Nationalism

The article "I don't know what I am defending anymore", a comment by a young Singaporean - an undergrad from a local university, an officer serving in NS. Raised up during the Ministerial Forum with SM Goh, this young man shared this bold statement publicly about how the sentiment among many young Singaporeans of a sense of apathy, a lack of caring about the nation's future because.... they 'don't feel comfortable in the country anymore', a brother had to cancel his engagement because public housing is too expensive, and the relation he made to his foreign friends highlighting the difference of Singaporeans having to 'stay here' and i assume, serve the country, a country they perceive is not giving much back to them?

Chaining young men and wasting 2 years of their life in a 'jail' called NS? In a jail where your identity is erased and you are just.like.every.one.else. So what if you've got 4 As? You are the same as the one who flunked his O levels. So what if you have a strong musical talent? You are the same as the ah Beng who smokes, drinks, womanize and gang fights. Perhaps.

How true is it I do not know. I haven't been through that and I know I can't make a judgement on that. But as a Singaporean woman, I am glad NS is in place. I feel sorry for the men out there, OUR men, OUR brothers OUR boyfriends and husbands and uncles, when their head is shaven and every week they go back (BMT is especially hard), demeaned, demoralized, perhaps putting up with fleas and jungle mosquitos and awful trenches, punished for something they did not do, suffering under a blanket of insults thrown by care-less officers (regulars, abusers of power figures of authority, or perhaps like a diamond in the rough - a respectable command). That I can empathize.

But I especially admire the men when they grit their teeth and bear it through. It is not just about national service, it is about sacrificing yourself to serve for a greater cause, protecting your loved ones, that's all about being a man. Thinking beyond yourself. Sharpening your character and abilities through some sort of suffering and self denial.

Call me a prude, a traditional, or brain-washed by the system. But I think our leaders still care, and are trying to find a connection with the young. Our apathy stems from our comfort in living within our comfort zone, the laziness to voice our views beyond complaining and lamenting privately, the preference for the easy way out or acceptance at being our personal second-rate, and the selfishness of self perpetuated by popular culture - indulge, feel good, anything goes as long as we are happy. Where's responsibility? Where's thinking for the others? Where's thinking for the future? Everything is about the present enjoyment- credit cards are a good example.

HDBs are not cheap but it is still affordable, if you can be contented with less if your financial situation does not allow it. if you want the Pinnacles with peanuts, you're asking for the sky when you're really still working up the basement. And maybe a smaller flat, non-prime location, stay with parents?

There is really no need to cancel an engagement because you don't have a house. A room can still be a home.

I give it to him for raising it up.

xoxo,
principessa

Birthday cards and piano

Finally got the time to sit down, quieten down and start writing birthday cards to two of my precious JADE sisters! Oh goodness, it has been a month past their birthdays. I procrastinate too much but at least...at least I'm writing. :)

Better late than never!

Anyway, life has been eventful, i thought ever since I turned 24 biologically, I should get on with my life plans. One of my long time dream is to play beautiful piano and be able to play christian songs because they give you an immense sense of peace and wonder as you let God in. Yes, so I've bought an electronic piano from Yamaha. It's a Clavinova CLP-330

Exactly like this picture, this is the exact model but I got mine in Dark Rosewood. This picture shows polished Ebony which is a beaaautiful finish but it costs about $800 more but I won't get it for vanity sake. 

The important thing is to practice and I am going to start on Pop Piano classes at Yamaha. Somewhere along the line, I hope to get onto Classical and Jazz.

Meanwhile, there's plenty to sacrifice. :( I have to spend about $300-350 less every month to pay for the installments and classes. Weekday nights and some weekend hours have to be spent practicing. Less time with Kenneth on Saturdays and that makes me feel a little uneasy because he won't have trouble finding company knowing how loved his company is by his friends. WELL.

Life have to be made more meaningful and we have to allocate time to develop our passions and relationships. Heed that friends, relationships are important!

PS: Listen to some of the music a digital piano -Yamaha Clavinova can make despite it being still, electronic. http://yamahaclavinova.com/

xoxo,
principessa