Alerts aplenty

The date September 11 rings a bell in most heads because it changed the world: the whole world has become a playground for the terrorists who are targeting the Americans and foreigners in the name of Islam.

I have been following the series Zero Hour on National Geographic (Ch 11 on Cable TV) and it has been a chilling reminder of how easy it is to get on board an aircraft or in fact, to get into a country with seemingly strict immigration laws. Maybe the situation now is different, with threats of bombs coming from shoes – shoe bomber, and even contact lens solution – liquid explosives! It certainly has made air travel much less pleasurable and much more dangerous.

As I watch the series, which continues tonight, I am thankful for the peace we have in Singapore. I wonder how many people feel the same way. If we were living in America, things would be different. Even going to school might be a perilous journey, who knows?

I am also thankful that I have loved ones who are still alive and part of my life. When it comes down to it, I would rather spend each day with my loved ones, as if it were my last, then to do something independent and regret each day that you were apart from the people important to you. People say that we should live life to the fullest, and I try to live by that mantra, but seriously, with work in the way, our fullest life includes working 12 hour days and coming home late, only to have enough energy to eat dinner and then collapse on the bed afterward. Full, fat and unhealthy.

Which brings me to my next point/grouse. Work-life balance. I want to live a fulfilling life that doesn’t include slogging at work. Is that supposed to be the way we are challenged i.e. slogging greater hours makes you a better worker? I mean… it’s just not the way life is supposed to be led. Life is supposed to be full of fun, laughter and of course, some pain. But the pain should not come from Work! Work is just a way to pass our time.. wouldn’t we want to do something more interesting and satisfying e.g. going on a expedition to help poor children in 3rd world countries or going to explore unknown countries and communities? Work in an office is like being in pigeon hole – caught up and depressing. Which is why more and more therapists are needed to “counsel” people on the need to maintain a healthy balance between living life and work.

Why do people allow work to consume them? If not for the pleasure of it all, it must be for the money. Does it really show/mean that money drives the world? Money make the world go round? Why does it have to be that way??

** Note: Idealist alert!!

Anyway, enough ranting. I am feeling tired from dreaded work and want to nap. Time to go to the soft bean bag in my hall and zzz till V comes back to go jogging with me.
**Note: Fool alert! I am taking part in the 10km Standard Chartered Run…. L