My reflections from the article "From Sip to Slip".

From this article, it showed me that people only believed in what they want to believe in. This article is about alcohol being said to have positive effects on our hearts when taken in small amounts. When alcohol was said to do good, it somehow gave "hope" to those people who loved alcohol but was suppressed due to knowing what alcohol does to our bodies. Although it was stated that it is only beneficial when taken in small amounts, people ignored the "small amounts"-part, they only believed in the part of the sentence they liked, "alcohol is beneficial". There goes the gulping. From "alcohol is good for our hearts when taken in small amounts" to "alcohol is good. Even a little is beneficial, then more must be better!". That became their excuse for alcohol consumption, the actual reason is, they enjoy alcohol. This shows that people regard joy and relaxation as a much important matter than their very own health. It also told me that if somebody really liked drinking alcohol, be it drugs or games, you alone CANNOT stop them. The only person who can stop them are themselves. Even if you manage to suppress that person, he will still take every single chance he gets to get what he wants. You cannot be by him 24/7, can you? Thats the end of my reflection. (^-^) - By Brandon Low Leong Chow (36)

This scene shows a family of four having a picnic. They must to have prepared for their family acting days before as there is a picnic basket containing food. They seem to be enjoying their picnic as all the family members are smiling happily. The children in the picture look very interested at what their father is pointing. Probably, there might be colorful birds perched on a tree not too far away. The weather appears to be fine and the park they are having their picnic at looks beautiful. I think that this family had chosen the perfect day and location to have their picnic. I think that after having their lunch brought by the mother, the family would probably be going for a game of soccer as the boy in the middle of the picture is holding a soccer ball.

I think that having family bonding activities is very important to all of us. Despite our busy schedules, we should make time to spend with our loved ones. By doing so the family will become closer and they would know how much we truly love them.

This is a scene of a family escaping from the flood that probably had destoryed their home. I can tell that it was a serious flood because the water level so high that they had to swim and use the float and also, only the roof of the house could be seen. The man in the front is probably the head of the family because he is guiding the family to find rescuers. The two person on the float is the mother and the youngest son of the family, carrying two bags which i suppose is food and water in case there are no rescuers. I feel that it is very dangerous to sit on the float like that did because the left side of the float is higher and both the mother and son could drop off the float. They should spread their weight evenly to prevent this from happening. The man at the back helping his father is probably the eldest son of the family. I feel that they should have just stayed at their house and climb up the roof. In that case, rescuers in helicoper and spot them easier as they only expose their heads only in water. There is no way we could stop floods because it is nature, however, we can help out too even by donating money or food to the places. Every single thing counts.

jun yu

Reader's Digest 'The rise of cyber bullying

Cyber bullying is very common these days , where many people are able to afford computers and internet access at home and bullies can stay anonymous when they bully someone using the internet. This led to the increase in cyber bullying and the decrease in physical bullying. Cyber bullies are also more daring to do and say whatever they want as their identities are unknown.
I feel that cyber bullying is worst than physical bullying because the damage dealt is much greater psychologically as there are no people watching during physical bullying, whereas the damage is ampified when the person is bullied on the internet where there are millions and millions of viewers. Furthermore, cyber bullying can take place any time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year unlike physical bullying, which usually takes place outside home.

jun yu

t This picture depicts a scene in a computer lab.I know this because i can see many computers and keyboards in this room.There are many elderly people suing the computers. From their facial expressions, i know that they are having a ball of their time. I pressure that this is a new senior citizens centre, and these people are having their first lesson on computers. Also, I can see a few professionals standing beside some of the elderly people. I think that they are teaching them how to use the computers. In the center of the picture, a man is smiling happily, including the woman wearing a suit standing beside him. I think the man should be surfing on the Internet and has found something funny.

In my opinion, the society should create more chances of this type for the elderly people. Many of them have already retires and enjoying their retirement life. To some people perhaps not. They may be lonely as their children are all at work or they are living on their own.Therefore,they ought to join more of this type of clubs.Elderly people are easily to get dementia if they do not work their brains, and instead doing nothing.They should do more thinking, go out with friends frequently and do some things like planting also.

RD reflection- searching for Marita

I think that this article has shed light on a very important issue- human trafficking. Living in Singapore, we don’t really see much of this going but in countries as far away as Argentina or even neighboring Thailand, human trafficking is rampant. Thousands of women are victims of human trafficking, many of them who are still young girls. They are either kidnapped or tricked into the human trafficking business. Some girls are tricked by advertisement claiming to be in search for models or actresses but in fact there is a darker intention to it. These young women are usually sold to brothels and bars. I truly sympathize with the fate of these young girls as at a young age, they have lost their innocence and purity. Also, their chance of a brighter future is snatched away as they descend and succumb into a dismal world.

These women suffered a great deal of abuse, both physically and emotional wise. They are forced into having sexual intercourse with total strangers and if they resisted, they would be mercilessly beaten and torture. Some were even forced to take drugs and if the women were to get pregnant, they are forced to abort by dangerous and cruel procedures. The trauma faced by these women is so extreme that I had never been able to know exactly how they feel even with my wildest imagination. I feel that the worse part of this situation is that they are unable to attain help and are completely cut of from friends and family. Also, the scars they suffer in their youth are certain to remain with the throughout their lifetime.


I really admire Susana who has went through extremes, even to the extent of dressing herself as a prostitute and going into bars and brothels in search of her daughter, Marita and of greater priority she is trying to rescue the women working in these places who were forced into prostitution. . I think that these women should not suffer so terribly so that one can satisfy his lust. I think that this issue should be eradicated immediately as it effects the lives of thousands of girls and I think that the people responsible for these acts are heartless and should be punished.