Over The Blue Moon

S.H.E.’s Selina Released New Music Video

2011-11-01T09:46:00.000+08:00

Few more days before the wedding of S.H.E’s Selina and H.I.M. surprised her fans with a new song and a music video from Selina called “Thank You for Loving Me”.

Throughout the music video, it contains messages and pictures of Selina as she undergoes her treatment. The lyrics of the song are very touching as the song is a way of Selina expresses her gratitude's to her fans, friends and people who supported her during her difficult times.

Here is the music video:

Jay Chou Secretly Married A Model In France

2011-10-19T15:07:00.002+08:00

On October 18th, an entertainment tabloid exposed that Jay Chou (周杰伦) got married with model, Hannah Quinlivan (昆凌) of mixed heritage, in Europe. While on an extended vacation with his 18-year-old girlfriend and his mother in Marseille, France, Jay was photographed by Chinese tourists, thus exposing his romance. Regarding Jay’s secret wedding, his music company claimed they possessed no knowledge of the situation.

After his vacation photos in France surfaced, Jay did not directly admit his new union. On his blog, Jay commented, “Next time, post a full-frontal photo!” While on vacation in Europe over the last ten days, Jay allegedly got married with Hannah, who was spotted smiling broadly while wearing a white wedding dress. The tabloid also published a photo of Jay wearing sunglasses and a suit and claimed he got married in this attire, “To respect the occasion, President Chou especially wore a suit. He proudly took photos for memories, while celebrating the farewell bid to his bachelorhood.”

At a concert performance in Singapore earlier, Jay allegedly dropped hints about his marriage intentions. The tabloid reported, “Perhaps under the teaching of Hannah’s sweet words, President Chou became glib at his concert in Singapore. He praised that ‘there were many beautiful women in Singapore’ and noted ‘I will remember your enthusiasm in my heart.’ When concluding his concert, Jay suddenly blurted out, ‘Regardless of the circulating gossip, if I were to get married, you will still listen to my songs, right?’”

An insider revealed to the entertainment tabloid, “Although Hannah was still young, she was very sensible and well-behaved. Jay said that she understood him more than any of his past girlfriends, while she pleased his mother greatly as well. Originally, they did not possess marriage intentions at the outset of their European vacation. Swayed by the exotic romantic setting, Jay and Hannah decided to obtain their marriage registration there with the approval of his mother. Afterwards, President Chou acknowledged that he acted on impulse, but he wanted to hold onto Hannah and marriage would become an issue sooner or later. Currently, Jay was looking for the right opportunity to announce his pleasant surprise to everyone.”

After “vaccinating” his fans [regarding his marital status], President Chou took his new bride on a honeymoon to Japan. Taking a formal honeymoon, Jay did not forget about his mother after getting married. Thus, Jay brought his mother along on the honeymoon with Hannah. A fan spotted the trio vacationing in Tokyo, Japan.

Sure or not??

2-Year-Old Girl Ran Over by Van

2011-10-18T10:57:00.001+08:00

A 2 year old Chinese girl (Yue Yue) ruthlessly run over by two vans and 18 pedestrians do nothing at all. Are these people blind or really zombies in disguise?

The pity girl before she run over by this van from hell!!

Synopsis: October 13th afternoon around 5:30, a car accident occurred at the Guangfo Hardware Market in Huangqi of Foshan. A van hit a 2-year-old little girl and then fled. No passersby reached out to help and then another car ran over her. Over the span of 7 minutes, a total of 17 people passing by failed to extend a hand or call the police, up until the 19th person, a garbage scavenger ayi [older woman], who lifted her up after discovering her but the little girl in her arms was like a noodle, immediately collapsing back onto the ground. The trash scavenger ayi called for help, and the little girl’s mother, who was in the vicinity, immediately rushed over and rushed her to the hospital. - Chinasmack

Warning: This video may be disturbing to others

This is absolutely the most disturbing video I have ever seen, this stupid, blind and evil 1st van run over her and then stops and he slowly moves over her! WTF!! Then comes another truck runs over her legs! Yet nobody does ANYTHING!

The father

The mother

Soon a lady drags her to to side and leaves her there. What kind of people living in this area? Just pass by an innocent baby just like that. How heartless can they be!!! This video can really show that what human has become!! If you can't even stop and help a dying little girl or anyone else, what humanity is left in you? No matter what they say there is no excuse for ignoring someone severely hurts like that. Even animals would help and try to protect their own kind while these human are just beneath animals.

See even dogs trying to risks their lives saving another!!

~~Really pray that she will get well soon as some reported that she's in critical condition.~~

Sigh...the prayers are too late. She has passed away. Should get the drivers get run over exactly like the same he did to the girl.

The Perfect Gentleman 2011 Finale

2011-10-10T10:02:00.000+08:00

The Perfect Gentleman 魅力型男 comes to an end yesterday 9th October, 2011 where the finale live on NTV7 and the winner has revealed!

For the first time in the Malaysian television, viewers able to witness a search for talent pageant for Malaysian Chinese men. The Perfect Gentleman 魅力型男 2011 is the ultimate contest of personality, talent, and style as hot guys from all over the country sweat it out to win the coveted title.

Top 30 finalist are chosen for the TV Show and only 6 finalists will survive the elimination where live on NTV7 yesterday. All finalists will need to face a series of challenges from physical activities, photo shots, showing talents and to brainstorm moment. The final 6 finalists will be dueling with each other to be crowned as Malaysia 1st Perfect Gentleman.

Seriously the show was not too bad but there are some setbacks where NTV7 should do some improvements on it. Since this is the first talent pageant for Malaysian Chinese men search program, the finale should be do it in a bit grand. What we can see from the finale show yesterday, the stage is so pathetic. The runway, for god sake, so short!! Even the judges complaints that when came to the finalist to show their talent-session, the stage is way too small and cramp for them to perform.

Here are the judges on the finale.

From left to right
1) Debbie 吴天瑜
2) Pei Pei 蒋珮珮
3) Mark 李国煌
4) Gillian Hung
5) Jane Wong

Of all the judges, I like Gillian Hung the most because of her true-harsh criticisms made the contestant can be more humble in term of all the glamors shower on them. Like Mark Lee too because he simply lighten the atmosphere in the finale where is humorous ways of giving comments.

Here are the 6 Finalists (click on their name to view their profile)

Shyang Wen

William

Jake

Joel

John

Kong Jie

Here are my predictions and why they deserves and not deserves to win.

Grand Winner: Kong Jie

Reasons why he should win: Because he deserve the title Perfect Gentleman. He is way too humble and best still he has the look of a model. All in all, he has the look.

Reason why he didn't win: Way too passive in term of too quiet, nervous and shy.

1st Runner-Up: Shang Wen

Reasons why he should win: Another guy who deserves the title, gentleman. Even though he is not very fluent in speaking mandarin, they way he handle his words and speech are just worth praises.

Reason why he didnt win: Mark Lee said he is a guy people will care and pity him and he look too childish.Maybe that's why.

2nd Runner-Up: William

Reasons why he should win: Because he has the package. Of all the six finalists, he truly has the look. That concludes it.

Reason why he didnt win: His look too. To me he is old.

Why Joel shouldn't win:

He don't have a look that will make others willing to view it for many times. To me he look like a younger version of Tang Xiao Kang.

Why John shouldn't win:

Way too confident and only makes him look proud and arrogant. This proved that I am correct when he was announced as 1st Runner-Up, he straightaway showing dark-faces as he maybe expecting he will become the grand winner. Meaning to say, not a perfect Gentleman.

Here are the results from the finale.

Grand Winner: Joel

1st Runner Up: John

2nd Runner Up: Jake

Most Photogenic Award: John

Most Popular Award: Kong Jie

All the "J"s wins where else Shyang Wen and Kong Jie didn't get to the top three spots.

Host - Hoong JiaHui

Judges

Top 6

Top 4

For more info, clips and news, visit HERE and HERE

The Official iPhone 4S

2011-10-05T11:55:00.002+08:00

California: Apple Inc's newest iPhone left Wall Street and fans wishing for more than a souped-up version of last year's device, igniting a rare storm of criticism and disappointment on the Internet.

Cook, who took over from Jobs in August, and his executive team showed off a device that comes with voice recognition and a better camera, but looks identical to the last phone and does little to lift the bar for smartphones.

While the gadget wasn't as tricked out as some had hoped, analysts liked its voice-enabling technology that helps users vocalize everything from stock price searches to sending messages -- more easily than on Android phones or Research in Motion Blackberries.

In some ways, Apple may have been a victim of its past success. Its launches are some of the hottest events on the tech calendar. Tuesday's "Let's talk iPhone" show marked Cook's unofficial debut since taking over from Jobs in August.

Analysts say it is more crucial than ever to sustain the popularity of its aging iPhone 4. Apple sold more than 20 million units in the third quarter ended June 25.

"It's kind of funny -- if they have gone and called it the 5, the stock would have been fine, but they're calling it the 4S, which is a disappointment to some," said WP Stewart portfolio manager Michael Walker.

The iPhone, which accounts for more than 40 percent of Apple's sales, has been a success since it came out in 2007, making Apple into one of the world's leading consumer electronics companies. - theStar

Since Apple revealed the so call Iphone 5 and now they named it Iphone 4s, so many complaints and criticism are flooding the social media networks be it Facebook, blogs or Twitter. I just don't understand, they must be a reason why they named it that way but still they incorporated much new stuff onto the new gadget.

Maybe the fans of Apple put too much expectations and hopes on the new gadget and that is why now, the latest model looks exactly the previous launched.

Here are the comparison between IP4 and IP4s

Why complaints?? If you don't feel this is the phone worth buying, then don't buy la. No one forcing you to buy it right? To some, maybe they thought that this is it. Where to those who complaints, maybe you'll complaint because you'll need to wait for another year for the who know will it still name it as IP5. Just wait nia lah!!

Borders Bargain Bash (5 - 7 October, 2011)

2011-10-04T12:00:00.005+08:00

After Popular Bookfest and MPH's Warehouse Clearance Sale, now come another books sale, Borders Bargain Bash starting tomorrow and Big Bad Wolf on Friday.

Here is the details for Borders Bargain Bash

In case you being lazy to click on the image

Date: 5 - 7 October 2011
Time: 9am - 7pm
Venue: Corporate Office (Coridor Area),
Level 12, Berjaya Time Square (Public Access via lift on Ground Floor, East)

Ah Koh oh Ah Koh!!

2011-09-27T11:23:00.001+08:00

These pictures have been taken on last Sunday in a program called Charity Ride program 1Malaysia for Education in the Straits Quay, Tuban in Georgetown Kwang Wah Yit Poh organized.

An accident has occurred involving the former Chief Minister, Koh Tsu Koon.

"The incident happened suddenly and I did not have time to brake and thereby ramp onto the teenagers bicycles," says Koh.

Below are some pictures showing how he fell over

Snowflake's 3rd Anniversary (September Promotion)

2011-09-19T14:09:00.001+08:00

It's Snowflake's 3rd Anniversary this month of September

and they are giving back to loyal fans

for sticking with them on journey thus far

For 3 days at different locations,

they will be offering a Buy 1 Free 1 promotion

for their fan favorite Bestseller

There will be many more 3rd Anniversary goodies/promotions coming your way so do visit this page from time to time!

September 20, 2011

Kota Damansara

Mid Valley Megamall

September 21, 2011

Sungei Wang Plaza

Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park

September 22, 2011

Pavilion

Subang Jaya SS15

Terms and Conditions

Valid while stocks last
Valid on a first come first served basis
Only apply to snowflakes bestseller (Hot & Cold) desserts
Not valid with other discounts, promotions or rewards program
Snowflake reserve the right to alter any aspects of the promotion at anytime in its sole discretion

Contest Links for MPH Distributors Warehouse Sale 2011

2011-09-08T09:43:00.002+08:00

The MPH Distributors’ warehouse sale is back, all you book lovers will be glad to know. With discounts on everything from children’s books and educational titles to bestselling fiction and non-fiction books, mark down these dates in your calendar because from September 15 – 18, 2011 the most anticipated book warehouse sale is back!

It will be held at Bangunan TH, No. 5, Jalan Bersatu, Section 13/4, 46200 Petaling Jaya (03-7958 1688) from 8.00am to 7.00pm. Below is the map for the warehouse sale located.

Book bargain hunters are spoiled for choice these days. What sets us apart from all the other warehouse sales is our reputation to provide carefully selected titles at affordable prices. You can expect a wide range of books from children to fiction, business books, Lonely Planet travel guides, graphic novels, cookbooks; a mix bag of bestsellers and current releases.

That’s not all, customers who purchase RM200 and above will receive a goodie bag of freebies and we have 200 bags to give out daily on a first come first serve basis. There will also be different happy hour and special promotions running daily for the extra bonus.

Last but not least, remember to keep your book receipts for tax relief purposes. Like them on Facebook at “MPH Distributors Warehouse Sale” for the latest updates. You’ll have to agree that reading has never been so rewarding and enticing – definitely a shopping experience you don’t want to miss!

Me myself already won two books throughout the contests held in MPH Distributors Warehouse Sale FB page. Thanks MPH!! : )

Here how you can win yourself some different set of good books through:

1) MPH Distributors Warehouse SaleFacebook page

2) TheStar paper

3) HitzFM

4) MixFM

5) LiteFM

6) ERAFM

Good luck!!

The Power of X: Enter the 10 Gods

2011-08-11T11:21:00.003+08:00

Title: The Power of X: Enter the 10 Gods (Bazi Series Book 3)
Author: Joey Yap
Publisher: JY Books Sdn. Bhd
ISBN: 9789675395918
Retail Price: RM48

Back Cover text

The Third Book In The Bazi Destiny Code Series

The Power of X - Enter The 10 Gods

Bazi - is all begins and ends with the 10 Gods. In this first book in the Power of X series, internationally renown BaZi consultant Joey Yap introduces you to the cornerstone of Four Pillars destiny analysis: the 10 Gods, Bear in mind, the word "Gods" here does not relate to anything religious but rather, refering to the 10 Stars in Chinee Astrology. Character and Destiny are innately entwined when it comes to the study of Bazi and thus, any understanding of a person's Destiny necessarily involves understanding the person's character. This introductory book on the 10 Gods will begin by showing you how to understand a person's character through the 10 Gods. Find out how the 10 Gods present in a BaZi chart influence and shape a person's Character, which is a composite of attitude, mindset, perceptions, actions and choices. See how differences between a person's External and Internal Characters can affect their interactions with those around them and their capacity for success. Understanding how to translate awareness of yourself into positive action. Empower yourself and achieve your goals through deeper understanding of yourself and those around you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this book, you will learn:

Technical foundation required to derive the 10 Gods for each of the ten Day Masters
The essential characteristics and traits represented by each of the 10 Gods
Simple but effective methods in which to analyse and understand a person's Character through their BaZi
Introductory techniques for analysing a Wealth, Career and Relationships matters using the 10 Gods
A practical walk-through section to analysing your own BaZi chart using the 10 Gods and the techniques explained in this book
How to translate Bazi analysis into Bazi-centric action for success and achievement in all facets of life.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table of Contents
Chapter One: A New Beginning An introduction to the 10 Gods and its concept.	1
Chapter Two: Deriving the Ten Gods The basics of Five Elements and Five Factors, and understanding the Strength of the Day Master and Element on a BaZi chart.	19
Chapter Three: The 10 Gods Essentials A detailed exploration into the positive and negative attributes of each of the 10 Gods.	85
Chapter Four: Analysing Character through the 10 Gods Understanding the basic 10 Gods character analysis techniques and interpretation.	147
Chapter Five: Getting to know YOU (and Others) A practical walk-through on the process of character analysis of a BaZi chart.	211
Chapter Six: To Know is To Do - Turning Analysis into Action Understanding the importance of taking the information derived from chart analysis to the next level with realistic action.	233
Chapter Seven: Using the 10 Gods and Character for Relationship, Wealth and Career Matters Analysis techniques according to the relationship, wealth and career aspects in life.	267
Piecing Together the Destiny Code Puzzle A word of advice on putting everything together.	349

Who Should Buy This Book
This is a follow-up to theearlier BaZi Destiny Code book series, BaZi - The Destiny Code and BaZi - The Destiny Code Revealed. It is suitable for those who wish to expand their knowledge based on the said books. It is the perfect book to deepen one's knowledge in regards to seeking insights into the subject of the 10 Gods in BaZi analysis.

See inside the book here
For more info. please visit MasteryAcademy

David Archuleta in Malaysia! Stadium Negera 26 July 2011

2011-07-27T15:43:00.004+08:00

We reached Stadium Merdeka at approximately 630p.m. Thought it will be jam if park near the stadium, manatau when climbing the hill, no cars, some more there are plenty of parking. Big sigh and ish!! After braving the hill, we collect our tickets, bought Archie's Asian Tour CD + DVD and we still have to wait for another 2 hours for the concert to begin. Munching our dinner alongside the longkang plus we're feeding mosquitoes while we enjoying the not so tasty burger.

Roughly about 745pm, we make our way into the stadium. The venue was ok ok, first time masuk Stadium Negara and the air conditioning was just nice but the stone seats make my ass ache and numb. The concert was supposed to start at 8.00pm. But they delayed it till 815pm where a local artist name Hao Ren (he is in for Jolin's concert too, must be seeking publicity) kick-off the concert with his song name Wu Gong (lip-syncing) and dances where not many was not-so-interested. This opening was the worst so far. To me I don't know why need such performance as an opening. A word to describe, LAME!!. Then comes the band crews standby on stage where we need wait for another 20 more mins I guess only then come lil-David hopping out and sing Stomping the Roses as his opening. On his second song, The Other Side of Down, our tickets were actually FREE SEATING but the organizer shoved us to the RM230 seats. I guess is to make the vanue look nicer and more audiences. So all the kiasu and kiasi people start pushing for their way to get a better seats. Lucky enough I din buy the RM230 tickets. Hem Hem!! and we got this new seats which are really seats with cushion. Nice one for us.

So far this is the best concert I ever attended because the organizer (Sony Music Malaysia) they permitted compact camera into the venue. Meaning we can record and snaps pictures. This is what we call real concert as other organizers like Galaxy (I hate the most) they are stupid. Control these control that. Hello, we pay for it. Kudos to Sony Music Malaysia for the cool concert and their generosity (change of seats).

