Monday 20 October 2014

Mental Health Awareness: Bulimia Nervosa

Many people around the world sufferer from a variety of metal problems. Many people do not even know they have one until it is too late, that’s why it is important to spread awareness. One particular problem that caught my eye is Bulimia Nervosa. Bulimia Nervosa is when an individual decides to overeat a lot of food at once, then punishes himself by fasting, purging, or exercisingDuring an average binge, one may consume from 3,000 to 5,000 calories in 1 short hour. This is a very unhealthy problem and anyone with it should receive treatment as fast as they can.
          
          The reason many people do not know that they’re suffering from Bulimia is because they do not know they have it, so they think it’s just a phase. Answer these questions:

·         Are you obsessed with your body and your weight?
·         Does food and dieting dominate your life?
·         Are you afraid that when you start eating, you won’t be able to stop?
·         Do you ever eat until you feel sick?
·         Do you feel guilty, ashamed, or depressed after you eat?
·         Do you vomit or take laxatives to control your weight?

  If you answered yes to three or more of these, you should ask your doctor or anyone you trust for help or maybe you just need someone to talk to. If you are too afraid to ask anyone because you think they will judge you, just remember everyone is different and it’s fine to go through different things in your life; as long as they are treated.

 The reason numerous people have this problem is because they think that it will make them look better, which it WON’T! By going through with this people do not realize that it is contributing to making their physical appearance worse. They get scars on their knuckles and hands by putting their hand down their throat to throw up. Repeated vomiting causes puffy cheeks. Teeth get yellow and crusty from the constant acid from their stomachs touching them. There is nothing good that ever comes out with this problem and if you are doing it because you are insecure, remember that everyone is not the same so you should be proud of who you are.

 There are five steps to recovery which you really have to commit to if you want to recover. First, you will have to admit to yourself that you have a problem. Second, talk to someone you trust about it and get their opinion. Third, stay away from people, places, and activities that cause the temptation to binge or purge. Last, seek professional help because they will be able to tell you how to properly treat it. For more information, visit the websites listed below and remember you are not alone!

Monday 13 October 2014

Tablets vs. Textbooks

           Technology is advancing at an amazing rate and in many ways it is helpful but at the same time, it is bad for us too. There have been many debates whether tablets should replace textbooks in schools, and I believe that we should not replace them. There are many reasons why tablets are not as good as textbooks. The first is the effect on the kids and health concerns. Second, there will be a lot more expenses for tablets. And last, the environmental concerns that come with making and maintaining tablets.

           Numerous children around the world own tablets in their household. They are a great for entertainment and work and many schools are thinking of switching textbooks to tablets. But if they do that, the children’s eyes will get worse from staring at a screen for a long time, which will result in spending money on glasses. And if we do switch to tablets, teachers will not always be able to see what the children are doing on their tablets so a lot of kids will get distracted. But with textbooks we will not have these problems, since looking at books is not bad for your eyes and the teacher can easily tell if everyone is doing their work. So textbooks are a much better option if schools care about the student’s learning and well-being.

            Many schools think by getting textbooks, they will be saving a lot of money, and that is correct but it will only be saving money for schools. Schools will be saving money because they can just buy eBooks which are cheaper. But the parents will have to spend a lot more money for the children. They will have to buy cases and screen protectors, pay to get it fixed if it breaks, and if they do not have Wi-Fi in their house, they’ll have to get it installed.  Also tablets are more likely to be stolen than textbooks and most schools will say that it was the student’s responsibility, so the parents will be forced to buy another one. Schools should focus more on the costs that the parents will have and how some parents won’t be able to afford it.

            Countless people have the mistaken idea that tablets are more ecofriendly than textbooks. I understand that they are thinking that papers won’t be needed so trees will be saved, but they are not understanding how environmentally destructive manufacturing tablets is. Making one tablet involves the extraction of 33 pounds of minerals, 79 gallons of water, and 100 kilowatt hours of fossil fuels. This whole process 66 pounds of carbon dioxide which uses about 100 times more greenhouse gases than textbooks. Making a textbook requires 2 gallons of water and only two kilowatt hours. So now you can decide which the better option for our environment is.

            Understanding the two different views, I honestly believe that schools should stick with textbooks. Textbooks are better for the children’s health and they do not cause distractions for them. The parents will not have to be worried about money. And textbooks will not be as destructive to the environment. Therefore, textbooks should not be replaced with tablets in schools.
           




Sunday 5 October 2014

The Book Thief

The Book Thief is full of many wonderful and extraordinary personalities. The protagonist in this novel is Liesel who is hardworking and a kind-hearted star of the book. She adores books so much, she steals them, even if she doesn’t know how to read. Liesel is said to be a, “lost skinny child”, on page 32 and, “thin boned, and pale” on page 39. She is only 10 years old but while reading, you tend to forget that since she is so mature. She lives with her foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann.

          Liesel loved Hans since the first day because of his, “eyes made of kindness, and silver” (page 34). He was the main reason Liesel learned to read and write. He was a really nice and brave man. He always cared about everyone no matter their race, and that is proven when he lets Max live in the basement. Death describes Hans Hubermann as a guy, “Always just there. Not noticeable”, on page 34. But I think that helped him because if he was more out there, people may have been more suspicious of him and he would not have been able to hide Max in his basement.

          Rosa Hubermann is a very difficult character to understand. She always seems to be angry at everyone but also loves everyone and cares about them. On page 33 it says,” face decorated with constant fury”. She hits Liesel with wooden spoons very often but she also loves her a lot. Personally, I think the main reason she is like this is because she is scared of losing people. In the novel, it does not talk about her parents, so maybe they are dead and that’s why she is so strict. Later on in the book when Hans Hubermann becomes a part of the Nazi group and has to leave Liesel sees her with the accordion all alone. “A Painted Picture. Rosa with Accordion. Moonlight on dark. 5’1” x Instrument x Silence.” Page 420. She is miserable now that he’s gone.

          Liesel becomes friends with Rudy while playing soccer, and both of them love each other, even if Liesel doesn’t know it yet. Rudy is my favorite character in this novel. He is a 10 year old boy “with bony legs, sharp teeth, gangly blue eyes, and hair the color of a lemon” (page 48). Rudy is smart, athletic, and brave. He is not afraid of older kids and he helps others out no matter what consequence. And this is proven when he helps Tommy Muller at Hitler Youth and he is forced to run extra laps with him. But his kindness does help him make many amazing friends.

           Finally, the antagonist who is Hitler. Even though he never talks to any of the character in the book, he is the reason behind what is happening. Hitler is the one who created the Nazi Group and decided that the Jews should not be able to live. And if it wasn’t for him there would not be such a big mess and everyone could be treated equally and live a normal life. And this is not just in the novel, but in real life too. If he never did what he did there would not have been so many deaths.