PP 4353/05/2013 (033269)
May2016
KL
american
A Publication of the American Association of Malaysia KL American May 2016
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Valuable cargo It’s important to choose someone who’ll take extra care of the most precious things.
Go knowing
www.crownrelo.com.my 2
KL American May 2016
Crown’s service offerings include: • International & Domestic Shipments • Transit Protection • Immigration & Legalization • School Search • Settling-in Services • Intercultural Support
Tel: +60 3 5636 9166 kualalumpur@crownrelo.com
Contents AAM May 2016 Advertisers Index Advertisers
(A-Z)
Page
Asian Tigers Transpo
Back Cover
Carpet Inn
p.7
Color Parlour
p.15
Crown Relocations
Inside Front Cover
Eastern Carpets
Inside Back Cover
Hop On / Hop Off
p.6
The Expat
p.20
RSDHC
p.22
Tropicana Medical Centre
p.14
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4
President’s Message
5
Membership Matters
6 7 8
Community Services
Weekly/Monthly Activities
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10 -12 13
Membership
May Activities Featured Article
Let’s Talk About Facebook
16 -18 19
AAM Messages
AAM Community Bulletin Board
22
Photo provided by Debz Rafferty
Memories
U.S. Election / Absentee Voting
20 21
Similarity
AAM Calendar / May
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President’s Message
Board of Directors President Peggy Uptigrove President.aam@gmail.com Vice President Ann Blacklock FirstVP.aam@gmail.com Happy May Days! If you were in attendance at the Retro Night Party in April we truly hope that you and your table / friends had a great time. I know I did and the highlight for me was the dancing. Everybody up and dancing all night long – fantastic. I want to Thank our Corporate Partners, Event Sponsors and Silent Auction donors for their support, not only for the party, but for everything they do for us throughout the year. We appreciate all of you. It goes without saying, that to put on events of any size, it takes a village and this Retro Night Party was no exception. Under the direction of our treasured Major Events Director, Jamie Abbott, her team put together a really fun evening. Thank you Jamie for your organization and attention to detail and thank you to those that worked endlessly to put the night together. Fun! Summer is on the horizon and I know for those that have kids in school it can’t come soon enough. Family vacations and far away travel will no doubt be in your plans. If you visit a new place, near or far, please consider sharing a story with others of your travels. If you have just returned from a fabulous vacation, we’d like to hear from you too. We want to feature your vacation story (complete with pictures) in a future edition of KLAmerican so if you are interested, please email me at president.aam@gmail.com. This month we have a featured article by May, who speaks highly of their family’s RV’ing experience in New Zealand. It looks like a fantastic trip and is high on my ‘bucket list’. It will be something my husband and I will be doing this year. Safe travels Everyone!
Peggy Uptigrove President
Corporate Partners For 2016
Event Sponsors for 2016
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Secretary Brenda Miller Secretary1.aam@gmail.com Treasurer Lesia Puri Treasurer.aam@gmail.com Publications Director VACANT Editor.KLAmerican@gmail.com Major Events Director Jamie Abbott Majoreventsdir.aam@gmail.com Membership Director Wendy Frazer Membershipdirector.aam@gmail.com
Liaison Directors American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Stephanie Chua ISKL Hilda Alposilva US Embassy Alyssa Calabrese Kelli Baker
General Membership Matters
KL
American Magazine Team
A Letter from the President….. If you were at the AGM back in February, you would have heard me briefly speak to the current financial situation of the American Association and how this relates to us maintaining an office space for our members in the future.
Photo Editors Judy Pescio Randee Duncan
With membership numbers dropping as people are being transferred ‘home’ and the overall economic climate in Malaysia, plus the decline in our Corporate Partnership dollars, the AAM finds itself in the unique and unfamiliar position of having to take a serious look at no longer maintaining office space and getting ‘back to basics’ if you will. If I understand the history of the AAM correctly, there has never been a time since its inception, when we have not had a ‘club-house’, ‘villa’ or ‘office’ to call home.
Contributors Debz Rafferty Mary Ho
Our lease at The Troika is up for renewal on 1 October, 2016 and on this date we will need to notify our landlord if we intend to renew for another year or terminate the lease. If we make the decision to move out, that will be effective 1 December, 2016.
Editorial Support Peggy Uptigrove
I want to assure everyone that the Board has not made any firm decision as yet. This is something we want to take time to seriously consider, weigh in on an, ultimately, vote on. It is, after all, our duty to be good stewards of the money the AAM has raised over the years, and leave that money untouched for the Board in the future.
Editor VACANT
Designer Yap Wai Kuan Advertising Sales Tel: (03) 2161-9008 / 9009 Printer Seng Hoe Printing Process 33, Jalan Hang Tuah 2 Taman Salak Selatan 57100 Kuala Lumpur Tel/Fax: (03) 8941-7603 Publisher American Association of Malaysia The KLAmerican is published 10 times per year. The deadline for inclusion is at least six weeks prior to publication, which is the 1st of the month. Advertising for non-profit organizations is free-of-charge on a space-available basis. The magazine staff reserves the right to edit copy for clarity, brevity, and accuracy. Information on AAM members is not to be used commercially.
