Would like to give a SHOUT OUT to an old friend of mine. We been friends since primary school. This morning he and his wife are proud parents of a set of twins, a baby boy and girl. Kendrick and Lakisha (hope got the spelling rite).
Congratulations on this beautiful occasion to Mr and Mrs Smallee. May the good Lord bless both of you on this wonderful parenting journey.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
National Day 31.8.2007
An early Happy National day to all Malaysians all over the world. For those who are in Malaysia, may you enjoy the day with family and friends and enjoy the long weekend but please drive safely if going back to home towns.
For those who are overseas, maybe can get together with fellow Malaysians to celebrate.
The country will be celebrating 50Th year of Merdeka, please take a moment to be thankful of the sacrifices made by people in the past, from the farmers to the leaders of the country. All of them contributed to what we have today.
No one can predict what the future holds for this country, but if we hold on to the main principles of what make Malaysia, Malaysia....we can;t go wrong. As in life, there will be struggles and bumpy road ahead. But if We, Malaysians united together, we can over come it.
Take care and God bless to every one.
For those who are overseas, maybe can get together with fellow Malaysians to celebrate.
The country will be celebrating 50Th year of Merdeka, please take a moment to be thankful of the sacrifices made by people in the past, from the farmers to the leaders of the country. All of them contributed to what we have today.
No one can predict what the future holds for this country, but if we hold on to the main principles of what make Malaysia, Malaysia....we can;t go wrong. As in life, there will be struggles and bumpy road ahead. But if We, Malaysians united together, we can over come it.
Take care and God bless to every one.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Check on this site for International Business
I was going through the web on flag etiquette/protocol. I came across this site Peter Urs Bender, who is a National best seller author. This is his article which also linked to ExecutivePlanet.com. Please visit Executive planet and read up articles on etiquette in different countries.
But this is what Peter Urs Bender has to say:
Etiquette for the Global Village by Peter Urs Bender
As our cultures meet and mix, the "right" etiquette is being rapidly transformed. We indeed live in an ever-changing world. Wait a minute! Etiquette!? Hard-nosed business consultant Bender is not slowly leaving orbit. Get on your computer. Call up Google or any search engine. Enter the word "etiquette".
You will be swamped with so much information you couldn't read it all in a lifetime. If etiquette means for you simply the proper way to handle a napkin or your knife, think again. There is etiquette for everything from golf, how to hang a flag, using the Internet, to the proper way to deal with people with disabilities.
Dealing globally, etiquette can make or break your business deal. You can be seen as a sophisticated dealer or an uncouth boob. And that applies whether you are visiting another country whose customs are different, or hosting business people from abroad. In Canada, we like to think we deal well in the global marketplace. There are a lot of books available on that. On the web ExecutivePlanet.com and others list many categories for dealing with your foreign counterpart.
These include negotiating, entertaining, respectful address, and business dress. It even suggests appropriate topics for conversation in the culture with which you are in contact. Just assume the Queen of England came to visit. You will be treated to a prime example of etiquette at work. The politicians and diplomats call it "protocol". For her visit you will find a long list of instructions spelled out - even on how to shake hands with the monarch.
That detail is not unimportant. Imagine shaking 600 or 700 hands a day! That's what the Queen does, and that's the reason for the protocol. Oh for the simpler, happy old days in Switzerland! We used a book called Der Knigge. It explained exactly how to sit, hold your fork, your wineglass, the way to position your shoulders and your chest. And much more.
In North America we read Miss Manners, and were taught from Emily Post's Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home. Bartleby.com incidentally, republished her 697-page 1922 classic in 1999 - on the Internet.
Young people today may laugh their heads off at the idea of etiquette training. But Emily Post's book is still valid commentary on manners and customs in North America. Access it. You might find it enlightening. Emily Post goes right to the heart of the importance of manners and etiquette. I believe her words hold true for dealing with any culture, no matter how complicated the variations.
"Manners are made up of trivialities of deportment which can be easily learned if one does not happen to know them; manner is personality-the outward manifestation of one's innate character and attitude toward life.... Etiquette must, if it is to be of more than trifling use, include ethics as well as manners. Certainly what one is, is of far greater importance than what one appears to be-"
In short, etiquette reflects the outward manifestation of the person. In all of my business books I have emphasized that your appearance influences how successfully you will interact with others. Therefore, etiquette is not fluff. In the old days youngsters attended mixed etiquette classes where they were taught how properly to respond to other men and women. To dress. To converse. To walk. To dance. And, of course, to eat. It was all clearly defined. I like the classic story of two girls, who grew up in the same town, and later met in Toronto. One was explaining to the other how well her life had turned out.
She had met the most handsome-looking man. He had no bad habits. He always listened sympathetically to all her problems. He had a yacht, a chalet in Switzerland with a private airstrip, and a penthouse beachfront condo in Florida. Her friend kept responding "How interesting, how interesting."
When she then asked her friend how her life had turned out, the reply was: "I attended etiquette school, which taught me many things. Principally, though, it told me how to stop responding to conversation by saying "bullshit", and substituting "How interesting." Etiquette is the learned behavior of a group.
John Wayne was a very courteous man in real life, and there is no doubt his manner helped him to get where he did. A smile, a pleasant demeanor, a good handshake. That hasn't changed. Etiquette is cultural behavior training and comes from your peer group and parents. It usually begins with training in eating. There is no question the main idea is to get the food into your mouth and as little as possible on your clothes.
But there are 999 cultural variations on how to do that properly. You learned to eat from your mother. You think the way she taught you is the right way. If you attended any etiquette-training course, you think that behavior is right. Problems arise because there are so many cultures. There are so many "right" ways. It's difficult to know what to do.
On a tour through Malaysia, I was invited to lunch by a group of seven attractive young women. There are many differences between the dining customs of that group, and those of Canada or Switzerland. First of all, there was no cutlery at all, not even chopsticks. As the guest of honor, they invited me to start the meal. I stalled, and asked them to start. They stalled and insisted I begin.
Finally, I gave up. I well remember the collective gasp when I reached for a piece of fruit with my hand - my left hand. In Muslim countries generally the left hand is regarded as unclean. It is taboo to use it for meals, or really for anything else, such as extending it to give or receive a gift, or touching another person, unless it is impossible to avoid.
This applies even if you are left-handed. There are a lot of taboos and they all have a basis in culture, often not needed any more. In Switzerland if you are seated formally around a table it is taboo to eat anything with your hand, except to accept a piece of bread. But in the case of asparagus, you eat it only by hand. You also never cut it! That is regarded as uncouth. (The reason is that in the olden days knives were made from common metals, and asparagus stained them badly.)
What is this country where you never eat anything by hand, but are required to eat asparagus that way?! In many parts of the United States, for instance, it's okay to drink coffee with your meal. Elsewhere, that's taboo. In Italy, you never propose a toast with a glass of water. It brings bad luck.
If you're dining with a devout Buddhist, Hindu, Jew, or Muslim, you must be aware of the strict dietary rules they were raised with. The whole idea is to adjust to the culture you are in. Eating behaviors, although often complex, are really one of the simpler cultural interactions. But always remember. Everyone thinks they eat the "right" way - their mothers taught them how... So what is the right thing?
My golden rule is that whoever pays, or is the host, is the "leader". That person's behavior sets the pattern for all. Follow him or her and in their eyes you'll do it right!
Peter Urs Bender is one of Canada's most dynamic and entertaining business speakers. He lives and works out of Toronto. He is the author of four best-selling business books: Leadership from Within, Secrets of Power Presentations, Secrets of Power Marketing, Secrets of Face-to-Face Communication, and Gutfeeling.
But this is what Peter Urs Bender has to say:
Etiquette for the Global Village by Peter Urs Bender
As our cultures meet and mix, the "right" etiquette is being rapidly transformed. We indeed live in an ever-changing world. Wait a minute! Etiquette!? Hard-nosed business consultant Bender is not slowly leaving orbit. Get on your computer. Call up Google or any search engine. Enter the word "etiquette".
You will be swamped with so much information you couldn't read it all in a lifetime. If etiquette means for you simply the proper way to handle a napkin or your knife, think again. There is etiquette for everything from golf, how to hang a flag, using the Internet, to the proper way to deal with people with disabilities.
Dealing globally, etiquette can make or break your business deal. You can be seen as a sophisticated dealer or an uncouth boob. And that applies whether you are visiting another country whose customs are different, or hosting business people from abroad. In Canada, we like to think we deal well in the global marketplace. There are a lot of books available on that. On the web ExecutivePlanet.com and others list many categories for dealing with your foreign counterpart.
These include negotiating, entertaining, respectful address, and business dress. It even suggests appropriate topics for conversation in the culture with which you are in contact. Just assume the Queen of England came to visit. You will be treated to a prime example of etiquette at work. The politicians and diplomats call it "protocol". For her visit you will find a long list of instructions spelled out - even on how to shake hands with the monarch.
That detail is not unimportant. Imagine shaking 600 or 700 hands a day! That's what the Queen does, and that's the reason for the protocol. Oh for the simpler, happy old days in Switzerland! We used a book called Der Knigge. It explained exactly how to sit, hold your fork, your wineglass, the way to position your shoulders and your chest. And much more.
In North America we read Miss Manners, and were taught from Emily Post's Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home. Bartleby.com incidentally, republished her 697-page 1922 classic in 1999 - on the Internet.
Young people today may laugh their heads off at the idea of etiquette training. But Emily Post's book is still valid commentary on manners and customs in North America. Access it. You might find it enlightening. Emily Post goes right to the heart of the importance of manners and etiquette. I believe her words hold true for dealing with any culture, no matter how complicated the variations.
