Are We Still a Nation of Giving ?

The current economic crisis has hit us most where it hurts, our pocket. When we go back home today, many of us who are not blessed with an iron rice bowl, worries if we were to receive the dreaded call in the morning from our bosses telling us not to come to work the following day and to take an extended no pay leave. We also wonder if we were to come to work the next day to find that the office doors leading to our office were suddenly locked unceremoniously with a just a piece of paper pasted on the door serving as a notice informing us that the company is closed till further notice. The only sign of activity is a security guard standing outside the locked door telling us to go back home. This may not be a possible occurrence a few years back but is now a definite possibility in the current economic downturn. Every industries are affected. From sales to manufacturing, from service to banking. All of us are not sheltered by possibility of retrenchment as company downsized or just seized to operate.

Singapore has enjoyed several years of stable growth since independence. Even during the 1997 economic crises which hits Asia and the SARS outbreak thereafter, Singapore has never truly been hit by an economic downturn which hit us at such a scale. As we all look towards our able government hoping that they will steer us clear from recession, I cannot help but wonder what of the poorest of poor that is amongst us. Let us faced it, Singapore maybe a 1st world country and a highly industrialised one, but we still have a small percentage living amongst us that scrapes through the day from the donation and alms of others. The only difference between Singapore and our neighbours is that our poor are not that visible.

When I travelled in our neighbouring countries, the poor are a highly visible lots, begging for the mercy of others on the streets, going from cars to cars and tables to tables asking for scraps of food or small change, in Singapore however, we can hardly see just activities here. But does that mean we are without any?

In spite of the blanket of gloom which has grown to enshroud the current economic climate, most of us are not doing that badly, despite the downturn. Many of us still have our jobs. Many still have our paychecks at the end of every month. Singaporeans are still going for holidays and spending during festive seasons, so it is not all bad news for us.

However do we start to stinge in giving? Singaporeans may be known to be snobbish lots and been accused of being inconsiderate to her neighbours in more than one occasions, but one thing that we are never known to be are 'stingy lots'. I made this observation when I was at the bus terminal waiting for my friend. An old Chinese auntie made her living by selling tissue papers to passerbys. A passerby, in long sleeve and pants approached her and bought her tissue papers which were sold at a dollar for five packers. The gentleman paid her $5 dollars, took a packet of tissue and walked off without even waiting for his change. A few minutes later, another lady came by gave her $2 dollars and walked off without even taking any tissue paper.

I supposed in this dire time, I am glad to know that Singaporeans are not tightening their purse when it comes to giving. We may cut back on our other expenses and enjoyment, but we still do not forget the needs of others who are worst off than us. For those of us who are in the able, the current hardship that we are facing is but a temporary situation that will be with us for a year or two hopefully, we still can afford all the simple luxury in life, but for those that are not, such as the tissue paper auntie, their hardship is with them long before us and will be with them long after.

I applaud those that are able to give up a few dollars for others who need it more than they do. And I hope more of us will not tighten our purse just because the economy is bleak.

Do It Yourself - The IKEA Way

I must say, that I am quite an avid supporter of IKEA's products. Almost all the furniture in my house will bear the IKEA logo one way or another. Though some of the furniture, unfortunately are not long lasting and up being expired early that I would have like it but the feeling of having the freedom to fix up your own furniture to make it a masterpiece that you can proudly say, "Hei I make that! " is priceless.

Some of my relatives would disagree with me though and assiciated IKEA products with the acroynms "Buy and Throw Away". But nevertheless, there are still some of the furniture which have been faithfully serving my needs for almost half a decade now.

But with the economy meltdown, all industries are looking at ways and means to diversify their products and to create a niche at the global market. They will need to be innovative in the way they run their business and market their products. Just recently IKEA has announced plans that they will be diversify their product lines not only to include furniture and households but ........... hold your breath........ automobile.

And to assure the public how easy it is to assemble your own car, they have the first 'Do-IT-Yourself" car already prepared and ready to be in the shelf at a IKEA warehouse near to you. You do not believe me.. see for yourself.

and to assure buyers out there that it is as easy as A-B-C the only tool that you will need to fix your own car is an instruction booklet to guide you which part goes where and a simple tool

I cannot wait to see the line up of cars available for purchase in the 2010 catalogue. Hopefully there is a convertible somewhere in there.

What Will I Defend?