When we look at the cost of maintaining the AAM office for our membership, it makes the most sense, at this stage, to close the office. This is not, by any means, the end of the AAM. Rather, it means we have to look at new and different ways of running the association without the high overhead costs. We still have six months in which to make a decision and we will take our time in doing so. This is not a decision to be made hastily or without looking at all the options available to us - and is certainly not one to be made lightly. I will continue to keep you, our membership, informed as this issue comes up in front of the board and again once we have voted on which direction the AAM will head during this economic downturn. Please be patient with us as we move through these growing pains. I also invite any and all members to email me any questions they may have, comments or concerns, not only on this subject but any matter concerning the AAM. Sincerely,
Peggy Uptigrove President
Reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission, is strictly prohibited.
American Association of Malaysia Unit 19-1, 19th Floor, Tower B The Troika, 19 Persiaran KLCC 50450 Kuala Lumpur GPS Coordinates: N3° 9’ 28.899” E101° 42’ 58.217”
Tel: (03) 2161-9008 / 9009 Fax: (03) 2181-7005 E-mail: klamerican.info@gmail.com Website: www.klamerican.com
OFFICE HOURS Monday – Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Closed Thursday - Sunday and public holidays
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Membership AAM is making changes to the Membership Renewal Process:
In an effort to keep a more accurate record of our current membership and provide better support to our members, the AAM Board has made the decision to switch to an annual renewal effective January 1st, 2017. The changes to our current membership will be implemented this year so that we have a smooth transition starting in 2017. For our current members: Your membership renewal will be pro-rated for the remainder of this year according to quarters. Below is a chart of membership fees for the remainder of 2016: If your membership expires between April 1-June 30th You will pay RM159 inclusive of GST If your membership expires between July 1 – September 30th You will pay RM106 inclusive of GST If your membership expires between October 1 – December 31st
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You have two options: - Option 1 is to wait and renew January 1st, 2017 - Option 2 is to pay RM53inclusive of GST for the last three months of the year It should be noted that if you choose option one and there are member / non-member events scheduled between October 1 and December 31st that you wish to attend, you will pay the non-member price. For our new members: Joining between 1 January – 30 June you will pay RM212 (inclusive of GST) Joining between 1 July – 31 December you will pay RM106 (inclusive of GST) You will be reminded in December to renew your membership and then it will be effective for the entire calendar year of 2017 and every subsequent year thereafter. We thank you for your continued support.
Wendy Frazer Membership Director
Community Services Community Service. We hear the term a lot, whether it’s a celebrity talking it up on social media or a corporation “doing the right thing.” Wikipedia in part describes community service as performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions. Performing community service is not the same as volunteering since it is not always done voluntarily. It may be done for a variety of reasons: courts may demand it; schools may mandate it to meet class requirements or governments may require it to meet citizenship requirements. But perhaps the biggest benefits people get from community service and volunteering is the satisfaction in their lives and making a difference in their community – wherever they may call home. The intangible benefits alone, such as pride, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment, are worthwhile and cost effective. As an expat, it’s a good way to spend time, something we always seem to be short of when in our home country. Volunteering benefits the recipients of the service, the people who serve, and the larger community. American culture embraces community service. We look for solutions with the idea that every American has skills and talents to give and with the belief that ordinary people can come together and achieve perhaps extraordinary things but most certainly ordinary things. Consider volunteering. Volunteer with a local charity or with the American Association of Malaysia (AAM) or both and take advantage of all the benefits. If you are interested in volunteering with one of our treasured charities that the AAM supports, we would love to have you. Several of our charities are just in need of hands to help and other have needs for those that can teach and spend time helping children. We are also looking for someone to liaise with our charities and see what their needs are so we can try to help fill them in some small way. Maybe we need to do a shoe drive, or a canned food drive, school supplies, etc. If you have a heart for charities and want to become more involved with the community, please contact Peggy at president.aam@gmail.com
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Weekly Activities All activities are at the AAM Villa @ The Troika unless noted.
MONDAY
Mahjong 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Members FREE / Non-Members RM10 donation (The first two visits are complimentary.) Get rid of those Monday blues by playing a lively game of mahjong. We’ll shuffle the tiles, make ‘pungs’ and ‘kongs’, and enjoy the afternoon. Beginners are welcome. For more information, please email klamericaninfo@gmail.com and include “Mahjong” in the subject line.
WEDNESDAY
Stitching Friends 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Members FREE / Non-Members RM10 donation (The first two visits are complimentary.) New and seasoned sewing enthusiasts work together to share their love of the stitching arts. We meet at the AAM Villa @ The Troika. Please contact Coordinator, Jeanie Kennedy at jhkennedyuk@yahoo.co.uk for details. Please be sure to put “Stitching Friends” in the subject line.
Monthly Activities Tuesday, 3 May 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. St. Francis Xavier Home for the Elderly Taman Sri Bahtera, Batu Lima Cheras Tel: (03) 9131-1464
Wednesday, 4 May 6:00 p.m. onwards Tapas Beer Bar, One Residency, 1 JalanNagasari
Bingo with Little Sisters of the Poor Join our monthly bingo game to help spread the joy at this home for the elderly! We will bring prizes for the winners. The bingo morning is one of the highlights of the month for the residents. Please email klamerican.info@gmail.com if you can join us or would like more information.
Gentlemen’s Night Out
Calling all Gentlemen!
