Reality shows and the harsh reality of life...

Remember that what is hard to endure will be sweet to recall.

I've been thinking about the people I meet recently and the ones whose lot in life seems like it will never be good. There is still the great divide between poly and uni students - or those that have a degree compared to a diploma. On one hand I'm glad I belong to the other, 'better' side, that I don't have to search that hard for a 2K and above paying job. Meanwhile, not everyone has the chance to get a degree, so, being judged on a piece of paper seems rather harsh. Watching those reality shows really grips my mind, too. Seeing people who obviously cannot make it in dance/singing/acting whichever show they take part in, yet - either being really bigheaded and thinking they are an undiscovered star or, just another one out for fame really irks me. It's like modelling - some industries need certain KEY factors that some people have naturally - a talent, an aptitude, height, or good looks... and if you can't make it, why not try something else that suits you better instead of trying and trying again. I guess that's another message those reality shows try to give.

I'm glad I know what I do better so I don't have delusional dreams - sure, I have a bit of natural ability for arts, including painting, singing and dancing more so than the average person, but definitely not enough to 'make it' on the international screen. So, treat it as a hobby or something to do with your spare time. I like English but I don't like it that much to soak it up 24/7 or to constantly teach others about their poor grammar, so I take up a part time teaching assignment that brings in pretty good pocket money.

I usually do my manicures at Bugis Village - the cramped up, open-air place to find cheap clothes and sometimes nice accessories, although it's increasingly coming from places like Thailand and HongKong, but sometimes there are nice finds like factory rejects Abercrombie and Fitch at the airconditioned second level or nice dresses for a small bargain of what you'd find elsewhere in Far East type of shops. Being in a kind of chatty mood, I made conversation with a wide eyed, petite girl who was doing my nails in a dark plum color with dragonfly stickers. Turns out she was most probably older than me, married with 2 kids. I wondered how she could survive with the meagre pay and long working hours in the claustrophobic shop. I wondered even if they worked hard, whether their pay could hit $1K a month as the basic manicure was only $12. I added stickers and some special oil which made it to be around $20. Doing my nails there, the service was better than at other specialised manicure shops, yet it was half the price. I felt rather sorry for her as she shared that she started working after N levels and worked for 3 years as a manicurist. The other girl that I spoke to - at a pushcart where I made a 'skin' for my handphone, only studied to O levels and had tattoos on her fingers, shoulder blade and ankle. She looks pretty in a Jolin way, petite too and shy yet easygoing in the friendly, laidback way. I just wondered how they could get by. Standing by a pushcart would bore me to bits! Sometimes I wish there was a way to help those in our society. But sometimes the help is unwanted, and even not welcomed. I wonder how these people are going to survive, marry, and have kids. Already it's becoming so hard for us 'normal' people.