Recently the propagation for social conscience in leisure and entertainment has been stepped up locally. We see social conscience in our coffee; if you don't know, Starbucks actually buys their coffee beans directly from poor coffee farmers, thus not short-changing them of their profits earned.
Then there is the reduce the plastic bags campaign going on in Singapore, to the dismay of many Singaporeans. And the motorola red movement, which funds the AIDs campaign, I think. Body Shop is also another social conscience movement, against animal testing, supporting community trade etc etc.
All these implementations are creating awareness about the world but in subtle ways. And I think we do need to be more considerate about the things going on in the world, inequality, environmental damage, exploitation etc. Personally, I only find these issues confined to the news broadcast and newspapers. Which I confess I don't really read nor watch. When I pick the papers, I read the Life! section, which is on entertainment, TV guide and comics. When I pick the remote control for the TV, I watch MTV, starworld, anything but BBC or CNN or CNA.
It is only when I started studying more about sociological and political movements in Sociology, I understood better of the reality I have been running away/ deluding myself from by entrenching myself in my own comfort bubble, shop, watch tv, trying to keep up the latest bod and look etc.
Maybe it is a form of escapism, cos in the media and entertainment world, everything is fine and perfect. You see more than perfect models, they live in the best houses and enjoy the best entertainment, they have the best relationships and the best families. And we forget that in this world, a huge portion of peoples's lives are far from perfect. In fact it is not even livable. But we don't want to let our conscience get the better of us so we cut off from knowing about this and further delude ourselves into the "perfect" lives as emulated from the media. At least, that's what I would do to elavate my conscience for the destitute.
But, as such social conscience creeps into the media, with celebrity ambassadors sharing on TV about their community work, on war and politics, it brought me back to reality. We either become politically active by understanding the inequalities of the world, human rights, and be concerned of political movements in our own country or other countries, or we become apolitical and not be bothered about all these issues which ultimately will implicate us, and just carry on aimlessly playing our computer games, watching our soppy drama serials.
I feel that we need more social conscience embedded into our lifestyle and commodities, so that whilst we indulge in our own form of entertainment- as fortunate as we are to be able to enjoy such wealthy lifestyles- these little tags and pieces of information attached to the coffee we drink, the products we buy, the music we hear, will remind us to be socially considerate and not be too individualistic. Not to just care for ourselves but also give a thought to those we might indirectly exploit when we purchase a piece of commodity, which might come from factories made up of exploited women or children.
But I'm glad that Singapore is on its way to allowing more companies and products with a brand of social conscience. Even better still, maybe one day our own local companies will come up with a social conscience branding. Man, even Linkin Park has put in some form of social conscience into their new album, What I've Done. The new mtv in some ways invoke our guilty conscience... Cool...
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Cooking frenzy
I spent the weekend making one pastry after another.
On Saturday, Aiping came over to help me with making some snacks for my church's Fathers Day Tea reception. We made Kueh Salat and egg tarts. Was darn lot of work, but worth it Thanks I-think-pink!!! :)
The church aunties were pleased :)
On Sunday, Fathers' Day, I made a card for my Dad and a pumpkin cake. Making cards are a tradition in my house. My parents keep the cards I made since I was 8 or 9 years old. Every birthday and Father or Mothers' Day. They rather I make a card than I buy stuff or cards for them. Which is good. Making cards are much, much cheaper. (And I get to reuse materials at home for the cards *teeheehee*)
I made a ridiculous kindergarten looking card for my dad. I dunno, somehow I think he resembles a huge friendly teddy bear. With droopy small eyes. Bahaha. So, that explains the teddy bear....
Once I made a very ridiculous card for my mom. That time we just had a scanner, so I scanned her face and my dad's face separately. I attached her face to a supermodel's body walking on a runway, holding a huge diamond ring (many carats),but, with the diamond ring replaced by my Dad's face. It was hilarious.
