Thursday, January 1, 2009
my trip to the gym
It was actually my first trip to the gym. And when i first stepped into the gym. I saw lots of people lifting weights and doing other excercises. At first, me and my friends looked around and felt disapointed as almost all the machines were used. but when we came across this machine that actualyl looked liek a pull up bar, we gave it a try. All of us strated laughing when one of my friends took a try on the machine. Then, a man came up to us and told us to not play around or we may injured ourselves. He even said that if we onli wanted to come in and play, he suggested we leave. We were all so embarrased of ourselves as people startted looking at us. And in the end, we stopped palying and continued with our excerises. It was indeed very embarrasing.
My trip to genting
My trip to genting was from 22nd december to 25th of december. The trip was exactly 4 days 3 nights long. ON the first day, we spent about more than 4 hours in the car. The trip was boring but at least we actually bought some souvenirs that looked pretty nice. By the time we reached there. It was about three o'clock in the afternoon. My family and i thought that we would be able to get into our hotel latest by four o'clock. But we were wrong. The lobby was full of people and we acttaulyl had to wait until 6 o 'clock to get our keys to the hotel. THe wait was just too broing and made us all feel very restless. And the only thing we felt like doing was go back to our hotel and sleep. And to me, it was just another wasted because we didnt do anything the whole day. It was really disapointing. BUt, the next few days were much more fun though. we had bowling and even went to the theme park. We had lots of fun riding the roler coasters and other rides. The trip was really unforgettable and i would really want to go back to genting again someday.
2nd distribution day
On the day of the 2nd distribution, we were all ready after the weekend break. Our positions were the same as the last distribution, and so, we continued to our position. The second day was almost the same as the first distribution. Except that we actually had pizza! The day was especially fun and i really look forward to the next Used Textbook Programme.
The distribution day
After many days of sorting, we finally came to the distribution day. We were at first given a briefing to ensure that we know our positions and knowing what to do at our positions. During the distribution, we met many different kinds of people. Some people were really freiendly and kind, while some are just rude and impatient. But in any case, we still tried our best to serve them. And at the end of the day, we all had a great time. But, this was not the end of the distribution as we still had a 2nd distribution. And we were all looking forward to it ^^.
Used text book programme
During the holidays, we were supposed to help to sort out books for the needy. We were asked to sort out the books according to the level and by the subject. During the sorting, it was really busy as books just keep coming in. And the work was just never done.
Catholic paper banned
A CATHOLIC newspaper in Malaysia has been ordered by the government to cease its Malay language edition until courts resolve a ban on the paper's use of the word 'Allah', its editor said on Thursday.
Herald newspaper editor Father Lawrence Andrew said the move was part of a series of restrictions put in place by the conservative Muslim government when it renewed the paper's licence on Tuesday.
The Herald, circulated among the country's 850,000 Catholics, nearly lost its publishing licence last year for using the word 'Allah' as a translation for 'God', with authorities saying it should only be used by Muslims.
'The Constitution says Malay is the national language so why can't we use the national language in Malaysia?' he told AFP.
He called the ban 'unacceptable' and said he intended to take action.
Father Andrew said the ban did not make any sense because a large proportion of Catholics in Malaysia are Bumiputera who mainly speak Malay.
The term 'Bumiputera', or 'Son of the soil', refers to ethnic Muslim Malays and the indigenous inhabitants in peninsular Malaysia and on Borneo island who are mostly Christian.
'More than 50 per cent of our congregation are Bumiputera and two of our bishops are Bumiputera,' he added.
The issue will be decided by the courts next month, while home ministry officials told the New Straits Times daily on Thursday they will be monitoring the paper's actions closely.
Religion and language are sensitive issues in multiracial Malaysia, which experienced deadly race riots in 1969.
About 60 per cent of the nation's 27 million people are ethnic Malay Muslims, who dominate the government. The rest of the population are mostly ethnic Chinese and Indians - practising Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism
Herald newspaper editor Father Lawrence Andrew said the move was part of a series of restrictions put in place by the conservative Muslim government when it renewed the paper's licence on Tuesday.
The Herald, circulated among the country's 850,000 Catholics, nearly lost its publishing licence last year for using the word 'Allah' as a translation for 'God', with authorities saying it should only be used by Muslims.
'The Constitution says Malay is the national language so why can't we use the national language in Malaysia?' he told AFP.
He called the ban 'unacceptable' and said he intended to take action.
Father Andrew said the ban did not make any sense because a large proportion of Catholics in Malaysia are Bumiputera who mainly speak Malay.
