THE JOURNEY

A dog has decided to go for a trip around the country to see whether the grass is greener over the other side. After a few months, he came back thinner and more stressful. His friends asked him, “Hey mute! Did you face any problems during the trip?” He replied, “I met many people and animals along the way. Some humans were kind enough to feed me food and water and provided me with a cozy place to stay. I managed to have quite a safe trip all the way except for one thing.” Another dog asked, “Except what?” “I tend to have problems with our own kind,” he said while sighing. “Not only did they not leave me alone. They barked at me, chased me and tried to bite me!” he continued.

That is a dog’s life and it has no differences compared to ours. The world we live in does not always cater for our likings. There could be no world or life without problems. To some, the sun, the rain and the wind could be a blessing. To others, it may be the reason behind their sensitive skin problems, weak body immune system against getting flu or even the cause for their rheumatism. Life is not perfectly good or bad for everyone. It is how an individual accept life as it is.

Coming back to the topic on mankind, everyone is born with a brain but why does everyone thinks so differently? Look at the people around the world. Nations grow and die out, empires arise and fall apart, mighty palaces are built but crumble in the dust. What a world we are living in! Mankind lives but afflicted by the ignorance of Mother Nature, draining and raping her of her limited resources. It is the greed for self benefits that ruin the world. Trust no longer exists as they are afraid of intrusion into their life and properties. Fears become brutality when threats are found. Hurting, stealing, raping, killing and murdering have become their second nature.

We have modified the environment so radically that we find it hard to live in it without co-exist our way of living into a newer environment. Greed, lust, wrath, gluttony, sloth, envy and pride have injected their evil effects into our lives. Leading a moral life in our modern society is almost beyond our control. It is a war for the survivors of the fittest and mankind is left behind to fend for himself. This is the law of nature.

ROMEO AND JULIET

Handsome Romeo met his young wife, Juliet at a shopping mall. He was twenty one and she was eighteen. It was love at first sight. She was normal looking except for the facial cosmetics which are way overdone. There was something in her that made him in a trance. Was it lust or crave? He did not know as all he felt was as if a strong wind blew him over when he first saw her. Their parents knew that the romance for them will be against all odds as Romeo was the rascal in the neighborhood who jumped in and out of jobs without a steady income and Juliet was just a part time cosmetics salesgirl in a mall. They could not do anything as the two love birds were already too deep in love. They would not want the repetition of a suicidal incident as in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

After a year of courtship, they have decided to tie the knot without any celebrations or marriage certificate. It was based on mutual understanding. Romeo took out his life saving of $300 for their honeymoon. By the time they came back, they were left with a mere $30. Romeo assured Juliet that he would take care of her needs for the rest of her life. He deliberately worked two jobs a day, leaving his wife at home all the time. Months after months, all that he had earned was spent on his wife. He would buy the most delicious Western meals for her while he will only consume a bun.

This went on for the next one year and finally due to insufficient nutrients, he was gravely ill. He has no more savings left even to pay the doctor a visit. His wife has nothing left too since all the money she has taken was used to buy the cosmetics products for her beauty and the balance was used for room rental. Romeo was left helpless.

Feeling that her husband was no longer the money provider for her luxurious habits, Juliet left him and ran off with another guy. Romeo was heartbroken. All he did was to provide the best for his wife. He had stayed loyal to her and had never had any extra marital activities. What had happened to the love he once believed in? It was a healthy, strong and straightforward relationship but now all has changed. The once calm and beautiful lake was now filled with the ripples of life. Ripples from the sharp pointed stones thrown in. It hurt him deeply and getting over the breakup was not easy.

He has to lower his pride and seek the help from his parents. There is where the channel of undying love is and it will not cease until they no longer exist on earth. Marriage is not a game. Neither is love. And love does not necessary end up in a bed of roses. Unless you get all your career and life straighten out, do not ever commit in marrying someone without a steady financial status. Jumping into a relationship is easy but getting over a breakup will always leave a scar in your heart!

This post is sponsored

ARE YOU IN CONTROL OF YOUR HAPPINESS?

Everyone wants happiness in life. All they want to do is to get rid of the sorrow and sadness and to stay happily ever after. Sounds like a fairy tale story right? If happiness is so wonderful, why is it so hard to achieve? The problem lies in your decision to put every events in your life in your own hand and wanting to control every movements you are about to execute.

Life is a complicated issue and is never predictable. It sways and drifts aimlessly whenever you try to control or master it. Just imagine you are the captain of your soul and your destiny lies within the grip of your hands. There are thunderstorm, lightning, typhoons, whirl pool, etc which defies your endless attempts to reach your destination.
How are you going to master something that is beyond your control? In fact, you will end up with more absurdity and sorrow than when you started controlling your life.

Let us study on an upbringing. Do you belong to the category of modern parents who make your children understand the cause and effect of a wrongdoing or are you one whom controls the lives of your children by commanding and caning? It is believed that parents who control the lives of their children will end up losing them as they reach adulthood as outsiders treat them as who they are and not what their parents want them to be.

