More Excuses?

Red red wine.... so goes the regae song of the 80's by UB40.

Now with more and more research (or is it propaganda funded by the wine industry) drinking wine is a minor miracle!

Cheers hic!

Only in Malaysia

We get a headline when durians caught fire! My friend from the UK find this so hilarious!

Click

Does it add up?

180,000 into 5 hours? Can do ka? click

My son makan less than yours! Ok ka? click

Looking for trouble?

Marrying one person is enough work to make it good, but why would anyone choose to marry so many?

Read this and think about it.

Miracle?

wow

Hill Stop

KK/Sea View

Rustic Stone Wall

KK View by Sunset

Pathway

Mt View Sunrise

Dinner

Reception

Mt at dawn

Sunrise over Mt K

Went away (sort of) for 2 days (2 nights) to a friend's beautiful villa.

Pictures (courtesy of Ephraim, forgot our camera twice!) painted speechless words above.

35 minutes away and it is secluded, breezy, cool and restful.

Just what we needed.

Religion of Peace?

I have read some apologists insisting that Islam is a religion of peace. This is contary to evidence, historically and in the light of present world events.


Read the link and form your opinion.

Link

Signs

LOL here

Beh tahan liau!

How ridiculous some of the spins that our beloved government spews out to justify the NEP and the 18.9% equity ownership of the Malays as calculated by the EPU (er is it not for Bumis? Dont tell me the Orang Asli and indigenous Sabah and Sarawak are not bumis) as compared with the 45% by independent think tank ASLI.

Methodology?
60,000 vs 1,000 samples! Haiya statistically there is zilch difference, ask the statisticians.
Par vs market value. Any economist worth his/her salt will tell you that par value is nonsense as a unit of measure for value and wealth. You may own 1 mil par value shares of a bankrupt company and you own nothing! Ask the accountants.

Discussions?
Shaddup! That is more or less what they tell us. No need to discuss, just swallow what we vomit out. OK? Dont like it? Watch out!

What kind of governance and leadership is that? Beh tahan liau!

click,
click,
click,
click,
click
click
click
click

Nuts

This is food for thought! These nuts are good for you!

Click

Psst... Need a Trans-Fix?

Well the saying goes great tasting food is not necessary healthy. The higher the cholesterol level, the tastier is the grub!

And now certain cities in the USA is proposing to ban trans fat in food because it is unhealthy! Well for food junkies and junk food conoiseurs, it is like banning sugar and all things that makes a meal and drink palatable and nice. So if the ban goes ahead, it will make tasty food such as fat-laden dough-nuts and trans-dripping snacks illegal. This will drive it underground just like drugs and when the craving starts... people might just need a fix.

Just imagine a trans pusher... just like the drug pushers.

In certain dark alleys, a plumb looking zombie might wander and pssstttt... you might just hear someone lurking in the shadows asking, "need a trans-fix?"

Desperate Housewives

No, not the US version!

In Malaysia they turn to mediums to solve marital problems. How desperate. How sad.

Click

Green for cancer Black for stress

Tea is now colour coded for healthy living.

It has been believed that green tea is good for its anti cancer properties... now it has been found that black tea is good for stress relief! Click

Well I do take a cuppa now and again, black tea without milk and a pinch of sugar or just plain old Chinese black or green tea.

Evil and Grace

How do we overcome evil? By grace and mercy, not hate!

The story of the Amish tragedy is an amazing living out the grace of God.

Is anyone listening?
Here, Here, Here, Here,

Sense in senselessness

In a world gone mad with senseless vilolence and hopelessness, there is yet a beacon of hope. The message of love and forgiveness still makes the most sense!

Read on here










Matthew 18:21Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

Lets Rabbit and Pork.

Lets Rabbit and Pork means Lets talk!

No I am telling no porkie pie. Means I am not telling a lie.

Have I gone mum and dad? No no I have not gone mad.

All these are ryhyming slangs spoken in the east end of London, where my son Justin was born. So I am just educating him in some English.

More here & here

Some Malaysians Can

Syabas to Nicol. She can.

But some cannot! Quote:

"When we talk about meritocracy, they say oh tak boleh, tak boleh, tak boleh. (We can’t). Tell them that competition would be good and they say tak boleh, tak boleh, tak boleh.- Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Malays who, despite readily shouting Malaysia Boleh, do not truly believe in it. He was opening the Ampang Umno divisional meeting." New Straits Times 19 Sept 2006 by Syed Nazri

Apologising for Truth?

I find the speech by the Pope reasonable in its entire context but yet the media chose to sensationalise the issue and focused on the controversial historical conversation. Now the Muslims are up in arms and wanted an apology.

