Moving on to more pressing concerns

Now that we've got the damn World Cup out of the way, I believe that some some semblance of normalcy can be returned to our daily routine and attention be paid to more pertinent issues at hand. I am now one week into my annual ICT and am thoroughly enjoying it. I had the fortune of returning the Bedok camp with a course mate and meeting some really cool people in camp. As I laze about in the morning waiting for the day to start (Life in the FCCs is somewhat different...), I had the chance to sit back and ponder over a couple of issues that have been bugging me over the past week. In no particular order, the list is as follows:

• The standard of the Straits Times
• The plight of Mr Ang Jun Heng Jarius
• The accuracy of Paul the mollusk
• The severe insecurity/superiority complexes of certain individuals in my life
• The lack of good shopping venues in our little island
• NUS (almost everything about this damn institution irks me...)
• And this just in 2 minutes ago... people who don't know when to shut up...

As much as I am really peeved about a number of the issues I brought up earlier, I really don't think I can be bothered to "stand up and make that change" or at least rectify them. Blame it on the apathetic, "I-am-just-going-to-mind-my-own-business" or the hectic schedule of everyday life in Singapore, I am simply don't think I want to be bothered with these little inconveniences in my life. Lest 1.

It was reported in today's papers that the only local victim in the slash-and-rob spree 6 weeks ago has just been discharged from the hospital. The victim, 19 year old Jarius Ang, was set upon by a bunch of thoughtless, merciless thugs on his way home from the MRT station. Hacking wildly at the poor lad, the bunch of robbers were relentless in their assault. I will not elaborate too much on the incident here as most of you would probably have read it (go read it if you haven't... its probably the only story worth following in today's newspaper anyway...). Jarius was left with severe slash wounds to his neck arms and hands whilst the 7 murderous bastards got away (then...) with a hundred over dollars and his freaking mobile phone.

The deed is already done and there's nothing anyone can do to give Mr Ang back the full use of his hand or remove the emotional scarring that his family and him have gone through. It is at times like these when I wished we lived in a world where the saying "what you do unto others will be in turn be done unto you" holds true. Unfortunately, you and I both know that just is just wishful thinking. I sincerely hope that these 7 individuals be persecuted to the fullest extent of the law... OUR laws. Hang 2 of them on charges of 1st degree murder and lock up the rest for manslaughter. No appeals should be considered, no deals made and most definitely no sympathy be shown... they showed none too as they hacked their 5 innocent victims that fateful night.

To Jarius, what you went through that fateful night, I can only imagine just how damn scary it must have been. I hope you come out of this stronger then ever before and seek comfort in the fact that there are many around who feel for you and fume at the senseless attack on you and the other victims. Stay strong and hold the course... there's a light at the end of every tunnel and I am almost certain that that light for you will come sooner than you think :)

PS: To NParks, MOE or whoever owns that stretch of pathway between the station and the residential area... I think its high time you start erecting some MORE lampposts.