Aware

Being a male, the ferocious catfight (pun intended) amongst the new and old Aware Ex-Co have little to no impact on me.

However, I still follow the Aware ruckus with some interest since there’s some hints of an underlying conspiracy in the ‘brazen’ power-grab by the ‘new team’.

Allegations that the coup was ochestrated by people belonging to a particular religion is of particular interest. While I am a Catholic, I always believe that some things are best left to secular decision-making and that the Church can always deliver its differing message or teachings through its own formal channels.

Thus, I find it rather inappropriate, and dangerous, if a group of persons with similar religious inclinations, not to mention, attending the same church, takes over a secular organisation, with the objective of imposing their religious values/beliefs on the organisation, if that’s proven to be true over time.

While the verdict is still out. I find myself drawn towards the arguments of the ousted so-called ‘old-guards’.

The new Ex-Co members have so far failed to account, unless simply worded replies are to be taken at face value, for some of their actions/deeds. Nor their allegations that Aware is turning into a single-issue organisation, read pro-homosexuality/lesbianism, is clearly elaborated nor justified in their latest press releases.

Aware’s in-fighting problems are unlikely to end quickly nor amicably.

 Despite many stating that the election process in Aware as democratic, I would liken the current situation to a country being suddenly flooded by foreign immigrants, whose enbloc voting powers unseats the government that welcomed them. Imagine Singapore being governed by ‘citizens’ who had entered the country for only months/or weeks.

The lesson for the old guards perhaps is to give new members a period of assimilation as a “PR” before deciding if these new member truly buy into the values of the organisation. Those that disagree should (a) voice their concerns, and (b) move on, i.e. get out, and form their own organisations if their views differ greatly from those of the organisation’s.

Chinese Wedding

Below is a photo of a Chinese wedding taken by Scottish photographer John Thomson sometime in the 19th century. I think it is a beautifully taken shot. It captures an era when it is actually improper for the man, in this case, the husband, to even look directly at a woman, his wife.

The photos are being exhibited in Beijing’s Art World Museum till 18 May. Would be great if the exhibition makes a stopover in Singapore. Check out the rest of the photos on BBC.

Photo: Courtesy of Wellcome Library, London

Nightmare

Something must be bugging my subconscious mind. There has to be a reason for the rather tiring and stressful dream I had last night.

In that nightmare, I was in a perpetual state of rushing for work, which mystifies the me, since I detest my job. I can still recall the vivid sensation of stress and pressure as I rushed madly to iron my office attire, only to see that the shirt is in tatters. Then trying in vain to get on some transport to get me to office.

What is the source of the nightmare? I am not particularly stressed at work. Nor do I have any outstanding personal or official issues that need to be dealt with urgently.

Perhaps it’s my subconsious mind telling me that I am rushing to nowhere as I hit the middle age slump, and that I should really look for a new direction in life – professionally.

But like many Singaporeans, my options are restricted since I still have a sizeable housing loan over my head. I would be more convinced to take action if my subconsious mind penned a resignation letter while I am asleep rather than triggering energy sapping nightmares like that one I had.

Jokes aside, I really feel a mid-life crisis up the next alley. The sense that I am letting my life pass me by is getting stronger. Problem is, I have yet to fully understand what I want with the limited time I have on earth.

Now, it’s my turn to fret.

Best turtle soup

In my opinion, the Ser Seng turtle soup restaurant in Macpherson, Tai Thong Crescent to be exact, can lay claims to serving the most delicious dish in the country.

Its soup is heavenly.

At $13 a bowl, for the cheapest set, the soup comes with generous amounts of turtle meat and ’skin’. The turtle meat is well prepared since it is tender although it retains the uniquely soft yet chewy texture we have come to expect from the flesh of a turtle. The soup is simply savoury. I am not sure what herbs or spices Ser Seng puts into it, but whatever the stuff is, it works well on the taste buds.

Having the soup together with a bowl of yam rice is a must! Don’t skimp on the cost with white rice cos Ser Seng’s yam rice has just a high ‘delicious quotient’ as its turtle soup.

Having tried it’s turtle soup a few times, I am looking forward to trying it’s black chicken soup on my next visit.

Till then, here’s a memory of the great meal I had yesterday.

Best turtle soup in Singapore

Flight

Yesterday I flew on the Singapore Flyer. How’s the experience? Well, I can only say “so-so, lah”. Having flown on the London Eye, the ride on the Flyer pales in stark comparison.

The rather ugly soda can capsules, compared the ‘antiquated’  2001 London Eye’s futuristic egg-shaped capsules, together with Singapore’s uninspired downtown skyline will disappoint all, but the most patriotic Singaporeans.

Adding to the rather characterless view is a layer of haze, smog, whatever, that casts a greyish sickly pall over the landscape.

On hingsight, the architects of the Flyer  should have positioned it in such a way that passengers can look at the full ‘glory’ of the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort when it comes into operation at the end of this year. Passengers are instead treated to a boring side-profile view of the hotel towers.

It is highly recommended that trips on the Flyer should be made in the evening when the CBD skyline is litted up, which makes for more interesting viewing. The best time would be in Sept when all the buildings are afire with spotlight as the Formula One circus hits town.

I would at most make another trip on the Flyer. It’s not that I loved the experience, but only to have at least one flight with my wife.

