Dec 12

Food waste – are we greedy and guilty Malaysians? 国人日扔930吨食物 9万包10公斤白米不见了 　

By Compassion
What happens to your food waste? (image from USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency)

What happens to your food waste? (image from USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency)

A study has found that Malaysians are throwing away up to 930 tonnes of unconsumed food daily. Ironically, we Malaysians love food so why waste the one thing that we are known to love most? The regular flurry of news reports on food shortages and the global food crisis have failed to alert us on the importance of being thrifty and humble to contribute towards sustaining global food supplies.

The multi-racial of Malaysian food is simply glorious. We are blessed with such diverse food options that spice up our daily food consumption. Perhaps such diversity has led to our insatiable appetite for food at one sitting which eventually leads to a huge costly waste. At any time of the day, any type of food is easily available. We now have more restaurants that serve fusion food, making us more impulsively greedy in making our selections. Go to any of these restaurants and you might have a hard time making up your mind on whether to have a plate of Chinese fried rice or Sizzling Lamb Chop because the striking pictures in the menu send you drooling over them right away. Eventually, you ordered both items. The reality is you can’t clean your plate even before the dessert arrives. Such a waste.

Simplicity and balance are what missing in our meals. A balanced diet for a normal Malay family may consist of a plate of rice, a vegetable dish and a main dish (chicken curry, chili beef etc). Sometimes, when the main dish is dry, soup is served. Dessert is optional. Perhaps a bowl of porridge for lunch with some condiments? A plain sandwich would also suffice for any meal of the day. Why not? Such items are healthy, simple and economical, reducing the amount of leftover which might end up in the garbage bin.

We definitely do not want to pay the price for our own greed and selfishness. It’s time we find ways to reduce food waste in our landfills and become a more conscious food consumers. Malaysia boleh or tak boleh?

[source: http://ehomemakers-malaysia.blogspot.com/2011/10/are-we-greedy-and-guilty-malaysians.html]

 

News from ChinaPress:

（吉隆坡7日讯）农业及农基工业部副部长拿督蔡智勇说，国人每天浪费930吨食物，相等于9万3000包10公斤装的白米。

根据马大一名教授阿卡慕都，最近公佈的调查报告显示，国人每天浪费的食物量高达930吨，许多民眾或许觉得不多，但他们不知道每天都在浪费著9万3000包10公斤装的白米。

他说，民眾应该懂得珍惜食物，每次用餐时，应依照自己的胃口进食，並非叫了一堆食物，却吃不下。

蔡智勇今日出席“马来西亚青年绿动”活动后，在记者会这么说。

垃圾量可填满42双塔楼

其他出席者包括马来西亚青年绿动发源人林德和。

蔡智勇指出，除了浪费食物之外，在2007年的一项调查也显示，民眾在一年內製造的垃圾量，可以填满42座吉隆坡双塔楼。

“民眾每天製造约0.8公斤的垃圾，而巴生谷民眾则是1.5公斤，而一年內则是730万吨垃圾量，所以刚好可以填满42座吉隆坡双塔楼。”

他说，上述只是4年前的资料，如今我国人口已经增加不少，所以民眾应该要开始响应环保。

他举例，政府部门和机构的冷气温度，限制在摄氏24度，这將减少使用4-7%的电量，所以这能够带来很大效应。

另外，马来西亚青年绿动即日开始寻找100位环保达人，协助该组织宣传环保活动。

如果民眾对环保有任何的计划，可以把计划书电邮至my4green@gmail.com。

[source: http://www.chinapress.com.my/node/275209]
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Dec 10

Joshua Bell playing incognito in the subway

By Wisdom
Joshua Bell (photo by Chris Lee)

Joshua Bell (photo by Chris Lee)

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule. A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk. A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

[source: http://notreallyrelevant.blogspot.com/]
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Dec 05

Visit to the house of Jeff’s aunt in Heeren Street

By Beautiful Melaka, Photography
the abandoned living space of the house of Jeff's aunt in Heeren Street

the abandoned living space of the house of Jeff's aunt in Heeren Street

After our job assignment in Melaka Raya last Saturday, my friend, Jeff and i went to visit his aunt’s place in Heeren Street, the old street in the heart of the old city of Melaka. The house is one of the historic buildings and is also the place where Jeff was born at. The settings of the house definitely brought back the nostalgic atmosphere just like my grandma’s house in Bunga Raya.

Jeff’s mom, uncle and auntie were at the house when we arrived. They first introduced the place to me and brought me to tour from the front to the back of the house. Like most of the heritage buildings in this area, front half of the lower floor was used for business, while the rest and upper floor were living spaces. The back part of this house is very much abandoned, such as the old stoves, well drinking and toilet; these however leaving us a trace of the early and mid 20th century.

