The Five Stones. A popular game which I used to play in my childhood days. During every school recess, when we were not out in the field or garden running and panting our lungs out, we would be sitting quietly in threes or fours playing the Five Stones. I particularly enjoyed playing this game perhaps because I was good at it.
S recently gave me a set of Five Stones. Looking at them brought back fond memories of the carefree joys of childhood, without a single worry on the young shoulders of mine. Well, except of course when I had to study for exams...
The idea of playing in those days was really simple and easy. With lots of energy to spare, kids got creative and found ways to amuse and occupy themselves. Usually inexpensive materials were used in the games. For example, Zero Point is basically just a long chain of rubber bands. Five Stones are made with green beans, sewed in pockets of cloth. Capteh is made of colourful feather with a rubber base. And then there are Catching, One Leg Catching, Eagle Catch Chicks, STOP etc. These games require no expensive toys, just plain raw energy and lots of running around. They were a good outlet for our excessive energy and kept us fully entertained. What's more, these games helped develop our social skills in schools.
As far as I can remember, I didn't have a doll or a soft toy to cuddle to sleep. Because I never actually needed those toys. I remember once, before my brother and I went to bed one night, we were sitting on our beds, pretending our pillows were slabs of meat. We were the butchers chopping those meat with our tiny hands for our customers. And we were laughing ourselves silly before being shushed to bed by our parents. In that era, we certainly didn't need much to keep us happy.
With a society becoming increasingly affluent, the needs and wants of its people and their brood change correspondingly too. Paper dolls no longer have their charm on the kids nowadays. Only Nintendo, PSP, computer games and whatnot cut it for them.
Instead of playing and socializing with their peers in the real world, these kids spend their spare time sitting in front of these devices, saving Mario or shooting in Counter-Strike in the virtual world.
I personally am not against compute games. With such rapid advances in technology, to come into contact with any kind of electronic gadgets at a young age is no longer evitable.
The crucial thing is the amount of time spend in front of these media, be it TV or computers and the content of the games and programs.
Apparently, playing computer games for long periods of time alone can cause reclusiveness and introversion. It can also give children a false sense of reality.
Another issue is the violence in games or TV programs. Violence can cause aggressiveness in particularly young men. Some children do not understand that when you kill someone, they cannot come back to life, as depicted by many video games.
Hence, I do not envy the role of parents. With a widespread of media violence these days, parents have a harder time than ever to protect their offsprings from such overexposure. Other than that, they would have to get creative and find ways to lure their children away from these media into the real outdoors.
For a game or two of Eagle Catch Chicks or Catching perhaps.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Goofy, Tom and Jerry, Anyone?
On a whim today, I put up a sign (among many others) on the door of our room in the office. Partly to disperse any questionable notions of my eats preference, But mainly, I find it quite a laugh.
It reads:
ICH BIN AUS SINGAPUR UND NICHT AUS CHINA.
(I am from Singapore and not China)
ICH HABE NOCH NIE HUNDE, KATZEN, MÄUSE, SCHLANGE GEGESSEN UND ICH WERDE NIEMALS SIE ESSEN.
(I have never eaten dogs, cats, mice and snakes before and will never ever try eating them)
ICH TRINKE HEISSES WASSER UND JA, ES IST GANZ NORMAL BEI UNS.
(I drink hot water and yes, this is normal from where I come from)
The message on the sign is self-explaining and I hope I do not need to clarify myself anymore. It is very irritating when you get asked 10,000 times every other day,'What's that you are drinking? Hot water????!!! Ewwww.... That's disgusting!!!!!!'
Most colleagues are guilty of the crime mentioned-above but they all laughed in good fun when the loud sign caught their eye.
I am very tempted to add in:
OH YES, SINGAPORE DOES HAVE DISCOS.
What say?
It reads:
ICH BIN AUS SINGAPUR UND NICHT AUS CHINA.
(I am from Singapore and not China)
ICH HABE NOCH NIE HUNDE, KATZEN, MÄUSE, SCHLANGE GEGESSEN UND ICH WERDE NIEMALS SIE ESSEN.
(I have never eaten dogs, cats, mice and snakes before and will never ever try eating them)
ICH TRINKE HEISSES WASSER UND JA, ES IST GANZ NORMAL BEI UNS.
(I drink hot water and yes, this is normal from where I come from)
The message on the sign is self-explaining and I hope I do not need to clarify myself anymore. It is very irritating when you get asked 10,000 times every other day,'What's that you are drinking? Hot water????!!! Ewwww.... That's disgusting!!!!!!'
