Reflections: Ijok Elections As Viewed by a No-Wonder

What a clear hidden agenda

 The Ijok elections, just held Saturday, saw another victory for our ruling National Front, represented by Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) K. Parthiban against People’s Justice Party’s Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Ijok is an estate town in Selangor, Malaysia. It is located along Federal route 54. Located about 60km from Petaling Jaya, Ijok is a popular transit town for travellers heading towards Kuala Selangor and Teluk Intan via the Selangor north coastal road. It moves unhurriedly behind the Klang Valley growth corridor but business thrives when visitors stop by for a meal, to buy some fruits or to top-up their gas tanks.

Let me congratulate MIC and BN for winning this memorable by-election, despite having  a strong opposition going against them. It got so intense that even Pak Lah and Anwar (is he still a Datuk?) came down to Ijok, along with each party’s supporters, to promote their candidates.

During the manifesto, the Opposition’s stand for supporting included various accusations of the ruling party, from the Mongolian-model case to Pak Lah’s inefficient governance.

As an outsider who has no idea about what is going on, I think the Ijok people are not worried or concern about such matters.

Sited at a junction that leads to the bigger and relatively more developed Batang Berjuntai, pekan Ijok is, in a sense, a ‘cowboy town’ with a main street lined with shops and small buildings on both sides.

Considering that it is a countryside town, I think the focus of the Opposition has been wrong from the start. Rather than bringing up national issues, it should’ve focused more on local issues like the under-development of the Ijok constituency. However, there won’t be much to fight about because the Selangor government miraculously approved million-dollar development projects, which include upgrading of roads and public facilities, and erection of a new mosque for the 50%-dominated-Malay region.

Furthermore, I don’t see the reason for having the opposition to win this constituency as well. This is because if they do win, the region will be further marginalized by the Selangor government while the state further develops. The presence of the Opposition; however is to remind the BN, especially the state government, that the town and its people still exist. Because of this by-election, development has started again in Ijok, hopefully in the positive direction. Even if the Opposition wins, I’m sure they will strive to ensure that the region is further developed, albeit at a slower pace.

This is not to say that I’m supporting BN, not the opposition, nor vice-versa. Both candidates have great credentials: both academically qualified with masters, both are in respectable professionals (one’s a teacher, one’s in corporate), and both are well respected by his people. I felt that both were qualified to lead the constituency.

Oh, one more thing I would like to add though. I don’t see this by-elections as a winning victory for the BN, as  Pak Lah was quoted saying this win shows the strong support of the Rakyat and the confidence they have in them.

Parthiban, 38, polled 5,884 votes to beat Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, 61, of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) by a majority of 1,850 votes.

This means Khalid obtained 4034. If you do the percentage counting, Parthiban only got 60% support from the public, not including the no-show-voters! How can you justify that as ‘strong support’ and confidence? I would advise the party to think about their policies and strategies and start worrying about getting back the at least 75% support it should have. Imagine, they were just 10.00000000001% away from a defeat!

On a lighter note, I’m turning 21! Can vote in the next elections! Subang Jaya here I come!

 

 

 

 

Mozzie Ijo(eeeeee)k

I must say our Malaysian government is quite high-tech nowadays.

Now the Land Transport Board’s official portal is ’suitable for viewing’ using Mozilla Firefox!

At least something’s going right so far.

Oh and the Barisan Nasional won back Ijok. Kudos to the Ijokians, you fell for the last minute gazallionmillionringgit-development-projects carrots promised by the Selangor government. Maybe this by-election was Selangor’s wake up call that you guys still exist. Don’t get me wrong, they remembered your existence, but I put it as filtered-memory

Oh let’s use some of that money to celebrate with a kenduri first!

Really Malaysia, are we really afraid of Ronald?

