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Rivervale Mall Sengkang Shuttle Bus

2011-05-12T19:21:00.001+08:00

As one of the pioneer malls in Sengkang New Town, RIVERVALE MALL provides popular shopping destination to residents living within the vicinity. Situated beside the Rumbia LRT station along Sengkang LRT East loop, Rivervale Mall has been growing together with Sengkang Residents. NTUC Foodfare food court at the first floor and other popular shops, such as Daiso, MacDonald's, NTUC FairPrice, adds the attractiveness of Rivervale Mall. To make it more convenient for residents, it provides free shuttle bus service.

The detail of Rivervale Mall shuttle bus route is as follows.

Where to take
Sengkang Route

At Rivervale Mall: beside McDonald's at Level 1
For in-between stopovers, please refer to the route-map attached

Punggol Route - discontinued from 30th April 2009

When available

9.00am - 8.00pm on hourly interval

Alexandra Hospital Shuttle Bus from Queenstown MRT

2011-05-07T11:05:00.003+08:00

With its history traced all the way to 1930's, ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL was a British Military Hospital. In 1971, the British Military Hospital was handed over to the Government of Singapore and it was renamed Alexandra Hospital. Restructured on 1st October 2000, it became a member of the National Healthcare Group. Its facilities and services were upgraded to serve patients better.

From August 2010 till 2014, Jurong Health Services assumes management of Alexandra Hospital. Under the new, Alexandra Hospital continues to serve patients at Alexandra Hospital and provide a comprehensive range of clinical services and care for the community, such as anaesthesia, dermatology, eye, dental, geriatrics, ENT, annual health check-up, etc.

Located on 378 Alexandra Road, Alexandra Hospital is accessible by public transport, MRT, and self-drive. With Queenstown station the nearest MRT station, shuttle bus is provided for patients' convenience.

The shuttle bus makes 3 stops and the detail of the timing is as follows.

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Marina Barrage Shuttle Bus

2011-05-06T18:54:00.001+08:00

The Marina Barrage creates Singapore’s 15th reservoir; boosts Singapore’s water catchment. The result of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew’s vision nearly two decades ago, it was built across the mouth of the Marina Channel.

As one of the Singapore's latest downtown icon in Year 2010, Marina Barrage is a lifestyle attraction for family gathering, kids playing kites, wedding photos shoot, and a place for couples to enjoy sunrise and sunset. Unaffected by the tides, its water level is kept constant all year round. Hence Marina Barrage is very suitable for all kinds of recreational activities such as boating, windsurfing, kayaking, and dragonboating.

The Marina Barrage is accessible by bus and MRT, with Marina Bay as the nearest MRT Station. Beside SBS Bus 400, shuttle bus is also provided to serve residents and tourists.

Schedule of SBS Bus 400 and Marina Barrage Shuttle Bus is as follows.

***Scheduled things are estimated and subjected to traffic conditions.
***For enquiry, please contact Marina Barrage Information Counter @ 6514 5959 (9am-9pm daily)

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Free Shuttle Bus from Lavender to City Square Mall

2011-05-05T09:56:00.005+08:00

City Square Mall - Lavender ROUTE

Where to take

At City Square Mall: opposite Pizza Hut at Level 1
At Lavender: Bus stop outside Lavender MRT station Exit B

When available

10.00am - 10.00pm on 25 mins interval

Who can benefit

People who want to travel from City Square Mall or Farrer Park MRT to Lavender MRT and vice versa.
Residents who stay around Kitchener Link (City Square Residences, Residences @Somme), Rangoon Road (Urban Loft, R66 Residence), Petain Road (Studios @Mame), North Bridge Road, Kallang Road.
Shoppers of City Square Mall, Mustafa Centre, Serangoon Plaza, Textile Centre, Garden 7 Mall.
Visitors of Singapore Buddhist Federation, Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple (Temple of 1000 Lights), Sinda, People's Association Headquarters, Masjid Angullia, Hinghwa Methodist Church, Taipei Buddhist Centre, Srimanmatha Karuneshvarar Temple, ICA Building, Masjid Malabar.
Students of Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre.

Back to City Square Mall >>>

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Free Shuttle Bus to City Square Mall from Novena, Toa Payoh

2011-05-04T10:00:00.002+08:00

City Square Mall – Toa Payoh - Novena ROUTE

Where to take

At City Square Mall: opposite Pizza Hut at Level 1
At Toa Payoh: Bus stop outside Toa Payoh MRT station Exit C
At Novena: Bus stop outside Novena MRT station Exit B

When available

10.00am - 10.00pm on 25 mins interval

Who can benefit

People who want to travel from City Square Mall or Farrer Park MRT to Toa Payoh or Novena MRT and vice versa.
Residents who stay around Kitchener Link (City Square Residences, Residences @Somme), Rangoon Road (Urban Loft, R66 Residence), Petain Road (Studios @Mame), Lor 2 Toa Payoh, Toa Payoh Central, Lor 4 Toa Payoh (600 @ Toa Payoh), Lor 6 Toa Payoh, Thomson Road (Thomson Euro Asia, Birmingham Mansions), Moulmein Road (Mulberry Tree, Novena Suite, The Huntington), Sinaran Dr (Soleil @ Sinaran, Apleton view, Novelis).
Shoppers of City Square Mall, Mustafa Centre, Serangoon Plaza, Velocity, Novena Square, United Square.
Visitors of Singapore Buddhist Federation, Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple (Temple of 1000 Lights), Sinda, People's Association Headquarters, Masjid Angullia, Hinghwa Methodist Church, HDB Hub, Toa Payoh Town Park, Toa Payoh Swimming Complex, Singapore Chung Hwa Medical Institution, Toa Payoh Community Library, Church of the Risen Christ, Toa Payoh Central CC, Toa Payoh Methodist Church, Novena Medical Centre, Revenue House, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Parkway Health Hospital, Novena Church, Revival Centre Church.
Students of Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre.

Free Shuttle Bus to Great World City from Orchard

2011-04-28T11:23:00.000+08:00

GWC - ORCHARD ROUTE

Where to take

At GWC: near taxi stand in front of BreadTalk
At Orchard: Bus stop in front of CK Tangs, Orchard Road

When available

10.30am - 10.30pm daily on 20 mins interval
The schedule attached shows the estimated departure time from Great World City.

Who can benefit

People who want to travel from GWC to Orchard MRT and vice versa.
Residents who stay around Kim Seng Road, Zion Road, and River Valley Road (Melrose Park, The Cosmopolitan, Kellock Rodge, Tiara, The Trillium, Riva Lodge, Centennia Suite, Mill Point)
Shoppers of Great World City, Zion Riverside Food Centre, Tangs Shopping Centre, Ion Orchard, Wisma Atria, Lucky Plaza, Wheelock Place, Shaw Centre, Far East Plaza, The Paragon.
Visitors of Ministry of Manpower, Yong An Park, Church of St. Bernadette.
Students of ERC Institute.

back to Great World City >>>

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Anchorpoint FREE Shuttle Service

2011-04-26T08:59:00.001+08:00

Famous for FACTORY OUTLETs of brand names, Anchorpoint which is also under Frasers Centrepoint Malls flagship, cares for environment and energy saving.

Premium brand boutiques, such as Billabong Outlet, Capitol Optical Outlet, Charles & Keith Outlet, City Chain Outlet, FOX Outlet Store, G2000, Giordano Outlet, Pedro Outlet and SK Jewellery, can be found here. For your daily necessity, Cold Storage and Koufu are ready to serve you at Basement 1.

To up the green effort, Anchorpoint provides free biodiesel-fueled shuttle buses for shoppers, demonstrate its commitment to reducing the carbon footprint; at the same time, provides convenience for shopper.

The details of the shuttle service is as follows.

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Free Shuttle Bus from City Hall to Great World City

2011-04-25T08:46:00.001+08:00

GWC - CITY HALL ROUTE

Where to take

At GWC: Taxi stand near The Pump Room and Cedele Restaurant
At City Hall: Bus Stop in front of St Andrew's Cathedral, Coleman Street

When available

11.00am - 9.00pm daily on 40-60 mins interval
The schedule attached shows the estimated departure time from Great World City.

Who can benefit

People who want to travel from GWC to City Hall MRT and vice versa.
Residents who stay around Kim Seng Road, Zion Road, and River Valley Road (Melrose Park, The Cosmopolitan, Kellock Rodge, Tiara, The Trillium, Riva Lodge, Centennia Suite, Mill Point).
Shoppers of Great World City, Zion Riverside Food Centre, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Capitol Centre, Peninsula Plaza, Funan, The Adelphi, Citylink Mall, Suntec City.
Visitors of Ministry of Manpower, Yong An Park, Church of St. Bernadette, Supreme Court, St. Andrew's Cathedral, Padang, War Memorial Park, Chijmes, Armenian Church.
Students of ERC Institute, SCCIOB, SMU.

Free Shuttle Bus from Chinatown to Great World City

2011-04-24T08:38:00.005+08:00

GWC - CHINATOWN ROUTE

Where to take

At GWC: Taxi stand near The Pump Room and Cedele Restaurant
At Chinatown: Taxi Stand Outside People Park OG, Upper Cross Street

When available

10.30am - 8.20pm daily on 40-60 mins interval
The schedule attached shows the estimated departure time from Great World City.

Who can benefit

People who want to travel from GWC to Chinatown MRT and vice versa.
Residents who stay around Kim Seng Road, Zion Road, River Valley Road (Melrose Park, The Cosmopolitan, Kellock Rodge, Tiara, The Trillium, Riva Lodge, Centennia Suite, Mill Point) and Rochor Road, Sungei Road, Eu Tong Seng Road, New Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street.
Shoppers of Great World City, Zion Riverside Food Centre, People's Park Complex, The Majestic, Yue Hwa, OG Chinatown, Chinatown Point.
Visitors of Ministry of Manpower, Yong An Park, Church of St. Bernadette, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, Sri Mariamman Temple, Chinatown Heritage Centre.
Students of ERC Institute.

Free Shuttle Bus Service from Liang Court on Weekdays

2011-04-22T21:44:00.006+08:00

Weekdays ROUTE

Where to take

At Liang Court: Novotel Clarke Quay Hotel Lobby along Tan Tye Place
At Tiong Bahru: Bus stop along Tiong Bahru Road
For in-between stopovers, please refer to the route-map attached.

When available

11.30am - 2.30pm (first timing)
3.15pm - 8.50pm (second timing)
Estimated 15 mins interval
The schedule attached shows the estimated departure time from each stopover.
Please take note that the stopovers for first timing & second timing are different. Please refer to the attached route-map.

Who can benefit

People who want to travel from Liang Court to Tiong Bahru MRT or Raffles Place MRT and vice versa.
Residents who stay around Tiong Bahru Road (Jalan Membina, Kim Tian Road, Jalan Bukit Ho Swee), Novotel Clarke Quay Hotel, River Valley Road (Langston Ville, The Morning Side, The Cosmopolitan, Valley Point Condo, Melrose Park, Kellock Rodge, Tiara, The Trillium, Riva Lodge, Centennia Suite, Mill Point).
Shoppers of Liang Court, The Central, Tiong Bahru Plaza, Tiong Bahru Wet Market, Great World City, Zion Riverside Food Centre.
Visitors of Fort Canning Park, GX-5 Xtreme Swing, River Cruise, The Cannery, Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, Tiong Bahru Park, Henderson Park, Ministry of Manpower, Yong An Park, Church of St. Bernadette.
Students of ERC Institute.

for Weekends & PHs ROUTE >>>

back to Liang Court >>>

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Free Shuttle Bus Service from Liang Court on Weekends & PHs

2011-04-22T21:23:00.014+08:00

Weekends & PHs ROUTE

Where to take

At Liang Court: Novotel Clarke Quay Hotel Lobby along Tan Tye Place
At Tiong Bahru: Taxi stand facing Bukit Ho Swee Crescent
For in-between stopovers, please refer to the route-map attached.

When available

11.00am - 8.50pm
Estimated 15 mins interval
The schedule attached shows the estimated departure time from each stopover.

Who can benefit

People who want to travel from Liang Court to Tiong Bahru MRT and vice versa.
Residents who stay around Tiong Bahru Road (Jalan Membina, Kim Tian Road, Jalan Bukit Ho Swee), Novotel Clarke Quay Hotel.
Shoppers of Liang Court, The Central, Tiong Bahru Plaza, Tiong Bahru Wet Market.
Visitors of Fort Canning Park, GX-5 Xtreme Swing, River Cruise, The Cannery, Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, Tiong Bahru Park, Henderson Park.

for Weekdays ROUTE >>>

back to Liang Court >>>

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A Mental Problem

2010-04-26T23:18:00.003+08:00

The difference between CRAZY and STUPID.

One truck driver was doing his usual delivery to Mental Hospital.
He discovered a flat tyre when he was about to go home.
He jacked up the truck and took the flat tyre down.
When he was about to fix the spare tyre, he accidentally dropped all the bolts into the drain.

As he can't fish the bolts out, he started to panic.

One patient happened to walk past and asked the driver what happened.
The driver thought to himself, since there's nothing much he can do; hetold the patient the whole incident.

The patient laughed at him & said "can't even fix such a simpleproblem...no wonder you are destined to be a truck driver..." Here's what you can do, take one bolt each from the other 3 tyres and fixit onto this tyre.
Then drive to the nearest workshop and replace the missing ones, easy as that"

The driver was very impressed and asked "You're so smart but why are you here at the Mental Hospital?"

Patient replied:
"Hello, I stay here because I'm crazy not STUPID!"

Free Shuttle Bus Service from Liang Court

2010-04-16T08:00:00.008+08:00

Liang Court Shopping Mall, located nearby Clarke Quay and along the Singapore River, is a family mall that provides a uniquely Asia Fusion shopping experience. Well-known to Japanese and locals, this riverside mall attracts customers with the famous Meidi-Ya Supermarket, Books Kinokuniya, and Audio House.

With around 96 shops spanning over 6 levels and 756 car park lots, Liang Court oftens organise Japan-oriented activities such as Tamiya Fair, Japan Travel Fair, Ikenobo Ikebana Exhibition, Japan Lifestyle Fair, and so on. Hence, it will be a common sight to see a lot of Japanese families patronise the Mall.

To provide greater convenience to its shopper, Liang Court runs a free shuttle bus service. Do take note of the different routes at different timings the shuttle bus operates.

The detail of each route is as follows.

for Weekdays ROUTE >>>

for Weekends & PHs ROUTE >>>

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KK Women's and Children's Hospital - KKH Shuttle Bus Service

2010-04-08T12:07:00.004+08:00

KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) is one of the regional leaders in Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Neonatology. The hospital, which accomodates 830 beds and with more than 400 specialists as of today, provides services to handle high-risk conditions in women and children. To serve people better and to provide convenience to visitors, it runs a free shuttle service between the hospital and Novena or Bugis MRT stations.

Please do take note that the seating capacity of the shuttle bus is limited to 23 persons for safety reasons.

The detail of the Hospital shuttle bus route is as follows.

Where to take

At KKH: Pick–up point in between of Children's Tower and Women's Tower
At Novena MRT: Taxi stand at Square 2, along Irrawaddy Road
At Bugis MRT: Bus stop outside Bugis MRT Exit A, along Victoria Street

When available

8.00am - 9.30pm (Mon-Fri except public holidays) on approximately 15 mins interval

Who can benefit

Patients/Visitors who want to go to KKH from Novena or Bugis MRT and vice versa.
Residents who stay around Thomson Road (Thomson Euro Asia, Birmingham Mansions), Moulmein Road (Mulberry Tree, Novena Suite, The Huntington), Sinaran Dr (Soleil @ Sinaran, Apleton view, Novelis), Rochor Road, Ophir Road.
Shoppers of Velocity, Novena Square, Square 2 Shopping Centre, United Square, Sim Lim Square, Sim Lim Tower, Fu Lu Shou Complex, Bugis Village, Iluma, Bugis Junction, Victoria Street Wholesale center, Golden Landmark Shopping complex.
Visitors of Novena Medical Centre, Revenue House, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Parkway Health Hospital, Novena Church, Revival Centre Church, Raffles Hospital, Parkview Square, Singapore - Johor Taxi Service, Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Sri Krishnan Temple, Kampong Java Park, Farrer Park Tennis Centre & swimming complex.
Students of Stamford Primary School.

Free Suntec City Mall Shuttle Bus from City Hall

2010-02-08T20:00:00.002+08:00

Suntec City Mall, housing the famous world’s largest fountain, The Fountain of Wealth, provides free shuttle bus services from City Hall MRT station. Spanning across five prestigious office towers, including a world class Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre and Singapore’s largest hypermarket Carrefour, it opens from 10:00am to 10:00pm daily.

The detail of the Suntec shuttle bus route is as follows.

Where to take

At Suntec City Mall: a) Bus Stop beside Suntec Singapore (Convention & Exhibition Centre), b) Bus Stop beside Suntec Tower Two (Tropics) near Carrefour Suntec
At City Hall: Bus stop at Coleman Street next to St. Andrew's Cathedral

When available

7.30am - 9.30am (Mon-Sat except public holidays)
11.00am - 10.30pm (Daily)

Who can benefit

People who want to travel from Suntec City Mall to City Hall MRT and vice versa.
Shoppers of Raffles City Shopping Centre, Capitol Centre, Peninsula Plaza, Funan, The Adelphi, Citylink Mall, Suntec City Mall, Marina Square.
Visitors of Supreme Court, St. Andrew's Cathedral, Padang, War Memorial Park, Chijmes, Armenian Church, Esplanade, Fountain of Wealth, Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Students of SCCIOB, SMU.

Free Shuttle Bus to City Square Mall from Novena, Toa Payoh, Lavender

2010-01-29T22:30:00.017+08:00

City Square Mall, Singapore’s first eco-mall, which is situated at the junction of Serangoon and Kitchener Roads, offers free shuttle bus services from 3 MRT stations - Novena, Toa Payoh and Lavender. Being nearby Little India, it hopes to be a town hub which provides the local and tourist shoppers a perfect place to meet, play and shop while having an eco-learning experience.

This complimentary shuttle bus services is available daily from 10.00am to 10.00pm in approximately 25 mins interval.

The detail of each route - Novena, Toa Payoh and Lavender - is as follows.

City Square Mall – Toa Payoh - Novena ROUTE >>>

City Square Mall - Lavender ROUTE >>>

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Free Shuttle Bus to Great World City from Orchard, City Hall, Chinatown

2010-01-16T12:35:00.032+08:00

Great World City (GWC) Shopping Mall provides complimentary shuttle services to bring shoppers from nearby MRT stations to the mall. The services are from/to Orchard, City Hall, and Chinatown MRT stations, with approximately 20 mins interval.

This service is available daily from 10.30am to 10.30pm. Since each route is served exclusively, do take note of the destination signboard on the bus before taking the service.

The detail of each route is as follows.

GWC - ORCHARD ROUTE >>>

GWC - CHINATOWN ROUTE >>>

GWC - CITY HALL ROUTE >>>

View Larger Map
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Roughly Only 2 Out of 3 People are Singapore Citizens in Year 2009

2009-12-07T07:00:00.000+08:00

Singapore is a multiracial society where people live harmoniously and interaction among different races are commonly seen. The pattern of Singapore stems from the inherent cultural diversity among Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European. In the past, the immigrants intermingled to a certain extent as they interacted one another and this created a unique culture of Singapore.

In the recent year (as reported in the previous article), the influx of new immigrants to Singapore is on the increase. They are not only of the four existing races. They come from countries, such as Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Philippine, Thailand, Australia, European Countries and make their way to Singapore to find a better opportunity.

Therefore, it will not be a surprise when we go around walking and sight-seeing in town, we often hear unfamiliar languages spoken among the crowds. This indeed shows that the composition of Singapore society has changed.

It is also highlighted in the article "Singapore Population Growth in Four Decades" that the population growth in Singapore is mainly contributed by non-resident. In the last twenty years, Singapore citizen population is only increased by 0.58 million people whereas the non-citizen population by 1.36 million.

From the graph above, we can see that only 1 to 1.5 out of 10 people living in Singapore are foreigners in year 1970-1990. However, in year 2000-2004, the number of foreigners in Singapore rises to 2.5 out of 10 people (or 1 out of 4 is of foreign nationality). Moreover, this trend is on the rising side as seen in the graph. Today, this number statistically stands at 3.6 out of 10 people which means roughly 1 out of 3 people walking on any streets in Singapore is not a Singaporean. This number definitely does not apply to Orchard Road, where it is believed that there are many more foreigners than Singaporeans on this shopping street.

