Life is either a daring adventure or nothing

I have read about such explicit marketing SMSes in the newspaper recently, however I didn't pay much attention to it until two weeks ago, I received a somewhat similar SMS. I brushed it off assuming again that it was probably just a mis-sent. However, I received this above SMS on my handphone just two days ago. It raises my concern and seems that the content of this "marketing" SMS is getting more raunchy and explicit!

Let me translate what the SMS says:

ADV: Sexy voices hotline, quench your desire for love, re-igniting the passionate love within you @ XXXX-XXX-XXXX (island-wide lowest rate of $0.78/min. Indulge yourself in passion! To unsubscribe, reply 'CR')

Shocking! A couple of thoughts flashed through my mind the moment I received it. How in the world did these people get my handphone number? What happens if a young child receives such an SMS? Gosh! The propagation of pornography is really rampant... seemingly EVERY platform of information transmition has been 'utilized' to become avenues of flooding pornography or sexual connotative materials!

You may or may not have received such SMSes before, but brace yourselves for them to come. Such spams and floodings are going to be the common thing in this digital age as everyone is working through all channels to get everyone's attention via every means.

Honestly, there's just no way to track down how they got my mobile number and try to ban them. After a while it will still come back again. But there are still ways we can help ourselves.. so let me, the Cyber Wellness guru, share with you some practical tips:

1. When you receive such spam SMSes, delete it immediately! You never know.. some of these SMSes may be tagged along with a virus that will damage your handphone! Do not forward to your friends as well!

2. DO NOT be drawn in and call back to these hotline. Firstly it is for your personal well-being. A lot of these SMS are just but a front to attract people. Behind it lurks the danger of pornography and sexual services. Secondly, you may think that 0.78cents/min is petty cash. You're WRONG! Once you call, the hotline services will just lure you with those purring and seductive voices and before you know it, it's 30 minutes! 30 minutes X 0.78 cents = $23.40!

3. DO NOT unsubscribe from these marketing SMS by replying to them. E.g. in my case above, replying "CR" back to the sender won't help. Because most of these SMS are mass spamming - they are just randomly sending out to everyone within this series of mobile number i.e. 9100 0001, 9100 0002, 9100 0003.....etc. By replying, you are effectively telling them that your number is Active and they will just keep spamming you with more of such SMSes! So the best way is to just ignore and delete. Read more on this article...

In the VIRTUAL world, I am...

MiloAhCek, Level 40, Fire Mage, in CRuSH Guild

In the REAL world, I am...

EeJay, 28 years old, Programme Executive, working in TOUCH Youth Cyber Wellness & Sport department

I am REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, not addicted to MapleStory! I enjoy playing the game, but I am seriously not addicted. However, 6 months into this MMORPG, I can understand why many youths are hooked. To find out more, check out http://comeslashwithme.blogspot.com for me and my mentor's learning journey through MapleStory! :) Read more on this article...

Cheers! Presenting the founding members of my very first guild in Maple Story!
Guild Rules & Regulations: (as of 29 June)
1. No vulgarities.
2. Always encourage and be affirming.
3. No kill-stealing.

It has been 6 months since I began my indulgence in this "secret obsession" of mine of Maple Story. Hahaha... trust me, I AM NOT ADDICTED! (that's what every kid out there says..) Because I still have a real world life to survive in, work to be done, and most importantly, social life to hang out with.

But my mindset really has changed since I started playing MS. I used to be skeptical and couldn't grasp what was so fun and interesting about this 2-D game which does nothing but hack at mushrooms and snails! But today, I am getting a taste of the kick of this MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) and why many are hooked to it.

You've got to try it for yourself to understand the thrill of it. Don't be a "mountain tortoise" anymore.. give it a try and experience it for yourself and excitement of the virtual world!

Disclaimer: If you do sense you may be addicted, please don't hesitate to drop me a note. :) Read more on this article...

*Pause* Relax.. I did not send this SMS. But rather this SMS was sent by my cyber wellness colleague in office. It shocked me why such a decent, trustworthy guy whom I have known for 7 years would send such an SMS?? Plus, we are in the cyber wellness team that is suppose to teach on the dangers of porn! Read on to find out his story....

