tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57923039336550286872024-03-06T01:00:15.407-08:00free mindsMazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-36107907169279274722011-10-31T19:54:00.000-07:002011-10-31T19:58:17.052-07:00Public Announcement<span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Speed kills. No matter what you drive.</b></span>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-52562091425035187452010-03-25T18:13:00.000-07:002010-03-25T18:16:48.456-07:00Earth Hour - 27th March 2010, 2030 - 2130 hoursI had my doubts, does it make any difference? Hahah. But it's nice to see everybody uniting for a good cause. I'm putting this in my reminder.<div><br /></div><div>So, switch it off!</div>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-50427165077022724102009-10-01T22:52:00.000-07:002009-10-01T22:59:12.205-07:00World Animal Day - 4th Oct 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn2V0aq4YKg8a1sCLxnCpXSQRdwx9RFJ6RTJd41qr1uwsmnJDfOvrA8jbBeZxsEJiAbEevg3qafgM29LugiMlxoYT0xCglniSohpu-xAUK3tufApNccVubXJYYPpx_TlLlzdmiqDqs_8/s1600-h/30-09-09_0804.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn2V0aq4YKg8a1sCLxnCpXSQRdwx9RFJ6RTJd41qr1uwsmnJDfOvrA8jbBeZxsEJiAbEevg3qafgM29LugiMlxoYT0xCglniSohpu-xAUK3tufApNccVubXJYYPpx_TlLlzdmiqDqs_8/s320/30-09-09_0804.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387878119028996450" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b>Link --> </b></span><a href="http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/index.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b>http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/index.asp</b></span></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b>So, here's to our furry, scaly, slimy friends :)</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b>Happy World Animal Day!!! Why don't everybody hug at least 1 animal on that day? :)</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><br /></div>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-72242352380459037422009-09-28T21:28:00.000-07:002011-03-18T01:17:37.741-07:00Le Sandwich Bag<span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">I am guilty as charged. My sister saw the box of sandwich bags I bought and said, "I thought you were the environmentalist? What happened to don't-buy-items-with-small-packaging?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Arghhh. I was torn actually while lining up to pay. But I promise to reuse the bags as much as I can!</span><a style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ9dYVliH58COB-g9oaccfdckq0cCjdv8HgmJImdhlWdnB-7shQnfom8zajOqSUBjfwva71uZLfo5ZOKMnNvDLHa0oPLLj-zFmVKX-mYh70Tef-7_Dp1jg93MBjMLbL2FmPY0JyGBIBA/s1600-h/6109beec494784a620dc287afe1e.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ9dYVliH58COB-g9oaccfdckq0cCjdv8HgmJImdhlWdnB-7shQnfom8zajOqSUBjfwva71uZLfo5ZOKMnNvDLHa0oPLLj-zFmVKX-mYh70Tef-7_Dp1jg93MBjMLbL2FmPY0JyGBIBA/s320/6109beec494784a620dc287afe1e.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386742267214675266" border="0" /></a>*updated : One of my latest resolutions is to stop buying products with smaller packagings. I can do it!<br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;" id="refHTML"></div>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-21629554975887135182009-09-27T21:52:00.000-07:002009-09-27T21:54:42.871-07:00<span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Just a little reminder for you and for me...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Live our best</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Love our best</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Oh. And don't litter :)</span><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" id="refHTML"></div>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-59129073718547548052009-01-19T18:27:00.000-08:002009-01-19T18:56:16.094-08:00Silence is The Deadliest Weapon of Mass Desctruction<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bzFibJ4zfpLgFqZGC2jfrC_NSZb58Ree-tQYbiRiXZsOB6yKSzLMmltzuVyPnO6pY7Ad9X0qxs4zYaNgeLgRoOjIKxwJ9UFeiyVN2ESOSZrK_O44ZdnVl8xP8DjG5nzNTp_ebyCZbEE/s1600-h/brochureinsidecopy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bzFibJ4zfpLgFqZGC2jfrC_NSZb58Ree-tQYbiRiXZsOB6yKSzLMmltzuVyPnO6pY7Ad9X0qxs4zYaNgeLgRoOjIKxwJ9UFeiyVN2ESOSZrK_O44ZdnVl8xP8DjG5nzNTp_ebyCZbEE/s400/brochureinsidecopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293197994414484642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjpU12CqdLYRfGi4CYM6voagyPWTRG8IpVQnNHvWhF6g8oPNSG0bRDvTc-QLhj78C9ViTNrYQYoeCTHYkjc3wD3DVx70Ap7NYB4hGfjgrhfd5vwvdz4CXuPlZIbeEx1ofUAjgyJwZ5Zc/s1600-h/brochureoutsidecopy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjpU12CqdLYRfGi4CYM6voagyPWTRG8IpVQnNHvWhF6g8oPNSG0bRDvTc-QLhj78C9ViTNrYQYoeCTHYkjc3wD3DVx70Ap7NYB4hGfjgrhfd5vwvdz4CXuPlZIbeEx1ofUAjgyJwZ5Zc/s400/brochureoutsidecopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293197996811612818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Something worth passed around (taken from </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.completemalaysia.blogspot.com/">www.completemalaysia.blogspot.com</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> )<br /><br />Sorry about the poor image quality.This was a brochure I got when I was out for a movieand I thought it was pretty useful information.Rather than telling you to boycott products etc, this is basically what's on the 'What YOU Can Do' page :<br /><br />1.Don't throw this away, read it<br /><br />2. Educate yourself - find out the realities of the situation. Get your facts right, diversify your sources of information<br /><br />3. Be involved - participate in events, campaigns and workshops. Be proactive<br /><br />4. Spread the word<br /><br />5. Support the cause - donate generously towards the Palestinian cause<br /><br />6. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers<br /><br />Pretty simple right?All very do-able.I'm not asking you to move mountains.Personally I'm vouching for 'What YOU Can Do's' numbers 2, 5 and 6.<br /><br />Also taken from their brochure:<br /><br />Did you know that 5 million of the 8 million Palestinians are refugees, making them the biggest group of refugees in the world?<br /><br /><br /></span>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-34067146047926766722008-08-30T21:51:00.000-07:002008-08-31T00:12:59.558-07:00Saya Anak Malaysia (translate : I am Malaysia's child)<span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Happy 51st Birthday Malaysia!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">May you continue to grow and prosper into becoming a great nation</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Selamat Menyambut Merdeka ke-51 Malaysia!