Does anyone need to apologise for telling the truth?

Updates:
Here is a thinking Muslim blog with plenty of comments.
More here.

Making sense?

When emotion runs high, common sense is thrown out of the door. When someone is under threat, they run or they fight back.

The current Islamic debate regarding apostasy is hi-octance emotion. It is good to hear some cool heads from within the Muslim community.

Here is a good read.

Killed by love

This guy loves his work and the subject of his love killed him! He is one of the world's renowned personality.

So love is no guarantee for safety. It is risky!

Condolences to the family, mate.

I lost my virginity!

I was a virgin when it comes to trusting people. I trust implicitly and take their words at the surface, not caring or knowing that it might mean something else! Now I am told that what people say may not be what they mean! How tiring, how confusing, how annoying? Now I have to analyse each word and nuance, think 4 steps ahead, do not commit until every thing is clear. So what now? Analysis paralysis. Sit back and do nothing!

Paying more for Branded Goods

This guy is realising the folly. Clicky

The graph shows how much more people pay for branded goods compared with unbranded goods that is of the same usage and quality. We are being fooled by prestige of brands.

Eat Well and Eat Right!

Health is important and nutrition plays a very crucial part. Well read this article lah.

Chance Meeting?

Did not know Bill was in town. It was the right time for me. This snatched meeting confirms something. Nothing happens by chance! Thank God for that.
















Now I can run with more confidence. Now I know I heard correctly.

Eat and Grow Slim!

This article suggests you can do it! Just accept your body shape, eat when hungry, stop when you feel full. See it is easy. Why all the agony of severe diet?

erm looks like I have blog on this title before but on a diiferent research.

The Rich and Powerful

There is no difference from the poor and ordinary folks. The rich and the powerful also suffers from fatal illness. Money and power cannot bring health nor prevent diseases. One might think that they have the means and access to the best medical prevention and cure, but apparently not! They too are overcame by incurable disease at a relatively young age. Makes me thankful for health.

However, my condolence to the bereaved though they do not know me from Adam.

Better to talk?

Or stew in anger over sensitive issues?

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/7/26/nation/14951573&sec=nation

Our wise leader decide it is better to stew... I am not sure. If we don't talk, emotions might explode. Better to express and find ways forward now than to explode out of control later.

Silly Question

Once I was shitting my guts out loudly ... prbbbbtttthhhh in the toilet.
My wife asked,"is that you dear?"

What was I to answer in my pain?

"Yes honey" or "No, it is my oesophagus!"

Ah common sense

It is ok to carry photocopy of IC now. That is common sense. Hope the news is correct.

What's new?

Nothing really! Nothing new under the sun with political intrigues, football or lack of it (world cup was a non event). Now ieth wars & rumours of war, earthquakes and strange weathers. What on earth is going on? Clueless unless one believe that history is His Story with a beginning and an end.

It's Over

Er, the football world cup. I hardly watched more than a few live games. So Italy won when I slept. Zidane ended his career with ared, when the red mist descended. Penalty shoot out! Anything else? hmmmmmm

It is the Pitch!

A poor carpenter blames the tools.
What does a poor football team blame?

First it is the heat....
(as if the heat does not affect the other team!)

Now it is... wait for it, the pitch
(as if the other team plays on a different pitch!)

Next? The ball? The Stadium? The Country? The Air? The Food?

Why not themselves or the coach?

EGGsxackerley!

I love eggs.



Sunny side up.


Anyhow you do it. I love it. Always have been.



Plain ommellete.


But they say it is unhealthy! Hambug.


Now that hogwash it is proven wrong.

Good news indeed.

For moi. :D












Soldiers and half-boiled.


Now for an EGGstra helping or two!

Blame the heat

If England is a hot favourite, they have melted in the heat. What a boring 1-0 win, no heart, no tactics and no clue. They blame their lethargy on the heat! If is that hot, how come Paraguay plays better in the second half with so much more energy than England!

The hype is beginning to hound them. If England was tipped to win this cup, then there is hope for all the lesser teams!

Football Fever

So Germany won 4-2. They used to be so efficiently boring. Now under their former striking legend as a coach, they are more attacking minded. Should be good to watch. But I fell asleep before half time. Germany not my team. Thats why.

All the tiredness due to construction in progress? Check it out.

Another Come-Back Miracle!

Liverpool won the FA Cup final from another heart-stopping comeback and penalty shoot-out. Have mercy! How long will the old ticker tahan? :D

What a game of 3-3, and what a fantastic 2 goals from Gerrard, the skipper. YNWA!

