Anwar Ibrahim - When One Thinks That He Is Above The Rest

Hmm...I turned my head left and right when I read this article from the emedia news today. First of all, let me clarify my thoughts. I have no stand whatsoever on his sodomy allegations and his victory in the Permatang Pauh election. What I mean by I have no stand is that I am not making any judgement on him, whether he is right or wrong, whether he has done it or not. To me that is too impossible to know.

O

Why I said that? Well, there is always two sides of the stories. And both sides stick to their stand. And both are blaming each other. As a human being who is trying to be rational, I leave this to God. We have no power to know who is right or wrong, who is saying the truth or who is lying. If we make the wrong judgement, we are the ones who will end up being the sinner, and as a human being who believes in the judgement day, I want to avoid that. And believing that God is fair, I am sure the real culprit will be given his share of punishment from God when the time comes. So, I do not want to 'stick to my points' and be at anybody's side, let alone be nasty and prejudice in my talks. Let the Almighty does His work. No point to be rude and throw our anger at this and that people and blame this and that party and eventually we are the ones who will paint a bad image of ourselves.

O

Anyway and however, having to say all that, I am quite perturbed to read this article below. Anwar wants his oath swearing ceremony to be telecast live. And this has never done by anyone before. He is not a minister, let alone prime minister, and it seems he wants a 'special' treatment for him. Why do I feel that this man is already making himself sound and look quite arrogant, that we should show him live? Hmm....I really don't know. This is really an absurd request from an opponent party leader. And to say that it's 'nasty' not to show him live? Hmmm...??? Read on...

O

Anwar: Swearing-in should have been 'live'
29 Aug 2008

PERMATANG Pauh MP Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim thinks he is special. He griped about the fact that his swearing-in yesterday was not telecast live by RTM.

Anwar described as "nasty" the decision to not allow the live telecast of the oath-taking ceremony.

Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek immediately hit back

"The live broadcast is strictly for Question Time and we can't change our policy for just one person."

Shabery, who was involved in the country's first-ever live television debate with Anwar last month over fuel subsidy, added

"Traditionally, we've never telecast the oath-taking so there is no reason we should make an exception for him."

from emedia.com.my

Hmm......I can't help but to ponder...Yes, why should they make an exception for him? He is not even in the cabinet...well...yet....hmm....??? Grrr....

Happy 51st Independence Day!

As a Malaysian, I am proud to wish my beloved country Happy 51st Independence day! You have come a long way and you have witnessed many history and have gone through many obstacles. From being a small country unknown to the world map, you have grown and developed rapidly through the years until today where you have stood tall among other countries. You have shown tremendous amount of success in a short period of time and this is achieved through comradship.

O

All people of Malaysia from all walks of life irrespective of race and gender have contibuted in their own way to bring this country as it is today. It is sad to see how some people use the present political situation to harbour ill feelings among the people and it is bad to use cetain sentiments to create hate and havoc. We are all Malaysians and we are all facing our own hardships, ups and downs, turmoils, happiness and sorrow in our own ways. We are all together and we should be united.

O

Despite our dissatisfaction with the present leadership, we however should not use this as a way to hold grudges, to fight, to blame, to scoundrel or to point fingers at each other. Each and every one of us is responsible for creating a harmonious country, therefore we should live with respect and stop bickering and complaining over each other. Don't wait for what the government can do for us, but what we can do to make this country a better place to live in.

O

It is hard to please everybody, but hey...aren't we thankful enough that every day there is food on the table, a shelter to protect us from the sun and rain and a tiny amount of money that we can spend wisely every month? We might not be millionaires, some might be too poor to even have a proper food or shelter, but whatever it is, life has to go on. Yes, the petrol price hike is a hot topic, the present political scenario is worrying us, the present leadership makes us want to scream, but despite all that, be thankful that we can still breathe, eat, walk, talk, sleep, and above all, have the freedom to live as what and how we wish.

O

Be thankful my friends. Be thankful and the bounties will come back to you in many ways!

A picture Can Tell a Thousand Words!