Here are the songs that David sang:
It was great, with some surprises in bold:

Stomping the Roses
The Other Side of Down
A Little Too Not Over You
Love Don’t Hate
Something ‘Bout Love
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Elevator
A Thousand Miles
My Kind of Perfect
Falling Stars
Touch My Hand
Stand By Me
Everything and More
Zero Gravity

Encore: Heaven, Crazy, Crush
After singing Crush, he waved goodbye to his fans and he went backstage. The his crew was playing the cool ending music and about 5 mins later, David comes back to the stage waved again and then he played drums with one hand when he came back on the stage at the end!

What I like about the concert:
1) David was indeed a no joke when he is singing. Superb voice.
2) He din even need backup singers as he sings all the way in about 1 hour.
3) The organizer was not so strict so the audience are really enjoying it.
4) The change of seats to a better one.
5) David's charms (sound so gay hahahaha)

What I don't like the concert:
1) Way to long for us to wait for the concert to start
2) No drinks allowed.
3) The white screen is always interrupted with the spotlights shooting from the stage.
4) A very lame opening by Hao Ren
5) The concert is too short

Overall, the concert was good. So no complaint!!

Here are some of the video on the KL concert

The Other Side of Down

Everybody Want TO Rules the World

Something Bout Love

Stand By Me (I Love this one so much)

Crush (Crazy Ending)

David Archuleta Live In KL 26th July 2011

2011-07-25T12:21:00.002+08:00

Yay!! Tomolo is the day....

After a ton of requests, tweets, letters from Malaysian fans, Sony Music Malaysia took up the challenge and gave the ArchieMYs their hearts’desire

David’s Special Message to His Malaysian Fans

Malaysia Buzz has started

SEATING PLAN

Got myself 2 tickets for tomolo Archie's concert in Stadium Negara KL. Hope the RM99 seats are ok.

Gorgeous Scans of Print News/Articles

David Interview w/ Utusan Malaysia (translation posted in the thread)

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July 21, 2011

David Archuleta - Arrival Details & Autograph Session
by Sony Music Malaysia on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 10:47pm

We are pleased to announce that David Archuleta will be touching down on KLIA on Monday, 25th of July at 12.50pm via Vietnam Airlines flight 757 from Ho Chi Minh. David will also be making an appearance at Fahrenheit 88 on Monday, 25th of July 2011 at 8pm onwards for an autograph session with fans!
David will only be signing the concert tickets bought during the autograph session. For those who have not bought the concert tickets yet, you can buy the tickets during the event and get it signed personally by David.
David will be back in Kuala Lumpur for a full concert, organized by Sony Music Entertainment Malaysia, on Tuesday, 26th of July 2011, 8pm at Stadium Negara! The opening act will be our very own local singer, Hao Ren.

Ticket pricing is at RM300 for VIP, RM230 and RM190 for numbered seating, and RM150 and RM90 for free seating (All prices shown excludes RM3 ticket handling fees). Tickets are also made available through Ticket Charge (www.ticketcharge.com.my) and AirAsia RedTix outlets (www.AirAsiaRedTix.com).
Limited & special VVIP tickets are also available for sale. These VVIP tickets not only entitles you to the best seats in the house but also comes with a T-Shirt, an autographed photo, a poster and the Asian Tour Edition of “The Other Side of Down” album PLUS a special invite to a Sound Check Party with David!
There are only limited places available at the Sound Check party, so hurry and get yourself the special VVIP ticket today. For more information or to purchase these limited VVIP tickets, kindly call Sony Music’s office 03-6207 9898.

The Asian Tour Edition of “The Other Side Of Down” is a CD+DVD album which includes 5 brand new songs & a lyrics booklet for only RM49.90. As for the DVD portion of the album, it includes 4 karaoke videos for you to sing along to your favourite David Archuleta songs. The album is already available in all music stores nationwide.

For more information, log on to sonymusicmy.

Credits to: TheDavidChronicle

Teoh Beng Hock RCI Report (full)

2011-07-22T12:31:00.002+08:00

Teoh Beng Hock RCI report – English (pdf download)
Teoh Beng Hock RCI report – Bahasa Malaysia (pdf download)

Source - Lim Kit Siang blog

Leopard Goes On Rampage

2011-07-21T16:00:00.003+08:00

A leopard strayed into Prakash Nagar village near Salugara, on the outskirts of Siliguri, India July 19, 2011 and mauled several villagers, including four guards, before being caught by forest officials. The Panthera pardus readies itself to pounce on a forest guard.

Eleven people, including four guards, were mauled by the leopard before it was caught by forestry department officials.

The leopard attacks a forest guard as the Forest officials made several unsuccessful attempts to tranquilize the full-grown leopard.

Unfortunately the leopard, which suffered injuries caused by knives and batons, died later in the evening at a veterinary center. The forest guard being attacked was injured.

What Home Ministry Had Censors Bersih Article In The Economist

2011-07-21T10:32:00.000+08:00

Political affray in Malaysia

Taken to the cleaners

An overzealous government response to an opposition rally
Jul 14th 2011 | SINGAPORE

MALAYSIA is one of South-East Asia’s stabler nations; but a rally in Kuala Lumpur on July 9th in demand of electoral reform turned surprisingly nasty, leading to the arrest of more than 1,600 people. The police fired tear gas and water cannon into the crowd, and one man died of a heart attack. All those arrested were released fairly quickly, but Amnesty International, a London-based human-rights group, called it “the worst campaign of repression in the country for years”. The government’s reaction showed a lot of nervousness about how much opposition it can tolerate.

In fact the crackdown started a few weeks ago after “Bersih 2.0” announced that it was going to stage the rally. Bersih, also known as The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections, is a loose alliance of NGOs and activists (bersih means “clean”). It argues that all candidates should be given access to the mainstream media and that indelible ink should be used to stop people voting more than once. It all sounds uncontroversial, but not to the government. Bersih was declared illegal on July 1st and about 200 activists were rounded up. The march itself was then banned, although the authorities offered Bersih a stadium to meet in—and then withdrew the offer.

Perhaps the government was looking back nervously to the first Bersih march, in 2007. On that occasion, too, thousands protested against the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition government and demanded reform. Subsequently, in the 2008 general election, the BN lost its largest share of votes since 1957 when it started ruling the country after the British left. The current prime minister, Najib Razak, deputy prime minister in 2007 before taking over the top job in an internal party coup, must have feared that the second Bersih rally might be a similar portent. He has to hold an election before 2013, but wants to do so earlier to win his own mandate. Opposition politicians were quick to join Bersih. The pre-eminent leader of the opposition, Anwar Ibrahim, was shoved to the ground and injured in the affray.
None of this bodes well for Malaysia. The heavy-handed police tactics have provoked a lot of anger; the government has conceded an official investigation into claims of police brutality. In one instance (caught on film), police seemed to fire tear gas and water cannon into a hospital where protesters were sheltering from a baton charge. Few old laws were left untouched in the attempt to round up suspects before the march. It was reported that 30 people arrested in Penang were investigated under Section 122 of the Penal Code for the charge of waging war against the king. Dragging in the constitutional monarch, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, seemed particularly desperate, reminiscent of the abuse of the monarchy’s position in neighbouring Thailand. On the eve of the rally, the king came out with a statement reminding everyone that “street demonstrations bring more bad than good, although the original intention is good.”
Mr Najib defended the police and accused the marchers of sowing chaos. Dismissing the motives of Bersih, he cast it as a desperate attempt by Mr Anwar to grab power. The immediate upshot is that Mr Najib may choose to delay calling for an election for some time, to let things settle down. He presumably hopes that if he waits long enough, people will have forgotten about this ugly incident. But the longer-term effects are hard to judge. It might also help to unite a fractious opposition against what they portray as an assault on democracy.

from the print edition | Asia

Taken from TheEconomist

Harry Potter Finale

2011-07-14T10:09:00.003+08:00

"It All Ends" Today!! The official release of Part 2 and the finale of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie!

Can't wait till this Saturday to watch the much long awaited finale on the Potter's series. Here are some trailers for the final movie.

Very free today...so I go googled up some facts you might not know about Harry Potter's world.

62 Magical Facts About . . .

Harry Potter

As of 2008, Harry Potter books have sold over 400 million copies and have been translated into 67 languages.
A picture of Gandalf the Grey (from The Lord of the Rings) can be seen in the collection of great wizards in Professor Dumbledore’s study in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Author J. K. Rowling recently revealed that Dumbledore is gay and he had a crush on the wizard Grindelwald, whom he later defeated in a wizard duel.
As every Potter fan knows, Dementors are deadly, magical, wraith-like creatures. Rowling revealed that they represent depression and that they were based on her own experience with the disease. The remedy to lighten the effects of a Dementor is chocolate.

Rowling is the first author billionaire

Rowling is the first person to become a billionaire (U.S. dollars) by writing books.
In 2007, Rowling was runner up for Time magazine’s Person of the Year.
The death of Rowling’s mother from multiple sclerosis significantly influenced her writing, and death is a major theme throughout the Potter series.
The actress who played Moaning Myrtle is actually 37 years old and is the oldest actress to portray a Hogwarts student.
Rowling discovered “witchy” sounding names such as toadflax, goutwort, grommel, and others in Culpeper’s Complete Herbal, a famous book of herbal lore from the 1600s.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released on July 21, 2007, and sold 11 million copies on the first day of its release, breaking Rowling's earlier records for the fastest selling book of all time.
Rowling said that if she were to be a teacher at Hogwarts, she would teach Charms. If she had a job in the wizarding world, she would write spell books.
Harry Potter’s pet snowy owl, Hedwig, shares her name with two famous saints. One is Saint Hedwig of Andechs (1174-1243), a former duchess noted for her benevolence and compassionate nature. The other is Saint Hedwig, Queen of Poland (1373-1399). The death of Hedwig in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows represents Harry’s loss of innocence and coming of age.

Wizards in Harry’s world primarily use owls to communicate

Owls are the primary means of communication between wizards in Harry’s world. However, in many parts of the word, owls are considered bad luck and harbingers of death.
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, dragon blood is revealed to be an effective oven cleaner.
Rowling’s books were the first children’s books included on the New York Bestseller list since E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web in 1952.
When Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was released in Great Britain, the publisher asked stores not to sell the book until schools were closed for the day to prevent truancy.
Several publishers rejected the first Harry Potter manuscript saying it was too long and literary, but Bloomsbury Publisher finally accepted it in 1996. The book’s publisher suggested Rowling use the name “J. K.” rather than her real name “Joanne Rowling” to appeal to male readers. She took the “K” from her grandmother's name Kathleen, but neither "Kathleen" nor "K" is part of her legal name.
Rowling’s series has stimulated children to read and has concomitantly boosted the sale of other children’s literature such C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia series and Lloyd Alexander’s The Black Cauldron series.
A few scholars have suggested that the Harry Potter series is sexist because the three most powerful figures are male, females use their power in ways that make them less appealing than the males, and Hermione is less powerful and less poised than the boys. Other scholars say those claims are unfounded.
Colors play an important role in the Harry Potter novels. For example, shades of red represent goodness, such as Gryffindor’s scarlet robes, Harry’s red ink, and the crimson Hogwarts Express train. The Weasleys have red hair and a red roof. Green is largely associated with negative events, such as when Harry sees a flash of green when his parents die and the green-colored curse that made Ron vomit.^j
Numbers are symbolic in the series, especially 2, 3, 4, and 7. For example, the trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione suggest the power of three and the spiritual trinity. Harry fatally wounds the basilisk on its third strike, and Hagrid knocks on the front door of Hogwarts three times. Students attend Hogwarts for seven years and there are seven players on each Quidditch. Sirius is also imprisoned on the seventh floor of Hogwarts.
Rowling said her favorite beast in the series is the phoenix, a mythical sacred bird who ignites into flames when it reaches 500 or 1,000 years old only to emerge from the flames as a new and young phoenix.^c

Harry Potter and Rowling share a birthday on July 31st

Harry’s birthday is July 31, 1980. Rowling’s birthday is also July 31—but in 1966.
The name Voldemort comes from the French words meaning “fly from death,” and his entire goal is to conquer death. In the second Harry Potter novel, Rowling shows us that “I am Lord Voldemort” is an anagram of “Tom Marvolo Riddle,” which is his actual full name.
Harry Potter’s name may refer to a “potter’s field,” which is a cemetery in which people of unknown identity or the very poor are buried. This would be fitting because Harry Potter serves as a type of “everyman,” a powerful mythological archetype.
Rubeus Hagrid, one of Harry’s closest friends, is part wizard and part giant. Rubeus is Latin for something produced from a bramble or a thicket, which fits Rowling’s description of him as “wild.” Hagrid most likely comes from the term “haggard” which also means “wild” or “unruly.”
Cedric Diggory is one of four students to die in Rowling’s novels. Cedric is a common Welsh name, and Diggory is the name of the professor in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe who traveled to Narnia where he picked an apple to save his mother. The seeds from the apple grew into a tree from which the wardrobe was made.
Rowling said she may have inadvertently taken the name of Harry’s school, “Hogwarts,” from a hogwort plant she saw in the Kew Gardens in New York City.
So many fans visit King’s Cross station to take pictures of platforms 9 and 10 that the station management erected a sign that says “Platform 9 ¾” which, in the Potter books, is invisible to Muggles but acts as a gateway for witches and wizards.
Voldemort’s wand is made of yew. Yew is seen by some as having immense supernatural power and being a symbol of death and rebirth, the same immortality that Voldemort seeks. Historically, nearly all wizards have used a magical wand of some sort that channels a wizard’s power and acts a symbol of authority (such as a shepherd’s staff).
Golgomath (one of the largest giants in the Potter universe) may be a play on the word “googol,” a math term for a one with a hundred zeros after it—in other words, one of the largest numbers known.
Rowling said that when she took an online Sorting Hat quiz, it sorted her into Hufflepuff, one of the four houses of Hogwarts.
Rowling said if she could take Polyjuice Potion for an hour, she would become Prime Minister Tony Blair. She also said that she would be dreadful at playing Quidditch as she is “not sporty,” “not great with heights,” and is “clumsy.”
Quidditch is also known as Ikarosfairke or “Ikarus ball,” which refers to the Greek myth of Icarus who flew too close to the sun. His wings melted and he fell into the sea and drowned.
Rowling said that she would like to transform herself into her favorite animal: an otter. That is the Animagus shape of Hermione Patronus—which is not surprising, since Rowling has said Hermione is a lot like she is.
The curse used to kill Harry’s parents, “Avada Kedavra,” derives from a phrase in Aramaic Abhadda kedhabhra, which means to “disappear like this word.” It was used to make illness disappear, but there’s no proof it was meant to kill anyone. It is also likely the origin of abracadabra, which was used by doctors to cure fevers.
Harry’s godfather’s name, Sirius Black, comes from the name of one of the brightest stars in the sky, the “Dog Star” or Sirius (from the Greek word seirios, meaning “burning”). The star is a symbol of the goddess Isis and was central to the religion and philosophy of Egypt.
Sirius Black’s tattoos are borrowed from Russian prison gangs. The markings identify the person as someone to be feared and respected.

“Dumbledore“ is an Old English word meaning “bumblebee“

Albus Wulfric Percival Brian Dumbledore is Dumbledore’s full name. Dumbledore is an Old English word meaning “bumblebee.” Albus is Latin for “white,” and Wulfric was the name of a twelfth-century saint who became a deeply holy man after seeing a homeless man in the street. Percival was a knight of King Arthur’s Round Table and may also mean “pierce the veil,” suggesting an ability to return from the dead. Brian is a Celtic name, meaning “strong.”
The original title of the first book was Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and appeared on books in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other territories. It was changed to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by the American publisher because “Sorcerer’s” seemed more exciting. Rowling later said she would have fought this decision had she been in a better position.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone refers to a mythical object called a “philosopher’s stone.” In the ancient practice of alchemy (from the Arabic word al-kimia, or the transformation of metals, and related to the word algebra), alchemists searched for a magical substance called the “philosopher’s stone” that would turn ordinary metals into gold. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the “philosopher’s stone” is described as “blood-red.”
Hogwarts wizards use cauldrons (from the Latin calere meaning “to be warm” or hot, and which is related to “calorie”) to create potions. Mundungus (from archaic Spanish for “stinky tobacco”) Fletcher was known to peddle stolen pots. Cauldrons are one of the oldest and most widely known symbols of magic—older, for example, than broomsticks. In fact, people once believed that witches flew in cauldrons.
“Morsmorde” is the command that makes the Dark Mark (the mark of Voldemort) appear and means “take a bite out of death” in French, making it an appropriate call for Death Eaters.
The Death Eaters were originally known as the Knights of Walpurgis, which is a reversal of “Walpurgis Night,” the name of an old witch’s holiday on April 30th celebrating springtime—exactly six months from Halloween. One holiday ushered in the growing season; one marked its passing. On both nights, demons and witches were free to roam. Saint Walpuriga was actually the name of a nun who lived between A.D. 710-779.
The divination textbook used at Hogwarts was written by “Cassandra Vablatsky.” Her last name refers to a real woman, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky who founded the Theosophical Society. Cassandra was the daughter of the rulers of Troy (Priam and Hecuba) who was cursed by Apollo to prophecy the truth but never to be believed.
The Hogwarts school motto is Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus which is Latin for “Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon.” In the novels, the school is located somewhere in Scotland and has various charms to make it appear as an old ruin to muggle eyes.
Hogwarts was founded 1,000 years ago by Godric Gryffindor (fire/lion), Salazar Slytherin (water/serpent), Helga Hufflepuff (earth/badger), and Rowena Ravenclaw (air/raven). Its crest includes each of the animal representations of the four founders.
In the Hogwarts school, grades include Outstanding, Exceeds Expectations, and Acceptable. The failing grades include Poor, Dreadful, and Troll.
Early in the series' history, the Harry Potter books received positive reviews; however, later books were criticized as bland and cliché.

