Woes of a Researcher
Being a researcher is tough. It is a job that not many people can do. Besides being academically inclined, having the ability to understand the abstract terms, having a strong memory to remember all the minute details, possessing an analytical mind, one has to have know how to beg and have the gift of the gab as well. I thought doing the literature review is the hardest, as I don't have the natural ability of recall, and I read at the speed of a turtle's crawl. However, it seems that my biggest challenge to date is persuading unfriendly and unhelpful Singaporeans to attend my focus group sessions. Even with my superb telemarketing skills, getting Singaporeans to do something that does not benefit them directly is almost impossible. Now I know why they call us ugly Singaporeans. Unrefined, uncouth, uncultured, unhelpful, unfriendly, ugly!!!!!

Thank goodness there are several kind souls out there who are worth a mention - LD, AS, CX, IR, RN, CL, EF, Mum, Aunt A., Dad, HS, DV, AT... Of coz this has also uncovered some unkind souls who "play me out" or as you say in Mandarin "放我鸽子". Think I've been watching too many Korean shows. :)

Talking about Korean shows...I've realized that Singapore really lacks good guys. The protagonists in the shows are always good looking and are very decent and love the girl very much. Loving one girl means loving one girl. No change. They are also not as "desperate" as Singapore guys, and do not get touchy-feely. Is it the fault of the education system? Is it the fault of the media? Is it the fault of parents? Or is it genetic? As HB said, everyone lives by a script that they know and usually it is the script of their parents. Perhaps certain values such as integrity, decency, respect, love. I know the men reading this will disagree with me. But you've gotta admit that most of them are indeed lacking. Heh.