Year 2012....the end of the world?

The preview of this movie was rather cool if you have not seen it. It is definitely on my watching list when it's up running in local cinemas! Anyway, I've received a rather interesting email regarding to both the movie AND the year 2012 itself. Below is what it said:

SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS from around the world are predicting that 3 years from now, all life on Earth could well come to an end. Some are saying it'll be humans that would set it off. Others believe that a natural phenomenon will be the cause. And the religious folks are saying it'll be God himself who would press the stop button. The following are some likely arguments as to why the world would end by the year 2012.



Reason one: Mayan calendar
The first to predict 2012 as the end of the world were the Mayans, a bloodthirsty race that were good at two things -- building highly accurate astrological equipment out of stone and sacrificing virgins.

Thousands of years ago they managed to calculate the length of the lunar moon as 329.53020 days, only 34 seconds out. The Mayan calendar predicts that the earth will end on December 21, 2012. Given that they were pretty close to the mark with the lunar cycle, it's likely they've got the end of the world right as well.


Reason two: Sun storms
Solar experts from around the world monitoring the sun have made a startling discovery. Our sun is in a bit of strife. The energy output of the sun is, like most things in nature, cyclic and it's supposed to be in the middle of a period of relative stability. However, recent solar storms have been bombarding the earth with lot of radiation energy. It's been knocking out power grids and destroying satellites. This activity is predicted to get worse and calculations suggest it'll reach its deadly peak sometime in 2012.

Reason three: The atom smasher
Scientists in Europe have been building the world's largest particle accelerator. Basically, its a 27 km tunnel designed to smash atoms together to find out what makes the universe tick. However, the mega-gadget has caused serious concern, with some scientists suggesting that it's properly even a bad idea to turn it on in the first place. They're predicting all manner of deadly results, including mini black holes. So when this machine is fired up for its first serious experiment in 2012, the world could be crushed into a super-dense blob the size of a basketball.

Reason four: The Bible says it
If having scientists warning us about the end of the world isn't bad enough, religious folks are getting in on the act as well. Interpretations of the Christian Bible reveal that the date for Armageddon, the final battle between good an evil, has been set for 2012. The I Ching, also known as the Chinese Book of Changes, says the same thing, as do various sections of the Hindu teachings.


Reason five: Super volcano
Yellowstone National Park in United States is famous for its thermal springs and old faithful geyser. The reason for this is simple -- it's sitting on top of the world's biggest volcano and geological experts are beginning to get nervous sweats. The Yellowstone volcano has a pattern of erupting every 650,000 years or so, and we're many years overdue for an explosion that will fill the atmosphere with ash, blocking the sun and plunging the earth into a frozen winter that could last up to 15,000 years. The pressure under the Yellowstone is building steadily, and geologists have set 2012 as a likely date for the big bang.


Reason six: The physicists
This one's case of bog -- simple maths mathematics. Physicists at Berkely University have been crunching the numbers.


They've determined that the earth is well overdue for a major catastrophic event. Even worse, they're claiming that their calculations prove that we're all going to die, very soon. They are also saying that their prediction comes with a certainty of 99 per cent; and 2012 just happens to be the best guess as to when it occurs.

Reason seven: Earth's magnetic field
We all know the Earth is surrounded by a magnetic field that shields us from most of the sun's radiation. What you might not know is that the magnetic poles we call North and South have a nasty habit of swapping places every 750,000 years or so -- and right now we're about 30,000 years overdue. Scientists have noted that the poles are drifting apart roughly 20-30 kms each year, much faster than ever before, which points to a pole-shift being right around the corner. While the pole shift is under way, the magnetic field is disrupted and will eventually disappear, sometimes for up to 100 years. The result is enough UV outdoors to crisp your skin in seconds, killing everything it touches!

Don't know how true is this but if year 2012 is REALLY the end of the world......then, it's a sad thing because for one, I haven't truely enjoy my life yet! To make it worse, I haven't even graduate by then! WTF??!!! -_-"

So, you are sexually active...

Recently, I have found out that a friend of mine was tested positive for HIV. It was of course, a shocking news and it affected my mood the whole day. That explains why the random post on safe sex on my Facebook status yesterday.

This made me think...life is so fragile. And I don't know.....it's sometimes just scary. There are just too many diseases lurking around waiting to invade, infect and destroy our oh-so-weak body! But then again, was it because we asked for it? Take HIV for example, you wouldn't get it if you don't get yourself multiple sex partners or just practice safe sex (use condoms for God's sake!) right? I mean....sexual contact is the most common route of infection. Hmm....but I believe some of you had heard, somewhere out there, HIV positive patients contaminate needles with their own blood and start poking people on the street "just to see what will happen"! Pity those innocent and unlucky people...

Everything happens for a reason...and so the saying goes. If you believe this, then what was the reason innocent people like mentioned above became HIV positive?? It's just a little unfair, don't you think?

