Let's get tested

The government has been pushing for Muslims to be tested for HIV before marriage, which is a responsible move and should be extended to all Malaysians regardless of race. The ban on HIV marriages, though, is a different thing. I think it's up to the couple once they've been fully informed to make the choice.

Anyhoo, in the same vein, let's all be socially responsible and get tested for not just HIV, but all STDs. It doesn't matter if you're sexually active, because a full battery of tests won't harm you and will keep you informed as to your health and well-being. The facts are:

• Condoms do not fully and completely protect you from all STDs. The spread of STDs such as herpes are not prevented by condoms.
• While many STDs such as gonorrhea are treatable, just as many aren't, such as genital warts, herpes and HIV.
• Around 80% of people infected with herpes don't have the symptoms and don't know that they have herpes.
• A standard full medical workup taken by thousands of people each year don't test for STDs other than HIV unless they have a reason to, i.e. symptoms or by request. This means that you can trust your partner and your partner won't lie to you, but you could still be exposed to STDs.
• Once you are informed, you can better protect yourself.

I don't mean to put on a scare tactic, I just think it's for the better good that everybody goes out, picks up a few pamphlets on STDs and arm themselves with knowledge and information to prevent unnecessary hardship and heartache. Let's get tested.

2008 Round Up

This time last year, I was going on about how great my life was and how scared we were of the inevitable fall that would come. It came, again and again, in sizes and magnitudes that almost overpowered me. This time, I may be just grasping at anything that will keep me afloat, but I've decided to make a list of things that make me thankful for this year.

I'm thankful for

1. My family being alive and strong. I'd like to say healthy and well, but that'd be a lie. I'll take alive and strong.
2. Being able to lean on my friends when I need them.
3. Being able to survive on my own financially thus far.
4. Finally being confirmed staff at work in a department that I really like.
5. The sights that I've been able to see throughout Malaysia.
6. The experiences that I've had that have made me stronger.

I survived 2008*

*Heartbreak and heartaches excluded

TV is bad for you?

In the world's most obvious news article, BBC has declared that romantic comedies have created false expectations for people throughout the world. From BBC: Rom-coms 'spoil your love life':

Watching romantic comedies can spoil your love life, a study by a university in Edinburgh has claimed.

Rom-coms have been blamed by relationship experts at Heriot Watt University for promoting unrealistic expectations when it comes to love.

They found fans of films such as Runaway Bride and Notting Hill often fail to communicate with their partner.

Many held the view if someone is meant to be with you, then they should know what you want without you telling them.

No shit, sherlock. I could've told you that. I could've told you that in real life,

• love is hard work
  
• love isn't all you need
  
• there isn't always a happy ending
  
• there isn't always a silver lining to a dark cloud
  
• time doesn't heal everything
  
• 2 hours isn't enough for the world to shift just a little bit for your life to come to a complete and well-presented finish

Malaysia's greatest website

Integrated Transport Information System: http://www.itis.com.my

Nuff said.

The urge to put on a scarf

I don't like Gray's Anatomy. I know this. It makes me emo. I know this. It makes me want to sit down and cry and look at the sky screaming, "Why, god? Why?" I know this. And yet, last night as I was ironing and the remote control was too far away, I watched it and got sucked in.

What I've learned from Gray's Anatomy:

1. Doctors will always get too emotionally involved.
2. All doctors are inordinately pretty.
3. Doctors will always cry and get depressed when patients take a turn for the worse.
4. Doctors will get depressed if the patients are having a hard time.

Excuse me, while I go put on skinny jeans, a mildly baggy t-shirt, and a scarf in 35ºC weather.

Ultimate security plan

I've always loved Malaysia's mysterious ways. From The Star: Grocery shop owner brushes off claims of sorcery:

KEMAMAN: The owner of a house in which a starving burglar claimed he was trapped has brushed off any claims of sorcery.

Grocery shop owner Che Ibrahim Che Abdullah instead believes it was punishment from the Almighty for the burglar who claimed he was mysteriously trapped in the shop for three days.

The 57-year-old Che Ibrahim said he was a constant victim of burglaries whenever he and his wife returned to their village in Selising, Kelantan.

“This time, I asked for divine intervention as I could no longer tolerate it,” he said when met here.

He said he had recited some prayers before leaving for Kelantan with his 52-year-old wife to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha.

Last Friday, Che Ibrahim returned to his shop and found the 36-year-old man lying in a room, starving and dehydrated.

The man, who begged for forgiveness, claimed he had broken into the house-turned-grocery shop three days earlier.

Upon entering the shop, the man claimed he was immediately blinded and the place felt like a cave.

“Each time I wanted to flee, I felt a ‘supernatural figure’ shoving me to the ground,” he told police during interrogation later.

He added he had no choice but to stay put in the room for three days as his shouts for help were in vain.

Meanwhile, Kemaman Deputy police chief Supt Abdul Marlik Hakim Johar said the burglar had been warded at the Kemaman Hospital for the last four days.

It is learnt that the burglar was still traumatised after the incident.

That's the way to prevent burglaries, man...

Good one, Business Week

So I was reading Business Week's 'The Best and Worst of Everything in 2008', when I came across this gem:

Worst Meat Trend
Spam

First introduced in 1937, Spam, a processed, canned meat made from pork and ham, is making a comeback as Americans face rising food prices during the current economic slowdown. ... But while a tin of Spam might be friendly on the wallet ... the meat is not friendly on the arteries or waistline. A single serving provides 1/3 of a day’s worth of sodium and saturated fat, according to
the FDA nutrition label for Spam.

So, if we eat 3 times a day, and 1 serving provides 1/3 of a day's worth of sodium and saturated fat ...

Way to go, Business Week.

I'll kiss you to deaf

From Reuters: The kiss of deaf - Chinese man ruptures girlfriend's eardrum:

BEIJING (Reuters) - A young woman in southern China has partially lost her hearing after her boyfriend ruptured her eardrum during an excessively passionate kiss, local media reported Monday.

The 20-something girl from Zhuhai, in southern Guangdong province, went to hospital completely deaf in her left ear, the China Daily said, citing a report in a local newspaper.

"The kiss reduced pressure in the mouth, pulled the eardrum out and caused the breakdown of the ear," the paper quoted a doctor surnamed Li from the hospital as saying.

The woman's hearing would likely return to normal after about two months, Li said.

"While kissing is normally very safe, doctors advise people to proceed with caution," the paper said.

Now that's a hell of a kiss. 

Whut?

From The Star: PAS Youth wants I-Dance banned:

GEORGE TOWN: The state PAS Youth wants the I-Dance street dancing competition to be cancelled, claiming it will promote social problems among youngsters.

Its chief Mohamed Hafiz Mohamed Nordin urged Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to scrap the event in line with the latter’s administrative slogan ofAmar Ma’ruf Nahi Mungkar (enjoining good and preventing wrongdoing).

The event, supported by the state youth and sports committee, will be held at the New World Park on Dec 20 and at Queensbay Mall on Dec 27.

Among others, it would include shuffle dancing.

The event is promoted as a healthy way for teenagers to spend their free time.

An official of the state Youth and Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee said government officials would meet the PAS Youth leaders next week.

“We will listen to their perspective to understand the issue. However, the event will go ahead as planned,” he said.

I swear, if PAS comes into power, I'm leaving town.

Customer Service Review: Wok Hei Cafe

Business: Food & beverage services
Location: Plaza Damas, Sri Hartamas
Website: N/A

The Situation:

As per the usual modus operandi, I went off for lunch with a couple of people from work to our usual haunt: Plaza Damas. I thought we'd go to Wok Hei Cafe, the one outside (not inside) so that I could have my favorite yee mee.

