“Health is a means to get to the end.”
To one, health can be bread on the table.
To one, health can be being able to pay for monthly bills.
To one, health can be strength to studying overnight.
To one, health can be strength to work.
To one, health can be strength for pleasures and fun.
To one, health can be being able to think rationally.
To one, health can be being able to dream.
There isn’t really definite meaning to it, isn’t it? Health is rather relative than absolute.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Friday, May 04, 2007
Education = Knowledge + Exposures
As my mind linger on education, my mind was brought back to the scene in Koh-Hlau.
There was another tiny island that I visited in that trip. Because the whole island was totally wiped off by Tsunami, it appeared to be clean while compare with Koh-Hlau. A washed away freshness, the village was newly built. The attap houses were fairly new. No rubbish on the sand, or under the house. Not many men left in that village. Most died in Tsunami, some died in the sea. The remaining few went out for fishing in the deep sea, and will not return for a month or two.
The children were inactive, with their bounced out stomach which I afraid that would be mostly the work of parasites, their eyes were curious. When you make a funny face, they will giggle, and turn away.
There was a child, wandering in her naked body. Sometimes she screamed, sometimes she was violent, sometimes she was just a doll. She spit. She looked so tiny, I thought she was only seven.
The villagers told us about her story. They believed that she was demon possessed. Both her parents died. That was one night, she disappeared. When the villagers found her, she was on the mountain, and she was crying. Her mom tried to kill her too, she dug a hole, and buried her alive. Because of the limited of languages, (they speak Moken, and our interpreter was Thai worked with Mokens) we could not get the sequence right.
Hmm... supernatural agencies. There was a lot of hatred in her eyes. She was thirteen. She was insane. What had driven her to this madness? What had happened to her? Demonic or consequences of wrong human doing?
People's explanations for their health and illness are complex. We are able to think about health using the language of scientific medicine because that is part of our cultural heritage. Our common sense could be very different with what other societies and cultures believe.
Treatments would be so different under different perceptions. Ways of thinking about health and disease reflect the basic preoccupations of society, and dominant views of society and the world.
I believe, in this situation, education is a measure that will bring light and hope to these people. Education will work! Plus a clinic to provide basic care for the people. Proper wound treatment will prevent loss of lives in these people.
I felt strange, things that are most common to us, things which we didn't even care, became the most precious things in other societies and cultures. Simple medications like Iodine, was not even available in that place. I was like a stranger, evaluating, learning as I observed.
Knowledge of the existence of "other" society had never caused such impact in me. But the exposure to it did create a strong impact in all of us who participated.
The knowledge did not change our behavior or attitude, but exposure did change us. I think it was same with the Sea-gypsies and the Thai people that we worked with. The knowledge about some strangers coming in to the village would not make a change. But the exposure of being loved and cared did make a change in their lives.
Education, is Knowledge + Exposure.
There was another tiny island that I visited in that trip. Because the whole island was totally wiped off by Tsunami, it appeared to be clean while compare with Koh-Hlau. A washed away freshness, the village was newly built. The attap houses were fairly new. No rubbish on the sand, or under the house. Not many men left in that village. Most died in Tsunami, some died in the sea. The remaining few went out for fishing in the deep sea, and will not return for a month or two.
The children were inactive, with their bounced out stomach which I afraid that would be mostly the work of parasites, their eyes were curious. When you make a funny face, they will giggle, and turn away.
There was a child, wandering in her naked body. Sometimes she screamed, sometimes she was violent, sometimes she was just a doll. She spit. She looked so tiny, I thought she was only seven.
The villagers told us about her story. They believed that she was demon possessed. Both her parents died. That was one night, she disappeared. When the villagers found her, she was on the mountain, and she was crying. Her mom tried to kill her too, she dug a hole, and buried her alive. Because of the limited of languages, (they speak Moken, and our interpreter was Thai worked with Mokens) we could not get the sequence right.
Hmm... supernatural agencies. There was a lot of hatred in her eyes. She was thirteen. She was insane. What had driven her to this madness? What had happened to her? Demonic or consequences of wrong human doing?
People's explanations for their health and illness are complex. We are able to think about health using the language of scientific medicine because that is part of our cultural heritage. Our common sense could be very different with what other societies and cultures believe.
