Junkie?

Although Chinese New Year is over, I did some spring-cleaning and packing, and ...

Argh!!

How come I've got so much junk ?!

Ripped off

Before, I'd surrendered to the thought of losing all my casette tapes through mould, or gradual magnetic deterioration. However, since buying an MP3 player, I've been ripping songs from old casette tapes and happily converting them into MP3s. Just a few days ago, my cousin griped about losing many treasured song collections because her casettes had grown mouldy. I've introduced her to digital encoding, and she'll hopefully be able to salvage her remaining tape collection :) Luckily for me, most of my casettes have not been completely destroyed by mould, but their sound quality has deteriorated considerably. Regardless, it's still comforting to know that now, I wouldn't lose these 'relics' in the near future through material degradation.

Although I hadn't listened to these tapes in years, hearing the songs again created a warm and pleasant feeling, perhaps reminiscent of the simple pleasures I had when listening to them as a kid. Two particular 'treasures' were a soundtrack from the Muppet movie (which contained Kermit the Frog's rendition of 'Rainbow Connection'), and a collection of songs by Alvin and the Chipmunks (including 'the Witch Doctor'), both of which are not available in CD's, and both of which still make me laugh.

However, a tape of the 'Mortal Kombat' soundtrack left me puzzled. I vaguely remembered buying it, but why had I done so? Apart from the first track, I wasn't too crazy about the other tracks. In fact, I've never watched the movie either. Well, okay, I've watched a few scenes, but never the complete show. That was years ago, when a former primary-school classmate and I watched Mortal Kombat on her laser disc player (the defunct cousin of the CD). All I ever caught were scenes with one character, who was skeleton-like and had dark red eyes. 'Look at his eyes! Ohhh I love his eyes!' she would gush, as the character pummelled his opponents. She'd fast-forward to another scene where he did the same with another victim. 'Aren't his eyes gorgeous?' she'd gush again, and rewind the scene, pausing briefly at a close-up shot. Then, we'd watch a repeat of the battle, and she'd fast-forward to the next scene of him fighting again. When he was finally defeated, she sighed, pressed the 'stop' button, and declared, 'there's nothing much in the rest of the movie.' I believed her. Disoriented by the rapid scene-changes, I never really caught his name either, and only know him as 'the guy with the gorgeous eyes'. Maybe some Mortal Kombat fan out there could enlighten me :)

That friend and I have since lost touch with each other, but I wondered how she'd react if we met up someday, and if I (discretely) reminded her of that particular episode? Would she start gushing about 'gorgeous eyes' again (Oh no...)? Would she laugh at our childhood craziness, or would she have forgotten all about it?

Either way, I'll probably never understand why I bought that soundtrack. But if she's still a fan, at least there's someone I can give the tape to. Any other takers?

Sime-ply enjoyable

Fresh air, light breeze, chirping cicadas...that was the atmosphere in the Sime forest at 7.30 am. Although I almost couldn't haul myself out of bed this morning, I didn't regret the decision to join a bird-watching trip there. We learned so much about the different bird and animal species, and spotted more than 15 different species of forest birds from a lookout-tower in the middle of the forest, including the greater racquet-tailed drongo, blue-tailed bee-eater, banded woodpecker, pink-necked pigeon, dollarbird, and Asian fairy bluebird (the few names I could remember *sheepish look*).

The shared interests, and sense of community, were palpable within the group. Each of us would point and motion excitedly whenever a new bird or forest-dweller was spotted, while the others hurried over and pointed binoculars and telescopes in the same direction. Most of them even passed their binoculars around to others who did not own a pair (lucky me :), while they enthusiastically flipped through bird-guide books to identity the creatures.

The weather was pleasantly cool, although it had started to rain when we trekked back to our starting point at MacRitchie Reservoir. Luckily for us, we'd done most of our bird-watching by then. Now I can actually say that I've trekked through a stretch of primary forest in the rain! The leaves of the canopy were so thick that very little rain actually fell through onto our footpath, although we could hear the loud patter of raindrops on the trees above.

Appreciating life outside the concrete jungle, the experience was truly amazing... and simply enjoyable.

