I haven't seen jack for a long time. I think he should be demi-god by now. I always enjoy his class as he pay special attention to stretch my pose to the maximum. He actually opens up my joints and stretch my muscles. His class is interesting and at times, strange.
I have attended a few of his special sessions ie open your heart session, tap the universal power, opening up our chakras, receiving energy from above and dragging it through our system, giving curing lights to our sick friends and many many more. One of the session, he asked us to meditate and strengthen our aura and he put his hands a few inches from his head and he try to feel the energy coming out from the top of our head. I don't feel anything despite I strictly followed his instructions and sometimes, I pretend that I feel it too. Why others can feel it, I cannot? shameful, right ?
But, the simple exercise like "opening our heart" is a very good exercise. For this practice, we lie down flat on the floor and we place our right hand on top of our heart and we call out softly " open our heart" repeatedly and let our heart sink into us. By relaxing our heart, we will be able to untie the thousand knots which makes us lighter and more relax. This is like untiring all our bondage which we have added on our life as we grow up and pass through the different phase in our life. We will be more happier and more peaceful in our life.
Another good exercise is reducing our thoughts. According to yoga, we have about 50,000 thoughts going through our head each day. Just imagine you manually switch on and off your light bulbs. Not only, the lights will blow and switch will also be spoilted. Jack will give each of us a candle and will asked us to light the candle and put it infront of us and then we will concentrate our attention on the top of the candle light. That part of the candle light is the hottest and is blue in color. By focusing our mind on the flame, we can empty the thoughts in our head and if we can reduce the number of thoughts going through our head, we will feel refreshed or re-energized. If we can reduce our thoughts to one thought a day, we will be full of energy and will be brighter than a light bulb.
If we can attain such level of awareness and consciousnes, our mind and body will merged as one and it will strengthen our aura and will promote great awareness, great compassion and loving kindness to all lving beings. Another great teacher will be born....
Namaste.
Another
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Leap day - 29th Feb : A special day indeed
SMillions to mark rare Leap Day birthday on February 29
Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:10PM EST
By Barbara Goldberg
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Some people devote their lives to ending world hunger, some to lifting children from poverty, and still others to getting Leap Day the respect it deserves.
The cause may seem frivolous but it is not the least bit trivial to leapers, those born on February 29, a date that appears on calendars once every four or sometimes eight years.
Leapers face a range of troubles over their birthdays, from computer snafus to police suspicion during traffic stops to hearing about delivery room negotiations to alter their birth certificate to a day earlier or a day later.
"I've had people tell me to my face, 'Who cares?'" said Raenell Dawn, who with Peter Brouwer in 1997 created The Honor Society for Leap Year Day Babies. The online club for people born on February 29 boasts more than 9,000 members.
"I'll tell you who cares. One in 1,461 of us do," Dawn said, citing the chance to be born on Leap Day. There are just over 200,000 leapers in the United States and just under 5 million worldwide, she said.
Lest non-leapers dismiss leapers' complaints, leapers point out that salaried employees are working for free this February 29 since paychecks are based on a 365-day year.
February 29 is not recognized by some computer services and software programs that power everything from banking to life insurance, Brouwer said.
"Leap year deniers claim February 29 is an invalid date," said Brouwer, who said he was told by Crown Life Insurance Co. that March 1 had to be listed on his policy because the company's computer system balked at his February 29 birthday.
EIGHT LONG YEARS
Leap Day has tripped up Google, whose Blogger program will not allow existing users born on February 29 to update their profiles, an annoyance to leapers who use social media. A Google spokesman said the company plans to fix the glitch.
Leap years occur every four years, except those ending in double zeros, such as 1900 and 2100, said Geoff Chester, a spokesman for the United States Naval Observatory.
To confuse matters, there is an exception to that exception: Years ending in double zeros that can be evenly divided by 400, such as 1600 and 2000, are in fact leap years.
Microsoft's Excel, the world's most popular spreadsheet, doesn't realize that 1900 was not a leap year and as a result myriad other companies' programs, in order to be compatible, have had to put the error in their code. Microsoft has no plans to correct the mistake because "fixing it now would cause greater impact to customers," a company spokeswoman said.
Because there is no leap year in 2100, anyone born this February 29 who lives a long life will have no birthday from 2096 to 2104.
"Eight years is a long time not to have a birthday," Brouwer said in an email statement illustrated by a sad-faced emoticon.
These mathematical gymnastics have been executed since about 44 B.C., when Julius Caesar instituted the leap year system to correct a defect in the calendar that would otherwise put the seasons out of sync, said Chester, whose great-grandfather Rear Admiral Colby Chester was born on February 29, 1844.
SWEET 16 AT AGE 64
Because of their quadrennial birthdate, leapers have been known to invite people to their Sweet 16 party to mark their 64th year, Brouwer said.
"It's my 20th birthday but I'm going to be 80 years old," said Mary Ann Brown, born February 29, 1932. She is founder of the Worldwide Leap Year Festival, held every fourth year since 1988 in Anthony, a town straddling the border of New Mexico and Texas.
Dawn and Brouwer's activism to right Leap Day wrongs has included lobbying calendar companies to mark it as a notable day, like New Year's, and prodding Facebook to clear the block on February 29 as a birthdate on its user profile pages.
Facebook complied, but the calendar effort has so far been largely unsuccessful, they said.
"We're not curing cancer or stopping world wars but it still is a significant thing that needs to be addressed. It does affect the whole world," Dawn said.
For most people, February 29 is a quirky extra day to enjoy life but for at least one person it's Doomsday. Arizona death row inmate Robert Henry Moormann, 63, is scheduled to be executed on Leap Day for beating, stabbing and strangling his adoptive mother and dismembering her body during a "compassionate furlough" from prison to visit her in 1984.
(Reporting by Barbara Goldberg; Editing by Paul Thomasch)
Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:10PM EST
By Barbara Goldberg
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Some people devote their lives to ending world hunger, some to lifting children from poverty, and still others to getting Leap Day the respect it deserves.
The cause may seem frivolous but it is not the least bit trivial to leapers, those born on February 29, a date that appears on calendars once every four or sometimes eight years.
Leapers face a range of troubles over their birthdays, from computer snafus to police suspicion during traffic stops to hearing about delivery room negotiations to alter their birth certificate to a day earlier or a day later.
"I've had people tell me to my face, 'Who cares?'" said Raenell Dawn, who with Peter Brouwer in 1997 created The Honor Society for Leap Year Day Babies. The online club for people born on February 29 boasts more than 9,000 members.
"I'll tell you who cares. One in 1,461 of us do," Dawn said, citing the chance to be born on Leap Day. There are just over 200,000 leapers in the United States and just under 5 million worldwide, she said.
Lest non-leapers dismiss leapers' complaints, leapers point out that salaried employees are working for free this February 29 since paychecks are based on a 365-day year.
February 29 is not recognized by some computer services and software programs that power everything from banking to life insurance, Brouwer said.
"Leap year deniers claim February 29 is an invalid date," said Brouwer, who said he was told by Crown Life Insurance Co. that March 1 had to be listed on his policy because the company's computer system balked at his February 29 birthday.
EIGHT LONG YEARS
Leap Day has tripped up Google, whose Blogger program will not allow existing users born on February 29 to update their profiles, an annoyance to leapers who use social media. A Google spokesman said the company plans to fix the glitch.
Leap years occur every four years, except those ending in double zeros, such as 1900 and 2100, said Geoff Chester, a spokesman for the United States Naval Observatory.
To confuse matters, there is an exception to that exception: Years ending in double zeros that can be evenly divided by 400, such as 1600 and 2000, are in fact leap years.
Microsoft's Excel, the world's most popular spreadsheet, doesn't realize that 1900 was not a leap year and as a result myriad other companies' programs, in order to be compatible, have had to put the error in their code. Microsoft has no plans to correct the mistake because "fixing it now would cause greater impact to customers," a company spokeswoman said.
Because there is no leap year in 2100, anyone born this February 29 who lives a long life will have no birthday from 2096 to 2104.
"Eight years is a long time not to have a birthday," Brouwer said in an email statement illustrated by a sad-faced emoticon.
These mathematical gymnastics have been executed since about 44 B.C., when Julius Caesar instituted the leap year system to correct a defect in the calendar that would otherwise put the seasons out of sync, said Chester, whose great-grandfather Rear Admiral Colby Chester was born on February 29, 1844.
SWEET 16 AT AGE 64
Because of their quadrennial birthdate, leapers have been known to invite people to their Sweet 16 party to mark their 64th year, Brouwer said.
"It's my 20th birthday but I'm going to be 80 years old," said Mary Ann Brown, born February 29, 1932. She is founder of the Worldwide Leap Year Festival, held every fourth year since 1988 in Anthony, a town straddling the border of New Mexico and Texas.
Dawn and Brouwer's activism to right Leap Day wrongs has included lobbying calendar companies to mark it as a notable day, like New Year's, and prodding Facebook to clear the block on February 29 as a birthdate on its user profile pages.
Facebook complied, but the calendar effort has so far been largely unsuccessful, they said.
"We're not curing cancer or stopping world wars but it still is a significant thing that needs to be addressed. It does affect the whole world," Dawn said.
For most people, February 29 is a quirky extra day to enjoy life but for at least one person it's Doomsday. Arizona death row inmate Robert Henry Moormann, 63, is scheduled to be executed on Leap Day for beating, stabbing and strangling his adoptive mother and dismembering her body during a "compassionate furlough" from prison to visit her in 1984.
(Reporting by Barbara Goldberg; Editing by Paul Thomasch)
Beware of financial scams - report in Japan
880,000 pensions hit by Japan investment scandal
Money | Updated today at 04:35 PM
TOKYO (AFP) - A growing scandal around an investment company that has lost US$2.3 billion (S$2.89 billion) has affected pensions for up to 880,000 people, Japan's government said on Tuesday.
AIJ Investment Advisers has reportedly been lying to clients for years, boasting of annual returns of up to 240 per cent while in fact 185 billion yen (S$2.88 billion) in pension investments has melted away.
The company's operations were suspended last week and the government ordered a probe of 260 asset management firms nationwide after allegations that most of the money in its care had disappeared.
The scandal has shocked Japan, where a rapidly ageing middle class population is increasingly looking to private pension funds, while the state retirement pot also struggles due to gross mismanagement of its own.
Money | Updated today at 04:35 PM
TOKYO (AFP) - A growing scandal around an investment company that has lost US$2.3 billion (S$2.89 billion) has affected pensions for up to 880,000 people, Japan's government said on Tuesday.
AIJ Investment Advisers has reportedly been lying to clients for years, boasting of annual returns of up to 240 per cent while in fact 185 billion yen (S$2.88 billion) in pension investments has melted away.
The company's operations were suspended last week and the government ordered a probe of 260 asset management firms nationwide after allegations that most of the money in its care had disappeared.
The scandal has shocked Japan, where a rapidly ageing middle class population is increasingly looking to private pension funds, while the state retirement pot also struggles due to gross mismanagement of its own.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Unlearn to learn - a painful experience
Yesterday's yoga lesson was a very difficult session. My teacher,M have just got back from KL from a refresher course to improve yoga techniques and she review a major shift in one of pose. The pose have been taught to me for more than 4 years and the difference is pushing our shoulders in instead of pushing it out and let our heart melt and soften to the heart. It is only a small adjustment but it was so difficult to follow. The previous pose has become of our routine and mental habit.
Human nature can be trained and we could brainwash ourselves if the message is repeated again and again or a process have been repeatedly done for a long time. I remembered of a test by a laboratory scientist. I do not remembered his name already. He put rat in a cage and he makes several different passage ways and let the rat run through all the passage ways which could lead the rat running in circles or to dead ends and only one path that leads to food at the end of the cage. At certain time of the day, he will ring a bell for food and for the first few times, the rat got lost but he guide it a long to the food area. After repeating this steps numerous times, the rat was able to find the correct path to the food. And at each bell, the rat will run towards the food area and eat its food. The ringing of the bell makes the rat hungry and it will automatically run through the same path to the food. After a few years, by ringing of the bell, the rat will run to the food area even if there is not the time for food. This is human nature, it develops mental habits and routine. A creature of habits and comforts.
The same applies to the yoga pose. When the teacher say "down dove", we will just move into that position and it becomes a nature re-action. Now, we have to break the habit and move our body to a different pose. The unlearning process is so difficult especially when your body is of a certain age. Young people or beginners are more adjustable and correctible. For me, it will take a long time to adjust and to unlearn.
I have written an article about a business man who seeks the help of his Master to solve a business problem. He went up the mountains to visit his Master and on reaching, he saw his Master drinking tea at his meditation site. He greed his Master and took a seat by side him. He told his Master his problem and he had failed to resolve his problem. He has used his usual ways to handle the problem but it could not be resolved. His Master did not say a word and took a cup and place infront of the businessman and he starts to pour tea into his cup. The Master did not stop pouring the tea into the cup even if the tea was over flowing and the businessman gets excited and told the Master to stop. But, the Master did not say a word and after awhile stop and asked the businessman to go home and think about it. The businessman was very surprise and he thanked his Master and went home. He thought about the incident and could not get the meaning for a long while. The next morning, he repeated the action himself , pouring the tea from his teapot. Finally, he realized the message. What is the message ?
The message is to pour away the tea that is filling the cup before we pour in the tea. We need to empty the cup that is full before we fill another cup. The meaning is if our mind is full of tea and we keep pouring tea in it , the fresh tea will not go in. The tea already in the cup can no longer accept the fresh bout of tea. So, we have to empty off the tea and get fresh tea or idea to handle the problem. If our mind if full, we will only go in circles and using the usual way to solve the new problems and it may not be the solution. So, we have to unlearn what we learn and take a fresh look at the problem.
So, ringing of the bell does not mean you are hungry and we have to break away from this thoughts and really look at the situation thoroughly and with a fresh pair of eyes. We have to be aware that we are creature of habits and routines. We act on impulse and re-act based on our mental habits. We are not ourselves or the decision is not what we make but based on experience and mental habits. If you look at yourself carefully and thoroughly, you are really a walking zombie unless you break your habits and think before you act. Any spontaneously response is not you.
We have to take a page from my yoga lesson, I have to look at my pose and be aware of the changes to my body pose to realize when it has gone wrong. But, it is never too late to realize the fault and adjust it gradually.
There is a wide world outside, shift your perspective and explore yourself.
Namaste.
