All That Matters

50 Facts You Might Not Know About Barrack Obama-Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:56:00 +0000

• His favourite music includes Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Bach and The Fugees
• He took Michelle to see the Spike Lee film Do The Right Thing on their first date
• He enjoys playing Scrabble and poker
• He doesn't drink coffee and rarely drinks alcohol
• He would have liked to have been an architect if he were not a politician
• As a teenager he took drugs including marijuana and cocaine
• His daughters' ambitions are to go to Yale before becoming an actress (Malia, 10) and to sing and dance (Sasha, 7)
• He hates the youth trend for trousers which sag beneath the backside
• He repaid his student loan only four years ago after signing his book deal
• His house in Chicago has four fire places
• Daughter Malia's godmother is Jesse Jackson's daughter Santita
• He says his worst habit is constantly checking his BlackBerry
• He uses an Apple Mac laptop
• He drives a Ford Escape Hybrid, having ditched his gas-guzzling Chrysler 300
• He wears $1,500 (£952) Hart Schaffner Marx suits
• He owns four identical pairs of black size 11 shoes
• He has his hair cut once a week by his Chicago barber, Zariff, who charges $21 (£13)
• His favourite fictional television programmes are Mash and The Wire
• He was given the code name "Renegade" by his Secret Service handlers
• He was nicknamed "Bear" by his late grandmother
• He plans to install a basketball court in the White House grounds
• His favourite artist is Pablo Picasso
• His speciality as a cook is chilli
• He has said many of his friends in Indonesia were "street urchins"
• He keeps on his desk a carving of a wooden hand holding an egg, a Kenyan symbol of the fragility of life
• His late father was a senior economist for the Kenyan government

from the telegraph UK

50 Facts You Might Not Know About Barrack Obama-Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:43:00 +0000

According to The Telegraph UK, there are a few things that we might not know about Barrack Obama. So here is a list of 50 things that can help us figure out what type of person he is!
He collects Spider-Man and Conan the Barbarian comics
• He was known as "O'Bomber" at high school for his skill at basketball
• His name means "one who is blessed" in Swahili
• His favourite meal is wife Michelle's shrimp linguini
• He won a Grammy in 2006 for the audio version of his memoir, Dreams From My Father
• He is left-handed – the sixth post-war president to be left-handed
• He has read every Harry Potter book
• He owns a set of red boxing gloves autographed by Muhammad Ali
• He worked in a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop as a teenager and now can't stand ice cream
• His favourite snacks are chocolate-peanut protein bars
• He ate dog meat, snake meat, and roasted grasshopper while living in Indonesia
• He can speak Spanish
• While on the campaign trail he refused to watch CNN and had sports channels on instead
• His favourite drink is black forest berry iced tea
• He promised Michelle he would quit smoking before running for president – he didn't
• He kept a pet ape called Tata while in Indonesia
• He can bench press an impressive 200lbs
• He was known as Barry until university when he asked to be addressed by his full name
• His favourite book is Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
• He visited Wokingham, Berks, in 1996 for the stag party of his half-sister's fiancé, but left when a stripper arrived
• His desk in his Senate office once belonged to Robert Kennedy
• He and Michelle made $4.2 million (£2.7 million) last year, with much coming from sales of his books
• His favourite films are Casablanca and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
• He carries a tiny Madonna and child statue and a bracelet belonging to a soldier in Iraq for good luck
• He applied to appear in a black pin-up calendar while at Harvard but was rejected by the all-female committee.

from the telegraph UK

Showbiz Snippets - 10 Mucciest Divorces

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 07:50:00 +0000

When celeb marriages hit the rocks the motto is simple. Don't get mad... get EVERYTHING. As Madonna and Guy Ritchie head for the divorce courts - with Madge reported to face losing up to £150 MILLION to her film director husband of seven years - we take a look back at some of the biggest break-ups in showbiz. And if this list is anything to go by Ritchie need never work again. Which some might say is proof that every cloud has a silver lining.

10: Chris & Ingrid Tarrant
Met: On the set of TV-am in the 1980s
Married: 1991
Split: 2007 - after we revealed Chris had been having an extra-curricular affair with a primary school teacher for seven years
Payout: Ingrid is reported to have settled for £12.5m - including £6m in property and £5.5m in cash
She said: "It's like going through a bereavement. You can't resurrect the dead and you can't resurrect a dead relationship. I can't even bear his voice."
He said: "Well, I was a naughty boy... She wouldn't trust me with a pint of milk."
Now: In a recent interview, Chris said: "Life's a bit complicated. But things are getting back to some semblance of normality.”

9: Kim Basinger & Alec Baldwin
Married: 1993, two years after playing lovers in hit The Marrying Man
Split: 2002 - with the 9 1/2 Weeks star citing irreconcilable differences... a classic Hollywood ruse to keep dirty secrets secret
Payout: Drawn-out and bitter child custody proceedings between the once golden couple have so far cost Alec more than $1m
He said: "She's a rude, thoughtless little pig" - to his daughter Ireland in a voicemail leaked after she failed to answer an arranged phone call.
She said: "Everybody is always asking why this custody battle has been going on for so many years and now they have the answer. It is about his ongoing aggressive behaviour."
Now: Baldwin is writing a book about divorce and child custody. Kim is "continuing to protect and safeguard her child's well-being as any parent would." The battle rumbles on with occasional potshots appearing in the US press.

8: Michael & Juanita Jordan
Married: 1989, in Las Vegas, five years after a blind date
Split: Bank clerk Juanita filed for divorce in 2002 citing irreconcilable differences but withdrew the claim a month later. Four years later the differences were still irreconcilable, and the couple formally split.
Payout: Juanita picked up $168m (more than £100m) - the biggest celebrity divorce payout in history - including a seven-acre estate in Chicago and custody of their three children
He said: “She’s worth every penny.” Cool.
Now: The basketball legend has been seen out partying with a flurry of different young fillies while Juanita is said to be dating a banker 20 years her junior.

7: Britney Spears & Kevin Federline
Married: 2004, three months after the pop phenomenum met the pizza delivery boy - in front of 30 close friends in the back garden of K-Fed's California home.
Split: 2007. Brit agreed to give Kev $1 million but quarrels over custody have been a 12-month soap-opera of court hearings and breakdowns played out for the 24-hour showbiz media.
Payout: $1m - thanks to a pre-nup
He said: "Together we'll take over the world..." then this happened:
She said: Yr dmpd.
Now: Brit's back looking fab with her first Number 1 since 1999's Baby One More Time. And we revealed earlier this month that the couple are back in touch - trading steamy texts.

6: Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison
Married: 1983 after meeting on the set of Apocalypse Now.
Split: 2004, after the Indiana Jones star was spotted out on the town with Ally McBeal's Calista Flockhart. Cue front-page frenzy.
Payout: E.T-screenwriter Melissa walked away with $85m (about £50m) plus a cut from all future DVD sales of movies Ford starred in during their 17 years together - including the Indy trilogy.
He said: "I'm probably a better actor than I am a father or husband."
Now: Ford became engaged to Calista on April Fool's Day last year. Melissa has just bought a $2.9 million apartment on Central Park West, a few blocks from the $16m duplex they once shared

5: Mick Jagger & Jerry Hall
Married: In a beach ceremony in Indonesia in 1990, after ten years and several children together
Split: 1999, after serial womiser Mick's Brazilian lover revealed she had given birth to his baby
Payout: Around £10m - reduced after Mick claimed the beach marriage wasn't legally binding
He said: "You wake up in the morning and you look at your old spoon, and you say to yourself, 'Mick, it's time to get yourself a new spoon.' And you do."
She said: "I'd come home and there'd be things from other girls lying around. And then I'd started finding items next to the bed like earrings or a ring. It was obvious."
Now: Jagger has been dating model L'Wren Scott for six years. Jerry is working on a tell-all book, due out soon - and judging by the £1m advance, it's gonna be a riot.

