Nepal Earthquake – How To Help April 28, 2015

Nepal has been struck by the biggest earthquake in over 80 years on Saturday, 25 April 2014. Kathmandu the most populous region has been hit the hardest. The devastating magnitude of 7.8 Richter scale has claimed more than 3,000 lives caused thousand more injured, destroyed the infrastructures, historic buildings, temples and homes and subsequent avalanches triggered in the Himalayas. The destruction have left massive piles of debris everywhere.

In times like this, Relief organizations around the world are already on the ground working to support the Nepalese people. Here’s how you can support them. http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/04/25/nepal-earthquake-how-help

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Nepal Red Cross Society – http://www.nrcs.org

The organization is providing first aid, search and rescue, blood to medical facilities and support to first responders. Here is its online donation link;http://www.nrcs.org/donate-nrcs please note that their website connectivity is on and off, so you might not be able to get through.

ActionAid USA – http://www.actionaidusa.org

The organization is on the ground working with government ministries and emergency response teams to coordinate needed supplies to earthquake victims. With a minimum donation amount of $5.00 you can support this effort here: https://act.actionaid.org/usa/nepal-earthquake-emergency-appeal

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) – http://www.jdc.org

The group is sending aid teams from India and shipping supplies to Nepal, with an emphasis on women and children: neonatal incubators, emergency learning centers, and community-based support programs for women and children. To support their please donate online here: https://secure3.convio.net/jdc/site/Donation2;jsessionid=B98EB528598A06DD34E7A7B239BF34AA.app359a?df_id=4102&4102.donation=form1

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) – http://ajws.org

This organization has set up the Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund to raise and distribute emergency relief and provide long-term recovery for the people of Nepal. https://secure.ajws.org/site/Donation2?df_id=8880&8880.donation=form1

American Red Cross – http://www.redcross.org

The group is backing up efforts by Nepal Red Cross to respond to the earthquake, including first aid, search and rescue, blood for medical treatment, and support for first responders. It has around 19,000 kits already in Nepal to supply basic material needs for survivors including clothing, kitchen items, and personal hygiene supplies. AmeriCares disaster relief fund:https://www.redcross.org/combined-donate

AmeriCares – http://www.americares.org

A global emergency response and health organization, AmeriCares has dispatched an emergency response team from its offices in Mumbai, India to Nepal and is shipping medical and relief supplies for survivors of the earthquake. AmeriCares disaster relief fund: https://secure.americares.org/site/Donation2?df_id=15220&15220.donation=form1

British Red Cross – http://www.redcross.org.uk

The international organization built a solar-powered blood bank last year in anticipation of such a national disaster. With emergency responders living in Nepal, trained experts are helping with rescue relief and first aid. Donate here: http://www.redcross.org.uk/nepalearthquake

Catholic Relief Services – www.crs.org

The group has landed emergency staff in Kathmandu and intends to begin work by helping 10,000 families with emergency shelter and material supplies. Please donate here: https://secure.crs.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=4D36B909F63799F8EEF0D0C0FB8C1526.app262b?df_id=8400&8400.donation=form1

CARE – http://www.care.org

This group is working to assist around 100,000 survivors in Kathmandu with shelters, meals, water purification, and sanitary toilets. Donate here: https://my.care.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=CBA258A47FAB9494C2F3DD4B9894C32C.app330a?18840.donation=form1&df_id=18840

Convoy of Hope – http://www.convoyofhope.org

This group has a team with equipment and supplies en route to Nepal. The charity is working with a network of 100 churches and organizations who are ready to respond to those in need. Support their efforts here: https://secure2.convio.net/cohope/site/Donation2;jsessionid=C07B4F762CAC831074A74578FDE56B41.app261a?df_id=2868&2868.donation=form1

ChildFund International – http://www.childfund.org

This group has launched an emergency appeal to provide urgent care and protection for children who’ve lost homes and loved ones in the earthquake. The organization is responding in the Sindhupalchok district, one of the worst-affected areas. Donate here: https://www.childfund.org/help-nepal/

