Changes for Betterment

Most of us are afraid of changes, or be different from the norms.

Therefore, most of us tend to do things most people are doing, play safe.

KK is so far behind in terms of innovative buildings and structures design.

As locals, we see conventional buildings and structures repeated and repeated here and there.

The never ending mundane development trend could be traced back to the attitude and mentality of most of the professionals, especially those representing the authority.

Most of them seems reluctant to go beyond the general practice. These people could not be bothered to be innovative, the results are are monotonous designs, repetitive structures and boring manmade features prevailing the man made environment.

Because it is easier to do things the conventional way.

How to see changes if people are not changing ?

The formula for Surprise

The formula for surprise: lower the recipient expectation, elevate level of surprise!

This is the formula of surprise I learnt from Lawrence. Thank you Lawrence!!!

When I first heard that Lawrence has a name in our CAD room, I was a little dazed, blanked and speechless. Somehow slight worry struck me, together with some fuse of surprise (50% 50% as this guy is very unpredictable).

There are 4 of us, chances of my name would be 25%. Somehow everyone said whoever is receiving from Lawrence would be the luckiest one, and they said they would like to. Still, I am a little reserved.

Yesterday afternoon, Lawrence came in with a "dinosaur" in his hand, telling us that he had his present ready for the next day. Everyone was shocked, I was amazed and at the same time disappointed with his "choice of present". I could not help but bursted out saying " whoever is receiving christmas present from Lawrence would be the malang one", as he was busy showing us all the kids' toys he bought, particularly a dinosaur with blinking red eyes and making scary noise.

Though I was disappointed and a little mad with Lawrence's mischievous present, I could not help but laughing on his funny ideas. At that time I have no idea I was actually the one Lawrence would be giving present to! Somehow I was confident that it would never be me (though I may not always with good luck, however I believe would not be that malang).

Today after lunch session, Lawrence was the one who handed out presents we piled under the pretty 2D christmas tree (this gave him liberty to decide which present to be given out first and last). I was taking pictures while every pairs exchanging presents. When he was left with just one last present to be handed out, Lawrence jokingly picked it up and walked away. Others shouted at him while he was trying to run away with the last present. Seeing his funny and amusing character, I was laughing too.

I totally forgotten that was the present for me. Oh ya...!! I have not received my present yet. That is the one for me then, from Lawrence?!! Oh no!!! The dinosaur ?!!!

The present pack was quite "heavy" and solid, it was not "like" a dinosaur!!

Yes, it was not the dinosaur, in fact, it was a pretty vanity shower package to indulgence! Thank you Lawrence! You really a good scammer.

等待

被等待的他，是一種幸福，

在等待的她，雖然是一種折磨，

但若能有個值的等待的他，其實已經是一種幸福了。

不是每一個等待，都會有結果。

當她，必需一輩子都在等他，永無盡止的等待，

那種等待，是很痛，很悲的。

當她，因為一輩子都等不到他，所以不能再有所等待，

沒有了那個可以等待的他，沒有了等待，

那種絕望，更是最痛，最悲哀的。

遠見

不知為什麼，從沒想要去香港遊玩。而且，聽妹妹说过她朋友的姑姑在香港的情况，對香港平民的生活環境深感悲哀。前些日子，還在電視新聞聽到香港是全世界排名貧富差距最大的地區。新加坡排第二。

老媽是從去年就叫我安排她到香港探訪堂大舅。因為我對香港沒什麼興趣，所以拖了快一年。幸好最近妹妹答應一起到香港探訪堂大舅，才決定了這次的香港探親之旅。

只是，年尾是我最忙最痛苦的時刻，真是掃興。还好有妹妹积极的坚持和支持，我们的香港探親之旅才能顺利的进行。

由关口出来时，堂大舅早以在机场等候。但我们也花了好一会才互相认出对方。

堂大舅安排我们住宿在铜锣湾，据说那里环境没那么杂，消费不高而且也靠近堂舅母工作的公司。不久之后才发觉那里的街道还是印尼外劳的周末休闲站。真新鲜，把街道当休闲站，多用途街道，不愧是寸金尺土的香港。

