Yellow Hibiscus

The national flower of Malaysia is the hibiscus. I found this yellow one in the gardens of the condiminium.

Ais Delights in Malaysia

Malaysia can be very hot. Ice cream is not necessarily the answer to cool down, BUT the Malaysians have the answer to this. Here we get Ice Kacang and Cendol. Both are shredded ice deserts and very good! Cendol has some noodles in and some of the local brown sugar. Ice Kacang has some red slightly sweet beans, sweet corn and maybe a dollop of ice cream on top. Which is nicer? The one you start eating first, which could be either one! The price is also good at below RM5 for a huge amount.

Cendol

Ais Kacang

Hari Merdeka

Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) is a national day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule in 1957, celebrated on August 31 each year. In a wider context, it is to celebrate the formation of Malaysia.[1]

On the night of August 30, 1957, crowds gathered at the Royal Selangor Club Padang in Kuala Lumpur to witness the handover of power from the British.

On the morning of Saturday, August 31, 1957, the festivities moved to the newly-completed Merdeka Stadium.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hari_Merdeka

Hari Raya in Malaysia

Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Fitr, Id-ul-Fitr, or Id al-Fitr (Arabic: ‎عيد الفطر ‘Īdu l-Fiṭr), often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm). Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity," while Fiṭr means "breaking (the fast)". The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the thirty days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. The first day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month Shawwal.

Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated for one, two or three days. Common greetings during this holiday are the Arabic greeting ‘Eid Mubārak ("Blessed Eid") or ‘Eid Sa‘eed ("Happy Eid") or "Selamat Hari Raya"(in Malaysia) which means "Happy Eid"

Typically, Muslims wake up relatively early in the morning—always before sunrise— offer Salatul Fajr (the pre-sunrise prayer), and in keeping with the Sunnah (traditions and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), clean one's teeth with a Miswaak or toothbrush, take a shower (Ghusul) before Fajr prayers, put on new clothes (or the best available), and apply perfume.[7]

Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. This has to do with the communal aspects of the fast, which expresses many of the basic values of the Muslim community; i.e., empathy for the poor, charity, worship, steadfastness, patience etc. Fasting is also believed by some scholars to extol fundamental distinctions, lauding the power of the spiritual realm, while acknowledging the subordination of the physical realm. It also teaches a Muslim to stay away from wordly desires and to focus entirely on the Lord and thank him for his blessings. It is a rejuvenation of the religion and it creates a stronger bond between the Muslim and his Lord. After the end of Ramadan, is a big celebration of Eid.[14

In Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, Eid is more commonly known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Idul Fitri or Hari Raya Puasa. Hari Raya, which literally means 'Celebration Day'. Idul Fitri is the biggest holiday in Indonesia and Brunei; and one of the biggest in Malaysia and Singapore. Shopping malls and bazaars are usually filled with people to get things for Lebaran such as ; new clothes, shoes, sandals even food to serve days ahead of Idul Fitri, which creates a distinctive festive atmosphere throughout the country, along with traffic mayhem. Many banks, government and private offices are closed for the duration of the Lebaran festivities.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_ul-Fitr

Celebrated by the Muslims signifies the end of the fasting season of Ramadan for a month. The celebration is determined by sighting of the new moon. This is the most significant celebration for the Muslims. Muslims start the day by congregating in the mosques early in the morning to perform Hari Raya Puasa prayers followed by visits to the graves of the departed.

This festive occasion is greeted with great joy, the young will ask for forgiveness from their elders and everyone will put on new clothes. Open house or invitation for relatives and friends to come to their house is practised. Plenty of traditional Malay delicacies are served during this festive season. Houses are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with the lighting of oil lamps to welcome the angels which is believed to be visiting the earth during the seven days preceding the festival. The celebration lasts for a month which the celebration is concentrated in the first three days.

http://www.regit.com/malaysia/festival/haripuas.htm

Elul or Days of Awe

Elul is the last month on the Jewish civil calendar and starts this year on the 30^th of August. The days of awe starts on this date. The next forty days have special significance. Time is set aside to clean oneself spiritually. This site has very useful information: http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/parashah.html

In the Jewish tradition, the month of Elul is a time of repentance in preparation for the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The word “Elul” is similar to the root of the verb “search” in Aramaic. The Talmud writes that the Hebrew word "Elul" can be expanded as an acronym for "Ani L'dodi V'dodi Li" - "I am to my Beloved and my Beloved is to me." Elul is seen as a time to search one's heart and draw close to God in preparation for the coming Day of Judgement, Rosh Hashanah, and Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.

