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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

A Passing Of A Friend Who Called Me Brother

A friend of mine passed away 3 weeks ago and I only found out today. He died from colon cancer. He was 46 years old.

I was taken aback because I didn't expect him of all people to go so soon.

I'm trying to recall when was the last time that I met and chatted with him. I'm not so sure but I'm guessing around June-July. Anyway...

I was rushing towards an appointment where I had to go across one of my home-town's favorite eatery that served fresh fish noodle soup. He was having his breakfast with, I assumed, his wife when he caught sight of me and started to wave in order get my attention. 

I went over to his table and we chatted for awhile, we spoke about the old days and other memorable things that we could think of in a span of 5 minutes as I was truly rushing.

During conversation, I couldn't help noticing his significant weight loss. I thought he looked good because he was quite heavy before that. I guess that's why we're friends because I too possess the fat people jiggling-giggling thing... y'know the tummy jiggles when you giggle? Get it? Jiggling-giggling? If you don't get it, well never mind, it's a fat people thing... You could probably happened to be a person that really,really looks ridiculously good in tights and that would justify the lack of knowledge about the jiggling-giggling thing. I don't expect a person with 6 pack Abs to understand the notion of a jiggling-giggling thing. 

Besides, legend say that ridiculously really,really good looking people don't know how to laugh. Maybe they do but won't do it because they don't want to grow fat in the face...

ANYWAY...

My friend, seriously, was one of the few people that I didn't mind of seeking advice from. He was like an elderly brother type who listened and gave their counsel when was asked to. Some of the things he said contributed to being the man I am today.

When we were in conversation at the noodle soup shop, he told me that he wanted to return to the organization that he left a few years ago. I asked why. He merely replied that he wished to return home and help out there. He hoped that the organization would accept his re-application for his return. I said I'm sure that they would. Then I had to take my leave of him as I had other matters to attend to. As we parted, we promised each other to catch up and meet up again.

And then I found out of his passing today. The reason why that I didn't know about it was purely because of my attitude of ignoring the local newspapers. I ignored the newspapers due to their strong bias for the government. There was an event of where I observed a minister dictated on what the journalists may or may not say. As I write these words down, please bear in mind, dear reader, that these are just my own thoughts and mine alone. I speak for nobody and I only do so for myself... What was that? Oh shoot, I rambled again.

Tom, it has been an honor in knowing you and I hope that you are well in heaven. What I'm writing now pales in comparison in what I am feeling now. There's a lot of 'what-ifs' and 'should-haves' scenarios racing in my thoughts now as I write.

Like my grandmother before you, it feels like you never left. You're still here but in a better place. Whatever it is...

I miss you bro. I'm so sorry for rushing that day.

Life is so short and fragile.

Take time to enjoy the little things in life whenever you get the chance.

It could be your last chance.


Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole sang this beautiful rendition of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World" with a ukelele. He too has passed on at an early age of 38. Have a listen and think of the loved ones who had since moved on to another world...

Eminems Ban In Malaysia...

No,no,no... not this type of Eminem... (he should be banned though...)

We're talking about these ones (above)

It didn't mention it in the article below here but I've received an sms yesterday regarding this issue. Anyway do check out the sms under SMS Alert label to see what I mean.


Malaysia Bans Chinese Milk Candies, Chocolate
My Sinchew.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has expanded a ban on Chinese dairy products to include candies, chocolates and all foods containing milk, following the baby formula contamination scandal in China, an official said Tuesday (23 Sept).

The expanded ban comes after Singapore discovered traces of melamine, an industrial chemical, in samples of Chinese milk candy, a Yili-brand yogurt bar and a Dutch Lady-brand strawberry milk made in China. Malaysia earlier this year had banned dairy items from China because of foot and mouth disease in Chinese cattle.

The Health Ministry is now also blocking the import of White Rabbit-brand candy and other Chinese products containing milk ingredients and will seize these items from store shelves, said Noraini Mohamad Othman, director of the ministry's food safety and quality division.

Noraini said the ministry was still determining how many products in Malaysia would be affected by the ban.

"We are in the process of identifying all products from China like biscuits, candies, chocolate and so on," she said. "It's a precaution."

Melamine, which can cause kidney stones and lead to kidney failure, has been blamed in China for four infant deaths. Nearly 53,000 children in China have fallen sick after drinking contaminated baby formula.

Singapore and other countries already have suspended the sale and import of milk, ice cream, candy and all other food products containing Chinese milk.

Melamine, used to make plastics and fertilizer, has been found in infant formula and other milk products from 22 of China's dairy companies. Suppliers trying to cut costs are believed to have added it to watered-down milk because its high nitrogen content masks the resulting protein deficiency. (AP)

Power Blackout 1

I'll be posting about this power blackout frequently  just to keep track on how many times this inconvenience has occurred. First time it happened was at the office at around 10AM. Second time it happened was at home at 12:45 PM. The office power got back at around 1 PM.

This is suppose to happen tomorrow and not today!

*sigh* "...and life goes on," says the monkey to the crane**

**Don't ask.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update 8:19 PM - My home's electricity came back at nearly 4 PM this evening

Kamunting, It Is...


Raja Petra To Be Sent To Kamunting

MalaysiaKini

Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin will be sent to Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping, Perak today to begin his two-year detention under the Internal Security Act, said his lawyer.


The home minister has signed his detention order last night to be held without trial under section 8 of the tough security law. Under the Act, the government can renew his detention indefinitely.

Lawyers said that the police had informed them this morning that they would be taking Raja Petra to the detention centre.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court is to hear a habeas corpus bid by Raja Petra's lawyers to overturn the detention of the controversial blogger today.

Habeas corpus is a writ ordering prisoners to be brought before a judge to ascertain if there are any procedural defects which could render their detention unlawful.

MalaysiaKini SMS 23/09/08

Raja Petra Kamarudin will be sent to Kamunting detention camp in Taiping today to begin 2-year detention under ISA, said his lawyer.

Let's Talk About Love

I found this outdated piece over at the Daily Express Internet Edition...

Jason loves Viviana so much that he has decided to marry her.

So a wedding proposal, he planned, in order to get the girl of his dreams.

Everybody seem to know about this because...

...he put up his proposal on a billboard at the Damai-Foh Sang traffic lights intersection!

So delighted was she that she responded with "I Do" by placing a mini-poster by the side of the bilboard!

Well folks, nobody has not yet told me that romance is still alive and kicking!

Congratulations Jason and Viviana!

Anyway since we're all here, check this out...



* The reason why that I choose this version of the song is because, well, it's cute! The couple above seemed to be into the cutesy stuff, so instead of showing the original by Jason Mraz, I've decided to put this one instead. Besides you can hear him everytime when you logged in here...

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