My Country - Divided

From the land in the Southernmost tip of the Peninsula, an island remained but the fortunes changed...


We were not just a fishing village; we were a trading port
Our deep sea harbour was, and still is a cutting-edge advantage, sheltered by our huge neighbouring islands from the rough seas and seated neatly outside the volcanic straits
We shine like the lighthouse mothering to all ships calling ashore

The traders, the Sultans, the Temengongs, the Colonialists and locals were happily greasing commerce; sugar, rubber, silk, spice & everything nice
Living by the seas also mean abundance of seafood; the sun, the sea and the trades
Music soothes the souls and life was a breeze

When there is money, there is envy

Temasek, the island
Was traded; bought & sold
Singapore was a buzzling city, an entrepot; a no-man's island
From the Sultan to the British to the Japanese - this island is but a resort; a trading post at best
It was a bastion for Chinese immigrants living in harmony with the Bumiputras & All/Others who decided to stay and make it home; gaining independence was incidental

David Marshall, Lee Kuan Yew & Lim Chin Siong tried to built a Nation out of this island
Each has his own ideals but Fate wouldn't allow congruence of thoughts

Up to the 1990s, when it was a fairly homogenous "Guo Jia国家". With "Guo国“/country, then we have "Jia家"/home!

My country is divided:
'The Haves', "The Have-Nots' & those who thought 'They Haves'
'The Scholars', 'The Business People', 'The Ruling Elites', The Heartlanders', 'The New Arrivals' ... not forgetting "The Displaced'

For every Ten persons, only Three are true-blue Singaporeans today
Aristocracy impinge Meritocracy
Meritocracy is made easier and less robust as fame, money & power grease the flows

Guess, there is nothing wrong but part of social evolution; but at what price? 

The rich cannot live in a sea of poor
The screaming calls for attention to social demands and deficits were met with indifference
The push to dilute Singaporeans as a Nationality is in full gear & unabated
Nobody is against foreigners or immigrants but if we are not prepared nor ready, it can only sink the sunny island ... sinking the Soul called "Singaporean"

But, like all things, someday, somehow, somewhere, someone will save the island

And make it good again ...

Nobody Cares

Feeling down ...


Whether U are dead or alive, not many people bother except your love ones
U may feel ecstatic, miserable or lost but nobody's care
The world is filled with examples and U have met many
Why do U expect or need someone to care? When U were born, the doctor was hopeful U will cry
If U didn't cry or can't cry, his job is to pronounce U 'dead on arrival'

Will the wealthy and elite bother with the poor and proletariat? No, unless they need U or U are of value

Feeling down is not a sin
Feeling lost is simply directionless not desperation
As night will turn day, feelings do change
When U are down, lie low; many survive when bullets were flying by ...lying low
U are as good as when U have life; dead man tell no tales

Someday, somehow, somewhere everybody gets his due recognition

I saw this man with deformed hands
He was walking around the crowded food centre with a bag hanging around his neck, bowing to diners & wishing them well with a smile
Many gave him money; is begging his profession? He was smiling all the way to the bank

I saw another aunty asking for money from diners in another food centre
Many gave & when she approached me, I asked 'Are U hungry & I can buy U dinner'? She shook her head, walked away and continued with her begging
She didn't need the money, at least not so much, but she persisted
Hunger was not her problem; not having money is

Poor or rich, nobody really cares - everyday, someone is laughing to the bank as some will die along the wayside

Everyone, especially those higher up the food chain, will tell U 'what I am doing is good for U'

Forego your ego and U succeed better; Like the professional beggars

January - The Beginning Of Hopes

'I am going to the moon' is no longer just a dream...

Humankind lives on hopes and aspirations
However challenging, there will always be continuity and prosperity because of "Hopes"

The depressive years of 1930s, the World Wars, the Bubonic Plague...didn't end mankind

Every beginning of the year, resolutions are made
Every spring brings hopes; tomorrow will be better

The world is made smaller because of compression of time and space

FBs replaced penpals. What happen miles away, we know within seconds
Excessive speed of communication blurs & blinds thoughts causing information incontinence

There is hardly any secrets! You can run but you cannot hide

While many make new resolutions with the turn of a year; you can make many with the turn of a day
Don't despair. Day follow night as after bust comes prosperity

Whatever works, whichever suits you

Nobody can take away your happiness as U never allow it
If there is Destiny, it's all in your hands

You can be the grand oak tree that fights the storm or the blade of grass that dances in it

There Is GOD

For the first time since 2008, my December post is hollow...

It's quite unimaginable
It defies logic

I was chasing the rainbow for my pot of gold
I was taken for a ride; afew rides
I was determined; on hindsight it was blind determination - more obstinacy than determination

Silly was me

If there was a GOD, He was truly missing
I was left to fend for myself - alone
I felt betrayed

All my faith & beliefs were gone

I detested the abandonment
I fought with all my mortal strengths
However and whatever I tried, its all in vain

There was an immediate divorce between me, the mortal, & God, the Almighty

Today ... I am alone but not lonely
I still need, and will harness, the strength of/in GOD
We are not alone; there is a GOD - the guiding force

The world did not end - which I never believe it will ever
My December is about to end and to begin with a New Year
But ... me?

