Habakkuk 2:2-3

The Lord’s Answer
2 Then the Lord replied:
“Write down the revelation
    and make it plain on tablets
    so that a herald[a] may run with it.
3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
    it speaks of the end
    and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
    it [b] will certainly come
    and will not delay.
Footnotes:
a. Habakkuk 2:2 Or so that whoever reads it
b. Habakkuk 2:3 Or Though he linger, wait for him; / he

Fried Hair VS. Natural Looks

From the book "TOKYO WONDERLAND AND OTHER ESSAYS ON LIFE IN AMERICA AND JAPAN"






Chapter, " Fried Hair vs. The Natural Look"





When I was a teenager, the last thing I wanted was advice from older people. In fact, I was more likely to do just the opposite of what my parents or teachers told me I should do. But something strange has happened to me recently. Now that I'm getting older, I'm dying to give some advice of my own! It's probably unwelcom advice, but here goes.





My topic is hair. Actually, I've always had a thing about hair, you might even say an obsession. To me, nothing is more beautiful than long, healthy hair. In elementary school, my best friend had the longest hair in the school, way past her waist. In fact, that's why I wanted her for my best friend. Even now, when I see someone I don't know with nice, long hair, I have the urge to follow her or him. Perhaps I shouldn't reveal these things about myself, but the point is, I have always been a hair person. Maybe it has something to do with the era I grew up in.





In the 1960's and 70's, I absorbed a lot of "hippie" values during my youth. One of those was the value for "naturalness" in everything. That was the period, for example, when natural foods first became popularin America. While my mother's generation almost always cooked frozen or canned vegetables and ate only white bread, my generation had to have fresh vegetables and bread made from whole grains. Fashion was also all about being natural. We

wore only comfortable clothes and shoes, almost no make-up, and most young people, male and female, let their hair grow long. Not only that, but perms and coloring were definitely out. It wasn't cool to use any kind of chemical on your hair or change the natural color.





That way of thinking has really stuck with me through the years. I admit that I did perm my hair a couple of times in my 30's, but at that time I was advised not to by by someone older than me. She told me the chemicals used for a permanent would "fry" my hair and destroy all the natural shine. Of course I didn't listen, but afterwards I wished I had. My hair was never quite the same again.





Most Japanese seem to have stronger hair than a lot of Westerners, but even strong hair eventually gets dulled and damaged by frying it with chemicals. These days dyed hair is a lot more common in Japan than the natural look, but it's easy to see the difference. Try it next time you're on the train. Hair that's been colored or permed looks tired. It just doesn't have that healthy look and shine of natural hair. And to the Western eye, jet-black Japanese hair with its natural shine is truly beautiful and rare.





Of course that kind of beauty doesn't last forever. Eventually, most of us have to decide between dyed hair and a new natural color: gray. Letting your hair turn gray naturally is not a bad choice. In fact, natural gray hair has its own beauty, especially compared with hair that's been dyed for many years. But for most of us, going gray isn't easy psychologically. We may feel we have to keep coloring year after year to cover the gray. And that's why I don't understand why so many people start that troublesome and damaging dyeing process before they really to. Show off your natural youthful beauty while you still can!





I know, I know. Some of you are probably thinking, "Just more unwanted advice from one of those older people." Sorry, I couldn't stop myself.

Barisan Nasional (AKA BOLEH Nasional) upcoming elections 2013

Who says BN can't win, ehh?


Sure laaa.... it can win one.

Even if it wereto come to a shoestring finish. BOLEH, BOLEH.





BN is so desperate this time around, so much so, that, to show Malaysians how good (and great) they are, it has implemented many PR stunts to entice the people.





From 1Malaysia, BR1M, 1M shops and clinics, to student vouchers (books, iphones), and then money after money (one-time only) for seniors, OKUs and some underprivileged.... WOW!! Unbelievable. BOLEH, BOOOLEH....





And then, in recent months they super-boost their winning chances by sending SMSes after SMSes (especially to Indians & Chinese) to "Indi BN". They even send letters too:

3 pieces of paper (BM, English and Chinese/Tamil, depending who the recipient is), to show how people-friendly they are and realising how important (FINALLY) we (Chinese & Indians) are to them. Oh, and THANKS for sending these reminders in 3 languages, just in case some didn't know how to read one or two. Funny though, what if the recipient couldn't read all three?? Alaaa, this is minor one laaa.... no need to worry mah.