Nothing to crow about

With the dull drone of drilling and construction work in the background, five fellow commuters and I waited patiently at the bus stop for our buses to arrive...

BANG!!!

A loud and sharp shot echoed through the air. All six of our heads snapped around, with startled looks on our faces. 5 metres behind us, a crow crashed onto the ground, flapping weakly. Its feeble struggles were abruptly ended by the swift and calculated crunch of a heavy boot, crushing its back. Casually tossing its lifeless black body into a shapeless black bag, the owner of the boot dusted both hands against his pants, and stepped into a grey-coloured pick-up truck. Turning an expressionless face toward the driver, he uttered a few words, and they drove off to another location, probably to repeat the scene elsewhere.

So that's how they cull crows in Singapore... had never expected to witness it so close. Although I still dislike crows, the scene was a little too cold-blooded for comfort. Can't forget the glazed look in its eyes, and that sickening crunch... Yes, I think I'm still rather traumatised...

On top of that, the day has been such a roller-coaster, I can't help but feel somewhat emotionally exhausted too.

Shall try to harness the power of sleep therapy... goodnight...
- Tomorrow will be a new day.

Gripe of the Overwhelmed

(Intentionally vague, and to be ignored. Apologies)

Yes, today's meeting was an informal one...
But why do I still feel like I entered the room with insufficient preparations, especially when fielded with questions I couldn't answer?
Can I really accept this new challenge, and live up to expectations, when I have so little background in what's required?
Why do I allow myself to get delegated these things?
Have I been thrown a fish that's too large for me to handle?

What did I just get into ?!?

Bleah

Sweets with edible transparent rice-paper should never be wrapped with inedible transparent plastic wrappers... bleah... :P

International Students

Reading the papers in amusement, I had to curb my instinctive eye-rolling when I saw that the overzealous Singaporean competitive spirit had reared its head again, this time in the form of a debate revolving around the overseas students studying here in Singapore. The main gist : are overseas students (quote and unquote) "snatching" the top positions in schools from their Singaporean peers, and thus causing the Singaporean students greater stress to keep up with the competition?

Just my two-cents' worth on the issue, and I'll try not to work up a passion on the topic, for fear of incurring the wrath of either (or both) my Singaporean and foreign friends and peers :) Having been a 'foreign student' in overseas institutions, as well as having had 'overseas-scholar' classmates here in Singapore, helped provide (and hopefully understand) both perspectives. *Little reminder of footnote disclaimer :)*

I, too, have been intimidated by the sheer (and awesome) academic strength displayed by classmates who were overseas students. They always appeared twice as smart, twice as hardworking, twice as formidable, and often held the top scores and top positions, compared to our local peers. Something that many of us wrote off casually with the justification that 'they're scholars from overseas, what can you expect?'. Many times, that would spur us on to work harder and keep up with them. Naturally, some other local students also made wistful or bitter remarks that they would be holding those positions if it wasn't for such high-flying competition from foreign students. True, to an extent, I guess. Who wouldn't want their local students to be receiving top spots and awards in their own country?

Move into the shoes of the overseas student, and one gains a partial insight into the motivation behind this whirlwind force. Many of my friends and I have also been students in overseas institutions, however, I cannot speak for all international students. What I have is only a point of view, and would not sufficiently encompass the myriad of experiences and sources of inspiration that many of them would also have had (And yes, I also think some of these people are just born geniuses :) But the rest of us, like other students, struggle through each step of the way too. We get lost (and usually fall asleep) during difficult lectures, winge and stress-out when faced with insurmountable piles of assignments and tests, and our hearts flutter nervously when we enter examination halls.

Studying in another country adds a further layer of challenges for many foreign students. First, there is an unspoken need (or desire) to prove that although you are not a citizen of the country you study in, it doesn't mean that you are a second-class individual or student. This may be especially so in countries where racial and cultural discrimination is prevalent, or where equality is often preached but seldom practised, or even in multicultural societies. Striving and excelling in studies is often one of the many ways to prove their worth as students, and a source of justification for their identity.

Many also study in overseas institutions, where they have to pay extremely high fees as international students, and most are funded by their family members who have to work extra-hard to pay these fees for them. As such, there is also the intrinsic desire to put in a greater effort, to honor and live-up to unmentioned expectations, to do their families proud, and to justify the high costs of their education that their family bears. These have been the two main driving forces of many friends and acquaintances I've spoken with. This is especially so in the case of Asian cultures, where families recognise the value of academic achievements, and thus place a greater emphasis on their education.

Being an overseas student, for many, also means being away from family, who would otherwise have protected and taken care of them. With this separation from their security blankets, and with no one to blame for the mistakes they make, they have to learn to take responsibility for themselves and their actions. The realisation hits them, that any mistakes in judgement or behaviour would directly affect their lives, and possibly the lives of others. This sense of responsibility breeds self discipline, which is an important aspect in motivating oneself to carry out undesirable tasks (such as completing an assignment although their favourite reality show is on TV :) And what about those who have to struggle with a language that is not their native or mother tongue, how much more difficult would it be for them?

A friend once advised me before I embarked to study overseas : when you go abroad to study, that's when you really learn about yourself. I find that so true. You learn about your roles and responsibilities, what motivates you, what are your abilities and limitations, your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your fears and how to overcome them (although I'm still a wimp when it comes to pain...). With more chances and time for reflection, many then find greater incentives to work harder and reach for their goals.

Having overcome those hurdles, many overseas students come out stronger, not just academically, but emotionally and in character as well. It is no wonder that many of them do better than locals in more ways than one. Although many parents complain about them scoring better grades and snatching coveted titles or positions from local students, we should not be jealous of them, nor ostracise them for doing so. That would reek of myopic selfishness and xenophobia, in our meritocratic society that is supposed to encourage diligence, tolerance, and open-mindedness. Instead, these students should be commended for their efforts, and for overcoming the psychological obstacles that they face.

Singapore is a part of the global economy, and fellow Singaporeans will not be the only competitors we will face when we are out in the workforce. Therefore, we should not choose to live inside a box. If anything, we should be glad that we are exposed to the realities of working with people of other nationalities early in life, and should learn with as well as learn from them. High-flying overseas students can also help and influence local students to strive to do better, as long as the competition is healthy and does not get too obsessive. I, too, have been heartened by encouragements when I was studying overseas, from friends and peers who included both local and overseas students.

Another friend and I, who had studied in different countries, were chatting one day. Both of us agreed and joked that 'Kiasu-ism' (fear of losing) is not a uniquely Singaporean trait, it's just Singapore that has turned it into an art. Which is quite true :) However, as much as we'd like to, you can't win everytime. Sometimes you'll be ahead, and sometimes, behind. There's so much more to life than than that. Just because we do not do as well in one area of our life, doesn't mean that we're a total failure in life. Joy may not always be found in doing well academically or in our careers. What matters most is that we try our best, and be true to ourselves.

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot...

It's so hot... I've been drowning myself with cold and iced drinks the past week. And the current heat-wave is reported to last till the end of the month, at the earliest *groan*. Spoke to a security guard a few days ago, and she commented that 'the weather has gone crazy.' I agree, it's gone haywire... It's also rather worrying how Singapore has suffered from so many recent bushfires in spite of the high humidity here. Is the haze an indication of just how hot it's getting?

And still, so many countries choose to opt out or refuse to abide by the Kyoto treaty (to reduce greenhouse gas emissions). Their justifications sound childish (if Country X doesn't abide by it, we won't either), selfish (the effects are not as bad here as in Country Y), money-driven (cutting greenhouse gasses is not profitable for the economy), and short-sighted (we won't be as badly affected as those in the future, they're the ones who will suffer, so let them deal with it then). Argh... so much for countries like US and China setting a global example for other countries. At least Japan, one of the major energy consumers, is still making a commendable effort in keeping to the Kyoto treaty. I'm trying not to winge, but it's really frustrating reading about the lack of progress in that direction. At this rate, most of their money will eventually go into running cooling systems to stave off the heat...
Hm... Maybe we could also turn to alternative fuel sources, such as developing clean fuels from leftover Chinese New Year Foods (or their decomposition...). I'd be more than willing to donate our household's leftovers to anyone who would like to experiment with such an idea (and also be entitled to a portion of the IP from such an innovation, thank you :) Especially mandarin oranges... I think I've seen, smelled, and tasted enough of mandarin oranges to last me a whole year... :)

Maybe the heat is the cause of this nagging headache I've been suffering from for the past week. It's not an intense pain like a migraine, just a perpetual irritating ache at the side of my head, which reminds me of the large flies in Adelaide that refuse to stop buzzing around your face...

