Love and Commitment - unconditional Love

       

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

by Ajahn Brahn

        When I was around the age of thirteen, my father took me aside and told me something that would change my life. The two of us were alone in his beaten-up old car, on a side street of one of the poorer suburbs of London. He turned to me and said this:" Son, whatever you do in your life, know this. The door of my house will always be open to you."
      I was only a young teenager at the time. I didn't really understand what he meant, but I knew it was something important, so I remembered it. My father would be dead three years later.
     When I became a monk in northeast Thailand, I thought over those words of my dad. Our home at that time was a small government subsidized apartment in a poor part of London - not much of a house to open a door into. But then I realized this was not what my dad really meant. What was lying within my father's words, like a jewel wrapped in a cloth, was the most articulate expression of love that I know:" Son, whatever you do in your life, know this. The door of my heart will always be open to you." 
      My father was offering unconditional love. No strings attached. I was his son and that was enough. It was beautiful. It was real. He meant it. 
      It takes courage and wisdom to say those words to another, to open the door of your heart to somebody else, with no "ifs". Some people might fear that if they do this, others would take advantage of them - but that's not how it works, not in my experience. When you are given that sort of love from another, it's like receiving the most precious of gifts. You treasure it, keep it close to your heart, let it be lost. Even though at the time I only partially understood my dad's meaning, even so I wouldn't dare hurt such a man. If you give those words to someone close to you, if you really mean them, if they come from your heart, then that person will reach upwards, never down, to meet your love.

 A happy time with family is everything. Do you always see a Happy family with a problem child? Think about it! 

who ordered this truckload of dung? - Letting go of guilt, Forever

Letting go of guilt, FOREVER

by Ajahn Brahm

The most difficult stage of the journey out of guilt in convincing ourselves that we deserve to be forgive. The stories given so far are there to assist us, but the final step out of the prison is made alone.
When he was still a young boy, a friend of mine was playing with his best friend on a pier. For a joke, he pushed his friend into the water.
The friend drowned.
For many years that young man lived with crippling guilt. The drowned friend's parents lived next door. He grew up knowing that he had deprived them of their son. Then one morning, as he told it to me, he realized he didn't need to feel guilty any more, He walked out of his own prison into the warm air of freedom.

GUILT is definitely not good for heart! Tell it to someone!!!! Release it!!!
GREAT! Let go of guilt FOREVER!

who ordered this truckload of dung? - We are all crims

We are all crims

by Ajahn Brahm

In the previous story I talked about people I worked with in jail, but the message applies to anyone "doing home" in the prison of guilt. That "crime" for which we feel guilty - what else did we do that day, that year, this life? Can we see the other bricks in the wall? Can we see beyond the stupid act causing our guilt? If we focus on the "Class B" act too long, we might become a "Class B" person - that's why we keep repeating our mistakes and amassing more guilt. But when we see the other parts of our lives, the other bricks in our wall, when we gain a realistic perspective, then a wonderful insight opens like a flower in the heart: we deserve to be forgiven. 


What a wonderful story that conclude the few previous story! If you don't understand? please read the few previous story!

who ordered this truckload of Dung? -PERFECTION and GUILT - The Child in the supermarket

The Child in the supermarket

by Ajahn Brahm

I tell my jailbird buddies never to think of themselves as criminals, but rather someone who has done a criminal act. Because if they are told they are criminals, if they are treated as criminals and if they believe they are criminals, they become criminals. That's how it works.
A young boy dropped a carton of milk at the supermarket checkout and it split open, spilling milk all over the floor. "You stupid child!" said the mother.
In the very next aisle, another boy dropped a carton of honey. It broke open too, spreading honey over the floor. " that was a stupid thing you did,"said his mother.
The first child had been classified stupid for life; the other has had only one fault pointed out. The first will probably become stupid, the other will learn to stop doing stupid things.
I ask my friends in prison what else they did the day of their crime. What else did they do the other days of that year? What else did they do the other years of their life? Then I repeat the story of my brick wall. There are other bricks in the all that represent our life apart from our crimes. In fact, the good bricks are always many, many more than the bad. Now, are you a bad wall deserving destruction? Or are you a good wall with a couple of bad bricks, just like the rest of us? 
A few months later after I became abbot and stopped visiting jails, I receives a personal phone call from one of the prison officers. He asked me to come back. He gave me a compliment I will always treasure. He told me that my students at the prison, once they had finish their sentences, never returned to jail.