4. Roman & Irima Abramovich
Married: 1991, after meeting on the Aeroflot jet where Irina was a trolley-dolley
Split: In 2006, after we revealed Roman's relationship with 26-year-old brunette Daria Zhukova He said: Nothing
She said: Even less
Payout: Payout in secretive Russian courts rumoured to have been $300m (£150m) - including houses in Britain and Moscow, a yacht and an aircraft.

3: Charlie Sheen & Denise Richards
Married: 2002, after meeting on the set of Good Advice... oh the irony.
Split: 2006. Richards ditched the “irreconcilable differences" smokescreen and wrote on the divorce papers that her husband was abusive and addicted to porn and prostitutes.
Payout: Bitter custody battle still rattling through the courts
He said: In email -"You are a pig. A sad, jobless pig who is sad and talentless and, um, oh yeah, sad and jobless and evil and a bad mom, so go xxxx yourself, sad, jobless pig."
She said: "I sent Charlie a text message asking him if he's going to Family Day [for daughter Sam's school] and letting him know Sam was sick with a cold. His response was, 'I hope you and your worthless retarded father get cancer and join your stupid mom. Rot in hell you xxxxing whore.' My mom died of cancer. This is what I deal with on a weekly basis."
Now: Sheen has remarried but the pair continue to bitch in public over custody - Richards airing her views on a reality TV show.

2: Charles & Diana
Married: 1981, four years after they first met at Althorp while Charles was being linked to her elder sister
Split: 1996 - as it emerged that behind-the-scenes the fairytale marriage was in ruins
Payout: Diana was given £17 million - along with a gagging order banning her from ever going public about the tempestuous marriage
He said: "Whatever 'in love' means."
She said: "There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded."
Now: Charles married the third party, Camilla Parker-Bowles in 2005. Diana died in a car accident in Paris in 1997.

1: Paul McCartney & Heather Mills
Married: 2002, in a lavish ceremony in Ireland three years after meeting during the Pride of Britain Awards event in London
Split: 2006 - amid claim and counter-claim with Heather's "friends" accusing Paul of being a wife battered and Paul's "pals" hitting back accusing Heather of a past career in porn. In the run-up to the judgement Heather gave a string of tearful TV interviews comparing herself to Princess Diana and Kate McCann
Payout: Heather walked away with £24.3 million - a fraction of the £125m she had originally demanded - after the judge branded her a liar and fantasist
He said: "There'll be no more nagging, no more chaos, no more Heather...bliss. I have peace at last."
She said: "I'm going to be crucified. I'm going to have a modern-day stoning."
Now: Heather has awarded the Certificate of Congressional Merit after her charity donated $1m to promote meat-free healthy living in New York. Paul honoured a long-standing engagement to play a concert in Tel Aviv. You can't help thinking Israel and Palestine will sort out their differences before these two.

excerpt from the news of the world

Showbiz Snippets

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:26:00 +0000

The mother and elder brother of actress Jennifer Hudson, who won an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls, have been shot dead at the Chicago home she bought for them. Hudson's brother-in-law is being questioned by police. (Independent on Sunday)
Cherie Blair has earned £68,000 in a week of lectures in America that took in Aspen, Chicago and Houston. (Mail on Sunday)

Leading stem cell scientist Professor Colin McGuckin is moving to France because he says British science gives too much priority to embryo experiments over "more ethical" alternatives, such as experiments on adult stem cells (Sunday Times

TV chef Jamie Oliver is to launch his own monthly magazine before Christmas. The magazine will feature recipes by the chef and articles written by his wife, Jools. (Sunday Telegraph)

'Vice queen' Natalie Rowe has revealed how she and George Osborne bonded over his interest in her dominatrix paraphernalia and their shared feelings of exclusion during his Bullingdon Club days at Oxford University. She claims to have supplied drugs and prostitutes to a Bullingdon party at the Rothschilds' family home, Waddesdon Manor, in Buckinghamshire. (News of the World)

Guy Ritchie has been left seething with anger after his son Rocco was photographed wearing a New York Yankees baseball shirt. Ritchie's estranged wife Madonna has been linked with Yankees star Alex 'A-Rod' Rodriguez. (Sunday Mirror)

Pheww! Everybody Can Become Datuk now?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:37:00 +0000

I was baffled when I read the news that Shah Rukh Khan was given a 'Datuk" title by the Malacca government. I did not see any reason why he should be given the title. In fact, lately, the title Datuk has lost it's 'exclusiveness' because everybody is being given the title very easily. The reason why he was given the title was because he filmed a movie at the A famosa, and thus generated more visitors to the state!?! Was that the ONLY reason?

*I personally feel that the Datukship is supposed to be given to someone who really deserves it...meaning someone who has contributed continously to the growth of the nation and country, in any fields...may they be the economics, arts and culture, health, science and technology, agriculture, education and on and on. Not everybody can be given the title and should be given one.

*Moreover, the title should be given after the 'recipient' has contributed to the nation for moe than maybe 20 years or so, to be able to carry that title. That person must be extraordinary to receive that title, or else he or she can just be given some 'pingat' or awards to show appreciation.

*In this case, how can by filming one film in A Famosa Malacca, that Shah Rukh Khan deserve the title? In what way has he contributed to the growth of the country? Is there any evidence that his movie has generated more interests in the state after he filmed his movie there? If so, how about the rest of the crew? Weren't that an overall effort? What has he done personally to the growth of Malacca that is continous?

*It seems Datukship is given to simply everybody! Logically, it should be given to the selected few and keep it that way! Now, everybody we go there is Datuk here and Datuk there...and you can hardly know what their contributions to the country are.

*If you go and hike the mountain, you become a Datuk. If you swim across the ocean, you become a datuk. If you won world championship, you become a Datuk. If you can sing well, you become a Datuk. If you become millionaires, you become a Datuk.

*I am not against doing all that for yourself and the country. It is something that should be applauded and encouraged, but there are lots of medals and awards which can be awarded to these people besides Datuk to show our appreciation of their efforts. Let Datuk be the last award that they receive after a long series of successes and efforts....so that it will be more meaningful and deserving to them.

*Even Sir Cliff Richards got his title in his 60's after long and winding years of contributions in the musical industry.

*Let those who really deserve the title be given one because the title now has lost its exclusiveness and has become easy and cheap!

Balik Kampung Rush!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:56:00 +0000

Balik Kampung again! It seems the petrol issues are still at large. The STAR online reports that some petrol stations are runnning out of fuels! This is one of the most important times in the Malaysian calendar, where people will return to their hometown for Eid Celebration and the hiccups is hopefully only temporary. Anyway, I wish all Malaysians Happy Holiday, Happy Hari Raya and drive safely and carefully to your destinations!

