Before the year of 2007 ends, I would like to share the following joke with you all. Wish everyone who reads this story a happy new year and wish the person who wrote this story dream comes true in 2008! HAHAHA...
作文~ ~ =_=''~ ~
某天~黃淙暐ㄉ老師~在課堂上~出ㄌㄍ習題~
作文名稱：我的家庭
在全班學生都摸不著頭緒....不知寫啥ㄉ時候.....
黃淙暐乾淨俐落ㄉ寫完~交給導師~(※注意：不是白卷唷~!)
老師回到辦公室....開始批改黃淙暐ㄉ作文~
我的家庭
我出生在一個非常貧苦的家庭，記得小時候，爸爸的生活很無聊，整天只能數錢，媽媽也是，整天都在掃錢。
我家住在深山中，每次要出去買東西，都相當麻煩，開保時捷要5小時，開賓士也要4小時；雖然家裡有直昇機，但是開到那邊很難找到停機位，相當的不方便。
我偶爾也會出去逛街，爸媽怕我被綁架，隨身有20多個保鑣保護著，大家看到我都嚇跑了，所以我從小就開始被排斥......因為家裡是在深山，每次到了冬天都非常冷，爸爸也說，出去買東西很麻煩，所以冬天沒有暖爐...沒有棉被...每天只能陪著爸媽燒錢取暖...而睡覺的時候，也只能蓋著錢睡覺(我覺得英鎊比較溫暖)。
記得小時候，有一次，因為房間太大，還來不及跑出房間，就尿褲子了。所以，爸爸在我房間放了一台小綿羊機車，好讓我能在10分鐘以內，衝出 1000坪 的房間，穿越5公里的走廊，到達 800坪 的廁所(我常常在走廊迷路)。
爸爸又另外叫人加蓋了20間 600坪 裡面有著 250坪 小廁所的破房間。爸爸說：以後如果尿濕了，直接換房間，如果房間不夠或是太小的話，再告訴爸爸，爸爸再叫人來多蓋幾間，我們的生活很辛苦，你要忍著點！！
現在想起來，爸爸真是個善良的人！！
還記得有一次，家裡遭小偷，因為他用炸藥炸壞了我爸的保險箱，使得裡面的金幣不斷的往外滾出來，結果竟把那個小偷壓死了......我覺得那個小偷好可憐......
金幣壓死人是很痛的!!他不像之前那個被鈔票悶死的小偷一樣幸運。
媽媽也常常告訴我，我們家生活非常困苦∼要我學著吃苦∼
所以我從小養成了刻苦耐勞精神，我將來的志願，是要找200隻會吃錢的怪物，好把家裡的錢都吃光，為那些可憐的小偷報仇！！
嘉義市蘭潭國小六年一班黃淙暐
老師評語：去死啦
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
千萬不要忘了最初的本心
The following story was forwarded by one of my friends and it was so so so true about human. For whose who knows Chinese, spend sometime on it, useful for life!
有個老魔鬼看到人間的生活過得太幸福了，他說：「我們要去擾亂一下，要不然魔鬼就不存在了。」
他先派了一個小魔鬼去擾亂一個農夫。因為他看到那農夫每天辛勤地工作，可是所得卻少得可憐，但他還是那麼快樂，非常知足。
小魔鬼就開始想，要怎樣才能把農夫變壞呢？他就把農夫的田地變得很硬，讓農夫知難而退。
那農夫敲半天，做得好辛苦，但他只是休息一下，還是繼續敲，沒有一點抱怨。小魔鬼看到計策失敗，只好摸摸鼻子回去了。
老魔鬼又派了第二個去。第二個小魔鬼想，既然讓他更加辛苦也沒有用，那就拿走他所擁有的東西吧！
那小魔鬼就把他午餐的麵包跟水偷走，他想，農夫做得那麼辛苦，又累又餓，卻連麵包跟水都不見了，這下子他一定會暴跳如雷！
農夫又渴又餓地到樹下休息，想不到麵包跟水都不見了！「不曉得是哪個可憐的人比我更需要那塊麵包跟水？
如果這些東西就能讓他得溫飽的話，那就好了。」又失敗了，小魔鬼又棄甲而逃。
老魔鬼覺得奇怪，難道沒有任何辦法能使這農夫變壞？就在這時第三個小魔鬼出來了。
他對老魔鬼講：「我有辦法，一定能把他變壞。」
小魔鬼先去跟農夫做朋友，農夫很高興地和他作了朋友。因為魔鬼有預知的能力，他就告訴農夫，明年會有乾旱，教農夫把稻種在濕地上，農夫便照做。結果第二年別人沒有收成，只有農夫的收成滿坑滿谷，他就因此而富裕起來了。
小魔鬼又每年都對農夫說當年適合種什麼，三年下來，這農夫就變得非常富有。
他又教農夫把米拿去釀酒販賣，賺取更多的錢。慢慢地，農夫開始不工作了，靠著經濟販賣的方式，就能獲得大量金錢。
有一天，老魔鬼來了，小魔鬼就告訴老魔鬼說：「您看！我現在要展現我的成果。這農夫現在已經有豬的血液了。」只見農夫辦了個晚宴，所有富有的人都來參加；喝最好的酒，吃最精美的餐點，還有好多的僕人侍候。他們非常浪費地吃喝，衣裳零亂，醉得不省人事，開始變得像豬一樣癡肥愚蠢。
「您還會看到他身上有著狼的血液。」小魔鬼又說。這時，一個僕人端著葡萄酒出來，不小心跌了一跤。
農夫就開始罵他：「你做事這麼不小心！」「唉！主人，我們到現在都沒有吃飯，餓得渾身無力。」
「事情沒有做完，你們怎麼可以吃飯！」
老魔鬼見了，高興地對小魔鬼說：「唉！你太了不起！你是怎麼辦到的？」
小魔鬼說：「我只不過是讓他擁有比他需要的更多而已，這樣就可以引發他人性中的貪婪。」
心若改變，你的態度跟著改變；
態度改變，你的習慣跟著改變；
習慣改變，你的性格跟著改變；
性格改變，你的人生跟著改變。
這篇文章分享給每一個在為夢想努力奮鬥的你，提醒我們在努力追求夢想的同時，
千萬不要忘了最初的本心。
有個老魔鬼看到人間的生活過得太幸福了，他說：「我們要去擾亂一下，要不然魔鬼就不存在了。」
他先派了一個小魔鬼去擾亂一個農夫。因為他看到那農夫每天辛勤地工作，可是所得卻少得可憐，但他還是那麼快樂，非常知足。
小魔鬼就開始想，要怎樣才能把農夫變壞呢？他就把農夫的田地變得很硬，讓農夫知難而退。
那農夫敲半天，做得好辛苦，但他只是休息一下，還是繼續敲，沒有一點抱怨。小魔鬼看到計策失敗，只好摸摸鼻子回去了。
老魔鬼又派了第二個去。第二個小魔鬼想，既然讓他更加辛苦也沒有用，那就拿走他所擁有的東西吧！
那小魔鬼就把他午餐的麵包跟水偷走，他想，農夫做得那麼辛苦，又累又餓，卻連麵包跟水都不見了，這下子他一定會暴跳如雷！
農夫又渴又餓地到樹下休息，想不到麵包跟水都不見了！「不曉得是哪個可憐的人比我更需要那塊麵包跟水？
如果這些東西就能讓他得溫飽的話，那就好了。」又失敗了，小魔鬼又棄甲而逃。
老魔鬼覺得奇怪，難道沒有任何辦法能使這農夫變壞？就在這時第三個小魔鬼出來了。
他對老魔鬼講：「我有辦法，一定能把他變壞。」
小魔鬼先去跟農夫做朋友，農夫很高興地和他作了朋友。因為魔鬼有預知的能力，他就告訴農夫，明年會有乾旱，教農夫把稻種在濕地上，農夫便照做。結果第二年別人沒有收成，只有農夫的收成滿坑滿谷，他就因此而富裕起來了。
小魔鬼又每年都對農夫說當年適合種什麼，三年下來，這農夫就變得非常富有。
他又教農夫把米拿去釀酒販賣，賺取更多的錢。慢慢地，農夫開始不工作了，靠著經濟販賣的方式，就能獲得大量金錢。
有一天，老魔鬼來了，小魔鬼就告訴老魔鬼說：「您看！我現在要展現我的成果。這農夫現在已經有豬的血液了。」只見農夫辦了個晚宴，所有富有的人都來參加；喝最好的酒，吃最精美的餐點，還有好多的僕人侍候。他們非常浪費地吃喝，衣裳零亂，醉得不省人事，開始變得像豬一樣癡肥愚蠢。
「您還會看到他身上有著狼的血液。」小魔鬼又說。這時，一個僕人端著葡萄酒出來，不小心跌了一跤。
農夫就開始罵他：「你做事這麼不小心！」「唉！主人，我們到現在都沒有吃飯，餓得渾身無力。」
「事情沒有做完，你們怎麼可以吃飯！」
老魔鬼見了，高興地對小魔鬼說：「唉！你太了不起！你是怎麼辦到的？」
小魔鬼說：「我只不過是讓他擁有比他需要的更多而已，這樣就可以引發他人性中的貪婪。」
心若改變，你的態度跟著改變；
態度改變，你的習慣跟著改變；
習慣改變，你的性格跟著改變；
性格改變，你的人生跟著改變。
這篇文章分享給每一個在為夢想努力奮鬥的你，提醒我們在努力追求夢想的同時，
千萬不要忘了最初的本心。
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Funny joke for the day
These jokes were picked from somewhere, hope you enjoy them:-
Customer : Waiter, do you serve pigs?
