August Recipe: Sambal Udang

Sambal Udang, a Malaysia local Nyonya's food. Prawn Sambal is prawn cooked in fiery sambal and tamarind. Marinating some tamarind with enough water to make a thick creamy gravy for the dish is fairly important.

Some people like to adding lemon grass gives it some kick. It taste equally good. But if you are going to put Petai (Stink Bean) in it, then don't use lemon grass.

Ingredients
250gm Medium sized prawns, shelled and devined
3 Tablespoon lime juice
or 25gm Tamarind 1/2 cup water
1 round Tablespoon Sugar
1.5 teaspoon salt or to taste
6 ozs of oil

Pounded Ingredients
1/4 ozs dried chillies
4 fresh chillies
4 ozs shallots
1/2 ozs belachan
3 buah keras (candle nuts)

Method of cooking
1. Heat 5 ozs oil and fry rumpah, high heat. When begin to stick to pan, lower to medium heat.
2. Add tamarind juices and simmer for 5 mins, before adding bunga kantan or chean hong.
3. Add sugar, it matures the sourish taste.
4. Fry the prawns with high heat and fast to achieve the crunchy effect. Add in last and better before serving.
5. For thicker creamy consistency: Using the same recipe, add minus the tamarind and water, this dish gets thicker.

Source from Internet.

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by 旭日の革

巴菲特：“挑股選熟悉企業。”

1974年，股神巴菲特44歲時接受《福布斯》訪問，當時他提及類似價值投資法和選購自己認識的行業股票，與34年後的今天他所提及的投資大法同出一轍。

《福布斯》數個月前重刊這篇訪問文章。

當時的巴菲特指，計算公司股價是否“值得買”的方法，是以傳統標準方法計算，如計算資產淨值（net worth）、賬面值（book value）和業務價值（value of the business）均屬於超低價的股票，則非常“值得買進”。

拒購高科技跨業界公司

近年巴菲特的揀股特色，就是多數揀選從事單一類業務的公司。當年他曾提議購買食水供應公司、報章和大型零售商，但不會購入高科技公司和跨業界公司（multicompany），因為對它們“不認識”。

當問及假如某隻被視為超值（bargain）的股票最終沒有升值，投資者應怎樣應付，巴菲特指市場遲早會反映某公司業務的真正價值。

他指自己曾把同樣問題問過當時上司，被稱為“價值投資法之父”的格雷海姆（Benjamin Graham）。
。 。
勿受坊間意見影響

格雷海姆只是簡單答道，市場最終會反映出超值股票的真正價值。對自己或顧問的判斷有信心是巴菲特另一忠告。他說不要因為任何坊間的意見而舉棋不定，因為聰慧、真實和謊言是不會在當時的市場情緒中找得到。

當時巴菲特認為投資者的心態，應該是保持冷靜和有耐性，因為市場的其他投資者會經常一面倒樂觀或悲觀。

另一方面，美國康涅狄格州法院正調查巴菲特的投資旗艦巴郡（Berkshire Hathaway）有否因旗下新成立的市政債券公司Berkshire Hathaway Assurance，和巴郡擁有評級機構穆迪20%股權而造成利益衝突。

專業分析集中投資

不要想把巴菲特的投資行為簡化為一套公式，投資果真如此簡單，金融市場的面貌就會有所不同。應勇於配合市場狀況投資，向市場學習，並隨周遭環境調整和應變。與其嘗試破解巴菲特的某種獨門技巧，倒不如這麼做，還比較可能投資成功。

現實世界十分複雜，沒有任何一套公式化的投資方法能夠一體適用，不要試圖在紛亂無序的環境中找出秩序。最重要的是，要用有事實根據的真相，取代原本對巴菲特的各種印象。如此，就足以讓成功機會大增。

瞭解所做的選擇

分散投資是投資策略的根本原則，大家都知道“把雞蛋放在同一個籃子裡＂是不明智的，而且投資標的愈分散愈好。然而弔詭的是，巴菲特執行的基本上是集中投資策略，並未藉著投資各種不同類別的標的來降低風險，而是憑藉超凡的投資專業和優越的分析能力。