"Manners are made up of trivialities of deportment which can be easily learned if one does not happen to know them; manner is personality-the outward manifestation of one's innate character and attitude toward life.... Etiquette must, if it is to be of more than trifling use, include ethics as well as manners. Certainly what one is, is of far greater importance than what one appears to be-"
In short, etiquette reflects the outward manifestation of the person. In all of my business books I have emphasized that your appearance influences how successfully you will interact with others. Therefore, etiquette is not fluff. In the old days youngsters attended mixed etiquette classes where they were taught how properly to respond to other men and women. To dress. To converse. To walk. To dance. And, of course, to eat. It was all clearly defined. I like the classic story of two girls, who grew up in the same town, and later met in Toronto. One was explaining to the other how well her life had turned out.
She had met the most handsome-looking man. He had no bad habits. He always listened sympathetically to all her problems. He had a yacht, a chalet in Switzerland with a private airstrip, and a penthouse beachfront condo in Florida. Her friend kept responding "How interesting, how interesting."
When she then asked her friend how her life had turned out, the reply was: "I attended etiquette school, which taught me many things. Principally, though, it told me how to stop responding to conversation by saying "bullshit", and substituting "How interesting." Etiquette is the learned behavior of a group.
John Wayne was a very courteous man in real life, and there is no doubt his manner helped him to get where he did. A smile, a pleasant demeanor, a good handshake. That hasn't changed. Etiquette is cultural behavior training and comes from your peer group and parents. It usually begins with training in eating. There is no question the main idea is to get the food into your mouth and as little as possible on your clothes.
But there are 999 cultural variations on how to do that properly. You learned to eat from your mother. You think the way she taught you is the right way. If you attended any etiquette-training course, you think that behavior is right. Problems arise because there are so many cultures. There are so many "right" ways. It's difficult to know what to do.
On a tour through Malaysia, I was invited to lunch by a group of seven attractive young women. There are many differences between the dining customs of that group, and those of Canada or Switzerland. First of all, there was no cutlery at all, not even chopsticks. As the guest of honor, they invited me to start the meal. I stalled, and asked them to start. They stalled and insisted I begin.
Finally, I gave up. I well remember the collective gasp when I reached for a piece of fruit with my hand - my left hand. In Muslim countries generally the left hand is regarded as unclean. It is taboo to use it for meals, or really for anything else, such as extending it to give or receive a gift, or touching another person, unless it is impossible to avoid.
This applies even if you are left-handed. There are a lot of taboos and they all have a basis in culture, often not needed any more. In Switzerland if you are seated formally around a table it is taboo to eat anything with your hand, except to accept a piece of bread. But in the case of asparagus, you eat it only by hand. You also never cut it! That is regarded as uncouth. (The reason is that in the olden days knives were made from common metals, and asparagus stained them badly.)
What is this country where you never eat anything by hand, but are required to eat asparagus that way?! In many parts of the United States, for instance, it's okay to drink coffee with your meal. Elsewhere, that's taboo. In Italy, you never propose a toast with a glass of water. It brings bad luck.
If you're dining with a devout Buddhist, Hindu, Jew, or Muslim, you must be aware of the strict dietary rules they were raised with. The whole idea is to adjust to the culture you are in. Eating behaviors, although often complex, are really one of the simpler cultural interactions. But always remember. Everyone thinks they eat the "right" way - their mothers taught them how... So what is the right thing?
My golden rule is that whoever pays, or is the host, is the "leader". That person's behavior sets the pattern for all. Follow him or her and in their eyes you'll do it right!
Peter Urs Bender is one of Canada's most dynamic and entertaining business speakers. He lives and works out of Toronto. He is the author of four best-selling business books: Leadership from Within, Secrets of Power Presentations, Secrets of Power Marketing, Secrets of Face-to-Face Communication, and Gutfeeling.
Stomach Cancer
Wikipedia
Stomach cancer (also called gastric cancer) can develop in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus and the small intestine. Stomach cancer causes nearly one million deaths worldwide per year.[1]
Stomach cancer represents roughly 2% (25,500) cases of all new cancer cases yearly in the United States, but it is much more common in Korea, Japan, Great Britain, South America, and Iceland. It is associated with high salt in the diet, smoking, and low intake of fruits and vegetables. Infection with H. pylori is the main risk factor in about 80% or more of gastric cancers. It is more common in men.
Gastric or stomach cancer has very high incidence in Korea and Japan. Gastric cancer is the leading cancer type in Korea with 20.8% of malignant neoplasms, the second leading cause of cancer deaths. It is suspected several risk factors are involved including diet, gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and Helicobacter pylori infection. A Korean diet, high in salted, stewed and broiled foods, is thought to be a contributing factor. Ten percent of cases show a genetic component.[2]
In Japan and other countries bracken consumption and spores are correlated to stomach cancer incidence.[3] Epidemiologists have yet to fully account for the high rates of gastric cancer as compared to other countries.
A very small percentage of diffuse-type gastric cancers (see Histopathology below) are thought to be genetic. Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) has recently been identified and research is ongoing. However, genetic testing and treatment options are already available for families at risk (Brooks-Wilson et al., 2004).
Metastasis occurs in 80-90% of individuals with stomach cancer, with a five year survival rate of 75% in those diagnosed in early stages and less than 30% of those diagnosed in late stages. The death rate is 12,400 a year in the United States.
Symptoms
Stomach cancer is often asymptomatic or causes only nonspecific symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms occur, the cancer has generally metastasized to other parts of the body, one of the main reasons for its poor prognosis. Stomach cancer can cause the following signs and symptoms:
Early
Indigestion or a burning sensation (heartburn)
Loss of appetite, especially for meat
Late
Abdominal pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea or constipation
Bloating of the stomach after meals
Weight loss
Weakness and fatigue
Bleeding (vomiting blood or having blood in the stool), which can lead to anemia
These can be symptoms of other health problems, such as a stomach virus or gastric ulcer, and diagnosis should be done by a gastroenterologist or an oncologist.
Medicinate
Risk factors
No one knows the exact causes of stomach cancer. Doctors often cannot explain why one person develops this disease and another does not.
Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop stomach cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of developing a disease.
Studies have found the following risk factors for stomach cancer:
Age: Most people with this disease are 72 or older.
Sex: Men are more likely than women to develop stomach cancer.
Race: Stomach cancer is more common in Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and African Americans than in non-Hispanic white Americans.
Diet: Studies suggest that people who eat a diet high in foods that are smoked, salted, or pickled may be at increased risk for stomach cancer. On the other hand, eating fresh fruits and vegetables may protect against this disease.
Helicobacter pylori infection: H. pylori is a type of bacteria that commonly lives in the stomach.
H. pylori infection increases the risk of stomach inflammation and stomach ulcers. It also increases the risk of stomach cancer, but only a small number of infected people develop stomach cancer. Although infection increases the risk, cancer is not contagious. You cannot catch stomach cancer from another person who has it.
Smoking: People who smoke are more likely to develop stomach cancer than people who do not smoke.
Certain health problems: Conditions that cause inflammation or other problems in the stomach may increase the risk of stomach cancer:
Stomach surgery
Chronic gastritis (long-term inflammation of the stomach lining)
Pernicious anemia (a blood disease that affects the stomach)
Family history: A rare type of stomach cancer runs in some families.
Most people who have known risk factors do not develop stomach cancer. For example, many people have H. pylori in their stomach but never develop cancer. On the other hand, people who do develop the disease sometimes have no known risk factors.
Stomach cancer (also called gastric cancer) can develop in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus and the small intestine. Stomach cancer causes nearly one million deaths worldwide per year.[1]
Stomach cancer represents roughly 2% (25,500) cases of all new cancer cases yearly in the United States, but it is much more common in Korea, Japan, Great Britain, South America, and Iceland. It is associated with high salt in the diet, smoking, and low intake of fruits and vegetables. Infection with H. pylori is the main risk factor in about 80% or more of gastric cancers. It is more common in men.
Gastric or stomach cancer has very high incidence in Korea and Japan. Gastric cancer is the leading cancer type in Korea with 20.8% of malignant neoplasms, the second leading cause of cancer deaths. It is suspected several risk factors are involved including diet, gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and Helicobacter pylori infection. A Korean diet, high in salted, stewed and broiled foods, is thought to be a contributing factor. Ten percent of cases show a genetic component.[2]
In Japan and other countries bracken consumption and spores are correlated to stomach cancer incidence.[3] Epidemiologists have yet to fully account for the high rates of gastric cancer as compared to other countries.
A very small percentage of diffuse-type gastric cancers (see Histopathology below) are thought to be genetic. Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) has recently been identified and research is ongoing. However, genetic testing and treatment options are already available for families at risk (Brooks-Wilson et al., 2004).
Metastasis occurs in 80-90% of individuals with stomach cancer, with a five year survival rate of 75% in those diagnosed in early stages and less than 30% of those diagnosed in late stages. The death rate is 12,400 a year in the United States.
Symptoms
Stomach cancer is often asymptomatic or causes only nonspecific symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms occur, the cancer has generally metastasized to other parts of the body, one of the main reasons for its poor prognosis. Stomach cancer can cause the following signs and symptoms:
Early
Indigestion or a burning sensation (heartburn)
Loss of appetite, especially for meat
Late
Abdominal pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea or constipation
Bloating of the stomach after meals
Weight loss
Weakness and fatigue
Bleeding (vomiting blood or having blood in the stool), which can lead to anemia
These can be symptoms of other health problems, such as a stomach virus or gastric ulcer, and diagnosis should be done by a gastroenterologist or an oncologist.
