2006/02/28
A friend of mine once told me that in this world, there are no such things as right and wrong, only the common belief of one side to a certain issue that makes the decision *right*.
Today, I finally realized that this, werid it maybe, is true.
I watched this Chinese movie during chinese class, major content, as the class found out, was pretty darn boring and most of them tried to stay awake through out the *ordeal*. The movie was about a country kid coming to work in the city as a courier, and some guy stole his bike and sold it to this other city kid.( his means of livihood). The country kid tried to take it back, but the city kid's friends beat him up.
He managed to take it back in the dark, but was once again tracked down by the city kid and beaten up to get the bike back.
I do not know for sure if they were paying attention or what, and I hoped that caught this important message. From the city kid's point of view, it is only right he took his bike back as he paid for it. From the country kid's point of view, it is only right as the bike belonged to him and he assumed that the city kid stole it.
Looking at this, we take a look at the government of Taiwan. Mr Chen supports his stand that he, as a democratic country leader, will take no nonsense to a reunification. His motives behind this, might be far less noble than the idea of"We are a Free nation, and we will fight if it means to protect our soverginity", but still, it could mean this. That, in the Taiwanese government eyes, is the RIGHT thing to do.
However, China thinks that Taiwan is a wayward state, and wants it back now. In a sense, China's point of view is also right.
Ultimately, the deciding factor to this problem is how the global nations react to the sudden dismissal of the Taiwnan's Reunification Council. Sad to say that, most countries, not willing to give up China, this piece of economical pie, sides with China and most likely would not help Taiwan in anyway should the Chinese governement launch an attack. Thus, the issue of reunification becomes RIGHT for China, and WRONG for Taiwan.
People now only believe in what's right in the sense that what there is to be gained from supporting this stances as oppose to the others. Such a hypocratic world. Why?
recorded on 2/28/2006 07:17:00 PM
2006/02/26
Saw the front page in The New Paper today..
Title: Love in a time of Power
Reading the article, I was deeply moved. Many touching love stories of great men of our nation. The mushy courtships, the surprise weddings, the family objections, under the pressure of all these, the leaders of our nation took the vows, and treated them seriously.
With the passing of their partners, the other felt unwhole, incomplete, and lost for some. Their healths took a dive, and in at most 3 years, they joined their partners in heaven, to be there forever.
It touched a nerve, deep inside myself, and I believe, in most people. Fairytale like ending to a love so deep. Is that covered by the grim of modern society nowadays? Will it happen? The definition of what IS true love. What does it mean? Does anyone still take their vows seriously?
The old view of love is dead.
The image of love has been distorted till the point of extermination in the current society. Sex is traded over drinks, for monetary gains. Little girls, some as young as 13/14 are openly trading sex in online forums/auctions. Virgin nights are sold across the net at a fixed price. People think it IS ok to do that. Moral decay in our society I say.
One can only accomplish anything if only they honor what they said.
Looking back at the article, it showed that these great men all were faithful till the day they die. They had upheld their wedding vows of 'Till Death do we part', and for that I salute them. This just goes to show that for one to prove that for a man to prove that he is successful in life, doesn't only mean getting lotsa cash, making big bucks. It also means keeping a simple vow. To honor and uphold one, requires plenty of mental strength/willpower and I do not deny that. They have become immortals by doing an act so rare in our current day society. 'Behind a successful man there is a woman. But behind an unsuccessful man is 2 women.' Quoted from the New Paper.
The esscene of love is probably the entire package. Courtship, Knowing one another, and finally marriage.
Now looking at today's views on such matters, we see that its distorted. A few pages down the road, we see the much disputed NYP sex video begin discussed. A poll by the New Paper said that most teenagers wouldn;t mind filming down their sexual escapes, to prove their love for the partners.What is wrong about love letters/poems?? Do people engage in relationships today to have a free bang? Since when that loving one means the need to use the body to satisfy one another's sexual needs? Where is the pyscological balance that is brought on by a marriage? Where is the moral values that was supposed to bind us? Are asians not supposed to be deeply moral??
Even the older women are contributing in rising divorce raids in Singapore. A study showed that the number of women in their 40s seeking a divorce from their rich husbands who have been keeping mistresses outside is on the rise. The 7 year itch is worse than I expected it to be. Guess its the ladies' way of showing the men that they are no pushovers. The more educated they are, the more likely its gonna happen.
