Being Thin is the New In???

What Is Anorexia? (cited from mamashealth.com)

Anorexia is an eating disorder where people starve themselves. Anorexia usually begins in young people around the onset of puberty. Individuals suffering from anorexia have extreme weight loss. Weight loss is usually 15% below the person's normal body weight. People suffering from anorexia are very skinny but are convinced that they are overweight. Weight loss is obtained by many ways. Some of the common techniques used are excessive exercise, intake of laxatives and not eating.

Anorexics have an intense fear of becoming fat. Their dieting habits develop from this fear. Anorexia mainly affects adolescent girls.

People with anorexia continue to think they are overweight even after they become extremely thin, are very ill or near death. Often they will develop strange eating habits such as refusing to eat in front of other people. Sometimes the individuals will prepare big meals for others while refusing to eat any of it.

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Pause. Just when you think Anorexia mainly affects teenage girls, you are wrong! Check out this news article from MyPaper on 24th July 2009...

Mr.Keropok's Thoughts:

OMG!! What has become of the world? There's nothing wrong with being thin if it's being done the correct way. But why do these teenagers need to resort to starvation or eating malnutrition meals?

Maybe the question behind the question to ask is 'Why the craze and pursuit of being thin?'

If it is for health reasons, then it's understandable. But if it is just plain following a trend just to look cool and gain some limelight, then personally I feel it is plain stupidity. Do pardon me for the lack of a better word. I'm just agitated each time I see young people not exercising some common sense nor thinking of consequences.

Slim vs. Anorexic. To some it may seem like a thin line or grey area of debate. For me, it's as clear as black and white. Don't be silly to fall into the cultural trap.

OMG!!! Lack of Sleep could Get You Fat!!

Source: Article from ChannelNewsAsia.com, 28th July 2009

The benefits of a good night's sleep go beyond improving your concentration and overall well-being. Researchers have found that it is also good for your waistline.

Those who consistently fail to get enough sleep may experience weight gain, according to findings presented at Sleep 2009 in Seattle last month.

A study on 92 healthy adults conducted by University of Pennsylvania found that those who had less than the average amount of sleep gained an average of 1.3kg during the 11-day experiment.

Another study on 1,000 volunteers conducted by Stanford University in California found that those who slept less than eight hours a night had higher levels of body fat. Those who reportedly slept the least weighed the most.

According to Dr Lim, who is the director of Sleep Disorders Unit at Singapore General Hospital, sleep deprivation is "a stressful state which alters our body's hormonal environment".

Lack of sleep decreases the level of leptin, a hormone that makes one feel full after eating. It also increases the level ghrelin, a "hunger hormone" that stimulates one's appetite. This results in overeating and weight gain, said Dr Lim.

"People who don't get enough sleep may also feel tired and exercise less," she added.

For those who have less sleep because they stay up late, eating habits such as bingeing on calorie-laden foods to stay awake may be the reason behind the weight gain, said Ms Lim Su Lin, chief dietitian and senior manager at National University Hospital's dietetics department.

"To stay awake, they may resort to drinking high-sugar, caffeinated beverages or munching on tidbits," said Ms Lim. They may pile on the pounds as a result.

So what constitutes a good night's sleep?

"It is simply one from which we wake up naturally (without an alarm clock), feeling refreshed, alert and able to function at peak mental performance," said Dr Lim. A person who sleeps well would not need to nap in the middle of the day.

Adults require six to 10 hours of sleep.

(Click here to read the full report >>)

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Mr.Keropok's thoughts:

*Pinching the spare tyre on my waistline* ... Hmm.... Based on this report, then I should start clocking more sleep time instead my borderline of 6 hours daily.

But in all things, everything must be seen from holistic approach. Apart from amount of sleep, one other way to control our waistline has definitely got to be our diet and regular exercise. So here's my battle plan:

1. Cut down on soft drinks and any other sweetened drinks. Only drink one cup of tea per day, one sweet drink per week.
2. No supper! (this is gonna be tough!)
   
3. Exercise at least twice a week. (I need people to push me on this!)
   

Objective is not about slimming down, but keeping fit. =D

Stay tuned for my next posting on Anorexia!

Nelson Mandela - "One Team, One Country"

How much do you know about this man - Nelson Mandela?

Honestly, I didn't. All I knew was that Mr Mandela was the former president of South Africa. And prior to his presidency, he was held captive in prison for many years. And that he was someone highly respected - that's why he was elected as president.

My limited knowledge of history was given a jolt last night when I watching a segment of the 2009 ESPYS Awards Presentation, where Mr Nelson Mandela was presented the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, and there was a special message tribute given to him by the US President Barack Obama himself.

What's this Arthur Ashe Courage Award? -> It was an award given annually to individuals whose contributions transcend sports.

