short and sweet

hello..

yes, i'm still alive, thank you.
am in the process of renovating and revamping this blog of mine.

and yes, i miss u too.
and i shall make a point to visit ur blog as well, not your facebook and twitter accounts only.

here's hoping for a wonderful year ahead!

2010 in review

01 my sisters getting engaged
02 my sister married
03 4th year in service. 5 years to go in servicing the bond
04 1st year in KK. Am loving it
05 sumandak sumandak pun ramai menunggu, menari nari lenggang sumayau
06 1st major investment -- bought a bungalow lot (currently pending loan disbursement)
07 2nd major investment -- bought PCG IPO 6 lots


Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Mcm lama lagi je kat sabah ni

So, the parents are coming this 23rd.
At 1st, i thought of having them to stay at Le Meridien. But Ummi is very excited to visit the fish market and buy fresh fishes, and to cook them.

Hence, decided to use my gadget fund, to buy a new set of queen size bed, and some room decoration.

Ai.. Bila dah shoping mcm ni, nampak gaya mmg lama lagi laa kat sabah ni. Not that I'm complaining :)

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

My stance

This may be a racist entry.
Read at ur own peril.

I was in Semenanjung for a good one week, fully utilising the time spent with the family, rebuilding bridges, meeting old friends and other things.

Was on the way to fetch my sister from UiTM when Ummi, Abuya and I started talking about the local politic scenarios.

As always, my pops and I, we always be on different side of the fence.

So we talked about how Malays in Malaysia are not at par with others, and why we need more attention/focus in ensuring what belongs to us won't change hands to other people.

And I told them, Malaysia is of 13 states. 11 states under the Semenanjung and 2 states at Borneo island. And being a non-semenanjung living in Sabah, I am ashamed with current politics happenings.

Malays talked about how their rights are protected in the Constitution blah blah blah. Have they forgotten the Bumiputera? Their rights are also protected.

a tweet reminded me of something.
Malaysia has Malay Prime Ministers since its independence. And yet we are still fighting for our rights?

I'm a Bumiputera.



Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Small targets for CY 2011

Here are my CY 2011 resolution

01 ideal Body Mass Index
02 by October 2011 -- my tabung haji savings must reach RM10K
03 climbed and reached Low's Peak of Mt Kinabalu
04 MYPR rating 2
05 completed Competent Communicator Manual Speeches Toastmaster

Things I'd love to achieve in 2011

01 passive income of rm500 per month
02 actively involved in volunteer program
03 toned body
04 active participation in snorkelling, gym-ming, swimming, bowling and golfing

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Open letter to a friend

After nearly a year and couple of last minute cancellation, I managed to meet her. And we talked about it as adults.

All I can conclude is, the thing got bigger due to mis-communication.

I have to concur with her words. This is like a test on our friendship.
It is her fault for easily terasa,
And it is our fault for not showing her how we care about her.

Oh, how I can easily relate to how she felt all this while.
And how I am thankful for the fact that I don't give a damn about it (albeit me telling other people that I was a little bit hurt for that)

For that my love, I'm sorry for what I have done, and for what I did not do all these while.



Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

RE: Word of the week - De-rigueur

 

 

------------------

Warm Regards,

 

 

From: Ivy Ngu Chew Ju (SBO/PCSB)
Sent: 18 November 2010 11:20
To: {SBO_PCSB_ALL_1}
Subject: Word of the week - De-rigueur

 

Dear All,

 

Please to share

De-rigueur \duh ri-GUR \  , adjective

1. Strictly required, as by etiquette, usage, or fashion

 

Quotes:

 

1.    These innovations not only serve local industries and consumers, but also avail themselves of eco-friendly technologies that are de-rigueur  in today's environmentally conscious society.

-- Suchit Leesa-nguansuk, "There's no lack of technological innovation on the local stage," Bangkok Post

 

2.    I have said the trip was de-rigueur . No sooner do you announce to your friends in New York that you are going to California than they immediately cry out, "Ah, then you will see the Yo Semite !"

