The Medical Officer

"I am sorry but your eczema affects less than 30% of your entire body. Our guidelines state that for any exceptions with relation to National Service, 30% or more of the body has to be affected with eczema.

I have to say that if your eczema will get worse during National Service, AND I AM SURE IT PROBABLY WILL, you can then request for a downgrade.

I am sorry but I am unable to help you."

This was the response of the medical officer at Central Man Power Base just this morning when I made a long trip down from Bishan to their location. With me was A LETTER OF VERIFICATION OF MY ECZEMA CONDITION from a skin specialist from Changi General Hospital.

This, was the final response of the Medical Classification Center. Let me provide a brief overview of what happened BEFORE THAT.

8:50 AM - Seated and waiting for queue number to be called.

9:00 AM - Referred to some sort of secretary of the Medical Officer.

9:10 AM - I was told that it was no big deal and I could just go home. I WAS NOT GIVEN A CHANCE TO SEE THE MEDICAL OFFICER.

9:30 AM - I Insisted on seeing the Medical Officer as according to research, perspiration does aggravate eczema and trust me, I have no desire of deteriorating the condition of my eczema.

9:45 AM - Entered the Medical Officer's room and above (first paragraph), was the response I obtained.

10:00 AM - Went off, pissed. 

I fail to understand why was it that another individual I came to know, with the exact same condition, was given a medical classification so as to ensure that his eczema, or rather his health, was kept at a safe level, whereas I was told to OBSERVE FOR ANY FORM OF MY CONDITION DETERIORATING before I was given such a chance.

Refer to the third paragraph of the Classical Version of the Hippocratic Oath

"I will apply dietetic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment; I will keep them from harm and injustice."

I would really love to enquire on the Medical Officer's view on the hippocratic oath and how he KEEPS THE SICK FROM HARM. It is to be understood that I have gone through 15 years of eczema, and even though conditions have dramatically improved over the years, the condemned skin of mine is just not able to adapt to certain forms of conditions.

And so, with direct relation to the Hippocratic Oath, in which every doctor has to undertake, was his judgement on my condition fair?

The Perfect Girl For The Flawed Guy

For many of you who know me, you know about my dearest. This is dedicated to my dearest. If possible, pass this on, I really want her love for me to be known. Read on...

So many of us tend to lean towards the cliche, either excusing ourselves in the mention of "Some people take an entire lifetime to search for their love". I am seriously unsure if I was just lucky, or that it really isn't that hard a thing.

1. She wakes up at 7 in the morning to come over to my place just to give me a hug. And then she just lies besides me, to look at me sleep.

2. She knows how taxing my job is, and she insists on following during my on-site work. But all she does is give me massages, and never complain.

3. She understands my hatred for lectures and very often, ensures an additional set of notes for my readings, in which very often I do not.

4. She withstands my bad behavior and attitude but only to listen quietly at my undesirable comments and later on accept my hug of apology.

5. She accepts my over-sized figure. (she claims it adorable)

6. She accepts ridiculous requests from me, such as to help me arrange my notes in my files.

7. She accepts even more ridiculous requests from me, such as to help me pack my room.

8. She senses my fatigue at times, on the phone, and will just keep quiet, so that I will be able to fall asleep, and from there, she will enjoy my annoying noises of unconsciousness.

9. She accepts my constant spouts of unnecessary vulgarities (civilized vulgarities, I assure you), and in other words, she accepts my flaws.

10. She has allowed me to love her, and so I will, to my best, for all time, till the end.

PS: The list goes on, I can't exactly write it all down, even though I have another million items. And there you have it, the perfect girl for the flawed guy.

An Entry Finally (Public Pornography)

After the constant bugging from the blog's fans I have finally returned with AN ENTRY. Of course, as much as I owe all of you an explanation from my absence, I would leave that to the later part of the entry. Trust me, I have been busy, and while I mad the trip down to the Chinese doctor yesterday, I was told that my physical self was going to break down soon. Oh yes, maybe.

As the title suggests, PUBLIC PORNOGRAPHY will be the topic as of today's entry. I have been working with my macho buddy SG and he was telling me some interesting sights that he experienced on a bus circulating Ang Mo Kio a few days ago. Yes, it's got to do with some public obscenity.

TWO 13 YEAR OLDs were FRENCH KISSING ferociously and were vigorously presenting their love (or lustful desire) right in the middle of the bus. I believe it was the seat just behind the empty space you stand on the bus. Talk about the typical Singaporean worry of Public Display of Affection. This however, would fit better wise, in the category of SLIGHT PUBLIC PORNOGRAPHY.

