I've put Nick Vijucic up here at this blog, basically to encourage myself.
A man without limbs, living to the fullness of his life, God-fearing man. What kind of strength that God had given him. Yet, he is not a man of God without doubts, without sorrow, without moodswing.
While doing the study on young teens and healthy people who fall sick in the "stress" of society, I wonder how much more he could have in his life. Stigma! I bet he has none less. Not all around him are goody goody people. He went through it just like all of us.
Then, it is the strength that pulled him out from the darkness, the strength that put smile on his face that drawn me, to listen to him. Listening to someone who could just possibly hide in the room, one who possibly jumped down from 7 floors and die rather than choosing to face the world, listening to someone who has so much less in physical, yet so much more in spirit. Yeah, I want to listen to him!
http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org
Monday, April 30, 2007
"Promotion" of another kind...... ?
When I was doing more search on tokokyohi (refusing school), I found this. It could be funny, it could be fantasy, it could be ways to thrust one's anger.
In the view of public health, we might want to access why the person had put up this? What kind of health state that this person was?
Int he view of sociology, people might wish to access what kind of impact that this icon had caused in the realm of internet and among those who hated school.
We can do many things, but not all are good.
In view of the massacres in schools, and NEETs, though both are really different things. I think there is a need to beware, what kind of ideology that we instill in our children?
Poisonous act started with poisonous thoughts!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Peace Be With You
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27
Through out the history, this phrase had poured out strength to those who were weary. Whether people had wandered away from it, or people were drawn to it. The strength that came together with this phrase, had miraculously pulled men through, in times of persecution and deep sorrow.
This article is written In memory of the three matyrs in Turkey on april 18, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Miss Out
I was a very skeptical person. I hold reserve on many things. Especially for those things that do not flow my way, ideas and thoughts that I can not comprehend. ( I am still today in some ways, I need a lot of proofs before I can agree on things. eg. 1) What are in the mixed cheese: mozzarella? Or just mixed? 2) What kind of honey that you are using when there is a honey drink in the menu: Australia honey? Pure honey? Sugar honey? Or thick sugar that was what it means? etc. )
One God or the term of Creator was a frustrating idea to me. I used to chase out any one who came into my room, cross my path, proclaiming that ideology.
Spiritual needs? Brokenness? I thought I had it all, and I didn't need it. I could still remember when I was 18, Chin Leng and I were sitting together in the class, and we named all religions that we knew in the world, getting excited about the mysterious ideology, yet together we soundly renounce Christianity and Islam. We were the activists in class. That was 1994.
A year after that, Chin Leng turned into a Christian. I felt strange. It must be very tough for her, so she became weak, and she chose Christ, I thought.
I would never be that weak, I thought. Even if I would, to me, accepting Christ is a humiliation of what I held on. I was a proud girl. So much pride in me...... God has mercy.
In 1998, I reconciled with my father. I began to taste the goodness of being with the family after being long expelled, spiritually and physically. Of course, when I look back now, I was the one who chose to withdraw. I am not getting into that, that's another long story. I began to appreciate what my father had done for me. I began to take a step, to put myself into his shoes, and begin to see things through his lenses. Yet, I could not understand why and how he had settled down with Christianity and turned into a church goer in his 60's. I looked at him, a stubborn man, a strong willed man that had been through so many in life, one who tasted cruelty of the world, one whom my grandma had warned me that this man would break my legs if I go to church when I was 12, out of sudden, turned into Christ and baptized. That was 1992.
Honestly I thought he was a "rice Christian" at that time. Maybe he did that to favor those people, or because of the kindness of the brothers and sisters in the church, or maybe... I didn't want to think about it. The image of my father was a hero, was a jerk. I didn't want to think about it, and I didn't care.
I’ve seen miracles in my father. I've seen miracles in my family.
My father had a hand gun, and a short gun. I remember once, I provoked him so much, that in furious he took out his gun, pointed at his temple, and then he took it off again, shot the door, and then he went off in his car. I can not remember now, when exactly was that incident, but I can still remember the exact spot of the door that he opened his fire. It was an evening, after a evening drama program on TV. I can’t remember now the exact sequences of things, was it sometime around 1990-1991, or 1993-1994? All I could remember was that, I had broken his heart, and drew him to madness. He could have killed me.
I was a prodigal son.
My father still loved me and supported me. I knew that. But we kept hurting each other. Between us, there was lack of trust.
I had not see much physical good that the church had done for us except for my father had been kept rushing us to church on Sunday. I fed up with it, and I said I was not going. But my father was faithful. He went to the church every Sunday, he prayed and he read bible. He would drive all the way to Ampang for home fellowship, and that took him at least one and a half hour drive, sometimes 3 hours because of the traffic. And the cost of the gasoline would pay for a family meal. We struggled in living at that time. He was crazy to me, I thought. Selfish. What was it about "God"?
Despite witnessing healing and miracles among my family members, I continued to be stiff neck.
In 1998, I and my father were able to sit down together and worked things out. We became an emotional support for each other. Still, I refused to walk on his path. I was involved with most of his activities, friends. By being a bright university student, and graduate, I made him proud, and gave him joy. I was in his secular circle, shining like a star. We trod on the journey together, I wanted to be with my father, yet I was blinded to his believe. The most essential thing in life of a human being.
One God or the term of Creator was a frustrating idea to me. I used to chase out any one who came into my room, cross my path, proclaiming that ideology.
Spiritual needs? Brokenness? I thought I had it all, and I didn't need it. I could still remember when I was 18, Chin Leng and I were sitting together in the class, and we named all religions that we knew in the world, getting excited about the mysterious ideology, yet together we soundly renounce Christianity and Islam. We were the activists in class. That was 1994.
A year after that, Chin Leng turned into a Christian. I felt strange. It must be very tough for her, so she became weak, and she chose Christ, I thought.
I would never be that weak, I thought. Even if I would, to me, accepting Christ is a humiliation of what I held on. I was a proud girl. So much pride in me...... God has mercy.
