These Boys Are After My Heart... and Money :)

It is a Friday evening and I had planned to do a little Christmas shopping. But before doing that, I had to fuel up and choosing one of my favorite Nasi Lemak outlet at Subang Parade, I selected a table which was just next to the walkway. As I was enjoying my Nasi Lemak, there was this group of boys, some with placards and others in vests with a million buttons on them. As I ate and watch them, they must have just started up their little stall. But then I could be wrong. They may have put up their stall since the day but it was just that they were looking a little reserved and restrained.

As the shoppers walked by, some of these boys would go "Buy for Charity"..."Do your bit for the Orphans!". So, that was what they were doing. They were actually doing their bit for the orphans. How wonderfully kind.


As I continued eating, I was watching the shoppers passed by. There were some who consciously made a little detour to avoid these boys. There were a few curious ones but somehow their curiosity never got them within 5 feet of the stall to see what the boys were selling. During my entire meal, which lasted about 15 minutes, there were only 4 to 5 young girls who stopped by and got a little gift item from the stall. I could tell as these boys will clap in appreciation for the girls' kind deed.



I felt rather sad though that these shoppers probably had an intention to buy something, since it is Christmas time and all. But they did not even stop, not even for a minute to consider if there was anything in the stack of things that the boys were selling that might be worthy of a gift to a loved one, but more importantly, doing a little bit for the orphans.

After I have swallowed the last spoonful of my Nasi Lemak, I went over to the boys' stall to check out what they had to offer. They have quite an interesting collection of stuff and I asked them if they were recycled products. Surprisingly these are new items, possibly purchased from kind suppliers at a very low price. I asked the boys if I could take a photo or two of them so that I can put them in my blog. Ha Ha.. I have never ever gotten a happier response before. All of them gathered behind the table and these were what the boys looked like.


I took 2 shots of them and 1 of their banner. They seemed happy that this created a little excitement and drew a little attention from the crowd. I got some bears, which are very nice as presents. A big one costs only RM40 and a smaller one costs RM12 (apparently the boys gave me a fantastic discount on this one haha) and two baby bears (RM15 each) stuck on a stick. They are still in the trunk on my car. Should have taken it out for a photo shot. I ran out of cash at this stage and told the boys that I will be back later.. and with a friend. There was much cheering from the boys. Such cheer, such joy.



Went upstairs and took some more money from the ATM. JW arrived not long after that. Asked her to withdraw some money and took her downstairs to stall. JW, being the kindest person in the world, without hestitation, brought out RM20 and bought somethings which she really did not need and probably didn't know who to give it too also. Bless her.


Well, it was a great end to a wonderful Friday... to have had the pleasure of meeting these group of young men... haha.. had to call them boys as they were greeting me as "Aunty.. Aunty!" Most young people of their age, normally will either just pay lip service when it comes to doing their bit for charity or probably, the thought might have never even crossed their minds to do anything which will take them away from their hacking and slaying in those RPG Role Playing Games of theirs. These boys' parents must be so very proud of them. If I have sons, I would love for them to grow up like this lot.

Merry Christmas boys and a wonderful New Year to you all. God Bless You All.

The boys and their stall will be at Subang Parade all through the weekend. They are set up just next to Uncle Lim. Please go and support them.

Technorati Tags:christmas, charity
Generated By Technorati Tag Generator

Calling for Blood Donation

It is the fasting period now and it is normally during this time that I realize that many of my Muslim brothers and sisters are the ones who actually make up a large number of blood donors. Most of the time, we do not see calls for blood donations by the National Blood Banks and Hospitals. But each time we are in this Holy month of Ramadan, the cries for help to replenish the blood banks are loud. In fact, there is one which will be carried out in our office this week.

I just received this from a friend.

BLOOD URGENTLY NEEDED

PLEASE HELP IF IT IS IN YOUR CAPACITY

Name of Patient : Madam Cheah Poh Chan @ Lee Poh Chan

Age : 74 years (Female)

Ward : ICU. Bleeding due to road accident

Blood Group Type : B + (Other blood groups are also accepted since there is a lack of blood due to the Puasa month)

Telephone : Assunta Hospital 03-76807000 Ext 3303

Please call the Hospital before going to donate blood.

Thank you for donating to this meritorious cause.

May you be blessed with Good Helath, peace and happiness.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO AS MANY PEOPLE A POSSIBLE

Technorati Tags:blood, donation
Generated By Technorati Tag Generator

TLC - Truly Loving Company

After spending some time at Log n Roll and having my favorites safely packed inside a plastic bag, I went upstairs to get some gloves from ACE when I saw a very colorful stack of plastic bottles and containers on a little stall set up just in front of ACE. I walked by to kay poh chi (check it out) and this very nice lady in the standard magenta t-shirt politely asked if I had some time to spare.

She asked me if I have heard of TLC before and I replied "Tender Loving Care"? She smile and replied "Yes, a lot of people have called us that but in actuality, we are the Truly Loving Company". And as she was saying that, my eyes were surveying the things on the table. They were mostly kitchen and bathroom cleaners, bath and body products and floor detergents. So, what's with this Truly Loving Company thingy?

She patiently explained to me what TLC was about. They have a website where their mission and value statements are visibly spelt out. In a nutshell, their business model centers around this..

"The Truly Loving Company became the first socially responsible business in Malaysia to use a corporate profit model to develop, manufacture and market the TLC brand of high quality household and personal care products to the public but with 100% of TLC’s dividends being distributed to worthy Malaysian charities in order to provide them with a regular, sustainable, long term source of income and funds."

At the moment, their charity partners (they are actually the beneficiaries of the revenues of this company but to call them charity partners, I do believe that shows TLC's sensitivity towards these organizatons) includes the following:-

Rumah Aman
http://www.rumahaman.com/

HOSPIS MALAYSIA
http://www.hospismalaysia.org/

SHELTER home for children
http://www.shelterhome.org

HANDICAPPED AND MENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN ASSOCIATION JOHOR BAHRU http://www.handicapjb.org.my

NASAM
http://www.nasam.org/
TLC's first payout to its Charity Partners



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC3Z5KRV068

After all that, she asked, ever so politely if I would like to have a look at their floor cleaners and offered me to take a whiff of their latest scent. From that point already, I was sold. I was willing to give them all the money I had in my wallet - haha.. not much lah as I am definitely not a cash rich person. I live from pay cheque to pay cheque every month :(.


Eventually, after looking, touching, smelling most of their products, I ended up buying this lot. I think the total cost for them is about RM64 or thereabouts. But I really felt that if an organization is so willing to do it's share for those who are in need, then why shouldn't we. It is not as it we do not use these products at home. You do need floor cleaners, kitchen cleaners, shower cream, hand lotion. Why not change to this brand of products, still get what you want and at the same time do just that little bit for those who needs it most.

Click here for the Truly Loving Company's official website. Their brand of products are available in supermarkets, hypermarkets and some of the pharmacies.

The best part of it all was that when I did get home to check on their website, only did I realize that the nice lady who spoke to me is their Chief Executive Officer, Ms Julia Chong. Wah.... reading her qualifications and previous work credentials already floored me liow. Now, I asked myself, how many CEOs have I met in my life, who is so humble, so polite and would stand almost the entire day (I was there until about 3pm lepaking and she was still around) trying to create public awareness on the cause of her organization in helping those in need. I really salute this lady and if I had this one wish (corporate wish lah haha), I would love to work for a boss like her. I hope you are reading this post Ms Julia Chong - HINT HINT!!!

Technorati Tags:the truly loving company, tlc, charity
Generated By Technorati Tag Generator

Log n Roll

The weekend just past was a terribly good weekend for me. What made it good for me was that I was able to do my little bit towards charity and at the same time, got to take back lots of great stuff. Firstly, I "met up" with a long lost colleague on Facebook and he asked if I was free to drop by at Ikano over the weekend. He told me that he has a little kiosk in Ikano and he was going to donate all the revenue for the day towards 'bai xiao' (SRJK (c) Damansara). He wrote "I am sure you have heard about the story of bai xiao, right."...Eeerrr...not really.. but if there is food somewhere related to the cause, rest assured, I will be there :)

I was over Ikano before 10am (kiasu mah.. scared later no car park space). I casually walked by the kiosk and I noticed that people were only starting to arrange their stuff. As I didn't see my friend around and didn't want to look like a "ngor kwai" (hungry ghost) lurking in front of people's kiosk just waiting for them to start business, I went into Uncle Lim's to have my favorite breakfast of Nasi Lemak and a cup of Milo.

When my breakfast was safely packed inside my tummy, I walked out and there I saw him, my friend and ex-colleague. Shooked hands (no huggies, we are Malaysians after all...buahahaha) and caught up a little. Asked him what the charity drive was all about and he shoved this write-up in chinese up my face. Ahem.. banana lah.. cannot read. So, he explained a little about little temple school. Came home later to googled it to find out more. There was an article in the local daily a week ago. Click here to read further.