All in all, the flight is, unsuprisingly, a letdown when compared to the wonderful panoramic views of London on the Eye. Even taking away that comparison doesn’t add much to the experience. The flight is strictly a once in a lifetime experience. Well, make that two for me.

Check out some of the shots I took.

Soda Cans in the air!

Findings show that promotion is ‘bad for mental health’

Read in the BBC article below that getting a promotion may not be necessarily be better for us. This is perhaps another reason why we should all take a more laid back approach to work and career.

 We have always assumed that Promotion = More Money = More Happiness.

In reality, Promotion = More Money ≠More Happiness

More correctly put, Promotion = More Money = More Responsibility = More Stress = Bad Mental Health.

 

Promotion ‘bad for mental health’

Getting promoted at work may be bad for a person’s mental health, a study suggests. Warwick University researchers quizzed 1,000 workers who had been promoted into supervisory or management roles in the past five years.

They were asked about about their health, mental well-being and use of health services.

The study found that after promotion the quality of an individual’s mental health deteriorated by 10% on average.

Experts said being given extra responsibility could lead to more stress, anxiety and depression. “ People given senior positions need to be given the proper support and training to handle the extra responsibility ” Chris Boyce, lead researcher.

They said the problems could be exacerbated by workers who were promoted having less time to access health services.

GP visits fell by 20% to less than two a year after promotion, the study found.

It has long been assumed that a person’s job status directly results in better health.

While the study found no effect on a person’s physical health over the period, researchers warned the mental strain could lead to serious problems.

Lead researcher Chris Boyce said: “Getting promoted at work is not as great as people think.

“Our research finds that the mental health of managers typically deteriorates after a job promotion and in a way that goes beyond merely a short-term change.

“People given senior positions need to be given the proper support and training to handle the extra responsibility.”

 The research will be presented at the Royal Economic Society’s conference later this month.

Photo – The Majestic

Took  shot of The Majestic theatre from the garden bridge in Chinatown while waiting for my wife.

Change is good

I am sure that you’d have noticed by now that this blog has undergone a fundamental design change. Apart from the superficial design template change, to a cleaner minimalist look, I have also shifted the focus of my posts back to more personal musings, reflections, observations on life and photography.

Expect to see more acerbic posts on social and political issues and less posts on entertainment. I will also be sharing more photos as I embark on the journey of uncovering the photographer in me.

Let the journey begin.

Home cooked food

I miss the usual routine of rushing home in time to make dinner. Yes, I do wear the cooking apron at home. Washing, cutting and preparing the ingredients for a wholesome home cooked dinner has a therapeutic effect on me.

The whole process of preparation to the final act of cooking the dishes engages me fully at both the physical and psychological levels. Sad to say, the short time spent on cooking engages me more than the 10 hours I spend in my office.

Nowadays with most of the dinners I prepare are based on a super ingredient rich, yet easy to cook, porridge (you get dried mushrooms, pork ribs, carrots, celery, dried scallops, cabbage etc) , has meant that it has been some time since I last whipped up more than a 2 dishes for dinner.

Don’t get me wrong. I do enjoy cooking that particular porridge dish. But I miss the more complex act of concocting just the right amount of  spices and sauces required for stir frying vegetables or other meat dishes.

This week will be another week of takeaways since my fridge is empty of fresh produce. Well, I can’t complain much since tonight’s dinner will be shredded chicken porridge from the famous Chinatown porridge place – Tiong Shan Porridge Centre (or 长城粥).

What bothers me is that fact that I know that takeaways, no matter how healthy the food seems, are definitely not as healthy as the low fat, low salt and non-msg fare I used to whip up at home.

Think a trip to the neighbourhood supermarket is long overdue.

Pampering oneself

Against the backdrop of the global financial difficulties, I went out and splashed some cash on a Canon Powershot G10. It is money well spent as it was a great feeling to finally ugrade from my trusty, yet ancient, G2.

While I am not a penny pincher, I can be considered rather frugal. My only vices remain the exorbitant rates I pay for the sports channels on Starhub and the weekly family meals at resturants. On hindsight, these  cannot be considered vices since they help maintain my well-being, both psychologically and physical.

For those who know me, I have been pining for a DSLR for some time since my interest in photography blossomed in 2001. However, I know that my limited photography skills aren’t ready for the full capabilities of a SLR. This, together with a likely overseas trip in the near future, convinced me that my photography apprenticeship will continue, and that a good prosumer camera will be the perfect equipment for me since it’d take too long for me to master a DLSR to shoot proper shots during my holiday.

The G10 is the first camera that I owned which comes with a wide-angled lens (28mm). Having always used my G2, I was amazed at the amount of details that can be captured when taking close-up shots. I am having a blast not having to ask people to move further away from the camera when I take close-up shots.

I am still fiddling and learning the various features of the camera. Being a person who enjoys the details afforded by macro close-up shots, I was overjoyed when the G10 produced uber sharp and crisp images when I took photos of a cactus plant at my in-laws. Do also check out the macro shots taken of a mud-pie I had at the Bugis NYDC cafe and the HUGE Elepancino.

I am really looking forward to capturing life’s moments with my new camera. Looks like it will be busy weekends of shooting ahead!

Now that's a BIG cuppa!YUMMY!

 

YUMMY!