• Ten Things About Me •

I decided to title this blog post "Ten Things About Me" since 2013 is coming to an end! And I would like to end off this fabulous year by giving everyone a gift, which is a sharing about myself. I hope this isn't too bad as a gift huh? Haha!

Who are you?

I am Benjamin Ang, better known as Ben, and I am born on 14th February 1995. Yeah, I know my birthday falls on the Valentines Day, but sadly to say I may not be as romantic as you would expect me to be. I am also known by many nicknames that were all given by my amazing and fun friends. 

I have an older sibling. I am grateful to my family as they dote and love me unconditionally, and a friend Elicia for being the best possible person that could relate to me anytime and anywhere. 

I am on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. 

What are your stats?

My weight has always been stuck between 60-65 kg, and I have the strong determination in me to grow heavier. 

*Prays for success in growing heavier*

I am 1.73 m tall and likewise, I want to grow taller but I know it is not possible anymore. 

*Good bye puberty.* 

Are you single right now?

Yes I am single. I do believe that I will stay single until my Polytechnic education ends. Hopefully when that time comes, the right girl will appear standing in front of me. Oh well.. that's life. And who knows that I might stay single forever? 

Why are you so into Politics? Isn't it damn boring?

I have been receiving this question a lot from my friends, relatives and family members. Today, I will be answering this question in this post.

Yes I know politics can be really dry and boring. I find it so most of the times too. Cheers! 

But in all seriousness, I feel that politics is something which I really want to get myself into, so that I can do more and stay connected with the community and ground. Of course, there are always many other ways available for me to volunteer or do my part for the community, however, this is the decision I've made for myself.

So when exactly did my passion and interest grew for politics? 

My passion and interest for politics started after the General Elections that happened in 2011. Having witnessed a slight change of the powers in the political scene during the elections, has grew my passion to enter the civil service so as to do my part by contributing in better shaping and building the nation.

All in all, I will just give my best in preparing myself to enter the political scene/civil service. 

What insect do you fear the most?

I guess the insect which I am going to mention later on is not what you guys would expect it to be.  

In fact, I guess many of you will be shocked to hear about it. 

OKAY! The insect I fear the most is Red Ants. 

I know... it is just ants and my size is 10000000 TIMES bigger than their size. However, I just can't help but to stay away from red ants. 

The phobia of red ants started way back when I was a small kid, as I was being mischievous by stepping on them. So..they came attacking me while I was seated on my chair. 

Since then, I am afraid of Red Ants. 

Why did you started blogging? 

I have started blogging only recently around June this year. As I feel starting up a blog would help me to stay connected with all of my friends. Blog could possibly be the best solution to stay connected with everyone since many of them are busy with their own life or have parted their ways to various different institutions. Hence, meeting up with one another is almost impossible..

Although I will have no idea who reads my blog, but one thing I am certain is that for those who reads will definitely be aware of what's going on for me and I hope you are doing fine in your life as well. I agree that you might feel how can we stay connected when I am the only one sharing? Hahaha. That's life.

Still, I feel this will be the best way for me and you to stay connected.

What do you wish to focus in this phase of your life?

For now, I will focus on spending time with my family, friends, on education and doing sports. Studies take up the biggest share of my time, followed by family, then friends and sports. Despite studies takes up most of my time, I do value the importance of social life. There will always be time for my friends. Sports will always be on the weekends, keeping fit is the key to good health! Not forgetting to eat healthy too. 

What are some qualities that you look in girls?

I am always very inclined to girls who are family orientated. Having a balance between their fun and family would be ideal for now. For the future, I guess the balance will be between work and family? Oh and also, girls who are stricter than me. Hahaha. I believe friends would know that I can be a total nonsensical person when it comes to other things apart from studies. That's pretty much about it.

Do you think that you're really vain sometimes?

I would say that I get this a lot from the photos I uploaded on Instagram. Friends would know about me taking tons of photos of myself and then choosing the best to upload online. I would admit that I do not have the best physique or facial attributes as compared to others la. Thus, I would only upload the ones that were taken with nice angles or with good lighting as it makes me look better! And again, don't you guys love to see good photos too?!?! Hahaha.

*Okay la, I know my instagram photos are not that amazing too, I am still learning more about taking selfies. Hahaha*

Do you admit that you're a flirt?

