Water with healing power

SELANGOR. People are collecting water at a hill in Jalan Baru Selayang-Ulu Yam, about 10km from the Batu Dam. They are seen almost daily squatting or sitting next to six PVC pipes on the side of the road, causing a traffic jam, especially on weekends.

They come with bottles, plastic containers and mineral water bottles to collect what many swear is miracle water, which can cure sickness and restore health.

Regulars visitors to this natural spring claim that the water that trickles from the pipe has got more health giving nutrients and minerals and tastes better than the usual pipe water that has chlorine. Some people also mentioned that many with diabetes, backaches, gout and other chronic diseases have been healed.

Stories of many sick people restored to health by drinking the water has spread by word of mouth.

“A person from a laboratory tested the water and told me that it contains a lot of minerals,’’ said Kuaishah, who stays in Bukit Beruntung.

The shoemaker of Cheras

He stitched for his fingers were bewitched, sewing a dream into every seam . . .

Shoemaker Chook Wah Sun has been making shoes for the past 60 years. Mention San Lee Shoes and you’re bound to find a community of happy feet.

Shoemaker Chook Wah Sun

He may not be Jimmy Choo but his designs are simple and those who have worn his shoes swear by their comfort and durability.

Customers stream into Chook’s shop all day long and the affable veteran shoemaker deftly measures their feet using a measuring tape.

He chats with them, putting them at ease while gently getting to know their feet. It’s this personalised service that has won him a steady clientele.

“It’s not an easy job because it’s time consuming to make shoes from scratch but I’m used to it. Not only do we make the shoes, customers have to come back for a fitting and if the fit is not right, we have to redo the shoe. But when the shoe fits, it gives me great satisfaction,” says the director of San Lee Shoes.

The Process

Chook begins by measuring his customer’s feet and drawing a rough outline of them on a piece of paper. Then he measures the height of the ankle and Achilles’ tendon from the sole of the foot, noticing any irregularities. Customers choose their designs and colours before he starts the creating process.

Shoemaker Chook Wah Sun and wife Phoon Po Chun proudly showing off the labour of their love.

Malaysians generally have wider feet around the instep area and more spread-out toes due to our hot, humid climate. And because we seldom wear socks, our feet tend to grow more freely.

In the West, most people wear socks all the time so there’s no chance for the toes to expand,” observes Chook, who also makes shoes for himself.

Misconception that all branded shoes are comfortable. This is not true. If you’re buying shoes, the criteria should be to understand your feet first.

Is your feet slim, narrow or wide? One shouldn’t wear shoes for the sake of vanity. Commercial shoes are meant for the mass market and only take the length into consideration, not the width.

He explains, “Most people have disproportionate feet so I was taught how to measure them and make the shoes fit accordingly.

“For example, if someone has a high arch, I put padding underneath to give the feet better support. Handicapped people and those with mutilated feet as a result of binding also require extra attention.”

Chook tracing out a customer’s foot for a shoe design.

The popularity of San Lee Shoes has spread through word of mouth as Chook doesn’t believe in advertising. In fact, doctors regularly call him to help out in their clinics but Chook is devoted to manning his sole outlet in Taman Midah, Cheras.

Happy customers

Insurance agent Angie Ng swears by Chook Wah Sun’s shoes. Since she discovered his shop in 1999, she has never bought shoes anywhere else.

“I used to wear Hush Puppies but after I discovered San Lee Shoes, I found them to be lasting and comfortable.

“The price is about the same as Hush Puppies so I’d rather invest in something that fits snugly around my feet. My toes are wide so standard shoes won’t fit well,” says the 50-something lady.

Ng is on her feet the whole day and finds it a relief that at the end of the day, her feet don’t hurt. Initially, she used the shoes for Latin dance classes but decided to make ordinary pairs for everyday use.

“I love it so much that all my shoes are now San Lee. Even my husband gets his shoes from there and I’ve recommended it to countless people,” she enthuses.

Dance instructor cum finance executive Wong Khai Hoong, 35, feels strongly about Chook’s shoes as well. He thinks they’re reasonably priced, durable and extremely comfortable. He owns three pairs: two dance shoes and a regular pair.

He says, “Chook is such a warm person and his shoes are great. The design is a tad old-fashioned and can be improved on but otherwise, I have no complaints. When the soles wear off, I take them back to have them resoled.”

What Chook does is truly a labour of love. He could possibly be the last few remaining master shoemakers in Malaysia

San Lee Shoes
11, Jalan Midah 5
Taman Midah
Jalan Cheras
Selangor
Tel: (03) 9130 3236

Shoplot for rent ‑ at ONLY 99sen

PENANG: It’s only 99 sen a month – that’s the “AirAsia” rate shop-owners at Pan Palace Plaza in Taman Lip Sin are offering in a bid to revive the commercial centre.

