Let's get tested

The government has been pushing for Muslims to be tested for HIV before marriage, which is a responsible move and should be extended to all Malaysians regardless of race. The ban on HIV marriages, though, is a different thing. I think it's up to the couple once they've been fully informed to make the choice.

Anyhoo, in the same vein, let's all be socially responsible and get tested for not just HIV, but all STDs. It doesn't matter if you're sexually active, because a full battery of tests won't harm you and will keep you informed as to your health and well-being. The facts are:

• Condoms do not fully and completely protect you from all STDs. The spread of STDs such as herpes are not prevented by condoms.
• While many STDs such as gonorrhea are treatable, just as many aren't, such as genital warts, herpes and HIV.
• Around 80% of people infected with herpes don't have the symptoms and don't know that they have herpes.
• A standard full medical workup taken by thousands of people each year don't test for STDs other than HIV unless they have a reason to, i.e. symptoms or by request. This means that you can trust your partner and your partner won't lie to you, but you could still be exposed to STDs.
• Once you are informed, you can better protect yourself.

I don't mean to put on a scare tactic, I just think it's for the better good that everybody goes out, picks up a few pamphlets on STDs and arm themselves with knowledge and information to prevent unnecessary hardship and heartache. Let's get tested.

2008 Round Up

This time last year, I was going on about how great my life was and how scared we were of the inevitable fall that would come. It came, again and again, in sizes and magnitudes that almost overpowered me. This time, I may be just grasping at anything that will keep me afloat, but I've decided to make a list of things that make me thankful for this year.

I'm thankful for

1. My family being alive and strong. I'd like to say healthy and well, but that'd be a lie. I'll take alive and strong.
2. Being able to lean on my friends when I need them.
3. Being able to survive on my own financially thus far.
4. Finally being confirmed staff at work in a department that I really like.
5. The sights that I've been able to see throughout Malaysia.
6. The experiences that I've had that have made me stronger.

I survived 2008*

*Heartbreak and heartaches excluded

TV is bad for you?

In the world's most obvious news article, BBC has declared that romantic comedies have created false expectations for people throughout the world. From BBC: Rom-coms 'spoil your love life':

Watching romantic comedies can spoil your love life, a study by a university in Edinburgh has claimed.

Rom-coms have been blamed by relationship experts at Heriot Watt University for promoting unrealistic expectations when it comes to love.

They found fans of films such as Runaway Bride and Notting Hill often fail to communicate with their partner.

Many held the view if someone is meant to be with you, then they should know what you want without you telling them.

No shit, sherlock. I could've told you that. I could've told you that in real life,

• love is hard work
  
• love isn't all you need
  
• there isn't always a happy ending
  
• there isn't always a silver lining to a dark cloud
  
• time doesn't heal everything
  
• 2 hours isn't enough for the world to shift just a little bit for your life to come to a complete and well-presented finish