The latest story about how Singapore's favourite fugitive, Mas Selamat, escaped has been released.
Some "private time" in the toilet cubicle with an ungrilled window? CCTV cameras not yet in commission? And I heard, 7 rolls of toilet paper to cushion his fall? Most people don't have their prayers answered even on their deathbeds. Clearly someone had been praying very hard.
To me, it's a gross error that's almost, well, laughable. Had Mas Selamat been kept locked in any hostel in Singapore, he would have faced a tougher challenge en route to freedom. Take for example the NUS High School Residence, floor 11. Perhaps he could have jumped off the ledge if he sprouted wings. The fire escape method is suicidal. Good luck trying to rig the numerous CCTVs around the main hostel building. ( Though he could have observed the times when the security guard takes his 20 winks or advises an unknowing hostel kid to take the MRT rather than the bus to Orchard.)
Mr Wong, the hostel manager, certainly had all grounds covered and with this I wholeheartedly recommend him as a counter-terrorist expert.
Plus, NUSHSR is located just next to a Catholic church. We really should have more faith in our man- Mas Selamat.
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I miss home and I can't wait for the holidays. Please come soon.
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This is my 100th post. So much for blogging being a fling (Joleen, 2006). =)
Thursday, April 3
Once in a while, I come across some unreasonable people who deserve a tight kick in the ass.
Remember SDMm?
As fate would have it, there was a minor skirmish at the Arts canteen today.
It was lunchtime, and as usual the canteen was packed with 70% students, 30% bags and other personal belongings. Fatty and I laboured to get a table, and I left my trademark orange bag on one of the stools. I had cravings for unagi, so I queued at the Japanese foodstall, not ten steps away from our table. Further away was Fatty at the yong tau foo stall.
Just as I was contemplating about my order, I saw three angmohs advancing towards our table. Imagine my horror as they disregarded my behemoth of a bag and plonked their food on MY table. I abandoned the queue and walked up to them, and brought to their attention, in a respectful manner, that the table was mine.
By then, one of the male angmohs had left, perhaps to buy a drink. So the remaining male said, "You may sit here", pointing towards the seat occupied by my bag.
I wasn't prepared to sit on Fatty's lap while having my lunch, so of course I protested, and was promptly countered by the angmoh's jab towards the plastic sign on the table that says "Please do not leave your belongings bla...".
I responded, somewhat feebly, "But that's what everyone does", because it is the norm in NUS. People usually respect and accept that a bag left on a chair means that the table is taken. None of the angmoh predators were carrying any bags, so naturally they couldn't obtain a table that way.
The angmoh just shrugged and proceeded to plonk his butt one of the stools. His female counterpart followed suit.
!!!
An angry, tumultous tsunami swelled inside me. I knew I hadn't a strong case, the "rules" were simply not on my side. Nevertheless, I wasn't going to allow them to occupy my table, thus I moved the third angmoh's tray to the middle, and sat on the last empty stool, so when that third angmoh returned he had to sit elsewhere.
Sorry to spoil the fun, folks. But no one messes with me, especially when I think I am right.
Remember SDMm?
As fate would have it, there was a minor skirmish at the Arts canteen today.
It was lunchtime, and as usual the canteen was packed with 70% students, 30% bags and other personal belongings. Fatty and I laboured to get a table, and I left my trademark orange bag on one of the stools. I had cravings for unagi, so I queued at the Japanese foodstall, not ten steps away from our table. Further away was Fatty at the yong tau foo stall.
Just as I was contemplating about my order, I saw three angmohs advancing towards our table. Imagine my horror as they disregarded my behemoth of a bag and plonked their food on MY table. I abandoned the queue and walked up to them, and brought to their attention, in a respectful manner, that the table was mine.
By then, one of the male angmohs had left, perhaps to buy a drink. So the remaining male said, "You may sit here", pointing towards the seat occupied by my bag.
I wasn't prepared to sit on Fatty's lap while having my lunch, so of course I protested, and was promptly countered by the angmoh's jab towards the plastic sign on the table that says "Please do not leave your belongings bla...".
I responded, somewhat feebly, "But that's what everyone does", because it is the norm in NUS. People usually respect and accept that a bag left on a chair means that the table is taken. None of the angmoh predators were carrying any bags, so naturally they couldn't obtain a table that way.
The angmoh just shrugged and proceeded to plonk his butt one of the stools. His female counterpart followed suit.
!!!
An angry, tumultous tsunami swelled inside me. I knew I hadn't a strong case, the "rules" were simply not on my side. Nevertheless, I wasn't going to allow them to occupy my table, thus I moved the third angmoh's tray to the middle, and sat on the last empty stool, so when that third angmoh returned he had to sit elsewhere.
Sorry to spoil the fun, folks. But no one messes with me, especially when I think I am right.
Tuesday, April 1
It is possible for one to get tired of too much pink after all. Say bye bye to my salmon pink background, bye bye to the "bimbo" period, and hello to subtle hues of teal, brown and yellow.
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The past few weekends have been filled with little trips.
The national museum along with tortoise and mash. It was our first "official" outing, and to be honest, the Greek sculptures started to get boring after a while. I mean, there is a limit to the amount of nudity in granite one can tolerate. (I'm not discounting tortoise though, ;) ) Nevertheless, the spur of the moment trip, IMHO, has sparked something among us.
What I'd like to say is, The three of us are so good together.
I digress. The painstakingly elaborate Singapore history section was such a surprise! The set up was almost perfect, and interesting, a trait not common among museums. I kept thinking of how Malaysia's needs a total revamp; this is certainly one of many good practices we can learn from Singapore.
To the zoo for, if I'm not wrong, the 5th time. Fatty wasn't feeling well, so it was sort of a grey cloud in the otherwise cool and obedient weather.
Met up with Zhi Ying, Michele and Mirna, and went to Sentosa with them. The company was great. I thought I'd need some time to re-acclimatise, but I felt so at ease.
Mirna commented, in passing, that I'm not a very open person. I concur wholeheartedly. Perhaps it will be one of my pet projects soon.
*
Sometimes hearing it from a third person can be more effective; realization finally made a home run. I will work with you.
*
The past few weekends have been filled with little trips.
The national museum along with tortoise and mash. It was our first "official" outing, and to be honest, the Greek sculptures started to get boring after a while. I mean, there is a limit to the amount of nudity in granite one can tolerate. (I'm not discounting tortoise though, ;) ) Nevertheless, the spur of the moment trip, IMHO, has sparked something among us.
What I'd like to say is, The three of us are so good together.
I digress. The painstakingly elaborate Singapore history section was such a surprise! The set up was almost perfect, and interesting, a trait not common among museums. I kept thinking of how Malaysia's needs a total revamp; this is certainly one of many good practices we can learn from Singapore.
To the zoo for, if I'm not wrong, the 5th time. Fatty wasn't feeling well, so it was sort of a grey cloud in the otherwise cool and obedient weather.
Met up with Zhi Ying, Michele and Mirna, and went to Sentosa with them. The company was great. I thought I'd need some time to re-acclimatise, but I felt so at ease.
Mirna commented, in passing, that I'm not a very open person. I concur wholeheartedly. Perhaps it will be one of my pet projects soon.
*
Sometimes hearing it from a third person can be more effective; realization finally made a home run. I will work with you.
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