Anyways, back to the pumpkin cake. I spread cream cheese frosting over it to make it look like a pumpkin. YESH its supposed to look like a pumpkin!!! THe pocky sticks are meant to be the stalk. Use your imaginations people....
On Saturday, Aiping came over to help me with making some snacks for my church's Fathers Day Tea reception. We made Kueh Salat and egg tarts. Was darn lot of work, but worth it Thanks I-think-pink!!! :)
The church aunties were pleased :)
On Sunday, Fathers' Day, I made a card for my Dad and a pumpkin cake. Making cards are a tradition in my house. My parents keep the cards I made since I was 8 or 9 years old. Every birthday and Father or Mothers' Day. They rather I make a card than I buy stuff or cards for them. Which is good. Making cards are much, much cheaper. (And I get to reuse materials at home for the cards *teeheehee*)
I made a ridiculous kindergarten looking card for my dad. I dunno, somehow I think he resembles a huge friendly teddy bear. With droopy small eyes. Bahaha. So, that explains the teddy bear....
Once I made a very ridiculous card for my mom. That time we just had a scanner, so I scanned her face and my dad's face separately. I attached her face to a supermodel's body walking on a runway, holding a huge diamond ring (many carats),but, with the diamond ring replaced by my Dad's face. It was hilarious.
Anyways, back to the pumpkin cake. I spread cream cheese frosting over it to make it look like a pumpkin. YESH its supposed to look like a pumpkin!!! THe pocky sticks are meant to be the stalk. Use your imaginations people....
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Ugly Frog
After months of slow progress, I finally finished my ugly frog purse....
Sadly, its a far cry from this:
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Slipped into twilight zone....
I hate napping in the hot afternoons, I always end up slippping in and out sub-conciously.
I was so tired today I decided to take a nap. Slept for about an hour. Then I decided to wake up. But I realised my body couldn't move. My eyes could barely open. So, keeping my eyes closed, I rised up and sat at my study table beside my bed. But I was soo sleepy, couldn't keep myself on the chair. I fell off...
When I opened my eyes, damn! I'm still on my bed.. I actually dreamt that I woke up but not really... And this repeated for a few times..
I got worried.. what if I can't wake up? I wanted to call out to my Dad, who was in the same room using the PC... I can't even move! Eyes still could barely open. I started to panick.... Mustered all my energy to move my mouth to shout, but my cheek muscles merely shivered....
Oh no... panicked even more... I started breathing faster... I can't believe a young healthy person like me who can easily jump and run now cannot even move an inch....
Concentrated... told myself I WANT to wake up... My eyes opened up, and immediately I chanced on that to lurge my body and sprang out of bed. Ok finally this time its for real. Still feeling very very drowsy, I quickly made my way to the toilet to wash my face. As the droplets on my face dried up, I felt more awake and was back to normal again...
I was quite freaked out by this incident... its not the first time happening and I don't really feel good after waking up, in fact I feel more drained... It started to make me think about sleeping... its like switching off from reality to enter into a gibberish world, a world that doesn't make sense.
Eeee... I'm never gonna take afternoon naps, or at least with the air-con on....
I was so tired today I decided to take a nap. Slept for about an hour. Then I decided to wake up. But I realised my body couldn't move. My eyes could barely open. So, keeping my eyes closed, I rised up and sat at my study table beside my bed. But I was soo sleepy, couldn't keep myself on the chair. I fell off...
When I opened my eyes, damn! I'm still on my bed.. I actually dreamt that I woke up but not really... And this repeated for a few times..
I got worried.. what if I can't wake up? I wanted to call out to my Dad, who was in the same room using the PC... I can't even move! Eyes still could barely open. I started to panick.... Mustered all my energy to move my mouth to shout, but my cheek muscles merely shivered....
Oh no... panicked even more... I started breathing faster... I can't believe a young healthy person like me who can easily jump and run now cannot even move an inch....
