Do you know?

We are all looking closely at the Permatang Pauh by-election. In fact the whole world is looking closely at the Permatang Pauh by-election becasue it involves our own global personality DSAI, self proclaimed PM in waiting. To me it is a lop sided fight, one is a bigger than life above the law political elephant, the other just a mouse! So what miracle can we expect?

Blogger Dr Raffick said the greater liar of the 2 will win! Ha...Ha! Please read... http://rights2write.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/royal-battle-of-liars-ooops-i-mean-lions/

Do you know ?

"In Mexico an air conditioner is called a politician because it makes a lot of noise but doesn't work very well." -Len Deighton

"Everything is changing. People are taking their comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke." —Will Rogers

Is one ever too old to exercise?

Can exercise help the "old, old" stay active and independent? Yes, according to a 16-week study of 64 people, average age 83, undertaken by Ross Andel, an assistant professor in the School of Aging Studies at the University of Southern Florida. The participants were randomly assigned to a twice-a-week fitness program (either walking or resistance training in a gym), or to a control group, which got no organized exercise.

To gauge the effects of exercise, the researchers measured blood pressure, resting heart rate, upper and lower body strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. While none of the groups had much change in heart rate or blood pressure, the resistance and walking groups both improved on virtually every measure of strength, flexibility and coordination, while the control group improved only on coordination.

According to Ross Andel, the type of improvements observed could help seniors live independently. Simple abilities that young people take for granted, like reaching up into a kitchen cabinet, or being able to dress, are critical to independence.

Ross Andel, when asked if one is ever too old to exercise, responded, "It's almost the older you are, the more important it becomes, but it's always important."

Read more ... http://whyfiles.org/284benefits_exercise/index.php?g=3.txt

Health is the soul that animates all enjoyment of life

Today my sister in law undergoes surgery in Melbourne and today is also my friend's second day of chemotherapy in Pantai hospital. I said a slilent prayer for both and I am hopeful that both will recover fully and will be on their feet again soon.

This reminds me of my health experience 8 years ago when I broke my left kneecap due to a bad fall. I had to undergo surgery and was even in ICU for a night. After that I was not able to stand on my left leg at all for about 3 months and only managed to stand on crutches after 6 months. I was infact wheel chair bound for 6 months and only walked normally after a year. That was a most distressing time for me. In fact when I first came back from hospital I thought I will never be able to walk again. I still remember I had to make a big effort to psyche myself to prevent myself from falling into a depression.

Health is the soul that animates all the enjoyments of life, which fade and are tasteless without it. ~ William Temple, Sr

The innocent, the beautiful and the angelic

Case 1
New York Times 15 August 2008 reported a Brooklyn man shook to death his malnourished 3-year-old daughter in the bathroom, ending a horrific life of abuse and starvation. The Medical Examiner's Office said Ginelis had weighed just 24 pounds. The medical examiner found blunt-force injuries on the girl's head and torso, fractured ribs and injuries to her internal organs.

In June, Jimenez "snapped" his daughter's arm, and in January, he threw her into her bedroom. "After the January incident, the child's clavicle bone was protruding," a police source said, but neither parent sought medical help.

Ginelis' 1-year-old brother, Hezekiah, was also found badly beaten. He was treated at a hospital before being taken by the Administration for Children's Services. Doctors found Hezekiah had a bruised chest and broken rib.

Case 2
wwww.kfyrtv.com
On 13 August it was reported that a Mandan man faces a felony child abuse or neglect charge after neighbors say they found a boy wandering around looking for a new place to live. Police say two women reported on Monday that a 6-year-old boy carrying a box of diapers asked to live with them. Police say they went to Sapin`s home and found it empty except for a 4-year-old girl who was home alone

A question hard to answer

Why do bad things happen to good people...? I think this is a question of life hardest to answer. Why must good people suffer...? Why must good people suffer from heartache and disappointment...? Why must good people suffer from disease?

My friend of 20 years was diagnosed with acute leukemia AML-5 yesterday and will start on chemotheraphy in a few days time. He is expected to stay in hospital for a protracted period of time and visitors are discouraged to minimize chances of infection for the patient. I sincerely wish my friend, a kind good man, a fast recovery.

You will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you

It is believed that negative thoughts can have detrimental effects on our health. It is also believed that keeping unpleasant experiences in our thoughts increases the release of chemicals that can weaken our immune system over time and this situation may curtail our ability to fight illness. Some studies suggest that those who dwell a lot on the negative have higher blood pressure and heart rates. It is also believed that we can make changes in our life and also improve our health, by changing the way we think.

Maybe I should start by finally letting go of all my "hurts" (perceived or real), and also make a a deliberate effort to stop myself if I start having negative thoughts that can cause me to feel anxious.

James Allen, author of As a Man Thinketh said "You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you."

My cup is overflowed with blessings

I love this little piece.

Drinking from a Saucer by Jimmy Dean

I never made a fortune; It's probably too late now.

But it don't matter that much, I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's journey, I'm reaping better than I sowed.

I'm drinking from a saucer, 'Cause my cup is overflowed.

I ain't got a lot of riches and Sometimes the goin's tough.

But I got friends and kids that love me, And that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for the mercies And blessings He's bestowed.

I'm drinking from a saucer, 'Cause my cup is overflowed.

Oh, I remember a time when Things went all wrong and My faith got a little bit thin.

Then all at once the dark clouds broke, And that sun peeked through again.

So, Lord, help me not to gripe About the rough rows I've hoed.

I'm drinking from a saucer, 'Cause my cup is overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage When my way grows steep and rough,

I'll not ask for other blessings, I've already been blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy To help others bear their load.

I'll keep drinking from my saucer, 'Cause my cup is overflowed.

Doesn't that sound familiar?

Source: www.glasbergen.com

Where is Philip?

Source: http://www.crazyjokes.com/

I hope I did something good today

Today the TV service man was in my house for about 2 hours, struggling with my TV set. Halfway through his work my son walked in. He asked "Is that your son?" I said, "Yes. How many children do you have?" He said "I do not have any children. I had been married for 15 years but I have no children". I said "Why don't you adopt?" He said, "Yes, I have 3 adopted children". I said "You have 3 children, why did you say you have no children?" He said "It is not the same". I said, " When you decide to adopt you must accept your adopted children as your own flesh and blood. Next time, don't ever say you have no children". He stopped his repair works, took a sip of water, looked at me in a serious manner and said " I will always remember what you just said. Thank you".

Children are living jewels dropped unsustained from heaven - Robert Pollok

Some cat riddles

What is a cat's favourite song? Three Blind Mice.

Is it bad luck if a black cat follows you? That depends on whether you're a man or a mouse.

What is the cat's favourite magazine? Good Mousekeeping.

Where is one place that your cat can sit, but you can't? Your lap.

How many cats can you put into an empty box? Only one. After that, the box isn't empty.

http://www.moggies.co.uk/html/jokes.html

Sweet Old Memories

This was the house we stayed in for 8 years in Parit Buntar, the address, No.112 Jalan Pegawai, Parit Buntar. The house looks run down now, the picture a recent photo taken by my brother who visited his daughter, now studying in USM Engineering Faculty, located in Parit Buntar.

When we were staying there, I was studying through from Standard 2 to Form 1. Although I was very young then and although it was almost 50 years ago, I still have very vivid memories of our life there. We were all very young, the 5 of us. I remember the busiest person was my mother. She had to get up very early to prepare breakfast and to make sure we went to school on time, the bigger ones went by bicycles, the younger ones were transported by a trishaw man who got paid RM5 per month. Then she would wash the clothes and walked to the market. Those days we did not own a fridge, I remember she went to the market on a daily basis and she cooked using fire wood in the kitchen situated detached from the main house at the back. In between all her chores, she managed to keep a chicken farm of about 15-20 chickens from which we got fresh eggs for breakfast every morning and the best tasting chicken meat you can find. I think those days must have been the happiest time of her life, and perhaps mine too, young and having not a care in the world.

