夢醒時分 The moment when the dream is over.
你是否和我一樣，發覺身邊的親戚和朋友，似乎少了許多。
I wonder whether do you feel the same as me, all of the sudden I realized friends and relatives around me seem to get less and less.
以往接近過年時，各種聚餐排得滿滿的，而今年，似乎沒聲沒息。
Those years when the New Year is impending, all sorts of gathering appointments almost completely filled the diaries, but this year seems so quiet.
即使是平常日子，電話少了，與大家見面也少了。
Even in normal time, phone calls become less and less, face to face meet up also become much less.
也許，大家各忙各的；或者，目前流行“宅生活”，儘量避免出門。
Perhaps, everybody is busy with their own things, or perhaps, nowadays people prefer to stay in.
也不盡然如此。再想一想，很多老友和親戚，已經不在了。嗟！大吉利是，他們都還好好的，只是離開了馬來西亞。
However, it is not entirely like this, thinking further, actually old friends and relatives are not around any more. God bless, they are still alive and well, they just left the country, Malaysia.
去了中國大陸開工廠；王子不做工程師，移民到澳洲開小食檔；阿風離開本地大學，去香港做講師；青蛙去了台灣，開展事業第二春；還有的到了美國、英國，唔，還有去印尼的……。
They have gone to China to set up factories; Ah Wang quit his engineer job and migrated to Australia to set up his little food store business, Ah Fong left the local University and went to Hong Kong to become a lecturer. 'Frog' went to Taiwan to pursue his new career. Others went to America, England, even Indonesia...
起初，以為這只是個別現象，逐漸的，旁人也有同樣發現；原來，這不是個別現象，而是社會現象；這不是少數，而是相當大的數目。
At first, I thought these are isolated cases, however, they are also revelations to other people, these are not isolated cases but a general symptom of our society. They are not small numbers but the figures are pretty big indeed.
外交部早前披露了一個數字，說明這個現象是多麼真實，多麼貼近。
Figures released by Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the situation is real.
從去年3月到今年9月，已經有30萬大馬人移民他國；其中20萬人是今年1月到8月出走的數目。
From March 2008 thru September 2009, a total of 300,000 Malaysians migrated to other countries, among them 200,000 left between Jan - Aug 2009. (in 8 months)
累積下來，已經有超過200萬大馬人移民，接近今天印尼外勞在大馬的人口。
Cumulatively, there are 2 million Malaysian migrated, this figure is close to the number of Indonesian workers in Malaysia today.
不同的是，移居他國的大馬人，多是專業人士、中產階級。
The difference are, those migrated are mostly professional and middle class.
他們有很多出走的理由，追求事業發展，為了孩子前途，尋找個人更大空間……，概括一句：對馬來西亞失望。
They have many reasons to leave: pursue career development, for the future of their children, in search of better life and environment…In a nutshell, they have lost hope of Malaysia.
50年前，大家說，馬來西亞真好，好過香港，甚至日本。
50 years ago people said: Malaysia is very good, better than Hong Kong and even Japan.
30年前，大家說，馬來西亞還不錯，比得上韓國、台灣（不提香港和日本了）。
30 years ago people said: Malaysia is not bad, comparable to S. Korea and Taiwan. (No mention of Hong Kong and Japan any more).
20年前，大家說，馬來西亞還可以，至少超越中國、泰國（不能和台、韓比了）。
20 years ago people said: Malaysia can do, at least better than China and Thailand (But cannot compare with Taiwan and Korea.)
10年前，大家說，馬來西亞再差，還不至於像越南、印尼（中國已是不同級別）。
10 years ago poeple said: No matter how bad Malaysia is, cannot be worse than Vietnam and Indonesia. (China is already in a different category).
今日，越南和印尼的經濟成長率遙遙領先大馬，社會活力和知識發展也勝過一籌；距離愈來愈近了。
Today, the growth of Vietnam and Indonesia already far exceeded Malaysia, Social activity and intellectual development of these countries are also better, the gap between us is getting close.
怕甚麼，還有菲律賓和柬埔寨、緬甸。
What do you worry? Philippines, Cambodia and Myanmar are still behind us.
但是，一位經濟學家最近到菲律賓考察之後，認為再過20年，大馬可以取代菲律賓，出口馬籍女傭到全世界了。
However, according to an economist who recently made a survey to Philippines, he thinks that in 20 years, Malaysia can replace Philippines to become the World exporter of Malaysian maids.
半個世紀以來，馬來西亞是在大宅院裡，用封建方式，分配祖宗家業，消耗社會資源，浪費和逼走人才；不談競爭力，忽略生產力，討厭績效制。
Over half the century, Malaysians live in a big old imperial housing complex, closed up and survive on properties left behind by the ancestor; continue to consume social resources, wasteful, and drive away talents; they never talk about competitiveness, totally neglect productivity, and hate meritocracy.
亞洲金融風暴來襲時，大馬把門關起來，以為避過一劫，有人還自我陶醉，自以為是天才策略。
When economic storm hit Asia in 1997, Malaysia closed its door, thinking it will avoid a disaster, there are people who even think of themselves as genius, being able to handle the situation so well.
