Monday, March 19, 2007

Chewing Gum Ban in Singapore

Whenever there is a discussion about Singapore, the chewing gum ban would be mentioned. It is not surprising that there is so much talk about the ban because there isn't such a ban that exist in any other part of the world.

Here's the deal:

"Chewing gum is banned in Singapore under the "Regulation of Imports and Exports (Chewing Gum) Regulations." Except for chewing gum of therapeutic value, the "importing" of chewing gum into Singapore is absolutely banned.

A common misconception among citizens is that personal use quantities of chewing gum are allowed into Singapore. However, according to the set of Regulations, "importing" means to "bring or cause to be brought into Singapore by land, water or air from any place which is outside Singapore ..." any goods, even if they are not for purposes of trade. The set of Regulations also does not make any provisions for personal use quantities to be brought into Singapore. Therefore, bringing chewing gum into Singapore, even small quantities for whatever purpose, is technically prohibited." (Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewing_gum_ban_in_Singapore)

Look at the effect of this. Clean streets, enjoyable ride on the trains without the fear of getting any unwanted, disgusting remains from someone's mouth cavity stucked on your bums. Can't they see the benefits? Instead, proclaiming that Singapore's government hasn't given free choice to her people. Absolute nonsensical statement, and so foolish of anyone who say such things.




http://finaldestiny.tv/fd/?page_id=12

Go ahead and fight for your rights! Fight for your rights to spit anywhere you want; fight for your rights to litter; fight for your rights to sabotage the transport system anytime; fight for your rights to vandalise any public places with spray paints! If that's what you want!

Fight it like the man who blew himself up in public places. You can be like him.
:)

Sunday, March 04, 2007

冬至 - End of Winter

Dong Zhi is the thanksgiving of the Chinese calendar. "Dong Zhi" literally means "arrival of winter". Coinciding with the winter solstice, it is an occasion for the family to get together to celebrate the good year they have had. Tang Yuan (汤圆) is cooked and eaten to symbolise unity and harmony within the family. Dong Zhi occurs 6 weeks before Chinese New Year and would normally fall between 21st Dec and 23rd Dec.

ORIGIN

Winter solstice signifies the beginning of winter. The sun is at the Tropic of Capricorn and this results in the longest night of the year for those living in the northern hemisphere. The festival began as a farmer's festival to celebrate year-end harvest.

CELEBRATION

Dong Zhi is a time for family reunion. Tang Yuan, sweet soup of glutinuous rice flour balls, is indispensible during this festival. "Yuan" (literally meaning "round") signifies "yuan man" (complete / Ô²Âú ) and Tang Yuan means "tuan yuan" (family reunion / 团圆 ). Eating Tang Yuan is symbolic of family unity and family prosperity.

For good luck, families prefer to have some pink tang yuan to mix with the white ones.

Today is exactly the day for Dong Zhi, but we are heading out to Wild Wings for a western feast.
:)