MOST POPULAR WEBSITES

HERE'S WHAT'S HOT ON THE INTERNET

My observations tell me that the most popular websites in the world now are: Facebook (for social networking -- everyone in the office has a window open to Facebook while working; and school kids are also on it, updating their friends on the latest news and views of their young lives); Yahoo (to check e-mails or to check what's new on the news front -- and judging from the Internet Messaging volume -- both kids and adults are on it in equal proportions!) AND YouTube (everyone is increasingly opening numerous YouTube windows to play songs that they like -- and they can either take a break from the work and watch the music videos or, as if often the case, have the tune playing in the background while they work).

And there you have the most popular websites and their uses.

HAPPY DEEPAVALI EVERYONE!

Deepavali -- a sparkling Festival of Lights!

Deepavali is upon us again. It is a time when big bright eyes combined with bright smiles and generous hearts from our Hindu Malaysians beckon us into their homes and hearts to share in the festivities.

Traditionally, Deepavali is rooted in holy legends – there are a few, two of which are popular – but all of which deal with the lighting up of the beautiful clay oil lamps.

One tells of Rama, King of Ayodhya, defeating the evil Ravana. The other speaks of Lord Krishna defeating the demon Narakasura. In both, versions, the people of the land lit oil lamps to light the path of the victors during darkness so that the forces of good could find their way home easily.

In Malaysia, Hindus start the day by doing what generations of their forefathers have been doing for centuries, by taking oil baths at dawn, offering prayers (pooja) and then, as the day progresses, entertaining relatives and friends who have been invited to partake of delicacies and food in a celebratory spirit.

One little known fact amongst non-Hindus is that our friends who celebrate Deepavali also offer prayers to the goddess Lakshmi, who is the goddess of fortune and wealth – both material and spiritual. The wikipedia website beautifully describes her as “the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity, light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage, (as well as) the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm.”

And sure enough, these are the enchanting qualities that come to the fore as Deepavali is celebrated in Malaysia. Happy Deepavali everyone!

President Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize

I just can't understand the negative fuss about Barack Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize... the man is staggeringly inspiring and deserves it (although I think he should cool it with the waltz he constantly does with the media... the media ain't as great as the media makes itself out to be... it is full of flawed, petty, socially dysfunctional people!)

DON'T GET RIPPED OFF AT THIS RESTAURANT!

For whatever reason, you happen to be at Jaya One's restaurant called Kissaten -- get the hell out of there as soon as you can. It is a rip off! Four people's food comes up to more than RM200!!! What do they think are they serving? Gold? Food of the gods? Don't bother wasting your money on really REALLY lousy food there!