Human nature can be trained and we could brainwash ourselves if the message is repeated again and again or a process have been repeatedly done for a long time. I remembered of a test by a laboratory scientist. I do not remembered his name already. He put rat in a cage and he makes several different passage ways and let the rat run through all the passage ways which could lead the rat running in circles or to dead ends and only one path that leads to food at the end of the cage. At certain time of the day, he will ring a bell for food and for the first few times, the rat got lost but he guide it a long to the food area. After repeating this steps numerous times, the rat was able to find the correct path to the food. And at each bell, the rat will run towards the food area and eat its food. The ringing of the bell makes the rat hungry and it will automatically run through the same path to the food. After a few years, by ringing of the bell, the rat will run to the food area even if there is not the time for food. This is human nature, it develops mental habits and routine. A creature of habits and comforts.
The same applies to the yoga pose. When the teacher say "down dove", we will just move into that position and it becomes a nature re-action. Now, we have to break the habit and move our body to a different pose. The unlearning process is so difficult especially when your body is of a certain age. Young people or beginners are more adjustable and correctible. For me, it will take a long time to adjust and to unlearn.
I have written an article about a business man who seeks the help of his Master to solve a business problem. He went up the mountains to visit his Master and on reaching, he saw his Master drinking tea at his meditation site. He greed his Master and took a seat by side him. He told his Master his problem and he had failed to resolve his problem. He has used his usual ways to handle the problem but it could not be resolved. His Master did not say a word and took a cup and place infront of the businessman and he starts to pour tea into his cup. The Master did not stop pouring the tea into the cup even if the tea was over flowing and the businessman gets excited and told the Master to stop. But, the Master did not say a word and after awhile stop and asked the businessman to go home and think about it. The businessman was very surprise and he thanked his Master and went home. He thought about the incident and could not get the meaning for a long while. The next morning, he repeated the action himself , pouring the tea from his teapot. Finally, he realized the message. What is the message ?
The message is to pour away the tea that is filling the cup before we pour in the tea. We need to empty the cup that is full before we fill another cup. The meaning is if our mind is full of tea and we keep pouring tea in it , the fresh tea will not go in. The tea already in the cup can no longer accept the fresh bout of tea. So, we have to empty off the tea and get fresh tea or idea to handle the problem. If our mind if full, we will only go in circles and using the usual way to solve the new problems and it may not be the solution. So, we have to unlearn what we learn and take a fresh look at the problem.
So, ringing of the bell does not mean you are hungry and we have to break away from this thoughts and really look at the situation thoroughly and with a fresh pair of eyes. We have to be aware that we are creature of habits and routines. We act on impulse and re-act based on our mental habits. We are not ourselves or the decision is not what we make but based on experience and mental habits. If you look at yourself carefully and thoroughly, you are really a walking zombie unless you break your habits and think before you act. Any spontaneously response is not you.
We have to take a page from my yoga lesson, I have to look at my pose and be aware of the changes to my body pose to realize when it has gone wrong. But, it is never too late to realize the fault and adjust it gradually.
There is a wide world outside, shift your perspective and explore yourself.
Namaste.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Restful relationship - extracts from another blogger
Hi, folks. I have written a similar article about being what you can become if you mixed with the wrong people. If the people around you are positive people, you will become positive but if the reverse happens, you will become negative. There is a Chinese saying " When you are in the company of black, you will become black but if you are near white, you will become white". This the power of influence and the following article share the same philosophy. Enjoy reading it.
Restful relationships
While I was in Florida, I gave a presentation on living with conscious intention. One of my intentions is to have a more restful life. I first articulated it as "rest more" in 2010 and this year is my year of relaxation. (You can see there's a trend here.) As I was giving the presentation, I remembered an idea that had come to me about relationships, about choosing restful relationships and giving up those that aren't. I was delighted to rediscover the idea.
Restful relationships are those people who leave you calmer or energized when you have been with them. Their counterpart, the unrestful relationship, is the person who drains you or exhausts you. It doesn't really matter why that's true, whether it's an annoying habit, a tendency to talk all the time about nothing, a need to be the center of attention, a tendency to be cruel or overly apologetic. You know in your gut whether a relationship is restful for you or not.
It isn't possible to avoid all unrestful people. But we can minimize their impact on us. We can choose to not be around them or work for them or have them in our homes.
I used to think it was unkind not to like everybody. I certainly wanted everybody to like me. But I realized as I got more mature that both of those things are impossible. And I also realized that I wasn't really liking them. Instead I was pretending to like them. I definitely don't want people to pretend to like me.
I'm not advocating telling people they are unrestful, though I have done that a couple of times when pushed by the person in question. I just move them out of my circle and open up space for someone more in tune with my energies. Ahhhh!
Restful relationships
While I was in Florida, I gave a presentation on living with conscious intention. One of my intentions is to have a more restful life. I first articulated it as "rest more" in 2010 and this year is my year of relaxation. (You can see there's a trend here.) As I was giving the presentation, I remembered an idea that had come to me about relationships, about choosing restful relationships and giving up those that aren't. I was delighted to rediscover the idea.
Restful relationships are those people who leave you calmer or energized when you have been with them. Their counterpart, the unrestful relationship, is the person who drains you or exhausts you. It doesn't really matter why that's true, whether it's an annoying habit, a tendency to talk all the time about nothing, a need to be the center of attention, a tendency to be cruel or overly apologetic. You know in your gut whether a relationship is restful for you or not.
It isn't possible to avoid all unrestful people. But we can minimize their impact on us. We can choose to not be around them or work for them or have them in our homes.
I used to think it was unkind not to like everybody. I certainly wanted everybody to like me. But I realized as I got more mature that both of those things are impossible. And I also realized that I wasn't really liking them. Instead I was pretending to like them. I definitely don't want people to pretend to like me.
I'm not advocating telling people they are unrestful, though I have done that a couple of times when pushed by the person in question. I just move them out of my circle and open up space for someone more in tune with my energies. Ahhhh!
My life at this moment.....
There have been a lot of things happening for the past two years, the death of my FIL and two BIL and my brother have a by-pass. Lucky thing was my brother had a successful operation and now is recuperating at home. But, some how he has withdrawn inwards. I had a breakfast with him and my sister this morning and I felt strange as I have not really know what is going on within himself.
During the breakfast while my sister have gone to order the Tim Sum, I was alone with him. I asked him about the operation and he told me that he don't know what happen as he was in sedation during the operation. He is feeling fine and the Doctor have told him that his operation was a success but at night, he still feel some tightness in his chest. What I asked him further, he said he do not know anymore. I asked him what he likes to eat and he told me whatever. He has been using the world "whatever" very often lately. When I asked for his opinion of things, he will say "whatever".
I felt he has quiet down and as if he is still sick. I told him that the Doctor have given you a clean bill of health and you are not sick anymore. Before the operation, he was sick but now he has been cured. I try to tell him that people which have a by-pass is having a "second spring" in life. He should change his mindset that he still ill. But, of course he should be careful about his diet but he should start to think positively and start some light exercise instead of sleeping most the day and letting the wound heal.
I can understand that the operation is another dramatic experience and it can traumatize oneself into a withdrawn mode as if we are given a second lease of life. But, we can we do about it, what has happen already done and the Doctor have done their best to give us a second chance in life. We should take good care and make good use of it. Sleep and rest is good but do not let it over take our life and slip us into a mudame life style. It is not how long we live but how well we live our life. It is meaningless to have a long but a lifeless life. Just doing nothing and let the moments pass.
So far, I have not been successful taking to him but I will continue to try to inspire and motivate him. Yeah, life is fragile but if we continue to worry about its security, it does not help. If we are afright of causing harm to the wound or hurting ourself or dying, our life will become meaningless. Our courage will be lost forever and we cannot stand up again to face reality.
Again, it is easy to say than done. What else can we do? We should not kneel to fear but stand up and subduce fear and continue to march on with our life.
At this moment, apart from the challenges in my work and my family life, I have a mission to rebuild the life of my brother. From whatever life to a purpose driven life. It is not an easy task but he has to live on and I will have to go along with it.
Namaste.
During the breakfast while my sister have gone to order the Tim Sum, I was alone with him. I asked him about the operation and he told me that he don't know what happen as he was in sedation during the operation. He is feeling fine and the Doctor have told him that his operation was a success but at night, he still feel some tightness in his chest. What I asked him further, he said he do not know anymore. I asked him what he likes to eat and he told me whatever. He has been using the world "whatever" very often lately. When I asked for his opinion of things, he will say "whatever".
I felt he has quiet down and as if he is still sick. I told him that the Doctor have given you a clean bill of health and you are not sick anymore. Before the operation, he was sick but now he has been cured. I try to tell him that people which have a by-pass is having a "second spring" in life. He should change his mindset that he still ill. But, of course he should be careful about his diet but he should start to think positively and start some light exercise instead of sleeping most the day and letting the wound heal.
I can understand that the operation is another dramatic experience and it can traumatize oneself into a withdrawn mode as if we are given a second lease of life. But, we can we do about it, what has happen already done and the Doctor have done their best to give us a second chance in life. We should take good care and make good use of it. Sleep and rest is good but do not let it over take our life and slip us into a mudame life style. It is not how long we live but how well we live our life. It is meaningless to have a long but a lifeless life. Just doing nothing and let the moments pass.
So far, I have not been successful taking to him but I will continue to try to inspire and motivate him. Yeah, life is fragile but if we continue to worry about its security, it does not help. If we are afright of causing harm to the wound or hurting ourself or dying, our life will become meaningless. Our courage will be lost forever and we cannot stand up again to face reality.
Again, it is easy to say than done. What else can we do? We should not kneel to fear but stand up and subduce fear and continue to march on with our life.
At this moment, apart from the challenges in my work and my family life, I have a mission to rebuild the life of my brother. From whatever life to a purpose driven life. It is not an easy task but he has to live on and I will have to go along with it.
Namaste.
Lunch at Starview Restaurant, Penang
Since young, I have been to this restaurant and I grew up and gets old with this restaurant. The restaurant was the favourite place for my late Father in Law to host his lunches and dinners with his family members. In fact, for a certain period when the restaurant was at their Burmah road location, it was a weekly lunch avenue for my in-laws. His favourite dish was the fish steamboat and with certain side dishes like the fried intestines, the spring rolls,etc. The food was delicious and we grew to love it and when there is a chance for lunch or dinner, we will also favour to host the occasion there.
We grew to know the Captains and later on, the Captains became the bosses and they split up to into several restaurants around town. The restaurant in Maple Gold belongs to one of the former Captain or boss of Starview Restaurant. It had a long, long story in Penang and it was on the lips of almost very locals ranking it as one of the best restaurant in Penang and we also recommend it to the foreigners especially the Japanese and they also grew to love it.
This afternoon lunch at the restaurant was by the invitation of my wife and she has been mentioning to me to have a lunch there some time ago. It was postponed a few times and the occasion was to invite my third sister in law, G and my two brother in law for lunch. We have not met for some time now since the death of my brother in law ( husband of G)since November last year. G, appears to age a lot and look confused and lost after the death of her husband. There seems to be a lot of things going through her mind and she said that she cannot sleep for certain nights in the week. I told her it was a period of depression as the death of James was a dramatic incident which shows the fragility of life. It can be very frightening and scary.
I told her that yesterday, I watch the Iron Lady with my wife and it was so painful when we gets old especially the past memories coming back to haunt us and our partner which have gone before us will constantly come back to live with us and talk to us in an illusion. We cannot let go of the fond memories as well and it will live in our memory until we choose to toss them out and live a fresh live and move on. It is a difficult thing to do as it was very comfortable to live in fond memories which we feel happy. We lost touch with the real world and indulge in an illusionary living. It is a choice we have to make and either it is wrong to stay in this mood.
It is very difficult to understand G or try to understand her as all of us have so many secrets which we keep close to our heart. We can guess what is troubling her or why she became withdrawn but I think she is struggling within herself to touch base with reality and how to move on to secure and firm environment. Perhaps, religion is one way which she can sort but knowing her life style and belief, it would be futile suggestion to her. She has to find the contentment and happiness herself.
It is easy to give advise but ourself is unsure at certain times and we have our moment of doubts and insecurity. We doubt the existence of GOD or our Creator and without knowing the beginning, it is impossible to know the end. Everything is speculative and make belief. What we really have is the present moment and that is one thing we are sure. We cannot even be sure of the next moment. Nothing is guaranteed and I think G is having this insecure feeling right now and that is what is bothering her.
What we can do is to wish her happiness and also find a way to bring back the security of life in her.
Namaste.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Sunset cruise on Kanapuri River, Bangladesh
On the 21st February 2012 was a Language day in Bangladesh and it was a public holiday.Finishing up my report in the morning, my colleagues in Bangladesh have plan a cruise for me and my staff on the river Kanapuri. The word Kanapuri is about a girl's ear flower falling into the river. There was also a Bangali song about the river.
The cruise start about 4pm and as usual, the start was slow and not on time.About half an hour later, the boat set sail and all the passenger starts to get out of their seats and go on to the deck. Together with my colleagues, I climb up to the front deck and have a clear view of the whole river. The temperature was about 25 deg C and it was comfortable. The cold wind swept through your face and body and it refreshes me very much. With the sun setting gradually and there were so many ships park along the river. It was really romatic and soul cleansing as well. It was beautiful twilight setting which calms our nerve and re-energized our spirit.
Suddenly, we could see many people gathering at the river shoreline and I was told that it was a famous stretch of beach and people will go there just to watch the ship goes by. Bangladeshi been muslims cannot show part of their body especially the ladies' hair and it was uncomfortable for them to swim. In India. which Bangladeshi is part of INdia, it was social norm for the man and women to clean themselves in the river especially the holy ganges river.
The boat took a turn after reaching several kilometers down the river. During the return trip, the sun has already set and it was getting dark. We go back below the deck to our seats and there was a local band entertaining all of us. The whole trip took about two and a half hours. It was an experience for me even if was a simple boat ride. It brings back my memor of traveling down the Palash river in the spring, it was a more wonderful sight than the trip down Kanapuri river.
Yes, our fate have met ie my fate with the river. Thanks for letting me share your wonderful grace.
Namaste.
The Iron Lady - Magaret Thatcher
This afternoon I watch the movie, The Iron Lday with my wife and daughter. I have read so much about her especially her strong will and determination. The movie start off with an old lady buying a pint of milk from a store. The lady was frail and weak, walking very slowly back to her apartment. Now, Magaret is a very old lady. Her hsuband have passed away from Cancer.
The movie is about her tracing back all the important events in her life. She is the longest serving Prime Minister in UK and one of the most successful leader in the UK. She serves more than 10 years as PM and during her time, she fought the Falk Land war with Argentina, she deals strongly with the IRA and leading UK out of economic disaster. She was an oxford graduate and daughter of a grocery shop owner. SHe rules UK with an iron hand and lead the conservative party to several election wins until her colleagues over throw her and forced her to resign in mid of her term as Prime Minister.
