PP 4353/05/2013 (033269)
May 2015
KL
american
A Publication of the American Association of Malaysia KL American May 2015
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Extra care comes as standard The support you need to make relocating more successful for the whole family.
Crown service offerings include: • International & Domestic Shipments • Immigration & Legalization • Intercultural Support • Transit Insurance • Home Search • School Search
Tel: +60 3 5636 9166 kualalumpur@crownrelo.com
Go knowing
www.crownrelo.com/malaysia 2
KL American May 2015
Contents AAM May 2015 Advertisers Index Advertisers
(A-Z)
4
5
Page
Aidea Art
p.13
Asian Tigers Transpo
Back Cover
City Motors
p.13
Crown Relocations
Inside Front Cover
Eastern Carpets
p.23
Tan & Tan
Inside Back Cover
The Expat
p.24
RSDHC
p.17, 26
Verticas Residensi
p.17
Tropicana Medical Centre
p.18
President’s Message
7
6 7 8 9
Membership
Community Service
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Weekly Activities / Monthly Activities
10 14
14
What’s On at the AAM
Digital Shoebox: Anytime is Tea Time!
16 18
Perspectives: Guards
Health Care in Malaysia
19 24 25
16
BOH Tea Fields; Photo by Chantel Uptigrove
19
Editorial
Memories
AAM Messages
AAM Community Bulletin Board
26
AAM Calendar, May
25 KL American May 2015
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President’s Message Oh how the time flies! This year has just been flying by and as I sit here writing my note, I can’t believe that Spring has quickly turned to Summer. We just had such a terrific Great Gatsby Ball. I hope you were able to enjoy it with us. I want to start by giving a very big THANK YOU to Sherlyn Bourne, our exiting Major Events Director, as she and her team did a fantastic job of making the night a great one. Our Ball is a major undertaking and having helped out a bit on the event really made me appreciate the Winter Wonderland Ball last year because it too was amazing, but I had taken for granted just how much work went into making it so great. Our next big things before the “summer break” are the AGM at the end of this month and some fun activities Peggy Uptigrove and her fantastic Activity Coordinators have put together. If you have a great idea for our members to do, please do not hesitate to contact anyone on the Board and let them know.You can just pass on the idea or help to coordinate it yourself.We would love to have your input (as well as your feedback) so please let us know your thoughts. It is with much regret that I inform you that I will not be continuing on as President past the AGM. As my boys grow bigger, every day they demand more of my time and attention and leave less time for my “job” with the AAM. I will also be coordinating our family’s move stateside by mid to late fall which we are excited about after 3 years here. I look forward to assisting the board while I’m still here and volunteering on committees until our bags are packed and we are heading to the airport! So please give our new President elect, Donna Sawyer, a warm welcome to the position as she’s no stranger to the board (or hard work). I would also like to take a moment to thank all of the mothers, sisters, aunties, and “aunties” out there that deserve a special shout out on Mother’s Day. You all make the world a better place and have helped mould the current and future leaders and for that kudos to you!
Stephanie Emilo President
Corporate Partners For 2015 Presidential
Liberty
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KL American May 2015
Board of Directors President Stephanie Emilo President.aam@gmail.com 1st Vice President VACANT FirstVP.aam@gmail.com 2nd Vice President Peggy Uptigrove SecondVP.aam@gmail.com Secretary Ann Blacklock Secretary1.aam@gmail.com Treasurer Donna Sawyer Treasurer.aam@gmail.com Publications Director VACANT Editor.KLAmerican@gmail.com Major Events Director Leslie Sjurseth Majoreventsdir.aam@gmail.com Membership Director VACANT Membershipdirector.aam@gmail.com Community Service Director VACANT Communityservice.aam@gmail.com Corporate Relations Director Morgan Mehta Corprelations.aam@gmail.com Bazaar Directors Lovie Alptunaer and Mary Mantei Bazaardirector.aam@gmail.com
Liaison Directors American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Stephanie Chua ISKL Hilda Alposilva US Embassy Jessica Schnepple Samantha Elfmont General Manager Ann Tan
Editorial
KL
American
Help Wanted…
Magazine Team
Editor Peggy Uptigrove Photo Editors Judy Pescio Randee Duncan Contributors Stephanie Emilo Marilyn Kindy Morgan Mehta Debz Rafferty Chantel Uptigrove Proofreaders Randee Duncan Stephanie Emilo Marilyn Kindy Ann Tan Peggy Uptigrove
The AAM is currently looking for a new Publications Director to take on the exciting task of working closely with our Graphic Designer in doing the magazine layout. Kim Starr, our previous Editor, has done a fantastic job of building the relationship between the AAM and our Graphic Designer, and we are looking for someone to fill her shoes and continue this great work.
