Miss Sharapova

Well, this blog is getting monotonous, with the many people who wanna make their hometown famous. Anyway, at least there are posts coming in! (and also at least there were people reading my miserable post!)

Just a photo that I got from my friend. It's really funny how Maria Sharapova can make heads turn at Wimbledon. Due to laziness, I could not make it to watch Wimbledon live, although I was bunking in at Justin's place (just 30 minutes away from the stadium). And that happen to be one of the sunniest day in Wimbledon this year. What a miss of a lifetime!

Well, dreams are meant to be dreams...

Where the hell is Brunei

Brunei, (IPA: [bru·ˈnaʲ]) officially the State of Brunei, Abode of Peace (Malay: Negara Brunei Darussalam, Jawi: برني دارالسلام ), is a country located on the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia. Apart from its coastline with the South China Sea it is completely surrounded by the state of Sarawak, East Malaysia. Brunei, the remnant of a very powerful sultanate, regained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984.

History
Main article: History of Brunei
The Sultanate of Brunei was very powerful from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century CE. Its realm covered the whole island of Borneo and the southwestern Philippines. European influence gradually brought an end to this regional power. Later, there was a brief war with Spain, in which Brunei was victorious. The decline of the Bruneian Empire culminated in the nineteenth century when Brunei lost much of its territory to the White Rajahs of Sarawak, resulting in its current small landmass and separation into two parts. Brunei was a British protectorate from 1888 to 1984.
There was a small rebellion against the monarchy during the 1960s, which was suppressed by the United Kingdom. This event became known as the Brunei Revolt and was partly responsible for the failure to create the North Borneo Federation. The rebellion also affected Brunei's decision to opt out of the Malaysian Federation and was the first stage of the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation.

Politics and government

The neutrality of this section is disputed.Please see the discussion on the talk page.

Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei.
Main article: Politics of Brunei
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, whose title has passed within the same dynasty since the fifteenth century, is the head of state and head of government in Brunei. The Sultan is advised by several councils and a cabinet of ministers although he is effectively the supreme ruler. The media is extremely pro-government and the Royal family retains a venerated status within the country. There is no elected legislative body. In September 2004, the Sultan convened an appointed Parliament which had not met since independence in 1984, although it lacks any capacity beyond advising the monarch.
The country has been under hypothetical martial law since a rebellion in the early 1960s was put down by British troops from Singapore.
Brunei claims territory in Sarawak, such as Limbang, and it is one of many nations to lay claim to the disputed Spratly Islands. Several small islands situated between Brunei and Labuan, including Kuraman island, are contested between Brunei and Malaysia. However, they are internationally recognised as part of the latter.

Administrative divisions

Districts of Brunei.
Main article: Districts of Brunei
Brunei is divided into four districts (daerah):
Belait
Brunei and Muara
Temburong
Tutong
The districts are subdivided into thirty-eight mukims.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Brunei
Brunei consists of two unconnected parts. 97% of the population lives in the larger western part, while only about 10,000 live in the mountainous eastern part (the district of Temburong). The total population of Brunei is 383,000, of which around 46,000 live in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. Some major towns are the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, the port town Muara, the oil producing town of Seria and its neighboring town, Kuala Belait. In the Belait district, the Panaga area is home to large numbers of expatriates due to Royal Dutch Shell and British Army housing and recreational facilities. The well-known Panaga Club is situated here.
The climate in Brunei is equatorial tropical, with high temperatures, high humidity, sunshine and heavy rainfall throughout the year.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Brunei
This small, wealthy economy is a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for nearly half of its GDP. Substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion although it became a more prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Stated plans for the future include upgrading the labour force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourism sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base. The national airline, Royal Brunei is trying to make Brunei a hub for international travel between Europe and Australia/New Zealand. It also has services to major Asian destinations.

