Panda passed away peacefully a week ago. It has never been the same since then but we are getting over it.

Pets are the most wonderful thing in one's life. Learn to cherish and care for them. They show the goodness in you if you shower them with lots of love. In this case, Panda has been a shining star in our lives.

Panda - Sleep well my friend..like you always do.

Proton recently launched its latest 1.6 Sedan Model "Persona". Guess branding is critical even much so now because the company is facing an uphill battle of turning around its P&L. Nevertheless, it has been awhile since Proton launched its latest model. Latest is that Persona model is selling like hotcakes. Nevertheless, I sense an urgency of getting the latest model out? Why - see the name Persona? It's a "L" taken away from the word "Personal" - can't they think of some better name like Latio, Mac....

Well, again my point is this - they were indeed "rushing". With the impending visit from VW CEO to talk to Proton, they need a poster car. A car that actually sells.

Now - take a look at this banner at a Proton showroom along Northam Road that I managed to catch while on the way to work. Is that the way to spell Sedan? I guess the marketing team was working fast and furious to get the banners out and someone screwed up. Guess no one spoke about the mistake cos nobody actually noticed the mistake. There was a preview of the car with a box encased with holes for visitors to take a peek of the car a week before it was launched.

Seriously, I wish Proton all the best. My first very car was a Proton Wira. One of the best in its class during that time but it went downhill when I got Proton Waja. Heavy clunky and fuel gushler by nature, it signalled a downturn of their business.

Take a look at the bunting - The New Sedan or The New Seden? I really can't make out of it.

Have a great weekend ya?

I was "told" by someone close that I should not reveal too much about myself. I know talking about my family and sharing my "liberal views" may get me in "trouble" or be labelled as a "monkey". Seriously, I will take the advice seriously but throwing in this salvo.

Why should I fly Royal Brunei Airlines? Simple - they are a compassionate lot and always believe in strong CSR. But, guess what! Their CSR (corporate social responsibilities) span across the beautiful land of ours, Malaysia to a little town known as Taiping. Peter Tan wrote a simple article about why money is no longer available for supporting the cause of a few disabled athletes whilst buying a set of screwdrivers cost Rm224. Multiply that set of screwdrivers with at least 10,000 units. I think this will cost Rm2.4 Million (did I get my maths right?)

To those who treasure the rights to speak. Blogging is a form of expression. Sure - some of you who knows me very well know damm well that I have done some not so good things before. I guess sometimes you need some knock in the head. I guess my knock came in March and I lived to regret it for the rest of my life. Now - that is the past. I know that I will speak with facts. I will speak without fear or favor. I know I don't have any influence other than penning a few words that I have in mind. Nevertheless, I will have to put my foot down here!

My government - I am surprised that you even forget your own rakyat. While our players bring back honor to Malaysia, why can't the less fortunate be given the same opportunity? Is it because they are handicapped or showI say this "physically challenged?"

I am going to find out how I can help. I am going to donate 50pct of my earnings once I move the blog out of Spaces.com to reap the benefits of earning click throughs revenue. I know many of you think I am an amateur. Guess what ..... I will be a surprise for 2008. That is my promise.

So back to "local sponsors". So sad to the point that the physically handicapped atheletes will now have to rent their batik from Terengganu. Why can't some Dato do their part man! Or are they "building their war chest" to help some local state government win all seats at all cost possible! HA! TO YOU SLIMLESS BACKLESS POLITICIANS. SHAME ON YOU AND BE SURE THAT YOU HOLD YOUR HEADS HIGH IN THE NEXT ELECTION. WE WILL BE MAKING SURE YOU ANSWER TO ALL YOUR WRONG DOINGS, WHETHER YOU ARE THE OPPOSITION OR GOVERNMENT.

For now, lets start a rainbow coalition....lets get some money for the folks in Taiping. They will represent Malaysia and they need your help. SO lets get busy man!

(Pic-Always the fortunate one - sleeping in between pillows of a king sized bed - A true King of the house)

I met Panda 13 years ago. Yes - the sweet little kitten that was with my darling Carol. It has been 13 years now since we last met and he has never bitten me or attacked me in any way. However, there were times I believe he was "jealous" of me cos I spend a lot of time with Carol. That was then and I truly enjoyed his presence around us.

13 years later, regretfully, Panda passed away peacefully this morning. He has been in and out the house and we did sense that he was not that okay anymore. He returned this morning, had a little portion of his catfood and water and waited for us to show up. Being a Saturday morning, we had to send Jefferson for his usual Tae Kwan Do class and Cornelius' tuition. (Pic- when Panda first came to our homw - saved him from drowning in a drain)

Guess the wait became too long for him and he decided to sleep. I guess his sleep was peaceful and we found him under Papa's car. I was a little horrified and sad and Carol burst into tears when I said " He is gone." A sense of sadness and grief gripped both of us. We felt the final thing we can do for him is to have him cremated. We called the SPCA and surprisingly, they are ever willing to help. 

