Pain,you have such experience?

For more than three months, I was down with chronic pain on my shoulder and later spread to my arm. X-ray showed that I have disc problem in my neck.
Unless you have suffered such pain, which I hope you should never, you would not understand it. When people shared with me about their pain, I can only pity them and not knowing how to help them.
I went to do physio in GH and one of the therapists there understands it. She pressed "here and there" and my pain dissipated but return again later, but with less intensity. After a few visit, the pain is completely gone.
I asked where she learned this art of "pressing the points", she simply said, it is from the internet! Ok, for those who are more interested, there are a couple of books about this type of pain I am suffering from. Just check out "Trigger point" in google. There are two famous "Red Book". Just in case you are really interested, click here for the book title in Amazon.

 

Piasau Nature Reserve

After much uncertainty at the beginning, the state government of Sarawak finally approved and gazetted the former Piasau Camp into a Nature Reserve. Last weekend, we saw the earth breaking ceremony by the governor of Sarawak.

 Signing ceremony ... it is official now!

 There is an exhibition hall... all the wallpaper photos (with the exception of one with a huge frog) were taken using my Hasselblad medium format camera. Photos were taken together with Lo of Median Lab.

If you think you wanted the wall paper for your home, please do let me know!

More photos can be viewed on my facebook photography page.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.700408490026098.1073741840.163457400387879&type=3

More scam warning ....

Another warning from me....

I just got a call from a bank.

A recorded message is played and told me that I have a transaction outstanding which needs approval, or something like that. There is no physical person talking but instructed me to press various numbers for ....

As usual, I couldn't understand the message due to poor recording and I hangup.

My wife told me that there is such a scam. As reported in the local newspaper, a businessman received such a call and was conned not long ago by following the instructions to press certain number which led to the leaking of personal information. Apparently, the conman has knowledge of some of his personal information (IC, account number, etc) which made the call very convincing.

Upon checking, we found that the telephone number displayed on my mobile is a valid 24-hour number from the bank on their website. So, is this an inside job or is it some high tech conman who can replicate another phone number?

Please be warned and share this message if you wish. Remember, never give out personal information over the phone.

p/s: Be warned about the scam regarding some Shell lucky draw.

Con man on the loose in Sarawak ... beware!

A word of warning to everyone:

There is a gang of con man (骗子)and con women who work in group of 3-4. I was told that there are 3 women and a man. 

First, one of them will approach you and talk to you. Once you look into the eyes, somehow you are hypnotized instantly (催眠) and from then on, you will just follow instruction!!

They will ask you to withdraw money. When you are at the bank counter, a woman (one of the gang members) will hit your shoulder - from there on, you will follow everything she said including withdrawing everything you have!

You will remain in a daze for up to 3 days not knowing what you have done!!!

A friend in Miri was conned of RM100K! So be warned of this gang! This friend of mine knew about not looking into the eyes!! And yet got conned!

In today's paper, there is one case in Bintulu (RM64K)and one in Sibu (RM39+K). They take both jewelry and cash! They will get you to withdraw even fixed deposit!

Share this warning out so that more people are aware of it. Perhaps, you shouldn't carry your bank book, too many ATM cards and FD certificates with you! Perhaps as precaution, you should leave FD cert with someone you trust.

24-April-2014

The Day My Neighbourhood Disappear

I just realised that it has been almost three month since I last update a post here. I have been on hiatus as my right arm had been in severe pain and hence I hardly took any photos, could hardly type and cannot hold a mouse to edit any photo. Never mind, that is behind me now! I am now back!

Yesterday, my son took the picture below. We saw a huge smog moving across the sea line in Miri. Someone had been doing open burning again!

Yesterday!
This morning, pungent smell and ....

I looked out of my balcony and my neighbourhood disappeared! This is not the magic of David Copperfield!

Visibility is at a very dangerous level. Will all flights be cancelled this morning?
Yesterday, we saw Anwar being sentenced to 5 years jail for alleged sodomy. One commentators said that it should not even be a crime. But whatever, we shall see whether anyone is being charged for open burning here!

Final day of Asia Music Festival at Eastwood

Today is the last opportunity for you to see live performances from around Asia. Below is the latest schedule:

4.00 pm to 5.00 pm                -           The Mountain Wind Band (Malaysia)

5.15 pm to 6.15 pm                -           Melissa Francis (Malaysia)

6.15 pm to 7.15 pm                -           Starlets Band (Malaysia)

7.30 pm to 8.30 p.m               -           Fakhrul Razi featuring the

Camouflage (Brunei Darussalam)

8.45 pm to 9.45 pm                -           Boy Thai Band (Thailand)

10.00 pm to 11.00 pm            -           Antoney Dassan Yen Party (India)

11.15 p.m. to 12.15 pm          -           Foxy Girls (Indonesia)

Music lovers, are you ready for this weekend AMT at Eastwood?