</span>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-83497933124192907142008-07-03T17:41:00.000-07:002008-07-04T01:28:27.650-07:00"What is happening to my country?" a friend of mine says<span style="font-weight: bold;">A friend of a friend recently commented that he hopes I keep updating.Wow.I seriously didn't think anyone would be interested to read this but since there are (or is) and because I am deeply touched because there is at least one person who reads this blog,I shall try to have regular updates ;)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ok.back to the title of my post.I have this friend,he is actually the husband of my mother's officemate and we knew each other because my mom and his wife had this course at this resort and while they were busy,we were busy also.Gallivanting and enjoying the place.Uncle S is a 60+ year old man,a really2 cool chap and he is absolutely hilarious.He is an Indian.And he also refers to me as his best friend.I do not see him often but when I do,I would always have a good time and also learn some new things.Uncle S,like my mother,used to be a teacher.So when he talks to people,he always had a way of connecting with them.So the other day my mum and I stopped by their house and we had a chat.Of course it started off about the weather,how intensely hot it is nowadays and then he said,</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">"haihhhhh....what is happening to my country-lah.....it never used<br />to be like this.everyone was so nice to everyone.Now,look at everyone.<br />He is saying this person has done this,and the person said he has done that.<br />Aiyo.what is happening lah.All these people used to work together and<br />now everyone is hitting out on each other.aiyoyo.what lah"<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />How can the public be the judge when we can't even tell the truth from the lies?<br /></div></div>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-53679979324334026912008-05-27T00:44:00.000-07:002008-07-04T01:22:58.682-07:00Faking it?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeo1DFH_5hasqkMllbLoT2wEtERUIYfd4Our0DnxNJA6LdPw8qWMxaIU3ZXVaQItNNpuythdz0joMVR5PiHLeFGcg8TnGphCbrhNhdutUwRuTNgrrM3G3JXgzmRnS-DNI6uepJ5-juOE/s1600-h/blind-722874.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeo1DFH_5hasqkMllbLoT2wEtERUIYfd4Our0DnxNJA6LdPw8qWMxaIU3ZXVaQItNNpuythdz0joMVR5PiHLeFGcg8TnGphCbrhNhdutUwRuTNgrrM3G3JXgzmRnS-DNI6uepJ5-juOE/s320/blind-722874.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219071226044467058" border="0" /></a><br />I was helping this blind guy go to his room in the library (they provided him with a special room,he is a masters student) and while I was passing the entrance,two of the guys working there said that the guy was just faking it.So have I been duped?<br /><br />he actually asked me for another favour,which included following him to ampang because he wanted to fix his cd player.hmm<br /><br />For real?Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-225493900125101432008-03-05T02:59:00.000-08:002008-03-25T23:47:31.655-07:00Malaysia's Election Day - 8th March 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBPy7bbM1RDl8ef4N2eLYAfXKrXjCPX6GAnwqEueki1BFqA7QpHm9B06kfy3xC8OLvyw7nPeazEQvaLNoSWrkGZcWyH0heL-esxRIMI3R_TjkNHxc3w8-Sem-K29lskdGetdM7ryH-5c/s1600-h/ist2_2572696_malaysian_flag_with_clipping_path.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174222611252126722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBPy7bbM1RDl8ef4N2eLYAfXKrXjCPX6GAnwqEueki1BFqA7QpHm9B06kfy3xC8OLvyw7nPeazEQvaLNoSWrkGZcWyH0heL-esxRIMI3R_TjkNHxc3w8-Sem-K29lskdGetdM7ryH-5c/s320/ist2_2572696_malaysian_flag_with_clipping_path.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:verdana;" >I was inspired by a column in The Star newspaper written by Koh Lay Chin.It was titled 'Flawed maybe,but the system works here' and her thoughts exactly mirrored mine.</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:verdana;" ></span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >*Koh Lay Chin writes for NST.sorry.my mistake :)</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:verdana;" ><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">"Voting is a symbolic and physical act of love and commitment to one's nation, a relationship you renew and re-evaluate every four or five years. Whether the love counts or can be trusted, one may never know. But you act on it, you fight, trust and keep your fingers crossed, regardless. Democracy is an excruciating, poetic and sinuous labour of love - one person's vote is an actual act of engagement and a symbolic pact of hope. One must believe that his or her one vote counts"</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Now,I do not openly support any political parties and I probably never really will. This Saturday will be my first time voting and how exactly will I come to a decision?Let's make it simple. I am comfortable where I am now.I am able to get an education.I can walk the streets without fear of bombings. My friends who have graduated are able to get good jobs. I am contented with the way things are run now. Do I have faith that if other people were to take charge instead,would they do a better job?No.So that is how I will vote.<br /><br /></span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:verdana;" >What do I know of politics?Nothing.I have no idea of how things are run,regardless of the numerous legislations and procedures to follow but what really goes on up there,I really don't know. Basically what most people have (especially during election time) are just stories being passed from mouth to mouth, and we all know what happens in a game of Chinese Whispers. Fact of the matter is, the situation can get down and dirty. And I will never really know what is real and what is not. Even the voting system is put under the microscope and scrutinized from every aspect. It's a flawed system, but I think they've handled it the best they can. The Election Commission consists of a bunch of people,and just like us,they're prone to mistakes. I read an article about how Malaysians are denied the rights to vote fairly and with justice.Hmm.Truth be told,from what I can see,they are given the right to vote.It's just a matter of whether they want to or not.Some of them did not even register although they are way past the eligible age of voting.So what's the story morning glory?</span> <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:verdana;" ><br /><br />I do believe in the voting system,and as rational,logical and mature thinking rakyats we are, we should express our feelings through our votes. Not by tearing down or vandalising the posters of those who we do not support.There are always chances of a new government or new faces ruling the country.If there is,then I shall welcome them with open arms.Change is always good.That's the whole point of the voting system.Voice out your opinions there.By forever harping on how screwed up the whole system is,how do we expect to change anything?What makes you think,that in the hands of other people,the system would be better than it is? It's all about thinking things through and analyzing what's good for you, your loved ones and your country.</span> <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:verdana;" ><br /><br />Till then, Happy Voting Malaysia!<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:verdana;" ></span>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-13346055980892584562007-11-29T18:08:00.000-08:002007-11-29T23:37:18.200-08:00how relevant is freedom of speech in our community today?