So, we've been "home" for over a week now. It's been wonderful seeing family & friends, & of course, eating old familiar fare!!! The humidity has been awfully draining though. I am sweating even as I sit here typing this! Even though it gets HOT in Beijing, it is dry so it doesn't leave you with that sticky layer of oily sweat that makes you just want to jump into the nearest pool & stay there all day. I am looking forward to our short sojourn in Phuket in a couple of weeks...white sands, clear waters, sea breezes, relaxing spa massages...aaahhhh...
I have been amazed by the number of buildings that have disappeared & appeared! Scotts shopping center now just looks like a construction site shielded off from the world by protective netting & wooden partitions. Centrepoint has a spanking new wing which I have yet to explore. There is a new mall called Central in the business district. An old condo near the Farrer/Queensway has been replaced by a huge block of what I assume to be a new condo development.
I guess it shouldn't surprise me to find all these changes. Singapore has always been terribly efficient at tearing down the old & building the new. In Beijing, buildings half-finished when we first landed, remain half-finished now, 6 months later. Repaving of roads which, in Singapore, would have taken at most a week, takes at least a month, if not two. During the Great Leap Forward & the Cultural Revolution, many historical buildings & sites were torn down in the interest of "progress". Now, the government is starting to prevent more historical relics & sites from being destroyed, especially by money-hungry Chinese developers eager to make the most of the booming China economy. But I see all the massive buildings & apartment blocks & villas being built & can't help but wonder how these will eventually be filled. And if they do get filled, what does that do to the quality of life there? The population of Beijing is already over 12 million, & seems to be growing, judging from what I see of migrant workers coming in by the bus loads from the villages looking for work.
This en-bloc fever is scary. Left, right & center, I see banners asking for tenders of buildings & shophouses. I read about the ludicrously high prices achieved by certain condos. Progress is one thing, but I hope Singapore will learn from China's mistakes, & preserve what's left of our lovely old buildings & historical sites before it's too late.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Donuts!
Krispy Kreme....YUM!
Believe it or not, I only just discovered how good these donuts taste. We didn't have them in our neck of the woods when we were living in the USA although my bro was raving about how great they were.
Then last weekend, on our ladies only shopping/eating trip to HK, I told myself that I HAD to try them, by hook or by crook. Someone had told me that the franchise had set up shop in Hong Kong. So after several hours of walking through shopping malls, we rested our weary feet & filled our hungry stomachs at the Krispy Kreme donut cafe in B2 of Times Square in Causeway Bay. Oh. My. God. They were so good.
My friends had told me about the crazy queues that form at the Donut Factory in a mall in Singapore. Hours of queueing just for donuts!!! Well, I am not sure if I would do that, but honestly, the krispy kreme ones were delicious. And the customer service was amazing. The store manager took our orders for delivery at our hotel on the day of our departure, so that we could feed our respective children with the freshest Krispy Kremes possible. (We ordered a total of 72 donuts between the three of us!!! And that didn't include the 15 that we consumed in total before leaving HK!!!) He was so accomodating with our requests, from the size of boxes to use, to labelling them with our names, to the time of delivery (which was EXACTLY at the pre-determined time).
Singapore customer service could take some lessons from Hong Kong.
By the way, my favourite Krispy Kreme donut was the original glazed. No need for all the extra frosting & fillings. Just pure donut....mmmmmmm.....
Believe it or not, I only just discovered how good these donuts taste. We didn't have them in our neck of the woods when we were living in the USA although my bro was raving about how great they were.
Then last weekend, on our ladies only shopping/eating trip to HK, I told myself that I HAD to try them, by hook or by crook. Someone had told me that the franchise had set up shop in Hong Kong. So after several hours of walking through shopping malls, we rested our weary feet & filled our hungry stomachs at the Krispy Kreme donut cafe in B2 of Times Square in Causeway Bay. Oh. My. God. They were so good.
My friends had told me about the crazy queues that form at the Donut Factory in a mall in Singapore. Hours of queueing just for donuts!!! Well, I am not sure if I would do that, but honestly, the krispy kreme ones were delicious. And the customer service was amazing. The store manager took our orders for delivery at our hotel on the day of our departure, so that we could feed our respective children with the freshest Krispy Kremes possible. (We ordered a total of 72 donuts between the three of us!!! And that didn't include the 15 that we consumed in total before leaving HK!!!) He was so accomodating with our requests, from the size of boxes to use, to labelling them with our names, to the time of delivery (which was EXACTLY at the pre-determined time).
Singapore customer service could take some lessons from Hong Kong.
By the way, my favourite Krispy Kreme donut was the original glazed. No need for all the extra frosting & fillings. Just pure donut....mmmmmmm.....
Sunday, June 10, 2007
The Calling
June 6, 2007; ST Forum
To raise professional standards, perhaps law and medicine should be postgraduate courses
I WANT to thank Mr George Lim Heng Chye for highlighting the importance of professionals adopting high ethical standards and values in the discharge of their duties ('Vital that we reinforce good industry practices to uphold our clean image'; ST Online Forum, June 6).
I agree, to a certain extent, with what this writer has suggested about making medicine a postgraduate course. (Not being a lawyer, my comments refer only to Medicine). Not so much because I think it would "reduce the number of unscrupulous professionals churned out by the universities in recent years", but because I think that the tender age of 18 is too young for the average teen to make a firm decision about what he/she wants to do with the rest of his/her life.
I can almost hear the collective groans of doctors-to-be at the thought of an additional 4 years of undergraduate study before med school + residency +/- fellowship. I know there will be added cost, & with the so-called shortage of doctors in Singapore, it would take a longer time to train a fully qualified doctor.
However, I think that the additional pre-requisites of the humanities & social sciences would not only make for more well-rounded doctors, but the extra years of study would also add much needed maturity to potential doctors, & perhaps give them the chance to make the right decision with regards to their career path. At 18, many are still not emotionally mature; with the added years of studying something else in addition to the sciences, it could make the difference & produce doctors who can truly regard their profession as a calling.
To raise professional standards, perhaps law and medicine should be postgraduate courses
I WANT to thank Mr George Lim Heng Chye for highlighting the importance of professionals adopting high ethical standards and values in the discharge of their duties ('Vital that we reinforce good industry practices to uphold our clean image'; ST Online Forum, June 6).
The Singapore Medical Council (SMC) has a clear Ethical Code that 'represents the fundamental tenets of conduct and behaviour expected of doctors practising in Singapore. The Ethical Guidelines elaborate on the application of the Code and are intended as a guide to all practitioners as to what SMC regards as the minimum standards required of all practitioners in discharge of their professional duties and responsibilities in the context of practice in Singapore'.
