13 years ago, todayAn anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow
To My Lovely Wife:
Happy 13th Wedding Anniversary
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Family Visit
30/11/09
Left office exactly 1730 for the airport.
Parents and nieces arrived in Dubai at 1810.... and came out at 1850... Thanks to Marhaba.
What a great feeling to kiss my parents hands again after 4 months.
Left office exactly 1730 for the airport.
Parents and nieces arrived in Dubai at 1810.... and came out at 1850... Thanks to Marhaba.
What a great feeling to kiss my parents hands again after 4 months.
Cousins, enjoying themselves in the pool
01/12/09
Had to go to work... parents and nieces needed some rest after the long flight.
Wife took them up to the swimming pool... they had a good time.
Came home late... had to help with the setting up of the 5-aside Asean Cup.
More photos HERE
Had to go to work... parents and nieces needed some rest after the long flight.
Wife took them up to the swimming pool... they had a good time.
Came home late... had to help with the setting up of the 5-aside Asean Cup.
More photos HERE
The family, after a hearty dinner at Tawassol Restaurant
02/12/09
UAE National Day.... 5-aside Asean Cup... was on duty in the morning as a volunteer.... left at about 12 noon.
Planned to take the family and watch the National Day parade in Jumeirah.
Went to send something to a friend’s in Umm Suqeim. Make a round at the kids’ school to show Atuk & Uwan and Aisy & Iman their school.
Went to Jumeirah Rd afterwards... missed the parade but saw some young Emiratis doing the “Drift”.
Went to DFC to buy Bakugan for Apit.
From DFC, went to Tawassol Restaurant for dinner. They really enjoyed the Mendi and Bukhari rice with chicken and fried sherry fish.
Went home at about 2200.
More photos HERE
Cousins at Ski Dubai.... (-4degrees C)
03/12/09
Spend the morning resting.
After Dzuhur, took them to MOE. Atuk and Uwan wanted to take their grandkids to Ski Dubai.
So, we took the nieces to buy a pair of gloves each and the entry tickets.
Suit them up and send them off to the Ski Dubai entrance.
Their Atuk and Uwan stayed with us.... we took them for a late lunch at MOE food court.
They came out at about 1600.... hungry.... we took them to the food court and bought them their lunch.
The next day, Musandam, Oman beaconed....
More photos HERE
At the Khasba, Musandam jetty
04/12/09
Woke up at about 0400... got everybody ready.... we left home at about 10 minutes to 0600.
Destination: Musandam, Oman.
From the rendezvous point (Emarat station near Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club), we travelled in a convoy of 7 vehicles....the time: 0730
Reached Al-Dahra, RAK, UAE exit point at about 0900... Spent about 15 minutes with the immigration processes.
Exited UAE into Oman.... bought Oman insurance worth Aed100... after about 30 minutes standing in the line.
Then, went to the Omani immigration and got the immigration form....and start queuing... the time: almost 1000.
The line was so slow.... didn’t move for almost an hour.... the Omani immigration people should do some Kaizen to their system.
Then, there’re these queue cutters who thought that they could do it because they are Arabic.... WTF!!!... What the heck are you thinking about.... being an Arab doesn’t mean that you can do whatever you like.... Get in the line please!!!!
Aside from that..... we’re finished at the Omani immigration at about 1230... and proceeded with the journey.
We stopped by at what seemed to be like a fishermen’s small port area.... with small boats, fishing nets and etc. We ate lunch and performed Dzuhur & ‘Asar (Jama’ & Qasr... remember, it’s Friday and we missed Jumaat when we got stuck at the immigration counter).
We left the area at about 1330.... along the winding coastal road of Musandam towards Khasba. On the right were the rocky cliffs and on the left was the Arabian Sea (or the Gulf of Oman?).
We didn’t get to see a lot of dolphins, tho’.... only a few of them and they are too far away for a good snapshot.
Returned at about 1700... after some group photos, we went back.
Luckily, there were no hassles at both Immigration points.
We stopped by for dinner and prayers at an Eppco station not far from Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club.
More photos HERE
At Karama Wet Market
05/12/09
Resting.... took Mak to the wet market in the afternoon.
Uwan, Atuk, Imn & Aisy in front of Atlantis Hotel, Palm Jumeira
06/12/09
Felt unwell.... got an MC from the doctor.
Felt better in the afternoon... took the whole family out to Jumeirah area. ‘Asar with Ayah at a near-by mosque.
Took photos at Jumeirah Public Beach... with Burj Al Arab as the background. Everybody was enjoying themselves, especially Ain and Apit...
Took them to the Palm Jumeirah.... took some photos at the Atlantis...
Stopped at Mercato Mall... performed Maghrib and had dinner at the food-court. The girls wanted to watch New Moon....(KKG betul).... Send them off to the movies at 1900 and went back.... the movie will end at about 2115.
Picked them up at about 2130 and went home.
Tomorrow....first day at the office after a long holiday.
More photos HERE
------------------------------------
07/12 – 10/12/09
At the office...during the day... no activities for them....
On Thursday evening, took them to Naif... Ayah wanted to buy Kanduras.... Mak wanted to see some “yard cloth” (Kain ela).... so, took them to Phulwani’s .
------------------------------------
Syeikh Zayed bin Sultan Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
11/12/09
Mission: Abu Dhabi
Left Dubai at about 1100.
Ayah wanted to see where I work...so, did a little de-tour into Jebel Ali Free Zone.
Stopped at a mosque 20KM outside Abu Dhabi for Jumaat prayer
Arrive in Abu Dhabi... first destination Syeikh Zayed Grand Mosque.... the 8th largest mosque in the world.
Lunch at a KFC restaurant near the Zayed Sport City.... it’s beginning to rain...
Next destination... Corniche and Marina Island.
Unfortunately, no parking spaces and rain got heavier....
Turned back and headed for the Grand Mosque once again for Maghrib & Isha’....
Went home....it rained all the way from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.
More photos HERE
12/12/09
Took them shopping at Max, Oasis Center.... Mak & Ayah bought something (clothing mostly) for the family in Malaysia and the Kids....
Then, to Dubai Mall... the Kids wanted to go to Candylicious.... Mak & Ayah spent some time looking at the fishes in the Aquarium... just in front of the candy store.
Got home at about 1830.... had MY-UAE exco meeting at 2000 at DFC.
13/12/09
At the office..... itching to go home early....when suddenly got an email from the HR Director.....
“Dear All,
Due to the incessant rains, the company transport buses will leave at 4:15 p.m. today.
We have arranged for one more bus to leave at 5:30 p.m. for those who need to sit awhile longer to complete their work.
For all others in their personal transport, I would suggest that you also leave by 5:30 today and be extra careful whilst driving.
Thank you.”
Yesss....Thank you Sir....
14/12/09
Final day.... went to the office in the morning.... got back at about 1200....
Waited for the Kids to come home from school....
Left for the airport at about 1600... the wife and kids took taxi... Mak, Ayah, Aisy & Iman rode with me....
The flight was re-scheduled to 1930 (originally 1840).
Checked them in at MAS counter.
The hardest thing came.... it’s really hard to say good-bye and let them go.... but we had to....
Hugs & kisses... said good-bye..... and went home...
* Looking forward to next month when Mak Long & Pak Long come for the Dubai International Marathon
P/s: Along, Ain & Apit wish Atuk Mat Zean a Happy 64th Birthday......
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
12 tips to prevent climate change
In light of the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit, we look at 12 simple ways to help prevent the threat of climate change
Gulf News Report
Published: 15:38 December 7, 2009
Leave the car, take the Metro
Driving your car an average of 16,000km a year can release up to 2.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide
(CO2) into the atmosphere. Try using public transport whenever you can especially now Dubai Metro is up and running, or carpool to work. You can also keep your car in good health with properly pumped tyres to minimise air pollution. Driving with under-inflated tyres can affect your vehicle's gas mileage by two to three percent. Over a year, this is like wasting an entire tank of petrol.
Go local
Did you know that the average food product travels about 1,500 miles to get to the
supermarket? And that transporting food accounts for 30,800 tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year? Try to shop for locally produced fruits and vegetables whenever possible. You can even opt for organic produce once in a while which is grown with no pesticides or fertilisers that can pollute groundwater reserves.
Water waste
Making plastic water bottles for drinking water releases significant amounts of air pollutants that
you should try to use multi-use bottles, like the one you'd use during exercise. The manufacture of one kilogram of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) - enough to make about 17 1.5-litre bottles - entails the release into the air of 40 grams of hydrocarbons, 25 grams of sulfur oxides, 18 grams of carbon monoxide, 20 grams of nitrogen oxides, and 2.3 kilograms of carbon dioxide.
Bin the burgers
Burgers not only harm your waistline but also the environment. From field to fork, growing
animals to eat accounts for about 18 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions globally - more than emissions from transportation. Beef and lamb require by far the greatest amount of energy while poultry, dairy or pork requires far fewer energy inputs. For people who choose to eat meat and dairy products, reducing your consumption of animal foods is the most effective way to reduce your carbon "FoodPrint." According to a recent study, the fossil fuel requirements of an omnivorous diet were more than twice that of a vegetarian and seven times greater than a vegan. Every meal makes a difference, so you can begin by switching to a veggie option once a week.
Recycle, recycle, recycle
Despite the fact that bottled-drinking-water bottles can be totally recycled, of the 14 billion
water bottles sold in the United States in 2002, 90 per cent wound up in landfills. There are recycling bins in the UAE so locate one immediately in a school or supermarket near your home. You can also recycle paper packaging and glass. It might take the extra effort of getting your valuable recyclable material to a bin rather than have someone pick it up, but it is well worth it in the long run.
