Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Life's Transience

shake belly sashimi
shake belly sashimi
ebi an chawan mushi
ebi an chawan mushi


Decided to treat myself to "shake belly sashimi",  which is one of my favourite indulgences, and a "ebi an chawan mushi".

Felt the craving for sashimi after reading this from the "Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, Chapter 2"

"What is our life but a dance of transient forms? Isn't everything always changing: the leaves on the trees in the park, the light in your room as you read this, the seasons, the weather, the time of day, the people passing you in the street? And what about us? Doesn't everything we have done in the past seem like a dream now? The friends we grew up with, the childhood haunts, those views and opinions we once held with such single-minded passion: We have left them all behind. Now, at this moment, reading this post seems vividly real to you. Even this page will soon be only a memory."

Also, would like to share my commentary which came out in Johor Streets, a pullout of the New Straits Times on

Water leak causing problems

 
I READ with much concern the front page report "3 States on Alert" in the New Straits Times recently.The article was about how water supply from dams and rivers nationwide were drying up.
Johor is one of the three states on alert.
   After reading the article, I stumbled upon a puddle of water bubbling up from a road in Susur 1, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak in Johor Baru. The water was overflowing into a nearby drain.
   I talked to office workers who work in the neighbourhood and found out that this has been going on for more than a month, maybe even two.
   One of them was former State Tourism and Environment committee chairman Freddie Long, whose legal firm is in the vicinity.
   Long told me he had reported the matter to Syarikat Air Johor (SAJ) Holdings Sdn Bhd which told him that the water samples taken from the site did not contain chlorine and thus, could not have been from a broken water pipe.
   N. Usha Devi, 55, a secretary in an engineering firm there, said she, too, was concerned as well as outraged because of all the water which could have been saved if the relevant authorities had looked into the matter sooner.
   Usha even brought the matter up to the Johor Baru MCA division public complaints bureau chairman, John Cheah, who said the incident occurred after workers from Tenaga Nasional Bhd had dug up a stretch nearby to lay some cables.
Cheah, who is also part of the Communication for Behavioural Impact (Combi), said not only does the wastage of water bother him but also the fact that some parts of the road may become a breeding ground for the Aedes mosquito.
   No doubt the water is flowing into the drain, but there are some areas with stagnant water.
I feel that this is another cause for concern and if this is allowed to continue, it could cause the road to sink.
   I have also checked with the local municipal council which said no public complaints have been lodged so far.
   With dengue cases mushrooming all over the country and the possibility of taps running dry, can the authorities please do something about this?
   If SAJ claims that the leak is not from a water pipe then which department should look into this?
   Sometimes, the public is at a loss when it comes to matters like this.
   They just do not know who to turn to.
   In the end, the issue goes viral and on social networking sites like Facebook.
   In fact, people have already started posting the issue on Facebook with various comments

Monday, February 24, 2014

Journo Recognised For Her Contribution

Certificate

It was a sweet surprise for Harian Metro journo Mary Victoria Dass (left) who received a certificate award of appreciation for her work from Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (next to Mary) yesterday.



Mary, my dear friend, graduated from the Malaysian Institute of Integrative Media (MIIM) in 2005 and joined NSTP in 2007.  She works diligently not merely to fill up the pages of the Malay daily, but to highlight the plight of the underprivileged seeking help, so that those who are looking to render aid can reach out to them.

The award is a due recognition of her tireless effort and dedication.  Mary's biggest motivation is her love for her mother and sister. 

Keep up the good work, Mary.  Johor loves you. I love you.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

It's Still Flowing

At about 10.30am I was in town so I decided to check out the mysterious "spring water" at Susur 1, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak.  I first came across it on Friday.  Can you solve this mystery?

Water flowing out of a road surface

It was a hot sunny morning, but water was streaming into a nearby drain from a hole in the road surface.


A Whole Lot of Talking

Spend more time in the South, Southwest and North sectors of the house or office, and avoid the Northwest in 2014.

That's the advice given by Datuk Joey Yap, founder of the  Mastery Academy of Chinese Metaphysics --- a global organisation devoted to the teaching of Feng Shui, BaZi, Mian Xiang and other Chinese Metaphysics subjects.

Fengshui is not a religion, so one doesn't need to be a believer.  But one can always test it.

Yap, who is also the chief consultant of the Joey Yap Consulting Group, an international consulting firm specialising in Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology services, was at the appreciation dinner of property developer Eco World Development Sdn Bhd.

Datuk Joey Yap
Yap shared a few tips, like having the Fire, Wood and Metal element in one's "bazi" (birthchart) to enjoy success this year.  One's features such as the eyebrows, ears, eyes, forehead also tells much about a person.  The details I can't remember already as I was listening whole-heartedly at the time and didn't take down notes. I just remembered that I have a bad memory.  Maybe I need to read Yap's books.

And Yap also does not promote fengshui cures, such as displaying fengshui items.  He says that is the work of an interior decorator.

Also present were Eco World chief executive officer Datuk Chang Khim Wah and its divisional general manager Phan Yan Chan.

with SP Setia Bhd group divisional general manager Hoe Mee Ling
The appreciation dinner was held at the banquet hall of this hotel.


Yes, I am back at the Renaissance Hotel Johor Bahru located in Bandar Baru Permas Jaya.

Earlier, I attended another talk.  This one was at the Pekin Restaurant, and organised by another property developer Tanah Sutera Development Sdn Bhd.

It was an education talk.  One of the speakers was Matahari Private School principal Dr Lim Poh Ju, who gave a very lively and interesting talk.  Another speaker was this lady who "talked" rubbish.

Dr Hia Hui Ching

Dr Hia Hui Ching is the in-house effective micro-organism consultant at Tanah Sutera.  No, I didn't mean her talk was rubbish.  I meant she was talking about how to make good use of rubbish using the concept of the 5Rs --- reduce, re-use, re-think, recycle and responsible --- which have been adopted by Tanah Sutera in all its development projects and the cleaning and maintenance of the Sutera Mall.

By adopting the 5R concept and technology, one can contribute to earth conservation efforts.

Enough talking for the day.  It has been a memorable, eventful day.  Much to be thankful for.  Going to sleep now in the room located in the Southwest part of the house.  Good night.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Can You Solve This Mystery?


What is this?


Watch the video 




While taps are running dry due to no rainfall and the dams are drying up in Johor, Negri Sembilan and Selangor, water is sprouting from the road surface here in Susur 1 of Jalan Tun Abdul Razak in Johor Baru and flowing to a nearby drain.

Can the relevant authorities please look into this?  And with the number of dengue cases going up, this spot also poses the risk of being a breeding ground for the Aedes mosquito.

This water from the ground mystery has been going on for a month or two.  No one seems to know where this spring water is coming from?  If you think it's a burst water pipe, water samples taken from the site for tests revealed that it contains no chlorine.

Meanwhile, my lunch time treat ...


grape smoothie and deep fried chicken chop at the Cheelicious Bakery and Cafe.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Pamper Yourself At Le Spa

20 February 2014

Try a chocolate facial at Le Spa

Le Spa manager Noreen Rahim (right) with therapist Siti Salwa Nasir.

UNIQUE: The spa at the Le Grandeur Palm Resort Johor is offering cost-saving promotions for its therapy sessions including an aromatic chocolate facial

SENAI: LE Spa has introduced  a series of competitively priced spa packages tailored to soothe your senses.

Le Spa, located at Le Grandeur Palm Resort Johor, is currently offering an 8+2 Spa Indulgence voucher where clients can enjoy 10 sessions and save RM555.

The package includes eight sessions of LeSplendeur body massage, a foot bath and three sessions of ear candling.

There is also the 6 + 2 Total Revival voucher promotion priced at RM1,155 where clients will be entitled to eight sessions and enjoy saving of up to RM565.

This package includes the chocolate Total Indulgence, three sessions of LeSplendeur's body massage, a foot bath and two sessions of manicures and pedicures.

Alternatively there's the 4+2 Body Wellness Vouchers where clients are entitled to six spa sessions with savings of up to RM210.

This includes four sessions of LeSplendeur's body massage, a foot bath and one session of ear candling.


The inviting environment of the spa
Spa manager Noreen Rahim, 39, a beautician who has been in the industry for 19 years, urged guests to give the chocolate facial a try.

"Chocolate or cocoa is known for its antioxidants, promotes blood circulation, hydrates the skin and nurtures it.

Wawa, 27, applying the chocolate face mask.
"At Le Grandeur, we also make our own chocolate.

"So, we blend the dark fondant chocolates with other ingredients such as milk and brown sugar and bring the mixture to a boil," said Noreen.

"When the therapist applies the mixture to the face while massaging it, and putting the coat of chocolate as a mask, the aroma will cajole you into a state of bliss," she added.

Noreen also said the spa industry is a competitive one and Le Spa has to come up with new and innovative products from to time.

She added that the ingredients are all natural and free of chemicals.

A cup of ginger honey tea will be served before and after each session.
 
The spa is open daily from 10am to 10pm.

For enquiries, call 07-599 600007-599 6000.