Since the days of the old Raffles College and King Edward VII College (a forerunner of the National University of Singapore) in the 1920s, the then college accepted Upper Sixth graduates and later GCE A-level holders in its medical school to pursue a medical course. Likewise the Law Faculty accepted Higher School Certificate (HSC) and now A-level holders in its law school.
Perhaps the admission committee and selection board of our local universities need to make a paradigm shift in admission criteria from their erstwhile and present policy of admitting young A-level holders and polytechnic graduates to law and medical schools in view of the rogue lawyers and wayward doctors who have surfaced recently.
In this regard, it would be good to study the criteria United States universities have adopted in admitting students to their law and medical schools. To be considered for admission to study for the Juris Doctor degree, an applicant must have a bachelor's degree awarded by a regionally accredited US college or university or equivalent degree from a recognised non-US institution. He must also have taken the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) within the past three years.
Most Ivy League universities require candidates to be well versed in a wide range of subjects, such as English, philosophy, mathematics, government, history, economics, literature, sociology, psychology, natural sciences and the classics. This is because these non-law subjects are all believed to provide exposure to intellectual tasks encountered in the study of law.
Competition to get into law school is intense as each year there are more applicants than places. Law schools usually look for specific courses in the applicant's transcript (political science, philosophy, sociology and history). However, they are more interested in the well-rounded individual than the young specialist. Some law schools also look for applicants with quantitative courses such as economics, business, mathematics and finance. The thinking is that once out of law school, the graduate will deal with the business world daily and will need to understand it thoroughly.
US medical schools usually look for applicants who have clearly demonstrated an aptitude in the biological and physical sciences but not to the exclusion of the humanities and social sciences. Applicants need good passes in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, expository writing (writing skills are deemed important for the study and practice of medicine) and statistics.
Harvard Medical School states specifically that candidates must have 'completed at least 16 hours in literature, languages, the arts, humanities and the social sciences and become familiar with computers'. Most medical schools require applicants to be good in English (grade B or better) and 'English As a Second Language' is not acceptable.
Perhaps our local universities should make law and medicine a postgraduate course and only those with a first degree (including those from seminaries) need apply to these prestigious schools. Hopefully, a more stringent selection process and interview will reduce the number of unscrupulous professionals churned out by the universities in recent years.
Heng Cho Choon
I agree, to a certain extent, with what this writer has suggested about making medicine a postgraduate course. (Not being a lawyer, my comments refer only to Medicine). Not so much because I think it would "reduce the number of unscrupulous professionals churned out by the universities in recent years", but because I think that the tender age of 18 is too young for the average teen to make a firm decision about what he/she wants to do with the rest of his/her life.
I can almost hear the collective groans of doctors-to-be at the thought of an additional 4 years of undergraduate study before med school + residency +/- fellowship. I know there will be added cost, & with the so-called shortage of doctors in Singapore, it would take a longer time to train a fully qualified doctor.
However, I think that the additional pre-requisites of the humanities & social sciences would not only make for more well-rounded doctors, but the extra years of study would also add much needed maturity to potential doctors, & perhaps give them the chance to make the right decision with regards to their career path. At 18, many are still not emotionally mature; with the added years of studying something else in addition to the sciences, it could make the difference & produce doctors who can truly regard their profession as a calling.
Friday, June 08, 2007
My Son, The Rocker
My 13-year-old has discovered the advantages of being a really good lead guitarist in a rock group. (Before anyone starts accusing me of being a biased mom, there have been quite a few other more objective people who have commented favorably on his skills as a guitarist at his age - heh heh).
For the last couple of months, my basement has been turned into a rehearsal studio for his band to practise for a Middle School "rock concert" which happened last week.
This was the song they did:
It has been loud. Real loud.
There were teenagers running in & out of our home after school almost everyday. And recently, I discovered that among these teens were also a bunch of groupies - MY SON HAS GROUPIES??? But he's my baby boy!!!
Anyway, apparently, he has become quite popular among the ladies due to his reputation as a rock guitarist, especially after the performance. He pointed out from his yearbook who were the girls who like him (although, he clarified, he doesn't reciprocate the feelings).
This is new territory for me. My older boy has lots of friends, both girls & boys, but not the target of adulation. I will have to tread carefully & slowly through this.
O, sweet child o' mine, is growing up...
For the last couple of months, my basement has been turned into a rehearsal studio for his band to practise for a Middle School "rock concert" which happened last week.
This was the song they did:
It has been loud. Real loud.
There were teenagers running in & out of our home after school almost everyday. And recently, I discovered that among these teens were also a bunch of groupies - MY SON HAS GROUPIES??? But he's my baby boy!!!
Anyway, apparently, he has become quite popular among the ladies due to his reputation as a rock guitarist, especially after the performance. He pointed out from his yearbook who were the girls who like him (although, he clarified, he doesn't reciprocate the feelings).
This is new territory for me. My older boy has lots of friends, both girls & boys, but not the target of adulation. I will have to tread carefully & slowly through this.
O, sweet child o' mine, is growing up...
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Impressions from China - Mandarin 101 - Idioms
入乡随俗 (rù xiāng suí sú )
Literally, it means to enter a village, to follow the custom.
The English equivalent would be: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
I am sure there are many other sayings in other languages which mean the same thing; nonethelss, I was surprised to discover this saying in Chinese. Goes to show how limited my Chinese vocab is.
Literally, it means to enter a village, to follow the custom.
The English equivalent would be: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
I am sure there are many other sayings in other languages which mean the same thing; nonethelss, I was surprised to discover this saying in Chinese. Goes to show how limited my Chinese vocab is.
Sea Turtles
The Chinese here use a term 海龟 (hǎiguī) to describe emigrants who return to their homeland after a period of time spent overseas, much like the returning sea turtles who return to shore after spending most of their lives in the open seas.
I will be a sea turtle next week when we return to Singapore during the school summer break. We've only been gone less than six months, but it feels like it's been longer than that. I guess much of it is because now, we actually do feel quite at home here in this foreign land. We have a comfortable home, my boys have found friends they can "hang" with, we know where to go for groceries & shopping, we know where the good restaurants are(although the latter knowledge is always expanding!) & I have found exciting new things to do here which I probably would not have been able to do in Singapore.
I have previously blogged before, about the notion of where home is, given the fact that our family has lived in 3 countries over the last 15 years...not quite the norm compared to my extended family, my friends & the colleagues whom I have worked with, but still not as nomadic as some expats I've known who have had to move every 2 to 3 years with children & family dog in tow!
It will be nice to be "home" again - family, friends, familiar foods, places & sights - like a comfortable shoe that one slips into & say, "Aaahhh...that feels good..." (not that I am comparing family & friends to shoes, just the emotion that is evoked *Grin*).