I get this quite a lot from my friends ever since secondary school. I am still getting this from my polytechnic friends. Yeah they were not wrong to comment or question whether I feel I am one or not. Since I would admit that my actions have always shown signs of me being one. Be it whether I feel that it was just only a friendly gesture from me to friends at times, there will always be some feeling that I am flirting or something else. So I feel that I would leave it up to my friends to decide or judge for themselves whether I am one.

 But one thing I would like to clarify is that, once I am attached; I can't be FLIRTING around anymore RIGHT?!?!  Cos that's CLEARLY the RIGHT thing to do in a relationship. Eh but that does not mean I would constantly flirt around when I'm single! Haha. Studies more important yah! 

Social Platforms

As much as the title speaks for itself most of the time, this post is probably not exactly what you would expect it to be. It's more of my own perspectives on how comments made on social platforms can really affect someone.

What exactly has sparked me to write up on this issue?

Today, I met a resident and he shared his unhappiness and views on the whole issue on cyber bullying. For privacy purposes, I will not disclose his name in here.

The entire happening took place on the Facebook platform. He claimed that he was assaulted verbally on Facebook, evidences have also been taken out to further sustain his claim. For many of us whom have encountered such situations may have rendered to resorts such as ignoring the nonsense that had been blabbered about you, or you may have retaliated furiously by arguing back, or taken appropriate actions where possible such as reporting the account, or reporting to the police. There are so many options available, however choosing any one of these options ultimately lies in one's preference. 

So after observing how sad and stressed the resident was after receiving such treatment through online, also to further point out that he is from the pioneer generation and did claim that he isn't a very active Facebook user, and thus, this is his first time experiencing such an event. One may say he is sensitive or he lacks the sense of humor, but let's not forget everyone is different from one another. Who is perfect to judge?  

So what is the main point I am trying to bring across? 

I want to bring across the point that everyone should stay aware of the possible consequences that your very own comments may bring about to others. Let's be a little kinder and considerate to one another, not passing off or exchanging nasty comments with one another. Most importantly, is to compromise with one another's difference - mindset, attitude or whatsoever. I believe this is definitely possible - considering the fact, we have attained racial harmony and embracing the differences in people to its best over the years. Now, let's bring this mindset and attitude to online together. 

With this, I believe the social platforms will be a nicer place for everyone.

(Context: Singapore)

Two and a Final one.

Finally, I have found the time to write up a post! 

The thought of penning down this post was a hard one. Never had I believe or thought that I would use a blog to express the feelings within me. But it seems that people will change as time goes by, even someone like me whom has never been a fan of starting a blog, has started one today.

I will first begin by explaining what the “Two” means in my post. This “Two” refers to two events that happened some time ago and both events held great significance and of great importance to my life. I felt that these two events were like catalyst to my phase of maturing and growing-up.

Without the two events happening, I may still behave like a small boy with naïve thoughts flowing through my mind – that everything in life is simple and things can be changed if I want them to be. These could be considered as the upside to the occurrence of the two events. However, deep down in my heart, I am neither glad nor wanted it to happen. I am filled with grave regrets.

So what exactly were the two events? They were my past relationships. I had never wanted to bring up these pasts to my family or even to my friends. I would only share once I am prompted to. Since I felt that it was something very personal and I am responsible for it. Henceforth, the more I feel that no one should share the pain together with me. 

I would like to take this opportunity to say that, “I am very appreciative and glad that we were once part of each other's life, and I vowed that I really appreciate for everything the both of you have done. I will always pray and hope the best for the both of you in anything you do in your life" The both of you will never be forgotten in my life.

At this point of reading, I believe you guys have an idea to what is meant by “The Final one”……

Yes, it just means that my next girlfriend will be the final one. Although I can never predict what will happen in the future but I am confident and assured enough that I will give my very best in finding and wait for the right one to appear.

No matter how long it takes for me to find her, I will wait. Meanwhile, waiting for her to surface or appear in my life, I will work hard on fulfilling my current priorities and responsibilities.

A Chinese phrase in English

If you look after yourself, you look after the family, you are loyal to the emperor, the country will succeed.

So the first thing to do for a man, is to look after yourself and be a gentleman.

Humans have changed with time.

That is life.

Sometimes when you go through a period of great difficulty and struggle. Have you ever wondered why? 

Perhaps, life wants you to finally realize what you do NOT want in your life. 

Then finally, at long last, you can embrace and pursue what you DO want. 

Caught my attention.

Today while surfing on the internet, something has caught my attention. so I would like to share it with my readers. :) Here it goes,

Your remedy for anxiety is the question: 'Will this matter in a year from now?'

