Shapeshifting Singapore

As a country Singapore is only 45 years old. It's crazy to think we've evolved so quickly to even successfully putting ourselves on the world map (although I still meet people who think Singapore's in China). As I watch Singapore change before my eyes, my biggest question is "What IS the Singaporean identity?"

Here are bits of information I found after some casual research on the internet. 1) 1000 Singaporeans renounce their citizenship every year. 2) There are 150,000 Singaporeans living abroad. 3) Without immigrants, Singapore's population will decline. 4) As of July 2010, Singapore's population hit the 5 million mark. About 3.2 are Singapore residents, 0.5 permanent residents and 1.3 non-permanent residents. The foreign population has seen a dramatic increase in the past two years.

Singapore is consequentially in the process of a huge shift. Cost of living has gone up. She is the second most densely populated independent country in the world. Here are some of my own observations. I hear many foreign kids in local schools speaking with strong Singlish inflections. Will these children stay and be part of the new Singaporean identity? How will Singlish evolve because of foreign influence and with Senior Minister Lee's stamp of approval on American English? Food, culture, art.. everything is set to evolve and fast. Is this speedy change good? Or will Singapore lose its distinctiveness as she opens her arms to the world?

Where My Imagination Feels Small

There are many instances presented to my life lately where I consider my rather creative and skillful imagination limited. The one thing similar in all these instances are the high stakes and heightened reality. Most of us are lucky and sheltered and will unlikely ever experience such situations; the end of a relationship, financial struggles, stress at work, an argument with a friend are all difficult, but still a fraction of intensity from these situations which I hope never to be a part of.

The recent earthquake and tsunami combines the worst possible scenarios - loss of loved ones, one’s home and possessions after surviving a catastrophic disaster while battling the cold weather, thirsty and hungry, and vulnerable to the possible effects of harmful radiation is unimaginable to me.

I actually watched the movie “Aftershock” right before it happened and it has helped in bringing me emotionally closer to understanding what those victims went through. I recently saw “127 Hours” too, about a man though accidentally trapped in a canyon, managed to overcome all the obstacles he faced through sheer determination and strength. There is something to be learnt from these survivors. These lessons will hopefully never be presented to us. And we shouldn’t need for them to to learn how to tackle life with such steely grit.

There are many unsung survivors out there - people battling illness, waiting to receive an organ, the list goes on. When you recognize them, please show them as much compassion and generosity as you can because unless you’ve experienced it yourself, you won’t know what exactly they must be going through.

iHeartMyFriends

The last time I blogged about an electronic product, I talked about my iPhone 3GS and how it improved my life. In fact, I love it so much I decided to buy the new MacBook Pro (featuring quad-core Intel Core i7)! So far, it’s been a life saver. I recently gathered a group of amazing and willing friends to help read out a musical I wrote. I had some problems attaching my MP3 player to the stereo. But it was easily solved by burning a quick CD of the song files that were also in my Mac. The music played on the stereo without a hitch!

I also considered recording the read on my iPhone but luckily, one of my friends suggested using iMovie on the Mac. For a tiny camera, it really captured a wide berth and in high definition nonetheless. The microphone also picked up people from a pretty good distance, but of course it helped that the room was quiet. I have to say, I am learning and loving iMovie. It’s inspired me to make more videos. Expect some great new edits on my YouTube channel!

Playing World of Warcraft is also fantastic on the Mac. Graphics are rendered more smoothly than on my PC, granted my PC is three years older. I got a spunky Razer Naga Special Molten Edition mouse to go with it. Sexy!! Also got a new pair of headphones with microphone. Only problem here was the Mac’s Line In port is not meant for a microphone. Bummer! The Mac does have a built-in microphone with an “ambient noise reduction” function.

All in all, I would say as a PC user converting to a Mac, it wasn’t too difficult. And what the Mac has over the PC is style. It’s classy. Environmentalists will also be happy to know that it’s made from recyclable aluminium and has a mercury-free energy-efficient LED-backlit display made from arsenic-free glass. As of March 11th, iPhone has also released the new OS 4.3. The new Personal Hotspot function works perfectly with the MacBook Pro to provide Bluetooth internet tethering. Thumbs up Apple! What’s next for me? The iPad 2? We’ll see.

The Disconnect Of Online

A couple sits at a dinner table but they are playing Words With Friends on their iPhones - with each other nonetheless. A member of the audience in a US cinema is text messaging his friend in Singapore about a movie that hasn’t been released there yet. A boy in front of his computer has one conversation taking place on Facebook, another on MSN and yet another in Google Chat.

What has meant to connect us has seemingly disconnected us more than ever before. I guess it’s arguable. And there is a certain convenience to how connected we’ve become. Yet I’ve personally hit a point where there are too many things competing for my attention because of this convenience, so much so that I have very few moments left in a day which actually have my undivided attention. I suspect I’m probably not the only one.

If I might venture to add, this has translated into a new acceptable behaviour of sorts; where it’s okay to make your friend wait while you finish off a text message; where you can juggle so many conversations, it’s not expected of you to reply right away or even on the same day anymore; where strangers in a virtual chat can ignore your friendliest hello without consequence or their own conscience nagging at them.

As the lines between real and virtual blur, there are choices to be made if we want a firmer grip on what it really means to connect.

Do I Know You?

If you have a favourite celebrity, chances are he or she has become someone who is very familiar to you, like a friend almost. Yet to that celebrity, you are a complete stranger. Strange isn’t it? And even stranger… I recently met a girl who saw an episode of a show I was on. I was sure I wasn’t her favourite celebrity, yet she behaved like she knew me. It threw me off. I happened to be with a friend she knew and the whole time she was just staring and smiling at me. She seemed very comfortable but I was completely awkward.

It’s a funny thing… to think you know someone. I know you because you’ve been on TV. I know you because we have great chemistry. I know you because we have mutual friends. I know you because you are my reflection. How well do we really know the people around us, much less ourselves? Which leads to how much do we really reveal about ourselves?

I lost my brother in October. I realised how much I didn't know him until after his death. Circumstances made me have to read some of his messages to people, sort through his favourite music on his music player and meet his friends. I learnt many new things about him. Part of what I'm saying is don't wait till someone is gone to realise you didn't make the time or effort to get to know a person. The other part of it is, sometimes people don't necessarily reveal to you everything about themselves and that's just the way things are. But the bigger question is... do you know who YOU are? Have you taken the time to understand yourself? And are there things you feel you should share to the people who matter? Don't rob yourself of these chances.

Por Favour

The phrase "I owe you one!" is commonly used because people feel obliged to return a favour. Favours are very interesting things. From my experience, it can get rather complicated. Does it mean I avoid asking for favours? I really try not to but no man is an island, and at some point everyone could use a favour or two.

Unfortunately, different people have different ideas about favours. "I owe you one" is definitely a common standard. And that's okay. After all, psychologists believe people aren't naturally altruistic. But when it comes down to performing a favour, it's difficult to determine where the line is drawn.

Some people agree to favours but lack the commitment so the quality of the favour suffers. Other favours aren't clearly spelt out in the beginning and can grow into an enormous task. Resentment and the breakdown of friendships can result. Personally, I think twice about asking for a favour or doing one. And it's always best to definite them clearly and only commit to them if you can ensure it won't be half-assed (sorry couldn't think of a better word). If you can't commit... don't do it.

When was the last time you did someone a favour in the true sense of the word and not expected anything in return? Try it! If everyone looked at favours that way, there would be no awkward obligation to return them. But of course don't take them for granted.

Types of Stereo

Stereotypes have been discussed to death. They definitely help to make sense of the world around us. But sometimes they can also impair our judgment and no matter how we try not to be influenced by them, most of us find difficulty steering clear. I've got a kind of blues I term as 'The Little Boy Blues'... sort of a Dorian Gray syndrome almost. I look younger than I actually am. For a good part of my life it was okay but lately it's proving to be challenging.

While trying to visit a friend, I was recently stopped on my way into some residential property. The guard at his post beckoned me demeaningly with a finger. After I listened to him tell me it was private property and that I shouldn't just walk in, I told him I was an invited guest that did not see any sign to 'check in'.

I was quite sure that if I were an elderly man, a sexy girl or more formally dressed he would have treated me with more respect. Nonetheless, I sucked it in and explained that his post was poorly positioned in the middle of the road and that it didn't look like I could talk through the seamless glass that covered the front of his booth. He was insistent and told me it was common knowledge that in Singapore you always have to stop by the guard post.

That was it! I refused to be talked down to so I let him have it and told him that no matter what, a visitor still deserves to be treated with respect and not beckoned like a dog. When he realised I was not the little pushover boy that I looked, he finally apologized.

Don't let people pidgeonhole you. Stand your ground and put THEM back in their place. Even if you have to roar surround sound.