Absurd anti-something mindset

Based on my understanding and what people have been telling me, quite a number of Singaporeans voted for, and support the opposition parties simply because they don't like the ruling party. They just want to "scare" the ruling party. They want the ruling party to listen up. Even if the opposition parties' members are not good enough or ready to be cabinet ministers, and they are not ready to "replace" the ruling party and run the country, they are ok with it. As long as they can voice their concerns in parliament and keep the ruling party "in check", they will support them.

There are plenty of other reasons given as well: The ruling party's actions irk them; the ruling party "doesn't care about the people"; the ruling party "is using their money without good explanations or not put to good use"; the ruling party uses the "top-down approach and doesn't respect the people"; there is no "transparency, honesty or integrity". They also say, the ruling party's ministers are "money-grubbing people who are in politics for money only", nevermind that they are getting verbal abuses from people on a daily basis, or that they are putting their families at risk of the abuses as well. Some may even have to put their families in the backseat to juggle their work well. Oh and also, nevermind that they are getting judged for everything that they and their families may do privately, as they are always under public scrutiny.

I just don't understand how this would work out. Most of them have/had a normal job to begin with, earning I suppose, a reasonable amount of money (given their level of qualifications), and that is without the public scrutiny and stress... so... I don't see how that's a good trade-off for anyone just for the sake of money.

Oh, and to those people, these kinda sacrifices come with their roles, and that's what they are "supposed to get" when they get paid "by the people" to "serve them" so they should suck it up and take whatever shit people throw to them because "the people pay their salaries". Side note: When someone has this kinda distorted mindset, then don't bother to argue with them anymore. Waste of saliva and energy. Just hope that those people are not your bosses, because if they are, you're technically their slaves and they own you. The fact that you're also a human being would be disregarded because you're now beneath them as you are getting paid by them. :)

Anyway, there are also rumours and conspiracy theories about how the MPs in the ruling party behave. Then of course, there are some real black sheep in the ruling party who have made mistakes and were asked to leave or have left.

Ok, so all these are the people's opinions. Their perceptions. Their freedom to believe whatever they want to. And some are of course, the truths (albeit distorted at times due to subjective interpretation and presentation using biased extracted information).

None of anybody's business, right? Like how my thoughts are none of anyone's business, unless I write or say something malicious and libelous.

However, what baffles me greatly is when the oppositions commit the "same wrongdoings" that the ruling party's MPs have supposedly been doing (according to their conspiracy theories or due to past events/incidents), it's suddenly ok for the oppositions to do so. Those supporters will not question why, but will stand by them, saying things like, "So what? The PAPs have been doing that... The PAPs have been doing this... why not [insert opposition party]?"

Let me understand this. As long as the mistake has been supposedly committed by the ruling party before, it is therefore ok for the oppositions to do so? And why are you supporting the opposition parties again? Oh right, because you don't like what the ruling party has been doing. So now, you're supporting another party who is doing the same thing, but then it's ok because they're not the PAP.

Contradicting and confusing much?

To the mistakes committed by their beloved opposition party, they will say it's a "small issue", and that it's a waste of time to discuss those issues any further. That we should move on and look at how to help "poor people in the country" and to "chase out foreigners".

Which, I suppose those people haven't been reading the news much. Or maybe they are doing selective reading and listening this whole time. So they are unaware or choose to be oblivious to the changes and initiatives that have been made to slowly adjust and rectify those problems that they have been harping on incessantly.

I guess to them, revising legislations, making improvements, and resolving problems must all be instantaneous. The ruling party must be able to solve major national issues in a blink of any eye. No, you cannot take years to solve problems. If you're adjusting things slowly, you're just not doing anything. And I thought only children would unreasonably demand instant gratifications.

The ruling party, is not the perfect party. There are people inside who make mistakes. Who say the wrong things. Who have done the wrong things. But, they have always explained about it, even if their explanations do not please the people, they hardened their balls and explained anyway. They have taken actions to rectify issues, to remove people who have erred. They have apologised when it was necessary to do so. A lot of those ardent opposition supporters just brush those things aside as "wayang", "PR", "acting" and "trying to buy votes". Discrediting all that they have done to change "their ways" because they have listened to what the people have said. No matter what they do, it's never the right thing and it's never good enough.

And, let's look at the number one opposition party. Whenever they are questioned about their supposed wrongdoings. Silence. Deafening silence.

Then, I see nothing constructive presented in Parliament. They were voted in by a lot of people to air their grievances, and at times they did. But they have also agreed to certain things they have previously disagreed about during elections (which had garnered them lots of support, hurhur).

