So this mobile message bring a stark reminder.
Simply translated - if you don't work hard today, you will be working hard looking for a new job tomorrow.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
A Timely Reminder
Retrenchments are now so common that salaried people are living day to day, not knowing what tomorrow bring.
So this mobile message bring a stark reminder.
Simply translated - if you don't work hard today, you will be working hard looking for a new job tomorrow.
So this mobile message bring a stark reminder.
Simply translated - if you don't work hard today, you will be working hard looking for a new job tomorrow.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Economy Watch
Non Oil Domestic Export.
NODX 2009 - Year on Year
-20.8 percent in December 2008 - S$10.47 billion
-34.8 percent in January 2009 - S$10.04 billion
-23.8 percent in February 2009 - S$12.87 billion
-17.3 percent in March 2009 - S$11.88 billion
-19.2 per cent in April 2009 - S$11.32 billion
-12.1 per cent in May 2009 - S$10.94 billion
-11.0 per cent in June 2009 - S$11.38 billion
- 8.5 per cent in July 2009 - S$12.08 billion
- 7.1 per cent in August 2009 - S$12.1 billion
To date this is the 16th straight month of decline of export, an indicator for economic activity, since manufacturing for export makes up a substantial chunk of the economy.
The shrinkage look like slowing down though.
This report may indicates that recovery is anywhere near.
NODX 2009 - Year on Year
-20.8 percent in December 2008 - S$10.47 billion
-34.8 percent in January 2009 - S$10.04 billion
-23.8 percent in February 2009 - S$12.87 billion
-17.3 percent in March 2009 - S$11.88 billion
-19.2 per cent in April 2009 - S$11.32 billion
-12.1 per cent in May 2009 - S$10.94 billion
-11.0 per cent in June 2009 - S$11.38 billion
- 8.5 per cent in July 2009 - S$12.08 billion
- 7.1 per cent in August 2009 - S$12.1 billion
To date this is the 16th straight month of decline of export, an indicator for economic activity, since manufacturing for export makes up a substantial chunk of the economy.
The shrinkage look like slowing down though.
This report may indicates that recovery is anywhere near.
Monday, August 24, 2009
7th Month
A ministerial meeting on haze pollution in Southeast Asia on 19 August 2009 agreed to ban all open burning in the region.
This ban comes into effect and coincide with the chinese 7th month festival. Burning of joss and "hell" money is traditionally carried out throughout the month. So far the ban seem to concentrate on the open burning activities mainly in Indonesia.
Why do chinese burn hell notes or currency ?
The word "hell" is said to be introduced to the Chinese by Christian missionaries who told the Chinese that non-Christians go to "hell" when they die. Buddhist and Taoist considered hell the initial destination of the soul of the dead regardless of his or her virtue during life.
So to ensure that the deceased has lots of good things in their afterlife, joss paper which include credit cards, houses, cars, servants are burned. Hell money notes are known for their outrageous denominations ranging from $10,000 to $5,000,000,000.
In 2006, China ban at least the more extreme forms of joss paper, such as MP3 players, planes, boats and even paper condoms, paper prostitutes and well, paper Viagra.
But true Buddhism strongly discouraged the practice of burning joss paper to the deceased as they have no use for material possessions upon reaching either a heaven or hell realm.
This ban comes into effect and coincide with the chinese 7th month festival. Burning of joss and "hell" money is traditionally carried out throughout the month. So far the ban seem to concentrate on the open burning activities mainly in Indonesia.
Why do chinese burn hell notes or currency ?
The word "hell" is said to be introduced to the Chinese by Christian missionaries who told the Chinese that non-Christians go to "hell" when they die. Buddhist and Taoist considered hell the initial destination of the soul of the dead regardless of his or her virtue during life.
So to ensure that the deceased has lots of good things in their afterlife, joss paper which include credit cards, houses, cars, servants are burned. Hell money notes are known for their outrageous denominations ranging from $10,000 to $5,000,000,000.
