Goodbye Year 2011! Welcome Yr.2012!!!

Wishing You to have a Wonderful, Joyful and Happy New Year!!!

HAPPY 2012!!!

Enjoy the Last Weekend of Year 2011!

It’s the weekend again and this is the last weekend of the year 2011. The New Year is coming in less than 2 days. What has happened in this past year? Do you have any matters which are memorable to you?

Well, looking back for this year, many matters have happened around the world. My lists are as below:-

1. The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton

2. Big loss of the CEO of Apple Inc., Steve Jobs

3. Deaths of Osama bin Laden, leaders of the Syria and North Korea

4. Major earthquake of Japan, Flood of Thailand

5. The finale of the movies “Harry Potter” and “Twilight”

As for Malaysia, my lists are:

1. The matter of 9th July

2. The new Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah as the second time of King of our country, Malaysia

3. The football teams from England, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea came to have matches with Malaysian team

For myself, looking back to year 2011, it is not a very good year for me. Well, the worst thing for me is that I have been admitted into hospital for 4 times. I was having my Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, Festival of Dong Zhi and Christmas at the hospital ward. I am even writing this blog at the ward as I am yet to discharge. 

Throughout this year, I was having coughed on and off and the reasons for my admission are virus or bacterial infection in my lungs and caused to haemoptysis. Now I am having mycobacterium abscessus instead. I seldom travel out and staying at home most of my time in this year. If I left my house, it would not take more than 5 hours, thus I did not travel far.

So, since it is the final weekend of the year and there is also a long weekend, I wish all the people to have an enjoyable and lovely holiday! May God bless you!!! 

Mycobacterium Abscessus

In my previous post, I have mentioned that I have diagnosed with mycobacterium abscessus and I said that I would provide the link for your information. However, I have missed to do so and I would like to apologise for it. So, here is the link for you for further details, Mycobacterium Abscessus.

FYI, I also do not know what are the symptoms of such illness. For my case, I am having cough on and off and have a little bit of phlegm sometimes. Due to I could not provide phlegm for the sputum test to the chest doctor, he did the bronchoscopy for me and then the result shows that I have diagnosed with it. According to the doctor, I have such illness due to my body immune system is too weak, thus, I got such illness! :(

Anyway, I'm still having the treatment at the hospital now. I wish that I would recover soon! So, take care all of you!!!

OMG! I’m Admitted Again!!! :(

Last Wednesday (21/12/2011), I returned to the UMMC to check my chest bronchoscopy result with my chest specialist. I have blogged about my chest bronchoscopy in my previous post. Guess what?! The chest specialist informed me that my result was not good as I have diagnosed with mycobacterium abscessus and I was required to admit for the treatment immediately. Then he was making the arrangement for me to enter the chest ward. I have been waiting for about 5 hours then only managed to enter the ward. Luckily I was been arranged to 2 bedded ward.

Anyway, I was given 2 types of antibiotic IV and another one type of antibiotic for oral daily. One of the 2 types of antibiotic called Tienam for IV has to be taken 3 times per day and another type is needed for one time only. According to my chest specialist, my treatment is required for 2 to 4 weeks and after that I still need to continue treatment for at least a year. According to the doctor, the illness mycobacterium abscessus is easy to diagnose for the person with weak immune system, therefore I got such illness as such bacteria could be found in everywhere, for example soil. If you would like to know more details about mycobacterium abscessus, you may click here.

I started to admit on 21/12/2011, so I was celebrating my DongZhi Festival and Christmas at the ward. I am such an unlucky person as I was having my Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival at the hospital too in this year as I was also admitted during those days. This is the 4th time for my admission in this year. Sob sob!!! :(

So I am here at the ward, taking IV and medicine everyday. There is also side effect of the antibiotic, which is diarrhea. Thus, I am having diarrhea for few days since I started the treatment and the doctor also given me medicine for my diarrhea. Today is the 7th day for me in the ward and also taken 2 times of blood for test. The reason for twice is pre and post antibiotic IV.

The food of the hospital is not tasted good and the air-cond is sometimes too cold. Gosh, I have to cover with 2 blankets and my own towel for my sleep as it is even colder at night time. However, sometimes the air-cond is not cool enough and feels warm. I could not adjust the temperature due to it is centralised system. I guess such environment would make the patients even sicker. Moreover, I think I would become the “guinea pig” as there were many medical students around here and they like to approach me to ask some questions and checking and this is what I HATE the most. I am feeling like a “white mice” for them instead. Sometimes, I just reject their request.

Since the doctor said my treatment is required for at least 2 weeks, so I would celebrate my new year of 2012 here too. Due to my admission, I could not send off my cousin sister and nephew for their further study at Canada and USA respectively as they are leaving in this morning and tomorrow. So, I just wish them all the best and good luck here. I really wish that I would not be celebrating my Chinese New Year here; I wish that I could be at home for my Chinese New Year. I’m praying to the God to bless me so that I could recover and be discharged soon. I also wish that may God bless you all!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

WISHING ALL OF YOU TO HAVE A WONDERFUL & MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Side Effects of the Bronchoscopy

I had done the CT scan for my lungs on 18th November at UMMC. I then was having my chest follow-up about 2 weeks later, which was on 5th December. According to my Chest doctor, the condition of my lungs had gone worsened as compared to the results of my CT scan that I done in year 2009. Thus he wanted me to go for the bronchoscopy of the lungs on the next day since I was having cough for quite sometime and could not provide the phlegm for the sputum test.


