Hope never stops to sing

I was in the city centre yesterday noon, in Citibank Building,the 13th tallest building in the country, 190 meters tall and 50 storeys high, when I got a phone call from Apple. I was in the midst of a queue to get my lunch, my tears just flowed when Apple, in a very excited manner, told me the good news that the doctor confirmed that for the first time in 3 months, Mr Tan's blood test was good and he could be on the way to recovery! Some in the queue were staring at me when I took out my tissue to wipe away my tears.

My earlier posts on Mr. Tan: Hope abides dated 16 November and A question hard to answer dated 15 August.



"Hope" is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all

- Emily Dickinson

A poor life this, if full of care

That's Teh Kechik next to a X'mas tree.

Spent a leisurely morning yesterday with Teh Kechik, a friend of over 20 years in the Mid valley Megamal. Except for the food outlets, there were hardly any shoppers. A reflection of the times or is it just because it was a Monday morning?

This leisurely morning reminds me of this poem I came across in my younger days:

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs

And stare as long as sheep or cows.

...

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars like skies at night.

...

A poor life this if, full of care

We have no time to stand and stare.

My periwinkles in full bloom

Be like the flower, turn your faces to the sun.
- Kahlil Gibran

The barbarians only got 2 years and 8 months!

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/21/2426809.htm

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is appealing against the sentences handed down to a Perth couple who imprisoned a 6-year-old boy in their garage.

The boy weighed just 12 kilograms when he was found in a portable cot in the darkened garage last year. He had been deprived of food and had bruises all over his face and body.

The couple was sentenced to two years and eight months jail for what the Judge described as the cruel and appalling neglect and abuse of the boy. The man was given an additional six months for assaulting the boy.

My opinion: Even adding 20 years is not punishment enough!

Many clear benefits of exercise for the elderly

Extracts from article entitled The Age Antidote

by Len Kravitz, Ph.D.

"There are clearly many benefits that can be derived from participation in an exercise program for the mature exerciser. It is well-recognized that many deleterious physical and psychological conditions that commonly occur during aging can be prevented or delayed in asymptomatic persons with regular physical activity .

Physical activity in elders has been linked to playing a role in the prevention of some cancers as well as reduced risk to heart disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, obesity, type II diabetes, osteoarthritis and abnormal cholesterol.

Mature adults who maintain high levels of cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility are also less likely to be dependent for long-term care. Strength and flexibility exercises may prevent falls and injuries by improving balance and mobility. Improved strength also helps individuals function independently, with improved gait and bodily control.

Additionally, exercise is associated with effective stress management, fewer sleep disorders, enlightened mental outlook, reduced loneliness, and lowered depression and anxiety."

There is something about dolphins

Do you know?

Outside of its striking friendliness, the Dolphin seems to have been blessed with a well developed sense of humor.

Dolphins live in social groups dominated by a leader.

A dolphin's skin is extremely delicate and easily injured by rough surfaces--very similar to human skin.

Comparing dolphin's brains to ours and others we can claim that it is deductible that dolphins could be intelligent enough to communicate.

If brain weight is a true measure of intelligence, Man is superior, followed by dolphins with the chimp trailing third.

Ever since the first time man ventured into the sea, dolphins have been man's friend. Throughout history mentions are made showing this.

You may be interested to read a 1970 article on dolphines by Regina Blackstock: Dolphins and Man.....Equals?

I confess a fascination for dolphins

Some of my dolphins collection

She was laced with wounds that stretched from her feet to the fingertips!

Extract from the San francisco Chronicle dated 21 November:

Fifteen-year-old Jazzmin Davis' badly scarred, emaciated body was found nude, lying on the floor in a bedroom where she had been confined in her aunt's Antioch home, a coroner's report on her death said.

The foster child died Sept. 2 of severe malnutrition, exacerbated by multiple blunt-force injuries and burns, according to a Contra Costa County coroner's report released this week.

The girl's body, weighing only 78 pounds, was laced with scars and wounds that stretched from her feet to her fingertips, the report said. She had multiple burns that appeared to be from a clothes iron on her chest and stomach, a tangle of scars on her neck that extended to her cheek and five broken teeth that "were probably struck by some type of hard object," the report said.

Read the full story: Questions about how girl's horrid abuse went unnoticed

Why?