Editorial Support Ann Tan Designer Yap Wai Kuan Advertising Sales Ann Tan Tel: (03) 2161-9008 / 9009
If you are interested in knowing more about what is required, or if you just want to jump in with both feet, please do not hesitate to contact either our President, Stephanie Emilo at President.aam@gmail.com or our Second Vice President, Peggy Uptigrove at SecondVP.aam@gmail.com.
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. 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”
GST HAS ARRIVED! The American Association of Malaysia has incorporated the Government imposed GST Tax of 6% on all of our activities, tours, classes and events. We have re-priced our activities to include the GST in the listed price in the magazine. When paying for an activity, a receipt will be issued showing the GST you have paid. If you have any questions, please contact the AAM office at (03) 2161-9008/9009.
Tel: (03) 2161-9008 / 9009 Fax: (03) 2181-7005 E-mail: klamerican.info@gmail.com website: www.klamerican.com
WE’VE MOVED!
Mon, Wed, & Thu. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tue & Fri 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Closed from 1– 2 p.m. every work day for lunch Closed Sat, Sun and public holidays
PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW LOCATION. KL American May 2015
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Membership no idea how you got there. Pat and Everett have two children. Their son and his wife live in Germany and have two little boys. They are hoping to come this summer, and look forward to visiting the elephant sanctuary. Their daughter and her husband live in Texas and are also planning a trip this summer. From the looks of it, Pat will know every hidden gem in the city to take her family along with being able to cook them up a few choice dishes!
As Membership Director, I try to meet as many of our members as I can. Since our move to The Troika, we have had quite a few new members join which is exciting. We are always interested in hearing from our members and learning what our membership is interested in. I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of our new members to ask her a few questions about her experience in Kuala Lumpur so far.
Thank you, Pat for allowing me to interview you, and we appreciate your support of the AAM.
Pat and her husband, Everett Hanna, moved here in mid-January. They thought they were retired, and then an opportunity presented itself in KL. They made the decision, and in a matter of weeks moved here with a few suitcases. Pat and her husband’s last overseas assignment was in Beijing. Pat joined the Association as a way to meet people and learn more about KL. She’s done a few tours to learn her way around. She is less intimidated by the city after figuring out you can get somewhere a few ways but you can’t go back that way!! I admit that is very confusing when you first arrive. You have
“Selamat Datang ke AAM!” to our new members for April: Robin & Ross Burnstad
If you have any questions for membership or an idea that you think is something we should look into, email me at membershipdirector. aam@gmail.com.
Morgan Mehta Membership Director
SelamatDatang 12th edition
Gertie Chong price per set (2 volumes):
Michael Grossman
RM53
Patricia & Everett Hanna Melinda & Erik Klanderman Moira & Roland Martland Paul & Dawn Rusch
Annual General Meeting/Potluck All members are invited to stop by the AAM Villa @ The Troika on Thursday, 28 May for the AAM’s Annual General Meeting. Enjoy coffee and refreshments while we vote in the new Executive Board for 2015/16. Plan to bring a dish to share and stick around for a potluck lunch after the formalities are conducted. See page 8 for details.
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Now on sale at the AAM
Tel: (03) 2161-9008 / 2161-9009
School Supply Drive As the school year continues, why not drop off any papers, pencils, backpacks, or other school supplies at the AAM for a back-to-schooldrive for our charities? There is a basket at the AAM where you can donate supplies to help meet the needs of our kids.
