LESSON TO LEARN FROM JAPAN

Published on ShanghaiDaily.com (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=467066&type=Opinion
EDITOR'S note:

THIS letter, written by Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh working in
Fukushima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam, was
posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the
strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of
life near the epicenter of Japan 's crisis at the Fukushima nuclear
power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam,
author of "East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres." Shanghai
Daily condensed it.

Brother,   ;

How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in
chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I
also see dead bodies.

Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48
hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing
folks.

We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero.
We barely manage to move refugees before there are new
orders to move them elsewhere.

I am currently in Fukushima , about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear
power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could
write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human
relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.

People here remain calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior
are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could
be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get
to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection
and order.

They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override
dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The
government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and
medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the
ocean.

Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little
Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to
behave like a human being.

Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity
organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that
snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He
was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.


It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line.
I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't
be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the
earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was
driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he
saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away.

I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach
and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make
it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his
relatives.

The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him.
That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it
up and gave it to him. "When it comes to your turn, they might run
out of food. So here's my portion. I already ate. Why don't
you eat it?"

The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away,
but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where
the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be
distributed.

I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to
the food pile. He answered: "Because I see a lot more
people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will
distribute the food equally."

When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry.


A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of
sacrifice for the greater good must be a great
society, a great people.

Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours
of my shift have begun again.

Ha Minh Thanh


************ LESSON TO LEARN FROM JAPAN ***********

10 things to learn from Japan.

1. THE CALM
Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.

2. THE DIGNITY
Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.

3. THE ABILITY
The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’t fall.

4. THE GRACE
People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.

5. THE ORDER
No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.

6. THE SACRIFICE
Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?

7. THE TENDERNESS
Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.

8. THE TRAINING
The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.

9. THE MEDIA
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.

10. THE CONSCIENCE
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly!

Believe It Or Not: 43,544 Staff In PM's Dept With An Operating Budget Of RM4 Billion!!!

RM4 Billion For PM's Department & The Government Is Talking About Subsidy Cut?

The Najib administration revealed today that it had allocated a
whopping RM3.956 billion this year to finance operations in the Prime
Minister’s Department.

The number of civil servants in the PM’s Department has also increased
from 21,045 in 2003 to 43,544 in 2010. This is more than a whopping
100% increase despite the government pledge to streamline its
administration through e-government.

Some of the agencies created include Pemandu (Implementation and
Coordination Unit), and the National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC).
Six existing agencies which include the National Security Council
(MKN) and Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) experienced an
increase in manpower. Even ex-premier Abdullah Badawi's office is
being maintained by the PM's Dept. What is the rationale?

Yet, the government is adamant that this country cannot continue to
subsidise some of the essential items and it had called on the people to
'adjust their lifestyle'.

At the rate we are going, the sand raiders will be the people and not
any illegal smugglers. People will soon be making a beeline to make mud
pies using sand and mud.

Honestly, why must the PM's Dept. need a whopping 43k plus employees?
What are the KPIs? On top of this, the number of ministries keep
growing.

We are in a fix. The civil service is a fixed deposit of the ruling
coalition. How can we expect the government to restructure it?

Perhaps Idris Jala can offer us some solutions.

Now, the PM must answer why he needs so many manpower for his
department. It is supposed to be just a department. But its annual
allocation is 10 times more than Penang 's annual allocation from the
federal government. Something is very very wrong here

Penang Under PR

Having read it, forward it to all your contacts and ask them to do likewise, if you want to see the kind of change for the better Penang has undergone in just 2 years for the rest of Malaysia.

Only the rakyat can bring about the change for the better come general election 13.

If you want to see the rot to continue under the present government, delete this message and don't forward this message.

The choice is yours, just like in voting.

But please remember that your vote for change does really matter.

MAKAL SAKTHI.

Sadly such news is never reported in the govt-controlled media, which focuses on the in-fighting within PR parties ...

Wednesday, October 6, 2010
MPSP - from deficit to surplus

Slightly more than two years ago, Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai (MPSP) was ailing financially. Remember MPSP having to absorb responsibility for the white elephant called the Batu Kawan stadium built by the previous administration despite protests from local civil activists? Remember the over-priced spanking new MPSP building which cost them RM80 million when the same building could have been built at under RM40 million?

The MPSP was a different creature all together then. Then it was a creation of corrupt politicians (and their appointees) who wielded the reins of power in Penang . But thankfully not anymore since 2008.

Just to give you an idea about MPSP's finances, look at the chart below.

MPSP Surplus/(Deficit)
2000 - (RM5.1 million)
2001 - (RM31.2 million)
2002 - (RM36.7 million)
2003 - (RM39.0 million)
2004 - (RM48.9 million)
2005 - (RM57.1 million)
2006 - (RM5.4 million)
2007 - (RM5.1 million)
2008 - RM3.0 million
2009 - RM14.6 million
2010 - RM54.39 million (as at 4 October 2010)

Now tell me who are the better administrators, where public money is concerned and should be used for the public, and those who regard public money as "loot" to be shared amongst themselves and their cronies?

Imperfect as Pakatan Rakyat may be at the moment, at least they don't steal from us and the public's money is being protected and enhanced by appointed professionals! To the detractors of PR, yes I agree their problems may be unpalatable to many of us who yearn for meaningful change from race politics and self-interests but surely they are the ONLY choice when we only have a rock and a hard place to choose from, given the present electorate's indifference and ignorance.

Dear readers who have been asking me why I have been so silent on this blog about the shenanigans of the ongoing PKR polls and the call for the third force by prominent civil activists; time willing I will address this issue soon, but I foresee that it will require a long posting to truly explain my stand - it is that complicated. Hopefully, I will be able to address this issue soon once I get those nitty-gritty events which sap my free time out of the way first.

Rest assured, this blog will not shy away from difficult issues that needs addressing - personal preferences notwithstanding. Thank you for your patience.

By Romerz


PENANG EXCEEDED RM1 Billion in revenue in 2009 - 1st time in 52years

Convincing proof that voting for change can only bring good to the people.

Must really rid the country of the gutter rats and leeches who have sucked the country dry to the point of being bankrupt through corruption and power abuse.

Do you still want to continue to vote these parasites into power like it has been happening over the last 50 more years?

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

PENANG EXCEEDED RM1 Billion in revenue in 2009 - 1st time in 52 years

Congratulations to Penang!
Congratulations to all the People of Penang for voting in a better govt.

While Pahang which Governed by Barisan Nasional for past 52 years is facing bankruptcy.

Penang is praised by Global Anti-Corruption watchdog Transparency International for its anti corruptions efforts.

What makes Malaysia all of a sudden to be ranked on 47 out 180 countries ?
Answer : The Malaysian People made the right choice by denying 2/3 majority enjoyed by Barisan Nasional all this years. It’s a well check and balance by Pakatan on Barisan that led to this 47th position.

If Malaysians wants to enjoy this, then you should know what to do in the next election !!!

Anyway congrats to Pakatan Led by DAP in Penang . In just 18 months CM Lim turned around Penang into corrupt free State . Shame on BN & ex-CM Dr Koh of Gerakan.

As ex-Gerakan President Lim KY had said: "BN/Gerakan has lost Penang forever."

"RM 10 billion in losses from corruption per year is a huge sum and there must be greater commitment from the Federal government towards fighting corruption to ensure that 27 million Malaysians can benefit from this RM 10 billion dividend from successfully combating corruption."

Global anti-corruption watchdog ranks Malaysia 47th least corrupt, praises Penang<http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/38529-global-anti-corruption-watchdog-ranks-malaysia-47th-least-corrupt-praises-penang <https://workforce.petronas.com.my/index.php/malaysia/,DanaInfo=www.themalaysianinsider.com+38529-global-anti-corruption-watchdog-ranks-malaysia-47th-least-corrupt-praises-penang> >

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 24 – Global corruption watchdog, Transparency International (TI), has ranked Malaysia as the 47th least corrupt nation in the world and commended the island state of Penang for its anti-corruption efforts.

Denmark, New Zealand and Sweden was listed by TI as the top three least corrupt countries as measured by the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which ranks countries in terms of the degree to which businessmen and country analysts perceive corruption to exist among public officials and politicians.

Singapore , Finland , Switzerland , Iceland , Netherlands , Australia and Canada rounded off the top least corrupt countries.

Malaysia came in 47th out of 180 countries in the index, tied with Hungary and Jordan .

The CPI is part of TI's Global Corruption Report (GCR) 2009 released yesterday.

In its report on Malaysia, TI highlighted the Malaysian practice of the "revolving door" whereby individuals move from government to business, or business to politics, and back again, and estimated that corruption could cost Malaysia as much as RM10 billion a year.

"Significant government participation in the private sector and considerable business participation in politics means that the movement of gatekeepers to players and players to gatekeepers has a negative influence on the concept of checks and balances," said TI.

"The complexity of the relationships between politics and the public and private sectors means that corruption may take place with impunity. Until drastic action is taken to separate the cozy relationship between government, business and politics, the anti-corruption effort will remain no more than a token gesture," said TI.

Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng says he is "humbled" by the recognition by TI and added that he was concerned over the fact that that corruption could cost Malaysia as much as RM10 billion a year – an amount equivalent to 1 or 2% of GDP as pointed out by the GCR when it cited the findings of the special government business facilitation task force Pemudah and the World Bank.

Additional report contents that were of concern to Lim was Malaysia's per capita spending of only RM5 on anti-corruption efforts and the fact that only about 10%, or just 7,223 potential corruption cases, of the total 71,558 reported between 2000 and 2006 were investigated by the Anti Corruption Agency, the precursor of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, with a conviction rate of less than one percent.

"The GCR 2009 concluded that this illustration of the Malaysian government's inaction in the light of the serious corruption allegations, along with its seeming inability to catch the big fish instead focusing on the 'small fry', suggests that what anti-corruption efforts exist are mere tokens," said Lim.

"RM 10 billion in losses from corruption per year is a huge sum and there must be greater commitment from the Federal government towards fighting corruption to ensure that 27 million Malaysians can benefit from this RM 10 billion dividend from successfully combating corruption."

Lim also today announced that the state has managed to cut about RM36 million or 12% of in operating expenditure this year due to its efforts to curb corruption.

"Transparency International' s recognition of anti-corruption efforts by the Penang state government through CAT (Competency Accountability And Transparency) governance is backed up by savings of nearly 12 per cent of the 2008 Penang state budget of RM 36 million from operating expenditure. This RM 36 million savings has allowed the state government to carry out social programs and implement its people-oriented government," said Lim.

TI said that the Penang state is the first Malaysian state government to implement the open tender system for government procurement and contracts.

It also recognized the state government's directive barring administrators and state executive councilors from making any new land applications and efforts to attract professionals to serve on various boards, such as the Penang State Appeals Board.

"On behalf of the Penang state government, we feel humbled by the recognition given by a world renowned body such as Transparency International and would redouble efforts to ensure the anti-corruption reforms are institutionalized and ensure more professionals are appointed to key bodies. Fighting corruption generates savings for the people," said Lim.

He added that the two local authorities in Penang are expected to save another RM34 million over three years from a "transparent" negotiation over the price of solid waste disposal that reduced the rates agreed to by the previous Barisan Nasional administration by a further 42.4 per cent.

Lim said that the savings would go towards the state government's "3E" programme to "enable" the people with skills and knowledge so that they have an equal opportunity to create wealth, "empower" them with fundamental rights and basic freedoms, and "enrich" the people by sharing wealth and economic benefits.

Now it is Penang Boleh - Vote wisely for a better Malaysia.

藥瓶中的乾燥劑

和信醫院藥劑科組長姜紹青答覆、黃筱珮採訪
問：網路上有一則消息說：根據美國國家藥典（ USP ）規定，藥品一旦開罐，罐內所附的棉花和乾燥劑，就必須立刻丟棄，否則它們會因吸附水氣，成為藥罐內的一項污染源！我從未聽聞這項「常識」，還以為乾燥劑可以繼續保持藥品乾燥，請問這個說法是正確的嗎？

答：是的，藥罐內的棉花和乾燥劑，在開罐後就必須立刻丟棄 ! 否則可能吸附水氣，讓水氣留在藥罐內，反而易使藥品潮濕變質，而國人對這個常識相當缺乏。


藥罐未開封前，放置棉花的用意有二，一是避免運送過程的碰撞，讓藥品粉化，二是阻止水氣進入；乾燥劑則是防止若有少量水氣進入藥罐時，可將其吸附。但藥罐一旦開封，這兩個「幫手」反而會變成吸附水氣的「兇手」， ! 最好把它們丟掉，別繼續放在藥罐裡。

藥品怕光照、潮濕、高溫，一旦開封後，最好能夠放在乾燥箱內，是最理想的保存方式。最忌諱放在浴室、廚房等地方，這些潮濕的場所容易使藥品壞得快。有些民眾喜歡把藥品冰在冰箱內，不過，除非是強調需要冷藏的特殊藥品，一般藥品並不建議放冰箱；因一旦拿出來服用，忘了放回去，更容易潮濕。

還要提醒的是，藥品開封後最好盡速服用，不要長期存放。要注意的是，藥罐上標示的保存期限是「未開封」狀態下的期限，一旦開封後，保存期限就會 ! 縮短；因此，吃不完的藥別因為怕浪費而留下來，因為吃了變質藥品不但不會治病，還可能傷身。

常識 !
你注意到了嗎？
根據美國國家藥典（ USP ! ）規定，藥品一旦開罐，罐內所附的棉花和乾燥劑，就必須立刻??棄否則它們會因吸附水氣，成為藥罐內的一項汙染源！

感謝朋友這項〝常識〞 我以前還以為乾燥劑可以繼續保持藥品乾燥。

美国妈妈

儿子去美国留学，毕业后定居美国。还给我找了个洋媳妇苏珊。如今，小孙子托比已经3岁了。今年夏天，儿子为我申请了探亲签证。在美国待了三个月，洋媳妇苏珊教育孩子的方法，令我这个中国婆婆大开眼界。

不吃饭就饿着

每天早上，托比醒来后，苏珊把早餐往餐桌上一放，就自顾自地忙去了。托比会自己爬上凳子，喝牛奶，吃面包片。吃饱后，他回自己的房间，在衣柜里找衣服、鞋子，再自己穿上。毕竟托比只有3岁，还搞不清楚子的正反面，分不清鞋子的左右脚。有一次托比又把裤子穿反了，我赶紧上前想帮他换，却被苏珊制止了。她说，如果他觉得不舒服，会自己脱下来，重新穿好；如果他没觉得有什么不舒服，那就随他的便。那一整天，托比反穿着裤子跑来跑去，苏姗像没看见一样。

又一次，托比出去和邻居家的小朋友玩，没多大会就气喘吁吁地跑回家，对苏珊说：“妈妈，露西说我的裤子穿反了，真的吗？”露西是邻居家的小姑娘，今年5岁。苏姗笑着说：“是的，你要不要换回来？”托比点点头，自己脱下裤子，仔细看了看，重新穿上了。从那以后，托比再也没穿反过裤子。

我不禁想起，我的外孙女五六岁时不会用筷子，上小学时不会系鞋带。如今在上寄宿制初中的她，每个周末都要带回家一大堆脏衣服呢。

一天中午，托比闹情绪，不肯吃饭。苏珊说了他几句，愤怒地小托比一把将盘子推到了地上，盘子里的食物洒了一地。苏姗看着托比，认真地说：“看来你确实不想吃饭！记住，从现在到明天早上，你什么都不能吃。”托比点点头，坚定地回答：“Yes!”我在心里暗笑，这母子俩，还都挺倔！

下午，苏珊和我商量，晚上由我做中国菜。我心领神会，托比告别爱吃中国菜，一定是苏珊觉得托比中午没好好吃饭，想让他晚上多吃点儿。

那天晚上我施展厨艺，做了托比最爱吃的糖醋里脊、油闷大虾，还用意大利面做了中国式的凉面。托比最喜欢吃那种凉面，小小的人可以吃满满一大盘。

开始吃晚饭了，托比欢天喜地地爬上凳子。苏珊却走过来，拿走了他的盘子和刀叉，说：“我们已经约好了，今天你不能吃饭，你自己也答应了的。”托比看着面容严肃的妈妈，“哇”地一声在哭起来，边哭边说：“妈妈，我饿，我要吃饭。”“不行，说过的话要算数。”苏珊毫不心软。

我心疼了，想替托比求情，说点好话，却见儿子对我使眼色。想起我刚到美国时，儿子就跟我说，在美国，父母教育孩子时，别人千万不要插手，即使是长辈也不例外。无奈，我只好保持沉默。

那顿饭，从始至终，可怜的小托比一直坐在玩具车里，眼巴巴地看着我们三个大人狼吞虎咽。我这才明白苏珊让我做中餐的真正用意。我相信，下一次，托比想发脾气扔饭碗时，一定会想起自己饿着肚子看爸爸妈妈和奶奶享用美食的经历。饿着肚子的滋味不好受，况且还是面对自己最喜爱的食物。

临睡前，我和苏珊一起去向托比道晚安。托比小心翼翼地问：“妈妈，我很饿，现在我能吃中国面吗？”苏珊微笑着摇摇头，坚决地说：“不！”托比叹了口气，又问：“那等我睡完觉睁开眼睛时，可以吃吗？”“当然可以。”苏珊温柔地回答。托比甜甜地笑了。

大部分情况下，托比吃饭都很积极，他不想因为“罢吃”而错过食物，再受饿肚子的苦。每当看到托比埋头大口大口地吃饭，嘴上脸上粘的都是食物时，我就想起外孙女。她像托比这么大时，为了哄她吃饭，几个大人端着饭碗跟在她屁股后面跑，她还不买账，还要谈条件：吃完这碗买一个玩具，再吃一碗买一个玩具……

以其人之道，还治其人这身

有一天，我们带托比去公园玩。很快，托比就和两个女孩儿玩起了厨房游戏。塑料小锅、小铲子、小盘子、小碗摆了一地。忽然，淘气的托比拿起小锅，使劲在一个女孩儿头上敲了一下，女孩儿愣了一下，放声大哭。另一个女孩儿年纪更小一些，见些情形，也被吓得大哭起来。大概托比没想到会有这么严重的后果，站在一旁，愣住了。

苏珊走上前，开清了事情的来龙去脉后，她一声不吭，拿起小锅，使劲敲到托比的头上，托比没防备，一下子跌坐在草地上，哇哇大哭起来。苏珊问托比：“疼吗？下次还这样吗？”托比一边哭，一边拼命摇头。我相信他以后再也不会这么做了。

托比的舅舅送了他一辆浅蓝色的小自行车，托比非常喜欢，当成宝贝，不许别人碰。邻居小姑娘露西是托比的好朋友，央求托比好几次，要骑他的小车，托比都没答应。

一次，几个孩子一起玩时，露西趁托比不注意，偷偷骑上小车，扬长而去。托比发现后，气愤地跑来向苏珊告状。苏珊正和几个孩子的母亲一起聊天喝咖啡，便微笑着说：“你们的事情自己解决，妈妈可管不了。”托比无奈地走了。

过了一小会儿，露西骑着小车回来了。托比看到露西，一把将她推倒在地，抢过了小车。露西坐在地上大哭起来。苏珊抱起露西，安抚了她一会儿。很快，露西就和别的小朋友兴高采烈地玩了起来。

托比自己骑了会车，觉得有些无聊，看到那几个孩子玩得那么高兴，他想加入，又觉得有些不好意思。他蹭到苏珊身边，嘟囔道：“妈妈，我想跟露西他们一起玩。”苏珊不动声色地说：“那你自己去找他们啦！”“妈妈，你陪我一起去。”托比恳求道。“那可不行，刚才是你把露西弄哭的，现在你又想和大家玩，就得自己去解决问题。”

托比骑着小车慢慢靠近露西，快到她身边时，又掉头回来。来回好几次，不知道从什么时候开始，托比和露西又笑逐颜开，闹成了一团。

管教孩子是父母的事

苏珊的父母住在加利福尼亚州，听说我来了，两人开车来探望我们。家里来了客人，托比很兴奋，跑上跑下地乱窜。他把玩沙子用的小桶装满了水，提着小桶在屋里四处转悠。苏珊警告了她好几次，不要把水洒到地板上，托比置若罔闻。最后，托比还是把水桶弄倒了，水洒了一地。兴奋的小托比不觉得自己做错了事，还得意地光着脚丫踩水玩，把裤子全弄湿了。我连忙找出拖把准备拖地。苏珊从我手中抢过拖把交给托比，对他说：“把地拖干，把湿衣服脱下来，自己洗干净。”托比不愿意，又哭又闹。苏珊二话不说，直接把他拉到贮藏室，关了禁闭。听到托比在里面发出惊天动地的哭喊，我心疼坏了，想进去把他抱出来。托比的外婆却拦住我，说：“这是苏珊的事。”

过了一会儿，托比不哭了，他在贮藏室里大声喊：“妈妈，我错了。”苏珊站在门外，问：“那你知道该怎么做了吗？”“我知道。”苏珊打开门，托比从贮藏室走出来，脸上还挂着两行泪珠。他拿起有他两个高的拖把吃力地把地上的水拖干净。然后，他脱下裤子，拎在手上，光着屁股走进洗手间，稀里哗啦地洗起衣服来。

托比的外公外婆看着表情惊异的我，意味深长地笑了。这件事让我感触颇深。在很多中国家庭，父母管教孩子时，常常会引起“世界大战”，往往是外婆外公护，爷爷奶奶拦，夫妻吵架，鸡飞狗跳。

后来，我和托比的外公外婆聊天时，提到这件事，托比的外公说了一段话，让我印象深刻。他说，孩子是父母的孩子，首先要尊重父母对孩子的教育方式。孩子虽然小，却是天生的外交家，当他看到家庭成员之间出现分歧时，他会很聪明地钻空子。这不仅对改善他的行为毫无益处，反而会导致问题越来越严重，甚至带来更多别的问题。而且，家庭成员之间发生冲突，不和谐的家庭氛围会带给孩子更多的不安全感，对孩子的心理发展产生不利影响。所以，无论是父辈与祖辈在教育孩子的问题上发生分歧，还是夫妻两人的教育观念有差异，都不能在孩子面前发生冲突。

托比的外公外婆在家里住了一周，准备回加利福尼亚了。临走前两天，托比的外公郑重地问女儿：“托比想要一辆玩具挖掘机，我可以买给他吗？”苏珊想了想，说：“你们这次来，已经送给他一双旱冰鞋作为礼物了，到圣诞节时，再买玩具挖掘机当礼物送给他吧！”

我不知道托比的外公是怎么告诉小家伙的，后来我带托比去超市，他指着玩具挖掘机说：“外公说，圣诞节时，给我买这个当礼物。”语气里满是欣喜和期待。

虽然苏珊对托比如此严格，托比去却对妈妈爱得不得了。他在外面玩时，会采集一些好看的小花或者他认为漂亮的叶子，郑重其事地送给妈妈；别人送给他礼物，他会叫妈妈和他一起拆开；有什么好吃的，也总要留一半给妈妈。

想到很多中国孩子对父母的漠视与冷淡，我不得不佩服我的洋媳妇。在我看来，在教育孩子的问题上，美国妈妈有很多值得中国妈妈学习的地方

DRINK WATER ON EMPTY STOMACH

It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:
Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.

METHOD OF TREATMENT
1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water
2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minute
3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.
4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours
5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.
6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure/control/reduce main diseases:
1. High Blood Pressure (30 days)
2. Gastric (10 days)
3. Diabetes (30 days)
4. Constipation (10 days)
5. Cancer (180 days)
6. TB (90 days)
7. Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment only for 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onwards – daily.

This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times.
It is better if we continue this and make this procedure as a routine work in our life. Drink Water and Stay healthy and Active.

This makes sense ... The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals ...not cold water. Maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!! Nothing to lose, everything to gain...
For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you.
It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.

Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine.
Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.


A serious note about heart attacks:
· Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting,
· Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.
· You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack.
· Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.
· 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up.
· Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive...


A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to everyone they know, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.

Sore throat? An Amazing Sore Throat Remedy

http://www.throatsore.com/

This simple home remedy has worked 100% of the time for anyone that has tried it. Instead of suffering with a sore throat for a week or more, you can drive it away immediately, sometimes in less than a day. However, this remedy is not medical advice; it is a shared experience that really works! This site is not for profit; it's aim is simply to help people cure their sore throats.

The most common sore throat remedies for sore throat are usually over-the-counter sprays, lozenges and pastilles that are ineffective and smelly. The most common doctor-prescribed remedies are antibiotics, which take time to obtain, cost money and can have many negative side effects.

Most often, people waste time waiting while trying to figure out whether or not they really have a sore throat. By the time they realize they do have a sore throat, it's usually to the point that they are already suffering from serious sore throat pain, can barely speak, swallow or even eat.

This remedy is salt, and not just about gargling saltwater, it is actually about using common table salt as it is.

What you have to do is: tilt your head backwards and shake a little bit of salt straight into the back of your throat. Make sure you shake it straight into your throat, onto the base of your tongue and not over the middle or the tip your tongue (this way you will not suffer from any unpleasant taste). After that, do not swallow your saliva, just let the salt dissolve right there on the back of your throat, letting the salt stay there for as long as you possibly can. If you're using a salt shaker, shake 2 to 6 times depending how bad your sore throat is. If you're using a fast food style paper saltshaker, you should shake about 1/4 of the packet directly into your throat.

Also highly suggested, is to shake an even larger amount of salt into your throat right before you go to sleep for the night. During your sleep, without food or drink, bacteria thrive without any interruption to incubation and growth. Therefore, using salt while you are asleep can be extremely effective. Keep a salt shaker near your bed. If you wake up in the middle of the night feeling sore, you can shake some more salt into your throat.

Salt is a very old remedy that kills bacteria. In the old days they traditionally used salt to preserve meat and fish. Why? Because salt attracts water and attacks the bacteria cell walls, causing the bacteria to dehydrate and self-destruct in the process.

If your sore throat is really severe you can use salt as often as every 30 minutes. Use it as soon as you feel the first symptoms of a sore throat and the earlier you use it, the faster you’ll get rid of that sore throat.

Salt is available nearly everywhere. You can stop in to any fast food place on any street and grab some. Don’t wait around trying to figure out whether or not your sore throat is serious. Instead you can use this quick sore throat cure. As soon as you feel the first signs of a sore throat, use the salt immediately. Gargling salt water is not nearly as effective since the concentration of salt is not high enough to take care of the problem. Also, gargling water requires a cup of water and the time to dissolve the salt in it, yet more inconvenience that makes you wait for relief.

Not all sore throats are the result of a bacteria infection. Sometimes the cause is a virus, commonly known as influenza virus. Many times your sore throat starts as a viral infection which develops into a bacterial infection. Salt is intended to fight only the bacteria, not the virus. Therefore salt might not be totally effective if you are suffering from a viral throat infection. Nevertheless, you really have nothing to lose by using salt. According to experience, salt can be extremely effective in most all cases, depending on the cause of your sore throat.

A sore throat is also often the first stage of a common cold, also known as the Flu. First to arrive is the sore throat, followed by nasal congestion and coughing. If you can take care of it fast, you won't wear down your immune system fighting the sore throat and your immune system has more energy to fight the other cold symptoms. Therefore, using salt could also shorten the total duration of suffering from the common cold.

Everybody suffers from a sore throat every year. If you find this advice to be useful - feel free to share it with your friends - and send them a link to this site.