Round 1: I ordered the sizzling chicken and mushroom yee mee. (Sorry, ma'am, we don't have mushrooms today).

Round 2: I ordered the sizzling roast chicken yee mee. (Sorry, ma'am, we don't have roast chicken today).

Round 3: I ordered the usual sizzling prawns with yee mee. (Ok!) . Success.

So off I go to wonder around in a nearby shop and then come back and sit down and chit chat. Suddenly I realised that everybody had their food and were halfway through while the space in front of me was woefully empty.

Excuse me, can you check on my order please? (Sure ma'am).

15 minutes later: Excuse me, can you check on my order please? (Sure ma'am).

10 minutes later: Lemon chicken with yee mee? Er, no, I ordered the prawn.

5 minutes later: Sorry ma'am, we mixed up your order with the other table. That's not my problem. Bring my food in 5 minutes or I'm not paying for my drink.

10 minutes later: We decide to pay the bill. Sorry about that ma'am, we got the order mixed up with the other table.

Apparently they decided that since they were too late in bringing the food, that there wouldn't be much point bringing the food now. Apparently they decided that they were going to get it anyway so why bother?

The Verdict:

I've never seen such incompetence in customer service. What the hell was that? You mixed up my order so just don't bring it? I had to go pack a mee rebus (which, incidently, took all of 3 minutes) for lunch instead. It's ridiculous.

That being said, this is just 1 out of like 5 times I've been to Wok Hei and other times the service has been credible and not out of the ordinary. This, however, takes the cake.

Homework

One of the blogs that I read every once in a while is Back in Skinny Jeans, which is a blog by an average woman about meeting the extraordinary expectations of today's world. Last week, she put up an entry citing 7 Ways to Help You Make It Through the Thanksgiving Insanity, and while we don't celebrate Thanksgiving here, I thought she had a couple of pearls of wisdom that were very relevant to anyone. Just replace "Thanksgiving" with [Insert your holiday here]:

Thanksgiving is basically one big homework assignment. You said you wanted to become more patient, understanding, forgiving, and loving. Well, this is your biggest chance of the year, and even better, you can get some two for ones in there. Remember in Evan Almighty? God doesn't give people patience, he gives them opportunities to become a patient person. You only become by practicing, so remember that when the irritants begin.

Don't give your fears & insecurities more power than your happiness & joy. Who's really in charge? It's you! And why spend your day miserable? What will you gain? Wouldn't you rather experience joy even if it's just a small dose over nothing. Again, everything is perspective, and you have the power to look at your family and this Thanksgiving day with a whole new set of lenses.

The day can turn instantly just based on one decision you make to look at it and everyone involved differently. Remember last week when Nathan talked about how one day you can look into a mirror and see a superstar, and the next day see a haggard. It's the same face looking in the same mirror, so what's the difference? Perspective. That's it. You choose how you look at things.

Amen.

Casualties of Casual Sex

This article that I found on the BBC has got me thinking about something that I feel for personally - casual sex. From the BBC: Sexes split over one night stands:

Many women are left unhappy in the aftermath of casual sexual encounters, a survey has revealed.

Just under half of women who answered the internet poll, published in the journal "Human Nature", said they felt it had been a bad idea.

Four out of five men, in contrast, said they were happy with a brief fling.

The academic leading the research said it showed that there was no evolutionary advantage for women in one night stands.

The survey was answered by 1,700 people who had all experienced this kind of relationship.

While men reported feeling more content, sexually satisfied and confident after meaningless sex, women were more likely to worry about feeling used and "letting themselves down".

Some of the their reasons for the encounters were because they felt there was the possibility of a longer term relationship.

This article simply provides proof for my theory that not all women like casual sex. Recent social movements have promoted casual sex as a lifestyle of choice that is preferred by strong, modern women because it provides sexual and emotional freedom. Shows like Sex & the City have made it popular and trendy to have casual sex. While it is true that it provides sexual and emotional freedom to some, it's not for everybody, and I feel that some women are feeling pressured to conform because they feel that this is how they should be feeling.

Personally, I'm not a prude, but I can't separate sex and emotions. I've tried the casual sex thing and it doesn't do it for me. I do respect that other people feel differently, and it is what they prefer, and by no means do I mean to say that it's wrong. My worry is that there are kids growing up who think that casual sex is what they should be doing and what they should prefer, because when I was 18ish, that's what I thought.

Maybe it's time to pay equal respects to those who prefer longer-term relationships and lift the modern stigma associated with those who choose the "traditional woman's" way, of being sexually active with longer-term partners, of choosing to be a housewife, and of wanting kids.

Flash of Brilliance

In a brilliant and incredibly advanced move for such an environmentally degraded country, Indonesia has announced the following. From Reuters: Trees for kids: Indonesia's way of beating global warming:

JAKARTA (Reuters) - An Indonesian city battling the effects of deforestation has come up with a novel way of tackling the problem. Would-be families must plant a tree.

"Everyone who wants to get married or apply for a birth certificate must plant a tree," Syahrum Syah Setia, the head of Balikpapan city's Environmental Impact Management Agency, said.

"The city's condition is already worrying, and we must act to tackle global warming."

Brilliant! Don't know why this wasn't frontpage news worldwide. Malaysia should do that. Or make it so that everytime DBKL cuts down a tree needlessly from the roadside, they have to plant one somewhere else.

Too much information

I know this is the information age and everything, and whenever Paris Hilton/Tom Cruise/Britney sneezes, we need to know about it, but this is just way too much info. As much as I love whales and the underwater, I really did not need to watch a video of a whale shark crapping. From BBC: Shark-cam captures ocean motion:

It is as thick as your arm, gloopy and smells disgusting - and it has just been caught on camera for what is thought to be the first time.

A crew has managed to record a whale shark - the world's biggest fish - expelling food waste, which was then scooped up for research.

No matter what you call it, "food waste" is just a euphemism for crap.

I don't want to love you

but I do

I don't want to need you

but I do

I don't want you to tell me when to be happy

but you do

I don't want to dread being without you

but I do

I don't want to hope for a future

but I do

I don't want you to

but you do

I don't want to love you

but I do

One small step for man ...

We're changing! I wouldn't believe it if you slapped me with the article, but there it is! The incumbent government is actually open to change! The recent cases of dissent and calls for equality have not been for nought. You, dear generation, you've helped create change. Bask in the revelry of your validation. It's a small step, but there it is. From Yahoo: Government relaxes 30 percent Bumiputra equity ownership for companies seeking listing:

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- The government today relaxed the 30 percent bumiputera equity ownership for companies wanting to be listed but have yet to fullfill the quota.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the relaxation, which would take effect immediately, was to ensure that the Malaysian capital investment market stay progressive and competitive.

"I wish to stress that the 30 percent Bumiputera equity participation at the point of listing will continue to be enforced. However, there will be a slight change in terms of the methodology," he told reporters after visting the Securities Commission (SC) here today.

"This means that more individual bumiputeras could apply for the shares concerned. If the shares offered to individual bumiputeras are still not fully subscribed, then the company concerned is deemed to have fullfilled the 30 percent bumiputera equity," he said.

Asked whether this move would jeopardise the 30 percent bumiputera equity, he said the action would allow other bumiputera individuals to participate and take up the public balloting.

"There are two tiers. After the two cuts, if the shares are still not taken up, it is only fair to allow the companies to be listed. Otherwise there will be a huge uncertainty for them," he said.

For those of you who don't agree with my sentiments, while I respect your right to an (educated) opinion, please refer to my Dear World entry.

You thought we were bad?

From BBC: Burma blogger jailed for 20 years:

A Burmese blogger has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for posting a cartoon of the military leader Than Shwe.

Nay Phone Latt, 28, was sentenced by a court in Rangoon's Insein prison, said his mother, Aye Than.