The term 'Bumiputera', or 'Son of the soil', refers to ethnic Muslim Malays and the indigenous inhabitants in peninsular Malaysia and on Borneo island who are mostly Christian.
'More than 50 per cent of our congregation are Bumiputera and two of our bishops are Bumiputera,' he added.
The issue will be decided by the courts next month, while home ministry officials told the New Straits Times daily on Thursday they will be monitoring the paper's actions closely.
Religion and language are sensitive issues in multiracial Malaysia, which experienced deadly race riots in 1969.
About 60 per cent of the nation's 27 million people are ethnic Malay Muslims, who dominate the government. The rest of the population are mostly ethnic Chinese and Indians - practising Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism
Quake hits Indonesia
A 5.4-MAGNITUDE earthquake struck off the eastern province of Maluku on Thursday, Indonesia's geophysics agency said, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
The quake hit at 10.44am (11.44am Singapore time), with the epicentre 166 kilometres north-west of Saumlaki, Maluku. It was recorded at a depth of 14 kilometres.
The quake hit at 10.44am (11.44am Singapore time), with the epicentre 166 kilometres north-west of Saumlaki, Maluku. It was recorded at a depth of 14 kilometres.
M'sian chopper saves tanker
A MALAYSIAN military helicopter saved an Indian tanker from being hijacked on Thursday, foiling the new year's first attack by pirates in the dangerous Gulf of Aden off the chaotic African nation of Somalia, an official said.
'This was a New Year's gift to the owners of the Indian tankers.
If the Malaysians had not arrived their ship would have been certainly hijacked,' said Noel Choong of the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center.
The Malaysian rescue comes as more and more countries are sending warships to join a multinational naval force to protect commercial vessels passing through one of the world's most important sea routes.
On Christmas Day, a German helicopter similarly saved an Egyptian ship off Somalia, a lawless country that has become a breeding ground for pirates who have raked in millions of dollars in ransom from hijackings.
The Indian tanker carrying a full load of oil was steaming toward the Suez Canal when it was attacked by two skiffs, one of which carried seven pirates dressed in military-style uniforms, said Choong.
'They came close to the ship and started firing machine guns, hitting the bridge and the accommodation area,' Mr Choong told The Associated Press.
He said the pirates, believed to be Somalis, tried to board the vessel several times while 'firing repeatedly' but failed.
The captain increased the ship's speed to maximum, made evasive maneuvers and sent an SOS, which was received by a Malaysian frigate, KD Sri Inderah Sakti, only 15 nautical miles away, he said.
The frigate dispatched a Fennec light military helicopter, which arrived within minutes, said Choong.
On spotting the helicopter the pirates stopped firing and fled.
There were no injuries to the crew but the tanker sustained some damage, Choong said.
Cmdr. Jane Campbell, a spokeswoman for the 5th Fleet in Bahrain, said the U.S. Navy had no immediate information about a pirate attack.
The Malaysians, who are part of the multinational task force, also saved a Chinese ship less than two weeks ago.
More than a dozen warships are now patrolling the vast gulf.
Countries as diverse as Britain, India, Iran, the United States, China, France and Germany have naval forces in the waters.
According to the International Maritime Bureau, pirates attacked 111 times in the Gulf of Aden in 2008, out of which 42 resulted in successful hijackings. Choong said 14 ships are still in the hands of pirates with more than 240 hostages.
'Despite the increase in naval activities pirates are still managing to find loopholes to attack and hijack ships because warships cannot be everywhere at the same time,' said Mr Choong.
The pirates have been given a free hand to operate because of more than a decade of turmoil in Somalia. The nation of about 8 million people has not had a functioning government since warlords overthrew a dictator in 1991 and then turned on each other.
'This was a New Year's gift to the owners of the Indian tankers.
If the Malaysians had not arrived their ship would have been certainly hijacked,' said Noel Choong of the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center.
The Malaysian rescue comes as more and more countries are sending warships to join a multinational naval force to protect commercial vessels passing through one of the world's most important sea routes.
On Christmas Day, a German helicopter similarly saved an Egyptian ship off Somalia, a lawless country that has become a breeding ground for pirates who have raked in millions of dollars in ransom from hijackings.
The Indian tanker carrying a full load of oil was steaming toward the Suez Canal when it was attacked by two skiffs, one of which carried seven pirates dressed in military-style uniforms, said Choong.
'They came close to the ship and started firing machine guns, hitting the bridge and the accommodation area,' Mr Choong told The Associated Press.
He said the pirates, believed to be Somalis, tried to board the vessel several times while 'firing repeatedly' but failed.
The captain increased the ship's speed to maximum, made evasive maneuvers and sent an SOS, which was received by a Malaysian frigate, KD Sri Inderah Sakti, only 15 nautical miles away, he said.
