Three year six friends went for the swimming outings at Sungai Guar Perahu in Bukit Mertajam has ended with a tragedy when one of the boys, Cheong Sze Ling, was drowned.
His too other friends were too terrified and traumatized with the incident which made them hid the dark secret.
One of the friend skipped school and the other one broke down when revealed the ordeal to his school teacher the next day.
This was the second tragedy involved year six pupils and related to water accident. A few days ago, 3 pupils were sacrificed when the narrow suspension bridge collapsed while attending the 1M Camp in Kampar, Perak.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Fair Treatment
In this modern era, every thing seems myriad away previously is no longer a big deal. It all started with Micheal Jackson who has transformed himself from black to white.
It was reported in yesterday paper (sorry as I can't update my blog yesterday as the link was disconnected due to unforeseen heavy rain and thunderstorms) that an aspiring actress and model went for the glow and pigmentation treatment but ended up with a disfigured face.
The 'fair treatment' had taken its toll and twist the fate of the beauty. She claimed that her face now was peeling, wrinkled and covered in ugly dark spots, forcing her to move around with her face covered.
I think people are easily influenced with the beauty advertisements which claim wonders without realizing on the dangers. Even, if the unlucky lady managed to transform perfectly without complications, she still has to bear the effect of the treatment.
I believe that an exposure to sun is definitely a no-no and what a waste if we could not enjoy the gift of natures from Almighty just to enjoy the 'look' that we desire.
Beauty will not last forever as it will fade away as we get older. The inner beauty is more valuable as it will radiant and glow even if you are aging...
It was reported in yesterday paper (sorry as I can't update my blog yesterday as the link was disconnected due to unforeseen heavy rain and thunderstorms) that an aspiring actress and model went for the glow and pigmentation treatment but ended up with a disfigured face.
The 'fair treatment' had taken its toll and twist the fate of the beauty. She claimed that her face now was peeling, wrinkled and covered in ugly dark spots, forcing her to move around with her face covered.
I think people are easily influenced with the beauty advertisements which claim wonders without realizing on the dangers. Even, if the unlucky lady managed to transform perfectly without complications, she still has to bear the effect of the treatment.
I believe that an exposure to sun is definitely a no-no and what a waste if we could not enjoy the gift of natures from Almighty just to enjoy the 'look' that we desire.
Beauty will not last forever as it will fade away as we get older. The inner beauty is more valuable as it will radiant and glow even if you are aging...
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Too Much
I've just read in today's newspaper on the news about a nine-year-old girl was slapped by her disciplinary teacher for being 10 minutes late to school.
She was late due to heavy morning traffic jam in Puchong. The mother was only been informed of the incident when she fetched her daughter after school session.
According to the mother, she was shocked to see her daughter's face swollen. Furthermore, she claimed that the school ignored her complaint and rejected her request to see the disciplinary teacher.
If this was true, personally, I felt the action was too much. The matter could be tackle differently and a lot of other disciplinary actions could be imposed.
Through my experience, normally, we would loss our temper and felt like slapping someone's else face if the other person retaliated either using abusive or harsh words. However, a normal and mentally sound human being would not easily lose one's temper especially early in the morning over a trivial matter.
Hopefully, the parties involved should clarify on the actual incident as to clear the air.
She was late due to heavy morning traffic jam in Puchong. The mother was only been informed of the incident when she fetched her daughter after school session.
According to the mother, she was shocked to see her daughter's face swollen. Furthermore, she claimed that the school ignored her complaint and rejected her request to see the disciplinary teacher.
If this was true, personally, I felt the action was too much. The matter could be tackle differently and a lot of other disciplinary actions could be imposed.
Through my experience, normally, we would loss our temper and felt like slapping someone's else face if the other person retaliated either using abusive or harsh words. However, a normal and mentally sound human being would not easily lose one's temper especially early in the morning over a trivial matter.
Hopefully, the parties involved should clarify on the actual incident as to clear the air.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Power of Forgiveness
I received this beautiful poem about the journey of two friends from a friend whom I just get reconnected recently through facebook after twenty six years we had lost contact.
The poem is really touching as the power of forgiveness is the key to maintain good relationships. To my dear friend, thank you for sharing it with me.
TWO FRIENDS
TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING
THROUGH THE DESERT
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT;
AND ONE FRIEND SLAPPED THE
OTHER ONE IN THE FACE!
THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED WAS HURT,
BUT WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND:
TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE...
THEY KEPT ON WALKING
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS
WHERE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH
THE ONE WHO BEEN SLAPPED
GOT STUCK IN THE MIRE!
AND STARTED DROWNING
BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM
AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM THE NEAR
DROWNING, HE WROTE ON A STONE :
TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.
THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED AND
SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND ASKED HIM
'AFTER I HURT YOU, YOU WROTE ON THE SAND AND
NOW, YOU WROTE ON A STONE, WHY?'
THE FRIEND REPLIED, WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US,
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN IN SAND
WHERE WINDS OF FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY
BUT WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE,
WHERE NO WIND CAN EVER ERASE IT.
The poem is really touching as the power of forgiveness is the key to maintain good relationships. To my dear friend, thank you for sharing it with me.
TWO FRIENDS
TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING
THROUGH THE DESERT
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT;
AND ONE FRIEND SLAPPED THE
OTHER ONE IN THE FACE!
THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED WAS HURT,
BUT WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND:
TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE...
THEY KEPT ON WALKING
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS
WHERE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH
THE ONE WHO BEEN SLAPPED
GOT STUCK IN THE MIRE!
AND STARTED DROWNING
BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM
AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM THE NEAR
DROWNING, HE WROTE ON A STONE :
TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.
THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED AND
SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND ASKED HIM
'AFTER I HURT YOU, YOU WROTE ON THE SAND AND
NOW, YOU WROTE ON A STONE, WHY?'
THE FRIEND REPLIED, WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US,
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN IN SAND
WHERE WINDS OF FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY
BUT WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE,
WHERE NO WIND CAN EVER ERASE IT.
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Tragedy
Anger is fire which burn you inside out. The tragedy which claimed a life and left the daughter blinded occurred to a family of four in Penang.
It all started with heaty arguments between the couples over their daughter. The husband disagreed with the wife who let the daughter help her at the food stall and instead wanted her to spend more time studying.
The final argument ended when the husband splashed acid to the two of them and left the 17 year old schoolgirl permanently blinded and her mother death.
Eventhough the father surrendered himself, the girl's future is in bleak. Time would not return her the mother and her eye sights.
Was it worth to let your anger overcome you and spoiled all the things that you loved. So, in future think before you say or act as the consequences might be hard to swallow...
It all started with heaty arguments between the couples over their daughter. The husband disagreed with the wife who let the daughter help her at the food stall and instead wanted her to spend more time studying.
The final argument ended when the husband splashed acid to the two of them and left the 17 year old schoolgirl permanently blinded and her mother death.
Eventhough the father surrendered himself, the girl's future is in bleak. Time would not return her the mother and her eye sights.
Was it worth to let your anger overcome you and spoiled all the things that you loved. So, in future think before you say or act as the consequences might be hard to swallow...
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The Concert
No, I'm not talking about Akon concert at the Sunway Lagoon, but Elvis Presley...
My 6 years old son has impersonated the king of pop for his kindergarten concert yesterday. He was all dressed up in white long sleeve shirt with extra large sequin colar, silver glittering pants complete with necklace with letter "E" and a guitar.
Seeing him confidently performed on the stage with applauded from the floor really made me realize that my son has grown up.
He was no longer a little boy who always cried for me and could not lose me from his sights. He used to cry for the first month when first attended school.
He has developed a new horizon in his life and definitely mine too...I love you darling...
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Control your Temper
Just had a chit chat with a friend who has to tolerate with the husband's temper. So, to my dear friend hopefully you have the strength to overcome the problem and may Allah guide you in finding the solutions.
Believe that every problem has a way out...here I wish to share lines of a poem( I think so) which was shared to me by other friend.
The strength of a man
isn't in how hard he hits
It is in how tender
he touches...
The strength of a man
isn't in the weight he can lift
It is in the burdens that he can carry
I also found an article in SDK Magazine, June 2008 which hopefully benefit us in strengthening our marital relationships.
6 ways to help husbands to control their tempers
1. Positive Thinking
Husband should always think positively. Identify your anger. Isolate the work related problems and personal problems. Never let your wife be a scapegoat and throw your anger to her when it is work related issues.
2. Treat a wife as a friend
Release your tense and stress by telling your partner on your emotional status. The wife would feel appreciated as you are willing to share with her.
3. Avoid Punishing Oneself
Be rational. Don't put the blame on yourself or others. A wife is for you to care and love.
