The End of the World! (Really?)

Now, hopefully at the end of the day, I will make some sense to you. But that said, you have to decide for yourself what are the signs out there. Well, as a Christian, I am not inclined to the thinking that the end is in 2012. But, I do think that it could be coming soon.

This end of the world talk has been, however, on going for the last 3000 years. And every once in a while, there will be some talk about the End is Near. It is coming! It is always coming but have not yet came.

It needs to see a sex therapist.

Allow me to put on the soothsayer hat and begin on some important observations:

1. Lunar and Solar Eclipses. 

Long long time ago, it used to be 20 years once. Then, it became 10. Then a couple of years... And now, every couple of months we either have a partial eclipse or full eclipse, be it lunar or solar in nature.
The way I look at it from playing too much computer games, it seems to have a countdown or a half life of some sort. To what? I don't know! I'm ain't the Creator yeah.

BUT: Technology has improved by leaps and bounds. Sightings of lunar or solar eclipses could be pretty much more accessible today as compared to 20 years ago.

Then, we have to consider the increased repetition of natural disasters. From the TV age to the IT age to the internet age, it is apparent there has been an increase. Global warming? Yeah. Probably something interfering with the magnetic field as well.

2. Increased UFO sightings.

There was been a huge huge jump in the increase of UFO sightings all over the world. Lights that cannot be explained. Hundreds if not thousands of people have caught sight of these appearances.
And because of the rise of Youtube and the popularity of the smart phone, tons of these videos have been uploaded and deemed to be pretty much genuine. The most recent video would be the one in Taiwan in which an orb was seen during the firework display on New Year's Eve.

And that is just one of the many out there on the web.
From a purely scientific viewpoint:
- If UFOs are higher beings, they probably don't send their manned vehicles into a territory.
- They would probably send drones in. Or remote vehicles.
- To do what? To observe humanity. And for what?
--> a. Monitor, in preparation for an attack on planet Earth
--> b. To see how we could probably react in a calculated upcoming event humans call the Doomsday.

Otherwise, what is there an increase in sightings?

Think of yourself as the frog in the boiling pot. The scientist(UFO) probably wants to conduct a study on a lower lifeform such as humans.

Now, don't get me wrong. I have pretty good self esteem as a human. I'm just saying things on a purely scientific viewpoint.

3 . Planet X or Planet Nibiru

This is the speculation that there is an asteroid the size of ex-planet Pluto, having the same 365 day orbit as planet Earth, that is on course for a collusion with our planet. The nearing of Planet X was also rumored to be one of the reasons Pluto was downgraded as a planet.

Okay, correction. It's supposed to be another solar system crossing into our solar system. That doesn't sound too comforting.

Some time ago, in China and Russia there were sightings are a duo sun. That means there were 2 suns appearing in the sky at the same time. Possible? It's been seen by many as a hoax but from my understanding, there have also have realistically un-doctored images appearing online. The deciding factor is the size of the 2nd sun.

"And NASA also released news that they're now studying the moon, which happens to be lopsided.
The other side of the moon, the side we can't see, is thicker than the side we can.
Their guess? 2 moons collided and formed the moon that we have today. "

That said, when the director of NASA makes the following announcement, it makes you wonder.
My take is that, he's just talking about the increase in the number of natural disasters.

4. Manyan Calender

This one is simple. You should have watched "2012".

Basically, they predicted the world to end in 2012.
Then the golden question would be, "If they're so good, why weren't they around anymore?"
1 more important note. The Mayans don't predict the future, they record ages. And in 2012, what they're really saying is the end of a age.

If I put points 1 - 4 together, the countdown ends in 2012. I haven't even got started on Nostradamus.

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(silence...................................)

After all is said, I don't believe that 2012 is the end.

Why?
Because I am still ultimately a Christian.
And as a Christian and one who has been reading, the signs are not yet aligned.

I know there are many Christians who have read books on the Book of Revelation and Isaiah and the other books of prophecy. But if we were to keep a direct perspective and read it for what it is worth and not to bring in variables like, "oh 2 x 1000 = 2000 and 2 is the meaning of bleh and 2000 is the number for bleh" Fellow brothers and sisters, if we take the books of prophecies at face value:


1. No one can be absolutely sure about the timeline.
2. We know that the temple has to be rebuilt, but no concrete plans about that yet.
3. The economic collapse seems to be building up.
4. Anti Christ. Doesn't seem to have made his grand appearance?
5. The 2 witnesses. Where are they?
6. The Rapture. I'm still here.
7. The cosmic black out of 3.5 years.