Balik kampung rush badly hit as pumps run dry in KL
By NG CHENG YEE and MEERA VIJAYAN

PETALING JAYA: The balik kampung rush for Hari Raya turned chaotic in the Klang Valley as many motorists who wanted to fill up their tanks were faced with “out of stock” signs at pumps.

The petrol stations that ran dry were mostly Shell stations but some motorists also complained that several BHP stations here had run out of supply citing “computer glitches” and pump problems.

An operator of a petrol station in Kuala Lumpur said if there is no fresh supply soon, he may have to stop operating by today.

Although most cases were reported in the Klang Valley, there was a report from Johor Baru of at least one Shell station running out of supply. There was no shortage at Petronas stations and other petrol stations.

The shortage in supply is believed to be linked to the recent 10sen reduction in petrol as dealers hedged their bets by keeping little stock.

The surge in demand by motorists returning to their hometowns made matters worse.
A Shell station proprietor here said he had to shut down two pumps as the company had not sent fresh supply.

One Shell station along Jalan Damansara shut down 10 pumps due to lack of petrol.
Shell Petrol Dealers Association chairman Datuk Hashim Othman confirmed that the problem was most severe in the Klang Valley with many motorists filling up their tanks before starting on their outstation journeys.

“Many dealers refused to increase their stocks because of the price cut.”

“Dealers are also having problems replenishing their stocks due to slow delivery of fuel due to the festive season, and the wide network of Shell stations,’’ he said.

A Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd spokesman said the company was restoring supply at the affected stations and expected the situation to normalise by tomorrow.

“A number of our retail stations are experiencing a shortage of petrol. This is primarily caused by the exceptional surge in demand soon after the price cut and also people filling up their tanks for Hari Raya and the holidays,” she said in a statement yesterday.

Petroleum Dealers’ Association of Malaysia president Abdul Wahid Bidin said the petrol storage at the affected stations was limited and would last until after Hari Raya.

“Petrol station operators would normally keep a supply of seven to eight days before Hari Raya during previous years but most of the petrol stations are only keeping a three-day supply this year.

“This is because they were trying to avoid facing losses following the reduction in fuel prices.
“Demand for petrol was very low last week after news surfaced that the Government would reduce the petrol price,” he said.

He said all petrol stations would stock around 200,000 litres each day and had to face losses of RM20,000 after the Government cut the fuel price by 10sen.

“If dealers were to keep seven days’ supply, they would lose RM140,000 each,” he said.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad, when informed of the shortage, said petrol dealers should not blame the Government and the decision to reduce petrol prices for the petrol shortage.

He said that petrol dealers should have anticipated the increased demand for petrol for Hari Raya and managed their supplies accordingly.

When Curiosity Strikes!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:13:00 +0000

I was busy preparing some dishes when I heard silence. Normally, the tv would be on and my little angels would be playing and strutting their voices up, wrestling their way to get the best seat in front of the screen while sometimes arguing over patty things.

Sometimes, they would test my patience by coming to me while I was handling the hot pan with a sweaty forehead, just simply to show me how much their fingers hurt or how much their knees bruised (with own inflicted hand drawn red ink).

Being the mom, I normally offer my sympathy while telling them the bruise will be fine after a few minutes. All they have to do is be strong, it's just a small cut. Sometimes, when the patience has gone to its limit, I would just say, this is just the ink of the pen and go and clean yourself....Being the 'Jackyl and Ms Hyde' sometimes you do get burn out with all kinds of demands.

You wanted to be the nice and caring and understanding mom, but at the same time you are just a human being. There are times where you feel like you do not want to get disturbed and have silence surrounding you. You wish you can have a sip of tea while reading your favourite book and watch the birds fly outside the window. But that seems quite hard to get now. The only time where I can get total relaxation is when they are gone to bed, and by that time you are also in need of dire sleep. And there it goes, the same routine, day in and day out.

Lately, my patience have been tested to the limits. Maybe its curiosity, being in their tender age of four and five plus, everything they see belong to you is all great, new and exciting! The first victim was all 25 of my magic colours that I kept in my small drawer... have gone! Then I discovered 'creative art work' on the wall and on their faces. Okay...fine. I asked them to keep them back. After a day, they were missing...again! Fine!

But, that's not it! It didn't end there! I discovered my lipstick and make up kid dissappearing from my compartment and hey...I caught them hiding behind the sofa with colourful blotches all over their faces! And clothes! Okay...Okay...fine. I was a bit fiery...but I was still sane! I took them back and warned them!

I thought they learned their lesson...but I was wrong! The next day, I found most of my small drawers empty! My kimono clad bear key chain which was a gift from my sis from Japan was missing (and they were the front door keys) and my cd markers, white board markers...in fact most of my stationery were gone! Fine....I could trace them back...which I did with some...but some are still missing until now!

One by one....and then there were none! This best describe my life in the past two weeks! Not only my stationery and make up kid have become their 'testing ground', some of my brooches and earing collections have been missing too! Oh No....I found out they took some of them out from the box and transfered them to a small purse that I got for myself. Ok...enough is enough. This was tooo much.

With a mom's 'power' that I automatically have :), I 'rocked' the house with my made-up 'stern' voice and ordered all of my belongings were handed to me spot on! Huh! Like a hurricane, they handed me my stuff, and huh...how I learned my lesson!

Since then, all of my stuff are stuck on top of the cupboard....until they grow up...maybe...or until they are high enough to pick them!

Hmmm.....Indeed, once they tried to climb a dust bin and reached for the stuff, but I discovered them before they could do anything!

Hmm...why are they too smart or too curious? Well, we do want them to be smart, don't we? But this? Huh!

Mom...I love all your things....they are all beautiful...my eldest came to me the other day.

I pretended not to hear....

Dog Called As Witness In Court?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:10:00 +0000

What the world has gone up to? Before only humans can become the witness in court, now dogs also have the potential to stand as witnesses if a crime is committed. I wonder, how can an animal answer a question and how can he responds? Barking? Wagging its tail? Licking its fur? Or simply drooling its saliva? Or panting perhaps? How can a dog understand a human conversation? How can his 'answer' be viable in court? Can his answer be used as an evidence anyway? Hmm....the world has gone quite insane to suggest this method...Maybe the humans have lost their common sense and therefore seek an animal which cannot talk to be a crime witness? I have no idea....no idea at all! Read on...

In what is believed to be a world first, the investigating magistrate has invited a dog to take the stand as a witness.
*

Scooby will give evidence as he is believed to have been with his 59-year-old owner when she was found hanging from the ceiling of her Paris flat.
*

Police believe the death was suicide, but her family cry murder - and the only witness to see the alleged crime is on four legs.
*

It is hoped Scooby can collar the potential perpetrator, having already played a leading role during a preliminary court hearing in Nanteree, a Paris suburb.
*

He is said to have hounded a suspect, "barking furiously" after being taken out of the kennel and into the witness box by a vet.
*

French judge Thomas Cassuto praised the mongrel for his "exemplary behaviour and invaluable assistance".
*

But lawyers barked back - insisting the bizarre spectacle "proved nothing".
*

One said: "Human evidence is unreliable enough, let alone canine evidence.
*

"Besides, the victim died two and half years ago, which is seventeen dog years! How is the animal supposed to remember that far back?"
*

A spokesman for the Palais de Justice in Paris confirmed that the appearance was the first time a dog had appeared as a witness in criminal proceedings in France.
*

He said: "It was a preliminary hearing. The judge will now decide if there is enough evidence to go to trial."

from skynews

A Dog's Day Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:25:00 +0000

Zzzzz......This is a perfect day for me to have a nap! Ergg...zzz...The shoe is killing me. Better take the old red polka dot stilettoes than this one. Huh! A big mistake! It can't even fit in properly in my foot! Hmm..zzz....nevermind. I'll creep in tonight, and I'll swap the shoes. he..he..he...that poor old lady will never notice it. She's too old to wear that shoes anyway. zzz...good...good...zzz...Hmm..better sleep well...tonight will be a busy night!Zzz....red polka dot stilettoes...salsa dance with lucy under the moonlight...zzz...i can see her furry brown feet with that heels! Great!zzz...doze...

