Thursday, April 12, 2007
3-3-1
I slept with three girls from three different countries inside one room. I am so sorry sweetheart, but it just happen coincidently, i have never planned it before. They just suddenly came into the room and start talking with me and you know, one talk leads to another. And before i realize everything, i found myself on the sofa with three girls in the next morning. I must have fallen asleep that night in the TV cluster room. Oops...
Singapore: A Firm Believer of Meritocracy
Singapore admit itself as a nation that holds its faith firmly on a system called meritocracy. Meritocracy is a system that gives its winning members special rights, previlege or social status by setting up a tight and intense competition in order to find its best people who deserves all of it. In a meritocratic society, one can obtains a high social status, wealth and all the fame and glory, if and only if he/she can proves themself as the best people who deserves all of it. Singapore is one of few countries that put meritocracy as its belief and once again prove itself as a meritocratic nation by a recent announcements made by its government.
In the middle of heavy rains that falls on Monday, Singapore's Minister in charge of the public service announced a salary increase of its civil servants and ministers. A 5% to 33% increase of annual salaries will take place this April and accompanied by an increase of variable portion of their take home pay such as GDP Bonus and car allowance, from 34% to 47%. Such policy like this definitely invites a hot response from Singapore's Parliament members, but it seems that the government always has a right answer to erase all the doubt. "It is needed to maintain Singapore's best talents to keep working for the government and strong civil servants has always been a key factors that drives Singapore from third world country into first class nation", as Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong explains the reason behind the increase of the salaries. Lee itself will receive a 25.5 % increase on its annual salaries that will put him on Singapore's top 102 earners in 2007 and it is reported that the post-increase annual salaries of PM Lee will be at S$ 3,093,200. A benchmarking system to private sectors was used in determining how much an increase will be received by a civil servant.
The increase in Singapore's civil servants salaries is only a way to keep Singapore's best talents willing to stay at government sectors and likely to produce a magnet to attract others graduates from top universities to apply for a job in government sectors. It is true that a starting salary of Singapore's civil servants is not as high as a fresh graduate receives from private sectors, but as the progress will be made and as the competition is going on, the winner of the competition or commonly known as the cream of all creams, will proceed to the next stage and will receive a huge sum of money. Combining with the power that they have as a worker in government sector, the net benefits of becoming a civil servants is better than becoming a worker in private sectors.
Meritocratic system is widely used in Singapore, not only adopted by the government, but many others sectors use it also as their faith. A top student in Primary School will be easily spotted up and will be given a special previleges like a scholarship, as long as they progress to become the best among their respectives competitors. It is known also that Singapore is not a home for a mediocre. A mediocre people will find themself hard to develop, simply because all the chances are given to the top one. Unless they can break the circle by winning a competition, they will progress to become a better one. No chance to develop yourself into a better one if you are a mediocre person.
Meritocratic system is also critized by many of its opponents as a culprit of widening income disparities in Singapore. Singapore watch itself an increase of its Gini coefficient, an indicator of income disparities ranging from 0 to 1, from 0.442 in the year 2000 to 0.468 in 2005. Although Singapore has a staggering rate of economic growth , Singapore is positioned in the same rank with many South America nations and West Africa nations in terms of income disparities level. However, it is wise to consider that income disparities in Singapore is not merely caused by meritocratic system, several others explanations will apply in explaining recent increase in Singapore's Gini Coefficient, such as Asian Financial crisis in 1998 and low replacement rate in Singapore. The later one explains one of current problem that Singapore faces, an ageing population.
Young students in Singapore primary school also face a tight competition and drives them to be a vulnerable one to stress disorders. From the beginning of their early ages, they are forced to compete with each other for the sake of not getting into a cluster of mediocre people. The competition keep going on to the university level and become tighter because they have to compete not only Singaporeans but also with bright students from foreign countries who pursue their degree in Singapore's leading universities.
Despite many arguments about the role of meritocratic system in Singapore, people can not deny that it is meritocracy that pull Singapore from one-tiny-ignorable-nation status in Southeast Asia back in 1965 and transform itself into a nation with a fantastic pool of talents and marvelous governance in the 21th century. In a world of competition like now, big nations like US and Europe countries can not underestimate Singapore, at least because they know that Singaporeans is a bunch people who know what a word competition means by a glimpse of an eye.
In the middle of heavy rains that falls on Monday, Singapore's Minister in charge of the public service announced a salary increase of its civil servants and ministers. A 5% to 33% increase of annual salaries will take place this April and accompanied by an increase of variable portion of their take home pay such as GDP Bonus and car allowance, from 34% to 47%. Such policy like this definitely invites a hot response from Singapore's Parliament members, but it seems that the government always has a right answer to erase all the doubt. "It is needed to maintain Singapore's best talents to keep working for the government and strong civil servants has always been a key factors that drives Singapore from third world country into first class nation", as Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong explains the reason behind the increase of the salaries. Lee itself will receive a 25.5 % increase on its annual salaries that will put him on Singapore's top 102 earners in 2007 and it is reported that the post-increase annual salaries of PM Lee will be at S$ 3,093,200. A benchmarking system to private sectors was used in determining how much an increase will be received by a civil servant.
The increase in Singapore's civil servants salaries is only a way to keep Singapore's best talents willing to stay at government sectors and likely to produce a magnet to attract others graduates from top universities to apply for a job in government sectors. It is true that a starting salary of Singapore's civil servants is not as high as a fresh graduate receives from private sectors, but as the progress will be made and as the competition is going on, the winner of the competition or commonly known as the cream of all creams, will proceed to the next stage and will receive a huge sum of money. Combining with the power that they have as a worker in government sector, the net benefits of becoming a civil servants is better than becoming a worker in private sectors.
Meritocratic system is widely used in Singapore, not only adopted by the government, but many others sectors use it also as their faith. A top student in Primary School will be easily spotted up and will be given a special previleges like a scholarship, as long as they progress to become the best among their respectives competitors. It is known also that Singapore is not a home for a mediocre. A mediocre people will find themself hard to develop, simply because all the chances are given to the top one. Unless they can break the circle by winning a competition, they will progress to become a better one. No chance to develop yourself into a better one if you are a mediocre person.
Meritocratic system is also critized by many of its opponents as a culprit of widening income disparities in Singapore. Singapore watch itself an increase of its Gini coefficient, an indicator of income disparities ranging from 0 to 1, from 0.442 in the year 2000 to 0.468 in 2005. Although Singapore has a staggering rate of economic growth , Singapore is positioned in the same rank with many South America nations and West Africa nations in terms of income disparities level. However, it is wise to consider that income disparities in Singapore is not merely caused by meritocratic system, several others explanations will apply in explaining recent increase in Singapore's Gini Coefficient, such as Asian Financial crisis in 1998 and low replacement rate in Singapore. The later one explains one of current problem that Singapore faces, an ageing population.
Young students in Singapore primary school also face a tight competition and drives them to be a vulnerable one to stress disorders. From the beginning of their early ages, they are forced to compete with each other for the sake of not getting into a cluster of mediocre people. The competition keep going on to the university level and become tighter because they have to compete not only Singaporeans but also with bright students from foreign countries who pursue their degree in Singapore's leading universities.
Despite many arguments about the role of meritocratic system in Singapore, people can not deny that it is meritocracy that pull Singapore from one-tiny-ignorable-nation status in Southeast Asia back in 1965 and transform itself into a nation with a fantastic pool of talents and marvelous governance in the 21th century. In a world of competition like now, big nations like US and Europe countries can not underestimate Singapore, at least because they know that Singaporeans is a bunch people who know what a word competition means by a glimpse of an eye.
Damn Hard and Damn Tough, But It's Possible
"Go pursuit your passion, forget the rest and focus on your target!" Well, it is easy to be said than to be done. I've tried to do so, but the temptations always around me and somehow my resistance is not strong enough to overcome it. In the end, i found myself is standing still in the starting point while the clock is ticking. I confided also with my close friend and she gave me the solution "Just be patient for the time being, and when you think that you have reached your limit and then you can make decision, take it or leave it.". Simple, yet powerful.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Just Bring Your Passport
Woodlands Immigration Checkpoint (WIC) is an immigration terminal located in the North of Singapore and intendedly as a checkpoint of Singapore-Johor Baru (Malaysia) borderline. WIC is a huge area. It has a checkpoint for bus transportation and train transportation as well. If you travel to Johor Baru (JB) in Malaysia to Singapore by bus or train (vice versa), you need to alight first at the WIC, proceeds to the immigration locket to show your identity (Passport etc.) and then board again in your transportation mode (bus or train) to continue your journey.
Yesterday i went to WIC because i want to know how to go to JB by bus. I need to know because i am going to JB in May and proceed my travel to Kuala Lumpur (KL). I thought the immigration things is very crucial and i feel i need a little preparation, so i decide to go to WIC and learn all the procedures and be prepare for it before my travel to JB and KL actually takes place.
Short story, i arrived in WIC and and i proceeded into the immigration counter to see the procedures. It was only a daily routine for an immigration process, from checking your`passport and everything, so i think there was nothing special that need my extra preparation. End of my mission.
Suddenly i feel something. I need to go to the rest room. The feelings was so strong and i looked around in a hope of a sign of "TOILET", but i just could not find it. And then the worst thing began. A female officer, in grey uniform, grabbing a handy talkie on her hand with an awkward hair style (A female with a KIPLI-Kiamat Sudah Dekat-hair style!! I think that was strange and ridiculous) approached me. She asked me what i was actually doing there, so i tell her that i need to go to the restroom. She said that the restroom is located after the immigration counter, so if i want to go there, i need to proceed to the immigration counter first for the immigration process. I said "Holy Sh**" (of course in my mind only), i did not bring my passport with me, so it was impossible for me to go to the toilet.
The officer-in-Kipli style asked for my ID and i gave her my student card, since it was the only ID that i had at that time. She asked for my passport and i said i did not bring my passport, she was starring at me suspiciously. She said "Please hold on Sir, i need to contact my supervisor first!". I cursed my self how could i got trapped in this kind of situation just because i want to go to the restroom. Every single person that walked pass me to go to the immigration counter started to starring at me, suspiciously, as if i were a drug trafficker-child molester-whatsoever. I hated that kind of situation and to make it worse, my needs to go to the restroom was still in a hurry. I condemned the immigration officer and stupid architect who put the toilet after the immigration counter . What was on your mind when you designed WIC!
After a long long long long time waiting for her supervisor and after she finished checking my identity in their computer database, they allow me to go. To where?Toilet?Of course not!! Since i did not bring my passport, they told me to search a public toilet outside the WIC, not in WIC. I did not want to argue with them so i cross the bridge and headed into the bus station to go to the nearest train station (because all the train station must have a toilet,for sure). The time i spent in the bus on my way to the "nearest" train station was 20 minutes. I said to myself, next time if i want to go to WIC or any immigration center, do not forget to bring your passport, regardless what you want to do there. If you do not bring your passport, funky immigration officer and stupid architect will make fun of yourself.
Yesterday i went to WIC because i want to know how to go to JB by bus. I need to know because i am going to JB in May and proceed my travel to Kuala Lumpur (KL). I thought the immigration things is very crucial and i feel i need a little preparation, so i decide to go to WIC and learn all the procedures and be prepare for it before my travel to JB and KL actually takes place.
Short story, i arrived in WIC and and i proceeded into the immigration counter to see the procedures. It was only a daily routine for an immigration process, from checking your`passport and everything, so i think there was nothing special that need my extra preparation. End of my mission.
Suddenly i feel something. I need to go to the rest room. The feelings was so strong and i looked around in a hope of a sign of "TOILET", but i just could not find it. And then the worst thing began. A female officer, in grey uniform, grabbing a handy talkie on her hand with an awkward hair style (A female with a KIPLI-Kiamat Sudah Dekat-hair style!! I think that was strange and ridiculous) approached me. She asked me what i was actually doing there, so i tell her that i need to go to the restroom. She said that the restroom is located after the immigration counter, so if i want to go there, i need to proceed to the immigration counter first for the immigration process. I said "Holy Sh**" (of course in my mind only), i did not bring my passport with me, so it was impossible for me to go to the toilet.
The officer-in-Kipli style asked for my ID and i gave her my student card, since it was the only ID that i had at that time. She asked for my passport and i said i did not bring my passport, she was starring at me suspiciously. She said "Please hold on Sir, i need to contact my supervisor first!". I cursed my self how could i got trapped in this kind of situation just because i want to go to the restroom. Every single person that walked pass me to go to the immigration counter started to starring at me, suspiciously, as if i were a drug trafficker-child molester-whatsoever. I hated that kind of situation and to make it worse, my needs to go to the restroom was still in a hurry. I condemned the immigration officer and stupid architect who put the toilet after the immigration counter . What was on your mind when you designed WIC!
After a long long long long time waiting for her supervisor and after she finished checking my identity in their computer database, they allow me to go. To where?Toilet?Of course not!! Since i did not bring my passport, they told me to search a public toilet outside the WIC, not in WIC. I did not want to argue with them so i cross the bridge and headed into the bus station to go to the nearest train station (because all the train station must have a toilet,for sure). The time i spent in the bus on my way to the "nearest" train station was 20 minutes. I said to myself, next time if i want to go to WIC or any immigration center, do not forget to bring your passport, regardless what you want to do there. If you do not bring your passport, funky immigration officer and stupid architect will make fun of yourself.
Prince George’s Salad
Ingredients :
3 Pieces of Mini Romaine Leaves
1 Tablespoon of
1/2 Tablespoon of Mayonnaise (Optional)
1 Piece of Pear
1 Egg
Parmesan Cheese (Optional)
Water
Direction :
Boil the water along with the egg for 8 minutes. While you are waiting for the egg you can start to peel off the Pear’s skin and cut into dice-sized slices. Wash the Mini Romaine leaves, dry it and then chops it based on your preferences. Mix together the leaves and pear into your bowl and add your Thousand Island dressing (add also the Mayonnaise if you like it). Stir all together patiently until all the components firmly mixed each other.
By the time you have finished with the vegetables, your egg will be done and can be taken from your pan. Put your egg into normal water for 3 minutes and you can peel the egg’s skin off when you can handle the heat. Cut the eggs into 6 slices and put it on the salad in your bowl. Add Parmesan cheese if you like. Your salad is ready. Bon Appetite!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
John Legend-P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)
Let's go to the park
I wanna kiss you underneath the stars
Maybe we'll go too far
We just don't care,
We just don't care,
We just don't care.
You know I love you when you're loving me
Sometimes it's better when it's publicly
I'm not ashamed, I don't care who sees
Us hugging & kissing our love exhibition all
We'll rendezvous out on the fire escape
I'd like to set off an alarm today
The love emergency don't make me wait
Just follow I'll lead you, I urgently need you
Let's go to the park
I wanna kiss you underneath the stars
Maybe we'll go too far
We just don't care
We just don't care
We just don't care
Let's make love,
Let's go somewhere they might discover us
Let's get lost in lust
We just don't care,
We just don't care,
We just don't care.
I see you closing down the restaurant
Let's sneak and do it when your boss is gone
Everybody's leaving we'll have some fun
Or maybe it's wrong but you're turning me on.
Ooh, we'll take a visit to your Mama's house
Creep to the bedroom while your Mama's out
Maybe she'll hear it when we scream and shout
And we'll keep it rocking until she comes knocking
Let's go to the park
I wanna kiss you underneath the stars
Maybe we'll go too far
We just don't care,
We just don't care,
We just don't care..
Let's make love,
Let's go somewhere they might discover us.
Let's get lost in lust
We just don't care,
We just don't care,
We just don't care.
If we keep up on this fooling around
We'll be the talk of the town
I'll tell the world I'm in love any time
Let's open up the blinds 'cause we really don't mind
Ooh I don't care about the propriety
Let's break the rules and ignore society
Maybe our neighbors like to spy, it's true
So what if they watch when we do what we do
Oh, let's go to the park
I wanna kiss you underneath the stars
Maybe we'll go too far
We just don't care,
We just don't care,
We just don't care...
Let's make love, let's go somewhere they might discover us...
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Enough for the rendezvous..I've got it already. Fairy of Princess of the Mountain knows me better than anyone else..hahaha...
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Oh la la...another day has gone..
04.00 am
In Tito's room, still working on my paper and entertain myself with Southpark.
08.00 am
Going back to PGP and having my breakfast.
10.00 am
Going to NUS Field court for football match with Pakistan people.
03.00 pm
Going to Orchard and meet my whole grandparents. I guess it's going to be another endless conversation with my grandfather.
09.00 pm
Not going back to NUS, i'll sleep in the apartement with the others.
11.47 pm
Still wake up and make fun of my auntie.
In Tito's room, still working on my paper and entertain myself with Southpark.
08.00 am
Going back to PGP and having my breakfast.
10.00 am
Going to NUS Field court for football match with Pakistan people.
03.00 pm
Going to Orchard and meet my whole grandparents. I guess it's going to be another endless conversation with my grandfather.
09.00 pm
Not going back to NUS, i'll sleep in the apartement with the others.
11.47 pm
Still wake up and make fun of my auntie.
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