Reflection

"Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to the mountain, 'move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." - Matthew 17:20-21

Sunday, April 30, 2006

Life-saving aid for leukaemia patients

Straits Times, 29 April 2006

IT is important to contribute in helping those less fortunate their ourselves. I feel that it is important to put aside prejudices against organisations that have misused donations for personal factors. There is always the innocent party of people who are really desparate for help financially, medically and emotionally. I feel that we should be thankful for our blessings and ability to gain food, education and medical help. I believe that if everyone opens their heart to generously donate a portion of what they get to the low-income families or those people having diseases or illnesses, there wil be less trouble in collecting funds. I am proud of these volunteers who are sincerely trying to help and show their love to those receiving treatement. I hope that there will be more youths also stepping up to contribute to these people.

Children: Dad to blame for marriage woes

Straits Times, 27 April 2006

I FEEL unjustified for this lady who has just passed away. I also pity these children who have just lost their both parents, mother and father as a result of their dad's woes. I feel that it is unfair that the muslim law says that a man can have 4 wives and yet a muslim lady is not allowed to be seen with another man who is not her husband. I find it downright unfair that men can have extra-marital affairs and not be punished for their infidelity to their wife. However men become revengeful and violent when they find out that their wives have affairs. I feel that it is important for only one man and one woman to be the proposed couple. Each individual, whether man or woman should be held equally responsible when they commit adultery. I do not agree with the portrayal of Madam Chitrabathy in the negative light of having five affairs during her 20 years of marriage. From my point of view, the accused was just throwing his rage on his wife because of his inferiority to his wife for his wife was the breadwinner of the house after he lost his job. I believe the relationship between husband and wife and parents with children went downhill as a result of breakage in communication. Misunderstanding and frustration leads to jealousy and eventually violence. I really hope that help will come along the way of the left behind and physical and emotional wounds will be healed.

Saturday, April 22, 2006

More e-game meets on cards

Straits Times, 18 April 2006

I FIND it interesting that many are seeking cybergaming as a professional "e-sport". Computer games were once known as simple toys to young children and now it has become an important tool of entertainment, social and economic issues. I am encouraged that the gamers will have more opportunities coming up in Singapore this year. It is encouraging to see that so much money (estimated amt. of $53 million) was generated by tourism revenue as a result of last year's World Cyber Games held here last year. I look forward to seeing more youths who can juggle between their studies and competing in computer games participating in these cyber games.

They offer free study notes online

Straits Times, 18 April 2006

GOOD things start young. I am very proud of this 15 yr old boy who has put in so much effort with an RP student to help other Singaporean students! I am glad that there are more students who understand the hard effort their teachers go through to teach us. With the aid of this website that helps secondary students, teachers will have an easier time. I hope that more students excluding the existing 78 users will register to support these students! (www.sgedulab.com) I feel that more of us youths should learn to take up such responsibilities to help society and their fellow peers and teachers.

Friday, April 14, 2006

Illegal migrants mass for right to live in US

The Straits Times, 11 April 2006

HOW could it be possible that there are estimated 11 million illegal migrants in US? I cannot believe that there can actually be illegal migrants who have settled there since 1992 or even earlier. I feel cynical that the country is actually 'made' by immigrants. I feel that these immigrants should have the right to live in US. After all they have gone to US not to cause trouble but to find jobs. They love the country because it gives them everything. I really symphathise with these thousands of immigrants and their families who are struggling for their citizenships in US. I do not trust myself to have the same determination and perservation to fight for my rights. I feel that if US government wanted to stop illegal entry into the country, they should have enforced it much earlier. To chase these people who 'belong' here is equal to taking away their attachment to their 'home'.

Let's talk about JOBS

YOUTHink - Straits Times, 10 April 2006

I AGREE we should follow our hearts and ambitions. I feel that the society is shaping a different perception of what jobs should be taken up. People have been pursuing alternative degrees in universities even if they are not what they are passionate about for the worry of future job prospects. I believe that one should take up a job that is what you love and enjoy doing. Yes, money is important and it is only practical to find a job that pays well. However, i feel that a job you take should not be one you dread but one you find joy in.