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Brunei
Brunei is accessible via sea and land travel. The main highway running across Brunei is the Pan Borneo Highway, which is a joint project with Malaysia. Besides the Pan Borneo Highway, Brunei can be accessed by air through Brunei International Airport. Royal Brunei is the main airline company in Brunei.
Brunei has several sea ports, mainly to export its petroleum products, as well as for import/export purposes.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Brunei
See also: Islam in Brunei
About two-thirds of the Brunei population are of Malay origin and have long dominated the nation's economy. The official languages of the nation are Malay (Malay: Bahasa Melayu) and English, although an important minority speak Chinese. English is also widely spoken and there is a relatively large expatriate community with significant numbers of British and Australian citizens.
Islam is the official religion of Brunei, and the sultan is the head of the religion in the country. Other faiths practised are Buddhism (mainly by the Chinese), Christianity, and primarily in isolated and very small communities, indigenous religions.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Brunei
The culture of Brunei is predominantly Malay, with heavy influences from Hinduism and Islam, but is seen as more conservative than Malaysia. The sale and public consumption of alcohol is banned, with foreigners and non-Muslims allowed to bring in twelve cans of beer and two bottles of spirits every time they enter the country. After the introduction of prohibition in the early 1990s, all pubs and nightclubs were forced to close.[1]

Brunei in fiction

Anthony Burgess's novel Devil of a State is set in Brunei. The construction of Bandar Seri Begawan's Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is a major theme in the book.

*Directly copied from wikipedia.org*

where the hell is kluang

Kluang is a town and district located roughly in the middle of the state of Johor in Malaysia. Kluang lies about 110km north of Johor Bahru, east-southeast of Batu Pahat, west of Mersing and south of Segamat. The population of Kluang district now exceeds 250,000 residents and the town itself has over 140,000 residents. Its geographical coordinates are: 2°2′01″N, 103°19′10″E

Contents [hide] 1 History 2 Geography 3 Agriculture 4 Industry and commerce 5 Infrastructure 6 Tourism 7 External links

[edit] History

The name Kluang derives from the Malay word 'keluang' which means a type of flying fox or rather a type of fruit bat. These used to be plentiful in the district decades ago. They have almost completely disappeared due to the combination of hunting and destruction of their natural habitat (deforestation).

Kluang was founded in 1915 as the administrative capital for central Johor[1]. The main railway line linking north to south Malaya was built passing through Kluang and this helped in its growth. Roads were built to link Kluang to Johor Bahru towards the south, to Batu Pahat towards the north-west and to Mersing towards the east. Kluang is divided into two district councils namely Simpang Renggam District Council (Malay: Majlis Daerah Simpang Renggam) based at the town of Simpang Renggam and Kluang Municipal Council (Malay: Majlis Perbandaran Kluang) based at the town of Kluang which is also the district capital.

During World War II, the town of Kluang was captured relatively uncontested by Japanese forces advancing southwards as it was abandoned by Allied forces retreating towards Singapore. General Yamashita moved his headquarters forward from Kuala Lumpur to Kluang on the 27th of January, 1942 as he advanced southwards. [2] The Japanese later used the airbase in Kluang to launch air attacks on targets ranging from Singapore to Sumatra.

[edit] Geography

Kluang lies in an area of undulating hills.

The highest point in Kluang is Gunung Lambak, a 510m tall mountain and one of the southernmost mountains in the Malaysian main range which lies not far from the town.

The Mengkibol River runs through the town. Kluang is landlocked and has no seafront.

Kluang is served by a railway and roads linking it to all neighbouring districts. It has a railway station as well as a bus interchange. The closest on-ramp to the North-South Highway is at Air Hitam although travellers approaching Kluang from the south may find exiting at Simpang Renggam more convenient. There is an airfield in Kluang but it is a military airfield, not a civilian one.

Urban sprawl in Kluang over the last three decades or so from the 1970s to 2000 has been roughly along the major roads. The town center itself has more than tripled in size in terms of the number and land area occupied by commercial and retail buildings in that time.

[edit] Agriculture

Kluang initially grew as a rubber planting district. Rubber planting has, however, since then taken a back seat to other types of crops. Kluang now boasts large tracts of oil palm plantations as well as pineapple,koko and tea plantations. New kinds of plantation such as dragon fruit and organic vegetables are also popular.

[edit] Industry and commerce

From its early days as an entirely agricultural economy, Kluang has developed various industries including polymer, paper, textiles, ceramics and electrical products. Most of Malaysia's major banks have branches in Kluang. In the last few years, several stock brokerages have opened shop in Kluang.