I have nothing against displaying your affection for your loved one in public. But I'll have to agree with SG, french kissing ferociously in the middle of the bus is not exactly a healthy sight for the general public. Very often such intimate scenes will be given an NC-16 rating. To emphasize the irony of NC-16 ratings, the kids were 13 year olds. He could tell from the shorts that the guy was wearing. Oh, did I forget to add that they were in school uniform?

Apart from SG staring at them, there was of course, an entire crowd of aunties and uncles who were passed middle-age staring at the amazingly, glorious display of intimacy. Where in the world were these students' sense of humility? This went on for about twenty minutes I guess.

It was either that SG saw really mature 13 year olds who thought they were acting responsibly but they were apparently not, or that he saw two extremely uneducated students, being extremely intimate and closely sexual on a public bus. I would suppose that it is not a crime, to decently show a little affection towards your partner in public. But the idea of KIDS french kissing on the bus is just totally out of the world.

Morale: Do what you need to do in public with your partner, and keep it decent. If it's going to be indecent, hide it. Please make it private in public.

Disgusting. Just Disgusting.

PS: Just for readers' info, I have been working. To be exact, making MVs for a new local artiste. I can't exactly leak out information right now, pretty much on a Non-Disclosure Agreement. So yes, you guys can wait for my masterpiece and purchase it soon. C=

Movie Review: Singapore Dreaming

In the last one week, I have watched this movie twice at the cinema, and I believe I'll be back for a third viewing.

Singaporean films never do make money (with the exception of certain films, with immense support from the government). There isn't a Hollywood in Singapore and there isn't a market in Singapore. Just think of this, a film with a cost of one million dollars will require a whooping three million to break even. How will we then, define a perfect, or at least, a good Singaporean film?

I myself, am a passionate film maker, as many of you would know me by. The trouble that a director/writer/producer goes through to realize a film, is much more than anyone can ever imagine. It's tedious and at very often, tiring. Both directors, in my personal opinion, have done up a wonderful film, and I daresay, its the best Singapore's produced.

So it reads from the official website:

"Singapore Dreaming" ( 美满人生) is a story about a family with big dreams, living on a small island.

Well, it's more than that. It is a film that portrays the lives of a country, that presents us with problems that we see everyday, shows us the meaning of how life should be lived, displays the different aspects of a family. It is a film, that depicts the typical Singaporean life.

That is what makes the film a masterpiece.

It brings the joy out of you, it brings the sadness out of you. You see the empathy flowing out of you, and you see the memories flooding back right in. It makes you remember how you are, as a Singaporean and for some, how you might be, as one. It is, I would say, truly the best Singaporean film that has been ever produced to date.

That is what makes the film a masterpiece.

On the technical side, photography is precisely beautiful. The settings and scenes are just memory evoking(probably not to the younger generations, but still), and the music, is just perfectly heartwarming. It holds the usual standards of an international film, but with a divine flavor of locality.

That is what makes the film a masterpiece.

I will not be recommending this film on the basis such that it is one that is locally produced and thus, blindly supporting whatever that comes. I will be ensuring each and every Singaporean that steps into the cinema to come out of it, wondering and thinking of the Singaporean way of life. Past, present and future. The film is an experience and saying that it is one that is a "must watch" is just a total understatement.

That is what makes the film a masterpiece.

The Idiot Theory

A while ago my tutorial class were chatting with my physics teacher (the almighty well resepcted Mr. Lau Soo Yen) and he, being a man of philosophy, introduced two scenerios for the tutorial.

Scenerio 1

Imagine YOU, with two years of college education, entering the examination hall, you spend 3 hours completing the paper to your best ability. However, due to your obvious poor preperations for the exam, you failed. You obtained a grade F.

Scenerio 2

Imagine an IDIOT with no form of education, entering the examination hall, he spends 3 minutes completing filling his particulars, and then goes to sleep. Due to his lack of activity during the period of examination, his paper was blank, and thus, he failed. He obtained a grade F.

I believe you will get the idea. He called it THE IDIOT THEORY, in which scenerio 2's idiot did nothing and obtained what he deserved, an F.

You, which refers to the tutorial class, spends two years of torture and torment and IF (touches wood) we do obtain an F, it obviously equates us as idiots.

So in short,

YOU(rather, me) studies for 2 years, does paper and obtains an F

=

IDIOT who does nothing in the exam hall and obtains an F

 

We simplify the equation

YOU obtaining an F

=

IDIOT

Macdonalds - A Way of Life

I would believe many would agree, the fast food restaurant is no more just a fast food restaurant anymore. Over recent years, the new generation of Singaporeans have transformed it to a place more than just a fast food restaurant.