I treasure sweet old memories

As time goes swiftly by.

A few bring smiles of happiness

And some tears to the eye.
They all are precious in their way,

Reopening doors of old

That have been shut these many years--

What pictures they unfold!

- Carice Williams

Patience has its limits

I came to realize that living in a condo community not only has its good points but also bad. I made quite a few good friends here. However, the downside are the difficult neighbours. Like when I found that water leaks from the upstairs unit to my son's room, destroying all the paintwork on one side of the wall, the unit owner had not heeded my repeated requests to get her piping fixed. I think I shall approach her calmly one last time, after which I may have to make a written compaint to the management as a last resort.

I remember the quote by Titus Maccius Plautus "Patience is the best remedy for every trouble", but I would add that patience also has its limits!

Goodness is the only investment that never fails

Today I felt very sad when my friend announced that he has decided to close down the company which he started 8 years ago. The company was actually already on its track 3 years into its formation. However, internal personality problems 2 years ago sidetracked its development. I had been helping him on a part time basis since 2 years ago. Maybe we did not try hard enough , maybe it was a lack of entrepreneurship on our part, and maybe it is the nature of the business, being very competitive. Whatever the reason, I really feel very sorry that I had failed him. And, I feel sad for him because the truth is he had actually kept it open for sentimental reasons much longer than we should have. I wish the best for my kind friend who has so much goodness in his heart and I have no doubt he will continue to enjoy much happiness in his golden years.

" Goodness is the only investment that never fails."--- Henry David Thoreau

What this country needs is more unemployed politicians

What this country needs is more unemployed politicians -Edward Langley speaking about the United States of America in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Looking at the antics of our own politicians, with their ridiculous claims and counter-claims, support for Statutory Declarations and support for withdrawals of Statutory Declarations and tearing the hair out of each other like cavemen, we should make sure the whole lot join the ranks of the unemployed politicians! One good cost-cutting measure!

Work is either fun or drudgery, it depends on your attitude.

Spent the whole day from about 7 am Saturday until 10 minutes ago, working on my report. Except for the 1 hour break for my regular walk at 6 pm and a few shorter breaks in between, I was at the computer the whole day, making it a total of more than 17 hours to complete the first draft of the report. That's how it is for me every Saturday, a day in which I would try my best to write at least the first draft of my weekly report, without major interruptions. The next few days, until I have to deliver on Friday, I would spend a couple of hours improving on the report. That's how it has been for me for the last 7 years, but I am not complaining.

Work is either fun or drudgery. It depends on your attitude. I like fun -quote Colleen C. Barrett

Best shopping tip in times of inflation !

Source: http://www.nirmaltv.com/2007/12/15/weekend-fun-funny-cartoons/

The innocent, the beautiful and the angelic

Case 1

In New Hampshire, USA, a woman age 29 is accused of repeatedly throwing her 8-year-old stepdaughter down the stairs and beating her with a belt over a nine-hour period on July 10. A police officer called it the "worst case of child abuse I've ever seen." The 8-year old girl, who suffered kidney and liver damage, three broken vertebrae in her neck and three broken ribs as a result of the attack, is a patient at Children's Hospital in Boston where her condition was upgraded from critical to serious. She was badly beaten on July 10, a Thursday, but didn't receive medical attention until the following Saturday night, when her father took her to Concord Hospital. After seeing how badly she was injured, doctors contacted police.

Case 2

In Jackson County, USA a 27 year old Army paratrooper who served in Iraq was sent to prison for child abuse. The Judge said the extent of the girl's injuries, which included nearly 20 broken bones, injuries to her private parts and brain bleeding, inspired him to impose a stiff penalty. He said "This case is one of the most horrible I have ever seen. The reality is, but for the grace of God, the girl would probably be dead." She was only 3 months old at the time!

We must first set our hearts right

Every day when we open the newspapers we are confronted with a barrage of accusations and counter-accusations...so much so that I no longer care what is true what is not and who is right or wrong. Actually what all our politicians should do is to stop fighting and to look deep into their hearts.

To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right - quote Conficius

97th Birthday!

We organized a 97th birthday celebration for our father Joon Sang Chew recently on 12 July. Present at the gathering were 3 of his 5 children who are in Malaysia, their spouses, 7 of his 16 grand children (2 came with spouse /girlfriend) and 2 of his 5 great grandchildren.

He is 97, belonging to the group of the oldest old. Alhamdulillah (praise to God) he is healthy for his age. This reminds me of an article I read recently (written by Dr. Thomas T. Perls) that “contrary to the belief that the incidence of chronic, disabling disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease, increases inexorably with age …when I became a fellow in geriatrics, I was surprised to find that the oldest old were often the most healthy and agile of the senior people under my care”.

Dr. Thomas T. Perls also wrote, “What biological and environmental factors might allow the oldest old humans to reach age 95 and beyond in good health? Multiple and intertwined influences undoubtedly play important roles. So-called longevity genes seem to protect against the development of diseases; genetically or otherwise determined adaptive abilities enable survivors to avoid potentially life-threatening conditions. Modifications in everyday activities, such as not smoking, practicing better nutrition and exercising, may also help some people stay fit longer. Basic good luck surely helps as well”.

I am just grateful to the Almighty that my father is healthy, relatively agile (he walks with a walking stick which he holds in the air!), has a good appetite and definitely not senile.

Old age has its pleasures

Whenever we go on our regular evening walks, we would see an elderly Malay gentleman sitting contentedly on a reclining chair in the porch of his big house in this posh neighbourhood. Sometimes he would be just looking out, sometimes reading the newspapers and at other times reciting pieties while counting the tasbih. Whatever he might be engaged in he always stops and greets us in his usual cheerful manner. I wonder what he was like when he was younger, I wonder what he used to do for a living when he was younger...I may never know the answers to these questions, nor that it matters. He seems perfectly content and happy sittng on his reclining chair. He paints a picture of one old man really enjoying his golden years in his own way. That is what matters now.

The complete life, the perfect pattern, includes old age as well as youth and maturity. The beauty of the morning and the radiance of noon are good, but it would be a very silly person who drew the curtains and turned on the light in order to shut out the tranquillity of the evening. Old age has its pleasures, which, though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth.
Author: W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM

Beyond Mud!

It seems to be a matter of faith among our politicians that if you throw enough mud some of it will stick. I hope our politicians realize that no two persons can throw mud at each other without first getting their own hands dirty! And this time they have gone beyond mud…in 2008 we not only witnessed a big extended mud fest…but also a tsunami of dirt and filth! I hope our politicians realize too that while mud can be easily washed away, dirt and filth can be embedded in their skin! The general election campaign period is long over, just SHUT UP please and get on with what you are supposed to deliver to the people who voted for you!

Confucius said " He who slings mud at neighbor is losing ground”

Impact of soaring prices of oil and gas

Help me feed my wife and 2 cars!

Gas prices costing an arm and a leg!

Source: http://www.laughparty.com/funnypicture/Feed-my-Cars/1046/

Just a little extra effort

I had to renew my car insurance yesterday afternoon. The insurance company was a small office, on the first floor of a retail bank. Customers had to stand in line to wait for their turns. There were no chairs and no numbering system. There were only 2 girls on duty. After a good 1/2 hour I was still only 3rd in line. On top of that I had rushed there from my work place so that I could reach there before the office closes, so I hadn't had any lunch. Anyway I was hungry, tired and really pissed off. I made a decision in my mind then that I would definitely change to a another insurance company the next year. Just then a smartly dressed man in his 40s came out from a side door and walked towards us. He shook my hand and said "Madam, I am so sorry you have to stand and wait so long. You see, it happens that 2 of my staff are on sick leave. We have also ordered some chairs so the next time you come you would not have to stand. Then he went down the line shaking hands and apologizing to each one. By the time he finished apologizing, all of us were smiling. Miraculously I did not really feel that tired any more. Well, maybe the company is not that bad after all. A little effort goes a long way!

