A good meal or a good brain?

I just read an interesting article by Wong Kim Hoh in today's "Lifestyle" section of the Sunday Times. Before people start proclaiming that ST is propaganda material lol... let me just say that the article was a column written by Wong, reflecting on the nuances of social life.

The article talks about how "a growing number of politically correct people who will chew you up and spit you out if you dare say the wrong thing," which reminded me of an incident which occured at the 2902 gallery, where I just blurted "That's stereotyping" to my photography module teacher when she said that computing students were generally better at numbers haha...

Could I be one of those PCP (politically correct politburo/people)?

After reading the article, I realised why some people like to call arts/social sciences graduates "fluff" machines hahaha... I think it's the way some academic papers are written. These papers often use "cheem" jargon and tiptoe around words and ideas rather than just go straight to the point.

The article cites examples such as:
The Blind = Visually Impaired
Mad People = Mentally Challenged
Blackboard = Chalkboard

I personally find it quite tiring to constantly think of politically-correct terms all the time when having a conversation with someone. It's really quite difficult to be on your toes all the time during a conversation without you being mentally drained at the end of it, especially when you just want to have a good meal.

I quote the article:
"Hawk-eyed and sharp-eared, these zealots wait to pounce and censure anyone who exhibits behaviour or uses words that may upset women, ethnic minorities, homosexuals, the disabled, the overweight, the ugly and even the environment."

Being careful in your choice of words and not getting carried away with stereotyping is good, but having to think of every single word to say to someone (just in case it is at odds with their ideals) is just really really tiring.

Sadly, when one encounters a slip of the tongue and says something politically incorrect (without any malice and not harbouring any prejudice); sometimes he is potentially subject to criticism at an instance.

Perhaps thats why people find it very tiring to talk to arts/social sciences students? (Look at me! I'm stereotyping! wahahaha...)

God did give us a brain to think, and I totally agree that we should use it more often rather than just following instructions blindly, but sometimes, you just really want to sit down and have a good meal. God also gave us one mouth, so just enjoy the food first and chill hahaha...

The discourse can be conducted over drinks later LOL.

Early New Year's Resolutions

Seems that my ang moh New Year's resolution seem to create themselves out of nothing, without me even giving much thought into them.

Yeah it's been a week filled with lots of jello legs, carbohydrates and triple A (AAA) species of the male kind hahaha...

More updates to come!

An Open Letter

This came to mind at a odd time of 4.30am haha... don't know why but I'll just write it down before I forget it.

Dear friends,

It is unfortunate that the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai have resulted in the deaths of over 140 people. The number of dead and injured could still be rising even as we speak.

It is especially unfortunate to hear of the passing of Ms. Lo Hwei Yen, a 28-year-old Singaporean lawyer. The Late Ms. Lo became the first Singaporean to come directly into harm's way via an act of terrorism.

With more Singaporeans heading overseas on working assignments, it is only a matter of when, not if they will be directly affected by acts of terrorism. Let us learn from this incident to be vigilant, but will we be able to draw the line clearly between paranoia and vigilance?

Rest in peace. Ms. Lo.

B'z B'z

hahaha damn busy for the past week... got film school, got paper to write, got readings to read lol... so not much time to update the blog...

Anyways I've decided to post my remaining pictures from Japan and SEP on my facebook account haha... so can go there and check them out.

Thoughts before more pictures...

Was reading a couple of blogs belonging to NUS students who had gone on SEP during the same semester as me. I'll list one here: http://vsrabbit.blogspot.com/ (went to China for SEP)

Haha... I sort of realised that almost all the students usually comment that SEP changed their outlook on life someway or another haha... I gotta say the same for myself.

During SEP, you experience things that you sometimes will never experience before. You're thrown into a somewhat foreign environment (esp. for those going to America or Europe or Scandinavia regions) and you're required to adapt to the local environment as quick as possible.

This is the time where one shouldn't always see the flaws in the foreign culture and say that "Oh... this country is so inefficient/messy/disorganised compared to Singapore". All I can say is that this is the time to acknowledge the difference in culture and recognise or even pick up pointers on how improve your own well-being.

Best part is you'll learn how to appreciate what you have in Singapore. The nice facilities, the quick and efficient automated systems, the organised planning of anything and everything. Sure, the frustrations showed when I was there in the beginning, but then you begin to take a step back and learn how to slow down your pace of living.

Take a slow walk and enjoy the foreign atmosphere (and skip lessons/be late for class wahaha)

Here's a quote from the above blog link: "never come to conclusions about anyone (including yourself) and other countries till you've really seen everything inside out of it."

Japan trip during SEP (Day 3)

Alright haha... after another 2 weeks... here's Day 3 of my trip to Japan~ This time, it's the trip to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. Entrance fee was quite expensive @ 5800 yen... but it was worth the price haha... had a lot of fun!

Big expectations for the local version of Universal Studios which should up in 2010 haha...

Spiderman: The Ride

Back to the Future ride~

Jurassic Park: The Ride

Warning: Wet ride

Waterworld - A staged performance. The kids here are lining up to get wet haha.

Osaka Takoyaki Museum at the JR Line Universal City station

Plenty of Takoyaki shops inside

Soon~

Updates coming soon... Haven't updated in 2 weeks haha...

More pictures to come.