music monday - happy birthday to me

Nothing much I want to say today just Happy Birthday to Me!

Please sing this song aloud… harmony please ;)

“Life is too short to be small.” -Benjamin Disraeli-

“Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of 'you' to the world.” -Unknown-

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” -Abraham Lincoln-

P/s: My birthday is on 9th but I have to go out now... family gathering at Sg Petani chalet... a chalet on the water! I'll be back on 9th evening. Take care guys ;)

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

you are my sunshine

I got tagged by Shemah. Even though I think this tag is ridiculous, but I will still doing it LOL :P

1. Put your iTunes/Napster/Zune Player/WinAmp/etc on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS! NO SKIPPING!!!!

4. Tag 10 or more friends who might enjoy doing this as well as the person you got it from.


IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Only You - The Platters (Er, "is this ok"??? Hahahahaha now only "someone" in my mind!!)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Dancing Queen - Meryl Streep, Julie Walters & Christine Baranski (OMG! haha)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Jangan ada dusta di antara - Broery (Yes, I'm hardly listen to any Malay song but someone sent this to me :( ...)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
I Will Survive - Cake (Whoa!!!! hahahaha this is so true!)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO
Bersabarlah Sayang - Anuar Zain (I like this song but Sanisah Huri 's version is too old LOL... I think this is a good Raya song LOL)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
I will always love you - Whitney Houston (OMG! Thanks guys!!!!)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
I'm sailing - Rod Stewart (Oh great... whenever I listen to this song, it reminds me of my mom and dad... they like this song so much. Sailing eh? LOL)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
I will be missing you - Puff Daddy (OMG! Yes I miss you.........!!!!)

WHAT IS 2+2?
Goodbye - Air Supply (Huh? "..... You will never ask me why........ bla bla bla"

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Zikir I'tiraf - Akhil Hayy (LOL... Ajil this is for ya! Hahahahaha)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
No one - Alicia Key (Ahhh?? No no no... you are special!!!)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Bleeding love - Leona Lewis (So trueeeeeeeee.............!!!!)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
I'll be there for you - Bon Jovi (Huh? Is that so?)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Total eclipse of the heart - Bonnie Tylor (Hahahahahahahaha "turn around.... bright eyes... every night and then I fall apart... and I need you now tonight, and I need you more than ever... and if you only hold me tight... we'll be holding up forever"...)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
The power of love - Celine Dion (Oh... ok! I'm the power of love :P Mom said this before...)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
I know what love is - Celine Dion (Oh this is lovely!)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Tears in heaven - Eric Clapton (Dang! what a coincident...!!!)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Januari - Glen (eh???)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
I want to hold your hand - The Beatles (Whoa!!! hahah Shemah... mine is very true unlike you :P)

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
I'm yours - Jason Mraz (huh???)

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Yesterday - The Beatles (Damn... now this song remind me of someone...)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Bizzare Love Triangle - Frente (Coincident again??? Now I think my WMP is a witchdoctor!)

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Unchained Melody - Gareth Gates (Laugh? Cry la weeeeiii!!!!)

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Imagine - John Lennon (Ok... this one is correct!)

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Cocoon - Jack Johnson (Hahahahahaha!)

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Take me home country roads - John Denver (Hahahahahah it makes me nervous! Light off please... I'm shy!!!)

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Vincent - Josh Groban (Ha???? No no... not him!!! "Starry starry night............" someone gave a CD of Josh before... :( ...)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
All my life - Kc & Jojo (Oy... please listen to this song... a nice one!!! Yes... if i could...)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
My baby you - Marc Anthony (You hurt me!!! Boo hoo)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
You are my sunshine - Nat King Cole (Yuhuuuuu! Lets sing together...........!!!!)


Hahahaha this is a total insane! But I will pass this tag to 10 lucky fellas. Must do it!!! *evil grin*

They are:

Teja, Qaseh, Dayah, Berrykisses, Cahaya, Nurul, Axim, Suituapui, Ismail and Mummysyafie!

recently

Ok ok Naz. I’m writing something about what had happen to me recently. I know daily routine blog is boring but I don’t write about my daily life 24/7.

Since you really want to read something on my blog, I simply write junks. Lol. My body and mind are way too tired to think of something heavy. No, I won’t talk about my work of course. It’s boring and boredom kills, I know.

First of all, last Saturday I met a blogger name Tun Teja. It says in her blog that we can call her Teja. It changed when I met her. “Oh don’t call me Teja… call me Ema”. Er?


She was in Penang since Thursday if I’m not mistaken but I couldn’t make it to meet her earlier as it was a sudden plan and she was fine to meet on Saturday. I told her that I want to take her around at night as it’s more interesting at night than daytime.

On Saturday, she told me that she afraid that she can’t reach at the Sungai Nibong bus station if we go out at night time as the bus will be leaving at 10pm. Duh!

So I texted her telling her that we will be meeting in daytime then.

Shit happens I know.

Guess what?

No water at home all in sudden. No letter, no notification or anything. Damn. I was about not going to office on Friday when the same thing happened but I was lucky enough because we still got some water kept clean.

