Ants attack!!

"Also a big thank you to all bloggers and recipe contributors that made the event a success and everyone for the continuous support on this project"

- an excerpt from 'My Recipe Book'.

It was indeed a noble project by a group of bloggers and individuals - initiated by an idea that came out of nowhere. CQ could not have done that alone and was extremely elated to be part of this awesome project to support charity.

But sadly, some PEOPLE took the whole thing into their self-interest acts. Yes, CQ have read some tasteless comments made about the end product of the recipe book project on a blog. What or how would that fellow or fellows want to be thanked - for their contributions? Do these contributors want a red carpet 'Thank You' or do they have other agendas up their sleeves?

Ahhhh ... Yes! CQ believed he/she or they are dissatisfied contributors. Wanting bigger portions of the cake! It was a kind gesture that the recipe book project committee had invited all bloggers and non-bloggers to participate or contribute any of their favorite recipes to be shared, made into a book, sell to the public and ALL sale proceeds will be donated to the Brunei Special Olympics Team!

But unfortunately there are few aNts trying to squeeze their way up to the front upper seats of the cinema ...without even reliasing that they are stampede-ing on themselves!! Wake up! Look at yourselves in the mirror before writing those tasteless comments.

For those who have not purchase the recipe book, you may buy them at Shop @ Sarah in Q-lap, while stocks last. It costs only B$10.00 - do buy in the name of charity.

A walk to remember

Have you ever taken a walk down memory lane of your childhood history? While sipping a cup of hot tea or espresso, have you wonder how you survived your childhood.

If you were a kid in the 50's, 60's, 70's or even early 80's ..how did you survive your childhood?

Back in the sixties, when we were growing up, we never wore seatbelts in the car. As cars in those time did not have any airbags. So ..can you imagine if unwanted incidents had happened?

In those sixties and seventies, riding on the back of a pick up truck was very common and an adventure to most children that we still remember it! Now, you hardly see children ...only adults who are usually constrution workers or as means of transporting goods.

When we were babies, we put in our cribs that were painted with bright colors (paint which was full of lead) and parents of the yester-years were not so paranoid as compared to today's parents (now sudah pandai) who are blessed with guide books on how to care for babies.

There were no childproof medicine bottles nor did our parents ever childproof our house. No bar or grill gates or bars or any prtective gears in the kitchen to ensure the safety of young children in those years. If you fall down the stairs or knocked your head, you will be picked up and hushed away to stop crying. Today, kids will be 'blackmailed' with gifts to stop the never-ending cries ...huhu

It was never a must to wear a helmet when we rode our bikes around the neighbourhood areas. Today's parents will insist you wear your helmet or you will be screamed at.

Growing up in the past means we got to be as mischievious as kids ...we would drink water from the faucet or from a hose in the backyard (not bottled water) or even from the well which was quite a common sight in kampong areas.

Cell phones were not available yet, so our parents were never able to reach us - awesome isn't it? =)

We would get scrapes, bruises on hands and legs, break bones, lose teeth, but we would never sue for these accidents. In today's world, when accidents do happen, either foul language will on air or you will get an invitation to visit Court-room.

We would eat cakes, bread and butter, drink sinfully sugary drinks yet we were not overweight because we were always outside playing that burn away calories and breakdown body fats. But today's generation ...errr CQ will leave to you readers to make the judgment =)

A group of four friends would share a drink and we would all drink from the same bottle; but that was not gross nor would anyone get sick. Today, one would be so paranoid to share from the same bottle of drink.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo 64, X-boxes, video games, cable TV with over 100 channels, VCR's, surround sound, cellular phones, computers, online chatrooms - instead we would have tons of FRIENDS. Today, toddlers are more advance ...they are well-versed with remote controls as their first toys.

Some of us were not as bright as others but when one would get left back that was no big deal. They would not get taken to a psychologist nor did they ever suffer from dyslexia, hyperactivity, ADHD, ADD ..etc yet they would simply repeat the grade until they passed. Today, many of these services centres are mushrooming worldwide.

