Prince ‘C’ is coming

So THE prince is coming to Brunei tomorrow. Initially when I heard a UK prince is coming, straight away my mind narrowed down to err, Prince William (Is there a shy face icon here at WordPress?) Oh, its his father, the Prince of Wales and wife, Camilla. 

Now in Japan, the prince has the climate change and the environmental issues high on his agenda. ‘The Prince of Wales has warned governments around the world not to let concerns with the global “credit crunch” distract them from the growing problem of the “climate crunch”‘ says this article from the prince’s official website.

In Brunei he will be visiting the Badas Forest Reserve and plant the 1,000^th tree there as a landmark, said this press release.

I think the prince has been ‘campaigning’ about the environment decades ago, just when the world found out about that hole in the earth’s ozone layer. He has been talking about climate change a long time ago when I was still in school. Of course, personally I wasn’t aware about the issues then.

He is also a supporter of the inter-faith relations. In 2004, His Royal Highness was awarded the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah International Prize ‘for his work to promote greater understanding between the Islamic and Western world.’

When I told my mom about the visit, she thought the Queen would also be here. I replied, ‘Nope’. Mom then asked, ‘Why isnt he bringing his mother to Brunei?’ in her motherly-tone. No reply to that sort of tone. She loves the Queen whom she describe dearly as the pure English rose. I agree not just because she is my mom.

When I was small, I always thought that all princes are Prince Charming. Blame it on those fairy tales. It was more confusing as Charles also started with a ‘c’. I grew up thinking, surely I would meet my Prince Charming, dancing in a beautiful dress with white gloves, living happily ever after. I did and he is breathing behind my neck now….hehe.

Welcome to Brunei Your Royal Highnesses.

The peatswamps in Brunei

The “alan bunga” community on the Badas Peat Dome, Brunei. The canopy is composed entirely of Shorea albida. Pic by Dr Jonathan Davies

Peatlands cover 19% of Brunei and most can be found in the Belait District. Not many people would know the importance of peatswamps. They are very important in mitigating climate change as they are huge carbon stores, just like a sponge absorbing water; and in their natural state actively accumulate carbon from the atmosphere.

Dr Jonathon Davies, an expert on peatswamps and who would be leading a project called the rehabilitation of the degraded peatswamps in Brunei said that the peatswamp forests of Brunei have a very high biodiversity values; most peatlands have a doomed structure, upon which are found unique vegetation communities. Brunei is the last stronghold for some of these communities.

Peatlands are very fragile ecosystems; once they are drained for logging and agriculture, the peat starts to decompose and they release carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, lose their carbon-accumulating and flood control functions and so much of the biodiversity is lost.

Degraded mixed peat swamp forest burning during the drought of 1998 in Brunei. Pic by Dr Jonathan Davies

They also become verys susceptible to fire and are major contributors to the haze that envelopes parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei during dry periods annually. Works in other countries has shown that peatland rehabilitation is viable and very cost-effective in contrast to other carbon reduction schemes.

As part of the Heart of Borneo project, an action plan has been identified with the main objective of encouraging policy changes to stimulate rehabilitation and conservation of peatlands in Brunei as well as identifying pilot sites for trying out innovative methods of rehabilitating peatlands.  The rehabilitation of peatlands is a two-stage process, first, the water table is restored to its former level before drainage and secondly, reforestation is carried out where new trees are planted to replace those lost before. The aim is in some cases to restore the biodiversity value and in other cases, to encourage sustainable forestry and agriculture.

Dr Jonathan Davies pointed out that converting peatlands to other uses is seldom a good investment, aside from the loss of the ecological services that they provide. “There is a lot of experience in the region to show that what seems easy with modern technology ends up being hugely expensive and technically difficult, when done on a large scale, because of the nature of the peat itself and the water management that has to be done. It is a lot more beneficial to manage peatlands in harmony with nature”.

Later alligator

“Later”, I said.

“What time is later?” asked my non-Bruneian colleague.

Then she added: “Everytime I heard a Bruneain says ‘later’ it worries me. I wouldn’t know when exactly. Would it be at six or eight in the evening or would it be the day after, in which case I also need to expect what time would that be.”

As I was too busy to explain why we Bruneains say later so I told my friend on the exact time. Actually I am still busy now; it has been crazy for the past couple of weeks due to my workload. I need a short break and thought of my blog…been missing updating it.

So, many things have happened in the previous weeks – the world financial tumble, the assurance from the Brunei Government (thank you Your Majesty), the melamine scandal (the list just got longer), schools, day care, house chores, my plants, etcetra.

