i struggle to write these days because it feels like such a chore, to think that one of my childhood ambitions was to be a writer. not an author because that sounds stiff and unimaginative, but a writer.
this is what happens when you are forced to write expositions debating if the wedding ring is the world's smallest handcuff from the age of 17 because narratives/descriptive essays should be strictly confined to children and teenagers. as young adults, we are supposed to be pragmatic and know that narratives don't hone the intellect into a fine weapon for economic vibrancy for the motherland. the template of choice is always the cost-benefits analysis approach, where you will then come to a wishy-washy excuse of a conclusion for the sake of a balanced argument.
it didn't help that i did engineering in a school where a firm grasp of english grammar would be good but not necessary. years of report writing did nothing for my ability to express myself in a coherent manner.
although i regret to say that sometimes i resort to the very singaporean 'tsk, aiya you know what i mean right...ya lor like that lor!' to ensure that my audience is on the same page as me when i try to explain a particularly abstract thought/feeling because my ability to express myself has become that limited, some things are really best expressed in singlish and this brings me to my main point:
singaporeans, why you so liddat?!
why you so bloody insecure that you must trumpet your insignificant achievements just to gain that sense of superiority over an exceedingly small talent pool? top 5% in singapore and from a top school, what a big man! now please get out of the well and see how big the world is, thanks.
why you so fucking whiny? train break down, you weren't 'personally affected by the breakdown, but emotionally affected'. do you need therapy then? orchard road flood you want to hold hands and sing songs to heal the wounded soul? yes, you suffered because of someone else's cock up. let us remain objective and constructive instead of bitching like it was a great personal affront that you suffered for some one's mistake.
why you so sodding emasculated? yes, you the keyboard warrior who has enough time to post snide comments after every Home article on our news portals. you with the endless tirade (usually poorly substantiated) against the government but when it comes to providing a proper solution you play dumb and say that is the government's job. if you want a change, time to stop chin wagging. no revolution was won sitting on your backsides.
lastly, why the hell are you so pettily nasty and self-centred? is it your civic duty to scratch the expensive cars of your neighbours just because your car isn't as big? does it make you particularly happy when you verbally abuse service staff because you think that it is your birthright since you are a paying customer? do you experience this thrill when you park in disabled lots?
but i believe you are the minority and that there are loads of singaporeans with big hearts who are temporarily overshadowed by the likes of you. and i believe that it is my civic duty to be a bright little ray of sunshine to your miasma of petty self-entitlement because change starts with me. let us suffer the ugly singaporean no more.
our day will come.
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