Offset when you jet off
Going home or on holiday can put a serious amount of CO2 emissions into the air as you will
most likely be flying out of the UAE. Dubai to Paris will emit around 1200 kgs of CO2 according to www.carbonfund.org which calculates the distance of your trip and offsets on your behalf by financing three projects based on renewable energy, methane, energy efficiency or reforestation and avoided deforestation. Offsetting that return flight to France will cost just Dh44. Try it with any destination.
Save water, save money
Save water to save money and save the environment. You might not realise it but the UAE is
suffering from a serious water shortage. The water that comes out of your taps is essentially sea water that has gone through an expensive and energy-consuming process called desalination. All the salt is removed so the water meets international quality standards, but isn't it a waste to just let it run out the drain? Take shorter showers to reduce water use. It's precious. And make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
Go easy on the A/C
Turn off the air conditioning. As temperatures drop around the region, open the window and let
the breeze in. You should also use a drying rack to dry your clothes all year round - there's enough sunshine to dry it quickly. You could also set your thermostat a few degrees lower if you really need to have it on. In the summer set it a few degrees higher and you'll notice the savings you make on your bills. Behind the scenes, less energy will be consumed to create the electricity that powers your A/C.
Recycle your phone
Keep electronics out of the rubbish. You don't need to throw your mobile phone away, or your
television because you can also recycle it. There is an ongoing phone recycling campaign going on with Nokia, who accept all phones. Drop-off points are listed here: http://mea.nokia.com/find-a-store-en/store-locator/application-container?storelocator_content_country=AE. Your local municipality should have information on where you can take your hazardous products. E-waste contains mercury and toxics that never degrade and can accumulate in soil and water bodies year after year to levels sufficient to contaminate the food chain.
Switch to energy saving lightbulbs
How many residents does it take to change a lightbulb? Change all your lightbulbs to energy
saving bulbs which consume about one-fifth of the power of incandescent bulbs, last 10 times longer and emit 70 per cent less heat, thereby reducing the need for air conditioning. Lighting accounts for about 15 per cent of the electricity bill. The best way to reduce the bill is to reduce the cost of lighting by using energy-efficient LED light bulbs. When you reduce your bill you reduce your impact.
Turn it off
Don't leave your electrical equipment on. A third of household energy use is down to TVs, DVDs
and computers being left on stand-by which uses almost as much electricity as it does when it's switched on. So to turn it off and unplug. In the UK it was found that gadgets left unnecessarily on standby or connected to chargers squander electricity worth £740m each year and are responsible for 4m tonnes of excess carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Say NO to plastic bags
Say NO to plastic bags and use one of your own made of cloth, jute or even a backpack. As long
as you reuse it and even minimise the amount of plastic bags leaving the store, you are helping. Those 'free' bags are not really doing you any favours so pack your own shopping and use your own bags. Plastic bags are ugly, kill wildlife and pollute the environment as they are discarded of carelessly.
From HERE
Gulf News Report
Published: 15:38 December 7, 2009
Leave the car, take the Metro
Driving your car an average of 16,000km a year can release up to 2.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide
(CO2) into the atmosphere. Try using public transport whenever you can especially now Dubai Metro is up and running, or carpool to work. You can also keep your car in good health with properly pumped tyres to minimise air pollution. Driving with under-inflated tyres can affect your vehicle's gas mileage by two to three percent. Over a year, this is like wasting an entire tank of petrol.Go local
Did you know that the average food product travels about 1,500 miles to get to the
supermarket? And that transporting food accounts for 30,800 tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year? Try to shop for locally produced fruits and vegetables whenever possible. You can even opt for organic produce once in a while which is grown with no pesticides or fertilisers that can pollute groundwater reserves.Water waste
Making plastic water bottles for drinking water releases significant amounts of air pollutants that
you should try to use multi-use bottles, like the one you'd use during exercise. The manufacture of one kilogram of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) - enough to make about 17 1.5-litre bottles - entails the release into the air of 40 grams of hydrocarbons, 25 grams of sulfur oxides, 18 grams of carbon monoxide, 20 grams of nitrogen oxides, and 2.3 kilograms of carbon dioxide.Bin the burgers
Burgers not only harm your waistline but also the environment. From field to fork, growing
animals to eat accounts for about 18 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions globally - more than emissions from transportation. Beef and lamb require by far the greatest amount of energy while poultry, dairy or pork requires far fewer energy inputs. For people who choose to eat meat and dairy products, reducing your consumption of animal foods is the most effective way to reduce your carbon "FoodPrint." According to a recent study, the fossil fuel requirements of an omnivorous diet were more than twice that of a vegetarian and seven times greater than a vegan. Every meal makes a difference, so you can begin by switching to a veggie option once a week.Recycle, recycle, recycle
Despite the fact that bottled-drinking-water bottles can be totally recycled, of the 14 billion
water bottles sold in the United States in 2002, 90 per cent wound up in landfills. There are recycling bins in the UAE so locate one immediately in a school or supermarket near your home. You can also recycle paper packaging and glass. It might take the extra effort of getting your valuable recyclable material to a bin rather than have someone pick it up, but it is well worth it in the long run.Offset when you jet off
Going home or on holiday can put a serious amount of CO2 emissions into the air as you will
most likely be flying out of the UAE. Dubai to Paris will emit around 1200 kgs of CO2 according to www.carbonfund.org which calculates the distance of your trip and offsets on your behalf by financing three projects based on renewable energy, methane, energy efficiency or reforestation and avoided deforestation. Offsetting that return flight to France will cost just Dh44. Try it with any destination.Save water, save money
Save water to save money and save the environment. You might not realise it but the UAE is
suffering from a serious water shortage. The water that comes out of your taps is essentially sea water that has gone through an expensive and energy-consuming process called desalination. All the salt is removed so the water meets international quality standards, but isn't it a waste to just let it run out the drain? Take shorter showers to reduce water use. It's precious. And make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.Go easy on the A/C
Turn off the air conditioning. As temperatures drop around the region, open the window and let
the breeze in. You should also use a drying rack to dry your clothes all year round - there's enough sunshine to dry it quickly. You could also set your thermostat a few degrees lower if you really need to have it on. In the summer set it a few degrees higher and you'll notice the savings you make on your bills. Behind the scenes, less energy will be consumed to create the electricity that powers your A/C.Recycle your phone
Keep electronics out of the rubbish. You don't need to throw your mobile phone away, or your
television because you can also recycle it. There is an ongoing phone recycling campaign going on with Nokia, who accept all phones. Drop-off points are listed here: http://mea.nokia.com/find-a-store-en/store-locator/application-container?storelocator_content_country=AE. Your local municipality should have information on where you can take your hazardous products. E-waste contains mercury and toxics that never degrade and can accumulate in soil and water bodies year after year to levels sufficient to contaminate the food chain.Switch to energy saving lightbulbs
How many residents does it take to change a lightbulb? Change all your lightbulbs to energy
saving bulbs which consume about one-fifth of the power of incandescent bulbs, last 10 times longer and emit 70 per cent less heat, thereby reducing the need for air conditioning. Lighting accounts for about 15 per cent of the electricity bill. The best way to reduce the bill is to reduce the cost of lighting by using energy-efficient LED light bulbs. When you reduce your bill you reduce your impact.Turn it off
Don't leave your electrical equipment on. A third of household energy use is down to TVs, DVDs
and computers being left on stand-by which uses almost as much electricity as it does when it's switched on. So to turn it off and unplug. In the UK it was found that gadgets left unnecessarily on standby or connected to chargers squander electricity worth £740m each year and are responsible for 4m tonnes of excess carbon dioxide emissions each year.Say NO to plastic bags
Say NO to plastic bags and use one of your own made of cloth, jute or even a backpack. As long
as you reuse it and even minimise the amount of plastic bags leaving the store, you are helping. Those 'free' bags are not really doing you any favours so pack your own shopping and use your own bags. Plastic bags are ugly, kill wildlife and pollute the environment as they are discarded of carelessly.From HERE
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Welcome to Hopenhagen
On December 7, leaders from 192 countries will gather at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen to determine the fate of our planet.
Hopenhagen is a movement, a moment and a chance at a new beginning. The hope that in Copenhagen this December – during the United Nations Climate Change Conference – we can build a better future for our planet and a more sustainable way of life. It is the hope that we can create a global community that will lead our leaders into making the right decisions. The promise that by solving our environmental crisis, we can solve our economic crisis at the same time.
Hopenhagen is change – and that change will be powered by all of us.
OUR MISSION
To connect every person, every city, and every nation to Copenhagen. To give everyone hope, and a platform from which to act. To create a grassroots movement that’s powerful enough to influence change.
Sign up to be a citizen of Hopenhagen HERE
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Eidul Adha 1430H
For the 1st time, our Eidul Adha this year was different. We use to treat Eidul Adha as a 2nd-rated holidays. That means, no open houses or makan-makan. The Raya mood is usually gone on the way back from the mosque. The only "grand" thing about Eidul Adha is the Qurban.
But in Dubai, we realized that we celebrate this Eid as much and as hype as the Eidul Fitr. Open houses... that included BBQ... And 2 days of tiring but satisfying trips around the Emirate.
On the Eid morning, for the first time we went to the Matrade building for Eidul Adha prayer and takbir... followed by a small buffet-styled breakfast.
Then the makan-makan session started. It was almost midnight when we got home.
The 2nd day was also the same. We had 3 (or 4) invitations, including one in Dubai Ladies Club which my wife attended (it's only for Muslimat). Once again, we arrived home late at night.
On Sunday evening we had a BBQ dinner in Arabian Ranches... Got home almost midnight as well.
To everybody who had invited us, thank you very much for your hospitality. May Allah bless you and your family with HIS sustenance.
