newspapers are seen as 'old' nowadays, as by the time it's out in the stands, some news have changed. (10 Oct)

Hmm I realise that I have not told you all about South China Morning Post as a paper.

The paper, is competing against the many broadsheet English papers in Hong Kong and I think I was told before that because maybe it's not so monetarily-backed up like The Straits Times, they rely alot on advertisers. Like what we learnt, then there is this need to balance how many stories the paper puts in because of space (thus, cost)constraints.

Well, because of this, the paper is really much thinner than ST. It has fewer pages per section. Major sections are Main, City (which also incorporates Life) and Business. Then there are other sections that come in over the week e.g. Education, Macau Focus, etc.

It is said that the paper is more balanced and objective as compared to some other English-based HK papers and I guess that's a good thing.

One thing that really struck me when I first read the paper 4 weeks ago, was the character that it holds. A clear example is its printing of the zodiac readings and almac? predictions. Sure, almost every other paper has Horoscopes in them. But in SCMP, there's BOTH: Horoscopes and Zodiac readings. It really then struck me how the paper is really catered to the locals and it put a smile to my face. :)

Their events page on Life on Thursdays/Fridays take up almost 2-3 pages. And I love the idea that they have daily crosswords (tough and easy ones), suduko and even some Bridge thing. ST usually has it only on Sundays.

ST has definitely more forum letters too, and I was quite surprised when SCMP printed two letters that talked about how God is the only thing finite in this world, especially when the financial crisis is so wobbly.

And while we have our weekly Urban, SCMP produces a MONTHLY 60-page magazine called Glow and some high-end/business travelling magazine called Style (can bring back for mommy). They are pretty impressive. I was wondering what the girls ahead of me, when we entered the office, was zooming to get. And only that.

Oh yes, the other thing which I thought was good is the inclusion of Young Post, which targets school kids to read the papers. The A4-sized slip is colourful with bigger-fonts, more graphics and pictures. It is produced daily and they even put in or summarise the day's stories in as well to keep the kids updated. Peppered with crosswords, games, short stories and even recommendations on places to eat, it really tries to get more interaction with the young readers. It would be really good if ST could do this too, it'll start kids reading the papers from young!

Well, in some ways both papers are quite similar: paid subscription to the online platform and has many ads to direct people to go to the online sections - videos, full list of melamine-tainted products, etc.

I have to say that while I am more used to flipping through the many many many many chunks of pages of ST, it feels different reading another country's (apparently HK is more like a territory) papers. Maybe it's just the novelty, but I think now I understand why some people read papers from all over the world. It's variety and gives some insight into the bloodflow of the nation - what they think, what is currently important, what are analysts predicting, etc.

Oh oh oh, and while I am at it, I reeeeally do not fancy the new layout and colour of the new ST design. I so prefer the previous one. This current use of red-blue reminds me so much of a neighbouring country's paper. I just think there should be some distinction (which has been all these while anyway, until now). Oh well, doesnt change the nation paper's content at least :)

Mom, you'd be glad to know that I read the papers EVERYDAY. Though it's mostly stories I've seen or done as well (cos the paper is printed by the morning and any more updates on stories would be done the next day - the online webpage updates it whenever there is change), but it gives me a reason to sit out at lunch hour :)

Ok off to bed, RUNNING tomorrow morning! and laundry! and clean up of the room! plus shifting to upstairs! I sound so awfully enthusiastic! Talk about positive thinking!

P.S. Even after killing the many many thousand and one mosquitoes that day from the forestry walk, I have almost 20-odd bites on me! Most of them on my elbows and some on my toes since I was wearing slippers (THANK GOD I WORE JEANS). SUPER ITCHY LA. *GROWL.