i have read the online line newspaper last month. the opic that i want to share is about the petrol prices. i was edit the sentences so that it can be easier to understand...
Here's some great news. The price of petrol and diesel at the pump will be reduced from Sat,Aug 23.The price of RON97 petrol will be reduced by 15 sen to RM2.55 a litre from RM2.70, while RON92 will be 22 sen less at RM2.40, from RM2.62.The premium Shell V-Power Racing will cost 10 sen less per litre, at RM3.05 from RM3.15.The retail price of diesel will be eight sen less at RM2.50 a litre. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the new prices in a statement after Friday's Cabinet meeting. He said the prices were determined by taking into account the actual price from Aug 1 to 21 and the 30 sen per litre subsidy borne by the government, while the subsidy for diesel, based on the new price, was 50 sen a litre.The cabinet decided to bring forward the enforcement date for adjustment of the new petrol price.For sure, this a good news for us as the consumers, but if we compare the amount of price increase is very large rather than the price decrease we will realize that the government still gaining lot of profit where as the community are facing problems every day. Although the price of fuel decrease, but the price of food stuff remain the same without can be controlled by government or us. Those who are involved in business and enterpreneurship will know that this is the perfect time to make lot of profit and they have the power especially for the chinese. Recently, the ticket price had undergo hiking of price for 30%, thus burdening the consumers who are poor and everybody who are using this facility. Although the government had said that they had tried their best in managing this issues, but the best solution has never been produced and done. We are in dilemma since it is our fault in some cases who are unable to manage the souces of our country properly and keeping dependent on outsiders. It is a big mistake exporting of our own oil without making storage and importing less quality of oil into the country causing us unable to decide our own price but we must follow the world price. We have no other choices except always trying for the best. We hope all problems can be solved and we always hoping like that. May God bless us in our life.
alhamdulillah, i can write this comment after my friend finished his work...firstly, i want to say thanks with my friend because he land his laptop to me..
continue for the topic, i was attracted the article about the Ramadhan and this is the way how i remind my friends about this...so...read this!
RAMADAN comes again with thousand of goodness, thus we as a muslims should grab this chances for our prosperity in the world and the hereafter. One of the ways can be done by contributing your money to Islamic Relief Malaysia (IR Malaysia) Berhad that will devide those charitable property to unlucky people. They are hoping that more people can benefit from its food distribution programme this year.To be able to do that, the non-governmental organisation is banking on contributions from the public so that the poor could have enough to break fast like everyone this month. Called the “Feed the Fasting” food aid programme, this is carried out annually during the Ramadan month, in which Malaysians can donate RM50 to help a poor family sustain for at least a week. The fluctuation and increase of food prices have affected the amount of foodstuff they can pack with RM50. Besides, all people are considering the same facts that they should manage their money properly due to the increase of food prices. But this will not break their effort to accomplish this harmony vision in order to help unfortunate people. This is based on the principle in Islam that encourage us to help others. However, each package this year will still consists of the basic foodstuff like rice, flour, oil, and sugar. It is difficult to tell if those boxes could sustain the poor throughout Ramadan, generally IR Malaysia’s primary aim was to ease their burden. They hope to continue the campaign even during Hari Raya so that they have proper meals to eat during the festive period. In addition, IRM also help in building a library fo an orphanage . They also distribute food for the orphans to break fast.They hoped people could come forward to pledge cash contributions rather than second-hand books as they believed orphans should still receive the best in education. A medical health check-up was also provided for the recipients in Chemor during the distribution campaign.They also hoping more corporations can sponsor them with cash or kind. From this article we can conclude that each person has the responsibilities to help each other although we are not recognizing each other but as a muslims we are siblings in our religion with the same faith and stage. Therefore, there is no excuses to neglect them in our life, and be careful that Allah will ask us what have we done for our religion, if we have done nothing in our life we may be facing diffculties in the hereafter. So, donate your money in the right path rather than wasting them in bad path....Those who wish to contribute can log onto www.irm.org.my or call 03-8948 6334.
John Hancock is an alcoholic with superhuman powers. He uses his powers to stop criminals in his current residence of Los Angeles. Once, his activity inadvertently causes millions of dollars in property damage due to his constant intoxication. As a result, he is routinely jeered at the crime scenes. When public relations spokesperson Ray Embrey departs from an unsuccessful meeting pitching his All-Heart logo for corporations, he becomes trapped on railroad tracks with an incoming freight train. Hancock saves Ray's life, but he causes the train to derail and nearly injures another driver. Hancock is jeered by other drivers for causing more damage. Ray offers to improve Hancock's public image, and Hancock grudgingly accepts. The spokesperson convinces Hancock to permit himself to be jailed for outstanding subpoenas so they can show Los Angeles how much the city really needs Hancock. When the crime rate rises after Hancock's incarceration, the superhero is contacted by the Chief of Police. With a new costume from Ray, Hancock intervenes with a bank robbery, rescuing a cop and stopping the leader of the robbers, Red Parker. After the rescue, Hancock is applauded for handling the bank robbery. The superhero becomes popular once more, as Ray had predicted. He goes out to dinner with Ray and his wife Mary, with whom he reveals his apparent immortality and his amnesia from 80 years ago. After Hancock tucks a drunken Ray in bed, he discovers that Mary also has superhuman powers. He threatens to expose her unless she explains their origins, and she tells him that they have lived for 3,000 years with their powers, having been called gods and angels in their time. The exchange results in a battle between Hancock and Mary that takes them to downtown Los Angeles, causing significant damage to the area. Ray, downtown in a business meeting, sees and recognizes Mary using abilities like Hancock's. Hancock is later shot twice in the torso when he intervenes in a liquor store robbery. After being hospitalized, Mary enters and explains that as the pair of immortals gets close, they begin to lose their powers. After her explanation, the hospital is raided by the bank robber Red Parker and two other criminals that Hancock had encountered during his incarceration. Mary is shot in the process. Hancock is able to stop two men but is further wounded by them. When Red attempts to finish Hancock off, Ray comes to the rescue and stops the bank robber with a fire ax. With Mary nearly dying, Hancock uses the last of his strength to flee from the hospital so that their parting would allow her to heal with her powers. He later winds up in New York City, working as a superhero. As gratitude to Ray, Hancock paints Ray's All-Heart logo on the moon and calls the spokesperson to look up to the worldwide advertisement.
The three main characters are Chew Wah, who is a white-collar worker, but a spendthrift;, a contractor; and Hui , who is a coffee shop waiter, and has a crush on one of his customers, Susan. Keong quits his job after an argument with his boss over a promotion. He is unable to get a new job, due to his lack of academic qualifications and computer illiteracy. With installments and bills to pay, with a family to support, Keong lands heavily in debt. His wife, who dislikes his spending habits, leaves him, taking their daughter with her. Ong borrows S$40,000 from a loan shark, confident that he can clear his debt quickly, as he is about to settle a debt his friend owes him. However, Ong's friend runs away, and Ong, unable to repay the debt within the two-week deadline, gets beaten up by the loan sharks. Ong then runs away to Johor Bahru to hide from the loan sharks and settle his friend's debt. When Hui attempts to woo Susan , JoJo asks him for his mobile phone number. As Hui did not own a mobile phone, he started shopping for one, but instead of the latest model, he ends up buying a Motorola DynaTAC 8000x, mistakenly hearing from Ong the bigger the phone, the better it is. He once went for prostitution in Geylang, but backed out at the last minute when the prostitute arrived. Hui also went out on a date with Susan, but found out that Susan is actually an insurance agent. The three friends manage to raise sufficient capital to start a car-polishing business together. However, after the loan sharks continue pursuing Ong, and Hui's mother is diagnosed with leukaemia and hospitalised subsequently, Ong and Hui decide to withdraw their shares, but without success because they had all used their money to set up the business and buy the equipment. Hui's mother dies. At the walk to the crematorium, the loan sharks show up, but are arrested by the police and jailed for six years for illegal loaning of money and violence. Keong convinces his wife and daughter to enter an obstacle race, and they win the first prize of $100,000, which he uses to pay his creditors. The film ends with the car-polishing business turning them into the directors of Autoglym when an employee is satisfied with their skills and brings them to his manager. It ends with Keong still without money after loaning it all to Hui and Ong.
The film's storyline revolves around the lives and families of three students in the EM3 academic stream. First, Terry, pampered and from a rich family, is a meek and obedient boy, with a domineering mother and businessman father. Second, Kok Pin is driven to excel at school by his mother, but he shows a talent for art, not academics — much to the consternation of his family. Lastly, Boon Hock and his mother struggle to make ends meet with an absent father by running a small wonton noodle stall; to make up for the lack of a father figure, he places high value on loyalty and "manliness" in his friends. The boys are often picked on for being in the "stupid" stream, which eventually leads to a fight during which one of the bullies is accidentally injured. In the principal's office, Boon Hock and Kok Pin explain what happened, but Terry declines to help them and stand up for himself, following his mother's instructions to "mind his own business", which infuriates his friends and causes trouble between the boys. Meanwhile, Terry's father, Mr. Khoo gets in a fight with a man who turns out to be Kok Pin's father, Mr. Liu, over a parking space. Mr. Khoo's company is a client for Mr. Liu's firm, an advertising agency, and their new-found enmity causes Mr. Khoo to select the marketing campaign of John, an American expatriate, over that of Mr. Liu. As John's ideas are totally incompatible with Chinese customs, Mr. Khoo's business suffers as his customers are driven away. As the boys deal with their problems, a new teacher at school helps by inspiring Boon Hock to excel in mathematics, while reaching out the other boys. Kok Pin continues to struggle, and enlists Boon Hock to help him cheat in the preliminary examinations, but they are caught. Unable to face his mother, Kok Pin attempts suicide, but fails. When he finally tells her, she tries to punish him but collapses; a doctor later diagnoses her with leukaemia, and tells Kok Pin that she will die without a bone marrow transplant. As the end of the year approaches, Boon Hock excels in the PSLE mathematics exam, while the other boys manage to scrape by — Kok Pin only marginally. Contrary to Kok Pin's fears, his mother is satisfied because he has tried his best. When visiting Mrs. Liu at the hospital, the EM3 teacher announces that one of Kok Pin's drawings won second prize in an international competition — but the moment is overshadowed by the rush to save Mrs. Liu's life. Mr. Khoo passes the transplant test, but refuses to donate after discovering the intended recipient is his enemy's wife. He eventually relents, but it is revealed that due to a mix-up Terry, not Mr. Khoo, is the suitable donor. Despite protests from his parents, he insists on undergoing the operation, which is a success. A grateful Mr. Liu offers to help Mr. Khoo's business with his proposal. As a result, Mr. Khoo's business booms, and the two enemies become good friends. The film ends with Terry being bullied again, as in the beginning of the movie — but this time, he stands up for himself and fights back.
A book is a set or collection of written, printed , illustrated , or blank sheets, made of paper, parchment or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side.A single sheet within a book is called a leaf, and each side of a leaf is called a page. A book produced in electronic format is known as an e-book. Books may also refer to literature work, or a main division of such a work. In library and information science, a book is called a monograph, to distinguish it from serial periodicals such as magazines, journals or newspaper. The body of all written works including books is literature. In novels, a book may be divided into several large section, also called books. A lover books is usually referred to as a bibliophile, or, more informally a bookworm. A store where books are bought and sold is a bookstore or bookshop. Books can also be borrowed from libraries or obtained for reading through the practice of Book Crossing. A common separation by content are fiction and non-fiction books. By no means are books limited to this classification, but it is a separation that can be found in most collections, libraries, and bookstores. Many of the books published today are fictitious stories. They are in-part or completely untrue or fantasy. Historically, paper production was expensive, too expensive to to be used for entertainment.An increase in global literacy and print technology led to the increased publication of books for the purpose of entertainment and allegorical social commentary. Most fiction is additionally categorized by genre. The novel is the most common form of fictional book. Novels are stories that typical feature a plot, settings, themes and characters. Stories and narrative are not restricted to any topic, a novel can be whimsical, serious or controversial. The novel has had tremendous impact on entertainment and publishing market. In a library, a general type of non fiction book which provides information as opposed to telling a story, essay, commentary, or otherwise supporting a view, is often referred to as a reference book.Apart from that encyclopedia , instruction manuals textbooks are also examples of non fiction books. The paragraph above tell us few thing about books.This information may be useful for us in future.
The word cartoon has various meanings, based on several very different forms of visual art and illustration. The term evolved over time. The original meaning was in fine art, and there cartoon meant a preparatory drawing for a piece of art such as painting or tapestry. The somewhat more modern meaning was that of humorous illustrations in magazines and newspapers. Even more recently there are now several contemporary meanings, including creative visual work for print media ,for electronic media, and even animated films and animated digital media. When a word cartoon is applied to print media, it most often refers to a humorous single-panel drawing or gag cartoon, most of which have captions and do not use speech balloons. The word cartoon is not often used to refer to a comic strip. The artists who draw cartoons are known as cartoonists. Because of the stylistic similarities between comic strips and early animated movies, "cartoon" came to refer to animation, and this is the sense in which "cartoon" is most commonly used today.
A book is a set or collection of written, printed , illustrated , or blank sheets, made of paper, parchment or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side.A single sheet within a book is called a leaf, and each side of a leaf is called a page. A book produced in electronic format is known as an e-book. Books may also refer to literature work, or a main division of such a work. In library and information science, a book is called a monograph, to distinguish it from serial periodicals such as magazines, journals or newspaper. The body of all written works including books is literature. In novels, a book may be divided into several large section, also called books. A lover books is usually referred to as a bibliophile, or, more informally a bookworm. A store where books are bought and sold is a bookstore or bookshop. Books can also be borrowed from libraries or obtained for reading through the practice of Book Crossing. A common separation by content are fiction and non-fiction books. By no means are books limited to this classification, but it is a separation that can be found in most collections, libraries, and bookstores. Many of the books published today are fictitious stories. They are in-part or completely untrue or fantasy. Historically, paper production was expensive, too expensive to to be used for entertainment.An increase in global literacy and print technology led to the increased publication of books for the purpose of entertainment and allegorical social commentary. Most fiction is additionally categorized by genre. The novel is the most common form of fictional book. Novels are stories that typical feature a plot, settings, themes and characters. Stories and narrative are not restricted to any topic, a novel can be whimsical, serious or controversial. The novel has had tremendous impact on entertainment and publishing market. In a library, a general type of non fiction book which provides information as opposed to telling a story, essay, commentary, or otherwise supporting a view, is often referred to as a reference book.Apart from that encyclopedia , instruction manuals textbooks are also examples of non fiction books. The paragraph above tell us few thing about books.This information may be useful for us in future.
I have read an article about the ‘leaf vegetable’ in http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/l/leaf_vegetable.htm. Everybody has already known that vegetables are good for our health. However, I am sure that not everyone practices this good habit including my brother. They should know that leaf vegetables are low in calories, low in fat, high in protein per calorie, high in dietary fiber, high in iron and calcium, and very high in phytochemicals such as vitamin C, vitamin A, lutein and folic acid which are mostly good for their health. So, I hope that the people will realize about the goodness of practices this healthy nutrition.
all the muslim people happy when the fasting month arrived. that is ramadhan.so, this is some input about the advantages of fasting.
Fasting has many physical and spiritual benefits. It keeps away human being from animal desires. Fast is so effective in making a righteous man and society.
The medical advantages of fast are very much, so that it’s no need to explanation and repetition and most of people know its benefits.Here are some of these advantages:
Human’s stomach and digestive system are the active members of body. Their main task, is to digest the eaten foods. In fasting, these members rest and fatness which is harmful for body, will be diminished.
In Islamic narrations, it’s referred to the physical benefits of fast, Holy PROPHET (S) stated:“Fast is for health.” Also in many narrations, our Islamic Leaders stated: “Human being’s stomach likes the home of disease and avoidance of eating ,is its treatment.”
It is clear when these medical benefits are useful that a person who is fasting, avoids gluttony, at the time of fast's breaking, because it hurts digestive system.
By making progress of medical sciences, physicians have found that, withholding from eating and drinking, is the best method of treatment. One of the physicians says: “Treatment by fast is so resultful.Then using it,will change medical and surgical programs.”
Fast open a new window to medical science. Fast gives an effective weapon to this science for fighting with diseases. The weapon in which we can use in different ways and human being will be the winner of this war. “By fasting and withholding we can treat disease.”
You should know that fast is not harmful for people's health . If someone is sick , fast is not obligatory to him.
Some persons (who don’t fast) say that Peptic Ulcer disease is made by fast, but this is not correct and you should not attend to their opinion because stomach rests in fasting and when you fast your stomach acid is neutralized by Bile and Peptic Ulcer disease is not created.
Majority of Muslims fast in Ramadhan month and they don’t complain about this sickness and the number of Peptic Ulcer more than the others. But we should say that the most important advantages of fast are not its medical benefits, although some persons just consider this aspect. While fast spiritual benefits are better than its physical advantages.
aAssalamualaikum and Hello.. I'm already mention about one comedy story. So, I want to share with you all.Enjoy your raeding. This is the story:
There are three engineers in a car; an electrical engineer, a chemical engineer and a Microsoft engineer. Suddenly the car just stops by the side of the road, and the three engineers look at each other wondering what could be wrong. The electrical engineer suggests stripping down the electronics of the car and trying to trace where a fault might have occurred. The chemical engineer, not knowing much about cars, suggests that maybe the fuel is becoming emulsified and getting blocked somewhere. Then, the Microsoft engineer, not knowing much about anything, comes up with a suggestion, "Why don’t we close all the windows, get out, get back in, open the windows again, and maybe it'll work!?"
So. what?? It's that make your smile??. After this you all also can tell the other people about this story.
MALACCA: Lim Geok Kim and his wife Meng Yeok are still mourning the loss of their son Ricky who died after completing his three-month national service stint recently.
Now, they are traumatised at the thought of their only surviving child, Jane, 17, being selected to undergo NS training and are adamant not to let her go.
“We are not going to push our luck this time. She will stay with us at home no matter what,” added Lim, 46, yesterday who is a renovation worker from Tanjung Kling. Jane (left) and Meng Yeok holding up a photo of Ricky as Lim looks on in Malacca Sunday.
“If the authorities want to catch anyone, just take us both. We will not let her go.”
Although they do not blame the authorities for the son’s death, the couple said they could not risk losing Jane.
“Our family was only just recently united after Ricky’s three-month absence from home,” he said during a press conference held by Kota Melaka MP Sim Tong Him.
They had recently found out from the NS website that Jane was selected for training.
Ricky, 20, had returned after his NS training on Sept 6 and died on Sept 15.
The SMK Catholic High student did not complain of any illness or pain prior to his death but he did complain about the camp’s hygiene and yellowish water supply.
Do you know about Alzeimer's disease?? here's some information about it.
If you are above 65 years old and often forget what you had for breakfast, you and the family may laugh away the matter.
But when your forgetfulness worsens to a situation where you are holding the car keys and wondering what to do with them, it is no more a laughing matter.
You may be one of 50,000 Malaysians with Alzheimer's Disease (AD).
This is, however, not a death sentence as AD is treatable.
Kuala Lumpur Hospital geriatrician Dr Lee Fatt Soon said the earlier the problem was detected, the better the chances of managing it. He said those who contracted AD would not die of the disease but of other risk factors like diabetes or high-blood pressure. "As you undergo degeneration of the brain, you can't take care of yourself. Some people have problems swallowing, some people fall and hurt themselves badly," he told a seminar in conjunction with World Alzheimer's Day.
The seminar was organised by the Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) and Novartis Corporation Malaysia. Senior lecturer in Geriatric Medicine at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Dr Chin Ai-Vryn, said AD was a progressive disease with patients living up to five to 12 years after diagnosis. "When a patient or his family starts to worry about his memory loss, seek help immediately." Patients diagnosed early can still perform normal tasks and be reasonably independent.
"People who smoke, do not exercise, have a poor diet or high-blood pressure or diabetes are more prone to contracting AD in their later years," he said. ADFM chairman Datuk Dr Yim Khai Kee said World Alzheimer's Day 2008, with the theme "No time to lose!", was a platform to gain recognition and support for patients.
hello, actually , i want to share with all of you about the past national leader..he is Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad.He is more efficient and better in his predecessors.The winds of change brought about by this formidable leader heve touched every aspect of Malaysian life,economic,social,political and cultural.The article that i read said he was born in Alor Star on 20th December 1925.he received his early education in Maktab Sultan Abdul Hamid.After completing his secondary education,he took up medicine atb the King Edward College of Medicine in the University of Singapore and graduated with an MBBS degree in medicine.thats all... by, yein-ec08034
Hye, Do you know about WOODBALL? I think many of you do not know about it.I choose the woodball because i am a player.Actually,the sport and recreational game of woodball was introduced into Malaysia in 1995 by it’s promoter Mr. Thomas Kok. The game is played similar to golf with a swinging tee-shot and putting strokes. Being a visually exciting game which looks deceptively easy to play but ‘hard to master’it soon caught the interest of many people.