Eid Mubarak to all Muslims... From Dubai, UAE.
Sent from Haza Hilmy's BlackBerry® device
But in Dubai, we realized that we celebrate this Eid as much and as hype as the Eidul Fitr. Open houses... that included BBQ... And 2 days of tiring but satisfying trips around the Emirate.
On the Eid morning, for the first time we went to the Matrade building for Eidul Adha prayer and takbir... followed by a small buffet-styled breakfast.
Then the makan-makan session started. It was almost midnight when we got home.
The 2nd day was also the same. We had 3 (or 4) invitations, including one in Dubai Ladies Club which my wife attended (it's only for Muslimat). Once again, we arrived home late at night.
On Sunday evening we had a BBQ dinner in Arabian Ranches... Got home almost midnight as well.
To everybody who had invited us, thank you very much for your hospitality. May Allah bless you and your family with HIS sustenance.
Eid Mubarak to all Muslims... From Dubai, UAE.
Sent from Haza Hilmy's BlackBerry® device
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Ain's New Look
Last week, he class teacher told us that she had some problem with her eyes... she couldn't see the white-board in front of the classroom clearly.She referred her to school clinic and they told us that she had to see the optometrist for further examinations.
We took her to the nearby optometrist in Rolla St... and sure enough he told us, after a lengthy examination, she needs glasses...
Her prescription... 1.50 (Left), 1.25 + 0.50 cyl. (Right)... Go ask an eye doctor for the meaning of that.
He also advised her to take care of her eyes.... no reading in dimmed lights, eat healthy... give the eyes proper rests and etc....
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Happy Birthday, Nor Azilah aka Sayang aka Ibu
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...WITH LOVE FROM ME AND THE KIDS...
YOU WILL ALWAYS BE OUR INSPIRATIONS...
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Happy 5th Birthday, Ahmad Afiq Hilmy
I'm so happy....I'm floating!!!
A special pose from Apit...HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY APIT....
AYAH, IBU, ALONG & AIN LOVE YOU...
EVERYBODY LOVES YOU...
BE HAPPY AND KEEP SMILING...
MAY YOU GROW UP TO BE A SOLIHIIN...
Monday, November 16, 2009
BBQ dinner for Dato' and Datin (30/10/2009) - A belated entry (...also)
One of our Malaysian friends in the UAE, was just being conferred the Datukship title. Now instead of calling him Doctor (he's one of the Dean in Sharjah University), I guess we should all address him as a Dato' now... and his wife a Datin.
Well, being a down-to-earth couple, I don't think they would mind if we skip the Dato' and Datin titles when we address them... at least in un-official situations.
So, in order to honor them, we held a BBQ dinner at their place in the Sharjah University campus.
I don't want to elaborate further... but when it comes to Malaysian in the UAE, occassions like this one will surely meant pot-luck... So, food was abundance... and everybody had a good time.
And...Congratulations to both Dato' Dr Rani and Datin Dr Nizam...
Click HERE to see the photos.
Well, being a down-to-earth couple, I don't think they would mind if we skip the Dato' and Datin titles when we address them... at least in un-official situations.
So, in order to honor them, we held a BBQ dinner at their place in the Sharjah University campus.
I don't want to elaborate further... but when it comes to Malaysian in the UAE, occassions like this one will surely meant pot-luck... So, food was abundance... and everybody had a good time.
And...Congratulations to both Dato' Dr Rani and Datin Dr Nizam...
Click HERE to see the photos.
Destination: Kalba (24/10/2009) - A belated entry
I have been planning this for quite some time. Our first long distance trip... to Kalba, in the Emirate of Sharjah. Kalba is a small town on the east coast of the UAE (Gulf of Oman), just a few km from the UAE border with the Sultanate of Oman. It’s about 130 km from Dubai.
Early in the morning, my wife cooked Nasi Lemak among other things. We were planning to have a picnic there. So, after Dzuhur, at about almost 200pm, we left Dubai. We headed for Sharjah by the Emirates Rd.
Then at the National Paints round-about, we took the Maliha Rd which will take us directly to Kalba. On each side of the road, we were greeted by sandy deserts and sand dunes.... but because we didn’t want to arrive in Kalba after dark, we didn’t stop to take photos.
We continue our journey pass the town of Maliha.... into the mountainous road towards Wadi El-Helo. The road was carved into the rocky mountain that separate the Oman Gulf plateau from the rest of UAE.
Sharjah-Kalba Road
Highway through the rocks
Wadi Al-Helo town, in the middle of nowhere
Nasi lemak & karipap...a Malaysian picnic in Kalba
I found this fox wondering in the clearings across the lagoon from us...
Sunset in Kalba
Harun Al-Rashid mosque, Kalba
Early in the morning, my wife cooked Nasi Lemak among other things. We were planning to have a picnic there. So, after Dzuhur, at about almost 200pm, we left Dubai. We headed for Sharjah by the Emirates Rd.
Then at the National Paints round-about, we took the Maliha Rd which will take us directly to Kalba. On each side of the road, we were greeted by sandy deserts and sand dunes.... but because we didn’t want to arrive in Kalba after dark, we didn’t stop to take photos.
We continue our journey pass the town of Maliha.... into the mountainous road towards Wadi El-Helo. The road was carved into the rocky mountain that separate the Oman Gulf plateau from the rest of UAE.
Sharjah-Kalba Road Wadi Al-Helo town, in the middle of nowhere
Wadi Al-Helo tunnel (reminiscent of our own Menora tunnel)
We're almost there... Oman is to the right side...
We arrived in Kalba at about 430pm... the weather was wonderful with temperature in the mid-20s. We performed ‘Asar at a small mosque and, afterwards, went to find a picnic spot by the lagoon.
We found a spot a started our picnic... feasting on the nasi lemak and the karipap that my wife made. There were quite a lot of people jogging and walking along the lagoon... women in abayas, children. There were also a few Arab families having their picnic not too far from where we had ours.
Nasi lemak & karipap...a Malaysian picnic in Kalba I found this fox wondering in the clearings across the lagoon from us... Sunset in KalbaWhen the muezzin from the near-by mosque sounded the azzan, it was time for us to start packing and cleaning up. We left the lagoon to find a mosque to perform Maghrib and ‘Isya (Jama’ and Qasr).
We took a different route back to Dubai.
We headed north towards Fujeirah (by entering Fujeirah, we’d completed our trips to all the 7 Emirates), then to northwest towards Masafi, Al-Dhaid and Sharjah. Traffic was quite heavy that night... but we arrived home safely.
Harun Al-Rashid mosque, KalbaMy Mr Dependable in front of the mosque
A Malaysian furniture store in Kalba??? 
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Of Upset Stomach and Traffic Jams
We were coming back from the factory yesterday... taking the Ismailiya Hiway from the 10th of Ramadhan.... We left the factory at about 430pm....
A few KMs from Cairo, we were stuck in a really bad traffic jam.... it took us almost one and a half hour to cover about 3KM.... Why? Basically nobody knew.... it just happened... Maybe road constructions... or maybe there were just too many vehicles yesterday going into Cairo...
The worse thing was that my stomach wasn't feeling so good... Might be because of that Mo'meen Seafood sandwich that I ate for lunch...
Didn't want to take the chances.... I asked my driver friend to stop at the next mosque or gas station... There were none to be found along the way, unfortunately...
2-3KMs from the hotel, we found a Mobil station and.... aaahhhhh.... what a relief.... but....this was something that you don't expect to find in Egypt's toilets......
NO HOSE OR TAP TO WASH!!!.... YIKES!!!
* Today I told them, no more Mo'meen please.... and we had Baladi bread and tuna chunks for lunch... which was not bad, not bad at all.....
A few KMs from Cairo, we were stuck in a really bad traffic jam.... it took us almost one and a half hour to cover about 3KM.... Why? Basically nobody knew.... it just happened... Maybe road constructions... or maybe there were just too many vehicles yesterday going into Cairo...
The worse thing was that my stomach wasn't feeling so good... Might be because of that Mo'meen Seafood sandwich that I ate for lunch...
Didn't want to take the chances.... I asked my driver friend to stop at the next mosque or gas station... There were none to be found along the way, unfortunately...
2-3KMs from the hotel, we found a Mobil station and.... aaahhhhh.... what a relief.... but....this was something that you don't expect to find in Egypt's toilets......
NO HOSE OR TAP TO WASH!!!.... YIKES!!!
* Today I told them, no more Mo'meen please.... and we had Baladi bread and tuna chunks for lunch... which was not bad, not bad at all.....
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Champions At Last.....
61 years is a long time to wait for anything. But as they say it, it's better late than never. Negeri Sembilan football team is not known to be a power house in Malaysian football. They only featured in quite a handful of finals and a few league championships to add to that. The coveted Malaysia cup have alluded them for 61 years. The closest they got was in the 2000 and 2006 seasons when they lost the finals to Perak (0-2) and Perlis (1-2), respectively. The wait ended last night.
Going into the final with good goal scored and against results, and unbeaten through the earlier rounds of the Cup, they were still considered as underdogs (or at least they considered themselves as underdogs).
But inspired to win the Cup as a coronation present to the Yang Di Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz (who was watching from the royal stand), the team nicknamed Rusa, or the Deers, played the game of their lives against the battling Red Warriors from Kelantan....winning, 3-1.
The goals were scored by Shahruain Abu Samah (18th mins), Hairudin Omar (46th mins) and MohdZaquan Adha Abd Razak (penalty, 59th mins). Kelantan's solitary goal was scored by Indra Putra Mahyuddin (93rd mins).