第一天晚餐是堂大舅坚持要请客。原来香港出名吃烧鹅，超好吃但也很贵吃！之后的两天就是马不停蹄的由早到晚到处登门拜访亲戚。

印象最深刻的是堂表姐表哥的家，原来堂表姐表哥们都个个受过外国高等教育，目前家境很好，生活素质也很好。表姐们看起来也很风光，一家人的关系都维持的很好。

听堂舅母说，堂大舅很注重教育，是位很有远见的人。坚持孩子们都必须接受一定的教育水平。所以堂表姐表哥才有今天舒服的的生活环境。看来在先进的社会里，教育还是最直接提升生活素质的条件。堂大舅真是位有远见的人。

後知後覺

真荒唐，兜了個大圈，你不過只是個把感情當成交易籌碼的傢伙。

我真是有眼無珠，錯把惡魔當天使。

每個人都希望身邊有個白天使。

雖然還不確定你是不是我的白天使，

但是我一直都希望可以成為你的白天使，

只可惜，你自私追求的標干人生已把我薰陶導致變色了...

還好那天我堅持要上你家看。不然，我大概還的要當個傻瓜數十年。

這輩子我也不會忘記你那晚的態度和表情：夠冷，夠狠，夠絕。突然間你讓我覺的很陌生。你冷漠的臉色，無情的語气，讓我震驚，還差點讓我溺息，嚇的我全身顫抖，心比刀割還痛。那晚的一卻，足夠柝垮這些日子以來對你累積的所有敬佩和愛惜了。

更悲哀的是當我說你讓我誤會你了，你不但不反駁，也沒有澄清的意思，反而是再三的確定你沒有讓我誤會；因為這一卻是你自導自演的。你只是在跟我演戲！天啊，你還是人嗎？

你把一卻都粉碎的很徹底。原來根本沒有所謂的愛情或感情，只是一種利益交往的階段和過程。你理所當然的慣性行為，卻是讓我刻骨銘心的惡夢，一個我從小夢想認識的男人，原來對感情是這麼的自私並毫不留情地使人受傷。

女人對你而言，只是一個工具，一個配角，管她是誰，她的身份只是延續經濟利益的代替品。就像是一個已經有了固定結局的交易，只是每次演出的女配角不同罷了。

恍然大悟。現實是殘酷的，我終於明白了，怎麼總是後知後覺...

好殘忍的領悟啊！

未來的市場？

有些失望。

但也算是大開眼界了！

出國前幾天承受的壓力和付出的代价還算沒白費。

就算上堂課也是要付費呀！

 

久聞的中國廣州商品交易會，

在很玄的机緣巧合按排下，

讓我有幾會親身體驗，

大開眼界。

一大早匆匆忙忙趕上了賓館提供的巴士,

連早餐也沒吃。

到琶州的商品交易會，

車程大約三十分鐘。

展館前的停車常排滿大大小小的巴士。

展館的主要進出口濟滿了人，

人堆塞滿進出口的所有空間，

過長的人龍沿著前門大路長長的人行道，

在晴郎的天空下等候進場，

順便一面享受日光谷。

還好辦進場証件不花太多時間。

若在先有自備照片，還可省去拍那三十人民幣的大頭照片。

因為我們有受邀信，所於在辦進場証件時省了兩百人民幣。

進場証件還是五年實用呢！

 

進場的手續比上飛机嚴僅。

不只全身招瞄，招瞄所有隨身卸代物，還有體溫監策！

這麼多步奏，難怪人龍堆的那麼長啦！

 

