Always The Smarter Choice With Yellow Coverage Fella

They said (not me..)...Only smart person always choose the smarter choice...on Friday, 16/11/2007, I decided to sign up the latest offer from DiGi, the broadband services as over the years I have been waiting for Celcom to come up with the best offer...even the moment before I appear at the DiGi Specialised Store's registration counter, I have called up (last chance to refuse...as indeed I have been a strong Celcom supporter since 1997) Celcom to double check whether their 3G broadband services could provide competitive edge over DiGi. To me having Celcom services is convenient as I would only need to a 3G phone but as they would charge 10 cent per 10kb per download or upload...it would be costlier for me to use the service. As for DiGi, for a mere RM66 per month, it is unlimited inclusive of download and upload wherever, whenever you want it...this is a cool stuff !

My inner self also reminded me...hey..why don't you take up Streamyx (actually I have gone few times to the shop to enquire about it)...but then again..costing is much high though the streamyx speed is better beside;

- to enable streamyx, I need to have a fix line at home...that cost additional RM30++

- installation fees

- modem

- nonmobile...if wireless need to incur extra...

okie...okie...but then again, you have already connected at the office...Hello...that is not proper and I have to sacrifice my early morning, lunch or stay late, that is breach of a corporate code..

so..soo..I finally decided to register with the Yellow man...

Wow...with this connection, I am now writing this blog from my dinner table for the maiden time...the feeling is great...next time, may consider to do it from the toilet...hehehe..

Anyway, this connnection is not without obstacles...as I have only be able to connect my laptop today (2 days after the registration) as the DiGi technician discover that my WindowXP has corrupted files thus, my PC suite could not complete the connection. So,...I have to run up and down to the computer shop to reformat and reinstall the XP programme and paid a fees of RM40.00. But then again it is blessing in disguise for my latop of 4 years old (a gift from the MBA programme which I took in 2003...actually paid by myself under indirect arrangement from the programme fees of about RM28k...) where it is now been reinstalled with latest softwares and extra...a rejuvenated laptop.

Now...I am feeling good...ohyeah...(background music...I am feeling good..with Eddie Murphy dancing his belly...)

Chinese Paper Umbrella

This paper umbrella brings noltalgic feeling to my "Ah Kung" @ grandpa who always carry a piece of paper umbrella with him. I remember I am still using it way back in Form 1 or 2...after that I lost touch with it as we change to steel/nylon based umbrella which is more durable.

If I could recall, the price per piece is only RM2.00 then (in early 1980s).

Today, I have not seen it anymore even at any of the old shop...

Value of Coin

This snap shot of 20 cents is taken using my N80 Camera phone...quality is so-so as it does not have the zoom function.

Actually my main reason for taking this snap shot to remind myself of time really flies and also the threat of inflation into our life and need to review my income/expenditure account.

Description of the coins:

1) On the left - it is a 20 cents coin produced in 1967

2) On the right - it is a 20 cents coin produced in 2006 (cannot find 2007 though I have a 10 cents coin of 2007)

They are 40 years of difference...but still carry the same value physically. However, though the value of coin is the same, they are not able to trade the same quantity of goods (I am sure all of us is fully aware).

Back in 1967, though I am still not born into this world but I would guess the value of 20 cents is like RM2.00. In 1977, I remember that I could buy 10 pieces of sweets for the amount of 20 cents {I was in Rejang Kindi (between Tiong Hua Lo and Melian Han that time)}. Today, I could only buy 3 pieces of sweets for a 20 cents coin. This is real inflation !

Yesterday, I was having lunch with Heroes and for the first in my life, I have paid RM2.60 for a plate of kampua mee in Kuching (for sure...I will never go to that place anymore). However, after my understanding, many stalls have increased their pricing effecting this month...averagely today, we need to pay RM2.50...additional 30 cents from RM2.20 per plate.

Back in 1977, a plate would only cost 50 cents. So, if we allow...10 cents a year...after 30 years...it would reach RM3.50..so, the increase seems to be reasonable and still below the maximum range based on 10 cents yearly increase. However, if we work on percentage...it is a 600% increase..averagely a 20% increase on yearly basis...

Now, if we work on our salary...sincerely...do you get an average 20% increase yearly ? (If you do get 10% increase, congratulation, you are top in the group...20% yearly would be a triple jump every year and you are considered having the CEO materials...Entrepreneur of the Year (many I believe is only getting a nominal adjustment of 4-7% or some stagnant for the last few years since the last 2003 medium crisis.)

There have been pre-announcements by few ministers on the fuel price hike (as to provide expectation and to cushion the effect especially election round the corner (still remember DAP uses the last hike as political weapon in their campaign ?...a mindset game)...some is projecting as high as 70 cents a litre...so for my Inokom Matrix (1.6 litre)...normally I shall use about 45 litre per week costing about RM85.95 (current per litre is RM1.91). Thus with additional 70 cents per litre, I shall be expecting to incur additional RM126 per month (RM469.8 per month in total...sweating on my forehead already). If inclusive my wife's Waja, I need to pay additional RM189 (projecting my wife's petrol consumption is 50% less).

