How did this happen?

Rewind, rewind! As far as I remember it, extra curricular activities were mandatory back in the days when I was in elementary school back in Malaysia. It was fun, in fact we all compete with one another to participate. There maybe some kids out there who are wondering if we are from out of space, but truthfully, that's the most enjoyable part of my childhood! We have lots to juggle between schoolwork and extra activities such as language clubs, life-skills clubs, scouts, brownies, etc.... but we somehow manage. I guess without the X-BOX, Wii, and PS1, 2 AND 3, we crave for fun activities besides sitting in front of the tv or doing 300 math exercises a week. A typical Malaysian kid grown in the late 70's and early 80's would probably remember the home practices that we have in our schools when we spent hot evenings doing high jumps, long jumps and distance runs. Whatever happen to those activities today??? Here I am, sitting in front of my computer, and reading about slimming spas for elementary school kids in Malaysia! It sounded almost unbelievable to me. Whatever happen to mandatory sports practice after school, and the annual marathons that almost 100% of the schools in Malaysia would have? I must be missing a lot here being thousands of miles across the ocean. So, obesity have hit hard indeed, in Malaysia. I must still be living in "ga-ga" world to still think that I am FAT in Malaysia after having to always go for the LARGE or X-LARGE sizes there while I can fit into a size 6 here. Why am I surprise? I know I should not even be because obesity IS a worldwide issue, almost a global pandemic so why should Malaysia be left out, right? If all the kids are getting bigger, why aren't the Malaysian kids?? (My sarcasm). Perhaps children no longer appreciate the exercises in the hot Malaysian climate ( but mind you, I always think that's the best way to exercise!). They prefer air-conditioner room and hate the sweat. I may still live in "zaman kuno" (Malay for ancient times) for I think having air-conditioned classrooms in Malaysia is just a waste of money and totally unhealthy! I never had such luxury as a kid. Do I complain about the heat when I go home for holidays? Yes I do, but that doesn't mean that I will lock myself in an air-conditioned room all day. Taking a walk in the sun makes my skin healthier and the humidity felt so good (trust me, it's better than dry heat). So, what's wrong with the kids these days that they need to go to slimming camps and spas???? Aren't plain eating healthy, sleep well, and play healthy under the sun enough? The Malaysian government has been campaigning hard enough to combat childhood obesity. In fact, I have found some very good websites that give pretty good information about eating healthy and living a healthy lifestyle. Here are some: Nutriweb Obese children diet (in Bahasa Melayu) MASO (Malaysia Association for the Study of Obesity)

For the people of Malaysia

Have been a little tired lately but I think the people back home in Malaysia is even more tired and anxious about the rising prices of everything. But now.... rumours that political unrest may be happening with some repetitive historical event involving Anwar. I have been away for a while but the my hometown is still my lovely hometown. I hope peace will infuse into the bloods of the people of Malaysia especially the politician because it is the people who make the country prosper. Here, I would like to share a video by the artists of Malaysia.

Rising gas price is driving the world crazy!!

We do not go out as often anymore for drives. The gas price is crazy! It is now 132.99$/liter here in Canada. I wish that the dream for having fuel-less car could be realized soon. Apparently, a student from the University of Dalhousie invented a car that runs on air. They even place their research result on youtube, which could be accessed here. I wish I could tell the leaders of the oil producing countries in the world to please think about us, poor commoners of the world who worked so hard everyday to just live by and to be happy with our family. It is crucial to place a stop (even if it is temporary) to the surge in the oil price. It may sound crazy.... and absurd to ask of this but hey!! maybe one of the royalties may stumble upon this page and say," we must come out with a solution for this crisis!". Tough luck? Maybe.... but someone already did write a letter :-)