Can He Beat His Fifty Years Of Age?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:32:00 +0000

It was 1984. The tv had been showing repeats of Michael Jackson's video clip "Beat It". I was tuned in to the beats and the lingo that this black man was delivering. He was carefree, young and enjoyed dancing his moves from one spot to the other. I saw him flipping his hat, doing his moonwalk and standing on his toes. His high pitch notes sometimes gave me a cringe. But I enjoyed his youth and his presense. He was famous and he made all the girls screaming for his names.

I was at a very tender age of fourteen when Michael Jackson had a hit with his "Beat It" song. I remember coming back from school and seeing his videos on the tv back to back. His persona and presense had captured many hearts and at that time, he was the King of Pop. After "Beat It" he made more albums and songs and had won multiple grammy awards. His albums have been sold millions all over the world.

But as time goes by, Michael seems to lose his powerful impact. I do not know what had happened in his life, but it seems he has been 'lost' somewhere over the years and has become a very secluded man. He has changed his appearance too many times and his jovial, smiling face has turned into a sad and sluggish tired face. Too much plastic surgery has made him looked more sad looking.

I do not know how he can turn his dark skin fairer. Too many theories have been put into an argument and less is known anyway how he did that. Maybe the technology and money can make him do all the impossibles. Hmmm...this is what people with lots of money do. They spend it on unnesessary things where people like us calculate every single penny in our wallet.

Anyway, he is still a human being, and believe it or not it has been 24 years since his "Beat It" years. And he is now a 50 year old man. He recently celebrated his 50th birthday and goodness...how time flies very fast! It seems like yesterday that I saw this man dancing and moonwalking and making us all smile with his moves.

I wish him a very happy birthday and many happy returns!

Aussie Mayor Calls For Ugly Women

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:43:00 +0000

The mayor in an outback Australian town has come under fire for urging ugly women to move to the town and help out some of the dateless menfolk.

John Molony, mayor of Mt Isa in the state of Queensland, made the remarks in response to the overwhelming local ratio of males to females.

He told a local newspaper: "May I suggest if there are five blokes to every girl, we should find out where there are beauty-disadvantaged women and ask them to proceed to Mount Isa."

He added that many women who already live in the remote mining town seemed quite happy.

"Quite often you will see walking down the street a lass who is not so attractive with a wide smile on her face," he said.

"Whether it is recollection of something previous or anticipation for the next evening, there is a degree of happiness."

But his comments failed to impress the local female population.

"There's a lot of anger circulating among the community at the moment - a lot of passionate anger," Mt Isa chamber of commerce manager Patricia O'Callaghan said.

"There's a lot of women voicing their opinions."

But speaking on national radio, Mr Malony stood by his remarks.

"I said beauty-disadvantaged. Now beauty is in the eye of the beholder," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"Beauty can be a good set of teeth, beauty is nice wavy hair. Beauty can be blue eyes or green eyes.

"There is such a thing as disposition, temperament, manners, general attractiveness, attitude and demeanour, all those things tend to make a person attractive."

excerpt from sky news

Anwar Ibrahim - When One Thinks That He Is Above The Rest

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:33:00 +0000

Hmm...I turned my head left and right when I read this article from the emedia news today. First of all, let me clarify my thoughts. I have no stand whatsoever on his sodomy allegations and his victory in the Permatang Pauh election. What I mean by I have no stand is that I am not making any judgement on him, whether he is right or wrong, whether he has done it or not. To me that is too impossible to know.

Why I said that? Well, there is always two sides of the stories. And both sides stick to their stand. And both are blaming each other. As a human being who is trying to be rational, I leave this to God. We have no power to know who is right or wrong, who is saying the truth or who is lying. If we make the wrong judgement, we are the ones who will end up being the sinner, and as a human being who believes in the judgement day, I want to avoid that. And believing that God is fair, I am sure the real culprit will be given his share of punishment from God when the time comes. So, I do not want to 'stick to my points' and be at anybody's side, let alone be nasty and prejudice in my talks. Let the Almighty does His work. No point to be rude and throw our anger at this and that people and blame this and that party and eventually we are the ones who will paint a bad image of ourselves.

Anyway and however, having to say all that, I am quite perturbed to read this article below. Anwar wants his oath swearing ceremony to be telecast live. And this has never done by anyone before. He is not a minister, let alone prime minister, and it seems he wants a 'special' treatment for him. Why do I feel that this man is already making himself sound and look quite arrogant, that we should show him live? Hmm....I really don't know. This is really an absurd request from an opponent party leader. And to say that it's 'nasty' not to show him live? Hmmm...??? Read on...

Anwar: Swearing-in should have been 'live'
29 Aug 2008

PERMATANG Pauh MP Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim thinks he is special. He griped about the fact that his swearing-in yesterday was not telecast live by RTM.

Anwar described as "nasty" the decision to not allow the live telecast of the oath-taking ceremony.

Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek immediately hit back

"The live broadcast is strictly for Question Time and we can't change our policy for just one person."

Shabery, who was involved in the country's first-ever live television debate with Anwar last month over fuel subsidy, added

"Traditionally, we've never telecast the oath-taking so there is no reason we should make an exception for him."

from emedia.com.my

Hmm......I can't help but to ponder...Yes, why should they make an exception for him? He is not even in the cabinet...well...yet....hmm....??? Grrr....

Happy 51st Independence Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:50:00 +0000

As a Malaysian, I am proud to wish my beloved country Happy 51st Independence day! You have come a long way and you have witnessed many history and have gone through many obstacles. From being a small country unknown to the world map, you have grown and developed rapidly through the years until today where you have stood tall among other countries. You have shown tremendous amount of success in a short period of time and this is achieved through comradship.

All people of Malaysia from all walks of life irrespective of race and gender have contibuted in their own way to bring this country as it is today. It is sad to see how some people use the present political situation to harbour ill feelings among the people and it is bad to use cetain sentiments to create hate and havoc. We are all Malaysians and we are all facing our own hardships, ups and downs, turmoils, happiness and sorrow in our own ways. We are all together and we should be united.

Despite our dissatisfaction with the present leadership, we however should not use this as a way to hold grudges, to fight, to blame, to scoundrel or to point fingers at each other. Each and every one of us is responsible for creating a harmonious country, therefore we should live with respect and stop bickering and complaining over each other. Don't wait for what the government can do for us, but what we can do to make this country a better place to live in.

