Giving Back to St Joe (Part 3)

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Here's an update on our donations from Bob Chew ...


"Hi all

1. Mark and I went to St Joe last week to confirm and pay for 105 units student desks and 3 teacher's tables. Choice of material, colour scheme and carpentry was done by SJS. The total for desks ( RM 7140 ) + tables ( RM 1500) = RM 8640.These desks and tables will be imprinted with " donated by Form 5 class of 1976".

2. We are now ordering 105 + 3 pippee brand plastic chairs to be sent to SJS . These will also bear the imprint "donated by Form 5 class of 1976".

3. All items will be delivered into the class ready for the new term on 14th Sept. The school break is from Sep 4th - 13th.
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4. We will organise a handover ceremony, date to be advised, after putting all these in place. The plan is to have at least 3 reps each from Form 5 Sci, Arts1 and Arts2 to be there for handover. We will also invite all donors if they are in Kuching. I will liase with the school prinicpal.
Bye for now

Bob Chew"


Thanks Bob and Mark for all the efforts.  Will all those who haven't yet sent in their pledges please arrange to do so directly with Bob (lkcbob@tm.net.my).

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LINKS

Here are links to previously posted information on our "Giving Back to St Joe" initiative.

27 May:   Revisiting the Library

12 June:   Giving Back to St Joe

3 July:     Giving Back to St Joe (continued)
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10 Sept:   Giving Back to St Joe (Part 4)

15 Sept     The Handover

8 Ways to Keep Youthful

Over the past few months, I have been receiving from some of you guys a number of interesting pictures and health tips for staying youthful. You asked that I share them on this blog, and I admit I've been sitting on them for a while. I thought I'd collect a few more before the right moment to post them. The moment is now.

Let's begin with this photo message from Dato' AM ...

I'm not very sure ... is our friend hinting that this is the secret to making it to the peak of Mount Kinabalu at 51? LOL.

Indeed many of you guys have found ways that seem to have worked (more or less) for yourselves.

Well, I've compiled some of those tips I've received into this list of "8 Ways to Keep Youthful".  I must emphasise that these are NOT from me. Though I agree with many of them, I too find it a challenge to stick to many of these tips.


1)  Meditate

Meditation reduces stress levels, keeps the mind positive and free from anxieties. It is as some say "Age is all in the mind" and through a regular practice of meditation one might attain a positive, fresh and youthful mind.

2)  Exercise regularly and Eat well but in moderation

Moderate exercise on a regular basis promotes longevity, builds and maintains strength and flexibility and makes you feel alive.

Someone suggested: Eat a well balanced vegetarian diet. Studies show that a well balanced vegetarian diet with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains provides optimum nutrition for a fit and active body.

This is one advice I'm afraid I can't bring myself to follow. I love my steaks too much. But then again, I must say some vegetarians do look pretty good. Do you not agree?

3)  Keep only cheerful friends

It is important to keep a positive outlook on life. Stay away from those who are chronically pessimistic. The grouches just pull you down.

Another advice I like: Laugh more often; laugh long and loud. Children laugh an average of 300 times a day, while adults laugh just 30 times per day. Laughter is an expression of inner happiness and is a tonic for the soul. When you are laughing, you are not brooding or despairing.

Back in school, some of us used to read the magazine "Reader's Digest", and in those early issues, there was always a column called "Laughter is the Best Medicine". I still believe in that dictum, and this website tells you more.

So laugh loud, laugh hard, laugh more, Kuchingites!

4)  Keep Learning

Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, how to win 4D, whatever ... You can also learn lots by travelling. You're never too old to learn. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

5)  Surround yourself with what you love

Whether it is family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, etc, surround yourself with them. Your home is your refuge.  Invite your good buddies home for good conversations and good dinners (also don't forget your Website Jaga :)

Your home is also where you should feel safe to be at your creative best. Whether through music, photography, painting, dancing, writing, blogging, etc, getting in touch with your own unique inner creativity can make you feel ALIVE.

6)  Accept the tragedies of life

The tears will happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7)  Cherish your health

I'm no doctor, so will let Dr Kuo comment more on this.

All I can suggest about your health is: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve yourself, get help.

Once in a while, spoil yourself. Maybe a spa, facial, massage ... check our previous post on ways to pamper your feet :-)


8)  Give Joy to Others

You never lose what you give. In fact by sharing your own happiness, talent and resources with others you nurture your own treasure chest of grace, blessings and peace.

You can do this in any way you wish ... donations to charitable organisations, helping others, random acts of kindness, giving back to society ... it's totally up to you.


Well, those are the 8 tips for keeping youthful. Let me end this posting by inviting you to reflect on two sayings.

The first is  "It's not about the years in your life, but the life in your years".

The other is "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away".

Go on my friends and live it up !!!
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Sarawak Regatta 2010

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Dato' AM sent this over yesterday ... live action from the Sarawak River? It seems NST won a couple of trophies. Well done!

Looks like lots of excitement. Anyone else went to watch? Any more photos you can contribute ?

I was suggesting that maybe next year, the Boys of St Joe 1976 can enter a boat too. Provided the organisers will permit a special design that has added width and can take slightly more weight, in order to accomodate our current physique.
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Asian Songbirds of the 1970s (Part 2)

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Let's continue with the Asian female singers from the 70s.

Teresa Teng (pinyin: Deng Li Jun) was a very popular and musically influential singer from Taiwan, who came into the limelight in the early 1970s. She is especially well known for folk songs and romantic ballads. Her voice and songs are instantly recognized throughout Asia and in areas with large Asian populations, to the extent that it has been said, "Wherever there are Chinese people, the songs of Teresa Teng can be heard." 

This lady continued to have much success until her untimely death at 42 from an asthma attack in 1995. However her memory lives on, and her albums continue to be immensely popular. My wife has her complete collection of songs on CD, as I'm sure many other fans do.

So turn up the volume and enjoy her crystal clear voice in "Tian Mi Mi", meaning "Sweet Honey" (I think?) ...

Undoubtedly Teresa Teng's classic song is "Yue Liang Dai Piao Wo De Xin", which is literally translated as "The Moon Represents My Heart". Enjoy ...

Next let's turn to our very own Sarawakian songbird who was prominent during the swinging seventies. ELAS mentioned her in his previous comments, and I recall her music as well. She is Rose Iwanaga, and she, together with her band The Avengers, have the distinction of being the first English-language recording music group from East Malaysia. The Avengers comprised James Ong (rhythm), Jimmy Ho (lead), Peter Ho (bass) and Jalek Zula (drums). I believe the group made 3 albums.

L to R: James, Jimmy, Peter, Jalek, Rose

Here's the best-known of Rose Iwanaga's songs ...

I often wondered what happened to Rose and her band. There are a few websites on them, but no one seems to know. Do any of you?

That's it for today. More in Part 3 ...
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