Questioning the intentions of one Tan

The Presidential Election is round the corner. 2011 has been quite a year, starting with the General Elections where history was made when An opposition party won a GRC.

4 Tans are up for the top job in this election one of which belonged to an opposition party who also ran for the General Elections in May. I am a little perturbed by this and wonders what is his true intentions for wanting to be the President. In May, the candidate was at the receiving end of some flak from the ruling party on his role with the government when he worked for then PM which may or may not have caused him to lose. But this time, he seemed like he is back with vengeance, receiving the Certificate of Eligibility, he has now officially embark onto the route to hopefully, become the next President of Singapore.

So why am I perturbed by this?

Firstly, this candidate has been talking about the current government policies and how it should be changed. He talked about how he is not in favor of the casino, how Singapore should move away from manufacturing and that Singaporean men enter the workforce 2 years later than men overseas because of NS. The role of the President of Singapore is a custodian one. And as stated clearly from the Law Minister, the President is not to openly disagree with the government. All policies are still governed by the government afterall. So while as a citizen, I want a People's President, I don't want one who will cause more conflict in the government by constantly disagreeing. Is the candidate still reeling from the adrenaline from the General Elections or simply want to be in politics so much that he will take any role?

Secondly, comes the argument on the President's salary. Yes, we all agree that 4.3million annual salary is a huge sum. The question on whether justifiable really is quite subjective. This candidate has indicated that he will only ask for 500k annual salary. Now I ask, how is the figure arrived? $500,000 equates to about $40,000ish a month. Its my assumption that when one becomes a President, there would be medical benefits which extends to the family. Accommodation and transport is provided for and education for children should also be covered. With everything covered by the country, what would a person do with 40k a month? I'm sure there are families who earn much much less and still managed to put 4 children through University.

With this 2 reasons, I really cannot help but also then question what is the intentions of this candidate. And perhaps, he should also himself, take a step back and reflect what is his political objective. I strongly believe if a politician wants to make a difference to the country and have a direct hand in policy making, he/she will not want to "rule" the country as a custodian President. He/She will continue their role in grassroots, continue working the ground, understanding the people and formulate a stronger plan to better the country in the next General Elections.

I truly hope this candidate does not win. In this global world of turmoil, we don't need more conflict.

Let me start by proclaiming that I am a patriot. I am born and bred Singaporean and I love this country. Singapore has given me a world class standard education, a convenient transportation system and a safe environment where I can walk alone at night and not worry too much about crimes.

I also preach often to my disgruntled friends that we need to be grateful. Grateful for the government for our economy, our high standard of living and our safe country. Our founding father, MM Lee, was a visionary, a gutsy risk taker and an very wise men. Not discounting of course, the equally as intelligent people who helped him in building this country.

Sad to say, I am also slightly apathetic towards politics. The every day hustle and bustle of life tires me enough to not want to "burden" myself with the woes of the nation. I have the same struggles as all normal middle class families. My father was a business owner who enjoyed brisk business in the good times but saw his livelihood close in the financial crisis. My mother, his life and business partner, stuck through thick and thin with him, was also forced into retirement at an early age. Lucky for my parent, the money they saved and the investments they owned, allowed them to retire and work only on a leisurely basis. My parents put 3 daughters through overseas education and we never needed to worry about the food on the table and money in our pockets.

In 2006, I married a wonderful man of my dreams. (well technically, false because Brad Pitt was the man of my dreams, but realistically speaking). He is a civil servant and in 2008, we moved into our HDB and led our middle class married lives.

Despite being a patriot and carefree individual, I watch the GE unfold in front of my eyes and I start to ponder. Why are the opposition so strong this time? Aren't we all happy middle class citizens?

I read both the PAP's and Workers Party manifesto and reflected on my own life.

Improvements can be made. And should be made.

I'm am not talking about overthrowing the regime. We have not been suppressed for a decade under an authoritarian rule or suffered under the hands of a corrupt government. But merely an alternative voice, a different perspective, an alternate view. 

Housing

An issue close to heart, my husband and I have applied unsuccessfully, 6 times for a flat. Out of which, I have only given a "Q" number once. And that ONE time, I had a number of 2xxx for about 1xx flats. And when I called into HDB to enquire about the estimate date of selection, I was told by the HDB representative that "Its a number that have zero chance of selecting. Its actually a number to tell you, you wont have a chance." My husband serves his country. He is hardworking and he has the passion, yet his country doesn't want to give him a roof over our heads. 


