Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Email Collection-Tips to a Happier Life_05.05.09

I have a habit of keeping copy of memorable emails received from friends and family members through the years. The source of these mails are unknown but they contain useful and meaningful messages that we can heed. The following from my email collection:
Tips to a Happier Life
Stress affects all of us and can show its manifestations in various forms. We cannot avoid it altogether, but what we can do is follow some of these hints to reduce stress from our lives. Here is a list of ten quotations and how we can interpret these to experience a happier and stress free tomorrow.
1) Cry a river; build a bridge; get over it.
Let go of past failures, sadness and people whom we remember but who no longer care for us. This sounds so easy but it’s easier said than done. We all have gone through our share of heartaches and sadness. But when we constantly remember the pain and suffering we had endured, we are allowing that sadness to gain an upper hand over us. What we must realize is that what has happened has happened. It’s over and done with. People change and times change. Moving on in life is very difficult but It’s the first constructive step to a better you.
2) Everything happens in its own time.
There are things that we do and expect to be rewarded for which does not happen. In offices, there might be a promotion that we might have wanted, a high score on a test, or a job offer that we were sure that was to be given to us that never worked out. At such times we lose perspective and blame our luck and become despondent. We need to realize that there is a time for everything that happens in our lives. And when the appropriate time comes, things will start working the way they were supposed to work.
3) You are the only person who can make yourself happy.
Think of "your" happiness, too, and be kind to yourself. In life, all of us have goals and ambitions. But in the pursuit of those goals, we lose sight of the bigger picture that we are doing these things to make ourselves happy. This is seen especially in the case of mothers who are doing so many things for their kids and family that they don't remember when the last time was that they did something for their own happiness.
It happens to all of us. Be gentler with yourself. Make yourself happy, and that can be done in so many ways. Treat yourself to some ice cream, buy a book that you were dying to read, spend a day lolling in the bed doing nothing. We deserve it and so do our bodies.
4) Laughter is the best tranquilizer with no side effects.
Laugh each and every day of your life. Humorous situations happen to us every single day. Whether you choose to enjoy the moment or not is your decision. There are so many excuses in our day-to-day life to have a good laugh. All we need to do is just look at the lighter side of life and enjoy the moment. When you laugh, don't think whether people are watching you or how much you laugh. It's their problem that they cannot find the humor in the situation that you have found.
5) Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
As we make our journey through life, we have so many things to savor and experience. There is no such thing as instant happiness or happiness that can be found somewhere. Live your life each day, the same way you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance towards the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point.
6) Do today what others won't so you can live tomorrow like others can't?
So many times we are faced with duties and work that we are not happy doing or performing. In those times, instead of hating or shirking from that work, we can try and make use of the thought that somehow, whatever we are doing will prove beneficial to us one day or another. Maybe the results won't be seen tomorrow, but surely we will benefit because we did something that no one was willing to do. An example would be the people who started companies which are million dollar establishments today. They dared to venture and put their money in something that their colleagues would not have been willing to do, and today their work is paying off rich dividends.
7) It is never too late to be what you might have become.
There are several factors that cause us to end up doing the work we do. Many of us, at some point of time, would have definitely wanted to make a career change and thought that it's too late to do it. But the truth is it's never too late. You can start doing whatever we want to do because it's your life and your decisions. Think of the people who attend college in their late 60's and 70's because they always wanted to do it. Such people are the ones who truly believe in this adage.
8) Treasure the love you receive; it will survive long after your gold and good health have vanished.

We always seem to cherish our material possessions more than we should. But life can take a lot more from us. Today we might have good health, family love and a good home to go back to. What we forget is that there are so many calamities that can take away all our comforts, but love is something that can never be taken away. We need to be more demonstrative of our love towards others and treat our loved ones with more kindness and affection.
9) The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
Any huge task that needs to be done seems very daunting at first. But if we analyze the task carefully, and do it step-by-step, we will find that things get resolved very quickly and easily. But we need to be bold enough to take the first small step. Once that is done, we just need to proceed with additional small steps towards our goal.
10) Always have something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
These three things are what will keep the flame burning within all of us. Something to do will keep us busy, something to love will keep us motivated and something to hope for will take us faster towards our goal.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Influenza A-H1N1 (Swine Flu) FAQ_02.05.09

It was reported on 25th April 2009 that a strain of flu never seen before has killed as many as 61 people in Mexico and has also been seen in the United States, where eight people have been infected but recovered.

The World Health Organization said tests showed the virus from 12 of the Mexican Patients was the same genetically as a new strain of swine flu, designated H1N1, seen in eight people in California and Texas.

