Bloggers Help to Spread Love for the Children at the Penang Shan Children’s Home Association

Penang, 3rd February 2013 — About 40 bloggers and public visited the Penang Shan Children’s Home Association to distribute food, beverages and gadgets, sponsored by various commercial entities. It’s a philanthropic exercise not only by businesses in executing their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) but by everyone to give back to the society, thus making life more bearable for everyone in need. The event is made possible by Crowdpot Sdn Bhd (Event Organizer), Ninetology Malaysia, SUBWAY® (Suntech, iAvenue, & Leith Street branches), Chatime Malaysia, Langkawi Saga Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. and Alextan Artworks.

Penang Shan Children’s Home (PSCH) began as a dream and initiative of Dr. S Balakrishnan in the year 2005. This is a non-religious and a non-profit, non-governmental organization catering to the needs of orphans, neglected children, dysfunctional families and single parents. The home was built and officially launched on 14th December 2008 by Madam Chan Siew Har. PSCH’s mission is to maximize the attractive opportunities that are stored in the children; to make something happen; to change the ways that things are and to create something that no one else has ever created before for the children, to explore for opportunities; to provide guidance and course correction; maintaining focus on being consistent and persistent. The objectives are both short and on a long term basis. The short term objective is to provide all the children with a safe and supportive environment. The focus will be on the development of physical, mental, emotional, educational, social and recreational skills that will create awareness to structure and mould the child’s future.

The longer term development includes the options that are available for the child’s future, supporting them to complete the tertiary education preferably to University level. For those who are unable to complete the basic education, they would be trained in developing their skills by educating them in skill training centers. Through home visits and working with parents, they would like to ensure that eventually the child is reunited with his/her family thus becoming the backbone of the family.

How to help Penang Shan Children’s Home Association?

1. Adopt-A-Child Program

The average monthly expenditure per child amounts to RM400. This includes lodging, education, meals, transportation and pocket money. Interested members of the public can contact the home.

2. Donation

The home solely depends on donation to meet the relatively high running cost. They would be very grateful members of the public or private companies can step forward to contribute a one-off or monthly fixed donation. Interested entity can contact the home.

Other Information:
Penang Shan Children’s Home Association
679-D, Jalan Mount Erskine, Tanjung Tokong, 10470 Pulau Pinang
Tel: 04-2292186 / 016-4127711
Fax: 04-2292186
Email: shanchildrenhomepg@yahoo.com

Bloggers Help to Spread Love for the Children at the Children’s Protection Society

On 3 February 2013, about 40 bloggers and public the Children’s Protection Society to distribute food, beverages and gadgets, sponsored by various commercial entities. It’s a philanthropic exercise not only by businesses in executing their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) but by everyone to give back to the society, thus making life more bearable for everyone in need. The event is made possible by Crowdpot Sdn Bhd (Event Organizer), Ninetology Malaysia, SUBWAY® (Suntech, iAvenue, & Leith Street branches), Chatime Malaysia, Langkawi Saga Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. and Alextan Artworks.

The Children’s Protection Society (CPS) began as an initiative of Dato’ Nazir Ariff when he was President of the Rotary Club in Penang (1991). It is a non-profit, non-governmental organization catering to the needs of neglected and/or abandoned children in Penang. It was officially launched in April 1992 by Puan Sri Chua Kah Peng. The objectives of CPS are both immediate and longer-term. The immediate objective is to provide children at risk with a safe, supportive and conducive environment (Shelter). Their concerned and focused areas include the emotional and physical development, education, social and recreational skills. At the same time, CPS aims to work with parents and other family members, so that the child can eventually be reunited with his/her family. In the pipeline, they hope to support projects to enhance community-based facilities for childcare and development in areas where such facilities are lacking. They also try to promote a more general awareness of the issues relating to children at risk by being involved in training and discussions. Hence they work together with various government and non-government organizations to help to develop longer-term strategies and goals.

How to help Children’s Protection Society?

