I love u my dearest father.....

Dear All,

My cousin sent me this from Australia via email. It was such a touching story it made me cry. Many of us do not realize how blessed we are parents and siblings who care about us. Most parents work hard and save their money so that they can make sure their children have a good life and a good future by making them study and get a good job. How do we pay our parents back. We only think about our selfish needs and take things for granted. Some even go to the extent of taking everything that their parents own. Some, once they get married, they forget about the sacrifices that their parents made. Instead, they listen to their wives or husbands and ignore their parents. Hopefully, this story will change your mind and the way you treat your parents.

"My dad only had one eye. I hated him... He was such an embarrassment. He cooked for students & teachers to support the family.
 

There was this one day during elementary school where my dad came to say hello to me. I was so embarrassed.

How could he do this to me? I ignored him, threw him a hateful look and ran out. The next day at school one of my classmates said, "EEEE, your dad only has one eye!". I wanted to bury myself. I also wanted my dad to just disappear. I confronted him that day and said, " If you're only gonna make me a laughing stock, why don't you just die?"

My dad did not respond....

I didn't even stop to think for a second about what I had said, because I was full of anger. I was oblivious to his feelings. I wanted out of that house, and have nothing to do with him. So I studied real hard, got a chance to go abroad to study. Then, I got married. I bought a house of my own. I had kids of my own. I was happy with my life, my kids and the comforts.

Then one day, my father came to visit me. He hadn't seen me in years and he didn't even meet his Grandchildren. When he stood by the door, my children laughed at him, and I yelled at Him for coming over uninvited. I screamed at him, "How dare you come to my house and scare my Children!"GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!!!"

And to this, my father quietly answered, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong address," And he disappeared out of sight.
 

One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house. So I lied to my wife that I was going on a business trip. After the reunion, I went to the old shack just out of curiosity. My neighbors said that he died. I did not shed a single tear. They handed me a letter that he had wanted me to have.

"My dearest son,

I think of you all the time. I'm sorry that I came to your house and scared your children. I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion. But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you.
 

I'm sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you were Growing up you see........when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye.
 

As a father, I couldn't stand watching you. Having to grow up with one eye so I gave you mine. I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye.

With all my love to you,

Your father.

Always tell someone you care that you love them because you never know what day will be their last, or your own.

Always seek to resolve your problems or disagreements with loved ones because if either of you should pass on before, the one who is left alive will have the rest of their life to ponder those unresolved feelings but will never find closure. And closure usually brings Peace... ."

Love All, Serve All. God Bless our Parents! Happy Belated Father's Day!

Cheers,

Mark

Remove the Clutter n Save Money!

Dear Friends,

I recently sold off my house and I had about one month plus to vacate the whole house. I did not realize how much of clutter I had in my house. I am a hoarder by nature as well as a sentimental guy. I had kept Birthday cards given by friends, I kept souvenirs I bought from my trips, and also tried to have a collection of toys which I thought might become a collectors item. I even kept almost all my essays which I wrote in University as well as my text books. Plus, I liked the idea of having library in my house. But I had no quality control. I kept the books that were outdated. And I bought numerous booked which I bought but never read and some even unwrapped. What a utter waste of money. There were clothes that I bought which were never used or used only a few times. Of course I had my favorites which I have kept for more than 15 years like the t-shirt from Hawaii and I kept using them over and over again. 

My wife and I were frustrated at the amount of things we had to throw away. Actually, it was more me than my wife who was sad for having to throw away the things even though I may never ever use them..  We realized how much money we could have saved if we had reduced the clutter by not buying more things until you need it.By not buying things unless you need them, you can see what you have without having to keep buying more of the same stuff like books and clothes. I had two copies of Robert Kiyosaki's "Retire Young, Retire Rich" worth a total of S$40. Guess who got Richer?

If you have not used something more than 6 months, most likely you may not have any use for it. Throw it away or if it can be used by someone else, recycle it by passing it on to others or giving it away to Salvation Army. If you have babies clothes then pass it to friends who have new babies. Babies clothes are expensive to buy and you can save a ton of money by using "used" clothes some of which may be new. Babies need bigger sized clothes every 3 to six months. Do not waste money new and expensive clothes.Give away books to those who like to read books.There are many organizations like Churches and World Vision who collect books and toys to be sent overseas for orphanages. Try to do a monthly, quarterly or 6 monthly "Spring Cleaning" so that you can get rid of unwanted things on a regular basis rather than doing it like when you are moving house.

