Happy Chinese New Year my friends!

On Immigrants in Singapore, my personal way of reconciliation

Immigrants in Singapore

I have thought about this issue before, just for my own sake. My own personal way of reconcile why are they so many foreigners in Singapore. We have more and more foreigners working and living in Singapore.Without going into the details, you see them around.

I have thought about it, am I racist?
Then i question myself on WHY am i racist.. Then i discover that, i'm NOT a racist.

I think if we go to the heart of the matter, the reason why we dislike foreigners is because some of them lack basic courtesy, and good manners (hygiene). I think the same applies to locals who lack those qualities, we hate them too!

So, it's not race that I am against, it's ill-manners, no courtesy, mindsets, attitude that I cannot stand. I'm glad i sorted that out.

My thoughts….

• I think the society cannot be "close-minded", and have protectionism mindset. Don't settle at Status Quo.

• There is no more clear boundaries of nationality, groups, tribes . Not in this Social networking, Facebook age. So we must change, and adapt..

• We must accept with open mind, and big hearts, then our society will have "culture". On an Individual scale, the more friends i connect with, from different culture, background, age, and are open to new experiences.. My mind will be more open, and i will see that everyone is just SAME. (melting pot?)

• It's nature that man seek a better environment to live in, it's survival instinct. If our forefathers have not migrate to this country many generations before, there would not be Singaporean anyway.
  

• Many Singaporeans also live and work in other countries. Bias to think that we can hate on immigrants when we migrate to other land.

• On the note about assimilate immigrants into the Singapore culture, Well What is Singapore-Culture? The way Singaporean adapt to the Government induced obedience ? haha

I may think about what is Singapore Culture, perhaps like the 2nd part of this blog post.

Just like to give thanks

Majesty ( Here i am)

GuangXi, Sucking Up culture

This is upon my heart, I got to get it out of my system. So I’m writing this on my E71.

Something happened today that, it unveiled for a moment, a culture norm that’s happening..

In my work, I come into contact with student leaders, presidents of student groups.. Often times, they seek assistance from the school, especially the General Office staff. When they need help, they are especially smiley and sweet, bribing the staff with donuts, goodie bags. I hate it. I’m telling you, I hate it.

If helping student is part of the job, then I think it should be done officially. Not in a manner that seems to be asking personal favors!

The president ( of a club) commented to me, “i’m worried that in future, it will be harder to ask Them for help..” That’s the statement that break something in me.. Are we only nice, to those we want to make use, for our benefit?? Manipulative, hypocritical, insincere.. I hate it. Do the society work in this way?? Is that acceptable? Certainly not.. I shall from today onwards, be a model, doing good, being favourable without expecting to get something. If it is work, it shall be done.

I won’t accept students trying to suck up to me, and I will not suck up to anyone.

Anything more then that will be genuine, true relationships.. And work and personal favors must be clear and distinct.

Phew.. I feel better now.

My Grandma Prayer Rosary

Sitting on my desk right now is a Prayer Rosary from my Grandma. 

   

Although i am not Catholic, i feel it's a very significant item to my family history. 

I have only seen my Grandma once, when i was 13 years old. She was 95 (i think).

My father was the youngest son in his family. 

One day, when he was in his twenties, he left home. 

He heard from his friends that there in a faraway city, they can make a living.. so one afternoon, he left.. without saying goodbye to his family. 

It was only about 10 years later, after he got married to my mum, he wrote a letter back home. (He was in his early 30s)

Another 10 over years passed, i was 13.. Parents received a phone call that Grandma is sick. So Dad has to go back to his hometown this time…i followed him. 

We arrived in this small village. I met new relatives i have not met.. my uncles, cousins.. thought some were older then me, they call me Uncle!

When i saw Grandma.. she couldn't really speak, couldn't see, just a very skinny woman laying on her bed.. She used her hand to feel my face.. i think she was very happy. I saw dad's eyes were wet.. 

Soon after that, news came to us that she has passed away.. My younger brother has never seen Grandma. At least i had that ONE time encounter. But i was not sad, because i don't know her at all. Dad of course was sad, but being the traditional, Chinese man he is… i never seen him cry before. I think he just kept everything within himself. 

While i am holding this Rosary in my hand.. i can only imagine how my Grandma would have prayed for her family.. her sons.. my Dad.. how every night she might have wept to God and prayed for my dad safety.. Prayed for our family.. perhaps tears have touched those prayer beads many times.. 

I don't know how old she was when she got that Rosary. Dad told me that Grandma came from a well to do family in China, and i guess during those "Sun Yet-Sen" period she left China with Grandpa. Was she a Catholic when she left China? Or was she converted later in another country? 

Just felt really touched and.. "connected" to Grandma (even though we never really knew each other), perhaps it's her prayer for our family that we all became Christian. Who knows..