Bronchoscopy is a technique of visualizing the inside of the airways for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. An instrument (bronchoscope) is inserted into the airways, usually through the nose or mouth, or occasionally through a tracheotomy. So, I was having my lung bronchoscopy carried out on 6th December morning at the UMMC. I had to fast for 12 hours before the procedure. My chest doctor carried the procedure for me. Before the procedure started, the doctor explained the procedure for me and told me the side effects after the bronchoscopy. According to the doctor, some people might have fever, coughing out blood due to the procedure. Then I had to sign a consent letter for carried out the bronchoscopy.

Before the procedure started, the doctor had given me some medications to anesthetize and then I was lying down flatly on a bed. I was monitored during the procedure with periodic blood pressure checks, continuous ECG monitoring of the heart, and pulse oximetry. I was also wearing the oxygen tube. The procedure was carried in a special room. The doctor had inserted a flexible bronchoscope into my mouth. The instrument was advanced to the trachea and further down into the bronchial system and each area is inspected as the bronchoscope passes. I was conscious during the procedure and it was a suffering for me as I felt a bit irritating that there was a tube in my throat and it felt very uncomfortable. I recalled that I was unconscious for such procedure when I first did in year 2009. But this time I was conscious. Anyway, the procedure was taken about 20 minutes.

After the procedure, I was pushed to another room to rest. I was having badly cough for a while and also giddiness. All those were the side effects after the procedure. FYI, it is required someone to accompany the patient who carried such procedure. I was still wearing the oxygen tube due to I felt breathless after the procedure done. I think I was taken about an hour plus by lying on the bed to rest and then only I felt better. The chest doctor came to see me and he told my mum and me that he would see me in 2 weeks later for the results. So my next appointment would be on 21/12.

After taken the rest and felt better, I left the UMMC and headed home. Guess what?! Due to I was very weak, I got fever as the doctor told me that it was the side effects of the bronchoscopy. Gosh, I was having the fever on and off for 5 days then only I had recovered. It really made me very suffering. Moreover, I am very worried for the results of the bronchoscopy as I wish it would not be a serious case. So, now I only could wait until this Wednesday for my results but nothing else!!!

My Angiogram Experiences – Part 2

My second angiogram was taken on 23/9/2011. The radiologist who carried this procedure for me was a Malay male doctor, named. Dr. Hazman. His assistant was a Chinese female radiologist. The reason for me to have the second time of angiogram was that I was still having haemoptysis after a day I got discharged from the hospital. Thus, I was admitted again on 22/9/2011. :(

My second angiogram was taken 3 hours for the procedure. Again, I was being given an injection to prevent any allergies and to sign the consent letter before the procedure started. It was a totally different experience for me for my second angiogram. I was suffered for my second angiogram procedure. It took me 3 hours for the procedure and I was having sudden chest pain in the middle of the procedure. The radiologists then quickly stopped the procedure for about 15 minutes and they called a heart doctor came to check on me. I told the heart doctor I was having the chest pain and it was the area that the radiologist had inserted the catheter. Then they let me rested for awhile, of course I was still lying on the bed to rest but I was sweated so much too, I think it was a cold sweat for me. One of the nurses helped me to wipe off my sweat as she wanted me to feel relief. After awhile, the radiologists started the angiogram again and this time he was telling me just to hold my breath for 5 seconds for the x-rays. Both the radiologists for my 2 angiogram procedures were kept on asking me if I was feeling ok during the procedure and they also talked to me.

I was wearing the oxygen mask during the procedure and I had been using 6 bottles of oxygen tank for my 2nd angiogram. After the procedure done, I was very tired and felt very weak. I also had no mood to talk as I felt strengthless and just wanted to sleep. My mother was accompanied me for the whole night. I could not move my leg for 6 hours again of course.

On the next day, after I woke up. I was having chest pain and when I swallowed the food, I felt painful for my chest too. I told the doctor about it and the doctor advised me did not eat too much at one time, he told me to eat a little bit in few times and it was the side effects of the angiogram. Then I was taken some liquid food on that day as I felt my chest pain when I eaten the solid food.

Few days later, the radiologist, Dr. Hazman came to my ward to see me. He asked if I could walk. I told him I could walk and he said it was good. Then he told me the side effects of the angiogram, he said some people would have back pain, it would last for 1 week to 4 weeks. I then told him no wonder I was having back pain, He said it was normal and I could take pain-killer to stop the pain or apply some cream too. FYI, I was having the back pain for 4 weeks after the angiogram and I did not take any pain killers to ease my pain due to I did not want to take so many medicines. I just asked my mother to apply cream for me for 3 times daily. Frankly speaking, the back pain really made me suffered so much. My mother advised me to take pain-killer but I rejected.

Besides back pain, I was also having coolness for my right fingers for a week after my angiogram as it was one of the side effects too. Another side effect of the angiogram was shortness of breath. Guess what?! I could not run away from it, and I got that side effect too and it was really made me suffered.

