You can Make a Different by Donating NOW!

xxx --

This year has been extraordinarily challenging. Food prices are at their highest level in two years. And our food projects are facing major funding shortfalls – programs that are absolutely critical to real people struggling to survive, like Ammal (I’ve included her email below).

Your reliable monthly donations make it possible for us to continue our lifesaving work. We’re rebuilding lives in Haiti and Pakistan... we’re treating and preventing severe child malnutrition in drought-affected regions of Africa… and we’re empowering communities across the globe to break the cycle of hunger.

Thank you.

With just hours left to the deadline, I wanted to give you one last chance to participate in this special campaign to change the lives of poor hungry women in Darfur, Sudan. I’m convinced we can transform the lives of 20,000 women in Darfur before 2010 ends.

Will you make a special year-end donation of $30 or more? Every moment we wait is another life we could have saved. 

http://www.wfp.org/stove 

I’m truly inspired by your passion and dedication, and I’m certain that – if each of us contributes a little bit – we really can build a world without hunger. Thank you again for being one of our Heroes Fighting Hunger.

Wishing you all the best in the New Year,

Marcela
World Food Programme

P.S. If you’ve already made your year-end gift, please accept our deepest gratitude. To give by cheque or bank transfer, click here.

---

From: Ammal, on behalf of WFP
Sent: December 15, 2010
Subject: I am a woman in Darfur

As a Hero Fighting Hunger, your monthly donations are absolutely essential to launching innovative programs like the one described below, which has  transformed the lives of women in Darfur. If you would like to make a special one-time donation, that is always appreciated, but please know that we are deeply grateful for the valuable contributions you already make. This email from Ammal was translated by Amit Singh, World Food Programme (WFP) officer in Darfur. Ammal is one of the many people around the world who rely on the support of caring individuals like you. Thank you. - Marcela, WFP  xxx --  I’m a woman living in Darfur. What does that mean? It means you live in constant fear. Your home has been ravaged by drought and ethnic conflict. Your children are severely undernourished. You cook over an open fire whose harmful smoke slowly kills you. You walk 15 kilometers, four days a week, to find firewood, even though you know that’s how women and young girls could get raped or even killed by roving militants. Sometimes you send your daughter. You have no choice. Until recently. The World Food Programme is giving us an unlikely weapon to  protect ourselves: a fuel-efficient stove that reduces the need for firewood. $30 may not seem like much – but to me, it is a lifeline and a lasting solution to hunger and abuse. At just $30 per stove and training, you can provide a critical lifeline to more women like me in Darfur. We have been living like this for many years – hungry, fearful, without hope. This is no way to live, especially when there is a solution that can make a real difference. In addition to providing food to cook, WFP taught me to make my own fuel-efficient stove and convert domestic waste into briquettes (cooking fuel). That helps me be self-sufficient, avoid the risk of rape, and protect the environment – all at the same time. Your support today will change lives in Darfur. I am living proof of that. I’m deeply grateful for the World Food Programme and for caring individuals like you who make their work possible. Thank you, Ammal Head of the Women’s Development Association Network in Darfur On behalf of the World Food Programme

World Food Programme  wfp.org | Contact us | Privacy | Unsubscribe

World Food Programme Via C.G.Viola 68 Parco dei Medici Rome, 00148 Italy

2011 兔年(辛卯年)生肖運程

「2011辛卯年，逢財之年，旺財，需留意的是，所謂『狡兔三窟』，意指凡事需多變通，明年房地產變動較多，不論是買賣或按揭，皆有調整和變動。兔耳長，利聆聽，且反應轉變快，股巿樓巿會因利好消息而出現極大波動，從虎年尾至兔年中，走勢偏好，要提防農曆六、七月，往後日子只宜小賭怡情。要注意肝病毒，可能會出現變動，也要留意眼疾問題。『七赤』入宮，有利娛樂事業，可投資大型演唱會、展覽、比賽，開戲可考慮以牢獄為題材的，又或是緝私緝毒等讓人關注的元素，能引起極大迴響。演藝人要奉公守法，免惹官非。『九紫』桃花星現，喜事接腫而來，介中女、少女之齡的女藝人有望嫁得出。」

        肖兔‧聽取意見


1963.1975.1987.1999

        代表藝人：1975佘詩曼、1987江若琳

        整體： 今年要講反應、講靈活，所謂「後覺先至」，須多聽意見，凡事當機立斷，反應需快，但切記太緊張。犯太歲，人事和合上會較差，有點田雞過河的現象，不咬弦將分別走。狗兔相合，屬狗為貴人，龍虎兔三合，屬龍屬虎者皆有助力。

        財運：受任皇命，有一夫當關的意味，從事動態工作或需獨立性工作者，會特別旺。

        健康：小心碰傷，會有小手術。

        姻緣：容易多愁善感，亦有悲歡離合事發生。

        佩戴飾物：狗型吉祥物

        肖龍‧被人陷害

        1964.1976.1988.2000

        整體：龍虎兔三合，今年不妨多跟虎人合作。要小心被人陷害，盡可能忍氣吞聲，秘密少講為妙。

        財運：從事創作設計者，今年大有發揮。從事航空事業者，有利名譽，出門出外比賽，無往而不利。

        健康：駕駛人士要小心，特別是電單車駕駛者，有意外，宜在車上掛吉祥風鈴保平安。

        姻緣：桃花旺盛，不妨多出門。

        佩戴飾物：虎型吉祥物

        肖蛇‧大權在握

        1965.1977.1989

        整體：有機會轉換環境，想搬屋或轉工者，有極大行動力。行街遇有玻璃貴重物宜繞圈而行，要小心財物。羊蛇馬三合，羊跟兔相合，屬羊者為貴人，有助力。

        財運： 工作穩定，橫財莫求，從事教書或政府部門而需經常使用印章者，大權在握，有望升職加薪。

        健康：要留意家中長輩健康。

        姻緣：桃花不見。

        佩戴飾物：馬型、羊型吉祥物

        肖馬‧忌做擔保

        1966.1978.1990

        整體：馬男今年要增強耐性，不妨收埋自己做住家男。今年有機會發揮自己到更高層次，又有機會置業或粉飾家居。屬羊者為貴人，有助力。

        財運：小心財務糾紛，凡事量力而為，切忌做擔保人。

        健康：有添丁機會，或會是雙胞胎甚至三胞胎可能。

        姻緣：馬女有望嫁人做主婦。馬男桃花極旺，異性緣高。

        佩戴飾物： 羊型吉祥物

        肖羊‧求取表現

        1955.1967.1979.1991

        整體：今年有機企上頒獎台，比賽分冠亞季三級，一切視乎努力付出多少，不妨積極一點，求取表現。人事和合，是時候解決舊帳。要注意口舌是非，免惹官非。豬兔羊三合。屬豬者為貴人，有助力。

        財運：有機會置業。從事藝術創作者，工作有大作為。

        健康：從事水上活動要小心，不熟水性的羊人不參與為妙。

        姻緣：桃花平平，未婚者只好靜候佳音。

        佩戴飾物：豬型吉祥物

        肖猴‧谷底反彈

        1968.1980.1992

        整體：今年有女貴人相助，若上司是女性或工作以女性為主導者，大有作為，尤其在農曆七八九月。從事房地產有關工作者，有發揮空間。送別虎年，運勢有谷底反彈現象，可放下心頭大石。狗兔相合，屬狗者為貴人，有助力。

        財運：財物有損失，不宜賭博，緊記小賭怡情

        健康：容易疲勞，需要多休息。

        姻緣：飽受另一半的壓力所害，情緒受影響。

        佩戴飾物：狗型吉祥物


       肖雞：要慎言

        1969.1981.1993

        代表藝人： 1981鍾欣桐、1969鄭嘉穎

        整體： 雞兔相沖，兔年可謂沖到正，雞擅長講，兔擅長聽，然而，兔年應靜思勿動，要機變，講得太多未必好事，12生肖中，雞人是最易講錯的人，緊記要慎言，「少說話多做事」將會是你今年的座右銘。今年做事波折重重，可嘗試把目標降低，減低失敗帶來的挫折感。狗兔相合，屬狗者為貴人。

        財運： 有破財之險，投資別太拼博。正財穩定，有機會加薪。

        健康：要注意家中長輩健康。

        姻緣： 桃花一般。 佩戴飾物：狗形吉祥物

        肖狗：合桃花

        1958.1970.1982.1994
       
整體： 狗兔相合，狗人今年可謂當時得令，機會自會送上門。若然狗人加把勁，更努力爭取機會的話，運勢會更旺盛。若狗人身份是老闆，就要小心氣燄過盛，要體恤下屬，免惹民憤。打工仔忌逞強，太個人主義會得罪上司。狗兔相合，屬兔者為貴人。

         財運：橫財不順。

         健康： 攀山涉水等危險活動可免則免。

         姻緣： 合桃花，談婚論嫁需視乎命格相配。

         佩戴飾物：兔形吉祥物

        肖豬：忌逞強

        1971.1983.1995

        整體： 兔年無吉星入宮，思緒空白，做事宜早立目標，免得荒廢年月。可考慮轉換環境，出門出國有利發展。豬羊兔三合，屬羊者為貴人，有助力。

         財運： 不宜投資房地產，免破財招致損失。

         健康： 所謂君子不立危牆下，忌到聲色犬馬之地，忌呈英雄，免有血光之災。

         姻緣： 離離合合。

         佩戴飾物： 羊形吉祥物

        肖鼠：易出軌

        1960.1972.1984.1996.2008

        整體： 桃花最旺盛，有機會談婚論嫁。從事娛樂藝術工作者，思緒大發。可考慮進修增值，在學者成績更好。易被誤會，易生口角是非，應常把「唔該，多謝！」等客套說話掛口邊，以化口角之爭，亦要注意言行。屬豬屬牛者為貴人，有助力。

