This is obscenely disgusting!
I personally know of people whom, while classified as "middle class", are actually cash poor, in deep debt but by virtue of the government's guideline, they are not considered "poor enough" to qualify for any subsidy. As a result, these people struggle for years and "tahan" it out silently, doing the best they can do, and counting on help from understanding and emphatic family members. They get stuck in their dire predicament with no way out and hitting a brickwall as a result of the ever changing and not-so-very-transparent HDB loan which further worsened their financial situation. They suffer silently. They have had no pay rise for more than 5 years because of "poor economic condition" and simply have no prospects of getting any pay rise anytime soon. To top it all, they face serious competition from foreign workers who are willing to work at lower wages, a policy that has garnered a strong support of the government to make Singapore more competitive.
Yet the ministers are getting pay rise like there's no tomorrow, earning dubious amount of money in the name of anti-corruption. I understand the reasoning behind high pay for government officials to ward off corruption - I am all for it. But an income that is obscenely higher than the median income? Oh, come on.
I am especially insulted by the last sentence in the article.
I am not liking what I'm reading.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Elections
OK. I admit. This is not cool.
My country is about to have an election and I have been so out of it that I have no clue who the candidates are. I have been too busy and been out of touch since my vacation, and, there's the updates of the vacation to blog about, that the sheer fact that I am eligible to vote went past my head. It has been a really long while since I voted, and years ads years ago, it didn't matter. The opposition did not put up a good fight, and we always know who the winners will be. The last previous elections, the constituency I was in had a walkover!
By the looks of it, this year might be different. In the last couple of days, I have got winds of stronger opposition. This could be interesting.
I know voting is compulsory in Singapore, and I will gladly do it if I have a clue as to who is rallying for what. But I have not been following the politics closely, and whilst I know what I don;t want, I still can't just vote blindly. Also, I'm at my wits end...there is no online voting (onlySIX NINE frickin' locations worldwide with Thailand NOT one of it, can you believe that?!) and given that voting is compulsory and that I have been overseas for years, does that mean that I have to fly back home to vote or face the penalty of not being able to vote ever? Because that would seem so stupid as I don't think the government is gonna be paying for my ticket home!
Damn! I have to start doing some research, and I'm running out of time. (As if I have the frickin' time to start with.) Urgggh. Help. This is unfair.
My country is about to have an election and I have been so out of it that I have no clue who the candidates are. I have been too busy and been out of touch since my vacation, and, there's the updates of the vacation to blog about, that the sheer fact that I am eligible to vote went past my head. It has been a really long while since I voted, and years ads years ago, it didn't matter. The opposition did not put up a good fight, and we always know who the winners will be. The last previous elections, the constituency I was in had a walkover!
By the looks of it, this year might be different. In the last couple of days, I have got winds of stronger opposition. This could be interesting.
I know voting is compulsory in Singapore, and I will gladly do it if I have a clue as to who is rallying for what. But I have not been following the politics closely, and whilst I know what I don;t want, I still can't just vote blindly. Also, I'm at my wits end...there is no online voting (only
Damn! I have to start doing some research, and I'm running out of time. (As if I have the frickin' time to start with.) Urgggh. Help. This is unfair.
Holland Wrap Up
A week on, and it felt like it was ages ago since we arrived in Holland. We have been told time and again that we were very lucky with the weather. To top it all, we were certainly spot-on with the timing of the tulips. Holland really was at its prettiest.
Spud wise, despite her tantrums every now and again, she actually did OK overall. What surprised me was the fact that she managed to sleep through the night for a full 12-13 hours straight since the first day we arrived. This is despite of being in strange rooms, strange beds and strange places. Of course, there were nights when she woke up crying, but they were not that frequent. Most often than not, she’ll fall back to sleep almost immediately. Or if she didn’t, we’ll go comfort her and she’ll then lulled back to sleep almost immediately.
