March 12. 

Today marks the 60th day with a great friend, somehow, we had a consecutive 60 days of meeting. Partly because we considered those pass midnight days, partly because he is a work colleague too. It's crazy kind of think of it. Interestingly, yesterday he mentioned about fear of being abandoned, which is why he clung on friendship so much, which is why he would forgive anything to keep friendship going. Hearing that, I am super super honored to be one of that friend he chose to have. But then again, on a hindsight, I am just wondering how different would things be if not for the entire saga. 

Last few posts mentioned about how I clung on a friendship before that was one sided, that my good intention became "creepy". That kind of set my mind that all feast comes to an end, and that my sole purpose is an avenue of help to whoever needs it at the moment and thats it. Perhaps that is why I developed the kind of "view of friendship" like a "mentor" figure, instead of a friend. I tend to always want to nurture and bring out the best out of everyone, pushing them to the limits. Then, when the time comes for them to soar their wings and fly, my duty is done and off to another chapter. But this year has been a wave of emotions. 

Thinking back to Primary school, friends who we used to cycle back and forth each other's houses until sundown and will only part on the halfway mark. Then to sec school long walks to send friends home. Or the days we spend at the neighborhood bubble tea shop. Moving to friends who I even stayed over but eventually distanced due to external complications from her boyfriend or parents. Then ofcoz the one that I kept doing all I can but to be deemed too "creepy". Along the way, those that Ive hurt by saying wrong stuffs or teasing too much. Or even the hiking buddies I used to have.

Maybe as life became hectic or maybe just that as we grow older, memories weigh more emotionally, I started to think, how bizarre these all are. I guess, in any kind of relation, similar to Intimacy Passion and Commitment, in friendship, it is Click, Companionship and Commitment. It takes effort of both sides to maintain one. 

Few months ago, another friend mentioned about how after graduation, friends he used to hang out every single day just disappears and refusing to even meet. It's weird, these are the things I used to tell juniors, to cherish friendship while you can as it is harder to find a friend without agenda as you grow up, and that goodbyes are inevitable so treasure every moment now. I guess I became a little desensitized when growing up. But it is catching back on me. 

Then again, also happy that I brought another friend for Tarot. His readings is rather messy but along the line of "Hidden potentials to unleash but hindered by a figure. Be careful of betrayal, but do not fear to seek listening ear instead of bottling it all up. And dont be burdened financially but choose rationally for the future." or at least thats all I remembered. But yea he wrote a long letter to unleash his thoughts to be burnt. To be honest, I never imagined that extent of longing. And he dont usually expand on that. So yea, I guess no one can really 100% feel how you feel. 

All of us at any one time is a product of a social construct, where every decision by you and everyone around you, environment, and circumstances, and generation, shaped who we are. Our lives never belong to ourselves. I did held on this thought tightly enough, especially every time I feel useless and of no help, or screwing things up and turns suicidal. I guess this motto made me move on. Ofcoz, it's probably a 2am thoughts as usual, and would disappear by dawn, but yea, can't help to be in a cancer sign right? 

Looking at the current situation though, somehow I am super super happy that despite my workaholic personality, I am able to be there for whoever who reach out to me, and super glad that I can be considered a good friend, if not best, to the clique I have now. Now, I am learning to stop being a "mentor" and to start being a "friend" more. To listen without always providing solution, and to provide only when asked, and to encourage more. 

Watched Disney Raya, a movie on Trust the altruistic nature of everyone, and then rewatched Onwards, a movie on Brotherhood and dont give up being there for people even if you screw up, and lastly Brother Bear about understanding points of view and destiny. Disney, I must say, never fails to extract that drops of tears and to wrench my nose. At this point, I am getting curious myself what could my past lives be?

March. 

Well time passes really fast. The company just wrap up a huge mega event with 98 tours for 5 days consecutively, with only about 9 guides per day. Many of us have to do double tours. The HODs worked super hard, especially without a coordinator, there are many aspects of a tour to be looked at, such as preparation, service recovery, crisis management, situational awareness, crowd control and incident reports. 

I guess we gave the least problems for our client, such that they had nothing but praises for us. Most of the problems comes from the group dynamics of the individual teachers and students. Externally, it's an outing, and kids being kids, at ages 14-17 years old, their attention, attitude and excitement are all to be expected, so Social Distancing would be a big challenge. 