The politician

Rick Gaber: "The politician is a type of creature known for its propensity to lie, exaggerate, embellish, and use all kinds of hysterical or bombastic attention-getting."

Ronald Reagan: "Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."

Rejected by the cow and the pig!

Why is it that every couple of days, some politicians in the country are beating the shit out of one another? They should focus on governing the country and provide good wisdom to lead the country out of the doldrums. They should bring immediate solutions to help the hard core poor, think of good ways to address the huge fuel price increase. The opposition should focus on providing effective check and balance to ensure good governance. Politicians should serve the public, not obsessed with lying, scheming and conniving to bring each other down. Are we not fools to put our trust in them? No wonder the cow and the pig rejected them!

A doctor, an engineer and a politician were traveling together in the countryside. They stopped at a small country inn for the night. "I have only two rooms, so one of you will have to sleep in the barn," said the innkeeper. The doctor volunteered to sleep in the barn, went outside, and the others went to bed.

A short time later they were awakened by a knock. It was the doctor, who said, "There's a cow in that barn. I'm a Hindu, and it would offend my beliefs to sleep next to a sacred animal." The engineer said he'd be willing to sleep in the barn and left.

The others went back to bed, but soon were awakened by another knock. It was the engineer, who said, "There's a pig in the barn. I'm Muslim, and I can't sleep next to an unclean animal."

So the politician was sent to the barn. It was getting really late, the others were very tired and soon fell asleep. But then they were awakened by an even louder knocking. They opened the door and were surprised by what they saw: It was the cow and the pig!

Source: http://freedomkeys.com/politicians.htm

Roots and Wings

Roots to Grow and Wings to fly -this is one of those clichés that actually mean something.

Today as I watched my nephew Meng and his girlfriend Jane leave for a new life thousands of miles away, it seems to me time just passes by so quickly. Wasn’t it only yesterday that we were celebrating his first birthday, together with my own first born son who is 6 months younger?

Planting the 'Roots' and preparing their “Wings” were a pleasure most of the times, rather frustrating at times and a major challenge some other times – providing them a stable and nurturing home environment, helping them grow, learn and believe in themselves, nurturing their values, giving them all opportunities to ensure they achieve academically, creating trust, giving them the moral support to overcome disappointments and to ride through the rough spots...

The time will come to untie the apron strings, to allow them to take flight with the very wings we have given them - this is quite an emotional challenge. I felt both happy and sad when my second son got married a year ago and left home, even though he lives not far away. You are happy with their choices and their independence yet you will miss them at home and what you had with them.

I know my sister will miss her son. Her everyday life will no longer be the same for her again. I want to tell her that it is alright. You have given him the Roots and you have given him the Wings. This is how it is meant to be.

New Born Baby!

Two elderly gentlemen from a retirement center were sitting on a bench under a tree when one turns to the other and says:

"Slim, I'm 83 years old now and I'm just full of aches and pains. I know you're about my age. How do you feel?"

Slim says, "I feel just like a newborn baby."

"Really!? Like a newborn baby!?"

"Yep. No hair, no teeth, and I think I just wet my pants".

