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Announcing the end of this blog, and the beginning of a new one - VISIT MY NEW BLOG www.kauluanexpress.com

2011-07-11T12:30:00.000+08:00

Salaam, all.

To keep in touch with my entries, my thoughts, and my photographs, please go to http://www.kauluanexpress.com

See you there!

P/S: Final pictures for this blog.

How I want to be remembered

2011-04-20T22:26:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all,

Yesterday, I was flooded with a lot of work. Although I was tired, I managed to finish some of the work. I arrived home late last night to the ‘freezing’ weather! There were lizards, insects and many other living creatures outside the house. They were making too much noise! But, who cares? I slept and dreamt that life was joy.

Today, the morning went by interestingly enough, and the feeling was for me even better and more wonderful than I imagined it could be.

Now, behind me, the night, and the distant applause of waves. The empty scene broke my heart, mended it, and made me cry. What is with the tears? Oh, maybe I let this poem affect me too much.

I don't want to be remembered as the guy who was good or bad at sports;
The guy who was physically strong or weak;
The guy who was good or bad looking;
The guy who was talented at one thing but definitely not in another;
The guy who was smart or dumb or even worse, average.

I want to remembered for the love that I gave;
For the friendships that I made;
For the caring and compassion that I showed towards others;
For the happiness that never seemed to go away
Which I shared with every person that I possibly could;
And for the faith and hope that never died inside...

By Jerry H. --- Pennsylvania

P/S: I love walking in the rain, because then no one knows that I am crying.

Yes is just too nice, I guess

2011-04-20T00:33:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all,

Do you find it so hard to say "no" that you regularly do favors you do not want to do? Or do you find it hard to say "yes"? Most people who fear taking a stand in favor of their own true feelings are TOO concerned about what others will think about them (I am referring this to myself). This is the mark of a person lacking in self-confidence. (..and it refers to me, too.) Time will confirm the fact that one cannot please everyone by saying "yes" or "no" against their own wishes. Since you cannot control the feelings or the actions of other people, you will soon learn the only person you can control and please by whatever you decide to say- or do - is yourself! (I mean, myself.)

On the other hand, I used to find it hard to say no, but I have learned that I hurt feelings less by saying no. If I say yes out of obligation and do not want to do it, I am unhappy and maybe do not do as good of a job, or if I do a good job I am on edge and when there is one little complaint, I explode. For example "How dare you! You are so ungrateful. I didn't want to help you in the first place, now you complain about the job I did!" Experience has taught me that a simple and honest "I don't have time to do that right now" or even better "No" saves relationship better than doing things I don't want to do half heartedly. But, sometimes it is very hard to say “No” even though it is a genuine respond.

Having said that, I do not find it hard to say yes when I want to help, and since I can say no freely I have no problem in this area today. The good book says "Give with a glad heart". To me that means don't give and be grumpy about it. If I can't give gladly, everyone is better off if I just say no.

Just my two cents.

Below:

Anyway, enjoy the pictures below. They were captured during my stay in Kuching, Sarawak, last year. Million thanks to Andy and Ivy for the good company!

Long queue for Penang curry mee

2011-04-20T00:17:00.000+08:00

By Tiberius Kerk, April 14, 2011

As posted HERE : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com

If anybody had told me that it is a matter of luck to get a bowl of Penang curry mee at a particular place in PJ, I would have thought the perpetrator of the news needs counselling.

That was before I found out the truth for myself. A Penang friend told me months ago that at Restaurant Okay in Jalan SS2/10, there is a very popular curry mee stall.

I disregarded the claim as gibberish. Then one morning about two weeks ago, I woke up and arrived at the restaurant just to find out the truth.

The stall owner next to the Penang curry mee stall told me that the hawker’s day-off was always Monday. I showed up on Tuesday, again the stall was empty. I presumed it was because of Qing Ming Festival or the Chinese All Souls’ Day.

Then the next day, I dropped by again. This time, the Penang curry mee stall was in business. When I was about to place my order, the curry mee seller told me he had just sold out everything.

I looked at my watch and it was 9.30am! Whoever heard of a hawker closing his stall at that time? So my Penang friend was right, this guy’s Penang curry mee was really popular.

In fact, I was told that this curry mee hawker was nicknamed 7-Eleven because he was said to open for business at 7am and closed up at 11am.

In truth, that rumour wasn’t accurate. It was more like 8-Nine. On my fourth attempt, I got lucky. The Penang curry mee stall still had enough mee and beehoon left. It was also about 9.30am but the hawker had to tilt his curry pot side-ways to scoop up the curry.

Out of curiosity, I asked the Hokkien-speaking guy if he really begins his business at 7am. He said no because that would be too early. He actually begins business at 8am.

That means the Penang curry mee is sold out within one and a half hours. That must be a record for any hawker in Malaysia. Perhaps the people at the Malaysia Book of Records should confirm that and make it official.

Indisputable reputation

This Penang curry mee stall at Restaurant Okay is manned by two men. One of them is in his 60s and the other man is about 20 years younger.

At RM4.50 for a small packet, or small bowl, it was normal by PJ standards. Later at home, when I had my first taste of this eminently Penang curry mee, it smells and tastes like the kind of curry mee that most Penangites can identify with.

It has the same kind of darkish red sambal, the coagulated blood, bits of sotong and some pieces of dried tofu.

Everything was identical to the original Penang curry mee at any stall on the famous island. Does it really live up to its reputation? Yes and no. Yes, it does taste good. No, it is not that fantastic beyond words.

In the final analysis, it is good but not perfect. Perhaps my expectations were too high after all that hype. I remember, as will some others, that there is another Penang curry mee stall in Overseas Union Garden, near the market that is also well known.

The one in OUG calls itself Kuantan Road Curry Mee. That stall has a slight edge over this stall in Jalan SS2/10. But if you are hungry and you are an ex-Penang resident and your craving is uncontrollable, you probably won’t complain too much.

The thought of curry mee makes you pine for home and any Penang curry mee will serve as a good substitute. The evidence is clear – this curry mee stall in PJ SS2 has an indisputable reputation.

Its roaring business is testimony that the people in the neighbourhood have given their full approval. Even if “outsiders” like me does not give it a solid five-star rating, our opinions do not matter.

If the curry mee man and his partner can sell everything within two hours, they do not need anybody’s opinion or approval. My guess is there are a lot of ex-Penangites staying in the area near the restaurant. There were many customers speaking Hokkien when I was there recently, and I suspect they are not from Klang.

P/S :
Penang is really a wonderful place to spend your holiday to go through the heritage sites. Furthermore you can relax in Penang’s nice and quiet beaches and enjoy the wonderful Penang food at the same time. I had the opportunity to visit Penang Island and Kepala Batas, Penang last year, 2010. For more information, click HERE and HERE.

Telur ayam cacat, telur tiruan, makanan ubahsuai genetik, GMF dan GMO

2011-04-18T04:34:00.001+08:00

Salaam dan hai kepada semua,

Mutakhir ini kita sering disogokkan dengan berita yang berkaitan dengan makanan. Tidak kiralah ia menyentuh tentang harga barang makanan, pencemaran makanan, kekurangan zat makanan, atau apa-apa sahaja yang menyentuh tentang aspek makanan. Bagaimana pula dengan isu ‘makanan tiruan’? Sebenarnya ia bukanlah merupakan isu yang baru. Perkara ini telah lama berlaku. Cuma, mungkin baru hari ini masyarakat terdedah mengenainya. Dibantu oleh teknologi komunikasi pada hari ini, dengan sekelip mata isu ini diketahui umum dan ada yang menganggap ia adalah merupakan suatu ‘kejutan’ dan boleh dikatakan bahawa terdapat individu yang tidak dapat menerima hakikat ini dan merasa ‘tertipu’ atau mungkin ‘ditipu.’

Dalam entry kali ini, saya akan berkongsi pendapat mengenai isu ini berdasarkan kepada ilmu pengetahuan yang saya perolehi semasa menuntut Ijazah Sarjana Muda dalam bidang Sains Makanan dan Pemakanan di Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), serta beberapa kajian yang dijalankan seperti bahan bacaan ilmiah, laporan media massa dan juga pencarian maklumat di internet. Mungkin ada sesetengah maklumat yang dipaparkan di sini boleh diragui ketepatannya. Tidak mengapa, kalian boleh kongsi maklumat yang lebih tepat bersama saya, atau pun kalian merujuk kepada sumber kukuh yang lain.

Persoalan utama ialah apakah yang dimaksudkan dengan 'makanan tiruan ini'? Lebih penting lagi, adakah makanan tiruan ini berbahaya kepada kesihatan manusia? Sebenarnya, makanan tiruan yang dimaksudkan ialah 'makanan ubahsuai genetik.' Sebelum kita meneroka dengan lebih lanjut lagi, izinkan saya berkongsi beberapa perkara yang mempunyai perkaitan dengan isu ini iaitu istilah seperti Genetically Modified Food (GMF) dan Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)/Genetically Enginered Organism (GEO). GMO atau dalam istilah bahasa melayu iaitu Organisma Yang Direkayasa Secara Genetik adalah merupakan suatu istilah yang menerangkan mengenai bahan-bahan genetik (gen) sesuatu organism yang telah diubah dengan menggunakan teknik kejuruteraan genetik. Teknik-teknik ini, yang lazimnya dikenali sebagai teknologi rekombinan DNA, menggunakan molekul DNA daripada sumber yang berbeza, digabungkan menjadi satu molekul untuk membentuk satu set gen yang baru. DNA ini kemudiannya dipindah ke dalam organism. Oleh hal yang demikian, organisama tersebut kini memiliki novel gen yang telah pun dibuahsuai.

Ataupun, dengan penerangan lain iaitu, GMO adalah merupakan suatu proses yang melibatkan kejuruteraan genetik atau pun bioteknologi dimana sifat-sifat dari suatu makhluk hidup diubah dengan cara memindahkan gen-gen dari satu spesis makhluk hidup ke spesis yang lain, ataupun mengubah gen-gen dalam satu spesis. Organisma yang diubahsuai genetik ini mungkin terdiri daripada mikroorganisma yang telah dicipta untuk digunakan sebagai bio-racun makhluk perosak atau biji benih yang diubahsuai secara genetik bagi menghasilkan tanam-tanaman yang kebal penyakit dan membesar dengan lebih baik.

Manakala, GMF pula adalah merupakan makanan yang dihasilkan daripada GMO. Makanan ubahsuai genetik ini merupakan produk yang dihasilkan oleh syarikat multinasional yang berasaskan pertanian. Melalui kaedah penyelidikan, maka syarikat-syarikat ini telah berjaya menghasilkan benih tumbuh-tumbuhan yang dikatakan lebih baik penghasilannya berbanding tumbuh-tumbuhan yang berasal daripada benih semula jadi. Selain daripada itu, pernah anda mendengar tentang bagaimana insulin dihasilkan? Dahulunya insulin diambil dari haiwan-haiwan hidup seperti khinzir, namun saintis telah menambah jujukan DNA bagi insulin dari badan manusia ke dalam sel bakteria. Maka insulin pun terhasil dari sel bakteria tersebut. Oleh itu, tidak perlu lagi untuk memelihara khinzir, menjimatkan kos, masa serta tidak timbul isu penggunaan insulin khinzir bagi masyarakat beragama Islam dan bangsa Yahudi. Sama juga dengan kes ‘ayam togel.' Bezanya, gen yang mengekod/yang akan menghasilkan bulu pelepah ayam itu dibuang dari sel ayam. Apabila ia dibuang, maka ayam tersebut akan hidup dengan tidak menghasilkan bulu pelepah.Apakah hasilnya? Ayam togel! Ayam ini dihasilkan oleh ahli saintis untuk mengurangkan kos dan masa penternakan/pemprosesan ayam.

Merujuk kepada kes telur ayam tiruan/palsu, pada hemat saya, terdapat juga telur ayam yang sememangnya palsu dan bukan dihasilkan oleh organisma hidup (ayam). Lazimnya, bahan-bahan yang digunakan adalah seperti gelatin, asid benzoik, kalsium klorida, alum (bahan yang lazimnya digunakan dalam industri pemprosesan) dan lain-lain lagi. Pengambilan telur tiruan ini secara berterusan serta dalam jangka masa yang panjang adalah dikhuatiri boleh menyebabkan penyakit seperti dementia (Dementia adalah sejenis masalah penyakit yang berkaitan dengan daya ingatan yang disebabkan oleh kematian sel-sel otak secara abnormal. Dementia bermaksud kemerosotan daya pemikiran). Artikel berkaitan telur tiruan boleh diperoleh DI SINI.

Berkenaan kes baru-baru ini (klik DI SINI) yang dilaporkan mengenai telur ayam tiruan, Menteri Kesihatan, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, berkata analisis ujian asid deoksiribonukleik (DNA) oleh Jabatan Kimia mengesahkan sampel telur yang didakwa telur tiruan di Pulau Pinang, adalah telur ayam. Beliau berkata, Kementerian Kesihatan mengambil empat sampel telur yang didakwa telur tiruan itu dan menghantarnya ke Jabatan Kimia untuk dianalisis bagi menentukan ketulenannya. Berdasarkan keputusan analisis, didapati kandungan protein sampel telur berkenaan adalah sama dengan telur ayam. Analisis DNA mengesahkan sampel telur itu adalah telur ayam.

Terdapat kesan positif dan negatif tentang GMF/GMO. Sebagai usaha memasarkan tanamantanaman di pasaran antarabangsa, syarikat-syarikat ini telah mendakwa bahawa produk ubahsuai genetik yang dihasilkan adalah baik berdasarkan alasan-alasan seperti berikut:

- Membantu mengurangkan masalah kebuluran

- Makanan ubahsuai genetik tidak ada bezanya dengan tanaman semula jadi.

- Dapat memperbaiki kualiti pemakanan yang dapat mengelakkan daripada serangan penyakit yang serius.

- Teknologi ubahsuai genetik membolehkan saintis tanaman membentuk sifat-sifat tanaman yang tahan daripada kemarau

- Kos makanan ubahsuai genetik lebih rendah, ia menjadikan penanam lebih mendapat keuntungan dan memberi manfaat kepada alam sekitar. Biarpun begitu, alasan yang diberikan oleh syarikat multinasional pengeluar benih ubahsuai genetik telah ditolak oleh para pejuang keselamatan makanan. Hasil daripada kajian yang dilakukan mendapati bahawa makanan ubahsuai genetik ini mengakibatkan beberapa kesan terutama dari segi jangka panjang.

Beberapa perkara lain tentang GMO/GMF:

- Kurangnya maklumat: Tidak terdapat kajian jangka panjang dan secara bersendirian tentang keselamatan makanan atau tanaman GMO.

- Penggunaan teknologi tidak tepat: GMO boleh berpindah dari satu organisme ke organism yang lain. Gen tersebut dipotong secara tepat dari DNA sesuatu organisme, tetapi jurutera genetik tidak mempunyai pengetahuan di mana gen itu akan dimasukkan dalam DNA organisme penerima. Begitu juga mereka tidak sedar akan kemungkinan tindakbalas yang berlaku.

