Today's topic is something i think is very important -- the importance of sleep. I have recently found out that many who are taking important exams are forcing to stay up late to maximise their time studying. You know who you are.
But is it worth it?
We all know that sleep is very important. It provides the brain time to organise what to be done the next day, and keeps us energised. But lack of sleep by voluntarily burning the midnight oil is not the best thing to do. So we are faced with a dilemma, to sleep or to stay up?
Here is the Golden Question: Is sleep productive?
According to several resources such as Encyclopaedia Britannica and Wikipedia, there are several functions of sleep:
1. Restoration
Sleep can improve and increase the rate of healing within the body. A study shows that wounds take longer to heal because there was insufficent sleep. This is the very reason why hospitals have a quiet atmosphere -- it encourages the person to sleep. Sleep can also cure headaches.
2. Acheiving a catabolic state
Sleep achieves the catabolic state where the body renourishes and rejuvenates our immune, skeletal, muscular and nervous systems vital for the growth of an organism.
3. Memory processing
Sleep is also when the brain processes all the memory. Whatever the brain (not you) feels unnecessary, it simply throws it away. This explains why you remember what you may be wearing five years ago but not where you put your keys. The same goes with stuff you studied for. After brain torture throughout the night, the brain shuts most of it off because it needs to process the more important things you experienced earlier in the day.
4. Preservation
Sleep is also when your body protects itself because the you do not to eat or drink 24 hours a day. As a method of survival, your body sleeps to protect itself from all sorts of danger. If you went to SuperTeens, you will see something similar when Ken makes a fat guy stand over a thin guy, only there, you achieve sleep in a conscient mind.
For those of you who really want to stay up, fret not, the way out is to do Nidra Yoga, an exercise where performed in 15 mins, you feel like you have slept an hour. Trust me -- it works. BUT-- Nidra Yoga should never substitute sleep.
FYI-- circadian sleep disorders are treatable. Those who do not get it treated can be like Mr. Thai Ngoc who has not slept for 33 years. Seriously. He couldn't sleep after he got a mysterious fever.
What are your views on sleep? Write them here!
(The reason for me writing this since last Friday is because I kepp falling asleep writing this article)
Friday, April 25, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Earth Day 2008
Here's to me wishing the whole world a Happy Earth Day. For my part, I am going to do my part to refuse to throw away a single object (recycle them instead), although that's what I always do.
For this Earth Day Special, I wish to shout out a message to the whole world.
*Clears Throat*
The Earth is 4.6 billion years old. Cecilia Tan probably saw it ALL happen. Anyway, man has continually inhabited this planet for 2 million years now, and the Earth can provide it all.
But then, there is a hitch.
The Earth is dying. Fast. But we, the species who started it all, can end it. The crisis began during the industrial revolution in the 1800s when many new inventions appeared on the face of this Earth. Little did they know that the stuff the contraptions release are dangerous. The very stuff destroying Earth, unfortunately, is difficult to get rid of. When refrigenrants and styrofoam was invented, they did not realise that the ozone hole is developing. And the ozone crisis continues today, but it is heartwarming to know that the hole is closing up again.
What can we do?
Well, for starters, it starts from YOU. Yes YOU. By doing your part, you can save tonnes of waste by the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Excess waste caused by humans is causing a bulk of these problems. By reusing old stuff, or supporting by bringing your own carriers when shopping, or even using biodegradable plastic carriers can go a long way. Buying environmentally friendly products such as rechargables and hybrids also can go a long way.
That way, we can hope for a better future for our future and for our future generations in future.
For this Earth Day Special, I wish to shout out a message to the whole world.
*Clears Throat*
The Earth is 4.6 billion years old. Cecilia Tan probably saw it ALL happen. Anyway, man has continually inhabited this planet for 2 million years now, and the Earth can provide it all.
But then, there is a hitch.
The Earth is dying. Fast. But we, the species who started it all, can end it. The crisis began during the industrial revolution in the 1800s when many new inventions appeared on the face of this Earth. Little did they know that the stuff the contraptions release are dangerous. The very stuff destroying Earth, unfortunately, is difficult to get rid of. When refrigenrants and styrofoam was invented, they did not realise that the ozone hole is developing. And the ozone crisis continues today, but it is heartwarming to know that the hole is closing up again.