-- Mark Twain, The galaxy: Volume 10

 

 

Ivy Ngu C.J.

YPC: Education & Career

Production Department (SPD/P), SBO, PCSB

D/L: 088-525473, Petronet: 8-504-5473

 

DISCLAIMER : This e-mail and any files transmitted with it ("Message") is intended only for the use of the recipient(s) named above and may contain confidential information. You are hereby notified that the taking of any action in reliance upon, or any review, retransmission, dissemination, distribution, printing or copying of this Message or any part thereof by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this Message in error, you should delete this Message immediately and advise the sender by return e-mail. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this Message that do not relate to the official business of PETRONAS or its Group of Companies shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by PETRONAS or any of the companies within the Group.

Word of the week - fossick

 

 

------------------

Warm Regards,

 

 

From: Ivy Ngu Chew Ju (SBO/PCSB)
Sent: 04 November 2010 08:21
To: {SBO_PCSB_ALL_1}
Subject: Word of the week - fossick

 

Dear All,

 

Please to share

fossick\ FOS-ik \  , verb;

 

1. To search for any object by which to make gain.

2. Mining.  To undermine another's digging; search for waste gold in relinquished workings, washing places, etc.

3. To hunt; seek; ferret out.

 

 

Quotes:

 

1.    Chorley ate and watched pigeons fossick  for crumbs among the iron table and chair legs.

-- Elizabeth Knox, Dreamhunter: Book One of the Dreamhunter Duet

 

2.    'We must go and fossick  for a bit now,' I said, 'just for enough to make the pot boil; but we won't take any more of your "tucker," Mrs. Mangrove, without paying.'

-- Rolf Boldrewood, The Miner's Right, a Tale of the Australian Goldfields

 

Origin:

An Australian coinage, fossick's  derivation is uncertain, but may be an alteration of fuss .

 

 

Ivy Ngu C.J.

YPC: Education & Career

Production Department (SPD/P), SBO, PCSB

D/L: 088-525473, Petronet: 8-504-5473

 

DISCLAIMER : This e-mail and any files transmitted with it ("Message") is intended only for the use of the recipient(s) named above and may contain confidential information. You are hereby notified that the taking of any action in reliance upon, or any review, retransmission, dissemination, distribution, printing or copying of this Message or any part thereof by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this Message in error, you should delete this Message immediately and advise the sender by return e-mail. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this Message that do not relate to the official business of PETRONAS or its Group of Companies shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by PETRONAS or any of the companies within the Group.

Volunteerism: You, Me and Them.

this is the raw transcript of my 3rd manual speech for Competent Communicator project of Toastmaster International club.

title: Volunteerism: You, Me and Them.
date presented: 16th November 2010
-----------------------------------

Good Day,

Fellow Toastmasters, Ladies and Gentlemen.

They say the best ways to get audiences' attention are either to start your speech with something extraordinary, or to pose a question for them to ponder.

I chose the latter.

The question is, "What is Volunteerism?"

Based on Google, the famous definition of volunteerism is the act or practice of doing volunteer work in community service.

But contrary to popular belief, it is more than that. Volunteerism is something that means more than that one dimensional definition.

So what is Volunteerism?

To answer that question, lets have a look at the scope of Volunteerism.

There are only two scope for volunteer activities.

Committal - meaning you commit yourself to the activities either part-time, full-time, or sparingly. For example, joining PEMADAM (the anti-drug organization) as volunteer, becoming Toastmaster member, and becoming full-time volunteer for MAKNA (National Cancer Council Malaysia).

Non-Committal - you participate in volunteer cause, as and when required. For example, participating in previously held Sutera Harbour 7K Sunset Charity Run, contribute donation for flood relief fund, and volunteered to give Manual Speeches here today :)

Next question is, Why should I become a volunteer?

