Category: Lifestyle

WORDS HANNAH MAY-LEE WONG

This month, we shine the spotlight on Vine star turned pop-icon: Shawn Mendes.

This young man may have only just turned 21, but Shawn Mendes has been dominating music charts all over the world for years now. His latest selftitled hit album, Shawn Mendes earned him four number one spots on the Billboard pop song charts just before he turned 20 last year—making him one of the hottest, youngest and most influential artists in the current music scene.1

From the vine

Shawn Mendes was born in Ontario, Canada to parents Karen and Manuel Mendes. Having a strong interest in music, he picked up the guitar by watching and learning from YouTube video tutorials. Soon after, at the tender age of 15, Shawn started his Vine channel, where he uploaded 6-second videos of himself singing cover songs from his favourite artists. Needless to say, the talented teen became an overnight sensation after uploading his first video—a cover of ‘As Long As You Love Me’ by Justin Bieber. Through this very upload, he gained 10,000 likes and followers, and continued to grow his online fanbase till he had millions in followings. The next year, he was signed on to a record label and released his first extended play (EP) album. Since then, he’s been nominated for a couple of Grammy awards and has won a two AMAs (American Music Awards).

Shawn’s mega-successful career isn’t only confined to music. Standing 6ft 1”, the singer who’s blessed with good looks and amazing hair also has a thriving career in modelling. He has posed for top tier fashion brands like Emporio Armani® and Calvin Klein®, and he even occasionally makes an appearance on the runway.

In his blood

Although on the surface, Shawn Mendes may seem like he has it all. But fame and success at such a young age has its challenges, and it’s never easy. Shawn recently revealed that the lead single ‘In My Blood’ from his latest album is about his personal struggle with anxiety.

Dealing with anxiety

In an interview with Zane Lowe, Shawn revealed that his anxiety came unexpectedly: “Growing up, I was a pretty calm kid. I knew people who suffered from anxiety, found it kind of hard to understand, and then when it hits you, you’re like, ‘Oh my god, this is crazy.’2

On dealing with anxiety, Shawn confesses in an interview with Wonderland magazine, “Sometimes it’s not about seeking help and getting a therapist… The hardest thing to do is accept what’s going on and the human mind has this funny thing where if you acknowledge that something is wrong, sometimes it works towards helping you instead of going against you. Just talking to friends and family and talking to people, becoming more open and vulnerable with everything that’s going on in my life  it’s really hard at first, but ultimately it made things easier for me.”3

Seeking support from friends and family

The singer noted that he had spoken to a therapist a couple of times, but he stresses that self-care, exercise and staying connected with loved ones has helped him tremendously. He tells in an interview with The Sun, “Therapy is what works for you … Therapy is listening to music and running on the treadmill, therapy is going to dinner with your friends—it’s something that distracts you, that helps you heal and so it just depends on what you think therapy is.”

He continues, “People forget how important it is to talk to your family and to talk to your friends about what’s going on in your life, because the more you tell people how you feel, the more you understand how you feel and you have more control of your emotions.”

The singer confesses that his anxiety episodes are very random, and they tend to hit him at moments when least expected. Despite his struggles, he assures his fans that all pain is temporary. “Sometimes it lasts 2 hours, sometimes it lasts a day and sometimes it lasts 5 minutes. The point of the song is that no matter how long that lasts, you can come out the other end stronger and you come out of the other end always.” As the song ‘In My Blood’ ends, Shawn sings that giving up isn’t in his blood, and then concludes with an encouragement to his fans that he will be okay.

Shawn on spreading good vibes

Shawn Mendes doesn’t only send out positive vibes to the youth of today through his music. The star supports various philanthropic initiatives, many of them focusing on mental health and environmental issues.