We may not be able to control much on this increase but need to be prepared and to adjust our lifestyle and expenditure so that we are able to maximise each of our 20 cents.

- For petrol : buy a special enhancer to maximise the power (so far have been able to cut down by about 15%), think/plan before driving to maximise usage, ensure tyre is properly inflated, do not carry excessive baggage

- For foods : cook and eat at home more often (per eating out with my family, I spent about RM30...), cut down on intake, call up friends for free drinks or foods :)

Search and look out for extra income...via capital investments, additional business opportunities etc..

What else...can I look out ? Be prepared to change...

A Blunder and Fruitful Experience

Last Saturday at around 6.45pm, I realised that I lost my wallet when I was preparing to go out for dinner at Buntal Fishing Village after resting in the chalet at Damai Beach Hotel. I am actually in shock and could not believe that I have lost it. I try to locate as searching through the hotel bed, the room and the whole trail from the training room to my chalet. As the time passes, I started to worry on a lot of trouble acts...have to lodge police report, cancel cards etc. At last I have decided to approach the hotel manager and inform her about the incident. She is calm and she seems to be experience in facing such incident. I have told her about how I knew about the lost and ask her to open up the training room for my searching...

Our dinner appointment is at 7.00pm, meeting at the lobby...by then all of my team members knew that I have lost my wallet and they also join in the search. I am trying to compose my emotion as their leader but deep in my heart I am actually quite frustrated on why this happens on me and I have to get some many people to assist me. After searching the training room, we still could not locate the wallet and I decided to make a simple report with the hotel security and they have assured me that they shall do the staff search as to ensure no hotel staff are involved in the mismanagement. Then, we all proceeded with our dinner as I brave myself to stay cool and composed.

On the way to the dinner place, I have also decided to make phone calls to all the bankers on the missing of my wallet and asked them to bar the credit and ATM cards. Whilst having our dinner, I am appreciative on my team members trying to figure out what could be the possibilities on my missing wallet. From the discussion, I am sure that the wallet is still in my chalet and probably "something" had covered it up as I felt there is no way that it could have been slip out from my trouser.

I am also impressed with the hotel responses as the hotel manager called me whilst I am having my dinner and updated me that they have searched the hotel staff lockers, the training premises and all the dustbins. He continues to discuss with me on the options and potentiality on how I could have slip the wallet.

After dinner, I quickly drive back and reach my room together with my family (before that I pray and invoke for Almighty's intervention and help), I move the beds and found that it is below the bed...hai! All relieved and thanking God for his protection.

Then, I have to go through the whole process of withdrawing my report with the hotel and the bankers plus telling my team members on the recovery of my wallet... (hai...liao si gan and chinsing...but relieved)

As I go through the withdrawal process, my mind is still trying to figure out why such thing had happen ? How can the wallet slip out from my trouser and flew beneath the bed ? (I do not understand...) Is there any learning process here ? Is God trying to reveal something here ? At last, I would conclude the following;

a) The process is testing my patience.
b) It is testing my response to such situation especially in front of my team member and family.
c) It also giving my the opportunity to see through the process who are helping me to stay in right perspective.
d) It train me to be more careful and alert.
e) My wife and children are all with me praying with me.
f) It reminds me of God's power and mercy.

I am glad that I found my wallet and I have passed through the test with true patience and acceptance although my worries are always there.

My Rachel's Birthday

Rachel is 6 years old, by the stroke of 3.29pm today...we have actually celebrated her birthday yesterday evening at a local restaurant together with her brother, ee-ee and of course mummy and daddy...

She is very happy and has been waiting for this day for a long time...she is on the smile the whole night...and keep asking her brother and us to sing the birthday songs...and she will also move her body along to the tune of the musics.

Her brother Moses also gave him a warm hug and a kiss to wish her sister...Happy Birthday ! Rachel in return allow him to have one of the two cherries on the cake. :)

Well, Moses is also very eager for his turn...as he already mentioned to me about what he wants on his birthday...which is also this month, on the 18th !

Birthday Festivals

Hey, this month I have at least 8 birthdays to celebrate...

2/11 - Anthony Ting

5/11 - Rachel, my daughter (Anthony's daughter birthday also on this date)

9/11 - my mum-in-law, Aaron (my nephew), Paul Ting

11/11 - Michael (my nephew)

18/11 - Moses, my son

Happy Birthday to all of you. May our Lord shines all graces on your days. Amen.

Am Not Feeling Well...

As I have been on a very hectic activities for the past two weeks...I can feel my throat is dryer, soft coughing and yesterday have high fever but no sweating. Whole night difficult to sleep and as though floating in the air.

Just bought cough syrup to expedite cure beside taking 4 tablets of Vit C every 12 hours and applying vicks on my feets to stop the coughing. The virus attack is strong and I can feel my whole body aching and fever for the last two days.

Well, all these are due to not enough sleeps and too much drinking at late hours since the previous Tuesday beside probably in the low cycle of fitness.

I hope the recovery would be fast as I need to complete few of important tasks over the next few days.