So, Happy Chinese New Year to all Chinese all around the world…and to the rest of us, life goes on…I will try to write more – though not a promise there.

Take care

So what’s new with Brunei? I guess the hot news just a week ago was this girl who stood for almost three hours under the sun, clad in pink baju kurung and, (okay thats nothing, right?) AND, contemplating whether to jump or not from a rooftop of an eight-storey Government building.

Internet-savy Bruneians were quick to upload images and videos as the drama unfold via Facebook and Twitter. Apparently, the girl was one of those who are under-going counselling at the building for troubled girls. Nasty as well as empathy comments were thrown to her and some humour added to that. Personally to me, I felt sorry for her. I mean, what if she is your sister, daughter, cousin, friend? Would you joke about the situation? I think the good news was that she spent three hours on that rooftop, admiring the view? Maybe. Joke aside, I think she may not be that suicidal as she would do it the very moment she reached the top and ended her life there and then.

The issue here for me is: why does Brunei have troubled or disturbed people? Those who have psychological problems? Their minds not in peace? Is the world too much for them? Brunei, as far as I can say, is the most peaceful country on Earth. We dont have political instability here. Our health and education are among the best in the world and for many, we are the luckiest human being on this planet because we have the cheapest petrol, right?

So whats troubling you that you wanted to end your life, please tell me? I need to chill down myself for now, thank you.

Haji Rais, seated, left, in one of the production sets for a local drama series, Perjalanan or journey made in 2008. Pic from: RegalBlue Production

At press time, Liau Badar is still missing, three days after his fishing boat was found floating near Jerudong beach without him. Liau Badar whose real name is Awang Haji Rais bin Banih, aged 74, is a very well-known artist especially from Brunei’s hit Tv drama series, ‘Keluarga Liau Badar’ or  ‘Family of Liau Badar’. He plays the main character as the head of his family of three in the series.

It was reported in the local news that Haji Rais left for his usual fishing outing last Sunday morning. By ten, a relative found his boat floating and alerted Search and Rescue team, said the report. Until now as I post this, he is still missing. The news report said that he is feared to be drowned. Search continues. The news shocked many Bruneians. Facebookers gave him the title the ‘Living Legend’ and there’s even a community page in Facebook with the name Keluarga Liau Badar.

On the ‘Kelaurga Liau Badar,’ I think if there is a vote, I would choose the series as the best ever Brunei drama with the whole cast winning an award. The drama is popular here in Brunei as the language use is a truly Bruneian dialect, only understood by Bruneians obviously. There are hidden messages in the drama as it tells the daily issues faced by Bruneians, from money to health to education but relayed with humorous scripts. For Liau Badar, his character is more to a fatherly-figure, advising his wife and his only daughter, Dang Limah on everyday life. Here is a post from the Blogmanison blog on one of the series entitled ‘Ribut’ or storm. The dialogue is very funny; you have to understand Brunei dialect though.

For the family of Haji Rais, I pray for the best. Only Allah The Most Knowledgeable knows. Wallahua’alam. He would surely be missed.

I have no idea who this Zek  is, the guy in the video. Heard that he was making a sincere apology to his gf who is now studying in the UK. He has lost contact with her – email, twitter, facebook, IMs, in fact lost in communications and he has no idea how to reach her. The only way was to make a video and upload it in YouTube, with a little help from a friend.

 The video, edited with a sentimental, soft, background music was uploaded by Zek’s friend. Check out the video – it’s ten minutes long. We couldnt help but felt sorry for Zek but laughed at the same time. It’s funny at times. Up to now, the video has been viewed 28,099 times since it was uploaded only yesterday. Brunei’s got talent!

Now the video in turn has garnered support from the country. People are supporting  Zek. Here’s a song called ‘Tribute to Zek Kaachhinggzz’  produced by Nasi Katok Production. Love the lyrics! The video:

~ from Islam terbukti benar Facebook page.

Alhamdullilah, we meet the holy month again this year. Maher Zain, the popular Muslim artist in his post said that he will be participating again in the ‘Celebrate Mercy’ during the holy month and share his thoughts and views with Muslim scholars around the world.

