My internship in NEC is coming to an end soon. I have mixed feelings now that I am going back to Singapore. Two months ago, i cannot wait to get back to Singapore, but somehow these past 2 months, i have explored many places and discovered the many facets of the Japanese culture and life. It is certainly very interesting (とてもおもしろい）.
I made some very good acquaintances here in Japan. ちばくん (Chiba)、しめくん(Shime)、ささまくん(Sasama) and あきひこさん (Akihiko) are some of the nicest and closest colleagues I have. Fellow intern, Thomas Perrin has been a very close friend also, as 2 lonely people who live nearby will naturally be when they are in a foreign country. The secretary in the lab where I work, しまだ (Shimada) has also been a very nice person who helped me a lot. For example, when we need to call a restaurant to reserve table for dinner, or to call the post office about receiving a parcel, etc... Shimada-san has also been a very entertaining person in the office, providing nice conversation during tea breaks. These are people who will make me miss Japan.
Also, food is another big pull factor for me. The food in Japan is simply unique and tasty. How can you possibly make raw food more tasty than cooked food? Maguro don mixed with ikura is one of my favourite. Also, of course the Kansai specialty like Yakitori, Okonomiyaki, Kobe gyu (teppanyaki style) are other food which i also find extremely tasty and interesting. There are many more Japanese food that I would like to try but have not a chance to. Raw fugu (poison fish) is one of them.
One of the best things that I like to do during my free time here is to explore the scenic places which are so abundant in Japan. It seems like the government has so well planned that every area has at least 1 scenic places so that Japanese can visit these places every other weekend. Well, that is actually not a logical explanation as most of these places exist since a long time ago. I had the opportunity to live in Japan during the amazing Autumn time, the cold winter and now, also a little bit of Spring, which has kind of a crazy weather (in one day, the temperature can be between 9 deg Celcius to 20 deg Celcius). Different seasons give a different view and feel to different places. Take Kyoto, which is a very popular tourists destination. Each season, the view is equally amazing, but you get different experience. I am worried what will I do now on my weekends in Singapore?
I had this wonderful opportunity to live in Japan, and to work in NEC which is such a well known company throughout the world. Moments that I spent here will forever be cherished and it will also mark a very unique time of my lifetime. Somehow during this time in Japan, I learned to manage my relationship better and this has serve to benefit my personal relationship with my family and girlfriend.
Thank you Japan, ありがとうございました！
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
The Tibetan Problem... Not!
i was just having this conversation on the same topic with Thomas yesterday, because Parisians were causing some problems during the olympic relay torch.
i told him that i think this big drama is not due to China. It is due to the media playing up what will help them sell newspapers and advertisements, and politicians taking opportunities of this situation to make them look like heroes / angels.
i don't know exactly what is going on in Tibet because i have never been there. But more and more i am feeling that yes, granted China's human rights record is not perfect (the most famous incident being the riot at Tiananment), but which developed country has been perfect? Even for the US there are so many covert operations going on behind the scenes that are not known to the world. They can even kill their own president (JFK). Somehow, the bad thing about China is not about its record, it is the incapability of doing things quietly (something US is very good at, like targeting its own citizens in the name of national security). So because of this, China becomes the perfect victim for the brutal political play of many parties, be it NGOs, governments, etc. Of course I do not think that the Chinese government are not smart. In fact I believe they have a good grasp of what other nations perceive of it. But China being such a big country, internal political control is always more urgent than managing external political perception.
So there is a big hoohah about the Olympics now. Some parties are threatening boycott, even pressuring the US president to boycott the Olympics in China. Why is this situation played up so vividly when China is the host? The olypics has nothing to do at all with the Tibet situation. The Tibetians have lived like that long before China is awarded the hosting of the olympics. Yet, the timing of this situation made me feel the Dalai Lama is making use of this situation for his own political gains. Obviously, the Olympic hosting committee has considered this issue, and China's past record before awarding it the Olympics, and obviously, they have agreed there are more pros than cons in China being the host. So i really don't think it is out of coincidence that this has to happen now. Someone (many parties, even) are making the most of the situation for their own sake, not in the name of peace or justice. True peace is not achieved by rioting.
On the other hand though, i feel empathy for the billions of China's population. How the world thinks of Chinese people today i believe is not the fault of the normal citizen. I would say that the decisions of the Government has shaped how the world thinks of it. Yet, in my opinion, we cannot say that the decisions made by the government is wrong. I believe that in a country as large and with as many population as China, you need a strong , even authoritarian government to control things. I am Chinese myself, even though I have never lived in China, i want to feel proud of being Chinese. History shows Chinese as being the most advanced in science and technology, in government and political structure, etc. How we lost all these status in the world, i cannot yet comprehend (i always think that it is because Chinese, in nature, have a more self-centered nature, pursuing their own short-term gains). So perhaps the Communist system is a necessity for self-centered Chinese people.