Treatments would be so different under different perceptions. Ways of thinking about health and disease reflect the basic preoccupations of society, and dominant views of society and the world.
I believe, in this situation, education is a measure that will bring light and hope to these people. Education will work! Plus a clinic to provide basic care for the people. Proper wound treatment will prevent loss of lives in these people.
I felt strange, things that are most common to us, things which we didn't even care, became the most precious things in other societies and cultures. Simple medications like Iodine, was not even available in that place. I was like a stranger, evaluating, learning as I observed.
Knowledge of the existence of "other" society had never caused such impact in me. But the exposure to it did create a strong impact in all of us who participated.
The knowledge did not change our behavior or attitude, but exposure did change us. I think it was same with the Sea-gypsies and the Thai people that we worked with. The knowledge about some strangers coming in to the village would not make a change. But the exposure of being loved and cared did make a change in their lives.
Education, is Knowledge + Exposure.
Debate
I think the main debate for the Public Health Promotion is whether or not Education brings changes to Behavior, in promoting Health.
Harry: I think Education is indeed the foundation of promoting health in relative poor regions! Because it takes effect at the root cause in that region. That is the bottom-up effect!
Roseline: Yeah, I think so.
Harry: Legislation is the fastest way to see a cause-relation effect in promotion of public health, but the basic needs of the people should be met. They should have the fundamental education, free of worries of daily needs in life. Legislation is an up-down approach. Neither one should be set aside.
Roseline: Do you mean that both approaches should be implemented simultaneously?
Harry: That's right! But it seems to me that the government only concentrate in one type of approach.
Roseline: Maybe so, maybe not. It depends on how they look at the problems, and how much budget that they are ready to set aside to promote health, or make a change. But why do you have that impression that the government can only focus on one, do you mean "education without legislation" and "legislation without education"?
Harry: I think it is relative. Relative "focused" or relative "ignored".
Roseline: ???
Harry: It's hard to explain though...... I think no government would say that they will completely focus on one, and ignore another. So, I term it "relative". You know? There are some health education courses in school, primary or secondary, but always there would be such phenomena, where the teachers prefer to fill the time with preparing the students towards exam rather than utilize the time to install public health knowledge to the students, presuming that these are not important, for health is viewed to be 2nd, or 4th or 5th important. I know it is weird in saying so, but it seems to me that is the problem.
Roseline: Hmm... I remember that in secondary school, the Education Ministry did implemented a public health time slot into our weekly schedule. Only 45minutes a week. But we had always use that as a revision slot, or play at the field. Honestly, I had never viewed that as important. I didn't even know what it exist? To me, it was perhaps for leisure. It was a useless class to me. I didn't remember anything that I learned from it.
So, education if it was not properly introduced, and not properly being implemented, it's a waste of effort.
Harry: So, what's the problem here? Why the teachers do that?
Roseline: Well, I think they themselves do not know why the system needs to be implemented! Perhaps they just don't know what does it mean public health! And perhaps when it comes to weighting science subjects, mathematics classes with public health classes, they think public health is a much easy subject, and the students should grab by themselves.
Harry: Easy? Do they think that public health is an easy subject? I think it is just that they have not see the what tragics can be brought by disease! And the major problem is, many people think that they have health when they have not! Many people think that disease will not "catch" them.
So, how can we change this opinion? Should we have another SARS? How? How can we change?
Roseline: So, it is about the naive of people. I remembered the tragic of SARS in the hospital was caused by poor hygiene awareness among the hospital staffs. I am aware that the more knowledge that we have about hygiene, the more ignorance we become.
Harry: Well, many hospitals have the legislation or rules for certain procedures. However not many people follow procedures in terms of hygiene or health care methods. That is because of convenience and laziness.
Roseline: So, knowledge does not really bring changes to behavior, isn't it?
Notes: Harry worked for the Center for Disease Prevention and Control ( CDC).
A Tale:
While I was doing my undergraduate course, my secondary school friends invited me out for supper. We used to sit at the mamak store (Indian stores at the road side, with tables and stools on the road, normally with poor hygiene manner). As I sat down and ordered my meal, I found them looking at me suspiciously. Of course then I was uneasy, what happened to you guys? I asked. One smiled, seemed embarrassed," I thought you will never sit and eat with us in the mamak again. You are studying microbiology, aren't you?"