Since my second angiogram, I got back pain and shortness of breath easily. Even I walked for few paces, I felt shortness of breath. Thus, I had to wear the oxygen mask most of the time during my hospitalisation. After I got discharged, I was using the oxygen concentrator. Like I said, I got the shortness of breath easily, thus, I was staying at home to rest and most of the time I was lie down on the bed or sofa as I was having back pain too. But sometimes, I also forced myself to walk for a while as doing some exercises. FYI, in the first two weeks after I got discharged, my mother was washing my hair and bathed for me. This was due to I was too weak to do those by myself as I got shortness of breath easily. Thus, I was depending on the oxygen concentrator so much during those time. I even felt like lazy to talk, therefore I did not talk much during those days and I also only managed to talk in the soft-tone. When I felt angry, I felt my back pain and started to have shortness of breath, thus, I controlled my temper so much at those time.

It is already 2 months passed my angiograms, and I am feeling much better now. At least I would not have shortness of breath easily now and my back pain had eased. Thus I hope my health would recover soon and the 2 angiograms for me were really a “special” kind of experience for me and I am having 2 wounds in my groin.

My Angiogram Experiences – Part 1

For those who have been followed my blog would have known that I had admitted into hospital twice in the month of September. This was due to I was having quite serious haemoptysis or coughing out blood. Moreover I was having twice for the angiogram for my lungs too or it is also known as bronchial artery embolisation. Now I would like to share with you for my 2 times of the angiogram experiences.

An angiogram is an imaging test that uses x-rays to view our body’s blood vessels. Physicians/radiologists often use this test to study narrow, blocked, enlarged, or malformed arteries or veins in many parts of the body, including the brain, heart, abdomen, and legs. The physician may recommend an angiogram to diagnose a variety of vascular conditions, including:

• Blockages of the arteries outside of the heart, called peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Enlargements of the arteries, called aneurysms
• Kidney artery conditions, called renovascular conditions
• Problems in the arteries that branch off the aorta, called aortic arch conditions
• Malformed arteries, called vascular malformations
• Problems with the veins, such as deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots in the
   lungs called pulmonary emboli

I was having one of the problems above, i.e. bleeding from the lungs and therefore I coughed out blood seriously. The reason for bleeding from my lungs was some of the veins in my lungs had “burst” and caused the bleeding. As I was a TB patient before, my lungs already had some scars, thus those scars caused the infection of lung and eventually I was having badly cough and thus the bleeding started. :(

My first angiogram for the lung was taken on 16/9/2011 during the evening time and it only taken an hour for such procedure. However, as for my second angiogram, it took me 3 hours for the procedure and it was done on 23/9/2011 which was also done in the evening. 2 different radiologists carried the angiogram for me respectively. The first radiologist was a Malay lady and the second radiologist was a Malay guy whom I think he is a very good and experienced radiologist. Both of my angiograms were treated as the emergency cases.

Before my 1st angiogram taken, the house doctor had given me an injection as to avoid the risk for an allergic reaction on me. Then I also required to sign a consent letter for carried out the angiogram as there are risks for such procedure. The radiologist asked if I was allergies to the seafood. Allergies can increase the risk of a reaction to the contrast dye. The extra fluid associated with angiograms can sometimes cause problems for patients whose hearts have poor pumping ability, such as those with congestive heart failure. I told the radiologist that I am not allergies to the seafood, and then she said it is OK, and did not need to worry. After that, I signed on the consent letter and then I was pushed into the room for the angiogram.

Once entered the room, I saw it was a room equipped with a specialized machine with 3 monitors. I was told by the nurses to lie on a bed and then I was instructed to lower my panty due to the radiologist was required to insert the angiographic catheter into an artery in my groin. I was very nervous at that time too. I was also wearing the oxygen mask for the whole procedure. Before the insertion, the assistant of the radiologist (who was also a radiologist) cleaned my skin in the area to reduce the risk of infection. I was very embarrassing at that time due to it was a male assistant radiologist to do it. He then numbed my skin with an anaesthetic and then the main radiologist told me that they would make a tiny puncture to reach the artery with a needle. The radiologist done it in a very fast pace and once she inserted, she told me the worst part which was the most painful for the procedure had done. She told me to relax and breathe normally. FYI, I was conscious for the whole procedure.

After the radiologists inserted the catheter, I could see the monitors were showing some images. I think it was showing my lungs and I could see the heart was pumping too. Later, I found that it advances a thin wire through the needle, threads a catheter over the wire, and guided it to the desired location. The radiologist used x-rays that were projected on a video screen, a process called fluoroscopy, to see the catheter as it moved through the arteries or blood vessels.

When the radiologist had positioned the catheter properly, she injected the contrast dye as she told me that I would have a bit of warm feeling because the contrast dye entered my bloodstream. I did feel the mild warm feeling. She then started the procedure by instructing her assistant to take more x-ray images to see how the contrast was flowing through the arteries. During the procedure, I was asked by the radiologists to hold my breath for about 5 to 10 seconds as they needed to take the x-rays. I think I was told to do it for few times. The radiologists also told me to lie perfectly still to prevent sudden movements from blurring the x-ray pictures. But I did some fidgeting during the procedure for few times as I could not stop helping it.