換句話說，巴菲特極度倚賴常識判斷，他發覺分散投資並沒有神奇到足以保證投資組合獲利。

他建議，只要確實瞭解自己所作的選擇，以六支股票組成的投資組合，就足以達到分散投資的目的。因為持有六支風險因素完全不同的股票，那麼這個投資組合的績效將可以超越反映大盤的指數型基金。要讓分散投資發揮效用，並不需要無限上綱。

巴菲特在這方面的具體建議有：

1.如果沒有時間或專業去分析企業，或是無法接觸到具備相關技能的投資顧問，就儘量以指數型基金作為投資工具。

2.即使你一開始是以集中投資的方式累積投資組合的價值，等到財富增長後，自然就應該花更多心
思在分散投資上。這個現象自然而然會發生，所以就順其自然吧。

3.分散投資的基本操作方法，就是在投資組合中增加和現有標的風險因素不同的股票。如前所述，只要你瞭解自己所作的選擇，那麼六支股票組成的投資組合，就足以達到分散的效果。

4.不要花腦筋嘗試挑選飆股，每次都挑對是不可能的，反而應該多花時間思考資產配置。用考慮該買哪幾支股票的同等時間，想清楚要配置多少錢在股票、多少錢在其他資產類別上。長期投資人一定要在投資組合上配置大量股票。

用最優價格買卓越股

大部份人都認為，巴菲特印證了價值型投資的好處。雖然他善於挑出被市場低估的股票，而且這些往往是價值股而不是成長股，不過巴菲特也證明了，他非常樂意在時機成熟時買進高成長股。

在這方面，巴菲特利用常識判斷的投資方法也顯而易見。他喜歡買便宜的股票，不論是成長股或價值股。他是運用現金流量折現法來判斷便宜與否，而不是用價格乘數。

如果市場上有一支股票的內含價值明顯高於市值，他就會買進。他操盤的基本邏輯是，長期成功的關鍵就在用最優惠價格，買進卓越企業的股票。

巴菲特1974年精句

“You're dealing with a lot of silly people in the marketplace ; it's like a great big casino and everyone else is boozing .If you can stick with Pepsi,you should be OK.
你正於市場中與很多蠢人交易，而市場有如一個大賭場，裡面所有人都飲酒到醉醺醺，如果你只是飲百事可樂，你就不會有問題。”

“Buy into a company because you want to own it, not because you want the stock to go up.
買入一間公司的股份是因為你想擁有該公司，而不是因為你想公司的股價上升。”

“Have faith in your own judgment or your adviser's. Don't be swayed by every opinion you hear and every suggestion you read.
要對自己或顧問的判斷有信心，不要因為聽到任何意見或讀到任何建議而搖擺不定。”

“Stick with waht you know, don't get too fancy.
投資在你所認識的，不要太過花巧的東西。”

“Draw a circle around the businesses you understand and then eliminate those that fail to qualify on the basis of value, good management and limited exposure to hard times.
用筆圈上你熟悉企業的名字，再根據價值、領導層能力和在市場困境時不會受太大影響等因素，把不合格的企業名稱刪去。”


摘取于“星洲日报”。


by 旭日の革

睡眠时间过长会使人智力下降变懒惰

大家都知道，睡觉太少人就会生病，很多人却不知道，睡得太多同样不好。近日一则消息称，美国的研究人员发现，50岁以上女性每天睡9小时中风风险增加。记者昨天在采访中也了解到，如果睡眠过多，不仅消除不了疲劳，还会影响健康和智力。在睡眠时间中，死亡率最低的睡眠时间约为7小时。

风险1：

《中风和糖尿病》

美国的研究人员在对9万多名50—79岁的女性进行了长达7年半的调查后发现，每天睡眠超过9小时的人中风危险比睡7小时的人要增加70%，睡眠时间是增大中风危险的独立因素。南京脑科医院的专家介绍，老年人的血液黏稠度比较高，如果睡眠时间过长，就会导致血液黏稠度增加，而血液黏稠度增加就容易诱发中风等脑血管疾病。

