20 April 2007 "You didn't know what happened? Where have you been? It's in all the papers!"...would be my sister-in-law's reaction when I said I don't know the latest happenings or news, be it in or out of the country.

I've stopped reading the papers religiously, everyday without fail since 2 years ago as it causes this unexplainable pain and sadness when I read them. I may seem like the type of person that couldn't care less about things that goes around her, an iron lady, snotty (as a friend once said) and tough on the outside but in reality I have a really soft spot and can even cry at the sight of a 3 legged dog crossing the road.

I remember having tears in my eyes 2 years ago when I read an article about a 14 year old boy who molested a 7 year old girl. He had to release his urges after watching pornography which belongs to his dad, so he would volunteer to play or babysit his neighbour's daughter. You may think it is sick...yes it is but it is sad that there are so many adults who are suppose to be the responsible one, the one with the brain but are not! This is a case of a 14 year old...how about the incest cases, which involved grand fathers, fathers, etc...people who we trust!

I'm stressed, not happy with everything and everyone around me so I get up this morning and decides to go on a shooting spree. If I'm not happy, why should others be; which brings us to the latest shooting massacre that hit the news this week. Regardless the reason or objective of the shooting, what gives an individual the rights to take the life of another?!

One of the speculation made was that he was bullied by fellow students. I feel that this is all a chain reaction. What gives you the right to bully others, put them down, just because they are of different colour, ethnics, race and religion? We are here to share the planet and make the best of everything we have. Understanding the differences among us and respecting the fact that not everyone is like us, will make a lot of difference in the world.

Today I read another article in the papers and was thinking...does fear actually work in teaching our kids disipline and life's lessons? The headline was; "Second chance for mum who stabbed son". A mother of eight stapped her eight year old son with a knife in order to dicipline him! Guess what? The magistrate's court let her go!

Need I say more? I don't want to write further comments...am seriously sick with what the world has come to!