Malaysians love to eat, no doubt about that. A trip back to Malaysia would find me and my friends touring around our local hangout spot, eating and drinking till the wee hours of the morning. Just dinner alone is not enough to satisfy our taste buds as we will decide which café to head to next. Occasionally McDonald’s refill-ables at Mutiara Damansara would do us just fine; or if we’re feeling posh, a cup of Starbucks at Mont Kiara. Who can forget the adrenaline adventurous Malaysians when we drive up to Genting just for coffee and be back by 3 in the morning? All this, of course, includes the final destination of mamak (Prata shop for the Singaporean bred) or the Ramly stall by the roadside.

Eating, or hanging out at restaurants or cafes is a Malaysian way of socializing. After all in a week’s work, it’s time to meet up with your high school buddies, or your neighborhood basketball team, or even meeting up with your old pals who just came back from foreign lands. Sports are not really our thing – really. We do play some sport, or jog-and-get-raped in the park, or head to the heavily-priced-gyms occasionally, but the ultimate destination, again is the mamak stall just located across the street for drinks and laughter.

Hence it won’t be surprising that an average of 5 Malaysians contract Stroke or heart diseases everyday!

This brings me to my next point, about the government proposing to impose a ‘sin-tax’ on fast food restaurants and restricting fast food advertisements broadcast. The government proposed the two sometime ago as they realized the worrying health trend and obesity rate increase in the country.

I support the government’s moves and direction that the obesity rate and health trend among Malaysians should not be taken light heartedly. Other than a person’s decreasing quality of life, health problems can affect the Nation’s productivity and efficiency, be it social, economic and political. Frequent visits to health institutions increase the number of absenteeism, whereas sick people are rendered useless to the company, resulting in a drop in productive efficiency. Putting this in a bigger picture, the Nation’s economy and standard of living are at stake if the People do not take care of their health.

Being a conservative, parental Asian country that we are, it is the Government’s role to inculcate the picture into them. After all, it is hard to change, unless we get some sort of external push from the big brother.

However, I sometimes wonder whether the Government has really ruled this country I called home since 1957. Taxes and advertisement banning are not tackling the real issue here. Besides, introducing a tax is the most immature, short-term based way of stopping people from doing something. People still buy their cigarettes and drink their alcohol, no matter how much tax you impose. The Government should not take the easy way out by just imposing taxes and banning advertisements, in hope that the People would realized how bad such food can do to their health and stop eating them.

The alternative method is of course promotion of a healthier lifestyle. The Government can introduce measures into various organizations, including educational institutions and grassroots’ institutions like Community Centers. Further promoting sports and extra-curricular activities in schools, insisting on a certain health standards and SOPs in public and private cafeterias, or even running programs on television on alternative cooking methods, are among the alternatives I can think of right now. The Government should think of long term, rather than short term. Instead of coercing them to reduce such unhealthy intake, the Government should let us consumers realize ourselves, of course via all the promotions organized by the Government.

So does the promotion of healthy living just involve not consuming fast food restaurants like McDonalds and KFC? This further brings me to my next point – are fast food restaurants really that unhealthy? Compare their menus to our hawker centers, and the way they are prepared. How much condensed milk is poured into a cup of Teh Tarik? How much oil is used to fry that Char Koay Teow, and how much fat content is in a packet of Nasi Lemak? Surely the nutritional intake of such foods is tilted towards the unhealthy side that should cause alarming concerns? I don’t know about you, comparing a packet of Nasi Lemak with Teh Ais, to a set of Fillet O’ Fish with regular fries and a coke, I would feel more lethargic after a meal of the former!

I shall not jump to conclusions on whether Malaysian meals or Western fast food meals have higher calories because I don’t have figures to show. But what I’m trying to point out here is that all the choices we have to choose are devastating towards our health!