During the month of Elul, there are a number of special rituals leading up to the High Holy Days. It is customary to blow the shofar every morning (except on Shabbat) from Rosh Hodesh Elul (the first day of the month) until the day before Rosh Hashanah. The blasts are meant to awaken one's spirits and inspire him to begin the soul searching which will prepare him for the High Holy Days. As part of this preparation, Elul is the time to begin the sometimes-difficult process of granting and asking for forgiveness. It is also customary to recite Psalm 27 every day from Rosh Hodesh Elul through Hoshanah Rabbah on Sukkot (in Tishrei).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elul
http://www.aish.com/h/hh/e/guide/48966581.html

Forty days have many meanings. One of them is that it takes 40 days for a baby to be formed within the womb.

I found more Biblical 40 day happenings. See this site for more info: http://www.40day.com/40_in_the_bible.html

Many Believers also take this to be a serious time to reflect and repent and to fast.

See the following site for a 30day fast request: http://www.umjc.org/ :
UMJC (Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations) and MJAA (Messianic Jewish Alliance of America) are calling for 30 days of prayer for protection and spiritual renewal for the land and people of Israel during 30 August - 28 September 2011.

See this site for a 40day fast request by Believers: http://thewatchman.org/en/2011/08/40-day-fast-for-israel/ :

The 40 days from the first of Elul to Yom Kippur became a traditional time of repentance, fasting and prayer among the Jewish people very early on. Very likely our Master went through his 40-day fast recorded in the Gospels during this time.

We believe that this time period is a very special time to stand in the gap for Israel with prayer and fasting, and especially so this year. We are therefore calling for a 40-day fast from the evening of August 30 to the evening of October 8. We are asking intercessors to take turns to fast and pray for Israel during these forty days.

The Jews consider this time also a very significant time for serious praying as can seen from this site:
http://www.westernwallprayers.org/?a_aid=3250632f
There is a powerful Jewish spiritual technique (segula) that one who seeks an answer to his/her prayers should journey to the Western Wall in Jerusalem to pray the same prayer request every day for 40 consecutive days. The segula can also be done by donating to have a pious prayer representative pray 40 days in your place.
It is exceptionally POWERFUL TO PRAY 40 days in a row at the Western Wall (Kotel), because Moses prayed 40 days consecutively on Mt. Sinai and his very difficult prayers were granted.
In case someone thinks this is just a money making racket: Western Wall Prayers is a fundraiser for Kollel Tefilat Moshe - supporting families and Torah-learning in Jerusalem.

Psalm 27

New International Version (NIV)

Of David. ¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
² When the wicked advance against me
to devour^[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
³ Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
⁴ One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
⁵ For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
⁶ Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
⁷ Hear my voice when I call, LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
⁹ Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
¹¹ Teach me your way, LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
¹³ I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+27&version=NIV

Biblical sheep and Chinese writing

I have over the past few days leant that the word for sheep is yáng and is written: 羊. The word for goat or mountain sheep or shānyáng, 山羊. Today I was reading Exodus 12 where it is written about the passover lamb. The Chinese writing for both sheep and goat is actually the same except for adding the mountain symbol to goat. Interestingly to me, the Hebrews could choose any one of the two, but regard them as the same.

Exodus 12:5

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep (羊) or the goats (山羊).

Yesterday I learnt the word for lamb, gāo 羔. This is the baby for sheep or goat. I have learnt before that the 4 dots underneath a character usually has to do with cooking on fire. So I'm looking at this and think why on earth would the baby sheep have fire under him. When I read Exodus today I realized that Biblically and prophetically it meant the Lamb was to be sacrificed.

Exodus 12:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ That same night they are to eat the meat (yáng羊gāo羔de的ròu肉)roasted over the fire (huǒ火), along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.