I told her that I can’t go out stink! You know… first impression is very important! Hahaha.

We got water in the afternoon, so my sister and I rushed for shower and went out to meet her. She wanted to meet at Khalil. I just agreed.

I hope she will come again for better foods! Lol.

I got few awards. Haha yes I got big smile now! In fact an evil laugh too! >:)

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to God, thanks to my parent who are always by my side and support me, thanks to my family who I know seldom read my blog because its in English but still swallow it, thanks to my friends who most of them prefer to criticize rather than enjoying the post, thanks to my lovers who enjoy reading my craps and thanks to all my blogger friends who always keep yourself posted with my junks! Ok ok, no hard feeling; the lovers part just a gimmick of course. Lol. Ok, do I sound like I win Oscar?

Let see the awards ok?

(I pass this award to Blucrystaldude, Bluedreamer, Joseph, Suituapui, Ismail, Axim, Monkey D Luffy, OST, Skullsplitter, Quachee, Wan Hidayat, Tepak Sirih, Foongpc, en_me)

Both from Rozella (I pass this award to Cahaya, Farah, Nurul, Qaseh Heedayah, Hidayah, Fara, Cik Ijau, Mariuca, LJ, Teja, Ej, Lily, Tammy, Umi, Berrykisses, Ann, Adila, Crazybeautiful, Bunkerang, Hanna J. Potter, Zara, Insomniac)


From Ismail (I pass this award to Kcnodia (Hussaini), Coolingstar9, Cyberwira, Ted Baker, Rozella, Speedycat, Inah, Danial Ma, Ms Rahah, Yanie, Jard, Shu Sheng Loong, Ane Fellarme, Hoodedlicious, Cik Siti Penguin, Shemah, Mummysyafie)

From Cik Ijau dan Qaseh Heedayah (I want to pass this award to Hardy, Ili, Rozella, Ixora, Wahidah)

Thank you guys! It's hard for me to describe with words and I'm not good for sweet talk either. Only God knows how happy I am right now :)

I don’t want to talk about today as I got a letter to attend a course which I think it’s not for my work but for me to go Haj. Why I say so? The course will be in 3 days. 2 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the evening everyday we will have religious preach. Do you think it’s related to your job? Plus, I think its bias. Don’t ask me why I say that ok?

Just want to share with you this excerpt:

I could have annihilated all the Jews in the world, but I left some so that you world would know why I did that -Adolf Hitler-

Ok, I know it's not related to my post... but related to the world? Ops.

music monday - whole again

Have you ever being rejected?

How do you feel?

Yes I know.

It hurts.

A lot.

Sometimes, it’s hard to forget about him or her even though your mind is telling you so but deep in your heart it’s another story.

You like him or her but then for some reasons like distance and he or she already attached simply shove you away.

Yes I know.

It hurts.

Even though you have someone else with you, but you just cant forget about him or her and you still willing to accept him or her back if he or she comes back to you.

You feel like your heart is broken and never can be mended. But if it happens that he or she comes back to you, you will simply feel whole again.

But for now, what you can have is only hope…

Hope that one day he or she will be yours forever.

“Love comes to those who still hope even though they've been disappointed, to those who still believe even though they've been betrayed, to those who still love even though they've been hurt before.” -unknown-

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

heart disease

= = ?

I went out with an old friend to the coffee house not far away from my house. We ordered coffee for me and hot chocolate for him. We grabbed a magazine for each of us. I read articles about economy and investment and he read about health. He lighted up a cigarette and continued reading.

Then he laughed out loud.

“Read this article pal! It says coffee is the main reason why we get heart disease!!!”

I stayed silent. I looked at his cigarette and smiled.

In life it is the same thing. We always see wrong doing in others but not in us. A mirror doesn’t help much don’t you think?



P/s: Thanks Ong for the lunch treat and while eating at Old Town I got this idea.

asnb

Yesterday, there were 2 ASNB agent came to my office as the event was organized by our Pejabat Pengarah Negeri department. They were stationed at the 10th floor which is at my working floor. So, it was easy for me to ask questions and if I’m interested I can join too.

First, they gave us a piece of paper (no proper pamphlet?) with some detail about what they are going to explain. I looked at it and I guess others who came have the same thought; it was about ASB not some other unit trust like investment. I still stay there and I got a lot of questions. When I say a lot, it really a lot! (Ask my colleagues… and yes I was like an agent after that but not the one to suggest but the one against them lol).

Ok, it works like this (click on the image if you need a enlarge the view).

The money in your Account 1 (EPF) cannot be taken out until your retirement at the age of 55 years old. So, the suggestion is to take out money from there and put it in other investment under ASNB such as ASD, ASW2020, ASN2 and ASG which they are like other unit trust as example Public Mutual and CIMB schemes. The different is there is no deduction from your principle for ASD and ASW2020. For instance we take ASW2020 (which was suggested by them) and EPF statistic for comparison.