All in all, we manage to pull it off well by the end of the week. Cant ask for better team than this awesome one Im having. Its a platform to utilize our strengths, to discover our passion, to alleviate our flaws, and to forge great synergies. Ofcoz, post event there are many blindspots we need to look at. 

I remember the first day of event so many hiccups, and internally, moody guides too, that gives attitude more than alleviating the situation, that's mainly because preparation wasn't done well. As we work in HOD nucleus, I had absolutely no clue on other departments, so I leave it to the in-charge to deemed "all is well". Now that the event is over I guess we have to police the departments better to show evidence of work done. Checklists, briefings, and all must be done. And ofcoz another factor is where everything clumps into the few weeks, including being emcee for my friend's wedding, and tours, and everything else. 

That was the longest week. I fell ill. Maybe due to adrenaline all out, or dehydration, or simply smoking too much. (1 pack or more a day). But probably think twice for future big events like this, probably wouldnt want to be the coordinator, because though I can do it, it's not my forte, and definitely not my passion. 

But everything will be okay in the end, this too will pass. 

Oh speaking of that, brought my friends to tarot. For myself, nothing new for the tarot, all work related, in a nutshell "having stress and struggles now that may feel like giving up but hang on for the pot of gold at the end of the road, where people around me benefit from me and I dont have to spend too much effort in them". But for my friends, was eye opening, some surfacing feelings and thoughts lingering or bothering, some revealing deep things they dont share, some forseeing a future we predicted though the reader never met them. Quite cool, glad that kindda work out for them. 

After all the rage rooms and 5ams, all the walks, all the talks, Im glad it works. Guess through a heartbreak, u can never really fill the hole, but to distract, to find replacements, but there's always that hole. Friendship, Relationship, Kinship, these made us who we are, the presence, as well as the absence. That's just how life is. Tiring. But I guess everyone got their own paths. 

CNY Day 1

So the OX year has started. Well, it's really great to survive through 2020. The pandemic really really change things around. After much of emotional roller coaster here and there, I guess I'm pretty glad things work out this way. 

The entire Jan 2021 has been just about retrospective. Most of the time just catching up with friends from all walks of life. Midnight walks, midnight coffeeshops, midnight cycles. 

So concluded about how everything is ephemeral, and things I thought never affected me I guess did affect me subconsciously. Friends that stayed.... friends that drifted.... friends that lost....... friends that I stubbornly cling on but i became an annoyance, and those platonic that became awkward cuz of external factors, missed relationships that I didnt took that first step due to the fear of heartbreak, all the little things that made me who am I........ kindda think of perhaps I understand myself a little more now.

Work wise though, 2020 was a reshuffle. Big players means big liabilities and harder to find pivot points, smaller players may not breakthrough the volume barrier, mid-size are on survival mode or on innovation mode. The scene is ot injected with much much more creativity, going for unfamiliar modes, going for uncertain segmentations, and going for unheard of decision.

But Jan 27 we had our first meeting. The first full team meeting that sets company vision and 2021 direction, the first meeting that officially. It felt so surreal for this to happen. Last year this time, things were so different. Ive been always wanting a team, that sticks like muah chee, that plays like rojak, work like putu piring, support like satay. I tried for many years, through different avenues, went through thick and thin, but all feasts comes to an end. I guess i've let an yeast to crumble the loaf. I thought that was the end, I thought I wasnt doing enough, I thought I was incapable...... maybe im just too naive, too stubborn, too hopeful for an ideal team thats impossible to attain. So I signed up for coachings and facilitation courses, leadership and people management courses, to search for what is missing in me....... 

So Im truly truly truly honoured to get the same team, and even expanded. I thank all of you for the trust in me, for the faith in the company, and confidence for the industry! Everything wasnt planned, but the HOD came in one by one, each bringing an expertise to the table. The ecosystem we are building is extremely strong, we discussed about 22 items in a 3 hours meeting. Our branding is getting stronger and stronger from many directions, many tour offerings, many faces. With no micromanaging, ample resources, no need for statistics or forecasting, we hold passionately on the "believe". With cross-policing, we cover each other's blindspots, and ensure progress, while reassuring that each and everyone is putting all their heart and soul. We do not walk alone. 

So team! Lets BULLDOZE all challenges ahead and emerge victorious!!!! A team is only a team when we achieve greater heights through a supportive, efficient and empowering ecosystem, not just a mere summation of the individual strengths.