Concern Worldwide – http://www.concernusa.org

This group is working to provide those in need in Nepal with emergency supplies for the shelter, cooking, and hygiene. You can specify which of these supplies you want to help provide when you make your online donation: https://secure2.convio.net/cww/site/Donation2;jsessionid=F467ADA166B81E922B595163BE543BBD.app262a?df_id=1882&1882.donation=form1

Direct Relief – www.directrelief.org

This group focuses on medical assistance. It is coordinating with Nepal-based partners, as well as corporate and technology firms like Palantir, to help overflowing medical facilities just beyond Kathmandu. Donate here: https://secure2.convio.net/dri/site/Donation2?df_id=2105&2105.donation=form1&set.SingleDesignee=1581&_ga=1.98664094.1471225155.1430002813

Doctors Without Borders – www.doctorswithoutborders.org

The French aid organization has sent eight emergency response teams to Nepal, including a surgical team headed for Katmandu planning to set up mobile medical clinics to reach victims in remote areas.

Global Giving – www.globalgiving.org

The American nonprofit has set up a donation page from which a portion of the money received will go to emergency efforts while also focusing on long-term aid in what will likely be a long recovery period for the poor nation. To donate click here: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/nepal-earthquake-relief-fund/

Habitat for Humanity – http://www.habitat.org

The group disaster response teams are working with local government groups and relief agencies to assemble emergency shelter kits to house displaced earthquake victims. You can donate here: https://www.habitat.org/cd/giving/one/donate.aspx?link=568

Handicap International – https://handicapinternational.nationbuilder.com

This group is providing wheelchairs and assistance to local hospitals which are overwhelmed. The organization is focused on making sure survivors receive the care they need to avoid developing permanent disabilities. You can go online to directly support their Nepal Earthquake Response: https://handicapinternational.nationbuilder.com/donate_now_nepal_emergency

International Medical Corps – https://internationalmedicalcorps.org

International Medical Corps emergency response teams are on the ground and bringing lifesaving medicine and supplies to earthquake survivors. In addition to medical supplies, the teams will also be distributing hygiene kits and water purification tablets to prevent outbreaks of illnesses, a major problem during humanitarian crises.

Islamic Relief USA – www.irusa.org

The group has dispatched emergency response teams from India, and started a $100,000 appeal to raise funds for humanitarian aid.

Lutheran World Relief – https://www.kintera.org

This organization has staff on the ground assessing the damage and the immediate needs of those affected. You can donate to their Nepal Earthquake Fund which will help them provide water filtration units, quilts, personal care kits and more. Donate here: https://www.kintera.org/site/c.dmJXKiOYJgI6G/b.9274577/k.9A5A/Nepal_Earthquake/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?c=dmJXKiOYJgI6G&b=9274577&en=9iJHKUPzE8IQL4NCK7JNJ0OMLsLULYMIImLVI7NMLkIRI2NRLwF

MAP International – http://www.map.org

This organization is responding to earthquake victims on the ground by providing critical medical treatment and supplies like antibiotics and wound care items. To help this organization meet the growing need, donate here: https://www.map.org/nepal-quake

MercyCorps -www.mercycorps.org

This organization has launched the Nepal Earthquake Response fund to help provide food, water, and temporary shelter in the aftermath of this disaster. Donate here: https://www.mercycorps.org/donate/survivors-need-your-help-now

Operation Blessing International – http://www.ob.org

This organization is making plans to provide emergency relief to their partner on the ground, Nepali Rescue Project. Once needs are determined, Operation Blessing will source materials, locally if possible. Donate online to help them give water, food, medical and other emergency supplies. https://secure.ob.org/site/Donation2;?df_id=7900&7900.donation=form1

Operation USA – www.opusa.org

Operation USA is undertaking recovery efforts in Nepal, providing essential supplies for those affected and hospitals in need. You can help their efforts by donating online https://give.opusa.org/checkout/donation?eid=34510 or by texting AID to 50555 to donate $10.

