Pics from Amsterdam and Ireland

Some pics from Dublin and Amsterdam =)

Tesco at Merrion Square

In Dublin city centre but forgot the name of this building.

A scene in Dublin

Another scene in Dublin

Schipol Airpot

A nice firehose in Schipol

Going to Gate 26 of Schipol to board Aer Lingus to Ireland.

Going to post pics of UCD and my apartment soon.

Perfect Timing

Leaving for a land halfway round the globe in a week and I'm having a cold. Things couldn't be more perfect. Darn all rhinoviruses. Darn them all.

Some Leaders are a Let-Down

A leader is someone who can set an example for many people and make decisions that could change and ultimately improve a situation. They are mature people who can process much information and have essential diplomatic skills. However, two political figures have failed to show these expected qualities. They have acted impulsively and shown shockingly shallow thinking before making decisions and statements. One of them did the unthinkable; he approved flag burning in public. The other has led demonstrations that led to scuffles and made provoking remarks that walked the thin line between stability and unrest of the peoples of this country.

Is this the sort of behavior we expect from leaders? These two so-called leaders have been chosen on good faith that young blood can inject fresh breath into the political arena and subsequently in the leadership of the country. Since these incidents, the people are shaken that these leaders have resorted to childish decisions and even more disappointing, there are supporters for these actions. We are in the 21^st century. If we are a neutral country with the vision of changing the world’s views for achieving peace, we should be showing the world that peace can first be brought about by mature politics and behavior. Leaders should not be engaging in petty fights and getting involved in scandals. Instead, they should be using their position to access the right channels to help those in need, domestically or internationally. They should be drafting ideas constantly to improve conditions in all aspects. They should realize that support is garnered when people see positive results of their leadership regardless of ideology. Undoubtedly, statements to the media are important as people want to know the happenings of the country, but statements should be made with utmost caution. They have to think hard before saying anything as their word have influence on many things such as the economy, political stability, and even the education system.

I believe that the recent events have scared many prospective investors to Malaysia and this is the main cause that has affected the foreign exchange rate. I also believe that if our leaders can change their attitudes, we can see the country strengthening like we have never seen before.

Health Is Bought With Money?

Medicines are getting incredulously highly priced. The rising costs of materials, transportation and foreign exchange rates are to be blamed. What can we do about it?

In Malaysia, our main problem is the foreign exchange rate. Even though the peg was removed, our currency did not appreciate that much. In order to bring down the impact of this problem, we should offer tenders and build the necessary infrastructure to manufacture imported drugs in our country. We have to make the offers look lucrative for the pharmaceutical giants so that they would willingly choose Malaysia as a manufacturing base. As a result, we could get better prices for the drugs as goodwill, the costs of transportation will plummet and the costs of imports could be almost completely waived. It would be even better if we could devise a deal so that we could import the technology and expertise of these companies to locally manufacture the drugs on our own. We have managed to get Intel to build chip manufacturing plants here, so we should have the confidence to approach pharmaceutical companies.

Synthetic drugs are now a luxury. It is becoming an ugly scenario where health is actually bought by money. Since Malaysia has an abundance of herbs and marine resources, we have to speed up our research on these organisms for their medicinal value. We have to start manufacturing traditional based medicine in bulk to supplement the shortage of high end drugs. I’m not saying that we should shun modern medicine but there is undoubtedly an enormous power of traditional medicine that has yet to be unleashed. If we could make this work, not only can we save on drugs, we might actually be able to earn more money from selling our own patented medicines.

Good health should be everybody’s right. Drug companies as well as their distributors and retailers should also be more considerate and honest with pricing. If doctors have to follow a code of ethics to provide health care to all, pharmaceuticals too have a responsibility as they work side by side with medical personnel.

Bombers, the Bullies from Junior High, not Soldiers

Terrorist bombers are the world’s worst cowards. They are too scared to fight for their right using intellectual means as they have no ability to argue, only physical ways. They try to frighten others using fear. They are no different than school bullies, just that now they have the knowledge to build their weapons.

Why should innocent people die when they have nothing to do with national policies? More over, are policies worth killing for? If they have the guts to kill, why aren’t they brave enough to take on the national army? Pick on someone your size, not harm unarmed civilians. It’s just ironic how some people have the heart to support these so-called fighters. If they call themselves soldiers for their cause, they are certainly not showing so. Every soldier has to follow a universal rule of engagement: to only shoot at armed enemies. These people do not.

Bullies in school pick on weak students and beat up unarmed people with all sorts of weapons. We even hear of some gangs in schools fight with parangs. Why can’t we follow the footsteps of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Ghandi, and other freedom fighters? They definitely had gotten what they wanted without blowing up something or someone but instead managed to use their God given brains to shake powerful people. These are the true heroes who should be emulated for fighting for their cause. We can’t blame US for reacting the way it is doing now because these terrorists had murdered thousands of its people, although the execution of the offensives could have been better and safer. We always condemn the US for the wars, but if it were to happen to our people, I don’t think we would stay quiet either. We would have to fight back and defend ourselves.

We need to rise up against these terrorists. Think before supporting any ideology. Does it benefit mankind or for that group of people only? We need not be scared to stand up to them because I’m sure that they are outnumbered by the rest of the five and a half billion people in the world who would dare to stand up to their atrocities. We have to crush these who are the real enemies of the world.

CSI: Malaysia – DNA database

I reckon everyone loves watching the CSI franchise. We love the cool factor of the technology, visual effects and of course the intriguing stories. Best of all, the cases are almost always solved using the DNA profile database.

Can crime investigation be as effective in Malaysia? Here, many people have criticized the proposal to create a national DNA database. Some say that it would be an invasion of privacy or people could be framed easily. But what about a DNA database of criminals, ex-convicts and foreign workers? It has been proposed before but it hasn’t materialized. In these times of increasing crime rates, I think that this database is crucial. With due respect, we know as a fact that a majority of released convicts will turn back to their old ways and many foreigners have known to cause problems. As a precaution for national security, we need to be able to identify each and every one of them. It would be devastating if criminals get acquitted for lack of evidence. It has happened before and many cases may go unsolved just because we can’t match the DNA sample to anyone.

