Chinese Astrology for 2011 - Joey Yap

 By: ryan    4:00 PM  Books, Joey Yap   No comments

Title: Chinese Astrology for 2011
Author: Joey Yap
Publisher: JY Books
ISBN: 9789675395604

Back Cover text
Your Personal Chinese Astrology Guide for 2011
Find out what the Year of the Metal Rabbit holds for you with Joey Yap's Chinese Astrology for 2011 guide. Is this the year for you at the workplace? or perhaps romance is in the stars for you this year? Joey Yap's information packed Chinese Astrology for 2011 contains the annual and monthly outlook for all 12 animals signs for 2011.

Gain a more personalised insight into what the Year of the Metal Rabbit holds for you through your Personal Day of Birth! Joey Yap explains the outlook for each of the 60 Day Pillars (Jia Zi) and elaborates on what 2011 holds from a Relationship, Wealth, Career and Health perspective, along with a quick analysis for each of the 12 months of the year.

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Joey Yap's Chinese Astrology for 2011 includes:

• Annual outlook for all 12 animal signs
• Auspicious and Inauspicious Stars for each of the 12 animal signs
• 12-month outlook for each animal sign
• Annual outlook based on your Personal Day of Birth
• Personalised monthly analysis for each of the 60 Day Pillars

Also available in this series:

For more info, visit MasteryAcademy

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Feng Shui for 2011 - Joey Yap

 By: ryan    3:47 PM  Books, Joey Yap   No comments

Title: Feng Shui for 2011
Author: Joey Yap
Publisher: JY Books
ISBN: 9789675395611

Back Cover text

Your Personal Feng Shui Guide for 2011

Joey Yap's information-packed annual Feng Shui guide is back! Feng Shui for 2011 contains complete and authoritative information on the key Feng Shui aspects that will influence your property in the Year of Metal Rabbit.

All the essential Feng Shui information 2011 you need is contained in this guide. Find out the Annual Afflictions for 2011 and get a thorough overview of the Flying Stars that affect your home and your workplace. Find out how the energies of 2011 affect you personally, and more importantly, what to do to benefit from the positive cycles and avoid the negative setbacks.

This guide contains the complete Flying Star Feng Shui analysis for all the 8 basic types of houses in 2011, along with an insightful commentary to enable you to get a personalised outlook on the Feng Shui of your property of the entire year. Effectively tap into the different energies of the 12 months by using 12-Month Flying Star Feng Shui analysis and the comprehensive guidelines on which sectors to use, and which sectors to avoid for Academic Luck, Relationship Luck and Wealth Luck. A room-by-room guide for each of the individual 8 Houses provides you with one of the most comprehensive annual Feng Shui guides available today.

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Joey Yap's Feng Shui for 2011 includes:

• How to avoid the negative influences of the Annual Three Killings, Grand Duke, Year Breaker and 5 Yellow Star directions for 2011
• Overview of the Annual Flying Stars for 2011
• A complete Flying Stars Outlook for all the 8 Basic Houses in 2011
• A thorough monthly room-by-room guide to each of the 8 different types of Houses
• Flying Stars Feng Shui Analysis for all 12 months of 2011 with commentary and tips on the best sectors to utilise for the month

Also available series:

For more info, visit MasteryAcademy

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Have You Ever?

 By: ryan    11:21 AM  Dear Diary   No comments

Today the weather is not that good. It's raining early in the morning. The sound of the rain that hit my car  when I'm driving to work is so loud until I've no mood listen to any of the daily stupid & boring radio's programs. While driving with the sound of the hard pour rain, my mind started to wander off, thinking and thinking. Sometimes I wonder do others will ever wanted something so bad that you could do anything to get it and you’d go on hoping and hoping that till you can't sleep, eat and the things you desire will be finally yours?

Also, do you ever desire for something so much to the point that you know that it would be impossible and finally gave up hoping it but that very thing comes sometime longer?

I always gave up on certain things that I wanted so much, for I felt that it would be impossible and hopeless to continue hoping for what my heart wants, especially when the things I wanted is beyond my reach and those that need someone help me achieve it. 

Indeed what Buddha said is very true. Desire, especially on material things, will truly creating a huge suffering to our very own self. Therefore, I starting to give up hoping on things I would not need it, so that I can help myself by not hurt and disappointed when things don't get it my way. Now, I truly believe that if you're really fated with that very thing, sooner or later, they will comes to you.

Waiting, wanting, desire, hoping, praying hard, desperation, imagine perhaps mischievous are all making you losing yourself. Why not spares yourself and myself from all the foolishness by doing something more meaningful and moreover you'll get liberation in return.  Stop dreaming on something useless and meaningless. Be mindful. 

