The Best Christmas Gift

"A candle, some holly and lights everywhere.
The season of Christmas reminds us to care.
A time to remember the ones most in need.
And show them kindness in gifts or deed.
But the essence of Christmas should last the whole year through.
In the words that we say and the things that we do.
The best Christmas gifts do not come in a box.
Not the tangible items like jewelry and socks.

They come from our heart when we reach out our hands
To help one another wherever we stand.
It's compassion and loving both strangers and kin.
Not about being right or compulsion to win.
What it means is forgiving enraged on the roads.
And respecting all creatures from dolphins to toads.
To cherish, protect what is sometimes unseen.
Like commitment to leaving the earth fresh and clean.

It's walking the talk when we do what we say.
And making a difference each in our own way.
That angel that is resting on top of the tree
is sending her cheer and a message to be
The peace that we wish for; I'll make it my way.
The best Christmas gift I can give you today."

~ Author Unknown

Wishing You A Merry Christmas

★*˚°。°*。°*。★*˚°。°*。°˚°★*˚°。°*。°*★*˚°。°*。°*★
° * _██_*˚°。°/♥ \*˚°。°*。°*★*˚°。°*。°*★*˚°。°*。°*★
˛ . (´• ̮•)*. 。*/♫.♫\*˛.* ˛ _Π_____*˚°。*。°*❤*˚°。°*。°*★
. ° ( . • .) ˛° . /• '♫ '•\.˛*./_______/~\*˚°。°*。°*°*❤ ˚°*★
.* (.. '•'..) *˛ ╬╬╬╬╬˛°.｜田田❤｜門｜╬╬╬╬╬*˚°。°*。°* ♥
★*˚°。°*。°*。★ MERRY CHRISTMAS..!!! ★*˚°。°*。°*。★

Post Office Savings Bank (POSB)

Mui Pheng and her team from the Whitesands outlet have always been so dedicated and professional. They provide the best advice. They even remember my name whenever we bumped into each other outside the bank. We always exchange very pleasant greetings with each other.

This is what and who I would salute as the best staff of POSB!

Higher Bus Fares

The authorities are looking into the possibility of increasing the salary of public bus drivers. They thought of increasing the bus fares for commuters so as to raise funds for the higher salary. They are concentrating on the profit margin instead of the welfare of the commuters. They are looking after the shareholders more than the normal bus commuters.

Where is the altruism?

Ding Xuan Burst Pregnant Guppies

Blogger Ding Xuan admits bursting the stomachs of live pregnant guppies for fun.

Why did she do it?

Liquidity Risk

The stock market, like life in general, overvalues glitz, glamour and grand promises. It undervalues groundedness, consistency and conservatism.

But one risk that the market seems to price more accurately, or in other words, one risk that the market will reward investors for taking, is liquidity risk. That is the risk of us not being able to cash out any time we want without losing part of our capital.

However, there is a flip side. The flip side is, if we have cash when everyone is trying to raise it, our money will go a long way. If we can provide liquidity when the market most needs it, we shall be amply rewarded.

It is the same with help extended to someone in dire straits. That help will be, most of the time, well-remembered and appreciated and, sometimes, repaid generously.

Billion Style Psy

Psy hailed his ascent to "Billion Style" Saturday, after the South Korean rapper's viral hit became the first video to break a billion views on YouTube, marking a historic milestone on the Internet.

The view counter for "Gangnam Style", which was only posted on the video-sharing site July 15, clicked over into 10 figures at around 1550 GMT Friday, as the global craze for the singer and his horse-riding dance refuses to die down.

"Finally becoming #BillionStyle!!!" Psy wrote on Twitter.

Congratulations!

Lie All Over

LIE

ALL OVER


These three little words were splashed on the news feed with much revelations and pain...

Chan Ming Fon

Chan Ming Fon, a one-time bank vice president, is the first from outside of Japan to become ensnared in the $2 billion accounting cover-up at Olympus.

Scandals in Singapore

Why are there so many high-profile scandals in Singapore this year?
Kong Hee, Ng Boon Gay, Peter Lim, Steven Koh Yong Chiah and Professor Tey Hsun Hang are some of the examples.

Phone Numbers

WHY DID SHE UPDATE HER NEW FIXED LINE AND MOBILE NUMBERS WITH ME?!

As though I'm interested! Please wake up and move on!
It's her great loss. I'm having the last laugh now.

It's so drastic to change both numbers at the same time.
Who had she offended this time?

Zoe Raymond Saga

"Whatever it is, because of this incident I still won't like ZR because she caused my friend distress." written by Xiaxue aka Wendy Cheng on formspring.


Why did Zoe Raymond come in between Ripple and BZ in 2007?

Why did Zoe Raymond come in between Alvin and Yuki in 2012?

