Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Dinner at Nagami restaurant, penang

Dinner at Nagomi Restaurant, Penang -'Teppanyaki style

The restaurant was located at the former Federal theatre at Dato Kramat Road. There have been a lot of restaurants there before and the place also once a club.

The restaurant was spacious and was quite empty when I was there with my wife on last Friday. Only two tables and the other table was occupied by another young couple which happens to be my friend .  It was really a small world in Penang.

The Restaurant offers teppanyaki sets and also other selections from the menu and for the set dinner is about 120 RM for two. The taste was okay and I have eaten better teppanyaki locally or in Bangladesh. The portion was just nice,not too much or not too little. For me , it is a bit pricey.

My wife told me that the restaurant may not be able to survived as the business was not good on that night but it may not be true for lunch or for the weekend. I do hope it will survive so that we can have an alternate place to eat.

If you like Teppanyaki , then you should try . The chef looks like  very experience and maybe  he has some thing more to offer. Furthermore, one man's food can be another Kam's poison.

Namaste.

MH370 - missing or lost?

MH370 -'lost or missing?

On my way to KL , I met a friend at the airport lounge . He was a lecturer for 'blue ocean strategy' and was also a duo time politician. He told me that he was involved with the committee to handle the next of kin for the MH370 passengers  in Beijng and he was on his way home.

He told me that there is still no news on the plane and it may take years to find it like the case of Air France but something have to be done for the families to move on.

In insurance, missing will kept the case pending and it is actually torturing for the next of kin and so the logic step is to declare the plane as lost. It is not only about insurance claims but the property and rights of the  passengers ie the execution if their wills, their salaries and benefits accruing to them. There must be a closure for those involved to go on.

But the difficulty is the acceptance of this conclusion by those surviving next of kin. How can they accept it when there is no evidence at all indicating the final fate I the plane and its passenger.

How can the authorities pacify the next of kin ? It is difficult for them to let go but a decision needs to be done for the better and at least, the show must go on. The world cannot stop at this point and however difficult, it has to be done.

RIP....for those missing .

Namaste.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Transit in Dubai - on the way to Africa.

Transit in Dubai

After an overnight flight. I have safely reached Dubai and now waiting for transit to Alis Ababa. Eutropia. It was a five hours wait before the connecting flight.

I was surprise that there was so many tourist to Dubai and many tourist also from Malaysia. I think it is impossible to live in Dubai if you don't have money. This is the place to find gold for many foreign workers like in the ancient China , the Chinese workers were sold to work as hard laborers in the US.  Now Dubai is another gold mine for those money hunters.

I am traveling on Emirate Airline and this is the second time I am traveling on the same Iine but first time on a business class.

Dubai is a transit hub for all over middle was and the rest of the world including Africa. The Emirate Air have one of the most modern Aeroplane and the crews are make up of many nationalities.  Their seats are so comfortable and spacious and you really feel that you are siting on a massage chair.  Wonderful experience.

The emirate lounges are so spacious and nich decorated.
The Dubai lounge was so crowded and this could see that the airline is great demand.

If you happen to come this way, I would like to recommend you to use the Emirate Air.


Namaste.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Luna rich restaurant in Gurney Patagon ,Penang

Luna rich- an Italian restaurant ,Gurney paragon , Penang

Yesterday , I had a lunch at Luna Rich located at the 2nd floor of GP . I have been there three times and I quite like the dishes there . The restaurant serves good coffee as well.

I was there with friends for better communications and interaction including lunch. I ordered a tomato pasta and my friends ordered two types of pizza and share among us. They recommend me a Long Island coffee but I had too many cups already and ordered a pineapple juice.

My pasta and the pizza was very tasty and I really enjoyed the lunch. Eating and drinking coffee can be a passion and enjoyment and there no need to stop if you can afford and enjoy it. You may argue that simple food could be just as enjoyable but it is your choice and there is no need for others to follow you. You can decide for your choice. There is no guilt in enjoying our passions.

It could be quite pricey but the tap was paid by my friends.

This is a highly recommendable place for Italian food and you should enjoy it.

Namaste.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Off to East Africa

Tomorrow , I will be flying to East Africa . It will be a 16 hours flight through the nite.  Africa to me is a strange place full of negros, terrorist  and armed bandits. A wild wild East where the strong can only survive.

East Africa comprises of Kenya, Euthopia and Uganda.   Kenya is a better country of all the three and Euthopia is the place of hunger and Uganda have the legacy of  Idi Amin.  It is so scary as I do not have much knowledge of these countries. Well, duty call and I have to go on a trade mission.  I hope my fear is unfound but I really want to see what is there for us.