Source: http://www.thejokeexchange.com/

Life after 60

The following passage is quoted from http://www.seniorindian.com/positive_attitude.htm
Life after 60 should not be looked as an end of a lifetime's work. It should be seen as the beginning of a new chapter. It should not be seen like climbing down a hill after having worked hard to climb up the steep slope of life. It should be viewed as another climb, gentler this time with more time for living, loving and caring. You are a treasure house of experience. You can impart that experience to the youngsters around you. View your life with an up-beat positive attitude.All over the world people over 60, are being regarded in a new and positive light, and rightfully so. The quality of health care has increased and with it the quality of life itself has become better. Life after 60, should not be taken as just a time to sit back and watch flash backs, or pretend to be a 20 yr old. There is nothing wrong in sitting back but it should be done so in satisfaction and comfort. You can now look at your children and appreciate the efforts they make to stand on their own. In Australia, Germany and US, retired people have formed organisations which are sending representatives as political parties to represent them in Parliament and take an active role in the governance of the country.

Why I blog

Actually, to be honest, starting this blog was a spur of the moment decision. My brother was down for a visit in May. He was in my house one day and we were reading some interesting blogs. Then we had an inspiration, why not blog too and see what it is like? Well, so we each claimed a blogspot space that day.

These 2 months had been a muddling through period for me where blogging is concerned. What should I do with my blog? I slowly began to make some entries. Then slowly everything fell in place.

I realized that I could just write about my own experiences, any silly little things that happen, any nice things that happen, my feelings about things or issues I feel strongly about. Not that these would interest anybody, but it doesn’t matter.

I realize too that I like to read about hints on keeping healthy, why not then share these with other seniors like me? I also like a good laugh. I constantly look for jokes and any funny stuff from magazines and the Internet. Why not brighten up others a little by sharing these funnies with them?

So when I started this blog I was driven by a sense of curiosity. It was like, “Okay, let me find out what it is like, let me give it a try”. Now after 2 months I find gratification in having a space to put down my thoughts and feelings and to share what I like with others.

Economy Class...

Of all days, the day on which one has not laughed is the one most surely wasted.— Sébastien-Roch Nicolas de Chamfort



Hope this cartoon will make you laugh today.

http://crazy-jokes.com/Funny_Pictures/index2.shtml

Correct, correct, correct...

You Know You're Getting Old When..

Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
You feel like the morning after when you haven't been anywhere the night before.
You don't care where your wife goes, just so you don't have to go along.
It takes twice as long to look half as good.
People call at 9 PM and ask, "Did I wake you?"
The pharmacist has become your new best friend.
You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.
Your idea of a night out is sitting on the patio.
You look for your glasses for half-an-hour, then find they've been on your head all the time.
You begin every other sentence with, "Nowadays..."
You constantly talk about the price of gasoline.
The little gray-haired lady you help across the street is your wife.
Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
It takes longer to rest than it did to get tired.
You have too much room in the house and not enough in the medicine cabinet.
You are cautioned to slow down by the doctor instead of by the police.
Younger women start opening doors for you.
Your medical expenses go up 50%.
A 'late night' now ends at 11 pm.

Source: http://www.c-boom.com/

The innocent, the beautiful and the angelic

About 2 weeks ago I subscribed to Google News Alert on the subject of “child abuse”. What I have read so far made me sick in the stomach. I stayed awake all night several nights ago...I could almost visualize the children's suffering...trying to find an answer... what has happened to human morality such that one is no longer able to differentiate “right” from “wrong”? People who abuse children are pretty low down scums of the earth, to say the least. Do they have a heart or a soul?

Case 1: The police in Los Angeles described this 5 year old’s body as “a study in pain”. He was covered in cigarette burns, including to his genitals. He couldn't fully open his hand because it had been burned on a stove. His tooth was broken with a nerve exposed. And he had been made to sit in his own urine and feces. The 5 year old remains hospitalized by kidney failure brought on from malnutrition and from months of "unbearable psychological and physical abuse.

For two years, authorities said, the mother subjected her son to what veteran detectives described as shocking, ritualistic abuse. The 5-year-old was hung by his hands and wrists from a door jamb and beaten with some sort of leash or chain, police said. He was routinely denied food and water, burned with cigarettes on his body and genitals, and left to sit in his own urine and feces.

In the past few weeks, his hands were held to a hot stove, according to Capt. Fabian Lizarraga, causing injuries that may leave them permanently disfigured.

The boy's 24-year-old mother, allegedly committed the acts for about two years without detection -- until a bizarre series of events last week.

Case 2: In the USA a Bensalem man allegedly beat his daughter so badly she was hospitalized for two months because of bleeding on her brain. Parts of the 6-year-old victim's brain weren't receiving blood and other parts were under pressure from the bleeding inside her head after more than four months of abuse that began in August. She told police that her father continually struck her in the back, chest, legs, neck and head with both his hands and various household objects. The child had abrasions to her forehead, chest and back and was unable to move her left arm and leg, according to court records. She had retinal hemorrhages and bleeding causing pressure on her brain. Other portions of her brain had softened due to limited blood flow while others weren't receiving blood, according to court records. Doctors also found a still-healing rib fracture while examining an X-ray. Dr. Cindy W. Christian, the abuse and neglect specialist, told police the injuries showed repeated physical abuse.

Case 3: Two months after a Chandler woman took her 2-year-old stepson to the hospital unresponsive and weighing less than 13 pounds, the woman and her husband were arrested and charged with child abuse. The boy had to be resuscitated when he arrived at Chandler Regional Medical Center on April 26, and was flown to Banner Desert Medical Center where he was placed in the intensive care unit. He was discharged from the hospital almost a month later weighing 18 pounds, 11 ounces - almost 6 pounds more than when he arrived. "The profundity of what happened to this kid, this is dramatic, this is way out there," pediatrician Dr. Glenn Diebert told police. "This is a 10 on a scale of 10." Dr. Diebert compared the boy to a neglected child in a prison camp.

According to medical records, the boy was born healthy and weighing 6 pounds, 3 ounces. He gained weight consistently until he was 7 months old, when he weighed 17 pounds, police said. The child lived with his biological mother until he was 5 months old.

Are we doing enough to protect our innocent, beautiful and angelic children?

The "off the rocker" grandma

This is cute!

In the dim and distant past
When life's tempo wasn't so fast,
Grandma used to rock and knit,
Crochet, tat and baby sit.

When the kids were in a jam,
They could always call on Gram.
But today she's in the gym
Exercising to keep slim.

She's checking the web or surfing the net,
Sending some e-mail or placing a bet.
Nothing seems to stop or block her,
Now that Grandma's off her rocker.

Author-unknown

Source: http://www.unwind.com/

A Little Wisdom

A little boy is telling his Grandma how "everything" is going wrong.
Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like a snack, which of course he does.
"Here, have some cooking oil," she says.
"Yuck" says the boy.
"Then how about a couple of raw eggs?"
"Gross, Grandma!" he replies.
"Would you prefer some flour then? Or maybe some baking soda?" she asks.
"Grandma, those are all yucky!" he replied.
To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all those things seem to taste bad all by themselves. But when they are mixed together in the right amounts and the right manner, they make a delicious cake!

"God works the same way. Many times we wonder why he would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when he puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!"

Source: http://www.suddenlysenior.com/grandmacake.html

The older you are, the more important it is that you exercise

I chanced upon this small useful article which I would like to share with other seniors.

The older you are, the more important it is that you exercise. Even moderate exercise can reverse the effects of aging if you do it consistently. It's not just about living longer — but living better — you'll be able to do more of the things you enjoy, with fewer aches and pains, even if you have arthritis.

The only kiss of death is being sedentary. Period! It's really that simple. Start exercising moderately (almost any type of moderate physical activity counts) and do it consistently. Regardless of whether you want the benefits of fitness walking or other exercises, do it now. The best exercises? The ones you'll do on a regular basis.

The sooner you start, the more you'll benefit. There are no guarantees in life, but you can stack the odds in your favor to reduce your chances of ending up in a nursing home.