Medicinate
Risk factors
No one knows the exact causes of stomach cancer. Doctors often cannot explain why one person develops this disease and another does not.
Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop stomach cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of developing a disease.
Studies have found the following risk factors for stomach cancer:
Age: Most people with this disease are 72 or older.
Sex: Men are more likely than women to develop stomach cancer.
Race: Stomach cancer is more common in Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and African Americans than in non-Hispanic white Americans.
Diet: Studies suggest that people who eat a diet high in foods that are smoked, salted, or pickled may be at increased risk for stomach cancer. On the other hand, eating fresh fruits and vegetables may protect against this disease.
Helicobacter pylori infection: H. pylori is a type of bacteria that commonly lives in the stomach.
H. pylori infection increases the risk of stomach inflammation and stomach ulcers. It also increases the risk of stomach cancer, but only a small number of infected people develop stomach cancer. Although infection increases the risk, cancer is not contagious. You cannot catch stomach cancer from another person who has it.
Smoking: People who smoke are more likely to develop stomach cancer than people who do not smoke.
Certain health problems: Conditions that cause inflammation or other problems in the stomach may increase the risk of stomach cancer:
Stomach surgery
Chronic gastritis (long-term inflammation of the stomach lining)
Pernicious anemia (a blood disease that affects the stomach)
Family history: A rare type of stomach cancer runs in some families.
Most people who have known risk factors do not develop stomach cancer. For example, many people have H. pylori in their stomach but never develop cancer. On the other hand, people who do develop the disease sometimes have no known risk factors.
Hope it is not true...
Police log: Owen Wilson tried to commit suicide
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Owen Wilson's film future remains bright despite his apparent personal problems.
Owen Wilson has asked the media to allow him to "heal in private."
Hollywood insiders say that the 38-year-old actor, who was hospitalized Sunday after police responded to a report of an attempted suicide at his Santa Monica home, should continue to enjoy big-screen success.
His box-office track record -- "Wedding Crashers" topped $200 million, "Cars" brought in almost $250 million -- plus his on-screen image as an affable everyman who can charm the ladies while boozing with the boys has made him a favorite with both filmmakers and filmgoers.
"He's loved," Bernie Brillstein, a veteran Hollywood manager who worked with John Belushi and Chris Farley, said Tuesday. "It's serious, but it's a singular case. Anyone can have a bad day, a very bad day."
Could Wilson face the same potential producer alienation that threatens other troubled stars such as Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears? Watch how Wilson's persona may have masked personal problems »
"I don't think the studios will react that way," Brillstein said.
Wilson's public perception is "very positive," industry analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Media By Numbers said Tuesday. "Owen Wilson has a really good reputation, and people in general really feel bad for him right now."
That feeling seems to extend to studio executives, too.
Fox Searchlight had no comment Tuesday about "The Darjeeling Limited," which stars Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman. The film is scheduled for release September 29.
Wilson's next starring vehicle, Paramount's "Drillbit Taylor," is set for a March release, a studio spokeswoman said, declining further comment.
Filming began in Hawaii last month on Dreamworks' "Tropic Thunder," which is to feature Wilson, Jack Black, Robert Downey, Jr., and Ben Stiller, who is also directing.
Wilson's hospitalization "does not have any impact on the production," studio spokesman Marvin Levy said Tuesday.
A spokesman for 20th Century Fox declined to discuss Wilson's scheduled appearance opposite Jennifer Aniston in the upcoming "Marley & Me."
"It's an inappropriate question to ask," he said. "All our thoughts and concerns are with his health and well-being. Owen asked his privacy be respected and we intend to honor that."
Wilson released a statement Monday through his publicist, Ina Treciokas: "I respectfully ask that the media allow me to receive care and heal in private during this difficult time."
Treciokas declined to answer questions Tuesday about whether Wilson attempted to commit suicide.
Dr. Charles Goodstein, a professor of psychiatry at New York University Medical Center, said that while all suicide attempts merit serious attention, celebrities don't always get the psychiatric treatment they might need.
"People in the entertainment world are thought of as being kind of flamboyant, their moods can shift ... therefore they elude detection," he said Tuesday. "Celebrities have good ways of sidestepping anybody recognizing that they have a problem."
But where most people are allowed to deal with their demons in private, a different standard applies to movie stars and other public personalities. Inquiring minds want to know.
"It becomes like an online soap opera," said S. Mark Young, a professor of entertainment business at the University of Southern California. "Now Owen Wilson is someone whose life will be scrutinized by the people who follow this stuff. He's become part of the soap opera."
Still, Wilson likely generates more sympathy from the public than Lohan does, Young added.
"People have known for a long time that Lindsay is a drug addict," he said. "Owen Wilson is a little more difficult to understand. ... If it comes out that he's heartbroken, that's a sympathy thing."
Wilson's emotional issues could have "a deep impact on his future employability and the ability to obtain insurance," said longtime publicist Michael Levine.
But Brillstein said that the problem lies in media coverage and the public's taste for ever more sensational celebrity news.
"There is no boundary," he said. "This [kind of thing] has happened for years, but the press was never so vigilant in reporting bad news."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/28/people.owen.wilson.ap/index.html
I love his movies. I hope he will overcome his problem and come back strong. Movie stars are also human and they have their ups and downs. Just hope the media will leave him alone in peace.
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Owen Wilson's film future remains bright despite his apparent personal problems.
Owen Wilson has asked the media to allow him to "heal in private."
Hollywood insiders say that the 38-year-old actor, who was hospitalized Sunday after police responded to a report of an attempted suicide at his Santa Monica home, should continue to enjoy big-screen success.
His box-office track record -- "Wedding Crashers" topped $200 million, "Cars" brought in almost $250 million -- plus his on-screen image as an affable everyman who can charm the ladies while boozing with the boys has made him a favorite with both filmmakers and filmgoers.
"He's loved," Bernie Brillstein, a veteran Hollywood manager who worked with John Belushi and Chris Farley, said Tuesday. "It's serious, but it's a singular case. Anyone can have a bad day, a very bad day."
Could Wilson face the same potential producer alienation that threatens other troubled stars such as Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears? Watch how Wilson's persona may have masked personal problems »
"I don't think the studios will react that way," Brillstein said.
Wilson's public perception is "very positive," industry analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Media By Numbers said Tuesday. "Owen Wilson has a really good reputation, and people in general really feel bad for him right now."
That feeling seems to extend to studio executives, too.
Fox Searchlight had no comment Tuesday about "The Darjeeling Limited," which stars Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman. The film is scheduled for release September 29.
Wilson's next starring vehicle, Paramount's "Drillbit Taylor," is set for a March release, a studio spokeswoman said, declining further comment.
Filming began in Hawaii last month on Dreamworks' "Tropic Thunder," which is to feature Wilson, Jack Black, Robert Downey, Jr., and Ben Stiller, who is also directing.
Wilson's hospitalization "does not have any impact on the production," studio spokesman Marvin Levy said Tuesday.
A spokesman for 20th Century Fox declined to discuss Wilson's scheduled appearance opposite Jennifer Aniston in the upcoming "Marley & Me."
"It's an inappropriate question to ask," he said. "All our thoughts and concerns are with his health and well-being. Owen asked his privacy be respected and we intend to honor that."
Wilson released a statement Monday through his publicist, Ina Treciokas: "I respectfully ask that the media allow me to receive care and heal in private during this difficult time."
Treciokas declined to answer questions Tuesday about whether Wilson attempted to commit suicide.
Dr. Charles Goodstein, a professor of psychiatry at New York University Medical Center, said that while all suicide attempts merit serious attention, celebrities don't always get the psychiatric treatment they might need.
"People in the entertainment world are thought of as being kind of flamboyant, their moods can shift ... therefore they elude detection," he said Tuesday. "Celebrities have good ways of sidestepping anybody recognizing that they have a problem."
But where most people are allowed to deal with their demons in private, a different standard applies to movie stars and other public personalities. Inquiring minds want to know.
"It becomes like an online soap opera," said S. Mark Young, a professor of entertainment business at the University of Southern California. "Now Owen Wilson is someone whose life will be scrutinized by the people who follow this stuff. He's become part of the soap opera."
Still, Wilson likely generates more sympathy from the public than Lohan does, Young added.
"People have known for a long time that Lindsay is a drug addict," he said. "Owen Wilson is a little more difficult to understand. ... If it comes out that he's heartbroken, that's a sympathy thing."
Wilson's emotional issues could have "a deep impact on his future employability and the ability to obtain insurance," said longtime publicist Michael Levine.
But Brillstein said that the problem lies in media coverage and the public's taste for ever more sensational celebrity news.
"There is no boundary," he said. "This [kind of thing] has happened for years, but the press was never so vigilant in reporting bad news."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/28/people.owen.wilson.ap/index.html
I love his movies. I hope he will overcome his problem and come back strong. Movie stars are also human and they have their ups and downs. Just hope the media will leave him alone in peace.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Shame...
President Yudhoyono calls on Malaysia to punish Indonesian referee`s attackers.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on Malaysia to punish its police officers who attacked and beat up Indonesian karate referee Donald Luther Colopita in Kuala Lumpur last week.
"The president expressed sadness because the incident happened while there was good cooperation between two countries. He also asked that the case be taken to court and resolved based on the law in force in Malaysia," Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Adhyaksa Dault said at the presidential office here on Monday.
The minister said the president also asked Indonesian athletes in Malaysia to refrain from emotional oubursts and remain patient over the incident.