Oxfam International – http://www.oxfam.org

This organization is working to help provide clean water, sanitation and emergency food for those affected by this disaster. Their priority is to prevent disease outbreaks caused by unsanitary conditions.
Donate via Oxfam America here: https://secure2.oxfamamerica.org/page/content/nepal_earthquake/
You can also donate through Oxfam Great Britain here: https://donate.oxfam.org.uk/emergency/nepal?pscid=ps_msn_Emergencies_bing_nepal_earthquake_generic

PayPal – http://www.paypal-community.com

The company has set up a special page for contributions to aid Nepal. 100 percent of contributions will go to an array of emergency relief nonprofits, including many listed on this page.  You can donate here: https://www.paypal-donations.com/pp-charity/web.us/campaign.jsp?cid=35

Plan – http://plan-international.org

The group, which focuses on children’s rights and ending child poverty, is trying to reach rural communities beyond Kathmandu, closer to the epicenter of the earthquake, and assess their needs, according to its website.  They have launched an international website: http://plan-international.org/what-you-can-do/emergency-appeals/nepal-earthquake-appeal that you can support.

Real Medicine Foundation – http://realmedicinefoundation.org

The group is preparing to send medical teams and supplies to help hospitals with their overwhelming number of patients. You can support them online: http://realmedicinefoundation.org/blog/archives/2015/04/26/rmf-prepares-relief-efforts-following-powerful-nepal-earthquake/ or text REALMED to 50555 to make a $10 donation.

Save the Children – www.savethechildren.org

The non-governmental agency has been working in Nepal since 1976. Ten percent of the donations made to the Nepal Earthquake’s Child Relief Fund will be set aside to help prepare for another disaster. You can donate online: http://realmedicinefoundation.org/donate/ to directly support the Nepal Children’s Emergency Relief Fund.

Samaritan’s Purse – http://www.samaritanspurse.org

The group is sending emergency shelter, water, hygiene kits and other emergency supplies. They are also sending a medical team to offer assistance. You can support this by donating to their Nepal Earthquake Response fund: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/deadly-earthquake-in-nepal/#donateBottom

Seva Foundation – http://www.seva.org

The group is requesting funds to help meet the growing need of medical treatment for earthquake victims. All contributions will go directly to the organization’s partner hospitals. To help support their efforts you can donate to the Nepal Earthquake Fund: https://secure2.convio.net/seva/site/Donation2?idb=634820634&df_id=4800&4800.donation=form1&idb=0

Shelterbox – http://www.shelterboxusa.org

The group is distributing aid, including tents, that they have prepositioned in the country. You can help them offer shelter to more families in need with a donation: http://shelterboxusa.org/involved.php?page=113

The Jewish Federations of North America – http://fedweb.fedwebpreview.org

The organizations are requesting donations for their Nepal Relief Fund as they work to assess the immediate needs and coordinate emergency supplies to earthquake victims: https://secure-fedweb.jewishfederations.org/page/contribute/nepal-relief-fund

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) – http://www.ifrc.org

This is prepping resources from its hubs in New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. The federation is releasing funds from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund to support vital services including food, shelter, water and sanitation. You can aid their efforts by donating here: https://www.ammado.com/community/154728/donate

UNICEF – www.unicef.org

The organization states on its donation page that it will be there to help Nepalese children “before, during and after a crisis.” You can help by donating online: https://www.unicefusa.org/donate/nepal-earthquake-help-children-now/24226?utm_campaign=2015_misc&utm_medium=social&utm_source=20150425_twitter-unicefusa&utm_content=post&ms=soc_soc_2015_misc_20150425_twitter-unicefusa_post&initialms=soc_soc_2015_misc_20150425_twitter-unicefusa_post

World Food Program – www.wfp.org

This group states that it has set up a relief hub at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport to manage common services for the entire humanitarian response to Nepal’s disaster, including logistics, information technology, and food transportation. You can help by donating online: https://give.wfp.org/5279/?step=country&lead_source=2015-wfp-nepal-emergency-lightbox&form_tag=2015-wfp-nepal-emergency-lightbox

World Vision – http://www.worldvision.org

With power out in the city, aid officials are struggling to determine the full impact of the damage. World Vision says its primary concerns are shelter, food, and water. Along with donating: http://donate.worldvision.org/ways-to-give/by-category/disaster-relief/nepal-quake?_ga=1.83266966.1264799702.1429999518 you can also text NEPAL to 777444 to donate $10.