From ESPN.com:

Mandela was chosen for his actions at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was hosted by South Africa for the first time. After the host national team, the Springboks, won the final, Mandela, presented the William Webb Ellis Cup to South African captain Francois Pienaar. The gesture was considered a major step in the reconciliation of white and black South Africans.

"We're honored that President Mandela accepts The 2009 ESPYS' Arthur Ashe Courage Award," John Skipper, ESPN executive vice president said. "His action at the 1995 Rugby World Cup was an iconic moment in sports history. The image -- of the previously divided nation, now united under South African colors -- shows the importance of sport to society."

From examiner.com:

The Arthur Ashe Courage Award, given to Nelson Mandela and accepted by his daughter and grandson was accompanied by a short documentary that linked Mandela' s already extraordinary life story to a signature sporting event.

He worked his magic to get the Rugby World Cup to South Africa at a time of tremendous racial violence and strife that followed the first democratic elections for President in the nation's history. The games were used to unite black and white populations in a story that sounds preposterous and over-the-top. It isn't. It is a must-see short documentary.

From Wikipedia.org:

As President from May 1994 until June 1999, Mandela presided over the transition from minority rule and apartheid, winning international respect for his advocacy of national and international reconciliation.

Mandela encouraged black South Africans to get behind the previously hated Springboks (the South African national rugby team) as South Africa hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup. After the Springboks won an epic final over New Zealand, Mandela presented the trophy to captain Francois Pienaar, an Afrikaner, wearing a Springbok shirt with Pienaar's own number 6 on the back. This was widely seen as a major step in the reconciliation of white and black South Africans.

YouTube Video of President Obama's tribute to Mr Nelson Mandela:

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Mr.Keropok's Thoughts:

I have new found tremendous respect for this man from today onwards.

Mr Nelson Mandela is a History Maker!

Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince

Within two days, I watched Harry Potter grow up. Special thanks to Toa Payoh Entertainment Centre Cinema and TV5.

• Saturday 6:30pm @ Toa Payoh Entertainment Centre - Watched "Harry Potter and The Half Blood Price" (Part 6)
• Saturday 10:00pm @ Home on TV5 - Watched part of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (Part 3)
• Sunday 8:30pm @ Home on TV5 - Watched part of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" (Part 4)

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Mr.Keropok's review on "Harry Porter and The Half Blood Prince"

Rating: 2 / 5 (Wait until the DVD comes out)

Comments:

1. Disappointing plot - I have never read any Harry Potter books, but everything was pretty much predictable throughout the entire show. I was still hoping that I could see Lord Voldermott and Harry Potter battle it out at some parts, but to my major disappointment, there was not. Lord Voldermott only appeared 0.5 seconds in the entire movie!

2. Dull - There wasn't much fighting and wizardry scenes that I had hoped it would be. But rather much of the time was given to conversations and the BGR that unfolded between the main characters. Seems more like a sentimental love story rather than the usual Harry Potter movie we would have expected.

3. Draggy - I fell asleep a couple of times during the 2 hour 34 min show. I suspect if they had cut away all the unnecessary love story scenes and talked slightly faster, the show would probably end in 1 hour 30 min!!

In summary:

If you are a Harry Potter fan, I would suggest you just read the book (which many have said is more compelling) and stay as that. Watch the movie when it is released on DVD, and only do so if you have the time.

If you are non a Harry Potter fan, then don't waste your money. Rather spend it on a good meal with your loved ones. Wait for the movie to be shown to TV5 in the near future.

The Cold Within

Six humans trapped by happenstance
In dark and bitter cold;
Each one possessed a stick of wood,
Or so the story’s told.

Their dying fire in need of logs,
The first woman held hers back.
For on the faces around the fire
She noticed one was black.

The next man looking cross the way
Saw one not of his church
And couldn’t bring himself to give
The fire his stick of birch.

The third one sat in tattered clothes
He gave his coat a hitch
Why should his log be put to use
To warm the idle rich?

The rich man just sat back and thought
Of the wealth he had in store.
And how to keep what he had earned
From the lazy, worthless poor.

The black man’s face bespoke revenge
As the fire passed from sight,
For all he saw in his stick of wood
Was a chance to spite the white.

The last man of this forlorn group
Did naught except to gain;
Giving only to those who gave
Was how he played the game.

The logs held tight in death’s still hands
Was proof of human sin.
They didn’t die from the cold without,
They did from the cold within.

- by James Patrick Kinney

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Mr.Keropok's Thoughts:

I'm don't usually read not get caught up with poems. But this particular one caught my attention today as I was doing some web surfing. And how true it speaks of our human nature. I confess that at times I too have been selfish and only concerned for my own safety, survival, needs, wants, desires....etc.