In 1998, I reconciled with my father. I began to taste the goodness of being with the family after being long expelled, spiritually and physically. Of course, when I look back now, I was the one who chose to withdraw. I am not getting into that, that's another long story. I began to appreciate what my father had done for me. I began to take a step, to put myself into his shoes, and begin to see things through his lenses. Yet, I could not understand why and how he had settled down with Christianity and turned into a church goer in his 60's. I looked at him, a stubborn man, a strong willed man that had been through so many in life, one who tasted cruelty of the world, one whom my grandma had warned me that this man would break my legs if I go to church when I was 12, out of sudden, turned into Christ and baptized. That was 1992.
Honestly I thought he was a "rice Christian" at that time. Maybe he did that to favor those people, or because of the kindness of the brothers and sisters in the church, or maybe... I didn't want to think about it. The image of my father was a hero, was a jerk. I didn't want to think about it, and I didn't care.
I’ve seen miracles in my father. I've seen miracles in my family.
My father had a hand gun, and a short gun. I remember once, I provoked him so much, that in furious he took out his gun, pointed at his temple, and then he took it off again, shot the door, and then he went off in his car. I can not remember now, when exactly was that incident, but I can still remember the exact spot of the door that he opened his fire. It was an evening, after a evening drama program on TV. I can’t remember now the exact sequences of things, was it sometime around 1990-1991, or 1993-1994? All I could remember was that, I had broken his heart, and drew him to madness. He could have killed me.
I was a prodigal son.
My father still loved me and supported me. I knew that. But we kept hurting each other. Between us, there was lack of trust.
I had not see much physical good that the church had done for us except for my father had been kept rushing us to church on Sunday. I fed up with it, and I said I was not going. But my father was faithful. He went to the church every Sunday, he prayed and he read bible. He would drive all the way to Ampang for home fellowship, and that took him at least one and a half hour drive, sometimes 3 hours because of the traffic. And the cost of the gasoline would pay for a family meal. We struggled in living at that time. He was crazy to me, I thought. Selfish. What was it about "God"?
Despite witnessing healing and miracles among my family members, I continued to be stiff neck.
In 1998, I and my father were able to sit down together and worked things out. We became an emotional support for each other. Still, I refused to walk on his path. I was involved with most of his activities, friends. By being a bright university student, and graduate, I made him proud, and gave him joy. I was in his secular circle, shining like a star. We trod on the journey together, I wanted to be with my father, yet I was blinded to his believe. The most essential thing in life of a human being.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Harajuku, Hikikomori, Otaku, NEET - small thoughts
Harajuku teens or Hikikomori or Akihabara Otaku, these are all teens, with certain problems of their own, a result of a choice on how they chose to deal with a circumstance in life, or dreams to be fulfilled. Yet, so much emptiness.
Are these phenomena only in Japan? Or it is spreading like a fire to the other parts of the world, with the influence of media, internet and manga (comic)?
These are certainly troubled youths.
What recorded in the video reels are real things that are happening in the street every day. It was not an accident, or a special event nor festival. These people might be only representing a small percentage of the population, as many people tried to comfort themselves as they see this. But when you walk in the middle of the street, you will have fear, are these the youth for tomorrow?
Most of these people skip schools, do nothing, they have a special terminolgy that was created for them only a few years back. NEET - "Not currently engaged in Employment, Education or Training". NEET is a government classification, first used in the United Kingdom but whose use has spread to other countries, including Japan and South Korea. It is a global problem.
Is this a public health issue? I think, YES, it is!
Are these phenomena only in Japan? Or it is spreading like a fire to the other parts of the world, with the influence of media, internet and manga (comic)?
These are certainly troubled youths.
What recorded in the video reels are real things that are happening in the street every day. It was not an accident, or a special event nor festival. These people might be only representing a small percentage of the population, as many people tried to comfort themselves as they see this. But when you walk in the middle of the street, you will have fear, are these the youth for tomorrow?
Most of these people skip schools, do nothing, they have a special terminolgy that was created for them only a few years back. NEET - "Not currently engaged in Employment, Education or Training". NEET is a government classification, first used in the United Kingdom but whose use has spread to other countries, including Japan and South Korea. It is a global problem.
Is this a public health issue? I think, YES, it is!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Mission Exposure in Koh-Hlao, November2005
November 04, 2005
We went to this Sea-gypsies village in Koh-Hlao. An Island along the Andaman Sea, where is at the border of Thai and Myanmar. The people there accepted Christ after the incident of Tsunami and tasted the goodness of Christians Aids in many areas, as well as witnessing Miracles that happened in the village through prayers.
They really need medical attention. Many have skin diseases, parasites infestation, mal-nutritional problems, dental problems etc. They have no citizenship, as the pastor who serve there tried to get the attention from the Ranong Health Ministry but was rejected for the reason of inconvenience in traveling. The infant mortality rate is high. I brought some de-worming medication with me, but only the little ones responded to the drug. I am not sure whether the reason of this is because of the drugs are generics or the dosage was under dose. Certainly a Medical Mission team is highly needed in this region.
We managed to go to Koh-Bayam, which is another island which is located in the deep sea. This village was totally destroyed by Tsunami. Many had died in the incident, and left with many widows and orphans. An old woman is having this cataract problem, and the children again are badly infested by parasites.
It saddened me as I noticed that most of the sickness and death were at the cost of a few dollars of medications, and awareness of keeping their environment clean and livable.
We went to this Sea-gypsies village in Koh-Hlao. An Island along the Andaman Sea, where is at the border of Thai and Myanmar. The people there accepted Christ after the incident of Tsunami and tasted the goodness of Christians Aids in many areas, as well as witnessing Miracles that happened in the village through prayers.
They really need medical attention. Many have skin diseases, parasites infestation, mal-nutritional problems, dental problems etc. They have no citizenship, as the pastor who serve there tried to get the attention from the Ranong Health Ministry but was rejected for the reason of inconvenience in traveling. The infant mortality rate is high. I brought some de-worming medication with me, but only the little ones responded to the drug. I am not sure whether the reason of this is because of the drugs are generics or the dosage was under dose. Certainly a Medical Mission team is highly needed in this region.
We managed to go to Koh-Bayam, which is another island which is located in the deep sea. This village was totally destroyed by Tsunami. Many had died in the incident, and left with many widows and orphans. An old woman is having this cataract problem, and the children again are badly infested by parasites.
It saddened me as I noticed that most of the sickness and death were at the cost of a few dollars of medications, and awareness of keeping their environment clean and livable.
Thoughts when I came back from Koh-Hlau, naive it maybe......
Dear Friends,
Finally, we are back in Malaysia, thanks for your prayers! After the visit in Ranong and Koh-Hlao Island, our country is a heaven while compare.
The living expenses in Ranong and Phuket is high, not too far from the living expenses in Malaysia. The monthly income is in average about 6,000 Baht. Some who owns a car is about 8,000 - 10,000 Baht. The gasoline is much more expensive than ours too. This situation had made the life in this area even harder, I assume.
The Tsunami affected area indeed had captured many attentions from the N.G.O.s, I would say "We Love Thailand" had done a fantastic job in many affected areas.
The Island that we visited was Koh-Hlao Island. It is located along the Andaman Sea, at about 25 minutes boat drive from Ranong. If it is low tide, we can actually walk across to Myanmar region, which is at the other side of the Island. The people group is Sea-Gypsies, and they converse in a unique language, Moken. A few of the elderly people can speak in Malay( they lived near Langkawi Island when they were children); and some of them, because of the influences in the sea business, can speak in Thai.
On this Island, we see water tanks funded by Baptise, We Love Thailand, IYEO, KERF. ActionAid and Campus Crusade For Christ had also came into this island to assist in relieve work. As we assisted the Ps. Vichai in the ministry, we find that the villagers are very dependant on him in their daily needs. Ps. Vichai is a Thai missionary that had left his family and moved to this island six months ago, working closely with Full Gospel Church in Ranong to facilitate the rebuilding project in Koh-Hlao Island. As we were in the village, we found that a Thai lady who is staying on the Island provided food for the children in lunch time with her own money or sometimes in the assist of Ps. Vichai, or from the volunteers of the church that came over to teach the children Thai and bible stories.
It surprised me as I explored further on the Island, and find that ActionAid had also set up an "office" on that island, and have some connection with IYEO and JVC to set up a "Children Center of Foundation" hall. The hall looks like a canteen, and has a tremendous kitchen. Outside the wall hang some good pictures of giving out food to the children. Unfortunately, our stay in Koh-Hlao had not witness any of these good deeds.
By realizing so many N.G.O.s which had put their attention on this island, I was even surprised for the medical needs in this village was never attended. The children are badly parasite infested, the infant mortality is high, the adults are poorly given attention, their skin infections were so bad, and mostly all of them are mal-nutrition. We walked along with Ps. Vichai with his first-aid box in his hand, continuing gaining the trust from these people by praying with them, showing care and concern, plus applying antiseptic cream onto the wounds. In fact, after so many months of attention, this was the first time that they had a de-worming program. And it was done by a group of hardly qualified people, us. Although hardly qualified, nevertheless needs still to need to be met.
I was really angry. While so many had come, I didn't see containers of supplies in this village. There are no food on the table except for shells, which is their only source on this island. They have boats now for transportation, but no motors/engines that enable them to go out to the deep sea for fishing. They can only provide dinner for their children but not lunch. The land of the Island is filled with shells, rough stones and broken glasses. Adults or children running bare feet on the island, all skinny, but with a big bounced out stomach.
I really pray that a seriousness in all these organizations that come. I pray that a well meaning in doing any relief work, not so much on documented publication and talks on the paper, but in real situation, the funds that generated for these projects shall wisely be used, justicely be distributed. I also pray that as a unity among all these who try to help out the situation in Koh-Hlao Island, a transparency and clear communication shall occur. As where and when the church is teaching the children languages or having their service, the other party shall not turn on their TV so loud, with their Bollywood movies on, and tempt the children and adults to go in to the house for a movie session. This had aroused the anger of the Headman in the village. And strange enough, each time as the service ends, or the church activities ends, the house next door that the ActionAid people had called it their office would shut their doors and remained silence. Please also pray that God will move a medical team into this area, so that they would have medical attention. Sadly to say, most of the complications or death in this place is due to ignorance on basic health care, and should be prevented by just a few dollars medication.
We can see God's hands upon this place, and as the children sang the worship songs, we are certain there is a HOPE.
Blessed,
Roseline
Nov 05, 2005
Finally, we are back in Malaysia, thanks for your prayers! After the visit in Ranong and Koh-Hlao Island, our country is a heaven while compare.
The living expenses in Ranong and Phuket is high, not too far from the living expenses in Malaysia. The monthly income is in average about 6,000 Baht. Some who owns a car is about 8,000 - 10,000 Baht. The gasoline is much more expensive than ours too. This situation had made the life in this area even harder, I assume.
The Tsunami affected area indeed had captured many attentions from the N.G.O.s, I would say "We Love Thailand" had done a fantastic job in many affected areas.
The Island that we visited was Koh-Hlao Island. It is located along the Andaman Sea, at about 25 minutes boat drive from Ranong. If it is low tide, we can actually walk across to Myanmar region, which is at the other side of the Island. The people group is Sea-Gypsies, and they converse in a unique language, Moken. A few of the elderly people can speak in Malay( they lived near Langkawi Island when they were children); and some of them, because of the influences in the sea business, can speak in Thai.
On this Island, we see water tanks funded by Baptise, We Love Thailand, IYEO, KERF. ActionAid and Campus Crusade For Christ had also came into this island to assist in relieve work. As we assisted the Ps. Vichai in the ministry, we find that the villagers are very dependant on him in their daily needs. Ps. Vichai is a Thai missionary that had left his family and moved to this island six months ago, working closely with Full Gospel Church in Ranong to facilitate the rebuilding project in Koh-Hlao Island. As we were in the village, we found that a Thai lady who is staying on the Island provided food for the children in lunch time with her own money or sometimes in the assist of Ps. Vichai, or from the volunteers of the church that came over to teach the children Thai and bible stories.
