Have you ever been shortchanged by a few cents? Has it ever happened that your one cent coins were not legal tender? It is puzzling when one cent coins are no longer accepted as a denomination of a certain currency. Many restaurants that I have frequented have shortchanged me by a few cents. One cent it seems would not make any difference and that customers would neglect this oversight by the cashier? On another occasion, when I gave 10 one cent coins to buy a newspaper, it was rejected by the newspaper vendor. His reason," The banks will not accept this!" I am left perplexed. Are one cent coins no longer legal tender?

How is it possible? Would it be fair to either the consumer or the seller if sales are rounded up to the nearest figure? Who would decide? Would the accounts ever be balanced by repeatedly ignoring such minute sums? The answer is pretty obvious. We are not yet ready to live without the one cent coin. It remains cash and has its usefulness.

I suggest that the next time someone shortchanges you, demand for what is rightfully yours. Make it known that we are not fools and ask them in return if they would accept it if a lesser figure is paid. As for those who do not accept one cent coins, I would rather then take my business elsewhere.

Viewing CCTV(China Central Television) on Astro was very invigorating. Their newsreaders are reading impeccably. This comes as a surprise when this is a television station from China. With China only recently adopting an open door policy, it is a great wonder how fast the Chinese are mastering English.

Back in Malaysia, I am dismayed at the quality of reading of our newsreaders. Their pronunciation was on many occasions inaccurate and certainly lack dynamism. This hardly reflects a country with decades of British influence and thus a supposedly head start in the mastery of English.

What happened? Why have we fallen behind other countries that had no lasting historical contact with English speaking countries unlike ourselves?

One clear contributing factor is the previous educational policy of our Government which stressed on Bahasa Malaysia as a medium of instruction. Instead of balancing and stressing the importance of both languages, English was unfortunately sidelined. Despite having English classes available, the standard was woeful for a nation previously under the British rule. There was a lack of classes encouraging communication in English. It was even implemented in universities where Bahasa was advocated as a medium of instruction. Despite the importance of maintaining Bahasa Malaysia as a major language in Malaysia, English has to be emphasised as a language for global communication.

It was not until the era of the current information technology that our Government realised the folly of their ways. Most materials on the internet are in English. And for Malaysians to fully utilise the power of the internet, English was certainly essential. Subjects like science could hardly be taught in any other language apart from English. Take medicine for example. The amount of medical texts are enormous and impossible to translate accurately and completely. This has led to a revision of our educational policy and thus the reintroduction of English in subjects like science and mathematics.

Unfortunately, we are left with a generation deficient in their command of English. Decades of poor educational planning and foresight has put this nation several steps back and falling behind nations that had no prior English influence. We now even lack teachers who can teach English. Even existing ones do not have a satisfactory command of English themselves.

Perhaps, our future generations would benefit from this recent policy change. But what I would like to see now is for our politicians to improve their command of English and should be an important criteria for holding office. Our current political leaders appear inept at holding a conversation in English without being interspersed with another language. Some grammatical errors are profoundly embarrassing. They should be good role models for our young generation to emulate.

There is much work to be done. I believe that we are headed in the right direction. Nevertheless, our pursuit of excellence in English should have an added vigor and enthusiasm. Perhaps blogging could be a good avenue to pursue one's literary talents in English and promote reading and communication in English!

From NST,

Five friends killed in car crash Shahrum Sayuthi BERA, Feb 10: What was to have been a night out for five close friends turned into a tragedy when all of them were killed in a crash here shortly before midnight on Tuesday. Zulkifli Said, 29, Abd Hadi Abd Mutalib, 33, Nik Faizal Raja Deraman, 25, Razak Ismail, 26, and Mohd Razi Suut, 31, were heading for Chemomoi from Teriang when their Proton Wira, driven by Hadi, crashed into an oil palm tree. The accident occurred about 11.45pm at Km12, Jalan Felda Kemasul, near Felda Mancis, Bentong. Zulkifli, Hadi, Nik Faizal and Razak were killed instantly, while Razi, who was rushed to the Mentakab Hospital by rescuers, succumbed to his injuries about 12 hours later. All of them were Felda workers, except Hadi, who had returned from Kuala Lumpur for the Chinese New Year holidays. One of them, Zulkifli, was married, and is survived by wife Nurdalina Masurdin, 29, and three children: Sharul Hakim, 5, Ikhwan, 3, and three-month-old Norashikin. Continued

From The Star

Three killed in two crashes KOTA KINABALU: Three men were killed in two traffic mishaps involving Kancil cars in Lahad Datu district on the first day of Chinese New Year. Sabah police Public Order and Traffic chief Supt Mohd Abdul Karim Abu Bakar said the first accident occurred about 8.20am, when a Kancil driven a 46-year-old man collided head-on with another car at the 3rd kilometre of the Lahad Datu-Sandakan road. He said that a man in his 20s, who was seated in the front passenger seat, was also killed while two other men in the back seat escaped with injuries. The second accident happened a 1km away 12 hours later. A man sitting in the front passenger seat was killed when the Kancil heading towards Lahad Datu collided head-on with a 4WD about 7.30pm.

