Attachment - an awareness

Today, my Yoga teacher talks about attachment and how we should be aware of its influence in our life。The greater is our attachment , the bigger is our ego  and the greater we hold tight on it. By not letting it go , it causes a lot of  suffering and pain. It is just like adding stones into our carrying baggage through life.

My yoga teacher continued to talk about letting go of our attachments and this is the best way to deflect away insults or hurtful words and to keep our anger at bay. This is not an easy act and she was honest enough that she still trying to achieve  a non-attachment self.

We work so hard for our money and we sacrifice so much to  accumulate our wealth and to give away this wealth, it will be difficult and we will protect it with our life in this short journey.

Detach our self  but protect our family unless we are single. We should not be so selfish and only think of ourself. If we want to detach ourself from this worldly needs, we should provide for our family and then let go ourself.

If we know meditation, we should meditate on ourself and seek to look at our attachment face to face  and we will realize that it is the source of all our sufferings and pain.   You will move on and try to defeat this source of sufferings.

Let's give an example in our daily life. When a snatch thief came from behind and  snatch your bag, your first instinct is to hold on tight to your bag and your try to fight hard to keep your bag. It does not matter  how much you have in your bag. Some people grap it so hard that they drag a few meters before they let go of their bags and  suffered  so much pains and hurts.

We are just passing through our life, why should we carry the additional weight of the attachments which could drag us down.

Namaste.

Another trip to Bangladesh - Feb 13

Just came back from a three days trip to Bangladesh and I am feeling very tired due to the lack of sleep and lengthy travelling schedule. The country is really changing with better airport in Dhaka and highways.

This is another one of the usual travelling trip with some colleagues.  They told me that they are repaying the good karma to me which could be indebted to me in their past lives.  So, I asked them back whether they know I am also repaying for some karma I have received from others due to my trip to this God foresaken place. Ow, the good and bad karma is coming around and switching from one person to another. can

Finally, who is gathering all the good karmas? What shall become of them ? One of the explanation is that people with good karma will be reborn in a higher status and will gradually move up the rank of Godhood and getting nearer and nearer to be God like and finally become GOD. 

In the Greek theology, there are many GODS and these are the people who have done alot of good to the world and its people. Just in Catholic Church, there are many saints and they became Saints when they perform miralces which normal human beings cannot perform and the good of the miracles help to remove sufferings in this world.

Yeah, coming to Bangladesh brings good karma . Why ?  How can I gathers the merit ? For me, I have been promoting Bangladesh as a new opportunity of employment , business and investment.  I bring employment to these poor people so that they can have food on their table and they fill their emplty stomachs and the emply stomachs of their family members.  So, if we look through the veil of employment , we see much goodness in our own doings.  Good, a lot of plus points for me and I am moving up the rank of Godhood. 

So, to all my readers. Please do more good so that we can revolve to gether and fly higher to be nearer to GOD and be with GOD or the Creator.  If we can enter Nirvana , we will get ou from the suffering of the human races. We can break our ego and be our true self.

Namaste.

Can political change be smooth in Malaysia?

When I cam across this article, I read it with zest and half believing what is written.  Can change be so smooth and easy ?  Politics is not a gentleman's game and it is the dirtest job in the world.  There are always alot of horse tradings and compromise behind the scene and the truth is never revealed until many years after if the real truth real comes out.

I read the GE13 will the dirtiest political battle for the BN after 55 years in ;power. There is so much to lost and many people will be haul up to answer for their misdeeds  and will pay the price of their sins.  WIth all these power and money at stake, how can the transition of power be peaceful and smooth unless lots of compromise is done at the expense of the Rhayat.

I pray and hope that what is said in the article is real and it will not hurt the peace and harmony of this country.

Namaste.

News from Bloomberg:

Malaysian opposition leader

Anwar Ibrahim, who was jailed for corruption and sodomy, predicted a smooth transition when his coalition ousts the government that has ruled Malaysia for 55 years in elections that may be held within weeks.

　

“The police has changed in the last few months,” Anwar, 65, said. “There’s hardly been any harassment from the police in all our programs. It’s a pure change.”

Anwar said the election will be close and will be won in the rural battleground states of Sabah and Sarawak. He said the ideological differences in his alliance won’t derail the success of the coalition in an hour-long interview at his People’s Justice Party headquarters in

Petaling Jaya, outside Kuala Lumpur. Prime Minister Najib Razak must dissolve parliament by April 28 and hold elections within 60 days.

A victory by the opposition, after the governing National Front had its narrowest win five years ago, would end more than five decades of unbroken rule in Malaysia. The

FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index (FBMKLCI) has fallen 4.8 percent since reaching a record Jan. 7 on concern the ruling National Front may slip further at the ballot box, making it the only Asian benchmark stock index that has dropped this year.

Anwar, who said his imprisonment was politically motivated, considers his acquittal in 2012 on a second sodomy charge an indication that the judiciary will accept the outcome of the election, even if the opposition triumphs. He also said that the police didn’t obstruct an opposition rally in Kuala Lumpur last month and helped to “facilitate” it.

While the opposition hasn’t announced who would head a government if it wins, Anwar said “it is widely expected or assumed” it will be him.

