimgurl=http://www.japanorama.com/images/1000yen.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.japanorama.com/1000yen.html&usg=__1kNzbkXYGT0QqVRvCxjYE1cjYF8=&h=470&w=453&sz=87&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=B8zXmRYcm5Nc2M:&tbnh=129&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dyen%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nbYdNetvTOg/R7XBVcua2iI/AAAAAAAAAMI/DbIGigiRlaA/s320/BottegaWovenTote2.jpg

I saw it!

2009-12-07T21:20:00.008+08:00

I was scouring YouTube (the video Heaven) for some cool new songs when I stumbled upon this video. It's done by the staff of a medical centre in America (USA) to raise the awareness of BREAST CANCER.

A friend of mine also showed me this other video

during my internship. Now this is a way

cool wedding!

Marie Digby.

2009-12-07T13:51:00.004+08:00

"Can we pull through this avalanche?"

Marie Digby

Of Irish decent and Japanese blood in her veins, Marie Digby. The girl was discovered via YouTube after she posted several videos of her singing songs with her guitar. It was her rendition of Umbrella that garnered some much attention that record labels came knocking on her door. However, her first album was a failure and much so, was the second. I do not get why people did not give her another try on her second album that has improved by leaps and bounds if you compare it to her first. I just pray that she does not get dropped by her current label. It will be rather depressing... So here is to Marie Digby, hope she pulls through this avalanche.

L is back.

2009-12-06T18:44:00.004+08:00

LANVIN

Yes, it has disappeared from it's little corner in Wisma Atria. However, fret not, there is a new store in Hilton Hotel Shopping Gallery and this time, it is under the Club 21 umbrella of brands. That means, it is way easier for me to get the card! I am way excited about the opening. I am not sure when but I really am looking forward to the opening of Lanvin! Okay, let's turn back the clock a little and see how I stumbled upon this...

"Proof that LANVIN is and will be OPENING SOON"

You see, I was in the vicinity getting a pair of Paul Smith socks (which are by the way, very comfy and when I when to the level below (1st floor), LOW AND BEHOLD LANVIN!

"socks"

Ask Edna about how excited I am seeing LANVIN... Okay, so after getting the pair of socks, I brought Edna to meet Benjamin (JC2 Scholar... YES HE IS A SCHOLAR) and we had dinner at Xin Wang Restaurant. MMmmm mmm I had some congee and I must say, it is most palatable! After dinner, Benja went clubbing and E and I left for home (well, I went to my Granny's but that isn't very important).

At 1am, I woke up and prepared myself for my job as a volunteer providing welfare to the runners for the Standard Charted Marathon. Such as little hours in the morning to present time, the evening, was I awake (did catch a little wink here and there but hey, that doesn't count :)). I am beat and dead. Goodnight!

Fonts.

2009-12-05T15:20:00.002+08:00

Fonts do play an important role. Have a nice font, people get drawn to reading what you have to say. Have a terrible font, your message might just fail.

I was reading my friend's blog a few minutes ago and realised that he made a mistake in naming a restaurant. Well, I don't blame him because the font the restaurant uses for their logo confuses people. The 'L' in the restaurant, Lerk Thai, looks like a 'J'. My friend hence thought it as 'Jerk Thai'. So the moral of the story is, USE A PROPER FONT.

City.

2009-12-02T13:39:00.003+08:00

The rain pours down on the city. It washes the grit away. All the dust that has settled on the pavements drift down the drains. It washes the people away too. All the workers that scuttle above ground, all seek shelter in the complex underground passages.

I chose to defy the elements and walked under the rain without an umbrella. I looked at the weary faces of the crowd. They had the money, they have a job. They do not have a heart. As I continue to walk in the rain, those with umbrellas seemed to snicker. They were dry.

What ever happened to kindness? Are we only kind for a week and bam it's back to reality. Well, there are kindred souls roaming this Earth. On my way back from the foodcentre to the office, I stood close to a man with an umbrella hoping that his 'dryness' can magically transfer to me. It seemed that it did because he looked at me and used his umbrella to shelter the 2 of us. :)

Persona Non Grata.