         財運：平穩。

         健康：平穩。

         姻緣： 已婚者要小心，做事要慬慎，有機會節外生枝。

         佩戴飾物： 豬、牛吉祥物

        肖牛：別執迷

        1961.1973.1985.1997.2009

        整體： 牛是埋頭苦幹型，牛人在兔年機變不足，雖冇吉星入命宮，但仍能平穩過度。有問題需解決，有置業機會。要好好照顧家人，注意家中長輩，多作身體檢查。屬豬屬鼠者為貴人，有助力。

        財運： 工作容易捲入人事糾紛。

         健康： 如欲改變儀容，或作輕微修飾儀容，應三思而後行，容易手術失敗。

         姻緣： 被另一半施壓，誤會。

         佩戴飾物： 豬形、鼠形吉祥物

        肖虎：利貴人

        1962.1974.1986.1998

        整體： 兔年有貴人相助，若能改善個人主義性格，多借助第三者或力量，凡事不恥下問，將能事半功倍。別做危險動作，忌上山下水。屬龍者為貴人，有助力。

        財運： 會到陌生環境，可能是工作調動，又或轉換新老闆，亦有機會轉行，留意農曆七月至十月這段時期有大變動。

         健康： 健康出現問題，要注意腸胃口腔毛病。

         姻緣： 有衝擊，或會結婚生仔，需背負另一半的債務。

         佩戴飾物： 龍形吉祥物


http://www.i818.com/fate/

Inflation...年货大涨价！

Right after the Christmas, the shops in Singapore and Malaysia are busy preparing for Chinese New Year. 2011 is the year of Rabbit..just before we would know if 2011 will be a better year than 2010, one thing for sure, prices for new year goods are increasing by 20-60% under the name of severe weather, natural disaster bla bla bla....see the snap shot of the newspaper headers

http://www.sinchew-i.com/sciWWW/taxonomy/term/676
http://www.sinchew-i.com/sciWWW/taxonomy/term/676?page=1

No matter what, we do look forward to a better 2011..

How the Rich Save Money in their daily live

Before becoming rich or thinking of how to get rich i think one need to know how the rich people live their life.....it is always easy to copy cat and success, so since there are good example why not we look at them and pick up their good living habits and make it as our own use.

富豪省錢6招

沒錯，世界億萬富豪（總共1千零11位）擁有遠遠超過生活所需的金錢，可是他們居住的地方可能無法反映龐大的財富，甚至為了雞毛蒜皮而計較老半天。他們的節儉，可以為普通人帶來一些理財提示。

簡單的房子

富豪當然可以住在比美比爾蓋茲的房子－－6萬6千平方呎、總值1億4千750萬美元，可是身家毫不遜色的“股神”巴菲特，只是選擇保留他1957年以3萬1千500美元買下的房子，這只是一間5房單位。

簡單的交通

不少富豪選擇“自食其力”的交通工具或公共交通，像John Caudwell、David Cheriton和Chuck Feeney在進出城市時，都情願走路、騎腳踏車或使用公共交通。這不僅省錢，更可以減少廢氣排放，環保得很。

簡單的服飾

無論富有與否，一些人情願將大筆金錢花在特別設計的衣服、鞋子，而部份節儉的富豪認為，這些花費根本毫無價值，正如宜家（Ikea）創辦人Ingvar Kamprad儘量避免穿上西裝。

簡單的髮型

在美國，平均理髮開銷只是45美元，卻有人花800美元整理自己的頭髮。以平均6週理髮一次計，他們單單為了頭髮，每年就花費7千200美元，這還不包括小費。一些富豪甚至自己理髮。

簡單的汽車

儘管甲骨文聯合創辦人Larry Ellison享受百萬名車、汽艇、飛機，但不少富豪反其道而行，只保留便宜的交通工具。沃爾瑪的Jim Walton駕駛15年車齡的小卡車、印度富豪Azim Premji開的是豐田Corolla。宜家Ingvar Kamprad的坐駕是10年車齡的富豪（Volvo）。他們的概念是，購買一輛可靠的汽車，一直駕下去，沒必要天天換車。

簡單的開銷

墨西哥富豪斯利姆（Carlos Slim）就算每分鐘花掉超過1千美元，100年也消耗不了整份身家，卻不願意擁有一艘帆船或一架飛機。不少富豪選擇避開這些高檔的物品，巴菲特也是，他說：“多數玩具都令人討厭。”

Article taken from :

http://biz.sinchew-i.com/node/42347

Apple News again....

2010 is definately the year of Apple...
Figures as evident:
14.1 million units of iphone 4 were sold in the quarter which ended in September
Apple TV hit 1million figure
Goldman Sachs expects Apple to ship 37.2 million iPads in 2011
Apple share price $10 in 2003, Closing $320 on Tues 2010
Market Cap nearly $300Billion, only behind Exxon Mobil and Petrochina


Read more 
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20101226/ttc-year-us-it-company-telecom-internet-0de2eff.html

China Increase Interest rates to fight inflation for the 2nd time in 2 month time

The People's Bank of China increase interest rate to fight inflation


Benchmark lending rate: Increase 25 basis points to 5.81 percent  
Benchmark deposit rate: Increase 25 basis points to 2.75 percent


More detail can be found from the link below:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101227/bs_nm/us_markets_stocks

This action drove the Asia stock indexes lower after the stock marker reopen after the lunch break and for sure tomorrow we will see another red sea all over asia stock markets....what a sad move to end year 2010!