4. Tell the Truth
Honesty is the best policy. Don't hide your problem from your wife especially the one involves financial. Sit down and discuss on the problem and try to come up with solutions.
5. BedtimeUse the opportunity to thanks and apologise to your partner.
6. AblutionsPut the fire off with ablutions.
Also, it is good to look in my previous article "Taming your Temper" September 2009.
Believe that every problem has a way out...here I wish to share lines of a poem( I think so) which was shared to me by other friend.
The strength of a man
isn't in how hard he hits
It is in how tender
he touches...
The strength of a man
isn't in the weight he can lift
It is in the burdens that he can carry
I also found an article in SDK Magazine, June 2008 which hopefully benefit us in strengthening our marital relationships.
6 ways to help husbands to control their tempers
1. Positive Thinking
Husband should always think positively. Identify your anger. Isolate the work related problems and personal problems. Never let your wife be a scapegoat and throw your anger to her when it is work related issues.
2. Treat a wife as a friend
Release your tense and stress by telling your partner on your emotional status. The wife would feel appreciated as you are willing to share with her.
3. Avoid Punishing Oneself
Be rational. Don't put the blame on yourself or others. A wife is for you to care and love.
4. Tell the Truth
Honesty is the best policy. Don't hide your problem from your wife especially the one involves financial. Sit down and discuss on the problem and try to come up with solutions.
5. BedtimeUse the opportunity to thanks and apologise to your partner.
6. AblutionsPut the fire off with ablutions.
Also, it is good to look in my previous article "Taming your Temper" September 2009.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Midlife Crisis
Majority of people would agree that life begins at 40 for man. This is the turning point to see the changes either good or bad.
A good friend of mine, once advised and cautious me that her guy changed when he reached 40. She said the hubby easily sulk on small matters and she had to treat him like he used to treat her during their courtship period. I just took it lightly and hopefully mine would behave better.
Another friend told me about his father (a non smoker) started to pick smoking habits in his 40s.
I found this article about mid life crisis in reader's Digest , August 2009 and would like to share the 10 signs of midlife crisis :
1. Job Change
This is a terrifying early warning sign that meltdown is imminent. When he comes home and announces he is leaving his 30-year career in insurance to open a home-brew supply business, you know you're in bumpy ride.
2. Death-defying behaviour
And potentially widow-making. This is when he comes home and announces he is going to take up rally driving/BASE-jumping/big-wave surfing. "Life is short,"he philosophies. "I don't want to die without ever having thrown myself off a cliff."
3. Grooming
When one day he looks in the mirror and sees some old guy looking back at him. Eeeek! He panics, ditches his trusty barber for a stylist who does highlights, books in for a back wax and buys a new wardrobe and some musky man scent.
4. Reverting to twenties behaviour
This classic attempt at recapturing lost youth usually involves the sudden desire to go to music concerts, drink excessively, and live on nothing but junk food and two-minute noodles. This will ultimately undo or lead to point 5.
5. Excessive frenzy
he's at gym three mornings a week and watches his reflection in the window as he lifts the new flat-screen out of the car. One of the few MLC symptoms to be encouraged.
6. Outrages purchases
You come home from work to find a Harley- Davidson Fat Boy/Hummer parked in the driveway and a 65in flat screen TV installed in the shed. That money was supposed to last until you were 90, but it's nice to see him smiling - for a change.
7. FlirtingThe old "have I still got it?" trap. It's a nagging questions that leads many a man of a certain age to drop his voice an octave, lean casually on reception desks while flicking back his newly highlighted hair and say things like ,"Let's hook up for a Cosmopolitan," to girls younger than his own daughter. Most harmless but can lead to over-inflated egos and/or arrest.
8. Seeking out old lives
This is either in the obvious form of finding his first girlfriend on facebook , rediscovering the rush of skateboarding or digging out his old amp and bass for a jam. This is a desperate attempt at reminding himself of who he used to be and why people liked him. Can lead to bouts of self-absorbed nostalgia and using words like "cool" a lot.
9. IrresponsibilityHe gets the words "free spirit" tattooed across his shoulders, starts paying for everything on credit and stays up until 2 am watching soccer.
10. Excessive reminiscing
"Remember that time when the band played and we all stayed up all night drinking beer and talking about how one day we'd...blablabla."
A good friend of mine, once advised and cautious me that her guy changed when he reached 40. She said the hubby easily sulk on small matters and she had to treat him like he used to treat her during their courtship period. I just took it lightly and hopefully mine would behave better.
Another friend told me about his father (a non smoker) started to pick smoking habits in his 40s.
I found this article about mid life crisis in reader's Digest , August 2009 and would like to share the 10 signs of midlife crisis :
1. Job Change
This is a terrifying early warning sign that meltdown is imminent. When he comes home and announces he is leaving his 30-year career in insurance to open a home-brew supply business, you know you're in bumpy ride.
2. Death-defying behaviour
And potentially widow-making. This is when he comes home and announces he is going to take up rally driving/BASE-jumping/big-wave surfing. "Life is short,"he philosophies. "I don't want to die without ever having thrown myself off a cliff."
3. Grooming
When one day he looks in the mirror and sees some old guy looking back at him. Eeeek! He panics, ditches his trusty barber for a stylist who does highlights, books in for a back wax and buys a new wardrobe and some musky man scent.
4. Reverting to twenties behaviour
This classic attempt at recapturing lost youth usually involves the sudden desire to go to music concerts, drink excessively, and live on nothing but junk food and two-minute noodles. This will ultimately undo or lead to point 5.
5. Excessive frenzy
he's at gym three mornings a week and watches his reflection in the window as he lifts the new flat-screen out of the car. One of the few MLC symptoms to be encouraged.
6. Outrages purchases
You come home from work to find a Harley- Davidson Fat Boy/Hummer parked in the driveway and a 65in flat screen TV installed in the shed. That money was supposed to last until you were 90, but it's nice to see him smiling - for a change.
7. FlirtingThe old "have I still got it?" trap. It's a nagging questions that leads many a man of a certain age to drop his voice an octave, lean casually on reception desks while flicking back his newly highlighted hair and say things like ,"Let's hook up for a Cosmopolitan," to girls younger than his own daughter. Most harmless but can lead to over-inflated egos and/or arrest.
8. Seeking out old lives
This is either in the obvious form of finding his first girlfriend on facebook , rediscovering the rush of skateboarding or digging out his old amp and bass for a jam. This is a desperate attempt at reminding himself of who he used to be and why people liked him. Can lead to bouts of self-absorbed nostalgia and using words like "cool" a lot.
9. IrresponsibilityHe gets the words "free spirit" tattooed across his shoulders, starts paying for everything on credit and stays up until 2 am watching soccer.
10. Excessive reminiscing
"Remember that time when the band played and we all stayed up all night drinking beer and talking about how one day we'd...blablabla."
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Homicide or Suicide?
Interesting...interesting...The deceased of Teoh Beng Huat had made another headlines in local newspapers again.
Actually, I had only followed the Teoh's case in the early stage and really liked questions posted by the Teoh's family council, Gobind Singh Deo. I would consider his questions were relevant and intellectual as he gave attentions to details even to the extend at one point questioned on Teoh's shoes.
Then, the case seemed to be in "ding dong" stages similar to Altantuya case which only sparked at the beginning and went on for so long with a lot of thresholds...
However, the famous flamboyant Thai forensic pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand statement that 80% probability his death was a homicide and only 20% probability that he committed suicide recaptured my attention.
Based on her expertise, her arguments were as follows :
First, she testified that the marks on Teoh's neck looked like he had been manually strangled.
Second, She referred the anal tear Teoh suffered as a "penetrative injury" which she had never seen before in cases of a fall. She added that if it was caused by a bone protrusion, it would have come from the inside of Teoh's anus.
Third, Teoh's skull fracture was not a typical of a transferred injury due to a fall but was more compatible with a blunt force being directly inflicted to the head. Typically the impact of fall would be a ring fracture at the base of the skull around the spinal column and not a cervical fracture as suffered by Teoh.
Dr Pornthip's testimonies really stirred the case.
A bit on the background of Dr. Pornthip.
She is the director-general of Thailand's Ministry of Justices Central Institute of Forensic Science. Well known for her prowess in cracking open complicated homicide cases. Her life and work was narrated in the National Geographic documentary Crime Scene Bangkok in 2004. Author of Investigation of Corpses which sold 100 000 copies in Thailand.
May be her testimonies yet need to be approved to entangle on the mystery of the death. At this point only Teoh could explain what really happen...but of course it was impossible to talk to the death...
Actually, I had only followed the Teoh's case in the early stage and really liked questions posted by the Teoh's family council, Gobind Singh Deo. I would consider his questions were relevant and intellectual as he gave attentions to details even to the extend at one point questioned on Teoh's shoes.