Concentrated... told myself I WANT to wake up... My eyes opened up, and immediately I chanced on that to lurge my body and sprang out of bed. Ok finally this time its for real. Still feeling very very drowsy, I quickly made my way to the toilet to wash my face. As the droplets on my face dried up, I felt more awake and was back to normal again...
I was quite freaked out by this incident... its not the first time happening and I don't really feel good after waking up, in fact I feel more drained... It started to make me think about sleeping... its like switching off from reality to enter into a gibberish world, a world that doesn't make sense.
Eeee... I'm never gonna take afternoon naps, or at least with the air-con on....
OBS @ Pulau Ubin
Last saturday morning:
5am
Woke up to fry Ramly burger patties, cut lettuce and prepared for the Ubin trip. Showered, packed remaining stuff for the outing.
7am:
Rushed out of house to meet Nicole and the rest at Hougang Central
8.15am:
After a long wait as one of Nicole's friend is late, we crammed into her family car and whisked off to Punggol Jetty
8.35am:
We waited for boat to Ubin OBS! Yea!!!
9am:
Reached Ubin and walked to Nicole's sister's office (she's an instructor at OBS so she allowed us to enter the territory for a day of fun-filled activities. From the corridor, we could see the high-element obstacle ship design. There were people at the top doing the sails. They looked like they were hanging themselves to dry. Half an hour later, they were still "hanging" there... Wondered if their bellies hurt from all that hanging... hohoho....
10am:
Started climbing on the external wall. Man, the tiles were sizzling!!! Climbing out in the sun is so different from climbing indoors. I could get tired just by standing there... and the heat drains the strength away... We first attempted the side walls, which were sloping inwards, means its easier to climb. Then we attempted the higher, cliff-like one. I nearly reached the top, but slipped just 2 metres away from the top. Couldn't climb back again, cos the rope jutting out pulled me away from the wall. In the end, ALL of us ended up trying to swing and swing and swing back and forth to reach the wall.... TIRING...
12pm?:
Finally could use the internal wall. This time, we tackled the high elements. Use more arms, to grab and pull myself up. So tiring, but very fun and scary. I have a problem with heights. After years of rock-climbing, I sort of overcame my fear of heights. But this time, the entire structure was shaking!!! Shaking in mid-air! And at certain parts my legs trembled (no more strength) and the stupid thing trembled too, with all the chains clanking like bells.... Wah piang eh... plus I was so tired and I was so sweaty my arms slipped from the metallic bars... But reaching at the top was a good feeling, all the bruises are coming out now...
2.30pm:
Finally we are done with all the playground stuff and we headed back to the office for our packed lunch. Lunch was fabulous! Nicole made her devilish devil's eggs and mushroom onigiri, I made Ramly burgers, and her fren Angie brought delicious grilled chicken wings and fried sausages. Nothing beats ice-cold syrup drink after a hot, hot, hot day's climb.... Ooooh..
3.30pm:
Changed for kayaking. We used the open kayaks whoch were more fun as they are lighter and easier to hop in and out. Along the way we saw many jelly fishes, I saw one blue one... so beautiful, like UV rays.... then there were the pink and white ones.... used my paddle to play with them hahahaha!!! I was jabbing, prodding and poking them with my paddles... poor jellies... traumatized. Muahahhaha Even tried lifting them out of the water with my paddles... :P
Spent a whole day using my arms... gosh they are going to grow as thick as my legs -_-'''
4.20pm:
Reached the shore, started washing up
5pm:
Rushed out of the office and ran to the jetty to hop on the boat back. We had more food, sweet cold chinese pears and slimy jelly drinks, a packet attached with a straw to suck the goo out of the packet... niccceee slurp slurp...
5.15:
Took a bus out to Punggol MRT and headed back home....zzzzzZZZZZ
Seriously dehydrated.....
5am
Woke up to fry Ramly burger patties, cut lettuce and prepared for the Ubin trip. Showered, packed remaining stuff for the outing.
