You either get it, or you don't

I contemplate and usually decide against writing on topics that might give reasons for people (especially my mother) to be worried about me. As I struggle internally with myself, I realised that I am not making it better for people who're concern about me by not talking about it. I'd make it better by being honest. So let me be honest and tell you about something I have always wanted to say. I am going to talk about racism. Not because I was being discriminated against but rather because it is something I feel strongly about long before I came here.


Being part of the majority race in Singapore, I can hardly feel any racial tension or discrimination but I know it's there through a close non-chinese friend. And seeing discrimination happening right in front of me made me angry, sad and helpless.


Why does it matter that we have a different colour? Do we not have the same heart for another human being? Do we not share the same feelings of happiness, sorrow, disappointment and joy? Why do we assign numerical values to our roots? Are we not all the decendants of men?


In Australia, only a handful are racist. But I haven't the chance to know the locals better so I am not in the position to comment. Most of them are genuinely sensitive towards the minorities. Which leads me to my story.


I had a biology practical today. We were supposed to come up with factors that we thought contributed to the difference in lung capacity in a healthy population. And, yes you guessed it, the race was thought by someone to be one of the reasons. How........ dumb can you get? Seriously!


This was suggested by someone who, I suspect, is a Malay aussie. And I could sense a concern glance in my direction by a sensitive group mate of mine when it (the dumb factor) was mentioned. I'm sure it was meant to be a joke but, well, it just isn't funny to me.


I hate racism. So, I dislike people who are bias either against or for my race. And here comes the irony. I am for human rights.

2 things + 2 things = 2 things

There are two things we need to realise as the day comes to an end. Firstly, today there was an official handing over ceremony and for 3 months starting today, spring will be taking over winter's duties. Yay! Secondly, there are merely 3 more weeks to the mid semester break. Yay!

There are two things we need to come to terms with. Firstly, yes it's spring but it still feels awfully like winter. With any luck, we might start to feel the sun by mid September. Secondly, its week 6 which means I have about one week to study for my mid semester tests. Ahhhhhhhh!!!

Maybe we're not so different afterall

I have always thought that we are very different in many ways. The Australians and I. We talk differently, have (almost) opposite taste in food and music, have different mindsets and, generally, behave differently.

You came across as being more vocal, always ready to express your ideas, no matter how absurd they may sound. I, on the other hand, have usually kept to myself and offer my ideas only when asked.

You take a considerable time to manipulate mathematical formulas. I see no challenge in that.

You greet friends of the opposite gender with a kiss. (Well, for some of you) I will just say "Hi".

You play hard. I play sudoku. (haha and other stuff of course!)

However after living here for some time, I am able to see slowly that we are not quite as different as I thought we are. Let me explain.

There was a programme on tv yesterday. I was actually watching the show before it, and happen to catch a glimpse before heading to my room. I was glued to the tv after that. It's a show about how long lost family members reunite and the sad story behind their initial separation. There were so much emotions. The regret for not being there during the important milestones of their child, the excitement and anticipation of reuniting and the immense joy to finally meeting one another again. It truely was an emotional experience.

It is very hard to fully understand the feelings of those who're seperated with their families unless you've been through this unfortunate experience yourself. For me, I was never lost. I know who my family is and never once doubt their love for me. But still there is something in me that made me feel I know a little of how those people felt. Maybe its because I am away from home for too long. Maybe this is just humanity.

Or maybe I understand because we are not so different afterall.

Huh? Wad toking you?

Today's post will be on the aussie language. I will show you some of the frequently used words here and tell you what it actually mean. This will be fun:) Let's go!

First up!
"How's it going?" or "How're you going?"
Most of you should already know this one by now. But for those who don't, it means "Hi" or "How are you?" when said by the cashiers at supermarkets and, more informally, can mean "What's up?" when said by a friend. It is generally used as a form of greeting and yes, the cashiers do greet you:)
Common reply will be "Good. And you?"

Next!
"Cheers"
This is NOT yaaaaaaaaammmmmm SENG! Usually accompanied by a smile, instead of a toast, the word has the same effect as "Thanks" and is mostly used to show slight appreciation.

Moving forward.
"Barbie"
This is not the anaroxic doll that comes immediately to your mind. (No offence to barbie doll lovers on the lack-of-weight issue) But it is a short for the word "Barbecue". The australians love to engage in this particular activity that bonds people no matter where or when they do it.

