Baey Yam Keng apologises for comments over foreign student’s remark

SINGAPORE: Tampines MP Baey Yam Keng apologised in Parliament Tuesday, for his comments over a remark by a foreign student here on a Singapore government scholarship.

Mr Baey has been accused of not standing up for Singaporeans.

But he said that was never his intention.

The comment by China national Sun Xu, that "there are more dogs than humans in Singapore", had sparked plenty of comments after it went viral online.

The final—year Mechanical Engineering student at the National University of Singapore had posted the remark on his microblog, after describing how some "uncles" in Singapore would stare at him after he brushed against them in public.

Some netizens also took issue with the fact that Sun is a government scholar.

Mr Baey was later quoted by a newspaper saying that there might be something in Sun’s words that Singaporeans could reflect on.

This added to the furore, even after Mr Baey subsequently explained on his Facebook — saying he did not agree with Sun’s comment, but that he felt Singaporeans could be more open to criticism.

And he maintained this stand in Parliament on Tuesday, although he apologised to those who felt hurt by his words.

"In trying to give the benefit of doubt to what the student said, and attempting to soothe the hard feelings of some Singaporeans, I was accused of siding with a foreigner and not standing up for fellow Singaporeans. It was never my intention to undermine Singaporeans but to those whom my words have hurt, I am sorry," said Mr Baey.

But he also noted the frustration among Singaporeans on being squeezed out by foreigners, whether it’s for seats in the train, or for places in schools.

He said that negative sentiments against foreigners should not all be treated as noise.

What he has learnt, he said, is that he needs to be more sensitive to how people might read into certain words.

And he said the same applies for policymakers when they craft, implement and communicate policies.
— CNA/cc

-------
He felt Singaporeans could be more open to criticism.  I have no problems with that but it is probably better to start from the top.  I mean, the top couldn't take any criticism...if not, they won't be suing people for defamation after EVERY single general election in recent years.  It has become such a norm that when I don't see anyone get sued, I start to wonder if the government has become localised and start fitting into our little society.  But I woke up from my sweet dreams faster than I can closed my eyes.  Fear tactics will still be used....so how do you expect us to be more open to criticism when the top can't even do that?  And I really had enough of those saying-the-wrong-things-and-then-apologise tactics.  If anyone of you don't know what to say, just stomp your feet and say "I don't know what to say!" How hard can that be?  One of our very own leaders do that too!

1,200 Singaporeans renounce citizenship every year

Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean said in Parliament on Tuesday that an average of 1,200 Singaporeans had renounced their citizenship every year from 2007 to 2011.

Of this average yearly figure, 300 are naturalised citizens.

Overall, however, the renunciation rates for both naturalised citizens and Singapore-born citizens were low during this period - about 0.1 per cent or less.

Mr Teo said that the reasons for emigration vary. 'Some emigrants leave for family reasons - because of marriage, or to reunite with family members overseas, while others do so for a different living environment,' he said.

Source here

--------------------
Some of the 300 naturalised citizens probably got their hubby's CPF money and ready to fly off to be with their boyfriends while some are here to as a by-pass to another country.  Singapore-born citizens renounce their citizenship probably because since they already feel like a foreigner in their own country and the even start feeling like second class citizens, why stay and fight for a land that belongs to other nationalities.

FB private message

Just had a conversation with someone who's merely an acquaintance on facebook.  And this is how the conversation went.

