Hunger ... Chicken A la Carte

 

I felt so touched and also sad after viewing the short film.

There are so many people around the world dying everyday due to hunger and malnutrition...

There are people living in some of the corners, who are being forgotten and neglected by the society.
Hope those fortunate youngsters who can afford to eat fast food everyday, don't take everything that they have for granted, but to be more thankful for what they have, and give a deep thought of those less fortunate people in other parts of the world. 

Think twice before you speak or act...

This is a 2005 short film, "Chicken A la Carte", directed by Ferdinand Dimadura, which won the peoples choice awards on the theme food, taste and hunger. 

In Feb 2006 at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival,32 films were chosen to be screened at the berlinale talent campus.

"Chicken A la Carte" got the Most Popular Short Film Award.

Quote:

"This film is about the hunger and poverty brought about by Globalization. There are 10,000 people dying everyday due to hunger and malnutrition. This short film shows a forgotten portion of the society. The people who live on the refuse of men to survive. What is inspiring is the hope and spirituality that never left this people."

 

 

 

Just Joking - How Quickly The Years Pass ...

 

To anybody who is in the same situation as me ...

wasting time at work, suffering from a hangover, or just suffering from work, that might need a reason to smile!

Life is Short! Break the Rules!  

~ Forgive Quickly ~

  ~ Kiss Slowly ~

~ Love Truly ~

~ Laugh Uncontrollably ~

And ...

 Never Regret Anything That Made You Smile.

 

 

 

The Empty Bird Cage - 空的鸟笼 （爱的赎价）

 

 

The Empty Bird Cage

There once was a man named George Thomas, a pastor in a small New England town.

One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old birdcage, and set it by the pulpit.

Several eyebrows were raised; and as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak. "I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright.

I stopped the lad and asked, "What you got there son?"

"Just some old birds," came the reply.

"What are you gonna do with them?" I asked.

"Take them home and have fun with them," he answered. "I'm gonna tease them and pull out their feathers to make them fight. I'm gonna have a real good time."

"But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do then?"

"Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take them to them."

The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?"

"Huh??!!! Why, you don't want the birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing - they ain't even pretty!"

"How much?" the pastor asked again.

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?"

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten-dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone.

The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.

Well, that explained the empty birdcage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation.

Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"

"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.

Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!"

"And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly. "How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you!!

You don't want those people!!"

"How much?" He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your tears, and all your blood."

Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price.

The pastor picked up the cage, he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit.

空的鸟笼（爱的赎价）

在新英格兰的一个小镇上，有一位名叫乔治·托马斯的牧师。

复活节的早晨，托马斯牧师到教堂去主持礼拜的时候，手里提着一个破旧的、锈迹班驳的鸟笼。他走上圣坛，把鸟笼放在讲台上，教堂里的弟兄姊妹们都愕然了。这时，托马斯牧师缓缓开口讲了他昨天的经历。
 
昨天他穿过镇子的时候，迎面碰上个小男孩，手中就晃荡着这个鸟笼。几只小鸟瑟缩在笼子里，寒冷和恐惧使它们全身都在颤抖。
 
他拦住那个男孩问道：“孩子，你手里拿的是什么呀？”
 
“只不过是几只上了年纪的野鸟。”男孩回答说。

“那你要把它们怎么样呢？”牧师又问。

“带回家去找点乐子。”他说，“我要好好折腾它们，把它们弄得筋疲力尽，再一根根地拔掉它们的羽毛。我想这一定挺有意思。”

“但你迟早会玩儿厌了的，那时你又要怎么处理这些小鸟呢？”

“啊，我养了几只猫。”男孩子怪笑着说，“它们可喜欢小鸟了。”

托马斯牧师沉默片刻，忽然说道：“我想买下这些小鸟，你开个价吧，孩子。”

“什么？”男孩子简直不敢相信自己的耳朵，“得了吧，牧师，您不会喜欢这些鸟的，它们只是些普普通通的野鸟，又老又笨又难看，叫声也不好听。”

“开个价吧。”牧师又重复了一遍。

男孩子怀疑地打量着牧师，似乎在琢磨着他是不是疯了，“10美元，怎么样？”

