my mom and my sis came down to visit me today. had a nice family dinner hehe. really happy to see my mom today. also ling came down with her friend. 2nd time she came to visit. so nice. she made a very interesting remark, about how happy i must be having so many visits. which indeed i am. and i love my job, long hours and all. meeting owners of massive organizations and every sort of people. thanks guy for all the visits and support. mark who came all the way down alone, and another with jeth n jiahui; sm, jere ling and co.; uni friends who happened to pop by, dillon, huiyi; my dearest gang of friends (they got me the best presents!)
yes they did, they fufilled my wishlist sans the iMac G5. i got 4 books and 2CDs wooohoo. it was a great night last night too. they visited me, gave me my presents and went to tcc for a simple celebration. ordered 4 desserts and we actually used them as 'cakes' since i didn't have any birthday cake this year. they decided to let me hv 4 birthday 'cakes' and i got to make 4 wishes. and honestly world peace was one of them! hahah, really enjoyed myself. thanks guys for being so thoughtful!!!
Nov 27, 2005
there's always this strange cocktail of emotions swirling around like some strange martini concotion. but then i think about it again, i'm not the only feeling like this. everyone else feels the same. i'm not the only one that feels strange at night, i'm not the only one that has skin worse than the surface of mars, i'm not the only one with issues, i'm not the only one with problems. what on earth is so special about me? we are unique, yet we are all scarily similar. we have similar needs, similar wants. different, yet the same. gosh.
natalie imbruglia - wrong impression
alanis - mary jane
swirling emotions AGAIN!
natalie imbruglia - wrong impression
alanis - mary jane
swirling emotions AGAIN!
Nov 26, 2005
a very strange amalgamation of feelings.
just had a drink with my colleagues. the world of the straight guy is so amazing. this colleague of mine who is married tried to hook up this fat girl who's spilling over at all the wrong places. another one tried to borrow me to intro to the girls (which put me in such a awkward spot) luckily i had a female company. strangely, i can only communicate with females or gay men. its very difficult for me to talk to straight guys. oh well
the trip back home was rather interesting. bumped into fanny, my junior from JC. she's still so interesting bimbotic. but after she left, a very strange feeling surged out from nowhere. must be the songs from my iPod. can't really describe the feeling. just a very interesting one. hrmm.
just had a drink with my colleagues. the world of the straight guy is so amazing. this colleague of mine who is married tried to hook up this fat girl who's spilling over at all the wrong places. another one tried to borrow me to intro to the girls (which put me in such a awkward spot) luckily i had a female company. strangely, i can only communicate with females or gay men. its very difficult for me to talk to straight guys. oh well
the trip back home was rather interesting. bumped into fanny, my junior from JC. she's still so interesting bimbotic. but after she left, a very strange feeling surged out from nowhere. must be the songs from my iPod. can't really describe the feeling. just a very interesting one. hrmm.
Nov 23, 2005
Nov 16, 2005
Nov 14, 2005
you
me
| Your Birthdate: November 10 |
 Independent and dominant, you tend to be the alpha dog in most situations. You're very confident, and hardly anything ever shakes you. Mundane tasks tend to drain you - you prefer to be making great plans. You are quite original. When people don't "get" you, it bothers you a lot. Your strength: Your ability to gain respect Your weakness: Caring too much what others think Your power color: Orange-red Your power symbol: Letter X Your power month: October |
me
| Your Birthdate: November 17 |
You tend to find yourself lucky - both in business and in life. And while being wealthy is nice, you enjoy sharing your abundance with others. You put your luck to good use: you are very ambitious and goal oriented. Often times, you get over excited and take on more than you can manage. Your strength: Your ability to make your own luck Your weakness: Thinking you can do it all Your power color: Bronze Your power symbol: Half Moon Your power month: August |
Nov 11, 2005
Nov 8, 2005
its my exam tomorrow and its on singapore society. i can't help but feel thankful and loved in this magnificient country. lets take stock of what has happened recently.
::MORE murders despite our STRICT laws, we still have not had a month without murder yet, for quite a while already.
