Ants

There are ants residing underneath the keyboard of my laptop.

This is not good, considering my laptop's only a month and a half old.

On a high

I went for my first run in a couple of months today. I am so going to ache all over tomorrow. I ran near my uncle's place, around Seletar camp. I passed a couple in a car in what they thought would be a secluded spot during the run. No prizes for guessing what they were doing. It was about 6 in the evening, so they obviously couldn't wait till it turned dark.

Running is supposed to release endorphins, and so is sex. So I'm just wondering whether that couple in the car in got their endorphin high. At least I know I got mine.

Other than that, nothing eventful about the run, except to confirm that I need to run more often.

I'm starting to get restless, and the urge to play soccer is stronger than ever now, since I have nothing to do all day, and I haven't had a game of soccer in 3 months, after my orthodontic surgery.

"Wait 3-6 months." was what I was told, so actually I can play soccer already. But my parents would rather I be more cautious. I understand their concerns, and so I'll try to stay off soccer for as long as possible. My friends just played a match yesterday, and I was really tempted to tell them I could play.

I wonder how long I can hold out.

Too much time

Much has been said about the casino/integrated resort, but this article about it is a good read.

And you know you have too much time on your hands when you find games like this one amusing.

On maturity and open mindedness

In today's Straits Times, there are a number of letters in the Forum lauding the decision to build IRs in Singapore. One letter even said "April 18... is the day Singapore became more open minded and mature."

Err... Right. So if you buy your son a car for his 18th birthday, then ask him to get the keys from you everytime he wants to use it so you can check whether he is drunk, are you trusting him to be mature enough to handle the responsibility of owning a car? Similarly, building an IR, and then telling your citizens they have to pay $100 to go in is not "open minded and mature".

Recognise the outcome for what it is. The decision was made on economic grounds, not on whether we as a society are "open minded and mature". When you have a minister saying "But with 35,000 jobs created, I can't say 'no'.", when the the PM tells you that we stand to reap $5 billion in investment, maturity is evidently a non-issue.

This is not about maturity and open mindedness, it's all about the money. Plain and simple.

We are NOT an open minded and mature society simply because we have decided to allow a casino or 2 to be built. There is so much more to being an open minded and mature society than that.

Integrated resorts

So we're gonna be getting not one, but 2 casinos integrated resorts in sunny Singapore in about 4 years from now. Before I go any further, just let me state for the record that I am not against the building of a casino integrated resort in Singapore.

It's just that well, imposing a $100 charge on Singaporeans to prevent them from patronizing the place is like saying "Oh, you know what, the casino integrated resort brings lots of social ills that Singapore doesn't want to put up with, but you foreigners can go screw up your lives with your gambling addiction, after all, not our problem. But in the meantime, we'll be happy to take advantage of that.". I think if the gahmen doesn't think we are ready to face the costs of setting up a casino integrated resort in Singapore, it shouldn't be building them. To me, building 2 casinos integrated resorts, and then trying to disourage your citizens from going there just goes to show that you don't think the general population is able to deal with it. Read the last sentence in this post, from the blog justhought.

And, just some food for thought, what is the gahmen going to do about those people who go to online gambling sites? Is it going to say "You can't go online to bet! Must come to our 'integrated resorts' (and pay $100 to enter) to gamble instead!". How are they going to discourage people from a cheaper, more convenient alternative when they don't want to encourage Singaporeans to gamble anyway?

The whole Japan-China row

There's an on-going row between Japan and China right now over some textbooks which Japan have approved for use in their schools. China claims that it overlooks certain atrocities committed by the Japanese during World War 2 and is thus unhappy with Tokyo's approval of the textbooks.

I don't know what's exactly in the textbooks, but I believe that Beijing certainly has grounds to be unhappy with the situation. But, I also believe that allowing your citizens to damage Japanese owned/linked businesses and what not, and refusing to apologise for it is not exactly neighbourly conduct either. China has its own violent past too, and I'd be surprised if this wasn't underplayed in their own history textbooks.

Some other thoughts from my friends, Adrian, and another of my friends' blogs, justhought. Another article from The Young Republic, here.

