Singapore MP Was Set On Fire

Mr Seng Han Thong, a member of Singapore's parliament, was set on fire on Sunday by an angry 70-year-old man over a Chinese New Year gift. The MP was done handing out bursaries and hong baos (red envelopes which contained $135 each) at Chu Seng Temple to about 150 needy people and was settling down to lunch with them in the club's hall when the attacker poured paint thinner on the MP and ignited it with a kitchen stove lighter. According to the officials, the attacker was disgruntled at not being selected to receive the hong bao; he was arrested immediately and charged on Monday with voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means, an offence punishable by up to life in prison.

The victim

Source: The Straits Times

As a result, the Yio Chu Kang Member of Parliament suffered nearly 15 per cent burns on his face, chest and arms; he underwent a skin graft operation on his upper right arm at the Singapore Hospital. Aw Chui Seng, the temple chairman, who helped in covering the flame suffered about 10 per cent burns of his body and is recovering in the general ward in the Burns unit.

It has been reported that this is the second time that Mr Seng, who is also the adviser to the Taxi Operators' Association, has been attacked. In July 2006, he was punched by a disgruntled constituent who believed Mr Seng was not doing enough to help him get back his revoked taxi licence. Residents of Yio Chu Kang and those who have been working closely with Mr Seng described him as someone who is always willing to help. As a matter of fact, Mr Seng announced several measures to help taxi drivers tide over the economic downturn last Friday.

The attacker

Source: The Straits Times

Apparently, Mr Ong (an ex taxi driver) is a former mental patient; he was being held at a mental health institute for psychiatric test. Neighbours described Mr Ong as an eccentric character who would run up and down the corridor outside his flat for no apparent reason. Source for this article can be found here, here, here, here and here.

My oh my, I can't believe something like this happened in Singapore, one of the safest countries in the world with low crime rates.

Freedom Whiz Caters for Female

Have been wanting to write about this for the whole week but the migraine attacks kill the thought. Anyway, I was shopping for female necessity products in Guardian and by chance, to come upon Whiz Freedom.

Source: Whiz Official Website

Ladies, whiz away your troubles and reach to your freedom. Apparently, the tool above is a female "urine director" - and I quote from Whiz's website - to "give women the freedom to wee anywhere a man could". Having googled the product, I discover Whiz Freedom is antibacterial, hydrophobic and highly portable. Due to the material used, it allows users to fold Whiz Freedom up and spring it back into shape when they need it.

Well, Whiz Freedom is definitely a great invention for mobility impaired people; I can see the convenience aspect for people with mobility difficulties. But it is a niche market. It sounded weird to me and I gave it a miss.

On the news:

• Singapore's government will help citizens tide over the tough times. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made the assurance while he was giving out hong bao to residents in his constituency on Sunday.
• Singapore expects a challenging year for tourism in 2009 as the global economic recession curtails consumer spending and holiday plans. Tourist arrivals fell and though receipts rose, both figures missed government's targets. Consecutively, hotel occupancy rates slid.
• War intensifies in Gaza even as diplomatic officials issues urgent appeals for a ceasefire. Witness described how gunmen tried to lure Israeli soldiers into ambushes, as troops combed through Gaza's southwestern suburbs and took up stronghold positions in outlying building.
• Obama wants clean break with Bush intel practises. The elected president assures intelligence officials that his complaints are with the Bush administration, and not them. There are growing hints from Democractic Senate allies that spy agency veterans will not be prosecuted for past harsh interrogation and detainee policies.
• Obama raises estimate on jobs in his recovery economic plan, saying it would create or save three million to four million, nearly 90% of them in the private sector.
• Dubai will boost its spending by 11% this year to stimulate the economy amid today's global financial crisis. The new spending will result in a modest fiscal deficit, Dubai's first ever. Other Gulf governments, including Saudi Arabia and Oman, have announced recently that they too will risk deficits next year instead of cutting back on spending.

Welcome 2009

I woke up and actually felt good (well, this is something unusual because I suffer from migraine almost every morning these days). Lets hope this is a positive sign at the very start of a new year.

So I placed a new calendar (given by daddy) on my desk, slowly appreciated the pictures from the calendar and started helping out in the kitchen. It took hours and hours for the women in the family to churn raw food to something edible which included last-minute grocery shopping and I had to walk under the blazing sun alone with heavy, so-called (by maid) crucial ingredients. Subsequently, we only managed to bring out several dishes; definitely less number of dishes than we planned but whole family agreed they were delicious. The credit goes solely to the maid who is a superb cook.

Source: Sistic

Finishing the day, I brought mummy to watch a musical Wild Wild Rose (野玫瑰之恋). Having watched musicals across the globe, I personally think this piece of work has met the standard, but is nothing spectacular. My rating may be rather biased because previously I tend to visit large venues big-budgeted West End productions in London. What I like in this performance is (the lead actress) Perry Chiu's singing ability. This is my first encounter, I find her voice dashing and I thoroughly enjoyed those songs sang by her in Wild Wild Rose musical. Interior-wise, there is definitely large room for improvement; presentation has been set at the minimal setting although it has been noted that this musical will only last for four days. Costumes shown in the musical fit into the sixties era but those were not amazing enough to contribute towards the value of the musical. Finally, I smelled the cigarette smoke from the stage because we were seated on the front row. It was overbearing and unbearable; something has to be done on this as inhaling smoke is certainly unhealthy.