有关专家介绍，还有一项研究表明，睡眠时间太长，也有可能诱发糖尿病，调查发现，每天的睡眠时间在7—8小时的人，身体最为健康。如果睡眠时间不足6小时，患糖尿病的风险就会增加约2倍；如果睡眠时间超过8小时，患糖尿病的风险则会增加3倍多。
有调查显示，一天睡眠少于6小时会损害一个人的健康。同时，睡眠时间超过9小时同样也会危害健康。在睡眠时间的调查中，死亡率最低的睡眠时间约为7小时。一天睡眠时间平均在4小时以下或是10小时以上的人，不管是男是女，死亡率都相当高。

风险2：

《呼吸道、心脏和消化疾病》

小李是一所学校的老师，喜欢睡懒觉，暑假里常常一睡就是10多个小时。他发现自己的身体还是比较差，常常动不动就感冒。医生帮他分析认为，他常常感冒可能和他喜欢睡懒觉有关系。
江苏省中医院呼吸科主任医师史锁芳说，卧室中早晨空气最污浊，即使虚掩窗户还是有部分空气未流通，不洁的空气中含有大量细菌、病毒、二氧化碳和尘埃，对呼吸道抗病能力有影响。而对于长期睡眠时间过长的那些闭门贪睡者，平时运动就少，再加上卧室内污浊的空气，就容易经常出现感冒、咳嗽等症状。

人活动时心跳加快，心肌收缩力加强，心脏排血量增加。人休息时心脏处于休息状态，心跳、收缩力、排血量下降。如果睡眠过多，就会破坏心脏休息和运动的规律，心脏一歇再歇，最终会使心脏收缩乏力，稍一活动便心跳不一、心慌乏力。另外，如果睡眠过多，就无法按时进餐，胃肠发生饥饿性蠕动，打乱了胃液分泌规律，影响消化功能。

风险3：

《越睡越懒，智力下降》

“一晚睡10个小时，为什么白天还是无精打采呢？”在某公司上班的小陈简直想不通，以前，他常抱怨自己睡得太少，以致头昏脑涨。但每天增加了睡眠时间，还是没精神，上班时反应慢，被老板骂了好多次。

专家解释，大部分人会认为，消除疲劳就应该多睡觉。其实，想用增加睡眠时间来获得健康的观念，是完全错误的。睡眠时间过长的人，就会变得懒惰、软弱无力，甚至智力也会随之下降。一夜休息后，肌肉和关节会变得松弛，醒后立即活动可使肌张力增加，也可使肌肉的血液供应增加，使骨骼、肌肉组织处于修复状态，同时将夜间堆积在肌肉中的代谢产物消除，有利于肌肉组织恢复运动状态。经常睡懒觉的人，因肌肉组织错过了活动良机，起床后会感到腿软、腰骶不适，周身无力。睡懒觉的人睡眠中枢长期处于亢奋状态，而其他神经中枢由于受到抑制时间太长，恢复活动的功能就会变得相对缓慢，因而会感到终日昏昏沉沉、无精打采，甚至智力下降。

健康睡眠时间6-8小时

那么，究竟每天要睡多久才有利于健康呢？专家认为，对于成年人来说，6-8小时是其所需的标准睡眠时间，老年人在这个标准上再减少1-2个小时，青少年可以增加1-2个小时。对于婴幼儿来说，睡眠时间则需要更长。

当然，睡眠时间多少最健康，还需要依据自身的情况来确定。判断自己的健康睡眠时间的标准，应该以第二天不会感到身体疲乏、感觉精力充沛来判定。


Source from Internet.


by 旭日の革

The Jazz Pianist ~ Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music. Throughout his explorations, he has transcended limitations and genres while still maintaining his unique, unmistakable voice. Herbie's success at expanding the possibilities of musical thought has placed him in the annals of this century's visionaries. With an illustrious career spanning five decades, he continues to amaze audiences and never ceases to expand the public's vision of what music, particularly jazz, is all about today.