Fifty of the available 80 shops have been taken up so far this year. (available in 365sqft and 170sqft)

Below is the Payment Plan (calculated based on available information so no guarantees)
============================================================
Jan to Jun 09 = 0.99*6 = RM5.94
July to Dec 09 = 0.99*(365 sqft) *6 =(RM 361.35/month)*6=RM2168.1

• First Year cost = RM 2174.04

Jan to Jun 10 = 1.50*365*6=(RM 547.5/month)*6=RM3285
July to Dec 10 = 2.00*365*6= (RM730/month)*6=RM4380

• 2nd Year rental cost = RM 7665

Jan to June 11=(1300 to1500)*6 =RM8100 to 9000

• 3rd Year rental cost = RM 15600 to 18000 yearly

===============================================================

* Maint charges = 45 sen per sq/ft. = 0.45*365=RM 164.25/month =RM1971/year

Jan to Sep 09 = Free. Landlord pay
Oct to Mar 10 = RM 492.75 (50/50)
April to Dec 11 = RM 1478.25 (pay Full)

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Full article here

Ponggal Festival

Ponggal or Harvest Festival is celebrated by Hindus to give thanks to the Sun God for a bountiful harvest and hoped to reap the benefits of another profitable year.












The entrance to Hindu homes will be decorated with sugar cane to symbolize a sweet start while 11 mango leaves will be hung at the doorway to ward off evil.

According to Housewife M. Nalarmeany, 47, said in accordance with the Hindu calendar this year, the auspicious time for performing the surya namaskar (Sun God worship) and boiling milk while adding rice in a clay pot is before 7.26am.

There consist of two new claypots were each placed on top of three bricks before the firewood was lit. Young sugarcane stalks were also tied to form a triangle over the pots signifying a sweet start for the festival.

The boiling rice with fresh milk in new pots, which are later topped with brown sugar, cashew nuts and raisins early in the morning and allowing it to boil over the vessel. The moment the rice boils over and bubbles out of the vessel, the tradition is to shout of "Ponggalo Ponggal!" and blowing the sangu (a conch), a custom practiced during the festival to announce it was going to be a year blessed with good tidings. For Hindus, it is considered a good sign to watch it boil over, since it means that good luck and prosperity is forthcoming in the year.

Normally a special pooja (prayer) was offered to Lord Ganesha before the start of the Ponggal Festival to seek blessings and protection.

The overflowing of the milk in the pot symbolizes prosperity, peace and happiness for all,’’ he said.

After the milk had boiled over, prayers were offered to the Goddess Veerakaliamman before devotees were served with both types of the ponggal rice.

The second day of Ponggal is known as Mattu (cow) Ponggal where cows are honoured, given baths and garlanded as cows are sacred animals for the Hindus.

The third day is known as the Kanni (young maidens) Ponggal where back in the olden days, young unmarried girls were encouraged to come out of their homes dressed in their finery to attend a celebration while young men were invited to view their prospective brides.

Penang Jeweller cheats death

A 65-year-old Teoh Kim Beng jewelery shop owner cheated death when a robber’s pistol jammed during a robbery at Komtar.

According to his wife Ong Bee Choo, the two robbers, who looked like Vietnamese, entered the shop posing as customers at 12.55pm. They suddenly whipped out a pistol each while talking and ordered us to unlock the glass displays.

“We then squatted down but my husband tried to get up as his legs had become numb. One of the robbers then lost his temper and pulled the trigger but only a click when the robber aimed the pistol at his forehead and pulled the trigger at point blank range.

They didn't leave empty handed as they scooped up five trays of jewelery worth more than RM200,000 before speeding off in a motorcycle parked nearby.

A Malaysian Dr BlackJack

Recently in Star, there is a report of a mysterious doctor who operates in Shah Alam which can cure a range of ailment such as heart disease, tumours and arthritis. The man claiming to be a doctor, , was well known for operating without anaesthesia and closing a cut without stiches.

Its reported that his clinic is located in a shophouse in Section 8 always crowded from the time the shutters went up at 8am. He saw patients for only the first three days of the week and only in the mornings. The doctor was rarely seen outside his clinic. He entered and left through the back door


Its like a real life extact from famous japanese anime BlackJack who is a genius surgeon with godlike hands which capable to do amazing surgery especially on tumors.

Thni’ Kong Tnua temple

Another Penang temple is getting Unesco heritage conservation recognition. Basically i have no problems with it since beautifying old building gets more tourist and that means more money for the state as well as the fame that comes with such recognition. It will be the third one that Penang is getting.