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBTZSteknNWOvrcIRZ3MyQx-838ingjGlm2R-6F5NIO2fnBGsUTIykAMBeYAKG657zDLNNlKedR-37AFc1tioGI_o1VvBjUQaRaZRG46fXo5J86KSK-i6KKFC5eP90knbKh-z2HSSOZY/s1600-r/rron293l.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138534064614432498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xUv__tNPnsZAn4tcxrcJz8TIv6CPmCfB5L436l7e903pNTcsLf69oFf9_RnmtflFMcmpbPIbQ3UnnUEA9D6-oDGF59OR1b-wGq_8R7cjUECgUKAHe6VT62KZQ6dILgZqOWe5i2nzKCs/s320/rron293l.jpg" border="0" /></a>freedom of speech (FOS) is forever an issue with several communities around the world.some demand for it,others think it is a recipe for disaster.unfortunately, FOS is not something we can measure or control easily.Even looking up for the meaning of FOS offers thousands of different perspectives,each with its own definition of what it is,the philosophy behind it,and how it is expressed.I define FOS as the freedom to speak your mind,what you think,whatever, with no restrictions whatsoever.FOS in my perspective is being able to say anything i want,for instance,in this blog,without worrying about red-tapes and restrictions so that the public will be able to read everything I am saying and be able to respond in a way they want to.And in a way,I already have my FOS right,noone's telling me to stop it or slap me with an arrest or anything like that right?That's what I mean by how broad the definition of FOS can be,it just depends on how you apply it to the situation I guess.Some might also relate FOS to freedom of expression (FOE) as they are closely related and often used in the same context.Independent newspapers demand their rights to FOS as their publication is controlled politically by the governing party.They demand that the laws pertaining to FOS be amended, if not taken out altogether,so that they are allowed to publish their independent views.Now,for FOS right,it no longer becomes FOS when you control it right?So,when it says FOS is allowed,then there should be no rules,regulations or law for it should it?Because then FOS is given but not after making the speech.Get what I'm saying?So, how relevant is FOS in our society today?Given the peaceful conditions we are living in, it is important to maintain that so there is no way FOS is to be allowed because it can promote uncertainty,anger,instability etc if certain sensitive issues are to be released to the public.Back in the hey-days of activism (you know,everyone was a hippie ,smoked weed and joined demonstrations) it was all about FOS back then.We demanded for our rights and exclaimed our disagreements with how things are back then. But now,is FOS really relevant?what do we hope to achieve with FOS now?is FOS now the same as it used to be before?<br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-49747542471967093092007-08-23T04:50:00.000-07:002007-08-23T05:35:51.466-07:00MAKE TRADE FAIR<span style="font-size:180%;"><strong style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">FACT #1</strong><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">15 million Ethiopians are dependent on coffee, and whilst they grow some of the world’s finest beans, they don’t see the rich profits.</span><br /><strong style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><br />FACT #2</strong><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">For every cup of coffee sold by major coffee chain stores, farmers in coffee-growing countries like Ethiopia only earn about 3 cents.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Every cup counts people,so consider it before you fork out the ringgits for it ;p</span><br /></span>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-5671674892826130062007-06-08T00:14:00.000-07:002007-06-08T00:33:10.724-07:00Darfur : Episode 3<span style="color:#333399;">Look at Darfur situation with both eyes<br />By SHAHANAAZ HABIB<br /></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#333399;">Journalists on a trip organised largely for the Intelligence Communities of African Countries had Sudanese officials telling them that the situation in Darfur was actually improving - contrary to what the West has been saying. <br /></span></strong><br /><strong><a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/8/nation/17963942&sec=nation"><span style="color:#333399;">http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/8/nation/17963942&sec=nation</span></a></strong><br /><span style="color:#333399;">-The Star Friday,8th June 2007</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;">hmm.i had a chat with a friend the other day and he told me that sometimes what's told over mass media might not necessarily be the truth.They might not be lies either but sometimes we do not get the whole picture of the story,just pieces of what they want us to know.Sometimes what we get on the news are pieces of manipulated stories that are used to somehow benefit a certain party.It is undeniable how bias some television or other form of media networks can be,and for us who depend so much on them for the latest info,well,that is really unfortunate for us.So,how do we filter the things that we get?Hmm</span> </strong>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-23880286391995159112007-06-05T21:16:00.000-07:002007-06-05T21:25:33.300-07:001980. A kid in Uganda about to die of hunger, and a missionaire.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNlpCHpTctAPmGi_7IY1P6QS608BDm-Usa1_-M_f9jTI9FSdRAVXip2khWkltKQI1SipRuGfGlY13c3xDjHLWDH2CVa0LYIJULA4WQar8AqrcbvdKHnTerMuZcmF8LuUETar_Lt0gUYY/s1600-h/ShowLetter10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072802263845687282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNlpCHpTctAPmGi_7IY1P6QS608BDm-Usa1_-M_f9jTI9FSdRAVXip2khWkltKQI1SipRuGfGlY13c3xDjHLWDH2CVa0LYIJULA4WQar8AqrcbvdKHnTerMuZcmF8LuUETar_Lt0gUYY/s320/ShowLetter10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-30606159488128703782007-06-04T18:08:00.000-07:002007-06-04T20:34:34.215-07:00World Environment Day - 5th June 2007<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwMwc7sIhr2PghiznOC2oaaSqhWvSY_KVumwPSwTZe0vUkIMmb2KW8t48lAsqQAsJQ1UiFNaPILsuJY0L21GaIdJjl9u2JZOEqWMhkANmNEOr-hXDMSt-o748Xzwkztw8Rp9SPhrqwgs/s1600-h/SP1038462.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072413835593371618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwMwc7sIhr2PghiznOC2oaaSqhWvSY_KVumwPSwTZe0vUkIMmb2KW8t48lAsqQAsJQ1UiFNaPILsuJY0L21GaIdJjl9u2JZOEqWMhkANmNEOr-hXDMSt-o748Xzwkztw8Rp9SPhrqwgs/s320/SP1038462.jpg" border="0" /></a> DEFORESTATION, BANGLADESH. Madhupur Forest. Burning forest to extend agricultural land. </div><div align="left"><br /><a href="http://www.unep.org/wed/2007/english/"><span style="color:#3333ff;">UNEP World Environment Day 5 June 2007</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">With the slogan </span><a href="http://www.unep.org/wed/2007/downloads/documents/Factsheet_en.