World’s Largest Hotel

Can you guess where it is? Proud to say it’s located in my own country of Malaysia. It has been recognized as the World’s Largest Hotel with 6,118 rooms available and it’s called First World Hotel and Plaza (the 2 buildings painted in rainbow colours) located at the top of a mountain range.

It’s linked to an indoor theme park with many restaurants/shops at the shopping arcade. Comes with a casino too, the only place in Malaysia.

Look into the website http://www.genting.com.my/ to get a clearer picture on how big is the resort area right now.
Tags: Travel, Leisure, Hotel, Genting, First World, Malaysia

Condoleezza Rice on the Piano

Wow!!. The US Secretary of State, the next person in command after the USA's President & Vice-President do have a soft spot after all with her piano skills. She's tough/skilfull when it comes to her job and her continued negotiations round the world on behalf of her country but the fondness for music does not stop her from displaying the other side of the skills.

She serenaded the attendees at a dinner hosted by Malaysia during the recent ASEAN meeting held in Kuala Lumpur last weekend.
Tags: Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State, ASEAN

Night Time in Khartoum

Well, yesterday we had nasi lemak prepared by 2 Malay colleagues. Fantastic taste and can't remember on the number of servings I have taken. Reason was because I realised that there was "sambal" (blended mixture of chillies/onions/oil/dried chillies) not finished each time I finished the rice. And this was our first good dinner after 2 nights. The previous 2 nights were only instant noodles. Why?

Reason - no electricity available at the kitchen and dining areas. Since we can't cook, I ended up with instant noodles. Barely could see but managed by lighting up the fire and then prepared fast. Strained my eyes throughout and cooked 2 packets of the instant noodles (with 1 egg mixed with the noodles) which were good enough.

Good thing my room was spared and air-cond unit was working. Otherwise.........dare not imagine.
Tags: Journal, Diary, Life, Weather

Spiderman 3 Trailer

All the comic superheroes are making a comeback. As Superman has returned, now it's Spiderman's turn.

Click at this link to look at the movie trailer Spiderman 3. It may take a few minutes to download.

Heard that Fantastic 4 will be around the corner too.
Tags: Movie, Spiderman 3, Trailer

Pirates of the Caribbean 3 / Hong Kong TVB series reviews

Pirates of the Caribbean-Dead Man’s Chest – Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jack Davenport & Bill Nighy. A sequel and expected a lot from this movie due to its good response at US box office. Surprised to see that humour was put in many scenes. The costumes and props used were excellent. Nevertheless, the show was quite confusing at times if you missed out on certain conversation. If you have seen the earlier movie, then this sequel is almost similar but a giant octopus is awaiting them at the sea this time, besides a group of pirates.


Forensic Heroes – it’s a Hong Kong TV series (Cantonese dialect) of 25 episodes. I have watched 15 of it in 3 nights. Good story line and it’s based on similar CSI series. There are about 2 cases to be investigated in each episode. Very interesting to note the ways of finding clues to solve various cases thus far. Well recommended.
Tags: Movie, Hong Kong, TVB, Pirates of the Caribbean, Forensic Heroes, Review

Microsoft WiPod or Zune

A Microsoft WiPod? Rumours are flying that Microsoft's upcoming portable media device and related iTunes-store-like service will feature wireless technology. Bloomberg reported that Microsoft Corp. is planning to have a portable music and video player out by Christmas in a challenge to Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod.

Microsoft's "iPod killer" or, at least, competitor finally has a name ... Zune.

So, are you going to get one now or wait till the end of the year? I can wait.
Tags: Technology, Music, Microsoft, Zune, Apple, iPod

The Subtle Differences

If you take a long time, you're slow.
But if your boss takes a long time, he's thorough.

If you don't do it, you're lazy.
But if your boss doesn't do it, he's too busy.

If you make a mistake, you're a goober.
But if your boss makes a mistake, he's 'only human'.

If you take a stand, you're being bull-headed.
But if your boss does it, he's being firm.

If you overlooked a rule of etiquette, you're being rude.
But if your boss skips a few rules, he's being original.

If you do something without being told, you're overstepping your authority.
But if your boss does the same thing, he's taking initiative.

If you're on a day off sick, you're 'always' sick.
But if your boss is a day off sick, he must be very ill.

If you're out of the office, you're wandering around.
But if your boss is out of the office, he's on business.

If you apply for leave, you must be going for an interview.
But if your boss applies for leave, it's because he's overworked.
Tags: Jokes, Humour, Funny

Weather in Khartoum

Currently it's regarded as the summer season in Khartoum. Day time weather could hit as high as 45 degree celcius. Yesterday night as we went out for our dinner, we noticed the car's termometer was showing 36 degree at 9pm. CAN YOUR WEATHER BEAT MINE OVER HERE?

We (4 of us) went to Mo'men, a fast food restaurant from Egypt, which had opened up sometime late last year. Took a ultimate cheese chicken burger. It cost me SDD 900 (US$4.12)for that burger, a coke and french fries.

Didn't bother going home this afternoon even though it's half day today (due to Sudan being a muslim country, Friday is their prayer day and weekend too). The weather is too hot out there to move about. Will wait till late afternoon before making my journey back home.
Tags: Khartoum, Weather, Mo'men

Latest Cars

Peugeot Model 9009.

Next is the Lotus-designed car, a Malaysian-owned company.
Tags: Car, Peugeot, Lotus

New Toilets

The Kuala Lumpur city council did thought of constructing new toilets in order to improve the existing dilapidated toilets around the city (in view of the coming Visit Malaysia Year 2007). Well, here is a picture of a toilet done up nicely in UK.
Tags: Kuala Lumpur, Toilet, Visit Malaysia Year 2007

Different Usages

This photo was taken along the journey to the south of Sudan. Public transportation is rare so generally the local Sudanese do hike onto any passing vehicles.

But apparently, the people in India do take one step further. It was taken at the rural farming area. I wonder how is it going to move without bumping into another car or whatever.
Tags: Transport, Sudan, India

SANDSTORM !!!!

Have you the seen movie called “Scorpions” starring the The Rock (from the wrestling showbiz)? I’m sure you have noticed in that movie that showed a sandstorm sweeping through the desert. Well, it happened in Khartoum too. How does it look like? Just look at the pictures and all this took places within few minutes only. That’s life in Khartoum. Sometimes, I do ask myself how much of fine sand has gone into my lungs.
We could see it sweeping through quite fast.
As it was approaching our office, we need to get into our car quick.

We managed to get into the car just before it hit us. We made a U-turn going back to our home and this picture was taken just opposite our office building.
In less than 5 minutes, the whole city was in darkness and the dirt it brought along that hit our car's windscreen.

Tags: Khartoum, Sandstorm, Weather

Story of a Frog

Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs.... who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants.... The race began.... Honestly: No one in crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as: "Oh, WAY too difficult!!" "They will NEVER make it to the top." or: "Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!"

The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one.... Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher.... The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!" More tiny frogs got tired and gave up.... But ONE continued higher and higher and higher.... This one wouldn't give up!

At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top! THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it? A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal? It turned out....That the winner was DEAF!!!!

The wisdom of this story is:Never listen to other people's tendencies to be negative or pessimistic.... because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you -- the ones you have in your heart! Always think of the power words have.Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions!

Therefore: ALWAYS be.... POSITIVE! And above all:Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams! Always think: God and I can do this!
Tags: Motivation, Inspiration, Thoughts, Dreams

The Difference Between Guts & Balls

We've all heard about people having guts or balls. But do you really know the difference between them? In an effort to keep you informed, the definition for each is listed below ....

GUTS - is arriving home late after a night out with the guys,being met by your wife with a broom, and having the guts toask: "Are you still cleaning, or are you flying somewhere?"

BALLS - is coming home late after a night out with the guys,smelling of perfume and beer, lipstick on your collar, slappingyour wife on the ass and having the balls to say: "You're next."

I hope this clears up any confusion on the subject.

The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which bridge to burn.
Tags: Jokes, Humour, Funny, Guts, Balls

Events at KL Convention Centre

Write it down into your diary for the coming events to be held at the state of the art Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre:-

The 12th Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) World Congress (Aug 1 to 5, 2006) (2,500 delegates)
http://www.aplar2006.com

The 35th International Federation of Training & Development Organisations (IFTDO) World Conference & Exhibition 2006 (Aug 22 to 25) (3,000 delegates )

The 11th Asian Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering (APCChE) 2006 (Aug 27 to 30) (1,200 delegates)

The 21st World Savings Banks Institute (WSBI) World Congress 2006 (Sept 20 to 22) (400 delegates)

The World Routes Development Forum 2008 (Oct 11 to 14, 2008) (2,500 delegates)

The 18th World Congress of Accountants (WCOA) (Nov 2010) (5,000 delegates)

The 25th World Gas Conference (June 2012) (5,000 delegates)

Tags: Kuala Lumpur, Convention, Conference, Seminar, Forum, Congress, Exhibition, Delegates, Rheumatology, Training, Chemical Engineering, Bank, World Routes, Accountant, Gas

Religious Sect in Kenya

Members of a religious sect in central Kenya, introduced in Kenya in 1997, are bracing themselves for a nuclear war predicted to take place no later than 12 September 2006 and have begun building special shelters to protect themselves.. (wonder why will Iran or Israel (being nearest to Kenya as it’s too far for N.Korea) aim 1 nuclear at Kenya???)

