It Hailed in Melbourne!!!

Talk about throwing snowballs and having a snowball fight... check out what happened yesterday 6th March here in the CBD...

I guess it's true what people say about the weather here, you just can't tell what you will encounter each day - rain, wind, sun or hail...

Mind you it was 30 degrees or there abouts on the 5th.... imagine....

This is the ONE Time You Wish Your Swipe Card Worked!!!

In a large multinational company..............

A fire alarm rang at 4 PM in a large office when almost all employees were in office (approx 5000). As usual the entire office was evacuated within 3 mins & all employees gathered outside the office in the designated area waiting for further announcement.

The Security Officer in charge made the following announcement: "Dear employees - with sincere regret I have been asked to announce that for many of you it will be your last evacuation drill. Due to the recession the company is laying off almost 50% of its employees. So when this announcement finishes, I ask all of you to move back into the building and if your swipe card does not work then it means you have been laid off in which case you will not be allowed inside and all your belongings will be couriered to you by tomorrow.

The Company has used this innovative approach as we didn't want to fill up the email box with lay-off mails and good bye mails in the thousands & also to avoid any fights inside the office and the consequent security issue for all staff.

Hope you have had a rewarding career with us and all the best ahead.

Please move back in & try your luck".

Announcement

Dear Friends and Readers,

This would be my last post for the time being as I won't be connected to the virtual world for sometime.

Posts will resume once I've settled in and school has started over in the Land Down Under. Till then, happy reading Daniel's blog for his whacky, interesting and entertaining stories.

Au revior!

Amazing Simple Home Remedies

1. IF YOU'RE CHOKING ON AN ICE CUBE, SIMPLY POUR A CUP OF BOILING WATER DOWN YOUR THROAT. PRESTO! THE BLOCKAGE WILL INSTANTLY REMOVE ITSELF.

2. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU CHOP.

3. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK.

4. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS. REMEMBER TO USE A TIMER.

5. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON.

6. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES. THEN YOU'LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH.

7. YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.

8. REMEMBER - EVERYONE SEEMS NORMAL UNTIL YOU GET TO KNOW THEM.

9. IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

Slow Down Culture

An interesting reflection sent by a friend...

It's been 18 years since I joined Volvo, a Swedish company. Working for them has proven to be an interesting experience. Any projects here takes 2 years to be finalised, even if the idea is simple and brilliant. It's a rule.

Globalize processes have caused in us (all over the world) a general sense of searching for immediate results. Therefore, we have come to posses a need to see immediate results. This contrasts greatly with the slow movements of the Swedish. They, on the other hand debate, debate, debate, hold x quantity of meetings and work with a slowdown scheme. At the end, this always yields better results.

Said in other words:

1. Sweden is about the size of San Pablo, a state in Brazil.
2. Sweden has 2 million inhabitants.
3. Stockholm has 500,000 people.
4. Volvo, Escania, Ericsson, Electrolux are some of its renowned companies.
5. Volvo supplies NASA.

The first time I was in Sweden, one of my colleagues picked me up at the hotel every morning. It was September, bit cold and snowy. We would arrive early at the company and he would park far away from the entrance (2000 employees drive their car to work). The first day, I didn't say anything, either the second or third. One morning I asked, "Do you have a fixed parking space? I've noticed we park far from the entrance even when there are no other cars in the lot". To which he replied, "Since we're here early we'll have time to walk, and whoever gets in late will be late and need a place closed to the door don't you think?". Imagine my face...

Nowadays, there is a movement in Europe named Slow Food. This movement establishes that people should eat and drink slowly with enough time to taste their food, spend time with the family and friends without rushing. Slow Food is against its counterpart: the spirit of Fast Food and what it stands for as a lifestyle. Slow Food is the basis for a bigger movement called Slow Europe as mentioned by Business Week.

Basically the movement questions the sense of hurry and craziness generated by globalization, fueled by the desire of having in quantity (life status) versus having with quality, life quality or the quality of being. French people, even though they work 35 hours per week are more productive than Americans or British. Germans have established 28.8 hour work weeks and have seen their productivity been driven up by 20%. This slow attitude has brought forth the US attention, pupils of the fast and the do it now!

This no rush attitude doesn't represent doing less or having a lower productivity. It means working and doing things with greater quality, productivity, perfection, with attention to detail and less stress. It means re-establishing family values, friends, fee and leisure time. Taking the now present and concrete versus the global undefined and anonymous. It means taking humans essential values the simplicity of living.