Harry: I think Education is indeed the foundation of promoting health in relative poor regions! Because it takes effect at the root cause in that region. That is the bottom-up effect!
Roseline: Yeah, I think so.
Harry: Legislation is the fastest way to see a cause-relation effect in promotion of public health, but the basic needs of the people should be met. They should have the fundamental education, free of worries of daily needs in life. Legislation is an up-down approach. Neither one should be set aside.
Roseline: Do you mean that both approaches should be implemented simultaneously?
Harry: That's right! But it seems to me that the government only concentrate in one type of approach.
Roseline: Maybe so, maybe not. It depends on how they look at the problems, and how much budget that they are ready to set aside to promote health, or make a change. But why do you have that impression that the government can only focus on one, do you mean "education without legislation" and "legislation without education"?
Harry: I think it is relative. Relative "focused" or relative "ignored".
Roseline: ???
Harry: It's hard to explain though...... I think no government would say that they will completely focus on one, and ignore another. So, I term it "relative". You know? There are some health education courses in school, primary or secondary, but always there would be such phenomena, where the teachers prefer to fill the time with preparing the students towards exam rather than utilize the time to install public health knowledge to the students, presuming that these are not important, for health is viewed to be 2nd, or 4th or 5th important. I know it is weird in saying so, but it seems to me that is the problem.
Roseline: Hmm... I remember that in secondary school, the Education Ministry did implemented a public health time slot into our weekly schedule. Only 45minutes a week. But we had always use that as a revision slot, or play at the field. Honestly, I had never viewed that as important. I didn't even know what it exist? To me, it was perhaps for leisure. It was a useless class to me. I didn't remember anything that I learned from it.
So, education if it was not properly introduced, and not properly being implemented, it's a waste of effort.
Harry: So, what's the problem here? Why the teachers do that?
Roseline: Well, I think they themselves do not know why the system needs to be implemented! Perhaps they just don't know what does it mean public health! And perhaps when it comes to weighting science subjects, mathematics classes with public health classes, they think public health is a much easy subject, and the students should grab by themselves.
Harry: Easy? Do they think that public health is an easy subject? I think it is just that they have not see the what tragics can be brought by disease! And the major problem is, many people think that they have health when they have not! Many people think that disease will not "catch" them.
So, how can we change this opinion? Should we have another SARS? How? How can we change?
Roseline: So, it is about the naive of people. I remembered the tragic of SARS in the hospital was caused by poor hygiene awareness among the hospital staffs. I am aware that the more knowledge that we have about hygiene, the more ignorance we become.
Harry: Well, many hospitals have the legislation or rules for certain procedures. However not many people follow procedures in terms of hygiene or health care methods. That is because of convenience and laziness.
Roseline: So, knowledge does not really bring changes to behavior, isn't it?
Notes: Harry worked for the Center for Disease Prevention and Control ( CDC).
A Tale:
While I was doing my undergraduate course, my secondary school friends invited me out for supper. We used to sit at the mamak store (Indian stores at the road side, with tables and stools on the road, normally with poor hygiene manner). As I sat down and ordered my meal, I found them looking at me suspiciously. Of course then I was uneasy, what happened to you guys? I asked. One smiled, seemed embarrassed," I thought you will never sit and eat with us in the mamak again. You are studying microbiology, aren't you?"
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Confusion of Hikikomori and NEETs
Hikikomori or NEET are often being confused altogether in terms of their nature or interpretation.
Ishikawa Ryoko tried to help us to gain a clearer picture in this confusion. She interviewed people who regard themselves as "hikikomori," and point out the negative effects, especially for such individuals, caused by the confusion of the concepts of "hikikomori" with "NEETs."
"Hikikomori," which refers to youth in a state of social withdrawal, has been noted since the latter half of the 1990s in Japan. In recent years, the concept of "NEETs" has also come to attract attention. "NEETs" refers to young people who are "not in education, employment, or training."
The concept of "hikikomori" has been partly incorporated into discussions about "NEETs," and it is commonly said that the two can be discussed in the same context.
It seems to be some organizations dealing with "hikikomori" have started to support "NEETs."
According to the author, this confusion has a direct effect on individuals who consider themselves to be "hikikomori." Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish the two concepts.