All About Bra April 14, 2015

Have you ever have problems when comes to buying bras? I do, and most of the times the bras that I saw may look very sexy but it will not fit on me when I tried it on.  Buying bras nowadays is not so easy as buying it during teenage days.  I only point out to the sales girl which one I want and take it to the counter to pay.  Today I must try each bra to ensure the cups are perfect to hold my two lovely breast, so that my breasts won’t look saggy, so that the breasts won’t come off to the sides, not to forget, the back band is not too big or the straps are not too big either, etc, etc, etc.

When I came across this article, I thought, hey… why not share it with my readers too.  I’m sure some of us have the same problem too.  Check out this link for further information on bras.

http://diply.com/auntyacid/bra-hacks-boobs/113807/1

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Never wear the wrong bra again.

Know your bra’s sister sizes when shopping at different stores.

All bras are not equal-know the difference.

Know how to care for your bra.

How Long To Nap For The Biggest Brain Benefits April 10, 2015

I don’t always do napping, but if I feel really tired, than taking a 30 mins nap would always bring me back fresh though a little bit tired.  Nowadays, since I’m no longer working, I will always take a short nap after lunch, not immediately after lunch, but one hour after lunch at least.  A friend of mine once told me that napping is not good.  It will make you tired, lazy and feeling more sleepier.  Which, I would say she is absolutely right !!!  Today while browsing through the internet, I came across an article about napping.  You can check this from

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/02/17/how-long-to-nap-for-the-biggest-brain-benefits/

Happy reading you alls !!!!

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Napping can be great! But sometimes when you wake up after a nap, you feel groggy and almost as if you are more tired now than you were before taking the nap. Why does this happen? According to Dr. Michael Breus “If you take it longer than 30 minutes, you end up in deep sleep. Have you ever taken a nap and felt worse when you woke up? That’s what’s happening — you’re sleeping too long and you’re going into a stage of sleep that’s very difficult to get out of.”[1]

Benefits of Naps

So what are the most ideal ways to nap? Napping can be seen as a quick reboot or boost for the brain. Think of when your computer is starting to perform slowly and things aren’t responding up to par, after you shut everything down and do a reboot, things are back up to speed. The brain is quite similar in that, as you nap, even for very short periods of time, benefits can be seen in a number of areas.

Sleep experts suggest  that taking a 10-to-20-minute power nap can give you a quick burst of alterness and mental clarity when you don’t have much time. This can be used throughout the day, late at night, before something important or right before you are trying to beat the final boss of a video game you’ve been playing all night right and you know you need the extra quickness.

When I was interested in trying to maximize my time awake (which I still am, but haven’t tried much lately) I did some research into sleeping cycles and how to minimize the amount of sleep you need while still being able to function well. I ended up choosing a cycle that gave me a core sleep and then several naps throughout the day that lasted about 20 minutes. I found that after the 20 minutes naps, I felt great. Very alert, mental clarity was high and I was ready to go for the next 3 or 4 hours easily.[2]

I found though, that near the beginning of my experiment with cycles, I would start to lose cognitive clarity as I got closer to the end of the day. While this was part of the transition portion of the cycle, I got to feel what its like when the brain just isn’t getting enough deep sleep.

According to Dr. Mednick, this is where longer naps of 60 minutes or so are said to be good for increasing that cognitive power again. [1] Mednick also states that the 90-minute nap will likely involve a full cycle of sleep, which aids creativity, emotional and procedural memory, such as learning how to ride a bike. Waking up after REM sleep usually means a minimal amount of sleep inertia.

Naps Summarized

A study evaluating the recuperative effects of short and ultra short naps found that napping for 5-10 minutes can create a heightened sense of alertness and increased cognitive ability when comparing to not taking a nap at all.

If you are looking for a quick recharge: nap for 5 – 20 minutes.

If you are looking for deeper sleep rejuvenation: nap for 60 – 90 minutes.

Final tip

When you take your shorter naps, sit up slightly as it will allow you to avoid falling into a deeper sleep. If you dream during these power naps, it could be a sign that you are sleep deprived.

