Wednesday, November 29, 2006

I Need An Angel

I apologize for the gruff and artless words I've used in my double-previous post. I may have overreacted, but if you were to stand in my position, you wouldn't think that way you did, do you? What i'm telling you, or whoever... is learn to respect, even if he's a total stranger... if you even give a damn, for all that matters. But sometimes, we see each other as if we were strangers, even though we do know each other. What an irony. You are my friend, but you are somewhat not. Funny, isn't it? Of course, I can always choose not to care about stuff like that, or pretend that all these never has happened because you may think that I'm just being retarded for wasting my time, and probably yours...but it frightens me that we are just living in a world so full of pretense where one can never be that capable of getting on par unless he's one damn pro actor. It makes life so uncertain. But what can we say...this is reality. And I hate it. I dislike the fact that I'm not happy for things that happened and are happening around. There're so many things running through my head it's blurring me out. At times, I'm clueless of my actions. Everything. A couple of my friends told me to "not worry...enjoy life to its fullest everyday." Seriously, I wish I could. Maybe I don't know how to enjoy life. Or maybe there's just nothing to enjoy in life. Someone told me I need God. I don't really know. Each day I feel like a withering flower. And I ask myself, what's gotten into me... Perhaps angels could trumpet down from heaven and do miracles, save lives. I can only make a wish for that.

freed his mind P.Y.R.A - U.G.I.N.E at 9:42 PM [comment]

Life is beautiful, so are you.

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Monday, November 27, 2006

Reflejo


freed his mind P.Y.R.A - U.G.I.N.E at 12:03 AM [comment]

Life is beautiful, so are you.

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Tuesday, November 21, 2006

OH NO, YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO...

YOU KNOW, HOW I LOATHE IT WHEN SOMEONE TOUCHES MY BELONGINGS AND INTRUDES MY PRIVACY, ESPECIALLY WHEN PERMISSION ISN'T GRANTED, AT ALL. AND MORE CRITCALLY, IT'S SOMETHING PERSONAL.


freed his mind P.Y.R.A - U.G.I.N.E at 8:05 PM [comment]

Life is beautiful, so are you.

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Saturday, November 18, 2006

"We can't prevent what we can't predict."

Yes. Desperate Housewives' a bang. I've always thought this was a show that I'd always wanna watch because of the ladies, the uncertainties people like them, like us, encounter in life. But this one episode. It really tears my soul apart. I never thought this show would create such a great impact on me. On my emotions. I don't expect anyone to feel the same way as what I felt. But it came so suddenly. And I can't control it. I can really feel how the characters felt. I am really speechless at this point of time. If you ask me, I'd say you better not watch it. Because I can't stop sweeping my hands across my damp cheeks.

freed his mind P.Y.R.A - U.G.I.N.E at 12:06 PM [comment]

Life is beautiful, so are you.

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Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Sleepless?


Mr. Damien Leith with his superb rendition of Pavarotti's "Nessun Dorma".

This guy is Damien Leith. He is currently in the Final 2 spot (with fellow contestant Jessica Mauboy,17) in Australian Idol 4. Of course he's not so much of an operatic crooner. But he is really versatile with any genre. And he is FANNNNNTARRRSTICAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! So talented. Touchdown performances week after week. I am so rooting for him to win the competition next week. And YES. He's going to WIN. No question about that.

P/S: The translation webby says Nessun Dorma = No sleep. So that makes the post's title. Haha!

More vids!:


My favourite delivery from Damien, "Wicked Game".


A romantic tune "Message to My Girl".

freed his mind P.Y.R.A - U.G.I.N.E at 9:38 AM [comment]

Life is beautiful, so are you.

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Monday, November 13, 2006

The Taxation Effect

I guess you should have read this somewhere by now. Or if you haven't, here it is, the Govt is raising the GST from 5% - 7%! OMG. Okay, maybe this isn't really something that none of you here may care of, but still... if this continues, I'm not surprised that in the next 10 yrs, its gonna be as high as 15% or 20% (like that of the Scandanavians with a whooping 25% GST), and that's not gonna make us happy at all. Here is an abstract on the PM's speech in Parliament yesterday:

"As we tilt the playing field across the board, the lower income will be getting another boost not just once in a while. Therefore its better to start building resources now so that when we spend more, we have the means to do so," said Mr Lee.

To finance this, indirect taxes or the Goods & Services Tax will have to go up.

"It will give us precious extra resources to implement social programmes like Workfare later on. Our aim is to help the lower income groups and the elderly, not to increase their burdens.

"When we implement the GST increase, it's not just the GST increase, it's the package which will fully offset the impact of the GST increase and begin to strengthen the social safety nets and tilt the balance in favour of the low income groups - we will not just raise the GST but we will have a comprehensive offset package."

