Riyo Mori, Ms. Japan was crowned Miss Universe 2007 yesterday. The win marked only the second time her country has won the world beauty title.
Not a big fan of beauty pageants, I watched the show for 2 reasons. The surprise win by Japan (the black, red and purple Japanese-style gown she wore was beautiful), and Ms. USA Rachel Smith, who fell on her butt during the evening gown competition. The fall looked painful, but she recovered very quickly. Still, I could understand why she was jeered by the Mexican audience during the interview phase. When you fall on your butt on the runway, you should NOT get fifth! What about all those other girls who didn't fall?
It wasn't the only problem I have with the pageant. The 20 years old winner was more cute than beautiful, Ms. Brazil (who was runner-up) was much more beautiful than Ms. Japan.
Still, my biggest complain are for those idiots who made Ms. Sweden miss this year's contest. Isabel Lestapier Winqvist dropped out because many Swedes say the competition does not represent the modern woman. It's a beauty pageant people. What? Modern woman want to be ugly?
Stupid doesn't even begin to describe those morons.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
3%?
A new survey on marriage attitudes has shown that only 3 percent of undergraduates and polytechnic students in Singapore do not want to get married. Only 3%.
HAHAHA! Trust me the real number should be a lot, lot higher. I think the only reason the number is at 3% was that the survey was conducted by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS).
It says that 2,041 undergraduates and polytechnic students took part in the survey, which was conducted between March and May 2006. A third of the respondents gave a resounding 'yes' to marriage, while six in 10 said they probably would, but it was not yet on the cards. That at least sounded possible, but only 3% do not want to get married! As a young Singapore, I can clearly say, "No Way!"
Most young Singaporeans are thinking about work first, have fun second, getting married is like ninth or tenth on the list. The Singapore government has been trying to encourage more singles to get married and have babies to boost the Singapore population. There are now policies such as the Baby Bonus and extending government-paid maternity leave...all of which are totally useless. The high pace city life of Singapore (and high cost of living) makes it difficult for young people to get married. If you get married, you need to buy a house. Which will put you and your parnter in debt for the next 10 to 20 years!
If Singapore want more young people to marry, the government should try to lower the cost of living in the country. That will work better than any baby bonus and maybe, just maybe, that 3% number will be true.
HAHAHA! Trust me the real number should be a lot, lot higher. I think the only reason the number is at 3% was that the survey was conducted by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS).
It says that 2,041 undergraduates and polytechnic students took part in the survey, which was conducted between March and May 2006. A third of the respondents gave a resounding 'yes' to marriage, while six in 10 said they probably would, but it was not yet on the cards. That at least sounded possible, but only 3% do not want to get married! As a young Singapore, I can clearly say, "No Way!"
Most young Singaporeans are thinking about work first, have fun second, getting married is like ninth or tenth on the list. The Singapore government has been trying to encourage more singles to get married and have babies to boost the Singapore population. There are now policies such as the Baby Bonus and extending government-paid maternity leave...all of which are totally useless. The high pace city life of Singapore (and high cost of living) makes it difficult for young people to get married. If you get married, you need to buy a house. Which will put you and your parnter in debt for the next 10 to 20 years!
If Singapore want more young people to marry, the government should try to lower the cost of living in the country. That will work better than any baby bonus and maybe, just maybe, that 3% number will be true.
Monday, May 28, 2007
F1 backlash
There seems to be a growing backlash againest the F1 race here in Singapore. The latest question about the race is whether the race will harm the environment.
The Singapore Minister of State for Trade and Industry, S Iswaran, said that noise and smoke are inevitable during the race, but organisers will studying ways to minimise their effect. Question- When did Singaporeans start caring about the environment?
Answer- When Singaporeans discovered that the Singapore government is to fund 60% of the $150 million race. Seeing that the race would take in only $100 million, there's a lot of people are wondering if the economics of the race is viable.