Waiter : Please sit down sir, we serve everyone.
Lady : Is this my train?
Station Master : No, it belongs to the Railway Company.
Lady : Don't try to be funny. I mean to ask if I can take this train to New Delhi .
Station Master : No Madam, I'm afraid it's too heavy.
Customer : Waiter, do you serve pigs?
Waiter : Please sit down sir, we serve everyone.
Lady : Is this my train?
Station Master : No, it belongs to the Railway Company.
Lady : Don't try to be funny. I mean to ask if I can take this train to New Delhi .
Station Master : No Madam, I'm afraid it's too heavy.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
PBB emerges 1st in corporate governance survey for the 3rd consecutive year since its inception in 2005
Well done to PBB to retain its top spot in the Minority Shareholder Watchdog Group's annual Corporate Governance Survey while Bursa Malaysia Berhad and Telekom Berhad were jointly ranked 2nd, as reported by The Edge Daily dated 21.11.2007.
In the survey findings released yesterday, the top three performers in the large public-listed companies (PLC) category had consistently retained their positions from the preceding year with a Corporate Governance Score (CGS) of 80% and above, with Public Bank scoring 91% and Bursa Malaysia and TM both scoring 83%.
In the survey findings released yesterday, the top three performers in the large public-listed companies (PLC) category had consistently retained their positions from the preceding year with a Corporate Governance Score (CGS) of 80% and above, with Public Bank scoring 91% and Bursa Malaysia and TM both scoring 83%.
A warm message from an unforgetable friend
Received this warm sms early in the morning:-
Hot Tea!
/ >
Cl'''''''l Specially
t___i 4 U
I Mixed it with
1 tsp of HAPPY
2 tsp of SMILE &
3 tsp of CARE
Hope it Made
You Happy ('',)
.... Thanks alot... I feel happy to have a good friend like you....
~ you take care always too~
Hot Tea!
/ >
Cl'''''''l Specially
t___i 4 U
I Mixed it with
1 tsp of HAPPY
2 tsp of SMILE &
3 tsp of CARE
Hope it Made
You Happy ('',)
.... Thanks alot... I feel happy to have a good friend like you....
~ you take care always too~
Sunday, November 18, 2007
SHELL at a glance
Shell is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies. They are active in more than 130 countries and territories and employ 108,000 people worldwide.
They believe that oil and gas will be integral to the global energy needs for economic development for many decades to come and their role is to ensure that they extract and deliver them profitably and in environmentally and socially responsible ways.
Their strategy and priorities for the future are “more upstream and profitable downstream.” They are focusing on delivery and growth, leveraging our strong portfolio.
Their core values; honesty, integrity and respect have formed the basis of their General Business Principles for 30 years and remain as important as ever.
They are convinced that their short- and long-term business success depend on finding environmentally and socially responsible ways to help meet the world’s future energy needs.
They believe that oil and gas will be integral to the global energy needs for economic development for many decades to come and their role is to ensure that they extract and deliver them profitably and in environmentally and socially responsible ways.
Their strategy and priorities for the future are “more upstream and profitable downstream.” They are focusing on delivery and growth, leveraging our strong portfolio.
Their core values; honesty, integrity and respect have formed the basis of their General Business Principles for 30 years and remain as important as ever.
They are convinced that their short- and long-term business success depend on finding environmentally and socially responsible ways to help meet the world’s future energy needs.
Shell grows retail business in Malaysia through ProJet acquisition
WEBWIRE – Monday, April 16, 2007
Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) today announced the signing of an agreement with ConocoPhillips for the acquisition of 100% of shares in its wholly owned subsidiary, Conoco Jet (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, which operates the ProJet retail marketing assets in Malaysia.
The deal comprises 44 ProJet branded retail service stations and 14 vacant land sites primarily in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and the State of Johor in southern Malaysia.
“The ProJet acquisition is consistent with Shell’s strategy - More Upstream and Profitable Downstream - where investing in fast growing eastern markets is crucial to business success,” said Mohzani Wahab, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading.
“Shell is the world’s largest fuels retail business with over 46,000 retail stations in more than 90 countries and Malaysia is a key growth market. These additional sites, which complement the 830 strong existing Shell Retail service stations, offer our customers quality fuels at convenient locations throughout Malaysia.”
“Shell’s priority now is to work with staff, customers and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition of this deal and grow the business,” says Mohzani.
The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval, and completion is expected to be in the second half of 2007. After completion the ProJeT stations will progressively be rebranded to Shell within 6 months.
Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) today announced the signing of an agreement with ConocoPhillips for the acquisition of 100% of shares in its wholly owned subsidiary, Conoco Jet (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, which operates the ProJet retail marketing assets in Malaysia.
The deal comprises 44 ProJet branded retail service stations and 14 vacant land sites primarily in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and the State of Johor in southern Malaysia.
“The ProJet acquisition is consistent with Shell’s strategy - More Upstream and Profitable Downstream - where investing in fast growing eastern markets is crucial to business success,” said Mohzani Wahab, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading.
“Shell is the world’s largest fuels retail business with over 46,000 retail stations in more than 90 countries and Malaysia is a key growth market. These additional sites, which complement the 830 strong existing Shell Retail service stations, offer our customers quality fuels at convenient locations throughout Malaysia.”
“Shell’s priority now is to work with staff, customers and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition of this deal and grow the business,” says Mohzani.
The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval, and completion is expected to be in the second half of 2007. After completion the ProJeT stations will progressively be rebranded to Shell within 6 months.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
A joke a day: Ah Beng's night course
Ah Beng went to take night courses with the reasoning in future can get promotion or better job.
During work, Ah Beng likes to show off to Ah Seng about his knowledge.
Ah Beng: Ah Seng ah... I've been taking night courses for 3 months already, next week is the exam.