[start]
Him: Hi
Me: Hi, can I help?
Him: Hi, Anna sure...I have require your help..anna I add u on skype, kindly accept it. If you have time than we can discuss with each other...If you have question you may ask...
Me: oh ok...will add the next time I'm on skype
Him: anna kindly inform me when you will be online on skype??than we can discuss with each other..i have plan to start a project in which i have require your help...if you dont have obligation kindly share with me your personal number, it will easy for me to contact you...0092 345 5492857 this is my personal number.take care
Me: I'll come online now. We can discuss on skype. I do not call candidates or entertain any calls unless I have something suitable for them.
Him: ok. i am online on skype. anna if you have time than come online on skype...
(after rejecting his skype calls 2 times, we continue our chat on skype)
Me: Yes. How can I help you?
Him: dear can you please come online. dear i am working in pakistan as HSE ADVISOR
Me: What is HSE Advisor?
Him: HSE (Health Safety Environment)
Me: ok
Him: it is engineering job
Me: Not sure coz I have never handled such roles.  I mainly handle electronic engineering and IT
Him: Anna i have plan to start a project in UAE soon
Me: ok
Him: Anna i am running a Oil & gas instituation in pakistan and i am CEO of that
Me: oh ok.  All the best in your business venture.
Him: if you are require my help in searching electronic engineering. i can provide u
Me: Not at this moment. My requirements now are mainly IT and clients want singaporean or PR
Him: tell m which type of IT position you are looking>? ok
Me: So I'm not looking at foreigners until the govt is not so tight on the regulations
Him: yah i know
Me: Some of my candidates didn't manage to get their work pass approved and have to go back. So I think focussing on foreigners will have to come at a later stage. Probably next year
Him: nice. Anna i am happy that we can b a business partner. Anna when you will be free??? i want to discuss in detail about my project which is in process and i am doing its SWAT analaysis. analysis
Me: You can email me your questions and I see how I can be of assistance to you.
Him: nice
(back to facebook)
Him: dear how was your day?
Me: Waiting for a call.
Him: nice. i am looking a girl friend look like u!!
Me: Oh...then all the best in your search!
Him: thanks alt dear. Dear would you like to be my best friend?
Me: Nope.  I hardly know you and it take years to build a friendship.
Him: yah. You are telling right..but i hope that we will become a good friend. dear tell m about your family..
Me: You do not need to know about my family. We are not dating
Him: hhahahh. there may be we can do like dating. but 1st we should have t know about each other than we can build a constructive relation with each other. 
Me: I don't think we need to build any constructive relationship because the guy I'm ultimately marrying would be my current boyfriend.  I am not looking at building a relationship with another guy.  Moreover, I've got my best pals and I think that's good enough.  We spent years building that friendship.  I wish you all the best in finding your right girl and building a relationship with her.  And hopefully, assist you in your new business venture.  Good night! :)
Him: Anna if you are require any information about me and my family you may ask..
Me: it's ok, I do not need
Him: ok dear. if you are require my help you may ask...
[end]

Why on earth he keep calling me dear?  My name isn't too long to type right? It's also 4-letters!!!

New blog

Yeah, my new blog is about to be ready.  Still a work-in-progress because there's still alot to post.  Especially for the pictures...I can't possibly post everything so there's a need to filter.  It didn't help that I'm abit talkative and tends to write excessively. But if you are keen, you can start viewing at http://i-wanna-travel.blogspot.com The name is so original right?  Yah well, it's good enough that I'm able to come up with a name.  So don't complain!

An interesting email correspondence with People's Association

So this is how they work...
----------------------
From: Anna Ng

Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 6:58 PM
To: 'Sandra Mei Yan PANG (PA)'
Cc: 'Audrey John BENEDICT (PA)'; 'NECDC Recruitment'
Subject: RE: North East CDC invites you to Employers' Appreciation Tea 2012!!

Hi Sandra,

Thanks for your fast response.  I submitted my registration on 13 Feb 2012 (the day you sent out the invite) and you mention that the seats were all taken up by Friday (17 Feb 2012?)  So I guess it’s not by first come first serve basis, yah?  Not to worry then, I will look forward to future events.  Have a great week.

----
Best Regards,


Anna Ng
---- 

From: Sandra Mei Yan PANG (PA) [mailto:Sandra_PANG@pa.gov.sg]
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 6:30 PM
To: Anna Ng
Cc: Audrey John BENEDICT (PA); NECDC Recruitment
Subject: RE: North East CDC invites you to Employers' Appreciation Tea 2012!!

