SPICES - jenniesyk-spices

SUN FLOWER CENTRE FINALLY GETS A NEW VAN

2012-02-14T08:09:00.000-08:00

In2005, Sun Flower Centre requested for a new van to replace the old van that oftenbreaks down. To raise enough funds to purchase a brand new van, the GymkhanaClub held charity concerts on Christmas, among other activities. Others chipped in as well.

Fiiveyears had passed and centre finally got its brand new van, thanks especially tothe effort initiated by David Elford and Les Cory namely the Climb Mt Kinabalu Challenge.Through the initiative, Elford and Cory managed to raise a sum of RM 13,000.00.

Thebiggest sponsor came from Dances Spot Miri and Sarawak Shell’s Technology andPerformance Team, who raise RM 52,456.00 through a ballroom dinner and danceevent, as well as RM 19,110.00 through a marathon respectively.

TheKelabit Charity Cooking Team led by Datuk Lorna Enan managed to raise RM15,000.

Thecombined total amount raised was RM 99,566.

Thanksto their efforts, everyone at the centre can now travel in comfort and need notworry about the van breaking down like the centre’s old van which has its onlymode of transportation for the past 16 years.

Thenew van is a 14-seater and is perfect for transporting the children and adultsfrom their homes to the centre or bringing them out on field assignments.

AssistantMinister of Communications, Datuk Lee Kim Shin handed over the van to SunFlower Centre, representedby the Chairlady, Liza Chai.

Speaking at the handoverceremony, he thanked the donors on behalf of the centre for their five years offund-raising efforts that had resulted in the purchasing of the new van.

The event was witnessedby the SunFlower Centre’s committees members , some of the donors from theDance sport Miri, Mr. Su Chii Leong, Ms Lydia Poh from Shell and staff andchildren from the centre. Datuk Lee who is the first vice-chairman for MalaysiaRed Crescent (MRC) Miri Chapter called on the general public or private bodiesto continue giving support and financial aids to the centre to ensure it wouldbe able to run its various smoothly.

BACKGROUND OF SUN FLOWERCENTRE

Sunflower Center was formedin March under the umbrella of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society. In May 1983,the Center has its own independent body.

The centre caters forchildren and young adults, who are mentally and/or physically handicapped fromages 0 to 30 years old .

The aim of the Centre isto help the child/young adult to develop his/her full potential botheducationally and socially and is to enable him/her to make a positivecontribution to the society.

Currently the centre has12 teachers and 82 children ranging from ages 2 to 36 years.

SUN FLOWER TRAININGCENTRE SINCE 2009

In March 2009, OETU (OpenEmployment Training Unit) in partnership with Somerset Hotel to giveopportunities to all Intellectually Disabled Young adults from the age of 15 tobe trained and be employed after 3 years of training.

This program is to helpthese “special needs” young adults to be employed and earned their own livingindependently. Sun Flower Centre had proved their records in sending three of“special needs” young adults to Macdonald and had been working for 11 years,one with Kentucky Fried Chicken working for 12 years and one with Coffee beanworking for 2 years. So far, they had been doing quite well with regular updateson their performances with Sun Flower Centre. To-date they have 4 adultsemployed in the Laundry business.

SOMERSET HOTEL is thefirst hotel in Miri who has kindly provides their facilities and staffs totrain students from Sunflower Centre to become bellboys, chambermaids, roomboys, office cleaning and kitchen helpers.

Today, the centre isproud to have 6 children engaged outside and 10 employed within the centre.

With supports from thepublic or private sectors, it will give an added value and motivation for SunFlower Centre to work hard to train these special kids/young adults to becomeuseful citizens of Malaysia.

“You can help them byemploying them!”

For more information,please contact Sun Flower Center at 085-425421 or email to mrcsfc@streamyx.com

Jennie Soh

Freelance Writer

Updated : February 08,2012

Published on New SarawakTribune, February 10, 2012

(712 words)

WHY VALENTINE ?

2012-02-13T22:46:00.000-08:00

WhenI was asked by a friend, “What is your programme for Valentine Day?” I said, “Nothing!Eat porridge!” “WHAT?” “Well, what do I do when I am being married to an veryunromantic man who does not believe in VALENTINE? I asked him whether he knowswhat day is to day? He didn’t even look at me and said, “Don’t know” End ofconversation. So, what do he expect from me.?” We have porridge tonight withsalted fish.

Doingmy research on VALENTINE, I just to start with the beginning note that everyonehas a choice to believe and spend for their loved ones.

Introduction

14th February is widely celebrated as aValentine Day for couples especially among the young people. I was curious whyit is being celebrated and why flowers, bears and chocolates are among theitems presented.

This is my research, there are four theoriesto the history and origins of Valentine’s Day.

Background

Valentine's Day originated hundreds of yearsago, in India, in the state of Gujarat !!! Gujarati men, specially the Patelsare well know in mistreating and showing no respect to their wives. One day onthe 14th February, one brave patelianis female who got so fed up under thetorture of her husband beat him up with a Velan (rolling pin to makechapattis).

This was a momentous occasion for allGujarati women and a revolt soon spread, like wild fire, with thousands ofhousewives beating up their husbands with the Velan. There was an outburst ofmoaning "chapatti-ed" husbands all over Anand and Amdavad.

The Patel men-folk quickly learnt their lessonand started to behave more respectfully with their Patelanis.

Thereafter, on 14th February every year, thewomenfolk of Gujarat would beat up their husbands, to commemorate that eventfulday - the wives having the satisfaction of beating up their husbands with theVelan and the men having the supreme joy of submitting to the will of the womenthey loved.
Soon The Gujju men realized that in order toavoid this ordeal they need to present gifts to their wives.... they broughtflowers and sweets. This is how the tradition - Velan time - began.
As Gujarat fell under the influence of Westernculture, the ritual soon spread to Britain and many other Western countries,specifically, the catch words 'Velan time' !!! In course of time, their foreigntongues, this got anglicized to 'Velantime' and then to 'Valentine'. Andthereafter, 14th of February, came to be known as Valentine's Day and now youknow the true story of Valentine's day.

1st theory

During the days of the romans, a roman priestnamed Valentine was appointed to perform marriages for young lovers. Howevermarriage was seen as a problem for the state and for the army and marriage foryoung men was outlawed. Valentine was then imprisoned and while in jail , hefell in love with the jailor’s daughter. He would send her notes in prison andsigned them “From your Valentine.”

2nd theory

In another story, the jailor’s daughter wasblind. Valentine who was a preist restored her sight. Valentine’s Day wascelebrated to commemorate of his death of Saint Valentine when he was made asaint before he died.

3rd theory

Valentine was known to be a Christian who hadmade friends with many Roman especially among the children. He was imprisonedby the Romans for refusing to worship their Gods and the children would thrownotes to him in his jail cell which explained why people exchange messages onValentine’s Day. Pope Gelasius declared 14 St. Valentine’s Day around 498 AD.

4ththeory

Valentine’s Day is celebrated as the Christiananswer to the Lupercalia Festival which happened around the middle of February.The day was dedicated to four Gods, Faunus, the Roman God of Agriculture ,Juno,the goddess of women and marriage, Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome whowere said to have been take care by a she-wolf. The Lupercalia festival was celebratedin honorof Lupercus, the hunter of wolves involved in fertility rituals andritual of drawing names out of a container to determine “romantic”couplings.Valentine’s Day was chosen to offer an exciting alternative for Christians whowere lured in by all the goat and dog sacrifices.

Mytheory

“Be my valentine” is a popular message sendamong love ones. Most romantic couples would choose 14th Feb to get marry as anauspicious day for romance.

How do I feel? I have no idea. It’s all aboutwilling spend money on flowers, bears or chocolates for your love ones. I havenever received one in my whole entire life except of course on my wedding day andI don’t have the opportunity to feel anything for anyone. I don’t believe inLove or Valentine because it’s a short term experience. I see many marriedcouples do not bother all these because they are too busy with their own stuff.BUSY is the key word.

But since every one including my mother (79years old) knows that Valentine is a day for love and romance, I will honourthat celebration to tell my mum that she is my valentine because I love her.So, I associate Valentine Day is a day to say words like “Happy Valentine Day,I like you so you can be my Valentine.”

I once received flowers from “A secretadmirer” and I was top of the world that I have been admired. My daughter keptme happy for one year without telling me when she was in Taiwan

I am a romantic person…I would of course feelgreat if an admirer would give me a rose or a bear or something to appreciate“me”.

Whatother says

I asked three people, a family member, mysister and a good friend? This is what they say : -

Myhusband – Msim

His name is “Ah Chai” which means“prosperity”. “Don’t know. People just want to take opportunity to makebusiness.” And he goes on to Bla2…… for 10 minutes on the topic of a waste ofmoney to buy a rose that cost RM 12.

MySister – Rsoh

Married for over 20 years. What flowers ? Notneed to pick flowers from the roadside to give me is okay. But just don’t nagat me about the prices of flowers and what people wants to do on Valentine’sDay and bla2 for 20 minutes on son and daughter on their expenditure onvalentine gifts .

Myfriend – AC

My husband’s nick name is “Ah Gu” …. What doyou think he knows about Valentine?

Why Muslimsdo not believe in Valentine?

This question may be answered in several ways:

1- In Islam, the festivals are clearly defined andwell established, and no additions or subtractions may be accepted. They are anessential part of our worship and there is no room for personal opinion.

Festivals are the most distinctive things by which religions are toldapart, so whoever celebrates their festivals is agreeing with the mostdistinctive rituals of disbelief. Undoubtedly, going along with them in theirfestivals may, in some cases, lead to disbelief. Dabbling in these things, atthe very least, is a sin. The Prophet referred to the fact that every nation has its own festivals whenhe said: "Every nation has its own ‘Eed and this is our‘Eed." [Al-Bukhaari]

Because Valentine's Day goes back to Roman times, not Islamic times, this meansthat it is something which belongs exclusively to the Christians, not to Islam,and the Muslims have no share and no part in it. If every nation has its ownfestivals, as the Prophet said: "Every nation has its ‘Eed" [Al-Bukhaariand Muslim] - then this means that every nation should be distinguished by itsfestivals.

If the Christians have a festival and the Jews have a festival, which belongsexclusively to them, then no Muslim should join in with them, just as he doesnot share their religion or their direction of prayer.

2- Celebrating Valentine's Day means resembling or imitating the pagan Romans,then the Christian People of the Book in their imitation of the Romans insomething that was not part of their religion. If it is not allowed to imitatethe Christians in things that really are part of their religion - but not partof our religion - then how about things which they have innovated in theirreligion in imitation of idol-worshippers?

http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/index.php?id=142698&page=articles

Malaysian Muslims warned not to celebrateValentine’s Day

Every year, just daysbefore Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Malaysia and other parts of the world,Muslim authorities forewarn Malaysian Muslims to refrain from commemorating theministry of St. Valentine.

MalaysianMuslim clerics argue that Valentine’s Day was first and foremost, a Christiancelebration and secondly, a day of promiscuity and when immoral activities arerampant.

Inthe text of a Friday prayer sermon provided by the Department of IslamicDevelopment of Malaysia entitled “Beware of the Valentine trap”, it said it iswrong for a Muslim to ask someone to be his or her “Valentine” as it is an actagainst the Islamic faith and would invoke the wrath of Allah SWT.

Inanother sermon prepared by the Federal Territory Islamic Department, it claimedthat February 14 was celebrated to commemorate the victory of the Christian governmentin an offensive against the Muslim government in Cordoba, Andalusia, which ismodern-day Spain.

“Therefore,is it right for Muslims to celebrate the fall of Islam at the hands ofChristians? Should we worship and celebrate the arrogant declaration of aChristian priest?” the sermon was quoted as saying by The Malaysian Insider.

Daysbefore Valentine’s Day, the youth deputy chief of the Islamic opposition partyPAS, Nik Abduh Nik Aziz, had called on the government to place an advertisementon the television to create awareness that it was against the Islamic syariatto celebrate February 14.

Theanti-Valentine’s Day campaign had also turned political when a member ofParliament from the ruling governmental party commented that PAS had no rightto impose its values on others.

Accordingto The Star, MCA Youth Chief Wee Ka Siong said: “This is ademocratic multi-racial country. We can’t stop people from celebrating whateverevent they wish to celebrate.”

Anotherpolitical party youth chief, Tan Keng Liang, challenged opposition leader,Anwar Ibrahim, to check the PAS Youth for creating an issue out of Valentine’sDay. “Anwar should take action if he wants to show Pakatan Rakyat embracesmoderation,” he was quoted as saying.

Nevertheless,in Kelantan, a northen state of Peninsular Malaysia where PAS is the stategovernment, its ruler seems to have taken a more inclusive stance. PAS MentriBesar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the government intends to turn Valentine’sDay into Couple’s Day.

Hesaid this would be more appropriate as it is in line with Islamic teachings andwould strengthen the family institution.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/75797/malaysian-muslims-warned-not-to-celebrate-valentines-day/

Freedom of Choice

Being in a democratic country. Everyone should be given a choiceregardless of race or religion.

Conclusion

Yes, I do agreed. It’s commercial andopportunity to make money, but I think it’s one way to upgrade the economydownturn by spending on others.

Flowers, bears, chocolates, digital smses,facebooks, radios are jammed with VALENTINE’S messages.

Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowestof growths. No man or - woman really - knows what perfect love is until theyhave been married a quarter of a century.
- Mark Twain

Love conquers all things except poverty andtoothache.
-Mae West

HAPPY VALENTINE DAY
14TH FEBRUARY 2012

BY JENNIE SOH
DATE WRITTEN : 14th February 2009

Family Photos

2012-02-08T09:03:00.000-08:00

Back in the olden days, my father had always been very particular tohave our family photos each New Year. We would dress our best in new clothing’sand had our photo taken in the photo studio.

Grandma (Father's side) is very particular about taking Family Photo during Chinese New Year. After she died at the aged of 96, she made my father to follow this tradition. My father promised her and make it compulsory to have Family Photo Session every Chinese New Year. When he died at the age of 57 years old, he made me promised him to continue this Family Photo Session. Being the eldest in the family, I did try my best, but it is difficult to get everyone to come home for a FAMILY PHOTO SESSION.

