Parenting Quick Tips on How to Help Children Be More Functional in Adulthood

Key Point:

What else can we expect when the child is exposed to bad parenting

behavior? Family dysfunction WILL affect kids.

Tip #1

Help them deal with matters that they encounter whenever they ask for

help and guidance. Listen and advise them accordingly and even discuss

with them how best to overcome them.

Tip #2

Encourage them to share their problems and worries with you. Show

concern but never tell them to stop worrying or to stop crying. You

don't want them to think that keeping quiet is the best solution for

worries and concerns.

Tip #3

Pay attention to the process, not just the results. Praise them for

their achievements and also on how they came to do well.

Tip #4

Don't expect your child to be a better version of you. Encourage them

to be the best versions of themselves. Having their own identity,

aspirations, and ideals is so much better than having them be insecure

about themselves.

Tip #5

Help them set attainable goals and that it's ok to fail from time to

time because that's part of learning.

Tip #6

You want your child to grow up believing that decisions are made based

on facts and not fear. Therefore, do not threaten them to submit to

your intentions or to what's right by instilling in them the sense of

fear instead of what's right or wrong. You have to explain to them why

it's right or wrong and how you came to that conclusion.

Tip #7

Parenting is a shared responsibility and you mustn't encourage your

child to practice favoritism of which parent they like. They may just

grow up to be manipulative individuals.

Tip #8

Never use guilt as a weapon to get your child to do things. Don't say

things like "If you love me (more)..." or "Do you know how hard I

work..." etc. They may end up letting people they will meet later in

life use the same tactic on them OR they unto others.

Tip #9

Your child shall always be your child, no matter how old they become.

Solve your own problems on your own, do not engage them in the same

emotional distress that you have. They will grow up to be anxious

adults.

Tip #10

Children who grow up without the emotional support and presence may

struggle in becoming adults who are well balanced emotionally and with

healthy meaningful relationships with others.

N/B Original article is much longer...

Pakatan Harapan: Improving Communication with Public

Why this post?

Well it's because I'm not aware of any other channel besides Twitter and even that risks being ignored or drowned out by other tweets.

The Najib regime taught me a simple fact when having to deal with the Government, it was mostly tedious. Telephone calls unanswered, and if answered - different replies. Emails that are not acknowledged leading to no reply. So the next best thing is to make an e-request that will probably take forever for a reply as well.

We Malaysians are basically a very laidback lot and if we could go to work by staying at home, we would.

Searching the Net for a solution on their official websites will often result in nothing too because the Frequently Asked Questions conveniently does not have the answer you want. Alternatively there will be forums and chat groups that are not "official" but then everything is hearsay, and given the fact that 2 government officers can also give different replies to 1 question!

How vexing!

I hope the Pakatan Harapan Government (at least the Negeri-negeri where they won the state) will find ways to simplify communication between them and the public. Fact: There is much knowledge to be gained from listening to the public, and knowledge is power.

The public is a pillar for the Government. Without its support, PH could be seeing a return of BN. Yikes!

Show us you love us by listening to us. Let us let you know what we like about you. Let us tell you what you are doing well and what could be even better. Make us a part of the Government by engaging us as much as needed.

Start by simplifying communications:

1. Let us be heard, not hurt. Nothing beats human to human communication when it's prompt and clear.
2. Touch base with us from time to time, put us on your newsletter list. Add in an option for us to feedback.
3. Don't call us on the phone, we are busy too! Of course, if it's urgent send us an email first and then call us!
4. Organize community gatherings where we can meet up, no ceramahs please!
5. If we voted for you, make it clear to us the location of your Community Service Centre.
6. Follow through on 1 - 5.

Last but not least, how would you like us to communicate with you too?

Malaysia Broadband Access Services – When and Where to Complain

Foreword

I'm blogging about this subject as I came across several people (and that's bad) who were either having difficulties in approaching their ISP or had failed to get their ISP to act responsibly -- leaving them to unreasonably make do with the poor quality of their Internet connection.

A slow/poor Internet connection can be frustrating and in some instances mean loss of opportunity and also make you spend more time than you intended. 

Broadband combines connection capacity (bandwidth) and speed. Recommendation I.113 of the ITU Standardization Sector defines broadband as a “transmission capacity that is faster than primary rate Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) at 1.5 or 2.0 Megabits per second (Mbits)”. https://www.itu.int/osg/spu/publications/birthofbroadband/faq.html

Let's Get Started

There is an authority in each country that acts as the regulator for Broadband Access Services, as like the MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) does in Malaysia.

Whether you a residential or business customer subscribing to broadband access services from an ISP (Internet Service Provider), your rights are the same – that is, you are entitled to complain to your ISP when the quality of the service falls below your expectations.

Quality of Service is rated on connection availability, bandwidth availability, latency, jitter and packet loss.

The MCMC does not regulate jitter (the variation in latency as measured in the variability over time of the packet latency across a network). A network with constant latency has no variation or jitter.

It does however set the minimum requirements for the rest as follows,

Network Availability 99.9% of the time, excluding scheduled ISP maintenance works
Bandwidth Availability > 70% of your subscribed speed, 95% during busy hours
Latency < 85ms
Packet Loss < 1%

Note: Bandwidth is a measurement of how much data can be transferred at a time while speed is a measurement of how fast things are done.

According to “protocol”, you are expected to lodge a complaint with your ISP prior to any contact with the regulatory agencies. Why agencies as in plural?

