The Doll and a White Rose

The Doll and a White Rose

I hurried into the local department store to grab some last minute Christmas gifts. I looked at all
the people and grumbled to myself. I would be in here forever and I just had so much to do. Christmas was beginning to become such a drag. I kind of wished that I could just sleep through Christmas. But I hurried the best I could through
all the people to the toy department. Once again I kind of mumbled to myself at the prices of all
these toys and wondered if the grand kids would even play with them.

I found myself in the Doll aisle. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a little boy about 5 holding a lovely doll. He kept touching her hair and he held her so gently. I could not seem to help myself. I just kept looking over at the little boy and wondered who
the doll was for. I watched him turn to a woman and he called his aunt by name and said, "Are you sure I don't have enough money" She replied a bit impatiently, "You know that you don't have
enough money for it. The aunt told the little boy
not to go anywhere that she had to go get some other things and would be back in a few minutes. And then she left the aisle.

The boy continued to hold the doll. After a bit I asked the boy who the doll was for.

He said, "It is the doll my sister wanted so badly
for Christmas. She just knew that Santa would bring it."

I told him that maybe Santa was going to bring it.

He said "No, Santa can't go where my sister is... I have to give the doll to my Mama to take to her".

I asked him where his sister was.

He looked at me with the saddest eyes and said "She has gone to be with Jesus". My Daddy says that Mama is going to have to go be with her.

My heart nearly stopped beating.

Then the boy looked at me again and said, "I told my Daddy to tell Mama not to go yet. I told him to tell her to wait till I got back from the store". Then he asked me if I wanted to see his picture.

I told him I would love to.

He pulled out some pictures he'd had taken at the front of the store. He said "I want my Mamma to take this with her so she don't ever forget me. I love my Mama so very much and I wish she did
not have to leave me. But Daddy says she will
need to be with my sister."

I saw that the little boy had lowered his head and had grown so very quiet. While he was not looking
I reached into my purse and pulled out a handful
of bills.

I asked the little boy, "Shall we count that money one more time?"

He grew excited and said "Yes, I just know it has
to be enough".

So I slipped my money in with his and we began to count it. Of course it was plenty for the doll. He softly said, "Thank you Jesus for giving me enough money."

Then the boy said "I just asked Jesus to give me enough money to buy this doll so Mama can take it with her to give to my sister. And he heard my prayer. I wanted to ask him for enough to buy my Mama a white rose, but I didn't ask him, but he gave me enough to buy the doll and a rose for my Mama. She loves white roses so very, very much".

In a few minutes the aunt came back and I
wheeled my cart away. I could not keep from thinking about the little boy as I finished my shopping in a totally different spirit than when I
had started. And I kept remembering a story I had seen in the newspaper several days earlier about
a drunk driver hitting a car and killing a little girl and the Mother was in serious condition. The
family was deciding on whether to remove the life support. Now surely this little boy did not belong with that story.

Two days later I read in the paper where the
family had disconnected the life support and the young woman had died. I could not forget the little boy and just kept wondering if the two were somehow connected. Later that day, I could not help myself and I went out and bought some white roses and took them to the funeral home where
the young woman was. And there she was holding
a lovely white rose, the beautiful doll, and the picture of the little boy in the store. I left there in tears, my life changed forever. The love that little boy had for his little sister and his mother was overwhelming. And in a split second a drunk driver had ripped the life of that little boy to pieces.

~ Author Unknown ~

Final bids set for Singapore casino race

From http://today.reuters.com/business/newsArticle.aspx?type=realEstateRestaurantsHotels&storyID=nSIN29972

Final bids set for Singapore casino race
Tuesday 28 March 2006, 10:34pm EST

By Sebastian Tong

SINGAPORE, March 28 (Reuters) - MGM Mirage (MGM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and its partner CapitaLand (CATL.SI: Quote, Profile, Research) are emerging as favourites to build Singapore's first casino in the final leg of a race that has offered the city-state a whiff of Las Vegas know-how and Hollywood glamour.

Final bids for the $3 billion project -- one of the most expensive casinos in the world -- must be in by Wednesday. A panel of five government ministers will then weigh up the gaming, architectural and cultural merits, plus the overall "wow" factor of each bid, and announce a winner by mid-year.

Singapore wants a stunning emblem for the city-state on a par with the Sydney Opera House. The downtown, waterfront casino will be the first of two such ventures intended to lure Asian gamblers and boost Singapore's tourism revenues.

"Our best educated guess is that the MGM and CapitaLand consortium has a slight lead over the Harrah's and Keppel Land (KLAN.SI: Quote, Profile, Research) team," DBS Vickers analyst James Tan said.

MGM, Harrah's Entertainment Inc. (HET.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS.PH: Quote, Profile, Research) are seen as the frontrunners for the complex that will combine gambling facilities with convention halls, glitzy theatres, luxury hotels and a shopping mall within 20.6 hectares

(50.9 acres).

MGM and Harrah's have allied with Singapore government-linked property firms, which some analysts reckon puts them at an advantage in the contest, while Sands is submitting a solo bid.

A fourth group consists of Genting International (GNTG.SI: Quote, Profile, Research) and cruise ship operator Star Cruises Ltd. (SARC.SI: Quote, Profile, Research) (0678.HK: Quote, Profile, Research), both affiliates of Malaysia's Genting Bhd (GENT.KL: Quote, Profile, Research).

The Genting consortium is considered a more likely winner for the second casino project on the resort island of Sentosa, where it has joined forces with theme park giant Universal Studios.


STRING OF WITHDRAWALS

International casino operators are eager to invest billions of dollars in Asia, where casino revenues are expected to reach US$13 billion this year, driven by the tiny Chinese city of Macau, according to consultancy Globalysis.

Analysts say Singapore, with its squeaky clean image, may have nudged the region towards further liberalisation of the gaming industry with its decision last year to legalise casino gambling. Thai and Japanese officials have sounded out the possibility of legalising casinos in their countries too.

"The (Singapore) government is conscious that the region will be very different by the time the casinos begin operating in 2009," Merrill Lynch analyst Sean Monaghan said.

Since Singapore lifted a ban on casinos and invited bids for its projects, several prospective candidates have fallen by the wayside, citing high costs and bureaucracy.

Las Vegas casino impresario Steve Wynn, who slammed Singapore bureaucrats for micro-managing areas such as design, withdrew his Wynn Resorts Ltd. (WYNN.O: Quote, Profile, Research) from the race in December.

An alliance between Macau's casino king Stanley Ho and Publishing & Broadcasting (PBL.AX: Quote, Profile, Research), controlled by Australia's Packer family, pulled out in January, citing high capital costs, including an upfront land cost of S$1.2 billion ($742.1 million).


HOLLYWOOD, BOLLYWOOD

Those still in the bidding have unveiled partnerships to boost their chances of securing the 30-year casino concession.

MGM Mirage, which runs luxurious Las Vegas resorts such as the Bellagio, has announced a tie-up with Quebec-based Cirque du Soleil to set up a permanent show in Singapore, and has tapped the Media Asia group, which includes Media Asia Entertainment Group (MEAS.SI: Quote, Profile, Research), to stage acts from China and Hong Kong.

Harrah's and Keppel Land have enlisted James Cameron, the Hollywood director behind blockbusters such as "Titanic" and the Terminator movies, to produce a 16-storey interactive theme park.

Harrah's-KepLand is also bringing in Paris' Centre Pompidou to run an art museum, and has tied up with shopping mall builder Taubman Centers Inc. (TCO.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and U.S. concert promoter AEG.

Meanwhile Sands, the world's largest casino operator by market value, said it would include a luxury hotel and a 1.2 million square feet convention centre in its plan.

Sands has also roped in Broadway producer Clear Channel Entertainment, part of Clear Channel Communications (CCU.N: Quote, Profile, Research), and said it wants to bring Bollywood acts to the city-state.

The four groups, down from the 12 invited to bid last year, will submit detailed plans and scale models by 4 pm local time

(0800 GMT) on Wednesday before presenting their proposals to government officials next month.

Royals for the Premier

Reading sealed promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history with a draw at Leicester. [more on bbc] [and on Reading official site]

South Korea gets first woman prime minister

South Korea gets first woman prime minister

A feminist lawmaker is to become South Korea's first ever woman prime minister, the president's office announced on Friday.

President Roh Moo-Hyun decided to nominate Han Myung-Sook, a lawmaker from the ruling Uri Party, for the vacant post, a presidential official told the agency.

"Han Myung-Sook was appointed prime minister today," said presidential secretariat chief Lee Byung-Wan. The appointment is subject to parliamentary approval.

Two-term lawmaker Han, 61, served as minister of gender equality in 2001 and environment minister in 2003.

She was nominated to the top cabinet post ahead of Kim Byong-Joon, a former politics professor, who is currently serving as policy planner on Roh's presidential staff.

The post of prime minister was vacated last week by Lee Hae-Chan, who stepped down in disgrace after apologising for playing golf on March 1, the first day of a crippling national railway strike.

Lee was criticized for failing to help resolve the strike and also for his choice of golf partners.

One of the businessmen had a criminal record.

Golf, which has gained popularity in South Korea, is still regarded as a sport for the privileged with golf club membership seen as a ticket to acceptance among the social elite.