This brings me to another point, a more controversial one about our Malaysian Government, that although they might be sincere in being worried of the health trends of our People, they are not willing to propose any policies that would harm our local food sellers. Think of the day when the Government decides to ban Nasi Lemak and Teh Tarik (Malaysians’ favorite breakfast or rather, Malaysia’s primary factor in inefficiency), or when the Government decides to restrict the number of roast pork to be sold to the public in a day, or worst – introducing a new formula for a healthier Roti Canai! What would the public say? The politicalisation of such social problems to ‘appease the public’ is something not new in our Malaysian government, which results in failed campaigns and improper usage of funds (Who actually bothered about the ‘Tak Nak’ smoking campaign, or the ‘Cintailah Sungai Kita’ campaign?)

Of course such measures introduced above are too drastic, or rather, too Singaporean. But my point here again is – rather than just targeting fast food outlets, I think our main concern here is the local delights that are readily available and affordable to the masses. The Government can advice Mamak stall owners, via a certain Trade Union or Association which I’m sure do exist, on the quantity of ingredients used like oil and condensed milk; they can promote a healthier breakfast choice like cereals and salads, as we all know Nasi Lemak, Char Koay Teow and Roti Telur are the unhealthiest breakfast you can ever think of! In fact, the Government can even put up health promotion signboards in every restaurant, cafes and hawker centers, like ‘Ask for less gravy’ and ‘Ask for less sugar’, as how Singapore does it.  

-concerned-

 

 

The Flashing Means You’re Too Slow Ass

 

I cannot stop making fun of the people of the little red dot.

 

Singaporeans’ driving skills are generally L-O-U-S-Y. So bad that even people who hasn’t driven before know are making fun of their driving skills.

 

Before I move on to my analysis of this thesis, I shall define the word ‘generally’ as well. Generally means in general, or rather representing the common attitude and personality adopted by the Singapore society. Such are the common traits found in a Singaporean, but by no means represent the entire population of the country. However, due to small population and the geographical land available, I’m quite sure that my ‘generally’ speaks for everyone.

 

The other day Brown and I were walking back to hall when we saw this:

Artistic impression by yours truly.

 

There was so much space for the fortunate driver, and he had so much time considering the absence of other vehicles. And he had to do the toughest three-point turn ever!

 

It’s hard for Singaporeans to get a driving license, made worse by having to pay a lot in order to obtain a private vehicle. A lot of my local friends always fail their driving lessons during their first time. This is really, really, the only time where I was so glad that we practice ‘buy you a cup of coffee to pass me’ policy in Malaysia.

 

Does this mean that Malaysians are less competent and qualified? It depends on a few factors. Let’s further analyze.

 

Before I continue with the post, I’m by no means comparing Malaysians with Singaporeans. Such overrated comparisons just make bilateral relations more uptight and superficial.

 

To be competent in your driving skills, one must gain the experience on the road. One who gets the license to drive but do not practice their rights are just like those who do not have their license. Why waste so much time and effort if you will not end up driving a vehicle in the end? This is however not applicable in a Singapore context. Public transportation in Singapore is efficient and the best way to get around the island. Private vehicles are, to some, just-in-cases and for-weekend-only. Working adults with family place more importance in driving, so it’s obvious that they’re the ones who get the most experiences. So it is inevitable that Singaporeans do not gain enough experiences to know what driving is all about.

 

The idea of gaining experience while you drive more is further explored. Though Singaporeans who drive often are considered the more experienced ones, they lack the competency to drive in more adverse conditions i.e. dark streets, long hours, winding roads, congested roads, and most importantly, lost of sight driving. Singapore’s road system is one of the most advanced in the region, coupled with the garden-city concept, Singaporeans tend to ‘cruise-along’ the straight roads that are brightly lit 24 hours. Hence the news of many Singaporeans involved in car-crashes when driving in Malaysia. Malaysian highways are not completely lit, and can be bendy at times. Congested areas are coupled with motorcycles, pedestrians jay-walking and trishaws in the more nostalgic cities like Penang. Malaysians also practice the ‘I want to get there as fast as possible’ mentality, hence the speeding and the flashing (did you know that Singaporeans do not have any idea why people flash at them when they’re driving on the third lane in Malaysia?) When Malaysians drive along Singapore, many either get impatient over the speed that they are in, or are nullified by the straight wide roads free from pedestrians and excessive motorcycles.

