For the past 2 weeks, I would say I had been "busy". Over last weekend, I went to Grandma's place in Buloh Kasap for the 7th month festival. Good thing I had the foresight to download Glee and watch it there. Glee was my source of entertainment most of the time. Kind of sad that I watched Glee there and not back home simply because there was no internet connection. I admit it. I'm an internet addict. I can't survive without prolong use of internet. Not. I only watch Glee since my cousins were not around and I was bored to tears.. It was either make use of my computer or stare into space and nap..
Just yesterday, I'd learnt a new skill. Champagne sabering - a very traditional and cool way to open a bottle of champagne. Why it is called sabering? During the cant remember which century where cavalry fought on horsebacks, when the army are victorious, they took out their sabers to pop open the champagnes to celebrate. Some history is involved. According to the instructor, he witness sabering of champagnes here at St Regis. Seems like you need to got to an "atas" place to "properly" open the bottles, instead of the usual popping the champagnes.. hahaha...
Learnt a bit of Champagne history and now I can say that I know how to open wine bottles, since champagne are technically wine. White wine (Sauvignon Blanc) that went through a secondary fermentation. Seowhui, Huiru and I had a go at sabering the bottles. Seowhui was hilarious, screaming as she saber it, Huiru had the third time lucky charm and I think I was all cool and collected.. hahahaha...
mich..
11:55 pm
A "new era" had begun in Singapore, with the Presidential Elections (PE) being held yesterday. It was my first time voting ever, being "walked-over" during the General Elections (GE) that was held in May. The PE was a 4-cornered fight, where all the four candidates happened to have the same family name - Tan. They are: Tan Cheng Bock (TCB), Tan Jee Say (TJS), Tony Tan (TT) and Tan Kin Lian (TKS). These four have different "agendas" during the campaigning period. The following are my views on the candidates. TCB, a medical doctor, wants to be the voice of the people. Someone who will use his "veto" powers wisely and advises the Prime Minister (PM) on policies. His track record shows that he is willing to work with the government, being a Member of Parliament (MP) with PAP and had indeed voiced out issues that the citizens were unhappy with and against certain issues of national interests. He is someone that if he was the president, we can be assured that he will handle our reserves prudently, safeguard our national interests and utillise his veto powers effectively, at the same time advising our government and uniting the nation. On the international front, I will not fear that he will give an impression of national disharmony where the President and Government "hates" each other, which will make Singapore a very vulnerable country.
TJS, an ex-civil servant, was running for MP during the GE, and decided that "hey, since we have 3 candidates that are affiliated to PAP, we need an OPPOSITION voice", and joined in the race. Throughout his campaigning, he emphasised on being an opposition, along as "buying" votes, stating that he will donate part of his salary away. (As if I'll benefit from it..) For his rallies, his speakers were members of the various opposition parties except for WP. (On a side note, PAP and WP did not outright support any of the candidates, although we all know who PAP backed..) Many wonder if he thinks this is the GE with 4 independent candidates contesting for a very big single ward called Singapore. Well, if TJS was to be the president, I think Singapore will suffer, with ill prepared strategies. Not only that, he will not be able to unite Singapore and obviously be very anti government. That is not a very desirable outcome, as mentioned under TCB on what may happen if the president and government cannot work together for the good of the country. Rumours also include that Singapore was temporary taken off the credit ranking (meaning our AAA status) for the world was seeing our outcome. There was plans to demote our ranking in the event he was to become the president. Scary. Before he can even become president, on the international front he already FAILED.
TT, a PhD holder, held many portfolios in the cabinet (aka government) and lead many financial institutions, not forgetting that he was also our DPM. However, anti-PAP sentiments are pretty high in Singapore at the moment (many I find are quite blown out of proportions thanks to our opposition - what I'm trying to say is there's a lot of salt and pepper involved) and he is a very PAP man. Hence, many voters are against him due to that fact alone. He is not a saint, neither is he a sinner many makes him out to be. He does have the qualities and capabilities of being the President of Singapore. Also, he is one of the two that knows the presidential roles in Singapore. (How interesting that the two that sticks to being a president as defined in the presidential act are doctors...) Well if he will to be the president, his experiences in the various financial institutions and investments holdings may help in handling our reserves. But there is always a fear of him misappropriating the funds since GIC (or is it GLC) and Temasek Holdings made quite a fair bit of losses while he was one of the directors/head... Nevertheless, on the international front, TT had the most experience in meeting and rubbing noses with foreign dignitaries. I also have no fear in him bad mouthing the government and will work with them (or is it for them?).
