Salt your food with humour.

2006-12-26T15:25:00.000+08:00

Hellohs everyone!

Im beeeccckkk! Thanks to Zira's, my pretty cousin, who commented i didnt update my blog, well, here i am again, giving sunshine back to my bloggie.

Hit me. Bug me. Tag me. Again..

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas.
And a Happy New Year.

Love,
Rose

6 Suprising Reasons U're not losing weight.

2006-06-17T22:01:00.000+08:00

Putting on pounds despite your best efforts? The culprit could be one of these sneaky fat traps.

Weight-Loss Wrecker #1: Your CouchBeware, sofa spuds: Researchers at Deakin University in Australia found advertisement that people who watched between one and two-and-a-half hours of TV per day were 93 percent more likely to be overweight than those who watched less than an hour per day. "When adults watch TV, they are virtually motionless," notes Tom Farley, M.D., chair of the department of community health sciences at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. "And research has found that your heart rate, blood pressure and metabolic rate all slow down while you're watching TV ‑- even more than if you were sitting in a chair doing nothing." For the average-size adult, this metabolic decline results in burning 20 to 30 fewer calories per hour, meaning that if you watch five hours of TV a day, you can gain more than a pound each month. And don't forget all the extra calories that pile on from the mindless snacking in front of the boob tube.

Weight-Loss Wrecker #2: Married BlissWhen you exchanged your vows, gaining weight together probably wasn't one of them. But research at the University of Minnesota has found that people often gain an average of five pounds within two years of getting hitched. The reason? Newly married couples' food choices became more and more similar ‑- with women often compromising their eating habits more than men do, according to a Cornell University study. Along with what you eat, the way you eat also changes after you're married: "When you're single, you're more likely to skip meals or just have a salad for dinner. But when you're married, you tend to eat larger meals with multiple courses," says Jeffery Sobal, Ph.D., an associate professor in nutritional sciences at Cornell.

Weight-Loss Wrecker #3: Being Stressed 24/7You'd think that extra-frenetic days would kick you into calorie-burning overdrive. Nope. In fact, stress increases your body's production of a hormone called cortisol, which signals your body to hang on to weight and deposit more fat in your abdomen. (Belly fat is the worst kind to have; it's linked to diabetes, high cholesterol and other health problems.) As if this weren't bad enough, "cortisol also drives your appetite, especially for things that are sweet, fatty and comforting," says Shawn M. Talbott, Ph.D., associate clinical professor of nutrition at the University of Utah and author of The Cortisol Connection. Indulge this stress-induced urge to nosh too often and you can quickly pack on extra pounds. Need proof? A recent study in Denmark found that nurses who were extremely busy but had little influence over how their jobs were done gained significantly more weight than those with less pressure and more control.

Weight-Loss Wrecker #4: Date Night = Drink Night You might think you're being virtuous by drinking only on date night, but if you overdo it, you could end up with extra flab around your waistline. Though the exact mechanism isn't understood, research at the University at Buffalo found that people who drink infrequently, but have four or more drinks on occasion ‑- even if it's just once a week ‑- have more abdominal fat than folks who drink small amounts more regularly.

Weight-Loss Wrecker #5: Dark Winter DaysSurveys have found that many people consume anywhere from a few hundred to 1,500 more calories per day in the winter months. That's especially true of people who experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), characterized by low energy, sadness, irritability or fatigue during the winter months. (According to the Mayo Clinic, as many as 20 percent of Americans suffer from mild to severe SAD.) Shorter daylight hours may lead to a decrease in levels of the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine, causing you to feel sluggish and to crave carbs and sweets, notes Raymond W. Lam, M.D., professor of psychiatry at the University of British Columbia.

Weight-Loss Wrecker #6: Skimping on SleepResearch at the University of Chicago has found that having a sleep debt wreaks havoc on your metabolism, making it easier for fat to sneak onto your bod. Sleep deprivation leads to an increase in insulin resistance (a condition in which your body doesn't use blood sugar properly, thereby increasing your risk of diabetes) and a decrease in levels of leptin (a hormone that appears to play a key role in satiety), explains Eve Van Cauter, Ph.D., one of the study's authors. These hormonal changes can promote weight gain. While the occasional sleepless night ‑- when you're up with a sick child, for example ‑- isn't likely to be a problem, chronic sleep loss is. It doesn't take long for sleep debt to add up; in fact, some of these adverse hormonal effects have been seen in people who have endured just five days of four hours of sleep per night, Van Cauter notes.

Is Your House Making You Fat?

2006-06-17T21:59:00.000+08:00

Check out these strategies to offset the weird ways in which your home can widen your waistline.

Adjust the lighting. Research has found that overweight people tend to consume more food in brightly lit settings than when the lights are low. "Bright lighting makes some people feel more aroused, which could lead them to eat faster and consume more total calories," says Nanette Stroebele, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. On the other hand, Stroebele says, dieters tend to consume more in dimmer light, because they lose self-consciousness.

Keep food out of sight. The closer food is, the more likely you are to eat it. Research has found that items on lower shelves in cabinets are more frequently eaten than those on higher ones. And if you serve food from the dinner table, rather than the stove, you're more likely to take a second helping.

Turn off the stereo. "People tend to eat more when listening to music than when eating in silence," Stroebele says. You'll be distracted and sit at the table longer. Other auditory distractions, like the TV, have a similar effect, says a French study.

2006-06-06T00:48:00.000+08:00

Someone wrote for me this poem...

Life is a journey u take only once,
In it u find sum1 special once.
One that ur happy to come across,
1 for whom any barrier u would cross.
From god she is sent in the form of an angel,
Sum days u wish u could juz meet this angel.
From u now i may be far,
But 4 u wat i feel is as constant as the northern star.

Riddles

2006-05-24T17:23:00.000+08:00

Question:I am slim and tall,Many find me desirable and appealing.They touch me and I give a false good feeling.Once I shine in splendor,But only once and then no more.For many I am "to die for".

What am I?

Answer:A Cigarette.

Question:What is the longest word in the dictionary?

Answer:Smiles (there is a mile between the two S's)

Question:What is the hardest thing about eating a vegetable?

Answer:Getting him/her in and out of the wheelchair!

'50s Style

2006-05-20T12:10:00.000+08:00

"It looks like something my grandma would've worn for the dance scene in Back to the Future!"
Brock, 22, waiter

"The combination is garish, and it doesn't match."
Diego, 23, teacher

"It might be cute if my girlfriend were 17, but not 30. It's too demure and innocent."Joel, 28, student

The overall verdict:
Sweet & Girly: 29.1%
tuffy & Frosty: 70.9%

Bows & Flowers

2006-05-20T12:08:00.000+08:00

"It's a major feat for a woman to be able to pull off that girl-next-door look. But if she can, it's very cool. It says she doesn't need to use clothes to stand out."
Allan, 27, naval officer

"Very preppy and dull. There is no character or inspiration in this outfit."
Anthony, 29, IT consultant

"She looks like my grandmother's apron."
Marcel, 31, student

The overall verdict:
Smart & Sexy: 44.9%
Frumpy & Dumpy: 55.1%

Menswear

2006-05-20T12:07:00.000+08:00

"The tie makes her a little intimidating."
Rocco, 23, marketing associate

"I like it. The tie is fun, especially with the sexy lace."
Ariel, 22, student

"This is something some Madonna wannabe would wear. I don't like women wearing ties -- it doesn't seem very feminine."
Andrew, 32, auction-house consultant

The overall verdict:
Fashion Forward: 27.6%
Too Masculine: 72.4%

Fur

2006-05-20T12:02:00.000+08:00

Fur

"Very sexy and stylish. I just hope they didn't have to kill too many animals to make it."
Michael, 24, real-estate agent

"That's hot. I'd turn around if I saw a woman wearing this."
Ehren, 24, musician

"She's trying way to hard to be cool, and that's a turnoff."
Matthew, 28, doctor

The overall verdict:
Horribly Cruel: 81.9%
Totally Cool: 18.1%

Wad does he really think about your look?

