What a difference 7269 make

Singaporeans decided on Saturday that Dr Tony Tan will be President come 1 September 2011.

Here's the final tally:

• Dr Tony Tan (TT): 744,397 (35.19%)
• Dr Tan Cheng Bock (TCB): 737128 (34.85%)
• Mr Tan Jee Say (TJS): 529,732 (25.04%)
• Mr Tan Kin Lian (TKL): 103,931 (4.9%)

Image courtesy of http://news.insing.com

I guess this myopic nation realised that a pair of glasses was more important than having shade, a heart or a happy hand.

It was indeed a close race to the finish and I think PE2011 sent a strong signal to the ruling party: Many Singaporeans have roused from the slumber in the poppy field and will now challenge the authoritarian style of old-school indoctrination. We will no longer sit around and wait to be told what to do.

Anything can happen within the next 5 years before the General Elections and that's why PM Lee and his team must scrutinise every policy, every message and every communication that they roll out to win over the hearts and minds of Singaporeans.

Even then, there'll always be 25% who'll remain defiant and staunchly opposed to the current ruiling People's Action Party (PAP), as proven by Tan Jee Say's credible showing of 25.04%. For a relatively newcomer to politics, his 1/4 slice of the pie is worth taking note of. Of course he has his fair share of detractors, many Tan Cheng Bock fans who blame him for snatching away what they perceive to be votes from non-Tony Tan supporters.

Indeed, when Tan Jee Say received the Certificate of Eligibility to contest, many pro-opposition Singaporeans  rallied around to drum up support and encouragement. So while some may view this negatively, I believe this gave many others a choice they'd be more comfortable with rather than being forced to pick another they didn't care for.

Tony Tan is set to become Singapore's 7th Head of State. He's got an uphill task knowing that he marginally won with just 35%. Which means 65% Singaporeans didn't choose him and when the next PE rolls round, he could lose the job altogether if the nation doesn't think he deserves it.

All the best Dr Tony Tan. You've got a long road ahead of you.

TODAYonline | Hot News | This is not the end, says Tan Cheng Bock

TODAYonline | Hot News | This is not the end, says Tan Cheng Bock

Indeed it isn't.

Not when only 0.34% separated the two Dr Tans.

7,629. That's the margin of victory. Or loss.

Depending on how you view it.

If you ask me, I'd say that the good (better) doctor lost.

But my opinions don't matter now. And we'll just wait for another 6 years to watch the Battle Royal: Dr Tan vs Dr Tan (Part 2).

Cutting Back

I made a promise to cut back on my social media activities.

So if this space is inactive for a while, my sincere apologies.

I intend to keep my end of the bargain.

Till then, take care y'all!

Failure

I've failed as a wife and mother.

I can't seem to get my priorities right and get easily distracted by frivolous things like silly FB games, Twitter, blogging and now, PE2011.

The hub's furious. He's livid. And I can't blame him.

Xian's 3rd Term CA is on Monday and instead of helping her revise her work, I'm spending hours on end in front of the computer, trying to get little nuggets of information about PE2011 and playing mind-numbing games. Such an irresponsible mother. I cannot justify my actions at all.

Th hub's right about my addiction to social media and the constant flow of information I get inundated with. It's never been a more thrilling time, with changes happening in society and the birth of digital age. And I embrace this new era because I've suddenly found a little corner where I can creep to seek refuge from the harsh realities of life. In truth, I'm sick of my responsibilities - at work and at home - and I desperately need some time-out. But I can't just drop everything and run away. I'm just trying to look for an outlet to cope with my own stress.

It's getting ridiculous. The more upset I am about work and family, the more I just want to plunge into an alternative space where I can escape from everything. I'm literally struggling to keep my head above the water. Being a mother is the toughest job I've ever taken on, and I'm beginning to realise that I'm too selfish and ill-disciplined to ever be the right role model for my kids.

But this is my outlet - writing - and it's the most effective way for me to get my emotions off my chest. I usually feel a lot better after I've poured my woes.

Ironically, it's also threatening my relationships with my loved ones.

Right now, I'm lost. Hopelessly lost.

Vote for Tan!

For some strange reason, I'm getting really excited about next week's Presidential Elections.