展館裡外五花八門的人潮，並沒見到什麼大國來的采購商。

都是一些來路不明，非洲，亞洲，東南亞，東歐，南歐小國，最多該是東亞回教國家的人。

啊！難道中國貨的主要買家都是第三國家？！

而馬來西亞算是第三國家的龍頭老大吧。

現代原始人

無論人纇文明再怎麼進步，民族或國家有多發達,

還是有一些現象足於顯示人纇的原始本能似乎沒跟著時間進化，

或被文化修養薰陶而磨滅。

就好像貪小便宜的心態：只要是免費的，就是有殺錯，沒放過！

跟那些生活在幾万年前的原始人行為沒差別。

原始人：都是以收聚和獵取周圍環境中免費的東西過活。

而現代的原始人：卻是以收聚和獵取周圍環境中免費的東西過癮！

由其在飛机上，公司的辦工室，酒店或旅館，餐館，可拿就拿，不拿是吃虧！

曾經自己也有過那種很原始人的行為。

因為當時是年少無知，再加上自己超寒酸的身世背景，

所以還是勉強的諒自己一過。

但現在回想，感覺還是羞愧和無地自容。

而且自己現在突然變的很關心地球的健康和福利，

因此決心痛改前非，希望可以避免製造更多垃圾。

但奇怪的是，一些身邊的親友，

並沒有比自己更寒酸的身世背景，

也不是沒見過世面的文盲或鄉巴，

一些還是來自先進國家的公民，

也有接受過外國高等教育的專業人士，

卻還是有著很原始人的行為。

到底是文化教育的失敗，

還是簡單的老話一句：本性難移？

Yoko Farming

Every decade is defined by its engineering breakthroughs. Mechanized agriculture has enhanced productivity for many decades in the past centuries. In the recent years, sustainable agriculture and organic farming has been the alternative, subsequent to a backlash against the external environmental effects of mechanized agriculture.

In par with the concept of sustainable agriculture, Yoko Farming is the resolution for the future.

I have heard of Yoko Farming almost as long as I know about the Mahikari Organisation. However, I have never given much thought about the activities or any matters related to it. I have thus never participated in any of the Yoko Farm activities organized officially. Often, I wonder why of all the trades, the Mahikari Organisation is emphasizing on agriculture activities.

The best way to understand is to participate. In order to have a better understanding of Yoko Farming, I decided to take part in the annual Yoko Farm Training. My initial intention was just to be a passive participant, because I thought I had enough on the practical sides of farming, and farming is never something too new to me; I was brought up in a farmyard.

All these while I have been associating Yoko Farming to organic farming; something sound very technical and mechanical. This is also one of the reasons I was not trilled about Yoko Farming. However, the introductory speech given by The Yoko Farm Chief has proven me wrong. There are much more perspectives to consider beyond just physical aspects or technical exercises. The essence of Yoko Farming lays on associating spiritual aspect in farming practice.

After the training, I did some reading on the history of agriculture and was amazed by what I read, and about the trade that I have been over looked all these while.

According to my findings, agriculture is the earliest trade on earth:

i. The history of agriculture is in par with human history.

ii. It is the root and the beginning of all trades.

iii. Agriculture success is the basic indicator of nation wealth and societies well being.

The justification is very simple:

“When farmers became capable of producing food beyond the needs of their own families, others in their society were freed to devote themselves to projects other than food acquisition. “

There is also a statement like this:

“Historians and anthropologists have long argued that the development of agriculture made civilization possible.”

Isn’t this statement implies that the rise and fall of a civilization is determined by the advancement of agriculture activities?

Generally, conventional organic farming is part of the effort under sustainable agriculture and aims at three main goals:

i. Environmental stewardship

ii. Farm profitability

iii. Prosperous farming communities

On the other hand, Yoko Farming emphasizes on producing produce of the highest spiritual energy, in order to cultivate the growth of quality people. The practice integrates these three important aspects:

i. God Centered: awaken to God’s supremacy

ii. Nature Interaction: work harmony with nature

iii. Soil sustainability: revive soil to its original state

It is the noble intention of producing clean and pure foods that Yoko Farming is striving for, as part of the effort to promote spiritual reformation of the world. Therefore, Yoko Farming is far beyond just organic movement. It is about building a spiritual civilization.

Human Friendly Mosquito Control

When Lynn first introduced me to MozTrap, I was a little amazed, though was not interested as I did not think I would need it. However, somehow my conscience told me maybe someone would need it critically, especially family with children.

Lynn didn't seem to have any 1st hand information about the device. Obviously she had not study the device herself.   Out of curiosity and for the sake of own personal knowledge, we agreed to get one from her.  I would like to carry out my own observation to this device, before I could recommend it to others.

We are living in a very damp and humid country, mosquitoes related deceases such as dengue and malaria have always been a treat to our common health.  The government has been constantly warning the rakyat via various medias to eliminate all possible breeding sites. 

As the most civic minded and obedient citizen you could be, and you maybe successfully getting yourself  a "clean" and "clear" compound. However, this does not guarantee your life is free of any of the biting pests, because mosquitoes born in other areas will still fry to your place.