The "going away" talk

I was wondering when I would get the "going away" talk. The one about how I'll be all alone when I go to McGill and have total freedom, about reponsibility and all. Well, I got it on friday night. I can't really remember how exactly it started, just that my parents were downstairs watching TV, and I went down to get some lozenges for my throat.

Dad: "So you know you'll probably feel homesick and lonely at first right? Especially in the first few months you are over there."

Me: "Yup."

Well, I'll have to live with it won't I? Going to Canada to study was my parents' idea anyway. Not that I don't want to go, it's just that I didn't think I'd have the opportunity.

Mom: "Especiallly on your birthday and over Christmas."

Hmm... Let's see... When I was serving NS, I spent my 19th birthday in, of all places the Temburong Jungle in Brunei. That was fun. In the middle of a 7 day, 6 night mission. My birthday present then? A night's worth of rain. And Christmas last year? Oh yeah, in Hendon Camp, on a week's long standby. Watching the rest of camp book out to go for block leave during that period was the best Christmas present ever. Really. As my RSM said then, "the whole of Singapore, myself and CO included, can enjoy their holiday, thanks to you guys.". That sure made me proud. Ok, I had my platoon mates with me on both occasions, but hey, being in camp just takes the fun out of everything. So this year I'm gonna be away from my family and friends on these 2 occasions. Again. Sigh.

Me: "Yup."

Dad: "You might get depressed and homesick, so make sure you know the signs of depression and watch out for them. Don't sink into depression."

This is coming from my dad. The same person whom I asked if I could come back during my summer break. His response? "Come back for what? Stay there and work lah. And if you come back, your exit permit how? What if they call you up for reservist training? What if they don't let you go back to Canada till you complete your reservist training?". So now he wants me to watch our for depression and homesickness.

Me: "Ok, but will I be coming back for the hols in my second year?"

So I try to push the subject again. I'd really like to come back to Singapore during my hols, just to catch up with my friends and family again. After all, I might be emigrating to Canada after I complete my studies over there.

Dad: "I don't know lah. We'll see how it goes."

See how it goes? Ok... Anyway, this also means I could probably ask them to let me have a little gathering/going away party/birthday dinner thingy with my friends before I go. I hope. I decided not too push for it just yet.

Me: "Ok."

Dad: "You must also have a strong moral compass. Over there, it's absolute freedom, no one to tell you what's right and what is wrong. We won't be there. We trust you know what is right or wrong. Don't go mixing with the wrong company and get started on drugs or tuen to booze or anything like that."

Me: "Yup."

Funny he should mention the drugs and booze thing, considering I was the one who told him about its prevalence, after I found out while talking to Suling.

Dad: "You must also be careful about girls and pre maritial sex."

Actually he said a bit more, but I can't remember it all. Anyway, it's not as if I haven't been open with my parents about this kind of thing, although, truth be told, there's not too much to be open about. My dad went on to talk about one of his friends' sons, who went overseas to study and ended up with a family. Instead of him supporting his parents after university, his parents have to keep sending him money to support his family. Guess my dad doesn't want ME to end up like that.

Me: "Ok."

Dad: "We won't be able to support you over there. Whatever money we have given you, it is for you to choose how to spend, so make sure you manage your finances properly."

Ah, freedom. But well, I don't disagree with him. My agreement with my parents is that they pay my tuition and housing fees, and my day to day expenses will be borne by me. I've got no problems with that, after all, they've got another 3 children to put through university after me.

Dad: "It's very exciting to be able to go overseas to study, and I'm actually excited for you. I would have liked the opportunity myself. I just want you to be prepared for what it'll feel like and to know that you might face some problems here and there."

Me: "Yup."

So that was it, it's true that it's an exciting opportunity, but all the same, I think I'm more or less prepared to face the challenges that being alone brings. No doubt there will be ups and downs, but well, you just gotta deal with it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. As the time draws nearer for me to leave, I'm actually beginning to look forward to it even more.

