Let's make a difference. PLEASE

Dear Reader,

You may not know it, but I am working with the Sub-Committee of the Sexual Harassment at the Workplace Research project with AWARE. After 6 months, we are ready to distribute the survey and I hope you can help participate and spread the word out. This survey is for both men and women. Sexual Harassment is just as much a problem for men as it is for women.

Sexual harassment is a growing concern in the workplace, as of now in Singapore, we have no legal recourse in case sexual harassment happens to any of us. (God forbid) There is currently no research on this topic in Singapore, if this research is successful, most likely we can make a change!

The Singapore government was reviewed by CEDAW (Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women) at the UN earlier this month. Lots of critical stuff was discussed during the actual review

(you can check it out these PDF articles:

Issues and Questions: http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N07/251/67/PDF/N0725167.pdf?OpenElement

Final comments: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/cedaw39/concludingcomments/Singapore_Advance%20unedited.pdf )

Highlights: The UN CEDAW Commitee challenged the government delegation on its "idea that sexual harassment in the schools was adequately addressed." And added that unless a survey was conducted among students, the true nature of the issue would not be known. The Committee said that this applied to all sectors as well.

In its final comments to the government, the Committee encouraged "steps to enact legislative provisions on sexual harassment at the workplace as well as in educational institutions, including sanctions, civil remedies and compensation for victims".

I would greatly appreciate it if you could take 4-5 minutes of your time to complete this survey,

Disclaimer: Super sorry but participants need to be working in Singapore, no overseas entries please! Might distort the picture

It is available online at:

http://askme.digitalboomerang.com/index.php?sid=14

If you want a soft copy, drop me a comment and I will email it to you. The soft copy can be:
1. emailed to aware at: survey@aware.org.sg
or
2. snail mailed to aware at:
c/o SH Committee, Block 5, Dover Crescent, #01-22, Singapore 130005.

The more people that partake in this survey, the more we can find out whether there is a sexual harassment problem in Singapore. And if we have proof that there is a problem, we can take steps to make our working environments safer.

We deserve and we are entitled to work in non-sexually aggressive environments, environments where we are evaluated for the skills we have, not our gender, not our marital status, not on what we wear and how we look.

There is always power in the collective. Hopefully Singaporeans can get together and notice this sexual harassment issue. It isn't a women's issue. It is a national issue.

I hope that from this research we can push for leglisation on Sexual Harassment on the Workplace, and soon after Sexual Harassment on Campus.

Idealistic I know, but you can't shoot a girl for trying.
Can you help me spread the word?
I truly appreciate your support,
Your resident insomniac,
Stacy

Perpetually Single

Dear Reader,
I was sitting on the MRT yesterday, and saw a couple sitting in front of me. The man tried to speak to his gf and her answers were blunt. He reached out and placed his hand on her hand, and she moved her hand away. loveless.

Somewhat painful to watch. Despite my cynical view towards relationships, I can't shake this ideal picture that couples should be happy in love, if you have constant lull periods, something is wrong with that relationship and you should get out. My parents are happy in love, they hardly fight, and if they have disagreements it would be debates on current issues, never huge things. You can see their happiness. They aren't still together because they are obligated to eachother, it is more that they have mutual dependence. To sound completely corny, they 'complete' eachother.

So that was and still is the environment I exist in. True love and idealistic love. People have been telling me that relationships are not so smooth, there are ups and downs. And when they say things like that, I feel ike I am reading my favourite D.H. Lawrence books.

Periods of passionate romance, and periods of intense hatred.

With a week left in Singapore, I can't help but wonder why am I still single. In Bangkok, I lead an entirely sheltered life. My life is -> "Home, Work, Home" and "Family, family, family" So when I came to Singapore, I naturally thought, because I will be putting myself out there more, I would find someone.

On the telephone today,
Veronica (the Uni Admin lady) : Ah...you go back already hor? why, you didn't find a boyfriend?
Me: No la, where got.
Veronica: Because you are fussy mah.
Me: ....