Then the strangest thing comes along. Unregistered voters are sent letters from Election Commission with our names and voting zone. Geez man!! people are feeling incredulous about this.

1. How can they FORCE folks to vote?

2. It infringes on the citizens Constituitional right whether or not to vote.

3. Even the elderly and OKU are FORCED to vote (purportedly polling venues are disabled-friendly).





People are displeased and disgusted with this crap. Some had lodged reports with the cops. One even went up to the courts but it was struck off because by the fella filed the case, Parliament was dissolved, the court said. Uh-oh...





So, what should these poor unregistered folks do?? GO AND VOTE LAAAA, DAMN IT!!!

They gave you an opportunity, why waste it?? But if you don't vote, well, umm, perhaps this equation will help you understand clearly;





UNREGISTERED VOTER + VOTING LETTER - NOT VOTING = YOU KNOW IT





Everyone knows BN is desperate. Yet people know they can still do it again. Then why all the hoohah trying to make Malaysians happy by handing out tons of money as mentioned. Even the letters, SMSes and greeting cards cost them money, right? Malaysians are curious to know where and how BN (which is the ruling govt) got tall the finances from. Partly, of course came from taxpayers' money. The rest??

Even Tun Dr. M didn't need to do any PR stunts like these.





Ohwells, does it matter now? The best part is, PM Najib promises if BN wins, he will give Malaysians, especially those in the special category, RM1,000.

The Opposition Pakatan should have done a similar PR stunt too. After all, they're known as PR, mahh!!

This way, Malaysians will be in a more bigger dilemma come voting day coz both those buggers are giving the same things. Only then the people will use their btains to REALLY think and decide.





So you see people, you already know what BN wants. And, you also know what YOU want.





BN still BOOOOOLEH mahh!!!

MASSIVE TRAFFIC CHAOS IN KLANG VALLEY - 24/04/2013

Wed, 24 April 2013
Report by

It's been raining since 4pm. Finished

work in Bangsar at 5pm and never

would I have expected to reach home

just before 9pm. Could this have

been the worst of the worst traffic

jams in Klang Valley?

Trees were uprooted, floods in

several locations, and massive

standstill began. I was stuck a few

metres before Menara TM. Managed

to wound my way onto the divider

towards the opposite side of the lane

heading into Bangsar. Went towards

Bangsar Village thinking to use

Damansara. Wrong choice. Traffic at

standstill there too. Next, made a U-

turn back to Bangsar and took the

Mid Valley exit to join the Federal

highway. From there on, it was a

crawl, crawl, crawl all the way home.

How great if I had a helicopter!!

 

Reading for Saturday, 22-10-2011

Today, at St Ignatius Church Petaling Jaya, I was attending the First Holy Communion service (6pm) and never ever thought what I'd see there.

I came to Church with no mood, not even interested in seeing any pretty women or anything of that sort. But guess who I saw?

I saw the Most Beautiful, Most Lovely, Most Immaculate Angel
sitting there, right in front of me. So Graceful was her feature,
soooo Simeple and Sweet was her looks and smile.

I've never felt this feeling, this sensation, this emotion with
other women that I've seen all my life up till now. But there
she was, sitting right there, so Humble and so Gracious. She
was soooo close, soooo near, yet I couldn't reach out for her,
to hold her, to talk to her.

This Sweet Angel was glancing at me now and then, smiling
shyly but with keen interest, looking in the corner of her eyes
too. I could remember everything about her: her eyes, her
hair, her smile, her sleeveless floral top.

I was praying hard, praying deeply, from my Heart, asking God,
Jesus and Mary to help me get her, to help me talk to her at
least. to help her, to guide her to talk to me. But right up to the
mass ended, nothing happened.

I feel so helpless, frustrated, disappointed and angry at my
luck. Yet I just wanna meet her again and TALK TO HER!!!
PLEEEEEEEEASE!!!

Will I ever meet my Angel again?
When will I meet My Angel again?
How long must I wait?
PLEASE..... PLEASE..... PLEASE.....

I call Her my Ignatius Angel -- and the girl  in the pics
looks similar to my Angel (I stumbled upon pics in an
online ad on 01-11-2011).

This were the Readings on that day.


Reading 1, Rom 8:1-11






1 Thus, condemnation will never come to those who are in Christ Jesus,






2 because the law of the Spirit which gives life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.






3 What the Law could not do because of the weakness of human nature, God did, sending his own Son in the same human nature as any sinner to be a sacrifice for sin, and condemning sin in that human nature.






4 This was so that the Law's requirements might be fully satisfied in us as we direct our lives not by our natural inclinations but by the Spirit.






5 Those who are living by their natural inclinations have their minds on the things human nature desires; those who live in the Spirit have their minds on spiritual things.






6 And human nature has nothing to look forward to but death, while the Spirit looks forward to life and peace,






7 because the outlook of disordered human nature is opposed to God, since it does not submit to God's Law, and indeed it cannot,






8 and those who live by their natural inclinations can never be pleasing to God.






9 You, however, live not by your natural inclinations, but by the Spirit, since the Spirit of God has made a home in you. Indeed, anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.






10 But when Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin but the spirit is alive because you have been justified;






11 and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead has made his home in you, then he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you.










Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6






1 [Psalm Of David] To Yahweh belong the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live there;






2 it is he who laid its foundations on the seas, on the flowing waters fixed it firm.






3 Who shall go up to the mountain of Yahweh? Who shall take a stand in his holy place?






4 The clean of hands and pure of heart, whose heart is not set on vanities, who does not swear an oath in order to deceive.






5 Such a one will receive blessing from Yahweh, saving justice from the God of his salvation.






6 Such is the people that seeks him, that seeks your presence, God of Jacob.Pause






Gospel, Lk 13:1-9






1 It was just about this time that some people arrived and told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices. At this he said to them,






2 'Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than any others, that this should have happened to them?






3 They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.






4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell, killing them all? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem?






5 They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.'






6 He told this parable, 'A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none.






7 He said to his vinedresser, "For three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?"






8 "Sir," the man replied, "leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it:






9 it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down." '

Gospel, Mt 23:1-12

Gospel, Mt 23:1-12








1 Then addressing the crowds and his disciples Jesus said,






2 'The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses.






3 You must therefore do and observe what they tell you; but do not be guided by what they do, since they do not practise what they preach.






4 They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people's shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they!






5 Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader headbands and longer tassels,






6 like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues,






7 being greeted respectfully in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.






8 'You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one Master, and you are all brothers.






9 You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven.






10 Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ.






11 The greatest among you must be your servant.






12 Anyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be raised up.

Gospel, Lk 11:42-46

Gospel, Lk 11:42-46







42 But alas for you Pharisees, because you pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and neglect justice and the love of God! These you should have practised, without neglecting the others.




43 Alas for you Pharisees, because you like to take the seats of honour in the synagogues and to be greeted respectfully in the market squares!






44 Alas for you, because you are like the unmarked tombs that people walk on without knowing it!'






45 A lawyer then spoke up. 'Master,' he said, 'when you speak like this you insult us too.'






46 But he said, 'Alas for you lawyers as well, because you load on people burdens that are unendurable, burdens that you yourselves do not touch with your fingertips.

10 Principles for Peace of Mind

10 PRINCIPLES FOR PEACE OF MIND:::::::::::::::











1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked:


Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality and consequently the existence of God.. God has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do because God within them prompts them that way. Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.






2. Forgive And Forget:


This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive,20Forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.






3. Do Not Crave For Recognition:


This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless, they will forget your achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill yours if in striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely.






4. Do Not Be Jealous:


We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only one year old. There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember everybody's life is shaped by his/her destiny, which has now become his/her reality. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.






5. Change Yourself According To The Environment:


If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.






6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured:


This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.






7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:


This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. . Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.






8. Meditate Regularly:


Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and half-hours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before. You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily meditation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.






9. Never Leave The Mind Vacant:


An empty mind is the devil's workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile. Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work or religious work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental chanting of God's name.






10. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret:


Do not waste time in protracted wondering ?hould I or shouldn't I??ays, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was destined to happen only that way. Why cry over split milk?






selvaraj