The idea of Harry Potter “strolled“ into Rowling’s head during a four-hour train delay

Rowling says the idea of Harry Potter just “strolled into her head” during a four-hour train delay.
According to Rowling, her favorite book as a child was The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge.
An outbreak of lice among the children cast members occurred while filming Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
When Coca-Cola won the rights to tie in its product with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Rowling insisted the company donate $18 million to the U.S. Reading Is Fundamental campaign to encourage children to read.
Natalie McDonald, who appeared in Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire, was based on a real girl Rowling knew who was dying of leukemia.
The driver and conductor of the Knight Bus, Ernie and Stanley, are named after Rowling’s grandfathers.
In 2003, members of the Jesus Non-Denominational Church in Greenville, Michigan, publicly demonstrated their concern over what they perceived to be evil in the Harry Potter books by gathering around a bonfire and burning Rowling’s books. In the Middle Ages, when books were rare, burning them was a radical statement.
Rowling claims that her wizard-ing world is purely imaginary and she doesn’t believe in the kind of magic found in her books.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is scheduled to open at Universal Orlando in 2010

A theme park called the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open in 2010 at Universal Islands of Adventure in Florida. The park will include a Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Forbidden Forest, and Hogsmeade Village.
Harry Potter books made the American Library Association (ALA) list of 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books for five consecutive years. A challenge is a formal, written complaint filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness.
Most parent protests against the books include arguments that the books glorify witchcraft, encourage children to break rules and defy authority, and dwell on dark themes and death. But other parents argue in favor of the books, saying they serve as a mirror for finding a young child’s full potential.
When asked about the Harry Potter series, Pope John Paul II said the stories helped children see the difference between good and evil. However, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) said the books “erode Christianity in the soul” of young people and are “inconsistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.” Ratzinger said the books were a “subtle seduction."
Nancy Stouffer, the author of The Legend of Rah and the Muggles and Harry Potter and His Best Friend Lilly. sued Rowling because she said Rowling’s books were based on her ideas. Stouffer lost her case in 2002 and was fined for making her claim with forged documents. No other author has claimed that Rowling stole an idea.

Source - Random History

(Sedih) Catatan Seorang Peserta BERSIH berbangsa Cina

2011-07-13T14:55:00.000+08:00

KISAH BENAR: Catatan Seorang Peserta Cina: "Saya Rasa Selamat Bersama Orang PAS"

Seorang pakcik yang berkopiah menuju ke arah saya, "Di manakah stadium?" Saya menuding jari ke depan. Lantas beliau berjalan ke arah sana, tanpa sebarang keraguan. Saya merasakan diri saya amat tidak berguna pada ketika itu.

Mengapa tidak saya bertindak sebagaimana pakcik itu? Berarak adalah hak kita. Mengapa pula saya takut? Saya tetap berdiri di situ, menyaksikan bagaimana orang tua itu dihalang polis, dan kemudian beliau terus berjalan ke depan.

Kemudian saya berjalan, dan terserempak dengan seorang polis muda. Beliau bertanya untuk apa saya berada di situ, saya sekadar jawab, tak ada, cuma jalan-jalan.

Beliau menunjuk ke arah Jalan Sultan, mengarahkan saya beredar dari situ, atau saya akan ditangkap. Saya tahu beliau cuba menakutkan saya. Masih awal lagi, saya tidak mahu timbul hal, maka saya pun beredar.

Saya nampak sekumpulan orang di kedai KL Commercial Book Co., semacam orang PAS, maka saya berjalan menuju ke arah mereka. Pada hakikatnya, saya amat yakin dengan mereka. Saya rasa diri saya berselindung di dalam kelompok mereka pada ketika itu. Ya, saya rasa sangat selamat.

Pada kira-kira jam 12.20 tengah hari, kelompok di sini hanya kira-kira 20 orang. Tiba-tiba kami dengar jeritan orang, dan kami bergegas ke situ dan mendapati kira-kira 2,000 orang. Mereka muncul entah dari mana, sungguh ajaib! Tapi kami masih menganggap bilangan ini terlalu sedikit!

Pada kira-kira jam 12.30 tengah hari, saya tak berapa ingat lagi. Kami nampak sekumpulan manusia menuju ke arah kami melalui Jalan Sultan, sambil melaungkan slogan. Bilangan mereka terlalu ramai berbanding kami. Ramai orang tua yang bertanya, PERKASA? Pemuda UMNO? Kami berdiri di situ dan memandang, gagal mendengar apakah yang dilaungkan.

Tiba-tiba, ada yang bertepuk tangan, berkata "Tengok, Cina ada, India ada, bukan PERKASA, bukan Pemuda UMNO, orang kita!" Kami bertepuk dengan gemuruh, berarak ke arah mereka untuk berkumpul bersama. Kami seolah-olah dapat membentuk pasukan kami, dan tidak lagi keseorangan atau kesepian.

"BERSIH! BERSIH! Hidup BERSIH!" Ribuan yang membanjiri Jalan Sultan. Orang berada di tengah dan di tepi jalan, warga tua dan warga muda. Maka kami terus berjalan, tidak memasuki jalan ke arah Stadium Merdeka. Saya sedar, bilangan kami masih tidak mencukupi. Kami menuju ke arah Pudu Raya, dan di situ telah dibanjiri lautan manusia yang lebih daripada 10 ribu.

Abang saya menghantar sms kepada saya, memberitahu bahawa pasukan di Hotel Hilton telah mula bertolak. Dengan serta-merta saya berkongsi maklumat ini dengan orang yang berada di sisi saya.

Kira-kira jam 1 tengah hari, kami nampak satu pasukan yang lebih besar, kemas sususannya berarak dari arah Hospital Tung Shin. Kemudian, muncul lagi satu pasukan dari Kota Raya. Tidak berhenti kami bertepuk tangan. Kami menjerit sepuas-puasnya. Saya nampak ramai yang menakung air di matanya. Saya amat terharu. Saya kini berada di tengah-tengah belasan, malah puluhan ribu orang. Saya tidak kesepian, kami tidak kesepian!

Terharu kerana dibantu orang yang saya tidak kenal langsung!

Kami berkumpul di depan Menara MayBank. Saya tak dengar apa yang diucap pemidato. Tapi saya hanya seorang penyokong. Saya hanya menyorak bersama kelompok manusia, bertepuk tangan apabila semua orang berbuat demikian.

Kemudian saya mendapati trak FRU. Seorang warga tua, mungkin dari PAS, memesan agar saya undur dahulu. Tidak lama kemudian, FRU melepaskan gas pemedih mata, dan meriam air kimia yang berwarna biru. Saya rasa macam tersengit. Baunya sangat tidak menyenangkan. Orang di sisi saya (sahabat dari kaum lain) menuangkan air ke atas kepala saya. Ada seorang yang menyapu minyak angin di bawah kelopak mata saya. Ada pula yang memberi garam kepada saya.

Saya teringat, air mata saya mengalir pada ketika itu bukan disebabkan gas pemedih mata, tetapi mengalir kerana terharu dengan bantuan yang dihulurkan oleh orang-orang yang saya tak kenal ini.

Pada ketika itu saya nampak polis, kononnya, menangkap orang ramai di depan Menara MayBank. Ramai yang memanjat ke atas di cerun pada mulanya, kemudian mereka melompat dari tembok yang tinggi. Saya sangat marah ketika itu, kerana saya nampak ramai wanita dan warga tua. Dan mereka yang kononnya polis itu dicemuh dalam hati saya, "Bukan manusia!"

Saya berehat seketika. Saya menjangkakan bahawa orang ramai akan menuju ke Jalan Sultan. Maka, saya berjalan dahulu ke arah sana. Apabila berdekatan dengan KFC, hujan mulan turun. Seorang peserta yang tua berkata kepada saya, "Komunis pun tak macam ini!" Saya tercengang seketika, gagal memberi apa-apa jawapan....

Matlamat sama..

Pada sebelah malam, saya dimaklumkan bahawa kawan dari kaum Melayu amat terharu dengan kehadiran kami. Mereka berkata, "Itu kebanggaan kami apabila kamu muncul bersama. Kamu duduk belakang sikit, biar kami yang hadapi peluru (gas pemedih mata) dan keganasan di depan!"

Nota: Akhirnya saya sedar, mengapa saya berselindung dalam kelompok orang PAS. Mereka membuktikan dengan tindakan mereka, itu yang membuatkan saya terharu dan berasa selamat. Lain kali, saya tetap akan bersama mereka, berada di garis depan, untuk menghadapi peluru (gas pemedih mata) dan keganasan.

Terima kasih, sahabat semua. Walaupun kita tidak berkenalan, tapi matlamat kita sama. Dan ini hanya boleh dirasai mereka yang hadir dalam perhimpunan.

Saya menyeru agar lebih ramai bangkit dari tidur, dan mereka yang sudah sedar, biarlah bertindak. -MerdekaReview

- Tulisan di atas disedut, disunting dan diterjemah daripada catatan seorang pembaca MerdekaReview, edisi bahasa Cina, yang menghadiri perhimpunan BERSIH 2.0 pada 9 Julai

BERSIH 2.0 (Videos and Pictures)

2011-07-11T11:25:00.020+08:00

I must say that on 09 July 2011, Malaysian at Bersih 2.0 rally was truly marvelous. The rally was very successful in term of the strong crowds show up (coward Government blocked all the route into KL), the unity of Malaysian that not to be seen in any part of our country (Malays, Chinese, Indians, and all races helping each other) and have earned international respect & attention. No car was overturn, no building was burnt, no window was smashed, and no policemen was punched or injured. In facts some of the brave warriors (participants) who gets injured due to the police brutality and gangsterism. They shown the highest tolerance against police & FRU violence and abuse without any retaliation.

What and Why BERSIH 2.0?

On 709

The most complete video

This Is Our Land!! (A very nice video)

From eTV Malaysia

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

BERSIH 2.0 on others news channel that will not broadcast by controlled media

By CCTV4 (China)

By FNN Japan

By Al-Jazeera

By Channel News Asia

Worldwide responses to BERSIH 2.0

Worldwide

In New York

In Washington

In UK

In London

In Sydney

In Melbourne

In Hong Kong (Part 1)

Hong Kong (Part 2)

In Singapore

Even though the Government had agree not to use force on the rallies participants but here are some clips showing how police acted aggressively. Their Head even said that the police are acting very professional.See for yourself.

Hear what the PM said

Pictures-clip

At KTM station to Pasar Seni

At Puduraya

At Tung Shin hospital

Broken leg

Another clip ----> Here

More brutality (Pictures)

Brave hearts that we SALUTE too!!
                                                   Pak Samad

                                                Hee Tiong Huat

                           Lady of Liberty (Annie Ooi Siew Lan)

Her story (Annie)
More of her pictures (Annie)

En Baharuddin

Before he died

My deepest condolences to his family :(

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After The Rallies
UNMO head ridicules BERSIH 2.0

This fella can really acts

Bloggers & Participants experiences

By Isaac, a blogger who participate in the rally. Watch the video here -----> Isaac

What they said about BERSIH

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pictures that that we will not forget.

More more pictures, you can view it HERE

Bersih 2.0: Winners and Losers

2011-07-06T17:10:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 — So it is settled, after weeks of harassment and thuggish behaviour by the government, the people for free and fair elections will gather in a stadium on July 9.

This episode has once again demonstrated how fractious and divided Malaysia is with enlightened and liberal Malaysia on one side and almost facist powers on the other.

Some individuals emerge from this episode with reputations intact, others with image destroyed forever. The Malaysian Insider gives our take on the winners and losers.

Winners

• The organisers of Bersih: let’s be honest, until a few weeks ago this was a movement at the periphery of most Malaysians. Okay, so some 100,000 people would have marched on the streets on KL. But thanks to the government's blanket arrests, use of draconian laws and decision to behave like a repressive regime, Bersih became a buzzword. Much to the government’s chagrin, everyone has forgotten about Datuk T, all the wonderful projects under the ETP. Today, people remember Bersih as the people fighting for clean and fair elections, and the Barisan Nasional (BN) government as the people frightened of free and fair elections.

• Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan: She was called names by the prime minister and threatened with having her citizenship revoked by the Malacca chief minister and was under severe pressure from the police and security agencies. But the former Bar Council president did not lose her cool or become rabid like her detractors. She stayed the course and was always civil. Maybe our politicians should take a leaf out of her book.

• The Yang di-Pertuan Agong: his measured last-minute intervention gave the government and Bersih face-saving escape routes from confrontation. This is what Malaysians expect of the monarchy: for them to be honest brokers, not mouthpieces for the ruling party. In all likelihood he was asked by the government to issue the statement on Sunday but it does appear that he was unwilling to demonise Bersih.

• Malaysian public: in the wake of all this talk of riots and tension, the man in the street was unmoved and unconvinced by the fairytale stories of communist plots and Christian funding — a sure sign that the governed are more mature than the government.

Losers

• Datuk Seri Najib Razak: he has now agreed to meet Bersih leaders to discuss the venue for their rally. One has to ask why as the PM he did not engage the activists but instead he allowed them to be demonised by his Umno party. The mishandling of the issue also allowed Malaysia’s image to be tarnished and undid a lot of good work done by good men in the administration. He allowed the hardliners in government and his party to call the shots when he should have been leading from the front.

• Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein: where does one start with this major disappointment of a minister? He left many stumped by his illogical statements and his John Le Carre scenarios. He has ambitions of becoming the country’s prime minister. After this performance it is arguable whether he is the best person for the home ministry portfolio.

• Datuk Ibrahim Ali: he has been at the forefront of the attacks against Ambiga and Bersih. And he has also tried to turn the issue into one of race, to protect Malay rights. But it became abundantly clear that Bersih 2.0 had the support of many Malaysians from different races. It was not about race after all but the issue of free and fair elections.

• The PDRM: the police have made a mockery of the law by arresting people for wearing T-shirts. While it is arguable whether preventive action and detention should still be allowed, arresting people for wearing T-shirts was a ridiculous act. Continuing to detain people under the Emergency Ordinance over the rally is also a classic case of abusing the law. In the end the police should remember that if a permit was granted the rally would not have been illegal. The police must not act as if the country is under siege from its own citizens.

- The Malaysian Insider

How to be a ‘Tiger Mother’

2011-06-30T14:14:00.000+08:00

BEIJING, Jan 19 – A book by a Chinese-American woman about her no-nonsense child-rearing has sparked an online flurry of criticism and debate over strict “Chinese” parenting methods versus more relaxed Western ways.

In “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,” Yale University law professor Amy Chua recounts the ultra-strict regime of piano lessons and homework favoured by some Asian immigrant families in the US as the key to future success.

Links to an excerpt published this month in the Wall Street Journal have been shared countless times on Facebook and Twitter, triggering a debate over cultural values at a time of concern in the West about falling behind China.
Chua, who says she has received death threats via email, has defended herself in subsequent media interviews, saying the excerpt did not include later passages on how she learned to strike a softer balance in her parenting.

“There are death threats. And, ‘Go back to China, you abusive monster.’ It’s much more overwhelming than I thought it would be,” Chua told Newsweek magazine.

In the book, Chua tells how she and her husband elected to raise their two daughters the “Chinese” way.
That meant heavy pressure for nothing less than top school marks, no sleepovers or watching television, and mandatory piano or violin study.

In one incident, she makes one of her daughters stand out in the cold for falling short on piano practice, while in another she tells guests at a dinner party how she once called her daughter “garbage” – shocking the room.
In the book excerpt published by the Wall Street Journal, Chua says for “Chinese” parents, “the solution to substandard performance is always to excoriate, punish and shame the child”.

“All decent parents want to do what’s best for their children. The Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that,” she writes.

Reactions have been vicious, with Chua being called a “monster” and “Mommie Dearest” – a reference to late movie star and accused child-abuser Joan Crawford.

There has been comparatively little comment so far in China, where children study intensely for make-or-break exams to enter high school and college. A Mandarin version of the book has only just been released in China.

Those Chinese online users already aware of Chua’s book both lauded her commitment to pushing her children – and criticised her for going too far.

“It is incorrect to call these ‘Chinese’ parenting methods,” said tangshihuang, a user of the micro-blog service of top portal Sina.com.

“I am a parent. You must ensure a good future for your children but throughout Chinese history the concept of balance has also been important. China is evolving and it may no longer be accurate to apply the “Chinese” tag as before.” – AFP/Relaxnews

‘Three Cups of Tea’ in Hot Water

2011-06-30T12:11:00.001+08:00

“60 Minutes” has reported that parts of author Greg Mortenson’s account are untrue. — charlestoncitypaper.com pic

NEW YORK, April 19 — The publisher of US author Greg Mortenson’s memoir, “Three Cups of Tea,” said yesterday it was reviewing the bestseller following claims that parts of the inspirational book were fabricated. Television news program “60 Minutes” said in a Sunday broadcast that parts of Mortenson’s account of a failed attempt in 1993 to climb the world’s second-highest peak, K2, and being kidnapped in Pakistan in 1996, were untrue, citing several people interviewed.

“60 Minutes” also reported that Mortenson was using his charitable institute, Central Asia Institute, to promote his books.

“Greg Mortenson’s work as a humanitarian in Afghanistan and Pakistan has provided tens of thousands of children with an education. ‘60 Minutes’ is a serious news organization and in the wake of their report, Viking plans to carefully review the materials with the author,” Viking spokeswoman Carolyn Coleburn said in a statement.
“Three Cups of Tea,” was first published in 2006 and has since been a popular paperback.
It may be the latest embarrassment for the publishing industry over partly-fabricated memoirs in recent years, notably James Frey’s “A Million Little Pieces.”

The “60 Minutes” report claimed that Mortenson did not get lost and stumble into a remote mountain village on his way down from K2, and that he did not visit the village until a year later, according to expedition porters.

Mortenson told “60 Minutes” in a statement that he first visited the village in 1993, and went back each of the following three years. He suggested the discrepancy could be because the “Balti people have a completely different notion about time.”

“The concept of past and future is rarely of concern,” he said. “Often tenses are left out of discussion, although everyone knows what is implied.”

“60 Minutes” also disputed Mortenson’s account in “Three Cups of Tea,” of being kidnapped in the Waziristan region of Pakistan in 1996. His second book, “Stones into Schools,” publishes a photograph of his alleged captors.

