Princess from the Planet of Venupitarius

Princess from the Planet of Venupitarius http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/ ... but the least I can do now is to participate and spread the messages around of causes worth noting. The world has always been filled with political creepiness and trash and we should get involved in finding the real truth, fighting for what we think is right and logical rather than listening and believing in everything the media and our governments report and say. Talk to me here (when my Stickam window is open to all) however if you are up to some creepy business, stay away. <table><tbody><tr><td><embed allowscriptaccess="never" src="http://player.stickam.com/stickamPlayer/174074064-1241760" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" scale="noscale" height="480" width="480"></td></tr><tr align="center"><td><a href="http://www.stickam.com" target="_blank">Express Yourself LIVE</a></td></tr></tbody></table> <img src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_6TUR5hQlChg/SEaziQAGZxI/AAAAAAAAAO8/EO6CEYF-bxA/S1600-R/csc%26csj_resized.jpg"> <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=7,0,19,0" title="Banner Ad" height="60" width="468"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.controlarms.org/downloads/banner03.swf' /"> <param name="quality" value="high' /"> <embed allowscriptaccess="never" src="http://www.controlarms.org/downloads/banner03.swf" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="60" width="468"> </object> <a href="http://www2.clustrmaps.com/counter/maps.php?url=http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com"><img src="http://www2.clustrmaps.com/stats/maps-no_clusters/rachelabsinthe.multiply.com-thumb.jpg%27%20/"> </a> Note: Opinions on this site do not necessarily reflect those of my employer's. Freedom of speech and expression is granted to me under the constitution and it did not state that as an early childhood educator, I am not supposed to have any opinions (or a life) of my own.This site also contains some very 'flowery' language and not suitable for the extremely faint hearted. Contact me at rachelabsinthe@gmail.com but spammers will not be appreciated. Fri, 4 Jul 2008 00:44:48 -0000 Thu, 3 Jul 2008 12:54:34 -0000 Princess from the Planet of Venupitarius http://images.rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/logo http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com 100 100 Beijing Lovely company, lovely time, lovely memories. Just a break I needed from this Wee Red Dot... http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/photos/album/78/Beijing Thu, 3 Jul 2008 12:54:34 -0000 Back from Beijing Many things happened both expectedly and unexpectedly in Beijing and yes I've had a great time despite some issues. Going to miss my friends alot... and I wish that the vacation could go on forever. Very exhausted now, might take a few days to catch up with the going ons in Singapore while I was gone... Apologies for messages unreplied and stuff, very mentally and physically drained. Need a few days to myself. My limbs are still aching from climbing the Great Wall, paddling the boat on Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace and dashing for my plane at the airport. Funny why I did not feel it when I was there but maybe I was too preoccupied to. Oh well. 9 days just wasn't enough. http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/journal/item/275/Back_from_Beijing Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:10:46 -0000 Rachel is on a holiday! At the time of writing, I am at the airport utilising the free internet access to pass my time while I wait for the time to board the plane to Beijing. I will be spending 9 days of (expectedly) crazy fun in Beijing and hopefully come back with interesting stories and photos to share. Do update me on the happenings around here via email as most socio-political blogs have been banned in China due to the great firewall. Will be back in 9 days so take care everyone!  <img src="http://images.multiply.com/common/smiles/wink.png"> http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/journal/item/274/Rachel_is_on_a_holiday Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:24:25 -0000 By Rachel Absinthe. Well, it is my portfolio. My artwork and designs will be there from now http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/links/item/48/By_Rachel_Absinthe. Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:35:00 -0000 Black and white http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/photos/album/75/Black_and_white Sat, 14 Jun 2008 10:00:39 -0000 Announcement <a href="http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SE1SaQoKCkQAAAb4Z9w1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SE1SaQoKCkQAAAb4Z9w1/announcement1.jpg?et=BS0x0%2CSLHqaJMUhHxgv6%2Cw&nmid=0" border="0"></a> Need a break and working on a new painting. Other than that I am just very disturbed by Chua Lee Hoong's latest attempt at propaganda. How can the media get away with being publicly libelous (IMO they are)? If Dr Chee is a "psychopath" then LKY and Co. have no case against his words right? Apparently not the case though... but maybe Dr Chee can take them on a case of defamation because clearly he is not a psychopath, not mental and not even a person with anti-social behaviour. He is just being himself, a passionate advocator of democracy. Democracy is not a Western concept at all and his actions have been seen as shocking and even "juvenile" because this is a nation of slumbering sheep, complacent at their vote for a one party state. Oh oh then again like many around me tell me all the time... "What do you know, you are just a young girl with the strangest thoughts!". Nevermind. Be back soon. http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/journal/item/273/Announcement Mon, 9 Jun 2008 15:55:32 -0000 The Chees vs. The Lees (Just something I have edited for The Online Citizen. Music got cut abruptly at the end, no idea why... oh well.) Chee Soon Juan and Chee Siok Chin faced off with Lee Hsien Loong and Lee Kuan Yew in the Singapore Supreme Court. How did the local media, particularly the press, cover the event? This video puts together some of the newspaper clippings from 27 May to 29 May 2008. You decide. http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/video/item/65/The_Chees_vs._The_Lees Sat, 7 Jun 2008 14:20:48 -0000 Free Gopalan Nair <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SEQTCwoKCkQAAFbvOUE1/Gnair.jpg?et=XMkkBixfnfzxd%2BdN29q58A&nmid=0" border="0"> <a href="http://yoursdp.org/index.php/component/content/article/1-singapore/496-nair-remanded-for-one-week-will-he-be-put-under-duress"></a><a href="http://yoursdp.org/index.php/component/content/article/1-singapore/496-nair-remanded-for-one-week-will-he-be-put-under-duress">Nair remanded for one week: Will he be put under duress?</a> <a href="http://jg69.blogspot.com/2008/06/singapore-dissident-to-be-held-in.html">Singapore Dissident to be held in custody for 7 days for further investigations</a> <a href="http://chiatilik.wordpress.com/2008/06/02/gopalan-nairs-1st-court-mention/"> Gopalan Nair's 1st court mention</a> <a href="http://uncleyap-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/146th-today-changed-title-of-gopalan.html">146th TODAY changed title of Gopala Nair's news</a> <a href="http://singabloodypore.rsfblog.org/archive/2008/06/02/singapore-u-s-lawyer-blogger-charged-for-insulting-judge.html">Singapore: U.S. lawyer (blogger) charged for insulting judge</a> <a href="http://yoursdp.org/index.php/component/content/article/1-singapore/498-free-gopalan-nair">Free Gopalan Nair!</a> http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/journal/item/271/Free_Gopalan_Nair Mon, 2 Jun 2008 12:47:33 -0000 What can we clearly deduce from this? One of my favourite bloggers, <a href="http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/">Gopalan Nair</a>, was arrested on Saturday night (no idea of the exact time) for making his opinions about the <a href="http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/2008/05/transcript-excerpts-of-lees-vs-chees.html">Lee vs. Chee case</a> known on his blog. For those who do not know, Mr. Nair was formerly a Singaporean and a member of the Worker's Party in the late 80's to the early 90's. He has since relinguished his Singaporean citizenship and is now an American citizen. Other than exercising freedom of speech and opinions, Mr. Nair put himself up as a political bait, challenging Lee Kuan Yew (and company) to take actions against him. That was in response to the <a href="http://singabloodypore.rsfblog.org/archive/2008/05/28/lee-kuan-yew-declares-war-on-free-speech.html">threat</a> mentioned by Lee during the 'trial'. Apparently the bait worked. What does this show us? 1. There is no freedom of speech and opinions here in Singapore. 2. Lee cares about his reputation and uses legal methods to pursue anyone who seeks to stain his name whether or not the 'allegations' or 'lies' are true (thanks to the MSM, many people believe in anything PAP). What else can we deduce from this? ... http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/journal/item/270/What_can_we_clearly_deduce_from_this Sun, 1 Jun 2008 17:52:46 -0000 For whatever purposes, are cluster munitions necessary? The following quote is an extract from the <a href="http://theonlinecitizen.com/2008/05/campaign-the-singapore-government-to-stop-producing-cluster-bombs/#comment-8923">article</a> regarding the issue of cluster munitions sent to <a href="www.theonlinecitizen.com">The Online Citizen</a> by Seelan Palay. "The Singapore