Chill plant on my balcony
It have been one month now that I buried some chilli seeds in my flower pot to see if a plant can grow out of it and the growth was steady throughout this one month...to be continued
Monday, 15 August 2011
My chilli plant....
It have been one month now that I buried some chilli seeds in my flower pot to see if a plant can grow out of it and the growth was steady throughout this one month...to be continued
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Larian merdeka-23rd july 2011
The Larian Merdeka is a run for the independence of Malaysia..in fact it is one of the numerous coming events related to the independence of Malaysia that will be celebrated on 31st August.Concerning the Merdeka run that was held on 23rd july,it was organize in the s.k hishamuddin near Bank negara.
The starting and finishing line was located at the same place....the weather was quite cloudy in this Saturday morning but the race was set to start by 4.30pm so have plenty of time to get everything ready for the run...I was wishing that it start drizzling a bit during the race that will surely be a comfortable race for everyone involved given the hot temperature this past few days..for lunch I ate a quite balance food without proteins because of the digesting time that may last too long and can trigger a pain during the race.I left my house at around 2.30 pm as the the registration was due to start by 3.30 pm,oh forget to mention that I went there by using my bicycle as it allow me to warm up before the race as I am the type of runner that need a long warm up to prepare my body...When I was on the way to kl it start drizzling and I appreciate the little droplets on my skin that cool me down with this hot weather and after a while the rain turn from a drizzling state to a huge one..Oh my god..
After a few mins I was wet and partly enjoy it hehe...remind me of some cycling race that I did where we use to cycle in some fierce rain until the droplet really hurt our skin and added to it was the cold temperature that was dangerously cooling down our body and the only solution was to keep on cycling to make the muscle produce the heat and keep our body alert..Going back to my trip to the race..at some time the rain intensity slow down a bit that allow me to dry out a bit..I reach the registration place at 3.15pm and a lot of kids was there waiting for the departure for there category,they were running everywhere, teasing there friends and some playing in the rain and were scolded by there teacher..hehe..we all experiences that time when we were at primary school and full of energy until that we break or hurt ourselves..hehe..Reaching the registration table,I do all the official thingy and the officer was very helpful and thanks to Mr Siva from the MAAA that has a great passion for sports.After a long delay of 40 mins my category start..Waow I make a big mistake by starting too fast as right around the first corner there was a very long step uphill part that slow me down completely as my heart rate was already around 80% but I manage to maintain my position until the summit and after that I loose a bit of my pace and was overtook by 2 other runners...but I learn from my mistake .....otherwise it was a nice afternoon race and the rain already stop at that time..and I finally finish 5th in my category..may be I could have done better if I know the race route but no excuse,I enjoy the race..
My next race will be the Siemens run on 25th Sept if there is no race in August hehe...A special thought to Jacintha Chin that is a veteran runner and who is in a coma and any special donation are welcome to pay the medical bill and below are the details:
Jacinta is now warded at
Hospital UKM
Jalan Yaacob Latif
Bandar Tun Razak
Kuala Lumpur
(Opposite Taman Tasik Permaisuri)
5th Floor, Ward 5E, Bed 24
(Chin Ah Lan)
For those who wish to contribute, you may bank in your contribution to :
(joint account)
Albin Aleinus / Chin Ah Yung @ Judith (hp no : 016-588 7011)
Banker : Malayan Banking Berhad
Acc No : 160193004740
No amount is too small to bring a ray of hope to human kind.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
A visit at Nuclear Malaysia Agency
A visit to the Malaysian Nuclear Agency shed new light for the academic staff and few master student. The visit included a visit to a decontamination facility where the visitors were introduced to another complex study of chemistry and physics.
Main entrance of Nuclear Malaysia Agency
Arriving at the agency building in Bangi, the Unikl group were introduced to Encik Rahman. He brought the group into an auditorium for a briefing. He went on to explain about the uses of nuclear reactions and radiations which sparked interest in the minds of the many people there.
In the end of the visit,we all agree that we need nuclear for our own good but we were a bit afraid that the same scenario that happen in japan repeat over here as we increase our dependance on this source of energy that need a very high level of safety to ensure that there is no leakage
Arriving at the agency building in Bangi, the Unikl group were introduced to Encik Rahman. He brought the group into an auditorium for a briefing. He went on to explain about the uses of nuclear reactions and radiations which sparked interest in the minds of the many people there.