This coming weekend, Miri will resonate with the sound of music as the inaugural Asia Music Festival takes place at the Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club on the 4 & 5 October 2013. 13 Asian bands from the Philippines, Korea, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei have confirmed to perform at this festival. Among them will be Tritha from India.


Tritha was born in Kolkata. She started training in North Indian classical music at the age of five, and never stopped. She has forged her own unique, inclusive sound and has already gained critical and popular acclaim for her songs. Tritha’s dusky tones and throbbing intensity, vibrating and moving emotional commitment, thrills her audience and leaves the public spell bound.

Make sure you are there at Eastwood. It starts at 4:00PM all the way till midnight!

About Asia Music Festival (AMF):
AMF is a 2-day musical event featuring artist and musicians from Asian countries namely from India, Korea, Indonesia, Brunei Philippines and Malaysia. AMF promotes music, art and culture of Asian countries. AMF has a vision to become the iconic musical event for Sarawak and the region. It is organized by Sarawak Tourism Board, supported by the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia and Ministry of Tourism Sarawak and endorsed by Tourism Malaysia.

We need your vote to give our Miri boy a chance to go into space!

Indeed, this is a chance of a lifetime and a chance of a lifetime for you to be able to vote for Anthony Vue, our local Miri boy, currently studying in Belfast Queen's University, for his challenge to beat the rest of the four contestants in Malaysia to represent Malaysia.

His facebook name is Ishyhara Rio and make sure that you don't vote the wrong person!

If you wish to know more, continue reading below:

INFORMATION:

Lynx is offering the chance to travel into space with the launch of its 2013 Lynx Apollo range.

The Unilever brand is looking to put the Lynx Effect into orbit by giving people the chance to win place on a space trip, in support of the launch of its new 2013 fragrance. 

There will be 22 places up for grabs globally, with the competition running in 77 countries around the world.. 

Entry was done through the lynxapollo.com website. The top voted candidates will go forward to the Lynx Space Academy for a challenge weekend in each national states respectively, whittling down the candidates with a further Global space camp in Florida before the final winning astronaut is picked.

The stages:

Stage 1: Online voting through lynxapollo.com.

The link is the following: https://www2.axeapollo.com/en_MY/144201/choon-wei-vun  (This voting link was done/ finished)

(Each country will select different number of candidates to compete at National level depending on the size of the country.)

e.g, UK will select top 200 voted candidates to compete in the UK

(Top 3 to compete in global space camp)

       Malaysia will select top 15 voted candidates to compete in Malaysia

(Top 1 to compete in global space camp)

Stage 2: National Space Camp starts where candidates compete in their own countries respectively to select representatives to compete in Global Space Camp in Florida.

In Malaysia, 28/9 - 30/9,

Physical, Mental and Personality test was done on candidates

40% - Physical + Mental

30% - Personality (interview and relationship with staffs and friends)

Then, Top 5 will be selected to enter round 2 for National competition,

Top 5 will have to compete to conquer for the final 30%

30% - Online Voting (Marketing/ Publishing technique)

(Current stage) 

Vote through https://apps.facebook.com/axespacerace/

1. Or Go to Ishyhara Rio Facebook Page

2. Click in the 1st Wall Post: AXE Malaysia Link

3. Vote for Ishyhara Rio

Finally, of 100%, the top mark will be selected as top 1 to represent Malaysia to the Global Space Camp.

Stage 3: 150 Candidates from 77 countries will compete in Florida for Global space camp, where proper astronaut training will be done. (e.g., jet piloting, G-force, Anti-gravity control)

 Global Space Camp Intro link: https://www2.axeapollo.com/en_MY/space-camp/global-space-camp

Stage 4: Top 22 Candidates in Global Space Camp will be selected to represent respective countries as astronauts being launched into space.

Global Space Camp trainings

·  Take Off - A flight in a L-39 Albatross
MKII jet that travels at twice the speed
of sound

·  Zero G - A parabolic flight that recreates the weightlessness of space

·  Re-entry - A centrifuge machine that
simulates the same extreme G-Force
astronauts are exposed to
during landing.

