Real Hot

   It is rather hot these days. The weather is so unpredictable. One moment it will rain and the next so hot and sunny. Farmers will have a hard time with this. Nowadays air-condition is a necessity rather than a luxury unlike many years ago.
   They say it's due to global warming. Mankind own sins for what they did to mother earth. Is doomsday really looming before us , waiting to strike and catch us unaware? What to do? Suppose just have to take one day at a time for whatever will be , will be.

Prescription : Should embrace conservation.

(31.03.11-Thursday) 

Inconsiderate

  Went to CIMB bank in Seremban 2 today to open a new account. I managed to get a nice parking lot in front of the bank. I was lucky that I got everything done in the bank within 15 minutes. I came out of the bank and I was dismay to discover somebody parked his car behind mine at the parking bay. The car was a light blue metallic Mercedes and the owner was no where to be seen. I couldn't do anything except to wait for the owner to turn up. I waited exactly for 30 minutes. This man came out of the bank and he didn't even have the courtesy to apologize when I told him that he was blocking my way. He just got into his car and drove away. How can there be such people in this world? So very inconsiderate; willing to do anything for their own convenience at the expense of others. Have you ever experience something similar to mine? If not, then you are lucky.


Prescription : Don't do onto others what you don't want others do unto you. 


(30.03.11-Wednesday)

Forgive and Forget

  A few days ago while I was walking in my neighbourhood, I came across a few children arguing and shouting at each other. They were disputing over a game they were playing and were calling each other cheats. Then they went home. Yesterday I came across this same group of children playing football happily together. Children are innocent lot and they easily forgive and forget. On the other hand, it is another situation for adults who are suppose to be mature and more critical in terms of thinking. Maybe we can forgive but to forget .....a crack is a crack and after restoring it, the crack is actually still there. 
  How many simple arguments have turned ugly and out of control in the heat of temper with no return. One small thing lead to another and oh my! A big eruption! How many divorces ended this way? How many siblings are not talking to each other anymore? How many grown up children and parents broke their ties? So am I right to say that sometimes having a good memory actually brings no good?


Prescription :  Should think before we talk...which sometimes prove rather difficult to do.


(29.03.1-Tuesday)

Sight

With the gift of sight,
Yet some can' really see,
Right, wrong, good, bad, can't differentiate,
Because one only see what one wanted to see.                                                                                                                                     


But some who lost their sight,
Have better wisdom than anybody,
See and feel with their hearts,
Colour, looks, race remain words only.

Prescription: We are humans, we are one big family.

(28.03.11-Monday)

Success Begins With One Step

Try This - Stir Fried Banana Trunk

   Have you ever had banana trunk in your menu. If not, you can try preparing this simple dish which is high in fibre content, can't get it in any restaurants and don't put a hole in your pocket (cheap).
   You will need the soft centre or core of a banana trunk which haven't flower before (even wild banana trunk can be eaten). Then cut it into half cm cubes. Boil until soft, stir and strain. Chop some fresh chillies, garlic and shallots. Chop coarsely some dried shrimps.After that heat up a wok with some oil. Put in the chopped ingredients and stir fry until aromatic. Add in the banana trunk cubes. Stir for about 5 minutes. Then add some salt to taste (can be omitted). Try eating this with a hot plate of rice... should suit the taste buds of most Malaysians or people around this region.


Prescription : We are truly blessed to be able to share just a simple meal with our family as many do not have the opportunity...


(26.03.11)

Missing You

   I always hope that my gal will grow up fast because I tend to feel that other people's children seem to grow up real fast. Today, my gal actually for the first time left home to further her studies. All of a sudden, I feel that she grows up a bit too fast and I feel sort of empty ; void.

   I suppose that's parts and parcel of our life. Children have to venture out to pursue their future. Parents should always be supportive and give their blessings. Nothing is really permanent in this world. I will miss my gal and wish her all the best in furthering her studies. Ma and pa love you very much. Luckily communications are very advance these days unlike before; efficient, convenient and affordable.


Prescription :  Always be there for the person you love; for good time or bad time.

(25.03.11-Friday)

Simply Love Some Korean and Taiwanese Dramas

     

  I love watching some Korean and Taiwanese dramas because I find it quite educating , containing philosophical truths and issues that I can relate with our daily life. Maybe due to the very close or similarities in Asian values. Some may consider watching such shows as a waste of time, illogical or dumb but I find it refreshing and entertaining.

     Take for example Autumn Concerto (Taiwanese drama), I like the message behind the show and I love watching the little boy. He's so lovable. I highly recommend it. Have a critical mind while watching regarding family , conservation, upbringing of children and other issues. We can surely learn something from it.


