Unrest spreads to Jisr Al Shoghur?

Looks like the protest has spread even to the small town of Jisr Al Shoghour.

I've seen a few YouTube videos of protests and processions in Jisr but couldn't really tell if it's really Jisr. But in this video, I recognize the city gate with the big key above it. Used to travel daily through this gate to the bridge over the Orontes River out of Jisr on the way to work. Used to be so peaceful then, with a few traffic police 'manning' the traffic. Such scenes were unthinkable then.

Jisr Al Shoghour

Found this picture on the internet showing where I stayed while I was in Syria, the small town of Jisr Al Shogour. The apartment where I stayed is shown clearly in this picture. The picture is taken from the road coming from the coastal city of Latakiya. My apartment was the one directly to the right of the roundabout.

Turning left at the roundabout would lead to the town center while turning right would lead to the old trunk road going towards Damascus.

And I found yet another picture of Jisr Al Shoghour. One that is much, much older... B&W.

Suddenly, just thought of this small town which I spent couple of months in. A place totally cut off from the outside world. Imagine just dial-up internet at 28.8k!!! But it was quite an interesting stay. Right now, there's so much unrest in Syria with death numbers piling up. Hope all would turn out well for Syrians in the end.

Syria: 'A kingdom of silence' - Features - Al Jazeera English

A good article on the realities in Syria: Syria: 'A kingdom of silence' - Features - Al Jazeera English

The article is quite true. There's lots of discontent on corruption and failures of the past. But generally, my impression during my stay in Syria was that Syrians were generally quite proud of Bashar al-Assad. The President is quite popular though the government isn't. I wonder how things will pan out now but I hope it's for the better of Syrians.

Nuclear Misconception

There has been lotsa confusion and panic over the nuclear meltdown in Japan following the disastrous earthquake and tsunami. Of course the 'activists' are reigniting the campaign against using nuclear for the generation of electricity. In Malaysia, where we are on the verge of embarking on nuclear power, recent events would add fuel to those dead against it.

Just to dispel some misconception over the entire Japanese nuclear crisis, I invite you to read this article: http://bravenewclimate.com/2011/03/13/fukushima-simple-explanation/

Hopefully that gives you a better understanding on the issue.

新山游神活动 2011 (JB Chingay Parade)

For those who are interested to have a feel of JB's version of Chinese New Year:

21 Feb 2011 洗街（早上) (Wash the streets ceremony - according to customs it'll definitely rain in the evening!)
22 Feb 2011 众神出宫前往神厂（早上）(Parading of the Gods to the temporary parade grounds)
23 Feb 2011 众神出游（晚上）(The main Chingay event, parading of the Gods through JB city)
24 Feb 2011 众神回宫（早上）(Parading of the Gods back to the JB Old Temple)

If you happen to be in JB, this is an event not to be missed!

A trip to the rubber estate

Made a short trip back to Segamat yesterday and had a closer look at the rubber estate...

Farewell JB, Hello KL!

The previous weekend was my last in JB. It also marked the end of a 13-year affair with YTL. I first got acquainted with YTL Power back in '97 when I first got my scholarship. I first stepped into a YTL power station back in '98 for industrial training. I joined YTL Paka as a staff in 2001. And I got transferred to Pasir Gudang in 2002.

It was mixed feelings saying good bye to YTL Pasir Gudang after more than 8 years there. The place and its people have provided me a much cherished memory. It was an experience of warmth, friendship, teamwork, camaraderie, spirit of excellence and many more which are indescribable by words. The people of YTL is what made us distinctive from the rest! It's not easy saying good bye after sharing so much for so many years.

Nevertheless, people do move on and I guess it was also a long overdue move. So, although there was sadness, there were also feelings of excitement & anxiety. Excited to return back to home, anxious to start a new life and looking forward to a new job. I don't really know if things will pan out well after this, after so many years of rather comfortable and complacent environment. Nevertheless, nothing ventured nothing gained.

So it's time to start a new life. The beginning of better things to come (I hope). As for the memories and wonderful experience in JB, I would always cherish and remember. It was ironic that in my early years in JB, I used to complain about the place (with some other friends who shared the same thoughts). But after so many years, I've grown to call JB home, admitting I'm already a Johorean and generally liking the place. Good bye to my fellow colleagues, friends and KLite still in JB!

At the moment, my to-do list while I'm back in KL are as follows:

• Report to work at the new company on 1 Oct.
• Start renovating and preparing my new home.
• Catching up with long lost KL friends, ex-classmates etc.
• Putting up with those bloody traffic jams and chaotic parking.
• Leading a more healthy lifestyle (going to gym at my condo, cycling again, jogging at Lake Gardens??)
• Looking forward to a host of new activities that KL has to offer (more IEM talks, theater shows at KLPAC?, ....)

鄧麗君 ~~ 漫步人生路

在你身边路虽远
末疲倦
伴你漫行
一段接一段
越过高峰
另一峰却又见
目标推远
让理想永远在前面
......

路纵崎岖

亦不怕受磨练

愿一生中

苦痛快乐也体验

愉快悲哀

在身边转又转

风中赏雪

雾里赏花

快乐回旋

母用计较

快欣赏身边

美丽每一天

还愿确信

美景良辰在脚边

愿将欢笑声

盖掩苦痛那一面

悲也好喜也好

每天找到新发现

让疾风吹呀吹

尽管给我俩考验

小雨点

放心洒

早已决心向着前

Happy Malaysia Day!

Happy Malaysia Day! May we all reject extremism, racism and stupidity. Instead, all Malaysians should (or rather shall) embrace unity, equality and basic common sense! Happy Malaysia Day and may the spirit of 1957 & 1963 live on!

As the clip says, we are different but same same! We should always cherish the diversity and uniqueness of the Malaysian society. Malaysia belongs to all Malaysians and not any particular group. We will not be what we are today without the contributions of each and everyone of us.

Lobang Korek

An old song by a Malay singer called Hang Mokhtar:

Lobang (lobang) korek (korek)

Sudah tampal, kontraktor nanti korek

Hari-hari tampal korek

Sudah tampal, esok ada korek

Papan (papan) tanda (tanda) hari-hari ada tengah jalan

Pandu kereta hati tak senang

Salah pandu kita masuk lobang

Highway banyak, tol pun banyak

Pergi airport tiga kali mahu bayar

Kadang-kadang susah juga

Highway juga selalu banyak kereta

Lobang (lobang) korek (korek)

Jalan siap nanti kontraktor korek

Sampai bila mahu korek

Hari-hari ada tampal korek

Highway banyak, tol pun banyak

Pergi airport tiga kali mahu bayar

Kadang-kadang susah juga

Highway juga selalu banyak kereta

Lobang (lobang) korek (korek)

Jalan siap nanti kontraktor korek

Sampai bila mahu korek

Hari-hari ada tampal korek

Sampai bila mahu korek

Hari-hari ada tampal korek.