[edit] Infrastructure

Kluang is served by a district hospital, a district police station and fire station. It has numerous primary schools, several secondary schools and a public library. Sekolah Menengah Sains Johor, a government boarding secondary school with a special emphasis on science subjects, was built in the 1970s on the outskirts of Kluang along the Batu Pahat road. In addition lots of other schools were built between 2000 to 2006

[edit] Tourism

It is said that the famous coffee shop at Kluang Railway Station, serves the best coffee in Malaysia (plus the shop’s specialty “Roti Bakar” - toasted bread with half boiled eggs). This local dish is available for breakfast between 7.00am and 12.00noon and for afternoon tea between 2.30pm and 6.00pm...

Gunung Belumut and Gunung Lambak are popular with jungle trekkers. The area of Machap (on the road between Simpang Renggam and Air Hitam) is well known for its pottery and porcelain.

Also noteworthy is an authentic coffee shop located in no. 56, Jalan Lambak by the name of Tong Fong Cafe (a.k.a. Eastern Cafe) which was very popular with the British soldiers during the heydays when Malaya was still under British rule. The operator is a second generation descendant of the owner and the coffee shop has been operating since 1954. Good coffee amidst nostalgic environment where orders are still being shouted from patrons to the back of the shop where each cup of beverage is being concocted the old traditional way, retaining the original flavours. Coffee can still be 'doggie-bagged' via used milk tins with a raffia string as loop for the dainty finger. It is worth a visit for visitors and regulars.

Where the Hell is Sitiawan??

For my friends who have not heard of Sitiawan before they met me, it's time to be educated. Let's see what I found on Wikipedia about my laid-back "kampung" hometown!

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Sitiawan (alternate spelling: Setiawan; origin: from Malay, a portmanteau of Setia Kawan, meaning "Loyal Friend") is a region in the Manjung district of Perak, Malaysia.

The region covers an area of 331.5 square kilometers (128 square miles) and as of year 2000, its population was 95,920. Sitiawan town, the principal town of Sitiawan district, is located at 4°13′N, 100°42′E.

History

Folklore mentions Sitiawan as Kampung Sungai Gajah Mati. It became a thriving Hockchiew (Chinese: Fuzhou) settlement of industrious migrants, mostly from the district of Kutien in Fuzhou, China.

According to legend, Kampung Sungai Gajah Mati (literally: "the village by the river where elephants died") is the place where two large elephants drowned after one of them, overladen with tin ore, got stuck in the mud of the Dinding River at low tide. Efforts to help save the elephant were in vain and everyone gave up and left. However, the second elephant refused to budge and hung on to its friend, resulting in them drowning together in the rising tide. Thus the setia kawan name was derived.

In the late 19th century, tin, together with rubber sheets, formed the main commodities of commerce. They were often carried by elephants and loaded onto waiting steamships destined for Penang. In the 1870s, when an outbreak of smallpox struck the settlement, and in line with the Chinese belief of naming a place to enhance its feng-shui, the locals chose to name the locality Setia Kawan -- the "loyal friend" -- to harmonise with nature and appease the dead elephants.

In September 1903, the settlement got a boost with the arrival of more than 360 Christian Hockchiews desperate to escape the poverty in Fujian. They were led by two Chinese pastors and settled down in what is today known as Kampung Koh. Most of these immigrants worked in rubber plantations in Sitiawan. The Hockchiews also built four wells, two in the 1930s and another two in the 1950s. These heritage wells still exist but are no longer used.

Chin Peng, who led the Malayan Communist Party for many years, was born in Sitiawan in 1924.

Development

Sitiawan grew from a small settlement with rubber tapping and latex processing as the main economic activity. The town was flanked by various Chinese settlements comprising mostly descendants of immigrants from the Kutien district of Fuzhou, China. The original settlers were encouraged by the British to plant rice. The settlers, however, found that paddy-planting is not suited to the soil of the region and so they changed to livestock farming, before discovering that the land was much better suited for rubber plantations.

The rapid development of the urban settlements saw the plantation and estate areas developed and converted into residential and commercial areas. In the 1980s, the large remainder of the rubber estates underwent mass conversion into oil palm plantations because prices of palm oil were better than those of rubber sheets and latex. Oil palm is also a much less labour intensive crop than rubber as rubber needs to be tapped regularly.

Tourism has not been a major economic activity, but the town centre derives some economic advantages from its close proximity to Pangkor Island which is a famous niche tourist destination.