Read more articles on Singapore Citizen and Permanent Resident Topics
  Singapore Population in Year 2009
  Singapore Population Growth in Four Decades
  The Benefits of Converting to Singapore Citizen
  TAX Benefits & Incentives for Singapore Citizens & PRs

Free Shuttle Bus from Changi Airport Terminal 2 to Budget Terminal

2009-12-03T07:00:00.003+08:00

Enjoy the complimentary 24-hour shuttle services available at Changi Airport Terminal 2, looping between Terminal 2 and Budget Terminal. When you are in Terminal 1 or Terminal 3, you need to hop onto the free Skytrain service to Terminal 2 first to enjoy the free Budget Terminal shuttle bus service.

Where to take

At Terminal 2: next to SBSTransit Bus 36 Berth at the basement bus bay
At Budget Terminal: at the Shuttle Service bus stop between the Departure Hall and the Arrival Hall

When available

24-hour daily
10 mins interval (5.00am - 1.59am) or 30 mins interval (2.00am - 4.59am)
The bus ride between Terminal 2 to Budget Terminal will take approximately 5-10 minutes.

Who can benefit

Passengers of airlines at Budget Terminals: Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific, and Firefly Airlines.
Travellers who need to take connecting flights at Terminal 1, 2, and 3.
Visitors or tourists who want to go to the city by MRT and Public Bus. The Airport MRT station and Bus bay are located at Terminal 2.

What a Job to Do in Zoo

2009-12-01T07:00:00.000+08:00

This guy needs a job and decides to apply at the zoo. As it happened, their star attraction, a gorilla, had passed away the night before and they had carefully preserved his hide. They tell this guy that they'll pay him well if he would dress up in the gorillas skin and pretend to be the gorilla so people will keep coming to the zoo.

Well, the guy has his doubts, but Hey! He needs the money, so he puts on the skin and goes out into the cage. The people all cheer to see him. He plays up to the audience and they just eat it up. This isn't so bad, he thinks, and he starts really putting on a show, jumping around, beating his chest and roaring, swinging around.

During one acrobatic attempt, though, he loses his balance and crashes through some safety netting, landing square in the middle of the lion cage! As he lies there stunned, the lion roars.

He's terrified and starts screaming, "Help, Help, Help!" The lion races over to him, places his paws on his chest and hisses, "Shut up or we'll BOTH lose our jobs!

What to Remember in Making a Tough Decision

2009-11-28T07:00:00.010+08:00

A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one was still in use while the other disused. Only one child played on the disused track whereas the rest on the operational track.

The train was coming and you were just beside the track junction. You could make the train change its course to the disused track and save most of the kids. However, that would also mean that the lone child playing at the disused track would be sacrificed. On the other hand, would you rather let the train go as it was?

Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make.........

Choose the track whether you want to divert it or let it be.........

If you choose let it be>>>

Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. You might think the same way. Exactly, to save most of the children at the expense of only one child was the rational decision that most people would make morally and emotionally. But, have you ever thought that the child who chose to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?

What is wrong with this choice?>>>

Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was.

This kind of dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office, community, politics and society, the minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority is, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority is. The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. However, in this case he was sacrificed.

What will Leo Velski Julian choose?>>>

The great critic Leo Velski Julian who told the story said he would not try to change the course of the train because he believed that the kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens. If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought that the train could come over to that disused track! Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe. If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids.

While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one.

'Remember that what is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right.'
Everybody ever makes mistakes; that's why they put erasers on pencils.

Read more other interesting articles
  USED vs LOVED
  The Donkey Attitude
  How to Stay Young
  The Story of a Boy & a Tree

Annual Singapore Population Growth

2009-11-25T07:00:00.006+08:00

The following Annual Population Growth graph shows that foreigners population growth in Singapore is closely related to economy. As examples, in year 2004 and 2009, there were dips for non-resident influx to Singapore. These were caused by economy crisis and economy recession respectively. Companies reduced their expenses and tightened their expansion, resulted in lower number of jobs created and more competitive job market. However in year 2009, the number of PRs shows the other way round.

source: http://www.singstat.gov.sg

Foreigners applied and being granted the PR status is increased to a double digit growth. This is inline with government policy to attract more people to take up PR status and eventually citizenship so as to support Singapore population number and economy in the long run.

Permanent resident can enjoy privileges which are not accessible to non-resident, such as cheaper education fee and medical care, employer CPF contribution, right to buy public housing, and so on. Incentives and benefits, such as housing, healthcare, education, childcare, etc are also differentiated between citizen and permanent resident, as mentioned in previous article.

Social activities, introducing Singapore unique culture, are organized to bring non-residents, permanent residents, and citizens closer. At the same time, it is meant to make foreigners feel home on this "land of opportunities" and assimilate them into society.

Read more articles on Singapore Citizen and Permanent Resident Topics
  Singapore Population in Year 2009
  Singapore Population Growth in Four Decades
  CPF Privileges & Obligations for Citizens and PRs
  TAX Benefits & Incentives for Singapore Citizens & PRs

Singapore Population Growth in Four Decades

2009-11-22T19:00:00.006+08:00

In the article "Singapore Population in Year 2009", it is mentioned that from year 1990 - 2009, total population in Singapore has jumped from around three million to almost five million people. However, this population growth is mainly contributed by non-resident.

For the additional 2 million population, Singapore citizen only chips-in 0.58 million people, which is around 30% of population growth.

The following graph breaks down the ten-year population growth by Singapore Resident classification.

source: http://www.singstat.gov.sg

From the graph above, it can be seen that total population grew significantly from year 1970 to 1990. This was aligned with the economic growth that Singapore had enjoyed during that period. Non-residents population grew a lot as more foreign talents, experts, expatriates, and foreign workers were needed to support the economic growth. In other words, their existence created jobs and their professionalism and expertise helped Singapore transformed into a first world country. However, despite of the new jobs creation and marvelous economic growth, they are being accused of stealing jobs from citizens and spoiling the job market.

Singapore's hunger of professionals continues its trend from year 1990 onwards as more foreigners come to Singapore to work and more permanent resident status is granted. However, from year 2000 onwards, it seems that the population growth contributed by each resident class declines.

To see more clearly the growth pattern, let us zoom-in to the last nine years (2000-2009) of the Annual Population Growth graph in the next article.

Read more articles on Singapore Citizen and Permanent Resident Topics
  Singapore Population in Year 2009
  The Benefits of Converting to Singapore Citizen
  The Benefits in Education Subsidies & Scheme
  TAX Benefits & Incentives for Singapore Citizens & PRs

Free Shuttle Bus from Plaza Singapura to Tiong Bahru MRT

2009-11-17T22:36:00.016+08:00

Plaza Singapura Shopping Mall provides free shuttle bus from 10am to 8pm daily on half hourly interval. This service will loop from Plaza Singapura, through River Valley road, to Tiong Bahru MRT Station.

Where to take

At Plaza Singapura: near taxi stand
At Tiong Bahru Road: Bus stop opposite Tiong Bahru MRT Station
For in-between stopovers, please refer to the route-map attached.

When available

10am - 8pm daily on half hourly interval
The schedule attached shows the estimated departure time from Plaza Singapura.

Who can benefit

People who want to travel from Dhoby Ghaut MRT to Tiong Bahru MRT and vice versa.
Residents who stay around River Valley Road (Air View Towers, Former Times House, Crystal Center, Valley Point) and Tiong Bahru Road (Jalan Membina, Kim Tian Road, Jalan Bukit Ho Swee).
Shoppers of Plaza Singapura, Dhoby XChange, Park Mall, The Cathay, Tiong Bahru Plaza, Tiong Bahru Wet Market.
Visitors of the Istana Complex, Fort Canning Park, Tiong Bahru Park, Henderson Park.

Don't Ever Lie to Your Professor

2009-11-17T21:24:00.010+08:00

This past fall semester, at Duke University, there were two sophomores who were taking Organic Chemistry and who did pretty well on all of the quizzes, midterms, labs, etc. Going into the final exam, they had solid "A's."

These two friends were so confident going into the final that the weekend before finals week (even though the Chem. final was on Monday), they decided to go up to University of Virginia to a party with some friends.

So they did this and had a great time. However, they ended up staying longer than they planned, and they didn't make it back to Duke until early Monday morning. Rather than taking the final then, they found Professor Aldric after the final and explained to him why they missed it. They told him that they went up to Virginia for the weekend, and had planned to come back in time to study, but that they had a flat tire on the way back and didn't have a spare and couldn't get help for a long time. So they were late getting back to campus.

Aldric thought this over and agreed that they could make up the final on the following day. The two guys were elated and relieved. So, they studied that night and went in the next day at the time that Aldric had told them.

He placed them in separate rooms, handed each of them a test booklet and told them to begin. They looked at the first problem, which was something simple about free radical formation and was worth 5 points.

"Cool" they thought, "this is going to be easy." They did that problem and then turned the page. They were unprepared, however, for what they saw on the next page.

It said: (95 points) "Which tire?"

Singapore Population in Year 2009

2009-11-14T11:16:00.022+08:00

Singapore citizens, permanent residents and foreigners have all benefited from Singapore's economic growth, supported by government's flexible and responsive foreign worker policies which have helped Singapore keep its workforce globally competitive. In maintaining its strong economic growth, foreigners help to meet businesses' need for more workers, enabling the economy to grow beyond what Singapore's indigenous workforce can support.

read more intro>>>

However, due to the current economic recession, PM Lee has indicated that foreigners intake and PR status granting to be tightened and carefully controlled. While the flexible foreign worker policies adopted by government have added to the much-needed population numbers in Singapore, social stresses have also resulted. For example, there will be tendencies of forming ethnic enclaves in certain residential area. Besides, citizens have also been worrying for their rice bowls to be taken away due to higher competition for jobs.

The following graph plots Singapore society structure.

source: http://www.singstat.gov.sg

From year 1970 - 2000, it can be seen that the number of people holding Singapore passport had steadily increased in double digit ten-year growth. However, for the next nine years, this number has decreased to single digit normalized ten-year growth. This can be due to falling birth rates, an ageing population, and increasing standard of living. Due to this, Singapore's standing in the global economy is challenged.

As part of the solutions to this issue, Singapore government attracts foreign talents, from regional as well as worldwide, to come to Singapore to work and contribute to Singapore economy. "Work hard and play hard in the first world city-country" is the message that government tries to spread. At the same time, government hopes that these foreign talents will find Singapore their home, get permanent resident status, settle down here, and take up Singapore citizenship.

On the other side, to existing citizens, government persuades them to get married and procreate. Benefits and incentives covering childcare, housing subsidy, and healthcare are given out for the sake of national interest.

From year 1990 - 2009, total population in Singapore has jumped from around three million to almost five million people.

Next article will discuss Singapore citizenship growth in last 40 years in more detail.

Read more articles on Singapore Citizen and Permanent Resident Topics
  Annual Singapore Population Growth
  The Benefits of Converting to Singapore Citizen
  The Benefits in Education Subsidies & Scheme
  TAX Benefits & Incentives for Singapore Citizens & PRs

Singapore Residents' CPF Privileges & Obligations

2009-11-08T15:58:00.012+08:00

The CPF is a social security savings plan for both citizens and permanent residents in Singapore where both employer and employee make monthly contributions to this fund. The coverage for this fund includes retirement, healthcare, home ownership and family protection needs.

read more intro>>>

Today, CPF savings earn a minimum risk-free interest of 2.5% guaranteed by the Government. In 2008 and 2009, Special, Medisave and Retirement Account savings will earn a guaranteed minimum 4% interest. In addition, the first $60,000 in the combined CPF balances, with up to $20,000 from Ordinary Account, will earn an extra 1% interest.

In the end of the day, it is important to properly plan the use of your CPF savings to ensure sufficient savings for your retirement, a fully paid-up house when you retire, sufficient savings to meet your medical needs in your golden age.

Let's take a look on the following table to see what Citizen and PR's privileges and obligation regarding this comprehensive social security savings plan.

Privileges & Obligations	Singapore Citizen	Singapore PR
Central Provident Fund (CPF) Matters
Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions	Required	Contribution to the Central Provident Fund (CPF) is required once the foreign employee obtains Permanent Resident status. Permanent Residents will contribute a smaller rate to their CPF accounts on a graduated rate for the first two years, and the same rates as those for Singapore Citizens from the third year onwards.
Special Transfers: CPF top-up Medisave top-up New Singapore Shares (NSS) Economic Restructuring Shares (ERS) Progress Package	Eligible	Not eligible
Medisave contributions	Required	Required

Source: http://www.ica.gov.sg
Information updated as at 1 May 2009

For matters relating to the Central Provident Fund (CPF), please visit the CPF website: http://www.cpf.gov.sg.

Read more articles on benefits of converting to Singapore Citizen
  The Benefits of Converting to Singapore Citizen
  The Benefits in Education Subsidies & Scheme
  The Benefits in Healthcare Subsidies & Schemes
  Tax Benefits & Incentives for Singapore Citizens & PRs

TAX Benefits & Incentives for Singapore Citizens & PRs

2009-11-08T13:41:00.011+08:00

You need to pay income tax on all income you have earned or received in Singapore. However, overseas income which was received in Singapore (including those paid into a Singapore bank account) on or after 1 Jan 2004 is not taxable. For interest received from fixed deposits, it is taxable, unless they are specifically exempted under the Income Tax Act. The exemption is that interest received from deposits with approved banks or licensed finance companies in Singapore on or after 1 Jan 2005 is not taxable.

read more intro>>>

Income tax is assessed based on a preceding year basis. For example, for Year of Assessment 2010, you will be taxed on the income earned in year 2009. Recently there is a discussion in community whether the tax assessment should be done for the current year instead of preceding year and whether it should be done on monthly basis. According to them, this will provide clearer and fairer assessment as you pay what you earn currently. However, till date, old rule still applies: the assessment is still on yearly basis and for the preceding year.

Let's take a look on the following table to see what tax benefits and incentives that you are entitled to, either as Citizen or PR.

Privileges & Obligations	Singapore Citizen	Singapore PR
Tax Matters
Tax incentives for parenthood specifically: Parenthood Tax Rebate Working Mother's Child Relief Grandparent Caregiver Relief Qualifying Child Relief Handicapped Child Relief Foreign Maid Levy Relief	Eligible	Not eligible
Tax deferral for contributions to Supplementary Retirement Scheme	Eligible	Eligible
Tax relief for Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions	Eligible	Eligible
All other personal reliefs	Eligible	Eligible except: Relief for Wife/Widow of National Service men (Wife must be Singapore Citizen) Relief for parent of National Service men (Parent must be Singapore Citizen)

Source: http://www.ica.gov.sg
Information updated as at 1 May 2009

For more information on tax matters, please visit the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) website: http://www.iras.gov.sg.

Read more articles on benefits of converting to Singapore Citizen
  The Benefits of Converting to Singapore Citizen
  The Benefits in Education Subsidies & Scheme
  The Benefits in Healthcare Subsidies & Schemes
  CPF Privileges & Obligations for Citizens and PRs

Benefits for Singapore Citizens & Singapore PRs’ CHILDCARE Subsidies & Scheme

2009-10-25T13:33:00.017+08:00

SINGAPORE Government has been trying hard to get their citizens to procreate. Getting married and having offsprings becomes a national matter as Singapore needs more manpower to sustain her economic growth. However, the living standard of this first-world city-country has kept people away from this thought and this demographic issue is getting more serious than ever. Propaganda is launched and incentives are given to solve this problem.

The following table will serve as a guide on comparing the benefit in childcare subsidies and scheme.

Subsidies & Schemes	Singapore Citizen Child	Singapore Permanent Resident Child
Child(ren) Development Co-Savings (Baby Bonus) Scheme
Baby bonus	Eligible (*)	Not eligible
Centre-Based Child Care Subsidy for Children () for Working Mothers (*)
Full day centre-based child care	S$300	S$0
Half-day centre-based child care	S$150	S$0
Flexible hours centre-based child care	Pro-rated based on hours of care	S$0
Centre-Based Child Care Subsidy for Children for Non-Working Mothers
Full day centre-based child care	S$150	S$0
Half-day centre-based child care	S$150	S$0
Flexible hours centre-based child care	Pro-rated based on hours of care	S$0
Centre-Based Infant Care Subsidy for Infants (#) for Working Mothers
Full day centre-based infant care	S$600	S$0
Half-day centre-based infant care	S$300	S$0
Flexible hours centre-based infant care	Pro-rated based on hours of care	S$0
Centre-Based Infant Care Subsidy for Infants for Non-Working Mothers
Full day centre-based infant care	S$150	S$0
Half-day centre-based infant care	S$150	S$0
Flexible hours centre-based infant care	Pro-rated based on hours of care	S$0
Centre-Based Financial Assistance Scheme For Child Care (CFAC)(##)
Subsidy	Eligible	Eligible
Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) (###)
Subsidy	Eligible	Eligible

Notes***

(*) Certain conditions apply. For more information on baby bonus, visit http://www.babybonus.gov.sg.

(**) Singapore Citizen (SC) children are eligible for childcare subsidy if they are above 18 months to below 7 years old of age of any birth order. They must be enrolled in childcare centre licensed with the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports (MCYS).

(***) Working mothers must have worked for at least 56 hours per month.

(#) Singapore Citizen (SC) infants are eligible for infant care subsidy if he or she is aged 2 to 18 months of any birth order. They must be enrolled in infant care centres licensed with MCYS.

(##) Certain conditions apply. Children who are permanent residents of Singapore (PR) can apply if at least one member of their immediate family is a Singapore Citizen among other conditions. For more information on CFAC, visit http://www.childcarelink.gov.sg.

(###) Certain conditions apply. Children who are permanent residents of Singapore (PR) can apply if at least one member of their immediate family is a Singapore Citizen. The child must be aged between 7 and 14 years of age and is attending a MOE-registered school among other conditions.

Source: http://www.ica.gov.sg
Information updated as at 1 May 2009

For more information on SCFA, visit http://www.childcarelink.gov.sg.
For more information on infant care, childcare and student care matters, visit http://www.childcarelink.gov.sg or the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports website: http://www.mcys.gov.sg.

Read more articles on benefits of converting to Singapore Citizen
  The Benefits of Converting to Singapore Citizen
  The Benefits in Education Subsidies & Scheme
  The Benefits in Healthcare Subsidies & Schemes
  The Benefits in Housing Subsidies & Schemes

Benefits for Singapore Citizens & PRs’ RESIDENTIAL Arrangements

2009-10-25T11:21:00.019+08:00

HOME Sweet Home! A place truly dears to ourselves and our loved ones. A place we can call home. However, at this moment, housing price in Singapore is truly around its all-time high. Frankly speaking, this issue has been a hindrance for foreigners to settle in Singapore, be it to rent or to buy.

Topic on Singapore housing price and HDB units availability has been hot debated online and offline; everyone has his/her own stand. To cater different needs, property developers come out with more so-called mickey mouse or shoebox flats - which are below 500 sq ft - on the market.

Despite of the pricing and availability issues, we need to prepare ourselves with the correct information so that we can come out with a wiser decision; whether to buy or rent HDB units or condominiums, the criteria to own a HDB unit, whether the housing subsidies and scheme can entice us to convert our citizenship. The previous article has briefly discussed the differences in housing subsidies and scheme for Citizens and PRs.

For more details, let us take a look at the following table. The information provided is also useful for people who currently own HDB units; what kind of mortgage loan they can rely on, how much they need to pay for HDB flats upgrading project, the criteria to upgrade their units.

Types of Residence	Singapore Citizen	Singapore Permanent Resident
Private Residential Non-landed / Private Apartments (e.g. condominiums)
Purchase	Eligible	Eligible
Rental	Eligible	Eligible
Private Residential Landed Property (e.g. bungalows, semi-detached house & terrace house)
Purchase	Eligible	Eligible (*)
Rental	Eligible	Eligible
Public Housing (apartments developed by Housing & Development Board [HDB])
Purchase of subsidised new flats (2/3/4/5-rooms & Executive Flats)	Eligible (**)	Not eligible
Purchase of subsidised new flats (Executive Condominiums)	Eligible (***)	Not eligible
Purchase of subsidised new flats (Studio Apartments)	Eligible (#)	Not eligible
Purchase of resale flats	Eligible	Eligible (Subject to HDB’s eligibility schemes)
Rental of subsidised flats from HDB	Eligible (##)	Not eligible
Rental of a room / flat from Home Owners	Eligible	Eligible
Eligibility for Central Provident Fund (###) (CPF) housing grant	Eligible	Not eligible
Main Upgrading Programme (^) (MUP)
Eligibility for main upgrading subsidy Eligible (^^)		Not eligible (^^^)
Eligibility for HDB concessionary interest rate for payment for upgrading cost for MUP	Eligible	Not eligible (+)
Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP)
Eligibility for lift upgrading subsidy	Eligible	Not eligible (++)
Eligibility for HDB’s concessionary interest rate for payment for upgrading cost by installment for LUP	Eligible	Not eligible (+++)
Mortgage Loans
Eligibility for mortgage loans from HDB (at a concessionary interest rate pegged at 0.1% above CPF Ordinary Account interest rate) (Subject to eligibility conditions set by HDB)	Eligible	Not eligible (+=)
Eligibility for mortgage loans from financial institutions / banks	Eligible	Eligible

Notes***

(*) Prior approval from the Minister for Law is required for a foreign person to acquire or purchase restricted residential property ie. private landed property. The approval form can be downloaded from the Singapore Land Authority.

