Vicious Cycle

Interview @ SMU's School of Social Sciences this Thursday. And it's not my first time. My short-sighted thinking tells me that if I do go, I'll be losing out on a few hours' of income. My far-sighted, pragmatic self however, is telling me that I should give it a shot, since I already got accepted into the school twice in two years (but I turned down the offer... twice), there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to get offered a place again.

So what's my purpose of my application again? To indicate my preference to do a double degree programme, which I only stand a marginal chance of gaining admission into I guess. But I'm not sure if this interview is the time to do that. Is it? Whatever the case is, I really should be appreciative of my current place in FASS. Going by Saturday's report on the fierce competition for local university places from not only the colleges but even polytechnic graduates as well, subsequent cohorts are facing an enormous challenge for entry. Think oversubscription of seven to twelve times man.

Anyways, some news analysis updates from... Me. I haven't been unfortunate enough to have to try to flag a cab in the CBD area on weekdays, but well, I don't work there. But to all cabbies and the poor Shenton Way-types, my heart really goes out to you.

For the taxi drivers, not only were you guys subjected to a totally revamped fare system, which saw commuters switching to public transport in droves, but now you've gotta endure long vehicular queues at taxi stands and get scolded by customers who are ignorant of the new stopping-at-taxi-stands-only rule. For CBD workers who don't drive or take the bus, it means walking further in the rain, lugging heavy bags and having to climb more stairs at overhead bridges.

The policy's been tweaked, just like Medisave. Tweaked so much that they might's well scrap it. But it's not scrapped. Because doing so would be a massive loss of face for policymakers. No doubt this policy was implemented with safety in mind, but I guess whoever conceived this brilliant plan did so in the (cloistered) air-conditioned comfort of their chauffeured limousines, eagerly counting down the remaining days of their bond with the LTA, so that they can find higher-paying, more prestigious jobs. I mean, who needs taxis right.

Same goes for Law School. Or Medicine. While top grades are always a must, somehow I get the feeling that preference is always given to what college you come from. And it's always a duopoly that dominates each and every intake. Even the professors and academic staff seem to have come from the same few schools. Maybe that's why there's this vicious cycle. But then again, who am I to comment? I mean, they've earn their spot based on merit. And connections of course.

Still thinking of how much money to change for the Dubai trip. Yes I know it's still three months away, but the US dollar is so cheap now! Encouraging speculation only. Ah well. See how lah huh.

Glenn's birthday today. But White Sands is really too far away. =( Wished him anyway. Bryan's going in this Wednesday. The start of a new phase of life. Send off was at New York, New York yesterday night. We wish him well. =)