In 2006, China ban at least the more extreme forms of joss paper, such as MP3 players, planes, boats and even paper condoms, paper prostitutes and well, paper Viagra.
But true Buddhism strongly discouraged the practice of burning joss paper to the deceased as they have no use for material possessions upon reaching either a heaven or hell realm.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Perfect Disasters
Is it imagination or is it real that natural disasters lately are more frequent, more destructive and more deadlier ?
Together with the internet and live TV feeds, the severity of these extreme weather events are dramatised, something not seen in this lifetime.
The 2004 tsunami killed more than 200,000 people lining the India Ocean. Tsunami of such a scale has not been recorded since modern times.
In 2005 hurricane Katrina incapacitated New Orleans, killing 1800 residents, something beyond the wildest imagination happening to the jazz capital of the world. Katrina was described as the most destructive hurricane ever to make landfall.
And the 2008 Sichuan earthquake flattened thousands of buildings and killed 70,000 people mostly children.
Nargis was a severe tropical cyclone that caused the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of Myanmar.
The cyclone made landfall on May 2, 2008, causing catastrophic destruction and at least 146,000 deaths with thousands more people still missing.
This year 2009 saw typhoon Morakot sweeping through Taiwan burying hillside villages as it leaves a trail of destruction.
Beside loss of lives, the economic losses are expected to to hit US$65 billion annually. As the climate changes, more extreme weather events can be expected. And all we can do is wait. There is absolutely nothing human beings can do to prevent them from happening.
Together with the internet and live TV feeds, the severity of these extreme weather events are dramatised, something not seen in this lifetime.
The 2004 tsunami killed more than 200,000 people lining the India Ocean. Tsunami of such a scale has not been recorded since modern times.
In 2005 hurricane Katrina incapacitated New Orleans, killing 1800 residents, something beyond the wildest imagination happening to the jazz capital of the world. Katrina was described as the most destructive hurricane ever to make landfall.
And the 2008 Sichuan earthquake flattened thousands of buildings and killed 70,000 people mostly children.
Nargis was a severe tropical cyclone that caused the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of Myanmar.The cyclone made landfall on May 2, 2008, causing catastrophic destruction and at least 146,000 deaths with thousands more people still missing.
This year 2009 saw typhoon Morakot sweeping through Taiwan burying hillside villages as it leaves a trail of destruction.Beside loss of lives, the economic losses are expected to to hit US$65 billion annually. As the climate changes, more extreme weather events can be expected. And all we can do is wait. There is absolutely nothing human beings can do to prevent them from happening.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Food as Medicine
This interesting article is taken off the www and should make healthy reading.
Slice a mushroom in half and it resembles the shape of the human ear. And guess what? Adding it to your cooking could actually improve your hearing. That’s because mushrooms are one of the few foods in our diet that contain vitamin D. This particular vitamin is important for healthy bones, even the tiny ones in the ear that transmit sound to the brain.
Close-up, the tiny green tips on a broccoli head look like hundreds of cancer cells. Now scientists know this disease-busting veg can play a crucial role in preventing the disease. Last year, a team of researchers at the US National Cancer Institute found just a weekly serving of broccoli was enough to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 45 per cent. In Britain, prostate cancer kills one man every hour.
Ginger, commonly sold in supermarkets,often looks just like the stomach. So it’s interesting that one of its biggest benefits is aiding digestion. The Chinese have been using it for over 2,000 years to calm the stomach and cure nausea, while it is also a popular remedy for motion sickness. But the benefits could go much further. Tests on mice at the University of Minnesota found injecting the chemical that gives ginger its flavour slowed down the growth rate of bowel tumours.