The frigate dispatched a Fennec light military helicopter, which arrived within minutes, said Choong.
On spotting the helicopter the pirates stopped firing and fled.
There were no injuries to the crew but the tanker sustained some damage, Choong said.
Cmdr. Jane Campbell, a spokeswoman for the 5th Fleet in Bahrain, said the U.S. Navy had no immediate information about a pirate attack.
The Malaysians, who are part of the multinational task force, also saved a Chinese ship less than two weeks ago.
More than a dozen warships are now patrolling the vast gulf.
Countries as diverse as Britain, India, Iran, the United States, China, France and Germany have naval forces in the waters.
According to the International Maritime Bureau, pirates attacked 111 times in the Gulf of Aden in 2008, out of which 42 resulted in successful hijackings. Choong said 14 ships are still in the hands of pirates with more than 240 hostages.
'Despite the increase in naval activities pirates are still managing to find loopholes to attack and hijack ships because warships cannot be everywhere at the same time,' said Mr Choong.
The pirates have been given a free hand to operate because of more than a decade of turmoil in Somalia. The nation of about 8 million people has not had a functioning government since warlords overthrew a dictator in 1991 and then turned on each other.
Kidnapped girl freed
ZAMBOANGA (Philippines) - A GANG of kidnappers has freed a nine-year-old girl after more than a month in captivity in the southern Philippines, provincial officials said on Thursday.
Nicole Reveche was freed by her captors unharmed shortly before midnight on Wednesday in a remote village on troubled southern Basilan island, the officials said.
Reveche was seized by the gang with suspected links to Islamic militants on Nov 26. They had earlier demanded a ransom of six million pesos (S$182,000)from her parents, the officials said.
'The girl is now with her family and we are glad it's finally over. Many people helped in the negotiations for the safe release of the girl,' said Mr Nick Castro of the provincial Crisis Management Committee, which had negotiated for Reveche's freedom.
On Tuesday, gunmen also freed a four-year old girl, Andrea Diman, in Tuburan town, two days after she was snatched also in Basilan.
Armed Muslim gangs abound in Basilan, which is a stronghold for Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants blamed for the country's worst terrorist attacks.
Police and military officials say the kidnap gangs are being backed by the Abu Sayyaf in their operations.
More than a dozen people were kidnapped and subsequently freed after paying ransom money in Basilan last year, police and military officials have said.
Nicole Reveche was freed by her captors unharmed shortly before midnight on Wednesday in a remote village on troubled southern Basilan island, the officials said.
Reveche was seized by the gang with suspected links to Islamic militants on Nov 26. They had earlier demanded a ransom of six million pesos (S$182,000)from her parents, the officials said.
'The girl is now with her family and we are glad it's finally over. Many people helped in the negotiations for the safe release of the girl,' said Mr Nick Castro of the provincial Crisis Management Committee, which had negotiated for Reveche's freedom.
On Tuesday, gunmen also freed a four-year old girl, Andrea Diman, in Tuburan town, two days after she was snatched also in Basilan.
Armed Muslim gangs abound in Basilan, which is a stronghold for Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants blamed for the country's worst terrorist attacks.
Police and military officials say the kidnap gangs are being backed by the Abu Sayyaf in their operations.
More than a dozen people were kidnapped and subsequently freed after paying ransom money in Basilan last year, police and military officials have said.
1 S'porean killed in fire
POLICE forensic investigators sifted through the charred remains of an upscale Bangkok nightclub on Thursday, seeking clues to a blaze that killed 61 revellers, including one Singaporean, ringing in the New Year. More than 200 were injured, including foreigners.
A number of foreigners were among the casualties from the blaze that erupted shortly after midnight at the Santika Club, which attracted a well-heeled crowd of Thais and foreigners in an entertainment district of Bangkok. Hospital rosters showed that 13 foreigners being treated for injuries and one man, a Singaporean national, had died.
A statement from Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that Thai authorities have informed its embassy in Bangkok that a Singaporean man was among the fatalities.
The MFA also said it has been in contact with the next-of-kin of the two other injured Singaporeans who are in hospital.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia said three of its nationals were also among the hospitalised.
Relatives and friends gathered at Bangkok hospitals and outside the popular nightspot desperate for news of loved ones lost or injured in the inferno that gutted the two-storey building.
The blaze apparently broke out after a firework display at the Santika club in the Thai capital's Ekkamai district, a thronging entertainment hub which is frequented by locals and tourists.
'The police are working to find out what caused the fire,' said Police Lieutenant General Danaithorn Wongthai of the forensic science office.