牧师立刻从衣袋里掏出一张10美元的钞票递给他，男孩子扔下鸟笼兴冲冲地跑了。牧师小心翼翼地提起笼子，向街心公园走去――那里有一棵大树，树下是绿茵茵的草坪。

他把鸟笼放在草坪上，打开笼门，轻轻地拍着栅栏，柔声哄出笼中的小鸟，把它们放飞了。

这就是鸟笼的由来。

然后，托马斯牧师又讲了另一个故事︰

有一天，耶稣踫上了刚刚从伊甸园回来的撒但。那魔鬼手中拎着一个以罪和死为栅栏的笼子，幸灾乐祸地狂笑道︰“看哪，我把全世界的人都抓进这个笼子了！这些人都经不起我的试探和引诱，统统掉进了陷阱！整个儿世界的人都掉进去了！”

“那你要把他们怎么样呢？”耶稣问道。

“拿他们找点乐子啊！我要教他们怎样玩弄感情、背信弃义，怎样纵情声色、沉沦堕落，怎样彼此诋毁侮辱，怎样相互仇恨；我还要教他们如何制造和发明各种致命的武器，训练他们互相残杀这该多有意思啊！”

“然后呢？”耶稣又问。

“啊哈！”撒但狂傲地瞥了他一眼，“然后就把他们都杀掉！”

“我要买下这些人，你开个价吧。”耶稣平静地说。

“得了吧！你不会喜欢这些人的，他们都坏透了，简直是十恶不赦，而且全都忘恩负义，你救他们，得到的报答只会是他们的仇恨！他们会对您你施尽凌辱唾骂，还会把你钉死在十字架上的！没有谁会愿意救赎这样的罪人！”撒但嘲笑道。

“开个价吧。”耶稣仍旧平静地重复道。

撒但的脸上露出阴森森的冷笑︰“他们的赎价就是你的鲜血、眼泪和你的全部生命，怎么样？”

“成交吧。”耶稣无惧地回答。

然后，就付出了这赎价这爱的赎价，付出了他的鲜血、眼泪和的全部生命。

托马斯牧师讲完这个故事，没有再说什么。他提起那个鸟笼，默默地走下了圣坛。
 

Penny

 

 

Penny

Happened to get this article and would like to share with my friends. After reading this story, I remember I still have some coins left over from my previous US trip,, so I quickly dig them out and take a good look at each of them.. One Cent coin, Quarter Dollar coin, and yes, I get the message...and hope you too get the message...


I pick them up all the time but never thought of it as this....... You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about.

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Laurie, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house. The first day and evening went well, and Laurie was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants.

Laurie knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Laurie and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts..

Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure.

How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up? Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?
"Look at it." He said.
"Read what it says."
She read the words "United States of America."
"No, not that; read further."
"One cent?"
"No, keep reading."
"In God we Trust?"
"Yes!"
"And?"
"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. "

It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by?

"When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust is in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!"

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk.

I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change.

I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh.

Yes, God, I get the message.

It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful!

And, God is patient...Have a blessed day!

A Beautiful Prayer

A Beautiful Prayer

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
It isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
And brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own!
But I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me love others, as much as He loves me.
God said...
Ah, finally you have the idea.

This day is yours! Don't throw it away!
To the world you might be one person,
But to one person you just might be the world.

                                                                     ~~ anonymous ~~

My Soul is Free only if My Shadow is Free ...

Radiohead - All I Need (MTV EXIT)

 

I was watching the MTV Channel during last weekend and came across this video, which I somehow got touched by it.

The video was shown in split screen, depicting a normal day in the life of both an affluent young boy and a child about similar age being forced to make shoes in a sweatshop.

I like the way the video being filmed, at the same time showing
- the environments the boys were in
- the companions the boys were with
- the meals the boys had
- the "tools" the boys used - color pencils vs glue brushes
- the time spent by the boys

... and I especially love the ending part, with the same pair of shoes, one screen was showing the boy taking off his shoes and chucking a side, and the other screen showing the boy putting a pair of shoes aside which he had just completed.

Appreciate what you have ...
Some things cost more than you realize it . . .

This "All I Need" music video is a partnership between Radiohead and MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking).

The USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) Regional Development Mission in Asia is working with MTV to raise awareness about the causes and consequences of human trafficking in the region.

The initial objective of this video is to provide an insight into the realities of trafficking, emphasizes that everyone plays a role in the issue, and to provide a link to information about how to help end exploitation and trafficking.

