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Foster accepting and welcoming individuals through friendships."
Labels: thoughts 1 spoke words of
Love ♥A few days ago, while I was making yet another change to my hairstyle (don't worry, I didn't dye it green - just had a cut), I came upon this article about surrogate mothers in India. I managed to finish the whole article, had a reflection about it and also had a little nap in the chair. Because my hair is a b***h to handle as it's so thick.
It was in the Marie Claire UK version. October issue, I think. (God knows why the Singapore magazines don't carry such articles), and it was interesting.
Surrogate parenthood offered childless couples in the UK a glimpse of light where it was dark. Some of the couples had been trying for years for a kid, but failed because of health reasons (the lady had a health issue which made her automatically miscarry in the 1st trimester) or because they were too old to conceive. Either way, a child in their families would be dearly beloved.
On the other hand, Indian families had problems sending their kids to school or feeding them. The Indian women who agree to be surrogate parents are there out of their own free will - they are interviewed by the clinic before they are accepted into the clinic. Women who were deemed to be forced by their family members were sent home. Women there wanted the best for their children. It was like a job to them. However, surrogate mothers faced a social problem if they were seen outside with a big stomach. Some of their neighbours did not believe that a child could be placed inside a womb if it's not by the usual way. *ahem*
There are two types of surrogate parenthood - full surrogate parenthood and partial parenthood. Full parenthood is when the egg and sperm is from the UK couple. Partial parenthood is when the egg is provided by the surrogate mother.
It looked like a win-win situation to me: the childless couple gets a child to love, hold and adore, and the surrogate mother gets the money to continue sending her kids to school. I'm talking about full surrogate parenthood here. I think partial surrogate parenthood will create problems in all aspects of life.
But of course, playing with biotechnology always reminds people of playing God.
What about adoption?
I used to work with a anti-child trafficking Cambodian NGO based in Singapore (actually, I still go over if she screams for help). I know the founder personally and she's like an elder sister to me. She used to tell me (oh wait, she's still saying this) that it was difficult to adopt children from outside the US or Europe. I know of an American woman who still lives in Phnom Penh today because the US would not give her adopted Cambodian boy citizenship status. She has been living in Phnom Penh for 5 years, and she speaks Khmer(!!!) relatively well. She has been separated from her husband for 5 years.
And there are the child trafficking people in Cambodia and Vietnam. These people buy children from drug addict parents. In other words, they tear families apart because some idiot wants to feed his own drug habit by selling his own children. These children then become 'orphans' ready for adoption by foreign couples. Foreign couples who adopt these 'orphans' pay a hefty sum (in US dollars) to the middlemen. Some girls sold by their parents become prostitutes (I met one who is my age - 23 - and she seems so much older than I am and she has been in business for 5 or 6 years, I think) after being purchased by pimps.
Then it makes sense for parents to go through surrogate parenthood clinics in order to get their much wanted child. Wanting to adopt children may lead to the disintegration of families, if the wrong people are approached. Many potential adoptive parents go through much pain and distress for many years before finally getting the right to adopt their children, only to find out that their adoptive children were sold by their original family.
Only some adoption cases are genuine.
What scars do children have to go through?
Which is better - renting the womb, or selling children?
The jury in my head is still out on this matter. Email me at indigoslash (at) gmail (dot) com if you got any viewpoints.
Now, I'm going back to reading biotechnology.
%^@$@$*&!!! Blast the exams!
-Therese (2nd year, SEAsian Studies major)
P.S: Year 1s, if you are confused about majors and are interested in SEAsia Studies as a major, also feel free to email me. =)
0 spoke words of
Love ♥Hello one and all, it's your Arts Pub once more! As the time draws near once more for all of us to start again on our quests for the grades, let us not forget our friends and the fellowship that we all share. The great thing is that we have one more chance to make yet another wonderful memory! Come to the Arts Corner to collect a special gift this week! :) Available during this week only.. just a little something from us (Arts Comm) to you. Don't forget to come and join in our morning and evening prayers if you have time. 9.30am and 4pm at the Arts Corner, you can claim your special gift before/after prayers too. :]Arts will also be having a fun and uplifting dinner get-together after mass this coming Friday! It's time again for the warm and familiar, the laughs and the smiles. It will be at Vivo City. From after mass till whenever you feel like. ;) selection will be buffet-style! Dining area will be under the stars, on the rooftop. So pick your choice and head on up!So won't you come and join us under the stars?Your's truly,Eugene(on behalf of Arts Comm 08/09)*girls, if you're joining us for dinner at the rooftop on friday.. it might be a good idea to not wear a skirt. :)
0 spoke words of
Love ♥hi everyone! :)
just want to help MM publicise their final segment of the Praise and Worship trilogy. :)
it's happening this coming Thursday and they've got some very exciting stuff planned. I know that there is some clashes with Thursday CG.. and there aren't thaat many CGs left. but if you feel called to attend the MM session and think that Praise and Worship might be something for you, do go ahead and support MM. your CGs will just miss you for one week. :)
-make sure you come back and help out with the singing and praise and worship in your cgs! lol :]
More information below:
"Come and join us for our LAST installment of the P&W trilogy and MM's
LAST session for this year too. Just spare us one more thursday evening
alrights? Jarvis Tan from Holy Spirit will come down to share with us.
