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cHyOrK: >>
Ever heard of a Four-Leaf Clover?
Let me provide some background info first.
"One breeder of white clover, Yoke and Zoom, claim only about 1 in 10,000 plants will naturally mutate to produce a four leaf clover. They believe environmental stresses cause the mutation, and that a plant which mutates regularly is even rarer."
"Many myths are associated with four leaf clovers. Finding one not only brings good luck, but in the Middle Ages, it was also thought to allow the bearer to see fairies and plant sprites. So it was that children often searched fields for a four leaf clover in order to see into the magical realm of the spirit world. "
It is widely said that the leaves of the clover represent the following:
Faith, Hope, Love, Luck.
Bearing that in mind, I headed to Suntec, to a mini-stall, PacingLuck, outside carrefour. I thought it would be a good gift for Mother's Day. I saw the advertisement some 2++ weeks ago, and I immediately secured the thought that it would be the gift this year.
Yup, thats the handphone strap that i bought. The leaf is real, by the way.
Hopefully the Good Luck nature of the Four-Leaf clover lives by its name.
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Just some updates... (Today, saturday)
Today was yet another BMT section4 outing. We went Marina Sq Kbox for a 3-hour session, and i thought i wouldnt return there again. They admitted ppl after 2pm, and started chasing people out at 5pm. Cant they at least promise customers a full 3-hour session?? I just don't like it when a same brand name can have branches all over the country that have differing standards in terms of service, and food. Some branches serve lousy, puking and a little uncooked food. Others have bad-attituded receptionists. Too bad there aren't other cheaper alternatives and so the prices are forcing me to return to kbox everytime. (but hey, i recently notice the prices are increasing.)
We went to dine at Carls Jr, and later at Swenson's. Indulging in food has always been a must-do programme every weekend. But its unhealthy--not only for the stomach, but more for my wallet. I shudder to think about how much i spent this weekend. The more i thought, the more guilty i'll be. 
Kheng Wee & Eric 
Hanqun, Bingfu & me
----------------------------Yesterday was class dinner. Dined at Suntec Surf'n'Turf. THese are the pictures... 
9 of us + photographer CYS
9 of us +photographer minhwee 
The gals, all present.
But not the guys.. only the both of us were here..
Thats the 10 of us.
人生是黑白的.
11:59 PM <3
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Its Vesak Day. But its kinda embarrassing that as a buddhist, my understanding of my faith isn't as deep as that of the older generations. BUT i do know more than fellow buddhist peers, cos of my personal desire to explore it myself. And i feel that i'm more spiritually-attached to the religion than most other fellow young buddhists. BUT that isn't enough. And it seems a bit worrying, that the younger lot aren't paying much attention to the teachings of this precious philosophy, dated back thousands of years ago. Perhaps things may change when people gets older. You experience more things, fail at more attempts, and get exposed to challenges and setbacks. There comes a point where life is at a turning point. Difficult decisions await your forceful judgement. Life may hence not seem as ideal and as worthy as it is anymore. Thats when people seek solace, peace and direction in religion. More often than not, it happens at mid-age of life, and people start to delve deep into the spiritual realm and become firm followers of their chosen faith. Perhaps thats why whenever i visit a temple, i hardly see people of my age. Mostly are either senior citizens or middle-aged adults. Thats the case today at Suntec Fountain of Wealth, where Vesak Celebrations were held. I guess the younger people are busy shopping away at the mall... But anyway, I wrote some wishes on the wishing card, and went on to "bathe the buddha", glad that at least i did something this vesak. Still, i think its better for me to improve my knowledge on my faith. Only that will it make sense, and that I would be able to show more interest towards it, when i'm armed with deeper awareness and understanding.
人生是黑白的.