爱的教育。。

Today not talking about money, but something which you have been looking for your children. I believe you will be touch by the following article from xinchew press ( Malaysia Chinese newspaper)....it is really hard to find such a place for your kids nowaday.

Well done to the headmistress of the primary school. She is a brave and loving headmistress who must have gone through alot of obstacles and challenges to have the achievement.

Article taken from the following adress just for sharing pusposes.Hope you enjoy reading.
http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/122014?tid=35

這是一所減少打罵的學校

• 新教育
 

 2009-07-11 17:22

• 
  （圖：星洲日報）

1 of 8

愛的教育可行嗎？我帶這個疑問，來到巴生港口青年學校。

學校整潔明亮。一進校門就有塊牌匾寫“康莊大道”，左右是兩排整齊的樹木。週五（7月10日）是運動日，偌大的操場上笑聲飛揚。去校長室前，我先到課室長廊明察暗訪，最大的目的是想看看有沒有籐條。沒有喲！是不是藏到來訪者看不見的地方？我在心裡嘀咕：“都說全國找不到不用籐鞭的華小，教育部也要恢复體罰了，怎會沒有籐條呢？”

【世華‧社會】“板凳媽媽”沒有雙腿，但有大愛心照料過百殘疾兒童！

孩子天真，不會作假，問問3位小六同學：“你們的校長、老師會打人嗎？”其中一個叫楊靖毅的學生說：“有打，但很少，做錯事時老師會讓我們選，要打還是要到辦公室去抄弟子規。”那你們選哪個？“抄弟子規！”

他的朋友許明亮說：“人家最怕去校長室，我們卻很喜歡，因為我們的校長一點都不兇，常常鼓勵我們。我們都很喜歡被叫去校長室。”

佘瓊鳳校長非常熱情，甫坐下便聲明：“先說明啊，我們還未做到100%愛心學校。學生屢勸不聽時，還是要動用籐鞭，只是我們很努力地朝向愛心教育，儘量減少體罰。我們會對學生曉以大義，即使打也一定會跟他解釋為何打他，要打得有理，打得學生口服心服。”

能有這樣的信念，還得感激一件事。話說當年，佘瓊鳳對學生管束很嚴，當過訓導老師的她平時更是不怒自威。她認為要嚴，首先要嚴以待己。

有回偏偏兒子不爭氣，跟同學起紛爭，還罵粗口。她很氣，決定“親自處理”。兒子一踏進校長室，她二話不說便問：“你自己說，要打哪裡？”籐鞭打下去，痛在兒身，傷在母心。打了以後，才弄懂原來是同學先動手推兒子撞牆，而他長期聽到的粗口脫口而出，他根本不懂那句話的意思。

佘校長哽咽懊惱：“我竟然連一個自辯的機會都不給孩子。”這件事之後，她不再輕易動刑，決心放下身段，更多的去聆聽、去引導，要像愛自己的孩子那樣去愛每一個孩子！

一點一滴熏陶好品行

打學生，是為何而打？為了讓他有好品行是吧？佘校長說：“好品行不是打得出來的，而是熏陶出來的。”校長帶領我們參觀課室。只見每進一班，校長一說“身有傷，貽親憂。”學生就朗朗上口的接下一句：“德有傷，貽親羞。”校長說：“騎下馬，乘下車，”同學馬上接：“過猶待，百步餘。”

全校師生都會背誦弟子規，也許並沒甚麼了不起，但學生能說出箇中含意，並身體力行，不是只做表面功夫，而是落實到生活中，那就不容易了。那就叫耳濡目染，那就叫熏陶。

她還有一招，就是鼓勵孩子靜思冥想，讓孩子閉目感恩祝福：“深吸呼！感恩爸媽養我育我。感恩老師愛我教我。感恩同學助我護我。感恩祝福所有為我付出的人。”進一年級的班，7歲的孩子會輕輕閉上眼，跟她一起唸。校長讓小朋友給來訪者唱兒歌，唱畢讓他們歸位。臨走，說好好好，現在唱完歌，該要做甚麼了？“讀書！”“是的，我們該在適當的時候？”全班說“做適當的事！”這不是熏陶是甚麼？

言教不如身教，全校一起鞠躬

“好品行，也不是逼得出來的。”──是身教。佘瓊鳳校長生於1954年，60年代在麻坡一所名不見經傳的微型華小完成小學教育，也度過無憂無慮的快樂童年。育有一對子女的她，當然也明白今日的孩子，跟從前的不一樣了。今天是強調速度的電腦時代，是物質相對優渥的時代，但她仍舊相信，有些老祖母教下來的古老傳統，不應丟棄，不能忘記。

“我在青年學校掌舵12年，積極推動向師長、客人鞠躬行禮問安的文化。這當然不容易，尤其要學生主動向到校的陌生客人鞠躬請安，所以我自己要先做。”

她真的對老師、對訪客、對食堂工人、對校工、對家長，鞠起躬來問安說謝謝！那種躬身姿勢，那種誠懇語調，一點不是造作式表演得出來的，乃是發自內心。漸漸的，校工、食堂工人、老師到學生，都鞠起躬來了！