I have put everything on hold just because of this very heavy workload I have at the moment. So, yes later to almost everything including updating my blog and I think this is the time for that ‘later.’ Now I have been staring at the screen blankly, when this ‘later’ time comes and I don’t know what should write about but ‘later’.

Later!

You don’t have to agree with me if I say this. When a Bruneian say later, it mean a certain time zone and not a specific time. ‘Later after Isya’ which means somewhere between eight to ten in the evening.  

‘After work’ could mean at five in the afternoon or six in the evening and surely before the dusk prayer.  ‘Later’ can also mean next time which again is not specific but could mean not in the near future when the speaker is free but then again you wouldn’t know when.

I have no idea why we are not the specific. Not that we are not keeping our word or are not being serious with what we are saying. I think the Malays in particular talk about things indirectly. They would use words more subtly and the listener might have to understand the hidden meaning. It sound complicated. Huh… my ‘later’ time is up…hopefully I would be able to write somemore here… later.

Borneo’s stick bug is the world’s longest

This longest bug is called Phobaeticus chani, or

In this undated picture made available Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 by Britain’s Natural History Museum, a giant stick insect named Phobaeticus chani, meaning ‘Chan’s megastick.’ is seen. Britain’s Natural History Museum says a Malaysian amateur naturalist has discovered the world’s longest insect, the more than 22-inch long ‘megastick.’ The museum says the oversized walking stick bug was discovered by Datuk Chan Chew Lun on the Malaysian island of Borneo.

From yahoo news:

LONDON – A stick bug from the island of Borneo measuring well over a foot in length has been identified by researchers as the world’s longest insect, British scientists said Thursday.

The specimen was found by a local villager and handed to Malaysian amateur naturalist Datuk Chan Chew Lun in 1989, according to Philip Bragg, who formally identified the insect in this month’s issue of peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. The insect was named Phobaeticus chani, or “Chan’s megastick,” in Chan’s honor.

Paul Brock, a scientific associate of the Natural History Museum in London unconnected to the insect’s discovery said there was no doubt it was the longest still in existence. That assessment was also confirmed by Marco Gottardo, an entomologist at Italy’s Natural History Museum of Ferrara and Aaron T. Dossey, a researcher at the University of Florida in Gainesville who studies the insects.

Looking like a pencil-thin shoot of bamboo, the dull-green insect measures about 22 inches, if its twig-like legs are counted. Its body length is 14 inches, beating the previous record held by Phobaeticus kirbyi, also from Borneo, by about an inch.

Stick bugs have some of the animal kingdom’s cleverest camouflage. Although some use noxious sprays or prickly spines to deter their predators, generally the bugs assume the shape of sticks and leaves to avoid drawing attention.

“Their main defense is basically hanging around, looking like a twig,” Brock said. “It will even sway in the wind.”

Effect of drinking cold water

60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up.

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this ’sludge’ reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks – You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.

You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let’s be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive.

A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this message sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we’ll save at least one life. Read this & Send the link to a friend.

Food for thought

World Food Day

It’s World Food Day today, 16 October, a worldwide event designed to increase awareness, understanding and informed, year-around action to alleviate hunger. The connection between hunger and poverty is the theme of World Food Day. Understanding and awareness are raised today.

The World Food Day was proclaimed in 1979 by the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It marks the date of the founding of FAO in 1945. The aim of the Day is to heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. In 1980, the General Assembly endorsed observance of the Day in consideration of the fact that “food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a fundamental human necessity” (resolution 35/70 of 5 December 1980).

There are 923 million undernourished people in the world said the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN. The FAO estimates that 75 million of the world hungry are a direct result of high food prices.

Cyclone victims reaching for food

In a sombre new warning, the World Bank says that the poorest people worldwide have been pushed to the brink of survival, and the collapse of global financial confidence has made matters worst.
The World Bank’s president, Robert Zoellick said: “The financial crisis will only make it more difficult for developing countries to protect their most vulnerable people from the impact of rising food and fuel costs”.

In 2008, the world first woke up to the challenges of feeding a population that will grow from 6 billion to 9 billion by 2050. Food security has been high on the agenda for world meetings.

This BBC report says that food prices have gone up steadily, spurred by oil price rises that were the most rapid since the early 1970s, knocking on to higher transport costs and fertiliser prices for food producers. Food prices, the report say, were in part pushed up by the increasing wealth in Asia.

His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei just talked about the growing world problem of food insecurity which is a very important statement that Bruneians need to take very seriously.

Quoting from The Brunei Times of today, it says that Brunei is currently only capable of producing 3.21 per cent (or 1,084 tonnes) of its rice needs when countries that are already producing 70 percent are working very hard to produce 100 percent.

