Last week, I received a call in the evening for help to get a dog to a veterinarian. According to my friend, Yeoh, this dog was obviously in deep trouble with a wound that refused to heal. I know that as it was the same dog I helped to carry down the hill at Semarak two weeks ago so that another friend could buy her some medicine for a wound and a broken leg.
Dogs with problems at the hill are fortunate to have a few kind souls who care enough for all living things to ensure that they have food and water each day. Besides that Yeoh would be the first to see what could be done for a dog should it be sick. When God put those dogs there, He also made sure such great, wonderful people are around too. These are the people I admire and respect a lot. Their kindness and sacrifice are never in question, examples of angels on earth.
Yeoh told me the dog did not have any appetite for food. However, when Yeoh had it taken to a vet we found that the muscles of her jaws are tightening due to tetanus. And once the jaw is locked, it would not be able to eat and that would be the end of her and her unborn puppies, for she was pregnant.
The vet wondered if we would have her out of her misery by putting her to sleep. But then Yeoh was thinking of her unborn puppies and enquired if it was possible to give those puppies a chance at life. So, the vet agreed to give the dog, 'Small Black', an anti-tetanus injection.
She was taken to my place as we were afraid that Yeoh's other dogs would give this new-comer no peace. Furthermore there was this fear that her dogs might be infected with tetanus should there be cuts and contact among them. So, it was sent to my place for some rest. The next day saw both of us so happy as the dog seem to be recovering. The knitted brows were no longer there. She could eat and drink. However, I noticed that there was no urination or defecation. On the third day, it seemed to have recoverd so well that it started to chase my son's fluffy white chickens, the silkies.
That evening we took her back to the vet for her second dose of anti-tetanus. Expecting nothing but further improvement, we were disappointed to find her getting worse with the eyes getting smaller and the knitted forehead back. Slower was her movement too. She took some food but was hardly able to swallow it. By afternoon, it was quite obvious that her condition was deteriorating. At six that evening, I found her dead.
There was nothing more to do but to pass the bad news to Yeoh and then bury her under my longan tree. Well, perhaps that was her fate. May she rest in peace.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
On board Logos Hope.
At Port Swettenham in Penang.
A visitor with the mascot.
Getting on board the ship, Logos Hope.
Myself in front of the ship which is in the background.
The Logos Hope.
A frontal view of the ship.
Once aboard, there is a talk and show on the ship and its mission.
Pictures with information of the ship.
More pictures of each year of the ship's existence.
More pictures.
What's a sextant?
Information about Logos Hope.
There are many books on display, one side for the children and the other side for adults.
These are some of the books my son and I bought from Logos Hope. I have not seen these titles in local bookshops, have you?
At the flip chart.
Still at the flip chart.
After selecting the books which were so cheap because it is a non-profit organisation, we lined up to pay for the books.
Then, as we move towards the cafeteria, there is this corridor where there are pictures with that part of the story connected to the picture told as you reach it.
After getting the books, it's time for a bite and a drink at the cafeteria.
At the cafeteria.
One of the attractive designs on board the ship.
Designs to decorate and beautify.
A map showing the ships journey to various ports throughout the world.
Refreshed, it 's time to go home with the many interesting books bought. Have to queue up to reach the exit as the ship was popular among the local people. In the background are flags of the various countries visited by the ship.
Look at the endless line of people boarding and alighting from the ship.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
The history of Logos and the visit to Logos Hope.
These are some of the books my son and I bought from Logos Hope. I have not seen these titles in local bookshops, have you?
And here is one interesting book with the title 'The Human Body Book' which tells you everything you need to know about the human body in a most interesting manner.
It gives you facts from our protective skin to our innermost organs
Here, for example, are our cells found in various parts of the body told in such a simple creative way, most teenagers and adults would find it interesting enough to learn something from it.
The receipt for the books I bought from Logos Hope.
The security label which was stuck to my sleeve after I have registered to enter the port.
*********************************
It was Malaysia's Merdeka Day, the 31st of August, 2011, that we chose to have a trip to Penang to go aboard the ship, Logos Hope which has been berthed at Swettenham Port, Penang Port Commission, since the 21st of August.