Only happy occasion like weddings, birthdays or sad occasion when a family member passed away may gather a family together.

This year, 2012, we missed our youngest brother, Tommy Soh Boon Boon, his wife, Sheila Bong and his children, Avery, Abigail and Addison.

However, at least we managed to get 80% which makes mother very happy. We had addition of my adopted brother (Guy) and sister (Chris) from Belgium to join us for this happy occasion.

Families are important. Happy or Sad, we are there for each other. Conflicts can be a challenge but we are still a FAMILY.

2012-02-08T08:21:00.000-08:00

· Introduction of Chinese New Year
· Chinese New Year Origin Legends
· The Chinese Zodiac
· Year 2012 – Year of the Dragon
· Observing Dongzhi Spring Festival before Chinese New Year
· Chinese New YearSuperstitions
· House Cleaning
· Ancestralworship
· FamilyReunion Dinner
· Hongbao(Money in Red packets)
· Firecrackers
· Lion Dance
· Greeting Cards
· Wearing new clothing- Red and Bright
· Chinese New YearDecorations
· Chinese New YearSpeciality – Yee Sang
· Chinese New Yearseasonal cake
· Chinese New Year in Kuching
· Chinese New Year in Miri
· Chinese New Year’sBusiness Trend
· Chinese NewYear Family Photos
· The fifteen Days of Chinese New Year

The fifteen Days of Chinese New Year

2012-02-08T01:22:00.000-08:00

FirstDay (Hokkien : Chay Et)

On First Day ofChinese New Year, most families would stay at home and pay respect to the oldermembers of the family. Hongbao (red envelopes) would be given to the youngermembers of the family. Many dishes with auspicious meanings are prepared in themorning and would bace taken to the ancestral graves where homage is paid tothe family’s deceased. Food is offered, incense is burned and firecrackers arelit at each gravesite. The family would then return and eat the food that wasoffered to the ancestors and believed to have blessing if food offered wereconsumed.

SecondDay (Hokkien : Chay Zee)

On the second day ofthe Chinese New Year, family members would visit the wife’s family.Traditionally in China, married women rarely visit their family and this is anopportunity once a year to see their family. On this day, people are especiallynice to dogs because the second day of Chinese New Year is the birthday of alldogs.

ThirdDay (Hokkien : Chay Sar) and Fourth Day (Hokkien: Chay See)

Usually on the thirdand fourth day , families try to refrain from visiting each other due to thereason that on these two days it is extremely easy to get into arguments.

Fifth Day (Hokkien :Chay Gor)

The fifth day of theChinese New Year is considered to be the birthday of the God of Wealth. Mostpeople who are in the business would go to the temples to pray for goodfinancial year. Most businesse will reopen on the fifth day in the hopes oflarge profits in the year ahead believing that the God of Wealth would visitthe shops.

SixthDay (Hokkien: Chay Luck)

On the sixth day ofthe Chinese New Year, people visit family, friends and go to the temple and itis another day to spend time with close family members.

Seventh Day (Hokkien: Chay Chit)

Seventh Day of theChinese New Year is considered Renri which means “Human Day”, a day consideredto be the birthday of all human beings and on this day, everyone are considereda year older. This day, special foods are prepared which have symbolic meaningsor can enhance people’s health. Most people only eat vegetarian food on thatday.

Eight Day (Hokkien : Chay Pek) and Nineth Day (Hokkien: ChayKau)

On the eighth day ofthe Chinese New Year , most families have a second family reunion feast whichis compulsory for all family members. At midnight, people would go to thetemple and pray to the Jade Emperor, the ruler of heaven, which was consideredhis birthday.

Tenth to the Twelfth Day Tenth Day

People would spendtime feasting with family and friends.

Thirteenth Day

Vegeterian day tomake up for the previous three days of feasting.

Fourteen Day

Preparing for theLantern Festival Day which is the next day.

Fifteen Day (Chap Goh Mei)

The fifteen and finalday of the Chinese New Year is known as Lantern Festival. This is also one ofthe most important day for all family members to get together for the last mealto mark the end of Chinese New Year. Homes would be decorated with beautifullanterns and some cities would have parades with lion dance or dragon dance. Onthis day Tangyuan (candy soup) made of glutinous rice cooked in sugary waterare prepared to be eaten for good blessing. Candles are lit outside of homes toguide spirits on their way home. Full moon is usually sighted on that night.

In ancient times, the lanterns were fairly simple, for only the emperor and noblemen had large ornate ones; in modern times, lanterns havebeen embellished with many complex designs. For example, lanterns are now oftenmade in shapes of animals.

In some region and countries, this festival is also regarded asthe Chinese version of St. Valentine's Day, a day celebrating love and affection between lovers in Chinesetradition and culture.

The first month of the Chinese calendar is called yuan month, and in ancient times peoplecalled night xiao;therefore, the day is called Yuan Xiao Festival in China and Taiwan

Originlegends

Thereare different beliefs about the origin of the Lantern Festival and had a lot todo with cultivating positive relationships between people, nature and higherbeings that were believed to be responsible for bringing or returning the lighteach year. Red lanterns are often seen during the festivities in China.

Onelegend tells us that Taiyi, God of Heaven in ancient times controlled thedestiny of the human world. He had sixteen dragons at his back and had power tocontrol the weather. Beginning with Qinshihuang, the first emperor of China, afterwhom China is named, all the emperors ordered splendid ceremonies each year.The emperor would ask Taiyi to bring favorable weather and good health to himand his people. Wudi of the Han Dynasty directed special attentionto this event. In 104 BCE, he proclaimed it to be one of the most importantcelebrations and the ceremony would last throughout the night.

Anotherlegend associates the Lantern Festival with Taoism. Tianguan is the Taoist god responsible for goodfortune. His birthday falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Itis said that Tianguan likes all types of entertainment, so followers preparevarious kinds of activities during which they pray for good fortune.

Another legend associates the Lantern Festival with an ancientwarrior name Lan Moon, who led a rebellion against the tyrannical king inancient China. He was killed in the storming of the city and the successfulrebels commemorated the festival in his name.

Yetanother common legend dealing with the origins of the Lantern Festival speaksof a beautiful crane that flew down to earth from heaven. After it landed onearth it was hunted and killed by some villagers. This angered the Jade Emperor in Heaven because the crane was his favorite one. Therefore, heplanned a storm of fire to destroy the village on the fifteenth lunar day. TheJade Emperor's daughter warned the inhabitants of her father’s plan to destroytheir village. The village was in turmoil because nobody knew how they couldescape their imminent destruction. However, a wise man from another villagesuggested that every family should hang red lanterns around their houses, set upbonfires on the streets, and explode firecrackers on the fourteenth, fifteenth,and sixteenth lunar days. This would give the village the appearance of beingon fire to the Jade Emperor. On the fifteenth lunar day, troops sent down fromheaven whose mission was to destroy the village saw that the village wasalready ablaze, and returned to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor.Satisfied, the Jade Emperor decided not to burn down the village. From that dayon, people celebrate the anniversary on the fifteenth lunar day every year bycarrying lanterns on the streets and exploding firecrackers and fireworks.

Anotherlegend about the origins of Lantern Festival involves a maid named Yuan-Xiao.In the Han Dynasty, Mr. Eastern was afavorite adviser of the emperor. One winter day, he went to the garden andheard a little girl crying and getting ready to jump into a well to commitsuicide. Mr. Eastern stopped her and asked why. She said she was Yuan-Xiao, amaid in the emperor's palace and that she never had a chance to see her familysince she started working there. If she could not have the chance to show her filial piety in this life, she would rather die. Mr. Eastern promised to find away to reunite her with her family. Mr. Eastern left the palace and set up afortune-telling stall on the street. Due to his reputation, many people askedfor their fortunes to be told but every one got the same prediction - acalamitous fire on the fifteenth lunar day. The rumour spread quickly.

Everyonewas worried about the future and asked Mr. Eastern for help. Mr. Eastern saidthat on the thirteenth lunar day, the God of Fire would send a fairy in redriding a black horse to burn down the city. When people saw the fairy theyshould ask for her mercy. On that day, Yuan-Xiao pretended to be the red fairy.When people asked for her help, she said that she had a copy of a decree fromthe God of Fire that should be taken to the emperor. After she left, peoplewent to the palace to show the emperor the decree which stated that the capitalcity would burn down on the fifteenth. The emperor asked Mr. Eastern foradvice. Mr. Eastern said that the God of Fire liked to eat tangyuan (sweetdumplings). Yuan-Xiao should cook tangyuan on the fifteenth lunar day and theemperor should order every house to prepare tangyuan to worship the God of Fire at the sametime. Also, every house in the city should hang red lantern and explode firecrackers. Lastly, everyone in the palace and people outside the city shouldcarry their lanterns on the street to watch the lantern decorations andfireworks. The Jade Emperor would be deceived and everyone would avoid thedisastrous fire.

Theemperor happily followed the plan. Lanterns were everywhere in the capital cityon the night of the fifteenth lunar day. People were walking on the street.Fire crackers kept making lots of noise. It looked like the entire city was onfire. Yuan-Xiao's parents went into the palace to watch the lantern decorationsand were reunited with their daughter. The emperor decreed that people shoulddo the same thing every year. Since Yuan-Xiao cooked the best tangyuan, people called the dayYuan-Xiao Festival.

Conclusion Note

Celebrating Chinese New Year is regardedas a duty for every Chinese, where culture is of chief concern, no matter ifone is poor or rich. There are some who choose to just go for a holiday insteadof celebrating at home, but most people feel that Chinese New Year is of greatimportance to the family as it is a time where everyone gathers together incelebration of that special and auspicious day.

Chinese New Year Visiting

2012-02-08T00:16:00.000-08:00

Visiting is the main activity during ChineseNew Year and it signifies the arrival of spring, heralding in of a newbeginning and all things are expected to be good and prosperous. The focus ofthe New Year is visitations to family members and relatives. Since then, manyChinese took opportunity to invite friends and colleagues and the concept of“open house” became popular in Sarawak.

Recalling my childhood days, on the first dayof Chinese New Year, the first house we should visit is our grandparents. Allof us will be wearing something bright and red and we were all every excitedbecause we expect to receive hong bao from our grandparents, an opportunity totaste homemade cookies.

Chinese New Year in Kuching

Going home for Chinese New Year in Kuching isvery meaningful to me as this is the only occasion to get the family togetherand visiting relatives and friends.In the olden days, on the first day ofChinese New Year, children, both single and married should call on theirgrandparents and parents first. On the second day, each family then goes tovisit the wife’s family. The visiting families will bring fruits and otherthings for their in-laws. Thesetraditions are still practised but instead of gifts, hongbao and oranges arebrought along on the visit. And following the trend of having an open houseevery festive celebration, food is also catered to offer to visiting friends.Some even have their food prepared by halal caterers to be served to Muslimvisitors who come over on Chinese New Year.

Chinese New Year in Miri

InMiri, Chinese New Year bazaar was organized by Miri City Council and the MiriChinese Chambers Association before Chinese New Year. The bazaar attracted amulti-races of vendors and shoppers selling and buying. You can almost buyanything from food to clothing and certainly the highlight of Miri.Performances of dancing and singing and lion dance also brighten the city’sChinese New Year’s mood.

ChineseNew Year Visiting are also very popular here in Miri.

Chinese New Year’sBusiness Trend

Inthe olden days, most shops and eating outletswould close for at least a week duringChinese New Year. Therefore , food were stocked up to last for at least a week.Today, supermarkets stay open on the first day of Chinese New Year, just likeany other day, and some eating outlets are also open, with a select few takingthe opportunity to double the prices of the food they have on offer. Therefore,today, people are not worried about running out of food supply during thefestive period.

Chinese New Year seasonal cake

2012-02-07T23:38:00.000-08:00

Nin gao, or sticky rice cakes, are aChinese New Year tradition. Nin means year, and gao means cake. Legend has itthat the more the cakes rise, the better the new year will be.

The Nin gao has a legend why these sticky rice cakes are onlyavailable during Chinese New Year. According to legend, one week before theSpring Festival begins, the Kitchen God returns to heaven to report on afamily's behavior during the previous year. A negative report by the KitchenGod means a family will suffer from bad luck during the year to come.

In The Kitchen's God Wife, Amy Tan describes thelegend of how the Kitchen God came to exist. Basically, a beggar named Zhangleaped into a fireplace to escape being seen by his former wife. Hisembarrassment came not from his reduced circumstances, but from the way he hadmistreated her. His wife tried vainly to put out the fire, but was ultimatelyforced to watch her former husband's ashes fly up the chimney. Upon hearing thestory, the Jade Emperor decided to reward the man for admitting to hiswrongdoings by making him Kitchen God, charged with watching over everyone'sbehavior.

Not surprisingly givenhis important task, images of the Kitchen God portray him as a rather imposingfigure. The narrator in TheKitchen God's Wife describes one given to her by her mother: "The manis rather large and is seated in regal splendour, holding a quill in one hand,a tablet in the other. He has two long whiskers, shaped like smooth, taperedblack whips."

Feeding Sticky Cake to theKitchen God

In order to ensure a favourablereport from the Kitchen God, the custom evolved of feeding him Sticky Cake.According to different accounts this was either a bribe, or simply a means ofensuring the Kitchen God's mouth was too full of cake to pass on an unfavourablereport. Sticky Cake is steamed (as are most Chinese cakes) and made withglutinous rice flour and dried fruit. Traditionally, Sticky Cake is made withpeen tong a traditional Chinese brown candy that is available at Asian markets(the glutinous rice flour can also be found at Asian markets). The recipe belowcan be made with either peen tong or brown sugar.

