Miri Miss Sarawak Model of the World 2011

Last night, we witnessed the final of Miri Miss Sarawak Model of the World 2011 held at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club. The contestants had to go through a series of "performances".

Belly dance by one of the contestants

Er Hu by the champion

Evening dresses

She is the champion!
More photos on my facebook, please click here.

Sample Sony NEX photos

These are two of the sample photos taken tonight using the Sony NEX camera.

The resolution is good!

... and as usual, expect the vivid colour photos taken using Sony.
Please go to Bintang to have your (family) photo taken for a price of RM3.00. It can't be cheaper!

Sony Gawai Fair

Sony will be showing off their equipment starting Friday, 27 May 2011. Ed Paul and myself will help to show case their NEX series of camera. Please click here to find out more about NEX camera.

We will set up a photobooth to take photos using this camera. Each copy will be charge RM3 and photos will be printed on the spot. The photos will be studio quality. I will be using my Elinchrom studio lighting system.
Remember to go!

Venue: Bintang Megamall old wing, Miri
Time: 10:00AM-10:00PM Friday to Sunday 27-29 May 2011.

See you there!

What's is Happening in Miri

I am starting a "What's is happening in Miri" box on the right side of this blog.
If you have any event of public interest, please send me e-mail or message me on my facebook. I will try my best to post it for you.

At last after all these years...

Time really flies. After five long years of studying, these three girls finally passed all their exams.

Stephanie did it last year and is now working as a FY1 (Foundation Year 1) doctor in Hudderfields and she will move on to FY2 at St' James Hospital in Leeds in August this year.
From the preliminary results Janice and Esther passed their exam this year. In fact, their final exam was only last week. These ang moh really do thing fast!
Esther and Janice will work as the FY1 doctors together in Hull in August.
Thanks for all your prayer. Praise the Lord! Amen!

Borneo Jazz 13 May 11 @ Parkcity Everly

As a member of the media team, we were being fed with quite a lot of information which is useful for publication. However, I will just feed you with photos.
For the media team, last night event started with a cocktail party at Marriott Resort and Spa.

Marriott hotel had kindly hosted the event... on the left is Marcel Hinderer, GM

First performance by SIU2 – China. A very nice performance with a combination of Eastern and western musical instrument.

Kate Ann Welsman - a top Australian DJ!

Cunha E Piper – Brazil/Australia features contemporary and traditional compositions. Listen to their pieces will definitely sooth your spirit!

John Hammond, USA - voted as one of the top ten blues artist in the world. His pieces were soooo very good and you know why? He always serve tradition by pouring his heart and soul into full-bodied interpretations of the classics through the simple combination of brilliant guitar, rack harmonica, and intensely expressive vocals!

Les Doigts De L’Homme – France

Les Doigts De L’Homme – France. Their Bio:  Explosive, eclectic, and unexpected, Les Doigts de L’Homme, takes gypsy jazz further than ever before. Infusing this exciting up-tempo music with elements of swing, rock, and even punk, they are pure energy in human form. Their show is dynamic, comedic, passionate and always captivating. They meld gypsy jazz standards and their own compositions with influences of Balkan and rock, all with a close eye on the details. Les Doigts de L’Homme combine excellent musicianship, innovative creatively, and powerful showmanship, to move this popular genre into a new direction – reaching beyond the limits into a refreshing new sound. Les Doigts de L’Homme is unmistakable authentic with explosive energy perfectly mastered.
I can't disagree with their bio!
Tonight is the last night at ParkCity. You will get to see:

7.00 – 8.00 pmVictor Yong & the Electric Carnival Band – Malaysia Canada
8.15 – 9.15 pm Yuichiro Tokuda’s Ralyzz Dig – Japan
9.30 – 10.30 pm State of Monc – Holland
10.45 – 11.45 pm Maria Muldaur – USA
11.45 pm – end FINALE – all musicians

If you are still undecided, just go. The entry ticket is worth every cent of your investment! Make sure you bring some spare money to treat yourself to some of the food offered on site!

To see all my photos, click here and here.
For more infromation about the performers, click here.

Borneo Jazz at Marina Bay Restaurant

12 May 2011: The opening Borneo Jazz 2011 was at ...

... Marina Bay Restaurant.

Performances by the local with local instrument.

... Then the pro! CQuence from Malaysia

Dhruv from India.

