What's Next?

Presenting the 26th Prime Minister of Australia...

Kevin Rudd

It definitely is refreshing to see a new face change in Australian leadership and it is comforting to know that Rudd has vowed to be a "Prime Minister for all Australians", including those from Indigenous and migrant backgrounds. So the stage has been set and now it's time for us to sit back and watch how all the pre-election chatter and promises will translate into actions and policy reforms. I am particularly keen to see how the new labour goverment is going to handle the following issues:

1) What is Rudd going to do to pave the way for Indigenous reconciliation? Will there be a referendum to formally recognise Indigenous Australians in the preamble to the constitution? Will he have the guts to say the five letter word? *S-O-R-R-Y* No, not "I am apologetic about..." or "I can empathise with..." but the one word aboriginal people want to hear for the atrocities committed by the Australian goverment against those affected by their forced removal policies?

2) Will immigration rules change again? What are the new factors which are going to determine who we allow into the country? How is the infamous point system for skilled migrants going to be manipulated? What new fancy qualities must one possess to be deemed fit to become an Australian resident or citizen?

3) Interest rates! I am part of that demographic which has been hit hard by the interest rate hikes which John Howard promised to contain. While Rudd has clearly stated that he intends to make no such promises, I wonder what tricks he may have to "make the job of the Reserve Bank as easy as possible to keep interest rates as low as possible"?

4) What's the exit strategy for Australian troops from Iraq? I know Rudd is pretty intent on keeping America as an ally but is Australia going to continue its involvement in this mindless, diabolical affair which has butchered more than half a million innocents? Or is securing oil supplies still in the agenda?

5) The most important economic policy issue for Labour has been touted as "EDUCATION"...hmm...wonder what it means for teachers? A pay hike maybe?? *looks hopeful*

Kartik

Waru Paru Da!

Thought this video was absolutely hilarious! I was actually dancing along<;


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnlMnf7t4t4

When I grow up

Some of my childhood ambitions...

1) To become a Chinese soap star.

I had it all planned. I was going to learn how to speak fluent Mandarin and then I was going to audition for channel eight (the then Chinese channel in Singapore). Producers would all be blown away by my highly accurate pronunciation and sensitive understanding of Chinese culture (which I would gradually pick up through watching other day time Chinese serials) and they would regularly cast me as the token Indian comedian.

2) Marine Biologist.

I probably was more interested in becoming a guppy farmer...but my mother would not have liked the ring of that. Those dreams were dashed when I did not qualify for the Biology class in secondary three (Thank you Singapore education system!).

3) Tamil Teacher.

My parents cracked up when I told them...mum was almost in tears from laughing. I was a highly insulted 7-year old and never brought it up again.

4) Judge

Studying law was in the agenda for a while...until I realised I did not need a law degree to judge a beauty contest..

5) Priest

An avid reader of Indian mythologies and folk tales, I was inspired by the Swamis who used to seek penance in the mountains. Of course, I had an ulterior motive...when God awakens me from my deep meditation and reward me with a boon for my efforts, I would ask him to eternally free me from the clutches of primary school!

The end.

Materialism is a disease

26 Things I Want to Buy before I turn 26

1) Another car - So that Kartika and I won't have to share

2) At least 1000 square metres of land in Beaudesert - Anyone interested in a joint investment?

3) A proper altar

4) A bicycle

5) A double mattress and bed frame - For the extra bedroom

6) An office chair - For the study table in the garage

7) Telephone line connection in the garage - So that I can convert my garage into a study and not have to use the Internet from the living room.

8) Set of gardening tools

9) Outdoor barbecue set

10) A clothes dryer

11) A new pair of slippers

12) An ethnic looking painting

13) 3 sets of bed linen (1 queen size and 2 double)

14) CD rack

15) A standing fan

16) Vacuum cleaner for the car

17) A sofa bed - To put in the garage for guests

18) Pair of dress shoes for work

19) Pair of Derby shoes for casual outdoor wear

20) 2 extra pillows

21) An extra shelf - for the garage/study room

22) Corner display cupboard

23) Outdoor lounge set for the balcony in the master bedroom

24) Garden stone Ganesha

25) A wooden wall clock

26) A bird feeder