HOW BEAUTIFUL IS MY KERALA!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GOD'S OWN COUNTRY!
1st November,2009
SUNDAY
8p.m
Dear Friends,
Good Morning!
the new month,November begins today,the 53rd birthday of the state of Kerala.I proudly announce I am a Keralite .as a pravasi,i never miss a chance to describe n introduce the rich culture n traditions of my state to others.to be a guide is always my dream,narrating the history n happenings to the tourists.:)and Iam sure i will excel as a guide taking the tourists to the very core of the roots of Kerala,making them really feel this is the only God's Own Country!thrice a year i reach Guruvayoor,Trichur.i wait for the holidays and rush to be with my parents [my Achan is no more],spending the holidays in our ancestoral house.i don't know why ,i never went to see other states.when my siblings n my family forced me to take a break, i landed up in the middle east for the first n last time.:)
When konkan train takes me to God's Own Country,the very sight of the lush greenery n rivers fill my mind with stimulating experiences.I admire the ladies,they are so beautiful,leaving their long hair,going to temples.through the window ,from train,i can enjoy the swaying coconut palm trees,alluring backwaters n emerald paddy fields.wow!the children ,all in crisp uniforms are going to school.I love guiding the tourists in the train where to visit n which places they should not miss etc.:)am i crazy?but i enjoy doing all these small n big things.
i love to wake up on a mist-softened morning in Kerala.the sun has not yet risen above the palms.the birds are chirping.to laze around n lie down in the bed.but no way!with Amma n Nanda around,''early to bed and early from bed'' is the rule.:)