But don't get me wrong....I am not saying that my friend was infected due to a needle prick. Till now, he/she (this is to protect the identity of the patient) still doesn't know the cause of it. Yes....he/she had had a few encounters of condom-less penetrative and non-penetrative sex with a number of partners. But a phone trace didn't manage to find a link because, none of his/her ex-partners were down with HIV, which baffles me.....

But then again, whatever happened, has happened....no point crying over spilt milk because, this is something that you can't do anything about. Till date, there's no cure for HIV yet, only medications to slow down its effects. In other words.....to prolong the life of the patient. I am truly sadden for my friend, some of you may think, we'll maybe he/she deserves it! Who ask him/her to not practice safe sex and have multiple sex partners? Or maybe some of you may say.....Well, since all his/her previous partners are HIV negative, maybe it's not sex after all.....maybe he/she was a victim of a HIV-infected needle prick?

Whatever it is.....it is a life changing situation. Of course, any normal person will be devastated to hear that they are tested positive for HIV. Who wouldn't?! His/her parents cried when they got to know..... and he/she felt like it's the end of the world..... and I felt so so so different on the perspective on life. He/she told me that he/she will live his/her remaining days to the fullest as he/she doesn't has much left. Which makes me think...... should we start cherishing our life now instead of pondering it over when we are at our deathbed? We receive tonnes of forwarded emails everyday, advising us to live life to its fullest! But how many of us really "listen" to it? I admit, I don't......in fact, I delete some even before reading them. Anyway, my point is..... I think we shouldn't count our blessings when we are old (or in this case, young!) and about to die. We should appreciate and be thankful to God now...

Sigh.....my thoughts are going haywire now.....filled with random emotions as I type all these down....so I think I will stop here.

Guys! And also girls! PLEASE...... bear this in mind....... no matter whatever the situation, no matter how handsome or hot is the guy or girl, PLEASE....... if you were EVER going to engage in sexual acts........... PLEASE PRACTICE SAFE SEX!!! HIV/AIDS death is constantly rising in the world, if not Malaysia,...... we DON'T NEED you to be on the list. SO PLAY SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!

And I am Effing serious!

Project-κ 2: Tau Foo Fa @ Sam Kok Tei

Tau Foo Fa!!! My favourite dessert!!! And where to go for a G-R-E-A-T bowl of Tau Foo Fa when you are in Seremban??? Just head to Sam Kok Tei (Triangle Square) in Jalan Yam Tuan for one of the best Tau Foo Fa in town.

Ok....the Tau Foo Fa in my photo looks like any other ordinary Tau Foo Fa found anywhere....but believe me, this is one of the smoothest and silkiest Tau Foo Fa that you had ever tasted!! And did I mentioned it is so smooth that it just glides on your tongue, into your throat and straight down to your stomach?! It's so soft that when I accidentally dropped a little on the table, it goes splat like raindrops! LOL! For only RM 1.20 a bowl, this is one dessert that you must NOT miss!

It is sold by an old couple. Their stall is right next to a bus stop along Jalan Yam Tuan. Right opposite Domino's Pizza. Besides Tau Foo Fa, they also sell Soya bean, herbal tea, Cincau and longan drink. If you pack your Tau Foo Fa, it'll be more expensive though. RM 1.30 per packet. Maybe they charge extra for the plastic container and spoon they provide... LOL!

Just look out for this humble stall and that little piece of yellow banner saying "Ben Curd"...yeah I know...Maybe the auntie and uncle didn't realise the mistake and should be written as Beancurd.....but oh well, what the heck!

This stall opens everyday except Monday and Tuesday; from 6pm till late. Occasionally, they will shift location and will not always be at the bus stop. The uncle told me he'll set up his stall near the car park sometimes but usually he'll be in his favourite spot.

PS: There's another stall selling Prawn Noodles in Sam Kok Tei which I find it to be quite tasty. Too bad it's not open yesterday. Hmm....Oh well, maybe next time. ;)


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Project-κ 1: Top Curry House

Woohoo! On 23/09/09 was officially the launching of my first Project-κ!! Initially this was not on yesterday's to-do list. But because I couldn't get a room for a planned Karaoke session with my friends, I decided to bring them for lunch at one of the best Indian restaurant in town, Top Curry House! This restaurant has been there for decades it seems, and is usually packed to the brim at lunch hours. Serving banana leave rice is what they are famous for.

Seen here is an array of dishes served in the restaurant. They've got all sorts of meat from chicken to fish to mutton. All cooked in different manner: Varuval (dry), Curry, Fried, whatever! Of course, being an Indian restaurant, there won't be any beef.

We ordered banana leave rice for each of us which comes with a bowl of rice (which you can top up at no extra cost), papadams, ladleful of gravy (choose from fish curry, chicken curry, dhal curry and a vegetable gravy), 4 types of vegetables (seen here are pumpkin, beans with four angled beans, beansprout and pineapple with cucumber), rasam (sourish soup) and if you are lucky (usually on Fridays), they'll give you desserts of watermelon or payasam (sweet milk dessert with sago and condiments). They will cook different types of vegetable everyday. I remember they serve good varuval potatoes at one of those days. It depends on your luck really....sometimes you come and you'll see cabbages instead, while on other days they will serve bayam. Oh! And you can take as MUCH vegetable as you want! You can practically pour everything onto you leave but.....it wouldn't look nice lah......courtesy mah....Hahaha!!