I was right when I predicted an April Fool's thought that she is likely to be pulling a fast one on us with her teething. My timing prediction may be off, but she did cut some teeth alright. The day before we left, I discovered that she cut 4 teeth --- 2 at the bottom went through, and 2 at the top were almost through. At least we now know that her out of ordinary crankiness and superbly smelly poo in the first few days of the trip could easily be attributed to the fact that she started teething. That being said, I certainly was not looking forward to the flight back home. But like I said, it was all ain’t as bad as I thought it would be.
Although the first night home was pretty rough, and she has seemed pretty wrecked in the day for a few days (jet-lagged!), I am glad to report that apart from that wretched night, Spud has had no problems sleeping through on the subsequent nights after (and until now, more than a week later!). I count my blessings for that. I reckon, it helps that Spud is such a lousy napper in the day and in this case, it works in our favour that she fights sleep in the day time, only to crash completely at night. I cannot be more thankful.
As a family, this is really one time where we spent a lot of time together. And because we did, I am surprised that I could literally see Spud growing right under my nose. She certainly is different now as compared to the time before we left for Holland. It is fascinating. I cannot believe how fast she has grown. It felt amazing!
As I got busy being a corporate slave this week, I begin to realise one thing: I miss spending loads and loads of time with Spud.
Me being me, I thought, I would "OD-ed" on my daughter during the vacation because she is usually so intense. While that is only partly true (one can have a melt-down if she is cranky for hours and days on end), I now know that I would hate to be apart from her for too long.
As Spud slept soundly in the crib in her own room in the last few nights since we got home, I realise that I miss her already and that I’m looking forward to spend some time with her the next day. It does feel extremely fulfilling to be able to devote so much time and energy to this little person who is slowly developing her own personality right before your eyes.
I did not believe it then when people say that I wouldn’t know what it’s like until I have one of my own. I know better now. I should know; my mothers told me so.
I guess such is family life and it is finally sinking in.
Spud wise, despite her tantrums every now and again, she actually did OK overall. What surprised me was the fact that she managed to sleep through the night for a full 12-13 hours straight since the first day we arrived. This is despite of being in strange rooms, strange beds and strange places. Of course, there were nights when she woke up crying, but they were not that frequent. Most often than not, she’ll fall back to sleep almost immediately. Or if she didn’t, we’ll go comfort her and she’ll then lulled back to sleep almost immediately.
I was right when I predicted an April Fool's thought that she is likely to be pulling a fast one on us with her teething. My timing prediction may be off, but she did cut some teeth alright. The day before we left, I discovered that she cut 4 teeth --- 2 at the bottom went through, and 2 at the top were almost through. At least we now know that her out of ordinary crankiness and superbly smelly poo in the first few days of the trip could easily be attributed to the fact that she started teething. That being said, I certainly was not looking forward to the flight back home. But like I said, it was all ain’t as bad as I thought it would be.
Although the first night home was pretty rough, and she has seemed pretty wrecked in the day for a few days (jet-lagged!), I am glad to report that apart from that wretched night, Spud has had no problems sleeping through on the subsequent nights after (and until now, more than a week later!). I count my blessings for that. I reckon, it helps that Spud is such a lousy napper in the day and in this case, it works in our favour that she fights sleep in the day time, only to crash completely at night. I cannot be more thankful.
As a family, this is really one time where we spent a lot of time together. And because we did, I am surprised that I could literally see Spud growing right under my nose. She certainly is different now as compared to the time before we left for Holland. It is fascinating. I cannot believe how fast she has grown. It felt amazing!
As I got busy being a corporate slave this week, I begin to realise one thing: I miss spending loads and loads of time with Spud.
Me being me, I thought, I would "OD-ed" on my daughter during the vacation because she is usually so intense. While that is only partly true (one can have a melt-down if she is cranky for hours and days on end), I now know that I would hate to be apart from her for too long.
