TV Inauguration

The world's fascination with Obama came to a climax last Tuesday on 2oth January 2009 when after a years' journey campaigning and winning the Presidential Elections in 2008, everyone's eyes glued to TV screens all over the world (some flew all the way to ground zero where all the action took place) to celebrate with the man whom everybody hopes to see what he has been advocating for all along...Change & Hope for America and the world over - Mr Barack Hussein Obama II.

Though I ain't American, but its really interesting to see how a world's superpower White nation, is now led by an African American, who's image now is currently second (or first) to that of American Idol by popular vote.

Here below caught on CNN was the coverage of the inauguration - a chapter added into pages of history... a day we shall always remember.

(page will load slowly as lots of graphics have been uploaded here. Please be patient ye...)





Dignitaries, politicians, and the crowd all set for the man of the hour.








Capitol Hill all decked for the occasion in striking red, blue and white - The American colours...Picture perfect!







Obama making his way to the podium, ready to take on the world officially as America's 44th President







Vice President Joe Biden seated on President Obama's right listening in on Aretha Franklin's ""My Country Tis of Thee"







Vice President Joe Biden taking the oath of office as he swears in to be Obama's "sidekick"









Miles and miles of crowds descended upon Washington to witness the historic event.










Obama deep in prayer before oath taking ceremony








Yo yo Ma, comprising not only him but also with a few world class musicians making history with their masterpiece before Obama takes his oath






yesseree-do... he likes it. Mr President flashes his smile of approval for the musical piece











Finally, he takes the oath.








Michelle Obama, America's First Lady looks on lovingly as her husband is sworn in as president.








Its now official. America goes wild now that Obama is formally made president. Make note of the multiple screens showing different parts of America celebrating.




Obama enters into pages of history as his face appears on Time Magazine and is forever immortalised. Here's to a successful and hopeful year of reform and progress that he has been advocating throughout his campaign. Yes, Mr Obama...yes, we can!

Make way......The Ox is coming

The Year of the Ox is just round the corner!

House is all painted red, relatives down from Ipoh and mum is already busy in the kitchen for Sundays big makan (25 Jan 09) - and me busy blogging all about it :o)

2009 is the Year of the Ox. A "bull run" year for some they say in the financial world...When Chinese zodiac calendar goes through a cycle, so does the stock markets. Ironically, everytime the year of the Ox arrives, things go haywire for the world market too. Chinese astrologers say due to the animals nature (slow and steady/stubborn) occurences of such world events tend to correspond to it.

Well, this is just superstition (or belief for some) but its interesting anyway. We make the best out of our own fate.

Many have asked, how do Chinese keep track of months and animal signs in sequence? Easy, there's a Hokkien poem I learnt it when I was young by heart to memorise how we actually we can gauge the year, and remarkably...accurately guess the age of a person who does not want to tell you how old they are!

Hehe... enjoy the poem below and don't blame me if someone kills you for finding out their age!

(below is the english pronunciation equivalent in colloquial terms, translation follows right after below; the last line is just the finishing verse for the poem, not part of the calculation )

Eet Choo,
Jee Goo,
Sah Haw,
See Thaw,
Goh Leng,
Lak Chuah,
Cheet Beh,
Peik Iaow,
Kao Kaao,
Chap Keh,
Chap Eet Kao,
Chap Jee Too Boh,
Tuei Lang Chao!

One - mouse,
Two - Ox,
Three - Tiger
Four - Rabbit
Five - Dragon
Six - Snake
Seven - Horse
Eight - Goat/Ram
Nine - Monkey
Ten - Chicken/Rooster
Eleven - Dog
Twelve - Pig
Follows people home!

Well, hope you enjoy your Chinese New Year weekend ahead (Chinese New Year 2009 falls on January 26 & 27 in the lunar calendar this year) and here's to a prosperous, wealthier and a healthier you. Chinese Astrologers have forecasted that a number of animal signs will enjoy a bountiful year even in the Ox year... well, or so they say in the papers just to keep everyone happy!

KEONG HEE HUAT CHYE!

Pictures are courtesy from http://www.sinopaperart.com - visit Sino Paper Art website to see some of the most beautiful ancient art of paper cuts. Sino Paper Art specialises in handcrafted Chinese folk art, based in Hackensack, New Jersey USA.

Hello Out There!!

"Oggle": to stare, to look at with great interest

Ok, don't worry - we're not gonna oggle at anything illegal here. Browse thru my blog and see for yourself ;o)

Its 11.45pm now here in Malaysia and we're just a quarter before midnight on 22nd Jan 09. This blog contains just my ramblings and nonsense on my fascination with the "iron dragon" (i.e.; railway, trains) my journals and other cool stuff which some of you might be interested. (so... its not only about railway, for those of you who are reading and concerned out there!)

I know its still a "a little" empty, as it's still under construction, but over time, I'll put up more stuff as I go along. Have you noticed the URL hoaychiah.blogspot.com? "Hoay Chiah" is Hokkien for "train" :o)

So, stick around and I'll show you more stuff to oggle at soon.

Cheerio!
Aaron