(**) The main applicant must be a Singapore Citizen and at least 21 years old at time of application. The family nucleus must comprise a Singapore Citizen or a Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR).

(***) The main applicant must be a Singapore Citizen and at least 21 years old at time of application. The family nucleus must comprise a Singapore Citizen or a Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR).

(#) The main applicant must be Singapore Citizen and at least 55 years old at the time of application. If there are other applicants such as spouse, parents, siblings or children, they must be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents and are of 21 years old at time of application.

(##) The applicant must be a Singapore Citizen. At least one of the proposed occupiers listed in the application must be either a Singapore Citizen or a Singapore Permanent Resident.

(###) The CPF is a social security savings plan for both Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents in Singapore where both employer and employee make monthly contributions to this fund. The coverage for this fund includes retirement, healthcare, home ownership, family protection needs and asset enhancements.

(^) The Main Upgrading Programme (MUP) includes improvements that are made to the precinct, and within the blocks and flats.

(^^) The amount of subsidy depends on the flat type and whether the flat owner has previously enjoyed any upgrading subsidy under the MUP.

(^^^) A Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) owner who has been billed for the full upgrading cost after the completion of MUP works can claim reimbursement of the upgrading subsidy provided the SPR owner obtains his or her Singapore Citizenship within one year from the date of billing of the upgrading cost, and the claim is made within one year of obtaining the citizenship. In addition, he or she must still be the owner of the flat at the time of the reimbursement.

(+) Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) households who wish to convert their interest scheme from the HDB market interest rate to concessionary interest rate if any of the SPR flat owner(s) obtains Singapore Citizenship (SC) must do so within one year from the date of billing of the upgrading cost. The interest rate on the outstanding upgrading cost will be converted to the prevailing HDB concessionary interest rate from the first day of the month following the date the SPR flat owner obtains SC.

(++) HDB will reimburse Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) households with the upgrading subsidy if any of the SPR flat owners obtain Singapore Citizenship within one year from the date of billing of the upgrading cost. The SPR flat owners must still be the owner of the flat at the time of the reimbursement.

(+++) Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) households will be charged the HDB market interest rate. They can convert their interest scheme from the HDB market interest rate to the concessionary interest rate if any of the SPR flat owner(s) obtains Singapore Citizenship (SC) within one year from the date of billing of the upgrading cost. The interest rate on the outstanding upgrading cost will be converted from the HDB market interest rate to the prevailing HDB concessionary interest rate from the first day of the month immediately following the date which the SPR flat owner obtains his or her SC.

(+=) SPR flat owners who have refinanced their HDB loan with the bank (as well as those SPR flat owners who had taken bank loans upfront for the purchase of their flat), cannot refinance that bank loan with HDB after they have obtained Singapore Citizenship even if they are eligible for an HDB concessionary loan. Instead, they can enjoy the HDB concessionary loan when they next purchase an HDB flat, subject to their loan eligibility at the point of application.

Source: http://www.ica.gov.sg
Information updated as at 1 May 2009

For more information on private residential arrangements, visit the Singapore Land Authority website: http://www.sla.gov.sg.
For more information on public housing issues, visit the Housing Development Board website: http://www.hdb.gov.sg.

Read more articles on benefits of converting to Singapore Citizen
  The Benefits of Converting to Singapore Citizen
  The Benefits in Education Subsidies & Scheme
  The Benefits in Healthcare Subsidies & Schemes
  The Benefits in Childcare Subsidies & Schemes

Benefits for Singapore Citizens & PRs HEALTHCARE Subsidies & Schemes

2009-10-24T21:13:00.016+08:00

AS MENTIONED in one of the articles here, concern on their children's future makes people put education as one of the factors before deciding to change their nationality. In addition, healthcare is also taken into their consideration. The healthcare system and schemes in Singapore are being compared to that of their home-countries. Besides, goverment's support, subsidies, and commitment on this sector is also one of the attracting points that can attempt people to convert their citizenship.

The following table will serve as a guide on comparing the benefit in healthcare subsidies and schemes.

Subsidies & Schemes	Singapore Citizen	Singapore Permanent Resident
Subsidies for Public & Restructured Hospitals (% Subsidised )
Types of Ward Class
Class B1	20%	10%
Class B2	65%	55%
Class C	80%	70%
Types of Service
Day Surgery	65%	55%
Specialist Outpatient Clinic (SOC)	50%	40%
Subsidies for Polyclinics
Medical Consultation Charges (S$)
Adult	S$8.80 – S$9.30	S$13.50 – S$14.50
Child / Elderly(*)	S$4.60 – S$5.10	S$13.50 – S$14.50
Healthcare Financing Schemes
Medisave()(under CPF)(*)	6.5-9% of monthly wage	6.5-9% of monthly wage
Medishield(#)	Eligible	Eligible
Medifund(##)	Eligible	Not eligible
Eldershield (###)	Eligible	Eligible
Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE) (+)	Eligible	Not eligible
Primary Care Partnership Scheme(++)	Eligible	Not eligible

Notes***

(*) Child subsidies are applicable to Singapore Citizens below 18 as well as those holding secondary school student passes. Elderly subsidies are applicable to Singapore Citizens age 65 and above.

(**) Medisave is a national medical savings scheme which helps individuals put aside part of their income into their Medisave Accounts under the Central Provident Fund (CPF) to meet their future personal or immediate family's hospitalisation, day surgery and certain outpatient expenses. Under the scheme, every employee contributes 6.5-9% (depending on age group) of his/her monthly salary to a personal Medisave account. The savings can be withdrawn to pay the hospital bills of the account holder and his immediate family members

(***) The Central Provident Fund (CPF) is a social security savings plan for both Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents in Singapore where both employer and employee make monthly contributions to this fund. The coverage for this fund includes retirement, healthcare, home ownership, family protection needs and asset enhancements.

(#) MediShield is a low cost catastrophic illness insurance scheme that aims to help members meet medical expenses from major or prolonged illnesses, which could not be sufficiently covered by their Medisave balance.

(##) Medifund is an endowment fund set up by the Government to help needy Singaporeans who are unable to pay for their medical expenses. The scheme acts as a safety net for those who cannot afford the subsidised bill charges, despite Medisave and MediShield coverage

(###) ElderShield is an affordable severe disability insurance scheme which provides basic financial protection to those who need long-term care, especially during old age. It provides a monthly cash payout to help pay the out-of-pocket expenses for the care of a severely-disabled person. The Central Provident Fund (CPF) members ie. Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with Medisave accounts are automatically covered under ElderShield at the age of 40.

(+) Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE) is a government assistance scheme that provides financial help to needy and disabled elderly Singaporean who are not eligible for the Eldershield coverage because of their age or pre-existing disabilities

(++)Primary Care Partnership Scheme refers to a scheme that provides affordable and convenient healthcare for needy elderly and disabled Singaporeans. Needy patients can receive subsidised outpatient medical treatments and basic dental services in participating private General Practitioners (GPs) and dental clinics near their homes. The scheme will cover treatments for 3 chronic diseases: Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension and Lipid Disorders (eg. high cholesterol).

Source: http://www.ica.gov.sg
Information updated as at 1 May 2009

For more information on healthcare issues, please visit the Ministry of Health (MOH) website: http://www.moh.gov.sg.

Read more articles on benefits of converting to Singapore Citizen
  The Benefits of Converting to Singapore Citizen
  The Benefits in Education Subsidies & Scheme
  The Benefits in Housing Subsidies & Schemes
  The Benefits in Childcare Subsidies & Schemes

Benefits for Singapore Citizens & PRs EDUCATION Subsidies & Scheme

2009-10-24T10:22:00.040+08:00

AS HIGHLIGHTED in previous article, education is one sector that people put heavy consideration into, before deciding to take up new citizenship. People always think about the future; their own well-being future and their children's future prospect. In today's era, people generally admit that education can bring better life in term of career and monetary reward, although it is not guaranteed. This brings PRs to look into Singapore education system first before making their mind.

The following table will serve as a guide on comparing the benefit in education subsidies and scheme.

Subsidies & Schemes	Singapore Citizen	Singapore Permanent Resident
School Fees payable per year in S$
Government Schools
Primary Level	Free	S$42
Secondary Level	S$60	S$72
Pre-University Level (e.g. Junior Colleges, Centralised Institute)	S$72	S$84
Independent Schools
Secondary Level	S$1,800 – S$3,060	S$2,160 – S$3,672 *()**
Pre-University Level (only applicable for Junior Colleges)	S$2,700 – S$4,800	S$3,240 – S$5,760
Others
ITE	S$164 – S$496	S$180 – S$546
Polytechnics	S$2,100	S$2,310
Universities (e.g. NUS, NTU, SMU)	S$6,110	S$6,720
Edusave Scheme ()Eligibility**
Government Schools
Primary Level	Eligible	Not eligible
Secondary Level	Eligible	Not eligible
Pre-University Level (e.g. Junior Colleges, Centralised Institute)	Eligible	Not eligible
Independent Schools
Secondary Level	Eligible	Not eligible
Pre-University Level (only applicable for Junior Colleges)	Eligible	Not eligible
Others
ITE	Eligible	Not eligible

Notes***

(*)Excluding fees for the Singapore Sports School which charges Singapore Permanent Residents three times the fees of Singapore Citizens.

(**) Edusave Scheme helps to maximise opportunities for all Singaporean children. The Scheme rewards students who perform well or who make good progress in their academic and non-academic work, and provides students and schools with funds to pay for enrichment programmes or to purchase additional resources

Source: http://www.ica.gov.sg
Information updated as at 1 May 2009

For more information on education matters, please visit the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) website: http://www.moe.gov.sg

Read more articles on benefits of converting to Singapore Citizen
  The Benefits of Converting to Singapore Citizen
  The Benefits in Healthcare Subsidies & Schemes
  The Benefits in Housing Subsidies & Schemes
  The Benefits in Childcare Subsidies & Schemes

6 again!

2009-10-11T10:21:00.003+08:00

To Be 6 Again...

A MAN was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching his wife, who was looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off he asked what she'd like to have for her birthday.

'I'd like to be six again', she replied, still looking in the mirror.

On the morning of her Birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms, and then took her to Six Flags theme park. What a day! He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Roller Coaster, everything there was.

Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down. He then took her to a McDonald's where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake.

Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, M&M's. What a fabulous adventure!

Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted.

He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, 'Well Dear, what was it like being six again?'

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed.

'I meant my dress size, you retard!!!!'

The moral of the story: Even when a man is listening, he is gonna get it wrong.

SEND THIS TO ALL THE MEN & WOMEN WHO NEED A LAUGH

My Pub Story

2009-10-11T10:03:00.002+08:00

I WAS in the pub yesterday when I desperately needed to fart.

The music was really loud, so I timed my farts to the beat of the music.

After a couple of songs, I started to feel better.

I finished my beer, looked around and noticed that everyone was staring at me.

Then I realized why…...

I was listening to my iPod.

USED vs LOVED

2009-10-10T11:01:00.003+08:00

let this be a gentle reminder to all of us on our acts . . .

USED vs LOVED

While a man was polishing his new car, his 4 yr old son picked up a stone and scratched lines on the side of the car. In anger, the man took the child's hand and hit it many times not realizing he was using a wrench.

At the hospital, the child lost all his fingers due to multiple fractures.

When the child saw his father..... with painful eyes he asked, 'Dad when will my fingers grow back?' The man was so hurt and speechless; he went back to his car and kicked it a lot of times.

Devastated by his own actions......sitting in front of that car he looked at the scratches; the child had written 'LOVE YOU DAD'. The next day that man committed suicide. . .

Anger and Love have no limits
choose the latter to have a beautiful, lovely life & remember this:
Things are to be used and people are to be loved.
The problem in today's world is that people are used while things are loved.

Let's try always to keep this thought in mind:
Things are to be used,
People are to be loved.

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits .
Watch your habits; they become character;
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Contemplation Before and After Meals

2009-10-09T00:13:00.002+08:00

This post is written by my girlfriend and I would like to share it here so as to benefit more people. Hope it benefit you too!

Dear Dhamma Friends,

So many natural disasters have been mercilessly "attacking" our neighboring countries since the last few weeks, I really feel helpless for all victims. Other than just donating monies and sending my prayers to them, there is really nothing which I can do here. The immense sufferings like losing their love ones, no proper sanitation, lack of shelter, food and clean water which those victims have to go through are just hard to imagine and indescribable.

I feel blessed to be here in Singapore. Glad to be able to wake up in the morning alive, thankful for all the delicious food and fresh, clean water which I received every day.

Without fail, I counted my blessings which I was given and say/offer my prayers every day.

As Dhamma followers, I wish to share with all of you the basic contemplation of food offering which I have learned during my Buddhist camp.

I hope that all of you can take some time to appreciate the foods and drinks which are laid nicely on your table. Start with a simple prayer and contemplation.

Contemplation Before Meals

I take this food not for beauty or pleasure but for the sustenance of my body. With this food, I maintain my strength to seek the Truth.

May I share the merits of having this meal with all sentient beings. May they be well and happy, free from all mental and physical sufferings. May the Triple Gems bless them.

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu.

Contemplation After Meals

I dedicate the positive merits I have gathered to all beings. May I and those around me, now and in all our future lives, never be separated from the Triple Gem.

May we continuously make offerings to the Triple Gem, and receive deep inspiration from them. May all those involved in the preparation of these food be blessed with good health, happiness, and peace.

The food I took relieved me from the suffering of hunger for a while. I seek to overcome all forms of sufferings completely.

May I not forget or slacked in my efforts to seek the Truth that release me from all sufferings.

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu.

May I wish all my Dhamma friends/ followers well and happy always. Have a mindful meal!

Goods & Services Tax (GST) in Singapore

2009-10-06T21:43:00.004+08:00

Do you know that when you buy goods or use services in Singapore, you have to pay 7% more for the Goods & Services Tax (GST)? Actually, what is GST? It is a tax collected on goods or services consumed in Singapore. Of course, there are things which are exempted from this tax, such as financial services, sales/rental of residential properties.

GST was first introduced in Singapore on 1 Apr 1994. Currently, the tax rate is 7%. GST has been revised for few times over the years.
- 1 Apr 1994 to 31 Dec 2002: 3%
- 1 Jan 2003 to 31 Dec 2003: 4%
- 1 Jan 2004 to 30 Jun 2007: 5%
- 1 Jul 2007 onwards: 7%

For more information on GST in Singapore, please kindly visit IRAS - GST.

For tourists/visitors to Singapore, as the goods to be consumed outside Singapore, they are entitled to claim GST tax refund upon departure from Singapore, provided goods are purchased from retailers participating in the Tourist Refund Scheme.

Click here to find out more on Tourist Refund Scheme.

New Generation Daughter-in-Law

2009-09-07T21:37:00.001+08:00

It is a myth that when a son gets married and a new daughter-in-law arrives in the family, everything changes.
Some daughters-in-law are well trained and well mannered....They don't come to change the family, they are here to... ( READ ON!)

The new wife was being welcomed at the husband's home in a traditional manner. As expected she gave a speech;
'My dear family, I thank you for welcoming me in my new home and family, firstly, my being here does not mean that I would want to change your way of life, your routine.
'No, I will never do that, never in a million years.'

'What do you mean my child?' asked the father-in-law.
'What I mean dad is (looking at her in-laws);

Those who used to wash the dishes must carry on washing them.
Those who used to do the laundry must carry on doing it.
Those who cooked should not stop at my account, AND
Those who used to clean should continue cleaning!!!

'And what are you here for?' enquired the mother-in-law.

'AS FOR ME, I'M HERE JUST TO ENTERTAIN YOUR SON!!!!!'

Australian Economy

2009-09-03T23:55:00.001+08:00

Till year 2009, China is still Australia's largest trading partner. On monetary side, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) still holds its cash rate steady at a 49-year-low of 3%.

- Today Newspaper, Wednesday September 2, 2009

Free SMRT Shuttle Bus From Dhoby Ghaut to Little India & China Town

2009-08-08T16:13:00.012+08:00

DO you know that you can take FREE shuttle bus from Dhoby Ghaut to Chinatown or Little India? Board the Free SMRT Link bus at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station to enjoy this greater convenience and savings. Shuttle buses are available on weekends and public holidays, 11am – 10pm.

Where to take

At Dhoby Ghaut: Bus stop opposite Park Mall
At Little India: Bus stop at The Verge (Formerly: Tekka Mall)
At Chinatown: Bus stop at People's Park Complex
For in-between stopovers, please refer to the route-map attached.

When available

11am - 10pm on weekends and public holidays

Who can benefit

People who want to travel from/to Dhoby Ghaut MRT - Little India MRT - Chinatown MRT and vice versa.
Residents who stay around Rochor Road, Sungei Road, Eu Tong Seng Road, New Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street.
Shoppers of The Verge, Tekka Centre Wet Market, Sim Lim Tower, Sim Lim Square, People's Park Complex, The Majestic, Yue Hwa, OG Chinatown, Chinatown Point, Plaza Singapura, Dhoby XChange, Park Mall, The Cathay.
Visitors of Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Sri Krishnan Temple, the Istana Complex, Fort Canning Park, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, Sri Mariamman Temple, Chinatown Heritage Centre.
Students of Lasalle College.

Top World Economy

2009-07-29T13:57:00.004+08:00

CHINA is the world's No. 3 economy, after United States and Japan.

The top ten list also includes Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Russia, Spain, and Brazil. In year 2008 list, Indonesia is at the late 10 or early 20 position, Malaysia at the late 30 or early 40 position, and Singapore at the early 40 position. On top of that, the economy of European countries grouped in European Union is comparable to that of United States.

The Straits Times Wednesday, July 29 2009

For more information, please refer to Wikipedia for the list of countries by GDP.

Stocks Investors' Mentality

2009-07-29T09:26:00.004+08:00

"THE BULL is coming." Often we hear people say it enthusiastically. However at times we can also hear people say, "Oh no..it's a bear time."

In this post, the Investor Mentality Chart is shown. Funny but true, yet investors fall prey to it.

Wish you all the best in your investment journey.

Husbands will be Husbands

2009-07-23T09:28:00.002+08:00

A man was sitting reading his papers when his wife hit him round the head with a frying pan.

'What was that for?' the man asked.

The wife replied 'That was for the piece of paper with the name Jenny on it that I found in your pants pocket...'

The man then said: ' When I was at the races last week Jenny was the name of the horse I bet on.'

The wife apologized and went on with the housework.

Three days later the man is watching TV when his wife bashes him on the head with an even bigger frying pan, knocking him unconscious.

Upon re-gaining consciousness the man asked why she had hit again.

Wife replied. 'Your horse phoned'.

Cool Guessing!

2009-06-27T17:22:00.001+08:00

CHECK out this cool stuff: Regifting Robin

Anyone knows how this website works?:)
It seems that she always knows what is in our mind.^^

Enjoy!

PS: Feel free to post your idea here should you know why and how she is always right!:)

Men will NEVER win!!

2009-06-13T10:47:00.002+08:00

Have a good LAUGH!!

WIFE VS. HUSBAND
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word.
An earlier discussion had led to an argument and
Neither of them wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs,
The husband asked sarcastically, 'Relatives of yours?'
'Yep,' the wife replied, 'in-laws.'

W O R D S
A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day...
30,000 to a man's 15,000.
The wife replied, 'The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men...
The husband then turned to his wife and asked, 'What?'

CREATION
A man said to his wife one day, 'I don't know how you can be
So stupid and so beautiful all at the same time.
' The wife responded, 'Allow me to explain.
God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me;
God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!

WHO DOES WHAT
A man and his wife were having an argument about who
Should brew the coffee each morning.
The wife said, 'You should do it, because you get up first,
And then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee.'
The husband said, ' You are in charge of cooking around here and
You should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee.'
Wife replies, 'No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible
That the man should do the coffee.'
Husband replies, 'I can't believe that, show me.'
So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament
And showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says........ ..'HEBREWS'

The Silent Treatment
A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each
Other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day,
He would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight..
Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper,
'Please wake me at 5:00 AM.' He left it where he knew she would find it.
The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM
And he had missed his flight.. Furious, he was about to go and
See why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by
The bed. The paper said, 'It is 5:00 AM. Wake up.'
Men are not equipped for this kind of contest.

Miscommunication

2009-06-07T13:17:00.002+08:00

ONE day there were these Chinese and British who did not know how to speak each other's languages, went to a restaurant to have dinner together. The meal was served and they started their dinner.