Then, the case seemed to be in "ding dong" stages similar to Altantuya case which only sparked at the beginning and went on for so long with a lot of thresholds...
However, the famous flamboyant Thai forensic pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand statement that 80% probability his death was a homicide and only 20% probability that he committed suicide recaptured my attention.
Based on her expertise, her arguments were as follows :
First, she testified that the marks on Teoh's neck looked like he had been manually strangled.
Second, She referred the anal tear Teoh suffered as a "penetrative injury" which she had never seen before in cases of a fall. She added that if it was caused by a bone protrusion, it would have come from the inside of Teoh's anus.
Third, Teoh's skull fracture was not a typical of a transferred injury due to a fall but was more compatible with a blunt force being directly inflicted to the head. Typically the impact of fall would be a ring fracture at the base of the skull around the spinal column and not a cervical fracture as suffered by Teoh.
Dr Pornthip's testimonies really stirred the case.
A bit on the background of Dr. Pornthip.
She is the director-general of Thailand's Ministry of Justices Central Institute of Forensic Science. Well known for her prowess in cracking open complicated homicide cases. Her life and work was narrated in the National Geographic documentary Crime Scene Bangkok in 2004. Author of Investigation of Corpses which sold 100 000 copies in Thailand.
May be her testimonies yet need to be approved to entangle on the mystery of the death. At this point only Teoh could explain what really happen...but of course it was impossible to talk to the death...
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Size Matter
I still remembered my primary school days in the 70's...my headmistress, the late Miss Sibert, was not an ordinary person. Her presence was noticeable not only because she emphasised on disciplinary but also her physical built up.
She seemed like walking drum barrel with jolted head since her size was XXXL, I guessed. Throughout the years she only had one designed of attires, knee length dress with short sleeves and pair of black sandals.
When she spoke everybody listened. The moment we saw her along the school corridors making her routine morning round, everybody was glued to the seat. Even the naughtiest one would behave.
When she retired in early 90's, the school teachers and kids had made special trishaw paraded for her. I just viewed the photographed from the local newspaper. She remained the same through out the years except aging...and I was truly happy for the respects she gained as she deserved it.
The reason I revealed her physical conditions was not meant to talk bad behind her back (especially when she was no longer with us) but to respond on the complaint by Joanna Gilbert Asson.
She claimed that she was discriminated by a senior officer at the Teachers Training College Rajang for being "fat". She was a business administration graduate from UNITEN and was successfully accepted to the later college after she passed the prerequisite examinations and interviewed by the college panel.
Well, if the claim was true, then in this era size does matter. Just look around us even in the music industry, those who are born with talents but lack in physical appearance, would not be credited compared to those who are gifted with beauty.
So, I wonder if Miss Sibert was born in this era, will she be able to secure her position as headmistress even though she had all the qualities ?
She seemed like walking drum barrel with jolted head since her size was XXXL, I guessed. Throughout the years she only had one designed of attires, knee length dress with short sleeves and pair of black sandals.
When she spoke everybody listened. The moment we saw her along the school corridors making her routine morning round, everybody was glued to the seat. Even the naughtiest one would behave.
When she retired in early 90's, the school teachers and kids had made special trishaw paraded for her. I just viewed the photographed from the local newspaper. She remained the same through out the years except aging...and I was truly happy for the respects she gained as she deserved it.
The reason I revealed her physical conditions was not meant to talk bad behind her back (especially when she was no longer with us) but to respond on the complaint by Joanna Gilbert Asson.
She claimed that she was discriminated by a senior officer at the Teachers Training College Rajang for being "fat". She was a business administration graduate from UNITEN and was successfully accepted to the later college after she passed the prerequisite examinations and interviewed by the college panel.
Well, if the claim was true, then in this era size does matter. Just look around us even in the music industry, those who are born with talents but lack in physical appearance, would not be credited compared to those who are gifted with beauty.
So, I wonder if Miss Sibert was born in this era, will she be able to secure her position as headmistress even though she had all the qualities ?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)
Anyone who spends two hours or more continuously in a day in front of a computer screen is prone to CVS. Human vision system is not designed for long hours of computer viewing.
CVS symptoms range from neck aches and headaches to dry, irritated eyes and blurred or double vision.
The impact of CVS is worse for those who use PDA screen like Blackberries and iPhone.
Thus, following are a few simple measures to help those who are tethered to iPhones and Blackberries see a little easier :
1. Sharpen the image of the PDA screen with antiglare films or increase the font.
2. Supplement your diet with Omega 3's in flaxseed and fish oil to help lubricate the eyes for long term. Recommended dosage 1000 mgs/day.
3. Go for eyes test. Doctors will be able to prescribe suitable eyewear with special computer lenses to reduce eyestrain.
4. Follow the 20/20/20 rule. Every 20 minutes take a break and with each eye look at something about 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds.
5. Proper lighting.
6. Remember to blink. Blinking helps rewet the eyes and prevent dryness/irritation.
7. Clean your screen.
Source : HealthNewsDigest.com
CVS symptoms range from neck aches and headaches to dry, irritated eyes and blurred or double vision.
The impact of CVS is worse for those who use PDA screen like Blackberries and iPhone.
Thus, following are a few simple measures to help those who are tethered to iPhones and Blackberries see a little easier :
1. Sharpen the image of the PDA screen with antiglare films or increase the font.
2. Supplement your diet with Omega 3's in flaxseed and fish oil to help lubricate the eyes for long term. Recommended dosage 1000 mgs/day.
3. Go for eyes test. Doctors will be able to prescribe suitable eyewear with special computer lenses to reduce eyestrain.
4. Follow the 20/20/20 rule. Every 20 minutes take a break and with each eye look at something about 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds.
5. Proper lighting.
6. Remember to blink. Blinking helps rewet the eyes and prevent dryness/irritation.
7. Clean your screen.
Source : HealthNewsDigest.com
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Less Fortunate
Wish to express my gratitude to Ustaz Cahaya who has highlighted on the issue of Slumdog Millionaire Kids (Reader's Digest Oct 2009).
Every time my heart sank when the issue of the less fortunate been raised. I still remembered, I was six years old then, my father would put a 10 cent coin in my palm and made me handed over to a beggar if we happened to spot one whether at the clinic or roadside. Sometimes the beggars were blind, amputated and some would had two to three kids surrounding them. It was the first soul lesson I learnt.
I tried to instill the same value to my kids similar to what my father's practiced. I guessed we tend to follow suit what our parents had passed to us especially the ones involve values in raising our kids...
Noticed one common thing when I requested the kids to pass over the money to the beggars. Maybe the physical appearance of the beggars scared them off. I had to reassure them that there was nothing to be scared of as they were also humans like us.
However, I would be selective to whom I would give the money as nowadays most cases were not genuine. Some parties took advantage and made their official professions and some were plotted by syndicates.
I really could not tolerate with the syndicate that took advantage of kids to fulfill their missions. Recently, I sympathised with a baby (I guessed about 2 or 3 months old) been carried around by a foreign lady to beg at the nearby Pasar Tani. I was really put out off and dared not look into those innocent eyes...
"That baby doesn't look the mother la..." my eldest daughter scoffed off. Even, the young ones noticed...
At first, I felt like snatching off the baby and surrendered to the police but scared of the agent/syndicate which might hiding somewhere, second was to report the matter to the police and third should I give the money...
I did not proceed with option 2 as I knew the syndicate would flee off once they smelled the police and option no 3 was against my principle. I would give the money for the sake of the baby but at the end of the day, the money would still go to the syndicate's pockets. I felt so helpless...
That night I had a hard time to sleep thinking of the baby... Well, actually the existence of slumdog millionaire kids are worldwide issues since there are opportunist and greedy people willing to take advantages of the kids for their own well beings...
Every time my heart sank when the issue of the less fortunate been raised. I still remembered, I was six years old then, my father would put a 10 cent coin in my palm and made me handed over to a beggar if we happened to spot one whether at the clinic or roadside. Sometimes the beggars were blind, amputated and some would had two to three kids surrounding them. It was the first soul lesson I learnt.
I tried to instill the same value to my kids similar to what my father's practiced. I guessed we tend to follow suit what our parents had passed to us especially the ones involve values in raising our kids...
Noticed one common thing when I requested the kids to pass over the money to the beggars. Maybe the physical appearance of the beggars scared them off. I had to reassure them that there was nothing to be scared of as they were also humans like us.
However, I would be selective to whom I would give the money as nowadays most cases were not genuine. Some parties took advantage and made their official professions and some were plotted by syndicates.
I really could not tolerate with the syndicate that took advantage of kids to fulfill their missions. Recently, I sympathised with a baby (I guessed about 2 or 3 months old) been carried around by a foreign lady to beg at the nearby Pasar Tani. I was really put out off and dared not look into those innocent eyes...