- Kesan sampingan: Gen yang baru ini mungkin mempunyai kesan yang tidak disengajakan.

- Kegagalan penyebaran tanaman: Jurutera genetik lebih mementingkan keuntungan.

Sumber:

§ Information on GM crops

§ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_organism

§ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food

§ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food_controversies

§ Zaid, A; H.G. Hughes, E. Porceddu, F. Nicholas (2001). Glossary of Biotechnology for Food and Agriculture - A Revised and Augmented Edition of the Glossary of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. Available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic. Rome, Italy: FAO. ISBN 92-5-104683-2.

§ FAO-BiotechNews — News and events about GMOs from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

§ Everything you wanted to know about GM organisms — Provided by New Scientist.

§ Eppendorf Biochip Systems Detection method for GMO in food and feed by using GMO-microarray

§ Food Security and Ag-Biotech News — for balanced news

* Blogger is a graduate in Nutrition & Food Science from University Malaysia Sabah (UMS). Previous working experience as a lecturer and nutritionist in private sectors. Currently working with the Ministry of Health Malaysia at Putrajaya. Field of interests including Public Health Nutrition, Nutrition Epidemiology and Nutrigenomics. Any suggestions or comments? steviesebol@gmail.com and steviesebol1985@gmail.com.

Pictures below:
Now, relax your mind and enjoy the pictures below. They were taken at many different location.

Portrait - The many faces of Malaysia

2011-04-16T21:54:00.004+08:00

Salaam and hi to all my readers,

I am so proud of Malaysia, and there is nothing like home, Malaysia. Here are some of the pictures of my friends, families and randomly captured pictures who represent Malaysian faces. If you recognize any of the faces, do let me know ya. Who knows, they might be you.

P/S: You may also want to visit my page here.

Srikandi

2011-04-15T20:51:00.005+08:00

Salaam and hi to my valued readers,

First and foremost, I would like to express my utmost gratitude to Allah for giving me the opportunity to serve with the government particularly Ministry of Health. I have been working for approximately two years, since 2009. I have to say that it has been a tremendous and challenging experience so far and I believe there are more to come. Insh’Allah. My colleagues, wow! They are great (although sometimes there were ups and downs). Madame Maimun, Madame Norkiah, Sis Ina, Sis Farah, Andy, Efa, Fairuz, Kemar, Naim, just to name a few - all of them are a group of dedicated and hardworking people! During the past two years, I have been working under the supervision of three great ladies namely Madame Azizati, Madame Safida and Madame Hasmawati. They each serve their responsibility and they each possess their own unique personality! All of them have already transferred to other division/agencies and is now working in a new environment.

Another day has passed from the number of days reserved for me on earth. New chapter is going to be imprinted. For me, never waste a minute of our precious life by squandering it thinking about people we don’t like. So, we gotta go out and make some new friends! Now, another Srikandi is leaving the Division. After serving for couple of years with the Human Resource Division, she is finally shifting to the neighboring ministry – Ministry of Higher Education Level. Even though I am not directly working under her supervision, but sharing the same working atmosphere have led us to a wonderful mother-and-son-relationship. Yesterday was the final time I worked together with her. Alongside with Madame Maimun, we teamed up and worked on the answers regarding on a set of questions which were given by the Berita Harian newspaper. I was at her office, throwing some ideas and translate them into paragraphs when she said this cute things to me, “Stevie, dulu kan, I belajar menaip guna keyboard. I pastikan jari kelingking sebelah tangan kiri ni untuk press butang ‘A’ saja. Tu yang I dapat taip dengan cepat. Kalau you nak, I boleh ajar you.” Oh dear, my ears quickly captured her voice and at the same time smiling my heart out! Ma’am, all the best in your future endeavors. Insh’Allah.

P/S : We will missed your smiling face J

My head is spinning around in circles!

2011-04-15T02:02:00.006+08:00

Salaam and hi to all readers,

People often ask me how I come up with things to blog about, and I find the question strange, because my problem is the opposite. I have too much to blog about. I've started blogging in 2009 but I have yet to identify the best approach in making my blog a success. I never quite knew how to go about posting entries which would both attract and engage readers. Recently, I ‘re-brand’ my blog in hopes that with new looks and hopefully new determination, this blog of mine would gain positive outcomes. Does a blog need to be niche? Because if it does, then mine is probably heading in the wrong direction because it is a mixture of personal and general contents. Any suggestions or views on your side? Ooh, my head is spinning around in circles!

Thank you and cheers!

Picture below: Milo ping and roti, anyone?

Ungrateful people are always there around us

2011-04-14T03:11:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all valued readers,

Can you imagine doing somebody a favor and they don't even say "Thank you"?Believe it or not, there are many people who take others for granted. Oh yes, so many of them! Unfortunately, yes, unfortunately, there are many people like this wherever we go. In fact, sometimes when we give something to them and they don't say the magic word Thank You, I'd be the one embarrassed because he or she doesn;t know how to be appreciative. But as long as I learn to be grateful, that should be enough. Really?

Having said that, I don’t really believe the words "Thank you" have to be said in order for appreciation to be expressed. Why? Come to think about this, a smile can do just as well. The other thing to consider is what exactly is a 'favor'? Is pausing for a second to hold a door for the next customer at the store a favor? Or is that just good manners? Is picking up a pen that a coworker dropped a favor? Or is it just being nice?How about step in front, volunteering yourself helping your colleagues at the office whenever they are in need. Is this consider being nice? Oh, by the way, is this so-called ‘helping hand’ situation really exist? Particularly in your office? I doubt it!

I don’t think everyone always does nice things for others because they expect something back. Sometimes favors are a way to show appreciation for something someone else has done. Sometimes when you witness a favor, the thanks has been given in a way not seen. Perhaps it is a return favor. If everyone stopped helping other people because they weren’t given the thanks they thought they deserved, I think everyone would become miserable. Sometimes taking an extra second to help out someone will completely change their day around.

If someone thinks they are being taken advantage of, then of course they should speak up. Not everyone realizes that a certain task isn’t part of a person's job at work. Not everyone realizes that you have to go out of your way for certain things. I think the key to approaching someone, though, is to try to be as positive as possible. For example at work say something along the lines of 'I really don’t mind helping you out with your task, but today I just have too many other things to do and can’t help. Ask me again next time and I would be happy to help if I can.' It will show that it is something you are doing to be helpful and that you don’t mind, but you aren’t being negative or accusatory. But, to be honest, if we say something like that, what are the interpretations that we will get? Sour face! And then they will start gossiping around about us. Why ah?

To top all, I would say that the best thing to do is to help others as much as possible. The (unseen) benefits are available for the person being helped and for the person helping.

Wallahuallam.

Picture below: Show your gratitude and say thank you.

Thanks for the birthday wishes

2011-04-11T21:58:00.000+08:00

In the name of God, the most Gracious and most merciful.

Salam,

I am 26! Yes, I am already 26 years old. I have received so many wonderful wishes on my birthday. I want to acknowledge to all of you what I probably can’t do personally due to the incredible kindness given to me by so many. Thank you for the beautiful messages, inspiring comments on facebook, and et cetera. I feel love, so much love that pours from you, and those closest to me, and the love that flows from me, giving me more, the more I give.

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let us down, probably will. You'll have your heart broken and you'll break others' hearts. You'll fight with your best friend or maybe even fall in love with them, and you'll cry because time is flying by. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, forgive freely, and love like you've never been hurt.

Life comes with no guarantees, no time outs, no second chances. you just have to live life to the fullest, tell someone what they mean to you and tell someone off, speak out, dance in the pouring rain, hold someone's hand, comfort a friend, fall asleep watching the sun come up, stay up late, be a flirt, and smile until your face hurts. Don't be afraid to take chances or fall in love and most of all, live in the moment because every second you spend angry or upset is a second of happiness you can never get back.

I’m passionate about the things that interest me. I’m passionate about my profession(s), both planned and accidental. Haven't reach my golden years, still undergoing my salad days, and the best is yet to come. I believe that simplicity and convenience are important, and that we have to learn to respect human time.

With love for those who are my precious family, and those who are my closest friends — you know who you are.

Love always.

Dunia akhir zaman

2011-04-04T03:05:00.000+08:00

In the name of God, the most Gracious and most merciful.

Salam,

Adakah perkara ini benar? Sekadar untuk perkongsian semata-mata. Sesungguhnya DIA lebih mengetahui. Wallahualam.

Sumber : http://qaiyum.net/2010/10/04/dunia-akhir-zaman/comment-page-1/#comment-4332

Malay and Dusun

2011-04-04T01:07:00.004+08:00

Hi all,

Have you ever think or imagine about the similarities between Malay and Dusun? Come to think about this, the origins of the Malay language has yet to be confirmed by historians.However there is some historical evidence that attempts to link the origins of the Malay language. I'm interested in the origin of native tribes of Borneo or Kalimantan, and has made study via internet and books about tribes and its relation to Austronesian Malayo Polynesian. Language is one of the most important tools in Malay tradition, also known as Austronesian Malayo Polynesian. Many basic words in the language have similarities or close relationship with the native Malay language which has not been influenced by Sanskrit as Southeast Asia which was controlled by explorer from India, or the Arabic language brought by Arab traders, or the Chinese language, Portuguese and many others.

There are research that suggest about who the real Malay is. Could it be the Borneon?

Here, check this out.

Melayu Sebenar - Dr Zafarina USM

Perkataan Melayu berasal dari Melayur iaitu istilah suku Malayalam atau Malabar dari India Selatan yang bermakna bukit atau permatang. Orang-orang Melayur adalah masyarakat asli Nusantara Sumatera (yang berasal dari Pulau Borneo berhijrah ke Sumatera yang menggunakan bahasa asal atau asli Melayu) berkahwin dengan orang-orang Indian Malabar atau Malayalam. Hasil pertembungan dua bangsa dan budaya menghasilkan bangsa Melayur sempena tempat yang dinamakan Melayur dan juga menghasilkan Indianized Kingdom (kerajaan dipengauhi India) yang memerintah ribuan tahun di kepulauan Nusantara.

Dunia Melayu mulai dikenali dengan kewujudan pemerintahan raja-raja kacukan India dan penduduk asli kepulauan nusantara termasuk Sumatera, Jawa, Borneo, Filipina, dan Champa di Vietnam. Kedatangan pengaruh Arab Islam telah menjadikan kerajaan Melayur kerajaan Islam setelah raja-raja orang Melayur memeluk agama Islam. Bangsa dan pemerintahan raja-raja Melayur akhirnya dikenali sebagai Melayu dan berkembang pesat melalui perkahwinan antara kerabat di raja, perdagangan, peperangan atau penaklukan, dan juga diplomasi atau politik.

Bahasa Melayu yang kita kini kenali berkembang menjadi bahasa perdagangan, diplomasi dan keagamaan di seluruh kepulauan nusantara di mana kerajaan Melayu telah diwujudkan. Bahasa Melayu asal mempunyai persamaan dengan bahasa asli Borneo khususnya Dusun dan Iban. Bahasa Melayu moden adalah 70% bahasa India (Sanskrit) yang digunakan oleh suku kacukan Melayu yang dipengaruhi kemudian oleh bahasa Arab, Cina dan Portugis disebabkan pertembungan budaya antara benua melalui perdagangan di bumi Melayu.

Hari ini istilah Melayu bukan istilah bangsa (race) tetapi etnik (dari segi agama) kerana tidak ada bangsa yang dikenali sebagai Melayu menurut Perlembagaan Malaysia. Seorang Melayu adalah sesiapa yang biasanya mengunakan bahasa Melayu, beraga Islam dan mengamalkan budaya Melayu. Bahasa dan Budaya Melayu adalah termasuk bahasa Sanskrit dan budaya masyarakat India Selatan.

Dalam bahasa Melayu moden, perkataan asal Melayu hanya 30% yang hampir kesemuanya dapat dikesan berasal dari Pulau Borneo.

Hampir kesemua raja-raja Melayu di zaman dahulu adalah kacukan India dan tempatan (Sumatera dan Borneo)yang menggunakan bahasa tempatan sebagai bahasa asal diperkayakan dengan bahasa asing. Pada hakikatnya bahasa Melayu sekarang adalah bahasa yang diperkayakan oleh bahasa asing khususnya bahasa Sanskrit sesuai dengan kedudukan sejarah dimana selama 2,000 tahun kepulauan nusantara dipengaruhi oleh India dan Arab.

Istilah masuka Melayu bermakna menjadi sebahagian masyarakat berbudaya tinggi berasaskan budaya India dan Arab. Manusia Pagan atau Kafir dikecualikan dari defininasi ini. Penulis-penulis sejarah Melayu sebenarnya adalah Melayu kacukan tempatan dan Inda seperti Munsyi Abdullah. Raja-raja atau Sultan-Sultan Melayu zaman dahulu menganggap diri mereka keturunan Raja Iskandar Zulkarnain.

Tuntutan ini mempunyai kebenarannya kerana raja-raja Melayur adalah kacukan wanita tempatan dan pembesar-pembesar atau pedagang-pedagang kaya dari India yang seterusnya mungkin keturunan penjajah Greek di India di zaman sebelum masihi.

Hari ini, penulis-penulis Barat telah menjadikan istilah Melayu untuk mengtakrifkan penduduk asli di kepulauan Nusantara sebagai orang-orang Melayu. Ianya tidak lagi bermakna kacukan India dan orang-orang tempatan atau tertumpu kepada pembesar-pembesar negeri. Istilah ini juga dapat diterima sepenuhnya oleh masyarakat serumpun d kepulauan Asia Tenggara/nusantara.

Walau bagaimana pun, isitlah Melayu hanya digunakan setakat istilah akademik. Ianya digunakan secara meluas oleh penyelidik Barat untuk mengenali masyarakat penutur bahasa Austronesian Malayo Polynesian dari Pulau Madagascar Lautan India Afrika ke Pulau Easter lautan Pasifik Amerika Selatan. Penulis-penulis tempatan juga menulis mengenai kehebatan pelayar-pelayar orang Melayu menjelajah dunia untuk menguasai maritim lautan Hindi dan lautan Pasifik di zaman kuno sebelum Cheng Ho atau Magellan menerokai pelayaran lautan merentasi benua. Kita juga membaca bahawa terdapat 300 juta orang-orang Melayu di seluruh dunia dan pengaruh orang-orang Melayu menjadikan bangsa Melayu sebagai salah satu bangsa peneroka terbesar lautan luas.

Istilah rumpun melayu sering dikumandangkan seolah-olah ianya suatu kenyataan.

Namun hakikatnya, Perlembagaan Malaysia telah memberi pengertian sempit mengenai istilah Melayu. Berdasarkan tafsiran Perlembagaan Malaysia hanya terdapat 25 manusia di seluruh bumi yang dinamakan Melayu. Orang-orang Jawa di luar Malaysia bukan orang Melayu, orang-orang asli Borneo yang pada hakikatnya rumpun Melayu juga bukan Melayu kerana mereka masih bertutur dalam bahasa atau dialek suku masing-masing.

