December 2011

The year is coming to an end. Shall we start reflecting on what has been done in 2011?

Take a pen and paper and write down your answers for the following questions.

1. What have you achieved in 2011?
2. Are there stuff you did that you regretted or wished that you did it another way?
3. What are they?
4. Sum up 2011 in three words.

Take a look at your answers. Think about it. Will 2012 be a better year? It's definitely a yes if you asked me. I always believe in starting the year positively.

Now answer the following questions:-

1. What do you wish to achieve in 2012?
2. What do you think 2012 holds for you?

My wishes for 2012 is simple but hard to achieve. I wanna be one who never judges, have a ready smile for everyone, a listening ear for all who cares to share and an open heart to help anyone who needs help. Sounds simple? Give it a try. Live life a little and enjoy a little. :)))

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Are You Thankful?

I am.

I am thankful every morning when I wake up. Thankful that I get to see my girl's beautiful face.

I'm thankful when I have food on my plate, when I have gatherings with friends and that I make new friends at gatherings.

Life has taught me to be grateful and thankful for everything.:))

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What If....

Have you ever wondered what life would have been like if you chose to do things another way?

I always wondered what life would be like if I did not have Larissa.

I'd probably be living a meaningless life. I'd probably still be clubbing every night, wasting my life away getting drunk and being hung over the next day.

Yes, I was an alcoholic and I dabbled in illegal stuff. Life was all about getting high and not having to think about it at all.

I never thought that a baby can tie me down so much. It feels like she is all to me and without her, I'm nothing.

I stopped clubbing after I had her and somehow, I think her not being able to sleep throughout the night is god's way of keeping me grounded. Though I still meet friends for an occasionally drink it two, I make it a point to get home before midnight.

Somehow, I feel that Larissa has inherited all the best of me. She is the most generous kid that I know, she always shares and makes it a point to ask people around her if they want something she's holding onto. If she does snatch something from another kid, all I have to do is to remind her that she needs to share and she will give it up.

I always think of life without her and I admit that I do miss single life but I wouldn't want it another way. I am thankful to have her even though it means that I have to deal with that useless piece of crap she calls daddy.

The only regret I have is actually getting married. I should have just had Larissa without getting married.

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She Loves Her Greens

This is a little odd for a child of her age but Larissa loves her greens and I do mean all kinds of greens. She takes broccoli and even coriander which I doubt any other kids would wanna even touch. Oh, and she loves bean sprouts! Here's a video showing her eating broccoli.

Cleaning Up My Life

I have finally decided to clean up my life a little.

I'm starting with my MSN Messenger, Facebook and finally Skype.

Setting up a new MSN email address and this time I'm adding only friends I keep in contact often. I will try to deactivate my current email account or I will simply not log in at all.

Deleting people off my Facebook account as well and keeping only people I really know and shared a part of my life with. Changing the email account linked to my Facebook and not allowing people to search for me so that it be easy to add me unless I added them.

Deleting all my contacts on Skype and not logging in anymore since I don't really have much use for it.

Deactivating all the emails accounts that I have and don't use often.

I am considering making this blog a private one as well. Its about time to keep my life to myself. :)

Never Say I Love You

Never say I love you.....
if you don't really care
Never talk about feelings.....
if you they aren't really there
Never hold my hand......
if you're going to break my heart
Never say you're going to.....
if you don't plan to start
Never look me in the eye....
if all you do is lie
Never say hello....
if you really mean goodbye
if you really mean forever......
then say you'll try
Never say forever......
'cuz forever makes me cry

Reason why I don't say the three words easily. I won't say the three words until I am sure and when I do, please don't break my heart... 

Our Feisty Princess - Charmaine Lim 14 July 2005 - 21 Oct 2011

I'm not sure how many people still remember Charmaine Lim. Her story was featured on The Newpaper sometime in 2009.

Her name is Charmaine, the feisty little girl who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma - a malignant tumor that develops from nerve tissue - when she was only 4 years old. Her mom, Cynthia, refused to give up despite being told that she had only 10% chance at recovery and she refuses to let Charmaine stick to the conventional treatment of chemotherapy which would mean that Charmaine will have to be confined in her home. She wanted Charmaine to have a normal childhood just like any other kid. She seeked the latest medical breakthrough, the latest treatment for Charmaine which brought them to the States.

I read about Charmaine when I was still pregnant with Larissa, before I became a mom. At that point of time, I simply did not understand what Cynthia was doing. To me then, I did not understand why she was doing what she did Charmaine was just one of the millions of children who suffered from the illness and she is lucky that there are so many people who cared about her, enough to start a blog for her and raise funds for her treatments.

It was only recently that I started reading the blog again. As I read through Cynthia's blog posts, I could feel her pain, the pain of a mother whose child is suffering. I teared when reading her blog and as I looked at Larissa who is so innocent and so beautiful to me, I really felt the immense pain that Cynthia must have gone through. No mom would wanna see her baby, the tiny one we carried in our arms have to go through such pain. If this had happened to Larissa, I would pray every single day that god let me take her place, let me be the one to suffer.I finally understood why Cynthia did all that. A mom should never take no for an answer. Even when the doctors at KKH were very grim, Cynthia managed to find one doctor who agreed to treat Charmaine and helped her seek the help of doctors in the US. 