This is the doomsday warning issued by their spiritual leader Yisrayl Hawkins, who is based in the United States and traces his origins back to Israel. (Can you imagine a person staying so far away could influence the people back at his home country. And what is he doing in USA???)

The sect members refer to their creator as Yahweh, not God, and the male followers all sport long goatee beards. House of Yahweh is the latest, but intriguing, sect to have emerged onto Kenya's packed religious scene, where more than 100 groups are now registered by the Kenyan government.

Six years ago, neighbouring Ugandans were shocked by a tragic end to a doomsday prediction. After the world failed to end in December 1999, as predicted by the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God, hundreds of the sect's followers were found murdered four months later.

Many Kenyans are concerned that should this prophecy prove untrue, its fallout will not prove as fatal. (Please don’t panic and start building a shelter/bunker for yourself unless you are their member) (Source: BBC News/Africa)
Tags: Kenya, Uganda, Religious Sect, House of Yahweh, Doomsday, Yisrayl Hawkins, Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God

The Libertine / Chaos - movie review

The Libertine – starring John Malkovich, Johnny Depp & Samantha Morton. Set in the King Charles II era. A Shakespearean type of movie. Johnny Depp, a king’s aide who was good in theater. He tried to train a lady to become a well-known stage actress. Somehow on 1 of the stage performance, he made a fool out of King Charles and was chased round England. A slow movie. Doesn’t relate to any historical facts on that era and nothing extraordinary. I got no other choice as the movie selections are drying up already. So watch if you have nothing else better to do, like me during night time.

Chaos – starring Jason Statham (the hero in the Transporter I & II movies), Ryan Phillippe & Wesley Snipes. A bank robbery was committed by a group of men with hostages held up. A genius get away plan allowed them to escape. Thereafter, the ringleader was killing his gang members 1 by 1 including a police office who was on the take. Jason & Ryan went hunting for Wesley but Jason got into a mishap. Hence, Ryan was alone……the story brought us to a mastermind plan in the end which will baffle all of us watching it. Worth my time.
Tags: Movie, The Libertine, Chaos, Review, Cinema, Johnny Depp, Jason Statham

Football match in Khartoum (I)

Yeah, my office organized a football match between our team (Malaysians and our Sudanese friends) against another team (European/other African countries) yesterday night. Good organization managed to bring in sponsors like Coke, KLM Airlines, Sudan Liquid Air, DAL Food Industries, Hilton Khartoum, Langkawi Restaurant (joint M’sian/Sudanese owners).

Last minute briefing on our strategy and positions to be played and changed into our gears for warm-up sessions.
The bigger cup is what men are willing to 'die' for....hehehe. And a picture taken with our Malaysian Ambassador to Sudan before the start of the match.
With Sudanese referee/linesmen, the match started at 8pm. The opponent had been playing regularly and our team comprise of players who can play but didn’t play regularly or worse, for a long time. We were 2-0 down not long into the game. People could tell the fitness of our players. Mine was as suspicious too……hahahaha
Tags: Journal, Diary, Life, Khartoum, Sports, Football, Soccer

Football match in Khartoum (II)

The line up of both teams while listening to the speech being delivered by the Malaysian Ambassador to Sudan.

Played as captain & in a striker position with another Sudanese. Forgotten the timing but a pass came to me on the right side of the field in the middle of the field. Brought the ball up a bit & noticed a white shirt Sudanese running pass on my left. With a calculated pass, it got to the front of him and it was 1 on 1 against the goalie and he scored with me closely behind. So we thought we could hold them now. I gave my all in the 1st half with all the runnings hoping to catch through balls and only had 1 shot at goal later with 1 defender pushing me on the left and another 1 breathing down my neck.