Pictures can definitely tell their own stories. You do not have to have rows of words and sentences to describe some pictures and the samples above are one of the many pictures that have their own story to tell!

A Man With Thousand Ways!

It was way back in 1993...more than 10 years ago, in fact it was 15 years ago that I came to know this man. Back then, it was new, fun and different. Watching him and his antics and 'clever' moves tickled my drained brain. At that time, his show was quite a hit in Malaysia. Maybe we lacked funny programmes that was creative that could make us laugh and admire at the same time. I was one of those who did watch his programme on tv and the reruns of it. As years go by, the tv stations keep showing his reruns and sometimes, when time permits, I do watch the reruns.
O

I don't know what attracted me to him. He is not a normal man you see on the road. Nor is he a gentleman. In fact, he is the most disgusting, selfish, annoying and self centered man I have ever encountered! He is bullish, almost childish and yet cunning...to the extent that could make you either love him or hate him. He would do anything to get his way and would not care less if he hurt, steal, beat or kill people to achieve his needs.

O

He has hit the Queen with his head and knocks her down. He brushes his teeth and use the water from the car wiper to clean his mouth and at the same time drives his mini car while changing his clothes. He nearly electrocuted a man to his death and leaves him by the road side. He hides inside a post box simply because he does not want to spend a cent on a stamp and decides to steal other people's stamp. He nearly explodes a science lab with his 'wild' experiments. He would do anything to get what he wants! And Gosh...the lists go on and on!

O

Despite all that, I still watch the programmes eventhough many times I feel disgusted and annoyed by his behaviours! Sometimes I find him too annoying that I feel like spanking him for a lesson. Eventhough I don't watch it regularly now, it seems my two angels are crazy over him. When 6.30pm arrives, my eldest will call her younger sister...Come....let's watch Mr Bean! and they will start sticking their bum to the sofa unmoved. Sometimes I would hear giggles. Sometimes a yulk! But it's funny how small children like them enjoy watching an adult making fun of himself.

O

What can I say...Mr Bean...It is 2008 and it seems we can't get you out of our house...yet!

When French Kissing Becomes a Contact Sport

I stumbled upon this article when I was doing my morning news reading on the net. It got my attention because the headline aroused my curiosity. Although it is about the recent scenario in the UK, in reality it is quite universal too.

Take this country for example, in the old days...the act of kissing on the cheek might be seen as 'too much' or 'too open'. One was not encouraged to display emotions in public much less to kiss one's cheek. Everything 'too physical' is not supposed to be shown to all. All what you can do is to shake hands and kiss your elder's hands as a form of respect.

But coming of the new age and generations, things have changed very fast. In some places I go, people will still shake hands but the pat on the cheek with another person's cheek is becoming a fast norm here. It is great if it is practised among family members and close friends. (But thank God it has not gone to the extent of lip or french kissing...gulp!) But, if that happens to strangers or people you hardly know, it might be very disturbing to brush cheeks and lips with them! This is what Sam Delaney is lamanting about in his article below. Happy reading!

French Kissing in UK by Sam Delaney (excerpt from The First Post)

Oh God. She's leaning in for the second kiss but I've already backed away. Now I'm going to have to move back to kiss the other cheek at an awkward angle and... Yep, there it is, I've headbutted her. Brilliant.

Why does it always have to end this way when I kiss an acquaintance on the cheek? When I was about seventeen I got inappropriately drunk at a fancy, grown-up party. The only other person close to my age there was a pretty Chinese girl.

When I stumbled up to her to say goodbye she leant in to give me a kiss on the cheek. I wasn't familiar with the informal kiss on the cheek back then so, in my drunken mind, I thought, 'Great, she wants to get off with me.'

My stupid tongue flopped out of my inebriated mouth too early, she backed away and I wound up licking thin air like some sort of demented Labrador. Everyone at the party was looking at me, so I left my tongue hanging out for a bit longer.

I look at this friend who I’ve just stuck the nut on. She’s putting a brave face on it, bless her You know, a bit like when you trip up on the pavement and then continue to trip all the way along the street as if you’re doing it on purpose? At least I had an excuse back then. But this is 2008: everyone kisses everyone these days!

