Monday, September 11, 2006
Friday, September 08, 2006
《谦》
谦，是什么？
为什么它是华人社会，甚至是全世界，这么重视的价值观呢?为什么这个字能对于一个民族的思想有这么大的影响？
我认为这是一个非常值得探讨的一个问题。因为人在生命中的某个介段总得学习到谦的意义。否则他将会在自大中沉溺，无法真正的看清周遭的事物；受到错折的时候无法镇作。如果连自己身处何处都不知道，那人生的意义到底是什么？如果人生走到了尽头的时候才发现你始终没有找到自己人生的定位，才发现从前因为自大与骄傲错过的东西太多，那又该如何呢？
可见“谦”是多么重要。它能让我们宽容对待周围的人，事，物。它能让我们普实地过人生的每一刻。
也许就是因为“谦”的重要，造成许多人，在我认为，对于“谦”有不太正确的理解。
惭愧是谦吗？自卑是谦吗？难道事事都把自己说得比别人差就等于谦虚吗？
我认为，“谦”的基础是“诚”。对自己诚实，同时也对他人诚实。对自己诚实才能看到自己的缺点，从人生经历中吸取教训。对他人诚实是对他人的一种尊重也是在自我了解的过程中所产生的一种自信。
说到自我了解，我认为这是一个在学习“谦”的时候不可或缺的过程。只有真正的了解自己才能认知到个人在这世上是多么的渺小。天外有天，人外有人。
总之，我认为“谦”是在修身的过程中自然产生的特质。越是有修养的人，越能做到真正的谦虚。对于“谦”，能学到的东西实在太多了。我仍在摸索当中，希望有一天我也能做到“谦”。
为什么它是华人社会，甚至是全世界，这么重视的价值观呢?为什么这个字能对于一个民族的思想有这么大的影响？
我认为这是一个非常值得探讨的一个问题。因为人在生命中的某个介段总得学习到谦的意义。否则他将会在自大中沉溺，无法真正的看清周遭的事物；受到错折的时候无法镇作。如果连自己身处何处都不知道，那人生的意义到底是什么？如果人生走到了尽头的时候才发现你始终没有找到自己人生的定位，才发现从前因为自大与骄傲错过的东西太多，那又该如何呢？
可见“谦”是多么重要。它能让我们宽容对待周围的人，事，物。它能让我们普实地过人生的每一刻。
也许就是因为“谦”的重要，造成许多人，在我认为，对于“谦”有不太正确的理解。
惭愧是谦吗？自卑是谦吗？难道事事都把自己说得比别人差就等于谦虚吗？
我认为，“谦”的基础是“诚”。对自己诚实，同时也对他人诚实。对自己诚实才能看到自己的缺点，从人生经历中吸取教训。对他人诚实是对他人的一种尊重也是在自我了解的过程中所产生的一种自信。
说到自我了解，我认为这是一个在学习“谦”的时候不可或缺的过程。只有真正的了解自己才能认知到个人在这世上是多么的渺小。天外有天，人外有人。
总之，我认为“谦”是在修身的过程中自然产生的特质。越是有修养的人，越能做到真正的谦虚。对于“谦”，能学到的东西实在太多了。我仍在摸索当中，希望有一天我也能做到“谦”。
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
HSBC the world's local bank?
I made a trip to the HSBC international banking centre at Orchard Road today to setup an international student account for my studies.
Before the trip today, I made a separate trip to HSBC to collect the information and application package and made an appointment to meet the HSBC representative. Apparently the schedule was packed and the earliest appointment was for 1 week later.
When I opened the package, I realized the forms included only needed 5 minutes to fill in. What's worse, the meeting with the HSBC representative only lasted 15 minutes! Haha!
So why the hell did I have to work one week? Are their schedules really that packed? Are there really so many UK students setting up accounts?
At the end of the meeting, I asked the representative why did we have to wait for the appointment. She explained that it was to prevent clients from making 2 seperate trips to HSBC. WTH! I made 2 seperate trips too!
HSBC could have just posted what we need to show the HSBC representative online. We call HSBC directly to make an appointment and eveything could be settled one times jialat jialat.
Before the trip today, I made a separate trip to HSBC to collect the information and application package and made an appointment to meet the HSBC representative. Apparently the schedule was packed and the earliest appointment was for 1 week later.
When I opened the package, I realized the forms included only needed 5 minutes to fill in. What's worse, the meeting with the HSBC representative only lasted 15 minutes! Haha!
So why the hell did I have to work one week? Are their schedules really that packed? Are there really so many UK students setting up accounts?
At the end of the meeting, I asked the representative why did we have to wait for the appointment. She explained that it was to prevent clients from making 2 seperate trips to HSBC. WTH! I made 2 seperate trips too!