Having said that, I also look forward to coming back here after the summer break, to meet up again with other sea turtles who will also be returning home to various parts of the globe during the summer before, again, going out to sea again.
I have found a comraderie with others like me, who, although (or despite) coming from different ethnic backgrounds & nationalities, have still been able to enjoy each others company, exchanging life stories & experiences. If only the rest of the world shared the same sentiments, & realize that the only important "Race" is the human one, the Earth would be a much more peaceful place to live in, wouldn't it?
I will be a sea turtle next week when we return to Singapore during the school summer break. We've only been gone less than six months, but it feels like it's been longer than that. I guess much of it is because now, we actually do feel quite at home here in this foreign land. We have a comfortable home, my boys have found friends they can "hang" with, we know where to go for groceries & shopping, we know where the good restaurants are(although the latter knowledge is always expanding!) & I have found exciting new things to do here which I probably would not have been able to do in Singapore.
I have previously blogged before, about the notion of where home is, given the fact that our family has lived in 3 countries over the last 15 years...not quite the norm compared to my extended family, my friends & the colleagues whom I have worked with, but still not as nomadic as some expats I've known who have had to move every 2 to 3 years with children & family dog in tow!
It will be nice to be "home" again - family, friends, familiar foods, places & sights - like a comfortable shoe that one slips into & say, "Aaahhh...that feels good..." (not that I am comparing family & friends to shoes, just the emotion that is evoked *Grin*).
Having said that, I also look forward to coming back here after the summer break, to meet up again with other sea turtles who will also be returning home to various parts of the globe during the summer before, again, going out to sea again.
I have found a comraderie with others like me, who, although (or despite) coming from different ethnic backgrounds & nationalities, have still been able to enjoy each others company, exchanging life stories & experiences. If only the rest of the world shared the same sentiments, & realize that the only important "Race" is the human one, the Earth would be a much more peaceful place to live in, wouldn't it?
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Impressions from China - Massage Therapy
I am afraid that I have become quite addicted to massages, both body & feet. I can't do without my weekly fix of being kneaded/pressed/stretched, especially after riding, or sitting in front of the computer.
Before moving here, I limited my massages to once every two weeks or so. When I was working full-time, it was even less frequent, because of time constraints (although Lord knows I needed it more then, what with stiff shoulder muscles from prolonged sitting, & tension headaches from stress!).
I don't know much about the therapeutic value of foot reflexology - apparently, it can diagnose & "cure" conditions like kidney problems according to this article. True or not, it sure feels good.
Before moving here, I limited my massages to once every two weeks or so. When I was working full-time, it was even less frequent, because of time constraints (although Lord knows I needed it more then, what with stiff shoulder muscles from prolonged sitting, & tension headaches from stress!).
I don't know much about the therapeutic value of foot reflexology - apparently, it can diagnose & "cure" conditions like kidney problems according to this article. True or not, it sure feels good.
I first discovered the pleasure of massage therapy at a spa in Phuket, during a family holiday at one of the resorts there (I think it was the Marriott) quite a few years ago. Hubby & I treated ourselves to a full body aromatherapy massage. When the masseuse kneaded my very tense & sore back muscles, I almost groaned out loud in ecstasy...aaahhh...the pleasure....
Now, living here, where massages are so cheap compared to Singapore (50 yuan can get you a full hour body massage; 80 yuan for 2 hours of foot relexology & body massage), I have had the pleasure of trying out various massage centers (I don't like the term "massage parlors" which seems to have negative connotations) to find the best & most value-for-money massage I can find.
I categorize the various methods of massage as follows:
a) The Kneader - usually found in spa resorts, and described as Swedish massage, this is great for tense muscles as it helps to loosen up the knots.
c) The Presser - uses pressure on certain key tension points on various parts of the body. Don't know why it works, but it does. Sometimes is hurts like hell when the pressure is being applied, but after that, the tightness & soreness of the area is gone.
d) The Rubber - too light handed for me. If I need a foot rub, I'd do it myself. Sometimes, it generates a lot of warmth over the area, which I suppose acts like heat therapy to relieve pain.Wednesday, May 30, 2007
One Small Step
I cantered today! OK, not me exactly, but the horse I was riding. I wasn't exactly in control of the horse - my instructor had the horse on a lunge rein, just so I wouldn't accidentally make the horse go berserk, and go galloping out of the arena with me screaming blue murder all the way to Inner Mongolia.
But back to the story, I cantered today! And why it's such a big deal is because
a) I didn't fall off and
b) I wasn't petrified!
I had fallen off before many years ago when learning how to canter (again, the horse, not me). The fall itself didn't hurt me, but because of the position of my legs when I fell, my right shin was at just the right spot for the horse's hind leg to give a good smack as he merrily continued cantering on, riderless. (Note: the horse had on horseshoes made of metal).
I suspect I actually sustained a crack on the antero-medial aspect of the tibia where the impact was; it hurt like #%@^, had a hematoma the size of a baseball over it, and a horrendous lookinig bruise that didn't go away for 2 months. Of course, I didn't get it xrayed. I thought: after all, if it's a crack, it was just going to be conservative treatment anyway, so why bother? (By the way, doctors do make the worse patients). So, R.I.C.E it was for me, and good ol' Ibuprofen.
Ever since then, I go into a slightly panicked mode whenever I get onto a horse & it starts cantering.
So today was an achievement for me. I know I didn't look exactly very graceful, I know I need to work on my posture while cantering, & I was also hanging on for dear life to the strap in front of the saddle (put there for people like me, I assume). And I know I have a long way to go to actually feel comfortable at a canter.
But I did it.
The first step - sometimes the hardest one of all.
But back to the story, I cantered today! And why it's such a big deal is because
a) I didn't fall off and
b) I wasn't petrified!
I had fallen off before many years ago when learning how to canter (again, the horse, not me). The fall itself didn't hurt me, but because of the position of my legs when I fell, my right shin was at just the right spot for the horse's hind leg to give a good smack as he merrily continued cantering on, riderless. (Note: the horse had on horseshoes made of metal).
I suspect I actually sustained a crack on the antero-medial aspect of the tibia where the impact was; it hurt like #%@^, had a hematoma the size of a baseball over it, and a horrendous lookinig bruise that didn't go away for 2 months. Of course, I didn't get it xrayed. I thought: after all, if it's a crack, it was just going to be conservative treatment anyway, so why bother? (By the way, doctors do make the worse patients). So, R.I.C.E it was for me, and good ol' Ibuprofen.
Ever since then, I go into a slightly panicked mode whenever I get onto a horse & it starts cantering.