Come to think of it, what is wrong with having a DNA database of everyone? Not only can crime be almost totally prevented but it will help with identification of unknown dead victims of crimes or accidents. We can also confirm our identity when other authorities like the immigrations of another country doubt the authenticity of identification documents. Issues on ethics will rise, but to date, the pros of this project definitely outweigh the cons by a huge margin.

Let us make use of the RM490 million wisely. Why not use some of it to upgrade our national security system? It is time that our government, lawmakers and police force look into this issue urgently. I call upon the people of Malaysia to support the implementation of this DNA profile database project. With proper planning and management, this will be a very effective way to curb crime.

Forgive, try to forget, and forget

We always ask for forgiveness from God every time we do something wrong and conscience kicks in. But how often do we forgive others? We face plenty of transgressions done against us ranging from petty issues to serious crimes. Anger keeps us from forgiving. Do we really want the anger last till eternity? A saying goes: “Don’t let your anger continue past sundown.” The act of forgiving doesn’t mean that you must forget the deed on the spot. The act of forgiveness is releasing all anger related to that issue and holding no grudge toward it.

Humans remember bad things vividly but forget the good ones almost immediately. We must always try to overcome this trait. First, we must let go of all petty issues. Why clog up our minds with useless information? Then, we must run through our minds and make a list on whom we have lost contact because of misunderstandings. It is not a time to judge but to make amendments. Be humble and take the first step in apologizing and readily accept others’ apologies too. You may not forget the incident because how our brains work physiologically but we can control our minds to treat matters differently. I admit that I do not understand how it feels like to lose a loved one accidentally or deliberately. But in my opinion as a word of comfort, which is a cliché, it’s no use harboring revenge and anger because it will not change anything. Let God be the avenger as we have no authority to take the law into our own hands.

We have to admit that some major fights that we had will be forgotten over time. We may look back and even laugh about them. But why take such a long time to realize the absurdity in such issues? Look at children. A few minutes after a fight or argument, they would be playing together happily again. The faster we forget conflicts, the happier our lives will be. Grudging is one of the causes for shortening life-span. The world would be a happier place if every one of us changes our mentality. If only that could happen right now.

Compare with what?

Ever wondered why you see rural children and their parents and entire families beaming away in photos or videos? They are happy with what they have. The key to that type of happiness is the absence of comparison.

People in the city are totally of the opposite. We look at others in envy of what they have; good looks, big cars, big houses and many more. Why do we stress ourselves so much? It is not wrong to set goals to achieve and it is definitely good to want to improve on one-self. However, it is detrimental to compare with another person and get envious. You’ll start setting unreasonable goals and push yourself to the limit just to get where you want.

Don’t join the crazy rat race for the sake of success. Why not take some time to reflect on what you have? Success has no meaning if you don’t enjoy it. You may all the cars and houses that money can buy, but is your health good? Is your relationship with your family strong? Students like to rush to compare exam marks after getting their results. Some teenagers like to compare their looks with actors and actresses. Some couples compare marriages. Some people even like to compare who has the more expensive cell phone! As the list goes on, it just gets more ridiculous.

Comparison is the root of stress. Not a single person is destined to have everything. In the simple towns and villages, their wealth is pretty much well distributed and therefore they are not compelled to compare with each other. Take that scenario, assimilate and adapt it into our urban lives. It’s alright to be jealous, but never envy.

Cowardly Offenders

Hands up, those who received fines and other warning letters from the authorities addressed to someone whom you have no idea existed or not. I see the entire audience responded.

Who are these irritating people? How is it possible that their fines are directed to others who are not even related to them in any way? From my understanding, vehicles are registered to the person following information from the identity card and other documents that you have to have the real addresses of residence like insurance and bank statements. If all these are true, how is it that the vehicle can be registered to another residence? Why didn’t JPJ check in detail? All these discrepancies will be automatically transferred to other authorities such as the municipal councils. Now, I am getting continuous letters concerning compounds from MBPJ about a certain offender who used my house address. These selfish people have put a lot of other poor victims through trouble. Imagine the look on your neighbors’ faces when the authorities come knocking on your door.

When a registered letter which looked like another fine came for this unknown person, I simply told the postman that there is no such person and this has been happening too many times. The good man graciously took back the letter and hopefully, he would alert the sender. It is high time the authorities look into these cases and start investigating. It can’t be that hard to investigate these details and consult the banks and insurance companies if is that easy to buy a car. And these offenders have committed the most transparent identity theft ever. Stop it now and face your own transgressions.

Government As A Corporation

“God gave us such a beautiful gift. Why are we destroying it?” - Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi.

The reason is, we lack people with the right qualifications and the right attitude in managing such cases. We need more people like Datuk Dr. Chua Soi Lek. He is a doctor and therefore, we have the confidence that he is most qualified to advise the nation on health issues. You might question his management skills. The PSD is then responsible to supply him with the proper personnel. For the record, he has done a marvelous job so far.

The point is the government must be run like a corporation. In the business world, once your performance is creating a setback in a department, you’d either be given a warning or you’d get fired. We need to revise the strict consideration of seniority for promotions. I have heard of some government servants slacking when they near the retirement date from their government servant colleagues themselves. We need to recognize that some young people have the better attitude and mind set that is needed. By being tough on performance, there is a 100% guarantee that government servants will immediately cut the slack and we would see a total change in the country inside out, ministers and politicians included.

Back to Sipadan. The prime minister has expressed anger at Chief Minister of Sabah for going ahead with the destructive club house project. In my opinion, there are enough reasons in this issue to severely reprimand him such as a fine, suspension or more severe punishments with immediate effect. He has caused the country substantial loss and in the corporate world, he would be labeled a liability. I urge the prime minister to get real tough on such cases, not only on environment issues but others such as public transport, finance, sports and so on.

It is high time we get the country’s management right once and for all. Let’s adhere to the saying: “When an employee has a problem, the company has a problem.”. Let us get rid of the problem now, before it’s too late.

