This programme just woke me up. My sis was telling about how fun the show is and all. It was not until recently that I watched one show. It took me completely off guard. Before I watched, I was of the notion that of course, I am smarter than a fifth grader. 100 %. This is a no brainer.

 It started as a fun game show to watch on a boring eening. However, as the show progressed, I realised somethis is wrong. You are outdated. And you are not match even to a first grader. That was a big insult! I saw the looks on the faces of the contestant. Man he was sweating. And the classmate he opted for was cool, reserved and locked in the answer just in a matter of seconds.

Haha, welcome to the real world wahi. Well, like a good student I always was and am, I accepted my defeat and am now in the process of rediscovering myself. I have shared some tips and hindsight in the following article. Do read and see if you could pick up something that you could apply as well.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/661381/are_you_smarter_than_a_5th_grader.html

 LESSON : NEVER EVER THINK YOU KNOW EVERYTHING

Great news for Cyclists in Singapore.

From the middle of this month, foldable cycles would be allowed on trains and buses . Yeah!!!!! And why not! If prams can be allowed, wheelchairs can be allowed, why not foldable cycles??? I have always wondered how it would feel like to get to workplace and elsewhere without having to walk in the scorching sun! And let me confess, I am not very good with buses and their routes and cabs are getting very very expensive with the revised rates as well as the ERP’s (elctronic road pricing) getting erected everywhere. 

Cycling is a healthy habit and if we can encourage more to take this up, it would be helpful to everyone. However, the success of this becoming a reality would depend on the infrastructure. Let me put it this way. It would depend on the behavior of the cyclists. Responsible vs Irresponsible. Considerate vs inconsiderate. Taking into account the delay this action is going to bring at the entrance and exit points, the accident rate, the complaints from fellow commuters etc.

Take it anyway, I believe the benifits would outweigh the costs.

One suggestion I could offer is to reserve one car / per train, to accommodate the cyclists. This would reduce the likelihood of accidents / space congestion. Also, it would provide for easy entrance and exit.

Well, the current situation is going to be a beta run. And if all goes well, we can see cyclists on board soon. I am very much looking forward to this.

 Read about this here : http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/333391/1/.html

“ok… now where is this place?” I was wondering to myself as I typed the address into the search bar on online street directory, www.streetdirectory.com.sg. “Alright, here it is. It’s one stop from train followed by 10 stops by bus. Should be easy. To reach at 3pm, I can leave home at 2.15pm. Perfect!”

As I got dressed for the interview, I was contemplating all sorts of questions that would be thrown at me. I rehearsed  few of the more obvious ones; tell me more about yourself kinds! While I sat to check my makeup, I realised that time was ticking; quite fastly that is, and it is in my best interest to leave home at that very second in order to reach on time, at least. Time was 2.25pm.

I gave my sweet little daughter a kiss on the forehead and was out in a jiffy. Train was quick to reach, as always. I love the MRT(Mass Rapid Transit) for this reason. No traffic and it comes  more often than the bus and costs much less than the cab. That’s beside the point.

 As I alighted at the destined stop, I realised that this station was new to me. I have never alighted at this station before. I followed the sign boards effectively and reached my bus queue. Just in time. I wanted to make sure this bus went where I wanted it to. Bus driver asked which stop. I said I am not sure as this is my first time there. He warned me tha this place is quite big and it had 3 stops. I said, I’ll try the first one. The driver was sweet. He said he will let me know once we are there. I said thanks and went to grab a seat. As I glanced at my watch, I realised that my judgement was wrong. It’s already 2.45pm.

Time is ticking and I am starting to get nervous now.

It was 3pm when i eventually alighted a my destination. I realised what the driver meant when he said the place was big. It was an understatement. In fact, the place was huge and all I could see, opposite the bus stop, was a cafeteria. Oh God!

I knew I was late for the interview. What I did not know was how late I would be. I finally went inside one building near to the cafeteria and thought I could ask someone for directions. Lo and Behold! not a soul in sight. I reached for my purse to get my mobile. Oh my! Did someone pickpocket me! My mobile was missing. Just then I realised that I had put my mobile on charge before I started with my makeup. Now what?

As I darted with no real idea as to where to go, to find a payphone, I bumped into a lady. She looked quite nice to me as she was smiling vey willingly. Quite a rare sight here in singapore, I have experienced. I told her the address I was looking for. She was unsure but said I should go further in where I will be able to see the block numbers.

I was looking for a payphone so that I could call the interviewer and inform her that I am in the premises, just a little lost. I asked the lady if I could borrow her mobile. That was a wrong question. Her expression changed completely. From a willing, loving lady, she turned cautious and retired. I realised it before any further damage could be done to my nervousness and to her good mood. I said thanks for the direction and apologised for asking to use her mobile.

 I kept walking and sure enough, I was able to reach there in 5 minutes. I was at the door by 3.20pm.