It stands for a less coercive work environment, more happy lighter and more productive where humans enjoy doing what they know best how to do. It's time to stop and think on how companies need to develop serious quality of products and services without losing the essence of spirit.

In the movie Scent of a Woman, there is a scene where Al Pacino asks a girl to dance and she replies, "I can't, my boyfriend will be here any minute now". To which Al responds, "a Life is lived in an instant". Then they dance to a tango.

Many of us live our lives running behind time, but we only reach it when we die of a heart attack or in a car accident rushing to be on time. Others are so anxious of living the future that they forget to live the present which is the only time that truly exists. We all have equal time throughout the world. No one has more or less. The difference lies in how each one of us does with our time. We need to live each moment. As John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".

Lessons in Logic

If your father is a poor man,

it is your fate but,

if your father-in-law is a poor man,

it's your stupidity.

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I was born intelligent - education ruined me.

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Practise makes perfect... But nobody's perfect so why practise?

~~~~~

If it's true that we are here to help others,

then what exactly are the others here for?

~~~~~

Since light travels faster than sound,

people appear bright until you hear them speak...

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How come 'abbreviated' is such a long word?

~~~~~

Money is not everything... there's Mastercard & Visa!

~~~~~

One should love animals... they are so tasty!

~~~~~

Behind every successful man, there is a woman.

And behind every unsuccessful man, there are two women.

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Every man should marry, after all happiness is not the only thing in life.

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The wise never marry...and when they marry they become otherwise.

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Success is a relative term, it brings so many relatives.

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Never put off the work till tomorrow what you can put off today.

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Your future depends on your dreams - So go to Sleep!

~~~~~

There should be a better way to start a day than waking up every morning.

~~~~~

Hard work never killed anybody, but why take the risk?

~~~~~

'Work fascinates me' - I can look at it for hours!

~~~~~

God made relatives; Thank God we can choose our friends!

~~~~~

The more you learn, the more you know,

The more you know, the more you forget.

The more you forget, the less you know,

The less you know, the less you forget.

