YRC Issue 17

Issue 17 /

2 Cool Stories

Inspirations for Your Writing

YRC Investigates

SGD 7.50 ISSN: 2010- 1376

Core 101

Voices of the Youth Today

Singapore’s Social Media

I Can Write, So Can You

Email from Oman

Health

From Singapore to the Middle East

Faith in Yourself

Keeping Fit in 2013

Josabelle Wong Our Featured Author of the Month

“Relate by listening to people”

Building the Next Generation of Thinkers & Writers

From Singapore’s Very Own Young Authors...

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NEW TITLES IN 2013 Tales to Warm the Heart Tales of Mind and Machine

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YRC TEAM Managing Editor/Publisher Catherine Khoo Editor Carlo Venson Peña Circulation Manager

Nannette Cruz Designer

Lim Soo Yong Editorial Assistants Natalya Thangamany, Jessica Grummett Editorial Advisory Board

Catherine Khoo, Vijay Chandran, Noel Chia Contributors

Alicia Boo, Paulina Lee Illustrators

Adeline Lim, Natalya Thangamany YAC Core Contributors

Kenrick Lam, Woon Kaiqin, Theresa Ellsworth, Ron Yap, Amy Jelsma, Ee Chonghui, Joel Chuwa For advertising and sales enquiries

6336 8985 Education Subscription Agents

ILoveReading.SG 9007 8361 Emit Asia 6372 0330 Email: info@youngreaderclub.sg Website: www.youngreaderclub.sg All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Call 6336-8985 for back issues.

Printed in Singapore by SC International Pte Ltd on Lumisilk Matte Arte Paper Cover and additional photos by

Carlo Venson Peña

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK The New Year often heralds many a thing to those who wait for it to arrive: the busy streets packed with partygoers, the blinking colourful lights that line up the lampposts and all the smiles of passers-by, filled with the season’s cheers – all in hope of a better 2013.

This year may dawn with a lot of uncertainty yet we still cannot stop ourselves from bursting into smiles, since this year also means a lot of firsts for the magazine, and for the company as a whole. We added another new distributor, and is now reaching more schools and students. The YRC is equipping itself with a more concrete line-up of stories and features that are fun and educational, while at the same time, improving your reading experience and helping you write better.

Notice a difference in the way the magazine is presented?

Don’t be confused. We just want your reading experience to become more palatable and diverse. These changes are part of the evolution that a magazine needs to go through as it maximises its full potential.

Take for example, our new look for CORE 101, where more students are given an opportunity to air their views in expository and argumentative styles of writing. Now, you can be involved too, by becoming a contributor to the magazine!

Staying true to what YRC is all about though, we are still highlighting our Featured Stories, which are placed along other interesting articles that can suit your fancy, like Health Matters, Parents Ask Teens Answer, I Can Write So Can You and Matters of Perplexity.

The magazine is seeing major changes in its content but it doesn’t mean that it is forgetting what it was originally created for: a magazine that builds the next generation of thinkers and writers. With a new look and a fuller feel, the magazine is ready to take on the challenges that this year is to offer. We invite you to join us in this giant leap forward.

Happy reading!

is published by Experiences & Experiments Pte Ltd 442A Joo Chiat Road Singapore 427655 Issue 17

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27 Singapore

Insights

YRC Investigates 23

8 Featured

Author

features 8

Featured Author: Josabelle Wong After winning in the 2011/12 Young Author Awards, and making it on the evening news in local TV, enigmatic Josabelle Wong and her parents share a bond that keeps them on the right track with writing.

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Life Must Go On by Josabelle Wong Abigail gets leukaemia and starts asking questions about herself and her purpose in life. Follow Abigail on her adventure as she tries to answer these questions in her mind and deal with her illness, while trying to lead a normal life like other children.