============

In some countries, one little disgrace and disrespect could effectively force one to take responsible to the thing he did by paying its price. Like story above. But in many countries, one shown no graceful nor respect and keep the country paying the price for him. Like one I am here. Contrary enough to be one of the reasons why developing country is always developing. Never been developed. T_T~

My name is Sarah

My name is Sarah
I am but three,
My eyes are swollen
I cannot see,

I must be stupid,
I must be bad,
What else could have made
My daddy so mad?

I wish I were better,
I wish I weren't ugly,
Then maybe my Mommy
Would still want to hug me.

I can't speak at all,
I can't do a wrong
Or else I'm locked up
All the day long.

When I awake
I'm all alone
The house is dark
My folks aren't home.

When my Mommy does come
I'll try and be nice,
So maybe I'll get just
One whipping tonight.

Don't make a sound!
I just heard a car
My daddy is back
From Charlie's Bar.

I hear him curse
My name he calls
I press myself
Against the wall.

I try and hide
From his evil eyes
I'm so afraid now
I'm starting to cry.

He finds me weeping
He shouts ugly words,
He says its my fault
That he suffers at work.

He slaps me and hits me
And yells at me more,
I finally get free
And I run for the door.

He's already locked it
And I start to bawl,
He takes me and throws me
Against the hard wall.

I fall to the floor
With my bones nearly broken,
And my daddy continues
With more bad words spoken.

"I'm sorry!", I scream
But its now much too late
His face has been twisted
Into unimaginable hate.

The hurt and the pain
Again and again
Oh please God, have mercy!
Oh please let it end!

And he finally stops
And heads for the door,
While I lay there motionless
Sprawled on the floor.

My name is Sarah
And I am but three,
Tonight my daddy
Murdered me.

There are thousands of kids out there just like Sarah. And you can help.

It sickens me to my soul, and if you just read this and don't pass it on I pray for your forgiveness, because you would have to be one heartless person to not be affected by this poem. And because you are affected, do something about it!! So all I am asking you to do is take some time to send this on and acknowledge that this stuff does happen, and that people like her dad do live in our society, and pray for child abuse to wither out and die, but also pray for the safety of our youth.

Please pass this poem on as a Blue Ribbon Against Child Abuse because as crazy as it might sound, it might just indirectly change a life.

Somsak wins WBA title

Somsak wins WBA super bantamweight title

March 18, 2006 - PARIS (AP) -- Thailand's Somsak Sithchatchawal twice knocked down France's Mahyar Monshipour and stopped him in the 10th round Saturday to capture his WBA super bantamweight title.


^ Somsak Sithchatchawal won WBA super bantamweight title(AFP/Mehdi Fedouach)

The Iranian-born Monshipour, who will turn 31 Tuesday, retired after the bout. He finished his career with a record of 28 wins, three losses and two draws.

Somsak dropped a weary Monshipour in the 10th with a series of left uppercuts, and the referee stopped the bout. The Thai improved to 46-1-1 with 37 knockouts.

Somsak floored Monshipour in the opening minute of the bout and the Thai left-hander maintained his advantage in the second with left hooks.

But Monshipour, who was attempting to defend his belt for a sixth time, rallied in the third and forced Somsak against the ropes with a combination of jabs and hooks. Somsak continued to use his left uppercut to the stomach while Monshipour countered with his straight right. The pace slowed as the rounds mounted, with blood staining the faces of both fighters.

Somsak dominated the start of the ninth round, landing left uppercuts and right hooks. Monshipour retaliated at the end of the round with a flurry of left and right hands.

[from http://www.wbaonline.com/]

farangs.org

While political is bored us up to dead, look at this site http://www.farangs.org/ and you'll see another big problem that we're all know but never been in any action. [related site; to know about what a farang thinks about Thai http://www.mangosauce.com/]

:)

Walk The Line

Walk the line
[official site]

Johnny Cash and June Carter's love is awesome. I wonder what if I were her what would I do. I may run away from this guy forever from the very first year. I really can't take those kind of behaviours and won't stand taking any risk with drug. But on the other hand if I love someone that much I would have done the same thing. Definitely. :) And I like when he and his band play in the prison. So cheer me up the top, especially when I found that that record is on the top beyond one of the beatles. Obviously music has no boundary. I like the movie, by the way.

Discrimination exist

One of the conversation today I had with p'Nong (RE of Ratchada project) is about working aboard. He says some of his friends were sent to work in London, company's treat. They experienced that Brit looks them down, like second class people. Yes it is discrimination. Yes it happens. Yes it's everywhere, even in US where law enforcement is so powerful. No surprise to me though. Key point of the discussion is when he says it's like the way we, Thai, look at people of Cambodia or even if person held a doctorate degree we may think 'is he really good?'. Damn, I hate this fact. When this world would become real flat and people are all treated equally?!
.
I have no intention of offend. Just would like to raise the topic up. Sorry if it hurts anyone.

