A Thought In The Last Day Of February

Time flies......

This is the last day of February...
2 months gone in Year 2009...
10 more months to go...
What have we done over the past 2 months?

The first 2 months seems to be a little bit tough to the nation...
Economic recession's impact seems to be surfaced...
Multinational companies closed down...
Fixed deposit interest rate dropped to the lowest...
But government still in denial mode...
Maybe this is a way to retain confident level among Malaysian towards country's economy?

Politics is a mess for the last 2 months...
See the defections in Perak...
Our poor OKU uncle Karpal being obstructed and menaced outside Parliament...
Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman Ms. Elizabeth's personal life being nakedly publicized...
Uncle Chua's AV reappeared...
Looks like country's politic is moving backward...
What a shame!

Sibu went through hard days during the first 2 months...
Frequent flooding became Siburian's common nightmare...
Bonus cut down was working group's nightmare...
Salary increment became a big question mark yet looking forward...
Will there be any increment this year?
This is the question that worry me the most over the past 2 months!


So two months gone...
March is coming tomorrow...
April comes one month after tomorrow...
Hope the coming months will be better...
Political crisis in Perak will be resolved soon...
Ms Elizabeth will continue serve her DUN...
Uncle Karpal will stay healthy to voice out in the parliament...
Sibu won't have flood that frequent...
Drainage system being improved...
Rejang river being cleared...
Salary increment be heard soon!

This is my superficial thought in the last day of February.

Superman Dramatic NBA Slam Dunk Contest 09

NBA All-Star Game 2009 in Phoenix was over around 2 weeks ago. Suddenly I felt of writing something about it especially about the Sprite Slam Dunk competition as it was the most dramatic, interesting and full of entertainment ever since I started to pay attention on this contest about a decade ago.

There were 4 participants for this contest this year

1. JR Smith from Denver Nuggets who replaced Rudy Gay from Memphis Grizzlies as the latter was injured before the all-star weekend started.
2. Rudy Fernandez from Portland Trail Blazers who is a rookie from Spain.
3. Nate Robinson from New York Knicks, 2006 slam dunk champion with only 5-9 of height.
4. Dwight Howard from Orlando Magic, defending champion for this competition.

Nothing special about the 1st round. Everybody played safe. The dramatic moment only started in the 2nd round when Dwight Howard walked into a specially prepared phone booth outside the court and then walked out with a Superman's red cape and Superman's music accompanied! The audience including some NBA superstars almost went crazy with this surprising and creative act!

Source: NBA.com
[Superman Howard came out from phone booth with Superman's cape]

The Superman idea actually came along in last year's contest where Dwight Howard with his Magic's blue road jersey similar to Superman's costume blue color suddenly wore a Superman's cape and then made a dunk jumping from free throw line. Although he couldn't reach the hoop, but luckily the ball still made into the net. That dunk brought him the champion.

[Dwight Howard champion dunk in Slam Dunk contest 2008]

This year Dwight further embedded Superman's character into his dunk show. Instead of flying far as last year, Dwight chose to fly high as Superman! After mimicked Superman changing scene, He then dunked on a hoop about a feet higher than a normal NBA hoop. Although it was an ordinary two-hand dunk, but I think his efforts, creativity and the height of the hoop had given the audience as well as the judges a very good impression. Thus he won perfect of 50 points for that.

As expected Dwight Howard and Nate Robinson gone into final. Now it was Nate's turn to show! He first came out with his all-green Kryptonate t-shirt. Yeah! Combination of the word Krypton and Nate! Even his New York team jersey, his arm band, shoes and basketball were all in green color.

[The Krypto-Nate]

Some might think, why green? New York Knicks suppose to be blue! Maybe just to attract more attention? No, it is wrong! If you know Superman's story in details, Superman is most vulnerable to green Kryptonite, a mineral from planet Krypton where Superman origin from. Nate's idea was to treat himself as a kryptonite that could weaken or even nullify Superman's super power! In this case, Dwight Howard was the Superman and Nate wished to defeat him! The word Kryptonate was chosen to mimic the word Kryptonite!