Just 1 minute before the end of the game, I gave chase on a Moroccan, right from (left side) middle of the field to the penalty area. I could say it was a good sprint. That guy was really fast and I still have time to think, should I tackle now or not. Well, I went ahead with the tackle and I caught him flat. The referee came straight to me and I was shown a yellow card. The opponent’s players were asking for a red card as I was the last man. The whole defence collapsed and imagined a striker have to do this job. My M’sian colleague, Nazril, was on top form and he saved the penalty. However, the 1st half ended in 4-1, not in our favour…..hehehe.
A big, almost bald, dry field for us to kick about. Just when the young boy rushed in, the football officials stopped the game indefiniely.....HEHEHEHE!!! just joking.

I opted out for the 2nd half. Too exhausted playing in a hot country even at night. We managed to pull 2 goals back. The opponent knew how to respond too, with 3 more goals. I went in later and helped out at the defence who was totally out. Final score 7-3.

Some of the local Sudanese watching the game. My dear colleague, Meor (in yellow shirt) was adjudged the unofficial best supporter for the night. His comments, in arabic, made the local Sudanese laughed.
The score stood as it is but everyone enjoyed the game. The best has yet to come. As we were giving final handshakes, I thanked the referee too (if you noticed me as no. 9 placing my hand on the referee's shoulder thanking him as shown above). He remembered my face, being the only Chinese on the field. He told me this exact words “I could have given you a red card but because it was a friendly” ………….hehehehhehe….phew!!

Prizes were given away to both teams for their participation. Lots of drama for me on this match day. At the end, we were served with some food. To eat comfortably, I took off my boots/shin pads/socks. Just when I walked away to obtain the prize we received to distribute it, my boots/pads/socks were gone within that 1 minute. Even with my colleagues there, it disappeared into thin air. One of our footballs disappeared too. This is 3rd world country.

One of my colleague consoled me….tomorrow by lunch time, my half day salary would have covered the cost of my lost properties…..hehehehe, true also. Anyway, the boots’ outer skin was coming off already and I did have in mind to get new shin pads next trip back to M’sia.
Came back home by 10.45pm and a few of us took instant noodles. Cleaned up, did my daily devotion and typed this out.
Tags: Journal, Diary, Life, Khartoum, Sports, Football, Soccer

Ethnic Relations

I wonder what pushed a local uni to rush a subject when the so-called not ready textbook which is so bias & untruthful. The main purpose of the Ethnic Relations' topic is to integrate the multi races in Malaysia but the so-called suggested textbook has topics which blamed certain parties for certain past events in Malaysia (a bit racial too). Reasons given for that were history could not changed.

What was going through their heads when this topic was to bring everyone closer? I really cannot understand. But thanks to the wisdom of our Prime Minister, he ordered the so-called textbook to be withdrawn immediately.

Urgent steps need to be taken too as certain youngsters are also influenced by external parties for various selfish reasons....... as seen in this video, which was taped at the UPM's canteen recently Incident at UPM.

Police intervened after receiving calls but swept under the carpet as they considered it's internal uni matters due to no injuries/assault.

It's really sad to see such situation knowing that in future all this undergraduates are going to be in the real working-life world.
Tags: Politics, Education, UPM, Ethnic Relations, Racial

The Descent - Movie Review

The Descent – no big stars here (maybe to me & colleagues). It’s about 6 ladies venturing into a remote mountain range and started exploring an unexplored underground cave. Only way out is to continue. A real suspense/thriller movie as they have to put up their primal instinct up for survival against a bunch of underground beasts. Not a ghost story. But it’s quite some time back since I got startled by a movie.

Why half movie review on the title? Can’t write much as the DVD was not moving after 1hr 7 mins of play…….man….wasted my time and not knowing the ending of it……. If you do watch this, please tell me the ending.

* Latest update - caught hold of this movie at last......the 6 ladies fought their way out of the cave but only 1 survived.
Tags: Movie, The Descent, Review, Cinema

My Lunch at Amwaj Restaurant

Want to know what I could get for my lunch? Took my lunch at Amwaj Restaurant, one of the better ones in town.
This is Roast Chicken with Fries.













Steamed Chicken with Rice













Our lunch. It cost 3 of us Sudanese Dinar 5,500 (US$25 equivalent) with 3 glasses of mango juice too.