'Kiwi hirsuta'

^ This photo released Tuesday March 7, 2006 by the IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) shows a new crustacean, called 'Kiwi hirsuta'. The eyeless shellfish, about 15cm long was discovered in March 2005 during a diving mission led by American researcher Robert Vrijenhoek, of the MBARI Institut, Cal., in hydrothermal vents of the Pacific Antartic Ridge, south of Easter Island. (AP Photo/A Fifis; IFREMER)
New Animal Resembling Furry Lobster Found
.
Isn't that amazing? So it's true that there're plently of living creatures out there we have not yet discovered, especially under the ocean, especially around hydrothermal vent.

What can you do while driving?

What can you do while driving?

A woman has been fined after being caught on camera applying make-up while driving. So what can you do while at the wheel?

With a compact mirror in one hand and an eye liner in the other, Donna Maddock applied her make-up. But this wasn't in her bedroom, the 22-year-old was driving at 32mph at the time.

She was caught by police who filmed her on a speed camera and has been fined £200 and had six points put on her licence after pleading guilty to careless driving. So what can you do while driving?

read [more]

Funny that woman can do such thing while driving. Maybe it's woman nature that can do multiple tasks simultaneously, and man can't. :D

Woman loses frozen embryos fight

Woman loses frozen embryos fight
Q&A: Frozen embryos case
Expert's reaction to ruling

Reading this case and I see both sides' interest. One may just want to have a child of her own desparately since this is her last chance. One see consequences that could happened if a child was born, in term of responsibility, legal, financial, relationship.

If the relationship ends, one may wish for no string attached for further move to a new partner or family.

I kinda agree with UK and European court. Human fertilisation do need both man and woman consent. So when the child is born, she will have a complete happy family rather than a single parent. This is a very complicated matter indeed.

This is not like being pregnant at all. Pregnancy is mainly dominated by the woman. If the relationship ends while she's pregnant, I see no ex-husband's right, or even a husband, to rule whether to keep the embryo or not.

There maybe some other private points they haven't exposed, and will not do. But speaking on the fact and paper, I give it all to the court.

It's hard enough to make a decision within family talk. It's even harder to make any move in public. This single call could rule the EU and UK for the rest of its Act. No mistake can be made.

The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden
[more on wikipedia]

Watched this movie today. Such a beautiful movie. Nice score too, specially at the end credit. I'm not sure what to tell when asked what's the story all about? It's about friendship of three little kids? About love they have to the other? But whatever it is, it is indeed beautiful and lovely for audience at all age.
.
The movie based on a best selling children's book by Frances Hodgson Burnett, who also the author of A Little Princess. I've seen 'a little princess', it's a very good movie too.

These two movie have a girl as key role, and one mean elder woman as a bad one. Both girls in the stories live without their family. Both share a little time & fancy of exotic place, like india in The Secret Garden. :)
.
I like them both. Burnett really have talent. I encourage you to see these movies.
.

I am a princess, All girls are.
Didn't your father ever tell you that?
Even they aren't pretty or smart, they're still princesses.

Photographer of the year

In pictures Photographer of the year: Winner's gallery JP Trenque

Close To Heaven

Artist - Color Me Badd
Album - Time and Chance
Lyrics - Close To Heaven

You know your the only one for me
The thought of you
picks me up when I am lonely
I get all crazy when you call out my name
I'm close to heaven when your touching me

You say that you love me
Girl, I know it
I feel the same but still so afraid to show it
I get all crazy when you call out my name
I'm close to heaven when your touching me

Chorus

It's gotta be love, sweet love (love sweet love)
Whenever your near me
Ooh you make me happy, baby
Love, sweet love (love... sweet love)
Whenever your near me
Ooh you make me happy, baby

Me vuelvo loco pensando en
Tu amor
Cuandote veo, temblo por
Tu calor
Cerca del cielco, alma de
Mi corazon, mis ladios
Brillan llenos de emocion

Chorus

All I wanted
All I ever wanted was you
And for you to love me
You keep me warm
And you give me love
I know you're the one for me

You know your the only one for me
The thought of you
picks me up when I am lonely
I get all crazy
When you call out my name
I'm close to heaven
When your touching me

Chorus

Mi vida sonyado asi
Esta cancion que estoy
Cantando es solo para ti
Mirate, tocarte, besarte asi
Ya no lo aguanto mas
Querida mi vida sonydo asi
Esta cancion que estoy
Cantando es solo para ti
Mirate, tocarte, besarte asi
Yo no o aguanto mas
( Heaven's only one kiss away)