Wasn't that creative? A well-known Superman's story could be applied to a slam dunk contest?! Do you ever think of that? Isn't that amazing? That's why I said this year's contest was the most creative and dramatic ever!

[Kryptonate over Superman!]

Nate then invited Dwight to wear his Superman's cape again and be his final dunk's prop. Dwight showed his gentlemanship by standing under and facing the hoop. Nate carried his green basketball, made a run and jumped over Dwight Howard to make a one-hand dunk! Kabummm!! A 5-foot-9 guard springboarded a 6-foot-11 center to dunk! Can you believe it? Yeah, the Krypto-Nate really could win over the Superman-Howard!

[5-foot-6 Spud Webb dunk]

At the end of the competition, Nate Robinson won against Dwight Howard with 52% of fan's votes! He was declared as the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest Champion 2009! This is his second title. The first one was won in year 2006 when he leaped over Spud Webb, a 5-foot-6 former Atlanta Hawks point guard and also 1986 NBA slam dunk contest winner to make a dunk. Both Spud Webb and Nate Robinson are among the shortest (below 6 feet) players who won the slam dunk contest in NBA history.

[Nate Robinson jumped over Spud Webb to win 2006 slam dunk champion]

Detail stories: http://www.nba.com/allstar2009

Something Happened On Rejang River

I think the photos below explained or at least give you some idea why I mentioned before that one of the major reason of recent Sibu flood was caused by shallower riverbank.

[Speed boats trapped on the precipitated sand at low tide]

Can you see how thick the sand precipitated at the riverbank? When low tide, this is what happened to the small boats. I guess these boats can only move away when the high tide come. Poor boats! Honestly, I never see such situation before where the boats were trapped on the shore.

[Another trapped boat]

Initially I thought this is normal. I thought whenever there is low tide, the boats will surely trapped. Until I read a local newspaper today reporting that the water level at Rejang river abnormally decreased and the wharfs were seriously dry out, then I just realized this is some abnormal phenomenon. Nobody can explain why as this situation never happened before. Perhaps this is another sign of human irresponsible activities had causing harm to the environment!

[Today's newspaper reported about the abnormal water level decreased in Rejang river]

As a conclusion, shallower Rejang river is a fact that nobody can deny. This is the main reason of frequent flooding in Sibu. Photos above only show a very minor part of precipitated sand in the river. In the mean while, abnormal low tide is something we may also need to pay attention to.

Story Behind The 3rd Payment

Nothing much to share in this post. Just another boring stuff about my loan payback. You can just ignore it if you like.

I made my 3rd payment today. Still, I haven't receive any feedback or prove of my previous payments yet. I stated in my previous post My 2nd Payment that if they didn't notify me about this, I will either call or email them.

I made my call last week. Called on lunch time after 12.30pm but no body pickup. Normal la.. lunch time ma.. Ok, called again after 1pm. Same result but i still can accept because I realized that this is dealing with government. I knew how good their service are.

Called again about 3 something pm. The phone engaged. Kept trying for few times and finally somebody picked up my call. Finally! The operator passed my call to study loan division where a lady picked up.

Me: Cik, saya nak check status bayaran balik pinjaman saya.
The lady: You ada hantar cek kah belum?
Me: Dah! Dah 2 kali saya hantar.
The lady: Ape nombor fail anda?
Me: (Luckily I still remembered and I told her)
The lady: Ok, you tunggu sekejap. Saya pergi check. Bolehkah anda tunggu?
Me: Berapa lama? Ataupun nanti you call balik atau saya call lagi?
The lady: (After some hesitation...) Oklah... nanti you call balik, nombor ini... direct line (She gave me the number).

After about 10 minutes, I called back.
Me: Hello... Saya yang call tadi.
The lady: Ya ya... ada terima check anda, dua kali. Tapi saya tidak hantar resit dulu sebab hanya 2 kali saja bayar. Saya tunggu 3, 4 kali baru sekali hantar.
Me: (To double confirm...) Saya dah bayar 2 kali kan? Jadi hanya akan hantar resit lepas 3, 4 kali saya bayar?
The lady: Ya.
Me: Ok la macam tu. Terima kasih ya!