Ah Seng: Oh... Good luck ah.
Then Ah Beng started show off...
Ah Beng: Ok, I test you, who is Graham Bell?
Ah Seng: Don't know
Ah Beng: He is the inventor of phone la... in 1876, see... if you take night courses, you would know this.
Ah Seng: *speechless*
The next day, Ah Beng shows off again...
Ah Beng: Ah Seng ah... let me ask you, who is Jean Jacques Rousseau?
Ah Seng: Wash your toilet one ah?
Ah Beng: No! He's the author of "Confessions", nah nah nah... told you already, if you take night courses, you would know this.
Ah Seng:.........................*speechless + frustrated*
The next day, once again...
Ah Beng: Do you know who is Alexander Dumas?
Ah Seng: Your gay partner?
Ah Beng: Choiii!!! If you don't know don't simply answer la. He's the author of "The 3 Musketeers", if you take night courses, you would know this.
Ah Seng: .......................*speechless + frustrated + irritated*
This time.... Ah Seng cannot tahan (stand) anymore and ask Ah Beng...
Ah Seng: Eh... Do you know who is Ah Kaw?
Ah Beng: Errrr... No!
Ah Seng: He's the guy sleeping with your wife!! If you stop night courses, you would know this!!
Ah Beng: ........................*fainted*
During work, Ah Beng likes to show off to Ah Seng about his knowledge.
Ah Beng: Ah Seng ah... I've been taking night courses for 3 months already, next week is the exam.
Ah Seng: Oh... Good luck ah.
Then Ah Beng started show off...
Ah Beng: Ok, I test you, who is Graham Bell?
Ah Seng: Don't know
Ah Beng: He is the inventor of phone la... in 1876, see... if you take night courses, you would know this.
Ah Seng: *speechless*
The next day, Ah Beng shows off again...
Ah Beng: Ah Seng ah... let me ask you, who is Jean Jacques Rousseau?
Ah Seng: Wash your toilet one ah?
Ah Beng: No! He's the author of "Confessions", nah nah nah... told you already, if you take night courses, you would know this.
Ah Seng:.........................*speechless + frustrated*
The next day, once again...
Ah Beng: Do you know who is Alexander Dumas?
Ah Seng: Your gay partner?
Ah Beng: Choiii!!! If you don't know don't simply answer la. He's the author of "The 3 Musketeers", if you take night courses, you would know this.
Ah Seng: .......................*speechless + frustrated + irritated*
This time.... Ah Seng cannot tahan (stand) anymore and ask Ah Beng...
Ah Seng: Eh... Do you know who is Ah Kaw?
Ah Beng: Errrr... No!
Ah Seng: He's the guy sleeping with your wife!! If you stop night courses, you would know this!!
Ah Beng: ........................*fainted*
Sunday, October 28, 2007
26-10-2007: AsiaEP ED sells 5m shares
Following news was picked from The Edge Daily dated 26.10.2007. Besides Lee has disposed her shareholding to 53 million shares, noted that Dr Tan Boon Nunt also has the intention to deal in the securities of the company during closed period as per General Announcement by Bursa Malaysia dated 19.10.2007.
Just when you thought internet-based companies, along comes AsiaEP Berhad. This pure "Internet Play" is enjoying a meteoric rise in its share price, hitting RM1.14 sometime in April this year, was up some 300% since early this year.
I believed some investors did burned their hands for this share.
KUALA LUMPUR: AsiaEP Bhd executive director Lee Suet Hong reduced her total shareholding in the Mesdaq company to 53 million shares on Oct 24 after selling five million shares on Oct 24.
A filing with Bursa Malaysia showed Lee sold the 2.03% stake at 36 sen each. After the disposal, Lee’s direct interest was 11.97 million shares or 4.88%.
Lee’s indirect interest was 41.25 million shares or 16.81%.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc has a direct 6.64% stake in AsiaEP which provides e-commerce solutions and e-marketplace platform for both local and international enterprises.
Its share price surged to RM1.04 on July 26 and subsequently tumbled to 34 sen on Aug 17.
Just when you thought internet-based companies, along comes AsiaEP Berhad. This pure "Internet Play" is enjoying a meteoric rise in its share price, hitting RM1.14 sometime in April this year, was up some 300% since early this year.
I believed some investors did burned their hands for this share.
KUALA LUMPUR: AsiaEP Bhd executive director Lee Suet Hong reduced her total shareholding in the Mesdaq company to 53 million shares on Oct 24 after selling five million shares on Oct 24.
A filing with Bursa Malaysia showed Lee sold the 2.03% stake at 36 sen each. After the disposal, Lee’s direct interest was 11.97 million shares or 4.88%.
Lee’s indirect interest was 41.25 million shares or 16.81%.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc has a direct 6.64% stake in AsiaEP which provides e-commerce solutions and e-marketplace platform for both local and international enterprises.
Its share price surged to RM1.04 on July 26 and subsequently tumbled to 34 sen on Aug 17.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Related links
http://www.rickross.com/reference/lifespring/lifespringvisitor.html
http://www.rickross.com/reference/asiaworks/asiaworks3.html
http://www.rickross.com/reference/brainwashing/brainwashing44.html
http://www.rickross.com/reference/asiaworks/asiaworks3.html
http://www.rickross.com/reference/brainwashing/brainwashing44.html
Controversial Human Potential Trainings
The following article was picked from:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifespring#Lawsuits
Lifespring
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the controversial human potential trainings. For the Christian podcast, see Lifespring (podcast).
Lifespring was a for-profit private company, founded in 1974. The company promoted itself through books and word of mouth advertising. By 1989, officials stated that over 300,000 people had enrolled in the company's seminars.[1] Lifespring has been classified as a New Age/human potential training company.
The book Evaluating a Large Group Awareness Training made comparisons between Lifespring and Werner Erhard's Est training[2].
Lifespring was referred to in the media as a controversial motivational group[3]. The company was the subject of investigative reports by the media[4], and was criticized by former staff and participants[3][5]. After a series of lawsuits in the 1980s which alleged that Lifespring was responsible for mental damages to the plaintiffs[4][6], the company had to pay out damages as a result of settlements and one lost jury decision[4][6].
History
Lifespring was founded in 1974 by John Hanley Sr., after working at an organization called Mind Dynamics with Werner Erhard, the founder of est. Lifespring concentrates on how people experience each other, whereas est concentrates on changing the way people experience themselves.[7] However, there are many similarities between the two, as well as with Scientology[1][8].
The former Director for Corporate Affairs of Lifespring, Charles "Raz" Ingrasci, [9] also worked with Werner Erhard, promoting an est mission to the USSR and the Hunger Project. Ingrasci is now President of the Hoffman Institute[10] which offers programs such as the Hoffman Quadrinity Process which some regard as similar to Lifespring[11].
Though John Hanley denied that Lifespring was a duplicate of Erhard Seminars Training, Melton and Lewis described the similarities between the two as "striking", in their 1992 work, Perspectives on the New Age[8]. Melton and Lewis point out that both Werner Erhard and John Hanley had previously worked at Mind Dynamics. They then went on to cite specific examples of techniques utilized by both Lifespring and EST, stating that both used "authoritarian trainers who enforce numerous rules", both groups require applause after a member's "share" in front of the group, both deemphasized ratiocination, in favor of "feeling and action"[8]. The authors also pointed out that graduates of both Lifespring and EST were "fiercely loyal", and recruited heavily for their respective groups, reducing marketing expenses to virtually zero[8].
