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Food For Thought

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,

do it with thy might;

for there is no work,

nor device, nor knowledge,

nor wisdom, in the grave,

whither thou goest.

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Words To Live By

When you are down and the situation around you looks hopeless, do not forget to look to God for He is always true and will be your help and guide through difficult times as well as good times.

1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 1

Words of Comfort

For all those who are sojourners of "BOLEHLAND", here are some words of comfort from Habakkuk :

Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls;

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The LORD God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.

(Hab 3:17-19)

Loneliness

The meaning of loneliness from Wikipedia is :
“Loneliness is an emotional state in which a person experiences a powerful feeling of emptiness and isolation. Loneliness is more than just the feeling of wanting company or wanting to do something with another person. Loneliness is a feeling of being cut off, disconnected from, and alienated towards, other people. The lonely person may find it difficult or even impossible to have any form of meaningful human contact. Lonely people often experience a subjective sense of inner emptiness or hollowness, with feelings of separation or isolation from the world.”

The reason for this topic is I have been left ‘alone’ for a few days a couple of times this month as my wife was away attending meetings. I wasn’t completely ‘alone’ as my son is still with me.

For a married man, there is this emptiness during the night. In the daytime we can attend church activities and in the evening arrange games (tennis or golf) with friends and so on. When it is time to be home and one half is not there, there is this strange feeling of not being complete. Nobody to talk to, or make fun of or laugh with. Watching TV alone is also not fun anymore even though we get control over the remote! Happiness is when it is wrestled from someone! Heh heh.

I know quite a number of friends who live alone. I wonder how they manage to overcome this feeling that I went through for those few days. Things are back to normal now. I don’t have to think about what to eat for dinner! Even the shopkeeper seemed to know something was amiss when I started to buy so many buns. “Isteri pi mana?” she asked. When I told her my wife is outstation, she said no wonder eating bread only! Bread or buns is the easiest thing for dinner and breakfast. Believe me. I know.

God did not intend for man to be alone.
Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

What Is Normal?

I was watching a movie on the telly today - 'Family Stone'. It was about an American family and their relationship with each other. It looked like a disfunctional family to me.

The son brought home his girl friend to meet the family and declared his intention to marry her. After the scene where he manages to convince his mother that she is the one, somehow he falls for her sister instead! The girl friend manages to get herself drunk with his brother and in the end they both end up together. They have a mute son who happens to be gay and has a black man as his boyfriend. At the end of the show, they are seen with a black baby! The producers of this movie have managed to make it look like this is a typical American family! What crap! This is the power of the American media. They can change anything and make it look good in a very subtle way. It permeates the very fabric of our society and people like Elton John will be telling us what is right and what is wrong!

When we got married and wanted to have children, my greatest fear was that our children might not be normal. Normal in the sense of missing limbs, hole-in-the-heart, blind or even mentally retarded. This was our greatest fear. We are thought to pray about it and leave the rest to God. Whatever the outcome, the child will still be ours and we will learn to love and accept the child in whatever condition. This was not an empty promise but a commitment.

We thank God that we have two normal and healthy boys. As they grew, I still had that nagging feeling about other things like 'homosexuality'. I don't have to worry about that now. I will never know how I would have tackled that problem if it had surfaced. We learn from the bible that the union is between a man and a woman and the two shall be one. Then only can they have a family and there is procreation. Call me puritanical but this is what I believe. Some people would say it may not be 'cool' and very archaic, but this is normal to me and good enough for me and my family.

Mentally Challenged

On some mornings I go to this Chinese coffee shop behind my house for breakfast. They have nice steaming 'char siew pow' available very early in the morning. I usually have one 'char siew pow' with a cup of coffee. As usual, I was at that coffee shop having my breakfast and I noticed a Chinese girl sitting at a nearby table having her bowl of noodle soup. I have seen this girl many times before at this shop and also at one of our local churches that help to look after and train the mentally challenged.

She has money to pay for the breakfast and knows how much change she should get. I was wondering what would happen to people like her if there was no one to give money for the daily needs. She doesn't work and so doesn't have a steady income. Her parents are probably giving her pocket money. What will happen to her if they are not around? It will be a sad story.

The Trinity Baptist Church in this city has set up a center to help people like her to learn a trade through which they can earn some money. The church also collects old newspapers and other stuff which can be sold for re-cycling and the money from this helps to support this center. This is a very good community service that the church is providing besides the dialysis center that they also operate. I feel that any church today that talks about evengelism without having a program to help the needy is not going to make an impact. Visiting the old folks home once a year is not it.

Looking For Food

During Chinese New Year, it is quite common to see people(non-muslims) driving around looking for food. Most of the Chinese restaurants would close for at least 4 or 5 days. The food outlets that are open would be the ones that are 'franchised' like KFC, McDonald or Pizza Hut and so on. If one is looking for a place to call dishes, tough luck.

Most people would settle for 'mamak'(Indian muslim) food. The good thing about living in Malaysia is that there are a variety of food that is available to those who do not cook at home. During the CNY holidays, one can eat 'briyani' with curry chicken or mutton with a bowl of 'sup kambing'. 'Mee goreng' or 'mee rebus' is also in demand during this period. For those who like Malay food, it is also available. One other choice would be the Indian 'banana leaf' food. This of course is limited to 1 or 2 stalls as the Indian community is a minority here.

The truly desperate would settle for Maggi mee as they can't get 'kuando mee' or 'koay teow teng' or 'fried koay teow'! It's good to live in a multi-racial country. You won't starve to death during festive occasions if you are a bachelor or if you are not good at cooking.

A Walk In The Park

Went for a walk in the park this morning. It was about 7.15am and the air was cool with a gentle breeze blowing. The sun was still sleeping. The birds were chirping high up in the trees and I felt fresh and enegertic as I walked along the footpath, enjoying nature and what it gives us for free when all of a sudden there was this piercing sound coming from behind me. Systematically done at a certain beat.

I turned around and there was this person clapping and walking. The clapping produced a sharp piercing sound and was amplified due to the quietness of the surrounding. I wasn't sure if the clapping was following the heart beat or some music inside this person's head but it sure spoiled the tranquility of that place at that time. I decided to stop and let this person go ahead of me as I got irritated by the clapping. I have no idea how the clapping is helping this person in keeping healthy. But I guess this is part of our democratic system. The right to clap in the park! What a bummer!

I'm Still Alive

I came across this humorous poem in one of our local newspapers entitled 'I'm Still Alive'. I just had to post it as you don't come across such humour that often.

I’m Still Alive

Just a line to say I’m living,
That I’m not among the dead;
Though I’m getting more forgetful,
And more “mixed up” in the head.

For sometimes I can’t remember,
When I stand at the foot of the stairs,
If I must go up for something,
Or I’ve just come down from there.

And before the fridge so often
My poor mind is filled with doubt,
Have I just put food away, or
Have I come to take some out.

And there are times when it is dark out,
With my nightcap on my head,
I don’t know if I’m retiring,
Or just getting out of bed.

So if it’s my turn to write,
There’s no need in getting sore.
I may think that I have written,
And don’t want to be a bore.

So remember I do love you,
And I wish that you were here.
But now it’s nearly mail time,
So I must say, “Goodbye, dear.”

There I stood beside the mailbox,
With a face so very red,
Instead of mailing you my letter,
I had opened it instead!

Originally posted at Seniors-Site.Com
[http://seniors-site.com/poetry/mixedup.html
Sent in by dicgall@worldnet.att.net -- My Aunt of 81 years gave it to me and said she had had it for some time. Thanks.]

Flood In Johor

The southern most state of Malaysia - Johor, has been badly hit by floods in most parts of the state. More than 104,000 people have been evecuated. When the first round of the flood waters started receding, everyone breathed a sigh of relief even though the houses were in a sorry mess and properties damaged by the flood waters. Suddenly came another round of torrential rain and the flood waters started to rise again, sending the victims scurrying to safer ground, salvaging whatever they could on the way.

We had some of that experience last year just before Christmas though not as bad as what the Johorians are going through. It is a terrible time to rough it out in a relief center, and knowing that your possessions will be floating down the river while you are helpless to do anything about it. The government and the private sector have mobilised relief volunteers to help distribute goods for the flood victims. Below are some pictures of the flood situation in Kota Tinggi, one of the affected towns in Johor.

Wet Weekend

The Meteorological Department warned us on Thursday that we are going to have a wet weekend due to strong northeast monsoon winds blowing from South China Sea. The winds are expected to reach a speed of 65kph and will pass through north Peninsular Malaysia which is where I live.

True to their 'prediction', it has been raining all day today. No strong winds or lightning or thunder. Just rain, rain, rain, rain.... Water everywhere and this has caused some traffic jams in our fair city. The rain is not totally to blame of course. The situation has been compounded by development works along major roads which the City Council has seen fit to implement simultaneously just when the school terms begin. A number of traffic lights were also knocked out by sub-contractors who were digging the road.

With no policemen around to man this mess, it took much longer to get back home after picking up my son from school. It's a jungle out there with the motto 'who dares wins' attitude of many a motorist! I hope the rain will stop tomorrow. Otherwise it will be another hectic drive to town and back. I never liked city life which is why I moved back to my quiet hometown but it looks like the city is catching up with me and I have to learn to put up with it.

With this kind of weather all outdoors activities are off. No more tennis or golf. Karaoke anyone?

Dumpsite Treasure Hunt

RM 80,000.00 find sparks a treasure hunt at the dumpsite along the Kuantan-Segamat Highway reports the Star today. What was a tragedy to many people seems to be a boon to some people. A lot of people have started scavenging through the rubbish hoping to find valuables that were washed away from the flooded homes.
Picture from the Star:


There is a fine for such an activity - RM 500.00, but these people are not bothered with that. For the person who found RM 80,000.00 in cash, it would mean less RM 500.00 only. No big deal! Many have found gold chains, gold coins and other jewelery which people usually keep in their homes. It never occured to any of them to return the valuables or at least make an attempt to return them. It looks like finders keepers policy at the moment. No time to sympathise with those who have lost so much because of the flood.

It reminds me of some scenes I have seen on Animal Planet where one animal is left behind because of sickness or injury. The poor animal can't keep up with the rest so it gets left behind. The predators who are lurking not too far away move in for the kill and get their lunch. Whatever is left behind is cleaned up by the vultures. Nothing goes to waste. Looks like some human characteristics are quite similar to those of the animals!

Merry Christmas!

What Handicap?

To many people, losing the use of both arms would definitley be tragic as that would make us handicapped. I can't even begin to imagine what life would be like if I don't have both of my arms.

There are a number of people without both arms who have overcome their handicap and are making the best out of the situation. They have learned to use their feet and their mouth to earn a living. I am refering to the Mouth And Foot Painting Artist who are stationed in Kuala Lumpur and display their works in a gallery in Ampang Park. Their association reproduces the original artworks into bookmarks, greeting cards, calendars, wrapping papers, etc. Self-help, not charity, is the MFPA’s motto.

I purchased some of their greeting cards which are shown below :





The Star had a write up about the MFPA and the information on how to join this group for those who qualify is as below :

Who can join MFPA?
Any body who has lost the use of his hands and paints with the mouth or foot can become a potential member of the association. They must submit six paintings, a medical certificate stating that they are unable to hold a paintbrush with their hands, two photographs and a short biography. All materials will be sent to the association’s headquarters in Lichtenstein for evaluation before one can be accepted as a member. MFPA can be contacted at (03) 2161 8860/8502.

Christmas Cheer

It is that time of the year when supermarkets and shopping complexes start decorating and blaring out the special offers for Christmas. It is so easy to get caught up with all this hype and go on a buying spree. The attraction is "This is cheap, a great deal there, buy one get one and so on". What is it about Christmas that started this sales pitch all over the world?

