Dear friends, I am still having problems managing my blog.:((
I am very new to blogging and would appreciate your comments on how to improve
it further.
I tried describing each photo without avail. The photographs are still not appearing in sequence.
Thank you for your time.
Cheers, HB
Thursday, 24 April 2008
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Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Two Choices
What would you do? You make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one.
Read it anyway.
My question is: Would you have made the same choice?
At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.
After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: 'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection.
Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do.
He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?'
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'
Then he told the following story:
Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball.
Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play.
The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning.
I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'
Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt.
His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart.
The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.
In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.
Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.
At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat.
Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.
However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.
The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.
The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.
As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The game would now be over.
The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.
Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.
Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.
Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!'
Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.
He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.
By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball .... the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.
He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'
Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'
As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!' Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.
'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.
Shay didn't make it to another summer.
He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
AND NOW A LITTLE FOOTNOTE TO THIS STORY:
We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people hesitate.
The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.
If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that you're probably sorting out the people in your address book who aren't the 'appropriate' ones to receive this type of message.
Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference.
We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.'
So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?
A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.
You now have two choices:
1. Ignore
2. Forward to benefit others
May your day, be a Shay Day
Read it anyway.
My question is: Would you have made the same choice?
At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.
After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: 'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection.
Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do.
He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?'
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'
Then he told the following story:
Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball.
Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play.
The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning.
I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'
Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt.
His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart.
The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.
In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.
Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.
At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat.
Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.
However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.
The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.
The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.
As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The game would now be over.
The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.
Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.
Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.
Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!'
Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.
He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.
By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball .... the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.
He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'
Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'
As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!' Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.
'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.
Shay didn't make it to another summer.
He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
AND NOW A LITTLE FOOTNOTE TO THIS STORY:
We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people hesitate.
The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.
If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that you're probably sorting out the people in your address book who aren't the 'appropriate' ones to receive this type of message.
Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference.
We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.'
So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?
A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.
You now have two choices:
1. Ignore
2. Forward to benefit others
May your day, be a Shay Day
Sunday, 13 April 2008
What a difference a sad event in someone's life makes ...
GEORGE CARLIN (His wife recently died...)
Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.
Quote:
A Message by George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stock room.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it.
A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away
Unquote:
If you are reading this, just imagine that I am hugging you as far as my arms can reached.
God bless!
Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.
Quote:
A Message by George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stock room.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it.
A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away
Unquote:
If you are reading this, just imagine that I am hugging you as far as my arms can reached.
God bless!
Vegetarian Bee Hoon with Mock Chicken
Vegetarian Bee Hoon with Mock Chicken
It was daunting to walk to the shop in the bitter cold but I was feeling peckish.
Hmmmmm, wondering what to eat next as my tummy was still rumbling after breakfast?.
Aha, there was half a can of mock chicken in the fridge and some dried vermicelli. That would do, simple comfort food and no time to prepare at all.
I do not usually follow a recipe so this is just an estimate, adjust according to your taste.
It takes less than ten minutes to cook, thus organise what you need before beginning to fry.
Ingredients
1. Half a pack of vermicelli (bee hoon). Soften in cold water for about 15-20 minutes. Drain in colander.
2. 2 garlic cloves roughly chopped
3. Half can mock chicken sliced. Use juice from can too.
4. Mix 3 tablespoon light soya sauce, 2 tablespoon vegetarian oyster sauce and ¼ cup of warm water. Mix well.
5. A dash of white pepper (optional)
6. About 4 tablespoon EVO
7. Dash of sesame oil
8. Sprig of coriander, roughly sliced
It was daunting to walk to the shop in the bitter cold but I was feeling peckish.
Hmmmmm, wondering what to eat next as my tummy was still rumbling after breakfast?.
Aha, there was half a can of mock chicken in the fridge and some dried vermicelli. That would do, simple comfort food and no time to prepare at all.
I do not usually follow a recipe so this is just an estimate, adjust according to your taste.
It takes less than ten minutes to cook, thus organise what you need before beginning to fry.
Ingredients
1. Half a pack of vermicelli (bee hoon). Soften in cold water for about 15-20 minutes. Drain in colander.
2. 2 garlic cloves roughly chopped
3. Half can mock chicken sliced. Use juice from can too.
4. Mix 3 tablespoon light soya sauce, 2 tablespoon vegetarian oyster sauce and ¼ cup of warm water. Mix well.
5. A dash of white pepper (optional)
6. About 4 tablespoon EVO
7. Dash of sesame oil
8. Sprig of coriander, roughly sliced
Method
1. Heat wok.
It’s very important to add oil into a smoking wok to create the wok hei effect. See Note.
Do not add oil into a cold wok before heating.
2. When wok is smoking, add oil. When oil is hot, add garlic, quick stir, less than a second and push to side of wok.
3. Add bee hoon, leave it just for a second, flip and mix in the garlic.
If you cannot control the fire, lower the flame a bit. Action must be very quick.
4. Add dash of pepper if using. You can smell the aroma. Mix well with chopsticks for less than a minute.
5. Push bee hoon to a side, add mock chicken and cover completely with bee hoon.
This will give the mock chicken a chance to be heated through.
6. Flick/sprinkle warm stock at edges of bee hoon and mix well. Add stock bit at a time. Do not add the whole bowl at once to prevent bee hoon from breaking and mushy.
You may need to scrap bottom of wok.
7. Add dash of sesame oil , mix well and ensure mock chicken is heated through.
8. Adjust seasoning, add coriander and serve.
Note1: The meaning of Wok Hei - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wok_hei
Note2: It would be lovely with bean sprout and celery leaves.
Extremely versatile with other ingredients too.
Waste not what’s in your fridge. Let your imagination runs.
Saturday, 12 April 2008
Chicken Wings Curry
Chicken Wings Curry
I am cooking for myself and fancy having curry.
Chicken wings is the cheapest cut in England so chicken wings it is. £1 yields ten pieces.
I am not bothered about spending money on other ingredients not in the larder.
I am cooking for myself and fancy having curry.
Chicken wings is the cheapest cut in England so chicken wings it is. £1 yields ten pieces.
I am not bothered about spending money on other ingredients not in the larder.
Being able to compromise is the key
Ingredients
1. Ten pieces chicken wings
2. 6 tablespoon chicken masala curry powder
3. 100 gm creamed coconut, add 400ml water and mix well or coconut milk
4. 5 pieces potatoes, peeled and quartered
5. 1 large onions, thinly sliced
6. 2 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
7. 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
8. A pinch of sugar
9. Salt
10. 3 tablespoon EVO or oil of your choice
11. 2 whole green or red chillies - optional
12. Fresh coriander for garnishing (optional)
Method
1. Heat a medium pot until hot, add oil, fry onions, keep stirring, when aromatic, add grated ginger and garlic, add whole chilli if used, stir and add chicken wings.
2. May need to lower flame a bit. Add curry power, mix till well coated.
3. Add suntan, salt and sugar. Ensure stock is just about cover the chicken wings.
4. Mix well and bring to a boil and simmer gently without a lid.
5. You need to stir bottom of pot periodically to prevent burning.
6. When chicken wings are about ¾ cooked, add potatoes, stir well, bring to a boil and simmer till desired texture.
7. Adjust seasoning.
8. Garnish with coriander before serving.
2. May need to lower flame a bit. Add curry power, mix till well coated.
3. Add suntan, salt and sugar. Ensure stock is just about cover the chicken wings.
4. Mix well and bring to a boil and simmer gently without a lid.
5. You need to stir bottom of pot periodically to prevent burning.
6. When chicken wings are about ¾ cooked, add potatoes, stir well, bring to a boil and simmer till desired texture.
7. Adjust seasoning.
8. Garnish with coriander before serving.
Note:
You may need to add more curry power and coconut milk, adjust according to your taste.
Sometimes, I add whole boiled eggs as an extra ingredient.
If curry is too hot, squeeze some lemon juice to the gravy and mix well.
It tastes better the next day and freezes very well.
Sometimes, I add whole boiled eggs as an extra ingredient.
If curry is too hot, squeeze some lemon juice to the gravy and mix well.
It tastes better the next day and freezes very well.
Extra:
Simple salad to accompany the curry or as a side dish. It's very simple and versatile.
Cube tomato, cucumber, onion, slice red onions and coriander/spring onions.
Add squeeze of lemon juice, dash of freshly ground pepper, sugar (optional), EVO, salt and mix well. Adjust seasoning.
Set aside for about five minutes and serve.
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