After the call, I felt more relief because at least I know they did receive my cheques and they were not missing in the space. Now I can continue with my consecutive payment. I will remember that lady's word... she said she will send me the receipt after 3 or 4 times I paid. Lets wait and see if he keep her promise. If not... I gonna look for her again!

Curry Kampua @ Lane 13 Seafoods Coffee Shop

About a week ago I heard a colleague mention about curry kampua at a coffee shop somewhere near Oya Road. I was quite curious about it because even though Sibu is famous of its kampua mee, but this is the first time I heard about curry kampua.

[Outside view of Lane 13 Seafoods Coffee Shop]

Last night I got a chance to yamcha with a friend at the coffee shop. The shop name is quite unique - Lane 13 Seafoods Coffee Shop. I guess it must be the shop is located at 13th lane of Oya Road.

[Tables outside the shop were fully occupied]

We reached there around 9 something and noticed quite a lot of tables were occupied. We looked for a fengshui table to sit down and just before my buttocks touch the chair, a lady already came over to ask for order. "What you want to eat? Curry kampua?" asked the lady. Now we can assure that we were at the right place for the famous curry kampua!

[The curry kampua taukeh and his helpers]

Without much thought, my friend quickly ordered one as he is a kampua fan (I guess most Sibu people are!). As for me, I was considering.... Don't get me wrong! I am origin from Sibu and that makes me a big kampua fan as well! Just that I was hesitate to take heavy supper because that may boost up my already-rounded stomach!

Anyway, I still go for one. I was too curious how a curry kampua would look like, taste like and why it is so famous! When the kampua reached our table, honestly not much surprise I gained.

[A plate of curry kampua]

It was just look like a normal kampua with some curry covered on it, that's all. Well, at least that's what I feel. The taste? I would say not much surprise as well. If you know how kampua taste, then just imagine you eat kampua and curry at the same time.

[Closer look at the curry kampua]

Anyway, the curry tasted quite nice. It was not hot or spicy, but sweet! The mee is thicker and bigger than normal kampua mee.

Honestly, I am not too impressed with this curry kampua but I doesn't mean it was not nice. In fact it tastes good, just that the way of cooking curry kampua didn't give me much surprise rather than kampua covered with curry.

Anyway, if you never try before, you should have a try! Maybe you will like it as most people do and that may explain why it is so famous! Just like my friend commented, "It was nice. At least this kampua taste diffrent than a typical one that we used to eat!"

[Nice looking glass containing teh-o ice]

The price? RM2.20 a plate. Fair enough right? But the drink cost a bit expensive. A Milo ice and a teh-o ice costed us RM3.30.

Flood Compensation Form

I had been given this form by my colleague today. It's so called flood compensation form given by trusted source I guess.

Last week when our DPM Datuk Seri Najib visited Kuching and announced that flood victims in Sarawak will be compensated accordingly, I was doubt, yeah.. very doubt in fact how to measure "flood victims". I guess this form provided some clues to that.

There are 3 major sections to fill in this form and I have some question about them.

Section A - Household's head information. Ok, this won't be a problem. Just fill in name, IC number and telephone number.

Section B - Flooded area information. This seems to be a bit problem. Among information you need to fill in:

1. Nama Kampung (village name). How about if the victim is not staying at kampung area? Or whoever prepared this form trying to imply that only kampung area will get flooded?
2. Alamat (Address). This should be house address.
3. Jumlah Isi Rumah (Total house members). I am doubt if this information is necessary. Is that mean if one has more people staying in a same house the compensate money will be higher?
4. Paras Air (Water Level). What unit should I use to measure the water level? Reaching knee? Reaching neck? Reaching car park? or 1 feet, 2 feet etc? How you know if I simply write a measurement?

Section C - Certification from Penghulu/Ketua Kampung/Kapitan. This is a big problem. I guess not many people knew who is the Penghulu/Ketua Kampung/Kapitan at their area. So where you gonna find these people to certify for you?

