Hello 2012, I have been waiting!

Lazing around in the house on the second day of 2012, the last day of my long break before getting back to work. Last week of 2011 was a blast, and to be fair, the whole of 2011 was. Apart from landing myself in a fabulous job, we met buddy who has brought so much joy and liveliness. We have now spent 1.5 years in our own nest and as time goes by, have ironed out issues we had before, gotten used to who-says-what in the house and are continuously learning to accomodate each other's needs and habits. For 2-3 months now, we have opened the flood gate and are anticipating arrival of a new member in 2012. I am glad that in the past months the wait has given us opportunities to discuss about the impending change, our interpretation of modern parenting, etc. and are preparing ourselves to receive a new life in 2012 patiently as the wait goes on. 2011 was a hectic year for me, particularly the November-December period, drowning me in meetings/work and I was feeling the fatigue from all the travellings I have to make.

All in all 2011 was fantastic. And so I hope, the force continues to be with me, my family and friends in year 2012!

The lovable Chi

The reason why he gets all our love




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Enjoying Seoul

We love Seoul and it's definitely on our "must-go-back-again" list! Love the place, the food, the people and how everything was a breeze even with the language barrier. Despite the bitter cold weather (averaging -5 degrees celsius in the few days we were in the city), it had been an enjoyable trip. So much have been said about the boredom from visiting filming location of various Korean dramas, but that is only because you have left your travel joys in the hands of your guide!

Secret Garden (Biwon) in Changdeokgung, the only palace designated as a UNESCO heritage site

P doing his arty farty thingy in Secret Garden (Biwon)

First Korean spread. P said the bulgogi is heavenly

At -7 degrees celsius, I could barely feel my face

Watching the change of guards at Gyeongbokgung Palace

Queue at N Seoul Tower

Cable car to the tower

P with the view of Soeul

We cannot believe the incredible number of locks we saw at Seoul Tower

SOJU

On the way to the National Folk Museum

P is a happy man to have met his high school pals. I haven't seen him this happy/ excited for a long time and this came at the right moment in his life, when he's feeling the down from his dad's plight.  With a whole lot of soju and beer mixed and drank in local Korean-style, the now 30-something group of men was brought back to the days they spent in Moss Vale, recalling the fond memories they shared growing up with an international community of hormone raging teens. I was lucky that he survived the walk back to our BB and the puking only started after that. 

In preparation for our next trip to Seoul, I have invested in my first pair of ugg boots!

I love my UGG!

I hope I won't freeze to death

Freezing our ass off in 3 more days


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Singapore in EIU Democracy Index 2011

Ranking 81 out of 167 countries, just 2 ranks above Bangladesh, the score would be really ugly if not for a rather high rating received for "Functioning of Government". We are placed on par with Iraq when it comes to "Electoral Process and Pluralism" while "Political Partcipation" is the lowest among countries in the same category (Hybrid Regime, which is one category above the worst - Authoritarian Regime), receiving the same score as Cambodia and Haiti. Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Phillipines all out performed the city state.

The right to political participation refers to citizens’ right to seek influence of public affairs. Political participation can take many forms, the most notable of which is voting in elections, but also including joining a political party, standing as a candidate in an election, joining a non-governmental advocacy group, or participating in a demonstration.

Singapore in EIU Democracy Index 2011
Rank 81
Overall score 5.89
Electoral process and pluralism 4.33
Functioning of government 7.50
Political participation 2.78
Political culture 7.5
Civil liberties 7.35

Scoring 2.78 for political participation is not surprising and it certainly provides a good basis for pressure groups to perform advocacy work with the Government to increase transparency and freedom of expression for true political  participation. I quote "If one is merely consulted by a powerful person who wants one's views for information, or if one is mobilized or re-educated within the control of another, one has not participated in politics in any significant sense." And if you have been brain washed to see nothing good of public expression of views and consider demonstrations as causes of chaotic social upheavals, look at Arab Spring.

Healthy again

Recovering from a multi virus attack that came to me the day I returned from Dhaka. Today is the first day I stop feeling that staying awake is a pain. And miraculously my appetite returned and I am now feeling hungry for KFC, Mac, Fish and Chips, and all other you can name it junk food.

Short trip to Dhaka was worthwhile considering the inputs received for the proposal. Off to Seoul on Friday (and please let the mourning last longer and anything else not come. God bless South Korea).

Looking forward to getting home for another dear sis's wedding, to celebrating Chinese New Year with P for the first time back in Sg, to my first trip to Burma and of course our planned trip to the beach in July (which is in 7 months' time!!!)

2012, bring it on!

Cheesecake verdict

P's right, we have already found the best cheesecake at Dhara Devi and this, although looking good, is nothing compared to the one at Mandarin Oriental. Time aside, I spent close to the same amount for buying one at the hotel's pastry shop.

Trying something else next time!




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