being political

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We're smack in the middle of General Election fever (although Osama's death is taking some of the heat off that), but wow, exciting times. After Polling Day on May 7, we could wake up in a different Singapore**.

As such, work has been killing me, and I spend a lot of time sloshing around in muddy fields visiting rallies and political walkabouts. I have reached a stage of unprecedented sartorial consistency: no other shoes but Chucks for the 15th day running. They're getting so worn (just four years old), they'll have to be falling off my feet for me to get rid of them.

Okay. Back. To. Work.

**I won't bore you guys with the details, but Singapore is parliamentary democracy (modelled after the British system), and this time, 2.3 million people are eligible to vote. 200,000 of us are first-time voters, partly because Singapore has long been dominated by one party and there has never been this many seats contested. Woot.

Comments

Lindsay K said…
I have been following the political news in Singapore and it's facinating. It's wonderful that you are at the forefront of it all. I would love to hear more on this. It's inspiring to learn about your career.
miss sophie said…
i was shocked and relieved at the Osama news. people in the US are, not surprisingly, overjoyed. with the royal wedding on friday and now this, it's been a very surreal media weekend...

i love your chucks and like Lindsay, would love to hear a little more about your career! i voted for the first time (long story) in 2008, and it was an amazing experience.
S said…
Agreed with everyone, it really was shocking and overwhelming news to hear about Osama. I'd love to hear more about the political news from Singapore from your perspective, please keep us posted! The thought of 200,000 first time voters is extremely exciting!
Unknown said…
exciting!! (ours is modelled on the british as well)
today the canadian people took (and are still taking) to the polls! ;)) i hope to wake up tomorrow to a new government!!! fingers crossed!
i found all the political stuff fascinating when i was in Singapore last week. my brother isn't allowed to vote there but he isn't voting in Australia either so he is in a very strange sort of political stasis for now... hope it all goes well!
Stephanie said…
The Canadian election last night didn't turn out as I'd hoped, so although I don't know anything about politics in Singapore, I'll be cheering for a fair & positive outcome. Cheers!
Jennifer said…
that is a whole lot of time in converse. i nearly tossed mine at the end of my trip to paris, frustrated by just how flat and unsupportive they are. they aren't exactly uncomfortable, since they don't pinch or rub, but they provide no cushioning, no structure, nothing. they are, however, exceptionally good looking and they look great with so much. hope your election yields some positive results and not just superficial changes. ;)
yanqin said…
For those who asked, I'm a journalist.

Pret a Porter P: I stopped in my tracks and started reading the news right away.

Lindsay K: I didn't think anyone would be interested in S'pore politics!

miss sophie: The royal wedding was such a relief, we were having a great time watching it in the office in the middle of a work day.

S: I'll do my best! Singapore politics is complicated!

If Jane: How exciting! Was the result what you hoped for?

la fille mal gardee: I hope you had a good time in Singapore.

Stephanie: "fair" is a good word, I shall hope for that as well.

editor: I've always found them comfortable actually, just a little heavy.

My biggest fear is that the election yields no change.
Alex said…
your chucks don't look bad at all for their age, I've had my current pair for only 2 years and the sole is ripping already.I'm really interested to hear that you are a journalist! I agree with all the comments wanting to know more about what you do.The political situation in Singapore is really interesting, I'm actually doing a research essay in my degree at the moment on the bureaucracy in Singapore in Japan, it is very complicated, as you say..
yanqin said…
Alex: I think it's because I don't wear them daily, probably about 2-3 times a month, and then intensively on holidays with lots of walking involved.

The bureaucracy and the relationship between the ruling political party and the Civil and Adminstrative Services are complicated even for Singaporeans! Good luck with that paper!
Samantha said…
I've been following your blog for sometime but this is probably my first comment! :)

I'm a Singaporean as well but currently studying in Sydney. However I've been following the elections closely and I'm both hopeful and a little afraid when the results are known tomorrow. (I'm wishing for change in the political system)

I hope this isn't too sensitive a question but I'm just wondering which paper are you with? Cause I've always wondered what are the personal views of a SPH journalist's on the self censorship in the local media. Is it something that journalists adhere to reluctantly? A ST journalist recently proclaimed that the ST does not provide biased news content but I beg to differ. Especially when the contrast with Today (which is surprisingly providing substantial content on the opposition parties) is so apparent, let alone with online/ foreign media.

Sorry if that this has been such a long comment!
yanqin said…
Hi,thanks, and no worries, I'm not really succinct myself :) I'll be happy to email you which media I work for (I really prefer to keep my work separate from this), so you if you drop me your email I'll get back to you soon!

I've read the post you've mentioned and I agree with some of the general sentiment but disagree with some. I agree many people are too quick to dismiss ST coverage of the Opposition, for one, and I think ST's pre-election coverage was especially very good - lots of good in-depth interviews with all candidates, including Opp ones.Will be glad to discuss this in more detail over email, otherwise my comment will turn into an essay!

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