So... why learn?? ;)

~~~~~

A bus station is where a bus stops.

A train station is where a train stops.

On my desk I have a work station...What more can I say?

Diabetes...

After being diagnosed as a diabetic, I went surfing the internet for websites and information on how to handle this situation.


For those that wish to know more about this killer disease, take a look at this page : http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp


I hope that this website is able to help you out with any questions or doubts that you have regarding the disease as it did help me.

If you need to know what to eat, then may I suggest looking into this website for a delectable selection of menus made for our conditions : http://www.diabetic-recipes.com/menus.htm

Happy Reading!!

Kalau Tak Suka Pulangkan (If You Don't Like It, Return It)

Here is a short story in Bahasa Melayu that a friend of mine sent to me. It describes about life and appreciating what you have around you and not taking things for granted....

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Kereta dihentikan betul-betul di hadapan rumah. Pintu pagar automatiknya terbuka. Perlahan kereta dihalakan ke dalam garaj. "Horey! Papa balik!" Kelihatan anak-anaknya berlari mengiringi keretanya.

"Tepi! Bahaya tau tak?" Jeritnya.

Anak-anak termanggu. Cahaya kegembiraan di wajah mereka pudar.

"Aimin bawa adik ke belakang." Arahnya pada anak yang sulong.

Pulangnya petang itu disambut dingin oleh anak-anak. Isterinya turut terdiam bila mendengar anak-anak mengadu tentang papa mereka.

"Papa penat. Aimin bawa adik mandi dulu. Mama siapkan minum petang. Lepas minum papa mesti nak main bola dengan kita," pujuk Laila.

Dia yang mendengar di ruang tamu hanya mendengus. Seketika kemudian terdengar hilai tawa anak-anaknya di bilik mandi. Dia bangun.

"Hah! Main air. Bil bulan ini papa kena bayar dekat seratus. Cepat! Tutup paip tu! Buka shower!" Sergahnya. Suara yang bergema mematikan tawa anak-anaknya. "Asal saya balik rumah mesti bersepah. Kain baju berselerak. Apa awak makan tidur aje ke duduk rumah?" sambungnya kembali bila isterinya terpacul di belakang pintu.

"Anak-anak pa. Diorang yang main tu. Takpe nanti mama kemas. Papa minum ye. Mama dah siapkan kat taman." Balas isterinya lembut.

"Fail saya kat depan tu mana?"

"Mama letak dalam bilik. Takut budak-budak alihkan."

"Boleh tak awak jangan usik barang-barang saya? Susah tau tak? Fail tu patutnya saya bawa meeting tengahari tadi." Rungutnya sekalipun di hati kecil mengakui kebenaran kata-kata isterinya itu.

Suasana sepi kembali. Dia menarik nafas berat. Terasa begitu jauh berbeza. Dia tercari-cari riuh suara anak-anak dan wajah isterinya. "Laila" Keluhnya Akhirnya dia terlena di sofa.

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"Saya nak ke out station minggu depan."

"Lama?" Soal Laila.

"Dalam seminggu."

"Cuti sekolah pun lama. Mama ikut boleh?"

"Budak-budak? "

"Ikut jugalah."

"Dah! Takde! Takde! Susah nanti. Macam-macam diorang buat kat sana . Tengok masa kat Legacy dulu tu&"

"Masa tu Amirul kecik lagi." Balas Laila. Wajahnya sayu. Dia masih berusaha memujuk biarpun dia tahu suaminya tak mungkin berganjak dari keputusan yang dibuat. Tak mungkin peristiwa Amirul terpecahkan pinggan di hotel dulu berulang. Anak itu masih kecil benar sewaktu ia berlaku. Lagipun apa sangatlah harganya pinggan itu malahan pihak hotel pun tak minta ganti rugi. " Bolehlah Pa ! Lama sangat kita tak ke mana-mana." "Nak jalan sangat Sabtu ni saya hantar awak balik kampung," Muktamad! Demikianlah seperti kata-katanya. Anak-anak dan isterinya dihantar ke kampung. Laila tak merungut apa-apa meskipun dia tahu isterinya berkecil hati. Anak-anak terlompat riang sebaik kereta berhenti di pengkarangan rumah nenek mereka. Tak sampai setengah jam dia telah bergegas semula untuk pulang. Bapa mertuanya membekalkan sebuah kitab lama.

"Cuba-cubalah baca. Kitab tu pun abah ambil dari masjid. Dari mereka bakar abah ambik bagi kamu!"

"Manalah saya ada masa.." "Takpe..pegang dulu. Kalau tak suka pulangkan balik !" Dia tersentak dari khayalannya. " Kalau tak suka pulangkan balik! " Kata-kata itu bergema di fikirannya. Dia rasa tersindir. Tahukah bapa mertuanya masalah yang melanda rumahtangganya itu? Bukan..bukan tak suka malah dia tetap sayang sekalipun Laila bukan pilihannya. Dunia akhirat Laila adalah isterinya. Cuma..

"Mizi, makan!" Panggil ibunya yang datang menemaninya sejak seminggu lalu. "Jangan ikutkan hati. Yang sudah tu sudahlah."

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"Papa! Makan!" Jerit Aiman ,anak keduanya sambil tersengih-sengih mendapatkan dirinya. "Tak boleh panggil papa elok-elok. Ingat papa ni pekak ke?"

Aiman menggaru kepalanya yang tak gatal. Pelik! Kenapa papanya tiba-tiba saja marah. Dia berpatah semula ke dapur.

"Awak masak apa?"

"Mama masak sup tulang dengan sambal udang!" jawab Amirul memotong sebelum sempat mamanya membuka mulut.

"Takde benda lain ke awak boleh masak? Dah saya tak nak makan. Hilang selera!"

"Papa nak ke mana?" Soal isterinya perlahan.

"Keluar!"

"Mama dah masak Pa!"

"Awak saja makan!"

"Takpe Aiman boleh habiskan. Cepatlah ma!"