1. Become a Volunteer: http://www.cpspg.org.my/webpages/help.html
Learning and Tuition is always needed - many of our children have missed a substantial amount of school due to their backgrounds, and often find it difficult to catch up with school work. If you are prepared for the extra challenges which many of our children face, and are prepared to commit a regular time a week (can be anything from an hour up).

2. Sponsor-A-Child Program: http://www.cpspg.org.my/webpages/help02.html

Talk to any of our staff if you are interested to sponsor a child

3. Donation: http://www.cpspg.org.my/webpages/help03.html

If you want to make a financial donation, please send cheques (payable to Children's Protection Society Pulau Pinang) to CPS at 118-A Jalan Scotland, 10450 Penang. CPS is a registered charity home with the Welfare Department so donations will be tax-exempt.

4. Sponsoring an Activity or Outing: http://www.cpspg.org.my/webpages/help04.html

CPS organizes many activities for the children, staff and volunteers. We welcome sponsorship of specific activities. Give us a call if you have any ideas of your own, or would like to hear from us on what sort of activities you could sponsor.

Other Information:
Children’s Protection Society Pulau Pinang

118-A Jalan Scotland, 10450 Penang, Malaysia
Tel: 04-8294046
Fax: 04-8294046
Email: cpspg@hotmail.com
Website: www.cpspg.org.my

Bloggers Help to Spread Love for the Children at The Ramakrishna Ashrama

On 3 February 2013, about 40 bloggers and public visited The Ramakrishna Ashrama in Penang to distribute food, beverages and gadgets, sponsored by various commercial entities. It’s a philanthropic exercise not only by businesses in executing their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) but by everyone to give back to the society, thus making life more bearable for everyone in need. The event is made possible by Crowdpot Sdn Bhd (Event Organizer), Ninetology Malaysia, SUBWAY® (Suntech, iAvenue, & Leith Street branches), Chatime Malaysia, Langkawi Saga Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. and Alextan Artworks.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama (Orphanage), Penang is a charitable organization founded in 1938 under the inspiration and guidance of His Holiness Swami Bhaswarananda Maharaj who was then stationed at The Ramakrishna Mission, Singapore. Apart from spiritual activities, the Ashrama runs an orphanage, catering for both boys and girls with ages ranging from 6 to 20 years old.

The orphanage admits needy orphaned children who are poor and need the help from the society to assist them with basic needs and education. The children in the home are given proper education and are well cared for so that they will grow up to be useful citizens. Besides education, the girls learn traditional dancing, cooking and housekeeping. Children excelling well academically are encouraged to pursue higher education.

How to help The Ramakrishna Ashrama?

1. Sponsoring a Child Program: http://theramakrishnapg.org/2009/02/22/sponsor-a-child-program-in-ramakrishna-ashrama-penang/

The estimated cost to support a child at Ramakrishna Ashrama RM1,500 per annum. The breakdown cost is as follows:

Education: RM500
Food: RM600
Maintenance: RM300
Miscellaneous: RM100

2. Donation: https://www.cimbclicks.com.my/TIBSEPWeb/fpxPaymentToNGO_add.do?payeeId=FPXNGORAMA

Donation to The Ramakrishna can be done only via CIMB Cares (www.cimbclicks.com.my)

Orphan Admission: http://theramakrishnapg.org/2009/02/22/orphan-admission/

A child with either no parents or with a single parent who supports the child can be admitted to the Ashrama under the following circumstances:
- He/She is from age 6 and above.
- The parent or relatives has no means of supporting the child.
- The child has been mistreated or abused.
(Referred by the Jabatan Kebajikan Negeri or community leaders)

Other Information:
The Ramakrishna Ashrama
No 37, Jalan Scotland, 10450 Pulau Pinang
Tel: 04-2270869
Fax: 04-2278921
Email: ramkorp@hotmail.com
Website: http://theramakrishnapg.org/

We Can Only Hope

After watching this, I have nothing but RESPECT for Obama for everything that he has done in the pursuit of equality, for his country and future generations.

