Greatest storyteller - Yasmin Ahmad

I would like to share with you one of my favourite storyteller and film director of all time .... the late Yasmin Ahmad (July 1, 1958 - July 25, 2009). Her films has touched many people and it certainly has touched mine. With sincerest sympathy and may she rest in peace.

I'm compiling her works (short stories) in this blog as I find it hard and cumbersome to search each and every one of them in the Youtube. So, whenever I want to view them, especially when I want to uplift my spirit, have a good laugh and to remind myself of things that are dear to me i.e. my family and friends, I can now easily click them here.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Oh, if none of the stories touch your heart, I'll buy you breakfast, lunch and dinner for the next 365 days!

These are my all time favorites ...

Here's a short Bio of her.

Yasmin Ahmad (July 1, 1958 - July 25, 2009) was a critically-acclaimed multi-award winning film director, writer and scriptwriter. Her television commercials and films are well-known in Malaysia for their humour, heart and love that crosses cross-cultural barriers, in particular her ads for Petronas, the national oil and gas company. Her works have won multiple awards both within Malaysia and internationally.

Economy crisis?

I went to Mid Valley Mega Mall today and I was amazed with the vibrant activities in the shopping mall. Initially, I was a bit frustrated and skeptical as to why the parking signboard in 2 of the entrances said "Full" in bright Red light. I thought they were trying to usher us to another parking entrance / areas but when I manage to get down to the parking area, whoa .... it was really packed! I circled a few rounds to find a parking spot and that too I manage to find it at the other side of the building - The Gardens.

The shopping mall was full of people from all walks of life. Young, old, adults, children, aunties, uncles, etc. Don't these people have to work? or are they like me, trying to kill time -window shopping in a "free" air con environment! Hehe!

If you look at the activities in the mall, you could be deceived that our economy is still very vibrant and we have already got ourselves out of the financial crisis! People are spending money as if they are not affected by the slowdown!!! The expensive "lepak" places (where you want to see and to be seen) like The Coffee Bean, Starbucks and other exclusive renovated restaurants/cafe are quite pack with people.

There are promotional events strategically located at the entrance, lobby, center of the mall, etc. Most of the promotional products are targeted at ladies i.e. skin care products, perfumes, beauty care (make-up), except for one, Philips. They are promoting their latest LCD TV (3000 and 5000 series), DVD players, home teather systems and other gadgets. Of course I "kepoh" and investigate the gadgets.

Hmmm ... who says we are experiencing economic downturn??! Not these uncles, aunties!

Btw, our GDP growth rate in FY09Q1 shows that we are experiencing a negative 6.2% (source from our Statistic Dept of Malaysia).

Doctor's advise

I'm reproducing a very funny article from my fav blogger - RPK! Enjoy!

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Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it. Don't waste it on exercise.

Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer. That's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster.

Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn!

And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken.

Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable).

And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine. That means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Anyway, 1% of traffic accidents are caused by drunk drivers. So people who don’t drink are very dangerous because they cause 99% of traffic accidents.

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one.

If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain ... Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! .... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil.

In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?

A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger.

You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy? HELLO … Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!!

It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?

A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember: 'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand, chocolate in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, 'WOO HOO, what a Ride!'

AND.....

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION

1. Eat and drink what you like.

2. Speaking American English is apparently what kills you.

3. 'Today’ is a gift. That is why it is called ‘The Present’.