Psychological hacks

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Facing death

Life is too precious to be wasted on fear of dying!


I am writing this piece due to several of my friends facing dangerous health conditions and reduced life expectancy. I hope my experience helps them and others in dealing with the situation. I thought that by telling my own story, I may be able to reach them better.


It was mid-2014, when it became obvious that my ever-escalating health issues are not due to my weak immune system allowing various mysterious infections that couldn’t be identified. After years of misdiagnosis and being treated against viral and bacterial infections, of which the very viral and bacterial agents couldn’t be found, an immunologist at the SOS Hospital in Jakarta came up with a theory: It could be an immune reaction that is causing my fast deteriorating health condition due to sustained attacks by my immune system gradually destroying my internal organs. I had suffered and endured years of agony by then.


By end of 2014 it was official. The diagnosis was confirmed by several specialists. I was suffering from an aggressive, genetic, incurable and eventually terminal Organ Non-Specific Autoimmune Disease. There was not much that could be done, other than trying to slow down the deterioration by suppressing my immune system with horrible side effects caused by the very immune suppression therapy. I had to stop working, lock myself up for months and months, so to avoid further infections, since my immune system was being dialed down to a minimum. I had sustained severe damages of internal organs and neural system, and my life expectancy was estimated to be 2 years or less.


Knowing about my condition, and the little time left to do all the things that I had set out to do in life caused tremendous anger in me. I was simply angry with myself for not having secured my loved ones enough, not being able to deliver on promises that I had given, and worst of all, knowing how difficult my departure would be for my wife, family and friends. I started to seclude myself and push everyone away forcefully, so that my eventual departure may not hurt them too much. After all, who cares for an angry and unpleasant guy dying, right?


It wasn’t the fact that I was dying that bothered me. The side effects of the various medications were wearing me down. The ever-present pain and sporadic loss of sensory abilities, impaired vision and waning control over my arms and legs aggravated my anger and frustration. I was never weak, always active and up for ever bigger challenges in life. I didn’t like myself being so weak and devastated. My anger ebbed in ever-repeating phases of depression and despair, severely impacting my psychological and emotional balance.


After a year of mental paralysis and being conflicted at my core, one day I decided to face my demons and put up a fight, seeking strength and endurance from our Lord, while praying for my loved ones’ health, peace and happiness.


My planned path to recovery started with a day of fasting and reflection, followed by a day of deep and earnest prayers & meditation upon which I decided to stop taking my medication and stand up to my disease. I started working again, travelling and enduring all symptoms without complaining. The most important thing in my life had become my work, so I doubled down and accelerated as much as I could. The stress of working hard and trying to catch up with the unfinished work started triggering more symptoms. I chose to ignore all and press on before my time is up. Yet, my overdrive found its abrupt end in March 2017, when my joints were being attacked and the resulting inflammation starting to cause damage to my nerves in my hands, arms, shoulders and legs. I couldn’t function much, and was inpatient and in bad mood most of the time. I decided to equally ignore the worsening condition and work whenever I had a good few hours or days. Those windows of opportunity started getting shorter and shorter, and gradually the symptoms overwhelmed me.


August 2017, I was worn down by months of agony and side effects of anti-inflammatory agents and pain killers. I decided to surrender to my fate. I was now at peace again, for I had succumbed to my foe; my own immune system, and it being dead-set on killing us both, just like an unstoppable self-destruct sequence in science fiction movies.


I turned to my brethren in my Order and informed them of the peril and the fact that I can’t be counted on to continue our efforts in Asia Pacific, and that they needed to replace me. There it was for the first time; I had finally admitted to myself and my peers that I am weak, helpless and not the indestructible solid rock that everyone always saw in me. I talked to two senior brethren of the order and to my surprise, both told me that I can be fixed within a couple of weeks, no matter what the Doctors think or say. They equally reminded me that faith is the only lasting remedy. My brethren sent me a little bottle with a tincture, blessed by prayers of our brethren in the monastery. In addition, thousands of brethren around the world started holding chain prayers for my recovery, and asking me to do the same and turn to the Lord for healing. I did so, although I usually try not to ask of the Lord anything for myself, for I am so much better off than most fellow humans on this planet. Besides, the Lord had already bailed me out so many times in the past. I had survived numerous deadly accidents, persecution, and conflicts around the world. I had seen and experienced more in life than a thousand ordinary lives would yield to. I was sure of having no more credit left with the Divine.


