Re expatriation?

OK, there is probably no such word, but the mess that is happening now with the so call 'repatriation' of Filipinos is Sabah to their home country is perhaps best described as such? how else would one describe a 'free' passage plus accommodation and food given free when one is 'returned' to one's home country after some months, years in a foreign land.

See what the NST has to say...

When the government first stated they will round up a few hundred thousands of illegals to be sent home, the thoughts that came to mind was that for everyone that is sent home, on the return leg using the same vessel, probably 2 will come in..

It is so sad that after so many years, the problem still cannot be resolved. It is so sad that Sabahans are now minority in their home state.

Josie's SriComel's concert

The younger girl's graduating kindergarten classes of SriComel presented their concert on 20th July 2008 at the MBPJ Auditorium. There were maybe 6 classes of kids who put their hearts into a grand presentation of dances and sketches based on movies and previous block busters.

The whole concert took some 1 hour 45 minutes, but the auditorium was filled way before the show was supposed to start. It must have been a close match between who were more excited; the kids or their parents!

Josie took part in two dances, one based on 'Mission Impossible' and another 'My Fair Lady'. For the Mission Impossible dance, the kids were decked in black sequined dresses and for My Fair Lady, apart from dance steps they were also singing.

The Mission Impossible girl in the car on the way to the concert....

Mission Impossible Girl and her sister.

National Excuses - Singapore Style

NATIONAL EXCUSE FOR HAIR LOSS:
Maggi Mee.

NATIONAL EXCUSE FOR BEING LATE:
Traffic Jam.

NATIONAL CONDOM:
None.
Most Asians still feel embarrassed buying condoms. So they rushed
in to a Seven Eleven, hurriedly grab the nearest pack, any pack, pay
and leave before the cashier can even blink an eye. If it's not available,
Asians optimistically apply the other birth control method. (See below)

NATIONAL FRUIT FOR INDUCING MENSTRUATION:
Pineapple

NATIONAL APHRODISIAC DRINK:
Stout. Many swear by it. But after a few pints they start swearing
at everything...

NATIONAL FAKE ILLNESS FOR GETTING MC (MEN):
Food Poisoning.

NATIONAL FAKE ILLNESS FOR GETTING MC (WOMEN):
Menstrual Pain

NATIONAL EXCUSES GIVEN BY WOMEN WHEN REFUSING SEX:
Headache, kids not asleep, maid not asleep, mother-in-law around,
early appointment, food not digested yet, air cond not cold enough, air
cond too cold, nail polish not dry yet, forgot to take the pill,
sleepy, stomach cramps, period, haven't remove make-up, haven't shower, no
water supply, going to watch "Desperate Housewives", depress, no mood, etc.

NATIONAL EXCUSES GIVEN BY MEN WHEN REFUSING SEX:
None. Asian men never refuse sex.

NATIONAL CURE FOR HEADACHES:
Panadol. The "cure for all" If it fails we have another secret
weapon; Tiger Balm.

NATIONAL CURE FOR DIZZINESS:
Axe Brand Oil.

NATIONAL CAUSE OF DIZZINESS (FOR YUPPIES):
Happy Hours.

NATIONAL INSTANT CURE FOR DIZZINESS (FOR YUPPIES):
The sight of a police road block.

NATIONAL RUBBISH DUMP:
Anywhere. As long as it is not your house.

NATIONAL MOST MIS-PRONOUNCED NAME:
Carrefour. Sometimes even pronounced as Carry 4! On second
thoughts, why bother pronouncing Peugeot, Renault or Citroen correctly.
I thinks it sounds better, when the local mechanics say "Pew Jeot". When
I was in school, Milo was always Mee Lo, now that I'm sophisticated, I
say "My Lo".
So don't be embarrassed saying "Carry 4" when the Mat Sallehs
shamelessly pronounce orang utan as "rangutan".

NATIONAL ROADSIDE DISTRACTION:
The Bra-less Tourist. See how heads turn and traffic slows down
when a bra-less Mat Salleh backpacker goes bouncing about on the
streets.

And in Malaysia, only ONE excuse is ever needed :

Saya Yang Menurut Perintah

Black Robbers...?

For anyone who didn't see the episode of David Letterman's show where this story was told, read this:
(And remember it's a true story...)

On a recent weekend in Atlantic City, a woman won a bucketful of quarters at a slot machine.

She took a break from the slots for dinner with her husband in the hotel dining room. But first she wanted to stash the quarters in her room. 'I'll be right back and we'll go to eat' she told her husband and carried the coin-laden bucket to the elevator.

As she was about to walk into the elevator she noticed two men already aboard. Both were black. One of them was very tall and had an intimidating figure. The woman froze. Her first thought was: 'These two are going to rob me.'

Her next thought was: 'Don't be a bigot, they look like perfectly nice gentlemen.' But racial stereotypes are powerful, and fear immobilized her.

Avoiding eye contact, she turned around stiffly and faced the elevator doors as they closed.

A second passed, and then another second, and then another. Her fear increased! The elevator didn't move. Panic consumed her.
'My God' she thought, I'm trapped and about to be robbed!

Her heart plummeted. Perspiration poured from every pore.

Then one of the men said, 'Hit the floor.'

Instinct told her to do what they told her.

The bucket of quarters flew upwards as she threw out her arms and collapsed on the elevator floor. A shower of coins rained down on her.

'Take my money and spare me', she prayed.

More seconds passed. She heard one of the men say politely, 'Ma'am, if you'll just tell us what floor you're going to, we'll push the button.'

The one who said it had a little trouble getting the words out. He was trying mightily to hold in a belly laugh. The woman lifted her head and looked up at the two men. They reached down to help her up.

Confused, she struggled to her feet. 'When I told my friend here to hit the floor,' said the average sized one, I meant that he should hit the elevator button for our floor. I didn't mean for you to hit the floor, ma'am.'

He spoke genially. He bit his lip. It was obvious he was having a hard time not laughing.

The woman thought: 'My God, what a spectacle I've made of myself.'

She was too humiliated to speak. The three of them gathered up the strewn quarters and refilled her bucket.

When the elevator arrived at her floor they then insisted on walking her to her room. She seemed a little unsteady on her feet, and they were afraid she might not make it down the corridor.

At her door they bid her a good evening.

As she slipped into her room she could hear them roaring with laughter as they walked back to the elevator.

The woman brushed herself off. She pulled herself together and went downstairs for dinner with her husband.

The next morning flowers were delivered to her room; a dozen roses.

Attached to EACH rose was a crisp one hundred-dollar bill.

The card said: 'Thanks for the best laugh we've had in years.

It was signed: Eddie Murphy & Michael Jordan

Traffic Jam..whose to blame?

The time to get from home to Shah Alam will normally not be more than 20 minutes. This morning, it took almost 1 hour.

The traffic was simply horrendous, with cars not moving at all in a few places. Traffic policemen? Thats a laugh...

When i passed the Federal Highway from the industrial side of Shah Alam to the town itself, the extend of the jammed up situation became clearer. Traffic was backed up all the way to Klang!! And that is quite a few kilometers!!

And who is to be blamed?

It would seem the Police was only out to protect the public interest by preventing and preempting the possibility of civil unrest. They said they want to prevent possible occurrence of street protest. So, the way to do this is to simply set up road blocks along the busiest roads so that traffic comes to virtual standstill..

If you cannot move, you will not protest..right??

Tanjung Manis, Sarawak

Took a trip to Tanjung Manis to check out the fishing facilities there. The plan for this area is certainly grand and if successfully implemented fully, should be a highly exciting place.

What they have there now is a multi million (some says closer to 1 billion) ringgits fishing complex that is quite underutilized. It is currently touted as a EU standards deep sea fishing port. There is no doubt that the facilities are there, but why it is not fully used perhaps can be traced to certain shortfalls.

anyway, it was my first time to Sarawak. I guess in some ways, the people are like those in Sabah; more friendly and certainly perhaps less conscious of themselves, no pretensions.

Nice place....

The fish landing platform

deep sea fishing boats.

Malaysians may need Visa for the UK

Buried in s small section in the Star paper today (11th July 2008), it would seems Malaysia maybe listed soon in the long list of countries whose citizens may need visa to enter the UK.

Part of the benefit of being in the British Commonwealth all these years is the fact that Malaysians do not need to apply for visa prior to arrival into the UK.

Seems like all that will change soon....

London, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh

Work is getting more hectic now...

Last Monday, we landed in Heathrow airport round about 10pm, took a new TDI Audi A4 and drove to Hinckley, a smallish town somewhere in Leicestershire. We arrived at the hotel a few minutes before 1am. Quick shower and then it was a struggle to try to sleep. The mattress on the bed was terrible sunken in just about the middle of the double bed; sleeping was an agony..

Next day after a 3 hours meeting, and a quick lunch at an Indian Restaurant in the city of Leicester, i drove to London City. It was pure coincidence that the GPS on board directed us to the City Airport. It was in the outskirt of London, absolutely almost free from traffic jam, and we could return the car without extra charges. Apparently, if we had driven to the hotel, as per original intention, the distance of 10km or so would have taken at least 60 minutes, plus a London traffic congestion charge, and an extra delivery charge for the car. From the City Airport, we took a train and the tube to our hotel. Simple..

From London, it was a nice flight with flat bed seats on the upper deck of the 747 to Hong Kong.

The one day in Hong Kong was stopover with a business meeting and a lot of food throw in. Fun.

Today, 3rd July, am now in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. A few business meetings plus maybe a factory visit on Saturday. Due to fly back home on Sunday.

Next week will probably be off to Sibu Sarawak.....