Most colleagues are guilty of the crime mentioned-above but they all laughed in good fun when the loud sign caught their eye.
I am very tempted to add in:
OH YES, SINGAPORE DOES HAVE DISCOS.
What say?
Friday, January 30, 2009
The Hair Bands
Something came over me suddenly one day and incited me to put together a playlist which reads something like this:
1. Something To Believe In - Poison
2. Love Of A Lifetime - Firehouse
3. I'll Be There For You - Bon Jovi
4. Without You - Mötley Crüe
5. I Saw Red - Warrant
6. I Remember You - Skid Row
7. Every Rose Has Its Thorn - Poison
8. Home Sweet Home - Mötley Crüe
9. Where You Goin' Now - Damn Yankees
10. Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad - Def Leppard
11. In These Arms - Bon Jovi
After which I just had to youtube these videos for nostalgia's sake. And there was no turning back. I was at it for hours!!!
Men with long mane are undeniably sexy. No matter if it's blonde teased-up tresses or black straight locks, these flamboyant glam rockers ooze sex appeal from every single pore. Most importantly, they coo love ballads in their signature badass fashion which sent millions of chicks (and chickadees alike) weak at the knees. Not forgetting of course, the teasing of their family jewels (whether intentional or not) in their super skin tight jeans.
And then there are the words of the songs:
When love went blind and you would make me see,
I'd stare a lifetime into your eyes.
Without you in my life,
I'd slowly wilt and die.
But with you by my side,
You're the reason I'm alive.
You say you're cried a thousand rivers,
And now you're swimming for the shore.
You left me drowning in my tears,
And you won't save me anymore.
I crack up whenever I listen to the words. Such cliché! And yet I can't stop listening to them. What's more, the playback of these songs goes on and on in my head all day long. This is easily one of my most overplayed playlists at the moment.
My all time favourite then when I was 16 and now? Mötley Crüe, Skid Row and Poison win hands down. Always.
Oh yeah, I am a closet minah rock.
1. Something To Believe In - Poison
2. Love Of A Lifetime - Firehouse
3. I'll Be There For You - Bon Jovi
4. Without You - Mötley Crüe
5. I Saw Red - Warrant
6. I Remember You - Skid Row
7. Every Rose Has Its Thorn - Poison
8. Home Sweet Home - Mötley Crüe
9. Where You Goin' Now - Damn Yankees
10. Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad - Def Leppard
11. In These Arms - Bon Jovi
After which I just had to youtube these videos for nostalgia's sake. And there was no turning back. I was at it for hours!!!
Men with long mane are undeniably sexy. No matter if it's blonde teased-up tresses or black straight locks, these flamboyant glam rockers ooze sex appeal from every single pore. Most importantly, they coo love ballads in their signature badass fashion which sent millions of chicks (and chickadees alike) weak at the knees. Not forgetting of course, the teasing of their family jewels (whether intentional or not) in their super skin tight jeans.
And then there are the words of the songs:
When love went blind and you would make me see,
I'd stare a lifetime into your eyes.
Without you in my life,
I'd slowly wilt and die.
But with you by my side,
You're the reason I'm alive.
You say you're cried a thousand rivers,
And now you're swimming for the shore.
You left me drowning in my tears,
And you won't save me anymore.
I crack up whenever I listen to the words. Such cliché! And yet I can't stop listening to them. What's more, the playback of these songs goes on and on in my head all day long. This is easily one of my most overplayed playlists at the moment.
My all time favourite then when I was 16 and now? Mötley Crüe, Skid Row and Poison win hands down. Always.
Oh yeah, I am a closet minah rock.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Do you cheena?
The MIL was dressing up to get ready for the reunion dinner at ours. She had her jeans on. The FIL took a look at her and immediately said she should wear something more appropriate. To which she asked why. His reply was, Chinese New Year is a special occassion for Hoonie, therefore, it's only right they should wear something smart to mark this festival together with her. He himself had a pair of trousers on instead of his usual shirt and jeans.
A man of few words but certainly very kind and considerate.
This year's reunion dinner was not much different from 2008's. I slaved in the kitchen for amost 2 days just so we could use this festival as an excuse to pig out. We indulged in the binge that was:
Meat Balls (instead of Ngoh Hiang upon the man's request)
Roast Pork
Stir-fried Prawns
Not forgetting Bak Ku Teh and Stir-fried Snow Peas. Okay, it's very similar to what we had last year. Either I am rather unimaginative in terms of menu-planning or I am simply too traditional when it comes to the practices or customs in the Chinese New Year sense.