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The Lost Twin Utapu Ruins by Kristian Lee Pineda It all begins when a “perfect” holiday goes wrong as the notorious Bailey twins go along wgwith a classmate. Their plane crashes and the kids are the only survivors! Follow them on the adventure of their lives in this epic journey through a forgotten past!

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Singapore Insights Three people, three lives, three insights on one country’s education system and beyond.

See why Singapore is on the verge of a paradigm shift.

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Email From Oman Sassy lass Sheryl is a Singaporean who has migrated to Oman. Now studying in Muscat, she shares with YRC the ups and downs of being far away from home and finding solace in the steamy deserts of the Middle East.

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Health Feature: Keeping Fit in 2013 Read this feature and find out more about the benefits of physical activities to a healthier you in 2013.

national education

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YRC Investigates: Singapore’s Social Media and Communication Environs We would be hard-pressed to find a nation of people whose lives are more integrated in social media and mobile communications than Singapore. With almost everyone having mobile access and a Facebook account, how is technology and communication shaping the face of Singapore society and its youth?

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Matters of Perplexity Jason Phan is a philosophy assistant lecturer who likes talking about life’s little quirks. Read this new column and learn how the simple things in life are actually quite complex too. Join him in this new instalment of his lifelong search for answers to life’s biggest simple questions.

45 Ordinary

L i v e s , Extraordinary Journeys

CORE 101

Email from Oman 34

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Parents Ask, Teens Answer With technology and communications narrowing down distance, is it creating more problems for parents who may find their children distancing themselves from them? A parent talks about how online games are widening gaps between her and her child, and of what can be done to solve this problem.

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I Can Write, So Can You Publisher, author and veteran editor Catherine Khoo shares yet another story of extraordinary journeys made by ordinary men and women, in the hope of bettering their lives and those of people dear to their hearts.

66 Resources

The YRC is more than just a magazine. It’s a useful tool for learning better English

comprehension and writing for both primary and secondary students. Tap these useful

guide questions for your next group discussion in class or at the student study area, which

are coupled with resource sheets available for schools and parents!

inspirations 38

Different Strokes Junior photographer – shares her view of the world with this new contribution.

CORE 101: Teens Voice Teens have a voice that needs to be heard. Two members of the Young Author Club CORE share their views on how communication and technology are shaping and reshaping the world we call home.

40 Cyber-bullying At Its Worst

by Woon Kaiqin, Canberra Secondary School 64

Saturations and Communications

by Ee Chonghui, National Junior College

CORE 101: Points of Views Have we really mastered social media or has it mastered us? Read these arguments and see whether we truly are captains of the technology ship.

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Face to Face Interactions and the Missing Link

by Lee Tat Wei, ACS Independent

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Phones and the 21st Century Child

by Amy Jelsma, Australian International School Issue 17

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OUR CONTRIBUTORS

YRC Magazine recognises the talents of our regular contributors and writers. For article, illustration and photo contributions, please contact the Editor at info@ youngreaderclub.sg or call 6336.8985.

Adeline Lim Educator / Illustrator What Adeline did for this issue: Featured Stories Adeline Lim is an illustrator, designer and visual artists educator who is currently residing in Singapore.

Experienced in both physical and digital mediums, Adeline has worked as a layout artist for magazines, as well as covered a b ro a d r a n g e o f illustrated work in ink, watercolour paints and digital collage for children’s stories.

James John Andres Graphic Designer / Illustrator What James did for this issue: Featured Stories An avid fan of K-Pop and a budding photographer, James was once part of a student news organisation as its senior graphics editor.

A computer science major, he previously worked as a software engineer in an MNC. H e i s c u r re n t l y a graphic artist for an Asia-based magazine.

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Jessica Grummett Editorial Assistant / Intern What Jessica did for this issue: Health, Email From With her Masters in Creative Writing, Jessica is currently in Singapore under internship with Janus Education Services, the education arm of the magazine. Graduating from Newcastle University in the UK, J e s s i c a h a i l s f ro m Garforth, a town within the City of Leeds.