Community Service
Dignity for Children http://www.dignityforchildren.org/
In March, a group of AAM members visited Dignity for Children Foundation in Sentul, an AAM-supported charity. Dignity is one of the largest one-stop learning centers for urban poor children in Malaysia and currently serves 700 children between the ages of 2 - 17 with education programs from preschool to secondary and vocational training. AAM members were warmly welcomed with songs conducted and sung by students. Then, AAM members toured the facilities and had the opportunity to speak with students and teachers, many of whom had returned to Dignity after their own graduation. Dignity for Children’s passion for education is evident in all that it does. Donations– monetary, groceries, detergent and toiletries, stationery–are always welcome. There is a list of “needs” outlined on page 25 or you can contact the AAM office at klamerican.info@gmail.com for more information.
Fugee School
http://fugeeschool.com There is always a need somewhere and often times the AAM is asked to help. Recently, the AAM received the following letter: Hello, My name is Deborah Henry and I co-founded and run Fugee School, which is an education centre for refugee children living in Malaysia. We started the school in May 2009 and we are located in Gombak which is about 20 minutes on the Duke Highway. We currently have 100 students age 4-18 years old. Most of our students are Somali with a few from Nigeria and Syria. The purpose for my email is that we have just started an ‘English as a Second Language’ course for the youth and young adults and we are looking for a few volunteers to help teach. Ideally they should
have qualifications to teach English but we will also accept anyone who has had some prior teaching experience and can do their own lesson plans. Our current teaching timetable: 3 classes a week, 1.5 hour sessions 3x a week from 10:30 – 12 noon OR 12 – 2pm. Saturday is possible, too. Please look at our website,www.fugueeschool.com, for more information. Hope to hear from you soon. :) Many Thanks
Deborah 012 2322391
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2015 Thursday, 28 May 11 a.m. AAM Villa @ The Troika
The Annual General Meeting will be held on 28 May prior to this month’s coffee morning/potluck lunch. The AAM’s ordinary membership will vote in person or via proxy for the candidates slated for the Executive Committee (see below). All other positions are by appointment. Our constitution states that each member of the Executive Committee and the Membership Director must be an American citizen. Your membership is highly valued and your attendance would be greatly appreciated! Formalities of the meeting will be followed by a potluck lunch, so you are encouraged to bring a dish (serving 4 – 6) to share.
Executive Committee
(elected by AAM’s ordinary membership)
Cindy Gros Secretary
Ann Blacklock First Vice President
Donna Sawyer President
Peggy Uptigrove Second Vice President
Ordinary Directors
(positions already appointed by Executive Committee)
Lovie Alptunaer Bazaar Director
Morgan Mehta Corporate Relations Director Mary Mantei Bazaar Co-director
Leslie Sjurseth Major Events Director
(positions to be filled) Vacant Membership Director
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Vacant Publications Director
Vacant Community Service Director
VACANT Treasurer
Weekly Activities All activities are at the AAM Villa @ The Troika unless noted.
MONDAY
Mahjong 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Members: free. Non-members: RM32 (Non-members are welcome. 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. Please email mahjong Coordinator, Randee at brduncn@gmail.com to confirm.
WEDNESDAY
Stitching Friends 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Members: free. Non-members: RM32 (Non-members are welcome. 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, Diane Tenney at dianequilts@sbcglobal.net for details. Please be sure to put “Stitching Friends” in the subject line.
Monthly Activities There will be NO First Friday for MAY due to the Labour Day Holiday – AAM office will be closed.
First Fridays
Tuesday, 5 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
Bingo with Little Sisters of the Poor
First Friday will resume in June.
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.
AAM Book Club
Tuesday, 19 May 11:00 a.m. In Colonial Restaurant G-13 The Intermark, 348 Jalan Tun Razak Cost: Individual
Book for May: The Boys in The Boat By Daniel James Brown, 370 pages.
Please join us for the AAM’s most stimulating monthly activity, the AAM Book Club, which meets the third Tuesday of every month at the In Colonial Restaurant in the Intermark Mall. This month’s book is a true story of nine working-class boys from Washington State growing up during the Great Depression who triumph over adversity as the US rowing crew that won Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Set against history, these American boys burst from their small towns into the international limelight, unexpectedly wiping the smile off Adolf Hitler’s face by beating his vaunted German team. (370 pages) RSVP: Appreciated but not necessary. E-mail klamerican.info@gmail.com . KL American May 2015
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What’s On in . . . May Tennis Lessons Mondays, 4 & 11 May 10:00 a.m. – 11:00am KDE (Kebab Darul Ehsan) Taman Tun Adbul Razak, Jalan Kerja Air Lama, Ampang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan These are the last two lessons in the series of 4 that started in April. Lessons continue at KDE with tennis pro, Anthony Yap. Participants may want to move up to a more advanced class once they have completed these four lessons. RSVP: Email klamerican.info@gmail.com.