Minister Dault said he had received reports from the chairman of the Indonesian Karate Association (Forki), Luhut Pandjaitan, on the chronology of the incident that befell Colopita.
He said Colopita and his colleague Fahri attended a technical meeting on the Asian Karate Championship in Malaysia on Thursday night (Aug. 18). The meeting lasted into the wee hours of Friday. Because there was no taxi, Colopita chose to return to his hotel on foot.
On the way, four men who thought he he was an illegal visitor, approached him. The four men did not produce their IDs and Colopita as an international referee possessing third- or fourth- level Karate skill resisted the men.
Realizing they were no match for Colopita with fighting skill, the four men produced their IDs. Seeing that they were policemen, Colopita stopped resisting but unluckily the police snapped handcuffs on wrists and they beat him up, the minister said.
Minister Dault said Colopita had been admitted to a hospital for the pain he suffered from being beaten up black and blue. "One may not treat even an animal like that," the minister said.
According to Luhut, the minister said, the injuries around the referee`s eyes were hard to treat and the area around his crotch was swollen.
The minister also supported the step taken by Forki to withdraw directly from the Asian championship in protest against the abuse that had befallen the Indonesian referee.
Dault also said he had sent a letter of strong protest to Malaysian Sports Minister Datok Seri Azalina Othman, calling on the Malaysian sports ministry to exert pressure on Malaysian police to fire the attackers.
MT
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on Malaysia to punish its police officers who attacked and beat up Indonesian karate referee Donald Luther Colopita in Kuala Lumpur last week.
"The president expressed sadness because the incident happened while there was good cooperation between two countries. He also asked that the case be taken to court and resolved based on the law in force in Malaysia," Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Adhyaksa Dault said at the presidential office here on Monday.
The minister said the president also asked Indonesian athletes in Malaysia to refrain from emotional oubursts and remain patient over the incident.
Minister Dault said he had received reports from the chairman of the Indonesian Karate Association (Forki), Luhut Pandjaitan, on the chronology of the incident that befell Colopita.
He said Colopita and his colleague Fahri attended a technical meeting on the Asian Karate Championship in Malaysia on Thursday night (Aug. 18). The meeting lasted into the wee hours of Friday. Because there was no taxi, Colopita chose to return to his hotel on foot.
On the way, four men who thought he he was an illegal visitor, approached him. The four men did not produce their IDs and Colopita as an international referee possessing third- or fourth- level Karate skill resisted the men.
Realizing they were no match for Colopita with fighting skill, the four men produced their IDs. Seeing that they were policemen, Colopita stopped resisting but unluckily the police snapped handcuffs on wrists and they beat him up, the minister said.
Minister Dault said Colopita had been admitted to a hospital for the pain he suffered from being beaten up black and blue. "One may not treat even an animal like that," the minister said.
According to Luhut, the minister said, the injuries around the referee`s eyes were hard to treat and the area around his crotch was swollen.
The minister also supported the step taken by Forki to withdraw directly from the Asian championship in protest against the abuse that had befallen the Indonesian referee.
Dault also said he had sent a letter of strong protest to Malaysian Sports Minister Datok Seri Azalina Othman, calling on the Malaysian sports ministry to exert pressure on Malaysian police to fire the attackers.
MT
Monday, August 27, 2007
Batman vs Superman
Here are some creative creation from people and fans of Batman and Superman. Great stuffs.
Drink Warm Water after meal..
Received this email today.
This is a very good article. Not only about the warm water after your meal, but about heart attacks. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.
For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.
A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.
You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive.
This is a very good article. Not only about the warm water after your meal, but about heart attacks. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.
For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.
A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.
You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive.
Market..
Here are the market where many people would come and have their breakfast, lunch, dinner and some supper. Not all the stalls open in the morning. Some stalls only open during evening and till early mornings.
If i do go to market, this two stalls will be it. The one on the left, noodle stall but i only eat their dry 'lau su fen'. Love to eat it, since my school days. And after all these years, the taste is still the same. The one on the left, famous for its curry rice. Also been there a long time. During lunch time, have to wait a long time cause too many people eat or take away. Their business is always good (unless it rains) but other then that, always sold out by the 1pm. For these two stalls, wonder if any one will take over and learn from them. Cause once they retire, a lot of the citizens are going to miss it.
On the other side of the market is where people can buy their veges and fruits.
The meat section.
Heard from people that they might ask to relocate in a two to three years time. Rumor has it that the market might be turn into a car park or something else. Hope it is not too soon, cause still enjoy those dishes.
Friday, August 24, 2007
The other side of War- Innocent young ones.
Read this on CNN.Com. How they can hurt a child is beyond understanding. I hope that the pledges made to help this child will come through and that they will pull through this ordeal.
Specifically, the family had to make a decision on whether to leave their homeland or stay inside Iraq for treatment. If they chose to leave, could they get visas to travel to the United States or leave Iraq safely? Further complicating matters is the fact that few aid organizations remain in Iraq; most moved out months ago due to the constant threat of being targeted.
Leaving one's homeland is never an easy choice to make, even during war. But the family has decided Youssif should seek treatment in the United States.
The Children's Burn Foundation -- a non-profit organization based out of Sherman Oaks, California, that provides support for burn victims locally, nationally and internationally -- has agreed to pay for the transportation for Youssif and his family to come to the United States and to set up a fund so you can donate.
The foundation says it will cover all medical costs -- from surgeries for Youssif to housing costs to any social rehabilitation that might be needed for him. Surgeries will be performed by Dr. Peter Grossman, a plastic surgeon with the affiliated-Grossman Burn Center who is donating his services for Youssif's cause.
Officials are still trying to get the appropriate visas for his travels. Youssif could be in the United States for up to a year for the various treatments he needs.
You can make a donation at the foundation's site by clicking here. There's a drop down menu under the "general donation" area that is marked "Youssif's fund."
When informed of the news in Baghdad, Youssif ran around his house, saying, "Daddy, daddy, am I really going to get on a plane?!"
Help is on the way for Youssif.
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Few stories have touched CNN.com users like that of 5-year-old Youssif, an Iraqi boy who had gone out to play on a January day when he was suddenly grabbed by masked men, doused in gas and set on fire.
Youssif was known for his bright smile before he was attacked by masked men.
CNN.com users responded by the thousands to the story asking how they could help. But there were tricky and difficult issues the family had to suddenly confront, as several aid organizations quickly offered their services.
Youssif was known for his bright smile before he was attacked by masked men.
CNN.com users responded by the thousands to the story asking how they could help. But there were tricky and difficult issues the family had to suddenly confront, as several aid organizations quickly offered their services.
Specifically, the family had to make a decision on whether to leave their homeland or stay inside Iraq for treatment. If they chose to leave, could they get visas to travel to the United States or leave Iraq safely? Further complicating matters is the fact that few aid organizations remain in Iraq; most moved out months ago due to the constant threat of being targeted.
Leaving one's homeland is never an easy choice to make, even during war. But the family has decided Youssif should seek treatment in the United States.
The Children's Burn Foundation -- a non-profit organization based out of Sherman Oaks, California, that provides support for burn victims locally, nationally and internationally -- has agreed to pay for the transportation for Youssif and his family to come to the United States and to set up a fund so you can donate.
The foundation says it will cover all medical costs -- from surgeries for Youssif to housing costs to any social rehabilitation that might be needed for him. Surgeries will be performed by Dr. Peter Grossman, a plastic surgeon with the affiliated-Grossman Burn Center who is donating his services for Youssif's cause.
Officials are still trying to get the appropriate visas for his travels. Youssif could be in the United States for up to a year for the various treatments he needs.
You can make a donation at the foundation's site by clicking here. There's a drop down menu under the "general donation" area that is marked "Youssif's fund."
When informed of the news in Baghdad, Youssif ran around his house, saying, "Daddy, daddy, am I really going to get on a plane?!"
Youssif's father was also cheered by the news. "I feel like I am going to fly from happiness," his father told CNN's Arwa Damon, who reported the story on what happened to Youssif.
Barbara Friedman, executive director of the Children's Burn Foundation, said she and others at the foundation were deeply moved when they first read the piece.
Barbara Friedman, executive director of the Children's Burn Foundation, said she and others at the foundation were deeply moved when they first read the piece.
Aid groupsOther organizations that offered to help:
"In terms of a personal reaction, the only thing I could say is it takes your breath away -- because it's just so unfathomable, that that kind of brutality and violence was undertaken in a premeditated way against a defenseless child," she told CNN.com.
"In terms of a personal reaction, the only thing I could say is it takes your breath away -- because it's just so unfathomable, that that kind of brutality and violence was undertaken in a premeditated way against a defenseless child," she told CNN.com.
"From the foundation's perspective, our immediate reaction was: Can we help? How can we help? We want to help. This is what we do."
Many of you had the same reaction. "This kind of thing breaks my heart," wrote CNN.com user Jessica Allen. "To see that smiling adorable face before that day that he was so brutally attacked is enough to make you cry. How could someone do this to anyone, let alone a child?"
Others pleaded for CNN to act. "CNN, if you put this on for us to read, then you should allow us to donate," wrote Brian Quinn.
Others pleaded for CNN to act. "CNN, if you put this on for us to read, then you should allow us to donate," wrote Brian Quinn.
The story -- published and broadcast on Wednesday -- has been one of the most-read, non-breaking news stories in CNN.com's 13-year history.
"We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for Youssif and his family, and are grateful that the Children's Burn Foundation and the Grossman Burn Center have volunteered to help," said Mitch Gelman, CNN.com's senior vice president and senior executive producer.
"It is heart-warming and restorative to see such generosity and goodness emerging from this truly unspeakable horror."