Sticky Cake Recipe
3 1/4 cups (1 400 gram bag) glutinous rice flour
2/3 cup brown sugar or 2 slabs (about 5 ounces) Chinese brown candy(pian tangin Mandarin; peen tong in Cantonese)
7 ounces boiling water

1/2 cup Chinesedates, softened in water, cut in half, pits removed, or 1/2 cup other driedfruit or 1/4 cup dates and 1/4 cup nuts
1 tablespoon milk
Water, as needed
1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or nonstick cooking spray

Directions:
1. Prepare the wok for steaming.
2. In a bowl, mix the boiling water and the sugar, stirring to dissolve. (Ifusing peen tong, break the candy into several pieces, so that it will dissolvemore easily in the boiling water). Cool. Soak the Chinese dates in hot waterfor at least 30 minutes to soften. (You can also soften them quickly by placingthem in a bowl with water and microwaving on high heat for 30 seconds). Cut thedates in half and remove the pits.
3. Place the glutinous rice flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the middleand stir in the sugar and water mixture. Add the milk and begin shaping thedough. Add 1 tablespoon of water to the dough at a time, until you have asmooth dough with a satiny texture. Incorporate 1/2 - 3/4 of the Chinese dates,nuts or other dried fruit as you are adding water and working with the dough.
4. Grease a 7-inch square cake pan with vegetable oil or a non-stick cookingspray. Place the dough in the cake pan and spread it out to the edges. Decoratewith the remaining dates, lightly pushing them into the dough. Sprinkle thesesame seeds on top.
5. Steam the cake over medium-high to high heat for 45 minutes, or until theedges of the cake pull away from the pan. Remove the cake from the heat andcool.
6. Use a knife to loosen the edges, then remove the cake. Wrap in wax paper andrefrigerate overnight.
7. To serve: Cut the cake into quarters, and then into thin slices 2 – 3 incheslong and 1/4-inch wide. You can serve the cake as is, or reheat it in themicrowave (the amount of time will depend on the size and power of yourmicrowave – start with 10 seconds and then microwave an extra 5 seconds ifneeded) or re-steam it for 4 – 5 minutes.
You can also pan-fry the cake, dipping the cake slices in an egg wash beforefrying. Use a small amount of oil so that the cake will not taste oily. Heatthe oil on medium-high to high heat, then turn the heat down to medium andbrown the cake slices briefly on both sides.

Chinese New Year Speciality – Yee Sang

2012-02-07T23:29:00.000-08:00

PWPM (Persertuan Wanita PetroleumMiri), commonly known as the Hornbill Ladies Group from Piasau held a ChineseNew Year Open House. Tossing of Yee Sangwas one of the highlight. Prepared by Rosie, seven items of greens with specialsauce was presented. The tradition belief and meanings was explained by DatinJudy Morshidi.

The LegendBehind Yee Sang

According to Chinese legend, the goddess Nu Wa spent six dayscreating animals out of mud, while on the seventh she created humanity.

RenRi, the Day of Humankind, is correspondingly celebrated on the seventh day ofChinese New Year. To celebrate this day, the Chinese enjoy a special dishcomprising seven symbolic delicacies which we know as Yee Sang.

WhenYee Sang is eaten, the ritual is to toss the mixed ingredients high in the airwith a shout of "Loh Hey" which literally means to ‘move upwards’. Itis symbolic of the wish for our fortunes to rise and expand during theforthcoming year.

Yee Sang, ASymbol of Prosperity

Incelebration of the Chinese lunar calendar’s most important festival, ChineseNew Year, numerous dishes from different origins are savoured. Yee Sang is onesuch traditional dish. It is symbolic of good luck, prosperity, health and allthings auspicious. The nationalists from different countries had the chance totoss the “Yee Sang”.

Yee Sang comprises thin slices of pickled vegetables and otheringredients which are mixed together thoroughly when the dish is eaten. Thetaste of the dish is enhanced by its special sauce which imparts a distinctiveflavour.

The popular custom is for all round the dining table to toss theingredients high in the air with joyful exclamations of "Loh Hey"(toss high). The significance of the tossing is to wish for abundant luck andhappiness for all. The enjoyment of Yee Sang during Chinese New Year is anage-old custom steeped in ancient tradition and culture.

Spat over the causeway: Fight over yee sangownership

PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA

Monday, January 30, 2012

Origins traced back from Canton

The colourful shreds of pickles with a few slices of raw fish meatdrenched in a concoction of sweetened sauces on a big round plate makes aperfect start for many a Chinese New Year feast.

A Cantonese custom, yee sang used to be taken only on the seventh day of theChinese New Year, or Ren Ri, the common man's birthday.

It was said that this auspicious dish was brought into Malaya during the 1940sor 1950s, and later started to gain popularity in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka.

Despite its origins in Canton, yee sang has been given the polishing touch byChinese Malaysians, making it very much different from its original version inChina, including the ingredients and how the food is served.

Today, the Malaysian yee sang comes with a score of accompaniments, and somefamilies even make yee sang the introductory dish for their reunion dinners.

In addition, auspicious phrases are also shouted with enthusiasm when dinerslou sang (stir the mixture of shredded vegetables, raw fish in sweet condimentswith chopsticks), unlike in the olden days when the mixture was lightly stirredand quietly enjoyed.

The Malaysian government put yee sang into the list of national culturalheritage under the category of national cultural cuisine back in 2009, alongwith moon cake, Penang fried koay tiaw and yong tau fu.

Other local delicacies that have also made it to the list include nasi lemak,glutinous rice, rendang chicken, ikan bakar, satay, teh tarik, otak otak, roticanai, cendol and goreng pisang.

Patenting of foods irrelevant

Former Bar Council Chairman Yeo Yang Poh said he was amused by Singapore's actof applying for food patent. He said there was nothing like food patentingalthough food vendors could apply for copyrights of their brands when sellingthe food.

Ou said yee sang had its origins in the Teochew area of China, and the food canbe served whenever there is a family gathering, not necessarily during festiveseasons.

"Basically our yee sang is completely different from what is served inChina in terms of ingredients. The most common ingredients here include rawfish, shredded lettuce, celery, carrot, ginger and groundnuts."

Local writer cum Guang Ming Daily columnist Mei Shu Zhen was shocked bySingapore's intention of applying for yee sang patent.

"If anyone were to be qualified to apply for the yee sang culture, it mustbe the Japanese, as they started consuming raw fish centuries ago."

"As for the Chinese, raw fish is mainly consumed by the Cantonese and HongKongers in the form of raw fish porridge. So, step aside, Singaporeans!"

"Besides, the words lou sang are Cantonese, whereas the majority of SingaporeChinese are Hokkien."

"If this dish indeed was invented in Singapore, it should have been calleda different name!"

Long history

Oversea Restaurant group managing director Yu Soo Chye told Guang Ming Dailythat yee sang had been in existence since the 1950s, long before Singapore wasseparated from Malaysia. After the separation, both Malaysia and Singapore haveactively promoted the lou sang culture and therefore it is more apt to call ita Southeast Asian Chinese culinary culture than Singapore cuisine.

He said principally the Chinese foods in both Malaysia and Singapore took theirorigins in Mainland China and are modified here over time. It is thereforewrong to say that they were invented locally.

Yu recalled the lou sang activities during colonial days: "The restaurantsserved yee sang only on the seventh day of the Chinese New Year back in thoseyears, and the ingredients were also much simpler than what we havetoday."

He said yee sang began to be served at the beginning of the Chinese New Yearcelebrations only since the late 1960s, and then extended to the 15th day ofChinese New Year only after late 1970s, as the ingredients also became more andmore diversified.

"It is up to experts to decide whether yee sang should be patented, but asa chef, the most important thing to me is to make the food as palatable aspossible to the public." Sin Chiew Daily/ANN

2012-02-01T09:04:00.000-08:00

Chinese New YearDecorations

Decorations come in very attractively withlittle lanterns, flowers (fake or real), golden and red colors of red packetsand zodiac animals from different years. Imports from China had make it moreeasier and affordable for all household.

Lanterns are used tolight up the festive season. a belief to keep away evil spirits.

2012-02-01T08:43:00.000-08:00

Wearing new clothing- Red and Bright

It is customary that red are preferably onthe first day of Chinese New Year. This tradition dates back thousands ofyears. According to the origin legend of the Chinese New Year’s Day, a monsternamed Nian used to come down from the mountains on New Year’s Day and devourlivestock and people. It was found that he was afraid of the color red andtried to avoid people wearing red clothing. Ever since then red on New Year’sDay will ensure that the wearer will have a bright and happy year.

It has also become a trend that duringChinese New Year, everyone should be wearing new clothing including under wear.When I was young, my mum used to make our dresses including underwear with leftover materials that make our panties very colourful. We had to be very carefulhow we sit with our legs together.

We would dress our best to have a familyphoto together at a studio. During my childhood days, it is a compulsory totake photo every year. My parents had six children and there is an addition tothe family photo each year.

2012-02-01T08:36:00.000-08:00

Greeting Cards

Chinese New Year Greeting cards were sent inthe form of a card which would be mailed early to allow ample time for it toarrive to the receiver before Chinese New Year. Today with modern technology,greeting cards are almost completely obsolete. With SMS messages via mobilephones and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, among otherthings, less and less people buy greeting cards to send out to their friends orfamily members living elsewhere. The internet service centres will be makingtons of money globally.

However, greeting cards are still popularamong the older generation. I still received from friends like Florence andLesley who felt greeting cards are more meaningful.

Lion Dance and Dragon Dance

2012-02-01T08:13:00.001-08:00

From the very beginning, Lion dance andDragon dance are linked to a popular legend about the monster Nian who lookedlike a combination of a dragon and a jilin, a Chinese unicorn. On the first andfifteen day of each month, Nian would come down from the mountains to huntpeople. The local people were terrified and had to keep themselves indoors onthe day of his arrival. In that village, lived an old wise man who advised themto subdue Nian by having a similar symbolic of n, Nian’s features. This isaccompanied by the beating gongs and drums to scare the monster off. And alas,the tactic worked and since then Lion and Dragon Dance performances have becomea tourist attraction on Chinese New Year.

Firecrackers

2012-02-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

Lighting up of firecrackers is an essentialpart of the Chinese New Year. This practice is believed to ward off evilspirits. According to legend, in ancient times, a monster called Nianterrorized a village, destroying the villagers ‘livestock and made their lives difficult.The locals were scared of loud noises during the attack. Till today thistradition is still maintained especially among the business men who have strongbelief that more noise means prosperity and good business.

Fire crackers are the final touch to theentire festive season. Although it is banned, without the sound of firecrackers, Chinese New Year would be incomplete. It is a time when ancientbeliefs are brought back into light and age old traditions are revamped andreintroduced so as to keep them alive. It holds great significance in the eyesof the locals and is deeply embedded in the Chinese culture with regards to thearrival of the New Year.

I have the chance to witness the bang offireworks lit by neighbours. Just before midnight all the family’s fireworksare taken outside and lit. It is like a warzone and it can goes on for hours. Mygood friend, Collette from France had to go away every Chinese New Year toavoid the deafening sound.

The only creatures that had to suffer are thepoor doggies. Wonder anyone invent doggie ear plugs for them.

Although it is a banned item, but how thesefire crackers came through is just a mystery (submarine items, in hokkiencommonly known as “Bee Chui”) but the business entrepreneurs are willing to paya price for a good luck “Big Bang”once a year.

Hongbao (Money in Red packets)

2012-02-01T08:07:00.000-08:00

Hongbao,or the little red envelopes with money are a hit with the children everyChinese New Year. Traditionally the amount put in the red packet are of evennumbers, or auspicious numbers like 6, 8 or 9. Hongbao are often given by theadults to children during Chinese New Year Eve or the first day of Chinese NewYear. Those who are still singles are also eligible to receive Hongbao. It isbelieve that if they receive the hongbao, they will get married soon.

Inthe olden days, mum told me that giving hongbao are usually done either on theeve of Chinese New Year or lst day of Chinese New Year. Children had to kneelbefore their parents and parents would bless them and give them hongbao.

Hongbaoare also popular during weddings or birthdays or any happy occasion like firstborn male in the family.

Chinese New Year Dishes

2012-02-01T07:49:00.000-08:00

Fish , Duck and Chicken and specialspring onion called “suan” are a must for the Chinese New Year meal. Redoranges and pomelo , sugar canes signifies luck, prosperity and longevity.

Yee Sang

The Legend Behind Yee Sang

According to Chinese legend, the goddess Nu Wa spent six dayscreating animals out of mud, while on the seventh she created humanity.

When Yee Sang is eaten, the ritual is to toss the mixedingredients high in the air with a shout of "Loh Hey" which literallymeans to ‘move upwards’. It is symbolic of the wish for our fortunes to riseand expand during the forthcoming year.

Yee Sang, A Symbol of Prosperity

In celebration of the Chinese lunar calendar’s most importantfestival, Chinese New Year, numerous dishes from different origins aresavoured. Yee Sang is one such traditional dish. It is symbolic of good luck,prosperity, health and all things auspicious.

Spat over the causeway: Fight over yee sangownership

PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA

Monday, January 30, 2012

Origins traced backfrom Canton

The colourful shreds of pickles with a few slices of raw fish meat drenched ina concoction of sweetened sauces on a big round plate makes a perfect start formany a Chinese New Year feast.

A Cantonese custom, yee sang used to be taken only on the seventh day of theChinese New Year, or Ren Ri, the common man's birthday.

It was said that this auspicious dish was brought into Malaya during the 1940sor 1950s, and later started to gain popularity in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka.

Despite its origins in Canton, yee sang has been given the polishing touch byChinese Malaysians, making it very much different from its original version inChina, including the ingredients and how the food is served.

Today, the Malaysian yee sang comes with a score of accompaniments, and somefamilies even make yee sang the introductory dish for their reunion dinners.

In addition, auspicious phrases are also shouted with enthusiasm when dinerslou sang (stir the mixture of shredded vegetables, raw fish in sweet condimentswith chopsticks), unlike in the olden days when the mixture was lightly stirredand quietly enjoyed.

The Malaysian government put yee sang into the list of national culturalheritage under the category of national cultural cuisine back in 2009, along withmoon cake, Penang fried koay tiaw and yong tau fu.

Other local delicacies that have also made it to the list include nasi lemak,glutinous rice, rendang chicken, ikan bakar, satay, teh tarik, otak otak, roticanai, cendol and goreng pisang.

Patenting of foods irrelevant

Former Bar Council Chairman Yeo Yang Poh said he was amused by Singapore's actof applying for food patent. He said there was nothing like food patentingalthough food vendors could apply for copyrights of their brands when sellingthe food.

