Sophie Kinsella's Novel For You!

Hi, everyone! It's good to make an update about a bestseller novel specially brought to you by SOPHIE KINSELLA! Eventhough I know that a lot of you know about this novel, somehow there maybe some who doesn't know this awesome book exactly exist! I just read this book and it's really an awesome story. So, before I go further about my overexcited feelings, it's better for you to read the summary of this novel.

Summary:
When twenty-eight-year-old Lexi Smart wakes up in a London hospital, she’s in for a big surprise. Her teeth are perfect. Her body is toned. Her handbag is Vuitton. Having survived a car accident—in a Mercedes no less—Lexi has lost a big chunk of her memory, three years to be exact, and she’s about to find out just how much things have changed. Somehow Lexi went from a twenty-five-year-old working girl to a corporate big shot with a sleek new loft, a personal assistant, a carb-free diet, and a set of glamorous new friends. And who is this gorgeous husband—who also happens to be a multimillionaire? With her mind still stuck three years in reverse, Lexi greets this brave new world determined to be the person she…well, seems to be. That is, until an adorably disheveled architect drops the biggest bombshell of all. Suddenly Lexi is scrambling to catch her balance. Her new life, it turns out, comes complete with secrets, schemes, and intrigue. How on earth did all this happen? Will she ever remember? And what will happen when she does?

So, how's that? Does it catches your attention? Maybe the girls are going 'ga-ga' over it but not the boys. Hahaha. It's really matches well with the life that teenagers go through. It makes me somehow feels a bit mature when I keep on reading the book. The story unbelievably full of gags scene and mix feelings between happiness and sadness. It really does suits my taste well!

Good news for the ones who don't know. If you don't like to read books but more into movies, this story has been adapted as a movie. You should get a time and try watch it. Sophie Kinsella's jokes can't nver get wrong. If you don't laugh even for a second, I think you should get mental check-up. Well, just kidding. Anyway, I will come for a next update with interesting news for you. Bye!

The Impossible Movie Review

Hi, people! So, it's me again. Well, instead of giving good books to recommend, so I decided to give a review about a movie. basically, it's a movie based on a true story. Well, don't expect romance in this movie since it's all about a journey of a family in surviving tsunami in Thailand. So, here's the summary about this movie:

A terrifying and emotional story based on one family’s experience of the 2004 tsunami, THE IMPOSSIBLE is a compelling account of perseverance and survival in the face of unimaginable disaster and chaos.

MARIA (Naomi Watts), HENRY (Ewan McGregor) and their three sons begin their winter vacation in Thailand looking forward to a few days in tropical paradise.  But on the morning of December 26th, as the family relaxes around the pool after their Christmas festivities the night before, a terrifying roar rises up from the center of the earth.  As Maria freezes in fear, a huge wall of black water races across the hotel grounds toward her.

Henry grabs the two youngest boys, SIMON and THOMAS, but it’s too late: the wave smashes into him with incredible force and dislodges his grip.  Maria is pushed underwater, where she is crushed and battered by debris to the brink of death.  She finally surfaces in a raging black sea, which has completely submerged her three-story hotel and the surrounding landscape.  Maria gasps for breath, while she tries to understand what has just happened, convinced that her family has been obliterated in the blink of an eye.  But then, her eldest son, LUCAS (Tom Holland), surfaces a few meters ahead in the wild flood.  Face-to-face with something unexpected and incomprehensible, she must fight against all odds for her child’s survival.  And her own.

Based on a true story, THE IMPOSSIBLE is the unforgettable account of a family caught, with tens of thousands of strangers, in the mayhem of one of the worst natural catastrophes of our time.  But the true-life terror is tempered by the unexpected displays of compassion, courage and simple kindness that Maria and her family encounter during the darkest hours of their lives.  Both epic and intimate, devastating and uplifting, THE IMPOSSIBLE is a journey to the core of the human heart.

Well, overall it's a good movie for everyone to watch since the main point in this movie is about the strong bond of the family. It's kind of tragic to get into a traumatic incident especially tsunami! Just imagine if we and our family get trap into the horrible tsunami, for me, it IS impossible to get back with our love ones. In a nutshell, The Impossible is a movie that should be watched because there is a lot moral values that we can get based from the movie.

Well, that's all from me and please be patient for the next interesting update.

Paper Towns from John Green!

Well, hi again to everyone! Guess the next book I'm going to recommend? Woohoo, it's a novel from the famous writer John Green with the title Paper Towns! Wow, after a few days I spent on this book, reading pages by pages, it's totally worth time spending for this book. The story plot is about romance and friendship but John Green still slipped some thrilling feelings lingers as I read the book. So what does this novel about? Check the synopsis out!

