Both pictures taken by MHI
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Golden leaves
What if you woke up in the morning and saw the leaves of some plants in front of your house glowed like gold?
Would you be excited?
What would be the first thought that came into your mind?
What would be the first expression that came out of your mouth?
Wou
Or, what would you do if you could see the world from a drum of water in your possession?
Would you be excited?
What would be the first thought that came into your mind?
What would be the first expression that came out of your mouth?
Wou
Or, what would you do if you could see the world from a drum of water in your possession?
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Asin-asin
"Asin-asin" is a leaf vegitable quite commonly forming a dish on a Malaysian lunch or dinner tables. The scientific name of the plant is Sauropus androgynus (Family Phyllanthaceae formaly Euphorbiaceae) is also known in Malay as "cekur manis". Other names include star sooseberry and sweet leaf.The leaves are dark green,oval in shape and arranged along a long rachis. The flowers are reddish and the fruits are whitish and are arranged on the underside of the rachis.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
water
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Water
All living things contain large percentages of water in their bodies. Without water living thing will die. In fact, all living things are created out of water.
"And Allah has created every animal from water: of them there are some that creep on their bellies; some that walk on two legs; and some that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills for verily Allah has power over all things." (Al-Quran; Sura An-Nuur 24:45)
"It is He Who has created man from water: then has He established relationships of lineage and marriage: for thy Lord has power (over all things." (Al-Quran; Sura Al-Furqaan 25:54)
"Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?" (Al-Quran; Sura Al-Anbiyaa' 21:30)
Things that are of extreme importance may be taken for granted. What about if the streams, rivers, lakes, seas and oceans all became dry, what would we do?:
"Say: "See ye?- If your stream be some morning lost (in the underground earth), who then can supply you with clear-flowing water?" (Al-Quran; Sura Al-Mulk 67:30)
Or what about the clouds bring rains that are salty:
"See ye the water which ye drink?" (Al-Quran; Sura Al-Waaqi'ah 56:68)
"Do ye bring it down (in rain) from the cloud or do We?" (Al-Quran; Sura Al-Waaqi'ah 56:69)
"Were it Our Will, We could make it salt (and unpalatable): then why do ye not give thanks?" (Al-Quran; Sura Al-Waaqi'ah 56:70)
"And made therein mountains standing firm, lofty (in stature); and provided for you water sweet (and wholesome)?" (Al-Quran; Sura Al-Mursalaat 77:27)
"And He it is Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy, and We send down pure water from the sky,- "(Al-Quran; Sura Al-Furqaan 25:48)
Allah provide us with water that are optimum for the sustenance of life:
"And We send down water from the sky according to (due) measure, and We cause it to soak in the soil; and We certainly are able to drain it off (with ease)." (Al-Quran; Sura Al-Mu'minuun 23:18)
"And We send the fecundating winds, then cause the rain to descend from the sky, therewith providing you with water (in abundance), though ye are not the guardians of its stores." (Al-Quran; Sura Al-Hijr 15:22)
Excess water is designed to drain into rivers and become source of water for places that do not always receive rains.
"And in the earth are tracts (diverse though) neighbouring, and gardens of vines and fields sown with corn, and palm trees - growing out of single roots or otherwise: watered with the same water, yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who understand!" (Al-Quran; Sura Ar-Ra'd 13:4)
"He sends down water from the skies, and the channels flow, each according to its measure: But the torrent bears away to foam that mounts up to the surface. Even so, from that (ore) which they heat in the fire, to make ornaments or utensils therewith, there is a scum likewise. Thus doth Allah (by parables) show forth Truth and Vanity. For the scum disappears like froth cast out; while that which is for the good of mankind remains on the earth. Thus doth Allah set forth parables." (Ar-Ra'd 13:17)
With the rain and water in the rivers, people on this earth can make a living in agriculture, thereby producing diverse plants and animals for food.
"He Who has, made for you the earth like a carpet spread out; has enabled you to go about therein by roads (and channels); and has sent down water from the sky." With it have We produced diverse pairs of plants each separate from the others." (Al-Quran; Sura Taha 20:53)
The rivers and seas are means of transportation and source of foods and ornaments.