2006-05-20T12:01:00.000+08:00

Head-to-Toe Black

"You can never go wrong with all black."
Cameron, 27, naval officer

"She looks simple and elegant. She seems low maintenance, like she wants you to focus more on her than her outfit."
Richard, 37, architect

"I prefer color on a woman."
Marco, 26, in the military

The overall verdict:
Cold & Creepy: 34.6%
Sleek & Chic: 65.4%

Teachers.

2006-05-15T17:07:00.000+08:00

English teachers are tough to date. Wen we first started dating, i lived in New York adn she lived Ohio. And i wld write her all these letters. She wld sent them back corrected. - female comedian.

Sports.

2006-05-15T17:05:00.000+08:00

If u wan a guy to do sthg for u, all u hv to do is introduce an element of senseless danger, and it become a sport. "Honey, y dun u take out the trash?-While i chase u on rollerblades with a chain saw." - female comedian.

Slumber Parties.

2006-05-15T17:00:00.000+08:00

Do u rmb wen all of ur little gfs wld get together at a slumber parties n play with the ouija board? U wld ask it, Who am i going to marry?, Who am i going to marry? And it wld spell out some cute boys names like Kevin or Jason or Satan. - female comedian.

Men

2006-05-15T16:55:00.000+08:00

Men are like payphones. Some of them take ur money. Most of them don't work and when u find one that does, someone else is on it. - female comedian.

Gyms

2006-05-15T16:54:00.000+08:00

My favourite machine at the gym is the vending machine. - female comedian.

Dating

2006-05-15T16:49:00.000+08:00

Why is it whenever u go out to dinner with someone u'd really like to impress, u leave the bathroom with a little piece of toilet paper still stuck to your tongue?
- female comedian.

Cliches

2006-05-15T16:46:00.000+08:00

She who laughs last didnt get the joke quickly enough. - female comedian.

Brothers

2006-05-15T16:41:00.000+08:00

I shld understand men better than i do becoz i grew up with brothers. I wanted sisters; they are better for a girl. They teach u how to put on make up, how to do your hair, give u dating tips. U know wad brothers teach u? How to unhook a bra with your teeth. - female comedian.

Boyfriend

2006-05-15T16:38:00.000+08:00

I would like to have a bf in prison so i will always know where he is. -female comedian.

2006-05-15T00:37:00.000+08:00

There are a lot of good-looking men out there. but keep in mind that no matter how cute and sexy a guy is, there's always some woman somewhere who is sick of him. - female comedian.

2006-05-15T00:35:00.000+08:00

The greatest line i ever heard was from this guy who said, "I like a woman who can give me a real challenge." So i mailed him my bank statement. Figure this out, big guy. - female comedian.

2006-05-15T00:28:00.000+08:00

I think the articles in women's magazines are totally unrealistic abt wad u can expect from a man in bed. I saw this article entitled "Training your Man to Find Your G-spot." Get real. The guy i'm dating can't even find my apartment.
- female comedian.

2006-05-15T00:26:00.000+08:00

My mother could make anybody feel guilty. She used to get letters of apology from pple she didnt even know. - female comedian.

2006-05-09T08:44:00.000+08:00

The key to any great date is interesting, stimulating conversation. Even if there is a physical spark between two daters, the relationship will eventually fizzle if there is no connection on an intellectual level – if that’s what you are looking for, of course.But how can daters overcome things like the first date jitters, awkward silences, corny pick-up lines, and bad jokes? Under the pressure of dating and trying to impress someone else, it’s hard to be a charming, witty conversationalist.
Here are some tips on how to have great conversations on your dates.

Conversation Tip #1
Make eye contact.
Eye contact is the key to a meaningful conversation, regardless of whether you’re on a date, in the workplace, or in any other social situation. Eye contact shows others that you are interested in what they are saying. Avoiding eye contact is usually interpreted as a sign of apathy or dishonesty in Western society.Be sure to look into your date’s eyes and hold the gaze for just a moment too long while speaking. This will show your date that you are confident and attracted to him/her.

Conversation Tip #2
Avoid the interrogation/interview style conversation.
Yes, the goal of the first few dates is to get to know the other person better, but don’t treat it like a job interview. It can be a real buzz killer to ask the same old boring questions like, “what do you do,” and “how many siblings do you have?” If the date is going well, the answers should come up naturally without you having to fire question after question.

Conversation Tip #3
Keep the conversation light.
For many, it is generally a good rule to avoid the “tough topics” when you are on a first date. This includes topics like religion and politics. Now, this doesn’t mean your conversation should be superficial. But these are such contentious, subjective topics for most people that there might be a chance of argument. Save it for another time and concentrate on getting to know your date instead.

Conversation Tip #4
Bring up music, art, or movies.
A safe topic is generally the art realm. Most people have a favorite musician or movie and it is something that everyone can talk about. It is an easy conversation generator and the subjects are so open ended that you could talk about it for quite some time.

Conversation Tip #5
Lead the conversation.
If you sense the conversation is dwindling or drifting too far into the fatal “boring zone,” don’t be afraid to take charge. Steer the conversation in a direction that you would like. Simply saying “enough about that… let’s talk about something more interesting,” can instantly change a boring date to an exciting date. And it will show your date that you are a take-charge type of person.

Conversation Tip #6
Compliment your date.
Whether it be about how they look or something that you admire about them, everyone likes to receive compliments. And this tip goes for women as well.

Conversation Tip #7
Be playful and flirty.
Show off your fun side and don’t be too serious. Dating is about having a good time with each other. A great way to spark some fun conversation is to ask those playful, silly questions that people don’t usually bring up for fear of coming off as juvenile. Don’t be afraid to ask your date what his/her favorite color is or what kind of ice cream he/she likes. It will definitely break the ice and make you laugh.

Conversation Tip #8
Don’t worry about uncomfortable silences.
Most daters dread those moments of unwelcome, awkward silence. But you don’t have to go a mile a minute the entire date – it’s simply exhausting!A sign that you are comfortable with someone is when you can enjoy a good silence together and not feel like you have to talk the entire time. So if you find your conversation has come to a lull, relax. Let the next course of discussion come naturally. This will show your date that you are comfortable with yourself, which will make him/her feel more comfortable with you.

Conversation Tip #9
Speak kindly to everyone.
Respect everyone else around you – that means waiters, bartenders, cab drivers, whoever! The chemistry between the two of you might be great, but your date will be turned off if you are petty towards others. Remember that your date is always listening and judging you. Treat everyone you talk to with kindness and your date will notice.