Very very very optimistic to the endless possibilities we can reach in 2021. SOOOOO MANY, it's beyond words can express.......

 Well, 1 month of 2021 just passed. 

TBH, wasnt a great start at all. So last year we had a big gathering, when I was so happy that the clique multiplied, with their plus ones. But within the first month, 3 gone already. Sigh. 

I know rationally it doesnt make sense, but it kindda hurts to see this happening, as if I thought I could have done something more to prevent this. maybe more bonding sessions, develop the social support better, more bonds more activities more conversations, or anything else within my means. But its gone.

So Ive been struggling with 2 - 4h daily sleep for the month. And me having a small emotional capacity, I feel hurt too. Hurt that I feel helpless for im either in no place to say anything, and helpless in getting any progress from recovery. 

Then though some night walks and night cycling, I went down my own memory lane going through the streets that were once familiar. Opera Estate, Chai Chee, Bedok North, Reservoir, Old Airport, East Coast, Bayshore. 

So I'm also reminded of friends that were once so close to, especially school days, but it seems like that bond will be lost upon graduation. I was reminded of losing some of them, and regret that when I met them on the streets I didnt acknowledge, which became the last memories of the few of them. And those that got busy with work, with NS, with family, and so drifted, not forgetting the overseas ones. I am reminded of close friendships that end as platonic friendship is not well practiced. I am reminded how alternate lifestyle was not accepted .

So I catch up as much as I can, putting the effort to reconnect to as much as I can. Friendship, is fragile too, it takes efforts and commitment too. But then today I was also reminded that my too much effort may seem "creepy" or "gay". That was probably one of the most hurtful friendship. The kind of effort I put in to "read" and relate to, and not taking sides but just talking and all the long rides......... all for such an impression. 

Appreciate the frankness, I acknowledge myself touchy and emotional and also the fact that I dont really have girlfriends nor "girl"friends, but seriously, it still hurts, jokingly or frankly. Recently one of them mentioned, it could be that due to my small emotional capacity, thus a part of me fear to commit into one, because I know myself I may not be able to be as resilient as these people around me. And when asked if really thats the case, what would the response be, and the hurtful response were "Distance". Sigh, is "Friendship 

To me at least is "当下", (At the Moment". The most important time is "now", with the most important person "the one with me now", and the most important thing "to be there for the one with me now"

You see, to live in the "moment", contrary to popular usage to mean YOLO, do whatever you want, there's no time for regrets, irresponsibly. In my translation, it is not supposed to be a hedonist kindda motto. Referencing to various philo and religion, living in the "present" means to slow down and appreciate the trivial things around you at the moment, understanding that all actions have a cause and effect, and all things that piece together, be it good or bad, has a choice, has a sacrifice, but all in all these trivial things makes "life" worth enjoying, a little like "live or let live" feeling.

Maybe Im just doing too much beyond what I should, but it's just me to take care of those around me, to path their way if I could, that. 

It has been a crazy December, so this is an overdue post. 

 Anyways, really grateful for STB team to plan the SingapoRediscover Voucher (SRV) to be non-stackable. This way, families would be inclined to look for activities that could utilize most of the value and thus look for tours. Due to the unplanned surge for the vouchers, we had a great December rush. Managing my tours alone, we have served close to 200 guests on December alone. Really really happy. This is probably the compensation for the year of naught. 

The team is great, as we have the 4 pronged approach with Boat Tour, Cooking Class, Bike Tour and Educational Tour, the team is unknowingly practicing agile approach to churn out a series of minimal viable products in a month. How we worked is that we have a rough idea in mind, market the series out, receive bookings, then plan the content accordingly to the order of bookings. With every tour we ask for constructive feedback and improve on tour experience, by the 4th or 5th tour, the product is more of less complete and then subsequently it's just improvements on the way and scaling up. 

Grateful also that Dec tours are not too affected by rain, as it does either before or after the tour, or at least occurs at the non-crucial parts. Many times, the weather are doable for us. Really really really grateful, as it's important to run the tours since family groups have less elasticity to rescheduling. 

In midst of the tour rush, I'm also grateful for friends who constantly arrange for catch ups. 