See photos

Construction Update

for more photos go here

Election by the majority will not benefit the majority?

Do you believe in what politicians are really saying or do they think we are really stupid? Go figure!

This politician said that election will only be good if it benefits the majority!

What the heck! If a democratic election is held, only the majority decision is the decision that the majority hopes will beneift them! Or do politicians think that the people cannot elect the right person to represent them?

Just cannot believe in what I read!

Good Food, Good Sex and Good Marriage?

Er, just in case you label me as a male chuavinist pig, that is not my opinion it is an opinion of a woman, not any ordinary woman but a top politician.

If that is the basis of a marriage, why would a male bother to keep the relationship going? For good food and good sex? If that is the case, once the food and sex runs sour, what is there to stop a man from running to another who can provide the same, or worse what is there to stop the man from going to a restaurant and than a prostitute, if that is all that will satisfy a man.

I find this degrading for woman. And insulting for man.

I believe the basis for a good marriage is a strong relationship based on mutual love and respect, sacrificial care and giving by both parties, and commitment to God and to each other. Once this is in place, whether the food and sex is good or not, the relationship will continue to flourish. But then once it is flourishing, the food will be good one way or another, and definitely the sex will become great. That is my experience.

This is what the good book say about marriage:

Eph 5:33 But every husband must love his wife as he loves himself, and wives should respect their husbands.

Another World Record For Malaysia

Malaysia has a fondness for breaking world record in the mundane stuff, like the largest flag, tallest flag pole, and tallest building (until last year that is).

This must be the new world record in a telephone bill! 800 trillion ringgit! I cannot work out how much is a billion, let alone a trillion. 800 trillion must be worth at least 8,000 years of our GNP (Gross national products).

Lets work out the sum, I think our GNP is about 100 billion ringgit per year. Now 1 trillion is 1000 billion, so 800 trillion must be 800,000 billion ringgit that works out to be 8,000 years worth of our GNP!

The US economy GNP is only 60 trillion US$ and that comes to less than 240 trillion ringgit. How can a telephone bill come out to be more than 3 times the US economy?

This bill is definitely a world record, for a telephone bill or even if it is a mistake, it is a world record mistake! Be proud Malaysians :) be very proud about this latest achievement. :D

Sunnis and Shias

Daily now we read of human bombs in the Middle East. It is however Sunni Muslim human bombers targeting against the Shia Muslims. What is going on? I am a bit confused and more than a bit concerned over what human can do to human.

I have a little read about the affairs of things.

This article put the history of the enmity between two groups.


I hesitate to call it religious violence because I do not know enough. If it is, how can one group of believers of the same faith murder another group from the same faith? The same can be said about the Northern Ireland violence. It is called sectarian violence. But is it as simple as that? I am not sure.

I think human beings are by nature sinful. We cannot help ourselves. Religious deeds cannot save us from ourselves. Our emotions are too volatile. We carry too much historical baggage with cultural differnce in human realtionship. Any of this can spark a fire that will burn out the human tinder wood of history.

That is why I believe we need a Saviour to save us from ourselves. That is why I believe in Jesus. He did not create an empire, an army or an institution. He did the opposite and sacrificed himself for our sins.
What a man, what a Saviour!

Laugh or Cry?

You tell me. I dunno.

Judas the Hero?

News and more news are reporting that there is a fourth century manuscript purported copied from an even earlier manuscript that is written by Judas, suggesting that Judas did not betray Jesus but was only acting on Jesus' instruction, thereby fulfilling Old Testament prophecies of crucifixion and resurrection.

Is this plausible and how would it affect our faith? Well this is a background of this document from a non-Christian source. Here is more.

Since the document is based on an earlier manuscripts described as Gnostic, an early sect that was proclaimed as heretical by early Christian leaders, the surfacing of this document will have no impact on the Christian faith whatsoever because the battle had been waged as early as 180 AD. The letters of John deals with Gnosticism. Read it and get a feel of what the Gnostics believe in. Ask the questions in why did Apostle John write the 3 letters to get a feel of the battle for our faith which has stood for 20 centuries.

Piggy backing on the popularity of the Da Vinci Code infamy, the Gospel of Judas will only bring us to examine our faith and see that it is based on unshakeable historical facts. The fact that millions of dollars have exchanged hands in obtaining this document further indicates that publicity is now being generated to garner as much income as possible from this controversy.

Here are some reactions: here, here, here, here, here, here

I find this good: link

tag: Christianity

Icy Logic

Some people just want a scientific explanation for everything.

Try explaining Jesus walking on water? This guy says he was walking on ice!