I realize that it may not be my nation that is changing. Nevertheless, it touches me that another has moved many steps forward towards freedom and equality. Every action in the right direction, will ripple out and affect us all, in due time.

I can only hope, that even though it might not be within my generation, that generations to come will one day savor the same privilege as well, in our own beloved country.

You've Gotta Get Up And...

I've only recently heard this song. I fell in love with it as soon as I heard it. Pink's songs have always spoken truth, wisdom, tenacity and strength. This one is no different. A truly lovely, meaningful and inspiring song. I just adore the melody as well.

Ever wonder about what he's doing
How it all turned to lies
Sometimes I think that it's better to never ask why

Where there is desire
There is gonna be a flame
Where there is a flame
Someone's bound to get burned
But just because it burns
Doesn't mean you're gonna die
You've gotta get up and try try try
Gotta get up and try try try
You gotta get up and try try try

Eh, eh, eh

Funny how the heart can be deceiving
More than just a couple times
Why do we fall in love so easy
Even when it's not right

Where there is desire
There is gonna be a flame
Where there is a flame
Someone's bound to get burned
But just because it burns
Doesn't mean you're gonna die
You've gotta get up and try try try
Gotta get up and try try try
You gotta get up and try try try

Ever worried that it might be ruined
And does it make you wanna cry?
When you're out there doing what you're doing
Are you just getting by?
Tell me are you just getting by by by

Where there is desire
There is gonna be a flame
Where there is a flame
Someone's bound to get burned
But just because it burns
Doesn't mean you're gonna die
You've gotta get up and try try try
Gotta get up and try try try
You gotta get up and try try try
Gotta get up and try try try
Gotta get up and try try try
You gotta get up and try try try
Gotta get up and try try try

You gotta get up and try try try
Gotta get up and try try try

PS: Go watch the official MTV here. It's just beautiful. Also there's a really hot guy dancing with Pink throughout the video.

Dark Side

I find this song to be incredibly beautiful and meaningful. It reflects the acceptance that we all hope for from others. We hope to be loved for everything that is good about us, but often draw back the side we wish to hide from the world. The side of us that embodies our insecurities, transgressions and gross imperfections. The side of us that makes us eccentric, downright weird or even shamefully different in the eyes of others. A side hidden, in secret, even from the closest confidants or longest of friends. No matter how big or small, everyone has a dark side.

It's easy to dream up a perfect partner, family or friend, but in reality, everyone is far from perfect. How much do you really love them? And if you do, do you love everything about them? Do you accept them wholly as they are? Or do you judge them for their imperfections? Think about it.

There's a place that I know
It's not pretty there and few have ever gone
If I show it to you now
Will it make you run away

Or will you stay
Even if it hurts
Even if I try to push you out
Will you return?
And remind me who I really am
Please remind me who I really am

Everybody's got a dark side
Do you love me?
Can you love mine?
Nobody's a picture perfect
But we're worth it
You know that we're worth it
Will you love me?
Even with my dark side?

Like a diamond
From black dust
It's hard to know
What can become
If you give up
So don't give up on me
Please remind me who I really am

Everybody's got a dark side
Do you love me?
Can you love mine?
Nobody's a picture perfect
But we're worth it
You know that we're worth it
Will you love me?
Even with my dark side?

Don't run away
Don't run away
Just tell me that you will stay
Promise me you will stay
Don't run away
Don't run away
Just promise me you will stay
Promise me you will stay

Will you love me? ohh

Everybody's got a dark side
Do you love me?
Can you love mine?
Nobody's a picture perfect
But we're worth it
You know that we're worth it
Will you love me?
Even with my dark side?

Don't run away
Don't run away

Don't run away

Promise you'll stay

Lift Your Heart

So many times in so many instances have we kept doubted or despised ourselves, and struggled to make something more of ourselves. In those times, this will lift your heart.