Ron Yap YAC Core Member, Zhong Hua Secondary School What Ron did for this issue: Parents Ask, Teens Answer As a budding writer, Ron started his stint with the Young Author Scheme, becoming a merit prize winner in the Young Author Awards.

Now at 15, Ron aspires to be a travelling author, in pursuit of his ultimate inspiration to write his bestseller.

Paulina Lee Student What Paula did for this issue: Singapore Insights Pursuing a degree in health sciences in Australia, Paulina used to be the health columnist for YRC magazine. Now all grown up, she spends most of her time on her studies and in documenting travels she often goes to.

Jason Phan L e c t u r e r, N a t i o n a l University of Singapore What Jason did for this issue: Matters of Perplexity His background in mass communications has actually strengthened Jason’s inclination to pursuing a master’s on philosophy. Now a lecturer at NUS, Jason uses his prowess in understanding life’s simple complexities and helping young adults to meet their full potential.

Theresa Ellsworth Student, Singapore American School What Theresa did for this issue: Singapore Insights Even before winning a merit prize in the 2 0 1 1 / 1 2 Yo u n g Author Awards, Theresa has shared her writing dexterity to YRC in snippets of contributions that underline her love for writing and her dream of becoming a published author in the future.

Lee Tat Wei Student, Anglo-Chinese School Independent What Tat Wei did for this issue: CORE 101 A senior member of the YAC Core, Tat Wei wrote his first book of 27,000 words when he was 11. Now in secondary school, Tat Wei is a football goalie at school, but is just as hard-hitting as a contributor for the magazine.

Emilyn Foong Student, Nanyang Polytechnic What Emilyn did for this issue: CORE 101 Formerly a young writer from Changkat Changi Secondary School, Emilyn has bloomed into a technolass whose major in digital animation has not swayed but enlivened her love for the written word.

Kenrick Lam Student, AngloChinese School International What Kenrick did for this issue: Parents Ask, Teens Answer The most senior of the YAC Core, Kenrick is a romantic at heart and an objective writer by training. He won second prize in the 2007 Maybank Young Author Awards and has been writing for the magazine since its inception in 2010.

Sharon Skariah Student, formerly from Global Indian International School What Sharon did for this issue: Audio Material for Resources The magazine first met up with Sharon when she was shortlisted as a finalist in the 2011/12 Young Author Awards, where she won third prize. Now fresh out of secondary school, Sharon is preparing herself for Junior College and hopes to pursue a degree in financial management or accounting.

Alicia Boo Counsellor What Alicia did for this issue: Parents Ask, Teens Answer As a counsellor for Focus on the Family, a n o t - f o r- p ro f i t organisation that aims to “help families thrive at every stage and phase of life,� Alicia handles high-risk teenagers from broken and disenfranchised families. She has been with the organisation both as full-time officer and as counsellor for around four years.

Ee Chonghui Student, National Junior College What Chonghui did for this issue: CORE101 A wee lass when she entered the Young Author Scheme, Chonghui is now in secondary school at NJC and has continually kept in touch with the magazine through her contributions. This is her first column for YRC.

Issue 17

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Letter to the Editor

YRC magazine welcomes your comments, suggestions and anything that you wish to share with us!

Here’s a couple of letters that our readers sent us for this issue.

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Dear Editor, It is my first time to read the Young Reader Club magazine. I find that the design is excellent. I also find that featuring young authors is a good idea as they can share some form of fame, while learning from them. I find the stories very interesting too! I will definitely read more of YRC magazine in the future.

Hsu Yih How Dylan Anglo Chinese School (Barker Road)

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor, I really enjoyed the story “Path to Freedom” in Issue 15 of the YRC Magazine. The reason I liked it was because there were many details that allowed me to imagine I was there.

Another reason is because I like adventure stories that build up suspense slowly and release the information when it is at its peak. The way the story was abridged in the magazine wanted me to read the full version of it!

