Cancer Vaccine Jab

Government has decided that girls at the age of 13 will be given jabs for cervic cancer vaccines from next year onwards. It was applauded move as to combat the disease but the report in the newspaper today has shaken my thoughts. Is it really a good move or not? A question which is hard to answer as prior to this issue, there were also arguments on normal vaccines contains mercury which was claimed to cause autistic among children.

Prior to the incident that claim life of , Natalie Morton, a 14 year-old-girl in Britain, the vaccination program has sparked controversy as the critics believed that the vaccine would encourage girls to be sexually active at a younger age.

She was healthy before being given the jab and died a few hours after being given the jab. A few other girls also reported to being unwell after receiving the vaccine.
Autopsy would be carried out to ascertain the link between her death and the vaccine.

Professor Malcom McCrae , virologist at the University of Warwick, agreed that in the medical intervention, on rare occasions, a tragic consequences happened. However, he also claimed that the vaccine has been extremely tested to combat cervical cancers.

So, hopefully our government would defer the jab until further details on the pro and con results.

Fruit for Thoughts

Are grapes more than merely tasty? When researches at John Hopkins University tested grape powder on rats with athritis, the rodents showed fewer signs of pain than those fed a placebo. The scientists also found that a pain reliever plus grape powder reduced discomfort and swelling more than pill alone. The study was sponsored by the California Table Grape Commission, so keep an eye out for other studies to confirm these results. In the meantime, it can't hurt to munch on grapes, or try grape seed extract.

So, it is advisable to consume grapes totally, don't discard the seeds as I've been practiced since small. The advise was from my beloved father who is 75 years old and free from any health problem besides leading a healthy lifestyles.

Source : Reader's Digest Oct 2009.

Taming Your Temper

This article is extracted from Reader's Digest October 2009 issue. Very interesting and benefits our daily life on how to effectively manage our anger...anger is like fire ... explosive character which jeopardise our health, work and relationships. So, here are 10 tips how to get anger under control.

ExercisePhysical exertion can help for brief, short term anger, says Dr Sarah Edelman, psychologist and author of Change Your Thinking

Write a letter Express your anger in words and keep the letter to yourself.

Cool offAvoid confrontation with the person straightaway.

Don't throw a tantrumIt's a popular myth that venting anger is always the best strategy but in actual fact, it cause more harm than good. It also impair good relationship and distort kids perception.

CommunicateSlow down and think what you want to say. Explain that you feel angry about something rather than acting aggressively. Key action is to carefully listen to the other party before responding.

Use humourBelieve that this is most effective solution...twist the situation into laughing stock...

Seek alternativesAnother way to approach the problematic environment which leads to positive results.

Pros and consWeigh and balance the situation yourself...does anger benefits everybody...

Problem-solveClose file and move on with your life.

AcceptanceAccept any situation as it is.

Hari Raya Stories

Home sweet home...finally, we were back at our tiny "cottage". Been away for almost a week to celebrate Hari Raya at kampung was really nice and great. Love the part meetings with relatives and exchanged stories...while we attended to the ketupat, lemang, rendang and raya cookies. The kids also loved the experience mixing with cousins and collecting "duit raya". I guess every kids were fond of the ideas ... even a small token would put smiles on their faces. It was a tradition that passed from generations to generations...

A lot of things happened within this past few months...the uncle ( my stepmum's in law) is paralysed. He is still young, in the 40's, and seeing him in wheelchair really broke my heart. My heart melt further seeing the wife and the pair of kids aged 11 and 6 years old...it really touched my heart that we really should always be thankful to Allah and give ourselves the best in serving Him while we are blessed with good health...

At my in law place, I was lucky to meet my husband's aunt, who is about 86 years old and still be blessed with good health...

We traveled home on Friday morning and after Friday prayer received a call from my husband's long lost basketball buddy. He was on the way to our house with the family in the evening. Luckily, we had prepared some raya delicacies bought from the Pasar Tani and my mother in law famous steam fruit cake.

I was preparing the table when I noticed something not right with the tablecloth...patches and stripped of transparent tapes nicely stuck on part of it. Being curious, I peeled the tape...and hmmmm...someone had accidentally cut it...
I know the culprit, my eldest daughter,...who always played with scissors and cutter...

