In the midst of political dramas, Malaysians seems to be forgetting something very important. An event that is meant to unite nations of the world in friendly match…what’s that? It’s O.L.Y.M.P.I.C… Yes! Olympic! Haha. Ah, yours truly over here is looking forward to Olympic, though she’s not an athletic person. Olympic gives  me the joy of sitting in front of the idiot box with my family and friends over loads of junkies. Olympic gives me the reason to cheer with joy over athletes victories as well as the exhiliration of the athletes competing against each other. But the reason I love Olympic the most is the sheer joy of being able to spend time with family and friends together. Olympic have so many sporting event and it can never bores me with only one specific sport. Olympic definitely gives me the ‘feel good feelings’.

Now, about the host of 2008 Olympic event- Beijing, China. Beijing was elected the host city on July 13, 2001, during the 112th IOC Session in Moscow, beating Toronto, Paris, Istanbul, and Osaka. Prior to the session, five other cities (Bangkok, Cairo, Havana, Kuala Lumpur, and Seville) submitted bids to the IOC but failed to make the short list in 2000. After the first round of voting, Beijing held a significant lead over the other four candidates. Osaka received only 6 votes and was eliminated. In the second round, Beijing was supported by an absolute majority of voters, eliminating the need for subsequent rounds.

The 2008 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad is a Summer Olympics event, that will be held in Beijing, People’s Republic of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008 and followed by the 2008 Summer Paralympics from September 6 to September 17. 10,500 athletes are expected to compete in 302 events in 28 sports, just one event more than was on the schedule of the 2004 games.

Oh my god, that’s just 6 days ahead! Be prepared for adrenaline rush, people! Let’s cheer for Malaysia or your favourite athlete( because I kinda doubt our athletes will be bringing back much gold medal) 🙁

One more thing about Olympic is their mascot. I’ve always love those cute mascot. Through various Olympic documentary, I get to know various mascots, like Hodori of Seoul, Izzy of Atlanta as well as Syd, Millie and Ollie of Sydney. But the mascot this time drives me crazy! Crazy in a good way, that is, because they have 5 mascot to represent Beijing Olympic games. They are known as Fuwa, literally means ‘Lucky Dolls/Good luck dolls.

The 2008 Olympic Mascots are the five Fuwa .The Fuwa consist of five members that incorporate fish, giant panda, olympic flame, Tibetan antelope, and swallow designs. The Fuwa each have as their primary colour, one of the colours of the five Olympic Rings that stand for the five continents. The five Fuwa are named Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, and Nini. When the first syllable of each of the five names are said together, the result is the phrase 北京欢迎你 (BÄ›ijÄ«ng huānyíng nÄ­) which means “Beijing welcomes you”. Cleverly designed, isn’t it?