Now, let's end off at the cosmic blackout of 3.5 years. If 2012 was indeed the year of the new beginning, and I make the following assumptions:

1. The UFOs are actually angels??!?!?!?!??!
2. Planet X arrives and kicks start the Great Tribulation and the Cosmic blackout
3. 2012 is the beginning of a new age.


Then yeah.... Possibility is there.

But! Too many of the signs have not yet surfaced and I am doubtful we am going to see them in 2012.
So yeah.

If you happen to believe that 2012 is INDEED the end, please sign your house, your car and your bank account to me since you don't need it anyway! 

Simple solution guys,
LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!!!!

Then, who cares about the end of the world!!??!!!
(Unless, of course, you're still a virgin.)

2011; End of the line

This is it! 

2011 has finally come to an end and what we can look forward to is really ignoring the whistle calls of 2011 and look straight ahead into the eyes of 2012.

Fact of the matter, this was intend a fantastic year, with lotsa of events going on and well for my own personal peruse, lets sum up some of those highlights.

Leadership
I had people telling me this year that they were looking up to me. Honestly, I'm flattered and at the same time, stressed!!! For goodness sake, I know myself and I am a man with many many flaws!!! Yes, I do have my strengths but my flaws are glaring in my own sight. But nonetheless, when leadership is required, I shall lead. Let 2012 be a year that I can do so with more grace and excellence. It's gonna be a challenging year but gonna be awesome at the same time!

Security Ministry
I have the safe haven that I've known for the past 7 years. Serving as one of the men in black was an adventure that I will always keep close to my heart. I left because I was seeking to serve God as a CGL someday. I left because I thought it was time to move on and also because with so many things happening in my life at that point of time, it would be better if I take a break.

Marriage
Now, this is taught me tremendously. Why? Because the entire planning experience was an experience indeed. Here's the timeline:

Dec 2010: The Proposal ( We were looking at Mar 2012 to get married)
March 2011: The New Decision ( I concurred that, heck! Since we're going to get married, why don't we do it sooner anyway!)
July 2011: Newly Wedded!

As you can see, we only had 3 months to plan. It was a nerve wrenching experience and it showed me who I could count on if I needed help. And of course, shortly after was the blogging saga in which I was pretty much taken out of context but I believe I have already dealt with that in earlier entries.

Now, as a husband to a woman, all I can say is that I have much to learn. From you, taking the effort to read my blog, thanks for your patience. Help me be a better man.

Business

You see, I believe: The pain has to be felt now

I am ending off the financial work year with a 50% growth.
In many aspects, 50% growth may seem like a huge percentage growth and not to discount that, it is. While I am grateful for the growth that God has blessed me with. It is still short of the 150% increase that I was seeking. Yes, 2011 marks the first year I qualified as a Superstar Club Award and for the Rome conventions but I still missed hitting my MDRT target.

So yes, the pain has to be felt now. I must work harder and smarter in 2012.
I must add more value for my clients.

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I'm sure there are many more highlights to 2011 but right now, the time is 2am and I'm too tired to continue.
People, forgive me for the wrongs I've done in 2011 and I thank you for the grace and love you've shown me in 2011.

Let's progress onto a brighter 2012.

Let's rock and roll people!

Woo Haaa!!!

做个好人 Being a good man

I realized I have little tolerance for incompetency, wimpy behavior coming from men irritates to the max and I have a thing of bringing the facts to you in your face at inappropriate timings. I tend to get these heightened emotional spikes when I experience events that should not happen, happening. And over time, it's an established illusion that yours truly may not be the most friendly person to talk or, or that yours truly is a profit driven maniac bent on just getting things done.

Well, maybe.

I learned that my intolerance comes from my concept/standard of excellence versus the said party's. I do have a preconception of how men should behavior, regardless of their sexual preference. And I believe that truth should be broadcasted into a person's life so that he/she can achieve his/her destiny at a hastened pace. If you can arrive at your destiny today, why wait till tomorrow?

Random: I tear when I watch emotional shows like 'The Pacific", and when I watch touching, lovely dovely movies. I feel extremely bad after I have to correct people, members or agents, even if I am right. It just ain't easy for me. (Even if, I give my best at admonishing the person.) Haha. If you know what I mean.

In a nutshell, there are many sides to a story and to a person.