Within a very short time the first woodball course in Malaysia was built on a public road reserve in Taman OUG, Kuala Lumpur. Soon thereafter with the support of the City Council of Kuala Lumpur who had allowed the association to use the area and the support of the increasing players the Association of Woodball Recreation, Kuala Lumpur was formed. Subsequently the game grew, attracting players from all parts of the country resulting in a need for a national association. Thus, the name was changed to Malaysia Woodball Association with the Registrar of Societies in 1999.
In year 2008 Malaysia Woodball Association was approved and accepted as an associate member of Malaysia Olympic Council and Woodball was recognized and accepted as one of the 17 Sports in the 1st BALI ASIAN BEACH GAMES 2008 TO BE HELD IN BALI, INDONESIA.
Thats all.I think you should try it.it is so interesting. by, Yein-ec08034
Why do people sleep too much? For people who suffer from hypersomnia, oversleeping is actually a medical disorder. The condition causes people to suffer from extreme sleepiness throughout the day, which is not usually relieved by napping. It also causes them to sleep for unusually long periods of time at night. Many people with hypersomnia experience symptoms of anxiety, low energy, and memory problems as a result of their almost constant need for sleep.
Obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder that causes people to stop breathing momentarily during sleep, can also lead to an increased need for sleep. That's because it disrupts the normal sleep cycle.
Of course, not everyone who oversleeps has a sleep disorder. Other possible causes of oversleeping include the use of certain substances, such as alcohol and some prescription medications. Other medical conditions, including depression, can cause people to oversleep. And then there are people who simply enjoy sleeping for long periods of time.So,dont try this at home.haha.. by, yein-ec08034
PEACE! There have been numerous wars and armed conflicts throughout the history of mankind. The use of violence as a means to settle conflict was most clearly seen in the two world wars of the century where millions of lives were lost in a conflict over seemingly puerile issues which could have been resolved by peaceful negotiation. Many people are skeptical at the prospect of everlasting peace and their cynicism leads them to scoff at others who wish for peace in the world. I strongly feel that cynical people who do not believe in peace are basically just too jaded about life. Their failure to appreciate the desire for peace stems not from a strong conviction against it possibility, but, rather, from a fear that they would be seen as a weak and a idealistic person. It is such so-called realistic and rational who prevent peace from becoming a reality, as they feel that violence is justified and necessary. If everybody is willing to work out conflicts by consensus and discussions, than war become absolutely unnecessary. Imagine two world leaders at opposite fronts, but who are, nevertheless, both committed to peace. The very probability of conflict and war between them and their parties would become much lower, if not none at all. If however, only one of them is skeptical and cynical over prospects of peace than he may opt for the easy way out; which is to wage war. The ideal is has to be firmly believed before it can become a reality. If Columbus never believed in the New Land, then he would never ever stumble across America. It is absolutely important that a person should hope and believe that peace is possibility for it to become reality. If no one in the world talks about peace, then it would never come about. Only by taking this first step of convincing ourselves on the possibility of world peace, can we move forward and create more concrete measures to make it reality. Although wars have occurred frequently throughout human history, it has to be a permanent feature forever. Instead, we should try to change and adapt so that progress of the entire human race can be achieved. All we have to do is hope and believe.
Dad's Blessings A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold. Angry, he raised his voice to his father and said "With all your money, you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. And as he did, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words PAID IN FULL.
The Making Of A Mother By the time the Lord made mothers, He was into the sixth day working overtime. An Angel appeared and said "Why are you spending so much time on this one?"
And the Lord answered and said, "Have you read the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not elastic; have 200 movable parts, all replaceable; run on black coffee and leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart; and have six pairs of hands."
The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. "Six pairs of hands! No way!" said the Angel.
The Lord replied, "Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem. It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!"
"And that's on the standard model?" the Angel asked.
The Lord nodded in agreement, "Yep, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head are to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair are here in the front of her head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word."
The Angel tried to stop the Lord "This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."
"But I can't!" The Lord protested, "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower."
The Angel moved closer and touched the woman, "But you have made her so soft, Lord."
"She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."
"Will she be able to think?" asked the Angel.
The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate."
The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like You have a leak with this model. I told You that You were trying to put too much into this one."
"That's not a leak." the Lord objected. "That's a tear!"
"What's the tear for?" the Angel asked.
The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride."
The Angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything for this one. You even created the tear!"
The Lord looked at the Angel and smiled and said, "I'm afraid you are wrong again. I created the woman, but she created the tear!"
Assalamualaikum and hello everyone. Now I would like to tell you all one story a nightmare.. So, if you not brave, please don't read this story. The title of the story is The Ghost of Mary Celeste
On the afternoon of December 5th 1872 a ship called the Dei Gratia was sailing from the Azores towards the Portuguese coast. Captain Morehouse was standing on the bridge of his ship, looking out to sea. Looking troubled, he called to his First Lieutenant.
‘Look over there,’ said Captain Morehouse. ‘Do you recognise that ship?’ A look of great surprise came on the First Lieutenant’s face. ‘It’s the Mary Celeste!’ he said. The Mary Celeste was the sister ship of the Dei Gratia. It had left New York a week before the Dei Gratia.
‘What’s it doing here?’ asked the First Lieutenant. ‘And why is it just blowing in the wind like that?’ More men came out onto the deck. They watched the Mary Celeste drifting slowly on the tide.
‘This is very strange,’ said Captain Morehouse ‘I’ve known Captain Briggs for many years. He wouldn’t allow his ship to drift like that ... ’ ‘What can we do, Captain?’ ‘There's only one thing we can do,’ said Captain Morehouse. ‘We need to find out what is going on.’
Captain Morehouse sailed out to the Mary Celeste in a small boat. As they got closer, it became obvious that something was wrong. The deck of Celeste was deserted and there were no signs of life. The men from the Dei Gratia boarded the ship. ‘Ahoy there!’ they cried. ‘Is anyone here?’
But there was no answer. Neither Captain Briggs, nor his wife and daughter nor his seven crew were anywhere on the ship. ‘They’ve all gone,’ said the first lieutenant. ‘It’s like a ghost ship
The UEFA Champions League is UEFA's most prestigious club competition. It was originally created as the European Champion Clubs' Cup for the 1955/56 season, before its format and name were changed in 1992. Real Madrid CF and AC Milan have been the most successful sides in the UEFA Champions League, winning the competition three times. Madrid are also the most successful side overall with nine triumphs, followed by seven for Milan and five for Liverpool FC.
The UEFA Champions League is open to each national association's domestic champions, as well as clubs who finish just behind them in their respective domestic championship. The number of clubs that can be entered by an association and their entry point in the competition depends on the association's position in UEFA's coefficient ranking list.
PAS... Its not about politic, just to inform a little bit about this party.... The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party or the Islamic Party of Malaysia (Malay: Parti Islam Se-Malaysia), commonly known as PAS or Pas, is an Islamist political party in Malaysia and is currently headed by Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang. PAS positions itself as a political party that aims to establish Malaysia as a country based on Islamic legal theory derived from the primary sources of Islam, the Quran, Sunnah as well as Hadiths, as opposed to Barisan Nasional's Islam Hadhari, which PAS sees as based on a watered-down understanding of Islam.
The party enjoys strong support from the northern rural and conservative states such as Kelantan and Terengganu. It is also the first opposition party in independent Malaysia's history to defeat the Barisan Nasional coalition in a Malay dominated state. PAS, together with Parti KeADILan Rakyat (known as PKR), and Democratic Action Party (known as DAP) formed part of a coalition called Pakatan Rakyat following the 2008 election. Together, Pakatan Rakyat now controls five states in Malaysia which is Kelantan, Kedah, Selangor, Perak and Penang.
Sharia law PAS has publicly stated its intent to instate what it claims to be sharia law, including the full range of criminal laws, such as the death penalty for apostasy (murtad) only applied for Muslim that convert to another religion, but has so far been stymied in a court battle.
PAS strongly support the sharia law to oppose apostasy. On 5 November 2006, an estimated 5,000 people gathered in front of a church in Ipoh after false information concerning more than 100 Muslim would apostasize was spread.[citation needed]
See also: 2006 Ipoh apostasy protest Moves by PAS to extend the already implemented sharia laws, such as by limiting the sale of alcoholic beverage, forbidden to Muslims, and a ban on gambling. In 1999 the Terengganu Government passed the Hudud and Qisas bill which drew much opposition, and eventually prompted the Democratic Action Party to leave the Barisan Alternatif coalition.[citation needed]
assalamualaikum.. Introduction to islam. The literal meaning of Islam is peace; surrender of one’s will i.e. losing oneself for the sake of God and surrendering one’s own pleasure for the pleasure of God. The message of Islam was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) 1, 400 years ago. It was revealed through angel Gabriel (on whom be peace) and was thus preserved in the Holy Quran. The Holy Quran carries a Divine guarantee of safeguard from interpolation and it claims that it combines the best features of the earlier scriptures.
The prime message of Islam is the Unity of God, that the Creator of the world is One and He alone is worthy of worship and that Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) is His Messenger and Servant. The follower of this belief is thus a Muslim - a Muslim’s other beliefs are: God’s angels, previously revealed Books of God, all the prophets, from Adam to Jesus (peace be on them both), the Day of Judgement and indeed the Decree of God. A Muslim has five main duties to perform, namely; bearing witness to the Unity of God and Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) as His Messenger, observing the prescribed prayer, payment of Zakat, keeping the fasts of Ramadhan and performing the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Islam believes that each person is born pure. The Holy Quran tells us that God has given human beings a choice between good and evil and to seek God’s pleasure through faith, prayer and charity. Islam believes that God created mankind in His image and by imbuing the attributes of God on a human level mankind can attain His nearness. Islam’s main message is to worship God and to treat all God’s creation with kindness and compassion. Rights of parents in old age, orphans and the needy are clearly stated. Women’s rights were safeguarded 1,400 years ago when the rest of the world was in total darkness about emancipation. Islamic teachings encompass every imaginable situation and its rules and principles are truly universal and have stood the test of time.
In Islam virtue does not connote forsaking the bounties of nature that are lawful. On the contrary one is encouraged to lead a healthy, active life with the qualities of kindness, chastity, honesty, mercy, courage patience and politeness. In short, Islam has a perfect and complete code for the guidance of individuals and communities alike. As the entire message of Islam is derived from the Holy Quran and indeed the Sunnah and Hadith (the traditions and practices of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings on him) it is immutable in the face of change in time and place. It may appear rigid to the casual eye, in actual fact it is most certainly an adaptable way of life regardless of human changes.
Islam teaches that the path to spiritual development is open to all. Any individual who searches the One Creator can seek nearness to God through sincere and earnest worship; it is central to establishing a relationship with the Almighty. This positive message for humanity fills hearts with hope and courage.
At present there are 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide and they form the majority in more than 50 countries of the world. Today Islam is the fastest growing faith in the world - its beautiful message is reaching millions in the far corner of the earth.
Because English is so widely spoken, it has often been referred to as a "world language", the lingua franca of the modern era. While English is not an official language in most countries, it is currently the language most often taught as a second language around the world. Some linguists believe that it is no longer the exclusive cultural sign of "native English speakers", but is rather a language that is absorbing aspects of cultures worldwide as it continues to grow. It is, by international treaty, the official language for aerial and maritime communications.[citation needed] English is an official language of the United Nations and many other international organizations, including the International Olympic Committee.
English is the language most often studied as a foreign language in the European Union (by 89% of schoolchildren), followed by French (32%), German (18%), and Spanish (8%).In the EU, a large fraction of the population reports being able to converse to some extent in English. Among non-English speaking countries, a large percentage of the population claimed to be able to converse in English in the Netherlands (87%), Sweden (85%), Denmark (83%), Luxembourg (66%), Finland (60%), Slovenia (56%), Austria (53%), Belgium (52%), and Germany (51%).Norway and Iceland also have a large majority of competent English-speakers.[citation needed]
Books, magazines, and newspapers written in English are available in many countries around the world. English is also the most commonly used language in the sciences. In 1997, the Science Citation Index reported that 95% of its articles were written in English, even though only half of them came from authors in English-speaking countries.
1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING . . . But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.
2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION . . . Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER . . . Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE . . . It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT . . . A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR . . . Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE . . . There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
8) THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION . . . The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.
Because you are my friend I would do for you all that my heart and my soul and body are capable of doing.
I would cry with you and share your burdens when you are down.
I would laugh with you and rejoice with you when you have achieved.
I would be there when you want my company and I would be gone when you do not.
But do not expect perfection from me, for the day shall come when I let you down and you will be hurt.
And when I let you down, it will not be because I desire to hurt you, nor because I do not still love you. It will only be because I am human and that is one frailty from which no one can escape.
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly One day a small opening appeared He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours It struggled to force its body through that little hole Then it seemed to stop making any progress It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could And it could go no farther.
So the man decided to help the butterfly He took a pair of scissors and snipped off The remaining bit of the cocoon.
The butterfly then emerged easily, BUT, It had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings He continued to watch the butterfly He expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge And the body would contract Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling Around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It was never able to fly.
The man acted with well-intentioned kindness But he didn't understand the consequences. The restricting cocoon and the struggle required to get Through the tiny opening, were nature's way of forcing fluid From the body of the butterfly once it achieved it's freedom From the cocoon.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If nature allowed us to go through life without any Obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could have been And we could never fly Have a great day, great life, and struggle a little. Then fly!
Love songs are everywhere. But does anyone have a definition of love, which — people claim — makes the world go around? Sure, it's easy to tell when you're in love with someone. [The heart pounds and you act like an idiot.] But it's much harder to say if you actually love someone.
Enter the mind of Harry Jenkins, as he is about to make love to Natasha,
And then he laughed at himself as he sank beneath the covers. No sane man would question such free and voluptuous pleasure, as if it could only be valued through thought. Only an idiot or a fool would try to analyze love and passion.
Nonetheless, like the fool, I seek a definition. Perhaps it is the lawyer in me. On the subject of love, Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist, is a sobering read. All of us, supposedly, carry within us, an animus [if you're female] and an anima [if you're male], which is the idealized image of the person you love. And so, when you are in love you are projecting this idealized image on a real, live person who might be naturally quite entitled to be different.
After the honeymoon, those annoying little cracks in the image appear, which could certainly explain the high divorce rate. When you find the real person doesn't exactly match your superimposed ideal, what do you do?
All of these thoughts led me to explore people's ideas of all kinds of love, not just the romantic variety, in Final Paradox, the second in The Osgoode Trilogy.
Harry Jenkins is the lawyer protagonist throughout the trilogy, which contain story lines of murder and fraud. He is in the thrall of the beautiful Natasha. His aging father, who abandoned him as a child, has just asked his forgiveness. Harry can't seem to find that in his heart. Natasha asks him—
What do you think love is? He shrugged. "I don’t know. It's about wanting someone as part of your life. Wanting them always with you." He looked into her eyes. "Why? What do you think?"
"I think it's about getting outside yourself and seeing another person's life from their point of view. At least that's a start," Natasha replied.
Harry heard his father's words. It's all about you, is it? Would he always be the kid, he wondered?
Another character musing about love is Norma Dinnick — an elderly client of Harry's who trips back and forth between lucidity and madness. She recollects her stew of feelings for various men.
Going back to her hotel, Norma tried to understand. She knew about affection and caring from Arthur, her husband, who kept her safe from the emptiness. But she did not understand this business of love, which David talked about. She did know that such emotions gave her a sense of power. The sheer lust she experienced in the presence of George made her feel weak and vulnerable.
Norma simply doesn't understand about love and neither does Bronwyn — another character. An embittered soul, she has married a gay man and on her honeymoon - She wandered the narrow beach of sand and stone where the boats ferried back and forth to the grottos. No Peter. But then she saw him at a distance on the beach walking slowly with a younger man she did not know. Where had they come from? Right from the start, she had known. Of course, the bargain was unspoken, but well understood. For money and security, Bronwyn had sacrificed any chance for love.
But in the end, Harry does begin to get it. In bed with the lovely Natasha, he was
…transported outside his own body, he was overcome with the desire to know the dreams, fantasies and mysteries she held within. He would enter her world with love and understanding and never leave. The awe he felt in her closeness made his breathing slow and deepen in rhythm with hers. He watched his hand reach out of the shadows to smooth the sheet. She was at last in his bed and, fearing a mirage, he dared not wake her. In the past two weeks, his world had been shaken. His mind had become a jumble of colliding, conflicting events and consequences. Now he felt her power to draw his life together. A still peace gently settled over him like a silken web of meaning.
During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke.
I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?
I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello'."
I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
Second Important Lesson: Pickup in the Rain
One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African-American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxi cab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him.
Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."
Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.
Third Important Lesson: Always remember those who serve you
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.
By now, more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied." The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.
When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
Fourth Important Lesson: The Obstacle in Our Path
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.
The peasant learned what many of us never understand. Every obstacle presents an oportunity to improve our condition.
Fifth Important Lesson: Giving When it Counts
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.
I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save her."
As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?" Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
You see understanding and attitude, after all, is everything.
"Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt.
Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
Most of what I really need to know about how to live and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.
These are the things I learned:
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life.
Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.
Remember the little seed in the plastic cup? The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the plastic cup -- they all die. So do we.
And then remember the book about Dick and Jane and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all: look.
Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and sane living.
Think what a better world it would be if we all -- the whole world -- had cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and cleaned up our own messes. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.
Most of us who are overweight would definitely like to lose weight and if possible to lose it quickly. We are not happy with our appearance and worried about the health effects of the excess poundage. We sooner or later come to the decision to do something about it.
Sometimes,particularly if a special occasion is coming up we want to lose weight fast. Maybe it is a high school reunion and we just don't want to appear there grossly overweight. Maybe it is summer vacation time and we want to look good on the beach in a swimsuit.
Whatever the reason we want to lose weight fast. Or as fast as we possibly can at any rate. We don't expect miracles but we surely could use one to show us how to lose weight fast.
Actually how much weight you can lose,and how fast you can lose it,depends a lot on how much overweight you are to begin with. If you are considerably overweight you can expect to lose about one pound per day on a good diet plan. Anything faster than that would involve serious fasting and food deprivation and could be dangerous to your health.
Don't pay any attention to diet ads which promise to take off 30 pounds in a week or something to that effect. It's just not true and can't be done. If a diet program can show you how to lose weight fast that is great. But not too fast please.
If you are say twenty pounds or so overweight,you should not expect to lose more than one pound per day on any reasonable diet. You could lose weight fast by fasting but you should to do that only under medical supervision by your doctor.
You should not fast completely with nothing to eat at all. A modified fast in which you eat only small quantities of solid food and plenty of liquids can be alright for many people. But once more anything this drastic should be attempted only after seeking advice from your doctor.
If you really want to know how to lose weight fast the simple answer is that you will be much better off to lose weight at a slower rate. A gradual weight loss needs much less change in your lifestyle and is definitely much simpler to achieve.
If you push yourself into a crash diet you may lose weight fast,but as soon as you come off the diet you will gain it all back again quite quickly and your efforts will have been in vain. Don't do this.It is simply not worthwhile.
The new generation of diets which are based on sound research are easy to stay on for the long term. You can choose the foods you want to eat instead of having to go on a menu of foods you may not like at all. You can lose many pounds and keep the weight off very easily bvy staying with the diet program.
More and more acne sufferers are now turning to treating their skin condition naturally. This is because doctors are now too quick to prescribe an oral drug for a problem that can be controlled with a nutritious diet and a healthier lifestyle. No drug will cure anything if you're continually feeding the cause with poor lifestyle habits.
Doctors won't prescribe a healthy, natural approach to treating acne because prescribing drugs is what keeps them in their job. Continual use of drugs can cause unwanted side effects, and this is what is putting more an more people off of visiting their doctor for the treatment of their acne.
So what would be your best approach to treating your skin? First of it's important to keep your skin clean, and you can do this easily with a medicated, anti-bacterial soap. It doesn't need to be a prescription strength chemical based soap, it can be one that you can buy straight of the shelf in your local grocery store. As long as it kills bacteria and keeps your skin clean there's nothing else you need it to do.