So today was an achievement for me. I know I didn't look exactly very graceful, I know I need to work on my posture while cantering, & I was also hanging on for dear life to the strap in front of the saddle (put there for people like me, I assume). And I know I have a long way to go to actually feel comfortable at a canter.
But I did it.
The first step - sometimes the hardest one of all.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Books & Movies
NOOOOOO!!!! What have they done to Nancy Drew????
I just came across the "Nancy Drew Movie" website & it looks like they have changed this classic character into the latest geek-turned-cool-chick a lá "She's All That", "Never Been Kissed", "10 Things I Hate About You" etc.
I remember devouring this series of detective stories voraciously in my pre-teen years. I think I must have gone through the entire series before moving on to the"Hardy Boys" series, which, by the way, was made into a short-lived TV series starring Parker Stevenson (whom I had a teeny weeny crush on) as Frank Hardy & Shaun Cassidy as Joe Hardy. I vaguely remember the Nancy Drew TV series as well, but I don't think they brought it into Singapore. If they did, it didn't make much of an impression.
Targeted at adolescents, the Nancy Drew books were unique because its main character was a girl, with brains (gasp!), had a cute boyfriend and leadership qualities (gasp again!). Given the fact that this character was created in the 1930's, you can see how unusual this was. And the series has endured because of these qualities. She made it cool to be smart.
And now look what they've done. Watching the trailer, it seems like the producers have tried to make it more appealing to the modern-day teenage girls by making Nancy Drew's transformation from geek to cool dudette, the focus of the story. And her best friends George & Bess seem to have disappeared as well.
It's always tricky trying to make a movie from a beloved book or series of books. The Harry Potter series was pretty well done, for the most part, depending on which installment one is talking about (although nothing beats reading the books). And the Lord of the Rings has been done true to the heart of J.R.R. Tolkien's books; I ploughed through all three books consecutively which I would never had done had it not been for the first movie "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring". Although I enjoyed the movies more than the books, I thought that Peter Jackson stuck to the core of the story & brought out its soul when he translated the written word into the amazing visual images we saw in the three movies.
I hope that I will be proven wrong in my preliminary impression of the Nancy Drew movie, although it doesn't look promising from the trailer.
:(
I just came across the "Nancy Drew Movie" website & it looks like they have changed this classic character into the latest geek-turned-cool-chick a lá "She's All That", "Never Been Kissed", "10 Things I Hate About You" etc.
I remember devouring this series of detective stories voraciously in my pre-teen years. I think I must have gone through the entire series before moving on to the"Hardy Boys" series, which, by the way, was made into a short-lived TV series starring Parker Stevenson (whom I had a teeny weeny crush on) as Frank Hardy & Shaun Cassidy as Joe Hardy. I vaguely remember the Nancy Drew TV series as well, but I don't think they brought it into Singapore. If they did, it didn't make much of an impression.
Targeted at adolescents, the Nancy Drew books were unique because its main character was a girl, with brains (gasp!), had a cute boyfriend and leadership qualities (gasp again!). Given the fact that this character was created in the 1930's, you can see how unusual this was. And the series has endured because of these qualities. She made it cool to be smart.
And now look what they've done. Watching the trailer, it seems like the producers have tried to make it more appealing to the modern-day teenage girls by making Nancy Drew's transformation from geek to cool dudette, the focus of the story. And her best friends George & Bess seem to have disappeared as well.
It's always tricky trying to make a movie from a beloved book or series of books. The Harry Potter series was pretty well done, for the most part, depending on which installment one is talking about (although nothing beats reading the books). And the Lord of the Rings has been done true to the heart of J.R.R. Tolkien's books; I ploughed through all three books consecutively which I would never had done had it not been for the first movie "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring". Although I enjoyed the movies more than the books, I thought that Peter Jackson stuck to the core of the story & brought out its soul when he translated the written word into the amazing visual images we saw in the three movies.
I hope that I will be proven wrong in my preliminary impression of the Nancy Drew movie, although it doesn't look promising from the trailer.
:(
Friday, May 25, 2007
Every Which Way But...
There has been a lot of debate lately, both on the blogosphere, as well as in the local newspapers over the issue of decriminalizing homosexuality.
Amongst all the back & forth & arguments that have been going on, I see some common threads emerging:
1) Homosexuality is wrong/evil/immoral.
2) Homosexual is unnatural and deviant behaviour
3) Homosexuality contributes to the transmission of AIDs/HIV
4) Homosexuals are perverts & having them around will put your children in danger of molestation.
The way I see it, points no. 1 & 2 are subjective to one’s religious & moral beliefs & should not come into play when deciding on whether the homosexual act is a crime or not.
Point no. 3 may be true, but then, the whole picture is never put forward by those using this argument that heterosexual transmission of AIDs/HIV still remains the predominant form of transmission.
As for point no. 4, I won’t even bother to counter that as it is such a ludicrous generalization in the first place.
Lost amid all this noise is the bottomline question of why the homosexual act between two consenting adult males is still considered a crime (and a secondary question to that is what about the homosexual act between two consenting adult females?). Why should the sanctity of one’s bedroom be invaded by the law? What I or anyone else does in his own private space with his/her partner with full consent shouldn’t be anyone else’s business but our own.
I am not talking about rape. Neither am I talking about paedophilia or underaged sex. I am talking about two consenting adults, whatever gender they may be.
To be clear, these are examples of what I mean*:
a) Adult forces another adult to have sex with him/her – criminal? Yes!
b) Adult has sex with/molests child – criminal? Yes!
c) Adult has consensual sex with another adult – criminal? No!
*Note: I did not include sexual orientation in the examples because I don’t think it matters.
Some may believe that homosexuality is evil. Similarly, some may believe that eating pork is taboo while others may believe that gambling is immoral. So be it. But please do not impose your beliefs on others & use that as an excuse to argue against decriminalization of homosexuality.
I believe in tolerance. Whether or not I think homosexuality is right or wrong does not matter. But I will not discriminate against someone just because he/she is gay. And I certainly do not think the law should either.
Amongst all the back & forth & arguments that have been going on, I see some common threads emerging:
1) Homosexuality is wrong/evil/immoral.
2) Homosexual is unnatural and deviant behaviour
3) Homosexuality contributes to the transmission of AIDs/HIV
4) Homosexuals are perverts & having them around will put your children in danger of molestation.
The way I see it, points no. 1 & 2 are subjective to one’s religious & moral beliefs & should not come into play when deciding on whether the homosexual act is a crime or not.
Point no. 3 may be true, but then, the whole picture is never put forward by those using this argument that heterosexual transmission of AIDs/HIV still remains the predominant form of transmission.
As for point no. 4, I won’t even bother to counter that as it is such a ludicrous generalization in the first place.
Lost amid all this noise is the bottomline question of why the homosexual act between two consenting adult males is still considered a crime (and a secondary question to that is what about the homosexual act between two consenting adult females?). Why should the sanctity of one’s bedroom be invaded by the law? What I or anyone else does in his own private space with his/her partner with full consent shouldn’t be anyone else’s business but our own.
I am not talking about rape. Neither am I talking about paedophilia or underaged sex. I am talking about two consenting adults, whatever gender they may be.
To be clear, these are examples of what I mean*:
a) Adult forces another adult to have sex with him/her – criminal? Yes!
b) Adult has sex with/molests child – criminal? Yes!
c) Adult has consensual sex with another adult – criminal? No!
*Note: I did not include sexual orientation in the examples because I don’t think it matters.
Some may believe that homosexuality is evil. Similarly, some may believe that eating pork is taboo while others may believe that gambling is immoral. So be it. But please do not impose your beliefs on others & use that as an excuse to argue against decriminalization of homosexuality.
I believe in tolerance. Whether or not I think homosexuality is right or wrong does not matter. But I will not discriminate against someone just because he/she is gay. And I certainly do not think the law should either.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
I don't get it
Someone please explain this to me.
How can a mother, let alone THREE mothers do this to their children???
THE SCARS LEFT BY ABUSE
Thursday May 24, 2007
Incest victims battle trauma as mothers are sentenced
Loh Chee Kongcheekong@mediacorp.com.sg
THEIR father's incestuous acts have left the six daughters, now aged 14 to17, with profound psychological scars.
One of them now has "difficulty in managing her sexual urges" while another has developed a "phobic reaction" to the words "torn" and "tear"as they reminded her of the sexual abuses.
And they will have to cope without three of their mothers, who were sentenced to jail yesterday for helping their husband - who had 10 wives and 64 children - commit incest over a period of 15 months.
Yesterday, District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan sentenced the first and second wives, aged 39 and 38, to three years' jail, for persuading each of their daughters, both then 14, to have sex with their father.
The heaviest punishment went to the third wife, 42, who was sentenced to nine years behind bars.
She had pleaded guilty to three charges, including an aggravated incest charge of persuading her own 12-year-old daughter to have sex with herf ather.
Describing the jail term as "appropriate", Judge Shaiffudin stressed that the act of abetting incest is a "serious case of abuse of trust", evoking strong public outrage. The sentence must thus "accurately reflect society's abhorrence for this type of offence", he added. He also read out how each of the victims was coping based on the psychological treatment reports that were submitted to the court.
According to the reports, most of them were angry at their father's actions, although one of them still "expressed strong loyalty towards her father's (religious) teachings and downplayed the seriousness of the abuse".
The man is currently serving a 32-year, 24-stroke sentence.
The victims had sought the court's leniency in sentencing, as they were concerned that their family would suffer more if their mothers were jailed.
But while acknowledging the emotional and financial burden on the family,Judge Shaiffudin noted that the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis)have been assisting them.
For example, he pointed out, all 29 of the primary school-going children had been placed under a student care programme run by the Student Care Centre, with their fees waived.
Said the judge: "I am assured that with this holistic approach towards the provision of financial and emotional assistance and support, they would be better able to cope in the aftermath of this unfortunate episode."
"The family members and relatives present appeared distraught, especially when the third wife was sentenced, and several wept as the three were led away.
Copyright ©2005 MediaCorp Press Ltd All rights reserved
Like most mothers, I am protective of my children. The maternal instinct is one of nurturing, & of protecting one's young. Yet, these three people (I don't want to call them mothers anymore) have demonstrated a morally reprehensible & disgusting act, one which I cannot comprehend.
What kind of brainwashing did they go through by their husband, probably under the guise of some warped religious belief, to make them force their daughters into incest?
I don't understand. I don't get it.
How can a mother, let alone THREE mothers do this to their children???
THE SCARS LEFT BY ABUSE
Thursday May 24, 2007
Incest victims battle trauma as mothers are sentenced
Loh Chee Kongcheekong@mediacorp.com.sg
THEIR father's incestuous acts have left the six daughters, now aged 14 to17, with profound psychological scars.
One of them now has "difficulty in managing her sexual urges" while another has developed a "phobic reaction" to the words "torn" and "tear"as they reminded her of the sexual abuses.
And they will have to cope without three of their mothers, who were sentenced to jail yesterday for helping their husband - who had 10 wives and 64 children - commit incest over a period of 15 months.
Yesterday, District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan sentenced the first and second wives, aged 39 and 38, to three years' jail, for persuading each of their daughters, both then 14, to have sex with their father.
The heaviest punishment went to the third wife, 42, who was sentenced to nine years behind bars.
She had pleaded guilty to three charges, including an aggravated incest charge of persuading her own 12-year-old daughter to have sex with herf ather.
Describing the jail term as "appropriate", Judge Shaiffudin stressed that the act of abetting incest is a "serious case of abuse of trust", evoking strong public outrage. The sentence must thus "accurately reflect society's abhorrence for this type of offence", he added. He also read out how each of the victims was coping based on the psychological treatment reports that were submitted to the court.
According to the reports, most of them were angry at their father's actions, although one of them still "expressed strong loyalty towards her father's (religious) teachings and downplayed the seriousness of the abuse".
The man is currently serving a 32-year, 24-stroke sentence.
The victims had sought the court's leniency in sentencing, as they were concerned that their family would suffer more if their mothers were jailed.
But while acknowledging the emotional and financial burden on the family,Judge Shaiffudin noted that the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis)have been assisting them.
For example, he pointed out, all 29 of the primary school-going children had been placed under a student care programme run by the Student Care Centre, with their fees waived.
Said the judge: "I am assured that with this holistic approach towards the provision of financial and emotional assistance and support, they would be better able to cope in the aftermath of this unfortunate episode."
"The family members and relatives present appeared distraught, especially when the third wife was sentenced, and several wept as the three were led away.
Copyright ©2005 MediaCorp Press Ltd All rights reserved
Like most mothers, I am protective of my children. The maternal instinct is one of nurturing, & of protecting one's young. Yet, these three people (I don't want to call them mothers anymore) have demonstrated a morally reprehensible & disgusting act, one which I cannot comprehend.
What kind of brainwashing did they go through by their husband, probably under the guise of some warped religious belief, to make them force their daughters into incest?
I don't understand. I don't get it.
Impressions from China - What Next
Man....looks like we have to worry about toothpaste now! I just read this news article:
FDA to monitor toothpaste from China
Sigh (again). I will need to stock up on Aquafresh when we go back home for the summer.
FDA to monitor toothpaste from China
Sigh (again). I will need to stock up on Aquafresh when we go back home for the summer.