The main reason is because Volunteerism is an act of charity and good deeds. Every main religions put good deeds in highest priority. In Islam, the faith dictates on rewards and sins (punishments) to the believers. In Christianity, the Golden rule states "do unto others as you would have them do unto you Behave toward others as you would like to have them behave toward you..". As for Buddhism and Hinduism, the Karma cycle. Those are the spiritual factor that drives one to do good deeds. And volunteerism is one of the way for it.

Amongst PETRONAS staff, this statement holds dear in our hearts. Energy Receive, Energy Returned. Aspiring People Everywhere.

All this while, from the day we were born, we have been on the receiving end from our community. Reflect back, and look around you. Public utilities, public transportation, public education system, public toilets, and lots more. Now, it is time for us to pay back to the community. We owe them, big time, and it is time for us to clear the debt.

If you don’t know where to start, maybe this Native American proverb might offer you some hint: “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children”

Finally, my personal reason of joining volunteer activities: Self Satisfaction.

Have you ever tried a Do-It-Yourself project i.e Tamiya cars, completing Jigsaw Puzzles, or plucking mangoes from the tree by yourself? How did you feel at that moment, when you successfully done those things? Happy, a little bit of proud with our ability, and full of satisfaction. Right?

The same thing applies to volunteerism. When you participated in charity run, knowingly that all collection will be channeled to finding a cure for cancer; When you handed your clothes, knowing that the same clothes will make sure the flood victims will have warmth and clean clothes; Tutoring orphans at orphanages knowing that you are assisting them in their pursuit of happiness and success in life; tell me, are you not proud of yourself, and feel that you deserve that pat on your back?

Do know that even though some might feel that Volunteerism is time-consuming, only benefitted one party, and is only for portraying good image; it is more than that. It is about enriching our religious experience, paying back to the community, and to achieve self-satisfaction.

Remember, if you have time, you may want to volunteer in activities that require your commitment. Else, join the non-committal activities. Coming soon is the 5K Walk for Charity to be held on 21^st November. Come lets join the fun!

Let’s volunteer!

phone story

i am nearing 1 year anniversary with my Blackberry Bold 9700.
and being typical me, i am already planning to change my handphone.
however, i am a bit reluctant to let go of my BB due to:

• i am very much satisfied with my BB's performance (altho am tad disappointed upon knowing that Bold 9700 will not support OS6)
• most of my friends already using BBM as means of communication
• perfect QWERTY keyboard

however, i am missing the touchscreen functionality. at first, i planned to get myself an iPad, as the 3rd tablet. but after some time, the novelty of owning that gadget lost on me. i thought i could be more productive on it. here are some ways i imagined how i'll be using the iPad

• checking and responding to emails with a dedicated email client, something that my BB cant do. imagine archiving my work email to GMail, and to retrieve it via GMail IMAP at iMail client
• increase productivity, as i'll be able to view documents on the go and in class too. however, iPad is only for consumption, not creation. at this point of time, i'm more on creating than consuming the data
• eBook reading while travelling in plane, ERL, buses, etc. owh, i am soo gonna miss this. 

so, i may ended up having a BB with and iPod touch. but then again, i might as well go for iPad if i want to opt for iPod touch.

so,

is there any BBM emulator that can connect Android phone to BBM?

Fw: A message from an Arab Catholic priest to Pastor Jones who wants toburn the Quran

For our reading, dan renungan

I wonder if our Imams and Sheikhs will be able to write with same passion and clear justification?

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone
email: azamilizzat@gmail.com
mobile: azamilizzat@gmail.com
twitter: azamilizzat

---

From: Sanmuga Thavamoorthy <sanmuga@gmail.com>

Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2010 16:45:56 +0800

Subject: A message from an Arab Catholic priest to Pastor Jones who wants to burn the Quran

MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2010

A message from an Arab Catholic priest to Pastor Jones who wants to burn the Quran

Translated from Arabic.
http://www.thenewalphabet.com/details5692.html

A message from Father Elias Zahlawi (a Syrian Catholic priest) to Pastor Terry Jones (who is calling for the burning of the Quran).