Menurut Perlembagaan Malaysia, bangsa Melayu bukan istilah bangsa tetapi istilah agama dan budaya atau cara hidup. Orang India dan Arab Islam boleh menjadi Melayu. Dalam duia hanya terdapat dua kumpulan besar yang mendefinasikan diri mereka melalui agama dan bukan bangsa. Salah satu ialah Melayu (berdasarkan Perlembagaan Mlaaysia dan yang kedua bangsa Yahudi yang mengelar diri mereka sebagai bangsa Yahudi bukan atas ras (racial classification) tetapi agama Yahudi mereka.

Di negara-negara Arab, suku atau bangsa Arab itu adalah itilah bangsa, bukan agama. Orang-orang Arab yang beragama Kristian akan tetap menjadi orang Arab. Malah sikap orang-orang Arab terhadap orang-orang Arab bukan Islam lebih mulia. Di Palestin, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon,dll terdapat masyarakat Arab Kristian yang menpunyai semangat nasionalisma Arab yang tinggi.

Tafsiran Perlembagaan Malaysia yang sempit menjadikan bangsa Melayu sutu bangsa yang kecil dan tertumpu kepada negara Malaysia. Bagi saya tafsiran Perlembagaan Malaysia meyakinkan saya bahawa Melayu tidak wujud sebelum wujudnya kerajaan pemerintahan India (Indianized Kingdom) di Nusantara. Sejarah Melayu bermula dengan Parameswara dari Palembang yang berhijrah ke Melaka.

Sebelum ini, tidak ada orang Melayu. Yang ada adalah suku-suku asli yang bertutur dalam dialek asli Borneo atau Sumatera atau Jawa, dan lain-lain. Di Borneo suku-suku asli in kini dikenali sebagai suku Dusun/Dayak. Masyarakat Melayu yang kita kenali di Pulau Boneo adalah masyarakat Dusun/Dayak yang memeluk agama Islam atau masuk Melayu.

Negara Brunei berasal dari Atak Batatar yang dieprcayai suku Murut atau Dusun Bisaya yang memeluk agama Islam dan memulakan kesultanan Brunei sehingga sekarang. Rakyat Brunei adalah suku-suku tempatan yang telah memeluk agama Islam dan mengubah cara hidup sebagai orang-orang Melayu Islam.

Demikian juga, Malaysia tidak boleh mengatakan bahawa masyarakat Malagasy di Madagascar adaalah orang-orang Melayu. Ii kerana meereka tidak memenuhi syarat-syarat perlembagaan Malaysia. Masyarakat Malagasy sebenarnya berasal dari Pulau Borneo dan bahasa mereka mirip kepada bahsa manyan yang seterusnya mirip kepada bahasa Dusun di Sabah.

Walaua bagaimana pun, tafsiran bahawa Melayu itu Islam dan Islam itu Melayu sebenarnya ada kebenaran. Ini disebabkan ianya bukan isitilah untuk semua penduduk asli di kepulauan nusantara yang dikenali sebagai malayo polynesian. Ianya dalah istiah untuk masyarakat kacukan yang berasal dari Melayur India.

Penduduk asli yang dinamakan malayo polynesian memunyai ciri-ciri mongoloid bukan India walau pun kebanyakannya berkulit gelap sawong. Namun orang-orang Melayu di Malaysia hampir kesemuanya keturunan kacukan India atau Arab yang masih dapat diteliti dalam paras atau kulit penduduk Malaysia sekarang yang mirip India atau Arab - gelap, tinggi lampai, tinggi batang hidung dan bibir nipis dan bentuk kepala yang jelas bukan asli Nusantara.

Kumpulan ini adalah kumpulan cerdik, pintar dan merupakan kelas pemerintah selain menguasai bidang perdagangan negara.

Orang-orang Kelantan dan Kedah adalah di antara suku-suku tempatan yang paling asli, atau suku-suku pendatang seperti suku Bugis, Jawa, Acheh, dan lain-lain yang hampir kesemuanya masih mempunyai ciri-ciri Mongoliod yang jelas.

Kalau nak tahu, siapa melayu sebenar, inilah jawapannya.

Anak Borneo

*Tahukan anda bahasa Dusun/Iban adalah asal usul 30% dari bahasa Melayu moden. Bahasa melayu berasal dari Borneo, bukan Semenanjung Malaysia. Orang-orang Dusun/Dayak berhijrah ke Sumatera dan menjadikan Bumi tersebut tanah mereka. Berkahwin dengan orang India telah melahirkan suku bangsa Melayur atau Melayu. Kerajaan Melayur (Indianized Kingdom) telah memulakan sejarah Melayu.

Ciri-ciri bahasa Melayu kuno:

Penuh dengan kata-kata pinjaman Sanskrit. Susunan ayat bersifat Melayu . Bunyi b ialah w dalam Melayu kuno (Contoh: bulan - wulan). Bunyi e pepet tidak wujud (Contoh dengan - dngan atau dangan). Awalan ber- ialah mar- dalam Melayu kuno (contoh: berlepas-marlapas). Awalan di- ialah ni- dalam bahasa Melayu kuno (Contoh: diperbuat - niparwuat). Ada bunyi konsonan yang diaspirasikan seperti bh, th, ph, dh, kh, h (Contoh: sukhat****ta). Huruf h hilang dalam bahasa moden (Contoh: semua-samuha, saya: sahaya).

dipetik dari http://www.tutor.com.my/stpm/asal_usul_bahasa/asal_usul_bahasa_melayu.htm

Saya mendapati istilah Melayu kuno amat menarik. Sepeti d atas, bunyi b ialah w dalam melayu kuno.

Contoh bahasa Dusun (Ranau) Sabah:

Bulan Wulan
Betis Wotis
Batang Watang
Batu Watu
Buloh Wuloh
Bulu Wulu
Berat Wagat

Banyak bahasa Dusun Ranau mirip bahasa melayu kuno

Contoh:

Mata mato
Telinga tolingo
Hidung todung
Lidah dilah
Paha poo
Siku siku
Betis wotis
Darah raa
Lengan longon
Pusat pusod
Isi tonsi
Tulang tulang
Lemak lunok

Makan makan
Minum minum
Bunga bunga
Buah tua

Dahan raan
Batang watang
Daun roun
Kayu kayu

Tanah tana
Batu watu
Awan tawan
Sawat sawat
Bulan wuan
Itik putik
Pelanduk pelanuk
Buaya buayo
Tikus tikus
Beruang bohuang

Sesungguhnya, bahasa Dusun Ranau (Borneo) adalah merupakan asal usul bahasa Melayu kuno.

Resources:

http://www.tutor.com.my/stpm/asal_usul_bahasa/asal_usul_bahasa_melayu.htm

http://dayakdusunmalaysianborneo.blogspot.com/

Living in Unity

2011-04-03T23:59:00.000+08:00

In the name of God, the most Gracious and most Merciful.

Hi all,

What is unity? What is unity stands for? Very often, we hear from our own people who say, “Malaysia is a unite country.” As for me, I believe that there is unity in Malaysia but because unity can’t be defined within strict parameters, we often “see” unity. Why? One learned person said to me – there is no unity in Malaysia, there is only tolerance. Is it true? Come to think of it, there might be some truth (based on my amateur and inexperience observation). Look at certain people talking to the press; they constantly remind us of one’s race and religion. As a unite citizens, why is it very hard for us to practice what we’ve said? Some people even openly object to the term, “Bangsa Malaysia.” How often do we hear the word “muhibbah” nowadays?

I had the opportunity to participate in the Orientation Course for Federal Officers from Sabah, Sarawak and Federal Territory of Labuan, from 2 until 7 March, 2010 2010 (past year), which was organized by the Department of Unity and National Integration. This course was organized to expose participants about the purpose of unity and integration among Malaysian. During the course, many ideas have been expressed on how we can move the country to a higher level of integration. From what I’ve observed, many of prescriptions proposed are simplistic and superficial. Having said that, they do not reflect any in-depth understanding of the issues involved. More serious analyzes are needed to be done. But overall, I enjoyed the course J

Standing together with one voice over certain issues can be defined as unity. But I think helping out each other in terms of trouble is also a form of unity. It is the essence that matters, not the outward appearance. It is a very important element in ensuring harmonious relationship among each other.

Unity can only be achieved through more time. With time, we will start to share a common history and only then can we begin to see that being divided only serve to our disadvantage. Apart from that, unity is when all work to achieve and maintain equality. If we work towards equality and maintain, where is the source of motivation and satisfaction. This is a basic human instinct. All in all, how good and pleasant it is when we, Malaysian, live together in unity!

To love and not to love

2011-04-02T13:18:00.000+08:00

In the name of God, the most Gracious and most Merciful.

Hi all,

Writing on my blog has never been easy. You see, everyone has adequate amount of time – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. But I have to say that I have a very limited time for personal purposes. So, I’ve thrown my ideas on the floor, jumbled them around and tried to make a story about anything, based on true events. Finally, I rejoiced with 5 sentences ready to be moulded into a short story for 4-year-olds to read and extend to a longer version of their own tales. I will surely need limitless patience, luck, courage and magic to accomplish this. That is why, nowadays, I hardly generate even two lines on my blog’s entry. Writing is never easy. Some were born with such skills, while others work dedicatedly to enhance their writing skills. I enjoyed capturing photos as well. A picture is worth a thousand words. Yes, I agree with that. And now I’m in the learning process capturing photos and translating them into words. Sometimes, this totally disoriented my sleep-pattern, of course, and there was a danger that my writing would end up like the incoherent ramblings of an insomniac mind.

Enough about that! So, now, let’s talk about love. Love, to me, comes at you when you’re ready for it, not when you’re driving yourself crazy with stress to find it. The word ‘love’ is perhaps one of the most casually used terms in the English language – so much so that it has become an umbrella term for a whole variety of very different emotions! There is one thing we all agree on – that love is what makes the world go round, and that without it, the world is but a dry empty shell of a place. On the other hand, it is a word we very easily twist around to our own purposes to justify our emotional dependence on a person. If we can learn to distinguish love from emotional dependence and put this distinction into practice, then we make life more beautiful not only for us, but for everyone we come into contact with.

There were many events in which I was given opportunities to capture lovely photos namely wedding and engagement ceremonies. To me, those occasion is the best platform to gain as many experience as I could to visualized lovely pictures into words. Love is in the air, I might say! Every time I started to write, there were plenty of ideas stimulated inside my tiny brain. There is so much more I wanted to say. It’s not just because I have dozens of personal touch on the captured photos, but because the occasion says a lot about what it means to be alive in Malaysia now. Malay weddings, Indian weddings, Christian-way weddings, Chinese weddings, ethnic weddings and lots more. That’s when I thought of ‘writing’ photos. (and oh, not to forget, love!).

Having said that, I also try to relate them (writing and photos) with a love song. There are plenty of love songs to choose from. English, Malay, Mandarin, Hindustan, just to name a few languages that worship the love anthem. As for my personal favorite, I would pick “To Love You More,” sung by Celine Dion. Why? First and foremost, Celine is one of my favorites vocal performer. Technically speaking, she nailed most of the songs that she sang in an album or during her performance. Second, that song sums up my feelings perfectly as to how I view love in this modern days. This song can make me smile, motivated and cry in the span of the 5 or so minutes it lasts, and only a few songs can do that. It is the ultimate song for blasting when you're frustrated or when you're just really, really happy. But I think most the line is pretty sober. At the same time I hope it's not too sober. Haha!

To be continued :)

The Wedding - Yun & Erza

2011-03-30T00:34:00.001+08:00

Perkahwinan adalah ikatan suci antara lelaki dan wanita selari dengan kejadian manusia berpasangan. Perkahwinan juga sunnah Rasulullah SAW yang patut dituruti setiap umat yang berkemampuan.

Diriwayatkan oleh Aisyah, bermaksud: ” Nabi SAW bersabda: Perkahwinan itu adalah sunnahku, sesiapa yang tidak suka mengikut sunnahku maka bukanlah dia daripada golongan umatku.” (Hadis riwayat Al-Imam Ibnu Majah).

"Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts."

~William Shakespeare

The Engagement - Taza & Faiz

2011-03-27T20:38:00.000+08:00

True love stories never have endings. ~Richard Bach

The Wedding - Ain & Zul

2011-01-11T09:40:00.000+08:00

Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, So love the people who treat you right, Forget about the ones who don't, And believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, They just promised it would be worth living.

Two lives, two hearts together in friendship united forever in love.

The Wedding

2010-12-09T22:29:00.000+08:00

Salaam to all my lovely readers,

2010. The year 2010 almost reaching its final line and I've had the pleasure of being part of many wedding and engagement (Hopefully there'll be more to come, wink wink). As we all know, 2011 is just around the corner and I certainly look forward to many more such happy occasions. My dear valued readers, do let me know should there be any possibilities for us to collaborate ya :)

P/S:

Enjoy the photos.

Location : Kajang.

Date : Dec 4th, 2010.

Wedding reception : Ahmad Yusri & Erma Elliza.

Million thanks to Madam Norkiah for allowing me to take photos.

Pesona Alam

2010-12-04T19:00:00.000+08:00

Love for nature.

Contacts with living nature are essential for spiritual growth. Retreats to the forest or to other natural landscapes are one of the important ways of “exposing” oneself to God so that He can teach us more effectively.

Plants are living beings, too. Souls live in their bodies, like we do in ours.

Early spring morning is the time when nature confers on us the greatest harmony and bliss — when birds start singing even before dawn and the entire space around us gets saturated with the energy of their love. Attuning to their state allows us to get closer to God and constitutes attainment of a certain level of refinement of the consciousness.

Nature never goes out of style.

Nature is a writer's best friend.

Nature is a photographer's soul mate.

P/S:

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. ~John Muir, 1913, in L.M. Wolfe, ed., John Muir, John of the Mountains: The Unpublished Journals of John Muir, 1938

Ditto!

2010-12-02T19:00:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all lovely readers,

Sometimes, we develop a particular fondness for the person we’re dating. We just can’t stop thinking about him/her, even after many, many hours savoring his/her company. We are left in a quandary about our feelings, and certain queasiness pervades our days. Then we ask ourselves the question: have we fallen in love with that person?Love is indeed a wonderful thing. But it is something that we should be certain about, least we spend many sleepless nights in deep thoughts and confusion. Sadly, determining the veracity of love is not always easy. Sometimes, a deep infatuation is equated with the same. So how do we know that it’s love… real love that is? What could we be sure that the other person is not only the object of our thoughts, but the object of our hearts as well?

LOVE

P/S: Enjoy the pictures.