So now is 2021, spent the New Year on a staycation. Now to plan for the next wave of Tour Products, and continuity plan, for the support we have is ending soon in March. We have to keep the company afloat for the year assuming 8 days of confirmed stream of revenue in a month. We need to plan to fill the weekdays slots for this to work. We gotta increase efforts in outreach to incorporate event planning and corporate team building. We gotta make international schools and fill the holiday slots as much as possible. And we need to start cushioning for overheads without support.

I'm happy though, that I decided to continue pressing on to stay in the industry, and rather that repackaging, we came out with new products that caters to the Domestic Tourism. We had reimagined it such that we have deviated away from the typical tour guiding style and adopted facilitation framework doing tours too. All in all it's rather apt too that I had taken Advanced Certification in Learning and Performance as well as Agile Facilitation so that I could incorporate the newly gained knowledge into action. 

I guess 2020 wasnt doing well to most people. I'm glad some of you had also accepted the fact that the pandemic will lurk on and new norms are being formed. Some of you broke out of the comfort zone and trailblazed uncharted paths, venturing into unprecedented markets or methods of working. I still feel sad for most people struggling especially in the nightlife scene, supporting as much as I could afford. 

And for my trainees, I felt the anxiety starting to kick in for them. Some started asking questions on relevance of knowledge, how to anticipate what is useful in the future, how to gain transferable skills, and so on..... I guess those would be anxiety of redundancy and insecurity of inferiority. I can't do much too, for I am not the best person to advise on this since I'm stubbornly clinging on to the same trade despite a diminishing hope of international arrivals. 

Well, wet start of 2021 with 2 full days of rain. Que Sera Sera, jiayous! Still looking forward for the exciting journey this year could bring. Towards a stronger 2021!

Global panel recommends Singapore's hawker culture be added to Unesco

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/global-panel-recommends-singapores-hawker-culture-to-be-added-to-unesco-list

HAWKER CULTURE SINGAPORE

Origins of Hawker

- Traces back to Early Immigrants, to be able to have a ready market of consumers with generally lower capital outlay without prerequisites of certifications. 

- The mobility of the stalls gave rise to "Hawking" where it is defined as Touting to Attract Customer in a Portable Stall.

- Hawkers would gather in Cross Junctions to maximize the Traffic Coverage therefore "Hawker Centre".

- 1971 first Government Built Legal Official Hawker Centre to consolidate the Hawkers in 1 area to operate legally with license such that they do not have to face problems of "protection money" while cleaning up the Sanitation of Streets. 

- Initially, people hated Hawker Centre Buildings as it lost the flexibility of travelling and have to travel far for Hawker Centre.

- It took us until 1986 before the last Hawker was resettled to a Hawker Centre

Characteristics of Hawker

- Caters to many Social Classes

- Becomes a Lifestyle 

- Where humans interact and mingle

- Topic of Conversations 

- Choice of Meeting Venue (social)

- Entrepreneur without Certification / Capital

- Innovative Creation of Food due to Space Constraints 

- Laissez-Faire Economy

- Upholding Intangible Legacy

- Part of the Ecosystem of Agriculture Locally, Regionally and Internationally

Hawker as a National Identity

- 114 Hawker Centres today, dependency on it in a Socio-Economical sense

- Display of Globalized Nation with Innovative Amalgamation of Food Culture

- In a cacophony of sounds and action, Hawker has stitched into the social fabric of Singapore

- This represent cultural creativity, and cultural exchange of human values in the Oral Traditions of Culinary Art

- It involves through time, invites platforms for Hawkerpreneurs, for continuity through Upward Mobility

- Testimony of Urbanization (Sanitary, Facilities, Urban Landscaping, Employment)

- Fun Fact : Instant Food is one of the 1st item cleared during the Pandemic, partly due to dependency on Hawker

International Recognition of Hawker

- Culinary Skills (Gordon Ramsay Hawker Cook Off)

- Michelin Guide (Plate, Bib Gourmand, Star)

- BBC / Netflix / CNA Documentaries 

- Submission for UNESCO 

When Michelin is concerned, a Michelin Hawker strips all the fancy ambience and service to the bare minimum of "Good Food". Master of Culinary Skills, Understanding of Flavours, Unique Personality of the Dish, Consistency, are among the criteria. Food is not just about 

UNESCO doesn't require the Contested Heritage Site to be original, because nothing in Singapore is truly original. But whether or not it defines our National Identity and therefore matches the criteria is probably more important. Can we Singapore survive without Hawker? Cost of Living will increase again, higher unemployment rates due to higher entry barrier for skilled labours, lost of Oral Traditions and Culture passed down through Hawker Food. What can we benefit from UNESCO? More recognition to attract tourists to give them a try, more support for Hawkerpreneur to operate and enjoy subsidized rental of stalls, more National Pride.

