I know this came a little too late, but I can’t help typing this entry out.
Perhaps I’m just updating this little space for the sake of updating it, perhaps not.
Oh well.
To begin with, I really think that it’s getting harder to survive in Singapore.While the preceding sentence/statement might not be very true when we compare ourselves to other countries where taxes are mountain-high, I would very much like to keep everything within the Singapore context because emigrating to another country has never crossed my mind.
With the costs of basic necessities rising by a variable amount from as little as $0.10 to as much as $0.40 (?), I’m sure people have been saying things like “Everything also up, but my pay never go up!”. Well, that’s typical of Singaporeans.
But our government always ensures that there will always be plans for us. There are always the housebrands from NTUC to turn to for the basic necessities. Hah.
As for the setting up of more and more ERP gantries, it was said to “smooth the traffic” in Singapore and to also encourage motorists to plan their routes and to take alternative routes or to even take public transport.
Perhaps this makes perfect sense for people (like me) who don’t (currently) own a personal mode of transport and like smooth traffic flows. However, I still feel for people who have their own various modes of transport.
Somehow, going through an ERP gantry reminds me of playing Daytona USA in the arcade.
The only difference is that when you go through the “gantry” in the arcade game, you get a time extension; while when you go through the ERP gantry, you get a money deduction, as reflected on your IU. Even parking fees are getting expensive, let alone the rising cost of fuel.
In that case, why drive?
But that contradicts the idea of owning a car then. Do people really expect car owners to buy cars and leave them at home as showpieces? I mean, since the car is already bought and you have to pay for the monthly instalments, you might as well just drive it, no?
Selling the car might be an option too, if you don’t mind suffering a loss. So… I understand that owning a car might be more plausible for most Singaporeans, but the price of using a car is far too high to shoulder.
Cars, anyone? I mean the movie. Perhaps I can rent the DVD someday. Hah.
Let’s not forget that our population is greying (or is it not?) because people are not getting married (at a younger age) and of course, not having kids. So… I guess we should tie the knot young and have kids as soon as we can (afford to)?
Of couse, that’d be great if I’m able to do that. But with little or no money, what’s there to talk about getting married? Sure, I can go on with my plans to get hitched before the age of 30. But to face the reality, I guess it’s not quite possible.
In this fast-paced society, we have to be dynamic to keep up with times. A typical Singaporean will often be so soaked up in work that he/she will have little (or no) life outside of work. Not everybody gets cushy office jobs and sits down at the table from 8am to 5pm sharp.
By the time work is done, everybody is almost dead beat. Then the routine repeats itself again and again and again and yes, again.
In my humble opinion, the work-life balance of Singaporeans is pretty much skewed, in general. Of course, some might say it’s all about “time management”. But I’d like to think that not many people can actually have the choice to manage time.
With such a life, I wonder how can one actually find time to date people from the opposite sex?
It’s little wonder that people are getting married at a later age.
Let’s not forget the females, who are more independent and have minds of their own. Some of them are really career-minded too! Perhaps it’s the education system in Singapore which moulded the fairer sex to what and whom they are today.
But there’s nothing wrong, because if eugenics is something to adhere by, then I guess perhaps the equation, “A + A = A+” holds. Or maybe at least an A as the end result.
However, with this adherement, this brings us back into the loop where both genders have minds of their own, and of course, expectations. 
Pardon my myopic vision, but I can’t see why and how two persons who are just as caught up in their careers get married and have kids.
Even if they do take the first step in getting married, I guess it’s going to be a case of DINK (Dual Income No Kids).
But well, at least a step is taken already, yeah? =\
If all else fails, fret not; for there will always be plans for us!
Get the parents to be the matchmakers, lor.