today is Keralapiravi,which marks the birth of the state, Kerala.the state of Kerala was created on Nov.1st.1956.Malayalees around the world celebrate Nov.1st as Keralapiravi.
According to Hindu mythology Parashurama,the sixth incarnation of Mahavishnu created Kerala.Parashurama flung his Mazhu[a weapon]from Kanyakumari[Cape Comerin] to the sea and the sea receded to create the land Keralam.beforehand, it was three inependent provinces named Malabar,Cochin and Travancore.Kerala originally got its name after the first ruler,Keralian,who ruled one of these independent provinces in the early centuries.
Kerala clings like a slim ,green leaf,to the western mountains of India.The Western Ghats run all down the Arabian Sea facing side of the triangular wedge of peninsular India.there is also an eastern ridge of mountains,the Eastern Ghats;and the oldest mountains in India,the Aravallis and their successors the Vindhyas,which,roughly,link,the Western and Eastern Ghats at the northern and of the peninsula.nurtured by its climate and terrain fertilized by a rich variety of cultural streams,Kerala holds a fascinating mosaic of people.Kerala is a land of coconut trees.Keram means coconut and the land of coconut is Keralam.
Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of the state.great old buildings,palaces museums ,temples libraries ,the magestic mosque,Kovalam beach make the state capital beautiful.a trip to the beach is a must on every tourist's itinery.Kovalam Beach Resort offers you a wonderful stay.The Padmanabha Swamy Temple and Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple are opened only to Hindus.they attract thousands of pilgrims from all parts of the country.Sabarimala is world famous for the temple of LORD AYYAPPA.irrespective of cast n creed devotees rush to Sabarimala.November 16th is MANDALA KALAM,the holys eason starts for the devotees of LORD AYYAPPA.
Malayalam is the language of the state.Keralites are called Malayalees for the language spoken.the people form a well educated society.Kerala is the first state in India with 100% literacy.it wasn't long before the state government announced that its adult literacy drive had been amazingly successful.every single person can read n write.Kerala's women have had an enormous impact on the socio-economic profile of their state.Kerala owes a great debt to its clear thinking women.
There is no better way of getting to know people and their land than experiencing their festivals.some of Kerala's innumerable festivals,however ,stand out because of their uniqueness.the harvest festival,Onam is so popular with pookalam,folk dances n boat races gift giving and new clothes.the most famous of teh boat races is held in abackwater off the canal of Alleppey on the second of August.it is called the Nehru Boat Race because,the Cambridge -educated Jawaharlal Nehru,India's First Prime Minister,offered a trophy if such a race was organised,the greatest roar,however ,is reserved for the battleof the hundred-oared chundan valloms.you haven't seen water sports if you have not seen the battle of the chundan vallom of Alleppey.
Trichur is famous as the cultural capital of the state and for the temples and the attractive elephant march and Trichur Pooram.Lourdes Church is very popular.the famous festival of Thrissur Pooram is celebrated each year accompanied by a grand elephant procession.
the forested highlands of Kerala are at its great,protective back-bone.the Sahya mountains is lush and damp,capturing two monsoons every year,trapping the rains in its dense forests releasing those ocean distilled waters in a myriad streams and anumber of rivers.some of the forests are so dense that their flora and fauna in places such as the mysterious Silent Valley have not been completely assessed and recovered.Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary gives the tourists teh best way of viewing teh wildlife.
it is said,''All Indian food is hot and south Indian food is tHE hottest''.a favourite breakfast dish is puttu.rice flour dough is layered with great coconut,like a ribbon cake and steamed in a hollow vessel.it is eaten with sugar or with mashed or with a spicy curry made of channa or chickpeas.iddlis and dosa are also much in demand.Onam feast is traditional eaten on a banana leaf;very hygienic and disposable.the thorans are gravy less dishes.avial,the most favourite dish is a mixed vegetable gravy thickened with coconut and yoghurt.your salivary glands will respond very enthusiastically to your first mouthful of avial.some other popular dishes are olan,kalan,pachadi,stew and sambaar.no sadya is complete without having a hot cup of payasam.they are porridge like sweets with a vermicelli or rice base cooked in milk and sugar or jaggery.
fish curry and tapioca make a wonderful combination.
Kerala boasts of many a dance form.the dances of Kerala are very expressive.the Kathakali dancers wear bright n voluminous robes.the dancers' identification with their characters is as complete as is that of any great actor on amodern stage.today ,Kathakali is ahighly stylised but an extra ordinary evocative art which combines chant,drama,dance,make up dress and gesture into a package that spins a compelling spell.Mohiniyattam is the dance of the enchantress.this is one of the beautiful dance forms.My Little star loves Mohiniyattam the best and she performs well.even a poem is written on this dance form by her.
the chavittu natakam and thullal are also famous.
In a land where the coconut is king,many of the crafts of Kerala are woven and carved around the coconut.Coir,the protective fibre is used extensively in this sea-fringed state and if you drive from Kochi to Alleppeyyou will pass anumber of colourful roadside stalls with bright door-mats,wall hangings and carpets spread in attractive dispaly.Kerala lamps are very popular.the oil lamps are designed either to hang or to be free standing.a good selection of the range of crafts inclusing wood carving ,unusual bronzes and traditional jewellery is available.
Kottayam is the gateway o the Kuttanadu where the backwaters have been reclaimed as fields.for though the backwaters do reach out to the sea past other towns of Kerala,the character of Alleppey called by some,the Venice Of The East,reflects its watery hinterland most dramatically.there is nothing backward about the Backwaters of Kerala.
most of the keralites take bath twice aday.[I do].:)
in my earlier post ,I had mentioned about Aaranmula mirror.
Malayalam is consideerd to be very complete language it has fifty six alphabets and many more vowels.hey,non keralites,have you tried learning this beautiful language?
Kochi also known as teh Quen of the Arabian Sea is the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala.it has one of the finest natural harbour in the world.Ancient mariners from Arabia,China,Holland,Britian and Portuguese have all left their mark on this beautiful island city.
the lush greenery,the back waters,the swaying coconut palms,the green fields, Aha!Kerala is one of the most verdant state in India.It is the land with abundant natural resources,extremely fertile and a lush green throughout.rubber plantations,coconut gathering and fishing are important sources of livelihood.fishing nets sway in the breeze over the backwaters.Kerala is rich in spices.pepper creeper is a common sight..how can we miss the famous paintings of Raja Ravi Verma at the Chitra Art Gallery.Keralites are famous for their hospitality.the state has become internationally famous for its unique and spectacular Kathakali ,the masked dance drama.the banana markets invite teh tourists.the rolling tea plantations of Munnar,the beautiful scenery,make a tourist not to miss a trip to this hill station.how can you miss the roosting pigeons an dthe setting aun which are the spectacular sights of Veli Lagoon?Bolgatty Palace Hotel,Bolghatty,Mulavukud,is a very popular haunt for tourists seking accomodation.skimming over the backwaters in power boats offers a delightful experience.The Jewish Synagogue,Mattanchery boasts of several finely wrought gold and silver crowns gifted to the synagogue.Kalamezhuthu is the pristine art form of Kerala.the martial art of Kalaripayattu from which is popular.Kerala is one of the most progressive state in terms of social welfare.Keralites enjoy a unique cosmopolitan outlook,which is reflected in their tolerance towards other races and religion.so,it has been called Kerala as God's Own Country.in Kerala,an entire range of fascinating experiences await your body,mind and soul.experiences thatw ill revitalise every facet of your beingAurveda offers you two kinds of holiday options,Rejuvenaative and Therapeutic.monsoon is the ideal time for rejuvenation.Kerala's equable climate ,natural abundance of forests[with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants]and the cool monsoon season[june-october]are the best suited for Ayurveda's curative and restorative measures.
Friends,
how can you resist the next trip to Kerala?Iam eagerly waiting for X'mas holidays to be with Amma in Trichur n to be in the high spirits of X'mas celebrations.let's explore the beautiful state more,let us introduce our cultural heritage to the young generation.
Please enjoy the song dedicated to all those who love Kerala.this is from the movie,Karumadi Kuttan.my non keralite friends will surely enjoy the video n may i remind you,folks,music doesn't have language to touch your heart!:)and while you are in Kerala ,never miss the sumptuous feast........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AMAL BOSE!MANY MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY!MAY GOD BLESS YOU TO HAVE ALONG LIFE WITH HEALTH,HAPPINESS N PROSPERITY!
it's anu signing off..........