Or maybe I've got a headache from relaxing too much (which my family suggested, but I doubt so). My body has never refused or rebelled against a chance to rest. Since returning, I've been trying to enjoy a decidedly leisurely holiday (punctuated by a number of gatherings, meetings and errands), before I have to return to work. So much so that I've (finally) been recognised as a 'slacker' by my relatives (but I probably can't beat 'Slacker Wong' in that area... :) Still, I should make the most of this chance to grab enough rest, before I have to return to my usual sleep-deprived state when I start working again.

Before I start to 'feel the heat' in another aspect of my life... :)

The Good, the Bad, and the Exposed...

Read a quote in the papers a couple of days ago :

"... Often, Good girls are just Bad girls who are better at avoiding getting caught..."

Darn... I think my cover has been blown... :)

Love Bugs and 'Flu Bugs

I've spent my whole weekend flat out asleep in bed.
No, not because of sloth (or maybe just a little bit... :)
I'm ill... (Physically. I always knew I was a little 'mentally-ill' anyway :)
Am down with the 'flu. Had a headache, fever, sore throat, and runny nose the whole weekend.
Probably from all the heaty food, running around, and the people coughing and sneezing in my face...
At least it wasn't the 'bird flu' (or so I hope)
But, as always, I found something to smile about despite being sick.
Yesterday, as I took out all the pills my doctor prescribed, I unwittingly arranged them (perfectly) in the shape of a smiley-face on the table. Just before grabbing them, I saw the smile, and broke into a fit of giggles. Then showed it to Mum and Jer, and had them laughing too. Ah... :)

For once, with more than enough sleep, I also managed to wake up early today to catch the annual Grammy Awards live on Channel 5. No comment, it wasn't that great, same thing you see each year. I can't seem think straight too (probably because of this fogginess in my head, the drugs, a nagging headache in my temples, or a combination of all) So I apologise for all the babbling.

Ah, it's V-day. Can look forward to a day filled with soothing melodies on the radio, love dedications by amorous couples (but there are some details we really don't need to hear... :), Valentines' day presents, $1-a-stalk roses after midnight... :)
Speaking of flowers, I still can't understand how people in the workplace can compete so intensely over who gets the biggest bouquet of flowers on Valentines' day. It reduces Valentines' day into a superficial, over-commercialised, profit-driven occasion. A day where people flaunt their flowers, to compare their sizes and values, for a petty ego-boost. Somehow brings to mind the image of a peacock... Has their overzealous competitive spirit taken away the simple joy and thrill of receiving a gift from a loved one?

A quote on the radio from a little boy summed things up nicely :
"Love is when Daddy gives Mummy the yummy part of the chicken"
Love is not about lavishing huge bouquets of flowers and presents (although that's still nice :) on only one day of the year. It's about showing your affection everyday, through the little gestures in life.
Like offering Mum a chicken thigh :)

And More Fowl Play...

Here's a short exerpt from an article published recently in the The Straits Times (9 Feb 2005):

"On Sept 10, 1945, a chicken called Mike from Fruita in Colorado had its head chopped off to be served as food, leaving behind most of the brain stem and an ear. Apparently, the axe blade had missed the jugular vein and a clot had prevented Mide from bleeding to death. Its owner decided to keep the headless chicken alive by feeding him grain and water directly into his gullet using an eyedropper. Mike eventually choked to death one night in an Arizona motel while travelling with his owner. He is recognised by the Guinness World Records as the world's longest surviving headless chicken"

Talk about running around like a headless chicken... interesting experiment, but... Eeew! SICKO!... Poor chook, to be kept alive like that, unable to look around, or enjoy its surroundings, or peck at its food like a natural chicken... Only able to come crashing towards its owner (having no eyes) when called, to have liquid dripped down its gut... *shiver* sounds like a fate worse than factory chickens. In the end, it may have 'magically' survived decapitation, but suffered a more painful (and indignifying) death by choking in a motel. The irony.

