The Eclipse

Here are two pictures of the recent eclipse happened yesterday at about 6-ish am (India time). I actually forgot about this eclipse till I read the news. Looking through the window at about 7am yersterday (was in Renaissance KL for a 2-day course), I actually thought it was gloomy coz it's raining. Simply amazing. I wonder if now then somebody in this world will have super powers a-la Heroes? More about it can be read here and here

My Sister's Keeper

I have finally finished reading this book! Yeayyy. I came across this title as I was browsing through the upcoming summer flicks. Watching the trailer, and finding out that it was an adaptation from a novel of a best selling author, it managed to keep me interested. Anyway, thanks to MPH I came across the novel and I bought it. Rest assured, I had a blast reading it from the start to the very last page. Let me share with you some dirt of what it is all about.

Basically we have Kate, who has suffered from a rare form of leukemia at an early age, struggling to keep herself alive. Then comes Anna, her younger sibling who was somewhat genetically engineered to help her sister fight the disease. Being family, an at such a young age, does not have much of a say of to the extend of her helping her sister, undergoing countless transfusions and surgeries. That is until one day, she decides to file for a medical emancipation for a legal right to her body; for her to be able to decide on her own of what she wants to do with her body. A decision that for most would be unthinkable, that will tear her family apart, and perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves. Author Jodi Picoult has put a microscope examining this controversial topic, finding out what it means to be a good parent, a good sister and a good person; putting a fine line between legal and moral compass in doing absolutely anything to save a child's life.

I must say, I'm not sure how to begin with commenting about this book. Yes, it is a heavy subject, but at the same time, this book managed my attention and interest to read it through. It's packed with human emotions, human values, not to mention medical jargons. I also liked the way the story is presented, i.e. switches from the eyes from various characters including the parents, and the lawyers. It makes you see the things playing around each character's minds. Reading this (although it's fictional) can't help me but wonder what would have happened if I were in Anna's shoes. I can't say that I'm surprised with the ending (let's just say I kinda saw it coming along the way reading it), but then it's just woww. I spent about 10 minutes just reflecting on what had happened after finding out the ending. The pages during the trial scene was just suspenseful. I literally had to switched off the TV just to focus. Luckily hacing a great view from my hotel room helps me to get the to the bottom of the story with peace, huhu.

Bottom line, it's been a while since I last read fiction, but this is just awesome! Worth the money paid, worth reading, worth recommending it to someone else. I so so enjoyed the storyline and the characters. I can imagine Abigail Breslin being Anna in the movie. It will take a while till the movie arrives here in Malaysia, so just go and get this book! How I wished that back in my college years we were asked to analyze the idea of this book. Perhaps the Theory of Knowledge classes will not be so dull then...All in all, this book is indeed a keeper:)

Seen And Heard: The Merchants Of Bollywood

Usually for Seen And Heard posts, it's always about videos, songs or movies. Well, guess what? This time it's neither about all those. It's time performance arts are brought into picture; in this post namely The Merchants Of Bollywood (MOB). I had a chance to check it out together with my mum and my sister (my mum is such a huge fanatic fan of anything Bollywood), at Istana Budaya on Sunday evening. I was there with an open heart and open mind (I'm not a big fan of the movies, but I don't mind the actress, hehe), but according to some sources the play received some positive reviews. We arrived in IB 20 minutes till the play starts and we could see how this show attracted many. The crowd was so stylo mylo, all dressed up to the nines. And more, the audiences came from all parts of race; we have Malays, Chinese, Indians (d'uh), even the foreigners are feeling the heat too. And Sunday's performance are special with the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister.

MOB is basically about Ayesha, a young aspiring dance choreographer trying to find her hopes and dreams in Bollywood. Her father turned out to be a sensational choreographer back in his days. But then, her father disapproves of Ayesha's intentions due to the ugly side of modern Bollywood and instead asked her to retain her traditional roots. Working now in the modern world of Bollywood cinema, Ayesha now begins to question Bollywood's way forward in story telling as more and more foreign films are followed and adapted, as well as the music that creeps in. There are flashbacks to highlight Bollywood at its peak back in the 70's and its transitioning time to the very recent.

That's about it for the teaser synopsis. Now let me share with you about its performance. Well, first of all, mind you (again!) tat I'm not a huge Bollywood fan, so I can't really appreciate those songs they're singing and being crazy about. But I can tell you this. The show is magnificient! It's vibrant (the costumes are such an eye candy, not to mention the hero will be definitely be drooled by the ladies), dynamic (those jaw dropping, insane dance moves) and filled with heart and passion. Watching the play makes you appreciate what they have been through and what they have become now. It's definitely a pleasant journey into the realm of Bollywood with the lip-syncing, warmth in family values, just what you would expect from watching a Bollywood movie. And that is why I think my mum loves it. It's like watching a live Bollywood movie (minus the stars of course). And the music! man oh man do the crowd enjoyed it! Even the DPM showed that he is also a good sport, reacting to the beats and tunes.