Stay strong, look within you and keep moving forward. Bad times and seemingly never-ending struggle will always be there, and the actions we take in those circumstances will ultimately determine the outcome. In the bleakest hour on the darkest days, we need to cling on to hope and keep going. The flame of hope can be reduced to a tiny flicker, but it can never go out. That tiny spark can turn the tides if you remain steadfast and fight alongside it. It is always there if you seek it, and can devoid you of life should you lose it.

Never give up, no matter how bad things get. I need to remind myself of that always.

Alright I'll stop here. I'm getting too preachy =)

Maria Aragon And Lady Gaga

Maria Aragon is a Filipino-Canadian girl from Winnipeg, Canada. Her mother is a native Filipina from Ormoc, Leyte, Philippines.

On February 16 2011, a video of Maria performing a cover of "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga was posted to her sister's YouTube channel to showcase Maria's talent to friends and family. The video caught Lady Gaga's attention and she was so impressed and moved to tears by Maria's performance that she retweeted a link to the video to her eight million followers and showcased it in the Facebook page, causing a sensation and launching Maria to instant international fame. The video garnered over 10 million views on YouTube in five days. In 6 days, her video, "Born This Way - (Cover)" on Youtube had reached about 19 million views.

Ellen DeGeneres took notice of her from Lady Gaga's tweet and invited Maria to appear on her show on February 21, 2011, where Maria again performed "Born This Way" on the piano earning a standing ovation from the audience. You know it's another dream come true when you're on Ellen (think Charice!).

Toronto's Virgin Radio 99.9, was the among the first media outlets to reach out to Maria and attempted to fly Maria and her family to Toronto so that Maria could perform live on air but it was cancelled due to the weather. During an interview on HOT 103 in Winnipeg, Lady Gaga called into the show to tell Maria how moved she had been by her performance. Lady Gaga then invited an already surprised Maria to perform "Born This Way" with her at The Monster Ball Tour concert in Toronto in March, an offer which Maria enthusiastically accepted.

On March 3, 2011, Maria joined Lady Gaga on stage in front of a packed audience at the Air Canada Centre, where together they performed an acoustic duet of "Born this Way" with Maria sitting on Gaga's lap, playing piano and Lady Gaga working the pedals. At the end of the song, Gaga turned the microphone over to Maria who thanked the audience and Gaga for allowing her to perform.

Maria's so sweet and Gaga's got a big heart. Love 'em both =)

You're A Firework

I really LISTENED to Katy Perry's new song, and what it says really speaks to me. I think it's an amazing and beautiful song.

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag Drifting through the wind Wanting to start again Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin Like a house of cards One blow from cavin' in Do you ever feel already buried deep Six feet under screams And no one seems to hear a thing Do you know that there's still a chance for you Cause there's a spark in you You just gotta ignite the light And let it shine Just own the night Like the Fourth of July Cause baby you're a firework Come on show 'em what your worth Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!" As you shoot across the sky-y-y Baby you're a firework Come on let your colors burst Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!" You're gonna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own You don't have to feel like a waste of space You're original, cannot be replaced If you only knew what the future holds After a hurricane comes a rainbow Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed So you can open one that leads you to the perfect road Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow And when it's time you'll know You just gotta ignite the light And let it shine Just own the night Like the Fourth of July Cause baby you're a firework Come on show 'em what your worth Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!" As you shoot across the sky-y-y Baby you're a firework Come on let your colors burst Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!" You're gonna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon It's always been inside of you, you, you And now it's time to let it through Cause baby you're a firework Come on show 'em what your worth Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!" As you shoot across the sky-y-y Baby you're a firework Come on let your colors burst Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!" You're gonna leave 'em goin "Oh, oh, oh!" Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Hope seems so bleak and distant at times. We stop ourselves from enjoying life because we think that we are not good enough, even worthless compared to those around us, when no one actually sees us that way. We hide ourselves for fear of being different. It's time to do what's right. It's time to stand up and stop letting fear halt our tracks. It's time to ignite the light and unleash the fireworks within us. It's time to be the person we were meant to be, and live life as how we should be.

