Monday, May 31, 2010

Our Rabbit

Our white rabbit has patches of "yellow" on the body now. We just found that he likes rice grain. Two weeks ago, he ate so much rice (a quarter cup a day) that we thought he has constipation! But thanks God, nothing like that happened.
He loves mango and carrot. Now, he is eating mango everyday and that explains the yellow patches on his mouth and feet!
Joshua likes the rabbit very much. If we ever let him out of the cage, he will immediately visit every corner and will go up the stairs to visit all the rooms. He will hide in Ah Jon's room, under his bed, etc.
See his "rusty" feet! I wish I can let him out more!
He will respond to my call of "rabbit". If I need him to be in the cage, I just need to call "Rabbittttt" and he will immediately appear!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Loyal Dog

This evening, Joshua and myself decided to cycle over to Pujut 7 (about 1KM away) to buy some chicken feed. Snowie, our dog, saw us on the bicycles and was very excited and insisted on following. No matter how hard we discouraged her to follow, it just didn't work. So, we decided to ride very fast and we found her "out-of-sight" as we reached Pujut 7. We entered Pujut 7D, did our shopping at the shop, and exit via Pujut 7C.
When we reached Pujut 7, we didn't see her and thought that she had gone back. We cycled back and found her not at home. There was no sign of her even at 8:00PM. We decided to go out looking for her and we found Snowie still waiting at Pujut 7D junction! Obviously she saw us entering Pujut 7D but expecting us to come out using the same road.
Fortunately we went out looking for her. Otherwise, I would be feeling so guilty if anything happens to her! She was so happy when she saw our car after waiting for 3 hours! How loyal is this dog of ours!

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Pre Gawai shopping

Today, all the supermarkets have one day sales. E-Mart must be the busiest of all. Their carts are extra large and two carts could hardly pass each other along their narrow space between the shelves. Worse, there were so many shoppers that everyone was squeezing around.
As Joshua pushed his cart around the people, one of the wheels must have run over the toe of a middle age lady. She turned and scolded Joshua "can't you see my foot?". I quickly apologise to her... haih... can't she make sure that her toes are out of the way!

Anyway, things were cheap. Chicken wing @RM7.99/kg, imported from Holland! Tomatoes at less than RM2...etc

Monday, May 24, 2010

Free iPhone for students

In UK, some lucky students got free iPhone from the university as part of the studying aid.
So, this is what Janice got for her 4th and final year in University. So lucky! Read her blog here. By the way, she just came back from Vienna (Austria) ...
...with her group mates. They went there to present their paper at a conference ...
on malignant hyperthermia reactions. I am proud of her! Well done, Janice! The good thing about them is that every team member has a chance to present their part.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Death of beautiful trees

Early on Sunday morning, I heard chainsaw just outside our house. So I went to investigate to see what is happening.
There were (are) nice and big trees along the road. They were almost 30 years old. Giving a lot of shade... I noticed that the road was blocked...
... and someone on the tree branch. No safety precaution taken and he is sitting on the big branch with chainsaw... cutting down every branch!
By 11:00AM when I went back, this was the sad sight!
This is the last tree left! Will it be the end for this tree also? Why should we always cut down tree when they are so big. They could easily be trimmed.
In other countries, trees are a treasure and they became something special, especially those really old one. For us here, they never got a chance to grow very old!
Council, please stop cutting down (big) trees. They are huge natural asset for us. Just trim the trees.

How to remove belly fat (Spare tyre)

The company organised a "Wellness program" for the employee last week and I attended a whole day session on how to reduce weight. At the end, we need to pledge a weight reduction of 10% each and will be awarded a prize after that. I need to get rid of the fat on my belly! So, I am going to share with you here today what the doctor said.
To remove belly fat, you need to (obviously) exercise. AND you need to ensure that during exercise, your heartbeat reaches 60-70% of (220-your current age).
For example, if you are now 50 years old. You need to ensure that your heartbeat is between (220-50)x0.6 to (220-50)x0.7. The heart beat works out to be 102 to 119.
At this heartbeat, your body burn fat from your belly! So, when you exercise, measure your heartbeat! There is a heartbeat measuring gadget you could buy from the pharmacy.
To make life easy for you, below is a table showing the age and optimal heartbeat for a flat belly!
Age HeartBeat
30 114 to 133
32 112.8 to 131.6
34 111.6 to 130.2
36 110.4 to 128.8
38 109.2 to 127.4
40 108 to 126
42 106.8 to 124.6
44 105.6 to 123.2
46 104.4 to 121.8
48 103.2 to 120.4
50 102 to 119
52 100.8 to 117.6
54 99.6 to 116.2
56 98.4 to 114.8
58 97.2 to 113.4
60 96 to 112
62 94.8 to 110.6
64 93.6 to 109.2
66 92.4 to 107.8
68 91.2 to 106.4
70 90 to 105

Thursday, May 20, 2010

The Tongue of the Wise

"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" (Proverbs 12:18; NIV)

It's easy to see how words can be used as a weapon. We've all either been "cut" by the words of others, or we've used words to put someone "in their place." The truth of the matter is when we use words recklessly or in a way that cuts others, we are not being wise. The scripture tells us that the tongue of the wise brings life and healing to others.