Thank you very much for your time,
Anthony Vun Choon Wei (Ishyhara Rio)

MSci in Physics with Astrophysics

Queen's University Belfast

民舞坊《花言侨语》五周年舞展

Did you miss the show last night? Tonight is the last show from our own talented Kelvin Bong.

Picture from last night can be found here:
《民舞坊》舞蹈工作坊 ~ 『花言侨语』 五周年舞展 第二场
日期：2013年8月12日（星期一）
地点：美里民事中心三楼
时间：7:30pm

Flowers Talk at the library, 3rd floor, 7:30PM.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.565802150153400.1073741834.163457400387879&type=1&l=6da5f1f5d8

Horror accidents on video

As the Raya holidays is just days away and many people will be on the road to balik kampong, I just share this video with you to remind you to drive carefully! Most accidents can be avoided if you remember to check your car before setting out your journey, sleep well and if you are tired, stop your car at a rest point and take a short sleep.
Be safe and arrive safely. Your loved ones are waiting for your arrival!

Have a blessed Hari Raya to all my Muslim friends....

Sin Siang Hai Annual Furniture Fair

Sin Siang Hai Furniture Fair for 2013 is even better than 2012!! Go over and pay them a visit. They have fantastic offer of up to 45% off during the fair only. Extra discounts are given by the vendors who were on site to explain to you about their furniture.

More picture, click here.

Emergency Light From Cooking Oil

Power supply from Sarawak Electricity Board seems to be more stable but when there is a power failure, it seems that it is more widespread and lasted for much longer time. During the last Thursday (27 Jun 2013) outage, many scrambled to buy candle or dry cell, until the whole town went out of supply!
But is candle the only viable "emergency light"? What sort of fuel is readily available that we can use? I read from the internet about making light from cooking oil and orange core. So, I gave this a try...

During my childhood days, kerosene is always used for lighting. But as electricity is getting more readily available, this oil is getting out of fashion besides being expensive.
Emergency light using orange skin is very simple:
1. Half an orange. Only one half can be use!
2. Take out the flesh carefully and not breaking the center core (I think it is called pith).
3. Put in cooking oil.
4. Use a candle (or whatever) to light up.
Note that lighting up using cooking oil and a wet core is not immediate. It may take up to a minute.
Beside being an emergency light, it also emit a nice smell.

If orange is not available, any container and a holder for a wick will do. Perhaps, I will give suggestion on an easy to make emergency light in future.

One thing you can now do is to collect some used cooking oil for emergency lighting use.

Haze is on the way ...

The burning in Indonesia seems to be affecting Miri now. We noticed high altitude haze since two days ago. I just hope that this haze will not descend to low level or we will be choked once again.

This photo was taken this morning and it is clear that even the sun has lost it glorious ray!

The return of cicadas

We take the noisy cicadas for granted but do you know their life story? Watch this video and surely you will learn something!

You made Miri proud!

These young people from Miri really made Sarawak, or rather Miri proud.

Billy Lau from Miri and his team from Korea and China has found a way to crack open Apple's iOS with ease with his custom-built charger! Read more here. So, as a precaution, don't ever lost your charger in future. You can never tell what the manufacturer put in there.

Then we have SmartWard, which is another Apps that aims to reduce hospital paperwork has won a competition to find the best new business ideas. This idea is from Dr Michelle Teo who is the daughter of YB Mr Michael Teo of Miri.

Read more of the SmartWard news here.

Congratulations to both of them and team. Miri boleh! I am proud of your achievement.

Empurau Fish

This video is actually very educational, especially for those who have never heard of the Empurau fish (or Unforgettable in Chinese), from Sibu, Sarawak, which I think is probably the world most expensive, at RM800/kg (or almost US$270/kg). Anyone knew of any other fish that is costing more?
This video was made by a Taiwanese travel channel 世界第一等. It shows how the fish was caught and finally how it was being cooked.
I just realised that this fish loves to eat seed and the scale is also edible! This reminded me of my childhood days when we use rubber seed to catch cat fish in the wild.
A little more information can be found here.

Seeds of Death - Genetically Modified Organisms

This documentary is very informative. If you have time, watch it. It is about genetically modified food which you may be eating and how it may harm you! It also review how big corporations are going around the system to have their product marketed without hindrance.
To find out which countries require labeling, click here. Although Malaysia is on the list, how can we be assured that there is proper enforcement?

Leaky pipes ...

After 30 years, the water and gas pipes are giving way. The nastiest one is behind the bathtub. And finally, I removed the useless bathtub... 

Removing the bathtub is not a real big issue. But removing the over engineered support around the bathtub is big issue. After a week, I still can't remove the support for the bathtub.