As I reflected upon these words written, it is a timely reminder for me daily to "not grip hold of my stick" - But when I learn to give (in actions, words, attitude, time...etc), not only do the recipients benefit, but I too have grown.

Top 5 Annoyance in the MRT

Everyday, hundreds of thousands and maybe even a million commuters travel on the MRT. Where the masses of people mingle, there are bound to be annoying encounters that are hard to swallow.

Here are my personal takes from observations over the past 9 years of MRT rides.

1. Oblivious people reading newspaper, playing PSPs, listening to music or happily chatting away with each other. Totally ignorant of the poor group of people who are squeezing like sardines near the MRT cabin doorway.

2. Inconsiderate people whom lean their entire back against the vertical handrails - sometimes even when there are already hands holding on it! Please remember that these are HAND-rails and not BODY-rails!

3. People whom have little (or possibly even no sense) of social responsibility. Examples: (a) Coughing openly and sometimes even specks of saliva flying across, instead of covering up their mouth. (b) Digging their nose and blatantly just wiping the residue (or mucus) on the glass panels.

4. Uncooperative people whom refuse to give up their seats to needy people. Instead they pretend to be asleep, talk on their handphone... basically just doing anything and trying to "act busy" or "act blur".

5. P.D.A aka Public Display of Affection. Some actions and behaviour are meant to be kept at home and need not be shown off in public. It is rather distasteful to see couples locking-tongues and playing tickle-game in a cabin consisting of especially kids. Maybe SMRT should consider putting the G-rating (just like movies) on every train cabin as a reminder!

Honestly, I feel that the solution to all this is ........

C.O.M.M.O.N S.E.N.S.E!

Don't you think so?

[Disclaimer: This post is an expression of personal views and has no intentions of personal attacks on anyone in particular. Any commonalities are purely coincidence.]

Knowing when to step in

Source: Article from TODAY, 7th July 2009

One of the most difficult choices parents must face is deciding when to let children suffer the consequences of their actions and when they need rescuing.

The road to success is fraught with failures. Every winner has at one time felt the pain of defeat. Our children must go through hard times for them to grow. Yet, it is tough to stand back and watch them struggle. Our love for them makes us vulnerable to their needs.

Life brings pain and sorrow to little people. And we hurt when they hurt. When others ridicule them, when they feel lonely, when they fail at something important, when they cry, when physical harm threatens them. These are the trials that seem unbearable to those of us who stand and watch from the sidelines. We want to protect them from life’s sting, to hold them within our embrace.

Yet, there are times when we must let them struggle. Children can’t grow without taking risks. Toddlers can’t walk without falling down. Students can’t learn without facing failure and adolescents can’t enter adulthood unless we release them from our protective custody.

It takes a wise parent to know when to intervene and when to let them profit from their stresses.

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Mr.Keropok's Thoughts:

I applaud and give a big thumbs up to what Dr. James Dobson shares in this snippet. And if I may expand this further, it not only just apply to children who need to take falls in life to learn, but even for teenagers and adults - basically everyone and any stage in life.

As I reflect on my journey in mentoring youths, there are just so many times where I am pulling my hair off and biting my lips because they are going down the wrong road. This despite having given them so much warnings and advices.. but they just do not heed and want to choose their own way.

I can only stand by the side and watch as they thread down the dangerous paths. Watching and waiting for the strategic moment to step in to intervene.

Disturbing Advertisements

Source: Advertisement taken from TODAY, 2nd July 2009
Frankly speaking, on the first look, what do you really see? The airplane or the butts? Was quite put off when I saw this advertisement today. Personally I feel that this is rather a degrading manner of publicity! Definitely doesn't put Malaysia in the right light.

What's the message being sent across through this advertisement? That this airline provides good service? Or on board this airline, you will see butts like these in the advertisement?

Read again the tagline for this advertise.. "Explore the Backyard of Malaysia"... Gosh! It sounds more like "Explore the Back Side of Malaysia"?!?!

Source: Advertisement taken from FoxNews.com, 30th June 2009
I first saw this advertisement @ Changi Airport catching my early breakfast before a flight to Kota Kinabalu. Really distasteful when I saw it because it causes people to make an unappetizing reference to oral sex!

This advertisement tagline continues, "It'll blow your mind away. Fill your desire for something long, juicy and flame-grilled".

What kind of suggestive and sexually connotative statement is that?!?

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Mr.Keropok's Thoughts:

With all due respect, I have nothing against FireFly airline or Burger King. But I do feel strongly that such advertisements should not be put up nor tolerated. In fact, I believe there are many other ways to capture audience attention to the advertisement rather than using sexual innuendos.

Every organization and advertising firm should really use their brains to think first as well as exercising social responsibility before putting up such adverts.

Adults may find it acceptable. But pause for a moment and think... what is going through the teenager's mind when they see these advertisements?