I don’t think that Bruneians will forever enjoy all the subsidies that the Government is providing at the moment. So what will happen to the food we eat? Here today, gone tomorrow? What will happen to our future generation?

Perhaps this interesting piece of information, though bit out-dated, can open up our eyes. The FAO in its country report on undernourishment has this to say about Brunei: 

Brunei Darussalam has a very low level of undernourishment; 4 percent of the population is undernourished. Both the proportion and the number of undernourished people have increased from 1990-92, benchmark period of the World Food Summit, WFS and Millennium Development, MD, to 2002-04, the latest period available. The decreasing trend in proportion and number of undernourished observed during the first half ofthe period reversed in recent years.

 

Hunger map. Four percent of Brunei's population are under-nourished said the FAO.

The report says that the food supply in Brunei has not improved since the 1990’s and the that the prevalence of undernourishment in Brunei Darussalam is lower than in Southeast Asia and Asia and the Pacific. Yes, we do have the under-nourished and poverty in Brunei. I don’t know if we are really lucky because our population is small so the rates are always very small or low compared to other countries but then again we must start to do something now for our own survival.

Now all this talk about food is making me hungry but those millions who are hungry elsewhere in the world will always be in my mind. 

End world poverty by 2015. We are actually the generation that can end the poverty.

How to be a millionaire?

My bro forwarded me this email. Thought I want to share with you on how to be one…

Do you have the potential to be A Millionaire?

A jobless man applied for the position of ‘office boy’ at Microsoft. The  HR manager interviewed him then watched him cleaning the floor as a test. ‘You are employed.’ He said.’ Give me your e-mail address and I’ll send you the application to fill in, as well as date when you may start.’

The man replied ‘But I don’t have a computer, neither an email.’ I’m sorry’, said the HR manager, ‘If you don’t have an email, that means you do not exist. And who doesn’t exist, cannot have the job.’

The man left with no hope at all. He didn’t know what to do, with only $10 in his pocket. He then decided to go to the supermarket and buy a 10Kg tomato crate.

He then sold the tomatoes in a door to door round. In less than two hours, he succeeded to double his capital. He repeated the Operation three times, and returned home with $60. The man realized that he can survive by this way, and started to go everyday earlier, and return late Thus, his money doubled or tripled every day. Shortly, he bought a cart, then a truck, then he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles.

Five years later, the man is one of the biggest food retailers in the US . He started to plan his family’s future, and decided to have a life insurance. He called an insurance broker, and chose a protection plan. When the conversation was concluded, the broker asked him his email. The man replied, ‘I don’t have an email’. The broker answered curiously, ‘You don’t have an email, and yet have succeeded to build an empire. Can you imagine what you could have been if you had an email?!!’

The man thought for a while and replied, ‘Yes, I’d be an office boy at Microsoft!’

Moral of the story:

M1 – Internet is not the solution to your life.
M2 – If you don’t have internet, and work hard, you can be a millionaire.
M3 – If you received this message by email, you are closer to being an office boy, than a millionaire……….

Have a great day!!!

Pls Note:
- Do not forward this email to me back, I’m closing all my email addresses & going to sell tomatoes!!!
- Smiling after reading is not mandatory!!!!

Brunei one cent coin

Shiny new one-cent Brunei coins

Love them. Loathe them. Leave them. Use them. Keep them… The one cent coins. 

The Brunei Currency and Monetory Board just released the new Brunei once cent coins and will be in circulation along with the current ones. The new one is said to be made from a composition of copper and zinc metals, to save production cost and is yellowish in color, while the present one-cent coin, the board said, is made up of only copper metal and is brownish in color.

One-cent coins have been in circulation since 22 August 1967, along with the 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents coin. Eversince shops around the country put a price tag that ends with mostly 9, customers can expect to be given the brownish metals, soon to-be the yellowish ones. 

My uncle shared with me on his real-life story about the one cent coin. While waiting for his queue to pay at a counter, he noticed that some of the items in this ‘popular’ department store ended with a 9. He noted that the toothbrush he picked cost $3.99.

When it was his turn, he paid four dollars and waited for his one cent balance. And waited. And waited until the cashier said, ‘Next please’. My uncle said, ‘Hey, I am waiting for my one cent.’ The cashier was taken aback but gave him his one cent. He turned to the next customer and said, ‘This is a big supermarket, surely they have one coin. Every coin counts.’

Well there’s a truth in this isnt it. When we are at the cashier and we are short of even a cent, the cashier will wait for us until we have the exact amount. Can be embarrasing at times. So thats fair and square.