'But this will take some time and we want to be certain about the findings.
If everything goes smoothly, Monday is likely to be the earliest day we get the answer.'
Police Lieutenant Colonel Prawit Kantwol earlier told AFP that the likely cause was a pyrotechnics show that accompanied the band.
Victims died from burns, smoke inhalation and injuries during the stampede to escape from the club, which had only one door for the public, police Major General Chokchai Deeprasertwit said. Firefighters said a door at the rear was known only to the staff, while an Associated Press reporter saw a third door at one side of the building.
Gen Chokchai said the fire may have been caused by firecrackers brought into the Santika Club by guests or sparks flying from a New Year's countdown display on the nightclub stage.
Video footage of the disaster showed bloodied, bruised and burned victims being dragged out of the burning, two-story club or managing to run through the door or shattered windows. The video - provided to AP Television News by rescue workers - showed flames racing through the entire building even as the rescue operation was going on.
'Everybody was pushing against each other trying to get out to the front door as quickly as possible. I saw people, particularly young girls, being pushed away and crushed underneath as others were stomping on them trying to get out,' said Mr Sompong Tritaweelap, who lives in an apartment behind the nightclub.
He said that fire engulfed the entire building within 10 minutes.
'People were screaming for help from every window. It was a terrible sight. Their hair and clothes were on fire but there was nothing they could do as the fire engulfed them,' he said.
The website of The Nation newspaper quoted one partygoer, Mr Somchai Frendi, as saying the blaze was caused by the countdown fireworks that ignited the second floor ceiling, which was made largely of soundproofing material.
Mr Sompong quoted a maid at the club as giving a similar account.
'Some of the sparks fell onto the carpeted floor as well. Within seconds, smoke was everywhere,' he quoted her as saying.
Lt Gen Jongrak said the initial investigation found that the club's safety system was 'sub-standard' but did not elaborate.
The club was packed with about 1,000 celebrants, police officers at the scene said. Rescue workers said most of the bodies were found in a pit area surrounding the stage.
The corpses, placed in white body bags, were laid out in rows in the parking lot in front of the club, which was strewn with shoes of the victims, water bottles, parking stickers and other debris.
The emergency workers said the rescue operation was delayed in part because of heavy traffic in the Ekamai entertainment district.
Firefighter Watcharapong Sri-saard said that in addition to a lack of exits, a number of staircases inside the club as well as bars across the second-floor windows made escape difficult.
An AP reporter who peered inside the still-burning building said everything in sight had been burned.
One website about Bangkok's entertainment scene described the club as attracting 'an affluent Thai student crowd, with Euro models and Westerners also popping in' with a 'whisky-sipping crowd all focused on a large stage'. Another site said the high ceiling and a cross in the main room made one feel 'like walking into a church'.
Just after dawn, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva visited the still-smoldering club but did not talk to reporters.
Safety regulations are often loosely enforced. Thailand passed a law in 1994 requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets, but bareheaded riders with policemen blithely looking on are a common sight on Bangkok's streets today.
A number of foreigners were among the casualties from the blaze that erupted shortly after midnight at the Santika Club, which attracted a well-heeled crowd of Thais and foreigners in an entertainment district of Bangkok. Hospital rosters showed that 13 foreigners being treated for injuries and one man, a Singaporean national, had died.
A statement from Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that Thai authorities have informed its embassy in Bangkok that a Singaporean man was among the fatalities.
The MFA also said it has been in contact with the next-of-kin of the two other injured Singaporeans who are in hospital.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia said three of its nationals were also among the hospitalised.
Relatives and friends gathered at Bangkok hospitals and outside the popular nightspot desperate for news of loved ones lost or injured in the inferno that gutted the two-storey building.
The blaze apparently broke out after a firework display at the Santika club in the Thai capital's Ekkamai district, a thronging entertainment hub which is frequented by locals and tourists.
'The police are working to find out what caused the fire,' said Police Lieutenant General Danaithorn Wongthai of the forensic science office.
'But this will take some time and we want to be certain about the findings.
If everything goes smoothly, Monday is likely to be the earliest day we get the answer.'
Police Lieutenant Colonel Prawit Kantwol earlier told AFP that the likely cause was a pyrotechnics show that accompanied the band.
Victims died from burns, smoke inhalation and injuries during the stampede to escape from the club, which had only one door for the public, police Major General Chokchai Deeprasertwit said. Firefighters said a door at the rear was known only to the staff, while an Associated Press reporter saw a third door at one side of the building.
Gen Chokchai said the fire may have been caused by firecrackers brought into the Santika Club by guests or sparks flying from a New Year's countdown display on the nightclub stage.