We had freedom, mishaps, successes, responsibilities and we would learn to deal with them.

The question is ~ how did we survive? And above all, to become the Great people that we are today. Are you from one of these generations? Walking down your memory lane is a time era to remember ...

Would YOU ..

..sell one vital organ for a sum of almost $45K or maybe more, if you can negotiate well? Easy money to get in order to lead a comfortable life for some people, especially the poorest among all in the third world countries or even in few developing countries.

CQ had read an article, just days ago about a man who had sold 7.5 cm of his liver and got richer by S$44,600! And he thought he had sold his heart!! Yoohoooo man...if you really did sell part of your heart, you will be purged from the earth!

So! Why did some people sell their organs?? CQ knew that selling of organs is illegal in most countries. Yet, many desperados buyers and sellers are willing to go through any illegal transplant operations and that will definitely put innocent lives in gross danger.

There are a few cases where they would go to great lengths or even lie in regards to their relationship status so as to get approval for the legal transplant operations. CQ understands that you can donate your organs within immediate families or relatives? ...hmmm still there are few procedures that one has to go through ..like tests for blood type, compatibility and others.

Imagine this scenario ...an illegal liver transplant operation is being carried out in a filthy and unhygenic operating table.. in a dimmed light room ...then cutting the body parts is like carving a watermelon into an artful display! alamak! writing this imaginary scenario is making CQ puked lah! So you people imagine sendiri eh ...

CQ read that usually poor village people are being forced or duped into selling their healthy vital organs - like kidneys, liver and so on.

CQ wonders if these desperate people have ever consider what will happen after they have parted with one kidney or a % of their liver?? Will they remain as active as before the operations? Will there be any side effects??

CQ rests her case...it's too sensitive and complicated matter to think.

found in the Amazon Basin ..

A rare uncontacted Amazon tribe had been discovered recently. The tribal group is indeed one of world's many last survival tribes that is on the verge of being made extinct.

And we thought we are the last civilisation on Earth! Click here for more pictures and stories.

Can we have more libraries?

There are not enough libraries in the country. CQ learnt that the only public library available in the Brunei-Muara District is the Dewan Perpustakaan located in the capital. CQ is not too sure about the existence of any library in the other three districts but somehow, CQ was told there is one newly opened in the Belait District...?? hmmm

CQ believed that as the country’s population is growing and more housing areas are being built, there is a need for at least a library in each ‘kampong’ (village) or ‘mukim’ (town). Building a library should be in collaboration with the town’s planning council.

We can see that shop-houses and other businesses are mushrooming around housing and strategic areas, so why not build a library too?

What is a library? It is a public facility. It is a place, room, building or institution where a collection of books, journals, manuscripts, reading materials, newspaper, permitted magazines, records, tapes or anything that are valuable for research purposes or leisure reading. In the modern and up-to-date libraries, one can find collection of software or things for use on a computer – for instance programs or diskettes- and also other range of facilities such as access to electronic databases and audio-visual.

School libraries are meant for students use only. What about those people who are living far away from Dewan Perpustakaan? What about those people who enjoys reading or would like to do their research but are living miles away from that one library??

A library can provide several interesting activities and play an important role in cultivating the passion to read. It can be a place for students to do group study after school hours; research; have events like launching new books by writers, reading/writing essays campaigns, story-telling or spelling-bee contests – at mukim/town/area-level or even district-level; even housewives who love to read can spend their leisure time in the library near their housing areas.

Besides all the above-mentioned, a library can also encourage youths to instill good reading habits, create a bookworm community and improve on the development of their vocabulary or maybe school drop-outs will even be tempted to continue their studies by going for night classes and make use of libraries as their research or resources centre.

Of course the standard rules and regulations of a library will apply to any possible new libraries to be built in housing areas, so as not to allow any unwanted hang-outs or lepak-ing on the premises.

CQ hope there will be more libraries …say in the next three years?? hmmm CQ can’t wait to spend time browsing through library books :)

Playground

Growing up as children must be one of the best moments in our life time. Able to laugh, dirty yourself, have playful fights, care-free attitude and many gusto activities that you will not be able to do when you grow up ...yeah right !!