My biggest thought on housing is that policies should not be made in silo. While one ministry encourage living young couples to live near their parents, another should not make it difficult to. 


Housing remains one of, if not the biggest ticket item purchase. And as wages increase with economy, the government needs to shift income ceiling for HDB upwards as well, especially with the couples marrying late. Because you end up with the dilemma, "Do you wish for lower salary so that your combine income allows you to buy a HDB or enjoy the luxury of a private condominium but struggle with your monthly mortgage?" 

My friends in Hougang GRC who have been unhappy with Worker's Party, stop and think about this. Why til today, is upgrading of Potong Pasir and Hougang, the "carrot" that PAP dangles to secure more votes? Just because residents there want to have that a different perspective in the government, someone to help play devils advocate, that they don't deserve a conducive living environment? While you are quick to judge WP for not "taking care" of Hougang, do you also then think whether they had a chance to? 


HDB flats are government housing meant for all citizens of Singapore. When Singaporeans pledge, we use words like "equality" and phrases like "regardless of race, language or religion". Do we now need to also add "regardless of political belief"? Should basic infrastructure like government housing and transportation discriminate citizens who wish for a alternative perspective in government?


I am still at odds of who to vote for. A tried and tested PAP who has, afterall, brought Singapore tremendous success in last 40 years or an alternative voice, that also seem rather credible, if given an opportunity, to continue our success as a nation. But I refuse to vote solely for the "brandname" - as suggested by Mr Chin Harn Tong at yesterday's Aljunied GRC PAP rally.


7 May. Polling Day. We shall see.

7 years anniversary

This is how awesome of a wife I am. I forgot that last Friday night out was to celebrate our 7 years "pak-tor" anniversary. I thought it was just a regular dinner date.

We had an awesome time nonetheless. And keeping true to our rustic spirit, we didn't get all dressed up and dine at a big plate small meal huge price restaurant by the river and drank expired fermented grape passing off a exquisite juice known as wine. Instead, we kept to our heartland spirit, and went to Jalan Kayu for some true Memphis-fare.

Our car was parked at a nearby open-air car park (avoided parking under the tree to prevent bird shit), we had to walk through "Jalan Kayu Interim Park" to get to our restaurant.

Interim [in-ter-uhm] - noun

a temporary or provisional arrangement

-- source: dictionary.com

We will be waiting patiently when the Interim is over and the Permanent park is build.

Jerry's BBQ and Grill. 

"Memphis Style Bar-B-Q" and Home of the Original Deep Fried Mushrooms and Buffalo Wings. 

Like I said, we like rustic, good food in quantity and my husband likes the meat. Of course, since its THE HOME, we had to order their deep fried mushrooms and Buffalo Wins (Intensi-fied) on top of a Rocket salad and a trio platter (consisting of ribs, pulled pork and grilled chicken with french fries). 

Yup, it was too much and we couldn't finish everything. Plus, I had 2 margaritas (always order the double tequila shots) and Hei had a beer. 

Dinner was ok. Disappointed that the wings were not spicy enough (gonna try the highest level the next time) and the dipping sauce for both the mushroom and the wings were the same. But otherwise, the salad for once had respectable quantity and the trio platter was palatable enough. 

The horoscope seemed to be quite right...The Water Dog will re-discover its love for the outdoors in 2011.

I picked up Kay Kay again. On Tuesday, she and I went for our first jog in a few months...we jogged for 5km...to the end of Punggol Promenade and back.

www.nickpan.com

Pause. Let me talk a bit about Punggol Promenade...this newly opened boardwalk by Sungei Serangoon is awesome. There is Popeye's Chicken, Xian (seafood restaurant) and Firenze (a bistro which I have a feeling I may frequent). On one end, it leads you to Lorong Halus Wetland (still under construction) and the other leads you to Punggol Park. Its awesome. I love it. Towards Lorong Halus is really crowded (especially on weekends)...people from all over Singapore seemed to come and share this little piece of heaven...and children are littered everywhere (control them parents!). But on a weekday evening, its (much) less crowded and quiet - the only noise you hear are the huffing and puffing of joggers like me.