Conversation Tip #10
Avoid the “fatal questions.”
Questions like, “am I your type,” “how do you like me so far,” and “where do you see this going,” have no place on the first date. A lot of daters will be put off by these types of questions, because it shows a lack of confidence. In most cases, you will know if a date is going well – it isn’t something you should have to ask.________________________talk it up

Conversation is a skill and an art form. Practice and cultivate this skill, no matter where you are. The more exchanges you initiate, the more confident you will feel. This will lead to meeting lots of new people and more fun, no matter where you go or what you do.

2006-05-09T08:40:00.000+08:00

There's good news for all of us hopeless romantics, romance novel addicts and chick flick junkies. It turns out there's scientific merit to that whole "Love at First Sight" thing.

In fact, a recent study published in Journal of Social and Personal Relationships showed that the first few minutes of meeting someone has a huge influence on the course the relationship will ultimately take. (Which explains why you know before the drinks come that your "just perfect for you" blind date is a no-go, or that hunky online hottie has definite possibilities.)

Communications researchers Artemio Ramirez and Mike Sunnafrank randomly paired 164 college freshmen and let them talk for periods of three, six or ten minutes. Then, the students filled out a questionnaire which asked them to predict what kind of relationship they would have, ranging from being casual acquaintances to close friends, as well as how much the two had in common and how much they liked the person they'd just met.

At the end of the nine-week course, the students were asked to judge how their initial predictions had held up. Students who reported a positive impression after the first meeting were more likely to have developed a friendly relationship after the nine-week period.
This was true regardless of whether the initial chat was three, six or ten minutes, meaning the snap judgments we make based on first impressions are actually fairly accurate.
In a recent London Daily Mail article, Professor Artemio Ramirez, co-author of the study said: "Earlier research had assumed there was a cumulative effect that happens in the first few days of meeting that helps determine how a relationship will develop. But we're finding that it all happens much sooner than that - it's literally within minutes. Romantic relationships begin with people making judgments very quickly."
Ramirez says, "It's almost a self-fulfilling prophecy. We make a prediction about what kind of relationship we could have with a person and that helps determine how much effort we are willing to put into developing a relationship. If I think we could become friends, I'll communicate more, tell you more about myself and do things that will help ensure a friendship does develop."
What's most interesting was that the students' predictions were actually better indicators of how close they would become than either how much they had in common or even how much they liked each other.
Which means, when it comes to first impressions, you'd better get on your game.
Below are three tips to help you rev up your "first site" vibe, and add a little vaa-vaa voom to that crucial first three minutes:

Wear red. Or blue.
For women who want to create an on-the-spot thrill, wearing red is the way to go. According to color experts, red is the most stimulating color you can wear. In fact, wearing or seeing red actually increases blood flow, and mimics attraction.
If you're a guy, your best bet is to go true blue. Leatrice Eiseman, Director of the Pantone Color Institute says women are attracted to men wearing the color blue. Eiseman says, guys who frequently wear blue are "stable, faithful and always there." The blue guy is perfect for a serious relationship -- he's reliable, faithful and can match his own clothes.

Smile.
Psychology and body language experts agree that smiling is one of the fastest and best ways to make yourself more attractive and approachable. It's not necessary to look like you're trying out for "Used Car Salesman of the Year" - just your usual "I'm happy to be here and I'm having a fantastic time" face will do the trick.

Instant Chemistry.
A study at the University of Chicago has shown that men associate the scents of cinnamon and vanilla with love. To kick start your allure, women can wear a cinnamon-vanilla scented lotion or perfume. (There's a great one called "Man-Magnet" at herbanavenues.com)
According to Laura Davimes, aromatherapy expert, and owner of Herban Avenues, "Wearing cinnamon/vanilla blends increases the presence of pheromone-like substances and dramatically increases attraction."
The food-love connection continues: Women, according to the study, are drawn to a black licorice scent. So, keep some licorice or Good 'n Plenty in your shirt pocket. And, if you're at a nightclub and just happen to spill some Jaggermeister on your shirt, hey, don't worry about looking like a slob --just consider it your lucky night.

2006-05-09T08:36:00.000+08:00

I am an old-fashioned girl. Well, sort of. Actually, I'm one of those new modern woman/old-fashioned girl hybrids; the stiletto feminist. You know, a take-no-prisoners, hard-ass over-achiever at the office, and an ultra girly-girl at heart.

A lot of women are just like me. We grew up with moms and grandmas and aunts who told us never to call a boy, and that a gentleman should always hold open the door for a lady and offer to pay for dinner. Of course, these same moms and aunts also went to the office, clawing and fighting for equal rights. They succeeded in raising daughters (and frequently sons) who understood that women could be fabulously successful at work, but who still held out the dream for an elegant, old-fashioned sweetheart of a guy who would toss his jacket over a puddle so we wouldn't ruin our Manolos, call us mid-week to schedule a weekend dinner date, and squash (or at least relocate to the patio) any six-legged creatures that happened to find their way into the kitchen.
So, although we Old-Fashioned Girls (OFGs) feel pretty much at home while being aggressive superwomen at the office, many of us get a little bit squeamish when it comes to making the first move with regard to online romance. When faced with the idea of approaching a man first, we feel weird. We feel desperate. We feel, uh, trampy.
And, frankly, we OFGs are not entirely off base when it comes to our mind-set about being the romantic aggressor. A survey of men of the last two years reveals that a majority of men enjoy it when a woman pursues them, but believe that there is ultimately something wrong with a woman who makes the first move, and perceive her to be either desperate, or an easy target for sex. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. Some men (darlings, aren't they?) could care less about who makes the first move.
However, when it comes to online dating we OFGs may be at a bit of a disadvantage to our less-traditional and more pursuant counterparts. After all, while we are sprucing up our profiles, creating just the right video message and polishing our email repartee while we're waiting for Mr. Right to track us down, our go-get-'em sisters are busy scouting eligibles and whipping out email and IM banter.
If you're the type of woman who never calls a man, is it the same thing if you email him? Is sending a "smile" the equivalent to batting your eyelashes at a guy at a party, or more like buying him a double tequila shooter and telling him you have a tattoo you want to show him in private?
The fact is, online dating isn't like regular dating. When grandma handed down the fourth commandment of romance to never call a man, she had no idea the future would hold anything as wild as online dating. And now that she's back in the dating pool, she's just as perplexed as to what "counts" and what doesn't as the rest of us OFGs. Email or not to email? Meet or not to meet? "Smile" or not to "smile?"
Basically, it all comes down to what works for you. If what you're doing now isn't working for you, think about going outside your comfort zone and doing something bold, like making the first move. Sure, the OFG in you will seep out a bit - after all, you are who you are. And, although it certainly wasn't easy (or comfortable) for our mothers to go out in the workplace in the beginning, we don't have any trouble at all now polishing up our Pradas to kick a little office butt.
Bottom line? Go ahead and send a little spark to that cutie you've been eyeing. You never know. Maybe he's been too shy to approach you first. Maybe he digs women who know what they want. And just maybe he's been looking for an old-fashioned girl exactly like you.

2005-11-19T06:50:00.000+08:00

Proverbs of a nerd

--The evil I do people seem to like; it's the good that's often turd and bones.
--If I think, I'm probably not.
--Do unto me as you would have liked to do unto others.
--God grant me the courage to pester women who will never like me,The serenity to reject women who are desperate enough to be interested in me,And the density to ignore the inference.