This group is good and kept everyone entertained!
Tomorrow (Friday) will be back to Parkcity Everly Hotel. For the programme, click here.
If you are undecided whether to go or not to go, I would say... go go go!
For all the photos taken today, click here.

World Migratory Bird Day 2011

No place to land: Loss of natural habitats threatens migratory birds globally observed in over 50 countries on 14-15 May, World Migratory Bird Day 2011 looks at “Land use changes from a bird’s-eye view”

Bonn/Nairobi 12 May 2011 – On their epic journeys, often spanning thousands of kilometres, migratory birds cross many borders, linking different countries as well as ecosystems. The annual migration of an estimated 50 billion birds representing around 19 per cent of the world's 10,000 bird species is one of nature's great natural wonders. Yet each year, more and more of the natural habitats migratory birds need to complete their journeys either diminish or disappear completely.

The theme for World Migratory Bird Day 2011, celebrated around the world on 14-15 May, is ' Land use changes from a bird’s-eye view ' and it highlights the negative effects human activities are having on migratory birds, their habitats and the planet’s natural environment. The loss, fragmentation and degradation of natural bird habitats is occurring globally and is mainly caused by the pressures resulting from a growing human population, rapid urbanization and unsustainable human use of natural areas.

“Although migratory birds face many serious threats, the way humans use the land around them has by far the greatest negative effect. Unsustainable human land use, whether through deforestation, intensive agriculture, biofuel production, land reclamation, urbanization and mining directly removes or damages the habitats of migratory birds, affecting their populations on a global scale”, said Bert Lenten, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and initiator of the World Migratory Bird Day campaign.

World Migratory Bird Day is being organized by the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) - two intergovernmental wildlife treaties administered by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). BirdLife International, Wetlands International and the Secretariat of the Partnership for the East Asian – Australasian Flyway (EAAFP) are also main partners of the global campaign.

“As the two intergovernmental treaties dedicated to the conservation of migratory animals, including migratory birds at global and flyway scale, the Convention on Migratory Species and the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement have launched World Migratory Bird Day to make people aware of the threats migratory birds face along their migration routes”, said Bert Lenten.

CMS and AEWA bring together governments and other stakeholders to coordinate and further develop global flyways policy, to ensure that all flyways in the world benefit from some kind of coordination mechanism that promotes cooperation at ground level among the countries involved. This includes working towards establishing a viable network of sites which can be used by migratory birds to breed, rest and refuel during their migration.

Dr. Marco Lambertini, BirdLife International’s Chief Executive said: ‘Land-use change poses an immediate and increasing threat to the world’s migratory birds. Habitats vital to these species on their incredible journeys are being destroyed or degraded at an alarming rate and the bird’s-eye view is becoming bleaker. The BirdLife Partnership, with over 110 conservation organizations along the world’s flyways, is working across borders to help stem this tide and achieve the effective joined-up conservation needed to make a difference for these inspiring birds.’

Initiated in 2006, World Migratory Bird Day is an annual campaign backed by the United Nations and is devoted to celebrating migratory birds and promoting their conservation worldwide.

Events for WMBD 2011 in over 50 countries will include bird festivals, education programmes, presentations, film screenings and birdwatching trips, run by hundreds of volunteers, dedicated groups and organizations around the world.

Link: www.worldmigratorybirdday.org

Borneo Jazz 2011 Press conference & Tree Planting

Yesterday, I attended the first press conference for Borneo Jazz 2011. CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board, Dato' Rashid Khan gave a presentation. Also at the conference was Project manager, Ms Pauline Lim; Project Director, Angeline.

CEO gave a briefing about Borneo Jazz 2011. Reason for the re-branding.

It is now a four-day event!

Altogether, 10 bands will be here to entertain us.

During the briefing, CEO Dato' Rashid and project director, Pauline.

A group photo from the media group.
This morning there was a tree planting event at Curtin University...

Speech by Vice Chancellor, Alister

Exchange of gift.

Tree planting.

We were all treated to a "makan".

Actually, it was a sumptuous meal!

Ticket to the event... have you bought yours yet? If not, why not quickly go online or proceed to Parkcity Everly Hotel. You will be entertained! Go go go...
For online ticket, click here.
For information, click here.
To see the rest of my photos taken yesterday and this morning, click here.

6/2(1+2)=?

I saw this interesting situation on my daughter's facebook. Two Casio calculators cannot agree on the answer.