It's the drive to succeed and to see successes ... that I survive into prosperity, peace & harmony

With ... GOD
We are NOT alone

What I Need Is LUCK

I am motivated ...


I have fire in my heart
I have raging fuel encircling me, the burning guts that's spoiling to burst
Such feelings were rarer than striking Toto in me

I am drowned in defeats
I have not seen success for awhile
I am still struggling; burdened by obstinately rough hurdles, challenging changes & doubts
The body is weak but the spirit is spritely brilliant - raring to go

Sometimes, I doubt God
Somedays I walk alone in isolation & retrospect
Nothing haunt me more than the recollection of past successes
Such tortuous thoughts yet motivating ...

I ...will break new grounds & conquer new frontiers
Not that I am a man of steel but I believe I will move God's resolve to reward only the best, the sincerest & the honest lad

Man proposes & GOD disposes; tomorrow shall come & come with abundance & blessings

Nothing Is Permanent

Everytime I looked back, it is almost the same as before ...

Life isn't a bed of roses
Everyone faces different challenges
A close relative was fighting for his life last night battling advance stage cancer
The doctor told the family 'to be prepared'
He live to see sunlight today ... maybe, there will be many more 'todays', even months

I discovered that the Association that I am helming & serving had made decisions against better wisdom many years back
I tried to reverse it but something just do not have U-turns
The bright spark is 'it's getting better since I joined' although their old habits die hard
I am sure it can be better but, alas, my stamina is running low

I see my country's politicians trying hard to convince the people that they can deliver what's promised
I also hear them say 'Their decisions is/are for the good, if not better, for the people'
I like what they have said but ...
Many are feeling
- the heat of increased costs of living
- the incremental and incidental taxes
- the uncertainty of jobs & income
- the 'lack of belonging' & the feeling of being less wanted
These are serious cries & feelings of abandonment and unrequited commitment ... whether true, casted or imagined! Omigosh - DO NOT take away his dignity

There are people who die for their country
There are people who die for love
We will all die finally; but we have to make our living wholesome & worthwhile
Different people, different statures and different class with very different aspirations
But ONE country - the country of birth

The world is a stage and we are all actors

There are no fools on Earth; just people who think they are smarter
When the time is up, we face the Creator
We account for our acts and thoughts
Whatever is yours shall be yours
Whatever isn't, even you knifed someone in the grabs, it shall never be

Let's live and let live

I am walking into winter, cold as always & hard as ice
Some day, my hardness as ice shall melt into the melodies of water

I am human

The King & I

Everyday the majority ...

This is a strange world of humans;
7 men in China decide for 1.3billion people
1 man in USA decides which button to push
88 persons decide what's good for 5.3mil in Singapore

Laws are enacted to govern
Rules, By-Laws and Regulations to guide 合法，合情，合理
The Government govern with Laws & enforce with Guns (police, soldiers, securities, detention)
In an ideal world, the people (although were bosses) entrusts & gives up their 'rights' to the Government (leaders who swear to serve)

It's an honour to serve
Although some invited ones think they are sacrificing
When an/the honourable office is equated into, or as, dollars & cents, the honour is voided
With power, comes fame and money
When the leaders care for the country国, the people家 prospers

Why do minority (small group) lord over majority? It's this six letter word "Leader"

The mass is almost always happy, indifferent to 'who's governing', getting by day-to-day
A little irritant is fine, some taxes is manageable; even if some freedom is clipped
But, if every, or most, policies favour the rich & elite
Sooner, rather than later, the opportunity is planted for a fresh leader to surface


People complain, make noises and voice their differing views but No One will revolt as nobody likes disruption and anarchy

Nevertheless, a/the rich cannot live in a sea of poor
 
If the mass only receive lip service, soon distrust will sink in

The smart minority will try to please the majority
The kind minority will spare some thoughts and share with all (majority)
The majority are not blind nor deaf but can & do take some punches
The majority is like a sleeping tsunami; when emotions run wild, logic & reasons are buried

You shall be the King
But ... the King cannot live & enjoy without the support of the mass; let alone a hungry and mistreated one

Care & share

Who Is The Boss

Sometimes, people forget 'who's the boss'?


In the world of governments, the minority is selected, appointed & elected to lead their flock
But, instead of service, care & share with the flocks, many lord over their 'masters' - the very people who choose them to speak, fight, negotiate and design a better life

In the world of employers, the employers pay the employees wages & remuneration in exchange for efforts, commitments and contribution. Most will work diligently and deliver their best but a meaningful lot will 'work enough', 'seen to be working', 'talk their way up', 'ringfence their positions' & delegate everything, including responsibility. If it's at the lower ranks, work is slow & seldom done. If it's at mid-management, meetings are the norm with minimum execution. The worst if it's at the top: nothing gets done, lots of talks and no action with the mass suffering

In the world of employees; when you pay them enough, they work well. When you reward them fairly, they take initiatives and work better. When you reward them luxuriously, they needn't work but spend time guarding & protecting their position - this group behave like they are BOSSes

 
Familiarity breeds contempt


When the boss is too trusting and 'signs blank cheques', his subordinates rise to dominate
There must be checks and balances; not that there are distrusts but there is a need to check that variances are within manageable range and we don't sink like the Titanic

Who's the boss is not the most definitive as without accountability, transparency, fairness, with care & share, the system will collapse due to ill-will, selfishness and greed

Down Days; High Days & Every Day

Like the weather, changes affect us however well plan ...

