"aaaaargh! There's a snake in my mouth!"
"Careful dear, you might fall off the edge".
"Hey, you are going over the speed limit!".
"ssssssssssss, it's sooooo coooooooooool!"
I wonder when it is going to roll down.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Out Of The Ordinary Pics
The Pied Piper strikes again!
"aaaaargh! There's a snake in my mouth!"
"Careful dear, you might fall off the edge".
"Hey, you are going over the speed limit!".
"ssssssssssss, it's sooooo coooooooooool!"
I wonder when it is going to roll down.
"aaaaargh! There's a snake in my mouth!"
"Careful dear, you might fall off the edge".
"Hey, you are going over the speed limit!".
"ssssssssssss, it's sooooo coooooooooool!"
I wonder when it is going to roll down.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
HPTC Project
The HPTC (High Performance Training Center)project is on again. According to the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, this contoversial project was necessary to realize the government's vision of excelling in sports at international level as reported in the Star today. What exactly does this mean? We are incapable of producing world standard athletes if they are trained here? Why is that? Is there a problem with our athletes? No talents to be found? If they are not talented enough when they are here, how will they be world class just by being trained in foreign soil? Is it the training techniques plus the sophisticated equipment? If that is the case, why not hire them? It will definitely be cheaper in the long run.
The emphasis on saving money here is because the Prime Miniter's statement on the financial status was on the front page. The civil servants were demanding for a pay rise and his reply was , "We have discussed their demands. At the moment, the Government is not ready to spend so much money. We need to take into account the government's finances because we need to spend money on development."
IN the state of Kedah, the Welfare Department has run out of funds to help the needy! It was reported that the poor in the district of Baling have not received their allowances for four months! The Kedah Welfare Department director said that the shortage of funds affected those in all districts of the state. Wouldn't it be humanitarian to channel some of the funds to the Welfare Department to pass it on to the really needy?
Back to the HPTC. The government want's to bring up the standard of football in this country as it is at the moment in the pits. My question is, did the Argetinians build a training center in UK for their players? Or the Koreans, or the Italians, or the French, or any of the African nations even? The problem lies with management. You don't bring politicians into sports and expect to get a world class team. Their choice of who represents the country vastly differs with that of a competent coach or manager.
We need the money to help our needy first, and then we need to build sports centers in every state which is easily accessible to our youths. Then only we will have a large base to choose the best athletes from. At the moment my home town doesn't even have a sports complex which could house most of the games played here. Such a complex could greatly help in popularising various sports which at the moment is not easily available to the vast majority.
They let the politicians manage the sports events and when they got hold of the funds, a grand swimming pool was built in the middle of the paddy fields! Only frogs and monitor lizards will be there now. The surrounding villagers are mostly muslims and taking off their clothes and wearing swimming costumes is not their culture. It would have been fully utilized if it was built in the city. We could not only train swimmers but also divers. China has produced world class divers. Why can't we?
So, I say we should spend our money wisely by selecting the best coaches, the best athletes and buying the best equipment and do our own training here.
The emphasis on saving money here is because the Prime Miniter's statement on the financial status was on the front page. The civil servants were demanding for a pay rise and his reply was , "We have discussed their demands. At the moment, the Government is not ready to spend so much money. We need to take into account the government's finances because we need to spend money on development."
IN the state of Kedah, the Welfare Department has run out of funds to help the needy! It was reported that the poor in the district of Baling have not received their allowances for four months! The Kedah Welfare Department director said that the shortage of funds affected those in all districts of the state. Wouldn't it be humanitarian to channel some of the funds to the Welfare Department to pass it on to the really needy?
Back to the HPTC. The government want's to bring up the standard of football in this country as it is at the moment in the pits. My question is, did the Argetinians build a training center in UK for their players? Or the Koreans, or the Italians, or the French, or any of the African nations even? The problem lies with management. You don't bring politicians into sports and expect to get a world class team. Their choice of who represents the country vastly differs with that of a competent coach or manager.
We need the money to help our needy first, and then we need to build sports centers in every state which is easily accessible to our youths. Then only we will have a large base to choose the best athletes from. At the moment my home town doesn't even have a sports complex which could house most of the games played here. Such a complex could greatly help in popularising various sports which at the moment is not easily available to the vast majority.
They let the politicians manage the sports events and when they got hold of the funds, a grand swimming pool was built in the middle of the paddy fields! Only frogs and monitor lizards will be there now. The surrounding villagers are mostly muslims and taking off their clothes and wearing swimming costumes is not their culture. It would have been fully utilized if it was built in the city. We could not only train swimmers but also divers. China has produced world class divers. Why can't we?
So, I say we should spend our money wisely by selecting the best coaches, the best athletes and buying the best equipment and do our own training here.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Another Sad Case
Went to a town called Sungai Petani which is approximately 36 miles to the south of where I stay. The purpose of this visit was to check on my childhood friend who was knocked down by a speeding car while he was riding his motorbike.
He was unconscious for 3 days. By the time I heard about it he had regained consciousness. I took my son along for the drive as I tend to get sleepy on long drives. He recognized me when I walked towards his bed. He had 5 broken ribs which had done some damage to his insides. He had a tube running from the injured side leading to a container - to drain away the blood. He was bleeding internally. Fractured his collar bone. That bone was already fractured a long time ago when we were boys. Both of us fractured our collar bones.
His head received a hard knock and so the doctor had sent him to the hospital in Alor Star to get a scan. Fortunately the head was intact. The problem now was his immediate family were all living in Alor Star, 36 miles away. They needed to have him transfered to the Alor Star Hospital so one of them could look after him. After talking to the hospital authorities, he was transfered to the Alor Star Hospital.
Went to see him yesterday. He was showing signs of withdrawal. He had taken up smoking a long time ago. Without cigarettes for 8 days, he was very restless and wanted to go home where he would have more freedom. He definitely would not be allowed to smoke at the hospital. He kept asking me to send him home. I had a hard time trying to explain that I could not take him out of the hospital in his condition. The tube going through his side was still there. I could see the blood oozing out. He also needed another tube to the bladder to remove urine. He had another one supplying oxygen as they suspected his lungs might have been damaged.
Went to see him today. Same story. He wants to go home. He hasn't improved. He will start babbling every now and then. Tried to keep him in conversation which was not easy as he had only one thing on his mind. He kept asking me if I was coming in the evening to send him home. I think the problem is not only related to smoking but the fact that he is in a helpless situation. He was one of those very independant and macho characters. He trained guard dogs and now he can't even go to the toilet. He is bed-ridden. That is a stressful situation.
He wanted to shift his position a bit higher up the bed. Tried to help together with his sister who was on the other side of the bed but to no avail. He was too heavy and I could only hold one side of his body. Obviously the fractured collar bone side could not be held. I was also not as strong as I used to be. Called in some help from the hospital staff and managed to shift him a little. As he was about to doze off I sneaked out.
He did call me using his sister's cell phone to remind me to come and get him. I will be going to see him at 12.00 noon tomorrow. Hope his internal bleeding would have stopped by then so that the healing process can begin.
He was unconscious for 3 days. By the time I heard about it he had regained consciousness. I took my son along for the drive as I tend to get sleepy on long drives. He recognized me when I walked towards his bed. He had 5 broken ribs which had done some damage to his insides. He had a tube running from the injured side leading to a container - to drain away the blood. He was bleeding internally. Fractured his collar bone. That bone was already fractured a long time ago when we were boys. Both of us fractured our collar bones.
His head received a hard knock and so the doctor had sent him to the hospital in Alor Star to get a scan. Fortunately the head was intact. The problem now was his immediate family were all living in Alor Star, 36 miles away. They needed to have him transfered to the Alor Star Hospital so one of them could look after him. After talking to the hospital authorities, he was transfered to the Alor Star Hospital.
Went to see him yesterday. He was showing signs of withdrawal. He had taken up smoking a long time ago. Without cigarettes for 8 days, he was very restless and wanted to go home where he would have more freedom. He definitely would not be allowed to smoke at the hospital. He kept asking me to send him home. I had a hard time trying to explain that I could not take him out of the hospital in his condition. The tube going through his side was still there. I could see the blood oozing out. He also needed another tube to the bladder to remove urine. He had another one supplying oxygen as they suspected his lungs might have been damaged.
Went to see him today. Same story. He wants to go home. He hasn't improved. He will start babbling every now and then. Tried to keep him in conversation which was not easy as he had only one thing on his mind. He kept asking me if I was coming in the evening to send him home. I think the problem is not only related to smoking but the fact that he is in a helpless situation. He was one of those very independant and macho characters. He trained guard dogs and now he can't even go to the toilet. He is bed-ridden. That is a stressful situation.
He wanted to shift his position a bit higher up the bed. Tried to help together with his sister who was on the other side of the bed but to no avail. He was too heavy and I could only hold one side of his body. Obviously the fractured collar bone side could not be held. I was also not as strong as I used to be. Called in some help from the hospital staff and managed to shift him a little. As he was about to doze off I sneaked out.
He did call me using his sister's cell phone to remind me to come and get him. I will be going to see him at 12.00 noon tomorrow. Hope his internal bleeding would have stopped by then so that the healing process can begin.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Funnies
Funnies are good for the health. When we laugh or smile we exercise our facial muscles. Smiling is better. They say that it takes 37 muscles to frown and 22 muscles to smile. So Smile. It conserves energy ) :) :) Haven't you heard? "Happiness Is Only Grin Deep" heh heh ...
Below are two humorous stories dealing with children :
I wonder what this cub is whispering to its mummy.
Chicken Story
Have a nice day!
Below are two humorous stories dealing with children :
I wonder what this cub is whispering to its mummy.
Chicken Story
Have a nice day!
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Who's Confused?
There was an article on the front page of one of our local news papers regarding phone numbers to call during an emergency. The paper pointed out that many people were not familiar with the numbers and that for those who knew the numbers, they were not sure which number was for which service. Too many emergency numbers was causing confusion it seems.
I do agree that not many people are aware of all the numbers but I had hoped that the papers would at least get them right. Look at the caption which I took from the front page :
For cell phone users, is it 121 or 112? Heh heh... No wonder we all so confused!
I do agree that not many people are aware of all the numbers but I had hoped that the papers would at least get them right. Look at the caption which I took from the front page :
For cell phone users, is it 121 or 112? Heh heh... No wonder we all so confused!
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
To Tree Or Not To Tree
There were four healthy big trees with lots of foliage giving lots of shade and contributing to the healthy environment around my neighbourhood. One would think that the people living nearest to these trees, who benefit the most would take care of them. Nah! Tree here today, gone tomorrow!
The trees in the background.
No more trees.
What the scenery looks like now.
In front of my house, the trees are very helpful to humans. See how they bend over to protect the car from the ultra-violet rays from the sun.
By the way, we are not allowed to cut trees over here. Only the City Council has that right and they have just used it.
The trees in the background.
No more trees.
What the scenery looks like now.
In front of my house, the trees are very helpful to humans. See how they bend over to protect the car from the ultra-violet rays from the sun.
By the way, we are not allowed to cut trees over here. Only the City Council has that right and they have just used it.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Loan Terms
The Prime Minister of Malaysia was said to have given a directive to the SME Bank to give loans to all deserving Malaysians regardless of race (The Star, August 28th). He also declared that the SME Bank belonged to all Malaysians. What a wonderful statement! Obviously, he failed to convey his speech to the officers running the bank or they couldn't be bothered with politicians as they are holding permanent posts whereas politicians come and go. The bank staff probably think it is another political statement to fish for more votes in the next election. Which could be true, looking at realities.
In today's paper (The Star) there's was an article titled Loan Terms Upset Traders. It was reported that the SME Bank imposed all sorts of conditions. Among them the applicant must have a degree, the company must have a 51% bumiputra ownership, provide collateral and have fixed deposits. As usual the key officials of the bank were conveniently not available for comments.
They don't seem to understand the Prime Minister's speech which was meant for harmony, prosperity and long-term peace in this country. Especially when there is a lot of frustation and distrust in the government's policies in distributing wealth using the NEP in the name of maintaining stability, peace and harmony among the races.
When questioned regarding the 51% bumiputra ownership requirement, the bank officials said it was an unwritten rule! How is anyone going to know for sure if you have not followed the rules if it is unwritten? Who makes up these unwritten rules anyway? How does anyone know if it has not been modified to suit certain parties? The Prime Minister or his senior assistants need to follow up on his directives, to ensure that they are understood by those implementing them.
If we want to be a developed nation by 2020, we need to help all sectors to be productive and successfull. You can't achieve this if you have officers with narrow minds blocking the way of progress. If the Prime Minister was sincere when he made the statement about the availability of loans from the SME Bank to all Malaysians, he should take up the phone and straighten out the key officials who at the moment are conveniently missing. He needs to do this to affirm his leadership, otherwise he will just be a puppet for the oportunist behind the scene.
In today's paper (The Star) there's was an article titled Loan Terms Upset Traders. It was reported that the SME Bank imposed all sorts of conditions. Among them the applicant must have a degree, the company must have a 51% bumiputra ownership, provide collateral and have fixed deposits. As usual the key officials of the bank were conveniently not available for comments.
They don't seem to understand the Prime Minister's speech which was meant for harmony, prosperity and long-term peace in this country. Especially when there is a lot of frustation and distrust in the government's policies in distributing wealth using the NEP in the name of maintaining stability, peace and harmony among the races.
When questioned regarding the 51% bumiputra ownership requirement, the bank officials said it was an unwritten rule! How is anyone going to know for sure if you have not followed the rules if it is unwritten? Who makes up these unwritten rules anyway? How does anyone know if it has not been modified to suit certain parties? The Prime Minister or his senior assistants need to follow up on his directives, to ensure that they are understood by those implementing them.
If we want to be a developed nation by 2020, we need to help all sectors to be productive and successfull. You can't achieve this if you have officers with narrow minds blocking the way of progress. If the Prime Minister was sincere when he made the statement about the availability of loans from the SME Bank to all Malaysians, he should take up the phone and straighten out the key officials who at the moment are conveniently missing. He needs to do this to affirm his leadership, otherwise he will just be a puppet for the oportunist behind the scene.
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