V.A.L.E.N.T.I.N.E. - Love Is In The Air

Since the Valentine's Day just around the corner, so I just feel to write a bit about the Valentine's Day. If you have neglecting your relationship lately, now's the time to put the passion back into your life...

V - is for VIP. It's easy to take that Very Important Person in your life for granted. But no matter how comfortable you are with him or her, everyone wants to feel special and appreciated. Suggestion? show your gratitude for your loved one by buying some "bling-bling" or wooing them with good food and great company.

A - is for Age. Love has no age limit. You can fall in love even when you're 60. There's no reason to stop showing affection for your partner.

L - is for Love. How often do you tell your partner ? If you can't say it, at least show it by sharing and caring. Take this opportunity to do something together and connect with each other.

E - is for Eating out. Cooking for your sweetheart is a thoughtful gestures. But unless you've inherited your mum's culinary skills, leave it to the experts.

N - is for Notes. Love notes, poems, messages, letters. Say it with words. Pour your heart out via sentimental love smses, online messages or even the post-it notes as snail mail takes way too long to get the message across!

T - is for Thought. It's the thought that counts. For one day, do something that your partner likes but you loathe. Go shopping together and be the soul mate that helps her find her "sole mate". Catch a soppy romantic movie even if you're a fan of senseless violence, blood and gore. Her memories of these moments will last longer than a bunch of wilted flowers and half-eaten chocolates.

I - is for Ideas. Think out of box if you want to make this a day to remember. Breakfast in bed, D-I-Y chocolate fondue, ice-skating lesson, or even night picnic.

N - is for Nifty Gifts. Roses are passe, chocolates are mundane. Give her something money can't buy like settling her credit card bills (subject you do have extra money!). Or pay her phone bills. After all, most of the calls she makes are to you!

E - is Expensive. Valentine's Day doesn't have to rob you of your pay or savings. If movie dates are expensive, turn your room into a makeshift cinema. If a gourmet dinner is out of the question, settle for a homemade meal (don't you think it's nicer to cook for your loved one?

And.... for all who still singing the SINGLE jingle (me too!).. here is some suggestions:
- shower yourself with gifts
- pamper your face and body with spa treatment
- have a nice dinner

More or the less, treat yourself as good as when you treat your partner. After all, it's all about

p/s: hey u... emmm.. missing you

Saying No To Rejection!

This is an article I read on yesterday in The Sun newspaper. Thought want to post-it on yesterday but really have no time for it.

I found this quite an interesting article. Do read it first:
(article copied from sun2surf.com -> good vibes --> Saying no to rejection)

A READER tells me he recently sent out 20 job application letters. He got seven rejections and 13 companies didn’t reply.

His mother told him he was going about the process all wrong, and recommended positive visualisation techniques.

She told him to read The Secret, a bestseller all over the world, including in Asia. The book says that "the universe" will give you what you want if you want it badly enough.

Here’s a quote from the book: "I would visualise a parking space exactly where I wanted it, and 95% of the time it would be there for me and I would just pull straight in."

This is one of the most eye-opening books I’ve ever read. When you put it down, you cannot help but think: "Gosh, there is truly no limit to the awful rubbish people will buy."

I have a much easier technique for getting what you want. I call it the Fake It Till You Make It system. Simply act like you already are what you want to become. (I am a good columnist, I am a good columnist, I am a good columnist.) In the end, fantasy becomes reality. (Okay, gimme time.)

I told my jobless friend that the next time he gets a rejection letter, simply reject the rejection, a technique that I believe was first used by one Chris Jensen in applying for a professorship some years ago.

Here’s a suggested template that anyone can use:

"Dear Sir or Madam, this is to acknowledge that I have received the rejection letter that was posted to me on Thursday of last week.

"I gave your letter long and careful consideration. Unfortunately, I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept it at this moment.

"You will understand, I am sure, that there are always a very large number of rejection letters in circulation at the turn of the year when bonuses are paid. Furthermore, the current economic climate has increased the number of ‘no vacancy’ slips sent out.

"I myself appear to be particularly popular in this regard, having this year received many rejection letters from extremely impressive companies. Clearly, I am unable to accept all of them. So while I thank you for sending it to me, I regretfully inform you that I have to reject it.

"Please do not take this personally. There was nothing at all wrong with your letter. But it does not coincide with my particular needs at this time.

"In this regard, I will be starting work at your office on Monday morning of next week at 9am precisely.

"I wish you every success in rejecting other candidates. Best of luck. See you on Monday!"

Will sending out the letter above guarantee you a job? Well, the bosses who receive it can only react in one of three ways:

» They won’t get it and will ignore it. Those are firms you wouldn’t want to work for.

» They’ll be so confused, they’ll expect you to turn up on Monday, and have a desk ready for you.

» They’ll enjoy your sense of humour, thank you for the laugh, and contact you when a job needing a sharp mind becomes available.

Such as mine, for example. Oops.