The development of the town had been rapid in the 1990s. One of the main reasons was the establishment of the Royal Malaysian Navy's Naval Base in Lumut, approximately 10 km from the town centre. The Naval Base is currently the largest in Malaysia. The base has acted as a catalyst for the development of commercial activities in the town, serving both the residents of the base and sailors visiting from other countries.

Education

There are many schools in Sitiawan, such as Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Ahmad Boestamam, Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Nan Hwa, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan ACS (Anglo Chinese School) Sitiawan. The first mentioned school is named after Ahmad Boestamam, an historical figure who helped to gain independence from the British.

SMJK Nan Hwa, was previously a private Chinese school which has been converted into a government partially subsidied school. It's 70th anniversary was celebrated on 1st September 2006 in SMJK Nan Hwa school hall. A thousand-person dinner was held at Ku Tien Association Hall to commemorate the auspicious day.

ACS, formerly an English school was founded by Chinese Christian missionaries. Its 100th anniversary was celebrated in 2003 and making it the oldest secondary school in Sitiawan. As of 2006 it is still standing strong even at the advanced age of 103. ACS is the first school in Manjung to set up a scout troop.

Fuzhou Heritage

Hockchiew heritage has been prominently identified with Sitiawan. The making of "mien siang" (with red rice wine), Kong piang buns and "goroow" (sweet and sour soup cooked with fish maw) are all part of the unique tradition which is a vital part of the daily living of the residents of Sitiawan, especially those in Kampung Koh today.

Modern Sitiawan

Recent intense development on transportation routes between Lumut, Seri Manjung and Sitiawan along the Dindings river have brought both prosperity and pollution to what was once a relatively quiet town. The primary industries within Sitiawan are rubber, palm oil, mineral ore, fishing and ship building.

Around the year 2000, Sitiawan residents began to be involved in swiftlet bird breeding activities.

(taken from Wikipedia)
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Sitiawan is of course famous for other things as well. Let's see...

This is the famous kong piang from Sitiawan. Years and years ago, the FooChow community in Sitiawan will hang this biscuit around the neck of their children when they go out rubber-tapping (the main source of economy then). That way, the children wont go hungry when the parents were not around. Up until today, the holes perforated in the kong piang are still observed on the biscuits.

The Kampong Koh Garlic Chili Sauce. Famous in Dim Sum shops from Ipoh to KL, and even Johor. In Sitiawan, this Chili Sauce goes very well with "mee kampua" (something like Kwonlo Mee). King's Chili Sause is not the only brand of Kampong Koh Chili Sauce.

Of course, how can a post on Sitiawan be complete without tell the world that we're famous for pretty girls.
Presenting.... Yi Jie from P105!!

Vive San Fermin

The 'encierro' or The Running Of The Bulls is the single most characteristic event of the Fiesta of San Fermin. It is the event which has given the Fiesta world-wide fame and which is broadcast around the world during the fiesta in July. It is held at eight o'clock each morning from the 7th to the 14th of July inclusive. It consists largely of young men (although women may also run) who run in front of the bulls to lead them from their pen up and into the bull-ring. It usually lasts from two to three minutes - although if there are complications due to loose bulls it can last much longer.

The length of the run is some 830 metres (about half a mile) and you don't have to sign up anywhere to take part; you just enter into the run and choose the street where you will run and try to do as best as you can. The run began as part of the process of moving bulls from the edge of town to the bullring. During the mid 1800s, runners began to join the herd on their journey.

With the first rays of light of the early morning the woodenfencing which lines the route is erected. Then the night-long revellers aregradually cleared from the streets by the local police. The street-cleaners then move in to mop up the accumulated rubbish and dirt caused by the night-long revelry.

All spectators must stay behind the double-fencing along the route. Only first-aid teams can be found in the space between the double fencing. One practical reason forthis is, that the runners have the space to jump over the fence should they need to. So now that the fencing has been shut in, the only way to enter is at the gateway at the Town Hall or at the gateway of the Plaza del Mercado.Many runners who gather at the bottom of Santo Domingo , the start of the run, crowd together and sing a homily to the image of San Fermin which is placed in a niche on the wall decorated with the scarves of the peñas.