Synopsis:

Paper Towns is the story of a boy named Quentin Jacobsen and the adventure he is drawn into by his childhood friend and secret love Margo Roth Spiegelman. As children, Quentin and Margo discovered a dead man's body; an event that binds them in ways they do not realize. As they grow up however, they grow apart. After this is explained in the prologue, Part I of the book sets up the main narrative by introducing the setting, Jefferson High in Orlando, Florida in the early 2000s and introduces Quentin's good friends, Radar and Ben Starling, his fellow nerds. In contrast, Margo is the most popular girl in school who has an incredible reputation for her wild hijinks. The plot takes off in Chapter 3 when Margo sneaks into Quentin's bedroom and asks him to help her execute an eleven-part plan, which largely involves taking revenge on her ex-boyfriend. Throughout the night, Quentin is exhilarated and his love for Margo is reenergized.

In Part II of the book, Margo completely disappears and Quentin wonders if he will see her again. However, Margo has left him a series of clues as to her whereabouts. Part II is spent piecing together Margo's clues. Quentin pursues Margo with the help of his friends, but all the while, high school comes to an end. Quentin follows a string of false leads, which makes him increasingly reflective and leads him to gradually accept that he has made Margo into a magical non-person, a "paper girl" and that he loves someone who may not exist. He eventually decides that the only way to ind Margo is to understand who she is. Throughout Part II, Quentin grapples with Margo's use of the phrase "paper towns" in her clues. Eventually he figures out that a paper town is a false city on a map that cartographers once used to detect copycats. Margo had left for the paper town of Algoe, New York.

Part III begins the night of graduation when Quentin grabs his friends to leave on an intense, twenty-one hour road trip from Orlando to upstate Agloe. Quentin, Radar, Ben, and Ben's new girlfriend Lacey, must catch Margo the day before she leaves Agloe forever. When they reach Agloe, they find Margo in an old barn, writing. After fighting furiously about Margo's apparent selfishness for leaving, Ben, Radar, and Lacey storm out. Quentin and Margo learn that they had idealized one another and love each other. However, they both realize with regret that their love was based in falsehood, in being a "paper boy" and a "paper girl." Margo left in order to release everyone from the effects of her false, public personality. Quentin, however, does not give up on Margo. They admit their romantic affections for one another but realize that their values must inevitably lead them to separate futures.

My review:

So, you see this girl named Margo is a mysterious girl yet a rebellion. But as you follow the journey of Quentin and his friends finding Margo, you'll realize how smart and interesting this girl can be. Anyhow, she's good in doing something ridiculous. Maybe that is why, Quentin likes her since he was ten. Overall, the novel is nice and it's really suitable for people who want something fresh to read. Well, I totally recommend this novel. No wonder it became the bestseller!

Well. that's all from me. Last but not least, I really amazed with John Green writings.

An interesting book by Ali McNamara : Step Back In Time

Hi everyone! So, today there is another interesting book we want to share with you! Initially, it is recommended by my friend and she gives a best impression towards this book. So here's the synopsis:

Jo-Jo is a busy accountant who feels perfectly at home in the fast-paced, modern world. She enjoys visiting George’s second-hand record shop on the King’s Road in London, as George is always there with a new collection of records in the window, a cup of tea and some friendly advice. When she visits him to go through his yearly accounts, she meets one of George’s best customers, Harry, and George suggests Jo-Jo could help Harry out too. Jo-Jo takes his business card, tries to ignore his easy demeanour and kind blue eyes, and heads back out onto The King’s Road. Crossing the zebra crossing, she doesn’t see the car heading towards her until it’s too late.

When Jo-Jo wakes up, her overwhelming feeling is confusion. People are crowded round her, asking if she’s all right and, as she tries to assure them she’s fine, she begins to notice that things have changed – lots of things. As Jo-Jo tries to come to terms with the aftermath of the accident, she realises that, despite the confusion and uncertainty she’s suddenly faced with, there are a few familiar faces that she knows she’s going to be able to count on.

The concept of this book is wonderful and imaginative, and I looked forward to reading something from Ali that was a little bit different to her usual romantic comedies. Jo-Jo is a great central character, strong willed and determined, but faced with a situation that even the hardiest person would feel vulnerable in. She tries to make the best of her circumstances, and has her assistant Ellie, record shop owner George, and Harry appearing to keep her company – albeit in slightly different roles than she’s used to. George is generous and kind, Ellie is warm-hearted and hilarious, and Harry is handsome, sweet and excellent hero material. Jo-Jo gets the chance to see different sides of their personalities, and there are some very funny moments as she tries to fit in with the new scenarios she finds herself in.

Great synopsis about the book, huh? Anyway here I slipped a reader review based on this novel:

The different decades are vividly described, from the fashion to the surroundings, the culture and the attitudes. Some of Jo-Jo and Ellie’s outfits are incredible, and at times I found it difficult to believe that Ali wasn’t slipping into pure fiction, rather than looking back at the trends of that particular decade. Many of you will have picked up on the significance of the King’s Road zebra crossing, and there is a certain band that plays quite a central theme in the novel. I probably didn’t pick up on half of the references, but anybody who’s a fan of The Beatles will have an extra thrill reading this book.

Step Back in Time is a funny, original novel with strong characters, wonderful, diverse settings and a ribbon of enchantment running through it. I felt like I was getting five stories for the price of one, but with the final satisfaction that a good novel gives you. This was something different from Ali McNamara, and I can’t wait to see what she’s going to do next.

Let's give it a try, shall we? Anyway, have a happy reading time with this novel if you're interested!

THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS : CITY OF BONES

Hi, everyone! I would like to introduce you a book that full of fantasy that you are going to love it! The characters are great and every chapters that is written will ensure you to keep feeling exciting. So, here's the synopsis about the book that may make you feel attracted after reading it.

Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray goes to the Pandemonium Club with her best friend, Simon Lewis. Inside, she sees a blue haired boy and a gorgeous black haired girl sneaking off to be alone in a storeroom. Then she notices two boys following them into the storeroom and one of them is armed with what appears to be a knife. No one else seems to notice them, but she gets Simon to go for help and then decides to follow the group into the storeroom. At first glance it appears to be empty, but she is suddenly able to see them. She listens to a bizarre conversation about demons and then witnesses the blue haired "boy" being killed. However, after he is killed he somehow vanishes from the room. The explanation she is given is that demons "return to their home dimensions when they die." (Clare, 2013, p. 15) Before she can really begin to understand what she has seen and heard, Simon enters the storeroom with the bouncer in tow and questions why she is in there by herself. Realizing no one else can see the others, she mumbles an apology about being mistaken about what she saw.

When she returns home, her overprotective mother, Jocelyn, scolds her for staying out so late and worrying her. The next day, Jocelyn announces that they are moving from New York City to the country for the summer where Jocelyn's best friend, Luke, has a house. Clary, upset about the unexpected move, leaves with Simon and later confides that she knows almost nothing about her mother or her entire family. Simon mentions seeing thin, white scars on Jocelyn's back and shoulders, but Clary dismisses this, having never noticed them. She ignores her mother's continual phone calls as they go to a poetry reading where Clary sees Jace, one of the teens she saw at Pandemonium. He privately tells Clary about demon-hunters, called Shadowhunters or Nephilim. The person killed at the club was a demon in human form. Jace claims Clary is not a mundane (mortal human) because beings like him are invisible to ordinary humans. Clary finally answers a call from Jocelyn, who frantically warns her not to come home and to tell Luke that "he" has found her. The call ends abruptly.

After trying in vain to call her mom back, Clary breaks her phone and grabs Jace's, which turns out to be a "sensor", hits him, and runs off. Clary then runs back to her house and it an absolute mess. She screams for her mom, but no one answers. Then, Clary encounters a creature that is bent on killing her, but she is able to kill it with Jace's sensor. Jace brings Clary back to the "institute", the place where the New York shadow hunters live. Clary meets the other shadow hunters, Isabelle and Alec, and the tutor, Hodge. Jace and Clary go back to Clary's house and meet her neighbor. Her neighbor has a portal, and Clary decides to go through to see where her mother would've gone.

Clary, followed by Jace, rushes through the portal, landing at Luke's bookstore and finding Simon hiding in the bushes. Simon was trying to find out what happened to Clary. He observed Luke packing several weapons inside his bag. The three hide inside the store. Luke returns with two men, Pangborn and Blackwell, whom Valentine sent to interrogate Luke about the Mortal Cup's whereabouts. Luke claims he does not know where Jocelyn, who is in a coma, hid the Mortal Cup and has no interest in her or the cup. He refuses to negotiate with them or interfere with Valentine's plans. Clary and Jace, accompanied by Simon, go back to the Institute and tell Hodge what they learned. Hodge tells them about the Circle, a group of Shadowhunters that Valentine formed to eliminate all Downworlders (vampire, werewolves, faeries, warlocks, and others). Jocelyn, Valentine's wife, was forced to join. It was believed she had died in a fire that destroyed Valentine's home. Jocelyn's real maiden name is Jocelyn Fairchild, which means Clary's dad was Valentine. Somewhere in here Clary and Jace go to the Silent City to speak to the Silent Brothers. They tell them that there is a block in her mind that prevents her from remembering the Shadow World. The warlock that put it there was Magnus Bane.

When Isabelle found an invitation in the demon's pocket (the one that Jace had killed at the Pandemonium Club) she took it. It was an invitation to a warlock's party hosted by Magnus Bane. Clary goes with her and the others. Clary meets Magnus Bane, who says his spell is too complex to remove but will fade naturally if it is not re-enforced every two years. Jocelyn had Magnus Bane place a protective spell on Clary's mind to prevent her seeing the Shadow World. During the party, Simon ignores Isabelle's warning and drinks a blue liquid that transforms him into a rat. Vampires take him thinking Simon was one of their own. Clary and Jace trail them to an abandoned hotel to rescue Simon. Jace, Clary, and rat-Simon escape when werewolves invade the hotel and battle the vampires. Jace seems upset when Simon and Clary embrace after he becomes human again.

That night, Jace takes Clary to the Institute's greenhouse on a midnight picnic to celebrate Clary's sixteenth birthday, and their romance blossoms with a romantic first kiss.