Mothers Day Out
Lunch will be served after the workshop
STRATO
Tuesday, 12 May, Noon Strato Level 23A,Tower B, The Troika 19 Persiaran KLCC Cost: Individual Parking: Available at The Troika Closest LRT: Ampang Park station Our pick for Lunch Bunch this month is one of the “top” restaurants in KL. Located five floors and one spiral staircase above the AAM Villa in Tower B of The Troika, Strato will be offering set lunch specials for us or you may make your selection from their menu. Please register your attendance before Monday, 11 May. RSVP: Email klamerican.info@gmail.com before Monday, 11 May.
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What’s On in . . . May Spice Factory Tour
Friday, 15 May 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Meet at the side entrance of the InterContinental Hotel, Jalan Ampang (near the Ampang Park LRT station) Cost: Member RM165 / Non-Member RM197 Price includes - 2 way bus transfer inclusive of toll and parking charges - Indian Vegetarian lunch (non halal) in a small local restaurant - Services of an experienced English speaking guide.
Join fellow AAM members as well as members from other Associations on an interesting bus trip to visit a Flour & Indian Spice factory in Klang. During the guided tour of the factory, you will see how various spices (e.g. – coriander, turmeric, fennel, cumin, chili and cinnamon) are blended and milled into different types of curry powders. Participants will have the opportunity to purchase some fresh spices and curry powders, so bring some pocket change if you are interested in making any purchases. The owner will give an interesting talk on the different spices he buys from various countries as well as give a short and easy demonstration of making thick creamy yummy Indian sweets. Our trip will include a home cooked healthy Vegetarian lunch on banana leaf and we will enjoy an Indian classical and folk dance performance. PLEASE INDICATE at time of registration if you have ANY FOOD ALLERGIES so we can make accommodations for you. RSVP: Email klamerican.info@gmail.com before Friday, 8 May.
Water Color Workshop The AAM is pleased to welcome back local artist, James Phua. Mr. Phua will be joining us to teach a WATER COLOR workshop that you won’t want to miss. Students will learn various watercolor techniques as we move through each one of our 4 week topics. You will learn “wet on wet, layering, splattering” and more. Each week, we will paint a new subject while learning these various techniques. The first week will be “Path & Sky”. You will have to sign up to know more about what we will work on in the coming weeks! After you have completed the 4 week course and wish to move on to a more advanced class, we will be offering that (if requested) sometime soon. We have included a very brief bio on Mr. Phua so don’t delay - sign up NOW! Mondays starting 18 May – 8 June (4 weeks) 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. AAM Villa @ The Troika Cost: Members RM 615/ Non-Member RM647 DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF ART MATERIALS Min: 1 / Max: 8 participants Art Materials are RM65 (bring first day of class) and consist of: Art Materials: A set of watercolors (24 colors) A set of watercolor brushes in different sizes Watercolor palette and 2 containers for water Watercolor paper: A3 size (29.5 x 42cm), 200g Newspaper to keep the table clean A roll of tissue papers 2B pencils and erasers
Mr. Phua was born in Malaysia in 1970. He is regarded as one of most talented painters of horses in the field of contemporary international art. James Phua served as the Principal of the Malaysian National Art Gallery’s Creative Centre mentoring thousands of students and dedicating himself to art education. He is a very distinctive artist who has really mastered both oriental and western art and has a lot of experience in teaching both these two main streams of art. He is the founder as well as the Principal of the James Phua Art Centre. James Phua‘s artworks are collected by state leaders, prominent figures and international art collectors. RSVP: Email klamerican.info@gmail.com by Monday, 11 May.