An ex-colleague from many jobs ago who is now living in a foreign land observes that being away from home helps you find out who you really are. I couldn't agree with her more.
I may be educated in English, speak and write the language much better than my mother tongue and may be very much influenced by the western cuture, but I discovered that I can be quite old-fashioned when it comes to Chinese New Year.
Someone said the practice of Chinese New Year is shallow. I beg to differ.
Yesterday was my first time giving out hong baos properly. And you know what? It feels extremely good seeing the joy on the kids' faces when those red packets were placed in their tiny little hands. Suddenly, I was 5 years old once more, feeling the same joy too.
No, the practice of Chinese New Year is so not shallow. And I am only too glad to be part of it.
A man of few words but certainly very kind and considerate.
This year's reunion dinner was not much different from 2008's. I slaved in the kitchen for amost 2 days just so we could use this festival as an excuse to pig out. We indulged in the binge that was:
Braised Duck
Meat Balls (instead of Ngoh Hiang upon the man's request)
Roast Pork
Stir-fried PrawnsNot forgetting Bak Ku Teh and Stir-fried Snow Peas. Okay, it's very similar to what we had last year. Either I am rather unimaginative in terms of menu-planning or I am simply too traditional when it comes to the practices or customs in the Chinese New Year sense.
An ex-colleague from many jobs ago who is now living in a foreign land observes that being away from home helps you find out who you really are. I couldn't agree with her more.
I may be educated in English, speak and write the language much better than my mother tongue and may be very much influenced by the western cuture, but I discovered that I can be quite old-fashioned when it comes to Chinese New Year.
Someone said the practice of Chinese New Year is shallow. I beg to differ.
Yesterday was my first time giving out hong baos properly. And you know what? It feels extremely good seeing the joy on the kids' faces when those red packets were placed in their tiny little hands. Suddenly, I was 5 years old once more, feeling the same joy too.
No, the practice of Chinese New Year is so not shallow. And I am only too glad to be part of it.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
In coma
The long holiday season was great for doing catching up. Not exactly in the sense of catching up with friends but more like making time for myself to slumber away.
For many days in a row, I finally had the chance to sleep to my heart's content again. What with the cold winter weather, it's just wonderful to snuggle under the covers and snooze. An average of 12 hours spent in slumberland was not uncommon. When I eventually woke, it's just pure bliss.
Forget about the throbbings and the cobwebs in my head thereafter. As long as I got my hundreds winks, it's all good.
All good things must come to an end however. Tomorrow I'll have to join the rat race again.
With the long slumbering in the past days and with a temperature dropping to a frigid -12 degrees in the nights, I am looking forward to waken my sluggish self at 5:30 tomorrow morning.
Oh, I am sooo depressed...
For many days in a row, I finally had the chance to sleep to my heart's content again. What with the cold winter weather, it's just wonderful to snuggle under the covers and snooze. An average of 12 hours spent in slumberland was not uncommon. When I eventually woke, it's just pure bliss.
Forget about the throbbings and the cobwebs in my head thereafter. As long as I got my hundreds winks, it's all good.
All good things must come to an end however. Tomorrow I'll have to join the rat race again.
With the long slumbering in the past days and with a temperature dropping to a frigid -12 degrees in the nights, I am looking forward to waken my sluggish self at 5:30 tomorrow morning.
Oh, I am sooo depressed...
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Quest for The Incredible Indian Biryani
I've been pining for the biryani from this particular place for the longest time. The dishes whipped up by the chef are authentic. Besides, it recently got the nod of approval from my Indian friend. So you certainly can't go wrong with this eatery.
However, the few times I tried going there to appease my craving, there seemed to be a lingering dark force preventing me from satisfying my fix. I never made it to the restaurant.
The last time I checked, it was a year ago since I visited it.
The dark force had certainly denied me of my poison for a long enough time now.
Today I selfishly convinced the man to shop in the vicinity as it's high time I should get my fix of those fragrant spicy basmati rice.
The dark force was however there with me in the form of falling snow and snow-laden highway with not a single snow plow in sight.
Very unusual indeed!
The man casually remarked it wouldn't be a good idea to hit home in such conditions after dark. With the terrible conditions right in front of my eyes, I had to but grudgingly agree.
Bloody hell!!! Not again! I was this close.
Even so I did not give up.
As we were in the car leaving the city, he asked for dinner suggestions. I had of course no desire for any other cuisine except for youknowwhat. He suggested another Indian place closer to ours but I dismissed it as it was either the best or nothing for me!