Heart! Teo Chee Hian deserves my vote at the elections.

So back to the jogging part. Yesterday, Kay and I went for another 5km jog but this time we explored Lorong Halus Wetlands. And although getting back to the momentum is quite hard, but the finishing is usually satisfying. Tired, sure. But it makes me happy. Plus I added a 17 stories climb up to my apartment yesterday. Gawd, that was reeeally hard.

This evening, Hei and I decided to take Poly and Marin out for a short ride. We push it to nearby SPC to pump air and rode to 401 for dinner. 

I couldn't sleep last night. Went to bed a bit heart broken but didn't want to affect your studying, so I just decided to go to bed.

"It's either I study here go I go back there."

Was that a threat? I didn't even know who I am more upset with, yourself or me? What you said was insensitive but it actually made me wonder if I should have been more patient, if I should be more understanding. Don't get me wrong, I see that you took the effort to spend time wth me by coming to study in the room. I appreciate the effort. But all the time you were beside me, I spoke only once and the only once was greeted with such a hurtful response.

I really dont think I deserved it.

Sunday morning at Loveshack is usually a quiet time to myself. Hei goes out for half a day playing ball, its his "me" time and I just sit at my breakfast bar, on the computer, sometimes eating cereal or reading Saturday's newspaper. It not like the other days when I work from home because Sunday morning is when I dont think about work at all. I dont think about anything much except living for the moment.

Though I must admit, there are days where I get a bit frustrated with Sunday morning. Times when I think that I do nothing but wait for my husband. On weekdays, I wait for him to get off work and come home for a late dinner. Then wait for him to go to bed. And on weekend these days, I wait for him to finish study so we can have a quick dinner and him to go back to studying again, then wait for him to go to bed.

Waiting for Hei is something that I have grown very accustomed to. It's something that I sometimes feel very unappreciated for, but nonetheless, very used to.

Sometimes, I feel that he don't see me. Not like he used to. 

How destined is your life? Do you believe that life is already written in the stars can nothing you can do to change it?

Take Hei and I for example. In order for us to meet, fall in love and get married, a series of events needed to happen. (At least on my part).

1) Not doing well enough in Poly to qualify for local university
2) Laziness on my part to take SATS = not being able to apply US university
3) Pounds was absolutely too strong for me to apply to a UK university
4) Discussing with Emily on being housemates
5) Ivan doing all the Ju-On voice when we saw other houses
6) Moving to the apartment next to Hei
7) Not looking for love when I met Hei (otherwise, I would probably have tried too hard to impress)

Im not sure if one thing changed would I still have met Hei. If the answer is no, then no matter how many regrets I have in life til now, I wouldn't want anything to change.

Entering into our 8 years of relationship, I still love him as much, if not more, as when we first met.

Trophy wife met up with Happy-In-Love Molala and 193-Potential iGeek on Thursday for dinner. Molala is really in love and the entire aura shows and as the saying goes, 三话不离本行, she's 三话不离 Zully. And its heartening to dishing relationship advise to iGeek. 

We feel iGeek may have a potential in hand, she maybe just haven't realise it yet. 加油！

Oh, before I forget, we didn't make it for $5 dinner again. This is something three of us started. Once in a while, we go for really cheap dinner, no more than $5 each. Although I must admit, we probably have only succeeded once. I remember once we debated on whether to include drinks in the $5, then decided that drinks should be excluded (because iGeek and I wanted a beer) and another we debated whether "side dishes" should be included and decided to make an "exception" that day because we were at 85 and there's no way, you dont order sambal stingray. This time, we up the budget to $10 because of inflation and ended up in F.I.S.H...that of course is not $10...

Thought that counts right?

Our CNY Stay-cation

Hei and I did a 4 days 5 nights staycation at Punggol.  Thanks Angie for introducing the word to me!

Staycation 
- noun
1. A stay at home vacation
2. When you are in the "don't disturb me" mood and pretend to be overseas
3. A holiday in your own back yard

新年除夕- 3 February
Hei didn't have to work today, so in the afternoon we send the car for polishing and came home to prepare for reunion dinner at Jyn's place. On the menu, BBQ, Steamboat and Zee's Fried Noodles. After sending the car to polish, we came home to wipe the house down, clean the windows and mop the floor. I simply don't understand why the house is still so dusty after my part time help cleaned it on the Friday before.