Season Greetings

Merry Christmas and I hope everyone had a good ones; I know I did, having gorged myself with liters of alcoholic drinks, swallowed kilos of meat and indulged in delicious desserts. Well, it is a buffet and I tend to over chew when there is one-price-for-all meal. I must say the buffet in this restaurant (located in one of Singapore's hotels) is quite extravagant but it also comes with a premium price. Sadly, I didn't get to devour any of the seafood section in respect of the mummy seated opposite who should be avoiding seafood at all times; I can still visualize the exquisite-looking lobsters and prawns. What followed is a week of gourmet meals. As my brother and his significant other (shall address them as DOY & DOYGF respectively) are in Singapore, we have been venturing -from posh restaurants to street stalls- Thai, Chinese, fusion, local and international cuisines. Tonight, we will dine in a Thai-Chinese restaurant, wolfing down mouthwatering food at the same time flattening my wallet. Tomorrow, we will have a palatable feast at my very own home. Adequate data has me foresee an intense diet schedule will follow soon after. Without much nonsense, I wish everyone

Happy New Year!

I seriously hope that 2009 will be a better year, both at economic and personal level. I wish Singapore and the rest countries in the world will drag themselves out of recession a.s.a.p., enjoy higher GDP and (consequently) offer more opportunities to job seekers. Talking about bad timing, I will start looking for a professional job sometime after Chinese New Year. In addition, I wish my family abundance of health; my greatest hope is to see my family members well, healthy and strong.

Looking Back at 2008

Source: Dreamstime.com by Madelaide

The year 2008, on personal level, has been a difficult year. Thinking back of what happened for the past twelve months, I respond with mixed feelings but overall, it can be said that I have been physically, mentally and spiritually challenged most of the time.

Of 2008:

1. I had plenty of rest. I didn't get much rest for as long as I can remember (well, definitely for the last seven years). This is a year that I actually feel laid back (mostly because I didn't rush for deadlines), slowing down my pace of life and enjoying little things like drinking a cup of tea in the morning after waking up and reading few pages of a book before sleeping at night. Blissful, I tell you, simply blissful.

2. I had traveled extensively. I crossed several continents and countless countries in a span of four months. Tired? yes. Delighted? hell yes. Since young, I have a passion for traveling but due to education commitment, I didn't get to appreciate it until this year. I have learned new cultures, picked up new languages, enjoyed breathtaking scenery and even encountered natural disasters.

3. I acquired ample knowledge about health issues, from my own experiences as well as friends and family. I had been visiting the hospital so frequently this year that it is ridiculously not funny. I am not at the liberty to discuss this; therefore, i will not elaborate more.

Source: Colorcubic.com

Anyway, the world is experiencing such instability and who seriously know what 2009 will bring. Personally, in the coming year, I hope I will not receive depressing news too often. Finally, what's the best way to end the year other than new year's resolutions? My compiled list of new year's resolutions is below.

In 2009, I want to:

1. Plan a healthy lifestyle for myself and the family or at least to encourage the family to adopt a healthier lifestyle.With family members scattered around the globe, I know the previous resolution can be difficult to attain.

2. Find a job. Gaining an entry-level position (of my desired profession and suits my qualification) in an MNC. May I add, the 'desired profession' is believed to be operating in a niche market in Singapore arghh.

3. Be happy. I want to be more optimistic by thinking the bright sides of life. I will calm down, and not panic, every time I read or heard something unfavorable. Yes, I desperately in need of nerves management.

4. Take up volunteer work. Up till this moment, I use my parents' hard-earned money to donate as an act of charity. From next year, I would like to give back to the society by doing something more meaningful; I have been offered to attend a volunteering orientation in February.

That's all folks. Thank you(s) for reading my personal statement. If this blog survives another year, I will definitely review the above new year's resolutions.

Hello World

Afternoon, folks! Yes, I had been on unannounced hiatus. Am just going through a rough period at the moment. But I shall, for my own benefit, write on a frequent basis from now on.

A Mother's Love #1

Source: Google Official Website

I especially like the last Olympics banner (above picture) put up by Google titled as 'closing ceremonies'; a very merry, and definitely festive-looking banner. Gosh, talking about the Olympics fever, a giant pile of articles -find them in newspapers, magazines, forums, blogs etc- is discussing on Beijing Olympics (e.g. what have China done right/wrong? is one popular topic), so much that I am starting to flip away pages with the word 'Olympics'.

This afternoon, I had no choice but to pamper myself with intensive nail treatment which includes having my hands and feet scrubbed, masked and moisturised as well as the usual manicure and pedicure; the whole session used up my precious three hours. I dread patronising nail salons partially because the manicurists (that I happened to be assigned to) are fond of making small talk with their clients and I am not a smooth operator when it comes to strangers (oh yes, I am an awkward soul). But what I found out from today's assigned manicurist (who happened to be mommy's favourite manicurist) that mommy spent almost two thousand dollars on nail products and services ... just for my convenience to get my nails done when I return Singapore for holidays.