THere were several touching moments like she suffers from hallucination as if her husband, Dennis was still around although he had passed away. The memory of her husband continued to haunt her until she decided to throw away all his belongs and return to reality. It was a touching moment as her busband's memory start to fade and yet, she was reluctant to let it go.
There were several insights which enlighten us and we should try to learn from that experience. One of the thing she holds strongly is her principle. The Falklands was a waste island but she protect it by spending heavily to gain it back from the Argentina. She said that if we cannot stand up to our principles, we will not be able to stand up for anything. She was right in that decision.
During her winning speech after the Falklands, she said " when there is error, only then the truth will prevail". It was very true, if an error occur, then we start to investigate and the truth will finally prevail. When everything is done nicely and cover up carefully, there could be fraud and mismanagement. Spotting error is the start for the discovery of truth.
At an ripe old age, her mind remained sharp and the memories of an attempt assisination on her life by IRA, greatly shaken her but she remained undefiant against terror. In her period as PM, she refused to negotiated with terrorist and took strong measures to suppress them.
The movie showed the twilight years of a great statesman as well as an ordinary person. This stage of life has to be through by all of us and this is what "age and sickness" is about in Buddha's explanation of the life cycle. If you watch this movie, for the youngsters, it is a peep into your future. Be aware.
Namaste.
Women tend to unfriend online- survey
Click, unfriend: Women more likely to do it than men
Tech and Science | Updated today at 08:21 AM
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Women are more likely than men to delete friends from their online social networks and tend to choose more restrictive privacy settings, according to a study published on Friday.
The study by the Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life Project also found that men were nearly twice as likely as women to have posted content online that they later regret.
Sixty-three per cent of social network users have deleted people from their friend lists, according to the study, up from 56 per cent in 2009.
Sixty-seven per cent of women who maintain a social networking profile said they have deleted friends compared with 58 per cent of men.
Tech and Science | Updated today at 08:21 AM
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Women are more likely than men to delete friends from their online social networks and tend to choose more restrictive privacy settings, according to a study published on Friday.
The study by the Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life Project also found that men were nearly twice as likely as women to have posted content online that they later regret.
Sixty-three per cent of social network users have deleted people from their friend lists, according to the study, up from 56 per cent in 2009.
Sixty-seven per cent of women who maintain a social networking profile said they have deleted friends compared with 58 per cent of men.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Back home again, Penang
Yesterday morning, I started off from Chittagong at 7.15am and wait in transit in Dhaka for 4 hours and tooka Thai airline to Bangkok and wait at 7angkok for 2 hours and finally, arrived at my home at 11 pm , a total of 17 hours of travelling and waiting. It was really a very tiring trip and energy sapping as well. I was completely drained of energy at this time, resting on my bed.
I spend 4 days in a busy and noisy city of Chittagong , with cars horning every second and will dust filling the air and dirts every where. It was a blessing to be home , resting my poor soul. During the 4 days, I had a chance to enjoy a sunset cruise in the Kanapuri river. It was a two hours ride into nowhere and turning back after watching the sunset and the many ships docked on the river. It was a beautiful river which provides water and business to the city of Chittagong. Many of these ships are docked for dismantle and to be sold as parts. The City has many skillful workers plying this trade on the river.
The weather now is about 27 deg C and in the evening, it was cooling and comfortable . There is no much fun but when the cool air swept pass our face and hair, there is a sense of peace and tranquility. It just calms the mind and clear the thoughts. Excitingly peaceful indeed,
I went out for a bit of shopping before I left for the Dhaka airport . I shop at Aarang, one of the biggest mall in the City and also to some local shopping arcades. There was no so much people at Aarang but in the local arcade, there was many people shopping for all types of variety of goods. It was busy at busy at the local arcades. The Bangladeshi people are simple people and they enjoy standing along the road ships and moving around in the arcades . There was a lot of food stalls along the road side and also lots of busy bodies hanging around them. The past time in the City is standing and watching the world passes by.
Now I am back in the civilized world, it was as if you come out of a muddy pond into a clean river, removing all the dirts and putting you back in shape, Most of all, I am still alive.
Namaste
I spend 4 days in a busy and noisy city of Chittagong , with cars horning every second and will dust filling the air and dirts every where. It was a blessing to be home , resting my poor soul. During the 4 days, I had a chance to enjoy a sunset cruise in the Kanapuri river. It was a two hours ride into nowhere and turning back after watching the sunset and the many ships docked on the river. It was a beautiful river which provides water and business to the city of Chittagong. Many of these ships are docked for dismantle and to be sold as parts. The City has many skillful workers plying this trade on the river.
The weather now is about 27 deg C and in the evening, it was cooling and comfortable . There is no much fun but when the cool air swept pass our face and hair, there is a sense of peace and tranquility. It just calms the mind and clear the thoughts. Excitingly peaceful indeed,
I went out for a bit of shopping before I left for the Dhaka airport . I shop at Aarang, one of the biggest mall in the City and also to some local shopping arcades. There was no so much people at Aarang but in the local arcade, there was many people shopping for all types of variety of goods. It was busy at busy at the local arcades. The Bangladeshi people are simple people and they enjoy standing along the road ships and moving around in the arcades . There was a lot of food stalls along the road side and also lots of busy bodies hanging around them. The past time in the City is standing and watching the world passes by.
Now I am back in the civilized world, it was as if you come out of a muddy pond into a clean river, removing all the dirts and putting you back in shape, Most of all, I am still alive.
Namaste
Monday, February 20, 2012
A simple and quiet life
For those people in the rat race, it is challenge for these people to keep up with their activities and their pace to stay ahead. The motivation of these people is wealth,power, status and challenge. Once their pace is interrupted, sometimes, the whole game falls apart and they slide down the corporate leader very fast and it will take much effort to climb back to where they are. Staying afloat in the heavy sea is the only means for survival.
Turning their back on the fast pace life and to return to a basic and simple life is a very difficult option. The pace of moving or pushing one's self already becomes part of the their life and stopping the pace could bring more harm to them than good. Their body condition and their mental habits has already been fixed and any variation will only move new muscles and a new mindset. If you have been hiking very day, you cannot change to running without moving a different sets of muscles in our body. A sudden change will make the muscles raw and painful. Any over stretching could tear the muscles and bring injuries to one self.
A change needs to be manage and in a gradual conditioning pace and inform the muscles that there is a change in pace and life style and gets the muscles prepared to take a more strenous and pace in coming life routines.
So, for those who have been living a simple and basic life, their body condition and their mind is already set to the slow and quiet life style and if they are switch to the fast lane, they will be killed in no time and also this change must also be condition gradually and slowly. There should be a warm up exercise before any strenous run or change in the pace of living. Likewise, there could be potential injuries and dangers of death.
For retirees, there are people saying that these people should not slow down, otherwise,they will die a faster death as body mechanism will breakdown and this affect the mind. The physcal appearance will deteriorate so fast that the eyes on seeing these old images will depress the mind and sent it into a shock. So, whatever changes have been gradual and let the mind and body settles down to a new sets of conditions. If we analyse carefully,for the retirees to keep to fast pace life, it could not be in their best interest as they gets old. So, there should be an eventual and gradual shift from a fast pace life to a slower pace and gradually a final count down. Some people can stand the fast pace life longer than others while others could be worn or burn out faster.
The Government's intention to extend retirement to 60 years old or beyond is a good move as life expectancy is extended but the conditions of each individual is different and the Government should facilities or channels to help the people to manage this pychological changes in those retirees who have gradually wind down and prepared to retirement but suddenly, push to work for another 5 years. As for those youngsters and middle age people, their working life suddenly shift longer and farther away. This social problem must be addressed to prevent depression and pychological impact on society.
So, folks. A lot will depend on you to manage your life or change your life style. You have to note that there is a need for a transitional period between active and a quiet life style and it has to be gradual and your mind must be also prepared for this acceptance.
Namaste.
Turning their back on the fast pace life and to return to a basic and simple life is a very difficult option. The pace of moving or pushing one's self already becomes part of the their life and stopping the pace could bring more harm to them than good. Their body condition and their mental habits has already been fixed and any variation will only move new muscles and a new mindset. If you have been hiking very day, you cannot change to running without moving a different sets of muscles in our body. A sudden change will make the muscles raw and painful. Any over stretching could tear the muscles and bring injuries to one self.
A change needs to be manage and in a gradual conditioning pace and inform the muscles that there is a change in pace and life style and gets the muscles prepared to take a more strenous and pace in coming life routines.
So, for those who have been living a simple and basic life, their body condition and their mind is already set to the slow and quiet life style and if they are switch to the fast lane, they will be killed in no time and also this change must also be condition gradually and slowly. There should be a warm up exercise before any strenous run or change in the pace of living. Likewise, there could be potential injuries and dangers of death.
For retirees, there are people saying that these people should not slow down, otherwise,they will die a faster death as body mechanism will breakdown and this affect the mind. The physcal appearance will deteriorate so fast that the eyes on seeing these old images will depress the mind and sent it into a shock. So, whatever changes have been gradual and let the mind and body settles down to a new sets of conditions. If we analyse carefully,for the retirees to keep to fast pace life, it could not be in their best interest as they gets old. So, there should be an eventual and gradual shift from a fast pace life to a slower pace and gradually a final count down. Some people can stand the fast pace life longer than others while others could be worn or burn out faster.
The Government's intention to extend retirement to 60 years old or beyond is a good move as life expectancy is extended but the conditions of each individual is different and the Government should facilities or channels to help the people to manage this pychological changes in those retirees who have gradually wind down and prepared to retirement but suddenly, push to work for another 5 years. As for those youngsters and middle age people, their working life suddenly shift longer and farther away. This social problem must be addressed to prevent depression and pychological impact on society.
So, folks. A lot will depend on you to manage your life or change your life style. You have to note that there is a need for a transitional period between active and a quiet life style and it has to be gradual and your mind must be also prepared for this acceptance.
Namaste.
A "no name " Chinese restaurant, Bangladesh
Hi, folks. I am now in Bangladesh. I have here for two days already and last night,my colleagues in Bangladesh took me to a Chinese restaurant on top of a hill in Chittgong. It was a dark winding road to the top of the hill and we took some liqour with us since this is a Chinese Restaurant. By the way, Bangladesh is a muslim country and open drinking of alcohol is not allowed.
We reached a private apartment and we have to walk three floors to the restaurant. The place was operated by a Chinese man from China and it was a private eatery with no name. we ordered a few dishes like the fish head soup, the fried duck, a steam fish, vegetables. The taste was slightly above average but what can you asked for in Bangladesh. We drank whisky, wine and beer. The Restaurant was packed with people from Hong Kong and China and when you are in their company, it is always noisy, loud and chatty. An open Karaoke was on at the same time which children running around. It was a mass of voice , noise , music, people shouting at the top of their voice.
I was abit tipsy but I can still manage to walk to my colleague's van and reach hotel. Before departing, I greet very body good night and I offered to hug a female colleague good night. But, I was rejected and been told that I was drunk. A simple good night hug is very normal in the western countries and in some Asian countries. This show of passion is often taken out of the context as something rude and offensive depending on the outlook and the mental setting of an individual.
Back in Malaysia, I have the habit to greeting my friends with a hug whether male or female especialy old friends which I have not seen for a long time. Most of them responded positively and passionately. It was an experience for me to be told off for my gesture. Why can people think so wildly from a simple gesture as an offensive attempt or a sexual advance ? Why can it be thought widely as a simple gesture of passion and an expression of concern for somebody or telling that person you like them as your friend.
In such incident, there is a clash of cultures and the mindset. The liberal vs the conservative and if you look deeply, you will notice the severe difference in thoughts and habits depending on the influence of our upbringing, the relgion we adopt and people we mixed with. It can be co-incidental or it could be by your own choice. There is a saying "you are what you eat" and in this case, "you are what you think". If you want to do a thing, you have a thousand reasons and in reverse, you also have a another thousand reasons. Who is right or wrong, it depends on your choice and how you want to live it in either a liberal or conservative way. Your mindset and mental outlook and belief.
Just like the Chinese restaurant, do the owner need a name? He is telling us that by placing a name, he will invite unknown guest and customers which is he is unable to serve. He prefer to be contented to serve friends who know him without a name. Wonderfully liberated.
Namaste.
We reached a private apartment and we have to walk three floors to the restaurant. The place was operated by a Chinese man from China and it was a private eatery with no name. we ordered a few dishes like the fish head soup, the fried duck, a steam fish, vegetables. The taste was slightly above average but what can you asked for in Bangladesh. We drank whisky, wine and beer. The Restaurant was packed with people from Hong Kong and China and when you are in their company, it is always noisy, loud and chatty. An open Karaoke was on at the same time which children running around. It was a mass of voice , noise , music, people shouting at the top of their voice.
I was abit tipsy but I can still manage to walk to my colleague's van and reach hotel. Before departing, I greet very body good night and I offered to hug a female colleague good night. But, I was rejected and been told that I was drunk. A simple good night hug is very normal in the western countries and in some Asian countries. This show of passion is often taken out of the context as something rude and offensive depending on the outlook and the mental setting of an individual.
Back in Malaysia, I have the habit to greeting my friends with a hug whether male or female especialy old friends which I have not seen for a long time. Most of them responded positively and passionately. It was an experience for me to be told off for my gesture. Why can people think so wildly from a simple gesture as an offensive attempt or a sexual advance ? Why can it be thought widely as a simple gesture of passion and an expression of concern for somebody or telling that person you like them as your friend.
In such incident, there is a clash of cultures and the mindset. The liberal vs the conservative and if you look deeply, you will notice the severe difference in thoughts and habits depending on the influence of our upbringing, the relgion we adopt and people we mixed with. It can be co-incidental or it could be by your own choice. There is a saying "you are what you eat" and in this case, "you are what you think". If you want to do a thing, you have a thousand reasons and in reverse, you also have a another thousand reasons. Who is right or wrong, it depends on your choice and how you want to live it in either a liberal or conservative way. Your mindset and mental outlook and belief.
Just like the Chinese restaurant, do the owner need a name? He is telling us that by placing a name, he will invite unknown guest and customers which is he is unable to serve. He prefer to be contented to serve friends who know him without a name. Wonderfully liberated.
Namaste.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Goku Raku Ramen shop in Paragon, next to GP
I was at the a newly open ramen shop located in Paragon, Gurney. Their delicacies and specialty is different type of ramen. My family and myself ordered a ramen each,one small dish guazza and a slice of cheese cake. The dinner cost me RM127.00 in total. It is a bit pricey and I think the rental would not be cheap in such area.