Last Chance

Since his release from prison in 2004, Anwar has taken charge of an ideologically disparate and multi-ethnic opposition, pledging to roll back racial preferences for the ethnic Malay majority and trim the

budget deficit if he wins power. His People’s Alliance coalition, which includes the Pan- Malaysian Islamic Party that wants to enforce Shariah law and the Democratic Action Party, won five of 13 states in the 2008 election before losing one a year later when three state assembly members defected.

“This is his last chance to be prime minister,” said James Chin, a professor of political science at the Malaysian campus of

Australia’s Monash University, referring to Anwar. “Part of it is age. The other part is that the alliance he holds is more of a marriage of convenience.”

Chinese Voters

Najib’s approval rating slid to 63 percent in December, the lowest level in 16 months, with support among ethnic Chinese voters, who make up about a quarter of Malaysia’s 29 million people, declining to 34 percent, the Merdeka Center for Opinion Research said last month. The survey of 1,018 voters conducted Dec. 15-28 on the country’s peninsula and published Jan. 10, showed 45 percent of respondents said they were “happy” with the government.

The ringgit has fallen more than 1 percent against the dollar this year, after strengthening more than 3.5 percent in 2012.

“An opposition win would be destabilizing for the market in the short term,”

Alan Richardson, a Singapore-based fund manager who helps oversee about $110 billion for Samsung Asset Management Co., said by phone. “We haven’t had a history of political transition in Malaysia and there will be uncertainty.”

Rural Heartland

Anwar said he was confident his opposition alliance would make gains in Malaysia’s rural heartland of Sabah and Sarawak, which has long been the stronghold of the National Front. Najib’s coalition won 55 out of 71 seats when Sarawak held its state election in April 2011.

“In Sabah and Sarawak, we’ve never seen that level of support among indigenous tribes,” he said. “People do concede that there’s going to be a substantial change in Sabah and Sarawak, enough to alter the shift in balance of power nationwide.”

Anwar’s alliance holds 75 of 222 parliamentary seats, while the National Front, known as Barisan Nasional, holds 137 seats, according to the Malaysian parliament

website. The election will be “very soon,” Bernama reported Feb. 15, citing Najib.

Anwar backed mass demonstrations last year and in 2011 that were organized by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections, or Bersih, to demand changes to the country’s voting laws. At one of the gatherings in April, police arrested more than 500 people for defying a ban on street protests introduced by Najib’s government a month earlier.

Indelible Ink

The government has acceded to some of the demands. The Election Commission will use indelible ink for the first time to mark voters’ fingers to prevent double counting. Bersih’s call for a minimum 21-day campaign period hasn’t been met.

Najib, 59, passed a security law last year that reduced the period a detainee could be held without a judicial review. He also changed media legislation, making licenses permanent rather than subject to annual renewal.

Anwar said he is committed to dismantling “obsolete” policies that benefit ethnic Malays and indigenous people, and which were put in place by Najib’s father, Abdul Razak Hussein, who was

Malaysia’s second prime minister. Since taking office in April 2009, Najib has peeled back benefits to ethnic Malays, easing rules on foreign investment and property purchases. Ethnic Malays and indigenous peoples of Sabah and Sarawak comprise more than half the country’s population, according to government data.

Cash Handouts

Najib will be counting on a series of election sweeteners, as well as economic growth that has exceeded 5 percent for six consecutive quarters, to sway voters. His proposed 251.6 billion ringgit ($81.3 billion) budget for this year includes cash handouts for low-income families and higher pensions for civil servants. Inflation, which rose 1.3 percent in January from a year earlier, is the lowest among major economies in

Southeast Asia.

Anwar served as deputy prime minister from 1993 to 1998 under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who ruled Malaysia from 1981 to 2003. He was removed from office and tried in 1998 for abuse of power and having sex with a man, which is an offense in Muslim-majority Malaysia and carries a maximum sentence of as much as 20 years in prison. He was jailed for almost six years before the sodomy charge was overturned.

Anwar was cleared of the second sodomy charge in January last year after the
High Court ruled there was no evidence to corroborate the claims made by a former aide of a sexual encounter in 2008. The public prosecutor is seeking an appeal against the acquittal.

Passing of the CNY 2013

It is again the passing of another CNY, like all the previous CNY , a lot of  hustle and bustles and lots of fire crackers.  Time stops for no one and death waits for everyone.

During these few days, for those working people, after a few days, we are back into the working momentum and rushing to meet datelines and ensure all the deliverables.  Life is a continuous flow of events and we can only stop for food and sleep.  Really, it is a big question whether we are living the right way or fruitful way or a purposeful life.  Who is to judge anyway.

There was a lot of chances to meet old relatives, old friends and making new friends and good food is abundantly available.  Yes, a lot of chances to relive our memories or past  experience.

According to the Chinese calendar , we have grown another year and we have wonder into the world of the water snake.  There was a lot of rain fall lately  and this is the symptoms of a water snake. 

Day after day, the mood still prevail during this festive period and on last Sunday, it was the 8th day , the Hokkien New Year and I stayed up until 12.30 and have the prayer at 12 mid night to welcome the Hokkien new year.  I could see alot of sugar canes at the altar of  the Hokkien homes and it was the sound of fire cracker for the whole night and most of us were sleepy the next morning/

Yeah, lots of memories but another year will past soon. Live well, eat well and stay healthy.