The Amazing Way in using Baking Soda February 3, 2015

I never know that baking soda has so much of benefits until I read this article written by Dr.Mercola. Thanks Dr., what an amazing solutions!!  I will definitely try these this weekend.  Dear readers, you can check out more of Dr. Mercola’s site for some very beneficial information : http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/02/02/11-health-benefits-baking-soda.aspx?x_cid=20150202_nonlead2_11-health-benefits-baking-soda_facebookdoc

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11 Ways to Use Baking Soda for Your Health

You can purchase a box of baking soda for under $1, making it one of the least expensive home remedies to keep on hand. In addition to using it for minor accidents and injuries, baking soda can become a part of your regular hygiene routine.

1. Natural Deodorant

If you want to avoid the parabens and aluminum found in many deodorants and antiperspirants, try a pinch of baking soda mixed with water instead. This simple paste makes an effective and simple natural deodorant. You can also simply brush some dry baking soda under your arms.

2. Insect Bites and Poison Ivy

Apply a paste made of baking soda and water to insect bites to help relieve itching. You can also try rubbing the dry powder onto your skin. This is also effective for itchy rashes and poison ivy. Baking soda helps to relieve minor skin irritation and itching by neutralizing toxins and irritants on your skin’s surface.²

3. Heartburn, Indigestion, and Ulcer Pain

Most over-the-counter antacids contain some form of bicarbonate. Baking soda works by immediately neutralizing stomach acid, helping to relieve heartburn, indigestion and even ulcer pain. I have personally recommended this to many, including family members, and have been surprised how remarkably effective it is.

Dosing is typically ½ teaspoon fully dissolved in a half a glass of water, taken every two hours (do not take more than seven ½ teaspoons in 24 hours, or three ½ teaspoons if you’re over 60).³

This should only be used as an occasional (not chronic) treatment, however, and be careful not to consume excessive amounts, which can cause serious electrolyte and acid/base imbalances.⁴

4. Foot Soak and Exfoliator

Add three tablespoons of baking soda to a tub of warm water for an invigorating foot soak. You can scrub your feet with a baking soda paste for additional exfoliation. A paste made from three parts of baking soda combined with one part water can be used as an exfoliator for your face and body, too. It’s natural, inexpensive and gentle enough to use every day.

5. Relaxing Soak

Baking soda and apple cider make a wonderful spa-like bath for soaking. It also cleans the tub and the drain, as a bonus!

6. Hand Cleanser

Mix three parts baking soda with one part of water to make a natural hand cleanser that will scrub away dirt and neutralize odors.

7. Splinter removal

Add a tablespoon of baking soda to a small glass of water, then soak the affected area twice a day. Many splinters will come out on their own after a couple of days using this treatment.

8. Sunburn Remedy

Add ½ cup of baking soda to lukewarm bathwater, then soak in the tub for natural relief. When you get out, let your skin air dry, rather than toweling off the excess baking soda, for extra relief. You can also add a mixture of baking soda and water to a cool compress and apply it to the sunburn directly.

9. Enhanced Sports Performance

Distance runners have long engaged in a practice known as “soda doping” — or taking baking soda capsules — before races to enhance performance, a measure that’s thought to work similarly to carbohydrate loading. It’s also been shown to improve speed among swimmers.⁵ While I don’t suggest you try this at home, it’s another example of baking soda benefits. Researchers noted:⁶

“Essentially, sodium bicarbonate is an alkali substance that increases the pH of the blood. This seems to reduce and offset the acidity produced in the muscles during intense, anaerobic exercise that produces lactic acid most quickly, such as fast running or swimming.”

10. Tooth and Gum Paste

Baking soda has a mild abrasive action that helps to remove plaque and polish, clean, and deodorize your teeth.⁷ One review of data from five controlled clinical studies found that toothpaste containing baking soda “enhanced plaque removal effectiveness of tooth brushing to a significantly greater extent” than brushing with a non-baking soda toothpaste.⁸

Baking soda also has antibacterial activity and has been found to killStreptococcus mutans bacteria – a significant contributor to tooth decay.⁹For an incredibly effective tooth and gum paste, use a mixture of six parts of baking soda to one part of sea salt.

Place them in a blender and mix for 30 seconds, then place in a container to use. Wet the tip of your index finger and place a small amount of the salt and soda mixture on your gums.

