Growling Stomach And A Heart Tugging Docu-Drama

My stomach is growling now as i only ate an apple and one pineapple pie tart for dinner.  I'm on a diet.

Coincidentally, I am watching an episode of the docu-drama "In Cold Blood II" on Channel 5 which told the compelling story of how a 10-year-old boy, when deprived of food by his foster family, had stolen food from the kitchen, and was abused by his grand aunt and her three daughters.

The boy endured two years of abuse from 2009 to 2011. Channel News Asia reported the story here.

Past episodes of "In Cold Blood II" can also be viewed at Xin.MSN but this particular episode is not yet on the website at time of writing.

In the episode, the grand aunt was depicted as adoring the boy when he first came to stay with the family after his mother was sentenced to jail.  The identity of the boy's father was not known.  However things turned ugly when the grand aunt found out that her husband was seeing another woman. The family also faced financial problems.

Like an angry mob, the mother and her daughters vented their frustrations on the boy whose stomach, too, must have been growling like mine, and had sneaked into the kitchen for some food.

With divine intervention, the boy's ordeal came to an end when he managed to escape from the house and met a samaritan. Sadly, the boy's face had been disfigured from the abuses.

The family have been been sentenced to jail. Sweet retribution.

What have I learnt from this story? 

1. Watch your anger.  Don't let it mess your mind.

2. Don't mess with someone's spouse.  It might drive the wife (in this story) insane.

3. Be a good neighbour.  If you suspect any kind of abuse whether it involves woman, child 
    or pet in your neighbourhood, report it to the relevant authorities.

Santi Forest Monastery

In the Theravada Buddhism tradition, devotees would offer food dana to the Sangha (Buddhist monks) community.  A giving heart and a mind that practises generosity is one of the prerequisites for a happy life.

The monks will chant before eating their meals.

It is the same with every faith, which teaches followers to give for it is only by giving will one receive.  But one must not give with the thought that one is going to get something back.  Just give because your gift will help someone or make them happy.

The Santi Forest Monastery http://www.4ui.com/eart/246eart3.htm is an alluring place to go to to perform dana.  It is a place to get close to nature and get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

  And while the monks are chanting, one should visualise departed loved ones so that the dead, too, can share the merits.

For me, performing dana is easy.  Having compassion and the practise of no killing --- not a problem.  The other prerequisites, however, not so easy.

Gratitude

"Bersyukurlah" as they say in Bahasa Malaysia, which means to be thankful for all that you have. 

I remembered a time when I would go to work everyday feeling very happy.  Those days are gone.  Colleagues that I have grown to regard as friends have either left the company or were transferred to another department.  I get along with my other colleagues, but they are not my friends so I don't talk to them that much.  Sometimes you don't know what can be said and what can't be said, so it's better to avoid saying anything.  Safer that way.

We come to work to work, not to talk and make friends ...  Actually trying to make meself happy with this thought.

At least I got to create all those lovely memories with the people whom I have affinity with.  I  wish they were here at times but knowing that that is not God's plans, I can only pray that they are well and happy.

Anyway, the Universe knows what is best for me.  I am not going to be bitter about it. Buddha said everything in life is transient. 

The Prince of Melancholy Wang Jie

Practise Forgiveness And Love

I deleted most of my previous posts because I realized that I had been too negative in the past. Am trying to change that. The law of attraction is that you need to think positive thoughts to have good things come your way.

I do experience anger and unforgiveness at times, and I do find melancholy rather alluring. But I will try to be positive as I want to create good energy and emit positive vibes. 

On the first day of the Lunar Seventh Month aka Hungry Ghost Month, which began on Friday (Aug 17), I went to visit the graves of my late parents who had given me so much when they were alive.  May they be well and happy wherever they are now.  The best way to honour the dead is to live the best life you can. 

I also listened to the "Da Bei Zhou" (Great Compassion Mantra) CD in my car as I was driving home from the crematorium. You can find out more about the mantra at http://web.singnet.com.sg/~alankhoo/Avalokitesvara.htm

Today (Aug 19), is the first day of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri.  After a month of fasting, it is a time for Muslims to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr or just Eid - a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan (the Islamic holy month of fasting).

Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity”, while Fitr means “breaking the fast”.

I really like the Muslim greeting "Maaf Zahir and Batin" or "Maaf Zahir Batin" which means forgive me for any spiritual/physical wrongdoings. Personally, I find this "easy to say, not so easy to do".

So, to all the Chinese folk "Drive safely in the 7th Month" and to Muslims, this being the first day of the Shawwal month, may everyone embrace the common goal of unity.

Salam Aidilfitri Maaf Zahir Batin

Enchanting Pulau Tinggi in Johor

Get a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life every once in a while.  Break away from stress by pampering yourself to a vacation.


The TAd Marine Resort in Pulau Tinggi, off Mersing, offers one a chance to relax, rejuvenate and recharge.


I was there for three days two nights.  It cost me RM589 nett with five meals thrown in.  This is only the promotional rate offered in conjunction with the resort's soft opening in March.

I parked my car here. 

An enticing swimming pool beckons.

The reception hall.

Simply enchanting.

Chalets by the sea.

 Some of the pics courtesy of  http://www.tourismjohor.com/content.cfm

I enjoyed exercising my vocal chords at the Sarong KTV lounge and waking up to the lullaby of the sea amid the pulsating rain.  I am a big fan of the rain, especially when I'm indoors and it's a holiday and I am on my bed. 


The other guests went snorkeling and swimming while some spent their time getting to know the villagers living near the resort.  There's a village located right next to the resort called Kampung Pasir Panjang.  The villagers were mainly fishermen but fishing is now prohibited after Pulau Tinggi was gazetted as a marine park.  For further info, go to the  Department of Marine Park Malaysia official website

Come June, the TAd Marine Ocean Spa will open for business and I may want to make another trip there.


It took about two hours of driving from Johor Baru to the Tanjung Leman Jetty where I parked my car.  The parking fee was RM4 per day.  Then a speedboat picked me and some others up from the jetty.  We were scheduled to go in at 1pm but the South China Sea was rather tempermental that day so the boat trip was delayed to 3pm.  If there were a bigger group of tourists, the operator would get a ferry and the journey to the island would have been longer.


Get more information at TAd Marine Resort or call Coral Tours  & Limousine Services Sdn Bhd at 07-331 2843.