The man must have noticed my long face for he suddenly exited from the highway. My heart jumped.
He's driving us there!!!! He is such a dear.
To compromise, I suggested we could tabao the food instead so he wouldn't have to stress himself out with the long difficult drive.
At home, my face lit up brightly when we finally sat down for the yummylicious biryani.
Oh, nevermind I have a sore throat. A pig can't change its snout.
However, the few times I tried going there to appease my craving, there seemed to be a lingering dark force preventing me from satisfying my fix. I never made it to the restaurant.
The last time I checked, it was a year ago since I visited it.
The dark force had certainly denied me of my poison for a long enough time now.
Today I selfishly convinced the man to shop in the vicinity as it's high time I should get my fix of those fragrant spicy basmati rice.
The dark force was however there with me in the form of falling snow and snow-laden highway with not a single snow plow in sight.
Very unusual indeed!
The man casually remarked it wouldn't be a good idea to hit home in such conditions after dark. With the terrible conditions right in front of my eyes, I had to but grudgingly agree.
Bloody hell!!! Not again! I was this close.
Even so I did not give up.
As we were in the car leaving the city, he asked for dinner suggestions. I had of course no desire for any other cuisine except for youknowwhat. He suggested another Indian place closer to ours but I dismissed it as it was either the best or nothing for me!
The man must have noticed my long face for he suddenly exited from the highway. My heart jumped.
He's driving us there!!!! He is such a dear.
To compromise, I suggested we could tabao the food instead so he wouldn't have to stress himself out with the long difficult drive.
At home, my face lit up brightly when we finally sat down for the yummylicious biryani.
Oh, nevermind I have a sore throat. A pig can't change its snout.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Feeling the Love
The Bestie very sweetly got this for me for christmas. She secretly hijacked my order and paid for it herself. Just because she wants to be sure she's getting a gift which I truly fancy. Very naughty and yet very thoughtful of her! How can I not love her?
And then girlfriend, S lovingly knitted a scarf for my birthday. Behind each handmade gift is, I find, a warm-hearted effort to bring smiles of delight to the receiver's face. Which was exactly what happened last night when the pretty scarf was presented to me.I've always admired those with nimble hands because I, on the contrary, am very awkward with mine. Yes, even simple tasks like wrapping a gift can be quite strenuous for me. Hence, close ones in the know will not expect a handmade gift from me.
The self-knitted scarf is, thus, something which I sincerely appreciate.
I heart my two gifts.
I feel loved and blessed.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Welcome to The Family
Working for a family company is a first in my entire working life so far. Meet my boss, his wife, his sister-in-law, his 2 children, his parents-in-laws...
As I suspected, working for a family business is more personal than working for a single boss or a corporation.
Very personal, in fact.
The annual christmas party was held last friday. It was decided among the staff that each of us would contribute 20€ for The Family's pressies. Everyone agreed except 4 other colleagues (who shall be referred as The Fantastic 4 herein). They think 20€ is too expensive. That caused a big hooha among some colleagues. They reckoned 20€ each for The Family once a year was not too much to ask for.
My exact sentiments as well. However, everyone is free to do whatever they want with their moolah. This is a free world afterall.
During the xmas party, food was bountiful with free-flowing drinks and gales of laughter. Everyone had a merry time. Presents were later given out. Each of us received a watch. The watches are nothing to shout about but it's the thought that counts.
Back to work on Monday. The Boss' sister-in-law who is also his right-hand woman, came around to hand out another round of presents. This time it's some gold-plated keychains with colourful embedded crystals. Very fugly...
In addition, we were invited yet again to another dinner. AND to a weekend trip in Europa-park which is a themepark with fully paid accomodation.
And guess who are not invited? The Fantastic 4 who did not contribute to the xmas pressie for The Family. It was an intentional act to show The Fantastic 4 the consequences when they refused to join The Dark Side of the Force.
More drama was to come. The next day The Boss went to speak to one of The Fantastic 4 and told her his disappointment in her refusal to share in the presents. She explained her reasons. Reasons accepted and The Boss invited her to the dinner that evening.
Before we left for the dinner, The Boss and The Sis-in-law called for a meeting with the rest of The Fantastic 3. No prize for guessing what the meeting agenda was. Apparently, one of them burst into tears during the meeting.
The meeting ended and The Fantastic 3 also appeared at the dinner.
I was flabbergasted. Still am.
All the drama just because your staff did not contribute to your xmas pressies???!!! What does it say about the attitude and mentality of The Family? Petty, small-minded, intolerant? Kicking up a big fuss over such trivial matters can only cast them in a bad light in the eyes of the employees.
But NO. On the contrary, certain employees feel The Fantastic 4 deserved the special attention from The Family because The Family has always been generous to their employees.
True. As of yesterday, we have already been invited to a grand total of 3 xmas meals by The Family. The most extravangant one was an italian 4-course meal. Totally delicious but absolutely excessive. Not to mention other small gifts we were given, like chocolates and wines which they received from other companies.
While the man had to pay for his own meal during his company's xmas party, much less xmas presents.
The Family is indeed generous. But generosity will not earn them respect and loyalty if the quality of their leadership is questionable.
For example, we are not allowed to turn down whatever events/functions we are invited to by The Family. Regardless if it's our best friend's or grandma's birthday, we are expected to call off whatever appointments we have just so to attend The Family's very important functions. Or else, you will be regarded as an outcast.
I can't help but wonder if The Boss' tendency of ruling with an iron fist has got anything to do with his romanian communist background or his being a control freak capricorn.
As I suspected, working for a family business is more personal than working for a single boss or a corporation.
Very personal, in fact.
The annual christmas party was held last friday. It was decided among the staff that each of us would contribute 20€ for The Family's pressies. Everyone agreed except 4 other colleagues (who shall be referred as The Fantastic 4 herein). They think 20€ is too expensive. That caused a big hooha among some colleagues. They reckoned 20€ each for The Family once a year was not too much to ask for.
My exact sentiments as well. However, everyone is free to do whatever they want with their moolah. This is a free world afterall.
During the xmas party, food was bountiful with free-flowing drinks and gales of laughter. Everyone had a merry time. Presents were later given out. Each of us received a watch. The watches are nothing to shout about but it's the thought that counts.
Back to work on Monday. The Boss' sister-in-law who is also his right-hand woman, came around to hand out another round of presents. This time it's some gold-plated keychains with colourful embedded crystals. Very fugly...
In addition, we were invited yet again to another dinner. AND to a weekend trip in Europa-park which is a themepark with fully paid accomodation.
And guess who are not invited? The Fantastic 4 who did not contribute to the xmas pressie for The Family. It was an intentional act to show The Fantastic 4 the consequences when they refused to join The Dark Side of the Force.
More drama was to come. The next day The Boss went to speak to one of The Fantastic 4 and told her his disappointment in her refusal to share in the presents. She explained her reasons. Reasons accepted and The Boss invited her to the dinner that evening.
Before we left for the dinner, The Boss and The Sis-in-law called for a meeting with the rest of The Fantastic 3. No prize for guessing what the meeting agenda was. Apparently, one of them burst into tears during the meeting.
The meeting ended and The Fantastic 3 also appeared at the dinner.
I was flabbergasted. Still am.
All the drama just because your staff did not contribute to your xmas pressies???!!! What does it say about the attitude and mentality of The Family? Petty, small-minded, intolerant? Kicking up a big fuss over such trivial matters can only cast them in a bad light in the eyes of the employees.
But NO. On the contrary, certain employees feel The Fantastic 4 deserved the special attention from The Family because The Family has always been generous to their employees.
True. As of yesterday, we have already been invited to a grand total of 3 xmas meals by The Family. The most extravangant one was an italian 4-course meal. Totally delicious but absolutely excessive. Not to mention other small gifts we were given, like chocolates and wines which they received from other companies.
While the man had to pay for his own meal during his company's xmas party, much less xmas presents.
The Family is indeed generous. But generosity will not earn them respect and loyalty if the quality of their leadership is questionable.
For example, we are not allowed to turn down whatever events/functions we are invited to by The Family. Regardless if it's our best friend's or grandma's birthday, we are expected to call off whatever appointments we have just so to attend The Family's very important functions. Or else, you will be regarded as an outcast.
I can't help but wonder if The Boss' tendency of ruling with an iron fist has got anything to do with his romanian communist background or his being a control freak capricorn.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The drugs don't work
I woke up to a gloomy weather with falling snow flakes. Besides the chilly temperature, the winter also brings along with it a bad bout of the flu and cold virus. Which is very common in this time of the season. Almost everyone in the office are somewhat infected with the cold. I am of course not spared by it either.
I have been fighting the flu virus for the last couple of weeks now. The cold comes and goes. I would get better early of the week after a well-needed rest during the weekend. By the end of the week, the symptoms of the cold would become full-blown again.
