Nasi Padang Friends

tei o

An Indian, a Malay, a Eurasian and a Chinese met for lunch the other day.

Various places were suggested but rejected. Then one asked: “Where can we get good Nasi Padang?”

A well known eating place at Joo Chiat was mentioned.

So on that nice sunny day, the four met for a catch up lunch.

The four became friends almost 30 years ago while working in the same industry. Now, three are still working and one has retired.

The Chinese hadn’t met two of them for a few years. Still, there was no awkwardness, just lots of reminiscing and jokes. Although at times, the Chinese felt a bit lost as the jokes flew fast and furious. But the care and concern given to the very young Chinese back then as a young and green rookie in the working world, was still evident during lunch that day.



As I reflected on the meeting that night, I realised that it was not just a celebration of friendships that have lasted nearly three decades. It was also a realisation, how race, religion and gender were not part of the equation during all these years.

We shared a yummy meal of nasi padang that day before proceeding to kopi and tei (the kopi and tei were regrettable). Before parting, they repeatedly told me to to keep in touch and not to be a stranger.

Four different races, three different religion and two different genders. I felt blessed and fortunate.

Here’s to my friends and more nasi padang in the future.

 

Cardboard nation

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The group of elderly people picking up cardboards is in the limelight. Funny things is, I’m not sure if they are aware that their plight is a hot potato topic with the upcoming General Election. Because to them, their main concern is getting enough money for food and rent.

There has been claims that there is an increase in this group. Again, I’m not sure about this because the poor has always been among us. Perhaps people have suddenly taken more notice of their existence? But I could be wrong.

Recently, I spent a little time with this group of people.

I must clarify- I am in no position to say I understand them and their problems.

But I did come to some conclusions.



Human beings are complex. We listen and wonder why they would refuse to accept a logical solution to their problem. Because we have no vested interest in their situations, no emotions are involved. So it is easy to stay detach and make suggestions. But as someone just commented recently, ‘You are not me. Do not pretend to know you can solve my problems.’

Why would a person in poor health and struggling to get that few pieces of card boxes to make that $2, continue to smoke? Logically, he should stop because smoking makes him ill and it eats into his meager earnings. But when you’re over 70 and probably have been smoking more than half your life, it would be almost impossible to stop.

Why would a person who is staying in a rented flat meant to be shared by 2 persons, refused to do so and would rather bear the full amount? It would make more sense to pay $100 instead of $200 right? Again, this may be due to a human issue. Those who are renting a room or renting out room would understand perhaps. You feel that the place is not yours. So while it doesn’t matter financial sense, it makes emotional sense.

You also wonder why they do not look for other slightly better paid jobs that would give them regular income. For example, a stall assistant? There are certainly plenty of such positions around.

Perhaps they have done this for so long that they much prefer this way of life, even if it is a lot harder.

We all tend to resist and fear change, even more so when you old. Because change is unknown. Change is scary.

In other words, they are all unique cases that probably require different approaches to solve their problems.

But make no mistake, these are a stubborn and resilient bunch. I think the older generation often are. They would prefer to solve the problems themselves than go to the government or social agencies for help. It is embarrassing and a loss of pride for them.

But help they do need- in all the 3 C’s

Cash, care and concern.

Do I think the government should do more to help the poor and the elderly. It’s a resounding YES. If it means having less amenities in my estate so that they can live a little better in my estate, I am perfectly alright.

But policies need time to craft and implement. And even then, some will still fall through the cracks for various reasons.

So perhaps it’s up to us, individuals to chip in.

Sometimes, it makes a world of difference to have someone hold your hand and tell you, ‘It’s ok. You’ve done well. You’re not alone’. And that $50 that you will blow in a single meal would help them in a long way.

I am no angel and I am definitely unable to be there all the time.

But if everyone takes turn and do that little bit. Imagine how much can be done.

In recent months, some people have managed to raise money via crowd funding for all sort of reasons and objectives. Just a dollar, they say.