HSBC could have just posted what we need to show the HSBC representative online. We call HSBC directly to make an appointment and eveything could be settled one times jialat jialat.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
3 Cheers for Sinapore's City Planners
Alright now, 3rd and last day in Malaysia. Starting to appreciate how lucky it is to live in Singapore.
Why?
A few things I perpetually felt when I was in KL were:
1. Sense of everything being cluster together
2. Disorganization
Sense of Everything being Clustered Together
I guess this is usual for any bustling city, not to mention the capital of Malaysia. This is also apparent in the Tanjong Pagar area in Singapore.
The feeling is as if you cant breath. Taking a deep breath might just breach the limits of your rightful "space". What's so horrible about that, you might ask. I mean being Singaporean, small spaces should be a problem. Well, it's the combination of this with the other listed factor that makes me miss Singapore.
Disorganization
In my opinion, things aren't really organized in KL as compared to Singapore. It's like the roads just seem to wind around like a knotted snake. Sometimes there's like no obvious way from point to point even if it is just across the road.
In Singapore, overhead bridges or pedestrian crossings are always within reach. Road signs are considerately placed some distance before the point where you need to turn and not AT the point where you need to turn.
Also there seems to be no general "theme" to sections of the city. There's a prison next to a shopping district. Shops are just grouped together seemingly by FCFS (First Come First Serve) basis. As in next to a toy shop there is a boutique and on another level there's another toy shop. There seemed not to be any classification.
This is totally unlike Singapore where areas of the city are classified quite clearly. Like orchard road, CBD, etc.
Perhaps Singaporeans really are a lucky bunch.
Look, I am not saying KL is a bad place. It's a bustling city. And it is due to culture that things turn out the way they are. No good or bad.
What I want to draw your attention to is not the differences in the way things are but the differences in mindset and culture. I think it is important to understand and accept cultural differences so as to see the way the world really is.
I am a pure blood post-'65 Singaporean. I grew up in the organized and comfortable environment that you see today. We have a government who does an efficient job in city planning leading to a city which is organized and easy to navigate. Consequently, people just get used to it.
Then you see KL. Not as clean, not as organized. But what is the subsequent effect on the people and culture? I haven't been in Malaysia long enough to meaningfully comment on their culture. So I will take the approach of putting myself in their shoes. If I were a KL native, I would imagine that I would get used to getting lost, settling things independently and imperfection.
So do you see the pattern? Culture/Mindset > the way things develop > environment exerts invisible forces on the people > Culture/Mindset is shaped and evolved.
Like Samuel Huntington says (I hope I don't reference it wrongly) civilizations used in the plural accepts that each culture has its own civil standards and none is superior. The comparison of KL and Singapore is also similar.
I have only been in Malaysia for a few days. It would be unfair to say that my views are absolute or my opinions apply throughout Malaysia. Also, I don't think that KL is inferior. (It's just that I am not used to it. Hahaha!) I mean I imagined KL natives to be independent thinkers; isn't that a good thing?
These 3 days have really given me some things to think about being Singaporean. Is it good to be Singaporean? Well, maybe....
Disclaimer
The above article expresses my personal opinion and does not intentionally hurt others. If any of my comments seem unfair or cause bad feelings among others, I am deeply sorry!!!!!
Hahaha! Bery Singaporean hor!!!!!
Why?
A few things I perpetually felt when I was in KL were:
1. Sense of everything being cluster together
2. Disorganization
Sense of Everything being Clustered Together
I guess this is usual for any bustling city, not to mention the capital of Malaysia. This is also apparent in the Tanjong Pagar area in Singapore.
The feeling is as if you cant breath. Taking a deep breath might just breach the limits of your rightful "space". What's so horrible about that, you might ask. I mean being Singaporean, small spaces should be a problem. Well, it's the combination of this with the other listed factor that makes me miss Singapore.
Disorganization
In my opinion, things aren't really organized in KL as compared to Singapore. It's like the roads just seem to wind around like a knotted snake. Sometimes there's like no obvious way from point to point even if it is just across the road.
In Singapore, overhead bridges or pedestrian crossings are always within reach. Road signs are considerately placed some distance before the point where you need to turn and not AT the point where you need to turn.
Also there seems to be no general "theme" to sections of the city. There's a prison next to a shopping district. Shops are just grouped together seemingly by FCFS (First Come First Serve) basis. As in next to a toy shop there is a boutique and on another level there's another toy shop. There seemed not to be any classification.
This is totally unlike Singapore where areas of the city are classified quite clearly. Like orchard road, CBD, etc.
Perhaps Singaporeans really are a lucky bunch.
