Expectations

We typical Singaporeans, are very competitive and are really, really afraid of losing. Another word to describe ourselves is "kiasu", which means 'fear of losing' in Hokkien.
I am sure that you have heard your parents nagging at you do study hard and do well in your exams. One other common scenario is that your parents will worry about your health, like complaining that you did not eat enough, did not take enough vitamins etc.
My parents' expectations are typical: do well in studies, get a good job next time, stay healthy.
Now I shall discuss my expectations for my children in the future.
Firstly, I wish for my children to lead happy lives.
Secondly, I wish that my children will put in their best efforts in everything they do.
Lastly, I wish that they would have accomplished something in their lives.
I think that studies and money (what most Singaporeans compete for) are not the most important thing in our lives. It is what we accomplish and what happiness is gained at the end of the day. To conclude this discussion, I hope that the future Singaporeans will change their "kiasu" behaviours.

Windtalkers - Book Review

Based on a true World War 2 operation, the Navajo Indian Codetalkers, this book is written by Max Allan Collins.
Joe Enders, a Marine, was a soldier fighting in World War 2. During one of the battles at Tarawa Atoll, he was the only one who survived. All his companions died because he had caused their deaths by sending them straight into the Japanese enemies' firepower. Enders was racked with guilt and was haunted by the deaths of the men he had caused.
By chance, two men with different backgrounds met when Enders and his men were on a mission to protect the Navajo "codetalkers" from falling into Japanese hands. The Navajo code was a secret code used by the Allies, which baffled even the best Japanese codebreakers. If the secret of the code were divulged to the Japanese, they would have the upper hand in the world war.
Enders, a marine who is fighting his past guilt and Ben Yahzee, a Navajo codetalker battling prejudice and inner fears, join in the hell of the war-torn Pacific. Through the battles they fight together, Sergeant and Private eventually become close friends.
Finally, Enders met his match in a battle with the Japanese. He dies, but with the satisfaction that he had fought bravely in the war and that he was going to join his dead companions in the afterlife.
All I can say is that it is a great story about courage and how terrible a war is like.