In this world, “Thank You,” “Please,” “Sorry” has all become non existent in families. When was the last time you said any one them to your close ones? And have you noticed how freely we tend to use these words in the outside world. Be it friends or colleagues. We are never shy from using a “Thank you” or “Please” to the circle outside family. Why is this?

 Why do we take family for granted? Is it because there is a definite relationship? Say it or not, our spouse and kids will be there anyways. Is it because they mean less to us? Is it because we just can’t be bothered? Is it because it is their duty to do whatever they do for us? Is it because we think they do not need the recognition?

Say a word of thanks to your wife when she serves you dinner. You may not mean it but that gesture itself would mean a lot to your spouse.

Say a word of apology to your kids if you shout at them. You may not mean this but it would make a great difference for your child.

Please make yourself a promise; to always treasure your family. 

 Wahi… with lots of love and Thanks

If you’re still holding on to some hurt feelings or leftover issues from your past, today is the day that you need to move past them. They are clouding your thinking and causing you to think things about someone in your life right now that simply aren’t true. Are you judging someone based on the actions of someone else? This person’s role in your life is potentially very important, so you need to spend time with them today and give them the chance to show you who they really are.

Source : Yahoo, Astrology.com

This is the first time I am seeing something that is every bit true. Usually I get crappy forecasts; eaning they don’t seem to make any connection anywhere in my life. Neither do they even seem to unfold… Haha… Now don’t start contemplating that I do this all the time. Today is 29th Feb! and yea, Occassionally I do glance through after the day is over to see if anything did happen as stated… But today, it just stole the words of my inner heart… hmm… Astrolgy forecasts do hit the bulls eye once in a blue moon

Just have a look at this opinion poll on cricket over hockey conducted by one of the leading papers in India. http://o3.indiatimes.com/mytimes/archive/2008/02/21/4894330.aspx

I’m not sure if this question should be asked in the first place. Still, something to ponder about. From the reactions of many, it is evident that hockey is here to stay and remain as the national sport.

What does it mean to be a national sport? I tried in vain searching for a universal definition for “National sport.” I guess it could be phrased as “A sport of special historical significance, given importance by the national government.”

As such, I do not see any historically significant event, apart from its glorious wins in the mid 2oth century where India dominated the sport with its 8 consecutive wins at Olympics¹. Well, it is significant enough. Please do update me if you are more aware of how Hockey came to be the national sport of India.

A definition I found from Wikipedia is as follows: “a national sport is a sport or game that is considered to be a popularly intrinsic part of the culture or is the most popular sport of a country or nation.”

From what I have read, hockey², just like cricket³, was brought to India by the British. Indians grasped the game, and in time, mastered it. The situation is similar with cricket. Gauging from the craze for cricket amongst the lot in India, why was this sport not considered to be made the national sport?

I am runing out of time at the moment. More to come, elaborating and viewing different angles of the same. Have a good read.

1. http://www.tourindia.com/insignia/sport.htm

2. http://sports.indiapress.org/hockey.php

3. http://sports.indiapress.org/cricket.php

It can be quite a boring affair when your child is asleep, your mother is praying, your sis is trying out new recipes and your dad is out at work while better half is abroad. In such situations, where I have none to talk to, I normally turn to my “silent” companion, “Television.”

However, today, that would have to wait. I need to at least browse through the copy of “India Today – Women,” which I took from my flight lst Jan. The cover is still intact. Well, I can be lazy, meaning, very very lazy (cheeky smile ).

Cover story was about Mrs Archana Tyagi Sharma. What an interesting read. After Kiran Bedi,            this is one other police woman who caught my attention. Great track record and what is most heartwarming is the attitude of this lady. Reminded me of the Vijayashanti movies of the past .

You can read the same issue, online version here: http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=39&id=3382&§ionid=20&secid=18

It got me so interested that I came online instantly to do a little lookup on Mumbai Police. To my mazement, I found 2 stories, which are quite disturbing actually.

Jodha Akbar controversy was one side where there was a small explosion in one of the cinema hall screening it on the release date and how prompt the police were to come into action. You can read more on it here: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Blast_in_theatre_showing_Jodhaa/articleshow/2799242.cms .  While, on the same page was a link to another story “Goons hang Jhansi youth in public.” http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Goons_hang_Jhansi_youth_in_public/articleshow/2803121.cms .

Just look at the situations and the reactions of the police. I am utterly ashamed and deeply saddened that my initial pride has turned into somewhat a fantasy. Prompt actions were taken in the former situation compared to the latter! It could be the different modus operandi of the diff states. Still! Indian police force need to have some sort of “ekta.”  

One blacksheep spoils the name of the rest in the herd; however, in this case, I’d say there is still some hope of finding the light in the deep dark tunnel. Despite 90% (my own census ) of the police community being corrupt (strictly my opinion), officers like Tyagi still exist. It’s better to have an attitiude than follow the crowd!

Note: Pic of Kiran Bedi taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiran_Bedi