Abuse Me Not

Upon reading this news article, I pitied the plight of the Indonesian maids.

These maids left their homes and come to this faraway land to earn a living, with no kith and kin, depending solely on themselves on everything. They were mostly trained by agencies, each time giving their best, hoping that they could be employed as soon as possible. Sacrificing their family warmth back home, they came all the way here in attempt to earn a living to help their family financially. Some of them do not even earn the amount of money children get as allowance these days. In addition to their down situation, some of them even had to endure their employers’ abuse. How can they be so inhumane? After all, we are all human beings.

Abusing maids is such a disgraceful act. It is unbearable too! We are all human beings and all man has equal rights. Despite many of them (the maids) are from the unprivileged or the poor, we cannot order them around like some animal. In today’s day and date, maids are given better treatment but it still has room for improvement, given the many cases of abuse and death of maids by their employers. Even if maids made mistakes, employers should never hit or abuse them. They should direct and help the maids to adjust to their new environment hence being more effective and efficient thus less prone to mistakes.

There are increasingly a number of abuse cases over the years. According to the news article, although the Indonesia government has impose a ban of prohibiting women to go to Malaysia as domestic maids, there are still many workers seen regularly at the Jakarta airport. This shows that the government’s ban is being ignored or treated like a passing remark.

I feel that the Indonesian government should use more severe and strict laws to prevent employers from abusing their maids. The government can strengthen the punishment to a more serious and severe one towards abusive employers. Maids should also learned that they can seek for help and who to seek for help should they be ill-treated.

I believed no matter what reason, employers have no right and excuse to abuse their domestic helpers. We are all human beings and we should learn to respect and treat one another nicely. As the saying goes “treat others like how you want to be treated”. I hope the situation would not aggravate further and the world would be a better place each day.

Credits:
(News Source): The Straits Times Newspaper, 'World' section, 24 Nov 10

Done By: Kwek Wan Ling
Admin Number: 103503L

The Harry Potter Craze is back!

The Harry Potter Craze is back again!

The highly anticipated Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is coming out in just a few days time! The popularity of the movie/book is unquestionable. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (book) was released on July 21, 2007, and sold 11 million copies on the first day of its release, breaking Rowling's earlier records for the fastest selling book of all time. Avid fans queued up at bookstores, hoping to be the first few to grab a copy of the book. Some showed that enthusiasm by dressing up in cloaks and hats just like those in the Harry Potter movie.  

Recently, there was a report that competitors take part in a match of Quidditch, Harry Potter's magical and fictional game, during the 4th Quidditch World Cup in New York. Running around in a cape after a ball with a broomstick between your legs may sound silly but that is how far the Harry Potter craze went. Even if they couldn't fly, and even if the winged, golden 'snitch' ball from the books was reincarnated as an earthbound student wearing yellow, competition was every bit as fierce as in the mega-selling J.K. Rowling series.

Also, theme parks such as Disney Orlando, are riding the momentum of the Harry Potter craze, having come up with rides, shops, shows and restaurants related to Harry Potter. What an amazing craze!

But just why are people so fanatical about it? I feel that maybe because it brings us into another world, a fictional and imaginary one where people possess magical powers which is impossible in the real world. Thus it indirectly fulfills our desires one can never achieve in life.

The upcoming release of the last movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I, marks the beginning of the end for Harry Potter fans. It is sad that all would soon come to an end. Time flies. It has been ten years since the release of the first book/movie. I am sure fervent fans would be very reluctant to bid goodbye to the characters. However, as the saying goes, there is no banquet that last forever. Certainly, Harry Potter has created history and it will be remembered in our magical world forever.

Credits:

(News Source): The Straits Times Newspaper, 'Lifestyle' section, 17 Nov 10 

http://www.metro.co.uk/film/847014-harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-1-the-first-reviews

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Lifestyle/Story/STIStory_603810.html

Done By: Kwek Wan Ling

Admin Number: 103503L

Singaporeans Getting Obese

“I need to lose some weight.” Does this sound familiar? Studies have shown that obesity is getting worse in Singapore. The latest National Health Survey shows that the obesity rate has increased from 6.9 per cent in 2004 to 10.8 per cent this year. This is worrying as it shows an increasing number of unhealthy dieting habits Singaporeans have.

