Against All Odds

How can I just let you walk away
Just let you leave without a trace
When I stand here taking
Every breath with you oohhhh
You're the only one
Who really knew me at all

How can you just walk away from me
When all I can do is watch you leave
'Cause we've shared the laughter and the pain
And even shared the tears
You're the only one
Who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now
'Cause there's just an empty space
There's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
So take a look at me now
'Cause there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me, is against the odds
And that's what I've got to faceeeee

I wish I could just make you turn around
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you
So many reasons why
You're the only one
Who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now
'Cause there's just an empty space
There's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
So Take a look at me now
Cause there's just an empty space
But to wait for you is
All I can do
And that's what I've got to face.
Take a good look at me now
'Cause l'll still be standing (standing here)
And you coming back to me is against all odds
That's the chance I've got to take
(chance I got to take, got to takeeee)

Yeahhhhh
Take A look at me now
(Take A Look at me nowwwww)

'No Plastic Day' & Kebersihan Alam Sekitar

Sejak kempen ini dilancarkan di Miri, sambutan yang ditunjukkan oleh masyarakat disini agak memberangsangkan tetapi MASIH KURANG. 'No Plastic Day' merupakan salah satu inisiatif yang diwujudkan oleh pihak Majlis Bandaraya Miri (MBM) yang bertujuan untuk memberi kesedaran untuk mengurangkan penggunaan beg-beg plastik. Ianya dibuat pada setiap hari Ahad.

Penglibatan oleh pihak pusat-pusat membeli-belah utama di Miri dalam menyokong kempen ini adalah amat baik dan perlu diberi pujian. Tidak dinafikan terdapat sesetengah pelanggan yang tidak membawa beg sendiri semasa membeli-belah walaupun sudah berkali-kali diumumkan di media-media massa, dalam keadaan yang tidak dapat dielakkan maka mereka perlu sanggup untuk dikenakan sedikit caj iaitu RM0.20 untuk satu beg plastik dibekalkan oleh pihak peniaga.

Semua kutipan hasil daripada caj-caj plastik ini akan didermakan kepada pusat-pusat kebajikan yang memerlukan. Disamping menjaga alam sekeliling daripada berlonggoknya buangan yang sukar untuk dilupuskan, ia turut menggalakkan masyarakat mencari alternatif lain kepada plastik seperti beg kertas.

Menurut statistik yang dikeluarkan oleh US Environtmental Protection Agency (EPA), di Amerika Syarikat sahaja menunjukkan peningkatan yang amat ketara pembuangan sisa-sisa pepejal jika tidak dibendung mulai sekarang. Pelbagai kempen telahpun dilaksanakan oleh Kerajaan Amerika Syarikat dalam membendung peningkatan ini daripada berleluasa antaranya menggalakkan penggunaan beg-beg kertas. Hampir kesemua pusat membeli-belah di negara tersebut menyambut baik kempen yang dibuat oleh kerajaan ini.

Tidak perlu untuk saya komen bandar-bandar lain, di Miri sahaja sampah-sampah plastik ini terdapat dimana-mana - lorong-lorong, stesen bas, tandas awam, tempat-tempat rekreasi sehinggakan pengangkutan awam juga tidak terkecuali atas sikap sesetengah masyarakat yang tidak bertanggungjawab dalam menjaga kebersihan baik kecil mahupun besar sampah tersebut ianya tetap digelar sampah juga!!!

Cuba kita perhatikan kalau tin-tin aluminium dan botol-botol yang bersepah di tengah jalan, apakah yang kalian rasa reaksi orang kita? Ya memang sudah tentu mereka akan mengutipnya dan membawanya balik untuk dijual apabila sudah cukup banyak untuk ditebus dengan wang tunai. Ini menunjukkan jika sesuatu sampah atau apa sahaja yang mempunyai nilai kewangan maka kesanggupan untuk mengutipnya walaupun di hadapan orang ramai amat tinggi jika dibandingkan dengan sesuatu yang tidak mempunyai nilai kewangan. Mereka lebih cenderung untuk mengatakan "buat apa aku sibuk-sibuk...bukan sampah aku pun..". Tetapi ingatlah wahai manusia, benda yang mempunyai nilai kewangan itupun bukannya semua barang kalian tetapi kenapakah kalian sanggup mengutipnya?

Ini menunjukkan tahap kesedaran dalam menjaga kebersihan alam sekitar di dalam hati orang kita masih rendah dan mengecewakan. Jika sekadar melepaskan batuk di tangga, nescaya suatu hari nanti kempen ini tidak akan berjaya. Semua pihak harus menggembleng tenaga dalam menjayakannya dan mengubah tanggapan bahawa menjaga kebersihan ini adalah tanggungjawab pihak majlis bandaran semata-mata.

Penggunaan beg-beg kertas di negara kita sahaja ianya cuma masih baru. Kebersihan sekeliling pula perlu dipantau dari semasa ke semasa kerana kita tidak mahu menunjukkan imej yang buruk tempat kepada pelancong-pelancong asing yang datang bertandang untuk bercuti ke negara kita. Jika tidak bermula sekarang, bila lagi??

Cheers

World AIDS Day - 1 December 2009

Started on 1st December 1988, World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. The World AIDS Day theme for 2009 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.4 million people living with HIV, including 2.1 million children. During 2008 some 2.7 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated 2 million people died from AIDS. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35.

The vast majority of people with HIV and AIDS live in lower- and middle-income countries. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children on all continents around the world.

World AIDS Day theme: 'Universal Access and Human Rights'

The theme for World AIDS Day 2009 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. Global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care, recognising these as fundamental human rights. Valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV and AIDS services, yet greater commitment is needed around the world if the goal of universal access is to be achieved. Millions of people continue to be infected with HIV every year. In low- and middle-income countries, less than half of those in need of antiretroviral therapy are receiving it, and too many do not have access to adequate care services.

The protection of human rights is fundamental to combating the global HIV and AIDS epidemic. Violations against human rights fuel the spread of HIV, putting marginalised groups, such as injecting drug users and sex workers, at a higher risk of HIV infection. By promoting individual human rights, new infections can be prevented and people who have HIV can live free from discrimination.

World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us - individuals, communities and political leaders - to take action and ensure that human rights are protected and global targets for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care are met.

What can I do? - Wear a red ribbon and raise awareness

The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.

The red ribbon started as a "grass roots" effort; as a result there is no one official AIDS ribbon manufacturer, and many people make their own. It's easily done - just use some ordinary red ribbon and a safety pin!

If you want to take your awareness raising a step further then try finding a local event to take part in. Around the world there are hundreds of activities taking place to mark World AIDS Day, including candlelight vigils, art shows, marches and religious services. If you can't find anything in your area then why not organise an event yourself? Really good right...???

Cheers