BAK CHANG ALTERNATIVE; OAT CHANG

Hi! Everyone,


Some of you may notice distribution of Bak Chang, as a gift, begun to take place among certain quarters of the Chinese community recently prior to the Chang Festival that falls on every fifth day of the fifth lunar month, to be exact the following Monday (June 6, 2011). This centuries old practice has a very significant value in the Chinese community, who love to preserve peace and harmony than anything else. That's the main reason why they preserved this old practice of eating Chang during this festival annually in commemoration to Mr. Qu Yuan's, scholar-poet, patriotism and loyalty towards the country.


This festival accords high honours to the above scholar-poet who took his life by jumping into a river in ancient China as he was saddened when the king refused to act according to his advice, which resulted in a war. Fearing that fishes would eat his body, Qu's friends and supporters made Chang and threw it into the river so that the fishes would eat the Chang instead of Qu's body. Since then, the symbolic act of honour that he had earned from his supporters, out of their love have been practised till today. That's why the scholars have a high social status in ancient China.


Append below please find a short biography of Qu Yuan.


Biography
Qu Yuan, born in the Xiling Gorge area of what is today western Hubei province, was a minister in the government of the state of Chu, descended from nobility and a champion of political loyalty and truth eager to maintain the Chu state's power. Qu Yuan advocated a policy of alliance with the other kingdoms of the period against the hegemonic Qin state, which threatened to dominate them all. Legend has it that the Chu king fell under the influence of other corrupt, jealous ministers who slandered Qu Yuan and banished his most loyal counselors. It is said that Qu Yuan returned first to his family's home town. In his exile, he spent much of this time collecting legends and rearranging folk odes while travelling the countryside, producing some of the greatest poetry in Chinese literature and expressing fervent love for his state and his deepest concerns for its future.


According to legend, his anxiety brought him to an increasingly troubled state of health; during his depression, he would often take walks near a certain well, during which he would look upon his reflection in the water and his own person, thin and gaunt. According to legend, this well became known as the "Face Reflection Well." Today on a hillside in Xiangluping in Hubei province's Zigui, there is a well which is considered to be the original well from the time of Qu Yuan.



In 278 BC, learning of the capture of his country's capital, Ying, by General Bai Qi of the state of Qin, Qu Yuan is said to have written the lengthy poem of lamentation called "Lament for Ying" and later to have waded into the Miluo river in today's Hunan Province holding a great rock in order to commit ritual suicide as a form of protest against the corruption of the era.[1]


To add more colour to this legend, Miss Choong Kim Tin, 66, from Penang has given Bak Chang a "healthy makeover" by using oats instead of glutinous rice to make the delicacy. Wow! I am certain some of you may be curious where she got this idea from. She attributed during the recent interview from the Star that she became interested in making oat Chang after hearing from one of her friends two years ago and she managed to come up with the right combination after numerous attempts.

Her recipe is as append below for your information.


1. First stew pork with mushrooms for about an hour.


2. Then mix the gravy with oats until the mixture becomes sticky like the texture of cooked glutinous rice.


3. Its filling usually made of salted egg yolk, dried shrimps, pork and chestnuts.


She eventually began to sell them at the Jelutong market every Friday and Saturday, after she received encouraging feedbacks from her friends and relatives of her oat Chang. She feels happy to see her customers enjoy eating this healthy Chang as oats which can help to reduce cholesterol. Her creativity truly adds value to her customer, in particular, but also to the society at large because she has enriched our lives. Big thanks to her.

Of course, I will give it a try whenever I have a chance to do so. For Oat lovers take note, Miss Choong is showing how to wrap the Oat Chang at her home at Changkat Minden, George Town in Penang, in conjunction with the Bak Chang festival which falls on June 6. Do not miss this golden opportunity, write it down in your diary soonest possible. Please revert back to us thereafter. Thank you in advance.

For the benefits of everyone, I appended below a photo of Bak Chang

As usual, I love to hear your feedback after you have tried it. Thanks and look forward to receiving your comment.

YOUR CHIEF SERVANT,


JAMES


TO READ OTHER RELATED ARTICLE, PLEASE CLICK AT THE TITLE OF THE POST.

2011INTERVIEW WITH LENA HILLBRAND

Hi ! Readers,


It is a great pleasure to have Lena Hillbrand and her book, THE SUPERIORS review today. A very warm welcome, Lena and thanks Lena for giving us the chance to get to know you more and also for allowing us a glimpse of the world that you have created inside your writing. Thank you very much. Let her walk through her profile and book, as appended below, before we kick off the Q + A session.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR -Lena Hillbrand

Lena Hillbrand is the author of the book below.


