Some good news, folks ……… 姜的美妙

Recently, I came across this piece of news from the net. I could not believe my eyes when I read them. Read this for yourself to see if this could help you in any way:-


Eat raw ginger to ease muscle pain

LONDON - Recent research has found that consumption of raw ginger can help to alleviate muscle tension caused by exercise.

The new study conducted in America showed if consumed on a daily basis, a small amount of the spice is effective to reduce the strains on muscle after a workout session.

The result which was published in the Journal of Pain supported the anecdotal evidence that ginger has pain-killer properties.

Researchers from the University of Georgia gave the participants 2g of raw ginger, another group an equivalent amount of heat-treated ginger, and a third group was given a placebo (used as a control in the research).

There was evidence that heat treatment can boost the spice potency up to 11 days and increase its pain-relieving effects.

Participants were put through a series of arm exercises.

The outcome revealed that 24 hours after exercise, the pain levels of the group who ate raw gingers were 25 per cent lower than those on placebos.

Pain levels were also 23 per cent lower in the heat-treated group.

Besides its use as a remedy for nausea, previous ab study has also found that powdered ginger could kill ovarian cancer cells.

So, sprinkle more gingers on your steamed fish or porridge and add a few pieces to your fried vegetables to start making the difference. Or just take a few glasses of ginger tea. Blended ginger also made good dip for meats like chicken.

80 cents only! 八毛钱而已！

This morning I noticed Uncle Khoo just got a haircut. I asked him how much it cost him. RM13, he replied. He complained it was getting more expensive to have a haircut nowadays.

“Do you know that back in the 50s, it cost 80 cents to have a hair cut?” he asked ironically.

“For 80 cents, the hairdresser gave an hour service which included a haircut, a shave, a de-waxing for both ears and a very thorough message for the neck, the shoulders and the back?” he recalled those good old days with a tinge of nostalgia.

“Imagine, all these for just 80 cents and now, what you got for RM13?” he asked, shaking his head in disbelief.

“What you got today was just the haircut and shaving. That’s all” he said sadly, giving out a sigh of regret.

Time has change, Uncle Khoo. Time has change. This is 2010, Uncle. Some things are not the same anymore. You just have to learn to live with it.

What more can I say to him?

Hello Uncle Khoo, how are you? Nice to see you again! 许先生，早安好 !

This morning after the rain stopped, I went to Peel Road to see Uncle Khoo again. It has been sometimes since I last have a chat with him. I am curious how he was doing lately. He just had an operation for prostate enlargement about two months ago.

I am very pleased to see him doing his daily routine at the reflexology patch. He was very excited to see me too and gave me a nice pat on my cheeks. How grandfatherly of him to do that! He was clearly very appreciative of my company. We have a nice and lengthy chat, catching up like long lost friends.

Uncle Khoo told me he was born in China some 90 years ago. He got married at 17 years old and had a son. At the age of 30 plus, poverty drove him to Malaya. He came alone on a steamer. It could accommodate between 2000 to 3000 people on the trip. There was no place to sit or lay down. Just enough space to stand, he claimed. He brought biscuits to last him the 2 to 3 weeks on sea before he reached Singapore and later, Klang. From Klang he took a bus to Kuala Lumpur on a 10 cent fare.

In Kuala Lumpur he found a job in a sundry shop, loading and unloading sacks and sacks of rice on his shoulder to be transport to customers. He was paid RM30 a month of which he sent RM15 to his family in China. Years later, circumstances forced him to marry a local woman and from this second marriage, he got another seven children. They loved him very dearly and took good care of him.

After decades of hard work, Uncle Khoo is now enjoying the fruits of his labor. He is always in high spirits and jovial mood. Healthy and happy, he is looking forward to his grandson’s wedding in 2 weeks time. He bid me goodbye as he hurried off to have his hair cut for the occasion.

Uncle Khoo: When Old Is Gold 许先生，您好 !