There were plagiarisms, unexplained behaviours and party problems. There were immature jibes made online, insults thrown and just silence most of the time. But those people cut them slack because they are the underdogs. To them, those things are not big issues because they are not national issues. Even if those issues reflect on the integrity and moral standards of the people involved, it's ok. As long as they are not national issues, they simply don't care. Though the same can't be said about their expectations for the ruling party's MPs.

When a PAP MP commits a mistake, when a member of a Ministry or Stat. Board makes a mistake, it's totally unforgivable. The matter must be explained and an apology must be given. No matter what. Suddenly, integrity, honesty, transparency become important "national issues". It becomes the PAP's fault no matter what because the people under them made the mistakes. The people they choose must be screened and perfect, they must know them inside out and no bad eggs must slip through and surface one day.

As for the opposition parties, it's ok if bad eggs surface in their parties, it's just a slight misjudgement on their part. No biggie. Really? Come on, there are bad eggs everywhere in this world. People who can act and are capable of performing. Look around you... you think there's a way to only hire innately good people all the time?

Of course they must take responsibility for people under them when they err, or if signs are there and were ignored. But if they realised the people they trusted have betrayed their trust and took actions to remove them and come clean to the people, then shouldn't that be respected? It's a hundred times better than how a party handled their issue by quietly waiting for it to blow over.

Sigh.

The irony. The double-standard.

Unbelievable.

I really don't know how to end this post. It's just so absurd, I can't wrap my mind around it no matter how I see it.

I cannot understand the logic behind the mindset of those people, but yet, I am also glad I do not understand it. For if I did, I would most probably be as unreasonable and illogical as well.

Lippies!

I've recently made some "impulse buys". 

I have a soft spot for lipsticks/lip care products especially. 

Anyway, before I get started on the lipstick/balms I bought, I just want to show off the ring below.

It costs a whopping... S$10. The most expensive accessory I've gotten for myself in a long time. :/

It looks kinda "genuine" in real life. The photo doesn't do it justice.

But obviously the fake crystals have very poor cutting when you scrutinise it. Haha... Not complaining though.  

Now let me show you my current collection of lip products. Nothing compared to other people's collections of Diors and YSLs, but I think my collection still rocks!

Revlon's ColorBurst™Lip Butter, ZA's Pure Shine Lips, Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable™Balm Stain, Etude House's  Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk & Dear My Jelly Lips-Talk, Burt's Bees Lip Balm, Mentholatum Waterlip Balm and Body Shop's 2012 Christmas Collection Vanilla Bliss and Cranberry Joy

Ok, I didn't get all of those at once. It was a gradual collection. But I did get a few within the span of a week. 

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 080 Strawberry Shortcake, ZA Pure Shine Lips in 08 Shell Pink, Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 090 Sweet Tart and Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 001 Honey Douce

Etude House's Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk in PK006 (or 8... can't remember and can't see it well now), Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 025 Peach Parfait and Etude House's Dear My Jelly Lips-Talk in JOR203.

I would have gotten more, if not for the fact that my husband frowns upon such impractical buys. And to be honest, I haven't actually managed to finish any lip product since I started buying them years ago. I just buy and buy, and once they get watery due to months of neglect or once I realised they have been lying in my make-up box/bag for more than a year without getting used, I'll usually throw them away. 

So I do take his disapproval as a form of control when I itch to get a newly launched lip product.

In the past, I'd usually stick to lip balms due to my very dry lips. This is because the lipsticks used to be too thick and drying for my liking. 

The first time I fell in love with a lipstick was when Revlon launched their range of Lip Butters.

The one that got me in love is the shade 025 Peach Parfait (about S$12-16, I can't remember). I am subscribed to Jen's (frmheadtotoe) youtube videos. She introduced that particular shade in one of her videos. So once it was available in Singapore market, I got it immediately.

It was and still is really good.

Creamy texture with an iridescent golden sheen with glitters in a perfect peachy shade. It matches my skin tone and lip colour really well. I could wear it with any clothing, with any colour, and look more radiant with it. 

I don't have to worry about it drying up on my lips or if it will sink into the lines and make my lips look old and wrinkly. None of that! It nourishes my lips well and keeps them hydrated. Even if my lips are very dry with flaky skins, it would cover that up perfectly. It will not make it even more obvious like most lipsticks do. 

Although the glitters will often stick to my lips even after eating and wiping my mouth, causing tiny flecks of shiny spots on my lips, I don't mind it at all.