Sadly, Charmaine left her mom in the wee hours on 21st Oct 2011. After 3 years of a long hard battle with the cancer, it spread all over and as her mom described, you can literally see the tumors popping up all over and they left her with wounds that bled so much. She has left this world for a better place, one which she can be happy and free from suffering....

What Are Words

A song that I want to share with everyone. This song is sang by Chris Medina, one of the contestants of America Idol. Its about his fiance, who met with a car accident just 2 months before their wedding and suffered serious head trauma. Although it was before they got married, Chris decided that he will stay with her and see her through the tough times. I am touched that there is a man like Chris out there. Somehow, it gives us hope that true love still exists... 

H & M

Been wondering whats all the hype around the opening of H&M's store at Somerset. Today is a good day to make a trip to town as my sister in law was having her flea stall at Scape and its been a while since she saw the little one.

Boarded the train and it took me less than 20 mins to get to Somerset. Ahhh...the convenience of staying at Toa Payoh. LOL!

Larissa had a fall just before we boarded the train and the poor girl scraped her knees a little. From then on, it was, "Mommy, bao bao!" all the way.

First stop was to Gong Cha to buy her favourite bubble tea drink before heading over to my sister in law's stall. Larissa. Bubble tea is Larissa's greatest addiction. If you are holding a cup in hand, she will keep hounding you to let her have a sip. I guess its because I had too much bubble tea when I was carrying her. All I craved for was bubble tea! LOL!

We visited her aunt, stopped by for about 30 mins before we headed to H&M.
Before we left the flea, I decided to get a spray on tattoo for Larissa.

The guy who did the spray on commented that Larissa is their youngest customer! LOL!
Its kinda weird to see a queue for a store like H&M. I thought only stores like Louis Vuitton would have a queue. The queue moved very fast though and we were in the store in no time.

There are 3 stories, level 1 and 2 are for the ladies and level 3 for kids and men. I did not bother with level 1 and went straight up to level 3 to look at clothes for Larissa. The first thing that caught Larissa's eyes was a pair of red coloured boots. I let her try it on and she walked around with it for a while before she decided that she don't want it.

I got her a pair of jeans at $17.90 which I thought is pretty cheap. As we walked along, I saw a pair of bright red wellingtons that costs only $29.90! I've always wanted to get a pair for Larissa and I reckon someone from up above heard me. LOL

I also got a pair of intimates and a foldable umbrella for myself. Total damage = $90.00!


Cannot afford to spend like this anymore. Thats why I don't go to town, because I can never resist to splurge on Larissa! Luckily she was with me. If I went there alone and had time to shop, I probably would have bought lots of clothes!

A Letter to My Girl

My darling girl,

You are still learning how to speak and cannot tell mommy your feelings. I can only try my best to understand you and make guesses at what you are trying to say.

Mommy is sorry that I have to leave daddy and bring you along with me. You are still too young to understand but mommy will explain it to you when you grow up one day. Daddy still loves you as much as ever. He just won't have the time to visit you as much cause he will be starting his new family soon.

No matter what happens, mommy will always be here for you. You will be mommy's pride and all I want is the best for you. No matter how tough life gets going, or what obstacles are thrown at me, I will try my best to bring you up as well as I can.

I hope that you can grow up to be humble, selfless and fearless like mommy's idol Mr. Chiam. Do not fear my dear for I am here. We may fall in life but what's important is that we learn how to get up from where we fall. Remember that the scars we gain from life is what makes life memorable.

When you grow older, you will fall in love and may even get your heart broken. Mommy will always be here to be your shoulder to cry on and to wipe away your tears.

Mommy might be very fierce some times but that's only because I want you to learn the right values in life and not have to go through what I have.

You will go through a rebellious stage one day and refuse to love me back but I will always be there. I will be your friend and listening ear when you need one.

Life can get tough sometimes but with you by my side, mommy will never give up. Life is a long journey. Mommy is still learning and we will hold onto each other as we go along.

Always remember that mommy loves you.

Love,
Mommy

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Thoughts

I was thinking whether I should start a new blog to separate my personal life and my views towards politics as you can see, a lot of what I blog is about me and my daughter's life.

After some contemplation, I have decided not to. I will continue blogging as I have been doing. This is in the hope that those who read my blog because of my personal life will get to read about some of the political stuff that I blog and feel strongly about.

I also feel that how I feel about the political scene is shaped by what I go through in life.

Take my divorce for example. It has made me aware of how many women are helpless when it comes to matters like that. Fortunately for myself, I am educated enough to know where to seek and how to seek help. What about the women who are less educated? Who do they go to?

There are many women out there who suffer their "fates" silently because they do not know who to turn to or because they dare not do it. Why? Fear of the unknown. Even I was reluctant to seek a divorce at first because I had gotten used to the routine with my husband. Just 2 years of marriage and I'm already like that, can you imagine those who are married for many years?