The Chinese wanted to have a sip; he lifted up his glass and said to the British, "Gan bei!" (means Cheers!). At first, the British was stunned but still continued his dinner. However, this always happened whenever the Chinese wanted to drink, "Gan bei!".

The British could only nod his head, kept quiet for a while, and then continued his meal.

Not long after that, the Chinese did the same thing again and shouted, "Gan bei!" while lifting up the glass. This time round, the British put down his utensils while answered back, "It's all right if you CAN'T PAY! I will pay!, so shut up"

Fingernails and Your Health - 7 Signs of Possible Health Problems

2009-06-07T11:04:00.013+08:00

DO YOU know that your fingernails can provide some clues to your health? If so, then how do you know how to read the signs? This post will show you some nail conditions that might require medical attention. Should you have a nail problem that is as mentioned here and it has been persistent for some time, you should seek your doctor to get it checked if it is associated with any medical problem.

Yellow nail syndrome
Yellow discoloration in your fingernails may result from a respiratory condition, such as chronic bronchitis, or from swelling of your hands (lymphedema). In yellow nail syndrome, nails thicken and new growth slows, resulting in discoloration. Nails affected with this condition may lack a cuticle and may detach from the nail bed in places.

Although this condition is often a sign of respiratory disease, it's possible to have yellow nails and not have a respiratory condition. Yellow nails may also result from any condition that causes the growth of your nails to slow down.

Nail pitting
Small depressions in the nails are common in people with psoriasis — a skin condition that produces scaly patches. They may also result from nail injuries. Pitting may cause your nails to crumble.

Pitting is also associated with conditions that can damage your nail's cuticle, such as chronic dermatitis of your fingers or alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss.

Nail clubbing
Clubbing occurs when the tips of your fingers enlarge and your nails curve around your fingertips. This condition results from low oxygen levels in your blood and could be a sign of lung disease. Clubbing is also associated with inflammatory bowel disease and liver disease.

Spoon nails
Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Spoon nails may be a sign of iron deficiency anemia.

Terry's nails
With the condition known as Terry's nails, your nails look opaque, but the tip has a dark band. Sometimes this can be attributed to aging. In other cases, it can be a sign of serious illness, such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, liver disease, or malnutrition.

Beau's lines
Beau's lines are indentations that run across your nails. They can appear when growth at the area under your cuticle is interrupted by injury or severe illness. Diseases or illnesses associated with Beau's lines include uncontrolled diabetes, circulatory diseases (such as peripheral artery disease), illness associated with a high fever, caused by pneumonia, scarlet fever, mumps or measles, or malnutrition.

Nail separates from nail bed
With a condition known as onycholysis, your fingernails become loose and can separate from the nail bed. If your nails show signs of detaching, this may be associated with injury or infection, Thyroid disease, drug reactions, reactions to nail hardeners or acrylic nails, Psoriasis.

爱就宅一起's Quote

2009-06-06T14:10:00.009+08:00

The Taiwanese series Together (aka. Superstar Express) or in chinese 爱就宅一起 was on air some time ago. During watching it, I came across the following quote:

没事出去走一走
就会活到九十九

I find that this quote is very true. Rather than doing nothing at home or when we feel not to do anything at home, it is a good idea to take a break by going out. The rationales are as follows.

1. The feeling of boring will affect our mood and health.
2. Sightseeing may help us to kill the bored feeling.
3. In turn, we may be happier by seeing people smile and enjoy their life.
4. Going out can help us to catch the positive energy available outside there.
5. By doing so, we will be happier and our day will be a fulfilling one.

May I wish you a good day! Enjoy and stay happy:)

In addition, you can watch the preview of this series in Youtube.

Live Simple

2009-05-24T10:47:00.003+08:00

Interesting Reflection in Chinese:)

May you be always well and happy!^^

王啟文 - 老鼠愛大米 : Wang Qi Wen - Lao Shu Ai Da Mi

2009-05-23T18:44:00.010+08:00

Click Here to view the Lyric & Translation

＊
wo3 ting1 jian4 ni3 de5 sheng1 yin1
我听见你的声音
Whenever I hear your voice

you3 zhong3 te4 bie2 de5 gan3 jue2
有种特别的感觉
I have some special feeling

rang4 wo3 bu4 duan4 xiang3
让我不断想
Let me always think

bu4 gan3 zai4 wang4 ji4 ni3
不敢再忘记你
I don't dare to forget you again

wo3 ji4 de5 you3 yi1 ge4 ren2
我记得有一个人
I always remember there is somebody

yong3 yuan3 liu2 zai4 wo3 xin1 zhong1
永远留在我心中
who are always on my mind

na3 pa4 zhi1 neng2 gou4 zhe4 yang4 de5 xiang3 ni3
哪怕只能够这样的想你
Even though I can only think about you

＃
ru2 guo3 zhen1 de5 you3 yi1 tian1
如果真的有一天
If there were really one day

ai4 qing2 li3 xiang3 hui4 shi2 xian4
爱情理想会实现
where this love would become true

wo3 hui4 jia1 bei4 nu3 li4 hao3 hao3
我会加倍努力好好
I will try all my best

dui4 ni3 yong3 yuan3 bu4 gai3 bian4
对你永远不改变
not to change the way I love you forever

bu4 guan3 lu4 you3 duo1 me5 yuan3
不管路有多么远　
I don't care how long it takes

yi1 ding4 hui4 rang4 ta1 shi2 xian4
一定会让它实现
I will let my dream come true

wo3 hui4 qing1 qing1 zai4 ni3 er3 bian1
我会轻轻在你耳边
I will go closer to your ear

dui4 ni3 shuo1
对你说　
to tell you that

dui4 ni3 shuo1
对你说
to tell you that

＋
wo3 ai4 ni3 ai4 zhe2 ni3
我爱你爱著你
I love you, loving you

jiu4 xiang4 lao3 shu3 ai4 da4 mi3
就像老鼠爱大米
as the mouse loves the rice

bu4 guan3 you3 duo1 shao3 feng1 yu3
不管有多少风雨
Even there is heavy storm

wo3 dou1 hui4 yi1 ran2 pei2 zhe2 ni3
我都会依然陪着你
I will be always by your side

wo3 xiang3 ni3 xiang3 zhe2 ni3
我想你想著你
I miss you, missing you

bu4 guan3 you3 duo1 me5 de5 ku3
不管有多么的苦
I don't care how hard it is

zhi1 yao4 neng2 rang4 ni3 kai1 xin1
只要能让你开心
I just want you be happy

wo3 shen2 me5 dou1 yuan4 yi4
我什么都愿意
Everything, I'll do it for you

zhe4 yang4 ai4 ni3
这样爱你
to love you in this way

repeat ＊,＃,＋,＋,＋

See also Lyric & English Translation for:
五月天 - 知足 : Mayday - Zhi Zu
許茹芸 & 阿穆隆 - 男人女人 : Xu Ru Yun A Mu Long - Nan Ren Nu Ren

Three-Steps One-Bow March at KMSPKS

2009-05-23T17:18:00.005+08:00

AT temple Kong Meng San Phor Kark See at Bright Hill Road (Bishan), it takes around 2 and 1/2 hours to complete the "three-steps, one-bow" ritual.

The march is about 2km in this way: Pace three steps, fall prostrate to ground, palms open towards the sky, rise, and repeat till devotees reach the destination (Great Compassion Hall).

-The Straits Times Saturday, May 9 2009

Share With Friends

2009-05-23T09:16:00.003+08:00

Age Never Fall

2009-05-20T08:58:00.004+08:00

Culture Unplugged Video - Count Your Blessings

2009-05-15T22:25:00.003+08:00

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

When You Are Too Busy In Front of Computers

2009-05-11T00:34:00.006+08:00

WHEN you are too busy in front of computers, try to take a break to relax your neck few times a day.
Twist your head to the right, then to the left, and repeat this for few times. This can help to prevent stiffness at the neck and at the same time, it can improve the blood circulation at that area.

If you do not know how to or too lazy to do so, just read the following passage.:)

Have fun and enjoy this new way of neck exercising! :)

Public Transportation in Jakarta City

2009-05-11T00:21:00.001+08:00

AS POSTED are the public transportation routes available in Jakarta. Hopefully it serves the purpose for people who do their move on public transportation.

This list is not exhaustive and it should be only used as a guide at your own cost.

METROMINI
* 001 rute Senen - RS Islam Cempaka Putih - Taman Solo
* 003 rute Senen - Cempaka Putih - Rawamangun
* 005 rute Senen - Johar Baru - Mardani
* 007 rute Senen - Cempaka Mas - Semper
* 010 rute Senen - Kemayoran - Sunter
* 011 rute Senen - Kemayoran - Bendungan Jago
* 015 rute Senen - Sabang - Setiabudi
* 017 rute Senen - Cikini - Manggarai
* 023 rute Tanjung Priok - Cilincing
* 024 rute Tanjung Priok - Sunter - Senen
* 029 rute Kota - Pademangan - Sunter
* 030 rute Kota - Pluit - Muara Angke
* 041 rute Pulo Gadung - Tugu - Tanjung Priok
* 042 rute Pulo Gadung - Penggilingan - Perumnas Klender
* 043 rute Pulo Gadung - Pondok Ungu - Seroja
* 044 rute Pulo Gadung - Penggilingan - Pulo Gebang
* 045 rute Pulo Gadung - Jatiwaringin - Pondok Gede
* 046 rute Pulo Gadung - Utan Kayu - Kampung Melayu
* 047 rute Senen - Cempaka Putih - Pondok Kopi
* 049 rute Pulo Gadung - Utan Kayu - Manggarai
* 050 rute Kampung Melayu - Duren Sawit - Perumnas Klender
* 052 rute Kampung Melayu - Buaran - Stasiun Cakung
* 053 rute Kampung Melayu - Condet - Kampung Rambutan
* 054 rute Kampung Melayu - Kalimalang - Pondok Kelapa
* 058 rute Cililitan - Pondok Bambu - Perumnas Klender
* 060 rute Manggarai - Tebet - Kampung Melayu
* 061 rute Manggarai - Bukit Duri - Kampung Melayu
* 062 rute Manggarai - Pancoran - Pasar Minggu
* 064 rute Pasar Minggu - Kalibata - Cililitan
* 069 rute Blok M - Kyai Maja - Kreo - Ciledug
* 070 rute Blok M - Pos Pengumben - Joglo
* 071 rute Blok M - Tanah Kusir - Kodam Bintaro
* 072 rute Blok M - Pondok Indah â€“ Lebak Bulus
* 074 rute Blok M - Tanah Kusir - Rempoa
* 075 rute Blok M - Mampang - Pasar Minggu
* 076 rute Blok M - Cilandak - Kampung Rambutan
* 077 rute Blok M - Kemang - Ragunan
* 078 rute Blok M - Mayestik - Kebayoran Lama - Cidodol
* 079 rute Blok M - Fatmawati - Lebak Bulus
* 082 rute Kalideres - Kamal - Kapuk - Grogol
* 083 rute Telukgong - Jembatan Tiga - Grogol
* 084 rute Kalideres - Pluit - Kota
* 085 rute Kalideres - Permata Hijau - Lebak Bulus
* 091 rute Batusari - Tanjung Duren - Citraland - Grogol - Roxy Mas - Tanah Abang
* 092 rute Joglo - Kedoya - Jalan Panjang - Daan Mogot - Grogol
* 506 rute Kampung Melayu - Klender - Pondok Kopi
* 610 rute Blok M - Cipete - RS Fatmawati - Pondok Labu
* 611 rute Blok M - Pondok Pinang - Pasar Jum'at
* 619 rute Blok M - Pangeran Antasari - Pondok Labu - Cinere
* 640 rute Pasar Minggu - Pancoran - Tosari
* 719 rute Lebak Bulus - Pondok Gede - Jatiasih
* 733 rute Blok M - Bintara - Kranji
* 783 rute Kampung Melayu - Kalimalang - Cibubur - Cileungsi
* 789 rute Perumnas Klender - Pulo Gadung - Harapan Indah
* 792 rute Perumnas Klender - Pondok Kelapa - Bekasi
* 811 rute Blok M - Lebak Bulus - Rempoa - Bintaro

KOPAJA
* 19 trayek Tanah Abang - Sudirman - Kb. Ragunan
* 20 trayek Lebak Bulus - Rasuna Said - Senen
* 27 trayek Pasar Senen - Kelapa Gading
* 57 trayek Blok M - Kalibata - Cililitan
* 63 trayek Blok M - Ampera - Depok
* 66 trayek Blok M - Sudirman - Manggarai
* 68 trayek Kp. Melayu - Ps. Minggu - Kb. Ragunan
* 86 trayek Lebak Bulus - Slipi - Grogol
* 502 trayek Kampung Melayu - Tanah Abang
* 602 trayek Tanah Abang - Mampang - Kb.Ragunan
* 605 trayek Blok M - Kemang - Kp. Rambutan
* 605A trayek Blok M - Kemang - Kb.Ragunan
* 608 trayek Blok M - Tanah Abang
* 610 trayek Blok M - Fatmawati
* 612 trayek Kp.Melayu - Kemang - Kb. Ragunan
* 613 trayek Blok M - Bintaro
* 614 trayek Pasar Minggu - Blok M - Cipulir
* 615 trayek Tanah Abang - Blok M - Lebak Bulus
* 616 trayek Blok M - Ps Minggu - Cipedak
* 620 trayek Blok M - Mampang - Pasar Rumput
* 95 trayek Rawa Bokor - Taman Anggrek

MAYASARI BHAKTI
P6 : Grogol - Kp Rambutan
P55 : Grogol - Kp Melayu
P27 : Blok M - Bekasi
P77 = cikokol tangerang - slipi - kampung rambutan
57 : Blok M - Pulogadung
300 : Blok M - Rawamangun
107 : Kp Melayu - Blok M

Patas AC 81 : Depok - Kalideres
Patas AC 43 : Grogol - Cibinong
Patas AC 05 : Bekasi - Blok M
Patas AC 84 : Kelapa Gading - Depok
Patas AC 34 = Cimone tangerang - slipi - blok M
Patas AC 62 = Cimone - sudirman - Senen
Patas AC 133 = cimone - sudirman - tanah abang
Patas AC 33 = cimone - grogol - kota

PPDPPD 45 : Blok M - Kp Rambutan (biasanya hanya sampe cililitan)
PPD 46 : Grogol - Kp Rambutan (biasanya hanya sampe cililitan)
PPD Patas AC 79 : Rambutan - Kota

TRANS JAKARTA (BUS WAY)
KORIDOR I

* Halte Kota
* Halte Glodok
* Halte Olimo
* Halte Mangga Besar
* Halte Sawah Besar
* Halte Harmoni
* Halte Monas
* Halte Bank Indonesia
* Halte Sarinah
* Halte Bundaran HI
* Halte Tosari
* Halte Dukuh Atas
* Halte Setia Budi
* Halte Karet
* Halte Benhill
* Halte Polda Metro
* Halte Gelora Bung Karno
* Halte Bunsen
* Halte Masjid Agung
* Halte Blok M

——————————————————————————————–

KORIDOR II

* Halte Pulo Gadung
* Halte Bermis
* Halte Pulomas
* Halte Asmi
* Halte Pedongkelan
* Halte Cempaka Timur
* Halte RS. Islam
* Halte Cempaka Tengah
* Halte Pasar Cempaka Putih
* Halte Rawa Selatan
* Halte Galur
* Halte Senen
* Halte RSPAD
* Halte Deplu
* Halte Istiqlal
* Halte Juanda
* Halte Pecenongan
* Halte Harmoni

——————————————————————————————–

KORIDOR III

* Halte Harmoni
* Halte Jelambar
* Halte Indosiar
* Halte Taman Kota
* Halte Jembatan Gantung
* Halte Dispenda
* Halte Jembatan Baru
* Halte Rawa Buaya
* Halte Sumur Bor
* Halte Pesakih
* Halte Kalideres

——————————————————————————————–

KORIDOR IV

* Halte Pulogadung
* Halte Tugas
* Halte Pertamina
* Halte Telkom
* Halte Tarakanita
* Halte Sunan Giri
* Halte IKIP
* Halte Kehakiman
* HalteBPKP
* HalteUtan Kayu
* Halte Pasar Genjing
* Halte Pasar Pramuka
* Halte Matraman I
* Halte Manggarai
* Halte Pasar Rumput
* Halte Halimun
* Halte Dukuh Atas 2

——————————————————————————————–

KORIDOR V

* Halte Ancol
* Halte WTC
* Halte Mangga Dua Square
* Halte Jembatan Merah
* Halte Kartini Halte Lautze
* Halte Golden Trully
* Halte Budi Utomo
* Halte Depertemen Keuangan
* Halte Senen
* Halte Pal Putih/Xerox
* Halte Kramat Sentiong
* Halte Unversitas Indonesia
* Halte St. Carolus
* Halte Matraman
* Halte Gramedia
* Halte Gereja ST Joseph
* Halte Urip Sumohardjo
* Halte Jatinegara Timur
* Halte Jatinegara Barat
* Halte Terminal Kampung Melayu

——————————————————————————————–

KORIDOR VI

* Halte Ragunan
* Halte Departemen Pertanian
* Halte Gotong Royong
* Halte Mangga Besar
* Halte Pejaten
* Halte Buncit Indah
* Halte Waring Jati Barat
* Halte Imigrasi
* Halte Graha Ferostal
* Halte Mampang Prapatan/Hero
* Halte Rasuna Said/Timah
* Halte Graha Irama
* Halte Yayasan RPI
* Halte Pasar Festival
* Halte Plaza Kuningan
* Halte Jasa Raharja
* Halte Menara Duta
* Halte Sultan Agung
* Halte Latu Harhari

——————————————————————————————–

KORIDOR VII

* Halte Kampung Rambutan
* Halte Tanah Merdeka
* Halte Makro
* Halte RS Harapan Bunda
* Halte Pasar Induk Kramat Jati
* Halte Terminal Cililitan
* Halte Mayjen Sutoyo
* Halte UKI
* Halte Rumah Susun
* Halte Gelanggang Remaja
* Halte Depkeu
* Halte Kampung Melayu

PO. DEBORAH
Trayek Depok - Lb Bulus
Trayek Depok - Kalideres
PO. Tunggal Daya
Trayek Lb Bulus - Bekasi

STEADY SAFE
Patas AC 48 : Depok - Grogol
Patas AC 104 : Kp Melayu - Cimone
Patas Non-AC 640 : Grogol - Roxy - MangBes - MangDu - Tanjung Priok

DAMRI
Bandara - Lb Bulus
Bandara - Blok M
Bandara - Gambir
Bandara - Rw Mangun
Bandara - Rambutan
Bandara - Ps Minggu
Bandara - Bekasi
Bandara - Bogor
Bandara - Cikarang
Gambir - Tanjung Karang (Lampung)

KOANTAS BIMA
* 101 rute Tanah Abang - Pondok Cabe
* 102 rute Tanah Abang - Ciputat
* 507 rute Kampung Melayu - Cimanggis
* 509 rute Kampung Rambutan - Lebak Bulus
* 510 rute Kampung Rambutan - Ciputat
* 621 rute Blok M - Ciputat
* 104 rute Perumnas Tangerang - Grogol
* 106 rute Cimone - Senen
* 103 rute Poris - Grogol

ANGKOT & MIKROLET (JAKARTA)
Angkutan Umum B01 ===> Grogol - Pluit
Angkutan Umum B02 ===> Muara Karang - Senen
Angkutan Umum B03 ===> Joglo - Citraland, lewat Meruya, Kedoya, Tanjung Duren.
Angkutan Umum B06 ===> Kapuk - Kota
Angkutan Umum B14 ===> Puri Indah - Citraland, lewat Pasar Puri, Kedoya, Terusan Arjuna, Tanjung Duren.
Angkutan Umum C01 ===> Kebayoran Lama - Ciledug
Angkutan Umum C14 ===> Lebak Bulus - Ciledug
Angkutan Umum C05 ===> Kebayoran Lama - Ceger
Angkutan Umum D18 ===> Ciputat - Ciledug
Angkutan Umum D01 ===> Kebayoran Lama - Ciputat
Angkutan Umum D02 ===> Pondok Labu - Pamulang
Angkutan Umum P12 ===> Grogol - Senen
Angkutan Umum S03 ===> Kebayoran Lama - Pondok Labu
Angkutan Umum S08 ===> Lebak Bulus - Bintaro
Angkutan Umum S11 ===> Lebak Bulus - Pasar Minggu
Angkutan Umum S12 ===> Lebak Bulus - Bona Indah
Angkutan Umum S14 ===> Lebak Bulus - Petukangan
Angkutan Umum M09 ===> Kebayoran Lama - Tanah Abang
Angkutan Umum M11 ===> Meruya - Tanah Abang
Angkutan Umum M12 ===> Kota - Senen
Angkutan Umum M24 ===> Grogol - Slipi - Bonjer - Srengseng
Angkutan Umum M25 ===> Grogol - Kota
Angkutan Umum M10 ===> Jembatan Lima - Tanah Abang
Angkutan Umum M08 ===> Kota - Tanah Abang
Angkutan Umum 461 ===> Rute UKI cawang - Pondok Gede

Mikrolet M12 ===> Senen - Ps. Baru - Gunung Sahari - Kota
Mikrolet M16 ===> Trayek Pasar Minggu - Kampung Melayu
Mikrolet M06 ===> Trayek Kampung Melayu - Gandaria
Mikrolet M18 ===> Rute Kampung Melayu - Pondok Gede [Lewat Kali Malang]
Mikrolet M19 ===> Cililitan - Kranji
Mikrolet M29 ===> Cililitan - Perumnas Klender
Mikrolet M28 ===> Kampung Melayu - Pondok Gede [ Lewat Cawang]
Mikrolet M01 ===> Rute Kampung Melayu - Pasar Senen
Mikrolet M27 ===> Rute Pulo Gadung - Kampung Melayu
Mikrolet M20 ===> Pasar Minggu - Jati Padang
Mikrolet M39 ===> Kota - Mangga Dua - Pademangan
Mikrolet M44 ===> Trayek Kampung Melayu, Ambassador Mall, Karet Kuningan
Mikrolet JP01 ===> Kota - Mangga Besar (melewati RS Husada, Lokasari, Pinangsia)

The Other Stall

2009-04-24T14:13:00.005+08:00

A STORY that could only happen after the invention of a gadget called mobile phones...