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Students enthused by new O-level subjects

Straits Times, 8 April 2006

TO hear that secondary kids can now take up other interesting subjects such as economics, computer studies and drama at their tender age makes me envy them. If only i had a choice to take either one of those subjects, i believe i would have excelled in them. I am very encouraged that the MOE has allowed students to pursue their interests in these topics. For example, knowing the demand and supply concepts in secondary school which is related to us is very helpful when we purchase goods. And knowing more in depth of such subjects only offered in junior colleges, polytechnics, ITE and universities in the past, helps the person make an earlier and easier choice of what they want to specialise in in the future. I believe that with a greater range of subjects youths can choose and take up as their electives will further expand their general knowledge of the current world.

How to impose fair sentence on mentally ill offenders?

Straits Times, 8 April 2006

IT must be really tough to juggle the dilemma judges face between sentencing truly mentally ill offenders and those who are not psychiotic. I feel unjustified that some offenders who are not mentally ill are charged leniently. It is very common recently to see cases of brutal muderings. As a form of pacification to the public, there is always a medical reason behind the murder. I feel that Chee who was diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia should not be put on probation, instead be sentenced to jail for a longer term, admist having the proper medication and adequate supervision. In this manner, she will not pose a threat to the outside world.

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Jailed for trying to kill himself - thrice

The Straits Times, Thursday, 30 March 2006

THIS man who attempted suicide thrice was jailed for 5 days and 15 for kicking a policeman who tried to save him. I found it rather hilarious to hear that a man would be charged just because he was trying to kill himself. I pondered that would it be better if he was smart enough and died successfully instead of going to jail? Why would the police stop him and put him in jail? I found it very interesting when my sister and i had a discussion on why he would have been stopped. I feel that it can be viewed from two different perspectives. Firstly, the Singapore government believes that one is responsible to him or herself, the family left behind and society. Hence, the person should not give up his or her own life. I find it very interesting towards how the country looks upon this situation. It is easy for a person to die but most difficult for the left behind. How true these words! If you die, you are just shrugging the responsibilty of your family who depend on you for money and food. The society needs you as a resource in the work field. By destroying your own precious life, you are causing much more harm than you can percieve. By the second perspective, the religious aspect. I believe as a Christian that by killing yourself, you are accountable to God, your creator. He is the one who formed you and to lose your life intentionally is to disregard your worth and purpose on the Earth. Thus, i believe that it is wrong to commit suicide. You can easy get help if in emotional distress from different associations who understand what you are going through and help you through.

Guide dogs getting a second look, finally


The Straits Times, Thursday, 30 March 2006

FINALLY, guide dogs are going to have a second look, and be allowed here in Singapore! I feel very touched and encouraged by Mr Kua Cheng Hock who has been lobbying for more than 20 years for guide dogs to be allowed here. As there are many rules such that guide dogs are not allowed in hospitals and clinics because they might alarm patients, the government rejected the idea. From my point of view, this is a natural phenomenon. As most dogs salivate, bark or bite, the society find it hard to accept dogs in public areas. Especially, as there are people who are afraid or dislike dogs, would strongly disagree such guide dogs. However, i am very glad that Mr Kua's efforts did not go down to waste. In Dec 31 last year, the government permitted guide dogs. I believe that without these dogs, it will bring more loss to the blind people than the benefit we gain without them. I feel that we need to look on the bright side that if you dislike the dog, just ignore it and it would do the same. Since it is they are trained dogs, they are meant to be harmless and just only of help to the handler. Indeed, i agree that we Singaporeans need to be used to seeing such guide dogs around in the public in future. I also feel that we should do our little part by raising money to help these blind people who are interested in having guide dogs to having training in America.

Law society website hacked into and defaced

Straits Times, Monday, 27 March 2006

IT is very disappointing that there is increasing number of people who waste their talent in computer engineering by hacking into websites and accounts. Apparently, this hacker by the name of Capricorn added a video from a TV series in Turkey, called Valley of the Wolves Iraq, about Turkish soldiers in Iraq into at least 10 websites worldwide. After an email to the hacker, the Straits Times had a reply that the only reason he defaced the websites was to have fun. I feel distressed that things have been disrupted as a cause of these psychotic people. Truly, it is surprising that anyone would want to show his indifference towards violence in war although the website is neutral which is used to port informaion for public and lawyers. In addition, i also feel sorry for these innocent people who have to suffer as a result of the battle of Iraq and US. As a result, to show their anger and hatred, most of them, terrorise, kill other people globally and hack accounts.