That is not our fates. We deserve to be treated humanely. Think about it, can the man accept it if we too had other men beside him? This is no longer a society where the men bring home the bread and we women stayed home to take care of the kids. We too, go out to work and we should be treated equally.

This episode has made me see that there are many others out there who need help and I have decided that I will volunteer myself with the SPP's woman's wing once I settle my problems.

If you are one of the many women who needs help or even just a listening ear, do not hesitate to contact me by email and I will try my best to help you.

In A Blur

Ever felt like everything in your life is in a blur?

I've felt this way for a long long time. Ever since I don't know how long ago, everything in my life seems to just whirl pass me.

Every single day is a routine. I wake up in the mornings, come back home, watch tv, climb into bed hugging my precious girl and repeat the same routine the next day.

Ask me what I did today and I can't really give you an answer because everyday feels the same. Ask me what I did last week and I can tell you I cannot recall.

I feel like I'm on Superwoman mode. Having to play mother to my girl, sister to my sister and daughter to my mom.

I feel so numbed to every single thing in my life. Its like I'm running on auto mode. I haven't really cried after finding out the truth about my husband. Because there is no point in crying.

Friends ask me if I'm alright and I always smile and say I'm doing ok. Because there is no way to feel any other way. Yes, I do feel like running away from it all but what's the good of running? I'll have to face it all one day.

Everyone has been telling me to be strong for my girl but what does it really mean to be strong? Is what I'm doing considered being strong?

For Old Time's Sake

I have deleted the videos of our wedding montage for good. Let the healing begin.

順其自然

我想也許我們這一份感情會出現裂痕我們兩個都有責任。  已經不想再想了， 真的累了。  是時候要學會式著讓生活變得清淡， 對幸福或寂寞順其自然。 大喜大悲的日子已不再適合我了。 一心只想好好的把彤彤帶大。 她的幸福將會是我最大的安慰。 要學會怎樣好好的愛自己， 不願再受傷害， 不要再笨下去了。

有時候一個人也能過得精彩

What Did I Get Myself Into?

It is at times like this, in the mornings while waiting for the train or in the evenings on the way back home that my thoughts start to run wild.

What did I get myself into when I decided to marry him? What was I thinking?

We were together at the lowest point of his life, when he was jobless and was unable to find a job because he was once a drug addict and had been to jail for 3 years. I stuck by him and even helped him pay off his $800 fine for having contraband cigarettes. I did not look down on him and encouraged him to keep trying. Eventually he managed to start a small stall in a dry market and did his own business. Life was tough but we were happy. I worked on weekdays and weekends were spent at his stall helping him man the stall. He did not make big bucks but it was enough for him to get by.

Our relationship started falling apart when his business got better. He was a proud man and always carried lots of money with him. All the profits from the stall in fact. He'd carry the money meant to pay the suppliers and would flaunt his money by taking them all out when making payment.

I'm sure its his way of flaunting his wealth that has made his popular with the girls working in the pubs. They thought he is one rich man when in truth, he can barely support his family. His friend also borrow money from him all the time and he lends it to them even though he hasn't got much coz it makes him look loaded.

Being well off really changes a person huh? Just a little bit of money and he thinks he is rich.

After I left him, he claims that business is getting worse, he is not making money and refuses to provide for our girl. It has been really difficult trying to get my money back from him. His mobile line is in my name and I pay for it every month. He promises to pay me back but its been tough trying to get him to pay. He always finds excuses to not pay me.

He even managed to squander the last 1k of our girl's baby bonus which I wanted to save for her future schooling use. He claims that he lent the money to his friend but who knows the truth? Did I mention that he is a compulsive liar? He lies about every single thing. To his friends, to his family and to me.

He did ask me to stay when I left but being a woman, I know when one is sincere or not. He just asks me to stay because that's what his parents want. The fact is he is not sincere at all! Imagine the whole 3 months that I left and yet he did not make the effort to meet me personally to talk to me. So sincere right? He did not want me to leave only because I am the one who gave him everything and when I leave, everything comes with me. My laptop, his mobile line which is in my name, his branded Coach sling bag that I bought for him and even his iPhone.

He says that I make myself look like the victim when he is the real victim. I do agree that he is a victim, a victime of his flirty ways and of his own pride.

Things between us is now so bad that he has resulted to insulting me, calling me fat and saying that I have fat rolls that puts men off. I am sick, tired and disgusted of this man that I once called my husband.

I got myself into this mess and only I can pull myself out of it. I am where I am today only because I am too soft hearted. I can only blame myself.

The Most Shameless Man of the Century!!

I am removing whatever I posted in this post previously, not because I am afraid of them and definitely not afraid of them going to the police.

Its because of a promise I made, to remove this post after he returns me my iphone. I am one to honor my word. No matter how others hurt me or lie to me, I keep my integrity intact.

Now I know Why...

I told my husband to give me the last $1k of Larissa's baby bonus before I let him recontract a line and he got very upset and scolded me for not trusting him. Now I know the reason why. He has finished the last $1k of Larissa's baby bonus.

I managed to find the website where we can check out when our baby's baby bonus is deposited into our account and how much did we deposit into her CDA account. You can check it out here if you are interested.