Macdonalds grew over the years, not just economically:

1. Located in the heartlands
2. Sponsorship during the World Cup 2006 (intelligent, i swear)
3. Smoothly implemented the delivery system
4. 24 hours for most branches
5. Beautifully comfortable seats (renovated ones)

Macdonalds is one place that people think of when there is a shortage of opinions where food is concerned. Fast food, though not the healthiest available, is the answer to every hunger which needs a quick remedy. A limited variety and an annoying cut of ingridients over the past years, it is still however, a place for EFFICIENT food.

Macdonalds is one place that people think of when there is a shortage of opinions where meeting locations are concerned. Look around at the restaurant, its not only the students that populate the branches. Insurance agents, businessmen (business-women more often though, for some reason), and yes, you'll just see others. Laptops, paper, pens, books, they are all there.

Macdonalds is one place that people think of when there is a desire of being a network parasite. Yes, it provides the glorious internet access, wireless though. But still, how many places let you sit there for a mere 5 dollars for a meal and enjoy the bliss of aircon and comfortable seats AND you get the internet.

Macdonalds is the study rooms of Singapore. Not for those who can't block out the distorted noises of the background, but for those who are able to take it, it's a paradise. There's reasonable priced food (student meals going at $4), there's air-conditioners and yes, you get the picture.

Macdonalds isn't just a fast food restaurant anymore.

It's a way of life.

Education's Irony

Ha! I'm back, with two papers down. So I was actually thinking during my 3 hour math paper today, what justifies two years of hard work, two years of time spent in the Junior College, a place where many desire to enter but end up with nothing but regrets and definitely the depressing moments of horrible results?

A three hour paper (two and a half for certain papers). Not a very fair investment is it? There always exists the risk of unexpected circumstances isn't it? Isn't it a little ridiculous that all the hard work will be decided by just a couple of hours? Personally, I am strongly against such a practice.

Anyway, I was British educated for a while, in an international school. A levels there were entirely different. Or should I say education was entirely different. Apart from the usual coursework activities and science experiments that lasted a few weeks, everything was pretty much well evenly spread out. A level Examinations were taken in modules, and if one did badly in a single module, it could be arranged by the college for a re-examination (for a particular module, not the entire paper). FLEXIBILITY is the word and I greatly emphasize it. The Flexibility of education that has led many to do well, under their own conditions and at their own timing.

The Singaporean DID TRY TO adapt the British, but the poor adaptation has led to a condemnation of it. Supposedly a method of education where students learn through EXPERIENCE and RESEARCH, it has turned out to be the greatest irony of MEMORY WORK and REGURGITATION OF DATA(I insist on the word data, not information). Many of us would be very well acquainted with SPA (School-based Practical Assessment)

The SPA, is of course another practice which not only I, but about 99% of the current JC cohort is very well against. SPA in British educated institutions took place over a couple of weeks, with the usual skills tested. However, the end product was a 15-20 page scientific report, which will as usual, contribute to the final grade one gets at the GCE Examinations. In Singapore, YOU OPENLY OBSERVE STUDENTS MEMORIZING ANSWERS HALF AN HOUR BEFORE ENTERING THE PRACTICAL EXAMINATION VENUE. Look, what an adaptation it has turned out to be.

British SPA - 4 skills tested (Planning, Observation, Analysis, Evaluation), | 4 weeks duration, over 8 lessons | Open for discussion and self research | 15-20 pages scientific report

Singaporean SPA - 4 skills tested (Planning, Observation, Analysis, Evaluation), | 1 hour duration (for each skill) | No discussion, no research BUT memorization of answer scripts | Guided report of less than 3 pages (MEMORIZED OF COURSE)

I am unsure on whether it is I who is providing a biased view but I refuse to accept the Singaporean education system, for one reason or another. Do not get me wrong, as a Singaporean, I have my love for my home and it is here, I found love. But certain implementations have and should set us thinking on our next step.

My Sincere Apologies

I will be taking a break today from all the constant bitching. I have a few articles in mind and have already started writing them. However, due to my late commitments to my studies(rejoice readers), I have been unable to summon enough enery to continue typing on the keyboard.

I will somehow obtain time to do an extra entry for today's absense.

I have received comments on the entries and overall portrayal of the blog. What can I say? I really appreciate the fact that time is taken off to read my entries. My sincere apologies once again and I shall now have my long deserved sleep...

PS: It's 5.38 in the morning.

