республика калмыкия - day 2

злиста - 30 Apr 2011

city tour

tour guide ; Nika

Nika's dad specially brought us here to see tulips.

he say, he used to come here when he was a small boy.

back then, it was all overed with tulips.

but many people come and took them away,

so their numbers dwindled.

he said, tulips did more originate in Holland,

but here, in Russia, Kalmykia.

purple iris

yellow iris

the older temple that Dalai Lama visited

arts school for children

uber uber HUGE tigger!

haha i totally love this photo!

Nika's mum made this.

its the MOST delicious Kalmykia food i've ever tasted!

simple. but just so xing fu eating it.

the feeling of home!

traditional Kalmykia food.

mutton with speg.

Lamp offal soup.

horrible smell, i almost fainted!

Kalmykia version of kambling soup.

thats the same dumplings as those Nika's grand made for us yesterday.

Presidential building.

the chess republic, people playing chess infront of the presidential building.

awww such a cute little one!

city chess.

the chess association.

everyone's getting married!

because its the last day of April,

everyone is in a hurry to get married!

they say, getting married in may, you wont have a very good married life.

tea at Nika Aunt's house.

i promise you, this is the BEST muffins i ever had!

and its her first time making them!

kudos to Nika's Aunt!

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.