A great Singaporean mystery

I just have a simple question.

If the Prime Minister of Singapore is too busy attending to matters of "national importance" to call for a by-election in Punggol East SMC (Single Member Constituency), ... 

Then how come he has time to read a blog article, AND all 21 comments following the blog article, AND analyze the alleged defamatory nature of the contents AND then dispatch his lawyer to threaten (in-writing) to take legal action against the blogger for alleged defamatory content?

I guess the above is one of those great Singaporean mystery that needs a "uniquely Singapore" multimillion-per-year-talent to crack.

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By the way, I mentioned about this to a couple of elderly Canadian Mensans.

I said, "You know, there is a blogger in Singapore who was threatened with defamation suit through a lawyer's letter..."

They looked amused.

"By none other than the Prime Minister of Singapore!" I added.

Their eyes popped.

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[Addendum on 07-Jan-2013]

For analysis of the potential fallout from the legal action, click here for Yawning Bread's (the very blogger who was sued) and here for flâneurose's.

Recipe: Creamy spaghetti

While I enjoy cooking for my friends (i.e. a group), when it comes to cooking for one, I have a tendency to be lazy. I would probably be eating instant noodles daily if not for the fact that I prevent myself from falling into that dietary rut by avoiding instant noodles on the supermarket shelves. [Note: To be honest, there were periods when I was eating instant noodles on a regular basis during my initial year in Canada.]

So I look into my refrigerator and food stock for quick-and-easy meals, that comes with a touch of finesse. Here's my recipe for quick-and-easy creamy spaghetti.

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Creamy spaghetti

Ingredients for a single serving (clockwise from top-left):

100ml white wine. Wine gives a unique twist to many common dishes. It is also good way to use up any leftover from an opened bottle after-the-party.

Pine nuts. Only a handful is needed (not the entire amount shown in the photo above). Note: Use only pine nuts (i.e. do not add walnuts) if you like a subtle flavour.

Spaghetti. I use wholewheat spaghettini because it is healthy, and it takes the less time to cook than regular spaghetti. In the photo above, the spaghettini is already cooked.

75g Spiced cream cheese. I use 1/2 packet of the Boursin "Garlic and Fine Herbs" flavour. My French friends use that brand too, so I guess it's decent cheese.

Walnuts. Use a handful of walnuts if you prefer a richer flavour or more colour. Note: Use only pine nuts (i.e. do not add walnuts) if you like a subtle flavour.

Frozen baby brussels sprouts

Not in photo: A tablespoon of olive oil, pinch of salt (optional) and some ground black pepper (optional).

1. Put water and salt (if using) into the slow-cooker and set it to steam for 8min (or whatever time it takes to cook your chosen spaghetti). Once the slow-cooker starts steaming, add a tablespoon of olive oil and the spaghetti into the pot. Note: You can use the stove for the same purpose. It is just that I am too lazy to watch over the fire. ［看火］

2. While the spaghetti is cooking, pour the wine into the microwavable bowl of brussels sprouts. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes.

3. When the spaghetti is cooked, scoop into a bowl.

4. Add the cheese into the spaghetti.

5. Filter the wine (but not the brussels sprouts) into the spaghetti.

6. Stir. Microwave on high for 1 minute.

7. Garnish with nuts and brussels sprouts. Serve warm with a dash of ground black pepper.

Quick-and-easy creamy spaghetti

Yearly personal financial review

Just updated and reviewed my finances today. I think it is useful to do a yearly personal financial review. 

1. Review the expenses for the year to see if one's spending habits need any adjustment.
2. Review the income/investment for the year to look for opportunities that may have been missed, and/or cut or minimize losses/leaks.
3. Update one's personal net worth to determine if one is on-track for retirement planning or needs to buck up otherwise.
4. Plan for the major "to-do's" and their likely financial impact for the year ahead.

Several friends, who are/were professional personal financial advisors and/or insurance agents, ever mentioned to me that my habit of keeping track of my finances and reading about managing one's money is not common. This is reinforced upon me again this year as when my GNIE classmates occasionally brought up the issue of managing their personal finances. In fact, one of my Korean GNIE classmate SS felt that I "think like a man" given my interest in managing personal finances and investments.

I don't really have an explanation for my "uncommon" habit.

• Maybe because I grew up poor (working-class family), and growing up poor meant that some life experiences that were unpleasant have a higher tendency to happen (click here and here for examples). [E.g. Read this write-up by Sharon Claire. I too experienced similar stuff growing up, although I fought back at times and it did not lead me to become anorexic.]
• Or perhaps, my early exposure to money and understanding how it is necessary for providing the essentials in life (from my parents incessant quarrels over money while I was growing up) made me very resolute about making enough.
• Or perhaps, I wanted so much to be independent, since way back when I was only just a child.
• Or perhaps, I just enjoy mathematics and the satisfaction of knowing where I stand financially.

Anyway, I am very happy to get it done. Knowing where I stand financially gives me confidence to look forward to various changes/plans in 2013!

Canada: Federal Skilled Trades Program

For the plumbers, electricians, carpenters, sheet metal workers, mechanics, welders, machinists, heavy equipment operators/mechanics, miners, oil drillers, power/waste/water plant operators, people who work with petroleum, gas, plastic, and rubber, refrigeration and air-con mechanics, crane operators, etc who want to move to a first-world country:

The Canadian Federal Skilled Trades Program is now open for application. Hurry! Only the first 3,000 complete applications will be processed. [See also Dec-2012 "News Release - New Federal Skilled Trades Immigration Program Receives Widespread Praise".]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/trades/apply-who.asp

Heck, maybe these China Chinese crane operators should consider leaving the exploitative labour situation in Singapore for first-world work conditions in Canada.

Canada to matchmake potential immigrants to jobs

Yo! Update for those considering emigrating from Singapore.

Newsflash from Canadian Immigration: Canada will set up a matchmaking service for potential immigrants to "jump queue" if they get a job match. IMHO, it's a bold move -- but of course every bold move will have its critic. Nevertheless, for what it's worth, keep an eye out for news about this new option.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/canada-play-immigration-matchmaker-romance-not-guaranteed-160759605.html

Also to note, according to the article below, "The new point system [for the Federal Skilled Worker/Professional Program] will come into effect next May. [i.e. May-2013]"

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/canada-politics/immigration-minister-says-foreign-engineers-doctors-no-longer-212509514.html