 

Driving is not meant for everyone. But if you do want to drive, you should adopt this two concept: Be logical, and be defensive, not offensive.

 

Logical means that if you’re going to turn right at the junction two rows from now, you should turn on your signal after you passed the first road. Logical also means that if you want to stop somewhere temporarily, you stop somewhere where you won’t block others. Logical also means that if they’re ample place for you to do a three point turn, don’t find the hardest way for you to do so.

 

Be defensive, not offensive: always anticipate what’s going to happen to the two cars in front of you; to further strengthen it, the one on your right (applicable for right-handed cars).

 

This analyst does not apply to Singapore only, but also to a number of drivers in Malaysia, and probably around the world. However, being in this country for awhile, and observing how incompetent they can get at times, is just something to laugh about.

 

On a lighter note, if you want to trace the progress of a Singaporean driver, try keeping up with this person.

 

 

 

 

 

Apples Apples Apples!

Warning: This is going to be another emo post. So emo that no alpha-ego male ever thought of publishing (in fact I don’t think an alpha-ego male has a blog to begin with, or if so talks about how many girls he nailed, or how’s his muscle building going)

I had a dream about grocery shopping last night. The supermarket was quite crowded, but I was able to walk around nicely. I was choosing apples by myself, looking at the texture and the colour intensity to assure its freshness and sweetness. I looked around, no one looked familiar, and everyone was busy grocery shopping.

I came to your life with much hope and joy. You hoped for a good son.

I woke up with tears flowing down my eyes. I don’t remember crying during my dream, but I continued crying upon waking up to reality.

That’s right, the Phunky pharmacist cries as well.

You must be wondering what was I crying about huh? Did the apples turn out rotten, or am I feeling lonely, or was my room so dusty all of a sudden?

You brought me up to be a good person, I indulged in the vices

Well, hope you interpret it correctly, because I interpreted it as:

“I miss my mom.”

And when I was small, you would protect me with your motherly instinct. But now I pretend not to know you on the streets.

 

I grocery shopped with her during my childhood and teenage years. She was the one who taught me how to choose nice apples. She was the one who made me whole.

You ask me during my teenage years where do I go at night, I tell you it’s none of your business.

 

I am very close to my mom (Miss Lai should beware LOL). I never once wanted to hurt her feelings; hence I was always labeled as a good boy among my friends. If you’re asking me about my piercing and my coloured hair, well it comes with trust. I gained her trust since childhood and never once took it for granted.

You said stop smoking, drinking and abusing yourself with drugs, I said fuck off.

 

Hence I can never understand why children like to rebel against their parents, or children who refuse to go home during special occasions, or children sending their parents to the old folks. Maybe they had a different history or background, a certain history of abusing or family breakdown. I don’t know, it’s just something for me to not understand.

You cried because you were disappointed with me. I ask you to stop crying like a bitch.

I always try my best to make time for my mother. Back in Malaysia, hanging out with the girlfriend, or with the gang are important, but only after I had dinner with my mom. Ever since I came to Singapore, I always felt guilty for living my mom alone at home as sometimes she has dinner by herself, or run her errands by herself. It gets worst as I am not able to communicate with her, even via text. Screwed up SingTel and Maxis.

You tried to hook me up with this girl from the same village, I said I rather fuck a guy.

My mom is an anglophile as well! I find that very adorable considering that she likes the British. Understandable since she was from the British pre-independence English medium school back when Penang was at its peak. She always tell me that visiting London and sipping tea by the street (ok that was my add-on) was one of her main things to do in life.

 

You stayed up for me while I partied all night, having one night stands and wasting my body away with drugs and alcohol.

By the way my mom is still alive (CHOY TOUCH WOOD). Better clarify with you before I lead you on.

Hence I left home, not wanting to come back again.

And that leads me to my next interpretation of the dream. I was picking apples alone. I never picked apples alone, because I had my mom next to me. Which could only mean one thing, I was dreaming about my mom’s death. That probably explained my tears.

It ain’t that cheem anymore now is it ? =)

20 years down the road, I came back after for so long. All grown up and matured.

I remember when I was five, I would be as tall as the apple fruits display and my mom would be teaching me how to choose a good apple. I was so intrigued by it that I insisted on helping her, although I can’t reach for the higher ones! Every Sunday my mom and I would go to the Pasar Malam in her classic mini Daihatsu to buy fruits and vegetables. The only thing I remembered about Pasar Malam was picking apples at the fruit stall. I guess that’s why I dreamt about apples.

The roads were still the same, the parks were still there.

I don’t think I can bear the day when something like that does happen to my mom, or my dad, or anyone in my family for that matter. I would just drop to the floor, and scream and cry and faint.

As I saw our house, it still looked the same. Wow, you were really amazing in keeping the house this way.

I can’t bear writing this anymore. I shall end my post here. Don’t worry, it’s just a reflection and perspective of my dream. It’s not an indication of how I’m feeling right now, though the cries do mean that I missed my mom.

And as I watch our relatives gather together and celebrate the birth of another, I looked around and realise the emptiness.

I promise mom, that we’ll go to London together.

If only you were here today.

I love you mom.

- Your son.

 

Satu Pengemo Lagi

Life is a bitch, relationship problems can hit you anytime of the day (and as cliché as it can sound) and it comes when things are turning against you. Studies, family problems, other relationship problems, financial etc will just aggravate things and make small matters look unsolvable.

How the hell’d we wind up like this?

And why weren’t we able

To see the signs that we missed

And try to turn the tables

 

Things are worst when you’re having a long distance relationship. Me and my girlfriend went through a lot of hardships and misunderstandings. The problem of frequency of seeing each other, electronically or physically, was the main issue. Issues like not coming online that often, or too engrossed with each other’s life to care about the partner, were also brought up.

 

I wish you’d unclench your fists

And unpack your suitcase

Lately there’s been too much of this

But don’t think it’s too late

 

It was idealistic versus realistic: Can we see each other that often? Will love know no distances? Will there be nothing to separate the two of us? I must say that after more than two years with my darling girlfriend, I’m quite sure that our relationship has matured where understanding and tolerance are the two main things we need to have both ways.

Someday, somehow

I’m gonna make it alright

But not right now

I know you’re wondering when

You’re the only one who knows that

Someday somehow

I’m gonna make it alright But not right now

I know you’re wondering when

 

 

This is not an article about me, more like an article for a friend I care a lot. Recently he has been under a lot of stress because of relationship problems. I won’t go into detail on what is the problem, because if I do so a lot of kay-poh-chi people can guess who this person is!

 

Well I’d hope that since we’re here anyway

That we could end up saying

Things we’ve always needed to say

So we could end up staying

 

I feel that with your situation, you need to talk more with her. Yes she’s enjoying the time of her life there, it’s because this is the first time that she’s living alone there. Give her a little more time, let her appreciate the distances and she will miss you more. You claimed that you’ve given everything to her: your heart, your soul blablabla. But she has given you all of her as well. She came back to you despite warnings from certain groups, and she believed that love knows no distance (such an ideal B*T*H).

 

 

Now the story’s played out like this

Just like a paperback novel

Let’s rewrite an ending that fits

Instead of a Hollywood horror

I know that you felt cheated because of broken promises, but you have to understand that she needed to pursue whatever she’s dreaming of. How will you feel when she stays just because of you? It can be a romantic gesture, but this issue will be raised for sure in the future. Something like ‘how much I gave up for you and this is how you’re treating me’ kind of conversations. So looking at it, it’s best that she would be there, and when it’s time for her to come back, she will come back. And when she does come back, she’ll come to you.