I was barely sitting down when I heard a voice from the other stall saying:
"Hi, how are you?"

I'm not the type to start a conversation in the restroom. I don't know what got into me, but I answered, somewhat embarrassed,
"Doin' just fine!"

And the other person says:
"So what are you up to?"

What kind of question is that? At that point, I'm thinking this is too bizarre so I say:
"Uhhh, I'm like you, just sitting here."

At this point I am just trying to get out as fast as I can when I hear another question:
"Can I come over?"

Ok, this question is just too weird for me. I figured I could politely end the conversation. I say:
"No........I'm a little busy right now!!!"

Then I hear the person say, nervously:
"Listen, I'll have to call you back. There's an idiot in the other stall who keeps answering all my questions!!"

Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes,yes, yes, yes,yes

2009-04-18T10:53:00.007+08:00

ONLY great minds can read this

This is weird, but INTERESTING!

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too

Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg.The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are,the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef,but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it!

China's Foreign Reserves

2009-04-05T13:22:00.005+08:00

IT TOOK China three decades to build US$2 trillion in foreign reserves.

The Straits Times Monday, March 30 2009

The Breakup

2009-03-25T11:40:00.004+08:00

TAKE a break, freshen your day:) Enjoy!

Feel free to subscribe for regular break:)

五月天 - 知足 : Mayday - Zhi Zu

2009-03-20T23:43:00.015+08:00

Click Here to view the Lyric & Translation

zhi1 zu2
知足

zen3 me5 qu4 yong3 you3 yi1 dao4 cai3 hong2
怎么去拥有一道彩虹
How to own a rainbow

zen3 me5 qu4 yong3 bao4 yi1 xia4 tian1 de5 feng1
怎么去拥抱一夏天的风
How to embrace the summer breeze

tian1 shang4 de5 xing1 xing1 xiao4 di4 shang4 de5 ren2
天上的星星笑地上的人
The stars in the sky are laughing at the people on the ground

zong3 shi4 bu4 neng2 dong3 bu4 neng2 jue2 de5 zu2 gou4
总是不能懂不能觉得足够
That they always cannot understand, always not contended

(*)
ru2 guo3 wo3 ai4 shang4 ni3 de5 xiao4 rong2
如果我爱上你的笑容
If I like your smile

yao4 zen3 me5 shou1 cang2 yao4 zen3 me5 yong3 you3
要怎么收藏要怎么拥有
How do I keep it, how do I have it

ru2 guo3 ni3 kuai4 le4 bu4 shi4 wei2 wo3
如果你快乐不是为我
If you're happy not because of me

hui4 bu4 hui4 fang4 shou3 qi2 shi2 cai2 shi4 yong3 you3
会不会放手其实才是拥有
Will it be that letting go is actually possessing

(**)
dang1 yi1 zhen4 feng1 chui1 lai2 feng1 zheng1 fei1 shang4 tian1 kong1
当一阵风吹来风筝飞上天空
When the wind blows, the kite flies up the sky

wei2 liao3 ni3 er2 qi2 dao3 er2 zhu4 fu2 er2 gan3 dong4
为了你而祈祷而祝福而感动
I pray for you, wish for you, I'm touched for you

zhong1 yu2 ni3 shen1 ying3 xiao1 shi1 zai4 ren2 hai3 jin4 tou2
终于你身影消失在人海尽头
Finally your silhouette disappears in the crowd

cai2 fa1 xian4 xiao4 zhe2 ku1 zui4 tong4
才发现笑著哭最痛
I only realize that crying with a smile is the most painful

(***)
na3 tian1 ni3 he2 wo3 na3 ge4 shan1 qiu1
那天你和我那个山丘
That day you and I, and that little hill

na3 yang4 de5 chang4 zhe2 na3 yi1 nian2 de5 ge1
那样的唱著那一年的歌
We were singing that old song

na3 yang4 de5 hui2 yi4 na3 me5 zu2 gou4
那样的回忆那么足够
That kind of memory is enough for me

zu2 gou4 wo3 tian1 tian1 dou1 pin3 chang2 zhe2 ji4 mo4
足够我天天都品尝著寂寞
Enough for me to enjoy the loneliness everyday

repeat (**) twice
repeat (*)

zhi1 zu2 de5 kuai4 le4 jiao4 wo3 ren3 shou4 xin1 tong4
知足的快乐叫我忍受心痛
The happiness of being contended has asked me to bear the pain

zhi1 zu2 de5 kuai4 le4 jiao4 wo3 ren3 shou4 xin1 tong4
知足的快乐叫我忍受心痛
The happiness of being contended has asked me bear the pain

See also Lyric & English Translation for:
王啟文 - 老鼠愛大米 : Wang Qi Wen - Lao Shu Ai Da Mi
許茹芸 & 阿穆隆 - 男人女人 : Xu Ru Yun A Mu Long - Nan Ren Nu Ren

The Crisis of Credit Visualized

2009-03-19T22:52:00.006+08:00

THIS interesting clip is able to explain the events that lead to current global economic crisis. Believed to be the worst financial crisis after the Great Depression, this clip illustrates it creatively in laymen term. Enjoy it!

Lateral Thinking

2009-03-18T23:11:00.002+08:00

This puzzle is called Lateral Thinking.
Scroll down slowly and be honest to yourself.

Think like a wizard . . .

Q1:

man
---------
board

Ans. = man overboard
Okay, let's see if you've got the hang of it.

Q2:

stand
------------
i
Ans. = I understand

OK . . .
Got the drift ?

Let's try a few now and see how you fare ?

Q3:

/r/e/a/d/i/n/g/

Ans. = reading between the lines

Q4:

r
road
a
d

Ans. = cross road
Not having a good day now, are you ? Redeem yourself.

Q5:

cycle
cycle
cycle

Ans. = tricycle
Easy to figure out ha!

Q6:

0
---------
M.D.
Ph.D.

Ans. = two degrees below zero
C'mon give it a little thought! !

Q7:

ground
------------------------------------
feet feet feet feet feet feet

Ans. = six feet underground
Oh no, not again ! !

Q8:

he's X himself

Ans. = he's by himself
Now u messing up big time.

Q9:

ecnalg

Ans. = backward glance
Not even close! !

Q10:

death ..... life

Ans. = life after death
Okay last chance ..................

Q11:

THINK

Ans. = think big ! !
And the last one is real fundoo - - -

Q12:

ababaaabbbbaaaabbbbababaabbaaabbbb...

Ans. = long time no 'C'

Kids are Quick

2009-03-13T21:23:00.002+08:00

TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America ..
MARIA: Here it is.
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America ?
CLASS: Maria.

TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.

TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell 'crocodile?'
GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L'
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.

Feel free to subscribe for regular updates as new jokes are posted.

TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
DONALD: H I J K L M N O.
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
DONALD: Yesterday you said it's H to O.

TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WINNIE: Me!

TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?
GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.

TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with 'I.'
MILLIE: I is..
TEACHER: No, Millie..... Always say, 'I am.'
MILLIE: All right..... 'I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.'

TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn't punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand.

TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.

TEACHER: Clyde , your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's. Did you copy his?
CLYDE : No, sir. It's the same dog.

TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
HAROLD: A teacher

Singapore and Brunei Darussalam's Currency Exchange

2009-03-04T20:47:00.002+08:00

BRUNEI Darussalam and Singapore are countries whose either currencies can be used in either countries.

Singapore Dollar can be used as the legal method of payment in Brunei Darussalam and vice versa.
The Brunei Dollar is at par with the Singapore Dollar and both are traded freely in their respective countries.

Donkey vs Human Equation

2009-02-26T20:39:00.003+08:00

Equation 1

Human = eat + sleep + work + enjoy
Donkey = eat + sleep

Therefore,
Human = Donkey + work + enjoy

Therefore,
Human - enjoy = Donkey + work

In other words,
Human that doesn't know to enjoy = Donkey that works

Equation 2

Men = eat + sleep + earn money
Donkeys = eat + sleep

Therefore,
Men = Donkeys + earn money

Therefore,
Men - earn money = Donkeys

In other words,
Men that don't earn money = Donkeys

Equation 3

Women = eat + sleep + spend
Donkeys = eat + sleep

Therefore,
Women = Donkeys + spend

Therefore,
Women - spend = Donkeys

In other words,
Women that don't spend = Donkeys

To Conclude:

From Equation 2 and Equation 3:
Men that don't earn money = Women that don't spend.

So, Men earn money not to let women become Donkeys!
(Postulate 1) *

And, Women spend not to let men become Donkeys!
(Postulate 2) *

So, we have;
Men + Women = Donkeys + earn money + Donkeys + spend
money

Therefore from Postulates 1 and 2, we can conclude,

Man + Woman = 2 Donkeys that live happily together!! :)

Some Asian Countries' Foreign Exchange and Gold Reserve

2009-02-24T06:23:00.009+08:00

THE FOREIGN exchange and gold reserve of some Asian countries has been affected by current global economic crisis. Here are some data that shows the declining trend in their reserve.

South Korea
US$264 billion (March 2008) --> US$202 billion (January 2009)

Malaysia
US$123.7 billion (August 2008) --> US$91.3 billion (January 2009)

Indonesia
US$60.9 billion (July 2008) --> US$50.9 billion (January 2009)

The Straits Times Monday, February 23 2009

The European Central Bank (ECB)

2009-02-15T09:39:00.004+08:00

THE ECB is the central bank for the 16 countries that use the euro with their 330 million residents.

- The Straits Times Friday, February 6 2009

Life And How To View It

2009-02-14T16:44:00.011+08:00

MORAL of the Story

Smooth roads never make good drivers

Smooth sea never makes good sailors

Clear Skies never makes good Pilots

Problem and hassle free Life NEVER makes a strong person

Be Strong enough to accept the challenges of Life

Don't ask Life , 'Why Me ? .

Instead say 'Try Me!'

Indonesia Stamp Duty - Meterai Rp 3000 Dan Rp 6000

2009-02-11T22:14:00.014+08:00

Product
Indonesia Stamp Duty
Meterai Rp 3000 and Meterai Rp 6000

Description
Printed by Perum Peruri by the order of Direktorat Jenderal Pajak Republik Indonesia, currently worth Rp 3.000,- and Rp 6.000,-

Price
Meterai Rp 6000: SGD2.50 / piece
Meterai Rp 3000: SGD1.30 / piece

Packaging & Delivery
Normal postage is FREE.
Orders will be packed in plain letter envelopes and are delivered via Singapore Post Mail Service direct to your letterboxes, just like any other normal letters.

Payment Method
Cheque, ATM Transfer, Internet Banking

4 Skenario & 1 Handphone

2009-02-07T12:49:00.005+08:00

4 Skenario

Skenario 1
Andaikan kita sedang naik di dalam sebuah kereta ekonomi.
Karena tidak mendapatkan tempat duduk, kita berdiri di dalam gerbong tersebut. Suasana cukup ramai meskipun masih ada tempat bagi kita untuk menggoyang-goyangkan kaki. Kita tidak menyadari handphone kita terjatuh.

Ada orang yang melihatnya, memungutnya dan langsung mengembalikannya kepada kita. "Pak, handphone bapak barusan jatuh nih," kata orang tersebut seraya memberikan handphone milik kita.

Apa yang akan kita lakukan kepada orang tersebut? Mungkin kita akan mengucapkan terima kasih dan berlalu begitu saja.

Skenario 2
Sekarang kita beralih kepada skenario kedua.
Handphone kita terjatuh dan ada orang yang melihatnya dan memungutnya. Orang itu tahu handphone itu milik kita tetapi tidak langsung memberikannya kepada kita. Hingga tiba saatnya kita akan turun dari kereta, kita baru menyadari handphone kita hilang.

Sesaat sebelum kita turun dari kereta, orang itu ngembalikan handphone kita sambil berkata, "Pak, handphone bapak barusan jatuh nih." Apa yang akan kita lakukan kepada orang tersebut?

Mungkin kita akan mengucapkan terima kasih juga kepada orang tersebut. Rasa terima kasih yang kita berikan akan lebih besar daripada rasa terima kasih yang kita berikan pada orang di skenario pertama (orang yang langsung memberikan handphone itu kepada kita). Setelah itu mungkin kita akan langsung turun dari kereta.

Skenario 3
Marilah kita beralih kepada skenario ketiga.

Pada skenario ini, kita tidak sadar handphone kita terjatuh, hingga kita menyadari handphone kita tidak ada di kantong kita saat kita sudah turun dari kereta. Kita pun panik dan segera menelepon ke nomor handphone kita, berharap ada orang baik yang menemukan handphone kita dan bersedia mengembalikannya kepada kita.

Orang yang sejak tadi menemukan handphone kita (namun tidak memberikannya kepada kita) menjawab telepon kita.
"Halo, selamat siang, Pak. Saya pemilik handphone yang ada pada bapak sekarang," kita mencoba bicara kepada orang yang sangat kita harapkan berbaik hati mengembalikan
handphone itu kembali kepada kita.
Orang yang menemukan handphone kita berkata, "Oh, ini handphone bapak ya.
Oke deh, nanti saya akan turun di stasiun berikut. Biar bapak ambil di sana nanti ya."

Dengan sedikit rasa lega dan penuh harapan, kita pun pergi ke stasiun berikut dan menemui "orang baik" tersebut. Orang itu pun memberikan handphone kita yang telah hilang.
Apa yang akan kita lakukan pada orang tersebut?

Satu hal yang pasti, kita akan mengucapkan terima kasih, dan seperti nya akan lebih besar daripada rasa terima kasih kita pada skenario kedua bukan?
Bukan tidak mungkin kali ini kita akan memberikan hadiah kecil kepada orang yang menemukan handphone kita tersebut.

Skenario 4
Terakhir, mari kita perhatikan skenario keempat.

Pada skenario ini, kita tidak sadar handphone kita terjatuh, kita turun dari kereta dan menyadari bahwa handphone kita telah hilang, kita mencoba menelepon tetapi tidak ada yang mengangkat. Sampai akhirnya kita tiba di rumah.

Malam harinya, kita mencoba mengirimkan SMS :
"Bapak / Ibu yang budiman. Saya adalah pemilik handphone yang ada pada bapak / ibu sekarang. Saya sangat mengharapkan kebaikan hati bapak / ibu untuk dapat mengembalikan handphone itu kepada saya. Saya akan memberikan imbalan sepantasnya. "
SMS pun dikirim dan tidak ada balasan. Kita sudah putus asa.

Kita kembali mengingat betapa banyaknya data penting yang ada di dalam handphone kita.
Ada begitu banyak nomor telepon teman kita yang ikut hilang bersamanya. Hingga akhirnya beberapa hari kemudian, orang yang menemukan handphone kita menjawab SMS kita, dan mengajak ketemuan untuk mengembalikan handphone tersebut.

Bagaimana kira-kira perasaan kita?
Tentunya kita akan sangat senang dan segera pergi ke tempat yang diberikan oleh orang itu.
Kita pun sampai di sana dan orang itu mengembalikan handphone kita.
Apa yang akan kita berikan kepada orang tersebut?

Kita pasti akan mengucapkan terima kasih sebesar-besarnya kepadanya, dan mungkin kita akan memberikannya hadiah (yang kemungkinan besar lebih berharga dibandingkan hadiah yang mungkin kita berikan di skenario ketiga).

Moral of the story
Apa yang kita dapatkan dari empat skenario cerita di atas?

Pada keempat skenario tersebut, kita sama-sama kehilangan handphone, dan ada orang yang menemukannya.

Orang pertama menemukannya dan langsung mengembalikannya kepada kita. Kita berikan dia ucapan terima kasih.

Orang kedua menemukannya dan memberikan kepada kita sesaat sebelum kita turun dari kereta. Kita berikan dia ucapan terima kasih yang lebih besar.

Orang ketiga menemukannya dan memberikan kepada kita setelah kita turun dari kereta.
Kita berikan dia ucapan terima kasih ditambah dengan sedikit hadiah.

Orang keempat menemukannya, menyimpannya selama beberapa hari, setelah itu baru mengembalikannya kepada kita. Kita berikan dia ucapan terima kasih ditambah hadiah yang lebih besar.

Ada sebuah hal yang aneh di sini.
Cobalah pikirkan, di antara keempat orang di atas, siapakah yang paling baik?
Tentunya orang yang menemukannya dan langsung memberikannya kepada kita, bukan?
Dia adalah orang pada skenario pertama.

Namun ironisnya, dialah yang mendapatkan reward paling sedikit di antara empat orang di atas.

Manakah orang yang paling tidak baik?
Tentunya orang pada skenario keempat, karena dia telah membuat kita menunggu beberapa hari dan mungkin saja memanfaatkan handphone kita tersebut selama itu.

Namun, ternyata dia adalah orang yang akan kita berikan reward paling besar.

Apa yang sebenarnya terjadi di sini?
Kita memberikan reward kepada keempat orang tersebut secara tulus, tetapi orang yang seharusnya lebih baik dan lebih pantas mendapatkan banyak, kita berikan lebih sedikit.

OK, kenapa bisa begitu?

Ini karena rasa kehilangan yang kita alami semakin bertambah di setiap skenario.

Pada skenario pertama, kita belum berasa kehilangan karena kita belum sadar handphone kita jatuh, dan kita telah mendapatkannya kembali.

Pada skenario kedua, kita juga sudah mulai merasakan kehilangan karena saat itu kita baru sadar, dan kita sudah membayangkan rasa kehilangan yang mungkin akan kita alami seandainya saat itu kita sudah turun dari kereta.

Pada skenario ketiga, kita sempat merasakan kehilangan, namun tidak lama kita mendapatkan kelegaan dan harapan kita akan mendapatkan handphone kita kembali.

Pada skenario keempat, kita sangat merasakan kehilangan itu.

Kita mungkin berpikir untuk memberikan sesuatu yang besar kepada orang yang menemukan handphone kita, asalkan handphone itu bisa kembali kepada kita.

Rasa kehilangan yang bertambah menyebabkan kita semakin menghargai handphone yang kita miliki.

Kesimpulan
Saat ini, adakah sesuatu yang kurang kita syukuri?

Apakah itu berupa rumah, handphone, teman-teman, kesempatan berkuliah, kesempatan bekerja, atau suatu hal lain.

Namun, apakah yang akan terjadi apabila segalanya hilang dari genggaman kita.
Kita pasti akan merasakan kehilangan yang luar biasa.

Saat itulah, kita baru dapat mensyukuri segala sesuatu yang telah hilang tersebut.

Namun, apakah kita perlu merasakan kehilangan itu agar kita dapat bersyukur?

Sebaiknya tidak.

Syukurilah segala yang kita miliki, termasuk hidup kita, selagi itu masih ada. Jangan sampai kita menyesali karena tidak bersyukur ketika itu telah lenyap dari diri kita.

Jangan pernah mengeluh dengan segala hal yang belum diperoleh. Bahagialah dengan segala hal yang telah diperoleh.

Sesungguhnya, hidup ini berisikan banyak kebahagiaan. Bila kita mampu memandang dari sudut yang benar.

Hukum Pygmalion - Hukum Berpikir Positif

2009-02-01T13:49:00.003+08:00

Pygmalion adalah seorang pemuda yang berbakat seni memahat. Ia sungguh piawai dalam memahat patung. Karya uk iran tangannya sungguh bagus.Tetapi bukan kecakapannya itu menjadikan ia dikenal dan isenangi teman dan tetangganya.