Video footage of the disaster showed bloodied, bruised and burned victims being dragged out of the burning, two-story club or managing to run through the door or shattered windows. The video - provided to AP Television News by rescue workers - showed flames racing through the entire building even as the rescue operation was going on.
'Everybody was pushing against each other trying to get out to the front door as quickly as possible. I saw people, particularly young girls, being pushed away and crushed underneath as others were stomping on them trying to get out,' said Mr Sompong Tritaweelap, who lives in an apartment behind the nightclub.
He said that fire engulfed the entire building within 10 minutes.
'People were screaming for help from every window. It was a terrible sight. Their hair and clothes were on fire but there was nothing they could do as the fire engulfed them,' he said.
The website of The Nation newspaper quoted one partygoer, Mr Somchai Frendi, as saying the blaze was caused by the countdown fireworks that ignited the second floor ceiling, which was made largely of soundproofing material.
Mr Sompong quoted a maid at the club as giving a similar account.
'Some of the sparks fell onto the carpeted floor as well. Within seconds, smoke was everywhere,' he quoted her as saying.
Lt Gen Jongrak said the initial investigation found that the club's safety system was 'sub-standard' but did not elaborate.
The club was packed with about 1,000 celebrants, police officers at the scene said. Rescue workers said most of the bodies were found in a pit area surrounding the stage.
The corpses, placed in white body bags, were laid out in rows in the parking lot in front of the club, which was strewn with shoes of the victims, water bottles, parking stickers and other debris.
The emergency workers said the rescue operation was delayed in part because of heavy traffic in the Ekamai entertainment district.
Firefighter Watcharapong Sri-saard said that in addition to a lack of exits, a number of staircases inside the club as well as bars across the second-floor windows made escape difficult.
An AP reporter who peered inside the still-burning building said everything in sight had been burned.
One website about Bangkok's entertainment scene described the club as attracting 'an affluent Thai student crowd, with Euro models and Westerners also popping in' with a 'whisky-sipping crowd all focused on a large stage'. Another site said the high ceiling and a cross in the main room made one feel 'like walking into a church'.
Just after dawn, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva visited the still-smoldering club but did not talk to reporters.
Safety regulations are often loosely enforced. Thailand passed a law in 1994 requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets, but bareheaded riders with policemen blithely looking on are a common sight on Bangkok's streets today.
Woman jailed for voucher ruse
A woman who duped her victims into believing that she could get them discounted shopping vouchers was sentenced to six months' jail on Tuesday.
Janet Wee Guek Hong, 34, who is due to deliver in April, will start her sentence after the Chinese New Year on Jan 28. The former sales coordinator pleaded guilty to three cheating charges involving $81,443 between 2005 and last year. The court heard that she deceived her victims into believing that she would be able to get them discounted vouchers from various companies when she knew this was false. In one case, she induced a former colleague and close friend, Ms Delia Lee Boon Keng, 29, to hand over $74,370 and source for buyers for NTUC, CapitaLand, DFS, CapitalMall, Takashimaya, Louis Vuitton, Shell and SPC discounted vouchers.
Two other victims were cheated of $5,253 and $1,820.
She had in fact used the money for her own use.
Eleven other charges, including three of theft, were taken into consideration.
Of the $105,576 cheated, she had paid back $94,312.
Defence lawyer Amolat Singh said his client's stupid and doomed-to-failure scheme had brought unprecedented financial hardship and sorrow to her aged parents who had to sell off their Housing Board flat to help her out.
She could have been jailed for up to one year and fined for each offence.
Janet Wee Guek Hong, 34, who is due to deliver in April, will start her sentence after the Chinese New Year on Jan 28. The former sales coordinator pleaded guilty to three cheating charges involving $81,443 between 2005 and last year. The court heard that she deceived her victims into believing that she would be able to get them discounted vouchers from various companies when she knew this was false. In one case, she induced a former colleague and close friend, Ms Delia Lee Boon Keng, 29, to hand over $74,370 and source for buyers for NTUC, CapitaLand, DFS, CapitalMall, Takashimaya, Louis Vuitton, Shell and SPC discounted vouchers.
Two other victims were cheated of $5,253 and $1,820.
She had in fact used the money for her own use.
Eleven other charges, including three of theft, were taken into consideration.
Of the $105,576 cheated, she had paid back $94,312.
Defence lawyer Amolat Singh said his client's stupid and doomed-to-failure scheme had brought unprecedented financial hardship and sorrow to her aged parents who had to sell off their Housing Board flat to help her out.
She could have been jailed for up to one year and fined for each offence.
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