Freedom finally! After 2 weeks within 4 walls! 

Well, again another update. So my Dad is the Covid Positive Patient working as Security Officer at Changi Airport, receiving treatment at TTS now. As for recovery progress, it seems like it's not very good because of other Health Complications. And to make things worst, his pessimist mindset probably placed some placebo effects too. So I guess, we can only hope....... I mean, 50,000 recovery cases, I don't see why the big fuss is all about.

Luckily though his life routine is "Workplace-Coffeeshop-Home", unlike myself, I cant imagine the contact tracing if I am positive, the industry will shutdown hahahhas, too much at stake. 

So anyway, served my Quarantine Order at Hilton Garden Inn Little India, 23 Oct to 06 Nov, swab results Negative both on first day and last day of QO. 

Experience is boring. But coping way better than Circuit Breaker. Binge watching Netflix, Variety Shows, and MeWatch. Attended online day courses as it becomes more available. Grabfood is available so been ordering food every supper, thats the perks of being in rather heart of city. Service is great by Hotel. Welfare check everyday. Boring part is cant step out of room. Skin is getting dry due to aircon. But thus no need for any maintenance cuz no shaver no nail clippers no lighters no sharp objects. Other than zoom, no need for clothes too 

So then now that Im finally out, impulse splurge on myself. Booked One Farrer Skyline Suite for a night, and booked for Spa, Movies and a Scrumptious meal. Not the most wallet-friendly but I guess my mum deserves some luxury now and then la. 

Ofcoz, we talked about business too, about how the world is changing fast, AI taking over, and the importance of Transferable Skills and Personal Branding or Connections over Technical Skills and Traditional Career Progression Model. I am pretty sure that in the future where information is easily available online and precision or production is easily done by automation, bosses no longer are interested in investing on humans to deal with all the human factor but rather investing on a controllable predictable robot. So they would probably only hire people if their reputation is good. That means visionary skills, leadership skills, foresight skills. Or involvement in many many successful projects. 

Therefore I am truly grateful how this nation starts to shift the education framework to criterion based, a decade ago, gradually from tertiary to secondary and now to primary schools. While I personally do not believe in not having bell curve because I think that we should teach people how to fail, whats the feeling of being loser, instead of bubbling them, but I guess the negative consequences from pressure weights more than the nurturing of resilience. Oh well, there are other ways, enrichment, sports, etc. So back to the point, we are all working towards a holistic development future, where transferable skills are valued more than anything, problem solving and critical thinking, prepared us for AI industry. I am truly amazed.

Then is about some business acumen here and there. I was just thinking about inheriting the Lapis recipe for mum to do it myself because firstly is heritage, secondly, their reluctance to step out of comfort zone irritates me alot. I guess that is the reason Im probably the poorest pathethic indonesian chinese you know. My entire family has history of being cheated, of not innovating, of clinging on to hopeless matters, and all......... Cant blame them. Its fate, its generation, its trauma for them. And here I am, trying to make things work, but doesnt seem to go anywhere from here. I can only hope. But its tiring, trying to prove, but the result is not showing, and constantly, their simple-minded-brains are taking things too superficially and idealistically against their set of expired utopia. 

 It has been 2 months. 2 very busy months. 

So a little update, so I quit Monster Day Tours for good, joined Lets Go full time, to develop my own tours, to decide on the resources I need, with support with the marketing and other backend. It's an "ownself feed ownself" model. Working on this team for 2 months, I started to feel like this is a home I never had. I really enjoyed the dynamics and creative control I have, but that being said, I always felt I have done not well enough to reignite the drive and the passion of the existing team. Nevertherless, we need a breakthrough, a paradigm shift, to trail braze uncharted waters. So I felt that the only way this could grow is when I prove that Domestic Tourism could work, then perhaps the team could then grow, motivated and swift.

So I handle the Educational Tours for Domestic Audience and Private Themed Tours for International Arrivals; C should spearhead Lets Go Cook, a series of Cooking Classes series with Tour Element; and also D in to spearhead a Theatrical Tour, so storytelling way to convey historical events and facts; A to develop the Bicycle Tours with themes, and R to focus on Boat. So far, many hiccups, but in a way, a little silver lining at every misfortunes we had, pretty much like this Pandemic. Im for once hopeful, of a brighter 2021. 