Ou said yee sang had its origins in the Teochew area of China, and the food canbe served whenever there is a family gathering, not necessarily during festiveseasons.

"Basically our yee sang is completely different from what is served in Chinain terms of ingredients. The most common ingredients here include raw fish,shredded lettuce, celery, carrot, ginger and groundnuts."

Local writer cum Guang Ming Daily columnist Mei Shu Zhen was shocked bySingapore's intention of applying for yee sang patent.

"If anyone were to be qualified to apply for the yee sang culture, it mustbe the Japanese, as they started consuming raw fish centuries ago."

"As for the Chinese, raw fish is mainly consumed by the Cantonese and HongKongers in the form of raw fish porridge. So, step aside, Singaporeans!"

"Besides, the words lou sang are Cantonese, whereas the majority ofSingapore Chinese are Hokkien."

"If this dish indeed was invented in Singapore, it should have been calleda different name!"

Long history

Oversea Restaurant group managing director Yu Soo Chye told Guang Ming Dailythat yee sang had been in existence since the 1950s, long before Singapore wasseparated from Malaysia. After the separation, both Malaysia and Singapore haveactively promoted the lou sang culture and therefore it is more apt to call ita Southeast Asian Chinese culinary culture than Singapore cuisine.

He said principally the Chinese foods in both Malaysia and Singapore took theirorigins in Mainland China and are modified here over time. It is thereforewrong to say that they were invented locally.

Yu recalled the lou sang activities during colonial days: "The restaurantsserved yee sang only on the seventh day of the Chinese New Year back in thoseyears, and the ingredients were also much simpler than what we havetoday."

He said yee sang began to be served at the beginning of the Chinese New Yearcelebrations only since the late 1960s, and then extended to the 15th day ofChinese New Year only after late 1970s, as the ingredients also became more andmore diversified.

"It is up to experts to decide whether yee sang should be patented, but asa chef, the most important thing to me is to make the food as palatable aspossible to the public." Sin Chiew Daily/ANN

Family Reunion Dinner

2012-02-01T07:20:00.000-08:00

TheChinese New Year eve (Sa Chap Mei) is the most important occasion for everyfamily to hold a reunion dinner. It is regarded as compulsory for all membersof the family to return home to attend this reunion dinner together. In the olden days, each family would cometogether to cook but as the family got larger and because of space constrainteach family would contribute their home cooked meal to share. Hugh feast wouldinclude chicken, duck, Jiaozi (Chinese dumplings) and many special desserts.Chinese New delicacies are salted duck and pork sausages which are usuallyimported from China.

Thisyear, 2012, my sister and I came home for Chinese New Year and we shopped andcooked together. In the olden days, daughters in laws are expected to go hometo their in-laws to prepare and start cooking. Since our in-laws had passedaway, we gathered at my mother’s place to cook and have dinner. Mysister-in-law just come and eats, commented by my mother. I told mum moderntrend daughters-in-laws do not practiced this kind of trend anymore.

Familieswhether big or small, the eve of Chinese New Year are very important to theChinese celebrating. I will be going home to Kuching and have gathered allabroad to come home for this family reunion. Mother will be the happiest seeingevery children and grandchildren coming home for the big feast. All daughtersin laws are expected to have the feast with the in-laws first.

Today,some families still practise this culture to get together and have the feast athome but some families would eat out at restaurants to avoid the hustle ofhaving to cook and wash up. Restaurant is pre-booked ranging from pricesbetween RM 400 to RM 500 a table meal for ten persons depending on the menuinclusive of soft drinks and Chinese New Year entertainment. The trend ofcooking together as a family for the younger generation had disappeared alreadybut the tradition of having a dinner together is still widely practise tillthis day.

2012-02-01T06:54:00.000-08:00

Ancestral worship

Ancestralworship has been an important part of festivals since way back. The Chinesewould prepare food for offering as they pay their respects to their ancestors andpray for blessings. These traditions are still practised, but most Chinesewould take their offerings to the temple which is more convenient. So duringthe eve of Chinese New Year, the temples are often packed with people coming toworship their ancestors. Temples will be filled with giant joss sticks on theeve of Chinese New Year Eve.

Usuallyduring the first day of the Chinese New Year, many families would spend hourspreparing food and will take them to their ancestor’s graves. The offeringsinclude other stuff like cigarettes, alcohol and more luxurious items like tv,car, etc. Incense is burnt at the graveyard.

Duringmy grandma’s time, I still remember that all the daughters in laws had to cooka dish, buy paper money and joss sticks and they would all get together tooffer to the ancestors. Photos of our ancestors were hung on the walls and rowsof empty chairs are placed behind the big table with offerings from family.Given three or four hours, they would then take back the offered food back andburn the paper money. It is interesting to find that food offered weretasteless. Being superstitious, it was a belief that the spirits of theancestors had tasted the offered food, that is why the food is tasteless. Butit is quite logical that food being offered and exposed to the air too long,definitely the food is tasteless.

Forthe Christians, they would and placed flowers and candles on the graveyards toremember their love ones. Being away from home most of the time, my latebrother used to do that. We have to take over every time we come home.

House Cleaning

2012-01-31T09:59:00.000-08:00

Every year before Chinese New Year, annual House Cleaning begins earlyin the morning, all furniture in each family’s house will be cleanedthoroughly. The whole entire house will be scrubbed and this tradition’smotives are multifold to get ready for the Chinese New Year. Sweeping out thedust with brooms is the sign of chasing out bad spirits.

Back at home in Kuching, mum was most happy with hergrandchildren, Joanne and Jeremy and sons-in-laws, Jeffery and Matthew helpingout in the spring cleaning. With vaccum cleaners or magic mops makes the workeasier than in the older days when we had to use our bare hands to scrub thefloors.

Today, with most children away from home, house cleaning areoutsource to the cleaning services.

2012-01-31T09:46:00.000-08:00

Chinese New YearSuperstitions

Most traditional Chinese families are veryparticular to the superstitious that was handed down from generations togenerations that was still being observed.

· Itis believed that all debts should be settled before Chinese New Year, otherwisethey will be in debts all the time.

· Cryingshould be avoided at all costs on Chinese New Year to avoid misfortunes that can happened. Even childrenwho misbehaved, parents will not punished them to discouraged them from crying.

· Foullanguage or negative or unlucky words are forbidden to avoid bad luck. The wordmust be avoided as the word “four” in Chinese means “death”. Also,superstitious Chinese consider it is bad luck to purchase a pair of shoesduring Chinese New Year because “shoes” has the same pronunciation as the word,Ëvil”. Purchasing books is also considered unlucky because the word for“book”is pronounced the same word as “lose”. Talking about death, sickness orproblems should be avoided during Chinese New Year.

· Avoidgreetings in the bedroom, you can see the elderly or the sick will be moved tothe living room during Chinese New Year.

· Usingknives and scissors on Chinese New Year’s Day is bad luck believed using them will cut off the New Year’sfortune.

· Everyhouse before Chinese New Year should be cleaned for good luck to flow in andnot advisable for the first several days of the New Year to sweep away the goodluck.

There are many moreof Chinese New Year superstitious and many are no longer followed today. Some are still kept out of respect to connectthe past and the present which are important part of the family’s history.

YEAR 2012 – YEAR OF THE DRAGON

2012-01-31T09:12:00.000-08:00

2012 is Year of the Dragon and it will arrive on February 4, 2012.(Note: Chinese New Year Day is on January 23,2012. The first day of 2012 Chinese Astrology Year is on February 4,2012.)

According to Chinese FiveElement Astrology Calendar, 2012 is the Yearof Water, so I guess we allexperienced all the floods even before the year approaches us.

According to Chinese FiveElement Astrology Calendar, 2012 is the Yearof Water Dragon .The color of Water in Five Elements system is related to Black. Therefore 2012is a Black Water Dragon year.

Chinese Astrology is aBalance Theory of Five Elements. Each animal can be converted into FiveElements. Dragon contains Earth, Water and Wood. It's a source of Water and Itis also called the Water Dam in Chinese astrology. Since Water of 2012 comes with Dragon. it implied Waterfrom the sky makes a dam.

Dragon isa legendary animal and it is symbol of emperor in China. Since the Dragon iscoated with mysterious color, Chinese consider that the dragon isunpredictable, untouchable and people cannot see its head and tail at the sametime and therefore unexpected happenings may occurred in 2012.

Dragon: The dragon is the fifth of theChinese Zodiacs. A person born during the year of the dragon is known to bemagnanimous and stately, strong, self-assured, noble, dignified, and loyal.They can be arrogant, eccentric, over-bearing, bombastic, and brash.

People born in the Year ofthe Dragon enjoyed outdoor activities and they are extroverts who have deeplove for nature. They have fiery temperament or emotional eruptions but trueand sincere love can be expected. Dragon people are imaginative and veryproactive with their radical approach and very determine to succeed at oneattempt. They are hardworking and expected to be in charge with theirself-reliance resulting with better performance. They are big spenders andalways take big chances with their finances and they are straightforward andhave high integrity.

Observing DongzhiSpring Festival before Chinese New Year

Dongzhi commonly known asthe winter solstice usually occurrs twice a year before Chinese New Year. Lastyear, 2011, it was seven days to the New Year (2012) and it is an auspiciousoccasion to observe before entering into the Chinese New Year. When I wasyoung, mother used to ask us to help to prepare (tangyuan) , the red and whiterice balls which is made of rice flour and water, boiled in water with sugarand pandan leaves to give a flavour taste. It signifies unity and togethernessin the family. It was a fun activity among my brothers and sisters to competewith each other who makes the most balls. I was often scolded by mother forbeing clumsy and make a bigger ball. Mother is very particular about thestandard size of the rice ball; have to be smooth and round.

Taking “tang yuan” twice ayear is a practice observed by all Chinese. Therefore, we believed that our agewill be double. When I was young, I was not keen to take “tang yuan”because Ido not want my age to be double and wanted to stay sweet sixteen forever.

The Chinese Zodiac

2012-01-31T09:05:00.000-08:00

Chinese calendar is the mostaccurate and it rotates every year based on the Chinese Zodiac which isdifferent from the Western Zodiac. Each animal has its own character andpersonality.

Rat: The rat is the first of the ChineseZodiacs. A person born during the year of the rat is known to be disciplinedand systematic, charismatic and industrious, charming, sociable and shrewd.They can be vindictive, selfish, critical, ruthless, and over-ambitious.

Cow: The cow is the second of the ChineseZodiacs. A person born during the year of the Cow is known to be calm andpatient, hardworking, steady, logical, calm. They can be stubborn,materialistic, and demanding.

Tiger: The tiger is the third of theChinese Zodiacs. A person born during the year of the tiger is known to beunpredictable, powerful, daring, sincere, and generous. They can be restless,impatient, quick-tempered, and selfish.

Rabbit: The rabbit is the fourth of theChinese Zodiacs. A person born during the year of the rabbit is known to begracious and kind, sensitive and tender, self-assured, astute and flexible.They can be moody, superficial, self-indulgent, opportunistic, and lazy.

Dragon: The dragon is the fifth of theChinese Zodiacs. A person born during the year of the dragon is known to bemagnanimous and stately, strong, self-assured, noble, dignified, and loyal.They can be arrogant, eccentric, over-bearing, bombastic, and brash.

Snake: The snake is the sixth of the ChineseZodiacs. A person born during the year of the snake is known to be wise,graceful, creative, ambitious, elegant, and calm. They can be possessive,self-doubting, distrustful, mendacious, and a loner.

Horse: The horse is the seventh of theChinese Zodiacs. A person born during the year of the horse is known to becheerful, popular, quick-witted, perceptive, and intelligent. They can bestubborn, rude, gullible, fickle, and anxious.

Goat: The goat is the eighth of theChinese Zodiacs. A person born during the year of the goat is known to besincere, shy, artistic, gentle, compassionate, and determined. They can bemoody, indecisive, pessimistic, a worrier, and a complainer. (Not all are truebut some. I am not gentle and artistic)

Monkey: The monkey is the nineth of theChinese Zodiacs. A person born during the year of the monkey is known to bequick-witted, objective, intelligent, sociable, and a problem solver. They canbe egotistical, vain, deceptive, jealous, and suspicious.

Rooster: The rooster is the tenth of theChinese Zodiacs. A person born during the year of the rooster is known to beacute, alert, decisive, meticulous, practicle, and responsible. They can beegotistical, abrasive, opinionated, and critical.

Dog: The dog is the eleventh of theChinese Zodiacs. A person born during the year of the dog is known to be loyal,honest, intelligent, unpretentious, and affectionate. They can be cynical,stubborn, lazy, pessimistic, and a worrier.

Pig: The pig is the twelfth of the ChineseZodiacs. A person born during the year of the pig is known to be honest,sincere, patient, simple, and sociable. They can be naïve, fatalistic,self-indulgent, materialistic, and gullible.

The charactertics of most of the animals can bequite accurate. Traditional Chinese can be very particular on their childrengetting married based on the matching of their zodiac signs.

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2012

2012-01-31T08:55:00.000-08:00

Introduction of Chinese New Year

Like any other festivals, ChineseNew Year for the Chinese is also an important event, the busiest, noisiest andmost joyful festival of the year. Chinese New Year is a 15 day celebration that follows thelunar calendar related to the Chinese Zodiac based on a yearly cycle thatrepresents twelve different animals. According to Chinese tradition, it isbelieved that the animal each person is born under dictates their traits,happiness and success. The twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac are the Rat,Cow, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

Chinese New Year OriginLegends

There are many legends about itsorigin. These legends explain where the traditions of the NewYear's Decorationssuch as couplets, fireworks, clothing, and visiting relatives come from.

Legend One

Thousands of years ago there was amonster known as Nian, the Chinese word for "Year", who plaguedChina. He had a huge mouth filled with razor sharp teeth and a single horn onhis head and had a taste for human flesh. Most of the year he lived on thebottom of the ocean and in the evening on New Year's Eve he would climb up onthe shore and begin devouring people and livestock. Every New Year's Eve peoplewould flee their villages with their livestock and head to remote mountains toavoid being eaten. On New Year's Day they would climb back down and rebuild theirvillages which were inevitably destroyed by the fury of Nian when he couldn'tfind anything to eat.