Love Yourself As You Love Others

Takziah to the Sultan of Pahang and the royal family over the tragedy yesterday.

It must be realized that this sort of event has become more rampant in every strata of society. We need to check with ourselves again.

Everyone knows the saying: Love others as you love yourselves. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The problem arises when the “Love others” part overshadows the “love yourselves” section.

We care for one another; sibling to sibling, parents to children, spouse to spouse, bosses to employees, and many more. However, are we caring for others until we sideline ourselves? Most commonly, married working adults have a tendency to stop caring for themselves at a certain point. They have too many worries blanketing their lives that they don’t have time to spare for themselves. The work becomes mundane, family life becomes a routine, friends become just names written in the contact book, and they themselves become a machine just living out their lifespan.

Strangely, loving others doesn’t always mean having a happy time or having a compassionate moment. Sometimes it means that you care more about what others feel and think about you. In recent years, we hear of many suicide cases. We have no right to judge them, but there might be some element of inferiority complex and it seems that worrying about people’s perspective on one-self is one of the main causes of depression.

Life is too short to let those worries overcome you. We must try to look at things at a different perspective and of course, positively. Respect your responsibilities at work and when it becomes mundane, make it a fresh goal everyday to conquer your objective and reward yourself at the end of the day by doing yourself something nice like getting a warm cup of superb, thick Milo, lying lazily on the softest couch you can find and soak in a foam bath while letting go of everything on your mind. Even five minutes of pure release of your mind will do wonders. Keep your health in check. Look at your body as a home which you will be living in for the rest of your life. Don’t overeat or under eat when stressed or angry. Don’t take out anger on anyone. Everyone has their own set of problems and if you truly love them, don’t add more problems to them. And don’t ever take drugs. All these are masks and weapons that the devil uses against us to hide the truth and this is dangerous. Instead, find a reason not to get overcome by these negative emotions. Always find a positive side to every situation, with discretion.

Everyone is special with individual abilities. Look for it in yourself and unleash that potential. Make yourself happy and the happiness will radiate from the inside out. If you don’t love yourself, how are you going to love others?

Working on Marriage, the Positive Outlook

An episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” last year had discussed a point which struck me and had never left my mind. It featured Reese Witherspoon, a respected actress on-screen and an even more respected person as well as a devoted wife and mother off-screen. At such a young age, Reese and her husband had had understood the importance of constantly working on their marriage and they have been very open for counseling and going for therapy.

Reese made a point: “In what capacity is working on your marriage a bad thing?” . We have this perception that whenever a couple goes for therapy, they had to have problems. This has caused many people to avoid going for advice or getting some help just to avoid embarrassment. As a result, we have seen divorce rates rocketing sky high at alarming rates. We don’t have to wait until problems arise before getting help. We should in fact get advice on how to tackle problems or conflict before they even happen, should the need arise.

The point here is, we should get advice on spicing up marriages and relationships as well as proper financial and family planning for the better of the future. This is the positive perspective of the term “working on your marriage”. Reese also stressed that “marriage is like a journey”, a spiritual journey where two people come together, stay together and grow together in love, respect, compassion, and support for one another. We can’t profess that we are perfect persons, having perfect relationships, think that everything will work out and we don’t have to do anything about it because inevitably, there will be the ups and downs of life. But with good values instilled with the help of effective counseling and advice; we can avoid conflicts and other complications. Better still, we should have in fact understood what having a life partner means before even getting a life partner.

We don’t have to be power earners to pay psychologists exorbitant fees for advice. We could simply talk and discuss with family members, friends, and pastors, go to free marriage clinics organized by many religious organizations like churches where sometimes psychologists do take part in, or even start by opening up ourselves to our spouses. Open up your heart and mind, and do not let the views of the world affect you. You are doing yourselves a righteous thing and there is definitely nothing wrong and shameful in doing so. Ignore the jeers and gossips; these are from the people who do not have to courage to improve on themselves.

Let us end the existence of the word “divorce” once and for all. Therefore, start the healthy practice of constantly working on your marriage and relationships right now.

Notice

For the record to readers, contents written to blog.thestar.com.my by drinkingcocoa is from me, Jien Han of drinkingcocoa.blogspot.com . Thank you . =)

Problem

We have a problem

Condolences to the tsunami victims and their families in Java. Killer waves strike again, even though they are of a smaller scale. The question is, what happened to the alrm system? Many countries had pledged to install the system which is vital to Indonesia which is sitting on a huge fault line? The reported reason was they had not enough funds to install more bouys. And the two bouys in service are now destroyed. This is an issue of laziness and half-heartedness of man. We think that lightning couldn't strike the same place twice. We must realise that the world is changing, no matter what we think. Monsoons are getting erratic, lightning is killing people at an abnormal rate, hurricanes are getting wilder, earth plates are moving faster, and some migratory animals have shown some disturbances. It looks like we are too comfortable with the knowledge that we have the technologu to survive anything. That is the biggest mistake. Do you think that the movie "The Day After Tommorow" is just for creating hype? It is made to be a public awakening. Scientists have been monitoring the North Atlantic Current. It has been proven that the Ice Age of the Nothern Hemisphere is going to happen if the current shuts down. Subtle things like this causes great disasters. And when it happens we blame our Mother Nature for being cruel. The truth is, She is trying to get earth to stabilise and heal itself again. We are supposed to be guardians of the earth. And yet, there are some countries which still refuses to sign the Kyoto Agreement just because of the threat to their economy. They said," no petrol, no money.". And they are the ones with alternative fuel technology which they are unwilling release for furthur improvement. Come to think of it, why punish Microsoft when the impact of these misdeeds are life threatening?

Back to Indonesia. All those who offered help, please walk the talk. By not doing so, it is basically manslaughter because it is intentionally witholding available and necessary help to avoid death of human beings. However, Indonesia must not keep quiet too. They should put foward requests and also try to figure out other plans for the sake of it's people. Is it about money and profits? What is money but pieces of paper if it's not used. It's time we look at each other as just variations of a single race which dominates the planet and realise that we are the only ones who have the power to change everything for the better.