Anyhoo, we arrived promptly at 6pm at Jyn's place for dinner, only to find out that my father has already started eating. Obviously the concept of reunion dinner is lost on him. With only 2 pineapple tart in my tummy the whole day, I started gorging on the satay and steak that Jyn has grilled too.

Zee's fried noodles was amazing. Chiing and I concluded that the noodles was actually all we needed. I down about 2 bowls of noodles, plus some steamboat stuff and BBQ stuff. I WAS STUFFED!!!!!

 We even got to skype with Elin who stayed up to say Hi. Jyn, as usual, try to play it cool. PLEASE LA, WE KNOW YOU LOVE US DEEP DEEP.

Reunion dinner shiokness rating -- Happiness turned Indigestion....

大年初一
Woke at 8.30am to go 拜年 with my Seng Choon Grandma...Mum had to call Chiing to ensure we are "praying" to the right table and reminded us not to forget Ah-Gong who is just beside Ah-Ma. As usual, I didn't know what to say besides from the Happy New Year...so I say "Hi. Im here...hope things are great! Happy New Year." Chiing and I then went to 拜年 with Meatball Brother, had the superbly delicious SMALL bowl of mee sua before heading to Seng Choon. Turns out Seng Choon had fewer people then usual this time.

Food was of course, ever present. Jon and I, very smartly, parked ourselves right in front of the food so we dont have to walk up and down.

Hei and I left Seng Choon early to go to his Mom's place. Poor lady has been (and still is) sick so this must not be a fun New Year for her. Then it was off to Lentor Home to see A-Ah-Ma...who saw Xiaohei and clap her hands saying "Good Husband! Good Husband!". For a slightly dementia, ninety years-old old lady, she sure is lucid!

CNY Day 1 shiokness rating -- Once in the year mee-sua....bessst

大年初二 - 4 February
We really didn't do much this day. I woke at around 10 and decided to defrost some meat and fish. Boiled the leftover prawns so that it stays edible longer and watched some TV. Hei woke at around 11, I asked if he wanted lunch....I cooked. We ate. More TV.

In the evening, I cooked again. Trying to be smart, I gave all my dishes to some auspicious new year name...2 fried pomfret (年年有余）, Stir fry cai xin with prawn (开心到笑），BKT soup with pork ball (圆圆满满）．　

After dinner, we decided to check out Uncle Ringo 大世界 at Sengkang. The rides were really vintage, bumper cars and viking and all, but no enough food stalls and actually quite boring. We listened to an Auntie karaoking her life away and sat on 1 ride.

ＣＮＹ Day 2 shiokness rating - HUAT AH! 

大年初三- 5 February
Another day of staying in. Watched a lot of TV and in the afternoon, decided to take a drive to Hort Park for a walk. Little did we know that the Rainman would follow us there. So we managed to walk the bridge to Telok Blangah Park and did a turn around.

CNY Day 3 shiokness rating - Could be better...

Tiger Vs Dog. Tiger Wins

The year of the Tiger has been especially hard on this dog. So sorry to say, this dog is kinda glad to bid this tiger farewell. Till we meet again, 12 years from now. Hopefully by that time, we have let bygones be bygones and made up. Let's be friends, why dont we?

As this Water Dog prepares to welcome the Golden Rabbit to her loveshack, in the second last day before the new year, the Golden Tiger had to visit the Dog and kick her in the butt for the last time. And Mr Tiger sure made an entrance. *Crack Crack Boom* was all I manage to hear. For a moment, I thought my TV fell from its rack. And I couldn't imagine it coming from my house, so I walked out of the study slowly and was greeted with this ----------------> The last kick in the butt by Mr Golden Tiger.

Unfortunately for this Tiger, this Water Dog is simply too cool to let something this small to get to her. She laughed, then phoned her Fire Snake husband whose immediate reaction was "Call New Paper". It was really funny because we had just read about flats in Woodlands that were facing dislodge tiles issues. I was just thinking to myself that "lucky I dont live in Woodlands". Well, I guess its not isolated geographically. 

Sorry guys, I guess we are not entertaining guest for the new year. 

So, I hope, for my sanity, Mr Rabbit and I can be the bestest of friends.