In Eagle Mountain, Utah, USA a 33 year old woman and her 37 year old live-in boyfriend were arrested Oct. 14 after a neighbor noticed the woman's 9-year-old niece naked in the couple's backyard.

The girl told police she had dropped from a 12-foot-high window to escape the bathroom she was locked in. Her 6-year-old brother was at first mistaken for dead when police found him lying in another locked bathroom. They let the children go hungry, beat them with a leather belt and locked them in the bathrooms for long periods.

Read full story: Woman pleads guilty in Eagle Mountain child abuse

Breeding babies for sale!

Recent police raids in Nigeria have revealed an alleged network of clinics, dubbed baby "farms" or "factories"!

It was reported that in one such clinic, the doctor in charge, who is now on trial, reportedly lured teenagers with unwanted pregnancies by offering to help with abortion. They would be locked up there until they gave birth, whereupon they would be forced to give up their babies for a token fee of around 20,000 naira (170 dollars, 135 euros). The babies would then be sold to buyers for anything between 300,000 and 450,000 naira (2,500 and 3,800 dollars) each.

Another category of young women, driven by deep poverty, lease out their wombs and volunteer themselves, as regularly as is biologically possible, to produce babies for sale.

Read the full article Babies bred for sale in Nigeria

No day in your life will you be alone

I always feel comforted by this small poem.

Faith by Miller, Wayne

Faith is not a rose to see,

a stone to touch,

or a place to be.

Instead it's something deep inside,

that gives your soul strength to confide.

Faith is the power over life's confusion,

some will tell you it's only an illusion.

No more real gift will you ever own,

than the freedom to be one of God's own.

Faith gives us love and peace within,

it guides us clear of pain and sin.

Let it drive your every deed,

and give you vision of things to be.

Faith will shadow all your fears,

and allow Gods hand to dry your tears.

Open your heart and give faith a home,

and no day in your life will you be alone.

Hope abides

Saw Mr. Tan for the first time since he as diagnosed with acute leukemia AML-5 about 3 months ago in August. He has undergone 4 courses of chemo, lost 12 kg and most of his hair. Apple Teoh cooked him a dish of eel, supposed to be good for his health. His appetite seems to be quite good, he finished the eels and the organic rice and soup that Apple brought. His chemo has been stopped for the time being but he has to undergo blood transfusion about twice a week.

He has all the time been an active and organized person. Today, on his order, many workers were in his house cutting down all the big trees in his garden and he was giving the instructions, even though he needs to rest. Except for his physical appearance he has not changed. We really hope this nice man will overcome the disease and live the life that he deserves.

Hope abides; therefore I abide.

Countless frustrations have not cowed me.

I am still alive, vibrant with life.

The black cloud will disappear

The morning sun will appear once again

In all its supernal glory. - Sri Chinmoy

Getting my leotards on!

I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape, so I got my doctor's permission to join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But, by the time I got my leotards on, the class was over.

Source: http://www.1funny.com/seniorjokes.shtml

Exercises the elderly can do at home

I came across some very useful tips on exercises for the elderly and would like to share with you.

There are some simple strength exercises that the elderly can do at home. Each exercise should be done 8 to 10 times for two sets.

Complete all movements in a slow, controlled fashion.
Don't hold your breath.
Stop if you feel pain.
Stretch each muscle after your workout.

PICTURE 1. Wall push-ups.

Place hands flat against the wall.
Slowly lower body to the wall. Push body away from wall to return to starting position.

PICTURE 2. Chair squats.

Begin by sitting in the chair. Lean slightly forward and stand up from the chair. Try not to favor one side or use your hands to help you.

PICTURE 3. Biceps curl.

Hold a weight in each hand with your arms at your sides. Bending your arms at the elbows, lift the weights to your shoulders and then lower them to your sides.

PICTURE 4. Shoulder shrugs.

Hold a weight in each hand with your arms at your side. Shrug your shoulders up toward your ears and then lower them back down.

Read the full article at http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/seniors/staying/754.html

How we may learn wisdom

By three methods we may learn wisdom:

First, by reflection, which is noblest;

Second, by imitation, which is easiest;

and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

-a Confucius quote.