Amanah Saham Wawasan 2020 (ASW 2020) Dividend Rate Since year 1999

Year Dividend

2008 - 7.00
2007 - 8.00
2006 - 6.80
2005 - 7.10
2004 - 7.00
2003 - 6.60
2002 - 7.25
2001 - 7.25
2000 - 8.80
1999 - 10.20


and for EPF Dividend Rate…


2007 5.8
2006 5.15
2005 5
2004 4.75
2003 4.5
2002 4.25
2001 5
2000 6
1999 6.84
1998 6.7
1997 6.7
1996 7.7
1995 7.5
1988 - 1994 8
1983 - 1987 8.5

Yes, you are right! If you make this comparison, ASW2020 seems promising with higher return than EPF.

How to take out your Account 1 money into ASW2020?

No, you can’t take them all out. There is a calculation for it.

We take example let say you are 27 years old. So your Account 1 must have 12,000. But if you have only 12,000 you can’t invest either. You must minus your Account 1 amount with the 12,000 which is suppose to have in Account 1. Got it? (Don’t ask me why the calculation is like that as I asked the same question to them and they answered “that is we calculate”). Then the balance of your minus has to multiply with 20%.



The minimum investment is 1,000.

So in that case, you need to have 17,000 in your Account 1 at least to have the minimum requirement.

(17,000 – 12,000) X 20%

17,000 – 12,000 = 5,000

5,000 X 20% = 1,000 (this is the minimum requirement to invest)

Well, most people look at it like this.

That 1,000 are better to be put in ASW2020 since the dividend return is 7% unlike EPF with 5%.

To me it will be good if you can take the whole amount in Account 1 but if only 20% out of the balance after you minus with the amount in the table, I don’t think it’s a good idea. Why I said so?

Take the same case as example.

If we leave the money in EPF here is the calculation.

17,000 X 5% = 850

17,000 + 850 = 17,850

and this is if you take out your money into ASW2020…

17,000 – 1,000 = 16,000 (balance in EPF)

16,000 X 4% = 640

16,000 + 640 = 16,640

1,000 (the amount you put in ASW2020) X 7% = 70

16,640 + 70 = 16,710

So, which one do you think make more money for you? As I said, it would be good if you take the whole amount but not if it’s too little.

Many of my colleagues joined this scheme but to those who asked my opinion, I showed this calculation. It’s up to you as it is your money.

By the way, since I’m talking about this I want to put statistic for ASB too just for comparison as many of you ask me which is better between ASB and ASW.

• 1993: Dividend=9.00, Bonus=4.50*
• 1994: Dividend=9.00, Bonus=4.50*
• 1995: Dividend=10.0, Bonus=3.00*
• 1996: Dividend=10.25, Bonus=3.00*
• 1997: Dividend=10.25, Bonus=1.25*
• 1998: Dividend=8.00, Bonus=2.50*
• 1999: Dividend=10.5, Bonus=1.50*
• 2000: Dividend=9.75, Bonus=2.00*
• 2001: Dividend=7.00, Bonus=3.00*
• 2002: Dividend=7.00, Bonus=2.00**
• 2003: Dividend=7.25, Bonus=2.00**
• 2004: Dividend=7.25, Bonus=2.00**
• 2005: Dividend=7.25, Bonus=1.75**
• 2006: Dividend=7.30, Bonus=1.25**
• 2007: Dividend=8.00, Bonus=1.00**

So what say you?

bluedreamer's award

I got my first award in 2009 from Bluedreamer! Thanks Blue for this cool awards even though I know my blog has lots of craps! Lol.

I really appreciate it.

So I want to pass this award to:

1. Zara
2. Cahaya
3. Ted
4. Joseph
5. Hussaini
6. Hasanah
7. Ej
8. Bluecrystaldude
9. Rozella
10. Mummysyafie
11. Suituapui
12. Berrykisses
13. Teja
14. Inah
15. Green Apple
16. Nurul
17. Dayah
18. Dy
19. DrSam
20. Wan Hidayat
21. Tepak Sireh
22. Qaseh
23. Adila
24. Tekkaus
25. Ann
26. Ad
27. Wahidah
28. Danial Ma
29. Shemah

Must take it! Hehehehehehehehehe…

dentist

It has been a year since I met my dentist last. Well, you should meet your dentist every 6 months or 12 months. Am I right dentist out there? Lol.

Actually I should meet my dentist last December but with some reasons it drags me until today.

Usually I go to Chua Dental but some of colleagues suggested Rohani Dental to me.

A: Trust me, Rohani is much better than Chua. She is lovely and not as rough as Chua!

B: Rohani is very pretty!

C: The equipments there are new and she replace with new ones after using them unlike Chua simply sterilize them. You know… blood… HIV…

D: I believe in Chua, he is older and professional.

For me, I love the C and D comments. Why are they telling me these? Simply because I was the one in charge for medical before and I’m the one who are the most health conscious in the office!