Dear Fortune God,

This Friday (28 January 2011), Singapore Pools will have having a $5million lottery to celebrate the CNY. I hope in this rabbit year, you bless me and xiaohei to win. We really don't mind sharing the first prize with 10 others.

So please please. Let us strike. We will portion some to charity and you can rest assure that with Xiaohei around, we won't squander the money away.

Love.
Blaeck.

MY OUR JOURNEY TO PERFECTION


Saturday morning, just like any other morning, I snoozed twice then stumbled to the bathroom. As usual, I peed, washed my hands and took a shower. Came out, dried myself and took two contact lens from the my toiletries box.

"Could be the last day I put contact lens on." I thought to myself. This has been a regime that Ive been on for the past 12 years. Started with monthly lens then switched to a more convenient daily lens. At least 12 hours a day for almost 365 days a year....

Hei and I picked E-Chiing and Lydia up..."ARE YOU READY FOR A LIFE CHANGE" - Lydia screamed into my ear...That woke me up instantly.

Chiing and I had an 11am eye test scheduled - to test our eligibility for Lasik surgery. Degree of myopia, cornea shape, eye pressure were just some of the test we went through to ensure we are eligible to the surgery. We also got our pupils dilated for some of the tests. That was a weird feeling, its like we experienced what presbyopia was like. It was not fun.

Cornea thickness - turns out I have thick cornea (550) and Chiing had average cornea (515). Normal being between 500 - 515. I have thick skin, now I find out, I also have thick cornea. No complains here...

1pm: We pass the eye test! Scheduled our surgery at 3.30pm. We were starving by the time we were done with the eye test so we were glad to have a short break before the surgery

3.30pm: We walked back to the clinic and was ushered to the operating area immediately.We were brought to a private waiting area, and someone came in to put on scrubs for us. THIS is the closest we will get to ever looking remotely like a doctor! Dream come true!!!!! While we were fooling around, the nurse came by to check if our pupils have undilated. Echiing's were normal, but I had to drop another 3 times of eye drop to undilate the pupils! Thick corneas.

4.00pm : I bade Chiing good luck as she move into the Operating Theatre...shortly, I followed to the wating area.

4.30pm: "I CAN SEE!!!" She came out smiling as she said that. That gave me relieve, Im glad hers went well. I walked into the Operating Theatre and was awed by the size of the machine. Laid down where I was told and was administered anasethic eye drop. Or so I was told. Everything went by so fast. I remembered the eye drop, the rotating of the bed and the doctor telling me to look at a ring of lights. As he put in the suction to keep my eyes open, I remember saying that I felt a sting, but got no reply. "Look at the ring", Im not sure if it was in my mind, but I swear I felt the entire process and found it actually quite tramautising because you as the patient, see everything! After cutting the "flap", I saw hands of the doctor with some hook like appartus, folding flap and then ask me to look at a red dot. "27 seconds" I heard a nurse told the doctor who relayed to me...I stared at the blurry red dot, concentrated on staying still and keeping my focus so that the laser wont "cut wrongly" but again I swear I felt the prick of the laser.

5.00pm: Echiing and I were both done. I can't say for E-Chiing but I was quite a bit of pain and discomfort that I couldn't speak and couldn't bear to open my eyes for fear that I have actually become blind. Kind Lydia led the Wee Sisters down where my sweet Hei was waiting with the car. We hopped in and dropped Echiing and Lydia home.

6.00pm: I was home. Mustered enough energy to shower and all I wanted to do was to lie down. Eyes still shut tightly, I drifted in and out of sleep. While the pain and discomfort slowly faded away, my mind was still reeling back to the time that I was on the operating bed. That thought made my discomfort worse.

10.00pm: I woke with no more discomfort and pain. Stumbled out of the room and asked Hei to help me get hor fun. He brought my back to bed, asked me to wait there while he went downstairs. I couldn't lie down...so I cleared away my bags while waiting. The Hor Fun was unusually tasteless but I ate nonetheless. My sight was clear...but I was so tired to fully take in and enjoy.

Sunday 9am: First review. Show off my new Miu Miu sunnies. We picked Echiing and Lydia up again and took a picture with the awesome Dr Marc Tay. Thanks doc!!!!