Dear Anna,

Thanks for your email.

We thank you for your interest in the Employers’ Appreciation Tea and we regret to inform you that the response has been overwhelming and all seats have been taken up by Friday.

We look forward having you for our future events in near future.

Thanks.

Sandra Pang | Employer Servicing Consultant    
300 Tampines Avenue 5
#06-01 NTUC Income

Singapore 529653
DID: 6876 5628 | FAX: 6876 5655
Website * www.northeastcdc.org.sg | www.pa.gov.sg | Facebook * www.facebook.com/necdc | Mobile Portal * www.OurCommunity.sg

Privileged/Confidential information may be contained in this message. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately.
----

From: Anna Ng
Sent: Tuesday, 21 February, 2012 3:13 PM
To: Sandra Mei Yan PANG (PA)
Subject: Re: North East CDC invites you to Employers' Appreciation Tea 2012!!

Hi Sandra,

I registered for this event on 13 Feb 2012 and to date, have not receive any confirmation. Can I just check if this event is still on-going or it had been cancelled?

Thanks,
Anna

Sent from my iPhone
----
On 13 Feb, 2012, at 10:38 AM, "Sandra Mei Yan PANG (PA)" wrote:
Dear HR Practitioners, Hiring Managers and Business Owners,

We hope this email finds you well!

2011 was a fruitful year for the Career Centre @ North East where we embarked on many new initiatives to increase our job-seekers’ employability, and we could not have done it without your support.

As our way of saying thanks, we would like to extend this invitation to you and your team to take a break from your busy schedule to join us for an eventful afternoon.

Held on 22 February 2012 (Wednesday) from 1pm to 5pm, the highlights of this event include:

• A sumptuous High-Tea Reception
• A list of fun-filled fringe activities awaits you!
• Special door gift for the first 88 guests!
• Live performance by local female A Capella Group : NANU
• Sharing on The Secrets of Workplace Happiness by: Mr. Philip Merry – Inspirational Global Leadership Speaker
• ‘Happiness’ Lucky draw

*We will be sending all registered guests on the information kit - programme highlights, venue and so on by this Thursday, 16 Feb 2012.



Come and visit our booth during the event to find out more on the following programmes:

1. Community Aid Programme [CAP] – Placement incentives which will benefit employers when they hire our North East registered applicants
2. CAFÉ – ‘Come and Foster Relationship with Employers’ networking event for PMEs clients
3. Workfare Training Support Scheme – Skills upgrading for low-wage workers

  Hurry! Click here to register! Seats are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Alternatively, you also contact us at: 6876 5656 or recruitment@northeast.org.sg to register.

Registration closes on 17 Feb 2011 (Friday).


Regards,
Employer Servicing Team
Career Centre @ North East

National bowler Remy Ong involved in hit-and-run incident

Copied this from someone's Facebook post

From the Cycling @ sg(hardcore/competitive/leisure riders)


By Danny Danerthon Ng


REMI ONG! Singapore Best bowler, National athlete, International Bowler. You totally don't deserve my respect. After what happened today, i think the whole world should know what you just did. A disgrace to Singapore.

At around 1pm at Safra NSRCC outside the sailing club, you were speeding and you hit a female pregnant dog and you ran away, thank god you left your car plate at the scene. The Female dog was lying unconsciously in the middle of the road, i was there and a couple of cycling quickly blocked the road and carried the dog away. The female dog was pregnant and you fled the scene. 10mins later, the dog went in to a fit and 10mins after that, the dog was dead, with two broken legs, external bleeding and miscarriage. Did you finally realized what's wrong?

more cyclist came and helped out, we called the SPCA and the Police. We took the number plate with the dog and this will be spread around Singapore. And guys, the story still haven't end yet.

He came back to scene with his Girlfriend, and the story he told us and the story the Girlfriend told us are wonderful.
 

