Okay I realised its 1145am exactly 12 hours since I started this post. ( Of cos I slept before I post you bimbo! LOL.)

and I realised quite a few other things too.
1. I'm finishing my aspirin report
2. I have periodic table and chemical bonding to study today
3. I have to finish microbio prac report today
4. I got to figure out my Math PBL
5. I got to finish my CPPB report
6. Some PEOPLE ate wrong seaweed and got lao sai ( not that I wanted to know)
7. Doreen is pretty horny xD (make that horny and stupid)
just look at what she said..

Doreen sent 24/05/2007 11:59 PM:
OHDO YOU KNOW IM WITH SPECS NOW

Doreen sent 24/05/2007 11:59 PM:
AND I HAVE THIS DISILLUSION THAT WITH SPECS ON, THE TEACHER CANT SEE ME SLEEPING

Doreen sent 24/05/2007 11:59 PM:
cos i not used to having something in front of my eyes, then i keep having this that teacher wont be able to see me cos my eyes are "covered"

Doreen sent 24/05/2007 11:59 PM:
but i forgot the thing "covering" was transparant

8. I sound pretty weird now having caught a cold
9. I gotta list out what to buy for games today
10. I'll be seeing quite a few juniors whom I haven seen in a long while tmr (probably)
11 I'm done with E-learning week xD
12. I gotta catch up on my CAL 1 math (badly)
13. My engineering math test is coming up soon ( not that I'm worried. cos I'm that damn good. serious. LOL. Problem is.. there are too many smart asses in my class. quit being smart will ya! Damn. LOL )
14. My dad accidentally off-ed my internet
15. My dear mei would be in camp for six days which means hardly (if any) contact x( misses.

Highlighted in BOLD are impt. LOL.
random~

its just that I got nth much to say. oh wait ! there is.

I helped my fren with a graded essay( or smth like that) and as much as I sounded professional (or so I thought) I was quite happy with my answer. I always liked this kinda thing about Singapore.

It was about someone who said he thinks Singaporeans are often associated with things like Singlish, Kiasuism, lack of awareness (or not bothered) about political issues and also lack of basic courtesy. (I guess this is more of what he thinks la) Then we were asked if we agree.

I only had to help my fren with the singlish part. But lemme give my views here. SORRY IF I OFFEND ANYONE. but this is totally harmless. its just a rough gauge on how I would answer this question in a rather informal way of cos. (I DO NOT WANT TO APPEAR IN THE NEWSPAPER AS THE NEXT BLOGGER BEING SUED. LOL)

Anyway the question asked whether you agree.

So, My first instinct was damn he's right. (It's just cos I like the topic okay. nothing against SG)
Anyway, thats besides the point.

So let me officially begin. I agree with that guy to a certain extent. Its true that Singaporeans do speak hell alot of Singlish ( I'm no different. ) and we gotta admit, damn are we kiasu. During the great singapore sales we fight for the clothes like our lives depended on it. (This is definitely not me) Tho I will shop during that period. Anyways..

On the other hand I do not agree totally with the "accusation" that Singaporeans are not bothered by political affairs and Singaporeans not having basic courtesy.

Let me start of by sayin why I agree about Singaporeans speaking too much Singlish and Singaporeans being kiasu.

Singlish. Its something that we all "accept" as part and parcel of our daily lives. I know to many of us it is a habit to speak singlish. Its not a good habit.

Picture this.
Caucasian guys "g'day mate. how're you doing"
singaporean "okay la. you lehs ?
The next thing you know, you'll probably have a pair of confused eyes staring right at you.

The fact remains that the SG government time and again reminds us to speak proper english, and time and again we give excuses like its habit and what so ever. I admit that I'm guilty of this too. There's also this thing about how Singlish distinguishes Singaporeans. Yeah right. All it does is show that our English suck. (sorry abit over passionate there) but its true. Don't get me wrong. Maybe Singlish does distinguish us to a certain extent. I mean, I do not condone controlled use of singlish.

I admit its fun to use singlish to joke around with frens and everything. Using the hokkien mixed with english etc. The walaos, kao, la and lor and you know the usual.

But have we ever looked at it this way? That Singlish is actually like our shield. What do I mean ? Seriously, think about it. The saying that Singlish distinguishes Singaporeans may come about as a joke to many of us. But its a joke that has been incorperated into our society. Its become more like a shield.
In a more extreme case, it can actually be seen as an act of cowardice. That Singaporeans know or rather, think, that they can't beat the caucasians in this area. So we use Singlish as a shield, saying it distinguish us etc. Its all just sad attempt to mask the fact that maybe Singaporeans are afraid of competition and are not daring enough to step out of their comfort zone.

The government wants us to speak proper english so that we can communicate and compete on more even grounds with the caucasians. I mean germans, french, english, they are all learning chinese so how much more should we Singaporeans cultivate this habit of speaking good english?

Second point. Kiasuism. I totally agree with this point. Singaporeans want only the best and in this world where second means nothing, why not? So let's just all blame it on the world!!! I mean it is the easiest excuse.

BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT.. Have we really seen the world? Or do we just see a part of it? I heard from many working adults that they have been victims to the secular world. So much so that they lose contact with themselves, for instance their religion which once gave them a definite direction. Now they feel like they are wandering aimlessly.