....

Am I fussy in the sense that I expect relationships to be filled with laughter and love. You know, I don't expect much. Ultimately, I do want to have that true idealistic love, but not now.
I came here knowing that any (love) relationship developed will be dropped when I move back to Bangkok. No long term orientation.

7 days left in Singapore...and I have nothing to drop.
2 years of being single in Singapore, and looking towards another 3 years of being single in Bangkok.

Am I destined to be perpetually single?

I need some sweetness in my life.
Your resident insomniac,
Stacy

Two stitches

I am now sitting in the NUS library blogging. Imagine, I was suppose to be leaving today, how sad.

The previous night I could not sleep. Had yumcha plans with Kathy and Weils (8am!) so after blogging I decided to watch my favourite show: LOVE LETTER on youtube, I watched 2 episodes. Then went to yumcha and Kathy, Weils and Amelie accompanied me to the hospital.

The doctor saw it and said I needed 2 stitches, my goodness! And because of the nature of the cut (i.e. a piece of glass from a garbage bag) I needed a tetanus shot. Kathy came into the room with me and filmed the whole thing. Gotta say, mom trained we really well, takes me to acupuncture often so I am used to needles.

I am really thankful for my flatmates, my Elizabeth Tower family. They are super sweet, so sad to leave them. I fell asleep on the sofa at 11pm. First time I ever slept that early since...i think 1.5months.

The hospital bill came up to $380. CRAZY!! I didn't have enough balance in my account, so Weils helped me pay first. Butter Factory is going to compensate me, I called the manager, at first he was shocked, but he said the most important thing is that I am alright. I am superly impressed, granted that I could probably sue them for a lot more money, sometimes I gotta let things slide, plus Butter Factory is my friends' favourite clubbing joint.

So note: If you are moving to Singapore, or you live here, GET HEALTH INSURANCE. Initially when I moved here I was shocked that there is no concept of universal health care here. There is something called Medisave.

Medisave was introduced in April 1984 as a national medical savings scheme for Singaporeans. The scheme allows Singaporeans to put aside part of their income into a Medisave account to meet future personal or immediate family's hospitalization, day surgery and for certain outpatient expenses.

Under this scheme, Singaporean employees contributes 6-8% (depending on age group) of their monthly salaries to a personal Medisave account. The savings can be withdrawn to pay the hospital bills of the account holder and his immediate family members.

But medisave is different from medicare (canada). It isn't paid health care from the government, rather its the government forcing people to act prudent and put money aside in case anything happens.

Can you imagine my luck, for the past 2 years I have NEVER seen a doctor, and during the last 10 days I need to get stitches and there is a $380 hole in my friend's wallet for it.

I need a nap.

Mini skirts are dangerous

Out of total lack of modesty, I have to tell you that, I have amazing legs. (I have to thank my Dad for these genes. )

Girls would love to have legs like mines, despite my heavy body frame, my legs are fabulously (relatively) slim.

Plus, besides the ocassional clumsy bruises, I have no bumps or scars, and my legs are silky smooth.

My legs --->

Hence, when I do feel super bloated/ballooned, I like to wear skirts or shorts.

That's what I did today. Went to Ted's birthday party, followed by dinner with Liang Yi, Kathy Gilbert and Weils. Came home to rest a bit, got ready to join Ted's birthday plans again. But guess what, I could not find anything to wear! So I pulled out my black mini-skirt, paired with my off-shoulder black tshirt (loose), and of course my killer black heels...I looked amazing. (gotta love my modesty, eh?)

I am a professional Singapore clubber, mark my words, Avoid Butter Factory on Saturdays, it is dead. You are much better off at Zouk or MOS.

