Work, and more Work

Ooh, a real lousy workweek has just gone passed and now I’m looking at another bad week ahead. Let’s see, I went back to camp on Tuesday expecting a peaceful week and yet it turns out that my bosses planned something like a mini setup to train the newbies. So, we had to prepare our equipment, installing systems and so on. Best part is, we sort of did most of the work ourselves, since most of the equipment are required to be deploy out for exercise in September, so we rather not run the risk of asking the new guys installing them for fear of errors.

Did guard duty on Wednesday, then I found out that the mini setup was cancelled caused there’s a need for us to go down Tradoc to help them setup some equipment. That’s good news to some extent. Well, but its bad caused that means this coming week we will be going down Tradoc for at least 1 and a half days, but it will be a good chance to ask the new folks to do some work.

Anyway, I will be going to the Jurong Heartlands for National Day. Well, the trunk people needed people to help them with the Operations Flashpoint game so yup, I will be there the whole day on August 9. So yea peeps, please come to the Heartlands celebration area (besides the MRT track), signals booth and find me if you’re in that area. Will gladly appreciate it if I were to see familiar faces on that day.

And my Saturday was spent at Padang. Hmm, it was a peaceful day as usual for me, (which is good!), but I can say that I’m real happy cause I don’t think there will be any more rehearsals next week. This means that we are involved only on August 9 there. Yea, I can’t wait for the day to come!

Hmm, I’m truly looking forward to whatever short breaks after NDP that I will be getting (as well as the offs). He, I’m starting to go into ORD mood already man, but you can’t fault me especially when over half the platoon that I know are now either clearing, or about to clear, or has disrupted. Sigh, now only left my batch and ah boon’s batch that are effectively working and not thinking of clearance… Hmm, but I just have to wait 3 more months and it will be my turn to do so… 3 more months…Tsk tsk..

Well, I don’t know what will happen after mid September, but I got an uncanny feeling that my platoon will be real busy until maybe November? Things don’t look good right now especially since nothing is confirmed and there hasn’t really been anything planned yet.

Well, hopefully tomorrow I can catch the Island. Me have been cooped up all this while. Sigh~

Ever changing VS never changing

Ooh, I went back to VJ and DHS today, and I must say that there is a stark, distinctive difference between the 2 schools, and I still wonder how is it possible that I am a product of both of them.

Ok, VJ is truly a happening place. The school has changed much since I last went back (last year’s college day); there’s now a signboard at the gate which some says looks like Caltex, the Administrative Office has changed its layout, the Concourse tiles and layout has changed, the front of the Administrative Office has changed, the T block and E block has changed, the pond area has changed… Seriously speaking, much of VJ has changed that I could barely identify with it. But one thing still remains, and that are the teachers. Mr Ho still has his glib tongue, Mr Lam was still ever friendly, Mr Ueng was also his usual self. The students culture doesn’t appear to have changed much either as there was a lot of people moving about, people chatting away in the canteen, students at the concourse area. Truly, I think the place is full of life, and ever vibrant. Hmm, I shall try to get a relief teaching spot there next year after I ORD.

On the other hand, DHS was so dead. Ok, the school never changed on the exterior at all, and I don’t think any of its facilities changed. I don’t remember seeing students, and it just so happens that when I was there, they had some racial harmony celebration going on. Ok, I didn’t get to see any of my teachers (only 3 are left and 2 happened to be not in school today), but even so, the feeling I get from the place is that it has not changed at all. Its like VJ and DHS are two polar opposites – one is lively while the other is dull.

Ha, I truly don’t understand how is it possible that boring people from DHS can actually transform into lively creatures in VJ. That’s still a mystery I don’t know. Hmm, or like I quote YH, my class was never the norm in DHS, that’s why we never had a boring moment in our school days.

Ok, think next time when I have children, I will get them to go to RI or VJ if possible. Ha, hopefully when I come back to teach, it will be VJ or RJ, since I prefer teaching students who are responsive and active.

the Chinese Yuan

Oh yeah, China finally decided to stop its currency peg with the US dollars. Ok, I guess to many of us, what exactly is the big hoo-hah about it? Yes, all of us have read in the news about how under-valued the yuan has been against the greenback, and we all know about how much the Americans have protested about the Chinese refusal to revalue the currency. But so? A meager rise of 2% does not change much of the current economic climate, and it does little to improve current economic conditions since the yuan is estimate to be 10-20% undervalued against the yuan. Indeed, the 2% rise does look insignificant.

But the truth is, there are a lot of implications due to China’s decision. Less than half an hour after the Chinese announced it, Malaysia also dropped its peg of 3.8 ringgit to the dollar. Yes, the Chinese government decision has already changed much of the world’s economic happenings.