Pygmalion dikenal sebagai orang yang s uk a berpikiran positif. Ia memandang segala sesuatu dari sudut yang baik.

* Apabila lapangan di tengah kota becek, orang-orang mengomel. Tetapi Pygmalion berkata, "Untunglah, lapangan yang lain tidak sebecek ini."

* Ketika ada seorang pembeli patung ngotot menawar-nawar harga, kawan-kawan Pygmalion berbisik, "Kikir betul orang itu." Tetapi Pygmalion berkata, "Mungkin orang itu perlu mengeluarkan uang untuk urusan lain yang lebih perlu".

* Ketika anak-anak mencuri apel dikebunnya, Pygmalion tidak mengumpat. Ia malah merasa iba, "Kasihan, anak-anak itu kurang mendapat pendidikan dan makanan yang c uk up di rumahnya."

Itulah pola pandang Pygmalion. Ia tidak melihat suatu keadaan dari segi bur uk , melainkan justru dari segi baik. Ia tidak pernah berpikir buruk tentang orang lain; sebaliknya, ia mencoba membayangkan hal-hal baik dibalik perbuatan bur uk orang lain.

Pada suatu hari Pygmalion meng uk ir sebuah patung wanita dari kayu yang sangat halus. Patung itu ber uk uran manusia sungguhan. Ketika sudah rampung, patung itu tampak seperti manusia betul. Wajah patung itu tersenyum manis menawan, tubuhnya elok menarik.

Kawan-kawan Pygmalion berkata, "Ah,sebagus- bagusnya patung, itu cuma patung, b uk an isterimu."

Tetapi Pygmalion memperlak uk an patung itu sebagai manusia betul. Berkali-kali patung itu ditatapnya dan dielusnya.

Para dewa yang ada di Gunung Olympus memperhatikan dan menghargai sikap Pygmalion, lalu mereka memutuskan unt uk memberi anugerah kepada Pygmalion, yaitu mengubah patung itu menjadi manusia betul.. Begitulah, Pygmalion hidup berbahagia dengan isterinya itu yang konon adalah wanita tercantik di seluruh negeri Yunani.

Nama Pygmalion dikenang hingga kini unt uk mengambarkan dampak pola berpikir yang positif. Kalau kita berpikir positif tentang suatu keadaan atau seseorang, seringkali hasilnya betul-betul menjadi positif.

Misalnya,

* Jika kita bersikap ramah terhadap seseorang, maka orang itupun akan menjadi ramah terhadap kita.

* Jika kita memperlak uk an anak kita sebagai anak yang cerdas, akhirnya dia betul-betul menjadi cerdas.

* Jika kita yakin bahwa upaya kita akan berhasil, besar sekali kemungkinan upaya dapat merupakan separuh keberhasilan.

Dampak pola berpikir positif itu disebut dampak Pygmalion.

Pikiran kita memang seringkali mempunyai dampak fulfilling prophecy atau ramalan tergenapi, baik positif maupun negatif.

* Kalau kita menganggap tetangga kita judes sehingga kita tidak mau bergaul dengan dia, maka akhirnya dia betul-betul menjadi judes.

* Kalau kita mencurigai dan menganggap anak kita tidak jujur, akhirnya ia betul-betul menjadi tidak jujur.

* Kalau kita sudah putus asa dan merasa tidak sanggup pada awal suatu usaha, besar sekali kemungkinannya kita betul-betul akan gagal.

Pola pikir Pygmalion adalah berpikir, menduga dan berharap hanya yang baik tentang suatu keadaan atau seseorang. Bayangkan, bagaimana besar dampaknya bila kita berpola pikir positif seperti itu. Kita tidak akan berprasangka bur uk tentang orang lain.

Kita tidak menggunjingkan desas-desus yang jelek tentang orang lain. Kita tidak menduga-duga yang jahat tentang orang lain.

Kalau kita berpikir bur uk tentang orang lain, selalu ada saja bahan unt uk menduga hal-hal yang bur uk . Jika ada seorang kawan memberi hadiah kepada kita, jelas itu adalah perbuatan baik. Tetapi jika kita berpikir bur uk ,kita akan menjadi curiga, "Barangkali ia sedang mencoba membujuk ," atau kita mengomel, "Ah, hadiahnya cuma barang murah." Yang rugi dari
pola pikir seperti itu adalah diri kita sendiri. Kita menjadi mudah curiga. Kita menjadi tidak bahagia.

Sebaliknya, kalau kita berpikir positif, kita akan menikmati hadiah itu dengan rasa gembira dan sy uk ur, "Ia begitu murah hati. Walaupun ia sibuk , ia ingat unt uk memberi kepada kita."

Warna hidup memang tergantung dari warna kaca mata yang kita pakai.

* Kalau kita memakai kaca mata kelabu, segala sesuatu akan tampak kelabu. Hidup menjadi kelabu dan suram. Tetapi kalau kita memakai kaca mata yang terang, segala sesuatu akan tampak cerah. Kaca mata yang berprasangka atau benci akan menjadikan hidup kita penuh rasa curiga dan dendam. Tetapi kaca mata yang damai akan menjadikan hidup kita damai.

Hidup akan menjadi baik kalau kita memandangnya dari segi yang baik. Berpikir baik tentang diri sendiri. Berpikir baik tentang orang lain. Berpikir baik tentang keadaan. Berpikir baik tentang Tuhan.

Dampak berpikir baik seperti itu akan kita rasakan.. Keluarga menjadi hangat. Kawan menjadi bisa dipercaya. Tetangga menjadi akrab. Pekerjaan menjadi menyenangkan. Dunia menjadi ramah. Hidup menjadi indah. Seperti Pygmalion, begitulah.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE PYGMALION and the world will be filled with positive people only........ ....how nice!!!!

7%

2009-02-01T13:45:00.001+08:00

Suatu ketika seorang manusia diberi kesempatan untuk berkomunikasi dengan Tuhannya dan berkata, “Tuhan ijinkan saya untuk dapat melihat seperti apakah Neraka dan Surga itu”.

Kemudian Tuhan membimbing manusia itu menuju ke dua buah pintu dan kemudian membiarkannya melihat ke dalam.

Di tengah ruangan terdapat sebuah meja bundar yang sangat besar, dan di tengahnya terdapat semangkok sup yang beraroma sangat lezat yang membuat manusia tersebut mengalir air liurnya. Meja tersebut dikelilingi orang-orang yang kurus yang tampak sangat kelaparan.

Orang-orang itu masing-masing memegang sebuah sendok yang terikat pada tangan masing-masing. Sendok tersebut cukup panjang untuk mencapai mangkok di tengah meja dan mengambil sup yang lezat tadi.

Tapi karena sendoknya terlalu panjang, mereka tidak dapat mencapai mulutnya dengan sendok tadi untuk memakan sup yang terambil.

Si Manusia tadi merinding melihat penderitaan dan kesengsaraan yang dilihatnya dalam ruangan itu.

Tuhan berkata, “Kamu sudah melihat NERAKA”

Lalu mereka menuju ke pintu kedua yang ternyata berisi meja beserta sup dan orang-orang yang kondisinya persis sama dengan ruangan di pintu pertama. Perbedaannya, di dalam ruangan ini orang-orang tersebut berbadan sehat dan berisi dan mereka sangat bergembira di keliling meja tersebut.

Melihat keadaan ini si Manusia menjadi bingung dan berkata “Apa yang terjadi ? kenapa di ruangan yang kondisinya sama ini mereka terlihat lebih bergembira ?”

Tuhan kemudian menjelaskan, “Sangat sederhana, yang dibutuhkan hanyalah satu sifat baik”

"Perhatikan bahwa orang-orang ini dengan ikhlas menyuapi orang lain yang dapat dicapainya dengan sendok bergagang panjang, sedangkan di ruangan lain orang-orang yang serakah hanyalah memikirkan kebutuhan dirinya sendiri”

Perempuan Yang Dicintai Suamiku

2009-02-01T13:39:00.002+08:00

Kehidupan pernikahan kami awalnya baik2 saja menurutku. Meskipun menjelang pernikahan selalu terjadi konflik, tapi setelah menikah Mario tampak baik dan lebih menuruti apa mauku.

Kami tidak pernah bertengkar hebat, kalau marah dia cenderung diam dan pergi kekantornya bekerja sampai subuh, baru pulang kerumah, mandi, kemudian mengantar anak kami sekolah. Tidurnya sangat sedikit, makannya pun sedikit. Aku pikir dia workaholic.

Dia menciumku maksimal 2x sehari, pagi menjelang kerja, dan saat dia pulang kerja, itupun kalau aku masih bangun. Karena waktu pacaran dia tidak pernah romantis, aku pikir, memang dia tidak romantis, dan tidak memerlukan hal2 seperti itu sebagai ungkapan sayang.

Kami jarang ngobrol sampai malam, kami jarang pergi nonton berdua, bahkan makan berdua diluarpun hampir tidak pernah. Kalau kami makan di meja makan berdua, kami asyik sendiri dengan sendok garpu kami, bukan obrolan yang terdengar, hanya denting piring yang beradu dengan sendok garpu.

Kalau hari libur, dia lebih sering hanya tiduran dikamar, atau main dengan anak2 kami, dia jarang sekali tertawa lepas. Karena dia sangat pendiam, aku menyangka dia memang tidak suka tertawa lepas.

Aku mengira rumah tangga kami baik2 saja selama 8 tahun pernikahan kami. Sampai suatu ketika, disuatu hari yang terik, saat itu suamiku tergolek sakit dirumah sakit, karena jarang makan, dan sering jajan di kantornya, dibanding makan dirumah, dia kena typhoid, dan harus dirawat di RS, karena sampai terjadi perforasi di ususnya. Pada saat dia masih di ICU, seorang perempuan datang menjenguknya. Dia memperkenalkan diri, bernama meisha, temannya Mario saat dulu kuliah.

Meisha tidak secantik aku, dia begitu sederhana, tapi aku tidak pernah melihat mata yang begitu cantik seperti yang dia miliki. Matanya bersinar indah, penuh kehangatan dan penuh cinta, ketika dia berbicara, seakan2 waktu berhenti berputar dan terpana dengan kalimat2nya yang ringan dan penuh pesona. Setiap orang, laki2 maupun perempuan bahkan mungkin serangga yang lewat, akan jatuh cinta begitu mendengar dia bercerita.

Meisha tidak pernah kenal dekat dengan Mario selama mereka kuliah dulu, Meisha bercerita Mario sangat pendiam, sehingga jarang punya teman yang akrab. 5 bulan lalu mereka bertemu, karena ada pekerjaan kantor mereka yang mempertemukan mereka. Meisha yang bekerja di advertising akhirnya bertemu dengan Mario yang sedang membuat iklan untuk perusahaan tempatnya bekerja.

Aku mulai mengingat2 5 bulan lalu ada perubahan yang cukup drastis pada Mario, setiap mau pergi kerja, dia tersenyum manis padaku, dan dalam sehari bisa menciumku lebih dari 3x. Dia membelikan aku parfum baru, dan mulai sering tertawa lepas. Tapi disaat lain, dia sering termenung didepan komputernya. Atau termenung memegang Hp-nya. Kalau aku tanya, dia bilang, ada pekerjaan yang membingungkan.

Suatu saat Meisha pernah datang pada saat Mario sakit dan masih dirawat di RS. Aku sedang memegang sepiring nasi beserta lauknya dengan wajah kesal, karena Mario tidak juga mau aku suapi. Meisha masuk kamar, dan menyapa dengan suara riangnya,

" Hai Rima, kenapa dengan anak sulungmu yang nomor satu ini ? tidak mau makan juga? uhh… dasar anak nakal, sini piringnya, " lalu dia terus mengajak Mario bercerita sambil menyuapi Mario, tiba2 saja sepiring nasi itu sudah habis ditangannya. Dan….aku tidak pernah melihat tatapan penuh cinta yang terpancar dari mata suamiku, seperti siang itu, tidak pernah seumur hidupku yang aku lalui bersamanya, tidak pernah sedetikpun !

Hatiku terasa sakit, lebih sakit dari ketika dia membalikkan tubuhnya membelakangi aku saat aku memeluknya dan berharap dia mencumbuku. Lebih sakit dari rasa sakit setelah operasi caesar ketika aku melahirkan anaknya. Lebih sakit dari rasa sakit, ketika dia tidak mau memakan masakan yang aku buat dengan susah payah. Lebih sakit daripada sakit ketika dia tidak pulang kerumah saat ulang tahun perkawinan kami kemarin. Lebih sakit dari rasa sakit ketika dia lebih suka mencumbu komputernya dibanding aku.

Tapi aku tidak pernah bisa marah setiap melihat perempuan itu. Meisha begitu manis, dia bisa hadir tiba2, membawakan donat buat anak2, dan membawakan ekrol kesukaanku. Dia mengajakku jalan2, kadang mengajakku nonton. kali lain, dia datang bersama suami dan ke-2 anaknya yang lucu2.

Aku tidak pernah bertanya, apakah suamiku mencintai perempuan berhati bidadari itu? karena tanpa bertanya pun aku sudah tahu, apa yang bergejolak dihatinya.

Suatu sore, mendung begitu menyelimuti jakarta, aku tidak pernah menyangka, hatikupun akan mendung, bahkan gerimis kemudian.

Anak sulungku, seorang anak perempuan cantik berusia 7 tahun, rambutnya keriting ikal dan cerdasnya sama seperti ayahnya. Dia berhasil membuka password email Papa nya, dan memanggilku, " Mama, mau lihat surat papa buat tante Meisha ?"

Aku tertegun memandangnya, dan membaca surat elektronik itu,

Dear Meisha,

Kehadiranmu bagai beribu bintang gemerlap yang mengisi seluruh relung hatiku, aku tidak pernah merasakan jatuh cinta seperti ini, bahkan pada Rima. Aku mencintai Rima karena kondisi yang mengharuskan aku mencintainya, karena dia ibu dari anak2ku.

Ketika aku menikahinya, aku tetap tidak tahu apakah aku sungguh2 mencintainya. Tidak ada perasaan bergetar seperti ketika aku memandangmu, tidak ada perasaan rindu yang tidak pernah padam ketika aku tidak menjumpainya. . Aku hanya tidak ingin menyakiti perasaannya. Ketika konflik2 terjadi saat kami pacaran dulu, aku sebenarnya kecewa, tapi aku tidak sanggup mengatakan padanya bahwa dia bukanlah perempuan yang aku cari untuk mengisi kekosongan hatiku. Hatiku tetap terasa hampa, meskipun aku menikahinya.

Aku tidak tahu, bagaimana caranya menumbuhkan cinta untuknya, seperti ketika cinta untukmu tumbuh secara alami, seperti pohon2 beringin yang tumbuh kokoh tanpa pernah mendapat siraman dari pemiliknya. Seperti pepohonan di hutan2 belantara yang tidak pernah minta disirami, namun tumbuh dengan lebat secara alami. Itu yang aku rasakan.

Aku tidak akan pernah bisa memilikimu, karena kau sudah menjadi milik orang lain dan aku adalah laki2 yang sangat memegang komitmen pernikahan kami. Meskipun hatiku terasa hampa, itu tidaklah mengapa, asal aku bisa melihat Rima bahagia dan tertawa, dia bisa mendapatkan segala yang dia inginkan selama aku mampu. Dia boleh mendapatkan seluruh hartaku dan tubuhku, tapi tidak jiwaku dan cintaku, yang hanya aku berikan untukmu. Meskipun ada tembok yang menghalangi kita, aku hanya berharap bahwa engkau mengerti, you are the only one in my heart.

yours,

Mario

Mataku terasa panas. Jelita, anak sulungku memelukku erat.. Meskipun baru berusia 7 tahun, dia adalah malaikat jelitaku yang sangat mengerti dan menyayangiku.

Suamiku tidak pernah mencintaiku. Dia tidak pernah bahagia bersamaku. Dia mencintai perempuan lain.

Aku mengumpulkan kekuatanku. Sejak itu, aku menulis surat hampir setiap hari untuk suamiku. Surat itu aku simpan diamplop, dan aku letakkan di lemari bajuku, tidak pernah aku berikan untuknya.

Mobil yang dia berikan untukku aku kembalikan padanya. Aku mengumpulkan tabunganku yang kusimpan dari sisa2 uang belanja, lalu aku belikan motor untuk mengantar dan menjemput anak2ku. Mario merasa heran, karena aku tidak pernah lagi bermanja dan minta dibelikan bermacam2 merek tas dan baju.. Aku terpuruk dalam kehancuranku. Aku dulu memintanya menikahiku karena aku malu terlalu lama pacaran, sedangkan teman2ku sudah menikah semua. Ternyata dia memang tidak pernah menginginkan aku menjadi istrinya.

Betapa tidak berharganya aku. Tidakkah dia tahu, bahwa aku juga seorang perempuan yang berhak mendapatkan kasih sayang dari suaminya ? Kenapa dia tidak mengatakan saja, bahwa dia tidak mencintai aku dan tidak menginginkan aku ? itu lebih aku hargai daripada dia cuma diam dan mengangguk dan melamarku lalu menikahiku. Betapa malangnya nasibku.

Mario terus menerus sakit2an, dan aku tetap merawatnya dengan setia. Biarlah dia mencintai perempuan itu terus didalam hatinya. Dengan pura2 tidak tahu, aku sudah membuatnya bahagia dengan mencintai perempuan itu. Kebahagiaan Mario adalah kebahagiaanku juga, karena aku akan selalu mencintainya.

**********

Setahun kemudian…

Meisha membuka amplop surat2 itu dengan air mata berlinang. Tanah pemakaman itu masih basah merah dan masih dipenuhi bunga.

" Mario, suamiku….

Aku tidak pernah menyangka pertemuan kita saat aku pertama kali bekerja dikantormu, akan membawaku pada cinta sejatiku. Aku begitu terpesona padamu yang pendiam dan tampak dingin. Betapa senangnya aku ketika aku tidak bertepuk sebelah tangan. Aku mencintaimu, dan begitu posesif ingin memilikimu seutuhnya. Aku sering marah, ketika kamu asyik bekerja, dan tidak memperdulikan aku. Aku merasa diatas angin, ketika kamu hanya diam dan menuruti keinginanku… Aku pikir, aku si puteri cantik yang diinginkan banyak pria, telah memenuhi ruang hatimu dan kamu terlalu mencintaiku sehingga mau melakukan apa saja untukku…..

Ternyata aku keliru…. aku menyadarinya tepat sehari setelah pernikahan kita. Ketika aku membanting hadiah jam tangan dari seorang teman kantor dulu yang aku tahu sebenarnya menyukai Mario.

Aku melihat matamu begitu terluka, ketika berkata, " kenapa, Rima ? Kenapa kamu mesti cemburu ? dia sudah menikah, dan aku sudah memilihmu menjadi istriku ?"

Aku tidak perduli,dan berlalu dari hadapanmu dengan sombongnya.

Sekarang aku menyesal, memintamu melamarku. Engkau tidak pernah bahagia bersamaku. Aku adalah hal terburuk dalam kehidupan cintamu. Aku bukanlah wanita yang sempurna yang engkau inginkan.

Istrimu,

Rima"

Di surat yang lain,

"………Kehadiran perempuan itu membuatmu berubah, engkau tidak lagi sedingin es. Engkau mulai terasa hangat, namun tetap saja aku tidak pernah melihat cahaya cinta dari matamu untukku, seperti aku melihat cahaya yang penuh cinta itu berpendar dari kedua bola matamu saat memandang Meisha……"

Disurat yang kesekian,

"…….Aku bersumpah, akan membuatmu jatuh cinta padaku.

Aku telah berubah, Mario. Engkau lihat kan, aku tidak lagi marah2 padamu, aku tidak lagi suka membanting2 barang dan berteriak jika emosi. Aku belajar masak, dan selalu kubuatkan masakan yang engkau sukai. Aku tidak lagi boros, dan selalau menabung. Aku tidak lagi suka bertengkar dengan ibumu. Aku selalu tersenyum menyambutmu pulang kerumah. Dan aku selalu meneleponmu, untuk menanyakan sudahkah kekasih hatiku makan siang ini? Aku merawatmu jika engkau sakit, aku tidak kesal saat engkau tidak mau aku suapi, aku menungguimu sampai tertidur disamping tempat tidurmu, dirumah sakit saat engkau dirawat, karena penyakit pencernaanmu yang selalu bermasalah…….

Meskipun belum terbit juga, sinar cinta itu dari matamu, aku akan tetap berusaha dan menantinya…….."

Meisha menghapus air mata yang terus mengalir dari kedua mata indahnya… dipeluknya Jelita yang tersedu-sedu disampingnya.