Basically, this entry is about this:
I was talking to a couple from my SOT batch one night after an appointment. We chatted till about 11pm and the topic was on wedding and marriage life. It was one of my most enjoyable conversations in the season because there was open sharing. (And also because as young adult couples, they understood where I was coming from)

And during the sharing, I mentioned to them what I had wanted to pen down on my blog some 1 month ago, after my controversial entry on wedding rules and regulations, social norms etc.

What I had been "enlightened" on:

1. I felt I was too harsh in my original entry, which led to me having to pen an urgent followup entry. Well, I'm not a perfect man, I make mistakes. Especially in this area, I have much to learn. Got to control the tone of writing. (Then what the hell happens to freedom of speech right? haha, tension of opposites, just have to manage)

2. Facts are facts and I'm going to stand on the key elements of those social norms. If I could do it again, I would not be so forthcoming in my writing, I would be adopt an even more documentary approach.

3. People are sensitive. On this point, I think as a race and species, we are generally sensitive.
I had people coming to me asking if I were talking about them.
NO. Because if I were, you would have already heard from me over the phone.

"You mean you actually approached the friend you spoke about??"
"YES!"

I am that direct. Also because I think that as friends, you have to be comfortable with the uncomfortable issues that stumble you or your friendship from progressing.

But because people are generally sensitive, it created some unhappiness and I am sorry for that.
Not everyone is so forthcoming as me. Good and bad arises from that.

Means, I have to be more considerate and sensitive about other people's feelings.

Overall, I decided that I must continue to exercise and grow in...
a. Acceptance.
b. Love.
c. Mercy.

Ultimately, I must 做个好人 because, I value friendship and relationship.
Ultimately, most of my friends have been with me for many, more than a decade and counting because we worked out our differences.
Ultimately, people matter to God.
Ultimately, life is a test on how we approach and solve difficulties, and disappointments that arise.

It's a never ending process on improving the disagreements about life, that life throws at us, and on improving your response or reaction to these "shocks of your life".

If you tell me I'm wrong, I would listen attentively. So, tell me! Because...............................

I must 做个好人
- 做事要认真，梦想要当真，做人要天真。

天真。
Something I believe a whole lot of us have to learn all over again.
We learn together ok??? Haha!
Cheers!

At e end of e Wedding Celebrations; Honey Moon!!

Shirleen and myself concluded our honey moon with a bang, lots of fun and awesome company! Through out the entire trip we had been staying in premium hotels and been treated or treated ourselves to some tasty food too! In short, it had been an enjoyable 14 days in Switzerland and Italy with the former being our all time favorite.

Anyway, we have 6 albums on Facebook:
Switzerland Part 1
Switzerland Part 2
Switzerland Part 2
Italy Part 1
Italy Part 2
Italy Part 3 / AIA 28th Summit Convention

I think I got my trip at a real deal. The tour package alone cost us about $7K and we changed about S$4K into Euros and Franc. So, I must say that we're deeply satisfied with the outcome.

Most memorable?

It was freezing cold!!! The view up there was just breathtaking. You have to be there to experience it for yourself yeah! Haha!

Anyway, the honey moon has concluded the end of the wedding celebrations and at the same time, it's always good to be mindful that the marriage is what's important. And that, my friends, has just begun.

Special thanks to all our friends who have stuck out for us and been there for us in good times and in bad times. Love you guys very much!

PS: Typing this entry at home cuz I'm down with fever. haha! Otherwise where got so much time. Totally need to chiong sales!

The Presidential Election is a game of chess

The Presidential Election is a game of chess

Why State Influenced Journalism Will Cease To Work

We are now living in the internet age. Globalization is the cause and also apparently so, the effect of the joint influx of information and facts made readily available with speed. It is no wonder that ideas not possible yesterday are easily made possible today by the innovation of technology.

A recent article claimed that commuters were more satisfied with the quality of services that received from the providers. This was the result of studies conducted by Singapore Management University. The story was ran by The Straits times.

I have more than 1400 friends on my facebook account. Not that this is a lot but if there's anything I am sure of, there ain't a single soul praising the public transportation system. On the other hand, I've seen countless amount of complains. On a daily basis.

Bus late.
Train breaks down.
MRT over crowded.
MRT very late.

If I'm questioning whether the report was factual, or if the papers were trying to paint a false impression, I'm sure others would too.

Citizen Journalism will be made a popular alternative via Facebook or Twitter.
Simply because its deemed to be more factual.

Clarifications on "Of Wedding Dinners, Red Packets and Social Obligations"

*Added a conclusion. Slight amendment.