7am:
Rushed out of house to meet Nicole and the rest at Hougang Central
8.15am:
After a long wait as one of Nicole's friend is late, we crammed into her family car and whisked off to Punggol Jetty
8.35am:
We waited for boat to Ubin OBS! Yea!!!
9am:
Reached Ubin and walked to Nicole's sister's office (she's an instructor at OBS so she allowed us to enter the territory for a day of fun-filled activities. From the corridor, we could see the high-element obstacle ship design. There were people at the top doing the sails. They looked like they were hanging themselves to dry. Half an hour later, they were still "hanging" there... Wondered if their bellies hurt from all that hanging... hohoho....
10am:
Started climbing on the external wall. Man, the tiles were sizzling!!! Climbing out in the sun is so different from climbing indoors. I could get tired just by standing there... and the heat drains the strength away... We first attempted the side walls, which were sloping inwards, means its easier to climb. Then we attempted the higher, cliff-like one. I nearly reached the top, but slipped just 2 metres away from the top. Couldn't climb back again, cos the rope jutting out pulled me away from the wall. In the end, ALL of us ended up trying to swing and swing and swing back and forth to reach the wall.... TIRING...
12pm?:
Finally could use the internal wall. This time, we tackled the high elements. Use more arms, to grab and pull myself up. So tiring, but very fun and scary. I have a problem with heights. After years of rock-climbing, I sort of overcame my fear of heights. But this time, the entire structure was shaking!!! Shaking in mid-air! And at certain parts my legs trembled (no more strength) and the stupid thing trembled too, with all the chains clanking like bells.... Wah piang eh... plus I was so tired and I was so sweaty my arms slipped from the metallic bars... But reaching at the top was a good feeling, all the bruises are coming out now...
2.30pm:
Finally we are done with all the playground stuff and we headed back to the office for our packed lunch. Lunch was fabulous! Nicole made her devilish devil's eggs and mushroom onigiri, I made Ramly burgers, and her fren Angie brought delicious grilled chicken wings and fried sausages. Nothing beats ice-cold syrup drink after a hot, hot, hot day's climb.... Ooooh..
3.30pm:
Changed for kayaking. We used the open kayaks whoch were more fun as they are lighter and easier to hop in and out. Along the way we saw many jelly fishes, I saw one blue one... so beautiful, like UV rays.... then there were the pink and white ones.... used my paddle to play with them hahahaha!!! I was jabbing, prodding and poking them with my paddles... poor jellies... traumatized. Muahahhaha Even tried lifting them out of the water with my paddles... :P
Spent a whole day using my arms... gosh they are going to grow as thick as my legs -_-'''
4.20pm:
Reached the shore, started washing up
5pm:
Rushed out of the office and ran to the jetty to hop on the boat back. We had more food, sweet cold chinese pears and slimy jelly drinks, a packet attached with a straw to suck the goo out of the packet... niccceee slurp slurp...
5.15:
Took a bus out to Punggol MRT and headed back home....zzzzzZZZZZ
Seriously dehydrated.....
Friday, June 08, 2007
Buildings
I woke up at around 9.30am this morning. I saw that the sky was a clear blue, and the sun was shining brightly. Nice morning. I sprang out of bed, showered and cycled to my neighbourhood area Balestier Point to snap some shots for my assignment.
The pictures turned out great. Oh I love the new camera. These are pictures of Balestier Point.
Interesting shaped building eh? And look at the sky... its cleear blue....
I played with my camera snapping pictures from my balcony at night too. I love the golden glow of the city.
Oh and finally, a shot of my nephew... I'm not sure what function I played with, but there seems to be a blurry effect around him... felt it enhanced the picture (uh maybe his high forehead haha!)
The pictures turned out great. Oh I love the new camera. These are pictures of Balestier Point.
Interesting shaped building eh? And look at the sky... its cleear blue....