The hindrance I had now, is that Dad is tested Covid Positive, recovering in TTS now. Not recovering well, seems like he has high accumulation of Covid. He doesnt sound optimistic since his fever is periodical. So I'm under Quarantine Order till 7 Nov at Hilton Inn Little India. Myself, my Swab on 24th Oct Noon resulted Negative, pending on more at the end of QO. Really lucky to be Negative, else my industry would shut down. 

So filling my time with more courses as usual, and watching random webinars and all. Binged watched lots of drama, including a 73 episodes series I finished in 3 days. Food wise, so far so good, but my spoilt stomach made me order grab for every supper and sometimes breakfast too. Sigh, it's like CB all over again but Im coping a lot better now, ironically, with lesser freedom. At least my mind is still sane. But well, hopefully the situation gets better, 50,000 recovery, please be another full recovery........ im not ready for more responsibilities yet. Aissshhhh que sera sera, whatever will be will be........

The past month was crazy.

Since Phrase 2, my schedule is suddenly packed. Mainly because other than the Courses I am taking, I'm on a project to look at Domestic Travel too. On top of that, I'm doing part time at Red Dot Brewhouse. However, I am very grateful that despite my busy schedule, I have friends who tries to squeeze in some time before or after my work, for a Birthday treat. Unlike past years where I throw huge parties and invite my entire social network over, this year is initiated by my friends. Feels great, that the entire month of July has been filled with such breaks.

So this year National Day feels very weird to me. As I am working, I am surrounded by Non-Singaporean colleagues, and the patrons are half expats, an the other half nonchalant about it. For once, I felt alone. I guess I'm probably the only one humming over the familiar tunes as the music plays in the background.

Every National Day, I would either be in a KTV, or somewhere with friends. I'm not the one who would physically join the crowd for the fireworks, nor rush to some pinnacle or book a table at a rooftop bar for the fireworks, but at least I would be with people who have at least a sense of belonging, a little hype about the special day. Last year, due to Tourist Guiding, I'm with a guest at Mr Stock, full of praises, full of joy.

So in the spirit of SG55, Robin and I gathered a few guides who are available for a quick 3h video shoot on Hari Raya, and took a half day filming segments at his house and mine, to put up a Music Video. Hilariously, the guides available turns out to be all guys, so we joked about Let's Go Boy Band hahhahas! Historically, no Tourist Guide groups have done a Music Video like this. I must thank the spontaneous spirit of Robin to agree on this less than 2 weeks before National Day, and that he sacrificed 2 sleepless nights for the editing. I dream that one day, the entire Tourist Guide community can piece together some kind of theater show having Tourist Guiding as the theme.

https://www.facebook.com/kyanta.yap/posts/10157414485170060

This entire year, makes me even more grateful that I am here in Singapore. The support I get, the people I meet, the sights and sounds around me. I'm also excited to be part of the next 20 years, for when I look at the current revised syllabus in Primary and Secondary schools, I am very optimistic about the next generation.

Though sweeping statement, but generally, my generation has been what they called the Strawberry generation, for we were raised by those who went through the industrial revolution, and thus we were brought up to expect good grades = good job = good life. So my generation would choose stability and career progression over risk and entrepreneurship. The kind of self employed are usually financial consultant rather than start ups too. But Singapore being at the plateau, this mindset hinders progress, we need breakthroughs and innovations. Therefore the infrastructures and ecosystems supported for the future. Financial literacy, exposure, design thinking, are even taught on secondary level. The access to information, the convenience, the avenues of groupthinking and networking, is plenty in the next generation. Though before that, we might need to deal a little with the "Ice Cream" generation first, where I defined as people raised by my generation who have everything taken care of thus privileged, entitled, and fragile, so much so that it actually takes effort to hold them up else they would just melt.

Truly excited for the next half of the year, when I see my project into completion, and a little glimpse of hope that I will be back in action for Guiding again, though not tourist, but at least I hope I would be on the ground.

Ciao,

So now we entered Phrase 2.
That was a Friday.
It was rather surreal.
I honestly was not expecting this to happen so soon.
As I was at the open staircase outside my unit
on that Saturday morning, I saw life............
The traffic didnt increased much on sight,
But the coffeeshop was brimming with people,
Sounds of the little metal spoon clanging on their cups,
And I kid you not, slurping sounds! Heard from my unit.
I felt great!