Cost of living in Khartoum, Sudan is way too high for the normal citizen here. In Malaysia, this meal would have cost us half the price.
Tags: Journal, Diary, Life, Khartoum

Top 10 Property Developers

Well, if you want to buy a property you can choose from the following property developers who have been adjudged as the top 10 property developers in Malaysia by The Edge magazine (in alphabetical order):-

• Bandar Raya Developments Bhd
• IGB Corp Bhd
• IOI Properties Bhd
• Island & Peninsular Bhd
• MK Land Holdings Bhd
• S P Setia Bhd
• Sime UEP Properties Bhd
• Sunrise Bhd
• Sunway City Bhd
• Property, Property Developers, YTL, Sunway, Sunrise, Sime UEP, SP Setia, MK Land, I&P, IOI, IGB, BRDB

GPS Gadget

You might want to take a look at the Holux GPSmile 51, which is a simplified version of the GPS (global positioning system) navigation system – this device runs a more basic Windows CE.NET 4.2 core and throws out all the functionality of the Pocket PC in favour of a very simple GPS navigation-only interface. Available in Malaysia now but not sure of which Malaysian map is available in it. At least such gadget is moving into the Malaysian market now.
Price: RM1,898
Website: www.navitech.com.my
Tags: GPS, Holux, Navitech, IT, Technology

16 Blocks / Running Wild / Superman Returns / Domino

16 Blocks – starring Bruce Willis. Another action packed movie. Bruce being a cop was supposed to bring a convict (as a witness before a grand jury) from the police lock-up to a court 16 blocks away. It’s not as easy as everyone would have thought of. Some people wanted the convict dead. Just 16 blocks but ………..

Running Wild - a Korean movie with English subtitle of course. About 2 cops (a well-known top police investigator and another normal cop in the street teamed up to wreck a top underworld gang leader’s, who seemed to have turned a new leaf and also won a seat in the national election. Sometimes, police movie doesn’t end with the police being able to catch the criminals. Why????

Superman Returns – Typical superhero stuff. Nice break from usual action packed movies. Of course it has its tense moments too. Superman’s admiration for Lois Lane is still there. You have not watched it yet?? C’mon, I’m in Sudan and I have watched it. There’s a surprise in store for everyone in this movie. Can’t tell you now as it will spoil your fun……watch it. This surprise is just the right thing to spring a Part II.

Edison – another movie on the police force. Strong cast of stars like Morgan Freeman, Justin Timberlake, LL Cool J, Kevin Spacey (in Superman Returns too). A specially set-up/ elite police team who thinks they were above the law during raids on earthly sins like gambling/vice/smuggling. Monies raided were kept and in one of the raids, a criminal was killed. A rookie journalist caught up with this police team and bit by bit was exposed. Later, he was a target of the elite police team as he knew quite a lot. One of the members in the police team somehow helped the journalist, journalist’s editor & a highly ranked police officer to bust the bad hats.

Go and grab the abovementioned movies. Well recommended.

For me, when I watch a movie, my mind is totally engrossed in it and treat everything/event in the movie as if it’s for real. I know of someone, who throughout the movie, would say “ahhhhhhh, nonsense as such things could not happen in the real world”. This person always ended up saying that the movie was lousy.

Domino – starring Keira Knightley with Mickey Rourke. Keira joined a pair of bounty hunters hunting down criminals for a fee. Halfway through, got involved with a mafia group’s dirty money. She survived and Lucy Liu (of Charlie’s Angels) was the police investigator questioning her and Keira related the story throughout the show. Nothing spectacular. So, it’s not recommended.
Tags: Movie, 16 Blocks, Running Wild, Superman Returns, Edison, Domino, Review, Cinema

Millionaires By The Minutes

How much do they earn per minute? What could they buy with the additional monies?

What about the richest celebrities?

Learn what the 10 richest billionaires earn every minute?

No one can buy time. But with what they earn per minute, celebs and billionaires can buy almost anything else they want.

Click this link Millionaires by the Minutes to find out.
Tags: Billionaires, Millionaires, Richest

Megachurches

It's not Sunday but Fairfield Christian Church in USA is packed.

Hundreds of kids are making their way to vacation Bible school, parents are dropping in at the day-care center and yellow-shirted volunteers are everywhere, directing traffic. In one wing of the sprawling church, a coffee barista whips up a mango smoothie while workers bustle around the cafeteria.

"There are people here from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day -- sometimes later," senior pastor Russell Johnson says as he surveys the activity.

Signs of growth are everywhere at Fairfield Christian. The facilities will soon encompass 325,000 square feet (30,000 square meters).

Outside one window a jackhammer pounds away, part of an endless construction cycle at the suburban church about 30 miles southeast of Columbus. At the North Campus, 26 km away the main facility, there is another church with 16 hectares for baseball, soccer and recreation, and plans for a retirement center.
Tags: Church, Christian, Fairfield Christian Church, Fairfield Christian Church North Campus, Columbus

Modified Toyota Car in Sudan

This modified Toyota is not as fast as what you would have imagined when you read the title. Well, at least it’s being re-cycled. Due to road traffic or traffic rules, this transport mode is not be usable in most countries but it’s highly sought after in Sudan.