Herbie Hancock's creative path has moved fluidly between almost every development in acoustic and electronic jazz and R&B since 1960. He has attained an enviable balance of commercial and artistic success, arriving at a point in his career where he ventures into every new project motivated purely by the desire to expand the boundaries of his creativity.

There are few artists in the music industry who have gained more respect and cast more influence than Herbie Hancock. As the immortal Miles Davis said in his autobiography, "Herbie was the step after Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and I haven't heard anybody yet who has come after him."

In the latest 50th Grammy Awards, viewers who endured the occasionally sleep-inducing telecast were rewarded with a final shock, when 67-year-old jazz pianist Herbie Hancock took the Album of the Year trophy for "River: The Joni Letters." His tribute to singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell was the first jazz album to take the title since 1965, a fact in which he reveled at the podium.

"It's been 43 years since the first and only time since that a jazz artist got the Album of the Year Award," he said. "And, I'd like to thank the Academy for courageously breaking the mold this time. And, in doing so, honor the giants upon whose shoulders I stand; some of whom, like Miles Davis, John Coltraine, unquestionable deserved this award in the past. But, this is a new day that proves that the impossible can be made possible. Yes, we can … to coin a phrase."

While the recording industry undergoes a bumpy transition from traditional music delivery methods to digital downloads, the Grammy Awards retain one overriding advantage over other honors. Musicians' peers and not the public determine the winners; a trait which should stand the Grammys in good stead during their second half-century.

Awards that won by Herbie Hancock in the past Grammy Awards as the following.

2007 - 50th Annual Grammy Awards: Album Of The Year, River: The Joni Letters.
2007 - 50th Annual Grammy Awards: Best Contemporary Jazz Album, River: The Joni Letters.
2004 - 47th Annual GRAMMY Awards: Best Jazz Instrumental Solo, Speak Like A Child.
2002 - 45th Annual GRAMMY Awards: Best Jazz Instrumental Solo, My Ship.
2002 - 45th Annual GRAMMY Awards: Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group, Directions In Music.
1998 - 41st Annual GRAMMY Awards: Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Individual Or Group, Gershwin's World.
1998 - 41st Annual GRAMMY Awards: Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s), St. Louis Blues.
1996 - 39th Annual GRAMMY Awards: Best Instrumental Composition, Manhattan (Island Of Lights And Love).
1994 - 37th Annual GRAMMY Awards: Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Individual Or Group, A Tribute To Miles.
1984 - 27th Annual GRAMMY Awards: Best R&B Instrumental Performance, Sound System.
1983 - 26th Annual GRAMMY Awards: Best R&B Instrumental Performance, Rockit.

Source from www.herbiehancock.com.

by 旭日の革

Grammy Awards

The Grammy history was started on 1957...

The Soviet Union launched the worlds first satellite, "Sputnik I". President Eisenhower presented the "Eisenhower Doctrine" which pledged U.S. defense against communism in the Middle East; The medical community was buzzing about the discovery of interferon; "The Bridge on The River Kwai" was playing at theatres everywhere; The "Hit Parade" featured "Wake Up Little Suzie" by the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly with "That'll Be The Day", and Elvis' hit, "Jailhouse Rock".

Despite warnings of its adverse ("devil music"), effect on society, Rock 'N Roll was sweeping the nation and taking over the airwaves. The music industry, was paying serious attention to the little studio in Memphis, "Sun Records", and was concerned about maintaining the quality and culture of its' society.

At the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood California a group of music industry executives met to discuss the creation of a "Record Award Society". It was May 28th, 1957. This new organization would be dedicated to the improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its makers. It would present awards to members for outstanding achievements in the recording industry. Recording Artists, Writers, Producers, Engineers, etc. would be the voting members of the society and would elect their peers to receive the awards. The award would be called the "Gramophone".

June 6th, 1957; a press conference was held to announce the formation of the "National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences", and the birth of the "Grammy".