Sadly, I looked at the tablecloth which has a sentimental value...I bought it 16 years ago while attending a course in Japan...

The friend and his family arrived shortly after and we had a good catch up. It was my first meeting with them who came all the way from Penang.

Later that night, we paid a visit to another friend's house in TTDI Shah Alam ...

Malaysian stories

There are a lot of interesting things happen daily especially towards Hari Raya celebration.

In yesterday paper, it was reported that there was effective ways to collect debt by using genie instead of the normal threats. The guy offered his service to debt
collectors with 100% guarantee.

The latest news update in today newspaper is about a horny orang minyak on the prowl in Sungai Petani. It seemed to pick on homes where young women are staying in.

This is part of the ugly stories happening in Malaysia, but the good Malaysian story is that most city dwellers are rushing home to kampungs to celebrate Hari Raya which is 2 days on the way.

We had made our journey yesterday evening as to beat the unnecessary jams. We reached my husband kampung within 2-1/2 hours drive.It was a smooth sailing journey...Saturday, we will continue our journey to my kampung located in the nothern state of Malaysia...

I take this opportunity to wish all Malaysians especially Muslim "Happy Hari Raya".

Postal Blues

I always encounter problems with Mr. Postman. He always delivers somebody else mails into my mailbox. The address bears the same house number as mine except the different road number. Sometimes, may be in a hurry, he will accidentally switch the neighbourhoods letters.

In the Star, 16 Sept. 2009, highlights the complaints from public with regards to snail mails and lost parcels. In response, the Pos Malaysia Berhad, Datin Rohaiza Hashim assured that the company will strive to provide the best and most convenient service to the customers.

Suggestions or feedbacks could be directed to Customer Service Center at 1-300-300-300 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Monday to Saturday except first Saturday of the month).

Hopefully, Pos Malaysia will really show the improvement to boost up the company's image and gain the public trust.

True Love Mathematics

I found this article in Readers Digest August 2009 issue. Attracted to the tag line "Are you heading a lifetime of marital bliss or ...the divorce courts?

It calims that scientists bid the odds by formulating mathematical model to calculate precisely on the relationship periods. The study was led by Professor James Murray from University of Oxford since 1992 based on the emotional human interactions. The result of 12 years follow ups show 94% success rate.

He concluded the five types of married couples

Volatile - romantic, passionate, heated arguments with cycles of fights and sex

Validating - stable, calm, intimate, value companionship and shared experiences rather than individuality

Avoiders - stable, avoid confrontation and conflict, interact only in positive range of their emotions

Hostile - unstable, conflict - avoiding wife, validating husband

Hostile detached - unstable, volatile husband, validating wife.

So, which group do you belong to?

Bazaar Ramadhan

Got back from Seremban a few hours before breakfast. Decided to buy food and beverages at Stadium Melawati, Section 13, Shah Alam.


Left the house at 4:30 p.m. and reached the bazaar Ramadhan at 5 p.m. The place was occupied with 4 long rows of stalls. Very interesting as the stalls had all types of varities of foods from almost all the states in Malaysia including Kenyalang chicken.


The price was quite reasonable.

Weekends in Seremban

Arrived in Seremban this evening. My husband has a three day seminars and it is an escapism week ends for us. Stay at the Bintang Royale Hotel on the sixth floor. The room is nice and spacious. Splendid panorama view as the room is facing the swimming pool.



First time experienced travelling during Ramadhan except during balik kampung seasons for Ed Mubarak. We breakfast at the hotel with simple meals brought from home and was thinking to fill up our stomach at the nearby Seremban Parade after Maghrib prayers.



Left the hotel about 8 p.m. and headed to Seremban Parade which was about 10 minutes drive from the hotel. It was also our first time visiting the mall. The mall seemed to be quite packed with people flooded the Parkson Shopping Centre.



We headed to Kopitiam Station. Ample seating places available and we chose the table. Readied to place order but was very disappointed when the waitress told us that all food finished.