My exhausted body was too weak to ward off the persistant virus and finally gave in on Monday.
Why didn't I visit the doctor? Some might ask.
The idea of fighting a cold here in Germany or Europe is very different as that in Singapore. When we fall ill back home, we hurry to the doc to be treated with prescribed medications. Usually antibiotics would be given. After the course of antibiotics, we recover quickly in a matter of days.
The docs here believe in letting our bodies fight the virus instead of with the help of medications. Plenty of rest helps and a flu will have to run its course anyway. Therefore, it is not uncommon to have one full week of MC for a cold or flu without any prescribed medications to take home.
A Singaporean friend was once very ill and begged for antibiotics from her doc. Her request was however turned down. She wouldn't even have to beg if she were in Singapore. Antibiotics are given rather freely in the lion city, with hardly any questions asked.
So, did our frequent consumption of the drug resulted in our lower body resistance than our ang moh counterparts?
Of course, there are good aspects of the drug. For example, it is used to treat many bacteria infections such as sinus infections, kidney infections, bladder infections, etc.
But antibiotics often act without regard for the type of bacteria they are designed to attack. Which means they do not know the difference between the good bacteria and the bad. This can cause an intense lowering of the natural flora in the human body. The result of which may lead to everything from diarrhea to yeast infections.
There is also the risk of creating antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. When antibiotics are not taken completely, this can lead to stronger strains of the bacteria. And when docs prescribe antibiotics for viral infections, such as the common cold and the flu, they are also adding to this danger.
But interestingly, antibiotics are only effective against bacteria but not against colds or the flu, which are caused by viruses.
I am no doctor but I think it would be good if the men in white coats could take some minutes off their precious time to explain their logic in prescribing antibiotics against, e.g. that infected throat.
Sure, who doesn't want a speedy recovery from whatever one is suffering at the moment? But if taking anitbiotics causes more bad side effects rather than the desired ones, then I guess I would rather stay in bed for a few more days for a slow but sure recovery.
Unfortunately, in fast-paced Singapore, we do not have the luxury of getting a full week MC just for flu or cold. Even so, should we make do with the drugs in exchange for a weaker immune system?
I have been fighting the flu virus for the last couple of weeks now. The cold comes and goes. I would get better early of the week after a well-needed rest during the weekend. By the end of the week, the symptoms of the cold would become full-blown again.
My exhausted body was too weak to ward off the persistant virus and finally gave in on Monday.
Why didn't I visit the doctor? Some might ask.
The idea of fighting a cold here in Germany or Europe is very different as that in Singapore. When we fall ill back home, we hurry to the doc to be treated with prescribed medications. Usually antibiotics would be given. After the course of antibiotics, we recover quickly in a matter of days.
The docs here believe in letting our bodies fight the virus instead of with the help of medications. Plenty of rest helps and a flu will have to run its course anyway. Therefore, it is not uncommon to have one full week of MC for a cold or flu without any prescribed medications to take home.
A Singaporean friend was once very ill and begged for antibiotics from her doc. Her request was however turned down. She wouldn't even have to beg if she were in Singapore. Antibiotics are given rather freely in the lion city, with hardly any questions asked.
So, did our frequent consumption of the drug resulted in our lower body resistance than our ang moh counterparts?
Of course, there are good aspects of the drug. For example, it is used to treat many bacteria infections such as sinus infections, kidney infections, bladder infections, etc.
But antibiotics often act without regard for the type of bacteria they are designed to attack. Which means they do not know the difference between the good bacteria and the bad. This can cause an intense lowering of the natural flora in the human body. The result of which may lead to everything from diarrhea to yeast infections.
There is also the risk of creating antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. When antibiotics are not taken completely, this can lead to stronger strains of the bacteria. And when docs prescribe antibiotics for viral infections, such as the common cold and the flu, they are also adding to this danger.
But interestingly, antibiotics are only effective against bacteria but not against colds or the flu, which are caused by viruses.
I am no doctor but I think it would be good if the men in white coats could take some minutes off their precious time to explain their logic in prescribing antibiotics against, e.g. that infected throat.
Sure, who doesn't want a speedy recovery from whatever one is suffering at the moment? But if taking anitbiotics causes more bad side effects rather than the desired ones, then I guess I would rather stay in bed for a few more days for a slow but sure recovery.
Unfortunately, in fast-paced Singapore, we do not have the luxury of getting a full week MC just for flu or cold. Even so, should we make do with the drugs in exchange for a weaker immune system?
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