這班快樂教學的好老師

佘校長認為，教育就是要不斷苦口婆心的嘮叨，就算老師團隊裡有人嫌她囉嗦很煩，她也堅持要說！剛來的陳溫溫副校長，原本很拘謹。第一天來報到，佘校長見面就來個西式熱情擁抱，嚇著她也軟化了她。“一開始，我像個木頭站讓她抱，根本不知該如何回應。”現在總算懂得“抱回去”了。

佘瓊鳳相信《秘密》一書裡說的磁場，認為愛心環境是人為的創造，而且會一波波的影響開去。而她也很幸運，青年學校的老師，多半不相信打便能讓孩子成器。

資深的林清華老師一臉和靄可親，一看就像沒有脾氣的人。她委婉地說：“很久沒在班上發脾氣了。”都是因為孩子們懂事，雖然頑皮上課也會吱喳，“但就是覺得他們很可愛。”臉上更流露出深深的笑意。她認為“教學不必動肝火，學生真有犯錯，大可好言相勸，動之以情！”

好一句動之以情！那得花多少心思？“不用啦，你對他好，小孩是感覺得到的。”在旁的佘校長馬上接口：“是啊是啊，她還讓學生認作干媽。哈！”林老師說：“沒有啦，班上有位優秀的孩子來自單親家庭，初時心懷怨恨，我就把他叫來，說大人的事，讓大人解決，你不介意，老師來當你干媽。”

這裡上學的孩子很幸福

另一位陳金華老師卻說：“林老師是個性使然，我可是有打的！孩子錯了，必須要有適當的處罰，只是絕對不能二話不說就打！一般是多次警告後才打的。你有解釋，他明白為何被打，就不會懷恨在心。這麼多年，在路上遇到畢業生，他們都還會喊老師。”

林清華和陳金華只是支持佘校長推行塑造愛的教育環境的其中二位老師，其餘的還有“好到家長來要求‘老師，你可以打我的孩子嗎？’的彭慧珊老師；不打，換成罰抄弟子規的葉麗芳老師；認為多賞比多罰重要，常給學生送大蘋果的一年級老師黃月玲；年輕時自我要求很高，對學生非常嚴格，會打，但受了佘校長影響，臉上笑容漸多，漸漸不再是完美主義的周麗英老師……

還有剛從明星華小轉到這裡的鄭淑美老師，她說：“我前後呆過7所華小，初來時我真的傻眼了，這裡可說是華小的一片綠洲。這裡的孩子真的很幸福，我以前的學校，看不見這麼多歡容，尤其是城市華小，父母要競爭，學校暗地裡較勁，學生有壓力，老師也有壓力。”

掌舵人相信愛的教育、教師團隊願意配合、學生品質純樸、家教協會和家長支持，看來，青年學校具備了推行愛的教育的“天時、地利、人和”條件了呀！

這裡的學生有愛的故事聽

小六學生都要面對UPSR考試。青年學校當然也關心，但他們最關心的不是成績，而是學生的精神和心理壓力！今年2月，校方就聯合了“生活的藝術基金會”為小六生舉辦“呼吸舒壓工作坊”，教導學生放鬆心情。而董事長夫人還到學校來派B Complex！

學校的愛心媽媽李慧玲說：“這所學校最特別的地方，是三機構有很強的聯繫。別校的董事長、董事長夫人在大日子時來剪採，但這裡的董事長、董事長夫人很早就到，是來幫忙的！而且活動結束後，還會留下跟學生一起收拾。特別叫人感動。”

李慧玲和先生侯墨榮的獨生子已從青年學校畢業，但是他們仍留下來當愛心媽媽，每週二，都會聯合其他約20位愛心媽媽到課室給學生講故事。她說，這叫回饋。

“我以前會打孩子，後來受到佘校長和幼兒園園長許秀華的影響，知道甚麼叫愛心教育後，就儘量以道理說服孩子，把籐條丟掉了！”

每天放學，佘校長都會以擴音器作報告，這報告不外是說說小故事。開始時只是想說給學生聽，後來發現來接孩子的家長也在聽，她就更加用心地說。一天一則，日子久了，家長便會直接或間接的受到影響。

春風化雨
點滴入土

回想跟佘校長相處的過程，驚覺一件事：她根本沒有提起過青年學校在UPSR中的成績，或畢業生有多了不起。（她自己的兒子是青年學校畢業生，目前在台大升學。）

她提得最多的，是諸如二年級有一個自閉兒，她希望其他孩子能多幫幫他，以及有一個從一年級上台領獎就被校長抱到小五，到了小六那年，他很失望地說：“我看今年校長是抱不動我了。”她知道後，決定也要在台上抱這孩子……愛的教育，說得容易，做時難！但是有一所學校，有一位校長，有一群老師，有一些家長，願意努力。

春風化雨，點滴入土。

星洲日報／新教育‧報導：許雪翠‧2009.07.07

A Scenario that you might not aware in the Cat City

How can we escape from the current boring lifestyle in singapore without having to spend much money? Tricky question right? Singapore is a great city, for the RICH! We pay for everything we do, including having fresh air and unblock view( staying higher floor ;)) ....I am not sure if you notice a scenario in singapore. That scenario, I believe it has been around for quite some time and i am sure that it will continue to happen....