Impressions from China - More Construction Conundrums
24 hours of rain + Quality of housing construction in China = Leaky ceiling
Sigh...
Sigh...
Trivia of the Day
Did you know that horses drink by sucking water, much like how we sip from a straw?
None of that doggy slurping, splashing, messy, drooling action...just gentle, soundless civilized drinking.
:)
None of that doggy slurping, splashing, messy, drooling action...just gentle, soundless civilized drinking.
:)
Monday, May 21, 2007
Sama sama (same same)?
May 17, 2007
Foreign domestic workers vulnerable to unfair practices
I BECAME a first-time employer of an Indonesian domestic helper at the end of April. It was only after this experience that I became more aware of the other forms of vulnerability faced by domestic helpers.
Other than being vulnerable to abuse by employers, which we read so much about in the press, they are also vulnerable to unfair practices adopted by maid agencies. Unfortunately, this is an area that is relatively under reported.
I would like to bring to light the unfortunate circumstances surrounding my domestic helper. She has been through three transfers before being employed by me. She was charged an amount equivalent to nine months of her salary by the agency bringing her into Singapore.
She worked half a month for the first employer, after which she requested a transfer. In this first employment, she was taking care of an elderly couple who made her climb a coconut tree in their garden everyday to pluck coconuts for them. Due to her fear of heights, she requested termination of this employment.
She was then transferred to another employer who required her to care for an elderly. She was asked to leave after one month after the elderly passed away.
She was then transferred to her third employer whom she worked for three months. In this employment, she was also looking after an elderly person suffering from dementia. As the elderly's condition deteriorated and showed unmanageable behavioural problems, the family decided to send her to a nursing home. So my domestic helper had her employment terminated for the third time.
I was her fourth employer and I was surprised that she still has an outstanding loan for seven months with the maid agency despite having worked here since September 2006.
It was then that I realised that for every transfer she went through, she incurred an additional loan amount equivalent to two months of her salary. So, after going through three employers before me, she incurred an additional four months' loan (the transfer for the second employment was waived by the agency 'out of goodwill').
In total, she has to pay the agency 13 months of loan despite the fact that some transfers were not initiated by her. These findings brought to light the many unfair practices adopted by maid agencies that domestic helpers are vulnerable to. Hence, she practically has to work for more than a year without drawing a salary in order to pay for her loan.
It is really a shame for an economy that is so reliant on domestic helpers to be treating them so shabbily. I have no hard facts to prove my point, but after asking around, this practice of charging domestic helpers for transfers seems to be a common practice engaged by maid agencies.
If that is true, my question is whether maid agencies are profiting lucratively from transfers of domestic helpers.
Are the administrative fees and other associated costs of a transfer incurred by the agencies equivalent to an average of two months of the domestic helper's salary?
What makes these domestic helpers even more vulnerable is their low education level. The majority of them do not know their rights as a domestic helper. Is there any orientation for foreign domestic helpers by the Ministry of Manpower to educate them on their rights?
Many of them are just helpless victims in this whole situation. For a country which has always taken pride in being a nation with strong integrity and ethical principles, how do we explain the way we are treating our fellow human beings who come here to work under very challenging circumstances?
Lastly, I was also surprised that many of the maid agencies are awarded 'Case accreditation'. How stringent is the accreditation process and what criteria are being used as a benchmark?
From the type of service that I received from the maid agency, I am doubtful about justification for its accreditation.
For example, three weeks after bringing my domestic helper home, I still have not heard from the agency about collection of her personal documents, which was promised to be completed by the first week.
I hope this has brought to light many gaps in our process of bringing in foreign domestic helpers whom we are so reliant on.
Doreen Yeo Sai Ching (Miss)
When I read this letter, it struck me that it had many similarities with the plight of modern day "slaves" in New York City. Here are a couple of excerpts taken from this website:
"Each illegal immigrant owes a snakehead alien smuggler US$20,000. In order to get together the money to pay back this debt, they will take any job, no matter how miserable and difficult. They work in restaurants, and in factories for about US$1000 per month.
Paying off the debt means that, in effect, they have to work for the snakehead for at least three years before they can save any money on their own. Their working hours are long -- they can even think about and don't have the time anyways to go study English. Most of them are poorly educated peasants who can't even speak the Chinese national standard Mandarin dialect well, much less learn a foreign language.
They only have two dreams. First, they want to pay off their debt to the snakehead as rapidly as possible, then to accumulate savings for a few years until they can buy and operate their own restaurant."
"In addition to the Immigrant Services Company, there is another agency which plays a large role in this new immigrant society. That is the Employment Agency. There are dozens of employment agencies in the East Broadway area of Little Fuzhou.
"Restaurants, helpers, odd jobs, out-of-state -- many, many jobs await you". When they hear this announcement, many people go inside to sign up with the employment agency. Illegal immigrants who have no friends or relatives to help them must depend upon the employment agency.
Although one might think that because it is called an employment agency its purpose is to help workers find jobs, it would be more accurate to put it the other way around -- the role of the employment agency is to help bosses find workers. This is why many of the new immigrants from Fuzhou are dissatisfied with the employment agencies. The employment agency charges workers six percent of a month's salary just for accepting their application.
Even if the applicant is fired after a few days and is never paid, the employment agency won't refund the application fee. Naturally, from an employment agency business perspective, the faster workers are fired the better -- because the agency can then recommend another person for the same job and take six percent of that person's first monthly paycheck as well.
Many of the positions are for ordinary laborers -- just the sort of job the new immigrants from Fuzhou can do best. The boss often never pays the workers, the employment agency pockets the fee for introducing the worker to the employer, and the only one who makes nothing from the deal is the poor worker."
The difference is that in Singapore, it is not illegal while in New York City, it is.
Sad, isn't it?
Foreign domestic workers vulnerable to unfair practices
I BECAME a first-time employer of an Indonesian domestic helper at the end of April. It was only after this experience that I became more aware of the other forms of vulnerability faced by domestic helpers.
Other than being vulnerable to abuse by employers, which we read so much about in the press, they are also vulnerable to unfair practices adopted by maid agencies. Unfortunately, this is an area that is relatively under reported.
I would like to bring to light the unfortunate circumstances surrounding my domestic helper. She has been through three transfers before being employed by me. She was charged an amount equivalent to nine months of her salary by the agency bringing her into Singapore.
She worked half a month for the first employer, after which she requested a transfer. In this first employment, she was taking care of an elderly couple who made her climb a coconut tree in their garden everyday to pluck coconuts for them. Due to her fear of heights, she requested termination of this employment.
She was then transferred to another employer who required her to care for an elderly. She was asked to leave after one month after the elderly passed away.