Disurat terakhir, pagi ini…

"…………..Hari ini adalah hari ulang tahun pernikahan kami yang ke-9. Tahun lalu engkau tidak pulang kerumah, tapi tahun ini aku akan memaksamu pulang, karena hari ini aku akan masak, masakan yang paling enak sedunia. Kemarin aku belajar membuatnya dirumah Bude Tati, sampai kehujanan dan basah kuyup, karena waktu pulang hujannya deras sekali, dan aku hanya mengendarai motor.

Saat aku tiba dirumah kemarin malam, aku melihat sinar kekhawatiran dimatamu. Engkau memelukku, dan menyuruhku segera ganti baju supaya tidak sakit.

Tahukah engkau suamiku,

Selama hampir 15 tahun aku mengenalmu, 6 tahun kita pacaran, dan hampir 9 tahun kita menikah, baru kali ini aku melihat sinar kekhawatiran itu dari matamu, inikah tanda2 cinta mulai bersemi dihatimu ?………"

Jelita menatap Meisha, dan bercerita,

" Siang itu Mama menjemputku dengan motornya, dari jauh aku melihat keceriaan diwajah mama, dia terus melambai-lambaikan tangannya kepadaku. Aku tidak pernah melihat wajah yang sangat bersinar dari mama seperti siang itu, dia begitu cantik. Meskipun dulu sering marah2 kepadaku, tapi aku selalu menyayanginya. Mama memarkir motornya diseberang jalan, Ketika mama menyeberang jalan, tiba2 mobil itu lewat dari tikungan dengan kecepatan tinggi…… aku tidak sanggup melihatnya terlontar, Tante….. aku melihatnya masih memandangku sebelum dia tidak lagi bergerak……" Jelita memeluk Meisha dan terisak-isak. Bocah cantik ini masih terlalu kecil untuk merasakan sakit di hatinya, tapi dia sangat dewasa.

Meisha mengeluarkan selembar kertas yang dia print tadi pagi. Mario mengirimkan email lagi kemarin malam, dan tadinya aku ingin Rima membacanya.

Dear Meisha,

Selama setahun ini aku mulai merasakan Rima berbeda, dia tidak lagi marah2 dan selalu berusaha menyenangkan hatiku. Dan tadi, dia pulang dengan tubuh basah kuyup karena kehujanan, aku sangat khawatir dan memeluknya. Tiba2 aku baru menyadari betapa beruntungnya aku memiliki dia. Hatiku mulai bergetar…. Inikah tanda2 aku mulai mencintainya ?

Aku terus berusaha mencintainya seperti yang engkau sarankan, Meisha. Dan besok aku akan memberikan surprise untuknya, aku akan membelikan mobil mungil untuknya, supaya dia tidak lagi naik motor kemana-mana. Bukan karena dia ibu dari anak2ku, tapi karena dia belahan jiwaku….

Meisha menatap Mario yang tampak semakin ringkih, yang masih terduduk disamping nisan Rima. Diwajahnya tampak duka yang dalam. Semuanya telah terjadi, Mario. Kadang kita baru menyadari mencintai seseorang, ketika seseorang itu telah pergi meninggalkan kita.

Jakarta, 7 Januari 2009 (dedicated to my friend....may you rest in peace...)

Yesterday is a history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift.
That's why it's called "present".

地藏王普萨 : Di Zang Wang Pu Sa

2009-01-11T08:54:00.010+08:00

Dear fellow Readers,

I would like to share with you the video of Di Zang Wang Pu Sa (地藏王普萨) that my friend has shared with me. Please enjoy and may it benefit all of you:)

Di Zang Wang Pu Sa is also known as Earth-Store Bodhisattva or Great Vow Bodhisattva. He also bears the name Ksitigarbha which means "treasure of the earth". In Japan he is called Jizo. In China he is known as Di Zang Wang Pu Sa. In Tibetan he is addressed as Sai Nyingpo and in Korean he is known as Jijang-bosal.

In some of Di Zang Wang Pu Sa's pictures or statues, we can see that his attire/robe is like the Master Xuanzang's, the famous Tripitaka master of the Tang Dynasty who made the hazardous journey to the West to seek the Buddhist scriptures in the Chinese epic Journey to the West. According to some websites, it is the robe of a Northern Buddhist monk. Due to the robe and the Five Buddhas crown which both are seen to wear, a lot of people misconcept that Di Zang Wang Pu Sa and Master Xuanzang is the same person.

Other than this misconception, many people think that Di Zang Wang Pu Sa is the judge of Hell, King Yama. This, of course, is not true.

Di Zang Wang Pu Sa's vow is: "If Hell is not empty I will not attain Buddhahood". This means that he will not become a Buddha unless all the sentient beings in the hells are relieved of their suffering.

To conclude this posting, I would like to express my greatest appreciation and gratitude to the one(s) who created this video and uploaded it in YouTube:)

Stay tuned and enjoy the video!

Mindfulness

2009-01-02T10:18:00.008+08:00

One day my girlfriend and I went to a dhamma talk given by a Venerable coming from Great Britain. There were few topics that he talked about, such as anata, oneself, ego, mindfulness, Buddhist cultures, and so on. In this article I would like to highlight on mindfulness topic since I have an interesting story that I want to share with you:).

Here is the story.

--------*****--------

Once upon a time, Lord Buddha led a retreat to a group of monks. Lord Buddha gave them teaching on mindfulness and anata, followed by meditations. After a couple of days, there was this monk who suddenly ran to see Lord Buddha to report his progress.

"O..Venerable One, O..Venerable One! Thank you for Your teaching. I have reached the Enlightenment, I have reached the Enlightenment!", he told Lord Buddha.

Realizing that the monk approached him, Lord Buddha calmly opened his eyes, but still in the meditation position and said, "O..monk...congratulations! congratulations! Since so, you may go home now. By the way, may I know where your sandal is?"

Upon hearing this, the monk got shocked and embarrassed as he did not know the answer.

--------*****--------

May you be benefited from this story and may you be always well and happy:)

Bao And Noodle

2008-11-25T17:05:00.001+08:00

Chapter One
===========
One day, noodle quarrel with meat bao(bun). They had a fight but bao was too clumsy and lost badly. He was very angry and he told noodle to stay behind if he has the guts and he'll get his pals to assist him. Meat bao went to find bread, man tou, jian bao etc to get them to reinforce him. Along the way, they saw maggi mee. They ah bish ah bish ah bish and beat maggi mee up and maggi mee beri puzzled why he kena beaten up. He said, "Why u all beat me? What have I done to deserve this?" The meat bao said, "Noodle! Dun think u perm your hair then cannot recognise u!"

Chapter Two
===========
Maggi mee, who was beaten up for no reason, was very angry. So he went to find bee hoon, udon, fried noodles etc to seek revenge. But on the way, they met small bao. Maggi mee looked at small bao for a while then told his brothers, "Bra-der! Whack him!" Maggi mee whack small bao harder & harder.
After the noodles family has left, they asked Maggi Mee why he hated small bao so much and beat him up so badly. Maggi mee said. "At first wanna teach him a small lesson only, but then see him act cute, made me so angry."

Chapter Three
=============
The more small bao thought of it, the more buay song he was. So, he found the bao family to whack Maggi mee. Then they found ying shi juan (noodles covered with bun). They brought him back as hostage and were about to put him on the stove to force him to talk when the bao head said, "That's not noodles! That's our undercover!"

Chapter Four
============
The family of bao and noodles are now enemies and they have gang fights whenever they see each other. One day, the noodles family was having a walk when they saw char siew bao alone. Seeing the good chance, all of them attacked him. The noodles family shouted, "Beat him hard hard! Don't give chance just because he's vomiting blood!"

Chapter Five
===========
Poor char siew bao, with his injuries, went to the baoheadquarters to look for help. All the bao family was activated and together with red bean bao,green bean bun etc. they went to seek revenge. All the passerbys siam them as they look like they will kill.
They saw french fries jalan jalan along, shopping. The bao family attacked him. The bao head shouted, "Noodle people still wear gold go shopping! Whack him!!!"

Chapter Six
==========
Finally, the bao family manage to kidnap noodle, the one who started up the whole show, and brought him back to the bao headquarter.All the baos took turns to whack him. At the end, the chief of baos - dua bah bao took a final roll over noodle before they dump him.
When the poor noodle finally went home, none of the family member could recognise him bcoz he is totally disfigured - flatten. In order not to let the family bear the bad name, he appears as a new member named Mee pok.

許茹芸 & 阿穆隆 - 男人女人 : Xu Ru Yun A Mu Long - Nan Ren Nu Ren

2008-10-22T21:00:00.029+08:00

Click Here to view the Lyric & Translation

nan2 ren2 nu3 ren2
男人女人

ci2 qu1: wu2 ke4 qun2
词曲：吴克群

(*)
xu3: ai4 ai4 ai4 ai4 le5 ji3 hui2
许:爱爱爱爱了几回
Love, love, love, being in love for a few times

ye3 ming2 bai2 qi2 zhong1 zi1 wei4
也明白其中滋味
I have understood its inherent taste

fu4 chu1 de5 cong2 lai2 bu4 hui4 deng3 yu2 shou1 hui2
付出的从来不会等于收回
What you have given out will never be the same as what you received

wo3 que4 hai2 zai4 deng3 dai4 zhao2 shei2 neng2 chu1 xian4
我却还在等待着谁能出现
I'm still waiting for whomever it is to appear

mu4: shang1 shang1 shang1 shang1 le5 ji3 hui2
穆:伤伤伤伤了几回
Hurt, hurt, hurt, being hurt for a few times

ye3 ceng2 jing1 wei2 ai4 qiao2 cui4
也曾经为爱憔悴
I also have become wan and pallid because of love

ai4 qing2 li3 hao3 ren2 zong3 bi3 huai4 ren2 lang2 bei4
爱情里好人总比坏人狼狈
In the matter of love, the good guy always lose to the bad guys

wo3 que4 hai2 shi4 xue2 bu4 hui4 hen3 xin1 dui4 shei2
我却还是学不会狠心对谁
But I still can't get the hang of being cruel towards anyone

(**)
xu3: nan2 ren2 nan2 ren2 duo1 xi1 wang4 ni3 shi4 hao3 ren2
许:男人男人多希望你是好人
Man, man, how I hope that you are a good man

duo1 xi1 wang4 yong4 ni3 de5 zhen1 rang4 wo3 bu4 bi4 zai4 xin1 teng2
多希望用你的真让我不必再心疼
How I wish that you'd use your sincerity to wipe away the pain in my heart

mu4: nu3 ren2 nu3 ren2 wo3 da2 ying4 zuo4 ge4 hao3 ren2
穆:女人女人我答应做个好人
Woman, woman, I promise to be a good man

wo3 da2 ying4 yong4 wo3 yi1 sheng1 lai2 huan4 ni3 de5 kuai4 le4 yi1 sheng1
我答应用我一生来换你的快乐一生
I promise to use my whole life, to exchange for your life-long happiness

repeat (*)
repeat (**)

xu3: nan2 ren2 nan2 ren2 duo1 xi1 wang4 ni3 shi4 hao3 ren2
许:男人男人多希望你是好人
Man, man, how I hope that you are a good man

duo1 xi1 wang4 yong4 ni3 de5 zhen1 rang4 wo3 bu4 bi4 zai4 xin1 teng2
多希望用你的真让我不必再心疼
How I wish that you'd use your sincerity to wipe away the pain in my heart

mu4: nu3 ren2 nu3 ren2 wo3 da2 ying4 zuo4 ge4 hao3 ren2
穆:女人女人我答应做个好人
Woman, woman, I promise to be a good man

he2: bu4 hui4 zai4 rang4 wo3 ni3 xin1 teng2 yi1 deng3 zai4 deng3
合:不会再让我（你）心疼一等再等
To refrain from letting me you being hurt, and waiting again and again

ni3 jiu4 shi4 wo3 deng3 de5 na3 ge4 ren2
你就是我等的那个人
You are the one that I was waiting for

mu4: nan2 ren2 nan2 ren2
穆:男人男人
Man, man

xu3: nu3 ren2 nu3 ren2
许:女人女人
Woman, woman

he2: duo1 yao1 xi1 wang4 ni3 shi4 dui4 de5 ren2
合:多么希望你是对的人
How I yearn that you are the correct partner

See also Lyric & English Translation for:
王啟文 - 老鼠愛大米 : Wang Qi Wen - Lao Shu Ai Da Mi
五月天 - 知足 : Mayday - Zhi Zu

What If Your Name Is Only One Word?

2008-09-17T10:36:00.002+08:00

In general, we know that buying aeroplane ticket online is cheaper than if we buy it from travel agency. Furthermore, it saves us from the hassle of taking a trip down to the agency to collect the ticket. Buying ticket online is relatively easy and credit card can be used for payment. Upon confirmation, an email will be sent and we just need to print and bring the e-ticket that is attached in the email.

However, this was not true when I needed to buy a ticket for my brother a couple weeks ago. I tried many times to book a ticket from an airline, but it was not successful. I tried again on other airlines and my effort also went to drain.

In fact, what was happening? Was it your internet connection problem? Well, it is not. How about your cookies setting? It is not neither. Then what was wrong?

The problem encountered was that my brother's name only consists of one word. Well, there is nothing wrong with one-word name, is there? Of course, there is nothing wrong; it is just that the online system cannot recognize one-word name.

So I made calls to the airlines and after few attemps, I managed to talk to their IT supports.I explained to them what is happening though in the few first calls, they can't really give the solution. I also called up my friends whose name also consists of one word only. They all gave me few suggestions with a hope that it can work. Then for my last call to the airline, they gave me the advise that I was looking for.

Herein, I will share with you the options that you can try should you find the same problem as mine. Please note that these advises weren given by my friends and some airlines' IT support.I hope that it can benefit the people out there that currently have difficulty in booking ticket only due to one-word name.

1. for the first name, write your one-word name; for the last name, type "."
2. for the first name, write your one-word name; for the last name, type ".."
3. for the first name & last name, write your one-word name
4. for the last name, write your one-word name; for the first name, write MR/MRS/MS/MISS

Difference Between Man & Woman - Wake Up In The Morning

2008-09-09T08:26:00.002+08:00

Indian Mother

2008-08-16T21:06:00.005+08:00

Another good story......
Wise mum....enjoy

Mom comes to visit her son Kumar for dinner.....who lives with a girl room mate Sunita. During the course of the meal, his mother couldn't help but notice how pretty Kumar's roommate was. She had long been suspicious of a relationship between the two, and this had only made her more curious.

Over the course of the evening, while watching the two interact, she started to wonder if there was more between Kumar and his roommate than met the eye.

Reading his mom's thoughts, Kumar volunteered, 'I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you, Sunita and I are just roommates.' About a week later, Sunita came to Kumar saying, 'Ever since your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the silver plate. You don't suppose she took it, do you?' Kumar said ,'Well, I doubt it, but I'll email her, just to be sure.'

So he sat down and wrote :

Dear Mother:

I'm not saying that you 'did' take the silver plate from my house,
I'm not saying that you 'did not' take the silver plate.. But the fact remains that it has been missing ever since you were here for dinner...

Love, Kumar

Several days later, Kumar received an email from his Mother which read

Dear Son:

I'm not saying that you 'do' sleep with Sunita, and

I'm not saying that you 'do not' sleep with Sunita. But the fact remains that if she was sleeping in her OWN bed, she would have found the silver plate by now under the pillow...

Love,
Mom.

Lesson of the day:

Don't Lie to Your Mother.....

The Donkey Attitude

2008-08-03T09:13:00.004+08:00

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

MORAL :

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of t he deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.

3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less

Read this article in Indonesian.

Hikmah Dari Keledai

2008-08-03T08:21:00.004+08:00

Suatu hari keledai seorang petani jatuh ke dalam sumur. Binatang itu menangis pilu berjam-jam, sementara si petani mencoba memikirkan apa yang harus dia lakukan. Akhirnya ia memutuskan bahwa binatang itu sudah tua, dan sumurnya pun perlu ditutup, sehingga tidak perlu untuk mengangkat keledai itu keluar.

Ia mengajak seluruh tetangganya untuk datang menolongnya. Mereka semua mengambil sekop dan mulai menimbun sumur dengan tanah. Mula-mula ketika si keledai menyadari apa yang sedang terjadi, ia menangis sejadi-jadinya. Kemudian, semua takjub ketika ia berhenti menangis.

Setelah memasukkan beberapa sekop tanah kemudian, si petani akhirnya melihat ke bawah sumur. Ia terkejut akan apa yang dilihatnya. Terhadap setiap sekop tanah yang menimpa punggungnya, si keledai melakukan sesuatu yang luar biasa. Ia mengibaskan badannya dan mengangkat badannya ke atas.

Ketika para tetangga petani terus menyekop tanah ke atas tubuh binatang itu, ia mengibaskan badannya dan selalu mengangkat badannya ke atas. Dengan segera, semua orang takjub ketika keledai itu tiba di permukaan sumur, dan dengan gembira melangkah keluar!

HIKMAH :

Kehidupan akan selalu dipenuhi oleh berbagai macam persoalan. Seperti ceritera donkey diatas Trik untuk keluar dari sumur adalah dengan mengibaskan tanah itu dan mengangkat badannya ke atas. Setiap kesulitan yang kita hadapi adalah batu pijakan. Kita dapat keluar dari sumur yang paling dalam dengan cara tidak berhenti & tak pernah menyerah! Kibaskan & Mengangkat ke atas.

Ingatlah 5 kunci sederhana untuk menjadi bahagia :

1. Bebaskan hatimu dari kebencian – Memaafkan

2. Bebaskan pikiranmu dari kekuatiran – Yang pada umumnya tak pernah pernah terjadi

3. Hidup sederhana & mensyukuri apa yang kamu miliki

4. Lebih banyak memberi

5. Jangan terlalu banyak berharap dari orang lain

Read this article in English.

Site Map

2008-07-03T08:28:00.026+08:00

MAIN INDEX

This is the gist of the blog. Here you can find general information about the blogger and the blog. The site map is also included here for better navigation.

About Me
Site Map
Disclaimer

ONEHUB STORE
This section contains products and services that OneHub provides. Hopefully, as the time goes on, this store can provide everything that everyone looks for.

Collectible Currency Notes

Singapore Currency Notes - Portrait Series

Indonesian Stamps

Meterai Rp 3000 and Rp 6000

BREAKING-NEWS HUB
Keep in touch with the happenings of the day. This section will consolidate some breaking-news that can trigger your attention and to some extent, ones that needs your action.

Breaking News - Stay Updated!:)

BUDDHISM HUB
This section will share stories, pictures, dhamma talk on Buddhism. Hope that the articles in this section will benefit Readers and at the same time, it will allow me to recall Buddha's Teachings. May all sentient be well and happy. May we be always well and happy, be free of worries, mental suffering and physical suffering. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu!

Di Zang Wang Pu Sa (地藏王普萨)
Mindfulness

BUSINESS HUB
Don't know how to start business? want to expand your business? How to maintain your business? or the system to make your business auto-run. Well, this section is all about business. Besides, it will also contain some business opportunities that you may want to take a look.

E-Payment & Your Business

CAREER HUB
Find out more about career tips on this section. Feel free to give your comment and feedback. Check out here about what is happening in the employee's world. Keep yourself updated about your career path. Last but not least, wish you the best in your future endeavour.

Is This the Time to Change Job? - indonesian version

FENGSHUI HUB
In this section, tips about fengshui, how to counteract, how it affects our life, and all about Fengshui will be discussed open-mindedly.

Fortune & Personality Traits from the Tip of Your Finger
Watch Your Feet
Which One is Your Combo

FINANCE HUB
All about your finance. How to manage your finance properly. Good practice in touch-up your finance. How to take charge of your own finance in positive way with respect to your timeline. Hence this section goes this way.

Electricity & Water Saving Tips
How to Shrink Your Electricity Bill
How to Make Full Use Every Drop of Your Fuel
Insurance & Wealth Protection
Medical Fee
Petrol Saving Tips

FUNFACT HUB
You can find a lot of interesting and fun facts in this section. It is specially created for you, who enjoy knowing about numbers, statistics, general knowledge, facts that can tickle your brains.

Fun Facts - Have fun!:)

HEALTH HUB
"Mens sana in corpore sano" - In a healthy body, there is healthy mind. This section is definitely for someone who takes charge of their health. More information about our body and some precautionary measures will be included in this section.

17 Facts on Salt - indonesian version
25 Tips for a Healthy Heart
Are You Drinking the Right Tea?
Effects of Cold Water
Green in Potatoes
Having Big Tummy Problem? - indonesian version
Know the 10 Warning Signals of Cancer
New Sign of a Stroke
The Healthy Way to Cook Instant Noodle
Tips on How to Choose Fruits - indonesian version
What to Do in Case of Earthquake
When Should We Drink Soya Bean?