This package will be weighted more to the middle and the low income groups, especially the elderly, and it will more than offset the GST increase.

I certainly think this is rather silly. It's not like it'd be of a splendid solution to narrow the income gap or how it'll in any way help the lower income group that much. Instead, it's take away much more from them. Imagine how much our folks have to pay for the exisiting taxes already. I wonder how fellow Singaporeans will react to this in weeks, months, years to come. More heart-attacks on the way.
In the meantime, I'm gonna list down stuff that I really need to buy before the rate gets permanent. Things are gonna get expensive soon!!! I've gotta learn to be thrifty already.
Le Sighs.

freed his mind P.Y.R.A - U.G.I.N.E at 8:32 PM [comment]

Life is beautiful, so are you.

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Saturday, November 11, 2006

Hmm... An Inclusive Society?

I'm not in the mood to do any of my tutorials this entire week. Projects, BOO. Assignments, BOO. School, BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Come to think of it, I actually prefer working to studying at this period of time. While working, it opens the door to opportunities in different aspects, and everyday, a mistake committed and a lesson learned is a goal pocketed, because then do you know of the cause and the affecting factors, and you know you're going to do it right the next time (at least). The people who appear in the course somehow contribute a difference to your life. You communicate with people, those who are more experienced and somewhat leading on a successful path. The ideas exchanged are invaluable, the conversations engaged memorable, the teamwork participated seems priceless. You get to experience so many things that you prolly don't even get to encounter in the myths of the books, because during work, people are in for the real thing. They stand on their two feet, doing what's best for the company and themselves, becoming independent figures in the entity. It's the real ocean that we're talking about, the vast working world.

But one thing, you don't really have to be book-smart to advance to the status of these successful persons you've once met or know of. However, a decent cert always matter in Singapore, don't you think? But what does this piece of paper really determine? A person's character? A person's intelligence? A person's working ability? Ability to produce commendable outputs at the financial year end? Not to mention, during my stint in MTI, a couple of my former bosses, who were directors, yes DIRECTORS, had to pass on work that's supposed to be submitted to the highest level in the Ministry by themselves, to my colleagues and I. What did we learn eventually? That they just weren't clear of the task, so they had to. How funny. And what next? Yeahh... credit claimed... who else? Them. So, talk about ability with the presence of admirable certs. Big deal. And funny how the Govt is trying to hang on a new slogan of "An Inclusive Society". Just the Civil Service creates a good instance. Scholars worshipped like almighty Gods. The others are mere shadows.

There was this annual session (I've forgotten the exact title) which gathered all the employees of MTI and it was a discussion held by the Permanent Secretary (PS). He was addressing the concerns of the fellow civil servants on how the Ministry could improve in its internal controls, worker's benefits, opportunities in the Govt sectors (including what happens after the contract ends for some), also involving some other eminent factors raised as well. Democracy was brought into the house and specialists were hired to interpret and review on the worker's concerns and requests. I can only tell you, the results weren't favourable. And yes, the PS did mention on the various implementations to shape up a better Ministry, which in turn equates to launching on a mission to developing a competitive, high-value added and an alluring metropolis - Singapore. But throughout that session, all the PS focused on were complications apropos of the top management of the organization. Plus, those he interviewed were employees of higher ranks. Obviously quite a bit of the audience felt that they were outcast. Talk about inclusiveness there.

It seems interesting how MPs gave their certain laudable (including some laughable) opinions in the parliament debate of latching on an inclusive society by simply closing the currently widening income gap and how Singaporeans are able to live in unity through community bonding. On an article in the Straits Times, quoting from Tamp GRC MP, Mr Sin, he said "The perception exists that Singapore is a society that is bifurcated between elites and the commoners, the scholars and the Normal stream... the rich and the poor." He too, discussed about the sense of self-worth in regards to the highly stratified society. I regret to say that such may have been the emphasis on the Govt's philosophy on separating the better from the not-so-good ones. Take for instance, the educational system. Only in here, do you hear of Special, Exp, Norm, Norm Tech streams… and this somehow creates a barrier amongst the students from diff streams, causing the perception of "oh, you’re not in my league, so stay out." And how silly in the past that people fathom JC students serve as better candidates in the working world as compared to the others. It was then, did the Strait Times prompt on an article a couple of yrs back about "How employers prefer Poly students after all". Funny, ain't it?
"If you put these top students and scholars high up on the pedestal, you will end up creating a separate category of people who are set apart from the rest of the society", said Mr Sin, on how the Govt needs to address on breaking down the institution of snobbery within our FINE society.