I was watching the game through the internet live streaming at CG residence in Al-Barsha... the streaming was not that good but at least we could hear the ever-green voice of Mr Hasbullah Awang who wEre doing the commentating.... Most of the friends at the residence were from Kelantan (including the CG) and I was the only Negeri Sembilan supporter there. Naturally, they were quite disappointed with the results.... I would feel the same had Negeri Sembilan lost the game.... but in the end, the better team walked out the winner.... no hard feelings I hope. It's just a football match.... there'll definitely be a winner and runners-up.
To all players, officials and supporters, I congratulate you... This is a big achievement for us... I hope we can do it again next year....
HOBIN JANG HOBIN!!!
Friday, November 06, 2009
Football, that Malaysian malaise...
While the hype of the Malaysia Cup Final is still on, I found this interesting opinion from Idlan Zakaria in The Malaysian Insider
NOV 1 — When I wrote about the funnelling of petrodollars into European football, a commenter queried the level of knowledge I had on the state of the beautiful game in Malaysia. Knowledge, good sir, I have little of; the Malaysian football business – for in this day and age, it is a business — is fairly opaque and I am struggling to uncover any investigative journalism on the matter bar the works of one Rizal Hashim. Opinions on the local game, though, I have a few.
Amateur and professional pundits alike have taken the state of Malaysian football to pieces and tried to glue it back together again; but despite all efforts, as we see it today Malaysian football has proven to be Humpty Dumpty*. When I speak to older football fans, they tell me tales of Mokhtar Dahari running defences ragged; of Soh Chin Aun and Santokh Singh, our formidable back line; of R. Arumugam, the safest hands in all of Asia! I often imagine myself in their shoes some 30-40 years down the line, talking about Malaysian football to the youths of the future. What do I say? Who should I name as our midfield maestro, our wizard on the wings? Indeed, who should I really think of as the footballing heroes of my time when there are little heroic feats to boast about?
Listing what is wrong with Malaysian football is easy. Many others before me have done it, and others after me will do again. Most of us are aware of the history, which I admit is still a sketchy picture for me. (Is there a book on the history of Malaysian football, anywhere, which readers can recommend? Or at least a thesis or dissertation, maybe?) But here goes my attempt at painting this picture as I see it.
A formidable force in the 1950s and 1960s, we announced our arrival on the international scene in the 1970s and 1980s, qualifying for the Olympic Games twice. But unlike Korea and Japan, who built on their successes, we seem to have reached our plateau at this juncture.
The 1990’s began promisingly, with a new professional league in place and the introduction of international players seemed to pique fans’ interest. But just as attendances at games were about to scale the heights it enjoyed in earlier decades, the bribery scandal tore the Malaysian footballing world apart.
It was a scandal like no other, stabbing fans right in the heart. The implication of national heroes Matlan Marjan — once honoured with the national captain’s armband — and crowd favourites Abbas Saad in the scandal shook the faith fans had in the game. Sports was, after all, the last bastion of gamesmanship and honour. Once this was taken out of the equation — and for personal gain at that — nothing could really heal the wound.
In recent years attempts have been made to rejuvenate the local scene. The local league now features club sides as well as state teams, and recent success by club side MPPJ seemed like a breath of fresh air albeit only momentarily — the club went under only a few years after their success amidst rumours of financial irregularities.
The MyTeam program, in which usual channels of talent spotting were bypassed in identifying potential stars of the future, captured the public’s imagination, but despite this, the overall state of dismal international performance continues.
In my own personal list of “things that are wrong with Malaysian football” — of which I am sure every Malaysian fan has his or her own version — I cite the following: First, mismanagement at the league level. Whether it is of the financial resources or of existing talent, more needs to be done to stop us repeating mistakes from our past. Malaysia cannot perform well internationally if the system that feeds players into the national team is broken. And things cannot be fixed for as long as governmental politics is not divorced from the game.
Gone are the days when token Datuks are named as managers. The state of our football is so dire we do not need further levels of feudalism to muddy already opaque waters. The new batch of football clubs in the Malaysian leagues which are not state run seem to run on a business model not unlike other professional football clubs abroad — maybe this is a step in the right direction. Let’s hope there is professionalism involved in its management, and that corporate sponsorship of these teams translates to a more efficient business model rather than being the CEO’s pet project of the moment.
Second, I cite education as being the problem. In a country world where credibility is won by the number of A-grades one scores at SPM level, parents have been known to discourage talented footballers from pursuing a career in sports because it does not guarantee financial security.
And quite rightly so, because as a profession football is very precarious. All you need is one bad injury, and without academic qualifications to fall back on, the risks outweigh the potential benefits, especially taking into consideration that Malaysian footballers are not quite earning the same wages as their colleagues in other countries.
I wonder whether the system in place during the pre-professional football era, where players were given salary-paying jobs in banks or the semi-government sector, allows more stability, and perhaps would encourage more talented players to opt for playing football as a feasible post-high school career.
Or perhaps FAM could adopt the Malaysian Hockey Federation system that allowed their players to play while supporting their academic pursuits, which has seen graduates of Nor Saiful Zaini and Brian Jayhan Siva to name but two.
Third, lack of professionalism and the absence of proper attitude. Signing professional contracts is the start of the journey, not the destination. The David Beckhams and Ryan Giggs of the world put in hour after hour of training day in day out, even after winning international caps. Despite winning almost every major trophy to date, the players at Barcelona still turns up for training on time — and coach Pep Guardiola would have a lot to say if they didn’t. With our players more interested in making the pages of Mangga, should we really be surprised that we are where we are?
But on darker days, I dwell on the alternative explanation. Maybe, just maybe, there is no point in trying to resurrect Malaysian football because perhaps, just perhaps, it is not meant to be for us. Maybe we were just lucky with Mokthar and Chin Aun, and we need to stop hoping that the Akmal Rizals and Titus Palanis are here to recreate our past glory.
Was it even glory in the first place, considering that we merely qualified for the Olympic Games? If there was any glory to “recreate”, surely it would be to do with reaching that pinnacle of footballing heights, the World Cup!
Maybe we’ve maxed out all the credit we have, and it’s time to cut our losses. Maybe it’s not the lack of drive or infrastructure or money, but merely the fact that we’re not cut out for this. Maybe we’ve fallen too far behind to catch up; the game that we used to know has evolved into an industry while we were busy banishing our top players who accepted bribes to throw games.
Perhaps we are the Asian equivalent of Hungary — once great, but never again. Maybe we need to take football as it is, enjoy it as it is and not ask for more. Instead, we should funnel our funds into that 1 Malaysia Formula 1 team, so 1 Malaysia that, I hear, it even has its own KPIs!
*Colchester-related factoid: Humpty Dumpty was a canon used during the siege of Colchester in 1648. The church from where it fell from is now the Colchester Arts Centre. Or so I am told...
NOV 1 — When I wrote about the funnelling of petrodollars into European football, a commenter queried the level of knowledge I had on the state of the beautiful game in Malaysia. Knowledge, good sir, I have little of; the Malaysian football business – for in this day and age, it is a business — is fairly opaque and I am struggling to uncover any investigative journalism on the matter bar the works of one Rizal Hashim. Opinions on the local game, though, I have a few.
Amateur and professional pundits alike have taken the state of Malaysian football to pieces and tried to glue it back together again; but despite all efforts, as we see it today Malaysian football has proven to be Humpty Dumpty*. When I speak to older football fans, they tell me tales of Mokhtar Dahari running defences ragged; of Soh Chin Aun and Santokh Singh, our formidable back line; of R. Arumugam, the safest hands in all of Asia! I often imagine myself in their shoes some 30-40 years down the line, talking about Malaysian football to the youths of the future. What do I say? Who should I name as our midfield maestro, our wizard on the wings? Indeed, who should I really think of as the footballing heroes of my time when there are little heroic feats to boast about?
Listing what is wrong with Malaysian football is easy. Many others before me have done it, and others after me will do again. Most of us are aware of the history, which I admit is still a sketchy picture for me. (Is there a book on the history of Malaysian football, anywhere, which readers can recommend? Or at least a thesis or dissertation, maybe?) But here goes my attempt at painting this picture as I see it.
A formidable force in the 1950s and 1960s, we announced our arrival on the international scene in the 1970s and 1980s, qualifying for the Olympic Games twice. But unlike Korea and Japan, who built on their successes, we seem to have reached our plateau at this juncture.
The 1990’s began promisingly, with a new professional league in place and the introduction of international players seemed to pique fans’ interest. But just as attendances at games were about to scale the heights it enjoyed in earlier decades, the bribery scandal tore the Malaysian footballing world apart.
It was a scandal like no other, stabbing fans right in the heart. The implication of national heroes Matlan Marjan — once honoured with the national captain’s armband — and crowd favourites Abbas Saad in the scandal shook the faith fans had in the game. Sports was, after all, the last bastion of gamesmanship and honour. Once this was taken out of the equation — and for personal gain at that — nothing could really heal the wound.
In recent years attempts have been made to rejuvenate the local scene. The local league now features club sides as well as state teams, and recent success by club side MPPJ seemed like a breath of fresh air albeit only momentarily — the club went under only a few years after their success amidst rumours of financial irregularities.
The MyTeam program, in which usual channels of talent spotting were bypassed in identifying potential stars of the future, captured the public’s imagination, but despite this, the overall state of dismal international performance continues.
In my own personal list of “things that are wrong with Malaysian football” — of which I am sure every Malaysian fan has his or her own version — I cite the following: First, mismanagement at the league level. Whether it is of the financial resources or of existing talent, more needs to be done to stop us repeating mistakes from our past. Malaysia cannot perform well internationally if the system that feeds players into the national team is broken. And things cannot be fixed for as long as governmental politics is not divorced from the game.