The program located four of the men who were there when the photo of Mortenson was taken and two of whom were actually in the picture. All denied that they had kidnapped Mortenson.
Mortenson’s stood by his story, saying he was detained in Waziristan for eight days in 1996. “It was against my will, and my passports and money were taken from me,” he said.

Mortenson’s charity, the Central Asia Institute, founded in 1996, has built schools, mostly for girls, in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

But “60 Minutes” said about roughly half of 30 schools listed on the charity’s tax forms were empty, built by someone else or not receiving any support. - Reuters

Power Dryer

2011-06-29T09:46:00.007+08:00

Indeed we're all shocked and some are surprised by the utilities fees (electicity and water ONLY) of our beloved PM's home that close to the usage of a plant amounting RM10,267,868.15 for the electricity and the water bills are RM1,967,386.55 for a year.....

Then I pokes my calculator so many times but still the electricity bills amounting to RM10,267,868.15 per year = RM160,000.00 per month.

OMG!! 6 digits. Seriously how can a private home use up to RM160,000.00 per month you may ask? I also dunno. Only them can explains. I heard that there're several factors (can't said it here or I may be charges under ISA or being political motivated) but the main reason most of the people will think of would be caused by the main contributor of our beloved first lady's POWER HAIR DRYER to form her "gaya beralun-ombak" million ringgit hair.... or or or maybe there is a private saloon in the residence of PM's, maybe "Vinnie Looh" or "Mikhael Poh" hair saloon. Oh I almost forgot that our first lady is damn good in singing too...maybe also lah got some private studios inside her house to produce her soon to be publish albums. Here are some MVs you don't want to miss.

Maybe la the blower is specially made according to the first lady requirements that comes with a super high speed blower mode that once switch on, the hair will dry instantly or sekali tiup the hair shape become some sarang beralunkan ombak look.

I don't remember issit our PM of the DPM recently said that in such time, "Rakyat Malaysia seharusnya pandai berjimat" but you see, they spending millions of ringgit just for their water and electricity bills. How are we going to agree on what you guys said leh?? Always says government no money, save up subsidies to cover this and that, then end up rupa-rupanya to cover this lor. Hmmmmm.....

Seriously with such amount, I can pay my electricity for 100 years and the water are enough for 6,000 peoples. Rakyat indeed Didahulukan. Yay!!

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MP Pakatan persoal, bil elektrik PM saja RM10 juta setahun
KUALA LUMPUR: Ahli-ahli Parlimen Pakatan Rakyat meminta penjelasan kerajaan berhubung kos penyelenggaraan kediaman rasmi perdana menteri dan timbalannya yang menjangkau hampir RM49 juta setahun.

Dalam jawapan bertulis menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri semalam, sejumlah RM48,789,115.03 dibelanjakan termasuk kos sewa, kos baik pulih, bil elektrik dan bil air.

Kos sewa untuk dua kediaman rasmi itu didedahkan berjumlah RM32,972,115.55 sementara kos baik pulih pula RM3,581,744.78 setahun.

Lebih memeranjatkan, bil elektrik bagi kediaman perdana menteri dan timbalannya sahaja berjumlah RM10,267,868.15 dan bil air pula mencecah RM1,967,386.55 untuk tempoh yang sama.

Ahli parlimen Kota Raja, Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud berkata penjelasan itu penting ketika rakyat diseru supaya berjimat cermat dan mengubah gaya hidup ekoran tindakan kerajaan mengurangkan subsidi.

“Apabila mendidik orang ramai supaya berjimat, ia sepatutnya bermula dengan pemimpin,” katanya kepada wartawan di lobi parlimen hari ini.

Sementara itu, Ahli parlimen Rasah, Anthony Loke pula menyatakan hairan tentang belanja besar yang ditanggung, terutama kos elektrik dan air yang mencecah jutaan ringgit setahun.

“Kami tidak tahu sebesar mana keluarga perdana menteri dan timbalannya sehingga hari ini,” katanya.

Menurutnya jika jumlah itu dibahagikan sepanjang lima tahun dan mengikut bulanan, kerajaan membelanjakan RM160,000 untuk bil elektrik dan RM33,000 untuk bil air bagi kedua-dua kediaman rasmi.
- keadilandaily

Little Princess

2011-06-27T12:10:00.001+08:00

Title: Little Princess: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal
Author: Conor Grennan
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 9780062049858

Side Cover Text
One Person Can Make A Difference
In search of adventure, twenty-nine-year-old Conor Grennan traded his day job for a year-long trip around the globe, a journey that began with a three-month stint volunteering at the Little Princess Children's Home, an orpganage in war-torn Nepal.

Conor was initially reluctant to volunteer, unsure whether he had the proper skill, or enough passion, to get involved in a developing country in the middle of a civil war. But he was soon overcome by the herd of rambunctious, resilient children who would challenge ad reward him in a way that he had never imagined, When Conor learned the unthinkable truth about their situation, he was stunned: The children were not orphans at all. Child traffickers were promising families in remote villagers to protect their children from the civil war, for huge fee, by taking them to safety. They would then abandon the children far from home, in the chaos of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu.

For Conor, what began as a footloose adventure becomes a commitment to reunite the children he had grown to love with their families, but this would be no small task. He would risk his life on a journey through the legendary mountains of Nepal, facing the dangers of bloody civil war and a debilitating injury. Waiting for Conor back in Kathmandu, and hopeful he would make it out before being trapped in by snow, was the woman who would eventually become his wife and share his life's work.

Little Princess is a true story of families and children, and what one person is capable of when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. At turns tragic, joyful, and hilarious. Little Princess is a testament to the power of faith and the ability of love to carry us beyond our wildest expectations.

Back Cover text
In was well after nightfall when I realized we had gone the wrong way.

The village I had been looking for was somewhere up the mountain....if we could even find the trail in the pitch-dark. My two porters and I had been walking for thirteen hours straight. Winter at night in the mountains of northwestern Nepal is bitterly cold, and we had no shelter. Two of our three flashlights had burned out. Worse, we were deep in a Moaist rebel stronghold, not far from where a colleague had been kidnapped almost exactly one year before...I wondered how things would have been different if I hadn't gotten hurt. Or if I hadn't split from my team, or if I hadn't decided to wait on that mountain for a helicopter that never came. It didn't matter now. What did matter was figuring out how we would get through the night. - from Little Princess

Conor Grennan

Conor Grennan volunteered in Nepal at the Little Princess Children's Home in the village of Godawari in 2004. He would eventually return to Nepal to launch Next Generation Nepal (NGN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to reconnecting trafficked children with their families in postwar Nepal.

Conor is graduate of the University of Virginia and the NYU Stern School of Business. He currently resides in Connecticut with his wife and son.

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Why I Like The Book

This memoir about Conor Grennan's experiences in working with victims of child trafficking in Nepal is truly an wonderful read not only did finished it in about 3 days.

I enjoyed reading this book very much. The author's love, passion, and commitment to the children of Nepal is very inspiring. He doesn't give up when things gets tough, but does what needs to be done. He is living proof that one person can truly make a difference, one child at a time. That is how the world is changed. This is a very inspirational and uplifting book.

Another point why I like this book is not simply a normal tale of someone who is out in the world doing volunteer work. In fact it's so well written full with honesty, funny, and a heart-wrenching stories. A tale that needs to be told and that allows you to look into your own surroundings and see what small changes you can make right here at home to help make the world a better place.

This is a horrible story but with a happy ending. The war in Nepal has ended, many of the children have been reunited with their parents, and young man in question has found love. This is an inspiring book especially since the good work being done is still going on.

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Conor sets up a home called "Next Generation Nepal" and did fundraising back in the United States to buy the home, furnish it with furniture, stoves, beds, blankets, and pillows for the children he hoped to house there. He figured he could accept approximately 26 children and all these children came to love Conor dearly. With a total of $6,000.00 raised he began to build the home. Just visit nextgenerationnepal for more information.

The Reasons Behind Nicholas Tse’s Divorce Decision

2011-06-22T12:30:00.000+08:00

After Cecilia Cheung’s (張栢芝)lawyer issued a divorce request on May 24th, Nicholas Tse (謝霆鋒)made a painful decision to agree to divorce last week. Nic’s lawyer flew to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to provide legal counsel in the divorce proceedings. To avoid Cecilia suffering an emotional breakdown after receiving Nic’s divorce request and attempt to visit the set of The Viral Factor <逆戰>, Nic asked his EEG manager, Mani Fok (霍汶希), to arrive on location and control the situation.

Nic’s divorce decision was not solely instigated by Cecilia’s friendly photo collaboration with ex-flame, Edison Chen (陳冠希), in May. He could no longer withstand her rash personality and her “threats” in their marriage. Since the incident with Edison, Nic felt that Cecilia did not consider his feelings and was deeply angered. He refused to celebrate Cecilia’s birthday with her and did not return her phone calls and text messages. This did not make Cecilia reflect on her actions but rather incited her to ask her lawyer to send a letter asking for divorce. She sent threatening text messages that she will commit suicide as well.

Filming The Viral Factor in Malaysia, Nic finally reached a clear-minded decision. He felt that sacrificing unconditionally in the marriage will not lead to happiness and that divorce was his only choice. As a result, he invited his lawyer to Malaysia to discuss divorce proceedings. Nic’s lawyer will stay at least one week to discuss obtaining custody rights for Nic’s sons, Lucas and Quintus, as well as the settlement of the couple’s assets. Nic’s lawyer will prepare a separation agreement to officiate the divorce proceedings.

Nic’s younger sister, Jennifer Tse (谢婷婷), flew to Malaysia to support her brother during this difficult time period. Nic’s mother, Deborah Dik (狄波拉), will fly from Singapore to meet with Nic in Malaysia. Deborah will meet with the lawyer and offer her advice in the preparation of divorce documents.

Nicholas Tse’s Current Emotional State

An inside source revealed, “Nic is currently deeply grieved. He is very professional and the situation will not affect the filming progress or his performance [in The Viral Factor]. We know that he is extremely sad. Normally he loves to play video games. However, he would rather sleep in his spare time now. This is very unusual! During this time period, he thought about matters clearly. He knew that there was no need to struggle with a marriage where he was living under ‘threats’ and being ‘controlled.’ Living this way for so many years was enough. Nic is very clear-headed and knew that divorce was the only solution.”

Earlier, there were speculations that Nic would forfeit the custody rights of Lucas and Quintus. However he hoped to have his two sons by his side. An inside source noted, “Due to Lucas and Quintus, there is a need to sign a separate custody rights agreement. Nic is currently very troubled. He did not want to give up the custody rights to his sons. If he lost money, he can earn it back again. However, his two sons meant the world to him. He wants custody over both his sons, especially since he witnessed Cecilia bringing Lucas to a filming set and missing school. Nic was heartbroken and felt that Lucas was living through his own childhood experiences.

“Nic realized that if he pushed for sole custody of Lucas and Quintus, Cecilia would go crazy. Nic’s lawyer recommended splitting the custody rights, such as allowing the children to stay with each parent for a one or two week period or perhaps one month at a time. This will allow Lucas and Quintus to stay together. Nic had to discuss the issue with Deborah. If Deborah felt that it was better for Quintus to stay with Nic while Lucas stayed with Cecilia, he will follow her suggestion.”

Cecilia Cheung Asks for Forgiveness

Allegedly, Cecilia started asking Nic for a reconciliation approximately one week ago. When Nic disregarded her communication attempts, Cecilia started contacting Nic’s assistant to seek his help in reconciling their marriage. An inside source revealed, “Cecilia sent numerous text messages to Nic’s assistant, hoping to soften his heart and help with the reconciliation. However, it is difficult for an outside party to offer too much input. Nic does not like nagging, thus his assistant did not say too much. She asked whether Nic had misunderstood her, noting that she gained financial control of their savings in order to invest for their mutual fund account. Nic’s assistant was in Malaysia and did not follow the latest news, thus he was unaware of what Cecilia was talking about.

“We are afraid to think of how Cecilia will react when she learns Nic wants to divorce. She will definitely be very emotional. She may fly to Malaysia in an attempt to save the marriage. Everyone is very concerned about the matter. The filming set and hotel will have extra security arrangements to prevent disturbance.

“Nic does not want to see Cecilia have an emotional outburst [on the filming set]. He was concerned this will disrupt other cast and crew members. He especially requested EEG manager, Mani Fok, to handle the crisis if Cecilia were to arrive in Malaysia. However, Mani did not want to be put in such a difficult situation. She said it was fine to reconcile the pair, however she did not want to manage the divorce situation. If Mani will not come, Deborah Dik and Nic’s assistant will handle the situation.”

Deborah Dik put in her best efforts to support Nic through the divorce proceedings. An inside source said, “The media speculated that while Lucas stayed with Cecilia in Shenzhen during the filming of her movie, Quintus was being cared for by Deborah. However, Cecilia only instructed her maid to take care of Quintus and did not ask Deborah for help. Cecilia kept Quintus, her ‘Ace Card,’ by her side to threaten Nic.

“Actually, Deborah treated Cecilia just like her own daughter. Although she realized Cecilia did not treat her son well, she tolerated the situation. Deborah respected Nic’s decision. If it were another mother-in-law, she may have turned the tables long ago!” (Did Cecilia curse at Deborah?) “I don’t think so! Deborah treated Cecilia so well. If Cecilia did curse at her, she should be careful in being struck by thunder!

“Nic is very clear-minded now. He will not struggle to keep the family together. Deborah agreed with Nic’s decision. If a married couple lost mutual trust and love, it is impossible to live together anymore. Deborah felt that money was unimportant. The most important was that Nic and her grandsons have better lives ahead of them.”

Credit: JayneStars
Source: Ming Pao

Brilliant Moon

2011-06-22T10:49:00.000+08:00

Brilliant Moon: The Autobiography of Dilgo Khyentse is a compilation of anecdotes, stories, and recollections from the friends, family, and students of Buddhist meditation master and scholar Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Half of Brilliant Moon consists of Dilgo Khyentse's early life story told in his own words; the other half draws testimony from his wife, grandson, and spiritual heir, as well as such notable figures as the Queen Mother of Bhutan and many more. Enhanced with a handful of black-and-white photographs, extensive notes, a glossary, and a bibliography, Brilliant Moon is a welcome addition to Buddhist studies shelves strong in biographies of spiritual leaders.

Book

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991) was one of the most influential and respected Tibetan Buddhist masters of our age. There was something remarkable about his presence that impressed everyone who met him, a quality of mind that comes across even in photographs. Here is his memoir of an incredible life of study, teaching, and solitary retreat, told with a wealth of anecdotes and stories. It will be an inspiration to the readers of his numerous books - as well as to all Buddhist practitioners, who will welcome this rare opportunity to hear the experiences of a highly realized being in his own words.

The second half of the book is a treasury of recollections about Khyentse Rinpoche by his wife, Khandro Lhamo; his grandson and heir, Sechen Rabjam Rinpoche; and other lamas and friends who knew him well.

"It gives me immense pleasure to know that this authentic account of the life and activities of Khyentse Rinpoche, who I am fortunate to revere among my own precious teachers, has been prepared to remind those who knew him and inform those who did not." The Dalai Lama.

"Who could ever forget Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche if they had ever seen him? Both in his spiritual realization and in his physical appearance and build, he was larger than life. In every sense there was something universal, even superhuman, about him." Sogyal Rinpoche.

Movie

Brilliant Moon: Glimpses of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Brilliant Moon: Glimpses of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche chronicles the life of the writer, poet, and meditation master Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, one of Tibet's most revered 20th-century Buddhist teachers. Known as the teacher of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Royal Family of Bhutan, his life and teachings were an inspiration to all who encountered him. Two of his admirers are Richard Gere and Lou Reed, who provide the narration for his dangerous journey out of China and the subsequent spread of his influence around the world.

Brilliant Moon was filmed in Tibet, India, Bhutan, the United States and Nepal, and uses animation, rare archival footage, and photos, along with new interviews with some of Tibet's great teachers, to tell Khyentse Rinpoche's moving life story, from birth to death to rebirth.
Written and directed by Neten Chokling (Milarepa movie), a student of Khyentse Rinpoche, and filmed in Tibet, India, Bhutan, Nepal and the United States, Brilliant Moon uses animation, previously unseen archival footage and photos along with new interviews of Tibet's great teachers, to tell Khyentse Rinpoche's moving life story, from birth to death to rebirth. This is an intimate, moving and revelatory look at a transcendent spiritual being.

Featuring
• Richard Gere &Lou Reed (Narration)
• His Holiness the Dalai Lama
• Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
• Matthieu Ricard
• Orgyen Topgyal Rinpoche
• Rabjam Rinpoche
• Sogyal Rinpoche

You Sucks

2011-06-14T11:00:00.000+08:00

Sometimes a person can just ruin the rest of your day. This mean people, tsk tsk tsk. I can handle most of what comes to me. If I was unhappy with it, so what? I'd start over. But sometimes these people can cause me the most hurt and grief. Cruel people, ignorant people, arrogant people, selfish people, stupid people and 2-faces people. I know I can't change them, but now I can only change myself so that my cells won't dies for these silly people. Correct or not? What for go frustrated yourself over these people?

I am pretty sure enough to know what I can't do with them, but I don't have to enable them either. Like what some old people said, "Got you or don't have you, the world is still stop moving. I have spent the past few days cutting people off that had only bad intentions towards me and these people are the one that's hurting me the most. This included real good friends. You know, your very best friend that you share most of your stories with them, those kind. Once I knew that they would never respect me, this is good. You asked: will I be lonely then? Well hell yeah but having all these sick feeling and stress in my life are even worse. I believe my sanity is more important. Some people are blessed with caring friends, some are even blessed with true friends but why not me?? Must be Karma!! Karma!!

When we're surrounded by people who are constantly pointing out your faults and mistakes, or people who only talks to you when they want something, people who don't talks to you when your not significant to them anymore, then you will be depressed. Who would not wor?? Afterall we're all human what and we need each others to communicate or interacting with what, else you think where does those gossips come from. We need comforting people around us don't we? We need someone who will tell us we are ok when we feel useless, sad, being ignored or hurt. This is what friends are all about.