In 2014, Shawn launched the ’Notes from Shawn‘ campaign, in collaboration with DoSomething.org. It was an initiative aimed at combating low self-esteem and self-harm, by spreading handwritten notes of love and positivity. The initiative was inspired by the lyrics to his song, ‘Life of the Party’, where he addresses mental health issues such as low self-esteem, self-harm and depression. Shawn encouraged his fans to write messages that would put a smile on someone’s face (like “you’re awesome” or “you rock”) and those messages were to be left at random places. The goal? To help people who might be having a rough day feel better. According to the campaign, receiving positive messages is said to help improve self-esteem and decrease thoughts of self-harm.4

Shawn also recently launched The Shawn Mendes Foundation. He announced on his Instagram, which boasts more than 52 million followers: “For a long time, I’ve wanted to find a way to amplify the causes that my fans care deeply about, and to further help them make their voices heard. Our generation has the power to change the future of our planet, and to help carry that change forward for so many generations to follow. With that, I’m so excited to announce the launch of @ShawnFoundation, to support causes that are important to my fans and our generation. I will work alongside my fans to help provide them with a platform and the means to give back and take action.” Among the first initiatives by Shawn’s foundation was taking measures to lessen the environmental impact and carbon footprint of his 2019 tour.

A man on the move

Shawn is currently enjoying a growing popularity on the radio. His newest singles: ‘If I Can’t Have You’ and ‘Señorita’, a duet with his sweetheart, Camila Cabello are topping music charts all over the world. Going full speed ahead, Shawn Mendes is touring the world, making stops in Asia, South America and Australia to promote his latest self-titled album. We wish Shawn only the very best, and hope he enjoys seeing the world while he’s at it. HT

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References:

1. Billboard. Shawn Mendes Is the First Artist to Land Four No. 1s on the Adult Pop Songs Chart Before Age 20. Retrieved from https://www.billboard.com/articles/ columns/chart-beat/8467895/shawn-mendes-first-artist- to-have-four-no-1s-adult-pop-songs

2. Billboard. Shawn Mendes Opens Up to Zane Lowe About New, Emotional Track ‘In My Blood’. Retrieved from https://www.billboard. com/articles/columns/pop/8257557/shawn-mendes-zane-lowe-in-my-blood-interview

3. Wonderland. Shawn Mendes. Retrieved from https://www.wonderlandmagazine. com/2018/06/15/shawn-mendes-2/

4. Seventeen. Join Shawn Mendes to Combat Low Self-Esteem & Spread LOVE! Retrieved from https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/a24633/ shawn-mendes-do-something-notes-from-shawn/

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

The 27-year-old star of the newest Star Wars trilogy opens up about life under the spotlight and coping with endometriosis.

Daisy Jazz Isobel Ridley was born for the limelight. When she was a young girl, the English actress would watch Matilda over and over. The titular character was intelligent, feisty, and brave in face of adversity—a character that Ridley aspires to emulate.

As she was a rambunctious child, her parents eventually encouraged the 9-year-old to audition for the prestigious Tring Park School for the Performing Arts. To her parents’ delight, Ridley was given a full scholarship.

Hence, Ridley’s extensive repertoire of abilities included dancing, singing, and of course, acting. Shortly after graduation, she hoped to pursue a full career in entertainment. Like most aspiring actors, she paid her dues by appearing in short films as “Girl”, “Waitress”, and other characters that function only as filler in her CV. Between auditions, she would take up bartending jobs.

A Rey of Light

It all began with a casting call for an athletic female. Ridley wasn’t a particularly big fan of Star Wars at that time, but she had a good feeling about the casting call and asked her agent to arrange for an audition before JJ Abrams, the director and producer of the new Star Wars trilogy.

Abrams recalled in an interview with Mashable how he was blown away by Ridley’s expressiveness and range. After a few rounds of audition, there was no doubt that Ridley would be perfect as the role of Rey, a feisty orphan whose origins hold parallels to that of Luke Skywalker.

Force and Empowerment

Ridley is especially humbled by being part of a new generation of actresses taking on prominent roles of independent, strong female characters in popular culture. Rey is an inspiration to young women worldwide, and Ridley uses this opportunity to encourage her female fans to aim high and never let antiquated gender stereotypes and glass ceilings hold them back from reaching their dreams.

She is especially blessed to have formed strong relationships with the late Carrie Fisher and Kathleen Kennedy, the president of Lucasfilm (the production company that creates and produces the Star Wars movies and TV shows).

Kennedy is the driving force behind the introduction of more diversity and inclusivity into the Star Wars media, and she was the perfect mentor for Ridley.