 

Nothing’s wrong Just as long as you know that someday I will

Someday, somehow

I’m gonna make it alright But not right now

I know you’re wondering when

 

Think of it this way, absence makes the heart grow fonder! When she comes back, you’ll be thrilled to see her (judging from the way you describe your relationship with her back then I’m sure you’ll be LOL). So hang in there buddy! She might be far, but you guys are still A PART. And of course you have me, and your wild-out-of-this-world friends for buddy-support. Anytime, you know I always come to you.

 

 

You’re the only one who knows that

Someday somehow I’m gonna make it alright

But not right now I know you’re wondering when

You’re the only one who knows that

I know you’re wondering when

You’re the only one who knows that

I know you’re wondering when

Accepting Yourself

 

Many of us get into university not liking the course that we get. Heck when I first got accepted into aNUS, I was a Science major student!

*Note: Pharmacy is under Science but in a world of its own

And sometimes, you wished that you had the chance to turn back time so that you could’ve done better for your pre-requisites, or had some strings to pull yourself into your desired course.

 

“I have to take Chemical Engineering because my father said so” said Suicidal.

 

Coming from an Asian/Chinese family, it is only respectable if we follow our parents’ wishes and hopes, because after all, they lived longer than us to know what’s best for us. When I was in secondary school, I dreamed of becoming a Marine Biologist, and my place of study would be Hawaii because I can surf everyday after classes they have one of the better Marine Biology courses around. But after receiving a significant amount of drilling from my parents, I had to accept Pharmacy as my choice of study.

“I feel like changing to Law or Communication Studies” continued Suicidal.

Thankfully for me, I enjoy what I’m doing now, despite not wanting to do it in the beginning. I don’t know whether it’s my sub-conscious self telling me to grow into liking Pharmacy, or it’s just the course/profession itself.

“Hi I’m Daryl Seow, and I fix cars for a living”

I’m proud/comfortable of telling people what I’m studying, or what I’ll be doing in the future, as if you don’t like what you’re studying right now, or acknowledge what profession you’re going to be soon, then I don’t see the reason to studying it.

“Hi I’m Lam Chee Kiang, and I’m in Science majoring in Pharmacy”

But like I said, we’re in a world of our own

“… and I’m majoring in Pharmacy”

It’s not that hard now is it? I actually have a friend (distant friend) who is doing nursing:

“… and I’m in medicine”

True, you are in the medical/allied health course. But there’s a distinctly distinct difference between medicine and nursing, and dentistry and pharmacy for that matter. So to introduce yourself as someone who you are obviously not, clearly shows how much you are embarrassed/uncomfortable with what you are doing right now. And if you cannot appreciate what you are doing right now, I don’t think you will ever contribute significantly to the profession in the future when you enter the workforce.

Just to add, nursing is a respectable profession which many underestimate. The health industry is in need for quality, caring nurses, and they represent among the highest number of professionals in the health industry. Being able to care and be patient, alongside working with jack ass physicians who don’t give a shit about you, is something worth respecting for. Although I admit that the pay will not be as high as the doctors, nurses touch the hearts of patients more than the doctors, or pharmacists for that matter.

But the moral of my entry is, if you judge yourself because people are judging you, then there’s no point in living at all.

Introducing The Girlfriend

Singlish: My girlfriend like damn hot can

Manglish: My girlfriend super the chunted wei!

Lebuhraya Perubatan-Sheares

This would be my first 56K killer.

Today I went exploring around School of Medicine/National Uni Hospital. I’ve found a new way to get back to Sheares Hall from Medicine!

Starting Point: The Block MD2 – Department of Pharmacology, still wondering why if Pharmacology can be in medicine, why not Pharmacy…

S

Found it! The back of School of Medicine! Theoretically/Geographically/Accordingtomaply/Whateverly, Prince George’s Park and King Ed VII Hall are on the other side of the hill!