And because Butter Factory was a ghost town, Xin Hui and I decided to walk around a bit, and when we were standing in the front foyer, the bus boy was carrying trash out, and BUMPED into me. As in...his huge garbage bag bumped my legs. The bastard didn't even apologised, just rushed out, and then I looked at Xin Hui and said, "Xin Hui, I think he cut me..." and then I put my finger on my left shin, and ....my fingers were bloody!!! Both of us were so shocked!!! (I am happy it is me that got cut and not her)

An edge from a glass bottle sliced my leg, the cut is <-------> this wide, and <--> long. I was so shocked, Xin Hui took me outside to see the manager and there I am hopping with my leg dripping with blood. The manager (both of them) were extremely nice, and calm. They took me to the sofa, took out a first aid kit and helped me wrap the wound. I know I am super dramatic, but the wound looks like it needs stitches, because it isnt a paper cut, the skin is split around...5mm apart. (1/2cm)

So there I am sitting down, with Xin Hui holding my hand, while the manager is putting on the iodine and wrapping my leg with this huge bandage. And I am tearing, not because I am in pain (you will be amazed of the power shock has over accidents) but because my beautiful leg will now have a scar, and worse maybe a bumpy scar.

I think it needs stitches, but after 5 minutes it stopped bleeding, and the manager looked at me and said, "Do you want to go to the hospital? I don't think it needs stitches it is no longer bleeding"

Made me feel stupid to think of the idea of going to the hospital, especially when I just arrived at Butter Factory. The manager was nice and said that if I go to the hospital, Butter Factory will reimburse me any charges. At first I didn't think anything, but now after my shower, after washing the wound, re-bandaging it, and feeling the stinging pain while blogging....I wonder if I need to stitch.

My leg is stinging...I would HATE if I have a lumpy scar, will wake up tomorrow and see the doctor. If you haven't guessed by now, I am incredibly vain. Now I know why celebrities insure their best assets. I wish I insured my legs.... :(

(will post pictures of my bandaged leg when Xin hui sends them to me)

The weird thing is, this is my LAST time at Butter Factory. Next friday I have a class BBQ to go to, and next saturday is WOMAD. I usually wear pants to Butter, the only day I wear a mini-skirt I get a life-scar.

Lesson Learned: Mini-Skirts are dangerous.

(but they are still so flattering!!what to do what to do...)

Alone Again (Naturally)

I have been waking up everyday for the past 2 weeks with this song in my head:

Alone Again (Naturally)

***
To think that only yesterday I was cheerful, bright and gay Looking forward to who wouldn't do The role I was about to play But as if to knock me down, reality came around
And without so much, as a mere touch Cut me into little pieces Leaving me to doubt Talk about the man and his mercy For if he really does exist Why does he desert me?

In my hour of need I truly am indeed Alone again, naturally.

Seems to me that there are more hearts Broken in the world that can't be mended Left unattended What do we do, what do we do?

In my hour of need I truly am indeed Alone again, naturally
***

Could my subconscious be telling me that this is my new theme song?

Oops!

Ah so so sorry for going AWOL for many many days. What have I been up to? Spending lots of time with friends. I extended my stay until the 28th.

Lets see, I have become some what addicted to Mah Jong. ha ha. And um, on National Day (August 9th) I stayed at home and watched the parade on TV. fun stuff. Wait let me jot this all down.

August 7th - Karaoke with Liang Yi, Denise and Kym
August 8th - Movie with Maurice (Knocked up. hmm, kinda awkward...), Yeen's Bday Dinner at Hooters, then after party at Butter (extremely happening night.)
August 9th - Yummy Yum Cha with Weils and Kathy, National Day Parade Laugh-Fest at home and Mah Jong (til super late)
August 10th - Lunch with Yeen, Movie and Supper with Yeen and Gin Nah (we watched the Simpsons)
August 11th - Sentosa with Chris, Mah Jong night with Gilbert, Kathy and Weils
August 12th - Gyming with Chris (My goodness, Hip Hop classes at California are SO HARD!!), SSO performance at Botanical Gardens with Marsha, Arthur, Xin Hui and her parents
August 13th - Bonding time with Neha, we shopped at IKEA, decorated her room, went to temple, and I spend the night.
August 14th (today) - Lunch with Weils and Kathy, Dinner and Movie (Secret) with Liang Yi.