Think about that.

We're Not That Poor.

MYR490 million.

What can we do with it? Let's see, build better ports, furthur improve the public transport, give more scholarships to students, national financial investments, improve on electricity production equipment, repair dilipadet schools, repair hospitals, upgrade police equipment, build rubbish incinerators, build alternative fuel research and production facilities, clean up beaches, conserve nature, build proper roads and safer bridges, expand telephone coverage natiowide, canvas the nationwith broadband connections, give much-needed bonuses to government servants, build or import alternative fuel vehicles technology, start a social security system, upgrade social health, proper geriatric care, get more improved and up to date equipment for hospitals, improve RTM, improve Astro, solve flash flood problems, and solve KLIA's taxi problems.

How about a sports center in London? Do we NEED it? Think about it. History will repeat itself: Remember, remember, the E-Village disaster.

Super Man

A Nerve of Steel

Image from: eclipsemagazine.com

hmm, is Superman supposed to be the upholder of morality in the world? He is supposed to be a role model to every living soul who has seen his movies and read his stories. But now, after 5 years of leaving Lois, he is a father. And Lois? She is married to another guy, and she is a mom. A mom to......Superman's son! A child born out of wedlock? Is he an irresposible father? Why didn't they use protection? Why didn't Lois tell him about her pregnancy? And she is angry with him for not saying goodbye? These are questions to be answered by yourself (chuckle). Sometimes we need a little complications in relationships to sell the movie. But with children watching this, I can imagine them asking,"Mommy, why did Superman have a baby and he didn't know? Was I like that?". Can't blame them, children live the movies. Careful.

Complain, complain...arrr

Victims of Circumstances

There are numerous fines which are meted out against offenders like speeding and not paying parking fees. Ok, maybe not paying your parking fees is not harming anyone. But speeding? Those people should be jailed after a certain amount of fines. Come to think of it, those who can speed are those who can afford to pay the fines. Moreover, I haven't heard of their licences getting revoked. What happened to the so-called point system by JPJ? Speeding should be classified as 15kph above speed limit. 10kph above the limit is a little tight for overtaking slow cars. Ah, talking about slow vehicles. They put others in danger also. They don't seem to care about their surrounding. They don't look lost and certainly they are not pressing on the gas enough. Ironically 50% of these vehicles are the ones with exhaust pipes big enough for a python to crawl in. Big sound but minute power. Show offs. Motorcyclists? We respect their presence on the road. And the rule of thumb is to treat them as a car. But sometimes, they crawl slower than a heavy laden lorry on a straight stretch! Worse still, they are in the middle of the lane and sometimes to the right of the slower lane. How do they expect us to overtake them without grazing them? And when we do, it's always our fault...

Amazing!

A 5-minute sketch with Graphire4 4"x5" in Fireworks!

Syabas, SYABAS.

Syabas (Congratulations) , SYABAS.

Look at the photo. As I was passing by the Taman Tun Dr. Ismail area, this sight caught my eye. About a month ago, they dug up the road to lay the much needed new pipes for water supply. The residents had graciously endured the necessary inconvenience. However, today (26th May 2006), the company had once again proven that inefficiency still plagues government projects. They had dug up the patched up road for goodness knows what now. Aren't they supposed to finish all that they had to do in one go? Undoubtedly, we have a lot of money to throw and sponsor redigging after redigging. And this time, the residents visibly DO NOT appreciate the inconvinience.

Not only that. The workers allegedly destroyed some property with heavy machinery. Look at the arrows. That part of the kerb was alright until the machines came. The resident who lives there couldn't be more angry and he was grumbling about the atrotious activity taking place outside his home. He is currently deciding whether to pursue the matter or not. I couldn't agree more that this damage should be repaired and all costs be borne by SYABAS immediately. Unbelievable (or believable). Ah, another resident says that the digging was to repair a leak. What? Why? How? Why should new pipes leak? Are we paying for upgrading or simply creating jobs just because someone is obliged to someone? I refrained from putting up the company logo in a photo so that they could retain some dignity in the eyes of the rest of the world.

And the winner is..

Congratulations to Taylor Hicks, the American Idol 2006! Congratulations to Katharine Mcphee too for mesmerising the world!

Idol Fever!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Taylor Hicks!

www.taylorhicksfansite.com

What a night! We saw, we heard and now we wait. Taylor! He came, sang and he conquered the Kodak Theater. He started off the night with a lively number and ended strongly. The second song was a moderately off the key at a number of places, quite dry but managed to pull it off without much damage. Ah, the last song was appropriately the finale of the competition thanks to his ability to improvise the song which would have been mediocre.

www.katharinemcpheeonline.com

Unfortunately, Katharine didn't make an impact. Her vocals are undeniably far more superior than Taylor's but she only shone in the phenomenal Somewhere Over the Rainbow. She followed Simon's advice to stick to the tune too strictly and that's why the first song sounded a little dry. She should have been more brave to put in a little naughty tone in that song and it would have sounded great. Rainbow definitely touched us right to the soul and nothing could have been better in the last five years. The last song was a disaster. It was 60% the fault of the song and 40% hers. The song was a little low and draggy for the verses but quite ok for the chorus, composition-wise. On her part, she didn't improvise as expected and made numerous pitch errors. Quite glaringly I would say. Greatly huge potential, but what a shame that the impression was blown. Katharine will take over Broadway and jazz but I think that's her only forte.

So what do I think? I think that Taylor Hicks IS the next American Idol. And Katharine will continue to mesmerise the musical world and the hearts of any hot-blooded boy. =)

Simon Cowell: "I believe you had just won American Idol."
(24th May 2006)

Pride and Prejudice

A beautiful story by Jane Austen, ad even more intricately played by the cast. Elizabeth was tailored made for Keira and I suppose there is no better substitute for her. (But Reese definitely deserved that Oscar, sorry Keira!). A 2 hour long film with no physical parts, but rich in witty conversations. Feel the film, and you'll want to watch it over and over and over again for the experience (and also for the gorgous Keira Knightley).