First, he said, he ran over the dog and the dog is already lying on the road- Fucking hell, you were driving a Porsche, and everybody knows that the height of you car, there's no way you can ran over. Instead, you actually hit the dog, therefore your car plate dropped off.
Secondly, you said that you fled because you didn't know what happened, and you went to fetch your girlfriend - Fuck you, you girlfriend said that she SAW that you didn't hit the dog, wait, so your girlfriend saw that you didn't hit the dog, and you said that you went to fetch your girlfriend after the scene. So what is what?

And the only thing that we suspected you came back, is because while you went to fetch your girlfriend, she saw the missing car plate, so went back to the scene and retrieve it because your afraid that we might track you down.
 

Remy Ong, it's a small world huh? None of the cyclist actually knew you were Remy until I gave up your identity.

Additional reading: National bowler Remy Ong involved in hit-and-run incident

Reminiscing my childhood

Reposting this from a post I posted some time ago on FB

#1
Missed the Taman Jurong times where we hang out downstairs of our block with the neighbourhood kids during lantern festivals to burn the paper lanterns.  Well...not intentionally.  The wind was too strong for small little us.  Someone's lantern would start burning and the entire gang would celebrate by throwing leaves and snails into the fire.

#2
Missed my primary school days where I would use a ruler to measure the shared desk, divide the number by 2, find the middle point and draw a line in between so that my classmate and I have an equal share of table. See...I'm always very fair.  But of course, if his stationery happens to cross the line, I will push it away...doesn't matter where I push it to!

#3
Missed those school bus days where there were no safety belts, all the kids would be running around the bus and we would be playing games....really really physical games :o)  Mum told me that the bus driver complained to her that I beat up the boys on the bus which I have absolutely no recollection of.  I mean, how would I....such a sweet little thing beat up rough little boys.  She re-enacted the conversation...
Bus driver: Aunty, your daughter beat up the boys in the bus
Mum: Why would she do such a thing?
Bus driver: The boys bullied her
Mum: Did she tell you that she was bullied?
Bus driver: Yes
Mum: Did you do anything?
Bus driver: No
Mum: Then you can't blame my daughter for taking things into her own hands
Hahahaa....I love my mum!

#4
Missed my paternal grandpa.  I would tagged along with him to the coffee shop and sit there eating my watery eggs while he chats with his friends.  He would never fail to buy me a box of preserved plums on the way home.  Oh and he was the one who taught me to pour the coffee onto the saucer and drink it from the saucer itself.  I still don't like coffee though.  It churns in my tummy.  Missed those times where I would get scolded for speaking dialect...only English and Mandarin was allowed in his presence.  So much for being the granddaughter of a court interpretor...lol

#5
Missed my paternal grandma.  I never got to see her when she passed on coz I was having my final papers.  My parents kept it from me.  When I knew it, she was already cremated but I flew back anyway.  I realised I didn't missed much of the funeral wake coz I dreamt that I actually attended it.  Missed helping her in the kitchen making love letters, kueh bangkit, pineapple tarts, nonya dumplings (mine would be the smallest and would never fail to burst in the water), tang yuan (mine would also be the smallest coz my hands were small when I was younger...they are still small...I could only reach one octave :p), ang ku kueh...just to name a few.  I never inherited her skills coz I helped 80% of the time by being her Executive Food Taster!  I tried to roll the love letters...they hardened while I was rolling halfway..it's freaking hot!

#6
Missed my paternal great-grandma and how she never fail to scold me every single time we had family gathering in Malaysia.  I thought she hated me but came to realise that this was the way she loved.  She cared that' s why she bothered to scold.  I had never seen her smile...maybe she doesn't know how.  In those days, girls in my family were not allowed to have long flowy hair not bun up.  I look horrible with bun up hair!  The best my mum could do was to plait my hair.  Please both side..me and my great granny.  At times I would wonder what it would be like if I accidentally pulled her sarong kebaya and it falls :p REVENGE!!!!  Greeting the whole world before we can start dinner was also a nightmare...the family was big...I mean HUGE coz great grandpa had 2 wives!!!  I remember I used to play in the rubber and banana plantation behind the house.  I was never allowed to go there alone but the more they say no, the more I wanted to do it just to prove them wrong.  Come to think of it, I was real stupid.  Good thing nothing happened to me!

