Phrases illustrated

In our last segment, we talked about the origin of certain English phrases. In this segment, illustrations are provided (I don't even know who to credit, but you know who you are. So thank you very much for furthering the usage of English language) and of course to all the models who have made the learning of the English language fun. The pictures are provided here for illustrative purposes ONLY.


















Those who learned English in the old days would have already been familiar with the term subject and predicate. For those who do not know what they mean, please go back to school and re-learn your English. Of course, to make things easier, you can just look at the subject. This is a must. You must find the subject first before you can get a closer look at their predicates.
Although the powers that be may feel that maths and science could not be taught in English, we will try and prove that this can actually be done and with more fun. In fact we also threw in some history, geography, social etiquette, universal love, and economics as well.

Some of the models here may look barely legal, but are all over 18-years-old.

The origin of certain phrases

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be.

Here are some facts about the 1500s:

These are interesting. ..

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odour. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it.

Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

Houses had thatched roofs, thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying "dirt poor."

The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet , so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance way. Hence the saying "thresh hold."

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while (this proves that operators of mamak stalls had their roots in England). Hence the rhyme, "Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot, nine days old." (Well in the case of the mamak stalls, it can date back to the time the stall first opened when the British were still here - now you see the connection?)

Sometimes they (not the mamaks, certainly) could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat."

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or "upper crust."

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up.

Hence the custom of "holding a wake."

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a "bone-house" and re-use the grave. When re-opening these coffins, one out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the "graveyard shift") to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be "saved by the bell" or was considered a "dead ringer."

That was then, this is now

Remember when we were young?
Life was so much simpler

Symptoms and Diagnosis:

1. Skippy heartbeat when you think of him/her.
Symptoms then: Love
Diagnosis now: Ventricular fibrillation and Myocardial Infarction.

2. Restless trembling of hands, feet and other body parts.
Symptoms then: Love
Diagnosis now: Parkinson's Disease

3. Constant smiling.
Symptoms then: Love
Diagnosis now: Bell's Palsy

4. Absent mindedness, inability to focus on tasks at work or at home.
Symptoms then: Love
Diagnosis now: Early Onset of Alzheimer's Disease

5. Weakening of knees and bursts of energy when he/she calls or visits.
Symptoms then: Love
Diagnosis now: Multiple Sclerosis

6. Inability to stop thinking about her.
Symptoms then: Love
Diagnosis now: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

7. Bruising on neck and other tender areas.
Symptoms then: Love bites.
Diagnosis now: Leukaemia

8. Insomnia.
Symptoms then: Love
Diagnosis now: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

9. Feeling that you can smell/hear/feel her when not in her presence.
Symptoms then: Love
Diagnosis now: Schizophrenia

..........how life has changed!!!

Cranky Old Man

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in country N.S.W, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.

Later, when the nurses were going through his meagre possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.

One nurse took her copy to Melbourne.The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas editions of magazines around the country and appearing in mags for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.

And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.

Cranky Old Man

What do you see nurses? . .. . . .What do you see?
What are you thinking .. . . . . when you're looking at me?
A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . . with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food ... .. . . . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . . . .. 'I do wish you'd try!'
Who seems not to notice . . . . .the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . . . . . . A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not .. . . . . . . . lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . . . .The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? . . . . Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am . . . . . . . As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, . . . . . . as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten . . . . . with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .. . . . . . .who love one another

A young boy of Sixteen . . . . . with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now . . . . .... . a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . . . . my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows .. . . . . that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now . . . . . .. . I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . . . . . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . . . . . With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons .. . . . have grown and are gone,
But my woman is beside me . . . . . to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, . . ... ...Babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . . . My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me . . . ... . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future ... . . . . . . .. I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing . . . . . . young of their own.
And I think of the years .. . And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man . . . .. . . . and nature is cruel.
It's jest to make old age . . . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles .. . . . . . . grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone .. . . .. . where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . . .. A young man still dwells,
And now and again . . .. . my battered heart swells
I remember the joys . .. .. . . .. . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . .. . . . . . . . . life over again.

I think of the years . all too few . . . . . gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . . . . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people . . . . . . .open and see.
Not a cranky old man . Look closer . . . see . .... . ME!!

Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within . ... . . . we will all, one day, be there, too!