What can we do?
Well, for starters, it starts from YOU. Yes YOU. By doing your part, you can save tonnes of waste by the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Excess waste caused by humans is causing a bulk of these problems. By reusing old stuff, or supporting by bringing your own carriers when shopping, or even using biodegradable plastic carriers can go a long way. Buying environmentally friendly products such as rechargables and hybrids also can go a long way.
That way, we can hope for a better future for our future and for our future generations in future.
Remember, the world is in our hands.
Share your message to the Earth here on the Cbox or in the comments!
Friday, April 18, 2008
When one rejoices, another will suffer --Book of Philosophies 12:44
I was in a bookshop just now (no need to say which) and i realised something very disturbing.
Ever wondered why some paper products are expensive? Well, they aren't. The cheaper alternatives can be found in the bottom piles, and I saved about a dollar doing that.
Another disturbing fact is that publishers of past-year model papers can be after your money by cheekily putting the price of the paper in question really cheap -- only for you to find out that the answers are sold separately, and it is better of with the book with the answers in it. To prevent such scenarios from happening, purchase from credible publishers such as Dyna. SAP has separate answers booklet either sold with the book or separately, so be very very very very very careful.
My focus today is the shifting tides. Is it actually equally fair to compare and be compared to others when circumstances slightly differ? I got the inspiration from our O Levels. I'm sure people taking the 'O's in 2008 are facing a crisis -- a major change in syllabus (although chemistry students enjoy the benefit of a much easier syllabus).
This major change in syllabus is rather drastic and is listed as follows:
1. Social Studies: The addition of terrorism to the syllabus
2. Geography: Pure brain drainage on the removal of MCQs
3. Elementary Maths: This one changes every year so i'm not complaining
4. Additional Maths: The addition of quadratic roots, partial fractions and %$%# geometrical proofs
5. A much earlier O level date
What does this mean? Simple -- we have more to study for, with a shorter time to do so. Moreover, removal of JC tryouts means we are always 2 points short of people who take the 'O's before us.
JC points are dropping drastically to boot.
To sum it all up, the good results windfall last year made others expect more of us.
By the way, I have calculated that their A1 might only account for an A2 and A2 can account for a B3 if the people before us were to take our 'O's syllabus taking pressure, time and workload to consideration.
So tell me, is it fair to be compared to others? Post your views in the cbox or in the comments space!
Ever wondered why some paper products are expensive? Well, they aren't. The cheaper alternatives can be found in the bottom piles, and I saved about a dollar doing that.
Another disturbing fact is that publishers of past-year model papers can be after your money by cheekily putting the price of the paper in question really cheap -- only for you to find out that the answers are sold separately, and it is better of with the book with the answers in it. To prevent such scenarios from happening, purchase from credible publishers such as Dyna. SAP has separate answers booklet either sold with the book or separately, so be very very very very very careful.
My focus today is the shifting tides. Is it actually equally fair to compare and be compared to others when circumstances slightly differ? I got the inspiration from our O Levels. I'm sure people taking the 'O's in 2008 are facing a crisis -- a major change in syllabus (although chemistry students enjoy the benefit of a much easier syllabus).
This major change in syllabus is rather drastic and is listed as follows:
1. Social Studies: The addition of terrorism to the syllabus
2. Geography: Pure brain drainage on the removal of MCQs
3. Elementary Maths: This one changes every year so i'm not complaining
4. Additional Maths: The addition of quadratic roots, partial fractions and %$%# geometrical proofs
5. A much earlier O level date
What does this mean? Simple -- we have more to study for, with a shorter time to do so. Moreover, removal of JC tryouts means we are always 2 points short of people who take the 'O's before us.
JC points are dropping drastically to boot.
To sum it all up, the good results windfall last year made others expect more of us.
By the way, I have calculated that their A1 might only account for an A2 and A2 can account for a B3 if the people before us were to take our 'O's syllabus taking pressure, time and workload to consideration.
So tell me, is it fair to be compared to others? Post your views in the cbox or in the comments space!
Friday, April 11, 2008
The Man in Choa Chu Kang
I must admit i am not the nicest person in the world.
But I am honest. Honestly!
And that was what was going through my mind when I was going to buy my pie at Pie Kia in Choa Chu Kang. If you are a frequent visitor of Choa Chu Kang MRT station, around 4:45 - 5:30 you will see a blind busker playing an electric guitar with a backing track. Oh, and you will also realise he will play the lambada over and over again (probably his only repertoire).
This really struck me. Is his (i must apologise to those who take offence) meagre repertoire going to sustain himself? I know the world can be cruel. It takes sides. It favours those who are perfect in every manner. It ditches aside those who cannot cope. And these people are the ones who are more self-sustaining, much more content than most people are. They can be alright wearing last season's clothes. They are ok taking a crowded bus or train to home or work. They are fine with hand-me-downs. These are probably things that we fortunate ones detest, because they are "out-of-date", "old fashioned" or probably "inconvenient". We often take things for granted.
What is the world coming to?
We all know that there are more than enough food for every human being on the planet. Yet there are still people out there dying of hunger simply because food is difficult to come by. Instead, we see powerful nations sending people to space (no, i'm not saying it is wrong though. Astronomy is a fine discipline to explore into) when the millions and millions of dollars can be used to feed people around the world. Also, the more common topic, the investment in nuclear weapons. Countries such as the USA are always on nuclear talks to Iran and North Korea (actually it's like a pot calling a kettle black-- The USA also have nuclear weapons too). What is the point on spending on warfare when people are still suffering around the world. Is it not a waste of time?
What is the world coming to?
Back to the busker. I was done buying my pie. He was playing a much more embellished version of the Lambada. Somehow I knew what notes he was going to play next. And I walked over and dropped a dollar into his collections.
Just a word to note: Pie Kia's Pie Seh, Pie Kia and Toa Pie Kia are very popular in Choa Chu Kang/Bukit Panjang youths. Their Pie Seh is awesome--at prices of $1.20-$1.30
P.S. When I first saw this shop, my first thought was "What is the world coming to?" ...
But I am honest. Honestly!
And that was what was going through my mind when I was going to buy my pie at Pie Kia in Choa Chu Kang. If you are a frequent visitor of Choa Chu Kang MRT station, around 4:45 - 5:30 you will see a blind busker playing an electric guitar with a backing track. Oh, and you will also realise he will play the lambada over and over again (probably his only repertoire).
This really struck me. Is his (i must apologise to those who take offence) meagre repertoire going to sustain himself? I know the world can be cruel. It takes sides. It favours those who are perfect in every manner. It ditches aside those who cannot cope. And these people are the ones who are more self-sustaining, much more content than most people are. They can be alright wearing last season's clothes. They are ok taking a crowded bus or train to home or work. They are fine with hand-me-downs. These are probably things that we fortunate ones detest, because they are "out-of-date", "old fashioned" or probably "inconvenient". We often take things for granted.
What is the world coming to?
We all know that there are more than enough food for every human being on the planet. Yet there are still people out there dying of hunger simply because food is difficult to come by. Instead, we see powerful nations sending people to space (no, i'm not saying it is wrong though. Astronomy is a fine discipline to explore into) when the millions and millions of dollars can be used to feed people around the world. Also, the more common topic, the investment in nuclear weapons. Countries such as the USA are always on nuclear talks to Iran and North Korea (actually it's like a pot calling a kettle black-- The USA also have nuclear weapons too). What is the point on spending on warfare when people are still suffering around the world. Is it not a waste of time?
What is the world coming to?
Back to the busker. I was done buying my pie. He was playing a much more embellished version of the Lambada. Somehow I knew what notes he was going to play next. And I walked over and dropped a dollar into his collections.
Just a word to note: Pie Kia's Pie Seh, Pie Kia and Toa Pie Kia are very popular in Choa Chu Kang/Bukit Panjang youths. Their Pie Seh is awesome--at prices of $1.20-$1.30
P.S. When I first saw this shop, my first thought was "What is the world coming to?" ...
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Things you never knew about the Antarctican empire
Ten Top Trivia Tips about The Antarctican empire!
- According to the story, Pinocchio was made of the Antarctican empire.
- Europe is the only continent that lacks the Antarctican empire.
- In Chinese, the sound 'the Antarctican empire' means 'bite the wax tadpole'!
- If you kiss the Antarctican empire for one minute you will burn six or seven calories.
- The Antarctican empireocracy is government by the Antarctican empire.
- The Antarctican empire can't sweat!
- If you cut the Antarctican empire in half and count the number of seeds inside, you will know how many children you are going to have!
- The Antarctican empire can usually be found in nests built in the webs of large spiders.
- The Antarctican empire was banned from Finland because of not wearing pants!
- The fingerprints of the Antarctican empire are virtually indistinguishable from those of humans, so much so that they could be confused at a crime scene.
Monday, April 7, 2008
What is the knowledge when creativity is not there? -- Book of Philosophies 12:208
I think what is above is too true for our Asian society. We treasure knowledge, too much, until so much so that creativity is put aside?
Why in the world would I need creativity when a good knowledge promises me a good future? you may say. For starters, creative minds have shaped today's world so effectively. Who was it behind the concept of money? The one who designs products so that it will be easier to use? More impotantly, who was the one to create writing systems? All these are creative minds at work.
Speaking of which, what do you think is the most important invention ever created by man? Is it a computer, a book, a house, or i don't know, your gaming consoles you probably own?
In my opinion, writing systems are the most important. Really. Imagine if the written language was never invented, you would not have the computer, the book, or the gaming consoles in the first place. As the most basic necessity needed for learning, it is essential that every human being on this planet have this skill. Only then, the world can prosper and progress into the future.
Sadly, literacy rates are still low in some countries.
To veer a little off topic, for those of you who don't believe in the existence of the Antarctican dollar, here are some pictures
http://www.banknotes.com/aq10.htm
http://www.banknotes.com/AQ6.JPG
Now who says they don't exist?
I just got a nice photo of Amundsen-Scott, the most southerly settlement on Earth (only a few metres away from the South Pole). Here it is.
Why in the world would I need creativity when a good knowledge promises me a good future? you may say. For starters, creative minds have shaped today's world so effectively. Who was it behind the concept of money? The one who designs products so that it will be easier to use? More impotantly, who was the one to create writing systems? All these are creative minds at work.
Speaking of which, what do you think is the most important invention ever created by man? Is it a computer, a book, a house, or i don't know, your gaming consoles you probably own?
In my opinion, writing systems are the most important. Really. Imagine if the written language was never invented, you would not have the computer, the book, or the gaming consoles in the first place. As the most basic necessity needed for learning, it is essential that every human being on this planet have this skill. Only then, the world can prosper and progress into the future.
Sadly, literacy rates are still low in some countries.
To veer a little off topic, for those of you who don't believe in the existence of the Antarctican dollar, here are some pictures
http://www.banknotes.com/aq10.htm
http://www.banknotes.com/AQ6.JPG
Now who says they don't exist?
I just got a nice photo of Amundsen-Scott, the most southerly settlement on Earth (only a few metres away from the South Pole). Here it is.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Of a Journey of 10 Billion Millimetres, the First is always the Most Important -- Book of Philosophies 12:79
And that's what I'm gonna do today as my first official post. This post is the Mundane Discussions genre and my topic for discussion for today is a controversial film by Geert Wilders, Fitna.
Fitna is an Arabic word meaning "disagreement". This film shows terrorism linked to Islamic groups such as Al-Qaeda and is accompanied by verses from the Qur'an, the holy book of the Muslims. This film implies that these verses are these attacks as seen in,
"Those who have disbelieved our signs, we shall roast them in fire. Whenever their skins are cooked to a turn, we shall substitute new skins for them, that they may feel the punishment; Verily God is sublime and wise. --An-Nisa' 4:56"
As any person can see, this verse shows that Muslims are supposed to torture those who do not share their faith. But is it really? Is in not fair that we hear what the Muslims have to say?
