Grant Me Patience...

One of my favorite bookmarks from my younger years. The wording really has a calming effect on me... :)

************************************************************************************

Grant me patience
when life seems too rough
When tempers flare
and anger starts to rise,
And when I think I have had enough
Help me to see things
through another's eyes.

Grant me tolerance
for different views,
For those with whom
I don't always agree.
Just when I start
to argue or accuse,
Help me to know
the wrong one might be me.

Grant me sympathy
and understanding
When others come to me
in need of caring;
Instead of disapproving
and demanding,
Help me to be
compassionate and sharing.

Grant me humbleness
when I am proud,
Swift guidance when
I start to go astray,
The strength to rise
above the madding crowd,
And merciful forgiveness
when I pray.

Source: Unknown
Bookmark by: RUSS - Marks of Inspiration

Choosing a TRAVEL BAG

When looking for a travel bag, there are a few points that you need to consider:
1. How much do you want to put in?
2. How heavy you can carry?
3. How safe is the bag?

1. How much do you want to put in?
Well this is pretty much depending on the duration of your travel and in what weather. Of course you’ll need more thick clothing if you’re traveling in a winter. In this case, you would need a bigger luggage.

2. How heavy can you carry?
This is very important. The heavier you can carry means you will be able to lug around a bigger bag. Even a trolley bag is very convenient, it can also be heavy to pull around, especially if its weight is more than yours :)

For us ladies, I’m sure there will always be a gentlemen who would be kind enough to help *wink*… but I would suggest that you keep your belongings as far away from stranger as possible. That is why it is important for you to carry only as heavy as you can manage.

3. How safe is the bag?
Safety is the most important aspect of a traveling bag… I sacrificed looking cute and funky and opted for a black, dull and serious looking backpack for my travel. Boringgg…

But, what do I mean by safe?
It means that, strangers cannot take things out OR put things in, without you knowing and permission.
None of us wants to unknowingly became a drug trafficker ‘mule’.

I have surveyed a lot of backpacker’s bag. I’ve been to every luggage and adventure shops that sell bags. The bags are sturdy, water resistant, light with a lot of compartments. However, I noticed most of the backpacks, do not have zippers where we can put a lock on. Most of it use string and then covered by a clip-on flap ( I think those are the right words… errrkkk). Hopefully pictures below will help explain what I mean :P


Boleh imagine tak? Heheheee...















The problem with this kind of bag is it’s big enough for our travels, but too big for the overhead compartment. Therefore, you cannot carry it on board and it needs to be checked in. How can I check in an unsecured bag? It's so scary! Even the bags that I carry on board have locks on :P

There are also times when your luggage needs to be checked in, not because of its size or its weight, but because you carried more than 1 litre of liquid. You know, shampoo, conditioner, your contact lens solution. So, in this case, please consider buying a bag that can be safely checked-in.

For check-in bags, I personally prefer trolley bags. This is because trolley bags are usually tough. You can be almost 100% certain that the things inside will not be broken or messed up.

I use Timberland backpack for my short travels. It looks something like this picture. Actually, it's a laptop bag but really good for traveling :)
I can put in all the things that I need for a 3-4 days travel.
The bag is water resistant, lockable and can fit into the over head compartment.
It has a lot of pockets for organizing your things.


When I arrived at the travel location, I don't carry around the big backpack. Instead I usually use a smaller backpack. But, since I have my best buy imitation Kipling sling bag from my trip to Cambodia (hihihiiii..), I prefer to carry this sling bag. I prefer sling bag to backpack because it is carried in front. So, you can really keep an eye on your things.
This imitation Kipling bag that I bought has been proven to be stylish (important, yes?), strong and water-proof (experiment done by Anastasia during her trip to Jakarta).I'm sure the real Kipling bags are much better. If you have extra cash, it's better to get an original one.
The one that I have look similar to this. You can see it in my Langkawi trip photos.

Eagle Creek and Urban has came out with different size of cubes, to help you organize your luggage. I'm sure there are other brands out there. But Eagle Creek is my favourite.






You can also use this for your folded clothes, to keep them wrinkle less :)









You can use this kind of wallet to safe keep your important document e.g. passport, air ticket, personal information etc.
This small bag usually carried underneath your shirt. Far from the sneaky eyes.

I guess that almost covers my advice on what to consider when buying a traveling bags. If you have anything to add, please do. I welcome any good recommendations and reminders :)

Travel safely and happily globe trotters!

A Pleasant Surprise

Don't you just love a pleasant surprise? I know I do...