Phew!
So yes I've been busy.
Hmm, my life in Singapore, I wanted to show you all this ridiculous Singapore mascot, its this huge Fish, and during the Parade, the mascot (A giant red fish man in spandex), says

" I AM SINGAPORE!!"

And I'm thinking to myself...wow so Singapore is a Gay Red Fish Man?

Gotta love this place!

At Day at Marina Square

I spent today at Marina Square with Denise. It was really nice just shopping and hanging out. Um, one random thing that happened today, Denise and I were on the shuttle bus to CityHall from Marina Square, when the uncle (bus driver) RAMMED a Toyota Wish! He got out of the car and we hear the female driver screaming at him. And it was funny because half of the bus passengers were pressed against the window to see the commotion. Xinhui says it is probably because they wanted to notice the liscence plate number so they can buy lottery tickets. haha So funny. Anyways Denise and I left the bus and found another way home.

I came home and cooked dinner for my Elizabeth Towers family. Its so nice to cook again, but I feel like a big fat pig.

And just now I was super excited when I saw the tv guide that HEREOS was on StarWorld. But i took a closer look and its Season 1. Bah. But im watching the first episode now anyways.

Closing chapters

Yesterday was my last exam. After the exam, I felt like the happiest duck in Singapore!!!

The exam didn't go so well. I concluded one question using parts of my 'Think Local Act Global' entry, with a powerful thought that all marketing efforts should be localised, no more standardisation. I don't think the prof will like that idea...will keep you posted on my results.

After the exam, Denise and I went to NYDC at Heeren. Then I rushed off to meet the gang at East Coast Park. KL organised a Chalet, BBQ session for us. Wow. I have never been to a more posh Chalet in Singapore!!

http://www.esrcc.com.sg/bungalow/index.html
http://www.esrcc.com.sg/bungalow/gallery.html

For non Singaporeans, this is an idea of how the typical chalet looks like
http://www.costasands.com.sg/web/exploreAndPlan/facilities.aspx

We played cards, Taboo! (Singapore version. The word I had to describe was "Soya Milk" so i said, "Dou Jiang!!" and they didn't give us the point!!! evil opposing team!) , we also bowled (my end score was 47 points...) and Chris, Rachel and Eileen taught me how to play Mah Jong!

I won 2 games. Granted I had Chris sitting beside me as my "Si-Fu". And at the end of the night, my reaction was much slower, so my "Pong!" (an expression you use when you take another player's card to make you have 3 of a kind) was like "Poonnggg...' (slow motion) I want to play more and become a master at it.

Today (sunday) I've been resting. Marsha is such a sweetheart, she got me tickets to see "The blossoming of Maximo Oliveros". I went to watch the movie by myself, first time I did this in Singapore. I munched on a small box of caramel popcorn, sat back and enjoyed the film. It is a filopino movie about a young transvestite who is in love with a police officer, and who is torn between his love for the police officer and his love for his criminal family. Quite good, but apparently super censored. Then after the movie, my flatmates, Kathy, Weils, and Gilbert treated me to my graduation dinner! So sweet of them! I feel sad leaving Singapore.

I really feel sad about leaving Singapore, especially after spending time with everyone at the Chalet yesterday. I came to Singapore knowing nobody, and I found myself such nice and loving friends. I don't know why I booked my tickets for August 20th!! I want to extend my stay til the last week of August.

I got the sweetest SMS from Nelson today, "Thanks for helping me get Rachel the best chocolate bday cake she has ever had. Please try to make it for WOMAD. Luv." This might not seem very sweet to you, but if you knew my big brother Nelson, the additional "Luv" is HUGE!!! melt my heart.