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One Year Plus Plus

 By: ryan    11:34 AM  Dear Diary   No comments

It's been a year plus since I work in KL in my current job. Still remember my first day of work was quite a boring one not because of the work but because of the office environment. My IT Dept was in 10th floor where only 5 people including me in the room. Not forgetting being new, get bullied by one senior and the nightmare of jam on the way back to my PJ house! 

When I first work in KL, I can feel the tense and the high living costs compare to my previous job. The parking fees, expensive foods, the craziness of jam for no reason, the high-speed walking pace of people around where eventually you will need to follow suit. Not forgetting also there been a change in my lifestyle too. Not like before, it only takes me less than 20mins to go to work minus the jam and the peak hours, and now I have to drive from PJ to KL everyday Monday to Friday and alternate Saturday which normally more than 1/2 hour.

Previously, I had plenty of time before and after working, I can do my puja, reads some books, play my online games, watch TV drama, and some workouts here and there. And now its seems that time is not enough. Not enough to sleep, to hang out, to relax and to.....

Though I'm not complaining but even I do want to complaint, is already 1 year plus and get to used to such lifestyle. Just take it as a destined change, gain new experiences and to enjoy everything comes and goes.

I used to get around very often and thanks to this job I managed to changed a new car where I get rid of my old car that brings me so much problem, get a new camera, and my lovely IPhone4. Compare to my previous job, the pay is just too low, working more than 12 hours plus what I hate the most is to work on weekends. But somehow I missed the job so much, my superior Miss Jenny and all the books around me.

A few days  more we're celebrating Christmas and then a week more we're welcoming 2011. Many of my friends asked me why don't I get a new job as my current company provide such low benefits. Think over it, also true geh, is time for me to change environment and also to move forward.

Well, it looks like I'm going to start all over again on the coming year.....

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Vajrasattva

 By: ryan    10:38 AM  Buddhism   No comments

Vajrasattva  is the buddha of purification.

Normally Vajrasattva can be identify when you sees:

• usually His body is white in color, symbolizing purification  
• In his right hand he holds a gold vajra to his heart and in his left, at his hip he holds a upturned, bell. 
• having one face and two hands and resembles a youth of 16. 
• Half of his long wavy black hair is gathered on top of his head, the rest curls down his back and around his shoulders.   
• seated on a moon disc on a white lotus with his torso gracefully curved to our left ( is like a mother seeing her child doing something wrong but knowing he/she is being silly)
• His legs are crossed in the vajra position. 
• He is lavishly dressed in fine green and red silk garments and is richly adorned with gold and jewels as befits a prince with  a crown, ornaments, earrings, bracelets, 3 necklaces, and anklets.

It's said that by practicing Vajrasattva's practice can purify our bad karma and cut the root of the vicious cycle of getting and giving pain. How? 

1. Regret over our action
2. Having refuge in the Three Jewels to purify our negativity
3. Applying the antidotes such as purification practice
4. Promise not to repeat the action

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 Images of Vajrasattva

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For info about Vajrasattva, you can visits:
Wikipedia
TsemTulku
LamaYeshe
TheBenzinArchives

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Happy Winter Solstice

 By: ryan    4:43 PM  Dear Diary   No comments

Slept very late last night, now having nothing to do, I staring at the computer and the computer stare back. Feeling extremely guilty because I'm getting more and more lazy. Now already second last week of year 2010 and coming this Wednesday is Winter Solstice according to Chinese's calendar. Then three days after it, is Christmas. I still remember how I celebrate my Christmas last year. Gosh, time really doesn't wait. Yet what did I achieve? Nothing beside getting a new car, getting in more debts and learned some Tibetan Buddhist's arts.

Today I am extremely sleepy. Later if can, I want go supermarket and get a few packs of glutinous rice ball especially with red bean filling. My favorite. According to Chinese's custom, the celebration of Winter Solstice is more important than Chinese New Year. My mom has been calling and asked me back for dinner. I wish I can go back but you know la, KL always super jam after working hours. So making my way back to Kajang will be very exhausted. Moreover staying over after dinner will need me to wake up extremely early to avoid jam on tomorrow morning.  So I think I just cooked on my own this Wednesday.

So you may wonder, why Chinese are eating this colorful balls during this special day? Well, traditionally, the Winter Solstice Festival, which is also known as DongZhi is a time for the family members to get together. By making and eating  of these glutinous rice also called as TangYuan symbolize reunion (round shape).

 TangYuan are made of glutinuous rice flour and sometimes they colored and with fillings. They are cooked in normally sweet soup or dipped in crushed peanuts with sugar.