It was then a couple of days before I went down for dinner,
the Makcik asked me "Makan or Packet",
I was shocked so half a second!
SOOOO great to savour my Mee Rebus and Satay in the wet market.
The noise of the space, people shouting across,
The stench, the fragrance...... everything.

So I resumed working in Red Dot, but deployed at Dempsey.
Due to people cooping up at home,
Though our capacity is at 60% or so, maybe 70%,
But sales increase prior in relation to Pre-Covid.
I guess this really proved the purging period of Covid,
But then, hidden cost and diminishing returns come.
As much as we are grateful we can resume business,
It's really hard to juggle Customer Service with limited manpower,
and hard to juggle Customer Retention with Flouting of Rules,
If we chase customer, customer not happy,
If we dont chase, we get fined,
In my opinion, SDA should deal with customer direct because :
1) Everyone knows the rules
2) Restaurant already stated clearly about closing at 10.30pm
3) Reminders have been given to customer and last order was an hour before already.
But apparently is always Service Provider problem -.-

Then the hot news nowadays is GE2020, I come from an Immigrant background who became Singaporean, I really loved this country thus far, no where is perfect but Im comfortable here, not saying im living a luxurious live, but neither I have to worry about my 3 meals, ofcoz all these with much initiatives to hunt jobs, multiple jobs, tap into grants, etc.... at least there are ways to survive even in covid. I shall not debate argue etc, since im just 1 person stating my own opinion, but gonna state my unpopular views:

- CPF works because we are using a pool money to generate investment returns to get us more money, most accounts in Ordinary and Retirement can be transferable to children, and how many percentage of citizen actually have enough CPF to retire? this means that even the CPF is not enough for a comfortable retirement, imagine without it who shall be taking care of you? Solely on your next generations? Such burden..... I agree though, for older people who felt they were promised to withdraw CPF, if they can proof their future gen can take care of them and have enough personal insurance, enough safety net, ok la let the withdraw ba....... their well deserved lump sum. But when the time comes when money is squandered and then some reason need money, on what moral grounds should we then help? on who's expense?

- Is Healthcare managed well? Looking across the world, I would say it's managed really well considering quality, cost, subsidy, avenues for help. Inefficient when getting money? Yes, unfortunately, shall we improve on this?

- GST is great to get money to build infrastructures, though I think in Covid situation this should be put on Halt, should have no plans to increase and even consider decrease to cushion economic impact, I think progress and development can make way to recovery for now? Im not expert in economic this is just my opinion. Ofcoz the issue comes with where do the money come from, that, i wont have comments on that.

- COE too high, but public transportation is done well, land space is small, we dont get to be stuck in traffic for hours, just compare with the neighboring country, compare also with developed country. Occasional breakdown (probability of 1 person gets repeated breakdown is how many percent? Ive only experience once in my entire 20 years here), so okay another hour of your time, will die?

- Foreigner influx, but in ALL my FnB experience, I dont see much locals doing the job, how to not let foreign workers in? Mindset? Stigma? What's wrong with foreigner is they have the hunger you dont? Foreigners fight against their entire country to get this 1 place leh. Lets look at PMET then, people getting displaced, yes, unfortunately, this is a highly competitive country where people are indispensable, if not replaced by cheaper foreigner, then is higher qualification or more prominent portfolio, or my technology, or by the young bloods. We only got to rely on our own hunger to upgrade, do we have avenues to do that? Yes, skillfuture, CET framework, HR compulsory upgrading hours, etc etc, or....... migrate to a country where you can work 30 40 years and enhance your skillset without worrying too much on change?

- Fresh grads now do grab, where is the promised jobs. I guess this MAY be attributed to the mindset of the previous gen. Again im not expert in economics nor sociology. During our economic pursuit, it seems that the higher your education, the better job, the better future. The more effort you put in, the more likely to succeed. Was it the case now? no. Capitalist, rich getting richer, big getting bigger, economies of scale, high entry barriers. For someone who jumped 3 industries, I think it's not easy without High Qualification, Rich Industrial Experience and Remarkable Leadership Qualities. Ridiculous to demand for a fresh grad, but well, thus I advocate youths now to exercise foresight, to evaluate choices, because "go with the flow" or "go with your heart" may not be suffice anymore in this ever-changing ever-evolving society. Price Penetration dont work now, it's Market Disruption, is Innovation.