When it comes to money, Singaporeans will ask a lot of questions. Unfortunately, they are too late in asking the question. A lot of people who read my blog knows my views about holding the race in Singapore, at night, at that stupid location, but the deal is signed already. Too late to back out now!
When I start questioning the race, a lot of people say that F1 should come to Singapore. (I was a bit of a spolit-sport, it seems.) Well, it's too late to have doubts now! So Singapore, stop your whining! F1 is coming, whether you like it or not.
The Singapore Minister of State for Trade and Industry, S Iswaran, said that noise and smoke are inevitable during the race, but organisers will studying ways to minimise their effect. Question- When did Singaporeans start caring about the environment?
Answer- When Singaporeans discovered that the Singapore government is to fund 60% of the $150 million race. Seeing that the race would take in only $100 million, there's a lot of people are wondering if the economics of the race is viable.
When it comes to money, Singaporeans will ask a lot of questions. Unfortunately, they are too late in asking the question. A lot of people who read my blog knows my views about holding the race in Singapore, at night, at that stupid location, but the deal is signed already. Too late to back out now!
When I start questioning the race, a lot of people say that F1 should come to Singapore. (I was a bit of a spolit-sport, it seems.) Well, it's too late to have doubts now! So Singapore, stop your whining! F1 is coming, whether you like it or not.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
UNSW not the only one at fault
The University of New South Wales(UNSW) saga refuse to die. Students affected by its Singapore campus closure were given a $22,000 annual scholarship to study at UNSW’s Sydney campus.
But the 400 students want something else; they want answers! They want to know why was the sudden decision to close the campus taken. Only one problem with that. It wasn't that sudden.
The Singapore Strait Times reported that the Australian university, citing bottom-line concerns and a lack of demand, was in talks with the Economic Development Board (EDB) since last year on the closeure of the campus.
This means that EDB, which helped bring UNSW here in 2004, had warning for over 5 months on the closure. How can they not say anything? The EDB said that it is facilitating discussions between UNSW and local universities to find alternatives for those students affected. That is damage-control. I want to know is how can they keep quiet about the closure for 5 months. The UNSW had told them that the campus was in danger already, why didn't the EDB at the very least gave some warning to the students on the matter. Now the students are left without a school for the year. UNSW was in the wrong here, but the EDB must take some heat for this. The closure came as a surprise for the students, you cannot say that for the EDB. They knew of this, or had warning of this, since last year and did nothing!
I want to know why didn't they say something to the students on this. That is an answer I am just dying to hear.
But the 400 students want something else; they want answers! They want to know why was the sudden decision to close the campus taken. Only one problem with that. It wasn't that sudden.
The Singapore Strait Times reported that the Australian university, citing bottom-line concerns and a lack of demand, was in talks with the Economic Development Board (EDB) since last year on the closeure of the campus.
This means that EDB, which helped bring UNSW here in 2004, had warning for over 5 months on the closure. How can they not say anything? The EDB said that it is facilitating discussions between UNSW and local universities to find alternatives for those students affected. That is damage-control. I want to know is how can they keep quiet about the closure for 5 months. The UNSW had told them that the campus was in danger already, why didn't the EDB at the very least gave some warning to the students on the matter. Now the students are left without a school for the year. UNSW was in the wrong here, but the EDB must take some heat for this. The closure came as a surprise for the students, you cannot say that for the EDB. They knew of this, or had warning of this, since last year and did nothing!
I want to know why didn't they say something to the students on this. That is an answer I am just dying to hear.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Comics this week
Countdown #49- Countdown like to open with a bang, and the latest issue of Countdown kept up the tradition. Opening with Jimmy Olsen, the writers gave a huge hint on "Why Jimmy Olsen Must Die!" Unexpected and very interesting.
Countdown #49 went from that opening scene to the many Monitors we've seen kicking around lately. The "Monitors of the Multiverse" story is getting interesting. Since they were the new characters, I thought this plotline would be the weakness of the lot. But early signs are that I was wrong.
