A to Z Blogging Challenge (2018) - Theme

The Challenge is back!

At the end of my first challenge in 2016 (can read posts here), I told myself never again. So I skipped it last year, 2017.

Looks like it's not easy to stay away and so I signed up for the 2018 challenge a few days ago (listed at No.331 on the A to Z Challenge list). Besides, the blog needs some updating as it has been in a bit of a neglect, you see.

Back in 2016, I was doing random A to Z posts with no particular theme. This year I thought I'd do a theme on Malaysia - the places, the people, the food, everything to do with Malaysia, where I am located.

Come visit if you would like to know a thing or two about Malaysia.

And if you are game to join in the fun, sign up to the A to Z Challenge (2018). Sign-ups are open until March 26. The challenge starts April 1 - an alphabet a day (excluding Sunday).

Game?

Deep freeze the next few days

If you think it's cold here in Kuala Lumpur having no sunshine today, you'll have to check out what's happening in the United States.

Deep freeze grips the US during New Year celebrations
Source: The Star.

The cold will last the next few days, I heard over the news yesterday.

Is it cold where you are?

Baby Panda to return to China

If you have yet to visit the pandas in Zoo Negara, the National Zoo in Kuala Lumpur, you may want to do so soon if you want to see them or especially baby panda Nuan Nuan who is the offspring of the couple, Xing Xing and Liang Liang.

The zoo has started making preparations for Nuan Nuan's return to China to the Giant Panda Santuaries in Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan, soon. Nuan Nuan, which means warmth, is the first Malaysian-born panda cub.

Nuan Nuan is the offspring of Xing Xing and Liang Liang. The pair came to Malaysia in 2014 on a 10-year loan from China.

Preparation includes keeping the cub in a small cage once a week for 30 minutes so that she can get used to the enclosed condition during the air and road travel. This training began in mid-August. She is also separated from her mother, Liang Liang periodically so that she can get used to not seeing her mother.

Nuan Nuan is also able to understand the Sichuan dialect, thanks to one of her keepers from China, which makes the cub ready when she goes back to China.

For more information on the pandas and entry rates to the zoo, check out National Zoo.


Source: The Star - Prepping baby panda for trip back to China

American Woman - Guess Who

All of a sudden, out of the blue, I wanted to hear 'American Woman'. Give it a listen if you haven't heard it before. But who hasn't, eh? Best version everrrr!


One of the things I enjoy about You Tube is the comments, like this one that says:

- 537 thumbs down? Those are 537 people that deserve to have their thumbs cut off with a dull rusty knife. (As we speak the number has gone up to 826).

And then in response someone said:

- wow you must be a psychopath.

Yet another says:

I can't believe all those thumbs down, this really is a very special song.


For more on what people have to say go to You Tube.

Enjoy, if classic rock is your cup of tea, that is.

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Sennheiser Microphones

If you are in the music business, you'd be familiar with the Sennheiser brand.

If you are not never mind, here's some info from Wikipedia.. Sennheiser is a private German audio company specializing in the design and production of a wide range of high fidelity products, including microphones, headphones, telephony accessories and avionics headsets for personal, professional and business applications.

Sennheiser deals in headphones and headsets, microphones and wireless systems, meeting and conference room solutions, loudspeakers just to name the basics.

The company has won many awards for their high quality products including an Emmy Award in 1996 for its advancements in RF wireless technology.

Sennheiser products are marketed worldwide. Check out sennheiser microphones at guitarcenter.com or call them for a specific item you are looking for.

Malaysia Airlines - 3-day flash deals

Planning a holiday between July 27 to Sept 30, 2017? MAS' 3-day flash deals offer discounts for travel within this period.

The national carrier is offering customers a chance to enjoy up to 35% savings on economy class to selected routes.

Air fares are from as low as RM359 to Phuket, RM369 to Jakarta, RM899 to Manila while for flights to Beijing, the fares start from RM1,009 to Beijing and RM1,299 to Mumbai. These fares are for departures from KL International Airport (KLIA).

Fares from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) start from RM839 to Taipei, RM999 to Perth and from as low as RM 1,269 to Tokyo.

MAS is also offering all-in, one-way promotion from RM99 to all domestic destinations, during selected periods throughout the year.

Promotion comes with no hidden charges or credit card fees and include a baggage allowance of 30kg and complimentary meals.

Book your tickets here: https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en.html or at participating travel agents, through its mobile app, MHmobile or call centre at 1 300 88 3000.


Image source: The Star

Amazing range of Guitars

Are you in the market for a guitar? You've come to the right place.

Musician's Friend is just the place to shop. All kinds of guitars are available to meet every discerning guitarist's needs from electric guitars to acoustic guitars to classical & folk instruments.

See what I mean? Check out musiciansfriend.com guitars for sale You'd be amazed at the range and even more so at the prices! Happy guitar-shopping!

Malaysia's Very First Gold Medal at a World Championship

National diver Cheong Jun Hoong claimed a truly stunning win in the women's 10m platform individual final at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Jun Hoong became the nation's first ever diving world champion after chalking 397.50 points to come out tops in a starry final field of 12 participants on Wednesday evening.

Not only did she win Malaysia's first-ever diving gold medal at the world championships but Jun Hoong beat two top Chinese divers — Si Yajie and Ren Qian - the 2016 Rio Olympics silver and gold medalists.

The champion is in disbelief that she is now the diving world champion.

"My god, I'm a world champion! Of course it is a dream come true," Jun Hoong told The Star.