You tell me I should take actions to help ourselves but it ain't as easy you know. You think I am some yogi with super high EQ? Even some spiritual leaders will throw tantrum. All in all, we just need more people who will help build our self esteem up, not tear it down.

Responsibilty

2011-06-08T16:21:00.000+08:00

Life itself is a duty. Duty means to benefit either our self or to serve others. It is the responsibility and the ambition that drives one's to perform a duty. Those who have a sense of responsibility will only be concerned if the work is done, and not care about success of failure or even gain or loss. They will not argue over how difficult the task it, how fair or unfair the duty assigned, but instead put in their best effort to accomplish their responsibility.

Yesterday the company I am working with is giving out increment. When I found out that I am categorized under the lowest range, I am in a very bad mood and frustrated. Moreover, I fall onto the lowest category, so of course I think that I perform very badly during my 2 years of working over here. But this is not the case. I am frustrated over what the policy or quota are set for the increment and what the hell are the appraisal is for since they're distributing the increment base on your position, your period of service and your level in this company's hierarchy.

The worst part is I got a lower increment compare to last year and my boss don't even give me any reason or explanation on it. I managed to found out that quota n rules are set to aggregates our increment and that is why I felt truly unfair and it's understood that companies that doesn't appreciate their real assets (employees), are always runs by lousy management and managed only by lousy people. Sometimes I just think that being hardworking and loyal to a company are all nonsense where else being whatever-lah, pretend you care everything in front of your boss, and shoe-polishing are the true survival skills to secure your increment, promotion and better yet your boss best puppy. I admit I do, sometimes get laid-back and even lazy but in this case, people who performed worst than me are the one who gets better rewards compared to me.

But hey, this is not the end of the world, still I need to carry on with my life. After having an uneasy night and thinking over what I did all this while is not wrong. Still to have a sense of responsibility is the main act of being capable of achieving greater achievements. While to those who're doing what are wrong and mean to get what they want, I can only tell that they are people who're irresponsible and are actually inept, no matter how strong and intelligent they are. In order to progress and improve, I will not say that I will resign soon or being demotivated after the announcement of this shitty increment, blame others, or attempt to garner sympathy since I had already choose to pursue and they're still paying me.

My Guru always said that we should not give up on the lack of recognition or opportunity given But instead, we should be fearful for the lack of courage to deals with responsibility. How far we succeed in our career is depend on how much responsibility we can shoulder. Only those with a sense of responsibility, not doing harm to others to garner benefits for themselves, having no false intention and doesn't back stabbing are able to overcome adversity and create a good opportunities for themselves. Having such intention and motivation then only we will have an open-mindedness that can embrace what shortcomings on us.

My deepest gratitude to my Guru for teaching us this and I am now practising this. I always believe and it is always important to cultivate strength to bear what happened on us either it's bad, very bad or ridiculously bad so that we can start getting to know ourselves better.

Aunty Lai Meng's Biography Book Sharing & Autograph Session

2011-06-03T10:08:00.001+08:00

Who is Aunty Lai Meng?
Aunty Lai Meng who was famous and known for her acting in “Empat Sekawan” (Four Great Friends) is already over her 50 years in showbiz such as dramas, movies and advertisement to name a few. She had won many audience hearts especially in "Money Not Enough II and even nominated for the best Supporting Actress in the prestigious Golden Horse Awards in 2008 for her excellent protrayal of a dedicated mother who gives a lot of love to her children in the movie. It is actually one of the movie that I liked so much.

Now you have a chance of meeting the sweet and charming actress in person. Popular Bookstore Malaysia is having a Lai Meng's Biography Book Sharing & Autograph session on 4th June 2011 in Popular Ikano Power Center on 2.00pm - 3.30pm.

Here are some pictures and video clips of her:

Kung Fu Panda 2 (Game)

2011-06-02T17:08:00.000+08:00

The Adventure Continues for Po!

Journey with Po to protect the Valley of Peace

Join forces with Po and race through time to collect the strength he needs to succeed and journey across the valley to face his threats. Unleash the keyboard master skills within you now!

Click here to play the game

Water for Elephant

2011-06-01T12:42:00.003+08:00

Title: Water For Elephant
Author: Sara Gruen
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
ISBN: 9781444715989

Back Cover Text
When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, grifters, and misfits -- the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth -- a second-rate travelling circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. Jacob, a veterinary student who almost earned his degree, is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her. Water for Elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. It tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford.

What I Like About the Book
I got a pair of free movie tickets when purchasing this book in MPH Mid Valley. Hahahahaa!!

It seem that this may be like a love story of humans, you know the cover of Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon hugging each other, but it's more to love story between humans and animals .

I couldn’t help but falling for these 2 characters, the super talented Rosie the elephant and ever loyal Queenie (Kinko’s dog)! They all added humour to this story where in the movie didn't reveal more. I was expecting Rosie to come in much earlier in the story, but it appeared only much later. Nevertheless, this old beauty never ceased to make me fall for her over and over again. I could picture each animal, each scenario in my mind. I grew to love the characters through Jacob's eyes.

(Jacob, Marlena and Rosie)

At first this book was very boring but once I got into it I could not put it down. It twisted and turned all over the place. It was such a relief despite some of the very depressing points that it had a great happy ending. It was like an interesting history lesson or a memoir and I learned a lot about the horrors of living with the circus in the early 20th century.The author did a great job giving Rosie the elephant human characteristics. I liked that it was told from the point of view of an older man looking back. Even his ending to the story was an amazing one.

(Jacob and Rosie)

What I Don't Like About the Book
Not really like Marlena’s character, actually there’s nothing much to her character, rather a silly little lady who always feeling helpless and lost. What I hate the most is she chose Jacob not because that she loved him, but because she had nobody else she could rely on, poor Jacob.

(August (you'll hate him) and Marlena)

Seriously, I'm so glad I finally picked up this book. (Is all because of the free movie tickets :P). I highly recommend it.

In case you don't like to read, here are the trailer of the movie:

How I Survived The Embarrassing

2011-06-01T11:42:00.001+08:00

Sorry cause I haven’t blog for the past few weeks because I was busy with my Wesak preparations. Nothing much happened except I was damn tired and lazy. Even now I also dunno what to blog. Sigh. See how lazy I am. So I was asking my best friend in office for some idea and she suggested I write something that will embarrassed myself. According to her philosophy, to embarrass oneself can gain popularity. Nice idea hor?

Even though I am Chinese, Mandarin was not my mother language thanks to my dad who threw me into Malay's school. It's always sucks when think of how most of my friends can understand Chinese where else I am totally ABC. So here are some of the words I had spoken and let you see how embarrassing I am to direct translate the slang of some of the words from Cantonese/Hakka to Mandarin.

This involves a story where a Chinese guy who can't speaks well in Mandarin but twisting his tongue and squeezing his brain to made a sentence out to communicate and create most embarrassing moments that made him speechless.

Situation 1: Raining + Umbrella
My asst manager asked me how I am going back since it was raining heavily. I just tell her don worry, I have "pa jer". Direct translation from Cantonese as umbrella is called "Pah Jeh". Her eyes get widen after hearing it and I know I did some mistake there. Ish!!
Correct way of saying umbrella in Mandarin: "yu shan 雨伞"

Situation 2: Banana
My way : "Gong Jiao" is actually sound obscene as Gong in Chinese mean men while Jiao refer to men's private part
Correct way of saying banana in Mandarin: "siang jiao 香蕉"

Situation 3: Wallet
I was telling my friend that I forget my wallet as I said in "he bao". Then they all laugh till stomach ache and at the end I found out what I said is direct translation from Hakka. In Chinese culture, water always represent wealth or money, so in Hakka maybe due to this they call their wallet as "Stream bag" meaning bag that contain unstoppable water flowing in.
Correct way of saying wallet in Mandarin: "chien bao 钱包"

Situation 4: Fried Egg
Me and this mean girl was having lunch in KFC. Then dunno what happen I tease her saying, she being a girl she should know how to cook. So I teasing her saying at least I know how to cook instant noodle and fried egg as I saying it as in "zhar dan". Nothing wrong right? But she start laugh uncontrollably. Not correct meh? 'Zhar' as it mean fried and 'Dan' mean egg.
Correct way of saying fried egg in Mandarin: "jien dan 煎蛋"
And why she laugh is Zha Dan actually mean BOMB or grenade in Mandarin that's why she laugh unstopable. But then till now I don't think what I said is wrong as you see ah, in mandarin fried chicken also call Zhar Zhi then fried egg why not call Zhar Dan?? Hmmphh!!

Anyway is some of the stupid mistake but hey, one cannot succeed without taking risks. In fact, in as embarrassing as they may be, they often turn out to be great stories for future speeches. They become my signature stories, my unique stories that no one else can duplicate because they happened to me, not you. They also make for great jokes in future for sure : P.

Why Our MOE Is So Stupid!!

2011-05-11T15:51:00.002+08:00

Read an article on TheStar and I seriously think Ministry of Education (MOE), Wee Ka Siong or whoever that in charged of this are terribly stupid. Read the article and noticed the highlighted points:

PETALING JAYA: The four students who were caught bullying their classmate, which was shown on YouTube, have been suspended for 14 days with immediate effect.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the students would also receive counselling. “We had a meeting with the Federal Territory Education Department director (Mohd Adenan Deraman), the school's senior assistant and disciplinary teacher as well as the victim and her uncle,” he said in his tweets yesterday.

Dr Wee said the victim's uncle was happy with the Education Ministry's decision.
“After examining the victim, we have decided to transfer her to another school nearby,” he said. Dr Wee was commenting on the three-minute video uploaded on YouTube on Saturday, which showed several female students bullying their classmate by pulling and cutting off the victim's hair.

The victim was also seen being hit with books on the head and strangled with a tie.
She cried and pleaded repeatedly for the assault to stop but her classmates ignored her pleas and jeered at her.

Mohd Adenan said the department would provide assistance to the victim. “The student (victim) has not transferred to the other school yet,” he said. Mohd Adenan said on Sunday that the students had apologised to the victim.

Dr Wee also reminded schools to enforce the ruling on banning handphones. “Schools must conduct spot checks to ensure the ruling is adhered to,” he said. Dr Wee had earlier confirmed that the victim was from SMK Raja Abdullah in Kepong and had instructed education authorities to get to the bottom of the incident. “We do not condone bullying in schools,” he said.
The incident had sparked an uproar among Facebook users.

Several groups have criticised the conduct of the bullies and also called for stern action against them. Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner James Nayagam urged that violent bullies be taken out of schools for rehabilitation.

Sentul OCPD Asst Comm Zakaria Pagan said a relative of the victim had lodged a police report.

Please watch the clip and you know rehab center is not harsh to these bullies.

To me all these actions taken are stupid and not effective at all. First, putting the school-bullies on 14 days suspension is like rewarding them. Come on la!!. No need to go study is the happiest moment. The MOE assuming that, Oh we put them on suspension and hope that they will think back of their wrongdoings and they will eventually be a better person. I like what the…. School-bullies are not those who bully-and-forget type. They tend to bully and create problems to other. Hello!! what if these baboons hitting was your own daughter? I am sure he will do whatever it's to put them on jail or something. No matter how many times I watches the clip, I feel like slapping them over and over again. Putting them on 14 days suspension? Niamah him!! So by putting them on suspension or counseling are definitely not helping but in a way, this is rewarding them.

Wee’s said that putting the bullies into rehab center might be too harsh but as this is the case, then I am sure there are alternative ways to punish these girls. Can’t he think of something like community works? Rather than giving them 14 days punishment which in a way is also entitling them with a long holiday as in really "holidaying", instead the government should give the bullies some community works where some hardworks are involved. In that way, I’m sure the bullies will learn something in return while helping the others. They deserved it right?

The second point would be transfer the victim to another school. This may seem helping the victim but seriously it caused more harm than good. The clips are being circulate on YouTube or any social pages. So definitely a lot of people saw or knew it. If she got transfer to another school what make sure she won't get tease by others or the incident won't happen to her again?

The last point is banning handphones in school compound. Let say if there are no cellphones used to records such incidents, will the school's authority and the MOE aware that there are so many school-bullies out there? I bet they won't know or yet they want to know. Banning cellphones is just another way of saying "No phones, No clips, No complaints and No need explain!!". End of story. So all in all MOE and Wee's is not helping at all. And in future, I can guarantee that more of these bullies-case-clips will surface.

Across Many Mountains: Three Daughters of Tibet

2011-04-25T10:38:00.000+08:00

Title: Across Many Mountains: Three Daughters of Tibet
Author: Yangzom Brauen
Publisher: Harvill Secker Random House
ISBN: 9781846553455

Back Cover Text
Kunsang thought she would never leave Tibet. One of Tibet's youngest nuns, she grew up in a remote mountain village where, as a teenager, she entered the local nunnery. Though simple, Kunsang's life gave her all she needed: a oneness with nature, a sense of the spiritual in all things. She married a monk, had two children and lived in peace and prayer. But not for long.

There was a saying in Tibet: 'When the iron bird flies and horses run on wheels, the Tibetan people will be scattered like ants across the face of the earth.' The Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950 changed everything for Kunsang. When Chinese soldiers began destroying her monastery, she and her family were forced to flee in a hair-raising trek across the Himalayas in winter. She spent several years in Indian refuge camps. Both her husband and her younger child died. Then came an extraordinary turn of events: the arrival of Martin Brauen, a cultured young Swiss man with a fascination for Tibet, who fell in love with her daughter and took both of them to Switzerland where Yangzom would be born, the author of this remarkable book.

Many important stories lie hidden until the right person arrives to tell them. Yangzom Brauen has rescued the story of her inspirational grandmother, writing a book full of love and endurance, and giving us a rare and vivid glimpse of life in rural Tibet before the arrival of the Chinese.

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About the Author:

Born in 1980 to a Swiss father and Tibetan mother, Yangzom Brauen is an actress and political activist. She lives in both Los Angeles and Berlin and has appeared in a number of German and American fils. She is also very active in the Free Tibet movement, making regular broadcasts about Tibet and organising public demostrations against the Chinese occupation of Tibet.

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Why I Read The Book?
I just love any stories that is told about Tibet. The first and second chapters already make you really get a sense of what it would feel like to live in Tibet during the occupations of Chinese while fleeing in such horrible conditions to India.

(Sonam, Kunsang and Yangzom)

Fleeing home can never be easy especially when you are six plus your shoes are roughly hand-sewn, stuffed with hay, it turned to some "ice-cake" under such low temperature and your route is over the world's highest mountain range. This was the journey that author's mother took with her parents when they fled Tibet during the Chinese occupations in Tibet. They were leaving everything behind and all that they knew are traveling to India in hope that they could find sanctuary in the country where the Dalai Lama was in exile.

Even though they do manage to get into India but their impressions of the country (the heat, the sickness, lack of clean water, and the inequalities making them have second thought. Being refugees over there are tough. They spend years on road-building sites smashing stones with their bare hands with hammers. But the author's mother, Sonam manage to get an education, alongside trying to work to survive. Then her life takes a fairytale turn.

(Yangzom and her mother)

Kunsang, the author's grandmother, who has journeyed to a Western country, yet she is still a strong faith Buddhist nun, days and nights she pend her time chanting and praying on her own made little altar. If the Chinese had not invaded, she would be living in the small village of Pang in southern Tibet.

All in all, this is a collection of the author's memories, memories of Yangzom’s tribute to her grandmother and mother, as well as to her lost homeland. It tells of what daily life was like in Tibet before the arrival of the Chinese, showing how religion informed every aspect of people’s lives and at the end it is a love story between Yangzom and her extraordinary grandmother, the love between Sonam and her Swiss rescuer and most importantly the love for a country that no longer exists.

Angry Bird Rio

2011-04-21T12:04:00.001+08:00

Damn, haven't finish playing the original Angry Birds and now the Rio edition is out...Downloaded the free edition and it's cute...in the end, beli juga...now have 2 versions in my iPhone...

Watch the trailer HERE

Feels Good When It's Busy

2011-04-18T21:33:00.001+08:00

Finally I am back to update my blog. It seems like I feel better when I keep myself constructively busy. Not pretend one ok but is really busy, super busy. Since my senior resigned two weeks ago and now I can really feel that one person doing 2 person jobs. And I need congratulate myself for having so much pending jobs on hand. But come to think of it, I really did learned a lot of things. Plus my time in office past super fast. Sekejap saja lunch, then balik liao.

But sometimes cannot tahan some people lor. When your are busy with all the workload, some people happily shaking their legs and they got all of our credits nia.

Sorry lar, no mood to talk on people's back plus I don't like it too. I am hoping tomorrow will be better and things get done, at least 60% of my current pending jobs. So tired, need to sleep now..Nitey.

Sing You Home

2011-04-02T19:19:00.001+08:00

Title: Sing You Home
Author: Jodi Picoult
ISBN: 9781451620986
Publisher: Atria International

Back Cover text
Every life has a soundtrack. All you have to do is listen. Music has set the tone for most of Zoe Baxter's life. There's the melody that reminds her of the summer she spent rubbing baby oil on her stomach in pursuit of the perfect tan. A dance beat that makes her think of using a fake ID to slip into a nightclub. A dirge that marked the years she spent trying to get pregnant. For better or for worse, music is the language of memory. It is also the language of love. In the aftermath of a series of personal tragedies, Zoe throws herself into her career as a music therapist. When an unexpected friendship slowly blossoms into love, she makes plans for a new life, but to her shock and inevitable rage, some people—even those she loves and trusts most—don't want that to happen. Sing You Home is about identity, love, marriage, and parenthood. It's about people wanting to do the right thing for the greater good, even as they work to fulfill their own personal desires and dreams. And it's about what happens when the outside world brutally calls into question the very thing closest to our hearts: family.

Short Synopsis
Zoe Baxter has spent ten years trying to get pregnant, and after multiple miscarriages and infertility issues, it looks as though her dream is about to come true - she is seven months pregnant. But a terrible turn of events leads to a nightmare - one that takes away her baby and breaks apart her marriage to Max. In the aftermath she throws herself into her career as a music therapist, using music to soothe burn victims in hospital, to help Alzheimer's patients connect with the present, to provide solace for hospice patients. When Vanessa, a guidance counsellor, asks Zoe to work with a suicidal teen, their relationship moves from business to friendship and then, to Zoe's surprise, blossoms into love.

