Friday, July 31, 2009

Jalur Gemilang - Flag Of Malaysia

One of homework my daughter had to do was on the Malaysian flag. So what does the Jalur Gemilang comprise of?



The flag of Malaysia, also known as the Jalur Gemilang ("Stripes of Glory"), comprises of...
  • 14 alternating red and white stripes along the fly.
  • A blue canton bearing a crescent.
  • A 14-point star known as the Bintang Persekutuan or Federal Star.
  • The 14 stripes, of equal width, represent the equal status in the federation of the 13 member states and the federal government, while the 14 points of the star represent the unity between these entities.
  • The crescent represents Islam, the country's official religion.
  • The blue canton symbolizes the unity of the Malaysian people.
  • The yellow of the star and crescent is the royal colour of the Malay rulers.

Source from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Malaysia

Jam On East West Link (Connaught) Highway

Its around after 6.30am on the East-West link highway. Its jammed near Desa Water Park towards PJ. Its caused by a police block. :-(

Photo taken with SE K800i

After the road block, it was smooth sailing all the way to PJ. The road block was set ahead of the planned pro ISA and Anti ISA gatherings on Saturday.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Moving Forward

It is time for me to move forward... where too?



Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlSdtZn1axg
Lyrics: http://www.6lyrics.com/music/israel_houghton/lyrics/moving_forward1.aspx

Lyrics: Moving Forward

What a moment You have brought me to
Such a freedom I have found in You.
You're the healer who makes all things new
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus:
I'm not going back, I'm moving ahead
Here to declare to you my past is over in You
All things are made new
Surrendered my life to Christ
I'm moving moving forward

You have risen with all power in Your hands
You have given me a second chance
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah

(Repeat chorus)

The Canticle Singers Attendance Philisophy

Just want to share this with all you, the Attendance Philosophy of The Canticle singers.

ATTENDANCE PHILOSOPHY

what this involves


In order to maintain a high standard of performance, our steadfast commitment and demonstration of unity, we expect our members to be at all rehearsals and concerts, ready to sing. The practical implications of this philosophy: if you must miss any part of a rehearsal, you must call (not email) our Assistant Music Director at least 24 hours before the rehearsal is scheduled to begin; explaining why you must miss the rehearsal.

It is difficult to differentiate between "excused" and "unexcused" absences. Regardless of the reason, when someone misses rehearsal, he hurts himself and the entire group. Remember that in a chorus it is not a matter of you smugly rehearsing on your own at home and confidently and being able to sing it alone but there is a critical need to be singing with your fellow singers, you need to work with and blend with them and vice versa.

Some points to be noted:

  • PRACTICE and learn your notes, lyrics, rhythms, etc at home, on your own time! Rehearsal time is precious and limited and designed to pull together each and every member to finalize a performance.
  • BE ON TIME for rehearsals. Rehearsals will be scheduled regularly and if a member is unable to attend, he/she must sufficient notice so that where possible other members of the group can be informed and a time rescheduled to meet. Missing rehearsals constitutes a lack of commitment and a letter of notice will be sent to re-confirm member commitment.
  • If you are SICK but not bedridden, nor suffering from a highly infectious condition, come to rehearsal anyway. If you do not feel well enough to sing with us, feel free to sit and just listen and take notes so that you will be fully aware of any working changes that are being made. Having no voice is not an excuse to miss a rehearsal.
  • The ubiquitous birthday or wedding or family DINNER FUNCTION, etc is far too common an excuse in our Asian society and if you were to assume that each member in a vocal ensemble of say twelve people and each of them were to be absent at twelve different rehearsals for say for various dinner functions, that would result in twelve different rehearsals where the vocal ensemble would be incomplete. Hence if you have such an event arising that will clash with a scheduled rehearsal; arrange to visit the host much earlier, spend some quality time with him/her and extend your good wishes and perhaps a gift and explaining that you have a scheduled rehearsal on. Seriously, even if you were to attend such a function, when there are so many other people clamouring around and demanding the attention of your host, do you honestly think that you will enjoy any quality time with your host?

If ABSENCES BECOME A PROBLEM for a particular individual, the Music Director and/or Artistic Director will ask to speak with that person. In general, if someone misses more than one rehearsals in the immediate period leading up to a musical production, he jeopardizes his participation in and the quality of that production.

If you have any questions about attendance, or if you foresee any potential conflicts in the future, please come and let us know about them way in advance.


From The Canticle Singers website.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Cinderella - Steven Curtis Chapman

This song is a reminder to me to spend more time with my daughters. This could also be the song that I sing on their wedding day... I got many years to rehearse.



Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5LteQgBIMA
Lyrics: http://www.lyrics007.com/Steven%20Curtis%20Chapman%20Lyrics/Cinderella%20Lyrics.html

Lyrics: Cinderella

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you

There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She will be gone

Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

Teoh Beng Hock's Inquest

Follow Teoh Beng Hock's inquest here in The Star Online, Teoh inquest: Ongoing Updates.

Inquest into the cause of death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Forever - Hillsong (My daddy song :-D )



Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxtl4SQcVP8
Lyrics: http://www.lyricskeeper.com/hillsong_united-lyrics/206472-forever-lyrics.htm

Lyrics: Forever

I'll Worship at Your Throne
Whisper my own love song
With all my heart I'll sing
For You my Dad and King (I would sing this line... For You my daddy....)
I'll live for all my days
To Put a smile on Your face
And when we finally meet
It'll be for eternity

And Oh how wide You open up Your arms
When I need Your love
And how far You would come
If ever I was lost
And You said that all You feel for me
Is undying love
That You showed me through the cross

I'll worship You my God
I'll worship You my God
I love You
I love You
Forever I will sing
Forever I will be with You
Be with You

Obituary: Yasmin Ahmad

Yasmin Ahmad
1st July 1958 - 25th July 25 2009

Yasmin's announcement in her blog http://yasminthestoryteller.blogspot.com/
Announcing the end of this blog, and the beginning of a new one.
Monday, November 17, 2008
yasmin rialto.jpg
Salaam, all.

To keep in touch with my work, my thoughts, and my films, please go to yasminthefilmmaker.blogspot.com

Her latest blog http://yasminthefilmmaker.blogspot.com/

Some of her works below taken from Wikipedia. The Petronas commercials is what I will best remember her. My condolences to her family.

Films
. Rabun (My Failing Eyesight) (2003)
. Sepet (2004)
. Gubra (2006)
. Mukhsin (2007)
. Muallaf (2008)
. Talentime (2009)

Commercials
. Petronas TV Commercial (for Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali & National Day)
. Yuzy (2000) Petronas Road Safety Campaign
. Vas Dentures (2000) Celcom
. Tan Hong Ming In Love (2007) Petronas Merdeka Day commercial
. Family (2008) for the Singaporean Ministry of Community Development, Youth and sports
. Funeral (2009) for the Singaporean Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports


Some Petronas commercials...

Merdeka sunat, petronas commercial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCXmpO-jfIo



Iklan Petronas - Deeparaya - Dead Heroes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ooY17jUuIU&feature=related



The love of Tan Hong Ming
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAKPwjBd4uM



Chinese New Year 2008 by Petronas, Malaysia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59WixaDvxLw&feature=related




View more Petronas commercials on YouTube. Search "Petronas Commercials" or go to Petronas website http://www.aleph-one.com.my/webcast/petronas_ads/index.htm

Ladies No Pants In North Korea

Ladies, if you are planning to go to North Korean anytime soon, and you have only pants in your wardrobe, it is time to buy some skirts.

North Korea crackdown on pants wearers

NORTH Korean women face hard labour if they are caught wearing trousers rather than skirts, under the communist regime's latest crackdown on public morals, South Korean activists say.

Offenders can be punished with hours of forced labour or fines of 700 won, almost a week's salary for the average worker, human rights group Good Friends said, citing its own sources within the isolated nation.
...

Click link to read report.

Monday, July 27, 2009

One Bow-Wow, One Heart - by Operafest Children's Choir

One Bow-Wow, One Heart - A concert Recital by Operafest Children's Choir.

26 July 2009 (Sunday) at the Lightbox Theatre, PJLA, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya.

For more info, go to http://pjla.com.my/

This round I was part of the audience (I was part crew on Friday). Came with my family and Ms Loo and her daughter,

Some of the early birds




Mrs Kam Sun-Yoke


Repertoire
Songs from Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific
. Dites Moi
. Theres Nothing Like A dame
. Bali Hai
. Bloody Mary
. Younger Than Springtime
. Happy Talk
. This Nearly Was Mine
. Some Enchanted Evening
. When Johnny Comes Marching Home (Music: Louis Lambert)













Kam Sun-Yoke - Soprano
. Some Day My Heart will Wake (Ivor Novello)
. Waltz Of My Heart (Ivor Novello)



After the interval...
. Mame (Jerry Herman)
. Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing (Sammy Fain)
. Red Roses For A Blue Lady (Roy Brodsky)
. Christopher Columbus (Terry Gilkison)







Chinese Songs
. The Moon Is Witness To Our Love
. Yeh Lai Siang (Jasmine Flower)
. Yeh Shanghai (Shanghai Nights)






I truly enjoyed the Chinese songs, eventhough I don't speak Chinese.