Now I have nothing to show you as I will cook them only on this Wednesday and here I wish you all have a wonderful week ahead (so many of my friends already in holiday), a happy and blessed Winter Solstice festival, plus a very Merry Christmas, and not forgetting a Happy New Year.

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I Am Lazy

 By: ryan    9:41 AM  Ranting   No comments

Damn it...what a tiring month..

Almost everyday, including weekends, I woke up at around 630am...only manage to sleep like about 6 hours or if lucky enough, 7 hours..then most of my time are spend in office (almost 11 hours).

Actually I wanted to finish up a few books where I got it during BBW sales. But due to the tiredness and laziness, all the books now stacking up in a corner on top of my shelve. Now, I can see the dust is getting thicker by day.

That is why I seldom review them on my blog. Every weeks, without fail, sure got something up to on weekend. You see, where got time?  Beside going to Dharma classes, meeting up some friends, shopping for new year cloths + xmas gifts and also working on my statue's painting else I will get some time to sleep. 

Is good to be busy, but to be busy on this then for sure we need give up on that ...Suppose to update my blog in office, but I must said that all because of the office's chair till sometime my back is getting some unexplainable aches therefore the mood to types is gone. End up just FB-ing. If you gonna says that all these are excuses, yes you are damn right. Hahahaha...Dunno la, just lazy whenever think of what should I blog.

So having unexpected good mood this morning, I faster blog something to cover up my laziness and hope some of my readers (which I really dunno got or not) will understand why this blog is getting suck's by days.  But here I need to thanks those who really comes and read this blog. Thank you so much. Muaks!! 

In future, I hope that I can blog more to prove I'm not that lazy actually.. ^^

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Ask The Geshe

 By: ryan    11:33 AM  Books, Buddhism, Geshe Tenzin Zopa   No comments

Title: Ask The Geshe - Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times

Author: Geshe Tenzin Zopa

Publisher: Losang Dragpa Buddhist Society

Back Cover text

Geshe Tenzin Zopa holds a doctorate in Buddhist Philosophy from Sera Jey Monastic University in South India and is a master in Tibetan Buddhist rituals. He is currently the Resident Teacher at Losang Dragpa Buddhist Society, Malaysia. Geshela has been approached by people from all walks of life, seeking answers to compelling questions and solutions to personal crises.

Ask The Geshe is a precious collection of Geshela's advice as ancient wisdom for modern times; an anchor in the turbulent waters of life. 

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Who is Geshela?

Geshe Tenzin Zopa is a qualified Buddhist professor graduated from Sera Je Monastic University in South India. Wonder if you saw him before but cannot recall? Yes, Geshe Tenzin Zopa is the principal leading actor in the award winning film of "Unmistaken Child" which chronicle the search for the unmistaken reincarnation of his great master in year 2006.

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For more info about the book, please visit:

FPMT-LDC

LDC Facebook

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Multi Jobs

 By: ryan    10:18 AM  Ranting   No comments

I think everyone who knows me said I am really a lazy, lots of excuses and laid back person. Actually is true. But these few months I'm not so lazy though. As I suddenly become dedicated, bit hardworking and also busy because I manages a few online jobs as farmer and city builder.

I spent almost 10 hours a day in office is barely enough for me to become better in this "jobs". So eventually only in Frontierville I can manage it efficiently, as for my new Cityville, I'm following in a smooth pace but the city is still in its so so state. So now, I am actively busy running this two jobs where else I had quit the others  not so decent jobs like pirates, treasure hunter, mafia, and some decent jobs like a hotel manager, restaurant manager, zoo keeper, and fish keeper.

Sometimes I wonder, what if in real life I'm in such job where running an entire city, building up my buildings and collecting rents from numerous tenants. I am sure I will have a wealthy and care-free life. **Slap slap**
Think too much.

What if the initiative, the dedication, the passion, the seriousness, the commitment and the hardworking attitude to apply in my real-life, I'm sure I will be a successful person but heck, I'm not. Sigh.

Day by day, I keep telling myself I will quit FB games soon but the daily reminder has the opposite effect. Hahaha, instead I became more and more obsess with these games. Don't look down on those FB games, the attractiveness, the effects and the power to make lure you once you hooked on it, it will haunt you for a damn long period, just like caffeine in coffee, nicotine in cigarette, and porn in the net. I still remember when I first start plays my first ever FB games, Zoo World,  I am super crazy about it, spend hours and hours on it, ignoring my daily house chores, ignoring most of my TV's dramas and worst of all, even can become procrastinate or hesitate to go toilet. Imagine the "damages" it brings.