Meanwhile, back to my ulterior motive of being there... to buy his yummy Chee Cheong Fun (ok, ok...I admit lah, the charity thingy is the little motivation that got me up early on a Sunday morning, but the Chee Cheong Fun is the BIG motivation....happy??)

I knew that he was running a kiosk in Mid Valley selling Chee Cheong Fun coz Babe bought me some a while back. But I found out that he has relocated that kiosk over to Ikano as the rental at Mid Valley was very high. I like it very much, as it is convenient to keep in the fridge and can be stored for about 3 days ( immediately I felt assured that there is very little if not no preservatives as things without preservatives don't last that long, even if refridgerated).

The variety ranged from plain (vegetarian) to those with mushrooms, pandan (strange??), dried shrimps (cannot remember if there were others as I immediately stopped listening after he got to the dried shrimps... I love dried shrimps chee cheong fun). They are about RM4 a packet.


Oh yeah, the chillie is simply to die for.. it is absolutely delicious. Babe gave me some with the chee cheong fun and I made it last for weeks, taking only a little each time :). The small containers are priced at RM3 and the larger ones are RM5 (please don't quote me though.. this is just from pure recall).


Then there are the fish balls, foo chuks and good stuff (all halal...haha.. poor fella was so insistent that they only sell halal stuff ..coz me and my big mouth asked aloud if I could have some porky balls swimming in the soup).


One has the option of eating there or packing back. As that plate of Nasi Lemak was still hogging all that space inside my stomach, I had to pack back all the stuff that I have selected.

Yummy choice of gravy for those eating-in or rather eating at whatever seat they can find around Ikano shopping centre.

This is their price list. I would say that it is very reasonable. I bought back a packet of chee cheong fun (RM4), 10 pcs of Yong Tow Foo (RM3.90), 1 small tub of Prawn Chilli (RM3) and 1 tub of sweet sauce (RM1)... keeping it for tonite.


Ha Ha.. felt so good with myself. Got to meet up with a good friend, to do a little for the needy plus having my favorite food, chee chong fun in the plastic bag.

Address:
PC 43, Lower Ground Floor,
IKANO POWER CENTRE
No.2, Jalan PJU 7/2,
Mutiara Damansara,
47800 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan,
Malaysia.
(NEXT TO UNCLE LIM'S)

Technorati Tags:charity, food, chee cheong fun, yong tow foo
Generated By Technorati Tag Generator

UNICEF - GIVE THANKS FOR WHAT WE HAVE

Today started off just like any other day for me. As it is a work day, the traffic is pretty much the same (horrendous), so, that is something definitely to complain about (bitch is actually the more appropriate word here) during lunch time. The weather last night was sizzling hot. Yet another item in the complaints department. There are boundless things that irritates , from an unintentional remark from a colleague, a friend who forgot to reply an sms, the incessant calls from the insurance agents.. sigh.

Then I opened my mails and out of the pile of good stuff, the work stuff and the junk, I found 2 very thought provoking mails from 2 different friends. The first one was a video from YouTube and the image that I saw was a little child having his meal from what I think is a rubbish pile.

UNICEF - GIVE THANKS FOR WHAT WE HAVE


(if you are unable to view the video embedded, then try clicking here)


This is an old video but I believe that we humans have very short memories. We need constant reminders lest we forget our priorities. I watched the video and remembered the Four Immeasurables (this is part of a buddhist prayer and aspiration) ...

The Four Immeasurables

May all sentient beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.
May all sentient beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.
May all sentient beings never be separated from the happiness which is without suffering.
May all sentient beings abide in equanimity, free from both attachment and hatred, holding some close and others distant.

The second mail was filled with pictures of death. I will not post the pictures with this entry as they are rather gross. But they too serve as a reminder that death comes in many ways and death is a definite. Only the time and the manner it comes is unknown. Those photos will be rather graphic and looking at them might be totally offensive... so, you've been warned. Come back later at your own risk.

Technorati Tags:life, priorities
Generated By Technorati Tag Generator

Please Help if You can

This morning when I opened my mail box, I saw a mail which was sent to me by one of my gal pals (S aka Casper). She said "Thot u ladies might have friends who are dog lovers that may be able to rescue some of these cuties! " and forwarded this email to me....

"Dear all,

I am sorry to have to trouble you again. Two days ago a lady by the name
of Jacqueline Tsang contacted me asking me for help. I was not sure who is
this person, but having listen to her I cannot help but come to the
conclusion that she must either be a compassionate crack pot or an angel in
our midst. I was invited to her house and there I saw a group of people who
are her neighbours helping her out cleaning cages and feeding many puppies
that were rescued from the Dewan Bandaraya City Pound in Setapak.