Gone are the days when token Datuks are named as managers. The state of our football is so dire we do not need further levels of feudalism to muddy already opaque waters. The new batch of football clubs in the Malaysian leagues which are not state run seem to run on a business model not unlike other professional football clubs abroad — maybe this is a step in the right direction. Let’s hope there is professionalism involved in its management, and that corporate sponsorship of these teams translates to a more efficient business model rather than being the CEO’s pet project of the moment.
Second, I cite education as being the problem. In a country world where credibility is won by the number of A-grades one scores at SPM level, parents have been known to discourage talented footballers from pursuing a career in sports because it does not guarantee financial security.
And quite rightly so, because as a profession football is very precarious. All you need is one bad injury, and without academic qualifications to fall back on, the risks outweigh the potential benefits, especially taking into consideration that Malaysian footballers are not quite earning the same wages as their colleagues in other countries.
I wonder whether the system in place during the pre-professional football era, where players were given salary-paying jobs in banks or the semi-government sector, allows more stability, and perhaps would encourage more talented players to opt for playing football as a feasible post-high school career.
Or perhaps FAM could adopt the Malaysian Hockey Federation system that allowed their players to play while supporting their academic pursuits, which has seen graduates of Nor Saiful Zaini and Brian Jayhan Siva to name but two.
Third, lack of professionalism and the absence of proper attitude. Signing professional contracts is the start of the journey, not the destination. The David Beckhams and Ryan Giggs of the world put in hour after hour of training day in day out, even after winning international caps. Despite winning almost every major trophy to date, the players at Barcelona still turns up for training on time — and coach Pep Guardiola would have a lot to say if they didn’t. With our players more interested in making the pages of Mangga, should we really be surprised that we are where we are?
But on darker days, I dwell on the alternative explanation. Maybe, just maybe, there is no point in trying to resurrect Malaysian football because perhaps, just perhaps, it is not meant to be for us. Maybe we were just lucky with Mokthar and Chin Aun, and we need to stop hoping that the Akmal Rizals and Titus Palanis are here to recreate our past glory.
Was it even glory in the first place, considering that we merely qualified for the Olympic Games? If there was any glory to “recreate”, surely it would be to do with reaching that pinnacle of footballing heights, the World Cup!
Maybe we’ve maxed out all the credit we have, and it’s time to cut our losses. Maybe it’s not the lack of drive or infrastructure or money, but merely the fact that we’re not cut out for this. Maybe we’ve fallen too far behind to catch up; the game that we used to know has evolved into an industry while we were busy banishing our top players who accepted bribes to throw games.
Perhaps we are the Asian equivalent of Hungary — once great, but never again. Maybe we need to take football as it is, enjoy it as it is and not ask for more. Instead, we should funnel our funds into that 1 Malaysia Formula 1 team, so 1 Malaysia that, I hear, it even has its own KPIs!
*Colchester-related factoid: Humpty Dumpty was a canon used during the siege of Colchester in 1648. The church from where it fell from is now the Colchester Arts Centre. Or so I am told...
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Tangkap!!!
Sedih betul bila dengar berita penangkapan Dr MAZA dua-tiga hari lepas.
Bukannya sedih sebab dia kena tangkap, tapi sedih dengan apa yang berlaku selepas tu. Penjelasan oleh pihak yang menangkap, pendedahan yang beliau tiada tauliah atau kelulusan yang membolehkan beliau berceramah dll.
Nampak sangat macam ada sesuatu di belakang semua ini. Hmm, tak tau nak cakap apa.
Tapi kalau betul beliau tipu sijil ijazah tu, takkan la dua universiti ternama di Malaysia boleh luluskan beliau untuk sambung belajar atau ambil beliau sebagai pensyarah... Dan macamana dengan Tuanku Raja Perlis yang lantik beliau sebagai mufti dulu?
Banyak persoalan timbul dari episod ni.
Sebagai orang dah pernah jumpa beliau dan dengar ceramah beliau (siap ada gambar dengan beliau lagi) maka penulis boleh kata yang beliau ialah seorang 'alim muda yang tinggi ilmu dan baik peribadinya. Tak lokek untuk menyebarkan ilmu pada sesiapa sahaja. Orang yang macam beliau ni la yang sepatutnya dihormati... Bukan ditangkap macam terroris...
Apalah nak jadi dengan negaraku ini???
Sent from Haza Hilmy's BlackBerry® device
Bukannya sedih sebab dia kena tangkap, tapi sedih dengan apa yang berlaku selepas tu. Penjelasan oleh pihak yang menangkap, pendedahan yang beliau tiada tauliah atau kelulusan yang membolehkan beliau berceramah dll.
Nampak sangat macam ada sesuatu di belakang semua ini. Hmm, tak tau nak cakap apa.
Tapi kalau betul beliau tipu sijil ijazah tu, takkan la dua universiti ternama di Malaysia boleh luluskan beliau untuk sambung belajar atau ambil beliau sebagai pensyarah... Dan macamana dengan Tuanku Raja Perlis yang lantik beliau sebagai mufti dulu?
Banyak persoalan timbul dari episod ni.
Sebagai orang dah pernah jumpa beliau dan dengar ceramah beliau (siap ada gambar dengan beliau lagi) maka penulis boleh kata yang beliau ialah seorang 'alim muda yang tinggi ilmu dan baik peribadinya. Tak lokek untuk menyebarkan ilmu pada sesiapa sahaja. Orang yang macam beliau ni la yang sepatutnya dihormati... Bukan ditangkap macam terroris...
Apalah nak jadi dengan negaraku ini???
Sent from Haza Hilmy's BlackBerry® device
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Malaysia Cup Final 2009
Congratulations to the Negri Sembilan football team for making it through to the Malaysia Cup final on November 7th, 2009. I hope that the 61-year wait will end that night and the coveted Malaysia Cup trophy will make Negri Sembilan its home for the next one year.... at least until the 2010 Champions are crowned.Let this also be a present for our beloved Yang Di Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz... in occasion of his coronation as the 11th Yang Di Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.
To Coach Wan Jamak and the boys... and all Negri fans out there....
HOBIN JANG HOBIN!!!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Regina Brett's 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on
I received this interesting piece of writing through my email. Of course, there're a few things that she wrote that are not quite suitable to us, as Muslims... but, overall, most of them are quite useful for us to face the challenges of our every day lives.
By Regina Brett
By Regina Brett
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay-check.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over-prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
To reach this Plain Dealer columnist, email to: rbrett@plaind.com
From HERE
Monday, October 26, 2009
Daulat Tuanku
Congratulations to His Royal Highness Tuanku Muhriz ibni Al-Marhum Tuaku Munawir for the occasion of his official coronaration as the 11th Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan; and to Her Royal Highness Tengku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud for her installation as the Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan (on April 14, 200).May Allah bless His Royal Highness and his family, and may Allah bless the beautiful state of Negeri Sembilan.
------------------
Lagu Kebesaran Negeri Sembilan
Berkatlah Yang Di Pertuan Besar
Di Negeri Sembilan
Kurniai sihat dan makmur
Kasihi rakyat lanjutkan umur
Akan berkati sekalian yang setia
Musuhnya habis binasa
Berkatlah Yang Dipertuan Besar
Di Negeri Sembilan
Listen to the song HERE
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Don Corleone
I brought the family to Magrudy's book store a few days ago. My kids and wife are readers.... they like to read. Even Apit reads... although I don't know if he understands any of the words. But it's good to start them early.
My parents have brought us up well... instilling the reading culture in the three of us. I am planning to do the same with my three kids.
I remember that my father used to travel and brought back books as one of the souvenirs. At my parents' home in Kota, we have a lot of books from all kinds of genres.... from academics to fictions to history... you name it.
Back to our visit to Magrudy's... I was actually thinking of buying myself another James Patterson's Alex Cross novel. But I found a few titles that were available and I didn't know which one to chose. Had I just got my paycheck, I would have bought the whole collection.
Then I saw it... The Godfather by Mario Puzo. To tell the truth, I am a fan of those Mafia films... especially those set in the 1940s & 50s... They really looked cool in those fedora hats and long over-coats, weilding those drum-magazine-fed M1 Thompson machine-guns.
I have read about one half of it now and found Signor Puzo a really great story-teller.... with simple and easy language & plot-lines.
Ok.... enough for now.... I want to finish reading this... After this, maybe, I'll look for the film trilogy... The Godfather (1972), The Godfather II (1974) & The Godfather III(1990)... starring Marlon Brando, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Al Pachino, Andy Garcia & Robert De Niro among others.... talking about star-studded cast.....
Save the Rain Forests
I was watching CNN in my hotel room in Tehran when a promo showing, among others, Robin Williams, Harrison Ford and Princes Charles, William and Harry appeared. It was about the Prince of Wales’ initiative to save the rain forest.... It's called The Prince's Rainforests Project.
Suddenly, the environmentalist in me came out.
I realized that we have been destroying and polluting our world, our home, with our activities (in the name of "Development") and we seemed to content that it will heal itself. Well, obviously, we were wrong.
How can we expect a fallen tree to grow back if we didn't plant a new one? I think most of the people associated with the environmental movement may have heard about the principles of Sustainable Development.
Sustainable Development has a lot of definition, depending upon from which perpective we are looking from. One of them is:
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." - Brundtland Commission, 1987
In layman's term, "we shouldn't take more than we can give back, for the sake of our future generations".
Let's look at the issue at hands.... the rain forests. If we keep destroying our rain forests, which is one of our natural heritages, our future generations will have to pay for it dearly.... to the very least. If nothing is done now, the Green Lungs of our World will be just a piece of history then. The whole world will be ecologically un-balanced. And the effect will definitely be devastating. It would be like a self-inflicted Armageddon, if I may say so.