So with the current events happening, it is easy to feel discriminated against if you are chinese. My opinion though, is not to be too concerned about what other people think about this incident, if all their thoughts are shaped only by reading mainstream media without doing their own research. We cannot doubt that the media has become a very powerful tool in shaping and launching propaganda around the world.
The world is just a big stage, and there are many actors on this stage, all contributing to the drama that unfolds. We can be passionate, but we must stay calm in order to look past the insignificant noise to see the real cause or root of any problems/events. If we allow ourselves to be drawn into the arguments and fights, it will be a vicious cycle. We need to stand back, and be able to look at the stage as an audience in order to analyse what goes on on the stage. Well, I am sure you can do something about this. Having a positive and clear thinking of the situation and not allow yourself to feel discriminated is a good start. I realise i have been following this principle lately, "There are always 2 or more sides to the story. Humans, being opportunist in nature, will naturally take side that benefit them. Always have the clear picture in mind, and balance your views".
i told him that i think this big drama is not due to China. It is due to the media playing up what will help them sell newspapers and advertisements, and politicians taking opportunities of this situation to make them look like heroes / angels.
i don't know exactly what is going on in Tibet because i have never been there. But more and more i am feeling that yes, granted China's human rights record is not perfect (the most famous incident being the riot at Tiananment), but which developed country has been perfect? Even for the US there are so many covert operations going on behind the scenes that are not known to the world. They can even kill their own president (JFK). Somehow, the bad thing about China is not about its record, it is the incapability of doing things quietly (something US is very good at, like targeting its own citizens in the name of national security). So because of this, China becomes the perfect victim for the brutal political play of many parties, be it NGOs, governments, etc. Of course I do not think that the Chinese government are not smart. In fact I believe they have a good grasp of what other nations perceive of it. But China being such a big country, internal political control is always more urgent than managing external political perception.
So there is a big hoohah about the Olympics now. Some parties are threatening boycott, even pressuring the US president to boycott the Olympics in China. Why is this situation played up so vividly when China is the host? The olypics has nothing to do at all with the Tibet situation. The Tibetians have lived like that long before China is awarded the hosting of the olympics. Yet, the timing of this situation made me feel the Dalai Lama is making use of this situation for his own political gains. Obviously, the Olympic hosting committee has considered this issue, and China's past record before awarding it the Olympics, and obviously, they have agreed there are more pros than cons in China being the host. So i really don't think it is out of coincidence that this has to happen now. Someone (many parties, even) are making the most of the situation for their own sake, not in the name of peace or justice. True peace is not achieved by rioting.
On the other hand though, i feel empathy for the billions of China's population. How the world thinks of Chinese people today i believe is not the fault of the normal citizen. I would say that the decisions of the Government has shaped how the world thinks of it. Yet, in my opinion, we cannot say that the decisions made by the government is wrong. I believe that in a country as large and with as many population as China, you need a strong , even authoritarian government to control things. I am Chinese myself, even though I have never lived in China, i want to feel proud of being Chinese. History shows Chinese as being the most advanced in science and technology, in government and political structure, etc. How we lost all these status in the world, i cannot yet comprehend (i always think that it is because Chinese, in nature, have a more self-centered nature, pursuing their own short-term gains). So perhaps the Communist system is a necessity for self-centered Chinese people.
So with the current events happening, it is easy to feel discriminated against if you are chinese. My opinion though, is not to be too concerned about what other people think about this incident, if all their thoughts are shaped only by reading mainstream media without doing their own research. We cannot doubt that the media has become a very powerful tool in shaping and launching propaganda around the world.
The world is just a big stage, and there are many actors on this stage, all contributing to the drama that unfolds. We can be passionate, but we must stay calm in order to look past the insignificant noise to see the real cause or root of any problems/events. If we allow ourselves to be drawn into the arguments and fights, it will be a vicious cycle. We need to stand back, and be able to look at the stage as an audience in order to analyse what goes on on the stage. Well, I am sure you can do something about this. Having a positive and clear thinking of the situation and not allow yourself to feel discriminated is a good start. I realise i have been following this principle lately, "There are always 2 or more sides to the story. Humans, being opportunist in nature, will naturally take side that benefit them. Always have the clear picture in mind, and balance your views".
Monday, April 07, 2008
what is the common 'language'?
Language is created by mankind as a tool for communication. When we communicate, our aim is to share or pass certain information to another person. Passing information is only one side of the story. In order to communicate effectively, the information shared needs to be understood by its intended audience.
Herewith exist the problems that have consumed mankind since eons ago. In parent-baby relationship, we often hear the term 'baby talk', which is a method of communication where parents talk to their child using self-created language which is unintelligible to outsiders not within the circle of parent-child bonding. Somehow, even though no one taught us how to talk in baby language, we tend to feel like 'yes, the baby understands me better if i talk this way'. I would term this, communication of the intended mind or heart. It involves not only voice, but also a lot of arms and body movements to catch the attention of the baby, as babies are attracted by big movements. Somehow, even though there is no common language devised for parent-baby communication, humans have gotten along fine in this aspect.