The best and most beautiful things of this world can't be seen or touched. They must be felt by the heart.

The Man Rules

At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down. Thank you, whoever you are.

We always hear the rules From the female side.
Now here are the rules from the male side. These are our rules!
Please note.. these are all numbered '1 '
ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat.
You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.
We need it up, you need it down.

You don't hear us complaining about your leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon
or the changing of the tides.
Let it be.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want.
Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.
Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.
In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.
Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.

1. You can either ask us to do something
Or tell us how you want it done.
Not both.
If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials..

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched.
We do that.


1. If we ask what is wrong and you say 'nothing,' We will act like nothing's wrong.
We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really .

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as cars
or golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this.
Yes I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;
But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

DANGER in the Garden?

Some people have a habit of plucking flowers and smelling it. Unless you know the flowers, you may put yourself in danger. The 7 Most Beautiful – But - Deadly Flowers in the World. Share with your friends and family members. Beautiful as it may be, some flowers are much more than it appears to be. Believe it or not, these seemingly harmless plants can really ruin your vacation. To help you know what flowers to stay away from on your trips, study the list of the world's most attractive but dangerous flowers: 1. Autumn Crocus (top pix) One of the most endangered plants in the world, Autumn crocus is also probably the most poisonous. It contains colchicines, a deadly drug used effectively in the treatment for gout. Unlike other toxins found in the flowers above, colchicines, an arsenic-like poison has NO antidote. Autumn crocus poisoning leads to reduced blood pressure and cardiac arrest. 2. Oleander (2nd pix) Oleander is known as one of the most poisonous plants on Earth, often used in suicidal cases around southern India . The numerous toxic compounds contained in the entire Oleander plant, including oleandrin and nerine, affect the nervous, digestive and cardiovascular systems, all at the same time. Oleander poisoning leads to drowsiness, tremors, seizures, coma and even death. The plants sap causes skin irritation and severe eye inflammation. 3. Rhododendron (3rd pix) This popular evergreen shrub, featuring large, beautiful blooms, has been known for its toxicity since ancient times. Xenophon recorded the odd behaviour of a group of Greek soldiers who had eaten honey from rhododendron flowers. Rhododendron contains Andromeda toxin which causes nausea, severe pains, paralysis and even death. Azaleas, members of the same plant-family as rhododendron, are also poisonous. 4. Angels Trumpet (4th pix) Despite its name, there's something very evil about this plant. The toxins it contains can be fatal to humans and a number of animals. Known as a powerful hallucinogen, Angels Trumpet should not be used for recreational purposes, since the risk of an overdose is very high. Angels Trumpet plants contain a variable amount of tropane alkaloids, like atropine and scopolamine, and it is used in shamanic rituals by indigenous tribes in western Amazonia . 5. Belladonna (5th pix) Known as one of the most poisonous plants in the Western Hemisphere , Belladonna contains potentially lethal tropane alkaloids. The entire plant is harmful, but its good-looking berries pose the most danger, especially to kids. The symptoms of Belladonna or Deadly Nightshade poisoning are dilated pupils, blurred vision, headaches, hallucinations, delirium and convulsions. Atropine, the toxin in Belladonna, can kill a person by disrupting the nervous systems ability to regulate breathing, sweating and heart rate. 6. Lily of the Valley (6th pix) Just like the Daphne, Lily of the Valley may look beautiful and harmless, but it is entirely poisonous. Eating one or two of the plants bell-shaped flowers won’t hurt you very much, especially if you're an adult. Eaten in large quantities, Lily of the Valley causes pain in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhoea. People with heart conditions should be most careful since the toxins cause the heartbeats to slow down or become irregular. 7. Daphne (7th pix) Also known as Lady Laurel or Paradise Plant, Daphne is a 1-1.5 meters tall shrub, usually grown for its scented flowers. All parts of the plant are poisonous, but the greatest concentrations are in the sap and berries. Daphne contains mezerine and daphnin, two powerful toxins that cause stomach aches, headaches, diarrhoea, delirium and convulsions. If Daphne berries are consumed, the victim might fall into a coma and even die. Note: These species are present in Malaysia : Oleanders, Angels Trumpets (especially in highlands) and Rhododendrons (different species from the ones in the picture). Kindly take a close look before you start to buy any flowering plants.