Today, look for ways to be wise. Find something nice to say about someone or share an encouraging word. You never know how you can bring healing to a person's heart by sharing a kind, gracious word. And remember, words are like seeds. When you plant words of life and blessing into others, you're sure to reap a harvest of blessing in your own life in return.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, today I choose to be wise. I submit my tongue to You and choose to use it for good and not for evil. Show me ways to be a blessing to others. Help me find creative ways to encourage the people You have placed in my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

The above is from "TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria"

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

I had a Flu

Last week, I had a nasty flu. Went to see doctor just in case it was H1N1. Doctor said that there was no H1N1 in Miri and I felt better immediately! He checked my sore throat and prescribed me with a few drugs...
Perhaps, the best he did was to give me this 1gm per tablet vitamin C. This reminded me of my childhood days whereby we bought those sweet which can be dissolved in water.
Then he also gave me this to suck. It was quite effective.
Then this bottle for relieving my throat which I didn't take.
Now, the top one is Augmentin which is one of the most powerful antibiotics for my sore throat. I didn't take this. I am scare of antibiotic which will make me weak eventually. The bottom one, Clarinase, is a good flue drug. I took this and it seems to help a great deal.
Warning! This entry is not to teach you to diagnose and prescribe your own drug. If you are sick, go and see a doctor. Antibiotic should not be simply taken.

I help you, you help me

Our PM made a deal with the people of Rajang Park. The prize is RM5 million if BN win! But at the end, BN still lost with a slim margin. In my opinion, BN has underestimated the people of Sibu.
During this re-election, we found the distribution of sweet to ask the kids to stop crying. What I found most offensive is the claim that without BN, Sibu won't be what it is today. BN better keep quite, be less arrogant, and really work hard before the next election.
Watch the video recording and decide for yourself...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwNLT428PqUI
... and commentry by the famous lawyer ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZez3tPhkrA

Monday, May 17, 2010

Miss Tourism Intercontinent

I am posting just four of the many beauties at Eastwood over the weekend. If you like to see any particular country, please leave a comment.
Click the photo for a larger image.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

The boy who cries get sweet

After 50 years of Sarawak joining Malaysia, the people of Sibu in Sarawak are finally seeing sudden inflow of our own money into the Chinese and mission chools and etc. When I opened the See Hua Daily news today, the pages were covered with mock cheques!

Other good news: The people have been complaining for years about the high premium for land renewal. Suddenly, last night, CM Taib announced some huge reduction. Read more about it in The Star.
After 30 years, someone finally realised that Rajang Park is a "black area" and the BM candidate promises to do something only if he is elected! Read more here. I think if he loses, he has to do even more for the people!
Looking at the amount of money coming in, the promises made, huge reduction in land premium, I think the Opposition is doing a fantastic job to the people of Sibu and Sarawak.
The huge question now is, who will win this by-election? Will the Foochow in Sibu going to be like kids who will hug anyone after being handed some sweets? Or, will they cry even louder now in order to be handed even more sweets in future?! Looks like the only way to bring more senses to the government is to have an opposition party.
One party will have to lose tomorrow. Who will that be?
The sentiments of Chinese voters in Sibu are “hard to read” ... read more here.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Windfall for Chinese schools in Sibu

I was reading this report in The Star newspaper today and I like the good news.

SIBU: Chinese-medium and missionary schools here received a boost when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced a whopping RM18mil to be distributed among them.

Najib said RM10mil would go to 60 primary Chinese medium schools, RM5mil to five secondary Chinese medium schools, RM2mil to SMK Sacred Heart and RM1mil to SK St Mary to build new classrooms and upgrade facilities.

...
“The (RM18mil) allocation is the biggest for Chinese schools in Sibu since Malaysia was formed.”
---------
Looks like we need more elections as this seems to be the quick way to get more fund for our Chinese schools ...! LOL! I am very happy. Are you?

Encouraging Words

Long but nice story. Read on and learn to be an encourager from today.

A group of frogs were hopping contentedly through the woods, going about their Froggy business, when two of them fell into a deep pit. All of the other frogs gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help their companions. When they saw how deep the pit was, the rest of the dismayed group agreed that it was hopeless and told the two frogs in the pit that they should prepare themselves for their fate, because they were as good as dead.

Unwilling to accept this terrible fate, the two frogs began to jump with all of their might. Some of the frogs shouted into the pit that it was hopeless, and that the two frogs wouldn't be in that situation if they had been more careful, more obedient to the froggy rules, and more responsible.

The other frogs continued sorrowfully shouting that they should save their energy and give up, since they were already as good as dead. The two frogs continued jumping as hard as they could, and after several hours of desperate effort were quite weary.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the calls of his fellows. Spent and disheartened, he quietly resolved himself to his fate, lay down at the bottom of the pit, and died as the others looked on in helpless grief. The other frog continued to jump with every ounce of energy he had, although his body was wracked with pain and he was completely exhausted.

His companions began a new, yelling for him to accept his fate, stop the pain and just die. The weary frog jumped harder and harder and - wonder of wonders! Finally leapt so high that he sprang from the pit. Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his miraculous freedom and then gathering around him asked, "Why did you continue jumping when we told you it was impossible?" Reading their lips, the astonished frog explained to them that he was deaf, and that when he saw their gestures and shouting, he thought they were cheering him on. What he had perceived as encouragement inspired him to try harder and to succeed against all odds.

This simple Frog story contains a powerful lesson. Your encouraging or positive words can lift someone up and help him or her make it through the day. Your destructive or negative words can cause deep wounds; they may be the weapons that destroy someone's desire to continue trying - or even their life. Your destructive, careless word can diminish someone in the eyes of others, destroy their influence and have a lasting impact on the way others respond to them.

"Affliction caused by the tongue is worse than (that caused by) the strike of the blade of a sword."

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Children's behaviour

Our children’s behaviours are very much influenced by the environment they live with. As Dorothy Law Notle reminded us:
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to shy
If a child lives with shame, he learns to guilty
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to confidence
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate
If a child lives with fairness, he learns to justice
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Be courageous

Deu 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Life is a game

30 second Speech by Bryan Dyson (CEO of Coca Cola)
"Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, Friends and spirit and you are keeping all of these in the Air.
You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back.
But the other four Balls - Family, Health, Friends and Spirit - are made of glass. If you drop one of these; they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for it."

Work efficiently during office hours and leave on time. Give the required time to your family, friends and have proper rest.

Value has a value only if its value is valued.


(Note: Apparently the original version of the above is from Suzanne's diary for Nicholas by Jame's Patterson)

Monday, May 10, 2010

2010 Pikom PC Fair

On the second day of PC Fair (8th May 2010) at the Indoor Stadium, Miri, the place was crowed with people. As in previous year, the main attractions were notebook computers and Netbook.
Many people actually bought cheap notebook computers and I think this is how the trend of the PC market is.
... but Ah Jon has his agenda. He has signed up for Uni Streamyx Package. The cost? RM88 for a 4MB link. I hope they can really deliver that speed. If it works, then I expect my uploading will be faster, especially to the facebook.
If you have uni going kid and still haven't sign up, do go and check it out. It really saves you $$$!

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Macro Photography

In my opinion, macro photography is perhaps the most difficult. You need special equipment, lens, setting, etc, in order to succeed.

This is a tiny wild flower I found in my garden. It is probably about 8mm across only. On a closer look, this flower is indeed beautiful! To find out more, go to my photography blog on how to take macro photo which I learn recently.
Don't forget to click on the image above to see a larger image.

Friday, May 07, 2010

Be Motivated by Zig Ziglar today

Below are words of wisdom in the form of inspirational quotes by Zig Ziglar:

"You are the only person on earth who can use your ability."

"If you learn from defeat, you haven't really lost."

"Failure is an event, never a person; an attitude, not an outcome."

"You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win."

"Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street."

"If you don't see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner."

"Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful."

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals."

"It's not what you've got, it's what you use that makes a difference."

"Where you start is not as important as where you finish."

"Every choice you make has an end result."

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Yesterday at Marina Bay

I was at Marina Bay yesterday and witnessed the beautiful sunset....
There were quite a few people there enjoying the view.
Not sure what is this place called. I think this is part of the "artificial Miri river mouth". Anyone knows what is the name of this place?

Monday, May 03, 2010

Learning from Experts

Over the weekend, I went to Bintulu to learn photography from two experts. They are:
Maxby Chan... and
Yusuf Hashim.
We were taught a great deal over a two days period and I now have to start using the new skill. We have no time for field work and we hope to be able to join them in one of their photography trips.
http://www.photosafari.com.my
I will also post tips in this blog once in a while only after I tried them.