Journey of Life - 生活旅程

Happy Chinese New Year 2008 《春节祝福》

2008-02-08T07:33:00.000+08:00

恭喜发财，吉祥如意，新年进步，万事如愿，平安吉祥，步步高升，心想事成，万象更新。

I am back to Malaysia

2008-02-05T07:43:00.000+08:00

It's good to be back. It's good to be in tropic again. It's good to drive on the right. It's good to be able to have my nasi lemak, char sieow rice again. It's good to be home. Home sweet home.

SWIFT CODE for Malaysian Banks

2008-01-28T22:36:00.000+08:00

If you need to make a TT, most probably you will need the following codes for the transfer.

Affin Bank Berhad = PHBMMYKL
Alliance Bank Berhad = MFBBMYKL
Ambank Berhad = ARBKMYKL
Bank Simpanan Nasional = BSNAMYKL
CIMB Bank Berhad = CIBBMYKL
CitiBank Berhad Malaysia = CITIMYKL
Hong Kong Bank Malaysia Berhad = HBMBMYKL
Hong Leong Bank Berhad = HLBBMYKL
Malayan Banking Berhad = MBBEMYKL
OCBC Bank Berhad = OCBCMYKL
Public Bank Berhad = PBBEMYKL
RHB Bank Berhad = RHBBMYKL
Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad = SCBLMYKL
United Overseas Bank Berhad = UOVBMYKL

Sugarloaf Mountain

2008-01-21T22:22:00.000+08:00

I was told not to miss Sugarloaf Mountain for my trip to Rockville. Well, i do agree with that. The mountain view is just spectacular. Feel peace and calm visiting in cold freezing winter. It's the outskirt and i dare not travel there without any GPS.

Geologically, Sugarloaf is known as a monadnock, a mountain that remains after the erosion of the surrounding land. Here, that process took approximately 14 million years. The rugged cliffs on the summit are composed primarily of quartzite, the predominant type of rock on the mountain.

The dominant tree species on Sugarloaf are the oaks of both red and white groups. These trees are being threatened by oak decline, a result of several factors of which the introduced gypsy moth is a part. Other trees include black gum, tulip poplar, black birch and eastern hemlock. The more than 500 species of plants here include a variety of wildflowers, many of which can be found blooming during the warm weather months.

White tailed deer are abundant on and around the mountain. Other mammals include flying squirrel, red fox, eastern cottontail and raccoon. The forest birds include the great horned owl, pileated woodpecker, wild turkey and red shouldered hawk. During the spring and fall, many migratory species of songbirds can be found.

A Visit to Frederick County

2008-01-21T09:50:00.000+08:00

My plan to New Jersey was cancelled due to the bad and unpredictable weather. For an 30 min drive, i visited Frederick, an old town with old buildings and antique shops. Give me a malacca impression.

It snows again

2008-01-21T09:38:00.000+08:00

I like the scenic view when it snows. Maybe it is human nature that will be more appreciate to something we do not own. Walking on the snow just like stepping on the sandy beach. However, it is damn difficult to control the car.

Cooking Oil Shortage

2008-01-06T11:52:00.000+08:00

One person only can buy 5kg. My wife was unable to get even one of the regular cooking oil. It will be a hike in price again. :( What will happen to our economy.....

5kg buying limit on cooking oil

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS, SYLVIA LOOI, SIRA HABIBU, CAROLYN OOI and STEVEN DANIEL

PUTRAJAYA: Five kilograms – that is the maximum amount of cooking oil that each consumer can buy when a move to solve the shortage of the essential item is enforced next week.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal however did not specify when the move would be implemented to increase stocks of cooking oil, especially in areas like Kelantan, Pahang, Malacca, Kedah and some parts of the Klang Valley where the shelves are getting bare.

Scarce commodity: A customer picking up a bottle of cooking oil from an almost empty rack at a hypermarket in Petaling Jaya yesterday. The Government hopes to overcome the shortage in a week or two. — AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star

Shafie said that while manufacturers have been instructed to increase production from 48,000 tonnes to 53,886 tonnes a month, the restriction in purchase was necessary to ensure there would be no hoarding or panic buying.

2008奥运吉祥物‧福娃 FUWA Cartoon

2008-01-06T05:37:00.000+08:00

It's Long

2008-01-04T13:00:00.000+08:00

Who is the next?

2008-01-03T02:55:00.000+08:00

Jan 02: News reported that Dr Chua has resigned from the following with immediate effect:
a) Minister post
b) MP for Labis
c) Vice President of MCA

Hot topic is who will be the next?

Donald Lim Siang Chai
Ong Tee Keat
Ong Kah Chuan
Fu Ah Kiow

Or the post will be vacant till the next election? Let's see.

What a headline to begin with

2008-01-01T19:03:00.000+08:00

What a shocking news to begin with in the new year. I woke up receiving a link to this piece of news from KJ. Looks like the police is very keen on this issue and started their 'investigation'. He has a good impression to me though. It's not easy to be a 'good man'...... With the family support, hopefully he will overcome this period.