For many of us getting out and socializing with other men folk can be difficult, with working all week and weekends reserved for family. Well, no more! There will be a ‘Gentlemen’s Night Out’ every first Wednesday of the month in the popular Changkat Bukit Bintang area. The format is entirely informal with the chance to sample some craft beers and great grub - and plenty of scope to move onto play some pool, darts or even just talk on manly matters! See you there! Stan RSVP: Useful but not needed. Email: drstanbrook@hotmail.com
Friday, 6 May 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Juan Valdez Café Ground Floor, The Intermark Jalan Tun Razak Cost: Individual
First Friday
Join us for our next First Friday gathering – this month our featured location will be the Juan Valdez coffee bar located on the ground level of the Intermark Building (corner of Tun Razak and Ampung). New comers are welcome to join us here to connect to others that are new in the area and hopefully connect you to our Association and all the great things we do here at the AAM. Everybody welcome. RSVP: klamerican.info@gmail.com (not required but would be nice to know how many to expect).
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May Activities
Greetings from ISKL! The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) will host an Open Day on Thursday, May 5, 2016. The International School of Kuala Lumpur is a not for profit, parent-owned, parent governed School.
Friday, 6 May 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Savini Ristorante Italiano 2nd Level – The Intermark (Jalan Tun Razak) Cost: Individual
For more information and to RSVP, please visit: http://www.iskl.edu.my/open-day Open Day Thursday, May 5, 2016 10:00 am - 12:00 pm The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) Ampang Campus: JalanKerja Ayer Lama 68000 Ampang, Selangor (T) 03-4259 5622 (E) communications@iskl.edu.my
Come celebrate Mother’s Day with us as we enjoy a fabulous lunch made with love at K.L.’s newest Italian restaurant, Savini. They offer a full range of fine dining for lunch from a set menu to ala carte items that are both delicious and freshly prepared. This may just become one of your new favorite places to eat. We will have lucky draws throughout the lunch and who knows what other surprises. RSVP: klamerican.aam@gmail.com by Wednesday, 4 May.
Summer Fun Saturday, 14 May 7:00 p.m. - ? 16 Jalan Madge / Gallery @ Uthant Cost: Members RM50 / Non-Members RM75
Join the AAM for dinner and drinks and help us kick off the start of SUMMER! You won’t want to miss the fun as we gather on the rooftop for this “Here Comes Summer” Party. Everything is provided in the ticket price – dinner and drinks. There will be prizes and surprises. Fun Summer beach wear will also be modelled throughout the evening and will be available to purchase. RSVP: klamerican@aam.gmail.com by Wednesday, 11 May
Looking Ahead… Be sure to mark these dates for activities in May: 01 June – Gentlemen’s Night Out 03 June – First Friday 07 June – BINGO at Little Sister KL American May 2016
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See New Zealand By May Ho “I LOVE New Zealand!” That is what I can’t help but blurt out to friends when I share about my vacations. Of all the places to visit in the world, New Zealand is probably the farthest any of us will ever travel to. But my husband and I have been there three times over the past few years – spending on average, five weeks on each trip. THAT’s how much we love the place. And there is so much to enjoy – everywhere you look, there’s stunning scenery, it’s super clean (you can drink water straight from many of the streams and lakes), there are more sheep than there are humans (which gives you lots of quiet time), and… most of all, we love the freedom that being in New Zealand brings.
Like many who visit New Zealand, my husband and I rent a camper van. This gives us lots of flexibility for our holidays. With a small fridge, and a fully-equipped small kitchen, we can easily stop anywhere we wantand go on a hike or a kayak trip, without worrying about rushing to the closest town to find a hotel, or to get food before all the stores are closed. And while some fear that it will feel cramped inside, I can say, sleeping in a campervan has been one of the coziest experiences I’ve ever had. There are many options for where to spend a night, including privately run holiday parks, to government run camping designated areas. They can be found throughout the country. We first visited New Zealand in December of 2012. (That’s the peak of their summer) and on that trip we toured both the North and South Island.I must say, we truly fell in love with what the South Island has to offer. It has some of the world’s most dramatic landscapes, with incredible wildlife, impressive glaciers and crystal blue colored lakes. It truly lives up to the phrase “God’s country”. Each region is different, which is a wonderful surprise if you enjoy exploring.
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On our trips, we’ve seen deer, wild goats, all kinds of beautiful birds, sea lions, seals, stingrays.... the list goes on and on. The good news is there are no dangerous plants or animals of any kind. That means no snakes, scorpions, bears, which makes it a paradise for people who love outdoor activities. “What did you do in New Zealand during your three visits?” People ask this question all the time. My answer is always ‘You will never get bored there. The possibilities for things to do are endless! ‘ You can jet boat, take a helicopter ride onto some glaciers for lunch, there are stunning cycling trails, vineyard and wine tours. If you enjoy wildlife, there are places to peek at penguins and Kiwis. There isalso amazing whale watching tours, and operators that give you a chance to swim with dolphins. And for those who enjoy just relaxing, there are natural thermal hot pools. Our favorite kayaking spot is Elaine Bay in the Pelorus Sound area (which is in the northern part of the South Island). On the days we were last there, we had perfect weather. The water was glass-like calm. There were bays full of moon jellyfish swimming just below the surface, and lots of elegant stingrays zooming around and lying about close to shore, enjoying the warm,early morning sun. Lucky for us we were in our kayak, not in the water when we met them. It was quite an amazing experience to see so many gathered there. Unlike many places around the world, you won’t encounter many people during your hikes. Which means, you can have your own space to enjoy some quiet timeto soak in thebeauty of the mountains, and listen to the wildlife in the forests, especially the song birds – which are legendary in New Zealand. We often saw shy Fantail birds and super friendly robins flying around us. I’m totally not a bird person so those little flying friends always freak me out when they come too CLOSE....