Well, my first angiogram procedure was going smooth and it only took an hour for it. In my first angiogram, the radiologists only put 6 coirs into my lungs to patch the blood vessels to stop the bleeding. After the end of the procedure, the radiologist removed the catheter and then the assistant pressed the insertion site which was my wound for about 20 minutes to help stop bleeding and then pasted the plaster to cover my wound. Then he told me to keep my leg straight and to lie down straight for 6 hours to minimize bleeding from the puncture site. The radiologist also told me that if I felt my wound was having some hot feeling, it meant that it was bleeding and required to seek for the treatment immediately. After that, I was transferred to another bed by the nurses and then sent back to my ward. I saw my mother was there once I had been pushed out by the room and then she went together with me returned to the ward.

Since I could not sit up but just to lie flat on the bed, my mother was feeding me for some soft food and drink. I also dared not to move my lower body at that night as I was afraid that my wound would bleed. I also did not sleep well too. So, in the next day, after 6 hours, I started to move a little for my legs and few more hours later, I could leave the bed to walk. My haemoptysis also stopped after the angiogram and of course I still needed to take some antibiotics treatment and then I was discharged from the hospital on 20/9/2011. Moreover, I also did not have any side effects from the angiogram as the doctor said some people would have rashes, pain or swelling on the wound after the procedure.

So the above is my first experience of my angiogram for my lungs. I was thinking that I was recovered after such procedure but it was not and eventually I had to undergo for another time of the bronchial artery embolisation in a week later after my first angiogram and it was a totally different experience for me. I would blog about it in my next post.

My 19.11.11

It was 19.11.11 yesterday and it was my birthday too. I celebrated my birthday with my family. We dined at the Sushi King for my birthday meal. Well, although I did not really have a big celebration for my birthday, I was happy that I had meal with my family. This is due to after I discharged from the hospital about 2 months ago, I did not go out for any meals until yesterday. The reasons are I got tired easily and I have to be careful with my diet.

Anyway, I was glad to dine at the Sushi King yesterday as my family and I were enjoying the meal very much. All of us were very full-filling after the meal. Guess what?! My little niece even treated me the 31st Baskin Robin ice-cream after that. Wow, this made me even full and I think it is very sweet of my niece too! :)

Well, I wish that I will stay healthy and happy always and same goes to all of you!

Happy 11.11.11

Today is 11.11.11. It happens once in a century. According to the Chinese pop culture, 11.11 is also known as the 'Singles Day', 'One's Day' or 'Guang Gun Jie' (光棍节; pinyin: guāng gùn jié). This is the Chinese pop culture holiday for people who are still living the single life.

Singles' Day was initially celebrated at various universities in Nanjing, literally the southern capital city (of China), during the 1990s, and originated from Nanjing University in 1993. It got the name Singles Day because the date consists of four "ones". These college students have since graduated, and carried the university tradition into society. The Singles Day has been largely popularized in the Internet era and is now a special day for all fashionable youths.


The main way to celebrate Singles Day is to have dinner with your single friends, but it's important that each person pay their own way to show their independence. People also hold 'blind date' parties in an attempt to bid goodbye to their single lives.


For breakfast on Singles' Day, singles often eat four Youtiao (deep-fried dough sticks) representing the four "ones" in "11.11" and one Baozi (steamed stuffed bun) representing the middle dot.


Some singles also choose to say goodbye to their single lives on this day: many attend 'blind date' parties and many people choose to marry on this day. In addition to meaning 'single,' the four 'ones' of the date can also mean 'only one' as in 'the only one for me.' Some people will use this date and this meaning to tell their special someone that they are the only 'one' in their heart.


I know that many people would have their wedding on today as it is a memorable day for having six "1". Anyway, I am wishing all of you to have a Happy 11.11.11. May God bless you all have a Peace World. :)

A Quick Update

I have not updated my blog for more than a month. The reason is I was admitted into the UMMC in the mid September twice and also did the angiogram twice during my hospitalisation. The reason for my admission was that I was having hemotysis or also can be said as coughing out blood. After did the angiogram, I was feeling very weak with my body. After I have discharged from the hospital, I was still feeling very weak with my body as I got breathless and tired easily. Thus I was taking my time to rest in order to recover. I was feeling quite low or depressed too during those days and thus I did not do any blogging.

I'll blog about my condition once I'm feeling much better. Hence, I would like to wish all of you to stay healthy always and have a good health. Take care!

Alleviating Depression through SPORT!!!

SPORT can bring depressed people out of their self-imposed isolation because exercise helps to relieve anxiety and stress.

According to Fritz Hohagen, executive committee member of the German Association for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, sport makes it easier for them to shed their "withdrawal behaviour"and gain self-assurance.

Sport counters depressives' lack of motivation and gets them to become active, added Hohagen, who noted that the positive effects of the exercise in combating depression were well documented. He said it was important for depressives who engaged in sport to train regularly and see their sport as a constant in their life.

Particularly effective in raising one's mood are moderate endurance sport such as Nordic walking, jogging, cycling and swimming. Beyond that, team sport can have positive effect on the social behaviour of the mentally ill, who learn how to deal with their body and other people.

Participation in sport is also a component of therapy for anxiety disorders, addictions, eating disorders and mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.

Hohagen said that regular exercise also benefited healthy people, who can thereby allay depressive moods and better alleviate stress.

So, start doing some Sports from today onwards in order to alleviate depression!!!

My Cute Bento

I have taken a cute lunch bento on Monday. The food was lemonade chicken, sardines potatoes patties, white rice and the fruit was honeydew. I ordered it from a home bakery after I read its ‘advertisement’ on the newspaper in last week.