The first "Chapter" of this new organization was opened in Los Angeles with some high profile founding members; Benny Carter, Rosemary Clooney, Nat "King" Cole, Doris Day, Stan Kenton, Henri Mancini, and Nelson Riddle.
A second "Chapter" was chartered in New York City under the Presidency of Guy Lombardo.

The first Grammy Awards were presented on May 4th, 1959. Both "Chapters" of "National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences" simultaneously held an Awards Dinner; the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills California and the Park Sheraton Hotel in New York City.

There were 28 categories in which to compete. The winners of the inaugural Grammys included; Domenico Modgugno - "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu", (better known as "Volare") for Record of the year; Henri Mancini - "The Music from Peter Gunn" for Album of the year; Ella Fitzgerald - "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook" for Best Vocal Performance - Female, and Best Jazz Performance Individual; Perry Como - "Catch a Falling Star" for Best Vocal Performance - Male; Count Basie - "Basie" for Best Jazz Performance Group; Kingston Trio - "Tom Dooley" for Best Country and Western Performance.

Although Frank Sinatra, old "Blue Eyes" was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Vocal Performance, he didn't win. He did however take home Best Album Cover Design.

Grammys are king of the music awards. It is an event that professionals in the music industry look forward to each year. The Grammy Awards are televised as well. In 2008, the Grammy Awards celebrated their 50th year.

With such a mixture of creative people, there are bound to be some interesting Grammy moments. So what are some of the best Grammy moments? Well, not all of them are good. Some of the Grammy moments are, shall we say, interesting.

Maybe the most touching Grammy moment in history is when Yoko Ono is given a Grammy in honor of her deceased husband, John Lennon. Another touching Grammy Awards moment is when Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie won the Grammy Award in 1986 for Song of the Year.

"We Are the World" was truly an ambitious project. This was perhaps the biggest group of popular musicians ever gathered at once to record a song. This song was used to raise money for Africa.

If you don't know your 80s singers, just know that if you were someone, you performed in this song. All of these singers were HUGE! Names like Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Tina Turner, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Bette Midler, Huey Lewis, Dionne Warwick, and on and on. MEGASTARS, I tell ya. It was phenomenal.

The Grammy trivia, so who did win the most Grammys and who won the Most?

Most Grammys in a Lifetime; Sir Georg Solti, who conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 22 years personally won 31 Grammys.

Most Grammy Awards won by a band; U2 won a total of 22 Grammys.

Most Grammy Awards for consecutive albums; Pat Metheny, and Pat Metheny Group, won 17 Grammys.

Most Grammy Awards for Solo Artist - Male; Stevie Wonder has won 28 Grammys. In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Most Grammy Awards for Solo Artist - Female; Alison Krauss has won 20 Grammys.

Most Grammy Awards for Best R&B Vocal Performance- Female; Aretha Franklin has won 11 Grammys.

Youngest Grammy Winner; LeAnn Rimes was 14 years old when she won for "Best New Artist".

Most Grammys won in one night - Male; Michael Jackson in 1984 was nominated for 11 awards and won 8. Carlos Santana in 2000 won 8 Grammys to tie Jacksons record.

Most Grammys won in one night - Female; Lauryn Hill in 1999, Alicia Keys in 2002, Norah Jones in 2003, and The Dixie Chicks in 2007, all tied this record for winning 5 Grammys in one night.

Most Grammy Nominations; Quincy Jones has had 79 nominations, and won 27 Grammys.

Most Grammy Nominations with no wins; Alan Parsons and Joe Satriani are tied with 13 nominations but no wins.

Who's Never Won?
Some of these might surprise you;
50 Cent (nominated again this year), Lead Zepplin, Diana Ross, Backstreet Boys, Queen, Neil Young(nominated for two categories this year), Bob Marley, Janis Joplin, Buddy Holly, ABBA, and the Spice Girls. Of course there are many others.

Elvis Presley was nominated 14 times. Won 3 Grammys, however all were for Gospel recordings. In 1971 he was given the "Lifetime Achievement Award".