It surprised me as I explored further on the Island, and find that ActionAid had also set up an "office" on that island, and have some connection with IYEO and JVC to set up a "Children Center of Foundation" hall. The hall looks like a canteen, and has a tremendous kitchen. Outside the wall hang some good pictures of giving out food to the children. Unfortunately, our stay in Koh-Hlao had not witness any of these good deeds.
By realizing so many N.G.O.s which had put their attention on this island, I was even surprised for the medical needs in this village was never attended. The children are badly parasite infested, the infant mortality is high, the adults are poorly given attention, their skin infections were so bad, and mostly all of them are mal-nutrition. We walked along with Ps. Vichai with his first-aid box in his hand, continuing gaining the trust from these people by praying with them, showing care and concern, plus applying antiseptic cream onto the wounds. In fact, after so many months of attention, this was the first time that they had a de-worming program. And it was done by a group of hardly qualified people, us. Although hardly qualified, nevertheless needs still to need to be met.
I was really angry. While so many had come, I didn't see containers of supplies in this village. There are no food on the table except for shells, which is their only source on this island. They have boats now for transportation, but no motors/engines that enable them to go out to the deep sea for fishing. They can only provide dinner for their children but not lunch. The land of the Island is filled with shells, rough stones and broken glasses. Adults or children running bare feet on the island, all skinny, but with a big bounced out stomach.
I really pray that a seriousness in all these organizations that come. I pray that a well meaning in doing any relief work, not so much on documented publication and talks on the paper, but in real situation, the funds that generated for these projects shall wisely be used, justicely be distributed. I also pray that as a unity among all these who try to help out the situation in Koh-Hlao Island, a transparency and clear communication shall occur. As where and when the church is teaching the children languages or having their service, the other party shall not turn on their TV so loud, with their Bollywood movies on, and tempt the children and adults to go in to the house for a movie session. This had aroused the anger of the Headman in the village. And strange enough, each time as the service ends, or the church activities ends, the house next door that the ActionAid people had called it their office would shut their doors and remained silence. Please also pray that God will move a medical team into this area, so that they would have medical attention. Sadly to say, most of the complications or death in this place is due to ignorance on basic health care, and should be prevented by just a few dollars medication.
We can see God's hands upon this place, and as the children sang the worship songs, we are certain there is a HOPE.
Blessed,
Roseline
Nov 05, 2005
The POVERTY video reels
As I watched the video reel that I uploaded on the topic of "POVERTY", my mind was brought back to Nov 2005, where I was being exposed to the reconstruction work in Koh-Hlau, an island where the Sea-gypsies lived, which was destroyed by Tsunami.
If you screened through each video reel, you will see children were being highlighted in hunger and poverty. Different sources were used, different philosophies were being employed, but for one motive, "Save the children! Stop poverty!"
It is easy to shout a slogan, to plan a campaign, but that is when we stand outside the circle, and presuming that we know all about it by watching a few video clips, reading a few reports, analysing a few statistics. It is often harder when we are in the midst of them.
In the mission trip to Koh-Hlau, there was nothing much that we could do. We flowed along with the existing team in that place, observing and learning how the more fortunate one in the village provided help and food for the people.
There was one lady, she was a Thai, but she stayed in the island together with them, she owned a little grocery store. She was saved after the Tsunami, and she began to provide the children free lunch everyday. Wonderful lady.
There were definitely hygiene problems, there is no pure and clean water supply, the children were skinny and bonnie, with a large stomach that were full of worms. Ring worm disease was very prevalence in the community. Lack of medical treatment, medicines in Archan Vichai's house were basically being brought and left over by the mission teams.
We taught them English, bible stories, played with them, hugged them, dewormed them, taking photographs. That's all that we could do, and that little thing that we did, made the children happy. Simple things. But then, we couldn't do much for the poverty. The needs were tremendous! It takes tremendous human effort, even to think of how to solve the problems. The hungry people were not only the children, the adults were hungry too! The people were starving! Many were sick, having high fever, conjunctivitis, sores, weak. These Sea-gypsies didn't even had a nationality! That means it is illegal for them to step into the land of Thailand or Myanmanr. That also means they can seek help no way unless there are volunteers who bring medication and education to them.
The best memory that I had in the trip was the house visitation after the deworming program. Listening to them, comforting them, teaching them how to cope with the children who kept vomiting worms and perching, laying hands on their wounds and prayed for them! Soothing their rough infected skins with our bare hands, examine the wounds and flaked skins...... Those were the most memorable part in this trip! And that was the little thing that I believe that had the most impact in their lives!
Mission is about putting ourselves down, and begin to step into the shoes of the needs, and begin to SERVE!
Poverty, is not an easy issue to deal with!
just thoughts: Children had been used for many scene, some for political issues, some for human rights issue. It seems that children are the best bullet, a distinct secret weapon that lead to world attention.
If you screened through each video reel, you will see children were being highlighted in hunger and poverty. Different sources were used, different philosophies were being employed, but for one motive, "Save the children! Stop poverty!"
It is easy to shout a slogan, to plan a campaign, but that is when we stand outside the circle, and presuming that we know all about it by watching a few video clips, reading a few reports, analysing a few statistics. It is often harder when we are in the midst of them.
In the mission trip to Koh-Hlau, there was nothing much that we could do. We flowed along with the existing team in that place, observing and learning how the more fortunate one in the village provided help and food for the people.
There was one lady, she was a Thai, but she stayed in the island together with them, she owned a little grocery store. She was saved after the Tsunami, and she began to provide the children free lunch everyday. Wonderful lady.
There were definitely hygiene problems, there is no pure and clean water supply, the children were skinny and bonnie, with a large stomach that were full of worms. Ring worm disease was very prevalence in the community. Lack of medical treatment, medicines in Archan Vichai's house were basically being brought and left over by the mission teams.