It's one lipstick I've been constantly using since I bought it. Every time I need to brighten up my lips/face, I will almost always go back to this trusty, lovely and creamy lipstick that feels almost like a shea butter lipbalm. There's only about a centimetre of it left. Once I finish it, I will definitely purchase it again. :D

The other two shades of Lip Butter are very creamy too. But because they are matte colours, it's rather difficult for me to wear them when my lips are in their dry state, which is almost every day. If I want to wear these two shades, I'll have to put on lip balm first, then the lipstick. Or, one of my tricks is to put a layer of that creamy lipstick, wipe it off along with the flaky skins, and then reapply it once all the dry skins have been removed. Tada! :)

Also, these two shades are slightly more difficult to match my clothings, so I seldom get to wear them out.

I will skip the other lipsticks and introduce my latest purchase from Etude House:

Dear My Jelly Lips-Talk in JOR203. Priced at about S$18.

Again, this was introduced by Jen (frmheadtotoe) in one of her recent videos. *sheepish smile*

I know... I am easily convinced to buy products I see others rave about. :P

But I trust her because the products she's been introducing, have been really just as good as what she's said in her videos! 

This shade looks scary, I know. So red and orangey it seems too loud to be worn on a daily basis. But the lipsticks in this collection are just like their names, jelly-ish... meaning to say, they are sheer!

It glides on so easily and smoothly it feels as if you're sliding jelly across your lips. The colour although is sheer, is quite pigmented. You can also build up on the colour and make it darker. It's very moisturising in a different way from Revlon's lip butters. Not creamy, but you can still feel very moisturised once you apply it. I loved it the moment I tried it on for the first time.

It's also been said to leave a tint behind even after eating. I haven't been able to observe that yet... but it will be great if that's true! 

The Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk lipstick (same price as Jelly Lips) is like the other two shades of Revlon Lip Butters, great and moisturising, but slightly difficult to wear due to it being a matte colour. Nothing a lip balm can't fix though. It's also slightly easier to match this colour to my clothing. So I'd still recommend this if your lips are not as flaky and dry as mine. Mine might even crack and bleed on bad days. So I doubt most people are having it as bad as me... Therefore, these matte lipsticks might work really well for you guys. ;)

Lastly, these two lip balms are da bomb!

I got Mentholatum's Waterlip (about S$6-7 at Watsons) a while ago and have been wearing it to sleep every night. There will still be a layer of it on my lips in the morning, which is good for me as it acts as a layer of protection while I sleep. It feels light on the lips and yet very moisturising. I would totally recommend this. Plus, there's no particular smell to this lip balm. 

Unlike Burt's Bees' Honey Lip Balm. It's priced at S$8 at Sephora... and it stinks! But I have to say it does moisturise very well. I am trying it now, applying it to sleep. There is no layer on my lips when I wake up in the morning, but my lips aren't dry. They are still quite soft and supple. So it's really good too. Except that it stinks so bad. 

Ok, phew. That's it for this post. It's getting too long.

I hope my post will be helpful to whoever might be searching for more information about those products. :)

What an end to our typical Monday night.

Today's story began last Friday.

An insect crawled on my arm in the office. I turned to look, thinking it's a red ant, I quickly flicked it off before it could bite me. Instead of dropping to the ground, it started to "hover" in the air and was just moving down slowly. There was a web.

Intrigued, I quickly took a piece of tissue and carried it onto the table. I counted its legs. I observed it. And I trapped it in a jar. Then, I googled about it and found out it was not an ant. It was a jumping spider that has evolved to disguise itself as a weaver ant.

I took it home and decided to keep it.  A day later, he saw "mao mao" the spider, on the wall in the living room. I caught it in a separate container.

Fast forward... in the end I put both spiders together to see who would emerge as the ultimate survivor/hunter. Mao mao won this morning... after a long night of hide and seek, and catching. 

So tonight, while I was searching for mao mao's dinner, I saw a small cockroach on the wall next to our bed. That insect is my biggest nemesis. I tried to whack it, but failed miserably. It ran under our bed. The horror!

We decided to lift our mattress to check and to spray insecticide to gas it out.

In the end, we discovered a piece of the structure of our bed frame had dropped. We decided to put off finding the roach and to fix the bed frame instead.

He lifted the mattress and I held it up while he did the dirty work of semi-climbing into the bed frame that's been accumulating lots of dust.

While he was screwing the nails back onto the loose piece, the cockroach came out of its hiding and started to climb up the wall.

I told myself I cannot panic.  If I lose grip of the mattress he will get hurt really badly. So no matter where it climbs to, I've got to be calm.

In my mind I was telling it to stop climbing, but the more I repeated that, the further it climbed.

It reached the ceiling and started crawling to the part above me. I told myself to brace myself. Even if it drops, I cannot move until he's done and ready.