She was then transferred to her third employer whom she worked for three months. In this employment, she was also looking after an elderly person suffering from dementia. As the elderly's condition deteriorated and showed unmanageable behavioural problems, the family decided to send her to a nursing home. So my domestic helper had her employment terminated for the third time.
I was her fourth employer and I was surprised that she still has an outstanding loan for seven months with the maid agency despite having worked here since September 2006.
It was then that I realised that for every transfer she went through, she incurred an additional loan amount equivalent to two months of her salary. So, after going through three employers before me, she incurred an additional four months' loan (the transfer for the second employment was waived by the agency 'out of goodwill').
In total, she has to pay the agency 13 months of loan despite the fact that some transfers were not initiated by her. These findings brought to light the many unfair practices adopted by maid agencies that domestic helpers are vulnerable to. Hence, she practically has to work for more than a year without drawing a salary in order to pay for her loan.
It is really a shame for an economy that is so reliant on domestic helpers to be treating them so shabbily. I have no hard facts to prove my point, but after asking around, this practice of charging domestic helpers for transfers seems to be a common practice engaged by maid agencies.
If that is true, my question is whether maid agencies are profiting lucratively from transfers of domestic helpers.
Are the administrative fees and other associated costs of a transfer incurred by the agencies equivalent to an average of two months of the domestic helper's salary?
What makes these domestic helpers even more vulnerable is their low education level. The majority of them do not know their rights as a domestic helper. Is there any orientation for foreign domestic helpers by the Ministry of Manpower to educate them on their rights?
Many of them are just helpless victims in this whole situation. For a country which has always taken pride in being a nation with strong integrity and ethical principles, how do we explain the way we are treating our fellow human beings who come here to work under very challenging circumstances?
Lastly, I was also surprised that many of the maid agencies are awarded 'Case accreditation'. How stringent is the accreditation process and what criteria are being used as a benchmark?
From the type of service that I received from the maid agency, I am doubtful about justification for its accreditation.
For example, three weeks after bringing my domestic helper home, I still have not heard from the agency about collection of her personal documents, which was promised to be completed by the first week.
I hope this has brought to light many gaps in our process of bringing in foreign domestic helpers whom we are so reliant on.
Doreen Yeo Sai Ching (Miss)
When I read this letter, it struck me that it had many similarities with the plight of modern day "slaves" in New York City. Here are a couple of excerpts taken from this website:
"Each illegal immigrant owes a snakehead alien smuggler US$20,000. In order to get together the money to pay back this debt, they will take any job, no matter how miserable and difficult. They work in restaurants, and in factories for about US$1000 per month.
Paying off the debt means that, in effect, they have to work for the snakehead for at least three years before they can save any money on their own. Their working hours are long -- they can even think about and don't have the time anyways to go study English. Most of them are poorly educated peasants who can't even speak the Chinese national standard Mandarin dialect well, much less learn a foreign language.
They only have two dreams. First, they want to pay off their debt to the snakehead as rapidly as possible, then to accumulate savings for a few years until they can buy and operate their own restaurant."
"In addition to the Immigrant Services Company, there is another agency which plays a large role in this new immigrant society. That is the Employment Agency. There are dozens of employment agencies in the East Broadway area of Little Fuzhou.
"Restaurants, helpers, odd jobs, out-of-state -- many, many jobs await you". When they hear this announcement, many people go inside to sign up with the employment agency. Illegal immigrants who have no friends or relatives to help them must depend upon the employment agency.
Although one might think that because it is called an employment agency its purpose is to help workers find jobs, it would be more accurate to put it the other way around -- the role of the employment agency is to help bosses find workers. This is why many of the new immigrants from Fuzhou are dissatisfied with the employment agencies. The employment agency charges workers six percent of a month's salary just for accepting their application.
Even if the applicant is fired after a few days and is never paid, the employment agency won't refund the application fee. Naturally, from an employment agency business perspective, the faster workers are fired the better -- because the agency can then recommend another person for the same job and take six percent of that person's first monthly paycheck as well.
Many of the positions are for ordinary laborers -- just the sort of job the new immigrants from Fuzhou can do best. The boss often never pays the workers, the employment agency pockets the fee for introducing the worker to the employer, and the only one who makes nothing from the deal is the poor worker."
The difference is that in Singapore, it is not illegal while in New York City, it is.
Sad, isn't it?
Friday, May 18, 2007
Doctors Gone Bad
See.
This is what happens when Greed takes over.
I am sure there are greedy people in all industries. And doctors are human after all. But it seems more despicable when it happens in the medical field because this is people's lives & well-being we are talking about. Of course, there is money too, which is probably what concerns the insurance folks more.
Which is why I am wary of MHC's.
Which is why I do not jump up & down with glee when the STB promotes SingaporeMedicine.
Which is why I would rather stay away from doing aesthetic procedures.
There are just too many gray areas. If one is not careful, one may wander into the Dark Side.
This is what happens when Greed takes over.
I am sure there are greedy people in all industries. And doctors are human after all. But it seems more despicable when it happens in the medical field because this is people's lives & well-being we are talking about. Of course, there is money too, which is probably what concerns the insurance folks more.
Which is why I am wary of MHC's.
Which is why I do not jump up & down with glee when the STB promotes SingaporeMedicine.
Which is why I would rather stay away from doing aesthetic procedures.
There are just too many gray areas. If one is not careful, one may wander into the Dark Side.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Young At Heart
I keep forgetting that I am not as young as I used to be.
Young at heart, yes, but time does not spare one's body from the ravages of age. Okay, maybe the word "ravages" may be too strong, but certainly, the joints are not as smooth as before, nor the muscles as supple, nor the vision as sharp nor the hearing as acute. So to me, "ravages" describes very aptly my perception of what aging is doing to my body against my will.
Just last weekend, I went on a bike ride with my son around the neighborhood. It was just half an hour, along paved streets. But that half an hour spent hunched over the bicycle was enough to strain my back and make it damned difficult to get up the next morning. I could envision how I must have looked hobbling around with one hand on my lumbar spine, needing help to get up from a chair or to get out of the car. My lumbar muscles were probably all spasmed up, and I think I probably lost my lumbar lordosis too!
Two sessions of Chinese massage, and a couple of doses of Celebrex & Ibuprofen later, I am much better but can still feel that there is spasm in my lower back. At least I can get up without any assistance now. I have one more session of Chinese massage this afternoon which will hopefully help to relieve more of the spasm.
Sigh.
Young at heart, yes, but time does not spare one's body from the ravages of age. Okay, maybe the word "ravages" may be too strong, but certainly, the joints are not as smooth as before, nor the muscles as supple, nor the vision as sharp nor the hearing as acute. So to me, "ravages" describes very aptly my perception of what aging is doing to my body against my will.