My exasperation

"Exasperation"is defined in Dictionary.com as irritation; extreme annoyance. For example "Her exasperation at being a clean up slave to her grown up children was understandable".

I hope my outburst to my children on 3 November 2008 will be understood, well taken and will inspire them to play their part in the cleanliness and hygiene of the house which we share.

Thanks Zarina for remembering

Received a SMS from Zarina early morning today. Every year, at this time of the year since I retired, Zarina, my former collegue would never fail to send me a greeting! Thanks Zarina, for remembering.

Plant a seed of friendship; reap a bouquet of happiness - Lois L. Kaufman

Justice Bao would turn in his grave

"Over the moon", screamed the headlines today. A beautiful young lady was murdered, infact blown to pieces with explosives, the alleged murderer, her former lover, acquitted, not even called for his defense. "I just want to go home..." he said, smiling from ear to ear. What about the poor girl blown to pieces who could never again go home to her children and parents? I know this is not a gracious thought...I hope he goes home and sleeps with his eyes wide opened every night! Then again, people like that do not have the privilege of a conscience!

Is this a joke or for real? Justice Bao would turn in his grave!

I know you are not far

Today I visited my 97 year old Father after a lapse of 3 weeks. I know if Mother is still with us I would visit the house more often. I visited my Mother but when I was at the house, I missed my Mother. I used to get irritated when she grumbled at me and queried me on every detail. I wish she is still here to irritate me.

I wake up everyday
and I wonder where you are,
I cannot see you
but I know you are not far

Good food from good friends

Just when I was at a loss what to cook for dinner yesterday, my friend Miss Fu came to give me this plate of lovely roast chicken. Wow, it was really good! This morning she came with some lovely homemade scones and we had breakfast together in my house.

I am a lucky woman, always at the receiving end of such goodies. What will I do without friends like these? Maybe lose some weight?

:-) ke...ke...ke...

A great Mother, a good young man

I would like to share with you the real life story of a young man I had the privilage of meeting yesterday. He is 28, a qualifed Civil Engineer. He has younger a sister, a newly qualified Accountant, just started working 1 month ago, another sister, an undergraduate in biology and a younger brother still in college, studying engineering.

All of them stay with their Mother in a small single storey house in Klang. All their studies have been supported by the the government's PTPTN loan scheme.

At the young age of 28 he is now the main breadwinner of the family. He shoulders all the family's expenses, including food, utility bills and monthly mortgage payment for the house they stay in. He also supports his 2 youngest siblings' expenses.

After their father died when he was only 10 years old, his Mother brought them up singlehandedly. For many years She used to earn money by cleaning houses and washing clothes for several households in the mornings and selling fruits with a bicycle in the afternoons and the nights. She had to stop 3 years ago when she met with a traffic accident while on her bicycle selling fruits. "Fortunately at that time I just graduated, started work and could take over the family's expenses", he said.

A great Mother who has nurtured a good young man! May God continue to protect them and bless them.

Doesn't mean I want him back!

:-) ke...ke...ke...

A lady calls the police to report her husband is missing. The police arrive and ask for a description. She tells them he's 6 foot 2 inches tall, blonde wavy hair and has a smile that makes everybody love him.

The police then go to the next door neighbor to verify this report and the lady next door tells the police, "You can't believe her. He's 5 foot 4 inches tall, has no hair and he wears a perpetual frown on his face."

The neighbor then goes and asks the lady why she gave the police such a false report. She replies, "Just because I reported him missing, doesn't mean I wanted him back!"

Source: http://www.101funjokes.com/men_jokes.htm

To one thing constant never!

Met an old friend by chance in Nikko Hotel today. "Tell you a secret", she said, "I just got divorced". "What? At this age?", I asked. She retorted, "Is there a right age for divorce?"

Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more,

Men were deceivers ever,

One foot in sea and one on shore,

To one thing constant never.

-William Shakespeare

Domestic Child Labour in Africa

You will cry with me if you read this...

When my master brought me from the village, he said that I will show that I deserved to go to school by proving my hard work at home. I was bent on going to school so I put my heart into everything I was commanded to do. I Swept, cleaned, washed, mopped, ironed, and fetched water from a public tap, two streets away, to fill the drums and basins in our house.