Yup, there is another party to contact –

Communications & Multimedia Consumer Forum of Malaysia (CFM),
Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission (MCMC),
Off Persiaran Multimedia,
63000, Cyberjaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Hotline : 1800 18 2222
Fax : 03 8320 9083
Email : aduan@cfm.org.my

Working Days : Mon - Fri, 9:00am to 6:00pm


The former acts to mediate between you and the ISP to resolve your complaint, while the latter is supposed to protect your rights as a consumer.


CONSUMER PROTECTION & COMPLAINTS BUREAU
Malaysia Communications & Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
MCMC Tower 1, Jalan Impact, Cyber 6, 63000 Cyberjaya Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Hotline : 1800 – 188 – 030
Fax : 03 8688 1880
Email: aduanskmm@cmc.gov.my
Website: http://www.skmm.gov.my

Working Days: Mon – Fri, 8:30am to 5:30pm


WHY go through all the trouble to complain when most of the time all I need to do is to restart my connection?

Simple,

• To make sure you're getting what you pay for. A speed test is useful if you feel a slow connection or want to see how your Internet is performing.
• Avoid the inconvenience from too frequent and too many restarts.
• Avoid allocating time for attending to the ISP’s service technician, who will come and find nothing wrong with your line signal quality and speed at the time of his visit.

Do the right thing today. When you don’t, nothing will improve.

Might Be The Only 2 Quick Tips You Need to Answer 'Why Should I Hire/Keep You?'

Come back to this whenever you need to be interviewed or are being appraised.

1. Work out what they want - Your first step, as always is to do your
research. Start by reading your job description. If that doesn't help,
google for a list of examples on what a person in your job is expected
to offer (and do). This should give you a clearer understanding of the
job's expectations and allow you to either verbally or write them out.
Next, provide examples of how you have/can perform and deliver.

2. It's all about quality, not just quantity - The key things you
want them to know are your experience/training (what you've done),
education/skills (what you know to get things done), accomplishments
(what you have successfully done), and culture fit (what you are that
is similar or in line to the company's direction and a team player).
Be concise, this means not going overboard with more than 3-4
examples; otherwise you risk boring them. You can keep the extra for
later discussion (just in case).

Footnote: Understanding comes from thought. A complete understanding will let you know what's expected of you, it's either you perform to those expectations OR bye-bye. When you know what you are qualified to offer, you perform better - naturally.

Might Be The Only 2 Quick Tips You Need to Answer 'Why Should I Hire/Keep You?'

Come back to this whenever you need to be interviewed or are being appraised.

1. Work out what they want - Your first step, as always is to do your
research. Start by reading your job description. If that doesn't help,
google for a list of examples on what a person in your job is expected
to offer (and do). This should give you a clearer understanding of the
job's expectations and allow you to either verbally or write them out.
Next, provide examples of how you have/can perform and deliver.

2. It's all about quality, not just quantity - The key things you
want them to know are your experience/training (what you've done),
education/skills (what you know to get things done), accomplishments
(what you have successfully done), and culture fit (what you are that
is similar or in line to the company's direction and a team player).
Be concise, this means not going overboard with more than 3-4
examples; otherwise you risk boring them. You can keep the extra for
later discussion (just in case).

Footnote: Understanding comes from thought. A complete understanding
will let you know what's expected of you, it's either you perform to those expectations OR bye-bye. When you know what you are qualified to offer, you perform better - naturally.

Might Be The Only 2 Quick Tips You Need to Answer 'Why Should I Hire/Keep You?'

Come back to this whenever you need to be interviewed or are being appraised.

1. Work out what they want - Your first step, as always is to do your
research. Start by reading your job description. If that doesn't help,
google for a list of examples on what a person in your job is expected
to offer (and do). This should give you a clearer understanding of the
job's expectations and allow you to either verbally or write them out.
Next, provide examples of how you have/can perform and deliver.

2. It's all about quality, not just quantity - The key things you
want them to know are your experience/training (what you've done),
education/skills (what you know to get things done), accomplishments
(what you have successfully done), and culture fit (what you are that
is similar or in line to the company's direction and a team player).
Be concise, this means not going overboard with more than 3-4
examples; otherwise you risk boring them. You can keep the extra for
later discussion (just in case).

Footnote: Understanding comes from thought. A complete understanding
will let you know what's expected of you, it's either you perform to
those expectations OR bye-bye. When you know what you are qualified to
offer, you perform better - naturally.

Think Your Marriage is Happy, make it happier with these tips!

Many people have happy marriages. Overstatement or Understatement?

FACT: Happy Marriages are the exact OPPOSITE of a Hurtful Marriage.

If a hurtful marriage is one that causes you discomfort, pain, tears,
stress and depression; then a happy marriage is one that gives you
ease, pleasure, laughter, relaxation and joy!

Did you know there's a lack of silly arguments in a happy marriage?
All it takes is just one stupid argument (and it takes two hands to
clap - so please don't collaborate, just listen) to undo a happy
marriage.

Instead of finding excuses to show off your "superiority" (fyi:
marriage is an equal partnership), be reasonable and look for reasons
to make your spouse happy.

Work together to make your marriage a happier one:

1. Take some space

It is more difficult to accept feedback from your spouse when you are
in a negative emotional state than when you are calm and happy.

Being angry makes it hard to see the issues clearly, and not only will
you most likely fail to accept your spouse's opinion, you probably
won't be able to discuss it calmly too.

So take some space. Put off your "argument" and focus on something
else – but do it politely.

2. Focus on the big-picture goal
There is a reason why you married your spouse. If love was not the
reason, what is?

3. Remember they’re on your side

Your spouse is generally the one you sleep and wake with, right? No
one's going to get closer than that!