A Tribute To Michael Jackson (August 29 1958 - June 25, 2009)
. Ben



Splendoured performance by the Operafest Children's choir.

For more info, go to http://pjla.com.my/

Teaching Maths And Science in BM

What has teaching Maths and Science in English got to do with the Philipines and the Japanese?

Math and Science back to Bahasa, mother tongues
KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet has decided that the medium of instruction for Maths and Science will revert to Bahasa Malaysia in national schools and mother-tongue languages in national-type schools from
2012 onwards.
...

Future of our young at stake

English proficiency does not guarantee scientific progress, says PKR MP Zulkifli
PETALING JAYA:
People in the Philippines are proficient in English, but many landed up only as maids, said controversial Kulim Bandar Bharu MP Zulkifli Noordin.

The Philippines, he said, took pride in their peoples’ ability to speak English but had only succeeded in exporting many maids, whereas Japan has produced many international award-winning scientists who could not even utter a word of English.
...


MCA slams Kulim MP for looking down on maids
KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA has blasted
Kulim Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Nordin for looking down on maids.

Its spokesman Wong Nai Chee said he was shocked with the statement made by PKR’s Zulkifli that
Filipinos were fluent in English but only succeeded in exporting many maids....
...

Forced to be maids due to poverty
I REFER to the comments made by the Kulim Bandar Baharu MP who said that Filipinos speak English but could only get work as maids.

For your information, Sir,
some of us became maids simply because we are poor and have no means to further our studies.

In some cases, like Filipino nurses working as maids, it is because there are
limited opportunities in our country and going out to work offers us better chances to earn higher wages.

And so Mr MP, I think it’s very naive of you to say that we are incapable of doing great jobs and yet we can speak English. And comparing us to Japan?
What are you talking about? Japan is an industrialised country!

I feel sorry for those who are willing to improve their knowledge by learning English because individuals like you are a hindrance to their efforts. With due respect, Sir, you are a perfect example of someone who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

OFFENDED FILIPINO MAID,
Malacca.

Politician owes Filipina maids an apology
READING the letter “Forced to be maids due to poverty” (The Star, July 16), I have to say that I am amazed at the simple truths expressed so well by a person so looked down by our politicians. I quote her ...
“I feel sorry for those who are willing to improve their knowledge by learning English because individuals like you are a hindrance to their efforts. With due respect, Sir, you are a perfect example of someone who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

What is there for me to add, except that maybe the politician involved should be magnanimous enough to issue an apology to the offended party.

Suffice to say that giving all sorts of excuses and blame to parties who have absolutely nothing to do with one’s inadequacies represent the thinking of a very shallow mind, which may be improved by some voracious reading of English books?

TAM YENG SIANG,

Time To Have A Second Child

Dear friends in Malaysia, if you have one child, it is time that you help our nation by having a second child. Is your child longing for a sibling?


Picture from health-in-action.org

NST: W
hat happens when birth rate falls
...The situation in Malaysia, with a birth rate of 2.2 babies per couple, is not at a critical stage yet compared with Hong Kong (0.9), Korea (1.08), Taiwan (1.1) and Japan (1.2). But if the replacement level is not kept at two children per family, the country could be heading the same way.
...
"Women stay longer in schools, and when they work, they marry later and have less time for childbirth."
"If I have eight children, I cannot support their education in the institution of their choice.

"Time is another factor. If I have many children, I cannot spend much quality time with them. A smaller family is definitely easier to manage."

Click link to read report


Related NST report: Baby gloom due to lower birth rate

Sunday, July 26, 2009

NST: PJ Gets Theatrical - The Electric Minds Project

PJ gets theatrical

THE Electric Minds Project recently held a preview of its upcoming show, The Things We Have Lost.

EMP’s first show this year, Stage Therapy, a showcase of Malaysian short stories, played to full houses.

The Things We Have Lost will be the first performance to be featured in a new arts venue – PJ Live Arts at Jaya One. Touted as a “first of its kind, innovative community arts centre” it is good news for PJ-ites who no longer have to travel to the city centre for their arts fix.
...

Click link to read report.


Click link for more information on The Things We Have Lost.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

PJLA: Operafest Children’s Choir (24 July 2009)

Operafest Children’s Choir presents One Bow-Wow, One Heart at Lightbox Theatre, PJLA, Jaya One, PJ.



I watched the presentation as a 'crew'. What a privilege to 'work' and enjoy the children sing.


One Bow Wow (woof woof), One Heart.


Final rehearsal.


The crew @ work. Thought I was tired after the show, I really enjoyed my 'work'.

Picture (L-R) Kiddo Oli, MB Rach, Boss Andrew, and me.



Some photos taken while I rested from my roaming cameraman duty.










Photo taken by Rach.

Picture. Mrs Kam and her children.

Full house.


I will be part of the audience for tomorrow night's performance 26 July 2009.

Friday, July 24, 2009

My Lunch Hot Dog & Burger

My Thai colleague helped me to tapau a hot dog and a burger from Jackson's Burger, by the roadside on Jalan Dato Abdul Aziz (Section 14) PJ.


Hot dog RM2. Burger RM2.80. With RM4.80, I can eat more Jackson's roadside burger as compared to Wendy's.

Taste simple and just nice.

Malaysia Internet Services Disruption

TM Announcement
INTERNET SERVICES DISRUPTION
http://www.tm.com.my/announcement/default.asp

The Star: Noble Cause - Operafest Children's Choir

Operafest Children's Choir report in The Star...

Noble Cause

Operafest’s One Bow Wow, One Heart charity concert series provides entertainment as well as an outlet to address animal cruelty.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1940s musical South Pacific is making a revival – at a charity concert organised by Operafest Children’s Choir. The event, held tonight and on Sunday at PJ Live Arts Centre, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya in Selangor, is in aid of two animal sanctuaries and if you enjoy songs from the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, then do your part for charity.

“South Pacific is touted as one of the greatest musicals comprising lovely songs that have become standards. The musical was a box-office hit and has enjoyed many successful revivals, tours and a film version,” said Operafest’s founder and artistic director Kam Sun-Yoke during an interview.
...

Picture from The Star Online

Click link to read report.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

LRC: Church Reformation Nation Transformation

Church Reformation Nation Transformation. Speaker Jim Hodges.


Click link for more information

PJLA: Operafest Children’s Choir

Operafest Children’s Choir presents One Bow-Wow, One Heart at Lightbox Theatre, PJLA, Jaya One, PJ.


Click link for more information.

PJLA: Nyoba Kan Butoh Festival Butoh Highlight

Nyoba Kan Butoh Festival Butoh Highlight at Lightbox Theatre, PJLA, Jaya One, PJ.


Click on link for more information.


Click on link for more information.

PJLA:The Things That We Had Lost

The Electric Minds Project presents The Things That We Had Lost at Lightbox Theatre, PJLA, Jaya One, PJ.
.

Click link for more information.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

JUSTICE For Beng Hock Petition

Justice For Teoh Beng Hock Petition.

Click http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?j4bhmacc&1 to enter your signature.

The Star: Preschools to be part of national education system: DPM

PUTRAJAYA: Preschools will be made part of the national education system, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said on Tuesday.

These schools will also be provided with trained English teachers as part of the Government’s effort to improve the standard of English, said Muhyiddin, also the Education Minister.

He did not give a timeframe for this however.

Click link to read report.

So what will happen to the many privately owned preschools?

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

20 July 2009: My Dinner

I had lok lok last night, at Fatman Steamboat at Sungai Long, opposite 7-11. It is a different Fatman or Fat One, btw, the proprietor is not fat. Silas and Rach accompanied me, they had their pre dinner.


Related post Lok Lok Pre Dinner

19 July 2009: Family Dinner

We had our dinner at Home Taste Fish Head Restaurant in Bandar Mahkota Cheras last Sunday.

Ordered the set dinner of 5 dishes at RM48, excluding rice and drinks.

The set consist of...
. Seaweed soup
. Long beans
. Steam fish
. Sweet sour chicken
. Steam eggs

The steam fish tasted so much better than (nevermind the different type of fish) what we had at Restaurant 88 4 July 2009: 88 Fish Head Seafood Restaurant.

For around RM58, including the drinks, rice and peanuts it is worth the price.

So, How Is Your Day?

Receive this from a friend...


65' custom-built motor yacht complete with 4 staterooms, a state-of-the-art galley, GPS System and radar for navigation, twin supercharged diesel engines, etc.
Cost $4,500,000.00

Champagne, chocolate covered strawberries with cream and music dockside for the excited 'soon to be owners' and a small group of friends.
Cost $500.00

Two corporate representatives, crane, and rigging complete with faulty turnbuckle.
Cost $2,500/hour

(Note the guy in the stern!)

Watching your dreamboat nose dive into the harbor, accompanied by two corporate
Representatives just prior to 'inking' the final paperwork...
Cost PRICELESS!


So, how was your day.....

Cause Of Jam On Connaught Highway

Yesterday evening on the way towards Kajang, the Connaught highway was jam, due to a car breaking down on the highway on the turn off towards Cheras-Kajang highway.

Picture on the right. My photographer was trying to take a picture of the broken down car, but... :-D Thats the tow/repair truck.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Operafest Children's Choir rehearsal

Operafest Children's Choir rehearsal on Sunday 19 July 2009 at PJLA Centre.




























Click link for more info.