It is hard to please everybody, but hey...aren't we thankful enough that every day there is food on the table, a shelter to protect us from the sun and rain and a tiny amount of money that we can spend wisely every month? We might not be millionaires, some might be too poor to even have a proper food or shelter, but whatever it is, life has to go on. Yes, the petrol price hike is a hot topic, the present political scenario is worrying us, the present leadership makes us want to scream, but despite all that, be thankful that we can still breathe, eat, walk, talk, sleep, and above all, have the freedom to live as what and how we wish.

Be thankful my friends. Be thankful and the bounties will come back to you in many ways!

A picture Can Tell a Thousand Words!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:25:00 +0000

Pictures can definitely tell their own stories. You do not have to have rows of words and sentences to describe some pictures and the samples above are one of the many pictures that have their own story to tell!

A Man With Thousand Ways!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:26:00 +0000

It was way back in 1993...more than 10 years ago, in fact it was 15 years ago that I came to know this man. Back then, it was new, fun and different. Watching him and his antics and 'clever' moves tickled my drained brain. At that time, his show was quite a hit in Malaysia. Maybe we lacked funny programmes that was creative that could make us laugh and admire at the same time. I was one of those who did watch his programme on tv and the reruns of it. As years go by, the tv stations keep showing his reruns and sometimes, when time permits, I do watch the reruns.
O

I don't know what attracted me to him. He is not a normal man you see on the road. Nor is he a gentleman. In fact, he is the most disgusting, selfish, annoying and self centered man I have ever encountered! He is bullish, almost childish and yet cunning...to the extent that could make you either love him or hate him. He would do anything to get his way and would not care less if he hurt, steal, beat or kill people to achieve his needs.

He has hit the Queen with his head and knocks her down. He brushes his teeth and use the water from the car wiper to clean his mouth and at the same time drives his mini car while changing his clothes. He nearly electrocuted a man to his death and leaves him by the road side. He hides inside a post box simply because he does not want to spend a cent on a stamp and decides to steal other people's stamp. He nearly explodes a science lab with his 'wild' experiments. He would do anything to get what he wants! And Gosh...the lists go on and on!

Despite all that, I still watch the programmes eventhough many times I feel disgusted and annoyed by his behaviours! Sometimes I find him too annoying that I feel like spanking him for a lesson. Eventhough I don't watch it regularly now, it seems my two angels are crazy over him. When 6.30pm arrives, my eldest will call her younger sister...Come....let's watch Mr Bean! and they will start sticking their bum to the sofa unmoved. Sometimes I would hear giggles. Sometimes a yulk! But it's funny how small children like them enjoy watching an adult making fun of himself.

What can I say...Mr Bean...It is 2008 and it seems we can't get you out of our house...yet!

When French Kissing Becomes a Contact Sport

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:41:00 +0000

I stumbled upon this article when I was doing my morning news reading on the net. It got my attention because the headline aroused my curiosity. Although it is about the recent scenario in the UK, in reality it is quite universal too.

Take this country for example, in the old days...the act of kissing on the cheek might be seen as 'too much' or 'too open'. One was not encouraged to display emotions in public much less to kiss one's cheek. Everything 'too physical' is not supposed to be shown to all. All what you can do is to shake hands and kiss your elder's hands as a form of respect.

But coming of the new age and generations, things have changed very fast. In some places I go, people will still shake hands but the pat on the cheek with another person's cheek is becoming a fast norm here. It is great if it is practised among family members and close friends. (But thank God it has not gone to the extent of lip or french kissing...gulp!) But, if that happens to strangers or people you hardly know, it might be very disturbing to brush cheeks and lips with them! This is what Sam Delaney is lamanting about in his article below. Happy reading!

French Kissing in UK by Sam Delaney (excerpt from The First Post)

Oh God. She's leaning in for the second kiss but I've already backed away. Now I'm going to have to move back to kiss the other cheek at an awkward angle and... Yep, there it is, I've headbutted her. Brilliant.

Why does it always have to end this way when I kiss an acquaintance on the cheek? When I was about seventeen I got inappropriately drunk at a fancy, grown-up party. The only other person close to my age there was a pretty Chinese girl.

When I stumbled up to her to say goodbye she leant in to give me a kiss on the cheek. I wasn't familiar with the informal kiss on the cheek back then so, in my drunken mind, I thought, 'Great, she wants to get off with me.'

My stupid tongue flopped out of my inebriated mouth too early, she backed away and I wound up licking thin air like some sort of demented Labrador. Everyone at the party was looking at me, so I left my tongue hanging out for a bit longer.

I look at this friend who I’ve just stuck the nut on. She’s putting a brave face on it, bless her You know, a bit like when you trip up on the pavement and then continue to trip all the way along the street as if you’re doing it on purpose? At least I had an excuse back then. But this is 2008: everyone kisses everyone these days!

I look at this friend who I've just stuck the nut on. She's putting a brave face on it, bless her, but her right eye's going to be a shiner by tomorrow morning. I feel ridiculous.

There's only one way out of this: I start to rock my head violently back and forth and hope she assumes I'm having a stroke.

Adoring Animals! Does Size Matters?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:07:00 +0000

Don't you love looking at cute,chubby,bubbly and funny animals? I do! They make me smile and bring me some kind of joy! But hey...watch out for that access baggage guys...Or else you will have to slide on the road instead of walking! You are cute anyway! Have fun!

Erghh....where can I get more grass?? Grass!!

I am too full to walk...I think I will sit here until the next meal. In the meantime, I will think of what the next meal will be...

Hmm....this nut is tough!

Do they make sweet couples?

Turning Robots Into Humans

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:43:00 +0000

I was watching a programme, Pandanganku & Ceritaku (My Opinions & My Stories) on Astro Ria recently and was glued to it until it ended. This is a very interesting and informative programme that tells about two countries and two culture in the perspective of two travellers.

The main location is Japan and Malaysia, and it's interesting to see how these two people learn and experience new things everyday. From learning to beat the drums and have a hands on experience in doing so, to visiting renowned companies and firms to learn their tricks and achievements in their own fields, the issues and topics are fresh and new. Last week's programme showed these two travellers who got the chance to see for themselves how Japan's technology is advancing with their own eyes.

By the way, I always admire the Japanese people, how they think and how they blend their culture and technology together. Among tall and big buildings, and millions of people residing in Japan itself, it's amazing how the city has one of the lowest crime rates in the world! How can they do that? It must have been from the discipline and the values that have been inculcated from generations to generations.

Anyway, I am not going to talk about that. What I am interested in is what I saw from the programme. There is this man, a Japanese designer who owns a company called Flower Robotics. His name is Tatsuya Matsui and among his latest designs are two humanoids whom he called "Posy" and "Palette" (see pictures). And I loveee the robots! They are very cute, especially Posy and it reminds me of a little girl..or boy...next door, whom you adore very much.

Anyway, put that aside... Tatsuya believes that humans and machineries have weaknesses that can complement each other, hence the idea of turning these robots into human like behaviours. I saw how some fashion outlets in Japan use "Pallette" as their window 'display' items, and she displays the fashion with flair movement, moving every few minutes with different moves, almost as smooth as a human being. She is also the central system for the outlets, checking for the security and act as a mediator to the owner if there is a case of breaking in etc.

