50 and living it.

Life is fragile...

2012-02-22T07:19:00.003-08:00

Guess, I am missing my blogging. It's been almost a month since I wrote in. February came with a blast. Valentine's Day...for lovers for family and loved ones came and went. Me still bizi with work...seems endless...sports programmes...csr...wow...
Then I get hit by news that some of my close friends are sick with the big C. It just hit me. Here we are day in day out working and trying to juggle our lives withfamily and career. But in some cases, people arejust fighting to stay alive for just one more day. So you think, why the big deal about who gets promoted and what big job to do next. I need to stop and take a breather...spend more time with family if I can afford it. Life is fragile...where are your friends when you need them most...we hope they will be around us. so friends...let live ya...i think i will slow down and left live. cheers folks.

2012-01-26T01:57:00.000-08:00

Chinese Zodiac - The Magnificent, Lucky and Regal Dragon

On 23rd January 2012, we left the Year of the Rabbit and entered the Year of the Dragon. How this year affects you personally will depend on your own sign and you can read about that here, but in general terms, the Year of the Dragon is considered to be an exciting and exhilarating time. This is in contrast to the peace and calm of the preceding Rabbit year.

In the West, the Dragon is seen as a vile beast to be slain and defeated. The Dragon was likened to the devil as it was seen to signify the worst moral aspects of humanity. However, this could not be further from the truth in Eastern societies. The Dragon is seen as the wise, strong, magical protector. He is seen as representing royalty and prosperity.

In a Dragon year, events can seem magnified and everything feels more intense. It is a time when we have the daring and energy to be bold and take risks. This could be an excellent time to take that step towards marriage, start a family or embark on that business venture. The only word of caution is not to get totally carried away with the enthusiasm and exhilaration of the Dragon year, as this could lead to you taking unnecessary risks. As long as you use the power and energy of this year to power your ambition, there is very little you cannot achieve.

The Dragon in Feng Shui

Feng Shui (literally translates as 'wind water') is the chinese art of placement which incorporates energy to help enhance our lives, working on the premise that different directions and areas of our homes/work places.correspond with the different areas of our lives.

The Dragon is a Feng shui 'cure' which is often used as it helps bring power and luck to the area of your life you are looking to enhance. Usually 'cures' must be used carefully as we can inadvertently turn the energies negative, so it is always best to know what you are doing or consult a specialist. But the Dragon is so powerful and lucky that it is something you can place in your house immediately and start to feel the benefits.

Some people are tempted to place Dragons all over their house, but this can be extreme and is not necessary. I would suggest placing two in your love area if you want to enhance your relationships and a further one in your business area. You can simply and easily find which areas these are by searching online or reading one of the many books on the subject.

http://www.squidoo.com/2012-the-chinese-year-of-the-dragon

Welcome: The Year of the Dragon

2012-01-26T00:58:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile, 2012- leap year - Year of the Dragon -
Yes, so many events have come and gone..what a year 2011 was, and what a beginning of 2012 for us. Mum had her leg operation yet again amidst all the anxieties and dangers the op posted. Well, that was done and mum is well enough to celebrate CNY with us in JB. She is now recuperating at my brother's house and doing as well as can be. What an achievement, mum is 80 and going on 81 this July.
Christmas came and went...

Then the New Year came in a blast, with new hopes and resolutions.
Before we could get over that, in came the Dragon with all its fiery ways. It's the
4th day and yes, lots more events till we round it up on the 15th day, Chap Goh Meh.
My eldest daughter, Jennifer, a Dragon baby, born in 1988 will be 24 this year. She's now a final year medical student in Singapore's NUS. What a year ahead it will be.

Here's wishing everyone, family and friends a wonderful year ahead and may all wihses come true for you and me.
Happy New Year.

Manifesto for 21st Century Teacher Librarians

2011-11-26T02:41:00.000-08:00

You know you are a 21st century school librarian if . . .
Reading
● You consider new ways to promote reading. You are piloting/supplying learners with downloadable audio books,Playaways, Kindles, iPads, Nooks.
● You share ebook apps with students for their iPhones, droids, and iPads and other mobile devices (Check out Gale’s AccessMyLibrary, School Edition)
● You market, and your students share, books using social networking tools like Shelfari, Good Reads, orLibraryThing.
● Your students blog or tweet or network in some way about what they are reading
● Your desktop screensavers promote great reads, not Dell or Apple or HP.
● You link to available free ebook collections using such tools as Google Books, International Children’s Digital Library (See ebook pathfinder.)
● You review and promote books in your own blogs and wikis and other websites. (Also Reading2.0 and BookLeads Wiki for book promotion ideas)
● You embed ebooks on your websites to encourage reading and support learning
● You work together with learners to create and share digital booktalks or book trailers.
Information Landscape
● You know that searching various areas of the Web requires a variety of search tools. You are the information expert in your building. You are the search expert in your building. You share an every growing and shifting array of search tools that reach into blogs and wikis and Twitter and images and media and scholarly content.
● You open your students to evolving strategies for collecting and evaluating information. You teach about tags, and hashtags, and feeds, and real-time searches and sources, as well as the traditional database approaches you learned way back in library school.
● You organize the Web for learners. You have the skills to create a blog or website or wiki or portal of some other type to pull together resources to meet the specific information needs of your learning community.
● You make sure your learners and teachers can (physically & intellectually) access developmentally and curricularlydatabases, portals, websites, blogs, videos, and other media.
● Your presence reflects your personal voice. It includes your advice and your instruction, as well as your links. You make learning an engaging and colorful hybrid experience.
● You think of your web presence as a knowledge management tool for your entire school. It includes student-produced instruction and archived (celebrated) student work, handouts, policies, and collaboratively built pathfindersto support learning and research in all learning arenas. (Checkout Pathfinder Swap for examples.)
● You help learners put together their own personal information portals and Knowledge Building Centers to support their research and learning, using widgets, embedded media, and personal information portals like iGoogle,PageFlakes ,and NetVibes and wikis and Google Sites.
● You intervene in the research process online while respecting young people’s need for privacy.
● You work with learners to exploit push information technologies like RSS feeds and tags and saved databases and search engine searches relevant to their information needs.
● Your own feeds are rich with learning content, evidence of your networking. You embed dynamic widgets(including your own database widgets) wherever students live, work, and play.
● You integrate dynamic interactive features in your library’s website–Google calendars, RSS feeds, deliciousbookmarks, Flickr photo galleries, online presentations, blogs, surveys, polls, as ways to interact with and teach students.
Communication and publishing and storytelling
● You know that communication is the end-product of research and you teach learners how to communicate and participate creatively and engagingly. You consider new interactive and engaging communication tools for student projects.
● Include and collaborate with your learners. You let them in. You fill your physical and virtual space with student work, student contributions—their video productions, their original music, their art.
● Know and celebrate that students can now publish their written work digitally. (See these pathfinders: Digital Publishing, Digital Storytelling)
Collection Development
● You expand your notion of collection.
● You no longer strive for the standard catalog, long-tail, just-in-case approach. In tight times, with shared catalogs and easy online purchasing, a just-in-time approach is far more effective. You build your own collection collaboratively, with an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the available collections around you.
● Collection should include: ebooks, audiobooks, open source software, streaming media, flash drives, digital video cameras, laptops, tripods, RSS feeds, and much more! And we should seek effective, federated approaches to ensure these diverse formats and platforms are equally and seamlessly accessible.
● You involve your community in collection building using interactive polls and web-based suggestion forms.
● You understand that library is not just a place to get stuff, it is a place to make stuff, collaborate on and share stuff. Not a grocery store, but a kitchen!
● Your collection–on- and offline–includes student work. You use digital publishing tools to help students share and celebrate their written and artistic work.
Facilities, your physical space
● You know your physical space is about books and way more than books. Your space is a libratory. You welcome, and create space for, media production—podcasting, video production, storytelling–producing and presenting.
● You welcome and host telecommunications events and group gathering for planning and research and social networking.
● You cope with ubiquity. No, you learn to love it. Ubiquity changes everything. In one-to-one schools, students may visit the library less frequently. In such environments, in all modern, truly relevant environments, library must also be ubiquitous. Library MUST be everywhere. Librarians must teach everywhere, in and outside of the library.
● You realize you will often have to partner and teach in classroom teachers’ classrooms. One-to-one classrooms change your teaching logistics. You teach virtually. You are available across the school via email and chat.
● You know that laptops can actually walk back to the library for its space and additional resources in all formats.
Access , Equity, Advocacy
● You are concerned about a new digital divide: those who can effectively find quality information in all media formats, and those who cannot.
● You are concerned about a new digital divide: those who have access to the new tools for creation and publishing and those who do not.
● You consider just-in-time, just-for-me learning as your responsibility and are proud that you own real estate your students’ desktops and mobile devices 24/7.
● You grapple with issues of equity. You provide open source alternatives to students and teachers who need them. You lend flash sticks and laptops and cameras and . . . You ensure your students can easily get to the stuff they most need by using kid-friendly terms and by creating pathfinders.
● You ensure that all students have access to readings appropriate for their differentiated needs and offer books in a variety of formats.
● You know that one-to-one classrooms will change your teaching logistics. You realize you will often have to partner and teach in classroom teachers’ classrooms. You will teach virtually. You will be available across and outside the school via email and chat.
● You don’t stop at “no.” You fight for the rights of students to have and use the tools they need. This is an equity issue. Access to the new tools is an intellectual freedom issue.
Audience and collaboration
● You recognize that the work your students create has audience and that they may share newly constructed knowledge globally on powerful networks,. You help them see that they have the potential to make social, cultural, and political impact.
● You recognize that learners may share their ideas and participate in dialogs beyond the walls of the library or classroom.
● You exploit the cloud as a strategy for student collaboration, sharing and publishing.
● You share with students their responsibilities for participating in social networks.
● You see teleconferencing tools like Skype as ways to open your library to authors, experts, book discussion, debates, and more. Consider starting by examining Skype an Author Network.
● You use new tools for collaboration. Your students create together, They synthesize information, enhance their writing through peer review and negotiate content in blogs and wikis and using tools like GoogleDocs, Flickr,Voicethread, Animoto and a variety of other writing or mind mapping and storytelling tools.
● You help students create their own networks for learning and extracurricular activities.
Copyright, Copyleft and Information Ethics
● You teach students to care about their own digital footprints–and monitor them using people search tools.
● You encourage students to develop academic–NOT invisible–digital footprints.
● You teach students about norms for appropriate behavior in wikis and blogs.
● You model respect for intellectual property in a world of shift and change. You encourage and guide documentation for media in all formats.
● You lead students to Web-based citation generators and note-taking tools to guide them in these efforts.
● You recognize and lead students and teachers to the growing number of copyright-friendly or copyleft portals.
● You understand Creative Commons licensing and you are spreading its gospel.
● You encourage learners to apply Creative Commons licenses to their own creations.
● You are revising and expanding your notion of Fair Use in line with the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media LiteracyEducation .
● You say “yes” a lot more. You know that in their creative remixes and mash-ups, students may use the copyrighted works of others in their own work without asking permission under certain conditions. You are discussing transformativeness with students and faculty. (See The Cost of Copyright Confusion for Media Literacy and Fair useand transformativeness: It may shake your world)
● You use a tool for reasoning whether a proposed use is Fair Use. (Tool for reasoning Fair Use.pdf)
You ask students to ask these two questions when they are using the copyrighted work of others in their own media:
1. Did the unlicensed use transform the material taken from the copyrighted work by using it for a different purpose than that of the original, or did it just repeat the work for the same intent and value as the original?
2. Was the material taken appropriate in kind and amount, considering the nature of the copyrighted work and of the use?
(From the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education)
New Technology Tools
● You consider iPods and iPhones and iPads learning tools and storage devices and reference sources. You know that when you interrupt a student she might be in the middle of a chapter, recording a podcast, transferring data, taking audio notes. You establish classroom or library academic guidelines and norms for their use during the school day.
● You know this is only the beginning of social networking. Students will get to their Facebook accounts through proxy servers and their mobile devices despite any efforts to block them. You plan educationally meaningful ways to incorporate student excitement (and your own) for social networking. You establish classroom or library academic guidelines and norms for their use during the school day.
● You consider your role as info-technology scout. You look to make “learning sense” of the authentic new information and communication tools used in business and academics. You figure out how to use them thoughtfully and you help classroom teachers use them with their classes.
Professional Development and Professionalism
● You seek professional development that will help you grow even if it is not offered by your school district. Even if you don’t get PD credit. You can’t “clock” these hours.
● You build your own personal/professional learning network using social networking tools
● You guide your teacher colleagues in setting up their own professional learning networks.
● You read both edtech journals and edtech blogs, not just the print literature of our own profession.
● You follow selected educators,experts, authors, etc. with microblogging apps like Twitter
● You use Twitter to mine realtime chat about your professional interests. You use hashtags like #tlchat and #edchat
● You learn by visiting the webcast archives of conferences you cannot attend. (For instance, ISTE)
● You share your new knowledge with others using social bookmarking tools like Delicious and Diigo.
● You set up feed readers to push the blog of experts and educators you respect to you on a regular basis.
● You join a Ning or other social network for instance:
○ Classroom20NingTeacherLibrarianNing
○ English Companion
○ NCTE Conference Ning
○ ISTE Ning
○ Future of Education
● You are contributing to the development of a new brand for our profession. When your students move on to the next library, they are going to expect visionary service and instruction and caring, helpful relationships.
Teaching and Learning and Reference
● You are figuring out how to be present for your learners and teachers 24/7, at the point of the information, research, or communication need. Ubiquity changes everything. With computers in every classroom and every home, heck with computers in every pocket, how are you going to share your wisdom and collaborate?
● You understand that learning can (and should) be playful.
● You understand that learning should be authentic.
● You understand that learning can be multi-modal, media-rich, customized to the needs of individual learners.
● You know the potential new technologies offer for interaction–learners as both information consumers and producers. You understand that in this world learners have the power to create and share knowledge.
● You are concerned that, when it matters, your students move beyond information satisficing. They make solid information decisions.
● You are concerned that students learn to evaluate, to triangulate information in all media formats. We must guide them in an increasingly complex world, to make information decisions, to evaluate all their information choices, including books, blogs, wikis, streamed media, whatever comes next.
● You are concerned and excited about what you can do that Google or Wikipedia cannot. What customized services and instruction will you offer that will not be outsourced to Bangalore?
● You continually share new understandings of searching, and evaluation, and analysis and synthesis, and digital citizenship, and communication, integrating and modeling our new standards, dispositions and common beliefs.
● You understand that exploration and freedom are key to engaging students in a virtual environment to promote independent learning.
● You know the potential new technologies offer for interaction–learners as both information consumers and creative information producers.
● You ensure that the library provides an independent learning environment that connects students and teachers in a social, digital, community.
Into the Future (acknowledging the best of the past)
● You unpack the good stuff you carried from your 20th century trunk. Rigor, and inquiry, and high expectations, and information and media fluency matter no matter what the medium. So do excitement, engagement, and enthusiasm.
● You lead. And you look ahead for what is coming down the road. You continually scan the landscape. As the information and communication landscapes continue to shift, do you know where you are going? You plan for change. Not for yourself, not just for the library, but for the building, for your learners.
● You see the big picture and let others see you seeing it. It’s about learning and teaching. It’s about engagement. If you are seen only as the one who closes up for inventory, as the book chaser, and NOT as the CIO, the inventor, the creative force, you won’t be seen as a big picture person.
● You continue to retool and learn.
● You represent our brand (who the teacher-librarian is) as a 21st century information professional. What does the information professional look like today? Ten years from today? If you do not develop strong vision, your vision will be usurped by the visions of others. You will not be able to lead from the center.
● You enjoy what you do and let others know it. It’s always better when you do what you love. (If you don’t love this new library world, find something else to do.)

By Joyce Kasman Valenza
October 2010

Health Over 50: 4 Easy Ways to Keep Yourself Feeling Young

2011-11-21T06:32:00.000-08:00

Ever feel the clock is ticking and you are not quite there...well here's how to keep young and fit after 50...

Excellent health over 50 can be yours if you know how to take good care of yourself. If you've recently passed your 50th birthday, then it's easy to think that your health will now take a downhill turn. However, there are some things that you can do to keep yourself feeling young and healthy.

1. Keep Yourself Active
Just because you are getting older doesn't mean that you can start easing into a sedentary lifestyle. Even though aging is accompanied by certain health conditions like joint pain, muscle aches and such, these symptoms can usually be relieved with the right amount of exercise. If you've never been physically active before, now is the time to get moving. To avoid overwhelming your body, start with moderate exercises. Yoga, walking, swimming and ballroom dancing are all ideal exercises for women over 50. Not only are they easy enough to perform, but they can also be enjoyable.

It's also important to incorporate exercise into your everyday routine. For instance, instead of hiring someone to do mow your lawn, maintain your garden or paint your house; do these chores yourself. Not only will these activities keep you moving, but they will also give you a sense of accomplishment.

2. Keep Your Weight in Check
One of the downsides of aging is that your metabolism also slows down. This means that it becomes much easier for you to gain weight. You might have gotten away with eating a lot in your 20's and 30's without gaining a pound, but now that you're in your 50's, you might find yourself gaining weight with just a handful of peanuts. A lot of women also tend to gain weight around their middle section when they reach their elder years.

You can keep yourself fit by lowering your daily caloric intake to the amount of calories that you can burn. Your doctor and some online tools can help you determine your caloric requirement, but you can easily find this out by simply listening to your body. For instance, if you seem to be gaining weight even though you are eating a normal amount of food, then it's possible that you now require less food to function. Cut back on meal portions and see if it helps.

3. Cherish Your Social Relationships
Your friendships and social bonds also play an important role in your health. In fact, having support from loved ones can boost your immune system, increase heart protection, speed up surgery recovery and improve your longevity. There could be many explanations behind this link between social support and health. One of these explanations is that social support helps you battle stress. Friends listen to your problems and lend you support throughout the trying times in your life. This can greatly reduce your stress. As you probably know, stress is a common factor that contributes to many chronic illnesses.

4. Improve Your Diet
You can also keep yourself feeling young with the foods you eat. Foods that are rich in antioxidants can be greatly beneficial for you at this point. Antioxidants help by battling free radicals which cause aging symptoms and diseases. Include an array of colorful fruits and vegetables in your diet to ensure you're consuming an abundance of antioxidants.

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/exercises/health-over-50-4-easy-ways-to-keep-yourself-feeling-young.html

Nephrectomy-kidney removal

2011-11-20T02:59:00.001-08:00

Just got in from an overnight trip to Penang to viist hubby's nephew who had a nephrectomy, he had his right kidney removed as there was a tumour discovered in it.
Doctors at Lam Wah ee suggested the removal quickly. Thank God he looked fine and is sitting up. So that prompted me to have a re-look at our own kidneys. Their importance and how we neglect to take care of them properly and how dangerous it can be for us when we have kidney failure. So here is some information which I think will help us take care of our kidneys and ourselves.

Kidney disease risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and age. Early detection and treatment can increase the life of the kidneys. High blood pressure can lead to or be a sign of kidney disease. Exercise, a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water will help to keep your kidneys working well.

Risk factors for chronic kidney disease
You are more ‘at risk’ of chronic kidney disease if you:
Have diabetes
Have high blood pressure
Are obese
Are over 50 years of age
Have a family history of kidney disease
Smoke
Are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.