So, let’s stop tropical deforestation, in fact all deforestations, and lend our hands in keeping our heritage intact. If not for us, let’s do it for our children, our grandchildren....and the future generations.
Please click HERE and send your message. Insya-Allah, your effort will not go in vain.
---------------------------
Here are some important things to know about our rain forest.....
Rainforests wrap around the equator of the earth like a green belt. After millions of years of evolution, they are the most biologically rich ecosystems on our planet. Tropical rainforests contain a hugely rich diversity of species of plants and animals. They are also home to many different indigenous people, who have unique and treasured cultures.
Valuable resources for everyone
Rainforests are precious resources for all of us – not just for the nations in which they are found. They provide vital ecosystem benefits for the whole world. They store water, regulate rainfall and provide a home to over half the planet’s biodiversity. But more importantly, they also play a crucial role in climate change. And that’s why we’re worried.
When it comes to climate change, the destruction of rainforests has a double whammy effect for everyone. Rainforests absorb almost a fifth of the world’s man-made CO2 emissions every year. But tropical deforestation releases an extra 17% of annual greenhouse gas emissions. So if the rainforests are destroyed, it’s bad news on both counts.
Rapid deforestation
Rainforests around the world are being destroyed at an alarming rate. This is increasingly due to destructive logging operations and conversion of the land for farming use. Cutting down and burning tropical forests to clear the land in this way enables rainforest nations to provide globally traded commodities, such as timber, palm oil, beef and soy. The world’s population is likely to increase from 6 billion to 9 billion over the next 40 years. This population growth, combined with rising incomes, will lead to a continual increasing demand for food, animal feed and fuel. And this, in turn, will lead to more destruction of rainforests – with devastating effects for everyone.
The need for urgent action
The Prince’s Rainforests Project believes that emergency funding is needed to help protect rainforests and to encourage rainforest nations to continue to develop without the need for deforestation.
If we don’t take action, we could lose another 100 million hectares of tropical forests over the next 10 years – that’s an area the size of Egypt.
Saving the rainforests will give the world a better chance to achieve its goals of stabilising climate change, while also preserving important ecosystem benefits, not to mention the fact that over one billion of the poorest people on Earth depend on the rainforests for their livelihoods.
The need for action is urgent. Recent research shows that it will be impossible to avoid catastrophic climate change without it [1].
Sources
1 McKinsey & Company, ‘Global GHG Abatement Cost Curve v2' (2009); ClimateWorks Foundation / McKinsey & Company ‘Project Catalyst'
From HERE
Monday, October 19, 2009
Rebranding America – Bono
OCT 18 - A few years ago, I accepted a Golden Globe award by barking out an expletive.
One imagines President Obama did the same when he heard about his Nobel, and not out of excitement.
When Obama takes the stage at Oslo City Hall this December, he won’t be the first sitting president to receive the peace prize, but he might be the most controversial. There’s a sense in some quarters of these not-so-United States that Norway, Europe and the World haven’t a clue about the real President Obama; instead, they fixate on a fantasy version of the president, a projection of what they hope and wish he is, and what they wish America to be.
Well, I happen to be European, and I can project with the best of them. So here’s why I think the virtual Obama is the real Obama, and why I think the man might deserve the hype. It starts with a quotation from a speech he gave at the United Nations last month:
“We will support the Millennium Development Goals, and approach next year’s summit with a global plan to make them a reality. And we will set our sights on the eradication of extreme poverty in our time.”
They’re not my words, they’re the president’s. If they’re not familiar, it’s because they didn’t make many headlines. But for me, these 36 words are why I believe Obama could well be a force for peace and prosperity — if the words signal action.
The millennium goals, for those of you who don’t know, are a persistent nag of a noble, global compact. They’re a set of commitments we all made nine years ago whose goal is to halve extreme poverty by 2015. Barack Obama wasn’t there in 2000, but he’s there now. Indeed he’s gone further — all the way, in fact. Halve it, he says, then end it.
Many have spoken about the need for a rebranding of America. Rebrand, restart, reboot. In my view these 36 words, alongside the administration’s approach to fighting nuclear proliferation and climate change, improving relations in the Middle East and, by the way, creating jobs and providing health care at home, are rebranding in action.
These new steps — and those 36 words — remind the world that America is not just a country but an idea, a great idea about opportunity for all and responsibility to your fellow man.
All right ... I don’t speak for the rest of the world. Sometimes I think I do — but as my bandmates will quickly (and loudly) point out, I don’t even speak for one small group of four musicians. But I will venture to say that in the farthest corners of the globe, the president’s words are more than a pop song people want to hear on the radio. They are lifelines.
In dangerous, clangorous times, the idea of America rings like a bell (see King, M.L., Jr., and Dylan, Bob). It hits a high note and sustains it without wearing on your nerves. (If only we all could.) This was the melody line of the Marshall Plan and it’s resonating again.
Why? Because the world sees that America might just hold the keys to solving the three greatest threats we face on this planet: extreme poverty, extreme ideology and extreme climate change. The world senses that America, with renewed global support, might be better placed to defeat this axis of extremism with a new model of foreign policy.
It is a strangely unsettling feeling to realise that the largest navy, the fastest air force, the fittest strike force, cannot fully protect us from the ghost that is terrorism .... Asymmetry is the key word from Kabul to Gaza .... Might is not right.
I think back to a phone call I got a couple of years ago from General James Jones. At the time, he was retiring from the top job at Nato; the idea of a President Obama was a wild flight of the imagination.
General Jones was curious about the work many of us were doing in economic development, and how smarter aid — embodied in initiatives like President George W. Bush’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief and the Millennium Challenge Corporation — was beginning to save lives and change the game for many countries.
Remember, this was a moment when America couldn’t get its cigarette lit in polite European nations like Norway; but even then, in the developing world, the United States was still seen as a positive, even transformative, presence.
The general and I also found ourselves talking about what can happen when the three extremes — poverty, ideology and climate — come together.
We found ourselves discussing the stretch of land that runs across the continent of Africa, just along the creeping sands of the Sahara — an area that includes Sudan and northern Nigeria.
He also agreed that many people didn’t see that the Horn of Africa — the troubled region that encompasses Somalia and Ethiopia — is a classic case of the three extremes becoming an unholy trinity (I’m paraphrasing) and threatening peace and stability around the world.
The military man also offered me an equation. Stability = security + development.
In an asymmetrical war, he said, the emphasis had to be on making American foreign policy conform to that formula.
Enter Barack Obama.
If that last line still seems like a joke to you ... it may not for long.
Obama has put together a team of people who believe in this equation. That includes the general himself, now at the National Security Council; the vice president, a former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; the Republican defence secretary; and a secretary of state, someone with a long record of championing the cause of women and girls living in poverty, who is now determined to revolutionise health and agriculture for the world’s poor.
And it looks like the bipartisan coalition in Congress that accomplished so much in global development over the past eight years is still holding amid rancour on pretty much everything else. From a development perspective, you couldn’t dream up a better dream team to pursue peace in this way, to rebrand America.
The president said that he considered the peace prize a call to action. And in the fight against extreme poverty, it’s action, not intentions, that counts. That stirring sentence he uttered last month will ring hollow unless he returns to next year’s United Nations summit meeting with a meaningful, inclusive plan, one that gets results for the billion or more people living on less than $1 a day. Difficult. Very difficult. But doable.
The Nobel Peace Prize is the rest of the world saying, “Don’t blow it.”
But that’s not just directed at Obama. It’s directed at all of us. What the president promised was a “global plan,” not an American plan. The same is true on all the other issues that the Nobel committee cited, from nuclear disarmament to climate change — none of these things will yield to unilateral approaches. They’ll take international cooperation and American leadership.
The president has set himself, and the rest of us, no small task.
That’s why America shouldn’t turn up its national nose at popularity contests. In the same week that Obama won the Nobel, the United States was ranked as the most admired country in the world, leapfrogging from seventh to the top of the Nation Brands Index survey — the biggest jump any country has ever made. Like the Nobel, this can be written off as meaningless ... a measure of Obama’s celebrity (and we know what people think of celebrities).
But an America that’s tired of being the world’s policeman, and is too pinched to be the world’s philanthropist, could still be the world’s partner. And you can’t do that without being, well, loved.
Here come the letters to the editor, but let me just say it: Americans are like singers — we, just a little bit, kind of like to be loved. The British want to be admired; the Russians, feared; the French, envied. (The Irish, we just want to be listened to.)
But the idea of America, from the very start, was supposed to be contagious enough to sweep up and enthrall the world.
And it is. The world wants to believe in America again because the world needs to believe in America again. We need your ideas — your idea — at a time when the rest of the world is running out of them. – NYT
* Bono is the lead singer of the band U2 and a co-founder of the advocacy group ONE and (Product) RED.
From HERE
One imagines President Obama did the same when he heard about his Nobel, and not out of excitement.
When Obama takes the stage at Oslo City Hall this December, he won’t be the first sitting president to receive the peace prize, but he might be the most controversial. There’s a sense in some quarters of these not-so-United States that Norway, Europe and the World haven’t a clue about the real President Obama; instead, they fixate on a fantasy version of the president, a projection of what they hope and wish he is, and what they wish America to be.
Well, I happen to be European, and I can project with the best of them. So here’s why I think the virtual Obama is the real Obama, and why I think the man might deserve the hype. It starts with a quotation from a speech he gave at the United Nations last month:
“We will support the Millennium Development Goals, and approach next year’s summit with a global plan to make them a reality. And we will set our sights on the eradication of extreme poverty in our time.”