There's this other article that I read on yesterday's ST on "Stop whining and whingeing, be gracious- MPs urge". Dr Mohd Maliki Osman (Semb GRC MP) said "Are we turning Singapore into a nation of people whose problem solving skills solely rest on the mechanism of asking someone else to solve their problems?" and he continued "giving feedback to Govt agencies, many adults are bad role models to their children." I wish to stress some points. First, it was PM Lee who said in his ND Rally speech that, in order to reach out to its citizens, the Govt will in any aspect, do its best to serve the nation when the people are in need, and for Dr. Mohd to ask such a question as stated above, he is somehow indirectly regarding the un-graciousness act he claims Singaporeans to have adopted, to be a problem caused by the Govt itself. Second, it is not very thoughtful and gracious of him, to term many adults as bad role models on just how the people are making an effort to point out some of the flaws that have materialized around us.
As citizens of the country, it was us who voted on the seats in the Parliament. As MPs, it's their duties to regard the problems (even minor ones) as crucial issues, not to question our graciousness or how just another MP term it as "boorish behaviour" we the countrymen expressed. So does this mean MPs = Gracious High-Status people, Citizens = Un-Gracious commoners? What a stereotype.

An interesting quote - "Only through the spirit of humility and service can the barriers of arrogance, pride and snobbery be overcome." - Do you think so?

freed his mind P.Y.R.A - U.G.I.N.E at 12:30 PM [comment]

Life is beautiful, so are you.

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Thursday, November 09, 2006

Thursday Rants

This morning, I went to the Audit class with a sense of dread, because I was told that I was marked ABSENT [or did he really? I think he (tutor) should be intelligent (that's an overstatement) enough not to do such an imbecilic act because what he asked for was a valid reason on why we were late, and if he was really gonna mark us late anyways, then why ask?? And I was more than POLITE to affirm him there wasn't any intention of me lying for such a VALID reason that I've contributed. Because on top of that, I've blasted a hole in my pocket for a whooping $32.50 of a cab ride thanks to the massive jam along ECP (of course Von was kind enough to split the cost...but still, it's surpassed the regular fare by a mile)!!!] So was that not valid enough? Like he cares! Oh well, save that breath, old prick.

:========:

At last! The sky is expressing some passive "emotions" to mother earth, though in proportions, leaving many unprepared at the same time. It's funny how we had to scamper from awnings to awnings of different buildings, glaring to the ground, dashing aimlessly yet cautiously to avoid a slip. It's even more amusing to observe how people react to the sudden downpour, just like how this woman with a handkerchief plastered upon her dishevelled head like a shower cap, managed to divert our attentions to her side-splitting prance down the Orchard Str.
PS: PSI's 26 now! WOOOO!

freed his mind P.Y.R.A - U.G.I.N.E at 10:18 PM [comment]

Life is beautiful, so are you.

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Monday, November 06, 2006

A Simple Life?

Given a choice, how would you want your life to be? Of course, i'm not saying we can't shape our own lives the way we desire. However, in some instances, some processes are somehow catered for us. We don't really have a choice. For me, I've always wanted to lead a simple life. What do I mean by that, you may wonder.

As I've once mentioned to one of my closest pals ... a simple life, is one that I can truly attain freedom. I'll go somewhere far by the countryside in the outskirts round the Canadian alps, build my own little house on top of the hills overlooking the evergreen plains, waking up every morning to embrace yet another beautiful day ahead... No dust, no rush, no cars, no haze, no traffic, no high-rise buildings, no stress... no urban life. This, to some of you, may sound like a splendid retirement plan...but this is what I want my life to be like. No need for luxury... just plain and austere. A place where I can really call home, a place where I can savour my days with my love (that's if I can ever find one), a place where I can shut myself out from the other side of the world. The TV and newspapers will be the source of "connection" with the urbians. Not asking for more. Just a quiet life. I believe I will be contented with that.

What's the use of being so rich when the rich themselves are miserable? Yes, of course with an explosive wealth, one can easily acquire any asset with just a snap of the fingers. But can money really make a man go over the moon? Just because this particular lone soul is feeling miserable while recapping his lousy day, it doesn't mean money can be the ultimate remedy to his misery. Sometimes, it's just another alternative to numb his pain. But of course, money does mean alot to a man who really seemed to have suffered greatly through poverty in his childhood, where thoughts of such are still terrorizing him presently. It becomes a built-up fear. However, what the typical modern man desires to get with happiness is more money, with a view to ostentation, splendour, and the outshining of those who have hitherto been his equals. This, we've seen so widely in our society that we no doubt are gradually becoming victims.
As for my part, the thing that I wish to obtain from money would be leisure with security.

freed his mind P.Y.R.A - U.G.I.N.E at 11:25 PM [comment]

Life is beautiful, so are you.

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