The art of poisoning

What's on TV tonight?

Prime time serial dramas seem to have always been veering towards a certain theme dependent on the season of choice. Still remember the "longetivity family drama" shows like Holland V and Happy Fish that runs like over 100 episodes? Oh and my primary school favourite sword-fighting drama like "The last big prawn" (最后一个大侠）and the even more memorable aiyo-yo Chen Liping kampung-style primary school drama.

Hmm....the wonders of TV that shape the minds of google-box addicts. I wonder how many of us actually wanted to be teachers because of "aiyoyo" or became inspired to read Jin Yong's (金庸）sword fighting novels because of "the last big prawn"?

So whats the in thing now? In line with the bulling market and singapore economy, there is much concern on career choices especially for fresh graduates. If times are good, the appetite for employment in commercial companies undoubtedly increases and if so, will the government sector lose out in terms of job appeal? How about companies that cant exactly promise a "female-working environment with a nice comfy swivel chair and air-conditioning"?

Hmmm...TV of course. The creativity and elements of enticement installed in the recent serial dramas featuring not so interesting themes is indeed commendable and wins my vote without a doubt.

How is it that workers in a shipyard have so much time and energy to get involve in relationships and look so good under the hot sun in bright orange/white overalls? How is it that everyone in the company are somehow related to some big shot within the management? And most most importantly, how is it possible that beautiful ladies with nice, shiny and conditioned (but arguably short) hair maintain their stellar appearance despite the harsh working environment? Yup, your guess is right. Coupled with heavy advertisement and the killer good looks of actors and actresses, I believe the poison content in this drama is indeed highly potent. This will definitely appease the educators in maritime studies cos theres going to be a massive pay rise accompanying the huge demand for them after kids watched the show and commit their live to pursuing a maritime career.

Likewise, for the teaching profession. The winning formula of a happy-go-lucky, simple, carefree and kind-hearted "aiyo-yo" bearing teacher is now obsolete. Do away the simple dress-up. Do away the nice-girl look. And what you end up with is a new-age teacher that is seemingly more appealing to students these days. How i wish i was in primary/secondary school...hmmm

If watching TV serial shows quenches your thirst for an escape from reality, then indeed the producers have poisoned our well. A well that we have been drinking from since "the last big prawn".

Preserving the charm and beauty of a dissolving memory

Before the last lap begins, there is a need for some retrospection.
Just so for understanding how much time has passed.
Just so for knowing that time was not wasted.

Soon, the paper chase will stop and the rat race will begin.
A perfect beginning of the end.
An entry into an uncharted dimension.

Before any changes, i wish to preserve this current moment.
I want to remember the black fine sand on the beach of Kuantan.
I want to remember the feeling of going aerial before plonking in on a trough.
I want to remember the whistling of the fin.
I want to remember the gentle flowing swells.
I want to remember the feeling of invincibility.

Not forgetting the language and warmth of the thai people.
The vibrant and energetic city life of Bangkok.
The wonders of friendship.

Somehow I hope to dream these memories all over again.

A satchet full of cliche

They say school life beats working life hands down.
They say all will end too soon before you can even say stop.
They say life isnt about the moola.
They say life is about passion.
They say childhood is a phantom tale.
They say all things will fall into place.

The comfort we live by in lies, beliefs, faith and cliche. Nobody really delve deep into such seemingly useless thoughts. They are thoughts nonetheless but inherently casual in nature. Nobody is going to call on an arrest warrant to nap the guy who preached about "Life isnt abt earning big bucks and slogging the shit out of your living daylights." Its about your own take and your own perception. After all there is no written rule as to how you should live life. Its your own responsibility. And maybe even your own liability.

And so, we will soon enter the working community and slog our asses off big time. Uh huh and that itself is also beginning to sound cliche. I mean what else can we rely on before the weight of the world suddenly hurdles down on our shoulders. Who else can we really trust to better prepare ourselves for a brand new phase. Confronting new frontiers and treading new grounds is daunting but the challenge is almost tackled by just taking it on. Overcoming that mental obstacle requires a bit of assurance from those who did it before and hence we consult the experienced and hence, the cliche and the tons of advices we have heard over and over again. It may sound the same over and over again but it is comforting cos it is reassuring. That desire for comfort is just so to alleviate the anxiety and possibly fear of the future.

Once the frontline is cleared and the challenge undertaken, all seem pretty much the same as before just that it isnt. Or is it? Then perhaps at that moment, we shall come face to face with yet another satchet full of cliche.