 And they even have a cartoon series for people to watch. Fuwa, aired on 8tv every Monday-Wednesday, 4pm. I’ve been taping it and damn, did they do a good job in promoting the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace — and good wishes from China — to children all over the world. Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics of four of China’s most popular animals — the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow — and the Olympic Flame. Each of Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name — a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow. When you put their names together — Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni — they say “Welcome to Beijing,” offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games. Fuwa also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirations of people from every part of the vast country of China. In their origins and their headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature — the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky — all stylistically rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation. Spreading Traditional Chinese Good Wishes Wherever They Go In the ancient culture of China, there is a grand tradition of spreading good wishes through signs and symbols. Each of Fuwa symbolizes a different blessing — and will honor this tradition by carrying their good wishes to the children of the world. Prosperity, happiness, passion, health and good luck will be spread to every continent as Fuwa carry their invitation to Beijing 2008 to every part of the globe. At the heart of their mission — and through all of their work — Fuwa will seek to unite the world in peace and friendship through the Olympic spirit. Dedicated to helping Beijing 2008 spread its theme of One World, One Dream to every continent, Fuwa reflect the deep desire of the Chinese people to reach out to the world in friendship through the Games — and to invite every man, woman and child to take part in the great celebration of human solidarity that China will host in the light of the flame in 2008. In China’s traditional culture and art, the fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. And so Beibei carries the blessing of prosperity. A fish is also a symbol of surplus in Chinese culture, another measure of a good year and a good life. The ornamental lines of the water-wave designs are taken from well-known Chinese paintings of the past. Among Fuwa, Beibei is known to be gentle and pure. Strong in water sports, she reflects the blue Olympic ring. Jingjing makes children smile — and that’s why he brings the blessing of happiness wherever he goes. You can see his joy in the charming naivety of his dancing pose and the lovely wave of his black and white fur. As a national treasure and a protected species, pandas are adored by people everywhere. The lotus designs in Jingjing’s headdress, which are inspired by the porcelain paintings of the Song Dynasty (A.D.960-1234), symbolize the lush forest and the harmonious relationship between man and nature. Jingjing was chosen to represent our desire to protect nature’s gifts — and to preserve the beauty of nature for all generations. Jingjing is charmingly naïve and optimistic. He is an athlete noted for strength who represents the black Olympic ring. In the intimate circle of Fuwa, Huanhuan is the big brother. He is a child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport — and passion is the blessing he bestows. Huanhuan stands in the center of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit. And while he inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and be stronger, he is also open and inviting. Wherever the light of Huanhuan shines, the inviting warmth of Beijing 2008 — and the wishful blessings of the Chinese people — can be felt. The fiery designs of his head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals — with just a touch of China’s traditional lucky designs. Huanhuan is outgoing and enthusiastic. He excels at all the ball games and represents the red Olympic ring. Like all antelopes, Yingying is fast and agile and can swiftly cover great stretches of land as he races across the earth. A symbol of the vastness of China’s landscape, the antelope carries the blessing of health, the strength of body that comes from harmony with nature. Yingying’s flying pose captures the essence of a species unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the first animals put under protection in China. The selection of the Tibetan Antelope reflects Beijing commitment to a Green Olympics. His head ornament incorporates several decorative styles from the Qinghai-Tibet and Sinkiang cultures and the ethnic design traditions of Western China. Strong in track and field events, Yingying is a quick-witted and agile boy who represents the yellow Olympic ring. Every spring and summer, the children of Beijing have flown beautiful kites on the currents of wind that blow through the capital. Among the kite designs, the golden-winged swallow is traditionally one of the most popular. Nini’s figure is drawn from this grand tradition of flying designs. Her golden wings symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing wherever she flies. Swallow is also pronounced “yan” in Chinese, and Yanjing is what Beijing was called as an ancient capital city. Among Fuwa, Nini is as innocent and joyful as a swallow. She is strong in gymnastics and represents the green Olympic ring.

 Seriously, I’m looking forward to this coming Olympic. The Chinese has definitely outdone themselves this time. And I hope you guys out there are looking forward to chill out with your loved ones too this coming Olympic! Take a break, chill out and enjoy the excitement 😛

The video below is an official introduction to the five Beijing Olympic Games mascot 2008.

 [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdFtSJfmBzM]

Cleffairy: I’m a patriotic person, as much as I’d like my country to host the Olympic games, I thank God that Malaysia was not chosen as the 2008 Olympic host. Olympic is supposed to represent prosperity, unity and stabililty, which Malaysia sadly lacked these days. Just imagine what kind of a international laughingstock we would be if we were to host it this year.

In the midst of political dramas, Malaysians seems to be forgetting something very important. An event that is meant to unite nations of the world in friendly match…what’s that? It’s O.L.Y.M.P.I.C… Yes! Olympic! Haha. Ah, yours truly over here is looking forward to Olympic, though she’s not an athletic person. Olympic gives  me the joy of sitting in front of the idiot box with my family and friends over loads of junkies. Olympic gives me the reason to cheer with joy over athletes victories as well as the exhiliration of the athletes competing against each other. But the reason I love Olympic the most is the sheer joy of being able to spend time with family and friends together. Olympic have so many sporting event and it can never bores me with only one specific sport. Olympic definitely gives me the ‘feel good feelings’.

Now, about the host of 2008 Olympic event- Beijing, China. Beijing was elected the host city on July 13, 2001, during the 112th IOC Session in Moscow, beating Toronto, Paris, Istanbul, and Osaka. Prior to the session, five other cities (Bangkok, Cairo, Havana, Kuala Lumpur, and Seville) submitted bids to the IOC but failed to make the short list in 2000. After the first round of voting, Beijing held a significant lead over the other four candidates. Osaka received only 6 votes and was eliminated. In the second round, Beijing was supported by an absolute majority of voters, eliminating the need for subsequent rounds.