2009-12-01T14:02:00.003+08:00

I can be in a sea of people but still feel lonely.

die einsamen Tage unter der Sonne. die einsamen Nächte dauernden Kälte.

der einsam Mal unter dem Schatten der Obergrenzen der großen Einkaufszentren.

ich bin Daniel der kliene mann. einsamen... mein freudin? mein beste freudin? I can now see why 'Mein Kampf' was written. Perhaps a 'mein freundin'? Why am I sulking?

Video.

2009-11-30T21:42:00.001+08:00

This clip kinda left a mark on me.

Piping hot.

2009-11-30T16:07:00.002+08:00

The soup spoon rules! Though this might sound a little odd, the soup spoon serves delicious sandwiches!

Sentosa.

2009-11-28T08:26:00.005+08:00

Shangri-La |ˈ sh a ng gri ˈlä|

a Tibetan utopia in James Hilton's novel Lost Horizon (1933).• [as n. ] ( a Shangri-La) a place regarded as an earthly paradise,esp. when involving a retreat from the pressures of moderncivilization.

(New Oxford American Dictionary)

I'm currently in a hotel on Sentosa (a tiny offshore island that is part of Singapore). The view here is divine! In fact, I'm staying at the Shangri-La Hotel and it is beautiful. I guess the hotel lives up to her name as 'Shangri-La'.

I'll be adjourning to the restaurants in a while for breakfast but before I do, here are 2 images of what view I get from the hotel room's balcony.

"The balconies"

"The pool"

Chocolate!!!

2009-11-27T09:42:00.004+08:00

"Food glorious food..."

After a day of work at Rajah and Tann (a law firm), I brought Demas, this PJC student councillor, to Ichiban Boshi and Max Brenner. Skip the Ichiban Boshi thing because 'everyone knows Japanese food rules'. We had our desserts at Max. It is literally a chocolate haven. It's like I've died and came back to life on some chocolate land. The smell was tantalising. It's like there were tendrils of chocolate reaching out of the shop for our noses. Now for those who have read 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and mouth-watered over it, then this place is for you.

"The extraordinary Suckao"

They have something called Suckao which is like a shot of chocolate. It's a cup of melted chocolate (pure milky chocolate) heated by a flame and sucked through a metal straw. In fact, all the drinks here seem to come with a metal straw to suck from. Now that's environmentally conscious. Well, Demas had a vase (the shape of the cup is really like a vase) of banana chocolate latte. It is really good!!! Trust me. This coming from a person who does not fancy bananas, it has got to be divine if I say it's good.

images: https://shop.maxbrenner.com/Data/Images/suckao_right_size.png

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/03/24/souffle_wideweb__430x285.jpg

Greed.

2009-11-26T14:11:00.002+08:00

I asked a friend to give me something to talk about, he said greed. I asked him why. He told me he used it for his O level examinations.

Examinations. It is the impetus of our being as Singaporeans. We do well, get a good job, a good life. I beg to differ. A good life?

What constitutes life is, to me, the enjoyment of living. Our education system has literally squeezed every drop of youthful exuberance out of me. Singapore breeds highly skilled conformists and does not nurture sufficient creativity.

Ladies and gentlemen, I now present the top 5 paying jobs in 2008:

Coming up at number 5 we have the General Manager, followed closely by the Commodities Futures Broker at number 4. Clinching 3rd place is the General Surgeon and 2^nd place, the Managing Director. Now for our top earners; the Specialised Surgeons aka Plastic Surgeons.[1]. Now what does that tell us? It tells us that those jobs viewed most worthy, most beneficial to society are ones which are lodged in the world of logic, rules and business. The ones that require a person to stick rigidly to a set of rules and to conform to instructions. Therefore, in Singapore, creativity is not as well nurtured as these businesses. Sadly, creativity is precisely what this ailing world needs to help solve global problems. A factory that churns out workers that have a carbon copy knowledge about a subject can continue to manufacture goods indefinitely, but it cannot solve the environmental problems it has also created? Does it even care? We have more than 5,000 doctors in Singapore, our healthcare system is considered the best in Asia, one of the best in the world, but we have a negligible number of environmentalists and conservationists. Not forgetting that we are the 9^th most polluting country per capita in the world in terms of carbon footprint². Why don’t we have any of the latter – because we don’t value jobs that do not rake in the millions. Because we gear our education system to the knowledge that is required for revenue generating industries.[2]

[1] Available at URL:

URL: http://www.salary.sg/2008/best-paying-jobs-in-singapore-2008/

http://www.salary.sg/2008/best-paying-jobs-in-singapore-2008/

[2] Available at URL:

http://www.photius.com/rankings/carbon_footprint_of_countries_per_capita_1980_2005.html

Law Firm.