Hmm...interesting? To me it is. To use a robot as a 'mannequin' to carry your latest styles and that robot actually carries multiple tasks is very advanced in ideas. And most visitors might not be aware that their every movement is monitored by this 'lovely' humanoids.

The technology in Japan is advancing very fast and believe it, there are still lots of the latest technology out there that have yet to be in the market! If you happen to be in Japan, do check out their technology and gadgets. They will make your eyes turn and rotate 360 degrees! You can learn more about Tatsuya Matsui and his work by visiting this website http://www.flower-robotics.com/. I think I am one of Tatsuya Matsui fans now!

Happy Reading!

The Love That Flows Like River

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:11:00 +0000

These last three days I had a hard time checking my emails and connecting to the internet. It took me hours to get connected to Yahoo! Absurd...yes! I did not know if my computer was attacked by a virus or it was too cramped with unwanted programs and files. I have antivirus installed and spyware doctor to shoo away those unwanted spies...:) but hey...I was dumbfounded when the computer was running as slow as a sick turtle. Even I think turtle walks faster than my pc then. I tried to fix the problem by clicking whatever

buttons and applications I thought would solve my problems...but to no avail. In fact, it got worse. I am not a computer expert but I am not 'that' computer blind either.

Well, a tiny bit of knowledge wouldn't hurt, would it? Anyway, I held on to any information and troubleshooting instructions, but my pc got stuck, and stuck and stuck! I knew it must have been very heavily loaded with applications that I do not know where they came from. But...hey...finally, with some efforts...well, from my brother, thanks bro!, the pc is now running smoothly. A huge sigh!

Not only I had to go through pc problems, but the house extension that I am doing right now is delayed. The contractor does not manage to get the supplies of the exact roof, hence we have to wait until the roof is done.

Hmm...I am hoping I would be able to sit in the new dining with the new kitchen cooking my favourite dish while watching re-runs of Jamie Oliver Italian Escapes coaxing the Italian Ministers with his unconventional Italian way of cooking! Oh...I love the program...I could see how hard it was for Jamie to run errands and travel all over Italy and tried to convince Italian people that he could cook Italian dish! Funny and humble. And full of love.

Well, that what struck me the most. Remember a saying that said 'to love a man is by filling his stomach'? I mean, with food...excuse me. By watching him travelling and meeting new people from different cultural backgrounds and lifestyles, I am reminded of the power of food. Food can definitely unite people together. With food, we transcend barriers and languages, and understand the same meaning of love. With love, food is served on the table, with love food can be enjoyed by using the same food lingua that is understood by all.

We eat to live. Some people live to eat. Despite what our motto is, we exist in this world to give and receive love, and food is one of the ways to express that love. I always admire and enjoy people who love food and are open to share their kitchen and secrets. I salute those who willingly open their doors to people to come and enjoy their food, no matter how small the portion is. I give my utter respect to those who cook and serve the poor, homeless, the children and those who go out of their country to help in every little way they can to care and eradicate hunger and poverty. I have great admirations for all of them.

And what people like us can do to help and give back our love? In every little way we definitely can. And we start with our family. The ones near to us, the ones we see everyday. Yes...the ones sometimes we take for granted. In every little step there will be a giant leap. The simplest and easiest way is to share the food and feel the joy of eating together. Feel the bond and the love seep through while we sip our drinks and bite our food. It's unthinkable how some people can help and serve other people with food, but do not practice it at their own home. It's time we start every little things from our house. Yes...we can do it.

And the reason why I talked about my brother earlier, he is going to have a bbq for his daugher's first birthday, and I am going to make them a wonderful tuna and vegetable salad that can make you on cloud nine! Oh yes...that's my contribution. My way of showing I care and I love. And believe me, if we start everything early for our kids at home, we will find that love we give will flow like river until eternity. Let's eat and eat with love!

"So You Love Eating Other People's Rubbish?"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:03:00 +0000

I love food. And I hate to waste. But to eat other people's rubbish because of that (to save) is way too unthinkable to me. How can you dig under people's rubbish dump and slide your hands over dirty, slimy wasted food, for the sake of saving? How can one eats his food which has been mixed with dirty, bacteria infected waste and enjoy it? I discovered that there are people who do this with pride and call themselves Freeganism!

Well, eventhough they claim that they practise caution and bide by the hygienic rules, I still feel it's way too absurd to do it. But anyway, this world is too short to be depressed. As long as they don't get poisoned or attacked by a fatal virus or bacteria, then it's up to them what they want to put inside their stomach. But for me, I live with the mottto "you are what you eat". What we eat will be part of us, become our flesh and blood, therefore, what we eat must be clean and healthy. Anyway, the choice is yours! But please don't eat rotten food...pleaseeeee! Read some excerpts below to understand what I am talking about!

"I Love Eating Other people's Rubbish" by Ella Parmley (mag.co.uk)

Under cover of darkness, Star Khechara quietly pulls herself up onto a rubbish skip and looks around before diving in.

A few minutes later she emerges triumphant, clutching a selection of fruit, vegetables and chocolate which will provide her with her evening meal.

But Star, 32, is not homeless or destitute. In fact, she is a nutritionist and model – and one of hundreds of people around the country embracing ‘freeganism' as an alternative way of living.

Devotees believe in trying to save the environment by surviving on discarded food.Supermarkets generate 1.6 million tons of food waste a year, throwing away five per cent of their food every day which ends up buried in Britain's landfill sites.

Such is the growing popularity of freeganism that there's an online magazine dedicated to it, and even an online freegan cooking show providing tips and recipes.

"Most people would turn their noses up at the thought of looking through supermarket skips, but you'd be amazed at the amount of good food that's thrown away every day," explains Star.

"By using it to feed myself, I'm helping to cut down on terrible food waste."

Star became a vegetarian at 18, after reading about battery farming.

At the same time she moved out of the home she shared in Plymouth with her mother, into a flat with two fellow A-level students.

With all of them struggling for money, one of Star's flatmates suggested they give freeganism a try after hearing about its popularity in America.

A few days later, the three housemates embarked on their first freegan expedition to a local supermarket skip.

"It was very exciting," says Star. "The bins smelt, but not as bad as I thought they would. We found bags of potatoes, and lettuces and apples still in their packaging. Most of the sell-by dates were that day.

"We also found lots of chocolate bars still in their wrappers which were out of date that day, so we took them home and made chocolate crispy buns."

For Star, the experience was a real eye-opener. Disgusted at how much good food was being wasted on a daily basis, she decided to become a full-time freegan.

Now, she buys basics such as soya milk and tinned food, but sifts through skips three nights a week searching for perishables including sandwiches, cakes, bread, fruit and vegetables.

She calculates this saves her at least £30 a week on grocery shopping.

"The argument is simple," she says. "Every day, perfectly good food is thrown away because its sell-by date is up, or the packaging is damaged. By being a freegan, I'm doing my bit for the environment and saving myself money at the same time."

Technically, they run the risk of being charged with stealing or trespassing every time they forage in skips – but to date, no supermarkets have taken action against them.

Star believes she should be rewarded rather than punished for doing her bit to cut down on food waste.

"I know what I'm doing is against the law, but it shouldn't be," she says. "The food has been thrown away by supermarkets and shops. It's only going to be thrown onto refuse sites, so why shouldn't we use it?"

