I believe, this should be shown at schools, kindergardens, and in offices. For the half a million RM loos, they can install a display, showing this on loop, inside and outside the facility.
Tunjuk Ajar ku Sifoo!
No, I'm not commenting on the Mentor show, nor am I planning to enter it. This is entirely unrelated to any entertainment media, but as a guide to graduating students.
I'm still a newbie, being an employee for a year and a half. Life's great, actually, although I'd prefer the life of a student nevertheless. With a salary sufficient for me to partially support my parents while owning a car and such. Yes, I do work over time (notice the space between 'over' and 'time' hence it's not the pay-me-extra-to-work-after-hours overtime.), and yes, I do disagree (a lot) with my bosses. It's just that I believe in whether you see the glass half full or half empty, it's no use if you don't refill it.
3 months back, I received 2 practical students to work under me. Having just finished my own practical training less than a year ago, I had thought to myself to empower (I'm amazed at my vocab!) these kids to better prepare them for the industry. Well, at least they got a suitable training post for their course (Programming), as compared to me (Multimedia) and have to do Sales and Marketing!
I don't mind that, actually, since I got to learn professional/business communication first hand.
So, the first thing I asked these boys (my boss is reluctant to take in girls, maybe she's jealous) to do, once they had their workstations set up, was to come up with a flow diagram for the programs they're about to do.
You see, in programming, it doesn't really matter what language you use, which version you have, or how good you are at singing. It all comes down to the basics: How well can you plan ahead your program. It's much like driving to a place. It doesn't matter how fast you're going, or the car you're driving, or the song you're singing, if you don't know the road to get there in the first place.
You should at least have a good sense of direction, so you'll know where to go next, and what to do afterwards. These kids, however, failed to deliver the flowcharts, and focused on the programming. I know, many do not plan ahead of their programs, but if the program comes out good the first time, the programmers must have at least done this before, have a good sense of direction in their head, or he's Neo. Others, they'll almost definitely crash and burn.
The result, is some misunderstanding as far as the task given is concerned. Many times do I need to sit with them, draw out boxes and cylinders and connecting lines, to show them how I think the program should run. I was hoping for a discussion, where they pointed out where I've gone wrong, or where things can be improved. Instead, I had to spoonfeed them, and so they just open their mouth and dutifully feed on my ideas, like how we were taught in school.
Although I don't expect much from the program that they're running, but I don't expect more than just a bunch of cut and paste codes based on a spoonfed program flow. Reminds me of the time I taught C++ in my U (those poor kids) and how similar their programming assignmet codes look like each other. At least, if you're cutting and pasting, do it on your own idea.
Another thing, I believe is lacking in them, is the capability to communicate. This has been a major barrier between fresh grads and good jobs, so now they are relying on the Government to again spoonfed them with jobs. 1st, the boys did not manage to communicate well with my boss, who's a Hindi (you know, the likes of Aishwarya Rai and Pretty Zinta. Look like them too...a bit), and cannot converse in Malay.
Even when English is not used between us, they did not (yet) manage to convincingly present their progress. Here's a tip from a professional ass-kisser: Progress report, no matter how small, must be larger than life, or it will be considered as no progress at all. You added a button on your website, brag about it. You used 50g less sugar when making tea, mention how much you can save the company when the sugar price rises. I think you get the idea.
I know, my bragging and self selling are still well below some, as some of you readers have experienced me sending in resumes and even interviewed me. But at least I have the basics, and I'm going (hopefully) the right way: Upwards.
Oh, communication is not only limited to the bosses and your surroundings, You must also know who to communicate with your source of knowledge. Our main source of knowledge, was the Internet. And with this vast source in the tip of their fingers, they had trouble finding answer to their problems.
Yes, I know not all can be answered using the resources of the Net, but when I solved the problems in a matter of hours, where they have been doing it for the whole week, things don't shine too bright for them. And to add salt to the wound, I'm a beginner in Visual Basic programming, and yet, I solved the problem I gave them to solve. And they have the VB boldly written in their resume as being diploma level.
It's maybe that they're just not focusing on the work, since it's just an industrial training. But hear me, those who's going to do theirs soon. This is the first step (for most) in the real industrial world. If you're already good in what you do, you have a jumpstart to achieve your financial goal.
Other's maybe are still looking for jobs, filling online application forms, and going for interviews, while you, had you excel in grabbing your bosses' heart, are now either a probational staff, or a permanent staff. While others may still be interviewing or living out of the measly pay they may have during probation, you're already awaiting your next salary increase for the next paycheck.
I had to say to fellow students, or those still looking for the perfect job, please perfect yourself on par with the pay and job you seek. I believe in a simple calculation: Your pay is a third of what the company earns out of you. If you alone can make a RM9,000 product in a month, you're worth RM3000 to the company.
I may not be a perfect candidate for other high-paying jobs out there, but I believe at least someone need to say something to the students, to better prepare them for the harsh new world, and even harsher men fighting within it.
I'm still a newbie, being an employee for a year and a half. Life's great, actually, although I'd prefer the life of a student nevertheless. With a salary sufficient for me to partially support my parents while owning a car and such. Yes, I do work over time (notice the space between 'over' and 'time' hence it's not the pay-me-extra-to-work-after-hours overtime.), and yes, I do disagree (a lot) with my bosses. It's just that I believe in whether you see the glass half full or half empty, it's no use if you don't refill it.
3 months back, I received 2 practical students to work under me. Having just finished my own practical training less than a year ago, I had thought to myself to empower (I'm amazed at my vocab!) these kids to better prepare them for the industry. Well, at least they got a suitable training post for their course (Programming), as compared to me (Multimedia) and have to do Sales and Marketing!
I don't mind that, actually, since I got to learn professional/business communication first hand.
So, the first thing I asked these boys (my boss is reluctant to take in girls, maybe she's jealous) to do, once they had their workstations set up, was to come up with a flow diagram for the programs they're about to do.
You see, in programming, it doesn't really matter what language you use, which version you have, or how good you are at singing. It all comes down to the basics: How well can you plan ahead your program. It's much like driving to a place. It doesn't matter how fast you're going, or the car you're driving, or the song you're singing, if you don't know the road to get there in the first place.
You should at least have a good sense of direction, so you'll know where to go next, and what to do afterwards. These kids, however, failed to deliver the flowcharts, and focused on the programming. I know, many do not plan ahead of their programs, but if the program comes out good the first time, the programmers must have at least done this before, have a good sense of direction in their head, or he's Neo. Others, they'll almost definitely crash and burn.
The result, is some misunderstanding as far as the task given is concerned. Many times do I need to sit with them, draw out boxes and cylinders and connecting lines, to show them how I think the program should run. I was hoping for a discussion, where they pointed out where I've gone wrong, or where things can be improved. Instead, I had to spoonfeed them, and so they just open their mouth and dutifully feed on my ideas, like how we were taught in school.