TKL, an ex NTUC union head who help many through the Lehman Brothers bonds sega... The most unpopular of the lot - having the least supporters. His signature move is the "High-five", which I personally find quite stupid. But that is beside the point. Not much can be said about him unfortunately since I was not paying much attention to him. He was pretty low key too. If he were to be president, well, I cant comment much can I? Something about him just turn me off. Poor guy.
So, we have 1 pro PAP, one neutral, 1 anti-PAP and one unknown (ok he is more or less neutral leaning towards anti PAP, hence will actually voice out disagreements I guess). The two with the most supporters are the two Doctors. Kudos to Singaporeans who voted for them, knowing what is good for Us.
Results were out pretty late (or early in the morning). After numerous counting, the results are: TCB: 34.85% TJS: 25.04% TT: 35.19% TKL: 4.91%, with TT being the elected president. This piece of news obviously created a furore online, since many were banking TCB to be the president. It didn't help that TCB lost to TT by 0.34%.
Life is never fair. Non TT supporters are moaning (once again they forgot that they actually did really well since TT was predicted to have 50% of the votes) about the unfairness etc. GE once again - think Potong Pasir. Some were bemoaning at where the 0.34% come from since no one seems to want to vote for TT and pledge themselves to other TCB or TJS. I think those that didn't outright say they'll vote for TT remained silence for their own self-preservation. Who in their right mind want to be criticised for supporting TT when you are surrounded by many that are quite anti him? Others also claimed that TKL should had just withdraw. Not only will he get back his election deposit of $48000, the 4.91% will vote for TCB, enabling him to be the president. Right. Others called for the overseas votes to be conclusive of the results so that TCB will win. Again, what made them so sure that TKL supporters and the overseas voters will vote for TCB and not TT (or TJS for the matter)? Sometimes I find my fellow Singaporeans, especially those of my generation makes no sense. Sadly. Or is it because I'm pretty cynical?
I'm accepting of the results. Sure, the Dr Tan I voted for did not win. I did my part and made my decision. That doesn't mean others have the same decision as me. We can do worse, with TJS or TKL being the president. At least with TT, we have some form of stability and normalcy. Don't expect much. Even if he is "chosen" by PAP, I would have liken it to be like when we didn't have to vote for any president and we still turned out pretty ok. S.R. Nathan was not elected into office, and he served us for 2 terms. We can't change the results. We have to live with it. Treating the results as if we didn't go through the hassle of election might help. After all, TT do have the substance to grace our walls of government institutions and buildings eg schools.
Labels: 2011 PE
mich..
9:22 pm
National Day was yesterday, a public holiday in which I had to wake up at the usual time as per a work day. Can't be help if I was suppose to leave the house at 730am to reach West Coast Park at 8am. Rosalind said she will run there. Should had made a bet with her since I was sure she won't be able to wake up while she insisted it was possible. In the end, Papa had to wake her up. -_-
We had fun running around West Coast Park like children with kites that we designed/decorated and exploring the various play area in the park. Not forgetting Rosalind stuffed herself with the free popcorn. Should had taken a photo of the popcorn booth. LOL.
Watched the National Day Parade (NDP) at home. It was indeed different this year, where there is a distinctive plot for all the different segments. Furthermore, the music video for this year's NDP theme song is linked to the plot. It was pretty interesting and engaging for the younger audience. A memorable part of the performance for me is the jumping paus and the various food items.. There were simply hilarious and refreshing.
mich..
8:40 pm
August has barely start and I had already ate out 2 times, going 3 times tomorrow. It all started with Seowhui's 2nd Bridal gowns fittings with us, the fellow pineapples. That was on Tuesday, where after the fitting, we crossed the road and ate at some restaurant bar. The food served there was pretty good, at least according to Kahpeng, Xunbin and me. We were satisfied with our orders. Perhaps it was because we were quite hungry too. Haha. The price was also pretty reasonable, so no complaints from us. =D
Just today, I went out with 3 other colleagues to a place called "The French Stall" for dinner, as KLH had a "craving" for their food. I quite like their food, especially their dark chocolate cake with ice cream. =) Price wise is definitely pricier than where I ate on Tuesday, however it still falls under the "reasonable range" where mains start from $16.90, depending on what you order. They also offer 3 course meal set starting from $19.80. Thanks KLH for introducing us to the place. I never knew it existed. Lol.
Going for Indonesian buffet dinner over at Kintamani (sp?) tomorrow for Papa's birthday. More "atas" dining for the week...
mich..
11:14 pm