When Zoe allows herself to start thinking of having a family again, she remembers that there are still frozen embryos that were never used by her and Max. Meanwhile, Max has found peace at the bottom of a bottle, until he is redeemed by an evangelical church whose charismatic pastor has vowed to fight the 'homosexual agenda' that threatens traditional family values. But this mission becomes personal for Max, when Zoe and her partner say they want permission to raise his unborn child.

Sing You Home an honest and moving story of contemporary relationships and the consequences when love and desire collide with science and the law. From tragedy, to self-discovery and joy, Zoe, Vanessa and Max will realise the undeniable truth-that you can't choose who you love.

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Why read this book?
I didn't read all of Picoult's books but only watched The Sister's Keeper movie. So I am thinking this one is just not for me. But when I got this book, I read it more like a research book rather than a fictional stuff and it's actually a well put together novel. I learned a lot though with all the research Picoult's did on the
Gay/Lesbian community and music therapy.

Have nothing much to say about this book but beautifully written, kinda suspenseful and the very first book I have read by this author. Hope I will be finding the other works of Jodi's are better than this......
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For more info about the book:
JodiPicolt

"Talking" Buddha Statues in KL, Pu Xian Center

2011-03-24T11:20:00.001+08:00

Recently there are so many posts and news report posted all over Facebook on miraculous Buddha's statues "talking and blinking" at the Puxian Buddhist Centre in KL, Malaysia.

Here are some clips the uploader uploaded onto YouTube.

This is what the devotees's said the statue emitting lights

As we can see from the clips it seem to be true. Having the Buddha's statue lips moving and so do their eyes. We don't know whether the clips has been altered or not because the clips is a bit blur and shaky. Moreover the incident happened on the Chinese New year eve's but why now only upload to the net? And from the clip, what we can see throughout the whole video are only few peoples recording it and having some rude aunties and uncles shouting here and there. So we can't really tell is it true or not. The witness said there are 30 over peoples in the center that night when the "miracle" happened. But what is weird is so far only one uploaded his clips to YouTube. So we're waiting more to come.

Some may say we Buddhists are idol/statues worshipers. That why we make all the fuss about the talking Buddha. Actually, the Buddhas no matter they are made from either gold, bronze, resin, plaster or wood are not the real Buddha. The reason why we must have a Buddha's statue or image is to remind us the correct qualities that the Buddha have so the merits from the offerings we made and the qualities that Buddha had, it will enable us to follow the correct path to enlightenment. Some might have misunderstood that we actually pray for fortune, lucks or good life but in real we do not. The Buddha can't grant us material stuffs. Instead what we chants is what the Buddha had preached 2500 years ago to remind the teachings of Buddha, what we asked from the Buddha is to lead us to the correct paths and what we pray for is to have more wisdom so we're able to understand the Buddha's teaching more profoundly. That's all.

Back to the clip, the statues here are just a statue and now it only appear to be able to "talk and eyes blinking" as a result maybe due to the devotees' cultivation efforts or the Buddha may have others intention on signaling some messages to the center or people. The devotees should quite down and seated to see what messages are the statues trying to give instead of shouting here and there, taking out the super lousy resolution hand phone and struggling to be in the front row to do the recording and got a lady put the hand phone so near to the statue.

Normal people may have acted so since it is miraculous that not to be seen in our everyday life but at least have some sense of what you'll doing here resembles the your Dharma's center. As though as a teacher trying to teach and the students are shouting here and there. But according to some sources, these talking and blinking statues can actually bought from China having feed on solar power. So do you think this is real or fake??

FREE 2 McDonald’s Big Breakfast (Valid till 31 March 2011)

2011-03-17T10:34:00.002+08:00

McDonald’s was recently with the Gold Putra Brand Award as one of Malaysia’s top brands. In conjunction with that, McDonald’s giving out FREE Big Breakfast.

Print out this coupon, redeem at your nearest McD's restaurant (breakfast only at 4am - 11am) and enjoy 2 FREE Big Breakfast!

Term and Condition:

Present coupon at time of redemption
Valid for a single transaction & only original coupons will be accepted
One redemption per customer in a single transaction
One coupon is valid for TWO (2) free Big Breakfast(TM) a la carte redemption only with a minimum purchase of RM5 in a single transaction
Redemption of TWO (2) free Big Breakfast(TM) a la carte is valid between 4am-11am
Coupon is not exchangeable for cash or any other McDonald’s product
McDonald’s reserves the right to refuse redemption if coupon is found to have been tampered with
McDonald’s reserves the right to replace the free item stated on coupon at its discretion and without prior notice
McDonald’s reserves the right to terminates this redemption offer at any time without prior notice
Valid only for restaurants serving breakfast
Not valid for McDelivery service
Original price featured may vary according to restaurants
Valid until: 31 March 2011

Although it is stated that, “…only original coupons will be accepted“ but you can still print the coupons in black and white, McDonald’s Malaysia mentioned in their Facebook fanpage:

Dear fans, you can also download the coupon by clicking on the link here. We do accept black and white print out.

To save trees and mother Earth, here is the edited 6 coupons in a page where you can print and give out. Enjoy your McD!!

Tsunami March 11, 2011

2011-03-16T11:13:00.002+08:00

On March 11, 2011, a massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake hits Japan. The huge earthquake shook Japan, unleashing a powerful tsunami that sent houses, cars, ships crashing into the shore and carried cars through the streets of coastal towns. Here are some pictures my friends shared with me and I would like to share it with you all.

Cars and other debris swept away by tsunami are seen in Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, northern Japan. (Keichi Nakane / AP)

Wrecked houses smolder amid the water of a tsunami wave near Sendai airport in Japan. (Kyodo via Reuters)

A tsunami carries boats across waters in Kamaishi city port in Japan on Friday, in this still image taken from video footage. (Reuters)

The owner of a ceramic shop checks his damaged wares following the massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake in Tokyo. (Yoshikazu Tsuno / AFP - Getty Images)

A massive tsunami hits the coastal areas of Iwanuma, Miyagi prefecture. (Kyodo via Reuters)

Tsunami tidal waves hit houses after a powerful earthquake in Natori on Friday, March 11. (Kyodo via AP)

An old lady who was left inside a building is rescued Saturday, March 12. (Kyodo News / AP)

An elderly man is carried by a Self-Defense Force member in the tsunami-torn Natori, Japan, on Saturday morning. (Yasushi Kanno / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP)

Evacuees walk between houses destroyed by a tsunami and earthquake in Sendai on Saturday.

Whirlpools are caused by a tsunami in Fukushima prefecture on Saturday. (Reuters)

A fishing boat which was washed away by tsunami, sits overturned in Hachinohe, Japan, March 13. (AP)

An aerial shot shows vehicles ready for shipping piled like dominoes after a tsunami tidal wave hit Hitachinaka city in Ibaraki prefecture. (AFP - Getty Images)

Video Clips:

Imagine the massive waves of destruction is behind you with the height of a double-story house.
Notice there are people running for their lives.

As you watch these clips, you'll definitely feel sad, sympathize and feel like to help them as much as we can but below is a clip and a picture show how these people has no sense of respect and being dumb witted not enough and yet brings disgrace to our country.

Listen to this lady what rubbish is she talking about ....what the hell green technology related with earthquake??

And here is the comic illustrated by Berita Harian. This is definitely not funny at all.

It may seem that the illustrator think that this might be so joke or that it may carry other messages but hey, the disaster had brings so much damages and difficulties not to mention those who has loss their lives in Japan. Both the she and the him are so brainless as no other words can describe them. Now this not only being hot debates in social networks like Facebook and Twitters but now also appears in CNN. Don't forget that when Tsunami hits Malaysia in 2008, Japan is the first country that offer helps to our country. Sedarlah sikit!!

iSlow and iHang Everyone??

2011-03-10T12:25:00.001+08:00

Last year, when iPhone4 was released in Malaysia, most of the rich rich people rushed to grab one (till some din sleep that night during the launching in The Garden Mid Valley only wanting to be among the first to get hold of the smartphone) and I am too in that list provided I get it on the other day with Digi (I got my nice sleep, comfortably bought the iPhone and used it on that very day and to emphasized here I am not rich laaaa ~ ~ ~ ~

I can said that this iPhone I am using had really filled up most of my days either when I have spare time, waiting for friends, waiting for food to be serve, queing, ~~pooping~~ and times that required to be filled with. Most of the time I used it to play games (Angry Birds lor damn!!), listening to music and snap photos till almost out of memory.32GB is too little....

But then many has said that iPhone will not hang in term of the operating system is very intelligent stable, not using Flash to run applications and bla bla bla. More in more mine is still under warranty, so mah use it to the max lor. Then lately maybe she ( I am refering "it" as a "she" because she is my third wife hahaha after my car n DSLR's camera) started to get tired or maybe she's infected with my old age symptoms. So now my iPhone hanged and sometimes it's not responding. OH NOOOOOOOO~ ~ ~

Will get back to Digi regarding on this...Hope the sickness that haunting my babe now will be over soon.... Cross fingers!!

A Doctor in the House - The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad

2011-03-09T14:54:00.004+08:00

Title: A Doctor in the House - The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
Author: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad
Publisher: MPH Group Publishing
ISBN: 9789675997228

I damn like this cover picture of Dr M, he look cute, humble and feel like hugging him. : P

Back Cover text
The West has called him recalcitran, racist, anti-Semitic and arrogant. The developing world, however, sees formoer Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as a visionary champion, the rare leader who gave every Third World individual reason to stand tall. Even his harshest critics cannot deny that, above all else, he gave some of the most neglected countries courage, showing the way to a more hopeful future.

But it was not without controversy. His 22 years at the country's helm has been characterized as both dictatorial and inspiring. Few leaders have been able to turn an entire country from a predominantly agrarian economy into an industrial powerhouse, fewer still have been able to do so within a short two decades.

Here, with surgical precision, Dr Mahathir explores a nuanced history and scrutinies his own role in the shaping of modern Malaysia.

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There are total of 62 chapters spanning over 800 pages. Here are the chapters in the book:
Chapter 1 Becoming Prime Minister
Chapter 2 Family Values
Chapter 3 I Am A Malay
Chapter 4 The Story Of The Malays
Chapter 5 From Infatuation To Disillusionment
Chapter 6 A Wartime Entrepreneur
Chapter 7 Awakenings
Chapter 8 A Political Triumph
Chapter 9 The Emergency
Chapter 10 Going To Medical College
Chapter 11 An Alliance Is Born
Chapter 12 From Theory To Reality
Chapter 13 The Tunku Makes A Proposal
Chapter 14 The Bitter Thrill Of Politics
Chapter 15 Expelled
Chapter 16 In The Political Wilderness
Chapter 17 An Outsider's Lament
Chapter 18 The Malay Dilemma
Chapter 19 UMNO Opens Its Doors
Chapter 20 Into The Deep End
Chapter 21 Up The Political Ladder
Chapter 22 A Dream Delivered, A Mentor Dies
Chapter 23 From Education To International Trade And Industry
Chapter 24 Frustrations Of Being Second In Command
Chapter 25 Reaching The Top
Chapter 26 From Ideas To Action
Chapter 27 How Government Works
Chapter 28 Bersih, Cekap, Amanah
Chapter 29 Looking East
Chapter 30 The Europeans
Chapter 31 Anwar Joins UMNO
Chapter 32 Realigning Malaysia In The World
Chapter 33 The Malaysianisation Of Companies
Chapter 34 Constitutional Amendments
Chapter 35 Equitable Affluence
Chapter 36 Islam and Islamisation
Chapter 37 Introducing Privatisation
Chapter 38 Revving Our Engines
Chapter 39 Daim Becomes Finance Minister
Chapter 40 A House Divided: Team A & Team B
Chapter 41 Ops Lalang
Chapter 42 The Judiciary
Chapter 43 Matter Of The Heart
Chapter 44 New Challenges, New Solutions
Chapter 45 Vision 2020
Chapter 46 Marketing Malaysia
Chapter 47 The Growth Of Asean
Chapter 48 Law And Order: Police, Politicians and The Public
Chapter 49 The Multimedia Super Corridor
Chapter 50 PETRONAS Twin Towers
Chapter 51 Putrajaya
Chapter 52 Currency Crumble
Chapter 53 Anwar's Challenge
Chapter 54 1998: Great Games, Remarkable Gains
Chapter 55 Financial Crisis Fallout
Chapter 56 My Toughest Election
Chapter 57 9/11 And The Muslim World
Chapter 58 Education
Chapter 59 Resignation
Chapter 60 The OIC Furore
Chapter 61 Problems With Singapore
Chapter 62 Legacy And New Dilemmas

Glossary
Index

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First thing first is to thanks Phillip. Because of you, I manage to grab this wonderful book on the launching day itself. This entry is has not much of reviews on the book because I only managed to read a first few chapters. Gomennasai!!

Dr M in his early years

Compare to the recent published book such as Malaysian Maverick and Conversation with Mahathir Mohamad, this book is totally organized in a chronological way about Mahathir on Mahathir (this sentence do sound weird huh?). The main focus of this book is not only about Dr M political days but also his lifetime journey before becoming a politician, his rise to power, his achievements and his time after stepping down.

Dr M announcing his resignation at the closing of 2002 UMNO General Assembly in June

Someone do asked me, "Ryan, what the hell do you like about Mahathir so much? You're like collecting every single books that related to him". Well, come let me tell you, I just like him!!. Simple as that. You see, many might have hates him over the bad stuffs that he brings into Malaysia's politics but who never do anything wrong in his/her lifetime right? But if we were to put aside all those political shits, Dr M indeed a man that brings so much developments not for others but to our own country for over the years when he is the PM.

Dr M with the winners of the Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix, 1999

Dr M indeed is a man that makes ideas come true. He brought so many development to Malaysia during his administration as Prime Minister. Most significant are KLIA, KLCC, KL Tower, Cyberjaya (ICT), Proton, 1998 Commonwealth Games, Formula 1 Sepang and also Putrajaya. Because of Dr M, now Malaysia is a country that is well known even the movie I Am Number Four got mention Malaysia this word. (Bad lame joke haha). At least people know where Malaysia is mah!!

Dr M in cleaning campaign

To cut shot my craps, I recommend this book to any Dr M fans out there. It is suitable for people who wants to know more about Dr M. Do you know that Dr M actually took 8 years to complete this book due to his perfectionist manner? The book is launched yesterday at Mid Valley shopping mall and is available at RM100. A Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad gathered almost all of Dr M stories and memoirs over the past 85 years. The book actually very informative but at the same times it touched certain issues that might be too sensitive to some parties. Dr M has said that he has no intentions to hurt anyone when he wrote this book but to tell the real stories over every pages in the book. See, he being so sincere letting people know why you should buy this book. Hahaha

Dr M with Tunku Abdul Rahman

Even the price is a bit expensive to some, still you can browse the book at any major bookstores if you don't feel buying it la...the book is indeed weight like a brick, but still to me it's worth buying, moreover there are many pages spanning at the center of the book featuring Dr M pictures like I what I've uploaded some here. So you sendiri decide want to buy or not la!! Hope can finish reading the book by this week.

By the way, all Tun's books are out of stock in most of the major bookstores!! And the publisher, MPH said the book will now need to be pre-order in order for customers to secure a copy. - 19 March 2011

Memoir of Dr M on Sale Today

2011-03-08T09:58:00.002+08:00

Title: A Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
Author: Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
Publisher: MPH Group Publishing
ISBN: 9789675997228

In his twenty-two years as Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr Mahathir Mohamad transformed his country from an agricultural backwater into an industrial powerhouse that would become the seventeenth-largest trading nation in the world.

This remarkable achievement was not without controversy, and Dr Mahathir's extraordinary vision and iron grip earned him both enemies as well as ardent admirers within and outside of Malaysia. He has been described typically and paradoxically as a tyrannical dictator, a bête noir, as well as inspiring, courageous and an outspoken defender of the downtrodden, The Third World, and moderate Islam.

At almost every turn Dr Mahathir rewrote the rules. This book reveals hiherto unknown aspects of this intensely private, but publicly bold, statesman. It provides a clear and compelling narratives of modern Malaysian political history as seen through the eyes of ones its greatest shapers. It is neither apology nor defence, but a forceful, compelling and often exciting account of how Dr Mahathir achieved what he did in so short a time, and why.

About Author
Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad ( born 10 July 1925) was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia. He held the post for 22 years from 1981 to 2003, making him Malaysia's longest-serving Prime Minister, and one of the longest-serving leaders in Asia. Mahathir's political career spanned almost 40 years, from his election as a Malaysian federal Member of Parliament in 1964, until his resignation as Prime Minister in 2003 - MPHOnline

Below article is featuring in TheSun, March 8, 2011
By Pauline Wong
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Kuala Lumpur: A book chronicling the life and times of the nation's longest-serving prime minister to date, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, will go on sale today at bookstores nationwide.

A Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is written by the former premier himself, as he takes readers back to his earliest childhood memories and through his 22 years of leadership in a journey that is little-known to anyone outside his family.

In his preface to the book, he wrote: "This is the story of Malaysia as I see it. This is also my story. These memoir must naturally contain a focus on my role, but essentially it is about my beloved Malaysia, a country which has given me indeed, all Malaysians a good life. There will be other books about Malaysia, even about me, from other perspectives, but I hope that here, I have done justice to my country."

Spanning over 800 pages, it tells of his constant struggle as a politician, his pursuit of the nation's goals, his greatest fears and his most cherished hopes, in a frank, sometimes humorous , and occasionally unforgiving assessment of himself and the times he lived through.

The chapters in this book tackle some of the toughest and most controversial times under his leadership, including the Ops Lalang, the judiciary crisis, the scandal of then heir-apparant, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and what mahathir terms "The Political Wilderness" and "The Malay Dilemma."

This book also explores his visions and achievements for Malaysia, Vision 2020, the Multimedia Super Corridor, marketing Malaysia to the world and the recovery from the 1998 financial crisis.

