why do I blog?

For almost two years now, I have been blogging. There have been a couple of hiatus in the past.

The initial reason I set up this blog was as a place to write down all emotional stress due to study but later the path of reason took a different turn. Now, this blog was some kind of my own experiment with HTML and CSS languange that was once an alien to me. Able to design a couple of templates was a great experience indeed. Hopefully in the future, I am able to grasp more on this languange of web design ;)

Another reason to blog is for me to improve my hardly passable English. From time to time, I am able to learn my own mistakes by rereading my own posts. A great way to learn actually, yet I still require a lot more to improve on.

Sometimes, my post will be around religious stuff and that serves as a reminder to me and to the reader. Human is always forgetful but when he wrote something, at least that will remind him later in the future. I will always read my own post to remind myself. Always make mistakes but at least, I am trying to improve.

Regardless of that, there were quite few posts in which I describe my feelings. It is becoming rarer these days. Perhaps too busy or probably don't want to share it to loudly ;)

Another reason...hmm, by blogging, I am able to gain enourmous perspective on many events. If you surf around the globe, there were many kinds of weblog. Different people write different things. An event could be perceived in many ways. For example, the caricature of Prophet Muhammad SAW has caused quite an uproar in the blogging community to the extent Pakistan even blocked the blogspot domain since some bloggers there, wrote provocative issues on this matter. Even Muslims have differences in handling this issue. Some support the burning of buildings and flags and by protesting to the West. Some Muslims in the other end totally disagree and ask Muslims to uphold the dignity of Islam in a better way. By writing my own opinion in this matter, it adds to the diversity of perspectives in viewing this event. A reader who accidentally read a blog will enrich his faculty of thought in gaining perspectives of a certain event.

Nevertheless, it does not mean whatever I wrote here is always true. It could be wrong. By writing and if someone gave me a comment on my writing, I am able to learn my mistake. Sometimes, a person unable to see his own mistake but others could see it. So, if you see me make any mistake, please correct me.

enough for today....

Legionnaires outbreak!

Something that is close to home....

March 02, 2006

THE search for the source of Melbourne's outbreak of legionnaires' disease continued today, as the potentially deadly airborne bacteria struck down its seventh victim.

The 83-year-old man is recovering in the city's Northern Hospital after his diagnosis late last week.

Department of Human Services spokesman Bram Alexander said the man had been seriously ill for several days.

"The man was admitted to the hospital late last week ... it fits the epidemiology," Mr Alexander said.

He said the man had recently visited Preston, the Melbourne suburb blamed for the source of the outbreak.

Health officials revealed yesterday that an outbreak of the disease was centred on the suburb in the city's north, and it had killed an 85-year-old man from Reservoir and put five others in hospital.

Legionnaires' bacteria is known to flourish in poorly-maintained air-conditioning infrastructure, and teams of health department staff yesterday took samples from nine suspect "cooling towers" before they were disinfected.

The Health Department is yet to pinpoint the source of the outbreak, and teams of departmental staff went back to the suburb today to look for further towers not listed on an official register.

The Northland Shopping Centre is home to one of the suspect towers, and its management has moved to assure shoppers that it was in the clear.

"The centre undertakes regular and stringent independent testing of its water cooling plant and has installed the latest equipment to minimise the risk to retailers, staff and the general public," Northland retail manager Matthew Norden said.

"Northland has provided its latest test results to the DHS confirming that all cooling plant is free of the disease ... there is no linkage with the centre to the reported cases in the area."

Mr Alexander said today the results of official testing would not be known for about a week, and it was: "too early to rule anyone out".

Melbourne businesses have been urged to check their sickness records, and any staff who have been off work with flu-like symptoms for more than three days should contact their doctor.

Mr Alexander said yesterday's disinfection effort was likely to curtail the outbreak but he warned that legionnaires' disease had an incubation period of 10 days.

"While we would hope that there would be no new cases, there may be people that are still in the incubation period," he said.

A 61-year-old man diagnosed with the infection was discharged from Werribee Hospital yesterday, while an 80-year-old man was discharged from the Austin Hospital.

Two women, aged 83 and 65, remain in satisfactory conditions at the Austin while a fifth person, a 43-year-old man, is recuperating at home.

taken from here

domino effect...

Tomorrow, fuel price in Malaysia will be increase by 30 sen. Quite a dramatic move by the government though. Unleaded petrol will be RM1.92 per litre whereas leaded petrol will be RM1.88 per litre.

It couldn't be helped since the entire world is also facing the same price hike. An attack on the world largest oil plant processing few days ago just worsen the scenario.

If this trend continues, the life of all Malaysians, sadly to say, will be burdened with high rate of inflation. Many citizens of KL, Shah Alam and the surrounding areas might one day face the fact that they could not longer able to sustain their life in the cities. High price of petrol added with countless toll booth around those area...how one can live in those kind of environment? Not to forget, once the fuel price increases, the price of everything will be increase too. Even the villagers will be experiencing the effect of fuel hike. Domino effect is taking place here.

Such kind of life will only lead to high inflation rate. High inflation rate for long period of time is not desirable for a developing country such as Malaysia. Vision 2020 that has long been heralded as the ultimate aim for all Malaysians might not be possible to achieve completely.

A strategic and sound economic strategy need to be applied by the government to reduce this domino effect. Not being that knowledgable in the field of economy myself, I just hope there is something that government could do.

reminiscing the past

While exploring the planet Earth via Google Earth, I came to this place. A place that was part of my life. A place that brings back all past memories that have resided in my mind.

Cardiff. A city that was once a home to me. My family came to here following my father who was furthering his studies.

This picture shows a castle. An old castle that has been build by Romes and later being added by Welsh peoples. Cardiff Castle is the name. An ancient castle that remain as one the main tourist attraction to this capital city of Wales.

Next to the castle is one huge park. A huge park that was once a place for my friends and I to play football. If I'm not mistaken, the name of the park is Bute Park. This park was quite close to my home. Within walking distance, I am able to reach the park and the city. Forgot to mention that the city was next to this castle :)

The next picture shows my old high school. Fitzalan High School. This school comprises many races. From Caucasian, Somalian, Pakistan, Indian, Chinese and many more.

It was in this school too that I was introduced to the Welsh and German language though, now I almost forgotten them all.

This school was quite huge. The field to the south of the building was part of the school. The field is a combination of hockey, rugby, cricket and football field.

The distance from my home to this school was about 1.5 mile and believe it or not, I used to walk to my school. It only tooks 20 minutes and this culture of walking was quite a norm there.

Anyway, thanks to Google Earth, I am able to reminisce my past :)

friendship

"a best friend is someone who reminds me about Allah when I am deviating away from the path of truth; strengthen me when I am weak. For such friend, is truly a best friend indeed."