Sometimes, getting constructive feedback hurts. The key thing to
remember is that, the person giving that kind of feedback is on your
side and wants you to succeed.

4. Be solution-oriented

Rather than getting stuck in the argument, think about the solution.

5. Take it with a grain of salt

With the exception of your job, in most personal situations you are in charge. You don’t have to agree with all of the changes or suggestions your spouse makes. BUT you need to give your feedback so your spouse makes an educated decision about it.

C'mon it ain't so hard as long as you are human and capable of love. :) :)

VALUE is the Number 1 Marketing Hack

To many people, marketing is all about making their product and/or services sell. Some may even think that it's just a way to reach out to new and current* customers.

* FACT : The majority of customers are not often loyal to the one brand, product or service.

For "marketing" to be effective, it's not all about doing more. It's about what you do. 

Take as much time as you need to review your VALUE, and it goes like this:

1. Vision

Is your brand, product and service exactly how you envisioned it to be? You have to get your offerings in shape before you even contemplate to share it with the world.

2. Appraise

Rate your most recent marketing strategies, plans and actions. Were they in line with your vision and how well did they work? You need to focus on the necessary amendments to your game plan when marketing is failing to bring in the business you need**.

* Need as in the business volume required for you to be profitable. Want comes in later and in the form of the business you think you deserve because you have a great brand, product and service!

3. Love

You don't just love the business your customers give you. You have to love your customers for keeping you in business! Find ways to show your customers that you love them.

4. Understanding

You need to know just exactly how your customers feel about YOU. Only then will you know how your brand, product and service can help them. Marketing gives you the platform to gain valuable feedback and broadcast your understanding of what they -- the customers want.

5. Emotion

Ultimately, how strongly you feel about your brand, product and service will determine your marketing strategies. Getting clear about your passion enables your vision to become clearer. 

And just how exactly does one do this? It's all about your VALUE.

A Silly Argument, The 3Cs of A Great Marriage

Wife: Why didn't you call?
Husband: I was busy.
Wife: What? Didn't you say you needed me every second of your life?
Husband: Yes I did but that was before we got married and not in my
working life!

~ Moral ~

Women LOVE seeking the attention of their other half. Men on the other
hand treats life as a checklist and compartmentalize it into several
or more parts, doing and focusing on one part at a time.   If men and
women saw things the same way EITHER they wouldn't be married in the
first place OR find the slightest opportunity to argue with one
another.

Written after great thought by a man who is still working on the 3Cs
of a Great Marriage. By the way the 3Cs do not stand Cash, Condo and
Car BUT Compromise, Compliment, and Complement!

The 3Cs are in no particular order and applies to BOTH Men and Women.

P/S: Men will always be JUST MEN while Women have an incorporated
meaning, "W"ives "O"f MEN. In short, there is more to women than just
men.

PP/S: Compromise (give & take, win-win situation), Compliment
(praise), and Complement (provide the parts to make whole)...

Water Ration April 2014, Water Woes Again

Yup folks it's official!

Syabas has issued a statement to this effect. Let there be no misinterpretation regarding the recent heavy downpours -- water supply is still low (at least that's according to what the folks at Syabas says).

So it's another month of water rationing. If you want to know what's fair, folks in the designated Zone 2 areas are short a day of supply. Why?

Instead of water on April 1 and April 2, they'll just be getting water on April 1 only instead of the 2 days. Blame in on the guys at Syabas to reschedule anew instead of continuing the cycle, bad maths or maybe plain convenience to them.

 Excerpts from Syabas' Statement:

This will be the 4th Phase of Water Rationing and extension of the rationing period for areas in Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan and Putrajaya.

Decision made by the Selangor Government to increase the volume of rationing from 500 Million litres a day to 1000 Million litres a day for the Selangor River Dam and 30 Million litres a day for the Klang Gates Dam. Syabas has been "requested" by the Selangor Government to prepare a Water Ration Plan (4th Phase) to tackle the shortage of treated water caused by this decision.

[Gosh! The way I read it, it's like Syabas is blaming the Selangor Government for deciding. But wait, why does the state authority or any government authority "decide" on such matters?]

The 4th Phase Water Ration Plan was approved by SPAN (Commission of National Water Services) on 28 March 2014.

[After that we had more rain. "Apparently" it rained heavily at the wrong places and water source is still high in ammonia, or something to that effect!]

In addition, there will be new areas added and affected by the water rationing.

[Bummer! As I'm typing this out -- it's about to rain again, heavily too].

This new Phase is effective from 4 April 2014 hingga 30 April 2014 and will last as long to a date decided by the Selangor Government.

[Again Selangor Government to decide. Should it be for Syabas to decide as the supplier and the Selangor Government to announce -- what the ...?]

And the famous phrase, consumers are urged to refer to the said notice on the Syabas website (www.syabas.com.my). 

Quick Notes:

For zones scheduled for no water supply, water supply is expected to stop at 9am on the first day and resume approximately 55 hours later, or at 4pm on the 3rd day.

[Another publicity lie, 2 days indeed!]

Be prepared, over here plans made carry on once "approved" -- so maybe if there's ample water supply source -- the plan goes on...

Malaysia do you have USB?

YES and I'm not talking about Universal Serial Bus drives OR devices here!

Unacceptable–Social Behavior (USB) is a serious mental condition where a person experiences frequent unwelcome obsessional thoughts that are socially abnormal and acts upon them, often followed by self gratification for having achieved those acts. An extreme example would be terrorists; classic version some whom misinterpret religion and use violence to achieve their "holy" objectives.