So far, This is one of the best stories that kind of summarize up a few stories before this. We human tend to look at people's(Children, students, partner, parents, siblings, friends, etc) bad bricks, and we tell them they are like that, they always like that and Sentence them in your own rules. 


I had a discussion with someone a few weeks ago, he said: once you lie, you're consider a lier. This stories just came to my mind and I explain, there are so many moments in our life, just now, future, yesterday, last month, last week, etc. But the most important moment in our life is NOW. NOW, I'm not lying, do you still consider me a lier? How about the next moment? I think we all have a answer in our mind. 


Open up our mind, who never make a mistakes, is not a big deal at all .... ....
sometimes, we take life so seriously and we indirectly hurt lots people around us. 

who ordered this truckload of Dung? - The Class B Kids

The Class B Kids

by Ajahn Brahm

Many years ago, an experiment in education was carried out in secrecy at a school in England. The school had two classes for the same age of children. At the end of the school year and examination was held, in order to select the children for the classes of next year. However, the results of the exam were never revealed. In secrecy, with only the principal and the psychologists knowing the truth, the child who come first in the exam was placed in the same class with the children who came fourth and fifth, eighth and ninth, twelfth and thirteenth, and so on. While the children who came second and third in the exam were placed in the other class, with the children who same sixth and seventh, tenth and eleventh, and so on. In other words, based on their performance on the exam, the higher-performing and lower performing children were split evenly between the two classed. Teachers for the next year were carefully selected for equal ability and experience. Even the classrooms were chosen with so similar facilities. Everything was made as equal as possible, except for one thing: one was called "class A", and the other was called "class B".


Whereas in fact the classes had children of equal ability, in every one's mind the children in Class A were the clever ones, and the kids of Class B were not so clever. Some of the parents of the Class A children were pleasantly surprised that their child had done well and rewarded then with presents and praise, whereas the parents of some of the Class B kids berated their children for not working hard enough and took away some of the privileges. Even the teachers taught the Class B kids in a different manner, not expecting so much from them. For a whole year the illusion was maintained. Then there was another end-of-year exam.

The results were chilling, but not surprising. The children of Class A performed so much better than those of Class B. In fact, the results were just as if they had been the top half chosen from last year's exam. They had become "Class A" children. And those in the other group, though equal the year before, had now become "Class B" kids. That was what they were told for a whole year, that was how they were treated, and that was what they believed - so that was what they become. 

FELLOW TEACHERS - PLEASE REMEMBER

That was what they were told for a whole year, that was how they were treated, and that was what they believed - so that was what they become. 

Green Card FAQ (By Stephy)

First of all, I would like to make it clear:
I'm not an expert, I've been there, That's how I learn, I might be wrong sometimes!

1. What do we expert after we get an interview date?

You'll have to start collecting documents like birth certificate, translation copy, letter of good deed(Which take a month), some university certificate, etc. You'll also need to go through medical check up, include some blood test and also some vaccine that you'll need to take. You'll need to prepare 440 USD. (That is the US DV visa fees) You'll need to pay right before your interview.

2. What kind of question will they ask during the interview?

Most of the time, they just want to confirm what ever you submit is right, for example, if you go to school in UPM, they will ask you what kind of course is that and what do you learn, and they'll check on your current status, which state are you planning to move and why. (There is no right or wrong answer, they just want to know) 

3. How long is the interview?

You'll be schedule to pass your document and money in before lunch time and they'll check through your document and they'll call you if they need more information from you. You'll be back to the embassy in the afternoon for the interview and passport can be collect the next day.

4. What to expect after the interview?

You'll need to enter the united states 3 months within your medical check-up date. You can either choose to go just for vacation to active your DV immigrant visa. You'll need a address to be your "temporary" address so that they can send you the green card within 30 days. If you're really well prepared, you can start moving and get a job in the states. 

5. Can I leave USA as a DV immigrant?

YEAH! of course, as long as you didn't leave the country more than 365 days. I knew people who came once a year from Malaysia just for the sake of keeping the green card active. If you'll want to leave the country more than 365 days for some reason, you'll have to file I-131 to get a re-entry permit. 

6. Can I petition my siblings?

No, so far, as what I know, DV immigrant can either petition their parents or children. 

7. How about my girlfriend/boyfriend?

You can get a Certificate of marriage and proof to the ambassador that you'll want to move together to the united states. But you'll have to talk to the ambassador before the interview. 