Paragon food arcade is the latest eatery and located in this food arcade is a few brand names like TGF, starbuck, coffee bean, Italian,etc. Many shops are yet to be open. Most of the shops are duplicate with the shops in Gurney Plaza which is a stone throw away. Some the shops are sea facing and it is quite romantic and cozy at the same time.
Above the shops and eateries are private condos which is costing around RM2 million each. The initial price starts from RM1.6 million and since then it has gone up to RM2 million plus. This the property price in such locations. But, one of the short coming of Paragon is there is no available parking bay now and you will need to park in GP and walk over to the mall. This point make this place arrogant and snobbish. I don't have a friendly feeling of been taken care.
This place was a previous christian seminary and the old building is classified as heritage so the new condo and shop blocks have to build around it. A blending of old and new and if it is design properly, it should be an attraction instead of an eye sore. The trend in Penang now is using old houses or heritage houses to refurbish and rebrand it to attract foreign and local tourist to see the exotic side of the island.
There are many new and wonderful joints and malls in Penang and in next few years there will be a few more hotels as well. As for the local residence, we have be bid goodbye to the slow and easy life on the island.
Here comes the tourist, foreign and locals. The saints are marching in. LOL.
Namaste.
Friday, February 17, 2012
A breakthrough at today's yoga class
Today, I have successfully done the headstand and the crow pose in the morning yoga class. I felt a sense of achievements. I know I can do it but I have be restrain myself from doing these pose. It was because of my mind's constraint that my body resist to perform this stance. Just like I have talk about my misaligned mind and body. It is strange that if you put your mind to do something, you will able to do it even if your physcial body is not prepared to perform it. The mind over body is a strong force which makes us perform the impossible.
ONe of my male yoga member told me on a Thursday class that we are in the yoga class to torture ourself. I told him this was my feeling a few years ago when i first took up yoga under the same teacher. At that class, I was sweating like nobody's business. Just like squeezing the water from a wet cloth and I was almost flat out. Totally wet at the end of the class. But, now, if I don't go to my yoga class, I will feel uncomfortable and uneasy. I do not have the feeling that I am torturing myself anymore but I am exercising and improving my body. The joy of pushing my body to the limit has become a part of me or my routine. It becomes a necessity and part of my routine in the week. Once, we set our body in motion, it will keep going and stopping become an unnatural act.
My teacher was amazed at my achievement. A student at my age could do the things as her younger members. I always told my teacher that I have to do the things at mo=y pace but it does not mean that I cannot do it. The younger students have more youth, strength and flexibility but I have the perserverance and I need more time to do the difficult pose. I have achieved a lot form yoga. I have regain certain degree of flexibility, I have gain strength to my hands and legs especially my deeper breathing movements. I could feel my body is getting stronger and stronger after each session. Thanks to my guru and her patience with me.
Namaste
ONe of my male yoga member told me on a Thursday class that we are in the yoga class to torture ourself. I told him this was my feeling a few years ago when i first took up yoga under the same teacher. At that class, I was sweating like nobody's business. Just like squeezing the water from a wet cloth and I was almost flat out. Totally wet at the end of the class. But, now, if I don't go to my yoga class, I will feel uncomfortable and uneasy. I do not have the feeling that I am torturing myself anymore but I am exercising and improving my body. The joy of pushing my body to the limit has become a part of me or my routine. It becomes a necessity and part of my routine in the week. Once, we set our body in motion, it will keep going and stopping become an unnatural act.
My teacher was amazed at my achievement. A student at my age could do the things as her younger members. I always told my teacher that I have to do the things at mo=y pace but it does not mean that I cannot do it. The younger students have more youth, strength and flexibility but I have the perserverance and I need more time to do the difficult pose. I have achieved a lot form yoga. I have regain certain degree of flexibility, I have gain strength to my hands and legs especially my deeper breathing movements. I could feel my body is getting stronger and stronger after each session. Thanks to my guru and her patience with me.
Namaste
Good eating habits - ext
“It is good to eat small meals”
These are some of the more common advice given by nutritionists that relate your diet with the time of eating. When we think or talk about healthy meals, the types of food that we should take often come to mind first. However, when you take these meals is also very important to maintain your health.
Normal healthy meal times should be at 7am for breakfast, 1pm for lunch and dinner at 7pm. However, these times vary with season, place and occupation. Not eating at the right times is the most common eating habit disorder. But what actually happens when an individual eats before or after the proper timing?
Meals taken before the usual timing:
When you eat before your usual meal time, the stomach is not found in readiness to receive food and is thus taken by surprise. Similarly, when food is taken in too soon after the previous one, the stomach has not had sufficient time to go through with the digestive process and engage energy for another process.
Meals taken after the usual timing:
Delayed meals cause the stomach to lose its “sharpness” for appetite. This causes a decrease in the inclination to take in food. However, though the sharpness is lost at the moment, it will return without impairing digestive powers.
People often restrain from eating too many meals in a day. However, it is advisable to eat five to six mini meals rather than eating three large meals a day. You may break this down even further, but be careful with the calorie intake. It is also important to decide on the time best to take your meals depending on your schedule, body and other extra activities such as recreation and sports.
Perhaps you may already know all these facts…but do you practice them?
Take this as a reminder and start eating healthy at the proper times.
These are some of the more common advice given by nutritionists that relate your diet with the time of eating. When we think or talk about healthy meals, the types of food that we should take often come to mind first. However, when you take these meals is also very important to maintain your health.
Normal healthy meal times should be at 7am for breakfast, 1pm for lunch and dinner at 7pm. However, these times vary with season, place and occupation. Not eating at the right times is the most common eating habit disorder. But what actually happens when an individual eats before or after the proper timing?
Meals taken before the usual timing:
When you eat before your usual meal time, the stomach is not found in readiness to receive food and is thus taken by surprise. Similarly, when food is taken in too soon after the previous one, the stomach has not had sufficient time to go through with the digestive process and engage energy for another process.
Meals taken after the usual timing:
Delayed meals cause the stomach to lose its “sharpness” for appetite. This causes a decrease in the inclination to take in food. However, though the sharpness is lost at the moment, it will return without impairing digestive powers.
People often restrain from eating too many meals in a day. However, it is advisable to eat five to six mini meals rather than eating three large meals a day. You may break this down even further, but be careful with the calorie intake. It is also important to decide on the time best to take your meals depending on your schedule, body and other extra activities such as recreation and sports.
Perhaps you may already know all these facts…but do you practice them?
Take this as a reminder and start eating healthy at the proper times.
Ungrateful beings
In my life, I have uncountered many cases of ungrateful human beings. They are the people we picked to groom and support to become people of some value. Thinking back it is abit of disappointment. These ungrate beings can turn around and bit you in return. They think that you owe them the world and it is your paying back time.'They are people of the wrong perceptions.
In Chinese saying " once we received someone's help, we would remember it for a 1000 years". That is 10 life times. Another saying would be like " when we drink water, we should be thankful to the source". These teachings have been around for thousands of years and this are wisdoms or advise from Gurus of the past. If you think carefully, it is very true. With a little help, our life or fate could be a total chance and this action, could be the turning point of your life , career or fortune. Without which, you could remained a scum of earth.
It is very funny how things could change. How these ungrateful people canturn and blame you or in worst case to hurt you. Don't they know that what they do others, others will do to them. There is such time as our fortune will take turn to spin. It means whatever to do to hurt others, there is a chance or a turn for us to be hurt in return. This is the law of Karma or a simple , good deeds draws good luck and fortune while bad deeds draws negative vibes. The return action could happen in this life or another life or could fell on to your decendants or your immediate family.
Thinking back on these ungrateful people can be very hurting and disappointed. We blame ourself and also our wrong judgement of others. But, this is not a matter of wrong judgement. It could be pre-detinated or fated or a written script that these happenings is to open up our eyes and wisdom. This a challenge in life that we have to take and overcome it. Of course, sometimes it swallow us in and defeat us. We have to accept the challenge and survive it.
We have to learn to let it go and swallow the bitterness in life. Treat this as a lesson to make us grow up and become wiser and more aware. Perhaps, it is our duty support this people to fulfill our destiney. Whatever happen has happen, no point hold on to these unhappy memories. That is more to life.
Namaste.
In Chinese saying " once we received someone's help, we would remember it for a 1000 years". That is 10 life times. Another saying would be like " when we drink water, we should be thankful to the source". These teachings have been around for thousands of years and this are wisdoms or advise from Gurus of the past. If you think carefully, it is very true. With a little help, our life or fate could be a total chance and this action, could be the turning point of your life , career or fortune. Without which, you could remained a scum of earth.
It is very funny how things could change. How these ungrateful people canturn and blame you or in worst case to hurt you. Don't they know that what they do others, others will do to them. There is such time as our fortune will take turn to spin. It means whatever to do to hurt others, there is a chance or a turn for us to be hurt in return. This is the law of Karma or a simple , good deeds draws good luck and fortune while bad deeds draws negative vibes. The return action could happen in this life or another life or could fell on to your decendants or your immediate family.
Thinking back on these ungrateful people can be very hurting and disappointed. We blame ourself and also our wrong judgement of others. But, this is not a matter of wrong judgement. It could be pre-detinated or fated or a written script that these happenings is to open up our eyes and wisdom. This a challenge in life that we have to take and overcome it. Of course, sometimes it swallow us in and defeat us. We have to accept the challenge and survive it.
We have to learn to let it go and swallow the bitterness in life. Treat this as a lesson to make us grow up and become wiser and more aware. Perhaps, it is our duty support this people to fulfill our destiney. Whatever happen has happen, no point hold on to these unhappy memories. That is more to life.
Namaste.
Deep in my heart
There is an anger. The root of the anger is despair and non contentment. The demon in me is working overtime to frustrate me and worn me out. A struggle is going on between my psychical and mental self ie the body and the mind. The mind is clear of what I want but the urge of dissent comes from my body. My body is naughty but my mind is trying to control it. The body and mind is out of synergy.
There is a saying healthy body , healthy mind and beautiful mind brings beautiful body. If the body and mind is synchronized and aligned properly, the energy flows in a straight line without disruptions. But, when both these factors is misaligned, it caused disruption in energy and lack of focus which prompt the monkey mind to behave wildly in a banana estate.
Yet, my body is not contented and this disrupt my mind. What do my body wants ? Why is it behaving so wild. I have been practicing yoga and Tai Chi and I should be feeling good and well. Yes, there are moment of doubts. The energy is moving in different directions and clashing with each other, causing an uprising of restless energy within our self. My body is out of balance. When we are healthy, our body wants more or the urge of doing something is gaining strength but our mind is clear and stops it from its uprising and pins it down. The energy cannot be released and pent up, causing the energy to fly all over our body. Lets say, I have the strength to do a pumping exercise for 100 times but my mind tells my body , it is not necessary to do 100 times, maybe do 50 times. So, what about the other 50 times of energy. It gets pent up and screwed tight in our body.
If these actions is repeated so many times, it just pin down the energy like a volcano, suppressing its outburst and it will blow its top and will caused irreparable damages. So, we have to use our mind to release the energy. Letting it go is a very difficult thing and most of the time is pent up within or in our mind.
This lack of synchronization needs to be adjust back and an outlet is to let the physical self do what it wants and the relax the mind. But, instead of pumping 50 times , find another outlet for the surplus energy and release it ideally in a proper form.
Balancing the body will pacify the mind and it will be back in synchronolization.
Namaste.
There is a saying healthy body , healthy mind and beautiful mind brings beautiful body. If the body and mind is synchronized and aligned properly, the energy flows in a straight line without disruptions. But, when both these factors is misaligned, it caused disruption in energy and lack of focus which prompt the monkey mind to behave wildly in a banana estate.
Yet, my body is not contented and this disrupt my mind. What do my body wants ? Why is it behaving so wild. I have been practicing yoga and Tai Chi and I should be feeling good and well. Yes, there are moment of doubts. The energy is moving in different directions and clashing with each other, causing an uprising of restless energy within our self. My body is out of balance. When we are healthy, our body wants more or the urge of doing something is gaining strength but our mind is clear and stops it from its uprising and pins it down. The energy cannot be released and pent up, causing the energy to fly all over our body. Lets say, I have the strength to do a pumping exercise for 100 times but my mind tells my body , it is not necessary to do 100 times, maybe do 50 times. So, what about the other 50 times of energy. It gets pent up and screwed tight in our body.
If these actions is repeated so many times, it just pin down the energy like a volcano, suppressing its outburst and it will blow its top and will caused irreparable damages. So, we have to use our mind to release the energy. Letting it go is a very difficult thing and most of the time is pent up within or in our mind.
This lack of synchronization needs to be adjust back and an outlet is to let the physical self do what it wants and the relax the mind. But, instead of pumping 50 times , find another outlet for the surplus energy and release it ideally in a proper form.
Balancing the body will pacify the mind and it will be back in synchronolization.
Namaste.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The question of yes or no ?
Most of the times, it is very difficult to make a decision especially , the decision will change our life , our habitat or our daily routines. No body likes uncertainties and all of us live well in our usual and familiar environment. Like a mention before even a frog will be cooked if we place it in a hot pot and gradually, increase the heat until boiling point. This is the natural habit of human beings.
I have a lady colleague who is in this dilemma. Initially, she wants to participate in an overseas posting program to earn more money but when the time comes near, she has cold feet. The thoughts of going or not constantly troubles her and caused her sleepless nights. It is usual and those people who goes overseas will have initial withdrawals like a drug addict who decide to kick the habit. It is like a cold turkey treatment.
Life is like that and when we are at a cross road and not having any fixed destinations, it is very difficult to decide whether to take a 30% or 180% turn. If we know where the road is leading to than we will not be scare or worried. Again, this is the uncertainty that is killing us because we don’t know where we are going to.
Some people like changes and challenges and they welcome uncertainties but most people will like the familiar path. Once, I challenge my niece to find her own path to go up a hill instead of the ready path , a road never or less traveled and she told me that it takes a lot of courage. Indeed it is. A lot of courage as we take the steps towards uncertainty. Strange , right? But, it is true. Nobody likes walking into the darkness as we cannot see ahead.
It is like death. If we know that we will go to a certain place after death, then death is welcome because it is just like walking into another room which is familiar. Whether it is a hot burning funnel or a heavenly white rose garden and welcome by the angels, it does not matter , it will be less frightening to face death if we know that we will get burn or we get to enjoy the wonderful life walking in the garden with GOD.
