~Citizens of "One Zero Zero"~

10 toxic character types you'll meet on the job

2011-12-27T18:30:00.001-08:00

Takeaway: You know that obnoxious, manipulative, picked-last kid you used to play with? He’s all grown up and making life miserable for his boss and co-workers now.

No doubt you’ve run across the kid who doesn’t play well with others. There’s the kid who cheats in sports. There’s the neighbor who came up with bizarre ways to play Monopoly and claims “house rules” so he can win. Those kids eventually grow up and, unfortunately, may haul their interpersonal baggage with them.

In a previous article, I listed 10 things that define a true professional. It is a pleasure working with professionals. It is a pain having to work with adults who behave like children and who are disguised as professionals. Think of the 10 toxic character types listed below as the antithesis of the true professional.

1: The poor sport

Just like the kid who picks up the football and goes home, the poor sport sulks and runs away, or threatens to. He is angry and hasn’t gotten his way so what better way to punish those involved than to remove himself from the game? In this kind of game, everyone loses.

2: The spoiled brat

The spoiled brat has always gotten his way in the past. He sees little need to put in his time to climb the ladder of success. Although he has little experience, he believes he has been mistreated because he has not been promoted. He resents those above him who tell him what to do. Good luck to the boss who has to ask any task of him. The spoiled brat is likely to have a temper tantrum unless and until he gets his way.

3: The wizard

The wizard is knowledgeable and clever. He’s good and he knows it. Input from others is just a waste of his time. His hubris is so ingrained that there isn’t the slightest possibility that he could be wrong — that kind of thinking went away with his humility long ago. He never explains how he accomplishes his magic because there is too big a risk that his mystical, wizard-like aura would be destroyed in a moment. He dare not allow reality to intercede and remove him from his lofty perch on the pedestal of misguided perceptions.

4: The dead weight

Occasionally, a team member doesn’t want to perform to his full capacity. There are many reasons why a person could be unproductive. He could have problems at home, be overwhelmed with the task at hand, or simply be lazy. Whatever the cause, the whole team can be dragged down to the level of the lowest common denominator. It hurts morale when the other team members have to work extra hours to make up for the poor performance of another.

5: The righteously indignant

The righteous person has been wronged, or believes he has been wronged, while on the job. He is unable or unwilling to forgive and forget. He has been unfairly treated and wants everyone to know about it by sharing his misery. Perhaps he has yet to learn that work, like life, isn’t always fair. After all, injustice can never happen to him.

6: The lone wolf

Not only does the lone wolf prefer working alone, he would rather not share his thoughts or collaborate with his peers. Perhaps you know of the programmer who equates his code with state secrets. Heaven forbid that someone else should benefit from his work.

7: The anarchist

Teams often have to choose a course of action from a number of competing ideas. When a decision is made, one or more team members may not have bought into the final decision. The anarchist revolts and follows his own agenda, even though it is counterproductive, because he is right and the rest of the team is wrong. He is too bull-headed and stubborn to accept the team’s plan because it will only be a matter of time before he is proved right. The dissention that his actions breed within the team simply doesn’t matter to him.

8: The politician

Usually a manager, the politician tells others what hethinks they want to hear. He has no problem promising project completion two weeks ahead of schedule. The politician makes promises he knows can’t be kept because he’s more interested in his wellbeing than in yours or the company’s. He doesn’t mind telling the influential how wonderful he is and has no problem taking credit for other’s work.

9: The debater

A team member who plays the role of the devil’s advocate can be beneficial during group-think. The problem arises when the devil’s advocate turns into the debater and argues just for the fun of it. He knows the position he is arguing is not viable. He has just gotten so good at playing his role that he doesn’t know how to back down without his pride getting hurt.

10: The bad apple

The bad apple has a poisonous, negative attitude. The Osmonds may have opined that “One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch, girl,” but they were wrong. One rotting, disease-infested apple can spoil the whole bunch. A bad attitude in the workplace is as contagious as the flu and at least as damaging. Do you have a bad apple at your workplace? It’s hard, but try to inoculate yourself from the bad vibes and keep a positive attitude despite the desire to dwell on the negative. In this sense, all the toxic character types mentioned above are bad apples since their toxic behavior inevitably leads to negative attitudes in their peers.

The bottom line

These toxic character types share one thing: They make the job of their associates more difficult. Some managers are blind to toxic behavior. Other managers ignore it in the hope that it will go away on its own. It rarely does. If it’s not identified and dealt with, negative attitudes can quickly spread to others. Toxic behavior is most destructive in a team environment, but it can spread regardless of the offender’s role in the company. Humans seem to have a sixth sense that picks up the toxic behavior of those they come in contact with. Once picked up by their toxic behavior radar, their own behavior can become negatively affected.

Toxic character types exhibit behavior that can lead to:

Lower quality and quantity of work

Bad attitudes

Lower morale

Discontent

Resentment

Dissatisfied clients

Increased turnover

There is hope. Identify toxic character types and correct their behavior before they wreak havoc within your organization. Once the toxic behavior is removed, you may discover the professional hidden within.

Having to be right

2010-03-02T06:32:00.000-08:00

Avoid arguing and having to being right about every topic. Often a conversation is not really a discussion. It’s a more of a way to keep a good mood going. No one will be that impressed if you “win” every conversation. Instead just sit back, relax and help keep the good feelings going.

A very good tip when dealing with the customers online eh. :)

Glee,

Seeing the negative and downsides in just about anything.

2010-03-02T06:25:00.000-08:00

When you see everything from a negative perspective you quickly punch a hole in your own motivation. You find faults everywhere and problems where there are really none. You cling to details. If you want to find a reason to not do something then that’s no problem. From a negative viewpoint you can find ten reasons every time.

And so very little gets done, you whine to anyone who wants to hear – and many who don’t – about how crappy your job and life is. Which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as you create the life that is appropriate considering how think and see your world.

A solution is to realise the limits of a negative perspective. And that your perspective isn’t some kind of 100% true picture of the world. Then try other perspectives. For instance, trying to establish a habit of seeing things in a more positive and optimistic light can be quite useful. In that vein, you may want to try the Positivity Challenge. It's not easy, but if you do the challenge and try to only think positive thoughts for 7 days it can give you an insight in how much your perspective and beliefs changes how you interpret your world. And what results you get.

Glee,

Point to Ponder - February 2010

2010-02-20T20:30:00.000-08:00

Whatever goes around, comes around.
Be nice and helpful to people, or at least, don't be nasty to others.

Life is impermanent and empty.
Things constantly change and we are all intertwined and inter-dependent with each other through our actions or inactions.

Glee,
Mell

Operation Beautiful

2010-01-28T17:42:00.000-08:00

Scars tell a story,
your inner nerd makes you fun,
And your flaws make you perfect.

You are beautiful!
Love yourself!

:)

2010

2010-01-17T08:18:00.000-08:00

Happy Belated New Year 2010 . VADSian welcomed the New Year 2010 with great enthusiasm and excitement. The New Year marks the end of 1 year and the start of the next year. Hoping that the new year 2010 will bring an end to the recession, bring more opportunities, prosperity and luck.

Positive Work Attitude Workshop 16.11.09 - 20.11.09 @ Jalan Were

2009-11-17T22:11:00.000-08:00

A SUPERIOR ATTITUDE

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think, say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will break a company... a school... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the atttitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way...we cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is plan on the one thing we have, and that is our superior attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

A superior attitude will produce superior results."

Test of Three

2009-11-09T16:45:00.000-08:00

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.

One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"

Wait a moment, Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."

"Three?"

"That's right", Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student, let's take a moment to test what you're going to say."

The first test is Truth.

"Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No" the man said, "Actually I just heard about it."

"All right", said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not."

Now let's try the second test, the test of Goodness.

"Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

So, Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued. "You may still pass though, because there is a third test - the filter of Usefulness.

"Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"

"No, Not really..."

Well, concluded Socrates, "If what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"

The man was defeated and ashamed.

This is the reason Socrates was a great Philosopher and held in such high esteem.

SSCCKG Gathering 5.11.2009

2009-11-04T21:44:00.001-08:00

Centre Head and SSCC community, gathered at Level 2 Pantry today for SSCCS Farewell and November birthday celebration. The event, hosted by SSCC Community is to bid farewell to Mdm Ona who will be moving(promotion) to different unit in TM, Mdm Jaleha and Mdm Marjinah, both are now in QA Team although just a few steps distance.

Congratulations, BYE BYE and Thank You....

Mdm Ona & Mr MC

Farewell to Mdm Ona, K. Jaleha & K. Marjinah~ Thank You Soo much & C u around!

Birthday's babies for November- Aysha, Along & Shafizan ..

GCOO State Visit 4.11.09

2009-11-04T19:54:00.000-08:00

Dato’ Adnan Rofiee, our GCOO came for state visit yesterday and drop by at our call centre. Let these pictures speak by itself

The Mayonnaise Jar Story

2009-11-01T09:27:00.000-08:00

When things in your life seem, almost too much to handle,When 24 Hours in a day is not enough, Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class And had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar And proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students, if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured Them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open Areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was..