I would like to thank Jeff for bringing me to the his aunt’ place. I had my camera with me so i took some photos during our visit.

May all beings be happy. Some captures of the day,

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Nov 29

Vivien + Yang = j.u.s.t. m.a.r.r.i.e.d.

By Photography
congratulation to Vivien Law and Kuang-Yang!

congratulation to Vivien Law and Kuang-Yang!

Vivien and Yang were married early this month. I get to know both of them from Vivien’s sister, Mivian and they are on the loveliest couples I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Vivien comes from a Baba and Nyonya family. As you will see, I’ve included some pics of the family and friends wearing beautiful Nyonya Kebaya, and a pic of delicious Nyonya Pulut Tekan (glutinous rice in blue and served with Kaya) with Nyonya Kuih Lapis (red layer cake), which normally prepared for Nyonya weddings.

Congratulation and thank you Vivien and Yang for inviting me to be a part of your big day. It was absolutely beautiful with lots of fun and laughter. I wish you both nothing but the best in your journey through marriage and many blessings.

Below are some of my favorite pictures.

May all beings be happy.

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Nov 29

妻患舌癌下顎破洞 夫天天吃泡麵省钱为医病

By Compassion
由於曾佩仪须定时服用营养纤维粉和清洗伤口，吴国明就负起照顾她的责任。（图：星洲日报）

由於曾佩仪须定时服用营养纤维粉和清洗伤口，吴国明就负起照顾她的责任。（图：星洲日报）

她曾是演讲与辩论高手，也是事务律师，可是命运弄人，她罹患了舌癌，从此失去说话能力。

经过长达2年的电疗与化疗，导致她的下顎骨腐化、肌肉和血管坏死，下顎出现一个“洞口”，急需10万令吉进行修补手术。

来自霹雳合丰，目前居住在蒲种金鑾镇的曾佩仪（36岁）在2009年被证实患上舌癌。当时，医生宣佈她仅剩6个月寿命，但她与丈夫吴国明（36岁）却不放弃，四处寻求良医，2年来变卖所有的资產，用了逾50万令吉来治病。

舌头是口腔中的一大束肌肉，用来辨別滋味、帮助咀嚼食物和发音的器官，也是味觉器官之一。它对於人类已非常重要，对於演讲、辩论高手或是律师来说，它的重要性更多出数百倍。

变卖公寓汽车借贷
夫妻情深齐心抗癌

“不管生老病死，你们愿携手共度，至死不渝吗？”这是情侣在结为夫妻那刻时，彼此许下的誓言……曾佩仪与吴国明在14年，从相遇、相识、相知、相爱，却遭到双方家人的极力反对，两人经过了两度分手又復合，还在2000年静悄悄的注册结婚。

与夫两度分手復合悄悄注册

他们花了6年的时间，终於获得两家人的祝福，进行了华人传统婚礼仪式，正式成为夫妻。

婚后佩仪在旧巴生路快乐花园开办了“曾佩仪律师楼”，从事事务律师的她获从事批发手机和电脑的丈夫相助，获不少客户，生活过得幸福美满。

2008年，一切都处於最美好的时刻两人的爱情结晶品来到这个世界时，俩人兴奋的期待新生命的降临，不过最后却流產了。

原以为在养好身子再迎接新生命的到来时，上天却在此时给了他们一个严峻的考验，剥夺了她说话的能力的同时，也让他们夫妇从生活无忧，变成家財尽散。

“以前很多人说，我选择他是一个错误的选择。现在很多朋友说，他应该是我这一生最正確的选择。”曾佩仪提及丈夫对她的不离不弃时，再也忍不住哭了。 （图：星洲日报）

“以前很多人说，我选择他是一个错误的选择。现在很多朋友说，他应该是我这一生最正確的选择。”曾佩仪提及丈夫对她的不离不弃时，再也忍不住哭了。 （图：星洲日报）

夫曾有放弃生命想念

这是他们这辈子最黑暗的一天，吴国明曾经有过放弃生命的想念，所幸最后调整心態，决定陪妻子一起与癌魔对抗，等待奇蹟的出现。

他们没有放弃，见过无数的医生，也征询了无数医生的建议，其中一名医生指佩仪只剩下6个月寿命、有些则建议花费至少5万令吉在下巴动三刀，包括切除舌头、声带与淋巴、有些则说须动手术、电疗与化疗一起做以保住性命，但俩人均无法接受，沮丧不已。