All you need to do is wash your skin morning and night, and this is to wash away all the dead skin cells, oil and bacteria. Doing this gives your skin the room it needs to breath, and leaves less on your skin to clog up any pores.
Keeping your skin moist is very important. Dry skin can encourage acne, and cause the pores to become more clogged. Drinking plenty of water every day will help your skin stay supple and moist. You should aim for at least 8 glasses of water spread out through the day. If you body becomes dehydrated your skin will become too dry, and then your acne can get worse.
Eat a diet that is filled with foods full of nutrition. Fresh fruit and vegetables are the foods you need your diet to consist of the most. Your body relies on vitamins and minerals to function properly, and your skin needs them for it to look good too.
If you want to eat junk food that is filled with fat, and has zero nutritional value then your skin will reflect what you're putting into your body.
A diet that is filled with these poor foods also puts more toxins into your body, and these toxins put a strain on your internal organs. When your internal organs have to work harder this has an effect on the way your skin looks, and also has an effect on your energy levels.
Regular exercise helps keep your skin clear. Exercise helps your body excrete toxins through sweating, and it also gives all of your internal organs a good workout. Your blood pumps faster, and exercise will release endorphins so you feel better, and when you feel better you look better.
Using these tips for clearer skin will have a much more positive effect on your life than taking drugs for a year or two that only mask a cause of your acne.
TRUE!-NERVOUS--very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am! but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses--not destroyed--not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily--how calmly I can tell you the whole story.
It is impossible to tell how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night. Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man. He had never wronged me. He had never given me insult. For his gold I had no desire. I think it was his eye! Yes, it was this! One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture--a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees--very gradually--I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever.
Now this is the point. You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me. You should have seen how wisely I proceeded--with what caution--with what foresight--with what dissimulation I went to work!
I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him. And every night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his door and opened it--oh, so gently! And then, when I had made an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark lantern, all closed, closed, so that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my head. Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in! I moved it slowly--very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man's sleep. It took me an hour to place my whole head within the opening so far that I could see him as he lay upon his bed. Ha!--would a madman have been so wise as this? And then, when my head was well in the room, I undid the lantern cautiously--oh, so cautiously--cautiously (for the hinges creaked)--I undid it just so much that a single thin ray fell upon the vulture eye. And this I did for seven long nights--every night just at midnight--but I found the eye always closed; and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye. And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber, and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he had passed the night. So you see he would have been a very profound old man, indeed, to suspect that every night, just at twelve, I looked in upon him while he slept.
Upon the eighth night I was more than usually cautious in opening the door. A watch's minute hand moves more quickly than did mine. Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own powers--of my sagacity. I could scarcely contain my feelings of triumph. To think that there I was, opening the door, little by little, and he not even to dream of my secret deeds or thoughts. I fairly chuckled at the idea; and perhaps he heard me; for he moved on the bed suddenly, as if startled. Now you may think that I drew back--but no. His room was as black as pitch with the thick darkness (for the shutters were close fastened, through fear of robbers), and so I knew that he could not see the opening of the door, and I kept pushing it on steadily, steadily.
I had my head in, and was about to open the lantern, when my thumb slipped upon the tin fastening, and the old man sprang up in bed, crying out: "Who's there?"
I kept quite still and said nothing. For a whole hour I did not move a muscle, and in the meantime I did not hear him lie down. He was still sitting up in the bed listening;--just as I have done, night after night, hearkening to the death watches in the wall.
Presently I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror. It was not a groan of pain or grief--oh no!--it was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe. I knew the sound well. Many a night, just at midnight, when all the world slept, it has welled up from my own bosom, deepening, with its dreadful echo, the terrors that distracted me. I say I knew it well. I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I chuckled at heart. I knew that he had been lying awake ever since the first slight noise, when he had turned in the bed. His fears had been ever since growing upon him. He had been trying to fancy them causeless, but could not. He had been saying to himself: "It is nothing but the wind in the chimney--it is only a mouse crossing the floor," or "it is merely a cricket which has made a single chirp." Yes, he had been trying to comfort himself with these suppositions; but he had found all in vain. All in vain; because Death, in approaching him. had stalked with his black shadow before him, and enveloped the victim. And it was the mournful influence of the unperceived shadow that caused him to feel--although he neither saw nor heard--to feel the presence of my head within the room.
When I had waited a long time, very patiently, without hearing him lie down, I resolved to open a little--a very, very little crevice in the lantern. So I opened it--you cannot imagine how stealthily, stealthily--until, at length, a single dim ray, like the thread of the spider, shot from out the crevice and full upon the vulture eye.
It was open--wide, wide open--and I grew furious as I gazed upon it. I saw it with perfect distinctness--all a dull blue, with a hideous veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones; but I could see nothing else of the old man's face or person: for I had directed the ray, as if by instinct, precisely upon the damned spot.
And now--have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over-acuteness of the senses?--now, I say, there came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I knew that sound well too. It was the beating of the old man's heart. It increased my fury, as the beating of a drum stimulates the soldier into courage.
But even yet I refrained and kept still. I scarcely breathed. I held the lantern motionless. I tried how steadily I could maintain the ray upon the eye. Meantime the hellish tattoo of the heart increased. It grew quicker and quicker' and louder and louder every instant. The old man's terror must have been extreme! It grew louder, I say, louder every moment!--do you mark me well? I have told you that I am nervous: so I am. And now at the dead hour of night, amid the dreadful silence of that old house, so strange a noise as this excited me to uncontrollable terror. Yet, for some minutes longer I refrained and stood still. But the beating grew louder, louder! I thought the heart must burst. And now a new anxiety seized me--the sound would be heard by a neighbor! The old man's hour had come! With a loud yell, I threw open the lantern and leaped into the room. He shrieked once--once only. In an instant I dragged him to the floor, and pulled the heavy bed over him. I then smiled gaily, to find the deed so far done. But, for many minutes, the heart beat on with a muffled sound. This, however, did not vex me; it would not be heard through the wall. At length it ceased. The old man was dead. I removed the bed and examined the corpse. Yes, he was stone, stone dead. I placed my hand upon the heart and held it there many minutes. There was no pulsation. He was stone dead. His eye would trouble me no more.
If still you think me mad, you will think so no longer when I describe the wise precautions I took for the concealment of the body. The night waned, and I worked hastily, but in silence. First of all I dismembered the corpse. I cut off the head and the arms and the legs.
I then took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings. I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye--not even his--could have detected anything wrong. There was nothing to wash out--no stain of any kind--no blood-spot whatever. I had been too wary for that. A tub had caught all--ha! ha!
When I had made an end of these labors, it was four o'clock--still dark as midnight. As the bell sounded the hour, there came a knocking at the street door. I went down to open it with a light heart--for what had I now to fear? There entered three men, who introduced themselves, with perfect suavity, as officers of the police. A shriek had been heard by a neighbor during the night: suspicion of foul play had been aroused; information had been lodged at the police office, and they (the officers) had been deputed to search the premises.
I smiled--for what had I to fear? I bade the gentlemen welcome. The shriek, I said, was my own in a dream. The old man, I mentioned, was absent in the country. I took my visitors all over the house. I bade them search--search well. I led them, at length, to his chamber. I showed them his treasures, secure, undisturbed. In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim.
The officers were satisfied. My manner had convinced them. I was singularly at ease. They sat, and while I answered cheerily, they chatted familiar things. But, ere long, I felt myself getting pale and wished them gone. My head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears: but still they sat and still chatted. The ringing became more distinct:--it continued and became more distinct: I talked more freely to get rid of the feeling: but it continued and gained definiteness--until, at length, I found that the noise was not within my ears.
No doubt I now grew very pale,--but I talked more fluently, and with a heightened voice. Yet the sound increased--and what could I do? It was a low, dull, quick sound--much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I gasped for breath--and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly--more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observation of the men--but the noise steadily increased. Oh, God; what could I do? I foamed--I raved--I swore! I swung the chair upon which I had been sitting, and grated it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually increased. It grew louder--louder --louder! And still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they heard not? Almighty God!--no, no! They heard!--they suspected--they knew!--they were making a mockery of my horror!--this I thought, and this I think. But anything was better than this agony! Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die!--and now--again!--hark! louder! louder! louder!
"Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble no more! I admit the deed!--tear up the planks!--here, here!--it is the beating of his hideous heart!"
I don't mind staying after school," I says to Professor Herbert, "but I'd rather you'd whip me with a switch and let me go home early. Pa will whip me anyway for getting home two hours late."
"You are too big to whip," says Professor Herbert, "and I have to punish you for climbing up in that cherry tree. You boys knew better than that! The other five boys have paid their dollar each. You have been the only one who has not helped pay for the tree. Can't you borrow a dollar?"
"I can't," I says. "I'll have to take the punishment. I wish it would be quicker punishment. I wouldn't mind."
Professor Herbert stood and looked at me. He was a big man. He wore a grey suit of clothes. The suit matched his grey hair.
"You don't know my father," I says to Professor Herbert. "He might be called a little old-fashioned. He makes us mind him until we're twenty-one years old. He believes: 'If you spare the rod you spoil the child.' I'll never be able to make him understand about the cherry tree. I'm the first of my people to go to high school."
"You must take the punishment," says Professor Herbert. "You must stay two hours after school today and two hours after school tomorrow. I am allowing you twenty-five cents an hour. That is good money for a high-school student. You can sweep the schoolhouse floor, wash the blackboards, and clean windows. I'll pay the dollar for you."
I couldn't ask Professor Herbert to loan me a dolIar. He never offered to loan it to me. I had to stay and help the janitor and work out my fine at a quarter an hour.
I thought as I swept the floor, "What will Pa do to me? What lie can I tell him when I go home? Why did we ever climb that cherry tree and break it down for anyway? Why did we run crazy over the hills away from the crowd? Why did we do all of this? Six of us climbed up in a little cherry tree after one little lizard! Why did the tree split and fall with us? It should have been a stronger tree! Why did Eif Crabtree just happen to be below us plowing and catch us in his cherry tree? Why wasn't he a better man than to charge us six dollars for the tree?"
It was six o'clock when I left the schoolhouse. I had six miles to walk home. It would be after seven when I got home. I had all my work to do when I got home. It took Pa and I both to do the work. Seven cows to milk. Nineteen head of cattle to feed, four mules, twenty-five hogs, firewood and stovewood to cut, and water to draw from the well. He would be doing it when I got home. He would be mad and wondering what was keeping me!
I hurried home. I would run under the dark, leafless trees. I would walk fast uphill. I would run down the hill. The ground was freezing. I had to hurry. I had to run. I reached the long ridge that led to our cow pasture. I ran along this ridge. The wind dried the sweat on my face. I ran across the pasture to the house.
I threw down my books in the chipyard. I ran to the barn to spread fodder on the ground for the cattle. I didn't take time to change my clean school clothes for my old work clothes. I ran out to the barn. I saw Pa spreading fodder on the ground to the cattle. That was my job. I ran up to the fence. I says, "Leave that for me, Pa. I'll do it. I'm just a little late."
"I see you are," says Pa. He turned and looked at me. His eyes danced fire. "What in th' world has kept you so? Why ain't you been here to help me with this work? Make a gentleman out'n one boy in th' family and this is what you get! Send you to high school and you get too onery fer th' buzzards to smell!"
I never said anything. I didn't want to tell why I was late from school. Pa stopped scattering the bundles of fodder. He looked at me. He says, "Why are you gettin' in here this time o' night? You tell me or I'll take a hickory withe to you right here on th' spot!"
I says, "I had to stay after school." I couldn't lie to Pa. He'd go to school and find out why I had to stay. If I lied to him it would be too bad for me.
"Why did you haf to stay atter school?" says Pa.
I says, "0ur biology class went on a field trip today. Six of us boys broke down a cherry tree. We had to give a dollar apiece to pay for the tree. I didn't have the dolIar. Professor Herbert is making me work out my dollar. He gives me twenty-five cents an hour. I had to stay in this afternoon. I'll have to stay in tomorrow afternoon!"
"Are you telling me th' truth?" says Pa.
"I'm telling you the truth," I says. "Go and see for yourself."
"That's just what I'll do in th' mornin'," says Pa. "Jist whose cherry tree did you break down?"
"Eif Crabtree's cherry tree!"
"What was you doin' clear out in Eif Crabtree's place?" says Pa. "He lives four miles from th' county high school. Don't they teach you no books at that high school? Do they jist let you get out and gad over th' hillsides? If that's all they do I'll keep you at home, Dave. I've got work here fer you to do!"
"Pa," I says, "spring is just getting here. We take a subject in school where we have to have bugs, snakes, flowers, lizards, frogs, and plants. It is biology. It was a pretly day today. We went out to find a few of these. Six of us boys saw a lizard at the same time sunning on a cherry tree. We all went up the tree to get it. We broke the tree down. It split at the forks. Eif Crabtree was plowing down below us. He ran up the hill and got our names. The other boys gave their dollar apiece. I didn't have mine. Professor Herbert put mine in for me. I have to work it out at school."
"Poor man's son, huh," says Pa. "I'll attend to that myself in th' mornin'. I'll take keer o' 'im. He ain't from this county nohow. I'll go down there in th' mornin' and see 'im. Lettin' you leave your books and galavant all over th' hills. What kind of a school is it nohow! Didn't do that, my son, when I's a little shaver in school. All fared alike too."
"Pa, please don't go down there," I says, "just let me have fifty cents and pay the rest of my fine! I don't want you to go down there! I don't want you to start anything with Professor Herbert!
"Ashamed of your old Pap are you, Dave," says Pa, "atter th' way I've worked to raise you! Tryin' to send you to school so you can make a better livin' than I've made.
"I'll straighten this thing out myself! I'll take keer o' Professor Herbert myself! He ain't got no right to keep you in and let the other boys off jist because they've got th' money! I'm a poor man. A bullet will go in a professor same as it will any man. It will go in a rich man same as it will a poor man. Now you get into this work before I take one o' these withes and cut the shirt off'n your back!"
I thought once I'd run through the woods above the barn just as hard as I could go. I thought I'd leave high school and home forever! Pa could not catch me! I'd get away! I couldn't go back to school with him. He'd have a gun and maybe he'd shoot Professor Herbert. It was hard to tell what he would do. I could tell Pa that school had changed in the hills from the way it was when he was a boy, but he wouldn't understand. I could tell him we studied frogs, birds, snakes, lizards, flowers, insects. But Pa wouldn't understand. If I did run away from home it wouldn't matter to Pa. He would see Professor Herbert anyway. He would think that high school and Professor Herbert had run me away from home. There was no need to run away. I'd just have to stay, finish foddering the cattle, and go to school with Pa the next morning.
I would take a bundle of fodder, remove the hickory witheband from around it, and scatter it on rocks, clumps of green briers, and brush so the cattle wouldn't tramp it under their feet. I would lean it up against the oak trees and the rocks in the pasture just above our pigpen on the hill. The fodder was cold and frosty where it had set out in the stacks. I would carry bundles of the fodder from the stack until I had spread out a bundle for each steer. Pa went to the barn to feed the mules and throw corn in the pen to the hogs.
The moon shone bright in the cold March sky. I finished my work by moonlight. Professor Herbert really didn't know how much work I had to do at home. If he had known he would not have kept me after school. He would have loaned me a dolIar to have paid my part on the cherry tree. He had never lived in the hills. He didn't know the way the hill boys had to work so that they could go to school. Now he was teaching in a county high school where all the boys who attended were from hill farms.
After I'd finished doing my work I went to the house and ate my supper. Pa and Mom had eaten. My supper was getting cold. I heard Pa and Mom talking in the front room. Pa was telling Mom about me staying in after school.
"I had to do all th' milkin' tonight, chop th' wood myself. It's too hard on me atter I've turned ground all day. I'm goin' to take a day off tomorrow and see if I can't remedy things a little. I'll go down to that high school tomorrow. I won't be a very good scholar fer Professor Herbert nohow. He won't keep me in atter school. I'll take a different kind of lesson down there and make 'im acquainted with it."
"Now, Luster," says Mom, "you jist stay away from there. Don't cause a lot o' trouble. You can be jailed fer a trick like that. You'll get th' Law atter you. You'll jist go down there and show off and plague your own boy Dave to death in front o' all th' scholars!"
"Plague or no plague," says Pa, "he don't take into consideration what all I haf to do here, does he? I'll show 'im it ain't right to keep one boy in and let the rest go scot-free. My boy is good as th' rest, ain't he? A bullet will make a hole in a schoolteacher same as it will anybody else. He can't do me that way and get by with it. I'll plug 'im first. I aim to go down there bright and early in the mornin' and get all this straight! I aim to see about bug larnin' and this runnin' all over God's creation huntin' snakes, lizards, and frogs. Ransackin' th' country and goin' through cherry orchards and breakin' th' trees down atter lizards! 0ld Eif Crabtree ought to a-poured th' hot lead to 'em instead o' chargin' six dollars fer th' tree! He ought to a-got old Herbert th' first one!"
I ate my supper. I slipped upstairs and lit the lamp. I tried to forget the whole thing. I studied plane geometry. Then I studied my biology lesson. I could hardly study for thinking about Pa. "He'll go to school with me in the morning. He'll take a gun for Professor Herbert! What will Professor Herbert think of me! I'll tell him when Pa leaves that I couldn't help it. But Pa might shoot him. I hate to go with Pa. Maybe he'll cool off about it tonight and not go in the morning."
Pa got up at four o'clock. He built a fire in the stove. Then he built a fire in the fireplace. He got Mom up to get breakfast. Then he got me up to help feed and milk. By the time we had our work done at the barn, Mom had breakfast ready for us. We ate our breakfast. Daylight came and we could see the bare oak trees covered white with frost. The hills were white with frost. A cold wind was blowing. The sky was clear. The sun would soon come out and melt the frost. The afternoon would be warm with sunshine and the frozen ground with thaw. There would be mud on the hills again. Muddy water would then run down the little ditches on the hills.
"Now, Dave," says Pa, "let's get ready fer school. I aim to go with you this mornin' and look into bug larnin', frog larnin', lizard and snake larnin', and breakin' down cherry trees! I don't like no sicha foolish way o' larnin' myself!"
Pa hadn't forgot. I'd have to take him to school with me. He would take me to school with him. We were going early. I was glad we were going early. If Pa pulled a gun on Professor Herbert there wouldn't be so many of my classmates there to see him.
I knew that Pa wouldn't be at home in the high school. He wore overalls, big boots, a blue shirt and a sheepskin coat and a slouched black hat gone to seed at the top. He put his gun in its holster. We started trudging toward the high schoo1 across the hill.
It was early when we got to the county high school. Professor Herbert had just got there. I just thought as we walked up the steps into the schoolhouse, "Maybe Pa will find out Professor Herbert is a good man. He just doesn't know him. Just like I felt toward the Lambert boys across the hill. I didn't like them until I'd seen them and talked to them. After I went to school with them and talked to them, I liked them and we were friends. It's a lot in knowing the other fellow."
"You're th' Professor here, ain't you?" says Pa.
"Yes," says Professor Herbert, "and you are Dave's father."
"Yes," says Pa, pulling out his gun and laying it on the seat in Professor Herbert's office. Professor Herbert's eyes got big behind his black-rimmed glasses when he saw Pa's gun. Color came into his pale cheeks.
"Jist a few things about this school I want to know," says Pa. "I'm tryin' to make a scholar out'n Dave. He's the only one out'n eleven youngins I've sent to high school. Here he comes in late and leaves me all th' work to do! He said you's all out bug huntin' yesterday and broke a cherry tree down. He had to stay two hours atter school yesterday and work out money to pay on that cherry tree! Is that right?"
"Wwwwy," says Professor Herbert, "I guess it is."
He looked at Pa's gun.
"Well," says Pa, "this ain't no high school. It's a bug school, a lizard school, a snake school! It ain't no school nohow!"
"Why did you bring that gun?" says Professor Herbert to Pa.
"You see that little hole," says Pa as he picked up the long blue forty-four and put his finger on the end of the barrel, "a bullet can come out'n that hole that will kill a schoolteacher same as it will any other man. It will kill a rich man same as a poor man. It will kill a man. But atter I come in and saw you, I know'd I wouldn't need it. This maul o' mine could do you up in a few minutes."
Pa stood there, big, hard, brown-skinned, and mighty beside of Professor Herbert. I didn't know Pa was so much bigger and harder. I'd never seen Pa in a schoolhouse before. I'd seen Professor Herbert. He'd always looked big before to me. He didn't look big standing beside of Pa.
"I was only doing my duty," says Professor Herbert, "Mr. Sexton, and following the course of study the state provided us with."
"Course o' study," says Pa, "what study, bug study? Varmint study? Takin' youngins to th' woods and their poor old Ma's and Pa's at home a-slavin' to keep 'em in school and give 'em a education! You know that's dangerous, too, puttin' a lot o' boys and girIs out together like that!"
Students were coming into the schoolhouse now.
Professor Herbert says, "Close the door, Dave, so others won't hear."
I walked over and closed the door. I was shaking like a leaf in the wind. I thought Pa was going to hit Professor Herbert every minute. He was doing all the talking. His face was getting red. The red color was coming through the brown, weather-beaten skin on Pa's face.
"I was right with these students," says Professor Herbert. "I know what they got into and what they didn't. I didn't send one of the other teachers with them on this field trip. I went myself. Yes, I took the boys and girIs together. Why not?"
"It jist don't look good to me," says Pa, "a-takin' all this swarm of youngins out to pillage th' whole deestrict. Breakin' down cherry trees. Keepin' boys in atter school."
"What else could I have done with Dave, Mr. Sexton?" says Professor Herbert. "The boys didn't have any business all climbing that cherry tree after one lizard. One boy could have gone up in the tree and got it. The farmer charged us six dollars. It was a little steep, I think, but we had it to pay. Must I make five boys pay and let your boy off? He said he didn't have the dollar and couldn't get it. So I put it in for him. I'm letting him work it out. He's not working for me. He's working for the school!"
"I jist don't know what you could a-done with 'im," says Pa, "only a-larruped im with a withe! That's what he needed!"
"He's too big to whip," says Professor Herbert, pointing at me. "He's a man in size."
"He's not too big fer me to whip," says Pa. "They ain't too big until they're over twenty-one! It jist didn't look fair to me! Work one and let th' rest out because they got th' money. I don't see what bugs has got to do with a high school! It don't look good to me nohow!"
Pa picked up his gun and put it back in its holster. The red color left Professor Herbert's face. He talked more to Pa. Pa softened a littIe. It looked funny to see Pa in the high-school building. It was the first time he'd ever been there.
"We were not only hunting snakes, toads, flowers, butterflies, lizards," says Professor Herbert, "but, Mr. Sexton, I was hunting dry timothy grass to put in an incubator and raise some protozoa."
" I don't know what that is," says Pa. "Th' incubator is th' new-fangled way o' cheatin' th' hens and raisin' chickens. I ain't so sure about th' breed o' chickens you mentioned."
"You've heard of germs, Mr. Sexton, haven't you?" says Professor Herbert.
"Jist call me Luster, if you don't mind," says Pa, very casual like.
"All right, Luster, you've heard of germs, haven't you?"
"Yes," says Pa, "but I don't believe in germs. I'm sixty-five years old and I ain't seen one yet!"
"You can't see them with your naked eye," says Professor Herbert. "Just keep that gun in the holster and stay with me in the high school today. I have a few things want to show you. That scum on your teeth has germs in it."
"What," says Pa, "you mean to tell me I've got germs on my teeth!
"Yes," says Professor Herbert. "The same kind as we might be able to find in a living black snake if we dissect it!"
"I don't mean to dispute your word," says Pa, "but I don't believe it. I don't believe I have germs on my teeth!"
"Stay with me today and I'll show you. I want to take you through the school anyway! School has changed a lot in the hills since you went to school. I don't guess we had high schools in this county when you went to school!"
"No," says Pa, "jist readin', writin', and cipherin'. We didn't have all this bug larnin', frog larnin', and findin' germs on your teeth and in the middle o' black snakes! Th' world's changin'."
"It is," says Professor Herbert, "and we hope all for the better. Boys like your own there are going to help change it. He's your boy. He knows all of what I've told you. You stay with me today."
"I'll shore stay with you," says Pa. " I want to see th' germs off'n my teeth. I jist want to see a germ. I've never seen one in my life. 'Seein' is believin',' Pap allus told me."
Pa walks out of the office with Professor Herbert. I just hoped Professor Herbert didn't have Pa arrested for pulling his gun. Pa's gun has always been a friend to him when he goes to settle disputes.
The bell rang. School took up. I saw the students when they marched in the schoolhouse look at Pa. They would grin and punch each other. Pa just stood and watched them pass in at the schoolhouse door. Two long lines marched in the house. The boys and girls were clean and well dressed. Pa stood over in the schoolyard under a leafless elm, in his sheepskin coat, his big boots laced in front with buckskin, and his heavy socks stuck above his boot tops. Pa's overalIs legs were baggy and wrinkled between his coat and boot tops. His blue work shirt showed at the collar. His big black hat showed his gray-streaked black hair. His face was hard and weather-tanned to the color of a ripe fodder blade. His hands were big and gnarled like the roots of the elm tree he stood beside.
When I went to my first cIass I saw Pa and Professor Herbert going around over the schoolhouse. I was in my geometry class when Pa and Professor Herbert came in the room. We were explaining our propositions on the blackboard. Professor Herbert and Pa just quietly came in and sat down for awhile. I heard Fred Wutts whisper to Glenn Armstrong, "Who is that old man? Lord, he's a rough-looking scamp." Glenn whispered back, "I think he's Dave's Pap." The students in geometry looked at Pa. They must have wondered what he was doing in school. Before the cIass was over, Pa and Professor Herbert got up and went out. I saw them together down on the playground. Professor Herbert was explaining to Pa. I could see the prints of Pa's gun under his coat when he'd walk around.
At noon in the high-school cafeteria Pa and Professor Herbert sat together at the little table where Professor Herbert always ate by himself. They ate together. The students watched the way Pa ate. He ate with his knife instead of his fork. A lot of the students felt sorry for me after they found out he was my father. They didn't have to feel sorry for me. I wasn't ashamed of Pa after I found out he wasn't going to shoot Professor Herbert. I was glad they had made friends. I wasn't ashamed of Pa. I wouldn't be as long as he behaved. He would find out about the high school as I had found out about the Lambert boys across the hill.
In the afternoon when we went to biology Pa was in the class. He was sitting on one of the high stools beside the microscope. We went ahead with our work just as if Pa wasn't in the class. I saw- Pa take his knife and scrape tartar from one of his teeth. Professor Herbert put it on the lens and adjusted the microscope for Pa. He adjusted it and worked awhile. Then he says: "Now Luster, look! Put your eye right down to the light. Squint the other eye!"
Pa put his head down and did as Professor Herbert said. "I see 'im," says Pa. 'Who'd a ever thought that? Right on a body's teeth! Right in a body's mouth. You're right certain they ain't no fake to this, Professor Herbert?"
"No, Luster," says Professor Herbert. "It's there. That's the germ. Germs live in a worId we cannot see with the naked eye. We must use the microscope. There are millions of them in our bodies. Some are harmful. Others are helpful."
Pa holds his face down and looks through the microscope. We stop and watch Pa. He sits upon the tall stool. His knees are against the table. His legs are long. His coat slips up behind when he bends over. The handle of his gun shows. Professor Herbert pulls his coat down quickly.
"Oh, yes," says Pa. He gets up and pulls his coat down. Pa's face gets a little red. He knows about his gun and he knows he doesn't have any use for it in high school.
"We have a big black snake over here we caught yesterday," says Professor Herbert. "We'll chloroform him and dissect him and show you he has germs in his body, too."
"Don't do it," says Pa. "I believe you. I jist don't want to see you kill the black snake. I never kill one. They are good mousers and a lot o' help to us on the farm. I like black snakes. I jist hate to see people kill 'em. I don't allow 'em killed on my place."
The students look at Pa. They seem to like him better after he said that. Pa with a gun in his pocket but a tender heart beneath his ribs for snakes, but not for man! Pa won't whip a mule at home. He won't whip his cattle.
"Man can defend hisself," says Pa, "but cattle and mules can't. We have the drop on 'em. Ain't nothin' to a man that'll beat a good pullin' mule. He ain't got th' right kind o' a heart!"
Professor Herbert took Pa through the laboratory. He showed him the different kinds of work we were doing. He showed him our equipment. They stood and talked while we worked. Then they walked out together. They talked louder when they got out in the hall.
When our biology class was over I walked out of the room. It was our last class for the day. I would have to take my broom and sweep two hours to finish paying for the split cherry tree. I just wondered if Pa would want me to stay. He was standing in the hallway watching the students march out. He looked lost among us. He looked like a leaf turned brown on the tree among the treetop filled with growing leaves.
I got my broom and started to sweep. Professor Herbert walked up and says, "I'm going to let you do that some other time. You can go home with your father. He is waiting out there."
I Iaid my broom down, got my books, and went down the steps.
Pa says, "Ain't you got two hours o' sweepin' yet to do?"
I says, "Professor Herbert said I could do it some other time. He said for me to go home with you."
"No," says Pa. "You are goin' to do as he says. He's a good man. School has changed from my day and time. I'm a dead leaf, Dave. I'm behind. I don't belong here. If he'll let me I'll get a broom and we'll both sweep one hour. That pays your debt. I'll hep you pay it. I'll ast 'im and see if he won't let me hep you."
"I'm going to cancel the debt," says Professor Herbert. "I just wanted you to understand, Luster."
"I understand," says Pa, "and since I understand he must pay his debt fer th' tree and I'm goin' to hep 'im."
"Don't do that," says Professor Herbert. "It's all on me."
"We don't do things like that," says Pa, "we're just and honest people. We don't want somethin' fer nothin'. Professor Herbert, you're wrong now and I'm right. You'll haf to listen to me. I've larned a lot from you. My boy must go on. Th' worId has left me. It changed while I've raised my family and plowed th' hills. I'm a just and honest man. I don' skip debts. I ain't larned 'em to do that. I ain't got much larnin' myself but I do know right from wrong atter I see through a thing."
Professor Herbert went home. Pa and I stayed and swept one hour. It looked funny to see Pa use a broom. He never used one at home. Mom used the broom. Pa used the plow. Pa did hard work. Pa says, "I can't sweep. Durned if I can. Look at th' streaks o' dirt I leave on th' floor! Seems like no work a-tall fer me. Brooms is too light 'r somethin'. I'll jist do th' best I can, Dave. I've been wrong about th' school."
I says, "Did you know Professor Herbert can get a warrant out for you for bringing your pistoI to school and showing it in his office! They can railroad you for that!"
"That's all made right," says Pa. "I've made that right. Professor Herbert ain't goin' to take it to court. He likes me. I like 'im. We jist had to get together. He had the remedies. He showed me. You must go on to school. I am as strong a man as ever come out'n th' hills fer my years and th' hard work I've done. But I'm behind, Dave. I'm a little man. Your hands will be softer than mine. Your clothes will be better. You'll allus look cleaner than your old Pap. Jist remember, Dave, to pay your debts and be honest. Jist be kind to animals and don't bother th' snakes. That's all I got agin th' school. Puttin' black snakes to sleep and cuttin' 'em open."
It was late when we got home. Stars were in the sky. The moon was up. The ground was frozen. Pa took his time going home. I couldn't run like I did the night before. It was ten o'clock before we got the work finished, our suppers eaten. Pa sat before the fire and told Mom he was going to take her and show her a germ sometime. Mom hadn't seen one either. Pa told her about the high school and the fine man Professor Herbert was. He told Mom about the strange school across the hill and how different it was from the school in their day and time.
When I was only two years old, My daddy went away. He swore he'd always love me, But he said he couldn't stay. Days turned into weeks And weeks turned into years. I never saw my father, He never saw my tears. He never read me bedtime stories Or tucked me in at night. He never showed up when i cried, But I always hoped he might. He missed my first day of kindergarden And all of my school plays. He doesn't know how smart I am, My report cards full of A's. Sometimes I want to call him To say Hey Dad I'm still alive! I'll be 16 years old soon, Will you teach me how to drive? It’s almost time for college, The years go by so fast. I'm looking forward to my future, But I'm still trapped within my past. I guess I'll never understand, Did I do something bad? My parents got divorced, But why did I lose my dad?
The old woman walks slowly toward the child. They have played out this scene before.
The child has come to spend time with this frail, precious woman four times now, always to celebrate his birthday, with her.
Their favourite pastime is walking together along this isolated beach, collecting 'special' shells. In previous years, they have spent hours finding of shells. This time, the kind soul is so very tired, and tells the child
"Perhaps they are the last three here..."
As the day is growing cold and dark, they wander slowly home.
In the early hours of the darkness, the most gentle of souls went to Heaven.
_____
Though many years have passed, the child has never forgotten walking along this beach with his gran, but things have changed with time.
_____
The old man smiles at the children racing down the sand toward him, their arms laden with shells.
"Now where did you find that many shells? I thought I found the last three ..."
I was standing in line at the grocery store. Had diapers and milk to the hilt. With no time to spare, the register girls' register went on the tilt.
I scratched from my head to the back of my neck and made a few tugs at my ear. Cause that's what I do, when things that I dont like suddenly just appear.
Playing it cool, clearing my throat, I said to the woman behind. "I don't understand why this happens to me? I'm certain I've been undermined."
This snip of a girl with Barbie doll frame giggled and magazine shopped. That's when I noticed her belly was big as a pig that had been fully slopped.
I was a young Dad, with child of my own, a baby all brand spanking new. Time was on hold, so I asked big and bold. "DO TELL ME MA'AM WHEN ARE YOU DUE?"
As soon as the words fell out of my mouth I knew once again I'd done "IT." And as I expected what came around next was "I'M NOT WITH CHILD YOU DUMB ****!"
You couldn't have drove a finishing nail through the thickness that tightened my face. A down feather falls with a mightier sound than the silence that silenced that space.
I just tured around, what else could I do!? Words were all meaningless now. Call me a fool, but I'd never twice stretch my neck 'for a mule and a plow.
So take it from me, a fella who's done a whole lot of tugging his ear. When you're standing in line at the grocery store remember these words and adhere.
Spandex fibers are produced in four different ways including melt extrusion, reaction spinning, solution dry spinning, and solution wet spinning. All of these methods include the initial step of reacting monomers to produce a prepolymer. Once the prepolymer is formed it is reacted further in various ways and drawn out to produce a long fiber. The solution dry spinning method is used to produce over 90% of the world's spandex fibers. Solution dry spinning: Step 1: The first step is to produce the prepolymer. This is done by mixing a macroglycol with a diisocyanate monomer. The two compounds are mixed together in a reaction vessel to produce a prepolymer. A typical ratio of glycol to diisocyanate is 1:2. Step 2: The prepolymer is further reacted with an equal amount of diamine. This reaction is known as chain extension reaction. The resulting solution is diluted with a solvent to produce the spinning solution. The solvent helps make the solution thinner and more easily handled and then can be pumped into the fiber production cell. Step 3: The spinning solution is pumped into a cylindrical spinning cell where it is cured and converted into fibers. In this cell, the polymer solution is forced through a metal plate called a spinneret. This causes the solution to be aligned in strands of liquid polymer. As the strands pass through the cell, they are heated in the presence of a nitrogen and solvent gas. This process causes the liquid polymer to chemically react and form solid strands. Step 4: As the fibers exit the cell, an amount of solid strands are bundled together to produce the desired thickness. Each fiber of spandex is made up of many smaller individual fibers that adhere to one another due to the natural stickiness of their surface. Step 5: The resulting fibers are then treated with a finishing agent. This can be magnesium stearate or another polymer. This process prevents the fibers sticking together and aids in textile manufacture. The fibers are then transferred through a series of rollers onto a spool. Step 6: When the spools are filled with fiber, they are put into final packaging and shipped to textile manufacturers.
Assalamualaikum.. Rain is liquid precipitation. On Earth, it is the condensation of atmospheric water vapor into drops heavy enough to fall, often making it to the surface. Rain is the primary source of fresh water for most areas of the world, providing suitable conditions for diverse ecosystems, as well as water for hydroelectric power plants and crop irrigation. However, not all rain reaches the surface; some evaporates while falling through dry air. This is called virga, a phenomenon often seen in hot, dry desert regions. The METAR code for rain is RA. Rain is also known or suspected on other worlds. On Titan, infrequent methane rain is thought to carve that moon's numerous surface channels. On Venus, sulfuric acid virga evaporates 25 km from the surface. There is likely to be rain of various compositions in the upper atmospheres of the gas giants, as well as precipitation of liquid neon and helium in the deep atmospheres. Rain plays a role in the hydrologic cycle in which moisture from the oceans evaporates, condenses into drops, precipitates (falls) from the sky, and eventually returns to the ocean via rivers and streams to repeat the cycle again. The water vapor from plant respiration also contributes to the moisture in the atmosphere. A major scientific explanation of how rain forms and falls is called the Bergeron process. More recent research points to the influence of Cloud condensation nuclei released as the result of biological processes.
Assalamualaikum.. A curtain (in the US, also known as a drape or drapery) is a piece of cloth intended to block or obscure light, or drafts, or water in the case of a shower curtain. Curtains hung over a doorway are known as portières. Curtains are often hung on the inside of a building's window to block the travel of light, for instance at night to aid sleeping, or to stop light from escaping outside the building (stopping people outside from being able to see inside, often for privacy reasons). In this application they are also known as "draperies." Curtains come in a variety of shapes, materials, sizes, colors and patterns, and they often have their own sections within department stores, while some shops are completely dedicated to selling curtains. An adaptation of the curtain may be a blind or, in warmer countries, such as Spain, wooden shutters that are fixed to the outside of the building to provide privacy and still keep the building cool inside. Curtains are a form of window treatment, and complete the overall appearance of the house. Window treatment helps control the ambiance and flow of natural light into the room. The effect of drapery or curtains is best seen in daylight, and with proper indoor light positioning, it can look attractive even at night. Curtains can be made from varying thicknesses of fabric, each with a differing degree of light absorption and heat insulating qualities. A sheer or net curtain is one that is made from translucent fabric, such as a loosely woven polyester voile or a cotton lace. Sheer curtains allow a majority of light to be transmitted through the fabric, with the fabric weave providing a basic level of UV protection while retaining maximum visibility through the curtain. Sheer curtains are sometimes referred to as privacy curtains in reference to their screening abilities; during the day most sheer fabrics will allow people inside the home to see the outside view whilst preventing people outside the home from seeing directly into the home. Due to the loose weave in sheer fabrics, these types of curtains offer very little in the way of heat insulation.
43 comments:
Petrol, Diesel Prices Reduced from Saturday....
i have read the online line newspaper last month. the opic that i want to share is about the petrol prices. i was edit the sentences so that it can be easier to understand...
Here's some great news. The price of petrol and diesel at the pump will be reduced from Sat,Aug 23.The price of RON97 petrol will be reduced by 15 sen to RM2.55 a litre from RM2.70, while RON92 will be 22 sen less at RM2.40, from RM2.62.The premium Shell V-Power Racing will cost 10 sen less per litre, at RM3.05 from RM3.15.The retail price of diesel will be eight sen less at RM2.50 a litre. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the new prices in a statement after Friday's Cabinet meeting. He said the prices were determined by taking into account the actual price from Aug 1 to 21 and the 30 sen per litre subsidy borne by the government, while the subsidy for diesel, based on the new price, was 50 sen a litre.The cabinet decided to bring forward the enforcement date for adjustment of the new petrol price.For sure, this a good news for us as the consumers, but if we compare the amount of price increase is very large rather than the price decrease we will realize that the government still gaining lot of profit where as the community are facing problems every day. Although the price of fuel decrease, but the price of food stuff remain the same without can be controlled by government or us. Those who are involved in business and enterpreneurship will know that this is the perfect time to make lot of profit and they have the power especially for the chinese. Recently, the ticket price had undergo hiking of price for 30%, thus burdening the consumers who are poor and everybody who are using this facility. Although the government had said that they had tried their best in managing this issues, but the best solution has never been produced and done. We are in dilemma since it is our fault in some cases who are unable to manage the souces of our country properly and keeping dependent on outsiders. It is a big mistake exporting of our own oil without making storage and importing less quality of oil into the country causing us unable to decide our own price but we must follow the world price. We have no other choices except always trying for the best. We hope all problems can be solved and we always hoping like that. May God bless us in our life.
Ramadhan Is Hear Again!!! (",)
alhamdulillah, i can write this comment after my friend finished his work...firstly, i want to say thanks with my friend because he land his laptop to me..
continue for the topic, i was attracted the article about the Ramadhan and this is the way how i remind my friends about this...so...read this!
RAMADAN comes again with thousand of goodness, thus we as a muslims should grab this chances for our prosperity in the world and the hereafter. One of the ways can be done by contributing your money to Islamic Relief Malaysia (IR Malaysia) Berhad that will devide those charitable property to unlucky people. They are hoping that more people can benefit from its food distribution programme this year.To be able to do that, the non-governmental organisation is banking on contributions from the public so that the poor could have enough to break fast like everyone this month. Called the “Feed the Fasting” food aid programme, this is carried out annually during the Ramadan month, in which Malaysians can donate RM50 to help a poor family sustain for at least a week. The fluctuation and increase of food prices have affected the amount of foodstuff they can pack with RM50. Besides, all people are considering the same facts that they should manage their money properly due to the increase of food prices. But this will not break their effort to accomplish this harmony vision in order to help unfortunate people. This is based on the principle in Islam that encourage us to help others. However, each package this year will still consists of the basic foodstuff like rice, flour, oil, and sugar. It is difficult to tell if those boxes could sustain the poor throughout Ramadan, generally IR Malaysia’s primary aim was to ease their burden. They hope to continue the campaign even during Hari Raya so that they have proper meals to eat during the festive period. In addition, IRM also help in building a library fo an orphanage . They also distribute food for the orphans to break fast.They hoped people could come forward to pledge cash contributions rather than second-hand books as they believed orphans should still receive the best in education. A medical health check-up was also provided for the recipients in Chemor during the distribution campaign.They also hoping more corporations can sponsor them with cash or kind. From this article we can conclude that each person has the responsibilities to help each other although we are not recognizing each other but as a muslims we are siblings in our religion with the same faith and stage. Therefore, there is no excuses to neglect them in our life, and be careful that Allah will ask us what have we done for our religion, if we have done nothing in our life we may be facing diffculties in the hereafter. So, donate your money in the right path rather than wasting them in bad path....Those who wish to contribute can log onto www.irm.org.my or call 03-8948 6334.
11 tips for preparing for Ramadhan:
1. Try to fast on Mondays and Thursdays as of today.
2. Start reading the Quran everyday after Fajr prayers.
3. Spend some time listening to recitations from the Quran.
4. Train yourself to go bed early so that you do not miss the Fajr prayers.
5. Keep yourself in a state of Wudu most of the time.
6. Evaluate yourself each day before going to bed.
7. Thank Allah for good deeds, and repent to Him for your mistakes and sins.
8. Give yourself time alone, so that you can meditate, make dhikr and tasbeeh.
9. Start giving Sadaqah each day, no matter how little. Make it a habit like eating and drinking.
10. Spend more time reading Islamic books, especially the Quran, Seerah, Hadith, and Fiqh.
11. Find time to help others with your wisdom, knowledge and talent.Try to write articles on Islam for Muslims and non-Muslims.
HANCOCK ( film )
John Hancock is an alcoholic with superhuman powers. He uses his powers to stop criminals in his current residence of Los Angeles. Once, his activity inadvertently causes millions of dollars in property damage due to his constant intoxication. As a result, he is routinely jeered at the crime scenes.
When public relations spokesperson Ray Embrey departs from an unsuccessful meeting pitching his All-Heart logo for corporations, he becomes trapped on railroad tracks with an incoming freight train. Hancock saves Ray's life, but he causes the train to derail and nearly injures another driver. Hancock is jeered by other drivers for causing more damage. Ray offers to improve Hancock's public image, and Hancock grudgingly accepts. The spokesperson convinces Hancock to permit himself to be jailed for outstanding subpoenas so they can show Los Angeles how much the city really needs Hancock. When the crime rate rises after Hancock's incarceration, the superhero is contacted by the Chief of Police. With a new costume from Ray, Hancock intervenes with a bank robbery, rescuing a cop and stopping the leader of the robbers, Red Parker.
After the rescue, Hancock is applauded for handling the bank robbery. The superhero becomes popular once more, as Ray had predicted. He goes out to dinner with Ray and his wife Mary, with whom he reveals his apparent immortality and his amnesia from 80 years ago. After Hancock tucks a drunken Ray in bed, he discovers that Mary also has superhuman powers. He threatens to expose her unless she explains their origins, and she tells him that they have lived for 3,000 years with their powers, having been called gods and angels in their time. The exchange results in a battle between Hancock and Mary that takes them to downtown Los Angeles, causing significant damage to the area. Ray, downtown in a business meeting, sees and recognizes Mary using abilities like Hancock's.
Hancock is later shot twice in the torso when he intervenes in a liquor store robbery. After being hospitalized, Mary enters and explains that as the pair of immortals gets close, they begin to lose their powers. After her explanation, the hospital is raided by the bank robber Red Parker and two other criminals that Hancock had encountered during his incarceration. Mary is shot in the process. Hancock is able to stop two men but is further wounded by them. When Red attempts to finish Hancock off, Ray comes to the rescue and stops the bank robber with a fire ax. With Mary nearly dying, Hancock uses the last of his strength to flee from the hospital so that their parting would allow her to heal with her powers. He later winds up in New York City, working as a superhero. As gratitude to Ray, Hancock paints Ray's All-Heart logo on the moon and calls the spokesperson to look up to the worldwide advertisement.
by,
Chio Thiam Wei
MONEY NOT ENOUGH ( film )
The three main characters are Chew Wah, who is a white-collar worker, but a spendthrift;, a contractor; and Hui , who is a coffee shop waiter, and has a crush on one of his customers, Susan.
Keong quits his job after an argument with his boss over a promotion. He is unable to get a new job, due to his lack of academic qualifications and computer illiteracy. With installments and bills to pay, with a family to support, Keong lands heavily in debt. His wife, who dislikes his spending habits, leaves him, taking their daughter with her.
Ong borrows S$40,000 from a loan shark, confident that he can clear his debt quickly, as he is about to settle a debt his friend owes him. However, Ong's friend runs away, and Ong, unable to repay the debt within the two-week deadline, gets beaten up by the loan sharks. Ong then runs away to Johor Bahru to hide from the loan sharks and settle his friend's debt.
When Hui attempts to woo Susan , JoJo asks him for his mobile phone number. As Hui did not own a mobile phone, he started shopping for one, but instead of the latest model, he ends up buying a Motorola DynaTAC 8000x, mistakenly hearing from Ong the bigger the phone, the better it is. He once went for prostitution in Geylang, but backed out at the last minute when the prostitute arrived. Hui also went out on a date with Susan, but found out that Susan is actually an insurance agent.
The three friends manage to raise sufficient capital to start a car-polishing business together. However, after the loan sharks continue pursuing Ong, and Hui's mother is diagnosed with leukaemia and hospitalised subsequently, Ong and Hui decide to withdraw their shares, but without success because they had all used their money to set up the business and buy the equipment.
Hui's mother dies. At the walk to the crematorium, the loan sharks show up, but are arrested by the police and jailed for six years for illegal loaning of money and violence. Keong convinces his wife and daughter to enter an obstacle race, and they win the first prize of $100,000, which he uses to pay his creditors. The film ends with the car-polishing business turning them into the directors of Autoglym when an employee is satisfied with their skills and brings them to his manager. It ends with Keong still without money after loaning it all to Hui and Ong.
by,
chio thiam wei
I NOT STUPID ( film )
The film's storyline revolves around the lives and families of three students in the EM3 academic stream. First, Terry, pampered and from a rich family, is a meek and obedient boy, with a domineering mother and businessman father. Second, Kok Pin is driven to excel at school by his mother, but he shows a talent for art, not academics — much to the consternation of his family. Lastly, Boon Hock and his mother struggle to make ends meet with an absent father by running a small wonton noodle stall; to make up for the lack of a father figure, he places high value on loyalty and "manliness" in his friends.
The boys are often picked on for being in the "stupid" stream, which eventually leads to a fight during which one of the bullies is accidentally injured. In the principal's office, Boon Hock and Kok Pin explain what happened, but Terry declines to help them and stand up for himself, following his mother's instructions to "mind his own business", which infuriates his friends and causes trouble between the boys.
Meanwhile, Terry's father, Mr. Khoo gets in a fight with a man who turns out to be Kok Pin's father, Mr. Liu, over a parking space. Mr. Khoo's company is a client for Mr. Liu's firm, an advertising agency, and their new-found enmity causes Mr. Khoo to select the marketing campaign of John, an American expatriate, over that of Mr. Liu. As John's ideas are totally incompatible with Chinese customs, Mr. Khoo's business suffers as his customers are driven away.
As the boys deal with their problems, a new teacher at school helps by inspiring Boon Hock to excel in mathematics, while reaching out the other boys. Kok Pin continues to struggle, and enlists Boon Hock to help him cheat in the preliminary examinations, but they are caught. Unable to face his mother, Kok Pin attempts suicide, but fails. When he finally tells her, she tries to punish him but collapses; a doctor later diagnoses her with leukaemia, and tells Kok Pin that she will die without a bone marrow transplant.
As the end of the year approaches, Boon Hock excels in the PSLE mathematics exam, while the other boys manage to scrape by — Kok Pin only marginally. Contrary to Kok Pin's fears, his mother is satisfied because he has tried his best. When visiting Mrs. Liu at the hospital, the EM3 teacher announces that one of Kok Pin's drawings won second prize in an international competition — but the moment is overshadowed by the rush to save Mrs. Liu's life.
Mr. Khoo passes the transplant test, but refuses to donate after discovering the intended recipient is his enemy's wife. He eventually relents, but it is revealed that due to a mix-up Terry, not Mr. Khoo, is the suitable donor. Despite protests from his parents, he insists on undergoing the operation, which is a success. A grateful Mr. Liu offers to help Mr. Khoo's business with his proposal. As a result, Mr. Khoo's business booms, and the two enemies become good friends. The film ends with Terry being bullied again, as in the beginning of the movie — but this time, he stands up for himself and fights back.
by,
chio thiam wei
A book is a set or collection of written, printed , illustrated , or blank sheets, made of paper, parchment or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side.A single sheet within a book is called a leaf, and each side of a leaf is called a page. A book produced in electronic format is known as an e-book.
Books may also refer to literature work, or a main division of such a work. In library and information science, a book is called a monograph, to distinguish it from serial periodicals such as magazines, journals or newspaper. The body of all written works including books is literature.
In novels, a book may be divided into several large section, also called books. A lover books is usually referred to as a bibliophile, or, more informally a bookworm.
A store where books are bought and sold is a bookstore or bookshop. Books can also be borrowed from libraries or obtained for reading through the practice of Book Crossing.
A common separation by content are fiction and non-fiction books. By no means are books limited to this classification, but it is a separation that can be found in most collections, libraries, and bookstores.
Many of the books published today are fictitious stories. They are in-part or completely untrue or fantasy. Historically, paper production was expensive, too expensive to to be used for entertainment.An increase in global literacy and print technology led to the increased publication of books for the purpose of entertainment and allegorical social commentary. Most fiction is additionally categorized by genre.
The novel is the most common form of fictional book. Novels are stories that typical feature a plot, settings, themes and characters. Stories and narrative are not restricted to any topic, a novel can be whimsical, serious or controversial. The novel has had tremendous impact on entertainment and publishing market.
In a library, a general type of non fiction book which provides information as opposed to telling a story, essay, commentary, or otherwise supporting a view, is often referred to as a reference book.Apart from that encyclopedia , instruction manuals textbooks are also examples of non fiction books.
The paragraph above tell us few thing about books.This information may be useful for us in future.
The word cartoon has various meanings, based on several very different forms of visual art and illustration. The term evolved over time. The original meaning was in fine art, and there cartoon meant a preparatory drawing for a piece of art such as painting or tapestry.
The somewhat more modern meaning was that of humorous illustrations in magazines and newspapers. Even more recently there are now several contemporary meanings, including creative visual work for print media ,for electronic media, and even animated films and animated digital media.
When a word cartoon is applied to print media, it most often refers to a humorous single-panel drawing or gag cartoon, most of which have captions and do not use speech balloons. The word cartoon is not often used to refer to a comic strip. The artists who draw cartoons are known as cartoonists.
Because of the stylistic similarities between comic strips and early animated movies, "cartoon" came to refer to animation, and this is the sense in which "cartoon" is most commonly used today.
BY
THEN MOLI
A book is a set or collection of written, printed , illustrated , or blank sheets, made of paper, parchment or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side.A single sheet within a book is called a leaf, and each side of a leaf is called a page. A book produced in electronic format is known as an e-book.
Books may also refer to literature work, or a main division of such a work. In library and information science, a book is called a monograph, to distinguish it from serial periodicals such as magazines, journals or newspaper. The body of all written works including books is literature.
In novels, a book may be divided into several large section, also called books. A lover books is usually referred to as a bibliophile, or, more informally a bookworm.
A store where books are bought and sold is a bookstore or bookshop. Books can also be borrowed from libraries or obtained for reading through the practice of Book Crossing.
A common separation by content are fiction and non-fiction books. By no means are books limited to this classification, but it is a separation that can be found in most collections, libraries, and bookstores.
Many of the books published today are fictitious stories. They are in-part or completely untrue or fantasy. Historically, paper production was expensive, too expensive to to be used for entertainment.An increase in global literacy and print technology led to the increased publication of books for the purpose of entertainment and allegorical social commentary. Most fiction is additionally categorized by genre.
The novel is the most common form of fictional book. Novels are stories that typical feature a plot, settings, themes and characters. Stories and narrative are not restricted to any topic, a novel can be whimsical, serious or controversial. The novel has had tremendous impact on entertainment and publishing market.
In a library, a general type of non fiction book which provides information as opposed to telling a story, essay, commentary, or otherwise supporting a view, is often referred to as a reference book.Apart from that encyclopedia , instruction manuals textbooks are also examples of non fiction books.
The paragraph above tell us few thing about books.This information may be useful for us in future.
BY
THEN MOLI
I have read an article about the ‘leaf vegetable’ in http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/l/leaf_vegetable.htm. Everybody has already known that vegetables are good for our health. However, I am sure that not everyone practices this good habit including my brother. They should know that leaf vegetables are low in calories, low in fat, high in protein per calorie, high in dietary fiber, high in iron and calcium, and very high in phytochemicals such as vitamin C, vitamin A, lutein and folic acid which are mostly good for their health. So, I hope that the people will realize about the goodness of practices this healthy nutrition.
all the muslim people happy when the fasting month arrived. that is ramadhan.so, this is some input about the advantages of fasting.
Fasting has many physical and spiritual benefits. It keeps away human being from animal desires. Fast is so effective in making a righteous man and society.
The medical advantages of fast are very much, so that it’s no need to explanation and repetition and most of people know its benefits.Here are some of these advantages:
Human’s stomach and digestive system are the active members of body. Their main task, is to digest the eaten foods. In fasting, these members rest and fatness which is harmful for body, will be diminished.
In Islamic narrations, it’s referred to the physical benefits of fast, Holy PROPHET (S) stated:“Fast is for health.” Also in many narrations, our Islamic Leaders stated: “Human being’s stomach likes the home of disease and avoidance of eating ,is its treatment.”
It is clear when these medical benefits are useful that a person who is fasting, avoids gluttony, at the time of fast's breaking, because it hurts digestive system.
By making progress of medical sciences, physicians have found that, withholding from eating and drinking, is the best method of treatment. One of the physicians says: “Treatment by fast is so resultful.Then using it,will change medical and surgical programs.”
Fast open a new window to medical science. Fast gives an effective weapon to this science for fighting with diseases. The weapon in which we can use in different ways and human being will be the winner of this war. “By fasting and withholding we can treat disease.”
You should know that fast is not harmful for people's health . If someone is sick , fast is not obligatory to him.
Some persons (who don’t fast) say that Peptic Ulcer disease is made by fast, but this is not correct and you should not attend to their opinion because stomach rests in fasting and when you fast your stomach acid is neutralized by Bile and Peptic Ulcer disease is not created.
Majority of Muslims fast in Ramadhan month and they don’t complain about this sickness and the number of Peptic Ulcer more than the others. But we should say that the most important advantages of fast are not its medical benefits, although some persons just consider this aspect. While fast spiritual benefits are better than its physical advantages.
aAssalamualaikum and Hello..
I'm already mention about one comedy story. So, I want to share with you all.Enjoy your raeding. This is the story:
There are three engineers in a car; an electrical engineer, a chemical engineer and a Microsoft engineer. Suddenly the car just stops by the side of the road, and the three engineers look at each other wondering what could be wrong. The electrical engineer suggests stripping down the electronics of the car and trying to trace where a fault might have occurred. The chemical engineer, not knowing much about cars, suggests that maybe the fuel is becoming emulsified and getting blocked somewhere. Then, the Microsoft engineer, not knowing much about anything, comes up with a suggestion, "Why don’t we close all the windows, get out, get back in, open the windows again, and maybe it'll work!?"
So. what??
It's that make your smile??.
After this you all also can tell the other people about this story.
Parents say no to NS stint after son’s death
MALACCA: Lim Geok Kim and his wife Meng Yeok are still mourning the loss of their son Ricky who died after completing his three-month national service stint recently.
Now, they are traumatised at the thought of their only surviving child, Jane, 17, being selected to undergo NS training and are adamant not to let her go.
“We are not going to push our luck this time. She will stay with us at home no matter what,” added Lim, 46, yesterday who is a renovation worker from Tanjung Kling.
Jane (left) and Meng Yeok holding up a photo of Ricky as Lim looks on in Malacca Sunday.
“If the authorities want to catch anyone, just take us both. We will not let her go.”
Although they do not blame the authorities for the son’s death, the couple said they could not risk losing Jane.
“Our family was only just recently united after Ricky’s three-month absence from home,” he said during a press conference held by Kota Melaka MP Sim Tong Him.
They had recently found out from the NS website that Jane was selected for training.
Ricky, 20, had returned after his NS training on Sept 6 and died on Sept 15.
The SMK Catholic High student did not complain of any illness or pain prior to his death but he did complain about the camp’s hygiene and yellowish water supply.
Do you know about Alzeimer's disease?? here's some information about it.
If you are above 65 years old and often forget what you had for breakfast, you and the family may laugh away the matter.
But when your forgetfulness worsens to a situation where you are holding the car keys and wondering what to do with them, it is no more a laughing matter.
You may be one of 50,000 Malaysians with Alzheimer's Disease (AD).
This is, however, not a death sentence as AD is treatable.
Kuala Lumpur Hospital geriatrician Dr Lee Fatt Soon said the earlier the problem was detected, the better the chances of managing it. He said those who contracted AD would not die of the disease but of other risk factors like diabetes or high-blood pressure. "As you undergo degeneration of the brain, you can't take care of yourself. Some people have problems swallowing, some people fall and hurt themselves badly," he told a seminar in conjunction with World Alzheimer's Day.
The seminar was organised by the Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) and Novartis Corporation Malaysia. Senior lecturer in Geriatric Medicine at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Dr Chin Ai-Vryn, said AD was a progressive disease with patients living up to five to 12 years after diagnosis. "When a patient or his family starts to worry about his memory loss, seek help immediately." Patients diagnosed early can still perform normal tasks and be reasonably independent.
"People who smoke, do not exercise, have a poor diet or high-blood pressure or diabetes are more prone to contracting AD in their later years," he said. ADFM chairman Datuk Dr Yim Khai Kee said World Alzheimer's Day 2008, with the theme "No time to lose!", was a platform to gain recognition and support for patients.
hello,
actually , i want to share with all of you about the past national leader..he is Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad.He is more efficient and better in his predecessors.The winds of change brought about by this formidable leader heve touched every aspect of Malaysian life,economic,social,political and cultural.The article that i read said he was born in Alor Star on 20th December 1925.he received his early education in Maktab Sultan Abdul Hamid.After completing his secondary education,he took up medicine atb the King Edward College of Medicine in the University of Singapore and graduated with an MBBS degree in medicine.thats all... by,
yein-ec08034
Hye,
Do you know about WOODBALL?
I think many of you do not know about it.I choose the woodball because i am a player.Actually,the sport and recreational game of woodball was introduced into Malaysia in 1995 by it’s promoter Mr. Thomas Kok. The game is played similar to golf with a swinging tee-shot and putting strokes. Being a visually exciting game which looks deceptively easy to play but ‘hard to master’it soon caught the interest of many people.
Within a very short time the first woodball course in Malaysia was built on a public road reserve in Taman OUG, Kuala Lumpur. Soon thereafter with the support of the City Council of Kuala Lumpur who had allowed the association to use the area and the support of the increasing players the Association of Woodball Recreation, Kuala Lumpur was formed. Subsequently the game grew, attracting players from all parts of the country resulting in a need for a national association. Thus, the name was changed to Malaysia Woodball Association with the Registrar of Societies in 1999.