The first time I visited such a ship with books exhibited and for sale was more than twenty years ago at the same port. The ship my wife and I visited then was the Duolos. I remembered seeing so many books with titles that I had not seen in most of our bookstores.
So when a friend informed me of this ship. Logos Hope, I was determined to see the inside of the ship and the books it has.
To go on board we had to write our name and identity card before we were given a tag to be stuck onto our sleeve. It was a security measure to indicate to the authorities that we were there for the purpose of visiting logos Hope. Then, at the booth near the entrance to Logos Hope, we bought each of us a ticket at RM1.00 per person. We went up a flight of stairs and was immediately ushered to seats where a video introduced us to the ship which sails round the world with its books, crew and volunteers.
There were so many books and video discs with titles suitable for children on one side while they have books for the adults on another side. It was a worthwhile and enjoyable visit, returning home with thirteen wonderful books.
Below is some history and knowledge about OM Ships International’s service with their floating book-fair to the world since 1970.
Logos Hope, previously a ferry, was purchased by OM Ships International to replace Logos II in 2004. It is much larger than Logos II giving more space for visitors and crew members.
After a complete renovation, Logos Hope was launched into active service in February 2009. OM Ships International is a private, non-profit, charitable organisation registered in Germany.
Logos II had stopped at over 300 ports of call and, in doing so, had visited 82 countries and territories, including Africa, the Americas, Europe, the Near East and many island nations. Having served for 20 years, more than ten million visitors had the opportunity to go on board for tours, programmes and visits to the floating book fair.
OM's first Logos served for 17 years, calling at 250 ports in 102 countries and visited by ,pre than seven million visitors until it ran aground in atrocious weather conditions in Tierra del Fuego, hitting rocks in the Beagle Channel between Argentina and Chile in 1988. Though the ship was badly damaged, not a single crewmember was lost, or even injured! God must have been watching over the crew for the wonderful work they have done.
Doulos began its service in 1977. With 32 years in service it had visited 603 ports in 104 countries, welcoming more than 21 million people on board. This unique ship has covered more than 350,000 Nautical Miles, equivalent to sailing around the world 16 times!
In March 2010, it was with great sadness that I heard this ship, which is recognised by the Guiness Book of records as the world’s oldest active ocean-going passenger ship, sold to a company in Singapore and its service as a floating book-fair coming to an end.
Why was I sad? Well, many years ago, wife and I had visited the Doulos when it berthed at Penang Island. That was the first time I visited such a floating book –fair. So, in 2010, when I heard that it was again near Malaysia, I was hoping it would come to Penang Island but was so disappointed to read in the news that it had been sold to a company in Penang.
So it was with joy that I heard another floating book-fair was to stop at the Penang Port Commission in Penang Island.
I looked forward to books that could possibly be available only from this ship. Not only that, the books at this book-fair is very cheap.
How is that possible? The company passes the commissions savings back to the purchaser of the books. They also have an online sales of books which offers lower shipping rates than other online booksellers, saving you even more!
Monday, August 22, 2011
A contrast to those wonderful people I wrote about yesterday.
Yesterday, I wrote about people whom I know to be some of the most wonderful people in the world, with not just plenty of love for their fellow humans but also for the animals. I also questioned how many would stop to help someone whom they do not know.
Well, today I read in the Star online that a hungry man waiting for his meal to break his fast during this holy month became angry with the waiter. upon being told that he would have to wait his turn as meals are delivered according to the placing of the order with the earlier orders delivered first before coming to the later orders, he lost his temper and beat up the poor waiter who was merely doing his job. Only the other waiters came to help to pacify the man while the others refused to be involved, allowing the poor waiter to be beaten up for about ten minutes when the other waiters had to run away when the man started to use the chairs to hit them.
According to the Star newspaper, a witness said, "The co-workers ran away, after which the man beat the victim for over 10 minutes before leaving. The other diners did not intervene." See! None of the others bothered to lift a finger to help the poor waiter. Here was a human in trouble; what if it had been just a little animal!