I played with my camera snapping pictures from my balcony at night too. I love the golden glow of the city.
Oh and finally, a shot of my nephew... I'm not sure what function I played with, but there seems to be a blurry effect around him... felt it enhanced the picture (uh maybe his high forehead haha!)
Monday, June 04, 2007
Lovely Onde Ondes~~
Some of you may have seen me lugging around a huge bunch of pandan leaves and market plastic bags on Saturday evening, like some par sar ah-soh. I looove shopping at Sheng Shiong. I must do that more often. 
Anyway, I transformed those bushy looking pandan leaves and purple sweet potatoes that I bought into....
Tada!!! Onde Ondes!!!!! I was sooo pleased. They were a huge sucess. Very soft on the outside, and when you bite them, the gula melaka syrup squirts out of the skin! Mixing sweet potatoes and glutinous rice flour makes the dough much softer and smoother. I got this recipe thanks to this food blogger Cheryl, http://thebakerwhocooks.blogspot.com who is always so crazy about food, and I think spends every free time she has researching and cooking. She is a real foodie. man...
Think I'm gonna try more local recipes for the time being... its quite weird when people ask me what can I bake or cook, its always pasta, or cakes, or something not local. I think its because a lot of recipes and cookbooks are always from overseas. Especially online recipes (too expensive to afford books la...) Or maybe its because while my mother and maid cooks for meals, I would be in my own room thinking they don't need an extra hand. Hmm... what shall I attempt next???
Friday, June 01, 2007
BaaAAaabaa lost SheEp.
Baaaaaah.
Today is the 1st of June 2007. Amy has nothing to do (actually there is a pile of work waiting for her). She has decided to file for graduation this July. But she hasn't found a job. SHE DOESN'T KNOW WAD to work as....
She wants to run away to somewhere out there nobody knows... run and roll on the grass, scream, shout, sing and dance andtear off her clothes.
Give her many things to do, she grumbles, give her nothing and she is at a loss....
Can somebody guide this poor sheep back on track? She has caught mad-cow and she is trotting around in circles... Do sheep trot? Or only horses? Pigs? (Pigs trotters...) Hmm.. is she a lamb or a sheep?
"I'm not a lamb... not yet a sheep... all I need is time, a moment that is mine, while I'm in between..."
In between... in between... I'm normless.... ahh!! NORMLESS!!!!
Anyways.. I think I cannot afford to curse or grumble or be depressed on my new blogskin... See the sign off at the bottom? She thanks her Jesus! Its a default sign-off I got from the blog skin. I can't thank Him for negative entries!!! So have to turn my perspective around and SMILE. :) Yeay! I'm a happy lamb-sheep!!!
Today is the 1st of June 2007. Amy has nothing to do (actually there is a pile of work waiting for her). She has decided to file for graduation this July. But she hasn't found a job. SHE DOESN'T KNOW WAD to work as....
She wants to run away to somewhere out there nobody knows... run and roll on the grass, scream, shout, sing and dance and
Give her many things to do, she grumbles, give her nothing and she is at a loss....
Can somebody guide this poor sheep back on track? She has caught mad-cow and she is trotting around in circles... Do sheep trot? Or only horses? Pigs? (Pigs trotters...) Hmm.. is she a lamb or a sheep?
"I'm not a lamb... not yet a sheep... all I need is time, a moment that is mine, while I'm in between..."
In between... in between... I'm normless.... ahh!! NORMLESS!!!!
Anyways.. I think I cannot afford to curse or grumble or be depressed on my new blogskin... See the sign off at the bottom? She thanks her Jesus! Its a default sign-off I got from the blog skin. I can't thank Him for negative entries!!! So have to turn my perspective around and SMILE. :) Yeay! I'm a happy lamb-sheep!!!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Bye Bye NUS, Hello World...
I'm leaving... from the academic scene, to embark on a God-knows-what path in life. Its kinda abrupt, have not really planned for it yet, but in one month's time after this special semester I will officially leave NUS.