Have a wonderful year ahead

2008-01-01T11:28:00.000+08:00

Have a great year ahead!.......Bye-bye 2007.

Trip to Gaitherburg

2008-01-01T09:43:00.001+08:00

I like Gaitherburg, a town tells a lot of stories and feel warm visiting. There are a lot nice aged buildings. It is very welcoming and I love the train station and walking in the breeze is very relaxing and enjoyable especially in the new year eve.

The city of Gaithersburg occupies 10 square miles in the heart of Montgomery County , Maryland . The southeastern border of the City lies just 13 miles from the northwestern border of Washington , D.C. , and 18 miles northwest of the U.S. Capitol Building. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 52,613. This city is located to the northwest of Rockville, Maryland, the county seat of Montgomery County. Gaithersburg was incorporated in 1878.
Gaitherburg is home to the neo-traditionalist new town of Kentlands, Maryland, designed by Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk.

The area was originally known to local inhabitants as Log Town. The first house within the current Gaithersburg was built by Benjamin Gaither in 1802, and the name was changed in his honor shortly afterward.

The railroad was brought to Gaithersburg in the 1850s, with the Gaither family helping to get the railroad to come.

In 1899, Gaithersburg was selected as one of six global locations for the construction of an International Latitude Observatory. The Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory is (as of 2004) the only National Historic Landmark in the City of Gaithersburg.

The famous Gaitherburg's train station.

The Gaitherburg's City Hall

Visit My Hometown - KEDAH 2008

2007-12-28T02:59:00.000+08:00

Just came to know that 2008 is 'Visit Kedah' and 'Visit Terengganu' year. So, in conjunction to the event, do spent some time to pay the rice-bowl of Malaysia a visit. If you like nature, such you will not be disappointed with the utter serenity and greenery of the paddy field.
Kedah is in the northern region of peninsular Malaysia, bordered by 3P and 1T (Perlis, Penang, Perak and Thailand). There are quite a lot of interesting places to visit especially Langkawi. Find out more from here. There are quite a lot information from the website. Like it. Cool.

Atma Alam Batik Art Village
Air Hangat Village
Beaches
Craft And Cultural Complex
Eagle Square
Galeria Perdana
Raya Golf Resort
Homestay Experience
Island Horses
Ibrahim Hussein Museum
Kuah
Langkawi Cable Car
Langkawi Canopy Adventure
Langkawi Crocodile Farm
Langkawi Golf Club
Langkawi Falls
Mahsuri’s Mausoleum
Morac Go Karts
Padang Matsirat Village
Rice Museum – Laman Padi
Sailing And Marinas
Telaga Harbour Park
The Golf Club Datai Bay
Traditional Malay Kampong
Underwater World Langkawi
Wildlife Park
Birds
Wildlife
Caves
Coral Reefs
Geology And Geopark
Mangroves
Rainforest
Waterfalls

History Of Kedah

Recorded history of Kedah often starts at the Bujang Valley, located in central Kedah. This maritime kingdom at Bujang was visited by Indian, Persian, Arabs and Chinese traders as far back as the 4th century CE/ AD(CE: Common Era).

For many centuries, the Empires of Sri Vijaya and later the Cholas all exerted their influence and domination over this Kingdom. Kedah Peak (Gunung Jerai), at 1217 metres, provided the navigational landmark for ships in the Malacca Strait. The Bujang Valley was a collecting centre for products of the Malay Peninsular and a transit trading post for ships awaiting the change of currents and monsoon winds of the Indian Ocean. Traders soon propagated Hinduism and Buddhism and their culture, building shrines and temples along the coastal area, evident from artefacts found at the valley.

My Sister and Family

2007-12-28T01:04:00.000+08:00

It is warm to have family visit. My nephew is now 17 months old. Infants grow up very fast. Such a gala moment to have such gathering. But i am not around.

Strolling in the woods

2007-12-24T06:50:00.000+08:00

It's breathtaking to walk in the woods in winter. Leaves no longer green, weather is moody and groomy. Certainly a great experience for me.

Queen to deliver Christmas message in YouTube

2007-12-24T00:09:00.001+08:00

Cool. Watch out for Queen Elizabeth II is going to use YouTube to deliver her Christmas message.

動物園花豹發惡爪傷女童

2007-12-23T21:51:00.000+08:00

This is unbelievable. So, you better watch up when and if you ever bring your family to any zoo.
It is not only happening in Malaysia but the following countries as well. Hope the 5 years old 侯芊彤 will get well soon.

