Innocent and Damaged

I just came across this Associated Press article in today's New York Daily News. If you care about children, our society and our future, you will want to read this story. Here's the link and headline: Suburban House of Horrors; 11 children removed from sex offender's home after some were found tied to beds

I don't want to give too much away, but I will say I'm glad Child Protective Services exists (no matter how many problems plague these government departments, we should at least acknowledge that when they do their job, children can be saved). We hear the horrors CPS find, but rarely do we learn about how they rehabilitate and nurture grossly abused children. It's a question I constantly ask when I read stories like this one. Unfortunately, many media outlets only report on the immediate social issues/news, but rarely do they offer a series of follow-up reports on what happens next or offer suggestions on what we the people can do to help these innocent victims.

I say we need more follow-through stories! Any takers on this idea?


Here's an old picture of me dressed as a Vietnamese orphan for a TV-movie based on my orphanage. It's the most relatable image for this story that I could find (in my vast collection of photos)...

Promoting a Pet's Paradise in a Fast-Paced City

I've been a bit busy these past few weeks helping a friend create some web pages for her business. It's been fun, challenging (I'm new to web page development), and I hope will bring me some good pet karma! One reason why I think there is some good pet karma involved is because my friend's pet store does a lot of great things for pets. For instance, they sponsor a dog adoption day every Sunday; they offer training and educational seminars for pet parents; the proceeds from their park passes go to pet charities; and more (I can't keep up with all the stuff she does)... Ok, so where is this place?

My friend's business is based in Hong Kong and called Whiskers N Paws. It's a really cool store and offers more products, perks and personality than almost any pet store I have ever visited. And I'm not saying that because it's my friend's store. I'm saying it because it really has amazing pet toys, gadgets, food, and get this: A MASSIVE OUTDOOR DOG PARK on the 10th floor (it's called the Bark Park on 10)! It is just too cool and I wish we had one in NYC. Imagine being able to let your dog loose while you have a nice place to sit and relax. And since the store kindly enforces "Poop Pick-Up and Pee Mop policies," the place is always clean and you don't have to worry about all those horrible germs that lurk in dog parks (ask any pooch pro, and they'll tell you to stay far from dog parks).

So, if you are ever in Hong Kong and you want to see what a Dog Park in the Sky looks like, you definitely  should visit Whiskers N Paws. Check out the store's Facebook page to learn more and become a fan. You'll be able to see all the great cat and dog pics - definitely will make you smile.

And if you are visiting or living in Hong Kong and want to do some pet shopping, definitely head out to WNP at Horizon Plaza, which is also considered the best place for Designer Outlet Shopping in HK! Oh, and there's a Ferrari dealership there, too :-)

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/WhiskersNPaws?sk=app_106171216118819
Website: http://www.wnp.com.hk/

P.S. Here are some pictures I took. Def, not professional, but you get the idea. I went to WNP while they were having a store blessing party - very cool. So if you wonder why it looks empty, it's because they were celebrating the store's expansion and sending good vibes to pet store gods...

Wanted: Public Toilet Room Etiquette

How many times have you been disgusted when entering a public toilet room?  Pee on the seat... Pieces of excrement floating in the toilet... Traces of menstrual blood in stalls... Unflushed (is that even a word?) and used toilet bowls... The most god-awful smells and more...

According to the Daily Mail, one university is trying to train their young and foreign students how to properly use restrooms. I like how this university is trying to do damage control, but I fear they shouldn't just be targeting those used to squatting - they should be targeting every selfish and lazy person who doesn't care about their WC comrades...

Should there be some sort of international policy when it comes to using public facilities? Should we have  Pee Police Patrol? Well, it doesn't exist now, but maybe the world should take a cue from Singapore with at least posting how to keep the toilets clean: