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By TransitionGirl | November 4, 2008
It’s my birthday today! Wohoo!! It’s comforting to know many people will remember this special day… well, for the US Elections, but hey! It’s still the same day!
Happy Birthday to me! I’m a young’un. Only 23! But boy, does time fly by. I still remember being a teenager. Now I’m an adult. EEKKKK!!
NOTE: Seems like my comments function doesn’t work for this post. I have no idea why? Help anyone?
Topics: Transitions | No Comments »
Phone Lines: Starhub vs. SingTel
By TransitionGirl | October 28, 2008
Just throwing my two cents worth into this latest land line tussle. For those who are not in Singapore or are living under a rock, SingTel just raised their land line fees and Starhub replied wih offering free land lines to their cable and maxonline subscribers. Starhub, very smart!!
Anyhoo, I’ve been studying this for a while, debating with my brother whether or not to switch over, since we can keep our number. Free is ALWAYS good. After researching, here are my conclusions.
The Starhub land line works differently from the SingTel land line. SingTel uses actual copper wires running underground to transmit the calls. Starhub uses the cable/internet modem to transmit calls. This means that should the electricity blackout, the Starhub land line won’t work as the modem needs electricity to run. Also, in times of emergency (like war), SingTel runs on a different infrastructure, so should the cell phone and cable die, the land line should still work.
But besides those reasons (I mean, what are the chances of war in Singapore. Also, Singapore’s electricity is pretty reliable), I’m leaning towards switching over to Starhub. It’s free. There is a 6 months min. contract, but than, if I’m going to keep using my Starhub internet and tv, it should be no problem.
Also, I’ve read pretty good feedback on their service and how it’s reliable and worth it. Another good thing I discovered is that if I move house, I’ll just need to set up my internet/tv modem and viola, the phone line is set up too.
Right now, there is a waiting time to port over numbers from SingTel to Starhub because of the high demand and the daily limit. On Sunday, Starhub told me the next port over date will be in Jan, if I apply now.
I’ll need to change my home phone to a digital phone, but there are tons in the market now and not too expensive. I think can find those under $100 in Carrefour, if i remember correctly.
However, with the Starhub land line, you can’t connect multiple phones in different rooms to the main connection. Unlike now with SingTel where you can just plug in phones in different rooms as long as you have the phone plug. The way to do it with the Starhub land line is to get additional receivers. (Kinda like having a bluetooth handset with the cell phone).
And from what I know, there’s no catch. Starhub doesn’t actually lose any $$ from these free lines, because it’s the same system they already have. it’s more of a chance for them to undermine SingTel and steal customers. 
Just my opinions from research I’ve done.
Topics: Technology | 2 Comments »
If the World could vote
By TransitionGirl | October 24, 2008
Colin Powell said that the next US president has the enormous task of rebuilding US’ standing and reputation in the world. I agree. So who does the world think can do that?
As of the time of this post
Topics: US Election Race | No Comments »
I just couldn’t resist
By TransitionGirl | October 23, 2008
Topics: US Election Race | No Comments »
Playing with Food?
By TransitionGirl | October 21, 2008
“A judge lies down to take a rest during the tomato war at the Wanjiang Township in Dongguan of Guangdong Province, China. The event, an imitation of the tomato fight in Spanish township Bunol, was jointly held by the South China Mall and the Dongguan Tourism Bureau and other departments, using about 15 tons of tomatoes.”
While millions are dying from hunger, others are playing with food. ?!?!?!?!?
Topics: Strange Happenings | No Comments »
Social New Media Tools
By TransitionGirl | October 21, 2008
Social Technographics Profile tool for specific areas, age groups and gender: Good to know what online tools your target audience is using.
Online Trust Barometer 2008 by Edelman: Young opinion elites show higher general levels of trust than their older counterparts and rely on multiple sources of information to form opinions of companies.
Yahoo Site Explorer: Allows you to explore all the web pages indexed by Yahoo! Search.
BlogPulse Profile Tool: Find more info about a specific blog or blogger—who authors it, how active the blog is, how it ranks in comparison with other blogs, what it’s about, etc.
Technorati: Find out the authority and ranking of a blog.
Topics: Technology | No Comments »
Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty
By TransitionGirl | October 15, 2008
When we think of poverty, which country do we usually think of? Africa? Indonesia? China? Mainly the 3rd world countries right?
