// Dark Friday//

I hope this will be the last Parent-Teacher Meeting that I ever have to attend.
I shouldn’t have gone at all.
Suddenly, I not only feel disappointed with myself, but utterly demoralised.
The absolute worst thing was that I couldn’t see properly.
I don’t know whether it was the cold wind from the freezing air-con that stung my eyes and made it watery or there were really tears of guilt.
It doesn’t matter.

That feeling of guilt kept lingering.
Until now, I still can feel it.
It is always easy to tell people that they can succeed, they can achieve this, achieve that.
And I’ve always thought that such encouragement do work.
Turns out that I was terribly wrong.
Unless you have really experience that “down and out” feeling, you can’t really understand the trauma they are going through.
What’s worse, It is hard to express it in words, even more difficult to relate to other people.
After all, people only can see your outward appearance, they can’t fathom what’s on your mind.
However, It would be unfair to discredit people who dish out encouragement, they are really the people with good intentions and kind hearts.

Sometimes, the truth really hurts.
I’m not as resilient a person as I thought I would be.
A few upsets in life can easily leave me discouraged and pessimistic, even to the point of threatening all aspects of my life.
And, as much as I try to psycho myself to persevere, I can’t bounce back at all.
This is truly the reality.

// the pot calling the kettle black//

Thailand: Drop Sedition Charges Used to Silence Opponents

The Thai government should withdraw sedition charges against prominent critics of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Human Rights Watch said today. Along with a series of criminal and civil defamation suits filed by Thaksin and others, the sedition charges threaten political pluralism in the run-up to national elections expected later this year.

Thaksin is trying to muzzle critics by filing sedition charges and an avalanche of defamation suits. The use of such draconian laws against political opponents is an extremely unhealthy signal in the run-up to elections. The government should drop these charges and engage in an open debate with its opponents.

"Thaksin is trying to muzzle critics by filing sedition charges and an avalanche of defamation suits." said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The use of such draconian laws against political opponents is an extremely unhealthy signal in the run-up to elections. The government should drop these charges and engage in an open debate with its opponents."

On April 12, 2006, the Bangkok Metropolitan Police ordered the five leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) ( Sondhi Limthongkul, Pipob Thongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon and Chamlong Srimuang ) to appear at the National Police Headquarters to be served with sedition charges.

According to Bangkok Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Major-General Chatchawan Suksomchit, the PAD leaders made numerous public statements in violation of articles 116, 215 and 216 of the Thai penal code. The police claimed that these comments were illegal as they were aimed at overthrowing the government, instigating public unrest, and inciting people to break the law.

In recent months, Sondhi and his associates in the PAD have become Thaksin's most outspoken and high-profile critics. They have organized large, peaceful anti-government rallies in Bangkok and other major cities. The government has responded by branding critics as unpatriotic, and alleging that they are using unconstitutional tactics to overthrow the Thaksin government and undermine the democratic process in Thailand.

On June 29, sedition charges were also filed against eight other PAD members (Suriyasai Katasila, Karun Saingam, Rosana Tositrakul, Pian Yongnu, Suvit Watnu, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Uychai Watta and Serichai Mai-ngam.)

In recent remarks at a gathering of senior government officials on June 29, Thaksin vowed to protect democracy with his life. He said, "I will not allow any attempts to erode democracy while I am prime minister." Yet, since coming to power in 2001, Thaksin has used a potent combination of state and corporate power to intimidate and silence critics. In its confrontation with the PAD, the Thai government has moved aggressively to freeze freedom of expression and of the media by filing, or having surrogates file, criminal defamation suits and exorbitant civil defamation claims against prominent activists and independent journalists and media organizations.

Last year, Sondhi faced more than 10 years in prison and fines and damages of over US$50 million from six defamation suits filed by the prime minister. The cases were dropped after the intervention of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who urged Thaksin to accept criticism. However, in June 2006, the prime minister filed a new set of criminal and civil defamation charges against the PAD and Sondhi's Manager Media Group, as well as editors of Matichon newspaper, Khao Sod newspaper and Daily News newspaper. He also filed a civil defamation lawsuit against the opposition Democrat Party and its leaders, seeking compensation of US$25 million in response to their comments on corruption scandals in the government.

