Wrap Up: February '12

It's that time of the month again, where I'm sitting here, wondering how have I spent yet another month of my life!

I'm happy to say that I'm happy with how I fared in February. :)
Let's see, there were a lot of catch-ups - going back to high school, reunions, badminton sessions, etc. Friends you only see once a year, I'm happy to make time for. Not to mention my best friend came back from Germany! Happiness. What with the usual hanging out, Ramly burger, we even went to Klang with another best friend. Good times, good times. It's unlike any other experience you can buy, to be honest. And traveling all the way from Melaka to Subang with Nadeje's cake for a friend who's leaving for NZ :)

Also, this month, I got to witness the Wangkang Procession, a grand procession that's supposed to get rid of evil spirits in Melaka Town, not to mention the towering firecracker that came with it and too many fireworks.

Next, I entered Nuffnang's contest for a shot at LG Optimus 3D! Check it out - http://oceanshalf.blogspot.com/2012/02/what-would-my-3d-world-be-with-lg.html

February is also known as the month of love. Still no luck in the romantic department, but I'm very grateful that the friendship department is overflowing with it :)

With the urgency of uni starting soon, I rediscovered the joys of morning and evening walks in a nearby park which inspired the last 2 posts - The Monitor Lizard and The Lotus Flower Part I and Part II.

Also, I'm committing 8 weeks to BGF's Effective Speaker's Course. The honeymoon phase is also officially over with the start of Uni.

Last but not least, we lost a dear voice unlike any other - Whitney Houston. May you rest in peace and find solace wherever you are.

Well, I'd say it was one heck of a month! How was yours?

P.S. It's a leap yearrrr! One in every four years or so (not so simple calculations actually). One extra day to let me draft out this wrap up :)

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The Monitor Lizard and The Lotus Flower Part II

Alright, here's the promised posts. The picture version of my words in Part I. I was very lucky as the weather worked towards my favour - rain in the afternoon and bright sunlight during the evening. So, enjoy! :)

Note: I used my D40 this time since YL Tan has something against my camera phone :D

Rain made this shot possible :)

They were probably pointing at the flower or the guy behind that big-ass DSLR in a jogging park!

There's this pink caterpillar sort of thing at random stalks. Wonder what is it?

See how rain makes this shot glitter? 

Wanted to get the flower to silhouette  the sunlight, but it was quite a tricky terrain.

Overview of the Lotus Pond

Shy.

Triple Bloom

 And here comes our slithery friend. Lots of effort came into getting the perfect lizard, the perfect angle, the perfect proximity, the perfect NatGeo shot :) *drum roll please*

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Have a good leap year day :)

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The Monitor Lizard and The Lotus Flower

Today evening, I took a jog cum walk in the nearby park to sweat it out and clear my head of sorts. That wasn't anything unusual until I chanced upon an uncommon route which I took on the spur. It sorts of opened up my eyes as I was walking along the dirt path towards a lake.

And in the moss-covered lake, guess what I stumbled upon? A big-ass monitor lizard. And another and another and another. Easily 4 to 5 in the lake which I pass almost all the time and yet failed to SEE. It's quite amusing to watch them watch me :)

And watching all the other park users oblivious to these creatures swimming in the middle of the lake! Can you imagine the amount of things we not see as life passes us by? If we'd only take a moment to savour sweet serendipity in out lives - it would be so much more colourful and it's easier to appreciate what we have just by observing life.

After sitting for quite some time, I got up and walked towards another lake pond filled to the brim with lotus flowers. It's not always blooming and I can personally testify to this. For just a week ago, I passed by the same place and it was in full bloom. Picture perfect! I only stopped for a brief moment thinking I could always come back any time.

How wrong I was. Today, there were 50% less flowers, but as I observed with "wider eyes", I saw a healthy ecosystem in the pond. There were fishes at the surface! Mind you, they are not guppies, but fishes half a foot long.

As I amused myself with my own thoughts, I caught a familiar face - my uncle! How splendid we should meet at this one place where both of us stopped at the same time! Serendipity is quickly becoming my favourite word here! :)

Anyhow, what I wanted to say is that there's so much beauty, so much peace, tranquility, life lessons around us if we'd only stop and savour the moment. Thus goes the story of the monitor lizard and the lotus flower. :D

"Life passes most people by while they're making grand plans for it."

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Butterfly

My current lock screen wallpaper.