Well, how about just a dollar for the poor who needs it and maybe an hour of your time once a month?

I think it’s doable right?

If you are interested to pitch in, there are many charity groups that need volunteers. Do check around. But there are 2 informal groups that I follow regularly. A Packet of Rice and Happy People Helping People Foundation.

I live in hope that we will all become a caring nation and not a cardboard nation.

Voting for our future

tei o

Politics and religion are sensitive topics. It can cause friction among friends, family and even couples.

This election has seen more passionate, heated and even fiery discussion.

For the first time since Singapore’s independence, everyone will get to vote. There is no walkover.

For the first time since Singapore’s independence, there are a total of 9 parties and 2 independent candidates.

For the first time since Singapore’s independence, there is no LKY.

Is it any wonder if the election fever is at a all time high?

I am glad that there is so much interest. Not just because there are so many different parties but because Singaporeans care, contrary to the common believe that most are disinterested.

During this period, all parties (yes, including the ruling parties) will be offering everything under the moon. Are they achievable? Or are they illusions? This is something that each and everyone of us who are voting will have to decide.

Ultimately, you vote for the party that speaks the most to you and feel that will offer a better future for yourself and most importantly, your children and your children’s children.

If this passion continues, then I am hopeful and certain that even more credible and capable people will come up in the future to serve and lead Singapore into the future for generations to come.

On 11 September, go to the polls with a clear conviction that the party you are going to vote for is the best for the country.

Old Parliament House

 

Modern fairy tales

tei o 2 Comments

Conversation with my 4 years old niece

Me: What are you cooking?
Niece: I’m a princess.
Me: Oh I see.
Niece: I’m a princess so I don’t cook. (in a very firm tone)
Niece points to a slightly older boy who was playing with her.
Niece: He’s a King.
Boy: ….
Niece: He’s a King so he cooks for the princess.
Boy: ?????

hehehehehe! Now who says children aren’t smart.

National Day- The Pledge

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Every year, the government tries very hard to drum up the patriotic factor around this period. When I start hearing ‘national songs’ on the radio, I know it’s that time of the already. Somehow though, like Xmas celebrations, I get the impression that it seems to start earlier and earlier each year.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got nothing against all these celebrations and I’m rather proud to be a Singaporean but errr… singing patriotic songs and putting on national color clothes like a bit much for me lor.

I did put up the flag on National Day though…at the insistence of my husband…who is not a Singaporean. But more of that later.

This year, the organisers had a brainwave-
Let’s say the pledge together…where ever you may be, together with those thousands of people watching the parade. And say it at 8:22pm.

Hubby thought there was a significance to the time. Like maybe that’s when MM Lee gave that momentous speech that Singapore was officially on it’s own, or when Raffles stepped onto Singapore…anyway, something meaningful. He didn’t believe me when I told he it’s just to time it with the parade programme. Of course, the funny thing was, the pledge wasn’t recited at 8:22pm at the parade. It’s not just because my clock on my cable machine says so. The bells were chiming very loudly (signaling 8:22pm) but they were still singing away. Hmmm…maybe next year, if they want to do it properly, they should just give the cue for the bell to chime when the pledge reciting starts. Strange that nobody reported that the pledge did not start at exactly 8:22pm after all the hype.

Another curious fact.

They (ie, the government) want everyone to recite the pledge but hor…how many of us remember it? Let’s face facts, most of us left school many light years ago and though I remember snippets of it, I honestly do not remember the whole thing. I’m getting old liao. Or maybe that shows I’m not very patriotic or Singaporean enough.

Oops!

Anyway, my point was, why didn’t they print/ post / recite out on radio/ the pledge for all so that those who really, really want to say it, can do so. There are so many media nowadays to do so- post on internet (maybe the P65 blog?) Twitter? Youtube? They can even print it in the newspapers, after all SPH earns huge profit every year, taking out a one page ad to place the pledge shouldn’t be too draining on them. Hubby also received an sms from his hp provider reminding him to say the pledge. But hor…how to say it if you don’t know it?

