A Simple Explanation

Easter Island. Image credit: http://www.foxnews.com/science/2016/02/17/easter-islands-ancient-civilization-was-not-destroyed-by-warfare-experts-say.html

Stonehenge. Image credit: https://drdudsdicta.com/2015/03/28/stonehenge-and-the-druids/

The twin mysteries of Easter Island and Stonehenge are mysteries no more!

 

There is a simple explanation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's bizarre, it's kooky – but it makes sense!

 

I was at the MIA Toastmasters meeting at the Malaysian Institute  of Accountants office in Jalan Tun Sambanthan 3 in KL’s Brickfields. I hadn’t planned on attending but I turned up anyway. I was the Table Topics Evaluator.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And it is nice to know that Audrey Lim finally completed her CC.

Christal Wong: Art & Passion

Christal Wong Ching Ling is passionate about drawing and painting!

And I am pleased to feature a sample of her works – she sent them to me yesterday – because this eighteen-year old is truly talented.

She tells me that she used to draw on the floor every day after kindergarten. At that tender age, she has already discovered her love for art.  

Now an Architecture student at Taylor’s University – that love affair with Art is still going strong!

It is because of Toastmasters that I got to know Christal (left). After all, Toastmasters bring people together.

I first met her as a fifth-former at SMK Subang Utama in Subang Jaya when she attended a Youth Leadership Program that I was involved in.

I remember the day, i.e. March 13, 2015. She was in her school uniform – a turquoise pinafore over a white shirt. I remembered her because she smiled a lot!

We became friends and the rest, they say is history.

This post today pays tribute to our friendship!

Miracle Water

One well-regarded Malaysian university fell for a scam. And it reminds us how easy some Malaysians can be taken in!

The promo poster for I-Mizu water's supposed medicinal properties which claims to have cured 150 ailments and health problems. Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah/USM’s Official Facebook page.

On June 23, 2016, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Miresco Integrated Sdn Bhd signed an official agreement to “ensure high-quality drinking water” through the promotion of I-Mizu water in a glitzy event at the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur.

But what drew the ire of Facebook users was a picture of a promotional poster for I-Mizu during the event which was uploaded on USM’s Facebook page.

Based on its contents, I-Mizu claims to have successfully treated 150 types of ailments and health problems such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, tumors, cholesterol, eczema and obesity.

Wow! Miracle water!

“It is sad when our own university had lowered (their) standard to be on par with proponents of pseudoscience and are involved in disseminating unscientific information to society”, said one Facebook user, Syed Aljunid.

Another user, Adibah Razali sarcastically said: “Good, no need for hospitals after this. Everyone can be treated with I-Mizu”.  

Others called the description of the I-Mizu water as “misleading” and demanded that the Ministry of Health look into the matter.

“Water which can treat/cure 150 chronic illnesses? if naive Malays hear about this and buy this product to cure their ailments, it is the Malays who are selling it who will be enriched.

But the Malays who buy it will suffer because they would have spent all their money and will not be cured. If you want to trade you have to be honest, follow the law. And USM (are) collaborating with these people who are selling ‘magic water’”, said Muhammad Farid.

At the signing of the official agreement to promote I-Mizu water at the Royale Chulan Hotel on Thursday. Image credit: https://www.facebook.com/USMOfficial1969/photos/pcb.1101340556593643/1101340273260338/?type=3&theater

Siti Nurhaliza (left) with USM’s top officials and Miresco Integrated Sdn Bhd. Image credit: https://www.facebook.com/USMOfficial1969/photos/pcb.1101340556593643/1101340129927019/?type=3&theater

Even local celebrity Siti Nurhaliza got into the act! The university had said that she is involved in promoting the product – she had graced the glitzy event at the said 5-star hotel on Thursday.

I am in awe at how elementary it is to deceive the likes of USM! It goes to show that you can be educated and still be dense at the same time!

[Don’t laugh! USM are a Research Intensive University recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia in 2007. In the 2016 THE World University Rankings, USM is in the 601-800 bracket; in the Asia University Rankings, the university sits in the 141-150 bracket]. 

This afternoon, I was at the Asian Rice Pot in SS5A/11 in Petaling Jaya. This served as the venue for the Sai Masters Toastmasters meeting today.

 

I took part in the Table Topics session and my 'story' about fierce dogs attacking me and ripping my flesh – thanks to my abundantly flowing creative juices – won the highest number of votes to make me the Best Table Topics Speaker.