The UnSung Heroes

As a little kid, i used to to admire civil servants. From postmen, to nurses, to garbage collectors and even firemen. And as a child, i used to think that when i grow up someday, i would want to be one of them. Before you judge me for my low asspiration in life, the fact of the matter is that every child goes through that phase. It's called innocence. Right after their parents, people who seem to be important to ensure that our daily lives remain functional are the heroes. It is not naive, nor is it childish. It makes perfect sense, and we as adults often forget to acknowledge it. 

As children grow older, we always insinuate ambitions like being a doctor, engineer, lawyer, architect or a leader. No parents would encourage their children to choose a path to be of service to mankind. Simply because it is a humbling occupation, not to mention the peanuts these people get paid. We never thank the nurses or the "amahs" (bed-pan collectors) in hospitals, we never look up to the cleaners who keep our nostrils unblocked by pungent odor. We don't think about the people who labor at the factory to sew us clothes and weave the cloth, but we rave over the brilliance of designers. We don't look up to the grease sodden contractors who work 16 hours a day building our homes and cities. But we look up to the engineers and architects who overlook the technical and artsy fartsy parts of the process. 

No doubt all these professionals are needed to build a nation. They labored hard and long in colleges and universities to be capable to bring us technologies. But so are the ones who trade in their labor and sweat. Without blue collared workers, technology and development cannot be materialised. It would just be another idealogy, theory or invention. They are often overshadowed by the ones bearing the glamorous titles and salutations. And we do not see it..

These are the unsung heroes, because if there wasn't them to do the "dirty job" there would be no glamour in our lives after all. Maybe it's time we learn to take an effort to show our gratitude and be nicer to the next person who serves us.

In Loving Memory of My Beloved Aunt Girlie Wong

My beloved Aunt passed away this morning. She was the youngest in the family and definitely the most loved by all the sisters and nephew and nieces. 

Aunty Girlie was the most caring soft spoken person i have ever known. Everyone who met her loved her. She had this giggle i would never forget, Infectious and pure. She was amicable and a pure joy to be around. She was a gem. Secretly, all the nieces and nephews always wished they had a mom like her. :)

The entire family a truly saddened by the unexpected news. Some of us are in such shock that we are unable to weep, and some of us cannot wrap our minds around the fact that has just hit us in our faces. But most of all, i can only try to imagine how her family must feel right now. She was the perfect mother, friend, wife, grandmother and it just seems too sudden for her to leave now. Especially since all of us here in Malaysia were expecting her to visit in the next two weeks.

To my dearest Brian, Debbie and Uncle, My heart is with you. But one thing we know for sure is that she is in a better place right now. And may God heal the wound that you have been inflicted with. 

There's only good to remember about her, and though she is no longer with us, she lives very much alive in our hearts from now till we meet her again some day. 

We will miss you so dearly Aunty Girlie.

My little Angel

Hayden Yash Fang has arrived about 20 days ago. My second God-son. And I am stil waiting for his dummy mummy to send me more pictures. As much as his mummy complains bout his chinese eyes, I think he is going to be one hell of a looker... We all dig Chindian looking guys now don't we? Heheheh... I can't wait to see him next week.

Save the Pulau Ketam Dogs

The residents of Pulau Ketam sent some 300 stray dogs to exile on a remote island where the harsh conditions almost certainly guarantee a horrible death. Of the 300 dogs sent there, more than threThe residents of Pulau Ketam sent some 300 stray dogs to exile on a remote island where the harsh conditions almost certainly guarantee a horrible death. Of the 300 dogs sent there, more than three-quarters are presumed to be already dead. I traveled to the island with Sabrina Yeap of Furry Friends Farm and managed to save only one dog on this reconnaissance trip. We did see several other starving and dying dogs along the mangrove shore. 

I am mounting an urgent rescue mission to capture and transport the remaining survivors back to Sabrina's Furry Friends Farm animal shelter. But time is running out and there might be only skeletons and carcasses left to collect on our next trip. Boat hire is expensive there. It is a tourist area and it has already cost me a few hundred ringgit for boat hire alone, so far. The rescued dogs cannot be transported on the regular ferries. 

Almost nobody will lift a finger to help without a fee. This is understandable. The locals are already shaking their heads in disbelief that there are outsiders who want to save the animals they so casually discarded. Instead of pointing fingers and antagonising them, we need their co-operation to help save the unfortunate creatures. In the process, we also hope to educate the islanders on better treatment of animals. It would be an impossible mission if we didn't win their hearts. 

If you are unable to help directly, please help by forwarding this appeal to other compassionate folks who you feel might be able to make some monetary contributions. 

Apart from boat hire, we need money to buy cages, to pay people to help catch them, to hire land transport to send the rescued animals to veterinary clinics, pay for vet fees, send the recovered ones to the shelter and to feed and house them for life. I can go on! 

To contribute or help, e-mail TV Smith at tvsmith@mycen.com.my or Sabrina Yeap at yeapwen@yahoo.com

e-quarters are presumed to be already dead. I traveled to the island with Sabrina Yeap of Furry Friends Farm and managed to save only one dog on this reconnaissance trip. We did see several other starving and dying dogs along the mangrove shore. 

http://www.mycen.com.my/rescue/

When work becomes life itself

Is there a rule of the thumb that work is not supposed to be fun? Must it be heart-wrenching, and drive you to the brink of sleepless nights? So does that mean that a job that is classified as moderately stressful is a job that leads to no where? Did all successful people have to work their asses off before they can enjoy every evening without worries over the next day's agenda?

Who made this fucking rule that work must be THIS stressful???