Let me briefly explain. By changing its currency from being a fixed one to a managed float, there is much more greater flexibility in the yuan now. Unlike the past in which the yuan will always be obsolete, and not reflective of current economic trends, the new system will make it more responsive as well as more flexible to changes in the economy. This will certainly help the Chinese government better in controlling their domestic economy, as they will now be able to use interest rates better as a tool to either boost or cool down the economy. (If not, when they raised interest rates, there is a pressure for the yuan to appreciate, but since they won’t allow it to happen, they will sell more yuan thus pushing down the interest rate again).

Of course, the managed float system will make allow the yuan to be valued at a more competitive rate with other economies. This will certainly help in promoting free trade around the world as currently, many countries are imposing protectionist measures as they claimed that Chinese imports are flooding their markets, aided by the low yuan. Now, if the yuan reflects closely to its actual value, nations will have no reason to implement protectionism, and hence they will need to think of ways to improve in the production process in their country, thus leading to a more productive global economy.

Politically, this is also a good move, as it shows that the new Chinese government is relaxing their economy instead of keeping it strictly under wraps. It will also be a key step in showing that China has changed into a full market economy unlike the old Communistic system. Likewise, this move also shows that China is willing to make a step in helping to maintain economic stability across the globe.

And of course, the managed float will help to protect the Chinese yuan from the dangers of the past fixed exchange-rate regime. A managed float will ensure substantial protection to the currency to prevent it from being under attack from speculators, as well as ensure that the currency is not artificially maintained at a value (remember the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis?).

Oh yes, in macroeconomics there is a problem known as the Triffin trilemma. Basically, every country hopes to 1) control the movement of its currency, 2) control the interest rates in the country and 3) control the exchange rate. However, if you were to choose any 2 of them, you need to give up the 3rd. Thus, every nation must try to pick the 2 best choices that fits its needs. So with China giving up a fixed exchange rate, this will allow it to better control its domestic interest rates.

On the whole, I must say that the decision by the Chinese are indeed steps forward in helping to maintain global economic stability, as well as a big step forward towards free trade and lastly, it helps to managed the Chinese economy, thus preventing it from overheating. All this will mean that there will be greater economic stability not just in China, but also across the world.

London attacks

I thought that there was nothing for me to blog about, but when I flipped through the news, I realized that this week has been not only just an eventful week, but there’s also plenty of things for me to talk about.

Ok, first let me address the recent London bomb blasts, part 2. Hmm, well the first London attacks have certainly kicked up a big furor, as not only was London hit badly by it (yes, attacks on the public transport in those crowded districts will affect any country seriously), but also the attackers turned out to be people who had grew up in the UK, and that some of them were well-educated too.

Which brings us to the point of who are all these bombers? Is there any way for us to identify them? Well, looks like the answer is no, because there doesn’t seem to be much in common among them except for their race, as well as their religion. Unlike the Sept. 11 attacks, the London attacks showed the unpredictability of terrorism in today’s world, as well as showed us that even your neighbors might not be what they seemed to be. And yes, attacks on a country need not be done by foreigners, it can be done by your own countrymen too.

Now, I can understand all the media coverage on London now (considering the fact that the first attacks were launched less than 24 hours after London was announced to host the 2012 Olympics), but you can say that I am quite impressed with the British government. Unlike Sept. 11, Britain took a short time to get things back to normal. Ok, that’s also because the attacks never actually took down any major commercial buildings, but still, the transport network in the UK has more or less overcome the catastrophe and the Londoners has continued with their routine life. This does prove that the UK government has indeed done a good job.

I must admit that I am quite worried with the attacks on London, caused ultimately I’m flying to the UK next year. But the truth is, there is nothing much to be worried about, apart from being the normal cautious self that we have always been taught (i.e. to look out for any suspicious luggage or people). I mean, the recent bomb attacks does remind me of Singapore in the 60s, during the confrontation period when bomb blasts occurred almost once every week. But that certainly has not deterred Singapore from becoming one of the safest nations in the world today. Neither has the Bali and Madrid bomb blasts caused both places to be thrown into chaos (ok, momentarily yes). In fact, I must say that the bomb blasts will to some extent help to increase the security level in London, and make it a safer place for all.

And to those who think that I will be throwing myself into danger by going to a country that is suffering from terrorism, well, I think that is over-rated. Yes, I know it is dangerous to study in the UK as compared to Singapore but the truth is, it is a good chance to experience another culture so that I can better treasure what I have over here. On top of that, it is not as if other places, like Chicago or Los Angeles are much safer (they have amazingly high crime rates compared to Singapore, and it is common to hear of people dying on the streets), but do we hear of Singaporeans dying all the time? The answer is no.