Respected Pastor Terry Jones,
 
I have read your worldwide call for the burning of the Quran on this coming 11th of September. Your message stated that you are a pastor of one of the churches in Florida in the United States of America .
 
 
As an Arab Catholic priest from Damascus ( Syria ), I wondered what would be your objective, as an American pastor, for such a call?
 
I wondered, and I ask you: What are your responsibilities as a pastor?
Are you really a Christian pastor serving God in a church in America ?
 
Or are you merely a layperson from America who is pretending to be in the service of Christ?
 
Did you give in to your nationalism (Americanism) rather than giving in to your Christianity?
 
What is your aim with that call?
 
 
(Do you wish) to further fuel hatred among people? Is that consistent with (the teachings of) Jesus, whom you represent in your eyes and the eyes of many others?
Tell me, is there in the character of Jesus, in his words or in his actions anything that would remotely justify even a hint of promoting disdain and hatred among people?
 
 
Have you forgotten that Jesus was completely for love, forgiveness and peace? Have you forgotten what he taught us when he told his disciples and the people after them to tell God the heavenly Father of all to "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who wrong us"? You overlooked or forgot that when Jesus was hanging on the cross and being subjected to insults and vile words, he raised his voice, saying, "O Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
 
 
Who, then, do you represent or who are you trying to guide with this call of yours?
 
Isn't it enough what has been happening since September 11, 2001: the killing, destruction, displacement and starvation of hundreds of millions of people throughout the world, from Palestine – the land of Jesus – by your leaders in particular, headed by George Bush, who was claiming direct communication with God?
 
 
Wouldn't you agree with me that with your call (to burn the Quran), you have demonstrated that you are really unfamiliar with Jesus and that you desperately need to re-discover him again to be a true Christian pastor who calls, like Jesus, for the comprehensive love and full respect for every human being and a commitment to the full and wonderful teachings that call upon all believers, without exception, to always stand beside the poor, the oppressed and the disadvantaged?
 
 
My brother Pastor Terry Jones. Can you tell me, honestly, if Jesus came today, whose side would he take?
 
Is it the side of the powerful and arrogant oppressors who dominate the world and endlessly plunder its resources, violate its laws and international treaties, and kill people in their countries and destroy houses on top of their owners and turn them into refugees across the earth? Or is it the side of those who are oppressed, the disadvantaged, hungry, and homeless?
 
 
Did you forget what Jesus himself would say on the Day of Judgment to each person in front of him: "All that you did to one of my brothers, you actually did to me"?
 
I wonder if you have overlooked or forgotten that Jesus did not point in that speech on the Day of Judgment to the religion of any of those mistreated persons. He only referred to everyone as belonging to the human race and to his standing with the deprived, the weak, and the oppressed in this world.
 
 
So how could you as an American Christian pastor stand with the oppressors from your country whose injustice has spread around the world?
 
Aren't you afraid of when you appear before Jesus on Judgment Day and you are burdened with a heavy conscience, like your leaders who are blinded by the gods of power, money, control and greed?
 
 
My brother Pastor Terry. Do you think I am being unfair if I conclude that your hatred toward Islam is what drove you to such a reprehensible call for the burning of Islam's holy book, the Quran?
 
But let me ask you, as a Syrian Roman Catholic priest: What do you know about Islam? It appears to me from your call to burn the Quran that you are ignorant of Christ and Christianity, and that makes me believe that you are also ignorant of Islam and Muslims.
 
 
Believe me, it is not my intention to indict you and it is not my intention to engage with you in a religious debate about Christianity or Islam. However, after I prayed for a long time, let me suggest for both of us to make a joint effort on this coming September 11.
 
 
You might ask me what effort can we do jointly when you are in Florida and I'm in Damascus ?
 
Here is my suggestion.
 
