What are HDB flats for? If HDB is “heavily subsidized” by the government, why are there more people not able to afford one now? If it is meant to “protect” the people by giving a cheaper alternative so that more can afford a home to stay, why made this woman and her children homeless just because of the inflexible policies?

A homeless family..with kids

Just because “someone” works according to the “book” on the other line- “Oh..because the regulations say so….” this poor lady has no one to turn to. I wonder if she has the ground to even appeal.

Read her story here..

I do understand that such policies are in place so that some “bad hats” cannot reap the benefits from these cheap housing. But, is there also regulation to protect a victim like that woman?

Read more cases here…

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As you come to my age, you would probably attend at least 6 weddings a year. Besides the mass consumption of food during the dinner, I have also learned “a lot” about Chinese wedding.

I remember attending the first wedding a few years back when I first came to Singapore. What struck me the most is the “red packet” system here. I was pretty intrigued by the “price list” that the guest will generally use as a guideline to contribute the red packet money.

The amount of money you put in the red packet depends on the venue of the wedding banquet (more if the dinner is at the 5-star hotel), time of the wedding (lunch is usually cheaper than dinner, and so is weekdays) and etc.

I have to ask the “veteran” how much to give each time.

It didn’t make sense to me before. I mean, the newly-weds invite their friends and families to witness their wedding and so, give a treat to the guest. But also expect the guest to pay for their meals?

What also surprise me the most is the general comment made by the newly-weds,“the red-packet money can usually cover the cost of the dinner…so not to worry if the banquet cost $1000 per table.”

So the couple chooses to throw a $1000 per table banquet to the guest and “kind-of” expects the guest to pay at least $100 per person so to cover the cost?

Then, what is the true meaning and purpose of throwing a banquet then if it is to give your guest a treat?

And of course, there is a supply-and-demand issue. Some guests pay $60 for the dinner, they also expect to consume as much alcohol and shark fin as possible.

I can’t remember how many times I have read about people’s complains about paying for an expensive banquet but did not get to eat shark fin and abalone. Some even complained about vegetarian banquet or banquet without alcohol because “it is not worth the red packet money that they give”.

I am not saying everyone is like that. Only some. If the money is to be given as a blessing, then so be it. Why complain so much?

Just recently, I attended my friend’s wedding and she married an American. They had simple buffet but it was a wedding that I will remember for life! The groom’s father dressed up as Elvis Presley, sang a few song to entertain the guests.

The coolest dad!

The newly-weds did a Bollywood dance performance in suit and gown, they went around taking photos and everybody talked to everybody (because there was no table but only a handful of chairs). Guests did chicken dance and etc. It was one wedding that was not ABOUT THE FOOD, nor how many gowns the bride change during the banquet!

Suddenly, it reminded me of the weddings that I used to attend in Australia. Simple food but lots of love and interaction! The guests did not just turn up, consume the first to last dish and then bid goodbye. And I often made some new friends in their weddings.

I am glad that my parents are cool about what I like. To them, wedding is not about “face”, nor how many dresses I change and shark fin! So…Definitely no shark fin in my wedding…

Poor sharks…

p/s: No, I. AM. NOT. planning for a wedding…

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Had an interesting conversation with a friend the other day. We talked about how the younger ones think and behave differently from our generation.

Now, I must say, my friend is Gen X and I am Gen Y (caught in between). He shared with me that his Gen Y colleagues were generally more self-centered, self-serving and sheltered. Perhaps he guessed, that it was the upbringing and the “sheltered” environment that has changed how people handling issues. So he shared…

My friend told me about a 22 year-old guy who wrote him an email regarding his stock trading class. In his email, the young chap said:

“You mentioned that it costs SGD1,xxx to join your course. Just wondering if you have any credential or certificate? Could you guarantee that I will make money after taking up your course? Could I also ask if there is a money-back guarantee if your student does not make money after a certain period of time?”

His friend replied…

“I suggest that you find a better teach elsewhere. By the way, may I know why you want to take up this course? Do you want to pursue it as a full-time career?”

The young chap answered…

“I do not like to take the train to work in the morning. So I thought this could be an alternative for me.”

Well, I suggest that you can take the bus then…(mine)

Of course, I am not saying that ALL the young chaps nowadays think like that. This is just an “exceptional” case. But it is interesting to see that there are more young chaps look for an easy job, no risk and think that they also deserve the best.

Money-back guarantee for stock trading?? I also want..

Just like the other day, an O level student (16 years old) asked me if studying in XXX diploma can guarantee him a job after he completed it. (He hasn’t even chosen the course nor started it).

Wow I thought: if you know such a course exists that can guarantee you a job even before you start, let me know…co’s I also want to join that course.

So I gently replied:“Well, I think the only one who can answer you that, is God himself.”

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Frankly, I think it is just an iTouch being rolled over by a truck – bigger and flatter.

It doesn’t even fit in my handbag.

Sounds funny that I have to bring up a huge giant panel if I want to show my friend a photo.

Emmmm….

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“I wish I can go somewhere, alone….just by myself..” followed by a deep sigh.

Whenever I hear this comment, it always creates some sort of ripples in my head…

A very typical runaway statement.

It is funny how we react to difficulties and challenges. Is it our default survival instinct that we would look for an exit whenever we face a problem?

Awhile ago, I told a friend that I hoped to move to a country for x period of time. The reason I gave was that I wanted to see the world.

Then, he asked:“Really?”

“Yeah…why not? I love to travel, remember?” I answered.

But later that day when I was on the way home, I quietly reflected on why I “felt” the urge of moving out. The key was the “urge”. I don’t think anyone would feel that “urgency” and “desperation” to travel if one is genuinely just interested to see the world.

Then I realised – I was running away from a problem.

The problem was not obvious to me then, it was just subtly affecting me emotionally. As usual, a quiet time to be still is all I needed to think, talk and reflect. Surprisingly, the “urge to leave the country” subsided after I recognised and rectified the problem.

Sigh…not sure if it is because of those dramas and Hollywood movies that show people “romantically” travel to far far land when they have problems, leaving their loved ones behind, backpacked and starting a new life at some deserted land…bla bla bla…

And every time I heard the similar comment, I would just laugh to myself…because I am also like that. I hope time would change me…to face the problem boldly and not just “leaving the country”. HAH!

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