然而，其它國家面對風暴，走出風暴，進行體質改革，跨步向前，登上另一個水平；大馬卻還在原地踏步。
However, just look at other countries in our neighbourhood, they stand up, face the storm, and walk out of the storm. They overhaul the system, improve the structures and march forward, they moved up to a new level. And Malaysia is still maintaining the status quo.
馬來西亞，該醒一醒了。
Dear Malaysia, it's time to wake up! We are very late now!
2010年2月17日星期三
2010年1月30日星期六
Where to be During an Earthquake?
Where to be During an Earthquake
Remember that stuff about hiding under a table or standing in a doorway?? Well, this guy has a completely reverse opinion. This is very interesting, different from what we were all taught.
Boy! Is this ever an eye opener. Directly opposite of what we've been taught over the years! I can remember in school being told to, "duck and cover" or stand in a doorway during an earthquake. This guy's finding’s is absolutely amazing. I hope we all remember his survival method if we are ever in an earthquake!! !
Please read this and pass the info along to your family members; it could save their lives someday!
EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON THE: "TRIANGLE OF LIFE"
My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.
I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries.
I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.
The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under its desk. Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn't at the time know that the children were told to hide under something.
Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the "triangle of life". The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured. The next time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the "triangles" you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape, you will see, in a collapsed building.
TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
1) Most everyone who simply "ducks and covers" WHEN BUILDINGS COLLAPSE are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed.
2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it.
3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.
4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on The back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the floor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.
5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.
6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed!
7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different "moment of frequency" (they swing separately from the main part of the building). The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads - horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged.
8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible - It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked.
9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed car s had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them.
10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.
Spread the word and save someone's life... The Entire world is experiencing natural calamities so be prepared!
"We are but angels with one wing, it takes two to fly"
In 1996 we made a film, which proved my survival methodology to be correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul, University of Istanbul Case Production sand ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten mannequins did "duck and cover," and ten mannequins I used in my "triangle of life" survival method. After the simulated earthquake collapse we crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly observable, scientific conditions , relevant to building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck and cover.
There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the "triangle of life." This film has been seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe, and it was seen in the USA, Canada and Latin America on the TV program Real TV.
Sent to my by Yen Chun of Hawaii. This is a great article.
Remember that stuff about hiding under a table or standing in a doorway?? Well, this guy has a completely reverse opinion. This is very interesting, different from what we were all taught.
Boy! Is this ever an eye opener. Directly opposite of what we've been taught over the years! I can remember in school being told to, "duck and cover" or stand in a doorway during an earthquake. This guy's finding’s is absolutely amazing. I hope we all remember his survival method if we are ever in an earthquake!! !
Please read this and pass the info along to your family members; it could save their lives someday!
EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON THE: "TRIANGLE OF LIFE"
My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.
I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries.
I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.
The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under its desk. Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn't at the time know that the children were told to hide under something.
Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the "triangle of life". The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured. The next time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the "triangles" you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape, you will see, in a collapsed building.
TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
1) Most everyone who simply "ducks and covers" WHEN BUILDINGS COLLAPSE are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed.
2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it.
3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.
4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on The back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the floor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.
5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.
6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed!
7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different "moment of frequency" (they swing separately from the main part of the building). The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads - horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged.
8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible - It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked.
9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed car s had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them.
10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.
Spread the word and save someone's life... The Entire world is experiencing natural calamities so be prepared!
"We are but angels with one wing, it takes two to fly"
In 1996 we made a film, which proved my survival methodology to be correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul, University of Istanbul Case Production sand ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten mannequins did "duck and cover," and ten mannequins I used in my "triangle of life" survival method. After the simulated earthquake collapse we crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly observable, scientific conditions , relevant to building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck and cover.
There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the "triangle of life." This film has been seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe, and it was seen in the USA, Canada and Latin America on the TV program Real TV.
Sent to my by Yen Chun of Hawaii. This is a great article.
2010年1月21日星期四
New Aspirin for Heart Attack
New Aspirin for HEART ATTACK
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:53:25 +0800
Something that we can do to help ourselves......................
Bayer is making crystal aspirin to dissolve under the tongue. They work much faster than tablets swallowed.
Why keep aspirin by your bedside?
About Heart Attacks
There are other symptoms of an heart attack besides the pain on the left arm.
One must also be aware of an intense pain on the chin, as well as nausea and lots of sweating, however these symptoms may also occur less frequently.
Note: There may be NO pain in the chest during a heart attack.
The majority of people (about 60%) who had a heart attack during their sleep, did not wake up. However, if it occurs, the chest pain may wake you up from your deep sleep.
If that happens, immediately dissolve two aspirins in your mouth (under your tongue) and swallow them with a bit of water.
Afterwards:
- phone a neighbor or a family member who lives very close by or the ambulance
- say "heart attack!"
- say that you have taken 2 aspirins.
- take a seat on a chair or sofa near the front door, and wait for their arrival and...
~ DO NOT lie down ~
A Cardiologist has stated that, if each person, after receiving this e-mail, sends it to 10 people, probably one life can be saved!
I have already shared the information- - What about you?
P/s To all doctors: If this information is not correct, please inform me.