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectivelyFilling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - family, Children, health, Friends, and Favorite passions - Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.
The sand is everything else --The small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, You will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So...
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.Play With your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
'Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked'.
It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

Colors of Deepavali @ VBPO Kuching!

2009-10-18T07:14:00.000-07:00

Beautiful kolam by FMCC floor members

KOLAM is as much a part of the Deepavali celebrations as muruku and delicious curry. For those who don’t know, kolams are motifs drawn on a flat surface using chalk, rice powder or rice grains, with touches of colours and other enhancements onto it.

Many Hindu families paint kolam in their homes during auspicious occassions such as festivals, weddings and birthdays. Kolam is believed to bring blessings to the homes.

As part of their Deepavali celebrations this year, FMCC Kuching, recently made few KOLAMs. Made from colored rice grains, tt was all the more challenging as their were given only limited time to conceptualise and create the kolam.

Colorful kan? :)

Deepavali Greetings & Cheer

2009-10-16T03:34:00.001-07:00

On behalf of all of us at VBPO Kuching we would like to wish all Happy Deepavali and may the day bring you great joy and cheer. Remember to be careful on the roads if travelling and in the spirit of 1 Malaysia visit one another and spread the cheer!

Keeping up with the Joneses

2009-10-12T20:31:00.000-07:00

"Keeping up with the Joneses" is a catchphrase in many parts of the English-speaking world referring to the comparison to one's neighbour as a benchmark for social caste or the accumulation of material goods. To fail to "keep up with the Joneses" is perceived as demonstrating socio-economic or cultural inferiority.

:)

Ten Top Things That Make for a Great Employee

2009-09-30T17:49:00.000-07:00

What exactly makes an employee great? These ten top things are guides to bosses looking for greatness in a new hire and for employees trying to get noticed in the workplace and be the kind of employee who has the potential to move up in the company chain.

The first thing that makes an employee great is that they are always dependable. Great employees do the job they are supposed to do every time, and no one has to worry that they don't deliver the goods. A great employee can be counted to always have their work done right, when it is supposed to be done - it is a forgone conclusion that they will, and no one else has to spend any time worrying about it.

The second thing to look for in a great employee is that they are a team player. A great employee isn't one who is constantly looking for attention or hogs the spotlight. Instead, a great employee works with everyone else to make sure that the things that need to get done do get done, for the good of the company.

The third mark of employee greatness is that they know how to take direction. Great employees know how to take criticism, direction and advice gracefully and make it work for them when doing their job.

Fourthly, a great employee can be trusted. They don't spread office gossip and they don't dish company dirt. Likewise, they always tell the truth to their employer, even if it lands them in hot water. The fifth sign of greatness in employees is linked to the fourth - a great employee always guards the confidential nature of their business dealings and protects everyone's privacy.

The sixth thing that makes an employee great is that they participate in the day to day life of the office. They don't bow out of meetings or skip the office birthday celebrations. These things may not be a fun part of working life, and everyone involved knows that everyone else has some place they would rather be - but a great employee wouldn't be any place else.

In seventh place comes the fact that a great employee gets along with other employees. Every office has one person that is in everyone else's business and talks to loud on the phone and generally stirs things up and gets under everyone's skin. This kind of employee zaps office morale - a great employee is a good co-worker to everyone.

The eighth thing a great employee has is good working skills. It may sound obvious, but a great employee has the abilities needed to do their job, and they constantly seek ways to improve, like going to training seminars or seeking further education. Great workers have great skills.

The ninth thing that leads to employee greatness is tact and decorum. If there is a problem in the office, a great employee doesn't make a scene in front of everyone else. A great employee will deal with such issues with privacy and diplomacy. Further, a great employee doesn't tell tasteless, political or religious jokes, nor do they send emails that tell these kinds of jokes.

Last but not least, a great employee has a great attitude. Bad attitudes bring everyone down. A great employee helps make work great for everyone else by having a good spirit about their job.

Selamat Berpuasa!

2009-08-21T02:57:00.001-07:00

The Editor Team wishes all staffs,friends, patrons and clients, Muslimin & Muslimat 'Selamat Menyambut Bulan Ramadhan' in this holy month.

Semoga anda dapat menjalani ibadat puasa dengan penuh berkat.

Wassalam

C'mon, Get Happy: Tips for Staying Positive at Work

2009-08-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

It's a lot easier to put on a happy face at the office when things are going well. But in lean times amid hiring freezes and an unpredictable future, it can be difficult to remain optimistic when you're on the job, especially when bad news about the economy is prevalent.

Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of "The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want," has pinpointed several strategies to help anyone become happy. She claims, "Everything I say is based on science. The strategies I've chosen are supported by studies that have tested them."

To start seeing your morning cup of coffee as half full, Lyubomirsky recommends that workers:

1. Embrace Gratitude. "Focus on really appreciating what you have at work. Maybe it's a valued colleague or your boss. Or maybe it's merely the fact that you don't have to drive very far to get there," she says, adding, "You can also express gratitude directly to people in the workplace, which can really strengthen your connections with your coworkers."

2. Commit Random Acts of Kindness. Lyubomirsky recommends doing things to help your coworkers without being prompted. "Give a colleague a ride to the airport. Or offer up one of your own sick days to someone who doesn't have any left." She points out that the benefits of committing these acts are good for both parties. "It's a good thing to do -- and it also makes you happier in the process."

3. Be Optimistic. Instead of getting bogged down in the challenges of today, she urges, "Think about the future. Think about your goals. Imagine your dreams coming true." If you don't think about things in an optimistic way, you could fall prey to a self-fulfilling prophecy, in which you've set yourself up for failure.

4. Reach out to Others. Don't isolate yourself from your office mates. Instead, reach out and engage people. Lyubomirsky, who is a professor of psychology at University of California, Riverside, says, "Social support is very important. Being around other people boosts positive emotions. It's almost like a miracle!"

5. Refuse to Ruminate. When engaging with others around the workplace, focus on problem solving -- not stewing. Says the researcher and writer, "Rumination is just going over and over the same thing and dwelling on it. It doesn't go anywhere, and it just makes you feel worse. You think you're going to get insight, but you're really just going from A to B to A to B. Avoid going in a circle and try to problem-solve together to move forward.

There are also other practical and simple shortcuts to happiness, as discovered by a group of researchers in the U.K. and discussed in the BBC documentary "Making Slough Happy," which aired in 2005. They recommend any of these office-friendly tactics to help buoy your spirits:

* "Plant something and nurture it." There are plants that will thrive in even the lowest light, and caring for one can add a bright touch to a dreary workplace.

* "Give yourself a treat every day and take the time to really enjoy it." Whether it's a chocolate after lunch or a cup of your favorite tea, a rewarding ritual can help you feel positive.

* "Have a good laugh at least once a day." Find your funniest coworker -- or head over to Sling.com or YouTube.com -- for a chuckle on your lunch break.

* "Smile at and/or say hello to a stranger at least once each day." Perhaps it's during your commute or in the company cafeteria, but take time to spread some goodwill to someone you don't know.

SOURCE: www.google.com

Haze Blankets Kuching!

2009-08-07T08:36:00.000-07:00

Sarawak is in an unusual but enviable position these hazy days.The state is usually the worst affected by the haze but not this time.

All 11 divisions registered an Air Pollutant Index of below 100 yesterday.“We are spared from the severe effects of the haze. Favourable wind directions prevented the haze from enveloping the state,” Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam told The Star yesterday.Sarawak experienced the worst haze in 1998 when the Federal Government declared a state of environmental emergency for 10 days after the API level recorded a reading of over 900.

Three months ago, Miri was badly hit by haze, which lasted about a month.Sarawakians know exactly what those in some parts of the peninsula are going through now.Dr Chan, who is also the state Disaster Relief Committee chairman, said 13 minor “hotspots” were detected in Sarawak but none caused severe damage to the air quality.Nevertheless, the state is not taking any chances.“The state Cabinet has issued a total ban on all forms of open burning throughout the state,” Dr Chan said.He said Sarawak was watching with concern the severity of the haze that has enveloped parts of the peninsula.“What we can do here is to ensure the locals do not make it worse by starting fires,” he added.

~Courtesy of The Star~

NOTE: VADS-ian in Kuching are able to monitor the latest AIR POLLUTANT INDEX at:

http://www.doe.gov.my/apims/

What is Your Funniest VADS 100 Call Center Moment Contest!

2009-07-26T07:11:00.000-07:00

What is your funniest VADS 100 Call Center Moment?
Key in your reply in the 'Comments' section!
Mystery prize awaiting for the funniest moment contest winner! :D
Contest period: 27.07.2009 till 31.07.2009
Open to all VADS-ian call center staffs.

Have Fun!