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Quote #9

“If you fall in love with two people at the same time, choose the second one, because if you really loved the first one, you wouldn’t have fallen for the second.”
—     Johnny Depp

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Review: Safe House

Was actually planning to catch Chronicle, but all the good seats were taken up already. This was the next best thing and honestly, we had no clue whatsoever what it's about. Zero, zilch, nada.

And for like the first 15 minutes, we still didn't. Just as it started to look boring, the plot unravels and we got a better grasp why everyone's running around.

Overall, the movie is action-packed yet emotionally tangible (no idea what that means). However, we guessed correctly who's good and who's bad after 30 mins into the show. 

No regrets walking into this one though. It reminded me of The Unit. Heck, they even had a few actors from the The Unit in this movie.

And again, Denzel Washington rocks my socks off. Ryan Reynolds just couldn't quite pass as an undercover agent for me. Go watch if you're looking for some thriller, action-packed film. 

6/10

Picture from here.

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What Would My 3D World be with LG Optimus 3D?

Note: This is a post for Nuffnang's contest and these scenario takes place in the near future depending on 2 conditions - Android Market has them, and I win the LG Optimus 3D!!!  :D :D Ok, let's go!

This is how my world would be with LG Optimus 3D *jeng jeng jeng*:

6am:
My 3D Alarm Clock wakes me up. Instead of the boring swipe or stupid math questions, I get to wake up to a 3D rooster - kampung style! Kok kok kok kok!!











7am:
While having breakfast, LG Optimus 3D allows me to see the streets in 3D. Not only that, it even plans my journey to the office using real-time traffic data which translates to a GPS instruction.

8am:
Following LG Optimus 3D's navigation, I breeze through traffic to work in no time! In the office, I have to make a presentation to my boss. What better way than using LG Optimus 3D which drives across my selling point like no other media out there? Check out Sean's presentation in the promo video.

12pm:

Lunch Time! Hmmm, where to eat today? Same old mamak? I know! Let's ask LG Optimus 3D. With Wikitude's Augmented Reality, I now get to see POIs 100m from me. Maybe I'll go for pizza eh?

12.10pm:
Oh! I forgot I had to bank in a cheque. But how do I do that?! LG Optimus 3D to the rescue. With Youtube 3D, it's so easy to follow the step-by-step guide. Money in!



1pm:

I'm done with work! (flexi hours, hehe, Life's Good, eh?) Let's do some yoga! But being a male, I can be quite shy to enroll in a yoga school. How now brown cow? Now worries with the LG Optimus 3D. Just like Kay in the promo video, I get to master the standing bow post. Haiyak!

4pm:

Being an exercise freak, I decided to go for a jog. Recently Nuffnang said walking 10,000 steps a day can keep me healthy. But I keep losing count after 5, how? Let's make use of LG Optimus 3D Athlete Tracking App. Using its superb GPS tracking technology, I not only get to see the number of steps I take, but I also get to keep track of the route and how many calories I burn! Awesome!

5.30pm

Dinner with the boys! Wait! What are they eating?! That looks unhealthy... Hmmm, let's ask Optimus 3D by taking a picture of the food. Calorie Checker App lets me upload the 3D photo and by counter-checking with its database, give me an estimate of the number of calories I'm consuming. Genius, eh? 

7pm

Still early for bed, so let's catch a movie...In all its 3D glory of course! No heavy-break-your-nose 3D spectacle to say no to 3D this time!

9pm

Apparently, reading helps us relax before sleeping, so let's read a book! With the Read A Book App, digital reading never seemed more real. Flipping the 3D pages is easier done than said! hehe

10pm

After a wonderfully productive 3D day, it's time to go to bed. With my Bedtime Music Player, I get to listen to the music till the phone detects I have fallen asleep using it's accelerometer and gyroscope. Cool, eh? Just for the record, this app is not a fantasy of mine :)

So, yeap! That's my typical 3D world with LG Optimus 3D. I know it may sound a bit far-fetched at times, but really, give the Android Developers some time and I'm sure 3D apps will be the norm. But personally, I feel that this phone allows me to record my world, my life more accurately than ever! Think about it!

I have often times wanted to capture the magical feeling of the calmness of the sea breeze or the feeling of conquering a mountain. Video and audio can record my adventures but 3D lets me RELIVE my life!

Imagine you're about to propose to your girlfriend. Of course you would have cameras on standby. But they can only do so much! With the LG Optimus 3D, you and your girlfriend wife can rewatch it again and again and even your grandchildren can relive their grandparents' lovey-dovey days. I mean this is the once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing and you would of course want the best! Now, with the LG Optimus 3D, it has ceased to be a dream - it is THE reality.

All I want to say is that I'm excited!!! Not just because of this competition but for the 3D market as a whole. Who would have thought you can now carry an IMAX theater in your pocket as early as today? As LG's tagline says: Our life isn't 2D, why should our phone be? Promo video after the links.

Here's just a few links to get you started.
For LG's official website go here.
For thorough review go gsmarena.
For submitting your own contest entry, go here.



Photos taken from here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. FYI, I photoshoped the chicken myself :) So proud! Kok kok kok kok!

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What's Up Pulau Melaka?

I took quite a spontaneous journey to Pulau Melaka this morning since my exercise plan got derailed. And I'm happy to report back these beautiful pictures, all taken from my phone camera. Most of them have effects to enhance the pictures. Trust me, you don't wanna see the colour of the sea. Here goes:

The view from the bridge

There's a boat in the distance. Unable to zoom :(

Masjid Selat Melaka aka The Floating Mosque

D Tower. Long story :)

Mangrove Swamp during high tide. Amazing plants.

The latest attraction in Malacca - Wildlife Theatre!

Doesn't look very big from the outside. If I'm not mistaken there are only 2 shows - 3pm and 7.30pm

Supposed to see the price - RM20 for adults, RM15 for senior citizens and children

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The Window Seat

For some unknown reason, I felt very attracted to this chair by the window and somehow it seems like I've always wanted to shoot something like this. So, when I saw this in Fraser's Hill, even though it was right outside the toilet, I took many photos of it although some may give me the what's-the-weirdo-doing look. Maybe because it's very English in its settings, with a high window, green scenery, perfect lighting giving it a serene yet mysterious atmosphere. It could have very well been a chair to unwind, sort out my thoughts and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter's day, maybe reading my favourite book or even writing one. Imagination gone wild! :)

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Curing Cancer the Natural Way

LATEST CANCER INFORMATION

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY …

[Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins ]

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.

3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs. 

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.


11. An effective way to battle cancer is to STARVE the cancer cells by not feeding it with foods it needs to multiple.

What cancer cells feed on: 

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Note: Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.


b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells will starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes t o nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells.

To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water--best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines will become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.


13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor.

Anger, unforgiving and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.


(PLEASE SHARE IT TO PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT)

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Eat To Live

Not live to eat; and so the quote goes. I can't say I'm at one of the extremes (looking down at my spare tyre), btu I'm definitely changing my eating habits since IDC 34. Eating less, and eating slower. This brings me to my new favourite restaurant - Bei Zhan. 

If you're familiar with Chinese meals, they usually come serving after serving and there will be like 8 to 9 courses. Each course serves everyone on the table to the brim. You can only imagine what happens to your tummy after 9 courses.

Back to the topic. Bei Zhan is different in the sense that they don't overfeed you like turkeys for Thanksgiving. Instead their portion are quite small, but just enough that everyone gets a taste. Take a look:

The first time I went, I was quite shocked as I was worried there wouldn't be enough food for everyone. But this is the second time I dined there and both occasions turned out to be just right. Plates were sparkling clean and tummies were filled just right. Not to mention also, in an effort to eat more healthily, we had more greeeeeeens >>>

There was also a very unique dish with mangoes, grapes, macadamia nuts, and a host of other "healthy foods" seen in the middle of the first picture.

 Anyhow, I'm not here to promote Bei Zhan, but just to encourage myself and people out there not to overfeed yourselves this CNY/year/ever, instead eat to live. Happy Li Chun everyone!

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Prosperity Burger

McDonald's Malaysia have this annual Prosperity Burger promotion around the New Year period. It's not that I like McDonald's so much that I try every new burger on their menu, but their advertisements just leave you wanting a bite! Damn!

And so it happens every year, I'll have this Prosperity Burger. The thing here is, I have absolutely why the burger has to be soooooooo spicy!! I think it's one of the spiciest thing I've eaten. The black pepper just leaves a gaping hole in your esophagus long after you're done with the burger.

Maybe someone told McDonald's that prosperity must be HOT! At any rate, take this burger at your own risk! Don't say I didn't warn you.

Picture from here.

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