government, through its goverment-linked company, Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd (ST Kinetics), manufactures, stockpiles and publicly advertises cluster ammunitions for sale (Cluster Munition Coalition 2008)" First and foremost for the benefit of those who have no idea what cluster bombs are, the below is a summary. Cluster bombs Cluster bombs are large weapons which are deployed from the air and from the ground and release up to hundreds of submunitions, called bomblets (when released from the air) or grenades (when released from the ground). Whether they have been dropped from the air or launched from the ground, they pose as threats to civilians. Their widespread dispersal means they cannot distinguish between military targets or civilians hence when used in or near populated areas, the humanitarian impact is extreme. Many submun... http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/journal/item/269/For_whatever_purposes_are_cluster_munitions_necessary Wed, 28 May 2008 18:44:16 -0000 Occupational rants Lately I have been busy preparing for the coming parents-teacher meeting thus I have also not been writing much on here and have been too busy to even reply to emails as well. Anyway while filling in my observation records, I have to constantly take note of the positive things to say as well as to rephrase anything that might sound negative. Sure, it is professional to view each child with a positive light, we also cannot deny their flaws and the fact that they are mirrors of their parents in terms of behaviour. Self censorship and extra tact is highly compulsory from the side of the teachers because of the very sensitive (and defensive) nature of some parents who will just point everything negative as the contribution of the school environment or the teachers. Sometimes I feel stuck in the world of false positivity and it sickens me. I mean, I love those children to bits and they are all great. However nobody is perfect and sometimes they do have issues that caretakers and parent... http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/journal/item/268/Occupational_rants Tue, 27 May 2008 18:26:26 -0000 Cluster Munition Coalition Cluster bombs have killed and injured thousands of civilians during the last 40 years and continue to do so today. They cause widespread harm on impact and yet remain dangerous, killing and injuring civilians long after a conflict has ended. One third of all recorded cluster munitions casualties are children. 60% of cluster bomb casualties are injured while undertaking their normal activities. Our government in Singapore, through our GLC, ST Kinetics has been publicly advertising two types of cluster ammunitions for sale. (read: <a href="http://theonlinecitizen.com/2008/05/campaign-the-singapore-government-to-stop-producing-cluster-bombs/">http://theonlinecitizen.com/2008/05/campaign-the-singapore-government-to-stop-producing-cluster-bombs/</a>) Cluster munitions are dangerous as they can still be harmful even after the period of conflict. Singapore has been silently uninvolved in any part of international discussions and treaties with regards to the global ban on cluster munitions and our mass media has also been silent about the issue. Why should Singapore be part of the countries still ... http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/links/item/47/Cluster_Munition_Coalition Fri, 23 May 2008 14:36:17 -0000 Rest in peace and I am sorry, Aodh. <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/SDLtVAoKCkQAAHFS0X81"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SDLtVAoKCkQAAHFS0X81/DSCF2401.JPG?et=hemzN29Z90LBMBPu7EM87A&nmid=&nmid=97005806" border="0"></a> Aodh jumped into the sink from a container and slipped through the narrow drainhole while I was changing the water of the tank. So mad at myself for this stupid carelessness. Dad tried to see if it got stuck anywhere in the pipes but there was no sign of him about. So terribly sorry, Aodh, I didn't mean it. Thank you for bringing so much joy to my life, I will miss you and am missing you terribly now. No amount of tears will ever bring you back but I am just terribly sorry.  http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/journal/item/267/Rest_in_peace_and_I_am_sorry_Aodh. Tue, 20 May 2008 15:39:01 -0000 Burmese candlelight vigil for the cyclone victims (17 May 2008) Got some pictures but sorry for the quality. Too many things going on, was rather distracted here and http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/photos/album/74/Burmese_candlelight_vigil_for_the_cyclone_victims_17_May_2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 20:34:30 -0000 This is Singapore 17 May became quite an eventful Saturday. I was at a private film screening of "One Nation Under Lee" which was produced by artist and activist, Seelan Palay in the afternoon at the Peninsula Excelsior Hotel. Then when evening came, I went over to St. Martin's Drive with activists Rizal, Seelan, Noora and Shafie over to St. Martin's Drive with the intention to participate in the vigil for the cyclone victims. Both events left me with much food for thought and brought what I have read about to reality that seems so surreal at the same time. At the film screening... "One Nation Under Lee" is a narrative take of an alternative version of Singapore history, not found in our history textbooks.  It also includes interviews with various political opponents and former detainees as well as pictures of public protests and activist campaigns that had taken place in Singapore over the years. I have enjoyed the film and I do recommend anyone who can get hold of it to watch it as well a... http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/journal/item/266/This_is_Singapore Sun, 18 May 2008 19:43:13 -0000 China, The Internet and Human Rights Infringement (A Blogpost for the Bloggers Unite for Human Rights Campaign) As internet communication technology advances, more and more people are also equipped with the knowledge and skills to use the internet with ease. Such a technology has many uses, one of which is information sharing. Information sharing can be done in the form of downloads, emails, online chats and blogs to name a few. It has helped draw people closer as you can now meet someone from the other end of the world just by visiting a chatroom or a forum without actually having to book a flight. People can now find plenty of information available on the world wide web on practically everything from aquarium setups to political articles. It is a wonderful tool for many but a threat for some who views it with suspicion and caution. Some governments and politicians treat certain information as 'threats' that will spread negative sentiments against them. Many journalists have also been detained for sharing 'state secrets'. Firewalls have also been set up by governments to moderate search res... http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/journal/item/265/China_The_Internet_and_Human_Rights_Infringement_A_Blogpost_for_the_Bloggers_Unite_for_Human_Rights_Campaign Thu, 15 May 2008 15:56:26 -0000 Portishead (Current TV) - 02. Hunter It is a wonder how they can make such a simple song with simple lyrics so amazing. (if you know what I am saying that is). No one said, We'd ever know each other. A new evidence, is what we require, In this world. I stand on the edge of a broken sky, And I'm looking down, don't know why. And if I should fall, would you hold me? Would you pass me by? Ooh, you know I'd ask you for nothing, Just to wait for a while. So confused, My thoughts are taken over. Unwanted horizons face me instead, Won't let go. I stand on the edge of a broken sky, And I'm looking down, don't know why. And if I should fall, would you hold me? Would you pass me by? Ooh, you know I'd ask you for nothing, Just to wait for a http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/video/item/61/Portishead_Current_TV_-_02._Hunter Sun, 11 May 2008 02:11:31 -0000 Join the Bloggers Unite for Human Rights Campaign! <img class="alignleft" src="http://images.rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SCSLsAoKCkQAACQ-8QY1/humanrightsbadge9.jpg?et=4EpWD4azBmlviyOusnFZzQ&nmid=" border="0"> To find out more, check out: <a href="http://unite.blogcatalog.com/">Bloggers Unite</a> http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/journal/item/264/Join_the_Bloggers_Unite_for_Human_Rights_Campaign Fri, 9 May 2008 17:34:56 -0000 Same profession, different treatment He came from North America and is teaching 'proper English' in a language school in Singapore. She came from Jilin, China, teaching 'authentic' Mandarin at a local childcare centre here. Both are here for many reasons. His employment was due to the fact that there exists a preference among the expatriate community for their children (and themselves) to be educated by native English speakers. Her employment was due to the reason that there is a lack of local Mandarin teachers, who are willing and qualified to work under a miserable paycheck while running around the classes in the school facilitating language development (Mandarin) in an effective yet interesting manner. Both of their employment arised out of the fact that we have been perceived to be unable and not good enough for the job. Indeed to a certain extent (as much as I take pride in our language diversity), I agree that good language teachers are rather hard to find, especially when it comes to the Early Childhood Industr... http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/journal/item/263/Same_profession_different_treatment Tue, 6 May 2008 13:43:33 -0000 JAILED <a