2005-11-19T06:45:00.000+08:00

As I Was Sitting
As I was sitting in my chair,
I KNEW the bottom wasn't there,
Nor legs nor back, but I JUST SAT,
Ignoring little things like that.

Curly Locks
Curly Locks, Curly Locks,Will you be mine?
You shall not wash dishes,
Nor feed the swine,
But sit on a cushion
And sew a fine seam,
And sup upon strawberries,
Sugar, and cream.

2005-11-08T15:29:00.000+08:00

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to my malay frens! Segala silap kata, terkasar bahasa, saya disini ingin mengambil kesempatan memohon maaf kepada anda semua. Whoeva wants to makan-jalan raya at my house, please message me yah. ;=)

Glad..the first day of Hari Raya, most of my frens wished me. Sad..none of my old classmates wished me.

Therefore,

and,

Finally, i changed my class. New friends. New environment. I hope for the best!

2005-10-26T11:44:00.000+08:00

I just adore David Beckham. He's so talented and cute. I wish i could be the next Posh for the David Beckham II. HuAHuAHuA..

I chose 'Creating your own DVD' as my gem this 2nd semester. Anyone out there, opt this module? Tell me so we can go together-gether.

As my gem module will be on weds, 1-3pm, my schedule for every fri which will be at 12-3pm, is unoccupied. I think i might as well use it for gym. So, again, anyone, wana hit the Sp gym every fri at those hours? Dun worry, it's free. Msg me.

Yesterday, whoa, an Awesome workout with my gf, in the Sp gym. Nice! My muscles in the arms tone up alittle. I feel lighter. U shld try guys. It's fun. The scented smell of the gym and the swimming pool outside it, makes me feel im on holiday at Msia. Maybe Langkawi. Hehe!

Lastly, i also intend to take up aerobics every mon when 2nd semester starts. Anyone joining?? Its free again. And in Sp of course.

2005-10-22T05:49:00.000+08:00

hey..hellow, hellow, hellow.

i hv changed pictures due to some requests. they love to see my youngest bro on-air. $1 per picture tau!

my 2nd bro request to make himself low-profile, because he is afraid dat too many young gerls will go crazy over his handsome-aaron-aziz-face. ler.

school starts in 1 weeks tm. cant wait to be in sch.

gems registration..anyone wana recommend me a good gem in the business or science and technology section?

2005-10-19T20:53:00.000+08:00

Tml morning is the release of my exams results. *drums rolling* Hopefully, i pass all the subjects.

2005-10-06T20:59:00.000+08:00

New LAYout in progress. Sorry!

2005-09-27T22:02:00.000+08:00

The happiest of people don't necessarily

have the best of everything;

they just make the most of

everything that comes along their way.

2005-09-18T15:36:00.000+08:00

Semenjak kawan sebangsa ku berhenti sekolah, aku terasa sgt sunyi. Rasanya tiada lagi semangat dlm pembelajaran. Bukan nya apa dulu ada juga kawan seagama dlm kelas adalah terasa ada rasa macam selamat gitu. Tapi bila tinggal aku seorang saja, yg lain nya bukan sebangsa maka senang aku dipersendakan. Apa yg aku buat ada saja yg beri kritikan, yg mana kekadang membuat menitis nya air mata. Mungkin inikah yg dikatakan cubaan? Setelah lebih setahun mengejar ilmu di kelas dgn murid2 yg sama membuat aku rasa bosan. Kekadang tu tak tahu dgn siapa yg harus aku berganding utk segala kerja project ku. Sudah tidak ada lagi keserasian, yg ada hanyalah kebosanan yg tidak dpt dibendung lagi. Perjalanan ku masih jauh, tetapi mengapa tiba2 aku sudah patah semangat. Entahlah mungkin aku tak sekuat yg aku fikirkan.

Peperiksaan sudah menjelang tiba tapi persiapan ku jauh dari bersedia. Tak ku sangka matapelajaran ini makin susah dari hari ke hari. Guru yg mengajar pun tak byk membantu. Adakah aku tersalah memilih kursus ini? Entahlah. Yg pasti kehidupan harus di teruskan, peperiksaan harus diduduki dan hari2 melihat muka2 yg sama. Ya Tuhan berilah aku kekuatan utk teruskan persekolahan ku ini. Berilah aku kekuatan menghadapi segala apa kritikan teman. Rasanya aku ingin berhijrah saja kalau diberi peluang.......

2005-09-18T14:03:00.000+08:00

Dream what you want to dream;

go where you want to go;

be what you want to be,

because you have only one life

and one chance to do all the things

you want to do.

2005-09-17T22:43:00.000+08:00

When the door of happiness closes,

another opens;

but often times we look so long at the closed door

that we don't see the one,

which has been opened for us.

2005-09-16T00:01:00.000+08:00

Don't go for looks;

they can deceive.

Don't go for wealth;

even that fades away.

Go for someone who makes you smile,

because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.

Find the one that makes your heart smile.

2005-09-14T22:52:00.000+08:00

Remember 5 simple rules to be happy :

1.) Free your heart from hatred.

2.) Free your mind from worries.

3.) Live simply.

4.) Give more.

5.) Expect less.

2005-08-26T23:09:00.000+08:00

Anyone has a long red sleeve blouse and a high heel shoes and long black pants? I need it for my drama production in 2 weeks' time!!! Please call me at my hp no. Or bug me via emel. THANKS!!!

2005-08-17T21:56:00.000+08:00

' A fiend or a friend; you can make it! '. ' Effective techniques to making and keeping friends. ' A stranger today, a friend tml '. These are only some titles of self-help bks that fill the annals of our libraries. If nthg else, they indicate dat making friends is not as easy as we may think.

One of the authors made a strong impact on me by stating that there is only one person who can both teach me how to make friends and at the same tm, become my best friend. That person is none other than me. The author’s contention is that if a person cannot make friends with himself whom he is most intimately related to, then he cannot make friends with any other person.

Such a unique perspective stands to reason because to make friends, one must accept the other person for who they really are. We must be prepared to accept both the strenghs and weaknesses w/o being unduly judgemental of them. Personally, I know dat if I can learn to accept myself despite and because of my qualities, then I wld be cultivating in me the most impt requirement to making friends.

On the same note, another prerequisite to making friends is for one to be sincere and not to put on an act. Rather than strive in a contrived fashion to engineer a situation or a friendship, we shld learn to relax n just be whoeva we really are, which will make our potential friend feel comfortable in our company. Hence, more accurately speaking, pple do not really make friends but discover them….

Rai.

The Princess

2005-08-04T12:46:00.000+08:00

The princess looked down from her bower high,

The youth blew his horn as he lingered thereby.

"Be quiet, O youth, will forever you blow?

It hinders my thoughts, that would far away go,

Now, when sets the sun."
The princess looked down from her bower high,

The youth ceased his blowing, his horn he laid by.

"Why are you so quiet? Now more shall you blow,

It lifts all my thoughts, that would far away go,

Now, when sets the sun."
The princess looked down from her bower high,

The youth blew again, as he lingered thereby.