Friends,let us be the citizens who are aware of our duties to do something that can make this land a better place!today i always used to make my colleagues wear the beautiful attractive traditional Kerala saree .but alas!today is sunday.

wishing you a wonderful day ahead,requesting you to pray for me for my external exam which will be held on 8th November,reminding you atleast on special occasions to wear the traditional dress,
Anu loves you all.....................
sasneham,
anu

Happy Halloweenie! TastyLinks Saturday!

Today was a dismal, rainy, dark and dull day. Perfect Gothically delicious Hallowe'en weather...unless you're trick or treating. We hit a favorite local antique shop that specializes in architectural salvage. We're searching for the right mantle/shelf/frame for our large gold Buddha in the Zen TV room. I mostly don't watch TV, but I love the room. It's warm cinnamon infused red with gold and off white accents...very cozy. I'm slowly adding an array of empty vintage gilt frames to the walls. It's very simple and chic.

We also scored a huge sign for the living room, a small sign for Av's room and a really neat rustic wooden shelf cubby dealio that's going to be PERFECT for my burgeoning collection of rubber stamps and inks. Every new craft skill brings a crap load of new supplies. We saw a spectacular vintage gas station sign that we coveted until we saw the 675.00 price tag...we talked them down to 475.00 and it's a piece of history that is sure to increase in value...but...that's a big chunk 'o change...so we're sitting on the idea. We need to save our money and finish up some big projects around the house.

Oh heck, I need an entire house just for my studio.

Is that asking so much?!

We also scored some great Halloween decor on super sale at Michael's. Our kitchen is bright orange and acid green, so Halloween stuff actually works in here year round. This house is a 130 year old former Union Hall and Amish School house...so it's got a primitive country vibe. I'm more of a mid-century modern kinda gal but I'm learning to love a quirky country decor. I'm ever mindful of not turning our house into a TGI Fridays...Drew said we're starting to get too much 'wall flair.' One of these days when we get it all together...I'll share some pics.

But enough about our shopping excursion...

Here's the All Hallow's Eve version of TastyLinks...all the good blogs wrapped up in one!

Vickie Howell-Craft.Rock.Love Vickie shows how to customize photo mats to go with your favorite photos!

The Artful Crafter Make some romantic mood light candles with decorative tissue paper and decoupage medium.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Halloween Decoration using my craft supply stash to make Jack O' Lanterns

Mixed Media Artist Cyndi has started another small quilt, this time featuring pears!

Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy found out crocheting chemo hats is trickier than she thought, but she found success.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world On the Craftside of things there is a free Japanese bunnies and moon piece of clip art, a cool video full of tips on altering a pattern, a how-to on folding paper ricrac, a cool source for vintage style findings and using research magazine pictures as ATC canvases in an altered book.

Aileen's Musings Aileen offers, just barely in time for Day of the Dead or Halloween, an easy peasy earring tutorial!

About Family Crafts Sherri gives you an excuse to craft every day during the month of November using this calendar of events.

The Impatient Crafter This is a story of a refugee who found her strength in creativity. Though she recently died, her story lives on. Please read and share the story of Haiffaa Ali.

World finance hubs - NY, Singapore, then London

Yahoo!
Singapore has beaten its old colonial masters to be the World's second preferred place to do finance. Just by one percentage point!
So says a Bloomberg survey of investors, traders, analysts.

Their choices:
New York 29 per cent.
Singapore 17.
London 16.

Interesting is the rise of Shanghai. It collected 11 per cent of the votes.
So what happened to Hong Kong?
Tokyo got only 1 per cent now.

What's next for lil Temasek the red dot?
It wants to be an arts centre for the world.
Which shows you that restricted media freedom and tough I.S.A. laws - supposed to be BAD for business, and especially the arts - don't really matter. Or am I reading too much into one set of data?


THE END



-------------------------------------------------------
And now, some personal history. No need to read lah.
Ini cuma syiok sendiri writings.
I began writing a few lines to caption the picture above, but got carried away retellling my own history of 1992-1994.
Well, maybe my kids will read this one day and appreciate the junk their father had to do to earn a living.
Life was hard because I had zero knowledge of finance and had to learn real fast by reading books, and talking to investors, analysts, economists, money managers and traders in the "market".
I was covering the Stock Exchange of Singapore (SES, now SGX) and Clob shares, Simex futures, currency trading and the Singapore economy in general.

The words just flowed tonight, so I ran with it - this was the first time I am putting these thoughts and my miserable history into words.
Plus, I feel so old already, going through the nostalgic rumps below.
Wow, 15 years have passed already! Sigh.
--------------------------------------------------------

PICTURE: I used to work smack in that financial hub of Singapore, Raffles Place, with a superb view of the bay (as Financial Correspondent for AP-Dow Jones, in the early 1990s). I can't remember whether it was on the 17th or 37th floor. Or was it 10th or 20th?
The Stanchart HQ building then was near to the Singapore stock exchange, the-then Simex futures trading floor, all the world's big banks, stockbrokers, financiers, the works.