Meanwhile, Fisher—who would forever be remembered as Princess Leia—helped Ridley navigate the turbulent currents of fame. No doubt Fisher saw a younger version of herself in Ridley, as she left the younger actress plenty of advice on how to still be true to herself despite having found fame. One advice that resonated with Ridley is to let private details of her life remain private. Is she seeing anyone currently? Her answer will always be: “I’m not saying!”

OPENING UP ABOUT ENDOMETRIOSIS

Unknown to many, Ridley was diagnosed with endometriosis when she was 15. She also suffers from anxiety, and because anxiety and stress can worsen her endometriosis, Ridley grapples with her condition even as her fame soars.

“I was in my flat going nuts, and then my skin got really bad with the stress of it all, and I hadn’t been well—I had holes in my gut wall and stuff—and we were trying to figure out what to do with that because I’d felt poorly,” she revealed in an interview with Elle.

That happened while she was grappling with her newfound celebrity after the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens— the film that introduced her to the rest of the world. Her symptoms became so severe that she had to move into her sister’s house to recuperate.

In 2016, 1 year after Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released and made over US$2 billion worldwide, Ridley shared with her fans on her now-deleted Instagram that she was making good progress with her health. She also revealed that she was diagnosed to have polycystic ovaries, but she assured her followers that, thanks to dietary adjustments, good self-care and medical advice, she is doing fine.

On her Instagram, she shared that she had cut out dairy products and sugar from her diet, although she admitted that she helps herself to an ice cream occasionally (but not too often) as a treat to herself. She also works closely with a dermatologist for her skin problems as well.

“To any of you who are suffering with anything, go to a doctor; pay for a specialist; get your hormones tested, get allergy testing; keep on top of how your body is feeling and don’t worry about sounding like a hypochondriac,” Ridley urged. “From your head to the tips of your toes we only have one body, let us all make sure ours is working in tip-top condition.”

An Explanation on Endometriosis

Someone with endometriosis has tissue similar to that found in the innermost layer of the uterus (endometrium) growing in areas outside of the uterus, such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries and the tissue lining the pelvis. Sometimes, the endometrial tissue can spread further than the pelvis, although this is rare.

The endometrial-like tissue will thicken and break down during each menstrual cycle. This tissue is trapped in the body, causing surrounding tissue to become inflamed, scar, or adhere abnormally. If endometriosis occurs in the ovaries, cysts can form, affecting the ability of these organs to produce a viable egg cell for fertilization.

The affected person is likely to experience pain during her period. She may also experience fertility issues.

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References:

1. Bryant, K. (2017, October 11). How Daisy Ridley deals with Star Wars fame: Therapy and calls with her mom. Vanity Fair. Retrieved from https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/10/daisy-ridley-the-last-jedi-vogue-cover.
2. Clarke, J. (2017, December 28). Feel the force: Daisy Ridley covers ELLE’s January issue. Elle. Retrieved from https://www.elle.com.au/celebrity/daisy-ridley-elle-cover-january-15380.

WORDS RACHEL SOON

“I know a lot of comedians whose comedy … is a symptom of adversity that they experienced as children. I think that’s where I pulled from too.”Crazy Rich Asians and The Farewell star Nora Lum, a.k.a. Awkwafina, talks about her experiences with loss in the family and the ways people collectively cope with grief.

“I felt odd and uncomfortable when adults cried to me … So I started trying to make [them] laugh.”

As she’ll admit herself, Awkwafina’s characters on the silver screen are usually not unlike the comic persona she displays in her notorious comedy-rap performances, as
well as in her everyday life.

“My grandma watched Crazy Rich Asians and was like: ‘So what? You’re not even doing anything!’” she laughed, in an interview with The Guardian.1

More internationally famous for her zany, comedic roles as street-hustling pickpocket Constance in Ocean’s Eight and the bombastic wingwoman Peik Lin in Crazy Rich Asians, 31-year-old Nora Lum—better known by her stage name Awkwafina—took what some considered a 180-degree turn in her budding acting career as the conflicted protagonist in Lulu Wang’s acclaimed family drama The Farewell. Though she says she did not actively seek out the role, she took it up as it resonated closely with her Asian-American roots and parts of her own personal family history.2

THE ARMOUR OF COMEDY

In The Farewell, Lum plays Billi, a second-generation Chinese American millennial, who returns to the small town of Changchun, China, after her beloved grandmother (affectionately called “Nai Nai”) is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Rather than let Nai Nai know the truth of her diagnosis, the entire family makes a pact to keep it a secret from her. However, Billi, who was raised by Nai Nai, struggles with the deception, as well as her sense of displacement amidst traditional Chinese cultural practices and perspectives.