Later, we were shown to a decontamination center outside the main facility. A tour around the facility drew the interest of the Unikl group once more. The facility featured a conveyor belt which circulated inside a 1.7 meter thick concrete walled chamber. Inside, a Cobalt-60 source would be radiated, killing germs in the packages sent through it.
Exhibition on the various research and implementation of nuclear usage
According to a source, the facility usually receives Cocoa and medical apparatus which are in need to decontamination. The participants were then shown to a wide range of specimens which were passed through the radioactive chamber. However, the items were safe as they had been preserved for year at the facility.
In the end of the visit,we all agree that we need nuclear for our own good but we were a bit afraid that the same scenario that happen in japan repeat over here as we increase our dependance on this source of energy that need a very high level of safety to ensure that there is no leakage
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Is salt dangerous for our health!!!!
increase the risk of death, US government researchers said on Monday.
The findings from a team at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are a counterpoint to a fiercely-debated study released last week that found no evidence that making small cuts in salt intake lowers the risk of heart disease and premature death.
"Salt is still bad for you," said Dr Thomas Farley, Health Commissioner for New York City, which is leading a campaign to reduce salt in restaurant and packaged foods by 25% over five years.
Most health experts agree with Farley that consuming too much salt is not good for you and that cutting salt intake can reduce high blood pressure, which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. Salt intake has been rising since the 1970s, with Americans consuming about twice the recommended daily limit.
The CDC study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, specifically focused on growing research that shows a diet high in salt and low in potassium is especially risky.
Farley, who wrote an editorial on the CDC study, said it is one of the best yet looking at the long-term effects of eating too much salt.
"It is entirely consistent with what we've said all along about sodium intake," Farley said in a telephone interview.
For the study, researchers looked at the long-term effects of sodium and potassium intake as part of a 15-year study of more than 12,000 people.
By the end of the study period, 2,270 of the study participants had died; 825 of these deaths were from heart disease and 433 were from blood clots and strokes.
Potassium is key
They found that people who had a high salt intake and a low potassium intake were most at risk.
"People who ate a diet high in sodium and low in potassium had a 50% increased risk of death from any cause, and about twice the risk of death – or a 200% increase – from a heart attack," said Dr Elena Kuklina of the CDC who helped lead the study.
She said consumers need to increase the levels of potassium in their diet by adding more servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, such as spinach, grapes, carrots, sweet potatoes, and low fat milk and yogurt.
The Salt Institute, an industry group, challenged the findings, pointing out that the CDC study found that the link between salt intake and heart disease was statistically insignificant.
"This is a highly flawed publication that reveals more about the anti-salt agenda being pursued by the CDC than about any relationship between salt and health," said Mort Satin, the Salt Institute's Director of Science and Research. "The only significance is between low potassium and mortality," Satin said in a statement.
Dr Robert Briss, director of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the CDC, said the findings support the general weight of evidence and suggests that higher doses of sodium are linked with poor health consequences.
And it suggests "that higher potassium may be better for you," Briss said in a telephone interview.
"About 90% of Americans consume more sodium than is recommended. This impacts their blood pressure," Briss said.
"Most of that sodium is not related to the salt shaker but it is in foods and especially processed and restaurant foods that we buy and order from restaurants. Consumers, even motivated ones, don't have as much choice as they could," he said.
Kuklina said potassium often counteracts the effects of salt in the diet. This equilibrium is affected when people eat highly processed foods, which tend to increase sodium levels and decrease potassium content.
"If sodium increases your high blood pressure, potassium decreases it. If sodium retains water, potassium helps you get rid of it," she said.
Instead of focusing only on salt, Kuklina said researchers should focus on the balance between potassium and salt.
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Monday, 27 June 2011
Comment boire un café propre ?
Pour boire un café respectueux de l'environnement et de l'homme, il existe de petits choix simples à faire.
Privilégier un artisan
Certains cafés ne sont pas labellisés équitables mais ce sont le fruit du labeur de petits artisans. Vous pouvez choisir de consommer chez eux, et donc de valoriser leur travail. En Ile-de-France, Xavier Marfan fait par exemple tourner l'entreprise Factorerie qui ne compte que deux salariés : lui même et sa collègue. C'est un torréfacteur passionné. " Notre premier choix, c'est de favoriser le goût. Notre gamme de cafés est constituée de produits gourmets. "Privilégier du commerce équitable
Malgré les diverses critiques qu'ont essuyées les labels de commerce équitables comme Max Haavelar, acheter un café labellisé équitable reste la meilleure - ou la moins mauvaise - solution si l'on souhaite respecter le producteur en bout de chaîne. Notamment car comme on peut le lire dans le rapport annuel de l'entreprise "le label garantit des conditions commerciales plus justes" et parce que "chaque année, des inspecteurs se rendent dans chacune des coopératives et plantations. Ils vérifient que les standards internationaux sont bien appliqués."Etre futé autour de son café !