2009年下半年，俩人四处找寻“妙手回春的华佗”和“灵丹圣药”，无论是西药、中药到坊间偏方等都不断尝试，可是却不见好转。

2010年月初，友人凑巧介绍一名来自中国的中医师，服了3个月星期的药物后，中医师建议到中国接受“质子治疗”。

赴中国接受质子治疗法

回家上网查询有关中国山东淄博万杰肿瘤医院的质子治疗法后，让他们看到一丝曙光，並变卖一个公寓单位和佩仪的父母和家人协助下筹得20多万令吉，在1月14日启程接受长达66天的治疗。

9月再到医院进行扫描和检验，报告却是令他们感到悲喜交加。喜的是，癌细胞没有扩散的跡象；悲的是，舌头仍有约1公分的肿瘤。

再赴中进行冷冻纳米介入治疗

正当俩人感到彷徨无助时，某日翻阅《星洲日报》看到患癌音乐家陈伟添经歷冷冻治疗和纳米介入治疗后的奇跡，心情激动不已。

吴国明成功与陈伟添联络，並在去年11月开始前往广州復大医院治疗每次长达28天的疗程，而每次的医药费须7万5千令吉，再加上日常开销与飞机票大约需8万5千令吉。

他们变卖仅有的一间公寓单位和汽车，也用尽了毕生的积蓄，再向朋友借贷应付庞大的医药费。经过3次的治疗后，情况已获得好转。

急需10万手术费

今年初，佩仪的舌头因长期服药、电疗与化疗萎缩突然掉落，更甚的是，有日喝水时，下顎却感觉湿湿地，用手一摸惊讶发现，水是从下顎滴出来。原来，下顎骨、肌肉与血管因为电疗和化疗过度损坏破了个洞！

初期，洞孔只是针孔般大小，但短短几个月变成了一个超过8公分的洞口。从此以后，佩仪无法再吞咽固体或食物，只能透过喉管灌入奶水，这令原本就虚弱的身子更加消瘦。

长期服用药物、接受电疗与化疗，导致曾佩仪的下顎骨腐化、血管和细胞坏死，导致下顎陷成一个洞，无法进食。（图：星洲日报）

长期服用药物、接受电疗与化疗，导致曾佩仪的下顎骨腐化、血管和细胞坏死，导致下顎陷成一个洞，无法进食。（图：星洲日报）

体重从70公斤降至40公斤

2年来，身高约168公分的佩仪，体重从70公斤下降至40公斤，瘦骨嶙嶙。

为了避免细菌感染，佩仪用纱布覆盖洞口，而医生建议必须儘快进行修补洞口动手术，而这次的手术费更高达10万令吉。

10万令吉对他们来说是一笔巨大的数目，在无计可施的情况下，联络上《大都会》，而星洲日报基金会经理林振全也前往关怀他们。过去，俩人在经济许可时，做了不少的好事，每当看见《大都会》的温情故事及需要筹款的新闻时，总是二话不说就签发支票，捐助需要帮助的人。

“我们从没想过自己会成为筹款的对象，我们的心理都有些难过，更觉得会欠了广大公眾这辈子都无法还清的人情。”

仅能服食营养纤维粉

除了庞大的医药费，目前曾佩仪仅能服食每罐约75令的营养纤维粉，而一罐只够4天，这也是笔巨大的开销。

在照顾病妻的日子里，吴国明也明显清减，省吃俭用每日顶著空肚只食用两餐，而大部份都是以快熟面饱腹。

佩仪在患病期间，幸好有丈夫的陪伴，让她捱过一次又一次的痛楚，从开始的执著、不安、不甘，现在她学会了放下和看开。夫妇俩手牵手，以勇敢与乐观的心情接受患病事实。

这对情深的夫妻非常需要筹募医药费和其他援助，希望热心人士可以伸出援手。

患病前，曾佩仪体重达70公斤，经歷2年和癌魔搏斗的日子，身体变得虚弱，体重只剩40公斤。（图：星洲日报）

患病前，曾佩仪体重达70公斤，经歷2年和癌魔搏斗的日子，身体变得虚弱，体重只剩40公斤。（图：星洲日报）

[source: Sin Chew Daily, http://mykampung.sinchew.com.my/node/167554?tid=6]
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Nov 23

猫的语

By Photography
猫的语

猫的语

好久没有分享作品了。忙了几星期的工作和照片的后制，没有时间整理照片上载到这里。

今天继续赶照片的后制。当眼皮快不听话的时候，到屋后走走，看到了很多很多的猫咪，各自各的精彩。突然很想就地取材，上载来分享。就拿了相机到屋后趴在地上，和猫咪打成一片，拍了几张有性格的猫咪的照片来上传。

希望在为生意、工作忙碌，为学校考试奋斗，为家里大小事务操心的各位，能够像猫咪一样伸伸懒腰，放松自己再重新冲刺。

愿众生快乐。

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