"That baby doesn't look the mother la..." my eldest daughter scoffed off. Even, the young ones noticed...
At first, I felt like snatching off the baby and surrendered to the police but scared of the agent/syndicate which might hiding somewhere, second was to report the matter to the police and third should I give the money...
I did not proceed with option 2 as I knew the syndicate would flee off once they smelled the police and option no 3 was against my principle. I would give the money for the sake of the baby but at the end of the day, the money would still go to the syndicate's pockets. I felt so helpless...
That night I had a hard time to sleep thinking of the baby... Well, actually the existence of slumdog millionaire kids are worldwide issues since there are opportunist and greedy people willing to take advantages of the kids for their own well beings...
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Lost
Amelia Lopez, 97 years old, was the oldest blogger in the cyberspace passed away last week. It was a great loss to her followers. She had shared a lot of enchanting experiences through her lives.
She started her blog 2 years ago without any knowledge about cyberspace.
She managed to attract attentions of youngsters worldwide and got connected through her blog. In other words, she managed to bridge the generation gaps.
Her efforts had been recognised by Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zaparto.
She started her blog 2 years ago without any knowledge about cyberspace.
She managed to attract attentions of youngsters worldwide and got connected through her blog. In other words, she managed to bridge the generation gaps.
Her efforts had been recognised by Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zaparto.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Deepavali Weekends
Today is Deepavali, another festival celebration in Malaysia by the Indians. The firecrackers has been heard since late last night until present as there are three Indian families within my neighbourhood.
Apart from the firecrackers, the surrounding environment is quiet as most of the populations are taking the advantage of the long break to go for holidays and the Muslims still holding the open houses as Raya is not over yet. My kids have their school breaks from Friday until Monday.
Poor thing that my husband has to attend a 3 days workshop in Ampang, Selangor since yesterday. We have been stuck in the house as my husband chose to stay in the hotel as the workshops end at 11p.m.
I have to be creative with the kids as to avoid being bored trap in the house. The day starts with the kids preparing their own breakfast. In between breakfast and lunch, I have assigned each of them with separate task. The eldest has to fold baskets of clothes, the second has to do the washings and the third to vacuum the carpets. The youngest help me around to throw rubbish and wipe the sliding door.
We have a great team work as I mop the floor and cook lunch.
I have constructed my wet kitchen to an open concept which also acts as a patio with plants. I allow them to bathe at this area as a thankyou gesture for being helpful. They love it very much as they can spend time playing with water. Last time when they were smaller, I used to place a plastic round portable swimming pool and they really had great time.
What makes the place heaven is that the row of houses behind my house are not fully occupied. Last time, the house exactly behind my house was left vacant for quite sometimes until overgrown with long grasses. So, every night while enjoying the moonlight, we also lucky as we had a chance to look at a couple of owls. The owls had converted partly of the neighbour's roof as their nest.
The owl fled off once they had a baby. Well, so much to tell about my wet kitchen and backyard compounds...
Tonight, I have promised my sons that I will spend time playing basketball in front of the house.
Apart from the firecrackers, the surrounding environment is quiet as most of the populations are taking the advantage of the long break to go for holidays and the Muslims still holding the open houses as Raya is not over yet. My kids have their school breaks from Friday until Monday.
Poor thing that my husband has to attend a 3 days workshop in Ampang, Selangor since yesterday. We have been stuck in the house as my husband chose to stay in the hotel as the workshops end at 11p.m.
I have to be creative with the kids as to avoid being bored trap in the house. The day starts with the kids preparing their own breakfast. In between breakfast and lunch, I have assigned each of them with separate task. The eldest has to fold baskets of clothes, the second has to do the washings and the third to vacuum the carpets. The youngest help me around to throw rubbish and wipe the sliding door.
We have a great team work as I mop the floor and cook lunch.
I have constructed my wet kitchen to an open concept which also acts as a patio with plants. I allow them to bathe at this area as a thankyou gesture for being helpful. They love it very much as they can spend time playing with water. Last time when they were smaller, I used to place a plastic round portable swimming pool and they really had great time.
What makes the place heaven is that the row of houses behind my house are not fully occupied. Last time, the house exactly behind my house was left vacant for quite sometimes until overgrown with long grasses. So, every night while enjoying the moonlight, we also lucky as we had a chance to look at a couple of owls. The owls had converted partly of the neighbour's roof as their nest.
The owl fled off once they had a baby. Well, so much to tell about my wet kitchen and backyard compounds...
Tonight, I have promised my sons that I will spend time playing basketball in front of the house.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Work Smart Not Hard
New Straits Time, Oct 16 2009.
Highlighted 7 guidelines that can be employed to save steps from almost any task.
1. Asses everything that needs to be done. Have an overview of the task before proceed to details.
2. Make an outline and checklist to avoid redundancy or mistakes.
3. Consider your materials. Analyse the material versus the cost and effectiveness to avoid waste.
4. Follow your plan and avoid deviation unless in avoidable circumstances. Be prepared to think on your feet and be resourceful.
5. Work as hard and as efficiently as possible. Try to finish each job as quickly as you can.
6. Recognise the point of diminishing returns. Quit when you are tired as to avoid unnecessary mistakes.
7. Finish strong. Make sure every task is in order and recheck your work before submission.
Highlighted 7 guidelines that can be employed to save steps from almost any task.
1. Asses everything that needs to be done. Have an overview of the task before proceed to details.
2. Make an outline and checklist to avoid redundancy or mistakes.
3. Consider your materials. Analyse the material versus the cost and effectiveness to avoid waste.
4. Follow your plan and avoid deviation unless in avoidable circumstances. Be prepared to think on your feet and be resourceful.
5. Work as hard and as efficiently as possible. Try to finish each job as quickly as you can.
6. Recognise the point of diminishing returns. Quit when you are tired as to avoid unnecessary mistakes.
7. Finish strong. Make sure every task is in order and recheck your work before submission.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Apple Blossom
An Apple a day will keep a doctor away. But this is the first time I heard a story of marriage been saved by an apple a day.
This is a true story of a Taiwan couple has been living together for half a century as the husband has been giving his wife an apple a day to keep their marriage sweet.
The couple, Lee Ta-Pin, 77, and Sung Chin-yu, 74, revealed their secret recently on their 50th anniversary.
Their tradition with the apple blossomed after being married for 3 months. Lee, as an army reservist, was summoned to serve in the military for 30 days. He bought a basket full of 30 apples and told her to take an apple a day when she missed him. They got reunited once she finished the last apple.
Since then, he never failed to fulfill the tradition except when the shops were closed during typhoons.
What a unique couple...
Source : The Sun, 14 October 2009.
This is a true story of a Taiwan couple has been living together for half a century as the husband has been giving his wife an apple a day to keep their marriage sweet.
The couple, Lee Ta-Pin, 77, and Sung Chin-yu, 74, revealed their secret recently on their 50th anniversary.
Their tradition with the apple blossomed after being married for 3 months. Lee, as an army reservist, was summoned to serve in the military for 30 days. He bought a basket full of 30 apples and told her to take an apple a day when she missed him. They got reunited once she finished the last apple.
Since then, he never failed to fulfill the tradition except when the shops were closed during typhoons.
What a unique couple...
Source : The Sun, 14 October 2009.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Generation Gap
Attended a friend's Raya open house a few days ago. It was a great gathering as we shared views and experiences with each other on the current issues besides the good foods.
Those parents with kids finished their UPSR seemed to be relieved while others whose kids were not done yet with PMR and SPM seemed to carry mountain of burdens. One of the topics that we touched was the peers pressures that influenced the behavioral of the teenagers. As I was not an experienced one, I became a good listener and took their mouth of words as precautions for my future undertakings.
They also warned me that I have at least a year to spare before my eldest, who is 11 currently, turns me upside down. Well, it was not the first time, I've been fed with this sort of information as the medias also highlighted the social problems among the youngsters from time to time. The only different was this time it was from the parents directly.
I ponder what went wrong with the new generations...was it the hectic and modern lifestyle cycles that we went through that deteriorate the family institutions or this is the challenge of modern parenthood? I don't have a good answer or solution for this, but one thing that is certain is that the situation is getting worse...
I noticed that kids are no longer have the kind of respects that we used to have towards our parents, teachers and elderly. They also been exposed to the cyberspace where information are easily available at the finger tips. On top of this, they also make either local or international artist as their idols. They will imitate each angle of their idols lifestyles without having clear conscious on the impact to their lives.
The experiences had become nightmarish to the parents and well projected through their choices of words and facial expressions. I really pitied them and hopefully they would find some solutions towards the problems.