The 2008 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad is a Summer Olympics event, that will be held in Beijing, People’s Republic of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008 and followed by the 2008 Summer Paralympics from September 6 to September 17. 10,500 athletes are expected to compete in 302 events in 28 sports, just one event more than was on the schedule of the 2004 games.

Oh my god, that’s just 6 days ahead! Be prepared for adrenaline rush, people! Let’s cheer for Malaysia or your favourite athlete( because I kinda doubt our athletes will be bringing back much gold medal) 🙁

One more thing about Olympic is their mascot. I’ve always love those cute mascot. Through various Olympic documentary, I get to know various mascots, like Hodori of Seoul, Izzy of Atlanta as well as Syd, Millie and Ollie of Sydney. But the mascot this time drives me crazy! Crazy in a good way, that is, because they have 5 mascot to represent Beijing Olympic games. They are known as Fuwa, literally means ‘Lucky Dolls/Good luck dolls.

The 2008 Olympic Mascots are the five Fuwa .The Fuwa consist of five members that incorporate fish, giant panda, olympic flame, Tibetan antelope, and swallow designs. The Fuwa each have as their primary colour, one of the colours of the five Olympic Rings that stand for the five continents. The five Fuwa are named Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, and Nini. When the first syllable of each of the five names are said together, the result is the phrase 北京欢迎你 (Běijīng huānyíng nĭ) which means “Beijing welcomes you”. Cleverly designed, isn’t it?

 And they even have a cartoon series for people to watch. Fuwa, aired on 8tv every Monday-Wednesday, 4pm. I’ve been taping it and damn, did they do a good job in promoting the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace — and good wishes from China — to children all over the world. Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics of four of China’s most popular animals — the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow — and the Olympic Flame. Each of Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name — a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow. When you put their names together — Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni — they say “Welcome to Beijing,” offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games. Fuwa also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirations of people from every part of the vast country of China. In their origins and their headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature — the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky — all stylistically rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation. Spreading Traditional Chinese Good Wishes Wherever They Go In the ancient culture of China, there is a grand tradition of spreading good wishes through signs and symbols. Each of Fuwa symbolizes a different blessing — and will honor this tradition by carrying their good wishes to the children of the world. Prosperity, happiness, passion, health and good luck will be spread to every continent as Fuwa carry their invitation to Beijing 2008 to every part of the globe. At the heart of their mission — and through all of their work — Fuwa will seek to unite the world in peace and friendship through the Olympic spirit. Dedicated to helping Beijing 2008 spread its theme of One World, One Dream to every continent, Fuwa reflect the deep desire of the Chinese people to reach out to the world in friendship through the Games — and to invite every man, woman and child to take part in the great celebration of human solidarity that China will host in the light of the flame in 2008. In China’s traditional culture and art, the fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. And so Beibei carries the blessing of prosperity. A fish is also a symbol of surplus in Chinese culture, another measure of a good year and a good life. The ornamental lines of the water-wave designs are taken from well-known Chinese paintings of the past. Among Fuwa, Beibei is known to be gentle and pure. Strong in water sports, she reflects the blue Olympic ring. Jingjing makes children smile — and that’s why he brings the blessing of happiness wherever he goes. You can see his joy in the charming naivety of his dancing pose and the lovely wave of his black and white fur. As a national treasure and a protected species, pandas are adored by people everywhere. The lotus designs in Jingjing’s headdress, which are inspired by the porcelain paintings of the Song Dynasty (A.D.960-1234), symbolize the lush forest and the harmonious relationship between man and nature. Jingjing was chosen to represent our desire to protect nature’s gifts — and to preserve the beauty of nature for all generations. Jingjing is charmingly naïve and optimistic. He is an athlete noted for strength who represents the black Olympic ring. In the intimate circle of Fuwa, Huanhuan is the big brother. He is a child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport — and passion is the blessing he bestows. Huanhuan stands in the center of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit. And while he inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and be stronger, he is also open and inviting. Wherever the light of Huanhuan shines, the inviting warmth of Beijing 2008 — and the wishful blessings of the Chinese people — can be felt. The fiery designs of his head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals — with just a touch of China’s traditional lucky designs. Huanhuan is outgoing and enthusiastic. He excels at all the ball games and represents the red Olympic ring. Like all antelopes, Yingying is fast and agile and can swiftly cover great stretches of land as he races across the earth. A symbol of the vastness of China’s landscape, the antelope carries the blessing of health, the strength of body that comes from harmony with nature. Yingying’s flying pose captures the essence of a species unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the first animals put under protection in China. The selection of the Tibetan Antelope reflects Beijing commitment to a Green Olympics. His head ornament incorporates several decorative styles from the Qinghai-Tibet and Sinkiang cultures and the ethnic design traditions of Western China. Strong in track and field events, Yingying is a quick-witted and agile boy who represents the yellow Olympic ring. Every spring and summer, the children of Beijing have flown beautiful kites on the currents of wind that blow through the capital. Among the kite designs, the golden-winged swallow is traditionally one of the most popular. Nini’s figure is drawn from this grand tradition of flying designs. Her golden wings symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing wherever she flies. Swallow is also pronounced “yan” in Chinese, and Yanjing is what Beijing was called as an ancient capital city. Among Fuwa, Nini is as innocent and joyful as a swallow. She is strong in gymnastics and represents the green Olympic ring.

 Seriously, I’m looking forward to this coming Olympic. The Chinese has definitely outdone themselves this time. And I hope you guys out there are looking forward to chill out with your loved ones too this coming Olympic! Take a break, chill out and enjoy the excitement 😛

The video below is an official introduction to the five Beijing Olympic Games mascot 2008.

 [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdFtSJfmBzM]

Cleffairy: I’m a patriotic person, as much as I’d like my country to host the Olympic games, I thank God that Malaysia was not chosen as the 2008 Olympic host. Olympic is supposed to represent prosperity, unity and stabililty, which Malaysia sadly lacked these days. Just imagine what kind of a international laughingstock we would be if we were to host it this year.

In the midst of political dramas, Malaysians seems to be forgetting something very important. An event that is meant to unite nations of the world in friendly match…what’s that? It’s O.L.Y.M.P.I.C… Yes! Olympic! Haha. Ah, yours truly over here is looking forward to Olympic, though she’s not an athletic person. Olympic gives  me the joy of sitting in front of the idiot box with my family and friends over loads of junkies. Olympic gives me the reason to cheer with joy over athletes victories as well as the exhiliration of the athletes competing against each other. But the reason I love Olympic the most is the sheer joy of being able to spend time with family and friends together. Olympic have so many sporting event and it can never bores me with only one specific sport. Olympic definitely gives me the ‘feel good feelings’.

Now, about the host of 2008 Olympic event- Beijing, China. Beijing was elected the host city on July 13, 2001, during the 112th IOC Session in Moscow, beating Toronto, Paris, Istanbul, and Osaka. Prior to the session, five other cities (Bangkok, Cairo, Havana, Kuala Lumpur, and Seville) submitted bids to the IOC but failed to make the short list in 2000. After the first round of voting, Beijing held a significant lead over the other four candidates. Osaka received only 6 votes and was eliminated. In the second round, Beijing was supported by an absolute majority of voters, eliminating the need for subsequent rounds.

The 2008 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad is a Summer Olympics event, that will be held in Beijing, People’s Republic of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008 and followed by the 2008 Summer Paralympics from September 6 to September 17. 10,500 athletes are expected to compete in 302 events in 28 sports, just one event more than was on the schedule of the 2004 games.

Oh my god, that’s just 6 days ahead! Be prepared for adrenaline rush, people! Let’s cheer for Malaysia or your favourite athlete( because I kinda doubt our athletes will be bringing back much gold medal) 🙁

One more thing about Olympic is their mascot. I’ve always love those cute mascot. Through various Olympic documentary, I get to know various mascots, like Hodori of Seoul, Izzy of Atlanta as well as Syd, Millie and Ollie of Sydney. But the mascot this time drives me crazy! Crazy in a good way, that is, because they have 5 mascot to represent Beijing Olympic games. They are known as Fuwa, literally means ‘Lucky Dolls/Good luck dolls.

The 2008 Olympic Mascots are the five Fuwa .The Fuwa consist of five members that incorporate fish, giant panda, olympic flame, Tibetan antelope, and swallow designs. The Fuwa each have as their primary colour, one of the colours of the five Olympic Rings that stand for the five continents. The five Fuwa are named Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, and Nini. When the first syllable of each of the five names are said together, the result is the phrase 北京欢迎你 (Běijīng huānyíng nĭ) which means “Beijing welcomes you”. Cleverly designed, isn’t it?

 And they even have a cartoon series for people to watch. Fuwa, aired on 8tv every Monday-Wednesday, 4pm. I’ve been taping it and damn, did they do a good job in promoting the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace — and good wishes from China — to children all over the world. Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics of four of China’s most popular animals — the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow — and the Olympic Flame. Each of Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name — a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow. When you put their names together — Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni — they say “Welcome to Beijing,” offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games. Fuwa also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirations of people from every part of the vast country of China. In their origins and their headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature — the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky — all stylistically rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation. Spreading Traditional Chinese Good Wishes Wherever They Go In the ancient culture of China, there is a grand tradition of spreading good wishes through signs and symbols. Each of Fuwa symbolizes a different blessing — and will honor this tradition by carrying their good wishes to the children of the world. Prosperity, happiness, passion, health and good luck will be spread to every continent as Fuwa carry their invitation to Beijing 2008 to every part of the globe. At the heart of their mission — and through all of their work — Fuwa will seek to unite the world in peace and friendship through the Olympic spirit. Dedicated to helping Beijing 2008 spread its theme of One World, One Dream to every continent, Fuwa reflect the deep desire of the Chinese people to reach out to the world in friendship through the Games — and to invite every man, woman and child to take part in the great celebration of human solidarity that China will host in the light of the flame in 2008. In China’s traditional culture and art, the fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. And so Beibei carries the blessing of prosperity. A fish is also a symbol of surplus in Chinese culture, another measure of a good year and a good life. The ornamental lines of the water-wave designs are taken from well-known Chinese paintings of the past. Among Fuwa, Beibei is known to be gentle and pure. Strong in water sports, she reflects the blue Olympic ring. Jingjing makes children smile — and that’s why he brings the blessing of happiness wherever he goes. You can see his joy in the charming naivety of his dancing pose and the lovely wave of his black and white fur. As a national treasure and a protected species, pandas are adored by people everywhere. The lotus designs in Jingjing’s headdress, which are inspired by the porcelain paintings of the Song Dynasty (A.D.960-1234), symbolize the lush forest and the harmonious relationship between man and nature. Jingjing was chosen to represent our desire to protect nature’s gifts — and to preserve the beauty of nature for all generations. Jingjing is charmingly naïve and optimistic. He is an athlete noted for strength who represents the black Olympic ring. In the intimate circle of Fuwa, Huanhuan is the big brother. He is a child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport — and passion is the blessing he bestows. Huanhuan stands in the center of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit. And while he inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and be stronger, he is also open and inviting. Wherever the light of Huanhuan shines, the inviting warmth of Beijing 2008 — and the wishful blessings of the Chinese people — can be felt. The fiery designs of his head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals — with just a touch of China’s traditional lucky designs. Huanhuan is outgoing and enthusiastic. He excels at all the ball games and represents the red Olympic ring. Like all antelopes, Yingying is fast and agile and can swiftly cover great stretches of land as he races across the earth. A symbol of the vastness of China’s landscape, the antelope carries the blessing of health, the strength of body that comes from harmony with nature. Yingying’s flying pose captures the essence of a species unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the first animals put under protection in China. The selection of the Tibetan Antelope reflects Beijing commitment to a Green Olympics. His head ornament incorporates several decorative styles from the Qinghai-Tibet and Sinkiang cultures and the ethnic design traditions of Western China. Strong in track and field events, Yingying is a quick-witted and agile boy who represents the yellow Olympic ring. Every spring and summer, the children of Beijing have flown beautiful kites on the currents of wind that blow through the capital. Among the kite designs, the golden-winged swallow is traditionally one of the most popular. Nini’s figure is drawn from this grand tradition of flying designs. Her golden wings symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing wherever she flies. Swallow is also pronounced “yan” in Chinese, and Yanjing is what Beijing was called as an ancient capital city. Among Fuwa, Nini is as innocent and joyful as a swallow. She is strong in gymnastics and represents the green Olympic ring.

 Seriously, I’m looking forward to this coming Olympic. The Chinese has definitely outdone themselves this time. And I hope you guys out there are looking forward to chill out with your loved ones too this coming Olympic! Take a break, chill out and enjoy the excitement 😛

The video below is an official introduction to the five Beijing Olympic Games mascot 2008.

 [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdFtSJfmBzM]

Cleffairy: I’m a patriotic person, as much as I’d like my country to host the Olympic games, I thank God that Malaysia was not chosen as the 2008 Olympic host. Olympic is supposed to represent prosperity, unity and stabililty, which Malaysia sadly lacked these days. Just imagine what kind of a international laughingstock we would be if we were to host it this year.