Moral of the story: Different people has different viewpoint in their life.
Tags: Journal, Diary, Life, Sudan, Toyota, Transport

Lucky Number Slevin / Mission Impossible 3

With the WC over, it’s time to go back to movies we can get our hands on. Only way to watch movies is to wait for whoever comes back from Malaysia and kind enough to bring some DVD selections to meet our hunger for it.

I watched Lucky Number Slevin first starring Morgan Freeman, Sir Ben Kingsley (the person who potrayed Ghandi), Bruce Willis, Josh Hartnett and Lucy Liu. With this 5 stars, the movie need not be promoted. But was aghast at the way the movie was played. I couldn’t grasp what it was trying to tell me. (Ahem! It’s not only me, ok!!!) Not much comment on this except that towards the end of the movie, I finally got the full picture of why all those plots were committed. Was I confused? Sort of. Was disappointed with it.

Moral of the story: Do not judge the book by its cover……in which I did hahaha.

Next come Mission Impossible 3, straight into the 2nd movie. Right from the beginning, it was action packed. If you were a fan for the previous 2 series, you will like this too. In terms of gadgets used by the team, it was marvelous and sometimes you would be thinking does it exist.

As I favour action packed movies, whether the movie carries a proper story line or not, it doesn’t matter to me most of the time. It does make you go to the edge of your seat and biting your finger nails in anticipation of the next move by the hero/heroine. Of course lah, sometimes a bit exaggerated.

Remember, it’s a movie and don’t think “Aiyah, how can this type of things happen…” I can guarantee then that such thinking will spoil your movie. 101% sure.

Next in line; 16 Block, Edison and Running Wild.
Tags: Movie, Lucky Number Slevin, Mission Impossible 3, Review, Cinema

Peak Oil

Well, the crude oil price is now hovering around US$78 to US$80 per barrel. Commodity futures players are already expecting the US$100 barrier to be broken soon. How soon?

You could read up on an write up by an expert on commodity futures, Peak Oil. Provides you with a hindsight of what is happening in the oil market.

The Government of Malaysia has re-iterated again today that the petrol prices will stay as promised for the year. Read the line carefully again, for the year !!!. The price increase of RM0.30 happened close to US$70 per barrel. If it hits US$100, be prepared for a gradual increase of additional RM0.30 per year (assuming the max amount the government will increase each year) for each US$10 (starting at US$70 to US$100) increase in crude oil price.

Wow!!! It could be RM3.10 per litre if it hits US$100 per barrel in year 2010. You can start working out your budget now and also to decide what car to drive in time to come.
Tags: Oil, Peak Oil, Barrel, Commodity

UK Sports Academy & Healthy Heroes

Besides having regular exercise, eating the right food maintains your health:-
Tags: Sports, Health, Fruits, Vitamins

M'sia to Build 'RM490 Mil' Sports Academy in UK

Wow!!!!! BIG news.......but I'm sad to hear about it. As it caters only for selected sportsmen/women to assist them in preparation for various sporting events held in Europe or countries with same climate as UK.

But how do you get these young sportsmen/women to be selected with the limited sports facilities in Malaysia. My former secondary school was known to have the biggest sports field in Petaling Jaya and now school buildings have taken over it and it seems their sports activities were not as good as "those days" when I was schooling. Gone are those days.

And yet, funds are being funnelled overseas to cater for a limited group of people to use. How often do we send our sportsmen/women to participate in overseas competition, rarely as far as I knew.

Who will be managing the sports academy? Who will work there (foreigners?) ? What's the usage rate like? Why can't we send our sportsmen/women to USA or Australia where there are specialised sports institute catering for such training. The idea was blurted out to the media without much info to the public.

I'm an avid sportsman myself and at times couldn't get a good sport facility to enjoy my sports as general/public facilities are so limited. Hopefully more funds could be generated to build more sports facilities in Malaysia.
Tags: Sports, Sports Academy, Politics, UK

With the WC Over

hahahahahahahahhahah!!!!!! ITALY won!!!!!

no other comments as i'm totally drained today due to intense questioning in an arbitration case.....but will go out to have proper dinner for the first time since 9 july 2006 due to interruption of the WC matches.....now back to normal life and face the 4 walls in my room daily.
Tags: Journal, Diary, Life, World Cup

New Traffic Flow in Kuala Lumpur

Don't know about it yet? Then better be familiarise with it below:-

DRIVERS are advised to take heed of new traffic signboards when driving in Kuala Lumpur’s golden triangle, as City Hall will be implementing new traffic flow in the area from today.