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Melting Ice - A Hot Topic</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"> it is obvious that the main issue this year is climate change.With leaders around the country taking up the call to fight issues like global warming it looks like things are actually looking up.But is it too late?Already we are being warned of potential catastrophes,the ice caps are melting,unpredictable weather conditions,etc.But to some global warming is still a myth.I personally feel that everyone should contribute,even the smallest action counts.We are the ones destroying the planet and it is up to us to save it.Already we are dumping our waste into the waters,and just because we've found another habitable planet does not make it ok to pollute and not care about the one we're living on.Personally i feel i have a long way to go to being an environmental friendly person,but i feel that if we could only make it a priority in our lives,then we can all work together to save the Earth.Lets just remind ourselves to take care of what we have right now,rather than regret in losing it in the future.And that future might just be around the corner.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">DO’S AND DON’TS TO HELP THE PLANET<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Energy Savings at Home</strong><br />People all over the world are taking measures to reduce the greenhouse gases emitted as a result of the way they live. Using less energy not only helps the planet, but also saves money on household bills.Turning the heating thermostat down, and the air conditioning up, by 1.5°C (3°F) saves around 1 tonnes of CO2 (carbon dioxide) a year. An energy-efficiency refrigerator could save nearly half a tonne of CO2 a year, compared with an older model. Insulating windows, doors, and electrical outlets and adding more insulation to the attic and basement reduces energy consumption.Compact fluorescent, spiral light bulbs are 75% more efficient than standard light bulbs<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Energy Savings on the Road</strong><br />Walking, cycling, using a car pool or taking public transport, all produce fewer emissions than those emitted by a single person in a car.Choosing the most efficient car available, such as a hybrid gasoline-electric model, and keeping any car well maintained, will reduce emissions.Sharing a car and avoiding short journeys by car, saves energy.Keeping tires optimally inflated uses less fuel and cuts down emissions.Driving at 5 mph below the speed limit over an 8-mile commute to work saves 350 kg of CO2 per year.<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Reducing Garbage</strong><br />On average a person throws away 10 times his or her bodyweight in rubbish per year. One kilogram sent to landfill produces 2 kg of methane. The simplest way of reducing this burden is to buy and waste less unnecessary packaging.Recycling paper, glass, aluminum, steel and other materials to produce "new" materials, can make energy savings. Using both sides of the paper and recycling it can save 2.5 kg of greenhouse gases for every kilogram of paper used.<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Becoming Carbon Neutral</strong><br />After reducing emissions as much as possible, people become carbon neutral by "offsetting" the rest. They purchase "carbon credits" to channel their money into projects leading to a reduction in emissions. With details of the activity or fuel use to be offset, the organization calculates how many carbon credits need to be bought. Cost of credits varies, but is around $10/£7.50 per tonne of CO2.<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Advocating Change</strong><br />Individuals can encourage larger communities to act on climate change. For example:<br />• Workplaces and schools: encourage co-workers or fellow students to adopt strategies that reduce missions;<br />• Companies and governing bodies: lobby management to invest in energy conservation measures, or renewable energy;<br />• Pressure groups and local government representatives: advocate local action. See Cities for Climate Protection programme: www.iclei.org/co2/;<br />• Corporations: encourage evaluation of their contributions to the greenhouse effect and point them to the many success stories and available toolkits;<br />• Government: lobby ministers to take actions to reduce emissions and plan adaptation options.<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><em>Source: The Atlas of Climate Change – Mapping the World’s Greatest Challenge</em> </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">"The day's agenda is to give a human face to environmental issues; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership, which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future. World Environment Day is a people's event with colourful activities such as street rallies, bicycle parades, green concerts, essays and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, as well as recycling and clean-up campaigns."</span> </div>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-4910878267541474902007-05-31T21:14:00.000-07:002007-05-31T21:22:48.102-07:0031st May 2007 - World No Tobacco Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3DdL274KNbnOATw8_pPpZBeULaqvseoSMgyS-7Q469aLOfbFJVMFFqtRtmwVunsebQevLoA-c77XZrjY7ViMlB0g6Ti4zqx5Zbb1Y0hbFi9yaXvOUOhAXlF3lrkdLchPajoLbDcrz5I/s1600-h/No_Smoking.jpg"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070946440308481746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3DdL274KNbnOATw8_pPpZBeULaqvseoSMgyS-7Q469aLOfbFJVMFFqtRtmwVunsebQevLoA-c77XZrjY7ViMlB0g6Ti4zqx5Zbb1Y0hbFi9yaXvOUOhAXlF3lrkdLchPajoLbDcrz5I/s320/No_Smoking.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><br /></span></strong><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world. It is well known that half the people who smoke regularly today – about 650 million people – will eventually be killed by tobacco. Equally alarming is the fact that hundreds of thousands of people who have never smoked die each year from diseases caused by breathing second-hand tobacco smoke - taken from </span></strong><a href="http://www.who.int/tobacco/communications/events/wntd/2007/en/"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">WHO</span></strong></a></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">There are things that is totally out of our hands,things that we cannot control like natural disasters,which could cause severe catastrophes.And then there are things which we can control,choices we can make.We control the hand which lights up the cigarette or stub it out.Even if you love smoking so much,then think of the loved ones around you.Girlfriend,wife,daughter...because of you they've become smokers too.Noone can force anyone to do anything cause it's all about choice.So choose to put out that cigarette ;p </span></strong></div>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-39086233522833615402007-05-30T18:01:00.000-07:002007-05-30T19:19:47.378-07:00Darfur : Episode 2<a href="http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1626020,00.html"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">Will Sanctions End the Darfur Killing?</span></strong></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;">"Despite the sanctions announced Tuesday by President Bush, the coming months will see more horrifying news of massacres from Darfur, more wrenching refugee tales, more urgent calls for action".Won't sanctions make it worse for the people in Sudan?Shouldn't the international community give aid to Sudan instead of cornering them and potentially worsening the conditions there?Humanitarian conditions are worsening there,is placing a sanction really going to help Sudan in any way at all?I guess it is one way to control the violence taking place there but the Sudan people are already deprived of so many things,and the innocent are usually the victim here.Even with sanctions,the rebels would find ways to get firearm supplies easily if they wanted to.It's the people of Sudan that should be the main concern.The innocent men,women,children who just happened to be stuck smack in the middle of everything.The international community should instead work harder to help out with the peace agreements,if we really do want to help out.Violence sure as heck does not solve anything,and the examples are still here for us to see (Iraq.duh) Sure,discussions have long been going on and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere but that's the thing,if for once,just for once,we were to think of the welfare of the country actually in the deepest part of the muck,anything is achieveable.It's wishful thinking but can actually be reality if we only stop thinking about gaining profit for ourselves and for once,think of the people of Sudan,who by right,should have all the say in this thing.Their voices can't be heard,and they are the victims of the situation.Think of them,and not of ourselves.Save Darfur,but also respect their independence.Help them,but don't expect anything in return.Give aid,not create more violence.They've suffered enough.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;"></span></strong><br /><em><strong><span style="color:#660000;">*all of the above are the author's own thoughts,with certain excerpts taken from other sources.The author would like to apologize for her ignorance and believe that although she does not have much say in this matter,she believes that spreading the information around would,somehow,help.how?beats her.but she would greatly appreciate comments or opinion,if anyone would like to enlighten her and everybody alse on this issue.thank you</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;"></span></strong></em><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;">"In Darfur, it would be better to help the Sudanese get over the crisis so their country is pacified rather than sanctions which would push them back to their misdeeds of old," junior Foreign Minister Renaud Muselier told French radio.</span></strong></span>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-43657605808175317742007-05-29T21:05:00.000-07:002007-05-29T21:59:13.741-07:00Darfur : Episode 1<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTF9u8yNDeW-2L5lmFDbYyKJfpnke4kebO3Ncl15T9A6JfJlnWMp2OwxYEm5hAZdDvC_z1sx2_GiurLxxYEyC-xcuF-preY822-QY71stDmKP230TuaXrOLe4ta3pgUj3Y7x-nmLngjc/s1600-h/ad-handcuff-big.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070205042716922354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTF9u8yNDeW-2L5lmFDbYyKJfpnke4kebO3Ncl15T9A6JfJlnWMp2OwxYEm5hAZdDvC_z1sx2_GiurLxxYEyC-xcuF-preY822-QY71stDmKP230TuaXrOLe4ta3pgUj3Y7x-nmLngjc/s320/ad-handcuff-big.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="color:#000099;">SaveDarfur.org has a post called "</span></strong><a href="http://www.savedarfur.org/pages/background/"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Background</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#000099;">" that's worth checking out...</span></strong><br /><br /><p><strong><span style="color:#000099;">DOWNLOAD: Policy Talking Points (Updated 3/30/07)Darfur has been embroiled in a deadly conflict for over three years. At least 400,000 people… </span></strong></p><span style="color:#660000;"><strong>How did the conflict start?</strong> </span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#660000;">The conflict began in the arid and impoverished region early in 2003 after a rebel group began attacking government targets, saying the region was being neglected by Khartoum.<br />The rebels say the government is oppressing black Africans in favour of Arabs.<br />Darfur, which means land of the Fur, has faced many years of tension over land and grazing rights between the mostly nomadic Arabs, and farmers from the Fur, Massaleet and Zagawa communities.<br />There are two main rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem), although the peace talks were complicated by splits in both groups, some along ethnic lines.<br />The groups opposed to May 2006 peace deal with the government have now merged into the National Redemption Front led by former Darfur governor Ahmed Diraige. </span></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#660000;">What is the government doing?</span></strong></div><div><span style="color:#660000;"><br />It admits mobilising "self-defence militias" following rebel attacks but denies any links to the Janjaweed, accused of trying to "cleanse" black Africans from large swathes of territory.<br />Refugees from Darfur say that following air raids by government aircraft, the Janjaweed ride into villages on horses and camels, slaughtering men, raping women and stealing whatever they can find.<br />Many women report being abducted by the Janjaweed and held as sex slaves for more than a week before being released.<br />The US and some human rights groups say that genocide is taking place - though a UN investigation team sent to Sudan said that while war crimes had been committed, there had been no intent to commit genocide.<br />Sudan's government denies being in control of the Janjaweed and President Omar al-Bashir has called them "thieves and gangsters".<br />After strong international pressure and the threat of sanctions, the government promised to disarm the Janjaweed. But so far there is little evidence this has happened.<br />Trials have been announced in Khartoum of some members of the security forces suspected of abuses - but this is viewed as part of a campaign against UN-backed attempts to get some 50 key suspects tried at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.<br />What has happened to Darfur's civilians?<br />Millions have fled their destroyed villages, with many heading for camps near Darfur's main towns. But there is not enough food, water or medicine.<br />The Janjaweed patrol outside the camps and Darfurians say the men are killed and the women raped if they venture too far in search of firewood or water.<br /><br />The Janjaweed are accused of 'ethnic cleansing'Some 200,000 have also sought safety in neighbouring Chad, but many of these are camped along a 600km stretch of the border and remain vulnerable to attacks from Sudan.<br />The refugees are also threatened by the diplomatic fallout between Chad and Sudan as the neighbours accuse one another of supporting each other's rebel groups.<br />Chad's eastern areas have a similar ethnic make-up to Darfur.<br />Many aid agencies are working in Darfur but they are unable to get access to vast areas because of the fighting. </span></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#660000;">How many have died? </span></strong></div><strong><div><br /></strong><span style="color:#660000;">With much of Darfur inaccessible to aid workers and researchers, calculating how many deaths there have been in the past three years is impossible.<br />What researchers have done is to estimate the deaths based on surveys in areas they can reach.<br />The latest research published in September 2006 in the journal Science puts the numbers of deaths above and beyond those that would normally die in this inhospitable area at "no fewer than 200,000".<br />The US researchers say that their figures are the most compelling and persuasive estimate to date. They have made no distinction between those dying as a result of violence and those dying as a result of starvation or disease in refugee camps.<br />Accurate figures are crucial in determining whether the deaths in Darfur are genocide or - as the Sudanese government says - the situation is being exaggerated. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#660000;"><strong>What happened to the peace deal?</strong> </span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#660000;">SLA leader Minni Minawi, who signed the May peace deal, was given a large budget, but his fighters have already been accused by Amnesty International of abuses against people in areas opposed to the peace deal.<br />The smaller SLA faction and Jem did not sign the deal.<br />There has been a dramatic increase in violence and displacement since the deal was signed.<br />With the peace deal looking unworkable and amid fears of renewed "all-out war", there appears little prospect of people returning to their villages for some time yet. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#660000;"><strong>Is anyone trying to stop the fighting?</strong> </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#660000;">About 7,000 African Union troops have slowly been deployed in Darfur on a very limited mandate.<br />Experts say the soldiers are too few to cover an area the size of France, and the African Union says it does not have the money to fund the operation for much longer.<br />Sudan has resisted strong western diplomatic pressure for the UN to take control of the peacekeeping mission. The latest plan envisages a more than doubling of numbers and a hybrid force with much greater UN involvement but at present Sudan says it will allow just 3,000 extra troops.<br />In April 2006, the UN Security Council passed a resolution imposing sanctions against four Sudanese nationals accused of war crimes in Darfur that include two rebel leaders, a former air force chief, and a Janjaweed militia leader.<br />A dossier of evidence compiled by a UN commission has also been passed to the ICC in The Hague, along with the names of top war crimes suspects. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#660000;"><strong>Will sanctions be imposed?</strong> </span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#660000;">The US and the UK have long threatened international sanctions against Sudan, unless it agrees to having more UN peacekeepers in Darfur.<br />But such threats have so far achieved little, as Sudan's allies Russia and China have used their veto in the UN Security Council to block tough resolutions.<br />The US imposed sanctions on Sudan in 1997 because of its previous ties to Osama Bin Laden. Under these, Sudanese firms cannot use US dollars, making international trade more difficult.<br />On 29 May 2007, the US announced fresh sanctions targeting Sudanese companies and individuals involved in the violence in Darfur.<br />It banned 30 Sudanese companies, mostly in the oil business, and three individuals from trading or banking with the US.<br />On the same day, President Bush also announced a push for new UN Security Council sanctions.<br /></span></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070213185974915602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 303px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 181px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="229" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4o8shyphenhyphenxdoQk3WF-iQcWKh6JDn3-T_fUGlV9VhoUTf0ZaDPsxUi3HlsRBtv0RUw0uve3N8I09CmWa8WphLMDzrEH6cIQ0VYGD_a6iGWjrcgQzY1yGb1hfTjOoXtSqtjVXLfjP2vGbyjs/s320/map01.jpg" width="380" border="0" /><br /><p><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070213190269882914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztqJrP1yZ-2ignV2pRtLSU4nlb2uSpQaeuPBXYaTC1aSaZXz0to8PmRXuiU6shaAhblijs8CPKcb4Hd8BAfcVm1DUnnShJFYkc_F9ZcinIRfmtbXVIuDQWCFOg4Dn5l0tIe9dSnueqMA/s320/Picture5.gif" border="0" /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span></strong></p></div>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-87463640163140628232007-05-21T23:45:00.000-07:002007-05-22T00:55:17.935-07:00when there is nothing to talk about<strong><span style="color:#009900;">there's always something to talk about.i'm just going through a phase where i'm not really sure what it is i wanna talk about.hmm2.is it writer's block?but i'm not really a writer.hmm.wutever.for those who have been reading this blog,might have noticed how there have been no updates recently.because of that i would like to apologize,guess the activist-ism in me went out for a bit.been busy with other stuff.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;">but nway,i promise i'll be back with the usual things to talk about,wutever that is.so till then,<span style="font-size:180%;">don't litter!</span></span></strong>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-81665413560365728042007-04-28T12:55:00.000-07:002007-04-28T13:39:10.553-07:00Giving back to our community<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmGYak3JY19797lY4f7SJdm-9q0uMyPeXQ90KCDG1haXb8v1oxYXKJt0_Y-BCNPpBx5BU2fp-J9BgLcy8crP3smrTai29RuUYhckPoIcugkICi-lAW-qCotodKhB86ZRNcq_Vo4H7HaQ/s1600-h/p2demo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmGYak3JY19797lY4f7SJdm-9q0uMyPeXQ90KCDG1haXb8v1oxYXKJt0_Y-BCNPpBx5BU2fp-J9BgLcy8crP3smrTai29RuUYhckPoIcugkICi-lAW-qCotodKhB86ZRNcq_Vo4H7HaQ/s320/p2demo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058571061243077490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;" class="story_header">Social causes, not drugs</span> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="story"><span class="story_byline">By LOH FOON FONG</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="story"> FIQTRY Al Haqimiey plays the didgeridoo and djembe for his four-member band Semira (Seni Milik Rakyat) but on Sundays, the 21-year-old goes to the market, collects free vegetables from the sellers and cooks them for the homeless. </p><p class="story"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Coordinating an NGO called Food not Bombs Kuala Lumpur (FNBKL), Fiqtry and six other people, including his band members, cook vegetarian food at the FNBKL centre in Robson Heights, Taman Seputeh from 2pm to 5.30pm and then distribute the food to the homeless and destitute at Jalan Bukit Nenas, Kuala Lumpur.<br /></span></p><p class="story"><span style="font-style: italic;">http://thestar.com.my/youth2/story.asp?file=/2006/3/29/youth2/13471869&sec=youth2</span></p><p class="story"><span style="font-style: italic;">(Wednesday, March 29 2006)</span></p><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);" class="story"><span>I heard about them from a friend some time ago,and it's amazing how dedicated some people are.Charity work will always amaze me as it requires you to put extreme effort in order to make it work and also bring the effects that you want.I don't think people do enough for society because even stories like the above occur only once in awhile.Not that i'm doubting the existence of many good samaritans out there who are ever willing to lend a helping hand to those who need it.But you know how things are,it's never enough.Even the occasional beggars who ask for money from table to table gets turned away.I guess some people think they are putting up a front,'pretending' to be crippled or blind in order to get some sympathy.I guess you could never really be sure,just have faith in the human kind.haha.But anyway,it would be really nice to get involved in any form of charity work.So maybe we could encourage each other to do so! ;p<br /></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);" class="story"><span>The idea of recycling has always appealed to me as it offers a solution to the answer of where does all the rubbish go.I mean,i look at the amount of plastic rubbish alone i generate in a day and i shudder.Times that with the whole population of Malaysia,not to mention the whole world and its like wowhh.It's just amazing the amount of non-biodegradable rubbish we produce.So why not recycle?It is for our own good right?I applaud malls which have recycling bins like Ikano Power Centre in Damansara.It actually encourages consumers to practice recycling,even if it's only in the mall but hey,that's a start right?But sometimes there are irresponsible people who do not throw the types of rubbish into their respective bins.I don't know why but i guess not everything can go perfectly.Which comes back to the main question.Why can't our country be more serious in handling our rubbish?I mean,the decreasing amount of space to chuck them away had some people worried a few years back,and i heard about trips being made to countries who successfully carry out their recycling programs.Then nothing.Nada.Nyet.What happened?Is it still in progress?What's going on?A friend says that it's takes a lot of time,cost,technology to start this whole recycling thing but what are we waiting for?Till we finally run out of space and grounds to dig,or till our rivers or lakes or oceans becomes a dumping ground (It is already isn't it?) I mean ,yeah,it's easy to talk about it and all but to carry it out takes a lot more and that is exactly what we don't have.We've achieved so much and yet we still have doubts about doing things that would actually benefit us.Is it because recycling takes too much effort and we can't really gain any profit from it that we think that it is not a worthwhile cause to fight for?For me,i think that recycling is a brilliant idea and if only we are encouraged to recycle more,and also provided with the facilities and also the knowledge,well,wouldn't it be a better world? :) I'm trying it out and mind you i'm not an expert on the subject.In fact,i'm still having trouble identifying a proper recycling center but i don't think that should stop me.Till then,lets try this recycling thing.Once we get used to it it'll probably be a breeze ;p</span></p><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);" class="story"><span>http://www.kitarsemula.com/RecyclingCentre.asp (it's a dead link!anyone has any suggestions as to where we can check out our nearest recycling center,other information about recycling etc.thanx!) this might be something worth looking into : http://www.reach.org.my/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=47 (<br /></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);" class="story"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></p><p class="story"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"></span><br /></p>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-4982685340779005482007-04-25T09:21:00.000-07:002007-04-25T10:34:31.802-07:00Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall...<em>New love-our-river campaign</em><br /><br /><em>JOHOR BARU: The 15-year-old “Love Our River” campaign has been declared a failure but there are plans to launch a new RM10mil campaign to educate the public about protecting rivers in the country. </em><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/4/25/nation/17541919&sec=nation">http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/4/25/nation/17541919&sec=nation</a><br />(Wednesday, April 25th 2007)<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#993399;">Let's hope it will be a well-spent 10mil.....</span></strong><br /><br /><em>Why Walls Don't Work in Baghdad</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWh2QqFfgmW_Yvb-VQcjJdzFNhvXcJvdfIzvi3RrFP9zrXSv8WPSexDER4vraowF1h0on5Fm5znaf1bX1935GcGloIp9RmEmRVkhyu6KsAERCWrEEIofROBc46D1HCY6oVqRlz-GjPqQ/s1600-h/iraq_wall_0423.jpg"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057418953445794658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWh2QqFfgmW_Yvb-VQcjJdzFNhvXcJvdfIzvi3RrFP9zrXSv8WPSexDER4vraowF1h0on5Fm5znaf1bX1935GcGloIp9RmEmRVkhyu6KsAERCWrEEIofROBc46D1HCY6oVqRlz-GjPqQ/s320/iraq_wall_0423.jpg" border="0" /></em></a><br /><em>Residents walk past a concrete wall on a street in Adhamiya district in Baghdad April 22, 2007. The U.S. military is putting up concrete walls to protect five neighbourhoods in Baghdad in a new strategy some residents said on Sunday would isolate them from other communities and sharpen sectarian tensions.<br /></em><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1614328,00.html">http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1614328,00.html</a><br />(Tuesday, April 24th 2007)Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-27652556348321915952007-04-23T06:31:00.000-07:002007-04-23T06:40:23.524-07:00Earth Day and Astronomy Day<strong><span style="color:#336666;">Astronomy Day : 21st April (ngehehe.i know i could've been an astronomer if i wanted to ;p)</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;">Earth Day : 22nd April </span></strong><a href="http://www.earthday.net"><strong><span style="color:#336666;">www.earthday.net</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#336666;"> Fight climate change!</span></strong>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-67394312839326854992007-04-20T10:55:00.000-07:002007-04-20T11:48:46.691-07:00Check this out:will it work in favor of the Democrats?<em>Senator Reid: Iraq War is 'Lost'<br />Friday, Apr. 20, 2007 By </em><a onclick="javascript:window.open('/time/letters/email_letter.html','letter','width=400,height=420,status=no,scrollbars=yes')" href="javascript:void(0)"><em>AP/ANNE FLAHERTY</em></a><em><br /></em><a href="http://twx.doubleclick.net/click;h=v8/3556/0/0/%2a/j;44306;0-0;0;15212974;21-88/31;0/0/0;;~aopt=2/0/ff/0;~sscs=%3f" target="_blank"></a><br /><em>(WASHINGTON) — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday the war in Iraq is "lost," triggering an angry backlash by Republicans, who said the top Democrat had turned his back on the troops. The bleak assessment — the most pointed yet from Reid — came as the House voted 215-199 to uphold legislation ordering troops out of Iraq next year. </em><br /><em></em><br />read the rest : <a href="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1612977,00.html">http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1612977,00.html</a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#339999;"><span style="color:#000099;">I say get the American troops out A.S.A.P .Enough lives are wasted and they are fighting a different war now,one that is not becoming any better with or without their (US) intervention.I used to think that US soldiers are a bunch of mindless bullies but now,well,lets just say that i've learned to understand the,umm,situation.Circumstances can put us in situations where,well,we may or may not want to be in.But anyway,as i was saying,it's high time the American troops are taken out of Iraq.They're fighting a war that's not theirs.And i'm sure their service could be put to much better use,like giving aid to countries who really needs it.<br /></span><br /></span></strong><br /><br /><em>College student loses RM148,000<br />PENANG: A college student lost all her college fees totalling RM148,000 to a syndicate which told her that she had won RM3.3mil in two Internet lucky draws.<br />The 20-year-old student first received a call on March 20 from a woman telling her that she had won RM120,000 in a Hong Kong Turf Club online draw.</em><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/4/20/nation/20070420184750&sec=nation">http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/4/20/nation/20070420184750&sec=nation</a><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>I think a lot of Internet scams are surfacing nowadays.Please please,let's remind ourselves,don't be fooled by them!</strong></span>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-45870943213479452862007-04-20T09:36:00.000-07:002007-04-20T10:18:56.885-07:0014 langkah yang perlu diikuti oleh negara2 sebelum boleh mengisytihar perang1.Gunakan nota bantahan<br />2.Satu pihak akan membuat penafian dan tuduhan<br />3.Memanggil balik dutanya di negara yang berkonflik itu<br />4.Menarik balik dutanya<br />5.Tindakan untuk mengeluarkan ancaman yang serius<br />6.Ancaman untuk adakan sekatan,embargo atau 'ekonomik embargo'<br />7.Melancarkan propaganda di dalam dan diluar negara untuk jatuhkan suatu pihak<br />8.Perlaksanaan sekatan atau embargo secara terhad<br />9.Memutuskan hubungan diplomatik secara formal<br />10.Melaksanakan tindakan ketenteraan yang bersifat tidak kekerasan<br />11.Penutupan semua dokumen2 pergerakan dan komunikasi antara kedua pihak<br />12.Perlaksanaan sekatan secara formal dan menyeluruh<br />13.Penggunaan kekuatan secara terhad (hantar tentera ke sempadan)<br />14.Perang<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">got this from a friend who is studying international relations (just so happens he has an exam on this subject the next day.gud luck!) haven't had the time to translate it tho but will do!</span></strong>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792303933655028687.post-61465409072942992522007-04-19T11:59:00.000-07:002007-04-19T12:12:08.883-07:00see see??!! don't be litterbugs people!!<em>Rubbish in rivers force water treatment plants to shut down temporarily</em><br /><br /><em>CHERAS: Water treatment plants are being forced to temporarily shut down, up to 18 times a year, as a result of effluents and rubbish being dumped into rivers. <br />Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB) managing director Datuk Mat Lasa Hitam said the company's shut down of several water treatment plants last year resulted in a total water production loss of 30,000 cubic metres. <br />PNSB operates 33 water treatment plants in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, four of which are operated by water concessionaires Konsortium Abass Sdn Bhd and Splash Sdn Bhd. <br />Shutting down the plants adversely affects residents when the volume of clean water produced does not meet demand. <br />"For this year, until April, we had been forced to temporarily close several of our plants nine times, resulting in water production loss of 34,000 cubic metres. <br />"Such plant closures are caused by wanton dumping of rubbish and fluids into our rivers, in addition to other factors such as oil spillage, high ammonia levels and even the stench of nearby rubbish disposal areas. <br />"For example, PNSB plants in Bukit Tampoi, Cheras and Salak Tinggi were closed due to high ammonia levels in the water. <br />"The Gombak plant was closed as a result of diesel spillage caused by an overturned vehicle on the highway where the river runs through," he said. <br />He also added that a new water treatment procedure using membrane technology in an ultra-filtration process was undergoing a test-pilot project in the Kepong and Sungai Rumput plants to develop more conducive filtration procedures. <br />Mat Lasa, who earlier read out a speech on behalf of PNSB executive chairman Tan Sri Rozali Ismail during the launch of PNSB's 20th River Rescue Brigade (RRB) here, added that it was important to educate society on preserving our rivers. <br />The event on Thursday was aimed at inculcating knowledge among the young on the effects of river pollution, water cycle, water treatment process, water quality and wise water usage. <br />More than 160 students aged between 10 to 11 from SK Dusun Nanding, SK Lubok Kelubi, SJK (T) Kajang and SJK (C) Cheras were selected to join the RRB. <br />Fomca president N. Marimuthu, who opened the event said it was important to educate them from young so they could spread the message to their parents and peers of the importance of river-cleanliness. </em><br /><em></em><br /><a href="http://www.thestar.com.my">www.thestar.com.my</a> (thursday,april 19th 2007)<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">some of us don't really care about littering because the crap that we throw out of our windows don't show up in our faces the next day.but get this,it shows up someplace else.we may not think that the little things we do,like actually putting rubbish in the rubbish bin and not outside it,matters, but if we all just take a little initiative to care more about our environment (hey.just imagine people littering your house,you like it?) it can really go a long way.if you think this is all just a myth,so is global warming.and we're not very far away from that are we.just ask Gore.haha</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">must watch : The Inconvenient Truth (i haven't)</span></strong>Mazlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00845267150810371448noreply@blogger.com1