Imagine you are eating in a food court, be it hawker center or shopping mall, try to look around you, what do you see besides the food stalls and plenty of people walking around and waiting for your seat ? You will see many of the cleaner are busy clearing the table full of plates, they are at the age of your parent ( i mean retired parents)! At night, before entering the lift have you ever see any old people collecting rubbish/ aluminium cans from the rubbish bin just next to your HDB lift? So what is actually happened here?

To me, i will never want my parents to do all the above. These are not embarrasing job but i only hope that at that age they can enjoy their retirement life which they didnt due to giving all the best to us, their children! You may argue, that is what they choose to do, cleaner at school, shopping malls, and at night collecting aluminium cans......anyone of you would like to do that one day when you are retired and old? Not if you have no choice right? So, i always wonder if the seold people really need to work at their age? May be they do not want to be burden to their kids? They do not want to be 3 Deng citizen, ( deng in manderin is waiting), deng Eat,deng Sleep, Deng Si (Si in hokkien is die)...hard to know the reason but i believe it is the combination of the above....

Firstly, clapclap! To contribute to the society by working , contribute to spore working force. Secondly, do not want to be the burden for their kid. Thirdly, nobody want to be 3 Deng citizen......Something must be wrong, somewhere, somehow.....

One thing to be sure, do plan for your future now and work hard and smart for your future....it is a long long journey and the journey starts after you retired. Learn from the west, do give everything to your children as you deserve to have a good life as well. So invest wisely and save enough for your golden day! Yes, since we cant help change the current situation, we can help to lighten their work load by returning your food tray to the  collection point be it in the food court or hawker center and when you are serve by the old aunty, do thanks them for doing a good job.

Apple Inc----should be the company of the year 2010

While the facebook co-founder, Mark Zuckerberg has been chosen to be the person of the year 2010 by Time megazine, i believe Apple Inc should be the Company of the year 2010. With the launch of Iphone 4 and Ipad,macbook air, it totally captures the blue ocean of the unexploit market of the mobile phone and leaving behind the used to be market leader chasing the trend.

Though i do not own any apple product so far, i was amazed by how the apple fans go crazy queuing for the product during their initial launching, playing with the product from day to night.....Many friends of my said that they are addicted to apple products ;) . One thing i keep on thinking is that, how can a product selling at a much higher price than its competitor and still selling so much better than its competitor? The secret is the person behind Apple Inc, mr Steve Job.

I am not sure how many years can Nokia be world no1 cellphone manufacturer? May be 2011 we will have a new world no1, probably not apple yet, but Samsung.

Lets us see what will happen in 2011. Cheers and enjoy playing with your iphone 4 ,  Samsung Galaxy, Ipad, Galaxy tablet etc etc.....2010 is the year without Nokia!!  

Living in West Africa- Ivory Coast is like I am living in my parents generation

Cote d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is located in West Africa surrounded by neighbor countries Ghana, Liberia and Guinea.  Many might not have heard about the country however, once told that it is the Chelsea Striker Drogba and Kalou country of origin one should have a better idea. This is one of the countries where you still get to see armed UN army patrolling in their vehicles on the street. The country is unofficially divides into 2 parts, the Northern part and the Southern part. The Northern part of the country is still much influenced by the rebel while the ruling government has their capital, Abidjan in the south.   

Cote d'Ivoire used to be French Colonial. Today, most of the people speak only French and their local African dialect. If you like to drink coffee, you need to know that Ivory Coast is the world largest cocoa producer. Besides, they are blessed by having the Oil & Gas production. Despite having the natural resources, the country is not as developed as their neighbor Ghana which was one the few African countries once ruled by the British. Due to political unstable, corruption, and lack of capable leader, the people are living in poverty. The basic infrastructure is not well maintain, poor air quality, inefficient airport management just to name a few. Being personally in Abidjan, it gives me the opportunity to see what my parents might have gone through 20-30 years ago. More details can be found from BBC website http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country_profiles/1043014.stm#facts .

My local colleague told me that the middle class people spend around USD400-USD1000 (equivalent to CFA200, 000 – CFA500, 000, 1USD ==CFA500) a month for their normal living in the capital Abidjan. For example, my colleague, a family of 3 adults and 8 children spends around CFA200k-CFA 300k per month while my other colleague, a family of 2 adults and one children spends CFA400k to CFA450k per month.  So, it is very subjective as it depends on the lifestyle you want to have however on average the household spending for the middle class should be within the range.

As told, fresh Engineer might get paid USD1000 as their starting salary which is quite high as compare to country like the Philippine and Indonesia which only having a range of USD300 to USD500.  The rental in the city of Abidjan is not expensive as well. A 2 bedrooms apartment rental can be as low as CFA25, 000 to CFA75, 000 (USD50- USD150) per month, and the price for a 2 bedrooms apartment costs around CFA200Million (USD20, 000).  It gives a 7.2% return p.a if the unit is able to rent at USD 150 per month. Having said that, one need to note that the minimum pay for the worker is only CFA35, 000 (USD70) per month, and if a worker is interested in buying the apartment it takes him/her 23 years of annual income to pay for the apartment ( without considering the loan interest rate).   I was even told that the starting pay of the policeman is around CFA120, 000 (USD240) with other benefits like housing allowance, insurance coverage, hospitalisation benefits etc.  To them, it is quite a good occupation, while doctor in Abidjan public hospital get paid around CFA200, 000 (USD400).

From the amount of pay, which is much higher than in Philippine and Indonesia, the people in Ivory Coast should have living a better quality of life but most of the people there are still living in poverty, the country is lack of infrastructure to attract foreign investor. These are all the consequences ofct of unstable politic condition, and lack of capable leader. 

Standard of Living in Jakarta & Philippine

Recently I was abit curious about the standard of living in the country of origin of my colleagues. I was discussing with my colleagues about the standard of living in the city of their countries and how the young generation is surviving just hope to get a clearer picture of the situation in their countries.

My Indonesian colleagues told me that the average wage for University Grad in Jakarta (Capital of Indonesia) is only around USD300 (Rupiah2.7Millions, taking 1USD= 9000Rup). Taking into consideration of the rental, meal, transportation, telephone bill etc, at month end there is basically nothing left for saving. It seems that the residences merely making enough money for their basic living from the above calculation, however due to the culture and the other factors, side income like “commission” that one earns every month can be more than their basis salary. That is the reason why my colleague said that, today the competition to get into government employment is so intense especially those dealing with the public.  It gives the employees the “opportunity” to get side income once employed in the agency.

Looking at the other towns away from the capital, the standard of living is not so high where people enjoy living in a small village, having extra land for farming beside their house.  This is in Indonesia, just like the other part of the world, the gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider and wider. At the end of the day, it is the mentality that separates the rich and the poor.  You are not born rich but you choose to be poor.

Not far across the ocean is the island country, the Philippine. Philipinas, according to my colleagues, are facing tougher challenge to survive in the city, Manila. Property price is getting higher and higher, so does the price for other daily expenses. According to my colleagues, the average pay for fresh university graduate is around USD400-USD500 in Manila. However, due to the cost of property in Manila, most of the workers who come from other cities will have no choice but to rent an apartment. The accommodation made up by many compartments with only bed, kitchen and toiler is very common in Manila as per my colleagues. A small compartment may cost USD50-USD100 per month. Crime rates are high in Philippine and among the cases, many are convicted by street kids. Those street kids who sniff glue or take drug are the most dangerous person whom might snap you while walking on the street. According to them, the problem is getting worst in the town away from the Capital Manila. These kids are not educated and have no home because their family problem or the parents are not able to take care of them due to unemployment. Overall, it is becoming more and more challenging for young couples in Philippines to raise children and settle down in Manila.

To be continue with the same story but on Ivory Coast (West Africa) 

Foreign Currency Investment: Aussie Dollar

Do you still remember the exchange rate of 1Aus$ to 1SGD$ back in early 2009? It was 1Aus$ = 0.98SGD$, yes it ever went lower than Singapore dollar during the bottom of the economy crisis in 2009. It plunged from 1Aus$=1.30SGD almost 30% drop. During that time, I still remember one of my colleague told me that she just changed SGD to Aus$ a month before the Aus$ drop to pay for her daughter apartment in Perth.  No one expect the Aussie to drop below Singapore dollar but it happened within a short time. Imagine if my colleague change her SGD to Aussie dollar only after the Aussie dollar drop, she would immediately make a 30% gain on her property just from the currency depreciation alone.

She might not feel better as the Aussie dollar is now appreciates to the original level of 1Aus $ ==1.30SGD. You might think further …….Gain 30% earlier then sell now changing back Aus to SGD gaining another 30%...WOW!! Too good to be true man! If we can time the market at any single day we would be rich!!

This is the 1^st time I get to know that the value of currency can drop so drastically within such a short time, excluding the moment when Asian currency was attacked by George Soros. I was then told by my Aussie friend that the Aus $ is closely related the economy (this one everyone know!!), when the economy is down so does the price of raw material required for manufacturing due to lower demand. And given that, Australia GDP is heavily contributing by the export of Ore and other raw material, lower price of raw material thus driving the GDP of Aus down.  With lower GDP, Aus will have lower foreign reserve, thus Aus dollar depreciates. However, with the economy recover rapidly under the stimulus plan by each country loosing their monetary policy the demand pick up and the price of raw material soars in a short time. Thus the swing of Aussie dollar.

Besides the good return of principal due to appreciation, the Aussie dollar also posts a good return of interest from fixed deposit.  Shown below is the interest rate by DBS bank. 

As compare to the SGD FD which merely give 0.1% interest p.a it is still a good place to park your spare cash. Be aware of the risk if you plan to invest in FXFD whereby you might get back the return lower than the principal amount you park in the bank. 

Less House Seller in December?