I realised that Larissa's baby bonus was deposited into his account in May this year. Guess what was his excuse? That he had lent a couple of hundreds of dollars to his friend and transferred the money using that particular account which Larissa's baby bonus is deposited into and that his friend might have not returned his money into his account as he thought so. So? Its not his fault. It's his friend's fault for not returning the money.

My question is, what kind of friend is that one will steadily lend $1k to? And knowing that he don't have much himself, how could he have easily lent his friend the money? And worse of all, how can one not know when one is transferring money that one does not have? Don't you find that it is all lies?

I intended to deposit all the $1k into Larissa's CDA account which the government will match the amount of deposit and save it for her childcare use. Imagine my horror to find out that the money is gone.

Put yourself in my shoes, do you think that I should continue with a man like that? Yes, I may pity him, I might even recontract his mobile line for him but to be with him? Its definitely a great big no! On a lighter note, I have a little something for all readers of my blog. Look out for my next post!

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One, two, three...ten!

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Angry!!

So effing angry!! That useless piece of crap has been pestering me for the past couple of days to recontract his mobile line and get him a new iPhone.

The problem is, the line is in my name and he hasn't been paying for it! He now owes me more than 300 bucks for his past bills! Though he has promised to pay by installments of $100 weekly, I have left him for almost 2 months and he has only paid me $100!

He complains that his current phone is spoilt and he need a new phone and he wants an iPhone so that he can use it for teetering and can log onto the internet at home.

So, I gave him a choice. I told him to wait for Larissa's baby's bonus. -which is credited into his account- to come into his account and he passes it to me before I get him the new phone. In the meantime, I will lend him a spare phone which he can use. His reply? I am not giving him a choice!

From my point of view, I don't see why he can't wait for the baby bonus to be credited into his account unless he has already received the money and has spent it all. Even if he needs a working iPhone to do the teetering, he can always get a second hand 3gs set right? Also, I am paying for all of Larissa'd expenses now and not asking a single cent from him, I have to think for my baby and myself! How much longer do I have to pay his bills for him??

He laments that I jolly well know that he owes all the telcos money and it's impossible for him to get a line of his own and that his job is earning very little. Yes, of courser I know that but I pity him then who is gonna pity me? I have a baby to feed! The expenses will only keep more and more! Sighs....

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Its Finally The End

He complained that I did not give him a chance.

In fact, I did. These time that I was away, I wanted to see what he would do. I know that is a man wants you back, he'd do everything within his means. A man who shows that he will change will wait for you by your block, wait for your forgiveness and wait for you to go home.

Him? He has shown me that he cannot give up gambling and drinking. He texts me to tell me he miss me while he is out drinking with his friends. He tells me he has got no money but he is out with his friends. He visits his daughter maybe once or twice a week when his parents bring her home. Seriously, you think this is the way a man shows that he has repented?

Is this the kind of man that a woman would want to stay married to? I don't think so. Come 27th July I will be going to legalaid to seek assistance for our divorce. It's about time to put an end to it.

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The Seventh Day

Today marks the seventh day that my grandma has been gone. We Chinese believes that the spirit of the dead will come back to visit their family for the last time before making their way to where they should go.

I just came back from the temple where her tablet is being placed. The monks there will recite prayers everyday for her for 49 days. I miss her terribly and how I wish that she is still with us.

Anyway, after the prayers, I made my way down to Toa Payoh Central to buy soya milk and soya bean curd, I think thats what its called in English. I remember she used to love it when I was young.

We believe that we should place some of their favourite foods on the table for them when they come back for their last visit. We also believe that they will come back in the form of an insect or animal so we are not allowed to kill any living creature on the seventh day.

Hopefully I will be able to see my grandma tonight and let her know that I really miss her. Sighs...I feel like a part of me had dies along with my grandma. She watched me grow up and took care of me when my mom was busy gambling. Because of this, my palate is somewhat similar to that of my grandma's. I remember her cooking green bean soup for me and making dumplings during the dumpling festival. I am the only one in the family who likes to eat the same food as my grandma.

Tonight, I shall wait up and hope that my grandma pays me a visit.

She's Gone

Barely 2 days after her discharge from the hospital my grandma passed away on Sunday. I was there by her side when she took her last breathe. I was told by my maid that her toenails were turning blue so I felt for her pulse. I called my mom up immediately when I couldn't feel her pulse. She was still breathing though. Minutes later, she took her last breathe....

This Hokkien song tells of how I feel towards my grandma and I cry everytime I listen to it.

Mama, I miss you. Can you please come back? It hurts so much to know that you are no longer with me. Today will be.the last day.and tomorrow you will be cremated. I don't want you to go. You must watch Larissa grow up. Why did you leave me so early??? Mama~~~

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Everyone Will Move On

After moving home for some time, I learnt that I should not worry for him.

He will learn one day, how to get on with his life. I can already see him moving on with his life, making new friends and taking on new hobbies.

I am also moving forward. Making new friends and focusing on my work.

Isn't it amazing how people can heal so quickly?

No matter what happens, the earth never stops spinning and time never pauses. Whatever it is, we should get on with our lives.

Never allow anyone to stop you in your live. Never live your life with any regrets.

