(Ripped from Google images)
What makes a good leader? Well, in my point of view, a good leader is someone who is morally upright and honest, someone who is confident and make decisions based on practicality rather than popularity, someone who anticipate changes and stay relevant, someone who respect people and earns the respect of people.
It is hard to find such a leader, a leader who do things for the sake of the country instead of succumbing to personal interests. Yet in our tiny country, such a great leader did exist. He was not just a leader, but a great leader who sacrificed his entire life for the good of our bustling city. He did more than what was expected of him, because he had the passion and will for his homeland, Singapore.
He is none other than Singapore's very own Minister Mentor Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
From his roles of a Prime Minister, to a Senior Minister, to Minister Mentor, he did not only performed his duties well, but did much more than what he was supposed to. Without him, Singapore might still remain as a little red dot that is unheard of.
Mr Lee helped Singapore gained independence and to be recognised at an international standing. I mean, look at the multiple conflicts between Taiwan and China. I'm glad that there is peace and harmony in Singapore. It is a safe city. With Mr Lee's great foresight, he implemented various policies to lead Singapore to stay at her peak and not lose out to the other countries. From diversifying the tourism sector, to beautifying our environment with trees and flowers, and even picking up Chinese to keep up with the expanding China industry, he helped Singapore advanced to where she is today, from a tiny red dot that nobody gives a damn about, to a first-world country with established ties with the greatest nations in the world. I'm grateful to be born on this piece of soil under his leadership.
Although at the point in time during the implementation, many may have disapproved of his thinking and doings, unable to understand his intentions, but hey, years have proved that he is right. He helped us to prepare ourselves for the battle in front of us.
The fact that many renowned world leaders from all over the world, such as the US, UK, Australia, SouthEast Asian countries and even Bhutan, came to pay respects to him, shows the level of respect Singapore (represented by Mr Lee) commanded.
What I admired about him the most is that he is a man who does not just talk with his mouth but actually showed it with action. How many of us actually read the newspapers daily? I don't. And he read it in three different languages everyday - English, Chinese and Malay. How many of us adopted the 活到老, 学到老 spirit? I don't. And he actually attended a 2 hour Chinese tuition everyday to discuss current affairs in Chinese with his tutors. How many of us persevere to live a healthy lifestyle despite busy working lives? I don't. Yet he 'run' on the treadmill everyday without fail. He was, and will continue to be, a good role model for everyone of us.
An iconic figure of Singapore. The architect of modern Singapore who engineer our country to be one of the best in the world. Mr Lee Kuan Yew is Singapore, Singapore is Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
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We initially planned to pay respects to Mr Lee on Friday night. We left the house at around 12am thinking that nobody will think of queueing at such a late hour. But yet, in the middle of the journey, we U-turned back home because the Padang area was so crowded that queues were stopped temporarily.
And since we were already out, we went for supper at Macs because that was the only place that is open 24 hours daily. Ate a burger and some fries, and feeling fat. :/ Then headed down to the CCK community tribute site (my second time there within a week), and wrote my condolences. I nearly broke down but I didn't want to do it in public. Hahahahas.
Slept for a few hours before heading to BBDC for my BTT practice and evaluation quiz. Got 67/70 which I wasn't quite satisfied, but ohwell. I passed the quiz, and this marked a mini celebration because I can finally book my BTT test, which is like at least 2 months later. Ohboy! T.T
Then went for a short visit over at the NUH (my grandfather was hospitalised) before making an impromptu visit down the Parliament House. The queue was shorter than my friends', and I finished in 4.5 hours. Cheers, I'm glad that most people are well-mannered (no pushy pushy), showing our true Singaporean spirit.
Everything happened in a flash inside the Parliament House. We took a bow and was quickly ushered out by the guards. I didn't even have time to get all emotional and stuff, but my heart did feel numbed. Afterwards, we headed to the shop Grandma's for dinner, which is finger-licking good, probably because we were all tired and sore from all the waiting.
(Grandma's)
But yay. I left feeling satisfied. No regrets. Thank you Mr Lee for everything I get to enjoy, like the food above. Hahahahas! :D
When the devil keeps on asking
you to look at your past,
There must be something good
in the future that the devil doesn't
want you to see.
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