His post of Sunday, 8 August 2010 says: “While Ramadan is around the corner, I ask you please to be extra kind in the next 30 days by doing acts of good. Let us all remember the destitute people of Pakistan, Gaza and Darfur and elsewhere around the world and give from what Allah has given us. Don’t worry about the amount or value…just do your best and leave the rest to Allah.”

In Brunei, the fasting month is usually mark with more donations like donating cash (more to credit actually) via SMS for the orphans. I dont want to start arguing on how the system is managed, lets just donate sincerely and whole-heartedly.

With the humblest feeling, I bow to Allah’s greatness. Personally, I hope this year will be better than last year and as always, I pray for all Muslims around the world for eternal peace for mankind. May Allah gives His forgiveness and blessings in this holy month, amin.

For many the journey is a life-transforming event, "jolting"them out of their old lives, helping them to grow in confidence and self-esteem and giving them the ability to take control of their future.

Sometimes I wonder how it felt to be unable to do things that people say you cant do or stop you especially if you are a physically-disabled person. JoLT is a small UK charity formed for the physically disabled, abused and neglected young people. They are now in Brunei as part of their Borneo tour that see them travel to Sarawak and Sabah. So far they have seen the Niah Caves and met OrangUtan, travel by rivers and the sea and will be spending more time in the nature in Sabah. While in Brunei, Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajah Maryam played host to the special visitors and held a fun-pack morning with games and food, thanks to the Patron.

A member of JoLT at Pusat Ehsan. For many, their journey is not a gentle trip.

Princess Fadzillah Lubabul Bolkiah and Hajah Mariam arriving at Pusat Ehsan. Hajah Mariam is the Patron of Pusat Ehsan.

One of the fun games for the visitors and the home team - passing as many balls in a 'tunnel' of plastic bottles.

One of the special children from Pusat Ehsan posing when she knew I was taking her picture. Sweet.

New bottled water spotted on the field. Oxygenated!

Tug of war between visitor and home teams. Doesnt matter who won. It was fun!

Maria goes to the market was a fun race where each participant has to dress up, sarung and all and bring a basket of veggies and making sure none are drop.

Gifts for the visitors from the patron

When I was small, I would looked up in awe to the helium-filled balloons, lollipops, keropok (food crackers) and all those noisy, shiny and brightly-coloured-lit toys and gadgets that may have cost my parents a fortune. Strange enough for a girl, I used to love Ultraman ^^.

When I was a teenager, the many stalls being erected especially for the celebrations were my bestest friend. Nope, not the food stalls but the clotheswear sections. Bangles,bracelets, anklets, fancy t-shirts with slogans like, ‘I am cool’ were really cool and the rage during my time. Now I see ‘Short-term girlfriend’… Then there were those selling pumps, cowboy boots and fancy, feathery, really girly slippers, even bunny slippers. I love shoes.

As I grow to adulthood, I have always enjoyed the food being offered, until now. They are really cheap too. Different stall have different taste of satay, soto & nasi ayam. Now we have ayam penyet. Not forgetting all those preserved fruits like jaruk lobak and kedundong. For some, celebrations like this spell sotong tutuk or smoked squid. *drooling*

Then there is the stage shows with budding artists who look like they were just being pluck from all corners of the country. Students and youth organisations would perform anything from the traditional dance to hip-hop, singers belting local melodies to Justin Beiber’s songs, am sure. Rock bands, Indie bands, Pop, Ballad and even dangdut. Next year I am confident the stage shows will be toned down. Watch this space!

Also, as I grow wiser (ehem), I never miss the Majlis Ilmu or the Knowledge Convention which is coming to its sixth year now. Majlis Ilmu is one of the major events of the birthday celebration where a gathering and exhibition of scholars, academicians and experts in a chosen theme meet up every year (except last year, there was no Majlis Ilmu).

This year it will be held as usual at the ICC in Berakas, from the 26th July until 1st August with the theme on Melayu or Malay. I cant wait! The public exhibition will be held for a week starting from the 26th July. Among the highlights that I gather is the latest archeological finding on the oldest Malay human. Sofea Jane’s movie Perempuan Melayu Terakhir (the last Malay lass) comes to my mind…

More info on the events (in Malay) here.

One thing that I enjoy the most ever since I was small is the firework display. I love firework. I look forward to the display again this time of the year. It is the birthday tradition to the Bruneians.

For an up-to date of the events listing, check out from the official birthday celebrations website on major events (and other district-level events as well).

Enjoy the celebrations (and dont forget to bring along your umbrella!)

Firework display over The Empire Hotel & Country Club in 2009. I love firework displays.

His Majesty has been talking about renewable energy, food security, poverty, housing, environmental issues, regional stability, Islamic banking and all the issuance of Sukuks or Islamic bonds to Brunei’s own Halal brand which hopefully will be considered by the OIC as the global Halal benchmark. I personally like the Heart of Borneo project and I do hope that Brunei will be included in the Coral Triangle.

Some facts about His Majesty:

• The Supreme Executive Authority in Brunei Darussalam
• As the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Minister of Finance
• Is the 29th Ruler of Brunei Darussalam where His Majesty’s family has been ruling the country for the last six centuries!
• Installed as the Crown Prince in 1961 at the age of 15
• Became a Sultan on 5 October 1967 at the age of 21
• Crowned as the 29th Sultan And yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on 1 August 1968 at the age of 22
• Plays Polo, Squash and Badminton
• A qualified pilot (for both airplanes and helicopters)

Source: Official website of His Majesty’s Birthday celebrations.

Latest pictures of His Majesty (as of 02:11 hrs 15 July 2010). Event: Thanksgiving and mass prayer on the eve of His Majesty’s birthday. Venue: Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, Kiarong. Pictures from: Infofoto, Information Department.

His Majesty (2nd Right) with other members of the Royal Family performing a prayer on the eve of His Majesty's birthday.

Young and old flock around to His Majesty and the Royal Family members to greet them.

More pictures can be found from the Infofoto site.

Dirgahayu KeBawah Duli Tuan Patek. Sembah ucapan Selamat Puja Usia yang ke-64 tahun. Semoga dilanjutkan usia, sehat sejahtera dan kekal karar memerintah Negara Brunei Darussalam. Semoga Allah melindungi Brunei Darussalam. Amin.

This morning I ordered one yet again, yes, after all these years but from another outlet. Happy to report, no drinking straw this time. After finishing the yummy thick and foamy teh tarik, the big question is what to do with the plastic cup (and cover)? Straight to the dustbin, yes?

Not that visible in this photo but my plastic cup has its Resin Identification code #6.

Just before the empty cup enter the mouth of the bin, I noticed that the cup’s cover and bottom part has the recycle symbol on it, or under it –depending on from which view you are looking at. It clearly shows the recycle symbol that I am sure everyone is familiar with now, with a number in the centre of the three arrows.

I assume everyone knows what the symbol means – yes, the cup and the cover can be recycled. And the number? This makes me blog about it! The number is actually the resin identification code I googled, which is a way to identify the polymer or plastics type the item is made from. The code is suppose to let consumers, like me and you, know whether the item can be recycled, and for recyclers to differentiate the types of plastics, while at the same time provide a uniform coding for manufacturers. The numbers range from 1 to 7. 1 is the commonest and easiest to recycle while 7 means plastic items that are most difficult to recycle. My plastic cup has 6 – plastics which are useful to be recycled and widely acceptable as they can be reprocessed into many more plastic items.

The Resin Identification codes

Read on how to recycle plastics according to the types.

Do we have a recycling plant for plastics in Brunei? Not that I am aware of. If there is, please do shout. I am now thinking where my plastic cup will travel to. From the garbage bin to the dumping station where the garbage collector will combine everything from metal to wood, to household waste and also glass with more plastics. The garbage will end up at the Sungai Akar landfill dumpsite, at least for the moment.

The end of my love affair with teh tarek in plastics

I am happy to learn that BEDB has thoroughly plan Brunei’s own waste management system which includes the possibility of an alternative method to dispose of waste such as via incineration, decomposition or recycling. The news item also mentions that Brunei do not know how much plastic it has in our rubbish. Yes, that really need a study. I haven’t heard the latest news on this and I just hope it will be soon.

My interim suggestion is for the public, including myself, to stop accepting anymore plastic cups or container next time we order our teh tarik or Mee Goreng Mamak and to bring in our own re-usable containers. So, Ministry of Development, the next campaign should be ‘No Plastic Cups or Containers Day’ or week or month.

I can already see the end of my love affair with my teh tarik in polymer # 6. Not anti-plastic here. Check this out. More creative ways on the use of plastics.