Singapore OK... or Not? Episode 3 : Compassion

Welcome to the another episode of Singapore OK... or Not? I would like to take this opportunity to clarify that this series explores some of the not-so-nice attitudes that Singaporeans have that make Singapore an unpleasant place to live in from time to time. It does not involve news items. Those reflections will not have this heading. Anyway, I got the inspiration of this post by talking to my friend. This is a very important and common thing, so why didn't I come to the realization earlier?

I will give you one example. When I see my friend on the road now, they just pretend to miss me when I actually responded. Is this going to be a heartless society where no one cares about each other any more? I encourage all of you to acknowledge the people around you, even if you are in a conversation, a smile, nod would be more than enough to warm another's soul. Compassion is no longer a thing of helping others when in need or donate money. It is a broad term.

We have come to the end of another episode of Singapore OK... or Not? As usual, you can send in your thoughts as comments in the box below or click on the link! Although this a short episode, I hope you still bring home a valuable lesson. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for the next episode.

Transport Fares Revision

In today's Today paper, you would probably have read the front page about the revision in transport fares. Some people think it's not enough. I'm included.

Just 7 years ago, the price of bus fare for the lowest fare stage is 10 cents lower than the present 71 cents. You can click here for the reference. What I'm not happy is that they increase and increase, amounting to quite a significant amount then they opened the tap and let a drip of water out.

It's like your electricity rates. It increased until it was 30+ cents for every kilowatt used. Now, as everyone complained and if they do not go down, everyone will be upset with the ruling system over Singapore. But I assure you, it will make its comeback and rise to an even more expensive rate then ever and will continue rising.

CL4-4听写答案

请同学们做改正并把这些常见的字记进脑里。

Singapore OK... or Not? Episode 2 : Common Sense and a news item squeezed in

Happy Valentine’s Day!

To bring more cheer today, I am going to touch on this topic in the next episode of Singapore OK... or Not? Then to round up the day, I have 2 more news items that you should take note of. With so many things planned ahead for you, what are you waiting for? Get reading!

Welcome to the another episode of Singapore OK... or Not? Have you heard that the more learned a person is the less common sense he has? This is especially true in today’s society. Never mind the good manners that you should display, it's common sense we are talking about today.

There are many examples in real life. You only need to be critical and observant to your surroundings. Take my bus trip last week for example, it was very crowded. And there was this small child (studying in a primary school) that was trying to tap his Ez-Link card on the reader. The card was conveniently hung around his neck. The point is, he is quite a distance from the reader as he just came abroad. I was trying to help to "unwind" the string from his neck, when he pushed his small body forward and managed to tap his card. In the process, my heart was in pain seeing him, as he had to stretch that elastic band of "rubber band" until it made some red markings around the back of his neck.

If you think that a child has an excuse for having no common sense, read this. The day after on my way home, I took a very crowded lift. Fortunately, I was at the back of the lift. When the lift stopped at one particular storey, one "bulky" man in front of me tried to get out. But the people near the door refused to give way: no matter how much they squeezed themselves, they just could not generate enough space for the man to pass. I was crying out ion desperation! Why not the few of them walk out of the lift, and when that man was out of the lift, those people just reenter the lift again! I mean, what's so difficult, in doing that? If they are afraid that the door might close before they reenter, all they need to do is to press the button outside or wait for the next one!

I feel that if everyone just think about what's happening around them, this Valentine's Day will be of more smiles. We have come to the end of another episode of Singapore OK... or Not? As usual, you can send in your thoughts as comments in the box below or click on the link! Thank you for reading and stay tuned for the next episode, as it may pop up anytime.

The first news item for you to take note of is that Deepavali will be moved from Nov 15 (Sunday) to Oct 17 (Saturday). For everyone, the public holiday on Nov 16 will be cancelled. Some schools may let their students off on the following Monday (Oct 19) while working adults, lose a holiday. It makes this year's public holidays very much lower that last year's (11 as to 8, I think).

Secondly, for those males who did not get a silver in the year before being enlisted in National Service, you now need to spend 8 weeks, not 4 extra weeks in Army. So I recommend you start training now. This takes effect for the December enrolment this year, if I'm not wrong. There is still time and it is attainable if you start now and do it consistently. Check this webpage for more the scorechart to help you plan a programme.