Susan Boyle, a contestant in 'British Got Talent' really taught everyone about the saying 'Don't judge a book by its cover'.

By the way, there are a lot of good talents in that show... amazing.

Enjoy!

Cabinet List under the 6th

I'm kind of happy reading the new cabinet list under Malaysia's 6th Prime Minister... the list looks promising. I'm smiling :) Hihihiiii...

Truth is, I don't know the reputation of everyone in the list. I guess I'm happy mostly because of the ones not in the list...

I can see a tiny ray of light :) Good start.

Source: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2009&dt=0409&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_22.htm

Senarai penuh barisan Kabinet baru
09/04/2009 4:23pm

KUALA LUMPUR 9 April - Berikut ialah senarai penuh barisan Kabinet baru yang diumumkan oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak sebentar tadi.

PERDANA MENTERI : Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

TIMBALAN PERDANA MENTERI: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI:
Menteri:
1. Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon (Hal Ehwal Perpaduan & Pengurusan Prestasi)
2. Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (Hal Ehwal Perundangan dan Parlimen)
3. Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop (Unit Perancang Ekonomi)
4. Mejar Jeneral (B) Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom (Hal Ehwal Agama Islam)

Timbalan Menteri:
1. Datuk Liew Vui Keong
2. Datuk Dr. Mashitah Ibrahim
3. Datuk S.K. Devamany
4. Ahmad Maslan
5. T. Murugiah

KEMENTERIAN KEWANGAN:
Menteri: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Menteri II: Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah
Timbalan Menteri:
1. Datuk Chor Chee Heung
2. Datuk Dr. Awang Adek Hussin

KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN:
Menteri: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
Timbalan Menteri:
1. Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong
2. Dr. Mohd Puad Zarkashi

KEMENTERIAN PENGANGKUTAN:
Menteri: Datuk Ong Tee Keat
Timbalan Menteri:
1. Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri
2. Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew

KEMENTERIAN PERUSAHAAN, PERLADANGAN DAN KOMODITI:
Menteri: Tan Sri Bernard Dompok
Timbalan Menteri: Datuk Hamzah Zainudin

KEMENTERIAN DALAM NEGERI:
Menteri: Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Timbalan Menteri:
1. Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop
2. Jelaing anak Mersat

KEMENTERIAN PENERANGAN, KOMUNIKASI, KESENIAN DAN KEBUDAYAAN:
Menteri: Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim
Timbalan Menteri:
1. Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum
2. Senator Heng Seai Kie

KEMENTERIAN TENAGA, TEKNOLOGI HIJAU DAN AIR:
Menteri: Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui
Timbalan Menteri: Noriah Kasnon

KEMENTERIAN KEMAJUAN LUAR BANDAR DAN WILAYAH:
Menteri: Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal
Timbalan Menteri:
1. Datuk Hassan Malek
2. Datuk Joseph Entulu anak Belaun

KEMENTERIAN PENGAJIAN TINGGI:
Menteri: Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin
Timbalan Menteri:
1. Datuk Dr. Hou Kok Chung
2. Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah

KEMENTERIAN PERDAGANGAN ANTARABANGSA DAN INDUSTRI:
Menteri: Datuk Mustapa Mohamed
Timbalan Menteri:
1. Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir
2. Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan

KEMENTERIAN SAINS, TEKNOLOGI DAN INNOVASI:
Menteri: Datuk Dr. Maximus Ongkili
Timbalan Menteri: Fadillah Yusof

KEMENTERIAN SUMBER ASLI DAN ALAM SEKITAR:
Menteri: Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas
Timbalan Menteri: Tan Sri Joseph Kurup

KEMENTERIAN PELANCONGAN:
Menteri: Datuk Ng Yen Yen
Timbalan Menteri: Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib

KEMENTERIAN PERTANIAN DAN INDUSTRI ASAS TANI:
Menteri: Datuk Noh Omar
Timbalan Menteri:
1. Datuk Johari Baharum
2. Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim

KEMENTERIAN PERTAHANAN:
Menteri: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Timbalan Menteri: Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad

KEMENTERIAN KERJA RAYA:
Menteri: Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor
Timbalan Menteri: Datuk Yong Khoon Seng

KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN:
Menteri: Datuk Liow Tiong Lai
Timbalan Menteri: Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shirlin

KEMENTERIAN BELIA DAN SUKAN:
Menteri: Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek
Timbalan Menteri:
1. Datuk Razali Ibrahim
2. Wee Jeck Seng

KEMENTERIAN SUMBER MANUSIA:
Menteri: Datuk Dr S.Subramaniam
Timbalan: Datuk Maznah Mazlan

KEMENTEIAN PERDAGANGAN DALAM NEGERI DAN HAL EHWAL PENGGUNA:
Menteri: Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Timbalan Menteri: Datuk Tan Lian Hoe

KEMENTERIAN PERUMAHAN DAN KERAJAAN TEMPATAN:
Menteri: Datuk Kong Cho Ha
Timbalan Menteri: Datuk Lajim Ukin

KEMENTERIAN PEMBANGUNAN WANITA, KELUARGA DAN MASYARAKAT:
Menteri: Datuk Seri Sharizat Jalil
Timbalan Menteri: Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun

KEMENTERIAN LUAR:
Menteri: Datuk Anifah Aman
Timbalan Menteri:
1. A. Kohilan Pillay
2. Datuk Lee Chee Leong

KEMENTERIAN WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN:
Menteri: Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin
Timbalan Menteri: Datuk M. Saravanan

Hoping for a wonderful, successfull and balanced future for our beloved country.

Have a happy life y'all!

The 6th... the better?

Writing this entry feels like a deja vu. It has been only 2+ years since I wrote about 'Pak Lah', Malaysia's 5th Prime Minister. Today, he has tendered his resignation and Malaysia will start to be under the a new leader.

Do I have any comment on the 5th leadership?
*Sigh* I'd rather not.

As usual, I prefer to stay under my 'tempurung' when it comes to politics. It's really heartbreaking to see how our leaders act like a senseless person. It's more heartbreaking to know that money politics, bribery and bad-talking being practised by our so-called leaders. To ignore all this is much more easier than paying attention to it and I won't be having heavy hearts. But, to ignore all this also means to ignore our country, our future... my future.

Macam pepatah melayu... ditelan mati emak, diluah mati bapak... gituuuu...

I don't know how I feel with regards to this new leadership. Easy question, do I have confidence? On the development, technology, economics, education... I think, yes. On religion and morale ... shaky. When I compare like this, looks like Malaysia is going to be fine, if not victorious. It's 50-50 right? Except that, for me, religion and morale have greater weightage. So in this case, I kind of see dark spots.

We all know what kind of leaders Malaysia really needs, what kind of leaders our world needs. We need a leader like Prophet Muhammad pbuh, an Al-Amin, a braveheart... Someone who is not afraid to do what's right and stop what's wrong. Someone that we will have no doubt to give our respect and loyalty to. Someone who will lead us all to victory, in this world and the life after.

But, to be a leader like Muhammad Rasullullah, we have first to be like Muhammad Rasullullah.

I don't want to comment too much on politics and leadership. Can my opinion mean anything to our leaders? They don't even read this blog :) But, I will keep on praying that our leaders will eventually realize what is more important. I hope 'eventually' won't be too late.

For all of us, who's hoping for a high morale, intelligent and caring leaders and government, just stay optimist. I'd like to believe, we can all help to make things better. It can all start with us, because... 'I am just one person and I can make a difference'. You know... just like the 'Earth Hour' message :)

To our leaders, muslim or not... I really hope you'll take Prophet Muhammad as your role model.
Hoping for a true leadership...

Where all the decencies go?

Sing the title like the Jack Johnson's song :)

This is something that has been bothering me ever since I didn't bring a book to keep me occupied during the train ride every morning and evening. You can't say that I'm easily bothered by what is going on around me because... these things really worrying!

This is a reminder first, for myself... then, for the others...

My solution for this dilemma, after I have been reminded by me... is to bring a book to read so that my eyes will not be wandering around.

My dilemma of the day, as the title says is ... Where all the decencies go?

Goodness. It will be difficult to elaborate my dilemma. So, I'll just write the top 3 in point form and the top winner. For elaboration, please use your imagination :P

Ok, here goes:
1. A lot of ladies do not try keep their legs together when they sit.
2. BO... Suffocating. I can forgive if it's in the evening after work. But if in the morning??? Come on!
3. People talk so loudly in the train. Some were talking on the phone. Some were talking among themselves and keep on saying 'This thing, you don't tell other people ok'. What theeeee??? You just told us your secrets!

The grand winner.:
I just encountered this yesterday. A lady, wearing sleeveless t-shirt, holding on to the overhead railing... with an unshaved a****ts. Are you out of your mind? Yucks! Yucks! Yucks!

So tell me... should I not be bothered?

Exactly how I feel

I do love the whole world...

Discovery Channel & National Geographic ROCK!