So my advise to all FB users, play only to kill time or as leisure purposes but not to become obsessive it. You will regret. Saying about regret, regarding some FB games, it needed many neighbors (other FB users) in order to complete certain tasks or to sent you daily gifts, so with my great persuading skill, I manages to lure some of them into it and now these few peoples are becoming so into FB games. They eventually spends most of their time nowadays that whenever they laid their bums in front of computer, they start plucking, harvesting and collecting their crops in FB games. Sorry guys, I don't mean to made you'll become like this.

Of all these, who's to blame? The users or the games developers?  

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Tsa Tsa Making Class

 By: ryan    3:36 PM  Buddhism, Dear Diary   No comments

In Tibetan Buddhism, making tsa tsas is one of the preliminary practices as a method of eliminating obstacles, purifying negativities and creating merits.

More info about why practicing making tsa tsa, read here
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• Reached at 10.50am. First time to LDC, so touring the Pandits Garden. 

Beautiful Namtose, Buddha of Wealth that grant the worldly dharma. 

Nalanda's Pandits Garden

Buddha Shakyamuni 

Prayer's wheels. They're fill with mantras. 

• The class started at about 11.15am. 

 Precious items to be inserted during making the tsa tsa

This is the mold I choose - Lama Tsongkhapa 

• First, our instructor Mr Francis shows us using a Shakyamuni's casting. The materials used are mainly water and casting powder. Every steps involved from the beginning to end are include with prayers and mantra. When he finished the demonstration, we're paired up in order one person cast the tsa tsa while the other recites the mantras. 
• It took about 20 mins for the whole casting process from filling the mold with water, soaking into mild water with detergent, mixing the casting powder into the measured water, pouring in the mixture, putting in the mantra roll and jewels beads , and using a ruler to flatten and removing the remaining mixing. 
• After that, the whole thing (mixing in the tsa tsa mold) are left to dry. 
• While waiting, I went into the main hall to snaps more pictures of these beautiful Buddhas 

21 Tara's

Wall of Green's Tara

Beautiful Buddhas

• After waiting about 30 mins, Mr Francis called us as he wants to show us how to remove the harden mixture from the mold. These are also accompanied by reciting mantra. 
• We too removing our mixing from the mold and here are the pictures of the beautiful tsa tsa made. 

These are the Tsongkhapa's tsa tsa that I had made. 

Buddha Shakyamuni by Francis

Green Tara by other participant 

For more pictures, please visit my FB 

This is the class that I enjoyed the most. Not only we learned how to makes tsa tsa, the steps and the proper way to creating one, but we're also making something so beautiful and precious to be given to our dearly one. At the end of the class, we're able to take home our very own Buddhas. Thanks to LDC for conducting such beneficial class.

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A Merry Early Little Christmas

 By: ryan    3:16 PM  Dear Diary   No comments

10 more days to Christmas, each year December always brings me an excited and anticipating feeling. Why Christmas and moreover I am not a Christian? Well as much as I can say and describe about Christmas, it's always to be able to feel the spirits of giving and receiving, appreciation of  every people in our life, bringing together  all other happy, joy and wonderful shopping spree that is symbolize the meaning of Christmas. 

Well 10 days is not long nor short, so here I wanted to share some Christmas songs that are always on my playlist whenever Christmas approaches

This is my favourite....

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Water Ritual of the White Dzambhala

 By: ryan    9:21 AM  Buddhism   No comments

Powerful Practice For Wealth - Water Ritual of the White Dzambhala 

There is a powerful Buddhist ritual that addresses the popular aspiration to get rich. The practice involves offering a light stream of water over the head of the Dzambhala symbolized by its image. The White Dzambhala is a wealth granting aspect of the Compassionate Buddha and in this form sits on a turquoise dragon, surrounded by four dakinis each signifying a Buddhist cosmic family and a compass direction. Dakinis are powerful female angels who help Dzambhala bring riches into the lives of those who do the water ritual daily while reciting their mantras.

It is important to generate an altruistic intention when doing this practice. When your desire to become rich is only to benefit yourself, it deprives the practice of much power. When your aspiration is fueled by your great desire to help others however, the ritual takes on much added power. Even when your motivation is inspired by your great wish to benefit your loved ones, this is far better than just thinking of yourself.

Thus for those needing the money to fund their children’s education, to buy a house for the family, to pay for hospital bills for instance and you think through these needs of yours before doing the ritual then, it will establish a good and pure motivation that really adds great strength to the practice.

The Preparations
Firstly, get an image of the White Dzambhala. Commit the image of Dzambhala to memory. Notice that White Dzambhala is sitting on a turquoise dragon and is carrying a white trident in one hand and a banner in another.