So, what do you think is the correct answer?
I have spoken to mathematician and many learned people and finally came to a conclusion:

The discrepancy came about because of ambiguity in the way formula is written! At the first place, Casio should have just reported "Syntax error".

First, 6÷2(1+2) is not the same as 6÷2*(1+2) from the way machine will interpret it.
In school, we always write 2(a+c) to mean 2a+2c. Thus, the answer became 6÷6=1. So the equation is actually:

And when it is written 6÷2*(1+2), then, it became 3*(3), ie, evaluate the brackets first, and left to right! And the answer became 9! The equation is written as:

Updates: My reader Brendan gave a link to support 9. This link looks at the whole situation from mathematical correctness! Worth reading.

From my logical thinking without bringing in all the "legality" point of view, 6÷2(1+2) is simply 6÷2(3)=9, ie, evaluating form left to right!

So, do you agree with the professor's argument from the link above?

For me, I am not concerned but just to remind ourselves that accuracy in entering formula into a machine is important. All this argument is academic which we leave it to the professors. 

Borneo Jazz 2011 preparation

Once again, Miri is hosting the Borneo Jazz 2011. This year, it will be held at three different venues ...

 Marina (12 May 2011 8:00PM)

Parkcity Everly Hotel (13-14 May)

Eastwood (15 Lunch time)

This morning, the audio video were very busy...

... fixing up equipment. They were from Kuching.

The tents were up as well.

See the load of equipment brought in!

While visiting Miri, don't forget to visit all the nice eatery places. Today, I just wanted to introduce Pete's DELi. They have been in business since 1992. They were located just outside the hotel along the main road, second row from the hotel.

They serve lots of nice home made western food. The price is reasonable and affordable.

Chef's recommendation - chicken pie, RM10. No MSG added!

More photos click here.

Borneo Jazz 2011

This year, Borneo Jazz will be held from 12-15 May, ie, in two days time! Have you bought the ticket? There will be some big stars coming all the way to Miri to perform!

I will be one of the three official bloggers to cover the event. So, get ready for photos from me on my blog and facebook.

To find out more, click here.

Coincidence or prophesy or revenge?

Before the Sarawak election, a DAP veteran told me that if DAP win in Miri, there will be many blackouts!

True enough, hardly after a month of the election, we now have two blackouts each lasting for about an hour! Before this, we hardly had any blackout! Is this a prophesy by DAP or just a coincidence. Perhaps SESCO can shine some light on this. I don't think revenge make sense to me here!

Singapore is going to the poll today

From the e-news I read, I cut out a few points that I picked up:

1. The bedrock of the PAP's support is its delivery of jobs and education, its reputation for an efficient, corruption-free bureaucracy and a history of savvy policy choices — such as embracing English as a common language — that helped boost gross domestic product per capita to $43,867 last year from $428 in 1960.

2. Rights groups condemn Singapore's use of the death penalty for drug couriers.

3. Rich people love the place and trust the PAP. Singapore has the world's highest percentage of millionaires — households with at least $1 million in liquid assets — at 11.4 percent of the country's 5 million population, according to Boston Consulting Group.

4. "Don't rock this foundation," Lee KY said last week. "Remember, don't risk your assets, property values, job opportunities."

5. Singaporeans complain that the foreigners have depressed wages, boosted housing prices and clogged public transportation — and opposition leaders are tapping into that unease.

6. "I'm not against the PAP," 35-year-old restaurant manager Francis Loh said at a Workers Party rally last weekend. "I just want more opposition in Parliament and someone to speak for the poor people."

Opposition rally drew crowd of about 30,000! This is amazing. But the comment from Francis Loh is right, any good government requires more opposition. We also need it. The government must be matured enough to acknowledge that a strong opposition is healthy and beneficial.

I believe that PAP will still come out as winner but there will be more opposition members. Perhaps, the government will become more people focus across the board.

Their per capita income is $43,867 (about RM100,000, ie, almost RM9K/month!) and we are still shouting for a freeze in petrol price!  The police arrested those who ask for minimum wages. What a contrast!

The above is summarised from here.

Singapore General Election

Singapore is going to the poll tomorrow 7-May 2011. I am actually not qualified to say anything as I am not a witness myself. However, there are something worth noticing as I read them from the e-news:
1. The opposition ceramah crowd is as big as we see in Sarawak, ie, >10,000 strong! This is creating history!
2. Singapore prime minister apologise for mistakes made! In Malaysia, they were covering up!
3. Strong support for opposition at many places
4. They are also asking for change, ie, ubah!
5. The opposition candidate is as young as 24! Looking at our new DAP candidates, they were also very young.
These are all their various political parties:

Read more here.