The song goes like this: "A San Fermín pedimos, por ser nuestro patrón, nos guíe en el encierro dándonos su bendición" ("We ask San Fermín, as our Patron, to guide us through the Bull Run and give us his blessing").

A rocket goes off at the moment the bulls are let out into the street. A second rocket goes off to let everyone know that all the bulls are now in the street

This is the moment of truth in the Bull-Run; the bulls run like the wind. It is impossible to race them or even keep up with them for very long (interesting information for anyone with athletic pretensions) : The way to do it is, to start off slowly when the bulls are still a good distance behind, and as they draw nearer start running as fast as you can, before they get too close, hang in near them for a short time, as near as you are prepared to risk your skin, and then get out of the way as cleanly as possible. Be careful not to cross the paths of other runners. Look for a gap in the fence to slip through or jump over, or a space against the wall of the street.

As well as the danger inherent in running in front of a bull (it's worth remembering that this is an animal which weights about 600 kilos - some 120 stone - and which has two hard, sharp horns which can cut through practically anything, not to mention possible bruising from just being stepped on, there is also the problem of overcrowding in the run. So you have to be careful not to get pushed over or knocked down by other runners. The crowding is particularly dense at the weekends where the number of visitors to the Fiesta more than doubles.

Each section of the run has its own particular characteristics. Every year many runners always choose to run the same section: In Santo Domingo the run is very fast and spectacular and is risky at the corner of Mercaderes, while in Estafeta it is somewhat slower and clearer. The run into the bull-ring is exciting and colourful.

Once the bulls have gone past the run has finished for you and you will probably feel a special satisfaction and relief that nothing has happened to you. That is, as long as a bull doesn't turn back when it gets separated from the others - something which does happen from time to time and which creates a potentially highly dangerous situation. When you hear a third rocket go off it is to let you know that all the bulls have arrived inside the ring and a fourth and final rocket is sent off when all the bulls have been safely led into their pens.

Between that first rocket and final rocket only a couple of minutes will normally have gone by - but what a couple of minutes!

On the 15th July there is a parody of the run made by some die-hards who refuse to face the fact that the Fiesta is all over and who run in front of the early-morning bus which comes up Santo Domingo street .

Well, that's what the running of the bulls is all about. It is very dangerous, so if you have been up all night, think carefully about what is the best thing for you to do at that decisive moment - to drag your tired body off to bed, or to take the risk of running , or to find a safe place to watch the run from behind the fences.

Japanese Restaurant

Happy Graduation P104!

Cookies Story

A young lady was waiting for her flight in the boarding room of a big airport.

As she would need to wait many hours, she decided to buy a book to spend her time. She also bought a packet of cookies.

She sat down, in the VIP room of the airport, to read her book peacefully.

Beside the armchair where the cookies lay, a man sat down in the next seat, opened his magazine and started to read.

When she took out the first cookie, the man took one also. She felt irritated, but said nothing. She just thought "What a nerve! If I was in the mood, I would punch him for daring."

For each cookie she took, the man took one too.

This was infuriating her, but she didn't want to cause a scene.

When only one cookie remained, she thought "Ah, what will this abusive man do now??"

Then, the man, taking the last cookie, divided it into half, and gave her one half.

Ah! That was too much. She was much too angry now.

In a huff, she took her book, her things and stormed to the boarding place.

When she sat down in the plane, she opened her handbag to look for her sunglasses. To her surprise, there was a packet of cookies, untouched, unopened.

She felt so ashamed! She was wrong. She had forgotten that her cookies were in her handbag.

The man had divided his cookies with her, without feeling angered or bitter.

... while she had been very angry, thinking that she was dividing her cookies with him.

There was no more chance to explain herself, nor to apologize.

There are 4 things in life that you cannot recover.

1. The stone... after the throw.
2. The word... after it's said.
3. The occasion... after the loss.
4. The time... after it's gone.

Let It Snow (x3)

The juniors came to Glasgow early June. Wow, it's nice to meet some of them again, it's surreal. According to Debbie, she miss the life of a student. Eleh, action punya budak...

Anyway, some juniors complained that it was very cold last few weeks. P104 din experience much snow, but let's show them how Glasgow might turn out in winter!

Sharon Y Wannabe

Kyute Not? Kyute Giler!!! I give Joe a 13.5 out of 10. What do u think?