While exploring Elaine bay, we also passed massive mussel farms. They all looked so healthy and juicy hanging on big and thick boat ropes, which dangled down from the surface into the depths. Watching them for two days on kayak made us crave them. So we ended up having mussel-filled meals three days in-a-row right after that kayak trip. Our recipe: Freshly chopped vine-ripened tomatoes, garlic, onions, and locallymade white wine made for the best mussel dishes ever. Yummy!!! By far the thing we enjoy most when in New Zealand is the hiking. And there are tons of trailsthroughout, catering to all levels, from easy walks, to difficult climbs.
This is how close one got to us and it stayed for awhile .... He could be someone’s meal if he comes that close in my homeland of Taiwan (Ha ha… just joking). KL American May 2016
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“How much time do I need?” This is another question our friends often ask. As mentioned, we typically spend about five weeks at a time, but that’s because we really enjoy moving along and exploring every part of the place. But I always say, you can always tailor your trip depending on how many days you have for time off.
beautiful light blue colored glacier just right in front you. The wind in the valley might make your hike tougher but it’s so worth the effort when the reward is this gran. You will appreciate the view even more after hard walk. It’s also a beautiful place to watch stars if you do a multi-day hike in this area. If you really want to enjoy the scenery, one bit of advice is to go early, as the clouds often gather in the afternoon and obscure the view.
For our trip this past January we started our journey in Christchurch on the South Island. From there, we first headed up north along the East coastand spent time in the North of the island. There are some great hikes and kayaks up there, especially in and around Pelorus Sound and Abel Tasman National Park. From there we travelled down south along the west side of the island, where we stopped at glaciers, and eventually ended up in the city of Queenstown. If you only have a few days or a week, you can fly directly to Queenstown and start your vacation from there. This city is known as the adventure capital of the world. There’s white water rafting, bungee jumping, skydiving...to be honest, we’ve tried none of these. My husband and I are big hikers, so we normally tramp in the mountains, and use Queenstown as a place to do, less adventurous things… like shopping! There, we often hunt for souvenirs for friends and family (there are tons of options here). We have great meals, which is agood change from the weeks of motor-homecooking.
Rob Roy glacier by Steve Chao.
There are lots of good restaurants to choose from, but I will have to mention about my husband’s favorite place –which some consider the best hamburger on the planet: “ Ferg burger” (http://www.fergburger.com). I have to warn you,you will need to line up at least 30 minutes during meal hours. It’s a small place with limited seats, but it’s packed and popular. How much does my husband love the hamburgers there!?! Well, he talks about them all the time during our long multi-day hikes, and uses these thoughts for his motivational 20km plus runs (his idea is that the more he runs, the more burgers he can eat). When we get into Queenstown, he has Fergburger for breakfast! He has us get up early to avoid the long lineups (they open early). He often orders the lamb and beef burgers AND… he adds a side of French fries. For Asians, it’s not normal in our culture to have burgers with French fries for breakfast - #sonothealthy. I know it sounds silly, but this food experience makes up one of the happiest memories for us, and it really is only something we would do in New Zealand. Another great experience is picking our own fruits.We’ve had a chance to pick blueberries and cherries there, and some places will mix fresh fruits in ice cream or yoghurt for you right on the spot. Yum yum! As for hiking, here is our favorite spot! It’s the MatukitukiValley and it’s located in Mount Aspiring National Park, which is only about an hour drive from the city of Wanaka. If you get a chance to get there, you’ll have to try the Rob Roy Glacier hike.It’s about a 1.5 hour walk up to a lookout and there you will see a 12
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Here are a few more reasons why we keep going back to New Zealand for vacations. Kiwis are very friendly and warm. It’s all around pretty safe, it’s so safe in fact that hitchhiking is normal here.All along the way, there are Isites (information centers) to help you with your trips. (they have free maps, free booking services for accommodations, activities etc.....). Wow. After sharing about our great experiences in New Zealand, it makes me realize how much I miss it.Even after being there three times, there are still so many places we haven’t explored yet!! I think we are ready for our fourth visit!! How about you, we will see you there in December?! For more information, please visit some of New Zealand’s official websites like that belonging to the Department Of Conservation. http://doc.govt.nz
Let’s talk about Facebook. By Debz Rafferty It is a great tool and certainly when my son was rushed to the hospital earlier this week it was a great wayto keep his followers informed on what was going on. I say “his followers” because when I post a photo of him I get over 100 likes and when I put up a picture of me it rarely gets 10. However, when the President of the United States says to schoolchildren that “They should watch what they write on Facebook,” it means we have a problem! The thing about Facebook is when you accept someone as a friend they have access to all sorts of information. Where you live, where you work and also when you go on holiday. Some insurance companies have stopped paying for damages and loss of belongings from break-ins that followed a post like “Woo hooFlorida for two weeks.” You are basically telling a would-be burglar that he can take his time when emptying your house! We have to be realistic - our attachment to Cyberspace has become almost Matrix-like. We wake up and plug in, we meet pals for coffee and we plug in. Some of us cannot drive in traffic without updating our status! “The Duke highway is busy today.” I have started to have one ‘Phone Free’ day a week. I put my phone on charge at home and leave it! Yup, mad woman that I am, I have a day where I am phoneless! The amount of times I have had someone walk into me at a mall because their focus is on the little screen in their hand, and don’t get me started on my recent restaurant visit where a family of four engaged more in their phones than each other and I have to smile at the local bar/restaurant that advertises“no we don’t have