Prawning

This morning, I attended my unit's anniversary celebration at Hai Bin Prawning in Sin Ming. Needless to say, the main thing to do there was to fish for prawns. My catch amounted to eight, not bad for a first-time prawner.

I guess more or less everybody managed to catch at least one prawn. To me, it doesn't matter which part of the pond one is at, the most important factor should be the bait. I trimmed down the bait's size for one of my friends as he was having an unfruitful time and within three minutes, I managed to hook up a prawn.

There was also a competition to fish for the heaviest and lightest prawn. The heaviest one was unbeatable at more than 300 grams (heck, it looked like a lobster) while the lightest weighed an astonishing 7 grams, the type that looked more appropriate to feed fishes than humans.

Prawning was an interesting experience for me. However, I still prefer good old fishing as there is more freedom and creativity to it.

My humble catch for the day

Well done Singapore!

Congratulations to Laurentia Tan for winning our country's first medal at the London Paralympics Games. Never mind that she suffers from some kind of illness, at least she is a true blue Singaporean who was born on our soil.

iPads for animals?

The rise of tablet computers is so phenomenal that human beings are not the only ones who are using it. As part of a program known as Apps for Apes (what a silly name), twelve zoos from America and Canada are making use of iPad apps to teach orangutans.

It was evident that these primates have similar behavioural patterns to humans. The orangutans like stroking the screen  and even watching videos containing their own species. Apps utilized by zookeepers include memory games and Doodle Buddy. (Wow, amazing!)

It's been said that zookeepers are checking out how communication applications can assist animals in expressing themselves in a clearer manner. Like if an animal is hungry, it can use its hand, feet, tongue or whatever appropriate body part to tap on the iPad to inform people.

There is further indication that animals are hooked on spending time with tablet computers as an enthusiastic but armless orangutan from Florida was reported to be using the iPad with her feet. Will humans ever get so extreme? Maybe.

Not bad. In this world, some people do not even have access to basic communication devices like telephones and here we are letting animals have the luxury of playing with an iPad. What the heck is happening to the world?

More & More

First, the government urged people to have more

than we are told to let them have more

teachers will be getting 8% more

for foreigners, we were told to show more

although more and more of them

  

public transport

Comex has arrived and there are more and more

while Carrefour is closing down as there is more and more

 

last but not least, William and Kate are coming to Singapore

to the estate in

stown called Strathmore.

Phone call scam

A couple of hours ago, I received a call on my lau pok Samsung mobile phone from this number 66224790. Apparently, it looks like a local one although I cannot be one hundred percent sure.

The caller's strong Indian accent easily disclosed her race. The background noise was very loud during the start of the call and it took me a while before I could make out the words which she (had memorized and) was trying to say.

Here is roughly what the conversation between the both of us sounded like.

Caller (after a two-second pause): Good evening! I am Saya (I think so?) calling from ~background noise~ and your phone number has been ~background noise~. Congratulations...~more noise~

Me (already pretty sure that it's some scam call): Sorry, can't hear you. It's very noisy, can you say again?

Caller: Ok. I apologize. I said your phone numBER (emphasizing) has been selecTED (emphasizing again) to win a blah blah blah (I can't recall what imaginary contest it was) contest.

Me (sounding excited): Oh ok!

Caller: You are a Singapore PR, permanent resident right?

Failed. Your father on the other line is a true blue Singapore citizen.

And the fun has just started.

Me: Nooooo. I am in India! Indian! Indian!

Caller: No, you are in Singapore!

Me: No, Singapooor? Indian! I am India citizen!!!

Caller: Yes! You are an Indian in Singapore.

Me: No! This is India! What Singapooor?

Caller (sounding unconvinced): Erm, you are in India?

Me: Yeeeeah, Innnndia.

Caller (tries o test me by changing topic): Ok, so you're from India right?

I knew the conversation was approaching a twist. Hence, I fired a question first before the caller could test where on earth am I really at.

Me (immediately): Ya, are you calling from Singapore?

Caller: Yes and you are from India right? Do you know the movie 3 Idiots?

Yeah I do. It is one of the highest-grossing Bollywood movies featuring Kareena Kapoor but why should I answer that question?

Me: Is your office in Singapore?

Caller: You know the movie...

Me: Wait, I asked first, you answer my question! From Singapore.

Caller: Yes, my office is in Singapore.

Me: Which part of Singapore?

Caller: It is 30 Hill Street, you heard of it before?

Incredibly, I could hear that sentence clearly.

Me: Hmmm, noooo! I dooon't think soooo but I can call the police to catch you!

And I hung up the call.

Well, I am still contemplating whether should I report this incident to the police. The number there is clearly a local one so the case might be less complex to handle.

Still thinking hard about it.

Mindef allows camera phones in camps

A long and tiring week for me has come to an end at last. Now it is time to unwind and do all the stuff which I was unable to accomplish while in camp.

Anyway, in case you don't know, camera phones will be allowed in 14 army camps from tomorrow onwards and fortunately, the one which I am posted to is in the list. This significant move by the ministry of defence will surely be reviewed within a year but in the meantime, expect a lot of talk and maybe snapping among servicemen.

There will be "green" and "red" zones to distinguish sensitive areas where the camera phones cannot be brought into. That makes me wonder if there are any lockers outside every office for people to store their smartphones. If there isn't, how can we ensure that no camera phone is in a red zone.

Also, since camera phones are not banned in camps, then why are cameras still an illegal item? Don't they perform the same function as a camera phone and has only that one function which makes it less dangerous?