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What’s On in . . . May “Hawkers’ Delight” Cooking Demo
Thursday, 14 May 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. AAM Villa @ The Troika Cost: Members RM90 / Non–Members RM121 Min: 10 / Max: 15 participants
Malaysia is a country with many different cultures, religions....and food. Many have come to visit this beautiful country and enjoyed the food in restaurants and side streets known as” Hawkers’ Delight”. Chef Judy will show you some of the more popular hawker-style dishes that you can prepare with minimum effort in your own home. Featured dishes for this class will be: Hainanese Chicken with rice, Char Siew (BBQ Pork), bean sprouts with oyster sauce, the making of BBQ Sauce and finally, Chili & Ginger sauce for chicken dips. Once Chef Judy has completed her demo - it’s time for lunch! RSVP: Email klamerican.info@gmail.com by Thursday, 7 May.
Origami Origami: from ori meaning “folding”, and kami meaning “paper” is the art of paper folding, which is often associated with Japanese culture. The goal is to transform a flat sheet of paper into a finished sculpture through folding and sculpting techniques. We are excited to offer for the first time, the opportunity to learn this ancient art with a class brought to you by our friend of the AAM, Ms. Kiori Mizutani. Just as the art of folding paper to make a crane is a mystery, so are the details of this class. You will have to sign up to find out what we will be making with our little square pieces of paper! Tuesday, 19 May 10:30am – 12:30pm Cost: Member RM69 / Non-Member RM101 Min: 5 / Max: 10 participants.
RSVP: Email klamerican.info@gmail.com by Tuesday, 12 May.
Couples Cook!
Saturday, 23 May 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Pick up/drop off at Starbucks, Avenue K Cost: Member RM240 / Non-Member RM271 Max: 7 couples (or 15 individuals)
Does your husband like to cook? Or maybe you would like him to learn. Well, we’ve got the perfect class for him! Our ladies’ cooking day at the LaZat Malaysian Cooking Class was so popular that we are setting up a “Teach My Husband to Cook” or “Couples Cook” day. Nestled in the jungle just outside Kuala Lumpur City Center overlooking the lush Penchala Hills, the hands-on classes are presented in English by entertaining Malaysian instructors. Each man or couple will work separately to prepare a 4 - course lunch (consisting of a Malay classic appetizer, main course, side dish and dessert) at his or her own cooking station. Once cooking has finished, the good times continue as we all sit down to to enjoy the “fruits of our labour” for lunch and lively conversation. This really is a fun way to spend the day. The price includes transportation to and from the KLCC area as well as everything you need for a memorable day. Sign up early as space is limited! Ladies, feel free to just send your husband while you enjoy a spa day or just sleep in! RSVP: Email klamerican.info@gmail.com by Friday, 15 May.
AGM Potluck Lunch Once the formalities have been wrapped up for our Annual General Meeting, it’s time for lunch. Please plan to stay after the meeting and share lunch with your New Board of Directors as well as other members. You are encouraged to bring a dish that serves between 4-6 people. Thursday, 28 May 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Multi-Purpose Room – level 3A Troika Tower B 12
KL American May 2015
PLEASE Email klamerican.info@gmail.com by Tuesday, 26 May to confirm your attendance and also indicate what dish you will be bringing to share. See you there.
What’s On in . . . June And Beyond
Looking Ahead... Be sure to mark your calendar for these activities in June and beyond: 05 June – First Friday 09 June – Bingo 16 June – Book Club 18 June – Coffee Morning – Practical Self Defense 30 June – Curry Cooking Class with Chef Judy 03 July – First Friday 04 July – AAM celebrates the 4th!
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Digital Shoebox
Anytime is
Tea Time!