This is a pretty urgent clarification in case you misread my intentions.

1. It is meant to be an informative entry on the correlation on the 3 subject matters.
2. Social norms need not be your norm.
3. #3 is a social norm that I heard of just some months back and to the speaker it was widely practiced, to an extent which I am still unclear of today. That said, I am very appreciative of all the help rendered to us for our weddings.

So once again, thank you folks! As stated in the original post, I DO NOT have a expectation on this. I'm just informing everyone that certain people may have such an expectation and I DO NOT fall into that category. I hope it was clear enough on my previous entry. Having been told of such an expectation by my friend, I was personally surprised and decided that this what I'd do only because I felt it would be the best, 'complete' gift possible, to aid and not expect anything monetary in return.

But do I expect that from you? NO. Haiyo. Informing is NOT expecting.

4. Now, on the standard market rates. Yes, the rates are there and I am grateful for all amounts contributed. All! Even if you were ignorant of them because I think I know my guests well enough to know that they gave what they thought was fine. And to me, that's good. Even if they gave $50. Because I believed that they gave what they could despite of their circumstances.
Granted, it would have been better if you were informed beforehand.

I had a friend whatsapp me w regards to 'toping-up' up due to being unaware of market rates. Actually, no need. But if you still owe me ang bao cuz you totally didn't give on the dinner day? Ok, I'd gladly receive. HAHAHAHAHA! But, to go through all the hassle and transfer me money. It's fine. I am appreciative of you having such a though already. Good intentions make my day!

2011/12 happens to be full of weddings.
Start saving for these people who are your friends.
.
.
.
.
(The reason I couldn't help but feel frustrated)
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What I was clearly unhappy about was the few people who gave like $40 and below, AS A COUPLE! Gosh! Its a dinner, not holy mat. But I understood (trying to understand) their circumstances and have since told myself that it's fine. These were working adults no less. People I had helped and blessed in the past. That's why it hurts. Because I wonder why it is so. It's almost an injustice. I have a huge problem forgiving people who don't reciprocate. I know eventually I would in about less than a week's time but as of now, its a pain.

People you're not closed to me and give small amounts, I'd release a small tiny "Si Gi Nai!!!" and I'd let it go. But.... Obviously somethings gone wrong somewhere. Maybe its my fault, maybe its not. Anyway, as of now, its already irrelevant.

To be honest, I was also quite irked by the MIA guests. The not sincere ones.
But that's minor as compared to the above situation.
.
.
.
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I allowed my mood to be spoilt by a few "minority reports" and I apologize.
A friend comforted me by saying that she received $1 ang bao for her dinner. So, comparatively, mine ain't that bad. And she reminded me that there were MANY other people who gave their best to bless us and we should be glad.

That shook me.
Cause it dawned upon me that I had been focusing on the negatives.

So, once again, I thank you for your giving. Arigato much!!!

That said, alright.....
Enough said, I love you guys.



--------------------------
1 more thing. My blog. My views. Now that I'm a married man. This line was somehow necessary. I am very different from my wife. I'm obviously the more vocal and assertive one.
My wife, on the other hand wasn't exactly too happy with my blog entry for obvious reasons.

"Your intended audiences doesn't read your blog but our close friends/friends would. Then, if they get the wrong idea, you die!"

ok. First lesson after getting married...
"Always listen to the wife"

So yeah, I already face-palmed many times.

Be blogging about more happy things soon!

Of Wedding Dinners, Red Packets and Social Obligations

*Slightly Amended, just Slightly.
* If you are going to start reading this entry, please also read: "Clarifications on "Of Wedding Dinners, Red Packets and Social Obligations"

I just had my wedding dinner recently and I must say that getting married is really an adventure. The beginning of a new life with a celebratory dinner, usually held @ a hotel or a restaurant as according to Singaporean Chinese customs.

But the purpose of this entry is not the talk about those Chinese customs, like dropping the umbrella when you're getting into the car if you're from a Teochew family.

Its to touch on the interrelation of the 3 things stated in my title. You see, it is a norm that you get invited to a chinese wedding, you give the couple your blessings in the form of a red packet, or more commonly known as an ang bao. Golden question would be? How much do you do in the red packet? Let's try to be tactful here.

Social Obligation #1: The Dinner Ang Bao
For the ill-informed, there is something called inflation.