Une fois votre café acheté, des petits gestes vont vous permettre d'être plus gentils avec la planète.- Au travail, si chacun utilise sa propre tasse, on évite le gâchis des gobelets en plastique ou en carton
- Bien prévoir les doses, c'est éviter de jeter du café froid et donc de dépenser inutilement de l'eau
- Essayez de choisir une machine dotée d'un filtre permanent pour éviter la multiplication des filtres en papier dans votre poubelle
- Vous ne pouvez pas vous passer de votre café en capsule N... ? Ne jetez pas les capsules. Rapportez les pour qu'elles soient recyclées (points de recyclage)
Finally...........Standard chartered kl marathon 2011
The 26th of June I make my first ever 10km marathon race.It was a race full of experience and fun also.On that particular day I wake up at 4.15am as I was going to use my bicycle to go to kl for the race.In fact the distance from my place to the marathon event is roughly around 10 km,the bicycle was my only option as the shuttle for the marathon didn't cover my area and the public transport will only start at 6 am that is to tight for me to reach on time for the departure of the 10 km race.
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Training for a 10 km marathon after few years of cycling....it hurt
Who inspire me to take part in the 10km!!emm...In fact I came across an advertisement promoting the standard chartered kl marathon for this year..and I just said to myself why not kevin!As there's not so much of cycling competition over here,better i maintain myself physically and morally by keeping this challenging mood that we normally have during a competition.Even we are injure during the training session,it is always worth to at least give it a try.All this training remind me the inter season in cycling when I use to do some jogging on the track precisely on the sandy part that was quite tough but slow I get use to it and also it was quite motivating to see all type of people running together at there own pace with different objectives..some to keep them healthy others preparing themselves for certain event.The old folks as we said just come for a walk around the track that measure around 2.5 km for one loop..it was fun to run on this type of track and it is quite similar like running on the long and large cenang beach of langkawi..of course without the sea...Normally to go on the running track I use to cycle from home for about 30 mins at the same time I was warming up for my jogging.Moreover the track as I mentioned earlier is a horse racing track that is divided into two part namely the sandy part that is mostly use for training and the grass track that is normally use for the horse training only.But we all should be grateful to the management of the horse track that allow all people to come and do there jogging or only for a walk in very secure place compare to the road side.Concerning the profile of the track it is divided into three part,at the entrance of the park its quite flat and when we go in an clockwise direction the track will go uphill for around 300 m then go back to a flat feature and the best part that all runner like is the downhill part where everyone can recover from there effort..On the first time I go there I use to do only 3 loop as the track was tough to me and am not shy to save that I was force to stop after a certain m but in any sports it is like that..you won't be able adapt yourself on the first day..you have to struggle and be patient as your body need some time to adapt itself the new environment and the new type of effort that you are requesting from it.Synchronizing every part of your body to a new situation take time..At first a newcomer will suffocate if he try to run a long distance at first shot because the requested oxygen is not proportion to what the body can provide.
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
EPA Launches New Strategy to Promote Use of Green Infrastructure for Environmental and Economic Benefits
EPA Launches New Strategy to Promote Use of Green Infrastructure for Environmental and Economic Benefits
Release date: 04/29/2011
Contact Information: Enesta Jones, jones.enesta@epa.gov, 202-564-7873, 202-564-4355
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a new strategy to promote the use of green infrastructure by cities and towns to reduce stormwater runoff that pollutes our nation’s streams, creeks, rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Green infrastructure decreases pollution to local waterways by treating rain where it falls and keeping polluted stormwater from entering sewer systems. In addition to protecting Americans’ health by decreasing water pollution, green infrastructure provides many community benefits including increased economic activity and neighborhood revitalization, job creation, energy savings and increased recreational and green space.
“Through this agenda, we’ll help cities and towns across the nation clean up their waters and strengthen their communities by supporting and expanding green infrastructure,” said Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe, who announced the agenda at a Green Street, Green Jobs conference focused on fostering green infrastructure in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. “Green infrastructure changes improve the health of our waters while creating local jobs, saving communities money and making them healthier and more prosperous places to raise a family and start a business.”