So, the uncertainty is the inspiration and not the place we go. It keeps life interesting by the twist and turns. Challenges inspired life.
Namaste.
I have a lady colleague who is in this dilemma. Initially, she wants to participate in an overseas posting program to earn more money but when the time comes near, she has cold feet. The thoughts of going or not constantly troubles her and caused her sleepless nights. It is usual and those people who goes overseas will have initial withdrawals like a drug addict who decide to kick the habit. It is like a cold turkey treatment.
Life is like that and when we are at a cross road and not having any fixed destinations, it is very difficult to decide whether to take a 30% or 180% turn. If we know where the road is leading to than we will not be scare or worried. Again, this is the uncertainty that is killing us because we don’t know where we are going to.
Some people like changes and challenges and they welcome uncertainties but most people will like the familiar path. Once, I challenge my niece to find her own path to go up a hill instead of the ready path , a road never or less traveled and she told me that it takes a lot of courage. Indeed it is. A lot of courage as we take the steps towards uncertainty. Strange , right? But, it is true. Nobody likes walking into the darkness as we cannot see ahead.
It is like death. If we know that we will go to a certain place after death, then death is welcome because it is just like walking into another room which is familiar. Whether it is a hot burning funnel or a heavenly white rose garden and welcome by the angels, it does not matter , it will be less frightening to face death if we know that we will get burn or we get to enjoy the wonderful life walking in the garden with GOD.
So, the uncertainty is the inspiration and not the place we go. It keeps life interesting by the twist and turns. Challenges inspired life.
Namaste.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
My CNY dinner at CRC restaurant
Last night, I had a dinner with my banker friends in CRC restaurant. I have not been there for the past one year. Yeah, that is last year's CNY dinner. Now, there are two CRC restaurant and they are located nearby. They have the same English name but the Chinese characters are different. Same owner but different chef. Yes, we can understand that Chefs are special creatures.
On my way in.I met an old friend having valentine dinner with his wife. Ow! So loving after so many years of marriage. They are staunch Buddhist and vegans what are they doing in a meaty restaurant ? Well, better not to think so much.
After entering into VIP room,another old friend asked me to sit with him at the main table with my banker friends. The subject was usually wine,women and song. Abit of naughty jokes about three grades of "sushimi on ladies" servings. This is the work of the yakuzas , the Japanese mafia. Then the topic dwell into properties in Penang. One of my friend, Khoo was saying the land price in Penang is too high and at some place it is selling RM1,000 pet sq ft. For a 1000 sf ft area it will cost RM1 million. Where can you get money or your salary to buy a house at the current price level ? The housing situation is so rediculous now. The youngsters will need to stay far away or in smaller units. Pitiful, right ?
Now, the subject of discussion turn back to food. My banker friend,J was complaining the price of food. He told me that 15 years ago, the grilled spring piglet was only selling RM80 per piglet and it cost RM230 and the dragon-tiger fish cost RM100 per kg, five years ago and now cost RM180 per kg. At this rate of inflation and earnings,we would not afford good fish and pork, maybe we should become vegans. But, coming to think about, vegan food are neither cheap as well,nowadays.
If we talk about an inflation rate of 2% per year, on a simple calculation basis, for 10 years, the price of food could only increase 20% but for the fish, it is 80% and for the pork, it should be 30% but it went up 150%. Even if compound the inflation, it will still be much lower. So, goodbye, fish, goodbye pork and goodbye house. Things will get more expensive and we will not be able to sustain. The Country will be heading towards social trouble in the near future if the rate of inflation is not handled properly and orderly.
Namaste.
On my way in.I met an old friend having valentine dinner with his wife. Ow! So loving after so many years of marriage. They are staunch Buddhist and vegans what are they doing in a meaty restaurant ? Well, better not to think so much.
After entering into VIP room,another old friend asked me to sit with him at the main table with my banker friends. The subject was usually wine,women and song. Abit of naughty jokes about three grades of "sushimi on ladies" servings. This is the work of the yakuzas , the Japanese mafia. Then the topic dwell into properties in Penang. One of my friend, Khoo was saying the land price in Penang is too high and at some place it is selling RM1,000 pet sq ft. For a 1000 sf ft area it will cost RM1 million. Where can you get money or your salary to buy a house at the current price level ? The housing situation is so rediculous now. The youngsters will need to stay far away or in smaller units. Pitiful, right ?
Now, the subject of discussion turn back to food. My banker friend,J was complaining the price of food. He told me that 15 years ago, the grilled spring piglet was only selling RM80 per piglet and it cost RM230 and the dragon-tiger fish cost RM100 per kg, five years ago and now cost RM180 per kg. At this rate of inflation and earnings,we would not afford good fish and pork, maybe we should become vegans. But, coming to think about, vegan food are neither cheap as well,nowadays.
If we talk about an inflation rate of 2% per year, on a simple calculation basis, for 10 years, the price of food could only increase 20% but for the fish, it is 80% and for the pork, it should be 30% but it went up 150%. Even if compound the inflation, it will still be much lower. So, goodbye, fish, goodbye pork and goodbye house. Things will get more expensive and we will not be able to sustain. The Country will be heading towards social trouble in the near future if the rate of inflation is not handled properly and orderly.
Namaste.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Happy Valentine to you, love
Today is Valentine’s Day. This is a day especially for lovers but about those who have been married a long time ago. True colors showing now , right ? From red rose to black faces. LOL. Life is like these , once we got the things we want, it is like you own it forever. It can never run away .. this thinking is absolutely wrong especially in this generation.
In the days of the old China, the tradition and unwritten social rules forbade women to mix around or move around and the male have the idea to bound the legs of the ladies like a Bak Chang ( dumplings) to prevent them from wondering around and attract attention of other males. Nowadays, the ladies move around in cars, bikes and anything that is moving. They are much in control who they want to meet with or talk with or socialize with. So, Man , you better wake up and show your affections or passion towards your better half or your life partner. Don’t blame others but yourself. Your egoistic and selfish self. Every human beings like to be pampered and love , only wood or kayu do not need attention or passion.
So, occasions like Valentine Day give us a reason to show our love or our passion to the people we love. If we love a person, show it to them lah and don’t just talk , talk . What is so shy about telling someone we love ? Again, there are so many type of love. If you are generous enough show your love to your love ones , it can be parental love, brotherly and sisterly love, daughter’s love , daddy love, friendly love, neighborly love, etc. But, have the right thoughts but not with intentions or hidden agendas.
I took this occasion to remind all of you , take this opportunity to show simple affection and not just buying flowers, teddy bears or expensive gifts. It is always the thought that matters , gifts are just the wrappings and it will be discarded in time.
You have another half day until today to do the things your heart wants. Just do it.
Namaste.
In the days of the old China, the tradition and unwritten social rules forbade women to mix around or move around and the male have the idea to bound the legs of the ladies like a Bak Chang ( dumplings) to prevent them from wondering around and attract attention of other males. Nowadays, the ladies move around in cars, bikes and anything that is moving. They are much in control who they want to meet with or talk with or socialize with. So, Man , you better wake up and show your affections or passion towards your better half or your life partner. Don’t blame others but yourself. Your egoistic and selfish self. Every human beings like to be pampered and love , only wood or kayu do not need attention or passion.
So, occasions like Valentine Day give us a reason to show our love or our passion to the people we love. If we love a person, show it to them lah and don’t just talk , talk . What is so shy about telling someone we love ? Again, there are so many type of love. If you are generous enough show your love to your love ones , it can be parental love, brotherly and sisterly love, daughter’s love , daddy love, friendly love, neighborly love, etc. But, have the right thoughts but not with intentions or hidden agendas.
I took this occasion to remind all of you , take this opportunity to show simple affection and not just buying flowers, teddy bears or expensive gifts. It is always the thought that matters , gifts are just the wrappings and it will be discarded in time.
You have another half day until today to do the things your heart wants. Just do it.
Namaste.
Rising and the fallen stars
Yesterday, Adele grapped 6 grammy awards and became the most popular star at current times. With just a piano accompanying her in her song " Find someone like you" , a sad love song. Amazing hasky soul voice and extremely powerful. Her star is shinning brightly and gained all the limelight.
A day before, another great star just die in her hotel room with cause unknown at the moment. SPeculations is that she die from drug abuse. Whitney Houston died at 48 years old and for some old stars, they are still at their prime. Whitney acted in the film " The body guard" and she sang the theme song "I will always love you". Her high pitch was extremely strong and powerful and there was no one who could do it like her and singing the songs as she did. She also won many grammies and she was very popular in many countries. It was a pity that she has to go this way so early. It will be a long time before someone like her will come in future's way.
Another great star also passed away in January 2012 and she is no other than Fung Fei Fei, a mandarin mega songbird who was extremely popular in Asia. She died of lung cancer at age 60. She also have power vocals and have many great songs to her credit. In the mandarin pop world, she is another whitney in her own rights.
So, at the start of 2012, there are already two fallen stars and many more stars will also pass this way as time goes one. Nobdy is spared the basic cycle of life. Just like what Ajahn Brahm have said " when there is a storm in the night, the next morning you will find many leaves on the floor. Not only old leaves falls in the night but some young and adult ones also fell. The life of an individual is not the same for all, some going early and some much older and yet, some live until a ripe old age. Tomorow is never guaranteed and no matter how rich you are or how famous and great you are, there is time to go.
some people is in their prime and enjoying stardom and they are many who is suffering in private. This is the establishment. Some born great, some born less fortunate and some born a simplton. It does not matter, everyone have their own life and live their own way. What it matters most is that are we happy ? If we are, we are on the right path even if we are not on the stage receiving the grammies. All of us shine in our own ways and a star of our own right. We have our own stage , our own audience and our own love ones and we are the main star in our life. Just beware that we are also the director in our life with our own script.
Namaste.
A day before, another great star just die in her hotel room with cause unknown at the moment. SPeculations is that she die from drug abuse. Whitney Houston died at 48 years old and for some old stars, they are still at their prime. Whitney acted in the film " The body guard" and she sang the theme song "I will always love you". Her high pitch was extremely strong and powerful and there was no one who could do it like her and singing the songs as she did. She also won many grammies and she was very popular in many countries. It was a pity that she has to go this way so early. It will be a long time before someone like her will come in future's way.
Another great star also passed away in January 2012 and she is no other than Fung Fei Fei, a mandarin mega songbird who was extremely popular in Asia. She died of lung cancer at age 60. She also have power vocals and have many great songs to her credit. In the mandarin pop world, she is another whitney in her own rights.
So, at the start of 2012, there are already two fallen stars and many more stars will also pass this way as time goes one. Nobdy is spared the basic cycle of life. Just like what Ajahn Brahm have said " when there is a storm in the night, the next morning you will find many leaves on the floor. Not only old leaves falls in the night but some young and adult ones also fell. The life of an individual is not the same for all, some going early and some much older and yet, some live until a ripe old age. Tomorow is never guaranteed and no matter how rich you are or how famous and great you are, there is time to go.
some people is in their prime and enjoying stardom and they are many who is suffering in private. This is the establishment. Some born great, some born less fortunate and some born a simplton. It does not matter, everyone have their own life and live their own way. What it matters most is that are we happy ? If we are, we are on the right path even if we are not on the stage receiving the grammies. All of us shine in our own ways and a star of our own right. We have our own stage , our own audience and our own love ones and we are the main star in our life. Just beware that we are also the director in our life with our own script.
Namaste.
Valentine special - from Porky
Today, I received a graphic image of Mr Porky wishing Happy Valentine. Why , Mr Porky and not, Mr Monkey or froggy ? I don’t know the real intention but I know that in Chinese folklore – Way to the West, there is a Monk, a monkey, a pig and a sandman. They travel from China to the West to seek the scared scroll of Buddhism. In the journey, they encountered many evil spirits and monsters . Most of them are beautiful female spirits especially the spider women.
The most “ham sap” or sexy of the three is Mr Porky and he was easily tricked by those female spirits and monsters. When he saw women, his saliva will be oozing out from his mouth and his naughty eyes will be transfixed on to the women. Nasty thoughts will start floating in his mind.
So, I believe those imaginative guys are using Mr Porky as a symbol for the valentine greetings. Pigs can be sexy if they are well fed and well shaved and properly clean up like the one above.
So, to all the lovers .. Happy Valentine and lets Porky leads your heart to where it should be. There is a latest trend among FB users, they use this occasion to exchange passwords to their mails to show their love or trust. My advise is that don’t do it as there are a lot of Casanovas like Mr Porky, who will steal your love, your trust and let you hang up dry and fried. Reserve that little secret with you and ask the honey bees to go and fly kite.
Namaste.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
In the end, there is nothing
Life is like a dream and our dream is our life. In the end, it is the same story. Nothing. This song have been made popular in the 50's and once, awhile, we can still hear this song from the radio. The writer of this song have realized the truth meaning of life and expressed his message in his song. For most of us, we are too busy to listen to this song or realize its message.
Everything comes to an end and the end is another beginning. This is modus operandi of life. Death is followed by brith, an end of an event or a movie, will be followed by many events and movies. We have nothing but only the present.
Even the present is moving and is never permanent and you can never catch it in your hands or own it permanent. What is real is fake and what is fake is real which is real or fake. What we see is an illusion and only our own perception. Everybody look at the same thing different;u and from different angle. No one's perception is the same with another. Like colors, a single color can have more than 500 shades and our naked eyes see colors differently.When we see "green", which tone of green are you looking at? So, everything is an illusion. Life itself is an illusion.
Lao Tzi said " nothing is static, everything is changing". How true are his words? If we don't change with time,we will be living in another dimension or die not knowing what is happening. Change bring changes and life needs to flow with changes. The end is not an end but a beginning.
The faster we realize this fact, the better we are and the better we are prepared. We should do the things we want to do and waste no time to ponder or wait. Time waits for no one and the end will come soon. Never predictable or mysterious in its own ways. We have to chase after time as it can be illusive.
Like Ajahn Brahm said " Life is like entering a stadium to wathc a concert". We go in to watch the show and we should enjoy the performance while we are there. At the end of the show, we just pack up and passes on".
Namaste.
Namaste.
Everything comes to an end and the end is another beginning. This is modus operandi of life. Death is followed by brith, an end of an event or a movie, will be followed by many events and movies. We have nothing but only the present.
Even the present is moving and is never permanent and you can never catch it in your hands or own it permanent. What is real is fake and what is fake is real which is real or fake. What we see is an illusion and only our own perception. Everybody look at the same thing different;u and from different angle. No one's perception is the same with another. Like colors, a single color can have more than 500 shades and our naked eyes see colors differently.When we see "green", which tone of green are you looking at? So, everything is an illusion. Life itself is an illusion.