The Superiors





The Superiors, Book One in The Superiors series

Q&A portion:


James: When did you begin to write?


Lena : I've always written, or at least as long as I can remember. When I was a kid I'd make up stories and write them in little journals.


James : What made you choose this genre and the title of your book?


Lena: I'd read a few vampire books, and I kept wondering why these intelligent, powerful, nearly invincible creatures would hide in the dark instead of trying to overpower the much weaker human race. I started talking about it with my family, and got so involved in thinking about it that I decided to write it down. The first book in the series, The Superiors, introduces the world and the race. The title was an easy pick for me. Superiors is the name the vampires have given themselves, as they consider themselves superior to all else on earth.


James: Where do you get the inspiration for your stories?


Lena : Everywhere. In classrooms, restaurants, outside. Of course other books have inspired me to write when I see a really beautiful passage that makes me want to write. And mostly my life, my encounters, experiences, and surroundings, all inspire my writing.


James: Can you enlighten us a little more about your books?


Lena : The Superiors series is my only adult series. Most of the books I've written are young adult, but the content of The Superiors got too adult along the way, so I changed it. I wanted to be able to put in anything I wanted, even disturbing parts, to give a true picture of the world. I thought if humans were kept as slaves or livestock, some things would be bleak, depressing, and even horrifying. So the book is a bit dark. It follows the journey of one Superior, Draven Castle, as he begins to rediscover his humanity with the help of a human runaway he captures one night.


James: Is there anything else you would like your readers to pay special attention in regards to your book, which you have not mentioned above?


Lena : The Superiors are advanced from humans, but they aren't the traditional pop-culture vampires with super powers and unbelievable beauty. They are as 'realistic' as I could make them, considering they are supernatural beings! Also, the book takes place 200 years in the future, once the takeover has already happened and Superiors are well established as rulers of humanity. The takeover is left mostly to the reader's imagination.



The character's aren't always completely self-aware, so at times you'll have unreliable narrators. There are a hundred other little devices I used to amuse myself, but I'll let people find them if they want to read into it that deeply. Or they can just enjoy the surface level story! There's lots going on.


James: When do you plan to publish your book 2.


Lena : I am in the process of editing book 2. It takes me much longer to edit and polish a piece than to write it the first time around. I want things to be as tight and consistent as they are in the first book, and that takes a while. I hope to have book 2 out sometime this summer.


James : How many volume of books for the above series ?


Lena : There are seven books in The Superiors series. I hope people enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them. And thanks for the great interview, James!






Thank again Lena Hillbrand for joining us today. Let us wish her a fulfilling day

JOLIN TSAI - A BEAUTIFUL SINGER WITH PERFECTIONIST MINDSET

Dear Readers,


I am pleased to announce that the Taiwanese singer Jolin Tsia, the top 2nd earner among Taiwanese Singers in a 2010 poll, with earnings of US$14.51 million that year, will continue her world tour in May, 2011. This time her tour span across Asia. She will make various stops such as in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and other locations in mainland China.


This well known hardworking and daring maiden star of the mandopop industry is currently promoting her new album,Myself. I expect to be overwhelmed by her performance as she will be a feast truly for all her fans' eyes and ears. Don't take my word for granted, see it yourself. For those who have seen her show before, you are welcome to voice out your feedback via comment provided below.


For the sake of those who do not know her well, please read append below a short brief of her past records to give you some excitement.


Music Entertainment (Taiwan).


Tsai's success as a singer continued with the release of her 3rd album, 'Castle. Tsai's J1 World Tour included countries across Asia and North America. In that same year, Tsai released J-Game, which sold over 1 million copies in Asia in the span of one month.


In 2006, Tsai left Sony Music Entertainment (Taiwan), and joined EMI Music Taiwan's label Capitol Records(Taiwan). Her 8th album, Dancing Diva, proved more successful than the previous albums. Tsai's Dancing Forever Tour featured a dance performance. The tour spanned across Asia, North America and Australia. In 2005, Tsai won the Golden Melody Award for Best Mandarin Female Singer Award for her album Dancing Forever Tour


In 2008, Tsai released her first English cover album Love Exercise. The sales for this album was lower than expected due to minimal publicity efforts. Tsai ended her contract with EMI Music Taiwan in 2008.


Tsai re-signed her contract with Warner Music Taiwan and released her 10th album, "Butterfly". "Butterfly" was her most successful album to date.


In 2010, Tsai released Myself. The music video features a style of house dance called Vogue. Tsai's December 2010 'Myself World Tour' sold out quickly. The concert, which features Tsai performing dangerous stunts in mid-air, was choreographed by Benny Ninja.


I found this singer is worthy of praise and highest commendation. This young beauty, 30 years young, has been practising her singing while jogging to ensure that she deliver her best, even better than her past. This time she is going to enjoy what she was doing, very much different from her past, where she is more inclined to focus on delivering flawless performance. Her right attitude and spirit of seeking advancement is my role model. Her other talent of creativity is another distinctive feature that most successful persons need to cultivate with.


Being such a successful person and having such punishing busy daily schedules, she can still find time for jogging. She had shown us that setting right priority is the path to success. Meanwhile, I like to take this opportunity to wish her a greater success. Perhaps some of you may want to share some other alternate ideas or ways, such as doing two things at one time, to assist us to create more time for ourselves. Here, I can step forward to this proven practice, which I have prescribed it before and proven to be fruitful.


She reflected her maturity and wisdom in her recent interview which impressed me a lot and it caused me to believe that she will definitely deliver her coming show much better than her past performance. This is because I have learnt from my experience that the more you enjoy yourself and be less focus on flawless performance, you will tend to perform much better and be more natural. Letting your passion take the lead is a much better choice.


To view her show, in video, please click the title of this article.



She is looking forward to performing for her Malaysian audience and promised her show will be a mega dance party. So, party music lovers please get ready your best dresses and suits and join in the fun. You will be partying all night. Yes you can get the tickets, from the lowest price of RM 98 to RM 488. For details and ticket reservations, please call 03-22822020 or visit www.galaxy.com.my now before they are sold out.


Trust you will enjoy this super duper show and don't forget to come back to put on record your comments for future reference. Thank you in advance for doing so.


James Oh


Skype me at james.oh18

A SHORT BRIEF OF CARROLL BRYANT AND HIS BOOK

Dear readers,


I was so excited to know so many authors who have expressed their willingness to allow me to blog their stuff here. I trust you too find it not only interesting, but also inspiring especially those who want to pursue this line as their careers.


With this, trust it will add more colours in our life, but also as a drive for you to share the untold story, from your walk or life you have gone through, just like some of them that I have blogged out much earlier. Your story may be as great as theirs because you have not given yourself a chance to express them out. I am a strong believer that everyone of us have more than a story to tell through your own life. Do not worry if you don't have it now. This is because you have not discovered it yet. So, continue to read and slowly and surely you will discover it.


Today, I have been given the pleasure to present you another writer, whom I got to know from the Goodread Social Network. After reading through his unique profile, I discovered that he began writing on his 18th birthday and who did not get it published despite he has completed it within a couple years thereafter. At that time, though he was just trying to fill up the hours of his day. This does not deter him to publish it in 2010 and make his first dream a reality.


This guy is none other than Carroll Bryant, 36 years, born and raised in Columbus, The United States. He felt funny that he never attempted to get them published much earlier. This is mainly attributed by lack of desire or inner drive. As we all are fully aware that it is one of the main success ingredients which no one afford not to have. Here, perhaps you like to share with us how you fan up your inner drive. I would say that I managed to do so mainly by reading healthy, inspiring and motivational stuffs frequently through books, blogs, tapes, webminars and seminars whenever I have chance to do so.


A late bloomer who has talents, is passionate with life and started writing songs and poetry on his 18th birthday. Luckily, he begin to transfer all his works from floppy's disc to CDR currently. I can imagine how tedious and painful is this lengthy process, which he had to go through before he can get his work out finally. This is because I am also a late bloomer like the author who had gone through the initial stage of computerisation, from the mainframe to iphone technology. This triggered memories of those old days, before paper was created and to preserve all these knowledge, our ancestors had to even carve it into bamboo slips or stones they could find at that time.


This fascinating guy did not stop from there, but continue to make his second dream happened. He got his first book published in May last year, Children Of The Flower Power. Though I have not read his book yet, my gut feeling reveal to me that you will find it worthy to be read. So, grab hold of the book and enjoy your discovery and let us know your feedback thereafter.


And last, but not least I wish him a big Success and hope that he has a chance to drop by and air his comments especially on those poems and songs I have written and published here. Thank you in advance.


James Oh






Skype me at james.oh18

GOD IS WITH YOU

Dear Readers,





Be humble and submit to God,
God does not control you,
but guides you,
so that you won't feel weak and frighten.




Open your heart to God
let your heart be led by God,
God knows the reason,
you are worried and lacking in something,
no matter what situation you are in.

He wants you to know He is a mighty and Living God,
Who always care for you,
Because of His promises and Words to our ancestors,
Never ignore or underestimate a faith,
Which can make you mighty and strong,
So long as you abide to God.

For God is your only hope and rock,
Who can make a turn and stop the evil one for you,
regardless how things go overwhelmingly wrong,
Because God cares and loves,
Who wants you to live and enjoy all the fruits of faith.


Let God guides you and
Let your mind be at perfect rest,
Have faith in God,
That for you, God knows what is best for you,
And God has only the best for you.


For God, who gives you the life,
Wants you to live
in a triumphant victorious way God initially designed for you,
Before you were even born.

Be abide to God,
God will give you the strength you need,
To conquer every barrier you encounter each of your day.


Be bold and listen to God,
And not you.
Take up your courage to accept this truth and,
Let your soul be glad and rejoice.


Let God speaks to your heart,
and hear His calming voice.
God wants you to understand,
That there is nothing you should be afraid of.


This is what faith is all about,
Trusting God that He will never abandon you,
But always be close and near you,
God is always in your heart.


Be faithful,
Live a life that is bold and full of joys,
Let His Spirit's power be in you,
So that you can achieve it effortlessly,
Through God work and not your work.


Glorify God and not you,
So don't raise any doubt,
and no extra thought.
Because God is behind you,
The one and truly loved.


Accept His blessing with thanks.

James Oh


Skype me at james.oh18

8 reasons to write and sell your own EBook

Hi, Readers,


This may serve as a golden opportunity to you especially for those who intend to publish and sell your own Ebook, like me. There is no coincident that I come across the article below, written by Daniel Moro for your information and reference.


After reading and have a deep thought on it, I find nothing better than sharing with you this invaluable article and believe that it will serve as good inspiration and courage for those who especially have such a dream.


His sound rationaIe make lots sense and really give me a push to do so. Here, I do invite anyone who has intention to collaborate with me to get my article published out in the near future. In this connection, I do welcome any other ideas. Thanks and look forward to hearing from you soon,


Before I end here, I hope you too give it a thought and revert to us of your view and express our heartfelt thank to the author of this article. Thank you in advance.


8 reasons to write and sell your own EBook


by Daniel Moro


If you are setting up an online business then sooner or later you will wonder whether you should be writing and selling your own ebook. Here are 8 reasons why you should do it.


1. Brand Awareness


When you write your own ebook and publish it online, not only is there the prestige of being able to call yourself a book author, there is also an increase in brand awareness.


Your audience will grow to recognize and trust your name, they will perceive you as more of an expert in your topic, and they will be more likely to purchase something from you in the future.

2. Good Prices

If you believe that electronic books always sell for less than their paper counterparts, think again! Ebooks are regularly selling for remarkably high prices.


If you don’t believe me, have a browse at the ebook marketplace at ClickBank. In this marketplace alone there are over 10,000 products for sale and many of them are ebooks priced between $20 and $50.

3. Low Production Cost


Ebooks take an investment of time during the development stage, but once they are finished they don’t cost anything to produce. There is no manufacturing process required.


You simply place the file on a web server so that your customers can download it.


4. Low Delivery Cost


Ebooks are almost free to store and deliver. Have you ever worked in retail? Then you may know what is involved in maintaining a storeroom, making deliveries to customers, handling returns, and keeping track of all the stock.


When you sell ebooks you need not worry about all of that. You don’t need any special storage space in your office. You only need a few megabytes on your hardrive. And you don’t have to worry about any product returns!


5. Instant Delivery

Ebook delivery is instant and, like production and storage, delivery of ebooks costs virtually nothing. Most customers download their ebook from the Internet immediately after completing their payment.


6. High Profit Margins

After reading the reasons given above, you should not be at all surprised to learn that ebooks have very high profit margins. Once the ebook is written the only real cost you will have is a small percentage for payment processing fees.

7. Never Run Out of Stock

You will never run out of stock. That is, unless you accidentally delete your final copy of the ebook… in which case you better talk very nicely indeed to one of the customers who already purchased your ebook.


8. Instant Gratification

Customers love to buy products that they can receive immediately and selling ebooks is a way of providing this instant gratification. They allow you to provide instant information, instant advice and instant solutions to your readers.


As you can see, ebooks are truly a wonderful tool for online businesses. Get started on your own ebook right away.

James Oh


Skype me at james.oh18

You may read other similar article by clicking at the link, http://