Just finished "Elvis is Titanic" by Ian Klaus. This book is about classroom tales in Iraq. The author, a Rhodes Scholar spent a year in Iraq teaching English and American History in 2005. Though there were many American soldiers in Iraq, he was supposedly the very few American civilians involved in the education sector. The book showed you a different Iraq from what we often see from the news, it gave us glimpses of the aspirations of some classes of Iraqis from the eyes of an American.
I like another book "Salam Pax: The Baghdad Blog" by Pax Salam. Happened to chance upon this book when I was at a bookshop in North Thailand earlier this year. Reading books is a good way to pass time when you are travelling on the road for hours at times. I am always glad to be in North Thailand as there are often many bookshops near the backpackers district for us to buy and sell our books. Anyway Salam Pax is a Iraqi and the book is a consolidation of his blog in 2002-2003 which supposedly had a huge following as he managed to give a "lighted hearted" view of his life in Iraqi despite the war and troubled times. It is humorous yet gives valuable insights on the war and the impacts that it has on the lives of ordinary citizens. I recommend this book, his way of writing his blog is really intriguing.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Taxi driver's blog
I think I must have written too much about taxi drivers that my friend has passed me a link of a blog by a local taxi driver. It is really an interesting blog. I am hooked to it. Think it has a large following too from the number of comments.
Indeed taxi drivers face a lot of different kind of passengers and the stories give us a glimpse about the life of the passengers.
Anyway, he is no ordinary taxi driver but a driver that has a PHD from Stanford. Through some circumstances, he is now driving a taxi. Maybe he is just doing it for a while to experience a different kind of life that he never knew. His blog is http://taxidiary.blogspot.com
Indeed taxi drivers face a lot of different kind of passengers and the stories give us a glimpse about the life of the passengers.
Anyway, he is no ordinary taxi driver but a driver that has a PHD from Stanford. Through some circumstances, he is now driving a taxi. Maybe he is just doing it for a while to experience a different kind of life that he never knew. His blog is http://taxidiary.blogspot.com
Monday, December 14, 2009
Story from a taxi uncle
My blog is at risk of becoming a story about the lives of taxi uncles. Haha :) As some of you may have guessed correctly, I am going to write about the story of the taxi uncle I met today. The uncle saw his taxi friend in front and switched to the other lane to be side by side with his friend so that he can talk for a while as we were waiting for the trafffic. I heard he asked his friend in Hokkien whether his friend bought his car number as it came out as the top price in the 4-d draw.
I asked him later casually whether he recently won 4-d and then he started telling his life story. The uncle has driven taxi for about 22 years. He raised 2 daughters to the university and they are now already coming 30 years old. 2 very filial daughters that gave him and his wife quite a decent amount of allowance every month. He can jolly well retire and survive on the allowance but he prefers to work. In fact he recently brought his daughters to taiwan and even sponsored the trip and shopping there.
Interestingly he also told me that he has quite a luck with all his cabs. Whenever he changes to a new cab, his cab numbers will inevitably come up as 1st or 3rd price in the local 4-d draw within a year. He said his IC number also often comes up as the 1st price in the 4-d draw and proceeded to ask me to buy. Haha but of course I have already forgotten the numbers he gave me as I do not buy 4-d and don't have such luck also.
Seemed really like one lucky uncle. Though luckily he mentioned he is not really a gambler, he just buys not much each time in the 4-d draw.
In addition despite his age he is one hardworking fellow. Starting his driving every day at 4.30am. Wow so early indeed!
I asked him later casually whether he recently won 4-d and then he started telling his life story. The uncle has driven taxi for about 22 years. He raised 2 daughters to the university and they are now already coming 30 years old. 2 very filial daughters that gave him and his wife quite a decent amount of allowance every month. He can jolly well retire and survive on the allowance but he prefers to work. In fact he recently brought his daughters to taiwan and even sponsored the trip and shopping there.