I've never cared much about the Flash, so you can just imagined my 'love' for his rogues gallery. Pied Piper and Trickster ? Never cared about them and even with Countdown, never will. Mary Marvel's plot is the most interesting above all others. Mary Marvel lost her powers, and will do anything to get it back. I love it! Hints of sweet Mary making a deal with the devil. Beautiful.
As a big fan of 52, I love the final sequence of this issue. Return of the MAN! Now if only we can know how he got his powers back.
Countdown #49 went from that opening scene to the many Monitors we've seen kicking around lately. The "Monitors of the Multiverse" story is getting interesting. Since they were the new characters, I thought this plotline would be the weakness of the lot. But early signs are that I was wrong.
I've never cared much about the Flash, so you can just imagined my 'love' for his rogues gallery. Pied Piper and Trickster ? Never cared about them and even with Countdown, never will. Mary Marvel's plot is the most interesting above all others. Mary Marvel lost her powers, and will do anything to get it back. I love it! Hints of sweet Mary making a deal with the devil. Beautiful.
As a big fan of 52, I love the final sequence of this issue. Return of the MAN! Now if only we can know how he got his powers back.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Year of the Italians
When Liverpool had their miracle in Istanbul 2 years ago, Pippo Inzaghi was sitting in the stands. In Athens, he was in AC Milan's starting line-up, and became a hero as he scored twice to give Milan a 2-1 victory over Liverpool to secure the Champions League.
From a free-kick, Andrea Pirlo's shot was deflected in off Inzaghi's shoulder. Let's admit it. Liverpool was very lucky in Istanbul 2 years ago. What goes around comes around I guess because I don't care what Inzaghi says, that first goal was a total fluke. And it came in first-half injury time!
The first Milan goal was lucky, the second was just a piece of skill and great timing. Chasing the game, Liverpool took out Javier Mascherano for Peter Crouch. That left Liverpool without a marker for Kaka. The Milan wizard then delivered a pass through the Liverpool defence for Inzaghi. Credit to Inzaghi because that run of his was beautiful. Perfect timing, no chance of offside. Round the keeper, Pepe Reina and it was 2-0. Dirk Kuyt pulled a goal back with a header with a minute left, but it was too little too late.
Unlike most people in Singapore, I thought Milan deserved the victory. For all of Liverpool's passion and commitment, they never looked dangerous. Even in the first half when Liverpool had 60-70% of the possession, Milan never looked in trouble. Rafael Benitez may have his tactics right, but upfront they were just short of class. Crouch is Liverpool's most dangerous striker, but Benitez liked the movement of Kuyt and Craig Bellamy more. Nothing wrong there but Kuyt and Bellamy are not going to break that Milan defence. Crouch's height gave Liverpool something dangerous upfront and I believed he should have started.
Compare this to Milan. AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti picked Inzaghi over Gilardino as their lone striker upfront and 2 goals from Inzaghi tell you that it was the correct decision. Benitez may have won the tactical battle but Ancelotti made the correct selection upfront. That was the real difference as both teams were well-match in other areas.
After the World Cup, came the Champions League. This is the year of the Italians.
From a free-kick, Andrea Pirlo's shot was deflected in off Inzaghi's shoulder. Let's admit it. Liverpool was very lucky in Istanbul 2 years ago. What goes around comes around I guess because I don't care what Inzaghi says, that first goal was a total fluke. And it came in first-half injury time!
The first Milan goal was lucky, the second was just a piece of skill and great timing. Chasing the game, Liverpool took out Javier Mascherano for Peter Crouch. That left Liverpool without a marker for Kaka. The Milan wizard then delivered a pass through the Liverpool defence for Inzaghi. Credit to Inzaghi because that run of his was beautiful. Perfect timing, no chance of offside. Round the keeper, Pepe Reina and it was 2-0. Dirk Kuyt pulled a goal back with a header with a minute left, but it was too little too late.