In her interviews, what was revealed was that,
Ryoko felt that the current measures for "NEETs," and "hikikomori" are very different. Confusing two concepts will :
1)deprive people suffering from "hikikomori" of the opportunity for recovery
2)lead them to abandon their own efforts voluntarily.
Re: Confusion of the Concepts of "Hikikomori" and "NEETs : Seen from the Perspective of People Who Regard Themselves as "Hikikomori". Ishikawa Ryoko. Tokyo Metropolis University.
The article is in Japanese. Perhpas is good to screen through? And get some idea on how people perceive themselves as "HIkikomori" and "NEET"?
I guess I have to read it before I can comment......
Ishikawa Ryoko tried to help us to gain a clearer picture in this confusion. She interviewed people who regard themselves as "hikikomori," and point out the negative effects, especially for such individuals, caused by the confusion of the concepts of "hikikomori" with "NEETs."
"Hikikomori," which refers to youth in a state of social withdrawal, has been noted since the latter half of the 1990s in Japan. In recent years, the concept of "NEETs" has also come to attract attention. "NEETs" refers to young people who are "not in education, employment, or training."
The concept of "hikikomori" has been partly incorporated into discussions about "NEETs," and it is commonly said that the two can be discussed in the same context.
It seems to be some organizations dealing with "hikikomori" have started to support "NEETs."
According to the author, this confusion has a direct effect on individuals who consider themselves to be "hikikomori." Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish the two concepts.
In her interviews, what was revealed was that,
people who consider themselves to be "hikikomori" see themselves as inferior and withdraw from relationships with others because though they have difficulty working, they worry excessively that "working is the natural state for an adult." Their self-esteem cannot be restored immediately even if they participate in a self-help group. Informants re-construct stories about themselves and their lives and come to see the norm of life-courses in relative terms, and regain self-esteem from this. However, this can lead to a decline in their motivation to start working. Moreover, informants cannot overcome their distrust and fear of society. Therefore, sufferers of "hikikomori" seek a new way of life as they again ask themselves various questions, such as, "why must we work?" "What do I want to do?" "Who am I?" and so on. As they think through these questions, they resolve to make a fresh start. This process of struggle is in essence the process of recovery from "hikikomori."
Ryoko felt that the current measures for "NEETs," and "hikikomori" are very different. Confusing two concepts will :
1)deprive people suffering from "hikikomori" of the opportunity for recovery
2)lead them to abandon their own efforts voluntarily.
Re: Confusion of the Concepts of "Hikikomori" and "NEETs : Seen from the Perspective of People Who Regard Themselves as "Hikikomori". Ishikawa Ryoko. Tokyo Metropolis University.
The article is in Japanese. Perhpas is good to screen through? And get some idea on how people perceive themselves as "HIkikomori" and "NEET"?
I guess I have to read it before I can comment......
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Blank......
In Anselm Strauss and Juliet Corbin, at the section of Axial Coding, it was stressed that " If one studies structure only, then one learns why but not how certain events occur. If one studies process only, then one understands how persons act/interact but not why.
I find myself had started to reject what comes across my mind, after some extensive research or working on the materials of how to do a "qualitative study"? My mind went "blank". The phrases became "empty" to me.
Perhaps this is because I was trying to digest the teaching materials in the book that stuffs with ideas that I couldn't really comprehend. I can only do this much. I really don't understand what and how to code the data? I need a supervisor on this! I need a teacher to teach me and guide me on my way! How could I possible complete my own research without proper exercise?
Reassembling the data is almost frustrating to me!I don't know a single thing in this, I don't even know how to do it!
HELP!
Therefore, one must study both structure and process to capture the dynamic and evolving nature of events.
I find myself had started to reject what comes across my mind, after some extensive research or working on the materials of how to do a "qualitative study"? My mind went "blank". The phrases became "empty" to me.
Perhaps this is because I was trying to digest the teaching materials in the book that stuffs with ideas that I couldn't really comprehend. I can only do this much. I really don't understand what and how to code the data? I need a supervisor on this! I need a teacher to teach me and guide me on my way! How could I possible complete my own research without proper exercise?
Reassembling the data is almost frustrating to me!I don't know a single thing in this, I don't even know how to do it!
HELP!
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
What does it mean by "health"?