The Royal Trophy

Date: 8 – 10 January 2010
Venue: Amata Spring Country Club, Chonburi, Thailand
Website: www.TheRoyalTrophy.com


The Royal Trophy brings together the Continents of Europe and Asia for a highly competitive and emotionally-charged team match-play epic Championship featuring sixteen foursomes, four-ball and singles matches. The Continents are respectively represented by their very best professional golfers in the quest for the Championship’s Principal Award – the honor of stewardship of the perpetual sixteen-kilogram solid-silver Royal Trophy, which was graciously donated by the world’s longest reigning Monarch - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. The Majestic Competition was created through the vision of the legendary five-time Major winner Severiano Ballesteros.

The third edition of the Royal Trophy, held in January 2009 was a tremendous success. The Event attracted record galleries for Asian golf and featured a highly competitive spirit throughout the Matches.

Under the captaincy of thirty-five time tournament title winner Naomichi ‘Joe’ Ozaki the Asian Team recorded a colossal and historic victory over the Europeans with Asia’s top Players producing golf of tremendous quality and demonstrating the highest level of determination. Overall the Royal Trophy registered spectator attendance of over 40,000 at the golf course.

The fourth edition of the Royal Trophy is scheduled to take place on January 8-10, 2010 and is expected to be an even greater success. Following Asia’s colossal win in 2009, the Europeans will certainly be on a most important mission to regain stewardship over the coveted Royal Trophy. However, Asia is set to deliver its very best golfing talent to defend its position as Royal Trophy champions.

Japanese golfing giant Naomichi ‘Joe’ Ozaki continues his captaincy of the Asian Team and has already nominated seven of the eight Players who will comprise the Asian defense – eighteen-year-old global sensation - Ryo Ishikawa; Asia’s number one Player - Thongchai Jaidee; ten-time Tour title winner - Prayad Marksaeng; the Japan Tour’s current number one Player – Yuta Ikeda; the winner of a multitude European and Asian Tour titles – Charlie Wi; two-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion - Jeev Milkha Singh; and China’s number one golfer - Liang Wen-chong.

Current European Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie will lead the European challenge against Asia and already counts with world number seven - Henrik Stenson, 2008 European Order of Merit champion - Robert Karlsson and current European number three - Martin Kaymer. The early appointments of three of Europe’s longest hitters and most accomplished golfers is the Continent’s clear notice that eight-time Ryder Cup Player and eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner Montgomerie is in the process of constructing a fantastic team to take the challenge to Asia in Thailand in January 2010.

The fourth edition of the Royal Trophy promises to be a golfing battle for the ages.

the 11th Husband

A young man married a beautiful woman who had previously divorced 10 husbands. On their wedding night, she told her new husband to "Please be gentle; I'm still a virgin".

"What?" said the puzzled groom. "How can that be if you've been married ten times.?"

"Well, husband#1 was a Sales Representative; he kept telling me how great it was going to be.

"Husband # 2 was in Software Services; he was never really sure how it was supposed to function; but he said he'd look into it and get back with me.

"Husband # 3 was from Field Services; he said that everything checked out diagnostically but he just couldn't get the system up.

"Husband # 4 was in Telemarketing; even though he knew he had the order, he didn't know when he would be able to deliver.

"Husband # 5 was an Engineer, he understood the basic process but he wanted three years to research, implement, and design a new state of the-art method.

"Husband #6 was from Administration; he thought he knew how but he wasn't sure whether it was his job or not.

"Husband # 7 was in Marketing; although he had a product, he was never sure how to position it.

"Husband # 8 was a Psychiatrist; all he did was talk about it.

"Husband # 9 was a Gynecologist; all he did was look at it.

"Husband # 10 was a Stamp Collector; all he ever did was........... God I miss him.

" But now that I've married you, I'm so excited".

"Wonderful", said the husband, "but why?

"Your're with the "GOVERNMENT...This time I KNOW I'M gonna get SCREWED."

Power of Money, By Adam Khoo (Singapore 's youngest millionaire at 26)

Some of you may already know that I travel around the region pretty frequently, having to visit and conduct seminars at my offices in Malaysia , Indonesia , Thailand and Suzhou ( China ). I am in the airport almost every other week so I get to bump into many people who have attended my seminars or have read my books.

Recently, someone came up to me on a plane to KL and looked rather shocked. He asked, 'How come a millionaire like you is traveling economy?' My reply was, 'That's why I am a millionaire. ' He still looked pretty confused.

This again confirms that greatest lie ever told about wealth(which I wrote about in my latest book 'Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires' ). Many people have been brainwashed to think that millionaires have to wear Gucci, Hugo Boss, Rolex, and sit on first class in air travel. This is why so many people never become rich because the moment that they earn more money, they think that it is only natural that they spend more, putting them back to square one.

The truth is that most self-made millionaires are frugal and only spend on what is necessary and of value. That is why they are able to accumulate and multiply their wealth so much faster.

Over the last 7 years, I have saved about 80% of my income while today I save only about 60% (because I have my wife, mother in law, 2 maids, 2 kids, etc. to support). Still, it is way above most people who save 10% of their income (if they are lucky).

I refuse to buy a first class ticket or to buy a $300 shirt because I think that it is a complete waste of money. However, I happily pay $1,300 to send my 2-year old daughter to Julia Gabriel Speech and Drama without thinking twice.

When I joined the YEO (Young Entrepreneur' s Orgn)a few years back (YEO) is an exclusive club open to those who are under 40 and make over $1m a year in their own business) I discovered that those who were self-made thought like me. Many of them with net worth well over $5m,travelled economy class and some even drove Toyota 's and Nissans,not Audis, Mercs, BMWs.

I noticed that it was only those who never had to work hard to build their own wealth (there were also a few ministers' and tycoons' sons in the club) who spent like there was no tomorrow. Somehow, when you did not have to build everything from scratch, you do not really value money. This is precisely the reason why a family's wealth (no matter how much) rarely lasts past the third generation
Thank God my rich dad foresaw this terrible possibility and refused to give me a cent to start my business.

Then some people ask me, 'What is the point in making so much money if you don't enjoy it?' The thing is that I don't really find happiness in buying branded clothes, jewellery or sitting first class. Even if buying something makes me happy it is only for a while, it does not last.

Material happiness never lasts, it just give you a quick fix. After a while you feel lousy again and have to buy the next thing which you think will make you happy. I always think that if you need material things to make you happy, then you live a pretty sad and unfulfilled life..

Instead, what makes me happy is when I see my children laughing and playing and learning so fast. What makes me happy is when I see my companies and trainers reaching more and more people every year in so many more countries.

What makes me really happy is when I read all the emails about how my books and seminars have touched and inspired someone's life.

What makes me really happy is reading all your wonderful posts about how this blog is inspiring you. This happiness makes me feel really good for a long time, much much more than what a Rolex would do for me.

I think the point I want to put across is that happiness must come from doing your life's work (be it teaching, building homes, designing,trading, winning tournaments etc.) and the money that comes is only a by-product. If you hate what you are doing and rely on the money you earn to make you happy by buying stuff, then I think that you are living a life of meaninglessness.

Adam Khoon is:
Managing Director of Adcom (S) Pte Ltd
Executive Director of Events Guru Pte Ltd
Chief Executive Officer of Adam Khoo Learning Technologies Group Pte Ltd
President of Youth Challenge Membership Chairman of Young Entrepreneurs' Organisation

Who said poetry is boring

THESE ARE ENTRIES TO A WASHINGTON POST COMPETITION ASKING FOR A TWO-LINE RHYME WITH THE MOST ROMANTIC FIRST LINE, AND THE LEAST ROMANTIC SECOND LINE:

1. My darling, my lover, my beautiful wife:
Marrying you has screwed up my life.

2. I see your face when I am dreaming.
That's why I always wake up screaming.

3. Kind, intelligent, loving and hot;
These describe everything you are not.

4. Love may be beautiful, love may be bliss,
But I only slept with you 'cause I was pissed.

5. I thought that I could love no other
-- that is until I met your brother.

6. Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you.
But the roses are wilting, the violets are dead, the sugar bowl's empty and so is your head.

7. I want to feel your sweet embrace;
But don't take that paper bag off your face.

8. I love your smile, your face, and your eyes
Damn, I 'm good at telling lies!

9. My love, you take my breath away.
What have you stepped in to smell this way?

10. My feelings for you no words can tell,
Except for maybe 'Go to hell.'

11. What inspired this amorous rhyme?
Two parts vodka, one part lime.

WHO SAID POETRY IS BORING? And most certainly nobody is going to say dangdut is not art.

The reason we lost Pulau Batu Putih...?

According to Spanish ranking system, Webometric Ranking of World Universities, the Top 10 universities in South-East of Asia are:

1. NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
2. NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
3. KASETSART UNIVERSITY
4. CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY
5. PRINCE OF SONGKLA UNIVERSITY
6. ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY THAILAND
7. CHIANG MAI UNIVERSITY
8. THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY
9. ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY OF THAILAND
10. KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY

Out of the top 10 ranking South East Asia universities, two are from Singapore, and the balance eight universities are from Thailand. Also, on the Top 100 list, Thailand has 41 universities, Myanmar 18, Indonesia 14, the Philippines 13, and Singapore seven.

In Asia, the Top 10 universities are:

1. UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
2. NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
3. KYOTO UNIVERSITY
4. BEIJING UNIVERSITY
5. KEIO UNIVERSITY
6. NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
7. UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
8. CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
9. NATIONAL CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY
10. NAGOYA UNIVERSITY

Out of the Top 10 ranking universities in ASIA, four are from Japan, five are from China, and the remaining one is from Singapore.

In terms of Global Ranking, none of Malaysia's universities are anywhere near the top 1,000.

Well, the fact speaks for itself! Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, Philippines, and Singapore are way ahead of Malaysia. And we are still under the delusion that the Philippines and Indonesia are just countries producing maids, musicians and cheap labourers.

And much as we despise that tiny dot south of Johore, the fact is we couldn't match wits with them and lost Pulau Batu Putih and the economic zones that go with owning what seemed like an insignificant lighthouse. Maybe we could have won if we had argued that Pulau Batu Putih looked like our island, sound like our island, and so must be our island.

Thousands of Visitors Expected at Ratchapruek Festival 2009

More than 200,000 visitors are expected to attend a grand festival designed to celebrate and honour His Majesty the King, now the world’s longest reigning monarch, who will be celebrating his 82nd birthday on 5 December, 2009.

The opening ceremony will be held on 1 December, but the entire festival will run from 30 November – 10 December, 2009, at the Ratchaphruek 2006 Garden in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. His Majesty the King ascended the throne in June 1946 and was coronated in May 1950.

Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and Chiang Mai Provincial Administration, the festival is expected to attract thousands of Thais, expatriate residents of Thailand, and international visitors to the northern region of Thailand.

Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, said “TAT is very proud to host such a magnificent event for our beloved King. The event is designed to honour His Majesty the King and to publicise and promote tourism to Northern Thailand, especially the “Ratchaphruek 2006” Garden. It fits in perfectly with our plans to diversify our range of destinations, spread visitors around the country, and raise the incomes of rural people.”

The festival will help boost domestic tourism, raise hotel occupancies in Chiang Mai, and give extensive exposure to North Thailand, projected to be a bridgehead for Thailand’s future economic development plans and linkages with the Greater Mekong Subregion.

The official opening ceremony will be on 1 December, 2009, with welcoming parades from all four regions of Thailand. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will deliver the opening address and then join the people in releasing 999 Kom Loi (Sky Lanterns). This will be followed by Thai classical dances from the four regions with 99 performers from each region.

The number nine is considered lucky for the Thai people. A slight variation of its pronunciation also means “progress” or “advancement” in Thai.

The grandest part of the festival will be held on His Majesty’s birthday on 5 December, with the lighting of thousands of candles, offering of prayers and blessings for his continued good health, and singing of congratulatory songs, followed by a magnificent display of fireworks and a light and sound show.

Throughout the festival, visitors will be able to enjoy a wonderful horticultural exhibition of flowers, trees and fruits, and sales and competitions of agri-products, handicrafts and village-made souvenirs. Orchid lovers will find this festival a particular delight.

The Ratchaphruek Garden was originally built for the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006, an international horticultural expo, held in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai as part of the celebrations commemorating the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne. Roughly 2.5 million plants and flowers, including some rare species of orchids, were on display at the expo and received over two million visitors.

Chiang Mai is the economic, communications, cultural, and tourism centre of Northern Thailand. In recent years, it has undergone considerable economic development but still retains its historic heritage. It is also becoming increasingly well-known as a centre of traditional Thai massage, meditation, spas, health, and wellness.

Today, Chiang Mai is served by Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Silk Air, Lao Airlines, China Airlines, and Korean Air.

At the same time, the Asian Highway network now taking shape throughout Southeast Asia will, in the not too distant future, link Singapore with Kunming, via both Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

The city is also winning international magazine awards for its charm and lifestyle. The Ratchaphruek Garden continues to be a major tourist spot.

In addition, a number of the “Royal Initiative Discovery” projects which highlight the sufficiency economic concept of His Majesty the King are located in Northern Thailand, and are well-worth checking out.

Performances on the Main Stage
1-10 December, 2009
Tuesday, 1 December, 2009
18.00-22.00 hrs. Opening ceremony and cultural show from the four regions

Wednesday, 2 December, 2009
18.00-22.00 hrs. Drum performance and music from the four regions

Thursday, 3 December, 2009
18.00-22.00 hrs. Folk shows from the four regions

Friday, 4 December, 2009
18.00-22.00 hrs. Jazz music (Royal Compositions of His Majesty the King)

Saturday, 5 December, 2009
18.00-22.00 hrs.

Candle-lighting ceremony in honour of His Majesty the King, 999 fireworks, and Thai folk music

Sunday, 6 December, 2009
18.00-22.00 hrs. Thai folk music (from the northern and northeastern region) and the champion from the Ching Cha Sawan TV programme

Monday, 7 December, 2009
18.00-22.00 hrs. Thai folk music (from the South and Central region)

Tuesday, 8 December, 2009
18.00-22.00 hrs. Orchestra, folk songs, and light-and-sound music show (Lopburi Sri Nakorn Ping Chiang Mai)

Wednesday, 9 December, 2009
18.00-22.00 hrs. Khon “Phra Ram Khrong Mueang”

Thursday, 10 December, 2009
18.00-22.00 hrs. Thai Puppet and International Puppet Show

Contact information:
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tatnews.org

Dealing with the Big "C"

In 1988, my grandaunt died of lung cancer. She was 79 and was a smoker for a better part of her life. In the early 1990s I lost a young cousin to muscle cancer. He died at the age of three. He was never a smoker. About 10 years later I lost a friend to nasal cancer. He was also not a smoker and died before he reached 50. Notice how people tend to associate smoking with cancer and notice how two out of three people may not be smoking but did actually succumb to the disease.

I think most of us had at some point or another lost a dear one or at least an acquaintance to the Big "C". In the old days, treatment of cancer was only chemotherapy, but now John Hopkins Hospital is telling you there is an alternative way. And below I quote the report:-

Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumours. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumour size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumour destruction. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.


WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON:

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,Spoonful etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intes tina l tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soya milk, cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to no urish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties.Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic build-up. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Floressence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, hatred and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

Husband for Sale

HUSBANDS FOR SALE !

A store that sells husbands has just opened in New York City, where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates.

You may visit the store ONLY ONCE!


There are six floors and the attributes of the men increase as the shopper ascends the flights. There is, however, a catch .... You may choose any man from a particular floor, or you may choose to go up a floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building!


So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband. On the first floor the sign on the door reads:
Floor 1 - These men have jobs and love the Lord.


The second floor sign reads:
Floor 2 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, and love kids.


The third floor sign reads:
Floor 3 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids and are extremely good looking.


'Wow,' she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going. She goes to the fourth floor and sign reads:


Floor 4 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, are drop-dead good looking and help with the housework.


'Oh, mercy me!' she exclaims, 'I can hardly stand it!' Still, she goes to the fifth floor and sign reads:


Floor 5 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, are drop-dead gorgeous, help with the housework, and have a strong romantic streak.


She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor and the sign reads:


Floor 6 - You are visitor 4,363,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store. Watch your step as you exit the building, and have a nice day!

Lantern Festival

Nov 1, 2009 - Feb 28, 2010
17:00 - 23:00 Hrs
Hatyai City Municipality Park, Amphur Hatyai, Songkhla, Thailand

A "Lantern Festival" is going to be organized again at Hatyai City Municipality Park, Hatyai, Songkhla from Nov 1, 2009 until Feb 28, 2010. Colorful lanterns will illuminate the park with 9-brand-new wonderful lanterns.

Ice Lantern from Harbin of People's Republic of China
Hatyai City Municipality Office with support from Ministry of Culture, People's Republic of China, Embassy of People's Republic of China in Thailand and Tourism Authority of Thailand organize Ice lanterns which will be set in a -30 degree Celsius Ice Dome and established on display on Dec 5, 2009 onwards until Feb 28, 2010 from 11:00-22:00 hrs in celebration of the 35th Anniversary of Sino-Thai Diplomatic Relationship.

Amazing Colorful Lanterns of 14 Southern Provinces
Lanterns of 14 Southern Provinces will be featured with colorful lanterns featuring goodies of southern provinces: Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, emphasising on the forms of well-known fruits, animals, and culture.

Lantern of the 4 Regions of Thailand
View the lanterns in the theme of "Auspicious Life and Community" from all 4 regions of Thailand.

The North: "Mom"
Mom or Singha Mom was an animal in Himmapan forest (legendary forest), looked like a cat, tiger, and lion. It was a vehicle of the God of Rain.
The Central: Erawan -3 headed elephant
In Buddhist legend, Erawan was believed to be an angel who usually transformed himself into a giant white-elephant with 3 heads each of which had 7 tasks which was 16 millions meters long for each one. Erawan, the 3-headed elephant was the strongest and powerful elephant and was the symbol of prosperity and peace of the nation.
The Northeast: Naga
Naga was a huge crested serpent, a symbol of mightiness and productivity. Naga was also the symbol of rainbow stairs to the universe. Naga was the God of Water.
The South: Kinnari
Kinnari, including Kinnara, was a Himmapan forest's flying creature, half-human and half-bird. It was the symbol of luck.

Fantasy Small World
The Fantasy Small World is the lanterns featuring children's imagination where fantasy and imaginative creations mingle.

International Lantern
Each country has its own national flower which absolutely represents good meaning. National flower of various countries in the form of lanterns will be very spectacular, Sakura from Japan, Lotus from Vietnam and India, Plum flower from China, Jasmine from Philippines, Hibicus from Malaysia, Rose of Sharon from Korea, and Ratchapruek from Thailand.

Animal Planet
Lanterns of Animal Planet will display 3 groups of animals categories by zone. Zone of Africa comprises of lion, hippopotamus, zebra, and African elephant. Zone of Amazon comprises of crocodile and gorilla. Zone of North Pole comprises of Polar Bear, penguin, seal, and whale.

Into the Mythology, Floating Lanterns
Featuring creatures of auspiciousness from global mythologies.

Dragon and Pi Xiu: Chinese sacred creatures.
Dragon is regarded as a god in Chinese belief, it is a symbol of auspiciousness and the sign of the emperor. Pi Xiu is a deer living in heaven. It only has mouth to take in without any hole to pass out anything, which is why it is believed that it's good for commerce, only getting without spending.

Phoenix: Korean and Ancient Egyptian sacred creatures.
Phoenix is a firebird which has power of healing, resurrection, and encourage stimulation. Phoenix is a symbol of eternity.

Unicorn: a European legendary creature.
It is believed to be found in the northern forest of Europe. It looks like a graceful white horse with significant long horn at the middle of forehead. Unicorn is a symbol of purity, whiteness, strength, and gentry.

Tiger: an Asian auspicious power
Tiger is a symbol of power and reverence since the ancient times especially in Asian culture, tiger is one of the 12 Chinese Zodiacs. The coming 2010 is the year of tiger.

Highlight Lanterns
Highlight lanterns on display will be according to the significant events and festivals of Thailand such as Loi Krathong, National Father's Day, New Year Festival, Children's Day, Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year Day, Tourist Season festival, etc.

Lantern Contest
Other lanterns representing academies, tourist business operators, department stores, etc. will be on display for a contest.

In addition, food fairs and a variety of performances and entertainment will be available, including shows and performances from the 10 provinces of China on Feb 17, 2010.

For more information visit www.hatyailantern.com or call TAT Hotline 1672.