While Star Wars: The Force Awakens will not be in theatres for another 3 weeks, Google is happily getting us into the mood with this awesome easter egg.
Simply google “A long time ago in a galaxy far far away”, and sit back and watch the search results scroll by.
The Singapore General Elections on 11 September 2015 will be a very interesting one to watch, as we will see if the Worker’s Party, who last scored a GRC in 2011, can continue consolidating as they bid to successfully defend Aljunied, and perhaps take on 1 or 2 more GRCs.
I think we can all agree that after the shock of Aljunied 2011, the still majority PAP has indeed made a number of changes and has appeared to be more open to listening and acting on feedback from the ground.
The thing we need to understand about tweaking of national policies is that we don’t see an immediate change, but that change occurs over a number of years. Transport is an evergreen issue, but one that will take years to solve, given we almost need an overhaul on maintenance of the old lines.
So, even if WP doesn’t seem to do anything in Parliament sessions (they realistically cannot effect any changes right now anyway), (I believe) their very presence has impacted how the PAP led government makes decisions.
Let’s put aside the other opposition parties only because we all know their only contribution to the elections would be to provide the lulz.
I will put forth the following statements as assumptions of the nation at large (feel free to refute):
1) We acknowledge that there are issues facing us, that we would like to change, or at least have the government acknowledge and start thinking about
2) The Government has done more since 2011 (PG Card, Medishield Life, Housing and Transport), but there’s always more that can be done, or even communicated to the public
3) These changes came about in part as a defensive maneuver to win back voters as a direct result of more WP presence in Parliament
4) We still believe in the PAP led government to be capable and innovative, but perhaps they just require a little bit of motivation to show a softer, more people-led policies as opposed to policies favouring economic growth at all costs
If we all believe the 4 statements above to be true, then in this election, as a nation, we should work to still keep the PAP in power, but maybe cut their numbers a little, to keep their arrogance in check. This also gives the elected opposition members of Parliament more training ground and time to learn and grow into their roles more effectively, since the PAP is so fond of saying only they are qualified to lead.
is it safe to order isotretinoin online So, how should this work?
Nobody wants a complete overhaul and place the government in the hands of people who in truth have no real experience governing a nation. But we all want the PAP to know and feel our displeasure, and give them the motivation to start implementing more humane policies.
Worker’s Party will be contesting 28 seats in the upcoming elections, out of 89. If they win all of them, this will give them a 25% representation in Parliament. Not the majority, but certainly enough to be effectively heard and counted for.
Suppose we endeavor to let them all win the seats they are contesting, and spin “Opposition Unity” (a statement all other parties are so fond of bandying about) to signify that as a unit, they should where to buy dapoxetine in dubai all bow out for the greater good, and let the rest of us Singaporeans have the peace of mind that where the opposition gets elected, we wouldn’t be represented by a bunch of people who cannot articulate our issues better than ourselves.
So in summary:
Any other opposition contested wards, vote PAP. Any wards contested by WP, you can vote WP with the confidence of not toppling current regime.
Because let’s face it. In terms of quality, talent, experience and organisation within the Opposition parties, they are all lagging far behind.
I see nothing but a win for all:
1) PAP has more competition in Parliament and will have to come up with more innovative policies to win back the voters’ confidence
2) WP gets to consolidate more, and widen their experience of running GRCs, and have more voices to debate policies with
3) We still get the sideshow entertainment from other parties
Win-Win.
Also, since you’ve managed to read all the way to the end of the post, here’s a picture of an enterprising beggar.
By turning it into a fun and competitive poll, he’s definitely raking it in, compared to your run of the mill beggars. Seems like a heads-up between the agnostics and the atheists.
Attention all Pluto Flyby watchers, we finally have Hydra (Pluto’s smallest moon) in our sights. It’s still looking like an 8-bit moon, but this is currently the best view of it so far.
Not much to look at now, but we’ll have clearer images coming in as New Horizons flies past Pluto and farther out to its moons. Since Hydra’s discovery in 2005, it has only been known as a fuzzy dot of uncertain shape, size and reflectivity.