Interestingly he also told me that he has quite a luck with all his cabs. Whenever he changes to a new cab, his cab numbers will inevitably come up as 1st or 3rd price in the local 4-d draw within a year. He said his IC number also often comes up as the 1st price in the 4-d draw and proceeded to ask me to buy. Haha but of course I have already forgotten the numbers he gave me as I do not buy 4-d and don't have such luck also.
Seemed really like one lucky uncle. Though luckily he mentioned he is not really a gambler, he just buys not much each time in the 4-d draw.
In addition despite his age he is one hardworking fellow. Starting his driving every day at 4.30am. Wow so early indeed!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Taxi
These 2 weeks due to time constraint and tight schedule, taxi is my primary public transport. Once these 2 weeks is over, it will be back to bus and MRT for me else it is really burning a big hole in my pocket.
Anyway taking the taxis these two weeks have been a very pleasant experience. The taxi drivers are often very friendly in striking conversations with me. For example, the taxi driver yesterday was a university graduate. He shared with me that he often studied together outside with his friends during his poly years. After his graduation, he worked at Tuas while living in Pasir Ris (opposite end of the island) and took distance learning for his degree course. It got very tough later on when he had a family and had to balance all the commitments. I can imagine.
Another day, the son of the taxi driver was a doctor. I could tell that the taxi driver was very proud of his son, which is rightly so. I think his son should also be very proud of his father for bringing him up all the way to university.
From newspaper reports, I know taxi driving in Singapore is not a well paid profession. For sitting behind the wheels for 10 hours a day, the taxi driver will probably earn $2000-$3000 a month after deducting the vehicle rental and diesel cost. If they fall sick or for other reasons they are unable to work for some days, then the take home pay will be much less. Considering the cost of housing in Singapore and the cost involved in raising a family, I can understand when they told me that with the housing price spikes, even though they needed to get a bigger house for the growing family, it is very difficult for them as the prices are beyond their reach so they will have to squeeze in the present house.
However despite all these, often they undercharge me. For eg when the fare is $8.20, they would charge me $8. Even though is only 20cents, but all these do add up to significant reduced earnings for them if they do this on a daily basis to all the commuters.
And today, the taxi uncle really undercharged me signifcantly. The taxi driver was probably in his late 60s to early 70s, definitely over the normal retirement age. First he was very kind to ask me whether the car is too cold for me. On reaching my home, the fare was $7.20. I told him I have 20cents, so that he can just give me back $3 while I gave him $10.20. But he said no need to give him the 20 cents. Then later he shoved $4 back to me. I took out $1 to gave him back. But he insisted that I keep it. Even though I told him he would make a loss, but he keep insisting and said is ok, since he is on way home. In the end I could only thank him. Hmm.. so I paid $6 for a $7.20 journey. Thank you Uncle for your generosity! Even though I don't know I deserve it.
Generosity and kindness is found plentiful in people, often from people who may not be as well endowed in society. I know millionaire who pinch their pennies, maybe that is why they can get so rich because they are very conscious of managing their money. Hmmm....kindness probably work in cycles. The uncle has started the kindness cycle, and I hope I will continue in his spirit of giving and pass it along to someone else. :)
Anyway taking the taxis these two weeks have been a very pleasant experience. The taxi drivers are often very friendly in striking conversations with me. For example, the taxi driver yesterday was a university graduate. He shared with me that he often studied together outside with his friends during his poly years. After his graduation, he worked at Tuas while living in Pasir Ris (opposite end of the island) and took distance learning for his degree course. It got very tough later on when he had a family and had to balance all the commitments. I can imagine.
Another day, the son of the taxi driver was a doctor. I could tell that the taxi driver was very proud of his son, which is rightly so. I think his son should also be very proud of his father for bringing him up all the way to university.
From newspaper reports, I know taxi driving in Singapore is not a well paid profession. For sitting behind the wheels for 10 hours a day, the taxi driver will probably earn $2000-$3000 a month after deducting the vehicle rental and diesel cost. If they fall sick or for other reasons they are unable to work for some days, then the take home pay will be much less. Considering the cost of housing in Singapore and the cost involved in raising a family, I can understand when they told me that with the housing price spikes, even though they needed to get a bigger house for the growing family, it is very difficult for them as the prices are beyond their reach so they will have to squeeze in the present house.
However despite all these, often they undercharge me. For eg when the fare is $8.20, they would charge me $8. Even though is only 20cents, but all these do add up to significant reduced earnings for them if they do this on a daily basis to all the commuters.
And today, the taxi uncle really undercharged me signifcantly. The taxi driver was probably in his late 60s to early 70s, definitely over the normal retirement age. First he was very kind to ask me whether the car is too cold for me. On reaching my home, the fare was $7.20. I told him I have 20cents, so that he can just give me back $3 while I gave him $10.20. But he said no need to give him the 20 cents. Then later he shoved $4 back to me. I took out $1 to gave him back. But he insisted that I keep it. Even though I told him he would make a loss, but he keep insisting and said is ok, since he is on way home. In the end I could only thank him. Hmm.. so I paid $6 for a $7.20 journey. Thank you Uncle for your generosity! Even though I don't know I deserve it.
Generosity and kindness is found plentiful in people, often from people who may not be as well endowed in society. I know millionaire who pinch their pennies, maybe that is why they can get so rich because they are very conscious of managing their money. Hmmm....kindness probably work in cycles. The uncle has started the kindness cycle, and I hope I will continue in his spirit of giving and pass it along to someone else. :)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Fourth time lucky?
Third time lucky? It is not meant to be. I am trying to get a 22 inch TV for my mum. Got a 32 inch TV over the weekend as both the TVs at home broke down.
There have been some special promotions going on for electronices including this 22/26 inch TV over the past few weeks. Usually the store will say for the "First 5 customers" for each of the electronic item. My bro-in-law advised me to go queue up for this as he queued only 10 mins before the store opening and got it. He said it is very good deal.
The thing is today is my third time queuing and I still come back empty handed. First 2 times, I am both the 6th person in line, just one person difference. The 5 people in front of me all want the same product as me, even though there are many different items on promotion.
I reached progressively earlier. Today I was there at least an hour before the store opening. I was very happy that there was no one in queue at the usual spot where people queue. Happily I stood there and read the notes I brought along until I heard voices behind me some mins after. Apparently there was a group of people queuing in another spot, hidden by the posters and pillars... How did i miss them?? If only I saw there earlier and join their queue, I am the 6th or 7th person again after I join them. And the result was as expected.
This is really disappointing. For the same item and at the same shop, my bro in law just needed to queue 10 mins and went one time for the item. And I went to queue for three times and much earlier and yet...
Maybe it is meant to be. For example, when I recently bought my laptop. My colleague just went 1 day after me at the same fair. He got a better deal as the shops slashed prices by $100 for all the products that day. Not only is my price higher but not long after, the model that I bought have a model recall for faulty items. The manufacturer recalled my laptop for repair.
Another incident this year, I took a taxi to rush home after feeling sick and my taxi was following all the traffic rules. Out of nowhere, another car ignoring the red light rammed into my taxi and hit the side when I was sitting. Missed me luckily else I would not be here writing. Also this year, when I crossed a small road, I clearly saw there was no traffic before I crossed. But midway, suddenly a motorbike zipped past me in high speed, just inches from me.
When I went backpacking with my friend in India, I encountered a few times of bird shit dropping from the sky onto me. I really did not know what happened and my friend was surprised too because we are often standing around the same spot. I doubt it is because there are more birds there. Even in Singapore, walking along Orchard Road, the bird shit had missed me by inches a few times, literally dropping beside me when I am walking. I never heard of my friends experiencing this so often.
Somehow I often meet with such incidents with high frequency until I guess they no longer fazed me so much. To me, it is like "ok, it happen again". It is a tad tiring at times as I often have to go through more efforts for the same thing. Maybe a lot of people also experienced such things and never complain. I should count my blessings instead. Life has still been kind to me compared to many others that are struggling every day for their survival. What are these stories that I have? Insignificant indeed.
Ok, I guess I should not make any wishes, I just need to continue my effort. Maybe the shop will have the promotion again next weekend and I will be fourth time lucky. :)
There have been some special promotions going on for electronices including this 22/26 inch TV over the past few weeks. Usually the store will say for the "First 5 customers" for each of the electronic item. My bro-in-law advised me to go queue up for this as he queued only 10 mins before the store opening and got it. He said it is very good deal.
The thing is today is my third time queuing and I still come back empty handed. First 2 times, I am both the 6th person in line, just one person difference. The 5 people in front of me all want the same product as me, even though there are many different items on promotion.
I reached progressively earlier. Today I was there at least an hour before the store opening. I was very happy that there was no one in queue at the usual spot where people queue. Happily I stood there and read the notes I brought along until I heard voices behind me some mins after. Apparently there was a group of people queuing in another spot, hidden by the posters and pillars... How did i miss them?? If only I saw there earlier and join their queue, I am the 6th or 7th person again after I join them. And the result was as expected.
This is really disappointing. For the same item and at the same shop, my bro in law just needed to queue 10 mins and went one time for the item. And I went to queue for three times and much earlier and yet...
Maybe it is meant to be. For example, when I recently bought my laptop. My colleague just went 1 day after me at the same fair. He got a better deal as the shops slashed prices by $100 for all the products that day. Not only is my price higher but not long after, the model that I bought have a model recall for faulty items. The manufacturer recalled my laptop for repair.
Another incident this year, I took a taxi to rush home after feeling sick and my taxi was following all the traffic rules. Out of nowhere, another car ignoring the red light rammed into my taxi and hit the side when I was sitting. Missed me luckily else I would not be here writing. Also this year, when I crossed a small road, I clearly saw there was no traffic before I crossed. But midway, suddenly a motorbike zipped past me in high speed, just inches from me.
When I went backpacking with my friend in India, I encountered a few times of bird shit dropping from the sky onto me. I really did not know what happened and my friend was surprised too because we are often standing around the same spot. I doubt it is because there are more birds there. Even in Singapore, walking along Orchard Road, the bird shit had missed me by inches a few times, literally dropping beside me when I am walking. I never heard of my friends experiencing this so often.
Somehow I often meet with such incidents with high frequency until I guess they no longer fazed me so much. To me, it is like "ok, it happen again". It is a tad tiring at times as I often have to go through more efforts for the same thing. Maybe a lot of people also experienced such things and never complain. I should count my blessings instead. Life has still been kind to me compared to many others that are struggling every day for their survival. What are these stories that I have? Insignificant indeed.
Ok, I guess I should not make any wishes, I just need to continue my effort. Maybe the shop will have the promotion again next weekend and I will be fourth time lucky. :)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
2nd Chance
Today I was walking along the road where I noticed some art drawings at the side. A number of the drawings featured the sea as a symbol of hope and some of them showed people locked in the jails. These drawings look melancholy and were drew by girls from the Singapore Girls' Home. This is a sort of a rehabilitation centre for girls that may have run mildly foul of the law as well as girls who may have been put there by their parents who deemed them uncontrollable.
There were also some writings accompanying the drawings. The common message conveyed is clear. The girls hope that they will be given a second chance in life.
2nd chance -- Indeed many people hope to be given a 2nd chance for varied kinds of things, in opportunities we seek but lose out, in our life and even in forgivness for things that we may have done. No one is truly perfect. Maybe we lose sight of this at times. I guess most people, me included, tend to judgemental. Are things that we see what they clearly are? In an increasingly complex world, what we see may increasingly not be the whole picture.
Hopefully those who deserve will be given 2nd chance in life.
There were also some writings accompanying the drawings. The common message conveyed is clear. The girls hope that they will be given a second chance in life.