Too much for a DREAMER

This post is written for Christina, fellow schoolmate in my previous educational institution, who inspired this post through realising differences in certain aspects of the past and present(or rather, my past and my present)

Dreamers are people. Defined(from dictionary.com):

1. a person who dreams(duh).

2. a person who lives in a world of fantasy; one who is impractical and unrealistic.

3. a person whose ideas or projects are considered audacious or highly speculative; visionary.

Is Singapore a place for dreamers? Is this island suitable for such individuals? I personally have big dreams. I am 18 and I am enclosed in the walls of a junior college. While such colleges provide room for self development and talent exposure, to what extent does this cater for full time dreamers? On the other hand, is there too much else going on, too much for a dreamer?

It is atypical for a teenager in this place to be earning a million a year. That would not be unusual news in other certain parts of the globe. Such a unique phenomenon occurs, such that it is a norm or it is expected, of a teenager to indulge oneself in a studious schedule, with a studious mindset. However, such expectancy is often rebelled by a growing minority. I happen to be in such a category.

Let me introduce a fourth definition of a dreamer.

4. a person who often plans and conceptualise various ideas, in great hope to implement them.

That would sum it all up. Time, time and time. There isn't any time at all. In this island, realisation of dreams are often postponed, and very often till the thin grasp of hope is lost. Well, that has occurred in my personal experiences, be it involving me, or other particular individuals. The youth of this country have thoughts that are often left lingering around and ideas that are often chucked. I am sure this phenomenon is not just my personal observation, but an ongoing undesirable habit of Singaporean youth.

They are not to be blamed. Neither are they to be given sympathy. It is agreeable that on this island, there may be too much going on for a dreamer to stay in its state. Be it the hectic schedule or the lack of space for an integration of any ideas. But thou shall not whine. If there is not an environment that exists for any form of development, create one.

Let me introduce the fifth definition of a dreamer.

5. a person who have matters in mind and to his best ability, attempt an implementation with relevance to his dream.

Hope this has shed some light on local dreamers.

Superficial Relationships

I was refusing to open my books (rather go through my notes, I don't really own books) and went blog-hopping. Covered at least 30 blogs in 3 hours. Some were just typical description of their lives and even more were just boring description of their day. A particular one caught my eye. Every entry had something like:

"Darling and me one week les!! Ah~ SO happy i got darling with me. Love u much much! You and me will be together forever kkx?*muacks*"

My sincere apologies to our non Singaporean readers if there was any difficulty in readability of English. Its written in the odd native language of Singapore, but that is not the point.

That statement appeared childish to me. Immature and shallow. A public declaration of love that lasted for a week. I must say all have the rights to declare whatever they deem declarable, but on the critical point of view, how is it that one week of togetherness confidently brings about absolute partnership?

I have been always a listener to many around me and time and time again, I get broken relationships which lasted for about 3 weeks, 3 months or 6 months (where I'll be really impressed actually). So very often I ask these individuals really beautiful questions. They somewhat sound like this:

"When you are defecating and she/he calls, will you admit?"

"You are -appreciating the beauty- of another gal/dude, will you share?"

"You put on your usual, non exclusive image when you are together with or without him/her?"

"Will you tell him/her that the shirt on him/her totally sucks and just looks disgustingly wrong?"

Apparently, most gave negative feedback. Those questions were simple tests of truth, trust and open faith. Come on people, if you are unable to openly communicate with your loved one, how is it you are going to maintain a relationship? Seriously, my personal view on the first step to relationship is open communication. 100%. No compromise.

To the many of heart-broken out there, look through your past relationship and think of how it broke down. I would not deny, finding the right person is probably the hardest thing to do ever. Many times it occurs that THE ONE is standing right in front of you, but very often such turn out to be utter disappointments.

Understand this. True love is not about oogling over someone. True love is not about being being crazy over someone. True love is not about knowing every single bit about him/her. In short, true love is not mad infatuation. And most importantly, it's not about having sex (sex is just a bonus, after you properly fall in love, but no doubt it's important).

I was about to define love. But I realised I couldn't. Love does not exist in material, or even in words. L-O-V-E is just a representation, an alias for the emotion. I guess this is the closest I could give, ripped off my old poetry page. The emphasis lies on "a moment so abstract, it's undefined"

LOVE has no time and no space.

LOVE has no preference or judgement.

All LOVE needs is a moment of truth.

A Moment so abstract it's undefined.

LOVE waits for no one.

No one waits for LOVE.

For LOVE itself,

Is a beautiful thing.

Anyway, this post might not gather much sense to many of you out there. But to many of those infatuated individuals, think twice of how much in love you are in. It may not even be love...

