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| Sunday, 16-May-2004 00:00 |
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[Special] - On the top of the World
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On the top of the world
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 TWO UITM STUDENTS REACH THE PEAK OF EVEREST
SHAH ALAM, May 16 (Bernama) - Two Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students were on top of the world Sunday, having reached the peak of Everest at 10.50am Malaysian time. They are the first tertiary students from Southeast Asia to reach the peak of Mount Everest.
Ahmad Reduan Rozali, from the Faculty of Sports Science and Muhammad Muqharabbin Mokhtaruddin, from Faculty of Applied Science, both 22 years old, were expected to descend the 8,848-metre mountain and arrive at the base camp on May 23, said UiTM Vice Chancellor Datuk Seri Prof Ibrahim Abu Shah when contacted here.
"Alhamdullillah, they are safe. Initially, I was worried about what would happen to them," he said. The elated Prof Ibrahim said UiTM planned to hold a special welcoming ceremony when the two national mountaineers returned to Malaysia. Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would be invited to the ceremony, he added.
Abdullah, in congratulating the two students, said: "Alhamdullillah. That is excellence among the few. Not everyone can reach the top of the Himalayas." He prayed for the safe return of the duo.
Ahmad Reduan and Muhammad Muqharabbin are part of the "Everest, For the Country 2004" expedition led by mountaineering trainer, Mohd Fauzan Hassan. Before going to Everest, the two diploma students trained in Wanaka, New Zealand from July 30 to Aug 20 last year.
In Putrajaya, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was proud with the success of the two students and hoped it would serve as an encouragement to others. In congratulating them, he said: "I believe this success will instill confidence in all youths to do the same. "InsyaAllah, there are many more challenges that must be tried, not neccessarily up the mountain, like swimming or go to the South Pole," he said.
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| Tuesday, 11-May-2004 00:00 |
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Snap Shot - Dragonfly
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| Saturday, 8-May-2004 00:00 |
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[Special] - Mother's Day
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Orchids and water drops.
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Mr. Grasshopper enjoyed mom’s plant
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Hibiscus & nectar for butterflies and uninvited ants
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 To Mak and Mak Long, Happy Mother's Day. I love you and thank you for everything. You guys are my angel. 
To Kak Fiz, Kak Fazi, Katie, Mayang Sari, Fotopages mom alliance, and mothers around the world, Happy Mother's Day. Mother rules!
| Quote: | "My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it"
Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
"M" is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of purest gold;
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she'll always be,
Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER,"
A word that means the world to me.
Howard Johnson (1915)
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MOTHER'S DAY
Mother's Day is celebrated in many countries, including Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, Mexico, Canada, China, Japan and Belgium. The day is used by children and husbands to honor mothers and grandmothers for all that they do in raising children.
Some historians claim that Mother's Day originates from ancient spring festivals dedicated to maternal goddesses. Greeks honored Rhea, wife of Cronus and mother of the gods and goddesses of Greek mythology. Ancient Romans had a spring festival dedicated to Cybele, also a mother goddess. Called Hilaria, this celebration lasted for three days and included parades, games and masquerades.
MODERN DAY MOTHER'S DAY
A more modern version of Mother's Day began in the 1600s in England. Mothering Sunday was celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Small gifts were given, and a special dessert called a simnel cake was served. In the United States, Mother's Day was first suggested in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe (famous for writing the words to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic"). But it was a woman who was never a mother herself who led the campaign for national recognition of Mother's Day.
Anna Jarvis held a ceremony in 1907 in Grafton, West Virginia, to honor her mother, who had died two years earlier. Jarvis' mother had tried to establish Mother's Friendship Days as a way of dealing with the aftermath of the Civil War. Anna Jarvis began a campaign to create a national holiday honoring mothers. She and her supporters wrote to ministers, businessmen and politicians, and they were successful in their efforts.
In 1910, West Virginia became the first state to recognize the new holiday, and the nation followed in 1914 when President Wilson declared the second Sunday in May to be Mother's Day. Jarvis used white carnations as a symbol for mothers, because carnations represented sweetness, purity and the endurance of mother love. (Today, white carnations represent a mother who has died, while red carnations represent a living mother.)
Unfortunately, Jarvis became bitter over the commercialization of the holiday. She filed a lawsuit to stop a 1923 Mother's Day event and was even arrested for disturbing the peace at a mother's convention where white carnations were being sold. Jarvis never married and never had children. She died in 1948. Mother's Day continues to be a very commercial holiday in the United States. Flowers, candy and cards are typical gifts, and phone traffic is especially high on the second Sunday in May.
