ASIA-PACIFIC COUNTRIES - disasters in near future

A friend forwarded this timely and urgent news article to share from earthcarenewsgroup. Please read and pass it on to as many concerned individuals as possible. Thank you...

From: earthcarenewsgroup
Subject: Asia-Pacific countries may face devastating disasters in future
To:
Date: Sunday, December 28, 2008, 9:37 PM

Asia-Pacific countries may face devastating disasters in futureSydney, Dec 26 (ANI): Scientific research has shown that countries in the Asia-Pacific region face an era of mega-disasters affecting hundreds of thousands of people as urbanization, climate change and food shortages amplify the impact of natural catastrophes such as earthquakes and cyclones in coming years.
According to a report in Sydney Morning Herald, scientists at Geoscience Australia conducted the research.
The research, which has prompted the Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, to establish a joint disaster training and research centre, identifies Indonesia, the Philippines and China as the countries most likely to experience large-scale disasters.
The research team analyzed the incidence of hazards such as earthquakes, cyclones,
tsunamis and volcanoes throughout the region and then estimated the numbers of people who would be killed or injured or lose their homes or essential services.
This risk assessment found that so-called mega-cities in the Himalayan belt, China, Indonesia and the Philippines were prime candidates for earthquakes that could cause more than a million deaths.
Hundreds of thousands could be seriously affected by volcanoes erupting on average once a decade in Indonesia and once every few decades in the Philippines.
Tsunamis, floods and cyclones affecting tens of millions of people were likely in low-lying mega-deltas like Bangladesh, which were experiencing population explosions and were vulnerable to climate change.
Also, many Pacific island nations had a high potential for catastrophes that could affect large proportions of their populations and overwhelm local government response and recovery efforts.
The Geoscience Australia risk assessment fed into a wider study by AusAID and other Australian and Indonesian government agencies which concluded that the severity of humanitarian crises in the region was increasing due to the interaction of climate change, urbanization, poor land use planning and tension about access to resources.
According to the study, there were likely to be several disasters killing more than 10,000 people each decade and there was the potential for catastrophes affecting more than 1 million people.
Alanna Simpson, a scientist at Geoscience Australia, said that the risk assessments used data for the Asia-Pacific from the past 400 years and modelling to predict the frequency of natural hazards.
Whilst the incidence of natural hazards themselves - earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and the like hasnt really changed, the sheer number of people living in the Asia-Pacific region means any earthquake has the potential to affect hundreds of thousands, if not millions, said Dr Simpson. (ANI)
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/asia-pacific-countries-may-face-devastating-disasters-in-future_100135158.html

Earth Care News Group
Time is running out
A global mobilisation is needed...
Let's start from us RIGHT NOW by
BE VEG! GO GREEN! SAVE THE PLANET!!
--------

Links recommended:
www.suprememastertv.com
www.goveg.com
http://veg4planet.blogspot.com
http://www.mongabay.com/
http://earthsave.org/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment
http://www.globalwarm.com/

Once I dreamt I had an Interview with GOD

Here's another one of those very profound and soul-searching writings to share with you and your friends:

ONCE I DREAMT I HAD AN INTERVIEW WITH GOD

"So, your would like to interview me?" God asked.

"If you have the time, " I said.

God said with a smile, "My time is eternity. What questions would you like to ask me?"

"What surprises you most about mankind?" was my question.

God answered:

* That they get bored with childhood. They rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.

* That they lose their health to make money, and then lose their money to restore their health.

* That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live in neither the present or the future.

* That they live as if they will never die, and die as if they had never lived."

God's hand took mine, and we were silent for awhile. Then I asked, "As a parent, what are some of life's lessons you want your children to learn?"

God replied with a smile :

*To learn they cannot make anyone love them. What they can do is to let themselves be loved.

* To learn that it is not good to compare themselves with others.

* To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.

* To learn that it only takes a second to open profound wounds in persons we love, and it takes many years to heal them..

* To learn to forgive by practising forgiveness.

* To learn that there are persons who love them dearly, but simply do not know how to express or show their feelings.

* To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it differently.

* To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others, but they must forgive themselves.

* And to learn that I AM here always.

I sat there for awhile enjoying the moment. I thanked Him for His time and all that He has done for me and my family, and He replied: "Anytime, I'm here 24 hours a day. All you have to do is to ask for me and I'll answer."

PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT YOU SAID
PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT YOU DID
BUT PEOPLE WILL NEVER FORGET
HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL

(Source : UNKNOWN)

Words of Wisdom from a Saint

Hi all,

I was going through my collection of 'Quotable Quotes' searching for some inspiration to share some worthwhile thoughts with you all, when I came across this good advice from Mother Teresa - a truly remarkable lady and a saint in every sense of the word. I don't think anyone in this present age can ever measured up to what she had done for the poor and needy. Our hats off to her selflessness and her unwavering faith in God and His kind mercies and grace.
I hope what she had to share with us today will help us to better understand ourselves and others who come along into our lives at one time or another. There is always a lesson to be learned from everyone and every circumstance that happens to be our lot. And I am sure this will offer some insight on why people and things are as they are. And despite all our expectations on how things should turn out, we will still keep on keeping on with what is true and pure and worth living for.
ALL THE BEST FOR A YEAR OF HAPPY BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS!

PEOPLE are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered,
Love them anyway.

IF you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives,
Do good anyway.

IF you are successful, you win false friends and enemies
Succeed anyway.

THE good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow,
Do good anyway.

HONESTY and frankness make you vulnerable,
Be honest and frank anyway.

PEOPLE favour the underdogs but follow only the top dogs,
Fight for some underdogs anyway.

WHAT you spent years building may be destroyed overnight
Build anyway.

PEOPLE really need help, but may attack you if you help them
Help people anyway.

GIVE the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

- MOTHER TERESA -

ALL CREATURES - Great and small

I did the sanest thing I could possibly do since I don't remember when, a couple of weeks ago. That is - feeding a lttle squirrel who drops by searching for food around the neighbourhood.

I had noticed it for quite awhile, scampering in the vicinity of my home and had wondered what it was feeding on as there are not that many fruit trees around. Oh well, maybe a couple of papaya and guava trees. He is a fine looking chap - always sharp and quick for any danger that may lurk nearby. Any untoward noise or movement would send him scuttling away as fast as his little legs could carry him.

One day, I decided to see if he would come and feed at my garden. Some groundnuts (in their shells) and a green apple I left out went unnoticed for 3 full days. I was a little disappointed and was about to resign myself to forgetting about him when, to my happy surprise, he came and took a big chunk off the apple! Elated with this, I told a friend and he laughed and told me to try something sweeter and forget about the nuts. Oh... wasn't squirrels supposed to love nuts? That's what they love in all the cartoon shows I have seen so far! Maybe these are different since they are Malaysian squirrels? But whatever, I put out more stuff to tempt its appetite.

Half a carrot was totally ignored. The green apple was well liked. Something sweeter meant putting out a red apple this time and YES!! The little rascal loved it! My friend even helped gave it a name - SQI. So, now it has an identity... not just an 'it' anymore. My very own squirrel !

I have not been able to go near him when he visits as he is still shy and wary of humans. My friend mentioned that squirrels have beautiful eyes.. hmmm... interesting and I wonder what I will see if I ever do get close enough for him to let me look deep into them.

A few days after Sqi's visit, I saw a bird pecking at his apple. A beautiful handsome fellow. Not a robin or a sparrow but my bird expert friend is quite sure
that it could be from the merbok family given the description I provided. It came by almost everyday mostly in the evenings close to sundown. Sqi comes in the mornings when it is still cool and not so sunny. I have to make sure there is a fresh red apple for them when they come. Then a couple of days later, a mynah bird came and have a go at the apple! Oh wow1 This is more than I have asked for! But then, the more the merrier and soon I will have a zoo in my house! That would be something to tell, won't it?

I am not so sure though if the monkey (used to hang around some time back) decides to drop by one of these days. He would be too much for me to handle. Anyhow, as long as he just come for the food and not get into mischief, I suppose it's no harm to have him join in the fun.

Just this morning, I saw Sqi with a companion. I am very sure it must be his lady love and I already have a name for her .. Sqmi, courtesy of my friend who named Sqi.

Another friend told me that squirrels love honey water.... I have yet to try that. I will soon. Meanwhile, I thank God for all creatures great and small who come into our lives and bring little moments of joy into this crazy world of ours.

If you want to keep sane and true to yourself... try feeding a squirrel or a bird.

P.S. Anyone out there who would do the honour of naming the birds?
Please do so... I would appreciate that!

GOOD WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR

MERRY CHRISTMAS one and all!! Though belated, good wishes are always welcomed and so I believe.

It's the time of year when we tend to get into a relective mood and mull over what's done and what still needs to be done. Some of us will be busy checking and tallying to see if they have been faithful to the resolutions made for the year. And congratulations to you if you managed to have seen all of them through. You can gloat and wallow in satifaction and pride while the rest of us heaved another sigh of : "Oh well, next year perhaps, we will do better".

Honestly, I have given up on making year-end resolutions a long time ago. I hardly can boast that I am the sort to see them through. When I was younger and had to fight off puppy fat... top on the list was to go on a diet and die for that dream figure! Second to that was to live within my budget and save up all my hard earned money. And you guessed right... I failed miserably and on both counts. So I had to be contented then to go round wearing baggy dresses (thank God.. the "tent" look was in then!) and also to go without my favourite hobby (ugh!) - shopping!!

But I have mellowed somewhat through the years.... a dream figure and money in the bank are far from my mind these days. Oh, of course it will be nice to have a comfortable nest egg hidden away from view and handy for that rainy day! But then again..what's important is not how we live our lives as to how well we live it given all the circumstances that come along. God never promised us sunny days all the time and we have to deal with the cloudy ones as well as the storms that visit us every now and then.

Sometimes, I sit back and look at all the people I know... my neighbors, family members, associates and friends.. and I wonder what goes on in their lives. Each have their own set of values in life. Interestingly enough, we may not be aware of this but we all have something we are living for. If you were to ask point blank this question : "What do you want out of life?" - you'd probably get lots of different responses. Too many to list down here so just stop and think for awhile... for yourself. What do you want out of life? Wealth, fame, love, happiness, peace, sense of well-being, health, knowledge, etc.

Not too long ago, I visited a friend's ailing father. He had lost his sight for a good many years and now spend his waking hours propped up in a lazy-chair as he is also not mobile due to a bad back. He is a fine specimen of a man... and I can see that he has been a virile, physically fit person with his own set of values for life. A man of principles and a good family provider. He has very strong hands and I could feel their warmth when I clasped them with mine. He reminded me of my dad - a man of few words but nevertheless, a true gentleman! In his sightless world... I wonder if he now lives through his days remembering the past... both the happy and not so happy memories that he was once a part of. I am sure he does because that's probably all he has to hold on to now. My heart goes out to him and I often think of him and send a silent prayer to bless him with peace of mind and heart as he lives out the days still ahead of him. It's not easy to see old people left to live out their lives just waiting for the sun to set on them. Especially when they are ailing and dependable on others for their needs.

To those of us who are lucky to have sound minds and bodies... take good care and appreciate the blessings that come our way. Thank God for this beautiful world and everything good it has in store for us. Take time to enjoy the natural wonders around us; to appreciate the people who love and care for us; to protect and love those creatures who are defenseless against man's greed and intentions; to live a life that is the least harmful to others and Mother Earth. Let's live and let live so that all may live... in love, peace and harmony. Life may not be what you expect it to be but if you look carefully, there's always a rainbow after the rain... look for it and find your pot of gold.

I wish you well and may the New Year bring you lots of happy laughter,opportunites,
achievements and successes. Live well, good health, eat green and sleep well at nights too!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY AND JOYOUS NEW YEAR!!!!

Be Veg! Go green! Save planet earth!

滿懷愛心的女星 瑪麗安娜‧托斯卡

洛杉磯時報形容她：
「極富魅力…美麗絕倫又才華洋溢…是個精力旺盛的人…」

出生於1971年、身為阿爾巴尼亞與希臘後裔的好萊塢美豔女星瑪麗安娜‧托斯卡（Mariana Tosca），也是一位得獎的攝影記者、詩人，以及榮獲過讚賞獎（Ovation Award）的劇場女演員，曾在地方劇場和外百老匯主演過六十多部戲，她還是世上最著名的高智商俱樂部「門薩」（Mensa）的成員。除了這些榮耀和讚譽外，瑪麗安娜的高貴人格讓她成為眾星中最閃耀的明星。她以高度慈悲的胸懷對待所有眾生，而且總是抱持愛心與開放的胸襟去尋求更深入的了解。她所展現美麗與美德足為我們的楷模。在她的網站上引用了一段艾蜜莉‧狄金生（Emily Dickenson）的詩句︰「我們永遠不知道自己多高，直到我們被要求提昇…」

黃金5年（2008年）8月，在接受無上師電視台的專訪時，瑪麗安娜分享了那個讓她領悟到所有動物都是有情眾生的難忘時刻。當時6歲的她與父母一起乘車行駛在高速公路上時，有一輛運載牛隻的卡車開到他們旁邊。她回憶說︰「我和這些非常美麗又充滿靈性的眼睛四目相望。當兩輛車在路上並行的時候，我們就這樣緊緊注視著對方。」後來，當她發現他們會成為別人的晚餐這件可怕的事實後，她拒絕再吃任何肉類產品。她說︰「我不再吃任何有眼睛、有靈魂、有母親的生物。」大約二年前，瑪麗安娜遇到「動物之家農場庇護所」（Animal Acres Farm Sanctuary）的創辦人羅莉‧鮑斯頓（Lori Bauston），真正了解到動物每日在工廠化農場中所經歷的殘酷對待後，更成了一位純素食者。