WI-FI, talk to each other.” With the joys of social media there also comes an undercurrent that to some is invisible. Unfortunately, there are young women and teens who get ripped away from their families because their “friend” on Facebookis not who they say they are. On many “Moms’ sites” in the USA they say don’t post photographs of your kid’s bedrooms. Without being alarmist, you have to realise that by doing this you are giving a would-be kidnapper a map of your kid’s room. Where the window is, where the door is and where your kid is going to be when they sleep! There is an algorithm on Facebook that posts the location on the photos that you post. So now anyone watching your page knows where you live. Now you may say“But only my friends and family see my page and my photos.” Well I wonder if you went through your friends list now, how many of those people do you really know? Have you heard of the TV show “Catfish”?It is a program that finds out if the person you have been cyber-dating for months is really who they say they are. It is worth a watch, as some of their discoveries are an eye opener! A handsome young man, who has written sweet nothings to you for months could turn out to be a 60-year-old woman! A couple of weeks ago, I opened my Facebook page and noticed in the “people you may know” pop-up, there was something odd. Look at the picture and see if you see what I mean. You will notice there are two photographs on the left that are the same, but they have different names. I did a double take, and noticed that it said one of my friends was already friends with them. So I clicked on the first picture and then friends, it did not take me long to find out that the “odd twins” were friends with my same friend. I took a photograph and send her an SMS, I enclosed a picture of the dubious duo and told her to check her friends list. It seems the two men had sent her a friend request in the last few days. First one guy then a
couple of days later, the other. She had not noticed it was the same photograph on the two profiles. I asked if she knew either of the guys, and she said they looked familiar and that she just thought she knew them through her work. I explained to her what can happen when you friend someone you don’t know. 1. They now have access to your friend’s list, which means they can spread their net wider. 2. They now have access to some of your friend’s profiles. Pictures that you post have security options, for example only your friends can see them, another setting is that your friends and friends of friends can see your photographs. Check your settings, if it says “Public” your page is wide open. 3. They can also message your friends to carry out a popular scam:“Annie is on holiday with us - she has been in an accident and needs hospital care. Can you send money?” Criminals are becoming cleverer. They create profiles that are attractive to you. www.crystalknows.com has a program that analyses your public media and informs the user what you do and do not like, what you respond to and even what language to use when interacting with you. An interesting tool when you are going into business with someone, or if you know they will be interviewing you for your next job, but I think it is a worrying tool forthose who want in your life to do you damage! I receive friend requests from random people almost daily. I have a filter set up on my page now that means if you message me and you are not on my friends list it goes into a junk folder, which I don’t see unless I click on it. I occasionally look at it just in case there is a genuine person trying to contact me. The junk folder is full of promises of millions of dollars if I would just contact “Dr no chance mate” a lawyer from Nigeria. It amazes me how many of my relatives have died in car crashes in Nigeria. I have even had one that was very creepy, this guy who addressed me as “sweet tender” said “he had been watching me and wanted to start a romantic relationship.” My response to that was “BLOCK” weirdo! There are many sites that can walk you through how to make your Facebook page safe. Just put “How can I make my Facebook safe” and you will find lots of useful information. Parents – not only does this article provide you with some useful and eye opening information, please use it as a “warning” to keep an eye on your kids (regardless of their age) and how they use their Facebook profile. Facebook is fun to connect with people from high school or from your old neighbourhood but it can also be a dangerous place when too much information is accessible to many strangers. So stay safe and stay savvy! KL American May 2016
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Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease You Should Not Ignore They say it is a “Silent Disease”. It is such a common condition these days due to the epidemic of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. In many cases, people who have underlying chronic kidney disease don’t even know it because the early signs can be very subtle or even absent. It can take many years to go from chronic kidney disease (CKD) to kidney failure. There are many people with CKD who live out their lives without ever reaching kidney failure. Yes, people with chronic kidney disease do have a decent chance of never having their kidneys fail. Provided they detect the disease early and see the doctor early and persist on regular follow-up visits to monitor the condition.
Dr. Soehardy Zainudin MD (UKM), M. MED (UKM), M. MED (Singapore), MRCP (UK), MRCPS (Glasgow), AM (Mal) Consultant Nephrologist & Physician Tropicana Medical Centre
At any stage of kidney disease, it is good to at least know some of the common symptomatology of the disease. Knowing the symptoms of kidney disease can help you seek the treatment you need. If you or someone you know has one or more of the following symptoms of CKD, or you worry about kidney problems, see a doctor for blood and urine tests. Remember, many of the symptoms are non-specific and thus can be caused by other health problems. The only way to know the cause of your symptoms is to see your doctor and let him assess you properly. A change in kidney function is usually discovered through a routine blood or urine test. If you are diagnosed with kidney disease, your kidney function will be monitored with regular blood and urine tests during your clinic visitsand treatment aims to keep any symptoms to a minimum. In other words, it tries to arrest the disease from becoming worse. If the kidneys continue to lose function and there is progression towards kidney failure (established renal failure), the doctor will be able to pick this up by blood tests and monitoring. Usually these will include a Renal Function test and Urinalysis. Maybe even an ultrasound scan of the kidneys.