It is now December 2017, way past the expiry date of my body as per the initial prognosis. My joints and nerves have recovered to the point of me being able to go on Mountain Biking tours in the beautiful mountains of Bali. Mind and soul are at peace and in sync. I am no longer playing catching-up with life. I realize now that the stress, the anger and the resulting depressions were major factors of my ever-deteriorating condition. I also realize and am re-experiencing the true power of prayers and faith.


The unconditional love of my wife and her very pragmatic way of dealing with my situation, her tireless and strict nursing and taking care of me for a year without a break, the love and support of my family, my friends and the entire Order lifted my spirit to a point of being able to fight the demons of remorse & desolation, enabling me to put my faith in the Lord without any reservations and doubts, yet not forgetting that I need medical care, whenever the situation may escalate again. Realism, pragmatism, and most important of all faith in the Lord are now my weapons in the battle against my demons.


I often remind myself of the Iranian proverb: A coward dies a thousand deaths a day. A brave man dies only once, and that with pride and in dignity. I choose to be the latter.


Life is worth living, no matter how short or long. Just dare and embrace life today for tomorrow is another day. Face your demons and be at peace with yourself. Forgive yourself for the mistakes and failures of the past, and forgive all others who have wronged you and be positive and forward looking. Let go of the poisonous feelings and thoughts in your mind and soul. Fight a day at the time. Have faith in your own God given abilities to heal yourself, and keep up your faith in a Higher Being, be it God, Universe or whatever else you desire. Faith is important.


I am not dead, neither sick and nor plan to leave this realm any time soon, unless my Lord and King summons me. I dare to live. Every day is a blessing, and no matter how the day ends, I embrace the fact that I live to fight another day.


I live to defy all odds, to press on and fight on. One battle at a time. No matter what comes my way, I am determined to make my life count by contributing to the betterment of my fellow humans and our planet.


I lost my fear, abandoned my insecurities, and chased away my arrogance, and replaced them with my faith in the Lord, and belief in my own God given abilities to handle whatever challenge may come my way.


For the Lord is my shepherd and I lack nothing.


PS: Please don't pity me, for there is nothing to pity. I lived and still live to the fullest. Those dear ones that know me since my childhood know best, it takes a lot more to put down this crazy black sheep than this little bump in the road.






Daniel Ansari

Ecolink @ Causeway

Body found in water tank

May 2015

KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - There is a mystery brewing over the discovery of a decomposed body in a Bukit Damansara condominium water tank, as police are still puzzled over the strange nature of the death.

Post-mortem results on the body of Chuan Wan Chooi have come back with inconclusive results, although drowning has been ruled out as the cause of death as there was no water retention in the 43-year-old man's lungs.

There were also no visible signs of injury or struggle on the body.

Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Muhammad Azlee Abdullah said officers were now hoping the toxicology report for traces of drugs and alcohol could shed more light on the matter.

"But it is going to take a few weeks. We have scrutinised the closed-circuit television (CCTV) video in the condominium complex to track the deceased's movements and see what may have happened before that," he said.

CCTV recordings show Chuan walking alone to the water tank, but so far police are unable to explain how he managed to get into the water tank when it was locked and the keys kept by security guards.

Chuan, who worked as an autopart salesman, was not a resident or worker at the condominium.

He also did not have any criminal record.

ACP Azlee said that checks into Chuan's background had not revealed anything that would suggest foul play.

Chuan reportedly disappeared on May 7 and was found inside the water tank of the condominium at about 9pm on May 12.

The condominium management found his decomposed body in the tank after residents complained of strange-smelling water coming from their taps for several days.