On one New Year's Eve as the people ofa village named Peach Blossom Village where preparing to leave with theirlivestock an old beggar arrived in the village. In their rush to leave nobodytook notice of the old beggar as he went door to door looking for food andlodging. When he arrived at an old run down shack at the back of the village,the old woman living there gave the man some food and advised him to flee tothe mountains with her. The beggar refused and informed the old woman that ifshe allowed him to spend the night in her home he would take care of themonster. The old woman was taken aback because the monster was huge and wascapable of devouring thousands of people in a single evening. What was thislittle beggar going to do against such a powerful beast? She looked at the manwho was leaning on his stick and noticed that his eyes twinkled like stars andhis beard looked like silver and suspected that he was more than he appeared,yet she pressed him to flee, but he only smiled at her without replying.

Having no choice, she agreed to allowthe beggar to stay in her house. At midnight the monster Nian charged into thevillage and noticed things were different than normal. Normally the village wasdark and deserted, but this year at the back of the village a single house waslit up. Licking his chops, the monster charged towards the house smashinghouses as he went. As he approached the monster was taken aback because thehouse was not only brightly lit, but had red paper pasted on the doors. Themonster hesitated for a moment and let out a howl. He then charged the houseand just as he was about to smash through the main gate, explosions started goingoff all around him. The monster trembling all over dared not take another step.As it turns out the monster Nian was terrified of the color red, bright lightsand loud noises. In an instant the gate slammed open and the beggar in a redrobe burst out laughing at the monster. Nian was scared out of his wits andfled in terror.

The next day when the villagersreturned home, they noticed that only a few houses had been destroyed and thevillage for the most part had remained intact. They were quite surprised, whenthe old woman realized what had happened and told the villagers about the oldbeggar. The villagers rushed to the old woman's house only to find red paperpasted on the doors, the remains of firecrackers, and many candles, some ofwhich were still lit. The delighted villagers put on new clothing and went doorto door to check on their neighbors to make sure everyone was safe. The storysoon spread all over China and was the topic of discussion for months. Theyconcluded that the beggar must be an immortal sent from heaven to save thepeople.

The monster Nian was never seen againand every New Year's Eve since people have worn new red clothing, pasted couplets on their doors, lit firecrackers, and kept their houses lit all night.Early in the morning of the first day, they still go to visittheir friends andrelatives to wish them a happy New Year.

Legend Two

Another popular legend about the monsterNian tells about how he was born looking very ugly and ferocious. He lookedlike a combination of a dragon and a jilin, a Chinese unicorn. On the first andfifteenth day of each month Nian would come down from the mountains to huntpeople. The local population was terrified of him and would go home early andbar the doors and windows on the days of his arrival. In the village lived anold wise man. He thought that it was panic and fear that emboldened themonster. The old man hosted a town meeting and organized the villagers intogroups to try to subdue Nian. Some groups were in charge of beating gongs anddrums and other groups were in charge of lighting firecrackers in an attempt toscare the monster.

On a moonless and frigid night themonster appeared again as usual. The people lie in wait throughout the village.When Nian arrived the people burst forward making terrible noises, whichstartled and terrified the monster who ran. At every turn more people werelying in wait and would burst forward scaring him further. As he ran in terroraround the village the villagers continued making loud noises. Soon Nian wasexhausted by a combination of fear and running and collapsed. The villagersjumped upon him and killed him. The monster Nian lost his life due to thecombined effort of the villagers and one wise old man. This event happened onthe evening of the first lunar month and ever since people have celebrated bylighting fireworks and making loud noises at midnight.

The people took the monster's name, Nian,and used it to mean "year" so people would never forget the difficulttimes they went through. The Chinese name for the New Year's festival is"Guo Nian", which means the monster Nian passing over.

Legend Three

A Chinese New Year legend found in Lijiangis very different from the previous ones. They do not talk about the monsterNian, instead they talk about a Taoist Master and his student.

In ancient times there were twoTaoists, a master and his student. They had studied for many years and had attainedknowledge of all things. The teacher was dismayed with the state of thecountry. The people were poor and starving, while the government officials weregetting rich and fat off of corruption, so he decided to go to the capital toinstruct the emperor, and if he wouldn't change his ways, overthrow the emperoras a last resort. The master and his student lived very far from the capitaland had to make the journey on foot, which took a long time. The student wantedto pack many material things, but the master said that they only need to takethe clothes on their backs. Everything they would need they would find on theway. As they climbed down the mountain in which they lived, they passed a dirtyrag and the master asked the student to pick it up. The student didn't want totouch the dirty rag and did not see any reason to pick it up, so he refused.

The master picked up the rag and putit into his basket. After they had hiked for almost six weeks they passed apiece of rope, which the master asked his student to collect. Again, thestudent didn't see any reason to pick up the rope and didn't want to waste histime, so he refused. The master picked up the rope and put it into his basket.Weeks later they passed a cracked, lidless teapot lying on the side of thepath. The master asked his student to pick it up. The student got angry andshouted at his master. He said that he was planning to be an emperor, whyshould he lower himself to pick up garbage. The master picked up the teapothimself.

The next day a heavy rainstorm hit andthe teacher took the piece of rope and used it to tie the teapot high up in atree. The master then turned himself into a fly and flew up into the teapot toget out of the rain. The student didn't want to lower himself into becoming afly, so he turned himself into a rabbit, which was his zodiac sign. After mucheffort, the student turned rabbit, managed to climb up the tree and into theteapot, but because the teapot was too small and the student refused to turnhimself into a smaller animal, he hurt his feet. The rain poured for severaldays flooding the area they had been hiking in. Once the rain ceased and theflooding subsided the master and his student climbed out of the teapot and downto the ground. After being crammed into the small teapot for over a week thestudent could not walk, so the teacher bound his feet using the dirty rag thathe had picked up at the beginning of his journey.

After seeing the students conceit andlack of modesty the teacher knew that the student would not be a good emperorand feared what would happen if they had to make the current emperor abdicatehis throne, so he told the student that the journey was too hard for him andthey had better turn back. The student told the master that he was welcome togo back if he wanted, but he intended on becoming emperor. The master insistedthat he needed to go back and couldn't make the journey on his own, but thepower hungry student refused, so the master had little choice but to accompanythe student to the capital. Once they reached the capital the master met withthe emperor and attempted to instruct him in the error of his ways, but theemperor would not listen to the master's teachings because he wanted to havefun and continue living a debauched life.

The master had no choice but to removethe emperor from his throne. When he tried to take his place, his studentgrabbed the throne for himself. The master pleaded with his student saying thathe was not humble enough to be the emperor, but the student simply laughed athim and would not heed his warning. The master carried on him a special localgreen tea that had camellia blossoms in it and told the student that they wouldeach brew a pot of the tea and the one who had a flower in his teapot wouldbecome the emperor. The student agreed to the arrangement, and when the tea wasbrewed the student looked into his teapot and realized that there was no flowerin it, so he distracted the master and stole the flower from his teapot. Themaster, seeing that the camellia flower was in his student's teapot assumed itmust be fate, and relented. The student was crowned emperor and ruled.

After one year the country wasin worse shape than it had been under the former emperor's rule and the masterfeeling it was his fault wished to teach his former student how to rule. Thestudent just wanted to live a life of debauchery and was annoyed with hisminister's constant nagging, so he said that his master could become emperorfor fifteen days. The student had no intention of learning from his master, butinstead just wanted to be free to have fun. By the end of the master's fifteendays of rule the master managed to turn the whole country around. The peoplewere happy, they had food, and unemployment was at an all time low. The peoplecalled the fifteen days the "New Year", and ever since then the NewYear's festival was celebrated for fifteen days.

These are just a few of the hundredsof New Year's origin legends known in China. The true origins of the ChineseNew Year may be long forgotten, but it doesn't take away from the mostimportant Chinese festival. It is an amazing time of the year and one that isgreatly anticipated by the Chinese people.

SPICES - jenniesyk-spices

2012-01-31T08:42:00.000-08:00

SPICES - jenniesyk-spices: "Classic "

'via Blog this'

Celebrating Ponggal Festival in Miri - Jan 15, 2012

2012-01-15T18:52:00.000-08:00

What is Pongal ?

The Pongal is theonly festival of Hindu that follows a solar calendar and is celebrated on thefourteenth of January every year. During the Pongal festival, milk is boiled ina clay pot until it overflows. Then, rice, sugar, raisins and cashew nuts areadded inside. Pongal in Tamil means"boiling over or spill over." The boiling over of milk in the claypot symbolizes material abundance for the household. Pongal is celebrated atharvest time, is traditionally intended to thank the Sun God and farmsteadlivestock that helped create the material abundance.

Usually the four daysritual are observed. They celebrate the first day of pongal and the Thaipusam ,of which both festivals falls in January in the Tamil calendar month is Thai.The festival is confined only to the Tamil community of about 1,000 Hinduscomprising of civil servants, teachers, employees from Oil & Gas Companies,professionals like Doctors, Pilots and students from Curtin University. Since the community is small in number, thefestival is celebrated within the family to enhance unity and to rekindle lovefeelings. Pongal resembles new beginning, new life and reaching the new horizonand they have a special day for young girls dressed up in their best attire andgives opportunity for the male community to see and select their brides.

Ponggal Festival in Miri

Miri Hindu Society celebrated thePonggal festival on the 15 January 2012 ( Sunday ) at the Kamini Durga EaswariAmman worshiping place at the Raghavan Building which is situated at JalanBrooke, Miri. The prayers commenced at 9.00 am with cooking ponggal andperforming pooja for Goddess Durga. Around 70 devotees took part in thecelebration including 15 trainees from National Service ( PLKN ), Miri camp.

Mr. Selvaraj Grapragasem, Chairman of Miri HinduSociety said that the word ‘Ponggal’ literally means "boiling over"and is celebrated by Hindus to mark the harvesting of the bounteous cropsin the fields. Sweet rice, known as Ponggal, is cooked in a newearthenware pot at the same place where pooja is to be performed. Freshturmeric and ginger are tied around this pot. Then a delicious concoction ofrice, moong dal, jaggery and milk is boiled in the pot on an open fire.

This Ponggal, according to ritual, is allowed to boilover and spill out of the pot. Once the Ponggal is ready it is tempered withcashew nuts and raisins fried in ghee. Ponggal, once ready, is offered to SunGod first, on a new banana leaf along with other traditional delicacies likevadas, payasam, etc. Besides this, sugarcane, grain, sweet potatoes etc. arealso offered to the God.

The following day is known as Mattu Ponggal or thePonggal of the cow - a day dedicated to the revered cow. The fourth day ofPongal also holds special importance. This is the day when the bond betweenfriends and relatives are re-strengthened by visiting their homes and sharingthoughts of love and care.

Mr. Selvaraj also explained that the day beforePonggal is called ‘Bhogi”. On this day the Hindus will clean their house andall the old and unwanted things will be burnt in front of their houses early inthe morning. According to Mr. Selvaraj this is only a ritual but the mostimportant message Is that on this day all Hindus will eliminate their illfeelings or negative emotions in them and bring back the happiness and positivethinking. This is the day we have to forgive and forget. Then, ponggal day willbe very meaningful because it’s a day we consider as new beginning, movingtowards a new horizon and hope the whole year through will be prosperous andfilled with happiness.

Besides ponggal, Miri Hindu Society is also planningto celebrate Thaipusam which falls on the 7 February 2012 ( Tuesday ). Since itfalls on a working day, the celebration will start at 5.30 pm at Kamini DurgaEaswari Amman worshiping place, Raghavan Building, Brooke Road, Miri. Devoteeswho would like to join the Thaipusam celebration are encouraged to bring along milk,yellow cloth, banana leaf and prayers item.

Mr. Selvaraj also would like to remind the membersthat Miri Hindu Society is also planning to conduct the society’s Annual General Meeting ( AGM ) and followed bythe installation of new committee members for the year 2012 on the 17 February2012 ( Friday ) at 8.30 pm after the Friday prayers.

For further details please contact Mr. Selvaraj Grapragasem( 013-8139695 ), Mr. Teeban Rao (012-3366552 ) or Mr. Siva ( 016-5212153 ).

(772 words)

By Jennie Soh

Date : January 15, 2012

Submitted to New Sarawak Tribune , The Star on Jan 15,2012

PWPM NEW COMMITTEE 2012

2012-01-15T18:43:00.000-08:00

PWPM ELECTS NEWPRESIDENT

PWPM held its AGM on Jan 10, 2012 and had elected Ms Charito Cabezas Paulino,filipino forthe year 2012. This is the first time after more than 20 years, thepresidential post was held by a foreigner since its formation in 1986. Most thepast presidential posts were held by the locals of various races.

The rest of the committees are:-

PWPM 2012 NEWCOMMITTEE – AGM ON Jan 10, 2012

· President : Charito Paulino

· Vice President : Sharifah Khadijah

· Secretary : Heida Amer

· Assist. Secretary : Soo Choon Lan

· Treasurer : Penny Saw

· Assist. Treasurer : Aanchai Bhushan

· Committees : Sudha V, Lily Chong Fai Khun, Annie Irlapati, Adeline Soh,Jamilah Abd Rahman and Bharathi.

The past president, Rose Kinajil and her past committees worked very hardin year 2011 a successful and eventful one. LastYear, PWPM had done 27 cooking demonstrations, 16 handicrafts lessons, 19 Dancelessons and 33 Yofo classes , talks on hazard and fund raising for charitablebodies like Miri Red Crescent Dialaysis Centre, Palliative Care Association ofMiri, Miri Autistic Association and Persatuan Penyayang Kanak-Kanak IstimewaMiri, Day Care Centre for the mentally ill. Under the Shell Mega We Care WeShare Community, PWPM together with Red Crescent also took part in the HealthScreening to Rumah Misoon Longhouse.

The Persatuan WanitaPetroleum Miri (PWPM) is a non profitable organization founded by Mrs. MaryJaya with the intention of gathering the wives of Shell, Petronas and Oilrelated companies to interact with each other. It was registered on 12 November1986 with the Registrar of Societies with Mary Jaya as the President. Memberships are open to wives, lady staff,wives of pensioners, families of Sarawak Shell Berhad, Sabah Shell Berhad, PetronasBhd, Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd and all contractors of Petroleum relatedindustries residing in Miri.

However, in 1996, itwas extended to include all ladies in Miri to encourage more cross-culturalexchange. Due to its open door concept, PWPM members widen its exposure to haveladies from different nationalities from Japan, Singapore, Indonesia,Australia, Scotland, England, America and other countries.

Their main objectivesare :-

· To provide facilities for educational arts, culturaland recreational development

· To promote goodwill and racial harmony

· To inculcate loyalty to the country

· To organize social activities to raise fund forcharities with the prior approval of the Registrar of Societies and theauthority concerned.

Full Membership is RM30.00, Associate Membership is RM 20.00 and yearly subscription fee is RM10.00.

The newly appointedpresident, Charito Paulino had already in hand a year of activities line up forthe year 2012.

· February 1 (Wed) – Chinese

· New Year Open House

· March – Japanese Open House, International Women’s Day

· April – Nigerian Open House

· May – May Fest & Mother’s Day

· June – Fiesta Philippine Open House

· July 1 (Sun) – Dance for Humantarian

· August – Hari Raya Open House,

· Oct – Malaysia Open Day, Breast Cancer Awareness

· Nov – Indian Diwali Open House, PWPM 26^thAnniversary

Being women, the mainactivity in their routine lives are cooking, washing, handicraft. Through PWPMtowards the 21^st Century, more ladies had inspired their lives withmore lively activities like dancing and a chance to organize events for variousfestival seasons like Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and international events.

For more information,please contact Charito Paulino at 0128588102, 085-651512 or email at chato.paulino@gmail.com

By Jennie Soh

Date : January 14, 2012

Feature Write up send to New Sarawak Tribune and The Star on Jan 14, 2012

News on PWPM published on Borneo Post January 13, 2012

Miri Talent

2012-01-15T01:06:00.000-08:00

For the first time, I attended our local young Chung Hua Brass Band Concert. Just could not believe that these young talents are so good.

Our Miri City should be proud of these young people who will one day be our future leaders.

Music is the best way to connect young people that commands commitment and discipline. WELL DONE BOYS AND GIRLS. YOU ARE JUST FANTASTIC...as a visiting Australian girl said, "They are just like professionals!"

NIGERIAN SCAM

2012-01-14T02:07:00.000-08:00

Please be warned....I too was almost scammed via business dealings of arranging tours ...I found out that this particular client is getting too passionate by addressing as MY DEAR....and I realized just in time when he started getting silly excuses like getting stranded in the Malaysia immigration and asking for transfer of money. I did make a police report and two weeks later, a woman from Miri was cheated of RM 200 K....and yet more and more are happening to day....PLEASE BE ALERT!!!!

Here is an email sent in by areader warning others of David Taylor. Here is the email:

This is an email from a David Taylor from a dating web site who said he wasfrom my home town. I have proved he doesn't live at the address he gave me.

Thank you for responding backto my e-mail. About me, okay where do i begin, Well i am new at this onlinedating thing, so please forgive me if i have provided too much informationabout my life and childhood. I am a widower, been widowed for 6yrs now. I stillmiss her but she's in a good place now. I am 5.9 175cm, 185lbs (84kg) BlackHair, Brown Eyes, Hobbies: Fishing, Camping, Gardening, Card/Board Games,Swimming, Ice Skating, Music, Art & Science. I enjoy a lot of sportsFootball, Basketball, Golf, Hiking, Scuba Driving, Fishing, Swimming, Rugby& Camping. I a quite athletic, enjoy going to the movies, listening tomusic. I like writing, reading and also playing cards & board games. Music,Soul, R&B, Classics, Country, Soft Rock. Movies (Documentary, Action,Adventure, Drama, Old Movies & Comedy I worked with a Private Constructioncompany for a very longtime, close to 20years and now i have started my owncompany which is gradually growing, although we are about 6months official andi have my own clients and agency appointing contract and projects for me. Myfield is basically in Special Designing & Supervising of Road, Rail,Bridge, Water Dam, Building and Drainage construction and sometimes ElectricityPower Stations, sometimes it involves me moving around sometimes but i haven'tbeen doing a lot of that recently, since doing my own thing i have to make sureeverything is in order and also keep new clients updated on projects that hasbeen awarded and also it always majorly field work so now i'm an Entrepreneurwhich who owns a business based on Construction, to be specific I am aConstruction Contractor/Consultant & Engineer. I work my own hours and veryflexible and hard working. My job mainly involves working with clients handlingagencies now. I would also say i am someone who is bright, positive,understanding, kind, caring, grounded with a nice smile, good listener,affectionate and wonderful companion, I also don't look my age as i have beentold. I grew up almost everywhere because my father served in the army and alsolived in Ireland for some years, also in 4 different cities,3 before i gotmarried and finally settled down in Adelaide after my wife died. I'm Irishdescendant, I even have some relatives back at Ireland. My Father was a proudIrish man while my mother was Australian. I am a Christian and i attend churchonce a week and i believe in God. Your Spirituality, Belief or Religion doesn'tmatter to me, like i said i have am open minded. I was born and raised achristian and it has always been a major part of me. Catholic to be precise, mybeliefs are, Family, God & everything else.

I havedaughter, who's 27yrs old, born deaf.. but she had a very good education, infact she went to normal high school and everything. She teaches sign languagepart-time now at a local school around, we're planning on enrolling her intocollege to get her teaching degree and start her own life properly. Oh, I'vemention she's deaf, was born that way and she is the apple of my eyes, all mylife is for her and to make sure she has a very easy and wonderful life. We arealso checking for hearing aids/plugs, she should be be able to qualify for animplant in a couple of weeks. I was married for 26yrs and it was a verypleasant, bumpy, loving and most of all i am proud to say blissful marriage andi still miss her very much. My late wife had Breast Cancer,stage 3 but she diedin a Car Crash, she was the victim. She used to be a teacher too and also aprincipal, also i have been widowed for 6yrs now. Wow! I really have said a lotabout my life, i usually don't talk or write this much about myself to anyone.I am hoping you are someone who is growth oriented,trust worthy and sincere,personal, anyway, that's it about what i do and me. I hope i find the rightperson that can connect with me and i can find honest and true happiness with,although all those have been pressures into dating someone and also finding thelove of my life and the queen of my heart. I have been alone too long to tryand not planning to make any odd assumptions of finding the right one or foolaround with people online, that's why i tend to start by getting to know youmore and also understanding each other and hopefully, something beautiful wouldhappen from there. I am interested in getting to know more about you, Your Pastrelationship? How long you've been single? What kind of man and relationshipyou want???

I havedated before, it just wasn't towards what i had hoped for, that is why i haveto be sure and certain i am doing the right thing, because it didn't turned outas much as i had hoped for.. I am looking forward to getting to know you, upclose and personal, i mean getting to know more of you and establishing a goodfriendship and hopefully grow into something more beautiful. I hope this doesnot scare you away, basically that's the most about me i can think of for nowand you will probably know more when we continue exchanging e-mails, now itsyour turn to tell me about yourself. You can ask me any questions if you wouldlike to know more about me alright. I also attached some pictures hope you likethem.

Waitingto read back from you soon.

DavidTaylor.

PS: MyFull name is David (J W) Jeremiah Walker Taylor. Walker's my mother's maidenname, so its part of my name. I would like to talk to you more often, so maybewe can chat sometime on Yahoo Messenger, you can add my email address.

Posted by CYBERDATEDANGER at 12:12PM 0 comments

Labels: David Taylor, internet dating sites, Nigerian scammer, Nigerian scammer email

Love and Dating Scams

2012-01-14T01:12:00.000-08:00

Yet, many malaysian ladies fall for this scam....WHY???WHY???? WHY?????

Types of Love and DatingScam:

These type of scams can be a combination of one or more of thefollowing:

1) Fake photos: You may be virtual dating with somebody else.

2) Real photos are used: However they require you to"pay" to get contact information, etc. The girl is hired just to milkyour money.

3) Hidden costs: Sign-up could be free, but everything elserequires you to pay extra fees.

4) Milking your Bank Account:

a) Buy flowers, presents etc from the dating agency to theguy/girl. In fact, the agency is making money by forcing you to "buy"things Only through them.

b) The guy/girl request expensive gifts and presents directly,e.g. birthday, daddy's birthday, etc.

c) The guy/girl is in distress and urgently need money, e.g.accidents, trapped at airport, hospitalised, etc.

For Dating Agency, theseare some Blacklisted Sites:

· AnastasiaInternationalScam.com

· AnastasiaDate.com

· dream-marriage.com

For a comprehensive listof blacklisted site, and approved site, please see agencyscams and jimslist.

MAMAS BLUE

2012-01-14T00:43:00.000-08:00

MAMA BLUES

Having a coffee talk with a desperate wife onefine morning is enough to pen down some thoughts if MAMA BLUES.

I guess because of the freedom of internetaccess, the availability of young men around, the frequent scandals of loveaffair when husband are away off shore, that is where MAMA BLUES came about.

When the children goes to school, houseworkhad been taken care of, most housewives wanted a little time for themselves, sothey found a group to have tea or coffee.

The healthy activity would be sharing sessionabout cooking, children and housework. The adventurous would go into internetchatting.

Internet dating is one of the easiest placesthat women got cheated. Reports had been reported how women had been cheatedthrough online dating and yet women are still being cheated.

WHY??? Either they are desperately looking forlove or they are desperately bored and lonely.

MOC performance at Shin Yang Appreciation Dinner on Jan 12 , 2012.

2012-01-13T23:58:00.000-08:00

We sang three songs, one japanese (Hotaru Koi), one korean (Arirang) and one english, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.

Great songs...but not during any dinner parties...noises of talking and chopsticks and spoons distract our singing.

Only Koreans applaud our song, Arirang when we finished the song.

Miri Orchestra and Choir Society (MOCS)

2012-01-13T23:53:00.000-08:00

Miri Orchestra and Choir Society(MOCS) is a non profit organization that was first mooted in 1994 and wasregistered in 2002. The main objective of the MOCS is to promote the love ofmusic among the members and the public. To achieve this objective, MOCS hasorganized numerous music workshops aswell as public and private concerts. The current mission of the society is tohave a sustainable fully fledged orchestra and choir to complement Miri as aResort City. Members for the MOCS is open to anyone who loves music in theMiri Sunday community. Practices are held at Lot 515, 2^ndFloor, Pelita Commercial Centre, Miri every Sunday for Orchestra practice from2.15 to 4.15 pm and Choir practice from 4.30 to 6.30 pm. Please contact016-8519202 (Choir) and 012-8728123 (Orchestra)

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FOR 15 AUSSIE STUDENTS

2012-01-08T09:27:00.000-08:00

MIRI : I RECENTLY met the World Challenge team from Darwin High School, led by Aaron Dalgleish in Miri. It was a good opportunity for me to interview them. And yes they were kind enough to share their experience here in Miri.

It was indeed very kind of the group of 15 youngsters to spend some time giving the SUNFLOWER CENTRE in Miri a little facelift. It was also learnt that part of the money they raised from a fund-riser they did went into the facelift project.

Background
World Challenge is a programme managed by a pioneering educational organisation with 23 years of experience in delivering personal development expeditions for students. The expedition to Borneo is preceded by a training and preparation programme, during which the students play a major role which include community projects and challenging jungle trekking.
Their experiences teach life skills and expand minds to what life is all about outside of their classroom.
The group had been to more than 50 destinations in Africa, Asia, South East Asia, South America and Central America and had greatly benefited from the amazing and challenging adventures.
The team usually spends 21 to 28 days in a developing country to allow the team to be fully engaged in the planning process, from researching their destination, fund-raising and participating in training expeditions.

World Challenge Team from Darwin High School
World Challenge is a personal development that aims to develop its participants through travelling overseas and supporting communities via community projects. The World challenge ethos focuses on three components: Challenge - participants are challenged physically in treks and mountain climbs - Mulu NP (head hunter trail) and a climb up to Mt Kinabalu in Sabah for World Challenge Team from Darwin High School, Australia. Students are also taken out of their comfort zone and had to work as part of a team to organise the travel within the country they are travelling in.

Particaption is the second component - the students lead the trip themselves with the assistance of a facilitator from world challenge. This means that they organise the community project, accommodation, transport within the country and places to eat. The students are encouraged to make the majority of the decision within the trip. The final part of the ethos is the environment - students are encouraged to travel with a minimum impact on the local environment and culture. They bring back photographs and memories of the communities they visit after volunteering and supporting local tourist spots.

The 15 students of the World Challenge team from Darwin High School, Australia are Jordan Bretherton, Nelson Rossingh,Ellie Van Den Neiwenhoff,Naomi Ralph,Sam Newbury, Jack Williams, Adam Ryan, Daniel Hutchinson, Thomas McSherry, Stella McIntosh, Stacey O'Leary McGreggor, Philip Hull, Nathaniel Mumme, Bridgette Primmer, Patricia Curry, with leaders are Sarah Hancock and Aaron Dalgleish.

Borneo was chosen as one of the destination because it offers great cultural diversity and fantastic jungle trekking experiences.

Student work hard for two years prior to earn most of the money required to pay for the trip. Parents help some students out with the costs. Students also held a fundraising event (Trivai night) where they raise over $3000 - $1000 being put towards the community project whilst the remainder contributed to the costs of the trip.

The students were having a fantastic time - although some are finding some aspects like different food, new cultures, the language barrier, the jungle challenging. This is because these things are new to them - these new experiences are how they grow as people and learn about other places and cultures.

Darwin High School intends to do more world challenge trips in the future. It is likely some will be in Borneo but other destination may also be chose by the team.

The team chose Mulu for this trip and had a great time there and 10 out of 15 students make it to the pinnacles. It was indeed a different environment for many of them to be out of their comfort zone and experience new cultures and challenges here.

(711words)

By Jennie Soh
Date : December 29, 2011
Published on New Sarawak Tribune, Trubune 2 – January 6, 2012

NO MATTER WHAT - WOMEN ARE ALWAYS BEING BLAMED

2012-01-06T01:21:00.000-08:00

WOMEN are always being blamed for things that had gone wrong. When a woman's marriage fail, it's the woman's fault. The recent story of the murder of a family in Sibu remains a mystery until the investigation are completed.

SIBU: A 28-year-old Chinese national has been remanded for seven days to help police investigate the murder of a businessman, two of his children and his mother.

Sessions Court judge Indra Ayub granted the application in chambers to remand Li Xiao Lan who was brought to court in police lock-up attire.

Li, who will appear in court again on Jan 11, is understood to have undergone a blood test.

Sources said a relative of Li had assured that a lawyer would be engaged to represent her if she was charged in court.

Thirty-six-year-old Ling Tong Hock was bludgeoned to death together with his son David Ling Chei Qi, 10, daughter Amy Ling Zi Jiun, seven, and his 76-year-old mother Leong Nyuk at their home in Lorong RTM13B.

His eight-year-old son was warded at the intensive care unit of the Sibu Hospital for injury to his skull.

The Chinese woman had apparently escaped through a window and shouted for help at 7.30pm.

Latest updates....

January 06, 2012

SIBU, Jan 6 — The police arrested last night a 17-year-old teen and his 44-year-old mother for the murders of four family members, including two children, here on Monday, Bernama Online reported this evening.

Sarawak deputy police commissioner Datuk Law Heng Soon told the news portal that the teen, a lorry attendant, and his mother, a housewife, are currently in police custody after information was received from the public.

The pair are understood to reside near the victims.

Law said while the police have sufficient evidence to establish a case, they will wait for further instructions from the Public Prosecutor’s Office once the latter has received the case’s investigation papers.

He added the teen suspect has no prior criminal record and that a drug test has come back clean.

In the early morning incident, businessman Ling Tong Hock, 36, his mother Leong Nyuk Lan, 76, his son David Ling Chei Qi, 10, and his daughter Amy Ling Zi Jiun, seven, died as a result of fatal wounds sustained through either a beating or a slashing.

A third child, Kelvin Ling Chei You, eight, is still in critical condition at the Children’s Intensive Care Unit of the Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching.

Ling’s Chinese national wife Li Xiao Lan, 28, reportedly escaped through a window and fled to a neighbour’s house for help during the incident.

She was initially remanded but released today following the case’s latest developments

A FINE DAY

2012-01-06T00:15:00.000-08:00

At last there is a bit of sunshine today. Friday today is like any other day to me. After all, I am a retiree...i have freedom of time and everyday is a holiday to me.

Living simply means concentrating on what's important in light of eternity, and not taking the rest of life too seriously.

I am happy with my life...getting to do what I want to do.....and most of all a healthy life that can compensate all the material things in this world.

SMILE AND BE HAPPY!

FAREWELL TO YEAR 2011

2012-01-04T22:47:00.000-08:00

GOOD BYE 2011

Theyear just passed by too quickly. The year 2011 brings an eventful year for me.The realization on how life is so fortunate that basic needs are appreciated ina simple retired life.

Mumspend Chinese New Year with us and we had that family get-together with mydaughter, Cheryl and yet to be son in law, Chris. Family is important duringfestive season where you at least had an opportunity to spend that quality timetogether. We made spring roll together and had some good friends visiting us.Chinese New Year is always a time for food and sharing of brief moments amongloved ones. Time is always an issue where everybody is busy in their ownactivities. One can stay under one roof and yet they are not communicating,busy with internet , busy with work, busy with housework, busy with tv series,etc…..Well! that’s life with family these days. They are together and yet nottogether.

Life is such...........

2012-01-01T06:30:00.000-08:00

When I was young, I always believe in Cinderella and hope for a Prince Charming, I never get to meet one or get to know one. I married a nice homely guy who had not sense of romance stuff...but facing reality of a secure life, I choose him.

Well! For the past 34 years, we are still together despite the difference in our characters and liking , I have no regret as he has shown his support to me all the time. To this, I drink to him for making me see reality and I have become a changed person. I no longer believed in Cinderella anymore.
I have seen so many failed marriages among the younger generation and even among the averaged-aged group. What goes wrong remains a mystery as each episode had its own story.

As we grow older , we realized that what we have , we should considered a bonus to us which often we do not treasured until you visit another country like Philippines that had so many homeless people. As I always taught my girl that in life, we just need to take it as we move along. Nothing in this world is easy as you think so.....and no one is born with the same characters . Each individual is unique - we all have our own skill.

Each person has their own story to tell. And every family had their own problems. It is all about how you manage and cope with those challengers.

Today as you can see, children are becoming bosses and parents are becoming slaves without realizing that. How parents had to sacrifice money and time for their education. And whether they will pay back is not in the parents'agenda, but when a time will come for financial support and whether they will come back to assist their aging parents or not will be another chapter yet to be seen.

Well! Life is such.......anything can happen, be it a success or failure, it is all up to each individual to deal with Life.

Good Luck! I like my Life - freedom of making choices - BE HAPPY! DON'T WORRY is a song I like.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012

2012-01-01T05:38:00.000-08:00

A whole year 2011 just passed by too quickly. Having to look back what I have done in year 2011 will reflect on the achievement I had made. 2011 brings me to visit Australia for the second time and we had a lovely time with Peter and Dorothy for about three weeks, catch up with friends , Jean from Sydney and David Sanderson from New Castle. Went on a star cruise with Ser Lee and Amy, Went to Philippines for a 10 days trip with SIB ladies group. Met up good friends , Guy and Chris from Holland in KL and had a reunion of my family with mum in Kuching for her 79th Birthday.
And the most achieve able thing that motivates me is the success of THE SOUND OF MUSIC IN MIRI.

Ending with a NEW YEAR COUNT DOWN at GCM is something that makes me realize that family and friends are very important.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL - 2012 and hope more good things will come.

JOY ALL AROUND AS THE WORLD CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS

2011-12-24T21:10:00.000-08:00

Published on NewSarawak Tribune, December 25, 2011

Christians celebratingChristmas

Every year December25, Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, which commemorates thebirth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

This joyous day is celebrated with specialmasses at church and hearty feasts, among others. Here in Malaysia, as it iswith any other festive, many who celebrate Christmas would have an open house,welcoming friends and neighbours of different races and religions, as well asrelatives into their homes for some food, seemingly endless conversations andmerry-,making.

CommercialCelebration

Unlike before, Christmas in the modern ageis a much tells more commercialised affair. Hotels everywhere are dishing outelaborate festive feasts, attracting customers to come over for Christmas lunchesand such.

In every mall, decorations are as up asearly as a month before the celebration. Everyone seems to be aiming to outdoone another in terms of putting up their Christmas decorations.

Some even have Santa Claus making his roundand giving gifts to shoppers, hotel guests and passers-by.

ChristmasFeasting

In ancient times in Egypt,goose was the main course at Winter Solstice feasts. However, Henry VIIIof England replaced goose with turkey, which is meatier than the former and much moreflavourful. And ever since, turkey has been the main dish on the table everyChristmas.

Here inMalaysia, we have our own set of food that we prepare for Christmas. TypicalMalaysian flavours have made their way into Christmas feasts in many Malaysianhomes, with non traditional Christmas dishes like curries, rending, lemang andmany others.

However,many people have stopped preparing food at home nowadays , opting instead to goout for Christmas meals with the whole family at hotels and restaurants thatnow offer delicious Christmas fares.

Christmas in thePhilippines

On my recent trip toPhilippines, I was amazed to find the country in “Christmas mood”as early asOctober. I was even told that the celebration would last until the beginning ofJanuary, the following year.

During my visit there,I joined 11 other ladies to experience Christmas in the Philippines by joining ina Christmas gathering there.

In the Philippines,which is the only Asian nation with a Christianmajority. The five-pointed Star of Bethlehem (parol) is seen everywhereat Christmas time. At the San Fernando lantern festival some parols are solarge that they are transported on trucks. Philippinos follow the Hispanictradition of pranks on Holy Innocents' Day and the Mexican tradition ofPosados. Roman Catholic Masses are held frequently on Christmas Day.

All about Lights inSingapore

In Singapore, it is allabout the beautiful lighting and eye-catching Christmas decorations set along itsfamous Orchard Road.

The country is alwayspacked with tourists at Christmas all eager to enjoy the spectacular Christmasdecorations and set-up there.

Christmas in Miri

Here in Miri, Christmasparade and bazaar were organised, receving favourable response from thecommunity. Most NGOs and churches organized children’s parties amongthemselves.

The Miri City Fan isbeautifully decorated with Christmas decors sponsored by Samling Group.

Some of the shopping malls in Miri eveninvited the Miri Orchestra Choir to perform Christmas songs to serenade theshoppers passing by.

Meanwhile, private Club like Miri’s GymkhanaClub in Miri to re all lit up and decked out for Christmas. And the GymkhanaClub had also organised recently a stage musical titled, “The Sound of Music inMiri” and included Santa Claus in the mix, to give away goodies to thechildren.

Have a Merry Christmas By Jennie Soh

Date: December 21, 2011

What Christmas means to me?

2011-12-23T20:58:00.000-08:00

Ever since I was born, I loved Christmas! Christmas to me is all about giving and sharing. Being involved in charitable events to raise fund for the unfortunate. Giving away gifts to loved ones. Sharing what you have with people you know by inviting them for lunch or dinner. To some Christmas is a family's thing, to most christian, it is a reminder that Christ died for us and literally it does not means we have to died too. It is all about willing to sacrifice things that we want to do. In Malaysia, Christmas is well accepted and most of them (the non-Christians) are exposed to Christmas tradition and find it easier to adapt when the religious aspects of Christmas are de-emphasized. Peace, Harmony and Tolerance are among the values accepted by all Malaysians.

Have a Merry Christmas 2011. By Jennie Soh

Lady with Talents - Trina Estiva

2011-12-23T20:19:00.000-08:00

Trina is one of the few ladies that had her hidden talents. She can sing, dance and act and make it to a hopeful inspiration for herself in future. She has beauty and grace and always open to help in charity and hope no one will takes advantage of her. She has gone through pains and sorrow and had struggled through her life. Through the recent SOUND OF MUSIC IN MIRI, the new found family loved her. So, Trina....be yourself and use your talents wisely - you will get there one day. Just believe in yourself and no matter what...don't lose hope! I hope to see you a STAR one day! Live up to your own integrity and charms, everyone will love you!Dedicated to you, TrinaNO ONE CAN ARRIVE FROM BEING TALENTED ALONE. GOD GIVES YOU TALENT, WORK TRANSFORMS TALENT INTO GENIUS.

A good example to follow - Dr, Tarek

2011-12-23T19:49:00.000-08:00

I have known Dr. Tarek for about 4 years....and find him a very friendly and motivating person. He never fails to be helpful when help is needed. He never fails to learn when he needs to. Look at him now! He is one of the winner of the GCM Karaoake English Competition, He is the Toast Master, He leads Out Reach Program in the Rotary Club, He is the talk of the town, one of the humurous and budding actor (although small part)in THE SOUND OF MUSIC IN MIRI. And he is a great surgeon and he is extremely friendly to everyone old and young. Everyone just fall for him. He is open and not respectful to our society. You are great, Dr. Tarek and you are part of GCM''s Karaoake family and we will always be there for you.

GCM Christmas Karaoake Competition 2011

2011-12-23T18:46:00.000-08:00

Within the small singing group at GCM, the karaoake competition is organized very frequently, at least 4 times a year. This is not about who is better or the best. This is about practice...the more you do, the more you can be better. Some take it lightly , just like me...just for the fun of it. Some took it very seriously that he or she is so scared to be a loser....and when someone wins, there seems to be a green eye monster behind their back and wonder the quality of the judges. If there are four judges from different background, they cannot be wrong .No matter what, there is always a winner and a loser. But that does not stop anyone who wants to be better or be the best. You feel good when someone comes and said to WELL DONE!I admired one Helen Wong who make it from the last to be among the consolation. Well done! Helen. And Dr.Tarek who always sing out of tune, he too make it to the consolation category due to the encouragement of the others. Good job. Tarek!Again, if these budding karaoake singers at GCM had no quality in their singing, as commented by an observer, we all make it to one objective to be able to SING in tune and have the confidence to take part in competition!KEEP ON SINGING!

Experience Early Christmas in Phillippines

2011-12-23T18:28:00.000-08:00

In PhilippinesOn my recent trip to Philippines, I was amazed to find the country had started the Christmas mood as early as October and was told the celebration will last till the beginning of January, next year. 12 ladies including myself have the chance to fellowship with the Philippinos in their Christmas gathering. Had enjoyed all the fellowship and the food.The Philippines is the only Asian nation with a Christian majority. The five-pointed Star of Bethlehem (parol) is seen everywhere at Christmas time. At the San Fernando lantern festival some parols are so large that they are transported on trucks. Philippinos follow the Hispanic tradition of pranks on Holy Innocents' Day and the Mexican tradition of Posados. Roman Catholic Masses are held frequently on Christmas Day.My appreciation to Cecilia Ting from SIB Ladies Group for her group. I learn new things and get to know people that I thought In knew. I learn about the GRACE OF GOD being with us all the time. And the people around me...I never get hungry and I feel protected all the time. To my room mate, Catherine who had shown love and care..Thank you. Merry Christmas to all.Jennie Soh

Good response for The Sound of Music in Miri

2011-12-23T02:22:00.000-08:00

Played to packed audiences at the Gymkhana Club over the past weekend, the first locally written musical, "The Sound of Music"in Miri, was a resounding success. The acting by an international cast of old and young, was superb. The props were eye-catching, the lyrics to the songs from the Oscar and Hammerstein block buster were adapted to appeal to the Malaysian audience."The play was wonderful. You should bring it over to KL and Penang, "said a visiting lawyer, Nathan, from Kuching.Ït was so true and entertaining. Being a New Zealander who had lived in Miri, I had no problem catching the local jokes,"said Mandy.Ït was so funny. I couldn't stop laughing from start to finish'" said a clinic manager, Angeline. In the dark, senior citizens were seen smiling as they empathized with jokes about getting old.Parents couldn't help laughing at the atrocious, oh-so-true behaviour of modern teenagers, so convincingly displayed by the junior cast.Ït was very educational,"said Ahmad, a senior government official. Ï learn about the history of oil exploration in Miri through the play."Ït should be shown to school students. There's so much to learn about recycling in the children's nature outing scene", said Jane, a parent.Due to popular demand, the show may be reprised, said a committee member. So, next time, if the musical is to be staged again, make sure you don't miss it. It's the talk of the town!With good response from the community,the Gymkhana Club would consider re-developing the MADS group with more shows. The revival of Miri Amateur Dramatic Society (MADS)is an avenue for budding actors and actresses as well as musicians to showcase their talents.Those who had missed the shows can purchase the DVD which is now available at Gymkhana Club in Miri, by calling 085-434655 Gymkhana Club for Korn Kerin.By Jennie SohDate : December 20, 2011Published on New Sarawak Tribune , December 22, 2011

The Sound of Music in Miri

2011-12-23T01:37:00.000-08:00

Please support Concert for THE SOUND OF MUSIC IN MIRI - 17 AND 18 DECEMBER, 2011

MAKING A CHOICE

2011-11-10T23:13:00.000-08:00

When I wait up this morning, I realize that today was such a beautiful day that I told myself that I need to do something today. I could watch a movie, read a book or get on to write something in my blog. I chose to do some writing, update SOSWE BLOG and write something.