Nay Phone Latt's colleague Thin July Kyaw was sentenced to two years imprisonment, Aye Than reported.

Another dissident, Saw Wai, was sentenced to two years in jail for publishing a poem mocking Than Shwe in the weekly Love Journal.

Nay Phone Latt was arrested in January; the sentence delivered on Monday included 15 years for offences under the Electronics Act, two years for "creating public alarm" and three and a half years for offences under the Video Act, his mother said.

One of his offences was apparently the possession of a banned video.

His blogs during the September 2007 uprising provided invaluable information about events within the locked-down country.

Aye Than said she was not allowed to attend the trial and Nay Phone Latt was not represented by his defence lawyer, Aung Thein, who began serving a four-month prison sentence for contempt of court last Friday.

Why you shouldn't trust analysts unconditionally

11 April 2007
International Monetary Fund
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/apr/11/globaleconomy

"All of you have heard or read about the slumping US housing market, problems in sub-prime mortgages, bankruptcies and foreclosures, and more recently, softening business investment - much of the news has not been good," Johnson said at a press conference to launch the WEO.

"And you might ask if the US sneezes, won't the rest of the world catch a cold?

"This is a key risk to the outlook, and a timely question that we have looked at extensively in this report. Our bottom line view is that while the US may have sneezed, it appears to be a mild sneeze thus far, and not likely to spread."

1 October 2007
International Monetary Fund
http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2007/10/01/afx4173610.html

PARIS (Thomson Financial) - IMF managing director designate Dominique Strauss-Kahn said the US subprime mortgage crisis is unlikely to have a dramatic impact on world growth.

'The US mortgage crisis will certainly have some effect on growth. But I do not think that these effects, as far as we can measure them today...will be dramatic for growth,' he told a news conference.

He said the crisis now seems to be under control, even if it is not yet resolved, he said.

The outlook for world growth remains solid, with emerging economies continuing to grow strongly, he said.

1 October 2007
Alan Greenspan
http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2007/10/01/afx4174433.html

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan suggested here Monday that the global credit crisis triggered in August might be coming to an end.

Addressing business leaders, Greenspan said: 'Is this ... credit crisis about to be over? Possibly.'

30 October 2007
US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/10/28/international/i042634D89.DTL&type=politics

U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Tuesday that the American economy is strong enough to overcome the trouble in the country's housing market although the subprime mortgage crisis may take longer than expected to resolve.

"We have a very strong global economy. We have a strong U.S. economy," Paulson told a meeting of business executives in New Delhi. "Most parts of the capital market are functioning normally."

7 April 2008
International Monetary Fund
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0407/breaking50.htm

Government intervention at a worldwide level is needed to address the credit crisis, the head of the International Monetary Fund said today.

"I really think that the need for public intervention is becoming more evident," IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn told the Financial Times in an interview.

Mr Strauss-Kahn said the credit crisis was far more than an American problem. "The crisis is global," he said. "The so-called decoupling theory is totally misleading."

Developing countries such as China and India would be affected, the paper said.

He added that the IMF this week will revise down its global economic forecasts to below the current private and official consensus.

April 2008
Asian Development Bank
http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/ADO/2008/

A key message of ADO 2008 is that, although problems will spread from the global economy to developing Asia—a process that is already visible in high-frequency trade and financial data—the region's growth in 2008 is much more likely to moderate than to lurch down. Developing Asia is not immune to global developments, but neither is it hostage to them. In the near term, Asia's structural transformation, robust productivity growth, and favorable policy climate will continue to support healthy growth. The outlook for credit may well tighten, but the regional financial system—which is still mainly built around bank credit—should be largely insulated from the huge deleveraging now under way in the US.

18 May 2008
Deutsche Bank
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshowarchive.cms?msid=3051430

FRANKFURT/GERMANY: Josef Ackermann, the chief executive of Deutsche Bank AG, said on Sunday that he believes the global credit crisis is drawing to an end and that financial markets are in no danger of collapsing.

30 July 2008
HSBC
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/economicnews/print/363847/1/.html

HONG KONG: Global banking giant HSBC has dismissed fears of a global credit crisis having a large impact in Asia. It said that overall, Asian economies remain robust, thanks to strong domestic demand.

25 September 2008
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&refer=australia&sid=aKP3xO.9SKy0

Sept. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Australian banks are ``looking very strong'' amid the global credit crisis, said Mike Smith, chief executive officer of Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

September 2008
Asian Development Bank
http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/ADO/2008/update/default.asp

Events in the first 8 months of 2008 suggest some major changes in the external environment affecting the assumptions made in April when Asian Development Outlook 2008 was released. The slowdown in the G3 (United States, eurozone, and Japan) is now seen continuing until the end of 2009. As a result, growth in the volume of world trade will slow. Both food and fuel prices, which have surged this year, are forecast to come down but will remain higher than in 2007 for the rest of this year and next. With the continuing turmoil in financial markets, the cost of new capital will become higher, and access harder, for developing Asia.

In addition to the regional slowdown in growth and jumps in inflation, current account surpluses are diminishing and deficits are widening. Currencies are depreciating, putting upward pressure on inflation. Another danger is that although central banks have begun to tighten monetary policy, some may have let the inflation genie out of the bottle by doing too little, too late, since interest rates in most countries are still lower than inflation.

4 November 2008
The Earth Times
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/239991,global-credit-crisis-sinks-australias-allco-finance.html

Sydney - Australian banks Tuesday pulled the rug from under debt-laden local leveraged buy-out specialist Allco Finance Group. Receivers were appointed for Allco and its shares placed in a trading halt after talks with the 12 banks failed to reach agreement on a repayment schedule for debts of 667 million Australian dollars (446 million US dollars).

4 November 2008
Morningstar
http://www.morningstar.ca/globalhome/Industry/News.asp?Articleid=ArticleID113200814341

Investment funds in Canada had one of their worst one-month performances in a decade in October, as investors around the world sold off equities and flocked to the safety of U.S. Treasury bills. All but four of the 43 Morningstar Canada Fund Indices suffered losses in October, including 20 indices that lost more than 10%, according to preliminary performance data released today by Morningstar Canada.

6 November 2008
Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/credit-crisis-smashes-40b-hole-in-budget/1353273.aspx

Unemployment is tipped to rise to 5per cent by June 2010, with inflation predicted to fall to 3per cent next financial year. Unemployment figures are to be issued today, with economists expecting a rise from the current level of 4.3 per cent.

Treasurer Wayne Swan said, ''The global financial crisis has smashed a $40billion hole in the budget.''

ANZ senior economist Mark Rodriguez said it expected Government revenues to deteriorate further because of optimistic assumptions in the mid-year forecasts.

Who do we trust now?

For a good overview of the global credit crisis and why it came about, go to Anatomy of a global credit crisis by The Independent.

My numerology reading

Your Life Path Number is 8

Your Life Path Number represents the path you should take through life and the talents and skills you have to make your journey a rewarding one.

You were born to lead and your Life Path will provide you with opportunities to express your God given talents. You will have to learn how to be an effective leader without becoming dictatorial. Success seems almost unavoidable for you, but it may not be in the form of finances. Indeed, your success may well be measured in terms of accomplishments, which could take on historical proportions.

Your Life Destiny Number is 5

Your Destiny Number sheds light on those things you must accomplish in your life to be fulfilled.

A 5 Destiny number indicates you will move through life on a stream of change. It is your destiny to explore the limits of your personal freedom and promote free will for all. You will encounter change throughout your life, and where many would see this as instability you will embrace it as the coming of new opportunities.

Your Soul Number is 3

Your Soul Number describes your deepest desires and dreams and the person you truly want to be.

You desire to make people happy, laugh, and be all they can be. You want to create, have fun, and remain ever enthusiastic. You are a lover of life, and will do all you can to ensure those around you are aware of just how grand a gift life is.