I went to this dental clinic last Saturday but the staff told me that the chair was broken and I have to make appointment on Tuesday. I agreed and chose to come at 11.30am. I was late today not because I woke up late but blame Ajil as he chatting non stop with me. Lol. Well, he will be going back to that very rural place haha so I completely understood his feeling. I don’t blame him. While chatting with him, I managed to make toast with peanut butter, warm water with honey and 2 half boiled eggs. I know… I know I’m multitasking haha!

Told you men are multitasking!!!

I reached there at 11.40am. I knew I was late. When I reached there I was so shock to see it wasn’t like a dental clinic at all but a common clinic which people go for illness like coughing, fever and cold. The chair was fully occupied and lucky me with the staff’s kindness she gave me a plastic stool. Thank you so much!

I showed her my appointment card continue waiting. Not long enough, my branch director came in. What a coincident eh? I did say hi and shake his hand. A very short conversation and I smsed Ajil and mom to kill the boredom.

About 12 noon the staff called my name.

Went in and told the dentist that it was my first time there and was suggested by some other colleagues. She smiled. Yes I tried to be nice to her so that she would do the same. Lol.

Guess what? I didn’t think she is any better than Chua or maybe the plaque was way too bad. I didn’t know how the pain from tattoo is like but this scaling thingy done by her has no different from the tattooing session. Hahahahahahaha.

She told me that I got gingivitis at the bottom part and need to see her again next month. No problem. I have made my appointment. She told me that I have to meet her and do cleaning until there is no gingivitis anymore. Only then I can go for 6 months checkup and scaling. Again, there is no problem. Eh by the way, she didn't floss me! :( Chua did...

To those who think scaling and regular check up is not important to you, look at these pictures!!!

Hahahahahaha scary isn't it?

It has been a while since I used mouthwash last. I will get one this week. You know, it feels good every time after you meet with the dentist :P

If you want a better mouth care, you can visit Dr Flossing too! Flossing is good you know... ;)

Baby you can freely kiss my very clean mouth now… lick my teeth too ok? Lol.

So this was what happens to me on the 2nd day of Chinese New Year :)

Ciao...

wash car

Ok today is public holiday (yes we have 2 days off till tomorrow). So I have been lazy (with cough still attached to me) with book and coffee. While reading, I smsed some of my Chinese friends with Chinese New Year greeting. I hope they like it and could bring a smile on their face.

Family went out to a wedding. I wasn’t feeling well. So, I decided to stay home and rest. I watched TV, read Amber Spyglass and enjoyed my black coffee.

TV was boring. I wanted to take my car to the car wash nearby. I knew the long queue is waiting for me as its public holiday and worse the car wash is not opened. Ok, take off my shirt and left only shorts, I went out and washed my car. It was long time ago and I couldn’t remember when the last time I washed my car.

Then Ajil smsed, telling me he is online. Chatted with him via Skype till 11pm. There was a lot of thing to talk about and to discuss. I hope the plan works.

I am not productive today but at least I got some rest. Is there any suggestion to get rid of coughing instead of telling me that the cough syrup is good?

What did you do today?


P/s: I want Yee Sang!!!

Music Monday - Huang Hun

It isn’t great when you have so many songs that related to you lately. You simply have tons of songs to put in your blog for Music Monday for their own stories! Maybe that was why I didn’t want to get involve at first lol.

Today is Sunday Jan 25 and what the heck am I waking up so early? Its 5am in the morning and the only friends that are available for a chat via YM are those who are not living in Malaysia. I did buzz a few.

After few considerations, I will write about 3 songs and make them a scheduled post. So I won’t have a spinning head anymore about which should be first, second and so on.

Let’s start with Huang Hun.

This song is pretty old but it has its schmaltzy value. Someone who was dear to me dedicated this song even though knows that I don’t speak or read Mandarin (even though I took Mandarin class when I was 22), Cantonese or even Hokkien.

The song is beguiling and without understand a word I could feel the sorrowfulness by listening to it. I could easily have soggy eyes every time I listen to this song.

It was a long time ago.

At the age of 27 (I know I will be 28 years old this year, you don’t need to jog my memory), I seek for its meaning. Now I know why the song was dedicated to me. I guess it’s not too late to summon up my old memories?



Here the direct translation I took somewhere on the net:

Huang Hun
Dusk

guo wan zheng ge xia tian
After the whole summer,

you shang bing mei you hao yi dian
my sadness still did not improve.

kai che xing chi zai gong lu wu ji wu bian
Driving my car on the vast, boundless roads,

you li kai zi ji de gan jue
I feel that I’m getting out of touch with myself.

chang bu wan yi shou ge
The song that I could not finish singing,

pi juan hai sheng xia hei yan quan
Left me so tired that there are rings around my eyes.

gan qing de shi jie shang hai zai suo nan mian
It is inevitable to get hurt in the realm of love,

huang hun zai mei zhong yao hei ye
No matter how beautiful the dusk is, the dark night must follow.

yi ran ji de cong ni kou zhong shuo chu zai jian jian jue ru tie
I recall that you said, “Goodbye” with a tone of steel,

hun an zhong you zhong lie ri zhuo shen de cuo gan
I had a delusion of being burnt by the sun in the darkening dusk.