So that's it! Amazing, wonderful, a great experience of the performing arts. MOB delivered it with such a class, we left IB feeling happy and delightful...Signing off, ciao!

Turnaround...

Today at work is all about turnaround. I joined two seperate meetings in the morning and in the afternoon discussing about it. Basically a turnaround is an event,whereby refineries/processing plants are taken off stream from operating & production (basically shutting down in layman terms). Turnaround (or TA as we called it) is the time major maintenance works were done,thorough inspection conducted to ensure the integrity of the structures,as well as modification or revampibg works will be conducted. This will be my first TA experience,and you know what,from what I saw it's gonna be a huge deal.

The morning meeting is all about safety. We're discussing the JSA (Job Safety Analysis) of the major jobs to be done during TA. This is where we detail out every single safety aspects in the job. We're talking equipment inspection,hazard awareness,manpower competencies,basically the whole lot. Safety during TA is especially a huge deal,because time is of the essence,and we can't afford to lose precious time for not doing things safely. In O&G, time is money,literally.

Then in the afternoon,we had a discussion as to the works to be done during TA. Here the planner will outline the detailed plan of what's to happen from shutdown to startup. Every single item is detailed out,like the minimum time to drain out the whole system to go hydrocarbon free,what jobs start first,even to extend of crane mobilization. We are given such a tight window,as let's face it; the longer you're down, the more losses you'll incur.

So that's about it. Expect long workhours,sleepless nights and deprived state of mind...

An Orgasm A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

Yeah,the title seems very controversial (especially for Malaysians),but I'm sharing what I've read in Telegraph UK. NHS is campaigning towards having a healthy sex life,and mind you,the campaign is targeted at students.

NHS tells school children of their 'right' to 'an orgasm a day'

NHS guidance is advising school pupils that they have a "right" to an enjoyable sex life and that regular sex can be good for their cardiovascular health.

The advice appears in leaflets circulated to parents, teachers and youth workers and is meant to update sex education by telling students about the benefits of enjoyable sex.

The authors of the guidance say that for too long, experts have concentrated on the need for "safe sex" and committed relationships while ignoring the principle reason that many people have sex.

Entitled Pleasure, the leaflet has been drawn up by NHS Sheffield, but it also being circulated outside the city.

The leaflet carries the slogan "an orgasm a day keeps the doctor away". It also says: "Health promotion experts advocate five portions of fruit and veg a day and 30 minutes' physical activity three times a week. What about sex or masturbation twice a week?"

Steve Slack, the director of the Centre for HIV and Sexual Health at NHS Sheffield, who is one of the leaflet's authors, says that instead of promoting teenage sex, it could encourage young people to delay losing their virginity until they are certain they will enjoy the experience.

Mr Slack believes that if teenagers are fully informed about sex and are making their decisions of their own will in a loving relationship, they have an equal right as an adult to an enjoyable sex life.

Anthony Seldon, the headmaster of Wellington College, which recently introduced classes in emotional wellbeing, said the leaflets were "deplorable".

Signing off from my HTC TD2

'Would You Look At That Piece Of Ass, Nicolas?'

...or so it seems that those are the words which might be uttered from President Barack Obama's mouth to France's Nicolas Sarkozy, judging from the picture above. This picture caused quite a controversial stir on the web. As a matter of fact, this pic was taken during a G8 summit/conference thingy. All the world leaders are gathered together discussing...well I suppose not about asses. Truth been told (according to the clip I saw), President Obama was actually being a gentlemen and was checking out his footing and helps the lady with the black top to come down.

But then, watching the clip again, President Sarkozy was definitely checking her out! Well, boys will always be boys, even though you're a President or have a hot wife like Carla Bruni.

Come to think of it, the lady in pink is Mayara Tavares, a 16 year old Brazillian, and we actually know that Brazillians are HOT! I guess there's no harm done in appreciating God's creations..:p

'Beat It' Tribute; Scandinavian Style

After the passing of the great King of Pop, people around the world are paying their respects and tribute to MJ in their own unique ways. We've seen in the news on how a prison in the Philippines turned into a dance floor and the inmates turned into 'zombies' performing Thriller (you can check out the video here). This is another such video, done by the people of Stockholm, Sweden which I think is quite awesome too:) Seeing this, I think the world is just awesome.