You write uncommonly fast, Mr Darcy.

              
You're mistaken. I write slowly.


How many letters you must have occasion
to write, Mr Darcy.

               
Letters of business.
How odious I should think them.

                  
It is fortunate, then,
they fall to me and not you.

                 
Tell your sister I long to see her.

                  
- I've already told her once.
- I do dote on her.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heaven and Earth! Are the shades
of Pemberley to be thus polluted?


Tell me once and for all,
are you engaged to him?


I am not.


Will you promise never
to enter into such an engagement?


I will not and I certainly never shall.


You have insulted me
in every possible way


and can now have
nothing further to say.


I must ask you to leave immediately.


Goodnight.


I have never been thus treated
in my entire life!

Elliott?? Elliott??! NOT ELLIOTT!!

NO!

Image from americanidol.com

Elliott Yamin is out? This is wrong. So wrong. He mesmerised the crowd yesterday. He has the voice and the style and he should have beat Taylor to it. Unlucky.. so unlucky. 33.06% of the votes. It was just bad luck. What's wrong with the people....VOTE, for his sake.

Image from americanidol.com

Taylor's fine, he has the voice but he's singing to himself. If only he'd been more sensitive to the audience. How irritating to see him ending each song like he's constipated!!! Just as Cowell said: "Smart song choice, great performance and a hideous ending..". Sometimes too over the top.

Image from americanidol.com

And here's the Angel. =) Saw and heard how Katherine took on Simon's Somewhere Over The Rainbow? She took the rainbow and gave it to us. For a moment I thought I saw heaven behind her with the rainbow painting the sky... mmmmmm. ^_^ She should have gotten at least 40% of the votes because she had given "the best vocal performance ever". Darned.

Now that it's only Taylor and "Angel", it is only proper that America's Idol be Katharine Mcphee. No, Taylor, no.

$cared?

S$

Now Malaysia wants to impose a RM20 toll for foreign cars. And who's complaining? Our neighbours due south. It's really quite amusing that we pay to enter the island but they can't pay to enter the mainland. Are they scared to lose money to us? We have and are doing them good by selling raw water to them all these years.

By the way, how on earth did we come to a business deal that let's us lose out by selling raw water and buying treated water? 0_0

Our government is trying to control fuel smuggling by imposing the levy. At this stage, it can be seen as a good move but only it will be only temporary. The only effective way is the old fashion screening of vehicles leaving the country. Get more personnel to peek into every corner of the vehicles. Neighbours, please cooperate. It's only a little more to spend each time you come here. Try car-pooling. It will also do everyone good by reducing gas emissions.

Hey, doesn't someone has hydrogen technology for cars?

Help

HELP, I NEED FUNDS TO CONTINUE MEDICAL STUDIES IN IRELAND.

1 Euro = RM4.50
Euro 25000 per year x 2.5 yrs = Euro 62500 x 4.5 = RM281250

Not counting living expenses. How do I overcome this?

KL's city rail...

Choo, Choo... Chug, Chug, Chug..


Ah, talking about the grouses of public transport. Let's go through the rail system.

Ok, first and foremost, Putra has not enough carriages! During the peak hours, we can see people pressing on the glasses windows on the doors, hanging on to others (or not holding anything at all)... it looks like they've all been swept into the train with a mighty whack from a mighty broom. This is especially bad after the train had passed the KLCC station. We need more carriages, something like the number STAR has. Talking about STAR, most of the time the drivers mumble through their mics for the station alert. With all the noise from the train, how do they expect us to hear them? To make things more difficult, we can't see the name of the station clearly at night because the inside of the train is brighter than the outside. One more irritating thing, sometimes or often, the air conditioning doesn't work! And it happens during peak hours (I get it in the afternoon) when everyone is pressing against each other, coming back from work, sweating and smelling and breathing heavily in the moving gas chamber-like prison. The management should check their trains everyday. Why should we pay and support the service when we are taken for granted?

Ok, not all problems arise from the management, mind you. I like the service because of the timing of the LRT trains. It's of course not as frequent all the time as one would like, but it's fine. Most importantly, it arrives on time. This is what the public should be ashamed about. The stations frequently announce that people must let others disembark first before boarding. Easier said than done. Doors open and the hullabaloo starts. Shoving, grumbling, grunting, you name it. It's like that's the only train on the track for miles and we can't miss it. People on the train, don't smirk yet. You guys take your time coming out of the train. Perhaps you own the train, do you? How can people get on the train if you don't come out? Putra is automatic, it doesn't wait and I don't think STAR's drivers would like to be delayed too long. Whose fault is it when people get hurt? Everybody's.

KTM Commuter, for goodness sake, clean up! Cockroaches live in the carriages! What on earth.... sigh... I rest my case. Also, be punctual! How do you explain the 45 minute waiting time for a train from Subang Jaya to KL Sentral? Worry about the costs? Don't. There are more people taking the trains than you think. Keep us happy, and we'll keep you happy. It's 2 way.

Ah, this is the unsolved mystery of KL:
WHY ON EARTH DOES THE MONORAIL STOP SHORT OF GOING INTO KL SENTRAL???

Chimneys

Cough, cough...
picture source: http://www.engineering.usu.edu/databases/mdb/images/no_smoking234.gif

It's really intriguing. Even with the much publicised risks of lung cancer, hordes of chimneys still churn out clouds of smoke. It's like the early days of industrialisation when everyone's using coal. Who suffers? The non-smokers!

Interestingly, many parents hate children who smoke but one can see some parents, especially fathers, puffing away in their car while the whole family had to endure him with the windows down! These people should probably take note that cars come with air-conditioning. This new technology helps us survive the pollution when we're on the road. But what are they doing? The poor children breathe in burnt petrol as well as burnt tobacco. Why are people getting mad at children who smoke? They really shouldn't. They should be proud that their offspring had mastered the family tradition and are ready to sustain it.

