Important day today in Singapore

Today is polling day in Singapore. First time ever, 82 out of 87 seats will be contested (could have been all 87 if not for one Opposition party that took a while to raise the S$80,000 deposit needed to run for election in one ward and was late in filinf nominations papers by 35seconds).

I can't go back to vote coz MIL can't help me take care of my two kidlets plus another grandchild. So I will pray that Singaporeans vote wisely for Singapore's future for the next five years.

I've posted so many messages about the General Elections in Facebook over the last 10 days. Due to the overwhelming increase in number of new candidates joining and standing for alternative parties, the main ruling party has finally reacted somewhat to the sentiments, questions and issues that the common people have raised. It took the alternative parties to raise them.

Rallies by the AP have seen attendance of up to 30,000!!! while the ruling party had a max of 3-5,000 people. The people are more aware of issues, thanks to social media. Even the mainstream media are publishing photos of jam-packed venues for APs (instead previously of some obscure corner where there're only a trickle of people), and have given more coverage to these emerging new voices.

Exciting times indeed. Voting is from 8am to 8pm and online coverage will start from 10pm. Good, the kidlets will be asleep and I can go online to view the results. Praying for more seats for APs so that alternative voices can be heard. It would take a long, long time before a new govt can be formed. and no, no toppling over of current govt. They have done an OK job, till the five years. Just that the way the ruling party crams down policies and directives down our throat without consultation or consensus has irked the people. And they have not heard and answered the people. And no, upgrading is no longer a carrot. It has not been since the last GE five years ago. Wake up, my dear politicians, and listen. Listen to the common folks and not your party people who will only say what you want to hear. And we want MPs to serve with heart, to listen with empathy and to act with compassion. Your tonality and words matter. You have to walk the ground and talk the talk of commoners. Unless you come down from your high seats (and your high pay), you will never be able to understand what we feel and need.

Moving onto a lighter note, here's some of Jonathan's art work done on Saturday mornings. He is learning patience in colouring the objects/still life, and filling in every spot of the drawing paper. I didn't learn how to colour like that, and in school. the art teacher just left us to draw and colour on our own without even teaching the techniques. I am just happy that Jon enjoys the one and a half hour lessons on Sat mornings.

Lastly, here's wishing all mothers a Happy Mothers' Day. You may or may not be celebrating this weekend, but you are thought of by me. Thank you for all your efforts in taking care of your families!