Stormwater is one of the most widespread challenges to water quality in the nation. Large volumes of polluted stormwater degrade our nation’s rivers, lakes and aquatic habitats and contribute to downstream flooding. Green infrastructure captures and filters pollutants by passing stormwater through soils and retaining it on site. Effective green infrastructure tools and techniques include green roofs, permeable materials, alternative designs for streets and buildings, trees, rain gardens and rain harvesting systems.
As part of the strategy, EPA will work with partners including local governments, watershed groups, tribes and others in 10 cities that have utilized green infrastructure and have plans for additional projects. EPA will encourage and support expanded use of green infrastructure in these cities and highlight them as models for other municipalities around the country. The 10 cities are: Austin, Texas; Boston, Mass.; Cleveland, Ohio; Denver, Colo.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Kansas City, Mo.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Puyallup, Wash.; Syracuse, N.Y.; and Washington, DC and neighboring Anacostia Watershed communities.
Energy savings is one of the greatest benefits of green infrastructure. On and around buildings, green infrastructure can reduce heating and cooling costs. For example, green roofs reduce a building’s energy costs by 10 to 15 percent, and an additional 10 percent of urban tree canopy can provide 5 to 10 percent energy savings from shading and windblocking. Green infrastructure also conserves energy by reducing the amount of stormwater entering combined collection and treatment systems, which reduces the amount of wastewater processed at treatment plants.
EPA will continue to work with other federal agencies, state and local governments, tribes, municipalities, and the private sector to identify opportunities for using green infrastructure and provide assistance to communities implementing green approaches to control stormwater. EPA will also provide additional tools to help states and communities leverage green infrastructure opportunities within other innovative environmental projects.
Release date: 04/29/2011
Contact Information: Enesta Jones, jones.enesta@epa.gov, 202-564-7873, 202-564-4355
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a new strategy to promote the use of green infrastructure by cities and towns to reduce stormwater runoff that pollutes our nation’s streams, creeks, rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Green infrastructure decreases pollution to local waterways by treating rain where it falls and keeping polluted stormwater from entering sewer systems. In addition to protecting Americans’ health by decreasing water pollution, green infrastructure provides many community benefits including increased economic activity and neighborhood revitalization, job creation, energy savings and increased recreational and green space.
“Through this agenda, we’ll help cities and towns across the nation clean up their waters and strengthen their communities by supporting and expanding green infrastructure,” said Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe, who announced the agenda at a Green Street, Green Jobs conference focused on fostering green infrastructure in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. “Green infrastructure changes improve the health of our waters while creating local jobs, saving communities money and making them healthier and more prosperous places to raise a family and start a business.”
Stormwater is one of the most widespread challenges to water quality in the nation. Large volumes of polluted stormwater degrade our nation’s rivers, lakes and aquatic habitats and contribute to downstream flooding. Green infrastructure captures and filters pollutants by passing stormwater through soils and retaining it on site. Effective green infrastructure tools and techniques include green roofs, permeable materials, alternative designs for streets and buildings, trees, rain gardens and rain harvesting systems.
As part of the strategy, EPA will work with partners including local governments, watershed groups, tribes and others in 10 cities that have utilized green infrastructure and have plans for additional projects. EPA will encourage and support expanded use of green infrastructure in these cities and highlight them as models for other municipalities around the country. The 10 cities are: Austin, Texas; Boston, Mass.; Cleveland, Ohio; Denver, Colo.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Kansas City, Mo.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Puyallup, Wash.; Syracuse, N.Y.; and Washington, DC and neighboring Anacostia Watershed communities.
Energy savings is one of the greatest benefits of green infrastructure. On and around buildings, green infrastructure can reduce heating and cooling costs. For example, green roofs reduce a building’s energy costs by 10 to 15 percent, and an additional 10 percent of urban tree canopy can provide 5 to 10 percent energy savings from shading and windblocking. Green infrastructure also conserves energy by reducing the amount of stormwater entering combined collection and treatment systems, which reduces the amount of wastewater processed at treatment plants.
EPA will continue to work with other federal agencies, state and local governments, tribes, municipalities, and the private sector to identify opportunities for using green infrastructure and provide assistance to communities implementing green approaches to control stormwater. EPA will also provide additional tools to help states and communities leverage green infrastructure opportunities within other innovative environmental projects.
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