Cheese is not just good for your bones, it even resembles their internal structure. And like most cheeses, it is a rich source of calcium, a vital ingredient for strong bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Together with another mineral called phosphate, it provides the main strength in bones but also helps to ‘power’ muscles.Getting enough calcium in the diet during childhood is crucial for strong bones. A study at Columbia University in New York showed teens who increased calcium intake from 800mg a day to 1200mg – equal to an extra two slices of cheddar - boosted their bone density by six per cent.
Taugay bears an uncanny resemblance to the images we see of ‘swimming’ sperm trying to fertilise an egg. And research from the US suggests they could play an important part in boosting male fertility. A study at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio showed that to make healthy sperm in large quantities, the body needs a good supply of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that protects cells against damage by harmful molecules called free radicals. Just half a cup of bean sprouts provides16 per cent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C for a man. It’s not just dad but baby too who could benefit. Bean sprouts are packed with folate, a vitamin that prevents neural tube defects,where the baby is born with a damaged brain or spine.
OUR lungs are made up of branches of ever-smaller airways that finish up with tiny bunches of tissue called alveoli. These structures, which resemble bunches of grapes, allow oxygen to pass from the lungs to the blood stream.One reason that very premature babies struggle to survive is that these alveoli do not begin to form until week 23 or 24 of pregnancy. A diet high in fresh fruit,such as grapes, has been shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer and emphysema.Grape seeds also contain a chemical called proanthocyanidin, which appears to reduce the severity of asthma triggered by allergy.
A TOMATO is red and usually has four chambers, just like our heart. Tomatoes are also a great source of lycopene, a plant chemical that reduces the risk of heart disease and several cancers.The Women’s Health Study — an American research programme which tracks the health of 40,000 women — found women with the highest blood levels of lycopene had 30 per cent less heart disease than women who had very little lycopene. Lab experiments have also shown that lycopene helps counter the effect of unhealthy LDL cholesterol. One Canadian study, published in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine, said there was “convincing evidence’ that lycopene prevented coronary heart disease.
THE gnarled folds of a walnut mimic the appearance of a human brain - and provide a clue to the benefits.
Walnuts are the only nuts which contain significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. They may also help head off dementia. An American study found that walnut extract broke down the protein-based plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers at Tufts University in Boston found walnuts reversed some signs of brain ageing in rats.
Slice a mushroom in half and it resembles the shape of the human ear. And guess what? Adding it to your cooking could actually improve your hearing. That’s because mushrooms are one of the few foods in our diet that contain vitamin D. This particular vitamin is important for healthy bones, even the tiny ones in the ear that transmit sound to the brain.
Close-up, the tiny green tips on a broccoli head look like hundreds of cancer cells. Now scientists know this disease-busting veg can play a crucial role in preventing the disease. Last year, a team of researchers at the US National Cancer Institute found just a weekly serving of broccoli was enough to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 45 per cent. In Britain, prostate cancer kills one man every hour.
Ginger, commonly sold in supermarkets,often looks just like the stomach. So it’s interesting that one of its biggest benefits is aiding digestion. The Chinese have been using it for over 2,000 years to calm the stomach and cure nausea, while it is also a popular remedy for motion sickness. But the benefits could go much further. Tests on mice at the University of Minnesota found injecting the chemical that gives ginger its flavour slowed down the growth rate of bowel tumours.
Cheese is not just good for your bones, it even resembles their internal structure. And like most cheeses, it is a rich source of calcium, a vital ingredient for strong bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Together with another mineral called phosphate, it provides the main strength in bones but also helps to ‘power’ muscles.Getting enough calcium in the diet during childhood is crucial for strong bones. A study at Columbia University in New York showed teens who increased calcium intake from 800mg a day to 1200mg – equal to an extra two slices of cheddar - boosted their bone density by six per cent.
Taugay bears an uncanny resemblance to the images we see of ‘swimming’ sperm trying to fertilise an egg. And research from the US suggests they could play an important part in boosting male fertility. A study at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio showed that to make healthy sperm in large quantities, the body needs a good supply of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that protects cells against damage by harmful molecules called free radicals. Just half a cup of bean sprouts provides16 per cent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C for a man. It’s not just dad but baby too who could benefit. Bean sprouts are packed with folate, a vitamin that prevents neural tube defects,where the baby is born with a damaged brain or spine.