It was a time for giving. The Christmas story is about God's greatest gift to us in the form of Jesus Christ who was given to us for our salvation. From this event we started this fad about buying gifts for people around Christmas time. When you give something to someone it shows you care about that person. Actually it should be about caring and loving your neighbour as yourself not only at Christmas time but all year around.

But being mortals, we tend to forget the real meaning of Christmas as we are too engrossed with our work or our hobbies or our careers or our families and our friends. At Christmas time we suddenly become more sensitive to the people around us and we become extra nice or generous to fit in with the Christmas spirit. For some, this 'caring' moment might even stretch beyond Christmas into the new year eve party where there will be more giving of gifts.

It is not a bad thing actually and maybe with time the caring spirit might last longer with the years until it becomes a part of our daily routine. Until such time I guess we will have to carry on with the practice of buying and giving gifts during Christmas. At least we would have made some poor soul happy for that short time. Something is better than nothing!

World's Best Dermatologist?

Came across an advertisement in our local daily announcing the Festive Season Special Offer by one 'Dr Murad'. In the advertisement he claims to have been voted the 'World's Best Dermatologist'.

I immediately brought this piece of information to the attention of my dearest wife who is suffering from atopy eczema. She has seen so many skin specialist that sometimes when she happens to be attended by a doctor who is sitting in for the specialist at the government hospital, she ends up telling him what medication she wants. That's how experienced in skin matters she is. So, when I tell her about this 'World's Best Dermatologist', she asks to read further to find out who awarded him that title.

I read the fine print and it says 'VOGUE Magazine, Aug 2001 - LA USA'. When I gave her the information, she says that magazine is to cater for women's vanity. It's not a medical journal to give out such titles. Anyway, "LA USA is not the world." she says.

How true. It is typical of the Americans though. Whatever they do, they will declare it world standard or universal standard even though it is only their backyard. No wonder they lost in Vietnam and are now stuck in Iraq. They don't bother about the rest of the world but declare themselves champions of the world.

Coming back to this 'World Dermatologist', I was curious to see what a world class dermatologist had to offer us Malaysians.
1. Black heads and White heads
2. Pigmentation and uneven skin tone
3. Fine lines and wrinkles
4. Acne scars and blemishes

No wonder VOGUE was interested in this guy. His playing field was right down their front yard! I thought he might have some news for those suffering from soriasis or eczema or some other skin deseases that millions of people are suffering from.

This is capitalism in its truest form in a democratic society. Make money where you can and when you can and from whoever you can.

Well, that's life!

The Sudden Departure

Attended a Muslim funeral today. This friend of mine (a lady) who had a mild stroke some years ago, looked like she was recovering and being herself again. She managed to get back her speech functions. She even phoned to invite me to her daughters wedding some time ago. We visited her and she was so happy to see 'the gang' again.

We (the gang) worked in the same office in the 80's. Now everyone of us had married and with children, hardly had time to meet. Her daughter's wedding was one of the occasions we could meet and laugh over old times.

Last night I received a message saying this lady had passed away. Life is so unpredictable. The circle of friends is getting smaller. I find that when you get older its not easy to make friends. You only make acquaintances. Mostly because when one grows older, you are not so forgiving, tend to be critical and very set in your own standards. You don't feel the need to change to accomodate new friends.

We need to go out and be more open and more adventurous. Life is not only short, it is also so unpredictable. No one is really prepared for death. We only talk about life after death. Not death itself. So, don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today as you don't know what tomorrow holds!

About Life

I received this short write up on life through the internet
which I think is well written and beautifully stated.

About Life

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't
supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your
heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time.
You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was
broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love
for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too
fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many
pictures,laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt
because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of
happiness you'll never get back.

Don't be afraid that your life will end,
be afraid that it will never begin.
~anonymous~

Conversion Issues

Received this info through the internet. Useful for the non-muslims.
Read and be well informed.