#7
Missed the malay uncle on bicycle who would cycle around Bukit Timah area to sell Mee Rebus.  He would have this huge wooden box behind his bike.  He would stop his bike when we call out to him and we'll run out with our plates to buy his Mee rebus.  Inside the box, there's a stove and all the ingredients necessary for the mee rebus.  After that, the ice cream uncle would come too :o)

#8
Missed my secondary school days where I would take a bus to the Jurong East Library to borrow books and never remembered to return.  I remembered there was a time I was alone in the bus stop with a guy in his late 50s.  He took out his groin and looked at me...probably expecting me to scream and run.  I stood fixed in the same position and looked at him expressionless.  Then there was another time when I was sitting on the upper deck of the bus.  A guy came up and almost immediately fell asleep leaning closer and closer to me.  I reached for my scissors and realised I forgot to bring.  So creative me took out a mechanical pencil and poke him instead.  Just before alighting, I remembered to give him a hard step on his left foot!  Never bothered to turn back and apologise coz I wasn't in the wrong.  Being in the student council has its perks too.  We get to inspect toilets when the students were in class.  Nothing much in the female toilets.  But things found in the male toilet ranges from walkman, t-shirts, condoms, exam papers, text books to sanitary napkins!  GOSH!  I preferred valentine's day to exams because i get to receive pressies and flowers.

#9
I missed art classes mum sent me to.  I would draw a panda and everyone else would think it's a dog.  My artistic aptitude was amplified when I started drawing on the walls in my bedroom.  Mum thought that sending me for art classes would diminish my desires to draw on walls. It did not!  I still drew but I drew nicer pictures.  So mum started drawing too.  She drew a box on the wall and made me to draw within the box only!  I get whacked if I drew out of the box.  So my stickmen were basically overlapping each other.

#10
I missed my kindergarten days.  I remembered we were queuing in the toilet and I was in the front.  One girl came and told me that she really needed the loo urgently and asked if I could let her go first.  I glared at her and said NO.  Shortly after, she peed right where she was queuing.  Poor thing....Well, I believe in fairness.  You want to use the loo, queue like everyone of us.

Secrets To A Lasting Marriage

Source: Secrets To A Lasting Marriage (Yahoo Singapore News!) 

You vowed to love each other for better or for worse, till death do you part…but how do you keep these promises from sounding like a death sentence when the honeymoon is over?

Happily married couples often share that the secret to their longevity is treating their spouse as their lover as well as their best friend. For a professional perspective on making relationships go the distance, we chatted with Pilar Tolentino, Executive Director of Center for Family Ministries (CEFAM).

Be pro-active about your issues
Gone are the days when couples counseling meant you were headed for splitsville. Instead of being confused by conflicting unsolicited advice, many modern couples seek professional or spiritual guidance from a neutral third party. Tolentino shares: "There are different reasons couples come to counseling: the need for clarification on certain issues like parenting, roles and expectations; because of a current crisis like accidents, death, or financials; or to find healing like in cases of infidelity. A common factor is to seek assistance in understanding, accepting, and healing a current situation that is causing pain or confusion in the relationship."

The element of surprise
Every so often, do something unexpected to keep the passion alive. Says Tolentino, "Simple thoughtful acts—like surprise visit to his/her office for a lunch date, love-notes, weekend getaways, cooking special meals, giving gifts even when there's no occasion, a soothing massage—can add flavor to daily routines as a couple."

Put your partner before your pride
Instead of playing the blame game, put yourself in your spouse's shoes and see the situation from his point of view. Review your 1 Corinthians 13. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."

Cool off before saying something hurtful
Newlyweds are always advised to "never let the sun set on an argument," but when you're boiling mad, someone's definitely sleeping on the couch. Tolentino shares, "It's probably not literally 'sleeping angry,' but do not let an argument go unresolved. Dialogue when each of you has cooled down. If an agreement is not yet possible at that point, at least acknowledge and respect the spouse's feelings. Seek assistance, like counseling, if this will help." Sometimes, it's the seemingly innocuous little arguments that can snowball into one big disaster. Tolentino says: "Breakdown of marriages usually happens when 'minor' conflicts are not addressed. These 'minor' problems can build up negative emotions."

Don't assume your partner is a mind-reader
Many people don't know how to express their feelings, or worse, expect that their partner should know what they want. "It is important that openness and communication is encouraged in the relationship. Set aside time for just the two of you at least once a week. Give your spouse your full attention; listen without judgment. Remember that communication is two-way."

Show your appreciation daily
A marriage's silent enemy is being taken for granted. Don't wait till bitterness sets in before you try to "bring back that loving feeling." Everyday, pay your spouse a sincere compliment, show your gratitude, and express your affection. "Remember the things you value about your marriage and the good traits of your spouse. This will help reaffirm your commitment and strengthen you in facing the challenges that may come your way. Make an effort to make your spouse feel important, appreciated, and loved. Love has to be expressed."

Grow (old) together
Getting married doesn't mean giving up your individuality. When you're in a relationship that allows for personal growth, you each bring something to the relationship. Tolentino puts it this way: "One main element in a happy marriage are two happy individuals. Each one must give importance to the well-being of the other. Each one must be supported, respected, affirmed, appreciated and loved." However, don't forget to enjoy shared activities as well, so that you grow together.

The advice Tolentino dishes most often is this: "Remember that you are partners. Appreciate each one's contribution in strengthening the relationship, respect each other as equal, look out for the well-being of the other as you would for yourself." Bottomline: with love, affection, laughter, faith, limitless patience and mutual respect, your relationship can deepen after the honeymoon and you can look forward to living happily EVEN after.

To do list

Got this off a friend's FB.  I think I can use her list!  Yeah!  I'm finally able to check off anything on the list :)

A Deal Wedding

Saw this on Yahoo Singapore Newsroom (Man proposes via daily deal site).   Went to http://www.deal.com.sg to have a closer look and sure enough, the advert was there.  This brave young man got the support of 23587 people an hour before the deal is closed. Quite interesting!

If you can't view the ad, these are the terms.

HIGHLIGHTS

• A DEAL Wedding:  Shermane, Will You Marry Me?
• Lifelong Warranty includes:
  • Household chores
  • Food delivery
  • Random kisses and snuggles
  • Fathering children, and many more!
• Two huge paws for your ears during loud thunders!
• A candle-light by your side during darkness
• Everlasting, Unconditional Bliss
• Chunky, Nice to cuddle
• Love handles on tummy, available as a safety feature
• Someone to piggy back you up the stairs at night
• Stomping of any cockroaches within 5-metre radius

CONDITIONS

• Voucher is valid forever
• Terms & Conditions are subjected to changes as and when the bride pleases
• Please click HERE for Universal Terms & Conditions

Redemption Details

• To redeem, Click "BUY NOW" with the following reactions:
  - Smile
  - Nod
  - Stand up
  - Hug Dexter
  - Slip on Ring
• Confirmation must be made immediately after proposal
• Only Valid for Shermane Ten Min'er

The proposal


She said Yes

Flash mob by a bunch of husbands, fiance, boyfriends....sweet!!

Good job, men!  But please don't do that to me....I'll cry!

What NOT to give on Valentine’s Day

The weirdest gift I have ever received on V day is a framed full length photo of myself (100cm tall).  I have no idea what to do with it.  And no, he wasn't my bf.  I stopped corresponding with him coz I thought he was just too weird!  Another weird gift I got was a single stalk of 18K gold plated rose delivered to my office.  I have no idea what to do with that either!  The top prize goes to the guy who gave me a small toy guitar.  It's those kind you find in toy shops.  What on earth am I going to do with that?  I can't even tune it or play a song!!

