The cat was seen as a sacred animial in ancient Eqypt, and the history of domestic cats dates back to as early as 8000 years.
The biggest breed of domesticated cats are called a Maine Coon cat and weighs up to 11 kg.
Cats are some of the smartest animals and can interpret a human's mood and feelings.
The average cat sleeps between 12-14 hours a day.
Cats paw (repeatedly treading on a spot - often it's owner) to mark their territory. Cats sweat through the bottom of their paws and rub this off as a marking mechanism.
White cats with blue eyes are quite often born deaf.
Cat urine glows in the dark if a black light is shined on it. This is a good way to detect cat urine in your home.
Interesting facts about the anatomy of a cat
Cats have 220° field of view where humans only have 180°.
Cats' sense of smell is 14 times stronger than that of humans.
Cats have 30 permanent teeth, while adult humans have 32.
Cats have 30 vertebrae, while humans only have 25.
Cats have 230 bones in their bodies, this is 24 more than humans.
Cats have a body temperature of between 101 and 102.2 °F (38 and 39 °C).
The lifespan of cats are usually between 15 and 20 years.
Cats have a heart rate of between 120 - 240 beats per minute. (This varies highly between different breeds cats)
Cats take between 20 - 40 breaths per minute in an inactive state. (This varies highly between different breeds cats)
The print on a cat's nose is like that of a fingerprint of a human, each is unique.
Cats have a top speed of about 30 mp/h (48.28 km/h).
Saving Resources A pretty commonsense argument in favor of recycling. It is always good to reuse metal items as the metal reserves may be depleting. Even the metal object which you think is woefully useless and rusted, can be revamped and resold, and you can hardly tell the difference. The importance of recycling paper, like I said, is that it can help save our forests.
Saving Energy Confused? Recycling materials not only saves resources, but can also help save energy. When we throw out something we have labeled useless, we throw out a processed product. Suppose you have a rusty, broken door knob. There was obviously some time, energy and people involved in the process that made processed metal and turned it into a doorknob. By simply recycling it or make some basic fixes to it, we save all the energy that would have been consumed in the process of making it. Same with plastic items. A lot of energy can be saved by simply reusing the plastic items.
Reduce Pollution How does recycling affect the environment? Simple. Let me take an example to elucidate the importance of recycling plastic. Now say everyone decides not to recycle plastic. Then the plastic-making factories will be running full steam ahead. And by steam I mean smoke. If the production increases, the air pollution too will increase. And the factories that have not invested in a pro-environment waste disposal system will ruin our atmosphere. These who have liquid waste emissions without a waste water treatmentt system, will cause water verdana. Hence indirect as it may seem, if recycling helps cut down our production, it will help reduce emissions as well. Read on for more about plastic recycling.
Strokes and heart attacks are some of the most common effects of sleep deprivation. Many health experts believe that it is caused by the worsening of blood pressure and cholesterol. This also explains why most heart attacks occur during early morning hours. Your heart will actually be healthier if you get about eight hours of sleep daily.
2. Relieves stress
People usually get stressed out when they are tired but sleep deprivation also induces stress. One method that this reveals itself is via high blood pressure that can lead to other health complications. In addition to that, the body also increases the production of various stress hormones, which can keep you from sleeping at night. The only way to successfully steer away from this vicious cycle is to get adequate sleep each night. It is highly likely that your mood will also greatly benefit, assisting both you and the people in your immediate environment.
3. Enhances the nervous system
The most obvious advantage of getting enough sleep is the fact that you will be more alert the following day. Sleep is a very efficient restorative process for both the body and mind as well. If you wake up feeling refreshed and alert, you are going to do something useful with your day. Additionally, getting enough sleep will also enhance your memory. This enables you to learn and also retain more information in your day to day life.
The main drawback of getting enough sleep at night is that you are going to feel very lazy. You are also going to feel even more exhausted than usual and that will affect your activities.
Heroin is an opiate processed directly from the extracts of the opium poppy. It was originally created to help cure people of addiction to morphine. Upon crossing the blood-brain barrier, which occurs soon after introduction of the drug into the bloodstream, heroin is converted into morphine, which mimics the action of endorphins, creating a sense of well-being; the characteristic euphoria has been described as an “orgasm” centered in the gut. One of the most common methods of heroin use is via intravenous injection.
2. Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. It is both a stimulant of the central nervous system and an appetite suppressant, giving rise to what has been described as a euphoric sense of happiness and increased energy. It is most often used recreationally for this effect. Cocaine is a potent central nervous system stimulant. Its effects can last from 20 minutes to several hours, depending upon the dosage of cocaine taken, purity, and method of administration. The initial signs of stimulation are hyperactivity, restlessness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and euphoria. The euphoria is sometimes followed by feelings of discomfort and depression and a craving to experience the drug again. Sexual interest and pleasure can be amplified. Side effects can include twitching, paranoia, and impotence, which usually increases with frequent usage.