Our wonder eye doctor, Dr Marc Tay

2 weeks to CNY - technically for Chinese, does the new year only start after CNY? Does it mean that my luck will only turn around after CNY? Sure hope so.

Have been spending lots of time with Hei this few days and loving it, we laugh, we talk and most of all, we have fun.

Who knew huh, that my husband is actually funny. But he is, he is a joke(r).

As the Blaecks were walking back home from Punggol Plaza after a economical dinner, Eck heard her name and realise it was 2 friends from 13 years ago.

Huishan and Si'En from BVSS - Bedok View Secondary School Class 4/2. Eck joined them for dinner and tea while reminiscing the events from 13 years ago. You never realise how fast time flies and how good the times were, even if they were not so great or a little embarrassing.We talked about class seating arrangements, the teachers and the slightly mental ill boy who used to waltz into our class.

Although it reminded Eck how old she is but it also put a smile on her face...it was nice.

You know how when you are young and had just fallen in love and entered a relationship, you may do pretty embarrassing things? I got a text this morning from my husband with a corny love note "I love how your hands feels in mine." - I replied that the corniness is giving me goosebumps.

THEN! He had to remind me that the corny line comes from a post-it note I wrote for him.

How corny was I really?!?!?! I mean, I am still in love now and Im still crazy about Xiaohei.

But I will just stick to "I Love You." now.

In a couple months time, I would have been with Hei for 7 years. March 19, 2004 was the date I turned into us. Mine turned into ours and Xiaohei turned into babe.

I vaguely remember what happened, there was a couple of emails bouncing between him and me. A few hidden smiles and that's that? In this day and age, do men still ask "Do you want to be my girlfriend?" Or as the ah-beng will ask "Eh, you wanna go stead with me?"

So in this 7 years anniversary, I want to pay homage to a great movie. Marilyn Monroe's Seven Year Itch. Its not bad joke, I feel no itch.

The Fighter Movie Trailer Official (HD)

Head. Body. Head. Body. Head. Body.

The Fighter - Mark Walhberg and Christian Bale. with Amy Adams.
Rating: 7/10

Me "Do you know Molala's Z is very sweet? He comes all the way down to Hougang to pick her even though he stays in Jurong?"

Hei "Ok. If Molala's Z jogs from Jurong to Hougang early in the morning to take her for a walk. Then I say he win!"

Show off...just because of that ONE TIME many many many moons ago when Hei jogged from Hougang to East Coast to meet me one morning for a walk and breakfast. This is his one crowning glory...

But it made me smile.

Listening to my girlfriend talk so sweetly about her "like" put a smile on my face and made me remember our dating days...

To Molala, I hope the sweet days continues and who cares who does the wooing...but remember, sometimes women need to let men think they are the smart ones...=)

To iGeek....even though you say there were no feeling or spark, you speak of 193 with a smile. Love doesnt need to sweep you off your feet...love can be gradual, so let nature take its course.

Sitting in the office makes me miss waking up besides Hei in Europe. Cos all we thought about was breakfast and the itinerary for the day.....

Here's an overview of what I felt about my holiday (in a nutshell)

Munich - Lousy road signs made me walk round and round and got lost. Far far too cold and I don't understand the Gulhwein (Hot red wine). But, the sausages and saukeraut are so very tasty!

Paris - Romance capital of the world. The food was exquisite, even the street food. I had this rare duck slices that was decadent.

Florence - Taking a trip back in time in this small town. People were so friendly and pasta was awesome. Though a Singaporean man in a restaurant one day, complaining there was no "chilli sauce" spoil the beautiful landscape a bit...=)

Rome - Time comes to a standstill in the rich culture and the historic architecture.Everywhere you turn is a historic building, bridges are centuries old and one can get so wonderfully lost in the piazzas and the palazzos.

On a personal note, Italy was the romantic capital of the world for me. I savoured every kiss with my husband. We held hands even at the world.

Grazie Italy for you made us fall deeper in love with each other.

Grazie Arrivederci.

2011

The holiday has been almost perfect. The sights were awesome, the culture was rich and the food was yummy-licious....

So what we got locked out of our house when we came back. It just made me savour my bak chor mee even more.

When the clock strucked 12....2011 came and I said a prayer....

Hope 2011 will be one of positive changes.

Happy New Year everyone.