Below is a list of weird gifts other people received.  I find the 'go fly kite' one rather funny....
(Source: What NOT to give on Valentine’s Day)


Not everyone's lucky enough to receive the usual flowers, teddy bear, and—if you're really, really lucky—jewellery. Sure, they're cliché V-Day gifts. But if you compare them with these gifts some of our readers received for Valentine's, well, you'll be wishing you got the dozen roses instead. (Names have been changed to protect the embarrassed!)

"Valentine's Day and the Chinese Valentine's Day (Chap Goh Mei) happened to fall on the same day one year and so my then-boyfriend handed me a red packet which was empty! He told me that he would pass me the money only when he became rich. Needless to say, we didn't last long." —Shawna

"In high school, my girlfriend gave me a stuffed teddy bear. Who does that? Why give a guy a teddy bear? It wasn't cute—it was embarrassing, because I opened the gift in front of my friends, and they all saw it!" — Lester

"This guy I went out on a date with once gave me a teddy bear, three roses, and a box, which I assumed had chocolate-colored strawberries. They were strawberries all right—strawberry-flavored condoms! I guess he thought he was going to get lucky. Of course, he didn't!" — Therese

"My then-boyfriend got me a marble jewelry box with a giant jeep on the cover, the kind from a souvenir store in the Philippines. It's horrible because I live in the Philippines, so why get me something a tourist would normally buy?! And for Valentine's, at that!" — Beng

"Origami paper with instructions on how to make an origami rose. In short, 'make your own rose.'" — Zara

"I received a handmade card with the guy's graduation photo 'framed' in the middle of a hand-drawn heart. And no, he was not my boyfriend." — Eileen

"I had a boyfriend who gave me a CD of a group that he liked. Apparently, he wanted me to like that band as well so we could listen to it in my car when he rode in it. So selfish." — Amy

"My first boyfriend gave me a cactus, which he uprooted from his grandmother's cacti garden. He even wrote on the card, 'a unique flower for a unique girl.' Right." - Mandy

"Someone gave me half of a 'couple's pillow case' set. The one that, when put together, completes a picture. He gave me the cupid side, and he kept the heart side. And he wasn't even my boyfriend!" — Sab

"Someone gave me cheap, slutty-looking lingerie that didn't even fit! And another one gave me a supposed portrait of me…but it didn't look anything like me!" — Fran

"I was dating a new guy when Valentine's Day rolled around. He told me that as much as he'd love to send me flowers to my office, he used his money on flowers for his girlfriend instead!" — Maria

"She bought me a kite for the special day and then she told me to 'go fly it.' Naturally, she wasn't a Singaporean, so she didn't know how unlucky it was to say that." — Morris

"I got a pair of his underwear for the special day. He said it was unwashed and had his 'smell' all over it, so I would always be reminded of him." - Jenn

Interesting runners from SCHKM 2012

For those who missed the SCHKM (yah, I'm talking about myself too), here are some pictures for entertainment purpose. 

Photographer: Tey Eng Tiong, Malaysia

If you are one of them and would like to receive a high resolution version of your pictures, please let me know and I'll link you up with the photographer.

Aurora Borealis wait for me

I have this a very naggy feeling that I will have to travel alone again.  So I'm gonna go watch Aurora Borealis as a birthday treat for myself :) And I'll be stopping at the airport I don't even know how to pronounce lol.  Gonna get my Lonely Planet guidebook liao.

A Thousand Years

Please use stairs

When the sign says 'Please use the stairs', it's actually meant for human, not for vehicles of any sort.

My new phone bumper

My bumper has arrived and cost me only S$4!!! I actually saw this in some handphone shops going for $9.90. I think the deal is great! Now I can start dropping my phone again without fear that there will be scratches yeah!!!

Whose side are they on...

 Source: Demoncratic Singapore Facebook

Emo Tank Low

My emo tank is super low. Do not disturb...I bite!