Freeganism: The Rules
•If packaging is ripped, leave the item behind.
•Wash packaging in a little mild bleach water.
•If packages are puffed up, there may be a build up of bacteria, so steer clear.
•Treat fish, meat, cooked rice and dairy products with caution. Check sell-by dates and packaging carefully.
•Don't pass ‘No trespassing' signs.

Don't Look Back...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:00:00 +0000

The car he was driving suddenly gave way in the middle of nowhere. It was past midnight. The wind was howling. The foliage that lined up all the way, along the road was blowing profusely. The chants of the dog barking filling your ears like it would never end. The moon was hidden behind the dark clouds that enveloped the skies. For a moment, he hesitated. The watch showed 1.30am.

Damn! There was nobody in sight. The road was long and empty. He rested his head on the seat and closed his eyes. Not again, he sighted. This is the third time. He should have taken the car for repair a long time ago. Suddenly, a cracking noise came from a distance. It sounded like a rusty old vehicle. The noise was getting nearer and it passed him right to the side. It stopped. It was an old bus with no passenger.

"Can I help you?" the driver asked with a serious face.
"Err...yes...my car broke down," he answered.
"Good...I can help you," the driver took off his gloves and began checking the engines.

After almost half an hour, the man waited patiently. Finally, the bus driver gave him a thumbs up. The car was fixed. He took a deep breathe of relief. He went inside his car and the bus driver headed to his bus. Great. Now he could continue his journey.

Within seconds the bus zoomed away with a high speed. The man switched on his engine. The rattling noise was still very loud but as long as the car could move he was more than relieve. Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder. A strange smell entered his nostril. The air suddenly was as chilling as ice. He looked back through his driving mirror. His heart pounded as fast as the lighting. A figure with white clothing was sitting behind him at the back seat. Face grotesque. Long hair shuffled, untidy, unkept. He fainted.

Welcome to the new millennium. Where along with technology, cool gadgets, scientific researches, tall buildings and multimedia craves, we are still crazy over horror movies and stories like there is no tomorrow. A child with supernatural power, a house haunted with ghosts, a woman who 'keeps' a 'vampire', a man who has a 'buddy', a ghost that can fly and does kick boxing, a woman who has been 'disturbed' by a devil...and the lists go on. It seems this world we are living in, is a place full of eerie creatures and their counterparts.

But don't we all love them? Hmm...yes and no. But too much of them can make ones feel...enough is enough!:) Don't you?

France First Lady and Her Thirty Lovers!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:54:00 +0000

What are the people of France suppossed to do when their president marries an ex-model? What will their reaction be when the president's first lady has had a 'past'? Nude photos...lovers perhaps? Nobody would say anything if you are a film star, perhaps having nude photos and many lovers can add to the high profile portfolios and make your name shoots up like tornadoes,very ,very fast.

But the president and his wife? Maybe one should applaude for their openess and frankness. But,hmm...there are certain things better be kept secretly and neatly inside the closet. But hey...30 lovers or more, she is the president's wife,isn't she? She can do whatever she wants or sings as many lewd songs as she pleases...After all, the limelight is all on hers...singing or not, she has already taken the world by the storm. Read on to know what I mean...

Carla Bruni Singing Her Struts Out! (excerpt from The Post Online Daily)
France's First Lady and folksy chanteuse, Carla Bruni, has made a Nick Clegg-style confession on her latest album, apparently revealing that she has enjoyed 30 lovers. The album, Comme si de rien n'était (As If Nothing Had Happened), is alarmingly frank. On You Are My Drug, the former model sings about someone "more lethal than heroin from Afghanistan, more dangerous than white Colombian [cocaine]. My guy, I roll him up and smoke him", but it is the lyric "I am a child despite my 40 years and 30 lovers" that has attracted the most attention in the French media.

Bruni, of course, had a number of highly publicised affairs with famous men before she wed Nicolas Sarkozy in February, among them Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Kevin Costner and even Donald Trump. Well, that's four. Ascertaining the names of others could become a popular new parlour game.

While she insists the songs were mostly written before she met the president, in the days when she found monogamy boring, the first single to be released from the album, L’Amoureuse (Woman in Love), is thought to be about her present state of wedded bliss. Discussing the album, which has been described by Le Figaro as the "most eagerly-awaited disc for decades", she says: "Perceptions will not only be musical. Criticism, which is useful, risks being blurred, for good or for bad, by the fact that I am the President's wife."

The Love That Never Be...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 05:17:00 +0000

The Taj Mahal. The Doves. What do they have in common?

Shah Jehan forced his people to build the Taj Mahal for his wife, Mumtaz. The mosque since then has become the greatest symbol of love, among two people. As strong as the building, we hope that the love we find will stay as strong and as solid as the monument. When we find love, we hope that we can face everything together. Sail the sea and go through the rough waves and clear blue skies together. When we find love, we want to share. Share good and bad moments, share interests and hobbies, share opinions and thoughts.

In situations where we find it's dificult to share all that, we can still fertilise that love with respect and understanding. Love does not mean trailing your loved ones like ducklings. But love means having the time together, cuddling up and looking at each other's eyes until you fall and fall in love again. Love means listening, caring, giving, understanding, respecting your loved one's values and interests. When we find love, we want to say it and show it. Not just with words, but with what we do to the people we love.

Love is universal. Love is central. Love is vital. Like the roots of tree or the flowers that grow in the pots, we need to water the love. If the soil is dry, the trees and flowers will die. So do we.

Love does not work when it is in a distance. Too many heartaches, hurt and pain. Where is love when in the middle of the night you feel so lonely and the love is not next to you. Where is love where in difficult times you are left alone to juggle the everday's life struggle. Where is love when you need words of encouragements in the moments where you need to listen to them most. Where is love where you cannot see it, touch it, smell it, listen to it. Where is love when silence has enveloped the conversation. Where is love when he is never with you.

Love...too many sayings on it. Too much expectations. Too much discussed. But does it bring you joy. Is love an overated word, whereas love is too little we get in this world. Where is love where war, hunger, famine, poverty strike us like a vengeance. Where is love where people fight, argue, back stab and hurt each other. Does love really exist? Does love too difficult to get?

Some people see love as a form of freedom. Some see love as a form of expression. Some see love as a form of power. Some see love as a form of torture. Some get into love to love. Some get into love to control. Some to get into love to depend. Some to get into love to abuse.

Love...what does it mean to me? It means sharing things and moments together, raising your children together, eating and sleeping together, going outings and holidays together, buying and shopping together. Love to me should be based on respect and understanding of one's values, culture and opinions. There should be no 'one way is the best way'. What we think best might not be to the others. We have to compromise. To give and take. To make all things and dissatisfactions clear on the table.

Have I found love? I thought I did but...unfortunately I was wrong. I have found the wrong love for me. The one totally thinks the opposite of me. Choosing to be away from me and never wanting to commit to me. Commitment is the key word. And it is a very BIG word. It is the everything word. No commitment means no love to me. When two people make a commitment in the form of marriage, they have to commit. They have to live together. No point to love where you can't even talk, see or touch each other. This is insane. This is not normal.

Who would think that long distance relationship will work? I don't because I have had experienced it. Crying over it has not made me any sense anymore. In fact, I have stopped crying and trying because I realise that this love I was trying to defend might not last after all. I have fallen out of love, not because I wanted it, but because the situation made me to.