Remember — you are NEVER too old to start. Many elderly people can't even lift a gallon of milk (it weighs about 10 pounds). But, researchers at Tufts University showed that elderly nursing home residents in their late 80s and mid-90s dramatically increased their strength and improved their balance after just 8 weeks of weight training.

What should you do for the best results? A balanced combination of aerobics, strength and flexibility exercises is very important for physical functioning (increases strength, flexibility and endurance) — and mental functioning (increases blood flow to your brain cells).

Aerobic (endurance) exercises:

Frequency - 30 minutes every other day, 3 times a week

Examples:

Walking (eventual goal: one mile in about 17 minutes), jogging, running, hiking, cycling, dancing, tennis, swimming, gardening, mowing the lawn, golf (if you walk and don't use a cart), climbing stairs instead of using the elevator, workouts on stationary bikes and climbers

Strengthening exercises

Frequency - 30 minutes every other day, 3 times a week

Do strength training on the days you don't do aerobic exercises (8-10 different exercises per workout; 48 hours of rest between strength training workouts is essential)

Examples:

Lift weights (3 sets of 8-12 repetitions, with 30 seconds to 1 minute rest between sets), resistance exercises, calisthenics (push-ups, crunches, etc.), resistance tubes and bands

Stretching / flexibility - 10 minutes every other day (at the end of your workout)

Gently stretch each of your major muscle groups, including your arms, legs, back, shoulders and trunk, for about 30 seconds, with 3 or four repetitions for each major muscle group. Don't bounce and don't stretch until it hurts.

Finally, if your exercise program is a success, you'll improve your odds of staying out of a nursing home

Source: http://www.todaysseniors.com/pages/Senior_Exercises.html

In the company of good friends

Last night while having a barbecue party by the pool with my neighbourhhod friends, it dawned upon me that it is already 9 years since I moved into this neighbourhood, not by intention but by chance. After having to give up the house where I stayed for 19 years, I chanced upon an advert of this guarded community. I had never planned to stay so far away from my work place, but fate brought me and my children here since April 1999. In the past 9 years I watched the neighbourhood children growing from cute unfants to school goers, from curious toddlers to boisterous kids, from young children to graceful young people and my own 3 now adults in the working world. As for myself, the new environemnt was like therapy, I regained my lost trust, my self-worth, I slowly moved on, got over my dear Mother's passing, regained my sense of humour and my optimism amidst a new circle of friends, some of whom worth more than their weight in gold.

The best of friends,
Can change a frown,
Into a smile,
when you feel down.

The best of friends,
Will understand,
Your little trials,
And lend a hand.

The best of friends,
Will always share,
Your secret dreams,
Because they care.

The best of friends,
Worth more than gold,
Give all the love,
A heart can hold.
- Author Wendy Hinson

Source: http://www.friendship.com.au/

My young friend's baby

Several years ago upon re-entry into the work force after my retirement, I made several new young friends. One of them is Janice, who has since ventured to London. She is a really cute girl, always willing to learn. She had kept in touch with me occassionally and she recently shared with me her joy of motherhood.

Isn't he a cute one!

Sometimes it's a change of job that brings a friend your way - a journey or a party or a summer holiday. You turn a bend upon the road and suddenly you find - you've met a kindred spirit. Thus the threads of fate unwind. Your path in life is crossed by someone who is meant for you - and everything takes on a sweeter note, a brighter hue.
Author - Patience Strong.

This one is hilarious!

Source: http://retirementtips.homestead.com/RetireJokesOld.html

School Friends

This picture was taken on 18 May 2008 at a lunch party with my secondary school classmates (Form 5 class of 1964, MGS Kuala Lumpur). I am right at the back in white (with glasses).

School Friends

The friendships of our schooldays linger strangely in the mind - after we have left the world of childhood far behind.
Though we make new ties as through the years our lives advance, changing with the buffetings of time and circumstance.
A friendship of those early days will always live and last - remaining when the friendships of the later years have passed.
- Author Unknown