End of the world post

Well... okay... the world didn't end like the Mayans predicted.

For a moment I thought it actually did.  I thought I the world ended and I wound up in Hell.  Which is no surprise really.  Then I realised it was 90s weekend on the radio and they were playing New Kids On The Block.  I thought God was punishing me!  Phew!

So... I'm afraid, life goes on.

Which is interesting as the New Year is coming up!
And since I have a coach, he got me going with another "Plan For The Best Year Ever".

Now this isn't just another New Year's Resolution thing.  I suppose it has the same inclination...

...but blown up by about 100 times.

Here' my coach talking about it on BFM - The Business Radio Station

The first part is about 'GRATITUDE'.  And this is the one I like best.
And in particular, the 10 greatest happenings of the year.
Here's mine (in no particular order):

1. Flying myself to the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix and then flying Niko Hulkenberg, Paul Di Resta (Force India drivers), Vitaly Petrov (Caterham), Ross Brawn & Kimi Raikkonen to KL right after.  Met them, talked to them and shook their hands.  Cool. 
2. Flew myself to the Singapore F1 GP and by accident, watched The Pretenders concert before the race!
3. Spent 24 hours in Melbourne with the family on a work trip.  Probably the single best family time we had in the whole year.
4. Got interviewed on BFM - twice! 
5. Got my health back.  I started 2012 with a growth in my lungs measuring 4cm by 4cm.  I end 2012 with an all-clear!
6. Got on the podium in the 1st round of the Dubai Kartdrome 24-hour Endurance Challenge.  Always nice to be on the podium.
7. Concept 10 10 took part in the Women In Leadership Forum.  The best thing about it - meeting so many inspirational women!
8. Got re-elected into MY-UAE Exco and subsequently resigned after a sensational blow up against a power crazy leader.  And why is this a 'great happening of the year'?  I stood up to him and gave him a huge piece of my mind.  That's why.
9. The most memorable birthday.  I've had many, but this has to be one of the most memorable.  The family was in KL for the school holidays, so I did a KL flight.  Spent time with the family.  Had a great coaching session at Gardens.  And then on the flight back, the sweet Purser led the crew in singing the Happy Birthday song and gave me a present and a cake. I have to fly on my birthday again!
10. Winning the Eversendai Cup.  The inaugural Malaysian 5-a-side tournament in Dubai was a great success and I captained the side to the trophy.  Got my picture into Khaleej Times too!

There you go.  All I need to say is Alhamdulillah!  Thank you God!

Internet Blackout Day

So what was that whole Internet Blackout Day all about?

Basically, there's a new law in Malaysia - it says that you could be liable of something that is posted on your Facebook wall or blog by somebody else.  Because it's your wall or blog it's your responsibility!

Malaysiakini has a good write-up here.

Centre For Independent Journalism heads the campaign against Section 114A to the Evidence Act 1950.
Follow it on Facebook to see what will happen next.

The good news is the PM has tweeted that he has "asked cabinet to discuss Section 114A of the Evidence Act 1950. Whatever we do we must put people first."

So let's see what happens!

They're not all smart!

I was reading on Facebook just now and came across a post where the 'Mat Salleh's' opinion seem to matter more than a regular joe Malaysian (I suppose a regular 'Mat' would be more appropriate, but never mind).

I work with Mat (& Minah) Sallehs all the time.  Let me tell you, there are some pretty dim ones out there.  The color of their skin does not make any difference in their intelligence.  I have to admit, the may appear to be so, but that's where the difference lies.  

It's all in their communication skills. They communicate well!


They say what they think and they will tell you their opinions, whether you like it or not.


Regardless if they're right or wrong.

Most times they will tell you what they think.  Sometimes they even think out loud.  Still, it doesn't mean they're intelligent!

Just because they communicate well, does not mean they are intelligent.  Just because they're intelligent, doesn't mean they communicate well! (Watch 'Big Bang Theory' on TV and you'll get the idea)

So the trick is, to be intelligent and know how to communicate exactly how you would like others to understand you.
If nobody understands you, then how will you ever bring your intelligent idea out?



Disclaimer:
I do not think Mat Sallehs are all dim
I do not think all Mat Sallehs have high communication skills

So is it Halal or not?

The information highway is going at full speed!  There's many things to like about it, like the free access of information but then there's one thing I don't like-the spread of vicious unconfirmed rumors.  What am I going on about? 


Well... lately it's been the red-dot and the gelatin issue.


To put it simply, the email and FB post circulating is saying that it's ALL haram!


C'mon lah.... 


If you want to spread some sort of email or advice why don't you look it up first?  If you haven't heard, there's this thing called Google.  
Oxford dictionary added 'google' in 2006.  You know how I know that?  I googled it.


Now this halal food thing has been long running issue for me.
I left Malaysia to live overseas when I was 17 when I went to Australia.  At 19, I went to live in Singapore.  I had to go to the supermarket and buy halal food when it was all mixed with things I'm not supposed to consume.  Guess what I did.  I read the labels.  Was it hard?  Heck yeah!  But I had to do it.  And what about those codes then?  Specifically those E codes.  Well, I looked around for the definitions.  I remember one the first reliable E code definitions I got from the net was from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS).  
I didn't know so I educated myself.  If you look hard enough you'll find it.


Don't know what that red dot is?
Check this out:

Statement on “red dot” label on Mars chocolate products in Egypt
Mars products always comply to the legal and cultural norms of all the markets it does business in. Mars products, including Snickers, Bounty and Mars bars do not contain pork nor pork derivatives. Mars products are exported to a number of markets, of which India is one; the red dot that may appear on some of our packaging is a legal requirement for the Indian Market. It indicates that the product may contain egg, which is not suitable for some vegetarians in India. Still, to further clarify the matter, we are currently completing the process of separating the packaging for the two markets which will minimize future misunderstanding. 


Source: http://www.mars.com/global/press-center/media-library-search.aspx?SiteId=148&Id=3258

What about gelatin then?  


Ever heard of halal gelatin?  No?  Then google it.


But here's the short story:
Gelatine is derived from animals.  Those animals can be pigs, cows and even fish.  So if a cow is slaughtered properly is it halal?  Yes?  So if the gelatin is derived from a halal-slaughtered cow it will be halal?  Yes?


So if the label says it's halal but the ingredients say it contains gelatin it is possible that it actually is halal?  Yes?
Good.
Now you understand.  If you don't understand, then google it first.  You're already using a computer with an internet connection.


Before you spread whatever it is, it deserves it's due diligence.  If not, you may just be spreading lies.