The bento was delivered to my house as there was a transport charges for the delivery. The reason for me to make the order was due to I saw the bento pictures on the newspaper were very cute and it attracted me very much. Thus I gave it a try for the cute bento.

When I received my cute bento on that day, I was quite happy as I think it really was very cute. The rice was made into the face of a dog and it makes it look cute for the bento, and moreover, it looked delicious too. So, the food was tasted well and when I showed it to my niece after she came back for school, she was saying that the bento was cute too.

Well, let me show you my cute bento now. I also enclosed other cute bento pictures for reference.

My bento -- lemonade chicken
Do you think the rice looks cute?! :P

So, if you are interested to try the cute bento, you may find the information on the Facebook. Kindly search for the Melody’s Home Bakery and you would be able to see the menu, pictures of all the cute bento, and the guidelines for food order. FYI, the delivery is only within the Klang Valley areas. I hope you will enjoy the cute bento as much as I do! J

Back to the Normal Life!

Hello there! It’s Monday, I bet many people would be having ‘Monday Blues’ since it had been a long holidays for the Hari Raya and Merdeka Day. I believe many people have started to work only on today instead of on last Friday. So, if you are one of those, please clear your mind and it is back to the normal life, you have to work, work and work!!! Hehe!

So, what have you done during the last long holidays? I bet many of the people must have went for travelling overseas/outstations, book fest, shopping, or staying at home to rest or to do house cleanings. Well, for me, I was staying at home most of the days; I did some readings (which I have bought some novels lately), watching TV or DVDs, and resting. I also went to the nearby shopping mall for window and grocery shopping. So, this was how I spent my holidays. Not so fun for the holidays, huh?! But I am enjoying by staying at home as it is a comfortable place for me.

As today is a new day for the new week, I am wishing all of you to have a good week ahead. Cheers!!! J

BookFest @ Malaysia 2011

The annual book fest is back. This is again to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from 28/8/2011 until 4/9/2011. I recalled that I went to this book fest last year and I managed to buy some books. However, I did not go to the Bookfest for this time due to I have to avoid for going to the crowded areas. From the newspaper, it is reported that there are many people have gone to this book fest. I think it must be due to the reasons of school holidays, and also the public holidays of 3 days in a row. Thus many people go to the Bookfest 2011.

Although I did not go to the Bookfest 2011 this time, I am still managed to buy some novels from the nearby Popular bookstore which is at IOI Mall.  I am also have bought the books with some discounts by using the Popular member card but it was not as much discounted as get from the Bookfest instead. I still feel happy for it as I managed to buy the books/novels that I wanted to buy.

I have bought some English and Chinese novels/books. FYI, some of the Chinese books are the translation into the Chinese version from the Japanese books. Thus the authors of the books/novels are from USA, Mainland China and Japan. I already finished reading 2 of the books of the Japanese authors during those Raya and Merdeka holidays. Next I would start to read one of the English novels. I think the last English book I read was “The Chronicles of Narnia” the whole series which was I did it in a few months back. I enjoy reading sometimes!

Well, if you are also like readings and would like to buy novels/books with great discount, you may go to visit the Bookfest 2011 as it is yet to end, as there are 3 more days to go. Go to grab the book(s) that you like and start reading as I think reading is good.

It is weekend again, I believe some of you are still enjoying your holidays or some might start working already on today. Anyway, I am wishing you all to have a lovely and enjoyable weekend! J

Happy Merdeka Day!!!

31st August 2011 is the 54th birthday of Malaysia. I would like to wish Malaysia to have a Happy Birthday and Happy Merdeka Day!!! I wish our country to have a peace, harmony and happy!!!

HAPPY 54th BIRTHDAY!!!

&

HAPPY MERDEKA DAY!!!

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!!!

It is the Hari Raya Aidilfitri on Tuesday, 30/8/2011. Thus, I am wishing to all my Muslim friends to have a Happy Raya and Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!!!

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI!!!

Answer for A Riddle 4U!

Hi all! It is a new week here. This week we have only to work for 2 days as there are holidays for Hari Raya and National Day!!!

Anyway, I have posted a riddle in last week and it is the time to reveal the answer now. I saw some people have put their answers but sorry to say, those answers are wrong! :P Hehe!!!

Well, let me repeat the question. "What word is always spelled incorrectly?" Or, you may refer to the link here.

The answer is "INCORRECTLY".

So, why didn't you think of this word?! :P

School Break is Here!!!

Today is the last day of the school. I bet all the students must be very happy as they are enjoying their one week school holidays starting from tomorrow. Well, this school break is quite special as the celebration of Merdeka Day and Hari Raya are held sisimultaneously.

Well, I am hoping all the student would enjoy their holidays and make sure they don't forget to do their holiday homeworks too. I know some are in the "last minute" type as always doing the holidays homeworks on the last day of the holiday. Luckily I was not one of those. Haha! :P

Anyway, it's weekend here. I am wishing all of you to have an enjoyable and lovely weekend!!! :)

A Riddle 4U!!!

Hello there! Since the weekend is going to over soon, let us play a quiz here. I have a riddle for you in order for you not to have Monday Blues!!!

Here comes the question.

"What word is always spelled incorrectly?"

Well, give me the answer if you know. I will only reveal the answer in one week later.

