Made In China

The recent spate of scandels concerning products made in China set me a little worried. So, I suppose the worst was the use of dangerous paints for toys (not to mention, the fake-baby formula scandel several years back), kids being so tiny, should be spared from these irresponsibilities. Obviously, there are many open questions, as to why control is lax and human rights so blatantly ignored, but I thought, perhaps it is easier to start by doing some form of consumer boycott.

So, my first week of boycott wasnt all too successful. First, there are the company policies... i.e. we get what is cheap... I ended up with a kensington-imitation lock, made in China, which anyway, broke after the first use, and I successfully managed to pry the lock out of my laptop (fortunately) despite (or beacuse) of the fault. But anyways, I got a replacement the next day. (Also got a SD card made in Taiwan, but Taiwan, is not China).

Food fortunately comes mostly from holland (is this better?) or Isreal, or some place closer... in which case, I felt less endangered (the fish scandal from China?). Obviously, I avoided beef (Foot and Mouth from Britain).

Then I went out to get a hair-dryer. The closest I got to was "designed in Holland" but a closer look revealed in finer print "made in China". Sigh, so to choose between hair-dryer or not, i most non-envfrdly got one.

Never realized how hard it is to boycott "made in China", might be easier to fight a different cause, and boycott "made in USA" (Which incidently, I suppose with the genetic corn, isnt that fab either)... Dont think I will become a free-whatever (so the people who scavenge for free stuff, including free food, and have minimal consumerism) : it is too tough to have to scout around for food, and I love food.

Sigh, need to find a better way about the entire boycotting, but I think I have kinda hit a dead end.. I might just have to leave it in the hands of the politicians to do their muscle flexing.

(but still, I am still reading the fine-prints, to see how much I can obnoxiously discriminate).

MY cRAZY tWISSTEED fREn!!

WHOM...

Nags... nags... nags....

But i'm glad she's LAUGHING again :)

Natsu Matsuri

SUMMER FESTIVAL of JAPAN

~~ Summer is the season when pestilences, insect damage to crops, and unexpected disasters such as storms and floods are most likely to occur; summer festivals characteristically are held to pray for protection against such calamities. Major summer festivals in Japan include those of Yasaka Jinja (Gion Matsuri), Kitano Jinja, and Iwashimizu Hachimangû.

Date : Saturday, 25 August 2007
Time : 6pm

Venue : The Japanese School (Changi Campus)11 Upper Changi Road North

Transport : Bus 2,5 or Shuttles from Expo/Bedok

Characters :

Sparrow as Baikinman

Beastie as Dokin-chan
Hazi as Shokupanman

A cool summery evening blows a string of grey puffy clouds overhead as the 3 gather to meet at TM-mrt. Timing was more than perfect with Sparrow and Beastie zooming in with equal strides onto Hazi-san, whom as always, was more than punctual. Chattering excitedly, and exchanging bags of yukatas, the 3 frens waited impatiently for Bus 2, eyeing and commenting on the various vividly dressed krs bound for the same destination.

After a squished, slightly sickish ride, they arrived still bouncy and filled with great anticipation only to be met by a long... looooooooong queue.........

Luckily for them Sparrow's sis was oredi in line with her frens, and ticks were bought without any hassel thanks to the kindhearted sister and frens. Many thanks!!

More queueing ensues with the Yukata wearing, coupon buying etc etc.....

But spirits were high, and backs straight (-ened by the nearly too tight Obis)... the 3 weaved thru the crowd for their goldfishes and yo-yos... munching ice-creams, corndogs and marble-btl drinks... Food had to be consumed at a much reduced rate to ensure smooth passage and allow respiration to continue unhindered. Still it was the best fun of times.

Masked on, yo-yos and goldfish in hand, Sparrow, Beastie and Hazi hurried onto the fields where music was playing gaily, and pp were oredi dancing the circle dance around a stage strung with lanterns. Eagerly, they took turns to join in, stopping only to baby-sit the goldies. Spinning, hopping and swaying... circling the stage, revelling in the energy created, under the 2/3moony nite... A nite to enjoy each other's company, 2b silly, and have all the fun in the world!!!!

I love carnivals and fairs and festivals!! And I want my own Yukata!!!!!

TANOSHI-KATA!

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wat makes me me
and you you?

if u were me
and i were u
would it be simpler?

would i be clear the thoughts my mind
much torment would not exist
would i be less prickled my skin
tears would be well hidden not sleeved

could a moth a butterfly
or a wasp a bee
wat would i encompass
if i weren't me

to morph is the wistful caterpillar
to bloom is the rosebud

from rags to riches
from copper to gold

i shed my skin upon my soul
to grow the wings that barr the cold
yet each twist, each turn
brings but nowt and no return

if i be a stone was born
could i strive a jewel adorned
if time is change
unstoppable and fleeting
why am i still me
my heart beating

not necessarily...

lines bllluurrr...
not uncommonly

friendships?
relationships?

if i love someone more
a whole lot
i wld want it
preserved, kept the same?
wld tat
keep
it
safe or stifiling

wld i it be evolving
growth and everchanging
balancing
out of whack
then
regain balance more firmly
deeply it goes

if i me my feelings deeper
i wld
keep
it
safe

nuture
cherish
not want for more

i love
for u

it is beyond any boundaries