::transport fare RISED again despite posting RECORD profits
::CPF monies now can't be withdrew because we are not mature enough to save but will instead spend everything
::casino is allowed because we are mature enough to accept that it is vital for our economy
::ERP is rising but traffic condition is still horribly slow on CTE
::homosexual sites are banned and fined because we are too 'conservative' for that
::www.sammyboy.com is still allowed however
::GLC can now use our monies without being approved by the president or government of whatever along that lines
::we are going to hang someone else AGAIN, even though he was forced to traffic drug to help settle his brother's debt, despite him having earned a degree in IT, having many close friends, appeals and what not, despite activist calls
::bloggers are charged and jailed (understandly because they were so insensitive and rude and whatever, i still feel its too harsh though)
::white elephants (so cute and creative) are deemed to be making a political statement and warning
::4 peaceful protester outside CPF building was asked to leave by a platoon of RIOT SQUAD police (the law states that 5 and above is illegal gathering and you need to have a license)
::another singaporean complained about rude t-shirts
::SM goh speaks about press freedom and responsibility and likened the american press not showing nick berg's beheading to self censorship and said that even the western presses practice that though we do not strive to be like them
::reporters without borders rated us 140th out of 167th country in terms of press freedom (this we cannot accept because it is seen through western prism)
::world economic forum rated us 2nd in terms of transparency (this however we can accept because it is seen through a western prism)
what an exciting time we live in? this wonderful panopticon. don't you love it too?
::MORE murders despite our STRICT laws, we still have not had a month without murder yet, for quite a while already.
::transport fare RISED again despite posting RECORD profits
::CPF monies now can't be withdrew because we are not mature enough to save but will instead spend everything
::casino is allowed because we are mature enough to accept that it is vital for our economy
::ERP is rising but traffic condition is still horribly slow on CTE
::homosexual sites are banned and fined because we are too 'conservative' for that
::www.sammyboy.com is still allowed however
::GLC can now use our monies without being approved by the president or government of whatever along that lines
::we are going to hang someone else AGAIN, even though he was forced to traffic drug to help settle his brother's debt, despite him having earned a degree in IT, having many close friends, appeals and what not, despite activist calls
::bloggers are charged and jailed (understandly because they were so insensitive and rude and whatever, i still feel its too harsh though)
::white elephants (so cute and creative) are deemed to be making a political statement and warning
::4 peaceful protester outside CPF building was asked to leave by a platoon of RIOT SQUAD police (the law states that 5 and above is illegal gathering and you need to have a license)
::another singaporean complained about rude t-shirts
::SM goh speaks about press freedom and responsibility and likened the american press not showing nick berg's beheading to self censorship and said that even the western presses practice that though we do not strive to be like them
::reporters without borders rated us 140th out of 167th country in terms of press freedom (this we cannot accept because it is seen through western prism)
::world economic forum rated us 2nd in terms of transparency (this however we can accept because it is seen through a western prism)
what an exciting time we live in? this wonderful panopticon. don't you love it too?
as taken of sintercom here
Illogical comments by minister of state
Letter submitted to the Straits Times on 31 October 2005, refused by the newspaper on 3 Nov 2005.
To the Editor
I refer to the interview the Straits Times conducted with Minister of State Ho Peng Kee on 28 Oct 2005, specifically his comments about gays.
He repeats the claim that Singapore is a conservative society. This claim is suspect firstly because large numbers of Singaporeans think homophobia and discrimination is wrong, and secondly because the government itself, through its own censorship policies deny fair representation of gay people and modern views. To shape public opinion this way, and then claim that public opinion clamours for homophobic policies is disingenuous.
It was quite stunning to read that he feels heterosexuals should not be impeded by the law when it comes to non-procreative oral sex, and "even if they do it outside of marriage, it is still man and woman, which is still part of this mateship," yet he thinks our laws criminalising what gay people do in private should stay, even when they are in committed relationships.
It is extremely difficult to reconcile his views with the Prime Minister's assurance that the government is not homophobic.
The view that only heterosexuality is "natural" is a construct from the time of St Augustine (4th century). It is disputed among biblical scholars. It not universally accepted among Christians today, let alone other religions despite Ho's claim that "all the main religions in Singapore believe it's how we are made."
Just recently, a highly acclaimed Buddhist monk gave a talk to thousands at Bright Hill making it clear that homophobia, which is a form of hate and ill-will, is against Buddhist teaching.