Your Personality Number is 11

Your Personality Number reveals the "external you"--the personality traits others will know you by.

You have the Master Number 11 as your Personality Number. Master Numbers indicate nearly complete or complete development of the traits associated with the number they would reduce to. This relation is usually expressed by writing the Master Number and the number it reduces to together. Master Number 11 is often written 11/2. Freedom and responsibility come with having a Master Number. You have the freedom to choose whether to allow your Master Number traits to express themselves or not. If you opt to act responsibly and use your lofty powers, you will find your reward is in the choice itself. If you choose to ignore your talents, you may find yourself taking more than one step back. You may incur a Karmic Debt. Those with an 11 Personality Number are visionaries. They are old souls blessed with an enormous volume of wisdom concerning our spiritual world. They are idealistic, individualistic, creative and extremely perceptive. 11 personalities are always very bright and may well be considered geniuses by those who know them. Intense and having a lust for life on a grand scale, they have seen the mystical side of the universe and liked the view.

Your Maturity Number is 4

Your Maturity Number reveals the person you will come to be--your true self.

You will learn the value of hard work, discipline, and organization in your early years. As you grow older you will contribute to things that are destined to last. In your later years you will have built things of lasting value. You may have some health issues to which you will apply your organizational skills to lessen their effect on you.

Your Balance Number is 9

As long as your life is on an even or uplifting keel balance numbers are relatively dormant. However, in those times when your life is out of order your Balance Number can become central to resolving the turmoil you are experiencing. Your Balance Number reflects the traits you need to bring to the forefront in order the get through difficult periods with the least amount of damage or time wasted on negative influences.

A 9 Balance Number indicates you have the ability to see the big picture when it comes to trouble. While you may be able to see what is truly best for all, you also have a tendency towards condescension and retreat into your own perfect world. Regardless of how you may feel at times, you are no better than those around you. Resolve yours and their problems through leading them towards a fair solution.

The 4 Pinnacles

Pinnacles represent moments in your life in which you realize current goals and learn some of life's lessons. If you are at the beginning of a Pinnacle, then they can be used as a predictive tool to assist in managing your future. Your first Pinnacle begins at birth and last until around the age of 27. Your Second Pinnacle last through the next 9 year and the Third Pinnacle last for 9 years after the Second Pinnacle has passed. Your Fourth Pinnacle picks up where the Third Pinnacle ends and last throughout the rest of your life

Your First Pinnacle Number is 4

You are in a period where you should be building a solid foundation on which to carry on your life. You may be building a home, family or career. Whatever you are doing, it is not a time in which you will or should take it easy.

Your Second Pinnacle Number is 6

A 6 Pinnacle notes a time of love and devotion to friends and family, or possibly the building of a new family after a divorce. During this Pinnacle your energies will be focused on your home-life. You will nurture your loved ones and beautify your surroundings as much as possible. During this Pinnacle that which is in your heart will come to the forefront.

Your Third Pinnacle Number is 1

A 1 Pinnacle indicates a time when you are attempting to become self-reliant and allow your individuality to blossom. This is a time when you may want to seek teachers to assist you on your journey toward independence. If you should have a 1 as your third or fourth Pinnacle, it is likely destiny is grooming you for leadership.

Your Fourth Pinnacle Number is 6

A 6 Pinnacle notes a time of love and devotion to friends and family, or possibly the building of a new family after a divorce. During this Pinnacle your energies will be focused on your home-life. You will nurture your loved ones and beautify your surroundings as much as possible. During this Pinnacle that which is in your heart will come to the forefront.

The 4 Challenges

Challenges denote personal weaknesses and temptations you will have to overcome and strengths you will have to develop to fully realize your goals. The 4 Challenges have the same time frame as the 4 Pinnacles.

Your First Challenge Number is 0

The 0 challenge means the choice of what you do with your life is entirely yours. Yours is an old soul--you've already struggled through all the challenges of the other numbers. Your reward for completing these Challenges is free will. You may face all or any of the challenges of the numbers 1 through 9. You may simply drift through life without a destination or goals. Or you may rise above the struggles of others and use this Challenge period to sculpt a life based on love, integrity, justice and vision. At first glance, this freedom to choose may seem like a vacation, but it isn't. Indeed, the gravity of the responsibility which comes with a 0 challenge is tremendous, because how you choose to address your 0 challenge will profoundly affect the lives of those around you, and, possibly, the entire world.

Your Second Challenge Number is 2

Your Challenge is to learn how to manage your natural sensitivity to others, aversion to conflict and need for harmony in a way that will not repress your own needs. In time you will learn to balance your needs with those of others.

Your Third Challenge Number is 7

A 7 Challenge always marks a very serious period in your life. This period will be marked by intense introspection and the pursuit of spiritual wisdom. Your challenge will be to move through this period of self-discovery while dealing with the isolation such inner journeys often cause. Also you will have to learn to differentiate reality from fantasy.

Your Fourth Challenge Number is 2

Your Challenge is to learn how to manage your natural sensitivity to others, aversion to conflict and need for harmony in a way that will not repress your own needs. In time you will learn to balance your needs with those of others.

The 3 Cycles

Cycles occur in 28 year periods. The First Cycle last from birth through your 28th year and is called your Formative or Seed Cycle. The Second Cycle--your Productive or Fruit Cycle--begins at age 29 and last through your 56th year. The Third Cycle, your Harvest Cycle, begins with the coming of your 57th year and last throughout the rest of your life. Your Cycle Numbers tell you the lessons you must learn and goals you must meet to stay on your Life's Path and achieve your true destiny.

Your First Cycle Number is 11

An 11 cycle is a period of great personal growth and attainment of spiritual knowledge. As they develop, carriers of an 11 cycle will be expected to lead, educate and inspire humankind.

Your Second Cycle Number is 2

If you are in a 2 Cycle you are going to develop at a slow, even pace. Your talents for peacemaking and gentle persuasion will come into play often. Understanding relationships will be your main goal in this period. Should this be your Third Cycle, patience and diplomacy will be the characteristics of this Cycle.

Your Third Cycle Number is 4

This is a time for you to put things in order. You will address many of life's practical concerns during this period. Discipline, order and a willingness to work hard are your greatest allies during this Cycle.

Your Karmic Lesson Number(s) are/is 2 4 6 7

Karmic Lesson numbers reveal areas in which we need to grow. To become more complete, we need to give extra attention to these areas in this lifetime. If one of your 5 core numbers is the same as a Karmic Lesson Number the significance of the Karmic Lesson Number is reduced.

A 2 Karmic Lesson Number indicates a need to learn the art of diplomacy and tact. Try to be more sensitive to the feelings of those around you. Make an effort to learn to work with others as a team.

A 4 Karmic Lesson Number is indicative of a need for direction in life. Although you may feel somewhat confused about why you are here, work to find your true path through this life. The number 4 appears in your core numbers, so the importance of this number is lessened.

A 6 Karmic Lesson Number denotes an inability or reluctance to make commitments. Even when you do commit yourself to something it may be your nature to hold back any true passion for the commitment or relationship. Over time you might do well to slowly allow your passions to express themselves and put your heart into your commitments and relationships.

A 7 Karmic Lesson Number signifies you may be neglecting your innate talents. Whether it is a lack of will or fear of failure, it appears you are not devoting enough time and energy to honing those talents that are core to your being. You know what you are best at, so embrace it.

Your Karmic Debt Number(s) are/is 13

Karmic Debt Numbers signify past abuses of your talents that you must make amends for. Like all of us, you have made many choices and taken many actions in your lives. Some of those choices and actions have been mistakes. Your past errors must be addressed, so you can use your Karmic Debt Numbers to identify exactly what type of mistakes you have made in the past and how you can atone for them.

A 13 Karmic Debt Number implies that somewhere along your being's path you forsake your spiritual self for material gain. You may have abused others to get ahead. Because of your past behavior you may find yourself facing what appears to be one brick wall after another as you try to find success. The key to overcoming these obstacles is perseverance, hard work and the development of a spiritual awareness that keeps you from abusing the rights of others.

Your Lucky Number is 1

Your Personal Lucky Number does not change. This number will be lucky for you your entire life. Your luck derived from this number will be strongest when you are addressing events and issues related to the general meaning of the number. Lucky Numbers should not be relied on to constantly produce positive results, or make impulsive, high risk gambles. They simply mean that where they appear you have an edge. How large an edge is impossible to determine, but seems to increase with the number of occurrences your Lucky Number is be associated with a given event or issue.

Those with a Personal Lucky Number 1 will find their luck derived from 1 strongest when they are facing new beginnings. The 1 will also bring you good fortune when you are in a leadership role. Your 1 may not serve you as well when dealing with established financial or romantic situations.

Your Signature Number is a 1

Signature numbers are based on how you sign your name. Your signature carries the power and the faults of one of the base 9 numbers. You may actually want to sign different documents with different signatures to reap the benefit of a particular number. For instance, if you are signing an agreement of partnership you might want to alter your signature to reflect the powers of the number 2.

The signature you entered is a 1. A 1 signature is good for those involved in an independent enterprise.

Your Birthday Number is 2

This number is most influential between your 28th and 56th year. While it is not the most important number in your profile, it does have an effect on your Life's Path and Destiny.

You understand the need for cooperation and enjoy the company of others. You do well in a group setting and have the ability to maintain harmony within your crowd.

Your Personal Year Number is 5

This number tells you what is happening in your life this year. This number should be used to help you avoid setbacks and focus your energies on those areas of your life where you are most likely to achieve your goals.

You are in a year of change. This is a good time to move in new directions, take a few risks. A 5 year is also a time when your curiosity is at its zenith. Make time to sate your inquisitiveness, travel, and explore interests which you have never made time for before.

Your Personal Month Number is 8

This number tells you what is happening in your life this month. Use this number in the same way you would your Personal year number, but apply it only to the current month.

This is a time for you to take things seriously and ensure all aspects of your life are moving. Make time to be alone and allow yourself to evaluate where your life is going.

Your Foundation Letter is H

Having a H Foundation Letter identifies a creative person who has little fear of risks. Projects and ventures will come and go with you. Some will fail, but many will succeed.

Your End Letter is A

Having an A End Letter denotes someone who is not a quitter. They will finish whatever task they have taken on with or without the help of others.

Your First Vowel is A

Having an A First Vowel suggest you may be far more determined to succeed than you let on.

Interesting. I respectfully agree with 'needing tact'. This is mostly here for me to look back and refer to it whenever I feel like it.

Chinese Calendar Predicts Baby's Gender

Oh my god! I did not know about this! Who knew what Google would throw up when one searches for 'chinese lunar calendar'.

You can choose for yourself whether you want a boy or a girl by following the chart. The woman's age from 18 to 45 (Chinese reckoning) is on the top line while the months 1 to 12 indicate the month when the baby is conceived. By following the chart you will be able to tell in advance whether your baby will be a boy or a girl. Thus, you can plan to have a boy or a girl. This chart has been taken from a Royal tomb near Peking, China. The original copy is kept in the Institute of Science of Peking. The accuracy of the chart has been proved by thousands of People and is believed to be 99 percent accurate.

By reckoning, you follow a line drawn from the figure representing the woman's age to a line drawn from the month the baby is conceived. For instance, if the woman is 27 years old and her baby is conceived in January (according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar), then her baby will be a girl. The chart is based on the month the baby is conceived and not on the birth of the baby, B-Male, G-Female.

Remarks: A Chinese Scientist discovered and drew this chart which was buried in a Royal tomb about 700 years ago.

Source: http://www.holodeck.com/pregnancy/chinese-cal.html

Who knew? However, according to this calendar, both my sisters and myself are supposed to be boys. 99% accuracy, eh?

The Price is Right

I've been reading a lot about the current economy, partly because so much is going on now, mostly because I work in a financial institution. During the course of my readings, I found out a lot about what's driving the Global Food Crisis, which I thought I'd share with you.

Essentially, the high prices of the food that you're seeing whenever you go out is caused by 3 things:

1. The price of oil & the green revolution
2. Global economic growth

The Price of Oil & the Green Revolution

Most people wouldn't think that the price of oil would impact the price of food so much, or that the green revolution could have any adverse impact. The ugly truth is that the Green Revolution may cause thousands to go hungry. Here's how it works:

The input for food is fertiliser. Fertiliser depends on natural gas. The price of natural gas is related to the price of oil for obvious reasons. Therefore, if the price of oil skyrockets, so does natural gas, and so does food.

Another way it works is:

The price of oil affects anything that depends on transportation for its success. Food needs to be transported. Therefore, if the price of oil increases, so does the price of food.

So how does the Green Revolution cause the hunger of a nation? Chew on this:

The Green Revolution promotes the use of biofuels (among other alternatives) as opposed to oil in order to wean the world away from a pollutive way of life and a dependence on a non-renewable source. But what are biofuels?

From Go Green Virginia: Biofuels are any fuel derived from biomass. Agricultural products specifically grown for conversion to biofuels include corn and soybeans

Biofuels are essentially made of food. Corn and soybeans are the staple diets of (to my knowledge) South American and other corn-producing countries, just as much as rice is to Asia. Incentives for biofuel production are drawing farmers away from using land to produce food to using land to produce biofuels. This has resulted in lower food production as a whole.

While biofuels aren't the only alternative to oil, the Green Revolution, coupled with misinformed well-meaning consumers and the rush by companies to 'Go Green' have affected the price and supply of food.

Global Economic Growth

So what does this mean to you? Surely the price of oil and the Green Revolution makes no difference to you being able to eat nasi lemak for breakfast everyday. Wrong.

Economics 101: A shortage of supply of any product in relation to demand will result in an increase in price.

Newsflash: The price of food today is twice as high as it was at the start of 2008.

The cause of this was mostly global economic growth, especially in emerging economies such as China and India. Demand has been outpacing supply since 2003. Global stocks of food have been declining since 1999. The limited supply has resulted in volatility in the price of food as it gets more reactive to small shocks, such as rice export bans in major rice exporters such as India and Vietnam.

The Global Food Crisis

The main points that I'm trying to make is that (1) the price of food is increasing, and is unlikely to decrease substantially anytime soon until the world replenishes the supply of stocks, and (2) the supply of food is relatively low.

Admittedly, this doesn't affect how I eat. I'm still stuffing myself silly. But let's take a moment to think about how this will affect the hardcore poor living on the UN World Food Programme, who recently declared a state of emergency. Let's think about the victims of the Vietnam floods. I know, I'm all sunshine, aren't I?

Let's get pensive

Some say 'Knockin' on heaven's door' is the greatest song of all time. Some prefer 'Hotel California'. Me, Pink Floyd's 'Wish you were here' is top of the list for obvious reasons. Refer, if you will, to the opening verse, which gets me every time. Every time.

So you think you can tell heaven from hell, blue skies from pain
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail
A smile from a veil
Do you think you can tell

A brilliant rendition is by Fred Durst and John Rzeznik, and while I may be a bit skeptical of Fred Durst's abilities to sing a ballad, it's truly beautiful. And it gets you thinking, can we really tell heaven from hell? Can we tell blue skies from pain?