Butterfly lovers

Wu Zun, Brunei’s own international superstar, will be in Brunei cinema tomorrow, The Mall to be exact. Chun, as he is known in Brunei, has his first big screen movie, the ‘Butterfly Lovers’ set stomachs churning and fluttering among his thousands of fans, mostly female, across Asia. 

A screen cut from Butterfly Lovers starring Hong Kong actress Charlene Choi and Brunei born star Wu Zun, with the actor showing his muscles while filming one of the scenes…Image credits to On.cc

His female star is Charlene Choi where the two have been rumoured as an item. This Wu Zun Fever site said the two have many skin contacts in the movie but does not move Chun (oh pluz!) But, the site continue, what moves Chun is his female lead’s muscles (now, now) and atery veins which shown through her legs, her calves, I am sure. Now, why do I sound like a gossip columnist?   

A quick search got me into another ‘Butterfly lovers’ play but of a different version. In Chun’s movie, he is a highly-skilled martial artist  but the following is an abstract from the other play: 

The Butterfly Lovers is a 17th Century Chinese story about a couple and their forbidden love. Set in the picturesque town of Hangzhou (which lies about 100 miles southwest of Shanghai), the only daughter (YingTai) of a rich provincial lord disguises as a boy in order to go into higher education where she meets a scholar, ShangBo. He is talented and hard-working, but poor, but neveretheless soon she falls in love with him. However, not long after, she is ordered to return home because her parents decide to marry her into a rich family. It is then that she confesses to ShangBo of her love for him.

In spite of her declaration, YingTai is forced home to wait for the day of her marriage with the rich man, whilst ShangBo goes to the capital city to sit his exams.

Later, ShangBo receives a post as a provincial officer and goes to YingTai’s family to propose marriage, but is harshly turned down because of his poor family background. ShangBo dies in the misery for his love for YingTai, and YingTai is still made to follow the engagement her parents made for her. On the day when she is sent to the wedding ceremony, her carriage passes by ShangBo’s tomb. She goes down from her carriage to pay her tribute to ShangBo, a request she made to her parents. As she knelt in from of his tomb, the tomb opens and she steps in…

YingTai disappears, and onlookers only see two butterflies flying out of the tomb. It was said that they were ShangBo and YingTai, freed from the bounds of tradition.

Anyway, catch the movie tomorrow guys, if you love Chinese movies that is, and Chun in particular. After all, every dollar collected for the movie will go to SMARTER. Also keep your ticket as it will be your pass to meet Chun in person ‘at a later date’ said a report in Borneo Bulletin today.

Open House

Now now. In my last post, I said yesterday was the ‘halt’ of Raya. I cant believe this, I just got an invitation to a Raya open house tonight. It doesn’t matter that it’s a last minute invite as there’s not much happenings in Brunei but on a weekday? Also, I have been arguing with my other half about this concept of this Open House where you set a specific date and time for all Dicks, Johns and Harrys or our Malay version – si Daud, Johan & Hairi.

Apologies if my point may be offending to others who concur with the concept but my point was that the personal touch is gone once you set the time and date to entertain your guests. How on earth can you spend time when there are so many guests coming, worse at the same time and all you can say is, ‘Bah, makan  tah’ or ‘Please help yourselves with the food’?

When was the Open House concept, err should I say, conceive? Correct me if I am wrong but I remember it started about five or six years ago when the idea to get everyone at the same time became like a trend or fashion. Now it has become a tradition.

Oh yes, I would still go to any Open House but I don’t think I would do one for myself. I just hope the host would still have time to hear my answers when asked how I am doing…if the host can steal time to ask. This is just me being myself trying to know a person on a personal basis. Not simply, Hi and Bye or Wham! Bam!….Thankyou ermmm…, who are you again?) That’s just very rude isnt it.

Oh my, I sound paranoid…I should relax, let loose and enjoy Hari Raya while it last. Maaf Zahir & Batin everyone.

When Raya ends

My girl asked the other day when Raya ends? I said in a month. She said, ‘Wow!’ Except that suddenly Raya ends today, at least for these week days, that is. Today is the start of the third fourth term for most schools, public and private; and also just a nice day to be back to work. But not yours truly. Unfortunately for some employees like me who work in the ‘non-Government’ sector (though mine is a unique one), we started work on the second day of Raya, last Friday. I even have to finish some work beyond our working hours until my colleague shouted: “its your Hari Raya! Go back home and celebrate it!”

For students in primary six or Year Six as from next year they are called, are not in celeberatory mood either. Next week is the start of their public exam in which if they pass the exam, will enable them to advance to ‘secondary level’. My girl used to say this is their puberty period, school-wise. I hope that doesn’t give them pressure to grow up quickly, young people these days!