Ten SMK Sains Kuching students H1N1 positive

2009-07-19T20:22:00.000-07:00

Students now undergoing treatment at Sarawak General Hospital

KUCHING: Ten students of SMK Sains Kuching tested positive for Influenza A(H1N1) virus yesterday, while 32 students in Limbang were awaiting their results.

The ten students are now undergoing treatment at the Sarawak General Hospital, while their schoolmates who are boarders at SMK Sains Kuching have all been quarantined.

The school is closed until July 23.

In Limbang, 17 students from SMK Patiambung and 15 from SMK Kubong were quarantined yesterday after they contracted influenza like illness. Their samples were sent for testing at the Institute of Medical Research in Kuala Lumpur and their results are expected the latest by today.

Their school, however, was not closed and their schoolmates were not quarantined, said an officer from the State Operations Room when contacted by thesundaypost.

When asked why they were not closed and their students quarantined, the officer said that further information were unavailable.

On Friday, eight students of SMK Agama Limbang tested H1N1 positive virus and were admitted at Miri Hospital.

The school was closed and its students were quarantined either at home or in the school’s hostel until July 23. There has been no explanation yet as to how the students in the four schools could have contracted the virus.

The new cases yesterday brought the total number of suspected H1N1 cases in the state to 55, with 23 imported cases and 32 locally transmitted.

The total number consists of 16 from Kuching (12 import and four local transmission), one from Sibu (import), two from Bintulu (all import), 17 from Miri (seven import and 10 local transmission), and nine from Limbang (one import and 18 local transmission).

Kursus Asas Pengadil Paintball, 25-26 Julai & 31 Ogos 2009, Kuching Sarawak

2009-07-15T07:48:00.000-07:00

Persatuan Paintball Sarawak dan Malaysian Marshals Sarawak akan mengadakan sessi kursus pengenalan asas kepada marsyal paintball bermula pada 25 - 26 Julai 2009 dan 31 Ogos 2009. Ianya diadakan di BPP Stadium Paintball berhampiran dengan Stadium Perpaduan Negeri Sarawak.

Kursus ini akan dikendalikan oleh tenaga pengajar dari Malaysian Marshals iaitu salah sebuah organisasi pengadilan sukan paintball di Malaysia. Akan turut serta hadir dan memberi ceramah didalam kursus ini adalah En Junaidi Kalil yang merupakan pengasas kepada Malaysian Marshal dan juga Pengurus bagi Pengadil Paintball Asia ( Asian Refree Manager)

Yuran pendaftaran adalah RM50 dan sijil penyertaan akan diberikan kepada peserta kursus ini. Untuk maklumat lanjut sila hubungi Mohd Nizam Takip 0128750405 atau Kamalia 0168561887.

Selain daripada itu satu kejohanan Paintball anjuran BPP Stadium Paintball akan diadakan iaitu Kuching Cup Paintball Tournament yang akan diadakan pada 1-2 ogos bertempat di BPP Stadium Paintball berhampiran dengan stadium perpaduan negeri Sarawak. Semua dijemput hadir untuk mengetahui lebih lanjut mengenai sukan paintball.

How to get a flatter TUMMY? ^__^

2009-07-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

Learn how to get a flatter tummy without having to join a gym, bare in mind that you will need to stay consistent and not give up easily.

Step 1
Eat at least 6 almonds every morning. I know it sounds silly but as well as being one of the healthiest snacks you can eat, almonds are rich in protein which is essential when burning fat.

Step 2
Boost your metabolism by walking/jogging or sprinting for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week, going shopping is a great way of doing this.

Step 3
Stop eating refined carbohydrates like white bread, rice, potatoes, and start eating complex carbohydrates like brown rice and whole wheat bread instead, refined carbohydrates take longer to burn.

Step 4
Make obvious choices, If you drink whole milk, drink skimmed milk. When you go to a restaurant order something high in protein so it repairs muscle.

Step 5
Drink plenty of water. This will help digestion, drink at least 8 glasses a day.

Step 6
Do not eat with in 3 hours of sleeping and rather than eating three big meals eat 4-6 small meals and snack on fruit.

Step 7
Get yourself a Pilates / yoga DVD. These are great because you can do them at your own pace and both work on toning up your entire body.

Step 8
Write down a list of 5 goals everyday. They don't have to be very aggressive goals, just simple tasks you feel are within your reach.

Here's an example...

Monday, July 13
1. Jog for 20 minutes
2. Eat 4 foods high in protein
3. No sweets after dinner
4. Drink 6 glasses of water
5. Eat 3 servings of vegetables

When you create a "To Do" list you can visualize, it helps you stay on track and focus on your goals. It's also important to check off each task as you complete it. This creates a sense of accomplishment that keeps you motivated.

Happy Trying! ^_^

What Tree Did You Fall From?

2009-07-12T21:43:00.000-07:00

Birthday Trees

Find your personal tree!

Which tree does your birthday fall under?

December 23 to January 1 - Apple Tree, the Love
Of slight build, lots of charm, appeal and attraction, pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive, always in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, scientific talents, lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination.

January 2 to January 11 - Fir Tree, the Mysterious
Extraordinary taste, dignity, cultivated airs, loves anything beautiful, moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but cares for those close to it,rather modest, very ambitious, talented, industrious uncontent lover, many friends, many foes, very reliable.

January 12 to January 24 - Elm Tree, the noble-mindedness
Pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest unfaithful partner, tends to a know-all-attitude and making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humour, practical.

January 25 to February 3 - Cypress, the Faithfulness

Strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, happy,content,optimistic, needs enough money and acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered,unruly, pedantic and careless.

February 4 to February 8 - Poplar, the Uncertainty
Looks very decorative, no self-confident behaviour, only courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, artistic nature, good organiser, tends to philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership serious.

February 9 to February 18 - Cedar, the Confidence
Of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury, of good health not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined, impatient, wants to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthy, optimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

February 19 to February 28 - Pine Tree, the Particularity
Loves agreeable company, very robust, knows how to make life comfortable, very active, natural, good companion, but seldom friendly, falls easily in love but its passion burns out quickly, gives up easily, many disappointments till it finds its ideal, trustworthy, practical.

March 1 to March 10 - Weeping Willow, the Melancholy
Beautiful but full of melancholy, attractive, very empathic, loves anything beautiful and tasteful, loves to travel, dreamer, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with, demanding, good intuition, suffers in love but finds sometimes an anchoring partner.

March 11 to March 20 - Lime Tree, the Doubt
Accepts what life dishes out in a composed way, hates fighting, stress and labour, tends to laziness and idleness, soft and relenting, makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to make them blossom, often wailing and complaining, very jealous, loyal.

March 21 - Oak, robust nature
Courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not love changes, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.

March 22 to March 31 - Hazelnut Tree, the Extraordinary
Charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter for social cause, popular, moody and capricious lover, honest and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgement.

April 1 to April 10 - Rowan, the Sensitivity
Full of charm, cheerful, gifted, without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

April 11 to April 20 - Maple, Independence of Mind
No ordinary person, full imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-respect, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, many complexes, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

April 21 to April 30 - Walnut Tree, the Passion
Unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egoistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromises.

May 1 to May 14 - Poplar, the Uncertainty
Looks very decorative, no self-confident behaviour, only courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, artistic nature, good organiser, tends to philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership serious.

May 15 to May 24 - Chestnut Tree, the Honesty
Of unusual beauty, does not want to impress, well-developed sense of justice, vivacious, interested, a born diplomat, but irritable and sensitive in company, often due to a lack of self-confidence, acts sometimes superior, feels not understood, loves only once, has difficulties in finding a partner.

May 25 to June 3 - Ash Tree, the Ambition
Uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with its fate, can be egoistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over heart, but takes partnership very serious.

June 4 to June 13 - Hornbeam, the good taste
Of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, tends to egoism, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads reasonable, disciplined life, looks for kindness, an emotional partner and acknowledgment, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with her feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.

June 14 to June 23 - Fig Tree, the Sensibility
Very strong, a bit self-willed, independent, does not allow contradiction or arguments, loves life, its family, children and animals, a bit of a butterfly, good sense of humour, likes idleness and laziness, of practical talent and intelligence.

June 24 - Birch, the Inspiration
Vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious,modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

June 25 to July 4 - Apple Tree, the Love
Of slight build, lots of charm, appeal and attraction, pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive, always in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, scientific talents, lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination.

July 5 to July 14 - Fir Tree, the Mysterious
Extraordinary taste, dignity, cultivated airs, loves anything beautiful, moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but cares for those close to it,rather modest, very ambitious, talented, industrious uncontent lover, many friends, many foes, very reliable.

July 15 to July 25 - Elm Tree, the noble-mindedness
Pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest unfaithful partner, tends to a know-all-attitude and making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humour, practical.

July 26 to August 4 - Cypress, the Faithfulness
Strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, happy,content,optimistic, needs enough money and acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered,unruly, pedantic and careless.

