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

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Let's talk about being stressed out

Straits Times, 15 May 2006

IT IS very true that a lot of pressure is self-inflicted. Nowadays students tend to be harder on themselves, defining excellence and intelligence only in terms of grades. I feel that sometimes it boils down to competition. We are always lookinh to have an edge over our peers. Of course, pressure is needed to strive a person to his or her potential but excessive pressure drives to madness. I believe we need to know when to apply that pressure and when to relax or that rubber band might just stretch too much and snap.

Rated 'E' for easy

Straits Times, 15 May 2006

WHAT? How can 15 out of 20 underage students be succesful in buying and watching R-21 and M18 movies? I cannot believe that whether it be isolated or popular cinemas, ticket attendants have not been efficient in their job of checking their ICs and disallowing students from watching the movies. Some teen tricks are such, " i forgot my IC", "I am of age. i'm just short", they ask older people to buy the tickets for them, enter the cinema with an older person or dress in clothes that make them look older. I find it surprising that teens would be unjustified and curious about these R21 movies that win awards. They feel unfair that they cannot watch these shows just because of their age. Well, i feel that these bans are a form of positive discrimination to protect the mind of these young teens. The main reasons are that these issues the movies bring out are either perverted or vulgar or controversial. The viewers pick these bad teaches unconciously. I feel these movies can be a major cause why there is an increasing number of young teens at the age of 12 saying the 'f' word and other vulgarities. These teens think they are mature and sensible enough? No way, say parents. I feel that not only is the government responsible for having bans and campaigns to follow such restrictions, the community of Singaporeans have a heavy duty and responsibility to enforce these rules as often and ritually as possible.

Extreme sports pull in more youngsters

Straits Times, 11 May 2006

I FIND it interesting that many teens now turn to sports as a form of relaxation. I feel that sports is good for living a healthy life especially with all the unhealthy food we eat daily. The variety of sports available nowadays has also been increasing. I believe this is a good sign which encourages people from young to old to participate in exercising. I agree that the talent pool is growing with more youngsters drawn to extreme sports. Now more teens have shifted away from 'traditional' sports and seek to sky-diving, wakeboarding, scubadiving, motor racing etc. I believe that these youngsters enjoy feeling the thrill of doing these extreme sports. I personally wont try these sports if unnecessary. =)

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Macau's casinos:Boon and bane

Straits Times 11 May 2006

I FULLY agree that the casinos are both good and bad. However, i feel that it is has more disadvantages then advantages. Indeed, unemployment has decreased by a significant number, bringing more revenue and more tourists arrival as a result of the casinos. On the other hand, there is a great increase in the number of school dropouts. I feel that this has a negative impact on the society. This could also hamper economic development with such labour shortage in other industries. From my point of view, it will not be good if the country relies heavily on the gaming industry. I feel that there will be many more social conflicts than the benefits the industry generates. It was a shocking news to me that the number of students quitting school for full-time work was at its highest in the past seven years. There was a comment that many students feel that they could still work in casinos if they fail academically. Their enthusiasm for academic work has dwindled in recent years. It is very true that the values of the society will be distorted by the gaming culture if nothing is done to prevent it. It is very worrying for Singapore that we will be put in a similar position. This would have a very strong impact on the literacy rate and psycological problems as a result of gambling addiction. Possibly, the ban on foreign croupiers will likely be impossible to maintain in the coming years as the number of gaming tables in Macau explodes.

Number of hungry Filipinos at record high

Straits Times, 11 May 2006

AN ALARMING rate of people living in poverty has really taken me aback. 2.8 million families went hungry at least once in three months just in Philippines. I cannot imagine how worse it can get in other developing countries. I feel that there is an urgent cry for us Singaporeans to be thankful and know how blessed we are. Being able to eat is a privilege especially when these poor young children have no access to such basic neccessities. Many organisations such as Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) and World Vision International etc have been set up in order to help these unfortunate people who cannot get out of the vision poverty cycle. From my point of view, regardless of what race or religion a person is, we should do as much to contribute in helping these developing countries. After some research, i realised that such charitable organisations actually do offer child sponsorships for this children and their community. I believe if everyone does a small contribution, it will have a great impact on them. These Filipinos who have to live admist all the trash, garbage dump didn't choose to be born there. If no one does anything to help them, especially when the government has been facing dificulties, no one will.

Gear up for late-night soccer and shopping

Straits Times, 10 May 2006

SINGAPORE is up and going again with the crazy bargaining period again. I am looking forward to the 13th Great Singapore sale! I am glad that with the soccer fever, merchant islandwide discounts from the north to the south and west to the east, even in Changi Airport, Singapore will be an outstanding hub during the june holidays. It is encouraging and lifting to see that shopping is a factor that has been boosting our tourists arrivals. Although i am not excited to join the crowd in squeezing and rushing for the cheapest goods, i am looking forward to seeing my overseas friends having joy shopping. I am glad that Singapore has been ranked third in world competitiveness. Although we only improved by 1.31 in the score from 89.68 last year to 90.99 while USA remains 100, first and Hong Kong - 93.07 to 96.9, we have been recognised for good economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Can upgrading promises be fulfilled in next 5 years?

Straits Times, 4 May 2006

I TOO find it puzzling how the PAP can promise upgrading in most GRCs. I wonder how does the Government have sufficient funds to complete the upgrading projects in 5 years? Are they but empty promises just in order that citizens will vote PAP? I feel it hard to understand whether it is true that uncontested wards won't recieve upgrading since there are no opposition parties? I believe the ruling party needs to have opposition parties and competition before they realise how important each constituency is. This then will the people living in that district fully benefit from offers the government provides. I agree that upgrding should be a national decision, and not just one party to make.

Grooming session goes wrong and Maltese puppy ends up castrated

Straits Times, 1 May 2006

NOT to be sadist, i found it rather hilarious to read this article. I feel that it was very careless of the Maltese owner to have neglected the poor puppy. How could a blow-drying machine cause a dog to injure its hind leg? I found it rather interesting that the poor dog body temperature shot up to 41.7 degrees celcius as a result of the pet shop being oblivious to its constant barking. I believe no one should be blamed for this incident. However, I feel that owners should take more time off for his or her pets, treating them like humans if they are really commited to rearing them.