Sunday, November 30, 2008

Flower of Dragon Fruit

I have never saw the flower of dragon fruit in full bloom although I knew that they are huge....

This evening, I saw these two flowers in my neighbour's garden... amazingly beautiful and huge! They must be about 10 inches (25cm) across. By morning, they would have fade away.

These are the result of the flowers after pollination! The largest fruit can weigh as much as 1kg!

60 Doctors a years suffering from mental diseases

Update: 1-Dec 2008
Apparently it is refering to overseas students only as reported by The Star today. But what is the relationship between exam in foreign language and depression, I don't understand. How about those from Indonesia? I though their language is very similar to BM. Could it be because there are other underlying problems that we are not aware?

Many medical students suffer from depression
By M. KRISHNAMOORTHY

KUALA LUMPUR: Many Malaysian medical students overseas who take examinations in a foreign language suffer from depression when they return.
Physicians for Peace and Social Responsibility (PPSR) vice-president Datuk Dr Abdul Hamid Abdul Kadir said that large numbers of young Malaysians were being trained in foreign medical schools in Indonesia, Russia, India, Poland, Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

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Watch out... 60 doctors a year suffering from mental woes. Malaysia has 21 medical schools, we have a population of about 20+ million. Compare this to UK... they have about the same number of medical school and 3x our population. Their selection criteria is extremely strict. For us, I think it is high time to filter the student. I hope I will not have a psychotic treating me.

This news is from The Star.

At least five doctors to suffer from mental woes every month

By M. KRISHNAMOORTHY

KUALA LUMPUR: Every month, at least five doctors are found to be suffering from mental illnesses, director-general of health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said.

He said these doctors were either psychotic or neurotic but still managed to get into medical schools because these schools were not screening students meticulously enough.

“When the doctors complete their two-year housemanship and their applications are submitted for registration with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), they fail to get registered.

“Their supervisors do not certify them as fit to be registered because of indiscipline and poor attitude arising from mental health problems.

“The mental cases range from psychotic to neurotic. Psychotic cases include delusions and hallucinations, and neurotic behaviour includes anxiety, fear and anger due to the competitive environment,” said Dr Ismail.

1+ Organic Food

1+ Organic can be found at the entrance of Pustaka Miri (e-Library). Please note that it is not the public Library at Dewan. Just before you enter the main entrance of Pustaka, look to your left!


They offer a varieties of pure fruit juice...

All home grown from their own farm.


The operator...

Helping out for the opening day...

Wei Ger from Sibu

Friends who came ...

More friends who came ...

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Combined CG James & William

We have a combined cell group fellowship between Michael and James' groups. It was at the fellowship hall and I am pleased that many people turn up and the place is just big enough. Combined cell always involve food...

Lamb shank ... from Secret Recipe



Uncle James flagging off... children first!

He brought along two pots of shepherd pie!

Hahaha... Michael, you reminded me when my children were young. This was what I did also.

Lots of food....

Young CG members... Judy, Jennifer and ... son, Larry!

She just made it to the dean list of her university ... congratulation!

Ah... this is the difference ... do you noticed that all the boys do the washing up without being instructed? I reminded all the mums "not to interfere" other than giving encouragement! They did a very good job! I am very proud of them.

A time of praise and worship.



Then we were split into ladies and men groups for the bible knowledge challenge on the book of Mark...

I know right from the beginning that the ladies will probably beat the men... why? One the them read the book of Mark no less than 3 times!

The men team came in second (???)... also got prize!

Then our honourable judge, Min Hung, was given something for appreciation.

Richard gave testimony.

Brother Gary told us how he became a Christian and joined a CG. He is Richard's son.

Our leader for the evening.

Sister Jennifer gave her testimony too.

Grace gave her testimony as well ....

brother Duan...

... also Victor. He typed his testimony as not many of us understand sign language. I understand some very basic sign...

Finally Michael.... We have a great evening, rounding off with prayers for those who needed it, eg, the sick, etc.

Friday, November 28, 2008

My Lily Pond

I got the idea from Inland Revenue Department in Miri. I saw they have a tiny lily pond just outside their gate. I believed that the original design was probably to fill it with soil and planted something in it.
I went back and it occurred to me that my little empty aquarium has nothing to do. So I went out and dug some soil and fill it in (about 4 inches) and then I filled it with water. Went down the road and "pluck" some lily root and the rest was history! However, I soon found that it is a breeding ground for mosquitoes also....

... so I went to pasar malam and bought RM2 worth of tiny carps and put them in. All problem solved ... no mosquito larvae again, no feeding, no oxygen pump.
And... this is the second time it bloomed. Quite nice, right or not?
The only problem is that the water is a little dark and I can also see the shadow of the carps once in a while. But I am not worried because their job is to eat the mosquitoes larvae and rotting vegetation!

1 Plus Organic Store Opening

After months of talking and planning, Eric finally opened his first Organic food store. Everything is from his garden.




Today is his opening and we went down during lunch to visit him. He called in all his neighbours and friends to help out...


His special fruit juice.


His neighbour is helping out... see how happy are they!

Dehydrated fruit .... tasted wonderful!

Home grown pineapple

Fruit salad meal

Nice presentation... yesterday during their opening, this is given away free to all visitors.
By the way, the fruit salad meal varies according to the fruit season.