I invite you to visit Syria , where you will be my guest and the guest of many of my Muslim and Christian friends. Syria is a country populated mostly by Muslims and in which Christians are indigenous to the land and have lived side-by-side with Muslims for centuries and centuries.
 
 
Come and don't worry about anything.
 
Come and you will find out about Islam and Muslims what will comfort you, please you, surprise you, and even lead you, from where you are today in Florida, to invite all people to live in respect, love and cooperation among all people.
 
 
This is what people need rather than the un-Christian call to fuel the sentiment of hatred and division.
 
Come to Syria and you will be amazed by the good nature of people and their faith, their relations, friendly cooperation and openness toward all strangers.
 
 
Come to Damascus to witness and live an experience that is not in your mind nor the mind or expectation of all the churches of the West or their bishops, pastors, and clergymen.
 
Come to see and hear two choruses, Christian and Muslim, singing together during Christian and Islamic holidays to praise Allah, the One God, who created us all, and to whom we all return.
 
 
My brother Pastor Terry.
 
I call you my brother and I am serious about calling you brother and about my invitation to you. I await a word (of reply) from you. Trust me that you will find a brother in Damascus , actually many brothers.
 
 
Please contact me and don't delay. I am waiting for you in Damascus .
 
I ask God to make our anticipated meeting the beginning of a long and interesting path that we undertake together with other brothers in Damascus and around the world.
 
 
How desperate is the need of our world for bright roads.
 
Come, the road to Damascus is waiting for you.
 
Father Elias Zahlawi

Astrologer

He said "sir, u have a lucky face"

Business, not partnership. Open heart--tend to be seceretive, dont be lazy, cannot focus on urself--thnk slowly and focus, no need to do faster, tuesday n saturdday no nail clipping, shaving cutting hair. Age 30++ politics. By Dec 2010-Jan 2011 opportunities will come. Rm20 je la kot. A jealous woman, avoid.

Tralalalaa

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

of saturday and sunday

so, Man Utd once again, lost the focus on the match, thus allowing West Bromwich Albion to snatch (and nearly win!) a draw, after leading comfortably 2-0 before the interval.

on the other note, this is a friendly reminder that Monterez Golf Club has a spanking new Bowling Alley.
maybe another solid reason why i should just buy the ball.

and yeah, i decided not to get the reactive just yet.
lets experiment with the polyester ball. baru dewa hahahhahaaa

iPad

I'm writing this from ummi's iPad..
Awesome....

Waja reBadge Lancer -- price

I received this from my car dealer:

Salam sejahtera tuan puan, tempahan waja baru akan dibuka pd 14hb Oct. ini dgn harga rm75k-79k MT rm80k-85k utk AT cc1.8 n rm90k-96k AT 2.0 dan min booking rm1k shj.

Nice! When will exora follow suits?



Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

5 reasons why I should have an iPad

1. eBook -- i want to start purchasing book online

2. Browsing Internet -- it would be great, as I don't have to use the laptop

2 main reasons I can think of now (actually ada email, media player, etc but most BB dah ada dah)



Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

IPO and iPad. And also Civ5

Ok. I still hv this feeling of wanting an iPad.
I may have to list down things I want to use it for.
Then only can justify the longing/purchase.

I am also thinking of investing on Company's soon to be offered IPO. Speculations are rife about price of rm5 per share.
I may need rm30k maximum, in order to participate. Question is: should I take up personal loan (again) and sell my soul to the bank(s) (again), or should I go for financing package either by CIMB or AmBank?

I need to discuss with my Ministers of Finance: the parents.

Also, Civilization V is now out.
Am going to buy one.

Hahahaha

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

movie review: Devil

compared to other people, i do believe that M Night Shyamalan has not lost his touch (OK, i have not watch The Last Airbender)

anyway, Devil as part of the Night Chronicles (funny, at first i thought it was because the story revolves supernatural and frightening thing, hence the word Night. but now i realised that he is using his name. Genius!)
is indeed entertaining.

not too preachy. not too boring. just nice.

cant wait for next installment of Night Chronicles.