In fact, I think that as long as I take the necessary precautions, my life won’t be in danger over there. Ha, you can say that I believe in fate for I believed that if you’re destined to die at this moment, you could even die when you’re just walking on the roads. Yup, so there are times where we do not need to think to much but just carry on with our daily activities. Of course, I do mourn for those who died in the London bombings, and I do hope that the London police are able to prevent such attacks from happening again. My condolences to the victims.

Freakonomics

I’ve finished reading Freakonomics, and I think it is a brilliant book. Ok, let me clarify what the book is about first, just in case your thinking that this post is all about Economics.

Yes, the writer of the book is an economist teaching at the University of Chicago, but the book is nothing about money, GDP, growth, trade or finance. The book is more of a mind exercise, as the writer brings you through several issues found in our daily lives, such as why the crime rate in the USA drops, why is it that most drug peddlers happen to stay with their parents as well as whether parenting techniques are key to a child’s development and the role of the child’s given name in his life, etc. Economics is used minimally, although I must say what he highlights is that Economics is not just about money, facts and figures; instead, Economics tools and techniques can be applied everywhere in our life and the views that they provide will stun you momentarily.

The book is simple to read, and it is pretty interesting. The author presents his ideas well and easily, thus even the laymen will find it an enjoyable read. I must say that I was challenged by the author’s ideas, as well as his opinion on causality of certain things. True, nobody would have thought of some of the things that he has to say on daily happenings in our life. I must say that the book does inspire one to think beyond the box, and to look under the skin at things instead of just glancing at the surface. On the whole, I will say that it is an excellent book, fun to read and you will be amazed and impressed by the wit of the author.

Oh yea, for people who don’t know, if I’m not wrong the writer teaches economics of crime over at Chicago. Ha, bet some of you never expected that Economics is more than just money and goods right?

NKF

The recent debacle over the NKF-SPH lawsuit, which has more or less has erupted into “NKF lacks transparency”, has indeed captured the attention of many, if not the whole of Singapore. I guess its time that I air some personal views of my own with regards to the issue in general.

I must confess that I started out thinking that the NKF was an organization that deserved our aid in all manners. I mean I still remember how I will volunteer in Primary school and Secondary school to obtain a NKF donors card and help them solicit for donations from my friends and relatives. After all, those touching moments on TV that showcased the sufferings and pain, which a kidney failure patient has to undergo, really moved me. On top of that, I will call in regularly during their charity show to lend those artistes my support, since the artistes were all putting in their best and it is ultimately for a deserving cause.

However, I gradually got irritated with the NKF for they started to flood the television channels with their charity shows. On top of that, the minimum sum which you are able to donate got bigger and bigger, and yet there doesn’t seemed to be anyway in which the show could have catered for those less able families to contribute. To me, the organization has started to coerce all to donate cash to it.

Worse, I began getting phone calls from NKF yearly, in which they will ask me whether I will like a donor card. It gets real frustrating especially when there are occasions on which I am unable to help out, yet they kept trying their best to convince me, as if I am their only hope.

So of course, now with all the revelations, you can say that I am indeed pissed with the fact that they had gotten so much money, and used it in so many ways without ever telling the public. And of course, the conduct of their management has indeed been extremely disappointing.

I have always thought that the NKF was a good organization that cared for its patients. Even though they’re marketing practices as well as fund-raising activities has left much to be desired, but its cause has always been good. But now…ok, you can say that I am indeed really sad with the way things has been for the past few years. Now, I can only hope that the new management can sort things out and ensure that every bit of the cash which Singaporeans has donated to it are properly used for the benefit of the kidney patients, and that it will be well accounted for.

And yes, although I will love to do join in the fray and make plenty of comments over the recent lawsuit, but I decided against it because I think enough has already been said. There is no point in looking at the misdeeds and commenting on the ‘what-haves’, instead, the focus should be on how we can actually work out a solution that will protect the rights and interests of those patients under its care. Of course, there is also a need to ensure that measures are in place to prevent such an unfortunate incident from ever happening again.

Yes people, ultimately the people who are on the losing end of this whole debacle are the patients, and not their management. We should get our priorities right and help them.

Sin City

I watched the movie (not on the big screen though), and I thought it was good. Ok, I doubt it will appeal to the masses, and I personally think that it is more like an art film.

Let me briefly explain, the movie seems to me to be a pretty accurate adaption of the comic series. I mean the dialogue sounds like those comic bubbles, and not like a script. The color and gore does look like the comic book (its mainly black and white, with shades of grey and a little splashes of color here and there). Fine, I guess I'm no authority to comment since I have not read the graphic novel, but judging from reviews, the director did not change much of it, and considering that one of the director happens to be the artist himself, the movie should have stuck quite close with the comic.

Ok, I can understand the movie's rating perfectly. It is full of blood and gore, a lot of sadistic actions as well as conversations that ain't suitable for kids. Indeed, it is a movie for a mature audience, and even I myself cannot really think of which other movies come close to all the blood it has (perharps Kill Bill?). In all, you should not watch it after you have finished your meals, and neither is it apt for the faint-hearted.

Hmm, the movie plot is quite complex in my opinion. Ok, at the basis the 3 stories are really easy to understand. I mean its all about guys going all out to kill people, have revenge or protect the person they loved. But if you were to look deeper, you will realised that actually the 3 stories are actually linked, and each one of them highlights a different human trait - the avenger, saviour and the protector. Now this also sounds like it has a religious connotation as well right? Of course, I personally think that the movie to some extent is a satire as well, especially on the corruption that exists in the world.

Cinematography wise, I think it is splendid. Most of the scenes are quite well directed, and even though they tend to be a bit graphic, but that is the essence of the comics so it was brought out pretty good. Hmm, I think the directors did a fantastic job and it is a movie which can be admired in the artistic sense too.

So, I do recommend people to watch the show. It is not like those movies where you just go to be entertained; it is more of a show where you can really appreciate and live the comic.

Lousy Weekend

Sianz, I got head shot to go back to do guard duty tomorrow, so sigh, I'm not going down Padang tomorrow. This means 2 less off days for me plus 1 extra duty. Totally sucky right? And the worst part is that I'm doing guard duty with people that I do not know, and that is totally miserable. Seems like this weekend will be a bad one for me.. Sigh...

Hmm, Jean's having a party tomorrow but I can't go because of army commitments. This is like totally irritating since I only get to see Jean like once a year, and it has indeed been a long time since the geppers met up, but I can't go so ya, I am quite sad. Well, I met ZX last weekend at Padang and the feeling is really good to see a familar face there, especially when you haven't seen him in ages. We chat for a short moment, but I totally enjoyed the short moment we had together.

Well, it seems to me that this weekend will be a totally lousy one for me, much worse than last week's one. I mean, at least last week we still had our usual food trail, but this weekend, there's no more food trail since Elvin and Co. are booking in on Sunday night because of guard duty on Monday. Sucks man. Ok, I think I should not lament anymore but if you are interested in my grumblings, you can refer to my anger management post.

Hmm, looks like I should make good use of this period to save up. Hmm, there are so many things which I want to do when I ORD, so I guess I better start thinking of how to have money to do that, if not the period when I ORD will be quite bad.

Happenings

I haven’t blog for so long, so I’m kind of lost as to where I should start. Ok, let me see, I know a lot of people should have read my previous post since Elvin linked his blog to mine. Ha, well, that was a post for me to get off a lot of frustration, and I think it did reflect the feelings of quite a few of my pals.

Last Sunday I saw GX off at the airport. We managed to reach there just in time to see him off, and I must say it was a relief for us since we reached the airport at 2330, and his flight is at 0005. Well, we snapped a few photos together before we had to hastily say goodbye to each other. Hope he will enjoy Queensland!

Ok, we went on our usual (about to become routine) midnight romp of Singapore. This time we went to Lavender Food Square, and I must admit that the prawn mee there (the one which writes Albert Street on its signboard) is really nice. The prawns are real big and fresh, and it does have a mean soup which makes the $3 worth it. Oh, after that we hopped over to Mustafa Centre. It was the first time that I actually went there, and you can say that I was totally impressed with how humongous, and well stock the place is. To be precise, things are literally everywhere, and it is indeed a sight to behold. They have so many things, ranging from apparels, food, bags, electronics, gold, toiletries; their inventory just goes on and on. We also heard from their sales personnel that they are planning to add a furniture section in 2 months time. Hmm, I personally think it has more things than Carrefoure.

Ok, the past workweek was lousy. Basically, I was working at Padang until 10 on Thursday, 1045 on Friday, 11 plus on Saturday, so I am totally tired. Yes, very very tired. It is quite irritating at how all those commercial people work, cause they love to push the blame to other people constantly (without checking!), and in the end, since we are national slaves, so we have to help them do all their work. Oh well, wasted a lot of time trying to figure out what went wrong, although I admit that I did have a fresh new experience, as well as learnt a lot about commercial equipment. It also trains my adaptability too. Haha, I guess that’s the positive way of looking at things