Many diseases can affect the kidneys
Many illnesses can affect the kidneys.
The most important are:
Diabetes
Inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis)
High blood pressure
Hereditary kidney diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease
Scarring of the kidney caused by backflow of urine from the bladder.
High blood pressure can damage kidneys
High blood pressure (hypertension) is increased pressure inside the arteries that carry blood from your heart to all parts of your body. Untreated, high blood pressure can damage your kidneys. All high blood pressure strains the heart and damages arteries. If blood pressure is uncontrolled and remains high, it can damage the vessels that supply blood to your internal organs. The very small vessels are often the first to be affected. If left untreated, this can lead to kidney disease, heart attack, strokes and loss of vision.

There are a number of different causes of high blood pressure but most high blood pressure has no known cause. You are more at risk of high blood pressure if you are older or have a family history of the condition. High blood pressure can also develop as a result of kidney disease or renal artery stenosis (narrowing of the main artery to one or both kidneys). Your kidneys control the amount of fluid in your blood vessels and produce a hormone called renin that helps to control blood pressure.

Medication and lifestyle changes can lower blood pressure
A range of medication is available for high blood pressure. Different blood pressure medications work in different ways so it is not unusual for more than one type to be prescribed. The dose may alter according to your needs.

Medications that can lower blood pressure include:
ACE inhibitors
Angiotensin receptor blockers
Calcium channel blockers
Beta blockers
Low-dose diuretics (fluid tablets)
Alpha blockers.
Healthy lifestyle choices are important to improve your overall health and lower your risk of high blood pressure. They can also reduce the amount of medication you need or make your medication work better. Healthy lifestyle choices include not smoking, eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, staying fit, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding certain medications and avoiding stress.

Symptoms of kidney disease
Kidney disease is called a ‘silent disease’ as there are often few symptoms. Some signs and symptoms include:
Change in frequency and quantity of urine passed, especially at night (usually increase at first)
Blood in the urine (haematuria)
Foaming urine
Puffiness around the eyes and ankles (oedema)
Pain in the back (under the lower ribs, where the kidneys are located)
Pain or burning when passing urine.
When the kidneys begin to fail, there is a build-up of waste products and extra fluid in the blood as well as other problems, gradually leading to:
Tiredness, inability to concentrate
Generally feeling unwell
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Shortness of breath.
Treatments
Reduction in kidney function cannot usually be reversed. However, if detected early enough, the progress of kidney disease can be slowed and sometimes even prevented. In the early stages, changes to diet and medication can help to increase the life of the kidneys.

If kidney function is reduced to less than 10 per cent of normal, the loss of function must be replaced by renal dialysis or a kidney transplant. Dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that removes waste products and extra water from the blood by filtering it through a special membrane (fine filter).

Early detection can save lives
Early detection of kidney disease can be life saving. Medication and changes to lifestyle, along with an early referral to a kidney specialist, can prevent or delay kidney failure. If you are ‘at higher risk’ of chronic kidney disease, talk to your doctor about having a regular kidney health check. This includes:
Blood pressure test
Blood test for kidney function
Urine test for protein (proteinuria).
Lifestyle changes can keep your kidneys healthy
Making healthy lifestyle choices can help to keep your kidneys functioning well:
Eat lots of fruit and vegetables including legumes (peas or beans) and grain-based food like bread, pasta, noodles and rice.
Eat some lean meat like chicken and fish each week.
Eat only small amounts of salty or fatty food.
Drink plenty of water instead of other drinks.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Stay fit. Do at least 30 minutes of physical activity that increases your heart rate on five or more days of the week including walking, lawn mowing, bike riding, swimming or gentle aerobics.
Don’t smoke.
Limit your alcohol to two small drinks per day if you are male or one small drink per day if you are female.
Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
Do things that help you relax and reduce your stress levels.

Things to remember
You can look after your kidneys by eating healthy food, staying active and maintaining a healthy weight.
Many diseases can affect your kidneys.
Have your blood pressure checked regularly.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Kidney_disease_prevention

What men and women want in a car!

2011-11-07T21:57:00.000-08:00

Buying a new CAR? Here are some tips to look out for...

Passionate about cars and motorsports, Cheryl Tay is a familiar face in prominent local, regional as well as international automotive titles. More of her at www.cheryl-tay.com.

Some like their cars big so they can be comfortable throughout the journey, while others like their cars fast as the high speeds thrill.

Asking a man what he looks for in a car is like asking him what qualities he looks for in a woman or a wife. Next, asking him what features of a car matter most is like asking what physical attributes of a lady are most attractive to him.

The general rule of thumb is that women seek reliability, security and comfort in a car; like how they want to feel safe with their man. Hence, size of car for ease of parking, space in terms of storage and cabin, and convenient electronic aids like parking sensors and automatic doors matter to the ladies.

On the other hand, men are more concerned with power and performance, and safety at levels sufficient for all that might. Similarly, they want their women to be smart, look good, feel good and essentially be someone they are proud to call theirs.

After spending some time talking to 50 males and 50 females to understand how the different features of a car appeal to the genders differently, here are what I found men and women want from a car:

WOMEN

•Fuel economy and eco-friendliness
Females tend to be more concerned about the environment, and fuel consumption was the most popular feature mentioned when the ladies were asked to name what matters to them most.

•Aesthetics (i.e. size, shape, colour and design)
Visual appeal is important to both men and women but in a slightly different way. Women want the car to be of a good size for ease of parking, and of a good shape and design that is pleasing to the eyes. But men want their car to be visually attractive, unique to the individual and as outstanding as possible. This is reflective of nature, where animals like the peacock have the male more visually striking than the female.

•Style
I singled out style from the rest of the aesthetics because it is the aura and the flair of a car that isn't somewhat the same as the lines of the body that run round the car. It's the fashion of the car and how it makes them feel: emotive appeal, something that women are able to understand better as we are generally more emotional than men.

•Comfort and space
Some people place more emphasis on how to get to the destination instead of getting to the destination. Women have highlighted that comfort and space are important factors in a car because they want to enjoy their ride. That means having a good air-conditioning system, sufficient cubby holes for storing their belongings, generous head and leg room and a spacious cabin that will make the car feel welcoming and non-claustrophobic with more sunlight streaming in. Sufficient storage space such as in the boot is also essential.

•Safety
As I mentioned earlier, women crave for security in their men. Likewise in cars, they need to feel protected from danger when seated within their cars. Having airbags all around, good braking power and parking sensors are some examples of things that contribute to making a woman feel safe.

•Ease of drivability
There were some women who mentioned performance of a car. After hearing them elaborate why, I began to realise that it's not the same kind of performance that men crave for. For the women, performance of a car refers more to the ease of driving the car. Besides being of a visually-pleasing shape and an easy-to-park size, the car should preferably have blind spots that are easy to overcome, smooth and quick acceleration that will help to get out of situations fast, and power steering with enough feel. Convenient driver aids like keyless entry, automatic wipers, automatic headlights and automatic tailgate buttons (in SUVs and MPVs) are some of the things that can really save the day.

MEN

•Handling
It's not about how to drive the car, but how the car drives. Men are more particular when it comes to the cornering, turning, steering and braking abilities of the car. How the car feels in their hands and on the road is more vital than how many cup holders the cabin has or how many bags the boot can hold.

•Performance
Men are hungry for power and they seek for performance from their cars. Also, due to the technicality of it all, men are more often seen tuning their cars and improving the specifications of their cars such as power-to-weight ratio, getting more torque, more power, faster acceleration times, higher stability during braking and sharper cornering.

•Reliability
This would be a key concern for females as well, though not on the same basis. Men want reliability from the car, knowing that they can trust the engine, chassis and the build quality; like how they trust their wives to take care of the children. Women want reliability from the car in terms of a sense of security when being with it, like how they need their spouses to be able to head and run the family.

•Safety
This is a common factor brought up repeatedly by both men and women, but not for the same reasons. In a stock car, males will ask about electronic driving aids like traction control and anti-lock braking system (ABS). Also, men increase the car's safety levels in tandem with boosting the car's power and specifications so that the car has more control at higher speeds.

•Chick magnet factor
Personalising the car is to make it reflect the driver's identity and also to impress the chicks. Being able to draw attention by looking cool or sounding loud is the reason why some men spend so much money doing up their cars. Giving the car vinyl wrap or airbrush of some cool design, or upgrading of the exhaust system are some of the things they do. This leads to the next point…

•Ability to modify
By modifying here I mean tuning of the car under its bonnet and also dressing up of the car on its exterior with body kits and spoilers.

The list can go on endlessly and of course there are also common factors that both men and women emphasise. Pricing and value for money, for example, are definitely somethings that both males and females will consider when buying a car.

But through this exercise, I learnt that men are as picky about choosing their cars as they are when choosing their wives. Also, women — who generally buy less big ticket items and thus tend to be more spendthrift — view a car more like a pet than a partner!

Happy driving!!!

How to be a good home cook!

2011-11-07T06:09:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is here and many of us will do doing some home cooking whether we like it or not. Even if we are so busy, we still have to cook sometimes so here are some tips:

1. Season Dishes Properly
As chef Stephanie Izard sees it, "I think that people are afraid to use salt to bring out the natural flavors. Not that we want to make anything too salty, and not be healthy, but [you should add] enough seasoning and [use] the right mix of ingredients in dishes so you have the right balance of sweet, salty, and savory. This allows the dish to come together and make your mouth happy." How to do it? She recommends salting throughout the whole process and tasting as you go — it's even what she teaches her new cooks.

In her kitchen, when cooks first come to her, she takes a batch of soup, and has them add in a little salt and take a taste, and continue to do that. She explains that, "Slowly the favors come out of the soup and come to life. And it's the best way to learn about seasoning."

2. The Secrets of a Good Salad
Salads might sound boring, but theyre definitely not in Izard's world. What's her secret? Texture, consistency, and freshness of ingredient. But the real kicker is the dressing. For her, "It's all about bold dressings." She says that the key is to make sure that everything is in the salad for a reason and then to finish it with a bold dressing. (No, she's not talking about ranch, that's for dipping.)

She explains that you can use vinaigrettes in different ways and not just for salads. Try putting a dressing over a piece of chicken for dinner or over pasta. Sometimes it's good to take some of the simple things and play mix and match in the kitchen

3. Flavorful Chicken Dishes
Most people love chicken (vegetarians and vegans excluded of course), but Izard suggests skipping the boneless, skinless, chicken breasts for chicken thighs. Why? “Because that’s where all the flavor is.” Not that she’s dismissing chicken breasts. She uses those for her sandwich and thinks they are tasty, but the thighs are another option for home cooks looking for something different in the kitchen that will be both flavorful and exciting.

4. Properly Cooking Proteins (with Patience)
With fresh fish like salmon or halibut, "It's all about proper seasoning and proper cooking." Izard says that she gets a lot of questions from home cooks asking, "Why is my fish getting stuck to the pan?" Instead of switching to non-sticks, she suggests these basic principles for making perfectly cooked fish or proteins in a regular pan. "Just get the pan smoking hot, put in oil with a high smoking point, put in your fish, and after it gets a little bit brown, turn it down, and then it's all about patience." Though she's fallen prey to impatience, she recommends getting a glass of wine or beer and chilling out. Let the natural sugars in proteins caramelize, by stepping back and letting nature take its course. Don't push.

5. Flavor-Boosting Pantry Staples
"I'm a huge fan of Sambal," says Izard. Other ingredients that help add flavor? She says that they use Dijon mustard at the restaurant and in the cookbook a lot. The same goes with soy sauce and fish sauce. She explains that you can use them in stews, soups, and sauces Its all about adding layers of flavor.

6. Don't Be Discouraged
We asked Izard if she’d had any recent kitchen blunders while making this book or if she continues to have them even after being a successful chef. “Happens all the time!” she told us. So home cooks, don’t get discouraged because even Top Chefs are prone to making mistakes and trying experiments that don’t work — it’s important to keep trying and not give up.

7. Basic Beer and Wine Pairing Suggestions
Have some fun with this. While the old belief was that white went with fish and chicken and red with meat, Izard says that, "There will always be something in your realm of what you like to drink that will go with the food." She suggests picking a night that you'll play around with it and see what your mouth gets excited about so you can figure out what works for you.

The important thing to keep in mind with beer and wine, she explains, is that it's all about a personal preference. There are some basic suggestions in her book that you can start with or try recommendations from your local wine shop, but then it's up to you to experiment and find what you like. Try having some friends over and doing a tasting and just have fun with it.

8. How Much Food is Enough for a Dinner Party?
There’s always the fear of running out of food, so how do you know how much to make? “I always make too much food, because I forget that people will only have a taste of each dish.” While Izard tries to give portions in the book, she says that leftovers are great to give to friends in a Tupperware on their way out — “It’s like a parting gift.”

9. Where to Begin
It's always good to start with a recipe that's been tried and tested. Izard recommends beginning with a cookbook — her's would be preferable — following the recipes very closely at the beginning, then slowly stepping away and coming up with your own recipes and twists. "Pretty soon, the cookbook will just be decoration on your coffee table."

Read more: http://www.thedailymeal.com/how-be-successful-home-cook-slideshow#ixzz1d1sJQs7d

Happy cooking and happy holidays.

New job, new environment, new friends...

2011-11-01T07:07:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's already been a month since I changed jobs. Changing jobs is nothing new I suppose but for a 50-something woman, the question everyone keeps asking is "Why the change? What happened?" For me, why not? I guess we shouldn't be afraid of change. WE will never know what's in store , what's on the other side of the field if we do not take any action. I wanted a change sometime back...I felt not appreciated the past few years, I felt there was more for me to contribute. I was a good manager and a leader so I am told. So to me, it was a good and right decision.

I am glad my present employer gave me a chance to join her management team and I am glad the new workplace is exciting, vibrant and keeps me busy and on my toes. Working long hours has been a pleasure so far, though my knees do have to keep up...I am glad my former bosses have retired. My ex-colleagues are pleased and can move forward now. I moved bascially to give my self space and a chance to prove that I am still good at what I do. For me, there is no such thing as giving up on your career and getting ready for retirement. I don't think i am ready to retire just yet...even the thought of signing up till 60 seems not a bad idea...cos' I really can't see myself staying home and twiddling my fingers and toes. I believe I still have some productive years left and can contribute to the nation.

So here's to new challenges and fresh faces and places...
to all who fear moving and change, don't be...go do it now.
Nothing can be worse than where you are now...if you are in control.
Give yourself a chance and flyyyyyyyyyy...

Cheers.

Moving On...

2011-10-09T14:55:00.000-07:00

Someone once said, when it's time to leave, you will know when..of course we have to wait for opportunities as well...seize the day they say...well I am glad someone gave me a chance to move on... I am moving on and I do hope to much greener pastures.
I am not afraid of hard work and I believe this new job will entail a lot of work...but I am geared to go and will do my best.

Follow you heart and move on, cos' if you don't move, you will never know what's in store just over the horizon. I will always wonder what if, actually what if I stayed on in the present job with the new bosses, what if I move, could it be better...could my career be better? If you are not happy in your job and feel you are not progressing professionally and personally because of all the hurdles stacked up against you...you have no choice but to move on, so you can have a peaceful rest at night and be happy once again. The road not taken has always fascinated me...

I always wonder what if...so now that I have taken the bold step into the world of sports, I aim to do well and contribute towards making it better. Sports education is indeed an area which has been highlighted much in recent days with the policy of
1 student: 1 sport. I hope to work together with the rest of the team and make sports education enjoyable, flexible and achieve greater heights.

The move has just been one day but at least I know my immediate bosses will let me do my job without fear or favour.

MAJULAH SUKAN UNTUK NEGARA.

Cheers.

Forgive and Forget.

2011-09-28T00:20:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I posted on facebook this:
Forgiving doesn't mean Forgetting...this generated a number of comments:

...to forgive is easy...to forget is another matter
...setuju juga...memaafkan tidak semestinya melupakan.
...yes...u can forgive but not forget...
...very true
...yup very true. easy to forgive but impossible to forget.

This morning, there was a special program on TV2 on the same subject.
There was a doctor from UM who discussed the above matter. Her take was that we forgive so we can move on with our lives, we can overcome our resentment and we forgive for our own good.

A search on the internet provided this info on the matter:

It's not always easy, but the benefits of forgiving -- and 'forgetting' -- can be powerful. Here are some tips.

By Tom Valeo
WebMD FeatureReviewed by Cynthia Dennison Haines, MD

Many people view forgiveness as an offshoot of love -- a gift given freely to those who have hurt you.

Forgiveness, however, may bring enormous benefits to the person who gives that gift, according to recent research. If you can bring yourself to forgive and forget, you are likely to enjoy lower blood pressure, a stronger immune system, and a drop in the stress hormones circulating in your blood, studies suggest. Back pain, stomach problems, and headaches may disappear. And you'll reduce the anger, bitterness, resentment, depression, and other negative emotions that accompany the failure to forgive.

Of course, forgiving is notoriously difficult. "Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive," said C.S. Lewis.

And forgetting may not be a realistic or desirable goal.

"Despite the familiar cliche, 'forgive and forget,' most of us find forgetting nearly impossible," says Charlotte vanOyen Witvliet, PhD, associate professor of psychology at Hope College. "Forgiveness does not involve a literal forgetting. Forgiveness involves remembering graciously. The forgiver remembers the true though painful parts, but without the embellishment of angry adjectives and adverbs that stir up contempt."

Forgiving (and Forgetting) Quells Stress
That type of angry "embellishment," as Witvliet calls it, seems to carry serious consequences. In a 2001 study, she monitored the physiological responses of 71 college students as they either dwelled on injustices done to them, or imagined themselves forgiving the offenders.

"When focused on unforgiving responses, their blood pressure surged, their heart rates increased, brow muscles tensed, and negative feelings escalated," she says. "By contrast, forgiving responses induced calmer feelings and physical responses. It appears that harboring unforgiveness comes at an emotional and a physiological cost. Cultivating forgiveness may cut these costs."

But how do we cultivate forgiveness?

Frederic Luskin, PhD, director of the Stanford University Forgiveness Project, readily admits that forgiveness, like love, can't be forced.

"You can't just will forgiveness," says Luskin, author of Forgive For Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness. "What I teach is that you can create conditions where forgiveness is more likely to occur. There are specific practices we offer that diminish hostility and self-pity, and increase positive emotions, so it becomes more likely that a genuine, heartfelt release of resentment will occur."

So for me, I am in the process of forgiving certain people in my life but forgetting will be a long time coming. Time will heal the wounds but for some, it is embellished forever in our hearts and minds.

Menopause- what are the symptoms and treatment?

2011-09-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

I am at the age where menopause is catching up with me...a search in the internet espouses plenty of information...so here's some to share.

Definition

Menopause represents the end of menstruation. While technically it refers to the final menstrual period, it is not an abrupt event, but a gradual process. Menopause is not a disease that needs to be cured, but a natural life-stage transition. However, women have to make important decisions about managing its symptoms, including the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Description
Many women have irregular periods and other problems of perimenopause for years. It is not easy to predict when menopause begins, although doctors agree it is complete when a woman has not had a period for a full year. Eight out of every 100 women stop menstruating before age 40. At the other end of the spectrum, five out of every 100 continue to have periods until they are almost 60. The average age of menopause is 51.

There is no method to determine when the ovaries will begin to scale back but a woman can get a general idea based on her family history, body type, and lifestyle. Women who began menstruating early will not necessarily stop having periods early. A woman will likely enter menopause at about the same age as her mother.

Causes & symptoms
Once a woman enters puberty, each month her body releases one of the more than 400,000 eggs that are stored in her ovaries, and the lining of the womb (uterus) thickens in anticipation of receiving a fertilized egg. If the egg is not fertilized, progesterone levels drop and the uterine lining sheds and bleeds.