And if that had taken place a little closer to this century, you could imagine a whole industry sprouting to make the most of this 'phenomenon' : people peddling illegal VCD's, post cards and T-shirts of 'Mike the headless chicken'; people hawking chicken carcasses, claiming they were all from headless chickens that survived beheading, that were able to provide longevity and imminent immortality ('this chicken live long-long one, you eat, will also live long-long...)'; publishers of books like 'beheaded chicken soup for the soul'; inspirational speakers who talk about persevering like a beheaded chicken, and not losing your head when faced with life-threatening situations (like an axe-blade); and the mysterious e-bay seller putting up the carcass of a beheaded chicken (named Mike) for sale...

And the Guinness World Records actually recorded its lifespan. The strange records that people set... and exult in! Like another guy who blew a length of spaghetti out of his nose. Ewww... but they recorded his 'ground breaking' (or nose-blowing) record anyway. The things people will do to make an extra buck... maybe I'll try to set some incredibly silly and absurd record that no one else would have thought of, like single-handedly demolishing our supply of egg rolls and 'Kuei Bankit cookies' (which I've been doing this year, anyway). Or better yet, find a way to create some sort of fuel from all the wasted uneaten Chinese new year foodstuffs. The stock at my place would probably be enough to supply energy for several car trips. Imagine how much energy we could get from all the uneaten stocks in the neighbourhood, or Singapore? Imagine how much petrol money we could save...

But I shall be realistic, and not count my headless chickens before they hatch...

Hatch-day and the Year of the Chicken

Thanks all, for the Birthday greetings, well-wishes, and prezzies. You've brought a big smile to my face :)
Can't believe I've been on the earth for 23 years already...

This year, my birthday falls on the 2nd day of the Lunar new year (year of the Chicken). When I was 12, both my birthday and the 1st day of the Chinese New Year (year of the Dog) fell on the same day.
There are a few pros and cons to having a birthday so close to Chinese New Year. It's difficult to get a birthday cake, and we often have to order one in advance, because most cake shops are closed from the 1st to 4th days of the lunar new year. And any feeble suggestions (from me) about not getting a cake are always vetoed by my mum, so we end up cake-hunting every year (which is quite fun anyway).

But the pros far outweigh the cons. (1) We get to have one big celebration with family for both occasions.
(2) During Chinese new year, emphasis is placed on the family, as well as spending time with those we love... I guess it's an appropriate time to celebrate the anniversary of my arrival into this world, of being surrounded by those who love me and who watched me as I grew... sharing my life with all the people whom I love and care for.
(3) It's smattered with public holidays and weekends, so there are more opportunities and excuses to go out to celebrate with friends and family :)
(4) I may occassionally get one relatively large money packet :)
(5) I get the chance to reflect on my life while travelling from one relative's/friend's place to another.
(6) And little morsels of wisdom you pick up when visiting others. Advice on how to live life, trivia on cholesterol levels and drugs, tips on how to minimise points in Gin Rummy, and a quote from someone close :

"... find out which tidbits are good and which are not, then eat those that are really nice. Why get fat because of things that are not worth getting fat on?"

Throwing the quote around in my head on the journey home, it also struck me that her 'words of wisdom' could be applied to life. Our energy and time should be spent on things and people in life that matter to us. Why waste our precious life, time, and energy on activities or matters that are destructive to us, or that would make absolutely no difference or significance to our lives or the lives of others? Life is short, and our existence on earth is only transient. We should concentrate our energy on the things and people we love, to make the most of our lives, to live life to the fullest, and bring joy to our hearts and to the lives of others. That would be one of my life's resolutions.

Sounds rather challenging and intimidating, but maybe I'll take a little advice from Charlie Brown :
"I used to try to take each day as it came... my philosophy has changed... I'm down to half-a-day at a time!"
- Peanuts' Little Book of Life (Thanks, Ad, for the book! :)

I'll try to take things one step at a time :)

Evolving traditions

Last year, we watched the movie "School of Rock" at 3 am in Cineleisure.
This year, it was the animation "Howl's moving Castle" at 2 am in Cineleisure.
Notice a pattern emerging?
Looks like we're starting a new Chinese New Year family tradition ... well... for our cousins and us anyway :)
Wonder what new movie we'll catch next year?
I love family gatherings :)
(Although we've now got so many mandarin oranges that we'll probably start crying and sweating orange juice soon...)