Everytime I eat at a coffee shop or a mamak shop, I have to endure the smoke around me. Aren't eateries supposed to be a non-smoking place? It IS an enclosed place, and enclosed places are barred to smokers. So, this smoking species say, "Go to a non-smoking place la if you don't like it here.". Heck, this type of human rights is invalid. If I retort, "Why don't you go to a smoking place if you like to smoke.", I think I'll be bashed up by all the chimneys around me. Smokers complain that they are denied their human rights. How about nons? This is an age old debate. In reality, smokers have already forfeited their rights. They are harming healthy people around them. Are they much different than bombers? Virus releasers? They'are killing innocent victims. They kill children. They kill their own children. They fight for their right to kill. And when they kill, they experience pleasure from nicotine. It's sick: pleasure when killing. Christopher Reeve's dear wife died of lung cancer. She hasn't smoked once in her life. Who killed her?

Smokers violate personal space by intruding on the 1.5 foot radius of airspace of each individual around him. What do countries do when they found a sparrow from their neighbour flying into their land in this time of the avian flu threat? Exaggeratingly, The sparrow would be hit by a missile. Same here, why can't we defend our health? Because we would be charged for causing grevious hurt. However, the smoker wouldn't be charged the same, would he? We always want evidence. They always laugh, "You don't have cancer, how you know we caused it?". If only we have and accept precogs. Minority Report wasn't a bad show after all.

People, not chimneys, we have to stand up and defend ourselves. We are at war. And we WILL win the war.

Just Rice

Try this:

Rice With Cheese

Start to boil rice as normal. When it looks soggy and there's still a little water, rip up a slice of cheese and throw the pieces into the pot. Sprinkle grounded oregano leaves, pepper and a leeeetle bit of salt, since cheese slices have salt. Stir and mix everything, especially making sure that the all the cheese has melted. The mixture would become gluey and gooey, like pulut, I would say.When bubbling has stopped, serve. Might want to let it cool a little because cheese can retain quite some heat.

Make sure you like cheese because this can be a little strong on the stomach if you don't.. =)
Hate the strong cheese smell? Sprinkle some lemon juice on the rice.

A simpler version of the cheese baked rice, haha.

Happy birthday, 8tv! And my cam had to fail me...

8tv

Happy Birthday! Was there on the 14th but didn't have a camera with me. Haha, managed to see Quickie hosts Adam and Marion on stage. Ah, was she tall! Today, the 15th, it was Fabian and Rina hosting. Hah, I think I prefer the former pair when it comes to hosting. Fabs and Rina will cater to the teens and young people effectively only (you know our talk =) ). Today, I armed myself with a cam, determined to snap all that I could in the hour I had, but luck wasn't with me. I didn't have an image stabiliser and some are badly blurred! Here goes, some pics from the party.

uuuhh...dizzy

Knock Knock!

Man, I hit my head twice! One was a whack by a hand, and the other a bump on the bus's overhead compartment. The headache, dizziness and heaviness lasted for almost a week! Thank God I've recovered.

Hmm.. ever since the hols began, I found nothing to blog about, do, or think. This is really some kind of post-exam syndrome, a kind of premature mid-life crisis. Sigh.. at least there was a trip to Pangkor to kill my boredom. Oh, pics at jienhan.shutterfly.com

yawn...

Where is God? Where?

Stricken
Five years ago, or maybe three, I found a white spot on each of my elbows. Turned out I have Vitiligo (google it). And recently, it has worsened. It hit me hard. "What???!!!!!", I yelled silently,"I have a still-incurable ailment??!!". I feel like crying everyday but only did a couple of times. This is one of the worst puishments ever. Who wants to lose his skin pigment? Especially when it happens gradually. It would be less damaging mentally if it went all as once. But I can picture myself turning pure white with just the pinkiness of my blood below my skin showing. Why does this happen? Medicine says its the genes. In other words, a curse.

Where is God? I've been praying and repenting over and over again to no avail. For almost 6 years now, and it has worsened instead, even though it stopped for a short while. I ask in anger, "Why me? Why not the terrorists who murder innocent people? Why not the corrupt people who cause hurt? Why not the cheaters? Why not the bullies? Why not the gangsters? Why not the drug pushers? Why not the child abusers? Why not those who dump their babies? Why not Osama?". And it has to be me.

Only tonight did I find some comfort in the Word, with some help from the "Purpose Driven Life" book. Maybe it's because I had not been strong in Him, took things for granted and Vitiligo was the best way to bring me to my senses. Isaiah says," The Lord has hidden himself from his people, but I trust Him and place my hope in Him."(Isaiah 8:17). Maybe it's to make me realise the deeper mistakes and attrocities in me that I had not paid attention to. Maybe it's to reinforce my hope and trust in Him in times of great trouble, which this really is. Comfort, there may be when I had reveiwed my life, as " The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."(Psalm 34:18). I am crushed. Only made worse when the word incurable is given. Who would understand this thing? Even if it's not contagious, which normal human wouldn't look twice before approaching? I wouldn't want to think what I'll go through in a few years.

In all these complaints, I am thankful that I'm healthy otherwise. I am thankful that I'm alive. I'm thankful to have a family, a shelter, education, food, stable finances and a great country to live in. For now I know, you'll never know that God is all you need until God is all you've got.

"I need your healing touch, God. In Christ's Name, Amen."

Wierd Stuff

Alien or terrestrial?
I found this marks on the floor of my kitchen. I suspect its caused by some insect, but which one? Calling all entomologists, please help! Here's another look.Gaaa!

What STPM trials do to you...

Yes. I think that's me.

C a n ' t ......g o ..........o n........

I have no more energy to take on the STPM. Am I giving up? I don't know. But now I'm having a furious headache which lasted 4 days ago. Study so much and what's the outcome? Nothing. Nothing!!!! Forget it.