Jalan Sultan Ismail from Jalan P Ramlee leading to Jalan Raja Chulan will be be turned into a dual carriageway and Jalan Raja Chulan from Jalan Sultan Ismail will also allow traffic in both directions.

Vehicles coming from Jalan Raja Chulan will also be allowed to turn right into Jalan P Ramlee and Jalan Sultan Ismail.

Southbound vehicles from Jalan Sultan Ismail will be able to turn right into Jalan Ampang while the traffic flow will now run both ways along Jalan Ampang from Jalan Yap Kwan Seng to Jalan Sultan Ismail.
Tags: Kuala Lumpur, Traffic

Inspirational Thoughts

1) "Historically, it is those who have believed most strongly in Heaven who have made the greatest difference to Earth, beginning with Christ himself."

- wow!!! powerful statement.....let's be that person also...for me, I want to live a life which will have/bring a significant impant on the lives of those people that I come into contact with. Why? Well, do you know what is your life's purpose then on this earth while you are alive? A co-incidental situation that you were born into this world??????? There are so much more to it in your life if only you knew your purpose in life.

2) "The fact is, all leaders must be born. And from there on in they are constantly learning. I believe this new era of American history will call upon leaders to possess two fundamental qualities, courage and holiness. That's why you may be experiencing difficulty in your life right now. God is getting you ready for leadership. God is getting his men and women ready to take a moral stand for Christ in a generation that is becoming increasingly hostile to the Gospel.
You might be saying to yourself, wait a minute, I'm not a leader. Well relax, even the great spiritual leader Elijah wasn't perfect. Heaven knows that King David himself had some very serious shortcomings. God will mould you into a leader for use in His purposes."

- why can't we see it ourselves? One of the reasons is because we are only looking into micro events and God looks at the macro situation and He sees our strength in certain area.

3) "I don't know who wrote the following thoughts, but my daughter gave this to me a few years ago when doing a high school bible study. Here are some of the highlights:
"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit's power. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense and my future is secure. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I must go until heaven returns, give until I drop, preach and tell all I know and work until He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He won't have any trouble recognizing me. My colors will be clear. "

- Gentlemen, the question is this. How clear are your colors?"
Tags: Motivation, Inspiration, Thoughts, Christianity

hOliDaY fOr Me

It's a public holiday today in Sudan to commenmorate the Peace Agreement between the northern and southern Sudan governments, which was effected a year ago. Let's hope that this peace agreement will truly bring the much needed changes required for this nation especially to meet the needs of the normal civilians in the south.

Hopefully this peace agreement will be an example for the peace agreement at Darfur and the treaty being negotiated at the east. Quite complicated.

Was informed by a friend of mine that a prominent opposition MP in Malaysia also has a blog of his own. Apparently, he's the leader of the current opposition in the parliament, thus having quite a number of interesting topics to read, http://blog.limkitsiang.com. Looks like I'm not the only one who is into blog nowadays.

It's the "in" thing now in the internet...........

Oh yes, as for tonite's big match between Italy and France.............it will VIVA ITALIA!!!!!!!!
You don't like my choice? Too bad.
Tags: Journal, Diary, Life, Peace, Lim Kit Siang

How People View Football Around The World!

Somalia
Two people are reported dead after Islamist gunmen in central Somalia opened fire in a cinema where people were watching a banned World Cup match.
The cinema owner and a young girl were reportedly killed by militia loyal to the Union of Islamic Courts, who seized control of parts of Somalia last month.
The courts have introduced Sharia law, including in some areas a World Cup broadcast ban.

India
Thailand
The picture showing the Thai temple actually has a figurine made for David Beckham. Believe it or not!








South Africa
It's their turn to host the next World Cup in year 2010. Is the nation ready to host the most watched game in the world?
Will the huge stadiums be filled? Will the nation suffer as a result of pumping billions to host the game while majority of the population is still languishing in poverty?
Tags: Sports, Football, Soccer, World Cup, Somalia, India, Thailand, South Africa, David Beckham, Union of Islamic Courts

My Predictions

Just because I related my WC predictions to many people, I got hit back by many people too......hahahaha.....enjoyed those feedbacks and the so-called "arguments". That's WC and passion for your team.

