Guilt and Grace

Sometime ago I read a story of a youngster who was shooting rocks with a slingshot. He could never hit his target. As he returned to Grandma's backyard, he spied her pet duck. On impulse he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck was dead. The boy panicked and hid the bird in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister watching.

After lunch that day, Grandma told Sally to help with the dishes. Sally responded, "Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn't you Johnny?" And she whispered to him, "Remember the duck!" So, Johnny did the dishes.

What choice did he have? For the next several weeks he was at the sink often. Sometimes for his duty, sometimes for his sin. "Remember the duck," Sally'd whisper when he objected.

So weary of the chore, he decided that any punishment would be better than washing more dishes, so he confessed to killing the duck. "I know, Johnny," his grandma said, giving him a hug. "I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I wondered how long you would let Sally make a slave out of you." (Steven Cole, "Forgiveness," Leadership Magazine, 1983, 86)

He'd been pardoned, but he thought he was guilty. Why? He had listened to the words of his accuser.

You have been accused as well. You have been accused of dishonesty. You've been accused of immorality. You've been accused of greed, anger, and arrogance.

Every moment of your life, your accuser is filing charges against you. Even his name, Diabolos, means "slanderer." Who is he? The devil.

As he speaks, you hang your head. You have no defense. His charges are fair. "I plead guilty, your honor," you mumble."The sentence?" Satan asks."The wages of sin is death," explains the judge, "but in this case the death has already occurred. For this one died with Christ."

Satan is suddenly silent. And you are suddenly jubilant. You realize that Satan cannot accuse you. No one can accuse you! Fingers may point and voices may demand, but the charges glance off like arrows hitting a shield. No more dirty dishwater. No more penance. No more nagging sisters. You have stood before the judge and heard him declare, "Not guilty."

From In the Grip of Grace
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 1996)
Max Lucado
Tags: In The Grip Of Grace, Max Lucado, Diabolos, Steven Cole, Leadership Magazine

My Garden Compound

In our garden compound within our bungalow, we have this small Amjad (in arabic) or an Autorickshaw. Owned by our house caretaker who rents it out to his friends who wants to earn a living.

His little vehicle has white PVC cushion seating and looks real neat.

Normally customers who board this amjad will not go too far since it can't go into certain main roads. The rate for foreigners, no matter how you bargain, could be three to five times more than the locals. The rate for us could be around 2 to 3 Sudanese pound for a not more than two kilometres ride.
In the early morning or evening during winter time (end Nov to end Feb), it would be too cold to sit in this amjad as it moves with wind blowing at you.
Our nicely landscaped garden. Too hot to sit outside at anytime of the day. Night time? We are worried about mosquitoes .......... haha.
Tags: Amjad, Garden, Autorickshaw

Lifestyle After Fuel Crisis

Talking abount change lifestyle - we have to see how to change lifestyle for various categories of citizens:-

(I) SUPER RICH (very small percentage)
- no need to change lifestyle

(II) RICH
- cutting some overseas shopping trip (5 trips per month to 3 trips per month)

(III) QUITE RICH (income RM15,000 -RM20,000 per month)
- changing car from 4,000cc to 3,000cc
- cut down on some high teas at 5 star hotels

(IV) MIDDLE (UPPER) (income RM6,000 -RM14,000 per month)
- changing cars from 3,000cc to 2,500cc
- cutting some dining out

(V) MIDDLE (LOWER) (income RM4,000 - RM6,000 per month)
- cut Astro subscription
- cut gym membership
- send back Indon maid (can't afford to pay salary anymore)

(VI) LOWER (UPPER) (income RM3,000 -RM4,000 per month)
- cut Astro subscription
- replace airconds with ceiling fans
- eat lower grade rice

(VII) LOWER (MIDDLE) (income RM2,000 - RM3,000 per month)
- cut Astro subscription
- use fans
- switch off light by 11pm
- sell off car, buy motorbike

(VIII) LOWER (LOWER) (income RM1,000 -RM2,000 per month)
- eat 2 meals a day instead of 3 meals a day
- use bicycle instead of motor bike

(IX) HARDCORE LOW (below RM1,000/ RM300 per month)
- stop watching TV
- electricity supply cut off as can't afford to pay bill
- eat only 1 meal in 3 days (plain rice with salt) from previously 2 meal a day
- walk to work (even 5km)
- if renting, move out to live under the bridge or cave
- eat and drink only to remain alive.......
Tags: Lifestyle, Fuel Crisis, Cut Down, Austerity

MRR2 Cracks Up Again

The Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) in the Kepong has reared its ugly head again. Cracks have appeared one of the pillars. This stretch of the flyover starts from the nearby Taman Daya all the way to Taman Bukit Maluri. It cuts down waiting time at a number of traffic lights which are below the flyover.

Time and again, cracks have appeared and the government has spent approximately RM70 million for such repairs. This new crack will bring many smiles on the faces of many (you know who I'm referring to).

Consultants have cited before that it was design deficiencies and improper anchoring at the crossbeams. What now? Bar heavy vehicles indefinitely? Limit usage of flyover?

The construction of the flyover in the first place was due to its importance for that area as traffic is sooooooooooooooooo heavy. With the closure, many could imagine the chaos it will bring on Monday morning, the first day of work. For those of you living in Kepong, Selayang, Sri Damansara and Sungai Buloh - be prepared for the worst. Pump in more fuel, just in case you get stuck in traffic longer than what you had expected.

There is this detailed blog posting of Middle Ring Road 2 - Repair to begin? by Risk, Safety & Health. It has listed the first incident since year 2004. Hopefully the following consultants, who were involved from the beginning, in between and thereafter, would be able to highlight the real happenings:-

* Maunsell, Sharma and Zakaria
* Minconsult Sdn Bhd
* Flint & Neill Partnership
* Kohler & Seitz Engineering Services
* Halcrow Consultancy Ltd

Even the Anti-Corruption Agency got involved in the later stage when they sent their Enigineering Forensic Unit. In fact, I'm sure no one will be held accountable because unless the warranty period is still effective. If there's a crack, just approve the money allocation and pay to whoever that will be appointed to do surface touch up lah. Simple as that. No?

Reading: Cracks confirmed on MRR2 - Star
Reading: DAP Dares Samy To Bare ALL in MR2 Fiasco; Shocking Disclosures: Contractors awarded lack expertise; Incompetent; Ready For a Quick Buck - Present Power Point

Tags: Middle Ring Road 2, MRR2, Kepong, Flyover, Anti-Corruption Agency, Engineering Forensic Unit, Maunsell, Sharma and Zakaria, Minconsult Sdn Bhd, Flint & Neill Partnership, Kohler & Seitz Engineering Services, Halcrow Consultancy Ltd

Little Party in Khartoum

A local Sudanese friend came to our house to bring us to a little party hosted by his partner. On our way to Omdurman, another part of the capital city, we drove pass by this magnificent building.

The construction of this hotel is at its tail end and should be opening for business in Sept 08. There will be a mall at the hotel's lower ground too. Ownership of the hotel was said to be linked to the Libyan President's family.






The party was held for the naming of the partner's daughter. We finished the meal at the centre. Don't know how to tell what kind of food was it but we almost finished all of it.

Was it nice? Ahhhhhhhhh, can I choose not to answer in case my Sudanese friend reads my blog.
Our Sudanese friends that shared the same food.

My two colleagues, Peter and Nazril.
We were there around 11am plus and was quite surprised that the colourful cloth was very effective in providing protection from the sun ray.
The tent area where the tables and chairs were set up was on a road lane in between two houses. All the ladies were inside this two houses. Only the men were outside.
That was it, we were in that tent.
On our way back, we noticed that the Nile river has burst its bank near the bridge connecting Khartoum and Omdurman. It seems that the rainy season down south Sudan was quite heavy lately.
Tags: Sudan, Omdurman, Khartoum, Nile River

Police at This Bangolow House

Police is definitely not far from this bangolow house. Once you disturb the peace at this Sitiawan area located at the state of Perak, besides being arrested you'll be hated as well. Keep far far away!

Tags: Bungalow, Police, Sitiawan, Perak

Where Is The Police Speed Trap?

A friend who was on her way back to Sabak Bernam in Selangor, her hometown, stopped by a fruit stall to get some fruits. Just as her other family members were buying the fruits, she this policeman sitting inside the fruit stall which was by the roadside.

If were caught speeding in Sabak Bernam, I'm sure it was this policeman who was smart in camouflaging himself. My friend initially thought it was another stall worker sitting down there attending to some menial work ........... hahaTags: Police Speed Trap, Sabak Bernam, Selangor, Fruit Stall