In the dengue prone areas, the health ministry is conducting mosquito spraying from time to time. Some private residential estates are also having own pest control program in order to cope with mosquito borne health problems.

The most common method of mosquito handling is the spraying of pyrethrin fog for indoor use and either thermal foggers or cold foggers for outdoor use.  Nevertheless, fogging normally comes with undesirable odors and residuals even after the fog has dissipated. Anyone with respiratory problem would find fogging a nuisance.

The name MozTrap implies its intended function---a device designed to trap mosquitoes, and kill them subsequently.  It is so far the "cleanest" mosquito killing device I know, as it utilizes small amount of carbon dioxide, heat and moisture released from photo-catalyst reaction besides hydrogen radicals (-OH) produced from irradiation of UV rays on TiO2 (titanium dioxide) plate and lining, as the magnet to lure mosquitoes---a photo-catalyst mosquito killer. Mosquitoes are sucked and caught into the net by strong swirled wind and dehydrated to die.

Besides serving its main purpose, this photo-catalyst mosquito trap also purifies air, kills harmful air borne bacteria and a has a unique deodorant effect.

There are few version of photo catalyst mosquitoes trap in the market.  The one introduced by Lynn was "doubled attractive" as it is "reinforced" with an attaching attractant, some sort of octenol. However, my experiment so far proven that MozTrap works without the bait. It was my intention to avoid dependency of the attaching attractant, as I believe no one likes long term consumables.

These are pictures of the trapped mosquitoes (all dehydrated to die) that I have collected on 2 different days, for the period of 3 hours, 6pm to 9pm.  The 1st picture shows collection on a windy and dry evening.  The 2nd picture shows collection on a still and humid evening.  The quantity of mosquitoes collected varies accordingly. 

談親子

真是一種米吃出百樣人，我的兩個妹妹，皆身為人母兼職業婦女，都是八面玲瓏，也有相當的教育水平，卻有著全然不同的人生觀。

大妹妹是個典型住家女人，相夫教子的賢妻良母。除了工作，就是陪著丈夫和孩子東奔西跑，或是靜待在家。日常生活總是於造就家人和孩子的福利為中心，所以不怨多勞而且甘心放棄自己的私人空間，把生命完全奉獻給家庭，在煩忙中享受著幸福。

相反的，小妹妹卻是比較反傳統且傾向個人主意者，常常設法想從煩忙的工作和家庭生活抽身。不覺的擁有的家庭是一種恩賜，或為家人付出和陪在孩子身邊即是一種幸福。所以日子過的不很滿意。

其實在這世上，像小妹妹那樣的還有很多。我的老板娘更夸張，敢敢覺的孩子是略奪父母私人空間的侵犯者。好奇怪的人纇。到底也是合群的動物，為什麼在爭取了屬於自己的 “族群“ 后，卻想抽離群眾？

為人父母的，可知道是為了什麼建立自己的家庭呢？只是為了 “人有我也有“ 嗎？ 有了家庭卻不認為建設家庭和培育孩子是一種必然享受的幸福過程，那又何必當初呢？

排開玄之又玄高不可攀的人生理念，回到基本，人生是什麼呢？簡單說不過是段過程，就把自己的本份和份內的事情做好吧。在繁茂的人際關係中，父母与孩子的關係是最親近的，這種關係不旦是建立在生理的構造上，而且還隱藏著一種高玄的感情互動。

都是過來人，明知童年短促，身為父母應該更明白親子的重要。跟著孩子一起成長，讓人生沒有遺感。

life is about making choices?

Once, someone has told me “destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved”.

And more then once, as written somewhere, life is about making choices.

Initially, I agree very much with these saying and have been trying to relate every single decision in the past with the present life that I have instinctively shaped: yes, my life is the result of many little decisions I have made through out the past years.

I believe this modus operandi is not just applied to me, but to many as well in cruising though our course of life. 

And maybe same as the many others, I have been taking life for granted, believing that “I am the captain of my life, I decide my destiny, and I am responsible to myself for whatever consequences I may need to deal with as the result of my act. Should there be any misery or disappointments, it was due to my failure in making the right choice at the right time”.

Other then own personal experience, I observed this inclination among people around me, many are closest to me.