August 5 to August 14 - Poplar, the Uncertainty
Looks very decorative, no self-confident behaviour, only courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, artistic nature, good organiser, tends to philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership serious.

August 15 to August 23 - Cedar, the Confidence
Of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury, of good health not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined, impatient, wants to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthy, optimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

August 24 to September 2 - Pine Tree, the Particularity
Loves agreeable company, very robust, knows how to make life comfortable, very active, natural, good companion, but seldom friendly, falls easily in love but its passion burns out quickly, gives up easily, many disappointments till it finds its ideal, trustworthy, practical.

September 3 to September 12 - Weeping Willow, the Melancholy
Beautiful but full of melancholy, attractive, very empathic, loves anything beautiful and tasteful, loves to travel, dreamer, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with, demanding, good intuition, suffers in love but finds sometimes an anchoring partner.

September 13 to September 22 - Lime Tree, the Doubt
Accepts what life dishes out in a composed way, hates fighting, stress and labour, tends to laziness and idleness, soft and relenting, makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to make them blossom, often wailing and complaining, very jealous, loyal.

September 23 - Olive Tree, the Wisdom
Loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

September 24 to October 3 - Hazelnut Tree, the Extraordinary
Charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter for social cause, popular, moody and capricious lover, honest and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgement.

October 4 to October 13 - Rowan, the Sensitivity
Full of charm, cheerful, gifted, without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

October 14 to October 23 - Maple, Independence of Mind
No ordinary person, full imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-respect, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, many complexes, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

October 24 to November 11 - Walnut Tree, the Passion
Unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egoistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromises.

November 12 to November 21 - Chestnut Tree, the Honesty
Of unusual beauty, does not want to impress, well-developed sense of justice, vivacious, interested, a born diplomat, but irritable and sensitive in company, often due to a lack of self-confidence, acts sometimes superior, feels not understood, loves only once, has difficulties in finding a partner.

November 22 to December 1 - Ash Tree, the Ambition
Uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with its fate, can be egoistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over heart, but takes partnership very serious.

December 2 to December 11 - Hornbeam, the good taste
Of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, tends to egoism, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads reasonable, disciplined life, looks for kindness, an emotional partner and acknowledgment, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with her feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.

December 12 to December 21 - Fig Tree, the Sensibility
Very strong, a bit self-willed, independent, does not allow contradiction or arguments, loves life, its family, children and animals, a bit of a butterfly, good sense of humour, likes idleness and laziness, of practical talent and intelligence.

December 22 - Beech, the Creative
Has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialist, good organisation of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.).

10 Things to do before you turn 30

2009-07-08T21:49:00.000-07:00

Enjoy your youth, be wild and get it out of your system; here are the 10 things you should accomplish before 30.

The things to accomplish during your 20s fulfill a few requirements:

Doing your youth when you're young. There's nothing more embarrassing than some 50-year-old with his thinning gray hair pulled into a ponytail trying to re-live his youth. Get it out of your system now.
No regrets. If you do the silly stuff when you are young, then later you won't regret what you might have missed.
Good stories. Have some good times now, so you can regale your children with tales of your crazy youth.
Growing up. The point of your 20s is to reach your 30s -- and by then, people will really be expecting you to act like a grown-up. So, you will need some experiences to teach you how to get there.

Don't panic: You can be hip when you're older -- it's just a different kind of hip. You'll understand when you get there.

1. Drive a wickedly cool car, even if you have to rent it. "Wickedly cool" is defined as any car that turns heads on the streets. They say life is a journey and you should enjoy the ride. Well, if that's the case, you might as well ride in style at least once.

2. Date against type. Better yet, date somebody "dangerous." Waking up tied to a bed with a person who has more tattoos than brains will give you stories to regale other members of the old-age home in your dotage. Also, dating "dangerous" types will make you realize what jerks they are -- and make you less likely to pass up a lifelong love affair with someone you're really compatible with.
Or if you already tend to date dangerous, then date someone your mother would like. What the heck, she might be right.

3. See the world. It's much easier to do when you're 22 and footloose than 35 with two bawling babies in your backpack. Even if you never leave Malaysia, you'll see a good portion of the planet. Go cheap and travel light. This leaves you open to more adventures. Youth hostels are inexpensive and, even better, you'll meet tons of other adventurers there.

Seeing the world will broaden your horizons and make you a more interesting person. Plus interesting and funny things happen when you travel -- and remember, your 20s are your time to live the stories that you'll be telling for the rest of your life.

4. Take risks with your job. I've noticed that most people end up changing direction in their careers after their 20s anyway, so, take the time to figure out what you want to do. There will be time enough to be a cubicle drone later.
Aim for the career you've dreamed of doing. If you have a chance to be a model or a dancer, go for it. Get the job in the big city. Volunteer to work on the big project that could make or break the company. Start up a restaurant-ayam penyet business with your uni buddy.

5. Do something physically adventurous. And do it OUTSIDE! No one will ever be remembered for playing PS2 or watching every single episode of "Desperate Houswives." Enjoy your body while you're young, push it to its limits -– soon enough, you'll watch your muscles turn to flab and your rear end inflate like a rubber raft.

6. Take your parents to dinner. You'll probably have to struggle with your dad about paying the check, but this is one of those grown-up things to do. It gives you a chance to show your parents that you are an equal and that you are responsible. It's also a chance to show your appreciation for all those dinners they bought over the years.

7. Do volunteer work. You may be broke, but you can give your sweat and earnestness to a cause in which you believe. In addition to improving your world, you can allow yourself to be exposed to others in the world. Work in a soup kitchen and you'll appreciate your un-air-conditioned, one-bedroom apartment.

8. Use this decade to go to extremes. Climb the tallest mountain you can find. Picnic at midnight. Learn to sail. Talk to strangers. Trip to Batang Ai for the mother nature. Take a midnight drive to the beach -– then stick around for dawn.

9. Pay off all your student loans and credit cards. *fuhhh..this is mighty challenging!* :P~

When you live debt free, you have more money to put into your future. Planning ahead allows you to set aside money to be more self-sufficient in the long run.One reason to get out of debt now is to be able to not have to work as hard to have and save money.There are so many great reasons to become free from owing others money.So many people make up excuses for getting into debt, then they make up excuses for not being able to get out of it!

10. Stop thinking of 30 as old! *wink*

Sounds like your 20s are pretty fun.

But don't think this means the rest of your life will be a drag. My point is to take advantage of what you have: energy, idealism, enthusiasm, a willingness to experiment, a lack of encumbrances, a desire to learn and grow. Enjoy your 20s -- and you'll be better able to appreciate the next stage.

1 Terabyte Hard Drive! Have you heard??

2009-07-08T19:14:00.000-07:00

A terabyte (TB) is a measure of computer storage capacity that is 2 to the 40th power or approximately a trillion bytes (that is, a thousand gigabytes). The prefix tera is derived from the Greek word for monster.

Hitachi began selling 1-terabyte hard drives to consumers in 2007. (Today, consumers can purchase a 1-terabyte external hard drive for around RM500.) A one terabyte drive can hold:472 hours of broadcast quality video. 150 hours of hi-definition recording.
For readers who are still wondering how big is this 1 Terabyte capacity. Remember those USB pen drives of yours? Some are 512kb,1 G or 4G, the largest capacity for USB pen drives now is 16G.

# 1000 unit of 1G pen drives = 1 Terabyte. . Amazing huh?

Climbing Mount Kinabalu in ONE day??

2009-07-08T18:44:00.000-07:00

YES, you can climb Mount Kinabalu in ONE day, climb up in the morning, and climb down in the afternoon.

They said it is possible, but there are few things that you have to do.

1. You have to present yourself (and your two other friends) in Kinabalu Park at least a day before your intention to climb. Look for the Manager of the Park, Mr. Haji Abdul Wahab and ask to get the permission & permit to climb in one day. If he is not around, look for the Kinabalu Park Ranger On-Call, and mention the same thing. If everything is satisfactory, You will then can check in to where you have book for your night stay.

2. For ONE day climb, you will then be allowed to climb next morning after confirmation from the Rangers. Guide, insurance and permit is compulsory, i.e. guide will be around RM100-150 for the group, insurance will be around RM10 and permit will be RM100 per person. Certificate of achievement is optional (RM10). All fees to be paid next morning before the climb.

3. You need to start climbing very early next morning, usually before 7am. Better to wake up at 6, and head to the Park office and you will be allocated the guide for you. You will start the climb earlier than other regular climber.

4. You will not allowed to continue your climb to the peak, if you are not able to reach Laban Rata before noon (12pm) or if the weather is not permitting.Remember, you need to be really FIT, maybe as fit as a climbathon runner… or maybe at least 50%of their ability…

Glee,

Mell ^_^

Introduction to Paintball

2009-07-07T02:17:00.000-07:00

What is Paintball?
In 15 short years, the sport of paintball has become recognized as one of the world's most exciting outdoor participation sports. Paintball is played in over 40 countries by millions of men and women of all ages and lifestyles. Whether homemakers or high-school students, professionals or retirees, all paintball players share in common a love for adventure and a strong competitive spirit.

