LIFE CYCLE
My nickname is Chin. I often have fun without my computer or even spending money. Two weeks ago I went to Jao R NuVong Park in Laos, near where I live. My friends Bic, Ned, Tinge and I rode bicycles. We met at my house at 5 am. My house is closest to the park, and we could reach it very fast. When we got there it was still dark, and there was nobody else there. As soon as the sun rose, we stopped for a few minutes to watch it. There were so many different types of flowers at the park. It was such a beautiful place that we couldn't help but take some photos. The air was so fresh there that we didn't want to leave. We enjoyed riding our bicycles very much, and it helped to make us more healthy. Too bad that we can't do it more often, but school starts tomorrow. Kanyaxay Limchaleun, That trip sounds like a whole lot of fun, Chin. It's great that you've found an interesting and exciting activity that gets you out of the house and helps you get some exercise. Even though you'll have less time to do fun things like that, I encourage you to try to get out on your bike with your friends whenever you have a chance. It will help you have a healthy body and a better outlook on life. — Editor |
HIGHER EDUCATION
Matayom 3 is very important because there are many extra-curricular activities, and it is a critical junction between secondary and high school. I think the classes are much harder than the ones I've had before.
In the second term, there are important tests that we have to take. We have to take extra classes and read more books because there is not enough time in school for the teachers to teach all the subjects that we will need for the tests.
All that extra studying is stressful. Sometimes we feel tired, so we should schedule some free time to play games and sports because it helps us enjoy life more, and we will be more relaxed. I think that studying and testing will be less tense if you have some time to rest.
Udon Pittayanukoon,
Udon Thani
School does get more and more challenging as you go, Udon. The thing to remember is that as you learn more, you're developing a stronger foundation upon which you'll build the skills you need to meet those bigger challenges. It's like being a mountain climber. You don't try to summit Mt Everest the first time out — you start with smaller mountains and work your way up. Keep building your abilities and even though the next goal is more of a challenge, it's one that you'll be up to. — Editor
VIRAL LOAD
It seems right now that a lot of people are still frightened by the Ebola virus. I think they're wasting their time, worrying about something that is not very likely to kill them or even affect them at all.
Did you know that you are more likely to be struck by lightning or be attacked by a shark than you are to catch Ebola. I don't see too many people worrying about those things very often.
In addition, things like heart disease, cancer and AIDS kill many more people than Ebola ever has.
I think that people need to be more rational and less fearful about things in general — and especially Ebola.
Pichai Bantuvachiraporn,
Bangkok
There are too many people, worrying too much about something that is extremely unlikely to affect them at all, Pichai. Unfortunately, this kind of panic and scaremongering is all too common nowadays. Part of the reason for this is that TV and Internet news sources have to have something to report on 24 hours a day. For them, there's nothing better than having an ongoing panic that they can exploit to fill their news holes. My suggestion is to turn off the TV and stop listening to every rumour. The world is a lot less scary than a lot of people would like you to believe. — Editor
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Vocabulary
- encourage (v): to give somebody support, courage or hope
outlook (n): the attitude to life and the world of a particular person, group or culture
rational (adj): based on reason rather than emotions
scaremongering (n): spreading stories deliberately to make people frightened or nervous
ongoing (adj): continuing to exist or develop
exploit (v): to treat a person or situation as an opportunity to gain an advantage for yourself
extra-curricular (adj): not part of the usual course of work or studies at a school or college
foundation (n): a principle, an idea or a fact that something is based on and that it grows from
summit (v): to reach the top of a mountain
Idiom
in general: usually; mainly
