Thanks for the wishes and presents, I really appreciated it. :) This is a first I received any presents. ahhha (other than relatives and parents)
Thanks specially to:
 
1) 2A guides for the thumbdrive. Now I don't need to use skydrive or send email to myself. As such, I shall buy cookies from all of them, which is like 1 each
2) 2A's Neeny for the book "The Best I Could". I had been wanting to buy this book, but due to me being greedy and wanting to buy another series of books, I have been putting of it. They do not have cookies for me to buy, so they shall be eating cookies I bought.
3) Cerys for the cookies, although I don't know when I will start eating. ahhhaa She also doesn't have cookies to sell, and I will not buy CDS tickets, so she shall have cookies too. :):):)
4) All others who wished me happy birthday
 
In continuation with Namefulless's fashion, I shall say thanks in 14 languages, just because it's the 14th year. hahaha
 
English: Thank You
Dutch:  Dank u
French: Merci
Japanese: ありがとう
Korean: 당신을 감사하십시오
Spanish: gracias
Chinese: 谢谢
Malay: Terima Kasih
Italian: Grazie
German: Danke
Russian: вы
Arabic: شكرت أنت
Swedish: Tacka dig
Portuguese: Obrigado
 
 
 
 

---

Share your memories online with anyone you want anyone you want.

".....pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion...."  This is what we pledge to do every day, and since yesterday is Racial Harmony Day, I thought it would be apt to write about this.
 
Recently, Singapore's military promoted a muslim malay to the rank of general, since the city state became independent some 44 years ago. This is something everyone should be happy about, because we cross over racial lines, and appointed somebody based on ability.  :)
 
Even though this is something to rejoice about, there are still some loopholes. For example, the "Special Assistance Plan", which is what I am going to elaborate today. Special Assistance Plan (SAP) is a programme that promotes the learning of Chinese Language and culture. So, several subjects may be taught in the mother tongue, along with other subjects that are taught in English.
 
SAP, was first started in 1979, to preserve the ethos of the Chinese medium schools, and to promote the learning of Chinese Language and culture. As the government designated English as the lingua franca of workplace, etc, they needed to allay fears that they were indifferent to Chinese Language and culture, amid declining enrollments in chinese-medium schools. So they set up this SAP programme.
 
But then, since this is called Special Assistance Plan, and not specified for Chinese Language (CL) only, why is it only offered for CL, and not other mother tongues like Malay and Tamil. And then, the initial aim of this SAP programme, was promote the learning of CL and chinese culture, as there were fears that Chinese students might lose this culture and language, as they become more accustomed to English.
 
Doesn't it make more sense that this programme be rolled out for other languages too, especially when people using them is much lesser than Chinese using CL. Wouldn't this make it easier for these races to lose their language and culture, when they have less people to "defend" it?
 
To solve this problem, SAP should be rolled out for other mother tongues, and the first step might be to include the Madrasahs, as they like the Chinese-Medium schools of the old days. This would also allay fears that this or that particular school might be fully Malay (when there are other races of students), as most students in SAP schools are ethnic Chinese. Then, slowly, news schools can be opened, for other mother tongues in Singapore.
 
Ethos: 
the distinctive spirit and attitudes of a people, culture, etc.
 
Lingua Franca: any language that is widely used as a means of communication among speakers of other languages.

Credits:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Assistance_Plan
http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2008/02/enhanced-programmes-by-special.php

---

Share your memories online with anyone you want anyone you want.

It has been ages since I lasted posted something. :P

Since Racial Harmony Day is coming, it would be appropriate to write something about it. Isn't it? (: (See, I added emticons. :D)

Racial Harmony Day is celebrated annually on 21 July in schools. On this day, students are encouraged to wear traditional costumes (at least for my primary school), and the whole school will be in festive mood, celebrating it.

Over the day, students will learn about other races' culture, and might be allowed to play their traditional games and even eat traditional delicacies. For me, when I was in primary school, I had the chance to play gasing, and eat some Indian tidbit. (:(:(:

But behind this celebratory mood, there is actually a sad history behind it...... :(
The year was 1964, 21 July. It was Prophet Muhammad's birthday, and the Malays were at the Padang, celebrating. After the speeches, the procession went towards Geylang. Along the way, a policeman asked a group which had dispersed, to rejoin the main procession.