Well, go for it!!! Hope you will enjoy it!!! ^.^

Have a good week ahead!!!

More Subtitles for S ONE HD Channel Needed!!!

I like to watch TV and I also like to watch the Korean TV series. However I am very disappointed with the Korean TV series and shows that show on the S One HD channel of Astro. This is due to all the Korean shows provided is only applicable with the Bahasa Malaysia subtitles and some of the TV series even with the BM audio dubbed. I am wondering that why such channel only provided with the BM subtitles and not otherwise.

I propose that more subtitles, English and Chinese are provided for TV series of the S ONE HD Channel (channel 393), particularly for the Korean Drama series. I witnessed that trailers of the same have the subtitles of English and Chinese but these are not available for the series proper. Frankly speaking, this is kind of making me mad for it. As my BM is not so good and I also do not understand Korean language, I can only rely on the subtitles for the story. However I do not enjoy my Korean show very much since it is only with the BM subtitles. I think this is not fair to the viewers that do not understand BM and Korean. As many viewers for such entertainment are not proficient in Bahasa Malaysia, there could be big gains in viewership if English and Chinese subtitles are made available. This gain will be even more I believe when such series are provided with more subtitles of other languages besides Bahasa Malaysia.

Personally, as I am one who has limited Bahasa Malaysia fluency, I feel disadvantaged by this lack of subtitles in English and Chinese in this channel 393. It is timely and just for Astro to provide this better level of service quality as it has just raised its subscription prices. And if the channels such as Star World, AXN, Animax and Zhi Zun HD have such multiple language subtitles, it is unfathomable why the same could not be applied to this S One HD channel.

As a conclusion, I wish that Astro could enhance its facilities in order to provide more subtitles for the Korean shows in order for the viewers to have selection. As follows in the spirit of ‘1 Malaysia’ that all Malaysian should share the same opportunities regardless of creed, race and religion.

Humour Corner : Dumped or Deleted?!

Hi there! Just a note to make you smile! :P

I TRIED COMPUTER DATING. NOW I DON’T GET DUMPED. I GET DELETED.

Angry Birds Online Game

I started to play with the Angry Birds online game since I helped my little niece on her art work about few weeks ago. FYI, I have blogged about the Angry Birds paintings before. If you would like to follow the mentioned post, you may click it here. I was helping my niece to colour a little bit for her Angry Birds painting. Since then, I was curious about the Angry Birds and started to play its game since it is a very popular online game nowadays; even our Prime Minister likes to play with it.

Angry Birds is a puzzle video game developed by Finland-based Rovio Mobile. In the game, players use a slingshot to launch birds at pigs stationed on or within various structures, with the intent of destroying all the pigs on the playfield. As players advance through the game, new birds appear, some with special abilities that can be activated by the player. The Angry Birds game consists of various editions and the one that I am playing currently is the edition of Angry Birds Rio. Angry Birds Rio, a stand-alone edition tying into the release of the 20th Century Fox animated film “Rio”, was launched in March 2011. Angry Birds Rio initially includes two chapters, each with 30 levels; the Angry Birds rescue caged exotic birds in the first chapter and attack evil marmosets in the second, third and fourth chapters. I think I am only at the first chapter currently as I only play for about 30 minutes for the game in an alternate day. The reason is I couldn’t spend so much time on playing game! : p

However, I find the game is very interesting and challenging. I meant, when u have scored the high score, you would get 3 stars and go for the next level. This makes me very happy and excited to go for the next level. But sometimes, I have to try many times for a certain level and it also needs the patience and calculation to shoot the birds. Haha!  Anyway, I think it is a game for you to think very carefully and it is not just a simple game. I mean it needs strategies!!!

Well, I hope that I could complete this edition, Angry Birds Rio ASAP and then go for the next edition. I think after you have tried playing the game then only you will find its fun and no wonder it is a game the popular over the worldwide. Anyway, if you have yet to play with the Angry Birds game before, it is a recommendation for me that you should start to play the game now in order to enjoy its fun!!! Since it is the weekend here, so you may start to play the game.

Enjoy playing!!! ^.^ Enjoy your weekend!!!

Going Vegetarian to Fight Heart Disease

A new US study suggests that vegetarians may be at significantly lower risk of developing a condition associated with heart disease, diabetes and stroke than people who eat meat.

Researchers found that vegetarians experience a 36% lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome, a precursor to heart disease, diabetes and stroke than non-vegetarians.

To measure metabolic syndrome, researchers tested for 5 risk factors : high blood pressure, high HDL cholesterol, high glucose levels, elevated triglycerides and unhealthy waist circumference.

"I wasn't sure if there would be a significant difference between vegetarians and non-vegetarians, and I was surprised by just how much the numbers of contrast," said lead researcher Nico S. Rizzo, PhD of Loma Linda University in the US.

Another study supporting trending towards a plant-based diet, from the German Cancer Research Centre in 2008, found that vegetarians reduced their risks of an early death by 50% for men and 30% for women.

A study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry earlier this year also found that meat eaters had significantly higher cardiovascular risk factors than vegetarians, although it also revealed that a vegan diet, which eliminates all animal products, may increase people's risk of blood clots and the hardening of arteries.

Vegetarians exclude meant, poultry, and fish from their diet but tend to eat eggs and dairy products.

Vegans, on the other hand, abstain from eggs and dairy products, as well as meant, poultry and fish.