Later developments
While trainings continued until the mid-nineties in certain parts of the country, the lawsuits and the bad press crippled the company. One Lifespring follower, Sue Hawkes, started a similar program, called Vistar, but it was unsuccessful.[4] Lifespring training, once offered under a unified corporate umbrella, now appears in several guises world-wide delivered by differently-named companies. Some of these companies offering the training programs once offered by or based on Lifespring include Momentus; Insight Seminars; Resource Realizations; The Great Life Foundation, Visionworks; The Impact Trainings; Harmony Institute; Spectrum Trainings; Phoenix2000, Vistar/Serendipidity; Summit Education; Personal Dynamics; Choicenter; Millennium 3; Asia Works; Argentina Works; Chile Works; MexWorks; WorldWorks; The Legacy Center; Essential Education; Rising Star Communications; Humanus Institute; and Wings Seminars.[26] The new religious movement called Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness has been referred to as an "offshoot" of Lifespring.[27]
Lawsuits
More than 30 lawsuits were filed against Lifespring for charges ranging from involuntary servitude to wrongful death. The suits often claimed that the trainings place participants under extreme psychological stress in order to elicit change. The group had to pay out large amounts of money to participants who required psychiatric hospitalization and to family members of suicides.[6] The first jury decision came in 1984 in which Deborah Bingham testified she'd been in a psych ward for a month after attending two Lifespring courses and was awarded $800,000. Gabriella Martinez testified that she heard her trainer's voice in her head the night she swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills; Lifespring settled out of court.[4]In 1993, Pittsburgh lawyer Peter N. Georgiades won a $750,000 settlement for a Lifespring trainee who was institutionalized for two years following Leadership training.[6]In 1982, the family of David Priddle accepted an undisclosed sum when they sued Lifespring after he jumped off a building; Artie Barnett's family also reached an out of court settlement, when Barnett, who couldn't swim, drowned during a Lifespring training. Gail Renick's family received $450,000 after she died from an asthma attack during a training session. She had been led to believe her medication was unnecessary.[4]
Lifespring
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the controversial human potential trainings. For the Christian podcast, see Lifespring (podcast).
Lifespring was a for-profit private company, founded in 1974. The company promoted itself through books and word of mouth advertising. By 1989, officials stated that over 300,000 people had enrolled in the company's seminars.[1] Lifespring has been classified as a New Age/human potential training company.
The book Evaluating a Large Group Awareness Training made comparisons between Lifespring and Werner Erhard's Est training[2].
Lifespring was referred to in the media as a controversial motivational group[3]. The company was the subject of investigative reports by the media[4], and was criticized by former staff and participants[3][5]. After a series of lawsuits in the 1980s which alleged that Lifespring was responsible for mental damages to the plaintiffs[4][6], the company had to pay out damages as a result of settlements and one lost jury decision[4][6].
History
Lifespring was founded in 1974 by John Hanley Sr., after working at an organization called Mind Dynamics with Werner Erhard, the founder of est. Lifespring concentrates on how people experience each other, whereas est concentrates on changing the way people experience themselves.[7] However, there are many similarities between the two, as well as with Scientology[1][8].
The former Director for Corporate Affairs of Lifespring, Charles "Raz" Ingrasci, [9] also worked with Werner Erhard, promoting an est mission to the USSR and the Hunger Project. Ingrasci is now President of the Hoffman Institute[10] which offers programs such as the Hoffman Quadrinity Process which some regard as similar to Lifespring[11].
Though John Hanley denied that Lifespring was a duplicate of Erhard Seminars Training, Melton and Lewis described the similarities between the two as "striking", in their 1992 work, Perspectives on the New Age[8]. Melton and Lewis point out that both Werner Erhard and John Hanley had previously worked at Mind Dynamics. They then went on to cite specific examples of techniques utilized by both Lifespring and EST, stating that both used "authoritarian trainers who enforce numerous rules", both groups require applause after a member's "share" in front of the group, both deemphasized ratiocination, in favor of "feeling and action"[8]. The authors also pointed out that graduates of both Lifespring and EST were "fiercely loyal", and recruited heavily for their respective groups, reducing marketing expenses to virtually zero[8].
Later developments
While trainings continued until the mid-nineties in certain parts of the country, the lawsuits and the bad press crippled the company. One Lifespring follower, Sue Hawkes, started a similar program, called Vistar, but it was unsuccessful.[4] Lifespring training, once offered under a unified corporate umbrella, now appears in several guises world-wide delivered by differently-named companies. Some of these companies offering the training programs once offered by or based on Lifespring include Momentus; Insight Seminars; Resource Realizations; The Great Life Foundation, Visionworks; The Impact Trainings; Harmony Institute; Spectrum Trainings; Phoenix2000, Vistar/Serendipidity; Summit Education; Personal Dynamics; Choicenter; Millennium 3; Asia Works; Argentina Works; Chile Works; MexWorks; WorldWorks; The Legacy Center; Essential Education; Rising Star Communications; Humanus Institute; and Wings Seminars.[26] The new religious movement called Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness has been referred to as an "offshoot" of Lifespring.[27]
Lawsuits
More than 30 lawsuits were filed against Lifespring for charges ranging from involuntary servitude to wrongful death. The suits often claimed that the trainings place participants under extreme psychological stress in order to elicit change. The group had to pay out large amounts of money to participants who required psychiatric hospitalization and to family members of suicides.[6] The first jury decision came in 1984 in which Deborah Bingham testified she'd been in a psych ward for a month after attending two Lifespring courses and was awarded $800,000. Gabriella Martinez testified that she heard her trainer's voice in her head the night she swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills; Lifespring settled out of court.[4]In 1993, Pittsburgh lawyer Peter N. Georgiades won a $750,000 settlement for a Lifespring trainee who was institutionalized for two years following Leadership training.[6]In 1982, the family of David Priddle accepted an undisclosed sum when they sued Lifespring after he jumped off a building; Artie Barnett's family also reached an out of court settlement, when Barnett, who couldn't swim, drowned during a Lifespring training. Gail Renick's family received $450,000 after she died from an asthma attack during a training session. She had been led to believe her medication was unnecessary.[4]
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Petronas most valuable Malaysian brand with value of RM7b
Followings news was picked from The Edge Daily dated 25-09-2007. Well done Malaysia! Proub to be Malaysian.
KUALA LUMPUR: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) is the country’s most valuable brand based on a report on Malaysia’s Top 50 Most Valuable Brands by London-based Brand Finance Institute.
The leading independent brand valuation firm said Petronas, which is also ranked among Fortune Global 500’s largest corporations in the world, has a brand value of US$2.1 billion (RM7.3 billion), making it the most valuable out of 50 household brands of various industries in Malaysia.
Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) came in second with brand value of US$1.6 billion (RM5.6 billion). Companies that made it to the top 10 list, were Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM), Genting Bhd, Bumiputra-Commerce Holdings Bhd (BCHB), Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Maxis Communications Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd and Malaysian Airline System Bhd. (see chart)
The banking industry was the most highly represented, with Maybank, BCHB and Public Bank in second, fifth and eighth placing, respectively.
Brand Finance said the rankings were compiled using publicly available information on market share, market growth and company financials with data from Bloomberg, annual reports and press releases.
Its brand valuation was conducted using “royalty relief”, based on the assumption that the company was not owning its own brand, but was required to pay royalty fees to operate from a third party.
The present value of the hypothetical stream of royalty fees would represent the brand value, it said.
It said the released rankings would provide an overview of the methodologies for measuring brand equity from customer perspective, and measure how it would translate into superior business value.
In the 17-page report, Brand Finance said the growth of Asian companies had been driven by manufacturing and capital-intensive industries but was slowly shifting towards service-oriented ones as the region’s economics began to develop and mature.
It said investors recognised that productive resources of these companies were increasingly represented by assets that did not appear in financial statements such as patents, supply chain systems, distribution rights, skilled workers and brands.