Starting with the upper outside gums and then the inside of the upper, followed by the lower outside of the gums then the lower inside, rub the mixture onto your teeth and gums. Spit out the excess. After 15 minutes rinse your mouth. This mixture is incredibly effective at killing bacteria.¹⁰

You need to exert some caution in this area though as many believe baking soda can be too abrasive on your enamel, and Dr. Curatolabelieves that killing the oral microbiome may be highly counterproductive.

11. Teeth whitener

For a natural way to whiten your teeth, crush one ripe strawberry and mix it with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Spread the mixture onto your teeth and leave on for five minutes. Then brush your teeth and rinse. This method should be used no more than once a week, as excessive use could potentially damage your tooth enamel.

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How to Use Baking Soda as a Natural Cleanser

If you find it hard to believe that something as simple and inexpensive as baking soda could really clean your home, consider this: baking soda was used to clean and restore the inner copper walls of the Statute of Liberty during its 1986 restoration. It effectively removed grime without damaging the copper¹¹ – so think it might work around your home, too? Here are some of baking soda’s top uses for cleaning:

Baking soda is great to scrub your bath and kitchen with. Put it in a glass grated cheese container with a stainless steel top that has holes in it, and just sprinkle the baking soda on the surfaces and scrub. You may add a few drops of your favorite essential oilto this. Lavender and tea tree oil have potent anti-bacterial qualities.	Baking soda mixed with apple cider vinegar is a bubbly combination that has many uses. As a drain cleaner, sprinkle baking soda down the drain, then add apple cider vinegar and let it bubble for 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water. This is a safer alternative to dangerous drain cleaners.
Soak pots and pans in hot water and baking soda for 15 minutes to easily wipe away baked-on food.	Use baking soda to scrub your barbecue grill.
Clean baby toys in a mixture of 4 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 quart of water.	Baking soda can also be used as a fabric softener in your laundry, or to get your clothes whither and brighter (add one cup to your laundry load).
Baking soda is a natural carpet cleaner. Sprinkle it onto carpets, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it up.	To polish silver without using toxic silver polish, fill your kitchen sink with hot water, add a sheet of aluminum foil and baking soda, and let the silver pieces soak until clean. It is an easy and fun way to clean silver.
Sprinkle baking soda in your shoes for a natural deodorizer.	In the event of a minor grease fire in your kitchen, use baking soda to help smother out the flames.
Sprinkle baking soda on a vegetable brush to help remove dirt and residue from fruits and veggies.	Make a paste of baking soda and water and use it to scrub away grime from your shower and bath.

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Malaysia Worst Flooding 2014 Photos – Part 2 January 7, 2015

Photos taken from Ustaz Azhar Idrus’ facebook.  Thank you Ustaz for sharing.

Worst Flooding in Malaysia 2014 – Video 1 January 6, 2015

Video showing the aftermath of the worst Malaysia flooding in December 2014.  I cried when watching this video.  Subhanallah.  Allah is so great.  They lost everyhting, completely everthing.  No fresh water, no electricity…so sad.  May they have the strength to go through their lives now as so much to be done to bring them back to a normal life.  Our prayers are with you people.  AMIN, YA RABBIL ALAMIN.

Hope Malaysian government will do their best to assist these people.

Bali – The Island of Gods January 4, 2015

Bali….I love going to Bali.  My husband and I, is actually planning to reside in Bali once we are retired.  We are still looking around for cute with little garden house that is reasonable to our pocket 🙂

There is no other place like Bali. The Island of the Gods offers great beaches, countless waves for surfing and wonderful natural sites to visit and explore,colorful ceremonies, gifted artists and unbelievably wide range of accommodation, restaurants, spas and world-class activities andshopping all within close distance.

I have been to all parts of Bali.  The 1st time was in 1998, where a bunch of us travelled from Paiton, Surabaya by a 4WD that took us almost 6 hours including getting lost on our way to the ferry terminal going to Bali.  I can’t remember the ferry terminal name but the ferry is so big that we could bring our 4WD in it.  In the ferry we have young boys who asked us if we need to have our show polish.  As we are using fitflops, we looked at each other like “hey, we are not wearing shoes boy”.  My friend’s husband decided to give the boy 50k Ruppiah.  The boy’s face was gleaming with joy !!  We were there for 2 weeks started with a few days in Kuta and ended our stay in Singharaja, the north part of Bali.  The 6 hours drive was so worth it !!