By the time a woman reaches her late 30s or 40s, her ovaries begin to produce less estrogen and progesterone and release eggs less often. The gradual decline of estrogen causes a wide variety of changes in tissues that respond to estrogen—including the vagina, vulva, uterus, bladder, urethra, breasts, bones, heart, blood vessels, brain, skin, hair, and mucous membranes. Over the long term, the lack of estrogen can make a woman more vulnerable to osteoporosis (which can begin in the 40s) and heart disease.

As the levels of hormones fluctuate, the menstrual cycle begins to change. Some women may have longer periods with heavy flow followed by shorter cycles and very little bleeding. Others will begin to miss periods completely. During this time, a woman also becomes less able to get pregnant.

The most common symptom of menopause is a change in the menstrual cycle, but there are various other symptoms as well, including:

•hot flashes
•night sweats
•insomnia
•mood swings/irritability
•memory or concentration problems
•vaginal dryness
•heavy bleeding
•fatigue
•depression
•hair changes
•headaches
•heart palpitations
•sexual disinterest
•urinary changes
•weight gain

Diagnosis
The clearest indication of menopause is the absence of a period for one full year. It is also possible to diagnose menopause by testing hormone levels. If it has been at least three months since a woman's last period, a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test might be helpful in determining whether menopause has occurred. FSH levels rise steadily as a woman ages. The FSH test alone cannot be used as proof that a woman has entered early menopause. A better measure of menopause is to determine the levels of FSH, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and other hormones.

Treatment
Some women also report success in using natural remedies to treat the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. Not all women need estrogen and some women cannot take it due to adverse side effects. Many doctors do not want to give hormones to women who are still having their periods, however erratically. Only a third of menopausal women in the United States try HRT and of those who do, eventually half of them drop the therapy. As for alternative therapies, most have only received attention in the United States in the past decade or so. Debate continues until scientific studies can prove these treatments' effectiveness on menopausal symptoms. As interest in alternative therapies for menopause continues, so will research. In the meantime, women should consult their physicians when adding alternative therapies to treatment of menopause symptoms.

General dietary recommendations include raw foods, fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and fresh vegetable juices. Some foods are recommended because they contain phytoestrogens. Intake of dairy products and meats should be reduced. Pork and lunch meats should be avoided.

Belinda Rowland, Teresa G. Odle, The Gale Group Inc., Gale, Detroit, 2005

Hope you have been enlightened...

8 Foods That Keep You Full (and 4 That Don’t).

2011-09-16T20:57:00.000-07:00

By Camille Noe Pagan, Glamour magazine

Anyone who’s ever walked away from the table only to be starving moments later (Chinese food, we’re looking at you) knows that certain edibles can leave you more famished than you were before you ate ‘em. If you want to stay satisfied longer—a key to weight control—remember this magic trio: protein, healthy fats and fiber. Here, nutritionists’ favorite healthy filler-uppers.

FOODS THAT KEEP YOU FULL:
Eggs

For just 70 calories, an egg delivers more than 6 grams of protein, says Shelley McGuire, Ph.D., a spokesperson for the American Society for Nutrition. One study found that women who ate eggs for breakfast lost more weight than those who had bagels with the same number of calories, possibly because all that protein kept their hunger in check. The egg eaters reported more energy too!

Soup

Studies show that foods containing a lot of water can keep you feeling full. And when you start a meal with soup, you activate brain signals that begin to tell you you’ve had enough to eat—so that by the time you finish your second course, you’ll be satisfied. “Go for a broth-based bowl with fiber-rich veggies like celery and spinach,” says Amy Jamieson-Petonic, R.D.

Avocados

Their healthy monounsaturated fats may help slow the rate at which your stomach empties, says McGuire. They’re also loaded with folate, potassium and vitamin E, and early research suggests that foods containing these nutrients may be more satiating than others.

Low-Fat Greek Yogurt

Seventeen grams of protein in a 6-ounce container (that’s more than you get in four slices of turkey!) means major hunger control.

Oatmeal

All that filling fiber (4 grams per half-cup serving in the old-fashioned variety; 3 grams in the instant) helps this breakfast stick to your ribs. It also provides a surprising 4 to 7 grams of protein (the steel-cut kind typically has the most)—and that’s before you add milk. For extra staying power, toss in blueberries, which have 4 grams of fiber per cup.

Apples

“Only 80 calories, but one can be as filling as a meal because of the 4 grams of fiber and high water content,” says Jamieson-Petonic.

Beans and Lentils

Eat them and you may end up eating less of everything else. “They’re high in protein—about 7 grams per half cup—and high in complex carbohydrates, the type that take longer to break down,” says McGuire.

Nuts

“They have the perfect combination of fiber, protein and fat,” says Jamieson-Petonic. The nutritionists’ faves? Walnuts, almonds and pistachios. Just stick to an ounce or less to avoid calorie overload.

Food That Makes You Hungry:
Cookies, Crackers and Croissants

Steer clear of the three C’s — those processed, sugary carbs tend to cause hunger to rebound. Pick whole-grain snacks instead. (Low-fat popcorn counts!)

Alcohol

Famished after happy hour? It’s not just your willpower: Booze can spike your appetite, experts say.

Cereal

Many are high in hunger-producing sugar and little else. Look for protein and fiber like in Kashi GoLean.

“Diet” Foods

Some frozen dinners, for example, actually have too few calories and not enough filling fruits and veggies.

So, if you are into healthy living and dieting all the time, maybe you can take the cue from here, Good luck and stay healthy!

Interesting websites recommended...

2011-09-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

Got this in my mail via the Gorgeous magazine, MBF card.
So let's click away...

www.smilezilla.com
...which claims to be the funniiest place on the web.

www.zooborns.com
...which highlights pictures of newborn animals from accredited zoos and acquariums form all over the globe.

www.laughspot.com

...which features jokes to brighten your mood.

www.givesmehope.com
...which publishes stories that are uplifitng, touching and inspirational.

www.todaysbigthing.com
...which features creative pictures and videos from real people who record funny, happy or touching moments and post it online.

www.cutebabyfix.com
...where you can view super adorable images and videos of bubbly, chubby little infants.

also a site recommended in The Star today on how to improve your English at thsi website... www.esolcourses.com -this website provides free lessons for learners at all levels, and even a section where one can learn English songs.

So click away...and be happy!

Good study habits...

2011-09-13T02:09:00.000-07:00

Good article and guide for our students...

Good Study Habits In College Make For A Good Student
By Sulal

It all starts with Studying.
The success or failure of a career depends largely on college, and a successful academic career is mainly based on academic performance. Studying plays a major role in achieving academic success. Study skills must be earned, honed and applied in order for a student to enhance his or her academic performance. Developing good study habits can improve a student’s performance enormously.

Homework requires concentration, so try doing it in a special study area. The location should be quite free from distractions such as television, conversations or loud music. The room should be brightly lit to accommodate reading and to avoid eyestrain and headaches. Homework should be completed each day at the same time, manufacturing a considerate schedule. Prioritize assignments – break up the longer assignments into specific sections so that they can be easily completed in a timely fashion.

Be Proactive!
Don’t run the risk of forgetting important homework and study assignments by trying to remember them. Instead, chronicle your assignments and study tasks. This will allow you to remember all of the important details the teacher conveyed during class. Your notebook can include the name of the subject, the date the information was received, the date the assignment is due and all pertinent details for completing the assignment. eLearners.com is a great website to check out for information on college classes.

If the assignment instructions are unclear, do not leave the classroom without getting a complete understanding of the subject and directions. You will not be able to complete the assignment if you do not understand the instructions. Because most assignments are given orally, it is imperative that students have a keen ear and listen carefully to the professor’s directions and adhere to the following guidelines.

Now Finish This Before Tomorrow
An Ordered Process
As the teacher conveys spoken directions, try to take notes exactly as given. Include all steps that are relayed in the instructions. Make every attempt to arrange them in the sequence they are to be completed. Be sure to write down key words that give express direction on how to complete the assignment. These key words can include like read, write, organize, and memorize. If you need further clarification, ask the teacher to repeat or explain in further details.

When directions are given in written form by the teacher, like directly from the chalkboard, lifted from overhead transparencies, or given in a handout, be sure to read over the directions in its entirety. Be sure to ask any questions about the directions that you do not understand before leaving the classroom. Start the assignment by dividing up the directions into steps (in logical order). Then, collect all of the materials you need to complete the assignment. This is just as true for traditional classes as it is for accredited online courses.

Good Study Habits
It will help you in your college career to develop good study habits. The first thing you need to do is take responsibility for your actions. You are the only one who can decide your priorities and how to use your time and resources.
Don't allow yourself to become distracted by friends and fellow students. Keep in mind the bigger picture. Know what you have to do and when it needs to be done. Keep your goals in mind. Don't let other people influence you into not doing your work.

Figure out your most productive times of the day. If you study best in the morning, plan to study your hardest subjects first. If you have trouble concentrating at a certain time, don't get out your hardest subjects or your most complex project.
If you do not understand the course material, try some innovative ways to learn it. Don't just keep rereading the material in hopes that you will eventually understand it. Ask your instructor for help. If your school has study sessions and peer tutors, take advantage of these offerings. Set up study groups within your class.

When you put your best effort in your work, then you have succeeded. If you are satisfied with what you have done and know that you have done your best, then your grade is the icing on the cake. Always give your best in the classroom and in study sessions. By doing so, you will know that you have tried.

For more information, go to...
http://www.studytips.org/goodstudyhabits.htm

Killing yourself is NEVER an option!

2011-09-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

Killing yourself is NEVER an option! That's what my daughter said to me when I told her about the headlines in the papers last nite (some papers arrive at night, yes they do. That sounded so right and she said she learnt it from Sunday School. Wow!

It really is sad! Yet another two people killed themselves I hear because of money problems. So where does it put us? The public reading it aloud with gasps, with our own loud comments and opinions. How does it make us feel? Personally it's so sad, that people feel they have no choice, they have no way to find that extra money to live a decent life or even to eat. When there are extra food we throw away, where even dogs and cats have plenty to eat from leftovers. So what makes "them" decide to take their own lives? Are we as a society so indifferent, so numb to our neighbour's cries for help? It makes me shudder to think that while we who have jobs and money are thinking how to make more money, how to gather more material things..how to get further up our careers, how we step over others along the way to get what we want...when there are people around us who are in need.

Then there are cases of people who take their own lives over a love lost, over failed exams, over bitter quarrels or even fights! And sadly, many of these are our young ones. More sad when the person kills others before killing themselves to bring attention to their cause.

Yes, sometimes we read about caring individuals who donate and help with soup kitchens, who open their homes, their wallets and hearts to help those in need. But I guess that is now not enough...as long as there are people who feel they are so alone, that no one cares, that no one can help them, that they have no one to talk to, to turn to...what else is there to live for, we have ROLES to play.

I salute the Bill Gates and Melinda Foundation which gives back to society through providing educational support and monetary means to their own citizens and abroad. I salute the billionaires who pledge to donate their wealth to society before they die. What magnamous people! But we don't have to be millionaires to do something. We can all do something for eg. by not closing our eyes to child abuse or any form of domestic violence...there are avenues of support for everyone, but maybe we should advertise more...

Killing yourself or death is NEVER an option. Killing your loved ones to lessen the burden or fearing for their future is also NEVER an option. We must do more. We must educate people that there are options to LIVE. We must all open our eyes, ears and hearts to those in NEED. Let us not read about these sad stories in the papers. Let us help one another. For those in need of help, please, please get help..HELP is just round the corner...do not take your own lives! There is nothing we cannot solve together, and there is no one as worthy as yourself to sacrifice yourself for!

Let us make sure our younger generation understand that there are other options if they face failure...that success comes from failure, that there will be a better future, that help will come...but for some, it is too little too late.
Let us do our bit before we leave this world.
As someone said: "We only pass this way but once, whatever good we can do,
let us do it now".

I also take this opportunity to remember all the victims and heroes of 911, tomorrow is the tenth anniversary of the tragedy. May God Bless them all.

Have a great weekend everyone!

WELCOME TO THE 21st CENTURY where everything...

2011-09-05T07:25:00.000-07:00

Hope u’ll enjoy this light-hearted mail I received today &
realize how true it’s for us to be in this 21st century. Speechless!

Communication - Wireless
Phones-Cordless
Cooking-Fireless
Food-Fatless
Sweets-Sugarless
Labour-Effortless
Relations-Fruitless
Attitude-Careless
Feelings-Heartless
Politics-Shameless
Education-Worthless
Mistakes-Countless
COMPLAINTS-Baseless
Youth-Jobless
Ladies-Topless
Boss-Brainless
Jobs-Thankless
Needs-Endless
Situation-Hopeless
Salaries-Less & Less
BRAIN - USE LESS

Sounds familiar right. So wither art thou?

THE OLD FISHERMAN ...a story you have to read and share...

2011-09-05T06:42:00.000-07:00

This story is just too good to keep to myself...

Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore . We lived downstairs & rented the upstairs rooms to out-patients at the Clinic.

One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking man. 'Why, he's hardly taller than my eight-year-old,' I thought as I stared at the stooped, shriveled body.
But the appalling thing was his face, lopsided from swelling, red & raw. Yet, his voice was pleasant as he said,'Good evening. I've come to see if you've a room for just one night. I came for a treatment this morning from the eastern shore, & there's no bus 'till morning.'

He told me he'd been hunting for a room since noon but with no success; no one seemed to have a room. 'I guess it's my face. I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says with a few more treatments...'
For a moment I hesitated, but his next words convinced me, 'I could sleep in this rocking chair on the porch. My bus leaves early in the morning.' I told him we would find him a bed, but to rest on the porch. I went inside & finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked the old man if he would join us. 'No thank you. I have plenty' And he held up a brown paper bag.

When I had finished the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk with him a few minutes. It didn't take a long time to see that this old man had an over sized heart crowded into that tiny body. He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, her five children & her husband, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury.

He didn't tell it by way of complaint; in fact, every other sentence was prefaced with thanks to God for a blessing. He was grateful that no pain accompanied his disease, which was apparently a form of skin cancer. He was thankful for the strength to keep going.

At bedtime, we put a camp cot in the children's room for him. When I got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded, & the little man was out on the porch.
He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, haltingly, as if asking a great favor, he said, 'Could I please come back & stay the next time I have a treatment? I won't put you out a bit. I can sleep fine in a chair.' He paused a moment & then added, 'Your children made me feel at home. Grownups are bothered by my face, but children don't seem to mind.' I told him he was welcome to come again.

And on his next trip he arrived a little after seven in the morning. As a gift, he brought a big fish & a quart of the largest oysters I had ever seen. He said he had shucked them that morning before he left so that they'd be nice & fresh. I knew his bus left at 4 a.m., & I wondered what time he had to get up in order to do this for us.
In the years he came to stay overnight with us there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetables from his garden.

Other times we received packages in the mail, always by special delivery; fish & oysters packed in a box of fresh young spinach or kale, every leaf carefully washed. Knowing that he must walk three miles to mail these & knowing how little money he had made the gifts doubly precious.

When I received these little remembrances, I often thought of a comment our next-door neighbor made after he left that first morning. 'Did you keep that awful looking man last night? I turned him away! You can lose roomers by putting up such people!'
Maybe we did lose roomers once or twice But, oh if only they could have known him, perhaps their illness would have been easier to bear. I know our family always will be grateful to have known him; from him we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint & the good with gratitude..

Recently I was visiting a friend who has a greenhouse. As she showed me her flowers, we came to the most beautiful one of all, a golden chrysanthemum, bursting with blooms. But to my great surprise, it was growing in an old dented, rusty bucket. I thought to myself, 'If this were my plant, I'd put it in the loveliest container I had!'
My friend changed my mind. 'I ran short of pots,' she explained, 'and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn't mind starting out in this old pail. It's just for a little while, till I can put it out in the garden.'

She must have wondered why I laughed so delightedly, but I was imagining just such a scene in heaven. There's an especially beautiful one,' God might have said when he came to the soul of the sweet old fisherman. 'He won't mind starting in this small body.'
All this happened long ago -- and now, in God's garden, how tall this lovely soul must stand..

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'

Friends are very special. They make you smile & encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear & they share a word of praise. Show your friends how much you care.
Pass this on, & brighten someone's day.

Nothing will happen if you do not decide to pass it along.
The only thing that will happen if you do pass it on is that someone might smile because of you ! Never look down on anybody, unless you're helping them up.

"Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point."
WISHING YOU LOVE IN YOUR HEART...PEACE IN YOUR SOUL..AND JOY IN YOUR LIFE.....ALWAYS...

This is the latest in medicine, effective for cancer!

2011-09-02T07:05:00.000-07:00

Got this in my email...don't know much about it..but its worth a try.

From the Institute of Health Sciences, 819 N. L.L.C. Charles Street Baltimore , MD 1201.
Read carefully & you be the judge.

Lemon (Citrus) is a miraculous product to kill cancer cells. It is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy.
Why do we not know about that? Because there are laboratories interested in making a synthetic version that will bring them huge profits. You can now help a friend in need by letting him/her know that lemon juice is beneficial in preventing the disease. Its taste is pleasant and it does not produce the horrific effects of chemotherapy. How many people will die while this closely guarded secret is kept, so as not to jeopardize the beneficial multimillionaires large corporations? As you know, the lemon tree is known for its varieties of lemons and limes.
You can eat the fruit in different ways: you can eat the pulp, juice press, prepare drinks, sorbets, pastries, etc... It is credited with many virtues, but the most interesting is the effect it produces on cysts and tumors. This plant is a proven remedy against cancers of all types. Some say it is very useful in all variants of cancer. It is considered also as an anti microbial spectrum against bacterial infections and fungi, effective against internal parasites and worms, it regulates blood pressure which is too high and an antidepressant, combats stress and nervous disorders.
The source of this information is fascinating: it comes from one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world, says that after more than 20 laboratory tests since 1970, the extracts revealed that: It destroys the malignant cells in 12 cancers, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreas. The compounds of this tree showed 10,000 times better than the product Adriamycin, a drug normally used chemotherapeutic in the world, slowing the growth of cancer cells. And what is even more astonishing: this type of therapy with lemon extract only destroys malignant cancer cells and it does not affect healthy cells.

Institute of Health Sciences, 819 N. L.L.C. Cause Street, Baltimore, MD1201

Some of the most beautiful things in the world...

2011-09-02T00:04:00.000-07:00

We often wonder at the wonderful things around and amrvel at their beauty. I came across such beauty in one of the emails forwarded to me and am pleased to share with you all the following. I am sure it will make your day just as they have mine. Enjoy!

One of the most beautiful horses in the world is
the Arabian.

One of the most beautiful bridges in the world is in
Japan ..

One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world is
Niagara Falls in the U..S. and Canada

The most beautiful eyes in the world
belong to this little girl from Afghanistan

One of the most beautiful little girls in the world
is Fatima from Morocco

One of the most beautiful cities in the world is
Vancouver, Canada.

One of the most beautiful houses in the world is in Barcelona , Spain owned by the famous footballer, Ronaldhino.

Hope you enjoyed watching them as I have. Cheers!

Who says "books are outdated...just read online?

2011-08-30T07:38:00.000-07:00

Bookfest Malaysia 2011 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Jalan Ampang, KL City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur. (http://www.bookfestmalaysia.com

Bookworms, here's your chance to grab some new titles and bargains.Touted as one of the largest book fairs in the region, the annual BookFest Malaysia is back again, this time showcasing leading publishers from the UK, US, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. The fair will also feature modern and innovative stationary products for school students and working adults. For further info,visit - http://www.timeoutkl.com/books/events/Bookfest-Malaysia-2011

Sales have been good and contrary to what some may say, reading books is still a favourite past time. Some would say you could download some e-books and read at your on leisure but it still woudnt be the same..of course one could read it with the help of a e-reader or i-Pad. But nothing beats curling up on a sofa, lounge cahir, bed..with a good book, imagine doing that with the hard laptop or i-Pad..how to lie down and read at ease.