FACT:
As of July 2011, a table on a weekday in a five star hotel like the Grand Copthorne Waterfront will cost $958, which means $95.8 per pax to break even without including the extra you have to pay for all the bottles of wine. Who gives $95.8 anyway? $100 to round it off. But if you were to hold your dinner at any other five star hotels on a weekend, that will cost you $1400 to $1600 per table. This is the new market rate for wedding dinners and its ever increasing.

If you were still in "5 years ago era", you would probably think that $120 for weekend is enough.
I'm sorry to say this but you're wrong.

That is also to assume that as the hosts, you believe that your guests have a social obligation to help you break-even. If I think along this line and if I were to hold my dinner at the Fullerton Hotel, I would have to expect my guests to bless me with $250 per red packet. How many Singaporeans out there, who are on your guest list, would then be willing to foot that "bill" to bless you and to attend a dinner? Not many. Which also incidentally mean that you would have to expect to make a loss. Wrong expectation.

OH! & FOR GOODNESS SAKE, ALWAYS REMEMBER TO WRITE YOUR NAME DOWN!!!
Even if you gave a crappy amount, at least try to explain.

That said, I am still inclined to believe that should you be able to, as guest, you should help the couple to break even in their cost of running the wedding dinner. So for weekend dinner, you should give a min of $150-$200. Weekday Dinners, a min of $100-$120.

Having said that, just do within your capabilities.

WHY???? Think about it.
FACT #1:You will reap what you sow. *
(Which will also bring me to another point later)
FACT #2: People like me will keep detailed records of the various groups who came, how much they gave as a group, as individuals and the average amount given. Complete with charts and tables.

Social Obligation #2: The RSVP

"Hi, I'm so sorry that I can't make it. Blah blah (reasons/excuses)"

Ok, I don't know about other people but I did remember having an sms system blasting out RSVP messages to you 1 week and 5 days before my dinner.
Even way before that, my brothers were busy helping me to coordinate your RSVP via sms or phone call.
And you had to wait till one day before my dinner to tell me you can't make it. For reasons which I have problems accepting because you should have known of your in-availability to attend, way ahead of my dinner! Unless you're the special case type, like your boss recalled you for a last min long long serious meeting. No issue with that. But at least inform the couple or the coordinators on the day.

FACT:
The hotel would have required the bride and the groom to confirm the total number of tables 5 days before the dinner. Any changes will NOT be entertained. Thus, if you told the hotel 38 tables and some people drop out, the bride and the groom is not going to look good and the wallet will be affected.

Social obligation and basic courtesy will then require you to still pack a red packet for the couple as according to market rates. An apology sometimes does not suffice. If worse, when you totally don't even bother apologizing. If you didn't manage to make it but you passed your red packet to the couple, I'm sure they would be very grateful and the deed will be remembered.

Yet, on a logical note. Maybe because you didn't tasted the food, therefore there was no obligation to give either. Gosh, so complicated. You decide for yourself.

Social Obligation #3: The Helpers Ang Bao

Now, I have been guilty of this many a times and I don't blame my friends. I had only been recently corrected by another friend of mine on this subject. So the situation goes like this: As the bride or the groom runs the wedding, he or she will enlist the help of the entourage / helpers and at the end of the day, the helpers will be blessed with an ang bao.

Here's the catch, which I also didn't know of till many months ago:
As a helper, you are supposed to either...
a. Return the full amount received as a helper together with your dinner ang bao.
b. Return at least half the amount as a helper together with your dinner ang bao.

Thus, suppose you were initially thinking of giving $100 for dinner and you received a helpers ang bao of $38, you were supposed to return $138 for the dinner red packet instead.
This is under the notion that you are helping as a friend, willingly and not requiring any monetary payment.

FACT: This social norm could be heavily debated as its up to the depth of the relationship, that the newly wedded and the helper shares. You don't have to but principle * may apply. So you decide.

But if I am enlisted as a helper, I would return the full angbao to the newly wedded or I may just reject the task totally as a helper.






(Here's where e venting of frustrations begins?)
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* You will reap what you sow (From #1)
I was actually quite upset when I opened up the ang baos and saw some rather unsightly amounts. They were unsightly not because they were small but because I believe that the givers were capable of much more. The able but not willing and you thought they were.

Just to clarify, if you are in debt or if you are a student, NSF or unemployed, I am comfortable with your $50 red packet. I repeat, if you are a student, NSF or in debt, you are easily forgiven! I mean, I invited you knowing that. But what I had less tolerance for were the working adults. Working adults. Some students do better. And they were all somehow linked to a certain Community gathering weekly. *

GOSH! Was that how you were taught???