He's really experienced and anointed! We will also be learning about
the technical aspects of leading P&W. Pretty please with sugar on top,
do try to join us for this one thursday okay? And I'm really sorry if
our thursday session clashes with the many CGs, we'll pray and hope for
a change next semester.
Also, because we've invited a guest speaker for this thursay, we will
not be practising our carols this week. We'll probably resume caroling
practices after the exams.
Session
Time: 6.15pm
Date: 30th October, Thursday
Venue: SDE Seminar Rooms, somewhere near and above the SDE Coop.
love,
-cher
(on behalf of MM).
Labels: events 0 spoke words of
Love ♥hi everyone! :)i know that this is quite belated. but i've just managed to do up the collage of photos from the Day of Recollection that we had during recess week.i know that it seems like it was so long ago now. but well, let's just pray that the zeal and energy, love and warmth that we gathered and felt that day can continue to manifest itself in our lives today. even amidst the stress of papers, projects and preparation for exams.
"I am right where HE wants me to be"
footprints! :)
- even as times are at their very darkest and most difficult now, let us not forget, that our Father in Heaven loves us very much and is with us every step of the way. :)
*hope you enjoyed the pictures!
love,
-cher
2 spoke words of
Love ♥i was just thinking a few days ago and came up with two new labels (i am sometimes fond of creating labels): Context Dependent Friendships and Context Independent Friendships.
Context Dependent Friendships are those which require a given context to function smoothly. Examples include friendships at work, in tutorials, in ccas, with regular lunch buddies, regular bus/travel buddies, and within church groups. In a certain setting relevant to the context from which the friendship was formed (e.g. a church, for church groups, school for school related groups), it feels perfectly normal to be together, and conversations come naturally. Neither party would feel particularly awkward about being seen together.
Such contexts also serve to facilitate the establishment of ties, since certain social barriers are overcome by the setting. It is thus easier to speak to a stranger at an orientation camp and strike up a friendship, compared to doing so outside of a regulated setting.
Taking the friendship outside of that context, however, would require a jump in the level of closeness in the friendship, or significant chemistry shared between persons which will lead it naturally out of that context. Such is the challenge with friendships formed from a set context. This would bring it to the realm of Context Independent Friendships.
I'm guessing that if a friendship is formed independent of a context, it will most probably not be constrained to any given context. If i were to strike up a conversation with a stranger, and we both get along and keep in touch, there is no reason why we can only feel comfortable speaking and hanging out in one fixed setting.
Context Independent Friendships can also grow to be Context Dependent, if both parties end up in the same context later on. This usually stimulates growth because of the new anchorage, though the degree to which it will grow dependent on the context and not thrive in its absence is different in each case.
Most of my current friendships seem to be Context Dependent. The few Context Independent Friendships are those from the days of old: these are the individuals who transcended the context of those times and thus could survive the passing of ages.
Each is just as prone to fading. Context Dependent Friendships can fade if the context is removed e.g. after graduation, or after a group is dissolved. Context Independent Friendships on the other hand have the tendency to lack as firm an anchor, and can wane over time, though in some cases the friendship may thrive on non-context based entities, such as commonality of purpose, of traits, and of interests. In those cases, it is possible to look at these binding ties as metaphysical contexts, thus viewing it as a subset of Context Dependent Friendships.
There is really nothing new about this writing, simply a categorisation of existing thoughts.
Perhaps it simply shows that for a close friendship to continue for a long time, it is necessary that it both transcends a context, and have a context within which it can nurtured.
and having posted this, i shall now return to my english project and ponder about the meaning of yaya and atas. one day, when Singlish is celebrated by the world, our humble works in EL1101E Affinity Group Project may perhaps receive international acclamation. then maybe someone will invite me to write a book and i can write about yaya and atas and Context Dependent Friendships and Context Independent Friendships and all sorts of other stuff that i will end up randomly thinking about.
hope you've all been well! drop by the arts corner every now and then!
cheers,
Damien
0 spoke words of
Love ♥Hi everyone! :)
there is a Patrician Meeting coming up on MONDAY! :) It's set to be a very interesting and insightful session and very apt for us, Catholics this month - as the topic is on Mary. so, do come on down if you've time.