Born in New York to a Chinese American father and a South Korean mother, Lum was only 4 years old when her mother passed away due to complications from pulmonary hypertension.

“It was a very slow illness … I remember [my mother], but I remember mostly when she passed. Obviously it was a very tragic situation, but I felt odd and uncomfortable when adults cried to me,” said Lum. “One of the first emotions I ever felt was embarrassment. So, I started trying to make [the adults] laugh.”3

Humour would define Lum’s future career, with her trash-talk parody rap My Vag catapulting her to YouTube fame at 24, while a series of comedy-rap tracks and supporting roles in comedy films built a professional reputation for her talents in the genre. Still, the childhood loss would resonate with Lum for years after.

“My earliest memories of my mom are from when she was already sick. I remember her a lot through her food. She used to feed me a lot of Korean food, and I remember her really caring about that, caring about what I brought to lunch in my lunch box,” said Lum. “She used to feed me tteok, rice cakes. Years later when I’d eat them, I’d cry because I’d remember her.”4

In her mother’s absence, Lum’s paternal grandmother—who Lum describes as “not just a guardian, but an inspiration, a matriarch and the support system for so many of us”— stepped in to care for Lum and her siblings, providing a similar support as Nai Nai does for Billi in The Farewell.1

Talking about the challenges of playing Billi, Lum credits director Lulu Wang for helping her consciously tap into a sense of vulnerability and grief she had been avoiding from a very young age. Comedy, Lum noted, was a kind of shield she had developed in response.

“It’s really easy to pop a water balloon in your face and get some laughs. That’s what I grew up doing,” said Lum. “To be really vulnerable and confront these things in a way I never really have—that was something that I grappled with as a performer. It was very real for me.”5

She added that she knows many comedians whose sense of humour “is a symptom of adversity that they experienced as children. It also allows them to understand darkness. I think that’s where I pulled from too.”

COPING AS A FAMILY

“I think there’s a very specific way my family has always dealt with loss, and that really rings true in The Farewell,” said Lum. “It’s this game of wanting to be okay and present yourself as okay, but on the inside not really knowing what to do with that grief.”2 

In the movie, Nai Nai’s relatives go to great lengths to maintain the deception, even to the extent of falsifying medical documents. The plot centres around a wedding staged ostensibly for Billi’s cousin, but in truth the eventis a pretext to assemble the family for what could be their last days with their beloved matriarch.

While the story may seem fantastical to some, the plot is in fact based on Lulu Wang’s real-life experience with her family’s collective decision to conceal their own Nai Nai’s Stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis.

In Chinese culture, death is generally regarded as a negative life event. There can be a sense of taboo over speaking of someone’s death, as some believe that doing so may speed up the dying process or cause someone to die before their time. As such, the practice of concealing news from the patient—for the sake of protecting them—is not unusual among Chinese families.6

Lum commented on how a lot of the scenes in the film revolved around family meals, and how Wang used those moments to illustrate the conflict experienced by a family trying to put on a positive normalcy over a sense of grief, for the sake of a loved one. “I’ve never seen food portrayed so coldly, especially Asian food.

You never see it portrayed like it’s the last thing you ever want to eat,” said Lum. “But Lulu said that this food, in these circumstances [of grief]—you can’t eat it. You don’t want to eat it. How can you sit down to a joyous meal like that?”5

Even so, Lum notes that the grieving process is not without its own lighter moments, and that sharing the experience with others who’ve also experienced their own loss can be cathartic.

“When you want to think about someone [you’ve lost], you want to think about them at their best. That’s sometimes where the comedy comes in,” Lum remembers. “When my mom passed, after the funeral, after all the tears, everyone was in my apartment, and my whole family got into a conversation about our memories of her. Good memories. We were all cracking up laughing. And my neighbour came to drop off a casserole and opened the door, and my dad was laughing. Everyone around me was laughing.”