They’re not my words, they’re the president’s. If they’re not familiar, it’s because they didn’t make many headlines. But for me, these 36 words are why I believe Obama could well be a force for peace and prosperity — if the words signal action.
The millennium goals, for those of you who don’t know, are a persistent nag of a noble, global compact. They’re a set of commitments we all made nine years ago whose goal is to halve extreme poverty by 2015. Barack Obama wasn’t there in 2000, but he’s there now. Indeed he’s gone further — all the way, in fact. Halve it, he says, then end it.
Many have spoken about the need for a rebranding of America. Rebrand, restart, reboot. In my view these 36 words, alongside the administration’s approach to fighting nuclear proliferation and climate change, improving relations in the Middle East and, by the way, creating jobs and providing health care at home, are rebranding in action.
These new steps — and those 36 words — remind the world that America is not just a country but an idea, a great idea about opportunity for all and responsibility to your fellow man.
All right ... I don’t speak for the rest of the world. Sometimes I think I do — but as my bandmates will quickly (and loudly) point out, I don’t even speak for one small group of four musicians. But I will venture to say that in the farthest corners of the globe, the president’s words are more than a pop song people want to hear on the radio. They are lifelines.
In dangerous, clangorous times, the idea of America rings like a bell (see King, M.L., Jr., and Dylan, Bob). It hits a high note and sustains it without wearing on your nerves. (If only we all could.) This was the melody line of the Marshall Plan and it’s resonating again.
Why? Because the world sees that America might just hold the keys to solving the three greatest threats we face on this planet: extreme poverty, extreme ideology and extreme climate change. The world senses that America, with renewed global support, might be better placed to defeat this axis of extremism with a new model of foreign policy.
It is a strangely unsettling feeling to realise that the largest navy, the fastest air force, the fittest strike force, cannot fully protect us from the ghost that is terrorism .... Asymmetry is the key word from Kabul to Gaza .... Might is not right.
I think back to a phone call I got a couple of years ago from General James Jones. At the time, he was retiring from the top job at Nato; the idea of a President Obama was a wild flight of the imagination.
General Jones was curious about the work many of us were doing in economic development, and how smarter aid — embodied in initiatives like President George W. Bush’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief and the Millennium Challenge Corporation — was beginning to save lives and change the game for many countries.
Remember, this was a moment when America couldn’t get its cigarette lit in polite European nations like Norway; but even then, in the developing world, the United States was still seen as a positive, even transformative, presence.
The general and I also found ourselves talking about what can happen when the three extremes — poverty, ideology and climate — come together.
We found ourselves discussing the stretch of land that runs across the continent of Africa, just along the creeping sands of the Sahara — an area that includes Sudan and northern Nigeria.
He also agreed that many people didn’t see that the Horn of Africa — the troubled region that encompasses Somalia and Ethiopia — is a classic case of the three extremes becoming an unholy trinity (I’m paraphrasing) and threatening peace and stability around the world.
The military man also offered me an equation. Stability = security + development.
In an asymmetrical war, he said, the emphasis had to be on making American foreign policy conform to that formula.
Enter Barack Obama.
If that last line still seems like a joke to you ... it may not for long.
Obama has put together a team of people who believe in this equation. That includes the general himself, now at the National Security Council; the vice president, a former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; the Republican defence secretary; and a secretary of state, someone with a long record of championing the cause of women and girls living in poverty, who is now determined to revolutionise health and agriculture for the world’s poor.
And it looks like the bipartisan coalition in Congress that accomplished so much in global development over the past eight years is still holding amid rancour on pretty much everything else. From a development perspective, you couldn’t dream up a better dream team to pursue peace in this way, to rebrand America.
The president said that he considered the peace prize a call to action. And in the fight against extreme poverty, it’s action, not intentions, that counts. That stirring sentence he uttered last month will ring hollow unless he returns to next year’s United Nations summit meeting with a meaningful, inclusive plan, one that gets results for the billion or more people living on less than $1 a day. Difficult. Very difficult. But doable.
The Nobel Peace Prize is the rest of the world saying, “Don’t blow it.”
But that’s not just directed at Obama. It’s directed at all of us. What the president promised was a “global plan,” not an American plan. The same is true on all the other issues that the Nobel committee cited, from nuclear disarmament to climate change — none of these things will yield to unilateral approaches. They’ll take international cooperation and American leadership.
The president has set himself, and the rest of us, no small task.
That’s why America shouldn’t turn up its national nose at popularity contests. In the same week that Obama won the Nobel, the United States was ranked as the most admired country in the world, leapfrogging from seventh to the top of the Nation Brands Index survey — the biggest jump any country has ever made. Like the Nobel, this can be written off as meaningless ... a measure of Obama’s celebrity (and we know what people think of celebrities).
But an America that’s tired of being the world’s policeman, and is too pinched to be the world’s philanthropist, could still be the world’s partner. And you can’t do that without being, well, loved.
Here come the letters to the editor, but let me just say it: Americans are like singers — we, just a little bit, kind of like to be loved. The British want to be admired; the Russians, feared; the French, envied. (The Irish, we just want to be listened to.)
But the idea of America, from the very start, was supposed to be contagious enough to sweep up and enthrall the world.
And it is. The world wants to believe in America again because the world needs to believe in America again. We need your ideas — your idea — at a time when the rest of the world is running out of them. – NYT
* Bono is the lead singer of the band U2 and a co-founder of the advocacy group ONE and (Product) RED.
From HERE
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Of Back-pain and Petai
It has been quite some times since I last logged in my own writings in this blog.
It’s not that I didn’t have anything to write, though. It’s just that I was too lazy to write anything.
So, let me start with this painful and irritating back ache that I had for the past few weeks. I don’t remember how it started... but probably some times during the first few days of Ramadhan. At first, it was ok... I was able to instruct my body, and mind, to ignore it.
The pain got worse after the Eid celebration (it a bit redundant, isn’t it because Eid also means celebration)... with all the lemang, rendangs, ketupats, an occasional carbo-drinks....
It got even worse when I had to attend the meeting with our business partners. It’s not actually a meeting, though. We were showcasing the new lines of product and our business plans for the next 6 months. So, most of us had to stand up because the chairs in the room were only meant for the guest.
Well for me, the pain was still manageable... but when the spasms hit... hehehe, then you’ll know how painful it was. I had to stay stationary for about 10-20 seconds because it was so painful to move.
I remember 1-2 years ago when the worst of my back pains hit me. I was just finishing my morning shower and was bending down to take the ablution for the Fajr prayer. Then, suddenly I felt it in my lower back.... but it was still bearable. So, I went to work as usual. But in a few hours after that, the pain got worse.... I couldn’t walk straight and it was a labour for me to get into the car to go home. When I got home, I couldn’t climb the stairs to the 2nd floor of our house because each time I raised my legs the pain would hit me like, well, hell.
Then, came the spasms. My family was actually at the receiving end of my tirades.... I pity them, but what could I do.... I was in so much pain. Well, actually, I don’t think I can tell this story further without any derogatory remarks....so, I should stop here, shouldn’t I?
I figured that there’s too much gas (angin) and toxic in my circulation, coupled with my weight and my belly, of course. That didn’t do my back any favour.... and from time to time, I also had to carry Apit... especially during the fasting month (he didn’t fast but when nobody else was eating, he ate less and grew tired easily).
So, my wife and I thought that we have to find something that could dispose off some of the gas and toxic from my system.
The answer was PETAI (Parkia speciosa). We found some in the Karama market. My wife cooked them with some prawns (sambal udang petai)... I also ate them raw as “ulam”s. The results... hehehe....need I say more....?
The only negative thing is that it smells, and it will make your breath and you flatulent smell bad as well.... and you will incur the ire of the cleaning guy/lady at your office toilet.... hahahaha.
Now my back is getting better. At least the spasms are gone now.... But I know that I have to start exercising now.... I have not been feeling great for a few months now.... I figure that if I can reduce my weight by 1kg every month, I’ll be 10kg lighter before my next birthday. Here's hoping......
Petai contain three natural sugars -sucrose, fructose and glucose - combined with fiber, petai gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proved that just two servings of petai provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder petai is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way petai can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND among people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating petai. This is because petai contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS (premenstrual syndrome): Forget the pills - eat petai. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anemia: High in iron, petai can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the petai industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating petai at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Constipation: High in fiber, including petai in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
Heartburn: Petai has a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating petai for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on petai between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of the petai skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves: Petai is high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. Overweight Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Petai can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.
Smoking: Petai can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium petai snack.
Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating petai as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%".
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of petai and place it on the wart. Carefully hold the petai in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
So, you see, petai really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe it’s time to change that well-known phrase so that we say,
Side effect: This fruit give bad breath and smelly stomach gases
It’s not that I didn’t have anything to write, though. It’s just that I was too lazy to write anything.
So, let me start with this painful and irritating back ache that I had for the past few weeks. I don’t remember how it started... but probably some times during the first few days of Ramadhan. At first, it was ok... I was able to instruct my body, and mind, to ignore it.
The pain got worse after the Eid celebration (it a bit redundant, isn’t it because Eid also means celebration)... with all the lemang, rendangs, ketupats, an occasional carbo-drinks....
It got even worse when I had to attend the meeting with our business partners. It’s not actually a meeting, though. We were showcasing the new lines of product and our business plans for the next 6 months. So, most of us had to stand up because the chairs in the room were only meant for the guest.
Well for me, the pain was still manageable... but when the spasms hit... hehehe, then you’ll know how painful it was. I had to stay stationary for about 10-20 seconds because it was so painful to move.