Life is something that one had to take it one at a time. I spoke to my excolleague who had been working all his life for the past 30 years. It was a very routine life, get up in the morning for work and going back home after work. He is a bachelor, a dear friend whom I can call upon if I have computer problems. He is still a bachelor because he had no choice for the sake of his elderly parents who need him. He could had make a choice to find a wife...but he chose not to. I am worried about his future as a friend because he is not getting any younger anymore.

However, whatever choices he made, it is his life he has to live. Just like me, I choose to be a freelance feature writer when I had that chance. Everyone have a choice, it is a matter of choosing it wisely.

Everyday, we have to make a choice. Getting up early or late. Choosing to eat breakfast at home or outside from home.

So today, I make a choice to write. There you are!!!!

Wedding

2011-11-08T19:19:00.000-08:00

Everyone loves wedding. It is a happy occasion with additional families. INLAWS? OUTLAWS ? The church ceremony, the wedding banquet and the YAM SENG. The vows, the aftermath wedding to settle bills and the honey moon.

Weddings can be cool, fun or stress. Everyone expect things will run smoothly with no hiccups.

For October itself, I received 4 invitations and seriously I started to think of the guests invited, do I really know the bride and bridegroom. The four weddings invitation, I do not know them , only the parents. Is it about FACE GIVING that you as parents need to invite your friends in your children's guest list?

THINK ABOUT IT!

We only hope that marriages in the younger generation would last as there are too many divorces cases in today's soceity.

TAKE LIFE EASY

2011-11-08T19:01:00.000-08:00

I have not been writing about my thoughts for a long time. Everybody is so busy...with office work, housework, sending children to school, activities and tuition. Some retirees are even busier with so many unfinished projects. I met a friend who is worried about retiring. Some still want to work, some just want to relax...but I guess in life, one have to take it easy...either you are working or not working. After working so more than 32 years, in the reality of life,QUALITY LIFE means spending time with your family, go for a trip, do more charitable work and RELAX. Do not over involved which I was in the first place. Life is all about GETTING UP early in the morning, EAT three times a day, WORKING to your own initiative to produce good results and SLEEPING through the night without getting up in between the nights...And of course the most important thing in life is Give your loyalty to GOD who had blessed you throughout your life and keep yourself HEALTHY.

And have good support of FRIENDS who value GOOD FRIENDSHIP!!!

You will find yourself HAPPY and appreciate LIFE more.!!!!

PERSATUAN WANITA PETROLEUM MIRI (PWPM) HOLDS INDONESIA OPENHOUSE

2011-11-03T21:45:00.000-07:00

There was a huge turnout at the “Indonesian Open House” held at the Hornbill House aat Piasau Camp in Miri. It was a rare occasion by Persatuan Wanita Petroleum Miri (PWPM), and its organising team wass led by Savitri Kurnia, an Indonesian Associate Lecturer with Curtin University in Miri.
The open house was a great opportunity for the non-Indonesian guests to learn more abot Indonesia’s rich cultures. And it was certainly a good opportunity for the expatriates in Miri to witness such an event.
During the three hour do, Savitri Kurnia and her team of students from Curtin University presented a video on Indonesia and various performances and shows highlighting Indonesia’s cultures, dance, and batik and of course the country’s delicacies.
I find the peacock dance very beautiful and attractive, and has a story to tell too. Indonesia is also famous for its batik, whose patterns are of different islands. The country’s music demonstrates its cultural diversity.
Most Indonesian islands have their own cultural and artistic characters, resulting in hundreds of different music forms which are often heard in dance and theatre. The music of Indonesia pre-dates historical records and often incorporates chants and songs, and are often played in rituals of different kinds.
Today, Indonesia’s contemporary music has a lot of western influence and is popular in neighboring countries like Singapore, Brunei and here in Malaysia.
Indonesian food reflects the different cultures of the country’s people who live in over 6,000 inhabited islands out of approximately 18,000 islands that make up Indonesia.
Most popular Indonesian dishes are nasi goring (fried rice), gado gado (mixed green) and soto or sate (cubes of rice and mixture of greens) among others.
Persatuan Wanita Petroleum Miri (PWPM)

Persatuan Wanita Petroleum Miri (PWPM) is a non profitable organization founded by Mrs. Mary Jaya with the intention of gathering the wives of Shell, Petronas and Oil related companies to interact with each other. It was registered on 12 November 1986 with the Registrar of Societies with Mary Jaya as the President. Memberships are open to wives, lady staff, wives of pensioners, families of Sarawak Shell Berhad, Sabah Shell Berhad, Petronas Bhd, Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd and all contractors of Petroleum related industries residing in Miri.

However, in 1996, it was extended to include all ladies in Miri to encourage more cross-cultural exchange. Due to its open door concept, PWPM members widen its exposure to have ladies from different nationalities from Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Scotland, England, America and other countries.

Their main objectives are :-

• To provide facilities for educational arts, cultural and recreational development
• To promote goodwill and racial harmony
• To inculcate loyalty to the country
• To organize social activities to raise fund for charities with the prior approval of the Registrar of Societies and the authority concerned.

Full Membership is RM 30.00, Associate Membership is RM 20.00 and yearly subscription fee is RM 10.00 .

For more information, please contact Rose at 016-8784300 or email to rose_kinajil@yahoo.com

Written by Jennie Soh
Free lance Writer
Date : November 03, 2011

Published on NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE on November 04, 2011
(520 words)

DEEPAVALI – CELEBRATING THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

2011-10-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

DEEPAVALI – CELEBRATING THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Malaysia is a melting pot of many different cultures and religions . And the fact that we are living in harmony and peace under one roof makes us the envy of many countries all over the world. We Malaysians are so lucky to be able to celebrate so many different festive occasions including Hari Raya, Christmas Chinese New Year, Gawai and of course Deepavali.
Speaking of Deepavali, this auspicious celebration happens to be today! Surely those celebrating Deepvali are in full festive mood today!
Festival of Light
Known as the Festival of Light, Deepavali (or Diwali) is a celebration that marks the triumph of good over evil, and the victory of light over darkness. Candles and lamps are lit to thank the Gods for happiness, knowledge, peace and wealth received as blessings.
The celebration which falls on October 26, this year is gazetted by the government as a public holiday in West Malaysia and hopefully, the people in Sarawak would like to be included as part of Malaysia to have a day off for this auspicious day although the number of Indian community are small in number.
The Legend
Legend has it that a demon by the name of Narakasura ruled the kingdom of Praydoshapuram. Under his rule, it is more of a dictatorship regime that caused misery to the villagers who has suffered hardship and people were tortured. Seeing his wickedness, Lord Khrishna set out to destroy the demon and the day Narakasura that was celebrated as Deepavali, the triumph of good over evil.
Deepavali
Deepavali is a four-day festival with significant reasons all hindus observe for each of the four days :-
Day 1 (Deepavali known as Naraka Chaturdasi) commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Naraka. People would bath before sunrise while the stars are still shining in the sky.
Day 2 (Lakshmi Puja) – Goddness Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagara (Ocean of Milk) . Laksmi Pooja is performed on this day.
Day 3 – Kartika Shuddh Padawa/Bali Padyami is a day to celebrate the victory of God Vishnu in his dwarf incarnation. Vamana over the demon king Bai. This is to honour Bali’s return to earth for his devotion to the Lord and for his noble deeds to his people which is the first day of the Hindu month, Kartika
Day 4 – Yama (God of Death) had a feast with his sister Yami. She put an auspicious tilak mark on his forehead for his well-being. On this day sisters pray for well-being of their brothers. In return brothers giving gifts to their sisters.
Preparation

Every household will have a cleaning day to make sure that everything is perfect. Decorations and preparations of food are also done to welcome their friends and relatives. The house would be filled with the scent of freshly cut jasmine flower. The Kolam decorated with colourful rice powder or rice grains beautifies the home and brings more meaning to the celebration. Deepavali treats such as murukku, omapoodi and sweet meats are usually prepared for guests.
Deepvali is an important festival to the Hindus and is celebrated here in Malaysia with much tradition and fanfare.
On Deepavali morning, celebrants would wake up early to partake in the oil bath ritual, a symbolic affair signifying purity. Prayers were held in homes and temples, ushering in a new day full of hope and joy.
Everyone would dress in their best attire in colourful silk and saree for the women and colourful traditional attire for the men.
Open houses would be held, welcoming guests comprising mostly of family and friends to celebrate together on this meaningful day.
In Miri, the Miri Indian Association organized a colourful deepavali night at Imperial Hotel, an occasion enjoyed by all races including the Guest of Honour , Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. George Chan Hong Name. Dr. Subra , who resides in Miri also held an open house for relatives and friends, among them YB Dato Lee Kim Shin who took time to share this auspicious occasion.
Wishing all a HAPPY DEEPAVALLI!

(6879 words)
By Jennie Soh
Date: October 25, 2011
Published on NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE(TRIBUNE 2) ON OCTOBER 26, 2011

BACK PACKERS FROM THE WEST AND THE EAST

2011-09-04T19:54:00.000-07:00

For most travellers, backpacking offers a cheap and convenient as well as adventures vacation. It simply means “pack your belongings on your back” with a minimized luggage when you travel. Historically, backpacking is a term used to denote a form of low-cost, independent international travel. It has evolved as travellers from different cultures and regions. Backpacking as a lifestyle and as a business has grown tremendously globally, so much so that in Sarawak, back-packers accommodation is becoming very popular among travellers from overseas.
History backpacking started.
In 1912, in Altena Castle in Germany, a school teacher created the first permanent “Youth Hostel” to provide young people living in the cities to get out in the fresh air to explore the country side. The youths are expected to manage the hostel themselves like doing their own chores to keep the costs down and build character as well as being physically active outdoors. From there, the idea spread and the Youth Hostels Association of Great Britain was formed in 1930. It later became YHA (England and Wales) with separate associations for Scotland and Ireland.
The early days of YHA tells the story of how early pioneers started the Youth Hostels Association and developed the “spirit of YHA”and during the Second World War, the number of YHA members doubled.
Since then, with the needs of the budgeted travellers, YHA with the concept of back-packers had becoming very popular. They wanted to explore a wilder world, to meet with and share experiences with other travellers from different backgrounds and cultures. They wanted smaller rooms, better toilets and showers, the comforts and convenience of the modern world and with the internet services, back packers had been increasingly popular.
Today, record shows more than two million are taking advantage of putting up all over the world that runs a network of 200 youth hostels that has over 200,000 members and is supported by 2,000 voluntary workers and employ more than 1,200 staff including 600 seasonal staff.
MY EXPERIENCE AT YHA IN AUSTRALIA
YHA Backpackers in most part of Australia had maintained its cleanliness, self discipline and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) services. They had different rooms with sharing basis of 8s’and 4s’or a twin sharing from A$40 to A$60 depending on peak or non peak season with prices that can be different.
There is a common kitchen, laundry’s department, reading section, TV’s room, a hall for guests to mingle and interact, a common bathroom, usually about 4 to 8 which can be utilised anytime accessible by the key given to each guest.
I like the common kitchen where you can do your own cooking. The kitchen are fully equipped with complete set of oven, cooker, fridge, microwave, blender, pots and pans of various sizes, different sizes of plates and all its cutlery. There is a corner where you find left-over food like cooking oil, butter, bread and other consumable items that travellers have left behind for any travellers who want to consume. I find this very friendly and economical for all travel. Cleanliness is their priority.
SARAWAK BACK PACKERS
In Sarawak, back packers are getting very popular for budget travellers. Backpackers heading to Miri can opt to stay at The Miri Trail Guesthouse which is located at Sub Lot 10634, 1st and 2nd Floor, Airport Commercial Centre, near the Airport. Owned by Larry Siga belonged to Tabun, one of the lost tribes in Limbang, Sarawak, a qualified tourist guide who has been in the industry for 15 years, the Miri Trial Guesthouse is the perfect choice and accommodation for travellers on transit or who have an early flight as the guesthouse is just 5 minutes away from the Miri airport. Opened in January, 2011, the Miri Trail Guesthouse offers seven rooms from the 1st to the 2nd floor. The dormitory is for a maximum for 10 persons in a room which charges RM 25 per person/bed/night with breakfast. There are also private rooms for 2 persons at RM 65 per night with view and breakfast and RM 55 per night without view and with breakfast. Rooms are comfortable and clean which is important aspect of the guesthouse. Guests can also drop by the coffee shop just below the guest house managed by Larry, for delicious Kelabit cuisine. Besides running his guesthouse, Larry also organises personal tours to Niah and Mulu caves. (www.miritrailguesthouse.com and booking can be made at email: info@miritrailguesthouse.com or miritrail@yahoo.com or call +6-017-8503666 and +6-102-8040806 for Larry at any time.)

(761 words)
By Jennie Soh
Date: August 17, 2011
Published on New Sarawak Tribune, August 24, 2011