What a lovely ideas! =)

Anyway, the first thing came across in my mind after I read this article is about one book titled 'Thick Face, Black Heart'. However, I couldn't find it on my rack, for me to do the recap. I read it somewhere in 2007 (last 2 years). So, I google it (this should be the easiest way huh?) to get more details to share over here.

Basically, there's a discussion about secret law by the nature. What ever you want, you need to project it in your mind, and stay focus. For an example, you already late to go out to the office, you're in hurry, and in your mind, already focus 'the road must be jam at this hour'. When your mind focusing 'the road is jam' so, basically you're sending a thought to nature that the road is jam. That's it. The traffic is jam. Because you already think about it, and you already sent the thought. [you may read the above article, those in red color font]

Besides the discussion of sending thoughts, a lot of things shared in this book by the author.

I found one link giving a review about this book:

http://mycognition.wordpress.com/category/thick-face-black-heart/

(as I really can't find my book to do the book review) =)

Local - Economy in Current Situation

Boycotting US goods akin to shooting one's own foot - The Sun, January 12,2009

Local economist have described calls to boycott US products to pressure an end to the Gaza conflict as similar to shooting one's own foot. MIER Executive Director, Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamed Ariff Abdul Kareem did not mince his word when he said the idea was 'stupid' and that politicians and those promoting it are 'just playing to the gallery'
"It (boycott) is a double-edged sword..there is bound to be chain reactions and ramifications. The timing is also awkward due to the current economic slowdown. It will also hurt many potential investor."

[setuju in those red color. The reason, aku sendiri keje ngan US based company! I'm not gonna tender my resignation if I don't have any better offer! Nak makan ape kalau berenti keje sekarang?]

** MIER : Malaysian Institute of Economic Research



Not by rhetoric alone - Citizen Nades - By R. Nadeswaran ( Every Monday & Wednesday ) - The Sun 12 January 2009
[aku cukup suka penulisan uncle sorang nieh! ni aku copy paste je from: www.sun2surf.com]

Almost every local politician worth his salt has given his views on what’s happening in the Middle East and his solution which inevitably centres on one magic word which all of them think is the only way to stop the carnage which is going on. That magic word – boycott – has unfortunately been abused and misused in the name of justice and I will put up my hands and "plead guilty" to such a charge.

About 15 years ago when the price of dressed chicken spiralled upwards, I spearheaded a "No Chicken Day" campaign in a column in another newspaper. I reasoned that if every Malaysian did not touch chicken for a day, we would be able to bring the breeders, the wholesalers, the middlemen and the retailers to their knees. They would be saddled with hundreds of thousands of chicken and they would have to bring the prices down. To cut a long story short, it did not happen. While a group of hardcore supporters went vegetarian or opted for fish, I think 99.999% of Malaysians couldn’t resist the ayam madu in Bangsar; the chicken perattal in Jalan Gasing, the ayam goreng in Kampung Baru or the kai fan in Birch Road.

From that one and only "boycott" campaign, there were several lessons to be learnt. Firstly, if there is nothing beneficial for them, generally Malaysians do not want to walk the extra mile. Secondly, the feeling of "can one man make a change" syndrome is still in place in the hearts and minds of people. Thirdly, and more importantly, the attitude of "why should I give up something I like" is prevalent in our society.

[SETUJU!!! Tu sebab aku suka penulisan uncle ni. Very straight forward (kekadang aku pun terasa! hahahaha)]

The boycotts won’t work; the demonstrations won’t help; the rhetoric will fall on deaf ears and Israel has taken a "shout till your hearts’ content and we don’t care" attitude. So, what will work?

If anything is needed, it is affirmative action by our leaders a’la our first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra who spearheaded the international campaign against apartheid policies by getting South Africa expelled from the Commonwealth in 1962.

In confidential papers kept by the Canadian government on the Tunku’s official visit in 1962 (which have since been declassified) they say the following:

"The Tunku has been anxious to demonstrate by concrete action the opposition felt in Malaya to the racial policies of the South African Government. In a speech to the Malayan House of Representatives on June 20, the Tunku disregarded precedent and quoted excerpts from the confidential record of the 1960 Prime Ministers’ Conference in order to show that he had made every effort to force a discussion of South Africa’s racial policies. He then announced that he was writing to the prime ministers of all democratic countries asking for their views on positive action to be taken against apartheid. He also suggested informally that limited representation for Africans should be introduced in the South African parliament — possibly 10 members on a limited franchise. This representation could later be gradually enlarged.

"Subsequently in a letter, the Tunku reiterated his concern about apartheid and announced his country’s prohibition of the import of South African goods. He suggested that other nations might wish to consider taking positive individual action as well, or alternatively they might prefer a conference to discuss at greater length what action should be taken. Malaya was prepared to act as host to such a conference if it were generally felt it would be useful."

In this instance, rhetoric will not work. The answer lies in a global stance against not only Israel but any nation or group which indulges in violence against its own people. Are we ready to spearhead a United Nations resolution to expel nations which carry out crimes against humanity? If the Commonwealth joined hands to keep Pakistan out and later expelled Zimbabwe, the question is: Why can’t Malaysia seek support to pressure the Commonwealth nations to move such a UN resolution?