Nowadays, there are adults who behave worst than children. Street fights, dressed shabbily or gung-grang ..huh?? what's that? CQ also do not know :) ...being arrogant, ignorant and many more lahh...

Anyway, that is not what CQ wants to berkurapak (talk) about...

CQ saw this playground at the Gaint superstore. Conveniently set-up in the middle of the building that partitioned the supermarket and the other side which has some small-size shops and the makan area - errr is it correct my architectural map reading?? hehehe

Its vibrant and loud colours will definitely attract children of all ages. Some parents will leave their smaller children at the playground with their elder ones while doing their shopping at the supermarket. How convenient yeahh ...

Hmmm CQ was wondering ...what about those elderly people who prefer to wait around, rather than following their adult children doing long-hours shopping at the huge supermarket? Where would they wait? At the makan area? hmmm ...

Why not make a corner - (strictly for senior citizen only) - where there are benches or swings - like the ones in the famous Malay hit movie 'Bawang Merah Bawang Puteh' ...for them to relax and enjoy. Maybe we could hear them sing ..'buai laju-laju ..' or berkunyayang (endless talk) among them ..'eh liau, tulak bahhh ..' or with their antic gigiran-ness like 'oh nini kou melatup' and others that you can imagine the worst of all ..hahaha

It would bring back nostalgic memories for elderly couples by having a ball of their time waiting hehehe ...CQ's wild imagination huh? hahaha

Well, if CQ reach that old age ..insyaAllah! CQ will play the swing huhu ..'buai abang buai laju-laju ..' lols - CQ even hope that CQ still has full set of teeth to smile graciously :)

Creative people

It is so amazing and fascinating to know there are many unsung, you-never-notice and unseen yet creative people with creative minds.

Making new 'inventions' or 'innovations' that is beyond your imagination can be quite challenging and hilarious at times.

Somehow, these innocent people must have 'lost' the crucial and critical VOTES to qualify for any competitions (if there is any) for the categories they have chosen :D but they got to 'showcase' their hardwork on CQ's blog ..lols

The walking-radio aka walkman - errr all that you need are one almost-knock-out car battery, one Komunis-find radio and a car-recharger-wire that has a plug-in to plug into the radio ...taa daaahhh :) Not too sure if you can get any frequency hihihi ..

The water-heater system - wooohh an out-of-your-mind invention hehehe ..I think I will use the cold water from the old well or 'kampung tempayan' rather than risking myself for an unwanted electrocution :D

The twice-a-day ambulance - very interesting and economical as you do not need any petrol or batteries; just a self-made open-air-carriage, a no-car-license driver and two soon-to-be-retired cows or bulls. Better than nothing ..huhu ..it will make stops at certain areas to feed the cows or bulls ..so need lots of patience :)

The tiny pick-up - this is only good for groceries deliveries ..lols

Cowrolla - inspired by the real giants from the Orient...a newly-merged-company between scrap-pickups and moo-moo-gang. The roads are comfy as compared to the open-air-no-tax vehicle of the century hehehe ..this one also makes stops to feed the moo-moo-gang :)

Don't you just love Africa? Full of unimaginable creativity and experiences...

Masked!

CQ can't help it but to zoommm-in on this masked figure a.k.a. as 'mine-sweeper' ...err cutting long grasses and weeds with his Jedi-sword-like-with-blades or whatever that thing is called.

Beware ..when you see these masked men sword-blading-trimming and cutting along the roads, especially on the middle road kerb ...isssshh it makes CQ's stomach screaming and squirming like worms...precious spine can go at a standstill and stiff-rock becoz if you are at the wrong time, your wrong day and at wrong queue ... that's it! small pebbles and rocks can do 'fly and attack' on your windscreen or car windows.

issssssshhhhhh ....

Autism Awareness

It was by chance that I read a blog on Anak Brunei, the personal journey of a boy named Raiyan - an Autistic child, written by his beloved pweshes mama.

The word 'pweshes' itself reminds me of a Kurdish word
'peshmerga' which means freedom fighters. Therefore, in my own thoughts, these Autistic children may or are 'fighting' in their different ways to be accepted or to be able to fit-in into our normal society.

Truthfully, I do not really know how to define or explain what Autism means or how to identify an individual who has Autism. But somehow, many years ago, my family and I encountered an incident with an Autistic child which made us aware about Autism.

Farid, the only son of the President of Smarter Brunei - Yang Mulia Hj Malai Abdullah, is a special child and is well-loved by his family. We knew Farid since he was a baby and have been updated what Autism is all about ..well in a way for us to understand a little bit of it. Somehow, we followed the journey of Hj Malai Abdullah's effort in educating the public about Autism.

Few years ago, during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Farid and his family came to my house for Hari Raya visiting. Farid would always stay in the car with his family's helper (nanny) while his family do visitings. Farid would not want to go into any houses. But that particular year (can't remember when) Farid made an unexpected entrance into my house - climbing three storeys high - while his family were having some festivities' dishes. Even his family was quite surprised.

Farid came in and walked around the house and finally settled in one of the living room sofas. His nanny offered him 'kueh-kueh raya' and he did eat ...but littered pieces by pieces on the floor. The nanny tried to picked them up but I reacted by letting him do what he's comfortable with ...so as not to 'annoy' him that will make him want to go home.

To have Farid visiting my house on that Hari Raya without being 'forced to' ..is really an honour ...in a way I see it as special. I understand that at times you have to patiently 'negotiate' with an Autistic child. I hope Farid will visit me again at this year's Aidilfitri or any other day.

Since April is Autism Awareness month, I would like to give my support by dedicating this post to Farid and Raiyan.

Ancient age

This is awesomely interesting. A devout Muslim, Mariam Amash is thought to be the world's oldest woman alive at 120 years old. She was discovered by chance when she applied for her new identity card.

A Bedouin descent, she lives in the predominantly Arab town of Jisr az-Zarqa in Northern Israel.

According to her records, she was born during the Turkish Ottoman Empire period..hmmm an era where many forms of media like radio and television are scarce. How did she ever manage to stay healthy at this ripe ancient age?

Mariam Amash is said to be an active lady who rises as early as 5am, walks a lot without aid and attributes her exceptional longetivity to eating rich diet of vegetables ...WOW! A pious Muslim lady, Mariam Amash made her last pilgrimage to the Holy land of Mekah in 1990, making a total of five trips in her life.

An extraordinary aged lady who must have seen and gone through a lot of history in her time ...and possibly she could be a 'walking encyclopedia'!

Well, in my seventeen years in Brunei, I have met and seen many old aged people. Some do age gracefully while others aged either too abruptly due to illness or stressfulness of life.

But nothing really amaze me than this unidentified old woman (above picture). I have seen her walking along highways and roads that I have passed by. In my thoughts, she could be some one's wife, mother, friend or sister or a grandmother. She could be about 70 - 80 years old or maybe more than that.

She never fails to carry a bigger-than-her-size basket on her frail shoulders. She also has a worn out handbag. Everyday she would dressed in different set of soon-to-be-discarded kain sarongs, faded blouses and wears a scarf on her head. Her feet are protected by an old pair of cheap flip-flops and on rainy days, she carries an umbrella.

Once I did bump into her in a shop near my area. She was buying a box of mosquito coils and two packets of Hacks sweets. Smiling at me meekly, I could see her ancient face is full of wrinkles and creased folds and her skin are obviously tanned-sun-dried yet she is quite bubbly when she speaks ...in her thick Bruneian accent. She did amuse me with her fuss-free spirits and attitude.

For an old woman of her age, she definitely has an extraordinary amount of energy and stamina to have her daily morning walks to wherever her destination brings her (only God knows where) with a load on her back that some of our young people of Today's world could not even carry!

I believe, just like Maraim Amash, this petite and strong-willed old lady must have lived on rich diet of vegetables or 'ulam-ulaman'. wowwww...so People! eat lots of vegetables and do daily exercises to maintain that you-look-young looks when you are old and stay healthy.

talur = egg

I have heard that some people, when they are mad or joke with their pals, they would throw words like "ehhh talur banar .." or "jangan jadi talur baahh.."