Capture the Flag
Paintball is a combination of the childhood games "tag" and "hide & seek," but is much more challenging and sophisticated. Although there are many different game formats, typically a group of players will divide into two teams to play "capture the flag." The number of players on each team can vary from one or two, five or seven or ten, to over 1,000 on a side, limited only by the size of the playing field. The object of the game is to go out and capture the other team's flag while protecting your own. While you are trying to capture a flag, you also try to eliminate opposing players by tagging them with a paintball expelled from a special airgun called a "paintgun." Games run from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the field and the number of players. Between games, players take a break to check their equipment, get more paintballs and have a snack or soda while they share stories about the thrills of victory and the usually funny agonies of defeat. Win or lose, everyone has a good time and there's usually the next game waiting for you.

Paintballs
A paintball is a round, thin-skinned gelatin capsule with colored liquid inside it. Paintballs are similar to large round vitamin capsules or bath oil beads. The fill inside paintballs is non-toxic, non-caustic, water-soluable and biodegradable. It rinses out of clothing and off skin with mild soap and water. Paintballs come in a rainbow of bright colors: blue, pink, white, orange, yellow and more. When a paintball tags a player, the thin gelatin skin splits open, and the liquid inside leaves a bright "paint" mark. A player who is marked is eliminated from the game.

Paintguns
Paintguns, also called "markers," come in a variety of shapes and styles . They may be powered by carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2) or compressed air. Many have power systems that use large refillable cylinders called "tanks" or "bottles" that give hundreds of shots before needing to be refilled. Some use small 12 gram CO2 powerlets as their power source, each powerlet being good for 15 to 30 shots. With pump-action paintguns (pumpguns), each time you want to shoot a paintball you first cock the paintgun by using a pump, then you squeeze the trigger to shoot the paintball; you must recock the paintgun before you can shoot again. Stockguns, using 12-grams, have the most basic pumpgun configuration (though they are becoming ever-more high-tech within the constraints of the configuration) and stock gun play is in a class of its own. With semi-automatic paintguns, the first time you want to shoot you must cock the paintgun (usually by pulling back a cocking knob or handle), but after you shoot the first paintball the paintgun's action will recock the paintgun for you; you simply squeeze the trigger each time you want to shoot a paintball. With a full-auto paintgun, when you squeeze the trigger for the first time, the 'gun will begin to shoot paintballs and will keep on shooting paintballs as long as you keep squeezing the trigger; when you release the trigger, the 'gun will stop shooting. Paintguns range from simple to sophisticated, but what they all share in common is a limitation on their power and range. The international safety limit on the speed (measured in feet per second, "FPS") at which a paintgun shoots a paintball is 300 fps. A chronograph is used to test for speed limits, and all paintguns can be adjusted to shoot under the speed limit. A paintgun's range is limited, too; even shooting 300 fps, at maximum elevation with barrel pointed up into the air, a paintgun can lob a paintball only about 50 yards.

Safety
For safety, paintball players always must wear goggles specifically designed for paintball to protect their eyes. Goggles must be worn during a game and at all times when a person is in an area where shooting is permitted, such as the target range or chronograph area. A protective facemask is mandatory nearly everywhere, and should be worn regardless. Paintball is a very safe sport as long as safety rules are followed. Insurance statistics have shown that paintball is safer than golf, jogging, tennis, swimming and many other sports. Referees on the field enforce safety and game rules. No physical contact is permitted in the game, and players are ejected from games or the playsite for breaking safety or playing rules. Fields have boundaries, and a player who steps outside a field's boundary is eliminated from that game.

The Game Paintball is a sport played by people from all professions and lifestyles. It is a sport where women and men compete equally, and where age is not dominated by youth. Like a game of chess, being able to think quickly and decisively is what makes you a star in paintball. Intelligence and determination, not merely strength, speed or agility, are key to success in the sport. Paintball is a character-building sport. Players learn about teamwork, gain self-confidence and develop leadership abilities while having fun and getting welcome stress-relief. Increasingly, corporations are finding the benefits of having their staff and management participate in paintball games. Paintball is an exciting sport, and above all paintball is fun! It's a chance to shake off your day-to-day responsibilities and rekindle your spirit of adventure. When the adrenaline starts pumping, you can't help but love the thrill of the game!

Ten Tips for a Frugal (Not Cheap) Wedding

2009-07-03T19:09:00.000-07:00

What advice do you have for a frugal wedding? We’re getting married in 2010. Since we are both in our early twenties and don’t have a lot to spend we were hoping to keep our wedding as small as possible.

1. Avoid guest list bloat.

For some people, it can feel very tempting to invite hundreds of people to the ceremony. However, with each addition to your guest list, you’re adding a person that’s of lesser importance to you compared to the people you’ve already invited. To a degree, this was a trap we fell into with our own wedding - our guest list grew and grew to the point where we invited people that we didn’t know well simply out of a sense of obligation. Instead of just adding more and more people, consider inviting fewer people and making the event more intimate. Try cutting your list in half and see if you’re happy with it.

2. Ask for wedding help instead of wedding gifts.

You are lucky if several of your friends and family had musical talent, so they were able to provide musical accompaniment for your ceremony. If you also have a close friend who is an extremely skilled amateur photographer and he/she is willing to serve as photographer for your ceremony as your wedding gift.

3. Have the ceremony at home, or outdoors.

You may find that the cost of renting a building for your ceremony and reception is expensive. Instead, consider using your own home (or the home of a parent) for your ceremony, or perhaps a public park with a beautiful view. In each case, you can also have your reception outdoors, often eliminating the cost of renting a place as well as creating a memorable ceremony.

4. Do the catering yourself, or hire a family-owned restaurant.

It would drastically reduced the food costs for the ceremony if you do the catering yourself.. If this isn’t your forte, look around your community for a family-owned restaurant and ask the owners directly to cater your wedding. Family-owned restaurants are always the first place to check - they will almost always go the extra mile to make your wedding special and will also charge a reasonable rate.

5. Go minimal with the flowers.

Instead of having huge piles of flowers everywhere (something that will only really last for an afternoon), instead simply go with a single rose for each bridesmaid and a very small bouquet for the bride. If you know someone with a rose bush, you can actually easily make your own bouquets the day before the ceremony by cutting the roses yourself and trimming away the thorns.

6. Make your own invitations.

With a quality home printer and some time, you can make very classy invitations on your own.

7. Patiently shop for any decoration needs.

Wedding decoration suppliers all have sales somewhat regularly throughout the year - and they all sell supplies that can be helpful with your wedding. Know what you’re looking for as far in advance as possible and let the sales come to you.

8. Make a simple honeymoon, not an ostentatious one.

A huge, over-the-top honeymoon might sound fun, but it’s far, far cheaper (and often more enjoyable) to have a much more laid-back honeymoon. Instead of planning a big trip, just hop in the car and spend a week or two together just driving around and enjoying being married. The fewer plans, the better - and the cheaper.

9. Involve your closest friends and family in the preparation.

As you’re developing plans, you should get your closest friends and family involved with the details. Quite often, they’ll have surprisingly good ideas that can save you money and effort - perhaps they’ll know someone that can cut you a deal on a certain part, or maybe they’ll just volunteer to help out with that piece. Good friends and family are always there to help, so you might as well use it.

10 Plan, plan, plan.

List everything you can think of and walk through these items step by step. The earlier you get started - and the more things you think about early on - the less “last minute stress” you’ll have and the more time you’ll have to find sales and discounts and other good ideas.

Good luck!