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:53:25 +0800
Something that we can do to help ourselves......................
Bayer is making crystal aspirin to dissolve under the tongue. They work much faster than tablets swallowed.
Why keep aspirin by your bedside?
About Heart Attacks
There are other symptoms of an heart attack besides the pain on the left arm.
One must also be aware of an intense pain on the chin, as well as nausea and lots of sweating, however these symptoms may also occur less frequently.
Note: There may be NO pain in the chest during a heart attack.
The majority of people (about 60%) who had a heart attack during their sleep, did not wake up. However, if it occurs, the chest pain may wake you up from your deep sleep.
If that happens, immediately dissolve two aspirins in your mouth (under your tongue) and swallow them with a bit of water.
Afterwards:
- phone a neighbor or a family member who lives very close by or the ambulance
- say "heart attack!"
- say that you have taken 2 aspirins.
- take a seat on a chair or sofa near the front door, and wait for their arrival and...
~ DO NOT lie down ~
A Cardiologist has stated that, if each person, after receiving this e-mail, sends it to 10 people, probably one life can be saved!
I have already shared the information- - What about you?
P/s To all doctors: If this information is not correct, please inform me.
2010年1月18日星期一
创意无价:老街的幸福经济 ●陈明发
创意无价:老街的幸福经济
2010/01/13 12:49:34 PM
●陈明发
某房地产代理商对我说，许多马来西亚人努力一辈子，只能从旧贫民窟，迁到新贫民窟。他说的，不是赤贫家庭在木屋区之间移动；而是一般城市人换楼房。
他发牢骚有他的理由：“你看，多少人一个住宅区一个住宅区的搬，他周遭的治安、交通、垃圾、医疗和孩子的学校，还不都是一样糟？连街边摊美食都落在外劳手里，味道变了，卫生情况更是令人担心。
寻找幸福城市
“大家当然也不是麻木的。很多人托我找房子、找店铺，总希望生活素质变得好一些。可是，我不敢对他们坦白说，当我们社会的整体素质大不如前，往那儿搬都一样……。”
往那儿搬都一样？许多人可不这么想。因为，在资金、创意与人才无国界的今天，他们可以选择落脚纽约、上海或新加坡。另一些人则深情得有些不信邪，认为自己所栖居的地方，是可以期待、可以经营的。可以往前蜕转变得不一样。
离开，找寻更嫩绿的青草地；还是留下，设法耕出一方碧翠，各有抉择。关键是，在安居、乐业与休憩三大生活需求上，懂得什么状态才能让自己开心；然后，自己主动去实现，不假手于人。
根据美国学者里查佛罗里达的观察，先进国家创造财富的最大动力，来自“创意阶级”；而近年来，全球的创意阶级日益集中迁往少数的一些优势区域。
其中的十大地带，好像亚洲的东京，大阪－名古屋；美洲的波士顿－纽约－华盛顿，芝加哥－匹兹堡；欧洲的伦敦，阿姆斯特丹－布鲁塞尔－安德卫普等，居民总数4亿人，虽然只占了全球人口的6.5%，却贡献了生产总值的43％。
这些精英当中，不少是从我们身边离去的人。他们心目中的青草地，不完全是金钱意义上的财富。
佛罗里达是专攻创意城市竞争力的大师，他在《创意新贵》、《城市与创意阶级》和《寻找你的幸福城市》等著作中一再强调，创意人考量安身立命之地，与一个城市的软体环境息息相关。
与住宅、办公室同样重要，能激发创意人幸福感的，是素质生活的第三空间：文化、休闲与交往的社区；它是创意体验不绝的泉源。
创造能量滋长自街市
世界上93.5%的人，生活在上述的尖峰地域以外。
无所谓，我们还是可能向佛罗里达教授取经，在眼前脚下的乡土上，耕耘一块青草地。凝聚创意人的能量，催生有助创意蓬勃绽放的生态环境，单是这一点就够叫人动心。一个区域、城市，当然不是一群人所能为；可是，从一个点开始，却是可能的。
这其实很接近某位美食业者的想法。他告诉我，巴生的美食真不少，只是一般人难以一一去寻幽探秘，真希望他们多开几家分店。但是，这些店家由于资金、观念和人手都有限，生意想做大些，就觉得心有余而力不足。
另一方面，由于美食之名日渐远播，许多慕名而来的外地游客也多起来。不少人看见美食旅游的商机，盘算着掏些资金进场。可是，没产品、没功夫，更没经商经验，说进场就能进吗
宾主尽欢社区
这位友人于是便遐想，要是有好东西的人，能和有诚意的伙伴联手，借集体的创业意愿把老街打造成创意商圈，那可是“爽”事一桩。他为人心直口快，“爽”就是其版本的幸福感。
可以想像，让他觉得有幸福感的一个街区，因为是共同经营的商圈，从街道的垃圾、保安、卫生、绿化与装璜设计，到无线网路、市场行销、职工培训与过年过节的活动盛事，都能一道商量、遵守与处理。