We moved to the next Chicken Rice Shop. The waitress welcomed us and once again were disappointed as only noodles and chicken curries to be served. We need to wait for another 30 minutes or so for the food to be available.



We had not much choice as the kids were annoying as hunger pangs hit them. The Old Mc Donald saved our night. It was pretty long queued as well before we could gobble the mc chicken burgers...


We ended the course with chocolate frosted vanilla ice creams. That was how we spent the first Ramadhan night in Seremban town...

Jokes

The latest hot topic today is that certain quarters of Indonesians are launching the "Sapu Malaysia" mission. They have sort of military preparations with food stock up and believe that some of them were paid to demo and attack Malaysian students and residences in Indonesia. Thus, our Malaysians over there have to imitate the Indonesian counterparts in dressing up code to avoid being identified as Malaysians.

I think we need a break from all this ridiculous attack just because of the Pendet dance from Bali. It is really not a joke for patriotic or fanatic Indonesians on loyalty issues. Previously, there were issues on Rasa Sayang and Negaraku songs.

As laughter is the best medicine, wish to share the best jokes collected from countries published in Readers Digest, September 2009 issues to brighten up our day. Enjoy reading and have fun...

Argentina
An elderly couple goes to Burger King, where they carefully split a burger and fries. A trucker takes pity on them and offers to buy the wife her own meal.

"It's all right," says the husband. "We share everything."

A few minutes later, the trucker notices that the wife hasn't taken a bite. "I really wouldn't mind buying your wife her own meal," he insists.

"She'll eat, " the husband assures him. "We share everything."

Unconvinced, the trucker implores the wife, "Why aren't you eating?"

The wife snaps, "Because I'm waiting for the teeth!"


Australia

A polar bear walks into a bar and says , " Give me a scotch and...Coke."

"Why the long pause?" asks the bartender.

"I don't know,"says the bear. I've always had them."


Finland

Hannu wants everything to be perfect for his anniversary trip to the hotel where he and his wife honeymooned 30 years earlier. So he gets there a day earlier to make all the arrangements. That night, he e-mails her but misspells the address and it goes to recent widow.

The next day, the widow's son finds out his mother passed out in front of her computer. On the screen is this e-mail : "My darling wife, I've just gotten here and everything's set for your arrival tomorrow. I hope your trip down here will be as pleasant as mine. P.S. It's really hot!"

Hungary

Doctor : Have you taken my advice and slept with the window open?

Patient : Yes.

Doctor : So your asthma disappeared completely?

Patient : No, but my watch, TV, iPod and laptop have

Philippines

Joe, Mike, Mary and Tom were talking about their dream jobs.

"I want to be a lawyer," Joe began, "so that I can defend my countrymen."

"I want to be a congressman," said Mike, "so I can draft laws to benefit my countrymen."

"I want to be a doctor," said Mary, "so that I can cure my countrymen."

"How about you, Tom? What would you like to be?" asked Joe.

Tom thought a moment and replied, "I'd like to be a countryman."


Switzerland

Wife : Honey, did you notice? I bought a new toilet brush.

Husband : Yes, I did. But I still prefer the paper

Creative crimes

Just read in the paper, a lot of crime cases have cropped up. People are becoming more creatives in committing crimes. For instance, the latest update in yesterday paper was "Tomyam Toll". It was very smart of the scam syndicate to operate from a place known as "Serasi Tomyam Seafood" restaurant near Simpang Renggam located right between Kulai Jaya and Kluang districts.







The place was a well known R&R spot for heavy vehicles and most popular "hotspots" for fake toll receipts. Amazingly, the syndicate produced fake toll receipts identical to the one from PLUS toll booths complete with PLUS corporate logo and all the details.







Prior to this, we have been shocked with fake certificates for post graduate studies in higher learning educations from the non existence universities. Even the "datukship" honorary is also questionable from certain quaters.







Murder cases also had a twist, whereby one victim was hidden sealed under the concrete at the staircases of the premise and one been packed in a bag made believed to be a golden statue before being disposed.







It seems that people are not scared to commit crimes at any time. Snatch thieves which claim lives have become national widespread, rape and molest rates are increasing and drug addicts among juvenilles especially school going ages also rising.