Then weeping, she whispered: "O God, let me know

The name of this sorrow that burdens me so! --

Now has set the sun."

2005-06-30T11:39:00.000+08:00

Smoking at Gas Station

This lady was at the gas station pumping gas and smoking a cigarette when her arm caught on fire. When the police arrived they shot her for waving a firearm.

2005-06-30T11:15:00.000+08:00

English Patient

An English guy was very ill and his son went to visit him in the hospital. Suddenly, the father began to breathe heavily and grabbed the pen and pad by the bed. With his last ounce of strength he wrote a note, dropped it, and died.
The son was so overcome with grief that he didn't remember slipping the note into his pocket. At the funeral, he reached into the pocket of his coat and immediately felt the note. He excitedly read it thinking it might be something he could recite during the service. It said:
YOU WANKER -- GET OFF MY OXYGEN PIPE!!!

2005-06-30T11:10:00.000+08:00

The Long Way Home

Two sperm are swimming in a women''s body. One sperm says to the other in exhaustion, "Whew, Just how far is the uterus anyway?" The second sperm begins to laugh and says, " The uterus!? We just past the esophogus."

2005-06-30T11:01:00.000+08:00

The Truth

At school, a boy is told by a classmate that most adults are hiding at least one dark secret, and that this makes it very easy to blackmail them by saying, “I know the whole truth” -- even when you don't know anything.
The boy decides to go home and try it out. As he is greeted by his mother at the front door he says, “I know the whole truth.” His mother quickly hands him $20 and says, “Just don't tell your father.”
Quite pleased, the boy waits for his father to get home from work, and greets him with, “I know the whole truth.” The father promptly hands him $40 and says, “Please don't say a word to your mother.”
Very pleased, the boy is on his way to school the next day, when he sees the mailman at his front door. The boy greets him by saying, “I know the whole truth.” The mailman drops the mail, opens his arms and says, “Then come give your FATHER a big hug.”

2005-06-30T11:00:00.000+08:00

Art Gallery Nudes

A couple goes to an art gallery. They find a picture of a naked women with only her privates covered with leaves. The wife doesn't like it and moves on but the huband keeps looking.
The wife asks, "What are you waiting for?"
The husband replies, "Autumn."

2005-06-16T22:19:00.000+08:00

Soon after i started a new job, a co-worker, Elizabeth, showed me how to clear the copier when it became jemmed. A few days later the machine jammed and i began to punch buttons and slam doors to clear it as i was shown. " What's going on? " asked a colleague.

" I'm clearing the copier like Elizabeth taught me, " I replied.

" Oh, but you have to understand, " the man expained playfully, " Elizabth has a temper. "

2005-06-16T22:02:00.000+08:00

While out golfing one day, a young couple watched in horror as a stray shot crashed through the window of a nearby house. Rushing up, they saw a handsome man in a turban.

" We're terribly sorry! " the husband said.

" We'll pay for the damage, " the wife added.

" Not at all, " replied the man. " I am a genie, trapped for a thousand years until your golf ball came through the window and broke the bottle that was my prison. Please allow me to grant whatever you wish. "

The astonished couple asked to become scratch golfers. " It is done! " cried the genie, snapping his fingers. Then they asked to become rich. Clapping his hands, the genie said, " I have set up a satnding order to put $100,000 into your account every month for life. "

" How can we ever thank you? " said the husband.

" There is one thing, " replied the genie. " I have been imprisoned for a thousand years and i have forgotten what it is like to hold a woman in my arms. If you could spare your beautiful wife for a single night... " The husband and wife decided they could live with this.

After a night of passion, the young wife was about to rejoin her husband when the genie asked her age. " Twenty-nine, " she replied.

" I see, " he said, " and you still believe in genies? "

2005-06-10T20:28:00.000+08:00

From Rita Rudner, stand-up commedienne :

I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage. They've experienced pain and bought jewellery.

From Miss Rai, part-time commedienne :

I think all men cannot take pain.

2005-06-02T20:27:00.000+08:00

THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE MALAY HERITAGE CENTRE BY THE PRIME MINISTER MR LEE HSIEN LOONG.

A DAY TO REMEMBER.

SATURDAY, 4TH JUNE, 3PM TO 4.20PM.
Kampong Gelam is set to buzz with a series of simultaneous events, performances and interactive activities. Cultural performances will add buzz to the various key locations.
Locations :

Raffles Hospital Atrium.
Bussorah Mall.
Fountain Area At Bugis Junction.

SATURDAY, 4TH JUNE, 5PM.
PM Lee steps into the centre. The Ceremonial Procession begins. "Taman Warisan sudah dibukaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

SATURDAY, 4TH JUNE, 8.30PM TO 11.30PM.
The Celebrations Continue!
Performing arts from the Malay Nusantara present you a one-hour performance, ( 8.30pm ).

Touch of nostalgia - we bring a special performance of keroncong, lagu asli, dondang sayng and ghazal. Also featuring a performance by well-known Peranakan G T Lye, ( 10pm to 12mid ).

Tok Selampit story-telling - a group of 3 Tok Selampit will entertain children with stories of Malay legends, folklores and historical figures, ( 9.30pm to 11.30pm ).

Museum stays open, ( 12.00mid to 5am ).

Admission is free!!! Those who want to camp at Taman till the next morning, tell me aite!!
Anythg msg me.

2005-05-08T15:54:00.000+08:00

Dear Friends,

I would like to invite you guys to the Official Opening of Taman Warisan Melayu Semarak Seni, on the 4th and 5th June 2005. Guest of Honour arrive at 4 pm. So, event for public starts at 6 pm onwards. Entertainments will end till the next morning. Admission is free, including the museum. All are welcome, young and old, muslim and non-muslims, singaporeans and foreigners. So, do take a peep! (",) See you there...

2005-05-04T11:12:00.000+08:00

P Ramlee : The Living Legend.

Tan Sri P. Ramlee a.k.a Teuku Zakaria bin Teuku Nyak Puteh was born on 22 March 1929. He first made his debut in the film Cinta (Love) playing the role of a villain constantly menacing the virtue of heroine Siput Sarawak. However, his talents in composing music and singing gave him an edge over many of his contemporaries. He was also very versatile as a leading actor, comic, dramatic artiste, scripwriter and film director.

Ramlee’s star began to shine brighter when Director Datuk L. Krishnan gave him the chance to play the leading role in Takdir Ilahi (Destiny) alongside popular favourites Kasma Booty and Siput Sarawak.

Thenceforth, there was no turning back for P. Ramlee. He took to films like ducks to water. When not busy upsetting the metabolism of heroines onscreen he did almost everything else – being clapper boy, handling continuity, assisting the cameraman, standing-in, etc. He loved films and film-making.

In 1950 alone, he acted in three films and in 1952, five. His beautiful curly hair, daring sideburns, dashing moustache and dangling handkerchief in the back pocket projected a macho appearance that became the rage. And much imitated by young men.

Ramlee’s career took another upward swing when he was at last given the chance to direct in 1955. With ‘Penarik Beca’, he achieved a full circle in his career as an artiste of the celluloid world. It was one to be envied for the film was a smashing success.

As a dedicated actor and director who would grasp any chance for self-improvement in order to enhance future achievements, Ramlee took serious note of the work of others.