"It is heart-warming and restorative to see such generosity and goodness emerging from this truly unspeakable horror."
Chess..
Just a Thank You note for playing Chess on my blog here. I am not sure who i played with( so far only know one, Thanks CL)...But any way thanks for playing.
Since the start of this blog, up till now, lost 2 times and have not won yet...hehe. Will try to improve..with my on going games though.
Thanks again and have a great week end.
Since the start of this blog, up till now, lost 2 times and have not won yet...hehe. Will try to improve..with my on going games though.
Thanks again and have a great week end.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Is the world heading towards World War 3?
I was searching the net for the causes of World War 1. I came across this site. In there it talks about the causes of US involvement in the two great wars. And how Sept 11 happened.
(World war 3).
Very interesting articles in there.
(World war 3).
Very interesting articles in there.
The Bridge
Long time ago, i read this story, i forgot who gave it to me but will like to share it with you.
There was once a big turntable bridge, which spanned a large river. During most of the day, the bridge sat with the length running up and down the river parallel with the banks allowing ships to pass freely on both sides of the bridge. But, at certain times of the day, a certain train would come along and the bridge would be turned sideways across the river allowing the train to cross.
A switchman sat in a small shack on one side of the river, where he operated the controls to turn the bridge and lock it into place when the train crossed. One evening, when the switchman was waiting for the last train of the day to come, he looked off into the distance, through the dimming twilight, and caught sight of the train's light. He stepped to the controls and waited until the train was at a prescribed distance when he was to turn the bridge. He turned the bridge into position, but to his horror, he found that the locking control didn't work. If the bridge was not locked securely into position, it would wobble back and forth at the ends when the train came to it, causing the train to jump the track and go crashing into the river. This would be a passenger train with many people aboard.
He left the shack with the bridge turned across the river, and hurried to the other side of the river, where there was a lever, which he could use to operate the lock manually. He could hear the rumble of the train now, and leaned backwards to apply his weight to it, locking the bridge. Many lives depended upon this man's strength.
Then, coming across the bridge from the other direction, he heard a sound that made his blood run cold. "Daddy, where are you?" His four-year-old son was crossing the bridge to look for him. His first instinct was to cry out to the child, "Run! Run!" But the train was too close. The tiny feet would never make it across the bridge in time. The man almost left the lever to run and snatch up his son and carry him to safety, but he realized he could not get back to the lever in time. Either the people on the train, or his son, must die. He took just a moment to make his decision.
The train sped swiftly and safely on its way, and no one on board was even aware of the tiny, broken body thrown mercilessly into the river by the rushing train. Nor were they aware of the pitiful figure of a sobbing man, still clinging tightly to the locking lever long after the train had passed. They didn't see him walking home more slowly than he had ever walked to tell his wife how he had sacrificed their son.
Now, if you can comprehend the emotions, which went through this man's heart, you can begin to understand the feelings of our Heavenly Father, when He sacrificed His Son to bridge the gap between us, and eternal life. Can there be any wonder that he caused the earth to tremble and the skies to darken when His Son died? And how does it feel when we speed along life without giving a thought to what was done for us through Jesus Christ?
When was the last time you thanked Him for the sacrifice of His Son?
There was once a big turntable bridge, which spanned a large river. During most of the day, the bridge sat with the length running up and down the river parallel with the banks allowing ships to pass freely on both sides of the bridge. But, at certain times of the day, a certain train would come along and the bridge would be turned sideways across the river allowing the train to cross.
A switchman sat in a small shack on one side of the river, where he operated the controls to turn the bridge and lock it into place when the train crossed. One evening, when the switchman was waiting for the last train of the day to come, he looked off into the distance, through the dimming twilight, and caught sight of the train's light. He stepped to the controls and waited until the train was at a prescribed distance when he was to turn the bridge. He turned the bridge into position, but to his horror, he found that the locking control didn't work. If the bridge was not locked securely into position, it would wobble back and forth at the ends when the train came to it, causing the train to jump the track and go crashing into the river. This would be a passenger train with many people aboard.
He left the shack with the bridge turned across the river, and hurried to the other side of the river, where there was a lever, which he could use to operate the lock manually. He could hear the rumble of the train now, and leaned backwards to apply his weight to it, locking the bridge. Many lives depended upon this man's strength.
Then, coming across the bridge from the other direction, he heard a sound that made his blood run cold. "Daddy, where are you?" His four-year-old son was crossing the bridge to look for him. His first instinct was to cry out to the child, "Run! Run!" But the train was too close. The tiny feet would never make it across the bridge in time. The man almost left the lever to run and snatch up his son and carry him to safety, but he realized he could not get back to the lever in time. Either the people on the train, or his son, must die. He took just a moment to make his decision.
The train sped swiftly and safely on its way, and no one on board was even aware of the tiny, broken body thrown mercilessly into the river by the rushing train. Nor were they aware of the pitiful figure of a sobbing man, still clinging tightly to the locking lever long after the train had passed. They didn't see him walking home more slowly than he had ever walked to tell his wife how he had sacrificed their son.
Now, if you can comprehend the emotions, which went through this man's heart, you can begin to understand the feelings of our Heavenly Father, when He sacrificed His Son to bridge the gap between us, and eternal life. Can there be any wonder that he caused the earth to tremble and the skies to darken when His Son died? And how does it feel when we speed along life without giving a thought to what was done for us through Jesus Christ?
When was the last time you thanked Him for the sacrifice of His Son?
Monday, August 20, 2007
Malaysia Badminton - What's next?
First time hosting the World Badminton Championship and not one player reached the finals. Before the game, everything was a ok....And now it turns out one of the players not ok with the head coach. After he lost the game (tamely), he blamed it on the head coach?
But he did say sorry the next day for the out burst. I mean come on, he is the world number 3 player. Not a low, inexperience player...how could he say such a thing? And why was this never iron on before the start of the competition? He was doing so well lately, won his matches in the Sudirman Mix team competition, he even won in Indonesia, which is the hardest place to win competition.
At least the doubles pair Tan and Koo went down fighting. But also dissapointed that they lost to lessor known players (but trained by a great double's player, Park Joo Bong). Leading 17-14, and lost.
I think the coaches need to check with them before any competition whether their 'head' is ok...i mean mental game. Look at Nicol David and Tiger Woods. Their best weapon is their mental game.
Congrats to the ladies for doing well and Chong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah, they finally manage to beat the Chinese pair (whom they lost a number of times) but not enough to go all the way.
I think next time, no interviews for the players. Until the competition is over baru interview..Only interview them after the competition or when they lost. Not before the competition otherwise it will be another let down. Even our Sport Minister was dissapointed.
They are supposed to be professionals, their job is to train, eat, sleep and dream badminton.
Anyway, i hope they will bounced up from this and will not let it depress them any further. They still have other competitions to compete in. Gain points for next year's Olympic
But he did say sorry the next day for the out burst. I mean come on, he is the world number 3 player. Not a low, inexperience player...how could he say such a thing? And why was this never iron on before the start of the competition? He was doing so well lately, won his matches in the Sudirman Mix team competition, he even won in Indonesia, which is the hardest place to win competition.
At least the doubles pair Tan and Koo went down fighting. But also dissapointed that they lost to lessor known players (but trained by a great double's player, Park Joo Bong). Leading 17-14, and lost.
I think the coaches need to check with them before any competition whether their 'head' is ok...i mean mental game. Look at Nicol David and Tiger Woods. Their best weapon is their mental game.
Congrats to the ladies for doing well and Chong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah, they finally manage to beat the Chinese pair (whom they lost a number of times) but not enough to go all the way.
I think next time, no interviews for the players. Until the competition is over baru interview..Only interview them after the competition or when they lost. Not before the competition otherwise it will be another let down. Even our Sport Minister was dissapointed.
They are supposed to be professionals, their job is to train, eat, sleep and dream badminton.
Anyway, i hope they will bounced up from this and will not let it depress them any further. They still have other competitions to compete in. Gain points for next year's Olympic
Brunei Trip- pic 3
Here are the pictures taken at The Empire Hotel and Country club. One of the prime tourist place in Brunei. One can enjoy a 18 hole golf game, Badminton, tennis, swiming, etc. I heard there was a room B$30,000 per night. Got its own butler and indoor swimming pool. There is also a large painting on the left as you enter the hotel. It depicts the first landing of the Spanish in Brunei.
When i was there, saw a number of people checking in, i think they are either from Hong Kong or KL (spoke cantonese). Also a lot of people taking pictures of the place. Did not managed to venture the whole place (hehe..cause not room guest).
The hotel also made its own chocolates. Very tasty. Forgot to take pictures of it. If one ever drop by to Brunei, please take a look of the place.
When i was there, saw a number of people checking in, i think they are either from Hong Kong or KL (spoke cantonese). Also a lot of people taking pictures of the place. Did not managed to venture the whole place (hehe..cause not room guest).
The hotel also made its own chocolates. Very tasty. Forgot to take pictures of it. If one ever drop by to Brunei, please take a look of the place.
Push pocketing...
A new way in extorting money has surfaced. Please go to Zack's site http://xperienceoflife.blogspot.com/#/ and have a read about it.
Be very careful if anyone ever approaches and make accusation of theft. Do not touched anything.
Be very careful if anyone ever approaches and make accusation of theft. Do not touched anything.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Brunei trip - pic 2
Here is the continuation of my Brunei trip. I must say the service there is very good and most of the workers in the service industry are from Philipines. They are quite polite and helpful.
The cakes are from the hotel restaurant at 'The Mall'. We had blue cheese cake and 'Opera' cake. Very nice. B$2.50 each, and it comes with a complimentary coffee or tea.