Then my trip was not lasted there, we went again and again and we are never getting fed-up with what we saw. Though Bali has changed from a very quiet town particularly Kuta to a heavily traffic town with lots of shops to feast your eyes, which at the disavantage side can also put a holes to your pocket 🙂  We always enjoyed our stay.  The people are always very friendly and also very accommodating.  You will always feel welcome when in Bali.

Our advise, try to stay for the shorterst 5 days of course the longer your stay the better. Try to spend your time exploring Bali.  Yes, you will be allured to join the travel company offering you wonderful places to visit with fairly good price but try to make sure you don’t spend too much of your time touring.  Visit to Jimbaran for sunset dinner, Uluwatu for Kecak Dance, Tanah Lot for the 13th century Temples and walking to the Mount is a must do activity.

Just do the touring for 2 or 3 straight days and spend the balance of your stay enjoying the beaches, the hotels if you stay in a traditional Balinese hotel, do some Spa, there’s plenty of them there where you can choose from, get some of the Made from Indonesia Batik dresses where you can find from Bali Central Market and don’t forget to bargain, enjoy Balinese food, we recommend you should go to Dulang restaurant or Bebek Di Tepi Sawah restaurant and last but not least, you are not in Bali if you didn’t try beer Bintang and that completes your stay in Bali.

If you plan to go to Bali, do check out these hotels.  It offers excellent services, rooms are good with high standards,  the hotel staff are so friendly and they are quick to remember your name. And I can bet with you, you will definitely feel like home.   http://www.ramahotelsbali.com/#Jomtravel

*  KUTA  *

If Kuta is your choice then you must stay at either one of these hotel; Ramayana Resort & Spa or Kuta Seaview Boutique Report & Spa.

http://www.ramayanahotel.com/#Jomtravel

http://www.kutaseaviewhotel.com/#Jomtravel

*  TUBAN  *

If Tuban area is you choice then Rama Beach Resort & Villas is the best – http://www.ramabeachhotel.com/#Jomtravel

*  LEGIAN  *

At Legian area you can find Rama Garden Hotel –

http://www.ramagardenhotelbali.com/#Jomtravel

*  SEMINYAK  *

At Seminyak are there is Ivory Seminyak Hotel.

http://www.ivoryseminyak.com/#Jomtravel

*  CANDIDASA  *

While at Candidasa area you can enjoy your stay at Candidasa Dive & Spa Resort

http://www.ramacandidasahotel.com/#Jomtravel

You will be spoilt with choices of stay in Bali and these hotels are recommended.  Hope with very little information provided in this website, will be useful for your visit to Bali.

Nothing more that I can say but have an enjoyable trip and share your experiences with me.

Malaysia Worst Flooding 2014 After Disaster Photos

Gluten Free Intolerance Symptoms

Check out this website taken from Live Love Fruits.  If you have any of these symptoms then you are suffereing from Gluten Intolerance, just like me : http://livelovefruit.com/2013/06/gluten-intolerance-symptoms/

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1. Digestive Issues

gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation

 

2. Nutritional Deficiencies 

due to malabsorption (e.g., suffering from anemia (iron malabsorption) or “chicken skin” on back of arms (result of fatty acid deficiency and vitamin A deficiency secondary to fat-malabsorption caused by gluten damaging the gut)

3. Weight loss or weight gain

gluten protein disrupts metabolism functioning

4. Fat in stools

gluten prevents fat absorption

5. Aching joints

gluten triggers inflammation in the body, causing swelling and pain in your joints

6. Depression

intestinal damage caused by wheat leads to malabsorption, and prevents our guts from absorbing zinc and B vitamins which are crucial for regulating our moods

7. Eczema

related to the inflammation that gluten triggers in the body

8. Headaches

inflammation from gluten puts a lot of pressure on our blood vessels, which can cause pounding headaches

9. Exhaustion

gluten is incredibly hard to process by the body, and slows our digestion, thus making us tired

