7 Days 1 Week

One week is a long time in politics, so they say. It is equally long in the business world. My week started last Sunday, when we distributed some relief to some flood victims.

The drama started as soon as we entered the village when dark storm clouds began to gather and all of a sudden, strong winds began to blow and the heavens opend with a torrent. We finished our task at hand and left for home unscath and with some relief (pun not intended) that we able to get out of the place.

We reached home safely, thinking that I could have some Sunday siesta. It is not to be. I received a call from my client saying a structure we put up had been blown down and is now partially blocking a busy dual carraige way. We have to do something. We did, over the next few hours in pitch darkness except for the headlights of a giant crane and in driving rain. Thank God nobody was injured!

Then the next day and week was a mad scramble to rectify the situation, appeasing the client and meeting the deadlines for this particular client for an on going project. It is like walking in the eye of the storm, where everything is flying, messy, churned up and yet I feel peace and calm amidst all the stress. I had favour from Jesus and favour from men.

The damage was not too great and the client was not too mad to sack us from exisiting projects. The projects at hand are now proceeding smoothly though I had to give more time than normal to manage and pull things together. Staff and suppliers have been very cooperative and despite hicups here and there, the end of the tunnel is sighted. Next weekend should see the completion of the current project.

Thank you Jesus.

Ferry Malaysia - A Fairy Tale

Studies and feedback from Federal agencies show the proposal to revive the Malaysia Ferry Service is not viable at this point in time.

While the tourism players hoped the ferry can improve tourism and promote national integration. The high cost is the main deterrent. As the previous ferry company sunk without a trace after operating for 2 years.

If I have to go to the peninsular will I take the ferry if it cost me RM300 return and will take at least a week for a return journey? I don't think so. Air Asia offers (if you can get it) less than RM300 return. Who has the time to take a week for the return journey except retired people and students on long holidays. Or unless you are a tourist who is taking a slow trip around the region.

Fresh Breeze Blowing?

Faces issues
Speaks reality
Makes future
Builds nation






My prayers
for him
God's grace
blessings
health
true friends
wisdom

Pan Borneo Highway

Kota Kinabalu: The Dewan Negara sitting was told Wednesday that the Pan Borneo highway is 95.2 per cent completed.

Really?

What is the use of having a highway that goes through Brunei twice? The immigration procedure is a nightmare and the time taken to travel through it is long because of immigration procedures.

For West Malaysians, it is painful because the passport will be stamped at least 7 times from Sabah to Sarawak. That means 2 pages of the International passports will be used up for a return trip.

At least they are considering the smart card and the possibility of bypassing Brunei. Just Dreams?

Scape Goat? Typhoon Haitan

These three concurrent events, associated with a very powerful super typhoon named Haitan which brushed the northern tip of the Philippines before hitting Taiwan and Fujian, China with immense destruction, produced a massive cloud formation which rained down on Sabah, he told Daily Express

Oxymoronic Country

In a third world, first world wannabe free restricted country

where combatan leaders weakly shed tears ever so easily
the ruling community said meritocracy is discrmination

and the can-do can't do without the handout candu option

Should we laugh or cry?

Oxymoronic Poem

found this in my son's blog...like him, i appreciate good writing

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

one bright day in the middle of the night

two dead boys got up to fight

back to back they faced each other

drew their swords and shot each other

a deaf policeman heard the noise

and came to rescue two dead boys

if you don't believe this lie is true

ask the blind man, he saw it too

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

dunno who the writer is! anyone knows?

::::edited::::

thanks to my net fren KP, this is the source...

http://www.folklore.bc.ca/Onefineday

sorry desiderata... original writer found, the above seems like a modern variant

Kota Kinabalu Flood. The Aftermath

After the flood, what's left? Where do people who are affected go from there? What are the lessons? We have a friend whose family is personally affected. Its detailed here, here & here

Worst affected area

Joy & Sorrow

Relocation

Too late to investigate?

Unneccesary deaths

If only

London Olympics (Humour)

Having blog about my friend in East London, below is the harsh humour of the toughness of East London. Reality can be funny. And East Londoners have plenty of humour. Believe me they have and I had been at the receiving end of some! :p

-------------------------
The people of East London have been successful in their bid to host the 2012 Olympics. However, there has been a request that some of the events and traditions are modified in order to give the locals a greater chance of winning medals.

The International Olympic Committee is therefore being asked to consider establishing the Olympic Village in Barking. Showers will be in full working order as soon as the copper piping is brought back, but arrangements have been made if necessary, to use Dagenham Common Lake. The use of drugs will be closely monitored.