Lum admitted that The Farewell forced her to confront the potential of her own grandmother’s passing, what it would mean, and how people were supposed to deal with it, on an individual level as well as a family.

“[The Farewell] is a very universal story,” said Lum.“People will find their way to connect to it.”

The Farewell opened in US cinemas on 13 July 2019 and is now available on streaming services and DVD home release. HT

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References: 1. The Guardian.Awkwafina on race and Hollywood. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/sep/07/awkwafina-farewell-crazy-rich-asiansoceans-8-nora-lum. 2. The Wrap.Awkwafina on the Personal TragedyThat Connected Her to ‘The Farewell’.Retrieved from https://www.thewrap.com/awkwafina-farewell-personaltragedy.3. The Guardian.Awkwafina:‘I was always the crazy one, the funny one. I’d do anything for a laugh’. Retrieved from https:// www.theguardian.com/film/2018/
jun/17/awkwafina-oceans-8-youtube-crazy-funny-nora-lum.4. People. Awkwafina Opens Up About How the Death of Her Mother at 4 Years Old Changed Her Life. Retrieved from https://people.com/movies/awkwafinamoms-death-changed-her-life. 5.Vox. “I needed to do this movie”:Awkwafina on her star-making role in The Farewell. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/7/18/20689014/ awkwafina-interview-farewell. 6. Xu, Y.(2007). Death and Dying in the Chinese Culture: Implications for Health Care Practice. Home Health Care Manag Pract;19(5):412–414.

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WORDS HANNAH MAY-LEE WONG

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought on a challenging time for those who have lost their jobs or have had their income cut. To make ends meet, many have set up small food and delivery businesses from home, as an alternative way of making a living. 

Seeing this trend, the Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Malaysia (AOEMM), in partnership with CARING MOMS on Facebook, launched a health education campaign themed Healthy Food Handlers, Food Safety Assured (Pengendali Sihat, Makanan Selamat).

The campaign will run ahead of Ramadan, and its mission is to call for all homegrown food handlers to prioritize hygiene and safety, in the preparation and delivery of food in their businesses. The campaign also urges those new to the food and delivery business to get vaccinated against the typhoid disease.

According to Associate Professor Dr Marzuki Isahak, typhoid is an acute illness that is highly contagious and infectious, but thankfully, it is preventable through vaccination. Typhoid is usually spread through the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the Salmonella typhi bacteria.

“While it is important that our food handlers are mindful in practicing good personal hygiene and sanitation—such as the good habit of hand-washing with soap—it is equally critical that they are vaccinated against typhoid,” Dr Marzuki explains.

He stresses that homegrown food handlers should proactively get their typhoid vaccine to protect themselves and their consumers, especially ahead of the month of Ramadan.

“Food bazaars will bring together huge numbers of our population. In such an environment, the spread of typhoid could occur if preventative measures are not taken,” Dr Marzuki concludes.

Associate Professor Dr Marzuki bin Isahak is the AOEMM honorary secretary. He is a consultant public health & occupational health physician, in the Social and Preventive Medicine department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya (UM).

The road in search for love and companionship is quite the busy highway. Someone, somewhere around the world, or even next door to you, could be logging on to the internet right now to embark on the journey of possibly finding true love, searching for a friend to chat with or planning their first date with someone.  

”Lonely in KL, hoping to meet …”

The World Wide Web makes it easy for everyone to connect – especially, the lonely hearts. Anyone above the age of consent and who has access to the internet, who seeks to connect with another individual, can simply register, fill in their profile and use the online service.

Of course, there are those who use such dating websites not solely for matrimonial reasons, but whatever the given reason (or excuses), statistics have shown that there’s always a high traffic of users in the online sites during the eve of festivals such as New Year’s and Valentine’s suggesting that many turn to their computers and apps to help them ease their loneliness and the stress of being unattached.

Online dating, with its wide and specific search criteria have helped many to narrow down the individuals they’d like to connect and eventually meet up with, without wasting too much time and effort. No matter what you are looking for – someone who loves the outdoors or prefers to stay in all day; a connoisseur of European literature or a collector of Archie comics – there is probably someone out there who fits the bill. You can also refine your list of prospective life partners based on ethnicity or ideology – all without the hassle of vetting tens of strange people over a cup of coffee! Isn’t technology wonderful?