I am happy on most days but my down days can be quite a struggle though. Even the best execution plan goes astray when you thought nothing can floor it/you. I learn to ...

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

I have seen people gone busts. I have seen my friends becoming 'rags to riches' folklores. I have been a fall guy not by choice. But, whatever happened, it's almost always a lonely journey ...

When people walk away from you, let them go. Your destiny is never tied to anyone who leaves you, and it doesn't mean they are bad people. It just means that their part in your story is over - Tony McCollum

Being alone is not loneliness. Life maybe empty but it's not void. Greed has caused the downfall of people and Nations yet it's well and alive. Living simply isn't an isolation; somewhere, somehow, someone will want to cross your path ...

When you look at a person, any person, remember that everyone has a story. Everyone has gone through something that has changed them.

I live a simple life. My past trails, not necessarily influencing, me and the future is for me to explore. I have friends and lesser friends but, more importantly, nobody will leave me alone even if I wanted to ...

Maybe I can't stop the downpour, but I will always, always join you for a walk in the rain.

Bosom friends are far & few in life & one thing is certain; Not everyone will leave you alone 

Living Well In A Stressful Environment

Stress is useful; it pushes you beyond your norm
Lay your heart open, keep the brain cool
Soon you will enjoy the positive neutron of stress

Deadlines, targets, timelines, schedules
Do well, fine. Miss by a mile, the next window is exit
But, to date, nobody dies because of this failures

If you want out by committing suicide, why not give all your working organs away? Two kidneys safe 2 persons from dialysis, two lungs keep 2 persons fresh with oxygen, two eyes give vision to 2 blind persons, your spine can save someone from leukemia, your liver will save several too. The best thing is many people will remember you.

You live again happily in others bodies; Go exchange your misery with happiness & the World will shine with you (inside them)

Nothing is absolutely bad or good
Tomorrow will still come long after we expire
If the world must end we will meet again in the next world

Take it easy
Relax your mind
If you are hitting the trough, you can't go any lower

Nobody dies because he is poor
Everyone dies because his time is up
Being born & dying is NOT a choice

Follow your heart if you can afford it
Follow your guts if its necessary

I never live worrying about tomorrow
I live the best today & any day

Some days are bored, some are taxing
Most are challenging ... I always long for a better tomorrow

Surviving The Stockmarket

Everyone wants to make money but few will do their homework...

Most major markets have enjoyed their good run since July; are we at a crossroad of turbulent Jupiter-influenced October?

What have changed fundamentally? Nothing really; alot of talks and still plentiful of talking without actioning.

USA - Growth is stable to slow with Presidential election in tow. If market/DJIA is reflective of Obama's chances at re-election, its been positive. With QE3 and enhanced QEx, money is not a problem.

Euro - ECB warranty of buying any amount of bonds is not unlike QEx; flooding the system with enough monies to re-float the ailing comrades.

Asia - China's growth has slowed but she has been releasing more funds to grease their system/economy.   With a change of Guards in sight, China will likely ensure that the economy is 'healthy' and pumping. Japan is on the road to recovery; slow but steady. ASEAN bathes in the shadow of the larger economies like a boat in the ocean. Mid-East is riding on their oil dominance and, when peace returns, oil prices will ease to a more earthly level.

Russia is always the X-card, swaying in the horizon looking for gainful alliances.

Generally, the larger aka more influencial stockmarkets have priced in the excess supply of currencies by their national bodies like ECB & Fed. Cost savings from declining raw material prices, natural attrition and retrenchments have boosted their earnings.

As the fundamentals have broadly remained unchanged except of printing more money, the problems are shifted forward. Physical and paper assets are inflated in inflation.

When stockmarkets are unsure, uncertain yet flooded with hot monies but hopeful, they rises. Further gains are seen when those lag behind jump into the wagon, not convince but cannot resist the returns. As caution thins out in the air, the market shall turn. 

We are at or near .. As caution thins out in the air, the market shall turn .. The correction will be deep, sharp & fast. 

After the storm, the good days shall return but many may/will be left licking their wounds.

It's smart to lighten your investment load on a rising market or when the market challenges her previous high without any change in fundamentals. Sit out and buy into sharp dips, then ride the rebound.

Possible? Sure. The market goes in cycles but everyday a fool is born.   

You can either be BULL or BEAR but don't be a sheep waiting to be slaughtered.

I am the farmer ... a lot of hardwork, plentiful of commonsense and discipline; like you, I reaped what I sow. You wouldn't disagree.