The form also specified that the applicants should attach a photo of flood scene at their own area. Abang... how about those from poorer family who already face difficulties in daily life and you expect them to have camera to shot the flood scene at their place? Or if somebody forgot to take a shot on the flood situation at their place, they will be declined as flood victim even half of their house was soaked in the water during flood?

Actually I am not against the idea of compensation but I am unsatisficed with lack of proper instruction on how to make the claim by local authorities. Even the claim form itself is not taken from official channel! I am sure still a lot of real flood victims out there not even know the existance of this compensation! That's really bad!

Then, after fill in the form, where to hand in it? When and how compensation money will be made? Big question marks on head!

Whoever responsible for this should at least well inform the public by publishing it through local newspapers with clear instruction how to fill the form, where to hand in and when and how the compensation will be made and etc.

Rumors said families "affected" by flood will be compensate RM300 and if the water reached into the house, the families will be paid RM1k. Not sure about this because we never being informed!

The Blue Theme

I had been working on this whole night - a brand new color scheme for my blog. I mentioned before the red theme is specifically for Xmas and Chinese New Year celebration. Now both celebration already over. Thus, I guess is time to make a chance.

This time around, the color of my choice is blue. Light blue as main color of the theme and added some dark grey on the top sidebar to have more color variation to the blog. It is more eyes-comfort than the red one.

I hope you will like the new color scheme and if you have any suggestion, you are welcome to leave a comment under this post.

Enjoy blogging!

A Valentine's Thought

It is Valentine's day today! A big day to all the lovers and couples on earth but just another day to single & available (S&A) individual.

A S&A guy like me won't have much to do on valentine's day except hanging around the town to feel the ambiance of the celebration. The environment is great with romantic feeling everywhere. Some restaurants had been decorated nicely to welcome the lovers who want to spend a romantic night at their premises. Special gifts also being prepared to attract more customers to their restaurant.

However if you look at the pricing for valentine set meal, you MAY get shocked. Some sells at RM99.99. Some lovers may say, "one year one time so the price is acceptable". Some might feel love worth more than that! So, it worth the price. Oh God! Maybe this is what people called the power of love, it is more complicated than rocket science for a single guy like me!

Plush dolls especially teddy bears and chocolate became a common form of valentine gift nowadays. I am not sure why plush dolls, perhaps it is because they look cute and have "heart-melting" effect for girls. Chocolate I guess is the symbol of sweetness as chocolate itself is very sweet. Yet, don't take too much because it may cause diabetic and obesity.

That's why I felt Valentine's day is too commercialized nowadays. Since when plush dolls and chocolates became a must for this celebration? I think only those doing related business can give us the answer.

Flowers price especially roses and lilies which is lovers' favorite was double or triple up during valentine. Nevertheless, that never stop people to buy those flowers to their love one. Maybe flowers really mean a lot to the couples? Ahhh! Another rocket science for me!

A rose which costs RM2.50 to RM 3 at normal day may cost RM8 or even higher price during this valentine's day. Yet this is not an excuse for a guy not to buy flowers to his love one because if he did so, he will be categorized as unromantic and the most stingy creature on earth!

However, I feel that if a girl use flowers as a measurement to determine whether the boyfriend loves her or not, it'll be a childish thought. Oh! Sorry for girls... I am a single guy, sometimes it's really too hard for me to understand the power of roses!

Anyway, can't deny that Valentine's Day is a very romantic day especially for those who already found their love one. I will prefer if the lovers can treasure and appreciate each others everyday and not on the Valentine's Day itself. If everyone can do so, then everyday will be Valentine's Day even there is no roses or teddy bears!!

Wish all the lovers on earth, Happy Valentine and have a sweet and romantic moment on this special day designed for yours!

I Got A Valentine's Gift!

Don't be jealous! This morning I received an early valentine day's gift! It is a small box of well-wrapped peanut chocolate with red wrapper and a tiny yellow ribbon stick on the top-left side of the box. It is very presentable and suitable for occasion like Valentine.

However, I have mixed feeling when receiving this gift - happy and sad. Why?

Happy:
In my memory, this is the 1st Valentine's gift I ever receive. How poor right? Yeah, but still need to face the fact. That's why, better be appreciate! So, I feel great receiving the gift!

