Singapore OK... or Not? Episode 8: Rethinking the Relevance of Hawker Centre Renovations

There are a lot more comments on the original online article. I shall stop posting to national newspapers because of self-censorship. Hence, at a time when I thought this sector will be over, it's back and probably will be more often written about.

Rethinking the Relevance of Hawker Centre Renovations

After the hawker centre had been upgraded in Aljunied Crescent, Tan Chek Wee wrote an article to TODAY on 26 September 2014. In his article “Stop unnecessary hawker centre renovations”, he highlights concerns about the lower-income group’s affordability in buying food.

Likewise, the hawker centre at block 117 Aljunied Avenue 2 has been renovated a few times, including once in November 2005. The latest improvement was completed on 15 August 2014. With every upgrade comes a new paint coat and several additions. This time, specialised pipes used to reduce the smoke produced inevitably via cooking have been installed among others. Instead of listing the differences between the before and after make-up of the highly used food centre, I would like to instead focus on the relative importance of such additions to hawker centres.

These specialised pipes are huge and suck up the smoke produced inevitably via cooking. With a great number of hawker stalls, this seems to be a relevant change aimed to improve the quality of dining there. Ideally, people can dine in a better environment with less smoky air. However, how severe is the air quality in that particular hawker centre during peak hours? Personally, the place gives me a clean and refreshing feel each time I step there to browse my options for lunch. I believe those who frequent that place would have a better picture.

The structure of the hawker centre also has a high roof. This greatly facilitates the movement of air around the place and readily ferries smoke out of the hawker centre, with fresh air taking its place. Contrast it with certain hawker centres with a low roof slightly higher than the ceiling of an average HDB flat. If you compare the hawker centre at Aljunied Avenue 2 with the one at block 89 Circuit Road, the air quality in the latter is stuffier.

Hence, are such additions a need?

I am sure that there is a rigorous process to validate these suggestions before they are implemented on a case-by-case basis just like various policies. For example, means-testing is carried out for each patient to ascertain their financial ability before they can be given certain subsidies. There is also an income ceiling one must not reach before one can choose to purchase a HDB flat.

I hope that this evaluation process can be applied for future hawker centre upgrades across the island. If these result in hawkers leaving, the familiar faces of our hawkers are lost, creating a dent in our community togetherness. I find it a pity to not be able to catch up with my friends who prepare food I crave for on a weekly basis. Even if there was no communication, there is something special about them watching me grow up through my years of dining there. The reduced diversity of stalls is a relatively small problem, but the increment of food prices is not, considering the income group of those who live there. The importance of such upgrades must be carefully thought out and studied in greater detail, lest the adverse impacts outweigh the perceived benefits these “upgrades” bring.

DJ 小弟 29 Sep 2014

感情的事很难说。有时好端端的，不知为什么，却能放手。这就是梁文音在最新专辑《漫情歌》主打歌《爱其实很残忍》里的概念。也有人能碰到对的人，也许花很多时间才能有这种感觉，等等…… 但是不管怎样，这种感觉好难得。

就像杨丞琳在《想幸福的人》接近尾歌部分说：“我相信，当一个很想幸福的人，也必须是能够让人幸福的人。”如果你真的想要幸福，那你的另一半也一定要觉得自己是幸福的。是双方面的付出。小弟也要说明所谓的幸福不仅仅是你在言语、动作的表示，而是一种无法解释的心里的感觉。一个人能付出很多心思，但如果另一方，为了不切实际的理由、不符合逻辑的借口而无法接受，那那段感情也维持不了多久。

小弟在此安排的丁当的《好难得》。希望你们听了也会有所珍惜、感触。

All I wish is for another's voice to be in unison with mine.

10 Sep 2014

Now being more open to giving thanks, I just thanked someone who allowed me to go first at the water cooler! He reached first and he said 'welcome', upon my gratitude. This word was really heartening.

Acknowledge those who have been kind to you and let them feel good and pass it on!

#ellen #bekindtooneanother

Muay Thai lesson part 2

The second part focuses on elbows, uppercuts, push kick and another break lock.

For elbows, the hand motion is supposed to 'comb one's hair' or cut through the face diagonally to hit the opposite side. However, with the body motion constantly twisting, even a straight up elbow is supposed to hit the opponent on the other side instead. This needs practice. Also, the hand is supposed to open palm face down under the armpit so as to create a only one point of contact instead of a rubbing of the skin.

Uppercuts, are just a short twisting of the body. The motion is somewhat similar to an elbow, in a rather short, upward direction instead.

Push kicks are interesting. By raising a leg, then extending it and shortening it immediately, while leaning forwards or backwards to give greater power or stability, this is probably one of the simplest and most innate action.

Today's lock is when someone hugs my waist from behind. My left hand will grab his right wrist. Then my right hand from outside loop below his right arm past the elbow and grab my left wrist. Stick out the butt and then twist the body sharply by pivoting on my left leg 180 degrees. This will turn into an armbar or can be used to immobilize the person.

Happy to learn how to execute an armbar at last! I was gaping in awe and the word came out!

8 Sep 2014

Helped 2 NJC ladies find their way through NUS. They were really shocked that a stranger would extend help as if it were a normality. I'm here to help change that mindset.

#ellen #bekindtooneanother.

6 Sep 2014

Helped a couple of tourists who was lost on deciphering the Circle Line direction to their destination.

#ellen #bekindtooneanother

5 Sep 2014

相信不同的对象有不同结果，我应该每一次恋爱都好像没受伤过，无限次恋爱都要像初恋执著。

虽然别太快认定不是你的，就不值得投入太多，一直期待并等待着对的人会欣赏我之前犯过的错。好奇妙的感觉！我想试一试！

All I wish is for another's voice to be in unison with mine.