I'm upset because perhaps they thought that I wouldn't add to their ang bao the "multipler effect" or the "amplifier effect" to the amount they gave when they get married. I'm upset because certain amounts were not even 20% of my cost. I'm upset mainly because, haven't I been kind to you??!!??

However.
Take for example my good friend Mr Yang, you can be rest assured I will start saving up for his ang bao because he gave me his best despite of his situation. I appreciate heroic efforts and will respond accordingly.

I'm the kind of guy that... You be good to me, & I will be extra good 2 you.
Simple rule of life isn't it.

* That said, some members of the Community gave me the biggest red packet in the collection so you can also say that the extremes swing in either direction. Jesus says, I have to forgive and so I will. Thus, this is the last note on the subject matter and I won't speak on it unless probed by close friends. This is one of the hardest "forgive" I have to muster.

On the bright side, I have friends who are waiting to pass me their red packets because they missed the dinner. I am sooo grateful to them! *wink* If you want to, you can still top-up your amount. I am very willing to receive!!

PS: I barely broke even for dinner. But that's mainly due to the efforts from my agency SPCO. Overall net loss... BUT!

I'm very happy for the MAJORITY of you.

Thank you so much for being there for the both of us. And we would like to thank you once again for all your generosity and assistance. Love you guys!! It's not the amount, its the thoughts that counts, as reminded by my precious darling.


* If you are finished reading this entry, please also read: "Clarifications on "Of Wedding Dinners, Red Packets and Social Obligations"

Getting Married and Friendship

I think that during Wedding RVSP time is the best time to hit the review button on your friendships with various individuals around you.

I have unexpected friends that were genuinely happy for the both of us and when these group of people were unable to turn up, they sent long text messages and explained their absence, being very apologetic. And I had friends who made things happen during their reservist or mission trips or just shift appointments arrange their timetable just so that they could send me an enthusiastic "Hey, I can make it!" SMS(Whatsapp or BBM) and when they bump into me, ask me how the prep is going etc etc. These friends put a smile on my face. Their love GMH.

Sadly, I also encountered people whom I regarded as friends, people I've gone the extra mile for and here goes.

"Sorry, it's a weekday dinner.... "
"Sorry, I have ministry meeting...."
"No reason, just reject"

You have many weekdays or weekends in a year but I have only 1 wedding.
You can have many ministry meetings and I have only 1 wedding.
Nothing said, is actually tons said.

Seriously?! Bewildered and disappointed I am.

Weddings are not just being part of the bride and groom's life. It's pretty much also a social event.

Guess perhaps some people are not too sociable?
Maybe I could have worked harder to build friendship with them too.
And then, hope that it is going to be worth it?

I'm not upset by the hi-bye friends who reject the invitation. I would think it's nice of them to accept but their rejection would NOT be met with negative emotions either. It's usually the people that you have dealings with and give reasons (which to me are excuses unless really valid), that really frustrates me. I understand if certain groups of people turn down the invitation but for those I didn't expect, well, surprises could come in nicer packages.

But in all good light of WWJD, I will still love and I forgive.

At the same time, I kinda understood what Jesus meant and felt by the parable of the Wedding Banquet.

"Hi, this is my colleague"

I bumped into a classmate in ECP some long time ago when I went jogging on a lazy Sunday afternoon. We chatted for a while and it deemed only right to introduce the person sitting down next to her.

"Hi, this is my colleague."

And it dawned upon me, this is usually how people have been introducing their fellow associates at work. It amazes me because as far as I could remember, when we were young and in Primary school, we introduced the people around us as

"Hi, this is my friend."

In this broken down world that we are living in, society has grown an uncanny ability, honed at its skills over the centuries and 2 millenniums. The ability to spread, not necessarily hatred, but the lack of love. Betrayal breeds distrust. Alright, maybe I'm getting abit too heavy here yet the truth remains that there was a time we were more trusting, more encompassing and inclusive.

Perhaps, in the process of the Singapore Education system, we were taught subtly, that people come and go. That they may not stay for too long. Hence, recognizing someone as a colleague seems to form a subconscious protection for any form of unapproving behavior.

After all, the departure of a colleague seems more easy on the emotions as compared to the departure of a friend in your life.

Will it be possible that one day we, as a society in Singapore, will accept more individuals into our lives as friends and understand that we all eventually have different paths to take?

Will it be possible to return to a time we readily make friends and not "acquaintances due to circumstances"?

I hope I can introduce you as a friend.