Last but not least,
"No worries"
This means "You're welcome" or "No problem"

TYPICAL AUSTRALIAN CONVERSATION
Andrew: Hey mate! How's it going?
Brandon: Oh good! I am just going to get a brekkie. Hey Andrew, there will be a barbie tomorrow at my place. Free to come?
Andrew: Oh sure! Don't forget to ask Carol along.
Brandon: No worries man. See ya.
Andrew: Cheers.

Note: "Brekkie" means "Breakfast" but it is not commonly used among my friends though it is said that some do use it.

Sometimes science

Before I begin today's discussion, I need to state that I have nothing against any race or religion. Reader's discretion is advised.

I have been studying science all throughout my study years and am focusing mainly on biology currently. As I delve deeper into the various areas of biology, I realised that there are a lot of phenomena that cannot be explained by science. (at least, not yet) And when that happens, we sometimes turn to other forms of reasonable explaination.

For example, most people would have heard of the story about how God created man. In this version, the formation of life is very much simplfied and easy to appreciate than what the scientist offered. As a biology student, I am made to believe that cells were made billions and trillions of years ago when volcanoes erupt and cause chemical and biological reactions to happen. This caused the formation of some circular biomolecules (ancestorous cells) which are able to make proteins and nutrients for growth. A few million years later, they evloved into something that can engulf other desirable molecules that aid their survival. And another few million years later, these cells can somehow differentiate and divide and form different organs that made up the complex human body we have now.

Some would have realised that I have deliberately ommited the excruciating details of the scientific explaination for the origin of life and because I am not here to educate, I don't feel any guilt whatsoever. What I am trying to show instead is the complexity of the whole process when you look at it in the "logical", scientific way. It then became more logical to look at it in the spiritual way- God made man.

I am a scientist. I need to provide reasons to medical questions which are backed by science. But science alone cannot tell me everything. It isn't a world of black and white out there. There are so much more to discover and experience. And perhaps it is why there are words like 'hope' and 'miracle.' Because against all odds, we want to believe that we can still make things happen if we want it bad enough.

Late! Chinese! Birthday!

I was 10 minutes late for my stats tutorial today cos I went back to sleep after turning off my alarm only to wake up half and hour later. Oh well! I didnt miss much though. The tutor was still at question 1 when I reached there.

After school, I decided to stop over at the supermarket before heading home. But what I didnt know, is that within the doors lies a test for the level of competency of my not-so-frequently-used mother tongue language.

An asian auntie came up to me and spoke to me in Chinese. She wanted to purchase the olive oil that was on promotion. Being a nice and friendly person, I took her to the aisle where the liquid fats are displayed and pointed out the one that she was looking for. And then the test begun. She started asking me questions, and answers to which I cannot phrase in Mandarin.

To minimise the embarassment, I'll let you in on just one example. I cant say "litres" in Chinese. (I cant decide if it is gong sheng or hao sheng. Tried both. She knew neither) So I improvise and said "kong jin" instead, which actually means kg but they are basically the same if you think about it.

Alright enough of that, next up!

It's Begum's birthday today! So if you're reading this, Happy Birthday girl! I miss you loads. Make time for me when I get back ya. I wanna meet up!

Dear Stacey,

You have probably heard or seen this umpteen number of times but I've still gotta say it. HAPPY BIRTHDAY STACEY SIM!

The first impression you gave me was, you're a very shy girl. Despite what I said yesterday, you are very reserved when talking to people you've just met but not quite so with your long time buddies. As I think of some adjectives to describe you, the first few that came to mind was animated and cartoon. Then there are knowledgable, reliable, environmental-friendly, friend-friendly, book-friendly. And then there is one that I cant quite explain. It's colourful. I think you're colourful and so is your life. I won't say that the life you've had so far is a smooth-sailing one, there are certainly many ups and downs, but you've still managed to paint it in bold, brilliant colours. In this way, I want to be like you. Paint my life as bright and colourful as yours.

You might not know this but you're always there to point out what I failed to see. One of my best life-savers. You're sincere and has never failed to make me smile or even lol. (lets get loud, hahaha) You're creative and smart and hence is always the one to come up with ideas beyond my comprehension and appreciation. (But they do make me laugh!)

You are a role model, Stacey. I lup to chew:)

Once again, HAPPY 20th!

Yours
Lee Ling aka dage