All too often you get so involved in things that you look at life through a microscope. Amplifying manifold, an invisible speck becomes an insurmountable mountain. Put down the microscope and imagine yourself a year from now looking back at today: 'Does this really matter?'

Hope this will be meaningful and useful to some of you, at your current stages of life, as it was extremely useful for myself . 

Enjoy your weekends people! :)

Yet another fulfilling day.

Mondays will always be a meaningful and fulfilling day for me - On every Monday night, I would volunteer at Tampines Blk 444 for Meet-The-People sessions.

I have found every session to be a fulfilling and meaningful one for me. With so much to learn and to know about what are the problems that some Singaporeans face, just makes me more aware of how blessed I am, also to be more contented of what I have. To add on, every Meet-The-People sessions has exposed me more to how the ground reacts to the government policies.

By meeting the residents on a weekly-basis ( If I've no school commitments ), hard truths of what Singaporeans are facing and going through are revealed. There are Singaporeans, whom are going through their hardest journey or stage in their lives, just really ached my heart. More often than not, I hope there is more I can do, to help them out in their predicament. But, what we, volunteers, can do is very limited but of course, we will definitely try our best and that is the purpose of why we are here - to help our residents.

Having been through a year of MPS, I look back at how we youths(including myself) always love to complain about how costly the transport fares, the number of foreigners in the country and how costly school fees are, makes me think that the suffering we are going through is nowhere comparable or near to what some Singaporeans are going through.

I come from a average-income family, and I understand how costly transport fares or school fees can be on not so well-off families. But on the upside, I believe it is fair to say that, most of us are at least capable of having two to three meals a day, that would keep us healthy and fit. Unlike some Singaporeans, who are here to seek the MP for help, are generally in a much worse predicament than us. Having two to three proper meals could even be a big problem to them. 

I want to express to all Singaporeans that, we should always remember to be contented with what we have. I know it is not easy to be contented. I, myself, as a youth, also find it difficult to stay contented all the times, but with the strong and sheer will power instilled in us, it is probable. 

What’s the best gift I have ever given someone?

The best gift I have ever given to someone, is a 15 to 20 pages hand-written pure physics 
notes. I know it may seem nothing that special. However, it was considered as the best gift in my heart. Why?

Firstly, a promise from me to someone, was made. It was a promise to try my every means and my best to help her in reviving her love for the subject, Pure Physics. Since it was a promise, then enough said, I will fulfill it. 

However, even with the strong and sheer will power I had, due to unforeseen circumstances - I nearly did not accomplished it. But, I overcame the obstacles in the end. :)

So I went ahead using colour pens to do up a hand-written notes on Pure Physics for her, knowing that she studies better with the aid of colours. With this, I took about 18 hours over the stretch of three days, to complete it. And finally, I handed it over to her. I still remembered her using her most sincere tone and eyes to say, " Thank you, Ben ". 

I would say that this is the best gift - using my best efforts, with the most sincere heart, to complete it.  

Time passed, and the day for O level results is finally here. On that day, I approached her and asked her, " Did you managed to pass your Physics? ". She told me a yes. That moment was considered to be the best of my life, and I was deeply touched, simply because I believe on her part she has tried really hard as well. I was only considered as the locomotive to her success in Physics. 

P.S. I wish her all the best in the future, and I know she will do well in her everything she do!

Can individualism be seen as a positive trait?

More often that not, we will have friends that possess the trait ' individualism '. For friends that possesses this trait often seek individual thoughts or actions to view an issue, they are not concerned if their views have gone against the majority. This could make things difficult for people.

So can individualism be really seen as a positive trait?

I would use an example, a 1957 film titled " 12 Angry Men " to show whether individualistic can be seen as a positive trait.

The film is about 12 men on a jury judging a young man accused of murdering his father. At the start, 11 out of 12 members have came to a unanimous decision - the boy is guilty. However, the last member of the jury refused to believe that the boy was guilty. And the problem was that there had to be consensus among the 12 members of the jury, if not all members were not allowed to leave the court room.

This situation lasted in the court for quite a while and has caused frustrations and fatigue to all the members. Despite the anger expressed by the other 11 members against the only 1 member, the only member of the jury still believed strongly that the boy was not guilty. With this, the 12 members were forced to look back into the case and this is followed by a series of vehement displays which finally leads to a final consensus - the boy was proved  to be not GUILTY.

Had only the last member of the jury did not possess individualism, holding strong beliefs and firm stands, the boy would have been sentenced guilty.