Movie Review - Transformers:Revenge of The Fallen

2009-06-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

Something is seriously amiss when a movie as noisy and frenetic as “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” is so boring it puts you to sleep.
For 2 ½ hours, everything in “Fallen” assaults the audience at a furious meth-fueled pace, and the thing’s so loud you could fire up a chainsaw in the theater without anybody noticing.
But I’m not ashamed to admit it: I think even I might have caught a few ZZZZs near the end of Michael Bay’s latest. Not so much sleeping as resting from the onslaught. Every scene in this movie is like every other. You could snip out big chunks of the film without doing any damage to what passes for the narrative.
Think of it as epic emptiness.
The thin plot, ships teen hero Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) off to college (look for some fine comic work from Kevin Dunn and Julie White as his empty-nester parents). After his experiences with sentient machines from outer space in the first flick, Sam wants nothing more than to enjoy the simple pleasures of a university freshman.
Not so fast. An encounter with a shard of Transformer leaves his head filled with scientific data and arcane implants. Seems that Sam is now the repository of info about a long-hidden energy source sought both by the good-guy Autobots and the bad-guy Decepticons.
Meanwhile a special military unit made up of Autobots and humans (including Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson) is engaged in a worldwide effort to destroy the remaining Decepticons. Easier said than done, because the villains can disguise themselves as almost any sort of machine. In fact, this film introduces Decepticons no bigger than a housecat and others that can pass for human.
Sam teams up with the renegade former government agent Simmons (John Turturro), main squeeze Mikaela (Megan Fox) and his new college roomie (Ramon Rodriguez) and gets caught in a big metal-on-metal smackdown in an ancient temple in the shadow of Egypt’s pyramids. If you think the place was a ruin when the fight starts, just wait.
As a display of creative f/x, “Transformers” is impressive. The scenes of these beings transforming from trucks, cars and planes into humanoid robots are initially fascinating, with cogs whirling and metal plates clanking into position. Problem is, they never stop moving — the movie’s so busy there’s no place for the eye to rest.
A much bigger problem is the lack of characters. The 2007 original benefited from a genuine sense of discovery and LaBeouf’s boyishly appealing sense of wonder. But this time around, not even the huggable LaBeouf makes much of an impression — he’s been reduced to a buffoon. And Fox spends most of the movie looking … bored.
The Transformers don’t have characters — their dialogue runs from “Let’s roll!” to “You want a piece of me?” And when they do exhibit personalities — like a couple of goofy Autobots who talk like demented gangsters — the results are borderline racist.
In an effort to appeal both to original fans of the Transformers — now in their 30s — and their offspring, writers Ehren Kruger, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman dish both simplistic slapstick and off-color elements.
There’s liberal use of PG-13 language and some crude visual humor — like one tiny Decepticon that keeps trying to hump Fox’s leg (yes, really).
The action is rough enough that if it were among human characters rather than big metal giants this “Transformers” would easily have earned an R.

Good thing robots don’t bleed.

‘ ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'’ ★
Director: Michael Bay
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, John Turturro, Josh Duhamel
Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, language, some crude and sexual material, and brief drug material
Running time: 2:30

Happy Gawai 2009!

2009-06-04T17:58:00.000-07:00

We would like to wish all readers Happy Gawai 2009!

Our apology for the lack of posting lately due to workload at work. Heeeeeheeee...

Stay tuned for more posting soon!

For those might not know what is Hari Gawai all about, feel free to enlighten yourself reading the history of the festival below; =D

The Birth Of Gawai Dayak & Its Celebration

Author : Unknown

Gawai Dayak, a festive celebrated in Sarawak on 1st June every year is both a religious and social occasion. Dayak would visit their friends and relatives on this day. Such visit is more known as "ngabang" in Iban language. The far would receive greeting cards.

How it all started can be traced back to a 1957 radio forum organized by Mr Ian Kingsley, a radio programme organiser. This generated a lot of interest among the Dayak community. Up till 1962, British colonial government still refused to give recognition to the Dayak Day.
To the Dayak, Gawai Dayak would be a recognition of the Dayak race, their source of national pride and a way to reciprocate social hospitality extended by the other races during their festivals.

After numerous requests, it fell on the sympathetic ears of the First Sarawak Chief Minister, Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan and his cabinet comprising among others, the present State Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud. The then Governor, Tun Abang Haji Openg, who when he was a member of the council Negeri, had always supported the move in the Council, gave his assent.

Gawai Dayak was formally gazetted on 25th September 1964 as a public holiday in place of Sarawak Day. It was first celebrated on 1st June 1965 and became a symbol of unity, aspiration and hope for the Dayak community.Today, it is an integral part of Dayak social life. It is a thanksgiving day marking good harvest and a time to plan for the new farming season or activities ahead.

Present Day of Gawai Dayak
The word Gawai means a ritual or festival whereas Dayak is a collective name for the natives races in Sarawak; the Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit, Murut and a few more. Thus Gawai Dayak literally means the Dayak Festival.

The mode of celebrations varies from place to place. Preparation starts very early. Tuak (rice wine) are brewed and traditional delicacies like penganan (cakes from rice flour, sugar and coconut milk) prepared. As the big day approaches, everyone will be busy with the general cleaning and preparing the food or cakes. On Gawai eve, glutinous rice are roasted in bamboo (ngelulun pulut). In the longhouse, new mats will be laid out on the ruai (an open gallery which runs through the entire length of the longhouse). The walls of most bilik (rooms) and the ruai are decorated with pua kumbu (traditional blanket).

The celebration starts on the evening of 31st May. In most Iban's longhouse, it starts with a ceremony called Muai Antu Rua (to cast away the spirit of greediness), signifying the non interference of the spirit of bad luck in the celebration. Two children or men each dragging a chapan or winnowing basket will pass each family room. Every family will throw some unwanted article into the basket. The unwanted articles will be tossed to the ground from the end of the longhouse for the spirit of bad luck.

Around 6 pm, miring (offering ceremony) will take place. Before the ceremony, gendang rayah (ritual music) is performed. The feast chief thanks the gods for the good harvest, ask for guidance, blessings and long life as he sacrifices a cockerel. Dinner will then be served at the ruai. While waiting for midnight, the folks gather and mingle at the ruai and berandau (talk/converse). Meanwhile, drinks, traditional cakes and delicacies are served.

At midnight, the gong is sounded. The tuai rumah will lead everyone to drink the Ai Pengayu (normally tuak for long life) and at the same time wishing each other "gayu-guru, gerai-nyamai" (long life, health and prosperity). A procession up and down the ruai called Ngalu Petara (Welcoming the Spirits) will follow. The celebration by now will get more merrier. Some will dance to the traditional music played. Others will sing the pantun (poems). In the town, the Dayak will gather at the community centres or restaurants for a enliven the evening.

Other activities that may follow the next day include cock-fighting, demonstration of blowpipe skills and ngajat competitions. On this day, 1st June, the homes of the Dayaks will be opened to visitors. In the longhouses, there is a practises called masu pengabang where guests will be served with tuak by the host before they can enter the longhouse. Dayaks will attend a church mass to thanks God for the good harvest. Gawai Dayak celebration may last for several days. Visitors are most welcome to the homes of the Dayaks during the festival.

Say HELLLLOOO to PSP GO!

2009-06-04T17:51:00.000-07:00

Sony made its PSP Go portable gaming console official at the E3 2009. As the upgrade to the PSP, the PSP Go has a sliding design. It is boosted by a 333MHz processor and 64MB memory. It has a 3.8-inch 480×272 LCD display, 16GB internal storage, integrated Bluetooth and WiFi 802.11b connectivity. You can also find built-in stereo speakers and a Memory Stick Micro (M2) card slot.

Other than gaming, the PSP Go supports media playback. It supports MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG video, MP3, WAV, WMA, ARACT3/plus and AAC audio as well as JPEG, TIFF, BMP, GIF and PNG images.

Sony PSP Go will be available on 1 October 2009 in N. America, Europe and Asia for $249 and on 1 November in Japan.

Writer's review: The format is nice, it is much smaller than the product photos would have you think. That is definitely a pocket device. It looks small and light and comfortable in your hands. The controller looks OK for most games but we know that many of you would miss an analog stick. Fortunately, I’m an old school player, so I can deal with the standard direction control. There’s one thing that worries about the buttons on the right: they are a little small. It’s OK when playing games that don’t require a difficult string of buttons, but something like a tap game (Guitar hero) or a fighting game (Tekken) might be problem because there might not be room for more than one finger. <:P

Bringing Hope To Children of Rumah Kanak-Kanak Kuching

2009-05-28T02:42:00.000-07:00

On Saturday 23rd May 2009, about 7 K&D team members along with top management team visited the Rumah Kanak-Kanak Kuching at Bt12, Jalan Kuching-Serian.They took along donated items to given away to the children. They also took along a few treats for the children too. The shelter is under the administration of Malaysia Ministry of Welfare @ Jabatan Kebajikan Malaysia.

After a brief introduction to the shelter, which has about 47 children in residence, K&D team members started off the event with a brief session of speech from the shelter's Principal: Cik Khoriyah, Kuching Call Center Center Head: Miss Evelyn Sambun & K&D staff: Mdm Nancy. The children were happy to see the team, and several ran up for hugs and hand slaps. In this shelter we met many amazing kids and their caretakers. We had a great team of volunteers too that come out to participate in this joyous event. We thank you (En.Azmi Sidik,Roydee) for your kind support! For this visit, the team managed to collect about 18 boxes of clothing, school supplies,stationaries,books & toys. Giving is so much more fun than receiving!

K&D team also has manage to grab a superb deal of party package by KFC(A big thank you to Puan Kamasiah on negotiation part!). With the special appearance of Chicky (KFC's mascot), KFC staffs & K&D team members played several games and danced poco-poco with the children. It was great fun!

By noon KFC , K&D staffs gave out Chicky meals to all of the children, using some of the donated food and drink from the students, and after everyone had enjoyed their lunch, the children returned to rooms. All in all it was a wonderful visit and will remain a special place in the hearts of all those who participated.

*All the photos are taken by Roydee George.