Although I don't expect much from the program that they're running, but I don't expect more than just a bunch of cut and paste codes based on a spoonfed program flow. Reminds me of the time I taught C++ in my U (those poor kids) and how similar their programming assignmet codes look like each other. At least, if you're cutting and pasting, do it on your own idea.
Another thing, I believe is lacking in them, is the capability to communicate. This has been a major barrier between fresh grads and good jobs, so now they are relying on the Government to again spoonfed them with jobs. 1st, the boys did not manage to communicate well with my boss, who's a Hindi (you know, the likes of Aishwarya Rai and Pretty Zinta. Look like them too...a bit), and cannot converse in Malay.
Even when English is not used between us, they did not (yet) manage to convincingly present their progress. Here's a tip from a professional ass-kisser: Progress report, no matter how small, must be larger than life, or it will be considered as no progress at all. You added a button on your website, brag about it. You used 50g less sugar when making tea, mention how much you can save the company when the sugar price rises. I think you get the idea.
I know, my bragging and self selling are still well below some, as some of you readers have experienced me sending in resumes and even interviewed me. But at least I have the basics, and I'm going (hopefully) the right way: Upwards.
Oh, communication is not only limited to the bosses and your surroundings, You must also know who to communicate with your source of knowledge. Our main source of knowledge, was the Internet. And with this vast source in the tip of their fingers, they had trouble finding answer to their problems.
Yes, I know not all can be answered using the resources of the Net, but when I solved the problems in a matter of hours, where they have been doing it for the whole week, things don't shine too bright for them. And to add salt to the wound, I'm a beginner in Visual Basic programming, and yet, I solved the problem I gave them to solve. And they have the VB boldly written in their resume as being diploma level.
It's maybe that they're just not focusing on the work, since it's just an industrial training. But hear me, those who's going to do theirs soon. This is the first step (for most) in the real industrial world. If you're already good in what you do, you have a jumpstart to achieve your financial goal.
Other's maybe are still looking for jobs, filling online application forms, and going for interviews, while you, had you excel in grabbing your bosses' heart, are now either a probational staff, or a permanent staff. While others may still be interviewing or living out of the measly pay they may have during probation, you're already awaiting your next salary increase for the next paycheck.
I had to say to fellow students, or those still looking for the perfect job, please perfect yourself on par with the pay and job you seek. I believe in a simple calculation: Your pay is a third of what the company earns out of you. If you alone can make a RM9,000 product in a month, you're worth RM3000 to the company.
I may not be a perfect candidate for other high-paying jobs out there, but I believe at least someone need to say something to the students, to better prepare them for the harsh new world, and even harsher men fighting within it.
My First Times #2
My first time...
...jatuh pokok (asked by Intan)
...jumpa afdhlin (asked by Intan)
...keje overtime/weekend (asked by Intan)
...dapat first paycheck (asked by Lynn)
...rasa dh akil baligh (hahaa!) (asked by Nina)
...jatuh pokok (asked by Intan)
Once, in primary school, during recess, my friends and I resorted to our usual spot behind the class building under a tree. I don't remember why, but we started climbing the tree. Somehow, that day I learnt something scientific:
BATA shoes don't have the proper grip to to step on a stump.
What happens next is history. Oh, I think I should mention that I scarred my chin in the process, and my teacher did blackmail me by offering to "clean the wound" using a paper cutter.
...jumpa afdhlin (asked by Intan)
First off, it's Afdlin, not Afdhlin
The first tme I saw Afdlin face to face was when we had an Iftar (breaking fast) session in Bangsar, about a year ago. My first thought was, "damn...he's BIG". i don't mean big as in fat, but he seems to have a big frame as well.
And oh, this happened just after an incident when I (unknowingly) said that i ASSUMED that his wife was NOT a Muslim during an argument session in his blog. This was because
A) When I like an artist, I don't usually care about his/her personal life. I like an artist as an artist, no more, no less, and
B) How should I know the name Christina Orow belongs to his wife!??
...keje overtime/weekend (asked by Intan)
Technically, I have never worked overtime, since working overtime needs to be compensated with some kind of payment. I just worked and went back late :(
...dapat first paycheck (asked by Lynn)
My first paycheck was during my University years, when I worked at Jusco Bukit Raja. Actually, it only lasted 1 week, due to me reading the roster wrong, and coming on the wrong shifts. I haven't since set foot on that particular store section.
...rasa dh akil baligh (hahaa!) (asked by Nina)
Well, although I had reached puberty earlier, it wasn't official until the 'dream', I guess. So, if you think your gut can't withstand the puke-inducing description, do not continue. I won't be held responsible to clean your monitor, keyboard, and any item effected by your puke.
I had a dream, with Siti Nurhaliza, from the wedding reception, straight to the "First Night". And this was in 1998, so no Datuk K at that time, just Zamani Slam. Had several others since, including friends. so I won't delve more into the matter, since I might face a lawsuit for wrongful imagination...hehe
My First Times #1
My First time...
...ngorat awek (asked by Intan)
...ada awek (asked by Intan)
...ilang awek (asked by Intan)
...driving (asked by Lynn)
...curik duit (asked by Nina)
...ngorat awek (asked by Intan)
I can't really be sure of the first time I really flirted. I've had crushes, but it remained as that. Being the nerdy thick-specks-and-a-screwdriver-in-the-pocket kid of person I dare not flirt as at first. And I don't think that passing love letters is a way of flirting. Flirting is more of an actual action in real time.
So I think I first flirted during a bus ride to Klang from KL, for the weekend, when i was in form 2 or 3. I saw this girl, from another SBP (by the batik kurung she's wearing) standing by me in the overly packed bus. I was either bored, or experimenting, so I tried to think of a line to initiate a chat.
I noticed her bag's zipper was ajar so I mentioned it to her. So there, the hard part's done. next thing we know, we were chatting away as cautiously as an IRC chatter would chat to one another. Only later did I realize, when I called her up (yes, I got her number), that she is capable of saying only 1 word in the whole duration of the 20 sen public phone call (She's in the same district, so that was quite like, forever).
Have progressed better since, from impersonating as a UM student when I was in form 4 to chat with a group of girls (best gak bila budak ATPN tak kenal aku, Intan), to an attempted courting session with a mother of one, and a stranger, of whom I approached by saying "Jom sarapan sama (Join me for breakfast)?".
...ada awek (asked by Intan)
I was late in getting into a relationship. My first, was and is my current girlfriend. She was my fascilitator, during the induction week (we called it MSM) in my Uni. She's 3 years older, and was in her final years at that time. In fact, I was (self-proclaimed) the first freshies to go on a date, and that's DURING the MSM.
...ilang awek (asked by Intan)
Once, I was trying to contact my girlfriend, but to no avail. I went in front of her block (we're free to linger under any block as male's and female's were scattered), to see her room dark, and curtains shut.
I tried again, to call her, but failed. I SMSed her, but it went pending. I was dumbfounded. I asked around, of her whereabouts, to her friends at the cafe, but none knew. I've another 20 hours before I can lodge a police report, so I kept my calm.