To my understanding that I have found out, when the word 'talur' is used, it means to describe your stupidty or what so-ever relates to that.

'Talur' is actually from the word 'telur' which in English means egg; but as most locals would pronounce words that have 'e' and switching to using 'a' ...so that's where 'talur' comes in :D

What puzzles me is that why 'talur' is used to describe one's stupidity? 'Talur' or egg is one of the most versatile ingredient in the food and cooking world. Eggs have the most excellent source of protein which is good. In the food time-line, eggs have also been the object of socio-religious symbolism and traditions.

Where or how does this stupidity thinging has a connection with eggs and be used to describe man's stupidity? It's unthinkable. Eggs vary in sizes. Does one's stupidity is measured by an egg's size ..such as quail's egg or an ostrich's egg?

You think lahh for yourself hihihi, I rest my case ...but don't taluring2 ahh ..huh???

Ponderisms

There are many things that we are unaware of the actual reasons to our actions or illogical behaviour or unnoticed incidents
...maybe we are unintentionally ignorant ..let's ponder on these :) ...faham tak? hihihi

• Can you cry under water?
• Why do you have to 'put your two cents in'.. but it's only a 'penny for your thoughts'? Where's that extra penny going to?
• Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
• How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
• Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up like every two hours?
• If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
• Why are you IN a movie, but you are ON TV?
• Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
• Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
• Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They are both dogs.
• If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
• If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
• Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune? Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
• Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
• Do you ever wonder why you accepted me as a friend in the first place? :D hiihihi
  
  

Helen Keller

Helen Keller, was one of the world's most admired woman in her time.

A deafblind American author, activist and lecturer, she had a memorable collection of quotes that brings words of wisdom, courage and inspirational. A remarkable individual and a someone who was willing to accept challenges - and above all, had wanted to make a difference in the lives of her fellow men and women.

The thoughts that had offered profound statements on the meaning of being human and on life in all its complexity.

A rare photo of young Helen Keller and her teacher,
Anne Sullivan, taken on Cape Cod in 1888
(recently discovered by Researchers - 2008)

Helen Keller had campaigned for the women's suffrage, workers rights and socialism and many other progressive causes.

Among Helen Keller's famous quotes ~

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence."

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."

So sad...

A long-lost friend suddenly called me up, sobbing and blaahh blaahh all out to me. She is a smart lady but she has an 'Ugly Betty' looks... hmmm so here's something for me to blog down.

It is so sad to know that in this modern society there are still (much on the increase) people who are blessed with so-called magnitude beauty but yet being brain-less and attitude-less.

I wouldn't mind them being brain-less but attitude-less?? So what's to be proud with the beauty if you can't even portray any sensible attitude towards others who are less pretty? Would that make you more superior? A goddess? A diva? KMA!
(my friend said that..not me ..i think she meant kaboom?)

Check yourself in mirror-mirror-on-the-wall ..and see your actual self before judging and tormenting others.

Everyone has flaws including you! Beauty comes from within, not just the exterior. Someone once said ~ 'Your children are beautiful ..and so are other people's children."

It would not hurt your beauty pride any bit ...if you show a teaspoon of kindness or morally good attitude to anyone regardless of how they look like. But it will definitely boost your conscience. Your attitude will in some way reflect your upbringing ...so that involves your parents' looks and pride!

Remember ...these are the best four blessed looks ~ all year round!

Look back and thank God

Look forward and trust God

Look around and serve God

Look within and find God

courtesy of Martin Buxbaum

A dream

Wow! Funny man - actor Billy Crystal will play with the New York Yankees in an exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He will sign a one-day contract and will wear uniform No. 60.

Hmmm I miss playing softball too. It has been more than 18 years since I hang up my gloves *uhuk uhuk* ...wonder if any of the local womens' team need a playa ..lols ~ a rusty one I would say but hey! ..who knows ...I can still do a home run! huhuhu....

Billy Crystal


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