I look at this friend who I've just stuck the nut on. She's putting a brave face on it, bless her, but her right eye's going to be a shiner by tomorrow morning. I feel ridiculous.

There's only one way out of this: I start to rock my head violently back and forth and hope she assumes I'm having a stroke.

Adoring Animals! Does Size Matters?

Don't you love looking at cute,chubby,bubbly and funny animals? I do! They make me smile and bring me some kind of joy! But hey...watch out for that access baggage guys...Or else you will have to slide on the road instead of walking! You are cute anyway! Have fun!

Erghh....where can I get more grass?? Grass!!

I am too full to walk...I think I will sit here until the next meal. In the meantime, I will think of what the next meal will be...

Hmm....this nut is tough!

Do they make sweet couples?

Turning Robots Into Humans

I was watching a programme, Pandanganku & Ceritaku (My Opinions & My Stories) on Astro Ria recently and was glued to it until it ended. This is a very interesting and informative programme that tells about two countries and two culture in the perspective of two travellers.

O

The main location is Japan and Malaysia, and it's interesting to see how these two people learn and experience new things everyday. From learning to beat the drums and have a hands on experience in doing so, to visiting renowned companies and firms to learn their tricks and achievements in their own fields, the issues and topics are fresh and new. Last week's programme showed these two travellers who got the chance to see for themselves how Japan's technology is advancing with their own eyes.

O

By the way, I always admire the Japanese people, how they think and how they blend their culture and technology together. Among tall and big buildings, and millions of people residing in Japan itself, it's amazing how the city has one of the lowest crime rates in the world! How can they do that? It must have been from the discipline and the values that have been inculcated from generations to generations.

O

Anyway, I am not going to talk about that. What I am interested in is what I saw from the programme. There is this man, a Japanese designer who owns a company called Flower Robotics. His name is Tatsuya Matsui and among his latest designs are two humanoids whom he called "Posy" and "Palette" (see pictures). And I loveee the robots! They are very cute, especially Posy and it reminds me of a little girl..or boy...next door, whom you adore very much.

O

Anyway, put that aside... Tatsuya believes that humans and machineries have weaknesses that can complement each other, hence the idea of turning these robots into human like behaviours. I saw how some fashion outlets in Japan use "Pallette" as their window 'display' items, and she displays the fashion with flair movement, moving every few minutes with different moves, almost as smooth as a human being. She is also the central system for the outlets, checking for the security and act as a mediator to the owner if there is a case of breaking in etc.

O

Hmm...interesting? To me it is. To use a robot as a 'mannequin' to carry your latest styles and that robot actually carries multiple tasks is very advanced in ideas. And most visitors might not be aware that their every movement is monitored by this 'lovely' humanoids.

O

The technology in Japan is advancing very fast and believe it, there are still lots of the latest technology out there that have yet to be in the market! If you happen to be in Japan, do check out their technology and gadgets. They will make your eyes turn and rotate 360 degrees! You can learn more about Tatsuya Matsui and his work by visiting this website http://www.flower-robotics.com/. I think I am one of Tatsuya Matsui fans now!

O

Happy Reading!

The Love That Flows Like River

These last three days I had a hard time checking my emails and connecting to the internet. It took me hours to get connected to Yahoo! Absurd...yes! I did not know if my computer was attacked by a virus or it was too cramped with unwanted programs and files. I have antivirus installed and spyware doctor to shoo away those unwanted spies...:) but hey...I was dumbfounded when the computer was running as slow as a sick turtle. Even I think turtle walks faster than my pc then. I tried to fix the problem by clicking whatever

buttons and applications I thought would solve my problems...but to no avail. In fact, it got worse. I am not a computer expert but I am not 'that' computer blind either.

O

Well, a tiny bit of knowledge wouldn't hurt, would it? Anyway, I held on to any information and troubleshooting instructions, but my pc got stuck, and stuck and stuck! I knew it must have been very heavily loaded with applications that I do not know where they came from. But...hey...finally, with some efforts...well, from my brother, thanks bro!, the pc is now running smoothly. A huge sigh!