So what is it like to celebrate Hari Raya in Brunei? We love celebrations and family-gatherings (not being sarcastic here, that’s the truth). Brunei is a close-knit family oriented community, so you wont be surprise if everybody knows everyone in Brunei. Hari Raya can go on for a month, with the exception of weekdays routine like work and school, that is.

My other half said its not as joyous or fun when he was much younger. I replied, ‘Of course. Its called ageing.’ Different people have different reaction when asked, ‘So, how’s your Raya?’

My sister is in the UK now, a first for her and family. A friend is now in Azerbaijan, working and will only be back in the middle of this month. My girl is cramming her head as she prepare for her public exam next week. And for us the whole family, it’s been crazy as we just moved in to our own home sweet home, a few days before Raya. Funny the whole family was in full swing preparing to celebrate Hari Raya and come first day of Hari Raya, we all over-slept!

What I did notice this year was the herds, should I say, of children sometimes as young as five, who went from houses to houses, just to collect ‘duit raya’ or the green packet containing money. I remember a few years back, some parents even dropped off their own children from one point and let these children roamed around, sometimes crossing busy roads, just to collect money. How sad was that? I am really relieved that this year there is none to report, at least from areas like Jerudong, Sengkurong or even Gadong. That’s from my own points. Have you seen any in your area?

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar… (remind me of those prelude of Hari Raya radio greetings overseas students would normally say).

So tomorrow is Hari Raya Aidil Fitri or Eidul Fitri or Eid Mubarak for Brunei. Most of other countries started yesterday and today. Hari Raya is one of the two main festivals for the Muslims, the other being the Hari Raya Aidil Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice – held during the end of the haj pilgrimage season.  

Anyway, back to Hari Raya. The day is the V-Day for Muslims who have fought spirtitually, mentally and physically during the whole month of Ramadhan. Aidilfitri (from the Arabic Eid-ul-Fitra) is the celebration of fitrah, and marks the end of Ramadhan. Hence the ‘Fitri’ word at Aidil Fitri. Some parents took the liberty of naming their children with, usually ‘Fitri’ for boys and ‘Suraya’ for girls who are born during Hari Raya.

My late grandma (may Allah bless her soul) used to say that those who didn’t fast should not celebrate Hari Raya. There must be some truth in this, right?  Hari Raya is the time where we celebrate after winning in the month-long struggle; not only to fight thrist and hunger but to discipline ourselves and deepen our faith in Islam.

When I was very young, I used to believe that I must fast ‘religiously’ as much as I can so I can celebrate Hari Raya and get to wear new clothes and shoes and make visits to collect – not money during my time but candies and expensive chocolates. Aww….such sweet memories…

Ramadan, a month of piety, restraint and meditation should be capped by zakat fitrah, the giving of tithe which is mandatory of all adult and sane Muslims on behalf of themselves as well as their dependents. Fasting during Ramadan and the giving of zakat (charity) constitute two of the five pillars of Islam. Zakat means purification, of our wealth and souls. Zakat fitrah purifies our earlier fasting.

So to all Muslims around the world, Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. To those who know me personally or virtually, I sincerely ask for forgiveness for my words or actions which I may have did unintentionally. May Allah bless you and I seek forgiveness from Him too.

To my Malay readers, enjoy this pantun which have been sent to me by my dear friend at the Info Dept…

Berhari raya memakai gelang
Gelang emas penuh selengan
Ramadhan pergi raya menjelang
Marilah bergembira menyambut kemenangan

Mercun di main bunyi berdentum
Berdentum dekat rumah Pak Salleh
Tangan di hulur senyum menguntum
Dengan pertanyaan ” Minta Duit Raya..Bulehh?” (okay, am too old for duit raya)

Mari mengorat anak pak mat (hehe – mengorat pulak dia)
Lepas mengurat rambut diikat
Hari mulia penuh rahmat
Semoga semuanya sehat walafiat

Berbaju kebaya berantai intan
Terkebil-kebil mata semua
Di sini saya mengambil kesempatan
Memohon maaf pada semua

Hari raya memasak kari
Kari di masak minah kumari
Hanya email penganti diri
Kalau beli kad raya badgetku pulak lari

Hari raya berbaju kebaya
Berbaju kebaya si kebaya nyonya
Sekian seloka dari saya
Dengan ucapan “Selamat Hari Raya”

“Selamat Hari Raya Maaf Zahir Dan Batin”
“Berhati-hati Di Jalan Raya”
“Hari Raya Untuk Dirai Bukan Untuk Ditangisi”