Ditch that softphone! Lets ZUMBA! ^_^

2009-05-06T03:30:00.000-07:00

C'mon! Lets ZUMBA after work girls! ^_^

Ehem..readers , it is not a dance club. Part dance, part aerobics, Zumba is an hourlong routine that works almost every muscle in the body. It is an aerobic exercise routine inspired by Latin dance. It was founded by Miami-based dancer and choreographer Alberto 'Beto' Perez and two local entrepreneurs, Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion.

Aerobic Workout & Class Format
A Zumba workout mixes body sculpting movements with dance steps mainly derived from Latin music. The routines feature aerobic interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms. It targets areas such as the gluteals, legs, arms, abdominals, and the heart. A Zumba class is typically not formulaic in that instructors often add on their own music choices and choreographies to make their class presentation locally unique.

Music
Inspired by Latin dance and music, Zumba uses a variety of styles in its routines, including cumbia, merengue, salsa, reggaeton, hip hop, mambo, rumba, flamenco, and calypso and Salsaton. Music selections include both fast and slow rhythms.

Unfortunately, Zumba classes are not offered here in Kuching. But those in KL, you can enroll for Zumba classes at CaliforniaFitness!

Have fun Zumba-ing people! Ay carambaaaa!

Rainforest World Music Festival 2009,Kuching,Sarawak,Malaysia

2009-05-03T20:34:00.000-07:00

About
Bringing together an eclectic range of musical styles and traditions from all corners of the globe, the annual Rainforest World Music Festival is a fantastic celebration of ethnic music, cultures and the natural environment. During the day visitors can enjoy a lively blend of informative workshops, ethno-musical lectures, jamming sessions and mini concerts. Come the evening, the main performers take to the stage and really get the party in full swing. There's also a crafts and arts market and numerous food and drink stalls selling tasty dishes from all over the world.

Where
Sarawak Cultural Village

Only 45 minutes away from Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, and a stone's throw away from the quiet beach resort area of the Santubong Peninsula, the beautiful 17-acre Sarawak Cultural Village presents inhabited replicas of the traditional dwellings found in the interior and coastal areas of Sarawak, thus preserving the architectural traditions of the many different ethnic groups that make up the population of Sarawak.

Getting There
Bus: A regular Kuching-Damai shuttle bus service operates from outside the Holiday Inn in Kuching with drop-offs at the resort hotels and Sarawak Cultural Village. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes

How Much?

TICKET PRICE

Type of Pass	Adult (RM) aged 12 years & above	Child (RM) aged 3-12 years
1-Day Pass	RM90.00	RM45.00
3-Days Pass	RM250.00	RM100.00

The cut-off date for the sale of 3-day passes has been set on 26 June 2009 after which only daily passes will be on-sale.

For gate sale over the 3-day festival, only daily passes will be on sale and the ticket prices will be as follows:-

1-day (adult) – RM100.00 per ticket

1-day (child of 3 to 12 years old) – RM55.00 per ticket

For more information

http://www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com
____________________________________________________________________

Never been to Miri, Sarawak? Fear not! =)

2009-05-03T20:07:00.000-07:00

receives flights from , and interstate flights from and other smaller airports in and around Miri.

Airport Transport
Travel agents and hotels usually pick up their guests from the airport. Taxis into town are readily available, paid for by a ‘taxi coupon’ purchased at the airport.

Immigration Formalities
Non-Malaysians need a valid passport, with a minimum of six months validity from their arrival date. Sarawak has its own immigration control; arrivals from Sabah or Peninsular Malaysia still need to undergo immigration clearance. Visitors to Brunei may need to apply for a Brunei visa. For peninsular Malaysians and Sabahans, Mykad may be used for immigration clearance and those intending to stay beyond six months, passport is required.

"Tunggu apa lagik..juh berambeh ke Miri! " =)

Miri International Jazz Festival 8th-9th May 2009 @ Miri,Sarawak,Malaysia

2009-05-03T19:41:00.000-07:00

JAZZ lovers, mark this date in your diary. The coming fourth edition of the Miri International Jazz Festival (MIJF) — organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) — will see performances from jazz bands from various countries and their genre of jazz includes blues, fusion, world, smooth and Latino beat.

To be stage at the Pavilion of Parkcity Everly Hotel Miri, the festival will be held on May 8 and 9, 2009. The bands that will be performing the festival are Dites 34 from France, Thompson Big Band (Singapore), Jeff Maluleke (South Africa), Alamode (Australia), John Neptune - Steps in Time (Japan), Bombay Baja (India/England) and Double Take (Malaysia).

As part of Miri's tourism calendar, MIJF 2009 will also see Rumba Calzada making its second appearance at the festival. As in MIJF tradition, the Canadian band which play jazz beat with Latino influence was voted as the crowd favourite at this year's festival. Led by Raphael Geronimo, the band had the crowd going crazy dancing to their blend of Latino beat with Afro Cuban rhythm.

Fans of Rumba Calzada should not miss the chance to see and dance to the salsa beat of their favourite group performing again at the MIJF stage next year. STB is targeting at attracting a crowd of 8,000 to the festival next year and it is optimistic of achieving that target in view of the overwhelming respond towards MIJF 2008 which saw a crowd of more than 6,000 attending the festival during the two nights.

For more info: http://www.mirijazzfestival.com

source:http://www.bt.com.bn/en/life/2009/01/25/miri_jazz_fest_returns_with_new_ensemble

VBPO Kuching Reward & Recognition Ceremony Quarter 1 - 2009

2009-04-29T21:38:00.000-07:00

Culture of recognition and rewards encourages dedication, hard work and loyalty.

20th April 2009: VBPO Kuching, Sarawak,Malaysia: Reflecting the company’s passion for people and acknowledging their contribution to its ongoing success VBPO, hosted a dedicated appreciation ceremony for all contact center personnel. The event, held at the DACC's pantry, saw many people receive certificates and rewards in recognition of their efforts during for the 1st quarter for the year of 2009.

Name list of the award recepients:

Support Group - Most Outstanding Support Staff Q1 2009
1. Lindsay Bugang

Most Outstanding Team Leaders for Q1 2009
CMCC - Mohd Said Putit(not in the pic)
DACC - Jennifer Magdalen
SSCC - Noor Aysha Pulaverdeen
FMCC - Nurazida Baizura bte Sakeran

Credit Management Contact Center - Most Outstanding CSR Q1 2009
1. Mohamad Olyia Yusuf
2. Anselm Julian Thomas(not in the pic)
3. Azizah Daem(not in the pic)

Fault Management Contact Center - Most Outstanding CSR Q1 2009
1.Netty Anak Louis
2.Christina Irene Anak Michael
3.Cornelius Anak Willie

Directory Assistance Contact Center - Most Outstanding CSR Q1 2009
1.Widyawati Abdullah
2.Yahana Wan
3.Syurnita Bujang

Sales & Service Contact Center - Most Outstanding CSR Q1 2009
1.Felder Anak Naos
2.Lyndiana Anak Chendang
3.Shaun Anak Michael Siten

Sales & Service Contact Center - Most Outstanding CSR Q1 2009

Support Group - *Mr. Unjil not in pic

Miss Evelyn(Head of CC) with the Operation Managers

Support Group - Most Outstanding Support Staff Q1 2009

Most Outstanding Team Leaders for Q1 2009

Credit Management Contact Center - Most Outstanding CSR Q1 2009Directory Assistance Contact Center - Most Outstanding CSR Q1 2009

Sales & Service Contact Center - Most Outstanding CSR Q1 2009

Reasons Why Failure Can Be A Good Thing

2009-04-21T02:41:00.001-07:00

How many dreams and goals have you put off because you were afraid of failing? How many times have you looked back on your life, thought of mistakes you’ve made, and kicked yourself over them? So many people allow failure to hold them back, when in reality failure can be a good thing!

Failure creates learning experiences:
Whenever you fail at something it touches you in a deeply emotional way. Although it feels negative at the time, it teaches you important lessons. You learn what doesn’t work, which can actually get you closer to success. Since it’s so upsetting to fail, you’ll try harder the next time.

Failure pushes you to a new level:
Even if you try and fail, you’ll never be the person you were before you started the path. You’ve pushed yourself to a new level, moved outside of your comfort zone, and are that much wiser for having attempted the task. If you constantly avoid pursuing goals and dreams for fear of failure you’ll never know what you can do. Trying and failing is better than never having tried at all.

Failure strengthens you:
Right after a failure you may feel weak, hurt, humiliated, knocked down, and/or frustrated. But something amazing happens once the original sting wears off, you actually become stronger in mind and spirit! With every effort put forth you grow stronger in character and increase your odds of achieving success. Since most people want to avoid the pain of failure, it can lead to greater focus and desire to succeed.

Failure makes you braver:
Whenever you put your efforts into trying something and you fail you build courage to try again. It’s usually fear of the unknown that actually holds people back, but once you’ve made it through a failure, taken a risk and lost, it won’t feel as scary the next time you try. Bravery doesn’t actually come from winning, but from the pursuit of goals—whether you succeed or not. By taking more chances you’ll build courage to keep trying until you meet with success.