Ho also used the slippery slope argument against repeal of anti-gay laws, when he said, "Once you move, where do you go to? So you'll talk about not just gay sex but also gay marriages, then gay adoptions..."
Throughout history, the slippery slope argument has been used every time anyone suggested any social progress. It was used when education for girls was first mooted, when giving the vote to women or to non-whites were first raised, when abolition of slavery was suggested.
The funny thing is, human civilisation gained strength with each of these moves despite initial fears.
--------
Background ? the relevant questions and answers from the Straits Times interview with Ho Peng Kee, by reporter Li Xueying, published 28 Oct 2005:
ST: Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) review of the Penal Code will be out at the end of this year. One aspect mentioned previously is the law on oral sex. Is it likely to be decriminalised?
Ho: That one we're looking at. Some of these laws were drafted in the past, so we have to contextualise some of these laws because society changes. It's a big exercise. The various ministries are still working on some of the details.
ST: What's your personal take?
Ho: My personal take is that between men and women, if you are an adult and there's no force, then what you do in the privacy of your bedroom that has no impact on the public, then you do what you want.
ST: What about gay sex?
Ho: We're still a conservative society. It's a slippery slope. Once you move, where do you go to? So you'll talk about not just gay sex but also gay marriages, then gay adoptions...
ST: But using the same argument, that you can do what you want in the privacy of your bedroom?
Ho: That's different because I think men and women having sex is natural. And it is also in a sense consistent with the whole idea of marriage. Of course even if they do it outside of marriage, it is still man and woman, which is still part of this mateship.
ST: As a Christian, do your religious beliefs affect you in your decision making?
Ho: You have to make decisions according to policies, what is right for Singapore, and Singapore is secular.
But as a mature religious person, your values are internalised. That's how you act, speak, present yourself. But you don't think, oh, as a Christian, what should this policy be?
At temples for instance, I attend festivals and so on, just that I don't hold joss sticks.
ST: You said gay sex is 'not natural'. Is that something that comes out of your religious beliefs?
Ho: Yes, could be. Well, I won't attribute it directly. I look at it more as a family bedrock thing, that a family is based on a man and a woman. I think all the main religions in Singapore believe it's how we are made.
######
we must all stand up and do something. this panopticon is suffocating! join me my dear friends!
Illogical comments by minister of state
Letter submitted to the Straits Times on 31 October 2005, refused by the newspaper on 3 Nov 2005.
To the Editor
I refer to the interview the Straits Times conducted with Minister of State Ho Peng Kee on 28 Oct 2005, specifically his comments about gays.
He repeats the claim that Singapore is a conservative society. This claim is suspect firstly because large numbers of Singaporeans think homophobia and discrimination is wrong, and secondly because the government itself, through its own censorship policies deny fair representation of gay people and modern views. To shape public opinion this way, and then claim that public opinion clamours for homophobic policies is disingenuous.
It was quite stunning to read that he feels heterosexuals should not be impeded by the law when it comes to non-procreative oral sex, and "even if they do it outside of marriage, it is still man and woman, which is still part of this mateship," yet he thinks our laws criminalising what gay people do in private should stay, even when they are in committed relationships.
It is extremely difficult to reconcile his views with the Prime Minister's assurance that the government is not homophobic.
The view that only heterosexuality is "natural" is a construct from the time of St Augustine (4th century). It is disputed among biblical scholars. It not universally accepted among Christians today, let alone other religions despite Ho's claim that "all the main religions in Singapore believe it's how we are made."
Just recently, a highly acclaimed Buddhist monk gave a talk to thousands at Bright Hill making it clear that homophobia, which is a form of hate and ill-will, is against Buddhist teaching.
Ho also used the slippery slope argument against repeal of anti-gay laws, when he said, "Once you move, where do you go to? So you'll talk about not just gay sex but also gay marriages, then gay adoptions..."
Throughout history, the slippery slope argument has been used every time anyone suggested any social progress. It was used when education for girls was first mooted, when giving the vote to women or to non-whites were first raised, when abolition of slavery was suggested.
The funny thing is, human civilisation gained strength with each of these moves despite initial fears.