8. How is the economic status in United States? Is it easy to get a job?

United States is big and I believe different state and different cities have a different impact from the economy recession. I have no idea about other states but at least a lot of companies still hiring in Alaska, you can always check indeed and you can search the job that you're looking for and a place. Alaska still giving out money to their resident every year. (This year, Alaska government is giving out 1174 usd to every single Alaska Resident)

9. New to US?

I'm not really "old", but I can share my experiences. 

EXPENSES

Rental in the states is at least 80-100 usd a week. Grocery is around 200-300 usd a month (this is based on my life in Alaska). Used Car, with 6500 usd, you can get a good 2003 Toyota Corolla (So called toyota altis in Malaysia). Fees to get a driver license, it varies from state to state. In Alaska you'll have to go through the written test (free)(You cannot have more than 4 wrong answer out of 20 questions)(You can sit on the test once a day, no appointment required) and on-the-road test (15 USD) using your own car. But each ID will cost you 15 USD. Gas is now 3.85 usd per gallon, a gallon is 3.4 litre. Branded stuff is usually sounds cheaper, Iphone with contract is 199, ipad is 499, coach bag is 200++, etc etc

Earning

The basic salary in Alaska is around 8 usd per hour. It takes some times to get the job you want. Part time job and opening is everywhere during the summer. Server makes around 4000 usd and above every month. It really depends what kind of job you want to do and what kind of life are you looking for. An Engineer can expect 30 USD and above per hours. 

Rate of pay is not like Malaysia - for example - A cook can make 13 dollars and hour, at the same time, hotel front desk, office clerks, drivers, sales in a shop, might make the same amount of money. They don't really rate you pay by looking at your qualifications but experience. 

Federal Tax rate - you'll have to expect to pay a 10-15 % if you earn below 100000 annually, but if you're earning more that that, that will be 25 % and there is also state tax applied to some states.

It is easier to get a job if you have a state ID, so that will be the first things you'll want to get when you come to the states.

THROW ME MORE QUESTIONS!!!!!!!!!! 

GOOD LUCK!

GEtting a Green Card ( USA Permanent Resident) through Lottery!!

DV2013 is back! 

Diversity Immigrant Visa program (DV) is a United States congressionally mandated lottery program for receiving a US PR card, so called - Green Card. It is a annual basis lottery, conducted by the Department of State to provide for a new class of immigrants known as "diversity immigrants". The Act makes available 50000 permanent resident visas annually to natives of countries deemed to have low rates of immigration to the United States. (Malaysia is one of them) ( For the rest of the country, check with me again)


13.6million people applied last year! BUT! It still depends on quota and which continent you're from. 
The winning chances of Participant from Asia country are shown below:

Region	DV-2007	DV-2008	DV-2009	DV-2010	DV-2011	DV-2012
Asia	0.48%	0.63%	0.64%	0.61%	0.68%	0.84%
WHY	WAIT	MOVE	MOVE	MOVE	MOVE	MOVE

ALWAYS REMEMBER!! There is no charge to enter the diversity visa lottery, and the only way to do so is by completing and sending the electronic form available at the U.S. Department of State's website during the registration period. However, there are numerous companies and websites that charge a fee in order to complete the form for the applicant. 

If anyone called/emailed you and told you that you're eligible and they can help you with a higher chance....tell them you'll do it yourself! For Free! Because US Department of state said it have the equal chance!

1. First of all, to enter the DV program, you must meet either the education or work experience requirement of the DV program:  You must have a successful completion a altogether 12 years of primary and secondary school ; OR two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience to perform. 
2. Second, all you have to do is go to the photo shop and get a US Visa Picture for yourself. It have to be 2" x 2" and tell them to get you a CD and please get them to help you to resize to 600 pixels x 600 pixels and below 240 KB, lastly has to be JPEG. 
3. HERE COMES THE IMPORTANT PART: The Department of State will only accept completed E-DV entry forms submitted electronically at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period between noon, EDT (GMT-4), Tuesday, October 4, 2011, and noon, EDT (GMT-4), Saturday, November 5, 2011. There are NO COSTS or FEES to register for the DV Program.
5. It is very important that you submit all required photographs. Your entry will be disqualified if you do 
6. not submit all the required photographs.  Recent photographs of the following people must be submitted

