RPC Day 2

Day 2 of the conference.
Being the buddy to all 5 keynote speakers, it is an exhausting but fulfilling job. :)
Taking some time out in between to take photos with colleagues and follow conference organisers.

RP Conference Day 1

It is Day 1 of the Redesigning Pedagogy Conference.
Busy, busy, busy. I was running around, making sure the keynote speakers have their presentation uploaded onto the notebook for presentation.
I was only too glad to put my feet up to rest in the afternoon lol.

Welcome Reception

It has been 2 years. It is time for our international conference again. This evening, we held a welcome reception for the 4th Redesigning Pedagogy International Conference. There were about 40+ foreign delegates who attended the reception.
I am involved in the conference as one of the organisers. I am taking care of the five keynote speakers during the conference. I am very familiar with my duties because I had the same duties back at the 3rd conference, all thanks to DK who roped me in to help with the last conference lol.

Some of the organisers

My boss whom I worked for for the last 3 years :) until he left in early May to work at ETS :(

Cereal Test

I have been trying to keep healthy by having cereal for lunch at work. I managed to buy one which is for diabetics. :) Anyway, I saw this blogthing quiz and decided to try it. OMG. Amazingly accurate. Scary...

You Are Responsible

People can count on you. You take duties and responsibilities seriously. True. At times, my colleagues say that I take my duties and responsibilities too seriously that I take on too much upon myself. You are easily delighted and inspired. Life is all about the little things. Yes, it is the little things and gestures that makes life a delight. You can be unforgiving toward people who fail you. You have high, but not unreasonable, expectations. Unfortunately, true. I see their potential and have high expectation of them so when they fail me, I am very disappointed. You're very picky but extremely devoted to the one you choose. You fall in love selectively. Haha. No comment.

The Bowl of Cereal Test

Pink Sunset

I saw the most lovely pink sunset from my balcony.

IE9

Ever since I upgraded to Internet Explorer 9, I have been experiencing problem posting my blog posts. :( I could only post on my blog from Firefox. What's happening? :(

Performance Day

The Primary 3 in SCGS had a Performance Day on 24 May. Having missed Marieann's P2 Performance Day, I made time to catch her P3 class performance which was Jazz dancing. At first, I couldn't see her at all. It was only towards the end of the performance that I saw her lol. She was in the back row because of her height. Being the researcher I am, I took a video of her class performance as evidence that I attended her P3 Performance Day haha. :P

Glee - Born This Way

A good number of nice songs in this episode of Glee (s2e18). :)

I feel Pretty/ Unpretty (uploaded by SlovakGleek)


Somewhere Only We Know (uploaded by GleeOnFox)


As If We Never Said Goodbye (uploaded by SlovakGleek)


Born This Way (uploaded by GleeOnFox)

Drama, Drama, Drama

Lots of drama today. Quite an experience.

Bali ESP

My SCGS girls' getaway is all set to go! The accommodation has been booked and confirmed. The air tickets have been bought. :)
Bali ESP, here I come! Bali Extrasensory Perception?? No...
It's Bali Eat, Spa, Play! :D

Girls' Getaway

I met up with my SCGS friends to discuss about our all girls getaway. Since we started discussion last September, we have yet to decide on the destination (Koh Samui? Phuket? Bali?) and we have yet to decide on the dates of travel too.
After two hours and a sumptuous brunch, we finally decided on Bali since there are two of us who have never been to Bali. We also decided on the period of travel, 28-31 July. It is really exciting that the trip is coming together.
Now we just need to book the accommodation (we shortlisted 2 villa accommodations) and air tickets for 5 of us. :)

"I'm Melting"

My colleagues and I were back at the same school for our second day of data collection. Just as the data collection was about to start, the fire alarm went off in the school. The school was having a fire drill! We quickly "evacuated" to the school field, along with the rest of the school. While waiting for the attendance for each class to be taken, my colleague, HJ decided to open up her umbrella as it was really hot at 9+am. She offered to share her umbrella with F and I. But we were kind of embarrassed because being the only umbrella in the entire field, it really stood out lol. As the minutes ticked by, I could feel myself slowly inching towards my colleague's umbrella because it was really hot haha. Just then, the school principal came over to us. Well, the umbrella was like a beacon lol. The following conversation occurred.

Principal: (to HJ) The sun is good for you. I love the sun.
HJ: (with her usual poker face) I'm melting.
Principal: But Vitamin D is good for you.
HJ: No need. I am already melting.
Principal: You don't have to wait here, you can go back to the class first.