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Soulmate

At the stage where I'm at, I don't believe that I will ever find my soulmate.

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My Grandma

My grandma first got admitted into hospital about a month ago after she was vomitting and had diarrhea for 4 days. We thought it was a case of gastroenteritis. She was discharged a week later only to be admitted again two weeks later. This time she complained of constipation and a constant nausea.

A day after she was admitted we were told that there is a large amount of water in her chest cavity and her lungs and they had to drain the fluid. I was told that they managed to drain out 1500 MLS of water. I thought that was all, that she will be well after that and be back to the senile little old lady that she had become after she had dementia.

Yesterday, I was told that cancerous cells has been found in the fluid that was drained from her chest cavity. After all the scans and tests, we were told that its the last stage of cervical cancer and that it has spread tbroughout her body.

We are now giving her palliative care and she is expected to leave anytime. I'm comforted that she has lived to be in her eighties and has lived to see her great grandchild. Now I can only pray that we will get the chance to sat our last goodbyes.

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I Finally Did It

I have moved back to my mom's place. I have finally decides that its enough.

I finally came to realise that he can never change. No matter how harsh or how sweet I am to him, it doesn't matter because he will never change. I have finally snapped. My friend advised that he could be like that because of a psychological problem. How can any one person not feeling any guilt after being caught? Anyway that's all in the past. I'm gonna pick up and move on.

I'm now looking for a childcare for Larissa near my mom's place. After I settle her, I will go to legal aid to settle our divorce.

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One Last Thank You

On the 8th of May, I came down to Potong Pasir to take meet people from Singapore People's Party's Facebook group to walk around the area and take some photographs before the town changes for good.

Soon after, I went to Blk 121 where the Town Council was where we waited for Mr. and Mrs. Chiam.

I really don't know what to type anymore.The sadness is overwhelming. Let the pictures do the talking.

 

I know that it is highly possible that the petition for a by-election will not go through. Just let them try, no harm giving it a try. At least they tried. 

The End of An Era?

I was there at Block 136 Potong Pasir Ave 1 on Saturday night itself when the results were being announced. Although I felt unwell, I felt that I had to go. This is the town of my hero, I want to be there to celebrate his or rather, his wife's win. I already knew that he had lost Bishan-Toa Payoh to Wong Kan Seng, I wanted to be there to show support.

I reached there at about 2.15am, after I have fed my girl and made sure that she will not be up until I'm back. As I was walking towards the coffeeshop, I can see people gathering and the results are being announced. Sadly, Mrs Chiam had lost Potong Pasir to Seetoh by a slight margin of 0.7% which is about 110 votes! The crowd started jeering at Seetoh and then they cheered for Mr Chiam. All you can hear is, "Potong Pasir, Chiam See Tong!"

We waited for the Singapore People's Party to make their way back to Potong Pasir. As they arrived, people crowded around their lorry and cheered for them. Shouts of, "Kelong" can be heard as they do not accept the fact. A man who has done his all for Potong Pasir for 27 years, one cannot believe he would be let down like that.

Mr. Chiam sat in the front passenger seat of the lorry quietly with his daughter while Mrs. Chiam addressed the media and the crowd. I walked to the front and his window was winded down, giving me a chance to shake his hand and I told him my whole family voted for him and we loved him. I couldn't help but start tearing at the moment. He was so quiet, you can feel how heartbroken he was. Even as I'm typing this, tears come to my eyes when I think of what I saw that night. 

Look at the crowd!

The atmosphere was electrifying! Everyone was shouting for Chiam See Tong and Lina Chiam. None of us can believe that they had lost their stronghold of Potong Pasir. After 27 years, is this how they repaid Mr. Chiam for his effort? Sighs. I have friends who live in Potong Pasir and she asked me why should she vote for Potong Pasir when the place is so run down and that there is no facilities. I guess the carrot dangled to Potong Pasir has finally worked. However, I proceeded to explain to her what Mr. Chiam has done for Potong Pasir and the obstacles that he met. Another apathetic youth who only cares for upgrading. Sighs. 

A Potong Pasir resident, Vas, decided that she is not going to take this without a fight and decided to ask the residents to gather at Blk 108 Potong Pasir on 8th May, 4pm to sign a petition so as to get a by election, a re-vote and so I decided that I will go down on the 8th to support the petition.

I stayed until Mrs.Chiam left at about 4am before making my way home with tears in my eyes. 

Democracy by Langston Huges

Democracy will not come
Today, this year
Nor ever
Through compromise and fear.

I have as much right 
As the other fellow has
To stand
On my two feet 
And own the land.

I tire so of hearing people say, 
Let things take their course.
Tomorrow is another day.
I do not need my freedom when I'm dead.
I cannot live on tomorrow's bread.

Freedom
Is a strong seed
Planted
In a great need.

I live here, too.
I want freedom
Just as you. 

I am a Polling Agent!

Yesterday, I went down to Blk 108 Potong Pasir where we, volunteers for Singapore People's Party, were gathered for a briefing and registration to become Polling Agents for the upcoming General Elections.