Thank God he finished it really soon and the cockroach went past the area above me. We lost track of it but decided it's enough for the night.

However, before he went out to shower, the cockroach stumbled out again. This time, it was on the floor! I passed him a few pieces of tissue and he bravely caught it...

My takeaway for this eventful night is that all the incidents that led up to this, were to help us to find out that the bed frame had become unsafe so we could fix it.

His takeaway is the realisation of how much he loves me.  And that became the realisation for me on how much he loves me and I love him as well.

And I thank God for this lesson for the both of us.  :)

Time waits for no one.

My eldest paternal uncle had recently just passed away after many years of poor health.

Two days ago, I got to know that my 3rd paternal uncle has 4th stage cancer and will be undergoing surgery.

These unfortunate events serve as reminders to me that life is really unpredictable and time waits for no one.

We always think we have lots of time with our loved ones. In fact, we don't.

Especially not with our parents.

As we grow older, they get older too.

My parents had my brother and I in their late twenties/early thirties. This means, as an adult, I have lesser time with them than most people whose parents are younger. Not taking into consideration on unexpected deaths.

I just wanna try my best to spend more time with them, making up for the lost time when I was in my teenage years.. rebellious, hateful and immature.

I'll never be able to make up for the heartaches that I had caused them.

But I just wanna make sure they don't have to worry and are happy now that I am older and is capable of taking care of them and providing for them as much as I can.

The current hoo-ha.

This post is with regards to the current controversy surrounding a MP's choice of a quote on his Facebook page.

In my opinion, the quote in itself is not right or wrong. It's subjective as everyone has his/her own thinking and belief. As shocking or offensive as the sentence may be to some people, it was meant to explain a point that was further elaborated on in the paragraph that came after. And the author's intended meaning was clearly not to "trivialise rape" as how most people are seeing it. It was to explain his point of view regarding the current state of "democracy" (for some people or places) as becoming the "tyranny of the majority". Thus, "a group of people forcing themselves onto an individual". Obviously not literally, but more in terms of their beliefs and mindset.

However, I think his (the "quoter") fault is that he overestimated people's ability to understand that quote fully, their level of reasoning skill to things they don't agree with, and chose a wrong timing. He also forgot that he's in a position where people are always looking for reasons to attack, regardless of whether the reasons are actually reasonable or not. Which is very ironic in that those people calling for blood (regarding him quoting "inappropriately"), are actually kinda proving that quote right.

Did he mean to offend? No. Did people care? No.

Also, what I don't understand is that when some so-called politicians that those people support can plagiarise or say whatever they want without any basis/truth, they can get away with it without explaining themselves or with a seemingly insincere apology. Yet when one quotes something to express his thoughts on the current state of democracy, people look past the intended meaning and are so eager to condemn him. Shouldn't the same standards we expect of our leaders be applied to all? I would expect the same for all of those who want to be our leaders. Regardless of their affiliation. Just saying.

Of early morning confusion.

It was at night and I was in a car with a few others.

Someone else was driving and we were looking for a parking spot up on a hill.

There was a big event going on and the spots were all taken.

I suddenly remembered that I was there the previous night and had seen empty spots at a car park behind a building that's up on the hill. The area was very quiet and not many people knew about that place. I recalled vividly that I had walked down the hill last night, all by myself.

So I told them about it and we were on a lookout for that place because I couldn't remember the exact location and how to get there.

Just as I saw the building, I found myself back in my bed, still grabbing onto my handphone with my right hand as I fell asleep while playing a game.

I opened my eyes, saw the clock on the wall... It was 7.45am.

It shocked me.

The husband was still soundly asleep next to me.

I thought to myself, "Oh my goodness! It's so late already and he's still in bed?!"

I shook him. He woke up and looked at me with a quizzical expression on his face.

I stared at the clock on the wall behind him.

He turned to look, looked back at me with puzzlement.

I asked, "Isn't it Monday today?"

He stared at me blankly.

I looked at my handphone, which was still in my hand...

The screen lit up and showed: Sunday, 5 May.

"Oh, it's Sunday... Not Monday."

Deep annoyance flashed across his face and he turned to face the other side.

I began to snigger... and tried very hard to stifle my laughter.

He turned around and told me to stop 'cause he wants to go back to sleep.

I laughed harder. I couldn't believe what I just did.

I put down my handphone and realised my right hand was aching due to the fact that I was holding onto it throughout the night (not the first time I held onto something for the entire night haha).

Both of us went back to sleep eventually.

When he woke, he told me he loves me a lot. Just not on this morning.

LOL.

Just some rantings after watching Schindler's List.

Got the Schindler's List DVD a few days ago.

