Singaporeans more sporty, keen on fitness now

Straits Times, 23 March, thursday

OUTSTANDINGLY, jogging still comes in first for male and female singaporeans top preferences for their exercise. It is very encouraging to hear that Singaporeans are more sporty nowadasy. Perhaps this is a result of the rise in sickness and illnesses in Singapore. People have finally seen the need to keep fit and healthy. I feel that exercising is a very good way of relaxing and destressing. It is harmless, healthy and fun! It is also a time for people to bond and know each other better. Although life in the modern society is so busy and hectic daily, there is a need for everyone to fit in a short laspe of time to exercise in their schedule. The simple ones like jogging, running, walking and swimming usually takes up very little time and are best suited for those who dread moving about actively. Otherewise the interesting one can be soccer, dancing and cycling. Interestingly, yoga has become one of the popular sports this year. Many people seek to yoga has a form of mental and physical relaxation. As yoga promotes the clearing of the mind and positioning in different ways, it helps to destress. However i disagree strongly with yoga. Any other methods of exercising are acceptable, except yoga. Yoga is a hindu form of worship to the hindu gods. Every position of the procedure is a form of worship to the god. And the clearing of the mind endangers the spiritual mind of a person. If one is to clear his or her mind, it allows demons to enter the body and affect the whole-being. I do not believe that this is the best form of aerobic exercise good to the body. The others are better forms of relaxation.

Security cameras on most buses, trains soon

Straits Times, 22 March, wednesday

IT is comforting to hear that the government is doing something to curb terrorism and unpredictable mishaps in public transportation like buses and trains. Security cameras that can capture what happens at insignificant places will be very useful. A number of people who take MRTs and buses often were interviewed about their opinions about the installation of security cameras. Surprisely, there was quite a number who responded that the bad effect of such an undertake was the lack of privacy. I do not really agree with this view. I would rather be safe and lose my privacy than come to any harm. The question is who will foot the bill? Should it be borne by the government and transport companies or us? I feel it should be us. Everyone needs to play a part in sharing the cost of having a safe country. I feel that the security cameras only are insufficient. The alert watch out through the cameras is as essential to notice any mischief or crime.

High health alert at childcare centres

Straits Times, 21 March, tuesday

HAND, foot and mouth disease is back on strike! This has callled in much rienforcement for public health awareness. Alarming rate of 3 out of 4 children in Singapore infected have had the EV71 virus which is rather serious. As it cannot be cured by antibiotics, much care has to be taken to enforce cleanliness and let the child slowly recover on his/her own. However the problem of irresponsible parents still arises. Those working parents who have sick children do not find the time to take leave and keep the child at home, instead continue letting him/her go to school. As a result, the child spreads the sickness to others and it develops into the EV71 virus. I feel worried for the welfare of such young children. These parents should develop a sense of responsibility towards the welfare of their children and the welfare of others. I believe through everyone's cooperation to prevent infection and separate infected patients and uninfected from each other in public areas, the virus can totally be ended.

Is it all a question of openess?

Straits Times, 15 March 2006

I FULLY agree with this writer. Many youths now view those who are against pre-marital sex as immature, prejudiced and judgemental. As the word itself descibes - pre-marital sex is unnatural because it is sexual intercourse before marriage. I believe sex is a gift given from God but only to married couples. Even the majority of non-christians believe that such activity should only be practiced when the couple is married. Hence, i believe my stand is not bias. After all, sex is sacred. Like the question the writer posed, does taking a stand against pre-marital sex mean you have an enlightened mind? Of course not. Many youths now are under great peer pressure; in order not to look old-fashioned, follow their friends in lifestyle choices - sexual behaviour in dating, pornography and clubbing habits etc. These teens believe that openess to sex is a mark of maturity. I strongly am against this! Of course not! As it is written in the bible, when a man has sexual intercourse with another, he is uniting himself with her in flesh. This should only be done between a married man and wife. While sexual intercourse between a man and another man or a woman with another woman is homosexuality, which is sexual immorality and is greater sin the Lord's eyes. People view sex as pleasurable and it can be done according to the individual and own's instinct. Than how are we differentiated from animals? We are no better than animals if we treat sex like all our other impluses! Where has all the efforts to promoting abstinence from sex outside marriage gone to if people are so obstinate towards seeing that pre-marital sex is not wrong? Indeed even if the decision to have sex prior to marriage has been made after great consideration, there is the commitment to the permanent relationship that has been made after such intercourse. The social problems will also surface. What happens if the female youth becomes expectant? What happens to her studies, family and own diginity? Sex is not a question of openess but the commitment and union between the couple. It is sacred and should remain the same.