Additionally, recent changes in the accounting standards for business acquisitions had reinforced the importance of understanding intangible assets that accounted for an increasingly large proportion of business value, it said.
According to the International Financial Accounting Standards 3 that was implemented in March 2004, goodwill on intangible assets was no longer reported as excess of purchase price over the acquisition of tangible assets.
Instead, goodwill will be allocated to five classes of intangible assets. (see chart above).
Brand Finance said the recognition of intangible value in the country, however, was low compared with other countries as only 40% of Malaysia’s market value was derived from intangible assets against the US whose market was derived from intangible assets was 70%.
KUALA LUMPUR: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) is the country’s most valuable brand based on a report on Malaysia’s Top 50 Most Valuable Brands by London-based Brand Finance Institute.
The leading independent brand valuation firm said Petronas, which is also ranked among Fortune Global 500’s largest corporations in the world, has a brand value of US$2.1 billion (RM7.3 billion), making it the most valuable out of 50 household brands of various industries in Malaysia.
Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) came in second with brand value of US$1.6 billion (RM5.6 billion). Companies that made it to the top 10 list, were Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM), Genting Bhd, Bumiputra-Commerce Holdings Bhd (BCHB), Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Maxis Communications Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd and Malaysian Airline System Bhd. (see chart)
The banking industry was the most highly represented, with Maybank, BCHB and Public Bank in second, fifth and eighth placing, respectively.
Brand Finance said the rankings were compiled using publicly available information on market share, market growth and company financials with data from Bloomberg, annual reports and press releases.
Its brand valuation was conducted using “royalty relief”, based on the assumption that the company was not owning its own brand, but was required to pay royalty fees to operate from a third party.
The present value of the hypothetical stream of royalty fees would represent the brand value, it said.
It said the released rankings would provide an overview of the methodologies for measuring brand equity from customer perspective, and measure how it would translate into superior business value.
In the 17-page report, Brand Finance said the growth of Asian companies had been driven by manufacturing and capital-intensive industries but was slowly shifting towards service-oriented ones as the region’s economics began to develop and mature.
It said investors recognised that productive resources of these companies were increasingly represented by assets that did not appear in financial statements such as patents, supply chain systems, distribution rights, skilled workers and brands.
Additionally, recent changes in the accounting standards for business acquisitions had reinforced the importance of understanding intangible assets that accounted for an increasingly large proportion of business value, it said.
According to the International Financial Accounting Standards 3 that was implemented in March 2004, goodwill on intangible assets was no longer reported as excess of purchase price over the acquisition of tangible assets.
Instead, goodwill will be allocated to five classes of intangible assets. (see chart above).
Brand Finance said the recognition of intangible value in the country, however, was low compared with other countries as only 40% of Malaysia’s market value was derived from intangible assets against the US whose market was derived from intangible assets was 70%.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Forbes Rich List
Below was picked from the star dated 22.9.2007 (Saturday). Congra to Gates whom came in first for the 14th consecutive year with net worth of US$59bil, ahead of US$52bil held by his friend Warren Buffet, 77, chairman and chief executive officer of Berkshire harthway Inc. Congra!
Hedge fund managers make Forbes rich list
SAN FRANCISCO: Hedge fund and private equity managers made up more than half the newest members to the Forbes magazine's 400 richest Americans list that was again topped by Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates.
Gates, 51, came in first for the 14th consecutive year with a net worth of US$59bil, ahead of the US$52bil held by his friend Warren Buffett, 77, chairman and chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Steven Cohen of SAC Capital Advisors LLC was the richest hedge fund manager with US$6.8bil, and was ranked 47th overall.
The cost of joining the 25th annual Forbes 400 list increased in 2007. Those in the bottom positions had a net worth of US$1.3bil, up US$300mil from last year when all the members were billionaires for the first time.
Filling in the top five were Sheldon Adelson, 74, chief executive officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp, with US$28bil; Oracle Corp CEO Larry Ellison, 63, with US$26bil and Google Inc co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, each with US$18bil.
Brin and Page, both 34, replaced Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who dropped to No. 11 with US$16.8bil.
Kirk Kerkorian, 90, joined the top 10 at No. 7 from No. 26 with US$18bil, along with Dell Inc founder Michael Dell, 42, with US$17.2bil in eighth place. Brothers Charles Koch, 71, and David Koch, 67, who profited from oil and commodity investments through Koch Industries Inc to amass their US$17bil fortunes, were tied in ninth place.
The subprime mortgage crisis this year – which shook debt, credit and stock markets globally – did not keep several hedge fund and private equity managers from joining the list, which consisted of 45 new names.
TPG Inc's David Bonderman and James Coulter were joined on the list for the first time by the Carlyle Group's William Conway, Daniel D'Aniello and David Rubenstein, and Blackstone Group LP's Peter Peterson and Tony James.
Thirty-nine women made the list, led by Abigail Johnson at No. 17 with US$15bil, Forbes said. Johnson's family controls Fidelity Investments, the world's largest mutual fund company. Daytime television star Oprah Winfrey was No. 165 with US$2.5bil. – Bloomberg
Hedge fund managers make Forbes rich list
SAN FRANCISCO: Hedge fund and private equity managers made up more than half the newest members to the Forbes magazine's 400 richest Americans list that was again topped by Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates.
Gates, 51, came in first for the 14th consecutive year with a net worth of US$59bil, ahead of the US$52bil held by his friend Warren Buffett, 77, chairman and chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Steven Cohen of SAC Capital Advisors LLC was the richest hedge fund manager with US$6.8bil, and was ranked 47th overall.
The cost of joining the 25th annual Forbes 400 list increased in 2007. Those in the bottom positions had a net worth of US$1.3bil, up US$300mil from last year when all the members were billionaires for the first time.
Filling in the top five were Sheldon Adelson, 74, chief executive officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp, with US$28bil; Oracle Corp CEO Larry Ellison, 63, with US$26bil and Google Inc co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, each with US$18bil.
Brin and Page, both 34, replaced Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who dropped to No. 11 with US$16.8bil.
Kirk Kerkorian, 90, joined the top 10 at No. 7 from No. 26 with US$18bil, along with Dell Inc founder Michael Dell, 42, with US$17.2bil in eighth place. Brothers Charles Koch, 71, and David Koch, 67, who profited from oil and commodity investments through Koch Industries Inc to amass their US$17bil fortunes, were tied in ninth place.
The subprime mortgage crisis this year – which shook debt, credit and stock markets globally – did not keep several hedge fund and private equity managers from joining the list, which consisted of 45 new names.
TPG Inc's David Bonderman and James Coulter were joined on the list for the first time by the Carlyle Group's William Conway, Daniel D'Aniello and David Rubenstein, and Blackstone Group LP's Peter Peterson and Tony James.
Thirty-nine women made the list, led by Abigail Johnson at No. 17 with US$15bil, Forbes said. Johnson's family controls Fidelity Investments, the world's largest mutual fund company. Daytime television star Oprah Winfrey was No. 165 with US$2.5bil. – Bloomberg
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Stary Stary Night
The following song is a very old song by Don McLean. Everytime I listen to this song, I feel sad...