Remove Clutter! Recycle usable things! Buy only what you need and save money! You will probably be able to pay for a holiday somewhere. :-)


Cheers,
Mark

16 Ways Con Artists Target Travelers

Hi Friends,

This was sent to me via email....interesting and something which everyone who intends to travel need to know.

16 Ways Con Artists Target Travelers

By Mark Orwoll
 

The Newspaper Attack
Where: Rome

The Scam: A group of gypsy children surrounds you, waving newspapers in your face. The papers are merely to confuse you and block your view as the youths reach into your pocket and grab your bag—or anything else they can get their hands on.

Advice: Firmly brush past them and move away quickly—and shout for help if you need it.

The Bus 64 Sting
Where: Rome

The Scam: Bus 64 passes many of Rome ’s most famous historic sights, so it’s hugely popular with tourists—and pickpockets. Working in teams of three or four, the thieves go after wallets, cameras, and other small valuables, usually by causing a disturbance such as slipping on stairs that takes your attention off your belongings. (likewise at Supermarket stairs or elevators)

Advice: Always secure your property and keep it close, especially when traveling on crowded buses and trains.

Duty Free Items
Where: Bangkok

The Scam: As has been reported in the press recently, this crime involves a traveler who is arrested for handling merchandise in the airport duty-free shop. Once in custody, the victim is introduced to a middleman who says he can gain the traveler’s freedom—for a fee. The police, in on the deal, split the payment.

Advice: Don’t touch items in duty-free shops unless you intend to buy them.

The Hot Dog Trick
Where: Airports

The Scam: The perp “accidentally” squirts mustard on you while eating a hot dog (it’s really a tube of mustard in a bun). Full of apologies, he clumsily tries to help clean up the mess while an accomplice walks off with your carry-ons.

Advice: Always place your bags between your legs in a public setting, whether you’re sitting or standing.

The Brass Ring
Where: Paris

The Scam: A passerby finds a gold ring on the sidewalk near you and agrees to sell it to you for a ridiculously low sum. You soon discover that the buy of a lifetime is made of brass.

Advice: There are no lost gold rings on the streets of Paris or anywhere else. Just say non.

The Bracelet Scheme
Where: Rome and Paris

The Scam: “Someone, usually quite charming, comes up to you offering directions or sightseeing advice. Suddenly, the person ties a woven bracelet around your wrist in a double knot, then demands payment. If you refuse, he screams that you’re stealing the bracelet,” says Karen Schaler, author of Travel Therapy. Victims are often so unnerved that they end up paying the handful of euros.

Advice: Beware of overly friendly people who approach you on the street offering courtesies you neither want nor need

The Lube Job
Where: East Africa

The Scam: You drive into a small town, and a helpful bystander points out that your wheel bearing is hemorrhaging oil “In fact,” says Lonely Planet Publications cofounder Tony Wheeler, “the bystander has just sloshed a cup of oil onto your wheel, and tells you there’s a garage around the corner that’ll fix your problem.” The garage owner is in on the con, charges an inflated rate, and splits the take with the bystander. (understand they have the same tricks for putting nails on the road in Indonesia )

Advice: Be wary of someone who points out a problem you didn’t know you had, then offers to help you get it fixed.

The Taxi Driver Trick
Where: Istanbul

The Scam: You’re paying a fare with a 50-lira note. The driver drops it on the floor and switches it to a 5-lira bill, which looks very similar. He then argues with you that you’ve shortchanged him.

Advice: If this happens to you, call the police by dialing 0090155 from your U.S. cell phone or 155 from a Turkish phone. The police know this old trick, and the driver stands to lose his license.

The Fake Art Show
Where: Beijing and Shanghai

The Scam: Young and convincing “art students” befriend you on the street and persuade you to visit their school’s gallery, where you find yourself getting a high-pressure sales pitch to buy overpriced, third-rate work being passed off as art.

Advice: Steer clear of anyone in China inviting you to an art show.

The Rip-off Joint
Where: Cities

The Scam: Two male travelers in an unfamiliar city meet two pretty young women who invite them to a private room in a bar. When the bill comes, it is hugely inflated. The bartender demands cash (no credit cards, of course), and the doormen tell the travelers to pay up and leave.