I just had a brainwave- they can print out into small flyer and put into the postboxes. Then everyone will sure have a copy of the pledge and will not have the excuse that they don’t remember how to say it.

Or is it illegal to print out the pledge? Hmm….

Anyway, one of the reason I noticed so much more about National Day this year is because of my girl. In previous years, there are times when I do not even watch the parade (alright, alright, don’t throw stones at me). I have been involved in it before when I was a student and I really, truely appreciate all the efforts put in by the various participants. Really, but……

However this year was a little different- I had my little girl.

I was quite keen for her to get a feel of it..even though she’s really more interested in nursery rhymes than the National Anthem at the moment. I guess one feels differently when one has family.

And she being the product of 2 different cultures and 2 different races, I…We want her to experience and appreciate both sides. It was the reason why my husband actually dug out the Singapore flag and asked me to put it up.

Which now leads me to the next question on my…our minds. Yeah, yeah… I very ‘cheem’ tonight.

Singapore doesn’t allow dual passports at the moment…but hubby’s country does. If this doesn’t change by the time she’s 18, she will be forced by the SG government to make a decision. Now I know the government’s reasoning was one should make a clear stand so that in times of conflict, one will know what to do.

Besides the fact that this so-call logic doesn’t hold any water, it’s like asking a child to decide if she wants to be with the father or the mother even though both the parents are happily married and together. She is being forced to accept one and reject the other. With so many inter-marriages nowadays (especially with the government actively encouraging foreign talents here), it’s a matter of time before they have to decide on this issue.

Will it be done before she’s 18? Well, there’s 17 more years to go.

Baby M waving her flag. She likes red. ^^

‘Productive’ emails

tei o

After not updating my blog for a such a long time, I was wondering what topic I should touch on. The easy one would of course be about ‘her’ (HRH, my girl), but I think I’d give it a break at the moment. So I thought I’d write something a little more interesting. The following subject may be a little ‘R’ rated, so read on with your own discretion.

My mailboxes (yes, I have several, as per the norm) are swamped with spam mails nowadays…I’m sure it’s the same for everyone. You checked your emails in the morning after one night and they’re flooded with all sorts of spam mails.

The spam mails ranged from trying to sell you some super cheap software to some hot-must-buy-now stocks from I-never-heard-before companies to some lunatics thousands of miles away trying to convince you that they would be most willing to share millions of dollars with you, with no or little strings attached. All you have to do is give them some money first. Yeah…right.

But the number one kind of spam mails are those professing to err… make one productive.

No, no, it’s not work productivity related but I’m sure the government will be equally be pleased with this kind of productivity.

C’mon…you know what I’m referring to.

Those magical stuff that makes a man ‘bigger’ and will therefore make your girlfriend/ mistress/ wife happy. The best part of these mails are….they make it out that it’s really us women who want it, and that’s why the men had to have it. So, really it’s not the men’s fault.

Hmm…..good marketing tactic right?

The men could justify it by saying …”but darling…I did it all for you…I did it to make you happy”

Really? I think I’d probably be happier with a 5 carat diamond ring.

To be fair to the men, there are lots of adverts everywhere touting the miracle ‘it’ for a huge ‘bust up’, so to speak for the women.

The strange thing is…whereas the adverts to bust up the bust are blatantly in the open for women…it isn’t the case for men. And yet…judging by all these spam mails…there must be enough demand. I mean it’s like those hundreds of irritating flyers one gets thrusted in face everywhere…it works…that’s why they continue doing it. At least I’m assuming that’s why I keep getting so many of these spam mails.

Now, I see a business demand here…would one of those beauty palour (that’s doing good business servicing women now) open up such a service for men one of these days?

And if they do, I wonder…would men walk in to receive these beauty enhancements?

^^

Food for thought.