UK Royal Wedding - Weddings and Marriages

   Yesterday billions from all over the world watched the royal wedding between Prince William of England and Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. The whole wedding was like a celebration, in full gear festive mood. The wedding was fairytale like. The whole thing, as if it was out of a movie. May their marriage ends happily like most fairytale romance stories such as Snow White, Cinderella, Beauty & The Beast, The Prince and Me, Ella Enchanted, The Enchanted etc. i.e. "... and they lived happily ever after".  Actually, while I was watching the hours of live telecast screening from my television, what amazed me was that all the VIPs and the wedding couple didn't seem to have the need to visit the restroom for so long.....Quite some record! For me, I needed to in between while watching  the ceremony.

   I suppose each and everyone's wedding is special in its own way. Whether the wedding is simple, low scale, low profile or big, extravagant with VIPs as guests, the most important thing is the couple involved is really, truly happy. If not, everything else is superficial, meaningless. The marriage route that a couple undertake is full of challenge, will have its ups and downs and take a lot of understanding, good communication, tolerance, effort from both sides to hold together until the end ; a memory lane that belongs to both - beautiful with happy ending or vice versa.

Prescription :  Treasure the person/people you love

(30.04.11-Saturday)



    

Killer Tornadoes - Weather Havoc In US

 Mother Earth has been hit by gigantic natural calamities a bit too often lately.There was this earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand killing many and flatten buildings. Then in Japan still picking up after its biggest earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011, leaving trails of devastation ; many at lost as what future lies ahead for them...  Now US... since mid April, severe weather hit across US - Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee... Extensive damage/destruction caused by tornadoes, monstrous thunderstorms, hail, exceptional strong winds and massive flooding have left many families stricken. Hundreds lost their lives to date, many towns destroyed and businesses crippled. A real nightmare. Everything gone just like that. How to rebuild lives? Will take a long time for sure. Many are waiting in  fear because the weather has yet to settle down. This is the time for people to come together, lend a helping hand and do whatever bit they can in time of need. My condolence to families on their tragic loss. May you be strong in time of difficulty. Life has to go on, always, for survivors.

Prescription : Lend a helping hand whenever we can. 
(29.04.11-Friday)

Never Too Old Or Late To Learn

   Most people do things according to sequence, usually follow the norm of our society. Same with me most of the time. What to do ? Like many others, most of us are conditioned in such a way since young. But don't you think that things are getting a bit boring, too predictable and we are just like robots doing the same routine everyday. It would be fun to break away from the norm, away from the monotonous flow every now and then. Let there be exceptions. Add some flavour and colours into our lives. What am I babbling here?

  Okay, take me for example- I went to primary school, followed by secondary school, then to high school and after that, finished my degree with honours, got a job, got married, have kids .....See the common flow?

   Against the flow? Most people learn to ride bicycle first, then get motorcycle license and then driving license. In this, I did it the other way round. I received my driving license at 18, a motorcycle license when in varsity in 1987 and only learned to ride a bicycle last October! Phobia, scared because saw friends got hurt while riding bicycle when I was young. I had no confidence to ride one. All my children could ride one ages ago. Some people were staring at me when I was learning, amused I bet. What? Learning how to ride a bicycle at this age? I heard some children saying,"Look!That auntie is learning to ride a bicycle!" As if I was performing a clown act in the circus! My husband pushed and held the bicycle from behind to help me stabilized on the bike. It was quite embarrassing but something to remember by and a wonderful experience nevertheless. Did a lot of funny 'stunts' while learning. My children were having fun laughing at me. Never too late to learn and don't let other people's opinion influence us too much. Must have our own mind in making decisions.  Overcome the hurdles bravely.


Prescription : When there is a will, there is a way. Learning is a continuous process.


(28.04.11-Thursday)

Stir Fried Pucuk Paku (young fern shoots) With Oyster Sauce

 'Pucuk paku' or 'paku choy' are young edible fern shoots which are gathered when they are still curled from the fern Diplazium esculentum . The ferns grow in the wild and can be bought in wet markets, pasar malam (night market), hypermarkets or 'pasar tani'(agriculture market). Ferns contain antioxidants that help in combating free radicals and boost immune system.

     'Pucuk paku' is best stir fried with belacan or cooked with coconut milk (masak lemak cili api). My family loves another simple way of cooking which I cook at home (yet to find any restaurant offering this way of cooking pucuk paku) i.e stir fried half kg of pucuk paku ( very young ones taste better) with 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, with dash of light soya sauce and lots of garlic. I usually get my supply of pucuk paku plucked fresh from the wild which grow aplenty near the river of my husband and co.s' orchid farm. Fresh always give the extra in taste.


Prescription : There's no one way in doing anything. Be adventurous and game enough to try out new things.

(27.04.11-Wednesday)

Topics To Avoid During Conversation

   Somehow everybody knows somebody and to know somebody, we need to communicate. To communicate, we need topics to start a conversation. Topics could range from simple exchanges of greetings, about the who and who, about the birds and the bees, flowers and trees or to maybe more serious stuff like the impact of world economics.