OUR lungs are made up of branches of ever-smaller airways that finish up with tiny bunches of tissue called alveoli. These structures, which resemble bunches of grapes, allow oxygen to pass from the lungs to the blood stream.One reason that very premature babies struggle to survive is that these alveoli do not begin to form until week 23 or 24 of pregnancy. A diet high in fresh fruit,such as grapes, has been shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer and emphysema.Grape seeds also contain a chemical called proanthocyanidin, which appears to reduce the severity of asthma triggered by allergy.
A TOMATO is red and usually has four chambers, just like our heart. Tomatoes are also a great source of lycopene, a plant chemical that reduces the risk of heart disease and several cancers.The Women’s Health Study — an American research programme which tracks the health of 40,000 women — found women with the highest blood levels of lycopene had 30 per cent less heart disease than women who had very little lycopene. Lab experiments have also shown that lycopene helps counter the effect of unhealthy LDL cholesterol. One Canadian study, published in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine, said there was “convincing evidence’ that lycopene prevented coronary heart disease.
THE gnarled folds of a walnut mimic the appearance of a human brain - and provide a clue to the benefits.
Walnuts are the only nuts which contain significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. They may also help head off dementia. An American study found that walnut extract broke down the protein-based plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers at Tufts University in Boston found walnuts reversed some signs of brain ageing in rats.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Landslides
Ask any geologist and he will readily tell you water and hills are natural arch enemies. The stability of slope will be greatly decreased by uncontrolled water flow.
The Highland Towers collapse on December 11, 1993 in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur when 10 continuos days of rainfall led to a landslide after the retaining wall at the Tower's carpark failed.
Bukit Antarabangsa landslide on December 6, 2008 killed four and flattened 14 bungalows.
But the most tragic disaster happened after Typhoon Morakot brought in two metres of rainfall which cause a landslide so massive the whole village of Hsiao Lin was submerged to the roof, five times over.
The Highland Towers collapse on December 11, 1993 in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur when 10 continuos days of rainfall led to a landslide after the retaining wall at the Tower's carpark failed.
Bukit Antarabangsa landslide on December 6, 2008 killed four and flattened 14 bungalows.
But the most tragic disaster happened after Typhoon Morakot brought in two metres of rainfall which cause a landslide so massive the whole village of Hsiao Lin was submerged to the roof, five times over.Friday, August 14, 2009
Passing of a Legend
The passing of a legend - Les Paul, born Lester William Polsfuss in 1915. He lend his name to the best selling and best sounding guitar developed by Gibson in the 1950s.
All rock guitarists past and present have in one way or another penned and performed their hits using this legendary guitar.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Fireworks
Firework displays are sold as a complete show which include display time, and customizing the type of shells to be used.
Proformance Pyrotechnics Pty Ltd is such a provider of fireworks display for the Singapore NDP.
An example of cost :
London ushered in the new year with an incredible 10 minute long pyrotechnic and light spectacular. The total cost of the display was US$2,500,000, or US$250,000 per minute.
The fireworks display at the 509-meter Taipei 101 cost NT$20 million (US$615,688) creating an unforgettably show. A total of 12,000 rounds of fireworks were launched from the specially illuminated tower for a 188-second show.
Over one million people lined the banks of Sydney Harbour each new year eve to squeeze for the best vantage point to see the dazzling show.
Sydney blew up A$5 million or 5 tons of fireworks to create stunning new effects from Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
What You Eat
There was a food talk show on Rediffusion, yes Rediffusion is still around, and the host mentioned something about not eating watermelon with mutton. The combination can cause stomach pain.
