Vietnam (Prelude)

The cover page of today's Straits Times has a great article on the state of tourism in Vietnam, which I think serves as an excellent prelude to what I'm gonna post about my trip - if I can ever find the time to do it. Go read!

Incidentally, I visited Hoi An, Halong Bay and Sapa, all of which were mentioned in the exposition.

Sunrise @ Halong Bay

In essence, Vietnam is a remarkably beautiful country but the cultural and natural attractions have become over-commercialised, so much so that they've lost/are starting to lose their charm. A sad state of affairs, but I'm glad I visited before their unfortunate and complete demise.

Gotta catch up on beauty sleep now. Ciao.

More Confetti; We are all Masochistic!; Reviews Galore

Happy birthday, sis! All the best in your studies and future endeavours - including in finding a bf. =)

Can expect even more confetti next week. LOL. And my bleeding wallet isn't happy.

Anw I have been pretty free this past week - those who know will know why - so I managed to catch "No Country For Old Men", and "The Spiderwick Chronicles" (erm not my choice). Add to that "黄城 "(erm not my choice again) last week and "The Kite Runner" two weeks ago.

Hmm not too shabby, but I'm missing "There Will Be Blood" and "Juno"(!!), which I still really want to watch. I've kind of given up on the rest. And people have been recommending this and that movie but I don't think I have that much time and $$ to catch them all so yeah. More movie dates, anyone?

黄城夜韵
Nostalgia, man. My first time watching 黄城 was in J1, to support aj. Missed J2 (coz of blocks and they say it sucked), and then went in J3. J4... I was probably stuck in the jungles so yeah. And now J5! It's always great seeing the 黄城 people putting in so much blood, sweat and tears for the production, and reaping the rewards - the experience, the friends - at the end of it.

I always ask myself if I'd have joined 黄城 if given another chance. I dislike impossible hypothetical questions, because there's really no point, but indulge me for a moment. I seriously think I'd have, because I've always wanted to be part of something big - like a performance, or a team competition. Like SYF as well, which I, too, regret not being part of.

But maybe because I've only seen the end result, the glorious moments, and not fully grasped the sacrifices they entail. As they say, 台上一分钟，台下十年功. ATEC comes real close, I guess, and the satisfaction of having completed it was immense, especially after all that we went through. It definitely wouldn't have been the same had it been just a walk in the park.

So there, we're all masochistic in some way because we find joy in challenges. We make life difficult for ourselves (or life make it difficult for us), and celebrate when we live to tell the tale.

Ok back to the drama itself. The entire production felt very amateurish, which is to be expected of a predominantly student production. But what disappointed most were the scripts.

The first play is your typical "try-to-be-cheem" melodrama but the actors failed terribly trying to pull it off. Can only say 历练不够 bah. Zebra was dismayed by the quality of the props as well.

The second was slightly better. The script actually held a lot of promise with the interesting premise - all the characters actually had a part in causing the death of the twin of one of the girls, and the sinister stories unravel when they find themselves trapped in a haunted house. They succeeded in creating the ominous atmosphere but alas, the twist that everyone was looking for didn't materialise - just as the ghosts didn't - and they settled on an less-than-satisfying abstract ending after copious moralising.

The third was, by consensus, the best of the lot. As are most comedies, it was relatively easier to digest, but managed to strike a chord with the audience with its straightforward presentation, laudable acting and a pertinent theme.

The Kite Runner and No Country For Old Men
Both book adaptations share breathtaking cinematography and rousing scores but the latter demonstrates, by far, greater competence in scripting, acting and direction.

Which is only to be expected, as "No Country for Old Men" swept four oscars for best picture, directing, adapted screenplay and supporting actor while "The Kite Runner" garnered only average reviews.

It has the perfect mixture of suspense, humor, and compelling performances. "Another triumph for the Coen Brothers, No Country has the perfect mixture of suspense, humor, and desperately compelling performances. The seemingly simple story hides a more complex narrative, and high tension is maintained throughout." - RT consensus

But whereas "Kite" is buoyed by the commercial sensibilities of Khaled Hosseni's debut novel, "No Country" feeds off Ian McEwan's dark morality tale. So I guess "No Country" is not for everyone unless you are satisfied with the seemingly simple story, but "Kite" should be palatable to those who've read and loved the book, though it is nowhere near as poignant or touching.

