The Leader

Lately I have grown admiration for a particular country leader- hated by some, loved by some. I saw a picture of him, and immediately noticed how much he has aged. Couple years ago he looked youthful and spirited; and now his face is riddled with age spots. Cheek bones projecting. Hair unkempt and grey. Overshadowing his deep-set eyes, a pair of furrowed brows and forehead wrinkles.

The stress from his job is taking its toll. Every day he hears the cries of unhappy citizens who approach him with problems and rarely solutions. Every day he is forced to make decisions to benefit the majority, and still reminded of the suffering of the minority.

I'm talking about President Obama. I'm not too well versed with American politics, but I've heard a lot of about his attempts of a healthcare reform which was negatively received. Some people associate him with the financial crisis and debt ceiling and government shutdown, but don't realize that these problems have long existed or have been long anticipated. In my eyes, he is one of the most quick-witted presidents I've ever seen to come up with a response (unlike others).

I guess each country desire certain qualities from their own leader, whether humility or integrity or intelligence; and yet more often that not the opposite is chosen. I was talking to my brother the other day and he spoke of an Armenian president who drives an old Bentley and grows chrysanthemums in his spare time; and this is so unheard of that it appeared on 9gag. Wishful thinkers seek an ideal world where leaders are granted power only after rigorous and unbiased selection, but our world is far from achieving that. Globally we face power hungry tyrants, and sometimes it feels like a losing battle between the powerful and powerless. They can spend millions covering up their secrets and atrocities, while our bloodied hands are tired of digging up and exposing them.

Frightening thought.

Speaking of frightening, I'm currently learning how to bake pineapple tarts to usher in the Chinese New Year. Finally I'm using another utility to cook food other than the electric stove and microwave. The recipe I found seems idiot-proof; but hey I've got a criminal history of exploding eggs and marshmallows in the microwave and burning instant chicken soup. So I'm counting on something to go wrong unless I invite a pro baker:

gotta love them Malaysians.

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