• You 
• Your spouse
• • Each unmarried child under 21 years of age at the time of your electronic entry, including all natural 
  • children as well as all legally adopted children and stepchildren, even if a child no longer resides with 
  • you or you do not intend for a child to immigrate under the DV program
  • (So GET ALL YOUR PHOTO READY)

     5. The Department of State strongly encourages applicants to complete the entry form without the assistance of “Visa Consultants,” “Visa Agents,” or other individuals who offer to submit an entry on behalf of applicants.  If you use the services of somebody else to complete your entry form, you should be present when the entry is prepared, and you should retain the confirmation page and your unique confirmation number.  Facilitators may try to withhold confirmation numbers in order to make an unlawful demand for money in exchange for notification information that should have been directly available to you.  (Just Ask me !! For FREE)

KEEP the confirmation page and your Unique confirmation number to yourself. ( They'll nvr resend, so keep a few copies)

You can expect the drawing results will be out around May - July 2012. Then You will need to submit some paperwork, You can petition your parents, spouse or children under 21 years old even though you haven't include them in your application. AFTER the paper work, here comes the very very final part, You'll be scheduled for an interview at the local embassy (That will be before September 2013). BEFORE THAT, there is a few document that you need to prepare 1-2 months earlier(because of the putrajaya speed, LOL). (I had postpone my interview and nearly miss this wonderful chance by not preparing well)

SO, IF You got it, Talk to me! I'll lead you here,B'cos I been there!

I've decided to Do THIS, simply because I want to share this to everyone, I always dream to study in overseas, having some real "universities life", I'm so lucky enough to get to this stage of my life where I have a choice to choose where I want myself to be, and give myself a different opportunities to experience life. Everyone wants a different life, Every place have its good and bad reason to stay back! If you're young and still never been here, I highly recommended to give a try! I'll explain in the next post about those FAQ in your mind!

Stay TUNE!

at the mean while - GO get your photo done!


BEFORE I FORGET, WEBSITE ONLY SUPPORT INTERNET EXPLORER!

READ THIS FOR Frequent Ask Question
Green Card FAQ - Stephy Version


FULL DV-2013 Application Instruction 

Aurora!!! Aurora!! Aurora!!!

AURORA DAY 2

I went back again to Airport park at 4.35 am, Sept 28 2011

I tried shutter speed 30, only then I realize The most I can go is 30 second! ISO 400 and 200 ~

I tried as what the pro said - 2 second timer

It was fabulous!
Aurora is like gambling your sleeping time, you might wait whole night and get the general one, the "super aurora" might pop up anytime, maybe right after u leave. 

I personally think is very addictive! Just because we don't want to miss anything!

Can u guys spot the big dipper?  - 北斗七星

Shooting Star!! Lucky me! Btw - I saw 2~

Beautiful!!

All these Pictures looks much better compare to the first time!
I'll still definitely need a tripod and if someone gonna buy me a wide angle lens, that will be great!

Happy Aurora! More - to - come!

Aurora!!! Aurora!! Aurora!!!

AURORA DAY 2

I went over to Airport park around 9.30 pm and went over Woronzof Point for 5 minutes for the sake of compare for a better place to shoot nice Aurora!

It was quite cloudy but we still can see some light shooting out from the north side! I was a good one too bad it was too cloudy!!!

So tiny tiny!!

Love this pic!

Brighter! and I definitely need a Tripod!

With some head lights !

There is a strong one right before I leave the park!

I was thinking at 10.20pm if I should Leave or I should Stay?

It was so chilly and cloudy and I decided to go home!!!!

More More More Aurora Pictures to COME!

Aurora!!! Aurora!! Aurora!!!

AURORA DAY 1

Yesterday and Today's Aurora Index is 4 (Active)

We was waiting until 2am and I was cold enough and WE're lucky to get some pictures!!!!

(I went back to Airport Park today and one guy today me, there was a big one yesterday, shooting out from downtown, and it became a circle! And I asked: What time was it? He said: around 12.00 am...)

OMG! @_@ Am guk ar! Anyway! I'm still consider lucky to get some nice pictures!!!

There is ice on top of the CAR!!! 

Aurora on top of Downtown

Moving Moving!

Aki Under the Starry Starry night!!

Getting brighter and brighter!!

shooting upwards!!!

Looking towards airport from Earthquake PArk

Japanese people believe that if you can see Aurora, You'll be living in happiness!!!

FOLKS! WHY WAIT! COME VISIT ME!!!!