"Trafficking is a crime that violates the basic rights of its victims: the rights to freedom, equality, and dignity."

The video is also available from MTVEXIT

You may visit USAID for more information.

LOVE is Bright in the Darkness ....

有些人是注定没法穿婚纱的。。。我相信在还未降临这世间前，宇宙万物所有的一切，都事先早已有最佳的妥善安排，所以无需强求，活出自己最重要。。。

Just Joking - Looking For Engineer

 

 

 

 

Just Joking - 4 Stages of Life

 

 

Sound familiar ?

 

Just Joking - Good Cheap Fast

 

 

 

This is true, in real life, well at least in my company.  We provide product software and services to customers, who always demand
Good product,  expect Fast delivery service but yet only willing to pay that for a very Cheap price.

 

What I can see, only last for that period of my lifetime. What I cannot see, is always with me and last forever ...

兰思 ：虚荣心 Vanity

你喜欢名牌吗？
你拥有名牌的衣服，包包，鞋子吗？
你愿意花一大笔钱就为了买名牌物品吗？

每当你在买名牌物品时，老实说，在你真正的心底深处，可否曾想过。促使你想买的原因是因为那物品的实用，还是虚荣心呢？
我一向来对名牌没多大的兴趣，不会追着名牌跑，也不特别喜欢名牌。或许你可能会说我买不起所以“吃不到葡萄说葡萄酸”。
那你就不了解我了。

虽然不是出生于富裕家庭，从小就养成省吃俭用的习惯，只有Necessity而少有Luxury的观念，知道赚钱不容易，所以不可随便挥霍。但多年工作储蓄的钱，如真的想买名牌，还是付得起的，问题是有这个必要，值得吗？

一件100元的名牌衬衫，能包住你的身子，为你取暖。
同样一件10元的普通衬衫，也同样能包住你的身子，以免你受寒，那为什么要花哪额外的钱就为了买那个“LABEL” 呢？

衣 - 无需皮雕大衣，有块布，已是福。
食 - 无需山珍海味，没饿着，已是福。
住 - 无需洋房别墅，有屋檐，已是福。
行 - 无需轿车游艇，脚能走，已是福。

我宁愿有一个价值仅仅10元的皮包，里头装满实实在在数千元的钞票，过得安稳实在。好过有些人打肿脸皮充胖子，带着价值1000元的包包，里头却是空无一物，连一张10元的钞票也没有，虚有其表却债务缠身，何苦呢？

身上所穿的，戴的，用的，这一切的一切，乃身外之物，生未曾带来，死也无法带去，何必那么计较那么挑剔一定要名牌呢？
世界上许多贫苦的孩子需要人们的帮助，为何不把那些你认为多余的钱，用在更有意义，更需要的地方呢？你想想，你不到一秒，连眼睛都不眨一下就花去1000元买个“LABEL”，那笔钱可是贫苦人家三、四个月以上的生活费啊。

人在世上那么的短暂，一切事物都是虚无飘渺的，何必追求荣华富贵，在同一个地球上，大家应该不分你我，都是一家人，能帮多少就帮多少，反正荣华富贵也带不走，何必斤斤计较呢？

Do you like branded stuff?
Do you have branded clothing, bags, and shoes?
Are you willing to spend a large sum of money on luxury goods?

To be honest, whenever you want to buy a branded item, is it because it is really useful to you or just purely vanity?

I have never been interested in branded goods and chased after the "LABEL".
Perhaps you might say "sour grapes" because I can't afford to buy the branded stuff, then you don't really know me at all.

After working for several years and have some savings, if I really wanted to buy any branded stuff, I still can afford to do so, but the real thing is, is it worth? Is it a necessity to have them? No!

I was not born in a wealthy family, however, I have been brought up to be thrifty, necessity vs luxury, understood that every single cent I earned, was hard-earned money, thus would not like to anyhow spend the money unnecessary.

Wearing a $100 branded shirt, can keep you warm.
Wearing a $10 normal similar shirt, will also serve the same purpose.
So, why spend the extra money just to get the "LABEL"?

Clothing - no need any thick wool coats, but just a piece of cloth, I feel thankful.

Food - no need any delicacies, so long as not starving, I feel thankful.

Housing - no need to have bungalow or villa, to be able to have shelter under one roof, I feel thankful.