The flying will take 16 hours through the nite and  I do not know what kind of food we will be eating. Some of my friends told me that I can eat the lion's meat and the tigers' balls and the snake's heart, etc. What more I don't know but I know these rascals only make me more worried.  So , no need to talk to them as it will only exemplify my fear.


Well, life is fated and some one told me this wisdom " eat also die, dun eat also die . So, we better eat"  and they used this reason to justify  when we eat fat meats or durian. So , the same principle will apply, come what may.

But, I will promise all my readers, that I will take photos and share with all of you my experience and bring your along in my journey through East Africa.

Namaste.

The chakra - energy points.

We have a lesson in Chakra , the energy points in our body.  There are about 7 chakras lining our spine and these energy points needs to be open and strengthen by the concentration of our mind at these points.

There is one point at the base of our tail bone, another one at one inche below the naval , another point behind the naval , one at the throat, one behind the heart, one at the third eye and one at the top of the crown. These seven energy points are in line and have colors to it.

At the base is red, the one near the naval is orange, at the back of the naval yellow,  the one at the throat is blue, the one behind the heart is green, the one at the third eye is silver and the top of the crown is purple or violet.

First, we have to concentrate on the red chakra and we imagine a red lotus flower supporting the base of our backbone.  The red lotus flower have a stalk holding it up and the red color becomes brigther and brigther as we focus on it.

Next, we move on to the chakra below the naval and imagine an orange lotus flower growing out from it and it gets brigther as we focus on it.

Then , we move on to the third , fourth , fifth , sixth and the seven chakra concentrating on the respective colours  and imaginating it to get brigther and brigther. On the sixth and seventh chakra , that is on the third eye and on the crown of the head, the silver color is like passing through the third eye and the violet color oozing from the  universe going into the crown.  Then all the lotus flowers all coming out of the energy points  and oozing out the different colors at the same time and flowing up to the head. Multi colored rainbow oozing out and moving upwards to our head.

Everything is so comfortable and nice as the energy points gets brighter and brighter.

Your have attained a high point in meditation.

Namaste.

Monday, April 21, 2014

A complicated feeling....

People's relationships are so fragile. Hurt by words , action and suspicions. Sometimes, the thought disturb us and make us have suspicious mind and thoughts.  It is never easy to let go.

I have mentioned that if we keep holding the stick in our hand, the stick will get heavier and heavier and it will hurt in the long run.  If you carry more than one stick, it will break your hand one day. The hatred, hurts and anger will eat you up and make you more miserable.

In  my career, I have seen many people fighting literally until they cannot see face to face with each other until their dying days.  Is this the way it should be ?  I don't think so . All we have to learn is to let go. Each time, we encounter a problem or a relationship issue, we get upset and then we let go instead of harping on it and make our life miserable.

I am not worry about the offending party but rather the offended party.  I could sense the hatred and anger from the words of the offended party and could see how miserable they become. Yes, the words or actions to be hurtful but as long as we address the wrongful act, we should let go and lets live. Everybody deserve many chances as there could be just misunderstanding or miscommunication or innocent acts that could result in an offensive act or uttering of an offensive word.

I believe everything lies within us to forgive and forget and to move on. We have to know that we are the master of our own actions and not a slave of our mind.  If we are firm in this understanding , nothing can deter us from exercise the appropriate action.

During our journey through life , we can absolve many hurtful actions and words, we should let these offensive incidents stop for a while in our mind but let it go on its way forever.  If we make all these incidences stored in our mind or thoughts,  it will gather more and more disturbing thoughts and eventually, it will become too plentiful and heavy on us and will hurt us in the longer term. If we let it go through us faster, it will better as keeping the minimum hurtful thoughts in us will make our mind cleaner and have more space for positive thoughts.

Just imagine, if we let the rubbish clogged our drain, the rubbish will pile up and the dirty water will accumulate and make the surrounding smelly and dirty.  Remove the rubbish and the  dirty water will flow and the smell will be less and the water will be cleaner.  If we are aware of this logic, we will happier and brighter.

Namaste.




Saturday, April 19, 2014

Bon Ton heritage villas ,langkawi

Bon Ton Heritage villas, Langkawi


The villas is about 60 to 100 years old and was formerly a Malay village but taken over by some westerners to convert into a heritage resort for boarding and food.

The attap houses were old outside but was renovated internally but maintaining the mystic and charm of a Malay home. There were a number of villas and each have a different name and interior. Each interior have all the luxuries of a modern home ie Aircon, fridge, TV, wifi, etc

The toiletries is of good qualities and the bath room is under the open sky with wooden fences surrounding it. It is like living in the wild surrounded by open fields and ponds. During raining season , the villas will be like rising above the water.  If you like nature and absolute quietness, you will love this place. It is like back to nature.