Had a Japanese dinner at Misato (Kiulap Branch). Not sure where it is, i just followed in the car ....hehe. Nice place and environment. Did not manage to take a lot of pics there cause nearly out of battery.
The next night, had dinner at Sheraton Hotel. Buffet style, a lot of choices B$38 per person. One can also order from the menu, which from far, look like a news paper..hehe.
Overall the food there is not that expensive (please do not do conversion). If working in Brunei, dollar to dollar. Next batch of photos will be EMPIRE hotel.
The cakes are from the hotel restaurant at 'The Mall'. We had blue cheese cake and 'Opera' cake. Very nice. B$2.50 each, and it comes with a complimentary coffee or tea.
Had a Japanese dinner at Misato (Kiulap Branch). Not sure where it is, i just followed in the car ....hehe. Nice place and environment. Did not manage to take a lot of pics there cause nearly out of battery.
The next night, had dinner at Sheraton Hotel. Buffet style, a lot of choices B$38 per person. One can also order from the menu, which from far, look like a news paper..hehe.
Overall the food there is not that expensive (please do not do conversion). If working in Brunei, dollar to dollar. Next batch of photos will be EMPIRE hotel.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
The five people you meet in heaven - Book
The five people you meet in heaven by Mitch Albom. #1 New York Times Bestseller.
I feel that everyone, if possible should read this book. Last year there was a movie based on this book, i have not watch it yet. This book was given to me as a gift which i am very thankful.
For me this book touches on the people that we meet (past, present and future) in our life here on earth. Some may experience bad things/influences from the people they meet (some can be angels and some from the dark side)...but i believe with each people we meet, it is up to us to try make things better even if the situation is bad or the experiences were bad.
Life on this earth are short, try to be happy and lead a happy life. It may sound easy but i know it is not. Each experience we face, it is up to us to either take it as a curse or think/look from the positive angle.
But the most important of all,.....John 3:16.
Any way, this book is about....Eddie who work in a fun fair/carnival (called Ruby Pier), maintenance guy for the rides. He was not a happy man. He died on his birthday (he was 83), while trying to save a girl from being hit by one of the rides.
He did not feel anything, he did not even know he was dead. He felt fine and his legs was not hurting (an injury from the second world war). The first person he met was some one he never met.
The first person he met was the Blue man (who also worked in the fun fair, as a freak show). He said he has been waiting for him. He explain where Eddie was and how this blue man had died. He also mentioned that he will be meeting 5 people and he (Blue man) was the first.
When Eddie was young, he was playing ball throwing (catch) with some friends. Some one threw a bit hard and the ball went across the road. Eddie ran to retrieved the ball, as he ran, he did not notice an oncoming car, lucky the driver saw Eddie and manage to avoid hitting him.
He steer to the right and into an alley hitting the back of a truck (damage was not too bad). He came out from the car and saw the damage (he borrowed the car from his friend). He fell on to the pavement of the empty alley and died. According to reports, he had a 'heart attack'.
Eddie was shocked and felt sorry. Because of his action in trying to get the ball, he caused some one to die so that he can live. Through out Eddie's adult life, he was never happy and full of hatred in his heart. Blue man did not blame him for his death, just want to let him know what had happened.
"What good came from your death?" "You lived," the Blue Man answered. "But we barely knew each other. I might as well have been a stranger."
The Blue Man put his arms on Eddie's shoulders. Eddie felt that warm, melting sensation. "Strangers," the Blue Man said, "are just family you have yet to come to know."
The second person Eddie met was Captain. He served with the Captain in Philippines during the war. He thought 'did i killed Captain too'? During the war they were captured and became POWs (prisoner of war), together with 4 others.
They were really bullied and tortured by the Japanese solders when they were in the camp. They had to do mining for the Japs too. In the end they managed to think of ways to killed off the japs by distracting them. Eddie knew how to juggle and when he saw one of the Japs trying to juggle some rocks, he knew that would be the distraction they were looking for.
So he showed the Japs how to juggle rock, first with two, then 3 then 4 rocks. In the mean time while the Japs were enjoying the 'show', the captain and the rest of the team manage sneaked into position to attacked them. And attacked them they did. Their captors were all killed. And they free the other prisoners.
They also intended to blow off the mines so that the Japs can;t use it again (in case they come back). So they laid charges on the mine, making sure no one was in there. Eddie took a final look and he thought he saw a shadow, like some one was inside. He wanted to go in and checked but the others were already out and the captain called out to him to get out, the mine exploded and Eddie was shot in the leg. Next thing he knew he was on the way out from the place and in the hospital.
And he never saw the captain again or any of his army friends. So he was surprised to see the captain. Captain said a few things about his life before he was killed in one of the battles. And he waited for Eddie all this while just to tell him, he was the one who shot him in the leg.
"You were obsessed with getting in there. You damn near knocked Morton out when he tried to stop you. We had a minute to get out and, damn your strength, you were too tough to fight." Eddie felt a final surge of rage and grabbed the captain by the collar. He pulled him close. He saw the teeth stained by tobacco." My ...legggg!" Eddie seethed."My life!" "I took your leg," the captain said quietly, "to save your life".
Then Eddie realise he should have known that no one was in there, because of that mistake, it haunted him the rest of his life (injury to the leg). After a few words of explaining the meaning of sacrifice, the captain left.
So far with two people he had met, the place is different. For the first one, the place was at the fun fair. The second one, it was in the hills, forest during the war. And now the third person he was meeting, was someone he never met before. A total stranger...a lady.
He saw the scene looking at his father. His father had not treated him well when he was young. When he was drunk he usually take it out on him and his brother. After getting out from the hospital with his injured leg, he was not the same, probably any one who went to war will come back differently. He was no exception. He was at home feeling depressed because of his leg. His dad does not understand it and one time got quite mad at Eddie and wanted to hit him, to 'wake' him up, telling him to go to look for a job instead of feeling depress at home.
He fought back, and nearly knocked his father out. From that day on till the day his father died, they never spoke again.
The lady (third person) spoke to him and told him about her life story. He never met her but they have something in common. This lady used to work in a diner. One day she met a guy and they fall in love. They got married and this guy built a fun fair which he called Ruby pier. Ruby pier was where Eddie worked and also where his dad had work before.
Business was good but something happened, and the place got burned down. Her husband lost everything including his health. The Ruby pier where Eddie and his dad work was rebuilt by some one else, they just did not change the name.
He still did not know what was the connection between him and her. She explained that he knew what happened to his father before he died. In Eddie's mind/perception, his dad came home one night drunk, wet and was without shoes. He caught pnuemonia and never recover and died.
The lady told him, that night before his father came home, a family friend by the name of Mickey Shea was visiting. He was drunk and was trying to hurt Eddie's mother, when his dad came home, they were in the room...when Eddie's dad saw what was happening he wanted to kill Mickey. Mickey ran and Eddie's dad gave chase. Mickey ran to the beach and wanted to kill himself but Eddie's dad although initially wanted to kill him, instead tried to save Mickey. And he did but at a price.
When Eddie heard this he was shocked and was really angry with Mickey. But then the lady explain to him, Mickey was fired from his job that day. And he went to get himself drunk and did not realise what he was doing to Eddie's mom. And the lady also told him that when Eddie was born, Mickey was the one who gave his parent's money and introduced work for his dad.
Eddie's father died in the hospital. What the lady was trying to tell him is, forgive his father. "Holding anger is a poison. It eats you from inside. We think that hating is a weapon that attacks the person who harmed us. But hatred is a curved blade. And the harm we do, we do to ourselves".
After telling him, the lady left.
The fourth person he met was a young lady. Looks familiar. It was his wife when she was younger. He really loved her. But she died at a young age. They had an argument on his 39th birthday and she was on her way to say sorry. She had an accident which she never recover. They had a lovely chat and she knows that he loved her. "Life has to end" she said. "Love doesn't."
The fifth person she met was a young Asian child. Her name was Tala. She was the one who was in the mining cave when he saw the shadow. There really was some one in the mining cave. The child's mother told her that she would be safe in there and to wait for her. Eddie really cried out when he knew he had killed her and was really in tears and asked the young child to forgive him.
He really felt he did nothing good with his life. The young child said he was wrong. He look after the children in Ruby Pier. Making sure all the rides are safe. He was meant to be there, he was meant to be Eddie the maintenance man.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
A Different Chinese - Book
A Different Chinese,was written by CQ ( Fu Ce Qin). He is a Malaysian from Malacca. He has worked for more than a decade of international marketing and from his extensive traveling and observation he came out with this book. Based on his experience and observations on different Chinese in different countries.
Countries like China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and etc...Different characteristics in different countries. It is a good book for those who plan to have dealings with Chinese from these different countries.
Here is some of the summary (from the book).
CHINA - Clear thinking, vocal & decisive. Brave to risk, brave to act. Strong
survival instint.
Taiwanese - Adventurous and adaptive, think of danger in time of peace, opportunist, overly humble, pretentious, reverse style of communication (go around the bush).
Hong Kong - Street smart, alert, energetic and very self confident. Do thing by laws and aware of basic human rights. Honour promises and contracts, straight forward and blunt, very fussy with food.
Thai Chinese - Shy, soft spoken, minimum radical demands due to Buddist influence, patriotic businessmen, personal sentiment is more important than laws.
Countries like China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and etc...Different characteristics in different countries. It is a good book for those who plan to have dealings with Chinese from these different countries.
Here is some of the summary (from the book).
CHINA - Clear thinking, vocal & decisive. Brave to risk, brave to act. Strong
survival instint.