CNY Fowl Play

Ah, Chinese New Year. You can smell it (and the incense) around you.
It's that time of the year... when the Chinese people do strange things. When we :

- Flock to Chinatown, to squeeze through throngs of sweaty visitors, submit ourselves to being jostled and jabbed by anonymous elbows, and haggle loudly with street vendors. Just to 'soak in the festive spirit'
- Queue for hours just to buy a packet of grilled meat
- Flood the streets with loud drumbeats and dancing dragons or lions
- Blast songs containing variations of 'gong xi!' and 'dong chiang!' (ARGH! Enough already...)
- Hang bright and gaudy decorations all over buildings, and pictures of the animal symbol for the year (this year's being the chicken)
- Deck ourselves in bright colourful clothes, and storm one anothers' homes with cries of 'Gong Xi Fa Cai!' (Good fortune to you)
- Smile at relatives or family friends whom we rarely met, in the hope of getting a red money packet
- Cringe and smile politely when they ask when we'll get attached/ married/ pregnant
- Pay through our nose to share a meal at a Chinese restaurant, where prices are doubled or tripled during this season
- Stock up on tins of traditional cookies and snacks... only to stuff them into the bags (and mouths) of visiting relatives and friends when we realise we've bought too much...
- Feast on lots of 'heaty' foods, so end up with sore throats and runny noses,
- Prepare a large family reunion dinner (like my family), and end up with a week's supply of leftovers. Whoever said that you can never have enough of a good thing? *groan*
- Repeat the whole drama the following year.

But I wouldn't have it any other way :)
It's all done in the name of tradition, and forms an integral part of our cultural identity.

I'll get to help my mum prepare the reunion feast, catch up with extended family and friends, chat and laugh with my cousins (and listen to their NS tales), visit my grandmother, politely decline when my godmother swamps us with cookies and cakes, compare red packets with Jer, feast on the festive goodies, stay up late watching silly comedies, sleep in, and spend quality time with my immediate family. Luckily, I'm not married and haven't started working yet, so I'm spared from having to distribute red packets to others :)

And in spite of the bird-flu in Vietnam and Cambodia, poultry here is supposedly free from the virus. Which means, we'll be welcoming the year of the Chicken with a meal of roast chicken (and I can't help but remember Rob and his chicken-flu vaccines :) However, there are some traditions I wouldn't adhere to too strictly.
I'm now sitting at my computer, while slowly demolishing our stock of 'Kuei Bankit' cookies (even before the relatives arrive).
I'll be reading LOTR tomorrow while waiting for the extended family to arrive (which supposedly symbolises having to read a lot for the rest of the year).
I won't be wearing any bright chilli-red clothes tomorrow, I'll be wearing something white (which according to physics, also contains red light :)
And I'll be celebrating my birthday as well, so I'll have no choice but to use a knife to cut the cake :)

But that doesn't bother me too much at the moment. Right now, I'm just looking forward to tonight's family meal.

Happy Chinese New Year Everyone !

Pinky and the Brain

*Warning : long rant ahead* :)

Again, I apologise... :) I'm not talking about the wacky cartoon mouse-duo who strive to take over the world. I'm talking about the Pinky... as in finger...

An article was recently published in the newspapers, linking finger-length ratio to one's spatial intelligence (i.e. the ability to see and manipulate objects in 3 dimension). People with longer index (2nd) fingers than ring fingers were found to have higher levels of testosterone (a sex hormone) than people with similar-length index and ring fingers. Those with greater finger-length ratios (ie greater differences in length) were also correlated with possessing a greater spatial ability, and thus a stronger grasp of subjects such as mathematics and hard sciences.

In another journal, Neuroimage, different brain-cell types were found to differ between females and males. Males were found to have a greater percentage of grey-matter in areas that were related to isolated tasks and local processing (ie mathematical manipulations and hard sciences), while females were found to have a greater percentage of white-matter in their brains (white matter is necessary for integrating information, such as for language).