Natrah

2010-11-30T14:44:00.000+08:00

Salam,

Semalam (27 November 2010) saya berpeluang untuk menyaksikan pementasan Natrah di Istana Budaya bersama-sama dengan beberapa orang sahabat. Ini adalah merupakan kali kedua saya berpeluang untuk menyaksikannya (yang pertama ialah pada tahun lepas). Sejujurnya, saya memang mengikuti perkembangan kisah Natrah semasa beliau masih hidup, sehinggalah sekarang. Kalau diikutkan, melalui buku yang dibaca, memang berlainan apabila diadaptasi dalam bentuk pementasan teater. Namun, kata orang, 'geez' itu tetap ada. Apatah lagi ia diarahkan oleh pengarah tersohor tanah air iaitu Eirma Fatima dan pelakonnya terdiri daripada aktor seperti Maya Karin, Sofea Jane, Remy Ishak dan lain-lain.

Nadra Maarof atau nama belanda Bertha Hertogh (1937-2009) adalah wanita keturunanBelanda yang menyebabkan Rusuhan Natrah di Singapura pada tahun 1950. Rusuhan ini terjadi kerana berbaur dengan sentimen agama dan warna kulit. Bapanya Sarjan Adrianus Petrus Hertogh dan ibunya Adeline Hunter. Kakaknya Wiesje, Corrie. Adiknya Benny dan Karel. Beliau meninggal dunia pada 9 Julai 2009 pada umur 72 tahun di Huijbergen, Belanda.

Al-fatihah untukmu Natrah.

Untuk informasi lanjut, sila layari laman web berikut:

http://msomelayu.blogspot.com/2009/07/mengenang-natrah.html

P/S: Enjoy the pictures (ABOVE)

Rencah

2010-11-27T12:54:00.000+08:00

Salam,

Ibarat detikan waktu, tidak cepat dan tidak lambat, seperti biasa sahaja ayunan masa. Cuma kita yang sering tidak sedar perjalanan masa itu. Bukan meninggalkan atau ditinggalkan masa, tapi terlupa masa itu berjalan seiring dengan kita.

Hari-hari terus berlalu. Pelbagai rencah kehidupan dilalui dengan pelbagai emosi ciptaan Tuhan di atas setiap sesuatu, apatah lagi kepada setiap diri yang lemah dan dhaif. Hari demi hari, minggu demi minggu, bulan-bulan yang dilewati, malah saban tahun, ada sahaja perkara yang mencuit hati. Tidak kurang juga detik yang meruntun jiwa sehingga sukar untuk mencari titik keseimbangan dalam kehidupan. Begitulah rencah kehidupan. Tidak semua yang diingini mampu digenggam, apatah lagi untuk disentuh. Hanya kesabaran dan kecekalan sahaja yang mampu untuk menidakkan ketidakwarasan akibat daripada kegagalan.

Kadangkala terasa masih banyak yang perlu diperbaiki untuk diri ini. Terasa seperti makin hari makin leka sedangkan sudah banyak peringatan yang Tuhan berikan. Insaflah wahai diri dan jangan terlalu leka dengan kehidupan dunia yang sementara. Mudah-mudahan akan terus menjadi hamba-Nya yang istiqamah dan sentiasa berada dalam pimpinan-Nya. Peka pada setiap apa yang datang daripada-Nya, sentiasa bersabar dan terus-terusan bersyukur, serta berada di bawah keredhaan-Nya. Mudah-mudahan diterima setiap amalan dan diterima sebagai hamba-Nya yang soleh.

Amin.

P/S: Enjoy the pics below.

The Meaning Behind The Engagement Ring

2010-11-23T04:04:00.001+08:00

Engagement? Of course we all know that when a man (or nowadays a woman) proposes, this is one of the most significant moments of a couple's life. They prepare to take an oath to be with that person for the rest of their lives -- what a wonderful and amazing thing! What we don't know too much about is the significance of not just the marriage proposal, but the engagement ring itself, and the long history that accompanies it.

Below are some of the photos captured during my brother's engagement day with his fiancée. May God bless you, Stefen and Yoko, Amen.

Majlis Pertunangan Stefen Sebol dan Yoko Charles Andau.

Emotional courage

2009-11-30T17:34:00.000+08:00

I have no idea of who you are. I may not have even met you yet. But I know you're out there, and I know you're dreaming of finding me, just as I'm dreaming of finding you. I know that in time, if we both continue to live our lives and walk down our respective paths, we're bound to meet. I look forward to that day. In fact, I find it necessary to remind myself to slow down and enjoy the journey until that day comes. After all, our meeting will be so much wondrous if I use this time to prepare.

With that in mind, I decided I wanted to write you a letter. Who knows, maybe it'll become a series of letters. I just thought it would be a good idea to tell you who I am, who I hope you are, what I'm afraid of, and what's important to you. (That's a lot to write about, so I think this will be more than one letter.)

Let's start out with who I hope you are and what's important to me. After all, helping you to understand this will help you (and myself) realize that out of all the people out there, you are the one who is my true lover. I think that to me, the most important thing is that you are yourself. I don't want someone who tries to be what you think I want. I don't want you to try to impress me. Lover, you are what impresses me. Your genuine nature, your ability to be sincerely you, and your beautiful (by definition rather than by design) expression of your soul is what matters to me.

This means that you know yourself. You know your feelings, and you're not afraid to face them. Okay, maybe that's not exactly accurate. Maybe you are a little afraid from time to time. But you're willing to face them anyways. And you're willing to explore them and share them with someone like me.

You're also willing to listen to me when I talk about my feelings. Not necessarily to fix or heal them, but to just hear them and let me know that they matter to you because I matter to you. And you're willing to let me face whatever feelings -- beautiful or frightening -- that come up, because you know it's a part of me and that allowing me to do so will make me a better person and a better lover.

You're also someone who is willing to be imperfect and accept an imperfect person like me. But more importantly, you are someone who can look at imperfection -- mine, yours, or anyone else's -- and see a beauty in it. This is because you understand that our imperfections is what make us human, and often make us completely adorable

You are someone who understands that being is at least as important as doing. While you are a lot of fun and can walk through a weekend of fast-paced activity for the two of us with great energy, you're not afraid to slow down either. You enjoy a quiet night as we sit on a couch in one another's arms, talking about intimate subjects as barely audible instrumental music plays in the background. You can sit comfortably with me as the conversation dies away for a few minutes and we just sit, listening to each other's deep, rhythmic breathing.

Sex. Let's face it, it's important. It's important to me, and as my Lover, it's important to you. But I think it's more important that we understand sex in the same light. Like me, you're someone who doesn't believe that sex is about "being good" or "being bad." You're someone who doesn't worry about your "performance," because you're someone who understands that I'm not going to give you a report card in the morning.

I want someone who sees sex as an act of intimacy and exploration. I want someone who knows it's about learning how each of us reacts to touch. I want someone who understands that it's about enjoying ourselves and each other and connecting on a totally different, more incredible level. And I want someone who can appreciate that it's as much about enjoying the physical and emotional sensations of the process as it is about the end result. And I want you to be someone who isn't afraid to help me remember all this on those occasions where I lose my own way.

I want to take this moment to tell you that LOOKS DON’T MATTER TO ME. Well, that's not entirely accurate. Looks do matter to me. I have to be able to look at you and think, "Damn, I want to take you home!" But you don't have to be a CK model for that to happen. My understanding of what is good looking is much more subtle than that. To be honest, the things that attract me to you are probably not tangible at all. They're as much about how you carry yourself, how you express yourself and your feelings with your face and body, and how your eyes sparkle with excitement when your passionate, as about a certain body type, or certain defining features. To be honest, I think that as long as you are comfortable with yourself, I will be drooling inside within minutes of spending time with you, you and just YOU!

Well, Lover, there's probably more. But I think this is enough for now. I know you're out there, and now we both know what you're like -- or at least have a few good ideas. I hope that this will help you find your way to me when the time is right. Until then, know that my thoughts are with you.

See you soon.

P/S: I've found you :)

Lost

2009-11-10T11:44:00.000+08:00

Lost and found.

I heart you.

Mwah!

Kupu-kupu malam

2009-09-11T08:56:00.000+08:00

Kupu-kupu malam hinggap di dahan rapuh
Menebarkan sayap gelap kian labuh
Hati kupu-kupu malam sudah lama hancur luluh
Menanti dedahan yang akan runtuh

Kupu-kupu malam terbang tidak tinggi tidak rendah
Sayap gelapnya koyak menggamit resah
Hatinya bergelora keluh-kesah
Hatinya bernanah sudah lama basah

Kupu-kupu malam mendarat lagi
Saban tahun terusan menanti
Kasehnya disemai terpahat kukuh di hati
Sampai ke hujung hayatnya nanti
Terusan menanti walaupun tidak pernah pasti

Siang sudah berganti malam
Kupu-kupu malam sudah lama tenggelam
Walau sudah lama meninggalkan alam
Kaseh yang terpahat tidah pernah padam
Kembang mekar di ruang paling dalam

Feeling Sleepy and Tired

2009-09-10T02:04:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all my fellow readers, brothers and sisters,

When I was in my early teenagers(until now), I always feel sleepy. I knew this is not normal and always heard others talking about how tired they were. I would be okay during the morning, but in the early afternoon, I stayed tired most of the day. I got fed up and decided to do something about this problem. I did a lot of research(reading published papers, journals, attending conference, undergraduate, working experience, etc.) and came to the conclusion that I am tired because I am not getting the proper nutrients.

There are primary reasons why you are always feeling sleepy and tired. You have to know that your body needs nutrients to operate properly. By changing a few things, without spending a lot of money, you will know how to increase your energy. Then, you will have energy to last you all day.

Why You Feel Tired

The reason you feel tired is because you do not receive all of your nutrients. The six essential nutrients you need are vitamins, minerals, fats, protein, carbohydrates and water. It is really not your fault that you do not receive all these nutrients. We are supposed to get them from the foods we eat. However, at least in America, this is not possible since our foods are depleted of vitamins and minerals because of pesticides, poor farming habits and lack of crop rotation.

Vital Nutrients and Energy

When you do not receive all of your nutrients, your body does not perform at its best. One of the obvious side effects is lacking of energy. Most of us get plenty of fats, protein and carbohydrates. However, many of us do not get vitamins and minerals (which unlocks the energy found in fats, protein and carbohydrates.) Drinking water helps distribute the nutrients to its proper location and will give you a boost of energy.

Importance of Vitamins and Minerals

To increase your energy naturally, you need to take both vitamins and minerals. Do not take vitamins alone or else they will not work properly. In order for vitamins to work properly, you need to take minerals as well. It is very difficult to say how much vitamins and minerals one needs because everybody's body is different and people are vitamin and mineral deficient in different areas of their body.

By getting all of your nutrients, you will have energy to last the whole day. For most people, taking a quality supplement increases their energy.

Try it.

Good luck.

Regards.

Kaseh

2009-09-08T09:46:00.000+08:00

Bulan mana pernah menangis
Pelangi mana pernah menipis
Bintang yang mana tersenyum manis?
Kaseh yang mana tidak bertapis?

Bulan cerah menyindir sepi
Pelangi riang menuntut hati
Bintang yang mana pilihan sanubari?
Kaseh yang satu dibawa mati

Bulan terang direnung
Pelangi hilang diulit mendung
Bintang yang bersinar sukar dibendung
Kaseh yang dikandung tetap disanjung

Bulan sudah tiada
Pelangi entah ke mana
Bintang tiada di mata
Kaseh di hati tetap dijaga

Bulan hanya satu
Pelangi indah tetap di situ
Bintang berkelip tanda setuju
kaseh dijaga dibawa beradu

Kusedar bulan bukan milikku
Pelangi menghilang tinggalkan diriku
Bintang jauh beribu batu
Kaseh menghilang di hujung pintu

Kumohon padamu bulan
Wahai pelangi yang indah menawan
Bintang yang kupuja di sebalik awan
Beriku kaseh untukku tawan
Kaseh yang satu dialah perawan
Untukku abadikan dalam ingatan

P/S: Enjoy the pictures.

Gardener

2009-09-04T18:27:00.000+08:00

Salaam and good day to all readers,

My sleep was restless and furred with dreams.

In the early hours of the morning I was pulled into a mix emotion dream. So let's see if I have totally neglected this blog which was supposed to be a regular thing, and also neglected my healthy eating regime (fasting month), my physical activities regime, everything out of the window. You know what as soon as I am quite depressed which is quite regular, especially when it comes to work, I just let everything go, I don’t bother with anything and look for quick fixes to make me happy again.

The weeks that I was looking after myself I looked and felt better, now I feel sluggish and horrible, skin looks dull. I read somewhere what you eat today you wear tomorrow, this is so so true. I really really want to do this and insh'Allah I will.

Anyway a quick mask that is meant to tighten the skin and make it look nice is just milk. Use a cotton wool ball and dip it in a saucer (bowl whatever) of milk and just apply to the face avoiding eye area. Leave on for 5 - 10 mins and wash off. Do this before bath or shower as you don’t want to be smelling of milk. I read about it somewhere. I might want to try it in the future.

I still can be able to remember of a gardener, a true gardener, who sees the world very differently from the rest of us. My father was a gardener too (before he was admitted to hospital and underwent brain surgery to remove clotted blood, which I am glad because Allah still give him chances to breath,). Perhaps my father's greatest achievement as a gardener was that he had cultivated and nurtured a love of the soil in his children. Without realizing, he had passed on to us a precious heritage which would bring much happiness in our lives. I love you daddy!

Back to the story about a gardener. You or I might remark upon the beauty of a rose or be captivated by the riotous colour of a bed of germaniums. The gardener will focus on a mottled leaf that might be the first sign of disease, or pick up a clod of earth and crumble it in his fingers to gauge its porosity and alkaline content, or read the clouds or the behavior of birds and other strange potents which are incomprehensible to non-gardeners. I had never so much as uprooted a weed, so the mysterious world of the gardener was, I suspected, forever shut to me.
Something to think about.

I should get some sleep. Turned off the light.

Regards.

P/S: Enjoy the pictures.

Regret?!

2009-09-02T12:53:00.000+08:00

Salaam brothers and sisters,

Almost everyday in our life, we will think about all we did, said or didn't do. There isn't a day that sadness doesn't have a strong hold on most of us. Some may force themselve to look at the beauty and colors around them and sometimes for a very short while they'll replace regret with graditude. Like some other people (who shared the same feeling), regret has a very strong hold on me. Everytime when I am about to go to bed no matter how tired I am, I toss for hours with agony over my entire past. It could be my endless works, relationship, money matters, environment, time management and the list goes on. We will never know what the future holds.

Just go with the flow.

Muhasabah diri.

By the way, I like this one from Allahyarhamah Yasmin Ahmad.