BUT I'm pretty sure that most of us anyway are NOT.

USB may be considered an illness and it affects almost everyone, from young children to adults, regardless of skin, sex or social or cultural background. The question that you should ask yourself is whether you have severe USB or mild USB?

IF USB is really an illness, almost all of us are certainly unaware of it since there is very little highlight on it. Maybe being Malaysians we just don't care as long as it doesn't personally hurt us. 

GENERALLY, USB sufferers experience obsessions which manifest into physical form. These hard to ignore acts are intrusive, unwanted, disturbing, significantly interfere with the society and the population at large. To people with USB they often know that their obsessional thoughts and acts are unacceptable, but they believe they have the personal right to act as they please even if it causes resentment and pain.

Typical USB includes:

• Spitting indiscriminately
• Public tantrums
• Running the Red Light (Red means Go?)
• Cutting Q whether driving or not
• Obstructing others from passing (again, whether driving or not)
• Showing the universal finger sign at others
• Throwing rubbish everywhere but the dustbin
• Dog Owners who allow their dogs to roam and defecate freely (my neighbor)
• Forcing others to follow (My Way or The Highway style)
• Hoarding (Mine mine mine and no one else's)

And that's only to name a few! If at any moment you did think or consider that these are the norm and nothing to worry about, then that's the very reason why USB is rampant and growing.

For people with USB there is often an over-inflated sense of ego that prevents them from estimating the amount of damage that their acts will cause to others. The USB person often feels ultimately responsible to have things their way.

To some degree USB people have probably experienced, at one time or another, by most of them, times when their acts are met with equal corrective action -- a speeding ticket, an earload of scolding, etc. Even then their ego prevents them from not doing the same selfish acts in future.

In a nutshell:

• USB people know that their thoughts and behavior are irrational and senseless,
• They feel proud and responsible to act out their selfish thoughts, and
• They do not doubt that their acts causes resentment.

Left unchecked and untreated, USB will mushroom and feed upon itself and can have the power to consume if left unchallenged.

Unfortunately, we have yet to even slowly begun to understand and identify USB symptoms much more effectively, maybe it's because of the culture of this country we live in.

The writer is still trying to understand USB better and, more importantly, hope that someone with the power to make a change, will recognize it as a threat to society and find ways how to treat it, and to offer belief and hope that recovery from Unacceptable–Social Behavior is possible.

Selamat Hari Malaysia yang Ke-50, My Email From Najib Razak aka admin@1malaysia.com.my

Bloggermun yang dikasihi.


Tahun ini adalah tahun yang amat bersejarah buat semua rakyat Malaysia. Pada tanggal 16 September, negara kita menyambut ulang tahun rasmi penubuhannya yang ke-50.



Pengisytiharan rasmi penubuhan Malaysia telah dibuat oleh Perdana Menteri Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj pada tarikh bersejarah ini, dalam tahun 1963, di Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.



Pengisytiharan yang disaksikan oleh oleh Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Raja-Raja Melayu, Gabenor-Gabenor Pulau Pinang, Melaka, Sarawak dan Sabah serta 30,000 orang rakyat telah memberi sinar harapan kepada semua.



Pada ketika itu, rakyat berbilang kaum dan agama, mengimpikan kemerdekaan, kebebasan dan kemakmuran dalam sebuah negara yang berdaulat.



Satu kompromi telah dicapai bagi melindungi kepentingan Sabah dan Sarawak bersama Persekutuan Tanah Melayu dalam penubuhan Malaysia. Hak autonomi dan kedudukan kedua-dua buah negeri ini turut dinyatakan dalam Perkara 20, Suruhanjaya Cobbold.



Ingin saya tegaskan bahawa Sabah dan Sarawak tidak pernah dipinggirkan oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan dalam pentadbiran negara. Sebagai Perdana Menteri, saya sentiasa berusaha bagi memastikan pembangunan yang sama rata untuk semua negeri di Malaysia.



Sejak tahun 2010, kerajaan memperuntukkan RM2 bilion untuk melaksanakan sejumlah 79 projek pembangunan infrastruktur asas luar bandar di Sabah dan Sarawak. Pada tahun 2012 sahaja, sejumlah RM62.3 juta dari jumlah ini telah diperuntukkan kepada Koridor Tenaga Diperbaharui Sarawak (SCORE) bagi membiayai beberapa projek, termasuk merekabentuk jalan masuk dan jalan dalam ke Hab Halal Tanjung Manis, bekalan air di Samalaju dan kajian kebolehlaksanaan untuk Taman Sains di Mukah. RM207 juta juga telah diperuntukkan dalam Koridor Pembangunan Sabah bagi melaksana beberapa projek infrastruktur dan pertanian.



Usaha berterusan bagi membangunkan ekonomi Sabah dan Sarawak sentiasa menjadi keutamaan kerajaan Malaysia. Kehidupan masyarakat di kedua-dua buah negeri ini telah banyak berubah berbanding 50 tahun yang lalu, selaras dengan pembangunan global.



Walaupun dalam usia yang muda, Malaysia telah berjaya membina sebuah negara yang disegani, sama ada dari aspek politik, ekonomi dan pembangunan sosial. Pengorbanan dan usaha gigih semua pihak dalam membentuk negara, mempertahankan keamanan dan kemakmuran selama ini akan sentiasa dihargai.