So whoever said don't buy anymore books is knocking it too far.
We should encourage reading in various forms and media. Online e-books/journals...hard cover books, magazines, ...all contribute towards a knowledgeable society. Can one really do away with books in the future? I don't know...it will be a pity..what will happen to the bookshops and libraries? I was watching the news this morning and there was a piece about Nottinghill, the Travel Bookshop closing down and there are some folks planning to keep it open. Good luck. Imagine the future existence of libraries in universities and everywhere else...I hope no matter how advanced we become, we will still keep the simple pleasures of reading in a quiet library somewhere in the picture in the future.

I enjoy a book or two every evening especially before I go to bed...I can't do without it, can you?

Happy Merdeka Raya...31 August 2011

2011-08-30T07:12:00.000-07:00

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! 3 times! We all think that Tunku Abdul Rahman shouted 3 times but in actual fact he said it 7 times! yes, so lest you forget here's some write-up on the event. Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) is the national day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule in 1957, celebrated on August 31 each year. In a wider context, it is to celebrate the formation of Malaysia.

The effort for independence was spearheaded by Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, who led a delegation of ministers and political leaders of Malaya in negotiations with the British in London for Merdeka, or independence along with the first president of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) Tun Dato Sir Tan Cheng Lock and fifth President of Malaysian Indian Congress Tun V.T. Sambanthan. Once it became increasingly clear that the Communist threat posed during the Malayan Emergency was petering out, agreement was reached on February 8, 1956, for Malaya to gain independence from the British Empire. However, for a number of logistical and administrative reasons, it was decided that the official proclamation of independence would only be made the next year, on August 31, 1957, at Stadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium), in Kuala Lumpur.

On the night of August 30, 1957, crowds gathered at the Royal Selangor Club Padang in Kuala Lumpur to witness the handover of power from the British. Prime Minister-designate Tunku Abdul Rahman arrived at 11:58 pm and joined members of the Alliance Party's youth divisions in observing two minutes of darkness.[2] On the stroke of midnight, the lights were switched back on, and the Union Flag in the square was lowered.[3] The new Flag of Malaya was raised as the national anthem Negaraku was played. This was followed by seven chants of 'Merdeka' by the crowd.Tunku Abdul Rahman gave a speech hailing the ceremony as "greatest moment in the life of the Malayan people".

Tunku Abdul Rahman announcing the independence of Malaya from the British on August 31, 1957 at the Merdeka StadiumOn the morning of Saturday, August 31, 1957, the festivities moved to the newly-completed Merdeka Stadium. More than 20,000 people witnessed the ceremony, which began at 9:30 am. Those in attendance included rulers of the Malay states, foreign dignitaries, members of the federal cabinet and citizens.[4] The Queen's representative, the Duke of Gloucester presented Tunku Abdul Rahman with the instrument of independence. Tunku then proceeded to read the Proclamation of Independence, which culminated in the chanting of 'Merdeka' seven times with the crowd joining in. The ceremony continued with the raising of the National Flag of Malaya accompanied by the national anthem being played and a 21-gun salute, followed by an azan call and a thanksgiving prayer in honor of this great occasion.

The formation of Malaysia.
The Federation of Malaysia, comprising the States of Malaya, North Borneo (later renamed Sabah), Sarawak and Singapore was to be officially declared on the date August 31, 1963, on the 6th anniversary of Malayan independence. However, it was postponed to September 16, 1963, mainly due to Indonesian and the Philippines' opposition to the formation of Malaysia. Nevertheless, North Borneo and Singapore declared sovereignty on August 31, 1963. Indonesian opposition later escalated to a military conflict. Indonesia considered Malaysia as a new form of colonization on the provinces of Sarawak and Sabah in the island of Borneo (bordering Kalimantan, Indonesia), which they laid claim on. To assure Indonesia that Malaysia was not a form of neo-colonialism, a referendum, organized by the United Nations, and the Cobbold Commission, led by Lord Cobbold, were formed to determine whether the people of Sabah and Sarawak wished to join Malaysia. Their eventual findings which indicated substantial support for Malaysia among the peoples of Sabah and Sarawak, cleared the way for the final proclamation of Malaysia.

The formation of the Federation of Malaysia was then announced on September 16, 1963 as Malaysia Day. The nationwide Independence Day celebration is still held on August 31, the original independence date of Malaya, while Malaysia Day is a public holiday only in East Malaysia. However, this has caused some minor discontent among East Malaysians in particular since it has been argued that celebrating the national day on August 31 is too Malaya-centric.In 2009, it was decided that starting 2010, Malaysia Day would be a nationwide public holiday on September 16 in addition to Hari Merdeka on August 31.(wikipedia.com)
This year's theme for Merdeka Day is:
1 Malaysia, Transformasi Berjaya, Rakyat Sejahtera
(1 Malaysia, Transformation Success, People Peace)

So since today we are celebrating Hari Raya, and tomorrow Hari Merdeka, the following day is also a Raya holiday, here's wishing everyone Selamat Menyambut Merdeka Raya, ya ya.

How to make your child a future millionaire?

2011-08-28T18:19:00.000-07:00

After reading this article, thought I'd share it... I don't know about you but I sure would like my kids to become future millionaires...albeit responsible ones.

The Edge Malaysia
By Celine Tan of the edgemalaysia.com | The Edge – Mon, Mar 21, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR: Your child's wealth can be your financial success story. If you have failed in your quest to become a millionaire, it doesn't mean that your child should too. Time is on his side and all it takes is for you to start things rolling. Here, parents and financial practitioners relate how you can put your child on the millionaire's path.

Tell them why

While many parents want their children to be wealthy, one fear they all have is that the little ones may grow up to be too materialistic. “There is nothing wrong in ‘being rich'. Teach your children the ‘concept' of being wealthy, which is more important than being wealthy itself,” says C T Lim, senior partner of IPPFA Sdn Bhd, a Capital Markets Services Licence holder for financial planning with the Securities Commission.

“Explain to them the purpose of making good money. For example, I always explain to my three kids that although their mother is educated and we can afford to hire a servant, she chooses to devote all her time to their needs; and for this to happen, I have be the sole breadwinner of the family.”

Tell your child that money is not evil but it is an enabler, says Brandon Liew, CEO of Moneytree (M) Sdn Bhd, a company that coaches children and youth about money, investing and entrepreneurship.

“Make it clear that money is not everything, but almost everything needs money. Once you have set the right foundation and the values are in place, it is unlikely that your children will pursue material things.”

Create opportunities for them to earn

A million-ringgit gift to your child may sound impossible. But it is very much within reach, says Ong Shi Jie, head of wealth management of OCBC Bank (M) Bhd. “A monthly contribution of about RM300, made diligently from the time your child is born until he turns 18, and then left untouched until his retirement at 55, will hit the million-ringgit mark [assuming returns of 6% pa].”

But, is “giving” the right way to help your children? Ong takes a leaf from personal finance book, The Millionaire Next Door, in which Thomas J Stanley and William D Danko show readers how to become millionaires: “Built on years of research, it profiles people who have already become millionaires. Their research indicates that most millionaires were supported financially by their parents and ‘the more dollars adult children receive from their parents, the fewer they accumulate, while those who are given fewer dollars, accumulate more',” says Ong.

However, don't give them the money without asking them to do anything. “Or else, the level of appreciation is nominal. You don't want your child to have the perception that ‘no matter what, I will have my mum/dad to fall back on to help me out,” says Liew. “Create opportunities for your child to earn the money.

The plans can be tied to their academic achievements or other milestones. When you make them earn the money, the level of responsibility is far higher. This gives them a clear mindset that they have to ‘do something' to achieve the million-ringgit goal.”

Teach them millionaire habits

Planning financially for your children is not sufficient, you need to teach them some financial ground rules. “they also need to be equipped with the skills to save and grow the money,” says Liew. “Instil the knowledge and money habits so that they can responsibly handle any money you hand over. This will also give you peace of mind.”

It helps to understand the habits of millionaires and inculcate them in your children. “Teach them simplicity and frugality,” says Lim. “The focus should be how to manage money as a limited resource.”

Encourage them to follow their passion

While it is many a parent's wish to have their children graduate with a law or medical degree it is important that you do not try to fit a square peg into a round hole. “Don't quash their harebrained ideas, lest you stunt their budding creativity,” says Ong.

“While I'm not recommending that your child drop out of school and throw his textbooks out the window, nurture his strongest talent and encourage activities that make him happiest. After all, it is their passion that drives it. Whether it will help them arrive at being a billionaire, as most entrepreneurs will tell you, will be a combination of a multitude of factors.”

Your child will never be a millionaire if you force him into something he's not interested in. If you think that your child's passion won't pay, says Lim, help to turn it into a moneymaking idea. His daughter loves animals and her ambition is to be a veterinarian. “As the prospects for veterinarians are uncertain and I don't want to ‘kill' her passion, I encourage her to pursue her passion and give her suggestions on how to turn her ambition into a business. I gave her the idea of building a pet cemetery behind her future veterinarian clinic, which I feel has far greater prospects, and she likes it.”

Getting third-party help

You may be capable of teaching your child about money. “But, can you guarantee that your child is going to learn everything that you teach?” says Liew. “Teaching your child financial literacy doesn't happen in isolation. No matter how hard you try, you cannot provide the group dynamics needed as a part of learning. They need peer pressure to compete among and measure themselves. This is where programmes like financial literacy are important.”

Walk the talk

Children learn by imitating. Thus, it is vital that you watch your own money habits. “Be conscious of your simple everyday actions. For instance, if you use a credit card to make payments, make sure you explain how it works. Educate your child on the connection between plastic cards and real money. Otherwise, your child could misunderstand that the credit card is a tool to easily get things that he wants,” says Liew.

Make sure you are financially independent. Gone are the times when parents raised their children with the aspiration that they would grow into successful adults who would be able to take care of their parents. “The cost of living is going up at a tremendous pace,” says Liew.

“At the end of the day, your children will have their own expenses and families. To avoid being a burden to your children, plan for yourself financially.” This means that you must be on a sound financial footing, says Ong, with adequate insurance coverage, no credit-card balances or high-rate debts and are well on your way to saving for your own retirement.

By taking care of your own retirement needs, it can speed up your children's financial well-being.

Give them a good jump-start

Planning for your child education's funding is important. “Having a plan that helps your children pay their education fees can possibly be one of the best jump-starts. This could at least relieve them of the burden of having to repay their study loans and thus kick-start their personal savings plan as soon as they start their career,” says Lim.

The right amount to contribute should be based on your capacity. If the money you have set aside for them is insufficient, Ong proposes that you “have an open conversation with them. Start talking about the importance of saving money with your children, even when you don't have enough of it. Do not be afraid to share with them these difficulties and be transparent with them on making lifestyle adjustments in order to cope.”

So...start now...talk to your kids now...

Latest on hurricane Irene...

2011-08-28T03:35:00.000-07:00

My prayers go out to all who live along the coast from NC, NY, NJ, MD, VA to PA.
Stay safe. It will all come to pass.

For updates on Hurricane Irene visit this website.
Matt Daniel will keep you informed.

http://earthsky.org/earth/large-powerful-irene-approaches-north-carolina?gclid=CKvKiKLk8aoCFcEa6wodfidyPQ

Curry fish head for lunch, or just bones...?

2011-08-28T03:02:00.000-07:00

Yes...that's what we had or tried to have for lunch today. We went to a restaurant in Puchong today for some lunch and was anticipating some good fish head curry..instead it was just the fish head bones chopped into pieces..hardly any meat at all...but was filled with vegetables and some taupok. What a let down!
There wasnt any fish head to speak off...how can they serve this to the customers. needless to say,we are not going back there again. I was the one who ordered it so of course, I felt pretty bad about it, though my hubby was not happy he didn't say much...the saving grace was the gravy though..it was nice but we felt cheated.
I have had pretty good curry fish head and assam fish head in my many years eating out, this has got to be the worst. Indeed nothing like the picture above...

So that's why I am cooking dinner tonight...got to be better than the lunch we had...

There is no sacrifice without pain and there is no love without sacrifice...

2011-08-28T02:26:00.000-07:00

I was at church this morning and the homily delivered by the parish priest was about making sacrifices and choices in life.
He said there is no sacrifice without pain...how true. How many times in our lives have we sacrificed one thing or another; sometimes for friendship, sometimes for love and soemetimes beacuse it's the right thing to do. we scarifice our time to help others, we sacrifice some of our pocket money to give those in need, we sacrifice our love so that others can enjoy. Sometimes we sacrifice for our kids and our parents...but as the priest says all come with choices. We are the ones who choose to make the sacrifices...yes indeed. We choose to give up on some things, time, cash..love...and it is painful at times. In the end, we make the choice to sacrifice because we know deep in our hearts, others need it more. So as I wrote some time ago about making choices about life and love, it is difficult and indeed painful but somehow we do move on, we change and we move forward. Pain can be numbed after some time...when I do believe that time heals everything and it does numb the pain. Friends do help a lot...thank you all.

I'd like to believe that the hurt we feel does go away over time..goodness knows..I have felt pain and hurt numerous times the past few years, yet I know that life has to go on and we have to move forward...so I let it pass because i know that if we wallow in self pity it will break us...the people who hurt us know what they did. I believe that what goes round, comes around so I know one day..they who inflict the pain will feel it too.I believe their time will come if not now on earth later when they meet their Maker.
I am not perfect but so are you!
For me...yes I may forgive but I don't think its that easy to forget the hurt and pain...we just numb it all and carry on with our lives..else how can we go on right.
So to everyone...let's do good to others, let's not hurt others...let's make sacrifices while we can and do our part in making the world a better place to live in. Let's make the right choices.

Selamat hari raya to all Muslim friends here and everywhere.

2011-08-27T02:17:00.000-07:00

Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Arab: عيد الفطر‎; 'Ayd al-Fiṭr; "perayaan fitrah") disambut pada Syawal tahun Hijrah. Perayaan tersebut juga dikenali sebagai Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Raya Fitrah, dan Hari Lebaran. Hari Raya Aidilfitri merupakan perayaan yang dirayakan oleh umat Islam di seluruh dunia tidak kira bangsa sama ada Melayu,India-Muslim dan lain-lain bangsa di seluruh dunia yang beragama Islam bagi menandakan berakhirnya bulan Ramadhan yang mana umat Islam telah menjalani ibadat puasa dengan tekun. Ia merupakan antara dua perayaan terbesar bagi umat Islam, selain Hari Raya Korban.

Hari Raya Puasa bermula melalui dua cara; iaitu melalui rukyah (melihat anak bulan) ataupun secara hisab(kiraan). Sekiranya melalui rukyah, apabila anak bulan kelihatan, ini menandakan bermulanya bulan Syawal, iaitu bulan ke-10 dalam Takwim Hijrah Islam. Di Malaysia, anak bulan akan diperhatikan oleh pegawai bertugas pada sebelah petang hingga waktu maghrib di beberapa tempat strategik.

Perayaan Hari Raya Puasa merupakan berakhirnya tempoh untuk membayar zakat fitrah iaitu zakat yang dikenakan kepada mereka yang masih hidup sehingga masa itu. Zakat fitrah tidak perlu dibayar bagi mereka yang telah meninggal dunia. Kebiasaannya orang Islam juga akan mula membayar zakat fitrah semenjak bulan puasa bermula dan zakat fitrah ini akan berhenti dikutip apabila solat sunat Aidilfitri dimulakan. Oleh itu, pada kebiasaannya solat sunat Aidilfitri dilewatkan sedikit berbanding solat sunat Aidiladha. Hikmahnya dilewatkan sedikit solat sunat Aidilfitri adalah bagi memberi peluang kepada mereka yang belum membayar zakat untuk menunaikan kewajipan mereka dan disunatkan makan dahulu sebelum pergi ke masjid. Berlainan pula, solat sunat Aidiladha digalakkan diawalkan waktunya bagi memberi lebih banyak masa untuk penyembelihan korban. [1]

Apabila tarikh Hari Raya telah ditentukan, umat Islam akan bertakbir dan bertahmid sambil memuji kebesaran Allah. Tempoh bertakbir bagi Hari Raya Aidilfitri adalah antara terbenamnya matahari(hari terakhir bulan Ramadan) sehingga solat sunat Hari Raya Aidilfitri bermula pada pagi 1 Syawal tahun Hijrah. Hari raya disambut pada pagi hingga malam.

Simbol

Gambar ketupat yang dianyam dari riben.Simbol terkenal bagi perayaan Hari Raya di Malaysia ialah ketupat. Ketupat adalah juadah istimewa yang masih dihidangkan pada hari ini. Ketupat adalah nasi yang dikukus di dalam anyaman daun kelapa atau daun palas dan selalunya dihidangkan bersama dengan rendang. Juadah-juadah yang lain termasuklah lemang, lontong, dodol, dan kuih raya.

Namun begitu, simbol lain yang berteraskan Islam seperti kalimah Allah dan Nabi Muhammad, bunga-bungaan, tumbuh-tumbuhan, geometri, dan lain-lain yang tiada unsur haram juga adalah digalakkan untuk digunakan sebagai simbol perayaan Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

PersiapanDi Malaysia, Hari Raya Aidilfitri disambut dengan meriah. Berminggu-minggu sebelum perayaan tersebut menjelma, suasana persiapan menjelang Aidilfitri telah dirasai. Pusat-pusat membeli-belah akan mengadakan jualan murah dan dihiasi dengan perhiasan secara besar-besaran. Lagu-lagu raya juga akan diputarkan di radio dan di televisyen. Rancangan-rancangan yang berkisarkan Aidilfitri akan ditayangkan. Bank, sekolah, dan premis-premis perniagaan akan ditutup selama beberapa hari sehingga seminggu sempena Aidilfitri.

Di jalan raya utama dan lebuh raya di seluruh negara, kesesakan akan berlaku akibat kebanjiran warga bandar yang pulang ke kampung halaman untuk menyambut Aidilfitri bersama-sama sanak saudara dan kaum keluarga. Fenomena ini juga dikenali sebagai Balik Kampung.

Amalan lazimAntara amalan yang dilakukan pada Hari Raya Aidilfitri ialah amalan berziarah. Amalan ini adalah bertepatan dengan suruhan agama Islam itu sendiri. Pada pagi Hari Raya Aidilfitri(selalunya sebelum dan sejurus sesudah menunaikan solat sunat Hari Raya Aidilfitri), umat Islam yang telah kehilangan saudara-mara akan mengunjungi pusara mereka dan menghadiahkan Surah Al-Fatihah atau bacaan surah Yaasin. Kemudian mereka akan berkunjung ke rumah sanak saudara dan rakan taulan. Mereka akan bermaaf-maafan dan melupakan kesilapan yang lampau. Pada asasnya, Hari Raya adalah hari untuk bergembira, bermaaf-maafan, dan hari untuk mengeratkan tali persaudaraan di kalangan umat Islam di samping meraikan kejayaan beribadah kepada Allah.

Amalan memberi wang kepada kanak-kanak juga amat popular pada Hari Raya. Duit raya selalunya diberikan oleh orang dewasa kepada kanak-kanak melalui sampul duit yang selalunya berwarna hijau dan kuning. Sampul duit raya diadaptasi daripada amalan orang Cina yang memberi sampul merah berisi wang ataupun "Ang Pau". Pada Hari Raya, sampul selalunya berwarna selain daripada warna merah, iaitu hijau atau kuning. Terdapat pelbagai saiz sampul yang dikeluarkan oleh bank-bank dan syarikat-syarikat perniagaan, antaranya saiz yang bersesuaian dengan saiz wang kertas polimer RM 5. Kadangkala amalan pemberian Duit Raya diganti dengan pemberian hadiah-hadiah.

