My oh my! Just when you thought you have had enough of Die Hard movies..here comes another one -coming soon to your movie teaters soon...this is one of the few movies I enjoy very much because the character is evergreen and the story line is getting more and more interesting.

Do catch John McClane when it hits the teaters. I am looking forward to some of the biggest blockbusters in the summer. One of which is this one....and my next is Transformers.

I have been following very closely on the political career of Thailand's deposed PM Thaksin. Seriously, the most interesting part of his life is this - he faced major obstacles and failures but he continues to forge ahead. Something that many of us can learn from his consistent commitment to move forward in life.

It came to a final end yesterday when his former political party was struck off the list for election frauds along with his 149 members of Parliment. All office bearers of the Thai Rak Thai Party were banned from active politics for the next 5 years. Guess Thaksin has now every reason to focus on Soccer in the UK. Hehehe...

Check this out

Elly was up and about today after  a short scare yesterday. But good care and love from us made her better. It has been a whirlwind week. Expecting to be watching Shrek 3 this weekend. Anyway, thought of sharing something that is becoming a reality.....keyboardless applications..sure sounds like a clip/scene from Star Trek. Check this out !

Congratulations! First Japanese Beauty Queen since 1959 as Miss Universe 2007!

I guess getting sick is part of growing up - even for a little kitten. Our little Elly has been a little under the weather as she was not "well". Not that active as she was compared to yesterday, and that has caused some concerns from all of us here. Jefferson and Cornelius have been very worried to see their precious gem not being active today.

Carol is definitely taking good care of her. As for myself, I am drowned with work from all corners. Anyway, I hope Elly will get better tomorrow. Sometimes it is strange how pets can do to humans. It bring family together even closer.

Jefferson and Cornelius are having their holidays. No secret that they are a little restless and we are doing our best to keep them occupied. As for myself, thanks to those who wrote to me. Yes  - I have not been regular on the net. Just wanted to go through the withdrawal syndrome and my work doesn't require me to go online that much anymore. I am glad too as I am feeling better. Not living in my own world but reaching out to many whom I have neglected. It has been a very important 3 months for me. I finally saw friends who are actually friends. Worth mentioning a few but I will save it for another day. My family - Carol's family to be precise has been with me all this while...giving me all the encouragement and advise to a 39 year old man who finally found truth to be too hard to swallow and crisis to be handled delicately when you have a family who values you most.

I guess Elly is sleeping soundly now. We brought her to our bed. Carol is watching her silently while I continue to chart my future and directions of what I wish and want to be. Sleep tight my friends and good morning my friends in Seattle and Australia.

Can't believe that State Assemblymen of Penang can utter such ridiculous statements about women. I really fail to wonder how or where they came from. I guess my blog is a dedication to those women who will speak against these fellas; one eye jack MP and Kenabatangan one also. So - if an apology were to be offered, can we forgive what they have said? Cakap tak serupa bikin (worthless piece of scum)....

Take a look at this article. You be the judge of it. I know they are entitled to their views but I think the issue of women should take a back seat now. There are more urgent and pressing things to talk about in Penang.

AND THEY CALL THEMSELVES POLITICIANS!

I got a mail from a dear friend who visits Malaysia very often. His letter was printed in the Starr. Just felt of reprinting it --- good reading and of course, heart warming.

Nobody owes anyone anything

IF THE backpacking writer of the letter “Don’t look at foreign tourists simply as cash cows” (The Star, May 24) meant his observations to reflect badly on Malaysians, he has only succeeded in reflecting badly on himself.  

The writer evidently is stereotypical of that brand of tourists who thinks the host country, especially if it’s a developing one, owes him a free or cheap ride for condescending to visit that country and live off the friendliness of its citizens. 

That traveller should try travelling with that mentality in his own country and see if he can “have a good time” for a day, let alone a month, as the writer is demanding of Penang.  

The writer overlooks the fact that those pleasures he demands of the host country are made possible by the citizens there, paid for by their taxes year after year, and often because of low wages. 

What the visitor pays is a small fraction of that cost, and the citizens rightly would expect the visitor to pay his way.  

I have visited Malaysia numerous times, never as a backpacker. I always leave with the realisation that I got much more than I contributed.  

I would suggest to Xuartema, the writer, that if he can’t afford a month in Penang, to try a few days, or better, try a month living off the people and the land in his own neighbourhood before expecting, nay, demanding, a month of good times in Penang or anywhere else. 

I am not Malaysian but I don’t think the opinion expressed in that letter was worth the space given to it.  

LOUIS SELLIER, 

Seattle, USA.