In-between these chores I had to go out and hawk sachets water in traffic and in the streets of the ghetto. I slept last and woke up first. I didn’t eat with my master, his wife and his children at table, I ate a small portion of food on the floor at the back yard, after they had all eaten. Sometimes I could not work because I was always hungry, but I had to work otherwise knocks and the Koboko cane will descend on me.’ An 8 year old Togolese househelp narrated.

‘After 3 years, my master registered me in a community school down the street. It was more like a place where street children passed time, the teachers hardly came to class. My chores and task were still a problem but I managed to deliver, so as to avoid any problem with my master or his wife. I liked school, I wanted to learn but I hardy had time to review my school work or do assignments and when I did poorly, my master or his wife would beat me like a thief. Sometimes I thought of running away, but to where? I wanted to go back to my mother, but how do I tell my uncle that, when the last time I asked about my mother, I was given the beating of my life, called an ingrate and denied food for two days. I wasn’t doing well at school, I wasn’t happy at home, I missed my mother, but I couldn’t do anything about it. All my mother knew was that her son was in the city and was in school, and will be a big shot.’

Read the complete article: http://en.afrik.com/article14712.html

Crimes by the Elderly rising!

In August, a 79-year-old Japanese woman went on a slashing spree in Tokyo's bustling district of Shibuya, wounding two female passers-by before being arrested by police.

The attacker reportedly said she was homeless, had no money and thought if she committed a crime, the police would care for her.

Read the whole article: http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=180405

Why married women heavier?

:-) ke...ke...ke...

Question: Why are married women heavier than single women?

Anaswer: Single women come home, see what's in the fridge and go to bed. Married women come home, see what's in bed and go to the fridge.

Source: http://www.101funjokes.com/women_jokes.htm

A woman's prayer!

:-) ke...ke...ke...

I pray for:

Wisdom, to understand a man.

Love, to forgive him;

Patience, for his moods.

Because if I pray for Strength I'll just beat him to death.

Source: http://www.101funjokes.com/women_jokes.htm

Professional Test!

This is a good one! Try to answer! :-) ke...ke...ke...

The following short quiz consists of 4 questions and tells whether you are qualified to be a "professional". Scroll down for the answers after you have thought about it.

The questions are not that difficult.

1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?

The correct answer is: Open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe and close the door. This question tests whether you tend to do simple things in an overly complicated way.

2. How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator ?

Wrong Answer: Open the refrigerator, put in the elephant and close the refrigerator.
Correct Answer: Open the refrigerator, take out the giraffe, put in the elephant and close the door. This tests your ability to think through the repercussions of your actions.

3. The Lion King is hosting an animal conference, all the animals attend except one. Which animal does not attend?

Correct Answer: The Elephant. The Elephant is in the refrigerator.
This tests your memory.

OK, even if you did not answer the first three questions, correctly you still have one more chance to show your abilities.

4. There is a river you must cross. But it is inhabited by crocodiles. How do you manage it?

Correct Answer: You swim across. All the crocodiles are attending the animal meeting. This tests whether you learn quickly from your mistakes.

According to Andersen Consulting Worldwide, around 90% of the professionals tested got all questions wrong. But many preschoolers got several correct answers. Anderson Consulting says this conclusively disproves the theory that most professionals havethe brains of a four year old.

Source: http://www.101funjokes.com/clean_joke.htm

Praise God for our health

Had lunch today in PJ with a friend who underwent colon cancer treatment about a year ago. He is okay now. He told me he had gained back most of the weight he lost last year and doing a lot of exercise.

Also received news today that my sis-in-law in Melbourne underwent an operation for breast cancer yesterday. My brother wrote that she is in high spirits and will be discharged soon.

Look to your health; and if you have it, praise God, and value it next to a good conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of; a blessing that money cannot buy. Author: Izaak Walton

The baby gives the orders

Recently, I emailed my young friend Janice in London and enquired about her baby. This is what she wrote:

i'm good here n so is my baby. He is 1 year old now. can't walk but can talk a few words. tell u a story about him... a few days ago he saw a person ..... he waved n said "bye" (i suddenly realized he can say bye), then the person waved back to him n said "bye". After that my baby said "go go go". (ha ha... he shocked him n he really quickly went away) . And his mom felt so embarrassed!!

I found this little snippet really cute and amusing!