According to Online Dating Magazine, nearly 20 million people visit these sites and about 120,000 marriages take place every year worldwide due to online dating. They are certainly effective for many people!

Love around the block, literally

Over the last few years, dating apps have risen in prominence, sometimes eclipsing even dating websites, as the use of smartphones increases in popularity.

There are apps that offer mere friendships and then, there are those which hope to link users to romance and more. With the Web being what it is, there are also apps that allow users to look for a more temporary kind of attachment, or in some cases, ‘distractions’ outside a relationship a person is already in. Most apps have a certain dominant audience, usually based on religion, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Fortunately, it is quick and easy to do some research on each app before you download it into your phone.

Navigating the rocky sea of love

Just like real-life dating, online dating can be fraught with perils such as saying the wrong things, making a bad first impression and more. Here are some tips to help you enjoy romance, online style, without feeling awkward or, worse, putting yourself at risk out there.

Don’t get too personal too soon.

Proceed at a pace you are comfortable with, and feel free to stick to neutral topics until you feel more at ease about opening up more about yourself.

Don’t rush to meet in real life.

The best time to meet is when the two of you feel comfortable enough with one another that it seems natural to take the relationship to the next level. Go for something quick and simple, such as coffee, as the first date is usually for you to decide whether you want to see that person again.

Date safely.

Arrange for the date at a place with a reasonably good crowd. Make sure that your family and friends know where you are going, and arrange for someone to call you after a certain period of time, just to check on you. (The phone call is also a good way to cut short the date if you are not interested in seeing that person again!)

References:

1. New York Times. Available at www.nytimes.com

2. Dating Sites Reviews. Available at www.datingsitesreviews.com

3. Men’s Fitness. Available at www.mensfitness.com

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From Pac-man to Pokemon, from Call of Duty to Candy Crush, electronic games have always been a passion for some and a subject of controversy for others. The debate on whether such games are good or bad for children has been going on for some time, with no signs of stopping or coming to a definite conclusion any time soon!

Nonetheless, let us take a look at some of the more recent updates from both sides of the fence, so that we can make our own educated decision on the matter.

The Facebook CEO has spoken

In a talk in his New York hometown on May 15, 2015, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that his sisters’ unwillingness to let him join their snowball fights when they were children was what drove him to create his very own snowball fight video game.

“I do think this dynamic around kids growing up, building games and playing games, is an important one because I think this is how a lot of kids get into programming,” he said. “I definitely wouldn’t have gotten into programming if I hadn’t played games.”

He went on to say that some of the best engineers he knows have been self-taught, like himself. Hence, he believes that parents should allow their children to play video games, as they are a useful platform for learning as well as entertainment.

But what does science say?

If the possibility of your child growing up to become a tech guru worth billions of dollars does not intrigue you, there are claims of the benefits of games from researchers that may be of interest.

There are educational electronic games out there, which could be of benefit especially to children who learn better through visual cues, sounds and animations. For example, speech therapy normally incorporates verbal exercises that some children may find boring or tedious. These days, however, games are developed with children undergoing speech therapy in mind. They may be colourful characters acting as lively virtual speech therapists, or visual effects to liven up verbal exercises. Thus, these games would be able to engage the child’s attention and interest better.

What about other children who do not have special educational needs? In 2014, Dr Andrew K Przybylski released the result of a study conducted by the University of Oxford to the journal Paediatrics.

The study, which involved “a large number of children and adolescents” who played video games, found that those who played video games for less than 1 hour every day had higher level of satisfaction with life and better social behaviour. They also have fewer problems in expressing or internalising their problems.

Addiction is the downside

Electronic game addiction is a matter of serious concern, as it can cause the child to spend hours, sometimes days, caught up in a game.  Addiction opens up a whole world of problems, such as falling behind in school, poor social skills, becoming overweight or obese, neglecting to eat proper meals and more.

Not every child is at risk of becoming addicted, of course. Therefore, it looks like the most sensible thing that we as parents can do is to ensure that our children play electronic games in moderation, so that they get the best without being drawn into the bad.