What will I defend? That is a question that has been in the minds of many Singaporeans recently since the adverts were played on the mass media to commemorate our celebration of Singapore's Total Defence Day. I have not really gave it a serious thought actually, until I saw the speech of Admiral Teo Chee Hean on the Straits Times on 15 February. It makes me wonder then, if the question was posed to me what would be my answer then.

I agree with Admiral Teo that the question "What will you defend?" is a deeply personal one that can be answered only after some long reflection. The answers on the streets may differs from one individual to the other. Some may say that they will defend their family and friends, or their way of living. Others may say they will defend their beliefs or personal effects that they hold dear to. There are also others that holds importance to a place such as their home or structures or places where they had fond memories of. The answers may be poignant and personal, sweet and simple, spirited and spontaneous, or considered and conceptual. But whatever the answer, it is unique to the individual, and it may evolve as the person goes through life. There are no right or wrong answers as each answers reflects on the personal beliefs and upbringing and how the community that they live in has influences their life.

Who is to say that your answers is wrong and mine is right. When the advertisement was run, I supposed it was with the intention of the government to make Singaporeans think of how they will react when the bugle is sounded for Singapore's freedom and way of living to be defended. We have lived in a relatively peaceful environment since having gained independence. The last major war that we were in had left a deep scar in the life on many older generations, even after the Japanese occupation we see other conflicts such as the Indonesian Confrontation and the insurgence of communism but we have managed to pull through those tumultuous period by sheer luck and ingenuity and able leadership. But having said that, generation of mine and after have never experienced those periods and we cannot truly appreciate what our leaders and our forefathers have had to go through. We do not really appreciate the hardship of Japanese occupation and having to live in a period of constant air raids and under the mercy of Japanese army's bonnet. We never had to live in a period where the ugly heads of Communism and Communalism weaved through the community and threatened the very fabric of social cohesion.

We do not have to live in the days and nights where the constant threats of riots and strikes are ever present by those that held ideologies so different to ours. The only knowledge that I have of those eras long gone and so far away from the minds of many are from the video footage in the national archives and the books and memoirs of our leaders and elders that have actually lived through the periods. I am of the Generation X. I lived in a period where Singapore had gained independence for many years and our economy are fast growing. I lived in the era of Internet superhighway and globalisation where our national boundaries reaches to the limit of how far our jets could bring us. I have never heard the sound of mortars or explosion and the only time that I heard the air raids siren being sounded was once every month when the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) tested the air raids siren in the first day of every month at the strike of 12 noon. Even then, those sirens testing and the public announcements that we ought to listen to had gone unnoticed to me. We all lived in a pampered and protected environment where the thought of national sovereignty being threatened and jeopardise by governments thousands of miles away or elements from within, of individuals with questionable ideology have never really caused us to loose any sleep. Those are events that my generations and I sadly have never really considered.

We all have the thinking that our national defence mechanism will be responsible for protecting us should the threats really emerges. Sadly these are the thinking of many of people of my age. So what will I defend? Will I defend my family, my house, my friends, my way of living, my personal effects or my nation? That is a question that I cannot truly answer until I am confronted with the situation. I do not want to sound a hypocrite and announce to the world that I will protect my country when the call to arms is raised. But does that make me less nationalistic or patriotic? I do not think so.

There is no means testing or mathematical measurement to measure one's true affiliation and affection to the country. The feeling is intrinsic and unmeasurable. I supposed it is the feeling that I have whenever I am back in Singapore after being away. It is the feeling of how I always want to be known as a Singaporean and proud of it when I am at the streets of a another country and being asked by the streets vendors where I am from, at the risk of loosing a good bargain. But nevertheless it is the unexplained feeling that being a Singaporean is something that I am proud of. I supposed if you were to ask me what will I defend, then the answer that I could give with conviction is 'Being called a Singaporean'.

pictures from : Reuters Pictures, www.daylife.com/photo/04TH13A58baYU.

What's with the 'Mushiness' on Feb 14?

What is with Valentine's day, I still do not understand. My friends were asking me on the eve 0f Valentine's Day what my plans were for the 'V' Day. I just answered them, stay at home and catch up with my reading. They each either gave me a bemused look or gave me the impression that I am the most unromantic fellow ever to walk on the face of the earth. I am maybe one of those dying breed that do not and could not really appreciate the relevancy of significance of Valentines Day to even give it a damn. And seriously looking at all my other colleagues straight or otherwise that went heads over heels to plan and execute the most romantic Valentine's Day, I am left to ponder why even bother. Why do u really have to specifically plan something so special on one day of the year for that special ones of yours when you have 364 other days to do that?

