Iran Has Something Bigger Than USA

I do not know what else Iran has that USA doesn't have but in this issue that I'm going to blog about, I'm very sure that Iran has something bigger than USA for once.

Atomic? Nuclear?

It's this giant carpet that was made in Iran measuring 5,625 sq m (60,546 sq ft). Can you beat that? I'm sure you go into a shop selling carpets and asked "How many sq m is that carpet?" .... hahahaha

It took 18 months to complete weaving the carpet with 38 tons of wool and cotton. It was made to order for a mosque situated in United Arab Emirates at an estimated cost of US$5.8 million.

More photos in Spluch's blog.
Tags: Carpet, Iran, USA, United Arab Emirates, Mosque

In Short - No Racism Please

What prompted two royal family members from Perak and Selangor respectively to voice out in support of No Racism in their speech during the last week or so. It was very rare for the royal family members to speak out on such topics.

In launching a tribute book for the late Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman's sacrifices for the country's sake, Raja Nazrin, the crown prince of the state of Perak, reminded the nation the following:-

"They took responsibility to voice out and defend the needy and the people. This is the spirit which enabled this country to be stable politically and economically prosperous. Tun Dr Ismail was known to be a Malay nationalist, he was not a racist and did not practise racism. Tun Dr Ismail envisaged a Malaysia for all without colour lines, without ethnic borders and without any one group feeling a sense of inferiority.”

Subsequently, Raja Nazrin was at the First Annual Malaysian Student Leaders Summit 2007. In addressing the participants, he requested the local and foreign university students to maintain socio-political stability. The following points were mentioned by Raja Nazrin:-

"essentials necessary for effective and sustained nation-building were the rule of law and the inviolability of the Federal Constitution; economic and social justice for all; and good governance and a thriving civil society. To understand nation building, first of which was getting a copy of the Federal Constitution and familiarising themselves with it. Active participation in community service geared towards promoting interaction between communities was another method of contributing to nation-building."

And then the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin, expressed his concern over the following:-
* corruption is still a problem, which the people are very concerned about, and more effective action needs to be taken
* government agencies continued to slow down approvals for foreign investors, saying the lackadaisical attitude of some government servants had affected the investment momentum
* expressed his concern over the country’s brain drain, saying talented young people were leaving the country and was sad to see good people being lost to other countries (esp to our neighbour, Singapore)
* urged the people in Selangor to reject any form of racial and religious intolerance. Islam respects other religions and other religions must also respect Islam and that multiracialism must be instilled at primary school level

Just think for a moment, did the royal family members see something that we common people didn't see it coming at us or has happened already but was covered up. The issues brought up by Sultan Sharafuddin have always been denied by the government. Government had mentioned that corruption level has improved / told the foreign investors to get out if they don't like the way Malaysians work / brain drain didn't affect the country as only minority group left / always maintained that racial & religious are under control.

I want to say that both of them really did stand out prominently in the eyes of many Malaysians with such calls. Hey, you guys who have those dignitary titles in that white tall building, did you get the message?
Tags: Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, Raja Nazrin, Sultan Sharafuddin, Racist, Racism, Corruption, Religion

Croatia's Driving Licence

An Iraqi-born lady took up a driving licence in Zagreb, Croatia and a friend who travelled there took a picture of the licence to show us.

You are thinking of the same question as me???
Tags: Zagreb, Croatia, Iraqi, Driving Licence

The Coffee Story

"The happiest people in the world are not those who have no problems, but those who learn to live with things that are less than perfect"

* A group of graduates, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor.
* Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.
* Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups -porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite- telling them to help themselves to the coffee.
* When all the students had a cup of coffee, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the simple and cheap ones.
* While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
* Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee.
* In most cases, it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.
* What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... Then you began eyeing each other's cups.
* Now consider this:
- Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups.
- They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live.
- Sometimes, by concentrating on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us. Enjoy your coffee!."

* The happiest people don't have the best of everything.
* They just make the best of everything."
1. Live simply.
2. Love generously.
3. Care deeply.
4. Speak kindly.
5. Leave the rest to God. You are the miracle, my friend; Your life either shines a light OR casts a shadow!

Shine a light & Enjoy the Coffee !!!
Tags: Coffee, Happiest People, God

Stolen Bus Stand??

Was surprised by this bus stand opposite Faber Towers in Taman Desa. Noticed the missing bus stand that had been there all this while but where was it now. Where will the bus commuters wait for their bus if it rains (it does rain in Malaysia if the authorities don't know that yet).

If not mistaken, the bus stand was in good condition and from the steel markings behind the tiled seating on the ground, it was ensured that the remaining steel was smoothen so that it won't injure people who may kick it. The bus stand was taken off just like that.





Normal bus commuters may not know where to voice out such inconvenience. They just live their life as it is.

Will Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (City Hall of Kuala Lumpur) or RapidKL, the bus operator in the area please explain.
Tags: Bus Stand, Faber Towers, Taman Desa, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, City Hall of Kuala Lumpur, RapidKL

Enjoying Our Dinner at Bora Asmara

Was quite tired throughout weekend. Even though nothing pressurising, late night sleep didn't help. But that's my life, kept busy going out with friends.

On Saturday night we (with friends) went over to Bora Asmara, a Balinese-style restaurant hiding somewhere in Kg. Sg. Penchala.

Where's that? That was what my friends asked when I suggested the place. Located amongst the kampung (village) area, the quietness made it exotic unlike the fast paced city area or the nearby Mont Kiara/Sri Hartamas or One Utama.
If you are coming from SS2/Motorola bridge, take the ramp going up to the Mont Kiara tunnel, right after passing One Utama on your left. Email me if you want to know the exact place.

Good thing I made booking on Tuesday as it was packed yesterday. My friends quoted that the place was quite dark and can't see clearly what was being served especially those with curry paste. The place was arranged nicely as their area was really large thus customers were spread out all over the restaurant.

There was an air-conditioned room and it was reserved for a party. The rest of the seating areas were with the usual tables/chairs settings.

We managed to get a place at the 'bisek' and we were worried that we do not have enough place to sit. It was a small hut area with cushions on the floor and large big bolster-like for you to lean back. I had nothing to lean as I was just sitting at the entrace with the 2 steps staircase behind me.

Never mind, we ate while holding our plates as there were 9 adults and 3 kids. The dishes/drinks occupied the large table already. A bit troublesome for ladies who wear dress/skirt. You literally sit on a flat floor (with cushions) cross legged. I have to kneel, sit, stand throughout my dinner as we really packed that small area given to us.

Nice place to chit-chat after your meal, it was windy that night and surprisingly, no mosquitoes even though there were many plants around the place.

Ordered their signature Otak Seafood dish that came with blazing fire on its aluminium wrapper. This received thumbs up from all of us. Their Kangkong Belacan was solid too.

The food was a bit too pricey for such local malay dishes. Due to that people may not come frequently and the other dishes were not really up to our high taste for food.

As per other bloggers' comments, the food quality doesn't match the restaurant's ambience.





The ambience was quiet, with a group of malay musicians playing the guitar, cello, accordian and a congo drum. The musicians serenaded us with a birthday song (we were there to celebrate a friend's birthday also) and 3 chinese songs. Well done!
Tags: Bora Asmara, Kg Sg Penchala, Bali Style, Restaurant, Food, Otak Seafood, Kangkong Belacan

Next Change - 'Higher Oil Price'

The title was like a message informing us of a up and coming new show. But this new show will affect every single person in the world, whether you like the show or not (in this case, USE).

In a blog posting last year about Peak Oil, it was stated that oil price per barrel was targetted to hit US$100. Good thing it didn't but it did touch US$78 this year. In fact, oil prices have now been on a bull run for four years. This year alone, they are up nearly 30% (Business Week).

Following expected oil pricing:-
* There is market momentum, and the magic number now is $81.
* If we hit that, most people believe it'll head to $91 or higher."
* Some technical charts predict prices could hit $110 or $118 by the end of the year.

With the worldwide stock markets crumbling unexpectedly, interest rates would have to be raised as governments in Europe, Japan & USA pumped fundings to support the stock markets. Japan was supposed to raise its interest rates and with their increase, hot funds would be affected in Asian stock markets that would cause investors from Europe, Japan & USA to conduct profit-takings.

I'm not predicting the end of the world but economics do have its own cycles.
Tags: Oil Price, Peak Oil, Economics, Stock Market