The rental is about 200 US$ per nite on Saturday and Sunday and on public holidays but there are off season discounts which will be given on inquiry.

Despite the pricey rental, it is a good experience for everyone who likes nature and special experiences.
My family told me it is abit pricey but I told them the experience will be very valuable.

Namaste.

Flying off to Langkawi 。 

Flying to Lang...

Now sitting at the airport waiting for my flight to Langkawi to see my daughter. She has gone there to work for a week now and I don't know what have become of her. Fatter, darker or slimmer. Not sure , I hope it is always better. The flight is only takes 35 minutes.

The airport is quite empty . Well , maybe it is on a rest day. I read a report that MAS suffers 30% eduction in bookings after the MH370 especially from China. This is a natural re-action because after a month now and there is no news on MH370. There is no closure the families of the passenger and crew.  All the wrong running around and incompetencies.

I reached Langkawi at 3.05pm and my daughter pick me up at almost instantly. The weather was hot and the crowd was reasonably large.

My wife and I visited my daughter's living quarter in a condo and we proceed to visit Danna Hotel. This 5 star hotel looks like E&O in Penang . Spartan look, white colonial background . I was told that it has the largest swimming pool on the island and it is only 4 years old. The setting was very good and it is located next to a marina. Very well set up and it should be one of the most beautiful hotel on the island. Their room rate is minimum 500 US$ per nite.

I would want to stay in this hotel one day when there is a off peak discount.

After that we proceed back to Bon Ton chalet and will wait for dinner.

Namaste.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

The death of the Jelutong Tiger - Karpal Singh

I was dumbfounded this morning when I heard the news that Karpal Singh was killed in an accident. I stumble for the news and I read it with a very sad heart.  He is the MP for my area and I have been his supporter for the past few elections. Why ? Is this a political ploy or an accident ? There have been many such accidental deaths including the MH370 and the ferry incident in Korea where hundreds were killed. Tears started to swell in my eyes as I read the re-actions in the news.

I supported him because he is fearless and most outspoken on many issues and he fights for justice including the dirty plot to smear DS Anwar through the use of sodomy.  I have great respect for this man and I think is a man of great principles.  What happen to the country and the political landscape now without him?  There are many others who speak very openly but he is the most daring of them all.

He has spoken against unfair elections, the abuse of power, the suspicious prison deaths, he has defended many prisoner facing death sentence, the ROS,  the interpretation of racial rights in the constitution and most of all the several sodomy case against DS Anwar.  He died with a sedition case over his head and was find RM4,000 and is expected to be boot out of the Parliament.

He has been jailed  as a poltiical prisoner together with LKS , LGE and Mat Sabu and has very strong bond with each other. 

I must say that he is a great man who have walk through this earth during my time and it is very fortunate to grace his greatness.  I believe everything is fated and it is so unfortunate that his time have come. He is only 75 years old and could have many good years ahead to defend the rights of the Rakyat.

Everyone have a purpose in life and I think he has his higher purpose to change the life of many people and also the fate of the Country.  I think he has server his purpose well. So, RIP .. Karpal..

Namaste.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

There is something we should not be doing

1. You spend too much time doing things you shouldn’t be doing.

Video games. Reality TV. Surfing the ‘net. Stuffing your face with too much food. Drinking too much. And the list goes on. Take a serious look at your life. Where are you spending the majority of your time? And does it serve you well? Is it leading to a better life? Is it laying the foundation for a bright future? If not, then you need to reevaluate your routine activities and make changes.

2. You find yourself complaining a lot.

I know people who are constantly overwhelmed with life, and they never cease to tell me. Are you one of those people? Do you complain about your job, your boss, your salary, your neighbors or your spouse? If you do, then you are doing nothing but exuding negative energy. Negativity doesn’t change things. It keeps you stuck. So change your thoughts and talk about what you appreciate about your life, not what you don’t like.

3. You don’t feed your mind.

If you’re not continually growing and learning as a person, then you are stagnant – just like a still pond that doesn’t move and grows green gunk on it. That’s what your mind does if you don’t keep it active and learn new things. Positive challenges in your life will expand your mind, not send it backwards.

4. You have a lot of negative self-talk.

Self-talk can make or break your life. As Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t… either way, you’re right.” If you tell yourself that you’re not smart enough to get that promotion or start a business, then you’re right. If you tell yourself you’re too exhausted to put effort into changing your life, then you’re right. Whatever you tell yourself becomes your reality. So closely monitor what you say to yourself, because you will find that your life matches your thoughts.