How true this is as many of us, even adults in their mid years, are really frustrated with the lack of communication with our parents. I am sure you had experience the time when you tried to explain something or wanting to be heard by your parents and you were shot down before you could even blink your eyes. It was always the one-way communication when parents tried to impose the entire moral and personal values they deemed proper onto their children. Subsequently, children rebel with the attitude of “You do not want me to do this and I purposely do it to hurt you” and parents react drastically. There will be no ending of squabbling and quietness in your life.

Is that the kind of happiness you try to generate by imposing your will onto others as well as yourself? As I said earlier, life is a complicated issue. You may be in control your own life but other’s life is not within your jurisdiction. The need to lend the ears and to have a two-way communication is ideal for a better relationship with your children. It is said “Happiness starts within your home”, and the home is your family. Think about it!

MY TRIP TO BRISBANE AUSTRALIA

I am looking forward to visit my cousins again in Brisbane, the third largest city in Australia end of this year. I just love the climate and tourist spots there. It has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and dry, mild winters. This is just perfect for my family members who are so used to this kind of weather.

Finding a place to stay will not be such a hassle as Brisbane accommodation can be easily available along South Brisbane, across the river from the central business district. Since the past few visits, I have fallen in love with the Hillcrest central apartment hotel. The facilities within the apartment hotel were just perfect, with a balcony overseeing the activities along the Brisbane River. It is also an ideal location as the city centre is merely 2 kilometres away.

I do hope my cousins will bring me sight-seeing to all those beautiful gardens and sceneries which I have always adore so much. I better write down all those places and email them just in case they missed out any of my favorite places, namely the South Bank Parklands, the Roma Street Parkland, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, the Mount Coot-tha state forest, the Brisbane Botanic Gardens which includes the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium and the "Tsuki-yama-chisen" Japanese Garden, as well as Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and Brisbane Forest Park.

A short trip to the beautiful and enticing beaches in Gold Coast is also a must. I missed trying out the surfing along the golden beaches of Rainbow Bay. It was really an unforgettable experience for me. Brisbane! Here I come!

HOW TO HAVE HEALTHY CHILDREN?

If you do not stop your children from consuming lard filled diet during earlier years, you might have some problems in controlling them during their teenage years. There are so many fast food centers all over the country. Children will not be aware of its threat to his health if parents were not given the public awareness on the danger of unbalanced diet. Obesity may come in, bringing in other threats such as heart diseases, diabetes, strokes and so on to the child when he grows older. It is not that you totally banned your children from consuming fast food, but too much of anything can ruin his health. How healthy should your children be?

BE THE ROLE MODEL: Practice what you preach by setting a positive role model. Eat healthily and your children will be convinced to follow suit.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES: Set a date and time weekly and get the whole family out for some outings such as jogging, swimming, riding or simply play some garden games. At least everyone get involved in exercising themselves.

REWARDS: Do not frequently reward your child with snacks and candies for good behavior or achievement. Think of another healthier way such as purchasing a book or a toy from a nearby mall.

DIETS: Make eating vegetables and fruits as a must in your daily diet. You can allocate once or twice weekly as dessert day where you can take not-too-sweet ice creams and jellies. Too much sugar in a diet is a bad idea.

MEALS: Setting a specific time for the whole family to dine together is a great way to avoid unnecessary consumption of junk food between meals. Moreover, it is a bonus to have some quality time together.

TV AND COMPUTER GAMES: These should be limited as you not want them to end up with excessive snacking lifestyle. Encourage them to something they like, such as reading, writing, drawing, or doing quizzes. This will further help them in their future education.

FOOD INFORMATION: Try labeling the sugar and cholesterol levels on all the food in the kitchen in a chart form and paste it on the door of your refrigerator. Everyone will learn what is good for their health and be more conscious of what they eat. It is a habit that will help change their eating behavior for a lifetime.

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MEMOIR OF A ROMANCE BY THE BEACH

Flames from the campfire flickered and the shadows danced,
My love and I were romantically entranced,
Waves from the energetic sea lapping on the sand,
Serenaded us like an orchestra band,
Gentle breeze caressed our young faces,
Brought us closer to more embraces,
This idyllic, romantic setting,
Quickened our hearts’ beating,
Sweet whisperings greeting each glance,
As we were totally lost in romance.

Those were the days of my childhood romance that brought back many fond memories. Life was so care free then. There were no worries, stresses or pressures of whatsoever to enable both of us lovingly embraced each other at all the time. Time changed, needs changed, circumstances changed that resulted us to go our separate ways to seek our own life’s goal. But love never dies, as fate has its own plans in hand. The love was too strong to be unbounded by our distance, barriers and commitments in life.

A butterfly may fly off through the softly blown wind but it will still come back to the ground where it has found filled with rich lovely flowers. Love is like the butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it eludes you. If you just let it fly, it will come to you when you least expect it. I am glad I still have my love with me through all ups and down in our lives.

JINGLING ALL THE WAY TO SHOPPING ONLINE

Christmas is just barely a month away from now and getting gifts have always been a headache for me. I am planning to get some nice gifts to surprise my parents this year. I was searching high and low through the internet trying to find something ideal for them when I came across CouponChief. I was amazed by the amount of discount coupons offered there to cater for so many different needs. I can save quite a lot there too.

I then saw some beautiful Shopbop handbags which will be ideal for my Mum. It would be nice for her to take along during dinners. Since my Dad loves sport wear so much, a polo shirt from Puma will sure suit him well. He can wear it out during his sporting events. I also saw I can get $100 off for the Sony Alpha 10.2MP SLR digital camera which I have been yearning for so long. It is a good deal that I surely would not miss. What I like is that they will deliver all the items up to my doorstep without any shipping charges.

Wow! What a great way to save with CouponChief. I can now confidently search for discount coupons for other items if any birthdays, anniversaries or housewarmings do pop up.

THE BEAUTY OF MICKEY MOUSE PLANT

The Mickey Mouse Plant is sometimes known as Ochna Serrulata and was originated from South Africa. This woody weed grows as a small, erect shrub up to about 1.5 m tall. It is a woody shrub, and has an angled tap root that is easily broken when hand-pulled. Leaves are up to 5 cm long, narrow and glossy with serrated margins. New growth usually has a bronze tinge.

Flowers are bright yellow with five petals. These petals fall off, leaving five sepals which turn scarlet red when the fruits appear. Fruits are initially green, turning glossy black in summer with some resemblance to Mickey Mouse’s ears.

STUDENT LODGING IN DENVER

Denver is the capital and the most populous city in the state of Colorado in the eighth largest state in the US. It is nicknamed the Mile-High City because of its exactly one-mile elevation above sea level. The economy is strong, the population is growing and the city's national profile is on the rise.

Denver has many colleges and universities with many different types of study programs. There are a number of schools located throughout the city and surrounding the metro area. Finding a student lodging is easy if you have the proper reference from online apartment rental sites such as ApartmentFinder.

Denver Apartments can be from a basic student lodging starting from as low as $400 up to luxurious apartments costing $2,000 and above. You can rent it either furnished or unfurnished. Most apartments will come with resort-style swimming pool with sun deck, gyms, BBQ area with grills, picnic tables and so on.

NATURE’S BEAUTY – BIRTHSTONES

Rocks are natural aggregates or combinations of one or more minerals. Earth which is believe to be more than 4.6 billion years old is in constant transformation, thus gems are constantly being formed. Man has long been drawn to the attractive colours of the stones and has utilized them for many purposes which include worshipping and healing purposes. Today, specific gemstones have been attributed for each month of the year symbolizing the beautiful qualities and characteristic of the Homo sapiens.

JANUARY
Gemstone: Garnet Characteristic: Fidelity, Consistency & Stability

FEBRUARY
Gemstone: Amethyst Characteristic: Sincerity, Honesty & Nobility

MARCH
Gemstone: Bloodstone Characteristic: Bravery, Courage & Compassion

APRIL
Gemstone: Diamond Characteristic: Innocence, Simplicity & Happiness

MAY
Gemstone: Emerald Characteristic: Wisdom, Frankness & Steadfastness

JUNE
Gemstone: Cat’s Eye Characteristic: Good Health, Wealth & Wit

JULY
Gemstone: Ruby Characteristic: Nobility, Contentment & Piety

AUGUST
Gemstone: Peridot Characteristic: Virtuousness & Open-mindedness

SEPTEMBER
Gemstone: Sapphire Characteristic: Wisdom, Prosperity & Contentment

OCTOBER
Gemstone: Opal Characteristic: Faith, Happiness & Friendship

NOVEMBER
Gemstone: Topaz Characteristic: Passion, Fidelity, Love & Power

DECEMBER
Gemstone: Lapis Lazuli Characteristic: Success, Prosperity, Steadfastness & Strength

WATCH YOUR SUGAR LEVEL

Asians are believed to be among the highest consumers of sugar in the world. According to the Ministry of Domestic and Consumer Affairs, the recommended intake of sugar is 50 grams a day for women and 63 grams a day for men. There are many complications that may arise with an overdose of glucose level in the blood system.

One of the main concerns is diabetes. Higher sugar intake for a diabetes person may results in hyperglycemia. In the long run without proper medication from the wide range of diabetic supplies easy available in the market, can cause metabolic damage and also structural damage to many body organs.

Today with dietary and lifestyle changes, cutting down the sugar intake is healthy. What is the best way to reduce your sugar intake? Let us look at some of the points below:

- Eat regularly.

- Limit gassy drinks and artificially sweetened fruit juices. Take fresh fruits compared to juices as it also provide you with the fibre you required.

- Add half time less sugar to your hot beverages such as coffee, tea, etc.

- Know what you eat. Processed food contained a lot of hidden sugar.

- Use two to three times lesser sugar in your baking or cooking.

- Exercise regularly.

- Choose alternative energy booster such as cooked rice, fruits, boiled potatoes and white bread.

TEN WAYS TO EASE A COLD

The weather has been very bad for the past few weeks and many people are down with cold and flu. Even my friend PapaJoneh was down with flu recently, making him a dangerous viral germs carrier which might affect his two few months old twin babies. Most people will just grab an aspirin when their noses started to run or their limbs begin to ache with pain. Why not try some alternative therapy for fast and natural relief. Below are the therapies which I am going to share with you.

HERBAL REMEDIES: Echinacea certainly deserves its reputation as the number one natural remedy for colds. It comes in many forms such as tablet, capsule, extracts or even tea. In case you have a sore throat too, try gargle with an astringent tea made with bayberry, myrrh or sage to soothe it.

VITAMINS: When the enemy strikes, take a divided dosage up to 2000mg of vitamin C throughout the day.

MINERALS: At the hint of a sore throat, take one zinc-gluconate lozenge every 2 hours for a week. It will soften the blow.

HOMEOPATHY: Remedies include Aconite at first sign of a cold, Oscillococcinum to zap a bug in the bud, and Allium to dry up a runny nose.

ACUPRESSURE: Partially flex either arm and apply pressure just below the elbow crease at the outer end. You can even press and massage from the top of your head down to the hollow at the base of your skull.

RELAXATION: Stress lowers your body resistance to viral infections. When you feel sniffles creeping into your life, try meditation or get someone to massage those aches and pains with some Eucalyptus Oil.

NUTRITION: Take more fresh vegetables and fruits. Stay away from those oily and spicy food. Clear chicken soup with chopped onions and garlic will be good as onions help clear the lungs, while garlic enhanced your immunity.

HYDROTHERAPY: To ease the bodily pains of aching limbs and throbbing head and stuffy nose, soak your feet in a basin of hot water with a teaspoon of mustard powder. You can even use essential oils such as rosemary or sage.

STEAM INHALATION: Make a towel tent over a pot of fresh herbal tea such as sage, eucalyptus or rosemary and breathe deep through the nose. You can even add a couple drops of the essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, or eucalyptus into a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam. The fastest way to inhale the steam is to make a cone from a piece of paper, cut off the tip and breathe in the steam through the hole. Local alternative to those essential oils is the minyak angin.

HUMOR THERAPHY: You feel lousy and easily agitated and this will make the germs grow stronger. Try watching a comedy show and chuckle all the way. This will stimulate the flow of feel-good endorphins. This therapy will provide you with a positive attitude to help you keep the bug from turning you into sickbed misery.

In case you still need some medication for those barking cough and painful sore throat, here are my two recommendations, Tussil for cough and Diflam Red/Green for the throat. Clarinase clears my running nose as it has no side effects such as drowsiness. Remember! When you are under the influence of a flu medication such as Bena, DO NOT DRIVE!

COOL GADGET FOR TRAVELLING

Since the first day Thomas Alva Edison created the tinfoil phonograph in 1877, audio instruments have evolved into so many cool gadgets that had changed the way we listen to music. I still remember my Dad’s first radio player which has became an old antique after he had purchased a new cassette player. From then onwards, newer instruments phase out the old ones and music can be played by using CD players, Discman, DVD player and so forth.

But we still find that rather inconvenient to carry around when we go traveling. With the advance technology, man created the smaller gadgets to store the music we love to listen to. Thus, the mp3 player was born. Initially, these mp3 players were using batteries of different sizes. But as time passes by, newer versions of mp3 players were created. This is the new generation of mp3 player which uses USB port as charger. It is small and recharging takes only a matter of minutes. I purchased one from here but what about you?

PEP UP WITH YOUR HEALTHY DRINK

You can do up your own fruit drink within minutes and stop your worries over those preservatives that are available in a packet drink. I love mango as few fruits can rival its succulent and aromatic delights in it. An average size fruit contains about 90% vitamin C and 75% of vitamin A and E. These vitamins are powerful immune system boosters. Let me share with you all a simple yet nutritious recipe.

MANGO MILKSHAKE (serves: 1-2)

8 oz medium ripe mango
8.5 oz soy milk (vanilla flavored will be ideal)
2 teaspoon honey
1 cup ice cubes
1 stalk mint leaves
Some whipped cream

1. Cut the mango on both side length wise and scoop the flesh into the blender. Try to cut around the pit to get any remaining flesh.

2. Add in soy milk, honey and ice cubes and blend until it becomes puree like.

3. Pour into a tall glass. Spray some whipped cream on it. Drip some honey. Garnish with mint leaves. Serve immediately.

OUTDOOR FURNITURE WITH DURABILITY

I have always dreamt of having a house by a swimming pool with rows of palm trees surrounding the sides, thus providing nice shades for some nice quality garden furniture to be displayed. Selecting some luxurious and durable teak garden furniture will be the right choice. Teak wood is an ideal wood for outdoor use. Not only will it resist decay, it will also last for years to come. Eventually, regular replacement of normal furniture will become history.

Who would not go for the finest quality handcrafted teak garden furniture that is rich enough to inspire envy amongst guests and neighbors? I have purchased a few units of Pattaya loungers for my regular sun-bathing and also some teak benches. How nice it would be to be able to laze around on the teak benches after dinner with my loved ones to watch the glittering stars above the sky.

Most people will look for stylish and durability in teak garden furniture. But the best thing is that I got all of these at an unbelievable and affordable price. They are made of the highest standard and have various designs to choose from. What an ideal way to set the atmosphere to be the best in the neighborhood.

SIMPLIFY ENGLISH?

It was discussed during the early stage that English will be replacing German as the official language of the European Union (EU). As part of the implementation, English will have to undergo a 5-years phase of evolution into EuroEnglish. Certain spellings will have to be improved to suit everyone.

1ST YEAR: “s” will replace the soft “c”. Sertainly, this will make sivil servants happy. The hard “c” will be dropped in favor of “k”. This should klear up konfusion and the keyboard kan have one less letter.

2ND YEAR: There will be a growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year. ”ph” will now be replased with the “f”. This will make words like “fotograf” 20% shorter.

3RD YEAR: Publik akseptanse of the new speling kan b expekted to reach the stag wher mor komplikated shanges are posible. Governement wil encourag the removal of doubl leters, whish hav ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil agre that the horible mes of sertain silent “e” at the end of a word should b removd.

4TH YEAR: Peopl wil b reseptiv to steps such as replasing “th” wiz “z”, “w” wiz “v” and “y”wif “i”. During ze fifz year, ze unesesary “o” kan b dropd from vords containing “ou”. And similar shanges vuld of kors b aplid to ozer kombinations of leters.

5TH YEAR: After zis fifz year, ve vil hav a reali sensibl writen stil. Zer vil b no mor trobls or difikulties and everion vil find it eazi to understand each ozer.

Zis dream vil finali kom tru. Lik it? Zis English sur roks! Wait! I fel zat I hav ben using zis English in IM all ze tim. Zey hav implementd it so fast?

BEDDING WITH A TOUCH OF STRIPES

Some people may have the idea of a perfect bedroom but their interior decorating ideas may be restricted by budgetary constraints. Little touches such as inexpensive prints, a bedding of different colors, design, texture and shades can do wonders in transforming an otherwise dull room into a smart yet elegant place for relaxation.

There are dozens of combinations you can mix and match with for yourself as well as for your children. Mixing of bold, complementary colors and daring stripes can create a punching effect that will exhibit your own style and personality. This Striped Bedding set comes in three variations which are vertical stripes, "flare" stripes and a "V" pattern of striping. Your children will sure love these lively stripes for their bedroom.

BUDGET MEAL: SERIES #7

RM10 budget for 2 persons for 2 meals
The food in the photo consist the portion for one person per meal only

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DISH 1: MIXED POTATO CUBE WITH CROUTONS




DISH 2: THAI CHICKEN ROLLS



ESTIMATED COSTING FOR INGREDIENTS:

RICE: RM1 (enough to serve 4 persons)

MIXED POTATO CUBE WITH CROUTONS:
Potato: RM1
Luncheon meat: RM1.50
Big onions: 20sen
Carrot: 30sen
Croutons: 20sen
Miscellaneous (salt, sugar, pepper, oil): 50sen

THAI CHICKEN ROLLS:
Chicken: RM3
Dried tofu skin: 70sen
Spices: 30sen
Big onions: 30sen
Wood fungus: 50sen
Egg york: 30sen
Miscellaneous (salt, sugar, pepper, oil): 50sen

TOTAL AMOUNT SPENT: RM9.30

Note: All amount stated will be based on the proportion used in the cooking.

PREVIOUS BUDGET MEAL SERIES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

HARMONY AND COMFORT IN YOUR HOME

You have a house purchased or rented, but have you ever wondered if your house is well equipped with furniture and settings that make it stress-free? Let us start looking into the different sections of your house and identify how you could improve further.

The bedroom served as a retreat for you after a day of stress-filled work. It is not only a balm for frayed nerves, but an aid in promoting a good night’s sleep. During the old age, man used rough mats and logs as bed and pillow. Today, varied and improved versions of bed have become a warm nest that we do not wish to abandon. Although we have firm mattress, fresh sheets and puffy pillows for a sound and restful sleep, bedrooms have evolved into a multi-purpose spot to work, appreciate music and reading. It has turned into something extravagance.

Living room on the other hand also plays an important part of in bringing out our quest for a peaceful atmosphere. Living room furniture will provide us with the real comfort we are seeking and thus a mental and physiological necessity. As you sit on properly-designed, well upholstered furniture, amazing things happen to your body. Your muscles begin to relax, your blood supply starts to circulate more freely and your back takes a well-earned rest as your spine is gently supported in the right place. A sofa loveseat would be ideal for the living room. It serves as a comfortable sofa for you and your loved ones to gather around as a family.

You will be spending many hours sitting in your special furniture. So be sure it will make your leisure time an enjoyable and relaxing experience.

WATCH YOUR PUSSIES

Having pets at home are fun. There can be adorable and filled with love and gratitude. Sometimes, their way of showing their gratitude can be rather out of this world and shocking too. I have been sheltering two pussy cats, Jon and Jess at home for the past 8 months. They are a loving couple with lots of “cat”whoring skills.

They are truly being pampered to the extreme with food of the finest quality. In fact, they will eat just anything from cakes, ice cream, and bread to dog food. I was wondering if they were incarnated from dogs at times. On and off, I will get surprise gifts from them such as those shown below.

Just today, Jess gave me something out of the usual insect kingdom species. This is the first time that I manage to save the “victim” from being mauled to death. I ended up having an additional pet at home which required nursing to health before I can release it back to nature. Cats are cats. They are good stalkers just for the fun of it. I just hope they will not bring back “Mickey Mouse” as Christmas gift this time.

I just hope my new pet sparrow “Jay” will recover fast. I hate to keep birds in cages when they should be flying as freely in the sky. What else can I do? I cannot spank a pregnant cat which is playful. I just wished that her offspring would not be as cheeky as the parents. But knowing cats’ characteristics, I doubt it! I will have to be more cautious next time to avoid posing danger to another life.

Update: Unfortunately Jay could not stand the after-shock and died this morning. It is not even 12 hours yet. So sad ...

SWEET MEMORIES OF MY LIFE

Life can so wonderful when you have sweet memories of everything from your childhood days until you are an adult now. I can still remember that cheeky smile I had when I was small, sitting on the stairways with bald head and few teeth missing in front. That was cute. As I was growing up, memories of those outings with my former primary and secondary classmates were also unforgettable. We had picnics, BBQs and telematches by the beach with girls from other schools. It was fun. That is where my relationship started when I met my first love and grew closer towards her and her family.

Moving towards my life journey, I have countless fond memories of my college years. The whole “gang” of college students’ activities was awesome. There were countless of parties, projects and activities to keep me occupied during this time. I missed all that. I missed the graduation too. What a great achievement towards the first step to start my working life.

There were the sweet time in my career with many achievements and many promotion celebrations with my colleagues then. So many fond memories but so few spaces left to display all my photos of my life but I have no worries after finding out about LCD digital photo frame. Not only can I display all my photos, I can also display videos of all my unforgettable moments. The best part is that I can opt for the different screen size from 7” until 15” by plugging in only my USB flash drive. It will play directly from it.

No more strenuous wiping of dust. No more cluttering of space. It is the ultimate solution to have a futuristic display taking up only a corner of my table. What a great gadget this digital picture frame is!

PHOTO HUNTERS: HOT

This week’s theme is on HOT.
There is one HOT item that we can’t live without.
The HOT blazing heat from a gas stove.
All Asian families have at least one.
Without it, we would not have HOT steaming food on our dinner table.

I was using the HOT gas stove today to cook something delicious.
Introducing my …
HOT STEAMING ABALONE MUSHROOM EMPEROR’S NOODLES

Christmas is approaching real fast.
SEASON’S GREETINGS FROM MALAYSIA!

For those PhotoHunt members,
Please click Mister Linky above and enter your information for easy tracking.
Thank you and have a Nice Weekend!

THE EXTRAORDINARY MEAL

Still remember that I brought my Mum for a vegetarian buffet on Mothers’ Day? Well, I went over there for a light lunch the last few days. Other than ordering the local delicacies like curry noodles, rice steamed in lotus leaves, koay teow th’ng (flat rice noodles in soup), chicken rice, nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk with curry accompaniments) and even satay, I ordered one their western food displayed on the menu.

You are right! I ordered a jumbo-sized super mouth watering croissant filled with beef rendang (spicy Malay curry). The shape of the jumbo croissant does look like the French croissant but the texture of it looked more of wholemeal bread. Nevertheless, the combination of the “local” croissant and the rendang was just awesome. The spiciness of the rendang was just right and not too hot for my taste bud.

Maybe you would like to hop over to Lily’s Vegetarian Kitchen for a change of meatless meals. They open daily from 8.30am to 9.30pm except for Monday. Buffet is served on the 1st floor of the building once a month. Drop there for a new experience with their meatless imitation.

IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO STUDY

Are you losing out to your colleagues when it comes to job promotions? Try picking up from what you have left incomplete in your early education by checking out capella university, an online university that allows you to take all your courses in the comfort of your home. It will boost up your chances of climbing even higher in the corporate ladder. After all, you would not lose out by having an additional paper qualification to your name.

Currently, there are over 20,000 students enrolled in this university from all around the world, spreading from all over the 50 states and 56 countries. As of October 23, 2007, the university is offering 19 graduate, 104 undergraduate specializations and 15 certificate programs, with a total of more than 890 courses easily available for your selection. Capella University is also accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

OMG – HOW TO CLEAN THAT?

I hate it when my household furniture and floors get stains that refuse to come off. Sometimes just for some rare stubborn spots, I will have to buy a whole bottle of solution to clear them off. What a waste! Homemade solutions can work just as well as some commercials products and it is definitely cheaper too. It is also one of the best means of avoiding exposure to house-hold hazardous materials. Here are some of my homemade “mix & match” time-tested recipes which may loosen your budget.

BRASS TARNISH: Make a paste with 1 oz. of lemon juice or white vinegar with salt. Apply with a clean rag and wipe off the excess.

CERAMIC TILES: Mix 10 parts of water to one part of white vinegar. Apply with a soft brush, then wipe with a damn sponge.

MILDEW AND SOAP BUILT-UP ON CAULKING: Apply by rubbing alcohol straight from the bottle with a clean rag.

MILDEW ON EXTERIOR WOOD: Mix 1 qt. of bleach and 1 oz. of non-ammoniated detergent to 1 gal. of water. Apply with a mop, work it in with a brush and rinse with clear water within 10 minutes.

FRESHEN UP PAINTED WOOD SIDINGS: Mix 1 qt. of bleach and 1 cup of trisodium phosphate. Dissolve in 3 qt. of warm water. Apply with a wide brush. Leave for 15 minutes. No scrubbing needed. Wipe off the area with clean water.

MOSS INFECTED CONCRETE: Mix 3/4 cup of bleach to 1 gal. of water. Clean of the loose material with a stiff brush. Apply the solution and leave for 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

WATER RINGS AND PLASTIC STAINS: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water. Apply the surface with a clean rag and wipe off the excess.

CLOGGED PIPINGS: Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the clogged piping. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover up. Let it set for a few minutes, then pour a kettle of boiling water down. Flush it. The combination of baking soda and vinegar can break down fatty acids into soap and glycerin, allowing the clog to wash down the drain.

LIME AND MINERAL DEPOSITS: Lime deposits around faucets can be softened for easy removal by covering the deposits with vinegar-soaked paper towels. Leave the paper towels on for about one hour before cleaning. This will leave chrome clean and shiny.

MULTI-PURPOSE CLEANER: Vinegar and Salt. Mix together for a good cleaner for all kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

SHARE YOUR INTERESTS ONLINE WITH WIRECLUB

I am having an associate membership for this club and a life membership for that club and I am getting sick of paying yearly subscriptions and yet do not have much time to enjoy the facilities in them. Most of my time was spent in front of the computer to accommodate to my overseas clients’ requests and orders. Sometimes, it does get a bit boring while waiting for my clients’ responses with the vast difference in world time.

I do browse the web a lot for researches and do some downloading of movies but after a while it gets too monotonous and too routine. The whole atmosphere felt dead as the only sound I can hear was from my own breathing and the clicking of my keyboard. I need someone to chat to but who would want to go out with at 3am just for a cup of coffee? It sounded so ridiculous.

“Ding dong….,” came an incoming alert in my email. “Ah! That must be one of my clients responding to my quotations.” I thought. To my surprise, I received an invitation by my friend to join WireClub, an online club which I need not have to pay for any subscriptions or joining fees. Wow! That sounded so interesting.

Without fail, I click on the web link and was brought into an awesome webpage. By joining WireClub, I will get to chat with so many people in so many different chat rooms from all over the world. There are also a dating site, an online friend site, an interest club, a free blog site and also a cool photo album for me to share all my photography works.

WireClub organized clubs into a few categories and I can even create smaller clubs within each and every of the category. I can join whichever clubs available and chat with the members there in the built-in club chat room. What a wonderful way to do my job and at the same time chat with a few online friends, all in the comfort of my home. I have just signed up and why don’t you try signing up too? You may not know how many interesting friends you might get to know today.

JINGLE BELLS OR SUNSET BELLS?

Jingle bells, sunset bells or Annabel? Haha… this is just a joke for my Switzerland friend. Anyway, this plant is called Chrysothemis Pulchella and belongs to the Gesneriaceae family. Some people call it the Black Flamingo or Sunset Bells. It has a little resemblance to the African Violet but a bit larger in size. It may grow to approximately 2 feet tall and bushy-like.

This lovely plant originated from the West Indies with lovely bronzy-brown foliage so glossy that you will just want to give it the occasional wipe to keep it that way. The buttercup-yellow flowers are backed by long, persistent and ornamental, conspicuous, flower-like, bright orange-red calyces. It does not like strong and direct sun. It does better in areas away from sprinkler heads so go easy on the water. It does indeed look like an orange bell with yellow flowers shooting out in the middle.

FINDING A PLACE IN ATLANTA

I felt in love with Atlanta ever since it held the Olympics in 1996. Atlanta is the capital and the most populous city of the state of Georgia, and the core city of the ninth most populous metropolitan area in the United States. It has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild to chilly winters. It also receives abundant rainfall, which is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year. There are also a lot of interesting sights in Atlanta such as the Georgia State Capitol, the World of Coca-Cola museum, Saint Mark United Methodist Church, the High Museum of Art, the Fox Theatre, Piedmont Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and so on. What an ideal city for me to set up my home.

After grabbing a complimentary booklet on Apartment Finder from a nearby convenience store, I found a few nice and strategic Atlanta Apartments for rent. After checking through all the descriptions available, I have decided to set foot in my new 982 sq. ft. home at the Lodge on the Chattahoochee. Nestled on the riverbanks of the Chattahoochee, these aesthetically natural-looking havens will provide me with everything I need from wood-burning fireplaces, private balconies, fitness center to a sparkling Olympic size swimming pool. It also has the most wonderful trek for a nice morning stroll by the riverbank of the Chattahoochee. Wow! This is going to be my new sanctuary for a long time.

KNOWING THE RINGS OF EVERLASTING LOVE

Ever wonder what is the meaning of a ring on your finger? It symbolizes many interests apart from marriage and courtship. Here are some descriptions of the different types of rings available in the market.

Engagement and Wedding Rings: These rings are usually found on the fourth finger of the left hand. The classic ones are single diamond stone rings. Most couples would have a set of wedding band rings for the exchange of vows in addition to the engagement and wedding rings. The plain wedding band is usually worn daily while the wedding ser is reserved for special occasions.

Eternity Ring: The ring has diamonds studded all around the band and is usually presented during anniversaries.

Promise Ring: Young couples who are going steady may wear this thin band with a small diamond on it. It represents pre-engagement.

Friendship Ring: Teenagers wear this very often. Normally it is a less expensive 916 gold or 926 sterling silver.

Class Ring: This is a trend amongst the Americans as it indicates graduation.

Signet Ring: This ring is with a metal or stone plaque for initials or family crest usually worn by the aristocrat lineage.

Birth Stone Ring: Some believe that wearing the birth stone which represents the birth month, will bring good luck to the wearer.

Cocktail or Dinner Rings: These rings are worn for dressy evening events. This ring features a diamond and some accent color stones.

Costume Ring: This ring is normally used as part of the costume jewelry to compliment with the colors of a dressing. They are usually made from cut glasses of different colors.

HUNTING FOR A PLACE TO STAY AT EASE

My cousin will be posted to California by his engineering company on a contract basis for a year or two at beginning of next year. Finding a suitable place has always being a problem for him as he will need to travel all over the city to seek for a place of his likings. Not until his friend introduced him to Apartment Finder, a search engine for Apartments for Rent nationwide in US, did he find the ideal place for him to move in.

Through his search, he found out about Porto Bella Apartment. The apartment is situated along Norwalk, California with a warm and friendly environment. The courtyard is so beautifully maintained with a Victorian style fountain and the neighbors are just great. Being a bachelor, the bright and spacious one bedroom apartment home is just right for him. There is also a barbeque area and a big sparkling swimming pool for his regular evening exercise.

Moreover, the 625sq feet one bedroom apartment comes fully furnished with microwave, refrigerator, gated entrance, vertical blinds, ceiling fans, mirror wardrobe and so on. It is such a good bargain with a monthly rental of not more than $1,100.

THE MAGIC OF FLOWERS

Your daily routine has gotten to you making your prospect of getting a long vacation slip away quietly. It is high time for you to revitalize, reenergize and rejuvenate your luster lack self in the radiance and splendor of fresh flowers. Flowers do not necessary be suitable only for the feminine species, men can also enjoy and breathe in some vitality and freshness into their life.

Drop by your nearest florist and pamper yourself to a vibrant, refreshing medley of colors. Feast your eyes with the brilliance of Mother Nature’s finest creations, and soothe your tired soul with its gentle and fragrant scent of peace and tranquil to the mind.

It would also be better to take the experience home with you by liven up your house with the cheery and friendly petals of the flowers. Your home will never be the same again. You will not be the same again. You will realize that the gloom and doom of your stressful life have quietly step out from your life!

We have been living in a concrete jungle for ages since we were young and it is time for us to just take some time off and clear our minds from the pressure and hustle of our daily life. Take a stroll down to the nearest botanical park and enjoy the fresh clear air of the atmosphere. Rest your eyes with the greeneries and floral surrounding you. After all, a clear and fresh mind works wonders for many years to come.

I JUST LOVE MINT

As time passes by, my love for Mint grew stronger and stronger. Not only does Mint accompany me during my lonely traveling time, Mint also assisted me during my time of financial crisis. Mint gave me the courage and breathing space to hold on to my life. What a true companion Mint is. I love you… Mint.

Do I sound romantic here? Well, what I said about Mint is so true. Which other credit card can give me such flexibility? With Mint, I can get 0% on Balance Transfers for 13 months, 0% on all purchases until 1 June 2008 and also 0% bonus offer until 1 September 2009 on balance transfers. Other benefits include having up to 56 days interest free on all purchases, ability to manage your Mint Credit Card account 24 hours a day online, download statement, receiving emails plus text alerts, up to £7,500 credit limit upon approval without annual fees, and also credit card consolidation.

Mint is a business name of the Royal Bank of Scotland which holds the MasterCard logo. It is accepted worldwide. If you are interested in applying for a low interest Mint Credit Card, just log into the Mint secure website and your application will be processed immediately.