 ... These are the tools I use. I think what I really is a jack hammer!

 Hot and cold pipes feeding the shower and bathtub. Both pipes are seriously corroded.

 The cold water pipe running horizontally across is the cold water pipe which is also corroded.

The corrosion for the hot water is so bad that  the whole pipe is almost severed.

So, having said all these, how do you know that your gas or water pipe systems are having issues?

1. Water or gas bill is increasing every month although there is no change to usage pattern
2. Water pump is frequently switched on
3. Gas or water meters are moving even though there is no usage

How to spot where the leak is?
For gas, it is very difficult! Perhaps, during heavy rain, you may spot bubbling water. However, your nose could be your best gas detector.
For water, look out for wet spot or pool of water which suddenly appear.

For concealed pipes, look out for wet ceiling, wet concrete wall or localised wet soil.

To repair, perhaps it is better to get in profession and replace the whole system rather than follow what I have been doing. I found that copper piping do corrode over time. I will never use concealed piping system again. It looks good but the problem it is giving is simply not worth it!

Part 2 What do Chinese people want - politically speaking?

This article is from https://www.facebook.com/LeongDLu. If you like it, do go to her fb and share it out!

Part 2. (for those who don't understand our political motivations)
What do Chinese people want - politically speaking?

#1 So, Chinese people spread ourselves thin throughout the globe. Why? Besides the fact that we are always running away from each other (due to the obviously intensive competition to survive) overseas Chinese always see opportunity for a better life far FAR away from the crowd. The further the better. All we want is to quietly make a better living and put food on the table. All we look forward to is to enjoy our food, our shopping, our travels, and time with our family.

#2 However, we are a people who are NOT AFRAID to LEARN. We are taught to embrace learning at a very young age. Our parents are never afraid of our culture being lost by learning from others. We play the piano. The violin. We play chess the western way. We learn ballet. We embrace Christianity and Islam. We marry out of our race. We learn everything English, Italian, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Malaysian, etc to the extent that we can no longer read or write in Mandarin...but it is okay with our parents. People take one look at us and they STILL call us Chinese all over the world :)) - that is our curse.

#3 We LEARN because we are dying to move forward. Whatever it takes. We strive to differentiate our skills so that we can stand apart from our carbon copies. Without differentiation, we are but a mass of yellow people.

#4 We are able and willing to adapt to the local culture because we see the good in learning from others. We see the benefits of diversifying ourselves. We know we need to be different from each other to succeed. And we-don't-want-to-go-back-where-we-came-from because we have worked TOO DAMN hard to get away from it!

#5 What we want is progress and to BE ACCEPTED. We will trade our sweat, our tears, our undying efforts, our intellect, our creativity, our knowledge, our talents, our tenacity, our inclination for numbers, our ability to grow wealth, our innate instinct to survive, our diverse communications skills, our discipline, and all else that we can offer as a collective culture in exchange for ACCEPTANCE as patriotic Malaysians.

#6 All we want is a government who can accept us and 'acknowledge our contribution' to the nation. Taking over the government of the country is not in our best interest. But the harder we work in our professions, the more our government and our country gains from us (in taxes, in jobs created, in shepherding a new generation).

#7 But it pains us to see the hard earned money we made, together with our bumiputra and non-bumiputra brothers and sisters, each day flow like a leaking tap due to poor administration and corruption within the government. It grinds us to our very core when our leaders cheat their way to wealth and power on the backs of the poor and average hard working citizens.

#8 Pardon me. But we cannot stand wastage. Especially when it comes to money. Our DNA rejects it like a plague. Harness our ability to curb wastage and the whole country will gain.

#9 We offer you our best young talents (sacrificial volunteers). Our politicians. They are trained professionals who have stepped up to the task their society demands. Honestly, being a 'politician' is not a sought after profession in Chinese society. It is considered a 'thankless job'. Only the most dedicated will volunteer themselves. History has taught us that politicians don't last long. Today they are loved. Tomorrow they are out. Take a look at those in MCA. Take a look at other Chinese leaders in the world. If they don't deliver, we vote them out. Yes, we Chinese are a performance based culture. Pride for politicians comes when they are able to 'deliver' progress to the people. The people, however, are more interested in...you guessed it...making more money for a better life.

#10 What the Chinese in Malaysia want is - a better management team. We understand that a diverse country needs a diverse team of people with diverse backgrounds and diverse skills. We KNOW that progressive Malaysians from ALL races can do a better job of running this country if they are chosen base on their ability. We know that we can effectively HELP underprivileged youths and families (regardless of race) with more meaningful development programs if our funds are not siphoned away by greedy individuals. We know we can work hand in hand with our bumiputra brothers and sisters more effectively to create a better nation.