2009-11-26T10:39:00.007+08:00

I'm sitting in a cubicle in Rajah & Tann now and watching news bloopers.

Off With Her Head.

2009-11-25T21:25:00.003+08:00

A judge is a law student who marks his own examination papers.

H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

I have been, over the past few days, attending some law programme for JC students. Yes, that does explain my absence from school and an excuse for not handing in my homework (snickers). Well, it is really interesting to hear and see for one's self the legal profession. I have got to tell you, the pay is really really good. The pricing for 1 hour consultations for some firms may well be in the thousands. $.$ However, the work you have to put in is definitely, if not more, than what one is paid. I'm currently attached to Rajah and Tann LLP (one for the largest and best law firms there is in Singapore *fanfare in the distance). I guess this firm really does take the staffs' welfare into consideration. There are gaming consoles, foosball, pool tables and a cafe made available for the lawyers to enjoy. In fact, there is free breakfast and lunch available for the lawyers at the cafe (interns get only a free breakfast and the menus change daily, by the way :(. But hey! The food is free anyway! :)). These are supposedly tools to help the rather busy lawyers socialise in a less formal setting. Well, we interns use these amenities to satisfy our needs for constant entertainment.

My friends in the other firms, who got to accompany their mentors to court, told me that some times when a lawyer has so many things to carry to court, he would take a cab to court despite the court being just a across the Singapore river. Well, I for one, did get to see the Supreme Court for myself too! The flying saucer is really just a viewing gallery and the courtrooms are not like what you'd see on the telly. The lawyers practically speak with this unfazed, tranquil tone into the microphones. You do not get the expected yelling and tension. The tension one experiences is those really scary sort of tension due to that cold calm tone of the lawyers.

All in all, the programme is really an eye-opener. It's really so cool and exciting that words cannot convey it. By the way, I made new friends through the programme! There are really cool people from all sorts of schools all over Singapore! Shaun of Hwa Chong Institution and his friend Margaux (french name!!!) thought that Zafran and I were RJCians! Well, Z and I are, however, from SRJC (super raffles junior college), some private school somewhere near Pedra Branca (it's one of those places you can use to get that 'timbuktu' feeling). In the practice group (aka department)that Z and I were posted to was a PJC guy named Demas. Interesting dude with rather cool braces. Yes, I have something for braces, fingers, hairstyles and colours. Truth be known, the fingers are the sexiest body part to me. :P

Moleskine.

2009-11-16T21:10:00.003+08:00

"Watercolour Art"

Not too long ago, I was in Kinokuniya looking for some good reads when I stumbled upon a couple of notebooks. The back-cover had 'Moleskine' embossed on it. Moleskines are notebooks that look rather classy. There is even a Moleskine website. The website was where I came across the above image. Don't you think it looks beautiful? It's amazing what the human hand can produce. So, this inspired me to pick up watercolouring (trying out soon)! Oh yes, the image also got me thinking. If others are blessed with the ability to create such materials, well, I should write stories then. To draw and paint is an art, to craft stories is also art, to make a pact with myself that I'll stay true to my words is also an art. (I have no idea why I typed the sentence preceding this)

The point is that I bought 2 Moleskines at the price of $30. That's right. Notebooks for that sum. I do not know what is the reason that propelled me to buy the books for that sum but trust me I will use it. Especially for my trips to Japan and Sarawak. In fact, I'll try to make it a point to bring Japan to your screens by blogging every night when I'll be there. This reminds me of the vaccination I had to take in school today. I had a seasonal flu jab (costs $15). The irony is that I am currently having flu! Surprisingly, injections do not hurt as much as blood tests, in fact, injections barely hurt.