The Govern­ment is now on “high alert” after the World Health Organi­sation (WHO) raised the swine flu alert to Phase Five, meaning that a worldwide pandemic is imminent. According to the World Health Organization, "An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus appears against which the human population has no immunity, resulting in epidemics worldwide with enormous numbers of deaths and illness."
The following is a compilation of FAQ regarding the flu extracted from emails and websites:

a) What is swine influenza?
It is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. It regularly causes high flu outbreaks in pigs but with low death rates. There are four main sub-types of the virus, but the most recent isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.

b) How does swine flu spread?
Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with swine flu viruses are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits at fairs.Swine influenza A (H1N1) virus spreads in the same way as seasonal flu. Flu spreads mainly through coughs and sneezes of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their mouth or nose.

c) What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of regular flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills confusion, vomiting and fatigue. Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illness -- pneumonia and respiratory failure -- have been reported with swine flu infection in people. In children, the symptoms include trouble in breathing, bluish skin colour, being irritable, fever and rashes.

d) How can someone with the flu infect others?
Infected people can pass the infection to others a day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick

e) How long is someone with swine flu considered contagious?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic; possibly for up to seven days following the onset of the illness. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

f) How does swine flu kill?
Swine flu — just like any other flu — is a respiratory infection. It exploits a weakened immune system to attack major organs — especially your lungs. When it gets into your lungs, it can lead to pneumonia, which can kill you. The flu can also cause secondary infections in your body — any of which can lead to failure of vital organs and death.

g) Has this strain of flu been seen before?
No. Flu mutates constantly, so it is common for new strains to emerge. Pigs can also be infected with both human and avian influenza, and the current circulating swine flu strain appears to contain genetic elements from all three.

h) Can swine flu be treated with antiviral drugs and flu vaccine?
The swine flu is resistant to two common drugs – Amantadine and Rimantadine. The H1N1 swine flu viruses are very different from human H1N1 viruses. Therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection. However, a “seed vaccine” has been specifically tailored to this swine flu and will be manufactured if officials deem it necessary.CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for treatment and/or prevention of infection. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.

i) Can people catch swine flu by eating pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 70ÂșC and above kills the swine flu virus.

j) What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against this new H1N1 virus. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
Other important actions that you can take are:
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
- Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.

k) What precautions are in place in Malaysia?
The Health Ministry’s operations room in Putrajaya has started a 24-hour monitoring of the situation. The public can call 03-8881 0200/300 for enquiries.
- Those returning from Latin American countries and found to have flu-like symptoms will be quarantined.
- Health Ministry officials are conducting health screenings on passengers arriving from the United States.
- Thermal scanners will be placed at international airports to speed up the screening process for swine flu.
- Public and private medical practitioners have been instructed to report to the district health office any patient with influenza-like illnesses or severe pneumonia symptoms and who had travelled to the affected countries after April 17.
- Owners of the 797 pig farms nationwide have been ordered to immediately contact the nearest Veterinary Services Department office or the Animal Disease Control Centre if their workers or animals show symptoms linked to the swine flu.

For more information, please refer to the followings:
-http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/04/24/f-swineflu-faq.html,
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Friday, May 1, 2009

DUKE Highway (Section 1) Opening_30.04.09

The Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE) is a new dual 3 to 4-lane expressway which traverses from the east to west along the the Northern Corridor of Kuala Lumpur. The expressway of 18 km, connects the North Klang Valley Expressway’s Jalan Duta Interchange to Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 2 at Taman Hillview Interchange in the east and at Greenwood Interchange in the north, crossing major KL roads i.e Jalan Duta, Jalan Kuching, Jalan Ipoh and Jalan Duta. The Concessionaire for this project is Konsotium Lebuhraya Utara-Timur (KL) Sdn Bhd (KESTURI).

DUKE map

DUKE Kuching Interchange

The official opening ceremony of Section 1 of DUKE from Jalan Kuching Intercahnge to Sentul Pasar Interchange was held on 30th April 2009 at the Batu Toll Plaza. It was officiated by YB Dato’ Shaziman bin Abu Mansor, Minister of Works. As Design Engineering Consultant for Section 1 of the project, we were invited to witness the opening ceremony of the expressway. The section 1 of DUKE is the final section to be opened as the rest of the stretches have been opened last January 2009.

YB Dato’ Shaziman bin Abu Mansor arriving for the opening ceremony accompanied by Y. Bhg. Dato’ Haris Onn Hussein of KESTURI
Batu Toll Plaza
YB Dato’ Shaziman bin Abu Mansor and Y. Bhg. Dato’ Haris Onn Hussein at opening ceremony
Raj and colleagues at Toll Plaza

The DUKE Expressway operates an open toll system at its three toll plazas located at Batu, Sentul, and Ayer Panas, with a fixed toll rate depending on the class of vehicle. 46% of the expressway journey is toll free. There are 7 interchanges and 5 ramps giving the users multiple entry and exist points.

For more information, refer to DUKE website: http://www.duke.com.my/