I also came across a very interesting article "Skimpy outfits" by Ruth Liew in the Childwise column (Star, October 14 2009) which touched on how kids dressed up.
She suggested that as parents we should help the kids to find their inner qualities and focus on who she is rather than the outfits she represent. We also should show and secure the love to the kids. In case the dressing styles is totally bothering, try to compromise and come up with good solutions. Also, set a limit on what kind of clothes that are permitted.
Hopefully, the tips would be useful when my kids are demanding to look like their idol celebrities...
Those parents with kids finished their UPSR seemed to be relieved while others whose kids were not done yet with PMR and SPM seemed to carry mountain of burdens. One of the topics that we touched was the peers pressures that influenced the behavioral of the teenagers. As I was not an experienced one, I became a good listener and took their mouth of words as precautions for my future undertakings.
They also warned me that I have at least a year to spare before my eldest, who is 11 currently, turns me upside down. Well, it was not the first time, I've been fed with this sort of information as the medias also highlighted the social problems among the youngsters from time to time. The only different was this time it was from the parents directly.
I ponder what went wrong with the new generations...was it the hectic and modern lifestyle cycles that we went through that deteriorate the family institutions or this is the challenge of modern parenthood? I don't have a good answer or solution for this, but one thing that is certain is that the situation is getting worse...
I noticed that kids are no longer have the kind of respects that we used to have towards our parents, teachers and elderly. They also been exposed to the cyberspace where information are easily available at the finger tips. On top of this, they also make either local or international artist as their idols. They will imitate each angle of their idols lifestyles without having clear conscious on the impact to their lives.
The experiences had become nightmarish to the parents and well projected through their choices of words and facial expressions. I really pitied them and hopefully they would find some solutions towards the problems.
I also came across a very interesting article "Skimpy outfits" by Ruth Liew in the Childwise column (Star, October 14 2009) which touched on how kids dressed up.
She suggested that as parents we should help the kids to find their inner qualities and focus on who she is rather than the outfits she represent. We also should show and secure the love to the kids. In case the dressing styles is totally bothering, try to compromise and come up with good solutions. Also, set a limit on what kind of clothes that are permitted.
Hopefully, the tips would be useful when my kids are demanding to look like their idol celebrities...
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
From zero to hero
Wish to share this article by Tessie Lim (NST October 11, 2009).
If I'd learned Neuro-Semantics much earlier, its communication strategies might have helped me save my marriage.
This psychology emphasises that all our feelings result from our thoughts and attitudes and, when we can change the way we think, we can change the way we feel and behave.
"You NEVER listen!" "You ALWAYS humiliate me in front of our friends." When we fight, we're focused on the negative aspects of the person we are fighting with.
Frustrated, we often say things we regret - that only serves to drive the other person further away. Solution? If we want our partner to love and admire us, we should acquire the skills to protect our relationship, right?
Before I wised up, I assumed all couples want to be close, just that some don't know how.
Now I know that some people choose conflict and hostility because it's far more appealing to them than making peace with the one they're fighting with.
That's right. We don't get along because we don't really want to.
May be bullying turns some men on and makes them feel like a winner. Perhaps some men's need for power and control are greater than their desire for intimacy and tenderness.
They could actually find aggression and dominating gratifying. their troubled marriages may actually be a source of excitement and self-esteem.
These probably insist on calling all the shots and won't take their wives' ideas or feelings into account. If wives don't do things their way, they get very huffy.
Many women avoid conflict by trying o smooth things out as quickly as possible. Eager to preserve peace at home, we sweep our feelings under the rug and play martyr.
But each one of us has far more power than we think to transform our troubles - if we're willing to stop complaining, blaming and to focus on changing ourselves.
However, self examination is painful...it's hard to admit that we're wrong or that we've fallen short in someone's eyes. especially when we care about the person who's criticising us and we sense that they could be right. Feeling like a failure shrivels the soul.
Guilt and shame are huge barriers to intimacy. Don't we all have a deep-rooted need to feel admired and respected?
The ugly truth is, we provoke and maintain the exact relationship problems that we complain about when we deny our own role in the conflict.
"Why should I change?"
Well, what do you want more - the spoils of battle, or the rewards of a close, loving relationship? Actually we can respond any way we want. It just depends on the kind of life we're after.
Intimacy comes at a price. It requires humility and willingness to examine our own failures in the relationship. Intimacy is when two people are willing to be vulnerable and share their innermost self with each other.
Open, positive dialogue builds intimacy and this type of communications need three things.
First, you have to be able to express yourself.
Second, you have to be able to listen non-defensively when your partner talks.
Third, you have to treat your partner with respect, even when you are angry or frustrated.
The paradox is, when we're afraid to acknowledge the truth in what the other person is saying, their negative feelings will escalate and they'll usually attack more intensely.
If we find some truth in their criticism, it takes the wind out of their sails and we usually end up reconciling.
We don't really have to agree with the criticism in a lateral way, just with the spirit of what the other person is saying.
The idea is everyone wants to feel validated when they're upset. So work to disarm...our goal is seldom to fix the problem but simply to demonstrate that we genuinely want to understand how our partner feels.
We may think we know how they feel, but often we don't. And if we make them feel right, it will be far easier for them to lower their defences and be more complimentary with us.
If your marriage lacks passion and intimacy, would you settle for the status quo, let the relationship rot, or work to make it better? Statistics show that the first option is most popular.
However people who are willing to assume personal responsibility for solving problems in their relationships and who feel a strong commitment to making their partners happy, not only report the most satisfying and loving relationships, but their positive feelings seem to increase over time.
So will you go from zero to hero?
If I'd learned Neuro-Semantics much earlier, its communication strategies might have helped me save my marriage.
This psychology emphasises that all our feelings result from our thoughts and attitudes and, when we can change the way we think, we can change the way we feel and behave.
"You NEVER listen!" "You ALWAYS humiliate me in front of our friends." When we fight, we're focused on the negative aspects of the person we are fighting with.
Frustrated, we often say things we regret - that only serves to drive the other person further away. Solution? If we want our partner to love and admire us, we should acquire the skills to protect our relationship, right?
Before I wised up, I assumed all couples want to be close, just that some don't know how.
Now I know that some people choose conflict and hostility because it's far more appealing to them than making peace with the one they're fighting with.
That's right. We don't get along because we don't really want to.
May be bullying turns some men on and makes them feel like a winner. Perhaps some men's need for power and control are greater than their desire for intimacy and tenderness.
They could actually find aggression and dominating gratifying. their troubled marriages may actually be a source of excitement and self-esteem.
These probably insist on calling all the shots and won't take their wives' ideas or feelings into account. If wives don't do things their way, they get very huffy.
Many women avoid conflict by trying o smooth things out as quickly as possible. Eager to preserve peace at home, we sweep our feelings under the rug and play martyr.
But each one of us has far more power than we think to transform our troubles - if we're willing to stop complaining, blaming and to focus on changing ourselves.
However, self examination is painful...it's hard to admit that we're wrong or that we've fallen short in someone's eyes. especially when we care about the person who's criticising us and we sense that they could be right. Feeling like a failure shrivels the soul.
Guilt and shame are huge barriers to intimacy. Don't we all have a deep-rooted need to feel admired and respected?
The ugly truth is, we provoke and maintain the exact relationship problems that we complain about when we deny our own role in the conflict.
"Why should I change?"
Well, what do you want more - the spoils of battle, or the rewards of a close, loving relationship? Actually we can respond any way we want. It just depends on the kind of life we're after.
Intimacy comes at a price. It requires humility and willingness to examine our own failures in the relationship. Intimacy is when two people are willing to be vulnerable and share their innermost self with each other.
Open, positive dialogue builds intimacy and this type of communications need three things.
First, you have to be able to express yourself.
Second, you have to be able to listen non-defensively when your partner talks.
Third, you have to treat your partner with respect, even when you are angry or frustrated.
The paradox is, when we're afraid to acknowledge the truth in what the other person is saying, their negative feelings will escalate and they'll usually attack more intensely.
If we find some truth in their criticism, it takes the wind out of their sails and we usually end up reconciling.
We don't really have to agree with the criticism in a lateral way, just with the spirit of what the other person is saying.
The idea is everyone wants to feel validated when they're upset. So work to disarm...our goal is seldom to fix the problem but simply to demonstrate that we genuinely want to understand how our partner feels.
We may think we know how they feel, but often we don't. And if we make them feel right, it will be far easier for them to lower their defences and be more complimentary with us.
If your marriage lacks passion and intimacy, would you settle for the status quo, let the relationship rot, or work to make it better? Statistics show that the first option is most popular.
However people who are willing to assume personal responsibility for solving problems in their relationships and who feel a strong commitment to making their partners happy, not only report the most satisfying and loving relationships, but their positive feelings seem to increase over time.
