Teaching Overseas

As 2015 draws to a close, it's time to start planning for 2016.

One of the things I'm thinking about doing is taking some time to teach in one of the SEA countries that's not Singapore. The only knowledge I have of how classes are run in other countries are from videos and anecdotal experiences of others. Perhaps it's time to experience it for myself.

I'll have to figure out how the whole thing is going to work, including visas, accommodation and so on. 

Well, if anyone has any experiences or thoughts, send them my way!

Weekend Book Fair

I recently had a conversation with friends where we agreed that there are two kinds of fairs that incite massive spending in Singaporeans - travel fairs and IT fairs.

Apart from travel and IT fairs, we have food fairs, jewellery fairs, baby fairs, furniture fairs, department store fairs, and so on. 

Every fair attracts particular types of people, and, at the risk of sounding elitist, book fairs seem to attract more courteous, contented individuals. They have their fair share of annoying types, but, on the whole, it seems that readers are a little easier to get along with.

Book fairs are peculiar events. They make you wonder what kind of printed treasures you might uncover. That, for many readers, is exciting stuff.

Here's to a great weekend book fair!

My Wish for Singapore in 2016

Having seen so many people writing on large white plastic balls for the Wishing Sphere Project, I wondered what I would write on one of them if I ever got round to it. I suppose the following might be adequate:

I wish that Singapore will grow from strength to strength in the coming year, that we, as a nation, will unite against threats to our security, economy, and way of life.

I wish for Singaporeans to be more appreciative of what they have, to be more introspective and think more critically, to be more others-oriented than self-obsessed. 

I wish that we will remember that the world observes who we are and what we do, that we will lend a helping hand to our neighbouring nations, and that we will continue to be a strong, positive influence in the global community.

May we be always proud to call this land our home.

A New Era for Myanmar

With 77.1% of the votes from the recent election, it seems that the people of Myanmar have chosen their next leaders.

The National League for Democracy (NLD) behind Ms Aung San Suu Kyi seems to have won the right to form the next government, assuming that all goes according to plan.

This is a promising step forward for the country, after languishing behind its ASEAN neighbours for so long. Her people are certainly pleased at this.

Having had the pleasure of speaking with some of them in Singapore, I sense their excitement at this new development, even as I hear assurances that their country is safe despite its less-than-stellar reputation. 

The Burmese that I met here are a welcoming people, and they are proud of their country, just not of the current governing body. A very common theme in our interactions revolves around how blessed we (Singapore) are as a nation to have a capable, efficient government. I have heard repeated variations of "if only we had your government" from them.

It makes me wonder what they can be if their government is a strong one, skilled at international relations and financial management, the way ours is. With their vast wealth of natural resources, they can easily become one of the most prosperous ASEAN nations. 

All we have to do now is wait and see. And perhaps make an investment or two there. Their rising prosperity will definitely impact ours.

Myanmar, may you rise from the doldrums and take your place on the world stage. Your people have spoken. They are ready.

Picture from Wikipedia