"It is He Who has let free the two bodies of flowing water: One palatable and sweet, and the other salt and bitter; yet has He made a barrier between them, a partition that is forbidden to be passed." (Al-Quran; Sura Al-Furqaan 25:53)
"Or, Who has made the earth firm to live in; made rivers in its midst; set thereon mountains immovable; and made a separating bar between the two bodies of flowing water? (can there be another) god besides Allah. Nay, most of them know not." (Al-Quran; Sura An-Naml 27:61)
"Nor are the two bodies of flowing water alike,- the one palatable, sweet, and pleasant to drink, and the other, salt and bitter. Yet from each (kind of water) do ye eat flesh fresh and tender, and ye extract ornaments to wear; and thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) of the Bounty of Allah that ye may be grateful." (Al-Quran; Sura Faatir 35:12)
"He has let free the two bodies of flowing water, meeting together." Al-Quran; Sura Ar-Rahmaan 55:19)
"Between them is a Barrier which they do not transgress." (Al-Quran; Sura Ar-Rahmaan 55:20)
All translation of the Quran is taken from Surah.My : Tafseer of Al-Quran in English
Thursday, January 19, 2012
US Collage Footbal
On 9th January 2012, Alabama of the Southeastern conference were crowned as the BCS National Champions for collage football (American football, that is). However, several questions were left unanswered. Should there be a playoff system to determine the champions, like the one used in basketball? If there is, in what form, a four-team playoff system or sixteen-team playoff system? Would playoff system drain-off the students athletes?
Other questions include such thing as, should Oklahoma State be given the chance to go to the title game against the number one ranked LSU, in place of no 2 ranked Alabama, on the reasons that LSU and Alabama are from the same conference, and LSU have beaten Alabama during the regular season? Should there be a rematch between two schools that have met in the conference game, where LSU got the better of Alabama by two field goals to one? Does beating LSU in the title game, provided enough reason (credential) to vote for Alabama as the number one team, taking in consideration that during the regular season LSU beat many top teams including Alabama, Oregon (Ranked number 4) and Arkansas (Ranked Number 5) convincingly, while Alabama had only Arkansas as the top team they beat?
Are Oklahoma State good enough team to go to the title game? Based on the common opponents between Oklahoma State and Arkansas, the later scored more points than Oklahoma State when both beat Texas A&M and Kansas State. Taking into consideration that both Alabama and LSU beat Arkansas handsomely (outplayed) during the regular season conference games, it would need Oklahoma State offense to play a very good game to break the huge and fast defensive lines, as well as the very good corner backs of both Alabama and LSU. Besides, it would take a lot of effort for opponent's defense to stop the huge and fast offensive lines of both Alabama and LSU. In collage football, the defensive and offensive lines contribute a lot to a team to win games. Could it be that, during the 2011-2012 season, the two teams were cut above all other collage teams, and hence no other deserve to play in the title game?
On the title game itself, most of the comments were related to the inability of the offense to put up points on the board, and hence they said, generated less excitement compared to high scoring game in other major post-season bowls. Some comments even speculated that the high scoring teams, lead by their prolific quarterbacks, could have torn apart the Alabama or LSU defense. To this kind of speculation, the pro-SEC fans argued that, the offense of those teams would simply be choked and stifled by either LSU's or Alabama's defense, just like what they did to Arkansas.
The game of football is made up of offensive plays and defensive response plays. The success of the offense over the opposing defense, will most likely result in touchdowns or field goals. On the contrary, when the defense overwhelm the offense of the opposing team, most often than not the ball has to be given back to the opposing team. In low scoring games, the defense of both teams are too strong for the offense of the opposing teams, while in high scoring games, the offense of both teams outsmart the opposing defense. In any case, appreciating perfect execution of a play or the game plan by both the offense and the defense to outsmart the opponents should be applauded and appreciated. The defense or offense that are outsmarted by the opposing team throughout the game will likely bear the blame for embarrassing losses that the team suffer. Thus, to say that football will generate more excitement when exceptionally high scores are registered, in a way may mean enjoying the embarrassment and blushes being experienced by the battered offense or defense. With this view in mind, watching a football game would be interesting regardless on the number of points are put on the board during the game, provided that good plays are the main source of enjoyment out of watching a football game.
Other questions include such thing as, should Oklahoma State be given the chance to go to the title game against the number one ranked LSU, in place of no 2 ranked Alabama, on the reasons that LSU and Alabama are from the same conference, and LSU have beaten Alabama during the regular season? Should there be a rematch between two schools that have met in the conference game, where LSU got the better of Alabama by two field goals to one? Does beating LSU in the title game, provided enough reason (credential) to vote for Alabama as the number one team, taking in consideration that during the regular season LSU beat many top teams including Alabama, Oregon (Ranked number 4) and Arkansas (Ranked Number 5) convincingly, while Alabama had only Arkansas as the top team they beat?