A spokesperson said that drugs would be available only from the local Community Centre. Asked about urine samples, the spokesperson said that no one takes the piss out of the local lads and offered to take the researcher outside.

The Olympic Flame will also be slightly different. The lighting ceremony will go ahead in the time-honoured tradition of torching a Ford Escort XR3i. Proposals have been put forward concerning rule changes in the following events: -

1. The 100-metre sprint: - Athletes must complete the course in Barking High street with a video recorder under one arm and a microwave under the other. After 20 metres a Police Dog will be released in each lane.

2. Fencing: - The protective mesh face will be removed and replaced with a black ski mask according to local custom. Athletes will then be asked to dispose of a selection of antiques, electrical goods, watches, mountain bikes and car radios in the shortest possible time.

3. Boxing: - This event will be restricted to husband and wife teams and the finals will be held in the community centre on Saturday night. The husband must down at least 12 pints in the Engineer Arm s before encountering his wife, where she will announce one of the following: -
(a) There's fark all for your tea. (b) The telly's been repossessed. (c) Our Tracey's up the stick. (d) I'm up the stick. (e) The woman up the road is up the stick and she says it's yours.

4. Triple Jump: - This will revert to its old name of Hop, Skip and Jump and will be sponsored by H.M. Prison Service. Medals will be awarded to competitors who find the most ingenious way of jumping bail.

5. Tug of War: - Chains will be fixed to one of the cash point machines at the BP in Lower Dagenham and the winning team will be the ones who can haul it out the quickest.

6. Equestrian Event: - Horses, ponies, donkeys and assorted nags can be collected from the fields behind Upton Park and medals will be awarded for tethering them in the most unusual places.

7. Shot Putt: - House bricks will be thrown from various distances at suitable plate glass windows, especially the chemists, the newsagents or at any vehicles in the hospital car park.

8. Walking: - Athletes must be accompanied by a Pit Bull Terrier, Doberman, German shepherd or Whippet. Ferrets and pushchairs do not count.

9. Cycling: - The Committee are unanimous in their ruling that tandems are for poofs, but most cycles will accommodate two as long as they have stunt pegs, no brakes or lights and are ridden on public footpaths. They must be mountain bikes and they must have spent at least a week in the River Thames.

The Committee is confident that sufficient funds can be found to stage such a major international event and looks forward to the true spirit of the Games flourishing in this little part of London. They urge the I.O.C. to consider this application in the light of that tried and tested local saying: - It's not the taking part that counts; IT'S THE TAKING APART!!

2nd Moon for Earth?

I received this through email, and I am no astronomer, thanks to immediate response from T-Boy, it is a hoax.... a shame!

Confirmed by hoax-slayer.com

------------the email is reproduced in full below -----------

Mars is going to be a second moon of earth for a day.
NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN.

The Red Planet (MARS) is about to be spectacular! This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history.The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287. Due to the wayJupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers canonly be certain that Mars has not come this close to Earth in the last 5,000 years, but it may be as long as 60,000 years before it happens again.The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles of Earth and will be (next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky. It will attain a magnitude of -2.9 and will appear 25.11 arc seconds wide. By August 27, Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. Mars will be easy to spot.At the beginning of August it will rise in the east at 10p.m. and reachits azimuth at about 3 a.m. by the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30a.m. That's pretty convenient to see something that no human being has seen in recorded history. So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month.

Share this with your family, friends, children and grandchildren.

3-0 To Liverpool

TNS 0-3 LIVERPOOL BBC 19 July 2005
------
Its 6-0! :D

TNS vs LFC

Tonight, Liverpools plays again. 3-0 up after the first leg. Hope there will be no surprises except for the pleasant kind.

No Dudek and no Baros. Is this an indication?

Mermaid?

Dugongs were once mistaken for mermaids by drunken sailors.

The Dugong (Dugong dugon) is the smallest member of the order Sirenia (which also includes the manatees and Steller's Sea Cow). Adults are generally less than 3 meters long. The name Dugong originated from the Malay language 'duyung' meaning lady of the sea or mermaid. Retrieved from "wikipedia."

Dugongs spotted in Sabah!

Typhoon's Tail & Mittens' Kittens

Sunday night was stormy.

The Pacific was/is experiencing 2 typhoons and we in Sabah caught the tail of the one over The Philippines.

Floods caused havoc in Kota Kinabalu and even today, Monday things has not returned to normal yet. Staff whose homes had been flooded and roads access are still blocked has called up and cannot report for work. More news has emerged, since this post.

But we have a surprise at home. Our cat Mittens gave birth to 4 kittens!

Sabah Hotel Gold Rush

Tourism is booming in Sabah, Borneo

The latest 5-star hotel LeMeridien is due to be opened soon and recruitment drive is in full swing.