This is the void deck where Mr. Chiam See Tong conducts his Meet-The-People sessions. This is my first time stepping into Potong Pasir. Is Potong Pasir a slum? Definitely not!

I also saw for myself, the infamous place where Mr. Chiam held his weekly Meet-the-People sessions

It makes one wonder why is he treated with such prejudice. Especially in a country like Singapore. Isn't our government supposed to be uncorrupted? Then why is he denied the fundings and the chance to build a proper office? They say a picture paints a thousand words, I am no professional photographer but can you feel the pain I feel?

This is where the residents wait for their turn to meet Mr. Chiam

“I make no apologies that the PAP is the Government and the Government is the PAP.”
- Lee Kuan Yew, Petir, 1982




I don't know about you but the above statement makes me feel that they are a big bully, that they are very certain that they are above all. Is this really what democracy is about? Sighs.


Lets end this post on a lighter note.


Singapore People's Party is still on the lookout for more Polling Agents and Counting Agents to join them. Do spread the word to your friends, better still volunteer yourself! There will be 2 shifts, either 8am to 2pm or 2pm to 8pm at a polling both (you can choose which one) on May 7 itself. Please email Chee Peng  with the following details:-


Name (as in NRIC)
NRIC No
Date of issue of NRIC
Mobile Number
E-mail address
Residential Address (to aid assignment of polling agents)


I do hope that this General Election will be the turning point for Singapore. Majulah Singapura!

My Hero - Mr. Chiam See Tong

As the General Election 2011 is just around the corner, I would like to dedicate a post to Mr. Chiam See Tong, Secretary-General to the Singapore People's Party. IMO, he is the unsung hero of Singapore.

1976 – contested unsuccessfully as Independent Candidate at Cairnhill Constituency against Mr. Lim Kim San Minster for National Development and Communications.

1979 – Took part in by-election also as independent candidate at Potong Pasir. Lost to Mr. How Yoong Chong, Minster for Defence designate.

September 1980 – Together with friends formed the Singapore Democratic Party.

December 1980 – Contested unsuccessfully at Potong Pasir. Again lost to Mr. How Yoong Chong, Minister for Defence. Obtained 40% votes.

December 1984 – Contested at Potong Pasir as a SDP Candidate at Potong Pasir. Won with 60% majority vote.

September 1988 – Returned again at Potong Pasir Constituency with 63%. 31.08.1991 – Elected third time to Parliament, Potong Pasir constituency with 69.3% votes casted.

17th of December 1996 – Elected Secretary-General of Singapore People’s Party (SPP).

2nd of January 1997 – Elected fourth time to Parliament, Constituency of Potong Pasir as a Singapore People’s Party (SPP) candidate with 54.3% votes polled

2001 – Elected fifth time to Parliament, Constituency of Potong Pasir as a Singapore People’s Party (SPP) candidate with 54.3% votes polled.

2006 – Elected six time to Parliament, Constituency of Potong Pasir as a Singapore People’s Party (SPP) candidate with 54.3% votes polled.

For 27 years, he has slogged hard to conduct his Meet-the-People session at void decks. He is denied of funds to build a proper place but we can see his determination and dedication from the aluminum sheets used to build his make shift office. Why would a man want to become a MP even though he understands that he has to go through so much, even being denied of funds to do every simple thing? Do you live in a PAP constituency? Have you ever seen the MPs from PAP conduct their Meet-the-People session? Its is done is a air-conditioned office. What a stark difference!

This is Mr. Chiam's office for the past 27 years

This man has been bullied for 27years how much longer are we going to let him get bullied and pushed aside by the people hamming the government of Singapore? This man here is fighting so hard for democracy. 

Have you watch Mr. Chiam See Tong in Parliament?

This was Mr. Chiam asking for Potong Pasir to be included in the upgrading program. Why was Potong Pasir not included in the HIP even when Mr. Chiam agreed that they are in agreement of the program? People of Potong Pasir, Mr. Chiam fought for you but did the Government listen?

Here is Mr. Chiam asking for curbing of the influx of foreigners by a skills shortage list and to cut down on GST. Singapore Government, are you listening or did you fall asleep listening to Mr. Chiam? He is physically weak but he is fighting for us. Singapore can you hear him?

If you are wondering why is his speech slurred, Mr. Chiam has suffered 2 strokes, the last one in 2008. It touches me to tears that a man who has suffered 2 strokes is fighting hard for democracy in Singapore. Is he fighting for fame or money? No, he is fighting because he loves Singapore! Most people at his age would have been retired and should be enjoying life but not Mr. Chiam, not until the day there is true democracy!

This is a letter sent to someone who just moved to Potong Pasir. Which PAP MP do you know does this?

This General Election, Mr. Chiam will be walking out of Potong Pasir, to contest in the Bishan-TPY GRC. He is walking out of his comfort zone and leaving Potong Pasir to his wife, Mrs. Lina Chiam. This is a very big risk for him. He might lose Potong Pasir and Bishan-TPY, and lose his seat as the only one of two Opposition in the Parliament or he could win Bishan-TPY GRC and bring in 4 other Opposition MPs into the Parliament to make the government sit up and listen to what we have to say. 