In year 2008 Malaysia Woodball Association was approved and accepted as an associate member of Malaysia Olympic Council and Woodball was recognized and accepted as one of the 17 Sports in the 1st BALI ASIAN BEACH GAMES 2008 TO BE HELD IN BALI, INDONESIA.
Thats all.I think you should try it.it is so interesting.
by,
Yein-ec08034
Why do people sleep too much?
For people who suffer from hypersomnia, oversleeping is actually a medical disorder. The condition causes people to suffer from extreme sleepiness throughout the day, which is not usually relieved by napping. It also causes them to sleep for unusually long periods of time at night. Many people with hypersomnia experience symptoms of anxiety, low energy, and memory problems as a result of their almost constant need for sleep.
Obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder that causes people to stop breathing momentarily during sleep, can also lead to an increased need for sleep. That's because it disrupts the normal sleep cycle.
Of course, not everyone who oversleeps has a sleep disorder. Other possible causes of oversleeping include the use of certain substances, such as alcohol and some prescription medications. Other medical conditions, including depression, can cause people to oversleep. And then there are people who simply enjoy sleeping for long periods of time.So,dont try this at home.haha..
by,
yein-ec08034
PEACE!
There have been numerous wars and armed conflicts throughout the history of mankind. The use of violence as a means to settle conflict was most clearly seen in the two world wars of the century where millions of lives were lost in a conflict over seemingly puerile issues which could have been resolved by peaceful negotiation. Many people are skeptical at the prospect of everlasting peace and their cynicism leads them to scoff at others who wish for peace in the world.
I strongly feel that cynical people who do not believe in peace are basically just too jaded about life. Their failure to appreciate the desire for peace stems not from a strong conviction against it possibility, but, rather, from a fear that they would be seen as a weak and a idealistic person. It is such so-called realistic and rational who prevent peace from becoming a reality, as they feel that violence is justified and necessary.
If everybody is willing to work out conflicts by consensus and discussions, than war become absolutely unnecessary. Imagine two world leaders at opposite fronts, but who are, nevertheless, both committed to peace. The very probability of conflict and war between them and their parties would become much lower, if not none at all. If however, only one of them is skeptical and cynical over prospects of peace than he may opt for the easy way out; which is to wage war. The ideal is has to be firmly believed before it can become a reality. If Columbus never believed in the New Land, then he would never ever stumble across America.
It is absolutely important that a person should hope and believe that peace is possibility for it to become reality. If no one in the world talks about peace, then it would never come about. Only by taking this first step of convincing ourselves on the possibility of world peace, can we move forward and create more concrete measures to make it reality. Although wars have occurred frequently throughout human history, it has to be a permanent feature forever. Instead, we should try to change and adapt so that progress of the entire human race can be achieved. All we have to do is hope and believe.
Dad's Blessings
A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold. Angry, he raised his voice to his father and said "With all your money, you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. And as he did, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words PAID IN FULL.
The Making Of A Mother
By the time the Lord made mothers, He was into the sixth day working overtime. An Angel appeared and said "Why are you spending so much time on this one?"
And the Lord answered and said, "Have you read the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not elastic; have 200 movable parts, all replaceable; run on black coffee and leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart; and have six pairs of hands."
The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. "Six pairs of hands! No way!" said the Angel.
The Lord replied, "Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem. It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!"
"And that's on the standard model?" the Angel asked.
The Lord nodded in agreement, "Yep, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head are to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair are here in the front of her head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word."
The Angel tried to stop the Lord "This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."
"But I can't!" The Lord protested, "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower."
The Angel moved closer and touched the woman, "But you have made her so soft, Lord."
"She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."
"Will she be able to think?" asked the Angel.
The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate."
The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like You have a leak with this model. I told You that You were trying to put too much into this one."
"That's not a leak." the Lord objected. "That's a tear!"
"What's the tear for?" the Angel asked.
The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride."
The Angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything for this one. You even created the tear!"
The Lord looked at the Angel and smiled and said, "I'm afraid you are wrong again. I created the woman, but she created the tear!"
Assalamualaikum and hello everyone. Now I would like to tell you all one story a nightmare.. So, if you not brave, please don't read this story. The title of the story is The Ghost of Mary Celeste
On the afternoon of December 5th 1872 a ship called the Dei Gratia was sailing from the Azores towards the Portuguese coast. Captain Morehouse was standing on the bridge of his ship, looking out to sea. Looking troubled, he called to his First Lieutenant.
‘Look over there,’ said Captain Morehouse. ‘Do you recognise that ship?’ A look of great surprise came on the First Lieutenant’s face. ‘It’s the Mary Celeste!’ he said. The Mary Celeste was the sister ship of the Dei Gratia. It had left New York a week before the Dei Gratia.
‘What’s it doing here?’ asked the First Lieutenant. ‘And why is it just blowing in the wind like that?’ More men came out onto the deck. They watched the Mary Celeste drifting slowly on the tide.
‘This is very strange,’ said Captain Morehouse ‘I’ve known Captain Briggs for many years. He wouldn’t allow his ship to drift like that ... ’
‘What can we do, Captain?’ ‘There's only one thing we can do,’ said Captain Morehouse. ‘We need to find out what is going on.’
Captain Morehouse sailed out to the Mary Celeste in a small boat. As they got closer, it became obvious that something was wrong. The deck of Celeste was deserted and there were no signs of life. The men from the Dei Gratia boarded the ship. ‘Ahoy there!’ they cried. ‘Is anyone here?’
But there was no answer. Neither Captain Briggs, nor his wife and daughter nor his seven crew were anywhere on the ship. ‘They’ve all gone,’ said the first lieutenant. ‘It’s like a ghost ship
So, what your opinion. Do you scare?..
UEFA CHAMPION LEAGUE
The UEFA Champions League is UEFA's most prestigious club competition. It was originally created as the European Champion Clubs' Cup for the 1955/56 season, before its format and name were changed in 1992. Real Madrid CF and AC Milan have been the most successful sides in the UEFA Champions League, winning the competition three times. Madrid are also the most successful side overall with nine triumphs, followed by seven for Milan and five for Liverpool FC.
The UEFA Champions League is open to each national association's domestic champions, as well as clubs who finish just behind them in their respective domestic championship. The number of clubs that can be entered by an association and their entry point in the competition depends on the association's position in UEFA's coefficient ranking list.
PAS... Its not about politic, just to inform a little bit about this party....
The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party or the Islamic Party of Malaysia (Malay: Parti Islam Se-Malaysia), commonly known as PAS or Pas, is an Islamist political party in Malaysia and is currently headed by Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang. PAS positions itself as a political party that aims to establish Malaysia as a country based on Islamic legal theory derived from the primary sources of Islam, the Quran, Sunnah as well as Hadiths, as opposed to Barisan Nasional's Islam Hadhari, which PAS sees as based on a watered-down understanding of Islam.
The party enjoys strong support from the northern rural and conservative states such as Kelantan and Terengganu. It is also the first opposition party in independent Malaysia's history to defeat the Barisan Nasional coalition in a Malay dominated state. PAS, together with Parti KeADILan Rakyat (known as PKR), and Democratic Action Party (known as DAP) formed part of a coalition called Pakatan Rakyat following the 2008 election. Together, Pakatan Rakyat now controls five states in Malaysia which is Kelantan, Kedah, Selangor, Perak and Penang.
Sharia law
PAS has publicly stated its intent to instate what it claims to be sharia law, including the full range of criminal laws, such as the death penalty for apostasy (murtad) only applied for Muslim that convert to another religion, but has so far been stymied in a court battle.
PAS strongly support the sharia law to oppose apostasy. On 5 November 2006, an estimated 5,000 people gathered in front of a church in Ipoh after false information concerning more than 100 Muslim would apostasize was spread.[citation needed]
See also: 2006 Ipoh apostasy protest
Moves by PAS to extend the already implemented sharia laws, such as by limiting the sale of alcoholic beverage, forbidden to Muslims, and a ban on gambling. In 1999 the Terengganu Government passed the Hudud and Qisas bill which drew much opposition, and eventually prompted the Democratic Action Party to leave the Barisan Alternatif coalition.[citation needed]
assalamualaikum..
Introduction to islam.
The literal meaning of Islam is peace; surrender of one’s will i.e. losing oneself for the sake of God and surrendering one’s own pleasure for the pleasure of God. The message of Islam was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) 1, 400 years ago. It was revealed through angel Gabriel (on whom be peace) and was thus preserved in the Holy Quran. The Holy Quran carries a Divine guarantee of safeguard from interpolation and it claims that it combines the best features of the earlier scriptures.
The prime message of Islam is the Unity of God, that the Creator of the world is One and He alone is worthy of worship and that Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) is His Messenger and Servant. The follower of this belief is thus a Muslim - a Muslim’s other beliefs are: God’s angels, previously revealed Books of God, all the prophets, from Adam to Jesus (peace be on them both), the Day of Judgement and indeed the Decree of God. A Muslim has five main duties to perform, namely; bearing witness to the Unity of God and Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) as His Messenger, observing the prescribed prayer, payment of Zakat, keeping the fasts of Ramadhan and performing the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Islam believes that each person is born pure. The Holy Quran tells us that God has given human beings a choice between good and evil and to seek God’s pleasure through faith, prayer and charity. Islam believes that God created mankind in His image and by imbuing the attributes of God on a human level mankind can attain His nearness. Islam’s main message is to worship God and to treat all God’s creation with kindness and compassion. Rights of parents in old age, orphans and the needy are clearly stated. Women’s rights were safeguarded 1,400 years ago when the rest of the world was in total darkness about emancipation. Islamic teachings encompass every imaginable situation and its rules and principles are truly universal and have stood the test of time.
In Islam virtue does not connote forsaking the bounties of nature that are lawful. On the contrary one is encouraged to lead a healthy, active life with the qualities of kindness, chastity, honesty, mercy, courage patience and politeness. In short, Islam has a perfect and complete code for the guidance of individuals and communities alike. As the entire message of Islam is derived from the Holy Quran and indeed the Sunnah and Hadith (the traditions and practices of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings on him) it is immutable in the face of change in time and place. It may appear rigid to the casual eye, in actual fact it is most certainly an adaptable way of life regardless of human changes.
Islam teaches that the path to spiritual development is open to all. Any individual who searches the One Creator can seek nearness to God through sincere and earnest worship; it is central to establishing a relationship with the Almighty. This positive message for humanity fills hearts with hope and courage.
At present there are 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide and they form the majority in more than 50 countries of the world. Today Islam is the fastest growing faith in the world - its beautiful message is reaching millions in the far corner of the earth.
assalamualaikum..
English as a global language
Because English is so widely spoken, it has often been referred to as a "world language", the lingua franca of the modern era. While English is not an official language in most countries, it is currently the language most often taught as a second language around the world. Some linguists believe that it is no longer the exclusive cultural sign of "native English speakers", but is rather a language that is absorbing aspects of cultures worldwide as it continues to grow. It is, by international treaty, the official language for aerial and maritime communications.[citation needed] English is an official language of the United Nations and many other international organizations, including the International Olympic Committee.
English is the language most often studied as a foreign language in the European Union (by 89% of schoolchildren), followed by French (32%), German (18%), and Spanish (8%).In the EU, a large fraction of the population reports being able to converse to some extent in English. Among non-English speaking countries, a large percentage of the population claimed to be able to converse in English in the Netherlands (87%), Sweden (85%), Denmark (83%), Luxembourg (66%), Finland (60%), Slovenia (56%), Austria (53%), Belgium (52%), and Germany (51%).Norway and Iceland also have a large majority of competent English-speakers.[citation needed]
Books, magazines, and newspapers written in English are available in many countries around the world. English is also the most commonly used language in the sciences. In 1997, the Science Citation Index reported that 95% of its articles were written in English, even though only half of them came from authors in English-speaking countries.
EIGHT GIFTS
Eight Gifts that Do Not Cost A Cent:
1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING . . .
But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.
2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION . . .
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER . . .
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE . . .
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT . . .
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR . . .
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE . . .
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
8) THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION . . .
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.
BECAUSE YOU ARE MY FRIEND
Because you are my friend I would do for you all that my heart and my soul and body are capable of doing.
I would cry with you and share your burdens when you are down.
I would laugh with you and rejoice with you when you have achieved.
I would be there when you want my company and I would be gone when you do not.
But do not expect perfection from me, for the day shall come when I let you down and you will be hurt.
And when I let you down, it will not be because I desire to hurt you, nor because I do not still love you. It will only be because I am human and that is one frailty from which no one can escape.
THE BUTTERFLY
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly
One day a small opening appeared
He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours
It struggled to force its body through that little hole
Then it seemed to stop making any progress
It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could
And it could go no farther.
So the man decided to help the butterfly
He took a pair of scissors and snipped off
The remaining bit of the cocoon.
The butterfly then emerged easily, BUT,
It had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings
He continued to watch the butterfly
He expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge
And the body would contract
Neither happened!
In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling
Around with a swollen body and shriveled wings.
It was never able to fly.
The man acted with well-intentioned kindness
But he didn't understand the consequences.
The restricting cocoon and the struggle required to get
Through the tiny opening, were nature's way of forcing fluid
From the body of the butterfly once it achieved it's freedom
From the cocoon.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life.
If nature allowed us to go through life without any
Obstacles, it would cripple us.
We would not be as strong as we could have been
And we could never fly
Have a great day, great life, and struggle a little.
Then fly!
LOVE
Love songs are everywhere. But does anyone have a definition of love, which — people claim — makes the world go around? Sure, it's easy to tell when you're in love with someone. [The heart pounds and you act like an idiot.] But it's much harder to say if you actually love someone.
Enter the mind of Harry Jenkins, as he is about to make love to Natasha,
And then he laughed at himself as he sank beneath the covers. No sane man would question such free and voluptuous pleasure, as if it could only be valued through thought. Only an idiot or a fool would try to analyze love and passion.
Nonetheless, like the fool, I seek a definition. Perhaps it is the lawyer in me. On the subject of love, Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist, is a sobering read. All of us, supposedly, carry within us, an animus [if you're female] and an anima [if you're male], which is the idealized image of the person you love. And so, when you are in love you are projecting this idealized image on a real, live person who might be naturally quite entitled to be different.
After the honeymoon, those annoying little cracks in the image appear, which could certainly explain the high divorce rate. When you find the real person doesn't exactly match your superimposed ideal, what do you do?
All of these thoughts led me to explore people's ideas of all kinds of love, not just the romantic variety, in Final Paradox, the second in The Osgoode Trilogy.
Harry Jenkins is the lawyer protagonist throughout the trilogy, which contain story lines of murder and fraud. He is in the thrall of the beautiful Natasha. His aging father, who abandoned him as a child, has just asked his forgiveness. Harry can't seem to find that in his heart. Natasha asks him—
What do you think love is?
He shrugged. "I don’t know. It's about wanting someone as part of your life. Wanting them always with you." He looked into her eyes. "Why? What do you think?"
"I think it's about getting
outside yourself and seeing another person's life from their point of view. At least that's a start," Natasha replied.
Harry heard his father's words. It's all about you, is it? Would he always be the kid, he wondered?
Another character musing about love is Norma Dinnick — an elderly client of Harry's who trips back and forth between lucidity and madness. She recollects her stew of feelings for various men.
Going back to her hotel, Norma tried to understand. She knew about affection and caring from Arthur, her husband, who kept her safe from the emptiness. But she did not understand this business of love, which David talked about. She did know that such emotions gave her a sense of power. The sheer lust she experienced in the presence of George made her feel weak and vulnerable.
Norma simply doesn't understand about love and neither does Bronwyn — another character. An embittered soul, she has married a gay man and on her honeymoon - She wandered the narrow beach of sand and stone where the boats ferried back and forth to the grottos. No Peter. But then she saw him at a distance on the beach walking slowly with a younger man she did not know. Where had they come from? Right from the start, she had known. Of course, the bargain was unspoken, but well understood. For money and security, Bronwyn had sacrificed any chance for love.
But in the end, Harry does begin to get it. In bed with the lovely Natasha, he was
…transported outside his own body, he was overcome with the desire to know the dreams, fantasies and mysteries she held within. He would enter her world with love and understanding and never leave. The awe he felt in her closeness made his breathing slow and deepen in rhythm with hers. He watched his hand reach out of the shadows to smooth the sheet. She was at last in his bed and, fearing a mirage, he dared not wake her. In the past two weeks, his world had been shaken. His mind had become a jumble of colliding, conflicting events and consequences. Now he felt her power to draw his life together. A still peace gently settled over him like a silken web of meaning.
5 IMPORTANT LESSONS
First Important Lesson:
During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke.
I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?
I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello'."
I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
Second Important Lesson: Pickup in the Rain
One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African-American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxi cab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him.
Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."
Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.
Third Important Lesson: Always remember those who serve you
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.
By now, more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied." The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.
When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
Fourth Important Lesson: The Obstacle in Our Path
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.
The peasant learned what many of us never understand. Every obstacle presents an oportunity to improve our condition.
Fifth Important Lesson: Giving When it Counts
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.
I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save her."
As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?" Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
You see understanding and attitude, after all, is everything.
"Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt.
Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
Most of what I really need to know about how to live and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.
These are the things I learned:
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life.
Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.
Remember the little seed in the plastic cup? The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the plastic cup -- they all die. So do we.
And then remember the book about Dick and Jane and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all: look.
Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and sane living.
Think what a better world it would be if we all -- the whole world -- had cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and cleaned up our own messes. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER
The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read
Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.
Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent on dragging me down.
And if that weren't enough to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play
He stood right before me with his head tilted down
And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"
In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light.
Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,
I faked a small smile and then shifted away.
But instead of retreating, he sat next to my side
And placed the flower to his nose
And declared with overacted surprise,
"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too.
That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."
The weed before me was dying or dead.
Not vibrant of colors: orange, yellow or red.
But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need."
but instead of him placing the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed for the very first time
That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.
I heard my voice quiver; tears shone in the sun
As I thanked him for picking the very best one.
"You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.
I sat there and wondered how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.
Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see
The problem was not with the world; the problem was me.
And for all of those times I myself had been blind,
I vowed to see the beauty in life,
And appreciate every second that's mine.
And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose
And smiled as I watched that young boy, Another weed in his hand,
About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.
HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT FAST
Most of us who are overweight would definitely like to lose weight and if possible to lose it quickly. We are not happy with our appearance and worried about the health effects of the excess poundage. We sooner or later come to the decision to do something about it.
Sometimes,particularly if a special occasion is coming up we want to lose weight fast. Maybe it is a high school reunion and we just don't want to appear there grossly overweight. Maybe it is summer vacation time and we want to look good on the beach in a swimsuit.
Whatever the reason we want to lose weight fast. Or as fast as we possibly can at any rate. We don't expect miracles but we surely could use one to show us how to lose weight fast.
Actually how much weight you can lose,and how fast you can lose it,depends a lot on how much overweight you are to begin with. If you are considerably overweight you can expect to lose about one pound per day on a good diet plan. Anything faster than that would involve serious fasting and food deprivation and could be dangerous to your health.
Don't pay any attention to diet ads which promise to take off 30 pounds in a week or something to that effect. It's just not true and can't be done. If a diet program can show you how to lose weight fast that is great. But not too fast please.
If you are say twenty pounds or so overweight,you should not expect to lose more than one pound per day on any reasonable diet. You could lose weight fast by fasting but you should to do that only under medical supervision by your doctor.
You should not fast completely with nothing to eat at all. A modified fast in which you eat only small quantities of solid food and plenty of liquids can be alright for many people. But once more anything this drastic should be attempted only after seeking advice from your doctor.
If you really want to know how to lose weight fast the simple answer is that you will be much better off to lose weight at a slower rate. A gradual weight loss needs much less change in your lifestyle and is definitely much simpler to achieve.
If you push yourself into a crash diet you may lose weight fast,but as soon as you come off the diet you will gain it all back again quite quickly and your efforts will have been in vain. Don't do this.It is simply not worthwhile.
The new generation of diets which are based on sound research are easy to stay on for the long term. You can choose the foods you want to eat instead of having to go on a menu of foods you may not like at all. You can lose many pounds and keep the weight off very easily bvy staying with the diet program.
LEARN TO CURE YOUR ACNE NATURALLY
More and more acne sufferers are now turning to treating their skin condition naturally. This is because doctors are now too quick to prescribe an oral drug for a problem that can be controlled with a nutritious diet and a healthier lifestyle. No drug will cure anything if you're continually feeding the cause with poor lifestyle habits.
Doctors won't prescribe a healthy, natural approach to treating acne because prescribing drugs is what keeps them in their job. Continual use of drugs can cause unwanted side effects, and this is what is putting more an more people off of visiting their doctor for the treatment of their acne.
So what would be your best approach to treating your skin? First of it's important to keep your skin clean, and you can do this easily with a medicated, anti-bacterial soap. It doesn't need to be a prescription strength chemical based soap, it can be one that you can buy straight of the shelf in your local grocery store. As long as it kills bacteria and keeps your skin clean there's nothing else you need it to do.
All you need to do is wash your skin morning and night, and this is to wash away all the dead skin cells, oil and bacteria. Doing this gives your skin the room it needs to breath, and leaves less on your skin to clog up any pores.
Keeping your skin moist is very important. Dry skin can encourage acne, and cause the pores to become more clogged. Drinking plenty of water every day will help your skin stay supple and moist. You should aim for at least 8 glasses of water spread out through the day. If you body becomes dehydrated your skin will become too dry, and then your acne can get worse.
Eat a diet that is filled with foods full of nutrition. Fresh fruit and vegetables are the foods you need your diet to consist of the most. Your body relies on vitamins and minerals to function properly, and your skin needs them for it to look good too.
If you want to eat junk food that is filled with fat, and has zero nutritional value then your skin will reflect what you're putting into your body.
A diet that is filled with these poor foods also puts more toxins into your body, and these toxins put a strain on your internal organs. When your internal organs have to work harder this has an effect on the way your skin looks, and also has an effect on your energy levels.
Regular exercise helps keep your skin clear. Exercise helps your body excrete toxins through sweating, and it also gives all of your internal organs a good workout. Your blood pumps faster, and exercise will release endorphins so you feel better, and when you feel better you look better.
Using these tips for clearer skin will have a much more positive effect on your life than taking drugs for a year or two that only mask a cause of your acne.
THE TELL-TALE HEART
TRUE!-NERVOUS--very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am! but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses--not destroyed--not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily--how calmly I can tell you the whole story.
It is impossible to tell how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night. Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man. He had never wronged me. He had never given me insult. For his gold I had no desire. I think it was his eye! Yes, it was this! One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture--a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees--very gradually--I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever.
Now this is the point. You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me. You should have seen how wisely I proceeded--with what caution--with what foresight--with what dissimulation I went to work!
I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him. And every night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his door and opened it--oh, so gently! And then, when I had made an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark lantern, all closed, closed, so that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my head. Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in! I moved it slowly--very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man's sleep. It took me an hour to place my whole head within the opening so far that I could see him as he lay upon his bed. Ha!--would a madman have been so wise as this? And then, when my head was well in the room, I undid the lantern cautiously--oh, so cautiously--cautiously (for the hinges creaked)--I undid it just so much that a single thin ray fell upon the vulture eye. And this I did for seven long nights--every night just at midnight--but I found the eye always closed; and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye. And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber, and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he had passed the night. So you see he would have been a very profound old man, indeed, to suspect that every night, just at twelve, I looked in upon him while he slept.
Upon the eighth night I was more than usually cautious in opening the door. A watch's minute hand moves more quickly than did mine. Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own powers--of my sagacity. I could scarcely contain my feelings of triumph. To think that there I was, opening the door, little by little, and he not even to dream of my secret deeds or thoughts. I fairly chuckled at the idea; and perhaps he heard me; for he moved on the bed suddenly, as if startled. Now you may think that I drew back--but no. His room was as black as pitch with the thick darkness (for the shutters were close fastened, through fear of robbers), and so I knew that he could not see the opening of the door, and I kept pushing it on steadily, steadily.
I had my head in, and was about to open the lantern, when my thumb slipped upon the tin fastening, and the old man sprang up in bed, crying out: "Who's there?"
I kept quite still and said nothing. For a whole hour I did not move a muscle, and in the meantime I did not hear him lie down. He was still sitting up in the bed listening;--just as I have done, night after night, hearkening to the death watches in the wall.
Presently I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror. It was not a groan of pain or grief--oh no!--it was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe. I knew the sound well. Many a night, just at midnight, when all the world slept, it has welled up from my own bosom, deepening, with its dreadful echo, the terrors that distracted me. I say I knew it well. I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I chuckled at heart. I knew that he had been lying awake ever since the first slight noise, when he had turned in the bed. His fears had been ever since growing upon him. He had been trying to fancy them causeless, but could not. He had been saying to himself: "It is nothing but the wind in the chimney--it is only a mouse crossing the floor," or "it is merely a cricket which has made a single chirp." Yes, he had been trying to comfort himself with these suppositions; but he had found all in vain. All in vain; because Death, in approaching him. had stalked with his black shadow before him, and enveloped the victim. And it was the mournful influence of the unperceived shadow that caused him to feel--although he neither saw nor heard--to feel the presence of my head within the room.
When I had waited a long time, very patiently, without hearing him lie down, I resolved to open a little--a very, very little crevice in the lantern. So I opened it--you cannot imagine how stealthily, stealthily--until, at length, a single dim ray, like the thread of the spider, shot from out the crevice and full upon the vulture eye.
It was open--wide, wide open--and I grew furious as I gazed upon it. I saw it with perfect distinctness--all a dull blue, with a hideous veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones; but I could see nothing else of the old man's face or person: for I had directed the ray, as if by instinct, precisely upon the damned spot.
And now--have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over-acuteness of the senses?--now, I say, there came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I knew that sound well too. It was the beating of the old man's heart. It increased my fury, as the beating of a drum stimulates the soldier into courage.
But even yet I refrained and kept still. I scarcely breathed. I held the lantern motionless. I tried how steadily I could maintain the ray upon the eye. Meantime the hellish tattoo of the heart increased. It grew quicker and quicker' and louder and louder every instant. The old man's terror must have been extreme! It grew louder, I say, louder every moment!--do you mark me well? I have told you that I am nervous: so I am. And now at the dead hour of night, amid the dreadful silence of that old house, so strange a noise as this excited me to uncontrollable terror. Yet, for some minutes longer I refrained and stood still. But the beating grew louder, louder! I thought the heart must burst. And now a new anxiety seized me--the sound would be heard by a neighbor! The old man's hour had come! With a loud yell, I threw open the lantern and leaped into the room. He shrieked once--once only. In an instant I dragged him to the floor, and pulled the heavy bed over him. I then smiled gaily, to find the deed so far done. But, for many minutes, the heart beat on with a muffled sound. This, however, did not vex me; it would not be heard through the wall. At length it ceased. The old man was dead. I removed the bed and examined the corpse. Yes, he was stone, stone dead. I placed my hand upon the heart and held it there many minutes. There was no pulsation. He was stone dead. His eye would trouble me no more.
If still you think me mad, you will think so no longer when I describe the wise precautions I took for the concealment of the body. The night waned, and I worked hastily, but in silence. First of all I dismembered the corpse. I cut off the head and the arms and the legs.
I then took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings. I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye--not even his--could have detected anything wrong. There was nothing to wash out--no stain of any kind--no blood-spot whatever. I had been too wary for that. A tub had caught all--ha! ha!
When I had made an end of these labors, it was four o'clock--still dark as midnight. As the bell sounded the hour, there came a knocking at the street door. I went down to open it with a light heart--for what had I now to fear? There entered three men, who introduced themselves, with perfect suavity, as officers of the police. A shriek had been heard by a neighbor during the night: suspicion of foul play had been aroused; information had been lodged at the police office, and they (the officers) had been deputed to search the premises.
I smiled--for what had I to fear? I bade the gentlemen welcome. The shriek, I said, was my own in a dream. The old man, I mentioned, was absent in the country. I took my visitors all over the house. I bade them search--search well. I led them, at length, to his chamber. I showed them his treasures, secure, undisturbed. In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim.
The officers were satisfied. My manner had convinced them. I was singularly at ease. They sat, and while I answered cheerily, they chatted familiar things. But, ere long, I felt myself getting pale and wished them gone. My head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears: but still they sat and still chatted. The ringing became more distinct:--it continued and became more distinct: I talked more freely to get rid of the feeling: but it continued and gained definiteness--until, at length, I found that the noise was not within my ears.
No doubt I now grew very pale,--but I talked more fluently, and with a heightened voice. Yet the sound increased--and what could I do? It was a low, dull, quick sound--much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I gasped for breath--and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly--more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observation of the men--but the noise steadily increased. Oh, God; what could I do? I foamed--I raved--I swore! I swung the chair upon which I had been sitting, and grated it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually increased. It grew louder--louder --louder! And still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they heard not? Almighty God!--no, no! They heard!--they suspected--they knew!--they were making a mockery of my horror!--this I thought, and this I think. But anything was better than this agony! Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die!--and now--again!--hark! louder! louder! louder!
"Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble no more! I admit the deed!--tear up the planks!--here, here!--it is the beating of his hideous heart!"
SPLIT CHERRY TREE
I don't mind staying after school," I says to Professor Herbert, "but I'd rather you'd whip me with a switch and let me go home early. Pa will whip me anyway for getting home two hours late."
"You are too big to whip," says Professor Herbert, "and I have to punish you for climbing up in that cherry tree. You boys knew better than that! The other five boys have paid their dollar each. You have been the only one who has not helped pay for the tree. Can't you borrow a dollar?"
"I can't," I says. "I'll have to take the punishment. I wish it would be quicker punishment. I wouldn't mind."
Professor Herbert stood and looked at me. He was a big man. He wore a grey suit of clothes. The suit matched his grey hair.
"You don't know my father," I says to Professor Herbert. "He might be called a little old-fashioned. He makes us mind him until we're twenty-one years old. He believes: 'If you spare the rod you spoil the child.' I'll never be able to make him understand about the cherry tree. I'm the first of my people to go to high school."
"You must take the punishment," says Professor Herbert. "You must stay two hours after school today and two hours after school tomorrow. I am allowing you twenty-five cents an hour. That is good money for a high-school student. You can sweep the schoolhouse floor, wash the blackboards, and clean windows. I'll pay the dollar for you."
I couldn't ask Professor Herbert to loan me a dolIar. He never offered to loan it to me. I had to stay and help the janitor and work out my fine at a quarter an hour.
I thought as I swept the floor, "What will Pa do to me? What lie can I tell him when I go home? Why did we ever climb that cherry tree and break it down for anyway? Why did we run crazy over the hills away from the crowd? Why did we do all of this? Six of us climbed up in a little cherry tree after one little lizard! Why did the tree split and fall with us? It should have been a stronger tree! Why did Eif Crabtree just happen to be below us plowing and catch us in his cherry tree? Why wasn't he a better man than to charge us six dollars for the tree?"
It was six o'clock when I left the schoolhouse. I had six miles to walk home. It would be after seven when I got home. I had all my work to do when I got home. It took Pa and I both to do the work. Seven cows to milk. Nineteen head of cattle to feed, four mules, twenty-five hogs, firewood and stovewood to cut, and water to draw from the well. He would be doing it when I got home. He would be mad and wondering what was keeping me!
I hurried home. I would run under the dark, leafless trees. I would walk fast uphill. I would run down the hill. The ground was freezing. I had to hurry. I had to run. I reached the long ridge that led to our cow pasture. I ran along this ridge. The wind dried the sweat on my face. I ran across the pasture to the house.
I threw down my books in the chipyard. I ran to the barn to spread fodder on the ground for the cattle. I didn't take time to change my clean school clothes for my old work clothes. I ran out to the barn. I saw Pa spreading fodder on the ground to the cattle. That was my job. I ran up to the fence. I says, "Leave that for me, Pa. I'll do it. I'm just a little late."
"I see you are," says Pa. He turned and looked at me. His eyes danced fire. "What in th' world has kept you so? Why ain't you been here to help me with this work? Make a gentleman out'n one boy in th' family and this is what you get! Send you to high school and you get too onery fer th' buzzards to smell!"
I never said anything. I didn't want to tell why I was late from school. Pa stopped scattering the bundles of fodder. He looked at me. He says, "Why are you gettin' in here this time o' night? You tell me or I'll take a hickory withe to you right here on th' spot!"
I says, "I had to stay after school." I couldn't lie to Pa. He'd go to school and find out why I had to stay. If I lied to him it would be too bad for me.
"Why did you haf to stay atter school?" says Pa.
I says, "0ur biology class went on a field trip today. Six of us boys broke down a cherry tree. We had to give a dollar apiece to pay for the tree. I didn't have the dolIar. Professor Herbert is making me work out my dollar. He gives me twenty-five cents an hour. I had to stay in this afternoon. I'll have to stay in tomorrow afternoon!"
"Are you telling me th' truth?" says Pa.
"I'm telling you the truth," I says. "Go and see for yourself."
"That's just what I'll do in th' mornin'," says Pa. "Jist whose cherry tree did you break down?"
"Eif Crabtree's cherry tree!"
"What was you doin' clear out in Eif Crabtree's place?" says Pa. "He lives four miles from th' county high school. Don't they teach you no books at that high school? Do they jist let you get out and gad over th' hillsides? If that's all they do I'll keep you at home, Dave. I've got work here fer you to do!"
"Pa," I says, "spring is just getting here. We take a subject in school where we have to have bugs, snakes, flowers, lizards, frogs, and plants. It is biology. It was a pretly day today. We went out to find a few of these. Six of us boys saw a lizard at the same time sunning on a cherry tree. We all went up the tree to get it. We broke the tree down. It split at the forks. Eif Crabtree was plowing down below us. He ran up the hill and got our names. The other boys gave their dollar apiece. I didn't have mine. Professor Herbert put mine in for me. I have to work it out at school."
"Poor man's son, huh," says Pa. "I'll attend to that myself in th' mornin'. I'll take keer o' 'im. He ain't from this county nohow. I'll go down there in th' mornin' and see 'im. Lettin' you leave your books and galavant all over th' hills. What kind of a school is it nohow! Didn't do that, my son, when I's a little shaver in school. All fared alike too."
"Pa, please don't go down there," I says, "just let me have fifty cents and pay the rest of my fine! I don't want you to go down there! I don't want you to start anything with Professor Herbert!
"Ashamed of your old Pap are you, Dave," says Pa, "atter th' way I've worked to raise you! Tryin' to send you to school so you can make a better livin' than I've made.
"I'll straighten this thing out myself! I'll take keer o' Professor Herbert myself! He ain't got no right to keep you in and let the other boys off jist because they've got th' money! I'm a poor man. A bullet will go in a professor same as it will any man. It will go in a rich man same as it will a poor man. Now you get into this work before I take one o' these withes and cut the shirt off'n your back!"
I thought once I'd run through the woods above the barn just as hard as I could go. I thought I'd leave high school and home forever! Pa could not catch me! I'd get away! I couldn't go back to school with him. He'd have a gun and maybe he'd shoot Professor Herbert. It was hard to tell what he would do. I could tell Pa that school had changed in the hills from the way it was when he was a boy, but he wouldn't understand. I could tell him we studied frogs, birds, snakes, lizards, flowers, insects. But Pa wouldn't understand. If I did run away from home it wouldn't matter to Pa. He would see Professor Herbert anyway. He would think that high school and Professor Herbert had run me away from home. There was no need to run away. I'd just have to stay, finish foddering the cattle, and go to school with Pa the next morning.
I would take a bundle of fodder, remove the hickory witheband from around it, and scatter it on rocks, clumps of green briers, and brush so the cattle wouldn't tramp it under their feet. I would lean it up against the oak trees and the rocks in the pasture just above our pigpen on the hill. The fodder was cold and frosty where it had set out in the stacks. I would carry bundles of the fodder from the stack until I had spread out a bundle for each steer. Pa went to the barn to feed the mules and throw corn in the pen to the hogs.
The moon shone bright in the cold March sky. I finished my work by moonlight. Professor Herbert really didn't know how much work I had to do at home. If he had known he would not have kept me after school. He would have loaned me a dolIar to have paid my part on the cherry tree. He had never lived in the hills. He didn't know the way the hill boys had to work so that they could go to school. Now he was teaching in a county high school where all the boys who attended were from hill farms.
After I'd finished doing my work I went to the house and ate my supper. Pa and Mom had eaten. My supper was getting cold. I heard Pa and Mom talking in the front room. Pa was telling Mom about me staying in after school.
"I had to do all th' milkin' tonight, chop th' wood myself. It's too hard on me atter I've turned ground all day. I'm goin' to take a day off tomorrow and see if I can't remedy things a little. I'll go down to that high school tomorrow. I won't be a very good scholar fer Professor Herbert nohow. He won't keep me in atter school. I'll take a different kind of lesson down there and make 'im acquainted with it."
"Now, Luster," says Mom, "you jist stay away from there. Don't cause a lot o' trouble. You can be jailed fer a trick like that. You'll get th' Law atter you. You'll jist go down there and show off and plague your own boy Dave to death in front o' all th' scholars!"
"Plague or no plague," says Pa, "he don't take into consideration what all I haf to do here, does he? I'll show 'im it ain't right to keep one boy in and let the rest go scot-free. My boy is good as th' rest, ain't he? A bullet will make a hole in a schoolteacher same as it will anybody else. He can't do me that way and get by with it. I'll plug 'im first. I aim to go down there bright and early in the mornin' and get all this straight! I aim to see about bug larnin' and this runnin' all over God's creation huntin' snakes, lizards, and frogs. Ransackin' th' country and goin' through cherry orchards and breakin' th' trees down atter lizards! 0ld Eif Crabtree ought to a-poured th' hot lead to 'em instead o' chargin' six dollars fer th' tree! He ought to a-got old Herbert th' first one!"
I ate my supper. I slipped upstairs and lit the lamp. I tried to forget the whole thing. I studied plane geometry. Then I studied my biology lesson. I could hardly study for thinking about Pa. "He'll go to school with me in the morning. He'll take a gun for Professor Herbert! What will Professor Herbert think of me! I'll tell him when Pa leaves that I couldn't help it. But Pa might shoot him. I hate to go with Pa. Maybe he'll cool off about it tonight and not go in the morning."
Pa got up at four o'clock. He built a fire in the stove. Then he built a fire in the fireplace. He got Mom up to get breakfast. Then he got me up to help feed and milk. By the time we had our work done at the barn, Mom had breakfast ready for us. We ate our breakfast. Daylight came and we could see the bare oak trees covered white with frost. The hills were white with frost. A cold wind was blowing. The sky was clear. The sun would soon come out and melt the frost. The afternoon would be warm with sunshine and the frozen ground with thaw. There would be mud on the hills again. Muddy water would then run down the little ditches on the hills.
"Now, Dave," says Pa, "let's get ready fer school. I aim to go with you this mornin' and look into bug larnin', frog larnin', lizard and snake larnin', and breakin' down cherry trees! I don't like no sicha foolish way o' larnin' myself!"
Pa hadn't forgot. I'd have to take him to school with me. He would take me to school with him. We were going early. I was glad we were going early. If Pa pulled a gun on Professor Herbert there wouldn't be so many of my classmates there to see him.
I knew that Pa wouldn't be at home in the high school. He wore overalls, big boots, a blue shirt and a sheepskin coat and a slouched black hat gone to seed at the top. He put his gun in its holster. We started trudging toward the high schoo1 across the hill.
It was early when we got to the county high school. Professor Herbert had just got there. I just thought as we walked up the steps into the schoolhouse, "Maybe Pa will find out Professor Herbert is a good man. He just doesn't know him. Just like I felt toward the Lambert boys across the hill. I didn't like them until I'd seen them and talked to them. After I went to school with them and talked to them, I liked them and we were friends. It's a lot in knowing the other fellow."
"You're th' Professor here, ain't you?" says Pa.
"Yes," says Professor Herbert, "and you are Dave's father."
"Yes," says Pa, pulling out his gun and laying it on the seat in Professor Herbert's office. Professor Herbert's eyes got big behind his black-rimmed glasses when he saw Pa's gun. Color came into his pale cheeks.
"Jist a few things about this school I want to know," says Pa. "I'm tryin' to make a scholar out'n Dave. He's the only one out'n eleven youngins I've sent to high school. Here he comes in late and leaves me all th' work to do! He said you's all out bug huntin' yesterday and broke a cherry tree down. He had to stay two hours atter school yesterday and work out money to pay on that cherry tree! Is that right?"
"Wwwwy," says Professor Herbert, "I guess it is."
He looked at Pa's gun.
"Well," says Pa, "this ain't no high school. It's a bug school, a lizard school, a snake school! It ain't no school nohow!"
"Why did you bring that gun?" says Professor Herbert to Pa.
"You see that little hole," says Pa as he picked up the long blue forty-four and put his finger on the end of the barrel, "a bullet can come out'n that hole that will kill a schoolteacher same as it will any other man. It will kill a rich man same as a poor man. It will kill a man. But atter I come in and saw you, I know'd I wouldn't need it. This maul o' mine could do you up in a few minutes."
Pa stood there, big, hard, brown-skinned, and mighty beside of Professor Herbert. I didn't know Pa was so much bigger and harder. I'd never seen Pa in a schoolhouse before. I'd seen Professor Herbert. He'd always looked big before to me. He didn't look big standing beside of Pa.
"I was only doing my duty," says Professor Herbert, "Mr. Sexton, and following the course of study the state provided us with."
"Course o' study," says Pa, "what study, bug study? Varmint study? Takin' youngins to th' woods and their poor old Ma's and Pa's at home a-slavin' to keep 'em in school and give 'em a education! You know that's dangerous, too, puttin' a lot o' boys and girIs out together like that!"
Students were coming into the schoolhouse now.
Professor Herbert says, "Close the door, Dave, so others won't hear."
I walked over and closed the door. I was shaking like a leaf in the wind. I thought Pa was going to hit Professor Herbert every minute. He was doing all the talking. His face was getting red. The red color was coming through the brown, weather-beaten skin on Pa's face.
"I was right with these students," says Professor Herbert. "I know what they got into and what they didn't. I didn't send one of the other teachers with them on this field trip. I went myself. Yes, I took the boys and girIs together. Why not?"
"It jist don't look good to me," says Pa, "a-takin' all this swarm of youngins out to pillage th' whole deestrict. Breakin' down cherry trees. Keepin' boys in atter school."
"What else could I have done with Dave, Mr. Sexton?" says Professor Herbert. "The boys didn't have any business all climbing that cherry tree after one lizard. One boy could have gone up in the tree and got it. The farmer charged us six dollars. It was a little steep, I think, but we had it to pay. Must I make five boys pay and let your boy off? He said he didn't have the dollar and couldn't get it. So I put it in for him. I'm letting him work it out. He's not working for me. He's working for the school!"
"I jist don't know what you could a-done with 'im," says Pa, "only a-larruped im with a withe! That's what he needed!"
"He's too big to whip," says Professor Herbert, pointing at me. "He's a man in size."
"He's not too big fer me to whip," says Pa. "They ain't too big until they're over twenty-one! It jist didn't look fair to me! Work one and let th' rest out because they got th' money. I don't see what bugs has got to do with a high school! It don't look good to me nohow!"
Pa picked up his gun and put it back in its holster. The red color left Professor Herbert's face. He talked more to Pa. Pa softened a littIe. It looked funny to see Pa in the high-school building. It was the first time he'd ever been there.
"We were not only hunting snakes, toads, flowers, butterflies, lizards," says Professor Herbert, "but, Mr. Sexton, I was hunting dry timothy grass to put in an incubator and raise some protozoa."
" I don't know what that is," says Pa. "Th' incubator is th' new-fangled way o' cheatin' th' hens and raisin' chickens. I ain't so sure about th' breed o' chickens you mentioned."
"You've heard of germs, Mr. Sexton, haven't you?" says Professor Herbert.
"Jist call me Luster, if you don't mind," says Pa, very casual like.
"All right, Luster, you've heard of germs, haven't you?"
"Yes," says Pa, "but I don't believe in germs. I'm sixty-five years old and I ain't seen one yet!"
"You can't see them with your naked eye," says Professor Herbert. "Just keep that gun in the holster and stay with me in the high school today. I have a few things want to show you. That scum on your teeth has germs in it."
"What," says Pa, "you mean to tell me I've got germs on my teeth!
"Yes," says Professor Herbert. "The same kind as we might be able to find in a living black snake if we dissect it!"
"I don't mean to dispute your word," says Pa, "but I don't believe it. I don't believe I have germs on my teeth!"
"Stay with me today and I'll show you. I want to take you through the school anyway! School has changed a lot in the hills since you went to school. I don't guess we had high schools in this county when you went to school!"
"No," says Pa, "jist readin', writin', and cipherin'. We didn't have all this bug larnin', frog larnin', and findin' germs on your teeth and in the middle o' black snakes! Th' world's changin'."
"It is," says Professor Herbert, "and we hope all for the better. Boys like your own there are going to help change it. He's your boy. He knows all of what I've told you. You stay with me today."
"I'll shore stay with you," says Pa. " I want to see th' germs off'n my teeth. I jist want to see a germ. I've never seen one in my life. 'Seein' is believin',' Pap allus told me."
Pa walks out of the office with Professor Herbert. I just hoped Professor Herbert didn't have Pa arrested for pulling his gun. Pa's gun has always been a friend to him when he goes to settle disputes.
The bell rang. School took up. I saw the students when they marched in the schoolhouse look at Pa. They would grin and punch each other. Pa just stood and watched them pass in at the schoolhouse door. Two long lines marched in the house. The boys and girls were clean and well dressed. Pa stood over in the schoolyard under a leafless elm, in his sheepskin coat, his big boots laced in front with buckskin, and his heavy socks stuck above his boot tops. Pa's overalIs legs were baggy and wrinkled between his coat and boot tops. His blue work shirt showed at the collar. His big black hat showed his gray-streaked black hair. His face was hard and weather-tanned to the color of a ripe fodder blade. His hands were big and gnarled like the roots of the elm tree he stood beside.
When I went to my first cIass I saw Pa and Professor Herbert going around over the schoolhouse. I was in my geometry class when Pa and Professor Herbert came in the room. We were explaining our propositions on the blackboard. Professor Herbert and Pa just quietly came in and sat down for awhile. I heard Fred Wutts whisper to Glenn Armstrong, "Who is that old man? Lord, he's a rough-looking scamp." Glenn whispered back, "I think he's Dave's Pap." The students in geometry looked at Pa. They must have wondered what he was doing in school. Before the cIass was over, Pa and Professor Herbert got up and went out. I saw them together down on the playground. Professor Herbert was explaining to Pa. I could see the prints of Pa's gun under his coat when he'd walk around.
At noon in the high-school cafeteria Pa and Professor Herbert sat together at the little table where Professor Herbert always ate by himself. They ate together. The students watched the way Pa ate. He ate with his knife instead of his fork. A lot of the students felt sorry for me after they found out he was my father. They didn't have to feel sorry for me. I wasn't ashamed of Pa after I found out he wasn't going to shoot Professor Herbert. I was glad they had made friends. I wasn't ashamed of Pa. I wouldn't be as long as he behaved. He would find out about the high school as I had found out about the Lambert boys across the hill.
In the afternoon when we went to biology Pa was in the class. He was sitting on one of the high stools beside the microscope. We went ahead with our work just as if Pa wasn't in the class. I saw- Pa take his knife and scrape tartar from one of his teeth. Professor Herbert put it on the lens and adjusted the microscope for Pa. He adjusted it and worked awhile. Then he says: "Now Luster, look! Put your eye right down to the light. Squint the other eye!"
Pa put his head down and did as Professor Herbert said. "I see 'im," says Pa. 'Who'd a ever thought that? Right on a body's teeth! Right in a body's mouth. You're right certain they ain't no fake to this, Professor Herbert?"
"No, Luster," says Professor Herbert. "It's there. That's the germ. Germs live in a worId we cannot see with the naked eye. We must use the microscope. There are millions of them in our bodies. Some are harmful. Others are helpful."
Pa holds his face down and looks through the microscope. We stop and watch Pa. He sits upon the tall stool. His knees are against the table. His legs are long. His coat slips up behind when he bends over. The handle of his gun shows. Professor Herbert pulls his coat down quickly.
"Oh, yes," says Pa. He gets up and pulls his coat down. Pa's face gets a little red. He knows about his gun and he knows he doesn't have any use for it in high school.
"We have a big black snake over here we caught yesterday," says Professor Herbert. "We'll chloroform him and dissect him and show you he has germs in his body, too."
"Don't do it," says Pa. "I believe you. I jist don't want to see you kill the black snake. I never kill one. They are good mousers and a lot o' help to us on the farm. I like black snakes. I jist hate to see people kill 'em. I don't allow 'em killed on my place."
The students look at Pa. They seem to like him better after he said that. Pa with a gun in his pocket but a tender heart beneath his ribs for snakes, but not for man! Pa won't whip a mule at home. He won't whip his cattle.
"Man can defend hisself," says Pa, "but cattle and mules can't. We have the drop on 'em. Ain't nothin' to a man that'll beat a good pullin' mule. He ain't got th' right kind o' a heart!"
Professor Herbert took Pa through the laboratory. He showed him the different kinds of work we were doing. He showed him our equipment. They stood and talked while we worked. Then they walked out together. They talked louder when they got out in the hall.
When our biology class was over I walked out of the room. It was our last class for the day. I would have to take my broom and sweep two hours to finish paying for the split cherry tree. I just wondered if Pa would want me to stay. He was standing in the hallway watching the students march out. He looked lost among us. He looked like a leaf turned brown on the tree among the treetop filled with growing leaves.
I got my broom and started to sweep. Professor Herbert walked up and says, "I'm going to let you do that some other time. You can go home with your father. He is waiting out there."
I Iaid my broom down, got my books, and went down the steps.
Pa says, "Ain't you got two hours o' sweepin' yet to do?"
I says, "Professor Herbert said I could do it some other time. He said for me to go home with you."
"No," says Pa. "You are goin' to do as he says. He's a good man. School has changed from my day and time. I'm a dead leaf, Dave. I'm behind. I don't belong here. If he'll let me I'll get a broom and we'll both sweep one hour. That pays your debt. I'll hep you pay it. I'll ast 'im and see if he won't let me hep you."
"I'm going to cancel the debt," says Professor Herbert. "I just wanted you to understand, Luster."
"I understand," says Pa, "and since I understand he must pay his debt fer th' tree and I'm goin' to hep 'im."
"Don't do that," says Professor Herbert. "It's all on me."
"We don't do things like that," says Pa, "we're just and honest people. We don't want somethin' fer nothin'. Professor Herbert, you're wrong now and I'm right. You'll haf to listen to me. I've larned a lot from you. My boy must go on. Th' worId has left me. It changed while I've raised my family and plowed th' hills. I'm a just and honest man. I don' skip debts. I ain't larned 'em to do that. I ain't got much larnin' myself but I do know right from wrong atter I see through a thing."
Professor Herbert went home. Pa and I stayed and swept one hour. It looked funny to see Pa use a broom. He never used one at home. Mom used the broom. Pa used the plow. Pa did hard work. Pa says, "I can't sweep. Durned if I can. Look at th' streaks o' dirt I leave on th' floor! Seems like no work a-tall fer me. Brooms is too light 'r somethin'. I'll jist do th' best I can, Dave. I've been wrong about th' school."
I says, "Did you know Professor Herbert can get a warrant out for you for bringing your pistoI to school and showing it in his office! They can railroad you for that!"
"That's all made right," says Pa. "I've made that right. Professor Herbert ain't goin' to take it to court. He likes me. I like 'im. We jist had to get together. He had the remedies. He showed me. You must go on to school. I am as strong a man as ever come out'n th' hills fer my years and th' hard work I've done. But I'm behind, Dave. I'm a little man. Your hands will be softer than mine. Your clothes will be better. You'll allus look cleaner than your old Pap. Jist remember, Dave, to pay your debts and be honest. Jist be kind to animals and don't bother th' snakes. That's all I got agin th' school. Puttin' black snakes to sleep and cuttin' 'em open."
It was late when we got home. Stars were in the sky. The moon was up. The ground was frozen. Pa took his time going home. I couldn't run like I did the night before. It was ten o'clock before we got the work finished, our suppers eaten. Pa sat before the fire and told Mom he was going to take her and show her a germ sometime. Mom hadn't seen one either. Pa told her about the high school and the fine man Professor Herbert was. He told Mom about the strange school across the hill and how different it was from the school in their day and time.
COLD DECEMBER
And I plead to you, reckless sky
Can you send me the reasons why?
Days long past, she went and died
No more secrets to confide
Locked away forever, everything is denied
Now I'm trapped inside an empty space
Turning to clay, I reach for my face
Frail emotions, nothing but a waste
The mirror brings to life everything I hate
But this isn't the way I wish to remain
Sun never comes out, no protection from the rain
Losing my mind, scratching my brain
Having lost so much, just what exactly is left to gain?
It's just always the same, separated sky
Nothing but vast space, where the torn angels fly
Sitting alone, I would pick apart every single lie
So much to cover with so little time
Tried to analyze the deepest crevace of your intricate mind
But I realize it's just no use
Tie the knot, then cut it loose
Cutting myself all the way to the truth
Back to that cold December day, your face turned a liquid blue
Pretty eyes dilating, there was nothing I could do.
Now shedding all these disgusting tears.
If only I could make it back to you..................
Forever, bittersweet ghosts will taint my view.
IF I NEVER SEE YOU AGAIN
When I was only two years old,
My daddy went away.
He swore he'd always love me,
But he said he couldn't stay.
Days turned into weeks
And weeks turned into years.
I never saw my father,
He never saw my tears.
He never read me bedtime stories
Or tucked me in at night.
He never showed up when i cried,
But I always hoped he might.
He missed my first day of kindergarden
And all of my school plays.
He doesn't know how smart I am,
My report cards full of A's.
Sometimes I want to call him
To say Hey Dad I'm still alive!
I'll be 16 years old soon,
Will you teach me how to drive?
It’s almost time for college,
The years go by so fast.
I'm looking forward to my future,
But I'm still trapped within my past.
I guess I'll never understand,
Did I do something bad?
My parents got divorced,
But why did I lose my dad?
THE LAST THREE
"I can only find three gran!"
The old woman walks slowly toward the child. They have played out this scene before.
The child has come to spend time with this frail, precious woman four times now, always to celebrate his birthday, with her.
Their favourite pastime is walking together along this isolated beach, collecting 'special' shells. In previous years, they have spent hours finding of shells. This time, the kind soul is so very tired, and tells the child
"Perhaps they are the last three here..."
As the day is growing cold and dark, they wander slowly home.
In the early hours of the darkness, the most gentle of souls went to Heaven.
_____
Though many years have passed, the child has never forgotten walking along this beach with his gran, but things have changed with time.
_____
The old man smiles at the children racing down the sand toward him, their arms laden with shells.
"Now where did you find that many shells? I thought I found the last three ..."
SOME FOOLS (like me) NEVER LEARN
I was standing in line at the grocery store.
Had diapers and milk to the hilt.
With no time to spare, the register girls'
register went on the tilt.
I scratched from my head to the back of my neck
and made a few tugs at my ear.
Cause that's what I do, when things that I dont
like suddenly just appear.
Playing it cool, clearing my throat,
I said to the woman behind.
"I don't understand why this happens to me?
I'm certain I've been undermined."
This snip of a girl with Barbie doll frame
giggled and magazine shopped.
That's when I noticed her belly was big
as a pig that had been fully slopped.
I was a young Dad, with child of my own,
a baby all brand spanking new.
Time was on hold, so I asked big and bold.
"DO TELL ME MA'AM WHEN ARE YOU DUE?"
As soon as the words fell out of my mouth
I knew once again I'd done "IT."
And as I expected what came around next
was "I'M NOT WITH CHILD YOU DUMB ****!"
You couldn't have drove a finishing nail
through the thickness that tightened my face.
A down feather falls with a mightier sound
than the silence that silenced that space.
I just tured around, what else could I do!?
Words were all meaningless now.
Call me a fool, but I'd never twice stretch
my neck 'for a mule and a plow.
So take it from me, a fella who's done
a whole lot of tugging his ear.
When you're standing in line at the grocery store
remember these words and adhere.
"KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT AND YOU'RE EYES FORWARD!"
Assalamualaikum…
Spandex fibers are produced in four different ways including melt extrusion, reaction spinning, solution dry spinning, and solution wet spinning. All of these methods include the initial step of reacting monomers to produce a prepolymer. Once the prepolymer is formed it is reacted further in various ways and drawn out to produce a long fiber. The solution dry spinning method is used to produce over 90% of the world's spandex fibers.
Solution dry spinning:
Step 1: The first step is to produce the prepolymer. This is done by mixing a macroglycol with a diisocyanate monomer. The two compounds are mixed together in a reaction vessel to produce a prepolymer. A typical ratio of glycol to diisocyanate is 1:2.
Step 2: The prepolymer is further reacted with an equal amount of diamine. This reaction is known as chain extension reaction. The resulting solution is diluted with a solvent to produce the spinning solution. The solvent helps make the solution thinner and more easily handled and then can be pumped into the fiber production cell.
Step 3: The spinning solution is pumped into a cylindrical spinning cell where it is cured and converted into fibers. In this cell, the polymer solution is forced through a metal plate called a spinneret. This causes the solution to be aligned in strands of liquid polymer. As the strands pass through the cell, they are heated in the presence of a nitrogen and solvent gas. This process causes the liquid polymer to chemically react and form solid strands.
Step 4: As the fibers exit the cell, an amount of solid strands are bundled together to produce the desired thickness. Each fiber of spandex is made up of many smaller individual fibers that adhere to one another due to the natural stickiness of their surface.
Step 5: The resulting fibers are then treated with a finishing agent. This can be magnesium stearate or another polymer. This process prevents the fibers sticking together and aids in textile manufacture. The fibers are then transferred through a series of rollers onto a spool.
Step 6: When the spools are filled with fiber, they are put into final packaging and shipped to textile manufacturers.
Assalamualaikum..
Rain is liquid precipitation. On Earth, it is the condensation of atmospheric water vapor into drops heavy enough to fall, often making it to the surface. Rain is the primary source of fresh water for most areas of the world, providing suitable conditions for diverse ecosystems, as well as water for hydroelectric power plants and crop irrigation. However, not all rain reaches the surface; some evaporates while falling through dry air. This is called virga, a phenomenon often seen in hot, dry desert regions. The METAR code for rain is RA.
Rain is also known or suspected on other worlds. On Titan, infrequent methane rain is thought to carve that moon's numerous surface channels. On Venus, sulfuric acid virga evaporates 25 km from the surface. There is likely to be rain of various compositions in the upper atmospheres of the gas giants, as well as precipitation of liquid neon and helium in the deep atmospheres.
Rain plays a role in the hydrologic cycle in which moisture from the oceans evaporates, condenses into drops, precipitates (falls) from the sky, and eventually returns to the ocean via rivers and streams to repeat the cycle again. The water vapor from plant respiration also contributes to the moisture in the atmosphere.
A major scientific explanation of how rain forms and falls is called the Bergeron process. More recent research points to the influence of Cloud condensation nuclei released as the result of biological processes.
Assalamualaikum..
A curtain (in the US, also known as a drape or drapery) is a piece of cloth intended to block or obscure light, or drafts, or water in the case of a shower curtain. Curtains hung over a doorway are known as portières. Curtains are often hung on the inside of a building's window to block the travel of light, for instance at night to aid sleeping, or to stop light from escaping outside the building (stopping people outside from being able to see inside, often for privacy reasons). In this application they are also known as "draperies." Curtains come in a variety of shapes, materials, sizes, colors and patterns, and they often have their own sections within department stores, while some shops are completely dedicated to selling curtains. An adaptation of the curtain may be a blind or, in warmer countries, such as Spain, wooden shutters that are fixed to the outside of the building to provide privacy and still keep the building cool inside. Curtains are a form of window treatment, and complete the overall appearance of the house. Window treatment helps control the ambiance and flow of natural light into the room. The effect of drapery or curtains is best seen in daylight, and with proper indoor light positioning, it can look attractive even at night.
Curtains can be made from varying thicknesses of fabric, each with a differing degree of light absorption and heat insulating qualities. A sheer or net curtain is one that is made from translucent fabric, such as a loosely woven polyester voile or a cotton lace. Sheer curtains allow a majority of light to be transmitted through the fabric, with the fabric weave providing a basic level of UV protection while retaining maximum visibility through the curtain. Sheer curtains are sometimes referred to as privacy curtains in reference to their screening abilities; during the day most sheer fabrics will allow people inside the home to see the outside view whilst preventing people outside the home from seeing directly into the home. Due to the loose weave in sheer fabrics, these types of curtains offer very little in the way of heat insulation.
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