I made that decision because that what I thought best for me and the children. No point to wait and wait for the love to come to you and be with you because he will never arrive to be with you forever. I am not just a temporary stop. I am a human being. I deserve more love and respect than this. I have my moments but let bygone be bygone. I have forgotten my past and what he did to me. All the labels, humiliation, hurt, pain and pangs have subsided gradually. I am a much stronger person and will always be. I don't need that love to shove his ideas and control over me to the extent I was almost insane with his requests and orders. I am not a slave. I was not put as where I was suppossed to be put. I was treated like a foot rug and I am happy with my present life now.

Eventhough the love I was trying to build eventually crumbles and falls apart, I have two little angels, the ultimate LOVE for me. They joy and pride that I feel are beyond description. Never in my entire life that I feel the much needed love than getting it from these two little joys that fill my days. Although there are times where I feel like banging my head on the wall or like exploding my head off when they start to throw tantrums, but at the end of the day, they are the ones who give me the will to go on living, to smile, to love and to look forward to the bright sunny days.

Hah.....I am smiling right now. I am happy with my decision. I have never been happier. I am relief. I am making the right choice. Maybe love will come soon. Maybe...

Anwar Ibrahim VS Shabery Cheek

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:43:00 +0000

My stomach was making loud noises. The acidic water inside my stomach linings were rumbling,tossing and turning like me in bed. I was perspirating. Pulsating. Eyes closed while the brain winding very fast...thinking. The noises did not cease. Instead it was getting louder, not knowing where the limits were.

Arghh....ok..ok...I surrender. I got up lazily with half opened eyes roaming the dark room with a hint of lights. I pressed my knuckles, circled my head, yawned for a second, and up I was heading to the door. Arghh...why did the stomach make such a protest at the most unsuitable time? The sore eyes that I got from too much computer has not been helpful. Again. Another rumbling. Ok...Ok...I will fill you up. Mr stomach was screaming for a descent food. I guess going to bed with an empty stomach has a price to pay. So there I was in the middle of the night, shoving bread and strawberry jam into my mouth, biting and savouring the taste to the last bite. A huge mug of coffee did not do me any good. I was too full to retire, and ho....what would I do to kill my time?

My eyes quickly roving around looking for that rectangle black remote that has been a 'struggle' between me and my daughters. Well, it was midnight. So mom won! No more remote war! A huge sigh...and so I sat lazily on the wing back chair flipping from one channel to the other. Nothing got my attention, until I opened channel 501 on Astro Awani. Ho...ho..ho...in ten minutes time, at 1pm...yes...the repeat of the Anwar debate would be telecast. Hmm....this would be something very interesting to watch. At first, I was sceptical if it would ever take place...That night, maybe it was my luck, I was right on time. So...I waited with no particular expectations. The only thing that crossed my mind was how the debate would be conducted or if there would be any fights or calling of names.

Finally, it was on air. Gulp....I felt like muddy water was stuck in my throat. Hmm....I was speechless...not because I was at awe, but I was generally dismayed,humiliated and at certain moments tickled to watch the whole debate. For a moment, I thought I was at school, watching secondary students fighting to support their weak points and issues. There were two adults, one an ex-deputy prime minister, and the other one a minister, standing behind their rostrums strutting their voices up defending themselves and what they believe in...But why did I feel something was mising? Was it suppossed to be wise, matured, well crafted, analytical and strong debates with zest and killer points? Or was it suppossed to be like limp, boring, loose debates that had lost its focus? Or what was its focus by the way? The oil price? Petronas? The leadership? Or the promotions of Anwar Ibrahim and Shabery Cheek?

Infamous it may be...but was it (the debate) in the end making any impact on us, the country and its economy? Hmm..personally I don't think so. It was the weakest debate I have ever anticipated from. Knowing how deep these people are scratching each other's back and making remarks of each other, watching the debate is really an anti climax...like watching your cat catching a bird and ended up hitting the tree!

Anwar Ibrahim is obviously a debater. He enjoys talking. It shows in all his speeches and choice of words even way back when he was a deputy PM. But a good debater does not mean you are a good leader. A good debater does not mean you are trustworthy (as you can fool people with your play of words). A good debater does not mean you are capable. It's just words...And actions in words need to be proven when the time comes.

Shabery Cheek on the other hand, has no direction. He was rumbling all ways. I feel sorry for him. He has no strong arguments to defend the government and the current scenario now. He was talking about the formation of Petronas, whereas Anwar was talking about the leadership.

In the end? It was a no win-win situation. Nobody gains anything. Just sore throats, wasted saliva and tired legs (of standing).

Hmm.....I went to bed with a dizzy head. I chuckled while reminiscing the faces of Anwar and Shabery one after another. What has this world got itself into? Don't we have anything better to do? Hmm....I closed my eyes but the images kept coming one after another...Oh No...I hope it was not a nightmare!

Are You Being Yourself?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:36:00 +0000

TOXIC BACHELOR
(excerpt from mag.co.uk)

THE ONLY BODY ISSUE STUART HOOD HAS IS CHOOSING THE ONE HE FANCIES TONIGHT

Blonde. Brunette. Tall. Short. Asian. American. Size 6. Size 14. Fiery. Shy. 19. 36. Buxom breasts. Jelly tots on an ironing board.

Something struck me while I was flicking through my love back catalogue. And that something was how little my exes have in common. Admittedly, I have deal breakers (weight limits, nose size, huge tattoos, etc), but aside from these, nothing in my past suggests I have a ‘type'. And, just recently, I seem to be out to prove it.

"I feel like a size 14 tonight," I decided last Saturday. "I'm going for a blonde," I decreed at a recent ball. "Big boobs," was my Royal Ascot diktat.

Sexist? Undoubtedly. Successful? Why, yes, thank you. But I don't want your praise. I want you to appreciate what my actions mean. I want you to understand that, in a man's eyes, there is no such thing as the all-encompassing ‘perfect' body. So I want you to stop messing yourself and your relationships up by trying to get it.

I'm not saying quit exercising, embrace the deep-fat fryer or stop waxing. I'm advising the 37 per cent of you on diets and the two-thirds hankering after surgery to think seriously.

Ask yourself: am I trying to find myself or am I attempting to be someone else? If it's the former, good luck. If it's the latter, pull out while you still can, because your alter ego will not make things any better.

No matter how much make-up you slap on, or how thin you become, you are not, and are never going to be, the celebrity you aspire to be. I know, I've tried. When I was 20, I dyed my hair, bought a couple of vests and mimicked Eminem. I got laughed at, lots, but laid very little (read: never).

Actually, my exes do have one thing in common. They realise that being ‘sexy' isn't about eating one carrot a day, pumping your breasts full of silicone or pining after someone else's look. It's about being comfortable with yours. It's about celebrating – and letting men celebrate – the nuances that make you, you.

Dear Toxic Bachelor

My boyfriend and I have a great relationship, but he never buys me gifts or flowers. It's getting to me — what does it mean?

It means he feels he doesn't have to — a malaise that's both good and bad for your relationship. Good because he doesn't feel guilty about anything. Bad because he feels he no longer has to impress you.

He wooed you and now you're cruising along happily together. Only you're not, are you? It's boring. The spark has gone. Relight the fire. Suggest a dirty weekend.