Moving

I'm moving to a new place: http://stopyanting.wordpress.com

Things you don't actually want but the society deems you should have

I have had a mentor at work.
He wasn't supportive of my wish to move overseas and experience living.
Be it, living alone and be totally independent/helpless, or living overseas for a totally different environment, or pursuing my passion of wanting to perfect myself in another language... whichever it was, this decision isn't going to make me rich.
It probably doesn't come with a bright future either.
Anyway, since he wasn't supportive, I stopped asking for approval.

Recently, we communicated again and he believes I must be in greener pastures to have given up on all that "glorious" days I have had in my previous company. Perhaps, compared to some people, it did seem like I was bound to do well. Personally, a tiny part of me did believe that there could be some good ending to that job but I wasn't sure if I want to spend x years to get to the so-called good promotion/position. Plus, there's no guarantee.

Anyway, I've decided since it's been a while now, I'll be more honest and politely inform him that I'm not in a stable position right now but I'm quite happy so it's okay for me.

Stark rude reply? --> Noted. It seems quite okay as you can feel "quite" happy. It's your life.
Yes, period. That was all I got.

Hmm... I don't know if that's sarcasm there but hey, regarding the so-so attractive promotion/position/bonus that was hinted not promised, and of which anyone who had the patience could get, giving it all up or not is ultimately up to me. Finding that worthy of my time and effort or not is also up to me to decide.
I gave it some thought, I don't want it. As much as most people are going to think those aren't bad rewards, if it's not what I want to be recognised for, it's useless. It's my call.
I see people slogging, lying, pretending just to get there. Maybe that's their life goal but it's not mine. So what if I gave up after 3 years? It's not your problem but mine. Which is why, I decided to go do something that made me happier but out of courtesy, I said "quite". The real loss to me is if I have stayed in a place that allows(/is too blind to see) bad work ethics and gave my youth away but in the end, get none of that "promised land".

I know I'm not always good at making decisions but looking at time vs money, my youth is worth so much more.

As we mourn the loss of a brilliant mind and a national identity

Woke up to the news of your passing this morning, Sir.
As with most great figures, you shall be shunned when you were living for everything that you've done or did not do.
And as we watch you go, everyone will cherish you more than ever. We will be thankful and we will weep.
And there, you've left behind a legacy that will be talked about.
Over the years, the stories may change and it wouldn't matter anymore.
One day, you might become a legend, some sort of hero who was a Singaporean.
May you have gone in peace and may our country continue to prosper as you have built it to be.
Rest in peace.

My first really bad cold in Japan

I caught a really bad cold that developed over the days until I finally had fever and had to go to to the doctor. He's a doctor nearby and it's a pretty fancy clinic that looks like a mini hospital. Anyway, over here, most people will say "let's go to the hospital" (病院に行く) when it's just a common sickness they have. I guess we have different medical systems.

Anyway, in Singapore, a typical visit to the clinic would be, first, fall sick.

Or first, pretend to be sick.

Well, go in, register, get a queue number, see the doctor and get on with your problems real fast or give him a grandmother's story. Sometimes, he's the one telling the story. Finally, get back outside and wait for the missy to call your name where you get your medicine and pay.

My first visit to the clinic/mini hospital was pretty different!

Of course, you wait to go in as usual.

I was number 2 that day and the first patient was a mum with 2 kids.

They went in and came out. Of which, I would be expecting my turn next.

Then the nurse came out of the doctor's office and blabbered something, asking for her to go in again which she happily and quickly agreed to.

I thought one of them must have a serious problem. I mean, to see the doctor twice?!

Did they take a test or something?

Finally, it's my turn.

We went through my medical history and symptoms and he did the basic checks and he let me out.

So I sat down, waiting to pay and get out when the nurse asked me to go in again.

Hur? Why?

Apparently, you go in the second time to have the doctor tell you how to take your medicine.

How meticulous!

Anyway, he repeated about 2-3 times to make sure I take the correct amount of dosage, maybe because I'm gaijin (a foreigner) :P

I don't know if all clinics/hospitals do that but I was pretty impressed, both by how they took care of everything little thing and long I spent an hour in there when there were only 3 patients.

The internet is going viral over Mr Lee Kuan Yew's condition (and shame on you sick people!)

Even though I'm away, my friends and family are still updating me on Mr Lee Kuan Yew's situation. It's sad to hear that his condition is only worsening.

At times, we might not have liked him very much.

We might have criticized him or his party and even made jokes about them.

Whatever it was, I think we can agree that we're very thankful for where Singapore is today.

On the internet, there are still some sick people creating hoaxes about his condition and this is NOT FUNNY.

No matter how much you hate him (even if you have a personal feud, please deal with it privately), have you ever watched an old men die?

My grandfather passed away last year.

We weren't close and I've probably never been his favourite grandchild. 

Even so, watching him during the last moments was difficult.

We tried talking to him and he couldn't really respond. His consciousness was dying. 

It probably started from his vision... then his hearing... 

I passed my driving license while he was sick so he never got to ride in my car. 

When we visited, I asked my dad to tell him that I've passed and we showed him the license and put it in his hands. He couldn't really say much but I guess he sort of smiled. When we were taking back the license, he held on to it so tight. Maybe that was all that he had left.

Over the days, his breathing only got weaker.

On the last day, breathing became so difficult, he was just gasping for air.

Every once in a while, he would miss a beat and you would have thought he's gone.

I didn't get to see him at the very last moment and I cannot imagine how that last breath would have been like.

It's been a year now and even though we weren't close, still it eats away a part of you.

I can only hope that Mr Lee is in a comfortable state, whatever it might be.