Cover Story Scandal: Hong Kong celebrity exposed!

HONG KONG -- Jackie Chan and fellow stars marched silently Tuesday to Hong Kong's government headquarters, protesting against a gossip magazine that featured a cover photo [secretly taken] of a pop singer changing backstage.

The celebrities, wearing black T-shirts, handed over a petition denouncing the photos that were secretly taken of Hong Kong pop singer Gillian Chung, part of the popular female duo Twins. The stars urged the government to tighten laws governing racy publications.

I have to say I join Jackie Chan's mob in protesting against unethical paparazzi acts. As a Malaysian citizen, I'm ashamed that this despicable act happened at Genting Highlands and I would die of even more embarrassment if the photographer scum was Malaysian. What's worse is this type of cheap shameless trick works when it comes to selling magazines.

"As public figures, we should allow our pictures to be taken. If we crash our cars when we're drunk, it serves us right. People should scold us. But for a girl to be photographed when she's in a changing room, such a private place, is despicable behavior," [Jackie Chan] said. (Source = http://www.cbsnews.com)

True so true! (*0*)// I would have burned some magazines with you guys but Malaysia has banned that particular edition of the magazine. Huh, at least someone in Malaysia still has some sense of decency left.

Oh btw, the magazine in question is Easy Finder. What kind of tabloid magazine name is that?!

Drivers beware....

I received this forwarded email from my mum. Teeheehee. Funny stuff.

*************************

The following do not apply to those efficient, considerate and
ethical drivers. Hope you don't fall in these groups..ha...ha...
If not, you have to be careful with your driving attitude and
skills from now onwards!

1. One hand on wheel, one hand on horn: IPOH driver
- I've rarely been to Ipoh so that's plausible.

2. One hand on wheel, one hand out the window with
cigarette: KEPONG driver.
- Aduh, don't even know where Kepong is but that sounds like Cyber-Red's Eric to me.

3. One hand on wheel, one finger out window, cutting across
all lanes of traffic: DOWNTOWN KUALA LUMPUR driver.
- Oh oh, now we're talking! Yes, that's a classic KL maneuver.

4. One hand on wheel, one hand on parang, foot solidly on
accelerator: JOHOR driver.
- Remind me never to go to Johor. Parang = Machete

5. One hand on wheel, one hand on non-fat double decaf
cappuccino, cradling cell phone, brick on accelerator, hands-free
on the lap: BANGSAR driver.
- XD "brick on accelerator" Well, that's possible. I haven't been to Bangsar for ages.

6. Both hands on wheel, eyes shut, both feet on brake,
quivering in terror: FOREIGNER, driving in MALAYSIA.
- BWAHAHA! U.S returnee included. XD

7. One hand on 12 oz. double shot latte, one knee on wheel,
talking on cell phone, foot on brake, mind on radio game, banging
head on steering wheel while stuck in traffic: SUBANG JAYA DRIVER.....on
the Federal Highway!!!
- True true!

8. One hand on wheel, one hand on passengers head rest,
alternating between both feet being on the accelerator and both
feet on brake, throwing rambutans or durian shells out the window:
KARAK HIGHWAY ; KUANTAN driver.
- Wah lau keterlaluan! Rambutans/durian shells some more..

9. Four-wheel drive pick-up truck, READY-TO-KILL attitude,
rear window stickers read "Make my day", beer cans on floor, wedding
ribbon still attached to antenna: CONSTRUCTION SITE....PUCHONG
driver!
- Considering how much construction Puchong is always under, that could be true.

10.One hand on the handphone, another hand picking nose, One
leg on the dash board, another leg crossed on the seat with a beer
can in the middle ~ turning anywhere he likes, parking anywhere he
likes, in fact, driving anywhere he likes. aaahhh..... this is a heaven for
drivers......welcome to PENANG!
- HAHAHAHAHA, after coming back from my trip to Penang last weekend, I'm inclined to agree.

11. Two hands gripping tightly to the wheel, eyes glued on
the windscreen, alternately stepping on the accelerator and brakes
every 5 seconds.WOMAN DRIVER!!!!!!!!!
- OOI! Kurang ajar, mau mati kah?! :P Not true!

Fuge, terche, et quisset...

4 a.m. and I'm all alone. At initial thought, I couldn't help focusing on my stomach discomfort, which I've been experiencing for a few days and wondering whether this was the cause of my unability to sleep properly.