A relationship, in its most ancient form, is for one to achieve balance in nature. Ying and Yang. Male and feminine. Sure, physical sexual satisfaction was one of them, but that's only a small part to play in a relationship. A relationship is more about a balance psychological. Only when people realize that will they treasure their relationship. The women have always gotten that point, but they are slowly losing that realization. They dismiss it as overeliance on men, proving that they can survive without them. To achieve peace within one, is what i think is most important. And the only way to achieve that is through a marriage, where one will be spritiual full..
God made men and women different, to hope that one day we will realize that we both compliment one another. If one is missing from the equation, it will become imbalanced.
People, look deep inside you, to find the true you, and follow your heart, for it never lies....
recorded on 2/26/2006 07:30:00 PM
2006/02/24
This week has to be one of the busiest yet in my JC life... So many projects, so many deadlines...
I'm gonna prove to the world that being in a new JC is not the end of it. I'm gonna take 4 H2 subjects to show that I can do the same, if not better than all does folks out there in the top schools.
Lit. just became more demanding, and with the additional of all the other humanities subject logic that is sinking in, i find the need to mediate more oftenly.. Helps to organize the thoughts in such a messy world really..
Postings are about to be out in 3rd March.. I know for sure I'm staying where I am now...
Looks like its time to get serious...
recorded on 2/24/2006 09:57:00 PM
2006/02/18
WE come to this end.
At the crossroads,
We part on our own ways.
Quest in mind,
Sword in sheath,
Shield by arm.
We march on.
May it be dragons,
Mythical beasts,
Magic even.
The goal is clear,
We will suceed whatever it takes us to.
At the end of the day,
We stumble into an inn,
Tired, weary
Yet,
With mugs raised,
We cheer,
Speaking of old times together.
All good things must come to an end. To this, I wish all, best of luck, and wishes to go, in peace.
recorded on 2/18/2006 08:52:00 PM
2006/02/15
I have made the choice to stay. Some thinks I am crazy, but watever, its my choice, and I'm proud of it.
Seems that most of my 1st 3 month classmates are going to CJC, PJC, JJ. I wish them best of luck there, and hope we can still stay in touch and be friends.
Its time to turn back my attention to the international world. I have been caught up in my own little world for too long. XD
Ok, I think the cartoon issue has taken a cooling after certain measures implemented by the USA and the UN. Seriously, the Westerners should thank that they got strong allies to appease the Middle East countries. They could really learn some racial hamorny if they are EVER gonna deal with the other people from different countries.
Back home, some RADICAL stuff has been happening.
As we ALL know, the general elections are coming. It is a open secret when you see the government taking a sudden interest in mending roads, giving free CPF cash to the people. It is all signs of the governement trying to hold on to Singapore. The competition is MOST felt in opposition controlled consitiuties. In Potong Pasir, SA students can take their time and observe this interesting social behaviour of the PAP. This area, is TOTALLY filled with PAP banners saying Happy New Year in ALL areas that the PAP have a say in. In fact, the PAP banner is even larger than the ruling party's. In other areas that are already under the control of the PAP, one could only see a fraction of these banners being hung out there. Interesting huh?
Will be bringing more *interesting* updates as soon as I see them.
Cheers
recorded on 2/15/2006 08:13:00 PM
2006/02/12
My results wasn't as bad I thought it would be, so, now comes the time of decision.
It is like doing a mathematical equation, where most or all factors have to be there before the decision is made. Right now, the factors are shaky at the best.
Feelings really confused...
Why must the society entrust us with such a important decision? Why? To make us face up to reality? To make us have a say in our future? Is that what they really want?
It is funny, cause when freedom is controlled, people desire for it, but yet when it is given to us, we are at a loss to do with the power of freedom.
The economics method isn't helping. The cons and pros on both side are really to large for me to risk it...
Give me a sign, soon please, so that I can know the decision to make ..
recorded on 2/12/2006 10:53:00 PM
2006/02/08
Our fate determinds in 2 days time. Maybe even lesser. The tension in the air is so thick, you could slice it with a butterknife.
I think I have outgrown my age. I have seen too much, heard too much to feel too much.
Its like I am immune to this kind of things that a normal 16 year old should worry about.
I worry about the world, how the Danes are gonna resolve this issue over cartoons.