TROPICANA MEDICAL CENTRE
11, Jalan Teknologi, PJU 5, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. T: +603-6287 1111 W: www.tropicanamedicalcentre.com FB: www.facebook.com/TropicanaMedicalCentre E: enquiries@tropicanamedicalcentre.com
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If progressive kidney failure does occur, the symptoms may include the following: • Weight loss and poor appetite o yes, even your favourite dishes won’t taste nice anymore. • Swollen ankles, feet or hands (due to water retention) o you won’t be able to fit your shoes or slippers • Shortness of breath o in the early stages this presents as persistent coughing especially when lying down
• Blood or protein in your urine (protein in your urine is not something you will notice as it can only be detected during a urine test) o you might notice more bubbles or froth in your urine • An increased need to urinate, particularly at night • On the other hand, the urine volume might decrease as the disease progresses • Tiredness o you may not be able to exert the same amount of physical strength or capacity as before you had the condition • Insomnia o difficulty to fall asleep or you might experience waking up rather early • Itchy skin o sometimes drying of the skin • Muscle cramps • High blood pressure (hypertension) o You will notice your blood pressure go higher as the disease progresses • Nausea • Erectile dysfunction in men (an inability to get or maintain an erection) o again a non-specific symptom which may occur in other conditions as well These are general symptoms and can be caused by many less serious conditions. Many of the symptoms above can be avoided if treatment begins at an early stage, before any symptoms appear. The important thing is that with knowledge of these symptoms, you will be alerted early and seek appropriate help from your doctor. If you require an ambulance service, dial our 24hr Emergency Hotline at +603-6287 1999. Our dedicated ambulance service is well-equipped with experienced paramedics and well-trained emergency medical staff to deliver a wide range of medical services in times of emergencies. For more info, kindly contact our Expatriate Liaison, Sarah at 018-2111 259. When should you call an Ambulance? Experience heart attack/severe chest pain, experience breathing difficulty, paediatric & neonatal cases, experience severe abdominal pain, experience severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, strokes, fainting, convulsions/fits/seizure, trauma (injury)/ road or motor vehicle accident, fractures / dislocation / serious sprain, require emergency evacuations, require medical transportation services
Your one stop shop for all your beauty needs.
Colour Parlour
Specializes in bringing out the beauty in your hair. Served by a team of hair stylists, manicurists and a waxing beautician, this hub personalise customers’ needs to rejuvenate the inner beauty to shine on the outside. We welcome walk in customers, but to avoid disappointment, Customers by appointment is much preferred. We provide free consultations on hair topics and a 20% discount to first time customers. We use L’Oréal Professional products. We are located on the third (3rd) floor, No. 306 Plaza Ampang City, off Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur. With easy assessibility, Colour Parlour is the perfect place to let yourself be pampered, relax and leave feeling beautiful. There is a car park located downstairs in the building and plenty of street parking available as well. Located very close to Susie’s Corner! Please contact Ms. Fiona Lau / Ms. Kelly Lao for free consultations and appointments. Tel: +603 4251 4484 [O] HP: +6012 267 2699 [Fiona] Email: Fiona_68@live.com KL American May 2016
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Memories Carey Island Tour – 9 March Photos by Jinan Jabagi
Members of the AAM joined with members from other associations and headed out to Carey Island for a day tour. A cultural experience was enjoyed by all.
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KL American May 2016
Memories Carey Island Tour – 9 March
Photos by Jinan Jabagi
KL American May 2016
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Memories Lazat Cooking School – 24 March Photos by Leslie Sjurseth
A small group of AAM members joined in on the fun at the LaZat Cooking School for this special class on how to prepare Dhall curry as well as Roti Canai. Looks like everyone was having a good time.
Gentlemen’s Night Out – 6 April Photo by Stan Uptigrove
The boys are still going strong with their once a month gathering. Guys – gather together for beers and conversation with some darts and billiards for some added fun.
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KL American May 2016
Absentee Voting Information for U.S. Citizens Abroad Make your vote count! Every overseas U.S. citizen is eligible to vote by absentee ballot as long as it is valid and reaches local election officials by the absentee ballot receipt deadline. Unfortunately, late ballots are one of the top reasons that absentee ballots are rejected by election officials. To make the most out of your vote, please follow a few simple steps to make sure that you can vote in the 2016 U.S. elections: 1. Request Your Ballot: Complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). You must complete a new FPCA after January 1, 2016 to ensure you receive your ballot for the 2016 elections - even if you have completed one before. All overseas citizens must complete a new Federal Post Card Application each year to ensure they are not dropped from the voter register. The completion of the FPCA allows you to request absentee ballots for all elections for federal offices (President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives) including primaries and special elections during the calendar year in which it is submitted. The FPCA is accepted by all local election officials in all U.S. states and territories. You can complete the FPCA online at FVAP. gov. The online voting assistant will ask you questions specific to your state. We encourage you to ask your local election officials to deliver your blank ballots to you electronically (by email, internet download, or fax, depending on your state). Include your email address on your FPCA to take advantage of the electronic ballot delivery option. Return the FPCA per the instructions on the website. FVAP.gov will tell you if your state allows the FPCA to be returned electronically or if you must submit a paper copy with original signature. If you must return a paper version, please see below for mailing options. 2. Receive and Complete Your Ballot: States are required to send out ballots 45 days before a regular election for federal office and states generally send out ballots at least 30 days before primary elections. For most states, you can confirm your registration and ballot delivery online. Check out the FVAP links page for helpful resources that will aid your research of candidates and issues. Non-partisan information about candidates, their voting records, and their positions on issues are widely available and easy to obtain on-line. You can also read national and hometown newspapers on-line, or search the internet to locate articles and information. For information about election dates and deadlines, subscribe to FVAP’s Voting Alerts (vote@fvap.gov). FVAP also shares Voting Alerts via Facebook and Twitter. 3. Return Your Completed Ballot: Please remember U.S. Embassies are not polling places. Same-day in-person voting is not available outside the United States. Some states allow you to return your completed ballot electronically and others do not. If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials, you can do so free of charge at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. - Fax, Email, or Internet Some states allow ballots to be submitted electronically. Check the specific requirements of your state since some require you to still mail in the signed paper ballot. - Election Materials Drop-Off at the Embassy U.S. citizens may drop off voting materials to be returned to the U.S. any business day between 9am and 3pm, at the front gate of the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur at 376 Jalan Tun Razak. Place your registration materials or ballots in the postage paid return envelope (provided by your election officials, or use the online templates for registration or ballots) and address your voting materials to the relevant local election officials. Processing time is generally one to two weeks for materials to reach the U.S. postal system. - Use the Malaysian Postal System or Private Courier Service If it’s more convenient for you, you can also return your FPCA or ballot to your local election officials via international mail or professional courier service at your own expense. Affix the appropriate postage to your envelope when sending materials through the Malaysian Postal System. Do not forget to write USA on the address. Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP) website, FVAP.gov. You may also get information via FVAP’s toll-free telephone number: 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or by contacting the ACS Unit at KLACS@ state.gov. Remember, make your vote count!
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AAM Messages AAM Online Communities
Holidays in May
01 May – Labour Day (office closed 2 May) The AAM is on Facebook! “Like” the AAM Facebook fan page by logging on, typing ‘American Association of Malaysia’ in the Search bar at the top of the page and clicking ‘Like.’ You’ll get the latest information on all of AAM’s exciting events and activities!
Introducing the AAM Google Group - a forum for members to consult with other members on queries and recommendations for anything from best family hotels to dentists to household help. Members can join in two ways. First, you can send an email to secondvp.aam@gmail.com with the email addresses you would like to add to the Google Group. Please put “Need AAM Google Group Invite” in the header of the email. The second way to join is you can go to Google Groups, search for American Association of Malaysia and then ask to be invited and the Administrator can add you. When you receive the invite via email, you must respond to complete the registration process. For more information, go to http:// www.klamerican.com/online-communities.
Membership Renewal
To avoid missing any issues of the magazine and to continue receiving discounted prices for AAM events, please make sure your membership is up to date. Renewal notices will be emailed to you one month before expiration. Dues can be paid by cash or check in person at the AAM Villa @ The Troika by or cash deposit to the AAM’s bank account directly.
Your $0.02 Do you have any ideas or suggestions for new activities, events or workshops that may be of interest to our members? Can you think of ways we can improve our current line-up? Any concerns about the AAM’s building facilities? Your feedback, whether positive or negative, is always welcome. Kindly drop us a note in the Suggestion Box located in the villa or email klamerican.info@gmail.com.
Solicitation Policy Solicitation of business by any member or guest is not allowed at any AAM function without prior board approval. Members are requested to respectfully observe the policy that membership information is to be used solely for AAM business and is not to be used for personal or business solicitation purposes. If you are interested in sharing your talents/services with the AAM, please contact the AAM office.
Reservation & Payment Policy
Event and Activity reservations can be made via email to klamerican. info@gmail.com, in person or via fax. • If the reservation is made via email or fax, the AAM office will send you an acknowledgment receipt and advise whether or not the activity is still available. • Fees MUST be paid within 48 hours of signing up for an event or activity. You will not be “confirmed” for the event/activity until payment in full has been received by the office. • You may pay by cash or check in person at the AAM Villa @ The Troika or cash deposit to the AAM’s bank account directly. If you wish to deposit cash payments to the AAM’s bank account, please contact the AAM office for account information and instructions (your bank may charge you a minimal fee for this service). • We cannot accept credit card payments at the office. We are currently working on details to secure an on-line payment system for your convenience. Further information to come.
Cancellation Policy
• Reservations MUST be cancelled FIVE BUSINESS DAYS prior to the activity in order to received a refund. If you do not cancel your reservation within this time period or you are a no-show the day of the Event/Activity, a refund will not be issued. • For Events/Activities that have a required minimum attendance, AAM reserves the right to cancel or reschedule when circumstances warrant. • Each Event/Activity will have a sign up deadline date and we must adhere to those dates. This allows instructors of classes to gather all required materials or tour companies to arrange the proper transportation for our group. • If you still have not made payment by the reservation deadline for an Event/Activity, your name will be automatically removed from the sign-up sheet and there will be no further correspondence from the AAM office. To avoid disappointment, please make your payment within 48 hours of making your reservation.