Laila tahu Aiman hanya memujuk. Anak keduanya itu sudah pandai mengambil hatinya. Aimin tersandar di kerusi makan. Sekadar memerhati langkah papanya keluar dari ruang makan. "Kenapa sekarang ni papa selalu marah-marah ma?" Soal Aimin sambil menarik pinggannya yang telah berisi nasi. "Papa banyak kerja agaknya. Dah! Makan." "Abang tak suka tengok papa marah-marah. ." "Adik pun sama. Bila papa marah muka dia macam gorilla kan ?"

Kata-kata Aiman disambut tawa oleh abang-abangnya yang lain. Laila menjeling. Di hati kecilnya turut terguris Besar sangatkah dosanya hingga menjamah nasi pun tidak. Kalau ada pun salahnya, apa?

Syamizi menjengah ke ruang dapur. Kosong.

"Laila.." serunya

"Sudahlah tu Mizi! Jangan diingat-ingat. Kerja Tuhan ni tak dapat kita tolak-tolak. Bawak-bawaklah beristighfar. Kalau terus macam ni sakit kau nanti." Kata ibunya yang muncul tiba-tiba.

"Sunyi pulak rumah ni mak,"

"Lama-lama kau biasalah."

Airmatanya menitis laju. "Kalau tak suka pulangkan!" Dia rasa terhukum. Hampir segenap saat kata-kata itu bergema di sekitarnya. Dia rasa terluka. Kehilangan yang amat sangat.

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"Papa beli apa untuk Aiman?" Soal Aiman sebaik dia pulang dari outstationnya.

"Beli apa pulak? Barang permainan kan bersepah dalam bilik belakang tu."

"Tak ada lah?"

"Ingat papa ni cop duit?"

Aiman termangu. Dia berlalu mencari mamanya di dapur. Seketika kemudian rumah kembali riuh dengan telatah anak-anak lelakinya yang bertiga itu mengiringi mama mereka yang sedang menatang dulang berisi hidangan minum petang.

Wajah Laila direnungnya. Ada kelainan pada raut itu. Riaknya tenang tapi ada sesuatu yang sukar ditafsirkannya. "Awak tak sihat ke?"

Laila tersenyum. Tangannya pantas menuang air ke cawan.

"Papa, tak lama lagi abang dapat adik lagi." Aimin mencelah di antara perbualan kedua ibu bapanya.

Shamizi tersenyum. Jemari isterinya digenggam erat. Tiba-tiba cawan berisi kopi yang masih panas terjatuh dan pecah di lantai. Aiman tercegat.

"Tengok! Ada saja yang kamu buat. Cuba duduk baik-baik. Kalau air tu tak tumpah tak sah!" Tempiknya membuatkan anak itu tertunduk ketakutan. Baju mamanya dipegang kejap.

Lengan Aiman dipegangnya kuat hingga anak kecil itu mula menangis. Pantas saja akhbar di tangannya hinggap ke kepala anaknya itu. Laila cuba menghalang tapi dia pantas dulu menolak isterinya ke tepi. Aiman di pukul lagi. Amirul menangis. Aimin mendapatkan mamanya.

"Perangai macam beruk! Tak pernah buat orang senang!"

Laila bangun dari jatuhnya dan menarik lembut Aiman ke dalam pelukkannya. Airmata mereka bersatu. Pilu sungguh hatinya melihat kekasaran suaminya terhadap anak-anak.

"Cukuplah pa. Papa dah hukum pun dia tapi janganlah sebut yang bukan-bukan. " Ujar Laila perlahan.

"Macamana awak didik budak-budak sampai macam ni teruk perangainya? Tengok anak orang lain ada macam ni? Anak kak Long tu tak pulak macam ni. Panjat sana , kecah barang. Gila apa?" Omelnya kembali.

Shamizi meraut wajah. Bukan kepalang salahnya pada Aiman. Padanya anak itu tak pernah dapat memuaskan hatinya. Ada saja salah Aiman di matanya. Ada saja yang kurang di hatinya terhadap anak-anak dan isteri. Tak cukup dengan perbuatan malah dia begitu mudah melemparkan kata-kata yang bukan-bukan terhadap mereka.

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"Tak boleh ke kamu semua senyap? Dalam sehari ni boleh tak diam? Rimas betul duduk dalam rumah ni." Laila menyuruh anak-anaknya bermain di halaman belakang rumah. Memberi sedikit ruang buat suaminya menonton dengan tenang. Malangnya tak lama kemudian kedengaran bunyi tingkap kaca pecah. "Celaka betul!" Sumpahnya sambil menghempaskan akhbar ke meja. "Abang!" "Baik awak tengok anak-anak awak tu sebelum saya hambat dengan rotan! Perangai satu-satu macam tak siuman!" Getusnya kasar. Akhirnya tingkap yang pecah kembali diganti. Cerita sumpah seranahnya petang itu hilang begitu saja. Laila berubah. Sikapnya yang pendiam menjadi semakin pendiam. Anak-anak juga sedikit menjauh. Tak ada lagi cerita Amirul di tadika. Tak ada lagi kisah Aimin yang cemerlang di dalam sukan sekolahnya. Aiman juga tak lagi mahu memanggilnya makan.

Shamizi terasa puas hati. Barangkali itu saja caranya untuk memberi sedikit pengajaran pada anak-anak.

"Pak Ngah, Eddie nak balik!" Shamizi terpana. Dia mengangguk. "Kak Long balik dulu Mizi. Sudahlah! Kamu muda lagi. Cari pengganti." Alangkah mudahnya. Kalaulah dia boleh bertemu lagi yang serupa seperti Laila. Laila tak ada yang kurang Cuma dia yang tak pernah puas hati. Laila tak pernah merungut. Laila tak pernah membantah. Sepanjang usia perkahwinan mereka Laila tak pernah meminta lebih dari apa yang dia beri. Laila cuma dapat gred B walaupun dia teramat layak untuk mendapat gred yang lebih baik dari A. "Laila"

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"Papa nak ke mana hensem-hensem gini?" Dia tersenyum sambil menjeling ke cermin meninjau bayang isterinya yang kian sarat. "Wangi-wangi lagi. Dating ye?"

"Saya ada makan malam di rumah bos besar. Dia buat makan-makan untuk staff." Ujarnya masih leka membetulkan kolar kemeja batiknya.

"Ikut boleh?"

"Dia tak ajak family. Staff only!" Terangnya sedangkan difikirannya terfikir lain. Kali ni dia akan pergi ke jamuan tu dengan Helmi. Helmi akan turut menumpangkan Maria dan Harlina. Staff yang masih muda dan bujang. "Dalam setahun papa selalu ke jamuan office tapi tak pernah pun bawak kami."

"Leceh kalau ada budak-budak. Bukan tau duduk diam Lari sana sini, panjat itu ini. "