   Frankly, for me there are a few touchy topics which are best left alone unless I know that very person well. Topics that cover religion, race and politics. We must be careful when discussing such issues. What about you? Any particular topics that you usually avoid? Some people are ultra sensitive or reacted extraordinarily regarding such issues. I would not like to stir up sentiments or provoke anybody much less say something unacceptable or hurt someone unknowingly (sometimes still happen although we are already quite careful).

   On those topics, as humans who love peace, we should respect, be tolerance and accept the difference that exist. Nothing much to gain from arguing. Only will hurt feelings. I am a nobody on those topics. I may as well leave them to those who are more well verse and qualified. When those topics are brought up, I prefer to withhold my views and be more of a listener. No comment suit me better. A coward then? Well, maybe. Being a coward is better than trying to be smart at times. As I had mentioned in my earlier posts, everyone has his/her own preference or opinions. Their rights. Their views are theirs.


Prescription : Maintaining harmony is important- at home, workplace, among friends, anywhere.


(26.04.11-Tuesday)

Just Something

There's definitely something in everything,
Something small or cheap could be our everything,
But not everything is like what we see or think,
It could just mean some other thing.




Prescription : Don't make hasty conclusion or judgement. Sometimes it is just a misunderstanding, a miscommunication.


(25.04.11-Monday)

Peace, Love & Happiness

Holidays-Rest or Stress ?

   We love holidays.Malaysia is a country with many public holidays.A bit too many grumble some. This does not go well with bosses especially from private sectors. Not productive and competitive for a country according to them. For we fellas, who cares? Some even feel not enough holidays. Say school children, workers... There are many ways to spend our holidays. Some like sleeping, some go hunting for places to eat, some churning up their favourite dishes in their kitchens, some will do spring cleaning and nowadays many like to go on tours locally or overseas. There are many tour companies to choose from and offering a big array of holidays packages. Some prices are very tempting indeed. Even airlines are offering their own packages. We are lost for choice. Choose carefully and browse through the offers thoroughly. Some of the offers are too good to be true and it is better to choose from recognized companies although they might cost a bit more. Make some survey and listen to recommendations from people around you.

   Holidays are supposed to make us feel restful and rejuvenate our life after slogging day in day out. Just like the song by 'The Beatles'- Its been a hard day's work, I'd been working like a dog.....(if not mistaken).But some choose holidays that made them more tired and stressful instead. Example some chose to go on tours with very packed schedules from morn to night because they wanted to get the most for their money value. Some hardly sleep a wink. At the end of such holidays , they were so tired , had aching bones, facing lack of sleep and some even fell sick. Imagine going back to work almost immediately after such holidays...Therefore choose to spend your holidays well and think of what is the purpose of your holidays. What you do is your own right.


Prescription : Health is wealth, have a balance life. May we be well and happy always!


(23.04.11-Saturday)

Justin Bieber World Tour In Malaysia

   Listen to the screams of fans. Some ran really hysterical. Mostly female teenagers so smitten by their idol.They are all 'Beliebers' and anything about Justin Bieber is great except maybe not including his girlfriend Selena Gomez. 'Beliebers' were there to greet him the moment he arrived at KL International Airport (KLIA) and they envy his gal wishing they are the one instead. His concert at Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur last night was a sold out. A knockout. Fans were there early. Huge declarations of love for him came in the form of banners, placards, T-shirts etc. Getting a glimpse of  him will never be enough.What more the real him!This was once in a life time chance!

   When he finally got on stage, his fans had gone all charged up already. Hearts fluttering, heads swooning. They were so engrossed listening to his every word, admiring his every move and most of all couldn't get enough of his singing. When he smiled... seemed like just for each and everyone only. The girl who got chosen to go on stage to be with him when he sang One Less Lonely Girl is surely one lucky girl. Many were jealous. I am sure she either couldn't sleep well last night or she had a beautiful dream last night. Fans sang their hearts out to his songs, together from their seats and especially his famous hit song 'Baby'. He is causing waves around the world and just a teenager! A sensation from the day he appeared in You Tube! How many wish that they could be like him too.How nice to be a teenager and to be young.....(sigh). But I don't want to wear my school uniform' going to school and listen to my teachers lecturing us about disciplines! So be young at heart shouldn't be too bad....


Prescription : Try to enjoy the things we are doing each day


(22.04.11-Friday)

We are all handicaps

   Water is one one of the most essential need for us to continue living. Urban folks especially those who don't live anywhere near a stream, river, lake, water holes or well are very dependent on ready water supply to homes. A day without water is manageable because most urban houses have build in water storage tanks but a few days without water especially clean drinking water is cause for worry. Therefore many will  rush (some frantically) to buy and stock up bottled drinking water whenever there is a water cut.They don't mind paying.  You can see quickly emptied racks in this section in hypermarkets, stores etc. There are more and more bottled drinking water, RO water, distill water and mineral water of different brands in the market. We don't have these years ago. Water quality have deteriorated through the years or people are more demanding /educated these days? Urban folks are especially health conscious and don't trust the water quality of water stored up for too long in water tanks because they are worried about pathogens such as bacteria or virus built up in water. Chlorine used to treat water will no longer be present in water that is stored for days. Water rations supplied by water company/authority in lorries are usually not up to the mark. There are many complains and reports regarding this matter.