• Watch what they play. Place the game console in the living room, so that older family members can keep track of what your child plays as well as how long he or she has been playing.
• Research the games. Games from the US and UK have advisory labels if they contain mature elements, so watch out for those. For other games without advisory labels, check game review sites to determine whether they are appropriate for your child.
• Be wary of online/mobile games. Many of these games are designed to make players either spend a lot of time playing – hence increasing the risk of addiction – or spend real money to advance further. Your child may not be mature enough to resist either temptation, so discourage them from playing such games.
• Set a good example. Your children are more likely to abide by the “not more than 1 hour a day” rule if they do not see Mummy and Daddy playing Candy Crush all the time. So, limit your own game time too. In fact, it will be good for you too, as even adults can become addicted to games!

References:

Business Insider. Available at www.businessinsider.my

Przybyski, AK. (2014). Electronic gaming and psychosocial adjustment. Pediatrics; 134:3.

Santa Cruz Sentinel. Available at www.santacruzsentinal.com

WebMD. Available at www.webmd.com

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#PleaseLikeMe

Interview Mok Shi-Lynn

Dr Nicholas Lim Lye Tak
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Shi-Lynn (SL): Why did you choose O&G?

Nicholas Lim (NL): The interest began when I was a 3rd year medical student. That was the first time I experienced delivering a baby. I still remember that first mother I delivered – it was her 8th child!

SL: She’s more experienced than you, I would imagine.

NL: Oh, definitely! I didn’t even have to do much. And when the baby was born and she held the baby in her arms, I could see the joy in her eyes, even though that was her 8th baby. That experience made me want to do this job.

If you’re O&G, you deal mainly with women. And I think I have better rapport with the fairer sex. So that helps in this job.

It’s a very taxing discipline but a very fulfilling one at the same time. I have to wake up at odd hours or leave midway through dinner to conduct a delivery. Sometimes, I may be stuck in a hospital till midnight just waiting for a delivery. But having said all that, if you were to ask me to choose again, I would still choose  this.

SL: You sound really happy where you are.

NL: I am, I am. You have to have passion for whatever you do. That’s the driving force. With passion, no matter how tired I am, I would still persevere.

SL: Can you share some of your more interesting or memorable deliveries?

NL: I still remember this lady… she chose to deliver squatting or on all fours. She was very calm and birthed her baby easily and without much coaching. It’s like she knows what her body is doing, what her body wants. The baby came out well and she did not sustain any tears even though that was her first pregnancy. So what I’m trying to say is that when a woman is comfortable and confident with her own body, she can do miracles. I’m just a bystander watching the miracle unfold.

SL: What about the dads? Have you seen any dads pengsan in the delivery room?

NL: So far, I haven’t had any dads collapsing. But there are a few who turn pale, become very quiet and don’t look quite right. We’ll ask them if they want to sit down. That’s why from time to time, we need to check on the dad as well, not just the mum. (laughs)

SL: With such an unpredictable schedule, what does your leisure time look like?

NL: I spend most of my time at work. That’s why I even live nearby, because sometimes I actually have to run to work in the middle of the night! But I try to go to the gym three times a week. I also meet up with friends for meals and drinks. And whenever I can, I travel. I try to squeeze in a trip every quarter – two short ones, two long ones. But my long trips are just a week or so, because I can’t go away longer than that. It seems like whenever I take a break, someone would deliver!

SL: What’s your ideal holiday? And do you travel alone or with family and friends?

NL: Because Malaysia is so hot and humid, I try to visit temperate countries in any season except summer. I like to travel with friends and family. There are pros and cons though. If I travel alone, I can sleep till 10 or 11 and I don’t have to follow others’ schedules or needs! But the downside is that I would need to eat alone, and I don’t like eating alone.

SL: Which destination is on your bucket list?

NL: I’ve been wanting to visit Greece since 15 or 20 years ago. So that is on the top of my list and I’m trying to do it within the next couple of years.

SL: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

NL: Not retiring, that’s for sure. I see myself still loving what I’m doing and growing my practice. And having those babies that I delivered years ago coming back to visit me… walking or being cradled by their mum, and taking photos with them. Those would be such rewarding moments for me as an obstetrician. You see all these pictures of babies in my room? I treasure each one of them very much.