Researchers in the vegan study noted that strict vegan diets tend to lack key nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower the risk of heart-related diseases.

Vegetarians and vegans can ensure the health benefits of their diets by filling their plates with good sources of mega-3 fatty acids, such as walnuts, flaxseeds, and for vegetarians, omega-3 enriched eggs.

(Source adapted from The Sun newspaper dated 22/4/2011)

KTM Komuter Service

I have read the letters (the one that written by the readers that published on the newspaper) on the newspaper lately as it was pertaining the KTM Komuter service. All those letters were highlighting their feelings of unhappy with the service of the KTM Komuter. This reminds me of my old days when I was also used to take the KTM Komuter to college and work.

Well, I was taking the Komuter from Segambut station to the Kuala Lumpur station for my college and then workplace (after I started working). As per the letters, the train was always delayed and it was not being arrived as scheduled. For me, if the train had delayed by 5 minutes, it was considered as according to the scheduled for me at that time Thus, when I took the Komuter last time, I always spared the time to reach the station in 15 minutes before and after prior the schedule time.  This was due to the earlier train has delayed and I managed to catch it. 

Another nightmare for me was the train was packed like sardines during the peak hours, especially in the morning. As there were few stations are ahead of mine, the train was already in a huge crowd when it reached my station, and I have to no choice but to follow the passengers to push along into the train. As I am a small size person, I always stood nearby the door in the train, and sometimes my face was almost stuck to the glass of the door. This is not a joke; the crowd was really huge in the train as it was packed like sardines. Sometimes, it was like you would almost kiss the person that stood in front of you (stood in face to face). Well, if I was not lucky enough to get on the train due to too packed in the train, I had to wait for another train which it took me about 20 minutes to wait for it.

I think I have experienced those for about 5 years and now I already stopped taking KTM Komuter since I shifted to another area which does not have KTM Komuter service for years. I thought that the service has been improved since then but it seems not. Still as the old days. Thus, when I was reading those letters on the newspaper, I could understand their feelings. Firstly, the train is always delayed and the service has never been improved. Secondly, more passengers are taking Komuter train nowadays, and the KTM is not taking more trains and couches and it is a hassle for them. I can say that I am lucky that I do not need to face those nightmares anymore, but I am sincerely wish that the KTM would improve the service in order to let the passengers to have a happy and satisfaction ride.

Talking about Horoscope?!

Hi there! It's been quite a while that I did not post for the jokes. So, here it comes and hope you will enjoy it!!! :)

Two men were admitted to hospital. Too weak to speak they slept for days. After two weeks, the first man gets the strength to point to himself and say “American”  His room-mate says “Canadian”  A week later the American summons the strength to speak again “Shawn” he says in a frail voice.  “Dave” his roommate squeaks. They both fall back into a deep sleep. A week later Shawn rouses himself enough to speak “Cancer” he says. Dave clears his throat and says “ Sagittarius!”

Tea May Help Prevent Osteoporosis

A Taiwanese survey has found that drinking tea helps prevent osteoporosis in elderly women.

The National Cheng Kung University Hospital surveyed 368 women above the age of 65 to try to find out if their lifestyle had an impact on their bone density. 60 out of 368 women, whose average age was 74, had the habit of drinking tea while 308 women seldom drank tea, Dr. Chang Yin-Fan, one of the five doctors who conducted the survey, said.

Among those who drank tea, 28 women (46.7%) had osteoporosis compared to 195 (63.3%) of the non-tea drinkers, he said. The study corroborates findings by Chinese and Western scientists that drinking green tea is good for health and helps prevent many illnesses.

According to the study, certain ingredients in green tea play a role in reducing the incidence of osteoporosis. "Fluoride slows the loss of bone mass while flavonoid improves the bone mass. Two other substances of green tea, polyphenol and tannin, also help improve bone mass," Chang said.

Chang refuted some doctors' warning that drinking tea could cause osteoporosis as caffeine promotes the excretion of calcium through urine. "We think polyphenol and tannin in green tea offset the effect of caffeine," he said.

Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is the most common type of bone disease. It is caused by the loss of bone density, making it easier for elderly people to have hip, wrist or vertebral fractures. Doctors at the National Cheng Kung University Hospital conducted the survey among women in Tianliao village in Kaohsiung Country, sounthern Taiwan.

(Source adapted from The Sun newspaper in April 2011)

So, after reading the article above, would you like to have a cup of tea?! As for me, I will have my tea everyday! :)

The Haze is Back! :(

Gosh, the weather is so bad lately! It is very hazy in the Klang Valleys and some other states of Malaysia. The haze season is upon us again, and I think it is very bad. The polluting haze is coming from forest fires in Indonesia and locally. The visibility is still good but there is this unmistakable burnt smell lingering in the air.

The skies choked with smog with the burning smell. I could smell it during these few days in my housing area. The burning smell was even stronger at the early morning and night time. Although the API (Air Pollutant Index) is rated as the moderate level throughout the country, I still think it is very unhealthy for the people.

When I read the news lately, it is shown that the visibility level is low, only about 4km for the distance. I think it is very risky for the people who are driving. Even our landmark of Kuala Lumpur, The Twin Towers has been covered by the haze and it could not be seen from far distance.

There is nothing much we can do except to drink lots of water and wait the haze to be out. For those who are weak in the respiratory system, like me, try to stay in the indoor as much as you can, otherwise, you would fall sick easily. So, I am just staying at home most of the time and drink much water. Let us pray that the haze will go away ASAP and return us a clear blue sky again!

709

It is a new week ahead. So, how was your weekend and what did u do during you last weekend?!

On last Saturday, (9^th of July), my family and I have paid a visit to my uncle’s home as he invited us to have a family gathering there. Actually it has been sometime that I did not meet my uncle and his family since the Chinese New Year. So, it has been few months already. We drove to his house at around 12pm and luckily the there was no traffic congestion as we were not using the roads of KL.

When we reached my uncle’s house, he was busy preparing the meals for the evening. I met my aunties, cousins and grandma too. After that, my uncle took us to the Empire Shopping Gallery f Subang Jaya for our lunch. We dined at the Din Tai Fung, the Chinese restaurant for our meal. But I did not find the meal was delicious. Well, of course it is my own opinion.

After the meal, we were walking around the shopping mall and I found that there were many foreigners; mostly foreign students were shopping there. After done with the shopping, we headed back to my uncle’s house. In the evening, we were having dinner at my uncle’s house as he has cooked us a meal. Well, I can say that the meal was not bad; at least all of us were enjoying the meal. After that, we were gathered around to chat with each other. I also have borrowed some DVDs from my cousin.

We left my uncle’s house at around 8:30pm and again the traffic was smooth when we were on our way home. So, this was how I spent my 709. It was a peaceful day for me. How was your 709?! 

Hainanese Chicken Rice!

Hello! Do you like to eat Hainanese Chicken rice?! I do. I bet most of the Chinese like to eat chicken rice. Well, I bumped into a magazine few days ago and found that there is a recipe for the Hainanese Chicken Rice and I would like to share with you.

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Ingredients :

Chicken

1 young chicken (about 1kg)

2 tsp salt

2 slices fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic

1 litre water

3 tsp sesame oil

Rice

250g Thai Fragrant Rice (rinsed, drained)

30g garlic (pounded)

2 slices fresh ginger

2 tsp salt

Chili Sauce

50g fresh chilies

30g garlic

30g fresh ginger

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1 tbsp hot oil

Method :

1. To prepare the chicken, rinse the chicken and clean and pat dry. Rub all over with salt. Stuff fresh ginger and garlic in stomach.
2. Place the chicken and water in pot. Bring to boil over medium heat. Turn off heat then cover pot with lid. Steep chicken in covered pot for 30 minutes.
3. Remove cooked chicken from pot and rub all over with 1 tbsp sesame oil. Allow to cool then cut into pieces. Reserve chicken stock from pot.
4. For the rice, heat 1 tbsp oil in wok until hot. Brown pounded garlic and ginger till fragrant. Add Thai Fragrant Rice and stir-fry for 1 minute. Transfer to pot. Add salt and 600ml chicken stock. Cook till rice is fluffy.
5. As for the chili sauce, blend chilies, garlic and ginger together. Dish out and add salt and sugar. Drizzle with hot oil.
6. Bring remaining chicken stock to boil. Season with salt to taste.
7. Serve the chicken with hot rice and soup.

Tada..... This is how to cook the Hainanese Chicken Rice! :) Since it is the weekend, you may try to cook it at home with the recipe.

Well, enjoy your cooking and have a lovely weekend to you all! :)

(Recipe adapted from the Jusco Pearl Magazine)

Please Give Your Support by Buying the Mooncakes from Ms. Yvonne Foong

I have been following the blog of Yvonne Foong for sometime. She is a person whom diagnosed with NF2. By reading her blog, it is known that Yvonne is a very strong and independent person. She has taken few times of surgeries for her illness.

She has written a book about herself and I also have read it. Now she is planning to have her second book. The reason for her to publish her book is for her fund raising for her illness. Now, she needs to raise her fund again for her US trip in this October for her follow-up on her illness. This time she is selling mooncakes to raise about RM8,000 to RM11,000 for her trip.

The Mid Autumn Festival is fall on the 12/9/2011. If you would like to give some support to Yvonne, you may buy the mooncakes from her as she has various sets of mooncakes to choose from. You are required to provide her your name, number of sets, mailing address and contact number via email if you would like to place the order from her.

Well, attached herewith the link for you from Yvonne on her sets of mooncakes available. Please click into “Mooncakes for Health”.

Lastly, I would like to thank you for giving support to Yvonne. Thank you for your kindness!!! J

It’s the 2nd Half of the Year 2011

Time flies! The 1^st half of year 2011 has already passed. We are now in the 2^nd half of the year. So, what have you done in those 6 months of the year? Have you achieved your goal(s) of the year or still working hard to achieve for your goal(s)?

For me, during the 1st half  year, my health was quite unstable. If you have been followed my blog, you would have known that I had been admitted for 2 weeks time during the CNY! L After that, I still caught flu sometimes, like coughing again and fever. I wish that I would have a good health in the coming half year as at least do not have cough again. As coughing too long could lead to body aching and it is a kind of suffer! L

Anyway, since it is in the July now, the starting of the 2^nd half of the year. There are still time available for those who are yet to achieve their goal(s). So, I wish you all the best of luck and tomorrow is Monday, the beginning of the new week. I wish you all to have a good week ahead!!! J