Chinese New Year

Hello Everybody,

Here comes the Chinese New Year again. During this festive season we can feel the heat in most places we are especially in the countries and communities that celebrating it, like here in Kuching. It’s always about the culture, the warm homey feeling, families relationship, fun and laughter but never forget those who are gone and the under privileged.

Another great thing about it is the food, food and food!! As for children, this is a good time to get lots and lots of “ang pau” (the red packet with money inside). Don’t forget about the red colour. It’s the colour for Chinese New Year theme colour and I have a little legend about this to share with everyone. Maybe everybody knows about it but it’s no harm to refresh our memories again right.

According to the legend, Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called the Nien. On the first day of New Year, this Nien would come to gobble livestock, crops, and even human, especially children. As a way to protect themselves, people would put lots of food in front of their doors at the beginning of every year. It was believed that after the Nien ate the food they prepared, it wouldn’t attack any more people. (Obviously, the Nien attacked because of hungry! Am I right?) There was also once mentioned that people saw the Nien was scared away by a little child wearing red. The villagers then understood that the Nien was afraid of the colour red. Therefore, since then each time when the New Year is around the corner, people would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls around their house to scare Nien away. People also used firecrackers to frighten away the Nien. The Nien was eventually said to be captured by Hongjun Laozu, an ancient Taoist monk. The Nien became Hongjun Laozu's mount. Correct me if I’m wrong.

As for now, we use fire cracker and fireworks as symbol of celebration and festivities while red lanterns can definitely make beautiful festival decorations. Share with me what’s in your mind.

Happy Chinese to all of you. Wish you all a prosperous new year…

Don't Skip Your Breakfast

Eating a healthy breakfast is the best way to start off your day, do remember to be good to yourself by eating a healthy breakfast. Notice how much better you feel through the morning and the rest of the day when you don't skip breakfast.

Studies show that children who eat breakfast do better in school. It doesn't take much further thought to realize adults will feel better and perform better at work as well. Whether you work at home, on the farm, at the office, at school, or on the road, it is not a good idea to skip breakfast. Eating a good breakfast sets the tone for the rest of the day.

When you skip breakfast, you are likely to become tired when your brain and body run low. This also means the sugar level in your blood is low. By mid-morning, you might grab a cup of coffee or chew down a sugary candy bar to wake up again. This might work for a few minutes, but by lunch time you are hungry, crabby, and perhaps your mood might make you a little more prone to make unhealthy choices at lunch.

Skipping breakfast is a common strategy for losing weight, but not a smart one. Many people believe that they will lose weight if they skip meals, but that just isn't true; the body expects to be refueled a few times each day -- starting with breakfast.

Actually, eating breakfast is good for weight loss. In fact, people who eat breakfast are more likely to maintain a healthy weight. A healthy breakfast should contain some protein and some fiber. Protein can come from low fat meats, eggs, beans or dairy. Fiber can be found in whole grains, vegetables and fruits. A good example of a healthy breakfast might be something simple like a hard-boiled egg, an orange, and a bowl of whole grain cereal with low fat milk.

Stay away from the sugary cereals, syrups, pastries, and white breads because they are digested quickly and will leave you hungry and tired in a couple of hours. Protein and fiber satisfy your hunger and will keep you feeling full until lunch time.

P/s:      If you really don't like to eat breakfast, you can split it up into two smaller meals. Eat a hard-boiled egg at home, and an hour or two later, take a break from work and snack on an apple and a handful of healthy nuts like pecans or walnuts.

Some choice of Healthy Breakfast:-

Malaysia Chocolate Fair

Another thing to share with all of you. This year is the 4th Annual Malaysia Chocolate Fair. The venue is at Hall B, Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur. It started on 7th-9th January. Today is the last day. For more iinfo, please visit http://www.chocolatefair.com.my/ Actually, it's a destiny, I saw the date of it on my arrival last nite & I won't miss it. I was at Mid Valley today as part of my shopping spree. Oh chocolate.. A heavenly delicacies that I can't resist.

Malaysia as Duty-Free Shopping Haven

Hello everyone,

     This is actually a great news for everyone but a shopaholic like me will be extra excited to hear that. ;-) I'm a proud Malaysian.. Don't forget that in 2009, Malaysia rank No.9 in the world in terms of tourist arrivals in the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Report. Get this news at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/23/nation/20100523125338&sec=nation

Dear shoppers from all around the world.. Malaysia government have recently announced to make Malaysia a duty-free shopping haven and this will certainly give shoppers more reasons to spend. Remember it's value for your money. The recent budgetary announcements has been revealed that the import duties for over 300 tourism-related items has been abolished. Isn't this a great news!! It means you can buy designer clothings cheaper!!!  This is hope to boost more tourism and promote Malaysia as luxury shopping venue.

Each year tourists flood into Malaysia's capital city for shopping. Kuala Lumpur, the capital city is packed with huge shopping malls from Suria KLCC, Times Square, Mid Valley, Pavillion, Avenue K, Star Hills and the lists goes on.. This recent tax changes are sure to grab the attention of potential tourists and give them another reason to visit Malaysia. Get the news at http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Money/Story/STIStory_591568.html

;-) Don't wait. Let's shopping. I've just done mine today since 11am until 7.30pm

100 trillion Dollar??

Do you ever wonder how much is a 100 trillion dollar? What can that amount buy us and how many zeroes in 100 trillion? Don't get overwhelmed... Don't bother to think how big a space you need to keep that amount because it's just a single piece of note. Read this news. I'm sure U'll find it refreshing coz we all can afford it. Mean U & me can all be a trillionaires. Yahoo!!!http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Visitors-snap-up-100-trillion-apf-3558543127.html?x=0

Happy New Year 2K11...

Today’s Women are True Success Stories!!

You’ve comes a long way lady. A decade ago, it was still quite impossible to imagine that men and women might one day soon be judge by their gender equality in everything they do. Today, it is nothing hard to envision.

Raise your glasses. Let’s celebrate the success of today’s modern women. You have stories to tell, we create the avenue for you to do this. Use this blog to spread your words of wisdom and be there as you speak with others about the issue that they hold dear to their heart.

2011 will be the year that will highlight women who are making strides and continue to do so as they challenge with everyday life of working to survive, being a good wife, raising children and contributing to society in a complicity that matter most to them.

The women today are the ones who bring visibility to what our society needs. We are intelligent women. We know what we want in our career, family and appearance. We are competitive; respect ourselves and the difference of others. We are aggressive in pursuing highest achievement, goal oriented, have self-control, energetic and promote positive welfare for others yet we all maintains a strong sense of identity and embodies the true spirit of "A complete woman… with total beauty."

Happy New Year to all of you. Let us all pray and hope for a greater year ahead. Left all the dark and sorrow behind. Look forward for a shining rays that bring hope and comfort. God Bless…