huang hun de di ping xian
The horizon at dusk,

hua chu yi ju gao bie
Drew out your line of, “Farewell.”

ai qing jing ru yong ye
Love plunges into eternal night.

yi ran ji de cong ni yan zhong hua luo de lei shang xin yu jue
I still remember the tears falling from your desolated eyes.

hun luan zhong you zhong re lei shao shang de cuo gan
In the confusion, there is an illusion of being burnt by the hot tears.

huang hun de di ping xian
The horizon at dusk,

ge duan xing fu xi yue
Severed happiness and joy.

xiang ai yi jing hui mie
Love has already been destroyed.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

An Amazing Story

To those who have followed my blog either bloggers or silent readers surely knew that I won a book give away contest last year (click here and here). I got the book a week after I got A Mighty Heart by Mariane Pearl (click here). So, while finishing that book my colleague wanted to read this An Amazing Story by Carlo Gabbi after reading it’s synopsis behind the book. I agreed and lend her the book for a week. I managed to finish A Mighty Heart in a week or so and continue reading this book. To me I like the beginning of the story and the climax is in the middle of the story. I don’t really quite like the ending as it is a simple happy ending while the jungle part is quite boring.

The beginning of the story is awesome with Dolores struggling in her life at the age of 14 or so living with her mom and step father who is a sex maniac. Instead of having kinky sex with his wife, he is also a pedophile. He took Dolores for a bath everyday and end up he asked Dolores to satisfy his sex desire by making him shoot his load without sexual intercourse until one night he raped Dolores by an incident.

Dolores ran away to Australia with her dancing team. After a while she found out through a friend that the manager had manipulated them for his own benefit. So she quitted and she wanted to go back to Brazil where she belongs but she has no money left. Last resort, she accept the job to be a prostitute. Dolores knew with her beauty she could attract any man easily. Yes she was right and she became a hit within a month. The purpose still the same, she wanted to go back to Brazil and start a new life.

When the time was getting near, she tried to explore Australia more, relaxed near the sea and enjoyed the wonderful scenery. There he met Thomas and the love started from there. Dolores had low self esteem as she knew she was just a prostitute and not like any other woman who has good job and better life than her. But Thomas insisted to know her better.

When the time comes, she went back to Brazil but at the same time missed Thomas a lot. She started her new life successfully.

Thomas couldn’t live without her and seek for her in Brazil with a great plan. The plan was exploring the Amazon forest. From there the love became deeper.

It is not fair if I tell you the whole story including the ending but I must say that Carlo Gabbi is a making-love best writer. The best part I like about him is the way he describes the love making beautifully.

Thanks Jossette for this great gift.

Intel cuts to affect up to 6,000 workers

Chipmaker to cut production at 2 U.S. plants, shut 3 facilities in Asia.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Chipmaker Intel Corp. announced Wednesday that it will be cutting production at two U.S. silicon wafer facilities and closing three facilities in Asia, affecting between 5,000 and 6,000 workers. (This isn't a great news to my friends who work in Intel)

Intel, in a news release, said some of the workers could be offered positions at other facilities.

"The fact that they're taking action rather quickly to rightsize production" is encouraging, said Doug Freedman, analyst at research firm Broadpoint AmTech.

Intel, like other chipmakers, needs to scale production to a level that matches demand, according to Freedman.

The No. 1 maker of microprocessors said production will be halted at the Fab 20 facility in Hillsboro, Ore., and the D2 facility in Santa Clara, Calif.

Operations are being shut at two facilities in Penang, Malaysia, and a third in Cavite, Philippines. (Are you ready guys?)

The plant shutdowns are slated to occur between now and the end of the year, according to Intel.

The company said the reduction in manufacturing capacity will not affect the production of its new 45-nanometer and 32-nanometer chips.

Last week Intel posted a 90% decline in fourth-quarter earnings, as demand for computer components declined through the last part of 2008. Because of the uncertain economic climate, the company refused to offer any guidance for what the first quarter will bring. (If The No. 1 maker of microprocessors has 90% decline, what about others?)

However, Intel did say that profit margins would perk back up to normal levels by the second half of the year, even though capital spending would be relatively flat, or even recede in 2009.

"When the economy gets a headache, we (the tech industry) get the flu," said Freedman.

Intel is widely viewed as a proxy for the health of the overall PC industry, since its products are a key component for most computer manufacturers.

Shares of Intel (INTC, Fortune 500) rose 1.13% to $13.41 a share in after-hours trading.

(Source: CNN)
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My sister's friend who often comes to our house recently was shocked with a bad news. After few scanning, she had been told that the lump in her body has 90% possibility is cancer based on some symptoms.

As additional to her sorrow, her factory did some great retrenchment and she was involved.

I pray that it is not cancer; she is just 18 years old and still a long way to go.

Happy Chinese New Year

Credit to yewenyi

To all my Chinese friends, Happy Chinese New Year!

I have heard a lot of bad news about the Year of Ox but don’t be upset as there is always a bright side.