Only later that night, did she contact me. Actually, she went to her relative's house, and since she had no credit, she left a note with a frined of hers, who forgotten all about it. Oh, and her handphone's battery died on her too.
Is this the 'ilang awek' story you want, Intan?
...driving (asked by Lynn)
I was actually forced to learn to drive, by my brother. I was petrified. I don't want to die at 14, I thought. And so, after being lectured to deaf and getting the hang of taking a corner, My brother left the car, and let me and my cousin (biras kira cousin ke?) drive around the housing area for a while. It's only after I narrowly parked the car under a lorry did we went home. Don't worry, am so much better now.
...curik duit (asked by Nina)
I don't remember ever directly stealing money before, if you'd discount not paying in full/at all of my transport fares. But I've stolen stuff before. The earliest I could remember, was during primary years, before I move out to Klang. I stole a M.A.S.K figurine from my neighbour. I didn't steal the Thunderhawk car (the good guy's boss' car, the one that can fly) though, since it would be too obvious.
I need your help
I am thinking of writing a list of "My First Times". It's actually just a compedium of short stories of my first time doing something. But I was dumbfounded thinking what should I write.
Care to give me a list on things I (may) have done, so I can write how was my first time doing it?
Care to give me a list on things I (may) have done, so I can write how was my first time doing it?
Would you?
Would you, still be beside me, if I am paralysed, and had to count on you for my every need?
Would you, still be beside her, If my mother is paralysed, and had to count on you for her every need?
Please my love, I need the answers.
Explorace
Oh my god...I've never felt this excitement watching a reality show, even when watching one by one of the Survivors (said to be the first reality tv show) being dropped, how the Fear Factor contestants fail in their quests, and when the AF contestants shed (his/hers and some of our) tears dragging that Samsonite. And I have never before rooted for a particular contestant in any other TV game shows.
Until I watched Explorace.
To tell you the truth, I wasn't into it at first. It was when I watch the Reezman and Azhari duo that I was hooked. I mean, they're crazy, playful, yet so into their tasks that they excelled in every challenge. They were so relaxed, and make every daunting task looks fun. And so, I rooted for them.
I dare say that the Explorace is by far the reality TV shows in the sense of marketing. Heck, if I were a Leader (PM, President, King) of any country, I'd welcome Explorace anytime, and even contribute! It's far cheaper than spending millions on building tourist spots so they would "feel at home". When I travel, I want to see and experience new things. Want to feel at home? I'd just book a flight home, now that's the real deal. Or was they are really talking about expats or those on business? A bit confused, these politicians, it seems.
Back to Explorace. I'd say that the quick-cut editing was also a source of excitement. It was like watching a MTV-style movie. For the next season, I do wish that Media Prima (TV3) would consider to use multi-panel editing, like in 24, or the Semisonic's Closing Time music video.
In the end, there was these 3 teams, Masita and Misbah, Weng Aun and Chee Yee, and my favourite, Reezman and Azhari. Masita and Misbah were quite good, but they get stressed out all too often, and they may lack some skills in completing some tasks faster. Chee Yee and Weng Aun, was the least energetic of all, and most boring to watch of all three. I'd say this team is the most 'normal' of the 3.
Reezman and Azhari, on the other hand, was a little like me and some of my friends, when I'm with them. Immature, playful, jovial, and almost never serious. Not to mention they're the same age as me! Makes me wonder, how far can I go on Explorace?
So in the end, on the final round in Kedah, the 3 teams fought their way to the finish line. Each team was astounding. Even Weng Aun and Chee Yee showed their brains when they took the shortcut to Muzium Padi (they stopped to asked, of course), and took the lead! Masita and Misbah, despite having a shipwreck (or a sampan-wreck), managed to show their prowess.
In the end, the results are as follows. I could only watch in joy, anticipation, jealousy, and excitement as Reezman and Azhari jumped in joy to the winner's podium to receive RM100,000 and 2 Golden Holidays tickets to any MAS routes around the globe.
p/s: speaking of jealousy, a friend of mine is going to London on a business trip while I'm stuck in office. How jealous am I! She did ask me to join her, but how am I going to fork out RM5000 for the trip!
Until I watched Explorace.
To tell you the truth, I wasn't into it at first. It was when I watch the Reezman and Azhari duo that I was hooked. I mean, they're crazy, playful, yet so into their tasks that they excelled in every challenge. They were so relaxed, and make every daunting task looks fun. And so, I rooted for them.
I dare say that the Explorace is by far the reality TV shows in the sense of marketing. Heck, if I were a Leader (PM, President, King) of any country, I'd welcome Explorace anytime, and even contribute! It's far cheaper than spending millions on building tourist spots so they would "feel at home". When I travel, I want to see and experience new things. Want to feel at home? I'd just book a flight home, now that's the real deal. Or was they are really talking about expats or those on business? A bit confused, these politicians, it seems.
Back to Explorace. I'd say that the quick-cut editing was also a source of excitement. It was like watching a MTV-style movie. For the next season, I do wish that Media Prima (TV3) would consider to use multi-panel editing, like in 24, or the Semisonic's Closing Time music video.
In the end, there was these 3 teams, Masita and Misbah, Weng Aun and Chee Yee, and my favourite, Reezman and Azhari. Masita and Misbah were quite good, but they get stressed out all too often, and they may lack some skills in completing some tasks faster. Chee Yee and Weng Aun, was the least energetic of all, and most boring to watch of all three. I'd say this team is the most 'normal' of the 3.
Reezman and Azhari, on the other hand, was a little like me and some of my friends, when I'm with them. Immature, playful, jovial, and almost never serious. Not to mention they're the same age as me! Makes me wonder, how far can I go on Explorace?
So in the end, on the final round in Kedah, the 3 teams fought their way to the finish line. Each team was astounding. Even Weng Aun and Chee Yee showed their brains when they took the shortcut to Muzium Padi (they stopped to asked, of course), and took the lead! Masita and Misbah, despite having a shipwreck (or a sampan-wreck), managed to show their prowess.
In the end, the results are as follows. I could only watch in joy, anticipation, jealousy, and excitement as Reezman and Azhari jumped in joy to the winner's podium to receive RM100,000 and 2 Golden Holidays tickets to any MAS routes around the globe.
p/s: speaking of jealousy, a friend of mine is going to London on a business trip while I'm stuck in office. How jealous am I! She did ask me to join her, but how am I going to fork out RM5000 for the trip!
I'm a bad Mom
When I marry, I'll make sure my wife takes good care of the children. No, I'm not pushing away responsibilities to the other party, but I believe I'm a bad mother, and my wife should be able to do better.
I'll have the responsibility of being the (hopefully the sole) breadwinner, and to either spoil the kid, or o be their idol. You may say I'm taking the "easy" part of the job, but believe me, being a parent is hard both ways, even harder if you're doing both!
Why, you may ask. I believe that I'm probably a bad mother. In the event of a danger, my immediate instinctive respond may be to save myself, maybe the cute girl beside me, not the kid. Maybe men are like that. Just take a look at the man highlighted in this picture. I'm like that.
