It’s nearly a year since I started this site that was supposed to be more of a website than a blog but I guess the decadence was inevitable.

I’m not sure whether I want to renew my subscription with my current web host (based in Singapore) or switch to one of the many other better-value-for-money hosts (based in the US). I will have to do my research and make the decision before next month.

webhosting top10 provides a list of best hosting deals.

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North Vancouver are the mountains I see from my bedroom window, and it’s amazing how city and nature can blend — you can be taking an elevator of a high-rise one minute and be trekking through the forest the next.

Okay, maybe that’s a far-fetched analogy but the truth is, if I want to do some hiking or trekking, it’s only an hour and a half’s journey by public transport from UBC at Vancouver, but within half an hour the moment you are in North Vancouver.

Anyways, there is the much hyped-about Capilano Suspension Bridge (tourist trap) that stretches over 137 metres and 70 metres above Capilano River. It costs over $20 to enter. Then there is the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge that boasts to be as entrancing as Capilano’s, and is free of charge. Guess which the thrifty (not cheapskate ok) Squareface decided to check out?

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is suspended at 50 metres high, and the best thing about going to Lynn Canyon Park in contrast with Capilano Suspension Bridge is that we can actually walk down to the falls and rivers in Lynn Canyon Park. Which we did, and actually spent quite a bit of time doing so because I couldn’t make the little leaps of faith, but more on that later.

This is how the bridge looks like. I took minimal pictures because I am not a fan of walking on such a shaky architecture suspended high above a shallow rushing river (yeah the height bugs me, I admit).

But the nerve-wrecking walk across the bridge (okay, it’s actually reported to be 100% safe) is worth it when you get to trek down to the river.

And observe such serenity.

However, my gung-ho friend decides to leap on the rocks in the midst of the rushing river to get to the other side. Another friend was clever enough to escape from our gung-ho friend’s persistent urging and walked over to the other side on safe ground instead. I, on the other unfortunate hand, was pushed to join her in the leaping from rock to rock.

This picture shows the start of the journey. The destination was many rocks away. Most of the rocks had pointed tops so I was very hesitant to step on them for fear of tripping and falling into the river. It should have been easy, but I handled it the hard way because I hesitated at every step. The trick to getting across is to keep going unthinkingly. Find a rock quick, and step on it only to step on the next in a second. Stopping at every step only made me worry endlessly about the next rock being unsteady and the fear of falling got enormous. Make the little leaps of faith.

I did feel a sense of accomplishment after, though in a lower magnitude than when I completed the Grouse Grind, but the push factor at every step comes not from wanting to go forward, but because there is no turning back (it’s hard to turn your body on that small space your step takes on the rock).

Aren’t you happy for me that by doing these things I spout such aphorisms?

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Actuallyyyyy……………………………………………….. I don’t miss home? Nor do I miss the food? Hahahaha…but I miss all of ya ok!

My friend (the unexpected-hiker-enthusiast) wanted to eat at Prima Taste, and I was indifferent, so I guess the enthusiast always gets what she wants.

Prawn Laksa 

My $0.02 (in exchange for a CDN$9.50 dish): Authentic, though gravy is a bit on the thin side. Prawns were very fresh and very exquisitely shelled! Best laksa I’ve eaten out of Singapore.

Fried Hokkein Mee 

My $0.02: For CDN$11.95 it’s wayyyy expensive, but oh, for the exact taste of home Fried Hokkein Mee! A bit on the mushy side though.

Hainanese Chicken Rice (just the rice)

My $0.02: Only $1.75! Taste is right, but the rice was a tad dry.

Have you tried eating Fried Hokkein Mee with a fork?

Remember a while back I wrote about my trip up Grouse Mountain on a gondola ($34.93)? Today I only paid $5 for a ride down.

Others take the gondola, we climb.

2.9km at 1128 metres elevation. Less than 2 hours. It was a great climb, but only in retrospect.

I went with a really unexpected climber-enthusiast.

The awkward Asian

She hikes up the Grouse Grind trail (the way up to Grouse Mountain) every other Friday. She totally doesn’t look it, right? I mean, okay here’s a close-up picture of her:

I know I’m not supposed to judge a book by its cover but this cover is way off! Contrary to what I initially thought, she’s actually wayyyyy fit and very hardcore! Haha…gosh. She kept having to wait for me at every quarter of the climb.

Can you see my look of trepidation? And two very commonsensical rules to abide by, especially if it’s the first time you’re embarking on such a hike, is to ditch the bag and put on a pair of gym pants instead of the jeans I was wearing today. Duh. Oops.

The first quarter of the climb was the hardest to complete, because turning back is an option. And a very compelling one at that, as the first quarter seems so long and you know going on is just gonna get tougher. I have to admit I kept thinking of turning back during the first quarter. Fortunately, this friend of mine was way ahead and I couldn’t express such an idea to her, and so I could only swallow my defeatist attitude and trudge ahead.

For most part of the hike, there were steps (steep) to climb, but there were occasions where there were only rocks like this:

So you had to find your footing somehow and just get your ass up. I was on my hands and legs and climbed like a spider or something.