O

Not only I had to go through pc problems, but the house extension that I am doing right now is delayed. The contractor does not manage to get the supplies of the exact roof, hence we have to wait until the roof is done.

O

Hmm...I am hoping I would be able to sit in the new dining with the new kitchen cooking my favourite dish while watching re-runs of Jamie Oliver Italian Escapes coaxing the Italian Ministers with his unconventional Italian way of cooking! Oh...I love the program...I could see how hard it was for Jamie to run errands and travel all over Italy and tried to convince Italian people that he could cook Italian dish! Funny and humble. And full of love.

O

Well, that what struck me the most. Remember a saying that said 'to love a man is by filling his stomach'? I mean, with food...excuse me. By watching him travelling and meeting new people from different cultural backgrounds and lifestyles, I am reminded of the power of food. Food can definitely unite people together. With food, we transcend barriers and languages, and understand the same meaning of love. With love, food is served on the table, with love food can be enjoyed by using the same food lingua that is understood by all.

O

We eat to live. Some people live to eat. Despite what our motto is, we exist in this world to give and receive love, and food is one of the ways to express that love. I always admire and enjoy people who love food and are open to share their kitchen and secrets. I salute those who willingly open their doors to people to come and enjoy their food, no matter how small the portion is. I give my utter respect to those who cook and serve the poor, homeless, the children and those who go out of their country to help in every little way they can to care and eradicate hunger and poverty. I have great admirations for all of them.

O

And what people like us can do to help and give back our love? In every little way we definitely can. And we start with our family. The ones near to us, the ones we see everyday. Yes...the ones sometimes we take for granted. In every little step there will be a giant leap. The simplest and easiest way is to share the food and feel the joy of eating together. Feel the bond and the love seep through while we sip our drinks and bite our food. It's unthinkable how some people can help and serve other people with food, but do not practice it at their own home. It's time we start every little things from our house. Yes...we can do it.

O

And the reason why I talked about my brother earlier, he is going to have a bbq for his daugher's first birthday, and I am going to make them a wonderful tuna and vegetable salad that can make you on cloud nine! Oh yes...that's my contribution. My way of showing I care and I love. And believe me, if we start everything early for our kids at home, we will find that love we give will flow like river until eternity. Let's eat and eat with love!

"So You Love Eating Other People's Rubbish?"

I love food. And I hate to waste. But to eat other people's rubbish because of that (to save) is way too unthinkable to me. How can you dig under people's rubbish dump and slide your hands over dirty, slimy wasted food, for the sake of saving? How can one eats his food which has been mixed with dirty, bacteria infected waste and enjoy it? I discovered that there are people who do this with pride and call themselves Freeganism!

Well, eventhough they claim that they practise caution and bide by the hygienic rules, I still feel it's way too absurd to do it. But anyway, this world is too short to be depressed. As long as they don't get poisoned or attacked by a fatal virus or bacteria, then it's up to them what they want to put inside their stomach. But for me, I live with the mottto "you are what you eat". What we eat will be part of us, become our flesh and blood, therefore, what we eat must be clean and healthy. Anyway, the choice is yours! But please don't eat rotten food...pleaseeeee! Read some excerpts below to understand what I am talking about!

"I Love Eating Other people's Rubbish" by Ella Parmley (mag.co.uk)

Under cover of darkness, Star Khechara quietly pulls herself up onto a rubbish skip and looks around before diving in.

A few minutes later she emerges triumphant, clutching a selection of fruit, vegetables and chocolate which will provide her with her evening meal.

But Star, 32, is not homeless or destitute. In fact, she is a nutritionist and model – and one of hundreds of people around the country embracing ‘freeganism' as an alternative way of living.

Devotees believe in trying to save the environment by surviving on discarded food.Supermarkets generate 1.6 million tons of food waste a year, throwing away five per cent of their food every day which ends up buried in Britain's landfill sites.

Such is the growing popularity of freeganism that there's an online magazine dedicated to it, and even an online freegan cooking show providing tips and recipes.

"Most people would turn their noses up at the thought of looking through supermarket skips, but you'd be amazed at the amount of good food that's thrown away every day," explains Star.