Story by Chantel Uptigrove
Many people know that the high altitude, moderate temperatures, abundant rainfall, long hours of sunshine and well-drained soil are reputed to be the best attributes about the prime cropland of the Cameron Highlands. Nicknamed “Malaysia’s Green Bowl” and located 5000 ft. above sea level, this whole area is ideal for farming and agriculture and J.A. Russell agreed. After being a successful businessman in the tin and rubber industry, he noticed that the Asian culture still had a high demand for tea even during the economic Great Depression, and thus in 1929, he created the first and most renowned Asian Highland tea known throughout the world, BOH – “Best of the Highlands”. “Tea is very much like wine; the conditions in which the crop is grown have great influence on its final character. BOH’s tea gardens, bringing together the ideal environmental conditions of Cameron Highlands and the precision of mechanized operations, yield a tea with superb characteristics – bright and brisk complemented by a delightful aroma.” The BOH Tea Plantation has the largest combined acreage of tea gardens not just in the country, but in all of Southeast Asia, today accounting for around 8000 acres of tea! So how is tea made, you may ask? Well for starters; all tea is made from the same plant. That’s right, everything from black, oolong, pu-erh to white and green teas all come from the same tea plant; the Camellia sinensis. It’s
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all in the process. Depending on how dark or light of tea is desired, the rolling process is adjusted based on the desired outcome. The tea, after being lavishly grown under the prime conditions attributed to the Cameron Highlands, is first plucked, by hand, and carefully selected leaves that range from just the unopened bud to the top three leaves and the bud depending on the tea being made. The leaves are then laid out to wilt and wither for several hours because tea leaves, especially fresh ones, are not very pliable. During this second process called ‘withering’, the leaves are carefully fluffed, rotated and monitored to ensure even exposure to air. Once they have been properly dried, the leaves then undergo a process called ‘rolling’. This is where the multitudes of teas are created, and where the process of developing flavor starts. The softened leaves are rolled, pressed or twisted, which breaks the cell walls of the leaves, wringing out the juices inside. This exposes enzymes and essential oils in the leaf to the oxygen in the air, which begins oxidization or fermentation. During this process, the leaves are then laid to rest for several more hours, and the exposure to the oxygen turns the leaves reddish-to-brown and changes the chemical composition. Depending on the type of tea, they can then be rolled again and fermented until the right tea flavor profile is created. They then go on to a process called ‘firing’, which heats the leaves and dries them to below a 3% moisture
content to stop the oxidation process. It is then packaged and sold. The Cameron Highlands, though known greatly for their tea, also creates the perfect atmosphere for other goods such as honey, and, when in season ranging from March to November, strawberries. If a trip to the Cameron Highlands is in order, it’s worth a trip out to the strawberry farms to see how they are grown, and if you’re willing to spend a little extra cash, you can pick them yourself and choose the ripest, juiciest, sweetest strawberries your mouth will have ever tasted! They will go great with the copious amounts of fresh tea you can’t resist buying straight from the factory! With many hotels in the area offering great rates for a weekend stay, an overnight trip to Cameron Highlands is a “must do” and very pleasant drive from Kuala Lumpur. Be sure to bring some warmer clothes as the mornings are chilly there and be sure your camera battery is fully charged so you don’t miss any of the breath-taking scenery in the Highlands. The BOH tea factory is a must see if visiting the Cameron Highlands, and is open every day except Monday from 9:00am to 4:30pm. Enjoy!
Digital Shoebox
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Perspectives
GUARDS Story by Debz Rafferty
It is hard to live in Malaysia and not come into contact with guards on a daily basis. Malaysian and Nepalese are the most common. I have heard the title “Gorkha Guards.” This should not be confused with the “Gurkhas”, who still form part of the British Army. Gorkhas are residents of Nepal and ethnic Gorkha (Nepali) citizens of India. Even though the majority of these Gorkha guards do not have any military training, the Gorkha people have been known for their courage in battle, and have won many gallantry and battle awards. They were instrumental in the expansion of the British East India Company throughout the subcontinent. The Gorkhas took part in the Anglo-Sikh wars, Afghan wars, and in suppressing the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The British still recruit Gorkha people to serve in the Gurkha regiments. In my 4 years in Malaysia, I have had both Malaysian and Gorkha guards patrol my residence, and one or two have stood out for their excellent approach. That said, having spent many years in the security industry I automatically did a security assessment and approached my management office with my findings. I was later invited to a board meeting and my ideas were soon implemented. I have also done similar assessments at other condos and business offices. Here are some bullet points that should help you do your own “Security Standards Check.” 1. Do your guards come out of their guard house when you arrive? 2. Do they check the back seat, especially behind the driver’s seat? (This doesn’t have to be intrusive. A simple glance is usually sufficient.) 3. Do the guards make regular rounds? 16
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4. Is there full CCTV perimeter coverage? 5. In condominium/apartments, are the lift entrances and car parks covered by CCTV? 6. Are the car parks and lift areas patrolled on a regular basis? 7. Do you have a minimum of 3 guards on duty? (Even small gated communities need 3 – one to patrol, two in guard house.) Intelligence information has shown that in most cases, a guard house has been watched by intruders before they have broken in and committed a burglary. If the guards show they are vigilant, getting up and looking at cars, etc., then the condo is less likely to be targeted, much like “Target Hardening” for the street. Visitors and Contractors: 1. Do the guards stop visitors and contractors and ask for photo ID? (Please note it is illegal in Malaysia for IC’s to be retained.) 2. Are visitors/contractors escorted to your residence on their first visit? 3. Do they call your unit before allowing them to enter? 4. Do they count the people in and out? 5. Are the inside and trunks of vehicles checked when leaving? 6. Do the guards allow “occasional drivers” to leave their cars parked in visitor or public areas? Occasional drivers are not uncommon. Most are trustworthy, but it has been known for a “friend” of the driver to hide in the car and gain entry. The driver then leaves in his employer’s car, while his friend breaks into a neighboring house, loads the “loot” into the car and again hides, the occasional driver then leaves.