The Spiderwick Chronicles
"A decent entertainment -- not up there with the 'Harry Potter' and 'Lord of the Rings' sagas, but a notch above 'The Golden Compass' and 'Narnia'." -Time

So there, another fantasy picture cum CGI fest. Nicely done, but boasts nothing we haven't seen before. Rather like "Bridge to Terabithia" in look and feel, but expect more action and humour thrown in for good measure.

Sodagreen's coming!

Ok I have to share this: Sodagreen's coming to Singapore! They have an auto session at ulu Chinatown Point on Friday, and a free concert at the Botanic Gardens on Saturday. Anybody wants to go together?

It seems that I haven't been able to influence those around me to support them even though I've been plugging them incessantly on my blog (to the extent of using the same blog song for the past n weeks) and valiantly attempting their songs during K sessions. Incidentally I just find that the simplicity of this particular song goes really well with the theme of my blog. It sounds so much like a Shire hobbit song, don't you think?

Anw today's My Paper has an article on a relief teacher being taken to task for posting essays of his Primary 3 students along with derogatory comments on his blog. I dunno who to blame - the teacher or those who publicised that particular blog entry. Either way it just proves my point that you should watch your online activities.

If Edison Chen's scandal isn't enough warning, that is.

With regards to...

The "secrecy" surrounding my new job - I know a lot of people already know, and a particular big mouth already announced it on 'its' blog, but I hope those in the know would respect my right to some privacy. I don't have a problem with friends knowing, but I just don't want anybody and everybody (including stalkers) to know. Period.

As I've mentioned, I'd prefer a little more liberty to comment. Besides, I hope everyone is aware we're leaving a virtual trail, be it on blogs or Facebook, so be very wary of what you put up online because it could come back to haunt you in the future.


The Editorials - I agree with Relf, many of my contentions have to do with human nature, just as I've always espoused the "we are an imperfect species" argument. We are so prone to double standards and glaring flaws that we refuse to see in ourselves.

People ask me: what's the big deal if people laugh at you for not being able to drink, why take it so seriously? My answer to them: yeah, it's really no big deal. I guess my tone probably did come across as assertive/petty, but I'm only trying to point out some facts that people seem to selectively ignore - that it's in your genes, for example. So since you don't laugh at other people for being intellectually-challenged, why would you laugh at those who are "alcoholically-challenged"? I just feel an urge to question such double standards.

I guess I'm a little idealistic in this sense. When I say I believe in fairness and equality, it means just that. There should not be any discrepancies/exceptions.

Say, women (and increasingly, men as well) want sexual equality but most would never ask for girls to do NS as well. They demand gallantry from men, with no desire to reciprocate. For the record, I am all for sexual equality in every sense. So it's not that I'm against gallantry per se, but I just find it ironic because the notion of "ladies first" (one of the "pillars" of gallantry) in itself is not equal. Once again, double standards.

Society of majorities? Why, more double standards.

So I've come to conclude that the world, in itself, is unfair, so perhaps all these double standards will continue to exist, whether we recognise them or not.

Sometimes it's difficult to rationalize certain issues, especially when it concerns social/political sensitivities, or just plain human nature, but I'd rather think, reflect and question, than to resign myself to the circumstances.


My life now - life is pretty cool, I'm enjoying my new job, and the past few weeks have been pretty hectic. Many people are celebrating their 21st birthdays (I still don't see what's the big deal) and Miss Tan's church wedding reception was ... interesting. CNY's coming up and I'm stuffing myself with new year goodies, and trying to enjoy the festivities as much as possible since I'd probably miss it for the next 4 years. (Ouch!)

The Perennial Obsession with Grades

Well, the title says it all.

Even as the furore sparked by a principal's controversial ITE advice to her Sec 5 students has yet to abate, the local media's attention has turned to rosier news on our academic landscape.

It's that time of year again, when PSLE, O and A level results are released in succession, and journalists have a field day interviewing "scholars" and those who overcame great odds to excel, further fuelling the national obsession with grades.