It was a hard climb, and throughout those eternal couple of hours, images of comfort such as watching a movie, or having a good meal kept coming and going as I pushed myself up on every step with quaking knees and aching calves. Considering that I had resistance from carrying a 2kg bag, it’s really quite an accomplishment.

There were many instances during the hike when I felt really all alone in the heart of this vertical forest, and could only hear my thoughts and breathing. Sometimes I heard birds chirp and the leaves of trees rustling, and I couldn’t determine whether they were mocking me or urging me on. I guess I chose to believe the latter or I wouldn’t have been able to get higher up to hear the distant waterfall signalling that I’m edging closer to the destination.

One thought that kept coming to me was how controlling my temper might be a hell lot easier than climbing a mountain.

Although most of my posts are on my explorations and trips around here, I’m still the very obedient and industrious class-attending girl whom you all know! Yeah!

And I shall prove it!

See the heart shape in my notebook? It’s a water stain! This proves that I’ve been hard at work! (or just didn’t know how to close my free coffee mug tight enough before placing it in my bag)

This was my make-do transparency for my presentation in class today! Can you tell that it’s actually a yellow plastic folder? I borrowed a permanent marker from my housemate to write on the file. So instead of buying a piece of transparency and printing on it which will cost me about $1, I found my way of spending $0. Afterall, aren’t transparencies environmentally unfriendly? Haha, Shaina said I’m innovative. I think there’s a thin line between this form of innovation and being cheapskate. Bah.

On another note, I joined a Writing Creative Non-Fiction workshop today! I was really lucky to get the last spot of 16 students. It’s an 8-session workshop that costs $375 (which is relatively cheap, by Canadian standards), that will hopefully hone my writing skills, which you should be happy about, because you, by extension, will be reading better stuff. Or so you and I hope.

by signing an open letter to the prime minister. (no revelation of your NRIC is required)

The Prime Minister
Mr. Lee Hsien Loong
Prime Minister’s Office
Orchard Road
Istana
Singapore 238823

Dear Prime Minister,

As a citizen of Singapore, I write to appeal to your sense of fairness and equality, to take the lead to move Parliament and your party on issues related to s377A, Penal Code. I strongly believe that it should be repealed, not just for the benefit of the gay community, but also for the good of all Singaporeans. I also firmly believe that the time to repeal s377A, Penal Code is now, not later.

The reasons why this repeal is so important are manifold.

1. Singapore’s Founding Principles.
2. Constitutional and Legal Rights.
3. International Social Mores and Trends.
4. Domestic Social Mores and Trends.
5. Damage to the Gay Community.
6. Pragmatism, Leadership and the Future.
1. Singapore’s Founding Principles

Singapore was founded on the basis of justice and equality. This is reflected in our pledge. From the start, Singapore as a nation has staunchly upheld multiculturalism, with diverse groups living together in harmony by respecting each other’s differences. This has been the cornerstone of our country’s success. Since then, these principles have been further strengthened. For example:- In 1966, a Constitutional Commission was formed to study how the rights of minorities can be safeguarded.
- The implementation of the GRC in our electoral system ensures that racial minorities are adequately represented.
- The Women’s Charter was amended to safeguard women’s rights.Legislating that certain sexual acts are legal for heterosexuals but illegal for gay men is tantamount to our country taking an active step (for the first time) to discriminate against a minority group. That goes against everything we, as Singaporeans, have been taught to believe in and hold dear.

2. Constitutional and Legal Rights

Section 377A contravenes Singapore’s Constitution which grants equal rights to treatment and protection for everyone. This law is unequivocally discriminatory. We believe a gay man should have exactly the same rights as a straight man or woman.We understand that there are elements of our society that do not see being gay in a positive light. They are entitled to their opinion. But their opinion should not infringe upon the rights of this – or any – group of Singaporeans. This holds true even if those who disapprove of gay people outnumber those who support them. In fact, it is the responsibility of any democratically elected government to protect minorities from the “tyranny of the majority”.Section 377A violates an individuals’s right to privacy. Especially since what we are talking about is a choice between consenting adults and hurts no one.

Furthermore, the government’s self-avowed compromise of having s377A on the books but not enforcing it will bring Singapore’s justice system into disrepute. The Council of the Law Society states in its report to the Ministry Of Home Affairs dated March 30, 2007, that the law as it stands “cannot be justified”. The Council goes further to argue that the proper function of criminal law “is to protect others from harm by punishing harmful conduct. Private consensual homosexual conduct between adults does not cause harm recognisable by the criminal law. Thus, regardless of one’s personal view of the morality or otherwise of such conduct, it should not be made a criminal offence”.

Singapore has always taken pride in being a country where the rule of law is transparent, fair and clear cut. This reputation has served us well and contributed in no small way to our country’s success and should not be eroded by this aberration.