3. Methamphetamine
Methamphetamime, popularly shortened to meth or ice, is a psychostimulant and sympathomimetic drug. Methamphetamine enters the brain and triggers a cascading release of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. Since it stimulates the mesolimbic reward pathway, causing euphoria and excitement, it is prone to abuse and addiction. Users may become obsessed or perform repetitive tasks such as cleaning, hand-washing, or assembling and disassembling objects. Withdrawal is characterized by excessive sleeping, eating and depression-like symptoms, often accompanied by anxiety and drug-craving.
4. Crack Cocaine
Crack cocaine, often nicknamed “crack”, is believed to have been created and made popular during the early 1980s . Because of the dangers for manufacturers of using ether to produce pure freebase cocaine, producers began to omit the step of removing the freebase precipitate from the ammonia mixture. Typically, filtration processes are also omitted. Baking soda is now most often used as a base rather than ammonia for reasons of lowered odor and toxicity; however, any weak base can be used to make crack cocaine. When commonly “cooked” the ratio is 1:1 to 2:3 parts cocaine/bicarbonate
5. LSD
Lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD, LSD-25, or acid, is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug of the tryptamine family. Arguably the most regarded of all psychedelics, it is considered mainly as a recreational drug, an entheogen, and a tool in use to supplement various types of exercises for transcendence including in meditation, psychonautics, and illegal psychedelic psychotherapy whether self administered or not. LSD’s psychological effects (colloquially called a “trip”) vary greatly from person to person, depending on factors such as previous experiences, state of mind and environment, as well as dose strength. They also vary from one trip to another, and even as time passes during a single trip. An LSD trip can have long term psychoemotional effects; some users cite the LSD experience as causing significant changes in their personality and life perspective. Widely different effects emerge based on what Leary called set and setting; the “set” being the general mindset of the user, and the “setting” being the physical and social environment in which the drug’s effects are experienced.
Sharks are fish. However, they do not have bones like other fish. Their skeleton is made of cartilage. This is the same bendable material that is in your ears!
They also do not have a swim bladder, the air filled balloon-like organ that keeps most fish upright. Sharks have gill slits but no gill-cover, which is common to most bony fish. Because they have no swim bladder to keep them buoyant, sharks sink when not swimming. Shark's bodies are heavier than water and most sharks are constantly on the move.
By moving forward with their mouths open, sharks move water across their gills for breathing. The larger species produce live young that are fully formed, miniature versions of their parents. Mother sharks offer no food or protection for their young. Young sharks do have a fighting chance, though, as they are born with a full set of teeth and the ability to swim.
A myriad of kuih-muih (sweet and savory cakes)
originally from the Malay people. The Nyonyas
also claim some of these and they are known as
"Nyonya kuih" too. Even though they may look alike,
there is a subtle difference in terms of colors,
taste and also the kind of ingredients used.
Cucur badak is made of sweet potato with spicy coconut filling.
These rice packets (ketupat) were woven using young coconut leaves. They are then boiled for at least three hours before you get to eat them. This version uses normal white rice.
Ketupat palas (made from leaves of a member of pandanus family). This version uses glutinous rice.
Ulam is fresh raw herbs to be eaten with sambal belacan.
The struggle to search for independence began in 1511 and took more than 446 years. It ended with the declaration of national independence on 31st August 1957. On that day, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj poignantly read out the Proclamation of Independence of Malaya.
Transcript of YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman’s speech as follows:
Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Your Highnesses, Your Excellencies, People of Persekutuan Tanah Melayu.
I am indeed proud that on this, the greatest day in Malaya’s history it falls to my lot to proclaim the formal independence of this country. Today as new page is turned, and Malaya steps forward to take her rightful place as a free and independent partner in the great comity of nations – a new nation is born and though we fully realize that difficulties and problems lie ahead, we are confident that, with the blessing of God, these difficulties will be overcome and that today’s events, down the avenues of history, will be our inspiration and our guide. It is therefore with a feeling of particular solemnity that we have listened to the eloquent words of His Royal Highness and in particular to the moving message he has conveyed from Her Majesty the Queen. We are indeed honored that Her Majesty should have deputed her own uncle, His Royal Highness, to be with us on this occasion particularly when we remember that he is no stranger to this land: We recall too with pleasure his previous visit to Malaya and happy recollections of his stay have remained with us.
His Royal Highness has spoken in moving words of the past associations of our two countries. We in Malaya have a long history, but we do not lightly forget old relationships.
For many years past our fortunes have been linked with those of Great Britain and we recall in particular the comradeship of two world wars. We remember too the products of our association; justice before the law, the legacy of an efficient public service and the highest standard of living in Asia. We shall therefore always remember with gratitude the assistance which we have received from Great Britain down our long path to nationhood; an assistance which culminated today with the proclamation of Malaya’s independence.