Exactly a week from now, Singapore will witness history in the making as one of the Tans will emerge as the People's Choice.

The trillion dollar question is, of course, who will it be?

One of the Dr Tans? Their close affiliations with the People's Action Party (PAP) will win them votes from loyal PAP supporters but none from those who want an independent, objective voice.

As for the other two Tans, one has never contested in an election while the other was in the opposition camp. Singaporeans who prefer a neutral President, or at least one who'll provide "checks and balances", might swing in their favour.

2011 proved that Singaporeans are no longer apathetic, and that more have come forward in a bid to make a difference. I would very much like to volunteer my services but can't because of family commitments. Perhaps in years to come when the kids are older, I'll be able to find some time to help out in small ways.

I can only urge my fellow Singaporeans to vote wisely and no matter what happens, don't spoil your vote. In a four-cornered fight, every single vote counts.

PE2011: President Tan

This is an interesting political year for Singapore.

In May, we experienced a watershed General Election (GE).

Come 27 August 2011, Singaporeans will once again head to the polls and this time we will vote for our 7th president of the republic.

Will the Presidential Election (PE) be any different? Judging by the social media storm that's brewing online, sentiments are at an all time high: the people want to speak up and be heard. Never before has Singapore seen such a keenly contested PE where not two or three but four candidates are racing to win over the hearts and minds of Singaporeans.

Initially, many believed it would be a 3-corner fight between former Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tony Tan, former MP Dr Tan Cheng Bock and former NTUC Income Chief Tan Kin Lian. But then former Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) Opposition Member Tan Jee Say unexpectedly received a Certificate of Eligibility to run the race and joined the fray.

Now, it's a Battle of the Four Tans.

Sure, the votes will be diluted and it's expected that the next President win with less than 50% of the majority and perhaps one or even two candidates may even lose their S$48,000 deposit should they fail to secure 12.5% of the votes.

But that's not deterring any of the four candidates and on Nomination Day, all turned up and successfully filed their papers. Last night all four made their first Presidential Candidate Broadcast over free-to-air radio and television platforms.

Here are the four potential candidates presented in alphabetical order:









It's going to an exciting fight to the finish. Campaigning has started. May the best Tan win.

As for me, I'm voting with my heart.

Me Mumsy. Me HULK.

This entry was created on my Nokia X3-02 over two months ago while I was sitting by the teaching pool at Toa Payoh Swimming Complex, waiting for Wen to finish her swimming lesson. While deleting data from my phone, I chanced upon this and decided to upload it to my blog.

It's the last day of school hols and as usual it's a mad scramble to complete Xian’s holiday homework.

Procrastination is indeed the thief of time. I realised that she's not ready to be entrusted with the responsibility of completing her holiday homework without supervision. And I’m at fault to assume that she'd finished her tasks as claimed. I gave her the benefit of the doubt when she confidently proclaimed she'd completed all her work and failed to check till it was too late.

Will I ever learn? This whole mum gig is certainly not my thing. I'm a work horse when it comes to my own domain and livelihood. But I totally suck at being responsible for my kids. Simply put, I'm just too laid back, ill-disciplined and complacent to monitor their academic progress.

Sometimes I wish I were I little more “pushy” like the average Singaporean parent. My ever-devoted SIL gave up her job to be a stay-at-home mum and her two kids are performing brilliantly at school. They didn’t sprout academic brilliance overnight though – both were drilled with assessments the moment they attended preschool. My SIL is extremely strict with her kids and I’m impressed with how disciplined they’ve turned out to be.

In contrast, my three girls are rowdy, carefree wild dogs running all over the prairie. And now I’m worried that my preference for individualism has inevitably cultivated a trio of ill-disciplined goblins, drifters with aimless ambitions. And should my kids become less-than successful (academically or otherwise), fingers will point my way for having failed to be the role-model they’re supposed to emulate.

So when things don’t turn out the way they should, I must bear the burden that I could have prevent this by being a better parent. One who's able to provide financial and emotional support. One who will exemplify good manners and upright moral conduct. One who will instill in them old-school discipline which, in turn, will equip them with tenacious survival skills.

Such a tall order for someone who’s FAR from perfect.