这自然是宾主尽欢的社区。“爽”的肯定不只是经营者；遍天下的飨客，也在找寻这样质地的消费场所。
除了一顿味蕾享受，在充满城市身世的特色，以及相关美食、店家的精彩故事中，大家更意会到内在的感动。
毕竟，辛苦工作了一天，不管是加埔出来的电器修理员，还是加拿大回来的电脑程序员，都渴盼称心的和家人或朋友吃顿饭。饭后，能安心的在步行街上闲逛、闲聊；买东西、看东西。
街市，不是填饱了肚子，但求不倒胃；或买了要买的东西，但望不让攫夺匪盯上，就匆匆忙忙离开的地方。它是我们愉快生活、交往的另一个空间；足以助长我们的创意能量。
2010/01/13 12:49:34 PM
●陈明发
某房地产代理商对我说，许多马来西亚人努力一辈子，只能从旧贫民窟，迁到新贫民窟。他说的，不是赤贫家庭在木屋区之间移动；而是一般城市人换楼房。
他发牢骚有他的理由：“你看，多少人一个住宅区一个住宅区的搬，他周遭的治安、交通、垃圾、医疗和孩子的学校，还不都是一样糟？连街边摊美食都落在外劳手里，味道变了，卫生情况更是令人担心。
寻找幸福城市
“大家当然也不是麻木的。很多人托我找房子、找店铺，总希望生活素质变得好一些。可是，我不敢对他们坦白说，当我们社会的整体素质大不如前，往那儿搬都一样……。”
往那儿搬都一样？许多人可不这么想。因为，在资金、创意与人才无国界的今天，他们可以选择落脚纽约、上海或新加坡。另一些人则深情得有些不信邪，认为自己所栖居的地方，是可以期待、可以经营的。可以往前蜕转变得不一样。
离开，找寻更嫩绿的青草地；还是留下，设法耕出一方碧翠，各有抉择。关键是，在安居、乐业与休憩三大生活需求上，懂得什么状态才能让自己开心；然后，自己主动去实现，不假手于人。
根据美国学者里查佛罗里达的观察，先进国家创造财富的最大动力，来自“创意阶级”；而近年来，全球的创意阶级日益集中迁往少数的一些优势区域。
其中的十大地带，好像亚洲的东京，大阪－名古屋；美洲的波士顿－纽约－华盛顿，芝加哥－匹兹堡；欧洲的伦敦，阿姆斯特丹－布鲁塞尔－安德卫普等，居民总数4亿人，虽然只占了全球人口的6.5%，却贡献了生产总值的43％。
这些精英当中，不少是从我们身边离去的人。他们心目中的青草地，不完全是金钱意义上的财富。
佛罗里达是专攻创意城市竞争力的大师，他在《创意新贵》、《城市与创意阶级》和《寻找你的幸福城市》等著作中一再强调，创意人考量安身立命之地，与一个城市的软体环境息息相关。
与住宅、办公室同样重要，能激发创意人幸福感的，是素质生活的第三空间：文化、休闲与交往的社区；它是创意体验不绝的泉源。
创造能量滋长自街市
世界上93.5%的人，生活在上述的尖峰地域以外。
无所谓，我们还是可能向佛罗里达教授取经，在眼前脚下的乡土上，耕耘一块青草地。凝聚创意人的能量，催生有助创意蓬勃绽放的生态环境，单是这一点就够叫人动心。一个区域、城市，当然不是一群人所能为；可是，从一个点开始，却是可能的。
这其实很接近某位美食业者的想法。他告诉我，巴生的美食真不少，只是一般人难以一一去寻幽探秘，真希望他们多开几家分店。但是，这些店家由于资金、观念和人手都有限，生意想做大些，就觉得心有余而力不足。
另一方面，由于美食之名日渐远播，许多慕名而来的外地游客也多起来。不少人看见美食旅游的商机，盘算着掏些资金进场。可是，没产品、没功夫，更没经商经验，说进场就能进吗
宾主尽欢社区
这位友人于是便遐想，要是有好东西的人，能和有诚意的伙伴联手，借集体的创业意愿把老街打造成创意商圈，那可是“爽”事一桩。他为人心直口快，“爽”就是其版本的幸福感。
可以想像，让他觉得有幸福感的一个街区，因为是共同经营的商圈，从街道的垃圾、保安、卫生、绿化与装璜设计，到无线网路、市场行销、职工培训与过年过节的活动盛事，都能一道商量、遵守与处理。
这自然是宾主尽欢的社区。“爽”的肯定不只是经营者；遍天下的飨客，也在找寻这样质地的消费场所。
除了一顿味蕾享受，在充满城市身世的特色，以及相关美食、店家的精彩故事中，大家更意会到内在的感动。
毕竟，辛苦工作了一天，不管是加埔出来的电器修理员，还是加拿大回来的电脑程序员，都渴盼称心的和家人或朋友吃顿饭。饭后，能安心的在步行街上闲逛、闲聊；买东西、看东西。
街市，不是填饱了肚子，但求不倒胃；或买了要买的东西，但望不让攫夺匪盯上，就匆匆忙忙离开的地方。它是我们愉快生活、交往的另一个空间；足以助长我们的创意能量。
2010年1月14日星期四
50萬條命能救嗎？ 首都全毀‧盜賊四出
50萬條命能救嗎？
首都全毀‧盜賊四出
（太子港14日綜合電）數千人……10萬人……數十萬人……海地7級大地震，震出了驚人的死亡數字，也震碎了這個極貧窮國度、無數貧苦人家的心！
加勒比海國家海地週二發生黎克特7級強震，首都太子港幾乎全毀，死亡人數至今難以統計，從最初的數千人恐罹難，到最后的或有多達50萬人喪生，眾說紛紜；相信即使再過幾個月，也難以估計出最確實的死亡人數。
海地總理貝勒里夫估計，最終死亡人數可能“超過10萬”，參議員拉托圖更指可能有50萬人罹難，受災人數多達300萬人，但兩人都承認仍未取得確切數字。
盜賊趁機搶劫財物
貝勒里夫週三接受美國有線電視新聞網（CNN）採訪時說，如此多建築物和小區被徹底震毀，一些小區內甚至毫無人跡，完全不清楚這些人的情況。
他估計，如果把地震發生時，未能及時逃出倒塌建築物的人計算在內，死難者很可能將超過10萬人。
“我希望這不是真的，希望他們有機會（從廢墟中）出來。”
幾乎被地震毀滅的海地首都太子港，熬過地震后第一天，街頭依然瀰漫著驚恐，一堆堆的廢墟裡面，埋著一具具罹難者的遺體，救援人員搶救生命的同時，盜賊趁機四起，搶劫財物。
幾千名海地警察和國際維和部隊的軍人，投入救人與維持治安、替救護車開道的作業，不過對於混在災民當中，趁機打劫的宵小，令他們束手無策。
首都全毀‧盜賊四出
（太子港14日綜合電）數千人……10萬人……數十萬人……海地7級大地震，震出了驚人的死亡數字，也震碎了這個極貧窮國度、無數貧苦人家的心！
加勒比海國家海地週二發生黎克特7級強震，首都太子港幾乎全毀，死亡人數至今難以統計，從最初的數千人恐罹難，到最后的或有多達50萬人喪生，眾說紛紜；相信即使再過幾個月，也難以估計出最確實的死亡人數。
海地總理貝勒里夫估計，最終死亡人數可能“超過10萬”，參議員拉托圖更指可能有50萬人罹難，受災人數多達300萬人，但兩人都承認仍未取得確切數字。
盜賊趁機搶劫財物