Are Oklahoma State good enough team to go to the title game? Based on the common opponents between Oklahoma State and Arkansas, the later scored more points than Oklahoma State when both beat Texas A&M and Kansas State. Taking into consideration that both Alabama and LSU beat Arkansas handsomely (outplayed) during the regular season conference games, it would need Oklahoma State offense to play a very good game to break the huge and fast defensive lines, as well as the very good corner backs of both Alabama and LSU. Besides, it would take a lot of effort for opponent's defense to stop the huge and fast offensive lines of both Alabama and LSU. In collage football, the defensive and offensive lines contribute a lot to a team to win games. Could it be that, during the 2011-2012 season, the two teams were cut above all other collage teams, and hence no other deserve to play in the title game?
On the title game itself, most of the comments were related to the inability of the offense to put up points on the board, and hence they said, generated less excitement compared to high scoring game in other major post-season bowls. Some comments even speculated that the high scoring teams, lead by their prolific quarterbacks, could have torn apart the Alabama or LSU defense. To this kind of speculation, the pro-SEC fans argued that, the offense of those teams would simply be choked and stifled by either LSU's or Alabama's defense, just like what they did to Arkansas.
The game of football is made up of offensive plays and defensive response plays. The success of the offense over the opposing defense, will most likely result in touchdowns or field goals. On the contrary, when the defense overwhelm the offense of the opposing team, most often than not the ball has to be given back to the opposing team. In low scoring games, the defense of both teams are too strong for the offense of the opposing teams, while in high scoring games, the offense of both teams outsmart the opposing defense. In any case, appreciating perfect execution of a play or the game plan by both the offense and the defense to outsmart the opponents should be applauded and appreciated. The defense or offense that are outsmarted by the opposing team throughout the game will likely bear the blame for embarrassing losses that the team suffer. Thus, to say that football will generate more excitement when exceptionally high scores are registered, in a way may mean enjoying the embarrassment and blushes being experienced by the battered offense or defense. With this view in mind, watching a football game would be interesting regardless on the number of points are put on the board during the game, provided that good plays are the main source of enjoyment out of watching a football game.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Screw pine (mengkuang)
Pandanus is a genus of plants containing many different species and belonging to the plant Family Pandanaceae or the screw pine family. The plants are typically having long and pointed leaves with hooked spines at the perimeter. The various species differ in size and height, ranging from 1-6 meters. There are several common species found in Malaysia, each of which may contribute to food or economic activities of the population. Pandanus amaryllifolius is the edible species.
The giant screwpine are known in Malaysia as mengkuang. The mengkuang species, whose leaves are commonly used for waving in the production of handicrafts is Pandanus atrocarpus. There are other giant species of screw pines. Some are found in mangroves and some are found in the forests,while others are found by the seashore.
The mengkuang plant shown in pictures below has stems that are fibrous in nature and branched at various levels along the heights of the plants. The long spiny leaves are clustered at the end of each branch. Prop roots are formed at close to the base of the stem for support. The fruits are borne in round-shaped clusters of more than 10 fruits, which are tough and fibrous. Pandanus tectorius and Pandanus odoratissimus appear very similar. Since the pictures below were taken by the seaside (of Terengganu, by the way), the plant fits the name "mengkuang laut" (sea screw pine), and hence may be the species Pandanus odoratissimus.
Other Information
http://laman-ayahsu.blogspot.com/2011/11/mengkuang-laut-pandanus-odoratissimus.html
http://www.vacationtourz.com/mengkuang_pandanus_weaving.htm
http://www.agroforestry.net/tti/P.tectorius-pandanus.pdf
http://wannura.wordpress.com/2010/02/03/mengkuang-pandanus-weaving-pandanus-atrocarpus-griff/mengkuang/
The giant screwpine are known in Malaysia as mengkuang. The mengkuang species, whose leaves are commonly used for waving in the production of handicrafts is Pandanus atrocarpus. There are other giant species of screw pines. Some are found in mangroves and some are found in the forests,while others are found by the seashore.
The mengkuang plant shown in pictures below has stems that are fibrous in nature and branched at various levels along the heights of the plants. The long spiny leaves are clustered at the end of each branch. Prop roots are formed at close to the base of the stem for support. The fruits are borne in round-shaped clusters of more than 10 fruits, which are tough and fibrous. Pandanus tectorius and Pandanus odoratissimus appear very similar. Since the pictures below were taken by the seaside (of Terengganu, by the way), the plant fits the name "mengkuang laut" (sea screw pine), and hence may be the species Pandanus odoratissimus.