Well, at least it has upgraded from a fuzzy dot to a fuzzy blob! We also now know that it is 28 miles wide by 19 miles long. So there! You can’t hide from us anymore, Hydra!
In a hugely impressive journey spanning almost 10 years (New Horizons launched 19 January 2006!), and 5 billion kilometers later, we’re finally going to be able to find out a lot more about this mysterious dwarf planet.
We’ve since had confirmation from New Horizons that everything is working as it should, and we should be receiving packets of information it amassed during the flyby.
Really exciting. Some of the things the mission hopes to find out from this endeavor are:
Of course, Pluto, having already anticipated this visit, put out this huge heart of welcome to Earthlings, as seen in the header image.
Did you know, despite it’s small size, Pluto has 5 moons circling it; Charon, Nix, Hydra, Kerberos and Styx.
Here we see Pluto and it’s main man, Charon.
Oli took his first overseas trip as he turned 6 months, after furious research into possible destinations that:
1) wouldn’t be too long of a flight time
2) is relatively child friendly
3) can allow us to have a relaxed itinerary
4) all of us can enjoy
We settled for New South Wales, specifically Hunter Valley and Sydney.
Despite the anomaly of a storm that hit NSW the week before we were there, things worked pretty much most of the time, and we weren’t affected by any road closures or damages to work around. In the end, we chose a combination of a relaxing Hunter Valley Alpaca Farm to be the first leg of the trip, followed by a whirl of Sydney City.
Off we go!
First off, a little shout out to Starline Alpacas for the wonderful little hut. It was a lovely, peaceful and sprawling farm (we got lost in the farm looking for our hut the first night as we drove down the darkness). The 200 alpaca (yeap!) farm also included the token sheep, some pigs, ducks and an amazing view as you can see for yourself! Fair warning though, Alpacas totally will spit at you!
Since this was Oli’s first trip, naturally, his overzealous parents took mostly pictures of him looking at things:
Oli looking at Kangaroo
Oli looking at goats
Oli being looked at by Alpacas
Oli looking at Seagulls
Oli looking at a boat
Oli looking at Alcohol
Oli looking unimpressed
Oli looking at Coffee
Oli looking at the wrong side of the scenery
Oli looking at the harbour
Oli looking like Mummy!
Oli looking at Daddy
Oli looking worried
Oli sporting the overturned cap, looking like it’s 1996
All in, it was a fun and relaxing trip. Most importantly, it made us realise that we totally can bring Oli out to see the world, and enjoy the process of it!
Parenting +10!
Now to plan our next destination…
We’re addicted to holidays!
The past week represented a turning point in the Singapore landscape. The passing of our founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, shook a nation, and prompted us all, a nation of grumbling complainers, to become markedly more patient, tolerant and downright kind in waiting in line to pay our final respects to the man to undoubtedly brought Singapore to where it is today.
Although Singapore is not without its own set of problems today, they are for today’s leaders to solve. He had to do what he did in order to ensure the survival of Singapore, then in a very precarious situation from the merger and subsequent separation from Malaysia.
While watching the live funeral procession on Sunday, and the subsequent interviews with foreign dignitaries, I came across this clip with the King of Bhutan, who recounted his experience with Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. When he asked Mr. Lee for advice, LKY told him, Ït’s not how you begin the journey, it’s how you end it.”
Elsewhere on the internet, we find text everywhere espousing about the journey, and not worrying about the end. We’d hear advice saying “it’s all about the journey”, and I just thought it interesting how 2 very contradicting pieces of advice this was, and if there was an underlying philosophy, or which types of people sat on which side of the fence.
My take is that leaders would take on the former philosophy of the ends justifies the means, and that it’s how you end the journey that counts, while followers prefer to take on the scenery and enjoy the ride, because at the end of the journey, they actually have nothing to show for. (This might probably be why I see a lot more of “enjoy the ride” types of advice, because let’s face it, there are infinitely more followers than leaders in the world)
Let’s see how Mr. Lee lived his advice to the King of Bhutan.