Eleh!
You tu memang gitu.
Kejap nak,
kejap tak nak.
Takut I sentuh,
takut I tak sentuh.
Bila I chakap hello,
you mengeluh.
Bila I chakap bye-bye,
you berserabai.
Sudahlah.
I dah malas.
Tak de masa.
Banyak kerja lain.
Banyak mata lain yang gian nak ber-tango
dengan mata I.
Banyak lidah lain
yang hauskanbibir I.
Bibir I yang tebal tak tebal,
nipis tak nipis.
Senyum atau chemik,
sentiasa manis.
Bibir yang basah
berginchu merah,
cherah secherah-cherahnya.
Bayangkan,
seperti yang you pernah bayangkan.
Bibir I, di bibir you.
Bibir I, di telinga you.
Di leher you.
Di dada you.
Di perut you.
Di pusat you.
Di peha you.
Di sana you
dan di situ you.
Bayangkanlah.
Jangan malu-malu.
Bukan I tak tahu.
Memang you pernah bayangkan dulu.
Eleh!
You tu memang gitu.
Dah tahu
buat tak tahu.

..and, this is something from me (just for fun). SMILE!

Tolonglah!
You memang macham tu
You ingat I tak tau
You nak lebih satu

Bila I pandang you
You pandang ke lain
You ingat I tak tau
You pandang dalam kain

Bila I nak pegang
You chakap I mengada-ngada
You tak bagi I pandang
I tau you sengaja

Bila I kepit
You kata tak sempit
I duduk diam-diam
You kata tak ngam
I duduk kat atas
You pula malas

Tolonglah!
You memang macham tu
Suka buat I malu
Sampai tersipu-sipu

I gerram kat you
Tapi I sayang you
You main chenta dengan I
Tapi now kata bye-bye

Rumah kata pergi
Kubur kata mari
Sampai bila nak macham ni?
Nak tunggu I mati?

Tolonglah!
I dah lama bosan
Muka you tak ada perasaan

I bilang satu, dua, tiga
Kalau you maseh ada
From now on I dah tak ada!

You all bacha
I tak kesah
Bukan nak mengata
Cuma terlebih kata

Peace :)

P/S: Enjoy the pictures.

Diamond

2009-08-30T21:00:00.001+08:00

Let my love be like a diamond

that never fades away

It's preciousness increases

the longer it stays

Let my love be like a diamond

that shimmers even in darkest hours

even if it is broken into pieces,

it remains sparkling

Let my love be like a diamond

that can hardly be found

that stays till the end of time

P/S: Enjoy the pictures.

Rain

2009-08-29T09:58:00.000+08:00

Closed my eyes, imagine myself to be a drop of rain.

Falling down to Earth from so high up; not caring where it lands, not caring if it lands. The only thing that matter is that it falls. Lands on something, and maybe, if it's lucky, it'll land on a poor, dried up flower, a bush or weed about to die of thirst. If it's lucky, perhaps it'll be able to help that plant, do something good in its short-lived life.

So simple that would be, life as a rain drop. What peace, to have a life so straightforward, so clearly defined. To live your life, however short, knowing your purpose in it, having no need to tumble about - lost, purposeless, afraid.

If only such a thing were possible. If only life could really be that simple.

Splash, splatter, splash.

I turned back to bed, freezing momentarily. A few seconds later and I am stretched across the bed, arms behind my head, face clouded in thought.

Tomorrow's another day. For now, however, I can rest in the knowledge that - for tonight - all the evils of life will be pushed away. That - for tonight - I can fall back to sleep, at peace, while listening to the steady sound of the falling rain.

So, for now, with liquid peace on my mind, I am going to push everything else away. Dour thoughts can wait. There's always tomorrow. Oh, that’s me-the little rain drop.

Keroncong Hujan

Mega mendung di angkasa

Hembusan bayu dingin terasa

gerimis berderai di merata

bagai mutiara
Rahmat dibawa bersama

Limpahannya meresap dijiwa

adakala bahgia terasa

meskipun duka nestapa
Tika hujan turun

sayup mendayu lagu keroncong

merdu irama dialun

bersenandung
Hujan membasahi bumi

melahirkan keluhuran budi

mengeratkan perpaduan suci

kasih sayang abadi

(Vocal: Inom Yon and Ahmad Hashim)

(Picture: A scene from a film by Allahyarhamah Yasmin Ahmad, Mukhsin)

After five decades

2009-08-28T20:00:00.000+08:00

After over five decades of independence, what does that very word, Merdeka, mean to us?

Merdeka, to me, beckons for us to remember our roots, and how our forefathers fought tirelessly to gain the nation's independence. The freedom that we Malaysians enjoy today inspires us to plan ahead and think of the future, which also enables us to give back to the nation and our youths, after being blessed all these years.

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

(Picture: http://www.tonyfernandesblog.com/)

Love is Cinta

2009-08-27T16:19:00.000+08:00

Love is a word.

Unfortunately you can never really tell if it is coming from the heart, you just have to believe that it is.

Regards.

P/S: Enjoy the pictures.

Having a cat is a wonderful experience

2009-08-26T23:15:00.000+08:00

The cat that had died

is no longer alive

The cat that had died

tore me up inside

I love this cat to death

even though they have went to Heaven

I cried the whole night

After a while

I seem to calm down

that's when I turned my frown upside down

I'll always have love for this cat

even though it seems to early to be thinking about that

P/S: It's just a poem. The cats are still alive, anyway! Love you Jojo, Toby, Milky, Terry and Tericia.

Vegetarian

2009-08-26T21:03:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi readers,

In many countries around the world, vegetarianism has been a way of life for centuries. People choose to be vegetarian for numerous different reasons, be it on religious or moral grounds, for health reasons and so on.

There are several different kinds of vegetarian diets. Lacto-ova-vegetarians, the most common type of vegetarians, avoid meat, poultry, fish, etc, but they do eat both dairy products and eggs. Lacto-vegetarians avoid meat, poultry, fish, etc, as well as eggs, but they do eat dairy products. Vegans do not eat meat, poultry and fish, etc, nor dairy products, eggs or any animal products. Fruitarians and those following a macrobiotic diet also come under the umbrella of vegetarian diets and these eating plans are even more restrictive.

A typical vegetarian diet is generally a healthy way of eating as it tends to be naturally low in saturated fat (as long as not too much cheese is eaten :)), and high in dietary fiber and starchy carbohydrate foods. A vegetarian diet includes a wide range of foods such as beans and legumes, cereals, and grains, nuts, and seeds, fruit, vegetables, dairy foods, soy products, and eggs (depending on the type of vegetarian diet). Following a balanced, healthy vegetarian eating plan, and including some foods from each group everyday, should provide vegetarians with the correct balance of foods and all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that they need to keep healthy.

Regards.

Thoughts

2009-08-25T22:27:00.000+08:00

Ever since I was like 12 years old, I've had thoughts about growing old before my time. Even when I was 6, I felt like time was passing me by. I know it's really weird for a kid to think this way, but it's true. I can remember laying awake many nights, thinking about time flying, loved ones growing old, etc. And I would cry. I would wish I could slow time down.

Roses Are red. Violets are purple. Jigaboo's are black and you know thats true

Why people do things they do?

2009-08-25T05:14:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all my friends,

I think that MOST of the reasons that people do so many "strange" or "bizarre" things is because society views them as taboo, naughty, and they try to control people into saying that they CAN'T do these things. Be it incestual thoughts or behaviors, strange sexual or social thoughts or behaviors. Conventional and orthodox society CREATES such strange thoughts and behaviors in humans by attempting to control what we do, what we think or how we feel and interpret things.This is the reason that VERY few people in other countries who don't share these same cultural controls don't have these thoughts or ideas. That is why nowadays, in reality, it seems normal to see people doing something which is abnormal and against the "norms" of society and also to see people who have thoughts or fantasies of something that is "naughty", "taboo" or "not allowed". So the next time we think about asking if something is "normal" or not, think about what I have said here. Perhaps what we may be asking about is not considered normal, but it IS normal for us to "want" to experience what is not "allowed" by society. Don't blame others. Look at ourselves. We have our own belief. We have our own religion.

Think about it.

Regards.

Why are guys so unemotional?

2009-08-24T23:51:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all readers, brothers and sisters,

It's far from sunny. And it’s not an afternoon. We had snacks and pineapple juice. I had conversations with my housemates regarding on a “men’s issue” weeks ago. I thought it would be a brilliant idea to share what we’ve discussed during the informal guys talk.

Guys, guys, guys..Why are guys so unemotional? I have only found a few guys with the mental ability to show their true emotions from pain to love. One of my friends said (based on his experience), women are much more heartless than men. The men who are emotionally incapable are extremists. They’re the type to blow things out of proportion. Meanwhile, even the sweetest, most humble girl can be brutal towards a guy, but overly sensitive when it's her emotions that were played with. He added that guys were hardened by cruel women, and women see the flaws are the walls they've built. For me, not all women are heartless meat bags. I’ve met one girl that isn't that inconsiderate and he agrees with my point.

Another friend confessed that guys do show their emotions a lot. Besides, a lot of girls are over emotional and not all women show their emotions as men do. In addition, according to my friend (not me), 70 percent of straight women cheat on their spouses, while 30 percent of men cheat on theirs. Really?

My friend starred at me and started his explanation, “Hey, you want to know something? Most guys act unemotional to women or other guys because they don’t want to be seen as "different" and also seeing a boy cry or whatever makes them seem weak and what not because "boys don't cry!" Oh boy, hahaha!

A Malacca born housemate continued, “Stevie, I think we all experience emotions but it is much easier for females to cry than males. Also in our society males that show emotions are frowned down upon. Their manhood is questioned and a lot of man doesn’t have high enough self esteem to peer pressure. Up to this point, which answers best described the level of men’s emotional state? Hmm..

I practically think that emotional expressions which are deemed worthy by society become the norm. In most societies, individuals are forced to become homogeneous. Anyone that does not conform is labeled, aberrant. Since few people wish to be labeled as outcasts, they conform to societal expectations.

The discussion ended. With an equally balanced emotions, we went to Naz Maju, an Indian muslim restaurant located at precint 11, Putrajaya and enjoyed our roti canai.

P/S: There were so many “off the record,” of course. Anyway, thank you guys!

Regards.

WHO WILL BE OUR LEADERS OF TOMORROW?

2009-08-23T00:17:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all readers,

Every so often the newspapers fill with stories of a crisis in some third world country. We see pictures on our screens of gunmen, starvation and suffering; inevitably we hear calls for humanitarian intervention, war, war, war, and war.War is wrong. Taking the life of another simply because their choices are different from yours, is never right. But believing in something based on the knowledge you have is not wrong, and standing beside someone you love because you support their commitment to what they believe, will never be wrong.

It is the love, after all, that will eventually bring about right. Conscience grows because of love and understanding, not because of hate and anger. When you stand against the actions of another with anger, hate, and criticism – conscience will run and hide – and defense mechanisms will take over – survival. If the world is one based on fear and hate, there is no room for conscience while we are all busy defending ourselves.

War is wrong – but others don’t learn that simply because you say it. Others learn it because they live it, they see it, and they are personally affected by it. There are people who claim that war must happen in order for there to be peace. Soldiers are learning for themselves whether to believe that or not. Many soldiers are dying, and many families suffer. But the soldiers have a choice at any time, and they need their experiences in order to know what to believe.

The situation is getting worse. Children as yet unborn will be dying if this war is not stopped. There are billions of young people in the world today. These children are dying because of war. These children are leaderless. They are leaderless because they aren't following the right person. A person who loves war, war and just war! Are we developing our children into the leaders of tomorrow? Will they be the leaders who have trusted friends that encourage them in God? I believe that most people are looking for a leader. All we have to do is become that "Alpha" leader and lead them. Patience and acceptance of others is what will stop war. Education will stop war. Understanding will stop war. Humility will stop war. Realizing our place, accepting our responsibilities and remembering our humanity will stop war. Love will stop war. We are all free to choose.

Thank you Allah for giving me many inspiration to write a poem. In this middle of the night, with full of LOVE inspiration, with humble heart, I dedicate this poem to all the children, our leaders of tomorrow..!

SINAR

Kelopak tinggi membiru
Hamparan hijau luas terbentang
Tatkala badan berlabuh
Wajah melangit memandang ruang tiada hujung
Kutatapi potret alam yang meluas
Tiada cela yang melengkapi
Sempurna tanpa duka

Guruh mula berdentum
Kilat mula menyabung
Tiada kasta, tiada papa, tiada derita
Kemiskinan bukan pemula dia dihina
Namun sukar membendung
Amarah yang memulakan pertempuran sendiri

Alasan bagaimanakah ia bermula
Jurang yang tercipta amat berbeda
Yang indah sebaliknya menghancurkan
Yang dahagakan darah
Yang bengis dan melupuskan
Memadam segala benar

Girangnya si kecil
Nilaikanlah seluasnya alam
Walau kerdil dan kecil
Warisan kita dibahunya si kecil
Warisan yang mewarnai hala tujuan kita

Hentikanlah tangisan itu
Selamatkannya untuk kita wariskan
Sambungan sejarah kita
Apa perlu pertempuran ini?
Apa perlu penindasan ini?
Sedetik cuma namun luangkanlah
Rungkaikan segala yang bisa kau lihat

Sujud kupohon kepada-MU
Limpahkan hidayah buat mereka
Berikan sayang-Mu
Curahkan cinta-Mu
Sinarkan belas-Mu
Payungi kaseh-Mu
Sebelum KAU akhiri hayat ini

Semoga sejahtera dan bahagia
Dikala mendayung mencari
Sinonim dalam kehidupan
Semoga terus bersatu, berpadu
Mendasari, menghalusi, menajami
Dirimu sendiri

Pictures:

Top - Putrajaya mosque

Middle - Kids at my hometown, Tuaran

Below - My little brother, Joshua Louis Sebol

Semalam dan sebelumnya

2009-08-22T00:30:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all readers,

It's late and I'm about to go to bed. Tomorrow, it's going to be the first day of fasting month. Switched on my laptob, and I begin to type. I've always wanted to be a romantic person. At this age, atleast. Not very practical, according to my friends, but I can't help but fall in love, with being in love. And on occasion, when I feel my heart swell with the happiness only acquired by being in love, I find myself thinking of a verse here or there, snippets of my heart's movements. It's when I find myself jotting down this poem..

Bermundar-mandir di sudut premis
Ramai yang pulang dari kantor
Sehari lagi hampir terbenam
Esok terbit semula semua
Tiada beza di hari ini
Dengan semalam dan yang sebelumnya

Bertanya jauh dalam sanubari
Di mana mula akhirnya hayat ini
Pusingan roda atas bawah
Sebuah kitaran tanpa penghujung?

Kokokkan ayam mengejutkan lena
Pantas bersiap sekadar beralas
Ke kantor diulit gelap
Ke rumah sudah lama gelap

Berkali-kali mata melirik
Perlahan benar detikan waktu
Adakalanya tergerak firasat
Membuat di luar jangka

Bermundar-mandir di kaki lima
Cemburu bertandang tiba-tiba
Melirik belangkas gian berkasih
Seolah dunia milik sepanjang sejarah

Bertambah sayu tatkala tersedar
Diri terkapai di tengah ramai
Sudah sering mentari terbit
Tanpa diri berteman
Malam terusan disindir purnama
Menyempurnakan kesepian

Hampir terlena dibisik mimpi
Doa dipohon tidak dilupa
Tiada beza di hari ini
Dengan semalam dan yang sebelumnya

Di mana?