The problem in communicating, ironically, seems more apparent in relationships between grownups. When young child grows up to become a teenager, oftentimes parents have a hard time communicating with their child. The reason for this is beyond the scope of this writing. My question is, if there truly is a great desire for both sides to communicate, or to be understood, why would this stage be more difficult than when the child is a baby? The young teenager would already have mastered at least 1 spoken language, and it 'should' therefore make communication simpler. However, we know this is not the case. Perhaps it is because we have simply failed to desire for the other person to understand us. We take things for granted, that they have now learned spoken language and would therefore understand every word we say. Such a common scenario illustrates the double edged sword that language can be, powerful yet destructive if not properly understood.
Similarly, in relationship between man and woman, boy and girl, problems in communication often wreck havoc even after some perfectly nice time. It is said that Men are from Mars and women from Venus. Perhaps it is true that the way men and women think can never be the same, or they can never look at the same thing from an identical perspective. When an argument arises, both sides would want the other to listen to what they have to say. But is listening enough? Or is the spoken language a tool powerful enough to be the common platform for understanding two different mindset?
Perhaps the most powerful language of all goes back to when we are babies. We communicate with joy and laughter when we are happy, we cry when we are sad or in pain or hunger, we show extreme curiosity when we see something new, we sleep when we are tired. We speak no words besides the occasional "ee, oo, aah, ..." but everyone around us seems to understand us and love us. (of course there is a possibility of adults being higher in tolerance towards little cute babies) Perhaps, spoken language adds confusion because of its complexity. The gestures and language we used when we are babies are simple, few and commonly understood.
So what would be the common language between men and women? Perhaps the common language is not even a spoken language. Think about the power of hug. Sometimes when words cannot mend a breakdown in communication, a nice warm hug can be the solution. We understand what a hug is, and we can sense the sincerity of a hug. It is an intimate form of communication, yet not too intimate to be used in the public if the need arises. Whether we are from Africa, America, Europe or Asia, we understand the intention of a hug, and also we know the other person will understand us. That is the true common language.
Herewith exist the problems that have consumed mankind since eons ago. In parent-baby relationship, we often hear the term 'baby talk', which is a method of communication where parents talk to their child using self-created language which is unintelligible to outsiders not within the circle of parent-child bonding. Somehow, even though no one taught us how to talk in baby language, we tend to feel like 'yes, the baby understands me better if i talk this way'. I would term this, communication of the intended mind or heart. It involves not only voice, but also a lot of arms and body movements to catch the attention of the baby, as babies are attracted by big movements. Somehow, even though there is no common language devised for parent-baby communication, humans have gotten along fine in this aspect.
The problem in communicating, ironically, seems more apparent in relationships between grownups. When young child grows up to become a teenager, oftentimes parents have a hard time communicating with their child. The reason for this is beyond the scope of this writing. My question is, if there truly is a great desire for both sides to communicate, or to be understood, why would this stage be more difficult than when the child is a baby? The young teenager would already have mastered at least 1 spoken language, and it 'should' therefore make communication simpler. However, we know this is not the case. Perhaps it is because we have simply failed to desire for the other person to understand us. We take things for granted, that they have now learned spoken language and would therefore understand every word we say. Such a common scenario illustrates the double edged sword that language can be, powerful yet destructive if not properly understood.
Similarly, in relationship between man and woman, boy and girl, problems in communication often wreck havoc even after some perfectly nice time. It is said that Men are from Mars and women from Venus. Perhaps it is true that the way men and women think can never be the same, or they can never look at the same thing from an identical perspective. When an argument arises, both sides would want the other to listen to what they have to say. But is listening enough? Or is the spoken language a tool powerful enough to be the common platform for understanding two different mindset?
Perhaps the most powerful language of all goes back to when we are babies. We communicate with joy and laughter when we are happy, we cry when we are sad or in pain or hunger, we show extreme curiosity when we see something new, we sleep when we are tired. We speak no words besides the occasional "ee, oo, aah, ..." but everyone around us seems to understand us and love us. (of course there is a possibility of adults being higher in tolerance towards little cute babies) Perhaps, spoken language adds confusion because of its complexity. The gestures and language we used when we are babies are simple, few and commonly understood.
So what would be the common language between men and women? Perhaps the common language is not even a spoken language. Think about the power of hug. Sometimes when words cannot mend a breakdown in communication, a nice warm hug can be the solution. We understand what a hug is, and we can sense the sincerity of a hug. It is an intimate form of communication, yet not too intimate to be used in the public if the need arises. Whether we are from Africa, America, Europe or Asia, we understand the intention of a hug, and also we know the other person will understand us. That is the true common language.
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