Incredible, but would not accepting that it was a miracle easier? What is the chance of ice forming at precisely the moment Jesus walked on that particular patch of water? Not forgetting that Peter and gang were on a boat and Peter did tried to walk on the same batch of water as well but sank!

This proved for me, that Jesus was in control of the elements and weather.

tag: Jesus

Soul for Sale

It is not April Fool but apparently a Chinese tried to auction off his soul. This news item comes from a reliable and internationally renown source.

How much is your soul? For me it is so valuable that Jesus Christ died in order to redeem it for us. It is the most valuable thing in the universe that money cannot buy!

Spas Germinates Bacteria?

Spas are found to encourage infectious disease bearing bacteria!

Just when we need a long relaxing soothing bath to calm our jangled nerves! So will the power shower be next?

Throw away your bi-focals!

This prototype makes bi-focals or even multi/vari-focals redundant. But the fashion moguls need to work at it before it will be received with any enthusiasim by the consumers, unless you want to look nerdy and be a geek!

more here and here

Zocor Going Generic

This is good news for those who suffers from high cholesterol. The world's No. 2 cholesterol-lowering medicine, loses its patent protection in June, opening the door for inexpensive generic copies that could ultimately save consumers billions of dollars.

Generic medicine is every bit as good and effective as the branded ones. For example, paracetamol is the generic form of Panadol. Equally effective but at one tenth of the price!

"A generic drug (pl. generic drugs, short: generics) is a drug which is bioequivalent to a brand name drug with respect to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, but is normally sold for a lower price. Generic medicines must contain the same active ingredient at the same strength as the "innovator" brand, be bioequivalent, and are required to meet the same pharmacopoeial requirements for the preparation. By extension, therefore, generics are identical in dose, strength, route of administration, safety, efficacy, and intended use." wikipedia.

So for all you cholesterol watchers, it is good news. Whatever you are paying for Zocor or Lipidor, you will save money if you go for the generic one when it hits the market in June.

Da Vinci Code Controversy

So the divine Jesus and infallible Word emerged out of a fourth-century power-play (duing the time of Constantine)?

That is the core of all the hoo-hahs in 'The Da Vinci code' book. Dan Brown claimed that he based his book on history, but the so called history is extremely thin on facts and doubly thick on imaginations. Dan Brown's book is fiction that is based on dubious theories. So just treat it as a good conspiracy fiction, not a historical based treaty on church history.

The followings are various sites that discuss the issues, from scholarly to common sense. Within the pages are further links for more studies. Go and Click here, here, here, here and here. Not enough? Go do your own research.

Know the truth and the truth will set you free. Free from fear and fictions that intends to destroy truth.

more site: here

Prayer Heals?

No! I agree with the results of this findings.

Prayers do not heal, only Jesus heals. There is a difference in prayers with faith and prayers without faith. Faith of those who pray and those who receive prayers.

Faith in itself does not heal. It is Jesus who heals.

So we look to Jesus, the same yesterday, today and forever. He healed, is healing and will continue to heal.

Fee for Petrol Subsidy?

RM20 may be charged on Singaporean and Thai cars entering Malaysia. Will this help on subsidy cost or will it stop tourist coming from our neighbours? What is the net income or loss?

Fee?

Over the Top?

Now everyone's sensitivities and feelings are being hurt!
What is the solution?











HOW RIDICULOUS!

What an insult!

It is an insult to our intelligience and common sense.

Some cartoons (if you are easily offended, please don't go surf the net for it) created calamity, confusion and casualties! It also caused deaths!

The West is not consistent in its free speech and being responsible while part of the Islamic world has gone over the top in reactions.

Where will it lead us?

--- addendum

aisehman.org presents a malaysian muslim viewpoint and found this cartoon reasonable...

it has very fine reasoning but...will hotheads from both side agree?
it does not matter how fine the reasoning when blinkered and violent people does not reason... and yet, i still beileve, that the pen is mightier than the sword, in the long haul.

Hotel California?

'Relax' said the nightman, We are programed to recieve.
You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave

---

Does this not remind you of what is happening to those who chose to convert for whatever reason into Islam? I pity those who did not convert but is born into it. They can never leave!

Construction Site

I have created a construction site for those who are interested in the progress of our new home. Go there, as more pictures can be posted.

This blog will continue to exist for the occasional ramblings on matters that interest me and when time permits. Cheers

Called Off

No leh, not the construction on the house
but the vigil regarding the funeral that caused so much anxiety.

Read this for some further thoughts.