2001年，瑪麗安娜在喜劇電影《耶誕在雲端》（Christmas in the Clouds）中擔綱扮演一位素食者，與她一同演出的，還有加拿大的原住民演員葛蘭姆‧葛林（Graham Greene），在劇中飾演一位烹調素食的廚師。這部電影曾獲得奧斯汀影展（Austin Film Festival）的最佳劇情片（Best Competition Feature Film）和聖塔菲影展（Santa Fe Film Festival）的最佳美國原住民劇情片（Best Native American Theme Film）。瑪麗安娜在談及這部影片時說︰「我很高興能透過主流媒體傳播茹素的訊息。」由於她選擇採取愛心的茹素飲食，許多片中演員也有機會在片場品嚐素食，並對茹素的經驗抱持正面的看法。對於自己成為別人效法的對象，她說︰「改變他人的想法，促使他們採取更和平與環保的生活方式，即使只有一點點影響，對我而言都是世上最棒的事。」

基於她對所有眾生的愛，瑪麗安娜積極投入幾個保護動物權益的組織。她擔任「捍衛動物協會」（In Defense of Animals）的國際發言人，並長期參與「給動物一線生機」（Last Chance for Animals）、「美國人道協會」（Humane Society of the United States）和「海洋守護協會」（Sea Shepherd Conservation Society）等組織的活動。由於她的慷慨善心，瑪麗安娜也從動物收容所收養狗，為他們提供愛心的家園。目前她收養了三隻美麗的狗，帶給她一輩子友誼、忠誠和奉獻的無價禮物。

為了幫助加州格蘭岱爾市（Glendale）的不撲殺動物收容所「格蘭岱爾人道協會」（Glendale Human Society）提高動物收養率，瑪麗安娜想出一個點子，免費為狗狗錄製生活短片，幫助狗狗與可能的收養家庭配對。她因此於2003年成立「愛犬影業」（Canine Cinema）公司，並製作了一百多部短片讓人觀賞。由於這個點子非常成功，「日安洛杉磯」（Good Day L.A.）、「福斯十一台新聞」（Fox 11 News）和「動物星球頻道」（Animal Planet）等電視節目都曾特別介紹過「愛犬影業」。事實上，加州以外的其他動物收容所也開始商請「愛犬影業」提供協助。最近瑪麗安娜更為愛貓人士成立「愛貓影業」（Feline Films），以讚頌我們的貓朋友與他們的人類伴侶之間的親密關係。

瑪麗安娜還拍攝了一支公益廣告支持「加州健康寵物法案」（California Healthy Pets Act），和擁護遏止全球暖化的世界性活動，並於最近參加了2008年7月26日在加州洛杉磯所舉行的「SOS氣候變遷國際會議」。

瑪麗安娜‧托斯卡是一位由內而外散發出耀眼光芒的人，一個值得在天堂的「星光大道」上留名的真正高貴靈魂。身為好萊塢的著名女星，她知道外表的美麗很短暫，而內在美卻是永恆的。她運用她的善心和天賦，盡己所能幫助世界。我們祝福瑪麗安娜‧托斯卡女士繼續圓滿實現她的夢想，並鼓勵更多世人採取慈悲、無動物成分的純素飲食，成為地球的美麗公民。

線上觀看「無上師電視台」對瑪麗安娜‧托斯卡的專訪：
http://video.Godsdirectcontact.net/magazine/VEG702_709.php

Special Cooking Program for Awal Muharram ~ Gulai Lemak Cili Api in BM / 14 subtitiles

SALAM MAAL HIJRAH

dan Selamat Menyambut Tahun Baru 2009

with Malaysian Gulai Lemak Cili Api (Golden Spicy Coconut Curry)
~ Special cooking program on www.SupremeMasterTV.com
~ presented in Bahasa Malaysia with 14 subtitles in Arabic, Aulac(Vietnamese), Chinese, English, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, and Thai.

Date / Time : 26/12 - 1st session : 3.30pm
2nd (repeat) : 9.30pm
27/12 - 3rd (repeat): 3.30am
4th (repeat) : 9.30am

Minimum Broadband requirement : = > 1 M
Best Result : Install & watch via "TVants P2P TV" or "sopcast" FOC software available at www.SupremeMasterTV.com