Frank Sinatra won 10 Grammy Awards.
Elton John won 5 Grammy Awards.
Beatles won 29 Grammy Awards, including individual efforts by each member


Source from www.grammy.com


by 旭日の革

August Recipe: Fish Head Curry

Ingredients:
1 fish head, about 1 kg
1 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons cooking oil
30 g fish curry powder, mixed with 3 tablespoons water into a paste
90 g tamarind pulp, mixed with 250 ml water and strained
750 ml coconut milk, squeezed from 1 grated coconut with sufficient water added
10 okra or ladies fingers
3 tomatoes, halved
5 red chilies
5 green chilies
1 teaspoon sugar
1½ teaspoons salt

Ingredients to be ground:
25 dried chilies
12 shallots, peeled
2 cloves garlic, peeled
3 stalks lemon grass, sliced
2.5-cm knob galangal, peeled
2.5-cm square piece shrimp paste

Method:
Clean fish head thoroughly and rub with 1 teaspoon salt. Heat oil in a kuali or wok and fry ground ingredients for 3 minutes. Add curry powder paste and in slow fire, fry until fragrant and oil separates. Add okra and fry for 3 minutes, then add in tomatoes and chilies. Pour in tamarind juice and coconut milk. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in sugar and 1½ teaspoons salt or to taste and lastly, lower in fish head. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until fish is done. Serve hot with white rice.

Source from Internet.

by 旭日の革

Hungry Ghost Festival七月十四~鬼节

Just as Halloween is for Americans, the ‘Hungry Ghost Festival’ is for the Chinese. For those who have never heard of this festival, here are the essential ‘spooky’ facts on this festival.

Hungry Ghost festival is a popular occasion that is taken very seriously by the Chinese. This festival that falls on the 7th month of the lunar New Year is celebrated mainly in China and other countries like Singapore & Malaysia. It is believed by the Chinese that during this month, the gates of hell are opened to free the hungry ghosts who then wander to seek food on Earth. Some even think that the ghosts would seek revenge on those who had wronged them in their lives. The reason why the Chinese celebrate this festival is to remember their dead family members and pay tribute to them. They also feel that offering food to the deceased appeases them and wards off bad luck.

Another belief among the Chinese is that the dead return to visit their living relatives during the 7th month and thus they prepare a sumptuous meal for the ‘hungry ghosts’. The Chinese feel that they have to satisfy the ghosts in order to get good fortune and luck in their lives.

During the 7th month, the Chinese offer prayers to the deceased relatives and burn joss sticks. In Singapore, it is a common sight to see entertaining ‘wayang’ shows and concerts performed on outdoor stages in some neighborhoods. These events are always held at night. There is a belief that this entertainment would please those wandering ghosts.

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每年农历七月十五日为“盂兰盆节”，也称“中元节”（一定意义上讲，中元节归属道教，盂兰盆节归属佛教），有些地方俗称“鬼节”、“施孤”，又称亡人节、七月半。

“鬼节”，俗称“七月半”（有些地区为十三或十四）。俗传去世的祖先七月初被阎王释放半月，故有七月初接祖，七月半送祖习俗。送祖时，纸钱冥财烧得很多，以便“祖先享用”。同时，在写有享用人姓名的纸封中装入钱纸，祭祀时焚烧，称“烧包”。年内过世者烧新包，多大操大办，过世一年以上者烧老包。

无论贫富都要备下酒菜、纸钱祭奠亡人，以示对死去的先人的怀念。中元节一般是七天，又有新亡人和老亡人之分。三年内死的称新亡人，三年前死的称老亡人。迷信说新老亡人这段时间要回家看看，还说新老亡人回来的时间并不相同，新亡人先回，老亡人后回。因此要分别祭奠。烧纸钱的时间选晚上夜深人静，先用石灰在院子里洒几个圈儿，说是把纸钱烧在圈儿里孤魂野鬼不敢来抢，然后一堆一堆地烧，烧时嘴里还要不住地念叨：“某某来领钱。”最后还要在圈外烧一堆，说是烧给孤魂野鬼的。亡人们回去的这一天，无论贫富都要做一餐好饭菜敬亡人，又叫“送亡人”。


Source from Internet.


by 旭日の革