United China

Anyone who pays attention to the media would have heard about the earthquake that hit China last Monday at 2.28pm with more than 30,000 people perishing in the calamity. Since then, we have been inundated with news on the tragedy. It seems that the highest concentration of deaths and damage was centred at schools and hospitals. This brought up the question on the structural stability of those public buildings as the surrounding buildings had suffered less damage. Most of those who were in the schools were obviously children, who were the only offspring of their parents in this country of the one-child policy. One can only imagine the anguish of the survivors. The countless cases of young bodies being pulled out of the rubble; the battered bodies of the teachers who sacrificed themselves to protect their young charges from certain death; school populations left to mere 10% of survivors... The miracles that exist in this tragedy give you just that little bit of strength to keep believing.

Chinese people around the world are rallying around to provide support for their motherland. Everyone has some form of connection to the people there as the Chinese believe that they are all one huge family. The hospital has sent medical teams to the disaster site to provide medical help. The people have donated vast amounts of money to the relief effort. The Region has observed a 3 minute silence one week after the disaster along with Macau and Mainland China. This will start the official three day mourning period with no commercials to be aired on television as well. Not that I mind the lack of commercials.

While the current concern for the welfare of the less fortunate is all well and good. We must not forget the other countries who are also suffering from various calamities and whose people are unable to receive the aid they should. We must also remember those in perpetual hardship and seek to help them in more sustainable manner. I will continue to pray for the safety of all people especially the most vulnerable members of our society. And pray in earnest to keep my family and friends safe always.

On a lighter note, I realise I can't work 7 day weeks. I would rather get married and grow abdominal fat.