Look, I am not saying KL is a bad place. It's a bustling city. And it is due to culture that things turn out the way they are. No good or bad.
What I want to draw your attention to is not the differences in the way things are but the differences in mindset and culture. I think it is important to understand and accept cultural differences so as to see the way the world really is.
I am a pure blood post-'65 Singaporean. I grew up in the organized and comfortable environment that you see today. We have a government who does an efficient job in city planning leading to a city which is organized and easy to navigate. Consequently, people just get used to it.
Then you see KL. Not as clean, not as organized. But what is the subsequent effect on the people and culture? I haven't been in Malaysia long enough to meaningfully comment on their culture. So I will take the approach of putting myself in their shoes. If I were a KL native, I would imagine that I would get used to getting lost, settling things independently and imperfection.
So do you see the pattern? Culture/Mindset > the way things develop > environment exerts invisible forces on the people > Culture/Mindset is shaped and evolved.
Like Samuel Huntington says (I hope I don't reference it wrongly) civilizations used in the plural accepts that each culture has its own civil standards and none is superior. The comparison of KL and Singapore is also similar.
I have only been in Malaysia for a few days. It would be unfair to say that my views are absolute or my opinions apply throughout Malaysia. Also, I don't think that KL is inferior. (It's just that I am not used to it. Hahaha!) I mean I imagined KL natives to be independent thinkers; isn't that a good thing?
These 3 days have really given me some things to think about being Singaporean. Is it good to be Singaporean? Well, maybe....
Disclaimer
The above article expresses my personal opinion and does not intentionally hurt others. If any of my comments seem unfair or cause bad feelings among others, I am deeply sorry!!!!!
Hahaha! Bery Singaporean hor!!!!!
Friday, September 01, 2006
Malaysia Truly Asia.......
Yay! Finally, after 3 years of staying put in Singapore, I am going abroad!
This time, I am going to the country where commercials claim to be "truly asia", Malaysia. I know, it's not very far from home, but what the heck. You get a stamp on your passport means you are abroad. Haha!
I am going there this time to visit my father who is working there. This is my second time in Malaysia. My first visit was more than ten years ago.
My father drove my mother and I to Kuala Lumpur. On our way there, we stopped at a rest station to grab a bite and use the toilet. As I was walking down the row of food stalls, I noticed that all the stalls had their food pre-prepared and left on the shelf. Not very appetising is it?
Anyway, I went for the most decent looking one. Guess what? It's the one which looks most like a fast food outlet. Haha! Singaporean mentality. Fast food=more or less clean and good.
Well, guess what again? I WAS WRONG!! I order a chicken burger set. The burger feels and looks like its been there since last week. The chicken looks and tastes like pork (although the owner was malay). The lettuce and cucumber inside looks like... something else. The fries.... What fries? Seems more like bread shaped like fries. Haha! Spoken like a true blue Singaporean. Not that it's not good. I just think that the difference in attitude and probably food is due primarily to culture. And there is no good or bad, when it comes to culture. Perhaps I should lighten up more and accept what is presented to me. When in Rome do what the Romans do, right?
Not a very good start to a holiday is it? But hey, it's only the first day. Shit happens. Let's hope that Malaysia will prove to "truly Asia".
This time, I am going to the country where commercials claim to be "truly asia", Malaysia. I know, it's not very far from home, but what the heck. You get a stamp on your passport means you are abroad. Haha!
I am going there this time to visit my father who is working there. This is my second time in Malaysia. My first visit was more than ten years ago.
My father drove my mother and I to Kuala Lumpur. On our way there, we stopped at a rest station to grab a bite and use the toilet. As I was walking down the row of food stalls, I noticed that all the stalls had their food pre-prepared and left on the shelf. Not very appetising is it?
Anyway, I went for the most decent looking one. Guess what? It's the one which looks most like a fast food outlet. Haha! Singaporean mentality. Fast food=more or less clean and good.
Well, guess what again? I WAS WRONG!! I order a chicken burger set. The burger feels and looks like its been there since last week. The chicken looks and tastes like pork (although the owner was malay). The lettuce and cucumber inside looks like... something else. The fries.... What fries? Seems more like bread shaped like fries. Haha! Spoken like a true blue Singaporean. Not that it's not good. I just think that the difference in attitude and probably food is due primarily to culture. And there is no good or bad, when it comes to culture. Perhaps I should lighten up more and accept what is presented to me. When in Rome do what the Romans do, right?
Not a very good start to a holiday is it? But hey, it's only the first day. Shit happens. Let's hope that Malaysia will prove to "truly Asia".