5. You feel uninspired.

Do you have a passion for anything? I know a lot of people who think they don’t have a passion. But that’s never the case. There has to be something that you enjoy doing. So you need to rediscover what excites you, and then do more of it.

6. You don’t plan for your future.

While it’s always great to live in the “now” and “be in the moment,” sometimes you need to look ahead to see where you want to go. If you don’t have a goal or a plan, then you are like a boat that is wandering aimlessly in the ocean hoping to end up somewhere good. But you can’t do that. You have to make a step-by-step guide to get where you want to go. Just like a GPS gets you to a destination, you need your own inner GPS to guide you.

7. You spend too much time with people who don’t contribute to your growth.

It’s easy to get stuck hanging out with people who are not making you feel like a better person. But if you keep doing that, then you will stay stagnant or get pulled down with them. I like to call them “Energy Vampires.” They suck the life out of you and give you nothing positive in return. Instead, go find growth-oriented people to be around.

8. You’re addicted to your phone.

Sure, cell phones are super cool gadgets that can leave us entranced when we use them. While that’s fun, think about all the time you are wasting with your phone. Even worse, think about all the relationships that might be affected. Maybe you’re texting or searching the internet while you’re having dinner with your spouse or kids. If you are, you’re missing out on meaningful time you can spend with your loved ones – or time you could devote to making a plan for your future.

9. You spend money on things that don’t matter.

There is a difference between a “need” and a “want.” I’m sure we all learned that in kindergarten. However, in today’s society, we have blurred the lines quite a bit (see #8… the cell phone). In fact, I know people who can’t pay their mortgage, but still have the fanciest gadgets on the planet. If you stop to think about it, there is very little that we actually need. Food, water, shelter and love are some of those things. All the rest are just bonuses. So look at what you’re spending your money on and see if you can make adjustments. Maybe you can use the money you save to invest in your future.

10. You don’t get enough sleep.

I’m not a medical doctor, but I have read enough books to know how vitally important sleep is. I could write 20 pages on it. But I obviously don’t have enough room in this short article. Sleep is crucial for good health. If you’re too busy to get enough sleep or if you simply have a bad habit of staying up until the wee hours of the morning, you should re-evaluate your habits.

11. You’re not taking care of your body.

Not only is sleep essential to your health, so is food and exercise. I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. But eating a balanced, healthy diet and moving your body around truly does have more positive effects other than weight loss. It affects your mental attitude and overall well-being. So take a look at your diet and level of activity. You might find that making a few small changes will greatly improve your life.

12. You don’t leave your comfort zone.

I know how easy it is to live in a comfort zone. In fact, when I go to a familiar restaurant, I always order the same thing. Not because I’m afraid to try something new, but because I like the food I normally order. But that’s not the kind of comfort zone I’m talking about. I’m talking about taking a risk that will improve your life. And keep in mind, there is a difference between a “risk” and a “calculated risk.” Any risk has the possibility to be deadly, but a calculated risk is one in which you’ve weighed all options and thus come up with a good, sensible plan of action.

13. You’re living a life you don’t like.

The way I measure success is by someone’s level of happiness. Are you happy? If not, then you should change something! Even a feeling of contentment or satisfaction doesn’t tell you that you’re living life to the fullest. Life should be exciting! So if you’re not enjoying life, take a look at some of the changes you can make to get you to a better place.

If any of these 13 points sounded like you, don’t despair. You can make changes. But the first change you need to make is getting rid of the idea that you can’t do it. Many times, your biggest obstacle is your own thought process. So start there. Change your thinking – then change your life!

Hip Opener - I say

Yesterday, my yoga teacher asked us what do we prefer to do at the yoga session.  I suggested hip opener.  She laughed and rejected it laughing .  She thinks that I am joking with her but I was serious.  After listening carefully to what I say, she calm down and say okay.

A hip opener is a routine exercise focusing on the hip and to widen it so that the hip and  our back side can sit squarely and firmerly on the ground. I was a hard exercise and we have only did it once.  She did not believe that I want such difficult stretching exericse as I often asked for an easier routine.

This illustrate how people can preconsive our intentions.  People try to read our mind and form an opinon that either I am joking or pulling their legs. However, the routine did not turn out well as it was a painful exercise and she forgot to teach us the breathing exercise to go along with it. I did not manage to get the experience I had felt before during the routine exercise.

It is a kind of funny why people form an opinion on others ? But , I believe that human beings are unpredictable and any human experience cannot be pre-define or the end result is not controllable.