1969 - to be precise May 13. Guess I will never know what actually happened then. Only accounts from my late father and his decision to quit his political ambitions. I was at a local bookstore in Penang when I saw a stream of people getting books over the counter. I caught the glimpse of the book - May 13  by Dr. Kua Kia Soong. I asked to have a copy so that I can browse through the book.

Somehow, I did some small talk with the lady over the counter about how I can get the book. She said it was all pre-ordered. I guess the recent seizure at a bookstore in KL is putting this book as a possible book to be banned from the public reading. I continued until Carol and the boys came over. We were about to catch Pirates at 1130 am. Guess  the lady saw how eager I was flipping the pages of the book. She then offered a copy for me and I immediately bought the book. 8 hours later, I finished the book.

Nothing new except one thing - the writer seriously felt that the entire blame game was actually a power seizure of many powerful leaders back then and toppling down our Prime Minister. v

If this book was published 10 years earlier, I don't even think that the book will hit the bookstores. Since many of the legacies and people involved are now retired out of politics, I believe it was ripe to have this book out.

Seriously, opening up old wounds won't help but if the old wounds can point us to the truth, we as Malaysians should be matured enough to accept it. 50 years of independence and I believe we as Malaysians should be more matured to evaluate what is right or otherwise. Have a great weekend. I finished the book in less than an hour.

Jefferson and Cornelius got this via their email....a surprising email that both boys were asking me to check for them whether it has arrived into their mail boxes. Gone are the days contests were entered via the snail mail and winners were informed via the same method. Well, at least both boys got 2 tickets each and we will be on our way to watch Shrek 3. I believe it's going to be a good movie. We are watching POTC 3 today and of course, their holidays will be filled with summer movies.

This is the sample of the email that came in...

Dear Jefferson Chew Jian Shen

Congratulations, you have won yourself 2 tickets to Shrek 3!All you have to do to collect your tickets is the following:
1. Double click on the attachment to open it
2. Print out the attached redemption letter
3. Bring the redemption letter to the McDonald's restaurant stated on the redemption letter, and collect your Shrek 3 movie tickets
If you have any questions, or problems with the attachment, please reply to this e-mail address: McDSHREK3@my.mcd.com

Fun eh? Or should I say fu-yoh man!

The blond boy...Mr. Posh ...Mr Beckham has been recalled back to the English team. I was bloddy heart broken when England bowed out of the last World Cup. Painful as it seems...i think the current team is still struggling to make things happen in a country where soccer was born there.

Maybe it's time for England to settle some scores with Brazil in the next coming match. Good luck England. I know at least Beck is finally back...maybe for a shortwhile. My prediction : England 1 Brazil 0

Not a big fan of Man U but the latest cancellation of their trip has made Malaysia and its FAM (Football Association) look like ..ahem...bad...(better word to use).

I have a suggestion. Get AirAsia to fly them in specially to celebrate our 50th Anniversary....really...how nice if all Malaysians start writing to AirAsia and a special flight can be arranged to ferry the entire Man U team into KL after the dreaded AFC Asian Cup tournament. A food for thought...maybe :) Have a great weekend!

Not many things can get me excited other than the memories of my lovely childhood. Yes for a start, I am going to leave the Malaysian politics aside and talk more of my fond memories when I was growing up in this little island of Penang. Back then, most of the entertainment that I grew up with was a black and white TV till when it was 1981 - Malaysia finally started transmitting color programs via its Rtm1, 2. Back then 2 channels and I was excited to see my first program in color - CHiPs (two police officers on a bike - some of the reasons why I have always wanted to study in the US).

Anyway, one of the most exciting moments back then for me was this cartoon character TINTIN...Does anyone  remember him? 

I caught today's STAR and my goodness, the character is about 100 years old. I grew up going to United Bookstore in town to grab as many copies as possible and truly I had this strong liking for Tintin, Snowy, Captain Haddock and the Thomson Twins...and not forgetting Prof. Calculus. Endless hours of reading pages after pages and never got tired of them.

My old time favorite FLIGHT 714. Gosh...and now I hear Spielberg and Peter Jackson will be doing a movie on the Tintin triology....I am so darn excited. Guess what - IT IS GOING TO BE A LIVE ACTION TRIOLOGY!

Anyway, to the late Hergé, Happy belated birthday. 100 years of comic book character and today - it's gonna be live on the movie screen!

SHAME SHAME SHAME ON YOU - MP FOR JASIN AND KINABATANGAN! Have a good weekend. So what if you apologized? It shows the true colors of a sexist person and lack of respect towards women, mothers and sisters.

Gosh! Our own legislative body - facing roof leakages. 2 years ago, a major renovation was done on the Parliment of Malaysia. Yes people, the prime, supremo Parliment house. I have been there many times and today, sadly, we are being told that the newly renovated Parliment has to be repaired due to serious leakages...