But instead of obeying the policeman's order, they attacked him instead. This led to racial riots, after the group of Malays attacked ethnic Chinese-Malay passers-by and spectators too. The riots were belived to have started at 5pm, along Kallang and Geylang Serai.

Curfew was ordered at 9.30pm to restore order; but in the first day of rioting, 4 were killed and 178 injured. At 6am the next day, curfew was lifted; but the fighting intensified, and curfew was once again ordered. It was not completely lifted until 2 August, 11 days after the first riot started.

During this period, about 23 people were killed, and 450 injured, with significant damage on properties and vehicles. Also, 3000 people, including 600 secret society members and 256 people charged with possession of dangerous weapons, while the rest were of violating curfew.

So, to commemorate it, the government set this day as Racial Harmony Day; and so today this is how we have Racial Harmony Day. :) :) :)

PS: 4days after 21July is important! hahaha

Credits:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_Harmony_Day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Race_Riots

Back to the old format of the "blog", researching on topics. So this person's doctor suspects that __ has this, thus __ asked me to research, as __ is lazy to do it. hahaha

Wilson's Disease is named after Dr. Samuel Alexander Kinnier Wilson (1878-1937), the British neurologist who first described the condition in 1912. Wilson's Disease is a genetic disorder that prevents the body from getting rid of extra copper. While copper is needed by one to lead a healthy life, too much is dangerous. In Wilson's Disease, copper builds up in the liver, eyes, brain and other organs. Over time, high copper levels can cause life-threatening organ damage.

People who get Wilson disease inherit two abnormal copies of the ATP7B gene, one from each parent. Wilson disease carriers, who have only one copy of the abnormal gene, do not have symptoms. Most people with Wilson disease have no known family history of the disease. A person's chances of having Wilson disease increase if one or both parents have it.


Wilson disease is caused by a buildup of copper in the body. Normally, copper from the diet is filtered out by the liver and released into bile, which flows out of the body through the gastrointestinal tract. People who have Wilson disease cannot release copper from the liver at a normal rate, due to a mutation of the ATP7B gene. When the copper storage capacity of the liver is exceeded, copper is released into the bloodstream and travels to other organs—including the brain, kidneys, and eyes.

Wilson disease first attacks the liver, the central nervous system, or both.
A buildup of copper in the liver may cause ongoing liver disease. Rarely, acute liver failure occurs; most patients develop signs and symptoms that accompany chronic liver disease, including

• swelling of the liver or spleen
• jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
• fluid buildup in the legs or abdomen
• a tendency to bruise easily
• fatigue

A buildup of copper in the central nervous system may result in neurologic symptoms, including

• problems with speech, swallowing, or physical coordination
• tremors or uncontrolled movements
• muscle stiffness
• behavioral changes
  
  

Other signs and symptoms of Wilson disease include

• anemia
• low platelet or white blood cell count
• slower blood clotting, measured by a blood test
• high levels of amino acids, protein, uric acid, and carbohydrates in urine
• premature osteoporosis and arthritis

Kayser-Fleischer rings result from a buildup of copper in the eyes and are the most unique sign of Wilson disease. They appear in each eye as a rusty-brown ring around the edge of the iris and in the rim of the cornea. The iris is the colored part of the eye surrounding the pupil. The cornea is the transparent outer membrane that covers the eye.

Wilson disease requires lifelong treatment to reduce and control the amount of copper in the body.

Initial therapy includes the removal of excess copper, a reduction of copper intake, and the treatment of any liver or central nervous system damage.

The drugs d-penicillamine (Cuprimine) and trientine hydrochloride (Syprine) release copper from organs into the bloodstream. Most of the copper is then filtered out by the kidneys and excreted in urine. A potential major side effect of both drugs is that neurologic symptoms can become worse—a possible result of the newly released copper becoming reabsorbed by the central nervous system. About 20 to 30 percent of patients using d-penicillamine will also initially experience other reactions to the medication, including fever, rash, and other drug-related effects on the kidneys and bone marrow. The risk of drug reaction and neurologic worsening appears to be lower with trientine hydrochloride, which should be the first choice for the treatment of all symptomatic patients.

Maintenance therapy begins when symptoms improve and tests show that copper has been reduced to a safe level. Maintenance therapy typically includes taking zinc and low doses of either d-penicillamine or trientine hydrochloride. Blood and urine should be monitored by a health care provider to ensure treatment is keeping copper at a safe level.

People with Wilson disease should reduce their dietary copper intake. They should not eat shellfish or liver, as these foods may contain high levels of copper. Other foods high in copper—including mushrooms, nuts, and chocolate—should be avoided during initial therapy but, in most cases, may be eaten in moderation during maintenance therapy. People with Wilson disease should have their drinking water checked for copper content and should not take multivitamins that contain copper.

If the disorder is detected early and treated effectively, people with Wilson disease can enjoy good health.

Credits:
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/wilson/ (100% of information)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Autorecessive.svg

---

Make the most of what you can do on your PC and the Web, just the way you want. Windows Live

天下没有不散的宴席。 After 4 days of exciting competition, the first AYG FIBA 33 Basketball competition has finally ended. The winners for boys is China -applause- and for girls, the Japanese, who won China. -applause- However, the team that is most memorable is from Bahrain, who although lost all their matches, still fought a good fight. I believe they knew they will never win, but they still came for the competition. They lost to China, 0-33, Singapore, 33-2 and India, 34-2. I felt sad for them, they threw and threw for so many times, but none got in. They seem so pitiful
 
This competition also showed that one does not need height to win. The Philippines' girl's team were far shorter than their counterparts. But they were good at aiming, and scored points in threes. There was also an instance when they won, not because they scored more, but because, their oppenent, the Uzberkistan, got 3 players (out of 4) sent off the court after five fouls. Uzberkistan was actually leading at that point, 28-26. This should be the biggest upset of this competition.
 
Singapore players were also good. They fought well, although they were easily towered by their oppnents, like China, which had an average height of 2 metres. Even though when they were behind their oppenents, they still tried to score, and us, the audience cheered them on whenever a point was scored. Even when they lost to Korea (34-24), I believe they have they have done their best. 加油！
 
For the competition, I was there for all 4 days, from morning to evening. Now that it has ended, it's quite sad. haha
 

---

What can you do with the new Windows Live? Find out

Whoosh. 10 days passed so quickly. the last time I posted, was 19 June, now, it's 1 July. ~Whoosh~
"Mummy, I want to sit with you!" A boy said to his mother. "No, you sit there." The mother replied to her son, and pointed to the other side.
"You tell ... go away. I want sit with you!"

This was all I heard when I alighted the bus. But the thing is that, at this young age, the boy has already shown signs of self centeredness, thinking of him, himself only. His "自我" is very great, and doesn't care about about what other people think. Also, he was talking so loudly, that he woke me up from my beauty sleep. What does this show?

This shows the degeneration of today's society. As we chase after material belongings and things, we begin to think about our rights, benefits, and discard what other people think. This is also why, people don't stand behind the yellow line and wait for people to come out from the MRT doors. This also cause people to sit at the priority seat, and not let it for people with more needs. We should really think about this, reflect upon it, and change. And it's change we can believe in.
Think about it!

What is self centeredness?
According to yourdictionary.com, self centeredness is one who is "occupied or concerned only with one's own affairs; egocentric; selfish"

What does the Bible say about self centeredness?
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2: 3-4

This is a short post, but it should give you some food for thought. :)
ttfn!

Are you self centered?
Take this and find out!
http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/2Yg4iqY/Are-You-Self-Centered

Thanks Boy!
Even though he was self centered, I have to thank him, for giving me something to write upon. And its because of his loud voice talking to his mum, I was awaken, and thus did not miss my bus-stop. So I seriously have to thank him. :)
Credits

http://www.yourdictionary.com/self-centeredness

http://insidework.net/resources/iw52/risk-of-self-centeredness

---

check out the rest of the Windows Live™. More than mail–Windows Live™ goes way beyond your inbox. More than messages