When my teacher sends us the password for the online books, the first thing I’ll do when I get home is to continue reading!

Md. Ishal Zikang Anglo Chinese School (Barker Road)

Dear Editor, I like to read the stories from the three young authors in every issue. I also like the Featured Author Column and I enjoy Magic and Fantasy as well as Science Fiction. Your magazine is very interesting and a good source of knowledge. It is a pleasure to write to you. Thank you.

Ethan Chan, 10 East View Primary School

EDITOR: Thank you for your insights on the magazine, boys.

You get a copy of the Aliens & Angels Anthology and a $10 v o u c h e r f ro m o u r sponsors and the YRC Team. You may claim your gifts at the YRC Office, 442A Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427655. Please call 6336-8985 and look for the Circulations Manager.

Issue 17

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Featured Author ...Young writers of today

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PROFILE

Josabelle Wong, 12 Heartwarmers

Henry Park Primary School I was inspired to write my story by watching charity shows and watching and listening to real-life stories of people with terminal illness or disability. In my story, I wanted readers to understand and be aware of the agony of these unfortunate people who deserves our empathy and compassion. I strongly feel that we should not shun them or be indifferent towards them.

Life Must Go On Written in Primary 5 at Henry Park Primary School

Chapter One “Are you being bullied in school?

Why do you have so many bruises?”

Mum asked me.

“No, no one is bullying me!” I replied.

“Never mind, they will soon heal anyway,” she said.

The strange thing was that I had been feeling lethargic lately. One day, when I was in school, my head started to spin. My vision became blurry and everything went fuzzy. I fell to the ground. Before my mind went blank, I heard my classmates laughing. They must have thought I was fooling around.

I’d woken up in Doctor Mary’s clinic.

“Oh dear, honey! What’s happening to you lately? I was so stupefied 12

Illustrations by Adeline Lim

when your teacher called me to say you had fainted in school.”

“Mum, I’m okay! You are just overreacting!”

“What! You call this overreacting?

Fainting is no child’s play, don’t you know that?”

“Oh come on! I’m probably just too tired from all the assignments and work from school, that’s all!”

Just then, Doctor Mary walked in.

Doctor Mary was my favourite doctor. I had known her since I was very young. Her injections never hurt.

She knew just the right moment and the right spot to ‘prick’. She always looked me straight in the eye with immense, motherly warmth. Her amiable and empathetic nature always put every patient at ease. Mum liked her too, especially for the fact that she never seemed to be in a hurry.

“You are a little pale, Abby. We

What? That was not possible.

There must have been a mistake.

They must have mixed up the blood samples! I was petrified. If there was blood everywhere in my body, that meant I was sick all over! The news came in like a hurricane. I felt a lump in my throat. I tried to open my mouth 14

to speak but no words came out. My mind remained full of questions.

I then vaguely heard Doctor Susie murmuring, “I need to do a special test on you to confirm the diagnosis and to plan the treatment.�

By this moment, my mind was

...Understanding how the world works

Text by: Natalya Thangamany Full articles at www.youngreaderclub.sg

SINGAPORE’S SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook. Twitter.

Tumblr. YouTube. Do these names sound familiar to you? If so, you are very much tuned in with the rapidly-developing cyberworld of today.

Here in Singapore, the number of social media users is growing rapidly. Everywhere you look, there will always be people engaged in their smartphones, devices or laptops, drawn into a space of their own. As social media makes its mark on the world, with its existance brings both benefits and dangers. Is social media really a useful tool and profound product of technology? Or does it open the gateway to increased crimes, easily-committed misdeeds and detaching oneself from the real world and ultimately, what could matter the most.

Social Media: It’s Everywhere!

Social media is software, cyber

programmes or websites that encourage social interaction between people via online connection or the Internet. Other than hosting socialisation between online users, social media also allows the sharing and creation of content, either from the users themselves or from other online sources.

While Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and YouTube are the most popular social media websites here in Singapore, there are also other forms of social media that have made their mark on society such as STOMP, an online portal from SPH, is a citizen-journalism website where anyone can post photos and their own written reports or articles, allowing people to share in their own brand of reportage.

Issue 17

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NATIONAL EDUCATION

YRC Investigates

Singapore Insights

F E AT U R E S

...Three people. Three lives. One Singapore.

TECHNOLOGY AND YOU For this issue of YRC, we ask our contributors: Has technology reached a point where it has saturated the communication process and has taken face-to-face interaction for granted?

Paulina Lee Singaporean Student in Australia I remember it was almost eight years ago when I used to tell my friends that I would call them on the phone and told them to wait for my call as I would feel awkward if their parents picked up the house phone. Now all I have to do to avoid this awkwardness is to Whatsapp them and we could chat till the sun goes down. Technology is twopronged for an international student such as myself.

At gatherings, it becomes harder to communicate with people face-to-face. At home, communication also becomes minimised as we coup up in our room chatting with friends rather than bonding with our family members. At socials, it is definitely getting harder for people to talk to each other face-to-face. I have noticed the smartphone phenomenon is taking over the world. Rather than interacting with the person in front of them, people tend to use apps on their smartphones.

Here, technology has definitely changed the way man chooses to interact with one another. It can be called the lazier way to interact since we can use Emoticons to replace our real expressions.

On the other hand, technology has helped me to stay in contact with my family and friends that are here in Singapore. For people overseas (like me), it definitely has its benefit. It allows people to communicate even if they are thousand of miles apart using software such as Skype and Facetime.

I am able to use Whatsapp, Facetime and Skype to contact them daily and without this technology, it would be way too expensive to contact them daily.

Therefore, technology has definitely improved my social interactions with people back at home.

Paulina Lee is a former health columnist for YRC Magazine. She is currently working towards a degree in Health Sciences in the University of Adelaide, Australia.

In a nutshell, technology can either benefit a person or cause a person to lose the ability for faceto-face interactions. This depends on how someone uses that technology.

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Matters of Perplexity Of minds and hearts...

By Jason Phan

A Bias You Didn’t Know You Have Most of us agree it is bad to be biased. Being biased towards someone means favouring him without good reason. It is commonly associated with corruption and unfairness; it is often the root of injustice.

I have a friend who watches football zealously. He is especially interested in watching games involving the Singapore football team. Each time he does so, he hopes Singapore wins. His emotional state swings wildly during every match – he delights in wins and mourns in defeat. Just to be clear, he is not actually a part of the Singapore team.

This fellow seems clearly biased.

He favours Singapore in every match and always hopes the team wins. But it appears he has no good reason for it, and we can see this by a simple piece of reasoning: In every match, a fair person should hope the better team wins. Clearly, it is irrational to think Singapore is perpetually the better team, and we all recognise that. Thus, that ardent Singapore supporter is biased.

All right, I concede that some Singapore 30

fans do not realise Singapore is not always the better team. Even so, I am pretty sure those fans are not supporting it because they believe it is the better team. In fact, they hope it is the better team in every match. But that hope lacks a sound basis; it is simply the same bias rearing its ugly head at another level.

There seems just one remaining alternative. They sincerely believe Singapore is always the better team and each time, they support it for that reason. Well, surely this does not strike you as a more palatable

CORE 101... Points of View

Technology: Bane or Bridge?

By LEE TAT WEI, Anglo Chinese School (Independent)

YAC Core senior member Lee Tat Wei looks at whether the teens of this age are becoming pedantic with the use of technology and communication, in particular, social media.

Albert Einstein once said, “ Te c h n o l o g i c a l progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal.”

In our current era, has this axe continued to hack away at our fundamental social ability? Or has it helped to cut the wood that builds a bridge, linking everyone to each other with a click of a button? In my opinion, technology has no doubt done more good than bad.