Namaste.

The Devil speaks up --- Stock market

When I read the article , it became clear that there could be a conspiracy among the GLC linked companies to bring down the stock market if the current Government lost to the Opposition.  We have to be careful and to be aware of the downside risk.

Namaste.

Extract of reports:

Claims that the market would collapse and that it would bring down the nation’s economy if Pakatan Rakyat wins the 13th general election, could be true, in the end.

However, the truth could be stranger than fiction, and the scenario exposed here shows how the contrary could be real. It would also show how the country is now divided, more or less, on an economic line rather than on racial or ethnic line.

MCA has warned the people of a huge financial disaster if Pakatan comes to power. The Barisan Nasional faction has predicted that the KL stock market indicator or KL Composite Index (KLCI) would likely drop 500 points. It added that this could happen within a week after Pakatan is in power.

This scenario is a possible one. The warnings are true, so true that we must all be prepared for a long-drawn battle between the government and the economic powers of the country. And these economic powers are the filthy rich, the capitalists, hence the cronies of the BN regime.

These multi-millionaires and billionaires hold the key to the KLCI, hence a fall of 500 points – though dramatic as it would seem – would only be an attempt to squeeze Pakatan out of its political might.

An electoral victory for Pakatan in the next general election would mean it would form the next government, thus it would be a powerful political group. Whether the victory would be by a slim or large margin, would not be important. Once Pakatan has a stronghold on power, it would be the one ruling the country.

At this moment, weeks before the next general election, there are undeniable signs that a large majority of the capitalists in and outside the country are not in favour of Pakatan. Besides the huge banners showing support to BN, statements of market panic and the bankrolling of BN campaigns, it could be said that the rich among the rich are not pro-Pakatan.

It could also be said, without much ado, that these elements have a tight grip on the local marketplace and the stock market depends largely on their mood. They are enjoying the current economic boom – with the spilling of contracts and whatnot across the board.

There is little doubt they would do everything to attempt a sabotage, if necessary, of a Pakatan regime.

This has been predicted – to a certain extent – by the now famous Bank Islam chief economist Azrul Azwar Ahmad Tajudin. Azrul forecast that a fallout would result from the Pakatan win, with the stock market set to respond in “knee-jerk” fashion as well as an extended period of perceived instability.

He did not rule out the possibility of “economic sabotage” by businesses and the civil service aligned to BN.

Taxing the rich among the rich

The recent claims by MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek, if it were to be taken seriously, falls right into Azrul’s estimates that capitalists would try to sabotage Pakatan.

Nevertheless, the people should not worry too much about the 500-point fall, as predicted by Chua.

“So either the country would go bankrupt within two years, or Pakatan would target taxpayers for more funds.” said Chua.

“If that happens, the Chinese would suffer the most because they are the single biggest taxpayers group in the country,” he added.

The point is, why would the Pakatan attack its own voters with more taxes when it could simply tax the rich among the rich? Since it is being proven that the filthy rich are not pro-Pakatan, it would not be difficult to overtax them.

BN itself claimed that the strength of Malaysia is in its ability to arrest market turmoils and economic downturns. With Pakatan in power, and its prowess of achieving economic success in Selangor, Penang and even in Kedah and Kelantan to a certain extent, things should be under control.

Nonetheless, with the Petronas billions firmly under the scrutiny of the Pakatan regime, there would be sufficient cash to bail out the nation in the event of a massive pullout of capital by pro-BN capitalists.

It has been said, since last year, that large amounts of money have left the country for foreign shores.

This may indicate that most of the pro-BN capital is in flight, amid rumour of a potential Pakatan victory in the next polls.

The giving away – in a rush and somewhat hush-hush manner – of billions of dollars of contracts (such as the MRT project) is an indication of the consolidation of the pro-BN cronies.

This consolidation would mean that the cronies would have a stranglehold over the small people, users of the MRT and LRT and other public transport.

Would Pakatan take action, by invalidating these contracts or by nationalising them, in order to save the poor men and women on the streets?

That is to say, the Pakatan government, once in place, would have many tools in its hands to leverage with the goons who would want to cause more sufferings to the people by brandishing economic sabotage.

Want to add 14 years to your life ? - Study

Healthy Living Can Add 14 Years Taking exercise, not drinking too much alcohol, eating enough fruit and vegetables and not smoking can add up to 14 years to your life, a study says. Research involving 20,000 people over a decade found those who failed on all criteria were four times more likely to have died than those who succeeded. The findings held true regardless of how overweight or poor they were. The Public Library of Science Medicine study suggests many could increase their lifespan through simple changes. We've know that individually, measures such as not smoking and exercising can have an impact upon longevity, but this is the first time we have looked at them altogether.   Also found that social class and BMI- body mass index - really did not have a role to play..   It means a large proportion of the population really could feel health benefits through moderate changes. By not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, taking regular physical activity and eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, people can improve their chances of living longer.

Unified dietary guideline - an optional diet (study)

The American Cancer Society, the American Dietetic Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health have formulated what they call the perfect eating plan to protect you against disease, such as heart attacks, cancer and diabetes. It is known as the Unified Dietary Guidelines and among some of the tips are: 

• Grains, fruits and vegetables (complex carbohydrates) should provide 55 per cent or more of your daily calories;

• Fats should comprise no more than 30 per cent of your calories and no more than 10 per cent should come from saturated fats. Eat animal fat sparingly;

• You should have less than 300 milligrams of fat a day (less than 2 eggs);

• You should have less than 1 teaspoon of salt a day;

• Eat five or more servings of fruit and vegetables every day;

• Most of your meals should come from plant sources;

• Eat six or more servings of pasta, bread and grains each day;

• Eat little or no simple sugars.

We all know calcium is very important for proper bone development and maintenance. Here are some vegetables high in calcium:

Carrots, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, celery, snap beans, lima beans 

Man do pause , just like women - study

Most men after the age of 50 may find maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle a challenge. For some, 'living it up' equals to meeting friends of similar ages to brag about their colorful lives, their female conquests and the fast cars they drive.

Unwilling to let go of their youth, many men will try to ignore the inevitable fact that as they age, their health, memory and strength will fail. Men would like to believe that they are somehow immune to the ravages of old age. In fact, there is an old adage that for men, 'Life begins at 40'. Women, on the other hand, tend to be more realistic.

Women of all ages are aware of the term menopause and what it brings. 'When they realize that age has caught up with them, they do not hesitate to be more open about their failing health, their ailing body and the number of trips they have to make to see their personal doctors and personal beauticians for makeovers. 

In women, their reproductive function cease as they reach menopause. The productions of female hormones slows dramatically following symptoms of menopause like hot flushes, mood swings, panic attacks, insomnia, palpitation, anxiety, loss of libido and depression. This slowdown of hormone production could lead a higher risk to contract chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes and coronary diseases.

Men, like women, experience a similar aging process as they go through their golden years. After 50, their fertility wane but it does not cease completely. The male reproductive organs will not only produce less sperms and also sperms of poorer quality, they may encounter problems with their sexual prowess especially if they contract diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and coronary diseases. More than a third of men at this age, will suffer from prostate problems such as the enlargement of the prostate which may influence their sexual function.

Having a low testosterone level does not just affect a man's libido. Testosterone is important for men. It is this hormone that gives them the male characteristics, strength, lean body mass, muscle bulk, bone strength, and, of course, the libido. It is this very hormone that maintains sperm production and sensitize the sex centre to respond to sexual desire. When this hormone level dwindles down, a man will experience andropause or sometimes known as male menopause.

A man who goes through andropause may look frail with little muscle on the body and feel fatigue. He may appear grumpy and quarrelsome. He will experience similar symptoms to those of menopausal women like flushes, night sweating, insomnia, loss of memory and palpitations. Men suffering from andropause will experience the loss of nocturnal erections.

Like menopause, andropause is now being recognised as a health issue in men. Men with 'late onset hypogonadism' (LOH) can be treated by Testosterone Replacement Therppy. Before testosterone is instituted, the aging male needs to go for a medical assessment to evaluate his health status. His medical condition, if he has any, needs to be treated first. His prostate will be examined prior to commencing therapy.

Since this therapy can be a lifelong process, the male needs to go for regular check-ups to monitor his prostate and general health. There is also an alternative therapy in the form of herbal supplementation. Certain herbs like Tribulus terrestis and Eurycoma longifolia, or better known as Tongkat Ali, have been found to stimulate the adrenals and testicles in producing natural testosterone. The water soluble extract have been found to be useful with less side effects. If a man has problems with his prowess, medication that can improve blood flow to his genital organs can help if the medication is suitable for him. Men need not suffer in silent. They just need to emulate the women by taking charge of their health. Putting up a 'Men No Pause' sign will not help. The signage should be called 'Men Do Pause'.

Phuket Island - Island in the Sun

With 540sqkm of land area and many sandy beaches, Phuket is a diverse and fascinating island to explore. A rich culture, a beautiful coastline, spectacular natural sights, loads of outdoor sports and activities, shopping, nightlife and dining are just a few of its attractions.
Just offshore are dozens of smaller islands, easily reached by boat. The natural wonders of the mainland, found just beyond Phuket over the bridge to the north of the island, are also close at hand.     

The bustling, administrative centre of Phuket is often overlooked in favour of the beaches, but there's a lot to see and do (and spend your money on!) in Phuket City/Town. Having been recently upgraded to city status, Phuket City features an exciting mix of old and new, simple and sophisticated, peaceful and pulsating.
The activity in Phuket City is nearly around the clock. In the early morning, stoic monks take to the streets on their daily alms rounds and the fresh market buzzes with restaurant owners buying ingredients for the day's meals. Non-stop bustle characterizes the daytime, and lasts well into the evening. Nights are reserved for enjoying good company, whether at a restaurant, a disco, a quiet bar, or a combination of all three.



                    

A moment of experience

We gain moments of experience when move step by step through our life. No moments are the same as time passes by. Our thoughts , actions, emotions are frequent changing and makes each moment unique. We thought it is the same but actually it is not. It is only our illusions as we never spend time to analyze each fleeting moments.

As I have mention in one of my article ,our time is make up of dots. Each dot of time is equal big but each experience is different in size. The size represent the depth of each experience.

If we look deeply at each moment or action, we will realized the different intensity and length of  each experience. Foe example, we execute a simple yoga pose like cobra, the strength on your arms, the stretch to your  back, the sinking of your heart, the arching of your spine and the tucking  in of your shoulder  bones in the socket and the whole combinations of these moments will generate a unique experience and  it will be the same again.

Special moments or new experiences wl  generate bigger dots and make our life special it in own ways. Just like challenging our limits or trying actions to generate different experiences and make our life richer.

There is a wonder saying , if we do not change nothing will change and if we change everything will change with us. Have a fruitful life and  change ourself to get different experience.

Namaste.

Moderate drinking keep arthritis away - study

Mode rate alcohol consumption may lower the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, according to two Scandinavian studies. A Danish study comparing 444 people with rheumatoid arthritis to 523 similar people without arthritis and a Swedish study involving 1,204 rheumatoid arthritis cases and 871 people without the condition.

In both studies, the average number of alcoholic drinks consumed per week was lower among the people with arthritis than the comparison subjects - 2.9 vs 4.1 in the Swedish study, and 6.6 vs 9.0 in the Danish study.

The likelihood of having rheumatoid arthritis was reduced by about 40 percent to 50 percent among subjects with the highest consumption of alcohol compared to those with the lowest consumption.

In both studies, the risk reduction with alcohol consumption was more pronounced among people who had smoked than among non-smokers.

The main message remains that cessation of smoking is the most effective way to diminish the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. This recommendation should not necessarily be combined with a recommendation to stop moderate alcohol consumption.

. . . But Too Much Damages Heart and Arteries

Heavy drinking causes high blood pressure, stiff arteries and rigid heart muscles in men and enlarged hearts in women, boosting their risk of having heart attacks and strokes, researchers said recently.

They defined heavy drinking as more than 21 drinks a week for men and more than 14 per week for women. We definitely see quite a deleterious effect..

The most worrisome aspect is in women. It has a direct toxic effect. Basically, women are not able to cope with high alcohol consumption. It is going directly to the heart and damaging it.

Once a heart becomes enlarged – a sign it has been overtaxed- it is difficult to reverse. Mahmud said prior studies have suggested that people with enlarged hearts are five to six times more likely to have heart attacks. Moderate drinking has been shown in many studies to have heart benefits. But heavy drinking counteracts these benefits and can cause serious harm, she said.

200 men and women with an average age of 46 who were referred to her hypertension clinic but were not being treated for high blood pressure. People in the study were put into three categories: non-drinkers, moderate drinkers (fewer than 21 drinks a week for men and fewer than 14 a week for women), and heavy drinkers (more than 21 drinks a week for men and more than 14 weekly for women).

About 20 percent of the women fell into the heavy drinker category and nearly 40 percent of the men were heavy drinkers. The researchers measured the heart muscle and assessed stiffness of arteries and blood pressure inside the aorta.:p>

They found men who were the heaviest drinkers were the most likely to have high blood pressure and stiffening of the arteries and heart muscle.

WoWomen who were the heaviest drinkers were most likely to have enlarged hearts.

Heavy drinking seemed to accelerate the effects of high blood pressure in men, and cause a direct toxic effect to heart tissue in women. The findings were above what would be expected for people of the same age with high blood pressure.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer globally. According to the World Health Organi21ation, heart disease killed 17.5 million people in 2005, and that number is expected to rise to nearly 20 million by 2015.

Back from a 4 days trip to Phuket Island

Came back yesterday after a 4 days trip from Phuket feeling fresh yet physically tired. This was the first time away during Chinese New Year since birth. How could I do it? Breaking away from our
 traditional roots and  conservative mindsets. The reunion of family members is the most important before the coming of each new year. Awesome, Isn't it?

My family and a few of my brother-in-laws were at JW Marriott Hotel in Phuket and it was an awesome hotel and resort. It was a near paradise setting with great rooms and hotel facilities. It was a wonderful experience.

During the trip, we venture out of the hotel for local Thai dishes ,night markets, a dinner and a  walk around at the famous Patung beach. Honestly speaking, the food was awesome but for shopping ,it was only average. Everything was pricey except at the night market. It was like a huge Pasar malam in Penang. Lots of imitation and fake goods. There were so many choices.

My preference would be the stay at the hotel and a walk around the resort and joining their the yoga and Pilate classes in the morning.It refreshes the mind and soul before the start of a hectic day in a distant land.

If we are traveling in a group ,there are ocassions of disagreements but it is our choice to look away and keep a calm and pleasant mind to enjoy our trip. Some people could show their displeasure or  utter some stupid remarks to spice up the atmosphere but it is always our choice to re-act to these  ocassions. This was part of the learning experience on a trip.

The trip was a good experience and a wonderful moment  we have created for ourselves. Otherwise , it would be another usual to be CNY ocassions .

Namaste

Fig tree resort , a secret hideaway, Penang

Nestled amidst towering hardwoods, ferns and fronds, a new gem arises in the very heart of green rainforests, surrounded by the hills of Sungai Ara. This new exclusive resort is a treat for the senses.Shaded by giant trees and set on the hilly slopes of Penang’s Fig Tree Hill resort are the Hill Pavilhons. Fig Tree Hill is a rustic new resort retreat for those who want to indulge in a secret hideaway far away from the world. Four contai...

A dedication to Fig  Tree Hill Resort:

Fig Tree Hill, the little Paradise!

tired for fight for your life?

is time to relax!

word hard and play hard

this is a way to balancing your life :)

i've been to a rainforest last few days

known as Fig Tree Hill resort

in green rainforest

surrounded by the hills of sungai ara.

a resort retreat for those who want to indulge in a secret hideaway far away from the world.

i love their caption
"Sleep in a Rainforest. Wake up to Paradise"
= )

Female smokers -at risk (study)

Women smokers are three times more likely than men to get a genetic mutation linked to the worst cases of cancer. So said a report in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Some 10 per cent of lung cancer victims have this mutation, known as K-ras, which makes them four times more likely to die than other lung cancer victims. Researchers suspect that the mutation is triggered by the female hormone, oestrogen.

Another study, also reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, reports that a gene called GRPR, which is more active in women than men, could be the reason why women are more prone to lung cancer than men. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh in the US, involved tests on the lung tissue from 78 adults (38 women and 40 men); 58 of the test subjects had been diagnosed with lung cancer. 

 It was found that the "gastrin-releasing peptide receptor" (GRPR) gene, which has been linked in previous studies with lung cancer, was active in 55% of the non-smoking women, but none of the non-smoking men showed any signs. At the same time, 75% of the female smokers showed evidence of activated GRPR (compared to just 20% of smoking men).

The GRPR gene is carried on the female chromosome and women have two of them while men only have one. It is postulated that nicotine activates the GRPR gene, placing female smokers even more at risk.

   

Creating moments in your life

Very often we are engaged in our routine whether it is work , rest or doing the daily chorus. We forget that time is running past us fast. When we slow down and look up,  we can see a few white hairs and gradually, the number of white hairs increases as we look up a few more times.  Ow, this is  another CNY as the thoughts hit us.

If we are passing through our life this way without awareness and memorable moments , we are actually wasting our life away.  Every day, we are fire fighting or engrossed with unnecessary thoughts and troubles, we are struggling to breath after feeling choked by these wasteful moments.

Yes, I remembered and you also can remember  if you are a reader of my blog.  It is not how long we live but it is actually, how well we live and this criteria determines whether we have live a fruitful life or not.  It is the moments which we enjoy or felt thrilled instead of the rusty routines.  These moments are the breakout from the routine and having tried something for the first time.  The thrill of challenging the unknown and feeling alive.

My Yoga teacher puts it very simply , this breakthroughs in our moments can be attained through pushing our limits and breaking the limits of our complacency.  It can be felt like eating a fruit for the first time irrespective whether you like the taste.  It could be a strange kind of feelings but we have challenge it and the sense of fulfillment is there.

Like kissing your girlfriend for the first time,  travelling to a strange place for the first time or breaking out of your thoughts and your thoughts and attainment some moments of enlightenment.  The feeling and thrill will strike us automatically without forcing it .  The joy just oozed out and the sense of relief and fulfillment is there. Some people say that it is the "high" we can feel and it is not from drugs but naturally.

So, to my readers and I urged all of you to break free and touch different limits along the way and enjoy the moments you have created and let the joy flow.

Namaste.

Myths and Misconceptions - study

Heart Healthy-Common Myths And Misconceptions 1. "Hyper" people are more likely to have hypertension. While stress causes a temporary rise in blood pressure, many calm, mellow people have high blood pressure while many "hyper" or jittery people do not. The "hyper" in hypertension (high blood pressure) refers not to personality but to excessive pressure placed on artery walls. 2. Beef is higher in cholesterol than fowl or seafood. It all depends on the type and cut.. Fish is generally a heart-healthier alternative to meats because it tends to be lower in overall and saturated fat and higher in heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats; but shellfish such as shrimp is high in cholesterol though low in saturated fat. And while most parts of chicken and turkey tend to have somewhat less cholesterol than beef, the real advantage of fowl is that they have a lower content of saturated fat than beef. Some beef cuts are actually lower in fat and cholesterol than others. If you want to eat beef, choose leaner cuts such as tenderloin, flank, top round, eye of round, and top sirloin. 3. AII fibers help to prevent heart disease. There are two types of fiber, but only one helps to lower cholesterol. Soluble fiber forms a gel in the intestine that binds bile acids so they are excreted through the bowel instead of being absorbed into the bloodstream. Since bile acids are formed in the liver from cholesterol, the loss of bile acids in the stools forces the liver to convert more cholesterol to bile acids, thus lowering cholesterol levels. Good sources of soluble fiber are oat products, dried beans and peas, lentils, apples and citrus fruits; you should have at least 6 1/2 grams of soluble fiber each day. On the other hand, insoluble fiber, found in whole-grain foods, cereals and wheat bran, soaks up water like a sponge, adding bulk and preventing constipation by making it easier for the intestine to move waste matter along your digestive tract. While it's also part of a healthy diet, insoluble fiber doesn't lower cholesterol levels. 4. Sex is not recommended for people who have heart disease. Sexual intercourse exerts about as much strain on the heart as briskly climbing two flights of stairs. So within a month or so after a heart attack or uncomplicated heart surgery, you should feel free to resume the same forms of lovemaking that you found pleasing before. Remember to take your time, however, and not feel pressured. 5. Vegetable oils are heart healthy. It all depends on the type of oil and how it was processed. When you see the words "hydrogenated vegetable oil" or "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil" on the food label, it means that hydrogen has been added to liquid, heart-healthier unsaturated fats to give them the firm texture of margarine. The bottom line: Unmodified vegetable oils lower cholesterol more than hydrogenated ones. Choose tub margarine rather than a stick margarine, because tub margarine is less hydrogenated. Monounsaturated vegetable oils, such as olive and canola oils, are recommended in preference to polyunsaturated oils, like corn or safflower oils.

Auspicious day to start work after CNY 2013

MINGS president Professor Joe Choo said that auspicious dates for weddings, giving birth or to start up a business for the Year of the Snake are Feb 11, April 12, Aug 10, Oct 9 and Dec 8.
Auspicious Dates

The Year of the Snake begins on February 10, the first day of Chinese New Year.
For businesses resuming after the New Year, Choo says that the best date to start is February 17.
Although February 17 falls on a Sunday, she recommends that you go into the office to make your wishes for the year ahead.
“It is still favourable to start work the following day, which is Febrary 18,” said Choo during the MINGS 2013 “Outlook Talk Twists and Turns in the Year of the Snake.

Lucky industries
Industries which are likely to do well in the Year of the Snake are those related to the water, wood and metal elements.
Insurance, finance, journalism, education as well as metal and mineral-related businesses are said to do well.
Unfortunately, industries related to the earth and fire elements, such as property, construction, paint and telecommunication may not fare as well.

Lucky and unlucky colours
She also predicts that blue, green and purple outfits will be the “lucky colours” for the upcoming Chinese New Year.
It is said that blue is the most favourable colour because it represents the “water” element. However, the colours red and yellow, which represent fire and earth respectively, was said to be the least favourable colours for the Year of the Snake.
These lucky colours aren’t only for clothes. You can apply it to when you buy a car or even when you choose accessories for your mobile phone.
“You could even paint a small portion of your home in one of these colours,” said Choo, adding that the colours would attract good luck.

A “comfortable year” for Malaysians

How do we handle anger?

I have written a few article on anger and today, I was asked by my yoga teacher how I handle my anger？ I was caught by surprise and I hesitate to answer.

When something irritates us ,  we get upset and we felt hurt and respond immediately to this incident.  We are in confusion  and who do we forgive ? Do we forgive others who irritate us or forgive ourself been not perfect. We are supposed to wise and god-like. We know anger is not good for us and to the victims. For Asians, we used to keep this anger within us and we suffer in silence. But, this  is not the ultimate solution. So, how do we release the anger or pacify it.

This subject was brought up for discussion during  my Yoga session last night. My Yoga teacher asked us how do we neutralize our anger ?

One of the member said that we just release it and let it go.  But , it is not so easy, the anger will come back again and again to haunt us and we will be fighting with the anger from time to time.

Another member said that he will just walk away from the incident. Yes, it will minimize the impact but he or she will be carrying along the anger and busy fighting with it.

I said that be aware of the anger and use our compassionate heart to melt it. Again, this solution can only be done if we have achieve a high level of self control and actualization. A gift which is gain by a few.

If you go to the internet , you will find that there are many solutions for anger control :

1) Laugh it away , either by practising the laughing Yoga
2) Watch a funny movie and it will go away
3) Go through a very tedious exercise and hope that it will go away
4) Breaking things and plates to control and reduce the anger.
5) Practicing hitting at some target to release the pressure.

Whatever actions we take , each action have different impact on us as nobody is the same.  Some actions work for some peoople and not effective on other people.   But, time is the answer and if we consistently get ourself in set movements, our anger will diminished and will be gone or hide somewhere in our body. If it is long enough, it will fade slowly and finally , it will be forgotten.

Time is the master of all emotions and anger.

Namaste.

Hands free device - to reduce exposure.

For people concerned with RF exposure, WHO recommends using hands-free devices to keep cell phones away from the head and body.

"Contrary to some media reports, hands-free devices that move the handset away from the user's body and head do reduce exposure," says bioengineering expert. A recent study showed a 92 percent reduction in the rate at which absorbed by human tissue when hands-free kitsare used.

However, experts do not recommend the purchase of RF absorbing devices currently available in the market.

According to WHO, scientific evidence does not indicate any need for RF absorbing covers or other "absorbing devices" on cell phones. "They cannot be justified on health grounds," the Geneva-based organization says. "The  effectiveness of many such devices in reducing RF limits exposure is unproven."

Cell phone manufacturers have to labelling cell phones, indicating the amount of radiation they emit in response to concerns from consumers and organizations. Industries are developing a standard for measuring specific absorption rates (SAR), a measureof radiation from cell phones. Cell phones will not be labelled, but rather the packages that the phones come in.

Smile for joy - which one first ?

Nowadays , there are a lot of wisdom been posted on the FB and it is a kind of reminder for the readers to be inspired and live a joyful life. There was one of the posting which have troubling me for a couple if days.  I have written an article which says that if we found joy internally, then it will reflected on our face through smiles or a more radiant appearance. But, this wisdom have a two faced approach.

It says that a smile reflects our internal joy but an external smile can also trigger an internal joy. I am still thinking about its logic. What the wisdom is trying to tell is that we should not let our internal emotion dictate us but we should control our emotions and manage a smile always and by this action, we changed our internal emotions and  bring joy to us. Whether this happen or not is also our choice.