Spoke to mom and dad today about it, and I could tell that they were disappointed and I hurt their feelings. The cost of changing my ticket is 36$. I cried because I don't know what to do, they say it is up to me, but I could tell they want me back earlier. I just cannot deal with the fact that I am closing my Singapore chapter in 2 weeks!

I think the fact that my academic chapter closed yesterday, meant that my reason for being in Singapore is no longer valid. So I have no justification to want to stay longer, only my own selfish wants to spend time with friends and enjoy alone time before I throw myself into a strong collectivist family culture and demanding work environment.

My goodness, it's already monday morning! Means that I only have 14 days left here?
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am going to bury my head under my pillow.
Excuse me.

Second Chances

Dear Reader,

I am giving blogger a second chance. I wrote this amazing marketing entry and the jerks somehow posted a ‘blank’ post.

Let me just say that this post will not be as eloquent as my first attempt. (I was so contemplating becoming an academic writer after that entry, I could visualise writing my thesis)

But, before I forget!!
***
Happy Birthday Chris!! Thanks so much for the bracelet! (He bought me a bracelet on his bday! So selfless!) I had lunch with the bday boy, studied in the library. After I went to dinner with Yeen, Gin Nah, and Gin Nah’s sister Lin Dah. Lots of laughter. A much needed break.
***

In marketing we are always taught, Think Global Act Local. Implying that we think big, do business globally, when we go global, we localise our product/service offerings, localise our brand image and personality. It is a conflicting objective. Think global – to achieve economies of scale and be more cost competitive. Act local – tweak products as a response to local tastes.

In Bangkok, on a huge yellow board (outside Chula U), in strong black font, there is a sign “THINK LOCAL ACT GLOBAL”

I saw this sign 2 years back, sighed, and made a mental note. T-I-T. (This – Is- Thailand)

Today, I came across an excellent piece of marketing literature.
Global Marketing and Advertising: Understanding Cultural Paradoxes. By M. Mooji.
This woman is an amazing writer, with amazing insight.

Marketers are humans. And humans’ ideas, actions, motivations, beliefs, are all culturally bound. Therefore, marketers will think local, because cultural values determine the way humans think and behave. Therefore, it goes against our natural way of life to think global. We think local. We can act global, through our strategies and implementation of those strategies.

(Wow that was so crass. My other article was much better…I’m bitter)

Now, we are taught that the global village is shrinking, our tastes, expectations are all converging. Thus, as marketers, our job is to find commonalities that transcend borders. Global marketing implies thinking of an idea that will be accepted globally, and using one standardise marketing campaign to get the product/service sold.

The problem is, this one standardised campaign is based on your culture. (as it is your idea, and your ideas are affected by your culture). Often marketers are only concerned about standardising the stimulus, and they often neglect to understand the response.

In today’s world, we consumers face information overload. Our selecting mechanisms are working overdrive. Thus, we tend to notice marketing campaigns that we can identify ourselves with, that adhere to our values. The result is the overall decline in advertising effectiveness.

Think of Starbucks, and google. Have they built their brands based on advertising? Close your eyes, can you remember a Starbucks commercial? Ad? These companies are turning to other promotional tools such as Public Relations, the Internet, and social marketing tools (blogs!!!)

The often quoted ‘converging’ segments are the global teens and global elitist. Today, teenagers are listening to the same music (I think Emo and Hiphop are in right?), and they are buying into the same fashion trends. Elitist demand high-end brands, they want top quality and will pay top dollar for it.

The global teen segment implies that a Singaporean teen has more in common with an American teen than s/he has with a Singaporean adult. Similarly, the global elitist segment implies that a rich Indonesian has more in common with a rich Dane than s/he does with a middle-class Indonesian. Is this really the case?

Teenage years, in general are the most rebellious years (believe me, I’ve gone through it. 8 ear piercings.), teenagers grow into adults and then fall back into the culture-line. Commonalities may exist, i.e. commonalities in terms of demands. But the motivations for buying, the usage of the product, and the value systems of the customers differ.

