it's just a month more ...

it's just a month more ...
30 days more ...
720 hours more ...
43,200 minutes more ...
2,592,000 seconds more ...

Life ... oh ... life

There were many things that happened to the people around me ...
to say that they don't a little affect me is lying

Sometimes I do not know what to do ...
Although our lives are full of the unexpected, we'd still move on.

Life .... oh .... life

Tagged by anehoic

Do you think you're hot?
No, the chinese sinseh say I'm the 'cold' type

Upload your favorite picture of you.Why do you like that picture?

it brings back fond old memories .... and tells a thousand stories.

When was the last time you ate pizza?

No idea, really. I'm more interested to know when will I get to eat pizza again? =p

The last song you listened to?

Don't know much - a duet English song

What are you doing now besides this?

Singing along to some chinese songs

What name would you prefer besides yours?
Zhen .... that's how my dad call me or
Noi .... that how my mum used to call me
(what am I saying?? these are my names)

People to tag

Keef
NDC
Koze
Chai Yee
Judge Dredd

Who is number one? a close friend (who's very much in love) =p

Number 3 is having a relationship with? number 2

Say something about number five? someone I meet yesterday morning at LRT station

How about number four? a close friend who seldom sleep when we go for trips =p

Who is number two? number 3's dear

New shoots, new beginning

supposed to do the tagged by anehoic ... but lazy to think =p kekeke

so some pics taken from dear's garden =D

storm in a mall

Mines shopping centre has just been hit by a storm ... run while you can!!!

can I have more hands?

Work is filling to the brim and the best part is that
they all like to come hand in hand (together in groups some more)

Can I have more "hands"? literally and laterally *wink*

Quesera sera ... what will be will be ..

A friend of mine has reconciled with her boyfriend after a year of separation.
They were separated due to unforeseen circumstances. No 3rd party involved.

The guy is from outstation and has big family business to look after…. Which explained why he has to remain in his hometown.

The girl is a ambitious career lady who wants to pursue her high flying career in the city.
Another reason for her not willing to let go her career is due to she’s contributing to her family fund.

They had talked about marriage before but they couldn’t come to a conclusion.
During then, they are not able to see eye to eye on the sacrifice that either or both parties have to make.

When they contacted each other lately, they realized that they are still very much in love with each other.
They realized that they are meant for each other and both had actually made their career as their priority for this past 1 year.
Now that they have been through so much and yet still very much in love with each other, they came back together …. For they were meant for each other.
Now that both parties has grown more mature & understanding & able to compromise, they have each take & give.

Sometimes, we turn and turn in search of love but we may not realize the one that were meant to be together were here all around.

The other day, I was told that next year will be a good year of marriage for her & him.
I’ve got to know that they will register their marriage on 09/09/09
So I’ll be expecting a red bomb from you next year =)
Like they say “Shi ni de jiu shi ni de”
(roughly translated : if it were meant to be yours, it’ll be yours)

a fun walk, 2 pieces of nice batik, a good laugh, a scratch knee, a bowl of nice meehon and 5 beautiful lights

16/11/08

I've got myself
1. a fun charity walk
2. 2 pieces of beautiful batik (due to item 1)
3. a good laugh (at myself)
4. a scratch knee (falling of the pavement - lead to item3)
5. a nice bowl of meehon (due to item 1,2,3,4)
6. 5 beautiful lights for new home (after visiting 5 shops and found out that the best deal is just right in our garden)

things happened for some reasons ... don't you agree? =D

Wedding photos

Many people want the bridal house which have the best gowns, best photographer and best-of-everything, and yet when they had gone through the trouble searching for the best, they have another worry, they are afraid that since so many people feel that that’s the best, they may wear the same gowns or gowns are not available on their wedding day.

And after they have got what they want, they had difficulties choosing the allocated ‘posts’ as all the photos are very very nice and like their tag line : marriage is only once in a lifetime …
They end up wanting all the photos taken and needless to say, there’s a price to pay.

The wedding portrait is just the little beginning of a beautiful journey together …. Sometimes, couple may have the most perfect and beautiful portrait but it may not guarantee a perfect marriage.
While it may be a good to have the best of everything, sometimes there’s beauty in imperfection.
Somehow, I always believe that there’s always always beauty in imperfection(s).

Although it’s good to get the best of everything for your once in a lifetime event, try to stay on the ground and do what’s within means.
Yes, I know I’m saying this and yet once upon a time, I had wished to take very beautiful (natural) wedding photos.
Nevertheless, I think I’ve got a reasonably good deal ….
But it’s not because I’ve done a lot of homework to find the best-in-everything bridal house … It’s not because I will not settle for the second best
I think it’s because I’ve not set a high expectation …. And let nature takes it course
Sometimes things turn out best when we least expect them.

Now you tell me, what can an average Jane like me expect? =p Hehe

Ps. I wonder whether there are ‘they’ who have not at one time or another fallen for the golden phrase ‘It’s once in a lifetime’? (not applicable to those N/A categories ok =)
For I was one of them who vowed not to fall prey, but ended otherwise … under unforeseeable circumstances … but that’s what life’s all about

Somehow, this post was inspired by 'someone' (let's say not really close) who keeps comparing and wanted only nothing but the best-of-everything.

Everyone is getting married

Just in this 3 months, I’ve many relatives & friends getting married.

Starting from
2nd Nov 08 – my cousin wedding
8th Nov 08 – my school mate’s wedding
29th Nov 08 – my colleague’s wedding
6th Dec 08 – my cousin wedding
20th Dec 08 – my school mate’s wedding
20th Dec 08 – my ex-colleague wedding
26th Dec 08 – my ex-colleague wedding
3rd Jan 09 – my cousin wedding

Is it the age? the time(year) and trend? the parental pressure? the peer pressure? or just plain coincidence?

11% or 8%

Fill form if you want to continue 11% EPF contribution - Form KWSP 17A (AHL)

wouldn't it be better if it's the other way round?

let's take a walk down memory lane

I found an effective way to relieve stress ... well, at least it works for me
looking back at old pics ... old good times ...
and those somewhat crazy things that we do ... that bond us together

Let me bring you to a walk down memory lane =p lol
You'll better better thereafter ... and you'll be caught smiling to yourself, trust me
(cause that's what I'm doing now) =p

outside & inside Penang national park

the guys doing 'those MTV' style

at a kolam air panas ...somewhere

at langkawi 4 season hotel

look at the 2 torch bearer =p

on langkawi island tour

i like how we spread out like a fan =p

the beach near where we camp

my kawan kawan

Don't ask me why I go rebut with the kids to take photo with these friends.

Perhaps I was deprived of these times during my childhood =p lol

yup, I'll do exactly that

I used to have a to-do-list to remind myself of things that need to be done each day.
(useful especially for forgetful people like me=)

I do have a office list & a personal list (for obvious reasons)

However, I spotted a 'very mischevous' addition to my list (which I left lying on my table) that particular day.
It was just a simple gesture, some simple words, but they deliver a whole new lot of meanings.
I couldn't stop myself from capturing the 'moment'
Yet I caught myself asking myself "Am I loving my loved ones enough?"

I think the person who has added to my to-do-list may not feel enough love from me =p LOL
From that particular day onwards, I'll do exactly that ----> love dear dear more =)

almost burn a tikus

I almost burn someone's wireless 'tikus' by putting an AA 4.5 watt battery to a mouse that requires only 1.6 watt battery.
(and I left the wrong battery inside for about more than 12 hours)

What a smart Alec I'm! =p muahaha

Do you dare?

Sometimes we can make money speculatively. But the questions lies in ‘Do you dare?’
Ok lah, maybe another question is “Do I have the available cash?”
Have a look at the price of 1 oz of gold over the past few days / weeks below.
From this bird-eye overview, it’s easy for us to say we buy at the lowest and sell at the highest and make a hefty sum in just a few days

However, if we put ourselves in the shoe at that particular point of time … let’s say on the 9/10/08 or 23/10/08
1. We may have limited resources of RM3500 – enough just for 1 gold coin.
2. If we have purchased the gold coin today, what if starting tomorrow it goes down further?
3. What if we don’t buy today (and missed the opportunity), and starting tomorrow the price shoots up higher?
4. What if I buy today and the prices go down further? And I don’t have cash to average down my cost?
5. What if I sold when I think the price is high but it went up much higher the following day?
6. What if I didn’t sell and today’s price was the highest ever it could get in this year?

There are too many ‘what if’s to consider and I’ve been through that many many times that I’ve understood that it’s never good to be greedy.
It’s always better to take the profit 1st, have the available cash flow to capture the next opportunity especially in volatile market.
I try not to hold on long and because we will tend to be taken for a ride in the cycle.
At times, I realized we will be back to where we begin if we refuse to let go just because of a few more dollar.

Once I was surprised to find out that while I was selling around the 8th to 10th of October, there were about 100 gold coins sold.
I remember reading somewhere that people generally buy into the market due to 2 things
1. They are optimistic that it will go up
2. They don’t want to miss the ‘good’ thing / ‘good’ opportunity
I couldn’t agree more.

When times are not so rosy (maybe I should just say BAD),
we are all affected in one way or another,

however, if we think further, we can be affected in good ways….

Selling buying
29/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 2809 2724
28/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 2787 2702
24/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 2759 2674
23/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 2714 2629
22/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 2896 2811
21/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 2967 2882
20/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 2949 2864
17/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 2983 2898
16/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3123 3038
15/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3123 3038
14/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3108 3023
13/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3195 3110
13/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3151 3066
10/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3334 3249
10/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3362 3277
9/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3294 3209
8/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3206 3121
8/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3223 3138
7/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3142 3057
7/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3156 3071
7/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3166 3081
6/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3033 2948
3/10/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3034 2949
30/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3244 3159
29/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3140 3055
26/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3146 3061
25/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3184 3099
25/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3160 3075
24/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3150 3065
23/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3169 3084
23/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3192 3107
22/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3085 3000
19/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3055 2970
19/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3094 3009
18/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3170 3085
18/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 3210 3125
17/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 2825 2740
16/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 2830 2745
15/09/2008 GOLD MAPLE LEAF 1 OZ 2840 2755

Vicious cycle

Sometimes, this could be how the business owners tend to react.

Let’s take a small business for example : a vegetarian economy rice stall at a food court
Let’s say other things remain constant such as taste and quality of food (still remain average), rent and fixed costs remain constant.

When business is not doing that well, the tauke will be tempted to charge more (add a 20 cents to RM1 here and there). The underlying reason, number of customer (volume) dwindle but still need to pay rent & fixed cost. Thus he’s charging each customer more to cover the fixed costs.
To illustrate : Fixed cost = RM2000 per month.
Number of customer = 500 per month (as compared to 1000 per month)
RM2000 / 500 customer = at least RM4 each customer no matter what (as compared to RM2 each customer)
Meaning, the 500 customer will have to cover at least the fixed cost of RM2000

When the tauke increase price unscrupulously like this, customer tend to avoid frequenting this stall.
As days goes by, the number of customers dwindle further …. And to save the business, the tauke will charge the remaining customer more.
The tauke may try to give lesser rice or use lower quality raw materials to cut cost. This will affect the business further.

Due to the lower volume, tauke cannot finish selling the food he cooked for a day. In order not to waste, he’ll keep and cook for the following and following day(s). This will lead to further customer reduction as customer can tell when food are not fresh and lower quality materials are used.

This vicious cycle will continue until one day when either party cannot stand anymore.
Why do I say either party?
It could be the tauke could no longer sustain his business to even cover his cost.
It could be the group of customer had no other choice but to frequent his stall … due to convenient or because the stall is one of its’ kind in the area (for eg. Vegetarian food)

This story was INSPIRED by a vegetarian economy rice stall in a food court near my office.

Tuesdays with Morrie, Wednesday with Su

I’ve just completed a book which I very much wished I had read earlier.
However, it better NOW than NEVER.

It helps me to recover from my grief.
It helps me to understand what my mum have gone through emotionally (and physically).

I cried reading the book at the food court, on the LRT because it reminded me so much of what we have been through as a family.
It reminded me of how much things we are missing in the puzzles of life.
It reminded me of the emotions, the helplessness and the tinge of sadness we feel all the time.

I started with the expectation of a light & easy read but what I didn’t know it was a heavy close to heart issue presented in a light & meaningful ways.

Sometimes the best story are told just as they are. And they touch lives with just that.

happy

happy ... today is friday

happy ... weekend is coming plus a monday holiday

happy ... going to MPH warehouse sales

happy ... going to have new grass planted

happy ... that I get to be happy

happy ... I'm just happy

I never had green fingers ... don't believe? see for yourself

Then ... when I didn't have green fingers
see if you can find how much my little plants have grown =) happy matching !!!


Now, when I still don't have green fingers
The only thing I have ... perseverance and passion for nature, i think =)

ps. if you're wondering why there is no grass .... we are having a plant grass project =)

thank you very much ah dear for all the 'cangkul'ing =) I promise I won't curi tulang ok? =p muahahaha

See how much this leaf has grown too =p