KL police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Tajuddin Md Isa said police were still treating the case as a sudden death.

19 SEPTEMBER 2016

THE EDGE
SPB TO LAUNCH AIRA RESIDENCE NEXT MONTH

By WONG KING WAI

The mature neighbourhood of Damansara Heights will soon have a new member – Aira Residence by Selangor Properties Bhd (SPB).
Chief operating officer Chong Koon San tells city & country that the RM800 million development, to be launched next month, aims to revitalise SPB’s brand and attract the younger generation who is unfamiliar with the developer’s previous projects.
SPB was incorporated in 1963 with the late Tan Sri Wen Tien Kuang and Puan Sri Chook Yew Chong Wen as its first directors. It is known as for being the master developer of Damansara Heights or Bukit Damansara, a suburb carved from a 1000-acre rubber plantation purchased in the 1960s.
“The [directors] developed connectivity and they did a lot of land development and town planning. The area was developed in five phases and we have only 30 acres remaining,” says Chong.
Chook Yew is the chairman of SPB and her son, Wen Chiu Chi, is managing director.
Buildings in the area developed by SPB include Menara Milenium, Wisma Damansara, Kompleks Pejabat Damansara and Plaza Batai.
Chong says the company’s property development division has not been very active for some time now, focusing on maintaining existing properties for recurring income. However, it now feels it is time to re-establish itself as a premier developer.
“The management has decided to revitalise the property development division to get our brand up again,” says Chong. “We found that we are less connected with the younger generation… that was why the rebranding campaign was started two years ago.”
SPB has carried out many activities for the campaign, such as tweaking the company logo to reflect its new vision and direction, and sharing the new ideals with its staff. Another part of the exercise was the refurbishment of Plaza Batai, which used to house the popular Hock Lee Supermarket. After the refurbishment last year, it houses Ben’s independent Grocer and several hip restaurants and cafes. Plaza Batai, completed in 1972, consists of 16 terraced shop lots.
Aira Residence is another way to showcase SPB’s revitalised division.

A new development
While SPB is confident of producing a quality product, will the current soft market conditions throw a spanner in the works?
Chong does not think so. “During a slowdown, we control our cost and take a look at our existing properties to see how we can enhance them and create long term value,” he says.
Furthermore, there are a number of banks that are willing to provide bridging and end-financing for Aira Residence, which Chong sees as a sort of validation that the project will do well.
He adds that it is timely to develop Aira Residence now as the Malaysian property industry has reached a high level of sophistication.
“We have seen a lot expertise being brought into the country to develop [projects], and the standards have gone up, so we thought it is the right time [to launch Aira Residence],” he says.
For the upcoming condominium project, SPB has engaged Aedas, an international firm, for its architecture, Studio Piet Boon of the Netherlands for its interior design and Tierra Design of Singapore for its landscaping.
Chong says “Aira” is an Arabic word for “the breath of life” and he hopes that three-acre Aira Residence will live up to that with its design and landscaping.
“There will be a meditation garden with many tropical trees, a bio-pond with aquatic plants and a few pavilions. Near the lobby, we will have a lawn. There will also be a viewing deck that offers unobstructed views of KL city centre, a terraced garden and café as well as facilities like a gym and multipurpose hall,” he says.
Additionally, the development’s design will facilitate natural ventilation and the units will have sliding shutters to reduce the glare of the sun.
Situated at a high point of Jalan Batai, the 18 storey Aira Residence will comprise 105 condos with built-ups of 2679 to 7730 sq. ft. Scheduled for completion in 2019, the average price of the units is RM1700 psf.
All units will have unobstructed views of KL city centre. The target market is high-net-worth individuals living in Damansara Heights and Bangsar, Chong says.
The substructure work for the project started in January and is expected to be completed in a year’s time.
According to real estate agency Fernstate Sdn Bhd director Shawn Fernandez, Aira Residence, being a low-density development, will draw interest. “The larger units will test the market with the sub-RM2000 psf price point. They will have a distinct characteristic – almost all of them will have an unobstructed view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline. While the market is trending towards smaller units, Aira Residence’s bigger units may sell well, given that this segment is under-supplied in the area.”
Fauziana Siebel-McKenna of Zerin Properties concurs. “Our market studies confirm active demand for larger luxury condos – more than 3000 sq. ft. – in prime locations. For example, Serai in Bangsar, which features unit sizes of 4000 sq. ft. upwards, was launched at RM3000 to RM1500 psf. It recorded a take-up rate of 54% (65 of 121 units) in less than three months after the launch, with most of the buyers being Malaysian. Serai is now fully sold.
“This shows that larger luxury condos in prime locations offering high quality finishes, facilities and service will perform well in the terms of sales and rental,” she says. “Aira Residence is targeted at a niche market – those looking for properties valued at RM5 million and above, and owner-occupiers.”
Zerin Properties is the marketing representative for Aira Residence.