10. Irritability & Behavioural changes

same as depression, our bodies cannot absorb minerals and vitamins when our gut is destroyed by the gluten we eat. These vitamins and minerals help regulate our mood

11. Irregular menstruation, infertility, miscarriages

gluten intolerance creates imbalances to our hormones and can lead to a myriad of female fertility and menstruation issues

12. Cramps, tingling, & numbness

triggered by inflammatory response the body has to gluten protein

13. Slow infant and child growth

due to nutrient malabsorption

14. Decline in dental health

gluten sticks to our teeth and this causes bacteria to thrive

Malaysia Worst Flooding 2014 December 28, 2014

A week has gone and we heard nothing in the media social but flooding issues that hit 5 northern states in Malaysia. Kelantan got hit the most.  Media social have been posting photos and textes from desperate people who are asking for help. More than 100,000 poeple were evacuated from their homes to a safer area but more are still trapped and are still hoping to be relocated.

The number of evacuatees this year surpassed the record in 2008 as informed by The New Straits Times.  This is the worst monsoon floods in decades.  Extremely high level of water and with very bad weather and also high current of water flowing have made relocating of victims and transport of food, medical supplies and clean water are difficult even by helicopters.

As local media carried photographs of people wading through flood waters as deep as two metres (6.5 feet) and entire houses submerged by rising water, the government faced criticism for not declaring a state of emergency to help devastated communities

At least five people have been killed by the rising waters.  Among the dead was a todler who was swept away by a strong currents after she fell from her mother’s arm while they were wading in waters on their way to a relief centre.  A young couple went missing after it became entrapped in a whirlpool and capsized.

On Tuesday last (Dec 23, 2014), nearly 60 foreign tourists were among almost 100 people rescued by boat and helicopter from a Taman Negara.

Najib has come under fire for going on holidays in Hawaii, where he was seen golfing with President Barack Obama. People have posted messages on his Facebook page, questioning why he was not at home to deal with the flooding crisis and urging him to return home as the flooding worsened.

To the Malaysian or to the ordinary people like me, the photo shows an insensitve attitude of the PM, while the people are suffering, the PM can happily go for a holiday whatmore having his golfing time with President Obama.  To the Malaysian it is important for the PM to come up and show face not only looking out from the helicopter windows but wading the water to see the situation to show that he cares.  To us a PM is like a captain of a ship.  Any responsible captain will not abandon his ship in distress and delegating his duty to the assistant. A captain does not bail out if the ship in sinking, but he must be there to take charge.  Similarly for Najib, he must be at home to take charge of the situation. No one expect him to wade through the water to save lives.  Call it bad timing, call it bad planning…but our PM should have anticipated that floods will hit us this time of the year.  Instead of flying off for a vacation, he should have stayed through to ensure that disaster relief is well handled during the monsoon.  Right now, Najib is perceived as a PM who really cares more about his own personal pleasures than about the rakyat’s suffering.

A not so intelligent reply from the DPM is not only putting a smirk on the Malaysian face but also shows how much the PM cares towards his people.  DPM quoted ” We must be fair. The prime minister also has his time for a break as he has been working so hard. He is also a human being. I told him not to worry and to have trust in me, we will manage the issue in whatever way we can. There is no need for Najib to come back immediately. If I cannot handle the issue, then I will call Najib to return to Malaysia,”

Critics also charged PM’s government for failing to respond quickly enough and comemnting for not declaring a state of emergency in the worst hit regions.  Again our DPM responded lamely ” We face floods every year but this is looking to be the worst the country has seen in the last 30 years. Unless there was a total breakdown in electricity or water supply, or if the number of evacuees rises to over hundreds of thousands, we will not declare a state of emergency.”

Whatever the reasons that the PM’s cabinet ministers are giving, Malaysia should look into ways to prevent the same crisis to happen again.  Our DPM quoted ” we faced flood issues every year “,  So? Did the government put up strategies to reduce the issues?  Did we plan anything months before the moonsoon comes so that we are prepared?

Why can’t the Malaysia government take an advice from the Dutch as we all know Dutch are an expert when comes to water management.  Read this article about it.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/16/flooding-netherlands?CMP=share_btn_tw

Only them knows the answer why they are not asking for an expert for some help 😦

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Photos from the flooding.