How do I love thee?

How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

- Extract of a poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1806 –1861, one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era.

My nephew Fadrul's wedding several days ago to his sweetheart, Imane Saphiia Imhof from Switzerland.

New Year Resolutions

It's that time of year again when most of us find ourselves making "resolutions" for the New Year. Some may be very straight forward, such as, to lose 10 kilos, to stop smoking, to drink less coffee, to take a vacation to a place you have never been before, etc. Most, I might hope, should focus on self improvement and the betterment of ourselves as a person. I hope we all would want to be a better person whatever our religious inclination and we would want to make a resolution to pursue ways to achieve the desire to become a better person.

Flowers in bloom

If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom. ~Audra Foveo


My White Lady Anthuriums flowered again after 3 years. The last blooms were in September 2008.

PERHAPS you’d like to buy a flower?
But I could never sell. If you would like to borrow
Until the daffodil
Unties her yellow bonnet
Beneath the village door,
Until the bees, from clover rows
Their hock and sherry draw,
Why, I will lend until just then,
But not an hour more!

- Emily Dickinson (1830–86),a poet particularly taken with nature

Those in power should not take the people for granted

There is an on-going debate about "fairness". Let me quote Confucius.

According to Confucius, in order to lead, it is important for a leader to be fair so that all are given equal treatment and no one is considered inferior relative to the others. Confucius cautioned that those in power should not oppress or take for granted even the humblest of their people. "You may rob the Three Armies of their commander," said Confucius, "but you cannot deprive the humblest peasant of his opinion." If this does not happen, a leader will no longer be given the mandate to lead.

Image from http://photobucket.com

Chid abuse in Malaysia

Child abuse is an offence in Malaysia, punishable under the Child Act (2001) and the Penal Code (revised 1997). Offenders may be liable to a maximum fine of RM 50,000 or up to 20 years imprisonment, or both depending on the offence. Offenders may also be punished with whipping in addition to the fine and/or imprisonment.

Despite significant strides made by the Government in improving child protection measures in recent years, statistics from the Department of Social Welfare show a rise in reported child abuse cases in Malaysia:

 2008: 2,780 child abuse reports
 2007: 2,279 child abuse reports
 2006: 1,999 child abuse reports.

The national reported figures in Malaysia represent ONLY reported cases to the Department of Social Welfare, police or hospitals/clinics when children are treated. Global experience shows that only a small proportion of child abuse of children is reported and investigated, and few perpetrators are held to account.

Source: http://www.unicef.org/malaysia/GetonBoard-Factsheet-Child-Abuse-in-Malaysia.pdf

Some years ago (15)

Date of entry: 4/6/1948

(The entry was made in Chinese. This is a translation)

Last night I dreamt of my Aunty sitting on a bench. Sitting together with her was a man about middle-aged, wearing traditional Chinese costume. The man was neither fat nor thin, his face was full and square and he was hearty looking. I also saw wife and Hou. The man said "Do you know who I am? I am the god's angel who have come to protect Hou". Then I woke up from from my dream.

Grilled fish anyone?

Found these mackerels grilling on charcoal fire at the backlane of a popular eatery in KD, while waiting for my car to be washed! Give me the creeps to think that I have eaten there several times! Yaks!!

Two sisters

Two sisters through the years.

One used to be an introvert, the other nearly left home for Bollywood

Some years ago (14)

Date of entry: 1/6/1948

(The entry was made in Chinese. This is a translation)

At 1 o'clock in the afternoon, Abdullah told me that the Ipoh hospital had telephoned to inform that Hou is completely cured and could be discharged immediately. I was so happy. I did not even want to take my lunch. I went back to take some clothing for Hou and left immediately for Ipoh.

Wife and daughter Peng had already gone to Ipoh this morning. Not knowing that Hou can be discharged today she had not brought his clothing along.

I arrived in Ipoh at 2 o'clock. Wife, big cousin sister, daughter Peng and 4th cousin brother were already in Rex waiting for me. We went immediately to the hospital. Hou had stayed in the hospital for 13 days in total. He has lost a lot of weight and looks pale. My poor son, he is so young, cannot even walk yet but had to suffer from so much hardship for 13 days.