Taiwanese - Adventurous and adaptive, think of danger in time of peace, opportunist, overly humble, pretentious, reverse style of communication (go around the bush).
Hong Kong - Street smart, alert, energetic and very self confident. Do thing by laws and aware of basic human rights. Honour promises and contracts, straight forward and blunt, very fussy with food.
Thai Chinese - Shy, soft spoken, minimum radical demands due to Buddist influence, patriotic businessmen, personal sentiment is more important than laws.
The Little Prince
Have any one read this book? Its by a French pilot named Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's. During my trip to Brunei, an uncle of mine introduced this book. Which i have linked it to my blog (can read it online, all the chapters are there).
It tells about how adult and children see things differently. Given a simple picture illustration, an adult can give different meaning to the picture as compare with a child. If you have time, please visit the site and have a read. It might even help you see things from a different perspective.
The Little Prince (French: Le petit prince), published in 1943, is French aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's most famous novel, which he wrote in the United States while renting The Bevin House in Asharoken, New York, on Long Island. The novel includes a number of drawings by Saint-Exupéry himself, which are reproduced in most versions.
Ostensibly a children's book, it makes several profound and idealistic points about life and human nature. It really shows how different adults are from children. In it, Saint-Exupéry tells of his being stranded in the Sahara Desert, thousands of kilometers away from inhabited places, where he meets a young extra-terrestrial (though entirely human-appearing) prince. In their conversations, the author reveals his own views about the follies of mankind and the simple truths that people seem to forget as they grow older. The essence of the book is contained in the famous line uttered by the fox to the Little Prince: "On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux" (It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye). There are also two other main points in the book, both spoken by the fox. They are: "You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed" and "It is the time you have spent for your rose that makes your rose so important".
Throughout the book the children's view on the world, on the main points of the human life and relations between people, which is represented by the Little Prince and partially by the narrator, is set off against the "grown-ups" revealed in memories of the narrator and in the characters, met by the Little Prince on asteroids. But the author underlines, that the "'grown-ups' are like that. One must not hold it against them. Children should always show great forbearance toward grown-up people."
The Little Prince has been translated into more than 160 languages and, to date has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. It has been claimed (inaccurately) that The Little Prince is the best-selling book after the Bible and Karl Marx's Das Kapital [1]. It has been adapted into a movie musical by Lerner and Loewe, two different operas, as well as into an animated series. It is often used as a beginner's book for foreign language students.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Prince
Monday, August 13, 2007
Brunei trip - pic 1
Went to Brunei over the weekend to visit family frens.
First time went to 'The Mall'. Usually the only place i go in Brunei is, Brunei airport.Here are some pictures.
Jollybee, long time have not eaten the food. Last time there was one in our city but has since close down. I finished 2 Jolly Frankies.
Many of you would know that Brunei has a lot of nice cars. There were car exhibition and many people were there to have a look see.
First time went to 'The Mall'. Usually the only place i go in Brunei is, Brunei airport.Here are some pictures.
Jollybee, long time have not eaten the food. Last time there was one in our city but has since close down. I finished 2 Jolly Frankies.
Many of you would know that Brunei has a lot of nice cars. There were car exhibition and many people were there to have a look see.
Tiger won another major, just 5 more for the all time record.
He did it again. Winning the final major (US PGA) for the year. He had won 5 times this year. No matter how many tournament he wins, if he did not win a major title in a year, he will not consider it a good year. So by winning it, he said he had a great year. It was the first major title as a father. Even his daugher wore red (his Sunday shirt).
Congratulations to Tiger Woods. The other 3 major winners of the year, did not do too good. Two of them did not even make the cut (to play in the weekend). Tiger Wood really goes to tournaments to win them. Seriously our sports men and women should learn from him. His mental game is very sharp and tough. At the moment, in Malaysia, i think only Nicol David (Squash Queen) has this kind of mental toughness.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Become a 'chicken entrepreneur'
Interesting article but true.
http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/21/smbusiness/chicken.entrepreneur/index.htm?postversion=2006072114
No, you won't have to work on a farm or do a funny dance. It just means starting your own business on the side while keeping your day job.
By Jessica Seid, CNNMoney.com staff writer
July 21 2006: 2:28 PM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Always dreamed of starting your own business but too chicken to quit your day job?
Don't worry, that's not such a bad thing; in fact, you may already be on the right track to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
Over 50 percent of small businesses fail in the first year and 95 percent fail within the first five years, according to the Small Business Association. So it may be wise to hold on to your day job until your side business not only launches, but really takes off.
Although it's tempting to devote yourself full time to building a business, working as an employee for someone else means that you have a steady paycheck to rely on if things don't go as planned, said Michael Masterson, author of "Automatic Wealth for Grads . . . and Anyone Else Just Starting Out."
And if your job happens to be in the same industry where you're planning to launch a business, or if you're just out of school, being a chicken entrepreneur gives you all sorts of advantages you couldn't have if you were on your own. For example, you can use your 9-to-5 work to gain experience, amass contacts and build a network in your field.
"I favor this approach because it allows you to extend your wealth and business experience, while working under a safety net in case things don't work out," Masterson said.
Bryan Sansbury, who has formed a group with members of his family to open several Tossed restaurant franchises in the Houston area, is following this strategy.
Sansbury plans to keep the job he has had for the past 11 years, as a human-resources executive with consulting firm Hewitt Associates. He said the skills and knowledge he continues to gain from his work will help contribute to the new venture.
"Frankly I love my job, and it is very operationally focused," he said. "I could bring some of those talents I use on a day-to-day basis" to the business.
In addition, having a steady income makes him and his team more attractive to lenders and banks associated with the restaurant venture, Sansbury said.
Sansbury said the first Tossed salad shop is slated to open this December.
You can follow these tips to start building your business while you're working for somebody else.
Learn something about small businesses and how they are run. Look for what's not working well at your place of employment and what could be done better.
Make sure the job you have now allows you to get experience and contacts in the field where you're hoping to start a business.
Save as much of your salary as possible to invest in your business.
http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/21/smbusiness/chicken.entrepreneur/index.htm?postversion=2006072114
No, you won't have to work on a farm or do a funny dance. It just means starting your own business on the side while keeping your day job.
By Jessica Seid, CNNMoney.com staff writer
July 21 2006: 2:28 PM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Always dreamed of starting your own business but too chicken to quit your day job?
Don't worry, that's not such a bad thing; in fact, you may already be on the right track to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
Over 50 percent of small businesses fail in the first year and 95 percent fail within the first five years, according to the Small Business Association. So it may be wise to hold on to your day job until your side business not only launches, but really takes off.
Although it's tempting to devote yourself full time to building a business, working as an employee for someone else means that you have a steady paycheck to rely on if things don't go as planned, said Michael Masterson, author of "Automatic Wealth for Grads . . . and Anyone Else Just Starting Out."
And if your job happens to be in the same industry where you're planning to launch a business, or if you're just out of school, being a chicken entrepreneur gives you all sorts of advantages you couldn't have if you were on your own. For example, you can use your 9-to-5 work to gain experience, amass contacts and build a network in your field.
"I favor this approach because it allows you to extend your wealth and business experience, while working under a safety net in case things don't work out," Masterson said.
Bryan Sansbury, who has formed a group with members of his family to open several Tossed restaurant franchises in the Houston area, is following this strategy.
Sansbury plans to keep the job he has had for the past 11 years, as a human-resources executive with consulting firm Hewitt Associates. He said the skills and knowledge he continues to gain from his work will help contribute to the new venture.
"Frankly I love my job, and it is very operationally focused," he said. "I could bring some of those talents I use on a day-to-day basis" to the business.
In addition, having a steady income makes him and his team more attractive to lenders and banks associated with the restaurant venture, Sansbury said.
Sansbury said the first Tossed salad shop is slated to open this December.
You can follow these tips to start building your business while you're working for somebody else.
Learn something about small businesses and how they are run. Look for what's not working well at your place of employment and what could be done better.
Make sure the job you have now allows you to get experience and contacts in the field where you're hoping to start a business.
Save as much of your salary as possible to invest in your business.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Palm oil week...
This week is Palm oil week in Miri. Started yesterday until 10 of this month. It is organised by MPOB (Malaysia Palm Oil Berhad).
It was officiated by Datuk Peter Chin, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities. Many people were there, most of them are smallholders. Datuk also gave out some coupons to exchange for good quality seedling to about 7 members of Parliament of Sarawak. It is for their constituents smallholders use.
I was at the opening but did not brought my camera. The exhibition is at the Imperial Mall.In the morning a lot of people so did not go around the booth.
I did managed to take some pictures during the night but the exhibition already finished for the day. Will post it later.
At the moment Sabah contribute the most palm oil in Malaysia. Sarawak is slowly into this. This is where small holders comes in, they can contribute to the palm oil industry. With the new type of seedlings, i am sure they can raise their output and thus increased their income.
MPOB is willing to help and teach the small holders with regards to planting and getting the proper teaching in maintaining the palm trees...i.e ways to get rid of pests and diseases.
If possible, please go and see the exhibition, one will be surprise on the many things that can be used from Palm oil/tree.
It was officiated by Datuk Peter Chin, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities. Many people were there, most of them are smallholders. Datuk also gave out some coupons to exchange for good quality seedling to about 7 members of Parliament of Sarawak. It is for their constituents smallholders use.
I was at the opening but did not brought my camera. The exhibition is at the Imperial Mall.In the morning a lot of people so did not go around the booth.
I did managed to take some pictures during the night but the exhibition already finished for the day. Will post it later.