Kepada semua rakyat Malaysia, marilah kita bersama-sama berganding bahu dalam membina kemakmuran ekonomi, mempertahankan kedaulatan dan memelihara keharmonian dalam Negara.



Terima kasih.



Najib Razak



Admin


Untuk melihat infografik penuh, sila klik pautan ini.


http://www.1malaysia.com.my/blog/infografik-hari-malaysia-2/

Majority of Malaysians Do Not...

I am a Malaysian and while what I am about to write may not represent the true Malaysian, I believe that there is some inkling of truth to what follows - please read on...

What makes a Malaysian? By definition, any person born after the first Merdeka (Independence) Day in 1957 is naturally Malaysian. Growing up in Malaysia was fun - people from different backgrounds, religions and ethnic groups mashed up in a wonderful loving environment. The streets back then were relatively safe to with me walking the length of Kuala Lumpur undisturbed. 

Okay maybe that incident with that one Malay drug addict while asleep on the famous KL BMW (Bas Mini Wilayah)...this person attempted to molest this schoolboy (yours truly). I was a scout back then and we had just done an all-nighter in school having carried out a campfire gathering, so I was bushed and fell asleep on the bus only to be rudely awakened by this person stroking my thigh (didn't even stop even when I awoke). Luckily I had my Scout's Knife with me and I persuasively showed him enough to stop, he alighted at the next stop. Good riddance!

Back to topic, so what does the majority of Malaysians not...

• We do not simply park our cars. We park within allocated parking bays.
• We do not key, scrape or dent the car next to us even if they parked too closely to us.
• We abide by the traffic lights rules and stop at red.
• We do not tailgate the person in front who is hogging the lane and holding up traffic.
• We do not suddenly cut in another lane without signaling or at the last moment.
• We queue when it is required. We do not cut queue.
• We do not shout and use international sign language at other car drivers.
• When we walk across roads, we make sure it is safe - walk quickly and at pedestrian crossings. We do not walk slowly daring oncoming traffic and act blind. We also do not hold out our hand, stopping traffic and act as if we own the road.
• We do not walk shoulder to shoulder on narrow walkways with those next to us and prevent other people from overtaking us from behind or getting by us from the front.
• We do not make merry in public places and create a noisy nuisance of ourselves.
• We do not work for the need of money but rather for the purpose of assisting others get things done.
• We do not force others to succumb to our will; rather we show them the way and allow them to choose.
• We do not condone dirty politics and all its ills.
• We do not complain when the neighbor litters the front and the rubbish conveniently  blows to the front of our house.
• We do not also complain when heavy commercial & construction vehicles park and make the nice neighborhood we live in their depot. Even if we did complain to the local municipal, we do not expect much to change.
• We do not wish for change as change is strange, new and unpredictable to us.

There's just so many things that we Malaysians are not but one thing certain - the majority of Malaysians do have 2 things in common, anything that's free AND food! 

So be Malaysian, Malaysia Boleh!

Hot Hazy Summertime Blues in Malaysia

Wikipedia the free encyclopedia describes haze as a traditional atmospheric phenomenon where dust, smoke and other dry particles obscure the clarity of the sky.

Well in Malaysia it is very traditional alright, right down to consistently during summer (since 1982 too). Just as if the ozone layer is already not depleted enough and so burning hot! The way I see it, only idiots (because there are definitely more than a few of them) in Indonesia who make it a point year after year to do massive wide open burning.

While the Indonesian Government has only made disparaging retorts so far and in the past along the lines of - "the 'people' doing open burning is no other than those from Malaysia and Singapore", they seem to be nonetheless appreciative of these business mis-adventurers from overseas. Otherwise, why would they be knowledgeable of the nationalities of the perps and yet do nothing constructive and effective against them !?!

Hell they don't even get fined...even if they do - money can't buy back what is already lost, or maybe they are thinking that when the haze lifts and until the next time - it is sufficiently timely for those poor affected souls (such as Malaysians) to "heal" before the next attack!!!

No action doesn't mean that the problem will go away, yes it does but then again what about a year from now !?!

Every year we in Malaysia suffer the same problem with hazardous levels of haze, what are we? Some meek neighbor who only hold weekend parties and stay indoors (gap shut) while the next door neighbor does open burning!?! Oh good! Maybe the wind will blow the haze back in their faces and into their haze-resistant lungs... Hmph! Fat chance of that happening!

Schools closed, eye irritations, breathing difficulties -- WHY WHY WHY must we meekly endure this annual assault to our precious health?

Surely there must be some responsible and caring people in Indonesia who do not appreciate the lack of action and who are equally concerned about their own health and the environment that they live in, right?

There is hope still:

Walhi or Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (Indonesian Forum for the Environment) noted that the root causes of the haze have remained the same, three decades after it became a trans-boundary problem. Quote Walhi's Southern Sumatra acting Executive Director Hadi Jadmiko, "Efforts to stop open burning should begin from the Indonesian Government". He goes on to say that the haze COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF the Government (of Indonesia) had been serious in tackling the issue by coming down hard on open burning over the years.

If not:

Let us pray that the good people in Walhi get elected to government roles of power and hopefully (and thankfully then) will we only have a hot BUT NOT hazy summertime in Malaysia...

Until that happens, I'll be indoors with the air-conditioners on and god forbid having to go outdoors mask on...

By the way, Malaysian Government is ramping up efforts WITHIN Malaysia by telling us to call 999 and report any open burning...

MAHAP

MALAYSIAN AGAINST HAZE & AIR POLLUTION

   

MY beloved Malaysia, Merdeka, Elections and Marching On

Go forth filled with glorious pride Malaysia!