Ta Ma De. really National University of Staircases…

Mission Climbing Steps accomplished! I’m now at Heaven! Yes Medicine is hell LOL.

Peace and Tranquility. The part of NUS that still remains lush and green. Perfect place to have sex outdoors have a picnic.

The road is called Kent Ridge Road. I think the Malay army got wiped out somewhere around here during the World War II.

Old 1970s houses that are semi-abandoned. If they didn’t repaint the houses I would be freaking out already. Running here alone at night is something I wish not to do.

Fucking scary to stumble upon this abandoned toilet with Chinese altars at night huh.

Yesh! Finally the steps to the other side!

Rehat sekejap… Camwhore Attempt No. 1

then one of the scientist from the nearby building walked pass. Oh the paiseh-ness.

It’s a lovely day I don’t wanna study

The Inevitable Conformist

“However much you deny it, you always follow the footsteps of your elder sibling” said Miss Lai during one of our more intellectual conversations.

My initial stand was against what she said. But after countless thoughts, I realized that what she said could be true.

1. My brother loves lounge music – I love lounge music
2. My brother enjoys wine and good food – I enjoy drinking alcohol and good food
3. My brother loved hanging out at Hartamas – You can always spot me at Hartamas back home

I didn’t realize that I was actually emulating my brother! Although we have/had a lot of differences in opinions (like how I view the importance of slight competition to improve one’s performance at work and why shouldn’t companies allow their employers to have power naps while working), I guess I always see my brother as a role model. No doubt that we were enemies back in secondary school, I guess he is my elder brother after all and I do wish that I can become like him one day, be it good or bad.

By the way, my brother’s getting married end of this year! I’m so happy for him!

Anyway, talking about emulation and influences, I realized that I’m a bloody conformist, however much I deny it every time this conversation comes up.

“I feel that wearing long pants to class is a form of respect to the lecturer and upholding the idea of university education” said CH.

“I so agree”

Oh but wait a minute, I wear slippers and shorts to class too!

When I first came to aNUS, I was shocked to see people wearing shorts and flip-flops to class. I just dropped out of IMU then where the dress code for students was FORMAL (tie included for guys). I thought it was a direct insult to the lecturer and the course. Long pants, inclusive of jeans, were more appropriate.

Soon, fashion caught up on me, and I started wearing suggestive t-shirts, beach pants, shorts, flip-flops etc. to class.

 

“Can you not dress like a Singaporean?” says PowerPat.

“What, it’s just flip-flops from Topman, beach pants from Ripcurl, a t-shirt, a sling bag that resembled Crumpler, and emo-HK-glasses!”

 

You must be thinking that I’m such a hypocrite. Here I am thinking that we shouldn’t conform, then all of a sudden I’m thinking of whether what clothes to buy to fit in the Singapore Society.

 

“Look at that bloody Singaporean! Now wherever you go must wear flip-flops and shorts la!” Said Daryl when I met him at Mont Kiara the last trip down.

 

 

I do have my reasons for wearing shorts and flip-flops. Firstly, the Singapore weather is HOT and you have to walk almost everywhere. Secondly, you just slip into your flip-flops when you leave the room, instead of wearing socks and tying up your shoes. I am however, still against people who wear singlet to class (however fashionable it is), super sexy short pants, and clothes that show a lot of your chest/boobs/nipples.

Or maybe Singapore made me more aware of my self appearance. Back in Malaysia days, I wear whatever I think looked nice, prior to the Mother’s approval. Then again, I can go on arguing that perhaps my taste just coincided with the locals.

I guess it’s just human nature. Most of us (and I mean not ALL OF US) tend to blend in to the community, hoping to fit in. If we don’t, we’re seen as arrogant and probably will face long-term tau-ing.