My team? It's Viva Italia now.........back to spaghettis or pizzas for my dinners in the next few days.

Bumped into a website named www.specialcakes.net which is based in KL or PJ, I think. Looks interesting.

I like YTL's proposed bullet train from KL to Spore in 90 minutes. I won't mind taking that as the trip going to KLIA already takes 45 mins, not inclusive of the early check-in time. By the time I'm supposed to board the plane, the person who took the bullet train would have arrived at Spore. Now it's the pricing issue. The luxury coach buses going down to Spore cost about RM60-RM70 and an air ticket is around RM190. It's your guess.

I could even make a day trip to attend to relatives' functions in Spore and back home by night. Not bad! For those of you who are interested in travelling, MATTA Fair's back again from 22-24 Sept. See you there.
Tags: Journal, Diary, Life, Cakes, Bullet Train, YTL

Cautionary Tale

A young and nervous bride planning her wedding was increasingly terrified about her upcoming marriage. To calm her nerves, she decided to have a Bible verse which had always brought her comfort (1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love; for perfect love casts out fear") engraved on her wedding cake. So she called the caterer and all arrangements were made.About a week before the wedding, she received a call from the catering company. "Is this really the verse you want on your cake?" they asked. Yes, she confirmed, it was the one she wanted, and after a few more questions they said they would decorate the cake as requested.

The wedding day came, and everything was beautiful ... until the reception, when the bride walked in to find the cake emblazoned with John 4:18: "For you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband."
Tags: Jokes, Humour, Funny, Wedding

Knowing Where To Make An Effort

Ever heard the story of the giant ship engine that failed?
The ship's owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure out how to fix the engine. Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a youngster. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom. Two of the ship's owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life. He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed!

A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars. "What?!" the owners exclaimed. "He hardly did anything!" So they wrote the old man a note saying, "Please send us an itemized bill."

The man sent a bill that read:
Tapping with a hammer ........................ $ 2.00
Knowing where to tap ............................ $ 9,998.00

Effort is important, but knowing where to make an effort in your life makes all the difference.
Tags: Jokes, Humour, Funny, Ship, Inspection

World Cup

Me and my predictions.........sad, real sad......

Semi matches were predicted as Germany-Italy & Brazil- England, with a Germany-Brazil finals. Too bad.....went awry. Now the world cup is quite dry to me.....but will still watch as football is my passion.

But still cannot tahan some comments made earlier that referees were biased towards Brazil la....look at what happened now. Even the host has been knocked out.

Some people said that the World Cup was rigged. C'mon man, who is so rich to do so. Those are multi-millionaires on the field, you think they will sell the match for tiny weeny bit. If that's the case, might as well USA/Japan (both in the G8 club) and its G8 members or the Middle East countries pay all their way to win the World Cup right from day one of the qualifying stage.

I got a friend who plays the Fantasy Football challenge. He rather supports those players in his Fantasy Football team even when he fully knows that player's team will lose to a better team. Spoils the fun of watching football. Not real anymore. Wonder how many of my other friends are doing this also.

For tonight, c'mon PORTUGAL !!!!!!!

Have to say something also.......haha
Tags: World Cup, Bribe

Mourning Day

Too bad! My predictions are only 50% correct for the WC. I'll be changing to the Germany camp for now. Being the host, they have the slight advantage as seen in the last WC held in South Korea/Japan. Germany is also a team with strong technicalities in strategies and having a number of experienced players.
Tags: Journal, Diary, Life, World Cup

World Cup Fever

Well, 2 quarterfinal matches played and 2 predictions were correct, Germany will play Italy in the semis......I'm still waiting for my friends to appear online now to hit them (Argentinian supporters) who were so confident/adamant about Argentina's victory. Wondering now, are they not going to log online to escape from my bombardment....hahahaha.
Some of my housemates and RBSB staff from another house were reserving our seats prior to the start of a match. Unbearable heat within the house that made me go without a shirt on. Wonder how the others can bear it.

Both Germany and Argentina played a very good technical game and entertaining too.
Report on Germany-Argentina match

And we had pizzas for our dinner yesterday in view of Italy's game.....hmmmmm, tuna pizza, mushroom pizza and what's the other one called?.....never mind, as long as it's edible. Sponsored by a colleague.

Will be back home this evening to catch the other 2 matches. Maybe have some english tea with short breads before that. Thereafter, have to learn some samba moves too.
Tags: Journal, Diary, Life, World Cup