The Politically Economical Takahina

Hi there everyone, this is Takahina, attempting to talk about the just recently passed Singapore GE.

You may be thinking why I decide to only talk about it now, after the GE and not before. Reasons simple, I do not want to affect people's choice whatsoever, I don't belong to any party and therefore I do not have a responsibility to alter anybody's decision, neither do I want to. I'm not saying as if I'm a very persuasive person, neither do I have very strong points.

I live in Tampines, so the parties in my GRC would be PAP's Mah Bow Tan and NSP's Goh Meng Seng. Almost everyone in Singapore hates Mah Bow Tan, however that "everyone" did not really include me. In a sense, Mah Bow Tan's fail policy didn't affect me, it affected my brother, affected my friends, but not me. I didn't intend to buy houses then, I don't intend to buy houses now. However, how Mah Bow Tan has managed Tampines is not fail. From a Tampinesian point of view, MBT (Mah Bow Tan) didn't do a bad job of handling Tampines. For Tampines having 3 shopping centres, having excellent infrastructure etc, Tampines was not badly handled, in fact it was well handled. Whether it was handled well by MBT or PAP or not handled by any of them is one thing, but one thing is for sure in that, I have nothing against PAP in my GRC.

2 points that got me to vote against PAP (Ok I said it), is firstly how notorious MBT is. My family and friends, either living in or out of Tampines were deftly against MBT. So in a sense, it got me quite pumped up to vote him out of Tampines.

Another point is that simply, I felt that we needed more oppositions in parliament. That's all. I have always felt that we need oppositions in parliament but not majority to overtake PAP because given PAP's achievements be it in the past or current such as the economic crisis, they have been good. I don't expect the opposition to win much in the first place, neither do I think their results will be worse than before, it's just a matter of lose how much. Therefore I voted for opposition.

However, do not get me wrong, I didn't think the opposition is good. In fact I think NSP failed in this election, especially for GMS (Goh Meng Seng). NSP didn't do much to Tampines. NSP's main news was in Marine Parade where Nicole Seah was fighting Goh Chok Tong. Please do not think Nicole Seah is fighting Tin Pei Lin and give that Kate Spade a break yeah?

Hello, NSP (National Solidarity Party, not Nicole Seah Party), this is a Tampinesian speaking and you may wanna listen up. I'm sure people have already criticized you for this and I'm gonna criticize your ass too. If you GMS came over to Tampines and did like 1 or 2 rallies, do a bit more walkabout in the heartlands or central area, promote a bit more about your party and yourself, maybe we Tampinesians will know who the hell are you and why you wanna kick MBT's ass. And then maybe, you can easily win over Tampines from PAP, who is handled by MBT, WHO by the way is a greatly hated personality in Singapore.

Why PAP won in Tampines, and not NSP is your mistake GMS, for not focusing on Tampines and insist on helping your Nicole. Tampines people DON'T FEEL YOU. And similarly, not everyone in Tampines reads facebook, so you better don't expect a "confirm win" situation in Tampines, the older people, the uninformed people and the PAP supporters will vote for PAP, because you didn't inform them of what and who you are. Imagine Tampines people hearing Raymond Lim say "Tampines is already very developed, let us look at the big picture for Singapore." Congratulations, Mr Lim you just threw away 5% of your votes. For people who didn't understand your point, they would have thought you're just gonna heck care Tampines and think you're a little biatch.

Ah-hem, ok I have enough of scolding. Anyways MBT has retired, so GMS and guys you all can work much harder now to get Tampines if PAP appoints a better leader with better caliber for Tampines. So you better pray the new Tampines GRC leader, Heng Swee Keat is lousy... :/

Ok, so during the elections, you can kinda see my dilemma, to vote for PAP or NSP because PAP had the infamous MBT and NSP did NOTHING.

Well... NSP didn't exactly do NOTHING, before the rallies IN OTHER REGIONS OF SINGAPORE started, they already sent brochures around to every house. PAP on the otherhand had someone walked over and house visit, but too bad for them I'm not home. Choose a weekend to do it when people would actually BE AT HOME and not working. You expect us to take leave and wait for you to come ah?

Inside the NSP brochure with the logo "Your Voice, Your Choice", it was filled with the introduction of NSP and the candidates bio. I read through them, felt it was normal... everything was quite normal until I got to the Manifesto Page.



Because during the GE, I was having exams... in particular Economics exams. So I was super intrigued when I see the various things they said or claim to do. Therefore Takahina, will infer and explain on what each things the NSP said to do would effect to, imagine this whole thing to be a 100% economics essay question. This is not from a professional point of view, just a economic student who is in no ways an expert in the topic, just that I like econs. Huat my life. (Yes this is one of the "revision" I did for my Macroeconomics exam)

...........................................................................

1st point under Economic Growth Model:

PAP:
- Large influx of foreigners leads to higher GDP growth, higher demand for housing, servicing and goods

NSP:
- Grow the foreign labour force at a reasonable pace
- Continue to allow work permits for industries unpopular with Singaporeans
- Reduce mid-skilled foreign workforce
- Priority to Singaporeans in employment

PAP's move is very straightforward under the GDP growth, increase population which will lead to an increase in consumption, investment, which will then aggregate demand and thus GDP. In a sense it also increases our overall workforce and thus increase aggregate supply in theory sense.

NSP's however, is to cut down the pace that foreign labour is being brought in, so in other words slowing down the whole increase of GDP. Allow work permits for unpopular industries so they can still operate, reduce mid-skilled foreign workforce, priority to Singaporeans in employment so that Singapore graduates and citizens would have more available jobs instead of competition from foreign workers.

I did stated before in a post long ago, that I found PAP's pace of GDP being too fast, and the after-effect came true. PAP's direct way of increasing demand is faster than the increase in supply. Increase in workforce is meant to increase productivity, however under diminishing marginal returns, that may not always be the case. Companies may not increase productivity, companies may eat in the profit due to the increase in demand rather than "distributing" it to the people. Price rigidity takes place and price may not go down even though supply has increase. Therefore now we face the problem of inflation.

Further on, with the effect of supply shock like lack of oil and increasing food cost overseas, the effect of increase in workforce may be overshadowed by this.

Also, needless to say foreign workers take over our jobs as they are willing to accept lower wages, which overall pushes down the whole wage rate. With inflation and decreasing wage rate, its obvious to see why everyone is angry.

NSP's approach is the more practical one, grow it at a reasonable pace so GDP doesn't over-inflate. Allow work permits for industries unpopular is reasonable as well as industries, if without workers can't exist, without these industries Singapore won't be able to exist as well. (So, everyone when you see Bangla or Ah Tiongs or Malaysians or anyone doing work that you won't do, please thank them.)

Reducing mid-skilled foreign workforce and giving priority to Singaporeans, these however seems to slide more into the line for gaining popularity votes. Reducing mid-skilled foreign workforce doesn't mean you will help increase wage rates. Giving Singaporeans priority doesn't mean they can get employed, it depends more on the company on whether they still want to get foreign workers or not. Unless NSP is able to give in some policies that forces companies to choose Singaporeans and ensures the companies won't leave Singapore, the situation will not change.

I rather, the government gives subsidies to students for maybe universities or school fees so everyone can get relatively good education. These makes them more able to compete in the job market, forcing companies to choose either better quality productivity, or lower wage rate.

Outcome: NSP win marginally, cause they saw the need to regulate foreign labour, unlike that of PAP's.

2nd point under Economic Growth Model:

PAP:
- Built 2 casinos to spur economic growth and set up National Council on Problem Gambling to deal with the damage to families caused by Gambling.

NSP:
- Pursue economic growth with due regards to social impact
- Focus on wage growth rather than GDP growth
- Grow the income of the lower and middle income
- Support growth of local SMEs

Right from the start when PAP agree to build the Casinos, I felt it's a good idea. Give and take, the advantages of having the Casinos far far outweighs the disadvantages of having a Casino. Gambling is and has already been a problem in Singapore, without a Casino, people can still go on Cruises and Genting to gamble, if they want to gamble, they will gamble and no one can stop them.

Building 2 casinos, firstly prevents local money from flowing overseas and enables Singapore currency to remain fairly strong, secondly able to tax the gamblers openly, thirdly you build up so much more jobs and income for people to work. Socially you make Singapore more "entertaining", so tourism will go up and in a warped sense, culture goes up. What is wrong about it?