What  I am trying to say is that the options are so vast and trying to read a person's decision is very difficult. But , I am not saying that it is impossible. When we put a rat in a maze and each time, we ring a bell, the rate will run through the maze in the same pattern to the food.  This is called mental control by creating a pattern.  However, we maybe able to hypnotize  a person or a rat but at certain point, the result could be different. For rats , it is a 100% but for human beings , the thinking and emotions could result in a different result.

If we invite a girl for a dinner for 10 times, it maybe a "no" for 10 times or a "yes" for 10 times and it also can be any number between "0" and "10".  The number of factors is very variable and unpredictable.

So, never think that , it can be never, never and never for ever.

Namaste.

Lunch with Sun Tze Khoe

I had an unexpected lunch  with Sun Tze Master Khoe Keng Hor.  It was really a surprise when my boss called me to join the lunch.  He told me that we will be meeting God for lunch and I know what he mean.  Mr Khoe always wear  white and God always appear in white.. But, this time he appear in white short pants with his naked sexy legs. What happen to him ??

I asked him why he is in shorts and he told me that he is having  a back massage after lunch.  A massage after lunch ? Ow , fantastic arrangements ?  A full stomach for the massage. Unbelievable.

Nevertheless, one of the topic is MH310.   He is the opinion that this is a US CIA operation for something valuable to USA and the plane was left to crash after getting the items.  He said that the Malaysian Government should engage 007 James bond in the first place and the case will be resolved very soon. There was a film called " live another day" where the rocket was intercepted and James bond managed to solve the case. Why spend so much time in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean... Just sent for " Your Mejesty Service 007".

Another interesting case was his recent experience.  One day, he visited a coffee shop for lunch and the shop was very hot and he suggested to the owner to break down the wall to let teh air circulate and dig two holes to plan two green plants there but the owner rejected him. So, he shut up and went home.

After a month or so, he went back to the shop and he was very happy that the owner followed his advise. So, he called the owner and boast about his advise but the owner told him that he did follow his advise but instead engage a fung shui master to check his shop and teh fung shui master told him that his shop have very bad chi because his wall was resting on a dragon  and the dragon is unable to move freely. So after he break down the wall, the dragon was released and the chi become better. As for the two holes in front of the shop, the spots  is actually the eyes of the dragon and the trees are its eye brows.  After digging the two holes, the dragon now can see and the shop becomes more positive and attracts more customs.  He told me that to sell an idea, it is better to sell it with fantacies rather than honesty... we had a good laugh.

Another subject was on sex.  He said that he is not interested in sex but rather he enjoyed  the thrill to attract the oppersite sex and the fore play.  After ejeculation, he feel hopeless and tired. So , he prefer to keep the strength.  He told me that he will call me to do the final part in the future if I want to.  Haiyoo.... how can he do that ???? changing partners at the final spot.  So, I must be watching and waiting to do that ... what a waste.

We parted with a heavy stomach and a good time.  I really missed this guy.  Good talking skill and dramatic as well.  What a wonderful fella.

Namaste.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

A Fool's Game.

The street bulls

Today I have encountered a few bulls on the street. I was visiting my mum in laws cemetery at western road this morning and after the prayer as I was driving through the one lane road out of the cemetery, one car came in the Oppersite direction and refused to move. I stood my grounds and one young man jump out and asked me to reverse.

I stood my grounds firmly and he kept cursing and asked me to be considerate. I told him I cannot reverse because the roads are long and winding  and I asked him to back up to the side and let me pass through. By this time , the driver also poked out his head and asked me to reverse and I told him that this is a one way lane  and did he see the road sign? He told me that he did not see the sign. One of the cemetery worker intervene and asked him to reverse and he keep refusing . I stood my grounds and he keep staring at me and finally he reverse to the side and let me through. I give him a thumb up sign. He look so stupid and I hope God have taught him a lesson. If we are in the wrong , we have to listen for an answer and not to bulldozed our way through.

The next incident happen in the afternoon as I was waiting for my brother and sister at the lorong Kulit flea market. One Honda Accord driven by a lady driver at high speed into a one lane lorong and was forced to  park by the road side by on-coming cars and  during the break in the traffic she just drove forward to a side road and reverse back in the right directions amidst the cursing and swearing by the pedestrians. I was shaking my head while sitting in my car amazed at the stupid act of the lady driver. She could have reverse backward instead of continuing to antagonize the traders and shoppers there.

The stupid acts by these two drivers is amazing and illustrate  how people can re-act in this situation ie pointing fingers at other people instead of taking an logical way to resolve a problem. What have the world become ? Nuts.