"Papa pesanlah.."

"Nantilah besar sikit." Dalihnya.

"Kalau tunggu besar takut takde peluang. Nanti diorang tu dah tak nak ikut pergi mana pun."

"Lagi senang. Saya kalau lasak-lasak ni buat hati panas je,"

Laila terdiam. "Namanya budak-budak. Anak-anak papa tu lelaki.""Saya pergi kejap je. Lepas tu terus balik." "Mama tanya sikit boleh?" Dia mengangguk "Bos tak pelawa atau papa malu nak bawa mama dan anak-anak?"

Mereka dia tinggalkan di rumah. Di jamuan tu ramai staff yang membawa keluarga mereka bersama. Pada Shamizi dia mahukan keselesaan sedangkan hakikatnya anak-anak staff yang lain lebih lasak dan nakal. Semeja hidangan untuk anak-anak staff berderai bila ada yang bermain tarik-tarik alas kainnya.

"Never mind. Budak-budak memang macam tu. Kalau tak lasak tak cerdik," ujar Mr. Kwai, tuan rumah.

Shamizi sedikit mengakui kebenaran kata-kata itu. Anak-anaknya pun nakal tapi amat membanggakan dalam pelajaran. Namun dia rasa serba tak kena bila bersama mereka. Bimbang ada yang menyata yang bukan-bukan tentang anak-anaknya yang lasak apatah lagi tentang isterinya Laila. Bimbang dimalukan dengan perangai anak-anaknya. Bimbang jika dikatakan Laila tidak sepadan dengan dirinya. Dia lulusan luar negara sedang Laila cuma perempuan kampung. Tak pandai bergaya seperti staff wanita yang lain. Betullah jangkaan Laila, dia malu untuk memperkenalkan isteri dan anak-anaknya pada rakan-rakan.

"Kalau tak suka pulangkan! " Kata-kata itu semakin keras di fikirannya. Pagi itu anak-anak sekali lagi dimaki sebelum ke sekolah. Semata-mata bila Aimin dan Aiman bergelut berebutkan tempat duduk di meja makan menyebabkan air cuci tangan tumpah ke meja. Berangnya tiba-tiba menguasai diri. Kepala kedua-duanya di lagakan sedangkan perebutan itu tidak pula disusuli dengan perkelahian. "Kamu semua ni..kalau macam ni daripada ada elok tak ada. Menyusahkan! " Laila merenungnya dalam.. Matanya berkaca dan anak-anak ke sekolah tanpa menyalaminya seperti selalu. Laila juga tidak berkata apa-apa sebelum menghidupkan enjin untuk menghantar anak-anak ke sekolah. Shamizi dapat melihat Laila mengesat airmatanya. Dia terus menghadapi sarapannya. Sejenak dia terpandang hidangan untuk anak-anak yang tak bersentuh. Susu masih penuh di cawan. Roti telur yang menjadi kesukaan anak-anak juga tidak dijamah. Bekal di dalam bekas tidak diambil. Pelik! Selama ini Laila tak pernah lupa.. " Kalau tak suka pulangkan,"

Kali ini dia benar-benar menangis. Laila dan anak-anak terus tak pulang selepas pagi itu. Hari-harinya tak lagi diganggu dengan gelagat anak-anak. Rumah terus sunyi dan sepi. Tetap dia tak dapat tidur dengan lena. Di halaman belakang hanya ada kenangan. Kelibat anak-anaknya bergumpal dan berlari mengejar bola tak lagi kelihatan. Riuh anak-anak bila mandi di bilik air juga tidak lagi kedengaran. Dia mula dihambat rindu. Hanya ada kesunyian di mana-mana. Hanya tinggal bola yang terselit di rumpun bunga.

Selaut rindu mula menghambat pantai hatinya. Laila.

Benarlah, kita hanya tahu harganya bila kita kehilangannya.

Laila terus tak pulang sekalipun dia berjanji untuk berubah. Laila pergi membawa anak-anaknya pagi itu bila kereta mereka dirempuh sebuah kereta lain yang dipandu laju. Laila pergi tanpa meninggalkan satu pun untuknya. Laila pergi membawa Aimin, Aiman, Amirul dan zuriat yang bakal dilahirkan dua bulan lagi..

Dia menangis semahu-mahunya bila menatap wajah lesi anak-anak dan isterinya. Dia meraung memeluk tubuh Laila yang berlumuran darah. Hakikatnya Laila adalah kitab lama itu, lapuk bagaimana pun dipandangan harganya tak terbanding, dan kerana keengganannya Laila dipulangkan.....

For Those Who Have Back Problems...

BACK CARE IN DAILY ACTIVITIES

Back injury is one of the most common injuries at work and at home. Safe work habits can help prevent injuries as well as prevent problems resulting from overuse or incorrect use of the back.This aims to help you make smart moves to keep you healthy in your daily activities, so that you can enjoy everything else life has to offer.

• Maintain the natural curve of the lower back during bending and lifting
• Avoid twisting, bending and awkward postures
• No excessive pushing, pulling, lifting or lowering
• Maintain a good base of support during movement
• Avoid doing repetitive work tasks and take regular breaks
• When lifting, keep the object close to the body

PRINCIPLES OF BACK CARESITTING

SITTING - Do not slump or slouch in the sofa.. Sit forward and upright

LYING DOWN - Lie on your side with your knees bent, Sleep on a firm mattress. Do not lie on your stomach and do not use a pillow that is too high or too low.

STANDING - Do not bend over or slouch withyour legs straight, do not stand for long periods of time. Stand upright with your head up and back in its natural curve. Change your position often.

LIFTING - Do not bend when lifting, Do not lift heavy items above shoulder level. Squat to pick up objects and keep your back straight, keep items close to your body when lifting.

BED MAKING - Do not stand with your leg straighten and bend your back, kneel while making the bed. Maintain your back in its natural curve.

VACUUMING - Do not twist or bend your back excessively while cleaning, ensure that you vacuum or sweep in an upright and comfortable posture

Reference Information from :
Back Society (Singapore) www.backsociety.org.sg
Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists www.saot.org.sg

Very True and Thought Provoking

One day all the employees reached the office and they saw a big advise on the door on which it was written: "Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym".

In the beginning, they all got sad for the death of one of their colleagues, but after a while they started getting curious to know who was that man who hindered the growth of his colleagues and the company itself.

The excitement in the gym was such that security agents were ordered to control the crowd within the room.

The more people reached the coffin, the more the excitement heated up. Everyone thought, "Who is the guy who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he died!".

One by one the thrilled employees got closer to the coffin, and when they looked inside they suddenly became speechless. they stood nearby the coffin, shocked and in silence as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul.

There was a mirror inside the coffin, everyone who looked inside it could see himself...

There was also a sign next to the mirror that said: "There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth - it is YOU.

You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success. You are the only person who can help yourself.

Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when your company changes. Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realize that you are the only one responsible for your life.

"The most important relationship you can have is the one you have with yourself."

Examine yourself, watch yourself. Don't be afraid of difficulties, impossibilities and losses... be a winner and build yourself and your reality. The world is like a mirror; it gives back to anyone the reflection of the thoughts in which one has strongly believed.

The world and your reality are like mirrors laying in a coffin which show to any individual the death of his divide capability to imagine and create his happiness and success.

It's the way you face life that makes the difference....

Irish College Entrance Exam

Think about the answers my friend and let me know them.... will then tell you whether you passed or failed....

Embarassing Medical Exams

Story 1

A man comes into the ER and yells, "My wife's going to have her baby in the cab!". I grabbed my stuff, rushed out to the cab, lifted the lady's dress and began to take off her underwear. Suddenly I noticed that there were several cabs --- and I was in the wrong one.
(submitted by Dr.Mark MacDonald, San Francisco)

Story 2

At the beginning of my shift I placed a stethoscope on an elderly and slightly deaf female patient's anterior chest wall. "Big breaths", I instructed. "Yes, they used to be," replied the patient.
(submitted by Dr Richard Byrnes, Seattle WA)

Story 3

One day I had to be the bearer of bad news when I told a wife that her husband had died of a massive myocardial infarct. Not more than five minutes later, I heard her reporting to the rest of the family that he had died of a "massive internal fart".
(submitted by Dr.Susan Steinberg)

Story 4

During a patient's two week follow-up appointment with his cardiologist, he informed me, his doctor that he was having trouble with one of his medications. "Which one?" I asked. "The patch...the nurse told me to put on a new one every six hours and not I'm running out of places to put it!". I had quickly undressed him and discovered what I hoped I wouldn't see. Yes the man had over fifty patches on his body! Now the instructions include removal of the old patch before applying the new one.
(submitted by Dr.Rebecca St.Clair, Norfolk VA)

Story 5

While acquainting myself with a new elderly patient, I asked "How long have you been bedridden?" After a look of complete confusion she answered, "Why not for about twenty years - when my husband was still alive."
(submitted by Dr.Steven Swanson-Corvallis OR)

Story 6

I was performing rounds at the hospital one morning and while checking up on a woman I asked, "So how's your breakfast this morning?" " It's very good except for the Kentucky Jelly. I can't seem to get used to the taste," the patient replied. I then asked to see the jelly and the woman produced a foil packed labeled "KY Jelly".
(submitted by Dr.Leonard Kransdorf, Detroit MI)

Story 7

A nurse was on duty in the Emergency Room when a young woman with purple hair styled into a punk rocker Mohawk, sporting a variety of tattoos and wearing strange clothing entered. It was quickly determined that the patient had acute appendicitis so she was scheduled for immediate surgery. When she was completely disrobed on the operating table, the staff noticed that her pubic hair had been dyed green and above it there was a tattoo that read "Keep of the Grass". Once the surgery was completed, the surgeon wrote a short note on the patient's dressing which said "Sorry had to mow the lawn"
(submitted by anonymous)

Story 8

As a new young MD doing his residency in OB, I was quite embarrassed when performing female pelvic exams. To cover my embarrassment I had unconsciously formed a habit of whistling softly. The middle-aged lady upon whom I was performing this exam suddenly burst out laughing and further embarrassing me. I looked up from my work and sheepishly said, "I'm sorry, was I tickling you?" She replied, "No doctor, but the song you were whistling was 'I wish I was an Oscar Meyer Weiner'
(submitted by anonymous)

When cigarettes become too expensive......hmmmm.........

The "Middle Wife"

Here is a story a friend sent me on how a 2nd Grade student (Std 2 in M'sia.. I think) describes the birth of her baby brother. Her teacher repeats the story...

Take a read:

I've been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have two kids myself, but the best birth story I know is the one I saw in my own second grade classroom a few years back.

When I was a kid, I loved show-and-tell. So I always have a few sessions with my students. It helps them get over shyness and usually, show-and-tell is pretty tame. Kids bring in pet turtles, model airplanes, pictures of fish they catch... stuff like that. And I never, ever place any boundaries or limitations on them. If they want to lug it into school and talk about it, they're welcome.

Well, one day this little girl Erica who is a very bright and very outgoing kid takes her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow stuffed under her sweater. She holds up a snapshot of an infant. "This is Luke my baby brother, and I'm going to tell you about his birthday".

"First mum and dad made him as a symbol of their love. Dad put a seed in my mum's stomach and Luke grew in there. He are for nine months through and umbrella cord". She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I'm trying not to laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching her in amazement.

"Then about two Saturdays ago, my mum starts saying and going Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!". Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans. "She walked around the house for like an hour going Oh, Oh, Oh! My dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn't have a sign on the car like the Domino's man. They got my mum to lie down in bed like this". Then Erica lies down with her back against the wall.

"And then pop! My mum had this bag of water she kept in there in case he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled all over the bed, like psshhheewww!" This kid had her legs spread with her little hands miming water flowing away. It was too much!!

"Then the middle wife starts saying Push! Push! and Breathe! Breathe! They started counting but never even got past ten. Then all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He was covered in yucky stuff that they all said it was from mum's play-centre, so there must be a lot of toys inside there".

Then Erica stood up and took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat. I'm sure I applauded the loudest. Ever since then, when it's show-and-tell day, I bring my camcorder just in case another "Middle Wife" comes along....

The Office Song

This song is specially dedicated to all my working friends out there especially Daniel who is currently undergoing a slight 'under-current' from his work environment.

Hang in there my friend and enjoy!!

Why God Made Mothers....

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions....

Why did God make Mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the sticky tape is.

2. Mostly to clean the house.

3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make Mothers?

1. He used dirt just like for the rest of us.

2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.

3. God made my mum just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredient are Mothers made of?

1. God made mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab

of mean.

2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your Mother and not some other Mum?

1. We're related.

2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mums like me.

What kind of little girl was your Mum?

1. My mum has always been my mum and none of that other stuff.

2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.

3. They say she used to be nice.

What did Mum need to know about Dad before she married him?

1. His last name.

2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?

3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your Mum marry your Dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mum eats a lot.

2. She got too old to do anything else with him.

3. My grandma says that Mum didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mum doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a clot.

2. Mum. You can tell by room inspections.... she sees the stuff under the bed.

3. I guess Mum is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between mums and dads?

1. Mums work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.

2. Mums know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.

3. Dads are taller and stronger but mums have all the real power cause that's who you got to ask

if you want to sleep over at your friend's.

What does your mum do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.

2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mum perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.

2. Diet. You know her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your Mum, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.

2. I'd make my Mum smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.

3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Quotes for Deliberation

1. Whenever I find the key to success, someone changes the lock
2. To Err is human, to forgive is not a COMPANY policy
3. The road to success?? Is always under construction..
4. Alcohol doesn't solve any problems, but if you think again neither does Milk
5. In order to get a Loan, you first need to prove that you don't need it
6. All the desirable things in life are either illegal, expensive or fattening
7. Since light travels faster than sound, people appear brighter before you hear them speak
8. Everyone has a scheme of getting rich which never works
9. If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you ever tried
10. You can never determine which side of the bread to butter. If it falls down, it will always land on the buttered side
11. Anything droped on the floor will roll over to the most inaccesible corner
12. As soon as you mention something; if it is good it is TAKEN, if it's bad it HAPPENS
13. He who has the gold, makes the rules ---- Murphy's golden rule
14. If you come early, the bus is late. If you come late the bus is still late
15. Once you have bought something, you will find the same item being sold somewhere else at a cheaper rate
16. When in a queue, the other line always moves faster and the person in front of you will always have the most complex of transactions
17. If you have paper, you don't have a pen. If you have a pen, you don't have paper. If you have both, no one calls
18. If you have bunked the class, the professor has taken attendance
19. You will pick up the maximum wrong numbers when on roaming
20. The door bell or your mobile will always ring when you are in the bathroom
21. After a long wait for bus #20, two 20 number buses will always pull in together and the bus which you get in will be crowded than the other
22. If your exam is tomorrow, there will be a power cut tonight
23. Irrespective of the direction of the wind, the smoke from the cigarette will always tend to go to the non-smoker

Why I Didn't Make it to the Olympics...

The Invisible Letter

It starts in the heart....

Sally jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room.

She said: "How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?"

The surgeon said, "I'm sorry... We did all we could but your boy didn't make it."

Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care anymore? Where were you God when my son needed you?"

The surgeon asked, "Would you like some time alone with your son before he is transported to the university? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes."

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said goodbye to her son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair.

"Would you like a lock of his hair?", the nurse asked. Sally nodded... The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. "It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the university for study. He said it might help somebody else. I said no at first, but Jimmy said "Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his mom."

She went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could."

Sally walked out of the children's Mercy Hospital for the last time after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house.

She carried Jimmy's belongings and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room. She started placing the model cards and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them.

She laid down across his bed and hugging his pillow cried herself to sleep. It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Lying beside her on the bed was a folded letter.

The letter said:

Dear Mom,

I know you're going to miss me but don't think that I will ever forget you or stop loving you just cause I'm not around to say I LOVE YOU.

I will always love you Mom even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with.

But if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like y'know. Don't be sad thinking about me. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything.

The angels are so cool! I love to watch them fly... And you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what Mom? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him like I was somebody important.

That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter to tell you goodbye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well y'know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you.

God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him - Where was He when I needed him?

God said He was in the same place with me as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there as He always is with all His children. Oh by the way Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool?

I have to give God back his pen now. He needs it to write some more names into the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone... I'm glad because I couldn't stand the pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much either.

That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was Special Delivery? How about that?!

Signed with love from:

God, Jesus and Me