The circle is finally complete. This week marks the first year of my stay in S'pore. The biggest regret I have is that I have only signed up for 4 SDU activities for the entire year 8-) Actually in some way I am hoping for a small increment this year so it will give me some excuse not to work hard and play more 8-) I have just realized that there are still a lot of places that I haven't been to in this region. Being here for a year and realizing that I have only been to a very small portion of the Southeast Asia got me spooked. Therefore, my new year's resolution is try to venture out more away from S'pore and into other countries in the region. First stop this year? Penang, M'sia for the Chinese New Year.
I am kind of spoiled by the ease of traveling around the world these days. While waiting to board the flight to S'pore, I saw something I have not seen for quite a while. An American girl, presumably still in high school, was saying good-bye to her host family in Japan. With everyone crying, hugging and saying farewell, I felt that I have totally forgotten how most people still consider traveling, especially across the Pacific, a rare event. I have been taking all these travels for granted. I guess I should stop once in a while just to reflect upon what others would have felt if they were in my shoes. Or I should simply travel more while thinking how lucky I am to have this opportunity.
The first headline I read in the Straits Times when I arrived at Changi airport was that S'pore is ranked the number one Asian city to live in in some obscure survey. A year ago I was a news junkie from the States constantly searching for access to CNN or USA Today (of course I know it's not the best paper in the world). But I think I have found a cure. The Strait Times has gotten me off this bad habit of searching for news all the time. You might have known the reason if you have kept up with my articles 8-) I am beginning to feel that news may not be that important after all. When I was in Taipei, the top 2 news items on CNN International were the quake in Japan and the O.J. Simpson trial. Who would have ever thought the Simpson trial would be the number 2 story in the world, other than us Americans 8-) Most response would be: What's American football and what's a couch potato?
After talking with a Taiwanese friend, we have come to the conclusion that Taiwan and S'pore are still, surprisingly, developing nations, unlike Japan and the States where they have reached a fully developed nation status. I have always mistaken S'pore as a fully developed nation. Our theory is that every society has to go through this Maslow's Needs Hierarchy where people look for spiritual wellness after material wellness is achieved. Most people in Taiwan and S'pore are still striving for obtain this material well being. It's funny to think that it takes 5 thousand for Confucius thinking to degenerated into Kiasuism. Kind of ironic, isn't it?
I will start the year with this short article. I am really hoping for an election in S'pore this year. With all these rumors about the election, the headline about new HDB flat upgrades and combine with the 30th anniversary of S'pore, I am really curious to see what the election atmosphere is like in S'pore from an American Taiwanese point of view.
Just a snow report for those who are interested 8-) Went skiing at Lake Tahoe before the storm. I highly recommend Squaw Valley, though Heavenly Valley has a much better view of the lake and you can also ski between California and Nevada. I have to agree that the snow is much better on the west coast than the east cost. I didn't quite enjoy the weather in New York - cold and no snow 8-(
26/01/95