I'll have the responsibility of being the (hopefully the sole) breadwinner, and to either spoil the kid, or o be their idol. You may say I'm taking the "easy" part of the job, but believe me, being a parent is hard both ways, even harder if you're doing both!
Why, you may ask. I believe that I'm probably a bad mother. In the event of a danger, my immediate instinctive respond may be to save myself, maybe the cute girl beside me, not the kid. Maybe men are like that. Just take a look at the man highlighted in this picture. I'm like that.
10 Things I DEFINITELY never heard about me
After failing in my quest to learn about myself, Intan gave me this trivia about me, that I definitely have never heard of.
#1 - my safety feature, when walking in the dark.
#6 - The bananas are Pisang Tanduk, not Pisang Emas, okay. Pisang emas is to be bawa belayar only
#10 - It was a long time ago when I photographed for the cards, I didn't hit puberty yet.
Ten Top Trivia Tips about Lizzam!
- Lizzam will often glow under UV light.
- Wearing headphones for an hour will increase the amount of Lizzam in your ear 700 times!
- There are six towns named Lizzam in the United States!
- Most bottles and jars contain at least twenty-five percent recycled Lizzam.
- Bananas don't grow on trees - they grow on Lizzam.
- A lump of Lizzam the size of a matchbox can be flattened into a sheet the size of a tennis court.
- Lizzam has often been found swimming miles from shore in the Indian Ocean.
- In his entire life, Lizzam will produce only a twelfth of a teaspoon of honey.
- Lizzam can't drink - he absorbs water from his surroundings by osmosis.
- Lizzam is the only king without a moustache on the standard pack of cards!
#1 - my safety feature, when walking in the dark.
#6 - The bananas are Pisang Tanduk, not Pisang Emas, okay. Pisang emas is to be bawa belayar only
#10 - It was a long time ago when I photographed for the cards, I didn't hit puberty yet.
We Are What We Type
This, is the normal pattern of my Instant Messenger conversations nowadays.
Let's say I started off with a greeting and a question:
Let's say I started off with a greeting and a question:
Me : Hey ho!/Whaddayapa! / Whazzap / Apa Di atas? / Salam / Oit / BUZZ!!! / GEDEGANG!!! etc etcI wonder how much a Instant Messaging have made us lost our ethics of conversation, not to mention the degradation of the grammar. But language itself is a means of conversation, and one can easily say that the slangs, jargons, abbreviations used in an IM conversation is actually a lively language on it's own. And languages used in IM, SMSes, and even at times emails, is far from being dead.
Me : What are you doing? / You there? / etc etc (optional)
Other Guy (OG) : <replies with appopriate reply to the greetings>
OG : <answers optional question>
<Starts small talk, if no important matter / question is at hand>
Me : u know about...(insert current issue here)...
OG : yeah/no...
...<Continue small talking>...
<Ends small talk>
<If there's an important matter or question, skip small talk to this part>
Me : actually, there's something....(insert question or important matter here)
OG : Go on...
...<continue discussing important matter or questions>...
(at this time, ideas start to shy away from our brains, we start to lose interest)
<Joke mode on>
Me : <Starts to joke>
OG : <laugh at joke / typed clever comeback.>
<Continue Joking>
Me : hehehe/hahaha/ (insert appopriate smileys here).
OG : hehehe/hahaha/ (insert appopriate smileys here).
<The Conversation ends here>
System of conventional spoken or written symbols used by people in a shared culture to communicate with each other. A language both reflects and affects a culture's way of thinking, and changes in a culture influence the development of its language. - Encyclopaedia Brittanica
I Am Mean And I Mean It
I was en route to Mid Valley, for a date today. It was a typical Sunday drive, nothing out of the ordinary, nothing exciting.
But when I was passing Seri Setia via the Federal Highway, an incident happened. I was signalling to my left, to go to the left lane, when all of the sudden this old 1980 Honda Civic (I think) came behind me, to overtake from the left. Luckily he managed to brake, or there would be a fender bender. Believe me, I did all the Signal, Mirror and Manouver thing.
I cancelled me going into the left, and stayed on the middle lane, while the Civic sped off and weaved the traffic.
I mean, if you're familiar with that area, you'd be shocked a driver would be crazy enough to be a speed demon. The traffic was heavy! We're all going in about 50-60 Km/h but this fella, he's fast. And he changed between the 3 lanes better than me playing Need For Speed: Underground.
My first thought was, "either he's racing or he's being chased". There's another fast black Proton Waja, but it didn't weave as crazily as the Civic, as far as I can see. I was actually saying that the driver was brave enough to
A beaten down Civic on the left side of the road, with damaged front bonnet, with it's front facing the road, instead of facing the front.
It's clear that the same car that almost had an accident with me had an accident with either another motorist, or the divider. The driver and his passenger (there were 2 in the car) was still in the car, and still moving. I'm quite surprised the car was not badly damaged, considering the way it was driven. I didn't get to see what happened, nor did I get a chance to help. I was in the middle lane, in heavy traffic. I just called 112 and make sure the operator knows they're speeding, driving recklessly and dangerously, and met with an accident.
But if I even get a chance to help, I will be helping them out with a mouthful of sermons. In other words, You Deserved It. Yet I guess that wouldn't stop them from endangering others in the future. This time I don't regret being satisfied seeing them in an accident, as long as no other innocent motorist were involved.
On another unrelated issue, I think I found the cause why Last Minute Cancellations (LMC) still alive and kicking well in Malaysia, or at least to me. LMCs are those who cancels in the very last possible minutes, and in worse cases, only informs about the cancellations AFTER you call them you're already at the rendezvous point.
The reason is: They have an Academy for themselves!
And to close it all off, want to see an example of misleading advertisement? Compare the size of the O.R Fillet Burger (RM3.60), with my hairy hand. At least in the US the called it MINI Fillet Burger (USD 0.99). No wonder Burger King IS the king of burgers. You'll get the royal treatment in sense of the size of the burgers.
But when I was passing Seri Setia via the Federal Highway, an incident happened. I was signalling to my left, to go to the left lane, when all of the sudden this old 1980 Honda Civic (I think) came behind me, to overtake from the left. Luckily he managed to brake, or there would be a fender bender. Believe me, I did all the Signal, Mirror and Manouver thing.
I cancelled me going into the left, and stayed on the middle lane, while the Civic sped off and weaved the traffic.
I mean, if you're familiar with that area, you'd be shocked a driver would be crazy enough to be a speed demon. The traffic was heavy! We're all going in about 50-60 Km/h but this fella, he's fast. And he changed between the 3 lanes better than me playing Need For Speed: Underground.
My first thought was, "either he's racing or he's being chased". There's another fast black Proton Waja, but it didn't weave as crazily as the Civic, as far as I can see. I was actually saying that the driver was brave enough to
- Drive like a maniac in heavy traffic, and
- Drive like a maniac in heavy traffic in a beaten old car with not much modification (physical, at least) and doesn't have extra safety like additional rollcage structure or even airbags.
A beaten down Civic on the left side of the road, with damaged front bonnet, with it's front facing the road, instead of facing the front.
It's clear that the same car that almost had an accident with me had an accident with either another motorist, or the divider. The driver and his passenger (there were 2 in the car) was still in the car, and still moving. I'm quite surprised the car was not badly damaged, considering the way it was driven. I didn't get to see what happened, nor did I get a chance to help. I was in the middle lane, in heavy traffic. I just called 112 and make sure the operator knows they're speeding, driving recklessly and dangerously, and met with an accident.
But if I even get a chance to help, I will be helping them out with a mouthful of sermons. In other words, You Deserved It. Yet I guess that wouldn't stop them from endangering others in the future. This time I don't regret being satisfied seeing them in an accident, as long as no other innocent motorist were involved.
On another unrelated issue, I think I found the cause why Last Minute Cancellations (LMC) still alive and kicking well in Malaysia, or at least to me. LMCs are those who cancels in the very last possible minutes, and in worse cases, only informs about the cancellations AFTER you call them you're already at the rendezvous point.
The reason is: They have an Academy for themselves!
And to close it all off, want to see an example of misleading advertisement? Compare the size of the O.R Fillet Burger (RM3.60), with my hairy hand. At least in the US the called it MINI Fillet Burger (USD 0.99). No wonder Burger King IS the king of burgers. You'll get the royal treatment in sense of the size of the burgers.
Happy Me!
This month have been a mixture of good and bad news. But I'm holding on to one of my favourite philosohies: No matter how you see the glass, half full or half empty, it means nothing if you don't do anything about it. So, I just wade through the bad times, and bask in the light of the good times.
Alhamdulillah.
First off, I unexpectedly won an online contest. Originally, I was looking for the Remp-It poster, and I came across a page in Karangkraf's website offering this ticket. I thought, oh, what the heck, I might as well just try. And guess what, I got this email asking me to collect the pass.
Then my boss gave me this good, no, GREAT news. I'd rather not elaborate on this, as per my other philosophy: If you want to brag, let others do it for you. (:p).
And thanks to my dad, I got a loan from him (I'd rather pay more to my dad instead to others) and got me something I've been eyeing since it came out. Although at first I was reluctant since its design was not suitable for me, this one is just nice.
Well, If you have been observant enough the photo of the complimentary pass has some clue!
Yes! I have bought myself a new handphone, after 6 years with my trusty 3310!
In my whole life, I've only 3 handphones to date. The first one was a simple SAGEM MC 920 which only a patient person can own. On the day last day of my Matriculation, It died on me. Something short circuited in it. So now it's a toy to my 8 nieces and nephews, hence the poor condition.
Then I got myself a Nokia 3310. Truth be told this is one of the best handphone of all time, par none. It was the best 6 years ago, and still is! Yes, it has less feature as compared to phones nowadays, but like the VW Beetle (the original one) this phone provides exactly what you paid it to do and more.
It has limited functions, but mastered most of it, especially the excellent keypad unlike most nowadays which are jack of all trades, master of none. Heck, drop a 3310 into the ground or into water, more often than not it will still work afterwards. Try that with your new phone. I dare you, since I dare not.
However, my phone have been showing signs of ageing. The less sensitive keypad, the loose back cover, the flickering backlight. The functions are all still working, though. So I thought of getting a new one. Searched around for a camera phone which suits the bill, and have a good record and value for money. Voila! I got myself a Sony Ericcson W810i.
And now, with a camera phone, I can start to camwhore! but if 'whore' is for female, so it should be: CAMGIGOLOGING!
Chloe and Cik PMS shudders in fear...
Alhamdulillah.
First off, I unexpectedly won an online contest. Originally, I was looking for the Remp-It poster, and I came across a page in Karangkraf's website offering this ticket. I thought, oh, what the heck, I might as well just try. And guess what, I got this email asking me to collect the pass.
Then my boss gave me this good, no, GREAT news. I'd rather not elaborate on this, as per my other philosophy: If you want to brag, let others do it for you. (:p).
And thanks to my dad, I got a loan from him (I'd rather pay more to my dad instead to others) and got me something I've been eyeing since it came out. Although at first I was reluctant since its design was not suitable for me, this one is just nice.
Well, If you have been observant enough the photo of the complimentary pass has some clue!
Yes! I have bought myself a new handphone, after 6 years with my trusty 3310!
In my whole life, I've only 3 handphones to date. The first one was a simple SAGEM MC 920 which only a patient person can own. On the day last day of my Matriculation, It died on me. Something short circuited in it. So now it's a toy to my 8 nieces and nephews, hence the poor condition.
Then I got myself a Nokia 3310. Truth be told this is one of the best handphone of all time, par none. It was the best 6 years ago, and still is! Yes, it has less feature as compared to phones nowadays, but like the VW Beetle (the original one) this phone provides exactly what you paid it to do and more.
It has limited functions, but mastered most of it, especially the excellent keypad unlike most nowadays which are jack of all trades, master of none. Heck, drop a 3310 into the ground or into water, more often than not it will still work afterwards. Try that with your new phone. I dare you, since I dare not.
However, my phone have been showing signs of ageing. The less sensitive keypad, the loose back cover, the flickering backlight. The functions are all still working, though. So I thought of getting a new one. Searched around for a camera phone which suits the bill, and have a good record and value for money. Voila! I got myself a Sony Ericcson W810i.
And now, with a camera phone, I can start to camwhore! but if 'whore' is for female, so it should be: CAMGIGOLOGING!
Chloe and Cik PMS shudders in fear...
10 Things I Don't Know About Me
I know many people can analyse somebody thru their handwriting, their appearance, the way they comb their hair, and so on and so forth. And I know although many of us may not master it completely, we can still analyse somebody from afar or from just looking at them.
Most of the time, the person being analysed, would not even realize about the it until being told about it. Many experienced interviewers have this capabilities. Not to mention our future in laws.
So, I'm actually challenging you, to comeup with things I don't know about me. You can write as many things as you want,
But I'll be choosing the 10 most precise, and least known to me in this blog, along with the name of the genius who saw it. If possible, cite how did you come to such conclusion.
Come on, prove your IQ prowess. This may also increase incoming links to your blog (important to technoctati users), and who knows, you might find something you don't know about yourself!
update: After pondering on your comment, I'm choosing these as the 10 Things I Don't Know About Me. (in no particular order).
Most of the time, the person being analysed, would not even realize about the it until being told about it. Many experienced interviewers have this capabilities. Not to mention our future in laws.
So, I'm actually challenging you, to comeup with things I don't know about me. You can write as many things as you want,
But I'll be choosing the 10 most precise, and least known to me in this blog, along with the name of the genius who saw it. If possible, cite how did you come to such conclusion.
Come on, prove your IQ prowess. This may also increase incoming links to your blog (important to technoctati users), and who knows, you might find something you don't know about yourself!
update: After pondering on your comment, I'm choosing these as the 10 Things I Don't Know About Me. (in no particular order).
- I'm shallower than a dry kiddie pool *hurt* - disputed lamb
- I'm more knowledgeable in Web developement than I know? I think A raise should be in order. - Kaz
- I blog too much - Kaz
- I think too much. - Pyerudz
- I like to think and read a lot - IMJ
- Someone does like my writing, albeit fluctually - Aman
- I'm a ass-kisser.
- I'm more of an average joe than I thought I am.
- My singing sucks big time.
- This didn't work. huhu...
Customize Your Bank Account
When I was a student, I have 4 bank accounts. Originally I have a Maybank account, that was my primary and only account since I was 6, I think. In school, I got a scholarship after my dad retired, so I had to open a BSN account. This is good, as KPM Matriculation also used BSN to give out their semi-annual scholarship.
During this time, I opened an ASB account, so I could keep my savings in a hard-to-withdraw account. My sister, deposited money for me, for my savings. How grateful I am, since this had saved both of us later.
When I went to University, I applied and got PTPTN loan, thus had to open a BBCB account.
If you're keeping tab, I already have 3 bank accounts and an ASB account. This is both good and bad for me.
The good thing is, I could spread out my money and limit my spending in the process. Living in a boring (Cik PMS yang cakap) Labuan helps, nevertheless.
Everytime my loan got deposited into my BBCB account, I would spread the money (what's left of it after paying my study fees.) RM500 into ASB, RM700 into Maybank, RM500 into BBCB and 300 into BSN. As you can see, Maybank is my primary account, BBCB is my secondary, and BSN as a backup. ASB acts as a worse-come-to-worse-cum-savings choice (both for me and my sister, it seems).
I would love to spread my salary in the same fashion. But it would be hard to be done in the multiple-bank-account style. And doing my monthly budget, I came out with an idea.
What if, there's a bank account, that can be segmented, or contain sub-accounts? What if, there's a bank account, that enables the customer to customize the accounts; subdividing into smaller accounts, setting preferences, setting limitations, and a whole lot more, anytime you please?
Think of it like the hard disk of our computer, only more customisable.
The idea is, to have an account, that can be segmented into smaller sub-accounts, and may have several profiles attached to them. These sub-accounts are optional, and done by the customer. If the customer prefer the one-big-account-for-all style, then don't create any sub-accounts.
Imagine you have an account with RM1000 in it. You have 4 sub-accounts for savings, emergencies, petrol expenses, and daily expenses. From the RM1000, you distribute it into 200, RM100, RM200 and RM500 respectively.
To add more control over the account and yourself, you set the savings account only to be allowed over the counter (OTC) withdrawal, or limited ATM withdrawal, similar to what Maybank is doing. This would make you think twice, even more, when trying to withdrawing from that sub-account.
When withdrawing from the ATM, one is given a choice of sub-accounts to withdraw for. Similarly, certain account(s) can be associated to MEPS Cash, or similar services such as an e-Wallet. This will make certain you don't touch the money you saved for your son's college fund, for instance.
Now, I know this won't be possible without some big, big modifications, especially on the database. The database must be flexible enough for users to add and remove sub accounts on their own, but robust enough to ensure everybody's money is safe. Not to mention the modifications in ATM systems, and the whole bank account system.
That's the main reason why many bank could not afford to change their system, not because of the cost to install, but the cost in case something goes wrong. Even our own homegrown Maybank have BILLIONS of accounts and customers (according to a trustworthy source), what would be of bigger international banks?
But, wouldn't it nice, if we have more control over our own accounts, to mix and match, and not just to be able to select from pre-packaged ...err... packages. This has already be the motto of Celcom, although Celcom users still need to rely on predetermined plans. Fast foods like Burger King and McDonalds have done it in their menus, while KFC just put a little bit of everything in one bucket.
It's just an idea, for now. Anybody think this is possible? Or is it otherwise? What are the odds?
During this time, I opened an ASB account, so I could keep my savings in a hard-to-withdraw account. My sister, deposited money for me, for my savings. How grateful I am, since this had saved both of us later.
When I went to University, I applied and got PTPTN loan, thus had to open a BBCB account.
If you're keeping tab, I already have 3 bank accounts and an ASB account. This is both good and bad for me.
The good thing is, I could spread out my money and limit my spending in the process. Living in a boring (Cik PMS yang cakap) Labuan helps, nevertheless.
Everytime my loan got deposited into my BBCB account, I would spread the money (what's left of it after paying my study fees.) RM500 into ASB, RM700 into Maybank, RM500 into BBCB and 300 into BSN. As you can see, Maybank is my primary account, BBCB is my secondary, and BSN as a backup. ASB acts as a worse-come-to-worse-cum-savings choice (both for me and my sister, it seems).
I would love to spread my salary in the same fashion. But it would be hard to be done in the multiple-bank-account style. And doing my monthly budget, I came out with an idea.
What if, there's a bank account, that can be segmented, or contain sub-accounts? What if, there's a bank account, that enables the customer to customize the accounts; subdividing into smaller accounts, setting preferences, setting limitations, and a whole lot more, anytime you please?
Think of it like the hard disk of our computer, only more customisable.
The idea is, to have an account, that can be segmented into smaller sub-accounts, and may have several profiles attached to them. These sub-accounts are optional, and done by the customer. If the customer prefer the one-big-account-for-all style, then don't create any sub-accounts.
Imagine you have an account with RM1000 in it. You have 4 sub-accounts for savings, emergencies, petrol expenses, and daily expenses. From the RM1000, you distribute it into 200, RM100, RM200 and RM500 respectively.
To add more control over the account and yourself, you set the savings account only to be allowed over the counter (OTC) withdrawal, or limited ATM withdrawal, similar to what Maybank is doing. This would make you think twice, even more, when trying to withdrawing from that sub-account.
When withdrawing from the ATM, one is given a choice of sub-accounts to withdraw for. Similarly, certain account(s) can be associated to MEPS Cash, or similar services such as an e-Wallet. This will make certain you don't touch the money you saved for your son's college fund, for instance.
Now, I know this won't be possible without some big, big modifications, especially on the database. The database must be flexible enough for users to add and remove sub accounts on their own, but robust enough to ensure everybody's money is safe. Not to mention the modifications in ATM systems, and the whole bank account system.
That's the main reason why many bank could not afford to change their system, not because of the cost to install, but the cost in case something goes wrong. Even our own homegrown Maybank have BILLIONS of accounts and customers (according to a trustworthy source), what would be of bigger international banks?
But, wouldn't it nice, if we have more control over our own accounts, to mix and match, and not just to be able to select from pre-packaged ...err... packages. This has already be the motto of Celcom, although Celcom users still need to rely on predetermined plans. Fast foods like Burger King and McDonalds have done it in their menus, while KFC just put a little bit of everything in one bucket.
It's just an idea, for now. Anybody think this is possible? Or is it otherwise? What are the odds?
P.M.S
My mood's down today.
I think it's P.M.S.
Post Month Salary :- when you get your salary after the working month, not on the end of it. i.e. February's pay is on the beginning of March.
Source: Qubepedia.
And my PMS is late. Go figure
At work, alternated (techspeak: ALT+Tab) between Meebo, YouTube, work, and a mutant lobster's blog.
See, Nell, I'm sending you traffic. BWAHAHAHAHAHA....
At home, alternated between "Whose line is it anyways" (since I'll be missing Actorlympics) on You Tube, and the whole 3 years of the Mutant-lobster-who-confuses-spacebar-with-the-Enter-button's blog.
Now I'm confused between spacebar and the Enter (Return) button.
Not to mention I miss Labuan. If only there's a decent cineplex there.
I think it's P.M.S.
Post Month Salary :- when you get your salary after the working month, not on the end of it. i.e. February's pay is on the beginning of March.
Source: Qubepedia.
And my PMS is late. Go figure
At work, alternated (techspeak: ALT+Tab) between Meebo, YouTube, work, and a mutant lobster's blog.
See, Nell, I'm sending you traffic. BWAHAHAHAHAHA....
At home, alternated between "Whose line is it anyways" (since I'll be missing Actorlympics) on You Tube, and the whole 3 years of the Mutant-lobster-who-confuses-spacebar-with-the-Enter-button's blog.
Now I'm confused between spacebar and the Enter (Return) button.
Not to mention I miss Labuan. If only there's a decent cineplex there.
Siti's Lovebite
I found this both amusing and heart-breaking, at the same time...
Although I've had it with Siti+DK and Mawi+Ina's story, this is something I didn't expect, and it invoked both mixed feelings and wild imaginations.
What's on your mind, now?
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Blessed are the forgetful;
for they get the better even of their blunders.
- Nietzsche; Beyond Good and Evil
How happy is the blameless Vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd.
- Alexander Pope; Eloisa to Abelard
If you're in a relationship, that's turning sour, like milk past the expiration date, then grab his/her hand, sit by each other, in each other's arm, and watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, silently, absorbing every little detail they throw at you...
for they get the better even of their blunders.
- Nietzsche; Beyond Good and Evil
---
How happy is the blameless Vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd.
- Alexander Pope; Eloisa to Abelard
---
If you're in a relationship, that's turning sour, like milk past the expiration date, then grab his/her hand, sit by each other, in each other's arm, and watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, silently, absorbing every little detail they throw at you...
My Condolences...
...to Terri, Bindi, and Bob Irwin, who had lost their main man...
...to Crocodile Hunter's fans, who had lost one of their favourite characters...
...to Actorlympics, who lost one of the characters to impersonate this season...
...to nature, which had lost the only man whose bravery borders stupidity, in a quest to show the beauty of nature, and to preserve the wildlife...
We'll miss you Steve...
...to Crocodile Hunter's fans, who had lost one of their favourite characters...
...to Actorlympics, who lost one of the characters to impersonate this season...
...to nature, which had lost the only man whose bravery borders stupidity, in a quest to show the beauty of nature, and to preserve the wildlife...
We'll miss you Steve...
What Day Is it?
Is tomorrow really Sunday?
Feels weird having another holiday on the same week, especially when you have so little holidays on your calendar. I need to find a new job, with more holidays, and both weekends off... :(
any takers?
Feels weird having another holiday on the same week, especially when you have so little holidays on your calendar. I need to find a new job, with more holidays, and both weekends off... :(
any takers?
Economy Lifestyle
Some time ago I've read an article of American economy nowadays as compared to the 20s, I think. The article concluded, that American's economy today, is actually worse than it was 80 years back, before the Great Depression.
Therefore, in light of the upcoming Budget 2007 and after 49 years of independence, I'm wondering; how exactly are we doing economically? Are we really that strong and prosperous, or are all that just an illusion, much like how my family maintain a well being image, while struggling with the middle income dilemma?
I'm a practical person, a realist. So I'm not going to view things as compared to other nations, or by comparing stock prices. That's way out of my field, I'm not an economist. I'm comparing the one thing that really shows how prosperous a certain community is, the spending (puchasing) power.
It's actualy simple to calculate our spending power, if you're wondering. Take your nett salary (minus the tax, EPF, SOCSO, or anything else such as unpaid leaves), minus all the necessary overheads like bills, loans, transportations, and food. Leave out anything that's not necessary for you to make a living per month. Now how much is left? That, is your spending power. The more you have left, the more powerful you are.
I believe, that 50 years before, our spending power was higher than it is now. The biggest and therefore easiest of the signs are: Not many families now can survive with a lone breadwinner. In the 50s, the middle class working women are mostly either not married, or not working out of necessities. Those who do work out of necessity, are from a lower income family or a large middle income family, which are common those days. Ask your parents (or if you yourself live in those days) if they would be suprised to hear a family of a mother, a father, and 16 kids at that time.
Nowadays, a middle class family of three children mostly needs two breadwinners. A father who works and a mother who take care of the household seems like romantic dream. The upper middle class, may survive with a single breadwinner, but majority of us Malaysians, are within the middle income class.
This is, I believe, the result of the change of our lifestyle. You ever hear old people complaining about prices of necessities today as compared to "those good ol' days"? At face value, those complains are invalid. You cannot compare oil prices (for instance) now and then, much like we cannot say RM1.92/litre is cheaper than RM7 per liter in UK. We have to keep in mind the actual income over there and not simply convert the currency.
In the 50s, automobiles were starting to be a necessity, not unlike how a second transport (car or motocycle, to be matched with a bigger primary one, like a SUV) is becoming a necessity. Phones were starting to become a necessity, not unlike how handphones (mobile phones or cellphones) are starting to (or has it already) become one. Television were becoming a necessity, not unlike how computer and/or internet connections are becoming one. Electrical fans were becoming a necessity not unlike how air conditioning is becoming one. Tap water, were becoming a necessity, not unlike how water filters are becoming one.
Can you see the trend here? Somehow, we have instilled new necessities in our lives. Although the economic growth is there, but the growth of new necessities and their prices surpassed that. In the end, we have less spending power, due to the increase of necessities to be paid for.
Middle income families now need both parents to work, so that the family could function normally. Any less, then there'll be a stressful realtionship, especially between the children and the working parent (either the mother, or the father). Single parents have less mouth to feed, but double the burden. The parent have to take care their own children, and work at the same time.
This calls for nurseries, and kindergarten. Not forgetting babysitters. The increase in such field of work, directly translates to the increase of double breadwinners. It is, however, not a very suitable indicator, as high income families tend to have double breadwinners as well, although they are already well off. This, is thanks again, to the thing called 'lifestyle'.
We are no more in our own comfort zone. Living costs are rising, yet we still have our puny salary with not much increase. Despite that, we're mad (your's truly included) when we read in the papers politicians asking us to change our lifestyle. While it is inproper for us to advice people all around without doing so ourselves, it's more inappropriate do dismiss a good advice just because of that.
I know, some of us will be pointing out the wasteful and inappopriate spending that we have to pay in the end, but I leave that to you during the elections, where you're supposed to eliminate those who we think should not be representing us, and chose those who'll stand up for our rights.
I've seen some people living a better lifestyle than me. Better, not in sense of richer or higher class, but happier. Most of them, used to be poor, yet still maintain a similar lifestyle when they became rich. One of them, would be loitering around a barber shop (talk about racial harmony), chit-chatting, wearing a singlet and shorts, looking like an ordinary Ah Pek. But you know he is somebody, when he calls his driver on his Nokia Communicator 9500 to fetch his Mercedes S 350 L. Most probably if you live in Temerloh, Pahang, you'd know him.
Yes, some of us need to maintain a lifestyle to be successful in life. A contractor going for a 3.5 mil tender shouldn't go around on a Kancil, but an SUV, or a 4x4. An artist shouldn't go by wearing pasar malam clothing during shows, or wearing selipar jepun (unless you're Butterfingers or Alanis Morristte, then go barefeet). There's no one lifestyle that fits all. You have to tailor-made it to your own preference. Either make your income work for your lifestyle, or your lifestyle work for your income.
Therefore, I'd suggest to all of us (yes, you too, Lizzam), to start re-evaluate our lifestyle, and see if it really fit our own capability. Are we forever in debt because of our own lifestyle, with our houses, cars, credit cards and even education (the last one is an important necessity since God created the universe. No compromy on education!)? Are there anything that we can live without but we're living with? Is it really necessary to do something, or are there any alternative for it?
I leave the question for you to ponder on youselves. I'll be pondering on mine...
*thanks Nina, and my Dad (he doesn't do or read blogs though) for the info.
Therefore, in light of the upcoming Budget 2007 and after 49 years of independence, I'm wondering; how exactly are we doing economically? Are we really that strong and prosperous, or are all that just an illusion, much like how my family maintain a well being image, while struggling with the middle income dilemma?
I'm a practical person, a realist. So I'm not going to view things as compared to other nations, or by comparing stock prices. That's way out of my field, I'm not an economist. I'm comparing the one thing that really shows how prosperous a certain community is, the spending (puchasing) power.
It's actualy simple to calculate our spending power, if you're wondering. Take your nett salary (minus the tax, EPF, SOCSO, or anything else such as unpaid leaves), minus all the necessary overheads like bills, loans, transportations, and food. Leave out anything that's not necessary for you to make a living per month. Now how much is left? That, is your spending power. The more you have left, the more powerful you are.
I believe, that 50 years before, our spending power was higher than it is now. The biggest and therefore easiest of the signs are: Not many families now can survive with a lone breadwinner. In the 50s, the middle class working women are mostly either not married, or not working out of necessities. Those who do work out of necessity, are from a lower income family or a large middle income family, which are common those days. Ask your parents (or if you yourself live in those days) if they would be suprised to hear a family of a mother, a father, and 16 kids at that time.
Nowadays, a middle class family of three children mostly needs two breadwinners. A father who works and a mother who take care of the household seems like romantic dream. The upper middle class, may survive with a single breadwinner, but majority of us Malaysians, are within the middle income class.
This is, I believe, the result of the change of our lifestyle. You ever hear old people complaining about prices of necessities today as compared to "those good ol' days"? At face value, those complains are invalid. You cannot compare oil prices (for instance) now and then, much like we cannot say RM1.92/litre is cheaper than RM7 per liter in UK. We have to keep in mind the actual income over there and not simply convert the currency.
In the 50s, automobiles were starting to be a necessity, not unlike how a second transport (car or motocycle, to be matched with a bigger primary one, like a SUV) is becoming a necessity. Phones were starting to become a necessity, not unlike how handphones (mobile phones or cellphones) are starting to (or has it already) become one. Television were becoming a necessity, not unlike how computer and/or internet connections are becoming one. Electrical fans were becoming a necessity not unlike how air conditioning is becoming one. Tap water, were becoming a necessity, not unlike how water filters are becoming one.
Can you see the trend here? Somehow, we have instilled new necessities in our lives. Although the economic growth is there, but the growth of new necessities and their prices surpassed that. In the end, we have less spending power, due to the increase of necessities to be paid for.
Middle income families now need both parents to work, so that the family could function normally. Any less, then there'll be a stressful realtionship, especially between the children and the working parent (either the mother, or the father). Single parents have less mouth to feed, but double the burden. The parent have to take care their own children, and work at the same time.
This calls for nurseries, and kindergarten. Not forgetting babysitters. The increase in such field of work, directly translates to the increase of double breadwinners. It is, however, not a very suitable indicator, as high income families tend to have double breadwinners as well, although they are already well off. This, is thanks again, to the thing called 'lifestyle'.
We are no more in our own comfort zone. Living costs are rising, yet we still have our puny salary with not much increase. Despite that, we're mad (your's truly included) when we read in the papers politicians asking us to change our lifestyle. While it is inproper for us to advice people all around without doing so ourselves, it's more inappropriate do dismiss a good advice just because of that.
I know, some of us will be pointing out the wasteful and inappopriate spending that we have to pay in the end, but I leave that to you during the elections, where you're supposed to eliminate those who we think should not be representing us, and chose those who'll stand up for our rights.
I've seen some people living a better lifestyle than me. Better, not in sense of richer or higher class, but happier. Most of them, used to be poor, yet still maintain a similar lifestyle when they became rich. One of them, would be loitering around a barber shop (talk about racial harmony), chit-chatting, wearing a singlet and shorts, looking like an ordinary Ah Pek. But you know he is somebody, when he calls his driver on his Nokia Communicator 9500 to fetch his Mercedes S 350 L. Most probably if you live in Temerloh, Pahang, you'd know him.
Yes, some of us need to maintain a lifestyle to be successful in life. A contractor going for a 3.5 mil tender shouldn't go around on a Kancil, but an SUV, or a 4x4. An artist shouldn't go by wearing pasar malam clothing during shows, or wearing selipar jepun (unless you're Butterfingers or Alanis Morristte, then go barefeet). There's no one lifestyle that fits all. You have to tailor-made it to your own preference. Either make your income work for your lifestyle, or your lifestyle work for your income.
Therefore, I'd suggest to all of us (yes, you too, Lizzam), to start re-evaluate our lifestyle, and see if it really fit our own capability. Are we forever in debt because of our own lifestyle, with our houses, cars, credit cards and even education (the last one is an important necessity since God created the universe. No compromy on education!)? Are there anything that we can live without but we're living with? Is it really necessary to do something, or are there any alternative for it?
I leave the question for you to ponder on youselves. I'll be pondering on mine...
*thanks Nina, and my Dad (he doesn't do or read blogs though) for the info.
TGIF + Monday Blues
Working on a Friday, after a holiday on Thursday, feels like a combination of Monday Blues and Thank God Its Fridays.
Except in my case, TGIF don't apply to me anymore.
Sigh...
* Nina, I'll finish the post sometime today la. No mood for obvious reasons.
Except in my case, TGIF don't apply to me anymore.
Sigh...
* Nina, I'll finish the post sometime today la. No mood for obvious reasons.