Sad:
Oh No! The gift is not given by a girl! No worry, it's not given by a guy neither! It is actually a gift from company's recreational club to all the club members in conjunction with Valentine celebration.

Anyway, I am thankful to the club's effort for giving those single and available guys including me a hope and also a feel of celebration!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

A 9 Years Old Programmer

I was quite impressed with this article. Thanks for a friend who forwarded a link to me about a 9 years old programmer. For me it is quite unbelievable but this is true!

The kid's name is Lim Ding Wen - a Malaysian boy but I think stays in Singapore. He created a finger drawing program called "Doodle Kids" run on iPhone for his 2 younger sisters who love to draw! The application allows users to draw on iPhone screen using fingers and clear it just by shaking the device.

His father is a chief techology officer in a firm dealing with iPhone application as well.  The article also stated that in the age of 9, Lim already fluent in six programming languages. He first started exposed to computer in the age of 2, discovered programming when aged 7 and already completed more than 20 programming projects since then!

Gosh! I was really shamed when read about this. Lets imagine what you have done in the age of 2? Still drinking milk and playing with toys maybe. At the age of 7? Knew nothing but just entered primary one. Did you ever think what age you started touching computer? For me, I think 18. Then when I first eyes-opening with what programming is, I was more than 20 years of age already! 

What a shame!

To read the full article click on this link - "Nine-year-old writes iPhone code".

CNY 09 Series - Chap Goh Meh @ Tua Pek Kong Temple

Happened to go to Tua Pek Kong temple on Chap Goh Meh after the "reunion" dinner. Heard there will always be a lot of people praying at the temple during 1st and 15th day of every month in lunar calendar, not to mention it was Chap Goh Meh last night.

When I arrived at the scene at about 7.30pm, the place was crowded with people either went there for praying, attending special Chap Goh Meh stage performance organized by the temple or just be there to feel the ambiance of the great celebration environment at the temple (I am one of it). The temple including the 7-storey pagoda was decorated with thousands of bulbs and lighting as well as tanglung which made the surrounding really look great on this special occasion!

The people went there for praying really shocked me. Honestly, I never being to the temple on big day like this. All these while I just heard people saying "there are many people" but I am not sure what is the definition of "many" until last night when I experienced it myself.

No matter inside or outside the temple, there were unstoppable people moving in and out of the temple performing religious praying until i found difficulty to enter the temple through its main entrance as people were bringing burning incenses in their hands. If you are not careful enough, you may get burned by it.


I always said... I am not the only person taking photo at the scene. Same with last night. With such great environment, it certainly attracted a lot of professional or semi-professional photographers went there to take the best shots. I could see most of them were carry a camera bag as well as a very big and expensive camera with tall flash and big lens in their hands. I prefer to call these people "professional photographers" as for me they really look like one.

I think I might be the only not-even-an-amateur "photographer" who treated myself like a true "photographer" busy looking for good angle to make the best shot. Maybe because I didn't wear like a photographer, didn't carry a photographer's bag and also using an amateur Canon camera, therefore I could notice that a lot of people stared at me like I am a alien coming from the planet of Mars trying to shot their handsome or pretty faces.

Perhaps next time if got chance, I should get myself a more professional-look camera so that at least when I am taking photo, people will feel the proud of being shot rather than staring at me like I am a photo-thief! ;p

At the stage just beside the temple, there were entertainment performances going on. I think I don't have to mention about the crowd, the photos are self-explanatory.

First I saw lion dance performance, a red and a green lion dance. Followed by that, is the techno-dance by the 2 lions together with 3 "Chinese smiley face clowns". This is special, I never saw lion dance in techno music! It was kind of cute and at the same time very entertaining!

After this special and entertaining performance, it was Chinese Kungfu martial arts performance.

Nothing much to say about the Kungfu performance, a good show and their Kungfu skills were definitely much more better than Kungfu Panda! ;p

There was no more nice program after that, just some singing by the local singers and that couldn't attract my attention. Therefore I better went back home. Outside the temple compound, the road was quite jammed.