Well everyone in fourayeohthree made it to the top three JCs, and 04S7A was the best-performing class in our year, so you could say I'm not that used to doing badly myself, or seeing my peers falter for that matter. And I never really empathised with those who cried when they did unexpectedly well or badly, because for me and most of those around me, everything was more or less within expectations. And there was a time when I believed that you could do well as long as you worked hard, and those who failed only had themselves to blame for not being conscientious enough.

But now I know I'm wrong. I guess I've matured some since the time I left school, and given the nature of my current job, I'm more inclined to put myself in the shoes of those who've stumbled at the academic hurdle.

It set me thinking when my 'clients' reacted negatively after I told them I was from HC. I wondered if I was too pompous or insensitive. But my intention was really only to share a piece of information about myself, and not to flaunt (if it's even worth flaunting, that is), so how could it have been misconstrued as such?

I had similar experinces during NS, when a superior constantly accused me of being scheming and tried to thwart me, while another blatantly demanded that "the HC guy" speak up when a group of us erred. That's when I realised how smart my fellow bunkmate was by lying low and preferring to say that he's going to a local uni instead of the prestigious one he's actually headed for on a scholarship.

And so I've learnt - the hard way - that society's obsession with grades has become so acute that people tend to see you with tinted lenses when you declare your academic "pedigree". It almost feels like you're telling the other party your father is a tycoon or something - there's nothing wrong, but the "ego" thing is just difficult to stomach. Interaction and subsequent friendships become hindered when he/she goes in with the preconceived notion that you are elite, and by extension (or other warped logic), elitist, and will therefore look down on him/her.

It's really the inferiority complex at work, but most people probably wouldn't admit they harbour such feelings. But if you were truthful to yourself, could you seriously say that such feelings have never affected your behaviour or judgement?

I fully understand this psyche, because when I see sportmen, I sometimes get intimidated and feel somewhat inferior. I guess it's that same kind of feeling when you see someone with fabulous grades. But at the end of the day, should we be judged based on our achievements (academic or otherwise), or for who we are, as a friend or counterpart?

Enough of the rhetoric already. My point is, the achievements of those who've done well deserves celebration but not glorification, and do so with no hard feelings because they might very well have worked just as hard, or harder than you. Or maybe they're just a little smarter, but it's not their fault. They deserve to be treated like everyone else, as long as they're not some arrogant a**.

And for those who didn't do that well, they deserve a pat on the back as well if they've tried their best. Our society needs to get over the unhealthy obsession with grades, and recognise that doing well in school is not the only, albeit the most conventional, pathway to success. If more encouragement could be given for them to continue to strive, or to seek excellence/fulfillment in other fields, our students would be a much happier bunch.

Procrastination

And I thought only students procrastinate. We are literally going to war in a few days' time, but today we were still struggling to put everything together. Of course there were some "unforseen circumstances", but shouldn't we have prepared for all contingencies and made plans for anticipated delays?

Actually, it's not that surprising. It's not the first time anyway. "Why always so last minute one?" is the perpetual question. Like last minute weekend guard duties that manifest all of a sudden on Fridays, or saigang just before book-out when the rest of the day had been spent "ironing bedsheets".

So today, I found myself in a frenzy of weapon boresighting, drawing and issuing of equipment, functionality checks and troubleshooting, map-work, paper-work, and briefings so typical of the hectic signaller lifestyle just before any major outfield. The pathetic thing is, I spent most of yesterday reading "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell.

On another note, I'm actually quite exasperated that we did not get the "Best Armour Unit" award despite all the shit we've done on behalf of armour in the past year. What with NDP, EX BZ (featured in the media somemore), delta live-firing, EX Maju Bersama, army museum filming, and being the only ABG on standby, first BX2 Bn, yada yada. But then again, fairness and an adequate appraisal system were never hallmarks of this organisation, were they?

And finally, some food for thought. I was pretty much thinking what the Arctic Monkeys were thinking until I read the last few paragraphs. Still, why go to all that trouble when "global warming" is staring us in the face every day, be it on TV, online, in movies, or in the papers? Or if that isn't enough, the ever-warmer sunny days we are experiencing. The concert is just so... extravagant, and redundant.

But I think I'm still gonna watch it anyway.