He was immensely drawn to and influenced by the films of foreign directors, like Satyajit Ray of India and Akira Kurosawa of Japan which he particularly doted on and used as springboards for his own imagination and creativity.

Long before Malaysia adopted the Look East Policy, Ramlee had already been won by the ‘Empire of the Rising Sun’. As far back as the 50s, he had been bowled over by the Japanese.

If we study Semerah Padi (1956) and Sumpah Orang Minyak (1958) with a fine eye, it is obvious that Ramlee had been attracted to the directing techniques much loved by Kurosawa such as the lavish tracking shots, baroque angles and fast editing tempo.

Hamzah Hussein, a confidante of the late artiste loves to recall how he used to watch movies with Ramlee. The actor would ceaselessly jot down notes on camera angles, dialogue delivery, and others that he would use, with modifications of course, in his future films.

Ramlee’s crowning achievements as an actor of total consummation and projection was attained when he won the Best Actor Award at the Asian Film Festival in 1957 for dual roles in Anakku Sazali a powerhouse drama if ever there was one.

The late 1950s and early 1960s were Ramlee’s heydays. Every film he did seemed tailor-made for him. The heavy dramas such as Ibu Mertuaku, Antara Dua Darjat, Sumpah Orang Minyak are perennial classics. Even when viewed for the umpteenth time over television, they still exude a charge.

His comedies are timeless. With films like Musang Berjanggut, Nujum Pa Belalang, Madu Tiga and especially the ‘Bujang Lapok’ quartet, he has assured them eternal placings in the movies’ Hall of Fame. For these were not only vehicles to laugh at or laugh with. Between the dialogue, comedy pacing and apparently silly goings-on are stinging barbs on social patterns.

His innuendoes and comments on society’s shortcomings and failings that he subtly injected into his comedies are still relevant even in today’s society. Ramlee never lost sight of the fact that an artiste, like politicians, teachers, theologians and the like, also had a social function to fulfil. He did it through his films.

Indeed, Ramlee perpetrated several innovations on social habits and patterns as well as living concepts in his films which later became very much the way of life for most Malaysians.

Before we learn to accept Rukun Negara as our guiding ideology and confront the harsh realities attendant to a plural society, Ramlee had dissected these issues in his films Sesudah Subuh and Gerimis, which were released in 1966 and 1968 respectively.

However, his plea for social tolerance in these two films has been made a mockery by present-day polarisation in our midst. Yet Ramlee pursued this theme in the hope that it would become like second skin to Malaysians.
P. Ramlee passed away on 29 May 1973. Every year, on that date without fail, the Malaysian mass media laments his passing. They heap a profusion of eulogies on him that, at times, seems to border on mania.

Small wonder it is, for the man has left an indelible mark on show business in this country. He died a legend. It is generally agreed that his voice was his forte. It had the kind of caressing quality that could project maidens into dreamland. He sang, wrote the lyrics and music for about 200 songs that appeared in a total of 63 films. His popularity with his fans, young and old, had reached its zenith long before his demise.

2005-05-01T16:18:00.000+08:00

The Melaka Empire .

In 1456, Raja Kasim assumed the throne of Melaka after the murder of his half-brother Raja Ibrahim. This was a momentous turning point in Melaka history - a real palace revolution. The son of a Sumatran princess who took a Hinduised title was murdered and replaced by his Muslim half brother, the son of a Tamil common woman. His Tamil Muslim uncle Tun Ali Sri Nara diraja was made Bendahara after the Malay Bendahara Sriwa Raja poisoned himself - either in fear that he was no longer trusted by the ruler or in anguish at the growing power of the New Guard. Raja Kasim adopted the title Sultan and called hinself Muzaffar Shah.

The small city state was now to become Sultanate and Empire. Sultan Muzaffar Shah married the daughter of the dead Bendahara Sriwa Raja, Tun Kudu. This was a shrewd move, for Tun Kudu's brother was Tun Perak - a man deeply respected by the Sultan's Malay subjects and a man he knew had the charisma, ability and courage to build his Empire. To avoid unrest and civil war, Muzaffar attempted to oust his tamil Bendahara and replace him with Tun Perak. Tun Ali had a heavy price for resignation - he wanted the Sultan's wife, Tun Kudu, in marriage. Tun Kudu made the ultimate sacrifice, divorced the Sultan and her brother was free to shape Melaka history for the next 40 years and serve as Bendahara under four Sultans.

Melaka very quickly mounted a series of military campaigns that won her Manjong, Selangor and Batu Pahat. Kampar and Indragiri in Sumatra were soon to become loyal vassals as well. Melaka's expanding power rattled its much larger and more powerful Thai neighbours, who insisted Melaka belonged to its vassal Kedah. The Thais launched massive attacks against the Malay upsturbs - won overland from its vassal State Pahang in 1445 and another by Sea in 1456. Both attacks were beaten back. n 1459, Muzaffar's son, Raja Abdullah, succeeded his father and assumed the title of Sultan Mansur Shah. He wanted to settle the Thai problem once and for all and lau

2005-05-01T16:07:00.000+08:00

http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/independence/ref/zubir1.html

ZUBIR SAID : THE MAN BEHIND THE MUSIC.

HE WAS a loving father but was also a strict disciplinarian who wanted the best for his family.
His daughter, now an associate professor in the University of Malaya, recalled how he sold some of his precious books in 1948 to pay for her English tuition.

... Mr Zubir (Said), who is believed to have written about 1,000 songs, is best known as the composer of Majulah Singapura, the national anthem and Semoga Bahagia, the theme song for Children's Day and the Singapore Youth Festival.

Born in Minangkabau in Sumatra in 1907, Mr Zubir, the eldest surviving son of a village chieftain, ran away from home in 1928 to join a bangsawan troupe here because his father, a very religious man, believed music to be against religion.

He had heard about Singapore from a sailor friend, who described it as a place of "glittering lights, kopi susu (coffee with milk) and butter".

His third daughter, Associate Professor Puan Sri Datin Dr Rohana Zubir-Hamid, 50, who is with UM's Faculty of Education, said: "He had very high expectations of all of us. He wanted me to get the highest education possible. He tried to keep us away from the world of the arts, because he felt it was a hard life."

In 1938, Mr Zubir married Tarminah Kario Wikromo, a keroncong singer, and went back to Indonesia shortly after World War II broke out. They returned to Singapore with Dr Rohana in 1947.

Although Pak Zubir, as he was called in later years, was short-tempered and impatient, he was also a loving father, Dr Rohana recalled. He had five children -- four daughters and a son.

"My father had very little luxury himself, but he made a lot of sacrifices for us. He spent a lot of his time ekeing out a living," she said.

"I was nine when we came to Singapore. I didn't know a word of English, and it was too late to enter school. My father sold some of his precious books for $15 to pay for my English tuition."

To earn a living, Mr Zubir became a photographer, "going from village to village to take IC-size photos for the villagers", said Dr Rohana. Identity cards had become a requirement by then.

Later, Mr Zubir was employed by Cathay Keris Film Productions as a songwriter for their Malay films. He also gave music lessons until his death.

"In terms of money and luxury, he didn't have much," she said. "Still, he was a happy man."

Of the book, Dr Rohana said: "My father did not expect any kind of public accolade. He was genuinely a man of the arts.