Lao Tzi said " nothing is static, everything is changing". How true are his words? If we don't change with time,we will be living in another dimension or die not knowing what is happening. Change bring changes and life needs to flow with changes. The end is not an end but a beginning.
The faster we realize this fact, the better we are and the better we are prepared. We should do the things we want to do and waste no time to ponder or wait. Time waits for no one and the end will come soon. Never predictable or mysterious in its own ways. We have to chase after time as it can be illusive.
Like Ajahn Brahm said " Life is like entering a stadium to wathc a concert". We go in to watch the show and we should enjoy the performance while we are there. At the end of the show, we just pack up and passes on".
Namaste.
Namaste.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Internet dating scam triple - news
Number of Internet dating scams triple in 2011
Scam artists prey on lonely hearts by showering attention; women over 40 are most vulnerable
Singapore | Updated today at 06:00 AM
By Kezia Toh
Last October, Janet (not her real name) went to the airport, all eager to welcome an American she had befriended on a dating website.
While she was waiting at the arrival hall, the 34-year-old's cellphone rang. An 'immigration officer' said that her friend had been detained for bringing in a large sum of money.
He could be released but only when she had transferred $14,000 to a bank account. Smelling a rat, she went to the police. But many others took a hit in their pockets.
According to the police's annual crime briefing last week, the number of Internet dating scams tripled last year to 62 from 21 in 2010 - the biggest rise since they surfaced four years ago.
Scam artists prey on lonely hearts by showering attention; women over 40 are most vulnerable
Singapore | Updated today at 06:00 AM
By Kezia Toh
Last October, Janet (not her real name) went to the airport, all eager to welcome an American she had befriended on a dating website.
While she was waiting at the arrival hall, the 34-year-old's cellphone rang. An 'immigration officer' said that her friend had been detained for bringing in a large sum of money.
He could be released but only when she had transferred $14,000 to a bank account. Smelling a rat, she went to the police. But many others took a hit in their pockets.
According to the police's annual crime briefing last week, the number of Internet dating scams tripled last year to 62 from 21 in 2010 - the biggest rise since they surfaced four years ago.
The world is the better place now - survey
World is a happier place than 2007: poll
Fri Feb 10, 2012 1:03PM EST
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Despite economic woes, wars, conflicts and natural disasters the world is a happier place today than it was four years ago and Indonesians, Indians and Mexicans seem to be the most contented people on the planet.
More than three-quarters of people around the globe who were questioned in an international poll said they were happy with their lives and nearly a quarter described themselves as very happy.
"The world is a happier place today and we can actually measure it because we have been tracking it," said John Wright, senior vice president of Ipsos Global, which has surveyed the happiness of more than 18,000 people in 24 countries since 2007.
But he added that expectations of why people are happy should be carefully weighed.
"It is not just about the economy and their well being. It is about a whole series of other factors that make them who they are today."
Brazil and Turkey rounded out the top five happiest nations, while Hungary, South Korea, Russia, Spain and Italy had the fewest number of happy people.
Perhaps proving that money can't buy happiness, residents of some of the world biggest economic powers, including the United States, Canada and Britain, fell in the middle of the happiness scale.
"There is a pattern that suggests that there are many other factors beyond the economy that make people happy, so it does provide one element but it is not the whole story," said Wright.
"Sometimes the greatest happiness is a cooked meal or a roof over your head," he explained. "Relationships remain the No. 1 reason around the world where people say they have invested happiness and maybe in those cultures family has a much greater degree of impact."
Regionally Latin America had the highest number of happy people, followed by North America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and Africa. Only 15 percent of Europeans said they were very happy.
On a more personal note married couples tended to be happier than singles but men seemed to be as content as women. Education and age also had an impact with more people under 35 saying they are very happy than 25-49 year olds. Higher education also equated with higher happiness.
Fri Feb 10, 2012 1:03PM EST
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Despite economic woes, wars, conflicts and natural disasters the world is a happier place today than it was four years ago and Indonesians, Indians and Mexicans seem to be the most contented people on the planet.
More than three-quarters of people around the globe who were questioned in an international poll said they were happy with their lives and nearly a quarter described themselves as very happy.
"The world is a happier place today and we can actually measure it because we have been tracking it," said John Wright, senior vice president of Ipsos Global, which has surveyed the happiness of more than 18,000 people in 24 countries since 2007.
But he added that expectations of why people are happy should be carefully weighed.
"It is not just about the economy and their well being. It is about a whole series of other factors that make them who they are today."
Brazil and Turkey rounded out the top five happiest nations, while Hungary, South Korea, Russia, Spain and Italy had the fewest number of happy people.
Perhaps proving that money can't buy happiness, residents of some of the world biggest economic powers, including the United States, Canada and Britain, fell in the middle of the happiness scale.
"There is a pattern that suggests that there are many other factors beyond the economy that make people happy, so it does provide one element but it is not the whole story," said Wright.
"Sometimes the greatest happiness is a cooked meal or a roof over your head," he explained. "Relationships remain the No. 1 reason around the world where people say they have invested happiness and maybe in those cultures family has a much greater degree of impact."
Regionally Latin America had the highest number of happy people, followed by North America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and Africa. Only 15 percent of Europeans said they were very happy.
On a more personal note married couples tended to be happier than singles but men seemed to be as content as women. Education and age also had an impact with more people under 35 saying they are very happy than 25-49 year olds. Higher education also equated with higher happiness.
Chaotic time in Penang,
My sister-in-laws together with my favorite niece and her boyfriend dropped in to Penang by car this morning from KL at 11am and they want to eat local Penang food. Of course, they have to pray to their late father first at the famous Kek Lok Si temple in Air Itam. Isuggested to have lunch in Air Itam where there is several spots for good hawker food but they insisted to eat at Lorng Selamat in Georgetown. Lorong Selemat is another famous hotspot for local food.
As I was going along the Air itam Road before reaching the famous Chung Ling High School, I hit smack into a massive jam. The road to Scotland Road was jam packed while the Air Itam Road leading to town is also jam packed. It was as if there is a big event in Penang but actually, there was nothing happening in Penang. It was a usual saturday traffic when it is a school day. The roads are all badly jammed and I have no choice but to inch a long. It was jam all the way to lorong selamat. It took me an hour to reach lorong selamat.
As usual on a weekend, this food hotspot was also packed with weekend visitors but we managed to eat Char Koay Teow, Hokkien Mee, Ice Kajang and assam laksa. The usual famous local food which foreign visitors loved and for the local, it is their daily diet. Good food really attracts people far and wide.
Apart from the heavy traffic, the crazy hot weather in Penang really kills. The sun today is extremely hot including now while I hide in my air-con room to write this message. It is not only hot but it burns. I think the hottest temperature today is 40 deg C. Hello folks, not minus 40 deg C which happens in Europe. I am thinking of trying to fry an egg on the road to prove that it really hurts.
So, we poor Penang people is suffering a massive jam and a burning sun, who would want to go out. I was thinking of having tea time in a nearby restaurant but just cannot get my self to go out in this heat and traffic. What else can we do? We have to surrender Penang to the crazy visitors lah, what else? LOL.
After eating the lunch and dropping them off, it took me almost another one and half hour to travel from the heart of Georgetown back to Air Itam. To have hawkers food, it took me an all in 3 hours to complete the task of travelling to lorong selamat, eat lunch and go back to my home in Air Itam.
On my way back, I hit smack in another massive jam with foreign visitors to Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill. The traffic was crawling at ant's pace. I told myself, I need to learn to enjoy myself in a traffic jam and under a burning sun. It is just pure maddness. How can people want to suffer the pain under the sun to visit a hill, just a hill. I will need to appeal to the Chief Minister of Penang to ensure that there adequate facilities to make it worthwhile for these poor visitors.
I am still looking at the sun from my room and somewhat, I am enjoying myself even I am doing nothing, but just resting. Take a break and rest for a while. It is okay to do nothing.
Namaste.
As I was going along the Air itam Road before reaching the famous Chung Ling High School, I hit smack into a massive jam. The road to Scotland Road was jam packed while the Air Itam Road leading to town is also jam packed. It was as if there is a big event in Penang but actually, there was nothing happening in Penang. It was a usual saturday traffic when it is a school day. The roads are all badly jammed and I have no choice but to inch a long. It was jam all the way to lorong selamat. It took me an hour to reach lorong selamat.
As usual on a weekend, this food hotspot was also packed with weekend visitors but we managed to eat Char Koay Teow, Hokkien Mee, Ice Kajang and assam laksa. The usual famous local food which foreign visitors loved and for the local, it is their daily diet. Good food really attracts people far and wide.
Apart from the heavy traffic, the crazy hot weather in Penang really kills. The sun today is extremely hot including now while I hide in my air-con room to write this message. It is not only hot but it burns. I think the hottest temperature today is 40 deg C. Hello folks, not minus 40 deg C which happens in Europe. I am thinking of trying to fry an egg on the road to prove that it really hurts.
So, we poor Penang people is suffering a massive jam and a burning sun, who would want to go out. I was thinking of having tea time in a nearby restaurant but just cannot get my self to go out in this heat and traffic. What else can we do? We have to surrender Penang to the crazy visitors lah, what else? LOL.
After eating the lunch and dropping them off, it took me almost another one and half hour to travel from the heart of Georgetown back to Air Itam. To have hawkers food, it took me an all in 3 hours to complete the task of travelling to lorong selamat, eat lunch and go back to my home in Air Itam.
On my way back, I hit smack in another massive jam with foreign visitors to Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill. The traffic was crawling at ant's pace. I told myself, I need to learn to enjoy myself in a traffic jam and under a burning sun. It is just pure maddness. How can people want to suffer the pain under the sun to visit a hill, just a hill. I will need to appeal to the Chief Minister of Penang to ensure that there adequate facilities to make it worthwhile for these poor visitors.
I am still looking at the sun from my room and somewhat, I am enjoying myself even I am doing nothing, but just resting. Take a break and rest for a while. It is okay to do nothing.
Namaste.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Mr Greed, the Evil.
I have written an article about an Emperor, who award his General, who had fought very hard for him, all the land he can covered with his horse. This General rode his horse day and night , rain or shine and in poor health and when he was at his death bed , he realized he only need a piece of land 6ft by 6ft to burn him. By then, it was too late.
This is Greed and most of us is greedy and the urge to have more is very strong. We always look for opportunity to make money and on the way, we lost even more. We fight to win more bonus or to gain promotion at the expense of our relationship with our colleagues and at the expense of our health. The urge to have more move the world business and most of us fall into this evil trap.
We do not need more to survive , we only need “enough” and be contented with what we have. But, some people will disagree. Why can’t we have more ? This is our choice and our life. More money , bigger house, bigger car, good food motivates us and make us happy. Why can’t we have all that ?
We should not judge, unless we want to be judged by other people. Yes, this is correct, it is our choice but whether our choice is the right path or not. On the other hand, right or wrong , it does not matter. At the end of the day, it is still a life gone. Unless, you can prove that there is another life and the merits or karma we accumulate can be brought over to the next life. If there is another life ? How sure are we?
Nothing is for sure. There is no religion in the world which can prove that they are the way or the truth. We have only to believe and there is no way to prove which religion is better or more absolute than the other.
So which horse do we bet ? There are so many type of religion. Finally, it comes back to our choice and which is a better bet ? It is only our perception , our upbringing and our experience and influence by our peers or loved ones. We choose to wear the clothe which fit us and make us more comfortable. Yes, everything is a bet but as long as we are happy and well, it is our choice.
Namaste.
This is Greed and most of us is greedy and the urge to have more is very strong. We always look for opportunity to make money and on the way, we lost even more. We fight to win more bonus or to gain promotion at the expense of our relationship with our colleagues and at the expense of our health. The urge to have more move the world business and most of us fall into this evil trap.
We do not need more to survive , we only need “enough” and be contented with what we have. But, some people will disagree. Why can’t we have more ? This is our choice and our life. More money , bigger house, bigger car, good food motivates us and make us happy. Why can’t we have all that ?
We should not judge, unless we want to be judged by other people. Yes, this is correct, it is our choice but whether our choice is the right path or not. On the other hand, right or wrong , it does not matter. At the end of the day, it is still a life gone. Unless, you can prove that there is another life and the merits or karma we accumulate can be brought over to the next life. If there is another life ? How sure are we?
Nothing is for sure. There is no religion in the world which can prove that they are the way or the truth. We have only to believe and there is no way to prove which religion is better or more absolute than the other.
So which horse do we bet ? There are so many type of religion. Finally, it comes back to our choice and which is a better bet ? It is only our perception , our upbringing and our experience and influence by our peers or loved ones. We choose to wear the clothe which fit us and make us more comfortable. Yes, everything is a bet but as long as we are happy and well, it is our choice.
Namaste.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
A moment of quietness.
It is after work now and most of my staff have gone back. There is a silence as I sit back to recap what have happen for the day. These few days, I have some kind of fear which is bothering me. There are many reasons for that feeling. I am not sure as the fear keep switching among themselves and float up in my mind.
One of the fear is my brother’s by-pass operation and it has been tracking me for a few days. One blur factor is the fast passing time. CNY is over and it is now back to normal. A lot of things is going to fly pass by and Master Time stops for no one. Age will start catching up fast. The cycle of birth, age , sickness and death is real. When we get old, we get sick. The last few days, I have been going to the hospital to see my brother and he was warded in a room for six people. All of them are heart patients and they are already old above 60, I think.
In moment of silence and reflection, my thoughts become clear and I could move into myself and face the fear. What can I do ? I can only accept the facts and move on and live with the fear. What is there to fear if I cannot do anything about it. Silly thoughts !
Well, getting ready to go for yoga class and after that, I will feel tired and have a deep rest. Such exercise not only exercise the body but keep the mind clear. During yoga, we have concentrate on our breathing and in this way, we know that we are alive.
Time to go now. Have a nice evening , Fellas.
Namaste.
One of the fear is my brother’s by-pass operation and it has been tracking me for a few days. One blur factor is the fast passing time. CNY is over and it is now back to normal. A lot of things is going to fly pass by and Master Time stops for no one. Age will start catching up fast. The cycle of birth, age , sickness and death is real. When we get old, we get sick. The last few days, I have been going to the hospital to see my brother and he was warded in a room for six people. All of them are heart patients and they are already old above 60, I think.
In moment of silence and reflection, my thoughts become clear and I could move into myself and face the fear. What can I do ? I can only accept the facts and move on and live with the fear. What is there to fear if I cannot do anything about it. Silly thoughts !