What is a Patrician Meeting?
The Patrician Meeting is a discussion forum organised regularly by the Legion of Mary that aims to train Catholics to explain their faith to others as well as enrich their knowledge on the Church's teaching on certain controversial issues (past topics include purgatory, suffering, abortion, free will, etc.) The atmosphere is intended to be similar to that of a family discussion where each person is free to speak out without fear of being ridiculed or criticised, rather than a debate or an argument, or a lecture. Each Patrician Meeting lasts for two hours which includes a short opening talk by a lay speaker and input from a priest on top of the general discussion, as well as a break for refreshments.
Details! :)
The next one will be this coming Monday, 20 October, 7 p.m. at Central Library Theaterette 2. Topic is "I Can Do without Mary." The Legion will be tackling the importance of Mary and Marian devotion. This is one of the issues that non-Catholics frequently bring up, so it's going to be useful. Do support Legion and also go and learn more about our faith.
takecare one and all!
love,
-Cherylyn
0 spoke words of
Love ♥hi everyone! :)
so sorry for the lack of action around here. we're trying to see about re-vamping the layout of the blog a little, as it is a little bit cluttered and messy. so, do give us some time.. and we'll try to make the changes asap. 
but keep coming as and when you can. i'll try to see about keeping this as updated as poss. :]
love,
-cher
Labels: inspiration 1 spoke words of
Love ♥hi guys and gals! :)
i was looking for a nice inspirational story to share.. and i came across this one which i think is nice and easy enough for us all to relate to/understand. i dont know if some of you might have read it before, but have a read, and i hope you like it. feel free to comment after reading. :)
In Whose Hands
A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.
A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Mark Mcguire's hands is worth $19 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.
A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Pete Sampras' hands is a Wimbledon Championship.
It depends whose hands it's in.
A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it's in.
A sling shot in my hands is a kid's toy.
A sling shot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it's in.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it's in.
Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it's in.
As you see now it depends whose hands it's in.
So we can put our concerns, our worries, our fears, our hopes, our dreams, our families, and our relationships in God's hands because --
It depends whose hands they're in.
(source: http://www.inspirationalarchive.com/texts/topics/godsprovidence/inwhosehands.shtml)
Put it all in God's Hands
so as/if you're still stressed about that last round of tests, exams, assignments, essays and presentations.. and can't see the light at the end of this dark and long tunnel.. let's try to remember whose hands we, ourselves are in. and whose hands we can trust enough, to place all our troubles and worries in. We're in mighty good hands! :)
love,
-cher
Labels: announcements, events 0 spoke words of
Love ♥hi everybody! :)
i've put together a google calendar for us. do check here for upcoming CSS and CSS Arts events! :) we want YOU.. come and be a part of the fun and meaningful activities we're so excited to bring to you. :D
my apologies, the calendar's a tad small.. so it's a bit diff to read the headings of the events. well, just click on any of the events.. and a lil pop-up will show you more information - the full title, the timing and location of the event. :) once you've gotten a better idea of the event, you can click out of that pop-up and continue to explore the other events.
there's a also link on the sidebar to bring you to this page. the information will be automatically updated.
will try my best to update this as frequently as possible! :)
alternatively, if you want a clearer view of the calendar and upcoming events as well as timings and other details.. you can simply click on the "+google" icon down at the right hand bottom of the calendar. a larger calendar will pop up in another window/tab. :)
love,
-cher
Labels: announcements 0 spoke words of
Love ♥hi all,
i've just got a little announcement to make.
Mass will be held at LT17 tomorrow.
and in case you're not sure where that is, it's at business faculty. join a senior if you're not sure how to go down. you could try and find pple at the arts corner or library, and then all go down together. :)
Pls rmbr to come 15mins earlier (6pm) and bring your rosary.
if you're slightly late, dont hesitate to join in. but pls rmbr to enter quietly and not disrupt the others. and if you forget your rosary, no worries, you can always just use your fingers - that's why we have 10 of them! :) hah.
thanks! :)
love,
-cher
Labels: leisure 0 spoke words of
Love ♥Hey everyone!
hope you are all doing fine with your studies and essay writing. if you're feeling stressed / tired, here are some suggestions for breaks on campus:
1. eat well. there is great satisfaction in tasting something delicious. Olio at arts deck has berry yoghurt with mixed grains and nuts (macadamia, pumpkin seed, pecan, barley, raisins etc) for $2.80 and its a refreshing snack.
2. drop by the arts corner. there're always css people there so you can break the monotony of studying, with a leisurely conversation.
3. rant / doodle / write on this blog! i'm now writing after realising that i have no idea how to distinguish between a Cs and an Oi (subject complement and indirect object), and that i flunked my linguistics practice papers. oh did i add that my mid-term exam is next tues?
4. ditch the coffee blends. go straight to an espresso. it gets absorbed in your system faster. and it might be just me, but NUS' espresso shots from Grinning Gecko and Olio are pretty strong (if you differ in opinion, you've probably had too much coffee in your life!) if you insist on a blend, and happen to like affogato - did you know you can get it in NUS? simply head to Olio and ask the staff to put a scoop of vanilla ice cream in your espresso shot.
5. study with funny people. and the arts corner in the library is full of such people (i mean it most courteously, of course).
6. take care of your health! late nights are 'heaty'. arts deck's drink stall has a wide range of herbal drinks. for a strange taste, try peppermint wheatgrass honey. the bitterness of wheatgrass is balanced by the cool mint taste and the sweetness of honey, resulting in a somewhat strange 'kick'. some bottles are less concentrated though, so you may or may not get the full flavour.
7. PRAY. and to help you with that, arts comm and CGLs have morning and evening prayer sessions. we'll be at the arts corner in the canteen everyday at 930am and 4pm for a short prayer session, lasting no longer than 15mins usually. its a shot of spiritual nourishment (like an espresso).
8. attend Mass. if you're studying late, why not take a break just before 6pm and head down to Holy Cross? its not uncommon that arts people go for weekday mass, so you're likely to have company. AND thus you'll have dinner company after mass.
if you have any more suggestions, do write them here!
- damien
Labels: announcements, Feastday, Our Lady 0 spoke words of
Love ♥hi everybody! :)
we've come to the month of October! and it's a special month in Catholic tradition because it's devoted to remembrance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and in October, more specifically as Our Lady of the Rosary.
October 7th is in actual fact, the feastday of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Our Lady of the Rosary
Pope St. Pius V established this feast in 1573. The purpose was to thank God for the victory of Christians over the Turks at Lepanto—a victory attributed to the praying of the rosary. Clement XI extended the feast to the universal Church in 1716.
The purpose of the rosary is to help us meditate on the great mysteries of our salvation. Pius XII called it a compendium of the gospel. The main focus is on Jesus—his birth, life, death and resurrection. The Our Fathers remind us that Jesus' Father is the initiator of salvation. The Hail Marys remind us to join with Mary in contemplating these mysteries. They also make us aware that Mary was and is intimately joined with her Son in all the mysteries of his earthly and heavenly existence. The Glorys remind us that the purpose of all life is the glory of the Trinity.
The rosary appeals to many. It is simple. The constant repetition of words helps create an atmosphere in which to contemplate the mysteries of God. We sense that Jesus and Mary are with us in the joys and sorrows of life. We grow in hope that God will bring us to share in the glory of Jesus and Mary forever.
(source: http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.asp?id=1161)
When Our Lady granted the Rosary to Saint Dominic, she promised the greatest blessings to those who prayed it well. i've listed the promises below. yes, they are a little lengthy.. but it's interesting to know.15 promises of the Rosary
1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive powerful graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good work to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of people from love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. The Souls which recommends itself to me by recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its Sacred Mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of his graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the Saints in Paradise.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.
12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the Rosary are my children, and brothers and sisters of my only Son, Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion of my Rosary is a great Sign of predestination.
Blessings of the Rosary
1-Sinners are forgiven.
2-Souls that thirst are refreshed.
3-Those who are fettered have their bonds broken.
4-Those who weep find happpiness.
5-Those who are tempted find peace.
6-The poor find help.
7-Religious are reformed.
8-Those who are ignorant are instructed.
9-The living learn to overcome pride.
10-The Holy Souls in Purgatory have their pains eased by suffrages.
(source: The New Rosary Book: with the Mysteries of light)
So throughout the course of this month of October, let's be mindful of Our Lady and the Rosary.. and try to keep the devotion whenever we can. :)
if you need a little help or refresher course on how to pray the rosary.. you can click here. :)
CSS is taking some little steps too.
-All the Arts CGs will be reciting the Rosary BEFORE CG for this month of October.
-There will be recitation of the Rosary BEFORE MASS on fridays during this month of October as well.
In addition.. as mentioned above, October 7th is the feastday of Our Lady of the Rosary. it's next Tuesday. and I will be heading to Holy Cross for evening mass.. anyone who is free and wishes to honour Our Lady of the Rosary on her special feastday is welcome to join me. :) i'll most probably be in the Library or at Arts Corner. drop me a msg or an email. :) *daily mass at Holy Cross is about 1/2 an hr long. vespers starts at 6pm. im not sure whether they will be reciting the rosary before this mass though.
love,
-cher
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