I got up and decided to continue my reading of Gordon MacDonald's "Ordering Your Private World" for the 2nd time. I remember deciding that this is one of the best spiritual books I've read for the longest time and see no harm in reading it again. This time I'm taking down notes and highlighting important points. Maybe I do like reading after all.

"We must learn to soundproof the heart against the intruding noises of the public world in order to hear what God has to say....The essential thing is not what we say, but what God says to us and through us."

I realize that the restlessness in my heart for the last few weeks are a result of me listening to myself and only myself. I've just realized that sometimes I talk too much. Sometimes I have too much of an opinion. What about God's opinion?

"Worship and intercession are far more the business of aligning myself with God's purposes than asking Him to align with mine."

I've been too busy trying to get the results to prayers by myself. "Got to make this happen. Gotta get the ball rolling. If I don't do this, nothing will happen." No wonder I worry so much about getting a job, scripting webmanga, ...everything! Aiyayah.

"How did we get to a day when stress and fatigue are almost a badge of success?"

Once again, that statement hits me with conviction. Why have I been feeling guilty not doing "much" or as we joke, "professional bumming"? Why do I feel unworthy and ashamed in the current phase of life? Perhaps I've been so busy setting up myself against my own standards of success and not God's standards. Does God really care how much I earn or how many projects I can juggle at the same time? Or is He more concerned about whether I care enough to spare some time to sit down with Him and converse? Hello Martha, busy again, aren't we?

So, I'm back to journalling. Not blogging, mind you. Writing little tidbits in a small book - something I know helps in calming down the madness in my mind and soul. I want to be able to talk to God properly - without the screaming distractions and interruptions of the world.

Maybe this is why I've been delayed in my job search, webmanga efforts or all the wonderful great things I want to achieve in life. Maybe it's time to stop, rest and listen. Now I just have to disciplined myself to do so. :)

Silence, solitude and inner peace - It's not bad at all.

Back in Malaysia

Now that I've been officially back in my beloved home country for a month, I feel terribly obligated to post something intelligent or possibly edifying.


........


Hmm, this could take a moment. I suspect all that nasi lemak, char kuey teow, chee cheong fan, kai fan and roti canai has played some role in the deterioration of my write-blogging skills. Only a food scientist can get away with a statement like that.

Ok, let's take the topical route.


**Weather**
Taking more showers does have its benefit. After hearing horror stories from The Pest on how the Malaysia weather can potentially ruin Michigan pampered skin, I've declared war against all forms of evil that threaten the sanctity of the female skin and wash my face religiously.


**Eating Habits**
If there's a culture shock I experienced, it has to be food-related. Deep fried food ahoy! Late suppers! Oil brimming in curry pots! Wow, Malaysia is truly a indulgent's heaven and dieter's nightmare combined into one. I suspect one can consume fat just by inhaling in the oil-saturated air in some restaurants/hawker stalls. *laughs*


**Traffic**
Apart from applauding my friend's mad driving/parking skillz including old buddy Cyber-Red, drivers in Malaysia impressed me by how gracefully they slide in between lanes and forget traffic rules. I don't know if being gracefully rude and inconsiderate is 'in' but hey, Visit Malaysia 2007, folks! Just watch out for the parang-wielding motorcyclists and speeding taxi drivers.


**Shopping**
Yikes...looks like I came back at the right and wrong time. MegaSale ~ Right, Jobless ~ Wrong. What could be more frustrating than wanting to buy stuff and holding back because one is still waiting to get employed? But after a few trips with friends, I've discovered something about myself. I'm an anti-shopper! A marketing nightmare!

70% discount? ~ Bah! 70% savings, 30% spending

Free gift? ~ Bah! I don't need that.

Cheap sale? ~ Bah! You marked up the prices, bloodsuckers! Your high margin profits disgust me!

And yet, the shopping humbug has her weaknesses. The latest shopping dilemma is RM60.00 for a toy white baby seal vs RM 48.00 for LeeHom's latest album, "Heroes of the Earth." Yeah, tough decision, I know. If I had a job, I'll take both. No questions asked.


**LeeHom**

Speaking of this delightful chap, I've just discovered how much I dig his most recent music style. His latest album demonstrates his production talent in combining American hip-hop/R&B with traditional Chinese musical elements. I never knew that Chinese opera singing could get along with street rap but I guess LeeHom made it happen with some help of his ABC background. Hard work and creativity acknowledged, brotha'. If this is what being "chinked-out" means, I like it. A LOT. Excuse me as I go memorize the lyrics of all his songs and wonder why he strangely reminds me of Uncle Saw Meng in the image above.


It's great to be home. :)