"As a citizen, he would have been very happy to know he has contributed to Singapore, and that he was leaving something behind for posterity."

Zubir Said died at the age of 80 in 1987.

2005-04-26T14:40:00.000+08:00

Encik Yusof bin Ishak First President of the Republic of Singapore (from Miss_Rai..i'm really proud of him....)

Encik Yusof bin Ishak, President of the Republic of Singapore, was born on 12th August, 1910 at Padang Gajah, Trong about 18 miles from Taiping, Perak. Encik Yusof is a Malay of Sumatran descent and can trace his lineage on the paternal side to Minangkabau, and on the maternal side to Langkat. They first settled in Penang and later, Perak.

Married: Noor Aishah and has 3 children: 1 son and 2 daughters.

Encik Yusof is the eldest son in a family of nine. His father, Encik Ishak bin Ahmad now deceased, was the Acting Director of Fisheries, Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States. Encik Yusof received his early education in the Malay school in Kuala Kurau, Perak. Two years later, Encik Yusof was transferred to the Malay School at Taiping and in 1921 he began his English studies at King Edward VII School, Taiping.

In 1923 when his civil-servant father was posted to Singapore, Encik Yusof accompanied his parents and studied at the former Victoria Bridge School until December 1923.

EDUCATION In 1924 he was admitted to Raffles Institution where he passed the Cambridge School Certificate in 1927 with distinction, and prolonged his studies for two more years in the Queen's Scholarship class.

While in School Encik Yusof joined in practically all forms of sport, played by boys. While at the Raffles Institution he played hockey and cricket, and took part in swimming, weight lifting, water-polo and boxing. In 1933 he became the Singapore light-weight champion. As the most outstanding cadet of the School Cadet Corps, he became the first student ever in Singapore to have been commissioned by the then Governor as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Cadet Corps. He was a school prefect and was co-editor of the 'Rafflesian'.

JOURNALISTIC CAREER After leaving school in 1929, Encik Yusof went into partnership with two friends and embarked on the publication of the "Sportsman", a fortnightly magazine devoted entirely to sports. In 1932, he joined the staff of 'Warta Malaya', the leading Malay newspaper of that time. His journalistic ability took him rapidly from the ranks to the top posts of Assistant Manager and Acting Editor within a short time. In 1938 he resigned from the 'Warta Malaya', and with a few close friends, established the 'Utusan Melayu Press Ltd'. In May 1939, the now well-known 'Utusan Melayu', came into being with Encik Yusof at the helm as its first Managing Director.

During most of the period of the Japanese Occupation, (1942-1945) Encik Yusof remained in Malaya and on the capitulation of the Japanese Forces, he returned to Singapore on September 3rd, 1945, and immediately resumed publication of the 'Utusan Melayu'.
In 1948 Encik Yusof visited Britain as a member of the First Press Delegation. In early 1957, he went to Japan to inspect the latest machinery which the 'Utusan Melayu' had ordered. In May of the same year, he moved to Kuala Lumpur to supervise the construction of the Utusan Building. While in Kuala Lumpur, Encik Yusof was elected President of the Press Club of Malaya. He was the moving spirit behind the 'Utusan Melayu' during the difficult period of Malayan independence.

b>PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS Encik Yusof also held many distinguished public appointments with the Singapore Government. From 1948 to 1950 he served on the Film Appeal Committee. He was a member of the Nature Reserves Committee for a year, and also of the Malayanisation Commission. In July 1959, he was appointed Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Singapore. On 3rd July, 1965, Encik Yusof bin Ishak became the Chancellor of the University of Singapore.

Encik Yusof bin Ishak took up appointment as Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore on 3rd December 1959, being the first locally-born person to hold the office. Singapore's Head of State paid a four-day State visit with Puan Noor Aishah to Cambodia in April 1963 and subsequently proceeded together in the same month to Mecca to perform the Haj, where they were the State Guests of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A State visit to Ceylon also took place in May, 1963.

Encik Yusof bin Ishak was conferred the First Class Order of the Darjah Kerabat (The Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of Brunei) by the Sultan of Brunei in November 1960 and the Darjah Kebesaran Sri Maharajah Mangku Negara (S.M.N.) by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia in November, 1963.

On 9th August, 1965, when Singapore ceased to be a State in the Federation of Malaysia to become an independent and sovereign State and Nation separate from and independent of Malaysia, Encik Yusof bin Ishak became the first President of the Republic of Singapore. He was re-appointed for a further term of four years, with effect from 4th December, 1967.

2005-04-26T12:11:00.000+08:00

The Minangs. http://www.haqq.com.au/~salam/bayua/minang.html

The Minangkabau people live in the province of West Sumatra, Indonesia. They are gifted with a unique culture that sets them apart from any other people in the world.

When you travel throughout the land of the Minangkabau, you see various traditional Minangkabau houses which have the shape of a buffalo's horns. Similarly, Minangkabau-style hats also have this shape of the buffalo's horns. There is a legend about the origin of the Minangkabau which explains this interesting traditional style.

According to legend, once there was a disagreement between the Minangkabau people and the Javanese. Rather than involve themselves in a war, however, which would cause much needless bloodshed, the two peoples agreed upon having a fight between their buffalos. The Javanese had a huge, strong buffalo, fierce, and powerful. On the other hand, the Minangkabau people had a small calf. The Javanese were confident that their huge, powerful buffalo would easily defeat this tiny calf. How could a tiny calf beat a huge, ferocious buffalo? What the Minangkabau did was they took the calf away from its mother, and did not feed it any milk for a several days before the big fight. Just before the fight, they attached sharp, iron knives to the tip of their calf's horns. As the buffalo and the tiny calf were let into the ring, the calf, starving of milk, saw the buffalo, and thought it was its mother. Hurriedly, the calf went to the underside of the buffalo, looking for milk. As it did so, the sharp knives on the calf's horns pierced the under-belly of the huge buffalo. The huge buffalo was killed, and the Minangkabau won the war. This is how the Minangkabau got their name, according to legend, for "minang" means "victory," and "kabau" means "caribou" or "water buffalo" in the Minangkabau language. This is also the source of those buffalo's horn-shaped rooves and hats of the Minangkabau people. Because of stories such as this, the Minangkabau people are known for their cleverness. The story also symbolizes the strength of the more nurturing system of the Minangkabau culture, represented by the calf looking for its mother's milk, which is able to defeat a more brutish system which on the outside appears strong, represented by the buffalo.

Perhaps the best known fact about the Minangkabau is their matrilineal cultural tradition. The Minangkabau are, In fact, the world's largest matrilineal group. In this tradition, the family name is not passed down from the father to his children, as it is in most cultures. Instead, the family name is inherited from the mother. Furthermore, inheritance continues through the generations from mother to daughter. This is especially true of the ancestral home, which remains the property of the Minangkabau women. Due to their matrilineal culture, Minangkabau women play an important role in the leadership and decision-making process of the traditional village government.

Another interesting aspect of Minangkabau culture is the religion of Islam. The traditional way of inheritance in Islam is from the father to both sons and daughters. The Minangkabau tradition of inheritance therefore clashes with the general Islamic understanding regarding inheritance. The Minangkabau have solved this problem by finding a middle ground between the traditional Minangkabau inheritance system, and the one prescribed by Islam. In this system, some items (such as the ancestral home) are passed down from mother to her daughters, while other items follow the traditional Islamic method of inheritance. The family name continues to be passed from the mother to both her daughters and sons. In this way, the Minangkabau have managed to keep their culture, and yet continue to be known throughout Indonesia as strong Muslims.