On Monday, I added Singapore to my list. Singapore is a world-class 1st world country. And yet, there are still Singaporeans who struggle daily to meet their basic needs. Food, Water, Electricity and a Roof over their heads.
Poverty is a endless vicious cycle. Parents struggle to survive. Children work from young to contribute to the family. Education is put on the back burner. Children grow up and repeat that cycle. How do we break that?
Three ways that I can think of. If you have more, please share.
1. Active support and help for families stuck in this cycle. Of course, help them fufill their immediate needs. But we need to ensure their long-term sustainability. Educate the children. Train the parents with skills that will enable them to find better jobs and therefore better income. Educate the mothers especially, as she’ll pass that down to the children directly.
2. Promote. Share. Tell everyone who will listen of people who don’t know if they’ll be able to eat one day to another. This is more powerful than you know. For instance, I found out about Compassion International from Shannon and felt motivated to get involved. It’s not that I didn’t want to help before. But when I found out about this avenue for service, it jumped out at me.
3. Above all that, Pray. Not just in general like, “Lord, feed the hungry”. “Adopt” a specific family, find out their needs and hopes, and pray for each one of them specifically. By name. By exact current needs. Pray for the Lord to bring compassionate souls to make a difference in someone’s life.
We don’t need to go far to share our blessings and help others. I bet there’s someone in our backyard now that needs us.
Topics: Compassion Child, Thoughts | No Comments »
Working the Ground
By TransitionGirl | October 14, 2008
Today was a long day, especially surviving for over 14 hours with only 3.5 hours of sleep. But it was insightful. In the evening, we went to the Buona Vista for a “Meet the MP Session”. (For non-Singaporeans or Singaporeans living under a rock, that is a weekly time where residents in constituencies get to air their complains, grievance, ask for help from their elected Minister.) It’s also called grassroots outreach, or “listening to the ground”. In this case, the Minister was Mr Lim Swee Say.
The first thing that striked me was the same thought I get everything I see a Singapore politician. They look so much older and tired than their pictures. And more white hairs. That is the most telling evidence that their job is super stressful and takes a major toil on them.
The second thing that made an impression was seeing and interacting with some of the residents in the area. That area has some of the poorest of Singaporeans, whom I know in theory exists, but seeing it first hand is jarring. These Singaporeans have to worry about survival of themselves and their families. Basic needs like food, water, education, utilities, etc have not been met.
The third thing that stayed in my mind was how each volunteer officer would painstakingly write down every single worry and request by the residents in a letter to be sent out to various government agencies and agencies. Then, Minister Lim would come, talk to every single resident and also edit and write the letter, which will later be typed up and personally signed by Minister. I’m impressed. I get annoyed just having to write anything more than 1/4 of a page.
Overall, the visit was a good one. Saw a side of Singapore that is seldom revealed. Makes me appreciate what I have right now, which also includes the nice iMac that I am writing this post on. And my cosy bed. And my Snowy. And And And… ok, list too long. I’m just thankful for everything.
Topics: Thoughts | No Comments »
The Art of Common People
By TransitionGirl | October 11, 2008
The 16th-century Italian painter Caravaggio received scathing criticism in his day for depicting people of the Bible as common. His critics reflected a time when only members of royalty and aristocracy were considered appropriate subjects for the “immortality” of art. His commissioned canvas of St. Matthew and the Angel so offended church leaders that it had to be redone. They could not accept seeing Matthew with the physical features of an everyday laborer. … Read more.
Aren’t we glad that the Lord loved the common people too?
Topics: Thoughts | No Comments »
Human Challenges
By TransitionGirl | October 10, 2008
I had hoped that I would have some lull periods for a while longer, or that adversity wouldn’t hit it… YAH RIGHT! That is pure wistful thinking.
Things have been unfolding and the biggest challenge that is facing me right now is PEOPLE. I guess for me, it’s always been a hard thing to deal with, since I am a highly emotional person.
I generally trust people when I first meet them (a bit naive) and generally expect them to be the same (very naive). So when someone shows their true colours (in a not so positive way) towards me, I get shocked and hurt.
I know I shouldn’t take things personally, but I generally can’t help feeling betrayed or deceived. The world has always said to expect the worst of people, and I guess if I follow that, than these hurts won’t happen as much as I would expect that of others. But I refuse to always think badly of people, unless they prove it to me. That’s the optimist part of me. Always trusting that others will behave with integrity and fairness.
Blah.
Topics: Thoughts, Transitions | 1 Comment »
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