Unlike most people in Singapore, I thought Milan deserved the victory. For all of Liverpool's passion and commitment, they never looked dangerous. Even in the first half when Liverpool had 60-70% of the possession, Milan never looked in trouble. Rafael Benitez may have his tactics right, but upfront they were just short of class. Crouch is Liverpool's most dangerous striker, but Benitez liked the movement of Kuyt and Craig Bellamy more. Nothing wrong there but Kuyt and Bellamy are not going to break that Milan defence. Crouch's height gave Liverpool something dangerous upfront and I believed he should have started.
Compare this to Milan. AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti picked Inzaghi over Gilardino as their lone striker upfront and 2 goals from Inzaghi tell you that it was the correct decision. Benitez may have won the tactical battle but Ancelotti made the correct selection upfront. That was the real difference as both teams were well-match in other areas.
After the World Cup, came the Champions League. This is the year of the Italians.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
UNSW closes after 3 months
3 months! That's how long the University of New South Wales Asia lasted in Singapore. The New South Wales campus was opened to much fanfare in March, and now it's closed.
The campus was touted as Singapore's first comprehensive private university, and the UNSW name was so respected that the Economic Development Board of Singapore (EDB) was the one who persuaded the UNSW to come. However due to high fees, only 148 out of the 300 expected students enrolled in the university. The school charges $26,000 to $29,000 a year in tuition fees, 4 times more compared to what local universities are currently charging.
UNSW also exceeded its budget and spent $3 million on marketing, so it decided bite the bullet and cut its losses...to a tune of S$22 million (A$17.5 million). Wow. 3 million in marketing? What the hell were they thinking? You don't spend 3 million on marketing for a school, especially one that's just started up in Singapore.
But that's something for UNSW to decide as it is their money. What I really want to know is how much did EDB lose on this venture. EDB invited UNSW to come to Singapore, so it must have a hefty percentage on the $22 million loss. So how much is it? Also why did EDB got involed in this? Why did EBD invited UNSW to Singapore? Isn't there more than enough schools in Singapore? Out the local universities, there's a whole load of private schools like Infomatics & Thames. I know Singapore is trying to be some sort of eduaction hub, but why get involed in such a crowded market?
Some people might say that hindsight is a beautiful thing and that's what I'm doing now. Okay, you have a point. But EDB uses public money. don't you think they should be upfront and tell people how much Singapore loss in this venture? It is public money right? Tell us how much we lost in this
The campus was touted as Singapore's first comprehensive private university, and the UNSW name was so respected that the Economic Development Board of Singapore (EDB) was the one who persuaded the UNSW to come. However due to high fees, only 148 out of the 300 expected students enrolled in the university. The school charges $26,000 to $29,000 a year in tuition fees, 4 times more compared to what local universities are currently charging.
UNSW also exceeded its budget and spent $3 million on marketing, so it decided bite the bullet and cut its losses...to a tune of S$22 million (A$17.5 million). Wow. 3 million in marketing? What the hell were they thinking? You don't spend 3 million on marketing for a school, especially one that's just started up in Singapore.
But that's something for UNSW to decide as it is their money. What I really want to know is how much did EDB lose on this venture. EDB invited UNSW to come to Singapore, so it must have a hefty percentage on the $22 million loss. So how much is it? Also why did EDB got involed in this? Why did EBD invited UNSW to Singapore? Isn't there more than enough schools in Singapore? Out the local universities, there's a whole load of private schools like Infomatics & Thames. I know Singapore is trying to be some sort of eduaction hub, but why get involed in such a crowded market?
Some people might say that hindsight is a beautiful thing and that's what I'm doing now. Okay, you have a point. But EDB uses public money. don't you think they should be upfront and tell people how much Singapore loss in this venture? It is public money right? Tell us how much we lost in this
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