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| Sunday, 2-May-2004 00:00 |
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Snap Shot - Putrajaya Night Shot
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1. Perdana Putra Complex
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2. Perdana Putra Complex
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3. Seri Saujana Bridge reflection on Putrajaya Lake
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Yesterday, Ejat, Faiz and Gemok visited me in Putrajaya. They are from Seremban, south of Kuala Lumpur and about one hour drive from the capital city. Later on, we went to Salleh’s place, also in Putrajaya and not far from my dad’s place. About an hour later, Chong, Macha, Ojel, Zakri, and our visiting friends from the west and far west then south, Alex, Cedric, James, Petit, Marco and Pablo joined us. They just got back from Johor Bharu.
PUTRAJAYA
Putrajaya is the new administrative centre of the Federal Government of Malaysia leaving Malaysia's largest city, Kuala Lumpur as the country's financial and commercial capital. Moving the national administrative machinery from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya is in line with the government's policy to provide a more balanced development away from Kuala Lumpur. It is a decision motivated by life in Kuala Lumpur and ensure continued growth in the Klang Valley. Take note, Kuala Lumpur is still the capital city of Malaysia. Just like, The Nedtherlands and her capital city, Amsterdam and The Hague or Den Hague as her administrative capital.
KOMPLEKS PERDANA PUTRA - Photo No. 1 and 2
Perdana Putra Complex is located in Precinct 1 and overlooks Putrajaya Lake, Putra Mosque and Dataran Putra. This six-storey natural stone clad office complex comprises the Prime Minister's Office, the offices of the deputy Prime Minister and Chief Secretary to the Government. The two lower levels of the building sit on a strong perimeter base which supports flutes columns rising across the remaining four levels. The base symbolizes the strong and stable foundation that is necessary to administer a dynamic and prosperous country such as Malaysia while the series of columns denote the orderly and united people that support the sovereignty of Malaysia.
The design of Perdana Putra Complex incorporates elements of Islamic-Mogul architecture. Its green pitched roof converges at the onion-shaped glazed mosaic main dome - a replica of Masjid (Mosque) Zahir in Alor Setar, Kedah - and surrounded by four smaller domes denoting the Malay and Islamic heritage of the nation. Wrought iron bunga raya (Hibiscus, the national flower of Malaysia) motifs and waterjet stone carvings decorate the Main Block.
JAMBATAN SERI SAUJANA - Photo No. 3 and 4
This bridge is the link between the Core Island (Precinct 4) and Precinct 7. Seri Saujana Bridge is strategically located at the main entrance into the Core Island from the south via the upgraded B15 road and KL-KLIA highway.
It is a new concept of the cable stayed Arch bridge. The bridge is controlled by the principal design parameters to reflect a transparent elegant and futuristic slender looking structure, with an overall single span of 300m and total width of 32m. There are dual three lane carriageways. The deck level varies from RL 35.25m at abutment to RL 35m at centre of the bridge.
Design: PJS International Sdn. Bhd.
Main Contractor: Road Builder (M) Holdings Berhad
Owner: Putrajaya Holdings Sdn. Bhd.
Arch Span: 300 m
JAMBATAN SERI WAWASAN - Photo No. 5
This is a cable-stayed bridge which will be a landmark in Putrajaya. Being the main link between Precinct 2 at the Core Island and the residential area of Precinct 8, the Seri Wawasan will be an important link to the Mixed Development Precinct. Categorized as a 'signature bridge' the Seri Wawasan is also an important utility link between Precinct 8 and the Core Island.
The concrete bridge is a combination of cable backstays and structural steel tie back. It is a dual three lane carriageways of total 18.6m width each comprising 3 x 3.5m width lanes, 0.5m hard shoulder, 0.5m marginal strip. The median is 4m wide and walkway cum cycle track width is 5.1m giving a total width of 37.2m. The deck level varies from RL 32m to 34.5m at the centre of the bridge.
Design: PJS International Sdn. Bhd.
Client: Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd.
Owner: Putrajaya Holdings Sdn. Bhd.