Sometimes we underrate what basic courtesy does. This became clear to me this morning after I had an interview with Fuji Xerox at the Singapore Science Park. There is only one service, 92 which serves the Science Park, and after my interview, to get to Buona Vista MRT, I waited for the bus for at least 25 minutes. 92 is a loop service, so you get to see the bus on the opposite side of the road before it turns around to get to the bus stop that you're waiting at. So it's a little frustrating when the bus is off-service when it passes by your bus stop when you saw it 10 minutes ago going in the oppsite direction.

Anyway, when I finally boarded the bus, the driver gave a cheery "Hello, good morning!" and I smiled back. And I forgot about how frustrating it was to be waiting 25 minutes for a bus on a hot, stuffy Tuesday morning. It struck me how the driver's cheery greeting just made things seem better. Just like that.

Read Mr Miyagi's thoughts on National Service here. The actual post is off another blog by Mr Miyagi, Days Were The Those. All I can say is that the guy is one lucky person. I've fired an M203 before, and well, if one lands next to you, you'll not be in one piece.

And of course, speaking of the SAF, I have a little to say too. But it isn't really a complaint, more like an observation. I called up Mindef's eServices hotline to find ot about exit permit stuff for my brother and me. My queries were answered pretty well, though I did get bounced around the various departments a bit in the beginning. At least they were all polite and helpful. For my brother, who is a pre-enlistee, things were a little blurry. We're going off to Canada for a week in June to get some admin matters for our PR done, so I called to find out if he required an exit permit. After navigating through the maze of menus, I managed to find out that he didn't need an exit permit as long as the trip was less than 3 months. However, they also had this query where you could enter your IC number and they'd tell you whether you need an exit permit.

So I entered my brother's IC number, and was notified that he DID require an exit permit if he was travelling with an international passport. Which was not what the general information menu had said. So I spoke to a customer service officer, who said that he DID NOT need an exit permit if his trip was less than 3 months, just a notification to Mindef of his overseas trip. This was a little confusing as nothing was mentioned about notification before I spoke to the customer service officer.

And the MIW website was not too helpful either. Take a look at it's general information on exit permits here. Real helpful that.

Note to self: do NOT eat a half bag of twisties while down with the flu and having a sore throat.

I was not too hungry during tea time today, just itching to put something in my mouth to munch on, and the bag of twisties sitting in my living room seemed to be calling out to me. Knowing that I was sick and all, I told myself I'd just wash it down with lots of water. Well, I don't think it worked. The flu bug was really getting to me, so I took a nap around 5, after helping my little sis out with some of her homework.

Those twisties sure are bad for your throat. I woke up feeling even worse than this morning. Which is bad because my throat was actually beginning to feel better as the day wore on. Well, at least I'm not down with a fever. Yet. My entire back still aches.

Hope I will feel better tomorrow. And yes, no more junk food while sick. I should try to remember that.

Sick

Woke up this morning for church with a sore throat and a semi-runny nose. As the day wore on, I started feeling worse and worse. I only spent the whole day on battlenet playing with my friends, and yet I'm starting to ache all over. Been overdosing myself with water, panadol and vitamin c, so we'll see how it goes tomorrow. But I'm not too optimistic cos the aches are getting worse as the day wears on. Dinner now, then I'm gonna turn in early tonight. No more gaming for me today.

A short one

Haven't been posting this week cos I was stuck in some stinky temp job that I'd rather not talk about. I'm just glad that it's over.

Anyway, as some of my friends would have known by now, I've decided to go to McGill University to study electrical engineering. I'll be leaving sometime in August, and I'll probably not be back for a year or two at least. I'm still quite tired from gaming till 3 am this morning, so this short post ends here.

Interesting facts

Some interesting facts I've observed recently.

#1: If you clap your hands hard enough when killing a mosquito, it disintegrates.

#2: If you clap your hands hard enough when killing a mosquito, but miss it by a little, the "shockwave" from your clap can "stun" the mosquito and send it spiralling down to the floor.

#3: The range of abovementioned "shockwave"can be observed if you clap your hands hard enough in the shower and observe the spray of water that results around your palms from the clap.

#4: You can kill more mosquitoes in your sleep, as you toss and turn while the mosquitoes bite you, than in the day, when you actively seek to kill the little buggers.

#5: #4 is proved by the number of splotches of blood on my bedsheet.