Secondly, get images of the four Dakinis. These are beautiful offering Goddesses from the four Buddhist families, each of whom live in a different direction. From the East comes blue coloured Vajra Dakini who holds a thunderbolt in her right hand; from the South comes Ratna Dakini who holds a jewel in her right hand; from the West comes Padma Dakini and she holds a lotus in her right hand; and from the North comes green coloured Karma Dakini who holds a sword in her right hand. Commit the images of the dakinis to memory to aid you in your visualizations as you recite their mantra.

Thirdly set up your crystal bowl in which you place an inverted glass to place a flat surface on which you place White Dzambhala in the center surrounded by the four dakinis.

Finally prepare a jug of fresh water filled to the brim; it should have a thin spout from which you will pour water over White Dzambhala’s crown as you recite his mantra. Do this pouring slowly and with great loving gentleness.

Mantra Practice
Begin by generating a good motivation… then start reciting the mantra of White Dzambhala:

Om Padma Krodha Arya Dzambhala Hridaya Hum Phat

As you recite, start offering the water on the head of Dzambhala. Do this slowly but steadily and note that it should be a fine stream of water. As you pour the water with your right hand, snap the fingers of your left hand in front of your heart and recite the mantra a minimum of seven times and preferably 108 times. If you have a rosary of 108 mala beads, use this and make it your designated mala for doing this practice. At times when you are in a rush, you can recite 21 or 28 times.


The Visualisation  
As you recite the Dzambhala mantra and pour the water on his head, think that from the mouth of the Dragon and from the mouth of Dzambhala’s mongoose come an unceasing flow of wish-fulfilling jewels and dollar notes, millions and millions of dollars. The flow of wealth comes like beautiful water falling down from the mountains. Think that Dzambhala is experiencing great bliss from the water so he promises to help you by bringing big wealth for your family and your business.


The Four Dakinis
Next you must turn your attention to the four dakinis. If there is any water left, you can also pour over the heads of the dakini images. If not, then all you need to do is to recite the mantras of the four dakinis as follows. Recite 21 sets of these mantras.

Om Vajra dakini hum phat Om Ratna dakini hum phat Om Padma dakini hum phat Om Karma dakini hum phat Sarwa Siddhi hum

Dedications
When you have finished reciting all the mantras, it is important to dedicate the practice and the ritual just performed to your family and to the success of all your financial aspirations. The water used for the ritual can be used to make tea or to pour over plants or into your fish tanks or water features…

You can also place a White Dzambhala image under the falling water in this nine level waterfall. Place this in the North, East or Southeast of your living area… and keep the water flowing through the day. You can turn off the waterfall in the night. If you have such a waterfall in the house, it is also a good idea to recite the mantra 21 times in front of the waterfall, as this creates the great merit of invoking Dzambhala’s assistance for the family or the business. You can also create this water feature in your office.
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Source: WOFS

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Buddha, Geoff & Me

 By: ryan    11:42 AM  Books, Edward Canfor-Dumas   No comments

Title: Buddha, Geoff & Me
Author: Edward Canfor-Dumas
Publisher: RandomHouse
ISBN: 9781844135684

Back Cover text

Ed is having a hard time, at work, in love life and, well, generally. Then he meets an unlikely Buddhist who drinks and smokes and talks his kind language. Bit by bit, things begin to change.....

Ed doesn't always take Geoff's advice. Or, when he does he lapses at the crucial moment. His path to understanding is not a straight one, especially as life keeps throwing more and more 'stuff' at him. Often he fails like most of us, in fact. But sometimes he manages to get it right. And when he does, surprising things begin to happen....

Edward Canfor-Dumas is an award-winning TV writer whose work includes Not The Nine O'Clock News, The Bill, Kavanagh QC, Tough Love, Pompeii: The Last Day and Supervalcano. In The Buddha, Geoff & Me he brings all his skills to bear in an absorbing story of everyday city life, where the characters stand out with all their human strengths and weaknesses, and the ending brings Ed and perhaps all of us? A hope we didn't necessarily expect.

The Buddha, Geoff & Me for anyone who's ever begun to wonder what the whole damn thing is all about...

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Sure an easy read and yet thought provoking, and demonstrates how these Buddhist teachings offer personal and social transformation which can be applied to our daily lives to create happiness for ourselves and others. After reading the book, I think now, to introduce Buddhism to non-Buddhist friends will be easy.  This book is defenitely unfold them 'petal by petal', especially to those who labeled Buddhism nothing but religion,  statue-worshiper and something like Taoism. Previously when I am talking or discussing anything related to Buddhism, people who're in different religions will straight away people will have uneasy feeling. It was hard to as the Dharma are taught in a right way and right time.