However, thank God, I was given a chance to alter that preconception and repent how much I have been taking life for granted, particularly with regards to liberty in making decisions and sovereignty of life.

Recently I was introduced to a new friend whom was more of a shock then a surprise to me.  Physically a grown up adult, but he is still behaving and thinking like a kid.  Everything of his life is taken care of by the parents.  From young school life up to adult working life today, every details of his daily life, is arranged by others.  In other words, his life is the result of many decisions by others.

Should he be thinking as most of us, it must not be easy for him to carry on life in such way.  Who would want a life arranged by others?  How is a life in such way?!  Is there still any "life"?

もち

もち， 像有點气質，很特別的名子，

讓我連想到日文中的一種傳統甜糕，喫嘴黏牙，

屬甜品纇，所以不是我的喜愛。

 

もち，

你年紀也不小了，在社會上也混了二十多年吧！

怎麼連招待女生都不懂嗎？

在西方社會待了二十五年，應該有些很紳士風度啊！

但你連基本的禮貌也不做，讓約來的女生自己招待自己？！

可听的話都沒多說，無聊尷尬的問題就有一兩個。

難的人家認真問你問題時，你卻豪不正經的馬虎亂扯。

想學人家約會就該先做些工課啊。

吊兒郎當的，輕重不分，怎麼對你有信心？

更談不上什麼好感啦！

 

もち，

快些長大吧！長期在父母維護下的你，

連乘達飛机也要媽媽安排？

處處要別人為你著想，為你妥協。

只能祝福你了！

金馬侖一日闖

怎麼說呢？有些事情的完成，或目標能夠達到，不一定是當事者有太多的能耐，或著有過人的利害。而是當事者事前跟本不知道，也不了解，達到目的地所要面對的種種困難，才冒昧的亂闖，殺出一條生路。

就像我的金馬侖一日遊，這是我事前完全沒預料會在行程內的節目，因為四天在KL的時間並不很多，所以根本沒預算出KL。 而且住KL的酒店也已在先預定，四天三夜。

但是行程內主要的目標之一是探訪保志哥！不去金馬侖行嗎？！那也是我沒到過的地方。

保志哥要我們留宿在他的家一夜，第二天再回KL。但我是無知的認為沒必要過夜金馬侖，不單是捨不的五星級房間和早餐，也想多陪陪小妹。反正目標只是探訪保志哥，不是旅遊金馬侖。也不認為金馬侖晚上能有什麼特別好看的。

一大早趕到車站，買了兩張來回車票。巴士早上十點半出發。

沒想到路途真的要花上三四個鐘！不但路途長，還彎來轉去，幸好不耐暈車的我並沒被搖到吐在巴士上！到達金馬侖時已經下午三點。真是山高皇帝遠，感覺就像上高山拜大師。

很安慰見到保志哥還是老樣子。我們在金馬侖只待了一個半鐘！吃一餐飯，到保志哥家坐坐，在車站周圍拍了幾張照片，幸好還見到了保志哥的寶貝女兒。 好羨慕喔！超可愛的乖乖女！人見人愛，就像我夢想中的可愛型女兒。

回KL的車票時間是下午四點半！哈哈！我們像是送快遞的多過來探訪保志哥吧！難怪保志哥會說：一上一下，不如不來？！

下午四點半，我們沖忙的上了巴士，趕回KL的路。

但這下山的回程才真夠力！感覺比上山痛苦難挨幾十倍。除了路途彎來轉去，我的隔位還有位馬來大伯一直在嘔吐，後來還傳染到他前面位子的一位馬來年青人也跟著吐。接著我們即刻把準被好的口罩帶上。但沒想到更誇張的事情在后頭！那年青人隔位坐的女伴，也就是坐在我前面坐位的馬來女子，卻無動于衷的沒理會身邊那嘔吐男伴，而還津津有味的在吃榴槤！死忍暈車強忍吐的我，加上滿車的榴槤味，真是好痛苦喔！

早知路程是這麼幸苦，這麼長遠，還要挨上幾個鐘頭暈車反胃，我真該過夜金馬侖啊。。。金馬侖！我跟你沒完沒了！咱們后會有期！！！

Rome Was Not Built In A Day

As part of the exercise to involve stakeholders to participate in the planning and design of Sembulan River Beautification Project, a briefing was conducted by the Project Consultants to its stakeholders.