I am still looking for my "targeted" flat at Jurong West area. However it seems to be getting more and more difficult as i notice that there are less seller listing their unit for sale in December. It is based on the number of posting appear on the housing website for example the propertyguru.com.sg and the iproperty.com.sg . 

I am curious, it there a trend whereby unit owners are less willing to let go their unit at the end of the year? Or it is purely affected by the economy as in the price of the unit etc?Or it is because most of the property agents are on vacation after bagging enough money for the past 11 mths.  

Is there any website in singapore whereby owners can put their unit on sale? 

The shopping for this X-Mas would be My Dream Unit. It seems difficult to get the unit that you like than what i initially thought of. However, from discussion with friends who had bought their units, in average buyers roam around 20++ units before they settle down with their unit. If that applies to me as well, that means i would find my very soon ;) 

Are you heading to the right direction?

I was having this thought when I was working …… “I was full of enthusiasm during my 1^st year of working life, salary is of 2^nd important.  I will do anything, given by anybody as long as I can learn and can finish the project and move on.  I had the chances to work on quite a number of job and learn quite a lot.

In my second year of working life, with the burning passion, I keep pushing forward in order to finish the project asap. I can work with anyone who has the same intension with me which is to finish the project, or else stay away from me. In my mind, only if I finish the project then only I will be able to move on to other project. However, things did not progress smoothly as I wish. It is normal if you think of it in this way: once the project finish, many employees have to be laid off. Having this in mind, many workers are reluctant to work at the end of the project. Morale is low among the team but with the small team who has completion in their mind, the project was completed though delayed for few months. The delay, to the “experienced” worker it is very normal! So I wonder if you ever work in a project like this, next time when you plan to buy share, would you still plunge In when you heard that company “A” has just won a project etc etc etc….. My second year of working life was indeed too good to be true. Working hard for experiences and money came in at the same time. I think I worked for more than 330days. Have you ever wake up in the morning and can’t wait going to work? That was the passion that I was talking about!

In my 3^rd year of working life, I am working for money! Though I did learn a lot in the new task of work, I work mainly for the money.  Now, I work as long as I get paid. While keep telling myself, what kind of job that provide on the job training and working experiences (to be written in the CV) while paying at the same time. Training is very expensive….. Day after days, and I must praise myself for able to survive for 1 ½ year now! So now, you might ask, what’s the problem? To me, I feel that I am not heading to the right direction. Changes is on the way, while at the same time I need to get my personal “business” settled then only I can stay focus on my job. To me, I am lucky as I still have the burning passion to succeed in my career. What I need to make sure is that I am heading the right direction and not blindly going forward……..

Changing is just a process In everyone’s life. So get prepared to change to a new life. And If you have never review your career direction, it is time to do so.  Spend some time quietly sitting alone, and ask youself are you really doing what you like? If the answer is yes, congratulation and do keep on the effort. Else, let us change for a better tomorrow.  Lastly, i would like to share with you the motto on the wall of the factory in the photo below which mean : Professionalism             Hardworking                     Realistic                Creative    

How do you plan to celebrate your Christmas and the Arrival of 2011??

Well, we enter the year of 2010 with anticipation about how the world economy is heading, will be be a better year or will it in deep recession...and while some trying to keep their wallet tight, stay alert in the office ( for those who are employed), trying their best to cut down the expenses, trying to time the market etc etc ....
The year of 2010 is coming to an end......

Ofcourse, some of you might have done better in the year of 2010 and some not.....and before we laid down out plan for the year 2011 should we not buying ourself something nice for the best job that we did for the past one challenging year ?? A nice buffet meal in a hotel/ restorant? A year end travelling to Maldive for an escape?

I have a suggestion here, which will not only give you (the fortunate one) a special memory in year 2010 but can also help the unfortunate....and based on the past records year end is always the time frame full of natural disaster. I am not cursing, but this is the fact in the past few years. So, we can play our part by giving back to the society while having our Christmast and New Year Celebration with our love one.

Thank you! Merry Xmas & Happy New Year!

Please find the info below for how you can give back to the society:

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I gave my sister a scarf last year. She said she loved it, but I’ve never seen her wear it…  and I spent so much time figuring out what to get her. I’m sure you have a similar story.  So this year, I’m giving something different – something that will definitely make her happy  and will bring happiness to a woman, child, or family struggling to survive.  Each time you send one of our holiday cards, you’re giving  two fantastic gifts in one! Take your pick :  I’m turning my holiday shopping budget into real change for the people who need it most, be it children in Haiti who depend on their daily school meal, or mothers in Ethiopia who can’t feed their families. And I’m crossing names off my gift list at the same time!  There are nearly one billion people going to bed hungry tonight – that’s one billion reasons to give a card that saves lives.  Each gift will provide meals and hope to those who need it most.  Thank you for using the gift-giving season this year to give a new kind of present, one that will be deeply meaningful to both your loved ones, and to those less fortunate far away.  Have a safe and happy holiday season!  Marcela  Manager, Online Community World Food Programme  P.S. Want to skip the cards and make a year-end donation instead? Our lifesaving work relies entirely on voluntary contributions and you are crucial to our efforts to help the world’s hungry. To donate offline via mail or bank transfer, click here.