Watermelon is a "cold" food. When taken together with mutton, the "heat," the nourishing effect of the mutton will be dramatically decreased. For those who suffer from asthenia of the spleen, it can harm their energy and upset the spleen and stomach.
But a research by a Texas university show that the humble watermelon is a natural Viagra. Citrulline, the phytochemical can be converted in the body into an amino acid known as arginine, which is known to relax blood vessels much like viagra does.
So here are some do-nots that should be avoided.
When bean curd and spinach are eaten at the same time, they affect absorption of calcium and may lead to blockages in the abdomen. Spinach contains oxalic acid, which can react with the calcium in bean curd in the intestines and form insoluble precipitates of calcium oxalate. The foods taken together affect the absorption of calcium.
Believe it or not, milk and chocolate do not match. While milk is rich in protein and calcium, chocolate contains oxalic acid. Eaten together, the calcium from milk and the oxalic acid of chocolate can combine and form insoluble calcium oxalate, which is not only indigestible but also can cause diarrhea.
Many people like having a sandwich with yogurt. However, ham and bacon in sandwiches, when taken with yogurt, could cause cancer. To extend the preservation of meat products, producers add nitrate to prevent decay and botulinus. But when nitrate meets organic acid, it can turn into nitrosamine, a carcinogen.
Some people might get used to drinking tea after eating crabs, thinking that it is good for the digestion. On the contrary it can cause indigestion. Gastric juices are diluted after drinking tea while eating crabs, and this not only disturbs assimilation but also reduces the ability of the gastric juices to sterilize.
If someone eats prawns and also takes a lot of vitamin C on the same day, he or she is taking a serious risk. Shrimps contain a compound which reacts with vitamin C becoming the poison arsenic.
The ferment in carrot can destroy the vitamin C in the white radish. To get the best nutrition, it is better to eat them separately. So your mother is right after all when she say don't take "chai tow" after drinking herbal soup.
Mutton is a "hot" food, while vinegar is "warm" like alcohol. When the two are cooked together, they can over-activate yang energy and the circulation. Eating mutton and vinegar at the same time harms the heart.
Watermelon is a "cold" food. When taken together with mutton, the "heat," the nourishing effect of the mutton will be dramatically decreased. For those who suffer from asthenia of the spleen, it can harm their energy and upset the spleen and stomach.
But a research by a Texas university show that the humble watermelon is a natural Viagra. Citrulline, the phytochemical can be converted in the body into an amino acid known as arginine, which is known to relax blood vessels much like viagra does.
So here are some do-nots that should be avoided.
When bean curd and spinach are eaten at the same time, they affect absorption of calcium and may lead to blockages in the abdomen. Spinach contains oxalic acid, which can react with the calcium in bean curd in the intestines and form insoluble precipitates of calcium oxalate. The foods taken together affect the absorption of calcium.
Believe it or not, milk and chocolate do not match. While milk is rich in protein and calcium, chocolate contains oxalic acid. Eaten together, the calcium from milk and the oxalic acid of chocolate can combine and form insoluble calcium oxalate, which is not only indigestible but also can cause diarrhea.
Many people like having a sandwich with yogurt. However, ham and bacon in sandwiches, when taken with yogurt, could cause cancer. To extend the preservation of meat products, producers add nitrate to prevent decay and botulinus. But when nitrate meets organic acid, it can turn into nitrosamine, a carcinogen.
Some people might get used to drinking tea after eating crabs, thinking that it is good for the digestion. On the contrary it can cause indigestion. Gastric juices are diluted after drinking tea while eating crabs, and this not only disturbs assimilation but also reduces the ability of the gastric juices to sterilize.
If someone eats prawns and also takes a lot of vitamin C on the same day, he or she is taking a serious risk. Shrimps contain a compound which reacts with vitamin C becoming the poison arsenic.
The ferment in carrot can destroy the vitamin C in the white radish. To get the best nutrition, it is better to eat them separately. So your mother is right after all when she say don't take "chai tow" after drinking herbal soup.
