I came across this sign on SMRT Bus 67 : "Be Courtesy. No Loudspeaker Allow In Bus". Besides the obvious grammatical error, who will actually notice the sign since it's right on top by the driver's seat? Furthermore, even if people do notice, will anyone really bother? It is sad indeed that people need to be reminded for proper behaviour in public places!

It was a stroke of luck that Uncle KM gave mum and me VIP tickets to watch the F1 Practice and Qualifying Sessions yesterday. He got the tickets as a guest of Barclays, so we could go to the Pit Suite at the Grand Stand, with dinner, wine and cheese, watch the race, and drool at cute guys at the same time! :-p

I am never a F1 fan. Well, I know of the racers and whatnot (afterall they are pretty good-looking), but I am not that into the race, unlike the two guys at home. But when Jake offered me his place, I took it as it would be an experience to watch it live and see what the hype is all about! And it is not disappointing! In fact, I myself got all so excited about the final lap that I actually cheered when Hamilton got in!

It was a massive crowd though. Wonder how long ago did those people book the tickets? Afterall, if one is only holding an ordinary ticket, I suppose they would have to grab it before the tickets were all sold out!

With the influx of foreign talent, at times I cannot help wonder if we are living too comfortable a life? Our society has made us such that we do not have the hunger and thirst to strive for something better and just rather be stuck in our own comfort zones. Which makes me wonder, if this goes on, how are we going to compete with the driven, goal-getting, motivated foreigners who are already infiltrating our companies and jobs?

Banks are blood-suckers indeed! First, they keep giving you umbrellas when you least need them, then when it is pouring, they take away all the umbrellas and leave you to drench. Then, when you have exhausted all means and try to get some help, they turn a blind eye to your plight.

Not only that, when you want your money to grow so put it in the bank to save, the interest rate is so pathetic! Your money does not grow, and it is not much of a difference whether you put it in or not.

Yet when you need money from them, the interest rate is so high, almost a quarter of the principal sum! Yes, they want to make a profit, but have they considered we also want to make a profit? Why do we end up paying more what we borrowed than what we actually have on account?

I went to this durian cafe last Friday. Initially, I thought it was the durian puff from Four Seasons hotel, but then I realised Four Seasons hotel is not exactly famous for its durians. Rather, Goodwood Park hotel is. In any case, I tried out the cafe and I was not disappointed!

The durians have the best variety of D24s and "Mao Shan Wang" types! Big, juicy, fleshy and lots of seeds! Durians in season are really different from those off season! The only catch is that the durians there are much more expensive as compared to other places, but then you pay for quality. And that is why the place is so popular despite the inaccessibility and price!

Finally I had a chance to go up the Flyer today. Michael gave me a voucher to exchange for a flight ticket at just S$10.00, and the best thing is that because I was all by myself, I got to have a whole capsule all to myself! Now I wish I could have asked someone to go with me, then at least there is company.

The ride is pretty slow-moving. Before you know it, you are up at the highest point, looking down at the sea, buildings, clouds. And then just when you got used to being so high up, before you know it, you are down again. It was an enriching experience, but if I am to do it again, it will be night time this time (better scenery) and with someone special by my side!

So our country is forty-three years old now. Pretty young actually, considering I am not that much younger. :-p I know the participants and performers put in their best efforts, but after the previous day's Olympic ceremony, somehow the national celebration seems a much smaller scale. I guess that cannot be helped, as in our National Day is fixed, and the Olympics happened to be fixed a day earlier, thus after the massive scale, everything else seems smaller scaled in comparison. Still, I must commend the organisers for thinking up new gimmicks and fanfare for the country's celebration year after year. Hopefully next year's celebration will be better

After going to Uncle Kim Meng's new apartment at Blossoms at Woodleigh, I came to a sudden realisation that all the newer flats are getting smaller and smaller! Not just condominium units, but also HDB flats. Those flats in Sengkang, the master bedroom can only put in a bed and wardrobe, not even enough for a dressing table!

It is quite strange, is it not, that with all the government's efforts at trying to bring up the birth rate, telling people to get married earlier, have more kids, being more family-oriented by being encouraged to be nice to the older generation, yet at the same time, people have to buy smaller flats at more expensive the price.

How is a normal so-called executive flat nowadays going to take in a big family, if the rooms are so small? Say for a four-bedroom flat, each room is only big enough for just one person. So the parents take up one room, one child takes up one room, another child takes up another room, and the spare one can be for grandparents or maid. Thus, the couple can only have two kids at the most. Anymore and there will be no more place.

So before we are asked to do anything, please examine the entire situation. Like trying to cut down on cars by raising the ERP prices, yet at the same time raising the cost of public transportation. It simply does not make sense!

That we are encouraged to get married earlier, yet the cost of a flat and other living expenses are so high?

That we are encouraged to have more kids, yet the flats are getting smaller and more expensive?

That parents can take their seven-year-old to court over a minor thing like not attending school?

That there are more and more dating websites and agencies, yet it is getting harder for people to meet their respective other halves?

That people are getting more affluent, yet morals are getting lower?

That we are told to cut down on cars, yet the cost of public transport is getting higher and higher?

Me : Can you bring me to Funan Centre, please?

Uncle : Fu Nan Centre? You mean Fook Hai Centre in Chinatown?

Me : No, FUNAN CENTRE, the one in City Hall.

Uncle : Is there one in City Hall?

Me : Erh, the Digital Mall? The place selling computers?

Uncle : Do you mean Sim Lim? That's the place selling computers?

Me : (almost speechless) No uncle, the one opposite ROM, old Fireman's HQ?

Uncle : Oh, you mean the one near MICA?

Me : Yes, that's the one.

Uncle : Is that called Funan Centre?

Me : Yes, just go.

Uncle : I'm not very sure. Can you tell me how to go?

Me : Okay, just go. I will direct you when we are near.

What a strange occurrence, that I seem to know my way around better than the cab driver, when I am paying him to bring me to my destination.