We taught them English, bible stories, played with them, hugged them, dewormed them, taking photographs. That's all that we could do, and that little thing that we did, made the children happy. Simple things. But then, we couldn't do much for the poverty. The needs were tremendous! It takes tremendous human effort, even to think of how to solve the problems. The hungry people were not only the children, the adults were hungry too! The people were starving! Many were sick, having high fever, conjunctivitis, sores, weak. These Sea-gypsies didn't even had a nationality! That means it is illegal for them to step into the land of Thailand or Myanmanr. That also means they can seek help no way unless there are volunteers who bring medication and education to them.
The best memory that I had in the trip was the house visitation after the deworming program. Listening to them, comforting them, teaching them how to cope with the children who kept vomiting worms and perching, laying hands on their wounds and prayed for them! Soothing their rough infected skins with our bare hands, examine the wounds and flaked skins...... Those were the most memorable part in this trip! And that was the little thing that I believe that had the most impact in their lives!
Mission is about putting ourselves down, and begin to step into the shoes of the needs, and begin to SERVE!
Poverty, is not an easy issue to deal with!
just thoughts: Children had been used for many scene, some for political issues, some for human rights issue. It seems that children are the best bullet, a distinct secret weapon that lead to world attention.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Christ and Health
I personally believe that Christ is about public health. Don't ask me why, don't ask me how. It will take me very long to explain this. But nevertheless, this is a conviction in me.
I believe that Christ is for everybody, just as I believe that health is for everybody. Not all people will choose the same way to live to obtain health. There are many circumstances, many situations, where we aren't empowered to choose to live the desirable way of living, including obtaining basic health.
In different part of the world, we have a different definition for health or wealth. Samething with God or Creator.
A different definition, a different need in health do not mean that health is just not important for people. Health is important in all sector! That is the fight of public health workers! The challenge is how to remove the scale and free them to see! To give those who are in needs strength and power to pursue an equity in health! The degree of wanting health or desire of a healthy body is universal, do not let the mask of poverty fools us!
There is a deep hole in our hearts that acts as a dark hole, mystery of universe! Where do we come from? Why do we exist? Who am I? Who are you? What am I doing here? What is need of me? Who is calling me? We asked these when we were kids, the same questions in every where, all parts of the world, regardless the boundary of culture or nations, poor or rich. But as we grow, we had been shut down for answers. We had been shut in! BUT then, it does not mean that what had been suppressed are not there anymore! Those childlike ideas and craving just blown up to the air, and burst like bubbles? No way.
The essential of truth will always remain, it became clearer, when we totally lost it. Often, that is the minute before we grasp our last breathe. Our necks are really hard to break!
I believe that Christ is for everybody, just as I believe that health is for everybody. Not all people will choose the same way to live to obtain health. There are many circumstances, many situations, where we aren't empowered to choose to live the desirable way of living, including obtaining basic health.
In different part of the world, we have a different definition for health or wealth. Samething with God or Creator.
A different definition, a different need in health do not mean that health is just not important for people. Health is important in all sector! That is the fight of public health workers! The challenge is how to remove the scale and free them to see! To give those who are in needs strength and power to pursue an equity in health! The degree of wanting health or desire of a healthy body is universal, do not let the mask of poverty fools us!
There is a deep hole in our hearts that acts as a dark hole, mystery of universe! Where do we come from? Why do we exist? Who am I? Who are you? What am I doing here? What is need of me? Who is calling me? We asked these when we were kids, the same questions in every where, all parts of the world, regardless the boundary of culture or nations, poor or rich. But as we grow, we had been shut down for answers. We had been shut in! BUT then, it does not mean that what had been suppressed are not there anymore! Those childlike ideas and craving just blown up to the air, and burst like bubbles? No way.
The essential of truth will always remain, it became clearer, when we totally lost it. Often, that is the minute before we grasp our last breathe. Our necks are really hard to break!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Cho Seung-hui
The incident of Victoria Tech last Monday is a hard subject to write about.
Fear, pain, tear, anger, embarrassment, sadness, sickness all aroused and became a confused mess-up mixture.
As the killer had been highly marked, "ASIAN", Korean, many were surprised indeed when they found out that this "Korean" boy had came to US at the age of 8. Why are they calling him a "Korean" then? Wasn't him an American too?
Tension increased while hateful comments aimed at Koreans being posted on the website Facebook and on various blog sites.
The media and critiques had continued to use titles like "KOREAN", "ASIAN", "KOREAN-BORN GUNMAN", as if that's what Cho was recognized as. Quoted from The New York Time last Friday,
Some said, "we're very worried about Koreans being harassed now." "They're scared. They're shocked to death. When the news media said it was an Asian, we prayed,'Not Korean, not Korean'."
A large fear was introduced to the Korean-American Community. To share with you, when the news media said it was an Asian, the Chinese also prayed, "Not Chinese, not Chinese". My Chinese friend called her relatives in US, and found the fear that laid deep inside them.
I am not surprised that such fear occurred. The influence of the media is great, indeed.
The description of Cho Seung-hui has some resemblance of Hikikomori personalities, social isolation. But then, if a "Korean/Asian" that is what he was recognized as, even in fact he was an American; and the great fear of the Korean-American to admit themselves as a Korean after the incident. The problem is clearly more than an aftermath of massacre.
It seems to me adding to it are social nonacceptance and social inequities. Then, it would not add to my surprise that Asians are stereotyped as loner and antisocial. Without a clear will of the society to include its minority in its games, there is lack of empowerment for the people to choose the right choice.
Viewing the disturbing video record that Cho made, something that he said kept echo in my ears. "you forced me into a corner".
Fear, pain, tear, anger, embarrassment, sadness, sickness all aroused and became a confused mess-up mixture.
As the killer had been highly marked, "ASIAN", Korean, many were surprised indeed when they found out that this "Korean" boy had came to US at the age of 8. Why are they calling him a "Korean" then? Wasn't him an American too?
Tension increased while hateful comments aimed at Koreans being posted on the website Facebook and on various blog sites.
The media and critiques had continued to use titles like "KOREAN", "ASIAN", "KOREAN-BORN GUNMAN", as if that's what Cho was recognized as. Quoted from The New York Time last Friday,
Professor Park in LA said she was troubled that Cho's ethnicity had quickly become central to the narrative of his crime. "Calling him a South Korean native as if he arrived yesterday, doesn't make sense to me," She said of Cho, who arrived in the US with his parents at the age of eight. "It doesn't make sense, I agree.
Some said, "we're very worried about Koreans being harassed now." "They're scared. They're shocked to death. When the news media said it was an Asian, we prayed,'Not Korean, not Korean'."
A large fear was introduced to the Korean-American Community. To share with you, when the news media said it was an Asian, the Chinese also prayed, "Not Chinese, not Chinese". My Chinese friend called her relatives in US, and found the fear that laid deep inside them.
I am not surprised that such fear occurred. The influence of the media is great, indeed.
The description of Cho Seung-hui has some resemblance of Hikikomori personalities, social isolation. But then, if a "Korean/Asian" that is what he was recognized as, even in fact he was an American; and the great fear of the Korean-American to admit themselves as a Korean after the incident. The problem is clearly more than an aftermath of massacre.
It seems to me adding to it are social nonacceptance and social inequities. Then, it would not add to my surprise that Asians are stereotyped as loner and antisocial. Without a clear will of the society to include its minority in its games, there is lack of empowerment for the people to choose the right choice.
Viewing the disturbing video record that Cho made, something that he said kept echo in my ears. "you forced me into a corner".
Is that the cry of Hikikomori? I wonder.
Monday, April 16, 2007
韩国：超过日本的自杀大国 Korea: A suicide nation that had surpassed Japan
统计
韩国统计厅公布的报告显示，韩国每10万名死亡人口中，死于自杀的平均人数为26.1名。
As of the official statistic of South Korea, in every 100,000 that deceased, average number of the suiciders is 26.1.
韩国的自杀率已经超过了位居第二的匈牙利（22.8人）和第三位的日本（20.3人），居经济合作与发展组织（OECD）成员国首位。
The suicide rate in Korea had surpassed Hungary (22.8), Japan (20.3), became the champion among the members of OECD.
韩国的烧酒、威士忌等蒸馏酒和烈性酒的年消费量居全球第4位，仅次于俄罗斯、拉脱维亚和罗马尼亚。
The sales of spirit, wine, hard liquor is no.4 in the world, second to Russia, Latvia and Romania.
原因 Factors
韩国人产生各种心理问题主要同经济发展有关。调查显示，10％的韩国国民曾产生“自杀冲动”。产生自杀想法的原因，回答最多的是经济困难（48.2％），其后依次为家庭不和睦（15.4％）、寂寞孤独（12％）。
The root of the pyschological problems of the Koreans is believed to be related with the development of the economy. According to the survey, 10% of the nation had a thought of suicide. The reason for that thought, the most frequent answer to that is "financial difficulties" (48.2%). Second is "Deformed family relationship (15.4%), loneliness and isolation (12%).
演艺界人士主要因为竞争压力和社会舆论压力，深受抑郁症的煎熬。
The celebrirites basically suicide because of extreme stress in competitions annd forceful social comments , many are suffered along with depression.
韩国社会保健研究院研究员徐东宇说，经济长期萧条，沦为贫困阶层的人们陷入赌博、信用卡透支和家庭崩溃的困境，因而自杀率剧增。
徐东宇from the institute of Korean Society Research said, the prolonged economic depression, had caused many of those who fell into poverty, trapped in gambling, overuse of credit cards, collapse of family. Therefor, we see an increase in the suicide rate.
一些上班族认为，压力大，甚至患上抑郁症的原因是“与上司的矛盾”，紧随其后的是“自己能力有限所带来的精神压力”及“有可能被炒鱿鱼”等。
Some white-collar workers believed that, overstress, and the source of depression begins with "the conflict with supervisor/boss". What follows is the stress of feeling disablity in performance, as well as fear of being fired from the job.
Re: 2007-3-2 14:06:39 环球时报 http://www.21jk.com/p/WJGY/articlecontent.asp?channelId=52&columnName=%D7%D4%C9%B1%CF%E0%B9%D8%B8%C5%C0%C0&topicName=%B9%FA%C4%DA%CD%E2%D3%EB%D7%D4%C9%B1%D3%D0%B9%D8%B5%C4%BB%E1%D2%E9%D0%C5%CF%A2&articleId=46411)
Post: Original in Chinese, translation by Rose.
韩国统计厅公布的报告显示，韩国每10万名死亡人口中，死于自杀的平均人数为26.1名。
As of the official statistic of South Korea, in every 100,000 that deceased, average number of the suiciders is 26.1.
韩国的自杀率已经超过了位居第二的匈牙利（22.8人）和第三位的日本（20.3人），居经济合作与发展组织（OECD）成员国首位。
The suicide rate in Korea had surpassed Hungary (22.8), Japan (20.3), became the champion among the members of OECD.
韩国的烧酒、威士忌等蒸馏酒和烈性酒的年消费量居全球第4位，仅次于俄罗斯、拉脱维亚和罗马尼亚。
The sales of spirit, wine, hard liquor is no.4 in the world, second to Russia, Latvia and Romania.
原因 Factors
韩国人产生各种心理问题主要同经济发展有关。调查显示，10％的韩国国民曾产生“自杀冲动”。产生自杀想法的原因，回答最多的是经济困难（48.2％），其后依次为家庭不和睦（15.4％）、寂寞孤独（12％）。
The root of the pyschological problems of the Koreans is believed to be related with the development of the economy. According to the survey, 10% of the nation had a thought of suicide. The reason for that thought, the most frequent answer to that is "financial difficulties" (48.2%). Second is "Deformed family relationship (15.4%), loneliness and isolation (12%).
演艺界人士主要因为竞争压力和社会舆论压力，深受抑郁症的煎熬。
The celebrirites basically suicide because of extreme stress in competitions annd forceful social comments , many are suffered along with depression.
韩国社会保健研究院研究员徐东宇说，经济长期萧条，沦为贫困阶层的人们陷入赌博、信用卡透支和家庭崩溃的困境，因而自杀率剧增。
徐东宇from the institute of Korean Society Research said, the prolonged economic depression, had caused many of those who fell into poverty, trapped in gambling, overuse of credit cards, collapse of family. Therefor, we see an increase in the suicide rate.
一些上班族认为，压力大，甚至患上抑郁症的原因是“与上司的矛盾”，紧随其后的是“自己能力有限所带来的精神压力”及“有可能被炒鱿鱼”等。
Some white-collar workers believed that, overstress, and the source of depression begins with "the conflict with supervisor/boss". What follows is the stress of feeling disablity in performance, as well as fear of being fired from the job.
Re: 2007-3-2 14:06:39 环球时报 http://www.21jk.com/p/WJGY/articlecontent.asp?channelId=52&columnName=%D7%D4%C9%B1%CF%E0%B9%D8%B8%C5%C0%C0&topicName=%B9%FA%C4%DA%CD%E2%D3%EB%D7%D4%C9%B1%D3%D0%B9%D8%B5%C4%BB%E1%D2%E9%D0%C5%CF%A2&articleId=46411)
Post: Original in Chinese, translation by Rose.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Identifying Self-Cut
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9593427
If self-cut is a coping action, there are a lot more behind that awaited to be explored.
It takes hearts to understand these.
We cannot treat the coping action without treating the underline problem!
If self-cut is a coping action, there are a lot more behind that awaited to be explored.
It takes hearts to understand these.
We cannot treat the coping action without treating the underline problem!
Friday, April 13, 2007
Self Abuse
Self injuries. Angelina Jolie said in Ananova.com, "I grabbed a knife and cut my boy friend. He cut me back. Then, whenever I felt trapped, I'd cut myself. I have a lot of scars."
Some say that, " I do this to escape problem."
some say, " I don't know why."
Some say, " I want to make sure I'm alive."
Some say, " It just another way to cope with stress."
Some say, " I harm myself so I won't harm you."
There could be many other explanations that had never comeacross our minds. But one thing that is ultimate true in the emotion of these people, that is feeling of pain.
A deep pain the emotion, that only self abuse can make it seems less.
The video reel on the "self-injury" and "depression", reminded me of something in the past, that I know, once I got out from it, I AM NOT GOING BACK AGAIN!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Understanding Syndrome... Hikikomori
It was suggested that Hikikomori in Japan is under-reported, Saito Tamaki, a psychiatrist estimated that it is about one million.
In the same line with suicide and mental illness, Hikikomori tend to be stigmatized. It has negative meanings which attached to the affected person, family members and neighborhood. It is contrary to a society which being well known as its social capital and support. Just as the 'shame' that was discussed earlier, or depicted with the teacher whom had a son that played tokokyohi, the hikikomori became more secluded, and more withdraw.
hiki 引き = Withdraw
komori 籠り= Cage
Hikikomori simply means, "Withdraw into a Cage"。
The symtoms itself sugest that these people are hiding. It is extremely hard to dig someone out when their intention is to hide from others. This make identification difficult.
How can we understand this syndrom better? Health promotion is challenged in this area, not only by the effectiveness of implementation, but even the point to start and what to be implement!
In the same line with suicide and mental illness, Hikikomori tend to be stigmatized. It has negative meanings which attached to the affected person, family members and neighborhood. It is contrary to a society which being well known as its social capital and support. Just as the 'shame' that was discussed earlier, or depicted with the teacher whom had a son that played tokokyohi, the hikikomori became more secluded, and more withdraw.
hiki 引き = Withdraw
komori 籠り= Cage
Hikikomori simply means, "Withdraw into a Cage"。
The symtoms itself sugest that these people are hiding. It is extremely hard to dig someone out when their intention is to hide from others. This make identification difficult.
How can we understand this syndrom better? Health promotion is challenged in this area, not only by the effectiveness of implementation, but even the point to start and what to be implement!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Tokokyohi 登校拒否
A teacher with a tokokyohi 登校拒否son writes that, when she wanted to show the report she had written about her son to her colleague, she was advised that she shouldn't show such a thing' but 'should conceal' her son's tokokyohi. (Ishikawa et al. 1995.85)
Tokokyohi means that the children refuse to go to school.
If you have a child who refuse to attend school, you tried all ways that you could, but nothing worked. And then the child became more reclusive, and even refused to communicate with the family members. What will you do? Will you seek help?
Do you think that not going to school is 'shameful'?
Do you think that it is okay not to go to school?
I think not going to school is not okay to many people in many societies, especially in the cities. I would suspect that this phenomena, seeing tokokyohi as a 'shameful' act is quite dominant in the Asia countries. Of course, we could have people who hysterically screamed out that, "NO, it's our children choice, how could you say that?" Perhaps, but with the middle class, I do see many were moulded in this way. "You need to go to school, education is a must, and you need to learn!" That tune wouldn't really change much.
Maybe one would say, I should do some research and gain supporting statements before I could claim this. Hmm... I don't know. Since this is a journal/diary, I can just put in so much, even without evidence, to jot down what I felt, before I forget it.
But then, perhaps, 'Shame' is a term with different meaning in different society. The toleration or reaction to 'shame' is certainly different with East and West. Even within East, Chinese, Korean and Japanese might see 'shame' in different lights.
Coming back to the above statement of what the teacher should do: if the above statement was true, where the teacher 'should conceal' her son's tokokyohi rather than 'exposing' it, the community support in this area seems to be very weak.
That will lead me to another question: Japanese is well known as their strong social capital, in local or overseas. So, these seem strange for me. Another question could be rude in asking, but that include a Chinese clan support that I knew back in Malaysia: Community support exist where there is a need in the community, or it exist to look good?
Tokokyohi means that the children refuse to go to school.