But the long-standing friendship between our countries does not cease with independence: Rather it takes on a new form. As you have heard in the gracious message from Her Majesty the Queen, Malaya will henceforward take her place in the great Commonwealth of Independent Nations whose members are found in all parts of the world, and as an equal partner in that great association. We in this country will do all in our power to promote its well-being in the interests of mankind in general and in the particular service of world peace.
Thus today a new chapter opens in our relationship with Britain; our colonial status has given place to full equality but we are confident that, fortified by old associations, and linked by old memories, our ties with Britain will grow ever stronger and more durable.
British will ever find in us her best friend, and it is a source of much gratification to my government that British civil servants will continue to serve in this country to assist us in the solution of the many problems which independence will present.
But while we think of the past, we look forward in faith and hope to the future; from henceforth we are masters of our destiny, and the welfare of this beloved land is our own responsibility: Let no one think we have reached the end of the road: Independence is indeed a milestone, but it is only the threshold to high endeavor — the creation of a new and sovereign state. At this solemn moment therefore I call upon you all to dedicate yourselves to the service of the new Malaya: To work and strive with hand and brain to create a new nation, inspired by the ideals of justice and liberty — a beacon of light in a disturbed and distracted world.
1. Don’t over commit. Whether in your personal or professional life, learn your limits and set boundaries. Know when to say, “No!” Don’t take on more than you can reasonably handle.
2. Avoid people who stress you out. If someone is a constant source of stress and you can’t turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend with that person, or end the relationship entirely.
3. Avoid heated topics. You know the topics that cause your blood pressure to rise, so learn to avoid them.
4. Practice relaxation techniques. Techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing activate the body’s relaxation response—a state of restfulness opposite of the stress response. When practiced regularly, you will enjoy a reduction in your everyday stress levels, benefit by a boost in your feelings of peace and serenity, and increase your ability to stay calm under pressure.
5. Change how you view things. Practice viewing stressful situations from a more positive perspective. Rather than getting stressed out about sitting in traffic, look at it as an opportunity to pause and regroup, to listen to your favorite music or self-improvement CD, or to just enjoy some quiet time.
6. Practice positive thinking. How you think can have a profound effect on your emotional and physical well-being. People who maintain a positive attitude and practice positive thinking experience less stress than those who are pessimistic and negative.
7. Anticipate problems. When issues arise, address them head on before they escalate. The best way to avoid big problems is by addressing them when they are small.
8. Express your feelings. When something or someone is upsetting you, learn to communicate your concerns in an open and respectful manner. Even if it’s just sharing what you are going through with a friend, you will likely feel better.
9. Practice good time management. Every improvement you make in how you spend your time gives you greater control of your life and plays a small role in reducing your everyday stress levels.
10. Don’t procrastinate. Putting things off until the last minute is a guaranteed way to increase your stress levels. Start doing what you know you should do when you know you should do it. Become a do-it-now person.
11. Stop striving for perfection. We should push ourselves to improve and to always do our best, BUT we need to know when something is good enough. On a scale of 1-10, start shooting for 8’s and 9’s.
12. Look for the upside. When problems and challenges present themselves, look at them as opportunities for personal growth. The next time you are faced with a challenge remember this African proverb: “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.”
13. Set aside relaxation time. Block out time each day to rest, relax, and recharge your batteries. Look at your daily schedule and identify one or more periods of time when you can take a break. Do something you enjoy during these blocks of time.
14. Keep your sense of humor. Smiling and laughing are great ways to reduce stress.
15. Exercise regularly. It is well documented that physical activity plays a key role in reducing the effects of stress on the body. Make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week. A brisk walk can do wonders to reduce stress.
Two nights of rioting in London's Tottenham neighborhood erupted following protests over the shooting death by police of a local man, Mark Duggan. Police were arresting him when the shooting occurred. Over 170 people were arrested over the two nights of rioting, and fires gutted several stores, buildings, and cars. The disorder spread to other neighborhoods as well, with shops being looted in the chaos. Collected here are images from the rioting and the aftermath. -- Lane Turner
It goes without saying that the best source of nutrients comes from a healthy, balanced diet. A variety of nutrients are needed in our daily diet to keep fit and healthy. A balanced diet should provide the right proportions of carbohydrate, fat, protein, vitamins and minerals, water and dietary fiber. Vitamins and minerals are crucial in energy metabolism. A diet deficient in minerals can compromise our daily performance.
Minerals are the nutrients that exist in the body, and are as essential as our need for oxygen to sustain life. In the body, only 5% of the human body weight is mineral matter which is vital to all mental & physical processes & for total well being. They are most important factors in maintaining all physiological processes. They are important constituents of the teeth, bones, tissues, blood, muscle, and nerve cells. Minerals can be found in varying amounts in a variety of foods such as meat, cereals (including cereal products such as bread), fish, milk and dairy foods, vegetables, fruit (especially dried fruit) and nuts.
There is night in the month of Ramadhan which is better than a thousand months (83 years, 4 months). This night is called Laitatul Qadr.
According to Hadith, this night occurs during the last ten days of Ramadhan on one of the odd numbered nights. Usually it is celebrated on the 27th night of this holy month. It is a night of great importance and enormous blessings for Muslims.
A night such as Lailatul Qadr was not granted to any religious community (Ummah) before Muslims. Only the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) were favoured with a night of huge reward. Once reason, it was granted, was to enable Muslims to equal the worship of any people who lived before us. In the distant past it is said that people lived very long lives of hundreds of years. We, today, live much shorter lives. And so Allah gave us Laitatul Qadr to enable us to do as much worship as a man who lived even hundreds of years longer. If in a lifetime, you only worshipped on Lailatul Qadr ten times, you would have equaled in those ten nights 833 years of worship.
Signs of Laitul Qadr
There are some signs that reveal which night is Laitatul Qadr.
The night will be peaceful, neither hot nor cold, with a clear moon shinning but with no rays.
There will be no shooting stars in the night
At sunrise the sun will rise as just a disc without and radiant beams of light.
One companion of the Prophet reported that on Laitatul Qadr he tasted sea water and it was sweet.
Ramadan 2011 is the Islamic month of fasting, in which Muslims around the world observe Puasa (Fasting) from dawn to sunset, which means that every day during this month, Muslims spend the daylight hours in a complete fast, refraining from eating, drinking, that is in excess or ill-natured. Because of that, Ramadhan 2011 is also referred to as Fasting Month 2011, or Puasa 2011.
When is Ramadhan 2011? Ramadhan 2011 (Ramadan 2011) is expected to start on Monday, 1st August 2011, and will end around Tuesday, 30th August 2011. Please note that the Ramadhan date is based on moon sighting, thus the exact date will be determined and announced by the Islamic authority on the day itself.
The day after Ramadan 2011 will be celebrated as the Eid 2011, or referred to different names according to local languages, such as Lebaran 2011, Idul Fitri 2011, Hari Raya 2011, or Hari Raya Puasa 2011 in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
Malaysians strong sense of community is reflected in many of their traditional games and pastimes. These activities are usually held during festivities such as before or after the rice harvest season and to usher in the new spring.
Silat This fascinating Malay martial art is also an international sport and traditional dance form. Existing in the Malay Archipelago for centuries, it has mesmerising fluid movements that are used to confuse opponents. It is believed that practising silat will increase one's spiritual strength in accordance with Islamic tenets. Accompanied by drums and gongs, this ancient art is popularly performed at Malay weddings and cultural festivals.
Sepak Takraw
Sepak takraw, also known as sepak raga, is a traditional ball game in which a ball made by weaving strips of buluh bamboo or rattan together is passed about using any part of the body except the lower arms and hands. There are two main types of sepak takraw: bulatan and jaring. Sepak raga bulatan is the original form in which players form a circle and try to keep the ball in the air as long as possible. Sepak takraw jaring is the modern version in which the ball is passed across a court over a high net.
Wau
A wau is a traditional kite that is especially popular in the state of Kelantan on the East Coast of Malaysia. Traditionally flown after the rice harvest season, these giant kites are often as big as a man - measuring about 3.5 metres from head to tail. It is called wau because its shape is similar to the Arabic letter that is pronounced as 'wow'. With vibrant colours and patterns based on local floral and fauna, these kites are truly splendid sights.
Gasing
A gasing is a giant spinning top that weigh approximately 5kg or 10lbs and may be as large as a dinner plate. Traditionally played before the rice harvest season, this game requires strength, co-ordination and skill. The top is set spinning by unfurling a rope that has been wound around it. Then it is scooped off the ground, whilst still spinning, using a wooden bat with a centre slit and transferred onto a low post with a metal receptacle. If expertly hurled, it can spin for up to 2 hours.
What is Ramadan? This question comes to our mind many times when we come across the word Ramadan. The answer to this question is, Ramadan is the ninth month of Islamic calander. It is a belief that in the month of Ramadan the Holy book of Muslims, Quran was sent down from heaven as guidance for men and also as a direction and a means to Salvation. Ramadan is the month of fast. The entire month Muslims fast with no water and food during the daytime.Muslims have food only before the sunrises and after the sunsets. The day starts with eating of the suhoor. Suhoor is the meal eaten by the Muslims who fast before the sun rises. Once suhoor is done then Muslims who fast cannot eat or drink the whole day. In the evening when the sun sets then they have another meal called If tar. To open the fast they pray and have Iftar meal. Once Iftar is over Muslims visit their relative’s house and early in the morning sets back to the fast.