The book retails at RM100 and is published by MPH Group Publishing. More information on this book can be found at www.mphonline.com
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**The price of this book is way too expensive. Must wait longer only get it..... hmmmm waiting waiting and waiting......I really like the picture of Dr M on this bookcover. He look simply cute and adorable...hahahaha

Random Pictures from My Batu Caves Trip

2011-03-07T15:34:00.011+08:00

Went to Batu Caves yesterday. I managed to take couple of pictures there. I walked along the 272 steps and managed to snapshot these pictures inside the cave.

There was a wedding ceremony, can't get the couples pictures but this beautiful god. I dunno his name but indeed he look majestic on his throne.

Under the hot 1pm sun, these bird eat tirelessly, even you shoo them, they like don care. CUTE

Standing at 42.7m high, the world's tallest statue of Lord Murugan, located outside Batu Caves Temple

Braving the 272 steps to the cave

The Japanese's tourists feeding the monkey. Seriously I don't think it's wise to feed them. Some of it even snatches people's handbags, flowers and anything look foods to them. I am so worried they snatch my camera.

Inside the cave there are two cave temples. The main temple is at the lower cave. According to one of the guy working there, most of the Hindu statues and paintings. Many of the shrines are relate to Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Soorapadam.

Guess what is this for? Actually it's just a drain. Well, very beautiful drain.

Ngam ngam the time when the sunlight hit the lobang at the cave.

Nice hor??

At the upper cave, I think this is a guardian deity looking after the temple. Btw, the bird is real one.

After touring the upper temple, on my way going downstair, i saw these monkeys doing the "treasure hunting".

Another sighting is this old lady. When she appears from nowhere suddenly all people go surround her and get blessing from her. The most significant thing is the long thing hanging behind her. Is actually her hair.....

A closer look at her hair....

Finally back to the temple's ground. Here this religious guy wave me over as he wants to bless me or something. Then he put on the white mark on my forehead where I bowed as to thanking him. But he stare at me and I stare back while he tapping the plate. Meaning ........he wants donation. Look like the real reason behind the blessing is for d-o-n-a-t-i-o-n-s. Can't blame them, they need it for temple's developments.

Look at the white dot on my forehead. Rest awhile after braving the blazing sun and balik.

COCONUT coconuts coconuts

Lord Ganesha

Dunno her name but she look beautiful!!

This entry is specially credited to Miss Mei Yen

Conversation With Mahathir Mohamad

2011-03-02T12:09:00.001+08:00

Title: Doctor M: Operation Malaysia - Conversations with Mahathir Mohamad
Author: Tom Plate
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
ISBN: 9789814276634

Back Cover text

"So, I adhere to that teaching - become a Muslim fundamentalist, and Muslim fundamentalism must let me be moderate. "

Dr Mahathir Mohamad began his professional career as a family physician but wound up prescribing innovative political medicines for the entire nation that remain controversial even today. Was he exactly the bold and fearless policy doctor that the troubled body politic of Malaysia needed? Or was he just another mendacious mediocrity with a record of persistent misdiagnoses, phony remedies and self-serving justifications? Only history's judgment can offer the final verdict....but Mahathir himself is in no doubt.

In a riveting series of unprecedented conversations, Malaysia's most famous prime minister reveals to American journalist and author Tom Plate a panaromic panoply of views on governing, on Islam, on Jews, on the West and on Malays that are striking in historical sweep and contemporary relevance.

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"When the economy was growing rapidly, most Malaysians were willing to ignore the darker side of Mahathir's one-man rule....But no more. Still, Dr 'M' is a fascinating figure - controversial, outspoken, and never boring...Long before Barack Obama, he was telling his people 'yes, we can.' (Malaysia boleh.) His legacy will be that of a bold, visionary, but ultimately flawed leader." - John R. Malott, U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, 1995 - 98

"He was an outstanding Prime Minister of Malaysia. During his premiership of over 20 years, he changed Malaysia from an agricultural, placid society into an industrial, dynamic society. He educated his people, sent many abroad on scholarships. They in turn transformed Malaysia." - Lee Kuan Yew, prime Minister of Singapore, 1959 - 90

"Tun Dr Mahathir's legacy would be much more creditable if his many achievements in the international arena and in developing our domestic infrastructure could have been enhanced by his building up strong institutions, rather than weakening them. If he had done so, Malaysia would be much better, more united, and more pregressive country, and a real example of a successful multiracial-religious country." - Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, former Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Malaysia

Here is the article appears in today's TheSun paper

Conversations with Dr M
> American journalist Tom Plate attempts to define the man who held the reins of Malaysia as prime minister for 22 years
BY S. INDRA SATHIABALAN

MUCH has been written about Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s fourth and longest-serving prime minister, who was at the helm of the country for 22 years.
Over the years, he had his share of fans and detractors, and even after retirement, he still commands attention each time he speaks out.

The latest author to attempt to understand the psyche and thinking of this man, known as Malaysia’s father of modernisation, is American journalist Tom Plate, who is also a university professor and international syndicated columnist for such publications as Newsday, Time magazine, New York magazine and television network CBS.

Plate first met Mahathir at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in 1999, and again, in New York in 2002. But it was only years later that he was inspired to write a book about this elder statesman.

Plate has written seven non-fiction books including Confessions of an American Media Man (2007) as well as Conversations with Lee Kuan Yew (2010). The latter is the first in his series on Giants of Asia for Marshall Cavendish.

He continues the series with Conversations with Mahathir Mohamad – Dr M: Operation Malaysia (Marshall Cavendish, RM79.90).

"The initial contact (with Mahathir) was made in June 2008 when I was in Singapore," recalls Plate, who was in Kuala Lumpur recently to promote his new book.

"I was supposed to interview (former Singapore prime minister) Lee Kuan Yew for the first book but he wasn’t feeling well and the interview had to be rescheduled. So I called Mahathir and asked if I could chat with him about Lee instead.

"Mahathir consented to meet me and, at the end of that meeting, I said: ‘Maybe you ought to become a candidate for the Giants of Asia series’. He said: ‘Let’s do it’."

Once their scheduling was sorted out, they had five two-hour interview sessions at Mahathir’s office at the Petronas Twin Towers.

"The good news about Tun Mahathir is that he says what he thinks. The bad news is that he says what he thinks!
"On the Israel issue, his views are often tagged as anti-semitic and if you are considered anti-semitic by the American media, then you have a significant image problem.

"Certain things are like a no-go area. For me as an American journalist, one of the big ‘Grand Canyons’ for me was working my way through this Israel and Jews issue."

Plate says the western media tends to jump on everything Mahathir says mainly due to this perception.
Even when Mahathir handled the Asian currency crisis in 1999 far better than most leaders did, the western media was none too happy, especially when Mahathir disagreed with the methods the IMF (International Monetary Fund) used to combat the situation.

As Plate puts it, there is a lot of residual resentment against Mahathir.
"I admired his stance on IMF. I had done an article about IMF’s cookie-cutter approach to world economies and I didn’t like its approach. Well, up to the part about Jews, I was with him."

Plate is not a Jew but his wife and daughter are. He grew up in New York, making him, as Plate puts it, an honorary Jew.
If you are looking for a big exposé or two or expecting skeletons tumbling out of closets, you will not find them in this book.
As Plate writes on page 20 about how he sold the idea to Mahathir: "This book – it’s not a traditional political biography with a million words and a thousand footnotes and a dozen hidden axes to grind.

"It’s a reader having a long and maybe somewhat intimate conversation with Dr M. This is to feel his personality, his flair, his instincts, his brain."

Mahathir still remains an enigma in many ways. On page 71, in a list of comments that Plate had sent him via fax, Mahathir in most parts responds with a mere ‘yes’.

One such comment is: "The Shah of Iran before his fall, would be described as a secularising and modernising autocrat; you are properly described as a Muslim moderniser."

"He’s a bit like Lee Kuan Yew that way," says Plate, likening Mahathir to the other elder statesman across the border.
"You know, I kind of get Dr M. Sometimes you meet people and you don’t get them but I’ve always got Dr M. After I first met him at the World Economic Forum, I began to understand him better. He’s very proud; he is very stubborn.
"For me, one of the thresholds of the book is Ops Lalang where he admits: ‘We screwed up. It was a mistake’."
That comment is now generating a lot of feedback via the new media and blogs.

And like Lee, when asked what his many mistakes were, Mahathir replies: "Ask my critics."
Plate next plans to add Thailand’s former premier Thaksin Shinawatra to his Giants of Asia series.

For more reviews about the book, visits these links:
DinMerican
Coffeecrackers
FreeMalaysiaToday

**I have a copy of Conversation With Dr.M selling at the price of RM55 and also two copies of Malaysia Maverick for RM65. Interested, sent me an mail. (All books are original and new)

Between Car, Bus and Train

2011-03-02T11:18:00.003+08:00

Under normal circumstances, my first choice will always been car over LRT/bus. Reasons being:

1. I hate crowded places
2. Malaysia's public transport's timing are sucks (bus and KTM) and I just hate waiting. Sometimes, I don't mind waiting, but not knowing how long I have to wait will make me have high blood pressure.. eventhough I am Buddhist, supposing I sud control my anger and be patient but as you may heard of what people said about Malaysia's public transports system, "even a Buddha will get angry" hahahaha. Another thing would be the passengers. This is one of the very few things that pissed me off badly. Bergasak-gasak masuk, once stood there will stand there till he/she gets out (cant even be tolerant abit), and talking non-stop especially those who on HP or want everyone to know their pathetic stories ....

I do experienced taking monorail from my office to Hang Tuah station. It's actually a very short journey but the craziness of what human can do when they're desperating want to balik rumah. Dunno because they miss their loves one or to catch their favorite drama series or whatever it's, they can pushed you into the train even if you don't want, especially after office hour. So crazy I tell you. Inside the train, I was already can't move, with peoples hold on to the poles or the hanging belts, I am totally standing inside the deadlock of hands. And most of them are sweating. Those who grabbing the hanging belts for sure their armpits are exposed and worst of all these uncles and guys are standing around me, urgh.....I think I don need to put more details on this. End of story and no more monorail when after office hours.

KL is really an unpredictable city. Sometime the roads are smooth seem like everyone's having holiday and sometime it jam like nobody business. Another encounter that makes me feel that taking public transports especially buses is not convenient for me is because I have small bladder. Yes as I said I have early sign of old age sickness. I keen to pee even I din drink water. Weird huh? So if I take buses, when I really wanted to pee, I think I should prepare adult's diapers. Hehehehe!!

We all know how crazy parking rates would be in KL city, some minor jam here and there, pertol price are increasing, still I prefer to drive to work because
1. I will not have to rush like mad-hag to chase for buses and trains
2. Listen to my favorite musics while driving
3. Can stop by any petrol station or complexes to relief myself (hey is peeing only)
4. Need not have to breathe in some "harmful and smelly" air (aircon dont count as in LRT n buses also have moreover air inside there more harmful I guess hahahah)
5. Can save a lot of time where I can use the extra time to do my stuffs

This entry may sound rude and some of you (those of you who take public transports) might cursing my ass right now. Hereby, I just wanna say sorry on this but hey, don't you think if you really have your own transport, will you even considering to take public transport especially in Malaysia? If I am living in Singapore or Japan, I don't even have to buy my own car. (prices of cars here is super high even it's so call national car). So no offend here and I just having my own preference of choosing between driving to work or to take public transports.

Winners at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards 2011

2011-02-28T16:02:00.049+08:00

The Oscars night has handed out all the statues on the biggest night of award season. Just as it led with the most nominations, The King's Speech dominated the awards sweeping four Oscars, which included best director, best actor, and best picture.

Here are the winners list at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards 2011.

Best Picture: 'The King’s Speech'
Best Director: Tom Hooper, 'The King's Speech'
Best Actor: Colin Firth, 'The King's Speech'

Best Actress: Natalie Portman, 'Black Swan'

Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, 'The Fighter'
Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo, 'The Fighter'

Best Visual Effects: Inception
Best Film Editing: Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter, 'The Social Network'
Best Original Screenplay: David Seidler, 'The King's Speech'
Best Original Song: We Belong Together, 'Toy Story 3'

Best Original Score: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, 'The Social Network'
Best Costume Design: Colleen Atwood, 'Alice in Wonderland'
Best Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, 'The Social Network'

Best Foreign Language Film: In A Better World (Denmark)
Best Animated Feature Film: Toy Story 3
Best Cinematography: Inception
Best Art Direction: Alice in Wonderland
Documentary (short subject): Strangers No More
Documentary Feature: Inside Job
Best Sound Mixing: Inception
Best Sound Editing: Inception

Best Makeup: The Wolfman

And here are some pictures for the red carpet entry

For more pictures, click here

Eraser and Pencil

2011-02-23T14:57:00.002+08:00

I read this on my FB's wall today. Think to share this wonderful post with you all

Pencil: I'm sorry....

Eraser: For what? You didn't do anything wrong.

Pencil: I'm sorry cos you get hurt because of me. Whenever I made a mistake, you're always there to erase it. But as you make my mistakes vanish, you lose a part of yourself. You get smaller and smaller each time.

Eraser: You see, I don't really mind. I was made to do this. I was made to help you whenever you do something wrong. Even though one day, I know I'll be gone and you'll replace me with a new one, I'm actually happy with my job. So please, stop worrying. I hate seeing you sad. :)

Very inspirational. So in your life, who's your eraser? Or are you an eraser to someone else?

Happy Chap Goh Meh

2011-02-17T14:16:00.000+08:00

Chap Goh Meh or Tzap Goh Mei literally means "fifteen night" (Hokkien dialect) represents the fifteenth and final day of the Lunar Chinese New Year period and also is the occasion of the first full moon of the New Year.

Normally the occasion is marked by feasting and various festivities, including the consumption of tangyuan Glutinous rice ball). In traditional Chinese culture, it is also celebrated as the Lantern Festival or the Shang Yuan Festival.

But in Southeast Asia, however, it coincides with the Chinese Valentine's Day. On this day, it is also when young unmarried guys or gals gather to toss tangerines (written with contact number or email address) into the lake, in a hope that their future boyfriend / girlfriend will pick it up. Do you know, this is a custom that originated in Penang, Malaysia. Now only I know Malaysian are very good in marketing themselves. Wishing you all a Happy Chap Goh Meh and Chinese's Valentine.

(pics from funandcool.com)

Sugarcane and the Ninth Day of CNY

2011-02-10T11:26:00.001+08:00

As early as 6.40am, I already awake by the noisy car door's slamming before these people leaving to the wet market behind my house. 7.25am, I past by the wet market place and saw many aunties uncles carrying sugarcanes. Then I wander why all these sugarcane wor? Then only I recall tomorrow is the ninth day of Chinese New Year.

"The ninth day of the New Year is a day for Chinese to offer prayers to the Jade Emperor of Heaven (天宮) in the Taoist Pantheon. The ninth day is traditionally the birthday of the Jade Emperor. This day is especially important to Hokkiens. Come midnight of the eighth day of the new year, Hokkiens will offer thanks giving prayers to the Emperor of Heaven. Offerings will include sugarcane as it was the sugarcane that had protected the Hokkiens from certain extermination generations ago. Incense, tea, fruit, vegetarian food or roast pig, and paper gold is served as a customary protocol for paying respect to an honored person." - Wikipedia

Why all the sugarcane? There are many versions of the why sugarcane is the main and it's essential offering to the Jade Emperor. And here is the version where I heard from my Hokkien friend.

Once upon a time, the Hokkiens in dunno which part of China were trying to escape from an ethnic group who attempted to kill all the Hokkien-Chinese. The Hokkiens fled into the forest which was surrounded by sugarcanes. Because they keep prayed to the Jade Emperor for help, no matter how the ethnic group tried to enter the forest, they were severely cut by the leaves of the sugarcane. So the ethnic group was unable to search for the Hokkiens people where the stayed in the sugarcane's forest until the 8th day of Chinese New Year then only the ethnic group flee. Therefore, on the 9th of the Chinese New Year, these Hokkien-Chinese only went home and re-celebrated their Chinese New Year.

Normally on the eighth day of Chinese New Year, you may see some Chinese families put sugarcanes in front of their house on this day as a remembrance of the legend. They believe that the sugarcanes can protect their family from harm and enemies.

On this very day, Hokkien-Chinese family members will gather together (something like reunion dinner) before 12 o'clock to count down the coming ninth day of Chinese New Year because this are their only 'real' Chinese New Year. Not only they celebrated the New Year but also celebrating the Jade Emperor's birthday. The Hokkien-Chinese prepare roasted-pork, red cakes (Fatt gao), vegetables and fruits as thanks to the Jade Emperor and gods. By 12 o'clock some will let off fire-crackers, fireworks and also lion's dance to mark the arrival of their New Year.

Wishing you all a Happy Chinese New year....

New Shaolin Temple 新少林寺

2011-02-08T12:08:00.002+08:00

China is plunged into strife as feuding warlords try to expand their power by warring over neighboring lands. Fuelled by his success on the battlefield, "young" and arrogant warlord Hou Jie (Andy Lau) sneers at Shaolin masters when he beats Jing Neng (Wu Jing) in a duel. But the pride comes before a fall.

Soon, Hou Jie is betrayed by Cao Man (Nicholas Tse), who is the 2nd-in-command and his buddy, and walks right into a trap and gets waylaid by rival warlord Song Hu (Shi Xiong Hong). To make matter worse, his wife (Fan Bing Bing) deserts him, while his child is killed. The crestfallen and heartbroken Hou Jie seeks refuge at Shaolin.

Hou Jie is on the verge of giving up his life when he becomes acquainted with the cheery Shaolin cook Jackie Chan who helps him see through life. He also resolves his conflicts with fellow monks Jing Neng, Jing Hai (Yu Shao Qun) and Jing Kong (Xing Yu). After becoming enlightened, he takes the tonsure.

As the civil unrest spreads and the people suffer, Hou Jie and the Shaolin masters are forced to take a fiery stand against the treacherous warlord Cao Man and his collaborator Suo Xiang Tu (Xiong Xin Xin). Led by Hou Jie, they launch a daring operation.
- Netease, Sina, Sohu, China Film

What I liked about the movie:
- the action and martial arts part are great!
- storyline and plots are good
- the actors and actress's acting are superb, you'll like Andy Lau. If Jackie Chan is not in the film, I think the whole movie was tense and sorrowful.