  My house was without water supply since noon yesterday till 0800 today and electricity supply from 0400 till 0800 without any prior notification. Imagine being in the dark, hot,without water supply and had to prepare children for school this morning. My children had to be in school before 0710. It is still dark in Malaysia. We were like handicaps all of a sudden. Practically groping around with the help of candles and torch light because we didn't charge up our rechargeable emergency lamp. Therefore couldn't use it. We have already become too dependent on the 2 utilities. What to do as we are urban people and supposing getting more develop by day? This is something I am not proud of actually. My salute and kudos to folks who manage well without ready supply of these 2 things in their daily lives and those without basic needs! Applause to all the handicaps in this world for not giving up on life...we non-handicaps are actually more handicap than you in many ways.

Prescription : Value the gift of water and electricity.




(21.04.11-Thursday)

Money Matters

   Money is not everything but money is something we cannot do without these days. Even by staying at home and not doing anything cost $$$. One has to live somewhere and that means $ in the form of rental, quit rent or house installment. Living basic needs- shelter, water, food and air (may need to pay for clean air in future thanks to air pollution) translate to $$$. No money then no talk.

   Nowadays we cannot do without a lot of things like phones, computers, fans, transport, air-conditioners,milk, soaps, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, washing machines, refrigerators etc. When we go shopping, what can we buy with RM 100 bill? Not much! 40 years back, when one is earning 1K is something to 'ooh' and 'aah' and caused envy. But these days earning 4 figures is nothing to croon about and considered medium income earner. Know something ? The poor is actually getting poorer and the rich getting richer on the whole. The gap is actually getting bigger.Things are getting expensive including basic necessities. The poor and the medium income group is feeling the biggest pinch and brunt of escalating costs. On the other hand, we can see reports of the rich getting richer by millions and billions.

   Therefore as expected papers, internet and other media are swarmed by advertisements advertising ways to increase fast easy income.Motivational speakers are getting more and more popular. Some are for real and some bogus. People are really attracted because pocket is not full enough, money is not enough and will never be enough as who can deny the lure of money especially quick way to get it...Those who chose the right track or right 'gurus'(mentors) will indeed be able to increase their income. But do you know that many are not that lucky.  In whatever business, there is sure to have risks. Either you win or loose.I don't believe in not needing to work in any business especially at the beginning like setting up a website, manning it, promoting it...earning honest money.Unless you win a jackpot then I have nothing to say. Don't be too hard on yourself if the outcome is not as expected. Take it as a lesson. Be wiser the next time. Although sometimes the price for the lesson was a bit too high like your entire life savings. Rise in scams and increasing victims from all walks of life, even professionals like lawyers or doctors is happening globally. No harm and cost nothing to be careful right? Sometimes we have ourselves to blame for being greedy and wanting more fast. Sometimes we trust our acquaintance or so called friends too much. Sometimes we are blind and too smitten with the feelings of our hearts and lost track. Sometimes we just don't know why. Money matters alright. Money is the main cause of most crimes.To have power needs money and vice versa. To live comfortably needs money. Money brings happiness, money brings heartaches, money brings uprise and downfall, money, money, money. Money will rule......before, now and future.

Prescription : Live within your means and strive hard to succeed

(20.04.11-Wednesday)

Humans begin life as parasites and some the entire life?

  I was just having this chit chat with my friends regarding our own species... the high and almighty human race, the so called superior species of animal kingdom.Some disagree to group humans under animal kingdom because we humans have mind and able to think and so on....Scientifically, we are under fauna. Therefore, we are indeed animals.Take it or leave it ha!ha! Scientists are making new discoveries that other animals too do have their own mind and able to think. Anyway,there are still many things we don't really know and we are only making conclusions based on what we studied which might not be thorough solid truth.

  Then this cross my mind, humans actually are sort of parasites at the beginning of their life cycle.Parasite is defined as a plant or animal that lives in or on another type of animal/plant and feeds on it. It also refers to a lazy person who lives by getting money, food, etc from other people. Well, the first >< nine months and ten days of our life cycle begin in our mothers' wombs. Where did we get our food supply? There... we fed on our moms, depending on her blood supply to survive and too bad some spend their whole life being parasites fleecing or living on others even though they are able bodied.

Prescription : Stand on your own two feet as much as possible


(19.04.11-Tuesday)

Korean Stars And The Chain Reactions

   Of late, youngsters and adults alike simply love Korean Dramas, their young, fresh, pretty or handsome stars, songs, dances and  fashion sense. So much that anything Korean is making our youngsters and even adults starry eyes. Pin ups of Korean stars are selling like hotcakes. Dressing up in latest Korean fashion is being in and cool. Holidays packages visiting drama locations are booming. So much that some even take the effort to learn Korean language just to understand the dramas or sing Korean songs. Look around, Korean restaurants are sprouting too. The chain reactions are selling Korea to the world, contributing to Korea's (South Korea) growing economy. How the Koreans do these? Definitely something for us to learn and ponder.

Prescription : Keep on learning

(18.04.11-Monday)