To tell you the truth, as much as I like Singapore, I'd much rather be in some countryside in Australia or New Zealand. Where nobody discriminates you for what you do, they accept you for who you are. I mean a road sweeper or just any cleaner is considered a proper career in Australia. In Singapore, I get pessimistic and uncalled for comments by some of my relatives and elders when they heard I can go JC but chose poly instead. I understand that Singapore being small and all have no choice but to be caught up right up there with the best.

I’m not saying Singapore should be content with where we are now. We just need to keep on improving. Of course, we’ll need to and want to be best in certain areas, but not ALL areas. I mean however good we may be, there will be the day where someone will upsurge us. Everyone thought Newton was good. But Einstein came up with a better theory. Chelsea won the EPL twice in a row. Look who won it now. Barcelona were kings of Europe, where are they now?


My point is, adults and children alike are facing too much stress because every company wants to be the best. But as much as we care for the companies, how much more important are our friends, our family, our health? I know of some parents sending their primary 1 kids to tuition? I mean wth. I only went for tuition at the end of sec3 and that’s cos I wanted to improve my straight F9’s for chem, Physics and A Math which I’m proud to say all improved by at least 6 to 7 grades in O levels. xD

These little things, or rather, the lack of them bring about kiasuism in Singaporeans.

If you are lost some where in between my wild thoughts, let me bring you back on how this is related to kiasuism. Simply because we live in a competitive society, this competitiveness rubs of us and it shows in our daily lives. Which explains why MOST, but not all Singaporeans are kiasu.

The only way to be satisfied and stop being kiasu is to be content with what you have and just challenge yourself to improve further. If we can be the best, great, it’s a bonus. But in the pursuit of all these “greater glories” We have to treasure the finer things in life. Being kiasu is one thing. Being over kiasu to the extent of neglecting and/or hurting others is another.

I mean does a sit in the MRT mean so much to you that quite alotof people rushes for one? Does getting into a bus mean so much to you that you push the person in front of you? That moment of kiasuism or selfishness as I like to call it may cause harm someone else. I was once pushed in the MRT by this auntie. The train was really full, but she barged her way in. I nearly dropped my laptop. Imagine if it had been a mother carrying her child there instead of me and my laptop. I doubt the mum would react as quickly as me. Will a “oh sorry” pay back the injured baby ?

Of cos a lot of Singaporeans out there are nice people and do give up their seats in the MRT or bus. But at the same time, we have Singaporeans who care only for their wants.

So I believe Singaporeans should try to speak proper English and learn to be content with their lives.

Now to re-butt the “accusations” of Singaporeans being not bothered with politics. I guess this person must not have read the newspapers or been in Singapore the past couple of years. Because especially during the last election, rally speeches especially of that from the worker’s party drew many people. Tell me how would a bunch of people who lack interest in political affairs stand the stuffy environment while listening to the rallies ? I can barely stand my classroom in secondary school!



Moreover, if I’m not wrong, Singapore is enjoying politically stability now don’t you agree? If that’s the case, how much do you expect Singaporeans to know about political affairs? Its not like two parties are in major conflict and everyone is oh so ignorant about it. If we say Singaporeans are bothered with political affairs only if we know every detail, Gosh, I guess the person making this statement is the only politically aware one around here eh? Bar the government of course.

Moreover, newspapers are easily available everywhere and at a cheap price too. TODAY newspapers are given out to people (which many read) so Singaporeans keep themselves up to date with the latest happenings. How can it be that they are not interested with political issues? If Singaporeans have no interest in political issues, why would there be this program where young adults and teens talk to Lee Kuan Yew? If Singaporeans weren’t interested in politics why is there a high number of people voting?

Of course then this person that made this comment may well say that its only during the election period. Then I’ll like to ask if (whoever agrues this point) is really that aware about day to day political happenings? I guess not. Also if they are only interested in politics during the election period, why is the TODAY newspaper always given out quickly? Simple because Singaporeans want to keep themselves updated with the lates happenings, political or not.

Lastly, basic courtesy, It’s true that Singapore have their fair share of selfish people that only care bout themselves.(which country doesn’t?) However, more often than not, I see people giving up sits on MRT and other public transport. Yes, Singaporeans are kiasu, always wanting the best and pushing themselves and others around them to the limit. But, not ALL Singaporeans are kiasu to the extent of not giving up their seats to those who need it more than them.

You may say I’m contradicting, first by first Singaporeans are kiasu, and always snatching seats on public transports and now I’m here praising Singaporeans for giving up seats. Hear me out. Singaporeans ARE kiasu. But for most, it’s only academically and in work. My earlier example of a lady barging her way into the MRT is perhaps quite an extreme case.

When I say Singaporeans are kiasu, I mean they want the best for themselves, especially in society. Being kiasu, wanting to buy cheap clothes, wanting to be number one, doesn’t mean on does not have the basic courtesy of saying “thank you” , “welcome” or even rendering assistance when needed.

“Snatching” seats in a public transport, that’s kiasuism, giving up the seat to someone who needs it more than you after “snatching” it, that, my friends, is basic courtesy.

So I say again, I do not totally agree with what comment this person has made and I feel that maybe he’s too exaggerated. Singaporeans are just a bunch of people who wants the best for themselves but at the same time can be nice people. Although at times we do show our nasty sides and can go over the top in certain issues. I mean who doesn’t.

But, hey.. that’s all part and parcel of life in Singapore. Isn’t it ?

I’m sorry if this has taken up a lot of your time. I didn’t ask you to read it. Did I ? LOL.
Oh another apology that this is not in formal writing. Its an informal piece with my opinions splashed all over. xD