The final journey for Panda was a colorful one. He had the best of care and love from all of us. Young and old, we loved him very much. We broke the news to Jefferson and he started to cry. I guess crying is the normal response from an 8 year old boy but Panda has made an impact on everyone's lives including mine. Rainbow is something he will see now. Admist all his pain, it's now all gone. He has found peace and tranquility. I know he is now playing his big brother, Maxcy and Kopi. We love him very much...(see picture by Carol  - Panda is always in between the 2 big brothers - picture tells how close they were as cats)

I guess grief and sadness is temporial. Only memories remain forever. I am happy he has finally found peace.

We will dearly miss you, Panda...always.

 From left to right: Maxcy, Panda and Kopi having dinner in the living room.See how close they were...always the youngest in between the 2 big brothers. 1 chubby tail, 1 long and pointed tail, 1 bundled up tail :)

P.S. I am not going to write anymore on demises. It's too painful and brings out too much emotions in me. i have to apologize if you feel sad after reading this. At least, this is my best outlet for me to pour out my grief in this so-called cyberworld. Take care ya!

Yes - the rain finally stopped. After days of heavy pouring day and night, the rain finally stopped. Promised the boys that I would take them to parade in their traditional lanterns, I seized the opportunity to do so. I guess it was fun to see them talk and laugh all around the apartment block. Jefferson had a dragon shaped lantern while Cornelius had a gold

fish.

Carol joined us later after watching her favorite program - America's Next Top Model - Season 8. Well, she joined us later. The rain didn't come but at least we enjoyed it very much. Felt like old days again....I remembered the old days when I got to choose the type of lanterns. Guess kids today don't want the traditional ones anymore - the ones with candles and normal wire shaped animals of plants. The lanterns were bought by Grandma and Grandpa who are actually staying in the US right now. They told us to do so via Skype.

Enjoy the photos ya?

Sometimes , the best news come in bits and pieces. I must admit that one of the most controversial news so far was Selayang's decision to organize a contest to win up to Rm15,000 for bringing in dogs alive. These dogs are considered strays and I believe animal rights lovers. I am sure many of you would agree that there are things that we as humans should really care for: nature and animals that inhabit this earth.

Somehow, with much hoo-hah....Selayang City Council decided to do away with the contest. But animal rights protesters were verbally abused during the proceedings on Friday.

Well, to add to how people view animals in the West, please read this article. It is so touching that I wish the folks who stood up against Selayang City Council should continue to work their way into the system so that more and more authorities will understand about being humane to animals. This is also another heartfelt article to share.

Shame on you Selayang Municipality! May this day be a reminder to all of those concerned that we are animal lovers. We don't need "cruel" techniques to be deployed to reduce strays. Just because it's a dog, it has to be this way? Come on!

Guess my mind is racing with events that happened today. First I got a strange but wonderful SMS from afar. I guess sometimes I believe in angels and I guess it is always there to guide me whenever I ask for guidance. Next, I got an email from a fellow colleague praising my work although I have been in my new place for the past 2 weeks. I have started to take praises as it's and not too seriously. After all, it has to do alot with how one sees the world. Next, I was inspired to write an article / blog on Osama Bin Laden. After much thought, I rather stay away from this subject matter since the topic I will be writing on focuses on how Osama has started the new meaning of branding - building a brand without even paying for it - well..at least he is hiding like a rat somewhere in Pakistan or somewhere. ...

Finally, I was thinking of the fast pace nite I had tonite. Running from one place to another as I was caught in a dreaded jam along the bloody coastal highway leading up to the bridge. I guess the bridge was jammed up for some perculiar reasons and folks heading downtown had to use this highway. The bottleneck started and it took me 64 mins to reach home.

Finally, I heard Led Zeppelin is going to be doing a reunion concert in November. So Led Zeppelin's fan - stay in focus ya ... your favorite group is playing game for 1 night only. Imagine, CNN is doing a segment on them. Lucky devils!

Anyway, take care..feeling sleepy now..goodnite.

Sometimes , it's great to know that an academic achievement is key in measuring success of a student. My 2 sons just got back their report card and it's really amazing how both of them studied so very hard  to get good results. Sometimes, I wish the academic system does not stress too much about exams but more on the success of students understanding the world around them. After all, when they grow bigger, they will know that academic achievement is a definite measurement on what they will receive - a job, a good placement at universities, etc.

For now, I am happy that both boys did well. Guess, it's always important to stress that. Jefferson got 2nd in the class whilst Cornelius got 35th. I am equally proud of both of them. Nevertheless, more work is needed to get Cornelius into a better bracket.

Take care  - kinda busy today preparing a speech for my GM. Thanks.

Guess what! During my management council meeting, I bumped into these 2 black cats. Noisy as ever, they seemed to be very bold to even venture into the elevator doors. I guess it's quite simply because our neighbours from hell actually fed these 2 black cats  and now they are getting more bold. I think they were planning to head up via the elevator to the first floor.

Strange how quickly cats adapt to their environment!

While watching "Apollo 13", I really can't help noticing Ellie's progress. After all, she has become a part of the family and her arrival couldn't have arrive earlier. I am sure many of you pet lovers will understand the fact that when a pet grows bigger and older, their characteristics remain the same. For Ellie, she has added so much laughter and smiles in the family. I guess it'll be nice to put a picture tribute for her. Enjoy your years with us, dear Ellie. :) We love you very much and thank you.