貝勒里夫週三接受美國有線電視新聞網（CNN）採訪時說，如此多建築物和小區被徹底震毀，一些小區內甚至毫無人跡，完全不清楚這些人的情況。
他估計，如果把地震發生時，未能及時逃出倒塌建築物的人計算在內，死難者很可能將超過10萬人。
“我希望這不是真的，希望他們有機會（從廢墟中）出來。”
幾乎被地震毀滅的海地首都太子港，熬過地震后第一天，街頭依然瀰漫著驚恐，一堆堆的廢墟裡面，埋著一具具罹難者的遺體，救援人員搶救生命的同時，盜賊趁機四起，搶劫財物。
幾千名海地警察和國際維和部隊的軍人，投入救人與維持治安、替救護車開道的作業，不過對於混在災民當中，趁機打劫的宵小，令他們束手無策。
2010年1月11日星期一
Award recognizes couple for inspiring work in China
Award recognizes couple for inspiring work in China
By Pat Gee
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 10, 2010
(Single Page View) | Return to Paginated View
The Dr. Sun Yat-sen Foundation recently awarded its first Lifetime Achievement Award to Walter Chee Kwon Chun and his wife, Sau Chun Wong Chun, regarded as pioneers of U.S.-China trade.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Walter Chee Kwon Chung, 98, and his wife, Sau Chun Wong Chun, 94, were recently presented with the Sun Yat-sen Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award and also received a City Council resolution, which recognized the award.
View Large Version >>
The Hawaii-born couple, both in their 90s, were recognized for their instrumental role in opening educational, cultural and financial doors between China and the United States, according to their daughter, Yen Chun, a director of the foundation.
"Following President Nixon's historical visit to China (in 1972), the Chuns started their consulting business to promote U.S.-China trade, and represented numerous Fortune 500 corporations in China," according to a certificate from the Honolulu City Council, which also honored the Chuns. "They are true pioneers of U.S.-China trade and builders of U.S.-China relationships."
Speaking on behalf of her husband, who is a frail 98, Sau Chun said: "He was very happy to get it when they came to give him the award. He had a big smile on his face throughout."
Yen Chun, who is also recognized by both countries for carrying on her parents' work, said she was glad to see her mother, 94, included in the award as she has always worked alongside her father.
Walter Chun married Sau Chun, a McKinley High School teacher, in 1950. They moved to Beijing right afterward to help rebuild the war-ravaged country under Mao Zedong, who established the People's Republic of China in 1949. They stayed until 1961.
"I was going to help the new China stand up," Sau Chun said. "I prided myself that I was adaptable. Life was pretty hard—no heat, no flushing toilet, shower only two times a week—but I was going there to help."
She taught English to the Chinese and became a reporter whose stories were carried in newspapers around the world.
"I wanted the rest of the world to know what China was doing," she said. "The spirit there was so wonderful. You were poor, but everyone worked together."