Yet again, fundamental structural and safety flaws have claimed the lives of these unfortunate individuals. In both scenarios, an opportunity at life could have been afforded to these people if Proton and Perodua(will be referred to as just Proton) were to have installed airbags. It should have been made a compulsory safety feature in all cars if indeed Proton was serious about the safety of its car buyers. Unfortunately, profit is at the top of its agenda and thus compromising safety.

The sturdiness of the metal frame of Proton remains suspect. Its Archilles heel appears in the most important of areas ie the passenger compartment. Its vulnerability to collapse is evident. Metal reinforcements should be put in place and testing of its safety should never be compromised.

Look into the safety of Proton if the Government would like to lower the death statistic on the road. Certainly, a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Definitely a worthwhile stop if you happen to be in Kemaman. It is famous for its coffee and snacks. Menu is limited and certain food items can be sold out (as I happen to find out). But the ambience is that of a traditional kopitiam. Unfortunately, they do not appear to have any branches in KL. But the coffee is certainly worth trying.

From Medical News Today,

Valentine's Day Traditions Can be Good for the Heart 08 Feb 2005 Chocolate, wine and romance aren't just the quickest ways to your true love's heart. A University of Michigan Health System cardiologist says these Valentine's Day traditions are also the way to a healthy heart. “The spirit of Valentine's Day, with intimacy, a little wine, some chocolate, bringing home flowers or sweets, is a tradition we should follow throughout the year. It's one day of celebration that we should continue on a daily basis,” says Melvyn Rubenfire, M.D., director of Preventive Cardiology. Continued....

Are they right? Are these traditions healthy for the heart?

A box of chocolates? Certainly sweet but fattening and expensive. In fact, it is very expensive especially during Valentine season. Telling your female companion to munch further on chocolates is like saying, go ahead get FAT! The calories are high despite this article babbling about antioxidants which are anyway not proven to decrease heart risk even if taken in large amounts.

Now wine is good in moderation. But it has to be taken on a daily basis. Taking it on Valentine's day alone is perhap of little significance to your heart. But it certainly would burn a hole in your pocket!

This is the best part.

Research has shown that, for men, having sex at least three times per week cuts the risk of stroke and heart attack in half.

Another reason to get your partner in bed other than all the usual reasons. Heck! My as well start advising all my patients to have sex considering such "statrospherical" statistics. That is 50% risk reduction!! Forget your blood pressure pills. Just have more sex!

Even dinner on Valentine's night is a rip off. With prices out of this world, it is a wonder how all the men can keep smiling innocently at dinner tables pretending they have the world at their feet.

Valentine's Day. Perhaps it is just me, suffering from Valentine Blues. ;)

It is this time of the year again that the hustle and bustle of buying and bargaining begins. It is almost jammed packed at every place that sells CNY products. One can hardly find any decent places to eat or even park. Banks are crowded as everyone rushes to get the newest of currency. Some find it exciting while others deem it an absolute nuisance. The little child in us wanting to get "ang pows" while those handling them out laments this yearly chore. Buying new clothes is a must despite still having unworn ones in the closet. Everything must be at its sparkling best. This is Chinese New Year in Malaysia and pretty much everywhere else.

Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

Laptops and the Male Lap 06 Feb 2005 Taking saunas and hot baths or wearing tight underwear should be avoided by men seeking to have children, because these activities raise the scrotum's temperature. Should laptop computers be added to the list? UAB urologist Peter N. Kolettis, M.D., a specialist in male infertility, said, “One pilot study in the literature shows that laptops can elevate scrotal temperature, and we know sperm production can be impaired by higher temperatures in that region. More research needs to be done to make a specific correlation, but I discourage patients from any prolonged exposure to scrotal heat. If my patients use a laptop, I suggest they use a pillow for insulation - or place the computer on a table.”

One less reason to use your laptop on your lap. The term "notebook" is more apt. Perhaps if the above is true, I may need to get a sperm count some time down the road! No doubt elevated temperature decreases fertility. Theoretically, the heat from prolonged usage of a notebook on your lap could potentially elevate scrotal temperature to the extent of decreasing fertility. Perhaps all men should wear Scottish kilts. ;) And why on earth do we need to wear underwear? That could potentially be included in clinical practice guidelines for maintaining men's fertility in future!!