Post Merdeka certainly isn't what it is supposed to be nowadays with so many issues related to racism; otherwise why would there be an endless count of pro-unity advertisements in the media and being exposed to all these ads makes me start to wonder if racial harmony is really at stake.

When I was young (way way back in school), skin color was never an issue. We all mixed well socially and never thought of others as Malay, Chinese, Indian, Punjabi, Eurasian or English. Yes, there was a chap named Mark in school back then and he was from good ol' England. So why should there be an issue since then? I mean, people back then around my age should be the same people now who are now 'perceived' racist right? I really don't know...and we cannot go round asking others if they are racist, except of course we can judge by their actions to know.

Nazism stresses and believes in the superiority of one race over others. After a war and Adolf Hitler, there are still self proclaimed Nazis in this world. But, Malaysians are generally a peace loving lot. It's "in our blood" and culture. We are not Nazis and neither are we some form of the Ku Klux Clan. Racism and all it's extremities has no place in the modern world and certainly never in Malaysia.

What I do know is that racism should never arise as we Malaysians are Satu Malaysia, Satu Bangsa!

Harmony is not forged of tolerance; rather it comes from the mutual understanding and acceptance of one another. Yet, most of the earlier mentioned ads carry the Tolerance message.

Is the Merdeka model now dead? Hah! There is no straight answer because we Malaysians are so diverse. I may be a post Merdeka (way post, read all I could from proper History textbooks) but I think and still believe in Merdeka - it's history, significance and appreciation is a single component that bonds and binds us together...

The 13th General Elections also brought on another side of politicians that we have never seen or heard of -- they who lost started lamenting that the very people they 'helped' had voted for another. Just goes to say that these persons are politicians first before anything. And is it not true that this voting process allows us - a Malaysia citizen to have our say in choosing those whom we believe are capable to be the people's representative in the Parliament, Government and country? Instead of complaining, any proper bona-fide community service provider would have continued doing what they do best, that is to serve the people without falter -- actions do speak louder than words.

I learned long ago that national harmony can be a success only when we know why we are doing it, are clear about what we want to achieve (not Apa Lagi Cina Mahu nonsense) and set ambitious but realistic targets AND expectations. There must not be any trial and error and taking the 'we'll find out as we come upon it' attitude too. There will be a million people who will tell us a million ways why we failed to be Satu Malaysia Satu Bangsa BUT this country has way more than a million people. Right?

So if you are Malaysian and reading this - believe in unity and never back off!

 

Car Accident Hassle

Reckless drivers in Malaysia are not a dying breed, although they should be. Instead, they seem to be increasing year on year. When accidents do occur it is already to late to be sorry and yet, these people do know but care little. There is no point in delving deeper into their sorry excuses for recklessness...

Share this story with others.

This writer was most unfortunate of late to be involved in a car accident (no fault of his). It could have been due to Monday blues erratic driving behavior but is that really a reason? Traffic on school days is normally busy with parents sending their kids to school. And, one of these in her Proton Wira unceremoniously rear-ended this writer's car. Apparently, she had decided to be in a rush and cut the long queue of cars; only to rear-end this writer's car when she cut in behind suddenly.

What followed was a bag of lies...

"Oh I'll pay for the repairs, don't you worry about it. Small matter. Don't make a police report", she said. This writer then had her call him on his mobile to register that her given contact number was correct.

It was a tedious process of getting the damage assessed that included numerous attempts to contact this woman.

Finally at his wit's end, this writer gave her the ultimatum of paying for the damage; failing which the accident will be reported to the police. "Oh that is so expensive. Let me contact my insurer for advice and please don't try to rush me, I need time. I'm only a blue collar worker and I stay in an apartment so I don't have that much of money. Don't make a report, I'll be fined by the police", she said. This writer wonders what happened to her earlier statement that she would pay...

She doesn't call back.

Her Third Party Claims contractor calls and informs this writer to proceed to the Balai Polis to lodge the accident report with his assurance that he will "settle" everything.

The report was made speedily. A Lance Corporal lady cop typed the report (is this a new service by the PDRM? If yes, it's a welcomed improvement!). This writer then sees the "Sarjan" and was given a short interview (apparently this new service meant that Sarjan need not view this writer's car as Sarjan kept seated). The photographer traffic policeman then took pictures of the writer's car.

To cut this long story short. 

2 options for the repairs were available. To get it fixed by the writer's car insurance panel repair workshop OR by the earlier mentioned Third Party Claims contractor. Wrong choice if you chose the latter.

Why?

If you are not in the wrong (meaning the police issues a traffic summons to the other party), it is a better option to get the repairs done at your car insurance panel repair workshop. They will process everything from getting the Loss/Claims Adjuster to documentation and repairs. At the end of it all your car insurance company will claim against driver-at-fault's car insurance. Also, you may complain (aided by your car insurance company since it's their panel workshop) if the repairs is unsatisfactory. No brainer really.

A third party claims contractor? He most probably claims the same amount from the driver-at-fault's car insurance and do not replace with new. Their trick to entice you? Zero payment required from you and speedy "repairs".

Lessons learned:

1. Always settle on the spot and never allow the person who is in the wrong get away.
2. Jot down the driver details, i.e. car registration number, name and NRIC number and contact number.
3. Proceed to the nearest police station to lodge a report. Note: All traffic accidents must be reported within 24hours.
4. Never trust any other workshop aside from those on the panel list of your car insurance company.