Both F and I were dumbfounded by HJ's replies to the P. HJ was so serious in her replies that it was funny. I think I would never have the guts to say something like that to a Principal lol.
HJ, hats off to you!

Once a Teacher, ...

Always a teacher.
Two of my colleagues and I went to a primary school for data collection. As I was entering the classroom identified for participation in our research, a teacher who was passing by told me that I have to be very firm with that particular class. I replied that I was an ex-teacher and she went away smiling and saying that I would have no problem. When I was in the midst of handing out the materials to the students, in walked the form teacher. He took one look at me and said, "You ah. You can handle the class. I will go back to the staffroom now."
It turned out the form teacher is someone I knew from my MOE HQ days lol. He knew I was a former teacher and he had more than enough confidence that I would be able to handle his class. He was right lol. I had his class totally under control. I have not lost my touch as a teacher lol. :)

Flower Moon

The full moon in each month has a name or names, depending on the source.
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the full moon in May is called Flower Moon. The Neo-Pagan called it Planting Moon while the Celtic called it Dyad Moon. The English called it Grass Moon or Hare Moon. Other names include Milk Moon and Corn Planting Moon.

Glee - A Night of Neglect

Two powerful performances by two amazing singers from Glee s2e17 A Night of Neglect.

Turning Tables (uploaded by OnlyGleeMusic02)


All by Myself (uploaded by OnlyGleeMusic02)

Hair Colour

Blogthings has this new quiz called the Hair Colour Test. I have never coloured my hair before and I thought this quiz might be a chance for me to find what sort of hair colour I would go for. Interesting results. It is like me at times... haha. Hmm, maybe I should colour my hair.

You Are Dominant

You like to put yourself to the test. You don't feel alive unless you feel challenged. People usually totally love you or totally hate you. You are extremely intense. You are a little demanding. You know what you want, and you're not about to settle. You have a very strong personality. You don't tone it down for anyone.

The New Hair Color Test

Japanese Food Craving

Juliane didn't had her fill of Japanese food yesterday. For today's lunch, we had Japanese food again at Sakae Sushi. It has been a long time since we were last there and there were some revisions made to the pricing as well as some new dishes. Hopefully having Japanese meals twice over the weekend would be enough to satisfy Juliane's Japanese food craving.

Japanese Gourmet Town

Juliane was hankering for Japanese food when we went to Vivocity. We decided to try Japanese Gourmet Town.
Marieann had her scallop ramen while Juliane tried the Pork Yakiniku Stone Rice Set ($12.80). I tried the Half Pork Okos with egg and Salmon Steak set ($14.80). The pork was fatty and delicious! :)

Dong-Yi

My girls and I are currently hooked on the Korean drama, Dong-Yi lol. We found it too slow to watch Dong-Yi, one episode at a time on weekday evenings. We rented the entire series to watch lol. :P As requested by my girls, I have put up some of the soundtracks from Dong-Yi. I love the hauntingly beautiful sounds of traditional instruments that are used in the soundtrack.

Theme song (uploaded by KDramasHD)


Cheonaejia (uploaded by KDramasHD)


Instrumental Song (uploaded by KDramasHD)


Haegeum Song (uploaded by KDramasHD)


Myung-hyun (uploaded by KDramasHD)


Dan-ae (uploaded by KDramasHD)

Missing Posts

I was surprised when I couldn't see the posts that I published yesterday. Later, I read on Blogger that there was a problem but they were working on rectifying the problem.
Phew, the missing posts are back :) but the time stamps are all screwed up. :(

Glee - Regionals

Wonderful songs from Glee season 2 episode 16

Misery (uploaded by GleeOnFox)


Blackbird (uploaded by HeyLittlePiglet)


Candles (uploaded by OnlyGleeMusic02)


Raise Your Glass (uploaded by OnlyGleeMusic02)


Get It Right (uploaded by GleeOnFox)


Loser Like Me (uploaded by GleeOnFox)

Glee - Sexy

Glee season 2 episode 15 featuring Gwyneth Paltrow again! I think she should just be a regular on Glee! She can really sing. :)

Do You Wanna Touch Me? (uploaded by GleeOnFox)


Landslide (uploaded by Jasmie27)


Kiss (uploaded by Binniglee02)


Animal (uploaded by OfficialGleek18)


Afternoon Delight (uploaded by WatchLyrics)


It was so funny that Emma (the counsellor) believed the above song is about cake. Lol. :P

Heat Wave

We have been experiencing some unusually HOT weather in Singapore. Even at night, it has been really warm and stuffy. It feels like I am in the sauna perpetually. Not sure what is happening with Gaia. :(

Happy Mother's Day 2011

It is post-election day. It is Mother's Day 2011. Nothing seems exciting after the election lol.
After the girls' tuition, we went for dinner at Dozo, a modern French-Japanese cuisine restaurant. It was sort of a Mother's Day celebration thingy. We haven't been there for a long time but strangely, we ended up ordering the same dishes we had the last time even though there are new dishes on the menu lol.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all mothers out there! :)

GE 2011 Results

Although I couldn't vote, it was just as exciting watching on television as the voting results for each SMC (Single Member Constituency) and each GRC (Group Representation Constituency) was announced. After being glued to the television since 10+pm till now (almost 3am), the results are as follows:

SMC
Bukit Panjang = PAP won SDP with 66.3% of the votes (GE2006 PAP won 77.2%)
*Hong Kah North = PAP won SPP with 70.6%
Hougang = WP won PAP with 64.8% (GE2006 WP won 62.7%)
Joo Chiat = PAP won WP with 51% (GE2006 PAP won 65%)
*Mountbatten = PAP won NSP with 58.7%
*Pioneer = PAP won NSP with 60.7%
Potong Pasir = PAP won SPP with 50.4% (GE2006 SDA won 55.8%)
*Punggol East = PAP won WP and SDA with 54.5%
*Radin Mas = PAP won NSP with 67.1%
*Sengkang West = PAP won WP with 58.1%
*Whampoa = PAP won NSP with 66.1%
*Yuhua = PAP won SDP with 66.9%
* represents new ward carved out of former GRCs

4-member GRCs
Holland-Bukit Timah = PAP won SDP with 60.1% (GE2006 PAP walkover, not contested since formation in 2001)
*Moulmein-Kallang = PAP won WP with 58.6%
* represents new GRC from parts of other GRCs

5-member GRCs
Aljunied = WP won PAP with 54.7%, PAP lost by 45.3% (GE2006 PAP won 56.1%)
Bishan-Toa Payoh = PAP won SPP with 56.9% (GE2006 PAP walkover, not contested since formation in 1997)
*Chua Chu Kang = PAP won NSP with 61.2%
East Coast = PAP won WP with 54.8% (GE2006 PAP won 63.9%)
Jurong = PAP won NSP with 67% (GE2006 PAP walkover, last contested in 2001 PAP won 79.7%)
Marine Parade = PAP won NSP with 56.7% (GE2006 PAP walkover, last contested in 1992 PAP won 72.9%)
*Nee Soon = PAP won WP with 58.4%
Sembawang = PAP won SDP with 63.9% (GE2006 PAP won 76.7%)
Tampines = PAP won NSP with 57.2% (GE2006 PAP won 68.5%)
West Coast = PAP won RP with 66.6% (GE2006 PAP walkover, last contested in 1997 PAP won 70.1%)
* represents new GRC from former GRCs and SMCs

6-member GRCs
Ang Mo Kio = PAP won RP with 69.3% (GE2006 PAP won 66.1%)
Pasir Ris-Punggol = PAP won SDA with 64.8% (GE2006 PAP won 68.7%)

Walkover
Tanjong Pagar (GE2006 PAP walkover, not contested since formation in 1991)

The incumbent party, PAP is back in power with a win of 81 out of 87 seats in Parliament. The alternative party, WP won 6 out of 87 seats.

It came as no surprise that the incumbent party would win but I was more interested in knowing what was the increase in voters voting for alternative parties in the SMCs and GRCs. When comparing the past GE2006 results (in red) and the current GE2011 results (in blue), the PAP vote share has dipped in the SMCs and GRCs, indicating that there are now more voters voting for alternative parties. Looking also at how PAP fared in the past GEs, PAP is certainly declining in its popularity with its voters. In GE2001, PAP obtained 75.3%, it obtained 66.6% in GE2006 and now GE2011, PAP only obtained 60.1%. It is a clear indication that the people are not happy with the way things are going. It remains to be seen if PAP would put into action what they have promised during the campaigns or they are going to remain as words and empty promises...
It was heartening to know that the voters are now less apathetic, as shown by WP's win of a GRC and the increase in vote shares for alternative parties. Although there are only 6 seats in the Parliament going to WP, it is a small step taken by the voters, but still a step nevertheless, towards embracing change in the political scene of Singapore.

Alternative Parties and PAP

"I explained to them my plans for forming a party to represent the workers and the dispossessed, especially the Chinese-educated, not in order to win the coming election, but to gain a significant number of seats so as to show up the rottenness of the system and the present political parties, and to build up for the next round. - LKY, on formation of the PAP, 1954.

".. it was perhaps fortunate that the PAP had not set out to form a government and therefore would not be implementing our proposals. ..we had aroused expectations of great changes. We had got the people interested enough to come and listen to our speeches, and then tossed them stirring ideas, instilling in them a spirit of defiance" - LKY on the formation of the PAP, 1954.

Way back in 1954, the above reasons were given for the formation of the incumbent party, PAP which was then the opposition or alternative party. However, it seemed PAP has forgotten its own humble beginnings and is now behaving in a thug-like manner towards the opposition/ alternative parties as well as towards its voters who voted them into power in past elections. The founding father of the incumbent has even warned Aljunied voters they will have to live and "repent" for the next five years if they vote in the opposition.

The PAP has forgotten its roots. It started out "not to form a government" but to "represent the workers and the dispossessed" in order to "gain a significant number of seats so as to show up the rottenness of the system and the present political parties". The voters then, listened to their speeches, took a gamble, gave PAP a chance and voted it into power. However, over the years it has slowly become that which it was first formed to oppose. Sadly, money and power have gotten into the way of serving the people.

Are the alternative parties of now any different from the PAP of 1954? It is a resounding no. The alternative parties are doing exactly what was proposed by the founding father of the incumbent back in 1954. The alternative parties want only to "gain a significant number of seats so as to show up the rottenness of the system and the present political party". The alternative parties are not asking to replace the incumbent party but only to have enough alternative voices in the parliament so that there is check and balance. The alternative parties are only asking for a chance to be the voice of the people. However, the incumbent and its supporters said that the alternative parties have not proven themselves, they have no track record and that the alternative parties have not done anything other than talk. It is an unfair statement to make. Without given a chance, how can the alternative parties prove themselves? It will remain words because the alternative parties are not given a chance to put words into action. Imagine if our forefathers decided not to vote for PAP just because they didn't have a proven track record but only stirring ideas, would there be a PAP today? At least our forefathers were fearless. At least our forefathers were willing to embrace change. At least they were willing to take the risk. They voted for the PAP to give them a chance to prove themselves.

Polling Day is tomorrow. I wonder what will the voters of today do? Will they be fearless like our forefathers? Will they embrace change? Will they vote for an alternative voice to represent them in parliament?

It is unfortunate that I have been denied the chance to vote because of the Tanjong Pagar GRC walk-over (yet again). If I can vote, I know where my vote will go. To the party which is willing to listen to the people. To the party who is willing to be the people's voice.

GE Rallies 2011 IV - 5 May 2011

It is the final day of rallies for all parties. Here are some of the rally speeches from the alternative parties. I am putthing up these videos (uploaded by TODAYdigital) here for my girls, especially after the indifferent and "don't want trouble" attitude of their father. They will need to know what really went down in this watershed election in Singapore's history. What about the incumbent party's speeches? Well, I am sure the incumbent party will see to it that their speeches will be around for a long time to come.

Dr Vincent Wijeysingha CBD lunchtime rally


Tan Jee Say CBD lunchtime rally


Nicole Seah Jurong GRC rally


Chiam See Tong Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC rally


Chen Show Mao Aljunied GRC rally


Sylvia Lim Aljunied GRC rally


Low Thia Khiang Aljunied GRC rally (part 1)


Low Thia Khiang Aljunied GRC rally (part 2)


Pritam Singh Aljunied GRC rally

People who live as Zombies II

Someone wrote a comment to my earlier post "People who live as Zombies".

Anonymous said...
It is unfortunate that there are people who still cower at an imagined fear. Fear that they will be robbed of their comforts. Fear that they will be persecuted for their vote. Fear that they will no longer have their luxuries. Fear that their properties will devalue. But these fears have been proven wrong (see The Online Citizen for detailed analysis of each of these).
Ultimately, it is fear of change that such people are really afraid of. Change for the better for everyone is not as important as status quo for themselves.
People should know that their vote is TRULY secret, and they should vote with confidence.
http://wp.sg/your-vote-is-secret/

5 May 2011 00:12

Thanks for the back-up. :) Thanks for the link too. It would be a pity if the girls' father just vote blindly for the incumbent party because the alternative party candidate, Mr Chiam See Tong is good and he has proven track records as the representative of the Potong Pasir constituency in Singapore's Parliament since 1984.

The timing couldn't be better with the below posting on channelnewsasia.com. Mr Chiam telling voters that they shouldn't be afraid to vote for the opposition (I prefer the term, alternative party).

GE: Don't be afraid to vote for the opposition, says Chiam
Posted: 04 May 2011 2354 hrs

SINGAPORE: Singapore People's Party Candidate for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, Chiam See Tong, in his opening remarks called on voters not to be afraid to vote in the opposition, citing himself as a living example. He added the residents of Potong Pasir have not been victimised since he became their MP.

He said: "Be brave be courageous...do not read the papers...there is nothing you should be afraid of. I am the living example...and I and all the residents of Potong Pasir have not been victimised. So nothing for you to fear, be brave as you are."

Mr Chiam was speaking at a SPP rally in Serangoon on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, fellow SPP Candidate for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, Jimmy Lee, said he welcomes the Prime Minister's apology for the government's past mistakes.

But he described it as a symbolic gesture and wants to know when the rest of the PAP ministers will apologise. He also said that having 40 opposition MPs in parliament will mean substance in parliament.

Mr Lee said: "The substance...is in parliamentary discourse. The substance is in discussing policies in parliament, the low down, the gritty, the ground level fight over policy decisions in parliament....that is the substance we are looking for.

"Two alternative MPs in parliament, that is a symbol, that is (a) very important symbol that Hougang and Potong Pasir has been showing to the rest of Singapore for the last 27 years...the rest of Singapore appreciates this symbol."

-CNA/ac

People who live as Zombies

I know this guy who will get to vote in his Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. Out of curiosity, I asked him who he is going to vote for.

Me: So who are you going to vote for?
L: PAP lah
Me: *eyes widened* Why?
L: Don't want any trouble.
Me: *ROLL EYES*

If he had given me a real reason, I would have accepted it as his choice. But "Don't want any trouble" is really just a lame excuse. Yes, unfortunately there are still people like him who are going to vote out due to this "Don't want any trouble" mentality. No balls, I would say. There are still people like him who will take the easy way out rather than take the time to listen and weigh in the pros and cons of the incumbent party and the alternative party and choose the party that will best represent their views and beliefs in parliament. Sigh.
Who is this guy? He is the girls' father.

For people like the above who think that the incumbent party will look at every voting slip to see who has voted against them, PLEASE look at the below video, "Is my vote really secret?" (uploaded by MARUAHSG)

GE Rallies 2011 III

Totally agreed with what Dr Vincent Wijeysingha said. Fear is irrational. Be fearless! Another great speaker, who speaks with great conviction and sincerity.

Vincent: All you do is switch the light on, and then you realize it’s not a snake, but a coil of rope. The PAP’s threats are like a coil of rope. They are terribly frightened that you will put the lights on – the lights in your heart and in your head, and then you will see that those threats are harmless, and will be harmless after the 7th of May.

(uploaded by TODAYdigital)

GE 2011 Humour

I saw this on Youtube and it made me laugh. For those of you into Star Wars and into politics. :)
(Uploaded by sghumour)

GE Rallies 2011 II

Another great speaker from the opposition party. This time, it is Pritam Singh from WP speaking to the rally crowd on 1 May 2011.

GE 2011 Rallies

"During a campaign the air is full of speeches - and vice versa." ~Author Unknown

The first video is Nicole Seah's speech. She was not well but decided to give an impromptu speech. For someone who is not well, her speech is really GOOD and spoken straight from the HEART! I loved the part where she said the following:

Nicole: The government always say to people that they, the opposition wants to have fame, they want to have money. HELLO! If I wanted money and fame, I would have joined the PAP, okay?!

CLASSIC!!! Way to go, girl!


This second video is Tin Pei Ling's speech. There were a lot of "I did this..", "I did that...". She was blowing her own trumpet and it wasn't sincere at all. It was a rehearsed speech and rehearsed "expressions". Whenever she deviated from her rehearsed speech, the "erhm" started...
Yes, I listened to the entire speech. But somehow while listening to her, these words kept popping into my mind, "money and fame, PAP, Kate Spade, money and fame, PAP, Kate Spade,..." lol.


Clearly, one of videos demonstrated that "the air is full of speeches" and one of them demonstrated that "the speech is full of air". No prize for guessing which speech is full of air. Hmm maybe can give a Kate Spade as prize?? Lol. :P
(Thanks to TODAYdigital for uploading the videos)