[Image source: http://www.cheznorfolk.com/top-10-movies-of-all-the-time/]

We watched it this afternoon...

It made me so furious at the Nazis.

People got killed for no rhyme or reason. Millions of them. Old people, men, women, and even children. Shot dead as entertainment for the soldiers, gassed, starved, worked to death as slaves... etc.

[Image source: http://www.kosherdelight.com/GermanyJewishHistoryAndHolocaust.shtml]

It was only because someone decided that he hated the Jews for doing so well in his country (while he didn't do so well). He forgot the fact that he wasn't from that country too. He came from somewhere else, just like them! And then there were the race and religion issues as well. Any reason he could find to rally support from the people who were already very unhappy due to the economy... just so he could pursue his political agenda and fulfill his great plans for Germany. He gave them "a reason" for their suffering and their failure, something a lot of people like to do - point their fingers at something/someone else when they fail to do well. Shirking responsibility and enabling them to feel better about themselves.

The Jews became the scapegoat for some people's failure. They became the "reason" for their unhappiness and anger. In fact, did the Jews cause those people's unhappiness and anger? No. Those people did that to themselves. They allowed themselves to become like that, to feel that way.

And the Jews suffered for it. Not because they did anything wrong. Just because they did too well in life and because they had a different race and religion.

It reminded us of the current political atmosphere in this country.

People hating foreigners because they came to "snatch our jobs", or like what they say, to "snatch their places in this country, their country".

Then, some so-called "politicians" play this up, fanning the anger and unhappiness among the people to their own benefit. This is not a unique situation in this country. I know in many other places, the same thing is happening as well.

[Image source: http://maleysbhoys.com/]

Why have people become so intolerant? Is it really because there are more and more people around, and it's getting too crowded?

Or have societies become too self-centred, selfish and mean? What happened?

Did our advancement cause that? Did TV shows, songs and games cause that?

There isn't any straightforward answer to that, isn't it?

Are we slowly going down the path of destruction? Just like how civilisations in history rose and fell?

I shudder at the thought of a World War III. If the people in the past were that cruel and evil when they were in a war, imagine how the people NOW would be like during wartime?

Who is to say that wouldn't happen at all? Look at all the volatile relationships between nations. Look at the citizens around the world... protesting, demanding, destroying and complaining. Never contented, always unhappy, perpetually mad at this world.

There are more and more campaigns calling for people to be kinder to others, to see the good in people... and to spread the kindness. I really hope those campaigns would catch on eventually.

I would really hate to see the kind of atrocities from WW1/WW2 happening to us. Singapore wouldn't survive for long. By then, maybe we might even be annihilated. There are after all, only a few millions of us. Perhaps even lesser than the amount of lives lost in WW2?

If only more people can see through the so-called politicians' selfish agenda and be more accepting of reasoning...

If only we can all have bigger hearts.

It's here!

It's been some time.

Just got through a down time. Down as in you know how sometimes you start to think about what you're doing with your life?

Work was draining. It was a non-stop "peak period" from November till March and only started to slow down recently.

It got to me. I was tired and felt unaccomplished.

I felt uninspired too.

I was searching for an opportunity, for more strength, more determination and motivation.

The opportunity is here.

I'm very excited and is hoping for the best.

If this goes through, it'll be one of the best things that's happened in a long time. :)

This is how I feel too.

Second disappointment

Google Reader is retiring.

I am let down by yet another RSS feeds reader.

I remember I started being an avid "blog reader" many years ago with Bloglines.

With Bloglines, I was able to catch up with friends' blogs, acquaintances', bloggers'.... Then my feeds subscriptions gradually grew to more than a hundred. Besides blogs, I subscribed to interesting websites or web pages. There were no restrictions to what I would follow. As long as it piqued my interest with one or two post(s), I would subscribe to it right away. Doesn't matter if subsequent posts are not my cup of tea, I can always unsubscribe at any time.

Through that crazy amount of "no holds barred" RSS feeds following, I got exposed to a whole new reality I never knew about. The wonders of the Internet.

There are things I would have never known from the news. Things I would have never seen in my life. Things that are not necessarily helpful information, but always an eye-opener to what's possible in this world.

There were many ugly things too. But those exposures also meant I am not living in a fantasy world.

Then Bloglines announced their supposed closure. It stunned me. I quickly looked for a replacement to export my subscriptions. And I found Google Reader. It sucked so bad at first I hated it when I started using it. Lousy layout. Ugly format.

I forced myself to get used to it. So even though Bloglines later said, "Hey we're not going after all!" I did not look back. Also, once trust is broken, it's not easy to build it up again.

