I was walking along Orchard Road on my way to my Jap class when I realised a stark contrast between the passers-by's (or is it "passers'-by"? or neither?) reactions to 2 people, standing not too far apart.
#1: One of the 2 was a student. He was holding a tin can, trying to solicit donations through the sale of flags.
#2: The other person was handing out "Weekend Today" to passers-by.
You've guessed it. People shunned the poor student, and you hardly see anyone within 3m radius of where he was standing. On the other hand, you can see quite a few people around the person with the free publication.
Singaporeans are fond of taking, but not giving. To them, they can never be at the losing end.
And yea, I AM a typical Singaporean. But in case you are wondering, I didn't take the free paper. And neither did I donate--not because I haven't got a heart, but because I was running late for class.
人生是黑白的.
6:07 PM <3
>>>
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
At 1130H, he said: You can go for your half day-off
`
At 1150H, he said: Follow me to go and service the camera (the only authorised one onboard)
`
At 1230H, we set off to Tanjong Pagar.
`
At 1320H, after the paperwork, he said: I'll drive you to the nearest MRT (Tanjong Pagar)
`
At 1330H, we were now near Lau Pa Sat, he said: Ok, wait for me awhile. I need to do something. Look after my car. (I thought i would be waiting inside the car. But it wasn't.)
`
At 1410H, he said: Sorry for waiting.. I'll send you to HarbourFront MRT. Is it ok? (Thinking that i can walk abit at Vivocity, i agreed)
`
At 1415H, he said: Why not i send you to Tiong Bahru instead, since it won't make much of a difference right?
`
At 1425H, I was at Tiong Bahru MRT.
`
.
Conclusion: I DID get a 2-hour off, but I was FURTHER away from home than if i was onboard my ship.
人生是黑白的.
6:48 PM <3
>>>
When i knew that we'll be going tomb-sweeping on 8th april for this year's Qing Ming Festival, my heart sank a little. Because i had conveniently assumed that this yearly event will be held on Good Friday, 6th April, as had always been for so long.And so, i conveniently assumed that i can happily go for Stefanie Sun's "Against the Light" Autograph session on 8th april, 3pm, at The Central, next to Clarke Quay mrt.But well, I'll have to respect the unanimous decision, 'cos 8th april is the date that most of my relatives can make it.Which means to say, i cannot join The Rest to have fun already.
人生是黑白的.
8:48 PM <3
>>>
人生是黑白的.
7:34 PM <3
>>>
Im surprised that the proposal to increase the ministerial pay comes at a time when the govt itself is stressing on the need to "help the poor", with a series of effort to 'bridge the gap' between the rich and the poor. These can be seen in the Budget Report released a month ago, which also see a GST hike come July.
`
And now, it seemed that the rich-poor gap just got much wider. Ministers are paid 'just S$1.2 million', which is 'well below the S$2.2 million' that they 'deserve'. Of course, I am in no position to query the work they do, but is that amount justified?
`
I read yesterday's papers and I agree with one of the columns. It roughly has the idea that the govt is justifying its own pay that it is getting. Something like: Oh, I think I deserve more, so I shall increase it myself. And, it certainly seems pointless to let this pay hike go through a series of parliamental debates or what, as it is unlikely that such a move will not be supported. At least that is the impression that I formed.
`
I feel that, at a time when everyone is still grumbling over the proposed GST hike, which goes to help the poor, such a hefty pay increase proposal shouldn't surface. People will think that the GST hikes are landing into ministers' pockets, instead of the poor. And others will think, that the average $400 that they are getting this year as GST-offset, are peanuts compared to ministers' offsets, which may amount to an extra $1 million a year.
`
Pardon me, and many others for feeling negatively, as this really isn't the right time. And certainly I don't think the way the benchmark for the pay packets is set is largely fair, though i admit i have no suggestions for it. And lastly, so many others certainly deserve pay increases, like NSFs, but I know that this is a different matter, as NSFs are impossible to leave the public sector for the private sector.
人生是黑白的.
3:57 PM <3
>>>