Katrina Khaos

Condolences and Regrets
My deepest condolences to the folks of New Orleans. A terrible disaster has descended upon the city and I pray conditions will be for the better. 20 feet of water, that's what's being reported. Whole houses and businesses swept away. One picture of a stadium flooded was shown on the news. You could only see the stands. I could only imagine the suffering this hurricane has brought.

pss...pss...
The USA. The world's superpower has failed to evacuate the city? What had happened? It's is very unbelievable that the hurricane has taken the city by surprise. They have so many satellites that I worry that a crash will happen someday. They could detect the earthquake last 26th December in S.E.A. . And yet, people perished in a detected hurricane. Why? Mr. Bush has a lot of explaination to do. Even the mayor swore on national TV. Why has the government taken so long to respond? Many question the whereabouts of the aid promised. No evacuation plan was made. USA has space technology, but where are the machinery required to provide the much needed power? No one actually took a second look at the levies and strengthen them. Right now while writing this, I am listening to a very angry mother on CNN who is a hurricane victim. Mr. President, you'd better respond.

Malu, they invaded Iraq, refused to pay debts to UN and now they need help. Bah!

Happy Birthday, Malaysia!

Tanggal 31, Bulan 8 57!
The parade? One of the best and most meaningful ever =) Good job! Good weather! No more words to describe the morning other than these, hehe. Happy birthday, Malaysia!

Recipie! ---- Baked Potatoes

How do you make a hearty breakfast/dinner dish? Let me show you how. =) My very own experiment.

Ingredients :
4 potatoes, spring onion, oregano (dried), Tabasco sauce, extra virgin olive oil, lemon, pepper.


Steps:

1. Peel the potatoes. Then, cut them into smaller pieces.

2. Boil the potatoes in salt water until you can drive your knife through them easily. 3. Put the potatoes into a bowl and mash them completely.

4. Cut a lemon and squeeze the juice into the potatoes to your taste.

5. Add chopped spring onion, Tabasco sauce and olive oil to the potatoes. To your taste.

6. Mix thoroughly.

7. Spread the mashed potatoes in a baking tray, or in my case, a metal plate.

8. Bake in the preheated oven until the potatoes show a golden colour. (I used 250°C)

9. Serve! With toast, egg, etc... can also add butter if you want.

Ok, the colour of the dish in the picture may not look smooth, but it tastes good! How's that for a beginner's first time full fledged cooking? Feedback is most welcomed. Bon appetit!

Winds Of Change

Truly Clear
At last, the days of acrid smell is over and it had better stay that way. It rained! And from 1 Utama, you can finally see way out until the Telekom building in the far distance. It really felt nice when small drops of sky juice hit my face. Somehow the winds changed and now the smoke is headed up north. Sorry, northern states. It actually hurts when the papers reported that some farmers are still burning padi stalks up north. Some kind of education and extra funding should be given to help them change their ways.




Here's another view that's blessedly clear of haze.






Say Who?
Talking about winds of change. Not only did the winds actually change direction, the stories in the news did too! It is an article from The Star today (17 August 2005) which says that Malaysian planters in Indonesia did not start any fires. How did Indonesia come to a conclusion that they did the last time? This openly suggests that Indonesia is playing the convenient blame game. When we complain about their actions, they simply say, "It's your own fault! Don't blame us..". Ah, the fibbers. What a big show of the so-called ASEAN spirit. What great neighbourliness. Nonsensical stories made up by their press is the thanks we get for lending a hand to put out their own fires.

What Say?

Explain this
(Article from the New Straits Times, 12 August 2005) This is simply unacceptable. How can this excuse saying that "it is a lifestyle that cannot be changed" be used? It is like saying we have been going to war with spears and stones for centuries, therefore we cannot switch to guns as it is difficult to stop using our own sticks and stones. It is somehow very illogical to be unable to educate the planters to switch to less destructive methods of land clearing as Indonesia has such a huge population. They are able to recruit more law enforcers as their economy is now improving. Indonesia is a member of the OPEC and therefore they have the energy to conduct surveillance. Malaysia is also an agriculture country. We have long forbid slash and burn methods even though there is a handful who are still ill-informed. Did our agriculture activities suffer? No! In fact, it flourished as there is less pollutants in the air which inhibits proper plant growth. If Indonesians cannot change their ways, why on earth do we provide help to them? It is clearly wasting our efforts as well as risking our firemens' lives. Maybe if we could hold our breath for a longer time, we should wait until there's nothing left to burn in Sumatera. Only then, the air will clear. For a very long time.

Traitors
Oi! These people are overboard! How can our own countrymen across the Straits do this to their homeland? Don't they know what is happening here? Malaysian cops should hop over there and throw all of them into jail, lock up their businesses and fine them. This is very shameful, with the fact that everyone is pointing their fingers at the Indonesians. These Malaysian firms better stop this heinous act as the world thinks we are actually self-destructing. What a shame.

Darkness Comes And Goes

Still Dark
The haze actually lifted in the morning, increasing visibility to a little more than 1km as compared to yesterdays horror. That is the INTAN building in the distance. About 250 schools have closed today and are to close tomorrow too. However, at about 1pm, the winds shifted and the haze is back, blanketing the city again in thick smoke. Even the smell is in every building, air-conditioned or not. Quite a number of minor accidents also occurred due to poor visibilty. I noticed that the postman in my area does not wear a mask. I hope Pos Malaysia will remind their personnel to wear them as well as provide the masks. Today, many people have slammed the Indonesians over the haze. We are tired of helping them douse their own fires as reoccurence is the thanks we get. So what if they have the death penalty for the culprits? No one seems to be executed just yet and the fires rage on. KL has offered to send help. Hopefully the Indonesians have a change in attitude and cease to let us suffer because of their people's inconsiderate actions.

Genius!
This is a really good idea by him to keep from breathing in the unhealthy air! =) It should be marketed. Really.



(The Sun, 11 August 2005, front page)

Haze Worsened

Suffocating
The air has worsened tremendously today, the visibility at a low of 300m. From the Universiti roundabout, the INTAN building disappeared from sight. The air smells worse and people started choking and their eyes watering. My eyes hurt now. What students do not understand is why the Government can't declare an emergency at this point of time. They can hardly pay attention to the lessons and the teachers can't speak at their normal volume. The Ministry should note that schools are not so fortunate to have air conditioners to use. If the situation worsens tomorrow, students cannot be blamed for skipping school. The schools are given the liberty to shut down but there's a catch. The off days have to be replaced on Saturdays. Let me ask, if the haze does not lift until December, would we replace the days next year? Will students be expelled for not attending classes in order to protect their own health? Why do schools demand Medical Certs from these students? Who wants to pay a doctor just to get a piece of paper? This problem in the administrations should be looked into now before anything worse happens.

There were a few blessed drops of rain that fell on P.J. . Please pray for a full monsoon blast that should be here during this season. Slight hail also hit Subang Jaya. What a phenomenon!

Smoked

Who Moved The Mountain?!
Try to look in the distance. Where is the mountain and the condominium? The photo was taken from the same location as yesterday's. Today's condition is the worst ever since the smoke hit us. Visibilty's down to a low of approximately 700m. In certain parts of Subang, you can't see things clearly beyond 500m. The air smells as if you're the one burning away. Are we being smoked out of our country? The Indonesians have admitted that a large portion of the haze came from Sumatra due to open burning. We hope that the authourities there could put a stop to the irresponsible act. We too have the problem with peat fire. Good luck and many thanks to the firemen out there doing their best. We have reportedly managed to douse 70% of active blazes in the hot spots. The picture on the left shows how bad visibilty is. There is supposed to be a mountain and a condominiumin the distance which are about 1km away. Even the tree slightly in the distance which is easily 100m away appears grey. There is one thing I saw which ticked me off. As I walked along some shops in front of a college, many people were puffing away. They do not seemed disturbed by the present haze and now they are working to thicken the smoke. Somehow, I don't see them thinking about the health of others. We should not be so lenient about human rights. We non-smokers also have our rights to obtain clean air if not less dangerous air. The police should let non-smokers snuff out any cigarettes at our discretion.

Surprising!
"The Star" published an article (page 4, main section) entitled "Open burning in Klang Valley banned" today (9th August 2005). What does that mean? Does the Department Of Environment mean that they had been endorsing some open burning before? They had better explain it soon before an inquiry is launched.

Overexcited Chemistry Procedure

The Big Hair
Take a look at the lamp post. Bad hair day huh? It is found in Section 19 P.J. . I wonder how the authourities allow such a mess to perch over the public. It is time to clear that up and show our neatness in all that we do. That is a little too dangerous. Imagine a bird that landed up there and touching a live wire. I bet its feathers will look like that.





How's The Air?
It's clear skies today at 5.30 pm! A very drastic difference from the condition this morning. At about 9.30 am, the Telekom Tower was hardly visible from Section 12. The air was choking and we prayed that the school would do us some good by aborting all classes immediately. Ah, and once again, the lime juice has worked its miracle again! My throat feels fine after the drink even though the acidity of the fruit was a little too high. Hint: don't ask for kurang gula!



The Overexcited Chemistry Procedure
The chemical test today was a success! We managed to pin point the existence of the chloride ion in the unidentified salt. First, we saw the misty fumes of HCl when we added sulphuric acid. Then the silver nitrate test gave us the white precipitate that dissolves in aqueous ammonia. Finally, we did a brave test (The T.L.K. style). We added the solid salt with potassium dichromate (VII) with concentrated sulphuric acid. Berjaya! Red fumes which came out confirmed the chloride ion. However, it kept generating. Frantic actions brought the T.L.K. waving the test tube around, with the thing still smoking. Then, the smoke died as the chemicals were drowned in water. Ah, the experience! Now, we have to monitor ourselves as we could have breathed in much toxins. And look at my hands. Either the sulphuric acid nibbled at my fingers or the silver nitrate oxidised on it. Scary...

Haze Woes

---Photos included from now!---

The haze is bad. As you strain your eyes, the mountain in the background is just about 1 km away from where I stand as the crow flies. The air is saturated with burning smell as if someone is burning dry leaves next to me. The dust got into my eye and after rubbing, a stye developed. How's that! Got a problem with dry throats and scared of getting sick? Never fear, just go prepare a lime juice on the rock every day sans excessive sugar. It'll help you get through. Man, I just imagine a fan as big as Melaka blowing all the smoke away from KL (the invention of T.L.K.). And where is the rain? The SW monsoon should be raging now but not a single drop of water from the sky has reached earth. As we can see, the weather must be crazy. We ought to hack into the eco-system and turn on the rain command. (based on the theory of K.N.M.) =) How about that.

Ah, either the USD appreciated again or the MYR went down. Its RM3.7954 to USD1 ! What happened? The King's passing and the oil fluctuations? The air in Malaysia had scared investors? What?

Oil Prices Up

Petrol prices soar by 10 sen! I got a shock when I saw RM1.62 per litre glaring at me from the digital display at the petrol pump. No one sent any SMS this time to alert about the hike, darned. However, we still have one of the lowest petrol prices in the region. The Gov. declares petrol subsidies of over RM6 billion. Thank you for that.

Come to think of it, instead of gritting our teeth over the increase, we should be thinking of effective ways of reducing petrol dependancy. It is high time we actually make Hydrogen fueled engines available. Since we are into making us into a developed nation, let's get the research going and introduce a new automotive industry. Get the ASEAN to collaborate. What nation wouldn't want a piece of the pie? It looks delicious..

Child Psycology:
A child looks at two cabbages and asks his father what they are. He says,"This one is a round cabbage, and that is a Chinese cabbage. Can you tell me the difference between the two?". The child replies,"Well, one is round and the other one is Chinese.". Father laughs and says,"Very good!".

The kid isn't entirely wrong. It is undoubtedly true that one is round and the other originated from China. Even if the child is correct, he has to be told the meaning of what he said plus the correct contextual meaning of the situation. Children have to be taught the correct things from young even if we think that they may not understand us. You'd be pleasantly surprise that children pick up what we say and approve fast enough to carry it through their lives. Go easy on the jokes as they may think that some of them are for real and understand things the wrong way. Admire but do not take child-like faith for granted.

----Breaking news in the papers: Sky Kingdom lost its grandeur!---- what....?