So What's So Special About A City?

What makes a city special? If you cut to the chase, it's just buildings, and vehicles, and people concentrated into one tiny area. Between Bangkok, KL, Singapore, or hundreds of other places in the world, there's not much difference, is there? 

For me, it's the people and the memories of shared experience that we try to immortalize through pictures, or sometimes video. Scenery, architecture, art... even camwhoring or food pics. And when we are looking at the pictures afterwards, to me, it's not how nice we look, I am remembering that special moment in time, and the story that the picture tells. What the city is, is the backdrop for story. The stage where we, the actors play on. 

It's not Hong Kong, it's 3 people going shop to shop, buying one bowl of wanton noodles at every one, to share so we can figure out which is the nicest one on the block. 

It's not Yangon, it's crazy buses with living, breathing street directories, and that story about the butterfly tattoo.

It's not Penang, it's competing to see who gets the better flower picture, and an amazing scooter trip. 

It's not Bangkok, it's the most amazing stewed pork, crazy dancing, conversations, and incredible connections in the most unlikely place. 

The list goes on. 

So thank you, you who made the cities that I have been to special. Cities are special because you made them so, and I am grateful for all the stories. 

There Was A Time...

There was a time when the leaders of Singapore were clear about what their job was, and the words of the pledge meant something to them.

There was a time, when from the people, by the people, for the people means that the elected leaders also have the responsibility that comes with the power of leadership, and it was a burden as much as it was a privilege.

There was a time, when the words being a leader means someone who stands up for the people he is a leader for. He leads by example, and in return, the people gave loyalty, and privileges to he or she who is the leader. The pirate chief gets double share, the CEO gets a bigger salary package and even the person who fronts the team in class gets extra points for additional responsibility.

The sword of leadership cuts both ways.

Many times, people have said, "Actions speak louder than words." And after the words being spoken during the election, the actions are sadly less than forthcoming.

Public transport in Singapore has been the talk of town for a while now. But frankly, it's just the most recent of a symptom of a worrying trend that has been going on for a while.

I have never asked for much from any government. I ask nothing from it, neither do I give it much credence. Unlike many of my peers who expect the powers that be to coddle and pamper me, and then fault them for everything including the mysterious losing of one sock in the washing machine, all I ask for is simple. Maintain stability and just make sure that the economic playing field is flat.

But that's not happening is it? Because right now, actions seem to be saying, "we're in change. Now suck it up because you have to."

Bullseye

I don't subscribe to most personality tests, but this one hits pretty close to the mark. Do your own test here.

You are striving for a life full of activity and experience and, perhaps even more, an environment where you would be able to forge a close bond with a person who can offer full emotional fulfilment.

You are trying to improve your position and prestige - be it in your life or in your workplace. Things are, at this time, OK - but they could be better. You feel that it is essential that you break down any opposition that could possibly lurk in the shadows. You know that you are quite capable of achieving this set goal because you have to and because it is essential to your self esteem.

Compromise is the name of the game at this time and it is the only way you can avoid being deprived of the love and affection you so rightly deserve -so soften up a little, be flexible.

For whatever the reason, you find it extremely difficult to sustain relationships - that is to sustain them in the manner that you would wish. You are a very gentle sort of person, full of feeling, sensitivity and susceptible to love and affection, looking and longing for a partner with whom you can enjoy 'All things bright and beautiful' - someone with whom you can seek out the more esoteric things of life. But up to now this person has only existed in your imagination. You are very choosy, appreciative, refined and extremely artistic in temperament and it is your hope to seek others who will allow you to form and express your own taste and judgement and who at the same time may assist you in your intellectual or artistic growth.

You really would like to be completely uninhibited - to let your hair down - but you are held back by your sense of logic and rationalilty, since you realise that by simple stupidity you could lose everything - whatever that may be.

The Higher We Climb

I am afraid of heights.

There, I said it. Put me by the side of a building, and I get sweaty palms, my legs start to tremble and I have an overwhelming urge to run away from the vertigo. The same with toe socks and Teletubbies.

And that's the reason why I think I'm gonna go take up skydiving.

I am also terrified of climbing high in life, and then getting arrogant, getting snotty and walk around with a swagger that says that my balls are too big for my pants and my head so large that the DHL can use me for a balloon. Actually come to think of it, I'm not afraid of climbing, I am afraid of becoming arrogant.

So this is a thank you to all those people that keep my head firmly between my shoulders.

My mates that remind me that no matter how high I go, I still look shite in a pink dress.

My family who, in spite of everything that has happened to me so far, still think far better of me than I deserve. I will never be able to pay my dad back for raising me, my mom for making sure I will always have dinner if I want it, and my brother for volunteering to kick the ass of anyone who he hears slandering his big brother.

The people I meet no matter how briefly. I thank you because you teach me something, and that no matter how high I climb, there's always something more for me to learn, and therefore S² (Sit the f*** down and Shut the F*** up) and take notes.

"The higher you climb, the more humble you must be."

One Day

I hope that...

I am Asian by descent, Singaporean by birth, International in outlook.

I am proud of my roots, so much so I can meet people and appreciate their difference.

I am confident enough to acknowledge my inadequacies, and learn from everyone that I meet.

I am loud enough to get an echo from another person's soul.

I listen to the space between words, and hear what someone is trying to say, not the words he is speaking.

I am attractive, not handsome.

I am wealthy, AND rich.

I have knowledge, and wisdom enough to use it.

Oh and I reckon I'll get married by 75. If I believe I am mature enough for marriage.