What I like about this book is the author brilliantly choose a novel-type in introduce such simple philosophy to someone who is not quite familiar with Buddhism. Hoping to get more similar books. 

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For more info, please visits:
BuddhaGeoff&Me

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Mosquitoes

 By: ryan    4:11 PM  Ranting   No comments

I usually sleep with my windows opened and two fans turned on. Sometimes when I almost fall asleep, I heard that high frequency humming of mosquito in my ear, and I'm up again. Fumed, frustrated, and  annoyed, I wanted to kill the bug so much. 

I'm not a very good friend to mosquitoes and I have no compassion for them at all. But there is something in me where keeps me from killing them. I have a beautiful Manjusri over the bookshelf and that the reason not to send the bug to meet King Yama 

Sometimes I just get confused, should I kill them or just find another way to deal with this irritating sucker. To kill them, I'm creating a very bad karma (still, they're living creatures right?) but if I didn't kill it, then the probability I caught in dengue fever is high (actually not enough sleeps and having no compassion). So how?

After a long consideration, the first thing I will do is to ignoring them, as what Thich Nath Hanh said, it's not that the environment around us (for this case, mosquitoes) annoying us but it's our mind that creating some thoughts and discomfort on making us get frustrated and annoyed on the specific thing. I don't know if this works for you but to me, occasionally yeah, cause sometimes I'm too tired and sleepy to caught late in the night to shoo away mosquitoes. Just let them bites or sucks, whatever. Just hope that those mosquitoes that feed on my blood will considerate enough not to bring me viruses. 

The second option would be buying mosquitoes repellent or coils or those mosquitoes electric trap. If these stubborn mosquitoes still want to comes in or near to the room filled with these "poisonous air" to them and died because of these then it must be due to their bad karma or their times is up.

Still sometimes when you're really in a very deep-sleep or having so deep concentration on certain works or things, you will actually don't really care if killing the mosquito. Saying that you'll reborn as one, creating bad karma, no compassion or brutal for killing a mosquito yet will not came across one's mind. 

The Buddha said, "I am the owner of my actions, whatever I do, for good or evil, to that I will bear the karma I created". 

So I guess making myself tired enough only goes to sleep is the best choice. 

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Big Bad Wolf (12-17 Nov 2010) Madness

 By: ryan    10:14 PM  Dear Diary   No comments

Woke up early, brushed my teeth, take a bath, changed my cloths, grab my recycle bag, fetch my friend and straight away drove to South City Mall. Why? Because we been lure to Big Bad Wolf's lair.  The queue already starts as early as 900am.  Kiasu!! But me and my friend are not being kiasu, just that we reached there early  ^ ^ . Is true, we planned to reach there at 1015am but fail to expect no jams along the ways, so blame the smooth traffic.  

(Who said Malaysian's don't read? Only those who really don't read has those saying) 

Sharp sharp at 10.00am, BBW's welcome us into his lair. Just first step and the smell of books rushed into my nose. Such mountains and sea of books. The madness started as soon as people steps in, these ah gong, ah mah (uncles and aunties) already throwing books into their boxes. So kiasu!! Within minutes their boxes already full of books. Yes not box but boxes, super kiasu!! Luckily I am not a big fan of fiction so it saves me some time and I'm heading straight to the Religion's section. Far less people here meaning lot more to choose from. Grab a few good titles and proceed the Business and Self-Improvement section. Here, I saw so many titles that are new, for those who bought these titles recently at major bookstores, I'm sure they gonna rub on their faces. Hehehehe!!

Now, compare to the previous sales (current Bookxcess store, Amcorp Mall), the venue is more comfortable  and larger but due to some pea-brain morons, they just manage to blocks the walking area with their boxes and many irritating book-loading "container".

Here are what gonna makes you want to slaps them and spoils your mood:

• Scrambles all books upside down
• Put their boxes on top of books where blocking others from view and also damaging books
• Being kiasu, grab whatever books and at the end of the day, unwanted books are scatters around  
• Bring all sort of stupid bags, luggage or boxes (not to mention they're huge)
• Not saying sorry after pushes, knocks or step on others (rude ass)
• Parents: let their children rampage books 
• Gossiping about their "grandma stories" at the middle of the walkway (why now??)
• Ladies who keep moving their hairs that bring some weird odor (sweat + fading shampoo smell + dandruff) 

Just dunno why these kind of people really does exists..........

Well, most of the books priced between RM8 to RM20 and that's why  people are grabbing them, throwing them, and stuffing them into their boxes, recycle bags, wet-market trolley, baby stroller, or luggage bags as though as it's free. Totally Madness!! Some even worst, brings their maid to hand-carry their books. (To these people, better go d*e....). So some books end up like the picture shown below. 