Two teenagers living in their respective countries, one American and one Jap, both buy a Gwen Stefani CD. There is your commonality. Do they have anything else in common? How about the reason they like Gwen Stefani? The American may like her because No Doubt was awesome. The Jap may like her because Stefani is deeply in love with Japanese culture. (Or…they can like her because her music is good…but common…it’s not that spectacular)

If you and I both are Harry Potter fans, if we have the same cellphone (God help anyone who still is using K500i Sony.), and/or we both drive Hondas, does that imply that we share the same value system?
Needs may be universal, but attitudes, motivations and expressions of these needs vary.

This is a much shittier entry.
I am still bitter.
Your resident insomniac,
Stacy

PS. I came back to write this again, partially because there would be no point to ever rewrite this entry after tonight because TOMORROW IS MY LAST EXAM!!!!! (Means I am a degree holder!! 7 bloody years!!) And partially for Maurice. Denise asks me why I do so much for him. I have no idea. Going to miss studying with him as it’s the only time he talks to me. Like I tell everyone, when it comes to Maurice, I take whatever I can. (very unlike me). And yes you are reading, and yes you are right. Superguilt trip. But I’m not lying, I don’t lie. And I don’t like to be wrong. The questions will come up. We’ll do fine.

blogger sucks!!

I just wrote an incredibly long and interesting email about the marketing concept
THINK LOCAL ACT GLOBAL

and this damn blogger didn't post it! and it's blank! I am super upset. And it was damn long too, took me 30mins to type. no wait, more like an hour.

blogger sucks. im so upset my face is fuzzy.

Think Local Act Global

Interesting Economic Theories? Is that even possible?

Dear Reader,

Today I spent the whole day discussing International Marketing with Denise!

She invited me over to her house, and cooked me lunch (yummy!), gave me snacks (mmm), and dinner and desserts (I'm a huge cow now!)

I can type about international marketing theories this whole entire blog entry, but all of you would fall asleep. Some things you should take a look at

Coca-Cola blak - The essence of coca-cola blended with the essence of coffee. A perfect combination.

www.coca-colablak.com

Blllllaaaaaaaaaaaak!!! As in *choke* (choking on blak coke...haha i'm lame) What a horrible combination, can you imagine the caffeine level? Maybe coke needed to compete with Redbull? (Which is just nasty!)

Something that is really interesting to read (I'm reading it now, haha multi-tasker) is Porter's theory of national competitive advantage. Let me bore you for a bit.

Super ancient economic theory told us that a nation would have competitive advantages in areas it was most efficient in producing (aka Adam Smith and Richardo). That is, if Country A produces rice more efficiently than Country B, and Country B produces tomatoes more efficiently than Country A; the trade is rice for tomatoes and vice-versa. Specialisation.

Then there was the theory that countries competitive advantages lay in the factor endowments (what resources they had). Heckscher-Ohlin Model. Labour abundant countries specialised in labour intensive good, capital abundant countries specialised in capital intensive goods.

There was and still is continuous debate as to what makes a country competitive. The theory I am studying now is asking the key question:

Why are firms based in a particular nation able to create and sustain
competitive advantage against the world's best competitors in a particular
field?

Let me think of a Singapore example. Blog about it tomorrow...boring economics lesson to be continued....

Happy dreams,
Your resident geek-a-zoid,
Stacy

Stolen Moments

I woke feeling bloated and horribly ugly today. Nonetheless I'm in a relatively chirpy mood.

I noticed that I tend to study intensively in sudden spurts of time. Is that a really bad literal description? How about...stolen moments during my day.

Random photos: (Catherine, Marsha, and Xinhui)

Ha, so I woke up at 1230, at breakfast, then kinda went online to chat a bit...played guitar...wrote my exam outlines...plucked my eyebrows...lay in bed listening to music...wrote more exam outlines...

Then left for class. Best thing to do when you feel like a blob is to doll up. I want to be thinner. Sigh...