Is this the price that we have to pay to survive in the modern and sophisticate eras?

Soul searching

We have another 12 days to complete our fastings before we celebrate the Ed Mubarak. Besides Nuzul Quran, the last 10 days of the fasting months are the climax of Ramadhan as one of the nights will be "Lailatul Qadr".

I love to quote Dr. Uthman El Muhammady who said that Ramadhan is the "Spiritual Spring" or in bahasa " Musim Bebunga Kerohanian".

I also wish to share the story of "Beautiful Bowl, Sweet Honey and a Strand of Hair"
as to inspire us to search for our soul and help to replenish it with purity and sincerity . Hopefully, our good intentions will be reflected through our speeches and actions. Anyway, please mind my translation and I seek forgiveness in advance incase there is any mistake.

One day, Fatimah ( Rasulullah's daughter) served sweet honey in a beautiful bowl to Rasulullah SAW and his four close friends, Abu Bakar, Umar, Uthman and Ali. A strand of hair was accidentaly dropped in the bowl. Rasulullah SAW proposed to his friends to make comparison based on the beautiful bowl, sweet honey and a strand of hair. So, each of them came up with the comparisons.

Abu Bakar : Faith is more beautiful than the beautiful bowl, those who are faithfuls are sweeter than the sweet honey and to keep the faith is far more difficult than to cross over a strand of hair.

Umar : Government is more beautiful than the beautiful bowl, the Ruler is sweeter than the sweet honey and to govern with fair and justice is far more difficult than to cross over a strand of hair.

Uthman : Knowledge is more beautiful than the beautiful bowl, knowledge seekers are sweeter than the sweet honey and to practice the knowledge is far more difficult than to cross over a strand of hair.

Ali : Guest is more beautiful than the beautiful bowl, welcoming the guest is sweeter than the sweet honey and to satisfy the guest through out the stay is far more difficult than to cross over a strand of hair.

Fatimah : Muslimah is more beautiful than the beautiful bowl, Muslimah with hijab and purdah is sweeter than the sweet honey, to get the real Muslimah is far more difficult than to cross over a strand of hair.

Rasulullah SAW : Those who gain guidance from Allah is more beautiful than the beautiful bowl, those who practice the good deeds is sweeter than the sweet honey and sincerity in the practice is far more difficult than to cross over a strand of hair.

Jibrail : To construct and strenghten the pillars of religion is more beautiful than the beautiful bowl, to surrender oneself, wealth and time towards the religion is sweeter than the sweet honey and to sustain it till death is far more difficult than to cross over a strand of hair.

Allah SWT : Paradise is more beautiful than the beautiful bowl, bliss in Paradise is sweeter than the sweet honey and the pathway to the Paradise is far more difficult than to cross over a strand of hair.

Nuzul Al-Quran

Nuzul Al-Quran marks the day when the first Quranic verse, Al-Alaq were descended upon Prophet Muhammad SAW on the 17th of Ramadan. It took 23 years for all the verses to be revealed bit by bit. In Malaysia, we celebrate what we called the "Nuzul (Revelation) Al-Quran" marking the time when the whole content of the Quran is descended upon human kind.

Some states, like Selangor, celebrate Nuzul Al-Quran with a public holiday. And of course, with Aidil Fitri celebration fast approaching, most people start their shopping spree in earnest. They make their way to Kuala Lumpur, notably around the Masjid Jame' and Masjid India area. Poor workers in Kuala Lumpur, with the flux of people coming in to do their shopping, the traffic jam become nightmarish!!

Going Green

I love gardening during my free time. I can spend hours to be in my garden. The feeling of peaceful and tranquility can fill up my mind and soul. Practically, this is the place where I sweat and build my muscles. In fact gardening helps to increase bone density and exposure to morning sun is a good source of Vitamin D.



I am a conventional type of person who will opt chemical as the last resort. Well, my garden not really on pure organic, but I purchase organic base fertilizer from the flea market (Pasar Tani) and make my own plant tonic. The tonic is made from the preservatives of all wet grocery wastes and left over food. I water my plants using water which I store in buckets for one night to reduce the chlorine effect.