Steady pace
SPB has been involved in several other activities on its own properties.
After Plaza Batai, it is now refurbishing SPB Tower, which is located next to Aira Residence. Completed in 1974, the tower is 17 storeys tall and has 64 units with an average built-up of 1700 sq. ft. SPB owns 49 units and the rest were sold. The tenants and owners have already moved out and will return when the work is completed – about the same time as Aira Residence.
SPB Tower will eventually be part of Aira Residence.
SPB’s future plans include the redevelopment of Kompleks Pejabat Damansara and Wisma Damansara.
Chong says SPB’s land bank includes about 70 acres in Gombak and Selayang and 150 acres in Ulu Langat. The company is looking to acquire suitable land parcels the Klang Valley, especially those in areas with good infrastructure such as highways or rail network.
He says the company does not plan to launch any other projects besides Aira Residence this year.
SPB is also active in Perth and Melbourne, Australia, he adds. In Perth, there is Claremont Quarter and 7 Bayview Terrace. The former, located 10km from Perth’s central business district, occupied 6.4 acres and has a net lettable area of 311,869 sq. ft. The Bayview Terrace property is a two-storey shop located in the retail hub of Claremont’s town centre. It has a net lettable area of 3035 sq. ft.
In addition, SPB is involved in land acquisitions with joint-venture partners in Australia. “These parcels are subdivided and sold to individuals. However, we developed a parcel in South Beach [in Perth]… 36 residential units were built,” says Chong. Other residential subdivision projects include Mason Green in Piara Waters (26.7ha) and Brabham (20.2ha) both in Perth as well as 125ha in Point Cook, Melbourne.

Malaysian Vehicle Registration

I love making lists. So when a friend asked on Facebook why the new plate numbers stated with V, I wondered what alphabets were left to be used.

In Malaysia, each state registers vehicles. The plate number reflects that by using the first alphabet as to represent the states' name. For instance WXX 0000 is a vehicle registered to Wilayah Persekutuan, the state Kuala Lumpur is in.

So here is all the states alphabets.

A Perak

B Selangor

C Pahang

D Kelantan

E Vowel avoids being used

F Putrajaya FT

G

H Taxi

I Too much like 1

J Johor

K Kedah

L Labuan

M Malacca

N Negeri Sembilan

O Too much like 0

P Penang

Q Sarawak

R Perlis

S Sabah

T Terengganu

U Vowel avoids being used

V Kuala Lumpur (2^nd series)

W Wilayah Persekutuan

X

Y

Z Military

Pulau Tenggol

The family visited Pulau Tenggol this Easter holidays. Just under the water in the bay that we stayed in was this amazing emerging coral bed with lots of fish finding food and their new homes there. It is obcious that the bed had died , much of the coral was bleached. As I snorkelled out towards the 'drop off' where it became deep, the new coral could be seen emerging from the old. The fish were feeding by breaking off the old coral to find something inside. 

I have never seen such huge variety of fish, different bright colours, just like in a video. I could have spent hours there, if my energy kept up. 

Here are some of the fish I saw: