Monday 23 November 2009

Rights of the Child

Taken from the UNICEF's CRC (Children's Rights Convention) recently..

In 1989, world leaders decided that children needed a special convention just for them because people under 18 years old often need special care and protection that adults do not. The leaders also wanted to make sure that the world recognized that children have human rights too.


The Convention sets out these rights in 54 articles and two Optional Protocols. It spells out the basic human rights that children everywhere have: the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life. The four core principles of the Convention are non-discrimination; devotion to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child. Every right spelled out in the Convention is inherent to the human dignity and harmonious development of every child. The Convention protects children's rights by setting standards in health care; education; and legal, civil and social services.



FACT SHEET: A summary of the rights under the

Convention on the Rights of the Child


Article 1 (Definition of the child): The Convention defines a 'child' as a person below the age of 18, unless the laws of a particular country set the legal age for adulthood younger. The Committee on the Rights of the Child, the monitoring body for the Convention, has encouraged States to review the age of majority if it is set below 18 and to increase the level of protection for all children under 18.
Article 2 (Non-discrimination): The Convention applies to all children, whatever their race, religion or abilities; whatever they think or say, whatever type of family they come from. It doesn’t matter where children live, what language they speak, what their parents do, whether they are boys or girls, what their culture is, whether they have a disability or whether they are rich or poor. No child should be treated unfairly on any basis.
Article 3 (Best interests of the child): The best interests of children must be the primary concern in making decisions that may affect them. All adults should do what is best for children. When adults make decisions, they should think about how their decisions will affect children. This particularly applies to budget, policy and law makers.
Article 4 (Protection of rights): Governments have a responsibility to take all available measures to make sure children’s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. When countries ratify the Convention, they agree to review their laws relating to children. This involves assessing their social services, legal, health and educational systems, as well as levels of funding for these services. Governments are then obliged to take all necessary steps to ensure that the minimum standards set by the Convention in these areas are being met. They must help families protect children’s rights and create an environment where they can grow and reach their potential. In some instances, this may involve changing existing laws or creating new ones. Such legislative changes are not imposed, but come about through the same process by which any law is created or reformed within a country. Article 41 of the Convention points out the when a country already has higher legal standards than those seen in the Convention, the higher standards always prevail.
Article 5 (Parental guidance): Governments should respect the rights and responsibilities of families to direct and guide their children so that, as they grow, they learn to use their rights properly. Helping children to understand their rights does not mean pushing them to make choices with consequences that they are too young to handle. Article 5 encourages parents to deal with rights issues "in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child". The Convention does not take responsibility for children away from their parents and give more authority to governments. It does place on governments the responsibility to protect and assist families in fulfilling their essential role as nurturers of children.
Article 6 (Survival and development): Children have the right to live. Governments should ensure that children survive and develop healthily.
Article 7 (Registration, name, nationality, care): All children have the right to a legally registered name, officially recognised by the government. Children have the right to a nationality (to belong to a country). Children also have the right to know and, as far as possible, to be cared for by their parents.
Article 8 (Preservation of identity): Children have the right to an identity – an official record of who they are. Governments should respect children’s right to a name, a nationality and family ties.
Article 9 (Separation from parents): Children have the right to live with their parent(s), unless it is bad for them. Children whose parents do not live together have the right to stay in contact with both parents, unless this might hurt the child.
Article 10 (Family reunification): Families whose members live in different countries should be allowed to move between those countries so that parents and children can stay in contact, or get back together as a family.

Article 11 (Kidnapping): Governments should take steps to stop children being taken out of their own country illegally. This article is particularly concerned with parental abductions. The Convention’s Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography has a provision that concerns abduction for financial gain.
Article 12 (Respect for the views of the child): When adults are making decisions that affect children, children have the right to say what they think should happen and have their opinions taken into account. This does not mean that children can now tell their parents what to do. This Convention encourages adults to listen to the opinions of children and involve them in decision-making -- not give children authority over adults. Article 12 does not interfere with parents' right and responsibility to express their views on matters affecting their children. Moreover, the Convention recognizes that the level of a child’s participation in decisions must be appropriate to the child's level of maturity. Children's ability to form and express their opinions develops with age and most adults will naturally give the views of teenagers greater weight than those of a preschooler, whether in family, legal or administrative decisions.
Article 13 (Freedom of expression): Children have the right to get and share information, as long as the information is not damaging to them or others. In exercising the right to freedom of expression, children have the responsibility to also respect the rights, freedoms and reputations of others. The freedom of expression includes the right to share information in any way they choose, including by talking, drawing or writing.
Article 14 (Freedom of thought, conscience and religion): Children have the right to think and believe what they want and to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Parents should help guide their children in these matters. The Convention respects the rights and duties of parents in providing religious and moral guidance to their children. Religious groups around the world have expressed support for the Convention, which indicates that it in no way prevents parents from bringing their children up within a religious tradition. At the same time, the Convention recognizes that as children mature and are able to form their own views, some may question certain religious practices or cultural traditions. The Convention supports children's right to examine their beliefs, but it also states that their right to express their beliefs implies respect for the rights and freedoms of others.
Article 15 (Freedom of association): Children have the right to meet together and to join groups and organisations, as long as it does not stop other people from enjoying their rights. In exercising their rights, children have the responsibility to respect the rights, freedoms and reputations of others.
Article 16 (Right to privacy): Children have a right to privacy. The law should protect them from attacks against their way of life, their good name, their families and their homes.
Article 17 (Access to information; mass media): Children have the right to get information that is important to their health and well-being. Governments should encourage mass media – radio, television, newspapers and Internet content sources – to provide information that children can understand and to not promote materials that could harm children. Mass media should particularly be encouraged to supply information in languages that minority and indigenous children can understand. Children should also have access to children’s books.
Article 18 (Parental responsibilities; state assistance): Both parents share responsibility for bringing up their children, and should always consider what is best for each child. Governments must respect the responsibility of parents for providing appropriate guidance to their children – the Convention does not take responsibility for children away from their parents and give more authority to governments. It places a responsibility on governments to provide support services to parents, especially if both parents work outside the home.
Article 19 (Protection from all forms of violence): Children have the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, physically or mentally. Governments should ensure that children are properly cared for and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents, or anyone else who looks after
them. In terms of discipline, the Convention does not specify what forms of punishment parents should use. However any form of discipline involving violence is unacceptable. There are ways to discipline children that are effective in helping children learn about family and social expectations for their behaviour – ones that are non-violent, are appropriate to the child's level of development and take the best interests of the child into consideration. In most countries, laws already define what sorts of punishments are considered excessive or abusive. It is up to each government to review these laws in light of the Convention.
Article 20 (Children deprived of family environment): Children who cannot be looked after by their own family have a right to special care and must be looked after properly, by people who respect their ethnic group, religion, culture and language.
Article 21 (Adoption): Children have the right to care and protection if they are adopted or in foster care. The first concern must be what is best for them. The same rules should apply whether they are adopted in the country where they were born, or if they are taken to live in another country.
Article 22 (Refugee children): Children have the right to special protection and help if they are refugees (if they have been forced to leave their home and live in another country), as well as all the rights in this Convention.
Article 23 (Children with disabilities): Children who have any kind of disability have the right to special care and support, as well as all the rights in the Convention, so that they can live full and independent lives.
Article 24 (Health and health services): Children have the right to good quality health care – the best health care possible – to safe drinking water, nutritious food, a clean and safe environment, and information to help them stay healthy. Rich countries should help poorer countries achieve this.
Article 25 (Review of treatment in care): Children who are looked after by their local authorities, rather than their parents, have the right to have these living arrangements looked at regularly to see if they are the most appropriate. Their care and treatment should always be based on “the best interests of the child”. (see Guiding Principles, Article 3)
Article 26 (Social security): Children – either through their guardians or directly – have the right to help from the government if they are poor or in need.
Article 27 (Adequate standard of living): Children have the right to a standard of living that is good enough to meet their physical and mental needs. Governments should help families and guardians who cannot afford to provide this, particularly with regard to food, clothing and housing.
Article 28: (Right to education): All children have the right to a primary education, which should be free. Wealthy countries should help poorer countries achieve this right. Discipline in schools should respect children’s dignity. For children to benefit from education, schools must be run in an orderly way – without the use of violence. Any form of school discipline should take into account the child's human dignity. Therefore, governments must ensure that school administrators review their discipline policies and eliminate any discipline practices involving physical or mental violence, abuse or neglect. The Convention places a high value on education. Young people should be encouraged to reach the highest level of education of which they are capable.
Article 29 (Goals of education): Children’s education should develop each child’s personality, talents and abilities to the fullest. It should encourage children to respect others, human rights and their own and other cultures. It should also help them learn to live peacefully, protect the environment and respect other people. Children have a particular responsibility to respect the rights their parents, and education should aim to develop respect for the values and culture of their parents. The Convention does not address such issues as school uniforms, dress codes, the singing of the national anthem or prayer in schools. It is up to governments and school officials in each country to determine whether, in the context of their society and existing laws, such matters infringe upon other rights protected by the Convention.
Article 30 (Children of minorities/indigenous groups): Minority or indigenous children have the right to learn about and practice their own culture, language and religion. The right to practice one’s own culture, language and religion applies to everyone; the Convention here highlights this right in instances where the practices are not shared by the majority of people in the country.
Article 31 (Leisure, play and culture): Children have the right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic and other recreational activities.
Article 32 (Child labour): The government should protect children from work that is dangerous or might harm their health or their education. While the Convention protects children from harmful and exploitative work, there is nothing in it that prohibits parents from expecting their children to help out at home in ways that are safe and appropriate to their age. If children help out in a family farm or business, the tasks they do be safe and suited to their level of development and comply with national labour laws. Children's work should not jeopardize any of their other rights, including the right to education, or the right to relaxation and play.
Article 33 (Drug abuse): Governments should use all means possible to protect children from the use of harmful drugs and from being used in the drug trade.
Article 34 (Sexual exploitation): Governments should protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse. This provision in the Convention is augmented by the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.
Article 35 (Abduction, sale and trafficking): The government should take all measures possible to make sure that children are not abducted, sold or trafficked. This provision in the Convention is augmented by the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.
Article 36 (Other forms of exploitation): Children should be protected from any activity that takes advantage of them or could harm their welfare and development.
Article 37 (Detention and punishment): No one is allowed to punish children in a cruel or harmful way. Children who break the law should not be treated cruelly. They should not be put in prison with adults, should be able to keep in contact with their families, and should not be sentenced to death or life imprisonment without possibility of release.
Article 38 (War and armed conflicts): Governments must do everything they can to protect and care for children affected by war. Children under 15 should not be forced or recruited to take part in a war or join the armed forces. The Convention’s Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict further develops this right, raising the age for direct participation in armed conflict to 18 and establishing a ban on compulsory recruitment for children under 18.
Article 39 (Rehabilitation of child victims): Children who have been neglected, abused or exploited should receive special help to physically and psychologically recover and reintegrate into society. Particular attention should be paid to restoring the health, self-respect and dignity of the child.
Article 40 (Juvenile justice): Children who are accused of breaking the law have the right to legal help and fair treatment in a justice system that respects their rights. Governments are required to set a minimum age below which children cannot be held criminally responsible and to provide minimum guarantees for the fairness and quick resolution of judicial or alternative proceedings.
Article 41 (Respect for superior national standards): If the laws of a country provide better protection of children’s rights than the articles in this Convention, those laws should apply.
Article 42 (Knowledge of rights): Governments should make the Convention known to adults and children. Adults should help children learn about their rights, too. (See also article 4.)
Articles 43-54 (implementation measures): These articles discuss how governments and international organizations like UNICEF should work to ensure children are protected in their rights.

Find out more from Unicef's website


http://www.unicef.org/crc/

Thursday 19 November 2009

My Cousin The Rockstar!!

My cousin, Abbas has recently performed in KL Metal & Hardcore 2009 Fest. Awesome + definitley cool. This accountant, who plays guitar & sing with his band during his free time is totally fun with a capital F.. His stuff on youtube is quite mindblowing!! Didn't know he can sing that well .. then again my Pak Teh ( Abbas's dad) has always been the singer in the family.. of course tak boleh challenge Mak Nona la..;-)..Check him out..
Abbas I mean..














Monday 16 November 2009

A wet Monday Morning..

It has been raining since 9.30am just now.. wish i am still in bed, curled up under the comfy quilt :-)..


P/S Happy Birthday Nick! Take good care of your wounded pinky..HUGS!

Monday 9 November 2009

Just You And Me - Zee Avi



You were sitting at the coffee table


where you’re reading Kierkegaard

Minutes later, you proceeded to say

something that almost broke my heart



You said, “Darling, I am tired of livin’ my routined life.

There’s so much in the world that i’d like

to soak up with my eyes.”

Well, baby I never did stop you from going out to explore

We can do it all together from the colds of the poles

to the tropics of Borneo



Ba da da ba da…



Let’s pack our bags

and lie on the easy stream

feel the water on our backs

where we can carry on dreamin’

where we can finally

be where we’d like to be

Darlin’, just you and me



Just you and me…



So Darlin’, what do you say?

Does that sound like a plan to you?

We can build our own little world

where no one can come through

We can live in huts made out of grass

we can greet father time as he walks pass

we can press feet into the dirt

a little mud, no, it wouldn’t hurt



Ba da da ba da ba…



Let’s pack our bags

and lie on the easy stream

feel the water on our backs

where we can carry on dreamin’

where we can finally

be where we’d like to be

Darlin’, just you and me



Just you and me..

More gorgeous designs??

Jess, have obviously been getting busy with her jewellery designs. I checked her page last nite and found that she has few new 'beauties' on the line.. Perempuan ni memang sangat2 ber-dedikasi!


She used pliers to make this flower pendant. The bluish-green stone used is an Azurite.


Opulent Beaded Smoky Agate Necklace


The gorgeous blend of colors on the necklace enhances the smooth texture of this smoky agate pendant. The double straps are strung using superstrong fishing line. Composition of different beads and sizes such as gold metal tubes, wooden beads and polished cat's eye chips lend to the uniqueness of the necklace, while metallic multi-toned black, brown and faint pink hexcut beads are accompanied by black seed beads.

A textured golden metal disc hangs on the other end of the necklace adding another area of interest while it's weight allows it to hang nicely at the nape of the neck.
The tassle of cat-eye chips at the end of the pendant provides movement to enhance the character of this piece of jewelry.
It's circumference measuring 64cm, the necklace is long enough to easily slip over the head. Quite a weighty piece, this necklace drapes beautifully against curves of a woman's body. Pendant measures 4cm.


Autumnal Carnelian and Agate Necklace
This lovely carnelian and agate with brass hoop necklace is a reflection of autumn. The rectangular red-brown carnelian pendant was strung with tigertail and hangs from a gold clam-shell bead tip. The necklace is made of brass hoops, handwired with multi-toned agate beads and brass chains with a gold toggle clasp.

Agate is said to protect the wearer from danger, encourage boldness and stimulate success. It has been used to cure insommia ,to ensure pleasant dreams and to relieve stress.
Carnelian is said to stimulate analytical capabilities and precision. It provides perceptiveness and awakens one's inherent talents and skills while also protecting the wearer against fear and rage.
Pendant measures 3.5cm and 2.5cm while necklace measures 45cm long.





Brass Wirewrapped Flower Pendant on Chain Necklace
A great gift for a young lady or for anyone who wants to feel uplifted. The gold and brown hues captivate the spirit of autumn.

The six individual brass petals are wire wrapped into a flower with a golden spiral stigma. It hangs from a brass chain measuring 45cm long. Diameter of the flower is 4.5cm.

Good things must always be shared so we will spread all the goodness around like a MAD COW DISEASE :-)..Go check her ETSY page for more designs and choices ..


Sunday 8 November 2009

Connect the Dots..

I 'curi' this from my cousin's Nizie's note on FB.. I like it a lot.. Thanks Niz.. this is so inspirational!

I think I have read this article million times since Jobs spoke to the undergraduates of Stanford University in 2005. But somehow, it has always been my all time favourite and recently it has inspired more than I can imagine. try to internalize it n be amazed.Enjoy reading and sharing..



“You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future,” says Jobs. “You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”


Jobs believes that everything happens for a reason and although that reason may be hard to see at the time, sometimes you need to just sit back and have faith that things will work out in the end. Trusting your own decisions is often one of the most difficult but necessary and rewarding experiences.


When Jobs enrolled in college at the age of 17, he did not know what he wanted to do with his life and with the expensive tuition at Reed, he was spending all of his working-class parents’ savings trying to figure it out. “I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out ok,” he recalls. “It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made.”


Dropping out of university allowed Jobs to stop taking the required courses and begin attending ones that he found more interesting. One of these was a calligraphy instruction class, where Jobs learned about serif and san serif typefaces, spacing between different letter combinations and about how to make beautiful typography. Jobs didn’t understand at the time how this might be helpful, but he decided to follow his interests nonetheless.


Ten years later, when Jobs and Wozniak were designing the first Macintosh computer, he remembered his calligraphy lessons. He decided to incorporate the fonts he had learned about into the Mac. “It was the first computer with beautiful typography,” says Jobs. “If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do.” While it was impossible to connect the dots at the time, in hindsight, Jobs says that everything became clear.


A similar experience occurred years later when Apple’s board of directors ousted Jobs from his position at the company. A clash of vision left Jobs unemployed at 30. “What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating,” he recalls. For months, he struggled with his fate and began to feel like a very public failure. But, slowly, Jobs began to realize that although he was fired, he still had a passion for computers and so he decided to start over.


“I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me,” says Jobs. “It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.” Jobs went on to create NeXT and Pixar and eventually returned to Apple when it purchased NeXT.


“It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it,” says Jobs. “Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith.”

To all out there.. "It's always the darkest before dawn! " - Keep the faith.. HUGS!

Wednesday 4 November 2009

Trinket Trove - Handmade by Jessie

I think my friend Jessie Koh is so so cool :-). She designs and make beautiful, intricate jewelleries with precious stones in her free time. I've already bought 2 earrings




and am eye-ing this beauty for my next purchase..JESS GIVE ME VERY GOOD DISCOUNT heheheheh

Garnets, peridots, freshwater pearls and sterling silver wire.


Please visit her page guys..for more cool, hip and gorgeous stuff.. GO FEAST YOUR EYES:-))






Tuesday 3 November 2009

Celebrating A Tuesday..

These are 10 reasons why I'm celebrating today, a Tuesday :-) :-

1)   I am alive!
2)   I am an adoring Aunt hehehe..my baby niece is super cuteness!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQVFVgiEw54
3)   I see Mum n Dad 1st thing almost every morning..and everyday I'm thankful for that.
4)   I love my 3 Days-A-Week Research job at UM
5)   My brothers, whom now i see on a daily basis..
6)   My BFFs :-) - u know who u are..
7)   I am painting .. and try very hard to paint more frequent ..
8)   I am baking on an every other day basis and love it
9)   I am seeing a movie this evening .. BIG YEAY!!!
10) again I am alive to enjoy all these goodness and more, that's enough reason for me to celebrate a Tuesday!

Monday 2 November 2009

The Case of a cheeky 6 months old!!

I am babysittng my cheeky..shrieky baby niece Aliyah today..pretty nervous y'all..as im doing it without my mum hahahaha Wish me LUCK!! *GULP*

Thursday 29 October 2009

Can Anybody Gimme a free full day SPA treat???

I'm serious..I need a full day total body SPA treatment guys.. I need MY TIME..MY TIME.. hahaha sounding so spoilt and over the top..AS IF! check this out..isn't this nice???

NIAGARA II / 260 – The Hydromassage bathtub – is heaven on earth. It comes complete with touch-screen, automatic program tailoring with numerous combinations, 240 nozzles, automatic hydraulic valves with water or air piloting, automatic rinsing, automatic filling and draining and a acrylic shell on a stainless steel frame with ajustable feet. Pretty to look at too.


Then why just stops at the tubs..I also need the heaven-delicious-sweet smelling SPA/BATH products that will make my skin smell heavenly for hours and hours or even days..hehehe MELAMPAU!!!!

Bath & Unwind's Phytomer Oligomarin Bath Foam. With its perfect balance of liquid extracts from seaweed, trace elements, and essential minerals, this light bubbling bath helps your body to take in all of the elements it needs to relax.


Scottish Fine Soaps -Fior Bath Essence. After another hectic day in the modern world, Fior Bath Essence is the perfect way to banish life's stresses and strains away. So close the bathroom door, turn on the taps and free your mind from daily routine. Allow yourself to be enveloped in a soft, delicate foam of crisp, fresh bubbles as the calming fragrance of Fior draws you into a tranquil world of peaceful harmony.
hehehehehe yes yes..Time to go for a relaxing bath :-)..

Monday 26 October 2009

What the Modern Woman Wants – The essay that won first prize in the 2004 Commonwealth Essay Competition

By Amanda Chong Wei-Zhen

The old woman sat in the backseat of the magenta convertible as it careened down the highway, clutching tightly to the plastic bag on her lap, afraid it may be kidnapped by the wind.

She was not used to such speed, with trembling hands she pulled the seatbelt tighter but was careful not to touch the patent leather seats with her callused fingers, her daughter had warned her not to dirty it, 'Fingerprints show very clearly on white, Ma.'

Her daughter, Bee Choo, was driving and talking on her sleek silver mobile phone using big words the old woman could barely understand. 'Finance', 'Liquidation', 'Assets', 'Investments'...Her voice was crisp and important and had an unfamiliar lilt to it. Her Bee Choo sounded like one of those foreign girls on television. She was speaking in an American accent the old lady clucked her tongue in disapproval. 'I absolutely cannot have this. We have to sell!' Her daughter exclaimed agitatedly as she stepped on the accelerator; her perfectly manicured fingernails gripping onto the steering wheel in irritation.

I can't DEAL with this anymore!' she yelled as she clicked the phone shut and hurled it angrily toward the backseat. The mobile phone hit the old woman on the forehead and nestled soundlessly into her lap. She calmly picked it up and handed it to her daughter.

Sorry, Ma,' she said, losing the American pretence and switching to Mandarin. 'I have a big client in America. There have been a lot of problems.' The old lady nodded knowingly. Her daughter was big and important.

Bee Choo stared at her mother from the rear view window, wondering what she was thinking. Her mother's wrinkled countenance always carried the same cryptic look.

The phone began to ring again, an artificially cheerful digital tune, which broke the awkward silence. 'Hello, Beatrice! Yes, this is Elaine.' Elaine. The old woman cringed. I didn't name her Elaine. She remembered her daughter telling her, how an English name was very important for 'networking', Chinese ones being easily forgotten.

Oh no, I can't see you for lunch today. I have to take the ancient relic to the temple for her weird daily prayer ritual.

Ancient Relic. The old woman understood perfectly it was referring to her. Her daughter always assumed that her mother's silence meant she did not comprehend.

Yes, I know! My car seats will be reeking of joss sticks!' The old woman pursed her lips tightly, her hands gripping her plastic bag in defense. The car curved smoothly into the temple courtyard. It looked almost garish next to the dull sheen of the ageing temple's roof. The old woman got out of the back seat, and made her unhurried way to the main hall.

Her daughter stepped out of the car in her business suit and stilettos and reapplied her lipstick as she made her brisk way to her mother's side. 'Ma, I'll wait outside. I have an important phone call to make,' she said, not bothering to hide her disgust at the pungent fumes of incense.

The old lady hobbled into the temple hall and lit a joss stick; she knelt down solemnly and whispered her now familiar daily prayer to the Gods.

Thank you God of the Sky, you have given my daughter luck all these years. Everything I prayed for, you have given her. She has everything a young woman in this world could possibly want. She has a big house with a swimming pool, a maid to help her, as she is too clumsy to sew or cook.

Her love life has been blessed; she is engaged to a rich and handsome angmoh man. Her company is now the top financial firm and even men listen to what she says. She lives the perfect life. You have given her everything except happiness. I ask that the gods be merciful to her even if she has lost her roots while reaping the harvest of success. What you see is not true; she is a filial daughter to me. She gives me a room in her big house and provides well for me. She is rude to me only because I affect her happiness. A young woman does not want to be hindered by her old mother. It is my fault.

The old lady prayed so hard that tears welled up in her eyes. Finally, with her head bowed in reverence she planted the half-burnt joss stick into an urn of smoldering ashes.
She bowed once more. The old woman had been praying for her daughter for thirty-two years.

When her stomach was round like a melon, she came to the temple and prayed that it was a son. Then the time was ripe and the baby slipped out of her womb, bawling and adorable with fat thighs and pink cheeks, but unmistakably, a girl. Her husband had kicked and punched her for producing a useless baby who could not work or carry the family name.

Still, the woman returned to the temple with her new-born girl tied to her waist in a sarong and prayed that her daughter would grow up and have everything she ever wanted. Her husband left her and she prayed that her daughter would never have to depend on a man.

She prayed every day that her daughter would be a great woman, the woman that she, meek and uneducated could never become. A woman with nengkan; the ability to do anything she set her mind to. A woman who commanded respect in the hearts of men. When she opened her mouth to speak, precious pearls would fall out and men would listen.

She will not be like me, the woman prayed as she watched her daughter grow up and drift away from her, speaking a language she scarcely understood. She watched her daughter transform from a quiet girl, to one who openly defied her, calling her laotu; old-fashioned. She wanted her mother to be 'modern', a word so new there was no Chinese word for it.

Now her daughter was too clever for her and the old woman wondered why she had prayed like that. The gods had been faithful to her persistent prayer, but the wealth and success that poured forth so richly had buried the girl's roots and now she stood, faceless, with no identity, bound to the soil of her ancestors by only a string of origami banknotes.

Her daughter had forgotten her mother's values. Her wants were so ephemeral; that of a modern woman. Power, Wealth, access to the best fashion boutiques, and yet her daughter had not found true happiness. The old woman knew that she could find happiness with much less.

When her daughter left the earth everything she had would count for nothing. People would look to her legacy and say that she was a great woman, but she would be forgotten once the wind blows over, like the ashes of burnt paper convertibles and mansions.

The old woman wished she could go back and erase all her big hopes and prayers for her daughter; now she had only one want: That her daughter be happy. She looked out of the temple gate. She saw her daughter speaking on the phone, her brow furrowed with anger and worry. Being at the top is not good, the woman thought, there is only one way to go from there down.

The old woman carefully unfolded the plastic bag and spread out a packet of bee hoon in front of the altar. Her daughter often mocked her for worshipping porcelain Gods. How could she pray to them so faithfully and expect pieces of ceramic to fly to her aid? But her daughter had her own gods too, idols of wealth, success and power that she was enslaved to and worshipped every day of her life.

Every day was a quest for the idols, and the idols she worshipped counted for nothing in eternity. All the wants her daughter had would slowly suck the life out of her and leave her, an empty soulless shell at the altar.

The old lady watched her joss tick. The dull heat had left a teetering grey stem that was on the danger of collapsing. Modern woman nowadays, the old lady sighed in resignation, as she bowed to the east one final time to end her ritual. Modern woman nowadays want so much that they lose their souls and wonder why they cannot find it.
Her joss stick disintegrated into a soft grey powder. She met her daughter outside the temple, the same look of worry and frustration was etched on her daughter's face. An empty expression, as if she was ploughing through the soil of her wants looking for the one thing that would sow the seeds of happiness.

They climbed into the convertible in silence and her daughter drove along the highway, this time not as fast as she had done before.

Ma,' Bee Choo finally said. 'I don't know how to put this. Mark and I have been talking about it and we plan to move out of the big house. The property market is good now, and we managed to get a buyer willing to pay seven million for it. We decided we'd prefer a cozier penthouse apartment instead. We found a perfect one in Orchard Road. Once we move in to our apartment we plan to get rid of the maid, so we can have more space to ourselves...'

The old woman nodded knowingly. Bee Choo swallowed hard. 'We'd get someone to come in to do the housework and we can eat out - but once the maid is gone, there won't be anyone to look after you. You will be awfully lonely at home and, besides that, the apartment is rather small. There won't be space. We thought about it for a long time, and we decided the best thing for you is if you moved to a Home. There's one near Hougang - it's a Christian home, a very nice one.'

The old woman did not raise an eyebrow. 'I've been there; the matron is willing to take you in.It's beautiful with gardens and lots of old people to keep you company! I hardly have time for you, you'd be happier there. "

You'd be happier there, really.' Her daughter repeated as if to affirm herself. This time the old woman had no plastic bag of food offerings to cling tightly to; she bit her lip and fastened her seat belt, as if it would protect her from a daughter who did not want her anymore. She sunk deep into the leather seat, letting her shoulders sag, and her fingers trace the white seat.

Ma?' her daughter asked, searching the rear view window for her mother. 'Is everything okay?' What had to be done, had to be done. 'Yes,' she said firmly, louder than she intended, 'if it will make you happy,' she added more quietly.

'It's for you, Ma! You'll be happier there. You can move there tomorrow, I already got the maid to pack your things.' Elaine said triumphantly, mentally ticking yet another item off her agenda.

I knew everything would be fine.Elaine smiled widely; she felt liberated. Perhaps getting rid of her mother would make her happier. She had thought about it. It seemed the only hindrance in her pursuit of happiness.

She was happy now. She had everything a modern woman ever wanted; Money, Status, Career, Love, Power and now, Freedom, without her mother and her old-fashioned ways to weigh her down...

Yes, she was free. Her phone buzzed urgently, she picked it up and read the message, still beaming from ear to ear. 'Stocks 10% increase!'

Yes, things were definitely beginning to look up for her... And while searching for the meaning of life in the luminance of her hand phone screen, the old woman in the backseat became invisible and she did not see the tears.

Tuesday 6 October 2009

Off to Jakarta..weeeeeeeeeeee

Off to Jakarta for 5 days people..weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :-)

Monday 5 October 2009

Courage to a 4 year old....

Courage to a 4 year old is when she has to Put on a big bright smile and pretend all is well,
when in actual fact, she is torn inside and very confused of the choices she has to make,
Courage to a 4 year old is when she has to Keep secrets for the adults who doesn't really understand how she functions and so ever insensitive to her needs as a growing child,
Courage to a 4 year old is to Upkeep  loyalty and continuously defending her family when she has just learning how to write her own name,
Courage to a 4 year old is when She wont cry even when her body tells her to as it is too numb for her to do so and to understand this silly inconsiderate adult world is too complicated,
Courage to a 4 year old is when Again and again she is being denied her rights and wants just because the adults think that they know best,

I hear you little friend.. Let me help as much as I can to ease your confusions and pain..I will protect and shelter you from this cruel..cruel inconsiderate world of the adults.. Let me help..HUGS!

Tuesday 29 September 2009

When my baby bakes!!! It's steamy hot MIELE's H 5981 BP...*drool*

This has got to be the most sexiest oven in the world ..

Miele has this sexy hot looking oven called H 5981 BP.  Check its features :-

•Capacity (l) 85
•Number of shelf levels 3
•Halogen interior lights 1
•Automatic programmes >90
•Sensor controlled cooling system
•Door dampers (not on side-hinged doors)
•Twin rotisserie - for that perfect roasts & yes leg of lambsssss
•Moisture Plus - super important function for cakes!!
 
That's not all..it has special features too ..

•FlexiClip runners (pairs)
•Programmable functions
•Wireless food probe
•Speedlight
•Polyphonic tones - how more entertaining can they get !!
 
This is an example of one of the features, whoaaaaaaaa total awesome-ness!!
Fan plus – For baking and roasting.

– You can bake and roast on two levels at the same time.
– Lower temperatures can be used than with "Conventional
heat" as the Fan plus system distributes the heated air
around the food.
I can so imagine doing all my bakings in my all white kitchen with of course this brand new baby installed for the oven.. my face reads..heaven..pure contentment!!! hehehe I made a pack recently with a friend that if i get him a good coffee maker, he will then buy me the best oven so i could continue baking for all my loved ones :-)! bless him! muahssssssssss..Went around to ask all the coffee lovers which is the best coffee maker..without a doubt they recommended Illy's, Francis Francis X8 iperEspresso Machine Kit.
 


It uses iperEspresso Capsules and I have tasted one made by a trained barista in KL last year and YES! tasted like a really really good fine coffee with a whole pack of punches!



Available in medium roast for a smooth, balanced, pleasantly nuanced flavor, dark roast for a more intense and robust flavor. Decaffeinated capsules have the same flavor profile as medium roast but without the caffeine. If you prefer a longer espresso, try new Lungo, a medium roast long espresso (about 2 ounces) to be savored in a larger cup. Please note that Lungo capsules are formulated to produce a long espresso without the need to make any adjustments to your iperEspresso machine settings.

So my dearest 'friend'..THE DEAL IS ON..i'm GAME if u GAME!!! tee heee...

Wednesday 23 September 2009

Objective : Aliyah's 1st Raya..Result : mission accomplished!!!

My 5 months old niece Aliyah celebrated her first ever Raya this year. Everyone of us, especially my parents were super excited to show her what Hari Raya is all about..


Aliyah's all smiles - complete with matching baju kurung with her mum..the headband..super2x cuteness!!


Check out the eagerness in her - duit raya!! adoi..



She is so friendly. She doesn't mind who holds her. Seen here with Cak Cha..

                                                              And with Ayah Chik.....

Aunty Linda!!!!! hehehe



Finally on the 1st Day our picture together as a family..missing Azmin & Noor. Note the proud grandparents sitting at the front row hahahaha...

Second day of Raya 2009, we drove to Rembau to visit Ibu's side of the family. And Aliyah came along too.
She had a total blast and of course more 'Duit Raya'. My niece is so 'muka murah rezeki' hehehe



Sampai-sampai Aliyah terus makan..


The lovely younger cousins.. Hur, Murtadza,Najah (Standing L-R) Sumaiyah and Romanah (Sitting L-R)

My super friendly lil niece chatting to her Onyang Uda..

More 'Duit Raya' for the non-school leavers hehehe



Ayah & Ibu at Wan Bik's..enjoying the famous once a year 'Wan Bik's Mee Goreng'



With Wan Bik..penat masak Mee Goreng bertan-tan kan Wan Bik..



Mak Lang so kurusssssssssssssss...stresssssssss

And next to Mak Imah, I look super hugeee..note to self: loose weight fast!


Aliyah with Ayah Chu

So gedikk..she loves being kissed n cuddled.. this time with Wan Ji


Next we went to Mak Cik's house where we bumped into Pak Cu & family. Mak Cu is promoting Mak Cik's delicious fruit cake..oh yumm yumm


By this time Aliyah is already very sticky..so she had to 'mandi' at Mak Cik's

Najmah posing an ANTM's pose on Mak Cik's balcony :-).

Finally the day ended, we headed back to KL. Aliyah had super fun day didn't you baby doll?? Hurray for Aliyah's 1st Raya Celebration!