Transport - no need to own car or yacht, I still can walk, I feel thankful.
I would prefer to have a simple wallet which worth $10, with few thousands of cash inside, then to have a $1000 worth of wallet just for show but contains no cash inside, or facing various debts.

When we came to this world, we were naked and did not have anything with us. Everything that we have, we used, we carried currently, were all just materialistic, in the end everything would turn into dust and ashes, we would not be unable to carry anything along with us upon our death, so why so particular about they have to be branded ?

There are many poor children around the world that need our help, so why not considering spending your money in a more useful and meaningful way?

Just think for a second, you spent $1000 just to buy a "LABEL", which could be one of the poor families' at least 3-4 months cost of living allowances.

Life is short, all things are vague. We all are living on the same planet, we are just one family, we should help each other regardless who we are, where we are.

打油诗 ：开会

在网上看到这则有关开会的打油诗，相当有趣并切实，在这与大家分享。

说实话，我最不喜欢开会了，认为那根本是一种浪费时间，浪费资源的一项“活动”。的确，有时候是真的需要开会以达到大家的共识，但开一个会议的时间不宜超过一个半小时。若多过一个半小时，不难会开始发现会议中的人开始感到不耐烦，心不在焉，不停地看腕表或壁钟，而根本就没把会议里所讨论的事项注入脑中了。

开会再开会，不开怎么会，本来有点会，开了变不会。
有事要开会，没事也开会，好事大家追，出事大家推。
上班没干啥，一直忙开会，大会接小会，神经快崩溃。
销售我不会，企划又没学，问我啥本领，专长是开会。
上午有早会，午后有午会，下班不能走，还要开晚会。
每周开周会，每月有月会，随时检讨会，年底是年会。
赴会要及时，小心选座位，最好靠边边，以免遭口水。
虽然在开会，谁也不理谁，有人忙协调，有人无所谓。
主席一上台，自称大掌柜，扯东又拉西，全凭一张嘴。
内容没准备，听来活受罪，差了十万八，大家还说对。
台上说什么，没人去领会，手机不时响，怎还不散会。
牛皮拼命吹，发言不干脆，时间过好久，不知轮到谁。
有人穷训话，有人打嗑睡，有人瞎附和，有人掉眼泪。
小声象催眠，令人真陶醉，大声不必怕，就当狗在吠。
打盹有技巧，脑袋不能垂，不然被逮到，就要倒大霉。

 

 

Just Joking - Best Divorce Letter

 

 

Dear wife:

I'm writing you this letter to tell you that I'm leaving you forever.

I've been a good man to you for 7 years and I have nothing to show for it.

These last 2 weeks have been hell; your boss called to tell me that you quit your job today and that was the last straw.

Last week, you came home and didn't even notice I had a new haircut, had cooked your favorite meal and even wore a brand new pair of silk boxers.

You ate in 2 minutes, and went straight to sleep after watching all of your soaps.

You don't tell me you love me anymore; you don't want sex or anything that connects us as husband and wife. Either you're cheating on me or you don't love me anymore; whatever the case, I'm gone.

Your EX-Husband

P.S. don't try to find me. Your sister and I are moving away to West Virginia together! Have a great day.

Dear Ex-Husband

Nothing has made my day more than receiving your letter. It's true you and I have been married for 7 years, although a good man is a far cry from what you've been.

I watch my soaps so much because they drown out your constant whining and griping. Too bad that doesn't work.

I did notice your hair cut last week, but the first thing that came to mind was 'You look just like a girl!' Since my mother raised me not to say anything if you can't say something nice, I didn't comment.

When you cooked my favorite meal, you must have gotten me confused with my sister because I stopped eating pork 7 years ago.

About those new silk boxers: I turned away from you because the $49.99 price tag was still on them, and I prayed it was a coincidence that my sister had borrowed $50 from me that morning.

After all of this, I still loved you and felt we could work it out. So when I hit the lotto for $10 million, I quit my job and bought us 2 tickets to Jamaica but when I got home you were gone.  
 
Everything happens for a reason, I guess. I hope you have the fulfilling life you always wanted.

My lawyer said that the letter you wrote ensures you won't get a dime from me.

So take care.

Signed,
Your Ex-Wife, Rich As Hell & Free!

P.S. I don't know if I ever told you this, but my sister Carla was born Carl. I hope that's not a problem