The Chuns are particularly proud about facilitating the sister-state relationship in 1984 between Hawaii and Guangdong, and later the sister-island relationship between Oahu and Hainan, China.
Guangdong was Sun Yat-sen's home province, and where 90 percent of the Chinese in Hawaii came from, Yen Chun said. Local Chinese also made major contributions to Sun Yat-en's first revolutionary society, Hsing Chung Hui, formed in 1894 in Hawaii. It fueled his eventual formation of the Republic of China in 1911, she added.
Along the way, the Chuns rubbed elbows with iconic figures in China's history. Walter Chun is the brother-in-law of Dr. Sun Fo, the son of Sun Yat-sen. In 1934, Fo took Walter Chun to China to be his English secretary at the Nanking legislature. The Chuns also became close to Soong Ching Ling, Sun Yat-sen's second wife, and started a foundation in 1981 in the U.S. to carry on her work helping women and children.
Chun met and was inspired by Mao Zedong, who led the Communist faction in fighting the Japanese invasion in 1937. In 1939, Mao wrote Chun a letter of thanks in calligraphy, "praising my dad that he had no personal agenda, but (like others) sacrificed themselves to liberate the people," Yen Chun said.
By Pat Gee
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 10, 2010
(Single Page View) | Return to Paginated View
The Dr. Sun Yat-sen Foundation recently awarded its first Lifetime Achievement Award to Walter Chee Kwon Chun and his wife, Sau Chun Wong Chun, regarded as pioneers of U.S.-China trade.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Walter Chee Kwon Chung, 98, and his wife, Sau Chun Wong Chun, 94, were recently presented with the Sun Yat-sen Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award and also received a City Council resolution, which recognized the award.
View Large Version >>
The Hawaii-born couple, both in their 90s, were recognized for their instrumental role in opening educational, cultural and financial doors between China and the United States, according to their daughter, Yen Chun, a director of the foundation.
"Following President Nixon's historical visit to China (in 1972), the Chuns started their consulting business to promote U.S.-China trade, and represented numerous Fortune 500 corporations in China," according to a certificate from the Honolulu City Council, which also honored the Chuns. "They are true pioneers of U.S.-China trade and builders of U.S.-China relationships."
Speaking on behalf of her husband, who is a frail 98, Sau Chun said: "He was very happy to get it when they came to give him the award. He had a big smile on his face throughout."
Yen Chun, who is also recognized by both countries for carrying on her parents' work, said she was glad to see her mother, 94, included in the award as she has always worked alongside her father.
Walter Chun married Sau Chun, a McKinley High School teacher, in 1950. They moved to Beijing right afterward to help rebuild the war-ravaged country under Mao Zedong, who established the People's Republic of China in 1949. They stayed until 1961.
"I was going to help the new China stand up," Sau Chun said. "I prided myself that I was adaptable. Life was pretty hard—no heat, no flushing toilet, shower only two times a week—but I was going there to help."
She taught English to the Chinese and became a reporter whose stories were carried in newspapers around the world.
"I wanted the rest of the world to know what China was doing," she said. "The spirit there was so wonderful. You were poor, but everyone worked together."
The Chuns are particularly proud about facilitating the sister-state relationship in 1984 between Hawaii and Guangdong, and later the sister-island relationship between Oahu and Hainan, China.
Guangdong was Sun Yat-sen's home province, and where 90 percent of the Chinese in Hawaii came from, Yen Chun said. Local Chinese also made major contributions to Sun Yat-en's first revolutionary society, Hsing Chung Hui, formed in 1894 in Hawaii. It fueled his eventual formation of the Republic of China in 1911, she added.
Along the way, the Chuns rubbed elbows with iconic figures in China's history. Walter Chun is the brother-in-law of Dr. Sun Fo, the son of Sun Yat-sen. In 1934, Fo took Walter Chun to China to be his English secretary at the Nanking legislature. The Chuns also became close to Soong Ching Ling, Sun Yat-sen's second wife, and started a foundation in 1981 in the U.S. to carry on her work helping women and children.
Chun met and was inspired by Mao Zedong, who led the Communist faction in fighting the Japanese invasion in 1937. In 1939, Mao wrote Chun a letter of thanks in calligraphy, "praising my dad that he had no personal agenda, but (like others) sacrificed themselves to liberate the people," Yen Chun said.
2010年1月5日星期二
5/1 Home Ministry applies for stay of execution of the High Court ruling that “Allah” can be used by Herald, pending appeal against the decision.
5/1 Home Ministry applies for stay of execution of the High Court ruling that “Allah” can be used by Herald, pending appeal against the decision.
5/1 Prisons Dept drafts law to allow transfer of foreign prisoners to their countries of origin in a bid to reduce overcrowding in local jails.
5/1 No MCA polls this month because only 13 CC members have given resignation letters, 8 more needed for polls to be called: Dr Chua Soi Lek.
1/1 School canteen operations cannot raise food and drink prices although sugar price is up because they signed contract: Dep Education Minister.
31/12 Hindraf chairman Waytha Moorthy files RM 100 m defamation suit against Penang DCM Ramasamy, media companies and others.
31/12 Indonesians throng streets to mourn ex-President Abdurrahman Wahid, aka Gus Dur, who died on Wednesday aged 69; state funeral to be held today.