What we want LOUDLY is not to be marginalized and not be cheated at the polls.

What we want is to be called MALAYSIANS next to our brothers and sisters of this land after 56yrs of Independence and 600yrs since Puteri Hang Li Poh set roots here.

Our political motivation is to create a united Malaysia and put the right people in the right jobs, so that the rest of us can go about our own lives in peace. Honest.

Why Chinese People Work So Hard?

This article is from https://www.facebook.com/LeongDLu and I thought it was brilliantly written. So I shared it here...

Why do Chinese people work so hard to succeed in life? Here is the plain truth.

 #1. There are over 1 billion of us on this earth. We are like photostat copies of each other. You get rid of one, 5 magically appears (like ballot boxes). Yes, it is scary, especially for us. We acknowledge that we are replaceable, thus we are not particularly 'special'. If you think you are smart, there are a few thousand more people smarter than you. If you think you are strong, there are a few thousand people stronger than you.

 #2. We have been crawling all over this earth for far more centuries that most civilizations. Our DNA is designed for survival. We are like cockroaches. Put us anywhere on earth and we will make a colony and thrive. We survive on anything around us and make the best of it. Some keep migrating but others will stay and multiply.

 #3. NOBODY cares if we succeed as individuals or not. But our families take pride in knowing we have succeeded. Yes, some will fail. We take nothing for granted. We don't expect privileges to fall on our laps. No one owes us anything.

 #4. We know we have nothing to lose if we try to succeed. Thus, we have no fear trying. That is why Chinese are addicted to gambling. We thrive on taking risks. All or nothing.

 #5. From young we are taught to count every cent. What we take for granted like money management, I have found out recently, is not something other cultures practice at home with their children. It surprised me. But truth is not all societies or cultures teach their young this set of skills because it is rude to them. Yes, most of us can count because we are forced to and the logic of money is pounded into us from the beginning of time (when mama tells us how much she has spent on our milk and diapers)

 #6. We acknowledge life cycles. We accept that wealth in a family stays for three generations (urban myth?). Thus, every 4th generation will have to work from scratch. I.e. first generation earns the money from scratch, second generation spends the money on education, third generation gets spoiled and wastes all the inheritance. Then we are back to square one. Some families hang on to their wealth a little longer than most.

 #7. It is our culture to push our next generation to do better than the last. Be smarter. Be stronger. Be faster. Be more righteous. Be more pious. Be more innovative. Be more creative. Be richer. Be everything that you can be in this lifetime. Be KIASU.

 #8. Our society judges us by our achievements...and we have no choice but to do something worthwhile because Chinese New Year comes around every year and Chinese relatives have no qualms about asking you straight in your face - how much are you making? When was your last promotion? How big is your office? What car do you drive? Where do you stay? You have boyfriend? You have girlfriend? When are you getting married? When are you having children? When is the next child? When you getting a boy? Got maid yet? Does your company send you overseas? etc etc etc. It NEVER ENDS...so, we can't stop chasing the illusive train - we are damned to a materialistic society. If you are not Chinese, consider yourself lucky!

 #9. We have been taught from young - if you have two hands, two feet, two eyes, and a mouth, what are you doing with it? People with no hands can do better than you (and the OKU artists do put us to shame)

#10. Ironically, the Chinese also believe in giving back to save their wretched materialistic souls. Balance is needed. The more their children succeed in life, the more our parents will give back to society (not for profit) as gratitude for the good fortune bestowed on their children. Yes. That is true. And that is why our society progresses forward in all conditions.

Nobody pities us. We accept that.
No one owes us anything. We know that.
There are too many of us for charity to reach all of us. We acknowledge that.
But that does not stop us from making a better life. This lifetime.
Opportunity is as we make of it.
So, pardon us if we feel obliged to make a better place for ourselves in this country we call home. It is in our DNA to progress forward for a more comfortable life.
But if history were to be our teacher, look around this globe.
Every country has a Chinatown (seriously) but how many government/countries are 'taken' over by the Chinese people. Don't be afraid of us overwhelming your majority, we are not looking to conquer. If we have moved away from China and Chinese governed countries, we are NOT looking for another country to administer. Our representatives are only there to look after our collective welfare. They are duty bound. We prefer to blend in and enjoy the fruits of our labor. We enjoy the company of like minded people of all races. After all, we are only passing through a small period in the history of time...so, use our skills and we can all progress forward together.