When I took this picture, my donut was smiling to the world. (:

And again, yet another random photo whoring session (:



Rather random pictures of raffles spotlight at RI yesterday. The usual school talentime show, but must say some of the contestants had extremely good voices so yeah quite worth the 5 bucks. Didn't vote because we didn't have a pen, but hey the winner totally deserved it.

Labels: Events

And of the little random things we do (: After recalling the necessity to must maake full use of our time after the exams to stay out as much as possible, went out with Celest and Claire to Bishan.



On the theory that looking at pretty food makes people happy, took photos of the pretty ice cream from Haagen-Daz (this is Claire's) so HM. Smile now. (: But anyhow, in a happy attempt to relive childhood memories, went to the small little park in Bishan to play in the playground.



Guess this is what they call post-exam syndrome where we momentarily live in our little bubbles of bliss and enjoy watching the world go by, carefree and all. The way it should be, perhaps?

Labels: Journal Entry

377A. Sound like anything familiar? Perhaps if you've read the recent papers on the gay community submitting a parliamentary petition via NMP Siew Kum Hong, you'd realise the debate on whether S377A of the Penal Code (which prohibits homosexual male acts) should be repealed. Interestingly enough, this has started off quite a big issue with online petitions such as Keep 377A and Repeal 377A respectively.

So before sharing what I feel about the issue, here's whats currently written in our little island's law books:

The Singapore Penal Code, Chapter XVI (Offences Affecting the Human Body)states that:
Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animals, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Section 377A (Outrages on decency) states that:
Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years.

Perhaps just thinking about it, the current 2007 review resulted in the repeal of section 377. However, 377A leaves much to be debated about, in the context of the Singaporean society. Singapore is still, a rather conservative society. Taking a look at the HDB rulings and even baby bonus commisions, it is evident that we still firmly believe in the fundamentals of the whole family being the basic unit of society. However, with the increase of reported underage sex offences and despite having such rulings in place, the moral degeneration of Singaporean teens throw the moral values our laws claim to uphold in a questionable position.

Thinking about this section of the law in terms of practicality, personally I don't see how the law of criminalising all other non-penetrative sexual acts between men would be carried out. With this law being applied in the cases of mutual masturbation, genital contact, I don't see how such acts are going to be tracked down and in that sense condemned and charged for (unless we're talking about a replay of police entrapment tactics. Do we really not have more important issues regarding national security to deal with?) The only practical use of such a law would possibly in lewd behaviour without direct physical contact. However, when in common consensus on the act itself, where do we draw the line in such vague terms of the code? Somehow it just seems to me that this law has been put in place to affirm Singapore's stand on a conservative society but not having much purpose and effect in terms of practicality and effectiveness when it comes to the issue of homosexuality.

Once again looking at the issues presented on 377A, the crux of the debate in the words of religious advocates and pro-family activists is the erosion of the wholesome family unit as well as the moral values that lie close to the heart. With the consequential impact of the institution of family, mainstreaming the homosexual lifestyle could even lead to the redefinition of marriages. Holding the stand that statistics from a recent NTU study revealed that almost 70% of Singaporeans expressed negative attitudes towards lesbians and gay men, the problem here lies in the sentiments of the majority - whether the belief in the traditional environment that espouses healthy family values or on sexual minorities deserving respect and similar rights.

Its pretty ironic that we pay special attention in ensuring minorities rights are given, yet ignoring our society's sexual and social minority, but the issue of 377A has definitely brought to light the need to acknowledge the prescence of the homosexual community in Singapore. Regardless whether homosexuality in itself is a choice, ultimately this issue of liberalism in society holds into consideration the impacts of such a change in society in the clash of societal open-mindedness. Along with the need to respect personal and religious beliefs, the advocators of this issue will simply have to leave it to the government to decide whether our society is indeed ready for this change.

(Would like to hear your opinion about this matter so do comment if you've read this)

Labels: Thoughts

And guess since I've just remembered to look at the Nuffnang tab on my Mozilla Firefox which I've been saving just to legally register at the age of 15, starting on the Advertlets vs Nuffnangs post (as many others have done) to see which provides better rates, and for all those who're interested to find out, so.

Marionette On Run

It began.

They fell intermittently,
Dangling from the threads
Of society, moving along as
The battle commenced.

Overwhelemed, the bystanders watched
The controlled choreography.
Each chasse, each twirl, intent eyes
Contemplated to laud, to praise.

The endeavour did not take long
As they were placed back into order
For rustic dripped lines in modernity
Slowing them to a halt.

The end.

A standing ovation, for the
Sutradhar of those strings.
As every drop of bellicose condensed,
Sanguinary, disoriented through their veins.

Long after did one realise
Every entrechat, every movement was made
To tame them from running amok,
To ensure no one fell out of line.

Speaking hues of vibrancy,
They were put on mental-anesthetic
Played by the word of hierarchy, an innuendo;
A reminder that the line should never be crossed.

So marks the execution of the
Advocates for individualism,
Simply because societal perspectives
Never change.

The aftermath.

Was contemplating this poem which I wrote for my literature performance task many months ago. The theme was on struggles on perception, and I guess it brings back (somewhat vague) memories. Craft definitely needed improvement, but that comes along with time so enjoy the poem (or whats left of these lines), I guess.

Labels: Compositions

I think its amazing how simple things others do can make another's day. Just the feeling, and in my feeble attempt to sum up the multitude of events and emotions as felt in a bout of expressionless words; thank you for everything. A simple SMS, coming to my house to deliver my present, hanging around orchard and watching sucky movies, teaching me how to play pool, messing around with candy floss, baking me a cake, buying me dance tickets, spamming me with donuts -cough- or otherwise, just want to once again say thank you to everyone who remembered.

Y'all made my day.

Labels: Birthday

Still thinking about the many many things left in my head that need to be pondered about, yet because of that purposefully forgotten. But that aside, was outside SIM the other day and decided to take this random snapshot, with the pretty bright blues staring back at me. Too bad its most of the time that there're bound to be things in our way. Things that don't allow us to see clearly, things that don't allow us to get where we want to or simply hinder the process of reaching for that sky. Likewise, the towering structures support and shelter, but do we all then willingly trade the freedom we once had and lock ourselves up? Then again, its time to figure out what to do with those megaliths in our mind before anything else.

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
- Maya Angelou

Labels: Ramblings

Its over. And yes, with a wonderful treat at Mount Emily's to celebrate my birthday before Dad goes overseas. Random since all the press releases on Willin Low and his decisions to leave his profession as a lawyer to serve us fusion delights at Mount Emily, with a pretty little birthday cake (:


Chocolate Gateau With Flambé Banana

But yes all the same, Balls of Fury today was so full of shit it was actually extremely amusing (: And for the rest of y'all, enjoy the 5 or so days of bliss we have for this period of time where we literally can completely forget about everything. Oddly enough, the feeling of euphoria hasn't exactly set in (as I had predicted). Perhaps I should start planning the list of things to do now before I start to realise I can do them.

First on this list would involve sleeping till 10. Yes, I welcome the life.

Labels: Birthday, Food

Wonderful wonderful weekends and simple indulgences. Figure I need to study more, so for the time being its back to chem before I feel the guilt overwhelm me. Hence despite knowing that there's nothing to study and chem being about the application, I will persevere in my benevolent intentions of redeeming myself from the pangs of guilt on the lit and bio papers I enjoyably messed up.

And then its four more to go.

Labels: Food, Studies

Had yummy slices of pizza and mozzarella cheesesticks from Rocky's Pizza for dinner, in my mum's thoughtful attempts to free me from the Bio Blues. (Guess what, it worked!) But yes, I guess its 3 down and 4 to go. Ironically, feeling somewhat lost admidst all the furious notes-in-words being cast like simple spells around the classroom.

Anyhow, settled on the holiday plans today, booking tickets at the travel agencies and online. Feels good, with the anticipation of going abroad during the holidays, perhaps flying off to somewhere I want to be. Funny that I need to use this as a driving force to propel me into actually studying before labelling myself as undeserving of such enjoyable breaks.

Indeed, pizza (or the invisible angel holding it) gives you wings.

Labels: Food