Pasar Pagi or Boeremark

In Malaysia we have a Pasar Malam or Night Market - a feast to go to. When I was recently in S.A. I had the pleasure of going to the opposite but similar market. In Pretoria is what we call Boeremark or market for the farmers. This happens on Saturdays very early in the morning or as we would say in Malay - Pasar Pagi or Morning Market. There you also get food and food and coffee and more cofee - South African style which means you add your own sugar and milk and there is not a condensed milk tin in sight for kilometers. The cooked food is like pancakes and vetkoek with mince and melkkos - oh boy, I miss it now! One can also buy fresh raw food like meat, chicken, no fish - the sea is way too far away, some vegies and dried fruits. There are clothes to buy, gifts of all sorts and the atmosphere is absolutely great. As I said, just like a Pasar Malam, except it has the South African flavour and goods and it is in the morning. Imagine mid-winter when the temperatures are in the region of 3degrees Celcius. This is a huge difference to a Pasar Malam's temperatures at more or less 28 degrees Celcius every time. Even so, it is great fun and not to be missed if you can help it.

Pixie hat

This is to be for new babies. The socks are knitted from the pattern in this blog.

I increased the toe till 6sts x 4 needles. The footpart is 15 rows and the leg part is 10 rows. The garterstitch at the top is 5 rows.



They should fit a new born baby as you can see from the other pair I made. Here Michael was 2 days old:

The pixie hat I knitted over 3 needles. I started at the top with 3sts and knitted 10 rows i-cord. Then I increased on the 1st st of every needle (3sts per row) every second row. I did this until I had 30sts x 3 needles or 90sts. Then I knitted straight for 15rows. I took the hat to Jusco to measure against the baby hats there, seeing that Michael is now on the other side of the world. It measured maybe 9sts too wide on the t-shirting hats. On the knitted hats I managed to find in Jusco it seemed the right width, but I do not know if that is for a new baby. My guess is that I should aim for 27sts x 3needles or a total of 81sts. I used 4ply yarn and 3.75 double pointed needles. It is quite an easy pattern and all one has to do at the end is work away 2 threads and wha-lah the hat is done.



Chinese Knitting Challenge

I have been very brave and bought a Chinese book with knitting patterns. They look easy enough to do without really having to translate. The idea is to see how many characters I can actually read. I can so far only recognize the characters for mào zi/帽子 or hat. My challenge is to read the book eventually.

I am still on preschool books. In these books I can read probably half of the characters and can follow the stories. I really love the pictures. The little kids look so happy, it make it fun to try read the books.



Block E

A 20 storey condiminium is being built right next to my bedroom window. I guess I will learn all about how tall buildings are being built.

End of week 1.

End of week 2.

Week 3 - Cement blocks arrived to test the strength of the piling and to see if the ground is stable enough to start the building.

Fish for dinner

Today we had fresh fish for dinner again. Apparently it did smell too good. I am not the greatest cook and absolutely worse when it comes to fish. I did remember to ask the guy at the shop to clean the fish. Have forgotton about such things before. When the food was ready, I cut the fish in half and took the head half for myself. That was funny, because I thought I saw another mini, mini fishy in the head. I put my glasses on and there it was. The fish, which was small in any case, had eaten another tiny fish and it was just behind its mouth. When I started eating carefully around all the bones, I discovered the body part of another fishy behind the mini, mini one. This one was bigger than the mini, mini one, but still very small. It had no head or tail, but did have a backbone running all along its body.
I only added lemon juice to the fish, but it was quite salty and needed nothing else. It did not taste like mudfish - as per some previous experiment.

Still uncooked.

The tiny little fish is visible in the head.

Tisha B'Av

Today is Tisha B'Av, a Jewish rememberance day. The fast began last night and ends tonight after sunset. The Biblical book of Lamentations is read on this day.

Tisha B’Av, also known as “The Ninth of Av,” is a fast day that commemorates the destruction of the two Temples. It falls on the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, which usually coincides with late July or mid-August on the secular calendar.

The First Temple was built by King Solomon and was the most important place in ancient Judaism. It was destroyed when the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem in 586 B.C.E. The Second Temple was built on the site of the First Temple and was completed in 516 B.C.E. Sadly, the Second Temple was also destroyed, this time during the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. The destruction of the two Temples took place on the same day – the ninth of Av - about 656 years apart. These two events were so tragic that the ancient rabbis declared the anniversary of the Temples’ destruction a day of mourning. This is the origin of Tisha B'Av. http://judaism.about.com/od/holidays/a/tishabav.htm

 Many tragedies for the Jewish nation happened on the anniversary of this date.

587 BCE (3338)- The First Temple is destroyed by the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar. The Jews are sent into what later became known as the Babylonian Exile.