Within Indonesia, the Minangkabau people are well-known to be good businessmen. This comes partly from Minangkabau culture. In Minangkabau culture, a young man has to leave his house to seek his fortune. Thus, young Minangkabau men are, according to traditional customs, put in a "make or break" situation, they have to succeed or they cannot support themselves. Once they succeed in their business, these Minangkabau men send money home back to their families and usually return to their village to live in their wife's house or bring their wife to their home away from home. This is one of the reasons why, throughout Indonesia and even now some parts of the rest of the world, you can find traditional Padang-style Minangkabau restaurants, serving food in a Minangkabau style. You will also find the many Minangkabau as both small and large merchants all over Indonesia.

2005-04-12T11:18:00.000+08:00

Back to work.

Actually, i tot of resting today. But my darling madam instructor called me and asked me to go back to work. I was wondering how they knew i finished my exam yest.

Forget most of the steps. So, i become the bride for that day. 2 times on bridal dais. Eh wah!

2005-04-11T23:06:00.000+08:00

My Last Paper.

My last paper, DE, today. Well, this time the paper was not so tough, as the prev one. Finish my exam at 8pm. After that, i felt relieved bcoz it's time to have a long break, after one month of concentration. My classmates, 10 of them, including myself, went down to Bugis and had Nasi Ayam for our dinner.

So, this is my first time having dinner with so many boys. HAd great Fun laughing all the way.... (",)

And the ending part....THREE HEROES (u know, i knowlah), accompanied me home. Somehow, felt safe....

Fresh Green Notes.

2005-04-09T09:13:00.000+08:00

**************************************************************************************

I was so happy today. Teman seperjuangan arena pena menegurku setelah sekian lama tak dengar berita. (U know, i know lah.) Terlalu gembira sampai tak boleh concentrate belajar.

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The paper today was tough. I bet the whole year one who took this paper, will surely flunked. The first question alrdy killed me. I think that paper was the toughest paper that i ever sat. Everyone thinks surely have to repeat that module again...hahaha!!

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Invitation.

I've made an invitation to all my classmates to attend a gathering. Actually, watch movie n makan-makan lunch together lah. But, everyone have to pay on their own. ("Go Dutch arr!")

So, to Titus, Timothy and the rest who asked me to invite personally, this evening, inside the mrt, okay, i'll do here in my bloggie.

Ehem! Ehem! (**Cough2**)

U know i'm a shy person..**cough****cough**, So, Titus, u see, u can't force me ...hehehe! So, whoeva is interested, please join me! ("Enuf?")

Date : 14th April, Thursday.

Venue : Marina Square.

Time : 1pm - 2pm.

Movie : TBA (To Be Announced Later.)

Anything doubts, can CALL me or my secretary, Beatrice at blah, blah, blah.

Thank you and have a nice day!!!

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2005-04-06T23:30:00.000+08:00

(",) Hepi Bdae To Me !!! ***Smiles*** (",)

2005-04-05T21:42:00.000+08:00

*** Once it strikes twelve, ... bubbye 17! I'm turning 18 tomorrow!!! ***

Listen. And Whisper.

2005-03-30T10:54:00.000+08:00

Your words splash heavily upon my mind
like early cold October rain
falling on my roof at dark
the patterns change like an Autumn storm
from violently rumbling thundering sounds
to clear, soft steady streams of expression
Through it all I look at you
soaked in past feras and turmoil;
Then patiently I watch with you in the darkness
for the breaking of black clouds
that linger in your turbulent mind
and the dawning of your smile
that comes in the light of new beginnings.

2005-02-25T10:28:00.000+08:00

Sometimes it feels no one understand ,
I don't even know why ,
I do the things i do,
When pride builds me up till i can't see my soul ,
Will you break down these walls and pull me through?

2005-02-24T18:41:00.000+08:00

My new school bag

Went to Orchard after our class ended at 10 am. Window-shopping at Far East Plaza, after had our breakfast at Burger King's. No nice bags caught my eye. Hmm...then, help Beatrice to groom up by picking for her new shirts to wear them to Sp. hehe!

Jalan-jalan at Heeren after that. And then, to Wisma Atria. At last, i found my dainty shoulder wrap pink bag in one of the exp shops. It really looks nice, stylo n elegant. Haha! Lucky, it was on sale... 50 % discount... woohoo!!!

Went to practise after shopping. Had a really good practise. Bye!

2005-02-20T17:27:00.000+08:00

Tun Fatimah.

Today as usual...work at Taman, 9am till 5pm. Later in the evening, the channelnewasia pple came down to Taman to take some shots on our preparations for the cuming big nite event theatre, Tun Fatimah, which will be held on my bro's bdae, 2nd March, at Victoria Theatre. Tix at $16, for those who are interested to purchase. So sad that i was not able to commit myself for the Tun Fatimah. I was chosen to perform at Ritz Carlton hotel on the same day instead. Insyallaah, if there will be any big events like, Lagu dan Irama, i really hope i can commit myself and join. I was hoping my lecturers will give me lesser projects, so that i can pursue my interests.

Phew,,,finally exams is over!!! I loike!

2005-02-18T10:13:00.000+08:00

Yeh Yeh~! At last ... exams is over! I can sleep early today and watch ghost movie later at midnite....Boo!

After the DE test, my classmates asked me to accompany them to PS. Fun... but no enuf $ with me, so can't go shopping. Bought 2 nice badges for me to clip on my bag. That's it. Eat at my fav fast food restaurant, Long John Silver, and went back.

Been finding this nice bag... although it doesn't look like a sch bag, but i wana bring it to poly... it looks stylo n elegant... finally found it at Jennifer's shop, but no new stock! *sad* Aniwae, where's Trendy Zone??

TAGBOARD...

2005-02-17T19:52:00.000+08:00

Hey guys...i change the background to black n the font color for my tagboard is also black, therefore it can't be seen. I don't know how to change the font color, but for the mean time, u can click on the middle image, which is a 'brown file'....to post comments.

Thx!!!

Hepi Belated Valentine's Day!

2005-02-16T08:23:00.000+08:00

Everyone was asking me, "What did u do On Valentine's Day yesterday? Go out on a date?"

Hahaha! Sad to say, i was dating my book all the while. This week, is my MST 2. So, no way for me to go on a date. Went to northpoint, after exam. And guess whom i met there? NOVI!!! Suke...!!! She almost counldnt recognise me. Eat ice-creams n chit-chats at MC'D. Many stories...satu hari tak habis. Sekali you know wad...the handsome boy from SP that i admire from far, passed me with his galfren. Whoooshh! Pain! Sakit! Heartbroken!

Actually, SP shldn't set the exam day on the week there is Valentine. Or else lots of activities can be arranged among frens. Maybe next year guys.

P.S. Frens, my blog is still under progress. Haven finalised yet. I nid someone to help me with this. So anyone with a golden heart, plz come forward.

P.S. Feel free to comment alrite!

New Blogspot for ME!!!

2005-01-12T01:05:00.000+08:00

Testing...

Miss Rai.