A few years back, my family and I accidentally stumbled upon a recreational field in Nicholas Road across the Peel Road Convent School. There was a patch of reflexology stones in this field and after trying on it, we began to love the place very much. Since then, we always used to go over there and ended up befriending some regulars there.

Among the regulars was Uncle Khoo, aged 89. He was very healthy and fit. At his age, he can walk very briskly and remembered things well, especially things with numbers. He remembered the birthdays of his family members and their ages too. He was a very punctual man and a good time keeper too. He can tell what time you are coming and going, accurately. The only fault with him is his hearing; he could not hear properly anymore. You have to speak loudly to him or repeat your words several times before he got what you are saying.

China born Uncle Khoo came to then Malaya in 1945 to work as a shop assistant and earned a few dollars a month to send home. Later, he got a piece of land at Chan Sow Lin area and planted vegetables and reared poultry too. When the authorities demolished his squatter area, he was relocated to the government flats in Peel Road several years ago.

This octogenarian leads a healthy life. He sleeps early and got up early. His past time was to watch badminton on TV and read the papers. His diet was a simple one – Teochew porridge with steamed fish and sometimes chicken drumstick and bitter gourd soup. Liked any other people, he got a weakness too – he loved to drink wine, not any type of wine but Chinese wine which I believed, contributed greatly to his longevity.

Uncle Khoo is a man with a simple and golden heart. He is friendly and can get along with just anybody. He loved to grin toothlessly at anyone who approached him. I wish him continued good health and longevity. He was a rare gem indeed and a real treasure to his family who loved him.

Uncle Khoo, we are fond of you too and may you live to be 100!

What is the worth of an ‘A’? 优等真的那么重要 ?

It is the time of the year again. It is the time for our kids to go to the ‘battlefields’ – the examination halls, to sit for various major exams which they were told, will alter their lives forever.

In those days, I remembered, the fight was not so intense. Back then, our goal was simply to pass the exam with modest results. Enough to further our studies, and the best student in a particular school or a particular state could only manage one or two distinctions at best. The rest of us will make do with a mere credit or pass.

But things were so different now. Now, every kid would want to have a string of A’s or in some case, their parents wanted it more than the students themselves. Most parents are willing to go all out to get these A’s as if it was a matter of life and death for them.

What is the result of this? Tuition centers mushrooming everywhere, students being stressed out and reports of suicide among students increasing. A question that begs for an answer is- is all these worthwhile? What is an A compared to our kids physical health, state of mind and the lost of childhood?

I have read in the papers that some students killed themselves in shame for failing to obtain the desired result. I have seen a relative falling into a state of depression and isolated himself due to constant pressure from his parents to excel beyond his capabilities.

As a parent myself, amidst criticism from relatives, I am more and more incline to let my kids study at their own pace so that they can still find a joy in their childhood which had became a very rare privilege and at the same time being free from this maddening race to collect a string of A’s which I believed will be compromised with their general well being.

A courageous girl called Sophie

Hans Scholl (left), Sophie Scholl (centre) and Christoph Probst (right)
Original picture from raincitypastor.blogspot.com

Just finished watching the German film “Sophie Scholl: The Final Days”. Guess it was never too late to learn about some extraordinary people.

Sophie Scholl was born on 9th May 1921. The fourth of six children, she was a student at the University of Munich. Through her brother Hans, their friends and some lecturers, she joined the White Rose, a non violent resistance group in Nazi Germany.

The belief in human’s dignity and conscience formed the basis for resisting the Nazi ideology of war and extermination of Jews. Sophie and Hans were caught distributing leaflets calling for an end to the war at the Atrium of the University of Munich and were caught by the Gestapo on 18th February 1943.

After several days of intense interrogation, Sophie, Hans and another friend, Christoph Probst were brought to the People’s Court sat by Judge Roland Freisler on 22nd February 1943. All three of them were convicted of high treason and sentenced to death.

Sophie bravely told the judge this, “Somebody, after all, had to make a start. What we wrote and said is also believed by many others. They just do not dare express themselves as we did.”