The first site in Penang to win the award was the RM7.5mil restoration of the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion in Leith Street in 2000.

The second was the RM1.5mil restoration project at the Teochew Association in Chulia Street Street.

The Thni’ Kong Tnua temple renovation cost about RM4.6mil. This project is done by Mainland Chinese architecture specialist Wang Zhong Yi.

What i dont understand is why we are spending so much money to get skilled people from China to do it. Why not get people there to train locals to do it instead whereby creating jobs for locals as well as minimise money outflow. This is because Penang has many more temples and if each one is going to cost in mils, it best to keep it within the country.

Just like New Zealand has skilled people to do films like Lord of the Rings, we can create skill people to create props for TV shows and films.

Cheated & Molested RM120,000

It goes to show, that getting old doesnt always means getting any wiser. A 40-year-old widow parted with RM120,000 to a temple priest who molested her on the pretext of cleansing her of misfortune. (Typically supertitious malaysian)

How many times have we been conned by dukun, pawang, sin seh, priest. When will we wise-up to their ways. There is no free lunch in the world. If you want to eat, then u need to work. Dont work, then dont eat.

Just to fill it in, the women was from Kepala Batas and the alleged priest in from Prai. Needless to say, the money has been absconded. All for 2 rounds of "mandi bunga" + fondling & free sex offer with him.

Things like this makes me wonder WTF is the government doing. When are they going to regulate this witch doctors? How many is going to get lead and mercury poison from Made in China medicine?

Never to old to study

Recently i came across an article on a grandpa getting his hooded in UUM (University Utara Malaysia). Congrats to you. I am now going to try to emulate him and set my target to obtain that MBA in my 5 yrs plan.

Scary face on Pinang tree

Came across this article on a “scary-looking face” on a pinang tree village house in Kampung Paya, Kepala Batas.

The tree, which stands at 7.25m and the image faces east towards the rising sun. IT reminds me of a the ends from Lord of the Rings, except being more scarier.

Penang Beauty Fair

Am tired today cause working 5 hours on a Sunday afternoon.Its never my kinda of joy to work on the Sabbath. So when i got home and pampered by Shy Yunn with HOME COOKED DINNER, naturally i was happy......... till i remember that i had to go to the beauty fair with her. Normally she would get her girl gang to accompany her to "rock" the fair. But since this was the USM convo week so she was left solo.

Anyway being the big tough gorilla that I am, I agreed to bodyguard her against any funny breast groppers. Boy am i glad that i tag along, i get to all plus plus.



The brand is called Lightness. Its supposed to be a result of Japanese tech, a Hongkies company and just hit MYS for about a year. The owner was supposed to be a curvy 40+ Aunty called Rabbit Wong. Hehehe. Anyway SY found that the corset kinda thingy helps is keeping her body straight not to mention uplifting her boobs and ass at the same time. Took a peek at her dressing room and could swear the cup size increase 2 sizes. Serious lar wooi.



After some basic manuvering test, which included necessary the jump and squat test, we finally bought it. Kinda pricy too for a three piece corset. But it worth it since it can at least last about 5 yrs with titanium wires. We got together for a group photo.

There is also some free makeup from Legend and its kinda cool.

Ang Pow Tree N me

I guess i got hyped over during the Ang Pow Tree thing so i stopped to take some photo so i can camwhore it.Little did i know that i got ambushed by a reporter from the Star and the China Press. I was trying hard to avoid them close to me cause i was smelling like a sock since i just got back down after a grueling 3 hours climb from Peanag hill.


The reporter ask me a bunch of tricky questions mainly on how i felt about the tree and the behaviour of the people there.

Reporter: How to u feel about the resident attitute to the ang pow tree ?
Me: Everyone is entitle to thier beliefs and oppinions. I klnda like what they did to the tree, looks much more beautiful with ang pow fluttering in the breeze. Like a giant Santa Clause.

Reporter: Have u heard about the council to fine anyone hanging ang pow on the tree?
Me: No. But not suprising. MPPP has always have funny policy which cause it to be in the limelight than to clean public toilets, mend the road and fix street light.


IMHO the tree is harmless, those people are harmless, if Hongkies can have their Couples Tree why can;t Penangies have their Ang Pow Tree. Silly of MPPP to trying to impose fine and cut down tree because of some silly notions that we are destroying public propety. If we can put more ang pows to bus stands, phone booths and toilets it will definately look better.
Just my two sens

Ang Pow Tree Trimed

The lower branches of the bunga tanjung tree which people have been hanging red packets with their favourite 4-digit numbers were removed by Penang Municipal Council workers.