Monday, August 28, 2006
说秦汉
滚滚长江东逝水，浪花淘尽英雄；
是非成败转头空；
青山依旧在，几度夕阳红；
白发渔樵江渚上，惯看秋月春风；
一壶浊酒喜相逢；
古今多少事， 都付笑谈中。
这是我特别钟爱的一首诗。
它是《三国演义》里的开头诗。这还不止，它是一首非常称职的开头诗。我相信很多读过《三国演义》的人也会有同感。当你一翻开《三国》，读到这首诗时，你很快的就可以进入状况，感受当时的动荡。此外，读完了《三国》之后，回想起这首诗时，更加觉得这首短短的诗已经充分的形容了由汉至晋的时代变迁。
这首诗的前半阙表现了“合久必分，分久必合” 以及“长江后浪推前浪” 的现相。就拿“浪花淘尽英雄”，“是非成败转头空”和“几度夕阳红” 这几句来说，已经能让人觉得这世界是变化无常的。
而最让我有感触及难忘的就是这首诗的下半阙。下半阙舒发了一种清雅脱俗的胸襟。让人有一种置身世外，冷眼旁观的感觉。
总之，这首诗在我认为处处透露了一种豪迈气息。时时提醒着人们世事无常，凡事当宽怀对待。
以上是我个人的愚见。不知道对于这首诗的理解及译释是否有些错漏。若有不同的看法或意见的话，欢迎在网上留言，交流交流。
是非成败转头空；
青山依旧在，几度夕阳红；
白发渔樵江渚上，惯看秋月春风；
一壶浊酒喜相逢；
古今多少事， 都付笑谈中。
这是我特别钟爱的一首诗。
它是《三国演义》里的开头诗。这还不止，它是一首非常称职的开头诗。我相信很多读过《三国演义》的人也会有同感。当你一翻开《三国》，读到这首诗时，你很快的就可以进入状况，感受当时的动荡。此外，读完了《三国》之后，回想起这首诗时，更加觉得这首短短的诗已经充分的形容了由汉至晋的时代变迁。
这首诗的前半阙表现了“合久必分，分久必合” 以及“长江后浪推前浪” 的现相。就拿“浪花淘尽英雄”，“是非成败转头空”和“几度夕阳红” 这几句来说，已经能让人觉得这世界是变化无常的。
而最让我有感触及难忘的就是这首诗的下半阙。下半阙舒发了一种清雅脱俗的胸襟。让人有一种置身世外，冷眼旁观的感觉。
总之，这首诗在我认为处处透露了一种豪迈气息。时时提醒着人们世事无常，凡事当宽怀对待。
以上是我个人的愚见。不知道对于这首诗的理解及译释是否有些错漏。若有不同的看法或意见的话，欢迎在网上留言，交流交流。
UK Bound
Going... Going... Gone!!!!
27th September 2006 will be the beginning of.... of..... er... something.
I do not know what will be waiting for me.
What I can foresee are things like washing my own clothes, cooking my own food, paying my own bills. Haha! Sounds like a spoiled brat.
In fact, I think I am. I think many kids in Singapore are. That's why I feel, in some ways, grateful for the life I had during NS. Not that NS prepares me fully but it sure did give me more exposure.
Beyond what is expected, there are also many things which I hope to do or experience when I am in UK.
Things like travelling on my own, meeting new friends, seeing the world through other people's eyes, playing pool with the English, getting drunk in an English pub and many more. Of course, my mission there will still be to receive an education.
Excitement about leaving for UK is sometimes overwhelmed by a sense of unwillingness to leave. Afterall, there are many familiar places, people and things.
I guess that's part and parcel of life. You win some you lose some. A dynamic equilibrium of gain and loss. No matter what, it would seem that I have reached the point of no return. Not to make things sound bleak but the trip to UK is imminent and inevitable.
27th September 2006 will be the beginning of.... of..... er... something.
I do not know what will be waiting for me.
What I can foresee are things like washing my own clothes, cooking my own food, paying my own bills. Haha! Sounds like a spoiled brat.
In fact, I think I am. I think many kids in Singapore are. That's why I feel, in some ways, grateful for the life I had during NS. Not that NS prepares me fully but it sure did give me more exposure.
Beyond what is expected, there are also many things which I hope to do or experience when I am in UK.
Things like travelling on my own, meeting new friends, seeing the world through other people's eyes, playing pool with the English, getting drunk in an English pub and many more. Of course, my mission there will still be to receive an education.
Excitement about leaving for UK is sometimes overwhelmed by a sense of unwillingness to leave. Afterall, there are many familiar places, people and things.
I guess that's part and parcel of life. You win some you lose some. A dynamic equilibrium of gain and loss. No matter what, it would seem that I have reached the point of no return. Not to make things sound bleak but the trip to UK is imminent and inevitable.
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