In the midst of political dramas, Malaysians seems to be forgetting something very important. An event that is meant to unite nations of the world in friendly match…what’s that? It’s O.L.Y.M.P.I.C… Yes! Olympic! Haha. Ah, yours truly over here is looking forward to Olympic, though she’s not an athletic person. Olympic gives  me the joy of sitting in front of the idiot box with my family and friends over loads of junkies. Olympic gives me the reason to cheer with joy over athletes victories as well as the exhiliration of the athletes competing against each other. But the reason I love Olympic the most is the sheer joy of being able to spend time with family and friends together. Olympic have so many sporting event and it can never bores me with only one specific sport. Olympic definitely gives me the ‘feel good feelings’.

Now, about the host of 2008 Olympic event- Beijing, China. Beijing was elected the host city on July 13, 2001, during the 112th IOC Session in Moscow, beating Toronto, Paris, Istanbul, and Osaka. Prior to the session, five other cities (Bangkok, Cairo, Havana, Kuala Lumpur, and Seville) submitted bids to the IOC but failed to make the short list in 2000. After the first round of voting, Beijing held a significant lead over the other four candidates. Osaka received only 6 votes and was eliminated. In the second round, Beijing was supported by an absolute majority of voters, eliminating the need for subsequent rounds.

The 2008 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad is a Summer Olympics event, that will be held in Beijing, People’s Republic of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008 and followed by the 2008 Summer Paralympics from September 6 to September 17. 10,500 athletes are expected to compete in 302 events in 28 sports, just one event more than was on the schedule of the 2004 games.

Oh my god, that’s just 6 days ahead! Be prepared for adrenaline rush, people! Let’s cheer for Malaysia or your favourite athlete( because I kinda doubt our athletes will be bringing back much gold medal) 🙁

One more thing about Olympic is their mascot. I’ve always love those cute mascot. Through various Olympic documentary, I get to know various mascots, like Hodori of Seoul, Izzy of Atlanta as well as Syd, Millie and Ollie of Sydney. But the mascot this time drives me crazy! Crazy in a good way, that is, because they have 5 mascot to represent Beijing Olympic games. They are known as Fuwa, literally means ‘Lucky Dolls/Good luck dolls.

The 2008 Olympic Mascots are the five Fuwa .The Fuwa consist of five members that incorporate fish, giant panda, olympic flame, Tibetan antelope, and swallow designs. The Fuwa each have as their primary colour, one of the colours of the five Olympic Rings that stand for the five continents. The five Fuwa are named Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, and Nini. When the first syllable of each of the five names are said together, the result is the phrase 北京欢迎你 (Běijīng huānyíng nĭ) which means “Beijing welcomes you”. Cleverly designed, isn’t it?