Mutton is a "hot" food, while vinegar is "warm" like alcohol. When the two are cooked together, they can over-activate yang energy and the circulation. Eating mutton and vinegar at the same time harms the heart.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Singapore Housing
Singapore Housing Estates are beginning to look similiar to Hongkong ones both in tight spaces and smaller units.
Estate @ Hongkong
Hongkong has a population of 7 million, while Singapore has 4 million.
Estate @ Hongkong
Hongkong has a land area of 1,104 sg km but much of the territory is mountainous. Singapore has largely flat terrain of 660 sq km.
Estate @ HongkongHongkong has a population of 7 million, while Singapore has 4 million.
Estate @ HongkongTuesday, August 4, 2009
Taxi Woes
Taxi drivers are both the demon and the angel. While most are in this line to make a decent living, quite a handful want the money to flow in fast in the shortest time.
I wonder how many of you with durians cargo, hail a cab and was turn away by kiasu drivers ? There is no who's right or wrong this instance because the fruit indeed can cause a stink long after a pax got off. Those who got rejected because of the durians cannot complain to the taxi company as the fruits are banned from public transport.
But as time are bad for cabbies, many are accepting pax with durians.
Some drivers request to turn off the aircon and wind down the windows as it greatly help to reduce the odour which the angmo tourists would have jump from a moving cab to get away !
Another matter of contention is a passenger hails a cab and may want to stop at a mid-destination to fetch someone or something and ask the cabby to wait for a short while. Some drivers who has been warned of past experiences by fellow cabbies about passengers getting off without ever returning, is reluctant to agree to the arrangement so they either want to terminate the trip, or ask the pax to put a "deposit" such as $10.
Stories abound of cabbies being offered "services" by female pax as an excuse for not having enough money to pay the fare. Whether the offers were taken, the cabbies are not saying.
I wonder how many of you with durians cargo, hail a cab and was turn away by kiasu drivers ? There is no who's right or wrong this instance because the fruit indeed can cause a stink long after a pax got off. Those who got rejected because of the durians cannot complain to the taxi company as the fruits are banned from public transport.
But as time are bad for cabbies, many are accepting pax with durians.
Some drivers request to turn off the aircon and wind down the windows as it greatly help to reduce the odour which the angmo tourists would have jump from a moving cab to get away !
Another matter of contention is a passenger hails a cab and may want to stop at a mid-destination to fetch someone or something and ask the cabby to wait for a short while. Some drivers who has been warned of past experiences by fellow cabbies about passengers getting off without ever returning, is reluctant to agree to the arrangement so they either want to terminate the trip, or ask the pax to put a "deposit" such as $10.
Stories abound of cabbies being offered "services" by female pax as an excuse for not having enough money to pay the fare. Whether the offers were taken, the cabbies are not saying.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Alexandra Road
The transformation of Alexandra Road is fast and furious and the stretch should be rename Motor Town or Motown Road.
Between Tanglin Road and Queensway, and include Leng Kee Road, there are easily 20 brands of car showrooms.
Ikea is also in the landscape. The old Safra which is next to it is slated to become a hotel and will further transform the area.
Cycle & Carriage, the agent for Mercedes, KIA and Mitsubishi and lately Citroen has 2 showrooms.
Komoco-Hyundai
The only old building left standing is Lea Hin Co and may go the way of its neighbour across the road, which is now Alexis Condo.
Ford, Land Rover
Performance Motors-BMW
Between Tanglin Road and Queensway, and include Leng Kee Road, there are easily 20 brands of car showrooms.
Ikea is also in the landscape. The old Safra which is next to it is slated to become a hotel and will further transform the area.
Cycle & Carriage, the agent for Mercedes, KIA and Mitsubishi and lately Citroen has 2 showrooms.
Komoco-Hyundai
Ford, Land Rover
Performance Motors-BMW
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