30/12 Heath Ministry:A(H1N1) flu still around, so continue to protect your family as the new school term starts next week.
30/12 Crude palm oil futures advances RM 13 to RM 2,603 a tonne on Bursa Derivatives;Crude oil in New York steady at US$79.08 a barrel.
30/12 DRB-Hicom will end joint venture with General Motors to import and distribute Chevrolet vehicles in Malaysia effective Jan 1, 2010.
5/1 Prisons Dept drafts law to allow transfer of foreign prisoners to their countries of origin in a bid to reduce overcrowding in local jails.
5/1 No MCA polls this month because only 13 CC members have given resignation letters, 8 more needed for polls to be called: Dr Chua Soi Lek.
1/1 School canteen operations cannot raise food and drink prices although sugar price is up because they signed contract: Dep Education Minister.
31/12 Hindraf chairman Waytha Moorthy files RM 100 m defamation suit against Penang DCM Ramasamy, media companies and others.
31/12 Indonesians throng streets to mourn ex-President Abdurrahman Wahid, aka Gus Dur, who died on Wednesday aged 69; state funeral to be held today.
30/12 Heath Ministry:A(H1N1) flu still around, so continue to protect your family as the new school term starts next week.
30/12 Crude palm oil futures advances RM 13 to RM 2,603 a tonne on Bursa Derivatives;Crude oil in New York steady at US$79.08 a barrel.
30/12 DRB-Hicom will end joint venture with General Motors to import and distribute Chevrolet vehicles in Malaysia effective Jan 1, 2010.
2010年1月2日星期六
携巨款入境须申请《反洗黑钱证明书》 不法徒新招诈财
携巨款入境须申请《反洗黑钱证明书》 不法徒新招诈财
2010/01/01 6:32:14 PM
●南洋商报
（吉隆坡1日讯）不法之徒出新招！外国男子利用《反洗黑钱证明书》骗钱，本地女子受促勿上当！
据了解，外国男子利用网络结交本地女性后，声称携带大量金钱到马来西亚，遭关税局扣留须付数千令吉申请一张《反洗黑钱证明书》，才能获得释放，其实这是一个骗局，我国只有《反洗黑钱》法令，但没有所谓的《反洗黑钱证明书》。
民主行动党泗岩沫区国会议员林立迎说，他于去年接到3名女性来电询问《反洗黑钱证明书》的真伪，她们分别是律师、媒体从业员及集团高级行政经理，于半年内分别认识英国与荷兰的外籍男子。
没《反洗黑钱证明书》
“她们分别在网络认识声称来自英国与荷兰的外籍男子，他们在网络‘交往’两三个月后，对方突然提出邀请本地女子到他们的国家，也说会为对方购买机票。
“可是，这些男子是仓促要她们飞过去，当事主说没办法前往时，对方就声称可前来我国。”
林立迎周五巡视城市花园占布国乐路空地兴建园艺遭搁置一事后，这么指出。
他说，这些男子自称抵达机场后会联络事主，不过她们等候多时没见到对方，却接到一名口操马来语自称关税局官员的来电，指该名男子因携带大量金钱到我国，遭关税局人员扣留。
“该名‘关税局人员’指女方若愿意付数千令吉申请一张《反洗黑钱证明书》，就可释放该名外籍男子。”
他说，事主觉得事有蹊跷，致电询问他的意见，而没有上当。
外国人携带外汇入境不受限
林立迎强调，我国只有《反洗黑钱》法令，但没有《反洗黑钱证明书》，劝请我国人民不要误信，堕入不法之徒的圈套。
“或许外国确实有《反洗黑钱证明书》，但我国绝对没有这种证书，若怀疑对方洗黑钱，都会遭当局扣留盘问。”
他说，我国政府不会限制外国人携带多少外汇入境，但政府有限制人民携带过多的马币出国，以免外汇大量流失。
他劝请我国人民通过网络交友必须谨慎，以免被骗。
2010/01/01 6:32:14 PM
