Friday, May 23, 2014

Guest Lecture at NUS

Last month, my husband and I attended  a guest lecture at National University of Singapore .
The topic was about both Singapore and Japan .He gave a presentation about his previous job  here in Singapore and  also about  Japanese company in which he had worked for 35 years.I too shared  about my  multi-colored  experiences in Singapore which  had definitely  broadened  beyond boundaries

When I was in  Japan I had no chance to talk  to the foreign people in my daily life. At that time, I could understand the English language but  could not make sentences  instantly . So I hesitated to speak and  could not help the foreign tourists .With just 3 months of experiences in Singapore,  changed my mindset . I was more than willing to help a foreigner  who  could  not read the instructions in the Japanese  language at the Kansai Airport .It was actually my very  first trip for a holiday to our homeland  after our move to Singapore . I knew that I was just doing the same thing that many local people did to help me around.

In Japan almost all of them are Japanese so they  have less oppotunity  to know about different culture and customs..Multi-national  Singapore has given  me the awakening  that people of various  races and religions  can live  in harmony even though everyone does differ where their natural characters are concerned .I think that Japanese way of living does not bring out their personality.It is my observation that  most of the Japanese people do not know  how inconvenient their lives are  as they have not left their nests  compared  to people living elsewhere..Compared to the citizens of Singapore  I do think  the Japanese people do not  have basic human rights till now  and not only during the WW2, well, they are much patient and obedient.
     

 I also have come to comprehend  that English is essential to communicate with  many  people all over the world. I met  good Korean and Chinese classmates at the  English school in Singapore  where 2 British male teachers  were teacing .In time I found out the differences of their emotions   though all of us look the same.I also  got to know how mature the British teachers were...I attended  the school 3 times a week and had never failed to complete  my home-work. Most of the students there  were house-wives , but the teachers  taught us about  how to debate on controversial matters.The important thing is to exchage and discuss different kinds of views to deepen our understanding with  each other...I am sure Japanese people need to learn this debate not to look into O's face.

Thankfully ,our neighbours who are still our good friends, have been  very kind and  helpfull . They always  tried to comprehend  what I wanted to convey. . I heard  from  my Singapore friend that the 1st and former Prime Minister , Mr Lee Kuan Yew had encouraged  Singaporeans to take care of  foreigners like  their relatives..So,  many of us  are very comfortable with both of  our  work and life here..I believe that  Japan should  follow the Singaporean  way in accepting  more immigrants.
The Japanese government  must  make efforts in making  their  people happy first .Encouraging evacuation  from the radiation contaminated places,  arranging proper jobs for the youth and also in saving the needy families with children as they will have many problems to handle.These should be the  priority before selling weapons which might sow the negative seeds of karma.

 Cooking and eating are  my favorites .My local friends and I  share and exchange  our respective cultures through our lovely delicacies! It  really is fun !
Since  my husband was sent back to Tokyo in 2009 , I started to learn  Macrobiotics ,which is the vegetarian method of cooking  based on the Yin and Yang theory.
I think that  Macrbiotics is essential in Singapore as there is an increase of  senior citizens just like  Japan. Currently  I am teaching Macrobiotics  at the Japanese Association  here.I very much wish to teach  Singaporeans it  for a  healthy lifestyle. Hence ,
I am enrolling myself  as an instructor at the  local community clubs.

From  the view of Macrobiotics I've found out  the elements of Singapore and Japan are literally the opposite just like the Yin and Yang. Singapore is still considered to be a young country but Japan has a long history when traced back.The nation of Singapore has the enegy of expanding but Japan has centripetal enegy.From my point of view ,Singaporeans are out going ,simple and positive but my fellow people ,the Japanese are shy,sensitive and negative. Singapore has variety , Japan is monotonous...

I sincerely hope to see these 2 countries in  uniting together as I am sure that they 'll be able to create a perfect universe.After all, as human beeings, we are a part of each other.

I believe that well-balanced diet consisting of  the Yin and Yang spirit  may make our body healthy without any side effects.  Not only does this act as nutritional  food but it can be  medicine too...
Thus, we would like to be a bridge between the Singaporeans and the Japanese to contribute  to both the countries to show our gratitude.
 

                                          9  April  ,2014




       ↑ Pro.Tang Leng Leng
 

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