For some, escapism to a different country and disappearing from friends and family represents heaven, when in reality the escape provides the hell that excessism and immorality breeds. For others, a rigid regiment set by strict parents is what they have been brought up to see as heaven, when in reality, their mental health suffers in hell.

Everytime I hear this song, I wonder the same thing. Am I in heaven, or am I in hell? I'm hardly one to complain, having little to no money problems, but to be fair, that just means I have more time to find other problems - the same kind that comes with comfort - family, emotional and physical. Did I choose to come home, or am I trapped here by my own perception of heaven? Am I swimming in a fishbowl?

Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts? Hot ashes for trees? Hot air for a cool breeze? Cold comfort for change?

Did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?

How I wish, how I wish you were here. We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl year after year running over the same old ground. What have we found? The same old fears.

Wish you were here.

Grey matter

In a classic turn of events that highlights the so-not-black-and-white-ness of being socially responsible, the blind masseurs of South Korea won the case to maintain the South Korean law stating that only the visually impaired can be licensed masseurs. From BBC: Blind S Korea masseurs win case:

A South Korean law which states that only the visually impaired can be licensed masseurs has been upheld in the country's Constitutional Court.

The licensed masseurs - who must be registered blind - have been protesting against moves to change the law.

They say it is a legal protection that provides many blind people with autonomy and an income.

Sighted masseurs said that the law infringed on free employment rights and criminalised them in their trade.

"The court decision is not only a verdict on our right to live but also a measure of South Korea's conscientiousness," said Lee Gyu-seong from the Korean Association of Masseurs.

Sure, you think, "Well hey, that's a good thing. Them blind people have work." And I'm not condemning the South Koreans for coming up with the law in the first place. It's a brilliant idea to get the blind to work instead of begging. From personal experience, I can tell you that many of the Malaysian blind folk make a conscious choice to beg instead of work because they make more money.

The positive implication of the law is that you give the blind gainful employment and a way to make a real living. You give them hope and a life. On the other hand, now that the law has become a way of life, it's become a way for the blind to become lazy, and instead of seeking out gainful employment where they could be better, they fall back on becoming masseurs.

Is there a union that ensures the quality of massage provided to protect the consumers? Are there schools to teach proper massage techniques to the blind? Where does the law leave the poor, sighted Koreans whose only skill is massaging? Are there measures in place that makes massaging a skilled profession that justifies the segmentation of society in this way? (NB: I'm asking this not because I'm questioning the authorities, but because I really don't know.)

If S. Korea rescinds the law, it makes them look like dictators where perception in developed countries is already just that. On the other hand, by leaving the law as is, S. Korea is allowing the blind their own careers, but at what cost? How willing will other business be to make an effort to hire the disabled when such laws exist? The general idea will be, "We don't need to hire the blind regardless of their other abilities. They've always got massaging". And while I always enjoy a good reflexology massage, one has to ask, "What are the real long-term economic and social implications of such a ruling on the blind?"

Just when I thought it was over

Just when I thought the worst of 2008 was over, it turns around and gets one last piece of my heart.

Bio-obituary

Have you ever written your own obituary? I was walking down the super-steep Batu Caves style stairs at the back of my office in my sister's teeter-totter heels, and being the klutz that I am, I immediately began wondering what would happen if I slipped and fell over and knocked my head and died. Let me tell you, I was far more comfortable walking up those damned stairs then walking down them. Basically, what ran through my head was the newspaper article headlined, "Young Banker Falls Down Dangerous Stairs, Dies". The article would have gone something like this:

"She was just going to turn 24 in 3 days," cried her distraught father.

The stairs had been the bane of many employees of the bank where the young woman worked. Many had complained of the steepness and the danger.

The CEO of the bank could not be reached for comment.

On the Dangerous Topics of Islam and Feminism

BBC always being a good source of interesting opinions, outtakes and news bits has given me something to chew on. They had an article on women's rights in Islam with bits from female Muslim scholars around the world. Essentially, it's put down into words everything that I've ever thought: that the Islam we see today has been irrevocably influenced by the Arabic patriarchal culture, and that the Islam advocated in the Qur'an is essentially equal to both sexes.

I think this issue is something that all Muslims should understand, regardless of sex or race, and Malaysians are fortunate enough to have Ustazs who are understand this and are able to openly discuss it.

From BBC: Fighting for Muslim women's rights:

Some of the world's leading Islamic feminists have been gathered in Barcelona for the third International Congress on Islamic Feminism, to discuss the issues women face in the Muslim world.

Some of the women taking part in the conference explained the problems in their home countries, and where they hoped to make progress.

ASMA BARLAS, Author, Pakistan

Religions always come into cultures, they don't come into abstract and pure spaces. Islam came into a very patriarchal, tribal and misogynistic culture. One of the deepest damages to Islam has been its reduction to "Arabisation".

I'm not going to say that the Arabs are particularly misogynistic in a way that nobody else is, but I do think there are very particular traits and attitudes towards women that have crept into Islam.

I have a friend who has been studying the interface between what he calls the Persian models and the Arabist models of Islam in the subcontinent and surprise, surprise: the Arabist models are misogynistic, authoritarian, unitarian and the Persian models are much more plural and tolerant.

This is a fight on two fronts - on the one hand we are struggling against the kinds of oppression dominant in Muslim patriarch societies and, on the other, Western perceptions of Islam as necessarily monolithic, and confusing the ideals of Islam with the reality of Muslim lives.

If we read the Koran as a totality rather than pulling out random verses or half a line, that opens all kinds of possibilities for sexual equality.

RAFIAH AL-TALEI, journalist, Oman

Oman is relatively liberal, women are free to choose what to wear, and can choose their jobs and education. And the law does not require us to wear any particular form of clothing. But there are strong social and cultural factors - coming from the fact that we are in Arabia - that limit women.

As a journalist, it has not been hard for me to work among men, but it has been hard for some of my colleagues whose families told them this was not "appropriate" work for them.

The biggest difficulties are the social and cultural factors, and some aspects of law. For example, women who marry a foreigner cannot pass on their nationality to their children, whereas men in that situation can.

Religion is not an issue in our struggle, although there are problems with family law about divorce and marriage status. Omani laws are based on sharia law. Sharia is fair, but it is the wrong interpretations that are the problem. Male judges often don't understand the principal goals of sharia. We feel the law is fair, but ends up being unfair for women because of how judges interpret it.

Cultural and social factors often get mixed up with religion. Educated women can be more empowered and separate the two, but many don't dare challenge the conventions.

NORANI OTHMAN, Scholar-activist, Malaysia

I don't think it is any more difficult to be an Islamic feminist than a non-Muslim, or secular feminist.

Feminists in general have to face up to political and cultural obstacles, to achieve our objectives of women's rights. Even Western feminists have had a similar history - having to engage with certain religious beliefs not conducive to gender equality.

Perhaps the only distinctive difference peculiar to Muslim feminists is that we are caught in the cross-currents of modernisation and a changing society, due to a modern economy on the one hand and the global resurgence of political Islam on the other.

Political Islam wants to impose a world view about the gender order that is not consistent with the realities and the lived experiences of Muslim men and women in contemporary society.

There is a difference between South East Asian Muslim countries and the ones in the Middle East - culturally we are less patriarchal, we can always respond to our detractors by pointing out we don't have the cultural practices that they do.

Our detractors would hurl empty accusations at us - calling us Western, secular or anti-Islamic.

Our arguments are rooted within Islam - we want renewal and transformation within the Islamic framework. They don't like that.

We have a holistic approach, seeking gender equality within the Islamic framework, supported by constitutional guarantees. We see that these are not inconsistent with the message of the Koran, particularly during its formative stages. We have to understand the history and cultural context and extract the principle that will be applicable in modern times.

SITI MUSDAH MULIA, Academic, Indonesia

In my experience, I find that it is very difficult to make Indonesian Muslim women aware that politics is their right.