Don’t forget my ang pao (red packet) and don’t forget my Mandarin orange!

750 free WiFi hotspots for Penang in two years

GEORGE TOWN (Jan 21, 2009) : Penang will have up to 750 free WiFi hotspots in two years’ time despite protests from various anti-WiFi groups about the potential health risks of exposure to radiation.

RedTone Group MD Wei Chuan Beng demonstrates the internet connection through the Free WiFi Wireless@Penang project to Lim and Ooi. Looking on is RedTone CEO Lau Bik Soon.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who launched the Wireless @ Penang Penang Free WiFi test drive with RedTone-Hotgate at Komtar on this afternoon, said the state government has evaluated all evidence before continuing with the project.

"All evidence point to the fact that WiFi is safe. If not, we can’t send our children to universities too because all universities here have WiFi," he said.

Lim also said he and Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi are exposed to WiFi 24 hours a day as they have four WiFi hotspots in Komtar and in their homes.

"If WiFi is harmful, Jeff and I will be the first to get fried by radiation."

Redtone-Hotgate Consortium set up a promotional booth in Komtar for the public to test the free wireless internet services provided jointly by REDtone Telecommunications Sdn Bhd and Hotgate Technology (M) Sdn Bhd. Free WiFi booths are also set up at two other pilot sites at Queensbay Mall and Bukit Jambul Complex and the booths will be open for three days starting Wednesday.

The booths are located at the Komtar main entrance, the lower ground floor of Queensbay Mall and the ground floor of Bukit Jambul Complex.

Redtone-Hotgate Consortium will install up to 25 hotspots by the end of February and coverage will extend to 300 hotspots, including the mainland, by March 2010.

(Source: SunDaily)

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Honey, I support your effort to make Penang the most high-tech and IT oriented compared to any other states but why there is no WiFi at Penang International Airport?

*scratching my head*

It is embarrassing if foreigner found out about this hon…

To My Friend in Gaza - a support and healing project

Dear folks,

Since December 27, 2008 when the Israelis started bombing Gaza, children and women have suffered the most. Over 800,000 children have been exposed to extraordinary levels of violence and insecurity, some 1,600 have been injured and more than 300 children have died. Gazan children who have survived are experiencing unimaginable trauma every day, cowering from fear and suffering from stress-related health problems such as asthma.

Even though there is now a truce, the ordeal of the children is not over. Many are still fearful, in pain and have an uncertain future because they have lost their parents and siblings.

In trying to think what I, as a mother, could do, I came up with this idea and have teamed up with UNICEF Malaysia and +wondermilk to launch To My Friend in Gaza (Untuk Kawan Ku di Gaza) today. The basic idea is to get Malaysian children to write letters/cards/postcards or make drawings for the children of Gaza to show their support, provide encouragement and let them know that they have friends here who are thinking of them and praying for their safety.

The letters will be translated into Arabic by a team of volunteers and will then be handed over to UNICEF Malaysia to be sent to UNICEF in the Occupied Territories to be then distributed among the children in Gaza. +wondermilk designed the logo which they say "is a celebration of hope, peace, love and happiness". I think it's the absolute antithesis of aggression.:-)

I believe that knowing that someone out there cares about them will help these children heal more quickly and will make them realise that there is a world out there where violence and war is not the norm and where there is hope for peace.

I've already received my first letters when the news about this project spread via email, Facebook and word-of-mouth. The first ones came from a bunch of 4 and 5-year olds from a church in PJ. Really sweet messages that say simply 'I love you, I will pray for you'. There are many parents who are asking their schools to get their students to participate so I hope there will be many many more letters that we can send over.

If you would like to help, this is what you can do:

1. Please talk to your children, their friends and their schools and ask them to participate. All letters can be sent to:

To My Friend in Gaza, c/o 48, Jalan Terasek Dua, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.

Preferably by February 20 please.

2. If you have a blog, could you kindly display the logo and link to mine so more people will know about it?

The letters can be in any language at all. I will try and scan some and put them on this blog from time to time.

Thank you so much, folks, from me and my partners in this project and most of all, from the children of Gaza.

(Post is taken here)

Let's Read The Quran Campaign

Peace!

We need your participation!

Campaign name: Let’s Read The Quran

Logo/icon:
On January 1st 2009, four friends Syed, Walski, Marina and Anas got together at Coffee-Bean Bangsar Village and decided to launch a campaign to encourage people to read and understand the Quran better.

This campaign is not only for Muslims, but also for our brothers and sisters who are Christians, Buddhists Hindus, Sikhs and those who believes in a God-Head but not so gung-ho about being in any brand of religion, too – come join us and share your ideas! You can join this campaign even if you are an atheist!

The goal of this campaign is to encourage people to read the Quran in the language they understand most and find in it areas of common values in our day to day living.

What is the Campaign all about?
Read the Quran in the language that you are familiar with.

When will the campaign start and end?
January 15th to February 14th (Happy Valentine’s Day!)

Where?
Participating blogs in the blogospheres.