How many of you are familiar with this: “When I was your age, I didn’t always sit in front of the computer. Whenever I had time, I would go downstairs to play soccer with my friends!” Then followed by accusations of being anti-social by our elders? Not that these accusations are unfounded– given, yes, in our era being kicked off a computer would be like snatching candy away from a crying child.

With the advent of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, the prettymuch-dead MySpace, we indeed have spent more time in front of a machine then in front of people. But let’s ask ourselves; would 32

anything change without these applications? Would we go out and “hang out” with our friends if we were no longer able to post emo statuses about our lives on Facebook? If we couldn’t give updates on what we were currently doing on Twitter? I think the answer is no.

Just because I can’t hold a conversation online does not mean I’ll be going out with my friends to a fast food restaurant to ask them what homework we were given. Just because I can’t compare profile pictures with other friends does not mean I’ll be willing to travel

by MRT to their house to see their face. In fact, without social media platforms, I would probably be more of a recluse, not knowing what’s going on with everyone.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE Once, I wanted to go out to watch a movie with my friends. Alas, my wallet decided otherwise. So instead of watching a movie with them, we bonded over Facebook by having an intellectual discussion about how k-pop was better than Adventure Time.

Did we strengthen our friendship by interacting? Yes. Did it accomplish the same thing watching a movie with friends would?

Email from...

Oman

Sheryl Ewe,15 School: American British Academy Hobbies: Writing, swimming, dancing and playing volleyball.

Sheryl Ewe, a former resident of Singapore and shortlisted finalist in the 2012/2013 Young Author Awards, now lives in the beautiful country of Oman.

Here, Sheryl tells YRC about her life in Oman and how technology has helped her to reach across geographical barriers.

Do you remember watching the cartoon movie Aladdin? If so, do you recall how he journeyed through the fantastic Middle Eastern deserts coloured in a brilliant orange?

Or how he wandered through the traditional souk markets that not only sold fruits and vegetables, but also glittering arrangements of precious jewellery and ornaments?

Well, you might as well call me Aladdin – because where I live, that is exactly what I see.

Here, the beach is only ten minutes away from me and I am protected by the clear waters of the Arabian Sea. Multi-coloured fish can be seen when snorkelling and there are many green wadis (valleys) and golden deserts to visit over the weekend. Ancient forts can be explored and gifts from busy souk markets can be bought. Under the velvet sky, the grand mosque of Oman glitters with its gleaming lights. Oman and its capital, Muscat, is vibrant and beautifully alive with 34

rich tradition.

One of my favourite aspects of Oman is its natural beauty. I thoroughly enjoy swimming in oceans or kayaking on the surface of the waves. I am on my school’s swim team, volleyball team and track and field team as I enjoy being physically active.

By joining these sport teams, I have met so many different people from both upper and lower grades. Most of my closest friends are on these teams as we have the same interests, however, I am friends with a range of different people. Having over 65 different nationalities in my school has definitely made me more socially acceptant to other cultures and religions.

Oman is very different to Singapore.

Unlike Singapore, Oman is not densely populated; in fact, a third of Oman’s population is made up of expatriates.

Therefore, most of us teenagers are friends with other students from other schools. We live in a small community where everyone knows everyone.

There are no high-rise buildings of condominiums or HDB flats; instead, most of Oman’s low-lying houses are painted in white. The colour white symbolises purity in

Different Strokes ...A picture paints a thousand words

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist and poet

Firecrackers have cackled the skies; smiles and gifts flourish right before your eyes. It is the New Year. What do you look forward to this 2013? Do you have any resolutions that you wish to fulfil, and more so, wishes to gain?

Have you ever stepped back and thought about those who have less than enough, or found resolution to the reality that it is not such a good year for a lot of people in the world? Children, like you, are in need of help in any which way you can give. And they need help right now.

