•» Straits Times Reflections !

Straits Times Reflection #15

Sunday, August 23, 2009

- What are the 4 rules for religious harmony?
- All religion groups must exercise tolerance and restraint, and should not be related to politics but separated. The government must be fair to all religion groups, in other words, they must be secular. Lastly, maintaining common spaces Singaporeans share so as to allow the feeling of at home in Singapore at ease.

- In your opinion, how can we maintain a common space in schools?
- The Catholic and Chinese schools should allow the students of other religion and/or races to mix along with the catholics and chinese. Other than that, students of different religion and/or races have to be independent and do something common together amongst themselves.

- Do you respect other religions? Why or why not? What do you think of the children who stay away from their parent's funerals because they believe the traditional rites are against their new religion?
- Yes, I do. I respect them because I also want them to respect me, as well as my religion, and to gain their respect, I have to respect them too. Other than that, I would not want any racial riots to occur. In my opinion, I think that those children are very disrespectful to their parents. To me, nothing is more important than family. It sis true though that religion is important but, by abandoning parent's funeral is not only disrespectful to their parents, but also quite sinful. Their parents have taken great care of them from young till what they are now, and visiting their funerals is only a small price to pay. But, it is a shame that they could not just do this little thing for their parents.

Labels: straits times reflection 15

Straits Times Reflection #14

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

- What is the modus operandi ( method of operating ) of the con artists?
- The con artists would impose themselves as volunteers from welfare organizations working on a project to spruce up the homes of the senior citizens.

- What are the Lion Befrienders planning to do to ensure the old folks do not get conned again?
- They have reminded not only the 3 victims, as well as all the old folks to ask for an identification pass bearing the visitor's name and Befrienders's logo, whether the visitors are the full-time staffs or experienced volunteers introducing new volunteers to them. This is to ensure that all the old folks recognized all the people who are visiting them subsequently.

- Do you like doing social work? Why/why not?
- I like doing social work. I like helping people, especially old folks. I like to see the smile on the old folk's faces when I visit them and help them clean and tidy up their homes since most of them do not have the strength and energy to do so. In my opinion, helping these old folks is a much better way to spent our leisure time than to just lazing around at home, doing nothing and/or play computer games. I think that it is a nice and caring thing to do by visiting these old folks and help them, it will not only make them feel happy, we are also making ourselves happy somehow.

Labels: straits times reflection 14

Straits Times Reflection #13

- What are the 2 worrying trends about drug trafficking mentioned in the article?
- Teens that are as young as 14 have been arrested for trafficking, although it is still unknown of how many have been convicted. Other than that, more Singaporeans are currently being arrested for drug crimes overseas. Some of the 330 Singaporeans were caught in Thailand and Malaysia between 2002 to 2006 and many of them are currently behind bars.

- Why are Singaporeans increasingly being used as " drug mules "?
- Singapore's reputation on drugs are very tough and serious, which makes Singaporeans less likely to be checked for drugs. Not only that, Singaporeans do not need a visa for many places.

- What will you do if you find out that one of your friends is selling drugs? How will you react if someone tries to sell you drugs?
- Immediately, I would advise that particular friend of mine to stop selling drugs and inform him that drug-selling is illegal. Also, I will remind him of the harsh consequences if he are caught selling drugs. If he ignores me, even when I have advised him, I would just wash my hands of him and respect his decision. When someone tries to sell me drugs, I will quickly find a reason to go away so as to not buy the drugs. Example; I would suggest that I am in a rush to meet my mum thus, quickly fled away from that particular area.

Labels: straits times reflection 13

Straits Times Reflection #12

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

- Why is it easy for burglars to break into stalls at the two markets in the Kallang area?
- The burglars were able to break into the stalls as the top of the stalls were open. They could just get up on the pipes/ metal bars to climb up the stalls.

- What is the Geylang East Central Merchant's Association going to do about the break-ins?
- Mr Tan Seng Peng wanted to vary the stall arrangements. Other than that, he suggested to meet the National Environment Agency, a.k.a, NEA and the town councils to search for further improving security by changing the stalls layout and design.

- What do you think should be done to tighten the security of the markets? What do you think of the burglars who brazenly break into the stalls?
- I think that they should put CCTV cameras secretly somewhere near the stalls so as to catch the burglars who break into the stalls. Its must be located near a bright spot so that the tapes shown would not be dark and that it is able to catch the burglars like their faces clearly. Other than the CCTV cameras, I think that we, ourselves, should be vigilant and keep a lookout for any suspicious-looking people near the stalls. The residents living nearby could help and call the police immediately if they saw any burglars breaking into any stalls. In my opinion, I think that these burglars are heartless people because the stall owners have worked so hard on collecting all the cash that people purchase for their food items but, sadly, their money are just stolen away by others. Personally, I think these burglars are plain cruel and selfish people.

Labels: straits times reflection 12

Straits Times Reflection #11

- Why is cheer leading an expensive sport?
- It is an expensive because there are ample of things the cheerleaders need to buy. Examples are the imported pom-poms from Taiwan that cost $50 to $70 a pair. Hair products are also needed and it costs about $50 a team for competition. There are many more items or products that are needed to buy and they are all very expensive because most of them are imported from other countries. Hence, cheer leading is an expensive sport.

- What makes cheer leading such a tough sport?
- It is a tough sport because the cheerleaders need hours of practice to perfect their routine. By routine it includes all the high jumps, flips and other stunts. Other than routine, they need to practice their facials and need to plan out their choreograph perfectly for competitions. The cheerleaders do not mind any blood, sweat or tears because when they are practicing , acing their routine is the only thing they need to think about.

- What is your opinion on cheerleaders? If given a chance, would you join cheer leading? Why/ why not?
- In my opinion, I think that the cheerleaders are very athletic people because not only are they fixed in shape but also, they have a good mindset for what they want to achieve. It goes to show that they are all very committed in striving their goals even though they are extremely exhausted and/or injured. I would not want to try to become a cheerleader even so I was given a chance because, not only it is tiring, but also because it is too expensive for me. Rather than spending my money on the items needed, I would rather save it and spent it on much other important things.

Labels: straits times reflection 11

Straits Times Reflection #10

Monday, August 3, 2009

- What are some of the problems involved in separating a conjoined twin?
- It can cause severe chest infection, which can lead to death. Complications and fatal problems with the spinal cord are some of the problems faced during and/or after the separation. As to what it said, the separation of a conjoined twin can leave one with serious brain damage or a major problem of excessive blood loss.

- If you were part of a conjoined twin, would you rather stay together with your twin for the rest of your life or would you risk both of your lives to go for an operation? Why?
- In my opinion, I would rather stay with my twin for the rest of my life. I know life is all about taking risks but I dare not risk my life. I rather stay with my twin and live my life no matter how troublesome or difficult it is but it is fine with me because life is not always easy.

Labels: straits times reflection 10