 And they even have a cartoon series for people to watch. Fuwa, aired on 8tv every Monday-Wednesday, 4pm. I’ve been taping it and damn, did they do a good job in promoting the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace — and good wishes from China — to children all over the world. Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics of four of China’s most popular animals — the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow — and the Olympic Flame. Each of Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name — a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow. When you put their names together — Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni — they say “Welcome to Beijing,” offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games. Fuwa also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirations of people from every part of the vast country of China. In their origins and their headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature — the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky — all stylistically rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation. Spreading Traditional Chinese Good Wishes Wherever They Go In the ancient culture of China, there is a grand tradition of spreading good wishes through signs and symbols. Each of Fuwa symbolizes a different blessing — and will honor this tradition by carrying their good wishes to the children of the world. Prosperity, happiness, passion, health and good luck will be spread to every continent as Fuwa carry their invitation to Beijing 2008 to every part of the globe. At the heart of their mission — and through all of their work — Fuwa will seek to unite the world in peace and friendship through the Olympic spirit. Dedicated to helping Beijing 2008 spread its theme of One World, One Dream to every continent, Fuwa reflect the deep desire of the Chinese people to reach out to the world in friendship through the Games — and to invite every man, woman and child to take part in the great celebration of human solidarity that China will host in the light of the flame in 2008. In China’s traditional culture and art, the fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. And so Beibei carries the blessing of prosperity. A fish is also a symbol of surplus in Chinese culture, another measure of a good year and a good life. The ornamental lines of the water-wave designs are taken from well-known Chinese paintings of the past. Among Fuwa, Beibei is known to be gentle and pure. Strong in water sports, she reflects the blue Olympic ring. Jingjing makes children smile — and that’s why he brings the blessing of happiness wherever he goes. You can see his joy in the charming naivety of his dancing pose and the lovely wave of his black and white fur. As a national treasure and a protected species, pandas are adored by people everywhere. The lotus designs in Jingjing’s headdress, which are inspired by the porcelain paintings of the Song Dynasty (A.D.960-1234), symbolize the lush forest and the harmonious relationship between man and nature. Jingjing was chosen to represent our desire to protect nature’s gifts — and to preserve the beauty of nature for all generations. Jingjing is charmingly naïve and optimistic. He is an athlete noted for strength who represents the black Olympic ring. In the intimate circle of Fuwa, Huanhuan is the big brother. He is a child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport — and passion is the blessing he bestows. Huanhuan stands in the center of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit. And while he inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and be stronger, he is also open and inviting. Wherever the light of Huanhuan shines, the inviting warmth of Beijing 2008 — and the wishful blessings of the Chinese people — can be felt. The fiery designs of his head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals — with just a touch of China’s traditional lucky designs. Huanhuan is outgoing and enthusiastic. He excels at all the ball games and represents the red Olympic ring. Like all antelopes, Yingying is fast and agile and can swiftly cover great stretches of land as he races across the earth. A symbol of the vastness of China’s landscape, the antelope carries the blessing of health, the strength of body that comes from harmony with nature. Yingying’s flying pose captures the essence of a species unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the first animals put under protection in China. The selection of the Tibetan Antelope reflects Beijing commitment to a Green Olympics. His head ornament incorporates several decorative styles from the Qinghai-Tibet and Sinkiang cultures and the ethnic design traditions of Western China. Strong in track and field events, Yingying is a quick-witted and agile boy who represents the yellow Olympic ring. Every spring and summer, the children of Beijing have flown beautiful kites on the currents of wind that blow through the capital. Among the kite designs, the golden-winged swallow is traditionally one of the most popular. Nini’s figure is drawn from this grand tradition of flying designs. Her golden wings symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing wherever she flies. Swallow is also pronounced “yan” in Chinese, and Yanjing is what Beijing was called as an ancient capital city. Among Fuwa, Nini is as innocent and joyful as a swallow. She is strong in gymnastics and represents the green Olympic ring.

 Seriously, I’m looking forward to this coming Olympic. The Chinese has definitely outdone themselves this time. And I hope you guys out there are looking forward to chill out with your loved ones too this coming Olympic! Take a break, chill out and enjoy the excitement 😛

The video below is an official introduction to the five Beijing Olympic Games mascot 2008.

 [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdFtSJfmBzM]

Cleffairy: I’m a patriotic person, as much as I’d like my country to host the Olympic games, I thank God that Malaysia was not chosen as the 2008 Olympic host. Olympic is supposed to represent prosperity, unity and stabililty, which Malaysia sadly lacked these days. Just imagine what kind of a international laughingstock we would be if we were to host it this year.

The article below was taken from The Star Malaysia 28th July 2008

PETALING JAYA: An armed robber apologised profusely for robbing a children’s home, and then made his getaway with two accomplices in the home’s brand new van.

Without their only mode of transportation, the administrators of Rumah Kasih in SS3 here were frantically calling friends and well-wishers yesterday to help ferry their 16 female charges to school, tuition and for other errands.

“This upsets our routine tremendously. Worse, the robbers shattered our sense of security. The girls no longer feel safe and are fearful of being attacked again,” said Rumah Kasih founding member and spokesperson Peter Anthony Das.

The three robbers, in their 20s and armed with parangs, had climbed over the closed automatic gate at 6.50am. The main grille was closed but not locked because house caretaker G. Rani had wanted to air the floor mat in the garden.

The robbers rushed into the home. One grabbed a child, Samantha, 12, and put a parang to her neck, telling her to be quiet.

Another rushed to Rani, 46, and demanded money, threatening to kill her if she made any noise.

“I was in the kitchen. Samantha was in the hall. The other children were sleeping in the rooms. The third robber began searching around the house for valuables,” Rani recalled.

“I pleaded with them not to harm the children, saying this was a home for underprivileged girls and that we did not have money.”

The agitated robber then swung his parang at Rani’s neck. She blocked it with her left hand and suffered cuts. The robber then snatched the wedding thali around her neck and also took a gold pendant.

Rani and Samantha were later shoved from room to room as the robbers continued their search for valuables. Some of the children awakened by the commotion hid under the beds.

Finding nothing, the robbers decided to steal the 14-seater van donated by another founding member, Benedict Raju.

“One robber repeatedly said sorry before the three escaped in the van,” said Rani.

Das said the house administrators would have to depend on the goodwill of well-wishers to provide transport for the girls. Those wishing to help, can contact Das at 012-213 4468.

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Now these are real bloody bastard. How could they rob from those helpless children? That’s inhumane. Honestly, I can’t believe even robbers would step so low as to rob from poor children. This article really got me thinking. First it’s a restaurant being robbed of the food that they’re supposed to sell. Then it’s the children home/orphanage. What’s next? Robbing from the poor and helpless old people in the old folks homes? God, when will this nonsense stop?

I guess I can answer my own question. These nonsense will not stop, at least not with the current state of economy where our money value seems to go way, way down. Not to mention that working opportunities are hard to come by as well these days. There are more people getting retrenched and fired than people who are getting a decent pay job and salary increament. People are struglling to earn a living and feed themselve that standard of living is no longer a priority. Surviving is.

I dare to speculate that such crime will continue to happen as long as the economy is not benefitting the lower and the middle income people. What else are they supposed to do when their money is not enough to feed themselves, what more to feed hungry mouth at home? Surely the temptation to rob or steal is too much to resist.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that robbing in the time of need is justified. Robbing and stealing cannot be justified, no matter what is the reason of the action. But honestly, I would prefer these robbers make an effort to rob some rich ass house who owns a few cars for a vehicle rather than robbing from the children who only have one van to shuffle them around.

While some of us seems to be oblivious to the suffering around us and continue to live a life of a top bitch, going around enjoying all the luxury life could possibly offer, there are people who are homeless, and starving on the street. While others enjoy good food, good wine and good companion and probably shop til they drop for clothing, the homeless have nothing that they could actually call their own. And instead of being symphatized by today’s youth, they are being shunned. Sad, isn’t it? What is becoming of the youth these days? I shudder to think that the future of our nation is in the hands of oblivious youngsters who lusts after power and material posesssions.

My encounter with the homeless lady I mentioned in my previous post, is truly an eye opener to me, and I daresay two or three meals a day for them is a luxury. Here’s another programme similar to ‘Feed The Needy’ as I mention in the previous post. It’s called Kechara Soup Kitchen, aimed to feed the homeless and the needy around Kuala Lumpur(Pudu Raya, Pudu Market and Chow Kit Road) every Saturday regardless of race and religion. For a long term effort to eradicate the rate of homelessness and poverty, Kechara Soup Kitchen is making an effort to build a nurturing centre to take in homeless people and provide them with education and training so that they could be employed and slowly build their life and once again enter the society as independent individual.

So, people, if you can afford to enjoy the luxury of life, I am sure you could spare your time, money or effort to help the needy and the homeless. I’m tied with commitments during weekends, but I think I can squeeze in some time for Kechara Soup Kitchen starting from first or second weeken in August. How about you guys? Care to join me? If you can’t make an effort to help, I’m sure you guys can spare a penny or two or some clean old clothing for the needy.

Let us show some sense of humanity in this desperate time. Let’s work together to ease other’s suffering. To me, doing charity is a form of soul-searching. It brings you down to earth to face the harsh reality of life, and humbling at the same time. I’m sure most will feel the same way too as being close to the disadvantaged on the streets shows that the world is not made of beautiful paintings and bed of roses. 

Kechara Food Kitchen is a registered charity body (0926-08-SEL), and for those who are interested to help, volunteer or donate, here’s some info about them:

To volunteer, please contact Anna Tan at 012 614 0861

To offer monetary contributions, please contact Ruby at 012 203 3373

To offer medical aid, please contact Pete at 012 705 9022

To offer food and other material goods, please contact Bob at 012 201 1836

For other enquiries, please email help@kskcommunity.org

or visit their website at https://www.kskcommunity.org/

Cleffairy: Since the government is now too busy politicking to eradicate poverty, I guess it’s up to us, the citizens to extend helping hands to the needy who truly feels the impact of inflation and the current state of economy.