We are all uniquely orginal, beautiful and are stronger and more resilient than we think =)

It Gets Better...IS HUGE!

More and more celebs are becoming a part of Trevor's 'It Gets Better' project. You'd be surprised...

Jewel...she's just gorgeous. LOVE her =)

The amazing Adam Lambert. I personally love what he's saying.

Bet you didn't know Suze Orman (go google her if you don't know who she is) was a lesbian =)

Zachary Quinto, I'm sure you know who he is. I love his clip, it's so touching and I can really feel him wanting to reach out.

You know how huge this is when you have the US President rooting for it!

Go OBAMA!

Broadway For The Trevor Project

Broadway stars rock out in a celebration of life, in the wake of the string of LGBT suicides. Please SHARE this original song and video to help send a message of hope and support.

God, I'm lovin' this. Don't give up, it gets better.

*hugs*

It Gets Better

Prompted by the recent suicide of 15-year-old Billy Lucas, who reportedly suffered homophobic harassment at Indiana's Greensburg High School, columnist and author Dan Savage has launched the It Gets Better Project, a campaign on YouTube that's meant to assure young people that no matter what they are experiencing, including family rejection, bullying or harassment, there is a future beyond high school. Savage created the site in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day, held earlier this month. Dan Savage is sending a message to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender teens: It will get better, really!

Coverage on Billy Lucas:

Dan and husband Terry.

Even Perez Hilton is apart of this.

A couple of random clips from the project.

I think that this is a tremendous idea. Sometimes we think that there is nothing outside our bad situation, but there is. And the 'It Gets Better' project is exactly the kind of outreach that we need. Having people who've experienced similar hardships to share their life's journey and deliver the hope of a much better future could change lives, or help those in the same situation to hang on until the storm finally passes.

No doubt, it's a lot tougher for the Asian LGBT community, as conservative discrimination, narrow-minded intolerance and ignorance still run rampant. Although the situation here in Malaysia is still largely intolerant towards the LGBT community, viewing the videos gave me hope. That however shitty the situation we're in, it won't be shitty forever.

Go ahead, check out the videos in the channel.

Step Up 3D

As explosive as the trailer was, Step Up 3D was the absolute BOMB! Definitely one of the best movies I've seen this year, trumping both of its pre-quels.

Plot was kinda weak and downright predictable with almost zero character development. In fact, the beginning felt kinda rushed into the main plot. I think it took about 15 mins before the movie descended into the main plot. Acting was nothing to shout about, pretty mediocre.

However, Step Up 3D definitely made up for it with really SICK and MIND-BLOWING dance choreography, excellent cinematograhy and some awesome characters. Even from the start of the movie, we have a brief taste of how awesome is was gonna be. Loved the funny twins, loved the dancing kids, loved the freakin' robot man! *spoiler alert*

One of the soundtracks from the movie during the tango scene. Bust Your Windows by Jazmine Sullivan.

Best soundtrack from the movie (IMHO), Club Can't Handle Me by Flo Rida featuring David Guetta. I'm so FUCKING ADDICTED to this song right now.

This movie was definitely worth the wait. Don't expect much from the story acting. Just sit back and be WOW-ed in your seat by the out-of-this-world dance moves and great soundtracks.

Addicted To Aarti!

Aarti Sequeira is an Indian food blogger living with her husband Brendan in LA. She is the winner of the latest Season 6 of The Next Food Network Star. The winner will join the ranks of the biggest Food Network stars such as Giada De Laurentiis, Paula Deen, Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, Alton John etc, and own their own show on the Food Network.

Aarti's culinary point of view is to infuse Indian flavours into American cuisine. Here are a few videos from her own channel on Youtube.