In other words, males were 'predisposed' to a better spatial ability, and were hence innately better-suited to mathematical and scientific manipulations (which was similar to a comment made by Harvard's chief executive before all these findings were publicised).

So is it true? Are males really innately better at math, science, and navigation because of their biological make-up? While I have a few male friends who could easily get you lost in complicated mathematical or scientific arguments, those same friends would (very) easily get themselves lost while trying to get from point A to point B. Similarly, I've got female friends who can wind through unknown territories and obscure alleys to get to their destinations, yet could not figure out even the first step in solving a math problem. And vice versa. Female friends who were absolutely brilliant in maths and science, and male friends who were just clueless at these subjects.

Yes, we are embarking on the age-old argument for gender equality (or inequality). Personally, I'm not a feminist, I believe we were created to be different. There are innate differences between the two genders, just look at our physical composition : each gender has specific organs (and curves) that are... well, okay... more developed than the other gender. Males are better at certain sports such as athletics (and full-contact rugby *ouch*) because of their more-muscular builds, while women are better at others such as gymnastics and rhythmics (and touch rugby) because of their agility and grace.

However, I do not support the view that one gender is superior to the other. We all have the same two eyes, two arms, two legs, one heart and one mind. We are not limited to only one set of abilities and skills. We are both as capable at surpassing our abilities if we put our minds to it, and can be just as resilient in the face of challenges and adversity. I am a strong advocate of equal opportunity, but do NOT advocate the idea of complete uncompromisable equality between sexes that embodies the attitudes of many feminists today. I'm still impressed by displays of chivalry, such as when male friends hold open doors for myself and other females.

I guess I'm just crying foul at the preconceived notion that our choices and abilities are determined by our biology and genes. It was these stereotypical ideas that sparked my aversion to the colour pink, even in childhood, as a silent banner of protest against the over-generalisation that 'all girls like pink' (don't get me wrong, I don't hate all things pink, I just avoid getting any pink-coloured belongings or clothes). Phrases like 'Boys play with Transformers, girls play with Barbie dolls...' may also have resulted in my other aversion to Barbie dolls, but then again, I think it's because I find their their big eyes and perpetual fixed grins rather creepy...

And ideas like 'boys are better at maths, girls are better at arts' - these ideas perpetuate such gender stereotypes, and make it challenging and more difficult for women to excel in male-dominated areas, such as in mathematics, engineering, and the sciences. Yet, research by Elizabeth Fennema and her co-workers from the University of Wisconsin has shown that mathematical ability and achievement is not distributed according to gender. It's not about the genes. It was a conscious (or unconscious) choice by many females to go into other areas besides these, possibly due to the reiteration of stereotypes that these domains were 'the preserve of males', or the institutions' lack of support for their other commitments (eg. family). Ironically, it was also reported in another newspaper article that grant applications by females were more likely to get approved. (Yes! My project supervisor is a female! $$$... And a very capable one too! :)

If we are equally capable at doing something, then we should have the same opportunity to put in our efforts, and equally deserve the recognition for our work and achievements. It shouldn't depend on whether we're male or female, Asian or Caucasian, native or foreigner, young or old. That's what equal opportunity is about.

Even if we're lab mice, and want to take over the world tonight.

Old friends... :)

It's always good to know that despite the passage of time, our friendships can still stand true. Our days together back in school seem just like yesterday, yet so much time has passed. (darn, I'm feeling old.. :) Could finally catch up with some old friends who've been studying overseas. Like one friend mentioned, thankfully many of us haven't changed too much, and we're all still recognizable. It's amazing how many former school-mates I've run into this holiday, and how many excited squeals we've shared at these coincidental or planned meetings.

Went out with a group of good friends today, and enjoyed a good chat over lunch, which led to speculations for a 'joint venture', and ended with a hunt for art-supplies in Bras Basah Complex. I always love our gatherings, and will never fail to return with my cheeks and stomach aching from all the grinning and laughter. Although some of us will temporarily be located in different countries or continents, may our ties always hold strong... and I'll be waiting for announcements in 2006 (and Japan 2012 :)

The Sound of Music

After 7 years of faithful service from my computer sound card and CD discman (which are no longer working)... my life will be filled with music once again.