Other Information
http://laman-ayahsu.blogspot.com/2011/11/mengkuang-laut-pandanus-odoratissimus.html
http://www.vacationtourz.com/mengkuang_pandanus_weaving.htm
http://www.agroforestry.net/tti/P.tectorius-pandanus.pdf
http://wannura.wordpress.com/2010/02/03/mengkuang-pandanus-weaving-pandanus-atrocarpus-griff/mengkuang/
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Durio zibethinus L.
Durio zibethinus L. is a large and tall trees probably grew in the jungle before they are domesticated and planted in the villages and orchards. The fruit has a strong and thick spiny husk and a strong smell. It is a common fruit in Southeast Asia, where it is called by the name durian. The durian plant has one or two fruiting seasons per year, when virtually all plants within a location bear fruits simultaneously. Luckily, fruiting seasons may vary in term of time of the year for different area. When the fruiting seasons do come, the fruits can contribute to substantial income for the village people and entrepreneurship-minded orchard owners.
The plant can be grown from seeds but more commonly grown from grafted plants. Grafting is done by grating buds from plants of known high quality variety or clones to a seedling of high disease-resistant stock. Plants grown from seedling are not consistent in quality and flavour. Besides, it takes 10-15 years to bear fruits. It was said that if one plants durian from seeds, one is planting it for one's grandchildren. However with the grafted plants, fruiting can happen between 5-7 years.
In the wild, the durian can have likable taste and non-likable taste. The one shown below is small in size, strong yellow colour of edible pulp and relatively softer spines on the husk. Although the fruit offers non-likable smell and taste, the genotype may provide good stock for breeding better and tastier durian varieties.
Medium-sized durian
The inside of durian showing the creamy edible pulp
Wild/jungle durian fruit
Classification:
Durian is classified under the Order Malvales. However, there are differences in opinion whether the Genus Durio is classified under the family Malvaceae or the family Bombacaceae. The site here gives this classification scheme, in which the subfamily Durionoideae is placed in the family Sterculiaceae, and not family Bombacaceae nor family Malvaceae
For clarification opinion from the experts in field of Plant Systematics should be consulted.
Scholarly articles
Norjana, I. and Noor Aziah, A. A. 2011. Quality attributes of durian (Durio zibethinus Murr) juice after pectinase enzyme treatment.International Food Research Journal 18(3): 1117-1122
Nyffeler, R. and D. A. Baum. 2000. Phylogenetic relationships of the durians (Bombacaceae-Durioneae or /Malvaceae/Helicteroideae/Durioneae) based on chloroplast and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences. Plant Systematics and Evolution. 224: (1-2) 55-82 2000
The plant can be grown from seeds but more commonly grown from grafted plants. Grafting is done by grating buds from plants of known high quality variety or clones to a seedling of high disease-resistant stock. Plants grown from seedling are not consistent in quality and flavour. Besides, it takes 10-15 years to bear fruits. It was said that if one plants durian from seeds, one is planting it for one's grandchildren. However with the grafted plants, fruiting can happen between 5-7 years.
In the wild, the durian can have likable taste and non-likable taste. The one shown below is small in size, strong yellow colour of edible pulp and relatively softer spines on the husk. Although the fruit offers non-likable smell and taste, the genotype may provide good stock for breeding better and tastier durian varieties.
Medium-sized durian
The inside of durian showing the creamy edible pulp
Wild/jungle durian fruit
Classification:
Durian is classified under the Order Malvales. However, there are differences in opinion whether the Genus Durio is classified under the family Malvaceae or the family Bombacaceae. The site here gives this classification scheme, in which the subfamily Durionoideae is placed in the family Sterculiaceae, and not family Bombacaceae nor family Malvaceae
For clarification opinion from the experts in field of Plant Systematics should be consulted.
Scholarly articles
Norjana, I. and Noor Aziah, A. A. 2011. Quality attributes of durian (Durio zibethinus Murr) juice after pectinase enzyme treatment.International Food Research Journal 18(3): 1117-1122
Nyffeler, R. and D. A. Baum. 2000. Phylogenetic relationships of the durians (Bombacaceae-Durioneae or /Malvaceae/Helicteroideae/Durioneae) based on chloroplast and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences. Plant Systematics and Evolution. 224: (1-2) 55-82 2000
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