Emotionless and Unhappiest Singaporeans

Singaporeans are the least positive people in the world, according to international pollster Gallup at least.

Gallup measured positive emotions in 148 countries and areas in 2011 using five questions. These questions ask people whether they experienced a lot of enjoyment the day before the survey and whether they felt respected, well-rested, laughed and smiled a lot, and did or learned something interesting.

These data may surprise analysts and leaders who solely focus on traditional economic indicators.

Residents of Singapore, which ranks fifth in the world in terms of GDP per capita, were the least likely to report positive emotions.

The researchers advised Singapore leaders to do more to incorporate wellbeing into their leadership strategies.

Results are based on telephone and face-to-face interviews with 1,000 adults, aged 15 and older, conducted in 2011 in 148 countries and areas.

Isn't this to be expected with the very crowded public transport systems and hyper congested public space?

Ugly Singaporeans

The Principle of Humanism and Principle of Nature,
created by two Chinese philosophers Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi,
advocate us to first cultivate our own character.
We must be upright, trustworthy, righteous,
benevolent, magnanimous and courteous.
We need a lifestyle with few desires.
We must be true, simple and natural.
Let simplicity manifest, embrace it,
reduce selfishness and have few desires.

Although these two Chinese philosophers, Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi, lived in ancient times,
their thoughts are still very relevant today.

Perhaps the term "Ugly Singaporeans" will not be given if these Singaporeans are as practical and wise as these two Chinese philosophers.

More on Zoe Raymond

'The English say "A leopard doesn't change its spots." 
The Chinese say it better: "狗改不了吃屎" 贱女人就是贱.

Love letters and leaving clothes at the dude's for the girlfriend or fiancee to find... 
History repeats itself.' ~ tweets by Wendy Cheng aka Xiaxue

Isn't Zoe Raymond one of the greatest sluts in Singapore?

Zoe Raymond and Ripple

Why did Zoe come in between Ripple and BZ in 2007? Ripple is a good friend of Xiaxue aka Wendy Cheng.

Wendy Cheng's Tweet on Zoe Raymond

"Glad you having your comeuppance for being the third party to my friend Ripple's 9 year relationship back in 2007 zoeraymond! :)" tweeted by Xiaxue aka Wendy Cheng at 1:47pm today.

Xiaxue's Tweet on Zoe Raymond

"Glad you having your comeuppance for being the third party to my friend Ripple's 9 year relationship back in 2007 zoeraymond! :)" tweeted by Xiaxue aka Wendy Cheng at 1:47pm today.

Tiny Boy

Why did the tiny boy lie again and again? Who is so free to stalk him? Isn't he still deluded? They should verify all his lies with the reputable sources!

Wrong Scores in N Level Results

Wrong scores were reflected for some N-level students who were eligible for poly through-train.

It also means that the Ministry of Education had to withdraw offers from 95 N(A) students to take a through-train route to a polytechnic via foundation programme available to the top 10 per cent of the cohort.

Reporting to Secondary School

All the secondary one students in 2013 will be reporting
to their new secondary school at 8:30am today.
Please report in your primary school uniform.
Excitement is in the air!

Zoe Raymond, Alvin and Yuki

Why must Zoe Raymond come in between Alvin Yang and Yuki Ng who were engaged to be married in two months' time? Many netizens are calling Zoe as the biggest sl** and Alvin as the biggest bast***.

Steven Koh Yong Chiah

Mr Steven Koh Yong Chiah will be redeployed to the Ministry's HQ as Principal (Special Projects), said MOE in a statement issued on Wednesday.

He was the Principal of River Valley High School. He is assisting in CPIB investigation.

Secondary School Posting

Are you excited over your Secondary School Posting result which was known yesterday?
Wishing you all the best.
It's a new chapter in your life.
Please choose your friends carefully :)

COE December 19 Prices

Dec 2012 - First bidding
Category	Dec 19 prices	Dec 5 prices
Cars (1,600CC below)	$81,889	$78,523
Cars (above 1,600CC)	$93,501	$90,200
Commercial vehicles	$62,201	$63,035
Motorcycles	$1,701	$1,612
Open category	$95,990	$97,000

Premium for small cars once again hit a new high, surpassing the $80,000 mark.

At the end of 2012's last bidding session for Certificates of Entitlement, prices for small cars in Cat A (up to 1,600cc) ended at $81,889, up from last bidding's $78,523.


Isn't this crazy?

1 Pound Fish Song

A fish seller from Queens Market in London has become a Youtube sensation after a video featuring his self-composed tune went viral.

Muhammad Shahid Nazir moved to London from Pakistan with his wife and four children. He started working at a fish stall and later, developed a catchy trader's call to promote his business.

His tune soon became a hit and a video of him singing was posted on video sharing site Youtube by a customer. His '1 pound Fish Song' gained huge popularity.