2009-08-21T09:33:00.000+08:00

Di mana-mana
Ada kicauan burung

Di mana-mana
Ada deruan ombak

Di mana-mana
Ada puputan bayu

Di mana-mana
Ada desiran pasir

Di mana-mana
Ada sirna suria

Di mana-mana
Ada siang dan malam

Di manakah
Ada hari lama?

Di manakah
Ada hari baru?

Di manakah
Ada hari untukku?

DIA memandang

2009-08-20T19:08:00.000+08:00

Pandang ke bulan
Tidak jatuh ke riba

Pandang ke bintang
Sukar digapai

Pandang ke langit
Rumput jangan dilupa

Pandang ke matahari
Oh, tidak mungkin!

Pandang ke cermin
Cermin pandang aku

Pandang ke dalam diri
DIA memandang aku

Is it normal?

2009-08-20T16:20:00.000+08:00

I take public transportation and sometimes people would stare at me while I'm sitting quietly minding my own business. I would occasionally look at them and they would look away. But as soon as I look away, they're looking at me again. There is nothing physically wrong with me and I dress appropriately. Is it normal for people to stare at me for no apparent reason? I have two arms, two legs, 10 fingers and 10 toes, and 1 head. Am I normal?

Diet during Ramadhan

2009-08-19T19:01:00.000+08:00

Bismillah Arrahman Arrahim, In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Salaam and hi to all my fellow readers, brothers and sisters,

Muslims all over the world will be celebrating the giving of the Quran as well of the unity of the Ummah in just a few days. During Ramadhan, Muslims fast from food and water during daylight hours. While fasting a person experiences physical deprivation, but can also use this to draw closer to God.

Fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadhan can be good for one's health and personal development. Ramadhan fasting is not just about disciplining the body to restrain from eating food and drinking water from predawn until sunset. The eyes, the ears, the tongue, and even the private parts are equally obligated to be restrained if a Muslim wants to gain the total rewards of fasting. Ramadhan is also about restraining anger, doing good deeds, exercising personal discipline, and preparing oneself to serve as a good Muslim and a good person during and after Ramadan.

It is a globally recognized and foremost part of dietary guidelines that eating a variety of food using principles of moderation and balance. This is particularly true during the Islamic month of Ramadhan when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. To be healthy, one must consume food from the major food groups: bread and cereal, milk and dairy product, meat and bean, vegetable and fruit. During the month long fast of Ramadan the metabolic rate of a fasting person slows down and other regulatory mechanisms start functioning. Body and dietary fat is efficiently utilized. Consuming total food intake that is less than the total food intake during normal days is sufficient to maintain a person's health. Intake of fruits after a meal is strongly suggested. A balanced diet improves blood cholesterol profile, reduces gastric acidity, prevents constipation and other digestive problems, and contributes to an active and healthy life style.

Recommended suggestions:

(1)Drink sufficient water between Iftar and sleep to avoid dehydration.

(2) Consume sufficient vegetables at meals. Eat fruits at the end of the meal.

(3) Avoid intake of high sugar (table sugar, sucrose) foods through sweets or other forms.

(4) Avoid spicy foods.

(5) Avoid caffeine drinks such as coke, coffee or tea. Caffeine is a diuretic. Three days to five days before Ramadan gradually reduce the intake of these drinks. A sudden decrease in caffeine prompts headaches, mood swings and irritability.

(6) Smoking is a health risk factor. Avoid smoking cigarettes. If you cannot give up smoking, cut down gradually starting a few weeks before Ramadan. Smoking negatively affects utilization of various vitamins, metabolites and enzyme systems in the body.

Do not forget to brush or Miswak (tender neem tree branch, Azhardicta indica or other appropriate plant in a country, about 1/4-1/2 inch diameter and 6-8 inches length, tip partially chewed and made brush like). Brush your teeth before sleep and after sahur. Brush more than two times or as many times as practical.

Normal or overweight people should not gain weight. For overweight people Ramadan is an excellent opportunity to lose weight. Underweight or marginally normal weight people are discouraged from losing weight. Analyzing a diet's energy and nutritional component, using food composition tables or computer software, will be useful in planning an appropriate diet.

It is recommended that everyone engage in some kind of light exercise, such as stretching or walking. It's important to follow good time management practices for Ibada (prayer and other religious activities), sleep, studies, job, and physical activities or exercise.

In summary, intake of a balanced diet is critical to maintain good health, sustain an active lifestyle and attain the full benefits of Ramadhan.

P/S:
I came up with my own challenge for this year's Ramadhan. Is anyone else doing a special challenge for Ramadan?

Regards.

Refference:
El Ati, J., C. Beji and J. Danguir. Increased fat oxidation during Ramadan fasting in healthy women: an adaptive mechanism for body-weight maintenance. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 62: 302-307, 1995.

Husain R, M.T. Duncan, S.H. Cheah and S.L. Ch'ng. Effects of fasting in Ramadan on tropical Asiatic Moslems. British Journal of Nutrition. 58: 41-48, 1987.

Gumaa, K.A., K.Y, Mustafa, N.A. Mahmoud, and A,M, Gader. The effect of fasting in Ramadan. 1. Serum uric acid and lipid concentration. British Journal of Nutrition. 40: 573-80, 1978.

Hallak, M.H. and M.Z.A. Nomani. Body weight loss and changes in blood lipid levels in men on hypocaloric diets during Ramadan fasting. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 48:1197-1210, 1988.

Nomani, M.Z.A. Dietary fat, blood cholesterol and uric acid levels during Ramadan fasting. International Journal of Ramadan Fasting Research. 1: 1-6, 1997. (on Web site) (11). Kay, R.M. Dietary fiber. J Lipid Res.221-242, 1982.

Malhotra, A., P.H. Scott, J. Scott, H. Gee and B.A. Wharton. Metabolic changes in Asian Muslim pregnant mothers observing Ramadan fast in Britain. British Journal of Nutrition. 61: 663-672, 1989.

http://www.nutriweb.org.my
http://www.nutrition.moh.gov.my/
http://www.moh.gov.my/
http://www.who.int/en/
http://www.webmd.com/

Time?!

2009-08-19T11:55:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all brothers and sisters,

Yesterday I was on my way home after what seems like a horrendously long week at work and am sooo sleepy (Still have Thursday and Friday to go...). Where do you find the time to post?! Looking at my blog, it needs more posts! The only time I find to catch up on the latest goings on in the blogosphere is on my commute to and from work. Some fellow bloggers manage to post 2 or 3 times a day. My posts seem to take forever to write and always end up do long too hence the infrequency of them! Hmm... I think I need to brush up on my blogging skills! Anyways, just thinking in writing. Insh'Allah if there's anything you'd like me to post about drop me a quick line. By the way, on route to Alamanda Putrajaya yeasterday, I can't help but notice all the flesh I see... Tanned thighs...full bust...toned shoulders. Astagfirullah... Honestly, I'm speechless... I can't help but think about the reasons why these women feel to dress like this...!!! The social dilemmas that surround us... What a world we live in...

Stay blessed!

Butterfly

2009-08-18T16:39:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all my readers,

Due to conflicts regarding my tight working schedule, coupled with financial and transportation difficulties, I could not attend my uncle's funeral. I feel so guilty now, even though my mother assured me that it was okay with the rest of my family and that they understood. I still feel really sad, I almost feel like crying now. My Uncle passed away from a complicated disease and in a way I am relieved because he is not longer suffering and sad at the same time for the loss in the family. I had conversations over the phone with my mom, dad, brothers, cousins and few other relatives. SMS, MMS keep on coming. Thank you, thank you so much! As I looked at the MMS sent to me, I could see a painful expression on my relatives’ face. It hurt me to see everyone like this. But it made me overjoyed to know that everyone cared about my Uncle. In this one picture, I noticed my cousin sitting in the corner inside the church by herself and I wish to say this to her, " Hey! Noni would you like to go for a walk with me?" I would like to have a walk with her and talk about the memories of our Uncle. Moved to the other picture, I could see my mother bawling her eyes out. I started to cry even more! (Ya Allah, please give me strength!) This is my mom’s brother and he is the eldest. I feel guilty for not going, for feeling like I do I would rather remember him the healthy happy man I knew than the one who dwindled to pounds and was so sick. My uncle inspired many people including myself. I know he continues to live on in all of us. To my Uncle Lait @ Petrus Ikat, thank you for continuing to be constant in our lives though your life is so far away. I would like to say that none of us will ever forget you. We all want to say that we love you and miss you. We all hope that you are having fun being a butterfly. Goodbye for now and with God’s will, we see you at the gates leading to heaven.

Regards.

Do you agree A GREAT LOVE is RARE in one lifetime?..and to experience it more than once is a blessing in life?

2009-08-17T12:49:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all lovely readers,

As you can tell by the various answers, what qualifies as "love" depends on who you ask-let along a "great love".One might argue that a marriage would qualify a "great love" while a "magical kiss" or "perfect moment" would qualify just as much. Some would even say that a "summer love" or even a perfect one-night stand would be a "great love". We see it in movies all the time.As humans of our history and this society, we like to think that TRUE love exists when in fact Love exists between people of varying degrees at varying moments in life at varying moments even in a day. But is it because we actually LOVE the person or because we love the idea of TRUE LOVE or that we want so much to be a part of the what's considered TRUE LOVE? Or do we pretend we were only in love with being in love to ease the pain?It really depends how you look at it, who you ask, who's lying to themselves, if emotions can lie and who's really sane enough to answer anything about something so abstract as love? Or are we all sane enough and all answers are credible? I practically think that a truly great love that is built on a solid and firm foundation that will last, is fairly rare to find. But to have that kind of love it takes two people committed and respecting and communicating with one another. The reality is, physical beauty can fade in time, but a love built on a deep and respectful love is quite powerful and generally will keep growing.I have known a few people in life who have had that awesome deep love between them. No matter how old they get it remains special. And I've known a couple of people who had such a love, and when their mate died unexpectedly, they eventually found love again and it was equally deep, only perhaps in different ways. Yes, it surely is a wonderful blessing if you can be in that kind of special relationship! Hmmm...Great love is from passionate lovers. To experience that blessing in life is to have to love yourself unconditionally.

Regards.

What are you busy at? Are you doing what fulfills you?

2009-08-16T15:19:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all my honored readers,

The essential question is not, “How busy are you?” but “What are you busy at?” “Are you doing what fulfills you?” — Oprah Winfrey.

Rarely do we have only one issue or challenge to deal with. There are usually several, all of varying and competing important. So just what needs to be done and when? Currently, this is the method that I’m using to decide that. I’m writing this post in hopes that detailing the process will help someone else tackle both the day to day and long term goals (If it does help you, thank you Allah!). After identifying them all I can list the areas of life that I’m working on in two ways — by order of importance and in order of time dependence (urgency).

When I do this, I often find that the things that are most important often aren’t the ones that are most urgent. They truly are important; they just don’t need to be done right now. This happens with many things: exercise, doing paperwork, writing my entry(s), finding time for personal research, spending enough time doing enjoyable things, reading, and the list goes on...! These are all activities that involve long term goals or practices that don’t necessarily create an immediate benefit. These are quiet patience tasks that beckon to me gently and soothingly. They murmur promises of great benefit if I will be devote my time and attention to their care. Meanwhile, other tasks scream and clamor for my attention. All demand to be attended to right now, right this second, don’t delay!

Each makes sure I’m aware of the benefit they can offer right now, and how important that is. Examples of such noisy tasks are homework, studying, cooking, cleaning, immediate income needs, illness, sleep, family, sweetheart, friends, and a moment to relax. Now, the more I pay attention, or better put, the more I learn how to pay attention, the more I begin to see the “pay attention to me!” activities as tantalizing will-o-wisps who exist to distract me from what really matters. Of course knowing is only half the battle; the vital part is putting the knowledge to good use. To bring my immediate tasks into better alignment with my goals and what I consider truly important, I have to correlate one with the other.

I have to work on the long term while I deal with the right now or I’ll find myself without anything I want achieved even years from now. So how is that done? The process I’m settling into now is to work on the long term in short bursts along with the immediate task its related to. Solat and exercise help with getting my homework done, studying and staying healthy. So as well as naming exercise and prayer as tasks in their own right, I’m including them as part of tasks they help with. It is true that some things just need to have more, dedicated time made for them and one way to make that time is to combine things which don’t require much thought or resources.

To that end, I’m looking forward into a digital recorder which will allow me to create a transcript of the recording, so that my mind can be on writing, paperwork or research while I’m cooking or cleaning or traveling without constantly thinking I’ll write that down later, or remember it. I also abandoned my books to watch an episode of Desperate Housewives (my favorite tv series), watching movies, jogging, blogging and I look forward to do some gardening on Friday evening — a combination of being able to relax and doing more enjoyable things. Diligent care and attention is needed when our goals don’t line up with our current realities but it is necessary to decide just what we believe is really important and tend to that in some way everyday.

Currently I’m still working on time management, and I’ll adjust where ever and when ever there is a need to, but I realized how false this “I don’t have the time” thing is. We all have the same amount of time; the question is just how do we choose to use it. Knowing that I ask, can we really say something is important if we devote no time to it? Now I’m using THAT to decide what gets done.

Warmest regards.

What do you want?

2009-08-15T20:29:00.001+08:00

Salaam and hi to all my fellow readers,

What do you want out of life? World peace? Money? Immortality? Comfortable shoes? To be cool? A Van Kleef watch? (Sorry sir!)To be hot...??

Somewhere along the way a lot of us got confused. We got told and sold on what we thought we wanted, rather than what we really want and need. We were told to ask "Where do you want to go today," rather than "What are you doing for the rest of your life?" (What do you think, sir?)
Back to my point (and yes, I do have a point, it may be a little dull, but it's still there). We're all so BUSY (du'uh!) that sometimes we don't just stop and try to figure out what we really want. Not what we want to buy or wear or even eat, but what we want out of life. Think long and hard, because this is your future. One of my favorite quotes (which I've now seen attributed to three different people, so why not attribute it to me) is "The best way to predict the future is to create it."

None of us really know what's going to happen tomorrow, much less in five or ten years (I'll never understand those people with five year plans). So take a break. Turn off the TV and radio Shut down the computer (is it really in my best interest to say this? Who cares, it's in yours.) And take some time to think. You may not be able to answer this question today, or tomorrow, or in three weeks or months. But if you have this question in your head, you are CLOSER to finding an answer. The fact that we can take time to think about what we really want means that most of us already have much of what we need. If you do, consider yourself lucky. A lot of people don't. Many people still just want something to eat.

P/S: I want world peace, of course. And on top of all, thank you Allah for EVERYTHING. Ameen Ya Rabbal Al-Ameen

Why FB?