And when told of her sentence, her reaction was this, “I am, now as before, of the opinion that I did the best that I could do for my nation. I therefore do not regret my conduct and will bear the consequences that result from my conduct.”

After meeting their parents for the last time, the three of them hugged and shared a cigarette. They were executed by guillotine at the Munich Stadelheim Prison a few hours after the verdict. Sophie’s last words were, “The sun still shines.” Next to die was Hans and his last words were, “Long live freedom.” Christoph was the last to be executed.

After their death, their last leaflet was smuggled to the Allies who made millions of copies and air dropped them over Germany. Today, they were considered heroes of modern Germany for standing up against an evil regime.

What is the point, really? 值的吗 ？

All around me, I could see some people buying this or selling that. These stuffs were not petty things like a T-shirt or maybe a new mobile that costs several dollars to a few hundred bucks. On the contrary, these stuffs are heavy weight stuffs that can cost several millions of dollars.

Yes, I am talking about those "opportunists" out to make cash and more cash!

These people are usually professionals, holding top posts in their organizations and earning big bucks. They were so loaded with cash that at any given time, they have a string of properties in hand to be disposed off given the right price. You can see them laughing all the way to the bank.

I personally knew two of such people. They stayed in high class residential areas and riding in luxury cars. They go for overseas holidays annually and their children went to the best schools. They were the first in line to pick and buy prime units for investment purposes. Needless to say, they were leading lives that many of us dare not dream off.

Why am I kicking up a storm? It was their right, of course. But not when in the process to impress their higher ups, your chance to make a decent living was taken away. Yes, your rice bowl was broken and so were many others so that they stood out in the eyes of their superiors.

But fate has an upper hand. A few years ago, one of them came down with end stage nasal cancer and today, I heard that his wife succumbed to lung cancer although she does not smoke. Neither did he smoke too. And they were still in the prime of their lives, healthy and kicking.

I could not say much except that it was their doctors who had the last laugh on their way to the bank. Yes, what is the point, really? I mean, to make so much money but in the end to lose them all to expensive treatments?

Note :
Opportunists ~ plural .
                       ~ noun:
A person who exploits circumstances to gain immediate advantage rather than being guided by principles , conscience or plans.

Flying High 自由自在

Wind Beneath My Wings

(BETTE MIDLER )

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.

It must have been cold there in my shadow,

to never have sunlight on your face.

You were content to let me shine, that's your way.

You always walked a step behind.

So I was the one with all the glory,

while you were the one with all the strength.

A beautiful face without a name for so long.

A beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you're my hero,

and everything I would like to be?

I can fly higher than an eagle,

'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,

but I've got it all here in my heart.

I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.

I would be nothing without you.

Did you ever know that you're my hero?

You're everything I wish I could be.

I could fly higher than an eagle,

'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Did I ever tell you you're my hero?

You're everything, everything I wish I could be.

Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,

'cause you are the wind beneath my wings,

'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Oh, the wind beneath my wings.

You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings.

Fly, fly, fly away. You let me fly so high.

Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.

Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.

Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,

so high I almost touch the sky.

Thank you, thank you,

thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.

A good year 美好时光

“ Solitaire 专壹 ”

 

Season to celebrate.

25th July 1991

A diamond with a flaw

is worth

more than

a pebble

without imperfections.

Eureka ! 茫茫人海确定是你.

Where and when, an unexpected reunion occurs.

11th July 1991

" 在人海茫茫.

如不约而同 , 与你再相聚.

总是最美丽 ."