"By using it to feed myself, I'm helping to cut down on terrible food waste."

Star became a vegetarian at 18, after reading about battery farming.

At the same time she moved out of the home she shared in Plymouth with her mother, into a flat with two fellow A-level students.

With all of them struggling for money, one of Star's flatmates suggested they give freeganism a try after hearing about its popularity in America.

A few days later, the three housemates embarked on their first freegan expedition to a local supermarket skip.

"It was very exciting," says Star. "The bins smelt, but not as bad as I thought they would. We found bags of potatoes, and lettuces and apples still in their packaging. Most of the sell-by dates were that day.

"We also found lots of chocolate bars still in their wrappers which were out of date that day, so we took them home and made chocolate crispy buns."

For Star, the experience was a real eye-opener. Disgusted at how much good food was being wasted on a daily basis, she decided to become a full-time freegan.

Now, she buys basics such as soya milk and tinned food, but sifts through skips three nights a week searching for perishables including sandwiches, cakes, bread, fruit and vegetables.

She calculates this saves her at least £30 a week on grocery shopping.

"The argument is simple," she says. "Every day, perfectly good food is thrown away because its sell-by date is up, or the packaging is damaged. By being a freegan, I'm doing my bit for the environment and saving myself money at the same time."

Technically, they run the risk of being charged with stealing or trespassing every time they forage in skips – but to date, no supermarkets have taken action against them.

Star believes she should be rewarded rather than punished for doing her bit to cut down on food waste.

"I know what I'm doing is against the law, but it shouldn't be," she says. "The food has been thrown away by supermarkets and shops. It's only going to be thrown onto refuse sites, so why shouldn't we use it?"

Freeganism: The Rules
•If packaging is ripped, leave the item behind.
•Wash packaging in a little mild bleach water.
•If packages are puffed up, there may be a build up of bacteria, so steer clear.
•Treat fish, meat, cooked rice and dairy products with caution. Check sell-by dates and packaging carefully.
•Don't pass ‘No trespassing' signs.

Don't Look Back...

The car he was driving suddenly gave way in the middle of nowhere. It was past midnight. The wind was howling. The foliage that lined up all the way, along the road was blowing profusely. The chants of the dog barking filling your ears like it would never end. The moon was hidden behind the dark clouds that enveloped the skies. For a moment, he hesitated. The watch showed 1.30am.

Damn! There was nobody in sight. The road was long and empty. He rested his head on the seat and closed his eyes. Not again, he sighted. This is the third time. He should have taken the car for repair a long time ago. Suddenly, a cracking noise came from a distance. It sounded like a rusty old vehicle. The noise was getting nearer and it passed him right to the side. It stopped. It was an old bus with no passenger.

"Can I help you?" the driver asked with a serious face.
"Err...yes...my car broke down," he answered.
"Good...I can help you," the driver took off his gloves and began checking the engines.

After almost half an hour, the man waited patiently. Finally, the bus driver gave him a thumbs up. The car was fixed. He took a deep breathe of relief. He went inside his car and the bus driver headed to his bus. Great. Now he could continue his journey.

Within seconds the bus zoomed away with a high speed. The man switched on his engine. The rattling noise was still very loud but as long as the car could move he was more than relieve. Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder. A strange smell entered his nostril. The air suddenly was as chilling as ice. He looked back through his driving mirror. His heart pounded as fast as the lighting. A figure with white clothing was sitting behind him at the back seat. Face grotesque. Long hair shuffled, untidy, unkept. He fainted.

Welcome to the new millennium. Where along with technology, cool gadgets, scientific researches, tall buildings and multimedia craves, we are still crazy over horror movies and stories like there is no tomorrow. A child with supernatural power, a house haunted with ghosts, a woman who 'keeps' a 'vampire', a man who has a 'buddy', a ghost that can fly and does kick boxing, a woman who has been 'disturbed' by a devil...and the lists go on. It seems this world we are living in, is a place full of eerie creatures and their counterparts.

But don't we all love them? Hmm...yes and no. But too much of them can make ones feel...enough is enough!:) Don't you?