This writer is currently still waiting for his car to be returned by the third party claims contractor, so to all you reckless Malaysian drivers out there: May the inconvenience you cause to others be multiplied many times over unto you! Grrr....

American Fractures Penis in Malaysia

Sex can hurt but so can love. Who would ever imagine that any man or creature endowed with the stated organ above can actually fracture it while having sex. Much as I would like to say Malaysia Boleh for a first known case in Malaysia, it is nothing to be proud of -- well at least Malaysia made the news, again.

Apparently, such cases are not uncommon and has occurred before in Malaysia. The injury happens when the tissue trapping blood during an erection breaks when bent. A cracking sound is heard followed by intense pain and flaccidity. There is only 6-10 hours time for repair surgery before there is irreversible damage. Doctors' say -- avoid vigorous sex to minimize risk of injury, not that some listen anyway...

30-year old American, Ray Elbe, a mixed martial arts (MMA) exponent is the proud character in this organ-chilling tale. Eking out a living by teaching Brazilian and mixed martial arts at a studio in Ara Damansara, poor Ray "fractured" his "little treasure" having sex with his girlfriend on December 3. Ouch!


According to Ray, "I jumped out from that intimate moment with blood shooting out from my groin. I tried to run to the shower and felt myself losing consciousness".

After collapsing, Ray ended up with 10 stitches to his chin and several chipped teeth. Fortunately, he is expected to fully recover as the injury did not involve a major artery. Unfortunately, he had to pay in excess of Ringgit Malaysia Seventeen Thousand (RM17,000++) for his stay in the hospital.

Ray now hopes to sell his story and pictures to recover some of the cost. Any takers?

The New and Trendy MINI Watch 3D in Style

Timepieces, Watches and Jewelry...move over Gangnam Style!



Malaysia's latest fashion fun watches has got to be the from Korea, now introducing The MINI Watch from Korea.

The MINI Watch is fun & fashionable and extremely artistic. Each watch design features lovable themes that virtually pops out from a hand-crafted engraved dial. While others are calling The MINI Watch collection the loveliest and cutest of all worldwide, some watch enthusiasts are deeming it the new 3D Watch of the century, and I do agree so *after checking out TwinkleTimeKL*.



TwinkleTimeKL on Facebook is currently selling for a limited time at an introductory price, these simply-must-haves, for about Ringgit Malaysia Seventy Five (RM75/=) a piece; which is a good deal and I saved at least 40-50% compared elsewhere.

The MINI Watch could well become a collector's item easily as it's affordable and attractive. There are also many individualistic designs to choose from and to wear for different occasions *a fashion statement, dress watch or fun watch, you decide*.


Now that's The MINI Watch for you (and me)!

Find out more or how to get your MINI Watch in Malaysia at http://www.facebook.com/twinkletimekl

This blogger is normally quite reserved and against all form of promotion but TwinkleTimeKL deserves it.

A tribute to a living legend, now gone - Steve Jobs

Wednesday, October 5 2011 marks the saddest day in the lives of many people. Steve Jobs the man who brought Apple to it's shiniest and brightest moments left the world at the age of 56. Details of his long battle with pancreatic cancer - a disease that ultimately claimed him remains unknown.

He was more than just the man behind the Mac and iPhone. Even in Malaysia now, one cannot help but hear the tributes on radio and coffee shop chit chats. Even Twitter at the time of this posting remains inaccessible, possible due to overwhelming tweet traffic.

He believed in himself. Despite having the odds against him, he believed in himself. He believed in his vision. He believed that he could change the way we communicate. He believed he could make a difference. And he did.

 This past week we said goodbye to Steve Jobs - the co-founder of Apple who revolutionized the way we communicate, work and play. But life was never easy for him and the only reason Jobs succeeded is because he believed in himself.

 He didn't let the naysayers stop him. He didn't let the doubters hold him back.

 He dropped out of school because he couldn't afford the tuition. He collected used soda cans and returned them to collect the deposit money. He walked 7 miles just so he could get a hot meal from a shelter. But all along he believed in himself and his vision. He never gave up. When he slept on a cold hard floor with only a blanket he didn't give up.

 Through all those years of struggle, Steve Jobs directed his mind, his subconscious mind and his powers to follow his vision. That vision and belief was planted on his subconscious mind, success was sure to follow. And did it ever.

When he passed away on Wednesday - Steve Jobs was a billionaire, surrounded by his family. He built one of the most valuable companies in the world and he made a big difference.

 Steve Jobs was born in San Francisco on February 24, 1955. He was adopted shortly after his birth and reared near Mountain View, California by a couple named Clara and Paul Jobs. His adoptive father was a machinist for a laser company and his mother worked as an accountant.

 He leaves behind three children from his marriage to Laurene Jobs (Reed, Erin, and Eve), as well as his first daughter, Lisa Brennan-Jobs.

 Rest in eternal peace Steve Jobs... there will be no other like you...

Intuition, use it or lose it!

"Where is that darn sheet of paper?" I kept asking myself.I looked everywhere (or so I thought) but couldn't find it anywhere.A few days ago I got an important phone call and had to write down some crucial information and follow up within a few days.

I jotted everything down on a piece of paper and left it beside my computer on my desk (or so I thought).But I went looking for it and it wasn't there. "Where is that darn sheet of paper?"

I kept asking myself.I looked and looked and couldn't find it.Was it in the trash?Actually it was right in front of me all along and had I listened to my intuition I could have saved myself a lot of time.