If you have a child who refuse to attend school, you tried all ways that you could, but nothing worked. And then the child became more reclusive, and even refused to communicate with the family members. What will you do? Will you seek help?
Do you think that not going to school is 'shameful'?
Do you think that it is okay not to go to school?
I think not going to school is not okay to many people in many societies, especially in the cities. I would suspect that this phenomena, seeing tokokyohi as a 'shameful' act is quite dominant in the Asia countries. Of course, we could have people who hysterically screamed out that, "NO, it's our children choice, how could you say that?" Perhaps, but with the middle class, I do see many were moulded in this way. "You need to go to school, education is a must, and you need to learn!" That tune wouldn't really change much.
Maybe one would say, I should do some research and gain supporting statements before I could claim this. Hmm... I don't know. Since this is a journal/diary, I can just put in so much, even without evidence, to jot down what I felt, before I forget it.
But then, perhaps, 'Shame' is a term with different meaning in different society. The toleration or reaction to 'shame' is certainly different with East and West. Even within East, Chinese, Korean and Japanese might see 'shame' in different lights.
Coming back to the above statement of what the teacher should do: if the above statement was true, where the teacher 'should conceal' her son's tokokyohi rather than 'exposing' it, the community support in this area seems to be very weak.
That will lead me to another question: Japanese is well known as their strong social capital, in local or overseas. So, these seem strange for me. Another question could be rude in asking, but that include a Chinese clan support that I knew back in Malaysia: Community support exist where there is a need in the community, or it exist to look good?
Friday, March 30, 2007
Hikikomori...
If ill health does not happen by chance or through bad luck. Must it has relationship with biological factors, lifestyle factors, environmental factors? Of course, not forgetting the extent and nature of health service.
In most cases, the formal three are not hard to recognize. As for the latter, it takes more to explore the reality of it. Ill health that is caused by the extent and nature of health service can happened in the cities as well as the rural. One normally is hard to identify it when one was not exposed.
Poverty, social injustice, social stratification etc., are easily contribute to this factor.
Does Hikikomori fit into any of these? Can I identify the factors influencing the development of Hikikomori, thus identify the 'fields' in which 'health' can be promoted?
In most cases, the formal three are not hard to recognize. As for the latter, it takes more to explore the reality of it. Ill health that is caused by the extent and nature of health service can happened in the cities as well as the rural. One normally is hard to identify it when one was not exposed.
Poverty, social injustice, social stratification etc., are easily contribute to this factor.
Does Hikikomori fit into any of these? Can I identify the factors influencing the development of Hikikomori, thus identify the 'fields' in which 'health' can be promoted?
Monday, March 26, 2007
Think......
Harajuku teens
- the aggressive teens that dressed out to express themselves.
Pachinko Housewives
- the housewives who neglected their children, so much immerse into Pachinko, and had let to several cases of death of their children because of their neglegiance.
Hikikomori People
- the people who shut themselvs in, withdraw from social communication, for six months and above.
What are the main differences? What are the similarities?
- the aggressive teens that dressed out to express themselves.
Pachinko Housewives
- the housewives who neglected their children, so much immerse into Pachinko, and had let to several cases of death of their children because of their neglegiance.
Hikikomori People
- the people who shut themselvs in, withdraw from social communication, for six months and above.
What are the main differences? What are the similarities?
Questions for non-Hikikomori
Questions: (based on the literature readings, and first 3 interviews)
1. Have you heard about Hikikomori?
2. Do you know anyone who is/was a Hikikomori? (if no, go to Q.4)
3. What is your relationship with him/her?
4. How do you feel about Hikikomori?
5. How do you think they come about?
Analyse the questions and answers, suggesting keywords: school bullying, school failure, job failure, death.
6. Do you see any different in their circumstances at this time, compare to the circumstances at your time? If it is different, how does it differ? If it is not different, how had you cope with it?
7. How do you look at this phenomenon in relation to the society?
1. Have you heard about Hikikomori?
2. Do you know anyone who is/was a Hikikomori? (if no, go to Q.4)
3. What is your relationship with him/her?
4. How do you feel about Hikikomori?
5. How do you think they come about?
Analyse the questions and answers, suggesting keywords: school bullying, school failure, job failure, death.
6. Do you see any different in their circumstances at this time, compare to the circumstances at your time? If it is different, how does it differ? If it is not different, how had you cope with it?
7. How do you look at this phenomenon in relation to the society?
Friday, March 23, 2007
Does knowledge help in promotion of Blue Sky Campaign?
Copyright South China Morning Post Ltd. Mar 22, 2007: A study by the Environmental Protection Department released in 2002 found that more than 80 per cent of polluting emissions came from the region.
In contrast, university scientists used air quality monitors in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta, wind data from the Observatory and satellite pictures to confirm the sources of air pollution. They also found that local sources played the biggest role in pollution from April to August, whereas regional sources affected air quality mainly in winter, from November to March.
Does knowledge help in promotion of BLUE SKY?
Who shall we target the promotion program to? How should we propose it? In the sight of the Expatriates, Government, People? Which group will serve to be more effective in this communication?
The government had been reserve in concluding the problem,what had been troubling their mind?
All these things would need to be considered and addressed, before we can run a effective program. Knowing who to target, what kind of strategy that we should approach, and time for pushing and holding back, would be a key to more likely to success with reduced wasted efforts and manpower.
In contrast, university scientists used air quality monitors in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta, wind data from the Observatory and satellite pictures to confirm the sources of air pollution. They also found that local sources played the biggest role in pollution from April to August, whereas regional sources affected air quality mainly in winter, from November to March.
Does knowledge help in promotion of BLUE SKY?
Who shall we target the promotion program to? How should we propose it? In the sight of the Expatriates, Government, People? Which group will serve to be more effective in this communication?
The government had been reserve in concluding the problem,what had been troubling their mind?
All these things would need to be considered and addressed, before we can run a effective program. Knowing who to target, what kind of strategy that we should approach, and time for pushing and holding back, would be a key to more likely to success with reduced wasted efforts and manpower.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
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