A very good movie combination of action, comedy and martial arts. A truly great movie with great Dharma lessons.

Below are trailer and OST for the movie:

Happy Chinese New Year

2011-02-03T15:51:00.000+08:00

Happy Chinese New Year to all of you and your family. May the year of Rabbit having a great and vibrant year. Also wishing may all your dreams come true in this year of "two" having "two" great wealth and prosperity. And of course a wonderful and perfect health "two".

~~~~~~Happy Chinese New Year~~~~~

**in chinese "two" sound like rabbit

Oh Buddha

2011-01-26T11:12:00.000+08:00

The other day, I was doing prostrations because by just meditating, my mind still running wild, wander to La La Land, keep thinking where to go later, what to eat, what to buy and many more stupid imaginations and ideas ( I mean bad one, really bad one).

Having chanting Medicine Buddha's short mantra plus full prostrations, still my mind can think of something else and I can't fully concentrate. Half way prostration (I think about 70++) I can felt that I am sweating all over my forehead, then the sweat start dropping off as I lay my hands down onto the floor. Suddenly a car passby my house and honked. What the ......it really make me jump. From then on, my mind was empty. (So next time, if you know you will not concentrating on doing prostrations, ask someone honk for you. PS: i will not responsible if there are any heart-failure resulted from this suggestion). Then the first thing that crossed my mind was prostrations = exercise = sweat = release toxins = SLIMMING!!

Oh no, I am so disrespectful. But maybe this is a sign from Medicine Buddha gua....hahaha. The reason why I do prostrations is not to commit into the preliminary practice or to complete a 100,000 prostrations but to make my mind more relaxing and spending time in front of my beautiful altar instead of the silent killer radiating monitor & TV (you know la, one day without FB will make your body itchy, moreover those FB's games are so addictive). You may eyeroll over on the lame and stupidity for all this nonsense...

Everyone know that its so beneficial by doing prostrations, creating good karma and receiving initiations after completing certain amount of recitation mantras, making offerings and prostrations. But I am doing it for SLIMMING? I must be kidding. Something so sacred and beneficial tasks I can turn it into such silly for-my-own-benefits thingy....tsk...tsk...tsk...no wonder people said that this is a degenerating era even good things can also become like this...

Oh Buddha, please forgive my ignorance and please grant me to have at least some wisdom to understand the Dharma more profoundly.

The Buddha Book

2011-01-25T16:01:00.000+08:00

Title: The Buddha Book
Author: Lilian Too
Publisher: Gramercy
ISBN: 9780007848997

Back Cover text

"In order to find happiness and avoid suffering we should learn about those factors that bring happiness so we can practice them, and those factors that bring about suffering so we can avoid them" - Lama Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche

"This is a very wonderful book with benefits for the mind, for finding inner peace, and generating compassion while learning how to benefit others and to love all equally. All these qualities can be gained from this book" - Khen Rinpoche Lama Khundrup, Abbot of Kopan Monastery Kathmandu, Nepal.

"In this book, Lilian Too brilliantly introduces the path to enlightenment by introducing readers to many of the Buddhas - emanations of wisdom, compassion, power, and all other positive qualities. Based on the teachings of her guru, Lama Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche, it offers us the perfect combination of spiritual authenticity and contemporary presentation" - Dr. Nicholas Ribush

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If you like Buddhism, you'll like this book. If you love Tibetan Buddhism, you'll more love this book. The book provides short introduction of Buddha Shakyamuni, the Five directions Buddhas, Medicine Buddha, Tara, Bodhisattvas, Jambhala and more. Beside the beautiful pictures featured inside the book, all the pictures are come with color. You'll love it.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who interested in Tibetan Buddhism. Compare to the Buddha box (all the content are the same, just that the pictures are printed on card and the descriptions are separated into a little book), this book is more to a coffeetable-book, easy to read, nice to hold and again, the serene and breathtaking look on the beautiful Buddha's pictures.

Beside the pictures, there are also mantras for each Buddha featured in the book. You may want to keep this at your altar to use it as regular daily meditation practice. (There is another similar book to this by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, Faces of Enlightenment). The instructions or the rituals are simply clear and easy to understand. I am truly enjoyed reading the book.

Teohlogy

2011-01-25T15:29:00.001+08:00

Title: Teohlogy
Author: Patrick Teoh
Publisher: ZI Publications
ISBN: 9789675266157

Back Cover text

If there's one truly authentic Malaysian voice expounding on all that he loves and hates in this multicultural, maddening country, it's Patrick Teoh. With his trademark razor-sharp wit, Teoh, in his aptly-named Teohlogy articles (previously published in the now defunct Off The Edge magazine from the years 2005 to 2010), shares his views on Malaysian life, tropical affairs and issues that concern the ordinary Malaysian, with a generous sprinkling of realism, humour and provocation.

Some call him a cynic (or an old grump, or a ...never mind, it's a long list!) but Teohlogy is all about telling it as it is, warts and all. Be it the farcical antics of politicians or the perils of public transport, Teoh's candid, no-holds-barred perspectives will not only have readers chuckling in recognition but also realising the obstacles of a young nation like Malaysia.

From his hilarious catch phrases dunked in Malaysian sirap bandung to his digs at the powers-that-be and Malaysians themselves, Teohlogy presents a Malaysia with all its flaws but hopes that we will not give up trying to understand the idiosyncrasies of this beguiling country. Can-ah?

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By looking at the book cover already give you some hint that this must be some funny reads. Damn like the cover. Eh, not many can pose for such face expression, some more used it as a cover on book provided you will not cursed by others.

Patrick's articles seem to be some sarcastic tok-kok stuffs but there are indeed truth in them. Last time, I only purchased Off The Edge (OTE) when there are some famous figures person or some articles seem interesting but also the reason I bought OTE is mainly to read Patrick's articles. Even though his articles is feature only in a page (last page of the magazine) but buying and read it on my own bed instead of standing in the magazine stall or bookstore do make out more laughter. There is a time where I got into his article so much I wanted to get back all the back issues of OTE. But now, thanks to ZI Publications, wahllaa!! all are in a book.

I know that the book launching is in Ikano Popular last Saturday but I just can't make it. there Sigh. Anyway, happy enough cause I have grab a copy of this marvelous book for only RM38. Worth it all.

Here are some chapters I liked the most:

You Give Me Now

Membeli-Boleh

A Day at the Zoo

We, the People

Dayung Sampan

Is That You, Santa?

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For more info about the book or about the author, visit: Niamah

The Ten Gods by Joey Yap

2011-01-25T10:38:00.005+08:00

Title: The Ten Gods - An Introduction To The Ten Gods In BaZi
Author: Joey Yap
Publisher: JY Books
ISBN: 9789675395833

Back Cover text

An Introduction To The Ten Gods In Bazi
The Ten Gods are the interpretation and analysis tools that must be deployed in order to truly begin to decode a person's Destiny, as contained in their BaZi chart. as such, the Ten Gods are an integral and core component of the study if BaZi. A detailed and thorough understanding of the Ten Gods is necessary for anyone seeking to master BaZi beyond the beginner level.

This ground-breaking Reference Book is designed to provide a thorough and comprehensive introduction to the subject matter of the Ten Gods and presents the information in a form that has not been attempted by any English or Chinese reference books on the subject matter.

This book has been written with novice and intermediate students of BaZi in mind, thus every effort has been made to amply illustrated with numerous complete BaZi charts the key basics and important principles relating to the Ten Gods. Advanced students of BaZi will also find the text useful as in each chapter, a number of advanced concepts and analysis methods are included.

A thorough introduction to the concept of the Ten Gods
A detailed and thorough introduction to the traits and characteristic of each of the Ten Gods, and extends to cover people and relationships as well as matter represented by each of the Ten Gods
Incorporated both classical/traditional and modern interpretations and viewpoints of each of the Ten Gods
Each chapter on the Ten Gods includes multiple examples to illustrate the key basic principles relating to the Ten Gods
Each chapter on the Ten Gods includes analysis techniques utilising each of the Ten Gods
Explains how to build on basic BaZi principles like Favourable and Unfavourable Elements and the Strength of Individual Elements to gain better analysis and interpretation accuracy

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As you can see from the pictures, this book is quite thick and the price is not cheap too.

"An Introduction to the Ten Gods has largely explored the concept of the Ten Gods in an isolated manner, with the focus being on a basic understanding of the qualities, attributes and traits, as well as relationships and matter that are associated with each of the Ten Gods" - The Ten Gods by Joey Yap

For more info, click this link MasteryAcademy

More BaZi series by Joey Yap
Ten Profiles
Five Structures
Ten Day Master

Great Day 天天好天 (2011)

2011-01-19T11:48:00.008+08:00

Even if it's sunny day, rainy day, happy or unhappy still everyday would be a great day if only you change the way you look at something.

Went to watch this at cinema last night and decided to comment this here. Great Day (天天好天) is on a comedy side and family oriented production by Astro Malaysia. Directed by Chiu Keng Guan with collaboration of MyFM DJs and Astro's casts. This is the second Chinese New Year movie after Big Day WooHoo 大日子 (2010) where once resembles again Malaysian cast from MyFm having Jack Lim, Wan Wai Fun (i like the most), Vivian Tok, Royce Tan, Mei Yan, Jeff and Jason. Maybe Phoebe is in but I didn't notice that. Hahaha. Well from Astro side, there are plenty of them but not sure what their names are as I am not a big fan of Astro.

The story starts with two uncles who staying in an old folks home in Perlis. who always quarrel over something to create disputes. Till the extend, they challenge each other to escape from the old folds home to find their children just to compare whose's better. The opportunities comes when Ah Hock, the cooking gas seller, is going to Kuala Lumpur in a pick-up truck to visit his ailing mother.

Uncle Lam (Cantonese fried) pretend that his leg is hurt leaving Uncle Lim (Hokkien fried) continue his journey alone. When both Uncle Lim and Ah Hock reached Kuala Lumpur, everything are not what it seems. All in all, all ends well and you may surprise by the unexpected ending.

Here are the cast's characteristics you will not forget them:

Ah Hock : a hard working widower who have a very fond relation with his son and mother.

Uncle Lim : even though he is tough on the outer side but he is understanding, forgiving, and a caring father, grandfather and also as a friend.

Duo Hou :a very funny and loving character in the movie. Very considerate and caring mix-rice seller.

Some scenes from the movie:

What I like about the movie:
1) Good message being sent out. Love your parent and the elderly.
2) Fair share of humors and not very lengthy
3) Beautiful scenes around Malaysia

What I don't like about the movie:
1) Too much in-house promotions
2) Some scenes are just time-dragging and unnecessarily
3) Not a very good storyline

I personally still preferred Big Day WooHoo (大日子) over this one. Seriously Great Day (天天好天) is more on "copy and paste" parts from others advertisement and movies. Even there are parts where previously well liked by others, it doesn't mean that they have to keep repeating it. Too much of repetition, it just creates uneasiness and boredom to viewers. Same goes to their Chinese New Year music album, predictable, bored and repetition.

You can said that I am a bit too particular but hey, aren't we looking for something new when we fork out money to purchase movie tickets and their album? So they should at least do something more creative. And not forgetting, this movie has a bad title, if you had watched it, you can see there is no linkage between the movie and the title.

Overall. it's still a movie worth watching. I mean, not because I am Malaysian I should support local production or give good credits on it, but movie like this we should support more by bringing families member or your love's one to watch together in cinema as each of us has some roles to play in a family, regardless you're a son, a daughter, a parent, or even as a grandparents, the movie will definitely brings out some messages to remind us that some of the responsibilities where we might forgotten to fulfill. As said in the movie, "Sometimes, things are not judge by you can or can't but are always by you want or don't want". Good eh?

6% GST

2011-01-12T17:24:00.002+08:00

First of all I want say thank you to our lovely government. Thanks for becoming such a grinch that take away our happiness at the very beginning of the year 2011. We Rakyat really "didahulukan" with sucking more money from our wallet. Got a text message from Digi saying starting next month we need pay for 6% of Government Service Tax (GST). And also all the GST has increase from 5% to 6%.

Last year announcing the 2011 budget, you-know-who said that buying handphone will lot more cheaper where now are all craps to me after they raised 6% of GST. Then every Chinese New Year, for damn sure prices of food and everything also increase. Then some more the Minister in charge of domestic things and stuffs for sure come out as hero saying "I gurantee with my fat *** that there will be no increment of prices on this festive season". Does your words brings any different? Still everything is expensive!! Who believe what you said la, we all still remember you said price for RON95 would not increase in year 2010 but end? Don't talk kok please. Now even as for our salary has increased but due to high living cost, the increament means nothing to us The slogan "Rakyat didahulukan, pencapaian diutamakan " really reflect what it mean.

Since CNY is just around the corner, what we need to do is to adjust our spending. Hopefully this coming Rabbit year will bring good CHANGES to us. You know what I mean. To our lovely government, see what you have done, you made us so unhappy yet suffering. Thank you so much!! We all "love" you!!

Unmistaken Child

2011-01-12T14:52:00.001+08:00

Want to recommend this documentary called Unmistaken Child. The documentary tells the true account about the search of the reincarnation of a Lama, Geshe Lama Konchog. When he (Geshe Lama Konchog) died at the age of 84, the task offinding his reincarnation fell to his long serves attendant. Tenzin Zopa. And the journey starts as he searches for the Unmistaken Child.

The film follows Tenzin Zopa, on his search for his teacher reincarnation. Tenzin had been a close attendant to his beloved teacher, Geshe Lama Konchog. After Lama Konchog passed away, Tenzin has a sense of lost and lonely because having spent most of his life with Lama Konchog since young. Tenzin emotional state is so shattered where in a scene, Tenzin breaks down when he is back to visit his teacher's meditating cave and also where he first meet Lama Konchog.

Since he's been selected for the task on searching the unmistaken child, Tenzin got unsure whether or not he has the ability to find the rebirth, but he also knows that it's important for him to search for his teacher's reincarnation. He consulted many high lama's and astrologer for advises. The astrologer who based in Taiwan, drawn up an astrological charts, studied, and examined to determined Lama Konchog’s rebirth may be in a certain area, making the process of finding the Lama's rebirth a little bit easier. Throughout his journey, Tenzin interviews numerous children, villagers and visited many families who has children age within a specific age group.

This film is visually stunning, beautifully filmed and emotionally gripping. Throughout the film, you will not only see how Tenzin in search for his reincarnated teacher but will also exposed to the Tibetan's lifestyle, aw by the beautiful and majestic scenery of The Land of Snow. Apart from these, if you're a Buddhist, you may see also how relics are collected, the process of recognition of a reincarnated Lama and how Tibetan's highly respect and practices Buddhism. Unmistaken Child is the first real time documentation of reincarnation and rebirth that will make you understand the whole process.

I truly recommend watching this film if you haven’t. Here are some pictures and also trailer for the film.

Tenzin Zopa

Tenzin Zopa and Phuntsok Rinpoche (a new name given by The Dalai Lama to the child)

HH Dalai Lama giving recognition to little rinpoche

Poster of the film

This Is Your Problem!!

2011-01-10T11:04:00.001+08:00

Over the weekend, I was stuck in doing cleaning. So called Spring's cleaning. Took about half day to finish all the wiping, sweeping, and thrashing. Never know the dusts can clogged up can be up to 1mm thick. See how lazy I am...Kakakaka.... When finished all the cleaning, as usual, FB time. Load to my FB's game and all of the sudden my laptop hang... then I try to refresh, kills some processes and still it was so lag. The reason why it was slow was the stupid P1 Wimax. Nowadays their services is getting bad to worst... damn it!

The internet was so slow and it was always down... I had made dozens of complaints but they only able to provide me all those rubbish solutions like performing disk cleanup, off antivirus, hard reset the modem and worst of all, reposition the damn modem. Many times I comments on the FB pages about my problem and they will forever throws me the same quotes like "Please perform speedtest every 3 hours and sent to our email" or "We will look into your problem very soon, TQVM" or "Sorry for the inconveniences caused" and "Have u reset your modem and try reposition the modem to different directions?" As you can see, they are not proving any solutions at all but only pointing problem to us, the subscribers as though as this is OUR problem. When I request for service termination, they even want to charge me for penalty as the contract haven't end. WTF!!

Right to the point!!

You see, not only me who're experiencing their suck up service as you can simply go to their FB page (click HERE) and see how many are complaining over their turtle connection. I simply believe there is only a reason why their connection is getting slower by days and it's all because they wanted us, the existing customer to upgrade our plan. To make more money la. Then only we can get a "better" connection speed. Bear in mind, is Better only and it's not til we can praise them with very good.

Yeah, they even cut your speed!!

Don't ever try this if you ask me about them, 100% not worth.

Malaysia's Internet service providers are all money-suckers. Providing throttled and super slow connection. I vowed not to subscribe to Streamyx because of their customer services are a nightmare where you don't want to experience it. They will ask you so many unrelated nonsense where initially you only want to know how to set up some simple stuffs. Damn stupid. That why Streamyx is not on my list at all. I dunno you'll got heard of Izzi or not. but this one is the most stupid provider ever. Whole year long bad connection and worst of all, bad customer services. Then now hooked up with this Michael Lai's stupid thing. I am not a good "investor" as I always invest on something that brings bad return. Where else, in other countries, when you subscribe onto their Internet services, they gives you tons of goodies like thumbdrive, TV and even notebook. Here, not even a pencil as if really they do, they will said, "Sorry out of stock!!

When you talk about Izzi, you'll crazy, talk about P1, you'll get high blood pressure, talk about Streamyx, you'll curse your self on why on earth I go subscribe to them. My contract with P1 only going to end on this May. So apa boleh buat? Makan sendiri lor!!

So what do you think? Have you face lots of issue with P1, Streamyx or other service provider? Or do you happy with their services?

Chinese Astrology for 2011 - Joey Yap

2010-12-29T16:00:00.002+08:00

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

Feng Shui for 2011 - Joey Yap

2010-12-29T15:47:00.002+08:00

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

Do You Ever?

2010-12-23T11:21:00.001+08:00

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.

One Year Plus Plus

2010-12-22T11:34:00.002+08:00

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.....

Happy Winter Solstice

2010-12-20T16:43:00.001+08:00

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.