In the book "Concept of Heath", it was written, "Seedhouse suggests that the perceptions of health can be combined in a unified theory of health as the foundation for human achievement. Health is thus a means to an end rather than a fix state that a person should aspire to. "
Provided certain central conditions are met, people can be enabled to achieve their potential. Working for health is to create these conditions:
- basic needs of food, drink, shelter, warmth
- access to information about the factors influencing health
- skills and confidence to use that information
People should be able to have health, whatever their circumstances are. However, it doesn't seem to be that easy. "By health I mean the power to live a full, adult, living, breathing life in close contact with what I love... I want to be all that I am capable of becoming." (Mansfield 1977)
Within this context, I don't think many people are healthy in this world.
Perhaps health is a state of mind. Many people have no disabling disease, illness or handicap, but they don't seem to live a happy life. Or the goal in life was to after wealth that had made them unable to "live and breathe life in close contact with what they love." But what if wealth is the only subject that one loves? Possible, but I do see many elderly suicide was a cause of social isolation and chronic illness. Will the definition of wealth change when one catches up with age? Possible.
In the case of Nic Vijucic, I think health is a personal strength and ability. Nic was born handicap, no medical reasons were established for his handicap. He was born in a Christian family, his father was a pastor, I guess. Religion and believes were questionable in his upbringing. He tempted suicide, and I'm not surprised. However, as he realized of his own values and potentials, he discovered God, and he discovered himself, and then he achieved. Then, he scores! What he did and he does, had surpassed many of us which are in the healthy state. He appeared more healthy than we are. Physically, mentally, both.
I was introduced to Nic by my deaf friends. The deaf circle was tremendously excited about him.
Are my death friends healthy? Many of them are Christians, for we know each other in church. Some of them are not Christians. Some of them have poor health, some of them stay good! Some of them single, some of them married. My desire while I was with them was to promote awareness the needs of social support and social capital for hard of hearing. Health promotion does not help the disadvantage group of people, if the surrounding is ignorance about them. Legislation is needed to protect them from being ill-paid and mistreat in their working environment. Support is needed to provide funds for those who are uneducated and lack of family support. Support is needed to create equal opportunity in employment. The effectiveness of health promotion lies in the community! How well do they accept these people, and how willing is the society to come in to help in promoting changes? To be effective, these are fundamental questions!
Provided certain central conditions are met, people can be enabled to achieve their potential. Working for health is to create these conditions:
- basic needs of food, drink, shelter, warmth
- access to information about the factors influencing health
- skills and confidence to use that information
People should be able to have health, whatever their circumstances are. However, it doesn't seem to be that easy. "By health I mean the power to live a full, adult, living, breathing life in close contact with what I love... I want to be all that I am capable of becoming." (Mansfield 1977)
Within this context, I don't think many people are healthy in this world.
Perhaps health is a state of mind. Many people have no disabling disease, illness or handicap, but they don't seem to live a happy life. Or the goal in life was to after wealth that had made them unable to "live and breathe life in close contact with what they love." But what if wealth is the only subject that one loves? Possible, but I do see many elderly suicide was a cause of social isolation and chronic illness. Will the definition of wealth change when one catches up with age? Possible.
In the case of Nic Vijucic, I think health is a personal strength and ability. Nic was born handicap, no medical reasons were established for his handicap. He was born in a Christian family, his father was a pastor, I guess. Religion and believes were questionable in his upbringing. He tempted suicide, and I'm not surprised. However, as he realized of his own values and potentials, he discovered God, and he discovered himself, and then he achieved. Then, he scores! What he did and he does, had surpassed many of us which are in the healthy state. He appeared more healthy than we are. Physically, mentally, both.
I was introduced to Nic by my deaf friends. The deaf circle was tremendously excited about him.
Are my death friends healthy? Many of them are Christians, for we know each other in church. Some of them are not Christians. Some of them have poor health, some of them stay good! Some of them single, some of them married. My desire while I was with them was to promote awareness the needs of social support and social capital for hard of hearing. Health promotion does not help the disadvantage group of people, if the surrounding is ignorance about them. Legislation is needed to protect them from being ill-paid and mistreat in their working environment. Support is needed to provide funds for those who are uneducated and lack of family support. Support is needed to create equal opportunity in employment. The effectiveness of health promotion lies in the community! How well do they accept these people, and how willing is the society to come in to help in promoting changes? To be effective, these are fundamental questions!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Putting clips of Nick on this blog
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
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
"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!
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