2nd Day

2nd Day sees the lower level platform earth work being prepared and quite a few old trees have to give way for the piling and construction work to be carried out. Don,t worry, there are plenty more on the land below.


The view from the bottom in June 05

Now with some of the trees making way.

Just one day

This was in the morning when the earth was still about 3 feet above road level

Within a day the top level has been cleared!

When it moves, it moves.

Now the lower level earth platform need to be set up so that the surveyors can mark the piling points. Should be completed next week and piling done before Chinese New Year, hopefully!

Starting At Last!

I started this blog way back in June 05 to let some friends know about our new house being built on our land. That was six months ago.






Now at long last earthwork on the land has begun. Haiya (sigh)... blame the delay on the engineers, contractors and rain over the period.





Nevermind at last it has started.










Watch this space for updates! :D

Funeral for the living

Funerals are for the living not the dead. The dead is just a body, it knows nothing, feels nothing and sees nothing. The dead is but a memory in the hearts and minds of the living and funerals are for the sake of the living to help them grieve properly.

Whether you are an atheist or a believer that we are more than a physical being, that fact remains.

For an atheist, it does not matter two hoots what we do with the body when one draws the last breath. A life becomes dust and nothing!

For a believer in the judeo-christian-islamic strand, there is the soul which will not die . The Eastern beliefs with roots in Hinduism, Buddhism and Chinese traditional beliefs, too has a belief of a soul.

What happens to the soul depends on what you believe in.

So why is there such a big hoohah about one funeral that caused so much anxieties in Malaysia? Legally it caused so much contention because the living has no right to a dead body and has no recourse to a rule of law, whether it is flawed or not! Will justice be served under such a system?

The authorities might now have the right to the body under the much debated constitution vs syariah system, but did it have the right for the soul?

The payment of RM100,000 and posthumous promotion for the deceased might be 10 silver coins to salve the conscience of the authorities but it is no recompense to the agony of the widow who was not allowed to grieve in a proper manner.

Afterall, funerals are for the living.

Look here, here, and here for a wider context, debates and background information.

addendum
more links : this one discuss conversions with further links regarding issues on conversion in and out of islam.

This article talks about the state of mind of the deceased.

Latest
from christain perspective

Magnetic Cures?

I have a thing about much hyped cures, not that I totally trust western medicine either but when multi-leveled, complementary therapy and medicines are pushed into your face, I tend to react.... so there, check this out when some one pushes magnets and claimed that it will cure ailments from arthritis to cancer.

Too good to be true right?

Detox?

Do you try to detox after all the excess of the season?

Don't bother!


It is a waste of time and money! So says this BBC report : click

School reopens

Back to the routine...
tearful first time children to school,




early morning traffic jams,













and anxious parents over all things about their children's schooling!











How do we as parents cope with this annual event?

Argggggghhhhhhhh

It is amazing how God gave us the patience and ability to overcome them and we are more than conquerors! Yeah










Rom 8:35 What will separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can trouble, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or violent death separate us from his love?
Rom 8:36 As Scripture says: "We are being killed all day long because of you. We are thought of as sheep to be slaughtered."
Rom 8:37 The one who loves us gives us an overwhelming victory in all these difficulties.
Rom 8:38 I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love which Christ Jesus our Lord shows us. We can't be separated by death or life, by angels or rulers, by anything in the present or anything in the future, by forces
Rom 8:39 or powers in the world above or in the world below, or by anything else in creation.

New Year - New Look

Yup, look unto God!

from an email:

"Look unto Me." Isa 45 : 22A

NEW YEAR'S morning opens upon us, and we are still exposed to sorrow, Satan, and disappointment; sin lives in us; and athousand things are ready to distress us; but our God says,"LOOK UNTO ME."Look unto Me as the source of happiness, the giver of grace, and your Friend. Look unto Me in every trial, for all you want, and in every place.

Look unto Me TODAY, I have blessings to bestow.I am waiting to be gracious. I am your Father in Jesus.Believe that I am deeply interested in your present and eternal welfare; that all I have promised, I will perform; that I am withyou, purposely to bless you. I cannot be unconcerned about anything that affects you; and I pledge Myself to make all thingswork together for your good.

You have looked to self, to others,in times past; but you have only met with trouble and disappointment; now look unto Me ALONE, to Me FOR ALL.

Lift up the eye and the heart to Me today, and every day throughout the year; and walk before Me in peace and holiness.Prove Me hereby, if I will not thus make you holy, useful, and happy; try Me, and find My word of promise true; true to the very letter.

Look to Him, till His mighty love
Thy every thought control;
Its vast, constraining influence prove,
O'er body, spirit, soul.