Today Singaporeans will mourn the death of Ms Lo Hwei Yen. She was one of the innocent people held hostage by the terrorists that laid seige to Mumbai.

Ms Lo Hwei Yen was probably a person who liked the same things as us. Grew up knowing the same places as us. Probably liked laksa. Probably enjoyed movies with friends at GV. She probably had friends, family members whom she loves. And she definately had dreams and ambitions.

She's only 28 this year. Just one year older than me. I still have so many dreams and aspirations unfulfilled. I'm sure she has too. I just felt so sad that her life had to be ended prematurely. I cannot imagine what the final moments of her life was. The fear. The helplessness. The injustice. And how ruthless her murderers were.

While I never believe that Singaporeans are immuned to terrorist attacks, this incident still drowned my mind with utter disbelief.

บทเพลง "ส่งนางฟ้ากลับสวรรค์"

This is a video I found on YouTube that pays tribute to the late Princess Galayani Wattana. The royal family of Thailand is one of its kind. The King, Queen and Princesses devote almost their entire lives to the improvement of the lives of their poor people. And what is interesting and admirable is that they live and dress in very simple clothes.

ส่งนางฟ้ากลับสวรรค์ (soong naang faa glap sawaan) is the title of the song. If my lousy thai serves me well, it means sending the goddess back to paradise. Thais believe that the royal family members are actually descended from heaven to help them and when they pass on, they are only returning to heaven to be with the rest of the gods.

Aotearoa

I know there are many fans out there reading my blog and wondering why the heck have I not put up the fabulous pictures of NZ. Well, I've been very with work and also catching up with sleep. So anyways, here goes.


3 gals that I got to know on the plane. The one on the left is from Japan. The second one is from Singapore. The third one is from the Kingdom of Thailand.


I dunno why but my fellow passengers in the bus to OPC are all girls. I think they are there on a day trip or something.


Apparently Rihanna was in da bus. She felt that her fingers were freezing and the bus driver turned on the heater for her fingers. After that, she did my favourite number: Umbrella. In my opinion, in the presence of the other passengers, she should have sung Disturbia instead. Still, I enjoyed the bus ride. :)


Arrived at OPC and met another gal from Japan. Turns out, she's the identical twin of the same gal i met on the plane. Such a coincidence.


First day at OPC and I was very fortunate to be eating with some vibrante school girls. I dunno their names yet so i'll call them The Cuties group.


They were very nice. They prepared the breakfast and lunch for us.


After breakfast, something strange happened. Someone's shoelace entangled everyone. I was lucky that I ran away fast enough not to be entangled.


Later in the afternoon. The responsible gals decided that they wanna climb a tree. So we climbed a tree.


The gals woke up early to make breakfast and lunch again. So nice of them. I know! NZ must be the place where girls become nice! I think we need to send more Singaporean girls here.


After breakfast, we received a distress call from Frodo. He couldn't locate Mount Doom so we lead a team out to help him.


Suffered snow-blindness that day. My retina and cornea were badly damaged. Now I have tiny eyes.


We got lost and thankfully I met a long lost friend. His name is Snowman.


And he directed us to.. Mt Doom. I called Frodo and MMS-ed him the picture.


Then there was an earthquake and we had no choice but to make our escape via the water route. Thankfully there were a few boat people and they helped to row me to safety.


The natives of NZ welcomed me to safety and they did a little dance to thank the mountains.


Back to civilisation, i had a very hearty meal.


Then I was given this packet of sugar. ..?? What the heck is it trying to tell me? Is it a sign?


All's well that ends well. So, my little mis-adventure ended with a very nice morning breakfast/dessert. End of story .

yes here i go again...

Someone commented the other day that the only time i post is when I have something to complain. I think this person is damn right. So here goes:

Singaporeans have problems saying "Thank you", "Sorry", "It's ok"...blah blah blah

Case study #1:
Auntie at coffee shop brings my drink. "Thank you auntie". Auntie pretends she never hear. "Thanks ah ..auntie". Auntie gives me the change and walks away. I wonder if I have a third eye on my forehead or what.

Case study #2:
After gym, I went to pick up my blueberry mobile. Just as I was about to drive out, a car stopped in front of me. A whole family boarded the car. The driver looked at me while the family was boarding and I didn't give him any dirty look or what but waited patiently. After the family finished boarding and putting all the rubbish they bought in the boot, he drove off. Just like that. Not a word of thanks. Geez. I should have just blared my horns and high beam him with my lights.

We are about 1.5675 million light years away from being a gracious society.

Center for Inquiry

The intelligent and rational revolution is finally here. Center for Inquiry produces the most thought-provoking podcasts that I LOVE to listen to. What is the CFI about?

"The Center for Inquiry is a daring new concept. Although modern world civilization is based upon the achievements of science and technology, until this time there has been no authoritative and credible voice defending the scientific outlook in examining religion, human values, and the borderlands of science. If the naturalistic outlook is to supplant the ancient mythological narratives of the past, it needs a new institution devoted to its articulation and dramatization to the public. The Center for Inquiry is that institution."

Website: http://www.centerforinquiry.net