So, I was not exaggerating when I wrote that it takes goodness and greatness and all those beautiful humane qualities to be as God would have us be; to be sympathetic, compassionate and loving. Some people just do not have those qualities.
Well, today I read in the Star online that a hungry man waiting for his meal to break his fast during this holy month became angry with the waiter. upon being told that he would have to wait his turn as meals are delivered according to the placing of the order with the earlier orders delivered first before coming to the later orders, he lost his temper and beat up the poor waiter who was merely doing his job. Only the other waiters came to help to pacify the man while the others refused to be involved, allowing the poor waiter to be beaten up for about ten minutes when the other waiters had to run away when the man started to use the chairs to hit them.
According to the Star newspaper, a witness said, "The co-workers ran away, after which the man beat the victim for over 10 minutes before leaving. The other diners did not intervene." See! None of the others bothered to lift a finger to help the poor waiter. Here was a human in trouble; what if it had been just a little animal!
So, I was not exaggerating when I wrote that it takes goodness and greatness and all those beautiful humane qualities to be as God would have us be; to be sympathetic, compassionate and loving. Some people just do not have those qualities.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
They are some of the most wonderful people on earth.
Yesterday, as I was trekking up the hill at Semarak, I saw this friend, Ah Fook, struggling down the hill with a big dog in his arms. Ah Fook was at most times suffering from pain in his joints due to gout. Nevertheless, there he was, his body bent sideways to support the dog which was hurt in its belly and one of its legs.
Seeing him almost unable to carry on any further with his task, I quickly offered him my help to take over his task. Even though I was stronger, I still found the dog sufficiently heavy to wish to reach the bottom of the hill as quickly as possible with it in my arms, as my arms were feeling the strain of its weight.
When we reached the foot of the hill, Ah Fook was just behind me, anxious more for the dog than for his painful joints. I put the dog, which was unable to walk, under a tree. It was too early to get the right type of medicine for it. So we had to leave it there with Ah Fook insisting on coming back later with the medicine for the dog.
The dog was fortunate to have a friend in Ah Fook as, with his help, the dog was certainly much better this morning. Ah Fook brought along food as well as the medicine for the dog and it surely was hungry for it quickly gobbled up every little piece of food that was brought. Ah Fook is obviously one of those beautiful people who not only love his fellow humans but also the animals that could be tamed. I believe he could even love a tiger if the tiger had allowed him to go close enough.
Ah Fook is not the only person I know of who cares for all living things. Yeoh, a small beautiful lady, has just as big and great a heart as the best of all the wonderful people I know. Once she heard about a couple who had to move elsewhere to work, leaving two dogs in their house unattended. Yeoh immediately offered to help, driving out of her way to feed the dogs using her own money and wash the area the dogs had to stay. After many months, when she got a place of her own; she was staying with her sister before this; she asked the couple for permission to take those two dogs home so that she could care for them. What a gal!
Not only that! Once a friend's cat was sick. No, it was actually not this friend's cat. This friend, Teoh, saw a poor cat knocked down by a car. It laid on the ground attempting without success to move. Teoh went out of his car to see what he could do for the cat. He found it with a hurt leg, quickly took it into his car and drove home. Uncertain as to what to do, he phoned Yeoh and Yeoh phoned me to ask my son to look at the cat to see what was wrong with it. So, it was that they came to my place at about eleven that morning. No bones seem to be broken, just pain and trauma, so the four of us took it to a shop which sells medicine for animals and then took it along for our lunch as by then it was well past one o'clock.
Well, a cat took up so much of Teoh's and Yeoh's time although it was the first time they have ever laid eyes on it. Would every human do the same for any animal? Well, not every human. That is why I consider such friends extraordinary. I believe God will always look after such wonderful people. If only the world is populated by such wonderful humans, what a beautiful world this would be. God would be so proud of us too.
Seeing him almost unable to carry on any further with his task, I quickly offered him my help to take over his task. Even though I was stronger, I still found the dog sufficiently heavy to wish to reach the bottom of the hill as quickly as possible with it in my arms, as my arms were feeling the strain of its weight.