 (Photo from BBW: Those kiasu people do when they do not want those books they have selected.....)

So please don't be such a jerk when you're in a book's sales. Be considerate and think of others. Whose know the book you just dump are the one that other want to buy it?

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Being in a book sales especially at BBW, it is really meaningless if you're not getting more than 10 books. Here are what I bought just for the two days visits.

 (First visit, already half-broke)

On the last day itself, all books are going for RM5 while RM3 for all magazines. So I went there again to grabs more books even though already half-broke. Though many hot titles are sold off, but lucky me is super happy when I spotted a copy of Brilliant Moon and The Buddha, Geoff and Me. I wanted these two books long time ago but due to the price that sells in major bookstore (blood/money-suckers), I didn't buy it. Now thanks to BBW, not only I got it but I bought it for only RM5.

 

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Here is the breakdown on what I'd bought and how much I had saved.

Total 31 books for less than RM250. Where can we get such great deals / offers / bargains?

**RRP = Recommended retail price         BBWP = Big Bad Wolf Price

Buddhism
1. Cave of Tigers ----------> RRP: RM64.90           BBWP: RM10.00
2. The Bodhi Tree Grows in L.A.----------> RRP: RM58.90        BBWP: RM10.00
3. The Sutra of Hui Neng ----------> RRP:RM70.10           BBWP: RM10.00
4. For The Benefit of All Beings -----------> RRP: RM62.50            BBWP: RM8.00
5. The Tibetan Ways ----------> RRP: RM60.75            BBWP: RM8.00
6. The Buddha, Geoff and Me ----------> RM35.90            BBWP: RM8.00
7. The Other Buddhism ----------> RRP: RM72.90        BBWP: RM10.00
8. Buddha Da ----------> RRP: RM45.90            BBWP: RM8.00
9. Brilliant Moon ----------> RRP: RM120.90          BBWP: RM5.00
10. The Buddha ----------> RRP: RM39.90           BBWP: RM8.00


Fiction
1. Kafka On The Shore ----------> RRP: RM34.90            BBWP: RM8.00
2. The Old Cape Magic ----------> RRP: RM32.90            BBWP: RM5.00
3. Tao: On The Road ----------> RRP: RM70.30           BBWP: RM5.00
4. The Last Airbender ----------> RRP: RM20.90            BBWP: RM3.00


Non-Fiction
1. Finding Oprah's Roots ----------> RRP: RM75.90           BBWP: RM8.00
2. Leona Lewis: Dreams ----------> RRP: RM84.90           BBWP: RM5.00
3. Helen Miren: In The Frame ----------> RRP: RM145.90           BBWP: RM5.00
4. The River of Lost Footsteps ----------> RRP: RM56.90           BBWP: RM5.00
5. China's First Emperor ----------> RRP: RM94.75           BBWP: RM5.00
6. How To Be Rich ----------> RRP: RM45.90           BBWP: RM5.00
7. Managing Change ----------> RRP: RM57.90           BBWP: RM5.00
8. The Martha Rules ----------> RRP: RM94.90           BBWP: RM5.00
9. The Malaysian Way of Life ----------> RRP: RM34.90           BBWP: RM8.00

Others
1. Collins: Improve Your Grammar ----------> RRP: RM45.90         BBWP: RM10.00
2. Collins: Improve Your Writing Skills ----------> RRP: RM45.90    BBWP: RM5.00
3. Collins: Easy Learning English Verbs ----------> RRP: RM48.90    BBWP: RM5.00
4. Improve Your Communication Skills ----------> RRP: RM55.90    BBWP: RM10.00
5. Career & Jobs in IT----------> RRP: RM49.90        BBWP: RM10.00
6. MacMillan English Dictionary ----------> RRP: RM55.90        BBWP: RM15.00

Total RRP = RM1786.00
BBWP = RM216.00

With the price of only RM216, I had all these wonderful titles to feed on my shelves. BBW help me saved RM1570. I am sure that every book's lovers around Klang Valley and some who are from other states are waiting to ambush the next Big Bad Wolf lair. To those bookfairs who collected RM2 for entrance fees, giving only 20% discount, and ..... no bookmarks, I am so not going anymore.

All in all, what else can we expect from Big Bad Wolf? Low price, sea of people, new, and heaven of books. I'm hoping that I'll be at home most of the night and weekend to read read my books.

With love,

Notes: Thanks, Pat for helping me get a few good copies on the first day and not forgetting those who asked me to get their books, faster pay me back!! 

