Monday, August 12, 2013

Office Plants

I don't plan for office plants. It's just the way things go and twist. I had been out of Putrajaya city center after October 2010 with a year stint in Tanah Merah Kelantan and another 1 year 8 months in Pasir Gudang Johor.  After almost 3 years away, now I am back in Putrajaya.

We cant complain much as we settle down on the 10th floor of  an apartment here. Vegetable gardening will definitely take a new turn without the luxury of space I had been enjoying.  For now I am venturing into OFFICE PLANTS....

To start with lets share what Laura Hampton had in mind.

 

1. Plants clean the air

Plants have been scientifically proven to remove harmful toxins and VOCs from the air. These toxins are emitted into our environment, particularly our office spaces, by everyday objects and materials such as computers, printers, clothing and even carpets. By turning these toxins into food for themselves and, in turn, emitting oxygen, plants clean the air we breathe.

2. Plants make us healthier

33 million working days and £16 billion are lost through illness at work each year. One of the effects of the cleaner air produced by plants is that we become healthier. The placement of plants in work spaces has been proven to decrease levels of absenteeism due to sickness and minor ailments such as coughing, colds, sneezing and headaches.

3. Plants make us more productive and efficient

By removing harmful toxins from the air, plants help us to keep a clear head, thus making us more productive. The calming effects of plants reduce stress in the office too, meaning we can spend more time and energy on work and less on being stressed.

4. Plants reduce humidity and conserve energy

Plants create their own micro-climate around them as they absorb heat, reducing the amount of air conditioning necessary and thus saving businesses money.

5. Just one plant can make a big difference

Recent research has proven that just one plant can make a huge difference to the productivity, cleanliness of air, stress levels and environment. Everyone feels more appreciated, happier, healthier and more productive when plants are around.

To find out more about the benefits of plants, or to find an interior landscaper who can meet your indoor planting needs, visit www.efig.eu.com.



and for now three young bakawali
will form
the focal point of
"my green office"
 
 
Bakawali, new office plant.
 



______ bangchik and kakdah ______
putrajaya

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

celosia, pinkish purple.

We planted 6 celosia in a row as companions to marigolds, zinnias and kangkong, sharing the same flower bed. Kangkong was the first to grow and pulled out as veggie. Zinnias in such tight space seemed to flower early and died in chorus. 

Now celosia is taking prominence growing to a height of 5 feet, with long beautiful pinkish purple flowers. Marigolds just started flowering.


celosia, backyard garden



celosia, backyard garden

to celosia, the rest are all dwarfs


________________bangchik and kakdah________________
pasir gudang



Pineapples, gearing for bigger world.

It is an attempt to give pineapples a world it deserves. Exclusiveness.  Three local higher learning institutions, Tourism Department of Johor, Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation and  Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board  joined  up to give pineapples a bright new future.  I was there somewhere in the big blue ocean strategy adventure

The whole effort is centered towards creating a future for pineapple fibers in Malaysia.



Community engagement in Kampung Puteri Menangis, Pontian.
- introducing  pineapple fiber extraction
Fiber extractor , a prototype.

We managed to get research grant to further develop the necessary machines and techniques to produce pineapple fiber of high quality.   Philippine and Indonesia had ventured into pineapple fiber for decades. Malaysia is still learning, but I sincerely hope that pineapple growers in Johor, Pontian especially will benefit in a big way soon.



The journey is long but we already had " Tenun Diraja Johor or Royal Johor Weave" in mind.



(sorry for being on off-mode for a few months) 




Friday, March 1, 2013

World Kite Festival, Pasir Gudang ~ the antics

It was a hot afternoon, but fun all the way.
23rd February 2013, Pasir Gudang




" You shoot me, I will shoot you! " we both said


a participant from abroad, squeezed in between

a young lady

then she smiled.

the two smiled happily


_______ acrobatic display of 4-wheeler kite handler ________


foto 1


foto 2
foto 3




foto 4


foto 5














foto 6



foto 7
foto 8










foto 9
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foto 11


foto 13
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foto 14
foto 15.... Oppsss!










and that was the kite he was handling.




___________BANGCHIK AND KAKDAH___________
p a s i r   g u d a n g
JOHOR

Monday, February 25, 2013

World Kite Festival 2013, Pasir Gudang.

Pasir Gudang Johor Malaysia
23rd February 2013.

Both of us went out to Bukit Layang-layang with Syed Shik just after lunch to see for the first time, the18th Pasir Gudang World Kite Festival which was held from 19th to 24th February 2013. This internationally acclaimed event has been hosted since 1995. Estimated 15,000 people turned up that day according to Mr  On Jabbar ,  the mayor of Pasir Gudang. It was an event which had enjoyed continuous coverage by Malaysian media.

We loved the colourful event very much.

_____________T h e       k i t e s_____________


foto 1: the big kite.
foto 2: the kites

foto 3: the kites

foto 4: the kites

foto 5: the kites

foto 6. the kites



_____________ Gudang World Kite Festival 2013 _____________
ceremony graced by DYMM Sultan of Johor


smiling youngsters

Traditional Gendang or Drums

DYMM Sultan of Johor, Dato Khaled , On Jabbar, Dato Ali and Dato Obet.

The police

The police

The police

The crowd

The contingents and a man can be seen running for something

The band

DYMM Sultan of Johor leaving. The policeman just closed the door.

DYMM Sultan of Johor leaving and waving to the crowd




__________Bangchik and Kakdah__________
Pasir Gudang


Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Stevia on bigger scale.

It's rather an on_and_off kind of adventure with propagating stevia, the god blessed natural sweetener.  So we decided to push for bigger scale, 300 seedlings.  They are now at various stages of growth. I am almost ready for real stevia production.




stevia seedlings a month old

Stevia seedlings a month old

Stevia seedlings about a month old

Stevia seedlings about a month old
Stevia seedlings a month old

Stevia seedlings a month old
Stevia seedlings, just a few days old

Stevia seedlings, just a few days old.

Stevia shoot just about right for propagation

Stevia shoot just about right for propagation

Stevia in polybags


_______bangchik and kakdah_______
pasir gudang