In movies, we often see the floor traders of the New York stock exchange - you know, running around and shouting orders, as the electronic ticker tape flies past.
Well, the Simex (Singapore International Monetary Exchange) trading floor used to be as exciting as that. Dozens of guys (and many girls too) shouting out orders like crazy and using fingers to signal sell and buy orders and wagging pieces of paper.
The trading pit of Simex Nikkei futures was the craziest. And the noisiest.
But since then they have introduced electronic trading, sigh, everyone sits at their table and click orders. Quiet as a barn. No fun.

The infamous Nick Leeson, then a manager at Baring Futures (I still have his name card) was just another Simex guy that reporters called. No, I didn't know him well at all, because the futures traders at the-then Big Four Japanese securities houses were the major players - Nomura, Daiwa, Nikko and Yamaichi - not Barings. Today, I think only Nomura is left.
I wonder what's happened to all my friends there.
Leeson did his financial shenanigan about a year after I had left Singapore to join Reuters in KL.

Your head will start to spin when you had to decipher where Eurodollar Futures and Euroyen Futures were going! (too susah to explain, just trust me that these are linked to big money players and how they would be affected by interest-rate movements in the US and Japan).


Here, in Raffles Place, was where my interest was perked to go to KL, because at that time I covered the Singapore stock markets, and it included Malaysian shares traded in Singapore using Clob (Central Limit Order Book). Remember those???
Most of the time, the KL shares were the active ones! So I said: Yeah, I wanna be there where the action is!
Dr M was at his prime in dishing out mega contracts and Malaysia was growing like 8 per cent a year.
If you remember then, you had to queue nearly one year to get a Proton! And you can use it for a few years and then sell it for a Profit!!! Crazy, heady days.

And I also had to cover world currency movements. I had to watch - in market terms - dollar-mark, dollar-yen, dollar-aussie, and the so-called currency "crosses" - sterling-mark, dollar-swissie, swissie-mark.
(US Dollar, German Deutschmark, Japanese yen, British sterling, Australian dollar, Swiss franc).
The ringgit and Sing dollar were very stable then.
One US dollar was then at 2.5 ringgit (Now a very weak 3.4 = a 26 per cent drop in 15 years!) The Singapore dollar then was at around 1.8 ringgit. Now it is at 2.4! (a 25 per cent drop!)

Yes guys, Dr Mahathir Mohamad later spoke of "rogue currency traders" based in Singapore. This was during the Asian financial crisis of 19987-1998.
I mixed with these guys who worked for the treasury departments of the banks.
Some of my closest friends were these traders! We traded news and rumours about our beloved "market".
I must say most of them were young boys - around 25 to 35 tops. Rogue traders? Yes, they have that attitude because it was their jobs to push currency around to make money for their banks.

But the most interesting thing covering currency movements was when these traders whisper "Negara's in the market".
You see, Bank Negara Malaysia was then a big speculative player in Singapore. Aha!
It had what it will later call "active treasury management".
That is like gambling, babe.
I won't go into details of fancy stories I have heard (hearsay they could be, later kena sue, susah), but suffice to say that was another reason I thought KL was the happening place!

This was in between hearing from the market about the central banks' market interventions - the "Fed" (US Federal Reserve Bank), "BOJ" (Bank of Japan); or "Soros", "stop-loss", "resistance levels", "butterfly spread", "the Dow" and "Greenspan says".
Then there were "US housing starts", "FOMC meeting", "fed funds rate", "tankan report" and "Crab index".
And then someone would whisper the magic words: "Negara is in".
Wah, bank pusat "negara Melayu" disegani seluruh dunia.
It really moved the global currency market!
This later turned to huge forex losses, see here. When the crash came for Negara, the whole world was laughing at a "Malay central bank" that was naive and stupid.
I won't say more except that when you are a big player, you should shut your brokers up instead of letting them spread the word about your positions. The market punished you together for being naive. Kerja bodoh.

Now, 15 years later, I must say that I don't miss Raffles Place, because it's too much of a bloody rat race. There's too many big egos there.
Too many rumours, speculations and gambling-like mentality in trying to make it big.
Tetapi cari makan dulu, 'bang.
(Reading the above, in case you get the wrong idea: No lah, I was not a big name at all in the market. I was just another reporter).

Then again, the world of politics is the same!
Too many rumours, speculations and gambling-like mentality in trying to make it big.
Big egos too.
Same old same old.
Only a different "market".

'Nuff said.
G'nite.

Ini baru namanya k a p a l B E S A U....

Nama: Oasis Of The Seas.
Harga: US$1.3 bilion (RM4.43 bilion).

Ianya LIMA KALI lebih besar dari Titanic, kapal besau yang tenggelam dalam pelayaran pertamanya.
Tingginya? 20 tingkat - lebih tinggi dari kebanyakan flat-flat PKNS yang saya nampak tiap kali memandu kereta di KL.
Ia mempunyai tujuh kejiranan yang berlainan, gelanggang gelongsor ais (ice rink) dan ruang bermain golf. Juga ampitheater untuk 750.
Di perut kapal ada 2,700 cabin dan boleh membawa 6,300 orang, serta lagi 2,100 kakitanga.
Sampai 8,000 orang se-kapal!
Besaunya, lebih ramai orang dari aircraft carrier Amerika, John C. Stennis, yang pernah naik semasa ia berlabuh di Port Klang dulu. Carrier ini cuma boleh membawa 5,000 kelasi.