Why?
So more people know what the Quran says and what the Quran does not say and to match it to what is really said in our daily lives.

Who?
Everyone who wants to – the more the merrier! If you have a Blog, Facebook, etc carry the logo/icon.

How?
- To join the campaign, place the accompanying logo/icon at your blog.
- Write or share short articles based on the Quranic text.
- Share what you find in the Quran with family and friends.
- Ask questions about the Quranic message
- Read the Quran – eg click here http://www.islamicity.com/QuranSearch , www.altafsir.com

Peace and Thanks,

Marina Mahathir http://rantingsbymm.blogspot.com
Syed Akbar Ali http://syedsoutsidethebox.blogspot.com
Walski, http://asylum60.blogspot.com
and,
Anas Zubedy http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com

Participating Blogs

1. 3540 Jalan Sudin http://www.nursamad.blogspot.com/
2. Anas Zubedy: http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com
3. ARTiculations: http://art-harun.blogspot.com/
4. Being Human in the World: http://www.peru.name/writing
5. Cowboy Malaysia: http://cowboymalaysia.wordpress.com
6. Disquiet: http://malikimtiaz.blogspot.com
7. Jebat Must Die: http://jebatmustdie.wordpress.com/
8. Lunch at the Lake Club: http://lunchatthelakeclub.blogspot.com
9. MACVAYSIA: http://macvaysia.com
10. myAsylum: http://asylum60.blogspot.com
11. O.B.E. http://shar101.wordpress.com/
12. OutSyed The Box: http://syedsoutsidethebox.blogspot.com
13. Poetic Justice: http://nizambashir.com/
14. Rantings by MM: http://rantingsbymm.blogspot.com
15. Rapera: http://jahaberdeen.blogspot.com/
16. Renovatio: http://stephendoss.blogspot.com
17. Rocky's Bru: http://rockybru.com.my/
18. Write Away: http://elviza.wordpress.com/
19. Writing By Amir: http://amirmu.blogspot.com/

20. Life is too short to be ordinary: http://faisaladmar.blogspot.com/

(Post is taken here)

Music Monday - If today was your last day

This picture is taken by Joseph where a careless bus driver hit 6 motorcyclist and 1 car at Sungai Ara. It was reported that 1 person died but another story I heard 2 died. Scary scenario is you could see kid's dolphin helmet and another adult normal helmet under the bus. My sister put a video regarding this accident here.

After writing about “Are you ready to get married?” I’m thinking of writing about Music Monday instead. I’m afraid I don’t have much time if I don’t write about it now since I’m pretty free now.

What about this time? What am I going to write about? This is my second time for Music Monday and I choose a simple topic for killing out Monday Blues -- “If today was your last day”.

What is in your mind?

When I told mom about this, she asked me why lately my blog is full with wretchedness and melancholy. She prefers something astonishing, something gay (do refer dictionary if your vocabulary is limited) or something mouth watering. I told her, it’s not about sad story and things like that, but it is about we human tend to take things for granted. We neglect it when it is with us or belong to us, but we will miss it or craving for it when it is not around anymore. It can be thing or creature. After all it is simply human’s tendency.

After reading Zara’s blog, this question keeps haunting me day and night. At the same time, it motivates me not to take thing for granted and spend quality time with people that I love.

Imagine this, you have a lot of people around you who care and love you so much but with good excuse like busy working you tend to neglect them and focus only at works. Then, one day God tells you that today is your last day. What do you want to do?

Share with me your thought.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted.

Are you ready to get married?

Don't ask me why I choose this picture.

Yes a big question pops up in my mind this morning. Why do you get married?

There are a lot of reasons for us to get married such as perfect age, you are getting older and need to settle down, to make parent happy, parent’s choice and inheritance.

But are you ready for this big commitment? Are you ready to take the entire burden that will occur in the future? Is your financial stable? Will you still depend on your parent if there are problems?

Remember, if you are a Muslim (I guess it can be used by other race and religion as well) there is few things you must consider before getting marry. The things are:

1. You must be healthy. Healthy here means you have no sexual problem (such as erectile dysfunction for male). Making love is the basic thing in marriage which most people don’t take it serious about it and neglect. I know some people; even put it as the first priority which sex (when the action is not based on love anymore, we simply called it sex and I would rather call it plain vanilla sex -- it’s dull) is the purpose of marriage. That is absolutely wrong. You must know how to balance it. So, there is always romance in making love.
2. You must be wealthy. Wealthy here doesn’t mean you must be rich. It is important for the husband to be able to support financially in the marriage. This doesn’t mean wife can be happy with her saving without care the husband’s financial at all. This can be discussed and toleration is always the best. But if the wife doesn’t allow the husband to use her money that means husband can’t touch her money at all. But it is a responsible for him to provide the necessary things for living like food and shelter. For male, if you can’t even live on your own and always have an empty account every month end, how do you think you can provide food and shelter for you and your wife, worse your family? (I know most people don’t have family planning and in this modern era (not to forget economic downturn) it’s very bad if you simply make kids without any consideration).

I see many friends and colleagues struggle in their marriage because of the second point. Most people get married young with a good excuse that they can see the kid grows be an adult when they are old. Well, good common sense there but based on the second point, are you financially ready? I see them apply personal loans for the wedding and at the same time apply for housing and car loans for the marriage preparation. After get married they are facing with great financial problem and start to borrow money from friends and more personal loan from bank. For the financial wise view, any loan that brings you negative cash flow to your account is a bad loan, bad debt. If you can’t even survive with just you and wife, do you think you can survive with kid in the family? Time flies very fast. It is like a blink, and you see things are different and time has past by. Kid need to grow and live. You need money for their shelter, food and education. Raising a kid is not an easy task but since you choose to get married and have kid then I assume you are already stable in financial.

It is not hard for you to get married. Get yourself a cute woman or handsome muscular guy and end up with marriage. But that’s not the important thing in marriage. The important thing is after the wedding. I feel weird why some people like to spend so much on the wedding which usually happens only for one day. Most people like to make it as grandest as they could to make friends and colleagues jaw dropped and the grape vine communication spread around. But do you think it is worth it?

My conclusion is the question these days should be “Are you ready to get married?” instead of “When do you want to get married?”


P/s: To women out there, find yourself a financial stable man and remember everyone will be ugly when they are old.

Man Utd 3 - Chelsea 0

Sunday, Jan 11.

Because of this game I slept at 3am. I know the game finished earlier but when I get excited, my eyes simply wide opened like caffeine inoculation into my blood vessel.

I was writing Music Monday when watching this match. At the same time I was busy replying text message with Axim and Acai. Two bloggers who are die hard Chelsea fan (guys, I know this is the heartbroken moment!)

Honestly, for England league the last four giants (Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal) will always be at the top of the league even though at the beginning of the league some other teams seem strong.

The first half was tedious with both team tried to play clean and defensive. Before the first half end, Vidic managed to score a goal which made me smile.

The second half was great with Rooney and Berbatov netted the second and third goal. My colleague texted me “Is this Chelsea or Hull City?”. I laughed out loud!

So, to Chelsea fan… sayonara!

Music Monday - Happy Ending

This is the first time, I join Music Monday after had been invited by Rozella and Bluecrystaldude weeks ago (or months ago?). Rozella did ask me why it took me so long to join. I have few reasons but let me put them in my closet ;)

Ok, what I wanna talk in Music Monday as a novice? :)

Let's talk about Honesty is the best policy?

It has been more than a year since I started blogging and I could see good and bad things around. Well, at least for me. You know, you can't assume what is good for you good for others and otherwise.

I got to know someone who used to read my blog, be my fan and ended up my long distance lover. At least, so I expected.

We talked on the phone, exchanging pictures via MMS and Yahoo Messenger. Talked about blog, news, us and not to forget about soccer as well. I had believed every single word from her and even believe the whole her. She even got MySpace which also caught my attention. I spoke to myself "Ya Allah, what a beautiful creature You have created! A model!".

She called me everyday and everynight. Hours. I mean Hours.

I got jealous when I read comment on her blog. Lovely ones from other bloggers. I was overwhelmed. Sometiemes I thought did she just play around with me which happen so to others as well? I erased the thought.

Then all in sudden she disappeared from blogsphere and no call or even text message. I wondered if she was ok. I did left her few text messages.

I was surprised with a bad news. She met with an accident which the car turned turtle. I was shock and speechless. After few days, she texted me. Told me that she was fine but pain was everywhere.

Then she started to disappeared again. By this time I had a feeling that she was not interested in me anymore. Days before that, she kept calling me and wanted to know whether I do love her. Sometimes even at 3am in the morning. Honestly, I was kinda annoyed. But for the respect of love, I did entertain her.

After weeks, then she called me again. Then, I found out that she was attached with someone else who happen to be a blogger too. I was devastated.

Months went by, I could smell some weird things between her and another fellow blogger. Things like -- both got few houses in Damansara and parent went for Haj. I started my own investigation until the true color appeared. Even all the pictures are fake.

Now, I know the true color, the real thing. The good thing is she conffessed about the lie. I have forgiven her and I take this as my lesson in life.

Lets listen to a song to kill the Monday Blues...



This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.

Wake up in the morning, stumble on my life
Can't get no love without sacrifice
If anything should happen, I guess I wish you well
A little bit of heaven, but a little bit of hell

This is the hardest story that I've ever told
No hope, or love, or glory
Happy endings gone forever more
I feel as if I'm wasted
And I'm wastin' every day

This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.

2 o'clock in the morning, something's on my mind
Can't get no rest; keep walkin' around
If I pretend that nothin' ever went wrong, I can get to my sleep
I can think that we just carried on

This is the hardest story that I've ever told
No hope, or love, or glory
Happy endings gone forever more
I feel as if I'm wasted
And I'm wastin' every day

This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.

A Little bit of love, little bit of love
Little bit of love, little bit of love[repeat]

I feel as if I'm wasted
And I waste everyday

This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
To live the rest of our life,
But not together.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted.