Calling for help and assistance out there...

I was wondering if anyone out there can share with me what are the technical tests are are given to candidates during the on-site interview for Software Engineer position. It's because I'm helping a friend who will be attending the on-site interview soon and was told there will be technical test to be taken. I knew that it will be hard and tough given that I failed a couple of phone interview with them before. Any help given is very much appreciated...thank you in advance :)

Taxi fare for RM 290 !!!

Would you ever pay rm290 for a taxi? Well, apparently one of my colleague just did it in Beijing a couple of days ago. Before he went, I already warn him regarding con taxi drivers that target foreigners. He was taking this airport taxi at Beijing International Airport to Crown Prince Hotel in the city and the fare? RMB580 which is around Rm290!!! The taxi driver even showed him a list of pre-fixed prices of the stated destination...What the bulls*it. Now I knew at least last time I was not conned so terrible, sincec my fare last time was only RMB 200+....haha. So beware to you all travelling to Beijing and taking airport taxi...

Tanjung 10km Run 9 Nov 2008

Date: Sunday, 09th November 2008

Time: 7.30am

Venue: Jalan Sepoy Lines, P.Pinang.

Distance: 10km

Time Limit: 90 minutes

Entry Fee: Rm12

This run is on exactly 1 week before Penang Bridge Run which provides a very good training. I registered for this event after the City Run 2008 just to push myself and see how I do before the Penang Bridge run. When I looked at the route map...I was grumbling.."Man, this looks very far !!!" Imagine the complains I'm making when I knew 1 week after this run will be 25km half marathon on the Penang Bridge....sigh...pray hard I'll be okay...for both of the run !

Kebun Bunga Charity Run 23 Nov 2008

Kebun Bunga Charity Run 2008
Date: 23rd November 2008
Time: 7.30am
Venue: Youth Park, Penang
Distance: 6km
Finishing Time: 90 minutes
Route: Youth park - Botanical Garden - Jalan Utama

Organizer: YB Jason Ong
Entry Fee: RM12 for Adults, RM7 for children
Closing Date: 12th November 2008
Entry Form available at:
1) Olympic Sports & Fitness Sdn Bhd - 9, Pangkor Road, 10050 Penang
2) Kwong Wah Yit Poh - 19, Lebuh Presgrave, 10300 Penang
3) Startech Tele-Communication - Kompleks Bk Jambul 3A-2-71, 11900 Penang
Contacts:
1) Jason Tan 012-4720099
2) Mr Teh 012-5664400
3) Timothy 016-4571991
4) Steve 012-4773066

Prize:
1) Winner medals for all categories
2) Finisher medal, participation certificate and lucky draw
3) more than 30 lucky draw prizes to be given out

Hehe...I'm not joining this one coz it's after Penang Bridge run and I will prefer training for upcoming Starwalk on 14 December....

Happy Halloween 2008 !!!

Hehe...nicee image? I googled it and found this nice but lovely pumpkin picture just for the Halloween festival. It's 31 October...Halloween Day in western countries...but here in Asia and Malaysia...we do have small scale celebration as well. Coupled with weekend just by the corner, I'm sure you will enjoy the weekend if you happens to meet some wierd scary people in scary make-ups and costumes.... Happy Halloween 2008 !!!

Petrol prices cut by 15 sen per litre frfom 1st Nov

PUTRAJAYA: Petrol and diesel prices will go down 15 sen a litre from 12.01am on Saturday - the fourth reduction since August.

The new price of a litre of RON97 will be RM2.15 from RM2.30; RON92 will be RM2.05 from RM2.20; and diesel will be RM2.05 from RM2.20.

The prices will be reduced so that the people could enjoy the benefit of the recent drastic drop in global fuel prices, said Prime Minister Datuk Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a statement on Friday.

The Star reported on Friday that petrol price will go down by 15sen and that petrol dealers expect another round of price cuts on Nov 15.

The Star 31 October 2008

MotoGP 2008 comes to an end...

Finally, the curtain is down for the MotoGP 2008 season. In the final race of the calendar year at Valencia last Sunday, Ducati's 2007 champion Casey Stoner emerged comfortable winner ahead of local favourite Dani Pedrosa and 2008 champion Valentino Rossi. I do really enjoy this season, mainly because my hero Rossi captured back his title that he lost 2 seasons ago...

Above is the final standing for the 2008 season. Rossi will be there again next season to defend his title but there are many emerging talents youngsters trying to grab the title away from Rossi. I reckons it's not going to be easy again for Rossi. Let's wait for 2009 for now :(

Humble Beginnings' Mille Crepes

Someone actually ordered one of these mille crepes (french vanilla flavor) to our office for us and I got my chances to a few cubes of it. Boy it was damn tasty and delicious. I just love it. This business is still new in Penang, it's only been here for 2 months. Currently they are only doing delivery services to the east coast of Penang through phone or online order.

For girls out there that are afraid of fat, these crepes will not suits you since it's very creamy. But for me, even though I know I'm fat, I just couldn't resist it. They are currently promotion for the first 3 months of operation in Penang. First 5 customers that called through and order, it will be absolutely free, the next five gets 75% discounts, and 5 after that is 50% and finally 15th to 20th callers gets 25% off.

Price starts from rm55 and if you wanna find out more, do check out their website at http://www.humblebeginnings.com.my. YUMMY YUMMY !!!

Happy Post Deepavali...Back to work...

Sorry guys for not posting this message up on time due to me lying sick a few days back. I was sick during the Deepavali holidays...so pretty much resting at home on the bed...anyway, was extremely tired when I went back to work yesterday...now feel a lot better but still my flu and cough wouldn't run away...sigh...

Oil falls to 16-month lows...but is the Government listening?

Haiz...as the world crude oil keeps on falling, our government keeps on pretending to be unaware of the situation and only decrease the price of petrol bit by bit. What a shame...when the petrol price go up, they quickly increased it by 78 cents, but when comes to reducing the price, it was only done by 10-15 cents....As I'm typing this post right now, the price of crude oil per barrel is at USD 67.40...so Malaysia government, where are you?

NEW YORK:: Oil prices tumbled below $67 a barrel to 16-month lows Wednesday after the government reported big increases in U.S. fuel stockpiles - more evidence that the economic downturn is drying up energy demand.

The Energy Information Administration said crude inventories jumped by 3.2 million barrels last week, above the 2.9 million barrel increase expected by analysts surveyed by energy research firm Platts.

Gasoline inventories rose by 2.7 million barrels last week, and inventories of distillates, which include heating oil and diesel, rose by 2.2 million barrels.

Over the last four weeks, the EIA said, motor gasoline demand was down 4.3 percent from the same period last year. Distillate fuel demand was down 5.8 percent, and jet fuel demand was down 9.2 percent.

Light, sweet crude for December delivery fell $5.43 to settle at $66.75 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, after falling as low as $66.20.

It was the lowest close for a front-month contract since June 13, 2007, when crude settled at $66.26.

On London's ICE futures exchange, Brent crude fell $5.20 to $64.52 a barrel.
"The main theme here that's driving this market into new low ground is demand deterioration,'' said Jim Ritterbusch, president of energy consultancy Ritterbusch and Associates.

"As we begin to see evidence that demand is leveling - it doesn't have to increase, just level - then we can start discussing a possible price bottom. But it appears premature at this point.''

The news article is from The Star 23 Oct

Storm wreaks havoc in Penang

My oh my...what is happening to our beloved Penang !!! What's wrong with the weather? It has become such unpredictable....Everyday raining, heavy rain and long downpours....creating massive jam and everything got delayed or stucked. Even I myself have to be wet wet when reaching home and can't go for my jogging after work...

GEORGE TOWN: Stormy weather wreaked havoc in various parts of Penang, causing a landslide in Paya Terubong and rough seas along Pantai Bersih in Butterworth.

At Tingkat Paya Terubong 2, tonnes of earth came crashing down a hill onto the grounds of the Taman Terubong Jaya apartments where over 1,000 residents were staying.

The landslide, which occurred during heavy rain at about 2.45am yesterday, caused the retaining wall to collapse and turned the apartment car park into a muddy waterway.

At least two cars were buried under the earth while gushing water from the hill shifted at least four other cars from their parked position.

Engineer Teh Han Cheow, 34, could only watch in despair as firemen tried to salvage his two-year-old Honda City which was completely buried under earth.

“I just spent RM800 on Tuesday to replace the tyres. I thought parking my car behind the retaining wall would be the safest spot but it has turned out otherwise,” he said, adding that this was the third time a landslide had occurred in the vicinity.

In Seberang Prai, strong waves pounded Pantai Bersih in Bagan Ajam, damaging concrete pavements and causing cracks at a seafood restaurant.

Boats moored at sea escaped damage but giant waves of up to 2m high hit the porch of eight fishermen shacks and the restaurant.

State meteorological department director Loh Eng Kee said people living in the northern states should expect heavy rain in the late afternoon and at night for the next few days.

“We are still in the inter-monsoon period but rainfall this year has been at least 40% more than last year.

“The seas will be rough if you are coming from Langkawi to Penang, with waves as high as 1.5m to 2.5m.

“Those living in the Bagan Ajam coastal areas should be on alert,” he said.

Penang Drainage and Irrigation Department director Hanapi Mohamad Noor said the water levels near Sungai Muda, Pinang Tunggal and Ladang Victoria on the mainland were being monitored.

Sourced from The Star Oct 23.

TOP 10 Tips for Completing a Marathon from ACE

Here is ACE's (American Council on Exercise) TOP 10 tips for completing a marathon:

1. Get in shape
Make sure that your muscles and tendons are ready to handle the added stress of a high-volume running programs.

2. Slowly increase your mileage
Start with not more than 10km and increase your mileage by 10-15 per cent every week.

3. Vary your training
Be sure to follow a speed-work or hill day with a lighter training day or a rest day.

4. Slow down for long runs
Your pace for distance runs should be 30 seconds to two minutes slower than your average training pace.

5. Rest
Give your body enough time to recover from long, hard runs (24- to 48-hour time between runs is when your body repairs and replenishes your muscles and gains strength).

6. Wear proper running shoes
Support your feet with appropriate shoes because a runner's foot hits the ground about 1,500 times per mile (1.6km) while absorbing two-and-a-half to three times your body weight each step.

7. Dress appropriately for the weather
Choose clothing and socks that wick away moisture and keep your skin dry.

8. Adjust your diet
Figure out ahead of time what food and fluids work best for you as fueling before, during and after your run is essential to prevent a lack of energy.

9. Stay hydrated
Start every training run well-hydrated and try to consume water or sports drink containing electrolytes every 10 to 15 minutes if possible.

10. Stay focused and positive
Run with a relaxed and positive mindset. Focus on your goals and how good you feel after completing it.

Post KWYP City Run 2008: Another lucky draw...on borrowed luck again :)

Hehe...at last Sunday's City Run 2008, I have won another prize again. As the above picture shown, it was baby diapers which is of course not useful to me. We finished the run early at 8+am, and then after waited for our whole group to arrive, we went over to one of the shops opposite Prangin Mall to have our dim sum breakfast. Some of them past their lucky draw coupon to me before they left, and me by myself alone went back to the finishing area with 5 coupons for the lucky draw. It was already underway when I arrive there, and finally when I just got myself a nice shady place to wait while typing sms to my gal, one of my coupon number got called !!! I quickly put my hp back to my pocket and went in front to receive my gift. I waited for the whole draw to finish, but it was no double luck for me. Nevertheless, I'm happy that I've got something from lucky draw again....hopefully still can get some before the turn of the year...hehehe.

On to the run itself, it started right on time at around 730am. Hands clapping were so great when Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng arrived to flag us off. This is the first time I see people are really cheering for YAB that flag off for any event. It also proved how much people of Penang likes him and how popular he is.

Throughout the run, I was running together with my ex-colleague John, and he really did a good job in encouraging me to keep up together with him and continue without stopping. We did even managed to chit chat during the run :) I finished the run in 39 mins, well...not that fast compared to my hiking gang and others that I've known but true to myself, I'm very much satisfied with my performance. At least I didn't give up halfway and walk !!! No muscle cramp, no extreme tiredness and I feel good, so hopefully it's a good sign for my upcoming Tanjung 10km, Penang Bridge Half Marathon and Starwalk events....cheers ;)

The dangers of great usability

This was from an email forwarded to me by my ex-colleague. The title of the email and the comic shows it all. In our advanced world of technology, anything is possible with just a click on the mouse button. Financial, assets, security, travels, work, you name it and it's all available with the touch of a button. Usability is the word, so just be careful not to review your information to others especially if you are using shared computers or shared devices. Good luck !!!

The new MCA line-up

Following are the new line up list for MCA after last Saturday's election:

President Datuk Ong Tee Keat

Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek

Vice President

Datuk Kong Cho Ha
Datuk Liow Tiong Lai

Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen

Tan Yi @ Tan Kok Hong

Central Committee Members

1. Lee Wei Kiat

2. Datuk Wong Foon Meng

3. Datuk Tan Chai Ho

4. Tan Cheng Liang

5. Dr Hou Kok Chung

6. Lee Chee Leong

7. Gan Ping Shou @ Gan Ping Sieu

8. Datuk Yu Chok Tow

9. Wong Nai Chee

10. Lee Sing Chooi

11. Wee Jeck Seng

12. Gan Tian Loo

13. Datuk Dr Yeow Chai Thiam

14. Datuk Chong Itt Chew

15. Datuk Hoh Khai Mun

16. Datuk Ti Lian Ker

17. Datuk Liew Yuen Keong

18. Datuk Wong Mook Leong

19. Kong Sing Chu

20. Datuk Khoo Keok Hai

21. Datuk Tee Siew Kiong

22. Loh Seng Kok

23. Datuk Wong Siong Hwee

24. Dr Por Choo Chor

25. Datuk Loke Yuen Yow

Nicol regains the World Open crown

MANCHESTER: Malaysian superstar Nicol David completed the double atonement she has been seeking for an entire year when she won back the World Open title and captured it for a third time here yesterday.

The world number one endured a career crisis last year when she lost both the British and World Open titles and had set her heart on getting them back this year.

Having regained the British Open five months ago in Liverpool, she now repeated the achievement at the Tour’s most important tournament, beating the surprise finalist from England, Vicky Botwright 5-11, 11-1, 11-6, 11-9.

Nicol first won the World Open title in Hong Kong in 2005 and retained it the following year in Belfast. But she suffered a shock second-round defeat by Shelley Kitchen of New Zealand in Madrid last year.

The victory for Nicol yesterday was her eighth consecutive title this season and it took her unbeaten run to 43 matches.

She was the winner at the Apawamis, the Kuala Lumpur Open, British Open, Seoul Open, Malaysian Open, Singapore Masters and the Dutch Open. - AFP

-The Star 20th Oct 2008-

My new hiking shoes :)

It's been awhile since I said and determined to get myself a new pair of shoe for hiking. After all, my old pair was already 2+ years and there's no more grips on it (I have slipped few times and nearly fall down a couple of times during my regular Sat hike). Furthermore, the front of that old one on both side have already torn out, I guess it was about time to have a new pair.

With the old pair, I was really afraid to go for hiking especially now that it's rainy seasons. This new pair was bought by my friend from Taiwan (it's better and much cheaper coz Timberland brand shoes in Malaysia are way overpriced), and I got it from him for very very cheap nia :) It was love at first sight the moment I saw it. Just few a bit wasted that such a nice branded expensive shoes will be use for my rough hike. Maybe I was not very used to it, causing my toes so much pain and the back of my both ankles got blisters during my hike last Saturday. It's now covered with plasters....haha. A new shoes finally....hopefully will be used to it soon :)

Last running before City Run 2008

Finally I have completed my last training run before this Sunday's Kwong Wah Yit Poh City Run 2008. Well, I'm not really that confident that I can run well in this 10km run coming Sunday, but nevertheless, I cannot complain much given that I do not have good stamina and the nature of my excessive sweating. Not the runner type anyway. My legs are tired now, so I considered myself finished my preparation for this Sunday. Of course I will rest tomorrow and then Saturday morning will go for my usual hiking and then ready for Sunday's 730am run....finger crossed that I will be OK for the run....hehe.

Malaysian attitude...we never change, do we?

We Malaysian had been quite famous and always ranked among the top in the world whenever there are any survey or study regarding our rakyat's attitude and hospitality. Top of the world that is in terms of the worst fared nations or countries with one of the worst scores. I still remembered the phrase "Mind Our Own Backyard" back when I was a kid which truly summed up our doing when it comes to our house surrounding.

We are a developing nation, and I have to agree that we do improved a lot in terms of technology and the change of lifestyle. But then again it all comes back down to our human behavior if we are to reach Vision 2020. If we do not improve and change our attitude, our nation will forever not being able to stand on par with developed nations.

The 4 comic strips I copied from Kee's World cartoon from Star newspaper for the past week shows it all. In fact, this comic is so famous it's due to the fact that the artist who drew all these strips constantly focus on our daily lifes, news and changes that are very much related to us. So for the sake of our next generations to come, please improve and work together towards Vision 2020...

Petrol price reduced: Happy or numb?

I don't know if I should be happy or sad when I read this news. Check it out:

KUALA LUMPUR: Petrol prices will be reduced by a further 10sen to 20sen from Wednesday.
RON 97 petrol is reduced by 15sen to RM2.30; RON 92 petrol is reduced by 10sen to RM2.20; and diesel is reduced by 20sen to RM2.20.
A post on the Prime Minister's Office website (wwww.pmo.gov.my) said the decision was made following the marked drop in the global oil price of late.
"The lowering of the fuel prices is also made to speed up the reduction of retail prices so that the people will be able to enjoy the benefits sooner," the post added.
The statement was signed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The previous two reductions were on Aug 23 and Sept 24.

I do get this news from 2 friends at about 5pm saying that most likely the price will go down by 15 cents tomorrow and straight away I went to check the news but there were no announcements but moments later, it was reported in the news. RM2.30 per litre??? I still don't think it's the fair price...

News cut from Star Online 14 Oct 2008

my Office Alone version

Have you ever work until so late that in the end, you are the only one left in the office? Well, I had in the past but it was years ago back at my old work place. But then again you got to have the 2nd time after the 1st one right? I had one again yesterday - my very first time at my new office :)

Well, I was supposed to be leaving office early today. First reason is that the whole week so far has been raining and I couldn't do any jogging as usual for my next week's run preparation...kinda sad liao. 2nd reason is that I'm damn stucked with my work and I just couldn't get the solution even though been trying for the whole day :( Went to changed my clothes around 6pm but then....rains again...so again no running for this week and can't go back home...sigh.

Went back to my desk, switched on back my laptop and continue to work as my colleagues already went out to eat seafood and US counterpart at "Hai Boey". Again opened up my project and try to solve the damn sickening problem...Luckily I did make myself a cup of hot milo, else I will be hungry with no dinner yet. Finally after 2+ hours trying with the same fail outcome, I decided to call it a day with the rain still falling to go home and have my rest....what a day...

Mayhem in Asian markets on 9th Oct 2008

I think I do not need to explain more. The whole world knows it. The picture says it. Asian markets is falling like water running down the stream. There are more to come. This is a truly a disaster financial crisis. For the 2nd day running, the Indonesia Stock Exchange close it's market to reassure itself. The whole market across Asia are covered in RED...

Canada dropped from next year's F1 calendar

It's confirmed !!! The Canadian grand prix will be missing from the Formula One calendar next year. Personally, I love this track as the most environmental friendly circuit. It's so fun watching those car zooming along the greenish trees :)

This year's Canadian Grand Prix was the race in Montreal as the FIA announced the 2009 Formula One calendar on Tuesday afternoon. The Canadian Grand Prix was absent for the first time since it first hosted the race back in 1987.

The 2009 F1 season counts a total of 18 races and sees the season begin in Melbourne, Australia at the end of March and the season will come to an end November 15 in Abu Dhabi.
The full calendar for F1 2009:

29 March Australia

5 April Malaysia

19 April Bahrain

10 May Spain

24 May Monaco

7 June Turkey

21 June Great Britain

28 June France

12 July Germany

26 July Hungary

23 August Europe (Valencia)

30 August Belgium

13 September Italy

27 September Singapore

11 October Japan

18 October China

1 November Brazil

15 November Abu Dhabi

The Whole World is Shaking...worst since 1997 financial turmoil...

Just some notes for everyone...the market is falling everyday in the US and it's affecting the whole world...US700b financial bail out by the government isn't working or giving any cushion to the market...we are in the big big trouble...save cash, stop putting money into shares and funds...

SOME OF THE KEY POINTS OF THE SITUATION:
# European shares post their worst day on record, the Dow slips below 10,000 points and Asian stocks down 5 per cent
# Oil falls below US$90 a barrel
# Euro falls the most against the yen since its debut
# Bonds gain on safety bid as global equity markets plunge

Monday Blues after Raya Holidays

It's 6th October 2008, well it doesn't really matter what date it is but more importantly it's Monday again. Normally many people doesn't like this day simply because it's the first day of work after the weekend. Most of us will still felt hangover from the weekends, not wanting to wake up in the morning and can't get into the working mood today. It's the Monday blues and normally it's the most unproductive day of the week in the office.
Today is a bit special for the fact that it's just after the Raya holidays and since many took last Friday off to enjoy the long 5 days off (2 days public holidays and 2 days weekend) and this adds to the Monday blues. From time to time, I can hear yawning sounds across the cubicles in the office today. Even me myself felt my left eyes were constantly in teary form as the result of football yesterday night till 12pm. Nevertheless, it was a great game between Man City and Liverpool with Liverpool came back from 2 goals down to win the game 3-2.

As usual, many people will get off from work today since it's very tired working on Monday after the well rested weekend. But surprisingly, there were quite heavy traffic jams by the time I left for home around 7+pm which normally happens at around 6pm on Monday evening. My guess will be that of those extra cars because of the raining season. Bayan Lepas area didn't rain today but my house area in Ayer Itam did. Just pray for no rain when I go to work in the morning and during the evening... :)

No Luck with World No 1 for LCW ???

Ever since Datuk Lee Chong Wei got his Datukship, rm300,000 plus rm3,000 allowance per month from the Beijing Olympic silver medalist effort and risen up to the World Number 1 ranking in the BWF men's single, luck is not really on his side. In his first tournament as the world number one 2 weeks ago, he failed to justify his ranking when he lost tamely to Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia in the Japan Open finals. Blaming hectic and tiredness, he skipped the China Masters last week to stay fresh for Macau Open this week.

Well, without any major competitors, he managed to reached the final once again as expected. However, in the match that finished just few hours ago, he again fails to win the title as world number one and lost tamely to Taufik Hidayat 19-21, 15-21. Taufik rececntly admitted that he's not at his best anymore but what about our Datuk Lee? Has fame really gotten into him and affected his game? I really hope not given that our men's single department is really lacking of noticable hopes apart from him...

Taufik back on form??? Or really it's Datuk Lee losing it???