Video Oasis Of The Seas disini.

Dibina di Finland (bukan Tanjung Agas, belum siap lagi ler), lancang kuning ini kini sedang berlayar ke pelabuhan rumahnya di Florida. Amerika Syarikat.

Happy Disney Sunday - Wish Upon A Star

Please thank my precious daughter, Ms Heidi @ Fairy Footprints in the Sand for sponsoring Disney Sunday. Take the time, if you haven't already to stop by and visit her blog. She will delight you with her welcoming stories. She may even have a little guest waving in the sidebar to welcome you. You never know what you might find when you enter her magical world. I love you sweet Heidi Girl.

Destiny and Isabel sat in their Grammy's large overstuffed reading chair. Grammy had told them that this chair had magical powers to take them to many places and read about many people. They only had to open a book to find a new journey. Destiny, being the oldest, picked the book of her choice today. She wanted to share with her little sister, Isabel, about the littlest guy she had ever heard of. He was sent by a blue magical fairy to help guide a little puppet that so badly wanted to be a real boy. Although today we only meeting Jimney Cricket, next week we will read all about the boy who was to be Jimney's famous journey, Pinocchio.

"Look Isabel", said Destiny. "Grammy was right. Here he is. He is just stopping by today to say hello. He has a magical umbrella, look at his little shoes, and I love his hat. He likes blue, just like me. I can tell we are going to like him already."

Jimney was so excited to meet the girls. "Good Day Destiny and Isabel. Happy Magical Disney to you both. I am a gentleman, so ofcourse I take my hat off to you both. I hope you are enjoying reading about me. You can learn a lot from me. For one, you don't have to be "BIG" to move mountains. Anyone can reach for the stars."

"I may be small, but I am mighty. Isabel, I've been visiting with your Grammy about you, and your Cross-Country races. You may be the smallest one running, but I understand you were the first one to cross the finish line for your Ironwood School. Congratulations my dear, and keep on running for the stars. One of these days you are going to be the blue ribbon winner. I just know it. And Destiny, you keep standing on the sidelines cheering your little sister on. Remind her to reach for the stars."

"Girls, I salute you both. You are both my Magical Sunday Blue Ribbon Winners. Now remember, to come back next week to read all about me and the famous Pinocchio. The little puppet who so badly wants to be a real boy."

"And now, sad as it is, the time has come for me to go, I have to be on my way. I have many others to visit today. I thank you for asking me into your special reading chair to share with you. I would like to wish everyone farewell until next week. I left a little message below."











As always, thank you for stopping by my little piece of heaven here in the desert, that I so love to call home. Country hugs and love, Sherry

The Impatient Crafter for iLoveToCreate Teen Crafts Spooky Sparkly Flower Clip

Spooky Sparkly Flower Clip
Margot Potter for iLoveToCreate Teens!
"Mom crafted, kid approved"

If your teen is still not sure what to wear for Halloween, here’s a little idea that’s big on possibilities. This sparkly flower clip is a breeze to make and you can easily remove the faux web and spiders so it becomes everyday friendly. I purchased my flower clip at H&M, but I’ve seen these all over the place this season. You can opt to make these in any color, but I chose black for Halloween. Pin this to a thick black ribbon for a Morticia/Vampire style choker or to fashion a wrist corsage for a Dead Prom Queen, glitter up a bouquet of black roses for a Corpse Bride or attach a few glittered flowers to a headband for Frida Kahlo, or a bunch of them in various colors to a huge hat for a La Catrina Day of the Dead costume. You can find old prom dresses and wedding dresses for a song at your local thrift shops, then just shred and spray with black fabric spray. Easy peasy!

Materials
Large fabric flower pin/hair clip
Faux spider webbing
Three plastic spider rings
Tulip Fashion Glitter Bond
Tulip Fashion Glitter in black
Liquid Fusion glue

1. Pour a puddle of glitter bond on a non-stick sheet or a plate and dip the flower into it. (You’re looking to get a thin bead of glue on the edge of all of your petals; you can also opt to carefully squeeze the glue on the petal edges.)

2. Pour a small pile of glitter directly on your flower. Allow to dry for ten minutes and dump excess glitter on newspaper and back into jar. You can also opt to dump glitter on a non-stick sheet or a plate. Dip flower into glitter and let dry for a half of an hour and then dump excess glitter back into jar. Let glitter dry overnight.

3. Cut of a small section of faux webbing. Tie it around the width of the flower loosely with a knot in the back (you don’t want to lose your flower shape.)

4. Dab glue on the back of the body of your spiders and press the webbing into the glued areas on spiders. (Don’t glue the spiders to the flower or you won’t be able to remove them later.) Allow to dry.

Avalon looking Spooky Sparkly!

Happy Halloween From Country Wings

"Happy Halloween from Country Wings in Phoenix."






As always, thank for stopping by my little piece of heaven here in the desert that I so love to call home. Country hugs and love, Sherry

Singapore defends tough I.S.A. laws

Two days ago I penned some thoughts to discuss how Singapore's Law Minister K. Shanmugam looks at the local media and its role, and the government's way to curb media excesses.
I was not asking for anyone's agreement, just to show this is how Press Freedom is viewed at in the country south of the Causeway.


A day later, the minister went up against a group of mostly American lawyers and spoke about something which I strongly support in Singapore - the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The issue is naturally controversial. And especially in Malaysia where there are loud voices for its abolition, especially after what were seen as clear-cut abuses in the recent past involving the former home minister of Malaysia.
And of course, there were suspicions of other abuses in the past.



In a neighbouring country, Indonesia, the ISA - much abused during Suharto's era - has been killed.
Everybody was happy until the terrorists in the likes of Dr Azahari Hussin and Noordin Top appeared. They bombed here and there, but Jakarta does not have laws that allow the government to nab these terrorist-types, their suspected sympathisers and financiers BEFORE something happened.
The preventive laws that allow the authorities to reel in suspects although there was not enough evidence to court yet, despite there being strong suspicions by the police, had been deleted after all.
Indonesia struggled on this and there are now voices about bringing the laws back. Some form of the I.S.A. law is being discussed - under another name.
They are discussing this although they know very well that much more checks and balances are needed this time around.



In Singapore, there are of course critics of the law - that it too was supposedly abused on political opponents of the PAP government.
A name that one will hear mentioned often in this debate is that of Chia Thye Poh, a former (?) Communist guy who was detained for long, long years under the I.S.A., because the government said he did not want to disavow violence for his cause (The critics have their own views on this, of course).


Anyway, let me tell you why I support the ISA law in Singapore.
It is simply that I have seen it being used against people who would have done a lot of harm to Singapore. A hell of a lot of harm.

Read Shanmugam's views on the I.S.A. here , and its checks and balances - see below the posting to see what critics say. Yes, there ARE websites critical of the Singapore government too, dolt.

And the minister spoke about Singapore's tough laws also, that made everybody feel safe, ie low crime rate (I didn't say 'zero').

Umno-BN & pembangkang dalam 1999 & 2009

Jika anda seorang penyokong Umno-BN (UBN), memang syiok melihat gelagat yang sedang menggoncang Pakatan Rakyat.
Baik gelora dalam PKR, mahupun perpecahan dalam PAS.

Setelah UBN melihat bahawa barisan ADUN PKR dan DAP boleh ditarik keluar, maka taktik ini pasti akan diteruskan. Dari penyakit Perak kini dijangkiti Selangor.
Tak payahlah saya menuduh UBN menggunakan taktik yang tidak halal, sebab saya tak ada bukti.

Dalam pada itu, perbalahan dalam PAS akan berterusan - saya tak tahu apa gunanya adakan seminar yang kononnya hendak menjelaskan cara nak merapatkan diri dengan PR.
Yang dikhuatiri sesetengah orang dalam PAS ialah Agenda Islam yang disepikan oleh DAP dan PR.
Dan kenapa Agenda Islam kini dihina dan dimakihamun oleh bukan Muslim sewenang-wenangnya - lebih-lebih lagi dalam tulisan di blog dan dalam posting-posting di bawah website seperti Malaysia Today dan Insider.
Terlalu berani mereka menghina Agenda Islam ini.

Tetapi awas kamu orang Umno-BN. Jangan rasa dah menang perlumbaan.

Dan untuk orang PR pula, jangan rasa letih nak give up akibat pergolakan masakini.
Yang UBN menang di Negri Sembilan itu pun bukan kemenangan betul. Faktor orang Minang saja.


PERANG SARAF 1999 JADI PENGAJARAN
------------------------------------------------------

Jika anda bandingkan apa yang berlaku dalam pilihanraya 1999 (Anwar Ibrahim dipecat tahun 1998, lalu berlaku Reformasi), pembangkang menjadi kuat hanya dua-tiga tahun lebih saja.
Semasa itu Dr Mahathir Mohamad dimomokkan, dimamakkan dan diFiraun-kan oleh pembangkang. Malah, di MahaFiraunkan!
Tetapi beliau dapat memperkuatkan Umno-BN kembali dengan agak pantas.
Kenapa ini boleh berlaku?

Jawapannya ialah apabila Umno 'berpecah' dalam 1998 hingga 2001-2002, MCA dan MIC serta parti BN lain terus mantap.
Apabila Anwar dipecat dan dipukul pun, berapa ramai ahli Majlis Tertinggi Umno. Ahli Parlimen dan ADUN Umno-BN yang lari masuk pembangkang????
Segelintir saja.
Ini bermakna perpecahan Umno di peringkat atas tak sebegitu teruk.
Barisan Alternatif pun tak sekuat mana sebab ideologi politik DAP-PASterlalu berbeza dan Anwar di dalam penjara.

Maksudnya pada masa itu (sekitar 2000), kerana parti BN lain mantap, dan perpecahan Umno tidak begitu mendalam, luka dapat diubati dalam beberapa tahun yang singkat saja.

(Bandingkan dengan 1987 apabila Umno betul-betul berpecah dua dalam pertempuran Razaleigh/Musa dengan Dr M - sehingga ahli MT, ahli parlimen dan ADUN pun lari. Gagasan Rakyat mengancam pada masa itu sebab Ku Li bijak main politik!).


BALIK KEPADA 2009
-------------------------------------------------------

Tetapi kali ini, walaupun PR retak teruk, barisan Cina dalam pakatan - iaitu DAP - tetap solid. Dan pengundi Cina, pada hemat saya, memang terus bersama PR.

Tetapi sebaliknya, UBN mempunyai masalah besar.
Samy Vellu masih tak mahu turun, lalu menjadi batu di leher yang terus menenggelamkan MIC.
Dan loktang-loktang dalam MCA terus masih nak berdansa menurut rentak sendiri.


KESIMPULAN
-------------------------------------------------------

Jika anda penyokong Umno-BN, janganlah rasa syiok sangat dengan pergolakan PR.
Perjalanan masih jauh.
Dan jika anda penyokong Pakatan, masih ada peluang nak naik semula.


Bak kata P.Ramlee:
Malam, masih muda.

Atau jika anda minat permainan komputer strategi, Civilization IV (GAMBAR) atau Command & Conquer seperti saya, pelajaran yang paling penting ialah:
Jangan syiok sangat tengok kelemahan dalam Bandar-Bandar musuh.
Lihat dulu kelemahan dalam Bandar-Bandar sendiri.
Saya selalu teruk kena bantai sebab ingat dah kuat lalu menyerang musuh.

THE SACRED TULSI VIVAH.........................

AND THE MARRIGAE SEASON BEGINS..............
29th October,2009
10p.m
Dear Friends,
Good evening!the day was hectic as usual.one more month is going to end n I'm eagerly waiting for November.it is special as my Amma's birthday falls in this month.:)when i visit Shree Ayyappa Temple, i usually get tulsi leaves as archana prasadam with chandanam[sandalwood paste].just the sacred tulsi leaves used to make me feel writing a post ,but i thought i will wait for the right occasion.and here it is.tomorrow is the Tulsi Vivah or Vadli [big]Diwali.it is held on Kartik shukla dwadashi-the twelfth day of the eight month of the Hindu calendar.A Tulsi vrindavan infront of the house is an integral part of Hindu homes.
In my house in the village,when we pray after keeping the diya for tulsi,we chant a bhajan which Amma taught us.you may also learn the same n teach the younger generation.i must tell you friends,we really feel nice chanting prayers n positive energy is spread.
Namosthulasi kalyani,
Namo vishnupriye subhe,
Namo mokshaprabhe devi,
Nama sambad pradayike.......................
On Friday,30th October,Hindu homes will stage the marriage of the Tulsi[Basil] plant,sparking off the community's marriage season.as per the legend from Hindu puranas,Tulsi or Vrunda was married to the demon king Jalandar.she prayed to Lord Vishnu that her husband be protected with the result that no God was able to harm him.however on the request of other Gods,Vishnu tok the incarnation of Jalandar and stayed with the unsuspecting Vrinda for one year.when the truth emerged after Jalandar's death,Vrunda cursed Vishnu and turned him into black stone[Shaligram] and collapsed.from her body emerged the Tulsi plant.Vishnu puja thus came to be considered incomplete without the offerings of Tulsi leaves.Lord Vishnu promises to marry her every year on this day.
on the day,the Tulsi vrindavan [the pedestal with a hollowed centre where the plant is grown] is cleaned,painted and decorated with rangoli[powered decorations] and flowers.in days of yore,women would build the clay pedestal on their own.
today only few follow this tradition just as fewer women today start their work day only after having a bath followed by the watering of the basil plant.sugarcane and branches of the tamarind and amla tree are planted along with the Tulsi plant in the vrindavan.
on Tulsi Vivah,ladies will light earthen lamps to mark Dev Diwali,as the vivah is also called ,as it is believed that Lord Vishnu,after a slumber of four months,awakens on this day and meets with his consort,Goddess Lakshmi symbolised by Tulsi.it is believeed that the soul of Vrinda resides i the plant at night and leaves in the morning.
the bride Tulsi is clothed with a sari and ornaments including earrings and necklaces.a human paper face with a bindi and nose-ring may be attached to Tulsi.the groom is abrass image or picture of Vishnu or Krishna sometimes saligram stone-symbol of Vishnu.the image is clothed in a dhoti.both Tulsi and Vishnu are bathed and decorated with flowers and garlands before wedding.the couple is linked with a cotton thread in the ceremony.part of the rituals involves married women lighting teh wicks attached to the pseudo stem at the banana plant and placing them before teh Tulsi Vrindavan.it's symbolic of them asking for a long ,healthy and prosperous life for their husbands.the tradition of worshipping the Tulsi vrindavan can be found from 1889.
in Maharashtra ,an importantritual is,when the white cloth is heldbetween the bride and the groom and the priest recites Mangal Ashtaka Mantras.these Mantras formally complete the wedding.rice mixed with vermilion is showered by the people on Tulsi and Vishnu at the end of the recitation of the Mantras with the word Savadhan,people clap signifying approved to the wedding.Vishnu is offered sadalwood-paste,men's clothing n the sacred thread.
a special feast consisting of puris,rice,sweet potato,kheer,moogachegathi and red pumpkin vegetable is offered as special naivaidya.
the religious ceremony takes place late in the evening.the entire religious rituals of a Hindu marriage are performed.various preparations made from pounded rice are offered to Lord Vishnu.puffed rice,pounded rice and pieces of sugarcan are then distributed,among the 'Dhangar' OR 'Gauvali' community Devi Diwali is celebrated with pomp and gaiety.tehy worship clean deities.
in North India,the wedding ceremony of the Tulsi with LordKrishna swaroop is celebrated and is followed by aprocession.they celebrate it for five days. sweets are sent to the daughter from her parental home,along with 'jodiye'[cotton thread to light lamp while performing lagna].
Friends,it is really interesting to know the rich traditions and culture of our country.try to be part of each and every celebration.
it's anu signing off.....
i still remember Muthassi even after losing her eyes sight used to water the Tulsi plant daily.and i fondly remember n love the ladies leaving their wet hair opened,wearing a Tulsi kathir on their hair.my image of a traditional beauty sums up with that.:) will you plant a basil sapling today?