As the block continues fading and her memories begin emerging, Clary deduces that the Mortal Cup is hidden inside one of Madame Dorothea's tarot cards. Clary and the others go to Dorothea's apartment. Clary retrieves the Cup, but a demon appears from the Portal and possesses Madame Dorothea. Aided by Simon, they escape and return to the Institute where Hodge betrays them by handing over the Cup and an unconscious Jace to Valentine. Hodge flees, pursued by Clary. Hodge attacks her in an alleyway, but she is unexpectedly saved by Luke, who is a werewolf.

Luke and Clary devise a plan to storm Valentine's secret stronghold with help from Luke's werewolf pack. While the werewolves attack Valentine's followers, Clary locates her mother, who is unconscious, and also finds Jace, who says Valentine told him he is his son. Having developed romantic feelings for each other, both Clary and Jace are aghast at realizing they are brother and sister. Clary says that despite Valentine being their father, he is evil. Valentine appears and entices Jace to return to Idris with him. Jace refuses, and Valentine escapes through a portal with the Cup, smashing the portal behind him.

Good summary isn't it? It had been published as a movie too in 2013 and I recommend for everyone to watch it and I believe it will leave good impression to you. Well, that's all from me and I hope you give this book a try!

THE LOST BOY (DAVE PELZER)

Imagine a young boy who has never had a loving home. His only possesions are the old, torn clothes he carries in a paper bag. The only world he knows is one of isolation and fear. Although others had rescued this boy from his abusive alcoholic mother, his real hurt is just begining -- he has no place to call home.

This is Dave Pelzer's long-awaited sequel to A Child Called "It". In The Lost Boy, he answers questions and reveals new adventures through the compelling story of his life as an adolescent. Now considered an F-Child (Foster Child), Dave is moved in and out of five different homes. He suffers shame and experiences resentment from those who feel that all foster kids are trouble and unworthy of being loved just because they are not part of a "real" family.

Tears, laughter, devastation and hope create the journey of this little lost boy who searches desperately for just one thing -- the love of a family.

Book Review : Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Synopsis: 

The New York Times bestselling first book in a dark new series that reimagines the Oz saga, from debut author Danielle Paige.

I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero. But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?

Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still a road of yellow brick—but even that's crumbling.

What happened? Dorothy. They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.

My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas. I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked. I've been trained to fight. And I have a mission: Remove the Tin Woodman's heart. Steal the Scarecrow's brain. Take the Lion's courage. And—Dorothy must die.

Review :

I want to start off by saying that when I started this book I what I would think if it. My twisted sense of curiosity is what got the best of me on this one and I am glad it did. Lots of twisted and backwards adventure to be found here!

Amy Gunn is your average girl who has been dealt a bad hadn at life. She has no friends (thanks to nasty Ms. Madison), her father left when she was young and her mom is is a druggie. She wants nothing more than to get away from her crappy trailer life. Well she gets her wish; just no how she expected it.

Welcome to Oz. But not how we know it. Yes the happy movies and the book is based on what had taken place but the story didn't end there...Dorothy came back and apparently became power and magic hungry. Glinda is a horrible slave driven, the munchkins are back to living in fear worse than with the witches. The beloved Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion are mutated and twisted into something atrocious! And many other twists await!

Let me give warning: DO NOT get attached to characters. There is a fair share of death in this book. And the first one I read has me very distrustful of bubbles right now and was gross! so unpleasant death at that! You have been warned...

Then we get the fun job of attempting to figure out who to trust. Everyone tells Amy to trust no one. So that sends a firm message that has me wondering through the entire book. Many characters seem to have ulterior motives and secrets. So Amy has to train and learn to fight, control magic all while wondering what is going on and why.

Danielle Paige has done a great job with character creation. Nox, Glamora, and other fantastic new characters are in this book. Amy I felt could have been a bit better. I do like her with her balance of flaws and abilities but her frame of mind and willingness so early on to kill disturbed me.

The ending bit a bit rushed with lots of important facts but it is just sort of hurled at the reader. Which leads to my last small annoyance: the back cover is misleading....By the end of the book she is just barely starting on the actually missions set. When I got this book I was not expecting a long series. Now I wonder how long this can be. I have no problem with a series but I prefer my summaries to cover the book not the whole series arc. There is a lot if filler in this book. While enjoyable, it was not necessary and I feel is deliberately drawing it out (much like drawing a movie into 2 parts-I don't like that either).

Less those few flaws, I really enjoyed this book. A good start to a new adventure. This is for older teens-adults with some graphic scenes and behaviors. The recreated world is fun to re-explore after many years. I will assuredly be continuing the series!

najwa

Top 10 Things You Can Do To Help The Enviroment

Without the Earth we have no where to live, along with many other organisms. If we don't save the Earth now maybe our children or grandchildren might not be able to see it for long. Our atmosphere is weakening and we have to do something about it fast. 

We could plant more trees to create more oxygen to keep the bad air away from the atmosphere, or we could just stop cutting down the rainforest. We are living and we need the space but we aren't the only species on this earth. Saving the rainforest is not only good for us and the atmosphere but also good for the many different species that it homes.

We could try to get as many people as possible to switch to hybrids and other energy saving things to use less fossil fuel for energy and relying more on solar and wind energy. Fossil fuels are destroying our earth and we need to limit the use of it.

Recycling is a great and easy way to help our precious planet. Everyone can help, all they have to do is follow three simple rules; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! 

The world is precious and we need to keep it that way.

1. Reduce energy use
   Adopt energy-saving habits. Make it a habit to turn off the lights as you leave a room. Also, replace standard light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. Turn off your computer and unplug electronics when they are not in use.
   
2. Change the way you think about transportation
   Walk or bike whenever possible. Not only will you reduce your carbon footprint, but your overall level of health will improve and you will save money on parking and gasoline.
   Take public transit or carpool whenever possible.
   When purchasing a vehicle look for one with better mileage.  Increase your fuel economy when driving by sticking to posted speed limits and avoiding rapid acceleration and excessive braking. Plan and combine trips and errands. This will save you both time and money as well as reduce wear and tear on your vehicle. When travelling long distances, try to take a train or bus rather than flying or driving.
   
3. Insulate your home
   Insulate yourself and your home. By properly insulating your home, you can ensure that heat stays in or out depending on the season. You can do this by purchasing windows and window coverings that will block out or keep in warmth, and by sealing any existing cracks. In winter, reduce your thermostat by 2 °C to enjoy energy savings and a cozy sweater. In summer, use fans to circulate air, and set air conditioners to make your home a comfortable temperature. Lowering the temperature on your water heater to between 55 and 60 °C and insulating your pipes also makes a difference. Federal government programs such as the ecoENERGY initiative provide incentives for energy-saving home upgrades.
   
4. Make every drop count
   Conserve water by fixing drips and leaks, and by installing low-flow shower heads and toilets. Challenge yourself to a speed shower. Turn off water while brushing teeth or shaving. Treating and transporting water requires energy, while water conservation results in reduced energy requirements and carbon emissions.
   
5. Cool wash and hang to dry
   These are not just washing instructions on a label anymore, but an equation for energy savings. Wash clothing in cold water and hang clothing to dry outside, or indoors on a drying rack. Taking these steps will reduce your electricity bill and also prolong the life of clothing by reducing wear on the fabric caused by dryers.
   
6. High efficiency appliances
   When replacing appliances, look for high efficiency units. Appliances with ENERGY STAR ratings, an international standard for energy-efficient consumer products, typically utilize a minimum of 20 % less energy. This means savings for you and the environment.
   
7. Switch to "green power"
   Research where your power is coming from - wind, water, coal, or solar - and talk to your power provider to determine if a greater percentage could be coming from renewable resources. Encourage power providers to switch to green power and, if possible and/or economically viable, switch to a company offering power from renewable resources.
   
8. Recycle
   Make recycling part of your daily routine. Recycle all packaging and consumer goods that you can. Aim to purchase items with minimal and recyclable packaging. For certain items with large amounts of packaging, ask retailers if they can recycle or re-use it. For electronics, facilities now exist that can dispose of electronics in an environmentally responsible manner. Encorp Pacific Return-It programs recycle "broken" end-of-life electronics.                                                                                                           
9. Repurpose
   Rather than discarding or recycling clothing and household goods, give them a chance at a second life. Gently used clothing can be donated to charity or exchanged with friends and family. Old T-shirts can be repurposed into rags for cleaning. Household goods can be donated to charity or sold at a garage sale. Through repurposing, the amount of waste being sent to landfill sites is reduced, there is no need to use energy for recycling, and others can benefit from your used items.
   
10. Plants, our new best friend
    When gardening, select plants that are well suited to your climate and require minimal watering and attention. Better yet, plant a tree, and it will provide shade and soak up carbon from the atmosphere.

                                                                          

                                                                                      credit; Nur Naseha

Ashurbanipal created the world's first libary in Assyria, this libary known as The Royal Library of Ashurbanipal, named after Ashurbanipal, the last great king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, is a collection of thousands of clay tablets and fragments containing texts of all kinds (royal inscriptions, chronicles, mythological and religious texts, contracts,

royal grants and decrees, royal letters, assorted administrative documents, and even what would be today called classified documents, reports from spies, ambassadors, etc.) The collection written knowledge in some sort of repository is a practice as old as civilization itself. About 30,000 clay tablets found in ancient Mesopotamia date back more than 5,000 years. Archaelogists have uncovered papyrus scrolls from 1300-1200bc in the ancient Egyptian cities of Amarna and Thebes and thousands of clay tablets in the palace of King Sennacherib, Assyrian ruler from 704-681bc, at Nineveh, his capital city. More evidence turned up with the discovery of the personal collection of Sennacherib's grandson, King Ashurbanipal. The Great Library of Alexandria, a public library open to those with the proper scholarly and literary qualifications, founded about 300bc. When Egypt's King Ptolemy I (305-282bc) asked, "How many scrolls do we have?", Aristotle's disciple Demetrius of Phalerum was on hand to answer with the latest count. After all, it was Demetrius who suggested setting up a universal library to hold copies of all the books in the world. Ptolemy and his successors wanted to understand the people under their rule and house Latin, Buddhist, Persian, Hebrew, and Egyptian works - translated into Greek.

Let a hundred flowers bloom: China, Korea, Japan in cherry trifle

BEIJING: A perennial debate over the birthplace of the cherry blossom has taken a fresh turn as a Chinese industry group claims the Asian giant is the tree’s true home, rather than Japan or claimant South Korea.

Cherry blossoms have long been associated with Japan, where viewing the short-lived blooms is an enduringly popular pastime to herald the arrival of spring.

In recent years, some South Korean media have claimed that the country is actually the flower’s origin – sometimes provoking prickly reactions in Japan.

But according to He Zongru, executive chairman of the China Cherry Industry Association, both are wrong, and the Middle Kingdom is the blossom’s true birthplace.

He cited a Japanese monograph on cherry blossoms which stated that the flower originated in the Himalayan mountains of China and did not arrive in Japan until the Tang dynasty more than 1,100 years ago.

“We don’t want to get into a war of words with Japan and South Korea, but we want to assert a fact: Many historical documents confirm that the cherry blossom’s place of origin is in China,” He said, according to the Guangzhou-based Southern Metropolis Daily on Monday.

“As Chinese people, we have a responsibility to let more people know this history,” he added.

For decades, Tokyo has given the prized plant to countries including the US as a gesture of goodwill, and every spring people across Japan gather under cherry blossom trees to eat, drink and admire.

Thousands of visitors line the banks of Washington’s Tidal Basin every spring to catch a sight of the city’s pink and white flowers, which were a gift from Japan in 1912.

In Beijing, the most popular place to view them is Yuyuantan Park, home to more than 2,000 cherry trees – roughly 200 of which were given to China by Japan in the early 1970s, when the two countries re-established diplomatic ties.

Nonetheless the row reflects tense relations among the three Asian rivals, which are frequently at odds with each other on issues including Japan’s 20th-century history – when it colonised Korea and parts of China, culminating in World War II – and competing territorial claims in regional waters.

Often, such battles see Beijing and Seoul team up against Tokyo, as when China unveiled a memorial last year to a Korean national hero condemned by Japan as a “terrorist” for killing a Japanese official a century ago.

Even so He’s message to Seoul in the latest debate was uncompromising.

“Simply put, the cherry blossom originated in China and flourished in Japan,” the paper quoted him as saying. “South Korea has nothing to do with it.” 

People gather under cherry blossoms in full bloom in Tokyo on March 29, 2015. Many people in the Japanese capital enjoyed the sunny spring weekend. 

4U9525 CRASH: Victims DNA found as rescuers battle terrain

BERLIN: Investigators picking through the wreckage of a passenger jet that crashed on a remote Alpine mountain said they had found DNA from more than half of the victims, as more details emerged concerning the doomed flight’s last minutes.

Forensic teams announced they had isolated almost 80 distinct DNA strands from body parts at the Germanwings crash site in the French Alps, as recovery personnel continued their grim task following last week’s tragedy.

French officials say the plane’s black box voice recorder indicates that co-pilot Andreas Lubitz, 27, locked the captain out of the cockpit of the Airbus jet and deliberately crashed Flight 4U 9525, bound for Duesseldorf from Barcelona.

Investigators have described the difficulty searching for bodies and a second black box as “unprecedented” due to a combination of mountainous terrain and the violence of the impact.

The plane is said to have crashed at a speed of 700 kilometres per hour, killing all 150 on board instantly.

Prosecutor Brice Robin, one of the lead investigators, said an access road was being built to the site to allow all-terrain vehicles to remove some of the larger parts of the plane and help transport bodies.

He said forensic experts had identified 78 different DNA strands.

“We haven’t found a single body intact,” said Patrick Touron, deputy director of the police’s criminal research institute.

“We have slopes of 40 to 60 degrees, falling rocks, and ground that tends to crumble.

“Some things have to be done by abseiling. Since safety is key, the recovery process is a bit slow, which is a great regret,” he added.

Most body parts were being winched up to helicopters and transported to a lab in the nearby town of Seynes, where a 50-strong team of forensic doctors, dentists and police identification specialists is working.

Between 400 and 600 body parts were being examined, Touron said.

“In catastrophes, normally around 90 percent of identifications are done through dental records,” he added, but in the case of flight 9525, DNA was likely to play a greater role than normal.

Once DNA samples have been taken, they are sent to another lab outside Paris where they are compared with samples taken from family members this week.

Captain Yves Naffrechoux, a mountain ranger, said finding the second black box – the flight data recorder which logs all technical data – was a priority.

Germany’s Bild newspaper on Sunday reported more details of the flight’s final moments.

It said the captain, which it identified as Patrick S., shouted at the co-pilot to “open the damn door” as he desperately tried to get back into the locked cockpit after leaving to use the toilet.

“For God’s sake, open the door” he yelled as passengers’ screams could be heard in the background, it said, citing information from the cockpit voice recorder.

Bild said “loud metallic blows” against the cockpit door could then be heard, before another warning alarm went off.

As investigators seek to build a picture of Lubitz and any possible motives, media reports have emerged that he suffered from eye problems, adding to earlier reports he was severely depressed.

German prosecutors believe Lubitz hid an illness from his airline but have not specified what it was, and said he had apparently been written off sick on the day the Airbus crashed.

The Bild tabloid and the New York Times have reported that Lubitz had sought treatment for problems with his sight.

Police have found a number “of medicines for the treatment of psychological illness” during a search at his Duesseldorf home, Welt am Sonntag newspaper said.

It added that the Germanwings co-pilot was suffering from stress and severe depression, according to personal notes found.

German prosecutors revealed Friday that searches of Lubitz’s homes netted “medical documents that suggest an existing illness and appropriate medical treatment“, including “torn-up and current sick leave notes, among them one covering the day of the crash.”

A flight attendant told Bild she had a relationship with Lubitz last year and recalled him saying: “One day I’m going to do something that will change the whole system, and everyone will know my name and remember.”

Bild also reported that Lubitz’s girlfriend with whom he lived was believed to be pregnant.

French police investigator Jean-Pierre Michel told AFP Saturday that Lubitz’s personality was a “serious lead” in the inquiry but not the only one.

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr has said that Lubitz had suspended his pilot training, which began in 2008, “for a certain period” before restarting and qualifying for the Airbus A320 in 2013.

The second-in-command had passed all psychological tests required for training, Spohr said.

Half of the victims were German, with Spain accounting for at least 50. The remainder were a mix of more than a dozen other nationalities.--AFP

A French rescue worker inspects the remains of the Germanwings Airbus A320 at the site of the crash, near Seyne-les-Alpes, French Alps. REUTERS

New system to help students choose right varsity courses

KUALA LUMPUR: In a bid to reduce the number of disgruntled school leavers who cannot get courses of their choice in local universities, the Education Ministry’s centralised university unit (UPU) has come up with a new system.

Students can now key in their details and the system will show them the courses for which they are eligible and likely to be accepted.

Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan said this was to reduce the number of disgruntled applicants who could not get their chosen courses when they only met the minimum requirements.

“Applicants must provide their full names, IC numbers and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), and the system will suggest a list of public universities and the courses (that they qualify for),” he told reporters after launching a special secretariat to provide guidance to SPM and STPM school leavers on their future study options.

He stressed that school leavers had to go through this step before they could enter their choice of courses in UPU.

The requirement known as Semak Syarat could be found on http://upu.moe.gov.my.

Although applicants meet a course’s minimum requirements, he said there was no guarantee they would get it as there might be other applicants with higher CGPAs. Citing an example from last year, Kamalanathan said there was an applicant with a CGPA of 2.1 who obtained a place in a public university as he had done research and found out the right courses and public universities that he qualified for.

“There was another applicant who had a CGPA of 3.0 but did not get an offer because he only chose popular courses.

“This is why this system will help applicants to know which are suitable courses,” said Kamalanathan.

He urged SPM and STPM school leavers to carefully research all their study options to avoid disappointment.

On those who did not do well in the examinations, Kamalanathan said they could still enrol in other institutes such as community colleges and polytechnics.

On another matter, Kamalanathan said he had discussed the issue of parents in Selangor being unable to register their children for Year One in 2017. They can only do so online a year before their children start school.

“I hope the issue can be resolved in one or two days,” he said.

SPM 2014

 11,289 students score straight As

PUTRAJAYA: A total of 11,289 students scored straight As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

Education Ministry director-general Datuk Seri Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof said there was a slight dip in the number of students who scored all As.

"For 2013, a total of 13,970 students scored straight As. Even though there is a slight decrease, the gap is still small," he told reporters during the announcement of the SPM results this morning.

Khair said one of the factors of the decrease in straight As scorers could be attributed to the new examination format.

He also said the national average grade (GPN) for 2014 was 5.08 and there was a decrease of 0.15 points as compared to 2013 (4.93).

The GPN measures a student's overall performance in the examination, and a lower score indicates a better student achievement.

A total of 455,839 students had sat for the examination which took place at 3,655 examinations last year.

The SPM examination took place from Nov 3 to Dec 3, 2014.

Education Ministry director-general Datuk Seri Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof announce that a total of 11,289 students scored straight As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). Pix by Ahmad Irham Mohd Noor.

how to overcome addiction in internet

There are a number of steps you can take to get your Internet use under control. While you can initiate many of these yourself, it’s important you get some outside support as well. It can be all too easy to slip back into old patterns of usage, especially if you use the Internet heavily for work or other important activities.

• Recognize any underlying problems that may support your Internet.  If you are struggling with depression, stress, or anxiety, for example, Internet addiction might be a way to self-soothe rocky moods. Build your coping skills. Perhaps blowing off steam on the Internet is your way of coping with stress or angry feelings. Or maybe you have trouble relating to others, or are excessively shy with people in real life. Building skills in these areas will help you weather the stresses and strains of daily life without resorting to compulsive Internet use. Strengthen your support network. The more relationships you have in real life, the less you will need the Internet for social interaction. Set aside dedicated time each week for friends and family. If you are shy, try finding common interest groups such as a sports team, education class, or book reading club. This allows you to interact with others and let relationships develop naturally. 

Caring for young skin

                                 

If you want clear skin in adulthood, start a cleansing routine from a young age.

WHEN it comes to skin care, you are never too young to start. Healthy habits at a young age can make a big difference in skin health and appearance in years to come.

But should teenagers be concerned about skin care routines and if so, how early should one start?

Aesthetic physician Dr Abrizah Ousman talks on the importance of caring for skin from young.

What are the characteristics of young skin?

Young skin has a smoother texture, a more even skin tone, more volume and better elasticity. The epidermis has a faster turnover rate and better healing ability.

The dermis has more blood flow, abundant connective tissue, collagen and elastin, making skin firm and resilient. Young skin also has thicker subcutaneous fat, making the face appear fuller and rounder.

Why is young skin more prone to pimples?

Young skin is more prone to breakouts or acne due to increased sebum (oil) production caused by hormonal changes. The increase in sebum combined with keratin plug or skin debris can lead to blocked pores or hair follicles which are also the opening of sebaceous glands ducts.

This vicious cycle leads to the formation of comedones. When comedones are infected with bacteria, it leads to chronic inflammatory condition called acne.

How young should one start looking after the skin?

Prevention is always better than cure. Establishing a basic skin care regime and good hygiene at an early age is extremely important to prevent acne which could lead to blemishes and permanent scarring.

Does this include sun protection?

Sun protection should be advocated from young to prevent premature ageing and pigmentation.

How young should we start face cleansing?

Face cleansing should start as early as puberty. During puberty, it is extremely common for boys and girls to develop a condition called androgen-induced acne.

A more potent androgen than testosterone called dihydrotestosterone is produced in the skin, giving rise to a condition called seborrhoea. Seborrhoea refers to overactive sebaceous glands, the key pathological step of acne formation.

What’s the cost of starting facial cleansing routine too late?

I always believe that good habits should be cultivated from young. Starting later could very well mean too late, when acne and scarring have already occurred.

This requires treatment such as medications, chemical peels and laser which are costly. Scarring can also affect one’s mental state, occupation and social life.

What is a suitable skin care routine for teenagers?

A young person with normal skin should cleanse and moisturise as well as use sun protection during the day.

Face cleansing should be the first step in our skin care regime and should be done twice a day, upon waking up and before retiring at night. It is extremely important to cleanse before retiring at night so that oil and dirt are removed and pores remain clean.

How should you wash your face?

Wash in the morning with warm water, gently rubbing in a circular motion. For normal to dry skin, apply a thin layer of non-comedogenic, water-based moisturiser. If doing activities under the sun, you may skip the moisturiser but use a thin layer of sunscreen with at least SPF 30, or a moisturiser with UV protection.

Repeat face wash at night. Always remove make-up and clean skin properly before going to bed. A gentle scrub twice or three times a week is beneficial if you have oily skin.

Why should teenagers use a facial cleanser and not just a soap and water?

Regular soap and water is very harsh on young skin. A facial cleanser with vitamin E, antioxidants and organic plant extracts will nourish skin without completely stripping off the oil.

How do you choose skin care products for younger skin?

You must know your skin type before buying. If you have oily skin, blemishes and acne, consult a dermatologist.

Younger skin requires skincare products which are non-comedogenic. Someone with an oily T-zone will benefit from applying a toner after cleansing that contains alcohol, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to reduce oil production and prevent bacterial infection.

What ingredients are suitable for younger skin?

Younger skin may be extra sensitive to chemicals and be prone to dryness and eczema. Organic and plant-based ingredients, devoid of harsh chemicals, are beneficial for their gentle nourishing and antioxidant properties.

Moisturisers should not be thick like lotions or creams in oil-based formulations but rather choose serums or gels that are water-based.

Avoid cosmetics that will clog up pores and opt for oil-free makeup.

GENTLE CLEANSING WITH ORGANIC EXTRACTS

IT is a known fact that daily cleansing is the first and most important step in any facial care routine. EverSoft product manager of Wipro Unza Malaysia, Connie Tee says choosing a gentle cleanser that meets younger skin needs is also important.

“EverSoft Facial Cleanser is formulated with 100 per cent organic plant extracts which is gentle yet effective to remove excess oil, dirt and impurities, while maintaining skin’s natural protective layer. Specially formulated with Japanese technology which is suitable for Asian skin, EverSoft has a wide range of cleansers for different skin types,” says Tee.

Tee adds that the EverSoft range comes in four facial foam variants, and two facial scrub variants. The foam variants are organic avocado, gingko and grape fruit, pomegranate and mulberry and rice milk and honey.

The scrub variants are organic apricot and gingko. The apricot facial scrub with blackhead clearing has a deep scrubbing action that removes blackheads, stubborn impurities and dead skin. It also removes excess oil to help prevent future formation of blackheads/whiteheads.

Organic gingko daily revitalising gentle scrub gently exfoliates skin to remove dead cells and restore a healthy glow. It’s gentle enough for daily use.