The only thing that was right in the whole incident which made worldwide headlines within seconds was this statement : “You don’t trot out this stuff as trophies“.

Taking another human life should never be consider as something to gloat and brag over like trophies and awards, no matter how rightfully it was taken – especially in this case where this man was simply the face for a movement, and a growing one at that.

Let’s just hope that his statement was enough to stop the gleeful gloating of the more vengeful amongst his followers and especially to assure his allies and placate his protesters and enemies that he is honourable enough to give what was never offered by the other side, dignity.

Because we do not need another resurgence of martyrdom fueled by anger and revenge.

Today marked the end of Chinese New Year celebration for this year.

It also meant the last day for us who had eagerly and willingly wore our jewelery as part of the must-have accessories during Chinese New Year – thanks to the diamond, jade and gold investing activities that typical women like to do.

I know there are many women who wear their thick gold necklaces and several pieces of gold bangles all year round.

But as I have noticed, many Chinese women wear theirs only during the 15 days of Chinese New Year.

So it is normal during these 15 days, to see someone you don’t usually expect to wear jewelry when they work – such as a cleaner I saw today who swept the floor and picked rubbish up with her thick gold necklace, gold bracelet and beautiful jade bangle!

Despite appreciating jewelry as much as the next woman, I could only comfortably wear an extra ring and bracelet – which I will remove tomorrow.

“Latchkey Kids” is one book title which is stuck to my mind despite having read it more than 10 years ago.

I could no longer recall the author or what the story was about – but I do remember that latchkey kids is the term to call kids whose parents work and usually had to come home to an empty house or left with little parental supervision.

This came to mind after a conversation I had with friends on kids who had to latch themselves on their friend’s families for company and sometimes meals because their hard-working parents do not have the time to provide these – and not seeing the need to find a dedicated helper to at least make sure that food is prepared for these kids.

It is sad to know that this not only happens in cities where the pace of life is fast, where you can find niche jobs such as Mesothelioma lawyers and where people are basically too busy for anything but work – but in our small society too.

“No choice” seems to be the easiest excuse to justify an order of priorities which cannot be right.