Know the Difference between Cold and Swine Flu Symptoms

Symptom	Cold	Swine Flu
Fever	Fever is rare with a cold.	Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing	A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.	A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches	Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.	Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose	Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.	Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills	Chills are uncommon with a cold.	60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness	Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.	Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing	Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.	Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms	Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.	The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache	A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.	A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
,Sore Throat	Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.	Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort	Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.	Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

About Merdeka Day (Independence Day of Malaysia)

31st August 2009..we will be celebrating our "Independence Day" or popular called by the name "National Day". I don't want to talk much on the history... I'm sure you can read it all in the net.

The last time I went to Merdeka Parade in the morning of August 31 was in 2007. This is the time you see people gathered to refresh their memories about "Independence"...how Malaysia got their independence.

From history...Malaysia especially "The Peninsula" has been raided by so many invaders such as the Portugease, The Dutch, The English , The Japanese etc...the Malays had struggled and fought them...this is a fact that we can't hide.

Ramadhan Al- Mubarak

All Muslims in Malaysia will start fasting today 22/8/2009. Hmm...I've been waiting for this month to come.

Fasting is the fourth of the Five Pillars of Islam and involves fasting during Ramadan.

In Islam, fasting for a month is an obligatory practice during the holy month of Ramadan, from fajr (dawn), until the maghrib (sunset). Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking, angry, smoking, and engaging in sexual intercourse while fasting. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of Islam, and thus one of the most important acts of Islamic worship. By fasting, whether during Ramadan or other times, a Muslim draws closer to Allah by abandoning body pleasures, such as food, drink and sex. This makes the sincerity of their faith and their devotion to Allah all the more evident.

The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Koran was sent down, a guidance for the people, and clear verses of guidance and criterion.

Muslims believe that fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink. It also includes abstaining from any falsehood in speech and action, from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing and fighting, and lustful thoughts. Therefore, fasting strengthens control of impulses and helps develop good behavior.

Fasting also inculcates a sense of fraternity and solidarity, as Muslims feel and experience what their needy and hungry brothers and sisters feel. However, even the poor, needy, and hungry participate in the fast. Moreover, Ramadan is a month of giving charity and sharing meals to break the fast together.

The Siyam is intended to teach Muslims patience and self-control, and to remind them of the less fortunate in the world. The fast is also seen as a debt owed by the Muslim to God. Faithful observance of the Siyam is believed to atone for personal faults and misdeeds, at least in part, and to help earn a place in paradise. It is also believed to be beneficial for personal conduct, that is, to help control impulses, passions and temper. The fast is also meant to provide time for meditation and to strengthen one's faith.

To some people this is the month of agony...but with faith you can overcome the challenge easily. Your stomach need a break...eleven months of eating... it's just like an engine...it can't work the whole life.

I feel sad seeing an adult who is capable to fast not doing it. It just doesn't make sense...my eleven years old daughter tried very hard to finish her fasting for the day...if she can do it...why can't them. My non muslim friends sometime asked me.."Hey...I saw some muslims not fasting...can they do that huh?". I answered...they are muslim but not a good one..hehe..and that's the reason why Islam forbid you eating in the public.

Anyway...I take this oppurtunity to wish all the muslims " Happy Fasting".

The Fisherman Story

Hmm I like this story...which was sent to me by a friend of mine...

"A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village.

An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish & asked "How long it took him to catch them?"

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer & catch more?" asked the American.

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs & those of his family.

The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, & take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, play the guitar, and sing a few songs... I have a full life."

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard, and I can help you!

You should start by fishing longer everyday. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."

"And after that?" asked the Mexican.

"With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one & a third one & so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants & maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village & move to Mexico City , Los Angeles , or even New York City ! From there U can direct your huge new enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican?

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.

"And after that?"

Well, my friend, that's when it gets really interesting, "answered the American, laughing."When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks & make millions!"

"Millions? Really? And after that?" said the Mexican.

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife & spend your evenings doing what you like and enjoying your friends."

"With all due respect sir, but that's exactly what I am doing now. So what's the point wasting twenty-five years?" asked the Mexican.

So, my friends ............... the moral of the story is that ..... know where you're going in life ..... you may already be there !!!"

That's all folks.. The End.