terence lam

welfare tourist

2009-08-28T19:04:00.002+08:00

are you a welfare tourist? i know some are. what is a welfare tourist?
what i type below is taken from the New Paper Fri 28.

Dr Terence Chong, a sociologist from the Institue of South-east Asian Studies commented that "When many young affluent Singaporeans go overseas to do humanitarian work, they become welfare tourist. There is often no long term commitment to a project or cause. The welfare tourist is there to experience poverty, catch a glimpse of human suffering, lend a hand, and than come back to the comfort of Singapore with a nice CV, and lots of stories to tell their friends over lunch.
This phenonmenon is part of the self-help culture where helping others is seen as a way to self enrichment, and also part of a consumerist society where people can go out and buy such 'feel good' experiences."

One of the best lyrics by Ashin

2009-04-03T22:56:00.001+08:00

English Translation:

I sit before the bed looking out the window, spending the day in memories; life is a resplendent illusion, time is a thief, stealing everything away

When I was seven I captured a cicada, thinking I could capture summer; when I was seventeen I kissed her face thinking we would last forever

Is there really that kind of forever, forever unchanging, the beauty we’ve once embraced never shattered

Make rapidly passing time unable to run wild on my face, make the separation of life and death distant, so no one can hear them

I sit before the bed turning my head to see who is asleep on the pillow, that ancient face appears to be me, tightly shut eyes

Those who once loved me, and who I loved deeply, are all gathered by my side, I can’t take with me those regrets and sentiments, they all transform into that one last tear

Is there really that kind of tear that can wash away remorse, transform into a rainstorm falling on a street I can’t return to

Give me one more chance to rewrite the story, to offer the apology I've owed him all my life

Is there really that kind of world, where the sky never goes dark, the stars and sun and everything listens to my commands

The moon doesn’t wax and wane, spring isn’t far away, twigs hold tightly onto their leaves, can anyone hear me

Beside my ears, before my eyes, this life is lived over again, I came from the darkness and return to the darkness, a lifetime, a flash, between heaven an earth, next time who will I be

Is there really that kind of rose, that never fades away, forever proud and beautiful, forever uncompromising

Why does life turn out to be like a scrap of paper, not like a flower petal that was once splendorous

Is there really that kind of bookmark that can stop on that day, at that most innocent, smiling face and that most beautiful year

A backpack filled with cake and soda, eyes devoid of suspicion and wrong-doing, let us be outlaws

Is there really that kind of poem that doesn’t end, youth forever halted in our own time

Boys and girls with guitars and dancing shoes, laughing and forgetting life’s suffering, just knowing its sweetness

Is there really that kind of tomorrow, that lets me live all over again, to once again experience the yesterday I squandered

Whether surviving or living, I won’t waste a moment, won’t let this story be so filled with regrets

Can anyone hear me, I don’t want to say goodbye

I sit before the bed watching my fingertips already like smoke

Dragon Warrior

2008-12-18T22:54:00.007+08:00

With valour that put others to shame, I surge forward against the wind

The gatekeeping beasts spread their wings to prepare for flight, But they’ve never seen a butterfly

They do not understand the flowering season, Or grasslands so vast and lush

All the myths about me are false, all of them worthless, all to be rewritten

Sorry, I cannot be submissive before my enemies

In the distance, the lonely battle wears on

War cries lingering though the many streets

I am determined to triumph over this catastrophe,

In this world, who is being hunted?

Who is bleeding?

Regardless, I just want to rescue your innocence

Upon the fortress walls, I await the descent of the devil, Fires may devour the graves of the unnamed

But it will not put me off my determination to love

How should the fortress ruins make the falling snow understand, Why only tender shoots grow?

When a fortress arise from the hatred. How should I defuse the hatred?

The dragon figures may growl menacingly, But it is what they could not articulate that is heartbreaking

Startling is your echoing sobs, so pure. Your gentleness slicing through all barriers, Your love to forgive all

Hanging by the abyss of the end of days. Pure love is being isolated

I stand at the clashing of the worlds

Witnessing your everything, and your blood tainted tears

Oct and Nov

2008-10-18T17:31:00.002+08:00

October is an important month. Not becos of the essays and assignments and presentation dateline. But becos of new album releases from Jay and MayDay.
November is an important month. Not becos of exam, but becos of the U.S. presidential elections.
Dec is not an important month for me.

創世紀

2008-09-26T00:54:00.002+08:00

Since young, I have enjoyed watching Gallen Lo's Hong Kong serials. From 天地男儿 to 天地豪情 to 難兄難弟 to 創世紀 to 流金歲月. I especially like epic shows about some guy with no money, but over the years, through hardwork, manage to start a company, make it big, play on the stock exchange, then kanna bankrupt, then later make it big again.
In fact, it was after watching Gallen Lo's show that I decide to study business course at polytechnic. I tot I can make it big, jus like in his shows. haha...yeah..damm naive at that time.
Aniway, I am jus glad that he is back at TVB after MIA for a few years. Looking forward to another of his epic dramas again!

誰才是你愛情中的伯樂?

2008-09-26T00:37:00.002+08:00

The year has not ended yet, but I know who the year belongs to, as far as mando-pop is concerned. It belongs to the winners of season one of 超級星光大道, Aska's 洋葱, Jam's 收藏 and Yoga's 伯樂 and 神秘嘉宾 are without doubt the best songs of the year. 2008 is shaping up to be an excellant year for Chinese pop, especially when you consider that Jay Chou and Mayday has not even release their mandatory 'once-a-year' album.
I wan to express my appreciation to their songs for their company on many late nights and long bus journy...allowing me to seek solace, and always inspiring me.

為何你愛著別人

2008-08-17T00:22:00.002+08:00

now is getai month again. So let me present my fave getai song

Difference between socialism and communism

2008-08-16T00:32:00.002+08:00

Recently, while studying the Russian Revolution, my history class is a bit confused between the two. Let me offer an explanation.

From each according to his ability, to each according to his deeds (socialism).

From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs (communism).

Cheem.

Yr 3 Sem 1

2008-08-03T16:45:00.003+08:00

One thing that really amazed me during practicum was the energy level of the teachers.
Even though I was only doing observation (besides eating in the canteen, and tuanging in the office), i felt quite 'shack'. I really wonder how the teachers can teach in the morning, and conduct remedials, or CCA, or attend course, or watever, in the afternoon. Most of them only leave school at like 5 plus. I must really hand it to them.

Btw, i'm inside this. wicked

Singapore Miracle - Myth and Reality

2008-06-24T22:28:00.005+08:00

The book I wan to read most, but very diffcult to get my hands on. Click on the links to find out more about the book.

1. http://www.selectbooks.com.sg/getTitle.cfm?SBNum=42213

2. http://pseudonymity.wordpress.com/2007/06/08/hype-spin-questioning-the-singapore-miracle/

3. http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=54&ContentID=56205

Plain Sunset's Album launch

2008-06-15T19:51:00.004+08:00

moviefilm

2008-06-02T19:58:00.006+08:00

what have i been doing during the holidays?

Watching DVDs that my bro rent. He like to rent non-mainstream movies aka critically acclaimed movies that you and i have never heard of.

So far, I have watched Eastern Promises, Gone Baby Gone, Into the Wild and Juno.

Of the 4, i liked Eastern Promises the most. It is about the Russian mafia living in London. Nice twist towards the end of the story. (4.5 out of 5 stars...my rating:)

Gone Baby Gone is the directoral debut of Ben Affleck and stars his brother Casey. Suprisingly good film. It is about two dectatives investigating a case of missing child. (3 stars)

Into the Wild is a very surreal film and based on a true story. At more then 2hrs long, it traces the journey of a man who abandons everything in life and embraces nature while hitchhiking around the country, in the end ending up in Alaska. (3.5 stars)

Lastly, Juno is the most well-known, funny, poignant and likable film among the four. It is about a girl getting pregnant, and instead of aborting it, she decide to give it up for adoption. (4 stars)

Cyclone Nargis

2008-05-14T19:37:00.002+08:00

In 2005, heeding astrologers' advise, Myanmar government moved the capital from Rangoon to Naypidaw. This location helped the new capital escape the worst of Nargis's wrath.
The astrologer so 'zhun'?!?!

Marina Bay's first floating platform

2008-05-08T11:48:00.001+08:00

Does this place look familiar?

Jetlag travel

2008-05-03T22:21:00.007+08:00

Recently, my bro borrowed Molvania from the library. At first glance, i tot it was a travel guide. But i wonder why my bro is interested in a country that i have never heard of. When i read the book, i then realise that it is a parody of travel book. It is actually a fake country. All the information inside is made up. But oh my god, every sentence cracked me up! Molvania is supposed to be a country in eastern Europe, and they sterotyped the country to great effect! Its so funny, I checked out another book in this series -Phaic Tan. Now, at first glance, it sounds like somewhere in Vietnam. But wait till u attempt to pronounce it - Fake Tan. Then there are places in Phaic Tan like Bumpahttabumpah" ("bumper to bumper"), the mountainous "Pha Phlung", the fertile "Sukkondat", the hyper "Buhng Lunhg", and the exotic "Thong On." You get the idea rite? The book starts off with like a brief history of Phaic Tan, then recommends places of interest, hotels and resturants. Is is really like a typical travel guide, but only that everything is made up and is a sort of sterotyped of the region. Is my kind of book! :) check out their website at http://www.jetlagtravel.com/

The third book in the series is on San Sombreno. As you might have already guessed, it is a parody of the region of South America. Just check out the synopsis of the book -

Each year more and more visitors are discovering the magic of San Sombrèro, lured by its tropical charms, exotic lifestyle and lack of extradition treaties with the outside world.

Proudly considered the birthplace of tinted sunglasses and sequins, this fascinating land is packed with things to see and do. Have your photo taken with a colourfully dressed ruhmero (drunk) while his accomplice steals your wallet. Sway to the steamy bababumba, one of the few dances in the world to routinely involve and exchange of body fluids. Try 'red-water rafting' your way down a river of boiling lava. Or simply sit back and sip a molitivo cocktail while listening to the hypnotic rhythm of government helicopters staffing a nearby rebel stronghold.

It is sooo funny that I am inspired to do something similar...on Singapore. hahaha

MayDay

2008-04-27T21:15:00.005+08:00

the ticket signed by MayDay

These are some of the photos I took at the MayDay concert. Personally, the highlight was when Ah Xin sang 'Onion', the song he wrote for Aska Young. (the english translation of the song is in my first post) Whoever tot that onion can be used as a metaphor for love, but Ah Xin wrote it very well. Actually, i think Ah Xin's talents are over-looked. He writes very nice songs, both for MayDay and other singers. Jay, Lee Hom, David etc are good at composing. But Ah Xin is good at composing and writing lyrics. And his lyrics are always very meaningful.

All in all, it was a great concert. As you can see, there is retractable stage at the other side of the arena. So MayDay literally running around the arena. It's not as showy as Jay Chou's concert. But what you get is more than 3hrs of solid musicanship!

STOMP article

2008-04-27T20:59:00.002+08:00

For the benefit of those that have not seen it, this is 'my' article that appeared on Straits Times Life.

25th Anniversary

2008-04-27T15:33:00.006+08:00

I tot today will be a good day to start a new blog because the previous blog's user interface sucks. But you can still access it at http://tlwjian.blogs.friendster.com/

Recently, Channel 8 celebrated 25 years of chinese drama. Yes 93.3fm also celebrated 25 years of their '龙虎榜.
As I celebrate my 25th birthday, you can say that I literally grew up watching Channel 8 drama and listening to the 93.3fm charts.

If only, you will take a look at me
If only, you could hear the sounds of a heart break
Silently watching over you, silently waiting for a miracle
Silently letting myself dissolve into air

Everyone’s eating, talking, laughing, tonight is such a joy

I'm at the corner, laughing together with the rest
The onions at the bottom of the plate are just like me, forever the flavouring
Secretly watching you, secretly hiding myself

If you are willing to peel open my heart, layer by layer by layer
You will discover, you will be shocked

You are my most suppressed, deepest secret

If you are willing to peel open my heart, layer by layer by layer
Your nose will run, you will cry
If only you can hear me, see me, feel my wholeheartedness

Hearing you talk about you and him and the blossoming love
Me and my hopelessness act amused
I’m just like an onion, forever just the supporting actor
How i wish to have with you, a second of our own story