3. International Trends

The courts of many major countries have held the equivalent of s377A to be discriminatory, an invasion of privacy and unconstitutional. This is not only in Europe and America. It includes the UN Human Rights Committee, S, Africa and most recently Hong Kong. The legislatures in UK, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and even China have also passed laws decriminalising such acts.Singapore will be woefully out-of-step with the rest of the world should it move to retain this Victorian legislation only weeks after Newsweek magazine’s cover story proclaimed that “the battle for gay rights is gaining ground across the globe” and hailed the repeal of laws similar to s377A across the globe as “a global civil-rights revolution”.4. Domestic Trends

The attitude of Singaporeans have become much more accepting of alternative sexuality. Between 2000 and 2005, the level of acceptance has changed from 10% to more than 30%. The latest figure is taken from Mark Cenite and B. Detenber’s article in the International Journal of Public Opinion Research. Furthermore, the Straits Times online census in July 2007 indicated a tolerance level of 55%.Admittedly, different public polls can often illustrate contrasting views and the sum of all these statistics makes it difficult to get a clear view of popular sentiment. However we believe that the law of our land does not exist to be popular, but to be fair and just for all people. This is a belief we know is shared by many.5. Damage to the Gay Community

If the current amendment bill succeeds, the resulting law will become a bitter symbol to many gay Singaporean men, young and old. It will hinder greater understanding and integration of these people, who are often responsible, invaluable and highly respected contributing members of society. The only thing that makes these people different from the majority of Singaporeans is that they are biologically-pre-disposed to love differently. It will be a slap in the face to their significant contributions and encourage many more to leave our shores for more open-minded societies. Singapore’s most valuable resource is its citizens. We cannot afford to lose them.S377A will also affect the status and moral citizenship of gay men in society. The government has openly welcomed gays and lesbians into the civil service. But this law will only discourage equal-treatment for gay employees everywhere and diminish the moral standing these men and have rightfully earned. We fear it will be a seed for further acts of discrimination.Criminalising gay sex also impedes effective safer-sex messages being disseminated effectively to gay men and other men at risk of contracting HIV. There are numerous studies which have concluded that HIV prevention programs in environments where gay sex is criminalised are resoundingly ineffective. The fight against HIV/AIDS is an important issue which affects all Singaporeans. There should be no impediment to getting this life saving information out.

Branding gays as outlaws will be destructive to the self-worth of those individuals and could lead to an increased incidence of self-harm. Thought should also be given to gay youth who struggle deeply with this issue. This law would only add more trauma to what is already a very difficult period in their lives.

6. Pragmatism, Leadership and the Future

You and our government have always shown a willingness to make tough pragmatic decisions for the best interests of our country. Decisions made with conviction, despite opposition from various interest groups, religious organisations and minorities.In a recent address at NUS, you talked about this issue and said that “we will not reach consensus however much we discuss it. The views are passionately held on both sides. The more you discuss it, the angrier they become. The subject will not go away.” Having admitted that we are at an impasse, it seems only logical that the way to move forward is for the government to take a lead with the same conviction and leadership it has always shown.

We keep hearing that Singapore society is ‘too conservative’ for this law to be repealed. This is not a strong enough reason to deny a group of Singaporeans equal rights. Far more conservative countries have done away with laws like these and are none the worse for it. We are a modern, democratic and secular state. While there will always be a place for conservative mores, we also need to protect and nurture space for tolerance and open-mindedness to flourish.

You have often said that your goal is to create a tolerant and progressive society for all Singaporeans. We urge you to now demonstrate your commitment to achieve this goal. Repealing this biased law will be a symbolic milestone to signal to fellow Singaporeans and the world that this is the vision of Singapore that we all share.

Yours faithfully,

Yet another way to get paid for blogging is via Smorty! Simply help to spread word about various things (by the advertisers’ requests) and you will be duly paid! There are few opportunities right now offered in Smorty though, either because I’m still new and don’t have a high enough score/rating, or because Smorty is relatively new and does not have as many advertisers.

The better deal about Smorty is:

1) The minimum amount offered per opportunity is US$6 (in theory I suppose, because I saw an opportunity going for less than that)

2) You are given a generous 72 hours after accepting the offer to blog about it

3) Advertisers have 5 days to review your posts, but if the posts are not reviewed by then, it gets automatically approved!

4) You get paid on a weekly basis!

5) Bloggers are allowed to have other forms of advertisements on their blogs, not limiting our blog advertising strategies!

However, you must have your own domain to qualify. With Smorty’s 5-day-post-approval terms, it seems like money will roll in pretty fast!

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5 - 8 Oct 2007

4 days 3 nights. $249. 55 tourists.

54 ESL (English as Second Language) people and 1 supposed native speaker (me la).

My clique in the trip: 5 Chinese friends (4 from Fudan, 1 from Shanghai Jiaotong University)

My photo-taking partner, ZCJ. We are trying to act like we wanna commit suicide on railway tracks in this pic.

Me, the photographer wannabe. I was happily helping 3 Thai girls take a picture with their Nikon DSLR. Do I look pro or what.

Embracing Lake Louise

Watched others embrace each other with Lake Louise

Presenting Emerald Lake

This is the look of liberation!

Taught my friends to do the jump.

More pics here and at Squareface’s Shots.

I’ll be at the Canadian Rocky Mountains over this Thanksgiving weekend!

Photo by dbarronoss

I so need a photography crash course, eh?

Check back in 4 days!