2009-08-13T18:59:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all,

I am sometimes bemused by life. Confused even.

Over the last few months it has become ever more fashionable to bash social networks in general, and Facebook in particular; H1N1, Corruption, 1 Malaysia, the king is dead, long live the new king, blah blah blah. Just a few months ago, you couldn’t walk around without bumping into a Facebook conference, you couldn’t read around without bumping into a Facebook article, you couldn’t talk around without bumping into a Facebook conversation. Why??

Such is life. I haven’t stopped using Facebook during all that; I haven’t stopped wanting to create a Behind-The-Firewall set of functions and utilities that can extend Facebook functionality while coexisting with Facebook. And, as far as I can see, there are millions other people who haven’t stopped using it. People who largely don’t know any of the critics, people who have been using Facebook since it began. People like myself. I don't know about much of the kerfuffle, and doesn’t care.
I can understand myself.

Hey, I didn’t use Facebook to be cool, just because have something to say, to have something to blog about. I went into Facebook because I saw a set of utilities that would help me in my quest for Search, Syndication, Fulfilment and Conversation.

So when I saw the wave of pushback against Facebook, I had to ask myself why I continued to use it. And think hard about my answer. And it taught me something about how I felt about social networks. Which is this:

The information that flows through a social network exists in three dimensions. One dimension is time, past, present and future. A second dimension is number, one to many. A third is movement, static to dynamic. When I share my contact details with another person, I am providing static, present, one-to-one information. When I share what I am intending to do with a whole community, I am providing dynamic, future, one-to-many information.
The motivation to provide information is, at least in part, driven by an expected value of the information coming out of Facebook. And one other thing: the comfort level of providing, to a community, what is essentially private information.

So why do I use continue to use Facebook?
It’s simple. Because it continues to give me more than the value I used to get from it. Because it continues to give me more than the value I expected when I started using it. Because I can see a way of deriving even more value from it. Particularly as I learn to use tools that augment the Facebook experience, tools like Twitter and even Blogspot.
Nothing changed for me.

That’s all.

Regards.

Experiencing happiness...mirror work

2009-08-10T18:26:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all lovely readers,

Are we surrounding by dour faces? If we've been there recently, we'll remember that sour looks can rub off on us easily as a smile does. If long faces are part of our current landscape and we are serious about expanding our happiness horizons, then finding different company where there is more laughter and fewer long faces can help. Surrounding ourselves with those who VALUE us and RESPECT our worth is another crucial key in the happiness combination.

If a confidence-building regimen is what we need, then self-acceptance excercises are the place to start. These can be as light-hearted or as deeply felt as we are willing to allow at any given moment. The simple act of looking in a mirror can bring up many feelings of frustration, coupled with an all-too-real vision of what is wrong with ourselves. We often see ourselves with critical eyes, looking for the flaws and the things we want to change, rather than acknowledging the brilliance that is already there, albeit perhaps lying dormant.

Stay looking at our image as we breathe deeply in and out. Allow ourselves to feel LOVE for the REAL image we see reflected in the mirror. Seeing ourselve EXACTLY as we are now, and not as we would WISH to be PERCEIVED, can be daunting at first, but well worth it if we are willing to preservere with it.

Regards.

Kisses

2009-08-06T12:21:00.000+08:00

When you kiss me in the back room, you put the light on in my black gloom, put an end to all my sorrow, kiss me like there's no tomorrow..and when we touch when no-one's looking, you mend the heart that once was broken. If my world goes down in pieces, make it better with your kisses.

A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words

2009-08-05T10:04:00.000+08:00

Have you ever noticed how much more clearly you see yourself in a picture? I was taking pictures of myself earlier and my appearance is so different from what it was only 5 years ago. My appearance is not what it once was and I'm glad for that. It, instead, is more of a road map of where I've been; a photobook of my memories...each page, a different story...maybe one I've not yet told. A picture of us, is not just a picture, but also a picture of a thousand pictures. Every week, I look forward to being on week-end. For me, it' s time for great pleasures with my family. We try to do different things, to change our habits. I hate living in routine and week-ends are benefit for changing our way of living. Make-sporting , discovering new sites, visiting friends or families(Currently I live far from my family, what a piece of luck!), there is always a place in the car to go somewhere else. I never forget that week-ends are short holidays and I ' ve got my idea on the way of taking advantage of it. Last weekend I spent my 3 days and 2 nights at my hometown, Tuaran, Sabah.

I love my hometown, love views from the window of my house, the ground which is full with childrens' laughs, cool breeze air, love the peace of the simple life here, love houses on the back of hills and mountains, love friendly people, too. I love everything belongs to my hometown where I was born 24 years ago...

Above: My Family

Below are the pictures taken during my 'journey' to my hometown. Please do accept my apology for the low quality. Sekadar menggunakan kamera cellphone..huhu

Above: An old man at the airport. Candid :)

Below: MH2628

Below: Sempat mengambil gambar pemandangan di ruangan menunggu KLIA

Below: Again, an old man was about to take a short nap while waiting to get inside the aircraft

Below: Tourists from Japan

Below: Inside my mom's car, on our way to Tuaran market.

Below: My little brother, Joshua Louis, 12 years old standing in front of his school, SK St. John Tuaran

Below: Follow my mom jalan-jalan di sekitar pekan Tuaran, looking for groceries.

Below: I like the vegetables, semuanya fresh!

Below: Jambatan gantung

Below: Kesian kucing tu, bersedinrian di tengah-tengah jalan lalu-lalang orang ramai di pekan Tuaran

Mioww...

Below: Trademark..

Below: Foods are everywhere..

Below: Mom and I took our breakfast, SOTO and ROJAK! Nyum nyum!

Below: Semasa dalam perjalanan pulang, saya sempat mengambil gambar ini...teringat zaman kanak-kanak kenderaan 'pick-up.'

Miow miow again.. Like mother like daughter?

Below: My granny's house.

Below: Coconut fruit

Below: Durian

Below: Orchid

Flowers..

I missed my hometowon so much, especially my family. Can't wait for the month of September to come. I will be going back to Sabah again for the Hari raya Aidilfitri Celebration :)

Flower

2009-08-03T18:43:00.000+08:00

A flower is a flower is a flower is a flower..

Different flowers look good to different people. Pick the flower when it is ready to be picked. The flower that you spent time to care for does not grow while the willow that your accidentally planted flourishes and gives shade.

When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else. Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see it whether they want to or not.

Flowers are love's truest language.

All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.

Tekanan Darah Tinggi, Jangan Ambil Mudah

2009-07-30T18:50:00.000+08:00

Salaam and hi to all my fellow readers,

LeeYo said:

I got hypertension last year during my pregnancy..and continuous sampai sekarang.. But manage to reduce the dose lah.. aiyaa... advice please ariff

Kepada LeeYo dan rakan-rakan pembaca yang lain, hasil tulisan berikut mungkin boleh membantu anda. Segala komen daripada anda amatlah dialu-alukan. Setiap individu mempunyai tekanan darah. Apabila darah dipamkan melalui arteri, daya tenaga akan terhasil pada dinding dalam saluran darah. Jumlah darah yang dipam oleh jantung dan daya tahan yang diberikan oleh arteri akan menentukan tekanan darah kita. Tekanan darah dicatatkan dalam dua angka. Angka di atas (tekanan darah sistolik) mengukur tekanan apabila jantung mengepam darah keluar. Angka yang di bawah pula (tekanan darah diastolik) mengukur tekanan apabila jantung berehat. Tekanan darah adalah berbeza-beza mengikut masa tertentu dalam sehari dan aktiviti yang kita lakukan. Ia perlu diperiksa beberapa kali untuk menentukan purata tekanan darah yang tepat.

Apakah itu tekanan darah tinggi?
Apabila anda dikatakan mendapat darah tinggi atau hipertensi, ia bermakna saluran darah anda menjadi sempit dan sesak menyebabkan jantung terpaksa mengepam lebih kuat untuk mengatasi kesempitan itu. Bila ini terjadi, darah akan menekan lebih kuat ke dinding saluran darah untuk laluannya ke tisu badan. Lama-kelamaan, mendapan lemak akan tersangkut dan terkumpul pada dinding menyebabkan arteri menjadi keras. Proses ini dikenali sebagai arteriosklerosis. Jantung sekarang terpaksa bekerja dengan lebih kuat untuk menolak darah melalui arteri-arteri yang sempit dan keras ini. Oleh hal yang demikian, tekanan darah akan tercatat lebih tinggi atau bersamaan 140mm Hg untuk tekanan sistolik dan lebih tinggi atau bersamaan 90mm Hg untuk tekanan diastolik, walaupun dalam masa rehat. Kadangkala darah beku terjadi di celah-celah saluran arteri yang sempit inin menyebabkan berlakunya serangan jantung atau strok (angin ahmar).

Tanda dan gejala
Tekanan darah tinggi atau dalam istilah perubatan iaitu hipertensi dikenali sebagai 'pembunuh senyap' kerana ia tidak menunjukkan sebarang gejala. Ia boleh membawa kepada masalah yang lebih serius dan kadangkala boleh mengancam nyawa seseorang itu jika tidak dirawat. Bagaimanapun, ia sebenarnya boleh dikawal dan diuruskan dengan baik. Jadi, bagaimana anda tahu yang anda menghidap darah tinggi? Cara yang terbaik ialah melakukan pemeriksaan tekanan darah secara berkala di pusat kesihatan/hospital/klinik bagi menentu dan mengesan lebih awal permasalahan ini.

Kenapa kita perlu memahami tekanan darah tinggi?
Kebanyakan individu yang menghidap tekanan darah tinggi tidak tahu menahu mengenainya. Anda tidak dapat merasainya dan kerana itulah ianya sangat berbahaya. Pesakit yang menghidap tekanan darah tinggi mempunyai risiko mempunyai risiko yang lebih besar untuk mendapat penyakit-penyakit kardiovaskular dan kerosakan beberapa jenis organ tertentu di dalam badan. Didapati di antara 20% sehingga 50% dari kematian biasa adalah disebabkan oleh tekanan darah tinggi. Bahkan, 20% dari orang dewasa di seluruh dunia menghidap masalah ini dan 5% dari kanak-kanak juga turut terlibat. Di Malaysia (mengikut Kajian Kesihatan dan Morbiditi 1996) prevalens tekanan darah tinggi adalah sebanyak 24%.

Langkah-langkah yang perlu dipatuhi untuk mendapatkan ukuran tekanan darah yang betul:
Berehat selama 5 minit dan duduk dengan selesa. Tangan hendaklah terdedah dan diampu pada meja atau permukaan yang rata pada paras jantung. Jangan mengambil minuman yang mengandungi kafein atau merokok 30 minit sebelum prosedur ini. jangan melakukan aktiviti/kerja yang berat sebelum tekanan darah diambil. Tekanan darah tinggi tidak boleh didiagnosakan dengan hanya mengambil ukuran sebanyak sekali sahaja. ia perlu disahkan dalam masa sebulan. Walaubagaimanapun, jika terdapat faktor-faktor risiko yang lain seperti penyakit organ tertentu atau diabetes, rawatan hendaklah diberikan tanpa berkengah-lengah. Terdapat beberapa faktor yang boleh dikawal dan ada juga faktor yang di luar kawalan anda.

Faktor yang boleh anda kawal:
Berhenti merokok untuk mencegah penyempitan saluran darah anda (Nasihat untuk diri sendiri juga). Senaman boleh membantu menurunkan berat badan dan mengurangkan tekanan darah. Memakan makanan rendah lemak dan seimbang untuk mengawal berat badan. Berhenti pengambilan alkohol kerana alkohol berupaya meningkatkan tekanan darah. Kurangkan pengambilan garam kerana natrium (garam) berupaya meningkatkan tekanan darah. Kurangkan stres kerana tekanan terhadap mental atau stress boleh meningkatkan tekanan darah. Pil perancang keluarga juga sering dikaitkan dengan tekanan darah tinggi. Memakan makanan rendah lemak dan seimbang untuk mengawal berat badan. Banyakkan memakan sayuran berdaun hijau dan buah-buahan.

Faktor di luar kawalan:
Jantina : Kaum lelaki lebih mudah untuk mendapat tekanan darah tinggi. Umur : Darah tinggi meningkat mengikut umur. Bangsa : Kajian telah menunjukkan bahawa sesetengah kaum/bangsa lebih mudah untuk mendapat penyakit ini. Genetik : Risiko untuk mendapat tekanan darah tinggi adalah lebih tinggi. Diabetes : Bagaimana diabetes boleh membawa kepada sakit jantung masih belum jelas, tetapi kita sedia maklum bahawa diabetes mencetuskan pembentukan arteriosklerosis yang boleh meningkatkan risiko serangan jantung, angin ahmar dan mengurangkan peredaran darah ke bahagian bawah tubuh badan (iaitu sehingga ke bahagian kaki).

BELOW: Koleksi gambar-gambar di sekitar Putrajaya (A place where I work and stay now).

RESOURCE:

http://www.nutriweb.org.my/

http://www.nutrition.moh.gov.my/

http://www.moh.gov.my/

http://www.who.int/en/

http://www.webmd.com/

Conspiracy

2009-07-30T11:28:00.000+08:00

Salam and hi to all my readers,

Konspirasi Kematian Michael Jackson

Saya telah menerima satu emel daripada seorang kenalan berkaitan dengan konspirasi kematian Michael Jackson. Berikut adalah informasi yang saya peroleh daripada emel berkenaan. Sekadar ingin berkongsi maklumat dan bertukar-tukar pandangan dengan kalian semua. Kurang pasti akan kebenaran tentang wujudnya konspirasi kematian Michael Jackson. Mungkin benar mungkin juga tidak. Hanya DIA yang tahu. Michael Jackson (MJ) adalah seorang manusia yang sangat penyayang. Banyak hartanya yang telah dihabiskan dalam membantu dan menyokong gerakan-gerakan amal seperti Afrika Amerika, mangsa AIDS, mangsa dera kanak-kanak dan bermacam-macam lagi. Walaupun dah berbuat pelbagai kebaikan, MJ masih gagal mencari ketenangan hati. Dia cumalah seorang kanak-kanak yang terperangkap di dalam badan seorang lelaki dewasa. Impiannya adalah untuk menjadi kanak-kanak kecil selama-lamanya. Impian ini ditambah pula dengan sejarahnya didera semasa kecil menyebabkan dia membina Neverland, tempat untuk seluruh kanak-kanak di dunia bermain dan gembira di situ.