Everyday our intuition guides us, helps us, tries to save us some time, sends little messages that will make life better for us if we listened and followed. But most of us (myself included) don't always listen to that little voice. We don't always follow what it says.It will say something, we may hear or recognize the message, but then we get distracted and we forget about it, only to realize later "should have listened to that voice. "That voice is our intuition. It's like our best friend; it only says and does things to help you.

It only wants to make your life easier and more enjoyable.Once you know how to ask your intuition for guidance you'll get the right responses and the right instructions.Then you have to listen and follow, which is where most people fail. That only happens because your conscious mind, that rational thinking part of you, doesn't always agree with your intuition and will often put up a fight, give some resistance and try to get you to do the exact opposite of what your intuition wants you to do.

But once you know how to respond, life gets easier and you get more of what you want.How do you tap into your intuition? How do you get the right answers so that you get more of what you want? And how do you follow your intuition so that things work out?

Let's go back to my sheet of paper that I just couldn't find. I needed that piece of paper. It had some important information. Earlier in the day I was playing with my 3-year old son who was making me chase him around the house, he gets a big laugh out of that.

I spotted him in a room where he was holding a piece of paper. At the time I wasn't looking for that piece of paper but wanted to see what he had. Something told me it might be important (that was my intuition trying to save me some time). I tried to get the piece of paper from him but he thought it was part of the fun and ran off.

I later spotted him stuffing the piece of paper into a box and when I went towards him he laughed and ran off again.

I got caught up in his game (and the fun) and kept chasing him.Something told me (that intuition again) to go back and see what that piece of paper was (we don't leave too many thing lying around with a set of 3-year old twins and a one year old reaching and grabbing anything). But I got distracted, kept playing with him and forgot about it.

Later that day I was looking for that important piece of paper, the one I had left on my desk next to my computer (you know where this is going).I knew that paper existed. I had seen it a day earlier. But it wasn't there.I kept asking: "Where is that darn piece of paper?"It had to be in the house or in the garbage.I searched the house (so I thought) and couldn't find it. Now it was time to check the trash (oh, how I hate doing that), which was just like giving up since I knew it wasn't in the trash, but I had to check anyway. Just as I was opening the garbage bag my wife said:"Hey wait a minute. Was it a lined piece of paper?". "Yes it was.""I thought I saw something in a box, let me take a look. "Then it hit me.

My son had stuffed a piece of paper in the box that I was supposed to check to see if it was anything important only I got distracted and forgot about it (that was my intuition guiding me again). My wife checked the piece of paper and sure enough..."Here it is..."My son had grabbed the piece of paper off my desk and stuffed it in a box. Those of you who have kids are probably laughing at this because something similar has probably happened in the past. But that's not my point.

My point is that earlier in the day, while I was playing with my son, my intuition
showed me the piece of paper that I would need later in the day.I even got a feeling/message to go back and check that piece of paper to see what it was; but I didn't follow up and I didn't follow the intuitive message.So now I needed that paper, and had to get my intuition to help me. I knew the paper existed.

I kept asking for it when I said: "where's that darn piece of paper?"I trusted and let go when I decided to check the garbage (the last spot to check) even though I knew it could never be in the garbage. While I was heading outside check the trash I said to myself: "Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait until they call me back and ask why I didn't follow up. I'll simply tell them the truth and deal with the consequences, that's all I can do. "What happened is a clear example of how our intuition is always communicating with us and guiding us. It also shows how we can communicate with our intuition to get help when we need it.

Here's how it works:

First realize that what you want already exists. It's here, its in this world, you're within reach of it all you have to do is find it. So decide what guidance or information you want. Realize that the answers already exist.If you want something in particular like a better job, a new relationship, a new home or trying to find an important document, realize that what you want already exists.

This is very important. Because if you don't believe it exists you'll never see it, even if it stands up and slaps you in the face. Next, ask for what you want.I kept saying where is that darn sheet of paper?

I also kept saying what did I do with it? Where did I put it? What happened to it?If you want the right job, ask for it. Say: I want the right job, where is the right job for me?

I know it exists so where is it? I want the right job.Then let go. Tell yourself you've found what you want and leave it alone.I let go when I accepted that I couldn't find that piece of paper, but decided to check the trash anyway.

I also said to myself: "I guess I'll just have to wait until they call me back and ask why I never followed up. I'll simply tell them I misplaced the information and deal with the consequences."

That's when I let go of it.Within a few minutes of letting go, my wife called out to me when she found a piece of paper with some notes on it. The paper was found.You need to let go and you do that by realizing that your happiness does not depend
on something happening in your life and that you'll find a solution.

Your happiness doesn't depend on whether you have a job or not.

Your happiness does not depend on whether you are in a relationship or not.If you want to be happy, be happy.

Focus on positive things and let go of what you want. Then it will flow to you easily.So think about what you want.

Know that what you want exists already.

Ask for what you want.

Let go of it by accepting that your happiness doesn't depend on you having what you want. Get your intuition working for you today.

Develop your intuition, this is a powerful partner who can make your life easier and guide you to success.

Your subconscious mind and your intuition work together, always bringing you what you want.

Your intuition is your powerful partner. It is always guiding you and bringing you answers everyday. You just need to see them and recognize the guidance you're getting.

You ask your intuition by using your thoughts. It brings you what you want based on what you think about. So think about what you want. Believe in yourself. Believe in your ability.

You are a powerful human being, capable of creating what ever you want in life. You can achieve your goals. You can succeed. You can live your dreams. You can enjoy a better life. Get your intuition and your subconscious mind to help you create more of what you want.

Everything you want already exists.

[courtesy of Karim Hajee]