Men....Women....

If you guys remember I had written an article about these two absolutely unique creatures on planet Earth about a couple of months ago. Well, this is the 2nd edition. A fellow bug lover sent me this observation. Pretty interesting I must say....

THE SILENT TREATMENT

A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM " He left it where he knew she would find it. The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up." Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.

WIFE vs HUSBAND

A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?" "Yep," the wife replied , "in-laws".

WOMEN'S REVENGE

"Cash, check or charge?" I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse. "So, do you always carry your TV remote?" I asked. "No," she replied, " but my husband refused to come shopping with me, and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally."

UNDERSTANDING WOMEN (A MAN'S PERSPECTIVE)

I know I'm not going to understand women. I'll never understand how you can take boiling hot wax, pour it onto your upper thigh, rip the hair out by the root, and still be afraid of a spider.

WORDS

A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day... 30,000 to a man's 15,000. The wife replied, "The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men... The husband then turned to his wife and asked, "What?

CREATION

A man said t o his wife one day, "I don't know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time. " The wife responded, "Allow me to explain. God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me; God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!

WHO DOES WHAT

A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee." The husband said, " You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can't just wait for my coffee." Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee." Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me." So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says.........."HEBREWS"

God may have created man before woman, but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece

Warm Water And The Prevention Of Heart Attacks....

For those who like to drink cold water, the article below is applicable to you. In fact, this is really applicable to me as it is always lovely to have a cold glass of ice water after a meal. Well, this is bad news people. Please read the article below.

What happens is, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal. A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive.

Beware Of Garbage Trucks....

As usual I was going through some of the mails I had received, and I came across this interesting story. This was written by David J. Pollay. Now David is a well known speaker and a psychologist. He writes of how simple people on the streets can change our perception of situations that we face on a daily basis. A good read....

How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly he/she can get back her focus on what's important. Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab.

Here's what happened. I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches! The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'

And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did. So this was it: The 'Law of the Garbage Truck.'

I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, 'I'm not going to do it anymore.' I began to see garbage trucks. I see the load they're carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on. One of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best. Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. Teachers and parents know that they have to be fully present and at their best for the people they care about. The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day.

What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by? Here's my bet. You'll be happier. So, love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't. Believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, TAKE IT! If it changes your life, LET IT! Nobody said it would be easy... They just promised it would be worth it!

Samuel Anthony Jude a.k.a. Anto'

Anto' is my younger brother. Well, not biologically, but he has become a part of our family for the past 4 years or so. He has been such a blessing to our family, our Church (Christ Church Melaka) and to all our friends. In fact most of the guys at CSA know him quite well. Anto' is a student in STM (Seminary Theology Malaysia) - this is a college where students are trained to become priests'. He has always been eager to server the Lord. By God's grace he was admitted as a student last year. Upon completing his Dip in Theology, he has been accepted as a Diocesan candidate - which means the Diocese will be financing his studies. This also means that he will be posted to different churches as part of his training.

Having served in CCM for such a long time, I am proud to say that he has matured so much intellectually and spiritually. He will be posted to St. Luke's Church, Teluk Intan from November onwards. I know that I will miss him dearly and so will the rest. I pray that he will continue to be a blessing to everyone as much as he has to me and everyone at home.

Anto', God bless you and thank you for everything you have done for me. You will always be my younger brother

Here are some of the pics we took with him last Sun.

Tasha & Anto'

Myself, Amma, Appa, Anto' & Tasha

More On Melaka....

I was driving around in Melaka on Sat - as I had to go to and fro from City Music to the Vicarage getting the cheque signed by Appa and the Treasurer (Uncle Guna) and going back to the shop to get the new acoustic that we bought as well. We bought an Ashton. Good one, I must say. Oh yes how can I forget, David gave me a pair of TAMA Japanese Oaks and the Zildjian Travis Barker (the Blink 182 drummer - who is number 7 on the Top 10 list of the World's Best Drummers) signature series drum sticks. How cool is that? I will take a pic of the sticks one of these days and post it. It was very nice of David for giving me the 2 pairs. After we were done with the payment, he told me to go to the drum sticks cabinet and to show me the 2 best drum sticks in there. I showed him those two and he said, "well Devan, they are yours". I was so suprised as I wouldn't have been able to buy them as they were rather expensive. So. thank you so much David.

Oh yes after that as I was driving around, I saw this..... Now, this is a rare sight. Not only is it rare, it was so well restored. A VW.... Karmann Ghia

Melaka....

Melaka was absolutely fantastic. Before we left, well, actually on Fri, Amma called me to ask me what I felt like eating. After much deliberation, I decided with pooli soru (tamarind rice) - by the way, Amma makes some of the best pooli sorus in town, chicken rendang and karuvade poriyell (fried cuttlefish) - and of course the regular lime pickles and pappadams. Ooooh! Lovely. Anyway, we took the bus down - reached Melaka at about 11am. Appa picked us up from Melaka Sentral, headed home for 'the' lunch. I ate 3 servings.

Pooli Soru

Chicken Rendang

Some chicken perratel as well

Oh yes, I forgot the fried egg-plant (I dont eat that dish) and the fried cuttlefish

As most of you'll know, the reason for this trip is to sort out the purchase of the new drum set. So, after lunch, I rested for a while and headed to the church to meet David who was there with the new drum set - TAMA Superstar EFX Anyway, I just couldnt wait to see it. When it arrived.... sigh! Just look at the pictures below and you will know why. Our old set the MAPEX had served us well for a good 17 years. It was about time we got a new set. Now one of the best parts of the new set is the cymbal set- Sabian B8s This is one of the best cymbals in the markey. I am proud to say that by God's grace we have one of the best drum sets any church would have in the country.

The ol' MAPEX

The Sabian B8s

The foot pedal for the bass drum

And.... here we go TAMA Superstar EFX

That's me testing out the new product. Very nice, I must say....

VW....

Selma is sick again. Damn! As most of you know I will be working in Cyber-land from the 29th of Oct onwards. Before that happens, I need to ensure that my ride is fixed properly. Well, Selma needs to go for a thorough check-up. I need to ensure the brakes are sorted and that the engine runs smoothly without any issues. So far, I have not had any issues, well, not since I have been going to the best engine man in town - Ah Meng. But, now it seems like I have some issues. Anyway, I went to see him today and it looks like I need to sort out the timing as well as the brakes (brake pump needs to be changed). I have made the appointment to be on the 26th as Ah Meng will not be free till then. The thing with Ah Meng is that he only does one car at a time. He seems to have customers till then. So, I will have to put up with the problem till then and sort it out once and for all on Fri.

I am looking for someone who can do the floor board. I mean, remove the entire old floor, customize a new one and fix it onto the body of the car. If any of you have any good contacts for such a job, please do tell me. I am in the process of restoring right now. I will start with the floor board, the move on to the engine and then the body work. Finally the painting and the interior. It looks like it will be going to be a 9-12 months project. I will be taking my time, because I only want the best.

More updates soon.

Melaka....

Well, it is Melaka again this weekend. Since Shobs is driving back, I will not be driving. She will be leaving at about 6pm on Sat, so I'll take the bus down and come back with her on Sun. The new drum set that we have ordered will also be arriving on Sat at about 2pm. Can't wait for that. This weekend will be rather special. Shobs birthday had passed. We didnt really do anything for her. Amma and I have decided to take her out for dinner. So, it will be Appa, Amma, Balla, Shobs, Anto, Tasha and myself. We love this particular chinese restaurant in Melaka - Pei Zhing in Melaka Raya. I will take some pics and load them.

I am more excited about the drum set that we will be getting this weekend. Now, that I will have a lot to talk about once I get back.

Oh yeah, by the way, I got a call from a long time friend of mine - Leslie Matthews from Ipoh. We met up for dinner on Sun with Shobs and Regina (another long time friend). Had dinner at Ming Tien in Taman Megah. It was good to meet up and talk about all our old stories. We hope to do more of that soon. Leslie used to be the guitarist in St. John's Church Ipoh. So, we will be having him join us in one of our jamming sessions - with Vessel of Worship.

Cheers!

Miracle....

I was at work as usual, going through some of the mails I had received. Then, I came across this story. I strongly believe that most of us have stopped believing in miracles. Well, let me tell you, that miracles do happen. Strangely, they happen when we least expect it to happen. A very touching story of the faith of a little girl. Enjoy the read...

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, he slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it! 'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages,' he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

'Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,' Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. 'He's really, really sick ... and I want to buy a miracle.'

'I beg your pardon?' said the pharmacist. 'His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?' 'We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you,' the pharmacist said, softening a little. 'Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.'

The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, 'What kind of a miracle does your brother need?' ' I don't know,' Tess replied with her eyes welling up. 'I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.' 'How much do you have?' asked the man from Chicago . 'One dollar and eleven cents,' Tess answered barely audibly. 'And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.'

'Well, what a coincidence,' smiled the man. 'A dollar and eleven cents - the exact price of a miracle for little brothers.' He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need.'

That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place. 'That surgery,' her Mom whispered. 'was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?'

Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost... one dollar and eleven cents... plus the faith of a little child. In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need.

Malaysia Dog Responsibility Day....

We (Tasha, Caesar & myself) were in Melaka on Sat. Tasha had to collect her road tax and I was just eager to get out of KL for a while. Met up with Amma, had lunch with her, then we visited Auntie Rani (Tasha's aunt) and headed back to KL. Only reached at about 9.30pm. Had dinner and slept early as we had the dog show the next day.

I was up by 5.30am, had breakfast, washed the car, gave Caesar a dry clean, got all the things ready and we left at 7.00am. Picked up Pravina (Tasha's sis) and then we headed straight to Central Park, Bandar Utama. It was a good turnout. Met Raj (with Rody - see the pics below) and many other friends with their fur kids. It was a good morning of chilling with our dogs.

Got home at about 1.00pm had lunch and rested. Please see the pics below.

Caesar in the car on our way to Central Park

We saw a bunch of bumble-bee Goldens, so we thought we might as well join them

Pravina getting Caesar registered

A beautiful Afgan Hound

Caesar, being the playa he is trying to be 'friendly'

There we go again, he was practically into all the bitches at the show

A chow-chow

A beautiful Shetland Sheepdog

Beagle...hmmm

Saint Bernard

King Charles Cavalier

One of the brightest of them all - Jack Russell Terrier

Now, that is Rody (The Great Dane) and me

Caesar & me after he had a swim at the lake

Move....

It has been a while huh fellows! Well, I have been busy, with work, getting my studies sorted out and of course my move to Cyber-land. Well, for those of you who don't know, I have been offered a job in a company in Cyberjaya. Now, since Tasha is already working there (HSBC), we thought it would be sensible for us to move there. Over the weekend, after much deliberation, we have decided to give Uncle Sayed (my current landlord - in fact the best landlord I have ever had) the notice. It is a 2 months' notice, which will serve until the 4th of December 2007. Uncle has been very gracious to us throughout our entire stay here. I am leaving with a heavy heart, but in the long run, we feel that it is worth the move. We have decided to move to Taman Equine. It is about a 7 mins drive from our offices in Cyberjaya to where we are thinking of staying.

Tentatively, my job there starts on the 29th of October 2007. It is still to be confirmed as a lot of minor details are yet to be confirmed. Once they are all set, I will be starting at the new company.

I am very grateful to all my best friends at CSA CSC for all the help, support, guidance and encouragement that they have showered upon me during my 3 years stay at the office. It has been a truly memorable journey for me. I have learnt a lot and I hope to keep learning in my new assignment.

God bless!