href="http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SByHQwoKCkQAADgSVjA1"></a><a href="http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SByL5woKCkQAACL7qvg1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SByL5woKCkQAACL7qvg1/2.jpg?et=xkuzqZMtn734MXRraIoScw&nmid=&nmid=94234985" border="0"></a><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/SByL5woKCkQAACL7qvg1"></a><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/SByL8goKCkQAACX7u5M1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SByL8goKCkQAACX7u5M1/why%20is%20there%20no%20window.jpg?et=c82k5Ho%2B40ycIEMpDVInzw&nmid=&nmid=94234985" border="0"></a> Related links: <a href="http://www.freedomhouse.org/uploads/fop08/MOPFfinal.pdf">Map of Press Freedom 2008 (PDF)</a> <a href="http://www.freedomhouse.org/uploads/fop08/CountryReportsFOTP2008.pdf">Freedom of Press 2008 - Draft Country Reports (PDF)</a> (Report on Singapore can be found on page 187) <a href="http://www.worldpressfreedomday.org/">World Association of Newspapers</a> <a href="http://melvintansg.blogspot.com/2008/05/singapore-press-international-rankings.html">Singapore press, international ratings</a> <a href="http://yoursdp.org/component/content/article/1-singapore/438-activists-protest-against-media-control-outside-sph">Activists protest against media control outside SPH</a> <a href="http://aidilomar.com/2008/05/03/beware-those-who-made-the-slopes-slippery/">Beware those who made the slopes slippery</a> <a href="http://jg69.blogspot.com/2008/05/congratulations-to-singapores-news.html"> Congratulations to Singapore's news media</a> <a href="http://hochoonhiong.blogspot.com/2008/05/stop-press.html">Stop the Press</a> <a href="http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SByHQwoKCkQAADgSVjA1"></a> http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/journal/item/262/JAILED Sat, 3 May 2008 15:50:07 -0000 Don't Forget Burma - Don't Forget Burma "We created this site because we wanted a space where everyday people could show that although the media spotlight over Burma may have dimmed, we are still thinking of Burma." Upload your picture to show that you have not forgotten about http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/links/item/46/Dont_Forget_Burma_-_Dont_Forget_Burma Fri, 2 May 2008 16:28:23 -0000 Tak Boleh Tahan Outreach A video shot and edited by a new cyber-video activist Shafie on the Tak Boleh Tahan Campaign at Toa http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/video/item/60/Tak_Boleh_Tahan_Outreach Fri, 2 May 2008 15:46:28 -0000 A rant for May Day Last year's May Day was spent in celebration of my hard labour and contribution towards the early childhood industry. I slept the whole day, nursing my fatigue both mental and physical. My mum sighed and called me lazy but to me, I deserved it and it was MY DAY to rest as part of the (underpaid, overworked) labour force. It was great, and I felt great. However this year's May Day was spent in a more meaningful manner and I am glad that it wasn't spent in bed indeed. I went down to hang out at Toa Payoh for the sole reason of signing two petitions. One was the <a href="http://yoursdp.org/archives/recent-news-archives/1-singapore/416-come-and-sign-tak-boleh-tahan-petition-on-may-day-in-wkss-constituency">Tak Boleh Tahan petition</a>, showing my displeasure at the raising cost of living and the disgusting increment in the salaries of our ministers and the other, a petition to call for the resignation of Wong Kan Seng. The whole campaign was organised by the <a href="http://yoursdp.org/">Singapore Democractic Party</a> and the party leaders and activists were there to hand out flyers, man the campaign tables and talking to passer-bys. Although many people might ... http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/journal/item/261/A_rant_for_May_Day Thu, 1 May 2008 17:34:41 -0000 Tak Boleh Tahan @ Toa Payoh Well said, Mr James Gomez. That's how I feel about it, but you decide for yourself. Can you stand the raising cost of living, "honest mistakes" that took about two months to investigate and the huge increment in the salaries of our ministers? I cannot. Hence I went to sign the petition. http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/video/item/59/Tak_Boleh_Tahan_Toa_Payoh Thu, 1 May 2008 15:45:18 -0000 BURMESE SAYS NO A video by Ho Choon Hiong. More than one thousand Burmese people in Singapore turned up at the Burmese Embassy on the 27 of April to vote against the constitution drafted by the military junta. http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/video/item/58/BURMESE_SAYS_NO Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:25:59 -0000 Hahaha Poor baby was made to laugh... but his laughter has been truly infectious. http://rachelabsinthe.multiply.com/video/item/57/Hahaha Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:26:44 -0000