GRADUATION CEREMONY IN MY SCHOOL

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I have been very busy with school work recently and a few of my friends have been complaining that they do not see much of me.  Even my beautician commented that I rarely go for facials nowadays.  What to do, I have to take care of my bread and butter first.  If I don't work, I won't have the money to survive, let alone go for facials.
The latest programme I was involved in was the Graduation Day for the Form 5 students in my school.  Though the students only leave the school in December, their Graduation ceremony is held earlier as most of the teachers would not be around in December when they complete their SPM examinations since it is already holiday time.  Actually, the Graduation Ceremony is held even earlier this year as beginning August first, the Muslims have to start their month-long fast and then after that they celebrate Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

I am sharing some pictures of the event here in the Xing Fu to give you an idea of how the Graduation Ceremony is done in my school, complete with VIP guest, entertainment and opening gimmick.  It is a grand affair that is celebrated once a year.  I am not too sure how the celebrations will be next year as the school will be upgraded to a vocational college in 2012.  Hopefully, it will be an even grander affair.

KUIH TALAM KELADI (TARO CAKE TRAY)

I was attracted to the colour of this breakfast snack named "Kuih Talam Keladi" (Taro Cake Tray) which is one of the traditional Malay kuih or cakes being served during events like engagements and weddings. The top white layer is made from coconut milk (santan) while the bottom half is made from flour and yam.  I think colouring is added to give it that purplish colour.

THE STAGE IS SET

Yesterday evening, my friends and I went to check out the stage design for the graduation ceremony for our Form 5 students.  We were very pleased with what we saw and took the opportunity to have our pictures taken with all the finery.
This year we had gotten the service of a professional to do the stage design.  The designer, Wawa did a great job.  I am sure the boys and girls who would be graduating would be thrilled to go up to such a beautiful stage to receive their certificates.  I am sharing a few of our happy pictures with you here.  Hope you enjoy looking at them.

THROWING SALT OVER ONES SHOULDER TO GET RID OF EVIL

One of my friends hasn't been feeling well after he visited his sister's home a few days ago.  He suspects that there might be some spirits bothering him as his knees are very painful and that he even has trouble bending.  
When I heard about his problem, I suggested that he try using rock salt to get rid of whatever evil beings that may be present around him.  I told him to hold a handful of rock salt in his right hand and to go to the gate of his house.  He has to stand facing his front door and toss the rock salt with his right hand.  Before he does the tossing, he has to tell the spirit to leave.  Then I told him to say a prayer before going back into his house and locking the door.
So why rock salt?  ?Actually salt would also do but to me rock salt is more potent.  Tossing salt over your shoulder is a way of keeping the devil at bay while you're in an especially vulnerable moment.  The salt is either intended to blind the devil.  One has to throw or toss the salt over the left shoulder as many  ancient traditions place the devil to the left of the straight and narrow path. One uses the 'good' or right hand to throw the salt.  
And if you want to really follow the letter of the law, you're encouraged to throw the salt with your "good," or right hand.
Some people consider throwing salt to keep the devil at bay as superstition but then again, "Are they really sure that it doesn't work?"

BLOOD PRESSURE BACK TO NORMAL

 For the past two weeks, I had been feeling giddy and when I did a check I found that my blood pressure was high.  The reading was 137/92.
For those who are not too sure what is considered normal, high and low blood pressure, the following info might be helpful:

• Normal Blood Pressure - Blood pressure reading below 120/80 is considered normal.
• High Blood Pressure - Blood pressure of 140/90 or higher is considered high blood pressure. If one or both numbers are usually high, you have high blood pressure.
• Low Blood Pressure - Blood pressure that is too low is known as hypotension. The similarity in pronunciation with hypertension can cause confusion.
• Read more: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/bloodpressurechart.shtml#ixzz1TV8Opl2Q

My diastolic pressure at 90 was in the first stage range of High Blood Pressure.  Luckily the systolic pressure was 137 but it was still high.  After I got the readings, I quickly sprung into action, I got celeries, green apples and carrots and made juice from them and drunk a few glasses of the stuff.  Actually, adding the small type of bitter gourd and capsicum with the celery, apples and carrots would be even more effective but I only managed to get the three.  I checked my blood pressure again this evening and it had gone back to normal.  Thank goodness.  The herbs did their job.  

My blood pressure taken at 5.00 p.m. today read 120/76.  

Besides drinking the herbal concoction, I had also been taking a lot of traditional herbal baths which helps me to relax and also lower my blood pressure.  Since I have been doing it  very frequently  that helped a lot.  I again got me more herbs to boil for another herbal bath this evening.