One question I have lingering in my mind:

1. WHO APPROVED THE CONTRACTORS WHO DID THE JOB?

I just paid my tax and of course every month, deduction is made. I am crying blood..

Sigh....sigh..sigh....

My favorite restaurant has raised prices even....seriously, I think Malaysians' purchasing power will continue to drop. Retailers are struggling to keep up with escalating cost and the only way to obtain profits is to pass on the cost to the prices of items we buy.

One good example is from thisarticlee from a dear friend of mine, Mr. SS Quah. I am sure that all of us know where this nasi kandar joint is located. Kayu Nasi Kandar is synonimous with the identity of the Penang island....

Seeeshhh.....there goes another restaurant off the list from my favorite makan joint.

Lets sing along as we continue to see more increases....If you remember this song "Mari Mengundi", lets sing to the lyrics below :

Marilah mari

Balik ke rumah,

Jangan habiskan wang ada

Dengan peniaga yang tamak!

Translation

Lets all go home

And not eat out

especially the greedy one!

She is growing up fast. The boys at home are truly enjoying her company. I know it's fun to have a pet and I am sure that Elly has made some positive impact in our lives, especially mine.

I caught up with a dear friend today and he told me that pets are the best companion to help one soothe their fears and sadness. We love Elly very much and the boys are spending lots of the after studies hour to play with her.

I know it's strange to specially place a segment on her but she deserves it. As I write, she has been running around the bed and now watching me curiously while I type the blog. She is stretching herself and I mean really stretched across.

Oh oh...she is coming over now...looking and smelling my notebook. Oh well, she started pawing my fingers while I typed away this segment. It's 1045 pm right now...a bit late as usual but never too late to blog something special.

 Before...... 

Now....

Looks really different isn't she? Jefferson is smiling from ear to ear; Cornelius is chuckling away everyday; Carol is so smily nowadays. Who says I am not happy? I will prove them wrong a 1000 times !

I am not sure if you well aware of what you buy each day. Or did you ever check the prices that you pay each time you have lunch at a coffee shop? Do you think that the country is on the verge of facing an impending inflation since the govt has announced plans to raise salaries for the public servants?

My guess it as good as mine. You don't have to have an economics degree to see this. Once inflation is on the rise, interest rates will be risen to curb. Could we be seeing a double wammy of rising interest rates and slowdown of business growth? Whatever happens to the 1 trillion ringgit growth in this country?

The next few postings will be dedicated to simple and yet conclusive information that our country is indeed facing a double wammy situation. However, all is not lost as our Central Bank will be doing all it can to curb the rise of interest rates as well as spur growth. Trust me, if we pull this off, someone will be known as the Alan Greenspan of Malaysia !

Take care

Hitting the teaters in 2008, I can only imagine what great movie this is going to be. A finale fitting for Rambo's fan.

Stallone is really taking his characters to the limit. Rocky Balboa was a great movie with many sentimental themes in the show. I watched it twice and truly have to admit the show has a fitting end to things. As for John Rambo (formerly known as Rambo IV), I believe the character could be taking a backseat but forced to "kickass"....well...lets wait till 2008. Believe Stallone will take the character to the max by making this movie a blockbuster. Something he truly wished for a very long time now...

Rambo's fans - get ready to rumble!

Very low key but with lots of smiles. Day started off with breakfast and a trip to the local wet market at Fettes Park to buy pork chops. Onwards to Tesco for further vegetables and other stuff. It's our turn to show our appreciation today. Decided to cook pork chop with garlic & mushroom sauce. Got this recipe from Carol's book and I took up the challenge to cook something simple but meaningful. After all, Carol has a full-time job 24X7. The food before chowing started. Jefferson was the Asst Chef and Carol was the moderator and yours truly was the Chef in Charge. Also served was a big bowl of salad and a huge serving of mashed potatoes. Truly filling and delicious. We had chocolate cheese cake for dessert....yummmmeee...

We decided to save $$ and cook great food at home and the kids gave it 3 out 4 stars. Carol said it was great but she was doing 60% of the cooking (cutting of ingredients , etc). At least for the first time, something of a good western style cooking to share a happy occassion.

Too all mothers, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY. I truly enjoyed my day of cooking for the family. Truly enjoyable.

Happy birthday dear son! We love you very much and many happy returns of the day. I know we will have many birthdays to celebrate together but this year is especially special - 8 years old. Jefferson has always been a great fan of Spiderman and Ultraman. We love you very much and we look forward to many happy moments with you in the future. We all love you very much.