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The Seventeen Second Miracle

 By: ryan    10:01 PM  Books, Jason F. Wright   No comments

Title: The Seventeen Second Miracle
Author: Jason F. Wright
Publisher: Penguin Books
ISBN: 9780425237946

Back Cover text

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wednesday Letters and Christmas Jars comes a story of small kindnesses and life changing miracles

Seventeen seconds can change a life forever. This is what Rex Conner learned one summer afternoon in 1970 when his gaze was diverted for just seventeen seconds and tragedy occurred. forty years later the waves of that day still ripple through the lives of many people, including Rex's son, Cole.

Cole Conner is a patient teacher, and he has long shared his father's story with those in need. This fall, Cole has invited three struggling teenagers to learn about Rex Conner and the Seventeen Seconds Miracle.

The teens will hear how Rex remade his life, seventeen seconds at a time by performing small acts of kindness that sometimes had life-altering consequences. As Cole's students learn, miracles can happen with a little help from you. When this knowledge is put to a surprising test, what the students discover may transform your world, as it did theirs. A Seventeen Second Miracle could change your life, if you let it.

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Jason F. Wright is the New York Times beselling author of The Wednesday Letters and Christmas Jars. Visit the author TheSeventeenSecondMiracle

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This is a very easy and quick read, but the more you read, the more questions comes into your mind. Do we practice enough positives attitudes, believe in good things even bad things happened, kindness, and generosity? This wonderful story of a tragic accident will inspire you want to do all of the good things for others after reading the book. Seventeen Seconds Miracle really inspired me wants to be grateful for every small acts of kindnesses. Another great book by Jason F. Wright.

If you loves this book, don't forget to check out these titles by the same author.

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The Best Buddhist Writting 2010

 By: ryan    10:08 AM  Books, Melvin McLeod   No comments

Title: The Best Buddhist Writing
Edited By: Melvin McLeod
Publisher: Shambhala Sun Book
ISBN: 9781590308264

Back Cover text
An Eclectic And Thought-Provoking Mix Of The Most Notable And Profound Buddhism-Inspired Writing Published In The Last Year.

The Best Buddhist Writing 2010 includes:

• A question and answer session between children and Thich Nhat Hanh
• Stan Goldberg on becoming a hospice volunteer, shortly after his own diagnose of prostate cancer
• Buddhist author and death-row inmate Jarvis Jay Masters on experiencing a few unexpected hours of freedom
• Jan Chozen Bays on eating mindfully
• Norman Fischer contemplates the death of his best friend
• Meditation instructions from Tibetan teacher Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche
• Sylvia Boorstein on the deep human connection that emerges when we engage with the joy and suffering of others
• Carolyn Rose Gimian on the late Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche's advise to "smile at fear"
• Gaylon Ferguson on recognizing our natural wakefulness
• Pema Chodron on being open to the opportunities that arise when we experience pain and discomfort in our lives
• Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche on finding joy in the midst of life's difficulties 
• Steve Silberman's account of love, prejudice, Buddhism, and marriage
• Mary Pipher on moving past despair
• Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche on meditation that directs our thoughts and intentions in a positive direction
• Jaimal Yogis on his misguided attempt to use Zen to improves his surfing
• Laura Fraser on the Zen-inspired cooks who have influenced the way we cook and eat
• And much more.....

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For more info, visit:
Shambhala

ShambhalaSun

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Heroes of Olympus - The Lost Hero

 By: ryan    10:42 AM  Books, Rick Riordan   No comments

Title: Heroes of Olympus - The Lost Hero 
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Puffin Books
ISBN: 9780141334011 

Back Cover text

Three New Heroes.

One Missing Demigod

A Curse That Threatens To 

Destroy Them All....

When Jason, Piper and Leo crash-land at Camp Half-Blood, they have no idea what to expect. Apparently this is the only safe place for children of the Greek gods despite the monsters roaming the woods and demigods practising archery with flaming arrows and explosives.

But rumors of a terrible curse and a missing hero are flying around camp. It seems Jason, Piper and Leo are the chosen ones who must embark on a terrifying new quest, which must be completed by the winter solstice. In just four days' time.

Can the trio succeed on this deadly mission and must they sacrifice in order to survive?

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This is a brand-new series from the author Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson's series) whose brings fans return to the world of Greek's gods and Camp Half-Blood where new trio heroes will inherit a quest. Here, once again , you'll meet some familiar demigods.

I just love Greek mythology and that's why I loves Percy and this one too. This is definitely a great book where the plot is great, excellent characters, not overshadowed by Percy's series, and rarely predictable. Thus this is a fairly easy to read but not boring for adults.

All in all this book is a great follow-up to the Percy's series. The only bad thing is to wait another year for the next one.

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CampHalfBlood
RickRiordan
Wiki

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