Just last weekend, I went on a bike ride with my son around the neighborhood. It was just half an hour, along paved streets. But that half an hour spent hunched over the bicycle was enough to strain my back and make it damned difficult to get up the next morning. I could envision how I must have looked hobbling around with one hand on my lumbar spine, needing help to get up from a chair or to get out of the car. My lumbar muscles were probably all spasmed up, and I think I probably lost my lumbar lordosis too!
Two sessions of Chinese massage, and a couple of doses of Celebrex & Ibuprofen later, I am much better but can still feel that there is spasm in my lower back. At least I can get up without any assistance now. I have one more session of Chinese massage this afternoon which will hopefully help to relieve more of the spasm.
Sigh.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Every Which Way But...
This letter was an eye-opener for me. I didn't realise the discrepancy within the Penal Code that discriminates between male & female homosexual acts (i.e. sexual expression).
May 15, 2007, ST Forum
Why is male homosexuality a crime but not lesbianism?
IN RESPONSE to Assistant Professor Yvonne Lee's reply to my letter, 'Professor's view on gay's prejudiced' (Online forum May 8), I would like to follow up in the interest of clarity and fair comment on the points raised.
First, Prof Lee feels that I have questioned her professional qualifications and engaged in a personal attack in asking questions about her essay. I intended no such attack and apologise unreservedly for any offence.
Second, it seems that Prof Lee's article has generated a substantial amount of debate, both reasoned and otherwise. I view this as a welcome effect as I firmly believe that only though public discussion will Singapore become a better civil society on such an important topic as equality under the law.
Therefore, contrary to Prof Lee's assertion, I am delighted to see the muddle scrum of public debate - informed or not, for or against - as it usually produces a consensus that current society can live with until the next evolution in local values dictates further review.
Finally, returning to the substance of Prof Lee's essay, the writer continues to be vague in answering the questions raised in my original letter asking for evidence supporting her generalised statements on the linkage between homosexuality and public health concerns; the existence of a broader slippery slope homosexual agenda in Singapore; and how 'free speech' as construed within Singapore's legal history would be curtailed by decriminalising homosexuality in Singapore.
To the questions above, I would appreciate Prof Tan explaining why only male and not female homosexuality should be a crime under Singapore law; if homosexuality is against Singapore's public interest why criminalise sexual expression and not the person; and how can homosexuals in Singapore follow her advice to live their lives peacefully when Section 377A (whether enforced or not) is explicit in making their private activity a crime.
Brian Selby
According to the Penal Code:
"377A. Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years."
In all likelihood, the penile code, oops...sorry, I mean penal code (couldn't resist *GRIN* heeheehee) was written by lawmaker/s of the male gender. Was it because of insecurity in their manhood? Did their machismo feel threatened? What was their take on the lesbian sexual act? So is it OK to be homosexual as long as you don't have sex with each other?
I wonder how the law professor will respond to this?
Addendum (May 17, 2007):
The law professor has spoken. And honestly, I am still not convinced by her arguments despite her use of big words & long sentences & quotations from a medical doctor in Massachusetts. And she still hasn't explained the reasoning for the gender discrepancy in S377A.
May 15, 2007, ST Forum
Why is male homosexuality a crime but not lesbianism?
IN RESPONSE to Assistant Professor Yvonne Lee's reply to my letter, 'Professor's view on gay's prejudiced' (Online forum May 8), I would like to follow up in the interest of clarity and fair comment on the points raised.
First, Prof Lee feels that I have questioned her professional qualifications and engaged in a personal attack in asking questions about her essay. I intended no such attack and apologise unreservedly for any offence.
Second, it seems that Prof Lee's article has generated a substantial amount of debate, both reasoned and otherwise. I view this as a welcome effect as I firmly believe that only though public discussion will Singapore become a better civil society on such an important topic as equality under the law.
Therefore, contrary to Prof Lee's assertion, I am delighted to see the muddle scrum of public debate - informed or not, for or against - as it usually produces a consensus that current society can live with until the next evolution in local values dictates further review.
Finally, returning to the substance of Prof Lee's essay, the writer continues to be vague in answering the questions raised in my original letter asking for evidence supporting her generalised statements on the linkage between homosexuality and public health concerns; the existence of a broader slippery slope homosexual agenda in Singapore; and how 'free speech' as construed within Singapore's legal history would be curtailed by decriminalising homosexuality in Singapore.
To the questions above, I would appreciate Prof Tan explaining why only male and not female homosexuality should be a crime under Singapore law; if homosexuality is against Singapore's public interest why criminalise sexual expression and not the person; and how can homosexuals in Singapore follow her advice to live their lives peacefully when Section 377A (whether enforced or not) is explicit in making their private activity a crime.
Brian Selby
According to the Penal Code:
"377A. Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years."
In all likelihood, the penile code, oops...sorry, I mean penal code (couldn't resist *GRIN* heeheehee) was written by lawmaker/s of the male gender. Was it because of insecurity in their manhood? Did their machismo feel threatened? What was their take on the lesbian sexual act? So is it OK to be homosexual as long as you don't have sex with each other?
I wonder how the law professor will respond to this?
Addendum (May 17, 2007):
The law professor has spoken. And honestly, I am still not convinced by her arguments despite her use of big words & long sentences & quotations from a medical doctor in Massachusetts. And she still hasn't explained the reasoning for the gender discrepancy in S377A.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Happy Mother's Day!
I received this in an email and I think it describes very succinctly what it means to be a mother...
Before I was a Mom
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put them down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between en a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Before I was a Mom
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put them down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between en a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Impressions from China - Pung!
I have recently discovered the pleasure of mahjong! Not that I have never known of its existence before, since there are quite a few avid mahjong players in my extended family. But I had never quite appreciated the game before, probably because I could never understand the rather complex scoring system & different "patterns" by which one can win. And seeing the speed & skill with which my relatives played can be rather intimidating.
But last week, I joined a group of ladies in the neighborhood, from different corners of the world (USA, Scotland, Mexico, Hong Kong, Phillipines, Singapore), in learning how to play using simplified rules & step by step instructions with a chart on how to score the winning tiles - no money involved, just fun & good company. And I was hooked. The 3 hours passed by in a flash, and left me wanting to play more!
Pung!
But last week, I joined a group of ladies in the neighborhood, from different corners of the world (USA, Scotland, Mexico, Hong Kong, Phillipines, Singapore), in learning how to play using simplified rules & step by step instructions with a chart on how to score the winning tiles - no money involved, just fun & good company. And I was hooked. The 3 hours passed by in a flash, and left me wanting to play more!
Pung!
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