Ah Boi! (everyone looks at poor kid)

On with Singaporean behaviour, an entirely fisgusting (derivation of disgusting and the typical fugly) attitude i experienced from some middle aged mother sent me home. And as expected, before i could get online to do my daily ranting was a really long period of grumbling to anyone in one metre radius.

So in my attempt to study at the library (in which i ended up sleeping), I was walking by the mother where she shrieked in this high pitched voice which i swear, attracted the attention of everyone on the level going: "AH BOI!!!!". Her poor kid was a little far behind her and for whatsoever female or non-female reason (pre menstrual synthoms, post menstrual synthoms, menopause), she just screamed at the kid. Please note the emphasis on shrieked and screamed. By the way, this went on three times, with an increase in the number of heads turning each time.

I could never understand parents who either lectured, screamed, shrieked, scolded...(u get the idea) in public. Anyway, beyond my understanding, it is simple courtesy not to make a fool of yourself in public. What an amazing example for a parent to set, such unique behaviour.

It has of course, been scientifically proven that the reprimanding of a child would greatly hurt his self esteem and in turn, affect the way he relates to others and in another way, affect how he presents himself and in a final way, affect the kind of person he is. Its always believed that children are a map of their parents. So to wierd parents out there, please think of your kid's feelings when you blast at them in public and of course, think of their future.

If you don't respect your kid, respect yourself. If you don't respect yourself, respect the kid.

Carl's Jr. & Carrefour Chicken

So it was decided that the usual clique did our usual food consumption at Carl's Jr. Burgers, burgers and more burgers. What was interesting wasn't the options of food, or the availability of food, but was how food meant to us, in many ways, presented a special kind of love to us.

Carl's was usual, but every bite and every taste of the meat reminded us the friendship between the clique. Every sip of lemon tea commanded an enriching emotion of satisfaction. Oddly, such obsession with the meal could not only mean the filling up of stomachs, but the filling of our hearts. Each meal may not be remembered, but the taste we bring home, would very well equate to the time spent together.

Food followed, a couple of hours that followed Carl's. A brief double golden coins from each brought about a roasted chicken (and a bottle of mineral water), carefully purchased at Carrefour. Set ourselves down we did at one of the benches and there it was, the poor chicken being mutilated with snatches of what we termed as "beautiful and sexy meat" (briefly equates to drumsticks, thighs and wings of the chicken) and the condemnation of the chicken's breast (a rather large difference in aspects of the human's body, but anyway).

But there we were again, ripping apart what we deemed respectful, food. With every tear and every bite however, remained the juices of bonds, unseen, invisible, between us.

Some eat to live and many others live to eat. I would say:

Eat with life's stories, and live with the taste of joy.

Entry One

Pretty obvious, presenting to all readers the first entry. Straight to the point, I have had this urge of writing on this particular characteristic of Singaporeans which has somewhat turned into a cliché, but nevertheless, still exists prominently in this land of immigrants. Do not mistake this as an insult or whatsoever negative comment.

It somewhat just makes this place Singapore.

But anyway... Bishan Community Library opened on the 2nd of September. Not a particularly beautiful date but it was pretty much a fish market, with total ignorance of the so called "library rules to keep it a conducive environment". I live a pretty short distance from the spectacular facility. I made my grand entrance in the afternoon and left after realizing the irony of the large signs of "KEEP QUIET". That concluded my first visit.

The second wasn’t of any much amazement anyway. I finally found a quiet spot, a room by the name of "The Quiet Reading Room". I proclaim it my favorite spot in the library. I indulged myself, for 4 hours in "Invisible Trade - High Class Sex in Singapore". I swear, there is so much liberation in Singapore. Sincerely. No sarcasm here. And yes, the sex industry in Singapore deserves respect. A lot of respect. =)

Back to the point. 4th September, today, my girlfriend attempted to make a fruitful trip to the library, in great hope of getting a table for the both of us, in greater hope of starting our preliminary examinations preparations. With lots of accumulated hope, she entered the library at 10am, opening time of the library. A GUST of students from a particular college flew past her and my dearest girl (with a very much petite physique) was shoved with pretty much force. In two blinks, no tables were left. Of course, we could blame in on the scarcity of tables in the library (or rather, an alternative excuse for this odd characteristics of Singaporeans).

Anyway, I am confident of Singapore's availability of study areas and yes, other than the ironic appearances of library rules, I am apparently pissed with such behavior of certain college students. Yes, that’s for my first post. My apologies for the abrupt ending but yes, hope you enjoyed reading my perspective on unique Singaporeans.