Some people asked me if I want to stay on, but I guess I'm tired of having to worry and struggle to pull up the grades, and having to face the competition of grades against other people. Maybe a new phase in life would be better for me then.
If ya asked me, I guess I'm still in some denial, the truth have not sunk into me yet, and I'm feeling rather "floaty" right now. Neither here nor there, dun really belong anywhere. Whats more all my buddies are staying on in campus, I'm the only one moving out, so it feels strange too... I'm really gonna miss hanging out with you guys, in school, in the library, having lessons etc. I guess I'll take some time adapting to changes....
But at the same time, I'm quite looking forward to a new life, totally different environment, where you feel responsible for yourself and for others, where I feel like I am capable of sharing the burdens of having to support the family, care for them etc... hmm
So, that spells the end of my 10++ years of education (unfortunately I will have to miss my graduation ceremony), an abrupt and sudden end to it... but, I'm still glad for the paths I took so far. Progress on to phase 2!
Some people asked me if I want to stay on, but I guess I'm tired of having to worry and struggle to pull up the grades, and having to face the competition of grades against other people. Maybe a new phase in life would be better for me then.
If ya asked me, I guess I'm still in some denial, the truth have not sunk into me yet, and I'm feeling rather "floaty" right now. Neither here nor there, dun really belong anywhere. Whats more all my buddies are staying on in campus, I'm the only one moving out, so it feels strange too... I'm really gonna miss hanging out with you guys, in school, in the library, having lessons etc. I guess I'll take some time adapting to changes....
But at the same time, I'm quite looking forward to a new life, totally different environment, where you feel responsible for yourself and for others, where I feel like I am capable of sharing the burdens of having to support the family, care for them etc... hmm
So, that spells the end of my 10++ years of education (unfortunately I will have to miss my graduation ceremony), an abrupt and sudden end to it... but, I'm still glad for the paths I took so far. Progress on to phase 2!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Rock climbing disaster
Attended a rock climbing course last thursday and friday with Nicole. For all you rock climbing enthusiaists out there... Climb Adventure is open beside Clementi Stadium on the second floor at Clementi Sports and Recreation Club.
The last time I didn't get to complete my level 2 cert because I had to rush an essay and I skipped the second day of the course. That was like... 2-3 years ago? My my... time flies....
Okie here are the pictures...
Playing with the white board....
Instructor Adrian up at the top....
Nicole lead climbing.. (it means to set up the rope as you climb.... no rope set on top for the climber )
How Spider-man rock climbs....
I'm prusiking.... minutes before disaster strikes....
Nicole doing the prruusik too.... no disaster for her though.. haha
Here comes... the Glorious moment where my hair got caught.... below.... instructor to the rescue!
(Wad happened was that my hair was too close to my harness..and my hair got caught in between the rope and my harness equippent when I was rappeling down... the more I slide myself down the rope with my device, the more my hair got caught in between the device... almost pulled my scalp out! I was left hanging there for 15 minutes, when I screamed for my instructor to save me. It was quite scary, being up there in an awkward position feeling trapped and helpless... Those people around me below were amused and perplexed that my hair could get stuck.. never seen this case before... even the instructor was flabberghasted....and dear Nicole happily snapped away... nevermind at least got the memories... hahha)
Video of the scene... I was telling Adrian to tie a loop above me on the rope, so that I could step on the loop that he tied and release the tension off my harness so that my hair could come off... how to explain... my hair got caught in my belaying device because my entire weight was on the harness and belaying device... so now I sort of transferred my body weight to my legs by stepping on the loop that he tied... see the picture of Nicole stepping on the green cord above... that is the loop that I was supposed to step on...
The video stopped before I could stand on the loop tied to the rope...
What a day. Despite this freak accident, I'm still qualified for climbing level 2. :)
What a day. Despite this freak accident, I'm still qualified for climbing level 2. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)