I bet some people will take photos of the cookhouse food and post them on the internet for everyone to judge how good-looking or tasty it is.

Singapore food too low-class for posh pinic?

 We've had numerous Diner en Blancs since 50 years ago

The famous Diner en Blanc is finally coming to Singapore this Thursday but the organizers have stirred up controversy a few days ago when they uninvited a local food blogger who suggested bringing food like tau huay and chicken rice to the pop-up picnic.

Diner en Blanc, originated from France more than 20 years ago, has been held in various countries around the world and Singapore happens to be the first in Asia. Guests have to be dressed in white, bring their own tables, food and drinks - "high-class" beverages like wine in particular - to the venue which will only be disclosed on the day itself.

The blogger who was barred from participating claimed that the organizers requested guests to bring quality food. It is indeed disturbing to know that delicacies like tau huay look unglam in the eyes of those ang mohs.

It was reported that other bloggers who were initially invited to the picnic were also uninvited. One of the organizers, Clemen Chiang explained that there was some confusion for the objective is to have guests prepare their own food instead of da-baoing them.

"The diners have to ask themselves if they are comfortable eating you tiao and drinking champagne. If you feel comfortable putting you tiao on your table, carry on."

Oh please, who eats you char kway with champagne? It is supposed to be paired with soya bean milk which, in my opinion, is whiter than champagne. This Clemen Chiang is obviously the confused one trying to mix things up.

Anyway, if you are a guest, imagine yourself bringing your own table, bottle of wine and "good food" to the venue while sweating in that white shirt of yours. I think we are better off participating in some PAP grassroots event where we can get to see many people wearing white and enjoy free food.

The colour white seems to be rather dictatorial in Singapore.

Singapore is the richest in the world! My foot!

According to a recent survey by Knight Frank and Citi Private Wealth Report, Singapore, with a per capita income of 56,532 USD, is the richest country in the world. It is also projected that Singapore will be home to the richest citizens by 2050 with an estimated per capita income of 137,710 USD.

Fellow countries with strong economies, Norway, America and Hong Kong make up the top four spots of being the wealthiest in 2050. But did Singapore really beat the rest of the world to attain its new status that the mainstream media has been boasting about?

For most Singaporeans, such news is hardly rosy and I reckon many will agree that this survey is inaccurate and even flawed. Although newspapers like The Straits Times try to add glitter and shine to such a magnificent economic achievement, we are aware that this is certainly nothing to be joyful of.

Singapore defeated everybody else in terms of purchasing power parity. This means that the people here able to afford more things or higher prices than the rest of the world. Is that really the case? Previously, a UBS survey found out that the purchasing power of Singaporeans is one of the weakest.

Zurich lead the rankings in 106.9. Fellow Asians like Hong Kong and Seoul have 58.1 and 57.4 respectively. As for tiny Singapore, we only achieved a mere 39.9. Singaporeans may earn more than workers of other countries but due to the high cost of living here, countries with lower wages are actually better off.

If an employee from Singapore and another in Malaysia were to be paid the same salary, the Malaysian one would be in a better financial position as prices (housing, food etc.) in his country are less than those in neighbouring Singapore. Clearly, the so-called richest tag isn't a big deal at all.

Plus, Singapore's growth has much to do with the huge influx of foreigners. These foreign talents may have contributed to the economy but their presence continues to depress wages. The government's emphasis on increasing economic growth by importing foreign workers will only leave the average Singaporean stagnant.

Poverty still exist in a such a contemporary and classy country like ours, many elderly citizens are still without a home and have to collect cans for a living. Fellow Southeast-Asia country Brunei provides free medication for its people while citizens here have to sweat over a flawed healthcare policy called Medisave.

Last but not least, another loophole is that since the survey calculated numbers using US currency, part of the rising prosperity is a result of the strong surging Sing dollar.

Singapore is definitely not the richest in the world. The Straits Times should alter its news to be the Singapore government is the richest in the world instead. But then again, ironically, this "richest government" seem to have poor financial management by constantly making losses from foreign investments.

Endangered Species

China: Giant Panda

India: Asiatic Lion

Borneo: Proboscis Monkey

Central Africa: Mountain Gorilla

Singapore: Babies

If the Olympics was on Facebook

Diet Coke vs Coke Zero

The world's most famous soft drink, Coca-Cola has two low-calorie products called Diet Coke (aka Coke Light) and Coke Zero. Despite having different names and marketing campaigns, both beverages are almost identical in terms of ingredients and nutritional information.

Diet Coke first appeared in 1982 to target those who are health-conscious yet crave for good taste. Coca-Cola Zero was only released in 2005 which aims to taste just like the "real Coke flavour". However, in reality, both have similar tastes and it is hard to differentiate one from the other.

In fact, both drinks are somewhat like twins. Their contents include carbonated water, caramel colour, phosphoric acid, potassium, caffeine and aspartame (a potential health threat). Needless to say, though both are good choices for those watching their sugar intake, it is still advisable drink less as they can damage your teeth.

Coca-Cola claims that both drinks contain zero calories but for your information, it is not compulsory for a company to state the energy amount if a serving size has less than five calories. I believe that the actual number should be approximately one to three.

For those who are wondering which Coke is healthier to consume, my answer is no answer. Both are equal in most aspects except for the proportion of the ingredients which is why some people observe a slight difference in taste.

In a nutshell, both types of Cola are still considered "bad" as they contain aspartame, an artificial sugar substitute that is hardly beneficial to your physical well-being. But, drinking a bottle of them once in a while would be perfectly fine.