At the moment Sabah contribute the most palm oil in Malaysia. Sarawak is slowly into this. This is where small holders comes in, they can contribute to the palm oil industry. With the new type of seedlings, i am sure they can raise their output and thus increased their income.
MPOB is willing to help and teach the small holders with regards to planting and getting the proper teaching in maintaining the palm trees...i.e ways to get rid of pests and diseases.
If possible, please go and see the exhibition, one will be surprise on the many things that can be used from Palm oil/tree.
Monday, August 6, 2007
A mother's love..
20 years ago, a mother who was only 17 at the time gave her son up for adoption.
For the past year, the mother has been trying to locate her son. She tried many government places, adoption places and even the internet.
Her friend suggested to try Facebook.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/08/01/canada.face.book.ap/index.html
TORONTO, Canada (AP) -- When Lori Haas joined Facebook, she didn't know much about the popular social networking site except that most of her friends were on it. Little did she know how life-changing the online tool would be.
After spending a year searching for the son she gave up for adoption 20 years ago in phone books, adoption registries and on the Internet to no avail, a friend suggested searching for him on Facebook.
Lori Hass said she recognized the son she gave up for adoption on a Facebook profile photograph.
"When my friend told me about the search tool and I typed in my son's name, Travis Sheppard, I couldn't believe it when I saw a photo of him," she said.
The photo was a thumbnail shot of Sheppard wearing a hat and sunglasses and he was with a friend. Haas felt sure he was her son, but since it was difficult to clearly make out the picture, she was hesitant to send him a message. Then a week later, Sheppard changed his profile photo to a lone shot of himself.
"He was still wearing a hat, but I knew, I just knew that was him. My heart was racing when I saw the photo," said the 37-year-old nurse from Vancouver. "We have the same long face and nose! And it was listed that he was in Vancouver. I couldn't believe it. I thought, 'Oh my god, he's been living here too?!"'
The 20-year-old Sheppard had moved to Vancouver only four months earlier in the hopes of locating his birth mother. He knew she had given him up for adoption in the suburb of Richmond when she was 17.
Haas worried about contacting Sheppard through Facebook since she didn't know if he knew he was adopted. She finally sent him a message saying she was looking for a relative and provided a birth date and name. He confirmed the details were his and sent her a message saying he thought she was his birth mother. The two decided to meet the following day.
"It was exciting and scary all at the same time," said Sheppard. "I'd heard so many horror stories about adopted kids meeting their birth parents, so I went into our meeting expecting nothing, so I wouldn't get too hurt since I wanted to know for so long about my mother. But as soon as we hugged, I knew everything was OK."
The connection between the two was instantaneous and they discovered they share similar characteristics and likes and dislikes.
"It was amazing how familiar it was meeting him and the feeling of being complete," said Haas. "I carried around the pain and anxiety of giving him up for adoption at such a young age, but when I heard him say that he didn't hate me for doing that, a chapter of my life ended and a new one is beginning."
Since that meeting two weeks ago, the two have spent almost every day together touring Vancouver's landmarks, as well as meeting Sheppard's birth father, his family and Haas' extended family.
"Everything's fallen into place so perfectly and, well, so easily because of Facebook," said Haas. "This weekend Travis and his birth father and I were all together. It's been one of the happiest moments of my life."
The reunited mother and son now have a profile photo showing them together on their Facebook pages. They plan to continue getting to know each other and to become a significant part of each other's life.
"I was about to delete my Facebook profile just a few days before I got the message from Lori," said Sheppard. "I can't even imagine if I had done that. I'd still be looking for my birth mom, I wouldn't have decided to stay in Vancouver and I'd still be wondering about my roots."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
For the past year, the mother has been trying to locate her son. She tried many government places, adoption places and even the internet.
Her friend suggested to try Facebook.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/08/01/canada.face.book.ap/index.html
TORONTO, Canada (AP) -- When Lori Haas joined Facebook, she didn't know much about the popular social networking site except that most of her friends were on it. Little did she know how life-changing the online tool would be.
After spending a year searching for the son she gave up for adoption 20 years ago in phone books, adoption registries and on the Internet to no avail, a friend suggested searching for him on Facebook.
Lori Hass said she recognized the son she gave up for adoption on a Facebook profile photograph.
"When my friend told me about the search tool and I typed in my son's name, Travis Sheppard, I couldn't believe it when I saw a photo of him," she said.
The photo was a thumbnail shot of Sheppard wearing a hat and sunglasses and he was with a friend. Haas felt sure he was her son, but since it was difficult to clearly make out the picture, she was hesitant to send him a message. Then a week later, Sheppard changed his profile photo to a lone shot of himself.
"He was still wearing a hat, but I knew, I just knew that was him. My heart was racing when I saw the photo," said the 37-year-old nurse from Vancouver. "We have the same long face and nose! And it was listed that he was in Vancouver. I couldn't believe it. I thought, 'Oh my god, he's been living here too?!"'
The 20-year-old Sheppard had moved to Vancouver only four months earlier in the hopes of locating his birth mother. He knew she had given him up for adoption in the suburb of Richmond when she was 17.
Haas worried about contacting Sheppard through Facebook since she didn't know if he knew he was adopted. She finally sent him a message saying she was looking for a relative and provided a birth date and name. He confirmed the details were his and sent her a message saying he thought she was his birth mother. The two decided to meet the following day.
"It was exciting and scary all at the same time," said Sheppard. "I'd heard so many horror stories about adopted kids meeting their birth parents, so I went into our meeting expecting nothing, so I wouldn't get too hurt since I wanted to know for so long about my mother. But as soon as we hugged, I knew everything was OK."
The connection between the two was instantaneous and they discovered they share similar characteristics and likes and dislikes.
"It was amazing how familiar it was meeting him and the feeling of being complete," said Haas. "I carried around the pain and anxiety of giving him up for adoption at such a young age, but when I heard him say that he didn't hate me for doing that, a chapter of my life ended and a new one is beginning."
Since that meeting two weeks ago, the two have spent almost every day together touring Vancouver's landmarks, as well as meeting Sheppard's birth father, his family and Haas' extended family.
"Everything's fallen into place so perfectly and, well, so easily because of Facebook," said Haas. "This weekend Travis and his birth father and I were all together. It's been one of the happiest moments of my life."
The reunited mother and son now have a profile photo showing them together on their Facebook pages. They plan to continue getting to know each other and to become a significant part of each other's life.
"I was about to delete my Facebook profile just a few days before I got the message from Lori," said Sheppard. "I can't even imagine if I had done that. I'd still be looking for my birth mom, I wouldn't have decided to stay in Vancouver and I'd still be wondering about my roots."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Tiger Woods won again...
Tiger woods won again at Bridgestone for the 3rd straight year (6 wins in total). Beating Rory Sabatini by 8 strokes. Tiger started the day 1 stroke behind Rory. But at the end of the 18, hole, Tiger won by 8. Other people was playing for second.
This win brings him title number 4 for the year. A few more coming up including the final major of the year, US PGA. Hope this win will carry it over the the major tournament.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Starbucks out of Forbidden City
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-07/14/content_5435120.htm
Starbucks closes Chinese palace outlet
(AP)
Updated: 2007-07-14 15:26
BEIJING - Starbucks has closed a coffeehouse in China's former imperial palace, the company said Saturday, ending a presence that sparked protests by Chinese people who said it damaged a key historical site.
The controversy over Starbucks at Beijing's 587-year-old Forbidden City has highlighted Chinese sensitivity about cultural symbols and unease over an influx of foreign pop culture.
Starbucks closed the 200-square-foot outlet Friday after Forbidden City managers decided they wanted all shops on its grounds to operate under the palace's brand name, said Eden Woon, Starbucks' vice president for Greater China.
"It was a very congenial decision. We respect what they are doing," Woon said.
The Starbucks opened in 2000 at the invitation of palace managers, who needed to raise money to maintain the 178-acre complex of villas and gardens. But critics said it was inappropriate. An anchor for a Chinese television led an online protest, saying the coffeehouse diminished Chinese culture.
Starbucks was offered the option of becoming part of a combined outlet with other beverage brands all sold under the Palace Museum brand name, according to Woon and Chinese news reports, which cited the palace's vice president, Li Wenru.
"There were several choices, one of which was to continue, but it would not carry the Starbucks name any more," Woon said. "We decided at the end that it is not our custom worldwide to have stores that have any other name, so therefore we decided the choice would be to leave."
Seattle-based Starbucks Corp. opened its first coffeehouse in China in 1999 and now has 250 mainland outlets. Its success has spawned a series of Chinese imitators. Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz described China last year as the company's No. 1 growth market.
The Forbidden City was home to 24 emperors before the end of imperial rule in 1911. It is China's top tourist attraction, drawing some 7 million visitors a year. Other businesses there include bookstores, souvenir shops and Chinese-style teahouses.
The palace is in the midst of a renovation, due to last through 2020, to restore the site to its imperial-era appearance. That includes removing a five-story archive museum and toning down commercial symbols. The number of shops on its grounds has been cut from 37 to 17, according to Chinese media.
"Those businesses that remain in the Forbidden City must carry out reforms," the newspaper Beijing Daily quoted Li, the vice president, as saying. It gave no details.
Starbucks was a popular resting spot for palace visitors, but attracted criticism from the start. The company agreed shortly after opening to lower its profile by removing its exterior sign.
Protests were led by Rui Chenggang, an anchor for China Central Television's English-language channel.
Starbucks' presence "undermined the Forbidden City's solemnity and trampled over Chinese culture," Rui wrote in his CCTV blog earlier this year.
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