KEDAI KOPI LAI FOONG, JALAN TUN HS LEE

Ginny Come Lately

Brian Hyland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv7uHRnHTBE

I only met you just a couple of days ago

I only met you and I want your lovin' so

Ginny-Come-Lately, sweet, sweet as can be-ee-ee-ee

You may have come lately but Ginny-Come-Lately

You're the one for me

I only had to see the sunlight in your hair

Your soft, soft silhouette to know I'd always care

Ginny-Come-Lately, sweet, sweet as can be-ee-ee-ee

You may have come lately but Ginny-Come-Lately

You're the one for me

You only had to smile a little smile

Do nothing more than look at me

You only had to smile and in a little while

I was dreamin' recklessly-ee-ee-ee

I only met you just a couple of days ago

And oh, my love for you has no more room to grow

Ginny-Come-Lately, my dream come true-ooh-ooh-ooh

You may have come lately but Ginny-Come-Lately

I'm in love with you

* 重逢 * 相聚 * 喜悅 *

Heart Is In July Ignition 点燃七月的火花

     七月,这是不约定的重逢.
~ An unexpected reunion in July.

When I first saw you
I was afraid to talk to you,
When I first talked to you
I was afraid to like you,
When I first liked you
I was afraid to love you,
Now that I love you
I'm afraid to lose you.

The first time I saw you ,
I knew it was true.
That I'd love you forever
and that's what I'll do.

Love at first sight is possible,
but it's always a good idea
to take a second look.

Believe in love at first sight
Love at first sight is one of the
greatest labor-saving devices
the world has ever seen.

What's so remarkable about
Love at first sight?
It's when people have been
looking at each other for years
that it becomes remarkable.

Love at first sight is possible,
but it pays to take a second look.

The only true love is love at first sight;
second sight dispels it.

Love at first sight saves a lot of time.
Who ever loved that loved not at first sight

相聚与相识
~   single eyelids  ~

Rare bricks found among the debris at Pudu Jail demolition site

Site visited on the 23rd Jun 2010 , 6 a.m. , morning.

This brick was found among the debris which carry the name "KIEN HIN". What or who is "KIEN HIN" ?

Again, site re-visited on the 27th Jun 2010, 7.30a.m., morning.

  

Who or what are these two P.W.D. and Y.Y.C., do they belonged to the brick manufacturer ?

Strange is , only few pieces carried these names, almost 99.9% of the debris (bricks) with plain surface without any name.

The day after the rampage 破坏之后...........

The very next day .........

"Rampage is violent or excited behavior that's reckless, uncontrolled or destructive."

" 文化遗产的破坏 "

“There is no sin except stupidity.”

Oscar Wilde quotes

(Irish Poet, Novelist, Dramatist and Critic, 1854-1900)

Down......! 文化遗产倒了....！Pudu Jail, the heritage of the people gone forever !

Sigh.... !

Sad...Sad....Sad.......

Gone forever and ever !

We salute our fallen heritage.

Farewell , Pudu Jail, the heritage of the people.

 People of all races have flocked in to have a last look at it.

Going to be 115 years old wall wrecked into pieces in just seconds !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye8eyq_yc1w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2OEHIqcnL4

" 文 化 遗 产 [wénhuà yíchăn] "

“The city's suburban heritage buildings are as important as those garden villas in the downtown.”

Wu Jiang quotes

“Men can know more than their ancestors did if they start with a knowledge of what their ancestors had already learned….That is why a society can be progressive only if it conserves its traditions.”

Quoted by

Walter Lippmann , US author & journalist (1889 - 1974)

So long 再见 .........Pudu Jail

20.06.2010 , 23:45 Hours , Sunday

留下的记忆

Finally, this historical building is making way for a new and modern concrete structure.
What a sad .....sad.... day !
Pudu Jail, a  historical building , going to be 115 years old ,but is going to be totally demolished after mid-nite.
Since this morning , continually , a numbers of photographers from all circle of life have come to witness this building before it is going to tear down.
A big lost to the heritage conservation of the country.
In order to keep some memories, I have took a lot of photos of this infamous "PUDU JAIL".

Pudu Jail by night

“There are not enough jails, not enough police, not enough courts to enforce a law not supported by the people.”

Hubert H. Humphrey quotes (American 38th US Vice President under Lyndon B. Johnson (1965-69) and US Senator from Minnesota (1949-64, 1971-78). 1911-1978)