Some time back when I was in Hougang Mall with Edna and Charine, a nice lady approached us. Now, she was those nice older ladies with genial smiles and wrinkles that make their faces look like extensions of the rays of the sun. But, be fooled not by their seemingly docile appearance! She asked my friends and I to test our blood to determine if we could be possible bone marrow donors. "It's just a prick and you'll be on your way." Just a prick. Well, the experience was more like you were being stapled on your finger and to literally rub your bleeding (bloody) finger over some rather coarse paper to blot your blood out. The paper was the slightly larger than a 50c coin and the blood that was blotted onto the paper would be sent for tests. In retrospect, I'd rather get a jab than get pricked.

image:http://www.moleskine.com/mymoleskine/community/090919_04.jpg

Love Lockdown.

2009-11-09T23:03:00.002+08:00

T-Pain and Kanye West have tapped on the ability to tweak you tune. Think about how Lil' Wayne sounds so funny in the song Down. All this is done using machines and software created by the company Antares. T-pain was, in fact, credited for popularising the brain child of Antares. Well Auto Tune, so it's called, has fixed the vocals of so many. Is it right? Are we embracing the coming a technology that provides a chance for those not blessed with the best larynx but the best face, to make it big in the music industry? Or, this technology really going to revolutionise our music scene. Perhaps, newer genres? Well, for the unacquainted, here is Ellen Degeneres to clear the air.

Talent.

2009-11-07T22:56:00.005+08:00

Talents are born not bred. Talent is innate.

I have had friends who attained grade 8 in music yet, they play with little conviction. They do not love their art. They are coerced to take it up. Yet there are those who can let their fingers do the walking. People who can let music flow right out of their hands. People like Brendon Urie. He truly is a talent and great musician. Panic! at the Disco has apparently had quite a rough time. The 2 frontmen, Ryan Ross and Brendon Urie are now in 2 different bands. The former in a new band called The Young Veins whilst the latter, still in Panic! at the Disco.

The Young Veins sounds rather old school to me. In fact, they seem to remind me of The Kooks and The Beatles. Well, judge it for yourself.

Faces.

2009-11-05T19:25:00.004+08:00

It's funny how people claim to be skin deep. Do we really ignore how others look? Is it fair to say that we are guilty for find beauty amongst others and try to match up? Striving to attain a certain look. Never comfortable or happy with one's current looks. It fuels the multi-million dollar beauty industry. Keep this up and the plastic surgeons may never have the word 'recession' found in their dictionaries.

Self-esteem then comes into play. Will we ever feel good enough?

Man, do I have issues.

Eyes.

2009-11-01T23:10:00.010+08:00

"Fields of Gold"

Sclera, ciliary muscles, pupil, cornea, retina, vitreous fluid... The eye is truly an extremely complex organ. So many components functioning together to give you vision. The window. The bridge between the world and our person. Each individual, a unique vision. A different colour. Different hues colouring our lives in different perspectives.

Is it not a wonderment to actually see! Everyday, as the going gets tough and I forget about what really matters in life, I turn myopic. I cease to accept and begin to impose. For that, I must apologise.

I personally feel that the greatest vision anyone can have is that of children. Children look upon the world in bemusement. They look at everything in awe. I was on the train today when I saw a child staring at me. He stared at me for minutes! It's so beautiful to see people just looking in amazement and smiling. It shows the thoughts of a person. It is signs of reflection. Every twitch of my facial muscle was scrutinised by the child. Details meant something when you were young. Everything else that did not matter fades into the backdrop. It's like the aperture of a camera set to only concentrate with a small area.

However, as we grow up, we look at the world as a really big mess. We develop tendencies to look at all the negativities. Have we lost the child-like bemusement?

image: http://tostandalone.deviantart.com/art/Fields-Of-Gold-85264814

Condecending.

2009-10-31T22:45:00.002+08:00

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.

2009-10-31T11:36:00.005+08:00

"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.

2009-10-26T21:26:00.006+08:00

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.

2009-10-23T23:21:00.004+08:00

"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?

2009-10-22T22:58:00.007+08:00

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.

2009-10-21T20:27:00.005+08:00

"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.

2009-10-20T22:37:00.005+08:00

"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.

2009-10-19T01:18:00.003+08:00

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.

2009-10-19T00:27:00.006+08:00

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.

2009-10-17T22:56:00.005+08:00

"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.

2009-10-17T12:00:00.000+08:00

"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.

2009-10-17T00:44:00.001+08:00

"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.

2009-10-15T21:53:00.000+08:00

"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.