Main Span: 168.5 m
Pylon Height: 85 m
Total Lenght: 240 m
Deck Width: 7.2 m
No. of Cables: 102
JAMBATAN TERGANTUNG MONOREL PUTRAJAYA - Photo No. 6
Putrajaya Monorail Suspension Bridge is currently under construction. The gravity-anchored
suspension bridge is part of Putrajaya Monorail development.
Design: PJS International Sdn. Bhd.
Owner: Putrajaya Holdings Sdn. Bhd.
Main Span: 240 m
Width: 10 m
Pylon Height: 63 m
MASJID PUTRA - Photo No. 7 and 8
Putra Mosque stands out in the city of Putrajaya with its two distinctive features: its color and its site. Three quarter of the beautiful desert pink mosque floats on Putrajaya Lake, at a choice location that can be easily accessed by congregants and other visitors.
The pink-domed Masjid Putra is a major focal point that terminates the Persiaran Perdana axis and adds visual interest to the Government Precinct. The mosque consists of three main functional areas - the prayer hall, the "Sahn" or courtyard, learning facilities and function rooms. The prayer hall is simple and elegant, supported by 12 columns. The highest point below the dome is 250 feet above ground level. The "Sahn", landscaped with several decorative water features and bordered by colonnades, provide extended prayer space. An impressive minaret built in five tiers, stands 116m tall - the tallest minaret in the region. The mosque, which can accommodate 15,000 worshippers at any one time also houses a VIP room, library, Al-Quran Manuscript Museum, auditorium, exhibition foyer and a seminar room.
Putra Mosque reflects the evolution of mosque design in Malaysia, with its Islamic-inspired architecture taking into account traditional design elements and craftsmanship, local materials and weather conditions. The mosque is modeled after Persian Islamic architecture of the Safavid period with several elements derived from other Muslim cultures.
As with all mosques, the Putra Mosque faces Kiblat, the direction of Mecca. The main entrance to the mosque is patterned after gates to public buildings in Muslim Persia. The building was constructed mainly with rose-tinted granite, which is offset by brown-stained cengal woodwork to enhance the decorative features on the doors, windows and panels.
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| Friday, 30-Apr-2004 00:00 |
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[Special] - Holiday Wishes
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LABOUR DAY- 1 May 2004
Happy Labour Day to all workers.
MAWLID AL-NABI - 12 Rabi al-Awwal 1425 / 2 May 2004
Happy Mawlid al-Nabi to all muslims.
ABOUT MAWLID AL-NABI
Mawlid al-Nabi is a celebration of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad P.U.H. (Peace Upon Him), founder of Islam. The day is fixed at the 12th day of the month of Rabi al-Awwal in the Muslim calendar. Muhammad P.U.H. was born about A. D. 570 and died in A. D. 632. During his life, he established Islam as a religion and, in doing so, replaced tribal loyalty with equality among all Muslims.
At a critical point in his life, Muhammad P.U.H. received a vision of the angel Gabriel who called him into service as a prophet. He later received a second vision of Gabriel who told him to "magnify thy Lord." Muhammad P.U.H. then began to preach publicly in Mecca where he had lived for many years. Many people were receptive to his message but others ridiculed him. Because of the opposition of many citizens of Mecca and threats against him, Muhammad P.U.H. fled to Yathrib (now Medina) in A. D. 622. This journey of nearly 200 miles is known as the Hegira (or Hijrah) and is so important that the Muslim calendar begins with the year of the Hegira.
The Mawlid al-Nabi was first observed around the thirteenth century and was preceded by a month of celebration. The actual day of Muhammad's birthday included a sermon, recitation of litanies, honoring of religious dignitaries, gift giving, and a feast. The festival spread throughout the Muslim world and is celebrated in many countries today. Finally, selawat ke atas Nabi Muhammad S.A.W.
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| Tuesday, 27-Apr-2004 00:00 |
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Snap Shot - Jalan Tun Razak
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JALAN TUN RAZAK
Cruised along Jalan Tun Razak with visiting friends of mine, Ojel, Kamal, Chong, and myself at around 1700 hours.
THE PHOTOS
Photo no. 1
Dua Residency at Jalan Tun Razak, opposite the United States Embassy and next to the Singapore High Commission, is one of my favorite urban residences in Kuala Lumpur.
Photo no. 2
Esso Jalan Tun Razak sandwiched between Menara Tan & Tan, on the left and Permodalan Nasional Berhad HQ, on the right. On the background is Kuala Lumpur’s most celebrated landmark, the Petronas Twin Towers.