2nd chance -- Indeed many people hope to be given a 2nd chance for varied kinds of things, in opportunities we seek but lose out, in our life and even in forgivness for things that we may have done. No one is truly perfect. Maybe we lose sight of this at times. I guess most people, me included, tend to judgemental. Are things that we see what they clearly are? In an increasingly complex world, what we see may increasingly not be the whole picture.
Hopefully those who deserve will be given 2nd chance in life.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Doctor
I went to see my usual doctor today for flu symptoms. His clinic is just a few blocks from my home. Seeing the H1N1 vaccine information pasted on the wall, I took the opportunity to ask him whether I should go for the jab since he recommended the seasonal flu vaccine for me last time.
Amazingly, he told me that though he recommend this H1N1 vaccine for me, he would strongly suggest to his patients like me to take the vaccine from the clinic a few street away. Apparently that clinic belongs to a healthcare chain that currently has promotion for the H1N1 vaccine such that it costs only $26 while the price at his clinic is $40. Simply put, he said his price is not competitive at the much. He asked me to go outside and checked with his nurse later for the number for that clinic. Unless that clinic ends the promotion such that the prices are not much different, then should I go to him for the H1N1 jab.
Wow what an honest doctor that really cares about his patients! He is a general practitioner that though not a specialist (those doctors probably command higher status in society) but to patients like us that always go to GPs whenever we have any illness, he is definitely our first line of defense. He really commands my respect. He kept his consultation affordable, nomally about $20-40 with medicine each time. Work unbelievably long hours, even working on Sundays last time. A few times I had saw him rush out to help when old folks (I live in an old estate) fainted at the food centre in front of his clinic. He would stay until the paramedics arrive which is usually very fast fortunately.
I used to take for granted that all doctors are like that especially since those medical-themed TV dramas always seem to show doctors as really selfless people. That was until I checked with my friends who are nurses. My good friend who used to work in the operating theatres in the hospital told me that in her daily contact with doctors, there are actually many with big egos that treat nurses badly and without much respect. There are people in the profession because of the status and remuneration.
Really glad that my GP is such a great doctor, though he may not win any contest for most charming doctor or gather much prestige in the medical community as he only treats general ailments BUT really, most importantly, to us, patients who go to him as our first line of defense for illness, he is our unstated Hero! :) Thank you Doctor!
Amazingly, he told me that though he recommend this H1N1 vaccine for me, he would strongly suggest to his patients like me to take the vaccine from the clinic a few street away. Apparently that clinic belongs to a healthcare chain that currently has promotion for the H1N1 vaccine such that it costs only $26 while the price at his clinic is $40. Simply put, he said his price is not competitive at the much. He asked me to go outside and checked with his nurse later for the number for that clinic. Unless that clinic ends the promotion such that the prices are not much different, then should I go to him for the H1N1 jab.
Wow what an honest doctor that really cares about his patients! He is a general practitioner that though not a specialist (those doctors probably command higher status in society) but to patients like us that always go to GPs whenever we have any illness, he is definitely our first line of defense. He really commands my respect. He kept his consultation affordable, nomally about $20-40 with medicine each time. Work unbelievably long hours, even working on Sundays last time. A few times I had saw him rush out to help when old folks (I live in an old estate) fainted at the food centre in front of his clinic. He would stay until the paramedics arrive which is usually very fast fortunately.
I used to take for granted that all doctors are like that especially since those medical-themed TV dramas always seem to show doctors as really selfless people. That was until I checked with my friends who are nurses. My good friend who used to work in the operating theatres in the hospital told me that in her daily contact with doctors, there are actually many with big egos that treat nurses badly and without much respect. There are people in the profession because of the status and remuneration.
Really glad that my GP is such a great doctor, though he may not win any contest for most charming doctor or gather much prestige in the medical community as he only treats general ailments BUT really, most importantly, to us, patients who go to him as our first line of defense for illness, he is our unstated Hero! :) Thank you Doctor!
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