Clear Blue Sky Finally!

From the early afternoon, the haze seem to gradually disappeared and about 2 pm, the long-awaited blue sky has finally appeared! Clear blue sky with the big bright sun hanging right on top of the sky! Now I could see the block opposite me, before that it was so hazy that the block almost disappeared. I really missed the clear blue sky, it is there all the time but never realized it could be so beautiful! The lesson learnt, never take things for granted!

Everyone of us heaved a big sigh of relief as our lungs could finally breath in some fresh air. No more blurry eyes, headaches and tight chest. I feel that my lungs are screaming with joy inside my body.

All of us were curious why there was a sudden change, could there be a heavy downpour in Sumatra? Or the Indonesian authorities has managed to put out the fire? Regardless what, we just hope that there will be no more haze, we have enough trauma for these few days already.

Fingers crossed.

Singaporean Need to be More Environmentally Conscious

This morning's PSI read at 326 at 10 am but I feel it is even more smoky than yesterday's 401 record. The reason is many Chinese uncles and aunties are burning incense papers as today is the fifteen of Chinese calendar.

My mum came back from the market and said one uncle was burning lots of lots of incense papers merrily at our block's void deck. She was dismayed that these people still doing more harm to the environment when we are facing the most severe air pollution crisis we ever have in Singapore history. I agree, but old habits die hard, just like our Indonesian neighbor, they turn a deaf ear to our pleading even though we have requested many years not to slash and burn their forest using such cheap method. Look at photos below and you will know how bad is the air pollution.

Photo by EPA, taken from Yahoo!News

Photo by EPA, taken from Yahoo!News

Ever since the haze started on last Friday (14 June, 2013), my next door neighbor has not stopped burning the joss stick everyday. When I told him about the PSI reading, he simply shrugged off and said his "shen" (deity) is more important than anything and offering incense stick is to show his sincerity. But I believe the deity will understand the air pollution is not a joke, it can kill! So what's the point of praying when you lost your life? Many people seem to get the priority wrong including our Indonesian neighbor, they put their economy before their environment, they will have to pay for it one day!

One more month is the "Hungry Ghost Festival", I hope the government can educate these people how to love their environment more by burning less incense paper. It's still not effective by just playing occasional "Save my world" on TV, more should be done to educate these of group of people especially deep belief inherited long ago. The uncles and aunties need to be taught why burning incense paper is no difference from Indonesian burning their Sumatra forest. They are harming their loved ones when they pollute the air! All of us have responsibility to leave a clean environment for our next generation.

PSI is up to 400 at 11 am Today!

I know today will be worst. This morning when I woke up, it was even more hazy than yesterday. My lip are dry, cracked and skin itches all over. The PSI published by NEA just came out and it was 400 at 11 am today (20 June, 2013). Another record breaking for this week! I hope this should be it, it should not go any higher than this.

My niece is looking very sad as her school holiday is going to end soon but the haze is nowhere to end soon. To cheer her up, I found a video created by one of our local talented citizen. She likes it very much, not only it is funny but it helps her to forget about the haze for a moment.

Hopefully, it will bring some smiles to your hazy day too.



By the way, the name of the above video creator is Alvin Oon. Looking at his video, I can't help but remember another video on YouTube about a passenger's guitar was damaged by United Airlines' staff. He asked for a compensation but United Airlines put him through many different departments which turned a deaf ear to him. Out of frustration, he made a video called Guitar United Airlines which eventually forced those at the top management in United Airlines to look at his case seriously. Finally, he got his compensation!

 

So I'm wondering could Alvin make a similar video and get the message across to Indonesian authorities? We can leverage on the media as we have run out of ideas how to communicate our desperate request for action to our neighbour.

What Haze? See, Hear & Speak Nothing!

Haze not only affect the human but animals too! My upstair & downstair neighbors' dogs used to bark like crazy all day but I haven't heard from them since the haze is here. They must have sensed that something is wrong and even the fat stray cat at my block's void deck is sleeping all day. It used to greet everyone whenever anyone walks pass her.

The #sghaze has reached a critical level at 371 but somebody still untouched by what they've seen & heard! And guess what? They said "we are behaving like a child" when we are merely voicing our dissatisfaction. I cannot believe this!!

Singapore Haze hits the Record High of 371

I thought it was bad when the PSI reading hit 290 last night but today at 1 pm, it has soared to 371, another record breaking in Singapore history.

PSI Reading from NEA

All the newspaper have a big headline screaming how high the PSI is but again there is no solution given by any authorities.

At 2 pm, the PSI reading has reduced to 355 but it is still very smoky and visibility is low.

Photo from Straits Times

I already felt drowsy and tired when the PSI was 290 yesterday night but when it was 371, I feel my body is weak and head is heavy. I cannot focus on any activity, let alone working! I worry my 70-year mum cannot take it as she looks lethargic these few days but we have nowhere to go. The government told us to stay indoor as the haze has reached hazardous level but we feel equally choke as outside. I regret not installing air-con as I always think it is a "wants" not "needs" and also afraid my family members will abuse the air-con and give me heart attack when seeing the monthly utility bill.

Looking at the response from the Indonesian authorities, I do not expect much from them. The only thing is to pray hard, hopefully the Rain God will give us some heavy downpour and flood the Sumatra!

Quote of the Day: Hazy Day is a MC Day

The PSI reading is at 172 at 3.15 today! It is another record breaking for the week.

Looks like it's going to get worst than better. My mum says she's feeling a bit "gong gong" (dizzy) already! My little niece is complaining the haze ruined her school holidays & she misses the sunny day! I'm missing the fresh air regardless of what day!

Here is the quote of the day, inspired by the silly hazy day!

A Sunny Day is a Happy Day!

A Windy Day is a Fly Kite Day!

A Raining Day is a Sleepy Day!

A Stormy Day is a Scary Day!

A Hazy Day is a …… MC Day!

    Cough!  Cough! Cough!

Take care, everybody!

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Note: MC refers to medical certificate, it is issued by doctor when you are feeling sick so that you can show it to your school or employer.

SG Annual Haze is Back!

Annual #SGhaze is back! Singapore is once again choked in haze and it is even more aggressive this year! The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading has reached 155 at June 17, the highest since 1997. According to NEA, it has reached the unhealthy level once it is passed 100.

The haze has gone worst since last Friday, June 14, not only it was terribly smoky but smell bad too. As usual, there is still no one word being mentioned by Indonesian government, let alone action.

Many Singaporean are already complaining having problems breathing, sore throat, dry eyes and coughing. Like many of them, I’m also experiencing the same problems - chest is tight, eyes are dry, throat is dry and nasal is blocked. I’m DESPERATELY NEED of FRESH AIR!

 

 Oh please, Indo government, have mercy! Cough! Cough!