The most important secret is to provide tender, loving and care for the plants. So, this is the story how I keep my small plot of garden 12 ft by 10 ft blooming. Another additional advantage is that I will get aromatherapy free of charge from the roses and jasmines...mmm...I really love the sweet smell....



My garden is filled up with shrubs, flowering, decorative plants and a few herbs. Vegetables are not in my list. No particular reason, it's just not my interest...



Normally, I get my supply of vegetables from flea market and occasionaly I will buy nicely pack organic greens from supermarket. The organic product is surely strain off my budget but I prefer the taste especially lettuce. It has sweet and fresh taste compared to the one from flea market which is bitter. I can consume bitter produce but it's just sound not right for lettuce.



I notice some vegetables especially the green leafy ones, like kailan, tomatoes and chilies have whitish coating on the outer layer. I believe this is the residue of chemical pesticides.So, normally I will soak all the vegetables in salt water for at least 30 minutes before cleansing.



Actually, we are left with little choice to get free toxic food. We might opt for organic products but it is too costly. Even, the environment surrounding us also been heavily polluted from day to day. May be its time for me to consider growing vegetables.....

Alphabet Soup

I discovered this interesting article about 26 letters in English alphabet that form into string of wonderful words.

• Aegilops is the longest word with letters in alphabetical order. Means goat grass
• Queuing has the longest run of vowels
• Swims is the longest word with 180 degree symmetry
• Stressed & Desserts are the longest words reversible
• Esophagographers is the longest word that repeat all the letters
• Strength is the longest wor with only one vowel
• Stewardesses is the longest word can be typed with left hand
• Dermatoglyphics is the longest word without repeating letter
• Latchstring has the longest string of consonants
• Screeched is the longest one syllable word
• Honorificabilitudinitatibus is the longest word to alternate consonants and vowels

Source : Readers Digest (February 2009)

Ramadhan Diet

We are already half way through fasting months and Alhamdulillah, we are given the strength and good health to carry out this third "Rukun Islam" with peaceful mind and surroundings. Though there are few turmoils in our country recently like the issues of Tan Beng Hock, Kartika Sari, Kampung Buah Pala and the cow's head at the Secretariat Building. Even the flood affects the villages in Yan, Kedah is nothing compared to earthquake that struck Indonesia on 3 Sept. 2009.



It claimed 33 lives, 305 injured, 40 missing and dozens of buildings collapsed. "Innalillah...."



We really have to be grateful as everyday, we have food on our table and able to break fast and "sahur" with our beloved family. Sometimes, we take things for granted as we only think of delicious foods without consider the health aspects.



Actually, we should maintain the diet simple as possible similar to our daily diet. We should eat a balanced diet that contains fruits, vegetables, meat or fish, bread, cereal and dairy products. Oily and fried food should be limited.



I would like to highlight some health problems during fastings related to poor diet as follows:

Constipation

Too much refined food, lack of fibre intake and too little water.

Indigestion and wind

Overeating, oily, fatty and spicy foods. Also food that produce gas like eggs, cabbage, lentils and carbonated drinks.

Lethargy

Too little water and reduced salt intake.

Headache

Dehydration, caffeine and tobacco withdrawal, hunger, lack of sleep and too active during the day.

Low blood sugar in non-diabetics

Refined carbohydrates such as sugar and white flour.

Muscle cramps

Lack of calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Peptic ulcers, heartburn and gastrics

Increased acidity in stomach. Avoid spicy foods, coffee and carbonated drinks.

Hopefully we will benefit from this informations.

Source : The New Straits Times, 29 August 2009.

New Petrol Pricing of RON95 and RON97

This is dedicated to Miss Berlian Eleanor who wished to be updated on the new petrol pricing. Hopefully this information will help you and the others keep updated. Im sorry as I could not publish it earlier as my computer is running down with virus. At the moment, I have to beg my beloved husband to use his laptop...

The price of the newly introduced RON95 is RM1.80 which is 5 cent higher than its previous price.

RON97 has been upgraded as premium product is selling at RM2.05 compared to RM1.80 before. There is an increment of 15 cents.

The price were decided based on the current automatic pricing mechanism according to Domestic Trade, Co-operative and Consumerism Minister.