This year is not just a new beginning for a calendar. It can be the beginning for your new resolution to help other children: you may join in charitable organisations for kids, or do more volunteer work in the local orphanage, or send inspiring letters of hope to children under the care of centres against child abuse.

2013 is not just a new year. It is a new life.

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CORE 101... Points of View

Cyber-Bullying At Its Worst

By WOON KAIQIN, Canberra Secondary School

New contributor, and YAA 2012/13 finalist Woon Kaiqin delves into the dangers of social media and the taunting of its youthful users.

When I was really young, I felt excited with my coloring book, crayons, and imagination. Over the years, there has been a breakthrough in technology and now we are used to having Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and many other social medias.

Yes, they are tools for users to create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content.

Teenagers feel like they have freedom to express themselves online. But sadly, some of us have abused that advantage.

Recently, there was a case of this girl on twitter by the name of “Princess Lily,” 40

who is said to be from the United States, and has been making racist remarks towards Singaporeans, Malaysians, Koreans and Muslims, calling them “ugly”. She even went to offend the prophet and the god of Muslims, Prophet Muhammad and Allah.

Apparently, she has not been reported yet.

One such offensive statement by her to the Malaysians is, “Malaysia is such an ugly country. I bet tourists go there ‘cause they got attracted by the ugly apes living there, LOL”. 26 November, 2012” Online users were enraged by her comments, even Christians and Buddhists. A lot of negative attention is given to her, for example, calling her a “disgrace to America” and she seems to be happy with it. This girl has no respect for our religions, our way of living.

Parents Ask, Teens Answer ...Linking teens and parents together

With the advent of technology and gaming, children nowadays have a tendency to become addicted to online computer games that may affect their priorities and health.

M r s To h f r o m Ta n j u n g Rhu asks, “My son has always been a fan of computer games and we have given him much freedom to play them during his leisure time.

B u t r e c e n t l y, w e ’ v e noticed he has become too attached to the games and his grades are falling. How can I motivate him to not be too indulgent to such games?”

Our resident counselor Ms Alicia Boo responds to the question. “Your concern for your son is very valid,” Alicia says.

“Rough estimates tell us about 2 to 10% of all youth who play computer games become too attached. Research shows that when a person plays computer games, their brains produce endorphins, giving them a high similar to exercise. Addiction occurs when gaming becomes excessive - where an unhealthy amount of time is expended on it rather than on engaging in the real world, leading to isolation from others, and 42

ignoring more important responsibilities.”

She says, some common signs and behaviors of computer addiction include the following: (1) notable interference with school, work, or relationships; (2) often turning down or avoiding other commitments in order to keep playing; (3) using most if not all of one’s free time to play; (4) regularly playing late into the night resulting in poor sleeping habits; (5) loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities; and (6) regular and long gaming sessions with few or no breaks.

She suggests the following are some steps you can coach your son in coping with gaming: 1.Ask him to make an honest list of what his priorities are right now. This helps to put the excessive playing into focus. Do not make a list of what his priorities should be, but what they actually are.

2. Ask him to make a new priority list, and this time, write what his

by Catherine Khoo

One Child. One Story.

One Dream Fulfilled!

“I love what I do. I love to create. I love to create a world where every child has the right to dream and write. I want to teach children to create. Then to sell their creation to the world!

Why? Every mission and vision starts with a quest. Why do I want to do this?

Why, when my kids are grown up and my duty is done? It boils down to two words: fulfillment and legacy!

When I mentor a child, when I see the light sparkle in his eyes, the aha!

Moment, that’s when I feel fulfilled. His learning moment makes my day. Legacy.

The word means a lot to me. When I leave this world, I don’t want my kids to remember me as a mother. I want my kids to remember me for helping other children to achieve their dream. I show my kids how to believe in themselves because I am their mother. I show other kids how to believe in themselves because I believe every child has the right to dream. The dream to write!”

Thus began my blog titled My Life, My Way (http://catherinekhoo.wordpress. com).