Pursuing economic growth with due regards to social impact is in all sense, correct. But in regards to Casino, it doesn't prove it's effectiveness. Go ahead and close down the 2 casinos, riots in Singapore will start, with the people who lose their jobs in the service sector for the casinos, followed by the people who invested in Marina Bay Sands and Sentosa Resort. The gamblers would be off elsewhere gambling and couldn't careless. Put up a survey, and see how many local hardcore gamblers actually frequent MBS and RWS, my bet is majority still prefers to go Genting.

Focusing on wage growth, grow the income of lower and middle income, say is easy, how would you do it? Set a minimal wage? Subsidy companies for increasing employee's pay? Setting a minimal wage will deter companies to come to Singapore to invest, subsidizing companies for wages will bankrupt the national reserves and increase our taxes.

Supporting the growth of local SMEs however is notably good. It increases overall market and supply and will lead to a drop in inflation. People will also be more encourage to start out business and employ more people. Unemployment rate drops, wage rates will go up due to lack of labour, supply increase and real GDP will increase.

Outcome: PAP win marginally, because the effect of having a casino imo has been one of their "good" decisions for the past few years. NSP trying to argue on this point does not impress me.


Lao Lee is not impressed either.

Overall outcome: NSP wins, cause simply PAP failed in their foreign labour policy and neglected in regulating it. It's always fine to get more foreign labours in and Singaporeans welcome them. But, PAP didn't regulate at all and allowed all types of cats and dogs in, anything can be done, but at a sustainable and manageable rate. Fully opening the floodgates and letting them swarm in, is an epic fail policy for me.

Under Government Expenditure:

PAP:
- FY11 health care budget unchanged at $4b as compared to FY10
- FY11 transport budget decreases by $0.6b to $4b as compared to FY10

NSP:
- Increase funding for healthcare to reduce the burden and waiting time on Singaporeans
- Increase number of hospital beds to cater to a growing and greying population
- More investments in public transport.

This is a difficult one to judge on. In one hand, PAP didn't change much of their budget regarding this 2 issues, NSP wants to increase both of it. So in this case I'm gonna tackle on NSP first.

NSP wants to increase funding here there and everywhere. Simple question, where do you get the $$? I don't agree to casually withdrawing money from the national reserves and I don't agree on occuring huge amount on unneeded debts. Deficit in Government Budget means they need to get more money from the money sector. Increase in money demand, interest rates will increase and GDP will fall. SMEs won't be able to grow properly, net exports, investments and consumption will fall on all accounts, so you may be screwing up your own plans on other areas.

So now the question is this, is there a real need to increase these funding? We have to look into the question of how PAP funds their healthcare and transport. If you ask me I don't really see a need to increase funds for transport, because our transport is already one of the best in the world, the current funding of $4b imo is fine. For health care though it shouldn't drop in any sense, so PAP may wanna look into it figures again.

On the otherhand, certain issues for healthcare like waiting time can be solved from within, such as management and handling of the various wards etc, there isn't really that much a need for an increment in funding to such issues.

Outcome: Neither wins, draw. Cause both sides didn't really show their point for their actions at all.

1st point under Housing Policy

PAP:
- Market-driven pricing for new HDB flats

NSP:
- Government to sell new HDC flats at cost-plus for first time buyers

This is almost a given for NSP. Market-driven for HDB flats will screw up people who want to buy houses and this is the system that led Uncle Mah to be one of the most hated people in Singapore. Demand for housing will only increase and naturally that will push up housing prices. Supply for houses can never increase faster than demand for houses.

Outcome: NSP wins hands down

2nd point under Housing Policy

PAP:
- BTO system

NSP:
- Build more HDB flats to support growing population
- Shorter waiting time

Personally, I don't know much about the BTO system, people told me a lot but somehow I can't seem to really install it in my mind. Building more HDB has already been done by PAP, so it's kinda a similar point on both sides. Whether the waiting time would be shorter or not remains to be seen. It's a matter of whether is it the BTO system that is increasing waiting time, or simply just the management of HDB themselves.

Outcome: Draw, due to me not knowing BTO well enough. :/

3rd point under Housing Policy

PAP:
- HDB upgrading linked to votes

NSP:
- Upgrading delinked from votes
- National interests must outrank party interest

Once again, PAP has cut themselves with their own shit. By openly setting that upgrading is linked to votes, it kinds of enrages the equality people... well it will kind of anger most people and the only saving grace is the sentiment, "WE HAVE TO VOTE FOR PAP IF NOT NO UPGRADING!" With the nature of Singaporeans now, that sentimental is uncommon.

National interests on all accounts should definitely outrank party interest, but then how easily can that be done? On many accounts national interest WILL conflict with party interest, even if NSP is in power in the future, can they ensure that?

Outcome: NSP, because PAP did the dumb thing of OPENLY saying that upgrading is link to votes. I know it's linked to votes, but don't admit it la...

4th point under Housing Policy

PAP:
- Allow PRs to buy HDB

NSP:
- Impose restriction of PRs selling their HDB flats to curb speculation.

NSP wins, unlike some opinion I hear on the net, I think it's unfair if you totally restrict PRs from buying HDB and just limiting it to Singaporeans. However if you restrict them buying for the purpose of selling, then it makes all sense. However, how about Singaporeans who themselves buy HDB for the purpose of reselling and profiting? Restrict them as well?

Outcome: NSP wins. For having a feasible and logical social policy.

Overall outcome: NSP wins. Because MBT did a lousy job on housing policies, NSP totally took advantage of it.

Under GST

PAP:
- Raised GST from 5% to 7% to help the poor

NSP:
- Reduce GST from 7% to 5% to help all citizens, especially the poor
- Exempt basic necessities from GST

You will realize 2 very conflicting policies. 1 increase GST to help poor. 1 decreases GST to help poor. Why both are claimed to be helping the poor but done in an opposite manner?

First if I may, I try to explain PAP's position. GST affects people who buy stuff and the more expensive you buy, the more you get taxed. The poor people obviously cannot buy much, so the GST taxed on them is minimal. On the otherhand the rich people who buy stuff, like a big party on weekend will get charged gao gao like $20-$30 for a standard $200-$300 expenditure. The money taxed will then form up the budget for the government to give out rebates, money, pension etc to the poor and needy. So it's a Robin Hood action, steal from rich, give to poor.

On the manifesto they stated on how much PAP has given to the poor, which is around 1/3 of the total GST collected.

NSP on the other hand is trying to reduce GST for a very simple purpose, you make things cheap so everyone benefits including the poor but not the government.

Both are reasonable arguments. So for this case I won't be standing on the sides of the poor or rich, but for the middle sandwiched class in which I feel is getting the pain of it all.

PAP's resolve of stealing the rich and helping the poor is a very standard approach. For the middle class however, they would be crying out loud (COL). Because we bear the grunt of the GST as we do spend. However, we are not very rich as well so we would appreciate some rebates etc but we get SHIT. Middle class would love the drop in GST.

NSP thought of reducing GST, that will greatly help the middle class and the rich. However for the poor, the effects are very much limited. In the first place, the poor don't pay much for GST, how do you charge 7% from a plate of chicken rice? 7% of $2.50 is... $0.17?? Chicken rice seller also mafan finding so much change for you. The poor also won't go out party or buy really expensive stuff. However getting extra $ from government would certainly help them. So NSP's claim of reducing GST to help citizens, ESPECIALLY the poor is flawed. You don't help the poor significantly.

Exempting GST from necessities is naturally good. Decreasing GST is naturally good. However if you remove GST, where would you find money for your budget. As I've stated before you need $ for the Government Budget and you don't expect the reserves to be like an eternal ATM because it isn't. Until NSP can actually solve a way to get more budget to replace the budget loss from all these decrease in tax, it will not be practical.

Outcome: I can't believe I'm saying this, but PAP wins. Because NSP's resolution is not precise and it's flawed. I being in the middle class will get sandwiched. Regardless, 7% is enough so PAP please don't increase any further... even though I reasoned out for you guys to up it. ><

1st point under Political Leadership

PAP:
- Large salaries and bonuses for politicians to compensate for their sacrifices and to prevent corruption

NSP:
- Groom political leaders who are motivated by passion to serve the public
- Cut ministerial salaries from current levels and then peg their growth to national wage growth

Seriously, I have no idea where PAP came with the idea of "hey lets' up our own pay so we don't get corrupted and can attract people into this politics thing." Obviously they haven't been in the local heartlands enough to know that it's not all about the money. True, having a good pay is good. But they is no need for such a HIGH pay that wins Obama. What you wanna show? Obama one day quit his USA presidency and join PAP?? Obama for PAP!!!

Outcome: NSP. Obviously omg.