--------
Background ? the relevant questions and answers from the Straits Times interview with Ho Peng Kee, by reporter Li Xueying, published 28 Oct 2005:
ST: Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) review of the Penal Code will be out at the end of this year. One aspect mentioned previously is the law on oral sex. Is it likely to be decriminalised?
Ho: That one we're looking at. Some of these laws were drafted in the past, so we have to contextualise some of these laws because society changes. It's a big exercise. The various ministries are still working on some of the details.
ST: What's your personal take?
Ho: My personal take is that between men and women, if you are an adult and there's no force, then what you do in the privacy of your bedroom that has no impact on the public, then you do what you want.
ST: What about gay sex?
Ho: We're still a conservative society. It's a slippery slope. Once you move, where do you go to? So you'll talk about not just gay sex but also gay marriages, then gay adoptions...
ST: But using the same argument, that you can do what you want in the privacy of your bedroom?
Ho: That's different because I think men and women having sex is natural. And it is also in a sense consistent with the whole idea of marriage. Of course even if they do it outside of marriage, it is still man and woman, which is still part of this mateship.
ST: As a Christian, do your religious beliefs affect you in your decision making?
Ho: You have to make decisions according to policies, what is right for Singapore, and Singapore is secular.
But as a mature religious person, your values are internalised. That's how you act, speak, present yourself. But you don't think, oh, as a Christian, what should this policy be?
At temples for instance, I attend festivals and so on, just that I don't hold joss sticks.
ST: You said gay sex is 'not natural'. Is that something that comes out of your religious beliefs?
Ho: Yes, could be. Well, I won't attribute it directly. I look at it more as a family bedrock thing, that a family is based on a man and a woman. I think all the main religions in Singapore believe it's how we are made.
######
we must all stand up and do something. this panopticon is suffocating! join me my dear friends!
Nov 6, 2005
what is the point of living and working hard when in the end, its all nought. what are we here for? what's our purpose in life? why do we go through all of this when it all amounts to nothing. wouldn't it be better to be born as a simpleton or better yet, a nutcase with no cares in the world. or not to be born at all?
Nov 5, 2005
Nov 3, 2005
the singapore government has done it again. they have tried again to silence the homosexual community in singapore after declaring that they were not homophobic, but anybody who talks about homosexual content and promote the lifestyle should be silenced. is it even possible to promote a homosexual. just as it is not possible to promote a hetereosexual lifestyle, or promoting romance (going by the failure of romancing and the ever declining birthrate), how can anybody promote a homosexual lifestyle.
is it possible to do some petition so that government can hear our voices and let us live. first a fine, then a closing of a gay website, what is next? what is next? incaceration of all gay people? how can i be gay? i can love, but i touch any guys affectionately and no i most definitely can't have sex. what logic is that? i am going to write a term paper on this!
is it possible to do some petition so that government can hear our voices and let us live. first a fine, then a closing of a gay website, what is next? what is next? incaceration of all gay people? how can i be gay? i can love, but i touch any guys affectionately and no i most definitely can't have sex. what logic is that? i am going to write a term paper on this!
its a really strange feeling to see your coursemates from your JC batch getting so far in life, knowing what they want. the same people whom i graduated with, went on a trip with, whose abilities are about the same as mine, but they made it. made to the best flying school, in canada. but here i am in singapore mugging for my papers. all because of my slipped disc. all because of my injury. because i didn't know how to take care of myself. because i didn't train hard enough to have a better phsyical condition. its so surreal to look at them and envy and realised i could have been there too. i am such a loser!
Nov 1, 2005
this is depressing, my readership is going down =( awww. hahah. i am munching on ben & jerrys as i'm digesting my singapore society notes. oh well, life sucks. but i be glad that it is all cramped up in 4 days, break den 1 more paper, and that's it, off to enjoy my birthday!
not much energy to blog about big issues, and this page is damn due for a big revamp, so watch out world! in the mean time, drink as much as you can, get as drunk as you can and par-tay away (so i can get my A's muahahahahha)
not much energy to blog about big issues, and this page is damn due for a big revamp, so watch out world! in the mean time, drink as much as you can, get as drunk as you can and par-tay away (so i can get my A's muahahahahha)
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