Learning moments. Education.

It’s such a big word. So what exactly is education? Why do we study? And how has Singapore society defined the word “education” for us? There’s no more fitting testimonial (unedited) than this last speech, made by Dr. Richard Teo, self-made 40-year-old millionaire cosmetic surgeon, who discovered, at the “pinnacle” of his life that he had Stage-4 cancer. Read it and ask yourself, how has society and media shaped your own benchmark of success?

“Hi, good morning to all of you. My voice is a bit hoarse, so please bear with me. I thought I’ll just introduce myself. My name is Richard, I’m a medical doctor. And I thought I’ll just share some thoughts of my life. It’s my pleasure to be invited by your professor. Hopefully, it can get you Issue 17

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NATIONAL EDUCATION

I Can Write, So Can You

Mystery & Adventure

Kristian Lee Pineda, 15 Holy Innocents’ High School For as long as I could remember, I always had an inclination towards the English language and writing, as it was easier than Algebra (haha). Thus, when I had the opportunity to have a book published through the Young Authors’ Scheme, I jumped at it enthusiastically with different story ideas.

After running into many dead ends, I came up with the concept of being stranded on an island after watching the television show “Lost.”

Since, The Lost Twin Utapu Ruins, I published another book under the Young Authors’ Scheme. I enjoy sports, video games, playing the guitar, writing songs and rapping.

The Lost Twin Utapu Ruins Written in Primary 4 at Fengshan Primary School

Prologue “We are sorry to interrupt with some special news. The mystical ruins of the Lost Twin Utapu, the subject of long standing speculation concerning its existence, have finally been found!

Reports have it that Red Valley’s local explorer; Mr. John McNack, has found the elusive and sacred ruins. He will be interviewed by our reporter at…”

Initially absorbed in a stimulating chess battle, the breaking news had the twins, Jack and Johnson, glued to their television set.

“We should be the ones to get the glory and fame. Not this guy!” Johnson exclaimed.

“Chill, dude. It’s Ned’s wish. He wanted everyone to expunge the memory of us ever going to the island. So nobody in the world with the exception of us, Spanky and Ned will

Illustrations by Adeline Lim

ever remember anything that happened,” Jack replied calmly from the sofa where he was sprawled.

To the layman and unsuspecting public, the twins appeared and behaved like average teenagers off the streets. However, there was far more to them than meets the eye, for they held a special secret regarding the ruins. In fact, they had found it long before the great discoverers had even been able to set foot on it! Although quite a few years had come to pass since that particular incident, they could still remember every moment of it like it was yesterday...

A Ticket to the Bahamas It was just like any other last day of school to Jack and Jackson. They would be at their worst in terms of Issue 17

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F E AT U R E S

PROFILE

Issue 17

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The March holidays are nearing and here’s what you can expect in the next issue of your YRC Magazine to brighten up your holidays!

MASS DESTRUCTION

by Jonathan Chiu, Raffles Institution Scientific research is at its apex in Nazi G e r m a n y. A s c a l a r weapon is developed and presented to the ambitious Martin Bormann, a Nazi official.

Realising the power he possesses, Bormann sets his plans to produce more bombs to work but when Hitler grows suspicious, he clears himself of suspicion by framing the inventor. Fuelled by his ambition, he plots to overthrow Hitler. Find out how his plans unfold in this thought-provoking story by Young Author Awards finalist Jonathan Chiu.

DEATH BY DINE

by Khor Jie Lin, Henry Park Primary School Something happens then someone says something and some other things start to happen in the story. Confused? Don’t be. Read on to find out who, what, where and why in this award-winning story from Young Author Awards merit prize winner Khor Jie Lin.

More articles by Under-18s from Under-18s Plus Your NotTo-Be Missed Departments: CORE 101 * Singapore Insights * YRC Investigates * National Education * Inspirations * Featured Stories * Teen Voices