I remember 1-2 years ago when the worst of my back pains hit me. I was just finishing my morning shower and was bending down to take the ablution for the Fajr prayer. Then, suddenly I felt it in my lower back.... but it was still bearable. So, I went to work as usual. But in a few hours after that, the pain got worse.... I couldn’t walk straight and it was a labour for me to get into the car to go home. When I got home, I couldn’t climb the stairs to the 2nd floor of our house because each time I raised my legs the pain would hit me like, well, hell.
Then, came the spasms. My family was actually at the receiving end of my tirades.... I pity them, but what could I do.... I was in so much pain. Well, actually, I don’t think I can tell this story further without any derogatory remarks....so, I should stop here, shouldn’t I?
I figured that there’s too much gas (angin) and toxic in my circulation, coupled with my weight and my belly, of course. That didn’t do my back any favour.... and from time to time, I also had to carry Apit... especially during the fasting month (he didn’t fast but when nobody else was eating, he ate less and grew tired easily).
So, my wife and I thought that we have to find something that could dispose off some of the gas and toxic from my system.
The answer was PETAI (Parkia speciosa). We found some in the Karama market. My wife cooked them with some prawns (sambal udang petai)... I also ate them raw as “ulam”s. The results... hehehe....need I say more....?The only negative thing is that it smells, and it will make your breath and you flatulent smell bad as well.... and you will incur the ire of the cleaning guy/lady at your office toilet.... hahahaha.
Now my back is getting better. At least the spasms are gone now.... But I know that I have to start exercising now.... I have not been feeling great for a few months now.... I figure that if I can reduce my weight by 1kg every month, I’ll be 10kg lighter before my next birthday. Here's hoping......
Before I end this entry, let me share some benefits of the petai from a Prof in UKM. I'm not sure if there're really true scientific studies done but it's interesting to know and it doesn't hurt to try, does it?
------------------------
Interesting Facts about PETAI (PETE)
Little did you know..... after reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at petai
in the same way again!
Little did you know..... after reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at petai
in the same way again!
Petai contain three natural sugars -sucrose, fructose and glucose - combined with fiber, petai gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proved that just two servings of petai provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder petai is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way petai can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND among people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating petai. This is because petai contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS (premenstrual syndrome): Forget the pills - eat petai. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anemia: High in iron, petai can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the petai industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating petai at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Constipation: High in fiber, including petai in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a petai milk shake, sweetened with honey. The petai calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn: Petai has a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating petai for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on petai between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of the petai skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves: Petai is high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. Overweight Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Ulcers: Petai is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Temperature control: Many other cultures see petai as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Holland, for example, pregnant women eat petai to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Petai can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.
Smoking: Petai can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium petai snack.
Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating petai as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%".
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of petai and place it on the wart. Carefully hold the petai in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
So, you see, petai really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe it’s time to change that well-known phrase so that we say,
"A Petai a day keeps the doctor away".
PM Dr.Aminuddin AHK
Dept. of Physiology
Medical faculty of UKM
Kuala Lumpur
Tel:6(03)40405157
fax:6(03)26939687
PM Dr.Aminuddin AHK
Dept. of Physiology
Medical faculty of UKM
Kuala Lumpur
Tel:6(03)40405157
fax:6(03)26939687
Side effect: This fruit give bad breath and smelly stomach gases
Monday, October 12, 2009
Iran a good market for Malaysian goods, says Matrade
DUBAI, Oct 12 — Despite the challenges of doing business with Iran, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) views the Islamic republic as a fertile ground for Malaysian exports.Matrade's senior trade commissioner based in Dubai, Dzulkifli Mahmud, said Malaysian exports to the Islamic republic were valued at RM1.19 billion in the first seven months of 2009.
In a further sign of Iranian importers and buyers' growing confidence in high-quality Malaysian products, a Matrade-led Malaysian business delegation succeeded in securing export orders worth RM13.39 million at the just-concluded Ninth Tehran International Industry Fair.
"Most of the Malaysian companies which participated in the fair are new to this market and they're very pleased with the export sales and orders received from Iranian buyers," Dzulkifli told Bernama on the outcome of the Oct 6 to 9 trade fair organised in the Iranian capital.
Malaysia exported RM2.45 billion worth of products to Iran last year. A total of 28 Malaysian companies took part in the exhibition which also marked the fifth participation by Matrade since 2005.
Among Malaysian products which had been well-received by Iranian buyers included building materials, vacuum cleaners, wooden items, industrial rubber products, agriculture pumps, chemicals for oil and gas sector, brake pads and rubber autoparts, solar water heater and car accessories.
"Matrade sees the prospect of exporting more products from Malaysia to the Iranian market as very bright. Iranian buyers now look at Malaysia as a country to source high quality products and services," Dzulkifli said.
He said the Matrade office would continue to assist Malaysian companies in penetrating the Iranian market comprising around 70 million people, 2.6 times the size of Malaysia's population.
"The Iranian market is a growing market and there's good demand locally for consumer products imported from overseas," he said, adding that Iranian buyers preferred high-quality and value-for-money products. — Bernama
From HERE
Sunday, October 11, 2009
She's in the web
My Sayang... at Raffles International School International Day 2009.... Manning (or ladying) the Malaysia Booth...(sambil makan satay)From HERE
Friday, October 02, 2009
Evergreen Giggs continues to shine by Norman Hubbard
Dimitar Berbatov is rarely described as animated. Indeed, the caricature of the Manchester United striker is that neither face nor body moves. At Stoke on Saturday, Berbatov broke into a smile and a sprint at the same time, the natural delight of a goalscorer accompanied by a desire to attribute credit where it was due. Running towards the left wing, pointing at the provider, his gratitude to Ryan Giggs was clear. 
Berbatov shows his appreciation for Giggs.
• Fergie purrs over Giggs performance
His sentiments are being shared by increasing numbers of others. One banner at the Britannia Stadium said: "Arise Sir Ryan Giggs". Written before the Welshman marked his first 22 minutes on the pitch with assists for Berbatov and John O'Shea in United 2-0's win, it is a cause that is gaining currency.
In Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton, the club already has a pair of knights. For Giggs OBE, recognition for a lifetime's work appeared to have arrived in April, when he was crowned Player of the Year by his peers. It had a valedictory feel; despite his magisterial performance in the January win against Chelsea, he had only started 12 Premier League games in the season. The obvious expectation was that a 35-year-old would figure less frequently in the future.
Instead, Giggs has now become the early front-runner for another award. At this formative stage of the season, he is among its most influential performers, playing a pivotal part in a quartet of invaluable victories, against Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City and Stoke. While in the Champions League against Wolfsburg he netted his 150th goal for the club and added another assist for Michael Carrick's winner.
He has an official total of six assists in those five games, but an involvement in ten goals is a greater indication of his influence. Against Arsenal, his pass enabled Wayne Rooney to win a penalty, while his free-kick was accidentally converted by Abou Diaby for what proved the winner. At White Hart Lane, it was a perfectly placed Giggs free kick that brought the equaliser.
During the derby, his role in Rooney's opener was, admittedly, small, with a quick throw; the next three goals, however, were fashioned by a craftsman. Darren Fletcher headed in two balls from the left wing before Michael Owen, the recipient of an impeccable pass, scored the injury-time winner.
It illustrated that Giggs is capable of bisecting a defence with one ball while a set-piece expertise that has been obscured for several years has ensured Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kicks have not been missed. The Portuguese liked to operate with a flamboyant flourish; as Giggs showed when setting Berbatov up with a deceptively simple pass, making things look easy is a skill in itself.
That is one of Giggs' gifts. Other 35-year-olds can labour when running; he is blessed with the kind of natural fitness that gives his game a freshness. He no longer ranks among the game's sprinters, though that merely added to Micah Richards' difficulties in the derby. The younger Giggs would have had the acceleration to wave the right-back farewell on his way past; the footballing pensioner did not need to escape Richards. He simply beat him for a second occasion. The flecks of grey around the winger's temples may have added to the defender's embarrassment as Giggs jinked away from him again.
Speed was his original forte. If it is now skill, it is a sign of an ability to reinvent himself. Once a fixture on the left flank, he has been a second striker, a deep-lying central midfielder, a right winger, though this season has brought him full circle with a return to his old territory.
Minus Ronaldo, Giggs is now much the best option on the wings. Nani offers ingenuity, but can infuriate. Antonio Valencia, like a younger Giggs, has the pace without always providing the delivery. Ji-sung Park's game is based more on high energy than high quality. Yet there is a tendency for many of football's senior citizens to retreat to the centre of the pitch, rather than returning to the touchline as Giggs has.
The 35-year-old is showing no signs of slowing.
It means that, apart from Ronaldo's remarkable final three seasons at Old Trafford and a couple of years when Andrei Kanchelskis was in his electrifying prime, he is likely to end his career having been United's premier winger for three-quarters of a two-decade career at Old Trafford.
Yet it is one that could have been curtailed several years ago. Giggs' brace against Juventus in 2003, an undoubted highlight of even his career, came at a time when Ferguson was pursuing first Damien Duff and then Arjen Robben. Chelsea's superior purchasing power then may be benefiting United now.
Familiarity can prevent appreciation. That may have been an issue in the third quarter of Giggs' time in the United team. Now, however, it has brought a belated sense of admiration, perhaps because each year has a deceptive sense of finality. This is the fourth successive season that threatens to prove the Indian summer of Giggs' career.
In 2006-07 as United won their first title for four years, he was shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award; the following campaign, he equalled Charlton's appearance record by scoring in the game that clinched the Premier League and passed it in the Champions League final, converting United's final penalty in the shootout; last season, of course, brought Giggs the elusive PFA prize. This could yet bring a repeat for the oldest winger in town. As a teenage prodigy, he started out being compared to George Best; given his longevity, Giggs may be 21st century football's answer to Stanley Matthews now.
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