It Went To The Press!

In my life thus far, there are few occasions where I have been 'honored' in public platforms. Ha... I guess the first memorable one occured when I went on stage to receive a basketball shooting competition medal during my secondary school years. The second one was quite unexpected. I took part in a somewhat small scale 'beauty' contest and actually won first prize (there were only 3 other contestants, fyi.) To this date, hubby remembered the way I looked that day. I remember winning some cosmetics and a pretty Charles & Keith red heels. I shared the shopping voucher prize with mom.

The recent incident, I should say, is the third occasion when I feel truly proud of myself. Haha! I wrote an commentary article and it got published. Actually, hee... it was more of a complaint letter :p I recalled I had previously written a complaint letter to a telco company. My brother came across the soft copy in the PC and after reading it, commented that the writer is such a bitch!! ;(

Well, the recent letter was only my second 'complaint' letter. It was written more out of indignation and a call for corrective action. I was not at the scene when the arguement took place but I felt anger on behalf of my brother-in-law and hubby, as I witnessed them taking the nonsense from the lazy cleaners. Thought I might as well put my literacy skills to good use, since I can afford the time. I emailed my thoughts to the local press on 20 August 2008. It was published on the next day and was the first article among the letters. To know more what I am talking about, read what I have extracted from "7 Days" (Dubai's free newspaper) dated 21 August 2008:

(Title) Lazy staff need some green education
It is clear that the message to go green, recycle and to save our planet has gone out to the world. Major companies and developed countries have joined in to cut down on wastage and to encourage recycling. Dubai, as I read in the local papers, is also involved. However few they may be, I was encouraged to see recycling bins in public areas.
Last Friday, my family and I took pains to tie up old newspapers and transport them to the recycling bins at the bus stop outside Union supermarket (Al Wasl road). As the opening was too small to insert the newspapers into the bin, we left it neatly stacked beside the bins. Never did we expect to be rudely confronted by uniformed contractors (whom we assumed are either the cleaners or staff responsible for cleaning the bus stop or recycling bins). We were told that we cannot leave the newspapers there. We clarified that the newspapers were placed there for the very purpose the recycling bins were there. However, we were told off and repeatedly urged to remove the newspapers. Honestly, it was more convenient for us to dump the newspapers into the big trash bin outside our villa. Why would we spend time and money to buy raffia strings to tie up the papers and carry the newspapers and transport them to the recycle bins, if not for the part in just doing our bit for the environment? And why should some lazy staff who would rather spare themselves the trouble to carry the heavy load of newspapers get in the way of going green? I would like to suggest that recycle bins that have bigger openings be used, and relevant staff be educated on the need to recycle and not take the easy way out.

The title was renamed by the publisher. It was a better title, since it better reinforced the thrust of my letter, though the new title sounds less diplomatic. Ha!