Sirimongkon Maisuk

Under the Child Sponsorship Program, World Vision sent me the photo of my sponsored Thai kid – Sirimongkon Maisuk (age 10). The money donated is not given directly to him, but to be pooled with other sponsors for long term community project instead. Hope this trivial amount would help those people who wants to live their life bravely with vision.

返老还童

常听说长者的情绪会返老还童，如小孩般需要别人的关注与呵护。最近察觉到有此现象。是否长者生活不够充实感觉无聊而胡思乱想？

South Thailand Insurgency

Murder cases in south Thailand's three Muslim dominant provinces - Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani (close to Malaysia border) are reported almost daily on local newspapers. Statistic shows more than 2000 people were killed in the past 3 years, mostly civilians, monks were not exempted. The Muslim insurgents blamed discrimination by the country's Buddhist majority. Thai government has no control over the escalating unrest to date. This insurgency has gradually transformed into religious conflict. The longer it drags, it would turn out to be another Gaza Strip. Probably this is the conspiracy of the separatists to attract attentions and aids from fanatic Islamic terrorist organizations, to achieve their independence goal eventually.

World Vision – Administrative Costs

World Vision Malaysia has pledged not to use more than 20% of all donated funds on administrative and overhead costs. In considering of this rather small organization and donation received (compared to UN campaigns), this percentage is acceptable.

Previously I used to have a misperception that UN related organizations are kind of voluntary parties to help those in needs and the workers are just collecting minimal wages. I’m utterly wrong. In fact the UN staffs are flying in and out in business class, accommodating in stars rated hotels, collecting above average income, enjoying various allowances and tax free status etc. I don’t see any reason to donate money to these so-called UN organizations who squandering tax payers’ money as such!

UN said they must pay lucrative wages to attract “highly qualified” people to execute the works / projects. I'd love to work with UN family too!

World Vision - Child Sponsorship

I raised the issue of sponsoring a child under World Vision with friends lately. Monthly contribution of MYR50 (Euro11) is all asked to be donated. Simon suggested adopting an orphan instead, but I’m afraid of excessive commitment in the future and it would do greater harm to the child if the sponsorship is terminated for whatever reason. Guess I’m too selfish (???)

Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease

My twin nephews caught “Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease” a few days ago. The elder was crying for days and lost his appetite due to the painful blisters inside the mouth. Other symptoms of the infection are short-lived fever and red spots/ blisters on the palms and on the soles of the feet.

The doctor said this particular type of Coxsackie virus is mild, unlike the lethal plague erupted years ago which cause instant pass-out.

Back To Work

This vacation was too short, quite reluctant to pack my luggage and fly back to Bulgaria again. Feeling tired and bored with the working environment, have been thinking over to settle down in Malaysia, but too many aspects need to be considered before making decision.

Phuket - 易装歌舞秀

看了一场免费的人妖歌舞表演，表演者卖力地呈现歌舞，对台下观众异样的眼光不知有何感想？我不喜欢‘人妖’这词，总觉得带有贬义与歧视。我们不了解他们的背景与辛酸，可知道当中有多少人身不由己？短暂的演艺生命不能赋予长期稳定的收入。他们专业的投入应报以热烈掌声，只有没文化的人才会给于嘲笑。

欣赏之际，我忽然想起程蝶衣唱过‘我本是男儿郎，又不是女娇娥’。。。又想起张国荣英年早逝。。。

Phuket - Diving

Just returned from 4-day trip to Phuket. The island once seriously rampaged by tsunami has recovered fully and the jubilant life is back to track again, at least from the eyes of tourists. The beaches are packed by sunbathers, and the bars are crowded with tourists.

I made a trip to Racha Yai for diving, I insisted for fun dives instead of having a refreshing course since I had no dive record in the past 3 years. The 1st dive was fairly good, but the 2nd dive was not satisfactory. The strong current drifted me away and I was acting like a fool to fight against it. I lost my control, I spent most of my time controlling buoyancy instead of appreciating the marine life.