STARY STARY NIGHT (VINCENT)
By Don McLean
星夜
Starry, starry night
繁星之夜
Paint your palette blue and gray
星空在你的画板照得灰暗幽兰
Look out on a summer's day
某个夏日
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
你用洞悉我灵魂深处的双眼
Shadows on the hills
看到山上的阴影
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
画上树和水仙花
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
捕捉微风和冬天的寒意
In colors on the snowy linen land
亚麻色的大地覆盖着积雪
Now I understand
现在我明白了
What you tried to say to me
你想对我说什么
And how you suffered for your sanity
你如何承受天赋的折磨
And how you tried to set them free
你如何试图释放你的才华
They would not listen; they did not know how
他们不听，他们不曾知道
Perhaps they'll listen now
也许现在他们会听
Starry, starry night
繁星之夜
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
耀眼的花朵闪烁光芒
Swirling clouds in violet haze
流转的云朵散发紫罗兰的朦胧
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue
在文森特中国蓝的眼睛中闪耀
Colors changing hue
颜色在变
Morning fields of amber grain
清晨琥珀色的田野
Weathered faces lined in pain
痛苦中风化的脸
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand
在艺术家爱之手下减轻痛苦
Now I understand
现在我明白了
What you tried to say to me
你想对我说什么
And how you suffered for your sanity
你如何承受天赋的折磨
And how you tried to set them free
你如何试图释放你的才华
They would not listen; they did not know how
他们从来不听，他们不曾知道
Perhaps they'll listen now
也许现在他们会听
For they could not love you
因为他们不能爱你
But still, your love was true
但你的爱是真挚的
And when no hope was left inside
当内心再也没有希望
On that starry, starry night
在布满星星的夜晚
You took your life as lovers often do
你像情人们常做的那样结束自己的生命
But I could've told you, Vincent
我本应告诉你，文森特
This world was never meant For one as beautiful as you
这个世界从来就不象你一样美
Starry, starry night
繁星之夜
Portraits hung in empty halls
肖像挂在空荡荡的大厅
Frameless heads on nameless walls
无名的墙上挂着无框的头像
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget
凝视这个世界，难以忘却
Like the strangers that you've met
就像你遇见的陌生人
The ragged men in ragged clothes
褴褛的衣服粗鲁的人
The silver thorn, a bloody rose
血红色玫瑰、银色荆棘
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow
破碎地躺在无痕的雪地上
Now I understand
现在我明白了
What you tried to say to me
你想对我说什么
And how you suffered for your sanity
你如何承受天赋的折磨
And how you tried to set them free
你如何试图释放你的才华
They would not listen; they did not know how
他们从来不听，他们不曾知道
Perhaps they'll listen now
也许现在他们会听
STARY STARY NIGHT (VINCENT)
By Don McLean
星夜
Starry, starry night
繁星之夜
Paint your palette blue and gray
星空在你的画板照得灰暗幽兰
Look out on a summer's day
某个夏日
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
你用洞悉我灵魂深处的双眼
Shadows on the hills
看到山上的阴影
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
画上树和水仙花
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
捕捉微风和冬天的寒意
In colors on the snowy linen land
亚麻色的大地覆盖着积雪
Now I understand
现在我明白了
What you tried to say to me
你想对我说什么
And how you suffered for your sanity
你如何承受天赋的折磨
And how you tried to set them free
你如何试图释放你的才华
They would not listen; they did not know how
他们不听，他们不曾知道
Perhaps they'll listen now
也许现在他们会听
Starry, starry night
繁星之夜
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
耀眼的花朵闪烁光芒
Swirling clouds in violet haze
流转的云朵散发紫罗兰的朦胧
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue
在文森特中国蓝的眼睛中闪耀
Colors changing hue
颜色在变
Morning fields of amber grain
清晨琥珀色的田野
Weathered faces lined in pain
痛苦中风化的脸
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand
在艺术家爱之手下减轻痛苦
Now I understand
现在我明白了
What you tried to say to me
你想对我说什么
And how you suffered for your sanity
你如何承受天赋的折磨
And how you tried to set them free
你如何试图释放你的才华
They would not listen; they did not know how
他们从来不听，他们不曾知道
Perhaps they'll listen now
也许现在他们会听
For they could not love you
因为他们不能爱你
But still, your love was true
但你的爱是真挚的
And when no hope was left inside
当内心再也没有希望
On that starry, starry night
在布满星星的夜晚
You took your life as lovers often do
你像情人们常做的那样结束自己的生命
But I could've told you, Vincent
我本应告诉你，文森特
This world was never meant For one as beautiful as you
这个世界从来就不象你一样美
Starry, starry night
繁星之夜
Portraits hung in empty halls
肖像挂在空荡荡的大厅
Frameless heads on nameless walls
无名的墙上挂着无框的头像
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget
凝视这个世界，难以忘却
Like the strangers that you've met
就像你遇见的陌生人
The ragged men in ragged clothes
褴褛的衣服粗鲁的人
The silver thorn, a bloody rose
血红色玫瑰、银色荆棘
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow
破碎地躺在无痕的雪地上
Now I understand
现在我明白了
What you tried to say to me
你想对我说什么
And how you suffered for your sanity
你如何承受天赋的折磨
And how you tried to set them free
你如何试图释放你的才华
They would not listen; they did not know how
他们从来不听，他们不曾知道
Perhaps they'll listen now
也许现在他们会听
Malaysia to see 5.7% GDP growth in 2008
The following statement was picked from The Edge Daily dated 21.9.2007 by Ellina Badri. Hopefully it will be on the track.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian economy is expected to grow at a rate of 5.7% next year, although it must face the key challenge of a weakening US economy.
At an economic briefing here yesterday, Standard Chartered Bank regional head of economic research, Southeast Asia, Cheung Tai Hui said the GDP growth rate was “respectable, above-trend and one of the faster growing rates in the region” even though it was lower than the government’s targeted 6% to 6.5%.
He said the economy was exposed to trends in the US — as exports to the country represented 20% of GDP in 2006/2007 — although domestic demand was seen to be strong enough to cushion the weakening US economy.
“Our view is that the US economy will weaken in the next 12 to 18 months as the three key pillars of the economy — the housing market, the stock market and the labour market — are seen to be weakening,” he said.
Cheung also said Malaysia’s headline growth remained steady, and the softening electrical and electronics (E&E) exports were expected to pick up moderately at the end of the year and early 2008 although the “biggest worry” concerning exports was that US capital spending would decelerate.
Additionally, he said while inflation concerns presented a further risk to the economy preventing the central bank from cutting interest rates, it did not pose a downside risk to growth.
With rising inflation — reflecting strong demand and higher wages — Standard Chartered has raised its 2008 inflation forecast to 2.5%, he said.
On the ringgit, Cheung said the currency was expected to strengthen to between RM3.40 and RM3.450 to the US dollar at the end of 2007, and further to RM3.30 at end-2008.
Malaysia’s current account surplus, which saw continued foreign currency inflows, coupled with sustained investor interest, would contribute to the strong currency, he said.
The current US$80 (RM280) per barrel oil price was also not seen as sustainable due to slowing global growth and prices were expected to fall, he added.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian economy is expected to grow at a rate of 5.7% next year, although it must face the key challenge of a weakening US economy.
At an economic briefing here yesterday, Standard Chartered Bank regional head of economic research, Southeast Asia, Cheung Tai Hui said the GDP growth rate was “respectable, above-trend and one of the faster growing rates in the region” even though it was lower than the government’s targeted 6% to 6.5%.
He said the economy was exposed to trends in the US — as exports to the country represented 20% of GDP in 2006/2007 — although domestic demand was seen to be strong enough to cushion the weakening US economy.
“Our view is that the US economy will weaken in the next 12 to 18 months as the three key pillars of the economy — the housing market, the stock market and the labour market — are seen to be weakening,” he said.
Cheung also said Malaysia’s headline growth remained steady, and the softening electrical and electronics (E&E) exports were expected to pick up moderately at the end of the year and early 2008 although the “biggest worry” concerning exports was that US capital spending would decelerate.
Additionally, he said while inflation concerns presented a further risk to the economy preventing the central bank from cutting interest rates, it did not pose a downside risk to growth.
With rising inflation — reflecting strong demand and higher wages — Standard Chartered has raised its 2008 inflation forecast to 2.5%, he said.
On the ringgit, Cheung said the currency was expected to strengthen to between RM3.40 and RM3.450 to the US dollar at the end of 2007, and further to RM3.30 at end-2008.
Malaysia’s current account surplus, which saw continued foreign currency inflows, coupled with sustained investor interest, would contribute to the strong currency, he said.
The current US$80 (RM280) per barrel oil price was also not seen as sustainable due to slowing global growth and prices were expected to fall, he added.
Some history on Moon cake - Lantern Festival
Mooncakes are also known as ``reunion cakes'' as family members gather to partake of the sweet confectionery.
Mooncakes are eaten throughout the month before the actual festival day. They make meaningful gifts for kith and kin.
In the evenings, children gleefully carry lanterns of all shapes and sizes. The bearing of lanterns and the origin of mooncakes date back to a 14th century revolt by the Chinese against the Mongols.
In 1376, the Chinese overthrew the Yuan (Mongol) dynasty (1280-1376) in an uprising brilliantly hatched by lantern-bearing messengers who delivered mooncakes with hidden messages.
Legend has it that the time and place of the revolution were concealed in the mooncakes sent to friends and relatives. The midnight massacre of the Mongols was led by Liu Bowen.
Today, altars are set up outside the house facing the full moon on the night of the festival. The ``harvest moon'' is at its brightest and roundest this time of the year.
Offerings of mooncakes, mini yams and water caltrops are laid out for Chang-Er, also known as the Moon Lady. Round fruits are offered as the shape symbolises the fullness of the moon and family harmony.
Some women peel pomelos and mini yams in the belief that they will have a flawless complexion. Others pray to the moon goddess hoping to be blessed with good husbands.
The classic tale of Chang-Er, the beautiful moon goddess, is associated with the Mooncake Festival. Pictures of her in a flowy gown floating to the moon commonly adorn mooncake boxes.
Folklore has it that she was married to the divine archer Hou Yi, who shot nine out of 10 suns that were causing havoc. For his deed, the Queen Mother of the West gave him the elixir of life. Chang-Er stole her husband's potion of immortality, drank it and found herself floating to the moon. There she lives out her days in the cold lonely moon palace with a furry rabbit for companion.
A slightly different version says that Hou Yi was a tyrannical ruler. Chang-Er drank the magic potion to prevent him from becoming immortal.
Another myth tells of woodcutter Wu Gang who was banished to the moon and became Chang-Er's friend and servant. The Jade Emperor punished Wu Gang by ordering him to cut down a cassia tree. It was a task that could never be completed as the tree is immortal and would grow back each time it is felled.
Moon worship has its roots in China's Sung (960-1127), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, when commoners and emperors alike observed the practice.
Imperial chefs made mooncakes over a metre in diameter with designs of the moon goddess, the moon palace and cassia tree. Ordinary mooncakes were several centimetres in diameter.
During the Qing dynasty, mooncakes were renamed ``moonflowers.'' In Mandarin, the word yuebing for mooncakes sounds like ``monthly sickness'' (or menstruation).
The Empress Dowager Ci Xi staged rituals for an elaborate moon festival lasting from the 13th through the 17th day of the eighth lunar month.
Some Chinese families today still stay up late to observe the occasion eating mooncakes, sipping tea and gazing at the beautiful moon. It is regarded the perfect moment if someone catches the moon's reflection in the centre of his or her teacup.
Mooncakes are eaten throughout the month before the actual festival day. They make meaningful gifts for kith and kin.
In the evenings, children gleefully carry lanterns of all shapes and sizes. The bearing of lanterns and the origin of mooncakes date back to a 14th century revolt by the Chinese against the Mongols.
In 1376, the Chinese overthrew the Yuan (Mongol) dynasty (1280-1376) in an uprising brilliantly hatched by lantern-bearing messengers who delivered mooncakes with hidden messages.
Legend has it that the time and place of the revolution were concealed in the mooncakes sent to friends and relatives. The midnight massacre of the Mongols was led by Liu Bowen.
Today, altars are set up outside the house facing the full moon on the night of the festival. The ``harvest moon'' is at its brightest and roundest this time of the year.
Offerings of mooncakes, mini yams and water caltrops are laid out for Chang-Er, also known as the Moon Lady. Round fruits are offered as the shape symbolises the fullness of the moon and family harmony.
Some women peel pomelos and mini yams in the belief that they will have a flawless complexion. Others pray to the moon goddess hoping to be blessed with good husbands.
The classic tale of Chang-Er, the beautiful moon goddess, is associated with the Mooncake Festival. Pictures of her in a flowy gown floating to the moon commonly adorn mooncake boxes.
Folklore has it that she was married to the divine archer Hou Yi, who shot nine out of 10 suns that were causing havoc. For his deed, the Queen Mother of the West gave him the elixir of life. Chang-Er stole her husband's potion of immortality, drank it and found herself floating to the moon. There she lives out her days in the cold lonely moon palace with a furry rabbit for companion.
A slightly different version says that Hou Yi was a tyrannical ruler. Chang-Er drank the magic potion to prevent him from becoming immortal.
Another myth tells of woodcutter Wu Gang who was banished to the moon and became Chang-Er's friend and servant. The Jade Emperor punished Wu Gang by ordering him to cut down a cassia tree. It was a task that could never be completed as the tree is immortal and would grow back each time it is felled.
Moon worship has its roots in China's Sung (960-1127), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, when commoners and emperors alike observed the practice.
Imperial chefs made mooncakes over a metre in diameter with designs of the moon goddess, the moon palace and cassia tree. Ordinary mooncakes were several centimetres in diameter.
During the Qing dynasty, mooncakes were renamed ``moonflowers.'' In Mandarin, the word yuebing for mooncakes sounds like ``monthly sickness'' (or menstruation).
The Empress Dowager Ci Xi staged rituals for an elaborate moon festival lasting from the 13th through the 17th day of the eighth lunar month.
Some Chinese families today still stay up late to observe the occasion eating mooncakes, sipping tea and gazing at the beautiful moon. It is regarded the perfect moment if someone catches the moon's reflection in the centre of his or her teacup.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Joke of the day
｛鬼故事｝
有一個德士司機每天晚上都經過一個墳場。
一個晚上，他經過墳場時，他看見一個全衣血淋淋的女生正在向他招手，
嚇得他心驚擔戰。
第二個晚上，
他又再次經過此墳場。
這次的這個女生的衣服卻是白色的！
那女生向他走來並告訴他：
請用ＴＯＰ洗衣粉，
保證能清除您衣物上所有的污蹟！
有一個德士司機每天晚上都經過一個墳場。
一個晚上，他經過墳場時，他看見一個全衣血淋淋的女生正在向他招手，
嚇得他心驚擔戰。
第二個晚上，
他又再次經過此墳場。
這次的這個女生的衣服卻是白色的！
那女生向他走來並告訴他：
請用ＴＯＰ洗衣粉，
保證能清除您衣物上所有的污蹟！
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Positive Thinking
Recently received an email from an old friend, and it was very interesting and reminded me on thinking positively!
Yeah, coins have 2 sides, so to other things! If we keep thinking positively, our world will looks better! Hope you all enjoy reading the following email that means alot:-
I am thankful for the wife
who says i's hot dogs tonight,
because she is home with me,
and not out with someone else.
For the husabnd who is on the sofa,
being a couch potato,
because he is home with me,
and not out at the bars.
For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes,
because it means she is at home,
not on the streets.
For the taxes I pay,
because it means I am employed.
For the mess to clean after a party,
because it means i have been surrounded by friends.
For the clothes that fit a little too snug,
because it means I have enough to eat.
For my shadow that watches me work,
because it means I am out in the sunshine.
For a lawn that needs mowing,
windows that need cleaning,
and the gutters that need fixing,
because it means i have a home.
For all the complaining I hear about the government,
because it means we have freedom of speech.
For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot,
because it means I am capable of walking and I have been blessed with transportation.
For my huge heating bill,
because it mean I am warm.
For the lady behind me in church who sings off key,
because it means i can hear.
For the pile of laundry and ironing,
because it means I have clothes to wear.
For the weariness and aching muschles at the end of the day,
because it means I have been capable of working hard.
For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours,
because it means I am alive.
And finally for too much emails,
because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.
Remember, think positively!
Yeah, coins have 2 sides, so to other things! If we keep thinking positively, our world will looks better! Hope you all enjoy reading the following email that means alot:-
I am thankful for the wife
who says i's hot dogs tonight,
because she is home with me,
and not out with someone else.
For the husabnd who is on the sofa,
being a couch potato,
because he is home with me,
and not out at the bars.
For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes,
because it means she is at home,
not on the streets.
For the taxes I pay,
because it means I am employed.
For the mess to clean after a party,
because it means i have been surrounded by friends.
For the clothes that fit a little too snug,
because it means I have enough to eat.
For my shadow that watches me work,
because it means I am out in the sunshine.
For a lawn that needs mowing,
windows that need cleaning,
and the gutters that need fixing,
because it means i have a home.
For all the complaining I hear about the government,
because it means we have freedom of speech.
For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot,
because it means I am capable of walking and I have been blessed with transportation.
For my huge heating bill,
because it mean I am warm.
For the lady behind me in church who sings off key,
because it means i can hear.
For the pile of laundry and ironing,
because it means I have clothes to wear.
For the weariness and aching muschles at the end of the day,
because it means I have been capable of working hard.
For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours,
because it means I am alive.
And finally for too much emails,
because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.
Remember, think positively!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Simple SMS from a simple friend to be remembered
A Good Friend is like a computer.
I 'enter' your life,
'save' you in my heart,
'scan and format' you problems,
'copy and paste' your kindness, &
never 'delete' you from my 'MEMORY'!
COOL?! Yeah! To all my GOOD FRIENDS that visited my little blog!
I 'enter' your life,
'save' you in my heart,
'scan and format' you problems,
'copy and paste' your kindness, &
never 'delete' you from my 'MEMORY'!
COOL?! Yeah! To all my GOOD FRIENDS that visited my little blog!
手机短訊
以下是其中一則我收過最有意思的短訊，但願讀到這則訊息的朋友們不但能了解，而且要時時刻刻放在心上：
遇到你真的愛的人時，要努力爭取和他相處下去，因為當他離去時，一且都來不及了。
遇到可相信的朋友時，要好好和他相處，因為在人的一生中，可遇到知己真的不易。
遇到人生中的貴人時，要記得好好的感激，因為他是你人生中的轉折點。
遇到曾經愛過的人，記得微笑向他感激，因為他是讓你更懂得愛的人。
遇到曾經恨過的人時，要微笑向他打招呼，因為他讓你更加堅強。
遇到曾經背叛你的人時，跟他好好聊一聊，因為若不是他，今天你不會懂這世界。
遇到曾經偷偷喜歡的人時，要祝他幸福唷！因為你喜歡他時，不是希望他幸福快樂嗎？
遇到匆匆離開你人生的人時，要謝謝他走過你的人生，因為他是你精彩回憶的一部份。
遇到曾經和你有誤會的人時，要趁現在解清誤會，因為你可能只有這一次机會解釋清楚。
遇到現在和相伴一生的人，要百分百感謝他愛你，因為你們現在都得到幸福和真愛！
遇到你真的愛的人時，要努力爭取和他相處下去，因為當他離去時，一且都來不及了。
遇到可相信的朋友時，要好好和他相處，因為在人的一生中，可遇到知己真的不易。
遇到人生中的貴人時，要記得好好的感激，因為他是你人生中的轉折點。
遇到曾經愛過的人，記得微笑向他感激，因為他是讓你更懂得愛的人。
遇到曾經恨過的人時，要微笑向他打招呼，因為他讓你更加堅強。
遇到曾經背叛你的人時，跟他好好聊一聊，因為若不是他，今天你不會懂這世界。
遇到曾經偷偷喜歡的人時，要祝他幸福唷！因為你喜歡他時，不是希望他幸福快樂嗎？
遇到匆匆離開你人生的人時，要謝謝他走過你的人生，因為他是你精彩回憶的一部份。
遇到曾經和你有誤會的人時，要趁現在解清誤會，因為你可能只有這一次机會解釋清楚。
遇到現在和相伴一生的人，要百分百感謝他愛你，因為你們現在都得到幸福和真愛！
Saturday, August 11, 2007
活到老，學到老
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每位青少年，在年輕時，大概十五、六歲，都希望自己快些長大，快些畢業，因為多數的朋友們都覺得書並不好念，包括我親愛的小妹！當這一班人真真踏足社會，領幾百到一千的薪水時，他們在短期，至一年，還是覺得還可以。時間長了，久了，他們當中，或許，有一些會厭倦那種朝九晚五的打工仔生活。或許，他們想要改便！可是，有限的知識水平，還能向老板們要求怎樣的待遇嗎？那時後，要怨，只能怨自己為何不好好珍惜當時有的机會與資源。
我並不在那一班人當中，可是，無可否認一句話：書到用時方恨少！是的，正如那句話，恨少！我並不是沒用心念書，只是，不夠用心！現在的我，很多時候，對很多事情，都是一知半解！不能說什麼都懂，可是懂得又不多！幸運的是，我還有學習的時間与机會！
所以，各位親愛的朋友們，好好珍惜你們有的時間与机會！生命並沒有從來的机會！
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Simple Life
Sometimes i don't know why I work so hard to earn some bucks for living!
I wake up at 6.30am everyday, drive at least an hour to reach office, then started to work... remember, is working non-stop...
until 8pm or even 9pm.. I bet some of you might have the same like mine!
I strongly feel that my house is just like a hotel to me! My dear mummy cook for me, wait for me to go home.... By reaching home at 9pm or even 10pm, I hardly spend more than 3 hours with my family and I have to go to bed and repeat the same at the next day!
I need to work out something to improve my life!
I strongly feel you too have the same feeling!
Let's join our head together to have something different in our life!
I wake up at 6.30am everyday, drive at least an hour to reach office, then started to work... remember, is working non-stop...
until 8pm or even 9pm.. I bet some of you might have the same like mine!
I strongly feel that my house is just like a hotel to me! My dear mummy cook for me, wait for me to go home.... By reaching home at 9pm or even 10pm, I hardly spend more than 3 hours with my family and I have to go to bed and repeat the same at the next day!
I need to work out something to improve my life!
I strongly feel you too have the same feeling!
Let's join our head together to have something different in our life!
Great time at a Great place
This photo was taken at the peak of Mount Kota Kinabalu!
The scene was so nice, so touching!
I was tiring climbing the Mount KK from as early as 2am...
But I dun feel tire when I reached the peak!
I was a great experience!
If I were managed to conquer the Mount, which at 4096m above sea level, why not you?
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
My love will get you
IF YOU FOLLOW A WRONG STAR, MY LOVE WILL GET YOU HOME!
The main reason i used this as my blog name is that:-
His love has brought me home!
For me, he is great!
He is really a great guy that I know and I strongly feel that he is the Mr RIGHT to me!
I dunno how far can i go with him...
At this time, at this moment, his love has gotten me home!
The main reason i used this as my blog name is that:-
His love has brought me home!
For me, he is great!
He is really a great guy that I know and I strongly feel that he is the Mr RIGHT to me!
I dunno how far can i go with him...
At this time, at this moment, his love has gotten me home!
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