11:59 PM <3
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The political situation in Singapore remained. 82 PAP MPs, 2 opposition MPs. PAP's popularity dipped from 75% in 2001, to 67% in 2006. However, the 67% is considered a "normal" result for the ruling party, based on the previous elections. Back then, PAP managed to get 75% in 2001 due to uncertainties caused by 911. Now, given the more peaceful climate in the country, the party's popularity went back to the normal level.
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On ChoaChuKang SMC
I fail to understand why Steve Chia, someone who worked the ground at ChoaChuKang for the last 5 years, could actually lost hands-down to GanKimYong, who had just got switched over to the single-seat ward. Come on, a familiar and friendly figure cant even be compared to a totally unheard-of stranger?? What are the CCK voters doing?
Steve Chia had said that if he lost this elections, he would quit politics. I seriously hope he wouldnt, given his active contributions in parliament. Moreover, to me, he seemed to be the closest person yet, to "renew" the SDA's Chiam. A 5% hike in popularity should be considered a feat, closing up to almost 40% of voters' trust. Hopefully he would continue to work on it and turn the tables around one day.
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On Hougang SMC and Potong Pasir SMC
WP's Low Thia Khiang won 62% of votes, compared to 55% in 2001.
SDA's Chiam See Tong won 55% of votes, compared to 52% in 2001.
Both saw improvement in popularity.
This shows that: putting SM GOH's heavyweight as support didnt help at all. And also that the multi-million upgrading carrots didnt serve to pull voters. Im glad that voters there stood by their strong beliefs..
Hougang and Potong Pasir remain opposition strongholds.
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On Aljunied GRC
WP only garnered 44% for the hottest GRC battle in Aljunied GRC. I am quite disappointed, as WP had a very very high chance of grabbing it. Perhaps voters do not wish to lose George Yeo as a Cabinet Minister. Or perhaps voters are swayed by their exaggerated plans for upgrading?
Hopefully that would pave the way for the next elections.
But that is provided that Aljunied GRC still exist. Some little background info... There was once a Cheng San GRC, and it was contested even hotter back then. And the ruling party only won that GRC by a very minute margin, hence breaking everyone's spectacles. Then, immediately for the following elections, Cheng San was divided and eaten up into other GRCs, thereby making it hard for the opposition to relinquish the atmosphere..
With PAP only getting 56% versus WP's 44% for Aljunied GRC, will it still be present 5 years later, to invite another round of competition from WP?
Aljunied GRC didnt land in WP's hands. But one thing is for sure now, Ms Syivia Lim will still be sent into parliament as an NCMP. If she could prove to voters that she's a valuable asset as an opposition voice in the parliament, and produce results at the same time, it would definitely help her increase her popularity and hence votes in the next GE.
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On Ang Mo Kio GRC
I would say the results here was surprising as well. Its the Prime Minister's turf, and WP sent their youngest people to contest there. Look at the WP line-up: 4 out of 5 candidates were below 40, including 2 in their 20s.
Deemed as "suicide squad", the young candidates of the WP only hoped to get a "decent result". They were not out to win. Instead, they were out to battle with PM, to send the message that "we shouldnt have a uncontested PM."
The PAP's AMK candidates were also over-confident, saying that a high victory margin would be guaranteed. Something like 75++%?
But that didnt take place, cos the results was PAP 66% to WP 33%. That would, in my honest opinion, be an embarrasing result. Simply surprising.
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After all the campaigning, Singapore went to vote. Nothing's changed and everything was status quo. All the heat and fire had died down, following the announcement of the last constituency.
It would be yet another 5 years before the next heat wave hits the country. By then, i would have long reached voting age. But i wonder if i would be able to exercise my citizen rights then.
Thinking about 5 years later would be a little too long, cos i guess i have something more important to think about right now.
Cos in 5 hours time, i'll have to leave home for camp, cos i have to do sunday guard duty. Its 130am now. If i don't sleep, I'll suffer soon.
So that'll mark the end of a series of politcal blogging, at least in the short term.
人生是黑白的.
12:08 AM <3
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