Name: Jocelyn Yee
D.O.B.: 9th January 1988
School: Loyang Pri <1995-2000>; Siglap Sec <2001-2004>; FTC <2005-2006>; SIM <2007-Present>
Course Pursuing: Bachelor of Business (Accountancy)
Loves: My doggy - Milo; movies; my ipod; church

Japan Japan Japan. To think one of Asia's wealthiest country is partially wrecked just like that. There you go, mother nature's fury and the showcase and our annual reminder of God's wrath.

When as massive a tsunami as that and the one back then in 2004 that left almost a quarter of a million people dead, along with the other disasters, sometimes it just leaves a bittersweet feeling.

Why sweet? Because it reminds us Singaporeans on how blessed we are to be living in Singapore where we don't have any major natural disasters, the most we'll get out of it is the Orchard Road and Bukit Timah floodings which seems pretty mild compared to such phenomena happening else where.

Why bitter? As blessed as we are, people elsewhere are actually suffering and worrying about what's life's next plan for them and how much more will they have to fight for life's basic needs before life gets back on track, but again, will it ever? What we Singaporeans here are fighting for instead is a job, an opportunity to get promoted, a place in the University or even a space to move into in a packed MRT train or bus. What are we struggling for? Earning enough/more money? Getting good grades for assignments? Getting recognised for efforts you put into work or by backstabbing someone?

Sometimes i wonder what can people like us do. People like me are obviously financially inadequate to be contributing and all i can do is pray for them. However rotten Japan's history may be, on a personal level, they're people like us who need air to breathe and food to nourish our bodies. If there's nothing I can do, at least praying for their safety and receiving the comfort for their loss is all I can offer.

No matter how brutal a history they may hold, the modern Japan I know is a very resourceful and beautiful country and wealthy not only financially, but in may aspects too. I personally feel Japanese are one of the most courteous people in the world and there's so much that they possess now in terms of economy and culture wise that i think that the rest of the world should learn from them. God will watch over them and bring them through, no doubts and qualms about that.

Since the 2004 earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia, natural disaster as been an annual affair. We see at least 1 or 2 disasters a year in all parts of the world and every few months you see something new. The last was still so vividly fresh in the mind with the cyclone and flooding of Queensland and Victoria in Australia. Now's a massively larger scale one in Japan. I've no idea what and where's next but somehow i can foresee it in the next couple of months to come looking on how disasters are coming at a more frequent timeline as the years go by.

I feel it's one method God is using in bringing back the compassion in people. No matter how high up the corporate ladder you are at, we're all still people. We are all gifted in our own ways and nobody is better than the other. As we progress into modern times, I personally feel at least in Singapore, people are getting more arrogant, it's always about making money and decisions made are mostly about self interest. What about the basic principle we all once hold so dear of taking the time and effort to think about others than ourselves? I know a lot of Westerners with the freedom of speech and actions, self-centeredness lingers a great deal among the people. Part of why God allows natural disasters to have their way on earth is to bring back compassionate-ness among the people. We see many people giving their time, effort and money to help but at the the back of my mind I know there are heaps of people who are not affected in other countries showing a 'i'm sorry that it happened to you but luckily i'm good where i'm at' kind of mentality.

Life's not easy, it'll never be easy. God didn't promise us an easy life. He promised us growth in all aspects of life and it's hardship that we have to go through to gain them while holding on to our values. We'll never be lucky in life because all that we have are a blessing. Luck are just for those who holds no faith and hope and do not believe in anything.

What can you do to contribute or help in such a massively brutal disaster and a generally sick world?

I want things to be better on a personal level for myself, for the people of the world and I am sure God will provide for us all and He will take care of things in Japan.