There are many causes of obesity. It depends mainly on one’s personal lifestyle. Singapore is a fast paced and modern society. It is no doubt that most Singaporeans are stress as they faced the countless deadlines, demands, frustrations and hassles of the modern life. Putting up with so much in life, Singaporeans are constantly draining energy, thus often feeling tired.

"When your energy level is low, you may look for food to pick you up," says Robert E. Thayer, Ph.D., professor of psychology at California State University at Long Beach.

Hence, many people choose to eat snacks as it is not very filling but it helps to perk them up. This especially applies to the white-collar workers who are “stuck” to their tables for almost the whole day.

In addition, stress is also another factor that results to over-eating. People eat when they are stress in attempt to relieve their stress or at least take the edge off. They feel that in this way, they are “eating their emotions.”  They are not even using food as food but rather as a medication to push down or suppress the unpleasant feelings they are experiencing.

Another factor contributing to the increased in obese Singaporeans is unhealthy dieting since young. They are used to eating the unhealthy food since young so it is difficult to change their habit of eating. Many Singaporeans now, have the habit of dinning out as they do not have the time to cook or they are too tired to cook after work. Thus, they dine out often where foods are less control of their oil and seasoning.

Obese is being excessively fat or fleshy; corpulent. It is a problem that requires immediate solution as obese may further lead to other complicated illness such as heart problems. The Singapore Health Promotion Board has taken action by implementing the “Eat Healthy” Campaign where consumers are encouraged to ask for more vegetables, less oil, etc. Also, there is the “Health Promoting Mall” campaign, where malls that sign-up are encouraged to host activities which encourage a healthy lifestyle. Food courts and restaurants could also provide healthier meal choices by cutting down on the amount of salt and oil when preparing the food. Exercising frequently is also essential to stay healthy and minimize the chances of being obese.

The government may have taken some action to counter the problem. But overall, it still lies with oneself. If you do not bother to take care of your own health, who will?

Credits:
(News Source)

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/health/view/1091906/1/.html
http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2010/11/08/obesity-getting-the-better-of-singaporeans/

http://www.womenfitness.net/over-eating.htm

http://health.ezineseeker.com/how-do-i-stop-overeating-due-to-stress-14d15c82c2.html

Done By: Kwek Wan Ling
Admin Number: 103503L

A Mistaken Halloween Prank

(Murder of teen at Downtown East, 01 November 2010)

For full article, go to:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1090720/1/.html

Halloween is an annual holiday observed on October 31, primarily in Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the United States. It is believed that on this day, the border between this world and the other world becomes thin hence spirits (both harmless and harmful) are able to pass through.

Common Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, committing pranks, telling ghost stories and watching horror films. Just two days ago, a nasty trick happened at Downtown East, Singapore. A 19-year-old teen was thought to be prank by those who witness, when it was actually a true “horror film” unfolding. A 19-year-old teen was hacked repeatedly by a group of people and eventually died from his severe injuries.

  

The fight ensued after a starring episode. According to psychologist, Daniel Koh, individuals feel challenged when they are stared at. However, I feel that it is not a good reason for the group of teens to start a fight. Violence is not the way to solve problems. It will only aggravate matters and may result into something unfortunate and regretful.

 I am appalled that they had hacked the 19-year-old individual multiple times as if it was just a game. Did they play too much computer games? The group of teens even carried dangerous weapons around with them! This shows that they had been geared up for a fight all the time which is a frightening fact. It is obvious that they are “violence-managed”, believing that violence can solve their problems. It is shocking that they are so bold to commit such a crime at a crowded place too.

Some people feel that is it because of their incorrect upbringing that resulted to their current mindset. (http://forums.asiaone.com/showthread.php?t=33894&page=3) Indeed, parents play an important role model for their child to follow. But, it may be also due to other factors that cause one to have the incorrect moral behaviour such as mixing with the wrong company. This incident just shows that it is essential that students are inculcate with the proper moral values and taught proper behavioural management since young.

“Spare the rod and spoil the child”. I hope parents and teachers would pay more attention to their child’s upbringing and correct them before it is too late.  

Credits:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

http://forums.asiaone.com/showthread.php?t=33894&page=3

Done By: Kwek Wan Ling
Admin Number: 103503L