Well, getting ready to go for yoga class and after that, I will feel tired and have a deep rest. Such exercise not only exercise the body but keep the mind clear. During yoga, we have concentrate on our breathing and in this way, we know that we are alive.
Time to go now. Have a nice evening , Fellas.
Namaste.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Lunch at Good Idea, Chai Leng Park, Prai, Penang
I went to this Sa Hor Fun Restaurant with my boss, H and their specialty is only Sa Hor Fun dry or wet with soup. Other offering are either green vegetable “ Choy Sum” or “ Wan Tan soup”. I had two bowls of Sa Hor Fun (dry) and it was already very filling.
The owner used to operate in a stall in a coffee shop and now, they have branch out to operate a restaurant on their own. The setting was pretty simple with mable tables and chairs and it was airy and bright. I think it looks more like a franchise now.
Talking about franchise business, it had been very popular a few years ago and the success of Secret Recipe and Old Town Café was born during those years. Many others have fallen apart and failed miserably.
Recently, I read an article that Starbuck is branching into India and of course, they have been very successful in China operating 3000 to 4000 starbuck outlets. In India, there is already many local coffee shops and all of them are enjoying good business. Coffee Bean is not far away from Starbuck in the coffee business.
Coming back to this Sa Hor Fun shop, the taste and its success will based heavily on the quality of the raw materials and in this aspect , it is very difficult to maintain. The quality of Sa Hor Fun can be manageable but in a limited way because it depends a lot on the maker or “Sifu” of the day handling the making of the noodles. Some slight variation will make the noodle having different taste or textures. Worst still, the supply of the green veggies. The source of supply ie from which farm is very important as it is the product of the weather and the earth. These two factors are the most difficult to control or manage. It is never easy to maintain the same texture or the taste.
In food business, one wrong taste or wrong handling, it could drive away the customers permanently and that will the start of an end to the business.
Nevertheless, the Ipoh “ Gek Choy Kai “ have been very popular for many years and people are flocking to Ipoh to taste this dish and this idea have spread to other states like their Good Idea restaurant and another one is “ Mei Fong “ in Kampong Bangali.
Best of luck to the food hunters and please try out at this joint.
Namaste.
Have right thoughts - The Buddha
In each day, thousands of thoughts move through our head. Switching back and forth or changing topics. The good thoughts, the bad thoughts, the angry thoughts, righteous thoughts, etc. It could stay a second or it could stay for an hour. The thoughts just circle round and round until it gets tired and whithers off but it will return some day. This is our monkey mind.
Budda teach us to have the right thoughts and this is one of principle in the 8 fold path. Right thoughts would lead to right action and the usage of the right words. How can we know what are the right thoughts ? Thoughts that are non harmful to people, thoughts of loving compassion or loving kindness? Yes, these could be the right thoughts.
What about the thought of sex in the mind or thinking of killing somebody or causing harm to your adversaries ? Are these bad thoughts which carry bad karma? Only thinking and not happening and there is no harm to other people, why does this carries bad karma or are bad thoughts?
My understanding is that bad thoughts as it remained as thoughts are harmless and have no consequences. But, if we focus our thoughts in a negative act or thoughts, it could pyche you up and amke you miserable. If something unfair to us and if we keep thinking about it, this make us unhappy and it swells in our head and this could prompt an involuntary action and leashes out and harm other people. If you continue to think about sex, you could court trouble by engaging yourself to solicit sex from your female compansions and could result in some legal reprimand.
There is a Chinese saying " When you are always near black color, you will turn into black and if you choose to be close to white, you will become white". So, Buddha's teaching is logical. Stay away from negative, angry or bad thoughts and think of the positve and good things, you will be happy and in control of yourself. Stay in the light and you will be bright and if you choose to stay in the dark, you will be alone as nobody will notice you.
Have righteous thoughts which will lead to righteous actions and you will have a right thinking mind.
Namaste.
Budda teach us to have the right thoughts and this is one of principle in the 8 fold path. Right thoughts would lead to right action and the usage of the right words. How can we know what are the right thoughts ? Thoughts that are non harmful to people, thoughts of loving compassion or loving kindness? Yes, these could be the right thoughts.
What about the thought of sex in the mind or thinking of killing somebody or causing harm to your adversaries ? Are these bad thoughts which carry bad karma? Only thinking and not happening and there is no harm to other people, why does this carries bad karma or are bad thoughts?
My understanding is that bad thoughts as it remained as thoughts are harmless and have no consequences. But, if we focus our thoughts in a negative act or thoughts, it could pyche you up and amke you miserable. If something unfair to us and if we keep thinking about it, this make us unhappy and it swells in our head and this could prompt an involuntary action and leashes out and harm other people. If you continue to think about sex, you could court trouble by engaging yourself to solicit sex from your female compansions and could result in some legal reprimand.
There is a Chinese saying " When you are always near black color, you will turn into black and if you choose to be close to white, you will become white". So, Buddha's teaching is logical. Stay away from negative, angry or bad thoughts and think of the positve and good things, you will be happy and in control of yourself. Stay in the light and you will be bright and if you choose to stay in the dark, you will be alone as nobody will notice you.
Have righteous thoughts which will lead to righteous actions and you will have a right thinking mind.
Namaste.
My brother's heart by-pass
I have many friends who have successfully done their heart by-pass after detecting blockage in their arteries. Today, my brother did his by-pass operation and I visited him in the evening about one hour after his operation at the hospital. He was woken up by our visit after heavy sedation during the operation which lasted for about 4 hours.
Looking at him been hooked on to so many monitors and with tubes and pipes running into his mouth and other parts of his body, he looks well but he seem to abit daze. The nurse told us not to let him talk and just asked him to listen to what we are speaking. He notched his head as we talk indicating that he is aware of what we are talking. Looking at him drifting in and out of his senses. I told him to rest and we left after 30 minutes with him. He will have to rest in the intensive care for a few days before going to the normal wards.
Heart by-pass is to replace the block heart arteries with the veins from your thigh or your leg. In the past, it is a major operation but in recent times, it is quite a simple operation and the success rate is very high. It is the after operation care that is important. There is a fear of infections and a return to the past life style and eating habits. With a new heart, there is a second spring and the patient must really cherished this second chance to life and make good use of it.
I have been to the hospital several times. My father was in coma at the hospital before we transport him home to die in his own house and that happens for about 20 years now. My father-in-law was treated for cancer at the hospital before he passed away last September. He was hospitalized for about 14 days.
I have visited my brother when he was hospitalized after diagnosed with heart blockage before the CNY. There are few friends who have been hospitalized there and I visited them. Nobody likes to visit a hospital and this is very normal. This is place where the sickly or less perfect people frequent. But, if you look at it in a different light, you will notice that this is a place for people to rest and recover. It is just like a motor repair shop. If the parts are damaged, you need a good mechanic to fix it before the vehicle can operate again. There is life in a motor vehicle as well. So, the same thing, this is a place for recovery of our health if there is some thing wrong with us.
We should keep an open mind and not to be supersitious. Many people could have died in a hospital and there could be many restless spirit there as the story goes. For some superstitious freaks, this is a place to avoid contact with the third or fourth kind. You have to be righteous and focus in your mind to remain calm and peaceful.
All this thinking is only in your mind. If you believe there is than it will be and if you tell yourself there is no such things, it will never be. You are the maker and creator of such thoughts.It is all up to you.
My brother's name is Choong Weng. Lets all pray for his speedy recovery.
Namaste
Looking at him been hooked on to so many monitors and with tubes and pipes running into his mouth and other parts of his body, he looks well but he seem to abit daze. The nurse told us not to let him talk and just asked him to listen to what we are speaking. He notched his head as we talk indicating that he is aware of what we are talking. Looking at him drifting in and out of his senses. I told him to rest and we left after 30 minutes with him. He will have to rest in the intensive care for a few days before going to the normal wards.
Heart by-pass is to replace the block heart arteries with the veins from your thigh or your leg. In the past, it is a major operation but in recent times, it is quite a simple operation and the success rate is very high. It is the after operation care that is important. There is a fear of infections and a return to the past life style and eating habits. With a new heart, there is a second spring and the patient must really cherished this second chance to life and make good use of it.
I have been to the hospital several times. My father was in coma at the hospital before we transport him home to die in his own house and that happens for about 20 years now. My father-in-law was treated for cancer at the hospital before he passed away last September. He was hospitalized for about 14 days.
I have visited my brother when he was hospitalized after diagnosed with heart blockage before the CNY. There are few friends who have been hospitalized there and I visited them. Nobody likes to visit a hospital and this is very normal. This is place where the sickly or less perfect people frequent. But, if you look at it in a different light, you will notice that this is a place for people to rest and recover. It is just like a motor repair shop. If the parts are damaged, you need a good mechanic to fix it before the vehicle can operate again. There is life in a motor vehicle as well. So, the same thing, this is a place for recovery of our health if there is some thing wrong with us.
We should keep an open mind and not to be supersitious. Many people could have died in a hospital and there could be many restless spirit there as the story goes. For some superstitious freaks, this is a place to avoid contact with the third or fourth kind. You have to be righteous and focus in your mind to remain calm and peaceful.
All this thinking is only in your mind. If you believe there is than it will be and if you tell yourself there is no such things, it will never be. You are the maker and creator of such thoughts.It is all up to you.
My brother's name is Choong Weng. Lets all pray for his speedy recovery.
Namaste
Don't let bad breath spoilt your valentine - article
Don’t Let Bad Breath Scare Your Valentine Away!
Girl: I have to tell you something, but I’m very shy.
Boy: Don’t be shy darling, please tell me (Expecting confessions of love).
Girl: I’m really shy…I’m not sure how to say it.
Boy: Don’t be shy. I am here to listen to what you have to say (With excitement). Please say it, I cannot be patient anymore. Tell me darling.
Have you ever been caught in such a situation? What if it happened on Valentine’s Day? On your very first date with the girl/guy you’ve had a crush on forever…it’s practically everyone’s waking nightmare! The perfect dress, make-up or hairstyle can’t make up for the fact that when you open your mouth to say “I Love You”, your crush cringes and moves away.
Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, is a more common problem then many people think. Bad breath is actually caused by the millions of bacteria that naturally exist in our mouth as the warm, moist environment provides a perfect setting for their growth. Many people think they will know if they had bad breath; however odor-detecting cells that exist in the nose eventually get used to the smell. One of the ways to find out whether or not you have bad breath is by taking a dry piece of cloth and scraping it against the back of your tongue. Leave it to dry for a few minutes and then smell it. This gives a clue whether you have a problem or not.
You can lessen the effects by avoiding foods that cause bad breath (especially a day before the big V-Day!). Foods that cause stomach upsets and flatulence also causes bad breath. Therefore, avoid eating garlic, onions and cabbage, among others. This is because sulphur compounds in these foods are absorbed by the digestive system and then carried to the lungs. Lungs then expel it when we exhale thus causing our breath to smell bad.
Did you know that chocolates can cause bad breath too? Try to avoid eating it just before your date as it can affect your breath within an hour of consumption. Controlling what we eat and using breath fresheners may help in masking bad breath temporarily. But do tune in to our next article to find out how you can permanently abolish bad breath. That way you don’t have to worry about kissing your next date!
Until then,
Happy Reading!
Evelyn
Girl: I have to tell you something, but I’m very shy.
Boy: Don’t be shy darling, please tell me (Expecting confessions of love).
Girl: I’m really shy…I’m not sure how to say it.
Boy: Don’t be shy. I am here to listen to what you have to say (With excitement). Please say it, I cannot be patient anymore. Tell me darling.
Have you ever been caught in such a situation? What if it happened on Valentine’s Day? On your very first date with the girl/guy you’ve had a crush on forever…it’s practically everyone’s waking nightmare! The perfect dress, make-up or hairstyle can’t make up for the fact that when you open your mouth to say “I Love You”, your crush cringes and moves away.
Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, is a more common problem then many people think. Bad breath is actually caused by the millions of bacteria that naturally exist in our mouth as the warm, moist environment provides a perfect setting for their growth. Many people think they will know if they had bad breath; however odor-detecting cells that exist in the nose eventually get used to the smell. One of the ways to find out whether or not you have bad breath is by taking a dry piece of cloth and scraping it against the back of your tongue. Leave it to dry for a few minutes and then smell it. This gives a clue whether you have a problem or not.
You can lessen the effects by avoiding foods that cause bad breath (especially a day before the big V-Day!). Foods that cause stomach upsets and flatulence also causes bad breath. Therefore, avoid eating garlic, onions and cabbage, among others. This is because sulphur compounds in these foods are absorbed by the digestive system and then carried to the lungs. Lungs then expel it when we exhale thus causing our breath to smell bad.
Did you know that chocolates can cause bad breath too? Try to avoid eating it just before your date as it can affect your breath within an hour of consumption. Controlling what we eat and using breath fresheners may help in masking bad breath temporarily. But do tune in to our next article to find out how you can permanently abolish bad breath. That way you don’t have to worry about kissing your next date!
Until then,
Happy Reading!
Evelyn
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Freezing cold minus 35 deg C hit Europe - report
Floods add to Europe's cold to claim more lives
World | Updated today at 06:00 AM
SOFIA (AFP) - The toll from Europe's winter weather pushed past 360 on Monday when snow- and rain-swollen rivers burst a Bulgarian dam and killed at least eight, while more homeless people perished on frigid city streets.
Four elderly people drowned in their homes in the south-eastern Bulgarian village of Biser after a nearby dam wall broke, submerging the whole village under 2.5m of icy water, the interior ministry said. Another four people died when their cars were swept from bridges into raging rivers in the same region.
'People are in panic,' regional mayor Mihail Liskov said on national radio as a massive rescue effort was under way. 'Ninety per cent of the village is under water.' Two other dams were brimming with water and heavy rains triggered a landslide that derailed a train near the Turkish border. No injuries were reported.
Temperatures touched new lows in parts of Europe, including Switzerland which reported the mercury dipping to minus 35.1 deg C overnight in the eastern Graubuenden canton and the Czech Republic, where the town of Kvilda recorded a winter low of minus 39.4 deg C.
World | Updated today at 06:00 AM
SOFIA (AFP) - The toll from Europe's winter weather pushed past 360 on Monday when snow- and rain-swollen rivers burst a Bulgarian dam and killed at least eight, while more homeless people perished on frigid city streets.
Four elderly people drowned in their homes in the south-eastern Bulgarian village of Biser after a nearby dam wall broke, submerging the whole village under 2.5m of icy water, the interior ministry said. Another four people died when their cars were swept from bridges into raging rivers in the same region.