Tonsillitis & Sinusitis: Common Conditions You Don’t Know Much About
Dr Balachandran Appoo MBBS (MAN), MS, ORL, HEAD NECK (UKM), CMIA, Fellowship in Head, Neck Oncosurgery (Aus), Fellowship in Oromaxillofacial Trauma & Oncosurgery (Aus) Consultant ENT Head and Neck Surgeon Tropicana Medical Centre
Tonsils are lymphoid organs that everyone is born with. It starts out big in a baby but as she or he grows, the tonsil will generally become smaller. Eventually, it will become tiny and functionless by the time one reaches adulthood. In some people however it becomes swollen, hence the condition is known as tonsillitis. The swelling of the glands is due to hyperactive tonsil cells, which can be activated by many causes such as allergic reaction to certain food, infection in the mouth, viral fever, common cough and cold as well as blockage by foreign objects in the throat (e.g. fish bones). Whilst mostly a non fatal disease, if left untreated, tonsillitis has been known to lead to serious complications such as sub-acute bacterial endocarditis a condition, where tonsils can be a source of infection that passes vegetative bacteria to the heart valves resulting in its failure. Sinuses are empty cavities on the face that are lined with mucus membranes. Sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinuses. Healthy sinuses are clear and contain no bacteria or other germs. During sinusitis, the sinus openings become blocked causing mucus builds up, leading to bacterial infection of the mucus. Sinusitis is not a serious disease and in most instances it can be treated. However, if left untreated, the puss in the sinuses can break out into other parts of the face such as eyeballs and cheeks. In addition, sinusitis can also lead to osteomyelitis, a serious infection of the frontal bones.
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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Inflammation of the sinus can be due to the blockage of the holes or the outlets through which phlegm and mucus are pushed out of the sinus cavity. This results in the swelling of the sinus cavity. This outlet obstruction could be caused by a bent nose bone on the inside, large tissues or turbinate, or infection in the outlet area due to polyps or tumour. The most common treatment for tonsillitis is proper hydration and if needed, antibiotics. Nevertheless if it is recurrent and severe, for example, if a person has a severe bout of tonsillitis where he or she may miss work or school at least three to four times in a year, this warrants the removal of the tonsils. Before removing it however, it is important for the specialist to first investigate and deter-
mine the source of infection and inflammation. There are many methods to remove the tonsils. These include using knife in conventional surgery, burning devices, strings or snipping the tonsils off. These methods may cause a lot of bleeding and at times patients will take longer to heal. Here at Tropicana Medical Centre, we use the latest surgical method, which is via laser surgery. Laser surgery is very precise and very well defined. There is minimal blood loss and minimal scarring, allowing the patients to heal faster. Furthermore, with laser, the tonsils can be removed to the very last bit without damaging muscles or underlying tissues. This makes laser, a safer alternative for patients. In order to treat sinusitis effectively, the most important thing is for the patient and the doctor to understand the pathology of the sinuses. The next step will be to identify the symptoms. These include regular flu, frequent headaches, ears feeling blocked when a person lies down or regular tonsillitis. Following this the doctor will remove the blockages through various methods in order to create airway in the sinuses and allow drainage of the mucus that have been accumulating in the sinus cavities. If sinusitis is not so severe, there are various available antibiotics and nasal decongestants in the market that a patient can use. Nasal decongestant is a type of spray that can shrink the tissues in the nose which have been causing blockage to the airway passages. Once they shrink the airways will be cleared enough to allow drainage of the mucus and this can heal the inflammation. Should sinusitis be severe, an effective way to treat the condition is also through laser surgery. Similar to the laser surgery done in tonsillitis, laser surgery for sinusitis is very precise, less invasive and results in minimal scarring and lesser bleeding, all of which contribute to faster recovery. Once the laser has been used to reduce the tissues that caused the blockage, the buildup of mucus can be quickly drained out and patients can heal quickly.
