The main question that arises at this point in time is that why do teenagers avoid reading and why are they averse to it. Personally, I do not like reading at all. But knowing it's benefits for me, I am obliged to read at least once a week.

One of the main reason why teenagers may be averse to reading is largely because of the digital age we are currently in. To teenagers, all that means may be the Internet, the PSP, iPod, Handphones and all sorts of other digital gadgets and I do not say, it is wrong to engage in all these because even I myself use all these but the fact is that, people still do "read" on the Internets or in their handphones in SMS but is this reading equivalent to literally reading a novel? I do not think so.

Scientist have proven that reading helps to build a large vocabulary and a range of language skills such as good listening and comprehension skills, which will help us learn to communicate and which are also related to children's reading ability as they grow. Reading is always a learning experience on a go. It is quite simple to carry a book in your bag and read it in the train or in the bus. If you think that reading is boring, there is such a wide variety to choose from, from novels to comics to many others.

In my opinion, the only way to make teenagers read is through school homework. Homework is an inevitable way to make a teenager read a book. But to make it more interesting, pop quizzes could be held regarding the book after a certain period of time given to the student. To me, the closest alternative to a book is reading online. But definitely, I would prefer a book.

Despite always having to make recent trips to the library, I think that reading online sources cannot be trusted. The are certain material online that is not suitable for teens our age. Another reason would be that I have seen certain entries online sprinkled with bad grammer and lousy vocabulary. Reading such things would not be beneficial one bit.

In conclusion, if it was me, I would choose a good old book as my choice of reading. The internet can be used more many other things, but it would not be my choice for reading.

Current Mood: busy

Recently, food have become a problem for all typical households like us. Prices are shooting sky high and the government are scrambling to respond to this crisis and feed their poorest citizens. The trouble on everyone's mind now is the prices of foodstuff going to rise any further?

Prices of all basic agricultural commodities such as rice, corn, wheat and soybeans have nearly doubled in the last two years, paralleling the rise in the cost of oil. Not only have bread and breakfast cereals increased in price, but also beer (made from barley or rice), soft drinks (sweetened with corn syrup) as well as beef, chicken, pork and all animal products, including dairy, fed on grains. The causes of these price increases vary from country to country and from crop to crop and there are no simple solution is in sight. The real solution is to accelerate agricultural production worldwide, a goal that will take years to fulfil.

One of the causes are because the global stocks are at a low level. Globally, stocks of corn, wheat, and soybeans are at very low levels. Drought in Australia and Eastern Europe and poor weather in Canada, Western Europe, and the Ukraine have reduced available crops.

With world stocks for wheat at a 30-year low, buyers are turning to the U.S. for supplies. The lower income sectors are suffering from this as they are unable to purchase available food.

A solution that is happening now is that banks are increasing their interest rates to help ease the people with inflation pressure. We should also have safety nets when the economy picks up to prevent another situation as such from happening. More investments can also be put into the agricultural sector to fund more growing of crops.

Currently, Singapore is not feeling the pinch yet. Singapore is currently not affected as the government have prepared for such a situation. Prices have definitely increased but Singaporean still move on with their lives.

Current Mood: tired

 RACIAL HARMONY
When Racial Harmony comes to mind, we always see paintings of hands of different races holding on to each other. This is indeed a very common sight. But what most people tend to forget is the real significance of Racial Harmony. The true meaning behind harmony and peace.

Racial Harmony is not just another day when we just say our simple “hellos” to our friends of different races. Its a time for us to understand and appreciate and understand the culture of our fellow Singaporeans. Some of us do not really know the importance of maintaining peace with each other to create a stronger Singapore. Instead, they discriminate each other, and shun away just because of colour.

There are a minority of people that may be against the other race's religion and culture. There are some that may not respect other races because they belong to the majority. For example, why are Indians most of the time discriminated by the Chinese. In my opinion, a possible reason could be because Chinese makes up more than half of Singapore, this means that the Chinese are more brave just because they have the numbers?

This is definitely not a good reason to discriminate others, in fact, I think it is childish and immature. Have we not learnt from our past? The racial riots and chaos happening just because of discrimination and being biased against one another? An example is the Maria Hertogh Riot in 1950. Many love ones were lost and killed in the riot. We definitely do not want to see history repeat itself.

The government is now focusing on 'integration' rather than 'tolerance'. To my understanding, it is not about plastering a fake smile in front of different races and split into your own cultural cliques. That is not the way to show racial harmony. It about really mixing around with other races, understanding them better as a friend. Simple gesture like inviting them to your own unique festivals could get them to see another side of your culture and race.

I have definitely been through the stage that racial harmony is just another day of wearing ethinque costumes. But as I grew older, I have come to realise the importance of racial harmony. That is is important in keeping our small, island home strong and united.

Current Mood: accomplished