The price is subject to further revise pending on global prices and approval from Economic Council.

For information, RON95 is adheres to EURO2M specification and has additive to be less polluted. RON92 has been phased out as it usage was only 5% of total petrol sales.

Doodle

At any time when I sit in front of a table, I really need a pen or pencil and a piece of paper. Even, when I was on the phone with someone, my hand would be busy scribblings. Most of my colleagues noticed this habbit especially during meeting times previously. Now, even my daughter also makes remark of my habbit.

I just can't stop it. It has been with me since school times. Little did I know that my habbit was a good one until I read about the article in July 2009 Reader's Digest.

Actually, doodle helps improve concentration level and recall capabilities.

The underlying reason is that doodling stops daydreaming. Daydreaming takes a lot of mental energy. So, you will stay focus and concentrate when your minds stop wandering.

I also learned from The Star, that doodling is one of the ways to combat stress.

Don't believe? Why not you give yourself a chance and see the outcoming result.

Male Versus Female

"Man from Mars,Women from Venus" sounds familiar? This genders different also not left out
in medical field as discovered by researchers recently ...that makes us individuals and unique living creatures...Here is the article I extracted and summarized from Reader's Digest of July 2009 issue...dedicated specially to my husband...

Into Our Future

Women live longer than men, so many diseases of old age, such as dementia, are viewed as largely female problems. But it's not just old age causing dementia in women. Some studies link dementia with oestrogen. Other work has shown a cognitive decline after menopause due to sex-based differences in the way the brain ages.

Sex differences have implications for the care of older people. Women are more likely to be looking after others as they age. By the time they need care themselves, many will be widowed and living alone. ( Professor Julie Byles, Director of Research Centre for Gender Health and Ageing, Newcastle University).

Men, on the other hand, tend to become more isolated. They're more likely to continue driving but may struggle if they have to cook and look after the house themselves.

It is important that services are designed with an understanding of the differences for men and women (Professor Byles).

Did You Say That Hurt?

Women have a higher pain threshold than men because they have the babies, right? Well, not really.

Men and women experience pain differently - and they respond to pain relief differently, too. Men's blood pressure (BP) rises when they're in pain; women's heart rate increases but their BP remains stable or may even fall.

Women appear to feel some kinds of pain more keenly. In controlled experiments, when researches apply heat or pressure, women are more likely to find it painful at lower levels than men. It appears women's physiology may be to blame. Hormones can influence how nerves operate, and also how the body's natural pain-relieving agents work.

However, studies show other types of pain are felt more strongly by men, and they get less relief from some pain-relieving opiates.

Pain is poorly managed in hospitals on the whole. The fact that women and men response differently to pain isn't well included in practice .

Young men are under treated for pain as they are considered as wimps. Matter of fact, they are more sensitive to specific types of pain than women. (Dr. Jo Wainer, Director Gender and Medicine Research Unit, Monarsh University).

A Different Prescription

Women bodies differ in things such as body weight, body composition, liver and kidney functions either metabolise or excrete drugs and hormone fluctuation are factors that influence how drugs work in women. This also means women may suffer greater side effects than men. (Debbie Rigby, Vice President Pharmaceutical Society Australia).

Evidence in US found dozens of drugs could potentially cause fatal heart problems in women than men.

A large 2005 study into aspirin reveals that it doesn't protect women from heart attack similarly to men.

It also applies to statins (the cholesterol-lowering"wonder drugs"). In 2004, published research in Journal of the American Medical Association, found statins had no effect on mortality rates of women without cardiovascular disease.

Zoloft ( an antidepressant) is used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has adverse effect on men.

How the Mood Swings

Women have higher rates of depression and willingly admit the conditions. Men, on the other hand, label it as stress (Dr. Kerryn Phelps).

There is a strong body of evidence that male and female brains wired differently which reflect different symptoms of depression. Women, are more likely to suffer hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness), overeat and some anxiety disorders.

The challenge lies to medical staff to identify depression in men and prescribe the right prescription.

Most drugs used to treat psychiatric disorders are stored in body fat which women are prone to suffer the side effects sooner due to the greater body fat percentage.