Malay Heritage-Baju Melayu

I would like to introduce part of the Malay Heritage to the world. As for today i would discuss on Baju Melayu.

Baju Melayu is a traditional Malay outfit for men. It literally translates as 'Malay shirt' and consists of two main parts.

The first being the baju (long sleeved shirt) itself which has a raised stiff collar known as the cekak musang collar (literally fox's lease).

The second part is the trousers. The two parts are made out of the same type of fabric which is usually silk, cotton, or a mixture of polyester and cotton.

A skirt-type adornment is also commonly worn with the Baju Melayu, which is either the "kain samping", made out of songket cloth or the kain sarung, made out of cotton or a polyester mix. Both are loops of fabric which are folded around the wearer's waist.

A jet-black or dark colored headgear called the songkok can also worn to complete the attire.

Malay shirt can be wear any time and day.

"Steve's Malay Shirt for Raya"

"Sufian's Malay Shirt for Raya"

Happy Holiday- Happy Labor Day

In the United States, Labor Day is always celebrated on the first Monday in September.

The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade of 10,000 workers on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by Peter J. McGuire, a Carpenters and Joiners Union secretary.

By 1893, more than half the states were observing a “Labor Day” on one day or another, and Congress passed a bill to establish a federal holiday in 1894. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill soon afterward, designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day.

Who Are We Celebrating?

Nearly 155.1 million number of people aged 16 and older in the nation’s labor force in May 2009. Are they happy? nope! cozz U.S. Civilian Unemployment Rate Forecast is at 9.4 % and increasing by every month.

Americans work in a variety of occupations. Here is a sampling:



7.7 million number of workers who hold down more than one job (like Steve). So-called moonlighters comprise 5 percent of the working population. Of these, 4 million work full time at their primary job and part time at their other job.

28 % of workers aged 16 and older who work more than 40 hours a week. Eight percent work 60 or more hours a week. Yeah! we worked like a dog.

5.7 million,The number of people who work at home.(like Steve)

Look like it going to be long weekend and night barbecue instead!

Ways to sort, sustain and share happiness- A come-back series

Happiness is a choice. The more happiness you choose, the more life presents you with experiences to feel happy about. If you are feeling blue or even downright depressed, you must make the decision to "get happy."

The following tips can help you; however, if you are seriously depressed, get some professional help. There are many new cutting-edge energy therapies that clear away negative emotions and negative thinking.

The bottom line is, if we give a lot of attention to what we don‘t want, we create more of it. To learn more about emotional release therapies that are designed to work with the mind/body energy system, including thoughts and feelings,So chap these are the following points to ponder:

1. Choose to be happy rather than right.

2. Repeat aloud: "It doesn‘t matter."

3. Pay it forward. For every kind deed offered to you, do a kind deed for someone else.

4. Write thank-you notes frequently. The energy of gratitude feeds happiness.

5. Smile—even if you don‘t feel like it. You eventually will!

6. When you think a complimentary thought about someone—tell them.

7. Refrain from making judgments—think something positive instead.

8. Whistle.

9. Skip around your house.

10. Turn on your favorite upbeat song and sing along.

11. Ask your angels to flow to you the energy of happiness.

12. Hug someone—tightly.

13. Ask your children to tuck you in bed and read you a story for a change.

14. Stay in the present. Let the future be just that: the future.

15. Hold a newborn baby and welcome them into the world.

16. Give some service to someone who is more needy than you.

17. Exercise regularly.

18. Pray and meditate.

And, just because I like to give a little extra, because it makes me happy,

19. Love yourself and make the choice to "BE HAPPY."

Fasting Fiesta 3

I did my 18++ hours of fasting, with few conditions

- not going anywhere
- Steve's send little Sophie to babysitter
- Steve's doing all the laundry (hei! that is his job description)
- Steve's have to pick-up the groceries from nearby store
- and i do the cooking,(this is my job description) and he slept

so i need to cooks something very special to rewards my hubby and me!

We had Chicken Rendang, Some Kueh or Malay dessert and Curry Crab.

Malaysian 52 Independence Day

I would like to wish Happy 52 birthday to much celebrated country "Malaysia". A round applause to all Malaysia for the 52 years of independence. The country have better looks than before.(according to my little memories living in Malaysia, aged 1-5 and 21-22 and 26-28 total=10 years)

As for now i am a citizen of United State of America.I have no regret whatsoever for surrender my Malaysia passport last year. I can't bear with 2 identity (bleak) and i don't wanna be known as permanent resident (PR) in USA.So, good bye Malaysian passport.

Talking about Independence day, it would no complete with glamorous parade. This year i heard the parade is done modestly, cozz it fall on fasting month. The boring parade can be made glamorous if ...(my naughty minds)we do like the above. huhuhu.WOW!

Fasting Fiesta 2

Still with fasting issues.

We had a complete American Breakfast at 2am in the morning! Two fried eggs, chicken sausages, baked bean, whole meal bread and fried potatoes cubes (i am a lazy house wife! indeed).

Steve had two portion of these American breakfast and we took spirulina to give an energy. 10 pcs of little spirulina down to dear tummy.

If i cannot continue my fasting "i say to myself" i will take my glucophage (diabetics medication) and cardiprin (aspirin) with a glass of water and pretend that i have done nothing wrong and continue my fast (i am such an idiot!)

BTW, Steve's have no problem with fasting, he used to all these during his Jewish life hood. Jews have this called Seven day Fast days of the Jewish Year or known as Jewish tzomot. But again, according to Steve's mother, i never heard people in America practice that.

Again, all these proved that every religion belief on existent of One mighty God and whatever religion you are, you must have faith in it and make tolerant to everybody and respect whatsoever their belief.

Just my two cents worth of brain.

Fasting Fiesta

One thing i hates so much is fasting (no eating and drinks and sex)during summer time. Usually it will take longer hour than other seasons. The reason is slightly longer day light and shorter night time.

We have to take breakfast as early as 3++ am and later break fasting as late as 8++ pm. That will total up to 18++,extra hours. Both of us will move so very low momentum. Cook by 4pm and we will take our bed and set the alarm by 8pm.

The air-cond will never stop running at 20c. Its hot, dry and you easily get dehydrated outside or inside your house.

Unlike fasting during winter time,very syok(nice) one!! breakfast at 6am and later break fasting at 4pm. You barely feel like fasting, cozzz its winter.

My fond winter experience is break fasting in a lecture hall, during university time in Cambridge. The professor ask me " ain't you suppose to break fast, sufian?, is it the time?" i reply "Yes Prof, if you can gives us all 10" he said "i don't mind"

That is my favorite math professor, Dr M.E Mcintyre, he is forever with Cambridge and fluid analysis. As for me, I always stick to Cryptography.

I've meet him last year 2008, in this Symposium held in Cambridge. He came to me and congratulate me for my research presentation and we had a good chat.