Namaste.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Karma: The four wives (ext)

Karma (The Four Wives)

“In one of the Agama Sutras, the Buddha’s early sermons, there is a very interesting story:

Once there was a man who had four wives. According to the social system and circumstances of ancient India, it was possible for a man to have several wives. Also, during the Heian period in Japan, about a thousand years ago, it was not unusual for a woman to have several husbands. The Indian had become ill and was about to die. At the end of his life, he felt very lonely and so asked the first wife to accompany him to the other world.

‘My dear wife,’ he said, ‘I loved you day and night, I took care of you throughout my whole life. Now I am about to die, will you please go with me wherever I go after my death?’

He expected her to answer yes. But she answered, ‘My dear husband, I know you always loved me. And you are going to die. Now it is time to separate from you. Goodbye, my dear.’

He called his second wife to his sickbed and begged her to follow him in death. He said, ‘My dear second wife, you know how I loved you. Sometimes I was afraid you might leave me, but I held on to you strongly. My dear, please come with me.’

The second wife expressed herself rather coldly. ‘Dear husband, your first wife refused to accompany you after your death. How can I follow you? You loved me only for your own selfish sake.’

Lying in his deathbed, he called his third wife, and asked her to follow him. The third wife replied, with tears in her eyes, ‘My dear, I pity you and I feel sad for myself. Therefore I shall accompany you to the graveyard. This is my last duty to you.’ The third wife thus also refused to follow him to death.

Three wives had refused to follow him after his death. Now he recalled that there was another wife, his fourth wife, for whom he didn’t care very much. He had treated her like a slave and had always showed much displeasure with her. He now thought that if he asked her to follow him to death, she certainly would say no.
But his loneliness and fear were so severe that he made the effort to ask her to accompany him to the other world. The fourth wife gladly accepted her husband’s request.

‘My dear husband,’ she said, ‘I will go with you. Whatever happens, I am determined to be with you forever. I cannot be separated from you.”

This is the story of ‘A Man and His Four Wives.’

Gautama Buddha concluded the story as follows:
‘Every man and woman has four wives or husbands. What do these wives signify?’

THE FIRST WIFE
The first ‘wife’ is our body. We love our body day and night. In the morning, we wash our face, put on clothing and shoes. We give food to our body. We take care of our body like the first wife in this story. But unfortunately, at the end of our life, the body, the first ‘wife’ cannot follow us to the next world. As it is stated in a commentary, ‘When the last breath leaves our body, the healthy color of the face is transformed, and we lose the appearance of radiant life. Our loved ones may gather around and lament, but to no avail. When such an event occurs, the body is sent into an open field and cremated, leaving only the white ashes.’ This is the destination of our body.

THE SECOND WIFE
What is the meaning of the second wife? The second ‘wife’ stands for our fortune, our material things, money, property, fame, position, and job that we worked hard to attain. We are attached to these material possessions. We are afraid to lose these material things and wish to possess much more. There is no limit. At the end of our life these things cannot follow us to death. Whatever fortune we have piled up, we must leave it. We came into this world with empty hands. During our life in this world, we have the illusion that we obtained a fortune. At death, our hands are empty. We can’t hold our fortune after our death, just as the second wife told her husband: ‘You hold me with your ego-centered selfishness. Now it is time to say goodbye.’

THE THIRD WIFE
What is meant by the third wife? Everyone has a third ‘wife’. This is the relationship of our parents, sister and brother, all relatives, friends, and society. They will go as far as the graveyard, with tears in their eyes. They are sympathetic and saddened…

Thus, we cannot depend on our physical body, our fortune, and our society. We are born alone and we die alone. No one will accompany us after our death.

THE FOURTH WIFE
Sakyamuni Buddha mentioned the fourth wife, who would accompany her husband after his death. What does that mean? The fourth ‘wife’ is our mind [or Alaya consciousness]. When we deeply observe and recognize that our minds are filled with anger, greed, and dissatisfaction, we are having a good look at our lives. The anger, greed, and dissatisfaction are karma, the law of causation. We cannot be separated from our own karma. As the fourth wife told her dying husband, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’”

Noor & Dean Cafe, Noordin Street,Penang..

Noor & Dean Cafe, Noordin Street, Penang

I was at the cafe today after my morning yoga session and it was not difficult to find. The concept was a good one serving Malay food in a Chinese heritage houses. The cafe occupied two heritage houses and it offers a non Aircon section and an Aircon section. Like all the heritage joints , it keeps the structure intact but with a new fresh of setup internally. The cafe offers 5 rooms for lodging and it ranges between RM300 to Rm35O per room  inclusive of free breakfast for two.

We sat in the Aircon section and I ordered a gado gado and a Char Koay Teow while my wife ordered a latte and a sandwich. We were surprise at the big portion of food. I enjoyed the gado gado which is a variety of vegetables, Tufo, eggs etc served with ground but source or satay source while the sandwich looks normal and the char Koay teow was with three big prawns and looks delicious.
The gado gado was very tasty and soft uwhile the char Koay teow was excellent. The latte was so-so and the price of the food was about Rm60 for two.

For me, it is another good experience having visit the places which was close to my heart as a child. I had a friend staying close by and I was frequently in his house when I was playing in a band when I was young. There were so many find memories.

To my readers , it will be a good experience eating Malay food in a China town.

Namaste.

Friday, April 11, 2014

On her way to a new experience

A new experience.

Today my daughter is going to Langkawi to start work in a 5 star hotel. I have insisted to follow her but she rejected me saying that she has already grown and do not like  me to baby sit her. I was upset but she got a point . She have been very independent since young.

I kept wondering how is she having to travel to Kuala Perlis and board a ferry to Langkawi. It will be an hour  and a half driving and another hour and half on the ferry.  Ow! Almost can reach KL. She is stubborn and I have to back off. I am quite confident that she can manage it as she has been to the island many times and many friends there. I am thinking if visiting her next week before my African trip.

Well, having see her growing up and finished her college diploma was a contentment and she told me that she needs to work to get the experience before going for her degree. There is hurry for her and I feel that she is right I her decision as there should not be any need to rush through education. LIfe is on a whole is a learning experience. So take it gradually and be happy.

In life , we travel to many places, meeting many people and experiencing many achievements or disappointments and this is pat of growing up. There is no need to be angry or sad. Time will heal and tomorrow is another day.

The other day my yoga teacher suddenly say that she believe that we are spiritual beings having human experience and I counter her that another thinking is we are human beings having spiritual experience. The difference between this two thinking is the concept of re-birth. If we are human being then we live for one life time but I we believe that we are spiritual beings then we we live life many times over.

Well, this is a debatable subject and let's leave for another day. To my daughter M, just enjoy your life and be happy.
You have to create your destiny.

Namaste.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Count your blessings

Count your blessings

Most of the times we think of the negative things that happen to us. We just curse and swear at the slightest unlucky things that happen to us. But, we forget that some people is breathing their last breath while we are breathing.

If we quiet down and start to count our blessings then we know how lucky we are and we never realize it. We can start walk , eat well and sleep well and we are free as a bird and can do whatever we like as compared to many which do not have all these blessings and still live happily.

I read a book where the author who start his day by been thankful for his peaceful sleep, thankful for his ability to live another day and thankful for every little things that his body can do after he wake up from his sleep. His appreciation and thankful attitude make him happy that he is still alive and well. This attitude is very important for us to live another second.

The majority of the people struggle through life without realizing the appreciation to be blessed and taking everything  for granted. Their  next breath will be coming, they will fall asleep and they will eat wells. People live through their life illusively and in their "take for granted" life. Their unappreciative attitude makes them live through life plainly and painfully. They have no purpose in life. Nothing is special and there is no blessing in life.

When we go into ripe old age, then we will no such time of taking things for granted. We may not eat  well,sleep well or walk well and the whole body is feeling that it a falling apart.

We better realized the blessings and live each day as it's last will make life more meaningful and you will realize that each step, each breath and each bite is a blessing to us.

Namaste

Hurt feelings

Friendship or relationship can be very fragile and we are easily hurt by failed projects or relationships.  Why is it that it has to happen this way ?  If we failed in our projects, it has to be for a reason and there is no need to be angry about it.  Blaming each other or scolding cannot make the project revive or be successful. The fact is that it has failed and we should part ways gracefully.

When a project whether it is a business or personal matters failed, we are always protective of ourselves and we start to   point fingers at each other to draw the blame away from us. We are always pure and right or perfect  and this is the failure of others to be blame.

Hey, wait for a moment.  Why can't we calm down and also take the blame for the failures ? Is it so bad to swallow our pride and hurt our ego ?  We are imperfect beings and we have to accept the fact. We cannot always put our head in the sand and escape the fact. It is very normal to live in this fake and illusive world and believe that we are perfect.

It is better to realize that and keep the relationship and don't let our sensitive self to control us.  Of course, it is more comfortable to point fingers at others and this is the easiest way out of any failed projects and relationship.

I have make a mistake in my life , holding on to my pride and denied a good friendship.  I should exercise tolerance and acceptance of my imperfection to save that relationship and we should have remained good friends.  But, it is my own selfish need to have the full attention or possession of the person's dedication while blow out the good friendship. If I have acted in another way, it would have been better.  This selfish act will be my regret for the rest of my life,

So I call on good friends that we should not let  money, pride or own selfish needs spoilt our good relationships.  We have to calm down, kill our pride and swallow of ego to preserve whatever good memories of each other and to keep the friendship fire burning.

Namaste.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

My evening yacht ride in Penang.

My yoga yacht ride from SQ,Penang

Out of the blues,my yoga teacher organized a photo session on a yacht  which starts off at 4.30 pm today. The fare was at a discount rate because it has mutual sales promotion for both parties.

The yacht  was parked At the Straits Quay marine and it has the capacity of 12 guest. Nothing more.

The yacht  was piloted by a US citizen pilot who is residing in Hong Kong and is  on a holiday in Penang. He has offered this chartered service after sailing his yacht from Hong Kong to Penang for 5 days. A wonderful fella and his assistant is a UK citizen who love Penang very much and have lived in the island for the past five years. A nice fella as well.  If he is not around, he offered a local captain while his able UK assistant will manage the charter.

His offering RM700 for 12 pax for an hour and 75% discounts for children.
His service is available 7 days a week.

It is a wonderful experience looking at the island from the sea. You will realized how beautiful is the island and how much you have missed.  The tall buildings that line the shoreline and the bright colored lights lifting up the whole island at night. The open sky and the calm sea as the boat eased along the different spots on the island.

I was so amazed with the joy that gathers in me as the journey progress. Sometimes, the yaht will hit a rough spot and sway violently but I enjoyed these surprises as well. We stopped at a spot in the sea facing the Jelutong  express way and my fellow yogis took some candid shots on their yoga poses.

It was a three hours ride and it was a wonderful experience. Heavy rain fell when we reach the marina and  departed with a heavy heart. I told myself that I shall return with more relatives and friends to share this joy with them.

Thank you, Guru. Namaste.

Reality in old age - a joke?

Reality in old age

Two  elderly gentlemenfrom a  retirement center were sitting on a bench under a tree when  one turns to the other and says: 'Slim, I'm 83 years old now  and I'm just full of aches and pains. I know you're about my age. How do you  feel?'

Slim  says, 'I feel just like a newborn baby.'

'Really!?  Like a newborn baby!?'
'Yep.  No hair, no teeth, and I think I just wet my  pants.
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Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Wonderful quotes - Happiness

Some quotes  really make you happy:

Do whatever makes you happ
Be with who makes you smile
Laugh as much as you breath
And  love as much as you live.

Namaste

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Freedom of expression

Lately, the MH370 episode throw out alot of unnecessary expression from MCA and NGOs calling on the public to refrain from expressing their views on the on-growing investigation of MH370's disappearance.

Why ?  I think this is a stage of denial or uncalled for support from the Political parties and NGOs and I think most of them is having their own agendas and maybe this is the kind of defence which is installed in our system or culture. The call for less vocal expression means a suppression of the rights of the people.

I am particularly concern when Ex- MCA leaders like  Dato CD Chua and the current MCA President Dato CD Liow call on the Opposition and Rakyat not to politicize or criticize the Government.  I wonder how they think they can have the power or persuasive strength to stop the people's expression. Yet, they put on a brave face to speak up.  What kind of mentality do these people have?  Just to be heard , so that they can be rewarded or they can asked for more positions ?  Naive.

The Merdeka Research Centre found that 50% of the people interviewed blame the Government for the lack of transparency or have done a bad job while 43% is in favor for the Government.  It is so co-incidental that the split is the same as the GE13 election result. I doubt the randoming sample by this research centre and it is almost predictable.

Frankly, I think the Government have done a bad job in the MH370 for lack of transparency, delay releasing of data , wrong use of communication channel , refused to update the Opposition party members, everybody issuing their own statements and without any coordination and finally, the lack of result on the search.

I read that the acting minister of transport , Hisham got all the lime lights from the international press but I think it is for all the wrong reasons.  I do not understand why the local press is saying that he become a international known personality and I don't agree is good for him.  This kind of bad image and publicity will go into mind of the public and when people see him, they see MH370 on his face. How can that be good ?  Stupid writers who paint a picture of the whole incident.  Wake up , fellas. 
I don't think you know what you are talking about?

This is the mockery of the whole situation and until today, there is a theory that MH370 fell into the sea intact and is lying deep bottom of the Indian Ocean.  Sorry, fellas but I hope this is not true and the truth should prevail.

Namaste.