Saturday, July 23, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Haw Par Villa
Went for a visit to the Haw Par Villa. It used to be a famous tourist attraction, but over time people has forgotten about it. The last time I was there I was still a child, so this visit is really a walk down the memory lane. I tried to search for some of the statues that I saw previously, but I couldn't find most of them. I think the park is not opened fully. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed by visit there. A pity that the "Ten Courts of Hell" is not opened due to power failure. That was supposed to be the highlight of the day.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Response to Article - Unnatural Living
I read the article titled Unnatural Living on The Straits Times (11/07/11), where they talked about whether keeping of animals captive is beneficial to the animals themselves. I am a firm supporter of keeping the animals captive.
People always talked about animals losing their freedom and their hunting instinct if held in captive. I personally feel security is more important than freedom. What is the point of having the whole world to run in, if there is a real threat of losing your habitats, being hunted by legal and illegal poachers, or simply a lack of food available? I believe there are studies shown that animals living in captive actually live longer then those in the while. Unless there is a possibility that a country is willing to stop developing and leave huge pieces of lands/ seas untouched, these animals faced real life-threatening issues than freedom.
As for the loss of their hunting instinct, let's not forget that human beings started out as hunters too. But throw a random human being into the jungle now with no technology, no medical facilities, will he be able to survive? Yes it is sad if a lion do not know how to hunt, but again between this and the fate of the Tasmanian Devil, I'll choose the former.
On the issue of animals in captive being made to do trick for performances, I see it more for a practical senses. Performances draw crowds, and crowds bring money. I believe that taking care of animals takes a lot of resources and having performances helps to bring in some income. Treat it as a job for the animals, they work, they get rewarded with treats and get fed. Isn't this what human beings are doing?
To conclude, I feel that the world has develop so fast, that it is not possible to hold on to the idealistic thinking that we can still leave the animals in the wild. Human beings have the responsibility to protect the other species of animals, and the best way is to keep them captive in an artificial environment. I do agree that however the environment should be as conducive, and as similar to nature as possible. These animals also needs to be treated with respect. Even if they are to be trained for performances, they should not be abused if they cannot learn specific trick.
People always talked about animals losing their freedom and their hunting instinct if held in captive. I personally feel security is more important than freedom. What is the point of having the whole world to run in, if there is a real threat of losing your habitats, being hunted by legal and illegal poachers, or simply a lack of food available? I believe there are studies shown that animals living in captive actually live longer then those in the while. Unless there is a possibility that a country is willing to stop developing and leave huge pieces of lands/ seas untouched, these animals faced real life-threatening issues than freedom.
As for the loss of their hunting instinct, let's not forget that human beings started out as hunters too. But throw a random human being into the jungle now with no technology, no medical facilities, will he be able to survive? Yes it is sad if a lion do not know how to hunt, but again between this and the fate of the Tasmanian Devil, I'll choose the former.
On the issue of animals in captive being made to do trick for performances, I see it more for a practical senses. Performances draw crowds, and crowds bring money. I believe that taking care of animals takes a lot of resources and having performances helps to bring in some income. Treat it as a job for the animals, they work, they get rewarded with treats and get fed. Isn't this what human beings are doing?
To conclude, I feel that the world has develop so fast, that it is not possible to hold on to the idealistic thinking that we can still leave the animals in the wild. Human beings have the responsibility to protect the other species of animals, and the best way is to keep them captive in an artificial environment. I do agree that however the environment should be as conducive, and as similar to nature as possible. These animals also needs to be treated with respect. Even if they are to be trained for performances, they should not be abused if they cannot learn specific trick.
Ex-Soldier-to-be
I'm being presumptuous here, as I will not be officially called an Ex-soldier until January 2012, nonetheless I'm quite excited, and to a certain extent, emotional over my soon to be changed status. Come this January, I'll be serving my last In-Camp Training (ICT).
Can't say I like the Army. While others always like to talk about their active days, I'm just glad it's over back in June 2001 when I "ORDed". The two and a half years was stretched across four years, since Dec 1998. While my college friends are still enjoying their life after their A levels, I got called in barely a month after the exams. I still bear a grudge over that.
Nonetheless I think I changed a lot because of Army. Before that the focus was always to study. In the Army, books is the last thing on my mind. I took on a leadership role for the first time in my life, I made friends with vastly different background and life experiences, I got scolded by sergeants, CSMs, PCs and OCs. All these experiences strangely make me a more confident and open person. I also got the nickname "Lion", which not many people know the real reason. They all thought it was because of my hair.
Sinced I ORDed, they called me back almost every year for ICT. No matter what I still don't like Army Training, but it became a chance for us to see our friends, and a getaway from our work. And the yearly IPPT is continues to be a nuisance. After I finished my last ICT this coming January, there will be no more IPPT, no more green uniform and helmet. I don't think I'll miss the Army, but I'll definitely treasure the memories I had with it.
Can't say I like the Army. While others always like to talk about their active days, I'm just glad it's over back in June 2001 when I "ORDed". The two and a half years was stretched across four years, since Dec 1998. While my college friends are still enjoying their life after their A levels, I got called in barely a month after the exams. I still bear a grudge over that.
Nonetheless I think I changed a lot because of Army. Before that the focus was always to study. In the Army, books is the last thing on my mind. I took on a leadership role for the first time in my life, I made friends with vastly different background and life experiences, I got scolded by sergeants, CSMs, PCs and OCs. All these experiences strangely make me a more confident and open person. I also got the nickname "Lion", which not many people know the real reason. They all thought it was because of my hair.
Sinced I ORDed, they called me back almost every year for ICT. No matter what I still don't like Army Training, but it became a chance for us to see our friends, and a getaway from our work. And the yearly IPPT is continues to be a nuisance. After I finished my last ICT this coming January, there will be no more IPPT, no more green uniform and helmet. I don't think I'll miss the Army, but I'll definitely treasure the memories I had with it.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Fish and Co. vs Manhattan Fish Market
Just had dinner at Fish and Co. Had a Seafood platter for 1 and a Mushroom salad. She prefers Manhattan.