- HDB issues, well, we have no fevelas, no slums, no ownership but at least lifetime of shelter, with this it prevents hoarding, prevents private developers to sky rocket the prices, able to PLAN for 10m population, why not? It's a plan for accommodation doesnt mean is a TARGET, it's not a goal.

- Minister salary, there's just so much envy in this issue, who cares who is paid what, as long as I have a livelihood, I am happy with my job and life, this relative happiness is full of toxicity, is like when you get in Harvard but unhappy cuz you're in the bottom 10 percentile. One thing for sure, some great ministers do contribute the money back for society, but not all sadly. With heart or for show im not sure but as long as it helps im not complaining.

- Candidate not competent. This is personal attacks, im not gonna comment on this. Are they as committed as our forefathers, I guess not, since our forefather is working for a better future, not sure the motivator now? So if there is a better candidate that has equal wealth, connections, experience and power, by all means, let's work towards it rather than attacking one another? If this means pushing this potential candidate into the parliament system, yes why not. I believe this is a country that is run where decisions where passed through many rounds of many voices to be passed as law, first hearing, second hearing, committee, third hearing, minority voices, then presidential approval. Whether there are majority bias, party siding, etc, I guess its quite realistic? As long as reasons where given, perspectives are considered, not flawless, but I can accept. Besides, all the 16 ministries, stat boards, judiciary, executive and legislative, are working towards a common direction, ofcoz its commonly believed to be the founders of the nation spearheading it, but I see they are doing a good job still, so.......... not a problem for me.

- Poor people cant receive help. Yes and No, I would say help is there, whether sufficient, I guess all of us would day no. I dont deny that I myself do at times things I should "deserve" more help, but that's my selfish side right? A country can have disparity and poor, in singapore, there's a HUGE middle class, which we consider ourselves heartlanders, but there should have systems where one could break the relative poverty line either by the next generation of by yourself, through education and opportunities, and altruistic community. Are we lacking? unfortunately yes. We should advocate this more, I know of Social Enterprises struggling to survive to help. Many complained about not being aware for help....... so whose fault? Multi-lingual and multi-dialects, and even multi-generational campaigns were put up, sadly there will be those overlooked, but I dont really believe its 0 avenues for help, though efficiency is lacking, but I believe help would eventually be rendered. 

- If you have brilliant suggestion, raise it up, work it out, yes may take a painful long time, but I believe change is not impossible, it's not a matter of which party, but a collective management by multi agencies and government bodies. Can we have drastic progress, maybe not, we are reaching plateau, its a product life cycle thing, it's harder to see drastic changes when your product is already of high quality than when you started off.

- Using unproven Military Generals to run GLC, okay, well this is rather elitist and very military-regime focused. I personally dont think it's fair though I understand from the standpoint that in military its a test of leadership without P&L risk, but then there's just so much difference in my opinion, and this meritocracy thingy places too much emphasis on certification over anything else, not only in this regards but the entire nation too.

- About 100 billion support leh, comes from all the years of prosperity, this is indeed the "rainy" day and they had taken care of it rather well, still unsatisfied? Who owes you your living?

- And the way I see it, if you're unhappy, change the things you can, by helping whoever, by engaging in active feedback with constructive suggestions, not just empty criticisms, if not change the mindset, or leave the country, there are plenty in line waiting to be in, in this globalized world, who is entitled to what land? No one owes us a living, it boils down to how much hunger for success, how much hunger to adapt, how much hunger to search and forage for help, for connections, for social mobility.

- Lastly, "make you vote count", "deny supermajority", really necessary? Well it seems to be in this country, it becomes a norm to diss at whatever efforts of the country to praises to the country, to attribute it to brainwashing, bribery and all, and whatever is opposing seems to be painted with "speaking of truth" and "heart for citizens".

Nation started off with immigrants......
Developed by trades and diplomacy.......
Relatively young nation therefore much case studies to reference to.....
Thrived with Democracy and Meritocracy........
Then benefited from the industrial revolutions.......
Quality of life increased.......... attract too much immigrant,
Xenophobic looms..........
Questions leadership........
Accused for complacency and controversies.......
Make the Nation Great Again.........

I fear that one day, someone will eventually "Make Singapore Great Again"..................