Obesity among school kids - let them play

Well, a few days ago our Health Minister had mentioned obesity among children is worrying. A meeting between the Health Ministry and food manfacturers was held afterwards. It was agreed that among other things sugar content in food is to be reduced. No sweat, I agree 100%. But what about making our school kids sweat? And I mean sweat a lot.

The idea is to let our kids play, and play a lot if possible. It is their childhood anyway. Kids like to play, ( they are supposed to) so let them play. Don't spoil their childhood. Let them play, let them sweat, sweat and sweat.

School might take initiatives to get the kids to "play in school". Let the kids get another perception that they can also play in school. They are allowed to play in school. They are welcomed to play in school. School is not just about academic, books, books and more books, exams, exams and more exams.

I know that we already have sports clubs at school. I know that our Education Ministry have a policy of "one kid one sport". Now how about making sports played throughout school term? Currently attention to sports are only given during the first and second school term. Third term is the time to concentrate on studies. Okay no sweat, let's fully utilise that first and second terms.

How about making all kids involve? I believe currently not all kids are involved. Only those who are good at sports play while the rest shy away from sports. Why? You know why. But how to get all of them play? 

It is important for them to understand that winning the match is not everything. There is a lot more waiting for them. Self-satisfaction, enjoyment, healthy bodies and mind, wider friendship are among the rewards waiting for them. Winning medals is just a bonus.

Let's form a league. Take football for example. Let the kids form their own football team. Let them choose their team mates.  General guidelines might be to have Under 13's, Under 14's,  or by their classrooms. Matches are played every week. Volleyball? Yup, same guidelines apply. And so are other sports.

Let's have divisions to separate the good and the not so good. Fair play is the idea here. Kids will enjoy more playing againts those who are about their same level. Just like football league, they have division 1, division 2 and so on. But this time it is slightly different. Afer preliminary rounds are played, the winners are grouped into Division 1. The losers are grouped into Division 2, or 3 and so on. In that way the losers can still have games/matches to play and not merely become spectators.

Next, let's have a "Play All-day" day. Pick one day and let the kids know they are going to school only to play, yup only to play, no books. Sound revolutionary? Maybe. I think we are already putting too much pressure on our kids to get big results in exams. Mind you, there are life apart from exams. If we are dare enough, then, pick one day of the school day, any day from Monday to Friday, say Wednesday, and tell the kids that day is "play day". Of course, it is up to our Education Ministry to decide, not me. I can only suggest.

Benefits to kids? Well, I suppose you already know. Research done shows that kids who play tend to have better communication skills and wiser. And don't forget, fitter bodies. No more obesity. Don't you want your kids to be like that? I want.

2nd water tank - rain water

Reminder and warnings have been given to us of the possibilty of water shortage in Selangor in year 2012.
Our government and water supplier keep on reminding the users to be always thoughtful when using our precious water. Have we as users done anything yet? Or we don't? We might take for granted that water is abundant in our country. We have rain throughout the year, especially during monsoon season. But come dry season, we start counting every drop of water. Remember Melaka a few years ago?

We could start by collecting rain water. Don't let the rain water go by the drains uncollected. We can use drums to collect rain water which are available at hardware shops. For a more adventerous person, you can set up a second water tank similar to current water tank. 

Remember that rain water is to be considered as untreated water. So it is not advisable to use it for drinking.  However you can use it for washing your cars, watering you plants and even washing your house. I am not so sure if it can be used for laundry, but hey, remember some of our old folks used to use rain water for washing clothes and even their dish?

The government might encourage housing developers to integrate second water tank in their house plans. Or the housing developers could reserve some area in the house to accomodate the second water tank.

Help ourselves and help our government at the same time. We can reduce our treated water consumption. That will lead to lesser water bills. Less consumption means less pressure to the government to ensure sufficient water supply.

Hopefully water shortage will not become a reality.  Just can't take it anymore to Q-up for water. 

Keep left & you're always right

"Keep left and you are always right" That was what told to us new students by a policeman during our orientation week. That was way back in 1984 when I was studying in Australia. The concept is simple, when driving, keep to the left lane and we should arrive at our destination. And of course the concept does not apply if you have to turn right at the road junction to reach your destination. That is easy to understand why.

Unfortunately driving in Kuala Lumpur doesn't allow me to keep on the left lane all the time. I have to be constantly on alert. I mean the left lane might just come to an end and lead to a housing area! So I have to move to the right lane to continue my journey. Imagine the havoc if you are not used to the area. You might be caught by surprise. Still don't get what I mean? You can try yourself by driving from Ampang Point traffic light to Ampang Police Station. Dare yourself to keeping on the left lane. After only several hundred meters leaving the traffic light, the left lane will come to an end and the left lane will lead you to Taman Dato' Ahmad Razali housing area. Still want to go to Ampang Police Station? Well, you've got to change lane to the right lane, but not the far right lane. The far right lane will also come to an end after several hundred meters at a traffic light. See what I mean?

I do hope the concept of "keep left and you are always right" be applied throughout our road system. Let the drivers have peace of mind that they don't have to continuosly change lane. Let them feel they should be just fine by just keeping on the left lane. Driving is already stressfull, let's find a way to reduce it.