Photo no. 3
Opened in late 1990s, the new Jalan Tun Razak Elevated Road offers preeminent view of Kuala Lumpur Golden Triangle and beyond. The new-elevated road linked Jalan Tun Razak and Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway or AKLEH.
Photo no. 4
Menara Kuala Lumpur (a torch-like tower), opened in October 1996, is the fourth tallest telecommunication tower in the world. Built to enhance the quality of telecommunication and broadcasting services, it also covers services linked to the Marine Department, the Meteorological Department and the Traffic Control Department. Menara Kuala Lumpur is a popular tourist attraction in the city.
Photo no. 5
Petronas Twin Towers is an icon for many Malaysians. The 88-floor twin towers, home of Malaysia multinational oil and gas corporation also one of the most profitable firm in the world (*Source Fortune 500), were built almost a decade ago at a cost of about RM 1.2 billion but were now valued at RM 4.5 billion.
Photo no. 6
Kuala Lumpur General Hospital (HKL) Maternity Ward is on the right and the new HKL Nurse Hostel on the left. On the background is Kuala Lumpur city skyline. Yea sure private hospital has the best service in the nation, but bare in mind, HKL has the best expertise in the nation and the region, especially oncology (cancer), nephrology (kidney), and dermatology (skin). For academic purpose, HKL is the best in the world. (*Source WHO)
Photo no. 7
This is rush hour ala Jalan Tun Razak. Approaching northward in front of HKL by passed National Heart Institute and National Library.
RELATED WEBSITES
AKLEH - http://www.prolintas.com.my
Menara Kuala Lumpur - http://www.menarakl.com.my
Petronas - http://www.petronas.com.my
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| Sunday, 25-Apr-2004 00:00 |
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Snap Shot - Kuala Lumpur's Moorish Precint
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The Two Towers
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Sultan Abdul Samad Building
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There are so many tourists! Look at the bus on the roadside
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VISITING FRIENDS
Last Thursday, some of my best friends from Europe and South America came here to visit me. For the past and next few days, we "camp out" at my little private world and boy, it was chaotic and my mom went crazy. So yesterday, I took them to Kuala Lumpur old city center on highly amateur sight seeing excursion organized by Helmi, Ojel, Zakri, and myself.
BANGUNAN SULTAN ABDUL SAMAD
Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad or Sultan Abdul Samad Building is Kuala Lumpur’s signature landmark. Formerly known as Secretariat Building during the British colonial era, this magnificent building overlooking the Dataran Merdeka or Merdeka Square is a most popular spot for those who would like to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
The style of texture of Kuala Lumpur’s original urban fabric can principally be attributed to the vision of just one man – Charles Edwin Spooner. Around 1890, the Resident of Selangor, W.E. Maxwell, specifically created the position of State Engineer for Spooner, who was to direct a massive government-building program. A.C.A. Norman was the Government Architect under Spooner, charged with the task of designing the Secretariat Building. Norman employed the Neoclassical Renaissance style, which in various guises was the standard for government buildings in the Straits Settlements Crown Colonies (Negeri-Negeri Selat) of Singapore, Malacca and Penang, as well as elsewhere throughout the British Empire.
ARGUMENT
But Spooner argued that the built symbols of the Federated Malay States (Negeri-Negeri Melayu Bersekutu), a protectorate rather than a colony, should reflect the Islamic sensibilities of the traditional Malay rulers. Of Norman’s proposed design, Spooner himself did not like the design. He then adopted the arrangement of the offices and the general lines of Norman’s proposed design and later decided on the Islamic sytle. He instructed Norman’s assistant, R.A.J. Bidwell, to redesign the building according to his ideas.
Apart from the Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, finished in 1897, Spooner’s department was responsible for the adjoining General Post Office (now the Federal Appeals Court), the Public Works Department, High Court, and Information Department and Sanitary Board buildings.
Although secular in nature, all these buildings are designed in a particularly florid Islamic style, which draws on Spanish, Moorish, Venetian, Mogul, and North Indian sources. Picturesque fantasies, they feature onion domes, cupolas, colonnades, arched windows and wedding-cake plasterwork.
THE CLOCK TOWER
The Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad’s 42-meter-high clock tower is capped with an onion-shaped copper dome, as are the round towers atop the exposed spiral staircases flanking it on either side. It show clear influences from the works of Sir Gilbert Scott and Sir William Emerson in India, particularly the latter’s Muir College, Allahabad, drawings of which had been published in the prestigious British’s technical journals. Today, the building houses the Supreme and High Courts.