Sudut agama pula, malam tujuh likur sering dikaitkan dengan Lailatulqadar iaitu detik keemasan untuk individu Muslim merebut syurga apabila malaikat dan Jibril akan turun ke bumi untuk mengaminkan doa orang yang bersembahyang, bertasbih, bertahmid dan bertakbir kepada Allah. Dengan itu timbullah tradisi memasang pelita bagi sebagai simbol meraikan bulan mulia dan memudahkan membantu mereka yang berjalan ke surau atau masjid bagi menunaikan tarawih kerana merebutkan Lailatulqadar, kerana suasana pada malam terlalu gelap dan mungkin membahayakan keselamatan. Ini adalah kerana pada masa dahulu, tiada kemudahan elektrik seperti hari ini.[2]

Malah diriwayatkan juga Ali k.w. mengelilingi masjid-masjid pada bulan Ramadhan dengan membawa lampu sambil mengucapkan kata-kata yang bermaksud: "Semoga Allah s.w.t. menerangi kubur Umar sebagaimana dia telah menerangi masjid-masjid kami." [3], dan juga riwayat dari Umar (رضى الله عنه) menyebutkan bahawa:

"Barangsiapa yang memberikan lampu penerang pada masjid-masjid Allah maka Allah akan memberi pula baginya lampu penerang di dalam kuburnya. " [4]

Rumah-rumah terbuka akan diadakan pada Hari Raya itu sendiri ataupun sepanjang bulan Syawal. Kemeriahan Hari Raya Aidilfitri selalunya akan berpanjangan sehingga sebulan, dan kemeriahan itu akan hilang dengan sendirinya apabila semua orang pulang ke bandar setelah cuti tamat.Biasanya minggu pertama hari raya,jalan akan dipenuhi dengan kereta dan menyebabkan jalan sesak.

Pakaian Baju Melayu adalah pakaian tradisi kaum Melayu yang dipakai oleh kaum lelaki di Malaysia pada Hari Raya. Pakaian ini dilengkapi dengan songkok dan lilitan songket di bahagian pinggang. Pakaian yang menjadi kebiasaan kaum wanita pula ialah Baju kurung dan Baju kebaya. Setiap tahun pelbagai fesyen diperkenalkan bagi mempelbagaikan rekaan baju-baju tradisi ini. Pada tahun 2005, pemakaian batik, songket, dan baju kebaya nyonya semakin meningkat hasil promosi dan komersialisasi oleh Allahyarhamah Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, isteri kepada bekas Perdana Menteri Malaysia ke-5, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Aidilfitri dalam Kalendar MasihiTarikh Hari Raya Aidilfitri adalah sentiasa tetap dan sama mengikut kalendar Hijrah. Namun begitu tarikhnya sentiasa berubah mengikut kalendar Masihi kerana kalendar Hijrah adalah mengikut peredaran bulan manakala kalendar Masihi pula mengikut peredaran Bumi mengelilingi Matahari. Oleh itu, tarikh Hari Raya adalah berbeza daripada tahun ke tahun, dengan beza lebih kurang antara sepuluh hingga 15 hari. (www.wikipedia.com)

Tahun ini, Hari Raya di Malaysia diraikan pada 30 dan 31 Ogos 2011.
Saya mengucapkan Selamat Hari Raya kepada Muslimin dan Muslimat rakan-rakan semua.

"Berhati-hati di jalan raya"

Are you ready for retirement?

2011-08-27T00:22:00.001-07:00

This is the year many people are retiring since the retirement age for civil servants was raised to 58 years. Just last month two colleagues retired, and yesterday my 2nd boss and another colleague retired...soon my own Director will be retiring in a few weeks time and also another few more colleagues till the end of the year. Which set me thinking...soon it will be my turn...I had better prepare now...though its five more years to go that is, if I remain active and healthy till then. I came across an article on Retirement Blues...perhaps it may help some of you who are in the zone now.
Happy reading.

Getting Over the Retirement Blues. It may be hard to imagine someone being anything but ecstatic to be retired and free to spend their days doing as they wish, but many people do go through some sort of a rough patch when they retire because retirement is a time of adjustment. This article will give you some helpful advice on getting over the retirement blues so you can get on with enjoying this new chapter of your life.

The retirement blues are the result of a few things, like having to say goodbye to a job that you loved and even one that you didn’t. Leaving the workforce can be a rough transition for someone who has spent the last few decades working. All that free time can be overwhelming! Then there’s also the realization that you are indeed retired and yes, aging. We spend every day aging but there’s something about retirement that just really drives it home for some people. Then you’ve also got to adjust to making less money than you’re used to which is even harder if you didn’t have much of a savings set aside for retirement. And for some the blues are a result of retirement not living up to the big romantic picture they had painted of it in their heads. Turns out retirement isn’t one big funny episode of the Golden Girls! It can be stressful and lonely for some. Having the right attitude is the first step in getting over the retirement blues.

If you’re feeling down about aging and feeling like retirement is somehow the end of your life, then it’s time to stop and realize that retirement is actually a whole new beginning and one that you’ve earned after years of working hard. Retirement will be what you make it just like anything else in life. This is your time to try new things and do the stuff that you never had time for before. This doesn’t mean that every minute of your retirement needs to be spent out travelling, salsa dancing or skydiving though! For those of you who romanticized retirement and pictured something more glamorous and exciting, you need to know that it’s okay to just relax and be sometimes. Not every moment needs to be an adventure unless you want it to be—really want it. A few leisurely days spent gardening or having a friend over for tea is to be savoured just as much as a cruise or vacation abroad. Enjoy it—all of it!

For those who are finding things difficult in the financial department you may need to work part time or find some way of earning some extra money. Instead of looking at this as a bad thing you should instead see the positive side which is that you can try something new. Look into jobs at places that you’d always wished you could work or make money doing something you love. Think of your hobbies and see if there’s money to be made selling your crafts, knit scarves or hand carved furniture. The world is your oyster at this point! Getting over the retirement blues is up to you.

http://www.retirementdirectory.com/getting-over-the-retirement-blues.html
Cheers!

Expenditures around the world ..it's the best..wowwww

2011-08-26T20:09:00.000-07:00

Germany : The Melander family of Bargteheide
Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07

Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna
Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27

Chad : The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs

United States: The Revis family of North Carolina (Sure hope most American
families eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and less junk food than this family.)
Food expenditure for one week $341.98

Italy : The Manzo family of Sicily
Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11

Mexico: The Casales family of Cuernavaca
Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09

Egypt : The Ahmed family of Cairo
Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53

Ecuador : The Ayme family of Tingo
Food expenditure for one week: $31.55

Bhutan : The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village
Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03

Credited to : Tan Wah Sin

21 Tips Cegah Jenayah dari PDRM ~ Penting Sempana Cuti Raya

2011-08-25T00:11:00.000-07:00

Tips menghalang jenayah seperti yang diberi oleh
Polis DiRaja Malaysia [ PDRM]

1. Jangan biarkan anak-anak tidur di ruang tamu seorang diri (Mereka mungkin menggunakan anak sebagai tebusan).

2. Kunci atau sorokkan semua pisau-pisau yang terdapat di dapur sebelum tidur (Kesemua kes kecurian di dapati pisau hilang dan menurut polis mereka akan mencari pisau dahulu sebelum mencuri bertujuan untuk melindungi diri mereka).

3. Sekiranya terdengar/terlihat paip air di luar rumah terbuka pada tengah malam (pukul 12 ke atas), jangan keluar rumah untuk menutup paip tersebut kerana ini adalah taktik terbaru mereka di mana mereka telah menunggu diluar pintu rumah untuk masuk (Kes terbaru berlaku di Dungun dan PJ).

4. Beritahu anak-anak sekiranya hendak ke tandas (jika tandas jauh) di waktu tengah malam, kejutkan ibubapa untuk bersama mereka.

5. Jangan simpan barang-barang kemas di dalam almari baju (Cara lama).

6. Bawa alarm kereta bersama semasa tidur, kalau terjaga tengah malam, cuba on and off kan balik untuk menakutkan pencuri (Menandakan kita sentiasa peka).

7.. Tekan butang merah alarm kereta anda jika anda mengesyaki pencuri sudah masuk ke dalam rumah.

8. Sekiranya terlihat orang asing yang mencurigakan di kawasan rumah anda, sila dapatkan plet no motor/kereta mereka (Selalunya mereka ini naik motor dan mereka ni biasanya berdua, setiap kali kita lalu depan mereka, mereka akan menundukkan kepala).

9. Pesan dengan jiran, sekiranya ada sesiapa yang datang ke rumah anda dan mengaku saudara anda bertujuan untuk mengambil barang-barang, jangan benarkan, beri nombor telefon pejabat kepada jiran supaya mereka boleh memaklumkan pada anda.

10. Semasa tidur, pastikan handphone anda berada di sisi atau pastikan juga Cordless Phone anda berada di sisi anda ataupun sambungkan satu extension dalam kamar tidur anda. Ini memudahkan anda membuat panggilan kecemasan sekiranya anda terasa kehadiran pencuri di dalam rumah anda.

11. Adakan senarai nombor telefon kecemasan 999 seperti polis, bomba , 991 atau sebagainya. Pastikan nombor-nombor ini disimpan dalam handphone anda. Kalau boleh, hafal nombor tersebut. Ini memudahkan anda untuk membuat sebarang panggilan telefon.

12. Kalau berkemampuan, pasangkan alat pengesan kecurian di rumah atau automatik alarm.

13. Lampu porch & lampu belakang rumah sebaiknya jenis automatik ,ia akan menyala bila malam, baik semasa kita ada di rumah atau pergi makan angin.

14. Kalau perlu mengambil cuti panjang,sentiasa memberitahu jiran2 anda supaya mereka dapat membantu menyimpan surat dlm mail box. Peti surat yg penuh membantu pencuri menghidu ketiadaan tuan rumah.

15. Kalau kawasan anda kerap berlaku kecurian, buat permohonan rasmi dari Balai Polis berdekatan supaya ada anggota polis buat rondaan yang kerap di kawasan anda.

16. Kereta PROTON merupakan kenderaan yang paling mudah dicuri. Kalau kereta anda baru dibeli, sekurang-kurangnya anda perlu mengunci gear & stering sebelum tidur (Sebenarnya masih boleh dicuri, tetapi ia dapat membantu melambatkan pencuri).

17. Kalau ada anak-anak perempuan, sebaik-baiknya pintu biliknya dikunci dari dalam (Sebab ada pencuri yg mengambil kesempatan seksual) dan anda perlu ada kunci pendua sekiranya berlaku kebakaran.

18. Sekurang-kurangnya simpan kayu hoki atau baseball di bawah katil anda buat mempertahankan diri dari pencuri yang ganas.

19. Jangan letak kunci bawah pasu bunga/mail box/alang pintu/tepi tingkap bila keluar (Pencuri dah lama tau taktik ni). Lebih selamat beri pada jiran yang kita kenal rapat.

20. Kalau menyewa di rumah baru, pastikan anda menukar padlock baru,kerana mungkin penyewa terdahulu masih mempunyai kunci pendua.

21. Kurangkan pendedahan dan pergaulan anda dengan pekerja asing.

Sumber: Bukit Aman PDRM
Harap info ini sedikit sebanyak dapat membantu anda demi keluarga tersayang.
Sama-Sama Membenteras Jenayah.
Jenayah Membawa Padah!
Layari laman web di bawah untuk Info tambahan mengenai kes jenayah:-
http://info-pecah-rumah.blogspot.com

Have a safe trip home everyone. Berhati-hati di jalan raya.
Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

Vitamin "F"

2011-08-23T19:06:00.000-07:00

"My Vitamin F"

A Friend shared this article with me and I want to share it with you.

Why do I have a variety of friends who are all different in character ?
Some of them can be considered marginal even ?
How do I get on with them all ?

I think that each one helps to bring out a "different" part of me...
With one of them I am polite.
I joke with another friend.
I sit down and talk about serious matters with one of them.
With another I giggle at every silly thing.
I have my wine with one
And dance with another.
I listen to one friend's problems and give them advice
Then I listen to another advising me.
They are all like pieces of a jigsaw,
When completed they form a treasure box.
A treasure of friends!
They are my friends who understand me better than myself,
who support me through good days and bad days.
They are like colourful anti-depressants that I take on different days.

Real Age doctors tell us that friends are good for our health.
Dr. Oz calls them Vitamins F (from Friends) and counts the benefits of friends to our well being.

Research shows that people in strong social circles have less risk of depression and terminal strokes. If you take Vitamin F constantly you can be up to 30 years younger than your real age. The warmth of friendship stops stress and even in your tense moments, it decreases the chance of a cardiac arrest or stroke by 50 %.

I am so happy that I have a stock of Vitamins F!

In summary we should value our friends and keep in touch with them.
We should try to see the funny side of things and laugh together, not forgetting
to open our mouths big to swallow the floating vitamins F !!!!

Thank you for being one of my vitamins!

Ramadhan Al-Mubarak

2011-08-19T06:52:00.001-07:00

http://ukinbahrain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-bahrain/Ramadan

Ramadan Al Mubarak (meaning "the Blessed") is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar. Ramadan is singled out for acts of worships and fasting because the first verses of the Holy Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet during a period of meditation and solitude in a cave near Mecca in the 7th Century.

Ramadan, for Muslims is a month of fasting, spiritualism, meditation and abstinence from food, drinks, smoking and continence in all respects between dawn and dusk. It also calls for more prayers and meditation coupled with increased tolerance towards one's fellow beings. Only the sick, the infirm, women in their menstruation periods, nursing mothers and travellers are exempt from fasting, but they are expected to make up the lost days at another time. Ramadan is also a month of charity and compassion. Alms are given to the poor. Special foods and sweetmeats are prepared for breaking of the fast each evening throughout the month.

After the discipline of prayers fasting and meditation, Ramadan culminates with the joyous celebration of Eid Al Fitr. Muslims observe a three days holiday marked by mass prayers, family reunions, social visits and exchange of courtesies and gifts. People meet together and greet one another with the traditional phrase of "Eid Mubarak".

Some useful Ramadan phrases

Ramadan Kareem: Happy Ramadan. (Response: Allahu Akram)
Ramadan Mubarak: Ramadan blessings.
Siam Maqbool wa Iftar shahee: Well fasted and enjoy breaking fast. (to be said at sunset)
Kul sana wa inta tayyib: Every year you are fine. (Response: Wa inta)

Selamat berpuasa to all my Muslim friends.

Today's children are digital learners!

2011-08-17T22:51:00.000-07:00

http://jasonmessinger.glogster.com/glogs/sortedBy/favorites

So much has been said about we oldies being digital immigrants and our children being born digital natives. How far is this true? No doubt we are learning about technology and immersing ourselves in it everyday but however fast we are, our kids are one step ahead of us. So much has been said about preparing ourselves for the 21st century, so where are we. What is 21st century learning and what do we mean by 21st century learning skills? Whatever is meant, we have no choice but to move forward, to equip ourselves with the knowledge to face the ever changing technology that surrounds us so that we can prepare to face our children, our students who seem to have everything at their finger tips. How to move from teacher-centered learning to student-centered learning. Accessibility and knowledge of how things work and where to get the information. 21st century skills include the 4 skills of critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication. Everyone's talking about web 2.0 tools for teaching and learning. Do you use them? I have read successful stories and they are the in-thing now. Suffice to say, we should get ourselves on the bandwagon, shape up or ship out. We have to learn to keep up else we be left behind. I am trying to read more, google more and do depend heavily on my favorite site the wikis. So I got myself a BB so I can keep up with the latest techno, so I can chat with my kids more and acquire skills that are just a finger tip away...to everyone who is also facing techno fever, good luck and keep up the good work.

Moving on...

2011-08-17T17:02:00.000-07:00

It's already August...where am I? Have I achieved what I set out to do thus far...according to my New Year resolutions? Time has just passed me by and I have let it pass. Mum is still living in pain, I am still trying to clear my QE...my youngest girl has just been diagnosed with hyperthyroid this week. So what have I been doing a a mum? I have been so busy working and trying to complete my three chapters that I have somehow "neglected" the complaints of my girl. So now I really have to be more a mum than anything else. As they say, work can wait but family can't. So this Raya too, we will spend time with family from Penang and also drop by in JB to see my mum, and my daughter who is studying in Singapore.
Yes, its time to move on with the things that matter most to our hearts and our lives. It's family time and we also miss my son who is in Miri, Sarawak.
Whatever else happens, family should come first and everything else second, agreed?

Nicol David wins Australian Women Open 2011

2011-08-14T05:22:00.000-07:00

CANBERRA: Malaysian squash superstar Nicol David claimed the Australian Open women's title at her first attempt when she downed England's Jenny Duncalf in straight games in Canberra on Sunday.

David was at the brilliant best as she shut out Duncalf 11-8, 11-4, 11-6.

The world number one took control from the first game, jumping out to a 6-1 lead, and although Duncalf fought back to level terms the Englishwoman was always playing catch up and David never looked like relinquishing her grip.

"I knew that today was going to be a tough final, she knows my game really well and we play each other a lot," David said.

"I really had to stay consistent in there, I was moving well, I focused well and I just stayed on my game."

Nicol Ann David is a Malaysian female professional squash player. She is currently ranked world number 1 in women's squash, and is the first Asian woman to achieve this. She won the British Open title in 2005, 2006 and 2008, as well as the World Open title in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Nicol is the first squash player to have won the World Junior title twice; in 1999 and 2001 under the tutelage of Richard Glanfield. She remained the only female squash player to have achieved this, until Raneem El Weleily emulated Nicol's feat by winning her second World Junior Championship in 2007. Nicol joined WISPA and turned professional in 2000 when she won her first WISPA title, after only a month in the tour. The victory came in February, when she defeated Salma Shabana in the final of the Savcor Finnish Open. On June 7, 2008, Nicol David was honoured with the Order of Merit (Darjah Bakti) or D.B. in conjunction with the birthday of the His Majesty Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin. She was the first recipient of the award which was established on June 26, 1975. Nicol was also invited to carry the Olympic torch for Malaysia during the build up to the Athens Olympics in 2004 and being appointed as UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador for Malaysia.

Nicol David's other notable achievements include the Asian Squash Championship, which she won with a record of eight times (in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2011). She also held a 13-month, 51-match winning streak, from March 2006 until April 2007, when she finally lost to Natalie Grinham in the final of the 2007 Seoul Open. Nicol has also obtained the WISPA Player of the Year on six consecutive occasions, from 2005 until 2010
(wikipedia)

Are Today's Youth Less Creative & Imaginative?

2011-08-14T05:10:00.000-07:00

Published August 12, 2011
LiveScience

It sounds like the complaint of a jaded adult: Kids these days are narrow-minded and just not as creative as they used to be.

But researchers say they are finding exactly that. In a 2010 study of about 300,000 creativity tests going back to the 1970s, Kyung Hee Kim, a creativity researcher at the College of William and Mary, found creativity has decreased among American children in recent years. Since 1990, children have become less able to produce unique and unusual ideas. They are also less humorous, less imaginative and less able to elaborate on ideas, Kim said.

Has modern society really extinguished the creative spark among our youth?

Experts say creativity is innate, so it can't really be lost. But it needs to be nurtured.

"It's not that creativity can necessarily disappear," said Ron Beghetto, an education psychologist at the University of Oregon. "But it can be suppressed in particular contexts."

The current focus on testing in schools, and the idea that there is only one right answer to a question, may be hampering development of creativity among kids, Beghetto said. "There's not much room for unexpected, novel, divergent thought," he said.

But the situation is not hopeless, Beghetto said. In fact, there's evidence to suggest that, worldwide, youngsters are very creative, particularly with their use of digital media, Beghetto said. And a recent study found that, at least in their playtime, kids are becoming more imaginative.

Experts agree changes can be made in the classroom to cultivate creativity.

No child gets ahead

In her study, Kim analyzed results from the Torrance test, an exam that measures an aspect of creativity called divergent thinking. In this test, kids might be shown two circles and asked to draw something out of these shapes.

Interestingly, scores on the Torrance test have been decreasing while SAT scores are increasing. However, better test scores do not necessarly translate to improved creativity, Kim said. You can do well on a test by studying a lot, but it won't encourage original thinking.

Kim said No Child Left Behind, an act of Congress passed in 2001 that requires schools to administer annual standardized tests as a way to assess whether they are meeting state education standards, may be partly responsible for the drop in creativity scores.

"I believe No Child Left Behind … really hurt creativity," Kim said. "If we just focus on just No Child Left Behind — testing, testing, testing — then how can creative students survive?" Kim said. Other culprits may be the rise in TV watching, a passive activity that doesn't require interactions with others, Kim said.

Kim's work has also shown creativity declines in adulthood as we become more aware of the notions of right and wrong answers, she said.

But just because we are doomed to become less imaginative as adults does not mean society shouldn't work to salvage creativity in children. After all, ideas in childhood may lead to future career pursuits.

"If this trend continues then students who look different, nonconformists, will suffer, because they are not accepted," Kim said. Research shows that if creative personalities don't adjust to the school system, they can become underachievers and drop out of school, she said.

Time to play

Kids also nurture their creativity abilities when they "pretend," said Sandra Russ, a psychologist at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio, who was not involved in Kim's study. Elements of insight, fantasy and emotional expression all go into this type of story-making, Russ said.

Nowadays, with kids' overbooked schedules, there is less time for pretend play, Russ said.

Russ looked back at studies she has conducted on pretend play since 1985. In all, the studies involved close
to 900 children ages 6 to 9, who were asked to make up a story using two puppets. Stories were rated based on how many ideas the kids came up with, the novelty of the ideas, and the emotions expressed within the tales.

Russ found that, over time, imagination in the stories increased, with the stories in 1985 showing significantly less imagination than stories (created by different groups of kids) in 2008.

"Given the changes in [our] culture, we were surprised, and I would say encouraged," Russ said.
The results suggest kids are resilient, and may be finding ways to develop these abilities through other means besides strict playtime. For instance, some video games call for creative problem-solving strategies, Russ said.

The results do not necessarily contradict Kim's findings. The researchers can't be sure whether kids will actually apply their playtime imagination to the real world, Russ said.

Hide and seek

So how can we make sure not to squelch kids' creativity once they step inside a classroom?

Beghetto said the interaction between students and teachers has become one of "intellectual hide and seek." The students try to match what they think the teacher wants to hear.

"If you can do that, you can be 'successful' in school," Beghetto said.

Teachers don't spend a lot of time exploring unexpected ideas because they might not be sure where it will lead, Beghetto said. As a result, "out-of-the-box" thinking gets discouraged.

Beghetto is not blaming teachers, who may even feel as though they cannot teach creativity.
But teaching to prepare for tests and teaching to develop creativity are not mutually exclusive, Beghetto said. Teachers should recognize that unexpected answers may still lead to meaningful conversation and learning in a classroom, he said.

And schools may be able to implement tests that assess students broadly and allow for more creativity.

"I think there should be a variety of ways to assess what students know and how they know it," Beghetto said.

Follow staff writer Rachael Rettner on Twitter @RachaelRettner.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/08/12/are-todays-youth-less-creative-imaginative/#ixzz1V0Nm5VdT

The world's fastest growing airport.

2011-08-03T22:28:00.000-07:00

Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen Airport is the world's fastest growing airport, according to a new report released by Airports Council International (ACI) August 1.

The World Airport Traffic Report 2010, which analyzed the performance of over 1,300 airports in 157 countries around the world last year, suggests that traffic at Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen Airport, completed in 2009, jumped by 75 percent last year.

That puts it considerably ahead of Campinas in Brazil, the world's second-fastest growing airport, and Rio de Janeiro, the third.

Charleroi in Belgium and Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport rounded off the top five list.

Overall, traffic through the world's airports grew by 6.6 percent in 2010, the report shows, a total of 5.04 billion passengers -- the first time global air travel has passed the 5 billion mark.

The fastest growth was observed in Latin America and the Caribbean (13.2 percent), ACI said, followed by the Middle East (12 percent), Asia-Pacific (11.3 percent) Africa (9.5 percent), Europe (4.3 percent) and North America (2.5 percent).

Preliminary statistics show that for the first six months of this year, global passenger traffic is up by six percent again.

The busiest airports in the world overall were Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson in the US, Beijing, Chicago in the US, London Heathrow and Tokyo Haneda.

However, stripping out domestic passengers to include just international travel, London Heathrow holds the top spot, followed by Paris Charles de Gaulle, Hong Kong International, Dubai International in the United Arab Emirates and Frankfurt in Germany.

The world's fastest-growing airports

1. Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Turkey
2. Viracopos-Campinas, Brazil
3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
4. Charleroi, Belgium
5. Moscow Sheremetyevo, Russia
6. Belo Horizonte, Brazil
7. Bogota, Colombia
8. Phuket, Thailand
9. Shanghai Pudong, China
10. Muscat, Oman
11. Ankara, Turkey
12. St Petersburg, Russia
13. Medan, Indonesia
14. Shanghai Hongqiao, China
15. Milwaukee, WI, USA

Data from Airports Council International - http://www.airports.org/

*KLIA...wherefore art thou?

Osteo-arthritis of the knee

2011-07-25T02:42:00.000-07:00

Yaks...the pain is undescribable..sharp and lingering.
That's what my knee felt like last Friday. Suddenly I couldn't move.
Thank God for my colleague who whisked me to the hospital..got immmediate treatment, a jab to the butt!. even then tat was temporary relief. back home later, the pain came back and has been lingering since then...went to the doctor again this morning...got a couple of days off from work...still I doubt I can drive come Wednesday.
I've been reading articles on arthritis n treatments and diets...well exercise is what I can do at the moment. For a while at least, the pain seems intent to stay. Now not only the knee but the pain has travelled down to the calves...thank God my sister provided some calve stockings and that has brought relief at least when I seleep.Well here' some more reading on arthritis...

Living with Knee Arthritis

There are many forms of arthritis affecting people of every age, especially people over the age of 50, and all are bound to make basic tasks such as walking or writing a letter uncomfortable at best and unbearably painful at worst. Arthritis is an inflammation of bone joints that slowly wears down cartilage, creating inflammation and soreness at the affected joint. One particular form of arthritis that makes moving around difficult is knee arthritis. As the name implies, knee arthritis affects one or both knees, making any sort of pressure or movement on the knee sore or even painful.

Causes

Knee arthritis in itself is not a disease ? rather, it’s used to describe the area where any type of arthritis occurs. This illness can be caused by a bacterial infection or fungus, as in the case of septic arthritis, or osteoarthritis, which is caused by bone trauma or old age. Left alone, knee arthritis will worsen and make walking around almost impossible to bear. Firstly, any extended soreness or inflammation of the knee may be a symptom of this illness. If you suspect that you are suffering from knee arthritis, seek a doctor immediately. They may choose several options to diagnose the problem, including but not limited to an X-ray, tissue or blood sample, or a complete physical examination. Within a few days the results from the tests should be analyzed, and then if you do have knee arthritis, the doctor may direct you to a physical therapist and orthopedic surgeon to help formulate a plan to combat the illness.

Treatments

Don’t worry too much about knee arthritis. If left untreated for a long period of time, it can be debilitating to the point where a patient becomes legally disabled, but many treatments exist to help make sure that this never becomes a reality. Many treatments include exercising as a key component to reducing the pain and swelling and healing the joint. Some of the most popular exercises include gentle swimming motions and walking, and classes exist to help you maximize the potential from each type of exercise. Also, medications can help reduce the pain, not by deadening nerves, but by actually working to reduce the swelling and inflammation in the joint. Sometimes, fluid will also be extracted from the joint to decrease pressure and consequently pain.

Just because you have knee arthritis does not mean you will not be able to live out your life to the fullest. Millions of people have knee arthritis, and with treatment, they are able to live as they always have, driving and walking wherever they please. If they so choose, they can even play sports!

Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article64143.html

My birthday...

2011-07-24T03:33:00.001-07:00

Ya..my birthday arrived last Tuesday...came and went quietly.
Cos' i was attending a meeting in town...so was celebrating alone.
So what now... 53 years old..wow..has it been that long since I started this blog..when i turned 50. Told myself...I'd start living it...and I guess I have been doing just that.

Anyway, this weekend hasn't been that good...my knee has been troubling me for some months now. Last Frriday, it just jammed up. The pain was so bad, i could neiother stand nor walk. So I was bundled into my colleague's car, driven to hospital, had x-rays done and given a jab in the butt, given pain killers and sent home. Nothing wrong with the knee joints..all properly aligned according to the doctor..just the osteo-arthritis pain. So after three days, it hasn't improved...instead the pain has gone down to the calves...ouch..so painful..I am still limping y way aorrund. But I try to stay off my feet. I can still cycle in the air..and it doesnt hurt that much but it hurts when my feet touch the ground and I try walking.

Guess I will be in no position to drive to work tomorrow. Will be going into hospital again and have no choice but to take some time off. But as they all say, health is wealth and since no one is indispensable, no one will miss me at work.

Thought I read all about osteo-arthritis..guess i missed something there.
oh well...got to bear with the pain and hooe for the best.

To all of you who still have sound knees, take care...

What would my birthday resolutions be now:
- get well and do whatever Iwant to do now...don't put off what I can do today cos, you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Cheers!

Mum's 80th Birthday,Mother’s day, Father’s Day and Birthdays.

2011-07-24T03:23:00.000-07:00

Mother’s day, Father’s Day and Birthdays.

Since May, it has been a celebration of sorts. We have Mother’s day, Father’s day and even commercially Parents Day. Why not, life is a celebration of one day or another, in short, every day we should celebrate the fact that we are alive!

A few weekends ago, we celebrated mum’s 80th birthday. Yes mum is 80! Wow. How did she get there? Well she did, and it’s another milestone seeing how her health has been poorly somewhat the last few years. But mum being mum, it was an achievement. So once again we gathered with close family and relatives to dine, wine and celebrate. It’s sad dad couldn’t be with us, but we know he was in spirit.

The dinner at Peking Restaurant, Johor Bharu was nice, meeting up with close ones is always fun and catching up is always great. So once again, it’s exchanging stories and finding out what’s happening in each family’s life. Also when there is a gathering of closed ones and good food, it’s always the case of warmth and exchange of pleasantries. Then, its time to depart with exchanges of goodbyes with promises of meeting up again at another function of sorts. So mum’s birthday celebrated a week early was celebrated with all loved ones near with the exception of my sister who is still in London. Come October, she’ll be back and I am sure we will be celebrating again.

I like these gatherings, but makes me think about life in general. Why bother about the small stuff ? Why get flustered over the unreasonable bosses and pretentious colleaques? Why not just put our best foot forward, and ignore the unreasonable demands? Yes life is too short for all those kinds of things. Great sacrifices are made as I speak, I mean the Bersih movement. People are literally ‘dying’ for justice and political reforms. Why are we still embroiled in office politics, it’s not worth it!

So for the rest of the busy week ahead, I shall be patient and do my part, expect that things will work out in the end. Cheerio.
Happy 80th Birthday mum. Comgratulations! It’s not every day that we get to live till this ripe old age. We look forward to many more years to come.
Love you mum.

River cruise along Guangzhou river

2011-06-27T06:31:00.000-07:00

pretty pictures all along the route...beautiful lighted buildings and bridges...on this night, it drizzled plus the wind blowing, it was indeed a memorable cruise...

yummy...on the trail of hawker food in downtown Guangdong.

2011-06-20T23:30:00.000-07:00

...coconuts to quench your thirst ...porridge anyone.... fried seafood...

...fried squids... ....chicken kebab...

me and my kebab sandwich...all for 6 yuan.

...yeeks..fried tarantulas...anyone?

Sun Yet Sen Memorial Center

2011-06-15T05:26:00.001-07:00

A visit to Guangzhou, Guangdong wouldn’t be complete without a visit to this historical center. It was indeed an interesting site.

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, situated on the southern slope of Yuexiu Hill, was constructed between 1929 and 1931, a monument to Dr Sun Yat-sen, the forerunner of Chinese democratic revolution, by the people of Guangzhou and overseas Chinese.

The hall, a grand octagon building of typical Chinese architectural style, looks brand new because of reconstruction in 1998. The masterpiece of architecture history is created with a span of 71 meters (about 78 yards) without a pillar but significant outlooks and delicate interior designs. As an important place for conferences and performances, it can hold thousands of people with sound equipment. In the hall there is also a display gallery showing pictures and letters of Sun Yat-sen.

The oldest ceiba in Guangzhou City grows in the hall, like a centuries-old man, witnessing great changes of this city; besides, you can also have a chance to see the two biggest white jade orchid trees of Guangzhou.

A bronze statue of Sun Yat-sen was set up in 1956 in front of the memorial hall. Stepping on the monument by a steel spiral staircase, you are presented with a panoramic view of the memorial hall.

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall will refresh you after visiting the bustling commercial metropolis and provide you with a moment to touch this great man in Chinese history.

Sun Yat-sen (12 November 1866 - 12 March 1925) was a Chinese doctor, revolutionary and political leader. As the foremost pioneer of Nationalist China, Sun is frequently referred to as the Founding Father of Republican China, a view agreed upon by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China (Taiwan). Sun played an instrumental role in inspiring the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of China. Sun was the first provisional president when the Republic of China (ROC) was founded in 1912 and later co-founded the Chinese National People's Party or Kuomintang(KMT) where he served as its first leader. Sun was a uniting figure in post-Imperial China, and remains unique among 20th-century Chinese politicians for being widely revered amongst the people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Although Sun is considered one of the greatest leaders of modern China, his political life was one of constant struggle and frequent exile. After the success of the revolution, he quickly fell out of power in the newly founded Republic of China, and led successive revolutionary governments as a challenge to the warlords who controlled much of the nation. Sun did not live to see his party consolidate its power over the country during the Northern Expedition. His party, which formed a fragile alliance with the Communists, split into two factions after his death. Sun's chief legacy resides in his developing a political philosophy known as the Three Principles of the People: nationalism, democracy, and the people's livelihood.

wikipedia.

Pick your own seafood for lunch...

2011-06-14T07:08:00.000-07:00

There's prawns, shellfish, squids, clams to choose from...

They even cook the food for you to eat there and then. That's

service for you.

Tea anyone?

2011-06-14T07:04:00.000-07:00

Visit to a tea shop in Shenzhen. tried three types of tea...interesting taste and texture. Oolong tea made from the buds of the forest tea tree.

Fook...Lok...Sou..

2011-06-14T07:00:00.001-07:00

At the three stone sculpture of prosperity, health and luck, Guangzhou.

Fook...Lok...Sou..

2011-06-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

At the three stone sculpture of prosperity, health and luck, Guangzhou.

Warm welcome in China hotels...

2011-06-09T06:13:00.000-07:00

Yes...sirree. We went to three hotels during our trip and all three put up banners to welcome our group. Talk about wholesome welcome!

So here's the whole group from SMK Seri Kembangan PIBG group tour to China from 1-5 Jun2011.

Our group getting our things together on landing at Macao airport.

See the modern airport and the numerous people in the back ground. From the airport, we went on a bus to the immigration and customs side of China, at Zhuhai. That was tedious, dragging our luggage and all done on foot.

But our group visas did help us move faster and soon we were on our way by bus to dinner then a hotel for the nite.

Recycle your locks and keys...

2011-06-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder who collects all the old, used rusty locks and keys? For most of us, we just throw them away, well not for some local genius in Guangzhou who has collected and made them useful and put them up as a tourist site and well, people like us take photos with the spot.

China Pt 3: Shenzhen

2011-06-07T07:10:00.000-07:00

Shenzhen (IPA: [ʂə́ntʂə̂n]) is a major city in the south of Southern China's Guangdong Province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. The area became China's first—and arguably one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones. It currently also holds sub-provincial administrative status, with powers slightly less than a province.

Shenzhen's novel and modern cityscape is the result of the vibrant economy made possible by rapid foreign investment since the institution of the policy of "reform and opening" establishment of the Special Economic Zone in the late 1970s. Before this, Shenzhen was a small village. Since the late seventies, both Chinese and foreign nationals have invested enormous sums in the economy of Shenzhen. More than US$30 billion in foreign investment has gone into both fully foreign owned and joint ventures, initially mainly in manufacturing but recently increasingly in service industries. Shenzhen is now reputedly one of the fastest growing cities in the world.^[2] Being southern mainland China's major financial centre, Shenzhen is home to theShenzhen Stock Exchange as well as the headquarters of numerous high-tech companies. Shenzhen is also the third busiest container port in China, ranking only after Shanghai and Hong Kong.(wikipedia)

China Pt 2: Guangzhou

2011-06-07T06:59:00.000-07:00

Some information on the cities we visited.

Guangzhou,^[4] also (especially formerly) known as Canton or Kwangchow,^[5] is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about 120 km (75 mi) north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port.^[6] One of the five National Central Cities,^[7] it holds sub-provincial administrative status.

Guangzhou is the third-largest city in China and southern China's largest city. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 6 million, and an urban area population of roughly 11.85 million,^[8] making it the third most populous metropolitan area in China. Some estimates place the population of the entire urban agglomeration as high as 24.2 million, making it the 2nd biggest urban area in the world after Tokyo. (wikipedia)

Guangzhou

A Visitor's Guide to Guangzhou, China
By Sara Neuman

Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province in China's southeast, is known more for its economy and proximity to Hong Kong than for being a major tourist destination. Known in the West as Canton (both the province and the city) for years, Guangzhou has a long history of trade and business. Many travelers might find themselves there on business trips or en route to Hong Kong.
Location
Guangzhou is just three hours (by bus, 40 minutes by plane) from Hong Kong. It sits on the on the Pearl River that empties into the South China Sea to the south. Guangdong, the province, hugs China's southern edge and is bordered by Guangxi province to the west, Hunan province to the northwest, Jiangxi province to the northeast and Fujian province to the east.
History
Always a center of trade to foreigners, Guangzhou was established during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). By the 200 AD, Indians and Romans were coming to Guangzhou and in the next five-hundred years, trade grew with many neighbors far and near from the Middle East and Southeast Asia...continue reading a History of Guangzhou.
Features & Attractions
The Huanshi Lu, or circle road, and the Zhu Jiang, Pearl River are the boundaries for central Guangzhou, where most places of interest are located. Within the Pearl River at its southwest bend sits Shamian Island, the original site of the foreign concession.
Shamian Dao, Island
This is probably the most interesting area of Guangzhou as the original buildings are in a varying degree of decay and it provides a welcome and quiet respite from the street-activity in the rest of the city. Gentrification is happening and you'll find sidewalk cafes and boutiques occupying the sites where French and British traders once operated. (See alsoforeign concessions.)
Temples & Churches
There are several temples and churches of interest in Guangzhou and are worth a peek in if you're so inclined.
Temple of Six Banyan Trees, Liurongsi Huata - the Banyans are unfortunately long gone but the pagoda dating from 1097 is a popular attraction that can be climbed. It appears to have only nine stories but in fact, there are seventeen.
Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel - a restored French Catholic chapel on Shamian Island.
Bright Filial Piety Temple, Guangxiao Si - a large and influential Buddhist temple complex, one of the most interesting in Guangzhou.
Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family (or Chen Clan Academy), Chenjia Ci - an interesting compound with nine halls, six courtyards and nineteen buildings all enclosed within its own complex. Great for anyone interested in traditional Chinese architecture.
Parks
White Cloud Mountain, Baiyun Shan - A half-day respite from Guangzhou city, the mountain sits in Guangzhou's northeastern suburbs. You can wander around, take a cable car to the top (locals favor the evening views) visit the Mingchun Valley Aviary and the Nengren Temple.
Yuexiu Park - the largest park in downtown Guangzhou with manmade lakes and hills.
Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall
Dr. Sun is revered as the founder of modern China. There is a gallery displaying pictures and letters of Dr. Sun.
Getting There
Guangzhou has one of the largest international airports in China and there are numerous connections to major domestic cities. It is also well connected by bus, rail and boat transport, especially to other cities along the Pearl River Delta such as Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
Read all about travel to and from Hong Kong to China from Hong Kong Guide, Rory Boland.
Essentials
Population: 7 million
Telephone Code: 020 (when calling from overseas, drop the first 0)
Average rain days in Guangzhou per month.
Average temperatures in Guangzhou per month.

China again...this time its Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Macao

2011-06-07T05:43:00.001-07:00

It's good to be back home...though I hardly slept since i had to go down to PD for a meeting. Anyway, made it in one piece what with my painful knee and shin. Oh well, guess if I survived moving around during our trip to China, driving two hours to PD wasn't that much of a problem. This trip was organised by my daughter's school's PIBG group led by the school principal and PIBG Chairman. there were 24 of us on this trip, mainly teachers and their spouses. My family members included my hubby, he is with the PIBG, myself, my sister and my daughter Joanne, a student of the school.

Let me see, my daughter Jo would be downloading pictures via Facebook...so you all can have a look there. The trip was not as nostalgic as the one I took last year doing the Shanghai historical country tour. This time round, the trip was more relaxed, not much rushing around from one place to another. There was more free time during the day to walk around and also at night. The hotels were something though, the 1st and last night was ok, i'd give t 3 half star. the other 2 in between, probably 2 star. Anyway, the food was ok, tasted the dishes in each county or city. There were more meat dishes compared to the Shanghai trip whilst watermelon as dessert still ruled. I guess we were most at home when each meal was served with chilly padi and soy sauce. There was also the ever present duck dishes as well as fried prawns in chilly. But nothing beats home cooked food or food from our own local restaurants.

As usual, any tour to China won't be complete without the usual stopovers at Government localities. This time, we were taken to visit the bee farm, tea shop, jade shop, silk store, biscuit factory and last but not least, a reflexology center. Oh and I must comment on the tour guides, Let's see the local guide that came with us named Alan, was nice and helpful. The local China tour guide, called Ah Hua, over there was really friendly and very informative, only problem was half the people on tour did not know Mandarin and he just rattled on. It would help if the local guide could do some interpretation but he had some problems speaking English so he decided to keep quiet and all information was given by the group leader, in this case the school principal, so as one may expect, his translations were all short and only when giving instructions.

Some of the places we visited included the Sun Yet Sen Memorial Hall; the Opium War Museum, a ride up a hill via the cable car; took in the Chime Long International Circus which was really awesome; a night cruise and watching the beautiful lighted buildings, the fortress in Shenzhen and of course major shopping areas in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. In fact, every city in China so far that I have seen is modern and old at the same time. Cities with sky high buildings, beautiful bridges and highways adorn each city, the country side filled with old houses complete with gardens and farms and fish ponds. One thing I noticed though, roads are wide, some are eight-lane wide, the highway roads are great, there are plenty of toll booths and roads even back lanes are clean! One thing that we will never forget are the toilets I guess, the usual rest areas have toilets that are ok...but when in China one can expect toilets with no doors and that was what we were greeted with at the fortress! Still when nature calls, we just do the job.

Anyway, as I said, the trip was a leisurely one, but it ended quite abruptly with all of us rushing to make it to through Customs, and taking in the sights of Macao in one short day trip. So though we got to take some pictures at St Paul's Hill, there was no time to visit the Cathedral nor the museum, so near yet so far. The rest of Macao was seen from the bus on the way to the airport and even my dream of playing in one of the many casinos turned to nought. And so it ended with us rushing to the airport and flying home in the wee hours of the morning. Reached KLIA around 1am, then took the bus back to the school, where we first met, reached at about 2am, took our car and hub and daughter decided they needed supper, or was it breakfast already, so we had kwan lo mee at 2.30am and finally reached home around 3am. By the time i sorted things around, put the first round of clothes in the washing machine, took a bath and finally turned in at around 4am. It was a really long day. Got up at 7.30am then saw to the household chores the whole morning before driving down to PD. Glad I am still in one piece. And so here I am till tomorrow when I will drive home again. Hoping for good weather cos' I really don't like driving in the rain. Well, the hot weather in China and back here seem to have added the toil on me, and so I have this very sore throat and a somewhat blocked nose to match. Oh well, that's my short holiday abroad...I hope my next holiday will be somewhere else...Cheers!

The month of May...

2011-05-27T08:29:00.001-07:00

What do they say about May?

May is the month of mothers and teachers.

Its Mother's Day and it's Teacher's Day.

What would life be without both, I am sure you will agree.

So here's a big salute to both the women who are mothers and teachers.

I am both...and i am thankful for having the chance to do my part in educating the children of today. To my kids, I thank God everyday for you in my life. To all my students wherever you are or may be, I hope you remember that everyday is a learning process and that education does not stop in the classroom, neither does it end with age.

So enjoy yourselves and equip yourselves with 21st century skills and contribute towards making this world a better place to live in. Cheers!

Your Security: Ways to stay Safer.

2011-05-16T07:29:00.000-07:00

by Consumer Reports

Friday, May 13, 2011

What cops and crooks say you're doing wrong.

You're an easy target. That's what we heard when we talked to police, experts, and especially people who have spent time on the other side of the law. As vacation season begins, and crime doesn't take a holiday, these security missteps may surprise you -- or at least remind you what police dramas taught: Be careful out there. Here are the mistakes to avoid at home, with your electronics, and for your personal finances:

At Home

Making a break-in too easy

"About half of all break-ins aren't break-ins but walk-ins," says Bob Portenier, consultant, lecturer, and former burglar. "Families get in a hurry in the morning -- kids going to school, running late for work, doctors' appointments, what have you -- and forget to take that one or two minutes to check the doors and locks, usually on the back side. You have a pet, you let it out to do its business -- and then forget the security French door or sliding glass door."

Remember, don't forget to turn on your home alarm. In a security survey of 1,038 U.S. homeowners we conducted in February, 43 percent of people in our survey who had an alarm said they at least occasionally don't turn it on when they're not at home. Some other troubling numbers. Nineteen percent of people in our survey said they at least occasionally leave doors at home unlocked when they're out, and 26 percent of survey respondents said they at least occasionally leave windows unlocked when they're not at home.

Photo illustration: Stephen Webster

Leaving your garage door open

In addition to providing access to everything in the garage, the door most likely leads to an interior door and access to your house. That interior door probably isn't as strong as an exterior door. And once a burglar's in your garage, the neighbors can't see him.

Obscuring your house

Tall hedges and fences hide windows and doors, giving thieves cover to work, says Walter T. Shaw, former burglar and co-author of "A License to Steal."

Leaving valuables in sight

"When we targeted a house, we would approach the door and look in -- the quality of furniture, whatever there was -- to give us an idea of how these people spend their money," says Portenier. "So with mirror-tinted windows, it eliminates that."

Advertising a vacation

People often don't do anything to make the house look occupied, says Maj. Kurt Philipps of the Memphis police department. Lt. John Dzwlewicz of the New York City police department suggests this trick: Put some inexpensive kids' toys on the lawn. On Facebook, share news of your trip only after you return.

Photo illustration: Stephen Webster

Being carefree with keys

Leaving keys under the doormat or elsewhere outside the home is a risk that 12 percent of people in our survey say they often take. Another 7 percent say they do it occasionally. And 66 percent say they have given a key to someone other than a resident of their home.

And avoid hiding your car keys inside or outside the car. That just makes it easier for thieves to engage in a spur-of-the-moment theft, authorities say. Many of today's cars make it difficult to lock your keys inside. If you're concerned about that anyway, keep a spare in your wallet or purse. Eleven percent of people in our survey said they at least occasionally leave car keys in the ignition when parked. And 52 percent of people from non-metro areas in our survey said they at least occasionally leave their car unlocked outside.

Tossing prescription bottles

Prescription labels on pill bottles can contain important information such as phone numbers, doctors, and prescription numbers. Remove the labels and shred them. Also be careful with medical records. And also treat your benefit claims forms, insurance reimbursements, and even medical tests as confidential information and destroy them before discarding.

Thinking a gun is your best defense

Gun ownership is a controversial topic, but research has shown that homeowners with guns increase the risks in their home. Homeowners might make the mistake of not getting proper training and not securing their firearms. Thirty-two percent reported having a gun as a security measure. And 73 percent of gun owners thought it was very good or excellent for protection.

With Your Electronics

Using lazy passwords

It pays to make the passwords you use tougher to guess. Don't make it easy for hackers. That means never using passwords such as "welcome" or "password." Instead mix up letters and numbers to make for tougher encryption.

Photo illustration: Stephen Webster

Falling for phishing

The e-mail that contains what looks like a link to your financial institution might be phony; cyber thieves will record your keystrokes as you enter passwords, giving them access to your accounts. Don't click on such links; type the correct Web address into the browser.

Running outdated software

Always run the latest version of your browser, which will probably include better security features, says Kevin Mitnick, a former infamous computer hacker and now CEO of Mitnick Security Consulting, a computer-security business. And Mitnick says that when a software company such as Adobe tells you there's an update for your software, pay attention and run the update. Programs such as Flash and Adobe Acrobat are among the most exploited by cyber criminals.

Instant-messaging programs and media players are also targets. To make sure software on your computer is up to date, Mitnick advises running a program such as the free Personal Software Inspector.

For Your Personal Finances

Banking from a public computer

Keylogging malware that can capture account numbers, passwords, and other vital data is a risk that has been linked to use of open Wi-Fi connections and public computers such as those in hotel lobbies.

Using unfamiliar ATMs

Thieves have been known to put out-of-order signs on a legitimate ATM and set up nearby freestanding bogus ones that "skim" data from your card. ATMs located inside banks within view of surveillance cameras aren't risk-free, but they pose more challenges for crooks installing skimming equipment.

Two other important pieces of advice related to ATMs: Separate your PIN code from your ATM or debit card. Almost 1 in 10 people carry their code with the card, says ACI Worldwide, a payment systems company. And when typing your PIN into an ATM or card reader, use your free hand to shield the keypad from the view of hidden cameras or anyone nearby.

Photo illustration: Stephen Webster

Dropping your guard at gas pumps

Card-skimming at gas stations is likely to increase during summer months, especially in vacation areas, so use cash or credit cards at the pumps if possible. If you must use a debit card, select the option to have the purchase processed as a credit-card transaction rather than typing in your PIN.

Ignoring your credit or debit cards

Monitor your accounts at least weekly to spot and report unauthorized transactions as soon as possible. Use services offered by your bank or card issuer that can help protect you, such as an e-mail or text alert if a transaction occurs for more than a certain amount.

Abandoning your receipts

Many transactions, such as filling up your tank and making a debit-card withdrawal, leave a paper trail. Don't toss away receipts in the ATM lobby or leave them at the gas pump. Hold on to them until your transactions have cleared your bank account to make sure the totals match. Then shred the receipts if they have any information a thief might use.

Trashing your bills

Thieves harvest sensitive data from account statements and other financial documents placed in the trash and use them for ID theft, says Inspector Michael Romano of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Shred them first.

6 Ways to Stay Safer

1. Watch out for imposters

The fastest-growing scam in the past year has been imposter fraud, according to the latest annual report on consumer complaints from the Federal Trade Commission. Thieves claiming to be someone they're not (such as a friend or relative stranded overseas in need of cash to get home, a bill collector, or an employee of a government agency) use Facebook messages, e-mail, phone calls, and text messages to persuade people to send money or divulge personal information such as Social Security or account numbers. Last year, 60,000 people reported that they were affected by this form of fraud, up from just five cases reported in 2008.

2. Learn to parallel park

Car thieves are becoming more professional. They're stealing new cars by putting them on a flatbed tow truck, our expert says. Parallel parking hinders access to the front and rear of your car, making it difficult to tow. Also, be careful about whom you bump into at the grocery store, especially if your car has keyless entry and a push-button ignition. A thief with an antenna and a small kit of electronics can transmit your key's code to another thief standing near your car, allowing him to open it, start it, and drive it away.

3. Hide the stuff in your car

Don't leave electronics and other valuables visible inside your car. GPS units are less of a magnet these days; cell phones and laptops more so. Holiday gifts are a big target, so don't stack them up in the backseat. Is there a worse move? Yes. Leaving your stuff in the back of a pickup truck.

4. Change your PIN

Make it a habit to routinely change the secret code for your debit card or ATM card. That gives you better protection against any thieves or skimming schemes.

5. Keep a financial inventory

Once a year take out all of the cards in your wallet, make a list of the account numbers and contact information you'll need to cancel cards if they become lost or stolen, and hide it in a safe place, says Mark Rasch, a former Department of Justice computer-crime prosecutor who is a director at CSC, a business technology firm based in Falls Church, Va.

6. Change your Wi-Fi password

If you have a home wireless network, choose the highest-security option. That way your Web-browsing and financial transactions will be more protected. Go a step further and create your own administrative password rather than rely on a default password supplied by the router.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on Yahoo!

Spring Clean Your Body: Top 10 Detox Foods

2011-05-14T20:52:00.000-07:00

by The Editors at RealAge, on Fri Apr 29, 2011 11:26am PDT

Want to baby your liver? Keep your GI tract fit? Flush out toxins? These 10 foods -- many of them chosen by RealAge experts Drs. Oz and Roizen -- can spring clean your body and keep refreshing your vital parts all year 'round. No need to fast. Just take these three steps:

"Eat clean," avoiding processed foods and chemical additives.
Stay well hydrated by drinking lots of filtered water.
Include some of these 10 foods in several meals throughout the week.

The Detox Top 10

Leafy green vegetables. Eat them raw in a salad, throw them into a broth, steam them and mix with rice or add to an omelet, or puree them into juices. The chlorophyll in greens helps swab out environmental toxins (heavy metals, pesticides). It's also an all-around liver protector, which your liver needs since it's your major domo detoxifier.
Lemons. Fresh lemonade made with filtered water will keep you hydrated, and its vitamin C helps convert toxins into a water-soluble form that's easily flushed away. (Add some pureed greens -- see above -- to further bolster your C level.) Here's another cleanse that really works.
Watercress. Put a handful into salads, soups, and sandwiches. The peppery little green leaves have a diuretic effect that helps the flushing process. Plus cress is a mineral mine, rich in iron, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium.
Garlic. Add it to everything -- salads, sauces, spreads. In addition to the heart-friendly bulb's cardio benefits, it activates liver enzymes. Research also indicates that garlic diminishes a process that creates cancer-causing compounds in your body.
Green tea. This antioxidant-rich brew is one of the healthiest ways to get more water into your system. Bonus: It contains catechins, which speed up liver activity. Learn more about how to love your liver.
Broccoli sprouts. They pack 20 times more cancer-fighting, enzyme-stimulating activity into each bite than the grown-up vegetable. Research suggests that eating the sprouts (they have a radish-like taste) kills off H. Pylori bacteria that causes stomach irritation and ulcers.
Sesame seeds. They're credited with protecting liver cells from the damaging effects of alcohol and other chemicals. For a concentrated form, try tahini, the yummy sesame seed paste that's a staple of Middle Eastern cooking.
Cabbage. There are two main types of detoxifying enzymes in the liver, and this potent veggie helps activate both of them. It's the largest member of the Brassica veggie family, all of which delivers colon-cancer fighting isothicyanates and vitamin C. Coleslaw, anyone?
Psyllium. This plant's bursting with soluble fiber, which mops up toxins (cholesterol, too) and helps clear them out. Stir powdered psyllium into juice to help cleanse your colon, or have psyllium-fortified Bran Buds for breakfast. (Start with a small amount and gradually increase your dose as your GI tract becomes used to it.)
Fruits, fruits, fruits. They're full of almost all the good things listed above -- vitamin C, fiber, nutritious fluids, and assorted antioxidants. Besides, nothing tastes better than a ripe mango, perfect pear, or fresh berries.

EAT WELL. STAY HEALTHY.

Cheers!

5 Steps to Escape Digital Slavery

2011-05-12T06:38:00.000-07:00

Hi ever feel you can’t let go of your phone or ipod or laptop...Yes I do. Can’t seem to stop smsing..can’t stop emailing, can’t stop looking at my phone or listening to music...wow...am I being a slave to digitech...

Here’s what Daniel Sieberg got to say and how you can escape that slavery.

Can't put the smartphone down at dinner? Prefer to email co-workers who sit right next to you? A few tips on breaking bad tech habits.

The hyper-business of keeping up with technology is overwhelming. Many of us can't tell when our personal time ends and the workday begins (or vice versa). We blast off emails like our hair is on fire; we quickly skim the surface of information online just to ingest something, anything; and we even obsess over colleagues on social networks (not to mention battle feelings of professional jealousy). It's no wonder, then, that the tag line for Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT - News) new Windows 7 mobile devices is, "a phone to save us from our phones."

While much of the motivation was driven by problems with technology related to my personal life, I also came to realize it was negatively affecting my work life, too. But I love technology and I want to embrace it for the right reasons and the right occasions. Indeed, I have to -- it's also part of my job as a science and technology reporter.

I hope these tips prove helpful in managing your own situation:

1. Go with face-to-face contact

Limit the number of emails or instant messages you send to the people in your immediate vicinity at the office. Demonstrate your personality, your charm, and your ability to communicate by speaking face-to-face. It doesn't have to take much time, just make it valuable.

The person who sends 100 well-crafted emails will still probably be less likely to get that promotion than the person who takes a little time to chat with the boss, have coffee with them, or shake their hand on a regular basis. That's just the way it is. In nerd parlance, don't be the office warrior who always uses ranged weapons; endure some hand-to-hand combat on occasion.

2. Use tech to break your bad tech habits

Seek out time-management programs. Sometimes, we simply need to outsource our self-control to be productive. The good news is that there are many programs to help. One of the best is called RescueTime, which gives you a visual breakdown of where all your computers minutes go. It'll also limit your online time and even help with time-based billing for certain projects.

3. Put the smartphone down

During social outings with co-workers, don't leave tech turds. By that, I mean don't just dump your smartphone on the table and wait for a flashing light or vibration. That says the co-worker or business contact you're with is potentially less interesting than anything at all that you receive on your device. If you absolutely must have your smartphone handy then tell people why, and explain that unless that particular message or call comes through, they have your complete attention. Or just leave it in your pocket or purse.

4. Create boundaries for your tech/real self

Establish an e-day, which means when you start and stop your immersion in the digital realm (I know it's hard, thanks to the cloud). But aim to start with that cup of coffee sans gadgets and end it by not plugging your devices in next to your bed. And definitely don't reply to emails or texts at 2 a.m. (your co-workers will question your sanity). No one else will establish these barriers, and I truly believe they will actually make you stronger in the workplace. Obviously, there are times when it's necessary to be available, but otherwise, live your life.

5. Take it one task at a time

When possible, seek to knock out one task before moving on to the next. An increasing number of studies question our ability to be effective multi-taskers, and in fact, many times we also make irrational decisions when we're so distracted. For example, I find that having a maximum of five tabs open in your web browser is more than enough to get the job done but not feel bombarded.

The bottom line is that going on a digital diet is about creating awareness and control. It's not a one-size-fits-all and there will be days when it falls apart. But the cumulative effects are meant to be beneficial -- and productive. Oh, excuse me. Just got a text message. Be right back.

Daniel Sieberg is a TV correspondent, host, and author of "The Digital Diet: A Four-Step Plan to Break Your Tech Addiction and Regain Balance in Your Life."

25 Manners Every Kid Should Know By Age 9

2011-05-11T21:29:00.000-07:00

Worried about how your kid is behaving especially in school, at functions and everywhere? As for me... I believe my kids are well behaved and hope that will carry them through the rest of their lives. If you need help, here are some tips...

Helping your child master these simple rules of etiquette will get him noticed -- for all the right reasons. By David Lowry, Ph.D.

Your child's rude 'tude isn't always intentional. Sometimes kids just don't realize it's impolite to interrupt, pick their nose, or loudly observe that the lady walking in front of them has a large behind. And in the hustle and bustle of daily life, busy moms and dads don't always have the time to focus on etiquette. But if you reinforce these 25 must-do manners, you'll raise a polite, kind, well-liked child.-

Manner #1

When asking for something, say "Please."

Manner #2

When receiving something, say "Thank you."

Manner #3

Do not interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other unless there is an emergency. They will notice you and respond when they are finished talking.

Manner #4

If you do need to get somebody's attention right away, the phrase "excuse me" is the most polite way for you to enter the conversation.

Manner #5

When you have any doubt about doing something, ask permission first. It can save you from many hours of grief later.

Manner #6

The world is not interested in what you dislike. Keep negative opinions to yourself, or between you and your friends, and out of earshot of adults.

Manner #7

Do not comment on other people's physical characteristics unless, of course, it's to compliment them, which is always welcome.

Manner #8

When people ask you how you are, tell them and then ask them how they are.

Manner #9

When you have spent time at your friend's house, remember to thank his or her parents for having you over and for the good time you had.

Manner #10

Knock on closed doors -- and wait to see if there's a response -- before entering.

Manner #11

When you make a phone call, introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak with the person you are calling.

Manner #12

Be appreciative and say "thank you" for any gift you receive. In the age of e-mail, a handwritten thank-you note can have a powerful effect.

Manner #13

Never use foul language in front of adults. Grown-ups already know all those words, and they find them boring and unpleasant.

Manner #14

Don't call people mean names.

Manner #15

Do not make fun of anyone for any reason. Teasing shows others you are weak, and ganging up on someone else is cruel.

Manner #16

Even if a play or an assembly is boring, sit through it quietly and pretend that you are interested. The performers and presenters are doing their best.

Manner #17

If you bump into somebody, immediately say "Excuse me."

Manner #18

Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don't pick your nose in public.

Manner #19

As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else.

Manner #20

If you come across a parent, a teacher, or a neighbor working on something, ask if you can help. If they say "yes," do so -- you may learn something new.

Manner #21

When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile.

Manner #22

When someone helps you, say "thank you." That person will likely want to help you again. This is especially true with teachers!

Manner #23

Use eating utensils properly. If you are unsure how to do so, ask your parents to teach you or watch what adults do.

Manner #24

Keep a napkin on your lap; use it to wipe your mouth when necessary.

Manner #25

Don't reach for things at the table; ask to have them passed.

Originally published in the March 2011 issue of Parents magazine.

All the best in raising your kids...

Scrabble anyone?

2011-05-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

After many years hiatus, I was invited last year to represent my 'house' at the office to play in a competition. At the end of it, I was declared champion, rusty though I was, the 'cards' picked by me were fantastic. That really was how I won the game. It was both stimulating and lots of fun. So here's the latest in the game...

'Q' up: Scrabble expands its vocabulary by: Chris Morris

Scrabble, one of the last bastions of grammatical purism in a world overrun by cell phone text abbreviations, is capitulating to the times.

The board game plans to add 3,000 new words to its official dictionary, including several slang terms like "thang" (9 points) and "grrl" (5 points) as well as pop culture touchstones, like Facebook and MySpace.

Turning the most heads is the inclusion of "innit," a condensation of "isn't it" that will earn you 5 points - and the undying hatred of any English majors who are playing along.

In addition, two new "Q" words have been added that don't require a "u". "Qin" (a Chinese zither, with strings stretched across a flat box) will earn you 12 points, while "Fiqh" (an expansion of Islamic sharia law) will add 19 to your score. Each will also almost certainly have your opponents rushing to challenge the words.

The push to make the game more relevant to a generation that's more familiar with "Words with Friends" is a risky one. While updating the dictionary makes it a more hip game, the move is bound to upset some fans, who have always taken pride in the fact that the game was never "dumbed down".

The game's publishers say the additions make this the "most comprehensive Scrabble wordlist ever produced," but that's doing little to soothe some players' ruffled feathers.

"I don't like slang words at all, but if they are going to put them in we will have to use them," Jean Gallacher, of Scotland's Inverness Scrabble Club, told The Scotsman. "I think there is too much slang in the English language as it is, with the way young people are talking."

Let's face it: it might be fun to earn 12 points by laying down "blingy," but you certainly won't impress the person across that table that has just dropped "Quixotry".

And that's some thang to keep in mind - innit?

Anyone keen on game...do call me.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

2011-05-08T00:28:00.000-07:00

May 8 2011

Mother’s Day celebrated worldwide.

Ponder this poem...many. many years ago and yet still ring true.

M - O - T - H - E - R

"M" is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of purest gold;
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she'll always be,
Put them all together, they spell
"MOTHER,"
A word that means the world to me.
Howard Johnson (c. 1915)

Mum, here’s wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day. Thanks for all the love and care showered upon me and my family all these years and your continuous attention. Even though you are not as mobile as before, you still remain the matriarch of our family. With dad gone you are our bonding factor. You are still in control of our family get togethers and I hope there will be for many years to come. I know you are going through so much pain and frustration cos of your immobility but just know that we are all trying our best to make life comfortable for you. For this, I must thank all my brothers and sisters for pulling together and doing their part.

Thanks mum for bringing us all into this world and moulding us to what we all are today.

May God Bless you always.

To all mothers, god-mums, aunties reading this, may all your days as mothers be rewarding, be filled with so much love and laughter and happiness spent with family and loved ones.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

CHEERS FOR TEACHERS!!!

2011-05-04T08:10:00.000-07:00

Read on...

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.

He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best

option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers:

'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.' To emphasize his point

he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Betty.

Be honest. What do you make?"

Betty, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied,

"You want to know what I make?"

(She paused for a second, then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could...

‘I make a C+ feel like Excellence...

‘I make kids sit through forty minutes of class time when their parents can't

make them sit for five without an I-Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

You want to know what I make.

(She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

'I make kids wonder.

‘I make them question.

‘I make them apologize and mean it...

‘I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions...

‘I teach them to write and then I make them write.

‘Keyboarding isn't everything.. .

‘I make them read, read, read...

‘I make them show all their work in math...

They use their God-given brain, not the man-made calculator.. .

‘I make my students learn everything they need to know in

English and Bahasa Malaysia while preserving their unique cultural identity...

‘I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe...

‘I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Rukun Negara or sing the Negaraku because we live in Malaysia

‘I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given,

work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life..."

( Betty paused one last time and then continued. )

"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make,

knowing money isn’t everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no

attention because they are ignorant.

So, you want to know what I make?

“I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WHAT ABOUT YOU, MR CEO?”

HAPPY TEACHER’S DAY EVERYONE!

How to Handle a Difficult Boss

2011-05-04T07:49:00.000-07:00

Having to answer to a boss is a fact of working life. But what are your options when you're undermined by the person whose goodwill you need? Sure, you can lash out or call human resources. The house always wins. Still, you have options. When the anger starts to boil, consider the following:

Don't Act Immediately

Initially, you'll want to fight back. You may fantasize about writing a blistering critique of your rotten boss and e-mailing it to the CEO. And those thoughts aren't necessarily harmful. But thoughts don't have to lead to action. Is it worth a hole in your resume, the one you'll be explaining for years to come? This isn't the economy to choose pride over practicality.

Play the Game

You were cheated or unfairly smeared. Welcome to the real world. But don't let it turn you sour or sloppy. And don't let your boss get to you, either. Nod and smile when he delivers another self-serving sermon. Maintain a can-do attitude, like you have your dream job. Respect and defer, even when trust is lost. You'll work with plenty of jerks over your career. You may as well start practicing now.

Prepare

Start collecting references and recommendation letters from clients, peers, industry pros, and local leaders. Keep a file of positive citations to your work too. Even more, focus on activities that position you to lead and produce measurable results. No one can take those experiences away from you. And they'll enhance your credibility when the next opportunity arises.

Forge Alliances

Identify the job you eventually want. Get to know the players in that department. Grab lunch with them. Help them out during downtime to prove yourself. Build a relationship with a mentor or your boss's own boss, too. They can provide direction, intelligence, and even a reference. Beyond that, get involved in corporate initiatives, such as community outreach or strategic planning. Your boss has the power and network to blackball you. Stay visible and broaden your circle to counter that.

Don't Jump to Conclusions

Sometimes, there is more going on than meets the eye. The higher-ups may veto your boss's efforts. Conditions change or extenuating circumstances emerge. Your boss probably has a full plate -- and you may not be his or her top priority. And your boss may simply be unaware of his or her behavior and its impact on you. Bottom line: Management is often grueling and thankless. We all need someone to blame, but give your boss a little empathy. Don't mistake the person for the perception. They're usually far more complex than your caricature.

Keep Your Boss in the Loop

Everyone likes to feel like an expert and give back. Your boss is no different. Maybe you need to reel your boss closer, rather than pushing him or her away. Ask what traits or skills you need to develop to reach the next level. Ask for specifics; look at establishing benchmarks to measure your growth. What's more, become a true partner with your boss. You know your boss's flaws: Train yourself to ask the right questions, clarify, and work through the details. This is perfect training for what's really important in !business: anticipation, flexibility, relationship-building, collaboration, and execution (not to mention making your boss look good).

Focus on the Big Picture

Your boss will betray your trust, then tell you to stay positive. Your boss will chastise you for your behavior, then act the same way. Sure, you can quit, but have you gained anything besides an ulcer? Instead, make the most of your time. Focus on gaining the right experience, building your interpersonal skills, and policing your attitude. They are your ticket out. Absorb those daily humiliations, so you never become like your boss. Most important, don't write off the message because of the messenger. Your boss didn't reach this level by accident. Be open to criticisms and suggestions. You'll likely miss some valuable nuggets if you completely tune out your boss.

Wait

If your boss is retiring, chances are the clock is ticking on him or her. Charm, connections, and reputation only give bosses so much rope. They'll inevitably drop their guard and slip up with someone higher up -- and it won't be pretty. In the meantime, view your job as a means to an end and start laying the groundwork to get there. You have bigger things ahead of you, so be patient and wait…you have the advantage of age!

by Jeff Schmitt, BusinessWeek.com

How true....tut...tut...tut.

sabar...sabar...sabar.

Simple Diet Rules in Fat Loss for Idiots

2011-04-27T14:23:00.000-07:00

Guess I have gone through most diet routines in the past and the following caught my eye, no need to pay huge sums to the slimming centers or weight watchers programs. Just use your common sense and soon you'll be on your way...

Fat Loss for Idiots is a special weight loss program that teaches you how to lose weight without a lot of exercise. It says to be 100% effective because it guides you to adopt healthy eating habits that your body has never experienced before and hence you will be able to lose weight quickly.

It includes 10 simple rules that have to be followed if you want to achieve great results. Below are the ten rules and they are just like the 10 commandments to maintain the fast weight loss diet.

1. Meals should be prepared at home – If you want to lose weight easily and in the quickest possible manner then ordering food from a drive-thru or your favorite restaurants is a complete no-no. You will need to prepare your own food at home so that you can get the maximum benefit from the weight loss for idiots diet plan.

2. Drink plenty of water – The Fat Loss for Idiots program promotes the healthy habit of drinking water. Apart from being healthy, water speeds up your metabolism, which helps you lose weight quickly.

3. 4 meals per day – With this diet plan it isn’t the regular 3 meals, but 4 meals per day rule with a prescribed gap of two and a half hours between each meal. This also works towards maximizing you metabolism to achieve that fast fat loss.

4. Cut back on snacks and sweets – It is one thing to have a snack once in a while, but if you overdo it then you are not going to experience any fast fat loss nor will you be able to lose weight quickly. So the key here is to control your ‘snacking’ urge.

5. Shifting calories technique – The Fat Loss for Idiots program is specially designed for people that have a problem burning their calories. It helps them to speed up their metabolism and lose weight quickly, easily and safely.

6. Don’t overeat – Believe it or not, most people eat until they are stuffed and need to unbutton their trousers! Eating till you are full is not a good habit and if you want to follow the Fat Loss for Idiots program then you have to make sure you slow down your eating habits and ensure that you don’t overeat. That’s right slow down your chewing. You will find if you take time to enjoy your meal then you will eat less and feel satiated.

7. No rich gravies or sauces – These may be lip-smacking and absolutely delicious but they are full of calories, bad carbs and fats. Hence stay away from them, use spices instead and you will find that you will lose weight easily.

8. Walk a bit everyday – If you want to lose weight quickly then you can speed up the process by doing some brisk walking everyday. You can start with 5 minutes a day and slowly build it up to 30 minutes. It pays to be committed to healthy lifestyle habit that you can incorporate in your daily routine.

9. Rotating meal plans – This means that if you have a carbohydrate-rich meal one day, you should eat an all protein diet the next day. Easier said then done because my question always was what does this really mean and where do I start. What makes this program such a success as a fast weight loss diet is that it generates the diet menus for you based of food you enjoy.

10. No sodas – This is common sense! Do not drink any types of soft drinks while dieting. They are full of calories.

By Paul A Burnsington .Posted on November 23, 2010 by Enhanced-Life

Interesting, right? So make up your mind today and start dieting the Idiot way...he he. Cheers..have a good week trying it out.

God makes it all better...in time.

2011-04-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Often I ask myself, how can anyone take so much? How can any man who has suffered rise up again?

But we do...we can go through so much pain, suffering, injustice, yet we forget and forgive. We go on living, we carry on with our lives, we make new beginnings...we try to forget the past...and live again.

This little poem reminds me of so much...

Sometimes God breaks our spirits to save our soul
Sometimes God breaks our heart to make us whole
Sometimes God sends us pain so we can be stronger
Sometimes God allows us failure so we can be humble
Sometimes God gives us illness so we can take better care of ourselves
Sometimes God takes everything away from us so we can learn the value of everything

Funny thing though, history repeats itself, do we ever learn from our mistakes...I certainly hope so.

I think we often give ourselves second chances, to be better people, to live our lives better than before...

Here's to living our lives well and praying that God will play fair in the end.

In God we trust!

Come 20 April 2011..missing dad for the 2nd year.

2011-04-16T02:48:00.000-07:00

How time flies..its been two years since dad's passing...how we all miss him especially mum. we all do in our own way, to each his own. We had a reunion of sorts last weekend in JB to commemorate his passing. All five of us and our families with mum went back home to be together and visit dad's grave. It's located in Ulu Tiram and is in a quiet and nice area. we visited on early Sunday morning, bringing flowers and saying a decade of the rosary together lead my my daughter Jenny, saying some prayers in our own way quietly, then leaving after lighting candles on the grave. It's actually a beautiful grave site and is maintained all year round, not alike the older versions of cemeteries of long ago..n0w we have exotic names such as Nirvana, Fairyland etc. It's clean and easy to get to. Unlike the graves of our grandparents and loved ones still buried at older grave sites.

Though it was a short visit home, the family was together. At least for a few days, we forgot about ourselves, our work, our own personal loves to make way for family. I think mum was happy to see us all together again after the CNY. Of course we still missed Julia my sister, she lives in London, but she'll be home at the end of the year so we will be one big happy family again. Our next visit would be during All Souls Day in November. Till then, we will keep dad in our hearts and our prayers always.

Rituals of Cheng Beng in Penang 2011

2011-04-11T08:20:00.000-07:00

This year, we performed Cheng Beng rituals 1st weekend in April. Of course, as usual only my husband and his two sisters and their respective families performed the rites together. The other siblings wanted to do so in their own time..oh well..to each his own. The nite before the family got together with a dinner at a restaurant, where sons, daughters and grandchildren all gather to share experiences over the last time we all met. It was quite fun actually, the family get-together, and yes,,,dear departed father in law picked up the tab! Yes, he left some money, so every year, we use it to pay for the dinner and all the rituals carried out including the paraphernalia we bought to burn at the graveside. yes, guess dear father-in-law wanted to make sure no one squabbled over money.:)

"CHENG BENG (Old Souls day) is the day the Chinese who practise ancestral worship go to the graves or places of remembrance of their departed to clean up and perform rites of respect and offering. Wiki here. In Penang, there are differences in the practices among families, however, essentially, they involve the following:

Preparation: This includes the preparation and compilation of food and beverages (an elaborate one would include rice, a set of sam phuay or dishes, koay or local cakes, boiled meat like whole chicken and pork, boiled eggs, fruit, tea, rice wine and things that the departed used to like -- his favourite cigar, for example), and other essentials like kim chua and gin chua (paper gold and silver folded in the shape of bullions) and prayer material like candles and joss sticks.
Cleaning up: Ridding the graves of weeds on or before Cheng Beng day is usually done by the relatives or contracted out, for an annual fee, to people who work in the cemetery. These caretakers could also top up the soil to retain the traditional hump of the Chinese grave, even tek chua (see below).
Tek chua: At the start of the ritual, while the food and prayer material are being laid out below the tombstone and at the tay choo kong (“spiritual guardian of the land”) mini altar, relatives would put yellow and plain rice paper, weighed down by pebbles, on the graves or plant colourful flags. Tek chua is literally to “place paper securely under a weight”.
Puak puay, communication and other rituals: Two coins are used to communicate with the departed. After everything has been laid out, one of the elder relatives would invite the departed to come over. To know if they have arrived, the relatives would toss and read two coins before the gravestone (head and tail means “yes”, head-head and tail-tail mean “no”). Once their presence has been signaled, joss sticks would be lit. The descendants, two hands clasped over the joss sticks before the gravestone, would communicate whatever they like with their ancestors. After that, they would plant the joss sticks into sand-filled containers. A while later, usually when the joss sticks are half burnt, the ancestors would be asked on their progress of the meal -- also using the coins (head and tail means “yes, we are done with the meal”, head-head means “no” and tail-tail means “we are happy”. This happiness or joy would be attributed by the descendants to some recent event or the presence of some people at the ritual. This use of coins to communicate with the departed is called puak puay.
After the meal is over, the kim chua and gin chua would be set on fire and sent to the heavens for the ancestors. The pineapple, symbolising luck (in Hokkien, the pineapple is called ong lai – “ong” means luck, “lai” means come), is then cut into three pieces. The “head” is placed on the tombstone. The “stump” is placed at the other end of the grave. Finally, the skin is shaved off over the grave. The remaining juicy flesh is taken home to be eaten by the family.After the ceremony, the relatives would split up the food, pack up and go for a meal together before going their separate ways".
www.igeorgetownpenang.com/.../194-rituals-of-cheng-beng -

Indeed, for us...we had a good lunch before we went back to our respective homes..for us..it was a long journey back to Kl as traffic was heavy...still it's a ritual we carry out each year out of respect for our departed in-laws. Yes, though we are Catholics, we still make sure we and our children respect our ancestors.