As Spud slept soundly in the crib in her own room in the last few nights since we got home, I realise that I miss her already and that I’m looking forward to spend some time with her the next day. It does feel extremely fulfilling to be able to devote so much time and energy to this little person who is slowly developing her own personality right before your eyes.
I did not believe it then when people say that I wouldn’t know what it’s like until I have one of my own. I know better now. I should know; my mothers told me so.
I guess such is family life and it is finally sinking in.
Holland Day 15 onwards: The Last Bits
The last time we went to Holland more than 2 years ago, there was barely any chance to go visit Silver 
Bullet’s maternal grandparents. This time round though, as they now lived a mere 15 minutes away from Silver Bullet’s parents, we managed to visit them at their place twice!
Bullet’s maternal grandparents. This time round though, as they now lived a mere 15 minutes away from Silver Bullet’s parents, we managed to visit them at their place twice! 
For me, it has been a long time ago since I recall having any contacts with my own grandparents (they passed on long time ago), and so it brought back nice feelings when I see how much they doted on Silver Bullet. Elderly as they are, they are still pretty mobile, lucid, and able to carry on a conversation. Silver Bullet’s Opa is still able to drive around on his own at his age. Beat that!
Most of all, to me, it is heart-warming to see old folks doing so well and full of life! And after all these years, they are still together…taking care of each other and looking as loving as ever. They were just so happy to see us, and are as doting to Spud.
As for Spud, I don’t think she’ll remember any of it now, but I’m happy to be able to say that she has been cuddled and kissed by a set of great-grand parents! It was such a nice sight.
Did I mention that it was all really heart-warming?
Apart from the visit, the rest of our stay was really just riding it out and making sure that Spud gets to spend as much time as possible with her Oma & Opa as we, the really weary parents, started to make the necessary preparation with the imminent journey home.
Most of all, to me, it is heart-warming to see old folks doing so well and full of life! And after all these years, they are still together…taking care of each other and looking as loving as ever. They were just so happy to see us, and are as doting to Spud.
As for Spud, I don’t think she’ll remember any of it now, but I’m happy to be able to say that she has been cuddled and kissed by a set of great-grand parents! It was such a nice sight.
Did I mention that it was all really heart-warming?
Apart from the visit, the rest of our stay was really just riding it out and making sure that Spud gets to spend as much time as possible with her Oma & Opa as we, the really weary parents, started to make the necessary preparation with the imminent journey home.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Holland Day 14: Keukenhof
Covering an area of 32 hectares with 4.5 million tulips in 100 varieties, the Keukenhof is essentially one of the most popular attractions in the Netherlands. There are 15 km of footpaths, with more than 7 million flower bulbs planted by hand. It is opened only during Spring, for only a whole 2 months out of the 12 months in a year!
And I am glad that I was there, at the right time and the right place to witness one of the most photographed place in the world. After seeing the stunning sculptured parked for the first time, I think I would have no qualms coming back to this place year after year when the time is right to witness its beauty in its full splendors. With the right weather, it is a great place to lounge around and have a family picnic. It certainly is kids friendly and worth spending the entire day there.
Spud certainly enjoyed mucking around. I’m certain the grass piqued her curiosity as her bare feet touched the grassy and earthy surface for the first time in her life! She took it all in, observing and exploring within her little invisible circle for some time. It didn’t take her all too long before we see her bouncing with energy and complete with contagious smiles! She certainly enjoyed her floor time whilst we were there and was as happy as a child should be.
The garden itself, in my opinion is simply spectacular. Top that up with a real, life, massive field of colourful tulip plantation where one can visit and run into a sea of blooms, I swear there were actually quite little for anything to spoil my mood that day.
Mucking around...
And I am glad that I was there, at the right time and the right place to witness one of the most photographed place in the world. After seeing the stunning sculptured parked for the first time, I think I would have no qualms coming back to this place year after year when the time is right to witness its beauty in its full splendors. With the right weather, it is a great place to lounge around and have a family picnic. It certainly is kids friendly and worth spending the entire day there.
Spud certainly enjoyed mucking around. I’m certain the grass piqued her curiosity as her bare feet touched the grassy and earthy surface for the first time in her life! She took it all in, observing and exploring within her little invisible circle for some time. It didn’t take her all too long before we see her bouncing with energy and complete with contagious smiles! She certainly enjoyed her floor time whilst we were there and was as happy as a child should be.
The garden itself, in my opinion is simply spectacular. Top that up with a real, life, massive field of colourful tulip plantation where one can visit and run into a sea of blooms, I swear there were actually quite little for anything to spoil my mood that day.
Mucking around...
Cool art forms found within Keukenhof...
The spectacular sculptured park...
The mega awesome tulip fields right next to Keukenhof...
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Holland Day 11-13: Sights Galore
Dig these picturesque view taken from the road side while we were driving along ...
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Well, OK. My point and shoot camera skills probably did not do them any justice, and in case you are wondering, these are sights of budding tulips and blossoming hyacinths --- staples of a typical spring scenery which canvassed the landscape of Holland. With colours so vibrant to the naked eye, and scent intoxicating (in a nice way!), the sheer sight of them even from afar made me feel so jubilant and light! Most certainly a nice change from the usual concrete jungle. Sights that are worth more than just a moment of your time as they were simply breathtaking.
We actually went to check out some nearby tulip fields earlier on in the week (I'm sure much to Spud's chagrin of having to be strapped in the car-seat again!) on our way to a nearby zoo, but found out that they were not blossoming just yet. I was told that we oughtta give it a few more days, and they would almost definitely be in full bloom before we leave.
While I'm not much of a flower person, I strangely have a thing for tulips (and a few other types of flowers). And so, the prospect of actually being able to see rows and rows and rows of vibrant, real blossoming tulips at the right time and right place sounded extremely exciting to me! I was certainly more than ready to give it a few more days and see them again, come hell or high water or the fact that Spud does not like long car-rides. (Suck it up on this one, kiddo!)
With that, we spent a couple more days after that visiting a community zoo with Oma (forgot what the zoo is called), a museum devoted to preserving Enkhuizen's cultural heritage as well as the maritime history of the shallow bay of the north sea in the Netherlands called Zuiderzee Museum and spending the day in Amsterdam (that one day where we left Spud with her Oma & Opa).Silver Bullet was certainly playing tourist in his own country.
Here are some random shots taken over that several days...and...and...and...albeit a little half-baked looking, we now have our very first family portrait! (I know, how sad right. It took us all but almost 9 months to appear in one picture together!)
Holland Day 9-10: The second & last Weekend
Vacation or not and weekend or not, we certainly have our hands full totting an 8 month old around. Unlike our previous vacations, we don’t really get to have any breaks in between. The odd occassions when Spud decided to nap and allow us to lay her down had been pretty rare. And whilst we were there, there was only ONCE throughout the entire vacation when I managed to put her down on the floor after she conked out for her late morning nap. That was my ONE lucky shot at putting her down. She was out for her usual of only half an hour nap.
The second and last weekend in Holland was spent lounging around, with a visit from Silver Bullet’s 80+ year old grandparents (making them a pair of Great Grand Parents to Spud) and a BBQ dinner courtesy of Chef Opa as we meet up with more of friends at the parents’ place.
We ended the weekend with a visit to the friends of our parents at their beautiful home…actually, more to visit and kaypo** on their 2 gorgeous cats! Since there are grandparents themselves, their house is literally filled with toys for 2 of their grand-daughters. That means, as soon as we got tthere, Spud was spoilt with all sorts of toys. It was like walking into a built-in toy closet! Spud became so intrigued with one of the Sesame Street’s standee toys that they offered us to borrow it back to our parents home whilst we were there. All the same, the little imp immediately lost interest with it the moment we had it at home. Typical.
I reckon, though, it was probably because Spud had a “fight” with it. I remember that she had knocked herself quite hard on the head with one of the elements that came with it and it immediately sent her screaming in (exaggerated) pain.
Ahh! What a weekend.
That being said, I’ll tell you one thing: it was really nice to see some real friends and having some real connection with genuine people once again.
Spud getting acquainted with her great-grandfather, Opa Hans as Oma & Opa looks on:
Spud, the only rose amongst the thorns, getting acquainted with her Om and Papa's friends...
...as Opa Chef fired up the BBQ!
Old faces, rekindled friendship a treasured moment at dinner.
** Kaypo = Busybody in Hokkien
Holland Day 5-8: Landal De Lommerbergen and beyond
Landal De Lommerbergen is nothing but a recreational venue for family to come together and relax for several days. Its concept is that of a holiday bungalow, surrounded by nature and complete with living room (lounge & dining area), kitchen, a balcony, 2 bedrooms and toilet facilities. The entire park is a car-free zone (double-yay!)
Other ammenities in the park can be found here.
Sights @ Dusseldorf:
Spud mucking about @ De Lommerbergen:
Spud falling asleep in the stroller!!!!
Other ammenities in the park can be found here.
 |
| Hanging out with Papa |
Going with the flow remained was our agenda, and with the cool weather, it was nice to just also take it easy. We also ensured that Spud gets lots of floor time, and she is always just too happy when given the chance to do so, anytime, anywhere.
Since this place is a stone’s throw away not only from the main town area, from several cities as well as Belgium and Germany, we varied our days with some activities here and there.
We sashayed to town (15 minutes away) for a little shopping and sightseeing.
 |
| Getting lost in Dusseldorf |
We went through the border to Dusseldorf, Germany (half and hour away from De Lommerbergen)
We visited a couple of Silver Bullet’s friends who are living in Reumond.
We went strolling in the woods.
We even had real fresh bread every day and I tell you, bread never tasted so good like the ones they have in Holland. Authentic!
Strolling in the park amidst the cool air was nice. Just being able to feel so close to nature feels so…serene and cozy! And what’s nicer about it is also, for the first time ever, we managed to get Spud to finally fall asleep in the stroller! Not once, mind you, but at least twice and without much effort, too. I have every reason to believe that it must have been the cold air that knocked her out cold!
Despite being a little small (by small, it was quite a tight fit for Silver Bullet to maneuver himself in the other bedroom where Spud slept the moment he walked through the door!), the bungalow we stayed in at De Lommerbergen is really quite a cozy place to be. I truly enjoyed being there.
I reckon Spud did too, judging by the way she went bouncing off the walls (and the cushiony sofa as well as the mattress as a matter of fact).
The 3-hour trip drive back to where we came from however, was not so nice, partly attributed to bad traffic, and, mainly Spud wailing her guts out for almost 2 hours on the way back home. She became very irritable within the hour into the journey home, and basically cried her guts out almost non-stop for almost 2 hours until we drove up to our parents’ driveway. She did not like being confined in the car seat for too long and it was her way of letting us know that she has had enough and we certainly had to make a few pit-stops as, unless we took her out of the car, there was nothing I could do to sooth her crying. I am certain I have gone deaf from it.
It helped that I could tune out from her by looking out at the windows and started staring at the beautiful landscape of colourful blossoming tulips to distract me for a bit while Spud went on full-blast.
It helped that I could tune out from her by looking out at the windows and started staring at the beautiful landscape of colourful blossoming tulips to distract me for a bit while Spud went on full-blast.
By the time we got to the parents' place, we three looked completely dishevelled and almost out of whacked as Spud went on her crying fits!Then, almost immediately, all was fine and dandy as the little imp got her freedom back and went bonkers during floor time right before her bedtime.
Sights @ Dusseldorf:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