Their exams start today - pls pray for them

Time flies! It has been almost five years ago since they left home to study in a far away land in UK.

Today, is the beginning of their 4 days of exams. It is tough and requires lots of clarity in their mind, as what Janice said in her blog:

" I need prayers! For my exams, esp OSCE! Also pray for others sitting for 5th yr finals: Esther, Thaz, Yau, MH, Cindy, Bette, Ryle n Sing Yee. I think we are all prepared for exams (in terms of knowledge) already but having knowledge is useless if we don't know how to apply it. Nerves are always the main problem which can deter us from thinking clearly and cause us to stumble in our words. So do pray for God's peace and His clarity.

My exams schedule:
5,6th May - written n slide show
11,12th May- OSCE"

OSCE exam is the most feared part of their exam. I think they need to go through 18 stations (simulated patients). After the exams, it also mark the end of their formal education in medical school.
If you know how to pray, please pray for them. Otherwise, pray this exam prayer for them and all their friends:

Our almighty God and Father in heaven, I wanted to acknowledge that you are our God, Lord and Father, You have control over everything. We wanted to thank You for all Your blessing in our lives. Today, I ask Lord that you release your grace and mercy on my (William) two daughters Esther and Janice and all their friends,  Man Hon, Yau Chia Chuin, Thaz Min, Cindy Wong, Fariha Hashim, Kaajal K, Julian Chow and Ryle Leung. As today is the beginning of their final medical school exam, Lord, I ask that Your Holy Spirit to be with them. Lord, give them clarity in their thought, take away their anxiety, give them peace, give them understanding to the questions and help them to answer all questions accurately and clearly. As they go through the OSCE exam, Lord, I ask that You give them extra wisdom, understanding and application of their knowledge. Help them to speak clearly and put the right words in their mouths. Take away all their fear, negative thought and nervousness. Give them peace, clarity in their mind and help them to remember what they have studied. As they go through the final few hours of revision, prompt them to study what is important. I also pray that the "patients" in all the OSCE stations will cooperate with them and will not "play them up". Almighty Father, give them good health during these few days. Help them to rest, sleep and eat well.
I commit all of them unto your almighty hands. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

Watch out on what you click on Facebook

With everyone eager to see the video on Osama being shot, spammers were extremely quick to take advantage on this. Many people were fooled by this message on their facebook wall (Osama Dead - Censored Video Leaked" by wikileaks some more):

It claimed that it is from wikileaks which should immediately warned us that it is probably a fake. When the linked was clicked, it immediately bring you to this page:

Be alert, CTRL+C is a short cut for "Copy", ALT-D is the short cut to the address bar (or URL bar), CTRL+V is the short cut for "Paste". Enter is to "execute" whatever is placed on the URL now. When I saw CTRL+C and CTRL+V, it immediately tells me that it is asking you to voluntarily copying and pasting something to be run.

Look carefully, the "Welcome" on the left is different! It has two tiny wheels, which means that it is an application. So, there is something running....

Just be careful with what "friend" sent as they could be spammer. There were just too many lately and we have no clue what the codes are doing to your computer. Normally it asked you for permission to access your profile.

(Thanks to my son, Ah Jon, who explained to me some of the more technical aspect of the code).

DAP Appreciation Dinner 2011

DAP appreciation dinner was held last night at Eastwood Valley. There was a total of 514 tables. Despite the heavy rain, the place was packed to capacity and I think at least 95% of the people came!

At the reception area...

Arrival of the "star" of the night, Penang Chief Minister Mr. Lim

The other "star" was no other than the "superman", Mr. Chew or Mr. Su Bird Man!

Appreciation to the parents... presentation of flowers to the parents as parents day will be just a few days away.

Mr. Lim gave a long speech...

... and as usual, his autograph was well sought after! He left at 9:30PM as the plane departs at 10:15PM.

This is just one of the three wings of the restaurant.

At the end, the Ubah mascots were auctioned off and raised almost RM10K!

At the end "superman" decided to put on his pant and the crowd went wild...

He autographed his pant and was also auctioned off. The money raised will be given to support the children cancer foundation of Malaysia. The pant raised RM7,500!

The new YBs introduced themselves. It was almost 11:00PM and I have to leave the place.

All photos are now posted on my facebook. Click here.