As I stumble and fumble my way through Parenthood, I wonder if I should take a leaf out of SIL's parenting manual and make more sacrifices for the family. I’m constantly in an emotional turmoil because I want to be there for my kids and have been thinking of slowing down the pace of work. A few of my close friends have made that bold step to work part-time or take some years off their illustrious careers so that they can concentrate on bringing-up their brood.

But every time I sit with my kids to guide them with their homework, I transform into a raging and rampaging Hulk, especially when I can’t understand why they’re not able to accomplish a seemingly simple assignment. I’m infinitely patient with my students and am able to put up with their nonsensical excuses and impertinent behaviour. But my tolerance with my own flesh and blood is practically non-existent and I flare up so easily that it scares the hell out of me.

So if I decide to be a stay-at-home mum, I’m wondering if the situation will improve or deteriorate. My relationship with the girls will be threatened no less, and I don’t want them to fear me. I guess I’m too emotional for my own good. I know I have to STOP making decisions based on how I feel or how others would feel. You’d think that years of marriage (and influence from the hub) would turn me into a reasonable, pragmatic, practical and disciplined individual.

I guess not.

And so my internal debate continues as my selfish pride wages a long-drawn war with my conscience.

The Butcher

my family will never go hungry. EVER. the hub's prepared... on Twitpic

It's the 7th month of the Chinese calendar. That's when the gates of Hell (and some say Heaven) open and the hungry ghosts roam the earth. Well, this is according to the traditional Chinese Taoists who celebrate the Hungry Ghost Festival.

The hub and his colleagues carried out the rituals of praying to the spirits and burning of the incense sticks, candles, joss papers, hell notes, gold bars, ingots and other paper-made objects depicting wealth and status. I was there to help out although my role was minimal as I'm not too familiar with the customs and traditions.

After that, it was dinner time and that's when my multi-talented hub whipped out the chopper and began cutting up the duck and chicken.

Impressive, eh?

The only essential item missing to complete the butcher look: a dirty white singlet with holes!

Yes, that's a garbage bag he's tied around his waist as a make-shift apron. He'd stained his shirt and couldn't find anything else but the trash bag.

We'll be having another round of prayers and rituals on Sunday - this time for the family. The kids always look forward to the mini "bornfire" outside our front gate as we send gifts and paper money to the underworld visitors.

Trey

That's the name of my protagonist.

Love the catchy, sporty ring of the name. Researched it and I think it perfectly fits the character I'm developing for my short story.

Trey \t-rey\ as a boy's name is pronounced tray. It is of Middle English origin, and the meaning of Trey is "three". The name derives from the world of gaming, in which a three in cards, dice or dominoes is called a "trey". May also be a variant of Traigh (Irish) "strand".

(source: http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Trey)

Wow, I'm all psyched up now!

Letter to August

Hey August!

It's great to see you!

Your cousin July was a real pain and I'm awfully glad to see the last of her - at least for this year. She was terrible company and gave me nothing but trouble the entire month although I must admit that things got slightly better towards the tail end.

I'm looking forward to wiping the slate clean and getting back on track. With just 4 more months to go (and a long list of things to accomplish), I've gotta double up and crank up those rusty gears to get up to speed. Not an easy feat, especially when I'm edging closer to the big 4-0 in 3 years' time.

I know this sounds a little crazy but I'm going to start working on my novella. I've been writing since 15 and have kept my little collection of short stories - all handwritten, mind you - in the cupboard for decades.

And then last week, on my way to work, I was in a Katy Perry mood and popped in her One of the Boys album. While listening to Waking Up in Vegas, the closet writer in me snapped out of inertia and the words, ideas, characters just spun out of control.

So for the last few days, I've been formulating storylines, developing characters and creating images. That's when it hit me: perhaps it's time to relive the magic of words and weave them back into my life.

Honestly, I don't think I'll ever publish anything I've written. But I'd really like to preserve my works and  hand them down to my children so that when I'm gone from this world, they'll still have something to remember me by.

Just in case you're unfamiliar with Kathy Perry, I've embedded the Waking Up in Vegas video.



So yeah! I'm counting on you to inspire me, August! Don't let me down!

Cheers
EowYCn