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| Monday, 19-Apr-2004 00:00 |
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Snap Shot - Fire Ball
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PHOTO CHALLENGE - WEEK 19
Combining motion and reflection effects. Inspired from DragonBall Z and Street Fighters.
THE CREW
Liew - The Static Hands a.k.a Apek from Taman Segar, Celas (Cheras) Mali
Alil - The Radiance Warrior
X - The Ray of Light a.k.a The Crazy White Frenchboy from Nantes
Dayang - The Lovely Light Goddess
Wan - The Eye
THE MAKING - Photo no. 1
Step 1
Apek statically posed his right hand in front of a mirror.
Foreground: The subject
Background: Mirror
Step 2
From the above, X beamed Apek’s right hand with the white light source for focus.
Step 3a
From the distance and behind the camera, Alil played with the red light source beamed directly on the mirror. OR
Step 3b
From the distance and behind the subject, you can play with the light source without a mirror. BUT no effect. Note the red light effect (from the mirror reflected) on Apek's white t-shirt.
Background: Light source
Foreground: The subject
Step 4
I did my job and took the picture.
THE MAKING - Photo no. 2
Step 1
Apek statically posed in front of the camera.
Step 2
Neatly and secretly, we hid a small piece of mirror between Apek’s hands and his torso.
Foreground: The subject
In between: Mirror
Background: Apek
Step 3
From the above, X beamed Apek’s shoulder with the blue light source for focus.
Step 4
Dayang glowed a light source beamed directly at Apek’s hands for realistic effect and impression.
Step 5
From the distance and behind the camera, Alil played with the red light source beamed directly on the mirror.
Step 6
I did my job and took the picture.
THE MAKING - Photo no. 3
Over exposure.
GOOD TO KNOW
01. For low light environment, use suitable lens or a good camera. OR
02. Use suitable light and lighting settings. Exploits it.
03. Always use tripod during Time Value mode for motion photos. OR
04. Steady hands (the photographer) will do. Be static and cold freeze.
05. Use self-timer or remote control for motion photos for better result.
06. Avoid any vibration. It blurs your photo.
07. A fast shutter speed can freeze the motion.
06. A slow shutter speed can blur the subject, hence impression of motion.
09. Have fun and be creative.
10. Happy trying 
I "hate" low light environment. It sucks, tough, and challenging. But I like it. Motion in almost total darkness was tough especially with digital camera. That's why analog camera rules! Total control.
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| Saturday, 17-Apr-2004 00:00 |
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Snap Shot - Flora
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Green Veins
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Orange Petals
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An Ant and Pinky
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Especially for Anis. Dimana jua awak berada.
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| Sunday, 11-Apr-2004 00:00 |
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Trip Shot - Moscow
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RUSSIAN AFFAIRS
I love Russia, especially during the “hammer and sickle” (Soviet Union and Communist) era. Forget Tsar, her history and people always fascinated me, particularly Communism, Socialism, Leninism, and everything in between. Russia and her people never fail me.
COMRADESHIP
This was my seventh and tenth trip to Moscow and the motherland respectively. This time around, I am visited my good Russian friends on a short special trip during the examination week. It was tiring but worthwhile. To my Russian comrades, Kirill, Leonid, and Vadim. Thank you for everything and you guys are the best. Masha and Slav, you two were perfectly made for each other and congratulation on your marriage.
THE SACRIFICE
Battle of Stalingrad was undoubtedly a major turning point not just in Eastern Europe but also the whole world. The destruction of Nazi Germany at Stalingrad by Soviet Red Army ended Hitler eastward global domination. Red Army saved Asia from Nazi.
At the moment of Nazi Germany assault on USSR, Red Army numbered around 1.5 million. During World War II, Red Army drafted between 15 and 20 million officers and soldiers, of which 7 to 10 million were killed. After its victory over Germany the numbers were reduced to approximately 5 million. May God Bless and Rest in Peace.
RELATED BOOK
By any chance, read or buy "Hatiku terluka di Bukhara" by Wan Hashim Wan Teh. Great travelogue (a real life novel) by the author. About his trip to the motherland during Soviet era. Very sad and touching.
Îò Ìàëàéçèè Ñ Âëþáëåííîñòüþ (From Malaysia With The Love)
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