I will tell you more about this one woman campaign is rescuing strays in
any another mail. Then you decide whether she is a crack pot or a
consummate, passionate person who loves animal. To cut a long story short
she got these 37 puppies in various conditions and spend her own money
feeding them and getting a number of Vets to help her out, which they did.
Of the 37 puppies, some are in poor condition and many of them are still
with the Vet under observation. Jacqueline told me that those that are open
for adoption must be in reasonably good condition and are approved by the
vet that they are ready for adoption. Some of the puppies do not look like
strays, and I wonder how they landed in the pound.

The puppies are about 6 to 8 weeks old and I have not even bothered to ask
how many male and females in the brood. My first reaction when Jacqueline
called me, was that she took on more than she could chew. Okay so there was
an error of judgment and when I chastised her, she took it in good faith
but she protested that if she had left it to the Pound, the puppies will be
put to sleep and these are good dogs that deserve a chance. She reminded me
about the 3 pups that I rescued in Shah Alam two months ago and she asked
me what drove me to do it.

Okay, we have a situation here and I am asking all of you out there who
believe in compassion , love and whatever your good book have taught you
above love and compassion to pause and consider this appeal. Jacqueline
does not want your money, she spend about RM6,000 per month out of her own
pocket to fuel her passion on animal rescue. All she wants from me or
rather you is to help her to house these little puppies. In her words, give
them a chance, they are loyal God's creatures.

With this in mind, I am asking all of you who are Christian, Mormons,
Hindu, Muslim , Taoist, Buddhist, Bahai, or others. I am asking you to put
your compassion and love into practise, help us find a home for all these
animals. You may not be able to take in another dog, but your friends or
neighbour may be able to do so.

I am enclosing 8 pictures in low resolution of Jacqueline and a helper
Eric, and pictures of some of the doggie. All of them are available for
adoption. You may contact her direct if you are keen and if you have
friends who can help out, can you please forward this mail to them.

Jacqueline's No: 012-2070436.

Pictures taken today (17th March 2008)."

Pictures are attached below...

Technorati Tags:charity, good deed, dogs, puppies, adoption
Generated By Technorati Tag Generator

Complete your shopping list whilst doing a bit of charity

Click here for details

Hey.. since everybody is in this shopping mood and I know that most who are not exactly Christians will also be celebrating Christmas by presents exchange, why not do your shopping and also play a small part in bringing a little cheer to the orphans.

The Budimas Year-End Charity Bazaar is on today and on Wednesday. This charity bazaar is sponsored by the The Budimas Charitable Foundation, in support of orphanage homes under their sponsorship. At the bazaar, you'll find a variety of stuff, ranging from clothes and accessories, to food, handicrafts and even temporary tattoos! A portion of all proceeds will be go to the foundation

Click here for details

It'll be great if everyone could spare a little thought and a little money for those who needs it, especially now when we are in the season of giving and sharing.

The venue of the bazaar is as stated in the brochure, at the lobby of Menara MAA (located at 12 Jalan Dewan Bahasa, 50460 Kuala Lumpur). The location map of Menara MAA here, via Streetdirectory.

Budimas currently provides sponsorship for the following orphanages:

Asrama Damai Rumah Anak-Anak Yatim
Kg. Damai, Kuang, Selangor

Bethesda Children’s Mission Home
Batu 9 Cheras, Kajang, Selangor

Good Samaritan Home
Klang, Selangor

Precious Gift Home
Ipoh, Perak

Hannah Home
Ipoh, Perak

The Children’s Protection Society (CPS)
Penang

Persekutuan Kebajikan Anak-anak Yatim Islam (Perempuan)
Penang

Pondok Penyayang Raudhah
Gombak, Selangor

Technorati Tags:charity, orphanage
Generated By Technorati Tag Generator

God helps those who help themselves

When I was in school, a teacher shared a story with me that made such an impact on me that I can still recall it vividly. It was a story about this guy who felt that his faith in God is very strong and his God will always be there to help him. One day, he heard over the radio that heavy rains were predicted and people living near the river bank must start moving to higher grounds. He told himself not to worry as he has great faith that his God will take care of him.

Several days, the rain did not stop and the river waters were overflowing the banks. People came on boats with loudspeakers to save those whose homes will soon to be submerged. The guy refused to move and believes that his God will take care of him.

Soon, his house was totally submerged and he had to move himself up to the roof of his little hut. A helicopter flew over to pick up people who are stranded. Again he refused to budge as he thinks his faith in his God is enough. Needless to say, he succumbed to the floods and when he met God, he asked “God.. I had faith that you will save me from the floods. What happened?”. God said “What do you mean? I sent you a message on the radio, boats to save you and even a helicopter? I cannot save those who does not want to save themselves?”

What brought about this story? I was browsing the newspaper and saw that the Kiwanis Job Training Centre is organizing a car wash fundraising campaign this Sunday to raise funds for the purchase of a new van to ferry its students. I find that very commendable. Groups, centers and organizations must think of ways to help themselves instead of just holding on their faiths and believing in charity and donations alone. So, I would like to urge friends to go support them.



The car wash will be done at

Speedy Skill Service Centre
Lot 9175 Jalan 20/16A
Paramount Garden

Sunday 19th August 2007
9am to 7pm
RM12 for saloon cars
RM17 for MPVs

A Variety Show - for charity

How about doing a good deed? There will be a charity variety show at the Securities Commission Auditorium on the 5th of August (Sunday) at 8pm. Many talents will be performing and there will be a fashion show thrown in. For those who likes leng luis, this will also be the first public appearance of the Miss Astro Chinese International Pagent 2007 finalists.

The evening will be hosted by Bill Keith, the fashion designer and Dee Dee, from the popular TV show “Jangan Ketawa” fame. Part of the variety show will also be filmed and broadcasted on Wah Lai Toi Channel on Astro. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism, Datuk Dr. Victor Wee will be the guest of honour for the night.

This charity show is to raise funds for a new extension for Kechara Buddhist Centre, which will house a multi-purpose hall, several chapels, a library and retreat rooms. The variety show will be in aid of this new extension as well as other projects being run concurrently by the centre, including a program to help the homeless and setting up a shelter and provide training for them in order to give them a long term solution.

Tickets are available at RM80, 120, 180 and 250 and there is an early bird discount of 20% for purchases before 25 July. They are also seeking sponsors for the event, with Silver Sponsors at RM2000 and above, which entitles the sponsor to have their logo in the program and two seats at RM250. Gold sponsors at RM5000 and above entitles the sponsor to the above privileges as well as their logo on the backdrop of the stage.

Tickets are available at Kechara House and outlets or you can just mail me.

Tunku, The Musical

TUNKU THE MUSICAL

CAST & CREW
Presenter : The Petra Foundation
Writer: Lim Chuang Yik & Teng Ky-Gan
Executive Producer:Dato' Faridah Merican
Cast: Tony Eusoff, Douglas Lim, Syuk Ibrahim, Evelyn Toh, Maria Yasmin, Doreen Tang, Zamil Idris and more
Duration of Show: 11 August - 2 September

Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka, seven times the Tunku called. Seven times came the deep, excited response.

The last roaring cheer died away. A roll of drums, a hard metallic command, and as the strains of the national anthem flooded the stadium the flag of independent Malaya was slowly raised. Exactly as the flag reached the masthead came a crash of the first shot of the 101-gun salute...and so marks the beginning of our 50-year journey."

Created and directed by Joe Hasham and written by the duo who brought you the award-winning Broken Bridges, Lim Chuang Yik and Teng Ky-Gan, TUNKU The Musical has all the colour, drama, excitement, anticipation, heartache, sorrow and uncertainty of that fateful Saturday morning 31st August, 1957. Aptly timed in conjunction with Malaysia's 50th birthday celebration, this is certainly one production not-to-be-missed!

NOTE:

CHARITY NIGHT for SID Cancer Welfare Fund on 15 August

- Enquiries or to purchase tickets for charity night, please call Soroptomist International at 03-2300 1988.

Duration : 11 August - 2 September
Price : RM80, RM60 and RM40 (students, sr. citizens & disabled)

Please save the tigers!

Just as I was about to leave for lunch, I opened an email from a friend which said "The tiger is the ultimate symbol of Asia's natural and cultural heritage,
DON'T LET IT BECOME EXTINCT !. There are only 2 simple actions that one could take to help protect the tigers. (1)To add your photo to the tiger mosaic (http://mail.panda.org/inxmail/url?vhf7000e03yb0bpzd3a3) or(2) To send a message to China to keep its tiger trade ban in place ( http://mail.panda.org/inxmail/url?vhj7000e03yb007dq3a3)." So small a request and I didn't even have to lift my arse from my chair to save these beautiful creatures. So, if you could help to, please do so. The tigers would appreciate it very much.