When we reached the foot of the hill, Ah Fook was just behind me, anxious more for the dog than for his painful joints. I put the dog, which was unable to walk, under a tree. It was too early to get the right type of medicine for it. So we had to leave it there with Ah Fook insisting on coming back later with the medicine for the dog.
The dog was fortunate to have a friend in Ah Fook as, with his help, the dog was certainly much better this morning. Ah Fook brought along food as well as the medicine for the dog and it surely was hungry for it quickly gobbled up every little piece of food that was brought. Ah Fook is obviously one of those beautiful people who not only love his fellow humans but also the animals that could be tamed. I believe he could even love a tiger if the tiger had allowed him to go close enough.
Ah Fook is not the only person I know of who cares for all living things. Yeoh, a small beautiful lady, has just as big and great a heart as the best of all the wonderful people I know. Once she heard about a couple who had to move elsewhere to work, leaving two dogs in their house unattended. Yeoh immediately offered to help, driving out of her way to feed the dogs using her own money and wash the area the dogs had to stay. After many months, when she got a place of her own; she was staying with her sister before this; she asked the couple for permission to take those two dogs home so that she could care for them. What a gal!
Not only that! Once a friend's cat was sick. No, it was actually not this friend's cat. This friend, Teoh, saw a poor cat knocked down by a car. It laid on the ground attempting without success to move. Teoh went out of his car to see what he could do for the cat. He found it with a hurt leg, quickly took it into his car and drove home. Uncertain as to what to do, he phoned Yeoh and Yeoh phoned me to ask my son to look at the cat to see what was wrong with it. So, it was that they came to my place at about eleven that morning. No bones seem to be broken, just pain and trauma, so the four of us took it to a shop which sells medicine for animals and then took it along for our lunch as by then it was well past one o'clock.
Well, a cat took up so much of Teoh's and Yeoh's time although it was the first time they have ever laid eyes on it. Would every human do the same for any animal? Well, not every human. That is why I consider such friends extraordinary. I believe God will always look after such wonderful people. If only the world is populated by such wonderful humans, what a beautiful world this would be. God would be so proud of us too.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Do gays come from God?
Recently, there was much discussion in the internet concerning gays when news revealed that a gay pastor was marrying her boyfriend. It caught my attention and I must say that I could not help but went into the net to find the truth.
As far as I know gays are what they are because of their feelings. Mentally and emotionally, they are of one sex while possessing the body of another. Poor them! It's like having to fit their round bodies into square spaces; perhaps the other way around.
This pastor, for example has a male body but his or her mind and emotions are female. With the mind and emotions of a female, she falls for a male, obviously.
But then, many are of the opinion that such minds and emotions are either cultivated or a result of certain unfortunate or undesirable desires of the gay.So, what is the truth? The truth, I believe, is important as we should not hamper or obstruct a person who genuinely think and feel as a female if that person could only find happiness in being one. It would be wrong of us to deny a person his/her right to find happiness in this world as long as he/she hurts no one.
So, into the internet I went and read about a pair of male twins, one of whom behaved like a female even from the age of eighteen months. Certainly, someone at that tender age cannot have thought of changing the sex he was given at birth. Could it have been in the genes? Yet, the other twin was behaving correctly for his sex! So, it was not genes, perhaps!? And when asked at a later age whether he was happy with feeling and thinking like a female, he gave an affirmative answer. Now, scientist have not come to the conclusion that it was genes. Still, that male child grew up with all the emotions and thoughts of a female. Like it or not, that child was a gay even before he understood anything about differences in sex.
Then again, there was another research that found gays are most often found in all boys' families. How is that so? Scientist are still trying to find a reason for it. Scientist have not come out with a firm verdict on how gays come about. However, from the study on the twins, it is a fact that a male child as young as eighteen months feel and therefore behave like a female. Can we fault this gay? Apparently, he was created this way. It needs not be considered a mistake of God in creating a gay just as we do not look upon the blind, the deaf, the dumb and the crippled as mistakes in God's creation. I would say they were created with a mission on earth. It could have been the mission to inspire the ordinary who finds no incentive to achieve more. This, in fact, was again indicated to me what had earlier dawned upon me; especially when I was having a five-year old blind girl pianist overwhelm me with her talent at the piano. If she can perform so well at that age despite her supposedly handicap, why can't we ordinary folks do better with our own capabilities? For myself, I am fortunate to have these people remind me to strive even harder and achieve even more; as a result of which I do three types of jobs, teaching, breeding and massaging, at the age of sixty-five despite having retired as a school teacher for ten years.
And because of them, I appreciate what I have even more so much so I use all my capabilities as much as possible for as long as possible. No, I am not tired from doing so much and enjoying so much; I am happy.
Coming back to gays, perhaps it is time ordinary people allow them space to live their lives as befits their mind and emotions. Let us be more understanding, more sympathetic, more compassionate with our fellow humans. Let us not create more pain and suffering. As it is there is sufficient pain throughout the world to not need us to add to it.
As far as I know gays are what they are because of their feelings. Mentally and emotionally, they are of one sex while possessing the body of another. Poor them! It's like having to fit their round bodies into square spaces; perhaps the other way around.
This pastor, for example has a male body but his or her mind and emotions are female. With the mind and emotions of a female, she falls for a male, obviously.
But then, many are of the opinion that such minds and emotions are either cultivated or a result of certain unfortunate or undesirable desires of the gay.So, what is the truth? The truth, I believe, is important as we should not hamper or obstruct a person who genuinely think and feel as a female if that person could only find happiness in being one. It would be wrong of us to deny a person his/her right to find happiness in this world as long as he/she hurts no one.
So, into the internet I went and read about a pair of male twins, one of whom behaved like a female even from the age of eighteen months. Certainly, someone at that tender age cannot have thought of changing the sex he was given at birth. Could it have been in the genes? Yet, the other twin was behaving correctly for his sex! So, it was not genes, perhaps!? And when asked at a later age whether he was happy with feeling and thinking like a female, he gave an affirmative answer. Now, scientist have not come to the conclusion that it was genes. Still, that male child grew up with all the emotions and thoughts of a female. Like it or not, that child was a gay even before he understood anything about differences in sex.
Then again, there was another research that found gays are most often found in all boys' families. How is that so? Scientist are still trying to find a reason for it. Scientist have not come out with a firm verdict on how gays come about. However, from the study on the twins, it is a fact that a male child as young as eighteen months feel and therefore behave like a female. Can we fault this gay? Apparently, he was created this way. It needs not be considered a mistake of God in creating a gay just as we do not look upon the blind, the deaf, the dumb and the crippled as mistakes in God's creation. I would say they were created with a mission on earth. It could have been the mission to inspire the ordinary who finds no incentive to achieve more. This, in fact, was again indicated to me what had earlier dawned upon me; especially when I was having a five-year old blind girl pianist overwhelm me with her talent at the piano. If she can perform so well at that age despite her supposedly handicap, why can't we ordinary folks do better with our own capabilities? For myself, I am fortunate to have these people remind me to strive even harder and achieve even more; as a result of which I do three types of jobs, teaching, breeding and massaging, at the age of sixty-five despite having retired as a school teacher for ten years.
And because of them, I appreciate what I have even more so much so I use all my capabilities as much as possible for as long as possible. No, I am not tired from doing so much and enjoying so much; I am happy.
Coming back to gays, perhaps it is time ordinary people allow them space to live their lives as befits their mind and emotions. Let us be more understanding, more sympathetic, more compassionate with our fellow humans. Let us not create more pain and suffering. As it is there is sufficient pain throughout the world to not need us to add to it.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Are religions as God wishes?
Nowadays, in Malaysia, there are so many problems due to a few objectives that religions are so zealous about. And it is not without good reason that they aim to keep the members of their faith from straying to another faith. After all, it is human nature to ensure that members of any organisation they belong to increase in number in time. This good intention could be considered good if it does not bring along anger and distrust when there is suspicion that someone is straying.
When there is such suspicion, there is anger against those thought to be straying and distrust of the people such suspected strays or wayward ones associates with. With that comes accusing fingers that other faiths could be stealing their members.
And it becomes a very sensitive issue, an issue which can divide friends and citizens.
And I always thought, and still do, that religion is God's teaching for the good of all mankind, not just for a selected group or nation. Read the holy books and they teach us that everything on earth is the creation of God. As such, we must respect each other, respect other people their ways of living and their beliefs. The holy books urged us to be good to each other for all men and women are brothers and sisters, to forgive or be merciful, to be compassionate as we are all fallible humans. In Christianity, God even sent His son to die for our sins.
Yet, throughout the world so many problems arise due to religion. Man knows the greatness of God and with that understanding, some abuse His name to achieve their own ends. Sometimes I wonder how such people can pretend to be holy and religious and perform deeds obviously far from the wishes of God.
I write the last sentence through my own personal experience. You see, as a young man I was very interested in spiritual things and God. I searched for truth in many places, entering temples, churches and mosques. I still remember the time I was given a white robe to wear before stepping into a mosque. I talked to mediums, pastors and priests. I watched as elderly women who claimed not to have married because of giving time to God. Unfortunately for religions, I happened to witness with my own eyes and ears a happening which caused me to look even deeper into religions.
There was this old lady with her beads, her mouth wording prayers as she slowly walked along. A young man suddenly came through the door and went hurriedly past her into an inner portion of the house. The lady's chanting suddenly stopped and turning slightly towards the receding figure of the man who had just passed, she cursed him. It was a great shock to me. How could such a seemingly religious person utter such words? But, that was what she did! My eyes and ears certainly did not deceive me.
So, as a result of that shock I examined in further detail the various practices in religions. I found that, although there was much that must be true, there are some words that must have been put into God's mouth. And as religions divide themselves into sects, we find that there are also so many different interpretations of God's words. Which is right? Well, I found that the humans in a particular sect would consider their own interpretation as correct and others wrong.
With so many differences, which religion should I join? Eventually, although I like and enjoy the practices of some religions, I decided to just be with God as I have through my life known that God is always with me. Each day I thank God for that.
When there is such suspicion, there is anger against those thought to be straying and distrust of the people such suspected strays or wayward ones associates with. With that comes accusing fingers that other faiths could be stealing their members.
And it becomes a very sensitive issue, an issue which can divide friends and citizens.
And I always thought, and still do, that religion is God's teaching for the good of all mankind, not just for a selected group or nation. Read the holy books and they teach us that everything on earth is the creation of God. As such, we must respect each other, respect other people their ways of living and their beliefs. The holy books urged us to be good to each other for all men and women are brothers and sisters, to forgive or be merciful, to be compassionate as we are all fallible humans. In Christianity, God even sent His son to die for our sins.
Yet, throughout the world so many problems arise due to religion. Man knows the greatness of God and with that understanding, some abuse His name to achieve their own ends. Sometimes I wonder how such people can pretend to be holy and religious and perform deeds obviously far from the wishes of God.
I write the last sentence through my own personal experience. You see, as a young man I was very interested in spiritual things and God. I searched for truth in many places, entering temples, churches and mosques. I still remember the time I was given a white robe to wear before stepping into a mosque. I talked to mediums, pastors and priests. I watched as elderly women who claimed not to have married because of giving time to God. Unfortunately for religions, I happened to witness with my own eyes and ears a happening which caused me to look even deeper into religions.
There was this old lady with her beads, her mouth wording prayers as she slowly walked along. A young man suddenly came through the door and went hurriedly past her into an inner portion of the house. The lady's chanting suddenly stopped and turning slightly towards the receding figure of the man who had just passed, she cursed him. It was a great shock to me. How could such a seemingly religious person utter such words? But, that was what she did! My eyes and ears certainly did not deceive me.
So, as a result of that shock I examined in further detail the various practices in religions. I found that, although there was much that must be true, there are some words that must have been put into God's mouth. And as religions divide themselves into sects, we find that there are also so many different interpretations of God's words. Which is right? Well, I found that the humans in a particular sect would consider their own interpretation as correct and others wrong.
With so many differences, which religion should I join? Eventually, although I like and enjoy the practices of some religions, I decided to just be with God as I have through my life known that God is always with me. Each day I thank God for that.
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