This verse from the Qur'an actually depicts the fate of sinners (ie. non-believers who do not follow the faith of Jews, Christian, Sabians or Muslims) in hell for rejecting faith while living in the world that God has created.
Also in the film there has been depicted of the notorious capital punishment for the Islamic faith, including the punishment for homosexuality, female genital mutilation and punishments for child abuse. Sure, the Sharia' law is capital, but it serves as a reminder for the masses that these acts are unacceptable. Furthermore, the Muslims believe that such punishments actually lighten the punishments received in hell or even in further in life.
Impacts of this film may include further aggression from already-extremist Islamic groups like Taliban towards the Dutch government or community and may spark more strife. Already having a bad impression of the West as seen as territory-hungry warmongers (most of Middle Eastern territories have been colonised at some point in time by Westerners and the American occupation of Iraq caused the people to hate the American government for not pulling out even though Saddam Hussein is dead) and this image will be worsened further.
Let's look into Wilders' point of view. His main motif of this film is "to provoke thought". IMHO, if an opinion wants to be voiced, it has to be done in a professional matter and has to be done and backed with facts from research.
Finally, let us remember that because of a few rotten apples the whole basket has to be thrown away (unless the apple carries a transmittable disease but this has not always been the case). Islam, like any other religion, promotes goodwill and peace. This can be backed up with a verse from the Qur'an as follows:
"Those who believe (in the Scriptures) and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians, -- any who believe in God and in the Last Day (Armageddon), and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. -- Al-Baqarah 1:62"
What is your view on the film Fitna? Post your views in the Comments section (preferably) or drop a line in the CBox on the right. Until then, watch out for my next article!
Fitna is an Arabic word meaning "disagreement". This film shows terrorism linked to Islamic groups such as Al-Qaeda and is accompanied by verses from the Qur'an, the holy book of the Muslims. This film implies that these verses are these attacks as seen in,
"Those who have disbelieved our signs, we shall roast them in fire. Whenever their skins are cooked to a turn, we shall substitute new skins for them, that they may feel the punishment; Verily God is sublime and wise. --An-Nisa' 4:56"
As any person can see, this verse shows that Muslims are supposed to torture those who do not share their faith. But is it really? Is in not fair that we hear what the Muslims have to say?
This verse from the Qur'an actually depicts the fate of sinners (ie. non-believers who do not follow the faith of Jews, Christian, Sabians or Muslims) in hell for rejecting faith while living in the world that God has created.
Also in the film there has been depicted of the notorious capital punishment for the Islamic faith, including the punishment for homosexuality, female genital mutilation and punishments for child abuse. Sure, the Sharia' law is capital, but it serves as a reminder for the masses that these acts are unacceptable. Furthermore, the Muslims believe that such punishments actually lighten the punishments received in hell or even in further in life.
Impacts of this film may include further aggression from already-extremist Islamic groups like Taliban towards the Dutch government or community and may spark more strife. Already having a bad impression of the West as seen as territory-hungry warmongers (most of Middle Eastern territories have been colonised at some point in time by Westerners and the American occupation of Iraq caused the people to hate the American government for not pulling out even though Saddam Hussein is dead
Let's look into Wilders' point of view. His main motif of this film is "to provoke thought". IMHO, if an opinion wants to be voiced, it has to be done in a professional matter and has to be done and backed with facts from research.
Finally, let us remember that because of a few rotten apples the whole basket has to be thrown away (unless the apple carries a transmittable disease but this has not always been the case). Islam, like any other religion, promotes goodwill and peace. This can be backed up with a verse from the Qur'an as follows:
"Those who believe (in the Scriptures) and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians, -- any who believe in God and in the Last Day (Armageddon), and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. -- Al-Baqarah 1:62"
What is your view on the film Fitna? Post your views in the Comments section (preferably) or drop a line in the CBox on the right. Until then, watch out for my next article!
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