Human Rights Watch said that freedom of expression is a cornerstone upon which the very existence of a democratic society rests, and political speech and public debate are most highly valued as part of that right.

It is a strange thing that the same sedition act is subjected to different uses in Singapore and Thailand. Many people involved in politics have alot of charisma. They are empowered by the ability to charm their people and sway votes, and this may eventually lead them to abuse this ability. This is evident in dictatorial, possibly corrupted countries where the people hail their leaders as heroes. Being charmed by someone is often accompanied by a degree of fear. This is perhaps one way to explain why people in such countries honour their leaders despite the atrocities done to them. Even though this article states what Thailand should do, it is really doubtful when this change will eventually be accomplished.

//there's no time to be depressed//

got back the mid yrs
maths- F
chem- O
phy- D
GP- D7

no. of subjects passed at a-lvl: 1

its an all-time low.

no matter how hard the journey is, i gotta make it thru'
no point wasting yrs spent in schs
I gotta climb back to where i was. In 3 and 1/2 mths.


(sorry i wasn't in blogging mood so its abit short and in bad language)

You Are a Seeker Soul

You are on a quest for knowledge and life challenges. You love to be curious and ask a ton of questions. Since you know so much, you make for an interesting conversationalist. Mentally alert, you can outwit almost anyone (and have fun doing it!). Very introspective, you can be silently critical of others. And your quiet nature makes it difficult for people to get to know you. You see yourself as a philosopher, and you take everything philosophically. Your main talent is expressing and communicating ideas. Souls you are most compatible with: Hunter Soul and Visionary Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Your Blogging Type is Pensive and Philosophical

You blog like no one else is reading... You tend to use your blog to explore ideas - often in long winded prose. Easy going and flexible, you tend to befriend other bloggers easily. But if they disagree with once too much, you'll pull them from your blogroll!

What's Your Blogging Personality?

You Are Brownie Batter Ice Cream

You've been known to lick *everything* clean

What Flavor Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Are You?

You Are a Little Scary

You've got a nice edge to you. Use it.

How Scary Are You?

You Are 64% Happy

You are a very happy person. Generally, you feel content and that all is right with the world. Occasionally, you have a down day - but you have the ability to pick yourself right back up.

How Happy Are You?

//Life is how tough you make it to be//

Another Failure. Another Sigh. All for my big fat F in Maths.
Is there time to be depressed?
No.

Think positively, since my grades has hit the rock bottom, the only way is to go up.
I want to see the daylight, feel the sunshine and not stay submerged in the murky waters, where I can't see where I'm heading and I can't feel the tears.

Is there time to change everything?
Believe with your heart and soul, there is.

//World Cup//









Some people may say, what's so interesting about 11 people chasing over a ball?
Obviously, these people do not know much about soccer.
Firstly, as the players are divided into different positions on the field (for example, defenders, midfielders and strikers) chances are, you will not see so many people fighting for the ball at one time.
Furthermore, most of the running are done by players on the field.
The game itself, to put it simply, is about controlling the ball and getting it into the net.
Thus, strictly speaking, only the goalkeeper needs to chase after the ball.

Undoubtedly, for the past few weeks, the world has been thrown into a frenzy due to diehard fans and hardcore gamblers. Yes, even in Singapore, where it is an almost impossible task for the national team to qualify for the World Cup. Who cares about S-league when the World Cup is ongoing? The publicity and media glitz given to the World Cup is comparable to our very own polling day. Owing to our exposure to the English Premier League, it is no surprise that many locals are supporters of the England team.

Quotable quotes:

"Many England players are mature club players, but immature international players."
"I am going to get you sent off."
"I can never play with him again."
"I feel the time is right to pass on the armband."

Puzzling news headlines:

"Brazil seek ref's aid"
"Netherlands coach upset by team-bus slogan"
"Shocked Brazil fans cry an Amazon river of tears"