Ross Ryan Kristiaensen

How could he betray the trust of his students?

Lee Lip Hong

How is he coping now?

Strike

TWENTY Indian construction workers did not turn up for work at a Housing Board project site in Yishun yesterday due to unpaid salaries, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

Zoe Raymond and Alvin Blog

Have you read about them?
What is your opinion?

Alvin Yang and Yuki Ng...

Alvin and Yuki Blog

Have you read about it?
What is your opinion?

Alvin Yang and Zoe Raymond...

Typhoon Pablo

The death toll from Typhoon "Pablo" (international name: Bopha) has reached 1,043, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said yesterday.

In its latest report, the NDRRMC said the typhoon destroyed more than 24.1 billion pesos worth of properties, including close to 16.4 billion pesos in agricultural crops and products.

Manuka MLM

Do the personnel of Manuka MLM have any integrity to recruit retirees into their deceiving web and pyramid of hard-selling? Each member has to purchase at least $90 of products every month. Do the members need those products which are priced much higher than those being sold by the major supermarket chains?

Fiscal Cliff

US President Barack Obama and top Republican John Boehner met at the White House on Monday as hopes rose that Washington will be able to head off steep tax hikes and spending cuts that could push the economy into recession next year.

The 45-minute meeting is a further sign that talks to avert the "fiscal cliff" could be yielding progress after weeks of stalemate, and aides from both parties said they were optimistic that a deal could be reached in coming days.

Sia Ka Tian

When a Maldivian customer service consultant read about the Singaporean taxi driver who found and returned $1.1 million belonging to his passengers, he felt compelled to meet him.

Mr Hussain Afeef, 30, was in Singapore for meetings recently and met Mr Sia Ka Tian, 70, to give him some gifts for his good service.

Ko Kok Wei

Singapore driver admits to causing fatal crash in New Zealand.

Ko Kok Wei was responsible for the death of
Mr Neville Westbrooke Squires through reckless driving.

He also admitted to causing the injuries of Michelle Squires,
Loy Yauen, Lee Shu Juan and Lim Bing Yao.

Google and Facebook

Google Inc's mobile ad revenue in the United States will be roughly US$4 billion next year, while Facebook Inc's nascent mobile advertising business will more than double, according to a new study by research firm eMarketer.

Marketers are boosting spending on ads that reach consumers on smartphones and tablet PCs at a much faster than expected pace, eMarketer said on Monday. The firm said it expects that overall US. mobile ad spending in 2012 will increase 180 per cent year-on-year to more than US$4 billion - a sharp revision from its forecast in September which sized the market at US$2.61 billion.

Internet search engine Google is expected to remain the top player in the market for the foreseeable future, with revenue reaching US$6.33 billion in 2014, eMarketer projected. Google's mobile ad revenue, will increase roughly 84 per cent in 2013 to reach US$3.98 billion.

Facebook mobile ads in the United States will total US$339.3 million in 2012 and rise to US$851.4 million in 2013, eMarekter said. The firm's figures are based on an analysis of data from research firms, investment banks and "other sources" on ad revenues, ad impressions and ad prices.

Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

Weeks before he accepted a US$1 billion buyout offer from Facebook Inc, Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom had verbally agreed to a US$525 million offer from Twitter, according to a report in The New York Times citing unnamed sources close to Twitter and Facebook.

Twitter executives were then shocked that Systrom went ahead with the Facebook deal without giving them a chance to make a counteroffer, the Times reported.

Systrom later told California state regulators under oath that his company had not received any "formal offers or term sheets" from potential buyers aside from Facebook, the Times report said, adding that its sources said Twitter executives had given Systrom a term sheet outlining the details of a proposed deal.

A spokeswoman for Facebook declined comment. Twitter could not be immediately reached for comment.

iPhone 5 in China

Apple Inc sold more than 2 million of its new iPhone 5 in China during the three days after its launch there on Friday, marking China's best-selling iPhone rollout ever, the company said late on Sunday.

"Customer response to iPhone 5 in China has been incredible, setting a new record with the best first weekend sales ever in China," Apple chief executive Tim Cook said in a statement.

Apple's latest iPhone, which offers a larger 4-inch screen and 4G capability, was launched in the United States and 30 other countries in September, when the company sold more than 5 million of the devices in the first three days.

The device's highly anticipated release in China, Apple's second-biggest market, failed to stop the recent share slide of the world's most valuable technology company, and analysts said Apple's longer-term China hopes may hinge on a partnership with China Mobile Ltd, the country's top telecoms carrier. 

SNEC

The staff of Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) is so much more responsive and responsible than those of Chartis. They returned call within the same working day itself. They are so helpful and professional.

Perhaps Chartis can learn a tip or two from SNEC.

Chan Wing Sing

A 27-year-old engineer survived with minor injuries after falling 100 metres into a ravine during a hiking trip with his friends at Bukit Tabur in Taman Melawati here yesterday.

Chan Wing Sing, who is from Taman Minang, Cheras, sprained his ankle and injured his waist in the 9am incident when he slipped and fell.

Top N Level Student

Who is the top N Level student in 2012? It is the results day today.

Yam Ah Mee

At a community event yesterday, PA chief executive director Yam Ah Mee said Ms Laura Ong Hui Hoon was a " very good staff" member.

He said that he felt "so sorry for her" and urged the public to give Ms Ong "space to move forward" to address her issues.

Why is there a need to feel sorry for Laura Ong? Shouldn't we feel more sorry for Mrs Diane Palmer? 

Ng Han Sheng vs Babysitter Magdalene

He was shocked to see bruises on his 16-month-old daughter's stomach, buttocks, back and legs.

Believing that his babysitter had abused his daughter, Mr Ng Han Sheng, 31, made a police report.

The little girl stayed in the babysitter's home in Jurong West, near Pioneer MRT station.

The babysitter, who is in her 30s and wanted to be known only as Magdalene, said that she has four children of her own and started looking after Mr Ng's baby seven months ago.

Police reports had been filed by both sides.

Joy in the Holiday Season

In his homily, the Rev. Jerald Doyle, the diocesan administrator, tried to answer the question of how parishioners could find joy in the holiday season with so much sorrow surrounding them after the shooting in Newtown.

"You won't remember what I say, and it will become unimportant," he said. "But you will really hear deep down that word that will finally and ultimately bring peace and joy. That is the word by which we live. That is the word by which we hope. That is the word by which we love."

Chartis

What is the point of calling its hotline if our calls are not returned within 24 hours as promised? What is the point of emailing them with our queries if our emails are not even answered after three working days?

Guess they can forget about their clients once an insurance package had been sold.

Victims of Mass Shooting in Newtown

Connecticut officials have released the identities of the twenty children and six adults killed in the mass shooting at a suburban elementary school in Newtown. May they rest in peace…

CHILDREN
Charlotte Bacon, 2/22/06, female (age 6)
Daniel Barden, 9/25/05, male (age 7)
Olivia Engel, 7/18/06, female (age 6)
Josephine Gay, 12/11/05, female (age 7)
Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 04/04/06, female (age 6)
Dylan Hockley, 03/08/06, male (age 6)
Madeleine F. Hsu, 07/10/06, female (age 6)
Catherine V. Hubbard, 06/08/06, female (age 6)
Chase Kowalski, 10/31/05, male (age 7)
Jesse Lewis, 06/30/06, male (age 6)
James Mattioli, 03/22/06, male (age 6)
Grace McDonnell, 11/04/05, female (age 7)
Emilie Parker, 05/12/06, female (age 6)
Jack Pinto, 05/06/06, male (age 6)
Noah Pozner, 11/20/06, male (age 6)
Caroline Previdi, 09/07/06, female (age 6)
Jessica Rekos, 05/10/06, female (age 6)
Avielle Richman, 10/17/06, female (age 6)
Benjamin Wheeler, 9/12/06, male (age 6)
Allison N. Wyatt, 07/03/06, female (age 6)

ADULTS
Rachel Davino, 7/17/83, female (age 29)
Dawn Hochsprung, 06/28/65, female (age 47)
Anne Marie Murphy, 07/25/60, female (age 52)
Lauren Russeau, 1982, female (age 29)
Mary Sherlach, 02/11/56, female (age 56)
Victoria Soto, 11/04/85, female (age 27)

Adam Lanza

In the aftermath of Friday's elementary school shooting, a shattered New England town searched for clues to why a young man would commit so heinous an act.

The life of Adam Lanza will be dissected, analyzed and re-analyzed in the days to come as investigators dig into the background of the 20-year-old, who law enforcement sources say returned to his elementary school and opened fire.

Thus far, there are clues, but no answers.

Police have not even publicly confirmed Lanza as the assailant who killed 20 young children between the ages of 5 and 10, plus six adults and himself at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

Sun Ho

Who is Ho Yeow Sun aka Sun Ho? None of my friends from USA have heard about her.

Isn't it just plain delusion for City Harvest Church to say that she is very popular with hit(s) on the billboard chart in USA?

Please google her name yourself. Then you can conclude wisely and correctly.

Google Maps

Google Maps have found their way back to the iPhone. The world's most popular online mapping system returned with the release of the Google Maps' iPhone app. The release comes nearly three months after Apple replaced Google Maps as the device's built-in navigation system and inserted its own maps into the latest version of its mobile operating system.

Very good!

Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut

For all those who lost their lives today whether in the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut or around the world... may you finally be at peace. While I see a lot of post claiming gun control to be a good idea, it think it would be better to focus on the numbers of mentally ill people who are dumped back onto the street as a regular practice. And this is assuming the shooter was mentally ill and not some mindless tool to accomplish the goals of some ruthless plan. Either way this should be a wake up call to everyone that the world is changing and our kids are dying because we have no clue what is really going on. To all the families my heart goes out to each of you during this time...

Seagate Carlos R Pestano III

Seagate has posted a statement on its Facebook page saying that it will investigate a Facebook posting by one of its Filipino employees, Carlos R Pestano III, which allegedly labelled Singaporeans as 'rotten'.

This is not the first time nor the final time with such ungrateful, negative statements coming from a foreigner in Singapore. The social fabric is really changing too fast and too furious for the harmony and peace well-being  in the city state.

Laura Ong: 3rd Punggol Grassroots Staff in Scandal

Laura Ong Hui Hoon is the third grassroots staff from Punggol South to have fallen from grace as a result of a scandal in the last four years.

The 33-year-old, who had an affair with ex-Punggol East MP Michael Palmer, was a constituency director of the Punggol South ward from 2006 to 2011, before she was transferred to the Pasir Ris West ward last year to work directly under DPM Teo Chee Hean.

In 2009, Mark Chow, a Young PAP member who is active in the Punggol South ward, was convicted of molesting two women, an aspiring model and a pub operations manager. 

In 2010, another grassroots leader from Punggol South, Danny Soo, was convicted of taking some 200 upskirt videos of unsuspecting women with a camera pen.

Jason Chee Weng Fai

Faulty equipment on board a Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) warship could have caused a horrific accident on Monday that left a serviceman critically injured.

The Defence Ministry said Tuesday night that while detailed investigations are ongoing, "preliminary findings indicate equipment malfunction as a possible contributory cause".

Weapons systems supervisor Jason Chee Weng Fai, 29, was carrying out a routine check on RSS Endeavour's berthing ropes in the ship's quarterdeck when he was caught between a motorised winch and one of the berthing ropes.

The Straits Times understands he lost both legs and an arm, and remains in critical condition in Changi General Hospital.

This is so sad.

Andy Lim and Laura Ong

The plot on the fall of former Speaker of Parliament Michael Palmer thickened as it emerged that Laura Ong Hui Hoon whom he had an affair with, was concurrently dating another man.

Laura Ong was in a serious relationship with logistics sales manager at DHL, Andy Lim, even as she was seeing Michael Palmer.

Who leaked out the intimate text messages and emails between Michael Palmer and Laura Ong that exposed their secret affair?

iPhone 5 in China

The China release of its iPhone 5 today should win Apple Inc some respite from a recent slide in its share of what is likely already the world's biggest smartphone market, but its longer-term hopes may depend on new technology being tested by China's top telecoms carrier.

China is Apple's second-largest and fastest-growing market - it brings in around 15 per cent of total revenue - but the company's failure to strike a deal with China Mobile means it is missing out on a large number of phone users. As the China pie grows, Apple's sales increase, but without China Mobile, it's losing ground at a faster rate compared to other brands.

Are you getting in iPhone 5 in China today?

Diane Palmer and Laura Ong

Mrs Diane Palmer is the smart, intelligent and sophisticated wife of Michael Palmer. She is a law graduate from the University of Oxford.

Who is Laura Ong Hui Hoon when compared with Mrs Diane Palmer?

Is it worth it at all for Michael Palmer's bright political future to be destroyed by the extramarital affair with Laura Ong? It is such a senseless waste.

Teo Ser Luck and Laura Ong

Have you seen those photos which were taken by Teo Ser Luck with Laura Ong Hui Hoon? Weren't they too close for comfort? They were taken between a MP and a staff of PA. Shouldn't a clear line be drawn?

Lui Tuck Yew

‎"Fare increases are needed to improve service to commuters while keeping public transport operations commercially viable."

- Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew, 13 December 2012 (CNA)

Do you agree with him?

Cindy Ong and Laura Ong

Cindy is the younger sister of Laura Ong Hui Hoon. Cindy was deputy constituency manager of the Punggol East ward, where she worked under Michael Palmer, until she resigned abruptly last month.

It is not known if her resignation was connected to the fallout from the extramarital affair between Micheal Palmer and Laura Ong.

Who was the anonymous source who sent the leaked text messages and emails to The New Paper? These leaked messages were exchanged between Michael Palmer and Laura Ong. Thus exposed the clandestine affair.

Kong Hee

When will the case be heard in court? It has been dragging on for far too long. Is the web too wide and extensive that the investigation is too intensive now? How will it affect the credibility of City Harvest Church? Is it a true church to begin with since it preaches on prosperity gospel?

Darren Seng Chee Kwong and Laura Ong

Laura Ong Hui Hoon has been married to Darren Seng Chee Kwong (Chen Zhi Guang) since March 2006. They have been separated for some time now. This separation predated the affair between Michael Palmer and Laura Ong.

Chen Zhi Guang

He is the husband of Laura Ong Hui Hoon who was the mistress of Michael Palmer. According to Chen, Laura Ong is a good wife.

Laura Ong must be very good in connecting with the opposite sex. Even her husband said that she is a good wife despite her having an affair. They had been separated since 2008 after two years of marriage.

Have you seen those photos of Laura Ong which were taken together with Teo Ser Luck?

Laura Ong Hui Hoon

Is Laura Ong the mistress of Michael Palmer? She was the director of Pasir Ris West Constituency.

Isn't Mrs Diane Palmer prettier than her?

Laura's sense of dressing is so simple. Mrs Diane Palmer is so sophisticated and classy.

This is so not worth it for Michael Palmer's political future to be destroyed overnight!

Michael Palmer

The following statement was issued by Mr Michael Palmer on Dec 12 during a press conference:

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for attending this press conference.

With great regret, I announce that I have tendered my resignation as a Member of Parliament and as a member of the People's Action Party.

I have resigned to take full responsibility for a grave mistake that I have committed. I had a relationship with a member of the People's Association staff working in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC. While the individual did not work with me directly, Punggol East used to be part of the GRC and continues to work with it. My conduct was improper and it was a serious error of judgment.

I have resigned in order to avoid further embarassment to the PAP and to Parliament.

I have performed my duties as Speaker of Parliament and MP for Punggol East to the best of my ability and my actions did not affect my performance of those duties.

I am deeply sorry for letting down the residents of Punggol East, the PAP and everyone who has believed in me and supported me. I apologise unreservedly to them, and to my family.

I humbly request that you be kind enough to respect my family's privacy during this difficult period. Thank you.

12.12.12

It's 12.12.12 at 12:12am now.
This is the final repetitive date in our lives.

NTUC

Why are the prices different for the same products in different outlets? Just check on the price of Cowhead cheese in its outlet at Downtown East and your neighbourhood branch. The price difference is more than $1.

The NTUC supermarket chain could also be losing its original aim of helping the masses.
Some of its prices are higher than that in Cold Storage.

Are you wondering why?

Grace Fu

Why did the female MP, Grace Fu, suggest that schools dismiss at 7pm so that the mothers can enter the workforce? Will the educators be paid more to act as caregivers after the normal school hours? What is the purpose of child care centres then? What is the reason for employing live-in maids then?

Is this a wise and practical suggestion?

Strikes

Strike by 171 SMRT bus drivers on 26 November 2012.
Strike by 2 PRC workers on top of a crane in Jurong on 06 December 2012.
Some foreign workers stopped work at a Tai Seng construction site yesterday.

Will there be any more such incidents in the near future?

The social fabric is really changing with the great influx of foreigners into the country.

Jacintha Saldanha

Two Australian radio presenters who duped a nurse at a London hospital which treated Prince William's pregnant wife Catherine have been taken off air as they face public fury after the woman was found dead.

Media reports on Friday said nurse Jacintha Saldanha, who had worked at the King Edward VII hospital in London for four years, had committed suicide while police said they were treating the death as unexplained.

Saldanha had accepted the hoax call from two radio presenters from Sydney's 2Day FM pretending to be Queen Elizabeth II and William's father Prince Charles, before passing it onto a colleague who divulged details of Kate's condition.


This is so senseless!

United Overseas Bank (UOB)

Have you ever wondered why there are very few clients in every UOB branch most of the time?
Have you seen the very long queues at every POSB, DBS and OCBC branch most of the time?

The service level at UOB needs a major review.
The staff at the other three banks are at a much higher level than those at UOB.

Here is the latest example:

Edna Low of Bedok North branch knocked at the glass partition screen THREE times before speaking to her customers who were giving their complete attention to her. She handed more than three different forms to be signed during the same minute. Her instructions were not clear at all. Just one form was signed wrongly. She said "TSK" so loudly.

All these were recorded by the many CCTV inside this particular branch yesterday afternoon.




Reply from UOB on 10 December 2012:

Dear Sir/ Mdm

We refer to your feedback with staff at Bedok branch.

We would appreciate that you could provide us with your contact number for us to contact you and address your concerns.

Should you have any questions, please contact our 24-hour Call Centre on 1800 22 22 121 or +65 622 22 121 (if you are calling from overseas). We will be happy to assist you.

Thank you for banking with UOB.

Yours sincerely

Iris Soh (Ms)

Customer Service Officer

Call Centre

United Overseas Bank Limited

Singapore Company Reg No. 193500026Z

Note: As your Card account number, password and PIN are confidential, please do not disclose them in your email.

Reply from UOB on 07 December 2012:

Dear Sir/ Mdm

Thank you for your email.

We would like to thank you for taking the time to write to us on your feedback as it is through such comments that we are able to focus on areas for improvement and further enhance our services to our customers.

Please be assured that your feedback has been highlighted to the department concerned for their review.

Should you have any questions, please contact our 24-hour Call Centre on 1800 22 22 121 or +65 622 22 121 (if you are calling from overseas). We will be happy to assist you.

Thank you for banking with UOB.

Yours sincerely

Iris Soh (Ms)

Customer Service Officer

Call Centre

United Overseas Bank Limited

Singapore Company Reg No. 193500026Z

SingTel

If you are renewing your mobile phone contract soon and you are looking for very professional advice, please look for Ray at SingTel Parkway Parade. He is very helpful and patient in getting the best plan at the best price for you. There is no hidden agenda to meet his monthly sales quota.

He went beyond the call of his duty by showing both the white and black iPhone 5 sets to us today. The black iPhone 5 belongs to him. The white iPhone 5 belongs to his colleague.

Thank you so much, Ray!



Reply from SingTel on 07 December 2012:

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us.

Your compliment will certainly be an encouragement to the staff and department concerned and they will be commended accordingly. Continual reviewing of our service quality is mandatory in ensuring highest level of customer service being provided by SingTel. That is our goal - and feedback, such as yours, is certainly valuable to support that endeavour.

It has been our pleasure serving you.

If you have included additional feedback, we would like to assure you that the necessary review for improvements will be carried out.

Yours sincerely,

Customer Management, Consumer Group
SingTel

Rainy Weather

Have you been enjoying the cool weather lately? It's so comfortable with the crisp, fresh air. Even the flora and fauna rejoice.

Asian Hedge Funds

Asian hedge funds are set to outperform the world in 2012, gaining for the fourth straight month in November as the US Federal Reserve's low- rate policies boosted credit and stock investments.

Top performers in 2012 include Income Partners Asset Management (HK) Ltd's Asian Credit Hedge Fund, GCI Japan Hybrids and Algebris Coco Credit Fund. The Eurekahedge Asian Hedge Fund Index returned 5.8 per cent this year through November, outperforming the 4.5 per cent return by the index tracking global hedge funds, according to a preliminary report by Eurekahedge, a Singapore-based data provider.

Are you satisfied with your investment returns this year?

Uniquely Singapore

Language and uniquely Singaporean practices - these are the two biggest challenges faced by foreigners when integrating in Singapore, according to foreigners RazorTV spoke to.

That is why we are the Uniquely Singaporeans with the most adorable Singlish.

Booking a Taxi in Kuala Lumpur

MORE than 350,000 people had enjoyed the benefits of using the MyTeksi and TaxiMonger applications to reserve taxis in smartphones.

The application, introduced by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), was aimed at enhancing the efficiency of taxi drivers and assisting the public in making their reservations in Kuala Lumpur.

Isn't this is so efficient?

Fiscal Cliff

Negotiations are expected to continue on the "fiscal cliff" with Republicans at a growing public opinion disadvantage and approval ratings for President Barack Obama rising to levels not seen since the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Will something be announced to avert the steep tax hikes and budget cuts set for the start of 2013?

Median Income

"The median monthly income from work (including employer CPF contributions) of full-time employed residents rose by 7.1% over the year to $3,480 in 2012."

Life is becoming better for most Singaporeans. How about those who are earning way below this median level? They are struggling everyday.

SMRT Bus Drivers

SMRT bus drivers who are Malaysians are paid $200 monthly more than those who are from China. Is this fair?

Latest Announcement on SMRT

Have you heard the latest public announcements on the SMRT trains? How do you like them? Too noisy? So repetitive? Do they need to use both English and Mandarin to announce everything twice just before reaching each station? Is it necessary to announce another information in between two stations in English and Mandarin?

Why aren't Malay and Indian languages used in the announcements as well? After all, we should promote multiracial in the country.

Reason

‎"I am a sincere believer that people come into our lives for a reason. Sometimes, it’s because we need a shoulder. Sometimes, it’s because we need someone who understands us. Sometimes, it’s simply to feel: to be angry, to be in love, to be inspired. Throughout our lives we want different things, we need different things. I’m often amazed at how people enter our lives accordingly. This also applies to those we have been a relationship with. When you are in a relationship with someone, you share yourself. You open up and give them a little piece of you. They were meant to have that piece, as you were meant to accept a piece of them. A lot of times, problems arise and two people don’t end up working out. A lot of times, the two don’t communicate anymore. I believe that when we end a relationship with someone, we can never be as close to them as we were before. Part of you is broken. Part of them is broken. And that’s okay, because they were there for the parts of your life that they needed to be. Sometimes we get lucky enough to find a friendship in someone that we’ve loved but that’s rare. When hearts feel so strongly and so deeply, it’s hard to say, “Dear heart, change now. Feel less.” In the end, that little piece that you gave to them was never returned, it’s kept safe, just like you keep the piece they gave you safe. And you don’t need to call each other everyday or talk like your best friends. Because when we lose someone, there is always a part of them that we’ll get to keep. Love never leaves. Nor does it die. Love has an appropriate time & place. And sometimes love needs to be tucked away, and simply remembered." ~ Liang Yu

ERP

There is another increase in the ERP rates. The maximum rate is $5 now. $5 just to pass under the ERP gantry during the peak hours. This is unbelievable!

Is ERP effective to control the flow of traffic into the city then? It needs a major overhaul. The jams are still there along the major expressway.

Late

She had wanted to meet me for a long time. Just couldn't arrange for a suitable time. Finally, we managed to settle on the time and venue. Guess what? She was late by half an hour! 30 minutes! OMG! There are so many direct bus services from her home to the mall. It is only a 10 minutes ride away. Her excuse was she waited for the bus. Oh please!

I value punctuality very much!

Good Bye

"It's sad how most people nowadays do not treasure and value relationships as much. 

Having witnessing so many people around ending their years of relationship makes me wonder if love is really that fragile? Are those memories spent together so easily thrown away and forgotten?

Never say goodbye when you still want to try. Never give up when you feel you can still take it. Never say you don't love that person anymore when you can't let go. Goodbyes make you think. They make you realise what you've had, what you've lost and what you've taken for granted. They make you realised that sometimes, there are no next times, no time outs and no second chances. And above all, saying goodbye is the most painful way of solving a problem.

That said, well.. People change and things go wrong. Shit happens but life still goes on.

So show the person you love that you love them, everyday. So you won't have any regrets in your life because we can never ever take back moments in our lives once it passed." ~ Shenny Yang

Why help then?

It's better to respect them by not gossiping about them behind their backs. If she's not happy with them, then don't help them. No point helping them, then complain about this and that. The children are also human beings who are gifted in other areas. Not everyone is academically inclined. Just be grateful and thankful with each other's unique talents. Mutual respect and acceptance are very important.

This is just my humble opinion.

PSLE

PSLE results will be released at noon today. MOE has decided not to publish the names of the top scorers. Is this wise? Recognition must be given when due.

COE

COE for the small cars and goods vehicles had reached a record high. This is too appalling. Why must the luxury cars with small engine capacity compete with the economical cars? How will the small companies survive when the goods vehicles cost so much now?

This COE scheme needs a major review!

Ng Boon Gay

His wife is slim. His mistress is curvaceous. Doesn't this conclude that men prefer vivacious and curvaceous women? Why are females still obsessed with a slimmer figure then?

Pageviews

There were eight pageviews on 18 November 2012. Surprise!

Alvin Tan Jye Yee

He is a scholar in NUS Law school. He is also a sex blogger. Should he be expelled?

Whatsapp

Yes, I'm still very surprised to receive the whatsapp message out of the blue, after all these years. Why? What? There are so many questions in my mind now. Questions that I won't ask. Answers that I don't seek. I just wish that you will not follow me on whatsapp anymore.

CPF

Why should there be a CPF minimum sum? The monies are the workers' who worked hard for them. Every cent should be returned to the account holders upon retirement. It is up to them to decide what to do with their savings in their CPF accounts.

Foreign Students

Why are there so many foreign students in NUS, NTU and SMU? It seems to be much more than the quota which was published in the local media.

Kong Hee

When will we know the outcome of the court case against Kong Hee and some of his members from City Harvest Church? This has been dragging on for far too long.

Sentosa Cove

Have you been to this wealthy enclave? It is so exclusive and exquisite.

GSS

Are you looking forward to the Great Singapore Sale? There are perpetual sales throughout the year in every shopping mall.

Moody

Why are you so moody? You'll wave happily like a kid in a candy shop when your mood is perky. You'll sulk when your mood is bad for that day. How would I know whether your mood is good or bad for that day? I'll remain neutral whenever we bump into each other then.

Please don't take acquaintances for granted.

RWS

The next time you visit Resort World Sentosa, please take a look at the entrance to the casino. Many old people and foreign workers are entering it. This is so worrisome. Their savings are needed for their old age. The foreign workers need to feed their families who are waiting for their monies to be remitted home.

MBS

Have you noticed the elderlies who alight at Raffles Place MRT Station? They are heading to the casino. This is so sad. They should safeguard their life savings.

New

New year. New beginning. New hope.