Statistics& trends are very healthy and rooms are in short supply

Is it a wonder? Its a beautiful land, with beautiful people.

Lets pray that the powers that be will not rape it.

A BRIT IN LONDON

We used to live in London. During those years we made some good British friends who are still living in East London, a run down area that is predominantly populated by Asian and Black. When we knew of the bomb blasts, we were naturally concerned and made some enquiries. This is a response I received....

The first we knew of it was when our families phoned us! I was then caught up in all the congestion for the rest of the day.

Londoners are used to this, Hitler never beat us, nor the IRA and neither will Al Qaida. The only difference which makes it a problem is that it is an enemy from within and unless the host community reject them there will be no solution. I am thinking with the mind here, in purely human terms. There will be significant elements, in terms of numbers and influence, within their community that will protect these people and we are going down a long and unpleasant road. But our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ can deliver us from this and we need to call on him and ask him to act. We need to wake from our slumbers and fight evil with good, never responding with violence or hatred. Jesus calls us to love our enemy and bless them. This takes supernatural strength from God's Holy Spirit within us.

We need to trust God through this time and call on Him to have mercy and spare us.

Life goes on and thank God that people are not reacting against those who are easy targets. London is a tolerant but tough City to live in and we all have to be strong. We love the place so does God and we believe he has a plan to redeem the City and those he is calling.

Things seemed back to normal except in a few places."

A Great Brit indeed. A white professional who has chosen to stay in a broken down area of London, when he can easily afford to live in the leafy suburbans. My hat off to him and his family. With people like this, there is still hope.

Fish Monster

Wow!

One big fish that didn't get away...

Fisherman Ismail bin Dusaka, 42, said he hooked up the 250kg fish off Pulau Buhai Dulang after a one-hour struggle. See Story... click

facts:
Giant Grouper
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The Giant Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus), also known as the Brindle Bass and as the Queensland Grouper in Australia, is the World's largest bony fish and the aquatic emblem of Queensland, Australia. It is found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, with the exception of the Persian Gulf. The species can grow as large as 3 m long, weighing up to 600 kg, and there have been unconfirmed reports of attacks on humans. They are fairly common in shallow waters and feed on a variety of marine life, including small sharks and juvenile sea turtles.

Avocado

just ripe, just nice

Just in case I am accused for being a glutton, what with all the parties and super rich food, I do eat healthy too you know! Not that I care too much about my waist line.

Last night, we had to rush for an appointment, there was no time for dinner. So an avocado is just nice.... this fruit is creamy in taste, so you just add whatever toppings you desire. Ice cream , chocolate rice, prawn coctail, condensed milk, etc... or just plain.

During its fruiting season, avaocadoes can be purchased for rm3 per kilo. Eat it when it is just ripe, not green nor over riped.

more facts : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avocado

Korean Buffet

Sunday was a birthday bash for a friend's son. More food! This time at the Korean Restaurant, with Korean BBQ (shirogi) and of course kim chi, Korean ginseng chicken soup, spicy sour cabbage soup (taste like ham choy, in hokkien kiam chai). And yes, ice cream cake too (my second son tucking in).

Korean food has plenty of greens, raw greens as well as deep fried greens. I notice one deep fried leaf in batter that looks like hibiscus leaf! Crunchy and crispy too! (Sorry no pix)

The BBQ meats (chicken, pork and beef) are slightly spicy and are suppose to be eaten wrapped in green salad leaves... there were 4 varieties of leaf to choose your wrap.

I ate until no more room and can hardly walk! luckily my tai tai is the driver! :D

Is it any wonder i have to go to the gym?

Tawau SangNyuk

Tawau SangNyuk beehoon (or mein or horfun) can be in konlou or in soup. The meat (according to your health consciousness) is lean pork slice with meat balls. For the adventurous, add in the pork entrails (chu-chap) such as liver, heart, intestine. And for the really die-hearts, garnish with deep fried crunchy crispy sinfully tasty pork fat. Howzat?

The Land

front view of the land

view from the land towards the front.... with nice view of mt kinabalu

view from the land looking down at the back.....

a close up of what is now on it... banana, darab, pineapple, rambutan, mango and i think mangga trees.

view from below... land is between the existing house on right and the rambutan tree on left. the link houses is the boundary below

Simple Lunch

lunch today... simple plain white porridge with dry roasted peanuts and fish with black beans. i dont often eat big lunch... the simpler the better
hmmm the picture don't look too appetising does it? that's why eat less lo....



let me get a better looking picture, got it at sixthseal....
http://www.sixthseal.com/001197.html

here he tells all about taiwan porridge...