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KL American May 2016
TAKING The KLIA Ekspres – how easy
US EMBASSY We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Malaysia enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at http://www. travel.state.gov/. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the embassy or nearest consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is located at 376 Jalan Tun Razak 50400, Kuala Lumpur and is open 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If you are a U.S. citizen and have any questions or concerns, please call the U.S. Embassy at (03) 2168-5000 or visit the U.S. Citizens Service website at http:// malaysia.usembassy.gov/. We will post the most updated information on the website. USEFUL LINKS: CountyOffice.org is the most accurate internet database of county government offices in the United States. Use our site to locate your county assessor, board of elections, chamber of commerce, child support offices, colleges, coroner, courts, and much more, with all relevant details.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS EMERGENCY POLICE......................................................................999 FIRE & RESCUE.........................................................999 CIVIL DEFENSE.........................................................999 ANY EMERGENCIES FROM MOBILE PHONE............112 UTILITIES... ELECTRICITY/POWER FAILURE............................ 15454 WATER DISRUPTION................................1800 88 5252 SEWAGE SYSTEM.....................................03 2780 1100 OPERATOR DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES............................................100 ANIMALS MISSING PETS..........................................03 4021 1682 SNAKES & PESTS......................................03 4042 6742 ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER. (24 HRS.).....03 4041 6742
For more than a decade, KLIA Ekspres has been taking air travelers and commuters to their destination safely, comfortably and on time. The service remains the fastest and most reliable way to get from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to KL Sentral, with the journey taking just under half an hour. However, the success of KLIA Ekspres is not simply due to it being the most rapid airport transfer in Malaysia. The state-of-the-art trains are immaculately clean, quiet, have ample storage space and are equipped with complimentary 4G WiFi. KLIA Ekspres also offers an easy-touse online ticketing and Trip Planner to help passengers get to where they need to go without fuss. Positive TripAdvisor reviews continue to laud KLIA Ekspres as a convenient and smooth means of travelling to Kuala Lumpur’s major hubs. It was also named AirRail Link of the Year at the 2012, 2014, and 2015 Global AirRail Awards. There are even more reasons to choose KLIA Ekspres on the horizon. Despite the revision of the standard fares, as of 1st January 2016, a variety of special offers will allow you to continue using the KLIA Ekspres while making significant savings. 1. Buy a Return Ticket and save RM10 Although the Single Trip Ticket has increased to RM55, the cost for a Return Ticket is only RM100. The trains depart every 15 minutes during peak hours, so you can beat the rush hour traffic and save on both the time and money you might otherwise spend on a taxi fare. 2. Save 10% when you buy online, via the mobile app or at the Self-Service Kiosk (SSK) KLIA Ekspres is committed to helping people reach their destinations as quickly and easily as possible. Travelers have the option of buying tickets for both themselves and their family effortlessly via the website or with the user friendly app. Passengers also have the option of using self-service kiosks (SSKs) at the stations to avoid waiting in line at the ticket counter. For additional convenience, those who purchase their tickets online, through the mobile app or at the SSKs will save an extra 10% off the overall fare. For example, as of the 1st of January this year, an Adult Single Trip Ticket between KL Sentral and KLIA/ KLIA2 will cost just RM 49.50 when you pay via the above methods. What’s more, a Return Ticket will be RM90 overall, meaning just RM45 each way. 3. Save 20% with MasterCard Credit and Debit Cards In addition to the discount you get when you buy online or via the mobile app or at the self-service kiosks, you can save even more on the ticket price by using your MasterCard Credit or Debit card. If you use your MasterCard, you can buy a Return Ticket for just RM80, and a Single Trip Ticket to your destination would cost only RM44. 4. 20% cashback for purchase with any AmBank, AmBank Islamic or MBF credit card KLIA Ekspres works with partners such as the banks to offer great deals to the public. For example, there is a 20% cash back offer for passengers who use AmBank, AmBank Islamic, or MBF credit cards when buying tickets at the counter, online, or at the kiosk. 5. Save 10% when using Touch ‘n Go Card at the Gates Using a Touch ‘n Go card is an ideal way to get to your destination in the quickest time possible. When you use your Touch ‘n Go card for the KLIA Ekspres, you can take 10% off the ticket price. That means a Single Trip Ticket between KL Sentral and KLIA/KLIA2 will only cost you RM49.50 rather than the RM55 you would have to pay otherwise. So, get smart and make full use of the various offers available to enjoy savings with KLIA Ekspres. These offers are valid from 1st January 2016 until further notice. KLIA Ekspres will be coming out with more smart saving options for its passengers to continue enjoying the fastest airport transfer in the country. Look out for more promotional deals at www.kliaekspres.com. KL American May 2016
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american association of malaysia KL Sun 1
Mon 2
Tues 3
Office Closed
10 - 11 a.m. Bingo @ Little Sisters of the Poor
Wed 4
10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Stitching Friends
Thu 5
May 2016
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9:30 - 11:30 a.m. First Friday @ Juan Valdez / Intermark
6:00 p.m. Gentlemen’s Night Out Taps Bar
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12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Mothers Day Lunch SaviniLevel 2 Intermark
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1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Mahjong
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Mahjong
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Mahjong
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Mahjong
Subang Jaya Medical Centre
For enquireies, please call -
+603 5639 1212
10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Stitching Friends
10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Stitching Friends
10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Stitching Friends
Ara Damansara Medical Centre
7:00 p.m. - ? Kick Off to Summer Party
VENUE KEY
AAM Office Tel: (03) 2161-9008 / 9009
AAM Villa @ The Troika
email: klamerican.info@gmail.com
ParkCity Medical Centre
1, Jalan SS12/1A, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor
Lot 2, Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang, Seksyen U2, 40150, Shah Alam, Selangor
No.2, Jalan Intisari Perdana, Desa ParkCity, 52200 Kuala Lumpur
Your One-Stop Medical Centre with Centres of Excellence in
Your One-Stop Medical Centre with Centres of Excellence in
Your Family-friendly Hospital aiming to be a regional leader in the specialties of
• Cancer • Blood Diseases • Digestive & Liver Health
• Brain • Heart • Spine & Joints
• Women • Children • Elderly Health
or email -
mcu@ramsaysimedarbyhealth.com
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KL American May 2016
www.ramsaysimedarby.asia
KL American May 2016
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(60-3) 5565 2200 KL American May 2016
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