Sunday, November 28, 2010

Dollar~~

Dollar weakness has helped drive commodity and oil prices upward.

Commodity and oil prices are often inversely correlated with the dollar.

A stronger US currency depresses the purchasing power of holders of other currencies, while a weaker greenback renders oil gold or copper imports cheaper.

Car Types

A cabriolet (or cabrio)
- a car body style that has a removable or retracting roof and rear window, known in America more commonly as "convertible". Soft tops are usually made of vinyl or canvas, and folding plastic rear windows are common. Owing to the issue of body flex, cabriolets almost always have only two doors.
http://www.auto123.com/media/videos/specs/2009/audi/en/a4_cabrio.jpg
A roadster
-two-seat, open car, traditionally without side windows (possibly with pluggable doortops), so that even with the lightweight convertible top raised the driver and passenger remain exposed to the elements. In modern times, the word is often used to describe a two-seat convertible without fixed window frames, especially a light-weight sportscar. Here, the use of the name 'roadster' is more a marketing than a technical one, invoking the feeling of an open-top machine for enjoyment, like those of the past.
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/z4/z4/2009/allfacts/design/_shared/img/retractable_hardtop.jpg

Horsepower
- car top speed, which it can attain.

Torque
-ability of an engine to move the weight of the car forward
-
trucks engine must have a lot of torque to move the truck forward
-
ability to get going from a stopped start and also to get from a moving condition to a faster speed

Pick-up
-ability to increase speed regardless of the current speed of the car

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Personal Debt Management

Monthly payment of debt must be no more than 20% of monthly disposable income.

A longer term is measured by total outstanding consumer debt around or less than one third of annual disposable income. It is also known as debt : income ratio.

eg. of consumer debts are hire purchase, mortgage, personal loan and even credit card, just to name the typical ones.

No & Negotiate

A firm 'no' keeps the ulcers away and the hostilities too.

Company Growth

Organic
Expansion through its own business activity. It is also known as internal growth.

Inorganic
Company grows via merger, acquisition or takeover. Can be called as external growth.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Tech Gizmo

Fufufu I just discovered that now computer mouse comes in different designs. I am lagging behind the ever improving technology. The designs were to be convenient for users in a way that they tried to hide away the wire.

So I came across three types of designs that are:
1 - wire mouse
This is the most common one when we first use as it has the chubby wire.



2 - Retractable mouse

Pull and let go.
3 - Uni-retractable mouse
Easy to retrace back the cable.
The USB port is not hidden.

This is even better. Both the wire and the port could be concealed inside the mouse itself.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Words from the Wise

Nelson Mandela

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. the brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

It always seems impossible until it's done. =D

Article by Montblanc CEO

Every Saturday in the morning, I would be more eager than not to flip through the theStar business section just to read about a CEO past. Undoubtedly I would come across a quintessential successful man in life at the top of his or her career.

This is just an extract of the article, which is really meaningful.

When you write with a pen, you are putting your soul on paper. it is more personal. And this is the differentiating factor between handwritten letter and a computer-generated one.
If I really appreciate the person, I will write to the person. More sincerity and trust could be found in hand-written letter.

In today's world, love messages are send by email. With the tip of your finger, the message is sent. In the same way, with the same tip of the finger, the message is deleted.

If people want to write a personal thank you note, they write with their hand. The same when you want to express your emotions.

General

ALL ABOUT Wheel

Changing from a smaller rim size to a larger one would require an owner to switch car tyre to a lower profile tyre. so what is this 'low profile' means?

the characteristics:
Pros:
-accommodate larger rims without altering the original wheel and tyre size (height)
-look sportier
-more responsive/precision (direction change - cornering /braking - bigger brakes can be fitted)
-wider (surface against the road)

Cons:
-have stiffer side wall
-harsher and noisier ride due to running at higher pressure and precision
-more expensive
-get damaged easier by potholes

-fast wearing
-increased risk of rim damage
-wheel arch clearance issue


As a matter of fact, the higher profile tyre has the opposite traits of low profile ones. But its control at high speed is reduced.


Phrases commonly used:


Wheel diameter
Measured at 13-inch and so on.



Sidewall height
Sidewall tire is also known as profile tyre.






How to interpret
the measurement?
P195/65R15


p is for intended use that is passenger car or LT means light truck (often omitted)
195 is the tread width in mm.
65 is the sidewall height which means 65% of tread width.
15 is the wheel inch.

Why a low profile tire?

A lower profile tire is more precise because its sidewall, being shorter and stiffer, will flex less in cornering and transition maneuvers.

This higher rigidity also causes the tire to be less comfortable, because tire sidewalls act like springs whenever they hit pavement irregularities.

A stiffer sidewall will allow the impact to be felt more acutely by the occupants and a shorter one will make the wheel more likely to be damaged in the event of such an impact.


Friday, October 22, 2010

personal investing

there are 2 types of IPO
1 - public issues
issue new shares

2 - offer for sale
existing owners sell their shares to investors


deli / delicatessen
--A shop that sells cooked or prepared foods ready for serving


Bond price
--interest rate and inflation rate rising, adversely affect bond price
--but equity would thrive. an opposite correlation


RMIT?
riches man in town

Fashion

Loafer - a low leather step-in shoe; the top resembles a moccasin but it has a broad flat heel

tassel shoe

suede -sweid
Suede is a finish of leather, rather than a type. You might call suede "inside out" leather, because the surface is the inside of the hide, not the outside (the epidermis).


Hides are split by removing a layer of the rough flesh side, leaving a thinner hide with a smooth finish (the grain side). In creating suede, the flesh side, not the grain side, is the finished side.
Suede is expensive, difficult to clean and fairly delicate

Linen


cotton lint



Cashmere
a fine soft wool from goats of the Kashmir area
A soft fabric made of this wool
provides a natural light-weight insulation without bulk







Saturday, September 25, 2010

Health

Blood Sugar Count
Normal glucose levels fall between 70 and 150 mg
lower in the morning, and rise after meals

above 150 are indicative of hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar

below 70, characterize hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar

Symptoms of this condition
lethargy, impaired mental functioning, irritability and loss of consciousness

A blood glucose test measures the amount of glucose in the bloodstream
different types of glucose tests
'fasting blood sugar' test
- checks glucose levels after an eight-hour fast and is often the first test performed when checking for diabetes
- levels have to fall between 70 and 99 in order to be considered normal
Link



Blood Pressure
The 1st Number: Systolic pressure is the pressure generated when the heart contracts.
The 2nd Number:
Diastolic pressure is the blood pressure when the heart is relaxed.

the higher your blood pressure, the higher your risk of health problems

High Blood Pressure - Hypertension
blood pressure readings are consistently 140 over 90, or higher
Factors causing it
  • you eat too much salt;
  • you don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables;
  • you are not active enough;
  • you are overweight; or
  • you drink too much alcohol.
puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels
This can cause them to become weaker or damaged

Low Blood Pressure - Hypotension
Only one of the numbers has to be lower than it should be to count as low blood pressure
a level that is 90/60mmHg, or lower.

Usually, having low blood pressure is not a cause for concern. However, sometimes your blood pressure can drop to a point where you may feel faint or dizzy.
Link1

Friday, September 17, 2010

EVOO from Mediterranean

Olive Oil
a fruit oil from olives, extracted by pressing or crushing the olives.
the varieties of olive oil are the result of different amount of processing done.


Extra virgin olive oil
Most outstanding among the other, more processed olive oils like virgin, pure and extra light olive oil.
Because EVOO is considered non-filtered or cold pressed oil.
the word 'extra' is derived from the first pressing of the olives.
the term 'virgin' means it is not subjected to filtration, modification or alteration in any way.
it is the most robust, flavourful and wholesome of edible oils.
and the most antioxidant.


Virgin olive
it is obtained through second pressing of the olives.

Pure olive oil
it undergoes some processing like filtering, refining and adding a little evoo to the refined oil.

Extra light olive oil
it goes through a considerable processing and only retains a very mild olive flavour

Therefore anything other than evoo and virgin oil would require specific processing treatment.

Olive oil has exceptionally myriad health benefits and wonderful flavour. it works wonder on the food.

http://www.gaiaherbs.com/images_herbs/Olive_Leaf.jpg

Friday, September 10, 2010

Malaysia Car Number Plate

Most common in my area
W - KL

T - Terengganu
P - Penang
N - N9
M - Malacca
L - Labuan
KV - Kedah and Langkawi
K - Kedah
J - Johor

D - Kelantan
C - Pahang
B - Selangor
A - Perak
R - Perlis

Putrajaya

Malaysia IC Code

First 6 digits are your DOB.

Centre 2-digit is your place of birth.
Johor 01,21,22,23,24
Kedah 02, 25, 26, 27
Kelantan 03, 28, 29
Melaka 04, 30
Negeri Sembilan 05, 31,59
Pahang 06, 32, 33
Pulau Pinang 07, 34, 35
Perak 08, 36, 37, 38, 39
Perlis 09, 40
Selangor 10, 41, 42, 43, 44
Terengganu 11, 45, 46
Sabah 12, 47, 48, 49
Sarawak 13, 50, 51, 52, 53
Wilayah Persekutuan (KL) 14, 54, 55, 56, 57
Wilayah Persekutuan (Labuan) 15, 58
Wilayah Persekutuan (Putrajaya) 16
Unknown Country 82

Last number and its last digit represents the gender.
Male = odd
Female = even

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Visa and Mastercard

They are the leading companies in providing credit card. But they do not issue out credit cards.

So what are they? They are just different methods of payments. They rely on the banks to issue credit cards which make use of their methods.

And how do they earn money? They charge the retailer who uses their service.

therefore the interest charges annual fees and whatnot are from the banks themselves.

Failure....

Failure shall never exist in the our own dictionary. It is just another result and from the result, we learn and have them as the stepping stones to success.

We come across obstacles. But it is not what knocks you down but how you pick yourself up that matters.

Life is an art

The choices we make change our lives. A perfect life begins with the right choice.

Setbacks are inevitable in life's journey.

If we keep an eye on our mission, we can overcome the obstacles. When we greet life's challenges with an uncanny and can-do spirit, achieving our dreams is possible.

Science

Phytochemicals / Phytonutrients
Both can be used interchangeably. The word 'phyto' in Greek means plant.

They are not necessary for our body and so it would not result in diseases due to deficiency. They are unlike vitamins and not vitamins.

Unlike vitamins and enzymes, they will not be destroyed by the preparation methods. Chances are the preparations could cause them to be more readily available.


Oxidation / Free radicals
Both stand the same.

Oxygen is Zeus and oxidation is the Devil.

Oxygen
--chemically reactive and unstable upon biochemical reactions
--oxidizes its other molecules like rusting iron and sliced apple turns brown

Oxidation
--molecule with a lost electron, rendering it unstable
--damage cells with toxin as end product
--eg. cancer-causing free radicals are called carcinogenic

Antioxidant
--most powerful phytochemical
--molecule with several detachable electrons and stable after releasing
--donates 1 electron to free radicals, neutralizing it to be harmless

Carotenoid
--beta carotene ( contains pigment)
--absord + convert to vitamin A and antioxidant
--taken in excess will decolourised your skin

New Stuff

Parsnips
1. Balanced potassium, phosphorus and vitamin C
--aka beauty food cause strengthen hair, nail and skin quality
-- a threat to acne or skin disorders
2. low in calories
--great substitute for potato and other starchy dishes
3. Chlorine and Phosphorus
--improve lung, diuretic, anti athritic and detox

Avocado aka nature's butter
1. More protein than other fruit
2. More monounsaturated fat, vit E, folate, potassium adn fiber
3. More antioxidant lutein(carotenoid)
--protect arteries hardening, eyes cataract and macular degeneration

Banana
1. Green unripe
--its fibre reduces bad cholesterol
--increases good one by 30%
2. Ripe
--best to soothe upset stomach
3. Relieve heartburn and reduces stroke risk

Pomegranates
1. Packed with disease fighting antioxidant
2. Reduce plague build-up in arteries by 44%

Apples
1. Highest nutrition by eating the skin
2. Reduce cholesterol, heart attack and lung cancer
--eat everyday

Parsley
1. Powerhouse of nutrients
--rejuvenate and detox
2. Breath sweetener
--consume raw
3. Stressbuster
--effective in reducing depression, lower cholesterol and strengthen kidney
4. Relieve rheumatism and PMS

Coriander leaves / Chinese parsley / cilantro
1. Relief of anxiety and insomnia
2. Coriander juice mix with turmeric power or mint juice
--acne fight
3. Aids in digestion and helps settle the stomach and prevent flatulence

4. Prevents nausea

Cinnamon

1. Ancient spice
--relieve bloating and stabilize blood sugar
--contains methylhydroxy chalone polymer(MHCP) which cranks up sugar breakdown
2. Assist insulin release effieciently
--slow ageing and ward off diabetes and obesity
--soak cinnamon stick in tea or sprinkle its powder over food

Oats
1. Complex carbohydrates
--maintains energy level through the day
2. Boost stress resistance
3. Soothe nervousness and digestive systems
4. Diminish fag cravings
5. Stabilize blood sugar level

Tomatoes
1. Low calorie fruit
2. Abundant phytochemicals
--boost immune defences
3. Rich in Vit C and B
4. Lyconpene
--protect against cancer
--cooked tomatoes have more than raw
5. Most nutrition
--in the skin
6. Cherry tomatoes
--More nutritious than its larger brother

Almonds

1. Reduce cholesterol and heart diseases risks
2. 2 ounces give more than 50% daily magnesium requirement

Garlic
1. Rich source of sulphur
--keep body chemistry in balance
--fight infections, decelerate cholesterol production and lower blood cholesterol
2. Fight cancer
3. Improve liver and gall bladder actions

Broccoli
1. Twice protein as much as steak
--11.2g per 100g
2. One of most nature potent superfoods
--effective against cancer heart diseases or serious ones
--sulforaphane eliminate carcinogens
4. Helps metabolize oestrogen to stave off breast cancer

Saturday, February 13, 2010

1st Day in Aus =D

Ma, Bra and Me waiting in the hospital


Snapping with my newfound camera, actually my bro one


Another one *click*

Hi!! I'm Not Sick At All

Dozens of eggs