Pictures snapped without consent: What can we do?

Forum - Straits Times, 13 March 2006

WHAT has the world become? Thoughts, media and people have become so immoral. Liberalisation has allowed people to do as they like, through unethical means and practise sexual immorality. I am very upset that a man may take pictures of strangers without their consent, taking for example in the MRT. I emphathise with Ms Sim Khadijah Mohammed who faced bad experiences of men whipping up their cameras staring blatantly at her chest. These perverted men definitely must be caught by the law! Of course to prevent it from happening, we girls must be watchful of our own dressing. Wearing inconspicuous loose-fitting T-shirts and short skirts in the train during peak hours would surely attract the attention of perverted men. I agree that it is very unsatisfying to be told that we may ask the person to delete the photo from his phone. The reason being what if he denies of having taken the photo or refuses, we have no further recourse because seizing the phone would place you at fault in the eyes of the law. If only it was so easy to plead with the society to promote and practice good morality.

Man jailed 3 months for torturing kitten till its eye protruded

Straits Times, 7 March 2006

I WAS aghast hearing this! Woah, people actually can be so sadist to torture animals repetitively without feeling guilty? What has the world become? Although i am not very pet friendly and am rather afraid of some breeds, i am very infuriated with this animal abuser. Poor innocent animals that come to harm! I am glad that this man has been caught and puished for his misdeeds. This poor kitten only one and a half month old was hammered till it bled profusely. I plead with the community here to consider the emotions of these innocent animals. If you detest animals, you can don't rear it. Or perhaps you can donate them to someone who treasures pets or donate them to SPCA. Please don't torture them. Torture is worse than death.

Teaching kids how to beat obesity

Straits Times, 7 March 2006

CAUTION to all those who love to eat too much: experts predict children in US will probably die younger than their parents if they continue to neglect watching their diet. I personally feel that people have not considered the consequences of eating too much. Especially when they eat excessive oily food that has a lot of fats, too salty or sweet stuff. We must learn to eat in moderation just like how we live and do everything in moderation. On the contrary of eating too much; eating too little also will lead to health problems like being anorexic and malnutrition. After all, our body is the temple of God, we must reverent our body. =p Parents must also remember to watch what their young teens eat apart from themselves. The fast-food industry is expanding fast with attractive hamburgers, fries, nuggets, chicken etc. Surveys show that such oily and preserved food actually deprive consumers with the necessary supplements one requires daily. In turn, it affects the growing child/teen's height, weight and even intelligence! So, the next time you or friend decides to eat something. make sure it is beneficial rather than permissible.

Reclaimed land under threat

INDEED, it is worrying to see that our only source of extended land area is threatened by receding waters. It is very distressing to consider what Singapore will be reduced to in a few years time when it is completely covered by water. I feel that we must stop negative environmental impact in order to save the already scarce land here in this small island. I agree fully with Prof. Tan that was something unexpected and although this can be ignored in countries with abundant land, we cannot take this matter lightly for this land-scarce Singapore. The people or passerbys must have been horrified to see the dire effects of the erosion. Thankfully no one has been hurt so far. We as a global community must stop global warming that causes sea levels to rise worldwide.

On Service

The Straits Times, 2 March 2006

IT IS encouraging to see Singapore setting up the campaign on GEMS - on good customer services. This allows the acknowledgement of good staff with exuberant attitudes. Indeed it is a national importance that Singaporeans bad attitudes towards serving others and receiving service have been rather bad. This has also left rather bad impressions upon foreigners. The ongoing training programmes and schemes to encourage good service have finally paid off. I agree with Mr. Lee that service excellence is very critical to Singapore's future and our ability to earn a living in the competitive world, inclusive of tourism.

China to spend more on education, cut school fees

Straits Times, 1 March 2006

I AM glad that the country is finding other ways to improve the literacy rate in China. This will greatly improve the standard of living currently in the mainland. I feel that it is worth it spending so much money in order to develop the chinese with a good education, hence breaking the vicious cycle of poverty in China. Reforming the funding gurantee system for the chinese students will defenitley enlarge the capcity of students being able to study and develop skills. I am very encouraged to hear that an improvement to the education system such as eliminating fees in primary schools and giving free textbooks in rural areas. This will give poor and young children a chance to read books and further their inquisive spirits and broaden their knowledge. I hope other third world countries will also follow China to increase their GNP for education especially those in the rural areas where education is not easily available.