To add insult to injury even my gay friends have plans for Valentine's day. A closeted gay friend of mine who I got to know of his sexual preference by chance confided with me that his boyfriend had planned for a romantic dinner in a restaurant at a hotel. And the only question that I had for him was "Dude, two guys in a romantic restaurant at a hotel during Valentine's Day, everyone will know that you guys are gays !!" For a moment he was dumbfounded by the directness of my remarks but the next thing that he did was to call his boyfriend and beg for the dinner to be cancelled. Well shoot me if I break Cupid's arrow but who cares.

I can only imagine the number of roses that had been cannibalised on 14 February only to end up in the dustbin, all withered and frail the following day. I can also only imagine the number of holes that were burnt 'mostly on the guys' and the new strands of grey hairs emerging to think and plan for that romantic night.

A girl friend of mine was telling me how she had hinted to her boyfriend how she loves to have a LV bag for Valentine's day. My only thought was "What a Bitch?' I am just glad she is not my girlfriend else I would have dumped her a long time ago. My heart goes to the poor soul that called himself her boyfriend.

I however could not helped it but to drag myself out of bed on Valentine's day and joined a friend of mine for dinner. Like me, he to does not celebrate Valentine's Day but his unlike me was not out of choice but more of circumstances as he had just broke out with his girlfriend of 5 years. My Valentine's Day, believe it or not end up to me a day of listening where I had to endure half a night of listening to his heart felt sorrow and stories. 'Yucks' how glad I am not to be in any relationship.

My friend was telling me how I could not really appreciate the true meaning and significance of Valentine's Day until I am in a relationship myself, but looking at all the emotional baggage and complication that comes with it, I think I would gladly passed it off in a heartbeat. Life as it is is already so complicated, why do you have to add to it?

As I walked around Clarke Quay making my way through crowds of couples, gays and straights, I could not helped but wonder, so what will tomorrow brings? Will their emotional ties and feelings be further strengthened after tonight when dawn breaks?

I think people who merely greet their loved ones with "I Love YOU"s the whole year through are more sincere than any chocolates or flowers or diamond rings can be. I guess I'm too unromantic to even bother about all these so I'm being sour grapes. Valentine's Day is over-commercialised these days and I think St Valentine himself is turning in his grave knowing what a mockery a celebration in his name has turned out to be.

Why Men Don't Have Advice Column

To Adrian 's Advice Column

Dear Adrian,

I hope you can help me here. The other day, I set off for work leaving my husband in the house watching the TV as usual. I hadn't driven more than a mile down the road when the engine conked out and the car shuddered to a halt. I walked back home to get my husband's help. When I got home I couldn't believe my eyes. He was in the bedroom with the neighbour's daughter. I am 32, my husband is 34, and the neighbour's daughter is 22. We have been married for 10 years.

When I confronted him, he broke down and admitted they had been having an affair for 6 months. I told him to stop or I would leave him. He was let go from his job six months ago and he says he has been feeling increasingly depressed & worthless. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. He won't go to counseling and I'm afraid I can't get through to him anymore. Can you please help?

Sincerely

Heather
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Dear Heather

A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the vacuum pipes and hoses on the intake manifold and also check all grounding wires. If none of these approaches solve the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the injectors.
I hope this helps,

Adrian

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I supposed that is the reason why man do not have any advice column of relationship. Ask men about anything other than relationship, how to fix a car and make your old beatles runs like a Subaru WRX, we will give you all kinds of tips on how to prep up your car and install all the latest gadgets that will make heads turn. Ask us about computer repair or the best way to fix your broken pipes. Ask us how to mend your roof or the best method to get your car shines and we will be able to give you thousands and one tips to get around it. You can ask us anything on how to fix things but relationship is never one of them.

The whimsical premise of Men Are From Mars is that many years ago, all men lived on Mars, and all women lived on Venus. Once they got together, they respected and enjoyed their differences--until one day when everybody woke up completely forgetting that they had once come from different planets. And ever since, men mistakenly expect women to think and communicate and react the way men do, and women expect men to think and communicate and react the way women do. These unrealistic expectations cause frustration. But when we understand the God-given differences between male and female, we have more realistic expectations of the other sex, and our frustration level drops. I never truly understand how the saying comes about but I am able to truly appreciate the vast difference that both the sexes have in terms of thinking.

I remembered having a discussion with a lady colleague of mine about a work related problem, for me I am more keen in getting the problem fix and move on, but for her, she would is more concern about how the problem affects morale and why it happen in the first place. I supposed it is this difference that makes our life more challenging and interesting.