With full enthusiasm and high expectation, I attended the project briefing, hoping to share the joy with the stakeholders, besides showing moral support to the Project Consultants.

Most of the stakeholder was supportive of the project (of course, why not?  It was 100% government funded, to give the people a better living environment).  However, very typical as expected, the most negative respond was from the end user, the ultimate beneficiary of the Project - the people of Kampung Sembulan!  How cynical!  When feedback was asked by the City Hall Chief Planner, the Kampung Representative bluntly voiced out a very typical kampung minded question “what is the benefits to our kampung falks?”

What is wrong with these people?!!  Can’t they see the title of the Project “Sembulan River Beautification Project”?  Isn’t the title speaks clearly the noble objective of the Project?  Are they expecting Sembulan River as a dirty kampung drain for another millennium?  Come on folks, Sembulan is just few yards away form the CBD (Central Business District)!  Are they not looking forward a better living environment – a cleaner neighborhood?  Fortunate enough that this area has been selected, don’t they know there is always limited fund for urban environmental improvement program!?

Looking back to the history of many other world class cities, is there any city that is not continuously under go transformation?  Just like any other living organisms, a living city - is always in the growing state, always in progress, always in the move, in the change!  Why is Sembulan River or Kota Kinabalu exceptional?!  Unless it is a dead city!

“Rome Was Not Built in a Day” This is an old say I have learned since time in memory, I think it is not foreign to many too.  However, how many of us have given much thought about it?  Did any one aware of the depth of this old say?

Rome, as one of the oldest and most beautiful city in human civilization:

1.     The city of Rome marks the best standard of a beautiful city,

2.     The city has been developed for thousands of years, experienced countless evolution and revolution,

3.     Rome, though is an old and matured city, is still developing, continuously.

What an excellent example!  Such an old and established city, Rome is still developing!

Please wake up the folks of Kampung Sembulan, it is either you want Sembulan to die off and left out, or to let it grow and prosper.

KK Green Mobility Campaign

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving” 

Albert Einstein

Kota Kinabalu, a very unique city sited at the west coast of Sabah, East Malaysia, is soon going to have a facelift.  Thanks to efforts of many, up from Federal Government, down to its local authority, the KK City Hall, State JKR and few far sighted professionals in the field.

Besides the many little efforts from Jabatan Landskap Negara to initiate continuos greening and urban improvement programs since early 2000, the citizen and visitors of Kota Kinabalu can now benefit from bigger scale environment improvement programs, provided under the Sabah Development Corridor as part of the strategies to complement tourism industry.  The programs consist of:

Packages 1: Sembulan River Beautification Project

Packages 2: Bicycle and Pedestrian Path from Tg. Aru to UMS

Packages 3: Upgrading Urban Historical Site Akinson Clock Tower - Signal Hill Observatory 

KK Green Mobility Campaign was inspired with the proposal to provide approximately 15 - 18 km Bicycle and Pedestrian Path from Tg. Aru at the South end upward to UMS in the north. When the project was 1st briefed to the Technical Steering Committee in the 1st Technical Meeting today, a visionary Senior Engineer Mr. Alan Wong of JKR, suggested a very interesting and valid idea.  The program should aim at higher and broader level --- about promoting Green Mobility among the citizen, in view that people of many advance countries are going for alternative mode of transport, besides promoting a cleaner and greener city environment in KK City.

What a wonderful vision for Kota Kinabalu!  It is hope that this noble and beautiful idea could be materialized soon.  People of KK, lets welcome a new era of personal mobility!!!

鏡花水月

最初的夢，

是含蓄的沉寂，

静静的守候，

壓抑的似乎被遺忘了。

 

緣起于偶然，

或許也是机緣巧合，

一切像是很熟悉，

很自然的 愛了，

仿佛再續未完的緣，

不了的情。

 

但，

人世红塵心事難測，


就像多變的季節，

當激情退盡，

心也跟着歲月轉變。

 

驀然回首，

享受的幸福, 渴望的故事,

都僅是錯覺。

你的放任，讓我徹底誤解了快樂的意義。

 

綻放的夢，皆不過風煙一抹。