In Indonesian society, politics is always conceived as cruel and dirty, so not many women want to get involved, they think it is just for men.

We try to make women understand that politics is one of our duties and rights and they can become involved without losing their femininity.

Personally, I'm non-partisan, I'm not linked to one political party because, in Indonesia, the political parties often discriminate against women.

I struggle from outside the political sphere to make it women-friendly, to reform political parties and the political system.

One day, I hope to be involved more directly, if the system becomes more women-friendly. We have passed a law about affirmative action and achieving 30% female representation, but we won't see if it is implemented until after 2009 elections. We are waiting.

In Indonesia, some groups support us, but some radical groups oppose what we are trying to achieve. They accuse me, accuse feminist Muslims, of being infidels, of wanting to damage Islamic affairs.

According to their Islamic understanding, women should be confined to the home, and the domestic sphere alone.

AMINA WADUD, Academic, United States

There are many more conversations going on today between different interpretations of Islam. Some interpretations are very narrow, some are more broad, principled, ethically-based.

Unless we have sufficient knowledge about Islam, we cannot bring about reform of Islam. I am not talking about re-interpretation, I am talking more about gender-inclusive interpretation.

We have a lot of information about men's interpretations of Islam, and of what it means to be a woman in Islam. We don't have equal amounts of information about what women say it means to be a good woman in Islam. Now it's time for men to be active listeners, and after listening, to be active participants in bringing about reform.
There is a tendency to say that it is Islam that prohibits women from driving a car, for example, when women drive cars all over the world except in one country. So then you know it is not Islam. Islam has much more flexibility, but patriarchy tends to have the same objective, and that is to limit our ability to understand ourselves as Muslims.

I have always defined myself as pro-faith and pro-feminism.

I do not wish to sacrifice my faith for anybody's conception of feminism, nor do I sacrifice the struggle and actions for full equality of women, Muslim and non-Muslim women, for any religion. Islamic feminism is not an either/or, you can be Muslim and feminist and strive for women's rights and not call yourself a feminist.

FATIMA KHAFAJI, Consultant, Egypt

In Egypt, Islamic feminism is a way for women activists to reach a large number of ordinary women in the villages and in urban low-income areas, using a framework of Islam. So there would be a reference to Islam when talking about women's rights. Experience has shown that that is an easy way to get women to accept what you're saying.

Not many women get information about women's rights easily, so you have to counter what has been fed to them, to both men and women, from the strict, conventional, religious people who have more access to women.

They have their own idea of women's rights in Islam - that is, patriarchal, still limiting opportunities for women. But women have been receiving this concept for ages, through the radio, TV, mosques, so the challenge is how to give them another view, of enlightened Islam, that talks about changing gender roles. It's not an easy job.

Historically, in Egypt in the feminist movement, there have been both Muslim and Christian women. It has never been a problem. Unfortunately nowadays, it has become a problem. Religious discrimination has been dividing people very much. We have to think carefully about how to supersede the differences.

With family law, we're aiming to change the philosophy of the law itself. Traditional family law puts women down. I can see this whole notion of "women do not have control over their bodies" in so many laws, in the penal code and family law. For example, sexual harassment is happening because men think the control of women's bodies is a matter for them. Even the decision whether to have children is the decision of men. This whole notion has to be changed in a dramatic way if we are really going to talk about women's rights in Egypt.

Follow up on Blog Action Day

Blog Action Day was a success. I'll admit that in comparison, my efforts looked a little bit slap and dash, so I think it's time for a follow up.

Blog Action Day this year was about bringing light to the plight of the poor worldwide. In today's economic conditions combined with increasing food prices, they are especially vulnerable to diseases and hunger. It's always a bit of a downer when you're eating and you think, "I could feed a family in Somalia for the price of this meal". It doesn't make you a bad person if you don't, but the fact is that we all have the power to help the needy and make a difference in their lives. My Blog Action Day entry was aimed at helping Malaysians do exactly just that.

There are several things that prevent Malaysians from trying to make a difference, for which we can't blame them. These factors are:

1. The level of corruption in Malaysia. The perception becomes, "If I contribute RM1.00, it won't make it to the intended beneficiaries because it will be embezzled/used to pay off somebody." This perception also exists for countries such as India, Cambodia, and others throughout the world.
2. So many people are contributing so much more money. They don't need mine.
3. Why should I help someone in a different country when there are so many Malaysians who need help?
4. It's the government's job to look after the poor.
5. There are so many success stories where people born into poverty have made a life for themselves. The poor are just too lazy to help themselves.

Let's address the issues:

1. It's true, the level of corruption in Malaysia is quite high and the resulting mistrust is based on very real concerns. However, this shouldn't prevent trying to help. To ensure your contributions really go to those who need it, do your research. Google is a powerful tool. Bring the contributions to the needy yourself. Many local charitable bodies welcome visits and volunteers. This is the ideal way to ensure your contributions are used properly. You could also insist on some level of transparency, i.e. receipts or reports. World Vision produces annual audited reports. Charitable bodies are just as responsible to their donors as they are to their tenants.
2. 25,000 people die everyday of hunger or hunger-related causes. Still think they don't need help?
3. Many people prefer to help the poor closer to their own homes, than in other countries such as Africa. It's certainly true that charity begins at home, and every effort helps. No one should be scorned because of this preference.
4. This is true, and the governments of Africa are certainly not doing a very good job. In Malaysia, it seems that more money is being spent on frivolous things like a spaceman. Nevertheless, while the responsibility lies with the government to help its people, the democratic government is a reflection of its people.
5. Hunger leads to a weak body that is unable to work as effectively. Poverty leads to children as young as 6 years old forgoing an education to help feed the family. Poverty entraps people in a Poverty Trap, a very real situation that is well documented, and prevents the poor from pulling themselves out. All they need, though, is a bit of help to break the cycle. In 1976, Muhammad Yunus began providing small amounts of capital to poor Bangladeshis so that those who wished to start a business did not have to depend on loan sharks who would ultimately lead to their bankruptcy.

Sometimes, it really is as easy as buying books for poor children, or ensuring that a child is fed to make a difference.

Najib backs ending Malay preferences

This may be a bit late, but holy cow. Najib read my open letter! It seems though, from a quick Google search, that this article has only been reproduced in non-Malaysian newspapers, so I'll give you the whole unabridged article. From Bloomberg: Najib backs ending Malay preferences, adopting opponent's view:

Oct. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Malaysia's prime minister designate Najib Razak said he's prepared to end preferential treatment of the ethnic Malay majority, a campaign pledge the opposition used to inflict record election losses on the ruling coalition in March.

There should be a ``gradual'' removal of the program, initiated in 1971, and still known as the New Economic Policy, Najib said in an interview that airs today on Bloomberg Television.

``If we do not change, the people will change us,'' Najib, 55, said at his office in Putrajaya, outside Kuala Lumpur. ``In the not-too-distant future, we will see all the elements of the New Economic Policy being replaced.'' He didn't say when that might occur.

The system was devised by Najib's father, Abdul Razak, when he was Malaysia's second prime minister to boost the Malays' economic status -- through job allocations, cheaper homes and other benefits -- in a country where ethnic Chinese had long been more prosperous and remain so. About 65 percent of Malaysia's 27 million people are Malay.

Rising dissatisfaction with racial politics contributed to the ruling coalition's poor showing in the elections, which resulted in its smallest majority since Malaysia's independence from Britain in 1957.

By offering to scrap the program, at an unspecified time, and replace it with a needs-based system, Najib is moving closer to the stance of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar, who also supports a system based on economic need, is trying to seize power but said on Oct. 22 he is finding it difficult to woo ruling coalition lawmakers to his side.