Failure brings answers:
Never trying at all leaves you wondering. Could you have made it? Would you have actually met with success? You beat yourself up over missed chances and what the future may have been like if only you’d tried. By taking a risk, even if you fail, at least you will have answers and closure to this particular path. You’ll know what works and what doesn’t, and what you should do differently next time.

Failure opens new doors:
They say that everything happens for a reason, and failure is no exception. Maybe you interviewed for a job and didn’t get it, yet another one comes through that pays more and offers room for growth. Perhaps someone you’ve been dating suddenly breaks things off, and you meet someone ten times more wonderful. Failure is never the end of the road, but only the beginning of something potentially better.

Don’t view failure as bad luck, instead look at each attempt to reach your goals as a triumph. There’s always something to learn, ways to grow, different viewpoints to see, and new opportunities waiting just around the corner.

VBPO Kuching (FMCC) Special Visit to Salvation Army

2009-04-14T22:55:00.000-07:00

Event : VBPO Kuching Salvation Army Charity Drive
Event Organizer : FMCC Kuching
Date: 04.03.2009

VBPO Kuching floor members made a special visit to the Salvation Army House at their Shelter in Simpang Tiga, Kuching to promote the importance of community volunteerism on April 4, 2009. Other staffs of VBPO Kuching such as Support Group-RTFM,ITF,Training & QA, were also in attendance to show their support.

Candy and icecream are quickly eaten, toys and games eventually lose pieces or break, and clothes and shoes are outgrown over time. But the one gift all of these material things bring that lasts a lot longer, perhaps even a lifetime, is the knowledge that somebody genuinely cared enough to help make a difference. The reaction from the children at the Salvation Army House as VBPO Kuching staffs voluntered to re-paint some parts of their hostel building & organized fun games for them was proof enough that it wasn't just so much the contribution,as it was the visit and interaction itself that seemed to excite the children most. We had lots of fun! =D . Scroll below for the pics.

From left:

The boy with Huttington disease,Major Kamala,Miss Evelyn(Center Head),Madam Liew(OM FMCC)

"Teacher Mell" with the children =P

The Mummy Returns, one of the winner

From left: Girl from Salvation Army house, Netty,Madam Liew(OM FMCC)

The kids & FMCC staffs

Pretty ladies painting the fences

From left: Yana, Netty, Joyce, Wee Li Li

Arthur & 'lil Arthur' posing as WALL-E look alike =D

*Craving for more photos? Indulge yourself at http://www.flickr.com/photos/vbpokch/

Maintain A Positive Mental Attitude

2009-04-05T21:41:00.000-07:00

A positive mental attitude results from a life dedicated to self-improvement and service. With a personal commitment to doing your best today, you don’t have to be overly concerned about tomorrow. You can be confident that good things will happen and be equally confident that if trouble comes you will havethe strength and skills to cope, take control and then conquer. You are tough.You stay at it. You don’t allow your doubts to destroy your dreams. Hope does spring eternal .You are thankful to have the curiosity to keep learning. You are grateful tosee opportunity knock so often. You are thankful to have the personality to keepmaking new friends. Your mind can only hold one thought at a time so makethat one thought positive. Count your blessings. The way is clear. The world is a better place because you are in it.

The Conficker Virus: Don’t Panic

2009-04-01T00:10:00.000-07:00

One important topic that w should all be aware of today is Scanning for Conficker Virus. We must be fully equipped to find and identify the worm so we can do prevention because as the famous cliché goes, "Prevention is better than cure."
Before we aim to know how to scan for Conficker Virus, let us learn first what is this Virus. This Virus is the latest malware or malicious software invented by hackers to fuel their ill-natured desires. Among the viruses that were ever invented, based on the estimate damages and loss, This may be considered to be the most severe because as of the 26th January 2009, there is already an estimated 15 million computers around the world infected by this virus. Scanning for Conficker Virus is definitely a must if you do not want to add up on those figures or for all you know, you may already be one of them. Countries that are greatly affected include Russia, Brazil, China, and United Kingdom.
In order to know how to scan for CF Virus, it is important to understand first the symptoms of the Virus also known as Downadup and Kido.

Here is a list of the symptoms of Conficker Virus:
1. If you suddenly get locked out of directory, then you must consider the possibility that you may already be affected.
2. If you cannot get through security websites.
3. If you receive a very slow response from domain controllers.
4. If you receive automatic scheduled tasks.
5. If you get denial access to security sites and services.

Aside from these symptoms, you will also know that your computer is already infected by this Virus if after you perform a full system scan for it, you see these names/aliases of Conficker Virus:
1. For AVG Antivirus, Crypt.AVL 2. For Microsoft Antivirus, worm:win32/conficker.A and worm:win32/conficker.B 3. For Kaspersky, Trojan.win32.pakes.lxf 4. For Symantec, w32.downadup

Now Do you want to remove downadup fast?
Confickerwormremoval.com site shows you how to determine if you are infected, with detailed step by step instructions to get rid of downadup, and protect your PC from other worms, viruses, trojans, and many more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Faviano_Torres

Futsal Mania March 2009

2009-03-31T20:54:00.000-07:00

All of us are drenched in sweat..smelly..muggy..but definitely still can pose for the camera! =p

Venue: Sports Center, Stakan

Word of the day : SCRUMPET

2009-03-31T20:45:00.001-07:00

Scrumpet:
an attractive person, often younger than the person using the word, possibly a bit of a tart
(similar to the yummy baked good, a crumpet, but a yummy person instead)

Did you see her new boyfriend? He's a total scrumpet!

VBPO KG has alot of scrumpets thennnn... :)

Money in Your 20s

2009-03-11T00:03:00.000-07:00

Certificate of Deposit (CDs) @ Fixed Deposit (FD)

Definition:
One savings tool is a certificate of deposit or (FD). A FDis a tool that locks your money in at a set interest rate for a certain period of time. The interest rate is usually higher than a normal savings account or a money market account, since you do not have access to the money for the length of the FD. Generally a FD is a very conservative way to save your money since the rate of return is so low on the account.

You may consider setting up a FD if you know that you will be using the money in a specific period of time and will not need to access it immediately. However, this is generally for very short periods. If you are looking at more than five years you should consider mutual funds. If you are considering a shorter period you should also consider a money market account. A FD rate will not go up if the interest rates begin to rise whereas a money market account will. If the interest rates are close it may be better to go with a money market account, because the interest rates vary according the current market.

One of the biggest risks of a FD is that you will not earn interest at the rate of inflation. Additionally if you do need to access the money before the FD term is up you will pay penalties and early withdrawal fees. If you are considering opening an IRA that is a FD you would be better off going with an IRA that is connected to mutual funds.

FDs have different options when it comes to paying interest on the account. Many FDs will deposit the interest into one of your accounts monthly or quarterly. Other FDs will add the interest back into the FD or pay the interest at the end of the FD term. Additionally some FDs will automatically roll over into a new FD at the current market rate. If this is the case, you need to mark the date on your calendar so that you can withdraw it and put it into a better investment option.

Smart Money Tips

2009-03-05T23:12:00.000-08:00

To whom can’t control their spending habit using the credit cards should have test to do this technique. The technique called “Freezing Your Credit Card In Ice”. The requirements are:

A freezer or chiller

Credit Cards

Glass of water

The way to have it done is by putting the card is a glass of water and put the glass in your freezer. Let it be ice. Do not worry as the card will not be damaged.
This makes it so every time you want to use your credit card, you’ll have to wait for the credit card to melt. By the time the ice has thawed, your desire to impulsively purchase may have evaporated as well.
Apparently, it doesn’t ruin the credit card, although it will if you try to microwave-defrost it. This method is probably only good for people who do their shopping sprees in-person. Online shopaholics would just look through the ice.
With this technique you can develop the resistant of having the feeling to swipe and enjoy the credit facilities given by the particular banks. So girls, please use this technique and practice the good way of saving fuel.

Happy Chinese New Year 2009

2009-01-26T03:05:00.000-08:00

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR 2009 to all VADS-ian!

"X Company Call Center, Ms./Mr. Y Speaking.."

2009-01-11T17:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our Blog!

The Editor commitee at vbpokch.blogspot.com would officially like to welcome you to our Blog! This is the inaugural post and we thought now is the right time to open the door and start a conversation with Citizens of "One Zero Zero" about what's happening within our community.

We intend to use this blog to:
- Provide authentic messages about "One Zero Zero" and the efforts of our volunteer community.

Additionally we want to hear from you.

Is there something you would like to see improved or happening? When you've been around as long as we have, some people are bound to have great things to say, while others might have a few choice words based on their personal experience. Either way, we want to hear it :)
Here we will post comments, reviews, news, poret news or what not. :)

Cheers,
~The vbpokch.blogspot.com Editor commitee~