But by the following day more than 200 red packets were waiting to be placed on the lucky tree.

Rumors has it that a Bangladeshi worker who did not even have enough money to eat wrote his number on the electric pole next to the tree and ended up with a small fortune.

But a resident who declined to be named said the crowd had become a nuisance.

Tree of Fortune

A giant “ang pow tree” in Rifle Range, Air Itam, here, is drawing people from near and far to hang hundreds of red ang pow packets on this shady tree.

Punters are said to have struck it rich after writing their favourite 4-digit numbers on red packets and stringing them up on the tree.

Volunter helping punters string up “lucky ang pow” packets on the tree’s branches.

The tree has attracted punters from as far as Johor Baru after claims that many have struck it rich.

Retired cook Chuah Eng Lum, 60, said it all started when the Laughing Buddha appeared to him in a dream in April. “He said luck was coming to Rifle Range and told me to find a tree for the red packets,” he said. “My friends and I decided to try it out with our special numbers for fun. To our surprise, we won a small fortune.”

Since then, Chuah said, people from as far as Taiping, Alor Star and Johor Baru had travelled to Penang to “pay homage” to the tree of fortune.

My cousin Kyle

Kyle is secondary school kid who full of life.A born cat lover. I meant especially a black cat. Guess wat's its name. No prize for winning.


Blackie is darn playful for such a thin cat. He loves to bite and claw everything tat moves. Especially my finger.. Guess it look much like a huge sausage to him. Huh. He has remarable posture and at times, looks like a stalking tiger.

Smallest Egg in Malaysia

Teacher Ong Hock Eng, 51, found the perfectly formed egg in his motorcycle basket at his home in Batu Maung here on Thursday evening. It is considered the smallest chicken egg ever laid in Malaysia. Measuring 1.6cm by 1.2cm, it is smaller than a 10 sen coin and has a more rounded shape.

Keropok Lekor -Rags to Riches

She makes keropok lekor for a living and drives to work in a BMW. Kak Nor or Norzaleha Mohamad is the Terenganu state's and probably the country's only supplier of frozen keropok lekor which happens to be one of my favorite food. High in fish protein with crispy texture.


REWARDING VENTURE: Kak Nor standing next to her BMW outside her factory in Chendering near Kuala Terengganu recently. – STARpic by VICTOR K.K. NG

Even if you have munched on these snacks in Johor Baru, Penang or Perlis, chances are her company supplied them.

She sells 20 tonnes of the product per month, which is transported to major towns from her shoplot factory in Chendering near here.

She makes the frozen keropok lekor from tamban fish (sardine-like fish), which is brought from Johor. It is cut into smaller pieces and vacuum-packed in 1kg packets.

The pieces are deep-fried and sold in corn cups. It is eaten with chili sauce.

Hundreds pray for the victims

Hundreds of people, including foreign tourists, gathered to pray for the souls of those 52 victims who perished in last year’s tsunami.

At Pasir Panjang beach in Balik Pulau, a group of priests from the Pu Zian Temple led more than 100 devotees in prayer. One of the devotees, Mak Kam Weng, 39, who lost a five-month-old baby, said: “I cannot forget the tragedy. Yuan De was our eldest child.”

A tourist from Sweden, known only as Denny, said: “I just want to pray and hope it will not happen again.”

Even the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas is expected to attend the tahlil and plant a casuarina tree at Pasir Panjang beach in memory of the dead

Bak Kut Teh splasher shot dead

Three men had turned up at Soo’s stall around noon, two of them were armed with pistols. One fired a warning shot in the air before ordering about 30 customers to hand over their wallets and valuables. While one of the robbers went around collecting the items from the customers using a plastic bag, the two armed men stood guard.

Soo Lee Choo(46) had walked out from the kitchen, splashed hot soup onto one of the robbers. On seeing this, some customers dashed towards the robbers and tried to fight them off.

During the commotion, Soo was shot several times. The robbers then fled in a getaway vehicle driven by an accomplice. What is this country coming to. Will we need to get arms to protect ourselfs?

A Hero or a Villian

When u see a man running amok, slapping and punching everyone within range.
What do you do?
Cleaner Soh K X had no doubts. After all, he had been hit as well.
So he hit back. Again and again and again. Until the man was subdued.

This drama unfolded yesterday at about 9.30am when many were tucking into their breakfast at the Ghim Moh market and food centre at Block 20 on Ghim Moh Road.

Now Mr Soh, 49, is a figure of controversy. Some passers-by felt he had used excessive force because he was seen hitting the man repeatedly whenever the latter tried to break free. If it was me, i will thank Soh and then wack the guy somemore.