The Malaysian Insider :: Features
The Malaysian Insider :: Features |
| Christmas provides Connecticut town a break from mourning Posted: 25 Dec 2012 06:35 PM PST  A teddy bear rests on the snow-covered grave of six-year-old Benjamin Andrew Wheeler, one of 20 schoolchildren killed in the December 14 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, on Christmas morning at the Newtown Village Cemetery in Newtown, Connecticut December 25, 2012. – Reuters pic Smiles returned for those taking a respite from the mourning now that funerals for the victims have concluded. For the crestfallen, the holiday spirit was absent in a town that just buried its children. "We're getting through this with our faith and our prayer. People are smiling a little more now," said John Barry, owner of an information technology staffing company. "The week was so horrible. Now, it's time to celebrate Christmas." This largely Christian town was shaken on the morning of Dec 14, when a 20-year-old gunman armed with a military-style assault rifle shot dead 20 children aged 6 and 7 and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School. It was the second-deadliest school shooting in US history. Little is known about the shooter, Adam Lanza, who also killed his mother before the rampage and later himself to create a death toll of 28 in a tragedy that has revitalised the debate over US gun control laws. The sadness has moved some to act. Makeshift monuments to the dead have popped up all over town, funds have been raised, and many visitors have made a pilgrimage to Newtown, offering support. "It doesn't feel like Christmas. It's too sad to feel like Christmas," said Joanne Brunetti of Newtown, who was staffing a 24-hour candlelight vigil in the center of town early Christmas morning. "I got my shopping done a lot later than usual. I just felt like my heart wasn't in it." At another monument across town, Tim O'Leary of nearby Danbury, Connecticut, said reading the memorials to the victims only helped "a little." "It (Christmas) shouldn't even be happening," O'Leary said. "Life has changed as we know it." MISSING ANGEL The mood was more uplifting at Christmas Eve Mass on Monday night at Saint Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, which held its biggest service at the high school auditorium. Parishioners Dan and Michelle McAloon of Newtown decided to go Christmas caroling this year for the first time, gathering other families and children to roam a neighborhood where the families of three victims live. "We were just spreading some cheer, trying to make the situation a little better," Michelle McAloon said. "They all smiled, and they all cried a little," she said of the victims' families. "Everybody said we are doing it again next year," Dan McAloon said of the carolers. "It's going to become a tradition." Nine families from the parish lost someone in the shooting, and at least four of those families came to the big Christmas Eve Mass, Monsignor Robert Weiss said. "There is reason to celebrate," Weiss said after the service. "Hopefully when people start to see their extended families, or people from outside of Newtown, or even go out of town, they will be able to. You can't get away from it in this town," he said. Christmas Eve Mass featured a pageant that told the Christian story of Jesus' birth. One of the more poignant moments came when people applauded a group of two dozen little girls dressed as angels. They all knew shooting victim Olivia Engel, 6, was supposed to be among them. "I highly recommend that before you rip open those gifts, say a prayer for those children," Weiss told parishioners. "Then give your own children a hug." – Reuters |
| Beauty buzz: facial oils to treat acne Posted: 25 Dec 2012 06:00 PM PST  Plant-based facial oils can balance and soothe adult acne. – Picture courtesy of ©Valua Vitaly /shutterstock.com Once feared for making skin too greasy, facial oils have hit the mainstream. Fresh, Själ Skincare, Nude, Sulwhasoo, AmorePacific, and Colbert M.D. have all recently added face oils to their product lineups. "It might sound contradictory (and maybe downright scary!), but one of the best things you can do for a bout of blemishes is to slick your skin with oil," writes blogger Well + Good NYC on Friday. While the jury is out on which is best, NBC News recommends tea tree oil for acne, such as The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil (US$9, RM28). Research suggests that five percent tea tree oil works as well as five percet benzoyl peroxide, the controversial main ingredient in Proactiv. Well + Good NYC recommends a few facial oils to try as well, including Marie Veronique Organics Treatment Oil (US$80). Three oils play a part in keeping your skin under control: argan oil controls surface sebum, borage oil fights off inflammation, and tea tea oil controls acne. Or try La Bella Figura Tesoro Mediterranean Blend. For US$70 a bottle, this facial oil works on both acne and wrinkles in a lightweight formula. Holistic beauty buffs can also slick on De La Terre Herb Rich Oil for Blemished Skin (US$50), which contains vitamin-C-rich blackberry, burdock, fennel, and ginger to expel impurities and clear away spots - at least that's the claim. Still not everyone is convinced: Harpers Bazaar advises steering away from oils if you're acne-prone. Their recommendation: something a bit lighter, such as New York dermatologist Dennis Gross Vitamin D Serum-Oil (US$65). As with any oil, apply three drops at night after your serum or cream, since oils can block the absorption of other products. – AFP-Relaxnews |
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