Not Ready

Najib is the only contender for the leadership of the United Malays National Organisation, the biggest group in a coalition that includes Chinese and Indian parties. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi plans to step down in March and has named Najib, his deputy, as his successor. Abdullah sped up his planned 2010 exit from the political stage as racial tension increased.

Some analysts expressed doubt that UMNO, as Najib's party is known, is ready to give up a program that helps its members. Karim Raslan, a political consultant based in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, said UMNO hasn't fully accepted how much it needs to change.

``I don't see enough frankness in terms of challenges facing the party,'' Karim said. ``Many of the party leaders feel that by replacing Abdullah they will overcome these weaknesses. I have to disagree with them. I don't see many signs of revival.''

Share Benefits

Removing the racial-preference program would bring an end to decades-old inequalities running through the Southeast Asian nation. Chinese and Indians in Malaysia need higher marks to enter universities. Malays also get priority over some
government contracts, and when companies sell shares, 30 percent of the stock must be sold to Malays.

``It's a huge challenge,'' Najib said in the interview yesterday. ``There must be this political will and desire to change within UMNO. I don't think we can expect people to look at us in more favorable terms unless we change, unless we rectify our weaknesses.''

Najib is an economics graduate from Nottingham University in the U.K. His family has held top positions in Malaysian politics and business for generations. His father led Malaysia from 1970 to 1976. Najib's cousin is the current education minister.

His younger brother, Nazir Razak, runs the country's second-biggest bank, CIMB Group Sdn.

Sex Allegations

Abdullah picked Najib to succeed him despite misgivings by some over controversy surrounding the deputy prime minister.

Najib has denied suggestions, publicized by Anwar, that he is linked to the murder of a Mongolian woman near Kuala Lumpur in 2006, and that he had an affair with the victim. A political analyst who worked for Najib is on trial in Malaysia for abetting two police officers in the murder.

Anwar also has accused Najib of profiting from defense contracts and of being behind criminal charges that the opposition leader had sex with a man. Anwar denies the sex
charge, and Najib denies both being involved in bringing the case against his opponent and making money from defense contracts.

``He has to explain all these things that are said about him,'' said Mahathir Mohamad, who stepped down in 2003 after 22 years as Malaysia's premier. ``Unfortunately, we don't have any other candidate. We have no choice but to choose Najib.''

In the interview, Najib called the allegations against him baseless.

``I'm telling you, I wouldn't stay in office a day longer if I knew I am involved in these allegations,'' he said. ``There's no proof, no basis. I can sue people, but it's going to be a tedious process in court.''

Shocking news. My reaction is, quite obviously, one of happiness, but I'm waiting to see how the majority of the Malay community will react. I'm not optimistic, but Malaysians have surprised me before. Yay Malaysia.

The Line

That is where the line is. You have crossed it. From The Star: Activist held under ISA over demolition of squatter colony:

JOHOR BARU: A woman has been arrested for allegedly disseminating false information concerning the demolition of a squatter colony in Kampung Baru Plentong Tengah.

The 28-year-old, who is a member of human rights group Suaram, was picked up at 10pm last night under Section 28 of the Internal Security Act.

www.FreeRice.com

I donated 1,940 grains of rice today (and counting). What have you done?

http://www.freerice.com

Blog Action Day: Poverty

Today is Blog Action Day, a day dedicated by bloggers worldwide to discuss an issue pertinent to the global environment. The issue du jour is poverty, a very real threat to civilised society, because how can we call ourselves civilised when every 1 minute, 11 children die of hunger.

I won't suggest a solution to world hunger, or a solution to the downsides of capitalism. I can't lead you in an intellectual discussion on the problems with the world governments. I won't try and get you to give up your life to help others. In today's economic environment, I think it's more important for you to make sure your own livelihood is in check.

What I can do is suggest small, doable ways through which Malaysians can help the extreme and hardcore poor:

1. Free Rice is a website that donates rice for every click of your mouse. It's not a gimmick. I've checked it out. It's for real.


2. World Vision. For RM50 per month, less than an Astro subscription, you can help provide a child with much needed meals and help him/her get through school by sponsoring a child. You never know. Your child could become a doctor or a teacher.


3. Hati is a website that lists non-profitable organisations in Malaysia. Help these organisations by sponsoring school books. Some organisations help their boarders make a living by collecting items such as old newspapers or electronics and making them into new products to be sold. Message me for more information on this.

These ways of helping are simple and don't take very much time out of your day or very much money out of your pocket. They're not mutually exclusive, and doing all 3 would be a fantastic effort on your part. Think about how much you can do in a few minutes.

Dear World

Dear Malaysian politicians,

Re: Malaysian politics

We would appreciate it if you stopped bickering amongst yourselves and got on with it. Also, we would appreciate it if you stopped putting citizens away for speaking their mind. If there weren't an element of truth in the words, you wouldn't be scared.

Sincerely,

A Malaysian citizen.

Dear Malays,

Re: Racial issues

Just because one race is standing up for their rights, it doesn't mean that they're taking away yours. It means that they want what's best for their people - to give their kids the best opportunities possible. Providing financial assistance based on race is not only unfair, it creates a maze of bureaucracy that prevents the truly needy to benefit from the financial aid programme.

Sincerely,

A Bumiputra.

Dear American politicians,

Re: Candidates for Presidency

Please stop electing your VPs based on looks and gossip-column attraction. It's very distracting.

Sincerely,

A citizen of the world.

Dear Malaysians,

Re: American politics

Please stop spending so much time analysing the American political arena. Our own politicians need to be whipped in shape first, and it doesn't matter which American is elected because you'll still get the chance to whine, bitch and complain about them.

Sincerely,

A Watcher.

Spermicide!

The word 'spermicide' always makes me think of a cartoon-like sperm saying, "I can't take it anymore. I just can't!" before ramming itself into a uterus wall. As sad as it sounds, dying sperms make some women happy, and apparently Deborah Anderson (not the musician) has found a cheap way to not only kill sperms, but also prevent AIDS - using Coca-Cola. From Reuters: Spermicide Coke, stale chips research wins Ig Nobels:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A researcher who figured out that Coke explodes sperm and scientists who discovered that people will happily eat stale chips if they crunch loudly enough won alternative "Ig Nobel" prizes Thursday.

Other winners included physicists who found out that anything that can tangle, will tangle and a team of biologists who ascertained that dog fleas jump farther than cat fleas.

Deborah Anderson of Boston University Medical Center and colleagues were awarded the chemistry prize for a 1985 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine that found Coca-Cola kills sperm.

She said she was serious in testing the soft drink because women were using it in a douche as a contraceptive and, later, to try to protect themselves from the AIDS virus.

"It definitely wouldn't work as a contraceptive because sperm swims so fast," Anderson said. But Coke made with sugar quickly kills sperm, she said, probably because sperm soak it up. "The sperm just kind of explode," she said in a telephone interview.

It kills the AIDS virus too, she said.

Really? Usually I'm inclined to believe people who work in universities who win awards, but a quick Google search has made me think twice. Snopes has concluded through its own research that Coke as a spermicide is ineffective. From Snopes: Coca-Cola Spermicide:

However, other researchers were unable to verify these results in later experiments. Subsequent trials performed by medical researchers in Taiwan (using several vari[e]ties of both Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola) led them to the opposite conclusion, that "cola has little if any spermicidal effect"[.]

So what's the deal? Isn't it a little irresponsible to say Coke works as a spermicide and prevents AIDS when it's inconclusive? I can see the headlines for the next 10 years: "Teen pregnancy caused by ineffective spermicide; Coca-Cola sued."

Apparently these Taiwanese researchers were trying to recreate an experiment conducted by Harvard researchers. Maybe Coke as a spermicide only works in America?