Sila baca artikel ini sepenuhnya untuk membaca tentang konspirasi pembunuhan Michael Jackson. Namun MJ telah membuat satu keputusan yang bakal memberikan impak yang sangat besar di dalam hidupnya. Melihat kehidupan dan ketenangan yang dimiliki oleh abangnya (Jermaine) setelah memeluk Islam, MJ telah membuat satu kenyataan gempar di satu press conference pada tahun 1989."Saya telah melihat Islam di dalam abang saya, saya telah membaca buku tentang Islam dan suatu hari nanti saya mahu rasakan ketenangan dan keamanan Islam itu". Sejak kenyataan itu hidup MJ tidak sama seperti dahulu lagi. Dituduh berasmara dengan kanak-kanak, ditambah dengan pandangan-pandangan negatif daripada media Amerika Syarikat, membuatkan MJ berada di tahap tertekan. Semua ini dilakukan agar peminat-peminat MJ melihatnya sebagai satu ikon yang gagal seterusnya membuatkan influence MJ berkurangan. Melarikan diri daripada tekanan pihak Media USA, MJ telah tinggal di England selama beberapa tahun.

Di England, MJ berkawan rapat dengan Yusof Islam, Dari Yusof Islam, MJ belajar serba sedikit tentang Islam. Malah semasa di England, MJ telah berkawan rapat dengan seorang pencipta lagu, Zain Bhika yang telah menciptakan lagu “Give Thanks To Allah” khas untuk dinyanyikan oleh MJ bila-bila masa dia bersedia. Semasa kes asmaranya dengan kanak-kanak dijalankan, MJ telah melarikan diri dan menetap di Bahrain. Di sana dia menjadi tetamu khas kepada anak Sultan Bahrain. Di sinilah MJ mula mendalami Islam. MJ belajar sembahyang, baca Al-Quran dan macam-macam lagi selama 3 tahun. Akhirnya pada November 2008, MJ pulang ke Los Angeles dan membuat majlis memeluk Islam secara rasmi di rumah kawan karibnya. Pada bulan Disember 2008, MJ telah pun pergi menunaikan haji bersama Sultan Bahrain dan anaknya.Untuk konsert terakhirnya, MJ mempunyai agenda yang tersendiri. Dia memaklumkan yang ini adalah konsert terakhirnya dan berhasrat untuk mengumumkan yang dia adalah seorang Muslim. Malah MJ juga mahu menyanyikan lagu Give Thanks to Allah pada konsertnya tersebut bersama Yusof Islam. Sebab itulah MJ memilih London sebagai tempat konsert terakhirnya bukannya di USA kerana takutkan pihak berkuasa USA. Pada 12.30 25 June, MJ memeluk managernya dan mengucapkan selamat malam. MJ berkata,"Selepas berlatih selama 2 bulan akhirnya saya dah bersedia untuk konsert ini". Selepas melambaikan tangan dan mengucapkan selamat malam, MJ pun pulang ke hotel. Tapi kira-kira jam 2.26 pagi, MJ didapat telah meninggal dunia. Semasa 911 dihubungi, banyak soalan yang ditanya seolah-olah mereka tidak tahu siapa itu MJ dan di mana MJ berada.

Nampaknya ada pihak yang cuba melengahkan masa bantuan tiba. Tambah pelik bila pihak hospital mengatakan hasil autopsy hanya boleh diperolehi selepas 2 bulan sedangkan teknologi sekarang sudah bertambah canggih. Oleh kerana itu, keluarga MJ telah pun mengupah private doktor untuk membuat autopsy kepada MJ. Keputusannya dikeluarkan hanya selepas 4 hari. Ternyata MJ mati kerana terlalu banyak dos anaethestic, sejenis ubat yang mampu membuatkan jantung berhenti berdenyut jika diambil secara berlebihan. Satu keputusan yang tidak diwar-warkan di media ialah perut MJ tidak mempunyai langsung ubat ini. Tapi darahnya dipenuhi dengan ubat tersebut. Malah badan MJ dipenuhi dengan kesan suntikan seolah-olah ada orang telah secara paksa menyuntik ubat tersebut ke dalam badan MJ. Dalam CNN semasa ditemuramah, Presiden Amerika Syarikat Barrack Obama telah mengeluarkan satu kenyataan yang agak pelik iaitu,“Saya suka MJ. Saya membesar mendengar lagunya. Ia adalah merupakan satu kehilangan yang besar tapi saya jamin tiada konspirasi dalam kematiannya”.

Pelikkan kenapa seorang Presiden beria-beria berkata bahawa tiada konspirasi dalam kematian MJ sebelum keputusan rasmi autopsy MJ dikeluarkan? Kalau betullah MJ hendak membunuh diri, buat apa dia beria-beria hendak berlatih selama 2 bulan untuk konsert dia ni? Bukan begitu? Keluarga MJ inginkan MJ dikebumikan secara Islam. Tapi CIA telah muncul dan memberi ugutan jika pengebumian secara Islam dilakukan secara awan (dalam TV). Ugutannya ialah Katherine, ibu kepada MJ tidak akan mendapat hak penjagaan anak-anak MJ sebaliknya Debbie Rowe yang akan dapat. Akhirnya mereka bersetuju untuk MJ dikebumikan secara Islam di Neverland. Tapi dengan syarat satu pengebumian olok-olok secara Kristian mesti diadakan. Itulah yang anda semua tengok di TV. Sebab itulah keranda MJ ditutup dan tidak dibuka. Kerana mayatnya tidak pernah berada di dalam keranda itu. Ini semua dilakukan semata-mata untuk mengaburi mata seantero dunia yang kononnya MJ bukan seorang penganut agama Islam.

(Sheikh Ha**d)
The Brotherhood of Islam
Buletin of Bahrain

P/S: Wallahualam. Sesungguhnya hanya Allah S.W.T yang maha mengetahui kebenarannya. Jika benarlah bagai yang tertulis dalam emel berkenaan, sama-samalah kita mendoakan agar roh Allahyarham Mikaeel dicucuri rahmat dan semoga ahli keluarga dan waris-waris arwah akan mendapat petunjuk dan perlindungan daripada-NYA, InsyaAllah.

(Pictures:http://www.zorsebol.com/latest-news/michael-jackson-king-of-pop-converts-to-muslim-new-name-mikaeel/)

Borneo Research Council

2009-07-29T15:57:00.000+08:00

Nasi kombos
HinavaTinapung/Bintanok

(ABOVE: Pictures of Sabah's very own traditional foods)

Salam and hi to all valued readers

Saya post abtrak postgraduate dan undergraduate yang telah diterbitkan di dalam naskah Borneo Research Council 9th Biennial International Conference. Saya telah melaksanakan sesi pembentangan bagi kedua-dua kajian tersebut pada 28 Julai - 1 Ogos 2008, genap setahun yang lepas. Kepada rakan-rakan junior yang sedang menuntut di School of Food Science & Nutrition (SSMP), University Malaysia Sabah, semoga terbitan ini boleh menjadi rujukan yang berguna kepada anda. Sekiranya anda mempunyai interest terhadap kedua-dua kajian ini dan ingin menjadikannya sebagai bahan rujukan, I am more than willing to assist you. Just drop me an email. I am not happy with plagiarism, so please be honest to yourself. Happy reading. Cheers :)

BELOW: Undergraduate research followed by postgraduate research

RISK FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO HYPERTENSION AMONG KADAZANDUSUN PATIENTS RECEIVING TREATMENT IN LUYANG HEALTH CLINIC, KOTA KINABALU, SABAH

Sebol S, Rugayah Issa & Ooi YBH

steviesebol@gmail.com, yasmin.ooi@gmail.com, yasmin@ums.edu.my, rugayah@ums.edu.my

School of Food Science and Nutrition, University Malaysia Sabah, Locked Bag 2073, 88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

A recent survey by Zainal et al. (2004) found that 18% of patients attending government health clinics in Malaysia were newly diagnosed of having hypertension. No statistics for hypertension has been published for Sabah. Patients (n = 100, 57 females, 43 males, 18 – 80 years) were randomly recruited from the Hypertension Unit, Out Patient Department, Luyang Health Clinic, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Anthropometric, blood pressure and biochemical tests were taken. Factors contributing to hypertension, physical activities and dietary habits were assessed through interviewer-administered questionnaire. The results showed that, 91% of the respondents are primary hypertensive and 9% are secondary hypertensive. There was a significant association between primary hypertension and obesity (c², p = 0.03), smoking habit (p = 0.026), psychosocial and environmental stress (p = 0.032), sedentary lifestyle (p = 0.037), high percentage of body fat (p = 0.048), high cholesterol level (p = 0.046), and higher sodium retention (p = 0.048). Other factors associated with hypertension were usage of coconut milk and frying method in food preparation (p = 0.034); low intake of green leafy vegetables (p <>p <>p = 0.002), and evaporated milk (p = 0.009); caffeine consumption from tea (p = 0.001), coffee (p = 0.002), instant coffee or chocolate malted drink (p = 0.009). There was no significant associations between presentation of hypertension with their patients’ medical history (p=0.336) and their alcohol consumption (p = 0.912). In this scoping study, there were a significant associations between renal failure (p = 0.001), cancer (p = 0.001), and diabetes (p = 0.041) with presentation of hypertension in patients with secondary hypertension. However in this study, no association was observed between cardiovascular disease and hypertension (p = 0.390). Significant findings from this study would form the basis of a larger study to predict for hypertension in Kadazandusun individuals, incorporating investigation into food intakes particular to this ethnic group. Apart from that, the information could be used to determine the health status of individuals from their dietary intake. The value of this study lies in determining contributors to health risks. Studies have shown diseases which are related to affluence and sedentary lifestyles.

Keywords: Hypertension, risk factors, dietary intake.

NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF TRADITIONAL FOODS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH HEALTH STATUS AMONG ETHNIC GROUPS IN COASTAL AND INTERIOR PARTS OF SABAH

Ooi YBH & Sebol S

steviesebol@gmail.com
yasmin.ooi@gmail.com
yasmin@ums.edu.my

School of Food Science and Nutrition, University Malaysia Sabah, Locked Bag 2073, 88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

The aim of this study is to identify choice of traditional foods, method of preparation, and manner of eating; to determine the nutrient composition and bioavailability of foods; to measure indicators of chronic non-communicable diseases influenced by dietary choices and lifestyles, and to build algorithms to explain the relationships between choices of foods and to predict health status controlling for lifestyles and behaviors associated with health outcomes amongst ethnic groups in coastal and interior parts of Sabah. Analyses of nutrient content of traditional foods are limited by inadequate information in the Malaysian Food Composition Database. Traditional foods, choice of ingredients, method of preparation, and manner of eating are influenced by different ethnic groups. All these, in their various combinations, influence long-term health status, especially development of chronic non-communicable diseases. The hypothesis is that there is association between choice of eaten by various ethnic groups, which can be used to predict long-term health status after controlling for lifestyles and behaviors associated with health status. Dietary and nutritional assessments of Malaysians in observational and epidemiological studies are limited by (in)ability to convert food into nutrient intake by a food and nutrient composition database. "Most reports in the scientific literature focus on minimizing errors in estimation of food consumption, but the selection of a specific food composition table used in nutrient estimation are also a source of errors." (Merchant & Dehghan, 2006). The Malaysian food composition database (Tee et al, 1997) requires more information, especially on traditional foods eaten in Sabah and Sarawak (Foods from Sarawak will require a separate study). This updating may include addition of food items after proximate analysis of nutrient content, or systemic investigation into the local names and scientific nomenclature. In practice, revision of the national nutrient database is possible as reflected by the works of Ishihara et al (2006) in Japan. The present proposal is not to revise the Malaysia database, but to add information to it, in order to support and facilitate interpretations in future research. This is particularly so with ethnic foods still widely consumed in Sabah. An Ovid Medline database search conducted on 9 April 2007 using the search keywords "ethnic food" and "traditional food" crossed "Sabah", "Malaysia" and "Asia" did not reveal any scientific publications. There are only three publications for popular readership in the form of recipe collections on ethnic foods from Sabah: Masakan Tradisi Iranun (Hadijah Amin Abdullah Teng, 1989), Kadazan delicacies (Wanita Unit Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association, 1985), and Traditional cuisines of Sabah Malaysia: a culinary heritage (Dompok, 1999).

Keywords: Traditional foods, health status, nutrient composition, dietary intake.

(Pictures: http://www.sabah.edu.my/itsr07042/)

Genting Highland

2009-07-28T16:16:00.000+08:00

Salam and hi to all valued readers,

Last weekend saya berpeluang untuk ke Genting Highland untuk pertama kali (Terima kasih kepada Ustazah Zuraizah dan jawatankuasa kursus kerana memberikan saya peluang ini). Saya berpeluang menaiki cable car dan pengalamannya.......fuhh! The return ticket for taking the Genting Skyway is RM10.00 for adult. It’s a breathtaking experience for me as I am afraid of height. I would rather drive than taking this cable car but for the sake of trying, I just played down the feelings. For the first 5 minutes, the feelings of Hypsiphobia came and quickly gone away once I managed to accustomed myself to the surrounding environment. Now I can proudly say that I am no longer a Hypsiphobia person when it comes to cable car. Huh! Am I? Wait till I try bungee jump.

Genting Skyway is the longest cable car in South East Asia at a distance of 3.4 kilometers and also the fastest suspended ride in the world. Through out the ride, we are able to enjoy a scenic view of 100 millions years of old rainforest. It is an experience not to be missed when we are going to the top of Genting Highland. I should have tried the Genting Skyway long time ago.

Berikut adalah merupakan gambar-gambar yang sempat diambil semasa berada di dalam cable car (dan semasa berada di tempat-tempat lain). Gambar kurang memuaskan. I forgot to bring my camera, so I use my cellphone's camera..huhu.

Below:
Beristirahat di hotel penginapan :)

Yasmin Ahmad passed away

2009-07-27T09:01:00.000+08:00

Malaysia has just lost a renowned film and advertising director,Yasmin Ahmad. She passed away at about 11.25 pm (Saturday,25th July). Her death was confirmed by Media Prime Group Chief Operations Officer Datuk Seri Ahmad Farid Ridzuan, who was at the Damansara Specialist Hospital, when contacted by Bernama. She was reported to have suffered a stroke and brain haemorrhage.Yasmin Ahmad, 51, collapsed while presenting a working paper at Sri Pentas, the headquarters of the private television station TV3 on Thursday and was rushed to the Damansara Specialists Hospital.

We all lost a great legend who brought together all the races in her work unassumingly. With her passing, movies and commercials will no longer have the impact or insightful messages that she managed to bring out effortlessly and tie them to our hearts. She was the only director who continuously reminded us what it used to be in Malaysia amongst all the races and made sure we remembered them always. You are the only local director I consistently pay to see all your movies in the cinema - Sepet, Gubra, Mukshin, Talentimes etc. because I know there is this side of your storytelling that is refreshing to watch and never been seen before. Your works are unique. We are just unfortunate to have not seen more. My condolences to her family and I hope her family will remember her the legend she was and nothing else. May your soul rest in peace. You will be missed.

Al-fatihah buat allahyarhamah yasmin ahmad.

Dari Allah kita datang

Kepada-Nya kita kembali

Daya fikirnya memang hebat.

Semoga rohnya dicucuri rahmat.

(Picture: http://yasminthestoryteller.blogspot.com/)