Prescription : Everybody love happy endings but unfortunately sometimes life could be cruel. We couldn't have happy endings all the time. We must learn to live with facts and carry on life in the best way we could think of.


(24.03.11-Thursday)

   

   

Fair ? Two Different Worlds

      There...

             Dressed to shine,
             Sipping the finest wine,
             Truffle and caviar are served while they dine 
             Money matters - never mind.                                                                               


          Here...
            Any covering is to keep warm,
            It's luxury just to get a drink,
           Filling the tummy is always on the mind,
           The next dime - where to find?

Prescription : Try to help others whenever we can ; monetary, support, time etc. The world will then be a better place to live.


(22.03.11-Tuesday)

Choked On Milk...What I did to save my baby...

  Read the newspaper (The Star page N45) this morning. Yet another baby died after choking on milk last Wednesday. She was only 2 months old. I am real sorry and sad for her parents ; for their lost. This reminded me of my own daughter, Joanne. During the first month, she had no problem drinking or after drinking milk. But later she always choked on milk and turned blue. Pats on her back wouldn't help.
  I can still remember clearly the first time she choked, it was after drinking milk and after burping her. My mum was carrying her. My little baby's face turned reddish especially the tip of her nose indicating that she wanted to poop and made an 'ehm' sound to poo. At that very moment, her milk sort of regurgitated back up her wind pipe which made her choked on the milk. Her face turned all blue. She was not breathing or crying and sort of stiff. My mum was terrified. I felt so helpless. I was really scared. Mum was an ex-nurse and tried all ways frantically to make her breathe. Seconds passed and I know that I would not be able to send her to the doctor on time. Instinct made me sucked her nose. There was no time to think about being unhygienic. Milk from her nose together with her nasal excretion got sucked into my mouth. She started crying and her face turned back to pinkish. I was so relieved and couldn't stop crying after that. I nearly lost her that morning.Her poop...very messy but I cleaned her happily, gratefully, thankfully.
  Since that morning, I would constantly checked on her even when she was sleeping (she frequently choked on milk even when she was sleeping). I made her sleep at 45 degree level. I made sure her head was always higher. For years I kept my ears opened at night and on my alarm clock at intervals to check on her.It was tiring but time passed.... she is 14 now. How I manage? I resigned from a very promising job but I never regretted.

Prescription :  Hope this experience of mine could help some mothers or caretakers. It might not work for you but it is worth trying while getting to the doctor. I tried it many times. My daughter is the proof.


(21.03.11-Monday)
  

Bring Sunshine

Failure? Nothing new!

  My eldest daughter just passed her driving test last Thursday. It was her second attempt after failing her first test. I suppose this made her feel a greater sense of achievement and simply extra happy for not needing to sit for the test again. A big relief too for her and for me. She practiced real hard to prepare for her second test compared to her first. A little bit of failure sometimes is good in a way. It pushes a person to certain extend.
  Anyway, Christopher Columbus discovered America after failing to find Asia. Ask Warren Buffet, ask Bill Gates (if you are lucky enough to meet them in person) or the very person  beside you, nobody is new to failure. Failure happens all the time. Fail to be a good husband or wife, fail to care for our elderly parents, fail to cook, fail this and that. It is nothing new. In every failure, there is something to be learnt. Failing do not make us a failure. It shows that we are humans and naturally we have flaws. The magnitude of failure or line to differentiate failure and success depends on what measurement one wanted it to be. Your 'perfect' might not be 'perfect' for another person. Example to some, just being able to cook is a plus plus but to some, they consider themselves a failure if they can't cook as well as their mothers. Do remember every failure holds the seeds of success. But what if we can't accept our failures? Please talk to someone you feel comfortable with and able to lend you their ears. Please don't talk to those sickos who like to see people fail or like to add salt to wounds. It's not the end of the world...really.

Prescription :  The glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time you fall - Chinese Proverb


(19.03.11-Saturday)

Pisang Salai For Me

   My friend from Johore visited me yesterday. She gave me a packet of 'pisang salai'(smoked bananas) from Ayer Hitam which literally means 'Black Water'. Maybe the town got its name from the blackish coloured river and streams that you can see there. Ayer Hitam may be a small town but it is always bustling with activities. It is known as a 'rest town' and as 'the town that never sleeps'. It is famous for its dozens of outlets  selling home produce such as snacks, pottery and other crafts.
   One of the snacks that I like very much from this town is 'pisang salai'. I can't find this elsewhere. Maybe I didn't look enough. Many people don't like the smoky unique taste.Take my children, they told me that 'pisang salai' tasted weird and looked like poop from afar. The least I can do is to agree with them about the outlook; not very appetizing looking but never judge a book by its cover. One man's meat is another man's poison.

Prescription :  Respect other people's preference, respect the difference.




(18.03.11-Friday)

Upon Graduation

  Some...
              Managed to land jobs of their dreams,
              Everything according to their plan,
              See their faces beam,
              Their efforts, finally worthy of them.
  But some...
              Letters of rejection crash their dreams,
              Their future loosing the shine,
              Life is so mean,
              Nothing seems to be in line.

Prescription : Be positive...every cloud has a silver lining.

(17.03.11-Thursday)



              

Worries

    If one do not have worries, then you are not human. As we grow up, responsibilities weigh heavier and heavier on our shoulders. So are our worries. As a mother, one will worry about her children's well-being..... if you are a student, of course you worry about your schoolwork and examinations..... the list can go on and on.
   The latest worry is radioactive leakage in Japan after last Friday's earthquake and tsunami. As a developed country with four seasons, Japan depends mainly on nuclear energy to generate electricity for the consumption of its nation. They do not have much choice on this. The catastrophe that happened on Japan's nuclear plants add another blow to Japan and what everybody can do now is pray hard for miracle to happen.
    Man can predict, plan and invent but heaven will decide. May the people of Japan stay strong.

 Prescription : Be strong and never give up!

(16.03.11-Wednesday)

OMG! What A Contrast!

  I was driving home after sending my daughter to school. I stopped at a traffic lights and was admiring a posh shiny black sports car until its smartly dressed driver wind down the window to spit out sputum right there. The wind brought some of the droplets and actually left the guy's souvenir on to my windscreen. Yuck! I knew it was unseemly to swear but I swore anyway while driving when the light changed to green. The car was no where to be  seen by then. I seldom wash my car but I gave my car a good wash immediately after I reached home. I could still imagine the specks on my car.

  How often do we see such contrast? A beautiful lady in evening wear picking at her teeth with her fingers after eating, an elegant handsome man digging his nose or a well dressed guy dribbling while sleeping. These habits are norm to some people. They don't know that their conduct send shivers down the spine to others.

Prescription: Fine tune our manners in public. Old habits die hard but we must take the effort to change. It could be easier than first thought.


(15.03.11-Tuesday)

Discipline Please

   Are we a believer in discipline? Do we walk the talk? Politicians, educators, parents, everybody, how disciplined are we? Well, we could have a curriculum, examination or national service to inculcate this value but what is the point when even core personalities don't seem to have this quality. Look around us, how do we expect our children to learn when even we ourselves are not up to the mark.
   Everything goes back to the roots, our upbringing and the influence of people around us especially those close to us. Japanese are a discipline lot. Even when they are facing the aftermath of earthquake and tsunami that happened  last Friday, they are very disciplined.They queued up for buses and taxis, no news of looting and their government need not impose curfew. We can learn something from them. I am sure that for generations, good values and practicing these values have become a norm to them. They have great dignity and discipline. We should be ashamed of ourselves. No matter how much we pray or brag about this or that, we just can't do the simplest thing like throwing the rubbish into the dustbin or don't jump queue.

Prescription : Must do some self- reflection and keep on improving...strive to be a better person.

(14.03.11-Monday)

(13.03.11 - Sunday)

Devastating Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

As I was writing yesterday wondering about the weather and my being moody for no apparent reason, little did I know that a massive earthquake at 8.9 magnitude followed by tsunami were about to strike North East Japan. Intuition or premonition ? I remember feeling weird and uneasy in the morning of 26 December 2004 too, telling my hubby that the sky didn't look normal that day. It was especially dark and cloudy at about 7 am plus in Kuala Lumpur, just like the show 'Wars of the World'. A destructive 9.1 magnitude earthquake in Indonesia followed by tsunamis killed hundred thousands that day and days that followed.
  Yes, for many in North East Japan, when is the sun going to shine in their lives again? Love ones, properties, livelihood, homes and so on all gone in a matter of a few minutes. Rich, poor, young, old, the sick, the strong, the good, the bad, nothing spared along the way. My heart goes out to the victims and their immediate families. May they be strong and be able to pick up their lives again soon.
   I also feel relief that my hubby came back from Tokyo earlier. If not, I am sure that my whole family will be worried sick about his well being now. We are actually very lucky to live in a country which is relatively safe from destructive natural disaster. Even if there is any, the magnitude is comparatively smaller than other countries.

   Malaysians should think again about the foundation of our infrastructures.Could our infrastructures withstand disasters? If not, we should start thinking now because who knows... Malaysia might have earthquake too in future due to changes in geographical factors. Look at Japan, almost all of their infrastructures were built to withstand earthquake. Therefore we can see from  visuals recorded that their buildings were swaying instead of collapsing except for those in the way of the tsunami.
   Anyway, make the most of everyday for tomorrow might never come...Don't take things for granted especially our love ones...

(12.03.11)