Each set of banana rice costs RM 3.50. Pretty cheap I'll say. Oh and you can get pickles and dried chillies if only you ask from the waiters. Bare in mind that, they have rooms which are air-conditioned and if you are to dine there, the price of your banana leave rice will cost 50 cents more!

We also ordered 2 plates of mutton. Each plate costs RM 5.00. I personally love their Varuval Chicken, but because due to some request from my co-diners, I ordered mutton instead. While their varuval chicken was highly recommended, their mutton is pretty good too. It's soft enough to be torn apart easily and not so strong with the 'mutton smell' (you know....the smell you get when you eat old, matured goats) and the taste of the curry was perfect! Thick and spicy yet subtle enough for a Chinese diner like my friends. (PS: I have a higher tolerance for spiciness ok! LOL!) Same goes with the curry/gravy that you 'bathe' your rice with.....Haha..... It's just perfect with the right consistency, thickness and spiciness!

Top Curry House also sells various types of Indian sweets like Coconut Candy, Milk Candy and laddu. Not to mention some kacang putih, murukku and vadai. I find that the pricing for their sweets are pretty expensive. My Indian friends would recommend me to go to another shop in Seremban's Indian Street where sweets there are much cheaper.

Top Curry House opens everyday serving both lunch and dinner. Lunch usually starts at 11.30am onwards and can drag on until they've completely sold out of their food usually around 2.30pm. While for dinner, there won't be much dishes left for a decent banana leave rice set....so resort in typical Chapattis, Naans or roti canai instead.

Top Curry House is situated in

No 152, Jalan Dato Bandar Tunggal,

70000, Seremban,

 Negeri Sembilan.

Phone no: 06-76722294

Same road with Hotel Milo, turn right after you pass by Seng Heng Electrical shop. :)


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Project-Kappa (κ): Intro

Now, are you sick of friends or coursemates from other states complaining on how sucky and dead Seremban town is?? There are no entertainment, no attractions, no food to eat, bla bla bla.... I may agree that Seremban isn't much of an entertainment hub like Kuala Lumpur or Penang. But to say that we don't have any good food here is nonsical AND unacceptable!!! Seremban is like a hidden jewel in Malaysia for food. Yes, it may not be as commercialised or busy as its counterparts, but being a peaceful and slow-paced town is what make us, Serembanies, love Seremban as it is!! This is where talented and successful people are from.....WE are the examples and WE were born AND raised in Seremban!

So, guys....are you feeling all patriotic for our little town of Seremban now?? Yes? Ok...that's great! And so I came up with something which I'll like to share with all of ya.......a lil' voluntary project, called Project-Kappa. Kappa, κ, as in the Greek alphabet....? Oh, you know.... Alpha, α; Beta, β; Gamma, γ; Delta, δ; Epsilon, ε; Theta, θ; Lambda, λ; Mu, μ; Pi, π; Omega, ω; and Psi, ψ. You've probably heard it during your science studies in secondary school! Anyway....so what the heck is Project-Kappa???

Well, I've been thinking.....since people don't know much about food in Seremban......we'll MAKE them known to others! Cause deep down, I know there are great food out there in and around our beloved town. For instance, Ming Kok Restaurant sells the best Egg Tarts ever; while Sam Kok Tei (Triangle Square) has the smoothest Tau Foo Fa; and Tops Curry House serves the best banana leave rice with their infamous Varuval Chicken! Project-Kappa will cover all types of food, be it Chinese, Indian, Malay, Western, Japanese, Korean, just whatever.........The rule is, it must be around Seremban extending over to Senawang, Port Dickson and Jelebu. Just restrict it to Negeri Sembilan and if possible prioritise Seremban first.

Of course, every post of Project-Kappa will include pictures of the food, address, and pictures of the location for easy access to you guys. It will be great if anyone of you bloggers out there from Seremban, who would like to join me in this project.....We'll go makan together, snap pictures together and give comments together! Or at least, give me some recommendations....I'll go try it out and will post it here!

Why of all Greek alphabets, I chose Kappa? Well.....simply of the fact, Kappa is not an alphabet that is widely used. I came to this term only today when I was reading one of my medical books, Basic Pathology. Haha.....but I think Kappa suits this project because, like Seremban, it is not well known....but nonetheless, it plays a significant role in the medical and physics terminology, just like Seremban producing gifted people like us and being a satellite town of KL and Selangor. Kappa and Seremban has so much in common, don't you think? XD

So, guys.....tell me what you think of this??? Will it work?? Will you support me?? Will you come along with me?? Of course, we'll do this during the holidays.... Tell me, what better way to enjoy your holiday, if not with delicious food? Huh? I know you want to...... *grins*