I have lived in Bishan-TPY all my life and I have NEVER met Mr. Wong Kan Seng, the current MP in charge of my constituency. Its very clear who my vote goes to. Do you live in Bishan-TPY? Who are you voting for?

Lastly, a quote from my hero, 

"When there is life there is hope, when there is hope, there will be change."

Golden Rules for Finding Your Life Partner

On this blog post, I am going to share something which was sent by email from a friend quite some time ago.

Being someone who is in a 'failing' marriage - I call it failing coz we're not divorced for the sake of Larissa - I urge all you out there who is reading my blog to spent some time reading this and thinking it through. Is he or she the one for you? Are you ready to spend the rest of your lives together? Do you see yourselves together?

Golden rules for finding your life partner by Dov Heller, M.A.

When it comes to making the decision about choosing a life partner, no one wants to make a mistake. Yet, with a divorce rate of close to 50%, it appears that many are making serious mistakes in their approach to finding Mr./Miss. Right!

If you ask most couples who are engaged why they're getting married, they'll say: "We're in love"; I believe this is the ..1 mistake people make when they date. Choosing a life partner should never be based on love. Though this may sound "not politically correct", there's a profound truth here.

Love is not the basis for getting married. Rather, love is the result of a good marriage. When the other ingredients are right, then the love will come. Let me say it again: "You can't build a lifetime relationship on love alone"; You need a lot more!!!

Here are five questions you must ask yourself if you're serious about finding and keeping a life partner.

QUESTION 1: Do we share a common life purpose?

Why is this so important? Let me put it this way: If you're married for 20 or 30 years, that's a long time to live with someone. What do you plan to do with each other all that time? Travel, eat and jog together? You need to share something deeper and more meaningful. You need a common life purpose.

Two things can happen in a marriage:
(1) You can grow together, or
(2)you can grow apart. 50% of the people out there are growing apart.

To make a marriage work, you need to know what you want out of life!

Bottom line; marry someone who wants the same thing.

QUESTION 2: Do I feel safe expressing my feelings and thoughts with this person?

This question goes to the core of the quality of your relationship.

Feeling safe means you can communicate openly with this person. The basis of having good communication is trust - i.e. trust that I won't get "punished"; or hurt for expressing my honest thoughts and feelings. A colleague of mine defines an abusive person as someone with whom you feel afraid to express your thoughts and feelings. Be honest with yourself on this one. Make sure you feel emotionally safe with the person you plan to marry.

QUESTION 3: Is he/she a mensch?

A mensch is someone who is a refined and sensitive person. How can you test? Here are some suggestions. Do they work on personal growth on a regular basis? Are they serious about improving themselves? A teacher of mine defines a good person as "someone who is always striving to be good and do the right ";. So ask about your significant other: What do they do with their time? Is this person materialistic? Usually a materialistic person is not someone whose top priority is character refinement.

There are essentially two types of people in the world:

(1) People who are dedicated to personal growth and

(2) people who are dedicated to seeking comfort.
Someone whose goal in life is to be comfortable will put personal comfort ahead of doing the right thing. You need to know that before walking down the aisle.

QUESTION 4: How does he/she treat other people?

The one most important thing that makes any relationship work is the ability to give. By giving, we mean the ability to give another person pleasure.

Ask: Is this someone who enjoys giving pleasure to others or are they wrapped up in themselves and self- absorbed?

To measure this, think about the following: How do they treat people whom they do not have to be nice to, such as waiters, bus boys, taxi drivers, etc.. How do they treat their parents and siblings? Do they have gratitude and appreciation?

If they don't have gratitude for the people who have given them everything; can you do nearly as much for them? You can be sure that someone, who treats others poorly, will eventually treat you poorly as well.

QUESTION 5: Is there anything I'm hoping to change about this person after we're married?

Too many people make the mistake of marrying someone with the intention of trying to "improve"; them after they're married. As a colleague of mine puts it: "You can probably expect someone to change after marriage for the worse" If you cannot fully accept this person the way they are now, then you are not ready to marry them.

In conclusion, dating doesn't have to be difficult and treacherous.

The key is to try leading a little more with your head and less with your heart. It pays to be as objective as possible when you are dating; to be sure to ask questions that will help you get to the key issues. Falling in love is a great feeling, but when you wake up with a ring on your finger, you don't want to find yourself trouble because you didn't do your homework.

Another perspective...

There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance.. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go of or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going anywhere relationships. Observe the relationships around you.

Pay attention...Which ones lift and which ones lean?

Which ones encourage and which ones discourage?

Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill?

When you leave certain people do you feel better or feel worse?

Which ones always have drama or don't really understand, know, or appreciate you?

The more you seek quality, respect, growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you...the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.

An African proverb states, "Before you get married, keep both eyes open, and after you marry, close one eye"; Before you get involved and make a commitment to someone, don't let lust, desperation, immaturity, ignorance, pressure from others or a low self-esteem make you blind to warning signs. Keep your eyes open, and don't fool yourself that you can change someone or that what you see as faults aren't really that important.

Do you bring out the best in each other?

Do you compliment and compromise with each other, or do you compete, compare and control?

What do you bring to the relationship?

Do you bring past relationships, past hurt, past mistrust, past pain?

You can't take someone to the altar to alter them. You can't make someone love you or make someone stay.

If you develop self-esteem, spiritual discernment, and "a life"; you won't find yourself making someone else responsible for your happiness or responsible for your pain. Seeking status, sex, and security are the wrong reasons to be in a relationship.

WHAT KEEPS A RELATIONSHIP STRONG IS:

1. TRUST

2. COMMUNICATION

3. INTIMACY

4. A SENSE OF HUMOR

5. SHARING TASKS

6. SOME GETAWAY TIME WITHOUT BUSINESS OR CHILDREN

7. DAILY EXCHANGES (meal, shared activity, hug, call, touch, notes, etc.)

8. SHARING COMMON GOALS AND INTERESTS

9. GIVING EACH OTHER SPACE TO GROW WITHOUT FEELING INSECURE 10. GIVING EACH OTHER A SENSE OF BELONGING AND ASSURANCES OF COMMITMENT If these qualities are missing, the relationship will erode as resentment Withdrawal, abuse, neglect, and dishonesty; and pain will replace.

We're Going to The Zoo, Zoo, Zoo!

18th April marks the day my ah lao turns 27 and to celebrate this day, I brought him to the Singapore Zoo!

Though Larissa and myself woke up early to prepare for our outing, it was dampened by a morning rain. We had to wait for the rain to stop before we headed out. The rain stopped at only about 10.30am and by the time by ah lao got ready, we only reached the zoo at 1pm.

Here we are, camwhoring in the cab on the way to our destination

Look alike? No?

I didnt really bother to take pictures right in front of the Zoo entrance. Damn malu leh. As if I'm a tourist leh. LOL.

Entrance was $20 per pax for admission and $5 tram rides. Larissa gets free admission as she is below 2. I'm damn stupid, paid $5 extra for the tram rides but I did not get on a single tram ride. I walk the whole journey! LOL!

Oh, and we rented a little cart at $18 for Larissa. Never Ever count on the Zoo for strollers. If you need a stroller in case your baby needs to nap, please bring your own stroller. I was there on a Monday afternoon and they have ran out of strollers already so try to imagine going there on a weekend.

Warning! This is gonna be a photo heavy post! Here goes the photos

The Cotton-Top Tamin - one of the world's most endangered primate species

Giant Turtle

Many giant turtles. heehee...

Larissa watching the turtles. 

Proboscis Monkey

Otters

The Greater Flamingo

White Handed Gibbon. Looks like its wearing a pair of gloves.

Orang Utans

This huge orang utan was lying at the corner of the glass enclosure

Larissa rides the huge turtle

Komodo Dragon

I think this is called the horned lizard

This huge dragon is about 2 meters long. Just seeing one is not scary but imagine having 10 of them coming after you. Do note, they are pretty quick on their feet and the bacteria in their saliva is enough to kill you or at least wound you so badly you can't walk. However, they are now an endangered species and can most be found on Komodo Island.

Cute little Ground Squirrels

The croc in the photo is at least 3 meters long! I wonder why they put the turtle in the enclosure with the croc.  I am very sure I have seen documentries where the croc will eat the turtle. Hmmm...maybe the croc is very well fed?

The Sun Bear

One of the smallest species of bear, it can be recognized by the U-shaped yellow marking on its chest.

Penquin

Manatees

I have previously thought that manatees are small creatures about the size of a medium dog. Never have I thought that they are huge animals! They are about 2 meters in length and very very fat! lol. No wonder they say what is see on TV is always smaller than its real size.

The Asian Elephant

The Asian Elephant is smaller than the African Elephant. You can easily differentiate the elephants by their ears. As you can see above, the Asian elephant has got small ears, the African elephant, on the other hand, has got huge ears like fans like the picture below.

Both elephants, however, are endangered. 

 

A Falabella. 

There are two types of horses on display in the Zoo at the Kidzworld, the pony and the Falabella. The bigger one that I did not take picture of, is the pony, which one will easily mistaken it for a horse. It is about our height and looks like a horse, if you have seen an adult horse before you will know that it is a pony. 

And the one in the above picture, is the Falabella. Very nice name for a horse aye?

Pls pardon my fat body. 

 

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Chimpanzees

After roaming for a while, we walked into this area where the animals are free roaming.

This bird was just right at my feet.

So are these ducks, right at my feet.

Free roaming lemurs!

I don't know what is this called. It was also free roaming and it just sat there. I wanted to touch it but decided not too.

These bats are huge! Their wingspan is at least 50 cm!

The lioness

 When we got to the lions, Larissa fell asleep in her little trolley. As it did not have any support, she almost fell a few times, thus we decided to head home.

As Larissa is still very young, she is unable to understand much of the knowledge I would love to impart to her. I will bring her again when she is older and teach her all that I know.

Last shot at the zoo

 And finally, camwhore shots in the cab on our way home.

One afterthought I had after visiting the zoo is how wonderful it would be if we are able to see these animals in the wild. I feel kinda sad for these animals, if we were able to protect their habitat, they can live in the wild. 

Let do our part to save the environment.