So will you go from zero to hero?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Caught in the Net
Yesterday, my friend shared a YouTube clip of a girl recited a poem on the relationship between her mom and face book. I grinned towards the end when she said that the mother was so attached to the face book since early in the morning and she will be with her face book till to heaven. That was how the little girl perceived the world of net through face book...maybe that was the best way to express her loneliness and frustrations when all the parent's attention had been devoted to the net instead of her...
I believe that this little girl is not alone, a lot more people out there including myself feel the same. The cyberspace has successfully invaded our lives and robbed the most precious and important thing to us that is "time". We hardly have time to do anything except engross ourselves in the cyberspace...
In fact Allah had reminded us on the important of "time" through "Surah Al 'Ashr". Thus, wish to share a very good and interesting article by Peter Preston on cyberspace.
It's rather like cursing in church or copulating on the Queen's lawn. No good opinions, I know, will come of it. But how do you start your digital week? With junk, with spam, with a standard crop of 58 e-mail messages offering to "energise my baby-maker", prevent "death by swine flu", and dispense "scintillating orgasms" to all and sundry. Welcome to the 21st century, and a great deal of what we hate about it. Impotence, disease, frustration.
And such starts do not get better. Just sit down and consider the most dire dishes of the day. Shall we obsessively discuss the death of newspapers, the end of five centuries of print? Or may be we could ponder the demise of books, a bonfire of our literary heritage turned to ashes? There's porn and paedophilia, of course, giant helpings of fear and disgust on demand. There's terrorism and the latest sinister warnings from Osama and Co. The end of civilised life as we know it.
Whatever happened to community? Walk any high street and you'll see the shutters coming down. Remember the ghosts of Woolworths past and sniffle nostalgia. Traditional, human Britain is closing for business - just like a globe where bank failures spread like viruses and viruses spread like bank failures. Will leaders arise to rescue and inspire us afresh?
This is surely the way the world really ends: not with a bang, but with surges of nausea amid mounting heat, rising seas and carbon despair. Can mankind somehow be saved? Well, we could always switch the damned computer off.
For the Net we work on, the digital connections our government now seeks to spread as a universal right, the keyboards in our studies and living rooms, are blights as well as boons, misery-makers as well as enablers. We won't automatically be better with no books to finger and caress : or shops to sell them. Amazoned of existence. We aren't better for grisly YouTube grimaces from Downing Street, or Obama twittering away when he could be thinking instead. Before there were computer disks to steal from fees office, there was privacy., secrecy and supposed decency undisturbed. It becomes increasingly necessary to weigh the revolution that has changed all our lives on an updated set of moral scales.
Let's not pretend there isn't problem. Let's acknowledge, in the words of one highly experienced processor designer, that there is indeed " a possibility that computer equipment power consumption spiralling out of control could have serious consequences for the overall affordability of computing, not to mention the overall health of the planet". Let's get the real challenge out in the open.
Walk or bike to work instead of getting out the car? Of course. Learn the complex routines for recycling bins? Hopefully. Think before leaving on the next jet plane? Naturally. But what's the use of worrying and wondering about a wilting world when Susan Boyle videos by the zillion are clogging up YouTube, when life is a deluge of puerile twitters and bilious blogs?
I know the Net is a wonder beyond compare. I work on it for hours every day. I can't be without it (via laptop, BlackBerry or iPhone).
But I'm also glumly aware that it brings despond in its train, that much of what irks us most is digital cause and effect. Discuss? No, we don't want to know. Just like the blogger who won't think about electricity demand because "Oh, yawn!...it's government's job to supply that demand" - just like spammers with scintillating orgasms for sale.
I believe that this little girl is not alone, a lot more people out there including myself feel the same. The cyberspace has successfully invaded our lives and robbed the most precious and important thing to us that is "time". We hardly have time to do anything except engross ourselves in the cyberspace...
In fact Allah had reminded us on the important of "time" through "Surah Al 'Ashr". Thus, wish to share a very good and interesting article by Peter Preston on cyberspace.
It's rather like cursing in church or copulating on the Queen's lawn. No good opinions, I know, will come of it. But how do you start your digital week? With junk, with spam, with a standard crop of 58 e-mail messages offering to "energise my baby-maker", prevent "death by swine flu", and dispense "scintillating orgasms" to all and sundry. Welcome to the 21st century, and a great deal of what we hate about it. Impotence, disease, frustration.
And such starts do not get better. Just sit down and consider the most dire dishes of the day. Shall we obsessively discuss the death of newspapers, the end of five centuries of print? Or may be we could ponder the demise of books, a bonfire of our literary heritage turned to ashes? There's porn and paedophilia, of course, giant helpings of fear and disgust on demand. There's terrorism and the latest sinister warnings from Osama and Co. The end of civilised life as we know it.
Whatever happened to community? Walk any high street and you'll see the shutters coming down. Remember the ghosts of Woolworths past and sniffle nostalgia. Traditional, human Britain is closing for business - just like a globe where bank failures spread like viruses and viruses spread like bank failures. Will leaders arise to rescue and inspire us afresh?
This is surely the way the world really ends: not with a bang, but with surges of nausea amid mounting heat, rising seas and carbon despair. Can mankind somehow be saved? Well, we could always switch the damned computer off.
For the Net we work on, the digital connections our government now seeks to spread as a universal right, the keyboards in our studies and living rooms, are blights as well as boons, misery-makers as well as enablers. We won't automatically be better with no books to finger and caress : or shops to sell them. Amazoned of existence. We aren't better for grisly YouTube grimaces from Downing Street, or Obama twittering away when he could be thinking instead. Before there were computer disks to steal from fees office, there was privacy., secrecy and supposed decency undisturbed. It becomes increasingly necessary to weigh the revolution that has changed all our lives on an updated set of moral scales.
Let's not pretend there isn't problem. Let's acknowledge, in the words of one highly experienced processor designer, that there is indeed " a possibility that computer equipment power consumption spiralling out of control could have serious consequences for the overall affordability of computing, not to mention the overall health of the planet". Let's get the real challenge out in the open.
Walk or bike to work instead of getting out the car? Of course. Learn the complex routines for recycling bins? Hopefully. Think before leaving on the next jet plane? Naturally. But what's the use of worrying and wondering about a wilting world when Susan Boyle videos by the zillion are clogging up YouTube, when life is a deluge of puerile twitters and bilious blogs?
I know the Net is a wonder beyond compare. I work on it for hours every day. I can't be without it (via laptop, BlackBerry or iPhone).
But I'm also glumly aware that it brings despond in its train, that much of what irks us most is digital cause and effect. Discuss? No, we don't want to know. Just like the blogger who won't think about electricity demand because "Oh, yawn!...it's government's job to supply that demand" - just like spammers with scintillating orgasms for sale.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Just a Mum?
I read this article in the Star, Sunday 11 October 2009. Wish to tribute this article to all mums out there especially those who are in the same boats as me...and million thanks to our spouses who have shown their truly supports throughout our battlements in building up our unestablished and unrecognized careers....
A woman, renewing her driver's licence at the country clerk's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.
She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean is,"explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a ...?"
"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman, "I'm a Mum."
"We don't list 'Mum' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder empathically.
I forgot all about that story until one day when I found myself in the same situation, this time at my town hall. The clerk was obviously a career woman,poised,efficient, and possesed of a high-sounding title like "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar".
"What is your occupation?" she probed.
What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.
"I'm a research associate in the field of child development and human relations."
The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.
I repeated the title slowly, emphasising the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
'Might I ask," said the clerk with the new interest, "just what you do in your field?"
Cooly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing programme of research (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters).
"Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother care to disagree?), and I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it).
"But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of satisfaction rather than just money."
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the for, sttod up, and personally ushered me to the door.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants - ages 13, 7 and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, a six-month-old baby, in the child development programme, testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mum".
Motherhood! What a glorious career. Especially when there's a title on the door.
Well, it wasn't easy for me when I decided to pursue my current career 5 years ago. Some people really made sacarstic remarks such as "what a fool" and "such a waste". Had a hard time to swallow all the bombastics critics and adjust myself with the surroundings. It is a very noble and challenging careers indeed...
A woman, renewing her driver's licence at the country clerk's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.
She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean is,"explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a ...?"
"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman, "I'm a Mum."
"We don't list 'Mum' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder empathically.
I forgot all about that story until one day when I found myself in the same situation, this time at my town hall. The clerk was obviously a career woman,poised,efficient, and possesed of a high-sounding title like "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar".
"What is your occupation?" she probed.
What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.
"I'm a research associate in the field of child development and human relations."
The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.
I repeated the title slowly, emphasising the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
'Might I ask," said the clerk with the new interest, "just what you do in your field?"