Today, I smsed someone this..... "Ok. I hav a porno video. U want?".... (click here to find out the full details...) Read more on this article...

As a cyber wellness ambassador, this news totally struck me dumbfounded. The the saddest news of all is that it happened once on this poor girl before. She got pregnant and aborted the baby. However, once bitten but twice not shy... she fell for the same trap again. Now she's an unwed mum with a 22 month old baby. It's saddening that things have to turn out this way.

So why did she jump back in to the Internet chatroom despite being cheated once before? Here's what was reported in the paper:

A year after her abortion, when her parents were at work, she returned to the chatrooms. Her reason: She was lonely and was craving for a 'mature' relationship.
Why didn't she look for somebody in her circle of friends? They were too immature, she claimed. She said: 'I also wanted someone I could hug, someone to hold my hands... But the boys in my school were too childish.'

This is just one of the many cases which have happened over the years, and trust me.... Girls aren't always the victim. In quite a number of cases, boys have fallen prey to online paedophiles and homosexual stalkers too! I don't think people whom have been victimized are stupid, but rather a moment of folly and being swayed off guard by all those online sweet talks.

If we are not careful, we might just end up as victims too. But stay alert and heed the advice of this girl as quoted: 'They should be warned of the chatroom monsters who disguise themselves as nice men. Don't make the same mistake like I did.'

Coming up soon.... My online "girlfriend" encounter!!!! Read more on this article...

Alright.. that's my status these past few days. Am down with sore throat, but thankfully my voice still sound really nice and OK. The pain is nagging, but I will survive! This week I have been out conducting training on cyber wellness to different schools and every session I would have to raise my voice level up one notch so that the entire class can hear me. Guess the prolonged strain has taken it toll, resulting in sore throat. Now I can truly understand how my fellow seasoned trainers feel.... now I can appreciate what teachers go through. *cheers and claps for teachers!*

Haha.. how I wish I had a MIPRO - a portable loudspeaker system, where I could just speak normally in my sweet gentle tone, and the projected sound level can over power all the students! Wahaha.. This is call Class Domination! :P

So much about the sore throat, but I have no regrets. Really enjoy teaching the students. Looking at them, it just reminds me of my secondary school days when I was still a Fatty Bum Bum! Keke... Read more on this article...

Check out this video from YouTube on how WOW (World of Warcraft) has consumed the life of this boy.. tsk tsk tsk.... Sigh...

This boy did not become like this overnight. It was because of decisions he made. Decisions have consequences, so learn to be wise. It all begins with "Just a little more to level up..."

Gaming in fun and relaxing, but don't just level up in your virtual character. Level up in your Real World character too! Read more on this article...

Saw this really funny video on YouTube. Check it out!

Are anyone of us so addicted to video games till this manner? Read more on this article...

In January this year, as part of my cyber wellness research work, I took on the challenge of entering into the cyber realm of Massively Multiple Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG) - MAPLESTORY!

My Objective: Get a hang of playing MapleStory, and aim to reach Level 20 within the next week.

Well, after much delay and procrastination, I finally got down to playing Maple Story 3 weeks ago. Check out my virtual character - RotiAhCek! And till date, I have far exceeded my objective and currently I am at Level 31 (latest as of 6 March)!

So why are youths so hooked onto MapleStory? What's so fun about slashing snails and mushrooms? Is it really so addictive? ... Well, to find out more, check out
http://comeslashwithme.blogspot.com where I have penned down some of my views as I immersed myself in the game. Go check it out! Read more on this article...

As part of my cyber wellness research work into Gaming & Gaming Addiction.... (Get ready for this) ..... I will begin playing MAPLESTORY tommorrow!!!! Best thing of all, I will get to purchase the Maple A-Card and use it to enhance my gaming experience!

Objective: Get a hang of playing MapleStory, and aim to reach Level 20 within the next week!

Well well... it's time to sign up for an account, roll dice for desired statistics and begin my adventure conquest on Maple Island! Time to slash some mushrooms!!! Wahahaha... Maybe I should compute the number of mushrooms it take to slash so as to up one level!

For more research news on the MapleStory adventure, check out my mentor's MapleStory adventure blog: http://comeslashwithme.blogspot.com

Maple Island here I come!!!! Read more on this article...