Rare Implant

I blogged about 20-yr-old Yvonne Foong on 20 Aug 2006 about her rare form of neurofibromatosis illness. The Star has reported that Yvonne has raised her own funds (up to RM230,000) to treat her genetically incurable disease and became the first Malaysian to have an auditory brainstem implant (ABI). The surgery was led by Dr. Rick A. Friedman, a medical specialist in this field.

Her 4 Nov surgery in Los Angeles was the fourth major one she had undergone since she was diagnosed with NF2 at the age of 13. However, instead of giving up on life or asking for handouts, she has worked hard to raise money for her operation by selling T-shirts, organising rock concerts, giving motivational talks and writing a book about living with NF titled I Am Not Sick, Just A Bit Unwell.

True grit won her the Asian Youth Ambassadors’ Most Outstanding Youth of the Year award in 2005.

Meanwhile, her townsfolk in Subang Jaya have started a fund-raising campaign for Yvonne and will hold their third charity golf tournament in her aid. They have collected RM16,000 so far which would help meet Yvonne’s surgery expenses and also follow-up treatment in Los Angeles.
As I always said and will say again & again; A Person With A Dream Can Never Be Denied!
Tags: Health, Yvonne Foong, Neurofibromatosis, Auditory Brainstem Implant, Asian Youth Ambassador, Rick Friedman, Dream

Dinner at Mo'men

Had my dinner at Mo'men fast food restaurant near the Khartoum International Airport and came back to office to finish off some work. The Mo'men restaurant is one of the only 2 overseas fast food restaurant that has opened up in Khartoum. Mo'men restaurant originated from Egypt itself where it has established 14 restaurants there.
Tags: Journal, Diary, Life, Fast Food, Mo'men, Egypt, Khartoum

Lamborghini LP 640 Versace

Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640 revised by the famous Versace design house, which is distinguished by an interior covered entirely with the best Nappa leather, featuring the distinctive Versace emblem.

On top of that are black wheel rims of a specific design (Hermera), a more elaborate carbon finish, an engine hood with transparent glass ribbing and an automatic gearbox with sequential control. Not forgetting a set of luggage specially designed for the occasion: two suitcases and a suit carrier in matt black calfskin, also decorated with the Versace Greek frieze.
Output has been improved thanks to an increase in engine capacity (increased bore, longer stroke), going from 6.2 to 6.5 litres and gaining 60 hp.

The Murcielago LP 640 now covers 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) sprint in an astounding 3.4 seconds, whilst the top speed is announced at 340 kph (211 mph). Priced at €230,000 (approximately £155,000) in UK or US$388,000 in USA.

Tags: Lamborghini, Murcielago, Versace, Car, Motor Car

Ocean Dome in Japan

Imagine a beach where the sky is always blue, it's never too hot or cold, the water isn't filled with salt and pollution, and the surf is always perfect - welcome to Ocean Dome, the world's largest and only indoor beach. Ocean Dome has its own flame-spitting volcano, crushed white marble sand", and it also boasts the world's largest retractable roof, providing a permanently blue sky.
Atmosphere temperature (kept at 30 C degrees), water (kept at 28 C degrees) wind and humidity are closely controlled to provide an ultra-safe "sea-side" experience. Every hour, the volcano erupts and the hi-tech wave machines start up, starting a few minutes of sanitized surfing. Entrance cost is US$50 per person, which seems especially expensive given that there is a free, natural beach only 300 meters away.
The Ocean Dome is part of the Phoenix Segaia Resort located at Miyazaki on the island of Kyushu.

Tags: Recreation, Beach, Ocean, Water Park, Resort, Travel, Miyazaki, Japan

Sony Playstation 3

Sony has released its latest games gadget called "Playstation 3" in Japan yesterday. Only 100,000 units so far and more will be produced by March 2007. Electronics stores in Japan have sold out of PlayStation 3 consoles after thousands of gamers queued for hours in the cold to buy them.

400,000 units will be available for the US launch on 17 November 2006. The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is being sold in two configurations. The more expensive version has a 60GB hard drive and wi-fi on board and costs, in Japan, 60,000 yen (£270). The cheaper version has a 20GB hard drive, lacks the wi-fi and will cost 49,980 yen (£222). European prices are expected to be higher than direct comparisons suggest.

Tags: Sony, Playstation 3, PS3, Japan

Betfair Asian Poker Tour

Players have paid the US$5000 buy-in for the Main Event at the Betfair Asian Poker Tour. For a field of 400, first place will pay US$558,700, second place US$299,800 and third place US$149,000, from a prize pool of roughly $2m. This is the largest poker tournament to take place in Asia and the first poker event in Singapore, said Betfair's Head of Poker Ben Fried, we are privileged to host such a groundbreaking event, which is being held from 12 Nov to 17 Nov 2006.

Players from thirty-two countries around the world will join a large contingent of local players for the three day Main Event, starting on 15 November, in the Mandarin Ballroom of the Meritus Mandarin Hotel, Singapore.

Pro Poker players such as World Poker Tour champion Gus Hansen, the "Poker diva" Liz Lieu, John "The Razor" Phan, Martin De Knijff, Harry Demetriou and Mel Judah will be making their appearances too. So, if you think you can win, think again maybe you need to think twice too. Or give up your thinking (can you imagine they are so pro that they have their own official website and tons of write-ups on them in the poker world news). Personally, I don't encourage gambling. You may not know what hardships these people and maybe their personal families have gone through.

Tags: Game, Asia, Betfair, Bet, Poker, Gambling, Singapore, Gus Hansen

Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2006

The Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2006 (KLFW 2006 from 11 Nov-15 Nov) is a period full of fashion, latest designs and excitement for you. Touted as "biggest gathering of Malaysian designers", you can look forward to seeing one fantastic show after another as well as tap into ideas and inspirations for the best designs for spring/summer. As one of the world’s upcoming fashion cities, Kuala Lumpur is the perfect location for ‘fashion people’ to get a taste of Asian trends. Over the last 8 years, Kuala Lumpur has shown its potential as a destination breeding fashion boutiques and skilled designers. Presented by the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia, KLFW 2006 will take place at the Berjaya Times Square Hall, Level 6, Kuala Lumpur.

Fashion icons such as Datuk Jimmy Choo, Hillary Alexander, Collin McDowel, David Hayes and renowned fashion photographer Troy Word have also been invited.

Among the star-studded list of guests were models Daniel Tan and Amber Chia and actresses Betty Banafe, Sazzy Falak and Maya Karin, who is L’Oreal Paris' latest ambassador.

Tags: KLFW, Fashion, Designs, Trends, Shopping, Stylist