2nd point under Political Leadership.

PAP:
- Insufficient talents in politics

NSP:
- Widen the definition of talents beyond high income earners or graduates from elite universities.

NSP has struck a very major point with this point. If you notice, the opposition does have people from ITE, can't speak well etc and well Singaporeans seem to be quite unapproving of them. Let's just take Tin Pei Ling for example, TPL may not know how to speak well, may not know how to react correctly and think about Kate Spade whole day, but maybe she does really love Singapore and really wants to do her part for Singapore?

PAP's politicians has all been glorified with either this Masters, or that PHD or whatever certificate that they have. Once again I'll say again, Paper Education doesn't prove anything and that means for politics as well. Having a PHD in political studies doesn't automatically makes you an excellent politician.

That is the sad truth about politics, in that it's POLITICS. Politicians HAVE to know how to speak, when to speak and what to speak, something like what Nicole Seah has. Politicians will need certain skills that can accelerate their political route such as etiquette and literacy prowess.

Having the heart to serve the country is needed for a politician, having both the heart and skills of being a politician is even much more rarer. So we'll have to wait and see for the future years to come on whether any politician with such attributes will appear.

Outcome: NSP marginally, because they look beyond Paper Education, however they disregarded the "skills" needed in being a politician.

3rd point under Political Leadership

PAP:
- Bloated number of political appointment

NSP:
- Downsize the number of political appointments

1st question to PAP, why do you need so much political appointments? 2nd question to NSP, what is wrong with having a large amount of political appointments?

I play Romance of the 3 Kingdom, and 1 priority action that I always do is to recruit, recruit and more recruit. Maybe PM Lee needs more opinions? Maybe he needs more segregation to handle Singapore's political situation or the whole development of Singapore overall? IMO, it is never wrong to have more people assisting you, as long as you always hold a certain trusted and capable group in grasp, the few number of people under you would not be a problem.

So to me, my main problem is with NSP on why do they want to downsize the political appointment?

Outcome: PAP win. Because NSP once again proposed something without any explanation whatsoever.

Overall outcome: NSP, mainly due to PAP's fail policy of increasing their own pay. INCREASING THEIR OWN PAY. I would do that too if I can decide my own pay. :/

Under Defence

PAP:
- Built a large citizen Army to defend Singapore

NSP:
- Downsize the Army and build up Navy and Air Force to defend Singapore
- Reduce National Service to 15months.

NSP is totally hilarious on this one. Firstly, I think NSP need to rethink through it's whole defense scheme again. The Singapore's defense is built up of Army, Navy, Air Force and Police. Because when we go to NS for 2 years this are the 4 possible places we will land in.

Most people go through Army, mainly because it's cheapest to develop among the 4. For Navy and Air Force crews, you will require higher positions and higher education because the things they learn is of another level and the responsibility they hold is higher. I'm sure you have heard how much is cost to develop a pilot in Singapore, so you sure it's so easy to just UPSIZE the navy and air force? You think PAP don't wanna do it too? lolll... If countries can easily UPSIZE defence force, Germany would have won WW2 and we'll all be speaking in Japanese now.

Reducing national service to 15 months is preposterous. Who's votes you wanna win, the young twerps that haven't went through NS and can't vote? Or the older generation who already finished a much harder NS. Reducing NS to 15month is obviously trying to win votes of the younger generation, but it will bring you NOTHING because most of them are too young to vote, you will instead gain the wrath of the Lao Jiao Peng and they won't vote for you cause you fail.

Seriously, 2 years is just nice. Don't increase or decrease it already please.


LJP (Lao Jiao Peng) 3SG Desmond Chan Wai Lun is gonna bring the thunder to you.

Outcome: PAP wins hands down. For some reasons, PAP has never really fail at defense.

So in total, who would have won under Takahina's amateur economical elaborate and analysis?

Economic Growth Model: N
Government Expenditure: D
Housing Policy: N
GST: P
Political Leadership: N
Defence: P

NSP wins in the end. Marginally though as it's a draw under Government Expenditure.

PAP's lost, mainly comes from big fail policies, namely the foreign labour influx and MBT's housing policy (Say thank you to MBT), and increasing their own minister's pay. And not surprisingly, it's these 3 points that Singaporeans have been angry about. Other than solving this 3 problems, NSP other policies kinda didn't make it. So rather than say NSP can do a better show, I would rather say PAP gave it away to the opposition. Kinda like how Arsenal always led the match during the first half and gave it away due to a shitty defence.


Dude, you wanna do something about it?

So, NSP wins. Regardless, for Tampinesians like me, it's still fucked up.


Yup you said it right Lao Peng...

The Praised Takahina

I remember my NS officer asked me once when I was still a recruit, "What do you think we can improve in the army?"

I said, "We have enough people scolding and criticizing, how about praising people for a change?"

The motive behind people scolding is simple enough; it is to directly tell people how angry/unhappy you are about something about the people and you want that to change that. It normally happens only for people who cares about that person.

The motive about people praising others is also simple enough; to direct tell a person how happy you are about something and you don't want that to change, if not change, then improve it. The only difference that is seems to happen more for people who don't know that much about that person or ain't that close with that person. I'll elaborate later.

My NS officer took note, and agreed. Indeed, after that I saw a slight change in his methods, having more praising for people who have done well. On National Geographic Channel, they have a documentary on NS, with the TV crew following through the whole platoon all the way as they experience NS. There is scolding naturally, but I see a whole lot more praising as compared to my experience. Whether it is really my platoon sucks, or the show is just a whole lot of "wayanging" I don't know. But it is an indirect evidence that praising is positive, if not they would not "encourage" that on TV.

I don't think I need to talk anymore about scolding, we scold the PAP so much it's almost a characteristic of Singaporeans to foreigners, similar to how Japan has the culture of changing their PM almost every half a year. But what about praising? Praising is not a culture cultivated in Singapore or most Asian countries. But for western countries do they praise? Of course, they praise their God everyday.

I remember there was once I had a recording session for a SOMA student in her band as the drummer. The guitarist is a Caucasian, very friendly and somewhat of a perfectionist who liked to re-record, re-record and re-record all the way till the depths of the night. I myself did a piece of an original, created something totally out from nothing except to know the feel of the song, tempo that the student wanted and how to best make it clean for others to come in. The Caucasian praised me, something that got me quite surprised. Not the student, not the sound engineer, but the guitar, the guitarist who is so particular with his own sound. In a sense, I know that my piece is just ordinary at best and needs no praising whatsoever, in fact the guitarist can even play drums better than me, that's how good he is. But still he praised me. In fact, he didn't just praise me, but almost everyone else in the group on the points which he thinks are good. Naturally other than praising, he also stated out on whoever has mistakes and where to improve on.

As long as I remembered, that is the first time someone had praised me face to face directly. I know people had said good and bad things about my drumming, either with or without me knowing. I know full well my own mistakes and in a sense I know full well my good points.

However as I got to play long enough, the praising stops and comes in place are criticisms and things people tell you where you can improve. Of course I'm happen with constructive opinions, they help you improve and you can get better. But eventually the confidence level grows low as all you hear are criticisms regardless constructive or not, and not good opinions.

Praising seems to occur mostly when you don't know that person well enough. Initially when you just started out doing something with an unknown person, both sides do not know the capabilities of each other, so if your standard goes above their expectation, you get praised. Eventually as you continued long enough, the praising stops as you get closer to each other and in return is constructive opinions that would want you to improve.

Think about it, when you're with a stranger or someone you don't know well, you praise that person more than you scold that person. When PAP first started people were all praises for them, but now it's all scoldings for them.

The Singapore culture, seemingly lacks of praising, like really positive praising because we get used to the good things we experienced. Positive praising as in not just a casual praise we say, but really to the details on why you think it's good. Is it because we don't do anything well enough deserving of people's praise? No, look at how PAP manages to bring back Singapore's economy in a matter of a year. US, Japan and many many other countries are still stuck, yet Singapore is already back and overtaking countries in this economic crisis, something worthy of praise.

Although I have never said I'm a PAP supporter, neither am I a PAP hater. I look objectively at how things turn out and PAP has done both good and bad moves, for that their good things are worthy of praise and should be praised, rather than only being constantly scrutinized for the bad moves they have did.

When you're worthy of being praised, you should be praised. When you deserve to be scolded, you should be scolded. As simple as that, and sadly Singapore only seems to observe the latter part of that phrase.

Every person have different ways of being felt appreciated, or to feel confident. Some people generate confidence themselves, some people need de-stressing to feel confident, some people need praises and compliments to feel confident.

Takahina lately has felt weary, with his school, his hobby, his work, and I'm pretty sure it happens to a lot of people as well as these everyday things gets to you. You can get tons of High Distinction in school work and still no one would compliment for the hard work you put in, all you get in return is just a simple "not bad." You can try your best in your hobbies and be overshadowed by someone more flashy about it. You can do your best in your work, but your boss would still come over and complain to you about that little mistake that you carelessly missed. All these makes you feel unappreciated, not cherished, losing in confidence and insecure. Because anytime, anyone can come over and take away your position that you fought for.

I'm sure, we get a lot of that in our everyday life. The notion of not feeling appreciated for the hard work we put in. And maybe compare us Asians to Caucasians, that could be 1 deciding factor why they seem more successful and confident than us, cause they have that culture of praising people when they deserved to be.

I stopped studying for a while, to write this note, cause Takahina has been feeling such lately, not only about himself, but about society as a whole.

Singapore and Singaporeans won't be worthy of praise, until they learn how to praise others.

The Takahina in Pursue of Happiness

Singaporeans are sad people, being ranked 2nd from bottom in a happiness index on a global scale definitively shows our sadness.

Overall, why are people sad? Because we can't be satisfied or be contented with life. A simple notion of happiness can come easily, from maybe just passing your driving test, to getting a very good meal, to striking a lottery, to having your favourite football team win a cup after 5 long years of drought. I believe somehow, in life to be happy, all it takes is just for you to achieve something that you want and desired, as simple as that.

Everyone then has a different notion of what they want; love, money, wealth, kinship, acceptance etc, the list goes a whole long way and the vocabulary can go on and on. The whole concept is, knowing what you want in life.

Singaporeans don't know what they want, because their whole life they have been chasing after money. Simply put, due to the circumstances that throws Singapore and Singaporeans into, to us we have to fight for money because essentially the whole country can collapse if we hadn't. The government brought us up to carry on this motion of chasing money, thus we did it unknowingly and willingly. So think of it this way, in the past we Singaporeans are content and satisfied with just sufficient money, stability of job and family. However, now with the internet and the rapid information explosion, our wants and desires aren't just the simple notion of stability, family and sustainable wealth. We want more now, we want more involvement in intrinsic terms, we want more involvement to our own life. What we want now, is not just the plain clear survival issues but more rather, how we live our lives and making it a different one.

That makes Singaporeans sad. Cause for the current working generation, they are people stuck with the midst of information explosion and the notion and age of "working for life till you die so you better be happy to work." They know of things that they wanna do but due to circumstances of Singapore, it's already too late for the normal income family to change. Sadly poor income family won't even know or care of the information explosion cause survival is already the agendas of their life, it's not anymore a dream/goal, it's an agenda or policy as you may call fit. Rich Singaporeans are most possibly the only group of people with the ability to really pursue what they want in life but due to Singapore being the small country it is, they would have to resort to overseas measures in the end and that's why you see so many people immigrating.

So as written above, to be "happy", you have to be satisfied and contented with life. To achieve it however takes 2 factors, first you got to know what you exactly want in life to be satisfied and contented with life, second you got to know how to achieve that satisfaction and content in life.

Somehow, Singaporeans faces 2 groups of people, as you can guess, its people who don't know what they want and people who can't achieve the things they want. Somehow it's always the 2 groups; few people are in the sub-set of either knowing what they want and on the route to achieve what they want or not knowing what they want and not on anyways to achieve it.

Takahina can't decide for anyone, what you should choose to be happy with life. At the same time, there are so many ways to achieve the things you want, so Takahina won't know which is the best route. Takahina already knows what he wants; to be a self sustainable pro-drummer and on regular performances with a happy family, un-spoilt kids and able to support his family sufficiently, eventually retiring and playing/reading/watching his library of games/books/manga/anime/dramas that he still haven't manage to finish.

To achieve that, Takahina would need to rely on money because being a pro-drummer is risky and may not be able to support a family and his hobby, so passive income from investments, business and assets are the way to go. Family would come eventually as love or fate decrees it. If there's no one, then I'll just adopt a kid and have that kid watch anime and play games with me, who knows.

One thing to note though, is that I'm not aiming to be super rich and wealthy. I'm just aiming for a sustainable financial status, in otherwords financial security/freedom is good enough for me. People will ask, why don't you go for constant wealth? Because, there is no need for me to be that rich. I can achieve whatever I want with life, with just that sustainable amount of income and money. If I dedicate that much amount of life and time to get as wealthy as Bill Gates, the opportunity cost with it would eat out my drumming/Japanese language goals.

This is where, I think a lot of people are mistaken about the notion of money. Money doesn't equate to happiness, unless your dream of life is about money.

Money, is a medium for a person to obtain what he wants. With money you can obtain materialistic wants, skills, knowledge or simply almost everything in this world except time. (yes I believe you can "buy" love, as long as you have the appropriate skills and knowledge) But in the end, it's just a medium. If you do not know what do you want to do with your money, you will still gain nothing. Let inflation explode and your money will still end up with nothing. Let war occur and your money will still end up with nothing. Let your life end and you will still end up with nothing.

So naturally, you will need to earn this medium to get stuff you want. If the common mode of medium now is not money but instead maybe lambs and cows, then you'll see us working hard to earn cattle. Therefore money itself is useless, but more rather the things that you will buy with money. At the same time, with the wide and complicated growth of finance, cash may not be needed, perhaps all you need by then is just credit.

Why do you see so many Singaporeans immigrating nowadays? Because Singapore lacks of something. Singapore lacks of the facilities, space and market for the younger generation to pursue their dreams. For the normal "better-off" person, they won't hesitate to go outside to accomplish the things that they want to do. Few friends I know have already went overseas to further their profession, such as Edwin with Keyboards in Malaysia and Yuan Jie with drums in US.

Why can't they do it in Singapore which is their hometown? Things will be much cheaper here and they don't risk any sense of homesick feeling. Simply because Singapore doesn't have the relevant facilities here to further their apprenticeship.

Why don't Singapore have the facilities here? Because there isn't enough space to provide for it, the opportunity cost with investing in a music school compared to a office building is too high.

Why is the opportunity cost high then? Because there is no market in Singapore at all. No one in Singapore appreciates music enough, no one in Singapore pursues music enough. Lack of market is not just a problem in Singapore, but in many other nations out there in the world. Lack of market produces lack of prospects and once again it refers the whole problem back to the basic mentality of "working to survive in Singapore".

Therefore in a sense, the whole mentality of working industriously for survival has poisoned the whole nation. Despite that, the poison is necessary, cause without it Singapore would never have survived it's early days. However, now it's a different age whereby you don't work hard, you work smart. Working hard brings you nowhere if you don't have the needed information to accelerate your path. Now with the information boom, we are able to get information readily. However it's precisely with this information boom that we are so unsatisfied.

Now we mention opportunity cost, it comes naturally that there is sacrifices involved. Everyone has their notion of happiness and simple enough to Takahina, if there's anything that will stop Takahina in his tracks to gain that happiness, Takahina will sacrifice, crossover, breakthrough or just bash his way through that obstacle (of course within legal measures). That's why it's Takahina's pursuit to happiness. Every road to happiness will require sacrifices, pain and sadness, it's only with those pain then would you fully appreciate and savour the happiness that is to come. It's a selfish approach, but in this unfair world itself, this doesn't seem unreasonable in anyway. No use being a Buddha and be good to everyone you know, cause simply no one else would be able to act as such.

If I'm the government, what would I do to curb this unhappiness? I can't do it actively, but only passively through long term methods. One method which I had suggested before is using education, another is via producing more infrastructures to facilitate the more "ignored" cultures. In spite of whatever the government do though, it will never be enough if something about Singaporeans doesn't change; the appreciation and content for things that happens. Appreciation for things beyond monetary values, content for things that comes to us.

Singaporeans are poisoned ever since we're born, poisoned by reality. And the antidote to it is ourselves. Mentality has got to change, understanding has got to increase and a balance between material means and own personal values is a must.

With the information boom that we have now, it acts as a double edge sword by providing you with more information to gain understanding, but at the same time wanting more from this information we obtained. So it can only be up to ourselves to find the sheath to prevent us from cutting ourselves.

Be happy and content people.

The Fortunate Takahina

January of 2011 didn't start out well... well, at least not for me, but few people around me.

People are getting sick with this weird virus spreading around, making us cough, flu and fevers. At the same time, there are people who start to face money problems around me, some needing to stick to living a very uneventful live despite being in their most lively period. Takahina is also kinda broke, but at least I still can go out and stuff.

At the same time, it's somehow also a period of change for many people, with a lot of people I know changing jobs, or in the midst of changing jobs, or already thinking of changing jobs. As trend would follow, other than changing jobs people also change their study courses. :/ Don't worry though, Takahina is still stuck with his TNT job and is still in his RMIT course.

Then also, there are livelihood problems and somehow I got to know more people who can't afford to go a bit more luxurious and have to stick to their basic livelihood to live off.

Den again, my friends love lives seem to have improved, with more people I know getting attached. No offense to those still single. So as usual I shall make a commercial for myself again that I'm very single and very available with no commitment problems at all. :)

In anyways, 2011 somehow started out with a subtle bang that affected people around me somehow, and come on it's not pass the CNY yet!!

Lately, something happened to my relatives and that could be one of the more shock-affecting event to hit them, live-changing is not an understatement. The mood within the family is low and the depressing feel among the family is somewhat obvious. I have been trying to keep my cousin company, but during the times we talked on the phone etc, you can tell the affect is there. No one can be happy after something major happened.

The thing is that from this I somehow realized one thing, in that how unpredictable life can be. Just when we're in our young 20s, planning to go out party, we can be suddenly thrown into the pits and with all the responsibilities instantly piled up against us. Takahina is fortunate to not need to shoulder all those task of supporting a family or person, but neither should he take it for granted the luck that we have for even being able to lead a normal life.

I'm not saying my cousin is suddenly unable to lead a normal life, he is still able and well, just the responsibilities suddenly upon him, is much higher than most of us now at our age.

Somehow, even though we know of this fact, but I think people always overlook it unless something happened, as did with me. People like us who have no disabilities and no problems with our life at all, having 3 meals everyday and leading a normal life, that in itself is very fortunate. Rather than complaining over why the Iphone is so expensive, where to go next for your holiday, why are the food so lousily done, why I have to squeeze with people everyday on the public transport. We should think it in this way; I'm lucky enough to hold a handphone, anywhere for a holiday is already a luxury, being satisfied to be able to eat and be full and just being able to be on the public transport.

In this world, there are many people with different circumstances and situations. Look out to the hordes of people in every parts of the world, just in Singapore we can jolly well see tons of people in poverty and sickness, needless to say about Africa and the less developed countries. One meal featured on Epic Meal Time would be enough nutrition to provide for an African malnourished kid for a half a year.

Not saying that we don't always strive for higher and more lavish goals and just be content with be able to fulfill our basic needs, but instead while we the more lucky ones are able to climb, don't forget the unlucky ones situated at any location in life right now.

Takahina has never ever and will never complaine that he's unfortunate (well except for maybe his love life) and Takahina will never complain of leading an unlucky life, because he knows just able to type and talk right here on this blog, itself is already fortunate.

Short post; school + work together has been tiring, but finally as CNY is approaching, I'll be able to have some rest. Speaking of which, I have no idea how CNY would be this year after this incident in my family has happened. :/

The Takahina Resolutions for 2011.... nahhhhh... screw those.

Every year, people write and talk about things like the new year resolutions. As usual Takahina has written his own list of resolutions...

But oh well, screw those I suppose, no one would be bothered to read about another person's resolutions won't it?

Then it got me thinking, what is the purpose behind a resolution?

Because every year, after finishing it I check back at my resolution and do a real proper check list of whether I have accomplished my resolutions, well at least for those that can be checked. Spiritual ones I can't do anything can I? :/

From the actual archives of Takahina's folders...

.................................................................................

Things I want to achieve in 2010!

Achieving good/satisfactory results for uni.
Losing weight. At least get below 75kg.
At least complete 3 cycles of the game list under the principle of activity (Laws of Takahina)
Perform and gig at least twice
Restart my lessons with Jimmy
Restarting Neverlasting Time.
At least update The True Takahina regularly to upkeep my writing skills.
Saving at least up to $4000 in my saving acc.
Pass my driving test.
IPPT Silver at least.

..............................................................................

So I look at it...

Things I want to achieve in 2010!

Achieving good/satisfactory results for uni.

- Did I get good results...? I guess so, having a few D, not failing any of the modules are good enough for me...


All she wants is just to pass her Econs :/ And she'll feel very satisfactory about it. :D

Losing weight. At least get below 75kg.

- I failed. I didn't lose a lot of weight actually, just 1 or 2 to be frank. And I'm still in the 80kg range. Deplorable me.

At least complete 3 cycles of the game list under the principle of activity (Laws of Takahina)

- In case you guys don't understand, 3 cycles of the game list would be literally like completing 3 Final Fantasy, watching 3 animes and completing all my Onimusha game. Nope, I didn't go even as close as completing 1 Final Fantasy. Deplorable me.

Perform and gig at least twice

- Did and done that. Sad to say those, the gigs are not those that I had expected to go.

Restart my lessons with Jimmy

- Nothing like that happened. I never even get to see Jimmy at all this year. :x

Restarting Neverlasting Time.

- I restarted it, but didn't continue to new plot down. I suck.

At least update The True Takahina regularly to upkeep my writing skills.

- Did I write regularly?? .... Hmmm.. .maybe?

Saving at least up to $4000 in my saving acc.

- Didn't happened. In fact I still owe a great ass of debt.

Pass my driving test.

- Did it. Happily and gloriously.

IPPT Silver at least.

- I passed... barely. >.<

________________________________________________________________________________

In a sense, you look at this resolutions of mine, the outcome is fucking sad.

And I mean, FUCKING SAD.


I am Sad.

So if you create resolutions, give yourself a whole year to complete it, but nothing like it happens, then how?

You become emo and sad, like Takahina!

So the solution is? Don't create resolutions!

Hmmmm, well but of course it's a bit of like avoiding the main problem. But if we take resolutions that seriously, if becomes a chore instead. Its the same thing with smoking actually.

Charles told me something which I felt was quite insightful.

If you don't want to smoke, just say "no" to smoke. It's very interesting actually. In the end it's a matter of "mind over body".

There is this mis-conception of people that smoking is like drugs, it makes you want to smoke and you won't be able to quit smoking... well for some cases it is. But the thing is that for regular smokers to not smoke, it won't kill them, but well, let's just say it makes them irritable like not having able to sleep for a whole day like that.

But that's it, as compared to drugs which can kill, smoke is much easier to quit and at the same time a more passive way to die. :) Let's just say, if you really put your mind to it, you can quit smoking and masturbating in a day but for drugs that will make you as mad as Britney and the guys at Epicmealtime.


You gotta salute the Bacon Chalice seriously.

So you relate it to resolutions, how does it work out? Well, it doesn't really work out in the same way, but you get what I mean, the mind over body... yeah whatever.

Just look at it this way, whats the sense of resolutions, if you can't keep to it for a whole year and complete it in that year? Resolutions will make you have a very high hope and expectations for this year. Then not fulfilling them within this year may make you enter a state of depression in this year. If its gonna be this way, then resolutions makes no sense.

I should re-state my point, resolutions makes sense, it's NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS that don't make sense. Because if you ask me no one can keep on and remembering everything that they have promised themselves in a year from the 1st Jan till 31st Dec.

No one. At some stage or point of time, something or someone will make us forget and do something that leads you away from this resolutions. Because it's simply, too long. Make a short terms ones, like monthly resolutions, at least you will remember and have more idea of it clearly. That is, if you really have that discipline to keep to it.

I don't have any idea how people write their resolutions, for me I have a sense of both tangible and non-tangible. Non-tangible ones not nice for me to write it down here, but tangible ones are like those that I have posted above. Very easy to define and test out, in otherwords "positive statements".

You can see somethings I wrote like, "Restart lesson with Jimmy". These are all very easy to be done and conducted. In fact within an hour time I can get it done, call Suntec and ask for a lesson time, work out my schedule and voila resolution done. But the thing is that reality doesn't always work in such a positive way. Why I didn't get it done, is cause I have no $. Simple as that.


Mr Jimmy Lee with only half a head of hair left!! You know how expensive your lessons are?!?!?!

But then you look at the essence of why I want to restart my drum lessons with Jimmy, it's to improve my own drum skills. So in a sense, would it have matter had I not done or not done this resolution to restart my drum lessons? Not really. It won't have matter a tiny bit at all. I should have wrote like "improve in drums", rather than "restart drum lessons".

Those in a sense, for those who even bother reading this, don't make any resolutions whatsoever cause you'll forget them in a month's time.

Rather, I prefer you install this though in your head. If you wanna do it, and really wanna do it and the situation is perfectly correct and right, just do it. Think too much also no use. If you wanna quit smoking, just install in your mind that you won't smoke anymore no matter what. See a stick, just say no. JUST SAY NO.

Same for me, I wanna improve my drums, so I'll keep on playing in a band and save $$ for Jimmy's lessons. Simple.

Regardless, Takahina still has resolutions for 2011 up, but it's more of a guideline this time. I mean what kinda resolution is "I wanna be qualified to sing the song 'I just had sex'"???



I have never seen Akon smiled so much in a MV.

:x

The End of 2010 for Takahina

This is a continuation from a previously posted post. It will features details of things that I had felt contributed to me in this 2010 and also finer details of what went through in 2010.

...................................................................................

Jan: Entering Bunka Japanese Language Intermediate Class (ended)
Sep: Entering Bunka Japanese Language Pre-Advanced Class (ongoing)



From last year till this year Jan, I have been studying in Bunka Japanese Language School in Orchard Delphi. It started out first with Chin Han, Huiming, Tian Wei and Xing, but now we kinda left our ways, with me currently mid way through Pre-advanced 1 and Xing just starting it. Tian Wei stopped at Elementary 2, Chin Han at Intermediate 4.

Compared to my very much broken Japanese Language in the past, it's much better now although it's still pretty broken. I finished the intermediate around July and by right I should be around borderline JLPT level 4 at that time.


Kirei Sato Sensei.

My teacher Sato Sensei taught me throughout the 3rd intermediate and 4th intermediate lessons. 1st and 2nd is Fukushima Sensei whom has left the school. Quite abruptly I must add. Both are very gentle teachers and full of smiles, but Sato Sensei's lessons are a bit more "textbook" I must add.

I furthered my studies into the Pre-advanced stages. It's still ongoing now and it's pretty tense if you ask me. It's more on speed and conversation. I'm still trying to cope with it and still make mistakes here and there, much to my teacher, Mizusaki Sensei's dismay.


Mizusaki Sensei with her spunky hairdo.

I'm still trying to be more natural in the language and hope I can clear JLPT N3 next year. Probably will keep ongoing in Bunka until maybe I've become truly proficient in the language.

これからも、よろしくお願いします。頑張ります。

................................................................................

Jan: Drum teaching to Karen (ended)
Feb: Drum teaching to Uncle (ended)

This year, I accepted 2 more drum students. Drum students as in I really accepted a fee in teaching them. 1 is Karen, the other is my Uncle.


Student no.2, Karen


Student no.3, Uncle Chong Liung Man (took damn long to find a pic of his)

I taught Karen in a studio in Tampines which charges me cheap for $10 an hour because I only use their drums. She was a tad slow in learning but she had some base because she played a bit of Drummania. Still she had a bit of brushing up to do with her strokes and using the bass pedal. She quit by around the 3rd lesson due to commitment and lack of interest by the end.

For my uncle, I did a house teaching. His house has a drum set and I taught him there. Also, since it's not a studio I can go ahead and teach him all the way for as long as we both can. Very eager student and inquisitive, but has too little time to practice due to his job commitments. Tends to rush on his timing too which needs a bit of adjustments. He's good though for an amateur and definitely can go further if he had more interest in it. Didn't continue in the end due to lack of time by both of us.

In a sense they are people who once contributed to a teaching experience of mine and had me not only refining my own theories in drum, but also opening a possible career path of mine in the future. Now I don't teach anyone drums, partly cause I lose money from it and no one wants to learn from me anymore. :( For all my previous drum students who had given me a chance, I thank you. :D

.........................................................................

Jan: Jamming with Grottesca (ended)
Mar: Jamming with Vincent (ended)
Jul: Jamming with Square Table feat Umei (ongoing)
Jul: Jamming with Resonance (ongoing)
Nov: Jamming with Yellow Boots (ended)

In this span of 1 year, I had experimented with 5 bands in total to try for a committed band that can last. This year when I started, I had wanted to have various band, so to open up my views to different genre of music and to somehow ignite my drumming passion again.


Grottescaaaaaaaaa~~~~~

Grottesca was a band when I really tried to play with heavy rock/metal drums and playing Jrock songs like XJapan's Rusty Nails. I somehow slowly learned how to double pedal a bit with Grottesca. Eventually though I couldn't continue with them, partly myself to blame cause I didn't have good time management at that time and I lost interest in the music influence that Grottesca is in. At that point of time when I quit, I felt Grottesca was somehow getting stale since we keep playing the same songs and not improving. But now they have gotten in gigs, got themselves with a full band of vox and keyboards playing the songs which they like and slowly make themselves known in the scene. I feel happy for them and wish the band good luck in the future. :)

Vincent's band was a bit queer. It started out to be a mandopop band playing songs from David Tao and Zhang Zheng Yue, it's also in this band I met up with Chris again. This band had something missing which was the "click" that every band is supposed to have. Our music seemed to always lack in something and can't really continue on eventually. Vincent lost interest and the band just silently broke up in the end. Up till now, Vincent is still somewhat "lost" in my contacts. :x


Square Table feat Umei and a guy back facing the camera

Square Table feat Umei contacted me through soft.com around June and we had our first jam in July. We eventually progressed with various obstacles in our way and got into our EOY gig in Dec. Now the band is on hiatus and possible disband due to differing commitments. Regardless, they will remain as part of my memory and possibly for being a band that opened me up to a whole new genre of music, Anime music, aka Indie Jpop. :x


Resonance's most ghostly picture

Resonance is Chris's Jpop band, he kinda "re-discovered" me during the jamming with Vincent and got me into this band, initially to help out for his gig, now to stay and join them through their route of improving themselves. I won't say they're a great band, but they have the correct attitude and room of improvement to go on. After EOY, the band's next aim is into 2011's Street festival and I'll help them in getting through to it.

"Yellow Boots" is the nickname of the band leader. Up till now, regretfully I still can't remember his full name, only know him as Cheng. Joined them in Nov, partly as my plan to be open to more music and to continue my networking to know more people. Came out as quite a failure though as this band is an extremely busy band, with the band members all unable to commit to a constant time, including me. Totally lost contact with Yellow Boots now, but at least I had fun during that jam.

These various bands helped in reviving my love in drumming again and make me feel that I can go on regardless of whatever happens. The jamming sessions make me alive again and I'm happy to know you guys, whatever you all may be right now.

...............................................................................

Jan: Restart of new sem at SIM, project group with Charles and co, pair project with Xiao Tong. (ended)
Jul: Restart of new sem at SIM, project group Uni cliques. (ended)


Charles, the natural leader

School naturally restarted at SIM. My 2nd sem into uni-life was quite engaging actually. Not because the lessons are engaging whatsoever, but because the project group I was in helped me out tons as I was just starting out work at TNT. My project group consisted of Charles and a bunch of genius who are all proficient in their own rights and leaders in their own rights. All have the ability to work out stuff, do out stuff, so much so that I almost felt like I'm a free-rider in the 2nd sem. It was also the time I kinda understood how low my own level is in the course.


Cute cute Xiao Tong

Pair project with Xiao Tong was strange, because it was the supposed "chance" for me to show my abilities to my "crush". I had performed and the project worked out well in the end with both of us getting good scores, but somehow it's also at this time I felt disappointed as this "crush" of mine, was not the person I had thought to be. Nevertheless, it's still a good chance to work with a foreign student and have an up-close experience on how they worked, or how they do not work in projects. :x

Holidays came, and then started again the new Sem at Jul. I got to choose be with my uni cliques in this sem for my project. The 3rd sem was a very fast paced sem due to the school pushing and rushing all the lessons, submission dates and exams together all almost at the same time. Had me really crying out for help at the end especially when submission dates closed in.



I wasn't able to work like a free rider this sem, I had to really coordinate and perform more than what I used to as compared to the previous sems. It's also in this sem I encounter stuff like "friend politics" and "group politics", with friends complaining in good faith and being offended due to pressure and stress, it made me realized how delicate friendships can be in faces of stress and pressure. Still we pulled it through and our friendship held on, with particular thanks to Serene, Desmond, Kasumi and Manluo for putting up with me, this emo group leader.... wait am I still missing someone in the group?? :x

The thing that I can take away, is really learning the ropes of leadership and struggling with stress and pressure and studies and work with good friends and teammates. This sem's project group, although hectic has been fun. :D

..................................................................................

Jan: TNT work full time begins (ongoing)


TNT, logistics company... = Take N Throw

I seriously can't emphasis how big this company is, literally and non-literally. Starting work there has been one of the most tiresome commitment I had for anything other than NS and school. It also made me fully realized, how freaking difficult it is to earn money. $6.50 per hour is under paying, yet I'm still working in there. If not for the various good people in it and how convenient the work is, I would have quit long ago....

Well, it's a bit harsh to put it that way. The job does have it's perks. For a uni student such as I, you really can't ask more out of a job. And knowing the various people in there, makes it all worthwhile. However, I seriously don't know how much more I can last there though with my studies intensifying.... :x

...............................................................................

Jan: Drum Recording for Elisen (1-shot event)
Mar: Drum recording for Bernard (1-shot event)
Aug: Jamming + Recording for Marco's song entry (1-shot event)

Recordings are a different case from jammings with bands and gigs. It's a more professional situation whereby you have to do everything alone, with just mics and a whole lot of sounds. In a sense, that is where it's different. In recordings there is no "half-assed" job, only full perfect stuff. Any mistakes will be a retake and more time wasting.

Throughout my life, I had done only a few recordings, so I wasn't a total newbie to it. Plus Huiming at times got me to record for her projects, I kinda understood the process in it. When Elisen got me on soft, I accepted the non-profit project. Simply because I needed more experience in it. I'm still very very weak in such solo drumming, playing purely by time kinda stuff, so recordings will enable me to improve much more and to take off my anxiety in it.

Bernard's one was more of a favor done to both of Bernard and Huiming. Doing Sounan for recording was seriously enjoyable as well.

Finally, around August Marco, my previous keyboardist from EvE, approached me to do this original of his for a competition organized by NEA. We jammed only once to certify the song and went straight away to record it the next week. Very very rush job and probably a half-assed job as well. If we had more time and put in more effort, definitely can score better.

The road to being professional can only start from small, so small I started out to be, but at least I started out this year.

.................................................................................

Jan: Passing my driving test (1-shot event)
Jul: First Car Mishap (1-shot event)


Huiming tried to take a picture of the group, Edwin, Benji and me while I'm driving, and yes we phailed. No there was no accident in the end. >_>

Learning how to drive is probably one of the achievements I have got for this year that will serve in fulfilling my "greatness" in the future. :p

Sure it was expensive, it was tedious trying to get the license but it was all very well worth it. Why? Because it is a sense of reaching the next stage of life.

As you get to adulthood, guys especially in my opinion should learn how to drive. Why? Because of convenient sake. Sure enough Singapore's public transport systems are very advanced and convenient already. But still it's not good enough. The transport systems now makes us like little squashed sardines gasping for air especially in times like peak hours. Having a car makes it much more comfortable and enjoyable and fast! I can reach SIM from my house via driving in 30mins fastest, whereas via public transport it'll take close to 1hr 15mins. Look at the amount of time I can save via driving, freaking 45mins!

Secondly, knowing how to drive, opens up a whole lot of places available to go to. Previously I only know most places along the east side. Now I drive, I go to Walawala at Holland V, I go to East Coast Park regularly for drinks, I send people home, girls guys included, I go to various pubs, weird places, scenary places etc. All can't be done without driving.

Thirdly, it makes it... easier to chase girls. Disclaimer first, I'm not referring that without a car you can't achieve that, I'm just saying it's easier and more impressive knowing how to drive. To be realistic and vain at the same time, driving a nice looking expensive car down to school really has that "up up atas feel". People will hate you in return of course.

Still, I got my first accident in July. I pulled out the whole bumper from my car's rear. Nothing got injured except for my wallet. The thing I realized about it is safety in the end. Driving, no doubt fun, is still dangerous.

In a month's time, I can take out my P-plate. So it's more fun in the future. ;)

...................................................................................

Apr: Start of exercise regime (ongoing)

Yup, I started and planned my initial exercise regime around April. Cause I gained too much fat during the 1st 3months after my TNT work started. Slowly I adjust the volume and intensity of it accordingly and it's now rather modified and quite "siong" I may add. Well for Tian Wei it's no kick of course, but it will require tons and tons of self-discipline to follow to my regime. Cause it's an everyday thing except weekends. Even at late night, 2, 3am. You still must do it.

There's also wet weather programs too. So there's no excuse for myself not to do it.

I'm happy now at least, cause the regime worked out and I'm not as fat as before. In fact now I'll like to call myself stout rather than fat. Har Har HAr.

.......................................................................

May: Brother's ROM (1-shot event)



As you guys would have know, I have a sister-in-law. They were officially registered in May and the small ceremony was attended by a few of my brother friends, a few of Ah Ning's, a translator from the thai embassy, my parents and me.

It signified an official new member of the family adding into the family and happiness for the couple. I need not mention too much and how the new member added to my life influenced me, but indeed, the family is seemingly happier now with her in.

Lesser problems happens for my brother side now too. :)

...........................................................................

May: JB trip with Charles and co (1-shot event)



Kinda the first time I'm off for a random trip to another country for just a day trip playing paintball for the first time wearing NS uniform after a long time etc etc.

For me, it's the very few big events whereby I hang out with the main big group of my uni friends. Normally I just hang out with the usual small cliques I have around me. Even though we somehow know each other, at least recognize each other faces, but we don't talk much in school.

And of course, it's a fun day. Getting paint sprayed in your face rocks.

...........................................................................

Jun: Rehearsal with Rong for his farewell party (ended)
Jul: Rong's farewell party + Gackt's bday. (1-shot event)
Sep: Chalet on Chin Han's birthday (1-shot event)
Throughout the Year Event: Fast Food Birthday Party.

As for birthdays, this year's birthday for Rurouni was themed under "fast food" theme. So everyone was supposed to have your own fast food theme and we'll eat that for the birthday celebration followed by an event planned.

The list goes as:

Ahn Jae Sung & Ben: Pop eye's Chicken (trashed the restaurant)
Benjamin Seet: Carl's Junior (too full to finish)
Chong Woon Han: Yoshinoya (can't find our restaurant)
Eugene Quek a.k.a Gackt: Subway (didn't eat in the end... forgot why.)
Huiming Tan: Burger King (didn't eat in the end cause all busy.)
Junrong Chen: Arnold's Chicken (he went overseas before we can celebrate)
Samuel Lim: Super Dog (At 313 Somerset. Not bad)
Stella Ng: Mos Burger (Ate at Sentosa at night by the beach. Soggy burgers)
Shion Wah: Long John Silver (Most "budget" and "unsatisfying", lol)
Woo Tian Wei: Pasta Mania (seriously, this isn't fast food)
Stacey Lee: Wendy's (A good meal, but jaws were sore after it)

Most of the post events were just drinking at some pub or disco. Tian Wei's was more celebrated by his friends, the only big ones that actually took quite a bit of planning was Chin Han's and Gackt's one.

Gackt's birthday was meant to go together with Junrong's farewell party as he left SG for Australia to further his studies. He wanted to play the bass, so we got him over to hold a mini concert among us Rurouni. Don't play play, but Rurouni can form a band ok?


It's a sad truth, no one can see the drummers, it's always like this. :(

Benji on Guitars, Tian Wei on drums, Rong on bass, me on vox together with the birthday boy.

I don't know how we sounded that day, neither can I care too much, it was meant to have fun for both the bday boy and the farewell boy. After that it's more drinking at CMPB located at Dempsey Road where we cut cake, and make merry.



Next big one coming up with Chin Han's birthday. In a sense, it was meant to "replace" and cover up for the lacklustre birthday Chin Han got on his actual 21st. Looking through the list of things that Chin Han hadn't done, we decided, a chalet it'll be.

However, we're all pretty last minute... so rush and chiong, in the end we got a half-assed chalet at East Coast Park.


Even the logo on their webpage looks half-assed.

To be frank, the chalet wasn't good. That's why we can manage to book it in time. Kinda good and bad ba I guess. Chalet was more like a slack-let, rather than drink and vomit kinda stuff. We're considered super quiet compared to the others and sticked to just doing our usual stuff. We're so slack... I realised THERE'S NOT EVEN 1 PHOTO ON IT!! Either that or someone didn't upload it... :/

Anyways, the fast food madness for 2010 has ended... now I'm thinking of what's next for 2011 when we're 23 and can enter Dragonfly... Suggestions? :p

...........................................................................

Jun: Starting of Rurouni's business proposals and meetings (ended)

The idea was initiated by Tian Wei and Sam and was facilitated by me and my house. In otherwords, my house was the meeting ground.

This could be the first time, that we all were seriously talking about something and you can see traces of frustration appearing up on everyone's faces. Be it Tian Wei's, Sam, Ben's or mine. We all were at first hopeful, then slowly the flame got down with the traces of frustration and obstacles.

I won't say it's anyone's fault that it didn't work out in the end, it's an experience which Rurouni had and understandably we were all too immature at that time to start something so serious in such a big group.

..............................................................................

Jul: 1st Re-service ICT (ended)
Oct: 1st NS Mobilization Exercise (1-shot event)

By right, this is a very normal event. I mean every guy in SG will undergo reservice so it's not strange. However, the weird thing is that, I only get to understand the means of a "defence" in Singapore after the ICT.

In the past I'm very drop dead certain on something, that is our army is only acting as a deterrence force. I don't doubt our own army's strength but neither do I think it's comparable to the very much more advanced technology of the US or the mass of China's. That's why it's just a deterrence. All the things that the school has taught us of army such as bonding together and racial harmony being improved from our experiences in NS, etc, this were all just minor side effects that came from the army.

To your face, Singapore is in a very dangerous location due to our racial and religious beliefs. Politically wise we're also on odds with our neighbors. True, the people and citizens mix well with each other, but our politicians don't. So we must have a defence force. On logical thinking, we won't be able to compete against the superpowers, we can only defend ourselves against people close to us and thus our military strength just needs to achieve such stages.

A country without defense, is just a pseudo-country. This is what I've somehow recognized in the ICT. If a country has no defense, any other countries can just come in and invade. By then the harm is done and even if we wait for reinforcements from other countries, it's too late. At the same time you will never know what the country that is reinforcing you wants, so it's still best to have your own defenses up.

So in a sense, at least now when I'm serving, I have more purpose in it. However, I'm in no way standing on any side as I know tons of people are complaining for the real need of the 2 years National Service. There are other ways to defend a country, but for now since the government chose NS, I just LLST do it.

After all, I've already ORD, reservice is just chicken feet. :/

............................................................................

Sep: Gig with Resonance (1-shot event)
Nov: EOY Audition (1-shot event)
Dec: Gig with Square Table feat Umei and Resonance (ended)

Probably one of the biggest highlights of this year came at the end of the year, when I finally have one of my biggest gigs ever at EOY.


The angle of this shot is superb....

The gig with Resonance at AMG you could say is a prelude. I hadn't gig for quite sometime and needed some real practice so I could get my standard back again. At the same time I could see what was the "standard" with the local scene now and to judge in a sense whether we're decent or comparable enough to be on stage with them. It's not a sense of competing, but just to self confirm our own standards.

So when EOY came, somehow I was confident enough on stage for both bands. Even though I did make mistakes, but still it wasn't that bad and I didn't throw face. ^^;



Resonance's performance; Song list:

Shunkan Sentimental - Scandal.
God Knows - Aya Hirano



Square Table feat Ume performance part 1;



Square Table feat Ume performance part 2;

Song list:

Anata ga ita mori - Fate/stay night ED
Kimi no Shiranai monogatari - Bakemonogatari ED
Hey Erin! - Touhou

Ume's fan power is kinda great, and well we got ourselves some enemies as well due to us being the only band to play 3 songs. Lol. Anyways it was a damn fun gig and I hope I can do it again. :D

.........................................................................

Nov: Marina Bay Sands stay on Patricia's birthday (1-shot event)



Lol I seriously do not think I have to elaborate more on this. I specially made a whole full blog post on this indicating how much I enjoyed myself on the trip to MBS.

Here is the entire post on Marina Bay Sands.

Any final words on this stay... hmmm...

It's probably the happiest day of this year when I stayed in there, at the same time it's probably also one of the more unsettling ones of this year.

.........................................................................

Dec: Taiwan Trip with Parents (ended)



In December my parents planned a very sudden Taiwan trip which luckily didn't clash with any of my other major events like gigs etc. It's a 7 days trip and from what I know, their main motive is actually just the flower expo at the 1st day WHICH, we didn't even enter. The whole flower expo is worth 3-4 days of walk and no way are we gonna use that much days on just 1 expo.

By right, I was supposed to write about it, but truth be told... I FORGOT QUITE A BUNCH OF IT!!!! >.<

Anyways, there WILL be a future blog post about this Taiwan trip; a holiday which I hadn't been to in years. Best thing about it is, it's an all expenses paid for... heh heh heh...

If I want to say something about it...

Going to Taiwan, if you want to see stuff and learn about the scenery and their history, tour would be good. If you want to experience life there, go free and easy. Taiwan trip wasn't enjoyable as I was with my parents, I can't havoc, but I learned quite a bit of stuff. :)

......................................................................

Dec: Obtaining Diploma (ended)


I don't know, I look kinda weird in this pic. :/

So finally, I have finished the first stage of my degree... which in otherwords is a diploma. In a sense, I can actually go out and work now since I do have a diploma at hand, but nooooooooo... this course is meant to go all the way to stage 2 which is a degree.

I can't believe it though, but this is actually my first actual graduation. I don't remember a proper graduation being done in Tampines Primary, in East View Sec, in Tampines Junior College. Well simply put, I was low profile in those schools.... wait a minute I'm low profile in my current course as well!!

Nevertheless, it's my first graduation, though it's not the first time I'm up on stage.

This ceremony, is just a ceremony. But it serves to remind me something, what I have been doing now in school, is just a diploma course. Now comes the real thing, so I better buck up.

.............................................................................

Few people to thanks and acknowledge this year in 2010.


(I had wanted to use the pic we took for Xmas instead >_>)

The whole gang of Rurouni, which includes, Ben, Benji, Chin Han, Sam, Tian Wei, Junrong + Eunice, Jae Sung, Stella, Huiming, Gackt, Stacey. Thanks for being there in my life as always in 2010 and may our bond stay strong all the way till the end of our lives! Words won't be able to say how strong our ties are, but we will know it inside. :) Huat Ah!!!!


From shortest to tallest ah????

My Uni Clique which includes, Manluo, Serene, Kasumi and Desmond. For laughing out at my stupid jokes, for eating with me, for doing stupid things with me, for insulting me, for letting me insult you all... thank you. University won't be the same without you guys and may we strive into the next year!


Yes... I know you are... i know...

Lao Peng ah Lao Peng, sorry this pic is too fucked up for me to ignore it lol. Got very much closer to you this year, partly thanks to me being able to drive lol. Anyways, love the "bromance" drinking/smoking sessions with you and you for being there to lend a listening ear for me. It'll continue on, and I promise it'll be more fucked up every year.


ヘンンンンンンン身～～～～！！！！！

+


How many times must I post pics of us!!????

I have already saluted you guys as number 1 in my most influential list, so let me just summarize again. Thank you for giving me the chance to be your drummer and even if we're not playing together anymore in the future, continue to rock on in your individual music talents and your dreams! Also have to thank the boss of Alliance Music Studios, Marc for being so patient with us all the time, for being late etc etc. lol


The 2 most babelicious gals in my life. ;)

Thank you 2 for the memories you have given me this year, Patricia during my drums lessons, Priscilla for the occasional and random drinks and the outings that we had. I had fun during those outings. :) Now it could be difficult for us to hang out due to commitments that we have and futures that we have to pursue (be it career or love life), still these things will remain and hope you 2 will cherish it too. :)


Time for you to lose weight dude!!!

+


Sam at Work = SAW

+


Fong Jieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee~~~~~~~~

Seriously, if not for you 3, my work would be rather unbearable. Azri my go home kaki, Sam my smoking buddy and Fong jie the ever so considerate supervisor. Azri you crack me up with your stuns, and you should lose some weight. Ah Sam, lucky you were there at the start to get me through the initial stages when I just started out there, if not I'm may not even last the probation period. Fong Jie, thanks for being so patient with me always when I perform stuns, do stupid things and make stupid mistakes. Not forgetting the whole crew in TNT, work would be extremely tedious without you all. :D


Ah Chong and Ah Ning

Blood is thicker than water. Somehow that is getting more and more true for my case. Bro, you have been damn helpful to me this year, regardless of whatever stupid proposals i shoot to you, like you buying ps3 first and I paying you later, you fetching me home, I fetching you home, suppering etc. Tons of stupid things lol. Hope you and Ah Ning stay close together and be happy always. :D

..............................................................................

2010 has been a roller coaster ride, from Youth Olympics to World Cup to falling in love to drinking till I vomit blood to the many things I have done this year. It has been a fulfilling month both physically and spiritually.

Have fun to the year end and may all of us have a happy new year!

Bye for now, and cya all next year. :D