Slowly, I got used to the Reader. I cleaned up my subscriptions, and then over the years, added more without any control or discernment (once again).

It was my trusty "newspaper", "television" and "books". For years, I cleared my feeds almost every, single, day.

I've only gradually stopped reading my feeds on a daily basis from last year onward. Due to wedding and a brand new life with the hubby... Plus, a new job. Then, it was peak period in that job from last year till now. So nope, no energy or time to do that. Furthermore, I was trying to wean myself off social media and the internet, so I can have more time for other things in the "real life".

Anyway, enough of digressing. Now, I feel so betrayed once again. The sad thing is, there is no comparable replacement this time round.

The hubby suggested NuffnangX. I knew about NuffnangX the moment it was announced. Actually sort of before it was announced? There were a lot of "teasers" about it.

Anyway, after it was launched, I never got it as I never needed it; I also didn't like how it's mainly for following blogs. With the range of feeds I have.... I refused to be restricted.

Right now, I kinda have no choice. So I exported some of my feeds to NuffnangX and is trying to see if I can work things out with it soon.

It is not able to "find" some feeds I've been following for a long time. And I am kinda lazy to have to send a ticket to them regarding this... So we'll see then. Also, personally I feel that feeds subscriptions should be something personal, but NuffnangX is like some other social media (e.g. Tumblr and Twitter) in terms of the lack of a choice for privacy in whoever you are following. That loses point with me. (Not sure if I'm too new and doesn't know of such settings, we'll see) I have feeds that are NSFW... So not everyone would be agreeable to the contents. I would like to keep such subscriptions private. No, it's not perverted contents (just stuff that can be controversial, offensive or graphic), nor am I trying to pretend to be a prude or pretend I don't see such things. It's just that... in this current era, it'll be better to not expose everything about yourself on the internet. For possible snooping by your employers, or future employers. Or you may never know if it would affect you in the future in any way.

Anyway, so far, I'm not too happy with the NuffnangX app. Some posts just wouldn't load. I am also not used to the layout yet.

Maybe I'll grow to like it eventually, who knows. But right now, I hate you Google!

We had such a great relationship, Google Reader and I. :(

p.s.: Not sure why, since the Google Reader announcement, and after exploring NuffnangX, I've kinda gone back onto Tumblr. Not as active as I was before, but I realised I still like Tumblr very much. Pretty much at a crossroads right now in terms of giving up some feeds that NuffnangX is unable to find, or manually visiting them occasionally.

p.p.s.: Formspring is also shutting down! Not that it concerns me 'cause I don't use it. But I'm surprised by the fact that it lasted for so long. Haha...

Just one chance...

Every day, I look forward to the possibility of receiving an email or a call to go for an interview.

Despite having no response so far, I am not giving up.

I believe, my 伯乐 will "spot" me soon.

Someone, who can sense my sincerity and recognise how much I have to offer.

I am not seeking a high post that requires a lot of experience in that particular field... I just want a chance to show that, despite having not much relevant experiences, I can learn well and learn fast. I am capable of doing so much more.

I can. Just give me a chance to show you. I will not disappoint you.

I have many qualities that is transferable to any context. I have many skills that is applicable to positions in many fields.

Just one chance.

I am going to unleash my untapped potential and do my best.

You will not regret it.

Short-term goals

I was feeling really upset just now.

I think it was out of frustration.

My Sims character is currently pregnant. My bad, because I made them try for a baby... not knowing it's a "guaranteed deal". Thought it would take at least a few tries.

Well, only the husband Sims is working now. Take home pay is $40/hour. The shower was stolen by a burglar. Had to build a room for the baby... buy a cot, high chair and books on pregnancy.

All that cost so much now my Sims are almost broke.

It reminded me of reality.

I felt that everything was out of my control. As much as I am doing my best, I can't seem to catch up with the natural progression of life.

He wants a baby, in real life. I used to want a baby when I was much younger. But right now? No.

Why not?

1. Our home is not ready yet and when it's ready, we need money for furniture and renovation.
2. We're not earning enough yet. I want to be able to provide a decent sum of money for my mother before I even think about having a baby.
3. He's not ready in my opinion.
4. I am not ready.
5. I am not confident I can be a good mother.
6. I want my freedom, as selfish as this may sound. I still want to travel to countries I've never been before... 
7. I want to get into a new job and settle down in it comfortably.
8. It's a huge commitment and it's for life. 24/7. It's going to be tiring.

And there are so many more considerations that we have to think about.

That will have to take the backseat for now. 

I just want to fulfill my short-term goals for now.

• Get a new job and settle in it.
• Exercise more and join a marathon.
• Learn a new skill or take up a new course.

I will achieve these goals within these two years. I must.

The SIMS 3

[Source: http://sims.wikia.com/wiki/The_Sims_3]

The hubby and I got the game last weekend. We talked about it before, but I was not very keen as I think it's a very addictive game. Addictive games take away too much of your time. However, it was selling at a low price at the game shop we were in... so we decided to get it. :P

Just like how I felt when I started the Facebook version of The Sims (a long time back)... I was very frustrated at first. The characters were always hungry, tired or urgently needed to pee. I got them into jobs too soon as well and had no time to develop their relationship.

Through that, we kinda realised... isn't that like what real life is about for a lot of people? Or couples to be exact.

Everyone's so busy with work, with their own needs... there's little time left to maintain or develop relationships.

I made the characters quit their jobs. Coordinated the fulfilment of their needs and got them to spend time together. :D

Now they are happily married!

I haven't figured out how to get the photos I've taken in the game... if not I would post them here. Haha...

Anyway, if only real life is as easy as the game in terms of surviving without a job... endless supply of food in the fridge... and life is all about maintaining the home, relationship and your personal interests. And if you want to work, you can always start low at a company that you really want to work at and advance your career from there...

That would be so perfect.

Candy... crushed.

Yep, this is about Candy Crush Saga. The game that the whole world is playing right now.

I had refused to jump onto the bandwagon when it first started to gain popularity. This is because, I get annoyed when something is too overhyped. Plus, all the invitations on FB made it even more annoying.

Then, I was extremely bored one day... and I tried it on FB. Refused to download the app because I was sure I wouldn't be hooked like everyone else.

Boy, was I so wrong.

I got hooked. 

I like the challenge it gives me.

It's also a race to see who can climb higher, faster.

I've been playing with it everyday since then. 

This is my level now:

Nothing compared to the levels a lot of my friends are at right now. :/

But it's getting a little annoying once again. Furthermore, the hubby isn't too pleased with all that playing time I've been spending on this game...

So I've decided to get to level 100 and stop.

Two more levels to go and I'll "retire" from this madness.

No more Candy Crush.

Time to crush the game and throw it in the "bin". :)

Facts or opinions based on prejudice?

There is this letter going around on Facebook that is supposedly written by a young mother. The content of the letter is about the recent White Paper and Budget 2013 released by the Government.

I agree with some of her points, but there are a few points that are quite "unbalanced" if you think about it carefully. A lot of points used are: to stir emotions, based on emotions or are slanted views due to biasness.

I just want to address some issues I have with that letter. I may not be right about those stuff that I will be writing, but I will try my best to base them on what I have seen, read or know. 

The first point about her friend's boss threatening her (friend) that he can easily replace her with a China worker, well, the MOM is there for a reason. I've had friends who approached MOM and got their problems resolved. We don't know the exact details and the full picture of what happened, it shouldn't have been an illustration provided as a legit point that this situation is a rampant issue at all workplaces in SG due to the influx of foreign workers.

The next point I really have a bone to pick with is her saying this, "a top educational institution in Singapore who rejected our own SINGAPOREAN children and accepted PRC STUDENTS because their parents were able to contribute greatly to the school funds. Is there no cause of fear for my children's future?! Will my children be deprived of a proper education just because I cannot afford to bribe the school?". So, looking at this paragraph, I feel that she is saying only TOP educational institutions are providing "proper" education? I have never heard of any child in SG who has been denied of a proper education because the parents are too poor. If to you, only top institutions can give your child a proper education, then I think you've got it all wrong. Huge insult to all the educators in the other so-called 'non-top' institutions.

Next point - Expats enjoying life, buying private properties; SGreans suffering with owning HDB. Yet another biased point given. This is like saying, because most Singaporeans eat "normal economical food" on a daily basis, rich people living here cannot eat expensive food because it's not fair; even though they've earned their money through legit jobs. Well, I can't find the statistics to show if more Singaporeans own private properties or more foreigners own them, but I am sure the numbers are somewhere on the internet.

And, does building more private properties = less public housing?

Sure, more lands could have been given for BTOs, but from what I see, I don't see BTOs slowing down. The Govt. has been pushing out so many more BTO projects since the previous year. As for cost of HDB flats now, yep, I agree... they are very expensive. But it's like that in a lot of countries too. Look at Hong Kong and Taiwan's urban cities. Of course, I also want it to be much cheaper. No argument with that.

Next, "all major corporations should have child care services like in America''. I don't know if she's been hiding in a hole somewhere, but I know some private child care operators are already in a lot of work places like Biopolis, NUS, NTU, MND, MOE, Polytechnics, Science Park, Hospitals, Changi Business Park, JE's Business Park, Raffles Place etc. All these are business areas/major workplaces right? The Govt's already encouraging them to expand their businesses, even Govt-related operators like NTUC and PCF are also opening more centres. This way, more workplaces would have childcare centres eventually. Is she expecting the centres to pop up in all workplaces magically? A lot of progress and expansion require time, money and effort by a lot of parties involved. Be patient.

Regarding the point about the MP's comment on protecting our nation "for foreigners". Did you just see the print-screen provided by the opps supporters? Did you read/listen to his full speech? If anything, I just think a lot of them need to learn to write better speeches to express their thoughts more coherently to avoid misunderstandings.

Also, last point, if her friend is in such dire state, she can always get help from NGOs, CDCs, etc. I am sure, very sure, she would get the help that she and her family need. And yes, I agree, only people like her friend has the right to say if 1k is enough to "survive" and own a HDB flat with all the necessary Govt aids (that point made by the MP was presented really poorly, he definitely wasn't saying everyone should remain "poor" and make do with it, but it was somehow interpreted that way by most people). People struggling to cope, should not try to be "heroic" about their situation. Seek help! If not for themselves, at least for their family. If her friends care, help her to get help from relevant organisations. Not look at her daily struggles and just complain that "nobody" (READ: Govt) is helping her. Hello? You know about the situation, raise the alarm! YOU can be the one to take the first step and give her a helping hand - by getting help for her and her family.

Sigh.

There are things we will often say in the heat of the moment. But, don't mislead others with your own biasness. People should also be more discerning and expect claims to be backed with up facts before they believe all the things they hear. I am biased, I'd admit that.

However, I will also get upset if some policies/changes/ideas given by the Govt are really ridiculous, unfair or ill-planned too. I also know it's very important to be level-headed and to base what we know on facts and not rumours/prejudice. I always try my best to be neutral and think about things they say or do.

That's something everyone should learn and practise in view of the current political atmosphere in this country.

Really?

Saw this series of ads on Ads of the World by JWT, Gurgaon, India:

Source: Ads of the World - Chariot India: Football Riot

I saw that ad above first. So I thought, ok... riots are indeed stupid violent acts. Fine...

Then I saw this:

Source: Ads of the World - Chariot India: Anti Abortion

Correct me if I am wrong, but... Are they saying Anti-Abortion protests are stupid?

Then I saw the rest of the ads in this series:

Source: Ads of the World - Chariot India: Gun Ladies

Why is it stupid for a group of women to learn shooting? Let's put aside other controversies regarding guns, why is this ad so sexist?

Then, when I saw this, I knew the meaning is quite straightforward for the ads in this series. No underlying meaning whatsoever:

Source: Ads of the World - Chariot India: Klu Klux Khan

Really?

If they are trying to create a controversy with this series of ads in order to raise their profile, then I guess they may achieve that eventually. But is that the right way to go about doing that?

I know some people/organisations think that any news that can raise their profile is ok, even bad ones. However, I think when people get disgusted with you, bad feelings tend to be associated with your name afterward. So no. Bad news are not good news no matter.

Terrible advertising idea. Period.

A repost from Facebook...

I don't understand why some people would go to the extent of threatening her... however each person lives his/her life, it's his/her choice when it doesn't harm anyone at all, right?

We're all born differently... let's just put aside religious views and see it at face value. If she's just born this way, why can't she choose to be this way instead of being unhappy her whole life?

Let's not go into the argument of kids not being able to make such decisions at that young age.

What's most important is that they are happy, comfortable with who they are and are loved for who they are. We're not them, we will never understand how it feels like to feel the way they feel.

That's all for this topic.

Lazybug

It's been some time since I last wrote on this blog.

Since the new year I've been rather overwhelmed by.... lethargy.

Then came the Chinese New Year holidays and pigging out sessions. It made me lazier and less motivated to exercise or do anything productive in general.

Job-wise, still the same old. Hoping for more. Soon.

Every time I watch a good video or read about something interesting, I'd get this sudden urge to blog about it. Then laziness would get to me. It's that bad.

Well, I've been re-motivated to start again. By the hubby. :)

He's been writing so often. It kinda reminded me of how it used to be for me when I was blogging on a daily basis.

Even though I am still writing mundane stuff like this now, well, who cares? It's therapeutic.

I may start to write on more diverse topics. Perhaps even about my skincare routine and whatsnot. Not like I have readers, but my blogs have always been about archiving my life for my future self. Not for an audience... I guess?

It's like me talking to myself but with a small chance of a stranger walking by. Hah...

Ok, this... is a new beginning once again! Let's go!