To fake a smile or to force a smile is a difficult thing to do.  Our internal joy will a smile is a very natural way like let fish into the water. But, by defeating our emotions  and to force a smile is not impossible. Be aware of our emotions  as  if we  smile we are sending out position e vibes and it will  attract  pisitive response and it will help to defeat your negateuve w
Emotions.

Nothing  is impossible and impossible is  nothing.

Namaste.

Vitamin E for Cancer prevention

Genetic and environmental factors, such as diet and lifestyle, are believed to be involved in the development of various diseases, including cancer. Speculation has been that 80% to 90% of all human cancers are induced by environmental factors and approximately 35% of them by diet. More and more convincing research data have shown that free radicals play a major role in the process of cancer initiation and promotion. Vitamin E has been shown to be effective in cancer prevention in various animal and laboratory studies.

The majority of human epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that high blood levels or high intake of vitamin E is associated with decreased cancer risk. For example, prostate cancer is a common type of cancer of the male reproductive system. In a primary prevention trial of 29,133 male smokers aged 50-69 years from south western Finland, published in the Journal of National Cancer Institute 1998, the incidence of prostate cancer was decreased by 32% in the vitamin E supplemented group. In addition, death from prostate cancer was also lowered to 41% among vitamin E supplemented men. The subjects were followed up for five to eight years.

In the U.S., serum vitamin E levels showed a protective association with lung cancer. Two epidemiologic studies in England demonstrated lower serum vitamin E levels in men diagnosed with cancer, and women with low plasma vitamin E levels had a 5 times greater risk of breast cancer. A study in Italy found a significant inverse association between dietary vitamin E intake and breast cancer risk. Breast cancer risk was 45% lower for women with the highest intake of vitamin E in a study in the U.S.

In Japan and the U.S., lung cancer patients had significantly lower average serum levels and blood levels of vitamin E. In Finland, patients with the lowest intake of vitamin E from diet had a three-fold higher risk of getting lung cancer. A lower risk of oral and pharyngeal cancer was associated with an increased intake of vitamin E in black American men. In a study of women in the U.S., the risk of colon cancer was 68% lower for subjects with the highest vitamin E intake. The decreased risk was largely attributed to the use of supplemental vitamin E. The risk of thyroid cancer was 33% lower for subjects who consumed higher vitamin E daily. Serum vitamin E concentrations were significantly lower in leukemia and lymphoma patients than in controls in a study in India.

 

In conclusion, higher vitamin E intake may enhance the body's immune response and thus stimulate the body defense system against diseases like cancer. Obtaining optimal amounts of vitamin E in your body may safeguard you from various cancers as mentioned above. 

My January 13 trip to Bangladesh.

I have just  came back to Penamg after a four days business trip to Bangladesh. It was really a tough and tiring trip with transits in Bangkok. The feeling is that of a old goat going on an adventure and. One home all tired and worn out. Each trip is getting more tedious as age catch up with me.

The feeling of congestion and suffocation as we wonder through the congested roads of Dhaka and Chittagong.  The roads are fill with cars,buses, trishaws and lorries. I was told by a local resident that Dhaka have grown from 16 million people to 20 million in just five years. This is because the education and medication  entres are concentrated here. Furthermore,as the capital. Dhaka attracts a lot of. Isigors and this. Posted the set up of food and recreation centre.

I was caught in a massive jam on the first day and I have to cancel a dinner appointment as the other party called to cancel the dinner  as he is unable to reach my hotel in time. This is a common incident  in Bangladesh.

On the 2nd day. I flew off  in the first flight from Dhaka to Chittagong and req h my business Pla s to do a honest day's job. The next day, it was smooth sailing on my job. But, in the after Lon, we were told that tomorrow there is going to be a strike.

After work, the traffic starts to build up and the jam start to be massive. There was fighting on the streets and burning of car and buses. The situation was quite chaotic and people starts to gather and there was a lot of shouting . We were able use the back lanes to avoid the jams and trouble spots.

In Bangladesh , when there is a strike, no vehicles are allows on the roads except the green mini carts. So,  we were not allowed to use our car to the airport on the next day and the only way is to leave before the strike  starts. My flight was at 9.15 am and I was at the airport before 6 am. I have to wait for three hours at the airport in Chittagong. We were lucky to leave I'm time to Dhaka.

When we reach Dhaka , we could not go outside because  of the strike as the strike covers nation wide I have to walk from the local airport to the international airport and took a 1.40 on flight to Bangkok. After boarding the TGflight , it was a safe and smooth flight back to Penang.

Come to think about it, with ending of a journey, another journey have just began in Penang and this is life. For ever moving.

Namaste.

What is a real break? - study

Vacations are times of restoration for employees, a break in their regular work and home routine, according to experts from Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. In a sense, vacations can offer a geographic cure for the small ups and downs and stresses we deal with day in and day out. Because most of us have become so "routinized" in our daily shuttles to and from work, a vacation can help restore some sense of balance.

When you distance yourself from the work routine for a while, it gives you a break from the day-to-day grind that everyone feels over the course of the year.

The healthiest employee is one who, when away from work can truly be away from work say experts. Individuals should minimize the intrusion of work into their lives away from work as much as possible-both during home hours as well as during vacations.