●南洋商报
（吉隆坡1日讯）不法之徒出新招！外国男子利用《反洗黑钱证明书》骗钱，本地女子受促勿上当！
据了解，外国男子利用网络结交本地女性后，声称携带大量金钱到马来西亚，遭关税局扣留须付数千令吉申请一张《反洗黑钱证明书》，才能获得释放，其实这是一个骗局，我国只有《反洗黑钱》法令，但没有所谓的《反洗黑钱证明书》。
民主行动党泗岩沫区国会议员林立迎说，他于去年接到3名女性来电询问《反洗黑钱证明书》的真伪，她们分别是律师、媒体从业员及集团高级行政经理，于半年内分别认识英国与荷兰的外籍男子。
没《反洗黑钱证明书》
“她们分别在网络认识声称来自英国与荷兰的外籍男子，他们在网络‘交往’两三个月后，对方突然提出邀请本地女子到他们的国家，也说会为对方购买机票。
“可是，这些男子是仓促要她们飞过去，当事主说没办法前往时，对方就声称可前来我国。”
林立迎周五巡视城市花园占布国乐路空地兴建园艺遭搁置一事后，这么指出。
他说，这些男子自称抵达机场后会联络事主，不过她们等候多时没见到对方，却接到一名口操马来语自称关税局官员的来电，指该名男子因携带大量金钱到我国，遭关税局人员扣留。
“该名‘关税局人员’指女方若愿意付数千令吉申请一张《反洗黑钱证明书》，就可释放该名外籍男子。”
他说，事主觉得事有蹊跷，致电询问他的意见，而没有上当。
外国人携带外汇入境不受限
林立迎强调，我国只有《反洗黑钱》法令，但没有《反洗黑钱证明书》，劝请我国人民不要误信，堕入不法之徒的圈套。
“或许外国确实有《反洗黑钱证明书》，但我国绝对没有这种证书，若怀疑对方洗黑钱，都会遭当局扣留盘问。”
他说，我国政府不会限制外国人携带多少外汇入境，但政府有限制人民携带过多的马币出国，以免外汇大量流失。
他劝请我国人民通过网络交友必须谨慎，以免被骗。
2009年12月13日星期日
杜絕快速致富詐騙‧明年修直銷法令
杜絕快速致富詐騙‧明年修直銷法令
2009-12-12 19:51
（吉隆坡）國內貿易、合作社及消費人事務部長拿督斯里依斯邁沙比利透露，政府將於明年修改1993年直銷法令，以便更有效對付詐騙案件，尤其是快速致富的活動。
他指出，目前還有很多人涉及不法的直銷或快速致富活動，尤其是家庭主婦，損失數額不少。
因此，政府正在草擬修改直銷法令的法案，加入快速致富的金字塔式投資為一項罪行。
他今日（週六，12月12日）頒發特權卡給半島部份村長時說，這除了可以加強執法，還可鞏固現有銀行法令、1989年金融機構法令1965年公司法令。
“在其他機構包括國家銀行、警方和政府部門致力監督快速致富的活動，政府同時舉辦更多醒覺運動，以便國人不輕易相信這些投資方式。
此外，依斯邁沙比利說，政府即日起陸續為全國村長舉辦培訓活動、汲取法律知識和發出特權卡，以讓他們擁有正式的權力協助貿消部展開執法工作。首批村長共有248人，他們分別來自玻璃市、森美蘭、馬六甲、柔佛、彭享和登嘉樓。
培訓村長助貿消部執法他指出，貿消部在全國只有約2000名執法官員，無法監督全國各地的不法活動，尤其是郊區，導致郊外鄉區時常發生詐騙案。因此，當局需要各地方領袖，包括在當地德高望重的村長協助，監督物品價格等。政府授權村長執法的措施早在2000年開始執行，卻可能基於缺乏對法律認知，行動並不活躍。
其实有个更简易的退休储蓄计划。现在就了解个中详情。
“獲得授權的村長擁有與一般執法官員一樣的權力，他們有權進入建築物進行檢查，只不過不能發傳票和採取充公行動。如果要採取行動，必須通知執法組，由執法官員執行。兩者的關係就如警方和志願警衛團。”
他希望村長除了成為貿消部的耳目，應配合政府教育村民不要相信快速致富等詐騙活動，因為這些案件時常發生在郊區。
光明日報‧2009.12.12
2009-12-12 19:51
（吉隆坡）國內貿易、合作社及消費人事務部長拿督斯里依斯邁沙比利透露，政府將於明年修改1993年直銷法令，以便更有效對付詐騙案件，尤其是快速致富的活動。
他指出，目前還有很多人涉及不法的直銷或快速致富活動，尤其是家庭主婦，損失數額不少。
因此，政府正在草擬修改直銷法令的法案，加入快速致富的金字塔式投資為一項罪行。
他今日（週六，12月12日）頒發特權卡給半島部份村長時說，這除了可以加強執法，還可鞏固現有銀行法令、1989年金融機構法令1965年公司法令。
“在其他機構包括國家銀行、警方和政府部門致力監督快速致富的活動，政府同時舉辦更多醒覺運動，以便國人不輕易相信這些投資方式。
此外，依斯邁沙比利說，政府即日起陸續為全國村長舉辦培訓活動、汲取法律知識和發出特權卡，以讓他們擁有正式的權力協助貿消部展開執法工作。首批村長共有248人，他們分別來自玻璃市、森美蘭、馬六甲、柔佛、彭享和登嘉樓。
培訓村長助貿消部執法他指出，貿消部在全國只有約2000名執法官員，無法監督全國各地的不法活動，尤其是郊區，導致郊外鄉區時常發生詐騙案。因此，當局需要各地方領袖，包括在當地德高望重的村長協助，監督物品價格等。政府授權村長執法的措施早在2000年開始執行，卻可能基於缺乏對法律認知，行動並不活躍。
其实有个更简易的退休储蓄计划。现在就了解个中详情。
“獲得授權的村長擁有與一般執法官員一樣的權力，他們有權進入建築物進行檢查，只不過不能發傳票和採取充公行動。如果要採取行動，必須通知執法組，由執法官員執行。兩者的關係就如警方和志願警衛團。”
他希望村長除了成為貿消部的耳目，應配合政府教育村民不要相信快速致富等詐騙活動，因為這些案件時常發生在郊區。
光明日報‧2009.12.12
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