Finally bought my MP3 player! Yay!

Like I mentioned previously, if you really want something, all roads will eventually lead to the object of your desire (even though you may have to travel a large distance or burn a hole in your wallet to get to it :)

And I didn't buy anything else from the showroom. With my player in hand, I can rest peacefully, knowing that I've filled that cavernous void in my life (For those who are wondering what I'm talking about, my previous blog entry may help make some sense). And I've got the Creative MuVo Micro N200 in blue!

Now that I've burnt a hole in my pocket, I'll have to start saving up again to buy a digicam next year...

Dearth of a Salesman

What distinguishes a good salesperson from one who is ... well... not as effective?

Good product knowledge would be an important trait. Take my experience today as an example, while shopping for an MP3 player at a large electrical goods outlet (which I won't name for fear of being sued, or blacklisted in the shop... :) No one from the 'Music players' section was around, so a salesman from the camera section walked over. Being technologically-challenged, I pointed to my player of choice (a Creative MuVo Micro N200), and asked if I could use the voice recording function concurrently with the line-in encoding function (i.e. voice-over). The salesman gave me a strange look, and the following actual conversation ensued:
Myself : "So how do I do the voice recording?"
Salesman: "You record your voice when you talk."
Myself: "So do I have to talk into something, like a mike or speaker?"
Salesman: "No, you talk, it will record"
Myself: "Can I record a song with it?"
Salesman: "No, but can record your voice"
Myself: "So you press a button to start recording, is it?"
Salesman: "No, the button for playing. You talk, it will record your voice."
Myself: "So it's automatic?"
Salesman: "No, you need to record."
Myself (baffled): "So how do you record?"
Salesman: "You talk, then it will record."
I thanked the salesman and walked out of the shop, leaving (both him and myself) with a perplexed look. I didn't buy the player anyway, they only had it in an obiang bright-orange skin.

But the thing is, that wasn't a very effective exchange, was it? He'd probably have had more expertise if I were enquiring about a digital camera. Hopefully I wouldn't get an answer like: "You look, then it will take your picture."

To me, the most effective (and dangerous) salespeople are the ones who can (without blinking) answer anyone's questions, and convince you that you cannot live without their product.
They can convince you that X-brand elbow pads are made of the toughest material that nothing short of a diamond can slice through, and are so light that you can rollerblade faster with them. And therefore, if you indeed rollerblade faster, it would be even more important that you keep yourself protected from injury. Then, they'll introduce X-brand knee pads, which would protect your knees from being shredded to ribbons when you fall (but conveniently leave out the fact that they wouldn't prevent your bones from shattering from the impact). You'd then feel the urgent and overwhelming need to buy these two X-brand products, otherwise you will fall and scrape your knees, get them infected and gangrenous, have to amputate them, and lie in the hospital, wishing you'd listened to the salesperson and bought X-brand's gear instead of Y-brand's.
They can also convince you to buy their 8-piece dinner set, which costs over $200 (BUT was discounted from $500), is the latest and most popular design, microwavable, and scratch-proof. Yes, you NEED to buy it, or you will forever have an empty void in your soul that nothing else but that dinner set can fill. Even though you already own 4 other complete sets in white, black, blue and green.
They can also convince you to use Brand A's beauty products, which can smoothen your skin/remove wrinkles/make you slimmer/contain antioxidants/reverse aging/prevent cancer/make you immortal, and which have been tested and endorsed by famous celebrities (whose faces can also be seen endorsing Brand B, C and D's beauty products - now which is the one that really works?). You won't want to grow old wrinkled, black, and lifeless like a prune, and look back with regret to the day that you refused to buy Brand A's cream, will you? So buy Brand A's cream now, before you regret later (and before you change your mind, so that the salesgirl won't lose her commission on this sale...)

Had the outlet's salesman persuaded me to buy the MP3 player back then, I may have had to settle for one in a bright orange skin. Well, I guess I can buy the blue-skin version from Creative's main showroom, where they may overwhelm and probably convince me to buy a bagful of other products and accessories which I won't/rarely use anyway.

At least I'll get my player in the colour I wanted.