Chow Kit Road! Chow Kit Road!

Chow Kit Road... Chow Kit Road.. Chow Kit Road-Chow Kit Road...
Di tengah Bandaraya, yang miskin dan yang kaya,
Dari segala bangsa tua atau muda,
Ada yang berkereta, ada yang jalan saja,
Ada yang cuci mata, aha ha ha ha ha!

Wonder why it begins with CKR? No, its not CKR's anniverssary.. Today, I am reveiling how I am closely related to CKR.

If you are not aware with the latest Charity thingy I am working on, please search "Gift Of Love" on facebook. Our next activity will be supporting a Charity Sale organized by KL Sogo Starz Studio which will be on the 30th April 2011 for Rumah Nur Salam - a home for children who are originally from Chow Kit,  children who have come to the area from other parts of Malaysia, who may have been trafficked, or who may be refugees. Most children come from one-parent homes, and many are the children of sex workers and/or drug addicts. In addition, many of the children do not have documents such as birth certificates or identity cards; some are stateless and unable to attend regular schools..

CKR is very near to my home and its always the place people would go to buy their daily gorceries. Batu Road Supermarket, Keramat Supermarket and Hankyu Jaya are the 3 giant supermarket we had in KL back in the 80's till 90's.

I remember my grandfather at the age of almost 60+ he still walks to CKR. When I ask him "Ah Kong! khe ti ko? (Where are you going??) he would joyously reply "Chow Kek Lot (Chow Kit Road)! Ai khe mai??! (Wanna come??!)". And I will shake my head really hard with a smile.. He will walk to and fro ok! no joke! ya, those days people would walk to almost everywhere.

I meet up with Carol Lee last month when I was working on the Charity Sale for Qistina, the moment she mentioned about Rumah Nur Salam, I quickly gave my commitment.

The moment I mention CKR, I'm sure many of you would instantly imagine the 'back lane', the prostitute and the list goes on and on but have you actually stop to think about those children who were born in that particular place? children of prostitutes maybe? What do you think they are doing? how do they survive each day? and who will they grow up to be? One might say.. How good can they turn out to be? living in that kind of place?

How do you relate yourself to a place so common to every single person who was born and live in Kuala Lumpur? how close have you come to living IN CKR? Have you even lived there before? ya ya.. i can see you are shaking your head! of course not! well, I HAVE!

Many years ago, when I was about 9 years old (a little bit older than Yasmeen) I ran off to meet up with my father who was then staying temporarily with a friend while thinking of what to do next. I went to see him tagging my brother KAI along, he missed him dearly upon returning from Brunei. (Never mind why he went to Brunei.) I spend the night with my father @ his friends place and then later realize that its been more than a few nights. After successfully, escaped from my mum (who came trying to bring me home), with some cash left, we stayed in a cheap hotel. 'Hotel Hawaii'. It was when we stayed there that I got the experience living around CKR area. We bought breakfast @ the CKR Market, Dinner @ the stalls just around the corner and sometimes just have an evening walk around the area of CKR.

One day, My father ran out of cash. My brother ran out of milk. We missed lunch. The night before I went to the stall we used to patron and ask for plain porridge for my baby brother. I shared with him.. a little..small bowl la.. and my father just watched from far just to make sure we weren't kidnapped.

I met a girl about my age I think, I can't remember her name. I suddenly have this crazy idea to go beg for money. She said "OK! I come with you". I was a little afraid.. what if someone I know saw me, What would they say and do? but I really don't have any choice so, we did.  I took KAI together, put him on my lap and we just sat there.. 3 of us, at the pedestrian bridge, at night hoping for some generous people to give us some money. Not long after that came a couple. From the way the female dress, I think she is a night club GRO.. I think la.. when this old man wanted to pass us some money, she said "Don't give! all this cheating people's money!" and they left. That was the first ever experience becoming a begger at the age of 9! We got some money that night 2 ringgit I think. I bought goreng pisang for my father and bring it back to him. He asked where do i get it from I just said that little girl friend of mine gave. (she live in one of the room in the same hotel). My father didn't know I went out begging. He never knew.

When I came back to CKR after spending a few years in Malacca.. also with a different story altogether, I was a teenager looking for a job. I worked as a Sales Girl @ Batu Road Supermarket, where I met for the first time my Uncle (my mum's brother) who also worked in the same supermarket.

When I walk around CKR today, it always reminds me of the happening in my life. I could have been there much longer but destiny had taken me out from there. I could have stuck there and do not know what to do but to loiter around begging for money, I could end up like on of those people you see standing at the staircase and the list of 'I could have' is so long its, unimaginable.

I am not ashamed to be telling people my personal experience in CKR area. Its a proof that people who was there once, spending a part of their life there don't have to remain there. With a little help, more and more children who was born in CKR will have a better life quality. With a little act of kindness, they know that the public did not descriminate them. They are young innocent children and they need guidance, assistance, help, support and love.

Myself and a couple of friends are planning to visit Rumah Nur Salam tomorrow to better understand their needs and the situation in Rumah Nur Salam.

I am not Very successful but I am well off in my own way and I would want to give back to the community as part of my contributions to the people  I don't know but who needs it. I may not be able to offer money.. but I can offer my time, my effort and My Love..

How about you?

KIDNEY - How well do you know it?

I was at Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital earlier than usual last Thursday 24th for my laser treatment. I had to be there early as Fendi have a training to conduct nearby so to avoid being bored waiting.. (Dr. Jalil's patients are sooooooooo many of them. I was number 17th and I arrived there to register @ 9am). I even brought my cross stitch along and sat at the comfy couch at the lobby stitching away..I was working on Marina Sulaiman's owl pillow to kill time.

I think it was World's Kidneys Day on Thursday coz I saw the information board was abt Kidney. So, I decided to take a note but I don't have a pen n paper as usual.. so, I typed in into the notepad in my handphone ;)

Functions of Kidney
Control fluids and chemicals - urine formation
Regulate blood pressure
Clear waste in bodu through urine
Help make blood cells
Maintain healthy bone.

Symptom of Critical Kidney Disease
Feel more tired and have less energy
Have trouble concentrating
Have poor appetite
Have trouble sleeping
Have muscle cramping @ night
Have swollen feet and ankles
Have puffiness around eyes especially in the morning
Have dry, itchy skin
Need to urinate more often especially @ night

Anyone can  end up having a critical kidney disease ("ckd") at any age however, people who are more likely than other are people who HAVE DIABETES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, HAVE FAMILY HISTORU OF CKD AND PEOPLE WHO ARE OLDER.

Food to include in Diet to be able to control Kidney Problem
Apple
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Strawberries
Cherries
Asparagus

Kidneys tend to be unhealthy when theres lack of water in the body as their PRIMARY function is to FILTER WASTES and ELIMINATE TOXINS through Urine. As such, they require enough water to perform  the function.  DRINK AT LEAST 13-14 GLASSES OR 3-4 LITRES OF WATER DAILY.
Doing so, will help flush out all d unnecessary toxins in the body.

Several fruits such as watermelon, tomatoes and cucumber contains 90% water. An increase in intake of this vegetable along with requires amount of water can significantly control kidney problem and constitute the element for a healthy kidney diet.

Impaired kidney function are caused by excess consumption of protiens as it increase the stress on the kidney and increase risk of kidney disfunction.

Consuming more vegetables n fibrous food.

Kidney can work towards eliminating the extra protien as well as toxins in the body. Intake of vege also help lower risk of high bloop pressure and excess weight, the 2 other factors that are responsible for kidney dysfunction.

Take care of your Kidneys

DO NOT DRINK CARBONATED DRINKS IN EXCESS
Drinking on daily basis can erode your kidneys, laying the ground work for kidney disease. It is recommended that either cut out all or limit them to 1 drink every 2-3 days.

DO NOT IGNORE URINARY TRACT INFECTION ("UTI")
UTI are an infection that can cause inflammations of the Urinary Tract. Leaving the infection untreated can cause major problem in your urinary tract that incluse infection of bladder and kidney. When caught early, UTI can be treated with a simply antibiotic medicine and a little friendly advice from doctor.

DO NOT ABUSE  DRUG
Sometimes you may have to take over the counter or prescription drugs for pain, common cold or other ailment.Taking these drugs as recommended by your doctor or pharmacist will keep you fine.However, if you abuse you can suffer damaging health effects including liver, brain and kidney damage. It is recommended that you take these drugs (especially high power pain n cold medicine) as directed by your doctor. If you are confused about your dosage ot it isn't enough ONLY your doctor can determine n act on this. Do not take matters into your own hands.

There you go.. scary just to think about it.. One of my office friend is suffering from CKD and is schedule for a Dialysis soon due to Diabetese (she was born diabetic). She is only 40.

We are blessed with good functioning organs and it is a Trust, God has given to us to care for and be responsible to.

Reading it makes me realize that its always good to eat moderately and drink as much as you can. Don't bother about myth that says drinking too much water not good for women.. :P

I do hope this copytype will be beneficial to everyone who reads. After typing for so long.. I suddenly realize I could have just take picture of the information from the beginning! :P

Take care People... eat well, be well, Read More, Learn More

Love,
LMI

A Degree of Survival

If you read through my previous blog post, U might came across a post about what I have been longing for. I wasn't an A Star student during my school years.. and I remember working hard to get good results despite the everytime 'cukup-cukup makan' (passing marks) for my math paper since form 1, I attended extra classes, study groups and all only to get just a Pass for my SPM Math paper but I always have a very very deep interest in writing, both in Bahasa Melayu and English and I love to read. Why is my math paper be relevant? coz I remember people say u must have good results in Bahasa Melayu, English and Math to get a place in Universities... maybe that's true..

I do not wish to rewrite in full how I was unable to further my studies and foolishly taken 2 certificates which I am doubtful that it was even accredited by MQA. I was not given any other better options at that time. My applications to local Universities and UITM (ITM at that time) was not successful even after 3 attempts so I had to take some course to make use of my 1st Grade SPM. I remember friends who got only a 2nd grade and 3rd grade made their way to ITM at the least. I was disappointed. And the disappointment continues to eat up the rest of me for quite some time..  :P

I am saying this not trying to make anyone feel sorry for me, please don't as I am merely telling you how I feel.

When I looked back at my photos before my accident injury.. I often say to myself, If only I knew this was gonna happen, I would've taken more pictures of myself smiling :) . Sometimes,when I am talking to a stranger, they will look at me trying to figure out what has happened to me. Even passer by would sometimes turn to have a 2nd glance of me. I must admit I feel ashamed, sometimes low self esteem. But things always change when I tell myself..

"No.. u should not be! u survived and god has chose you to live to tell your side of the story. A person may have a 1-2 life experience to tell about but you? You have loads.. from childhood, to teenager, to marriage and to parenthood and all those were extraordinary in their own way.. things that u don't hear from normal people.. you are special in everyway and u have everyone else to make you stronger"

I should get up and do what I have been dreaming of for so long.. now! now that I can afford to. I started searching for courses, degrees I am eligible to apply with my SPM + 2 certificate. I have some option to apply for degree program for working adults and I will apply.

I survive a massive accident with blessings from Allah. I was given a second chance to do what i have wanted to do for so long. People might not see that I have change but inside only Allah knows. I share the same feeling with Yasmeen's dentist Dr. Marjinah whom also survived 3 massive accident. We both feels that life is 'too short to take into account those little disagreement and to fight over petty matters as We should cherish life while we still can'..

So, bottomline is, I will try my luck you know with this university application thingy but whether my application is accepted or the other way round, I am cool with that. It will be if it is meant to be.

Hope this short n simple post will inspire you the way it had gotten me to get up, chins up, look straight and walk with pride. It doesnt matter the war, what matters is you win the battle and live to tell the story...

Take care..

Me and Nasi Ambang...

I have plenty.. just plenty to write and tell but I just don't have time.. Although my friend Yuslaily often said that I have 26 hours a day for being able to do things that she does not have time to even look at, I must admit life is fair.. nope.. I do not have 26 hours obviously or else all of you will be eating your hearts out.. a.k.a 'makan hati'..

I was surprised by a phone call this morning, pre-amping me to get ready to rush down to the walkway of my office building to pick up 'Nasi Ambang'.. A dish I have been avoiding to eat for some time.. because I didn't know what it is and the only time I can buy Nasi Ambang is @ the usual Farmers' Market (Pasar Tani) at the beginning or end of each month coz that's balik kampung time. But, due to the unfamiliarity of the content of the food, I avoided (mind you each pasar tani trip we bought loads of food and I don't wanna add up to the wastage if I don't  eat it okay..)

Anyway, I kept that pack of Nasi Ambang for lunch.. (Thank you Marina Sulaiman, u are such an angel!) I went out lunch time with my friends but jilted them to rush back to the office to enjoy my Nasi Ambang. We have a microwave in the office so.. warm it up yall!

The pack of Nasi Ambang, contains, some fried noodles, some coconut floss (Imagine chicken floss, but this its coconut), some mix fusion of fermented soya (tempe), tofu, glass noodles, a piece of black pepper soy sauce chicken and a piece of salted fish..oh of course la rice.. all packed in banana leaf.. I don't need to tell u.. the fragrance smell of the banana leaf to the rice after that microwave session... yummy...

THE VERDICT

It a new experience.. I like the well cooked rice.. its not like steamed rice sometimes too hard.. or too well cooked n soft.. its just nice.. Sorry for not having a picture of it.. I am too tempted with the smell I forgot everything.. Half way eating it and it looks like 'Singapura di landa todak!' I could not bring myslelf to capture that picture.. hahaha

Anyway, I was really enjoying it especially the salted fish when I thought wouldn't it be nice to have something spicy like sambal cili api... whoaaaa... then suddenly my spoon landed on a  mushy green sambal.. owhhh there's sambal.. so I started mixing it with my rice and scoop it in my mouth... hah!! Ternga-ngan dek Noon! (translate: jaw dropping mind blowing got) but I loikeeee! coz I like spicy food... I ate the whole salted fish including its head and everything.. its not crispy unlike the normal salted fish but, its nice.. just nice..in within 20 minutes (hey I am enjoying ok.. chewing slowly kinda enjoy...) all that's left was just the chicken bone.. and ya la.. of course la the banana leaf!

All in all it was really nice.. and I was told by Marina that the chef is doing catering oso! hah.!! RM6  per pack.. But... I must say the chicken is complemented the rice very well but I do hope it has the taste of the black pepper soy sauce in it.. I usually keep a dish overnight especially dish with meat n gravy so that the meat soaks long enough in the gravy to have its taste BUT... I acknowledge that the Chef must have wanted everything to be FRESH and it is! Congratulations Chef.. (I am imagining that I m Egor in the Ratatouille...).

Next time you guys wanna have a Nice meal of Nasi Ambang... call me!