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Children do not understand danger. They are going to fall, tumble and slip. This is all part of being a child. The more mobile a child is, the more adventurous they are to explore their environment without heeding the dangers that may be lurking about. As parents, our biggest concern is the safety of our children. We want to ensure that our child is able to explore and be a child without having injuries or accidents.

Children are sometimes left at home with minimal adult supervision especially when both parents are at work. This can expose them to unnecessary dangers both at home and outdoors. Awareness of child safety can help prevent accidents or injuries from occurring and emphasize the importance of safety to children. 

Supervision by an adult may be active or passive. Active supervision is when there is constant watching and listening to the child. This is the best way to prevent injuries as we are there to hopefully prevent a fall or limit a child’s wandering to a safe area. However, this is not always possible. A child can wander off in the blink of an eye and in a busy shopping mall, they may be hidden by racks of clothes or aisles of food. Hence, the best supervision is based on knowing what your child is capable of, setting up age appropriate toys or equipment to play with and exposing them to safety rules from an early age.

In your home, walk around every part of your house and ask yourself, “Can anything in this room pose a danger to my child?” If the answer is yes, remove the said item or block off that particular area. You can even do this in your porch, garden or the surrounding areas of your house.

Here are some tips for keeping your child safe in different situations.

Home Safety

1. Block off dangerous zones (e.g. kitchen and staircase) with child safety gates.
2. Lock balcony doors (with additional child safety locks).
3. Install railings or grills over windows especially if you live in a high-rise building.
4. During meals, ensure that foods are an appropriate size for your child and he or she is strapped and supervised in a high chair.
5. Check all your plug points and electricity sockets to ensure there are no dangling wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
6. Keep dangerous plants (e.g. those with thorns, poisonous plants) out of reach of younger children.
7. Ensure the water in pots is regularly cleared to prevent insects from breeding.
8. Ensure the safety fence around water features or swimming pools is locked or secured and built to the correct dimensions.
9. Store dangerous items (e.g. matches, candles, knives, medication) out of reach or locked away in a cupboard that cannot be reached by any child.
10. Ensure that your child’s toys have no small parts (which can be choking hazards) or sharp edges.
11. Ensure that kitchen stoves or ovens have a safety feature to avoid accidental gas leaks or burns.
12. Practice safe cooking – never leave cooking unattended and avoid putting children on kitchen shelves while you cook.
13. Encourage the use of smoke alarms or keep a fire extinguisher at home.
14. Have an escape plan that is rehearsed by the whole family in case of a fire.

Road or Travel Safety

1. Teach and remind your child of the correct way of crossing a road.
2. When you drive, pay attention to zebra crossings. Slow down near schools or playgrounds and adhere to the speed limit of 30km/hour in residential areas.
3. Even though it is not compulsory for children to be in a car seat in Malaysia, it is best for those below 12 to be in an age-appropriate car seat as accidents can happen at any time.
4. Never place children below 12 years of age in the front seat as the airbag may actually harm them if an accident does occur.
5. Always wear your own seat belt to set an example to your children to buckle up each time they enter a vehicle.
6. If your child rides with you on a motorbike or bicycle, ensure they wear a helmet that is of the correct size and properly worn.

Play Safety

1. Wear the correct protective gear for the sport activity.

2. Ensure the protective gear is well kept, fits properly and worn every time.

3. Pay close attention to the weather:

• If it rains, get to shelter to avoid lightning strikes or catching a cold.
• If it is too hot, remove excess layers of clothing and ensure hydration is maintained by drinking lots of water.
• In a sudden disaster, your child should stay close to teachers or coaches and follow their instructions to get to a safe area.

4. When at a playground, smaller children should always be supervised to ensure they do not get pushed over by bigger children.
5. Check on the playground equipment to ensure there are no rusted or broken rails.
6. Read the safety signs for each playground as they may differ.
7. Your child should play on equipment that is suitable for his or her age.
8. Playground surface material should be safe and soft, not muddy and dirty.

Safety is a combined effort by all to ensure that our children have a happy play time or holiday. We would do well to remember that a child’s safety is the responsibility of the adults and not the child. Set clear and simple safety rules for a child but remember that this does not replace proper adult supervision.

A child’s safety is the responsibility of adults, not the child.

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