[see.. he's not only critics, but he also provide the suggestions]

Okay... Cukup dah dengan 2 kenyataan akhbar. Aku pun nak jugak buat kenyataan.

Here is what I think:
* boycott: ON
* Reason:
- aku tak nak terlibat dgn sindrom 'one man can make a change'. Even ape yang aku buat tidak mendatangkan hasil or any impact, but I still proud with myself. I don't have much money to contribute to Palestanian (sorry my brothers and sisters), but this is the least thing that I can do to show my support to Palestanian.
- I shall keep on support local industry than support the USA. We should develop our own industries, untuk mengurangkan penggantungan ekonomi dengan negara luar.
[so, aku boleh berenti keje ngan company sekarang, dan bekerja dengan local company. hehehe]
- boycott barangan-barangan Israel and US takkan mendatangkan kerugian kepada aku, malah mendatangkan kebaikan. Contoh: if aku spend about RM15 untuk segelas coffee kat Starbucks, baik aku beli kopi cap kapal api (kurang RM 5 sekampit tak silap aku), then aku dapat banyak gelas coffee! Walaupun tak sesedap mana, tapi jimat. Dan dapat jugak minum kopi kan?

[so..dipendekkan citer, if aku boycott barangan-barangan tu, I can spare some money. Hmm.. things that I've never done before. Sbb dulu-dulu, kalau pi KLCC, sure gatal masuk Mark & Spencer just untuk beli Digestive Cookies tu! hehehe!! Sedap tu sedap.. but I always have other choice right? Tak makan benda tu pun tak mati]

It's always a first step before the second....

Advert - Boycot Israel & American Products

At least, here what we can do to show that we DO NOT support all the crimes by Zionis. For a better life, better future... Towards a peace world....















Antara product yang aku sendiri guna:
- Loreal [isk! kantoi plak!]
- Johnson and Johnson
- Maggi [emm..kena makan IbuMie plak pasni]
- Coca Cola [okay, stop minum dah]
- Pepsi [ni pun dah tak minum]
- Marks & Spencer [kalau biskut dia je bole tak? emm.. takpe laa.. aku carik biskut lain nampak gayanye]
- McDonalds [ni yang paling susah, sbb aku paling suka minum Vanilla MilkShake!]
- KFC [goreng ayam sendiri je pasni]



Yang tak berada dalam list sebelah tp aku ada ingat-ingat skit:
- Colgate
- Starbuck

[ni je kot yg aku ingat. sebab 2 benda ni je yg aku terlibat.. hehehe!!!]









Noted, if nak stop totally, memang susah. But why don't we give a try? Find the alternative product (s). Cube fikirkan dlm context yg berbeza. Contoh: Aku pakai product Loreal yang aku sendiri tak tau mana asal usul nye. Mungkin aku patut tukar pakai Sendayu Tinggi, sebab ini product Bumiputra. At least, I help industri Bumiputra to develop. Biarpun contribution aku tak seberapa. Simple math: if one product I bought, I contribute 10 cents, if there's 1 million people like me? it's equivalent to: 1 million cents! (10,000.00 laa tu)
[itu 10 sen, kalau seringgit? tak ke dah bersamaan dgn sejuta? renung-renungkan...]

Macam tadi, aku tengok TV, adalah perempuan bertudung kena interview pasal kes boikot memboikot ni (anyway, budak-budak perempuan ni, tgh makan kat McD). Leh jawab, "Nak wat camne, dah tak boleh nak elak. Dah biasa. Tak boleh nak lari"
[dalam hati aku: cube pun tidak, dah kata tak boleh? masa lahir, mak korang bagi makan burger terus ke? tak breast feed? masa membesar parents korang feed ngan burger n fries? aku ingat orang Malaysia, makanan ruji adalah nasi. Anyway, aku tak nak komen lebih-lebih. Tepuk dada, tanya selera]

World - Current Situation in Gaza

Pertempuran askar Yahudi, Hamas masuk minggu ketiga

"Ketika angka kematian meningkat kepada 825 orang, pesawat Israel menggugurkan risalah di seluruh bandaraya Gaza memberi amaran kepada penduduk bahawa ia akan meningkatkan serangan ke atas Hamas dan kumpulan pejuang lain."

ihsan: bharian.com.my


GAZA — Israeli mortar shells killed as many as 40 Palestinians, among them women and children, outside a United Nations school in Gaza on Tuesday where they were taking refuge in the 11th day of the conflict. The Israeli military contended that Hamas fighters had fired mortars from the school compound, and United Nations officials called for an independent inquiry into the episode.
(on the January 7,2009)

ihsan: nytimes.com


[kalau masih yang ada dok support barangan Israel ngan America, tak tau laa aku nak cakap camne jahil nye lagik]

First Post - Welcome Note

Finally....

In the year of 2009, I decided for blogging. Purpose? Simply.. I wish I can share my point of view on how I look into this world, on what's happening in current situation. This will be a manifest of my ideas and thoughts, not only for myself, but also for the readers.

For a better future.. To become a better person..

Cheers