I worry about the Earth, and wonder, if it'll be still spinning by the time I reach my 60s.
I worry about life and death, and if one day, we could all become immortals. Science has improved so much that one can sacarely imagine what would happen the next day.
It seems that the more you know, the more you worry, and the more you fret. Sometimes, I wonder if the people around me, do, in somewhere deep down inside, have the same scared person. Scared of death, Scared of War, Scared of Sufferings....
The masks that people don on everyday, to hide their true feelings, are fake, prentendious. We have all become professional actors, pretending to be something the society wants us to be, but not who we want to be..
How many times, as we toss and turn in bed, we try to think about our true dreams and aspirations, and how we desperately ached to do that something, but only to wake up and find, society pushing us to go against our wishes...
As the results are annoucned, some of us will rejoice, some will cry. But even so, who, can, using their results, to pursuit their own dreams and wishes, and not those set to us by society, parents?
With this, I'll end it with a quote
A wretched soul, bruised with adversity,
We bid be quiet when we hear it cry;
But were we burdened with like weight of pain,
As much or more we should ourselves complain.
- William Shakespeare
recorded on 2/08/2006 10:19:00 PM
2006/02/06
2 issues I'll like to blog about today...
1st up: The rising tension on the Middle East. A Catholic priest has been shot in his own church, by a fantical Muslim, shouting :"Allah is great!" as the crime happened. Well, I guess this is the Muslims' response to the cartoons, by returning the favour, quite literally. By killing a servant of God on in their own place of worship, is as good as disgracing that religion, as, if God existed, he would have saved his servant from death. Quite ironic, and a very nice slap right back into the Europeans' face if you ask me. The Denmark government, looking remarkabley like the *old*NKF of Singapore, are pushing the blame sololy into the newspaper publishers. The act in its nature, is unmistakable. Pushing the blame clean off yourself, I am pure, the others are dirty and evil kind of thinking should be left behind where it belonged, the childish years of their lives.
On the other hand, the stupidity of Australian newspapers to publish the offending cartoon in their papers, is shockingly senseless. Have they not witnessed what is happening around the world due to this childish joke by a moronic Danish artist? Is the newspapers seeking public attention? If so, I am sad to say that it's a stupid way of getting attention. They must be desperate enough to do so, as from the point of the Muslim Community worldwide, they see the Westerners ganging up to insult the Muslim religion.
Sigh,
O Wretched mortals, Open up your eyes!!!
(Da Vinci)
2nd: Singapore should really consider returning to the 1960s-1980s form of public transport. I had the fortune today to take a bus of that era home today, and after a few spruces to the bus, I see and enjoy my ride more than the *modern* buses.
The old buses, after adding airconditoning, are as comfy as the modern day buses. Sure the engine makes heck of a noise, but I think its nicer than the new engines, as it has a beat to it. And, anyway, all forms of public transport ( bus ) are noisy so I would really comment on that.
The most amazing thing is that the *old* buses have a LOT of footspace. I mean after cramping in a SBS bus, I was AMAZED to find that the old TIBS bus provided even more footspace than the average automobile, and for the 1st time, I could stretch my legs as I rode home. It is really more comfortable than cramping up in some seat that only a child could sit comfortably. The aisle is also remarkably larger and there was no problem in having 2 people walking up and down at any one time. The exit was just amazing. It was a sliding door, which actually allowed passengers to stand till the doorway, and the dorr still can open normally!
Needless to say, today was the most fun I will ever have riding on a public transport home.
Next time when you see a old bus, salute to it, and marvel at the thinkings of the people back then, for making the bus more egronomically than it is now...
Quote Chinese Saying: 姜还是老的辣！
recorded on 2/06/2006 09:58:00 PM
2006/02/05
Congrats to the dude who predicted that WW3 will be started due to religious reasons. You are right.
As the Middle East sinks into greater turmoil we have ever seen since the 1940s, set in by a cartoon drawn by a insenstive cartoonist in Denmark, we might witness the start of a WW3. All this, now depends on the USA's siding of the issue. Should USA side the Europeans, WW3 WILL break out. USA now has to tackle the issue with intergrity and a little bit of common sense. USA is the symbol for world *freedom* and the issue that is being infrigined here is freedom of speech, so naturally, the USA views on the issue is vital. LUCKLY, the Yanks decided to side with the Arabs this time.. FOR THE FIRST TIME! Thank God they still possessed some common sense.
Westerners try to argue their viewpoint in the name of press freedom, but evidently, they are in the wrong. Even when they KNOW they are in the wrong, they will never admit. The preset thinking that they are superior to the other people are just too hard to curb. Sure, freedom of speech is vital in the current day society, but its just too bad that these *advanced* people forget something important. Respect for religion is also one of the major concerns for the press.
The press possible powerful tools of persuation, as they are being entrusted with the task of broadcasting the correct information to the world. Wrong information could seriously cause misconceptions that are irreversible in nature. It is all about mutual respect for other religions.
Bringing in a local example, the Singapore government jailed 2 teens for making racist comments on their blogs, reason being they tried to create turmoil in the current day society. At least this shows the Singaporean government taking a SINCERE approach in trying to have mutual respect for other races. Since the Europeans seems to have taken a liking to learn things from Singapore (They are studying the ERP system right now), I think they should also learn a thing or 2 about religion sensitvity. I'll to see how the Europeans are gonna react should the Middle East publish a couple of cartoons with Jesus looking like a fool or doing something thats obscene.
Religion has always been a point of senstivity in the past, present and future. No matter how advance human technology becomes, the need for religion can never falter, as its human nature to believe in a higher order above ours and the need to have a spirtuality support. Religion caused wars that dot the pages of history. People in these lesser developed countries sometimes literally surivive on this kind if support, and if they take it so seriously to the extend that their lives depend on it, insulting the religion, is as good as demeaning their lives.
This brings me to the shocking fact that the EU have not made any positive statements regarding the situation in the Middle East, and why the heck they are not making a point to do something about the situation. Especially them, since most of its members' nations are involved in the cartoon situation, and the fact that EU actually supports its countries are shocking.
The UN's mission to uphold World Peace is, sad to say, failing. The UN is unbalanced in the 1st place. Little or no Middle East countries are in the security council, and the irony is that UN stands for United Nations. Since its name suggests all nations should be united, why the lack of a representive of a Middle East country in the security council?? And evidently, in my opinon, they certainly have not learned from the mistakes of the failed League of Nations. The veto system that still exists in the highest ruling chamber, the security council is laughable. The Russians have shown at the turn of the 20th century that they can do what ever they please to stop actions from being taken in the Cold War, and now, it looks like the US is imitating them.
Why can't we just give one another some trust, the trust in good human faith?
The only possible way to solve the current situation now, is to apologize. The Middle Easterns are not barbarians, and are educated like you and I. The offending countries should step out like a MAN and face it all, instead of hiding behind Mama USA's skirt. Since you have offended others DEEPLY, YOU SHOULD MAKE SOME ATTEMPT TO APOLOGIZE! But, then again, the damage done sometime just goes too deep.. and the situation becomes irrversible.
Otherwise, I forsee either 1 of the 2 followings, maybe both. 1. My post gets censored like hell and I am brought to the International Court of Justice and charged for defaming the UN, and I'll say I am telling the truth and they will just arrest me anyway. 2. The war erupts and the world ends under a cloud of misconception because of a cartoon. And the future generations (if there are any) will learn about this WW3, and their teachers will finally decide to teach them to treat all humankind with respect they deserve.
recorded on 2/05/2006 07:28:00 PM
2006/02/03
Since Valentine's day is right around the corner, I decided to do a special on it, starting from today..
This is my fairy-taled view.. Enjoy =)
We swore on the rock,
North of the ocean,
Looking into the horizon.
We would wait for one
Another till death.
A little box she gave me,
Told me to open it when I missed her.
As my fingers clutched around the box,
I watched her slowly walked
Further and further away.
She, forced by fate,
Married to a man
She did not love.
I, forced by fate
To wait on
For the day of her return.
I lost all contact,
My hopes dwindled,
The box she left me,
I dare not open,
For fear that
Once opened,
Hope would be gone.
My head grew bald,
The wrinkles had their say.
Yet, I still hoped, the little box
I dare not open.
A knock.
I dare not imagine it would be her.
It was Her.
Time froze and rewound.
We embraced, the time spent waiting forgotten.
P.S. This was my original creation.. So please give some comments on how I can improve it... Thanks =)
recorded on 2/03/2006 08:31:00 PM