70 CE (3830)- The Second Temple is destroyed by the Romans, led by Titus.

135 CE (3895) - The Romans defeat Bar Kochba's last fortress, Betar, and destroy his army. Bar Kochba himself is killed along with more than 100,000 other Jews. The Roman Emperor Hadrian turns Jerusalem into a Roman city.

1290 (5050) - King Edward I of England signs an edict expelling all Jews from England.

1492 (5252) - The Alhambra Decree takes effect, expelling the Jews from Spain and from all Spanish territories.

1914 (5674) - World War I begins when Germany declares war on Russia, setting the stage for World War II and the Holocaust.

1940 (5700) - Himmler presents his plan for the "Final Solution" to the Jewish problem to the Nazi Party.

1942 (5702) - Nazis begin deporting Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto.

Sources: Aish.com and "Jewish Literacy," by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin.
http://judaism.about.com/od/holidays/a/Tisha-B-Av-Calamities.htm

There are plenty of interesting sites on this topic.
http://www.ou.org/yerushalayim/tishabav/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tisha_B'Av
http://www.jewfaq.org/holidayd.htm
http://www.aish.com/h/9av/
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/144558/jewish/The-Three-Weeks.htm

Difference between Qing ming and Ghost month

Being a Westerner, I was confused with the two festivals. I found an explantion in the following site: http://taoism.about.com/od/holidays/a/Ghost_Festival.htm :

Honoring & Communicating With The Ancestors

At the time of the Ghost Festival, the lines of communication between the three realms of Heaven, Hell and the Earthly realm of the living are more open than at other times. Because of this, it’s easier to communicate, and rituals of honoring and healing are more effective and powerful.
On Tomb Sweeping Day (Qingming Jie), the living pay homage to their deceased ancestors. In the Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan Jie ) the roles are reversed: the ghosts and spirits pay visits to the living - are the honored guests.

Ghost Festival Offerings To The Ancestors

Offerings made during the Ghost Festival are similar to those of Tomb Sweeping Day, and include: incense, joss paper (“spirit Money” or “Ghost Money”), prepared food, wine and tea, as well as gold and other valuables. While for the Tomb Sweeping Festival these offerings are made at the graves of the ancestors, for the Ghost Festival they are offered in the homes of the living, in the context of elaborate feasts. Traditionally, empty seats are left at the family table, as though the deceased ancestors were actually going to be attending the feast prepared in their honor. In this way, the living and the dead are able to sit down together, and share in a meal.

Sunset in JB in August

As beautiful as ever.

The Ghost Month

This month – 31 July to 28 August 2011 – is Ghost Month.

During this month the Gates of Hell are opened to allow the ghosts and spirits out to visit their families, to feast and to look for victims and capture souls. For many people this is a very dangerous time of the year and many plans are made for safety. Your ancestors must be honoured in various ways and very importantly, offerings need to be made to ghosts without families, so they will not harm you or your family. This is also called the Inauspicious Month.  Walking around in the evening, starting businesses, getting married or travelling should be avoided. Swimming is also not a good idea as some spirits could try and drown you.

Many ritual activities are performed to worship the ancestors. Food is offered, incense burnt, joss paper is burnt as well as plastic or paper material look-alike items of clothes, gold, possessions and money. Sometimes some food is offered at the side of the road with the incense, but sometimes meals are served to the ancestors at the table with empty chairs.

Another activity is the making or buying and releasing small paper boats and lanterns to give directions to the lost ghosts and spirits.

Sometimes live performances are held, which anyone may attend, as long as nobody but the ghosts sit on the front row of seats. The shows are always at night and very noisy as this is pleasing to the ghosts.

The Ghost Month has 3 important dates.

On the first day  (31/7/2011) offerings of food, incense and ghost money are made. These offerings are done on the side of the road.

On the 15^th (14/8/2011) day is the Ghost Festival or Hungry Ghost Festival. The spirits need a big feast to please them and to bring luck to the family. Both the Taoists and Buddhists perform ceremonies on this day to please the ancestors or ease the sufferings of the deceased.

On the last day of the month (28/8/2011) the Gates of Hell are closed again. The Taoist priests will chant to make it known to the spirits that they have to return to the underworld. The spirits are likely to let out unearthly wails of lament.

http://mandarin.about.com/od/festivals/a/ghost_month.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Festival

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Festival