Cooly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing programme of research (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters).
"Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother care to disagree?), and I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it).
"But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of satisfaction rather than just money."
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the for, sttod up, and personally ushered me to the door.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants - ages 13, 7 and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, a six-month-old baby, in the child development programme, testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mum".
Motherhood! What a glorious career. Especially when there's a title on the door.
Well, it wasn't easy for me when I decided to pursue my current career 5 years ago. Some people really made sacarstic remarks such as "what a fool" and "such a waste". Had a hard time to swallow all the bombastics critics and adjust myself with the surroundings. It is a very noble and challenging careers indeed...
Cherating
We had a long 3 hours drive from Shah Alam passing through Karak Highway and East Coast Highway to Cherating. Along the way, really enjoyed the panoramic view of the Titiwangsa Range which provided us with the endless jungles emitting fresh tropical air and filled with palm and rubber plantations. The winding road was quite taxing especially at certain places with sharp corners.
The three hours long journey was tiring as we only took a short break at the Temerloh rest area. The new completed highway was a bit confusing as the signboard was not properly showed the Cherating exit. Luckily we had the guide from the GPS hand phone.
We stayed at the Holiday Villa Resort for 3 days and 2 nights. Cherating beach welcomed us with the refreshing breeze wind and waves making synchrony rhythms...it was so peaceful and harmony. The kids were happily making sand castle and chasing the waves with my husband.
I was a bit disappointed with the condition of the beach as I was expecting a white sandy beach and crystal clear sea water. I still remembered my earlier visits to Cherating in the '90s. After more than a decade, the water has been badly polluted as the South China Sea seemed to be charcoal coloured.
I perfectly rested myself on the lazy chair beneath a big casuarina tree. While enjoying the environment, I occupied myself with reading the Mills and Boons book before joining them later at the swimming pool nearby.
Foods were easily available from the stalls along the Cherating roads which mostly served either Thai menus or seafood grill. I think the food was quite pricey.
The popular souvenirs were batik painting and pandanus handicrafts.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Discovery
While there are a lot of "earth" stories had happened and the Parma Typhoon is moving forward to Japan, NASA laboratory has made another discovery. In Pasadena (California), the Spritzer Space Telescope has discovered the biggest ring around the planet Saturn which was never seen before.
The newly found ring is so huge that it would take 1 billion Earths to fill it up.
I was interested in this topic as I went through with my eldest daughter on her Year 5 Science subject covering topics on constellation and the solar systems. So, in the near future not only the geography subject has new additions and deletions as the world topographical maps change but the science subject also will be adjusted accordingly. Similarly earlier during my era we know about the smallest planet Pluto appearance but now it is history.
All this explain the power of the Creator. "Kun Fayakun" . What more do we want to argue, He has all the answers in Al-Quran.
The newly found ring is so huge that it would take 1 billion Earths to fill it up.
I was interested in this topic as I went through with my eldest daughter on her Year 5 Science subject covering topics on constellation and the solar systems. So, in the near future not only the geography subject has new additions and deletions as the world topographical maps change but the science subject also will be adjusted accordingly. Similarly earlier during my era we know about the smallest planet Pluto appearance but now it is history.
All this explain the power of the Creator. "Kun Fayakun" . What more do we want to argue, He has all the answers in Al-Quran.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Scam Story
Quite a number of people fall prey to the scam syndicates either through sms services or callers dubbed as bank officers. This latest news happened on Sept 9 2009 and been highlighted in the Sun Oct 7 2009. The contractor, Ali Mohammad, was driving when he received a call from one Miss Wong claimed to be Bank Negara officer.
She told Ali that his credit card had been used for fraudulent cash withdrawals and a 'syndicate' might attempt to withdraw cash from his account. The woman took 2 hours to lecture him on banking scams and intended to freeze his accounts until the issue resolved. Alternatively, he could withdraw his cash and deposit in 'safe account' with Bank Negara.
The moral of the story is to be alert and extra cautious if we receive a call from somebody claim to be from bank agencies. Be suspicious when the caller reminded us of scam and syndicate activities. Always counter check with your bank or credit card company for assurance that the claim is valid. Lastly and most importantly, never reveal your personal account details to strangers.
Hopefully, we learn the lessons and don't fall prey to this illicit syndicates. Amin.
She told Ali that his credit card had been used for fraudulent cash withdrawals and a 'syndicate' might attempt to withdraw cash from his account. The woman took 2 hours to lecture him on banking scams and intended to freeze his accounts until the issue resolved. Alternatively, he could withdraw his cash and deposit in 'safe account' with Bank Negara.
The moral of the story is to be alert and extra cautious if we receive a call from somebody claim to be from bank agencies. Be suspicious when the caller reminded us of scam and syndicate activities. Always counter check with your bank or credit card company for assurance that the claim is valid. Lastly and most importantly, never reveal your personal account details to strangers.
Hopefully, we learn the lessons and don't fall prey to this illicit syndicates. Amin.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Hot Story
I'm writing this in corresponding to the issue of Tan Sri Isa as commented by our number 1 while he is in Paris. Refer to The Sun, 6 October 2009 "Isa picked because he is popular, says Najib.
I have a broad smile over my face when I read this sentence "...because he is capable of winning and is popular among the people,..." A lot of good recommendations came from our number 1 on Isa and the most prominent statement was "This (Isa's offence) is only a technical matter in the party and he has already paid for his deeds."
I start to scratch my head on these powerful personal remarks made on a very special individual called Tan Sri Isa Samad. It is so lucky to be this person and may be he has huge contributions toward UMNO and all his offence is redeemable...
I don't want to comment anything else on this hot story as the election is around the corner. We had heard our Government choice and it is time to listen to the people's choice once the election result is announced. Drum rolling .....
I have a broad smile over my face when I read this sentence "...because he is capable of winning and is popular among the people,..." A lot of good recommendations came from our number 1 on Isa and the most prominent statement was "This (Isa's offence) is only a technical matter in the party and he has already paid for his deeds."
I start to scratch my head on these powerful personal remarks made on a very special individual called Tan Sri Isa Samad. It is so lucky to be this person and may be he has huge contributions toward UMNO and all his offence is redeemable...
I don't want to comment anything else on this hot story as the election is around the corner. We had heard our Government choice and it is time to listen to the people's choice once the election result is announced. Drum rolling .....
Monday, October 5, 2009
Pride
First, I would like to address on the Syariah Law for beer drinkers. 40 cannings ! Thank you Aniqah Magazine October 2009 for the information. So, please...don't argue on this issue anymore...really upset when Muslims doubt our own religions. So, how do you expect the non Muslims to understand us and what more to respect us.
Wish to share a good write up by Nury Vittachi in The Sun, 5 October 2009 on morality.
With deep sorrow, I regretfully have to inform the world about the sad demise of Morality. She died recently, after a long, slow illness. Morality was at least 2000 years old.
Her death was not unexpected, as her entire family has had a bad run in recent decades.
Morality's mother, Values, died in Wall Street in the 1980s. Her father, Justice, was murdered in a contract killing by the world's highest paid lawyers at O.J. Simpson's trial in 1995.
Morality herself kept a low profile for the past 20 years, and now at the time of her death, has been almost forgotten.
She is being mourned only in churches, temples and other places considered "old-fashioned and out of touch" by the majority of people.
But the death matters: none of her three children - Integrity, Ethics and Humanity - are likely to survive without her ...
Well, born to be Muslims, it is our duties and responsibilities to carry the good names and deeds wherever we are. Remember that we are the chosen and honourable creatures to undertake the leaderships and be responsible towards all our actions. This is where our prides lie ....
Wish to share a good write up by Nury Vittachi in The Sun, 5 October 2009 on morality.
With deep sorrow, I regretfully have to inform the world about the sad demise of Morality. She died recently, after a long, slow illness. Morality was at least 2000 years old.
Her death was not unexpected, as her entire family has had a bad run in recent decades.
Morality's mother, Values, died in Wall Street in the 1980s. Her father, Justice, was murdered in a contract killing by the world's highest paid lawyers at O.J. Simpson's trial in 1995.
Morality herself kept a low profile for the past 20 years, and now at the time of her death, has been almost forgotten.
She is being mourned only in churches, temples and other places considered "old-fashioned and out of touch" by the majority of people.
But the death matters: none of her three children - Integrity, Ethics and Humanity - are likely to survive without her ...
Well, born to be Muslims, it is our duties and responsibilities to carry the good names and deeds wherever we are. Remember that we are the chosen and honourable creatures to undertake the leaderships and be responsible towards all our actions. This is where our prides lie ....
Never Ending Story
The world has been lashed out with all forms of natural disasters from typhoon, earthquake, tsunami, landslides to snow ball. The grievances was felt most during the aftermath periods especially those who lost the close relatives and families.
A lot of helping hands in term of financial, food and medical aids had been extended internationally.
Our beloved Malaysia also not been left out with the good spirits. Merits to all teams involved. Internally, our political scenario is also facing roller coaster rides. The tidal are huge as the components in both the Government and Opposition are facing internal problems apart from each parties are lashing out all sensitive sentiments especially during the small elections.
Latest is the issue of Tan Sri Isa for Bagan Pinang election. The more accusations and backing ups would fade our trusts. Before things worsen, please reform the format of the campaigns techniques and strategies.
A lot of helping hands in term of financial, food and medical aids had been extended internationally.
Our beloved Malaysia also not been left out with the good spirits. Merits to all teams involved. Internally, our political scenario is also facing roller coaster rides. The tidal are huge as the components in both the Government and Opposition are facing internal problems apart from each parties are lashing out all sensitive sentiments especially during the small elections.
Latest is the issue of Tan Sri Isa for Bagan Pinang election. The more accusations and backing ups would fade our trusts. Before things worsen, please reform the format of the campaigns techniques and strategies.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Three Little Pigs
Three little pigs...still remember the story how they chose materials to build strong houses to protect themselves from the wolf?
I was chatting with my neighbour who just came back from her visit to China. She was very delighted as she had a chance to visit her late parents house in Yunan. It was amazing that the over century house was still in good condition despite being left vacant when her parents migrated to Malaya then.
Interested with her story, I asked on the construction material. And the answer is simply mud...
Coincidently, the Star, 3 October 2009 also highlighted on building mud house to be creative, fun and eco-friendly. The project had been taken by Nomad Adventure located in Nomad's Earth Camp in Kampung Chulek, Gopeng, Perak.
The Nomad's director, Chan Yuen-Li, completed her research on alternative building materials that was cheap, locally source and environment friendly. Apparently she concluded that mud was the best option. Mud buildings dated back 6000 years to Mesopotamia.
Does it really practical and applicable to Malaysia tropical climate? Our country's traditional building methods lift the house off the ground to keep ground water away from the floor as well as allow the cross ventilation of the house from beneath for better cooling and drying during the monsoon months.
Kevin Low of Small Projects, the architect graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, concluded that mud houses were only suitable for dry and cool tropics.
In this case, we have to relate to the three little pigs story. The one built with bricks definitely appeared to be the strongest compared to the one with straws and woods.
I was chatting with my neighbour who just came back from her visit to China. She was very delighted as she had a chance to visit her late parents house in Yunan. It was amazing that the over century house was still in good condition despite being left vacant when her parents migrated to Malaya then.
Interested with her story, I asked on the construction material. And the answer is simply mud...
Coincidently, the Star, 3 October 2009 also highlighted on building mud house to be creative, fun and eco-friendly. The project had been taken by Nomad Adventure located in Nomad's Earth Camp in Kampung Chulek, Gopeng, Perak.
The Nomad's director, Chan Yuen-Li, completed her research on alternative building materials that was cheap, locally source and environment friendly. Apparently she concluded that mud was the best option. Mud buildings dated back 6000 years to Mesopotamia.
Does it really practical and applicable to Malaysia tropical climate? Our country's traditional building methods lift the house off the ground to keep ground water away from the floor as well as allow the cross ventilation of the house from beneath for better cooling and drying during the monsoon months.
Kevin Low of Small Projects, the architect graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, concluded that mud houses were only suitable for dry and cool tropics.
In this case, we have to relate to the three little pigs story. The one built with bricks definitely appeared to be the strongest compared to the one with straws and woods.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Gesture of Kindness
I would like to share a kindness story written by Jen Drenth in Reader's Digest October 2009 issue.
About 18 months ago, my father was in hospital recovering from a major lung operation. My mother had recently passed away, and my father had taken the loss of his partner for 55 years very hard and had lost interest in life.
Trying to get him eat each day was quite a chore as he didn't want anything except ice cream.
One evening, to our surprise, he refused to eat the ice cream, so I placed it in a staffroom freezer. A little while later, my son decided he wanted it, so I fetched it to him.
As I passed another ward, a woman asked, "Are there more where that came from?" When I explained the situation, she apologised. She then said that she had cancer and could eat very little, other than the occasional ice cream.
The next evening, I decided to buy two ice creams. On the way to Dad's room, I stopped in at the sick woman's room, and offered her the ice cream I'd bought for her. She was totally stunt that I had thought of her, and accepted the gifts with tears in her eyes. I spoke with her for a few minutes, explaining what was happening in my family and listened to her similar story of pain and suffering. It was apparent that she did not have many visitors, and the ice cream and short chat meant a great deal to her.
I repeated the gesture a few days later, and this time was rewarded with a huge hug.
I never even thought to ask her name, and never saw her again, but it made me realise that an act of kindness can be more rewarding when you give it, rather than receive it.
Here, I wish to quote Dr. Aidh Bin Abdullah Al-Qarni from his best seller "La Tahzan"
Don't expect a thank you wish from others as the reward from Allah is more rewarding and don't be upset when someone unknown offers gesture of kindness.
About 18 months ago, my father was in hospital recovering from a major lung operation. My mother had recently passed away, and my father had taken the loss of his partner for 55 years very hard and had lost interest in life.
Trying to get him eat each day was quite a chore as he didn't want anything except ice cream.
One evening, to our surprise, he refused to eat the ice cream, so I placed it in a staffroom freezer. A little while later, my son decided he wanted it, so I fetched it to him.
As I passed another ward, a woman asked, "Are there more where that came from?" When I explained the situation, she apologised. She then said that she had cancer and could eat very little, other than the occasional ice cream.
The next evening, I decided to buy two ice creams. On the way to Dad's room, I stopped in at the sick woman's room, and offered her the ice cream I'd bought for her. She was totally stunt that I had thought of her, and accepted the gifts with tears in her eyes. I spoke with her for a few minutes, explaining what was happening in my family and listened to her similar story of pain and suffering. It was apparent that she did not have many visitors, and the ice cream and short chat meant a great deal to her.
I repeated the gesture a few days later, and this time was rewarded with a huge hug.
I never even thought to ask her name, and never saw her again, but it made me realise that an act of kindness can be more rewarding when you give it, rather than receive it.
Here, I wish to quote Dr. Aidh Bin Abdullah Al-Qarni from his best seller "La Tahzan"
Don't expect a thank you wish from others as the reward from Allah is more rewarding and don't be upset when someone unknown offers gesture of kindness.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The Misery
Natural disasters had hit the Sumatera Island, Indochina and South Pacific Ocean after 11 days we celebrated Hari Raya. While we were enjoying ourselves with open houses, we were updated with the latest misery, earthquake has hit Padang, Indonesia at a 7.6 magnitude and the tremors were shared by Malaysia as well. Buildings in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Putrajaya, Johor , Penang and Kelantan were shaking and some expressed that it was worst than the 2004 incidents. They felt dizzy and observed things floating. Thousands of people had fled the buildings.
Kuala Lumpur Fire Department Operations deputy director, admitted that the Kuala Lumpur Hos[ital workers quarters and Pantai Dalam flats suffered slight damages due to the tremor. But the buildings were classified still safe to be occupied.
Another powerful earthquake at a 8.0 magnitude followed by giant tsunami measured at 3 to 7.5m had devastated the Samoa island.
Typhoon Ketsana blew away whole village in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines. It was also reported that the strong southwesterly winds traveling between 50 to 60 kph whipped up high waves at several coastal areas of Penang. The strongest waves as high as 4.5 m at times had been spotted at the Esplanade. A meteorological department spokesman said the phenomena was a result of Typhoon Ketsana.
Recently, natural disasters have become a common phenomena worldwide. To me, it is a wake up call...from the Almighty...so now the ball is on us. Hopefully, we will always physically, mentally and spiritually alert should anything happen to us. Amin.
Kuala Lumpur Fire Department Operations deputy director, admitted that the Kuala Lumpur Hos[ital workers quarters and Pantai Dalam flats suffered slight damages due to the tremor. But the buildings were classified still safe to be occupied.
Another powerful earthquake at a 8.0 magnitude followed by giant tsunami measured at 3 to 7.5m had devastated the Samoa island.
Typhoon Ketsana blew away whole village in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines. It was also reported that the strong southwesterly winds traveling between 50 to 60 kph whipped up high waves at several coastal areas of Penang. The strongest waves as high as 4.5 m at times had been spotted at the Esplanade. A meteorological department spokesman said the phenomena was a result of Typhoon Ketsana.
Recently, natural disasters have become a common phenomena worldwide. To me, it is a wake up call...from the Almighty...so now the ball is on us. Hopefully, we will always physically, mentally and spiritually alert should anything happen to us. Amin.
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