GE 2011

general elections 2011

it was by far, the most competitive and highly contested general election in Singapore since our independence. it is also the first election i am eligible to vote in since turning 21, but its a great pity, Moscow isn't one of the polling center. it is the first time, since declaring a political science major student, i felt so passionate about this elections.

well the results are out, many people have differing views about the future of Singapore. whatever the outcome is, i believe Singapore needs to be given a chance to take risk, experience risk to know which is better, how to improve, even if it is at the expense of a minister that we hold with high regards. although it is a pity to have loss George in this election despite his efforts, his video to young Singaporeans, i personally feel, he realized it too late to let his dream of being the young's voice come true. maybe, WP will make a stronger voice in the parliament. on the bright side, it might be a blessing in disguise to kick out some arrogant useless lass from the parliament. well elections, its a give and take, we cant blame anyone really.

although i have many many displeasures over tpl, mbt, wks, but i shall not rant about it here, since i believe its evident why so.

now i believe is the time for the ruling government to humble themselves, put themselves back to the same level as the people, and reflect, make good of all that were done less correctly. (why am i putting it in such polite terms?)

younger generations of Singaporeans, i believe we are not apathetic about the political scene in our own country, but rather it is there is little space for us to voice our displeasure. GE is by far the safest option to do so. silently, we want change, though many still fear, but deep inside, many are dreaming of change, change for a better future. take this 5 years an experimental period, i believe in the next GE many Singaporeans will be courageous enough to vote for who they really want to be their voices.

Республика Калмыкия - day 1

Республика Калмыкия

28 Apr - 02 May 2011

a trip with Nika (Bryan's buddy) back home,

to Kalmykia Republic.

it as a 20 hour bus ride challenge, but it was really worth it!

20 hours coach ride to Kalmykia Republic!

my dinner at some stop over station.

delicious! stew beef, ooo yummy yummy!

view from the bus stop.

Kalmykia National Museum

Nika told us, her friend got married under this pavilion.

communist ice-cream!

mosaic art. lovely!

some war hero statue in the middle of the road.

main entrance.

Mongolian bao!

one of the best photos i have taken of the temple.

i love my canon ixus 130!

they say u put some money and turn this cylinder one round,

and you have read the scripture one time.

a walk around the temple.

steps leading up towards the temple.

another entrance behind the temple.

biggest Buddhist temple in Europe.

entrance to the premises of the temple.

looks like Kong Fu Zhi to me.

they say Yichen looks like their brother here.

Tibetan buddhist temple.

salad. tasted pretty good, though i dont really like it.

salami and cheese!

salad with Russian 'spice'.

Kalmykia's dumplings with meat inside,

ate together with butter or sour cream.

dinner! Russian-Kalmykia style.

cake! very Russian kind of cake.

traditional Kalmykia tea.

tea with milk, salt and a special kind of spice/seed.

tasted pretty much plain without the salt.

in photo: Nika and Nika's grandmother.

dinner at Nika's Grandma's house.

in photo: Nika's younger brother.

for every woman

For Every Woman By Nancy R. Smith

For every woman who is tired of acting weak when she knows she is strong,

there is a man who is tired of appearing strong when he feels vulnerable.

For every woman who is tired of acting dumb,

there is a man who is burdened with the constant expectation of "knowing everything."

For every woman who is tired of being called "an emotional female,"

there is a man who is denied the right to weep and to be gentle.

For every woman who is called unfeminine when she competes,

there is a man for whom competition is the only way to prove his masculinity.

For every woman who is tired of being a sex object,

there is a man who must worry about his potency.

For every woman who feels "tied down" by her children,

there is a man who is denied the full pleasures of shared parenthood.

For every woman who is denied meaningful employment or equal pay,

there is a man who must bear full financial responsibility for another human being.

For every woman who was not taught the intricacies of an automobile,

there is a man who was not taught the satisfactions of cooking.

For every woman who takes a step toward her own liberation,

there is a man who finds the way to freedom has been made a little easier.