Advice: Beware complete strangers who offer to take you to a bar or nightclub.

The Tumbling Woman
Where: London but could happen anywhere.

The Scam: “If there’s a commotion, assume it’s a fake to distract the victim of a pickpocketing or purse snatching,” says travel guru Rick Steves of Ricksteves.com. “For example, someone, usually an elderly looking woman, ‘falls’ down an escalator in the London Underground.”

Advice: “Step back,” says Steves, “and watch your valuables.”

The Gypsy Baby Toss
Where: Italy, Eastern Europe

The Scam: Here’s a variation of the Newspaper Attack, as told by Peter Greenberg, travel editor of CBS News: the victim—usually a single female traveler—is approached by a gypsy woman carrying a baby in a blanket, who tosses the child into the arms of the victim. Cohorts grab the victim’s purse, wallet, camera, and anything else they can snatch amid the confusion. After the crooks run away, the victim discovers that the “baby” is nothing more than a doll.

Advice: Avoid gypsies and beggars on the street, and move away if they try to approach you.

The Snatch and Follow-up Steal
Where: Barcelona

The Scam: As travelers with suitcases wait for a cab, a man rides by on a bicycle, slices the strap of a seemingly random woman’s purse, and rides off with it. As the sympathetic travelers drop their bags to give chase, an accomplice swoops in and attempts to make off with the abandoned booty.

Advice: Hide your valuables—money, passport, and credit cards—in your inner pockets, in a money belt, or anyplace else where they are difficult to grab.

The Missing Cash
Where: Moscow

The Scam: A pedestrian bumps against you and drops something. “If you pick it up and attempt to return it, you’ll find you’ve got a bagful of banknotes and a bagful of trouble,” says Tony Wheeler. “That’s when the careless cash-dropper accuses you of removing some of the money.” Of course, the bad guy turns out to be willing to forget the whole incident in exchange for a fistful of rubles.

Advice: Don’t be afraid to call someone a crook, loudly, and walk away. Often the last thing they want is for the police to become involved, because the police know about most of these scams already.

The Fake Palace Guides
Where: Bangkok

The Scam: Official-looking guides approach travelers in the streets surrounding Bangkok ’s Grand Palace , away from the main entrance. They’ll tell you, convincingly, that the palace is closed to visitors that morning, but that they’d be happy to take you on a “private tour.”

Advice: Ignore them, and check for yourself at the main gate. “In many countries,” says Anthony Dennis, editor of Travel + Leisure Australia , “it’s usually best to arrange for a certified guide through your hotel”

The Security-Checkpoint Scam
Where: Airports

The Scam: Before you walk through the metal detector at airport security, a person from behind cuts ahead of you. As he tries to walk through the metal scanner, the alarm rings and the line comes to a halt; it turns out he has “forgotten” to remove his keys and loose change. “Meantime,” says Peter Greenberg, “his accomplice has gone through ahead of you and is picking up all your stuff from the conveyor belt and leaving with it.”

Advice: Avoid placing your tray of valuables on the X-ray machine conveyor belt until you are ready to walk through the metal detector, and keep an eye on your belongings as they come out the other side.

Give me a sense of humor. Lord, Give me the grace to see a joke, to get some humor out of life, and pass it on to other folks."

Forward this to your friends especially those who like to travel or those who travel for business. Better to be safe then to be sorry.

Cheers,

Mark

Dance!

This was written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend.

*The last line says it all. *

Dear Bertha,

I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the  garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working.

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.

I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom.

I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.

"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now

I'm not sure what others would've done had they known they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was.

I'm guessing; I'll never know.

It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, tell myself that it is special.

Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.

If you received this, it is because someone cares for you. If you're too busy to take the few minutes that it takes right now to forward this, would it be the first time you didn't do the little thing that would make a difference in your relationships? I can tell you it certainly won't be the last.

Take a few minutes to send this to a few people you care about, just to let them know that you're thinking of them.

"People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don't need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there."

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance

 

Company Names on the Internet !!! FUNNY!

Hi Friends,

You must have come across people and companies with unique....I mean "FUNNY" names. Here are some funny ones that a friend sent via email about companies and their website address. Enjoy!

All of these are legitimate companies that didn't spend quite enough time to consider how their online name might appear!

These are not made up. Check them out yourself.

1. 'Who Represents' is where you can find the name of the agent that represents any celebrity. Their Web site is: www.whorepresents.com

2. 'Experts Exchange' is a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at:
www.expertsexchange.com

3. Looking for a great pen? Look no further than
' Pen Island '. It can be found at:
www.penisland.net

4. Need a therapist? Try 'Therapist Finder' at: www.therapistfinder.com

5. Then there's the 'Italian Power Generator' company. Check it out at:
www.powergenitalia.com

6.'IP computer' software, there's always: www.ip_anywhere.com

7. And the designers at 'Speed of Art' await you at their wacky Web site:
www.speedofart.com

Have a fun day! Just be careful what you name YOUR new web site

Cheers,

Mark

Watch what you EAT!

Hi Friends,

I was watching a program on Channel News Asia called "Food Inc" (Part 1) last Sunday. Looks like we not only need to be careful about the food from China. The food from the US and other countries are equally bad. From the chickens that they breed to the eggs they produce, to the beef rear, all seems to have something that can cause damage to our health one way or another. To speed up growth of chicken, they are force-fed and injected with chemicals and this shortens the time taken for the chickens to grow to their full size. In the process, they become weak and sickly because they growth process has been tempered with. To cure meat of bacteria such as "ecoli", the meat is treated with ammonia which is used in household cleaning items. Ammonia is dangerous and is harmful to the body. Fast food chains use the meat and other products that are produced in this manner. In fact they are the biggest users of these chemically induced produce. The show highlighted cows that were in almost knee deep "cow dung" and hence become potential carriers of "ecoli" bacteria and the bacteria is passed passed on in slaughter houses into the meat. A young boy who was healthy suddenly died within 12 days after ingesting bacteria from infected food.

From being a hunter, man has become domesticated and dependant on food from fast food chains and quick-fix meals that is harmful to the body. From a lean-mean fighting machine, man has become bigger and lazier. This plus eating all this harmful food is the reason why more people are dying of heart attack, cancer and kidney failure and other diseases. It is also because of these chemically induced food that human race is facing such perilous disease with increased numbers dying from it.

What are we going to do about it? Are we going to let the big corporations ruin our lives as well as those of our loved ones for big fat profit? Don't they have a conscience? They don't care! They want to make as much money as possible just like the banks did that caused the recent financial meltdown. In the show, they were asking, how is it possible for a burger to be cheaper than the vegetable you buy from the supermarkets? The answer is because the growers use a lot of substitutes such as corn syrup to replace or supplement the actual food you consume. These foods have high levels of empty calories. That is why it is so unhealthy and that is why you put on weight so fast. Now you know where you got all that excess baggage. Hit the gym but before that watch what you eat. Just a friendly advise.

All this makes me want to become a vegetarian. But even the vegetables are not spared of chemicals. I think I will move to Australia and start my own farm and grow my own organic food. Anyone care to join me?

Cheers Mate!

Regards,
Mark

HUMILITY EVEN IN ADVERSITY!

We have been reading about the devastating earthquake and the tsunami. More than 10,000 Japanese have perished. More people are not accounted for. The nuclear crisis doesn't seem like its coming to an end soon. Its devastating effect will be felt for years to come.

Yet, despite the devastation, the Japanese have gone about calmly and orderly manner. There was no blame game or wailing. There was no looting like we saw after "Hurricane Katrina" in US. Even the "Yakuza"-the Japanese triad,  joined in to help, quietly distributing essential items quietly without much fanfare. Japanese Soccer star- Hidetoshi Nakata, who retired came out of retirement to help raise fun. Shop keepers distributed free drinks to people. The young Japanese golfer Ryo Ishikawa has pledged to donate a year's earning to aid the rebuilding of Japan. His target, 3 million dollars.Everyone from the man in the street to the rich and the famous have come together to help the nation.

Why have the Japanese reacted with such calm and dignity. It is because of their culture. They are a nation which proud of their heritage.They have self belief .We can learn a lot from the Japanese people-honor, dignity, honesty, care and concern for their fellow men. If we were faced with such adversity, would we show the same behavior as the Japanese or will we look out for ourselves.A lot of people have donated money to help the Japanese but it what the Japanese have to teach us that we need to learn from as we help a industrious nation back to its feet.

I bow in humble respect for the Japanese people. May God Bless them and get them out of this situation rapidly.

Regards,
Mark