the dedication of the song is from the old movie,''TULSI VIVAH''n it is dedicated to all the devotees of LORD VISHNU N GODDESS LAKSHMI.
wishing you a cool n peaceful night, waiting to witness the grand Tulsi Vivah opposite to my flat across the road in the Hindu family,and then the bursting of crackers,participating in the merriment,
requesting you to update yourself with the cultural n religious happenings,reminding anu loves one and all,
sasneham,
anu

Madge Muses About Costumes...

Today's blog is a rambling free associative musing on costumes past...

My lovely daughter will be attending her first Halloween party this year. She's officially announced her retirement from Trick or Treating. You'd probably think having a super crafty mom she'd have a super crafty costume...

...you'd be wrong.

She begged me for a 'bee girl' costume she found online with a long hot pink wig. So that's what she's wearing. So much for super crafty! I have no idea where she gets this pink wig penchant. ..odd.

Either my mother or I made all of my Halloween costumes as a kid. My mom is an incredibly gifted artist...our pumpkins were amazing! For several years my costume revolved around a large box. One year I covered a box in tin foil, added arm holes and red velvet ribbon and wore a huge red velvet bow in my hair that read "Do Not Open Until December 25th." The next year I cut slits in the sides of a box, bending it to create a tin foil covered spaceship...I wore a green turtleneck and tights and was the alien inside of the ship. One year my mother made me a sandwich out of large pieces of poster board, paint and crepe paper, I wore brown tights and turtleneck. The problem with the big box costume is...it's impossible to get in and out of houses...and you can't sit down...one would think after the first time I wore the big box costume I'd have learned my lesson...

One would be wrong.

During my punk rock years I got an attitude about Halloween and suggested that my daily attire was a costume already and I didn't need an excuse to dress up. Sheesh. What a Debbie Downer...lighten up a little, Madge! Here's me in a 'not costume' at a Halloween party.

I guess I had a point there...

I've made a lot of fun costumes through the years and I try to keep them low sew and easy. I've been Bat Girl twice, which is super simple with one of those stretchy executioner hoods with black cardboard ears attached and a black unitard with the logo out of felt glued on the chest (and of course a killer pair of stiletto boots!) I was Emma Peel from The Avengers once in a wickedly saucy catsuit. A couple of years ago I went as Jackie Kennedy...though I was tempted to cover my vintage wool suit in fake blood and carry a brain chunk...I decided against it after further thought. Perhaps a little too...distasteful. We have a huge grey fleece hoodie that has been both Eeyore (with pinned in black yarn mane and big floppy painted felt ears) and a Mouse with smaller felt ears and a wheel of cheese fashioned from a Styrofoam disc painted yellow in which we created holes by scooping out segments with a cheese baller...and added a bite mark and a large round pillow for a big belly. We put velcro on the back of the cheese so it could attach to the sweatshirt while trick or treating. All of these pics are buried in our storage spaces...so I can't share any.

I'm an actor, so I've had some amazing costumes created for me to wear onstage. Would that I kept one or two...but alas I did not.Photo Copyright Tim Duckworth from The Triumph of Love KSU ClassicTheatreWorks

I don't have any parties to attend this year..so I'm afraid there will be no costumes for Madge. We don't get any trick or treaters in our neighborhood, we're mostly surrounded by Amish folk and they don't do Halloween, all the action is in town and without a kid in tow, I'd look like a weirdo. I have to admit, I'm going to miss the little Halloweenies! Tell me about your costumes in my comments section!

I'll be back tomorrow with a final Halloween project for iLoveToCreate...and then I'm gearing up for a series of great ideas for the Holidays!

xoxo
Madge