Memories LaZat Cooking – 24 February On 24 February, a group of ladies headed out from the streets of Kuala Lumpur to the TTDI wet market and on to the jungles of Penchala Hills for a little lesson on cooking classical Malay food at LaZat Home Cooking School. While all the ladies had fun and were entertained by the staff at LaZat, the end result of the day spent learning and cooking was‌delicious.
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Memories SNO @ Fresca- 28 February
Oodles of Noodles Cooking Class with Chef Judy –24 March Oodles of Noodles - the delightful and always entertaining Chef Judy showed participants how to cook noodles four ways. After Judy’s demonstration, we were all treated to lunch and it was delicious!
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Memories Petaling Street Walking Tour with Simply Enak – 13 March
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Memories First Friday – 6 March The 6 March marked our first First Friday held at our Villa @ The Troika. It was a huge success with food, coffee and tea offered for purchase. There was plenty of conversation and several new faces joined us for the morning.
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AAM Messages AAM Online Communities 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.
THE
EXPAT
Holidays in May Please note the AAM Office will be closed on the following dates: Friday, 1 May: Labor Day Monday, 4 May: Wesak Make-up Holiday
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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Dignity for Children Foundation
One of the charities the AAM supports, Dignity for Children Foundation, has asked for our help in supplying some of their needs they have every day to support their mission. Your donation of any of the items listed below would be greatly appreciated. Please drop off any donations at the AAM office @ The Troika next time you are in the neighborhood or email: Communityservice.aam@gmail.com for more information Housekeeping Supplies: Dishwashing Liquid Sponges Hand Washing Soap Garbage Bags (all sizes) Toilet Paper packs Window Cleaner Toilet Cleaner Clorox Bleach Cloths to wipe tables Cloths to wipe plates
Check out our new location!
Avoid long queues KLIA and KLIA2 - Use the Foreigner E-gate for fast immigration clearance! Foreigner e-gate is a self clearance system that allows frequent visitors to Malaysia to use the automated fast-track lane without having to go through the manual immigration clearance process. Sign-up during your next trip to KLIA. The registration booth is located after the immigration counters/before the baggage claim.
Groceries: Peanut Butter Jam Cooking Oil Rice (10kilo) Condensed Milk Milk (UHT) Soya Sauce Drinking Water Sardines Milo (3 in one pkts)
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 40426742 ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER (24 HRS.).....03 4041 6742 KL American May 2015
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american association of malaysia KL Sun
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AAM Villa @ Troika
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AAM Office Tel: (03) 2161-9008 / 9009
VENUE KEY
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May 2015
Sat 2
AAM Closed
email: klamerican.info@gmail.com
Labor Day
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1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Mahjong
11:00 a.m. Book Club @ In Colonial Restaurant, Intermark
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10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Tennis Lesson at KDE AAM Closed
10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Bingo at Little Sisters of the Poor
10:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Stitching Friends
10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Mother’s Day Out/ Stylist Workshop
Replacement holiday for Wesak Day
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10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Tennis Lesson at KDE
Noon: Lunch Bunch at Strato, The Troika
10:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Stitching Friends
10 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Hawkers’ Delight Cooking
9:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Spice Factory Tour
1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Mahjong
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10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Water Color Class
10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Water Color Class 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Mahjong
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10:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Origami Class
10:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Stitching Friends
10:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Stitching Friends
11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. AGM/Potluck Lunch
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9:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m. Couples Cooking at LaZat
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(60-3) 5565 2200 KL American May 2015
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