Certificate of Entitlement. This is prerequisite under a vehicle quota system that applies exclusively to Singaporeans. We Singaporeans would be familiar as car buyers would toss this abbreviation up and down, doing long mathematical calculations on bidding prices. I remember years ago in mid 90’s to late 90’s, buying a car in Singapore would be an addtional 30-40k for COE on top of the car itself.

COE price is economically based on 2 major factors - how many COEs the govenment is willing to issue and the market demand. However, with the establishment of open bidding in 1999, the COE price in detailed transparency has dropped, stabilizing now at range generally between 8k to 15k. This desirable reduction is mainly due to the increased release of COE entitlements, based on the lowing importation tax to the secondary market for our used cars. Plus, the loosening of bank regulations by the government allow for cars to be purchase with minimal upfront payment, keeping the reminder tied down to the terms of installment.

Therefore in recent times, the car market volume is going up the roof. Folks in the Singapore are ever more keen then before in getting a car. I start to wonder if we are becoming a bigger debtor then ever to the banks. Many car buyers are attracted to the longer managable installment arrangment, making cars easily afforable at first glance. People figure out that as long as their they pay can cover the installments, I doing well enough to afford one. Point of consideration - Have you got the safety net for that?

In terms of depreciation, the day you buy your car is the day you start to lose money. (Unless you are talking about classic cars)

Firstly, most Singaporeans have our housing mortage to overlook. Now, as we start normalising that owning a car as a necessity, personal finances are continuing to tilt towards risky red zone. Many of us are in a “eye wide open” manner, increasing our liabilities and dependability to the banks. Even though getting a car brings along comfort, whole-being and happiness in a certain extent. We have got to look at the other end of the deal. Are we working longer, harder, pondering over bills near retirement ago? The lowering of COE prices may have inadvertently introduce a negative bait factor, compelling us to work even harder so that we can upkeep just like everyone else is working doing.

Ok. Considering that I have been scouring this for a long time, I have got to be surprised to find this in the library. After reading the synopsis, it clear to me that I HAVE to watch it.

Basically its about the rivalries among concubines to whom the master chooses to sleep with everyday. Oh yah, have to mention that Gong Li is one of them. It is proven that reading that may result in varying exilaration.

I squatted to lower racks and begun running my fingers throught the dvd spines, straining my focus to register the different titles. When I saw it, I dragged it out immediately and smiled by myself for being so lucky. Next, I secretly peered over shoulders for any ah peks and aunties that could be vying the same interest and pulling of the “I need it more then you” stunt. I think I was being paranoid. But most of all, I think I am lucky. No ones is around me.

This film is crafted in a close door manner which intimacy is none existant to the viewer but generally understood. Chief ploy relying on the subtle yet discriminating politics between the 3 concubines and the head wife. The idea is whomever the master choses the sleep with the night before, she will get to have some odd privileges, also implicitly gaining a upperhand in the running for the household. So every evening, the four ladies would stand outside their quarters within view of each other and then some lantern fella would walk down their aisle and place a big red lantern, infront of one of them

As I think you know, would indicate the master desire to sleep with for the night. Those same guys would then proceed to light up alot of big red lanterns inside the compound of the “chosen one”. The lighting of the lanterns is depicted in painstaking extent, apparently a tradition that has been passed down for generations. Foully interesting right?

I don’t wish to give up too much of the details, but I have to admit the artful directing and rich characters in the film brought about more then just the survial of the shrewest equation. But also the equality and purpose of the Chinese women in the past. It relates on how education and social exposure can bring about different ideologies against traditional conventions.

In the past, if you are one rich man in China having more then one wife, it is really important to make sure the babies they bear is yours

I have to confess that I am an addict. I addicted to Scofield and Linc. I had to buy the whole series when it came out. I didn’t care. I am a junkie and I finished the 2nd season within 2 days. 2 days of which is at about the time, around 4 days before my cross cultural management exams. I cannot take it if I don’t finish it

Allow me to return to the time when I finished the last espisode of season 1. I was absolutely gutted by the ending. I’m sure most did. I tried imagining how the plot is going to lean towards season 2 once the characters successfully broke out from prison? For a while it didnt look too promising. Seems like it has to regress into a pretty stereotyped plot - fugitives running from authority.

I was wrong. It was amazing from start to end. As I transit between increasing episodes, I told myself countless time that it is gonna be the last episode before I turn it my pc off. It was a uphill challenge and I am glad that succumbed to my own temptation. Basically, I had resorted to continue until I my eyes became so heavy I had to sleep. I am writing this straight after I finished the last one. I feel whole again. I feel liberated. No more addiction.

Anyway, the recent political whoo haa in Singapore is largely on the Prime Minister’s justification to increase the already exorbitant Member of Parliament (MP) salaries. To put it monetary perspective, this imminent change will increase the annual salaries of MPs from the current SGD$1.2 million to SGD$1.6 million (approx. US$1 million). While the President of the United States, arguably the most powerful man in the world earns less then half - US$400,000.

His reason? To close up the widening pay gap between the government and the public sector to attract potential leaders. Allow me to digress. Is money really a good intrinsic bait for attracting worthy individuals to manage a country? I would suppose if there is a selection criteria for public services appointments, it should not just gauge only on his merits and abilities, but most importantly his desire, willingness to work and make sacrifices to in exchange to improve and help the lives of the people. If money is the only viable method for our governement to attract talents, we must be doing something wrong somewhere. Try to imagine the amount of taxpayers money we spent on national education or national service. Its purpose? Seems more like the intented nurturing didnt quite pay off.

With the racial integration of Chinese, Muslim and Indians, and all its rich culture, our homogeneous grouping in Singapore are unfortunately eclipsed with this money driven - superficial culture. Thought in many ways we are considered a first class nation, this fast-paced modern society is one where people are facing too many choices and values are often conflicted. This, I am afraid is the by-product of the most thriving and economically developed nation. Though living and socials standards have certainly improved, our ethics and purpose in life may have regressed.

You see, Singapore is a place where wealth is an individual’s main motivation and a prime indicator of a person’s status in the society. Historically, it is quite different from the past and especially the study of Confucianism. In the traditional Chinese social pecking order, men of learning, integrity and honor would be the crown of the society while the businessmen or traders alike would be at the bottom of it. Rationale being that the exploitation of profit would corrode one’s morals and character. People worships Chinese literary generals like Guan Yu or Yue Fei well notable for their valor, loyalty and uprightness. Though these qualities are still admired, they have distorted among our present time. In most case, loyalty is to oneself or for the family, not the others or the country. People would probably label as foolhardy if you are able to move up in the industry but decide to stick with an organization that pays you modestly, simply because you enjoy the job and feel attached to it. They would view it as shortcomings of an individual that is indecisive, risk adverse and lacks a goal in life.

I recalled some time ago when I just met a young lady in some social gathering. I casually mentioned to her that I served a frontline military unit during my National Service. To that, she laughed and replied - “Why do you have to put yourself though so much sweat, being under the sun while risking injury? I mean since you have to serve a compulsory 2 years in the services, might as well just be a clerk? You can be in an air-con room  and get to go home everyday.” I was flabbergasted. However, I presumed at her benefit of the doubt that she was probably ignorant about national security importance. Yet, I think her non-chalantly reply sized up the general mentality of the public and the lowering opinions of the once valued qualities such as serving the country. Who is going be motivated to stay and defend Singapore when it is under siege?