Happy Birthday Ummi and Abuya~

here's a birthday shout-out from East Malaysia to Ummi and Abuya back at home.
Happy Birthday!

rather than me calling them, they called me earlier this morning to say thanks for the gifts.

abuya, in light of his Omnia 1 keep on having problems, had iPhone 3GS for his birthday.
ummi, since she'll be busy reviewing documents and surfing the Net for recipes, is now a proud owner of iPad.

and yeah, looks like my sister will be having her wedding reception sometimes during Chinese New Year.

The Smartphone War

B.A.I

current generation is divided.
if the Baby Boomers were divided on should we stay under the British rule, or should we pursue the path of independence and self-govern; and the Gen-X-ers are divided on which political parties best served their interests be it for the people or personal interest; the Gen-Y-ers are divided too.

in the times of technological advancements, where people are easily connecting and communicating with each other; what could possibly create a division among the Gen-Y-ers?
the very thing that unites us, is dividing us. it's the technology.

already we see groupies of Windows users, the cool and hip Mac users, and the "tegar" tech-geek using multiple versions of Linux OS. now emerges, the difference of smartphones.

most of the smartphone users, who have been affected by the cool factor of Apple, are embracing the iPhone team. surprisingly, some of them are those fond of the meek Windows Mobile OS. most of iPhone users are attracted to iPhone due to several factors. some of them are:-
- uber coolness of being seen with one
- easy to use. as Apple engineers really produced the best GUI and Human Computer Interaction for the smartphone.
- not much hassle. you only choose how big the data storage you want, and maybe the colour. that's all.
- there are lots of apps that are easily to retrieve/purchase/download, and you dont need to be a tech geek to know how to install it.
- wonderful screen display and icon. yeah, it's a repetition of point 2.
- not much button on it. simple.

surprisingly, there is this movement in town, currently gaining rapid support from the Gen-Y-ers. for the uninitiated, this movement have been in the field for some time, but only now they are gaining popularity among Malaysian Gen-Y population.
some interesting facts, Nokia was (and is) the best selling phones in late 90s because it is easy for users to send short message text, or fondly known as texting. and for some, texting via virtual/on-screen keyboard is not as fun as it should be. hence, Blackberry who has always been known for its superb qwerty keyboard begin their march.
so why the sudden popularity? here's why.
- physical keyboard. the main selling point for the cult of Blackberry.
- the professional look. unlike iPhone, if you're seen with a Blackberry, you are seen as a corporate figure. Very the executive
- email experience. Blackberry has the best email experience. you can retrieve and respond to your email whole day long, yet your Blackberry will not run out of battery juice like other phones.
- as mention above, the battery. Blackberry is a low-consumption device.
- most importantly, the Blackberry Messenger. it's like normal Instant Messenger, but only for Blackberry users. and it's encrypted, for goodness sake! how cool is that? you get to gossip all day long in a secured manner!

we also have this new boy in town, professing to be the next IN thing in smartphone teams. the green Android.
who are the users? well, they are the ones who would like to have the iPhone experience, but they hate of being told what to do and what they cannot do. what they can and what they cannot have. all in all, they are looking for the freedom in their smartphone experiences. these people are not your typical users. they know their thangs about smartphones and gadgets, and they are very adventerous. what attracts them to Android then?
- the freedom to choose the hardware, the apps, the way they interact with their belongings
- those who once called iPhone as suck-ass, but yet attracted to it, but decided not to join the iPhone team as it may hurt their pride and ego
- would like to be amongst the pioneers, as Android OS is the new kid in town.
-  looking for the best alternative for iPhone
- they are the proponent of the open-ness in technology
- Android phone have access to latest hardwares and configurations

to summarize:-
iPhone - simplicity
Blackberry - BlackBerry Messenger
Android - adventureous

WinMo and Symbian?
bah, humbug!

next episode: the browser war