Gosh, isn't she just so pretty and adorable? I can't help but love her bubbly and cheerful personality. And her clips are absolutely cute, hilarious and informative. You can view the rest of her clips in her Youtube channel called aartipaarti. I just can't stop watching her videos.

Here's one of my fave episodes of Aaarti on the Next Food Network Star. She competed in an Iron Chef challenge where she needs to prepare 3 dishes within 1 hour and all her dishes must be inspired by the secret ingredient which is shrimp. Her dishes were then judged by the Iron Chefs themselves, namely Bobby Flay, Michael Symon, Cat Cora and Morimoto. She received the best, most astounding reviews among the final 4.

You can watch all the Season 6 episodes in Youtube channel somebody7100. Seriously, I couldn't stop watching after I started. Pretty awesome show =)

I'm really looking forward to her upcoming show called Aarti Party in the Food Network channel. Congrats Aarti, you really deserve it! =)

Back To Where She Started

Yes, this is ANOTHER Charice post. I don't care, I can't help but love her.

3 years ago, she was called all the way from the Philippines to sing in Korea's talent show Star King, which is wrote about here, here and here. That Star King episode propelled her to instant Youtube stardom, and gradually marked the start of her career of an international artist and making her dreams come true. Her vocal and singing talent has thus been compared to ultimate powerhouses such as Whitney, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.

3 years later, she returns to Star King. This time, as a full-fledged international artist with an album seated in the US Billboard Top 10.

You can't help but want her to succeed. Such incredible talent!~

Charice's Audition for Glee

Charice has joined the cast of Glee and this was her audition.

Seriously, freakin' phenomenal as it should be. Sure gave me some goosebumps =)

I just started on the Glee bandwagon and I'm hooked!

Never Give Up

I love this =)

So, you think YOU had problems. Whatever you do, never give up on yourself...because God won't neither.

"There is no point being perfect on the outside, when you're broken on the inside" - Nick Vujicic

Earth Hour 2010

Earth Hour 2010 is scheduled on March 27, 2010 from 8:30 to 9:30 pm.

During Earth Hour, hundreds of millions of people around the world will come together to call for action on climate change by doing something quite simple; turning off their lights for one hour.

Earth Hour 2010 will continue to be a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community. A call to stand up, to show leadership and be responsible for our future. Let's do it to prove that we care for something more than ourselves!

I'll be doing it, will you?

Made My Day

Isn't it nice how unexpected certain small things, even words, can just make your day? I was at the gym yesterday night, when a casual conversation started between a cute indian girl and me. She's a new member at my gym and quite a regular there in the evenings. I glanced over her direction as she was doing some standing exercises.

Girl: Happy new year. Didn't go anywhere this CNY?

Me: Nope, it's damn hot lah. And I'm from Penang too. So, better stay at home.

Girl: Oh really? How old are you now? (I have no idea why she jumped to this question ><)

Me: Oh, I'm 29.

Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. I proceeded to pick it up and hand it back to her before it rolled down the stairs. (Indulge me, will you?)

Girl: WHAT? Are you serious?

Me: Yeah, I was born in 1980.

Girl: OMG, I really, really thought you were 23-24. Seriously!

Her eyes stayed wide for a couple more minutes. I smiled widely like the Cheshire cat and thanked her.

Apparently, I look younger than my age. Rafael commented on the same thing previously. He thought I was 24-25, mwahahaha!

How does the Pooh stay so young? Eat 5 buckets of 'hunny' a day. Ok...don't do that, you'd die from hyperglycemia next week ><.

Don't disillusion me k? Else you're BANNED from touching my pecs!

Hehe, kidding lah =p










No, I'm not...

Charice On Singapore Idol 2009

On 27th Dec 2009, Charice was a guest performer on Singapore Idol's grand finale. You will notice how much she has grown, and that she has further perfected her singing and vocals, being a true blue artist now =)

Her performance still gives me goosebumps. NEVER have I been this crazy about an artist since Celine Dion (in my teen years) and Lady GaGa currently. LOVE HER TO BITS!