The Beginning
He co-founded the PAP in 1954, and first won the Tanjong Pagar seat in 1955. In the 1959 National Elections, the PAP won 43 out of 51 seats, making him the first Prime Minister of Singapore. This was a time of chaos, a time of rebuilding after WWII, and definitely a time of uncertainty across the world.
He’d also led the meger and subsequent separation from Malaysia from 1963 – 1965. Post independence in 1965 was another huge test for LKY’s cabinet, in a bid to show the world that we can stand up on our own, and be accounted for in the world, that we’re not just making up the numbers on Earth.
The End
By the time he’d left us on 23 Mar, 2015, we’ve become arguably the most successful nation in Southeast Asia in economic terms, have world renowned land, sea and air infrastructures, and have even “won” the not-sure-if-i’m-proud-of-it title of world’s most expensive city.
He’s built up a nation that is now attracting huge foreign investments, and which often acts as a hub into the rest of Asia.
He’s left his family with an abundance of wealth and opened doors that will pave the path for future successes downstream.
So yes, it’s not how you begin the journey, but how you end it. And that’s the mark of a true and impactful leader.
“His journey, his physical manifestation may have ended, but I think his legacy will live on forever”: Bhutan King His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who was at Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s State Funeral Service today. cna.asia/lkystatefuneral
Posted by Channel NewsAsia Singapore on Sunday, March 29, 2015
2014 marked the start of an entirely new phase in our lives, where we added parenthood to the CV of Life. To tell that story, we first have to go back to February of 2014, when we took a short getaway to Margaret River in Australia.
It was a wonderful, stress-free, thoroughly enjoyable vacation where we ate, drank and generally had lots of idle time to explore the wonderful sights and sounds Margaret River had to offer. You could say it was a farmtastic stay.
Our accommodation of choice was this lovely little farm called Margaret River Hideaway, where we had a cosy little cottage all to ourselves. With Margaret River town just 3km away, driving to and from the farm was a cinch!
Some pictures from the trip:
The. Best. Meal. Ever.
Little did we know, that when we came back from Margaret River, we would bring back more than bellies full of wine! We got pregnant!
Never been happier to hold up a stick of pee
Do I look fat in these?
Since then, it’s been a roller coaster ride of gynae visits, freaking out over our pending parenthood, gushing over our pending parenthood, and watching as many movies as we could before he popped.
Then came the day, 28 Oct 2014.
Seeing him for the first time in the flesh was just the most amazing moment. And although it’s only been 10 weeks, his every movement and growth over this short period of time is nothing short of mesmerising to watch and be a part of.
New dads to be: Be as involved and as helpful as you can be, both for yourself and your wife. Feeding, bathing, diaper changing, cooing, rocking him to sleep… you don’t wanna miss out on any of these moments.
So we’re now a trio! And I can’t wait to do more as a trio!
3’s not a crowd la!
I celebrated Father’s Day on the 28th October, 2014, as we welcomed our little bundle of joy, Oliver, into this world.
Even penning this down, two weeks into parenthood, I’m still awed with a flood of emotions, ranging from elation, bliss, fear of being responsible for an entire human being, pride, and of course relief at discovering that hey, I too can wrap a mean swaddle.
Exhibit A – A Mean Swaddle
It’s a whole new phase involving lots of sleepless nights, tired bodies, and yet, it’s something that enriches me more than anything I’ve done till date. Watching his every emotion and facial expression as he sleeps, is more exciting than X-Men: Days of Future Past!
Feeding him, changing his nappies (incidentally, this naughty boy constantly poops when we are changing him), and then patting him to sleep has become a routine, and even though it’s been less than two weeks, I feel myself improving exponentially and getting much better at handling him. It’s like I’m living Edge of Tomorrow, PG version.
Feed. Sleep. Repeat
It’s been a thoroughly exciting ride so far, and we’re only two weeks in! Stay tuned for more updates!