動物園罕見意外
花豹發惡爪傷女童
updated:2007-12-23 20:05:22 MYT

（首邦市訊）國家動物園的花豹獸性大發，從籠子伸出“豹爪”爪傷一名首次參觀動物園的5歲女童，導致她的上顎、唇部及背部受傷。

這起罕見的意外是週六（12月22日）約4時許發生，受害者侯芊彤當時與哥哥接近籠子參觀花豹時，花豹曾2次嘗試捉住他們，首次嘗試無法得逞，但第2次再伸出豹爪成功捉住妹妹的衣服。

受害者侯芊彤的母親說，丈夫雖然立即衝過去救女兒，但是女兒的身體已經被爪傷，而花豹也馬上放手跑掉。

她說，這個花豹參觀區沒有水池、指示牌或其他安全欄桿，參觀者可自由接近。

source

How do you reply 'Thank you'?

2007-12-22T00:24:00.000+08:00

When people say 'Thank you' to you, how do you reply and what is the correct way to reply?
All the while, i have been saying 'You're welcome' and wrongly typed 'You're welcomed' in my recent email. Does it make any differences?

From simple Googling, how out the following.

The two phrases have different meanings.

The proper phrase, "You are welcome" says that the person is welcome to whatever you have given them.

The other phrase, "You are welcomed", which is not generally used, implies that the person is being welcomed to wherever they are, as in "we are welcoming you into this place". Notice that the sentence does not say who is doing the welcoming, only who is receiving the welcome. It's an awkward phrase and should not be used, even when you are truly welcoming someone to a particular place.

So, when someone thanks you, just say "you're welcome" and if you want to welcome them to some place, then say "welcome to my ..."

source

So, remember to acknowledge others thanks without the 'd'. I used to hear the following recently:

- No problem.
- Thanks, you 'r most welcome.
- Not at all.
- Sure.
- Please don't mention.

Whatever is it but remember that it is impolite not to reply.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha

2007-12-20T07:40:00.000+08:00

Synonym to Hari Raya Haji, today is the day. Wish all my muslim friends to have a happy and wonderful day.

It is celebrated by the Muslims on the tenth day of the last month of the Muslim calendar. This is an occasion celebrated marking the conclusion of the annual Haj - the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, when the pilgrims are given the title of Haji for men and Hajjah for women. Thanksgiving prayers are offered in the mosques. An animal is sacrificed whose meat was distributed among the relatives and the poor.

Merry Christmas 2007

2007-12-20T07:32:00.000+08:00

Wishing all my friends and family have a wonderful X'mas. May the new year brings you joy, happiness, health and prosperity. Keep in touch.

Happy Belated Birthday, Perl!

2007-12-20T07:25:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was Perl 20th birthday. Perl 5.10 was released in conjunction to the birthday.
Perl 5.10 full of new features that i am yet to test out. Features like named captures in regular expressions, state variables for subroutines, the defined-or operator, a switch statement (called given-when, though), a faster regex engine, and more. Isn't it coool?
Learn more from here.

Heard that Perl6 is on the way. Hope it will be a great breakthrough. All the best Perl. I love you.

GMAIL new features - Colored Labels and AIM

2007-12-10T00:05:00.000+08:00

I am impressed with recent new features by GMAIL.
a) New Coloured Labels
b) AIM chats

The former offer a useful and unique visualization for me to easily differentiate the source of my mails. Was using GreaseMonkey from Better Gmail, but not functional with new upgrade of GMAIL. However, we are blessed with the latest cool features. Do try to organize your mail with this feature.

For IM, great to see the AIM has been added in Gtalk and wonder will the the other services MSN, Yahoo IM will be added. Maybe not ......

Petrol Price in Malaysia

2007-12-06T03:13:00.001+08:00

Date	Petrol Price	Increment
1990	1.10	0.21
01-Oct-00	1.20	0.10
20-Oct-01	1.30	0.10
01-May-02	1.32	0.02
31-Oct-02	1.33	0.01
01-Mar-03	1.35	0.02
01-May-04	1.37	0.02
01-Oct-04	1.42	0.05
05-May-05	1.52	0.10
31-Jul-05	1.62	0.10
28-Feb-06	1.92	0.30

It has been 22 months since the goverment increase the petrol price. Well, we should be ready for another increment soon depending on when the GE date. CNN money stated that it is USD 88.75 for today.

How big Malaysia is?

2007-12-06T02:14:00.000+08:00

Out of sudden, a friend of mine just posted me a question about Malaysia and i suddenly realized that there are so many facts that i have neglected about my own country. This is what i found out recently.

Do you know that the total surface of the earth is about 510,065,284 km square and about 70.8% water coverage and only 29.2% land coverage. That makes up to 148,939,063 km square of the land area. The top 8 largest countries are Russia, Canada, China, US, Brazil followed by Australia, India, Argentina.

Malaysia? She is the 67th largest countries in the world with 329,847 km square (0.22% of the earth). Not bad also lah. By the way, there should be 232 countries in the world. We have 27,544,000 of population which is 43rd largest in the world. KL itself has 2 million people.

The smallest country in the world is Vatican City (near Rome), 0.44 km square. That's why it is still retained the city name. Population less than 1,000.