'People are in panic,' regional mayor Mihail Liskov said on national radio as a massive rescue effort was under way. 'Ninety per cent of the village is under water.' Two other dams were brimming with water and heavy rains triggered a landslide that derailed a train near the Turkish border. No injuries were reported.
Temperatures touched new lows in parts of Europe, including Switzerland which reported the mercury dipping to minus 35.1 deg C overnight in the eastern Graubuenden canton and the Czech Republic, where the town of Kvilda recorded a winter low of minus 39.4 deg C.
Home remedy for HBP
I had high blood pressure for many years and I am on medication for the sickness. HBP is a sickness and we have to admit it and it is caused by my life style, my diet and stress from my job. I have pretend to be normal and my blood pressure fluctuates irregularly until I decide to the medication for blood pressure. I have many friends who is suffering from these sickness and they are trying to solve it by changing their life style and the use of supplements.
I have tried very hard to avoid taking medication and refused to tell myself that I am sick. I think my sickness also because of my family history and it is hereditary. i tried changing my life style as I know that long term medication could caused other medical problems.
For those folks who are borderline cases, you can control it by reducing your weight and remain active and try to have regular exercise and reduce stress as much as possible. While I looking through the internet, I came across this home remedy for HBP but this is not absolute. If you still do not have your pressure under control after following these advises, you have to seek medical help as soon as possible. Otherwise, you are a walking time bomb.
See the following extracts for your information:
Home Remedy for High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure also known as Hypertension is a health condition of chronic elevation of blood pressure. Some symptoms may relate to high blood pressure are headache, dizziness, irritableness, nausea, feel hot, faintness, sweating easily. If problems are untreated, patients could be greater risk of stroke, heart attack, brain hemorrhage, kidney problems and loss of vision.
The average blood pressure range between 110/70 and 125/80 are considered to be normal in person. If the blood pressure is higher average range are consider high. The high number in these cases are 110 or 125 called Systolic Blood Pressure indicates pressure in the arteries as the heart squeezes out blood during each beat. The low numbers in these cases are 70 or 80 called the Diastolic Blood Pressure indicates the pressure as the heart relaxes before the next beat.
•Exercise 30 minutes 3 times a week such as walking, swimming, biking, and yoga, etc.
•Reduce intake of salt in foods.
•Taking CoQ10 supplements will help to reduce high blood pressure.
•Eating a clove of garlic with meal every day will prevent and cure high blood pressure.
•Drink green tea every day. Green tea has property to relax blood vessels.
•Quit smoking and drinking alcohol
•Medication will help to mange stress with control breathing method to cure many other health problems as well.
•Diet to lose weight is good way to lower your blood pressure.
•Eating fish at lease 3 times a week or taking fish oil supplement daily such as Omega 3/ Omega-6 will help to reduce heart problems.
•Hawthorn berries is natural herb used to treat the people with high blood pressure problems.
•Eating foods rich in potassium and magnesium such as bananas, molasses, soy watermelon and grapes are good to treat high blood pressure.
I have tried very hard to avoid taking medication and refused to tell myself that I am sick. I think my sickness also because of my family history and it is hereditary. i tried changing my life style as I know that long term medication could caused other medical problems.
For those folks who are borderline cases, you can control it by reducing your weight and remain active and try to have regular exercise and reduce stress as much as possible. While I looking through the internet, I came across this home remedy for HBP but this is not absolute. If you still do not have your pressure under control after following these advises, you have to seek medical help as soon as possible. Otherwise, you are a walking time bomb.
See the following extracts for your information:
Home Remedy for High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure also known as Hypertension is a health condition of chronic elevation of blood pressure. Some symptoms may relate to high blood pressure are headache, dizziness, irritableness, nausea, feel hot, faintness, sweating easily. If problems are untreated, patients could be greater risk of stroke, heart attack, brain hemorrhage, kidney problems and loss of vision.
The average blood pressure range between 110/70 and 125/80 are considered to be normal in person. If the blood pressure is higher average range are consider high. The high number in these cases are 110 or 125 called Systolic Blood Pressure indicates pressure in the arteries as the heart squeezes out blood during each beat. The low numbers in these cases are 70 or 80 called the Diastolic Blood Pressure indicates the pressure as the heart relaxes before the next beat.
•Exercise 30 minutes 3 times a week such as walking, swimming, biking, and yoga, etc.
•Reduce intake of salt in foods.
•Taking CoQ10 supplements will help to reduce high blood pressure.
•Eating a clove of garlic with meal every day will prevent and cure high blood pressure.
•Drink green tea every day. Green tea has property to relax blood vessels.
•Quit smoking and drinking alcohol
•Medication will help to mange stress with control breathing method to cure many other health problems as well.
•Diet to lose weight is good way to lower your blood pressure.
•Eating fish at lease 3 times a week or taking fish oil supplement daily such as Omega 3/ Omega-6 will help to reduce heart problems.
•Hawthorn berries is natural herb used to treat the people with high blood pressure problems.
•Eating foods rich in potassium and magnesium such as bananas, molasses, soy watermelon and grapes are good to treat high blood pressure.
Living food cures - a book ( interesting inspirations)
Living Food Cures
The Amazing Stories of 11 People Who
Beat Disease Using Raw and Whole Foods
Can a proper diet cause one's immune system to begin functioning at high levels so high the body heals itself from so-called "incurable diseases"? The answer is a resounding, "YES!" You're going to love reading these inspirational, ture stories about those who've overcome serious illness and reversed disease naturally ... with "Living Foods."
Down-to-Earth Stories, About Real People, Who Changed their Diet
And Experienced Astounding Results In their Physical Health …
These stories, along with the type of diet followed, are now offered a brand new book entitled, "Living Food Cures: The Amazing Stories of 11 People Who Beat Disease Using Raw and Whole Foods."
Consider the following true stories. I interviewed each of these individuals and they shared with me how consuming “living foods” produced dramatic improvements in their health …
Larry, a retired college teacher, was diagnosed with prostrate cancer. Years later, he is still going strong after refusing to go the conventional medical route.
Justin is a singer/musician who was diagnosed with (of all things) cancer in the throat. Yet, just a year later, he saw his doctors call in technicians to see if the x-ray machine was broken ... because Justin's cancer wasn’t appearing on the screen.
Judy was diagnosed with "incurable" Multiple Sclerosis 20 years ago. Her most recent brain scan, however, showed that all of the lesions she once had on her brain are now gone.
Karen is a legal professional. While still a young woman, she suffered a sudden case of paralysis as she was about to begin pursuing her career. After finally being diagnosed with Lupus years later, she turned to nutrition, and is now 95% free of all its symptoms.
Suzy suffered from bi-polar disorder for decades. Then one day, she heard a man speak who opened a door of knowledge and showed her how living foods could bring incredible healing. After doctors told her she’d “never” be able to get off powerful psychotropic medicines, she hasn't even taken an aspirin in years.
Lee is a successful business owner whose life became overwhelmed by a strange "mental fog." But a friend however, shared with him exactly what to do after doctors informed Lee that he had brain cancer.
Faye suffered with severe digestive problems and pain throughout her body for years. After many desperate attempts to find a solution, a visit to a living foods retreat center brought about a stunning reversal to her condition ... in just 4 days.
Mariana had been overweight and sickly for years (ever since she was a child). As her sickness progressed into a diagnosis of breast cancer, a friend told her about whole foods and a healing center where she could learn more about them. Thus began a journey that put her on the road to recovery.
Danny began waking up each morning with arthritic pain and stiffness. It eventually became so bad he’d have to take a hot shower for an hour just to get his joints limber enough to go to work. His doctors said he was headed for a wheelchair. So Danny spent many weeks, reading book after book, until one day, he made a dramatic discovery … and quickly became 95% pain-free.
Jerrod was a Nascar race driver ... with a lovely wife and his whole life in front of him … until a diagnosis of stage-4 melanoma threatened to take it all away. Then he remembered a “crazy diet” his aunt and uncle were doing for their health ... and is now in the best physical shape of his entire life.
Samuel is an international lawyer and human rights advocate whose career (and life) was nearly cut short with a diagnosis of “massive bladder cancer.” Now he continues to defy medical odds with a nutritional routine that contains mostly fresh vegetables and fruits.
Also included ...
Precise Information About What Foods Can Make You Sick
– And Which Ones Help Bodies Self-Heal ...
What one medical doctor prescribes that helps many of his patients “routinely” and completely recover from diabetes, arthritis, lupus and more. (And it makes some other physicians angry). Page 37.
The single most important factor in whether or not a person’s body will be able to “handle” mutated cancer cells. And what one medical researcher discovered about the growth (or reversal) of cells that become tumors. Page 42.
Why the longest running study ever performed about the link between diet and nutrition confirms. How a plant-based diet powerfully offers remarkable benefits when it comes to long-term health and weight loss. Page 43.
How to Live a Long and Healthy Life (Even If You Think You’ve Got Bad Genes). Why Vegans Tend to Avoid Having Heart Attacks … and Lung Cancer Rates are Lower -- Even If They’re Smokers. Page 47.
How many patients end up dying from conventional medical treatments (instead of the diseases they were fighting). The unsettling statistics the medical community never shares with most patients. Page 65.
The “Faith” aspect of all healing. Everyone puts their trust in someone … or something … to try and get their body to heal. The questions you need to ask yourself (and your physician) before pursuing conventional medical treatments for disease. Page 67.
Has your doctor ever studied nutrition? You may be surprised at the answer. And why it’s important for you to know! Page 69.
Is your body meant to “eat meat?” Some wild truths you’ve probably never heard before. Why this issue may be one of the most important things you’ll ever discover when it comes to getting victory over disease, including cancer. Page 92.
The deadliest foods you can eat. They’re toxic to your entire system. These are the main foods to avoid when embracing a nutritional approach to healing. Page 115.
What are “dead” foods? What are “living” foods? Why knowing may be the difference between life or death. Page 121.
Why “eating raw” can enable your body to heal itself? A simple explanation of the logic behind consuming living foods -- for healing and long-term health afterwards. Page 123.
The easy way to get vital living nutrients into your bloodstream in as little as 10 minutes, several times a day. This one nutritional exercise has probably reversed more disease in the last 75 years than any other. Many start getting well within days of implementing it. Page 126.
The foods to consume that always offer your body the highest quality nutrition for self-healing. You’ll start craving these foods … and you won’t need to walk around hungry, feel bloated, or ever “go on a diet” ever again. Page 140.
And much more ...
Each and every day, doctors inform tens of thousands of people across the globe that they’ve been diagnosed with a severe illness. And those doctors’ reports bring fear and uncertainly. This is why you need to encourage either yourself (or others) with great stories and practical lessons regarding a successful nutritional approach for healing.
Monday, February 6, 2012
The crazy hot weather in Penang
I read that it has been extremely cold in Europe and some airports have closed due to the frost and hazy weather. Some people have been frozen to death during the sudden freexing cold sweeping through Europe. What an irony? In South East Asia and in Penang, Malaysia, it is extremely hot and the sun light is so strong that there is a burning sensation on our skin.
What is happening ? Why is it so hot and so cold in different part of the world ? We notice that the weather is changing and going out of its norm. In China, it was reported that a few hundred people was stranded because of strong wind forcing the closure of some highways and people and vehicles have be rescue from strong winds.
In Japan, it had been hit be a few earthquakes apart from the Tsunami case involving Fukushima. Newspaper have reported another big earthquake will hit Japan in the next 4 years. What is to expected in the coming years as the weather keep changing to the extremes.
Back to the hot weather in Penang. Last year, the highest temperature during these hot months is 43 degree Centigrade. My friend told me that if we put an egg on a manhole cover, it will be cooked in seconds. The cover can be used as a frying pan, how wonderful? So, what about our skin? All of us know that constant exposure to strong sunlight can caused skin cancer, if it is getting stronger and stronger as time passes, we should do something about it, right?
The habit of wearing hats is only for the singers but what is wrong if we wear hats in these hot climate? Why hasn't this logical habit catch on with the people ? People in the cold climate wear hats to keep their head warm , why can't asian people wear hats to prevent their head been fried ? Again, this is the mindset issue.It is funny why do we care of what other people think of us? We should do things which is good for ourselves, why do we bother what they think. It is time to change and we have to change with time and the changing environment.
I have read that air con business have been doing fantastic sales and their business have jumped a few fold. Yes, people are hiding in their homes and offices to avoid the heat and this is a natural thing to do. In order to have a good time, we should equip our home and make it self sustainable and comfortable as we hide away from the heat. It is not going to get colder but hotter in the coming years.
Hence, folks we have change our mindset, equip our homes and drink alot of "cooling drinks " to regulate your health. It is very easy to catch a cold or a cough, when we move in and out of hot and cold places and it is important that we have to normalize our both temperature to prevent sickness. Take care and be aware of the danger of the changing temperatures and natura calamities.
Namaste.
What is happening ? Why is it so hot and so cold in different part of the world ? We notice that the weather is changing and going out of its norm. In China, it was reported that a few hundred people was stranded because of strong wind forcing the closure of some highways and people and vehicles have be rescue from strong winds.
In Japan, it had been hit be a few earthquakes apart from the Tsunami case involving Fukushima. Newspaper have reported another big earthquake will hit Japan in the next 4 years. What is to expected in the coming years as the weather keep changing to the extremes.
Back to the hot weather in Penang. Last year, the highest temperature during these hot months is 43 degree Centigrade. My friend told me that if we put an egg on a manhole cover, it will be cooked in seconds. The cover can be used as a frying pan, how wonderful? So, what about our skin? All of us know that constant exposure to strong sunlight can caused skin cancer, if it is getting stronger and stronger as time passes, we should do something about it, right?
The habit of wearing hats is only for the singers but what is wrong if we wear hats in these hot climate? Why hasn't this logical habit catch on with the people ? People in the cold climate wear hats to keep their head warm , why can't asian people wear hats to prevent their head been fried ? Again, this is the mindset issue.It is funny why do we care of what other people think of us? We should do things which is good for ourselves, why do we bother what they think. It is time to change and we have to change with time and the changing environment.
I have read that air con business have been doing fantastic sales and their business have jumped a few fold. Yes, people are hiding in their homes and offices to avoid the heat and this is a natural thing to do. In order to have a good time, we should equip our home and make it self sustainable and comfortable as we hide away from the heat. It is not going to get colder but hotter in the coming years.
Hence, folks we have change our mindset, equip our homes and drink alot of "cooling drinks " to regulate your health. It is very easy to catch a cold or a cough, when we move in and out of hot and cold places and it is important that we have to normalize our both temperature to prevent sickness. Take care and be aware of the danger of the changing temperatures and natura calamities.
Namaste.
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