Carol's Church Wedding

Attended my ex-colleague, Carol Tee's church wedding at Kajang Holy Family Church few weeks ago. This is one of my family first visit to the church new building and also our first time attending a catholic church wedding ceremony.

Congratulations Sean and Carol!

Powerpuff girl

Last month we celebrated my youngest sister in-law, Alana's birthday by dinning out. We ate at Seri Kembangan Lek Lek Restaurant. The finale was the birthday cake singing and cutting. My brother in-law Chee Yoong specially make for Alana a 3D Powerpuff Girl cake. Powerpuff Girl is one of Alana's favourite cartoon character. The cake not only looks special and cute, it also taste good. It's my first time seeing and eating such unique cake.

Once again for the record, blessed birthday Alana.

Should you interested and wanted more information on my bro in-law unique cake, you are welcome to visit his website at http://lyra-patisserie.blogspot.com. He takes order and makes delivery (depending on location).

Popcorn good for your health?

Nutritionists say whole grains are good for you because they contain a lot of fiber. Now, new research shows they're also packed full of polyphenol antioxidants -- substances that help to rid your body of harmful free radicals, highly reactive molecules and ions that can damage your cells.

You've probably heard good things about some other foods that contain polyphenol antioxidants: tea, coffee, dark chocolate, olive oil, and red wine. Today, in research presented to the American Chemical Society, University of Scranton chemists reveal the surprising quantity of antioxidants in popular breakfast cereals too, as well as in crackers, pasta, flours and snack foods. The cereal with the most antioxidants per serving is Raisin Bran, according to the research (mostly because of the raisins, mind you). The best snack food -- by far -- is popcorn. The overall antioxidant rankings of whole grains per serving of cold breakfast cereal, in order, is wheat, corn, oats, and then rice.

On the whole, a gram of whole-grain products contains comparable antioxidants to a gram of fruit and veggies, the researchers say. That's good news for Americans, who probably get about 10% of their daily antioxidant intake from whole grains, according to the new research. But make sure you're getting whole grains. Processed grain products don't seem to be nearly so antioxidant-rich.

Car booster seat

We have recently upgraded Ivan's baby car seat to a booster seat. Ivan's weight and age have already exceeded the baby car seat's safety guideline. Now both the kids have their place inside the car - Ivan is using his new booster seat whereas Reanne will take over Ivan's baby car seat. Just some of the necessary safety features needed for a family safe drive especially long distance.

Study finds that by using a booster seat instead of just a seat belt significantly reduces the risk of injury in children aged 4 to 8 years old who are involved in a car crash, according to an updated assessment of booster seat effectiveness released today. Moreover, the results indicate that in this age group, booster seats without a back are just as protective as those with a back.

Car seat belts are built for average-size adults, not children. When a child outgrows a harness-type car seat, it's recommended that he or she graduate to a booster seat, usually around age 4 and weight 40 pounds.

Booster seats work by raising the child up so that the vehicle's lap-shoulder belt is properly positioned across his chest and hips -- to distribute crash forces across the sturdiest parts of a child's body.
Read more at here

More good reason surfing the net

Surfing the Internet just might be a way to preserve your mental skills as you age.

Researchers found that older adults who started browsing the Web experienced improved brain function after only a few days.

"You can teach an old brain new technology tricks," said Dr. Gary Small, a psychiatry professor at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the author of iBrain. With people who had little Internet experience, "we found that after just a week of practice, there was a much greater extent of activity particularly in the areas of the brain that make decisions, the thinking brain -- which makes sense because, when you're searching online, you're making a lot of decisions," he said. "It's interactive."

Small is co-author of the research, which was scheduled to be presented Monday in Chicago at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting.

"This makes intuitive sense, that getting on the Internet and exploring and getting new information and learning would help," said Paul Sanberg, director of the University of South Florida Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair in Tampa. "It supports the value of exploring the Internet for the elderly."

Most experts now advocate a "use-it-or-lose-it" approach to mental functioning.

"We found a number of years ago that people who engaged in cognitive activities had better functioning and perspective than those who did not," said Dr. Richard Lipton, a professor of neurology and epidemiology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City and director of the Einstein Aging Study. "Our study is often referenced as the crossword-puzzle study -- that doing puzzles, writing for pleasure, playing chess and engaging in a broader array of cognitive activities seem to protect against age-related decline in cognitive function and also dementia."

Baby Kiko's Precious Moments Contest

This is the photo sent to participate Baby Kiko's Precious Moments Contest for the month of October.

It is an interesting photo captured during our recent Port Dickson beach family trip with my parents in-law.

All you have to do is log in, upload a photo of you and your child (sharing a precious moment) and complete the slogan ou are amazing because ...?(in not more than 15 words).

The contest is only open to parents whose children are aged four years old and below. All photos will be uploaded at ParenThots for public viewing.

3 winners will be chosen every month.

Closing Date for the current contest: October 25.

The Value of a Good System

As John C. Maxwell explained the importance of having and developing good system in our personal and professional leadership

What Is a System?

A system is simply your way of getting things done. Systems aren't one-time acts; they're habits that you do weekly or even daily. They're the mechanics of leadership, and over time, they dictate the extent of your effectiveness.

The Value of Systems

1) They Help Us Manage Time

As a young leader, a heavier workload and increasing demands on my time forced me to learn how to get things done quickly. I developed systems to squeeze as much productivity as possible into my day. I couldn't afford to move slowly.

As Peter Drucker wrote, "Everything requires time. It is the one truly universal condition. All work takes place in time and uses up time. Yet most people take for granted, this unique, irreplaceable, and necessary resource. Nothing else, perhaps, distinguishes effective executives as much as their tender loving care of time."

2) They Help Us Conserve Energy

When we have good systems in life, we don't waste energy. Do you know the number one waster of time? Looking for things that are lost. A study by Office World News found that the average executive squanders 150 hours each year looking for misplaced files.

As I worked on this lesson, I laughed because I knew it would bring up a few of my idiosyncrasies. For example, when I went to get my glasses the last time, I ordered six pairs-one to put at each of my favorite reading places. I don't have to carry a pair around with me, and when I sit down they're always convenient. It may seem like a silly system, but I never lose time rummaging around for a pair of reading glasses.

3) They Help Us to Multiply Creativity

When I was first married, my wife and I lived in south Indiana, and we didn't have any money. Margaret taught kindergarten, and I was a pastor making $80 per week. Margaret would ask me to mow the lawn, and I would get irritated because we didn't have money to hire someone else to tend to the lawn. There's nothing wrong with mowing, but I had lots of other priorities, and mowing didn't crack my top ten. So, eventually we bought a goat. He grazed on the grass, and I saved time!

Developing systems to handle the trivia of life frees you up to be creative. By automating repetitive tasks, you're able to focus mental energy on top priorities.

4) They Help Us to Maximize Progress

Systems help us to move forward, to go as far as we possibly can. They enable us to work faster, smarter, and more strategically. A good system eliminates waste, while it also anticipates and removes obstacles.

To get the most out of systems, you have to make them a lifestyle not a one-off deal. They must become ingrained in your routine. Systems only benefit you when you stick to them.

What is Probiotics

This is a very educational and informative video explaining what is Probiotics a.k.a friendly bacteria in our digestive system