INVEST HUB
Investment is an instrument to make your money grow. Want to know about the fundamental concept of stock investment? Want to learn about value investing? This section will elaborate some basic knowledge in investing. It also acts as my journal in my investment journey. Feedbacks and comments are definitely welcomed. Good Luck!

Interesting Aspects of Warren Buffet's Life

IT HUB
This section will provide information about computer, technology, and blog. It will elaborate technical issues regarding computer, technology, and blog encountered daily. The hacks used in this blog will also be touched in detail. Back to the purpose, information sharing is very important in this era.

Difference Between http:// and https://
How to Create the Show Desktop Icon on Quick Launch
How to Save Soaked Phone

LAUGH HUB
Want to distress yourself from work? study? Want to look for some jokes to share with your friends? It's not about lame or not. But it's more about laughing. Let yourself laugh all the way. Let yourself giggle by yourself. Till people around you stare at you. And this is the place...haha:)

Jokes in English
Jokes in Indonesian

MUSIC HUB
Let music be part of your life. Relax your mind after the long tiring day. Enjoy the music and appreciate people and things around you. In this section, a list of songs is compiled together with the lyrics and meaning such that we can sing along and understand the meaning. The lyric translation here is gathered from internet with some changes made.

Chinese Songs
English Songs
Indo Songs

QUOTE HUB
Nice quotes to share. Meaningful quotes to reflect upon. Sometimes we miss out something in life. Sometimes we take thing for granted in life. This section will compile quotes, to remind us about something and to reveal the appreciation on something.

7 Secrets of Success
Don't Worry Be Happy
Friends
Good Morning Friends
How to See the World
Keep Yourself Cool
Love & Friendship in One Single Action
Men & Real Happiness
True Friendship

REFLECTION HUB
Time for us to reflect on ourselves, on thing and people surrounding us. This section means to be a gentle reminder to all of us about our life, the people around us, and the nature we live in. It also serves as a guide to keep track our progress in life.

7% - indonesian version
4 Scenario and 1 Handphone - indonesian version
A Cup of Coffee and You
Alphabetic for Success - indonesian version
Always Look at the Big Picture
Count till One Hundred - indonesian version
Don't Always Complain - indonesian version
Do You Know How Good Your Life Is?
How to Change and Control Our Emotion - indonesian version
How to Manage Burden in Life - indonesian version
How to Stay Young
Human Beings are Such Small Creatures
Learn from Noah's Ark
Life and How to View It
Life is Precious
Moderation
Pygmalion & Positive Mindset- indonesian version
Smile to Yourself - indonesian version
The Donkey Attitude - indonesian version
The Lady whom My Husband Loved - indonesian version
The Most Beautiful Present - indonesian version
This is for You All
Tribute to Mother
When There is a Will, There is a Way

RELATION HUB
Having problem in relationship? always have disagreement? Don't know what is happening actually? Want to find solution and enlightenment regarding relationship issue? These are what this section is about. Furthermore, it will also contain some articles on how to look at and maintain relationship. Hopefully this section can contribute and enlighten couples in every aspect of their life.

31 Ways to Make a Girl Smile :)
Did I Marry the Right Person?
Difference Between a Man and a Woman
Hug as Therapy - indonesian version
Why a Wedding Ring Should be Put on the Fourth Finger

TRAVEL HUB
Travelling is fun. Want to know some nice place for your weekend getaway? Confused with some procedures encountered during your trip? Well, this section will give you the answers. In addition, it will provide some information that may be useful when you plan your trip.

9 Most Amazing Temples in the World
Alternative Ways to/from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta
Bus Service to Malaysia
Delicious Noodle in Jakarta
Eating Places in Bandung, Indonesia
Food Map in Jakarta, Indonesia
Great Wall of China in Different Season
How to Trace Aeroplanes in this World
Kamus Kecil Bahasa Medan - indonesian version
Never Lose Your Way Again in Singapore
Procedure at Airport - indonesian version
The Beauty of Cities at Night
The Benefits of Converting to Singapore Citizen
What if Your Name is Only One Word?

How To Stay Young

2008-07-01T14:04:00.001+08:00

HOW TO STAY YOUNG ... ...

1. Throw out non-essential numbers.
This includes age, weight, and height.
Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.

2. Keep only cheerful friends.
The grouches pull you down.
(Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)

3. Keep learning
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.
Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop."
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with her/him!

6. The tears happen
Endure, grieve, and move on.
The only person who is with us our entire life, is our self.
LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love:
Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.
Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health
If it is good, preserve it.
If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips.
Take a trip to the mall, even to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love, that you love them - at every opportunity.

Tips Memilih Buah

2008-07-01T13:55:00.001+08:00

TIPS MEMILIH BUAH

1. Durian :
* yang durinya sudah melebar dan daging durinya sudah agak lunak.
* aromanya harum dan kulitnya tdk ada yg bolong
* kalau dipukul2 bunyinya buk ..buk...berat mantep (nggak garing kosong).
* lihat tangkainya (dipotong sedikit), kalau tengahnya kuning berarti bagus.
* jangan pilih yang bulat bagus, tapi yang bentuknya agak aneh, biasanya bagus.

2. Mangga :
* pilih mangga yg bonggolnya (ujung tangkainya) berwarna kuning/kekuningan.
* pilih yang harumnya manis sampai ke ujung buah.
* di pangkalnya harum dan lebar. Kulitnya mulus dan kencang, tidak mengkerut. Keseluruhan buah aromanya harum manis.
* pilih yg warna hijaunya agak tua buram dan bebintik hitam.

3. Jeruk :
* pilih yg warnanya kuning betul bukan kuning terang.
* pilih yg kulitnya tipis dan mengkilat.
* khususnya jeruk medan pilih yang berat, trus ada lekukannya dikit (kalau diraba dengan jempol ada deko' annya) cari yg dekoannya empuk.

4. Semangka/Melon utuh :
* semangka biasanya ditepuk-tepuk utk. Mendengar 'kopong' enggaknya. Semakin kopong berarti kurang banyak airnya, kurang seger.
* melon, pilih yg wangi.
* perhatikan bagian patahan tangkainya, pilih yg buletan tangkainya kelihatan mekar.
* pilih melon yg guratan uratnya banyak dan tebal. Menurut Trubus ini tanda buah sudah mateng pas dipanen.
* pilih melon yg kerasa bijinya sudah pada lepas saat buah digoncang

5. Alpukat :
* kocok-kocok alpukat, pilih yg berbunyi, tandanya tua.
* pilih yg kulitnya mulus.

6. Duku :
* kulitnya tipis dan lembut dan agak kehitaman artinya udah masak dan manis.
Tapi, kalau warna coklat dan agak berair itu tandanya busuk.

7. Manggis :
* pilih yg kulitnya lembut bila dipencet/raba.
* warnanya ungu tua segar. Raba dulu seluruh permukaan, kalo ada yang keras itu artinya bagian tsb masih mentah atau busuk.
Tangkainya utuh dan hijau segar. Manggis kecil malah lebih bagus ketimbang yang ukuran besar yang biasanya matangnya tidak merata.
* kalau ada wadah air, cemplungin manggis ke dalam air. Manggis yg terapung tandanya bagus. [dari Trubus]
* lihat dibagian bawah buah, pilih yang bagian tersebut sudah agak pada renggang.

8. Beda salak Pondoh dan Bali :
* salak Pondoh lebih kecil dan kulitnya kering garing serta mayoritas bentuknya kerucut.
* daging salak Bali lebih tebel dan bijinya agak kecil, sedangkan salak pondoh sebaliknya.
* untuk dapetin yang agak manis, tekan bagian kepalanya itu, cari yg agak kempes (gak keras lagi) dan cari bentuk yg meruncing kepalanya.

9. Pepaya :
* untuk pepaya biasa (bukan pepaya bangkok), pilih yang bentuknya lurus/panjang. Jangan yang atasnya kecil bawahnya besar, atau sebaliknya.

10. Apel :
* apel yang crunchy (nggak gabus), kalau diketuk-ketuk (dislentik/dijentik maksudnya) dengan kuku bunyinya nyaring. Berarti masih banyak airnya.
Kalo suaranya 'bariton' berarti udah kurang crunchy lagi.

11. Sawo :
* pilih sawo yang empuk dan sudah berwarna coklat tua.
Masalah bentuk dan besarnya gimana engga terlalu soal, yg penting perhatikan betul kulitnya harus mulus.
Jangan pilih sawo yg ada luka/goresan/ lubang sekecil apapun (meskipun ukurannya gede). Trus jangan dipilih kalau dikulitnya nempel bekas getah. Bisanya kulit yg cacat gini, daging dibawahnya akan keras/rusak.

12. Pisang :
* khususnya pisang ambon, pilih yang bentuk pisangnya bulat.
* bagian batangnya jangan yang udah kering banget, berarti itu pisang udah lama 'berpisah' dengan pohonnya.

9 Most Amazing Temples in the World

2008-06-30T09:31:00.001+08:00

Prambanan is a Hindu temple in Central Java, Indonesia. The temple was built in 850 CE, and is composed of 8 main shrines and 250 surrounding smaller ones

Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Mai, Thailand is unlike any Buddhist temples in the world.

Tiger's Nest Monastery, perched precariously on the edge of a 3,000-feet-high cliff in Paro Valley, is one of the holiest places in Bhutan

The Temple of Srirangam (Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple) in the Indian city of Tiruchirapalli (or Trichy), is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world (Ankor Wat is the largest of all temple, but it is currently non-functioning as a temple).

The Harmandir Sahib (meaning The Abode of God) or simply the Golden Temple in Punjab, India is the most sacred shrine of Sikhism.

In the 19th century, Dutch occupiers of Indonesia found a massive ancient ruin deep in the jungles of Java. What they discovered was the complex of Borobudur, a gigantic structure built with nearly 2 million cubic feet (55,000 m of stones. The temple has nearly 2,700 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.

Chion-in Temple was built in 1234 CE to honor the founder of Jodo (Pure Land) Buddhism, a priest named Honen, who fasted to death in the very spot.

Temple of Heaven is a temple in Beijing, the capital of China. The temple was constructed in 14th century by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty.

Last but definitely not least is the largest temple in history and the inspiration
to countless novels and action movies of Hollywood: Ankor Wat.

Alternative Route To/From Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta

2008-06-27T09:37:00.002+08:00

As a lesson to me, do prepare an umbrella before raining !

Jakarta, other than being famous for the traffic jam, is also recognized as the flooding city. Certain parts of Jakarta is very prone to flood. Even the international airport Soekarno-Hatta is not exempted from this misfortune. I have always heard and seen from TV that when it rains for at least one day, we can see that flood will attact the city. It seems that a lot of people know the reason behind it, e.g. poor drainage system, overcrowded building development, littering, etc. However it is a pity that no one really does anything to it and so do the powerful people sitting on the hot seat.

Last february, it was raining for days in Jakarta. I was all ready to go back to Indo to celebrate new year. However, just the night before the flight, my girlfriend called and told me that the airport was flooded. I was stunned. How could the so-called international airport be flooded? Where is the so-called international standard?

Nervous! I asked my friend if there are any alternative routes to get out of the airport. To my surprise, only few of my friends know it and they were also not very sure about the exact route.

To cut this story short, I managed to come out of the airport through the alternative route. Poor my dad & brother, they were really struggling to fetch me.

So in this article, I would like to share with you the map of the alternative route to/from Soekarno-Hatta International airport in Jakarta. May this map serves its purpose and benefits us and our loved-ones.

Anger Management for Wife

2008-05-25T09:31:00.001+08:00

Husband: When I get mad at you, you never fight back.
How do you control your anger?
Wife: I clean the toilet...
Husband: How does that help?

Wife: I use your toothbrush.

The Story Of A Boy & A Tree

2008-05-23T22:58:00.003+08:00

There was one time a very young boy, who used to spend time playing by a tree.

One day he got bored and he said to the tree, 'I'm bored, I've played with these toys too many times!'

The tree replied, 'OK, you can climb up on me and play on my branches.'

The boy got really happy with this suggestion and he had a lot of fun playing and sitting high up, on the branches of the tree.

When he started school, he spent more time away from the tree, but one day he came back to it, and the tree was overjoyed to see its young companion, and it encouraged him to climb on, but he refused.

'My clothes are going to get dirty if I climb up on you.'
So the tree thought for a while, and said, 'OK, bring a rope and tie it to me, and you can use my branches as a swing.'

The boy liked that idea, so he did that too, and would come back every other day to sit for a while on that swing.

Whenever he used to get hot, the tree told him to rest in its shade.

As he got older, and moved on to college, times became harder on him and he ran short of food, so he went back to the tree which he had stopped visiting for a long time.

The tree recognised him immediately and welcomed him, but he was hungry and complained to the tree, 'I dont have any food to eat, my stomach is cringing with hunger.'

So the tree said, 'Pull down my branches and take off the fruit, and fill yourself up.'

The young guy didnt even hesitate, but jumped up and tore off one of the smaller branches and ate to his fill.

Over the weeks, he tore off all the branches and ate all the fruit.

After the fruits had all gone, he went away and didnt come back to the tree.

When he reached his middle ages, he came back to the tree and said to it, 'I have been very successful in life.

I have earned a lot of money, I have a huge house and I have found a great wife.

Now I want to travel and see the world.'

The tree was now very old, but to help its long time companion, it didnt wait, and said, 'Bring a saw, cut off my trunk and make a boat. Then you will see the wonders of the world.'

So again, without hesitation the man cut down the tree.

The same tree which he had played on, ate its fruit, laid in its shade; he cut it down and made a boat.

As soon as it was finished, he sailed away and wasnt seen by his people again.

One day, an old man, walked past the tree.

It hadnt recovered from the time he had cut it down. He went up to the tree, but didnt say anything.

He felt the tears coming down from his eyes.

This time the tree spoke in a faint voice, 'I'm sorry. I dont have a trunk for you to climb, nor fruit for you to eat, nor branches of shade for you to lie in. All I have now are my deep roots.'

The old man whispered, 'That's fine. Tree roots are the best place to lie down, snuggle up and sleep after a long life.'

The tree symbolizes our parents, and the boy symbolizes us.

The moral of the story is that we make use of our parents like tissue, and use them all up, and dont even give thanks, but they stay with us till the very end.

Ah Beng 'Smart' Answers

2008-05-07T16:46:00.001+08:00

Take a few minutes break and have a good laugh....

Ah Beng 'Smart' Answers:-
*************************
Ah Beng bought a new mobile.
He sent a message to everyone from his Phone Book & said, 'My Mobile No. Has changed. Earlier it was Nokia 3310.
Now it is 6610'

====================================
Ah Beng : I am so Proud, coz my son is in Medical College .
Friend: Really, what is he studying.
Ah Beng: No, he is not studying, they are Studying him.

==========================================
Ah Beng : Doctor, in my dreams, I play football every night.
DR: Take this tablet, you will be ok.
Ah Beng : Can I take tomorrow, tonight is final game.

===========================================
Ah Beng : If I die, will u remarry?
Wife: No! I'll stay with my sister. But if I die will u remarry?
Ah Beng : No, I'll also stay with your sister..

=========================================
Ah Beng : People consider me as a 'GOD'
Wife: How do you know??
Ah Beng : When I went to the Park today, everybody said, Oh GOD! U have come again.

===========================================
Ah Beng complained to the police: 'Sir, all items are missing, except the TV in my house.'
Police: 'How come the thief did not take the TV?'
Ah Beng : 'I was watching TV news...'

=========================================
Ah Beng comes back 2 to his car & find a note saying 'Parking Fine'
He Writes a note and sticks it to a pole 'Thanks for the complement.'

=============================================
How do you recognize Ah Beng in School?
He is the one who erases the notes from the book when the teacher erase from the board.
when the teacher erase from the board.

===============================================
Once Ah Beng was walking he had a glove on one hand and not on other.
So the man asked him why he did so. He replied that
the weather forecast announced that on one hand it would be cold
and on the other hand it would be hot.

==================================================
Ah Beng in a bar and his cellular phone rings. He
picks it up and Says 'Hello, how did you know I was here?'

===================================================
Ah Beng : Why are all these people running?
Man : This is a race, the winner will get the cup
Ah Beng : If only the winner will get the cup, why others running?
===================================================
Teacher: 'I killed a person' convert this sentence into future tense
Ah Beng : The future tense is 'u will go to jail'

=====================================================
Ah Beng told his servant: 'Go and water the plants!'
Servant: 'It's already raining.'
Ah Beng : 'So what? Take an umbrella and go.'

=====================================================
A man asked Ah Beng why Ahmad Badawi goes walking
in the Evening and not in the morning
Ah Beng replied Ahmad Badawi is PM not AM

Green In Potatoes

2008-05-03T14:45:00.001+08:00

Green = vegetables = good, right? Not when it comes to potatoes. Here's an important piece of information that my mother taught me years ago, but fewer and fewer people these days seem to know about. Green in potatoes indicates the presence of a rather harmful toxin. When you see patches of green in your potatoes as you peel them, cut out the green parts entirely and discard them.

What is the green? Actually it's chlorophyll. Not bad for you at all. But the chlorophyll indicates that the potato has been exposed to sunlight. And where the potato has been exposed to light is where a natural toxin in the potato (solanine) becomes concentrated at harmful levels. So, never store your potatoes on the counter.

Always keep them in a cool, completely dark place. According to the Wikipedia, deep-frying potatoes at a high temperature (306F) effectively lowers the level of toxins. But boiling them (212F) has no effect. Best to stay on the safe side and just cut away the green parts. The NIH website mentions that the potato sprouts can also have concentrated solanine, so those too should never be eaten.

Smile to Yourself

2008-05-03T14:21:00.002+08:00

There is a way that will help us in accepting ourselves, i.e. by appreciating ourselves. Bad impression towards ourselves, whether it is rationale or not, will in a way affect our action towards people around us. As an example, if we are depressed because of our weaknesses, this depression will accumulate inside ourselves and then be channeled as a form of hatred towards others. Instead, we need to learn how to aprreciate and kind to ourselves, and this, in turn, will add loving-kindness to others.

When we can't solve our own problems, we will start to hate others. The product is what we call satanic circle which can destroy ourselves: we hate ourselves => we hate others => as a result, others hate us. We need to appreciate ourselves no matter what we are and who we are. If we do not appreciate ourselves, how others will appreciate us?

We are taught to smile at others. However, many people do not learn how to smile to themselves. Why don't you start to do it? Take out a mirror. Look into the mirror from a distance where you can see your whole face. Then, SMILE:) Give the best smile to yourself. Observe your lips, teeth, wrinkles at your eyes' corners, cheek, hair, and do not forget to look at the light from your eyes and a happy mimic from your smile just now. Smile in such a way that you can feel that your smile has entertained yourself.

This is not an exercise to look pretty, handsome, or attractive. This is how you can accept and make peace with yourself. If you cannot befriend with your own smile, how can your smile mesmerize others? By appreciating yourself, we will benefit ourselves and people around us.

When we appreciate ourselves, we will look at ourselves positively. When we have a positive attitude, we can see our weaknesses as a chance to recognize and improve ourselves. We can also see our strength as a blessing that we can share with others. Hence, we can make our lives valuable and benefitting people around us and environment where we live.

HOW TO APPRECIATE OURSELVES

1. Know yourself
Knowing yourself is the toughest step in the self-appreciating process. Knowing yourself is a process that requires your honesty in seeing and evaluating yourself. Only with honesty can we identify our strength and things that we need to work on and improve further. If we have known ourselves well, we can understand our strength which can be shared to people. We can also understand things that we can learn from others.

2. Appreciate yourself as a being
Appreciate yourself as a being will keep us low profile although we have been given chances to enjoy a lot of success. It also makes us stronger in facing our weakness. All beings are perfect according to its function and responsibility. We do not need to stare back at the weakness that we can't improve on. Instead, these weaknesses will give us chances to look at other things that we can improve on.

3. Aware that we are unique
Realize that we are unique and nobody can duplicate our uniqueness. Among human beings, no-one is like us before we came to this world, when we are in this world, and when we are no longer around.

4. Face your weaknesses
This step is often difficult for us to work on. Frequently we do not want to admit our weaknesses, use only others' opinion to know about our weaknesses. In fact, if we are honest, we should be the one who know our weaknesses more. If we are truthful to ourselves, we will find not only about our weaknesses but also about our mistakes, bad habits, negative thinking, or wrong view towards success and strategy to achieve it.

5. Improve ourselves
If we can identify our weaknesses and strengths, we need to let ourselves to become better. In this case, we cannot do it by ourselves. Other than trying, we need support to improve it.

What will happen if we do not appreciate ourselves. We are entitled to get something that we have done. Consider it as a job and we get paid for what we have done. This is one of the way to appreciate our contribution.

And the important factor to find happiness is to make peace with ourselves. If your view on yourself is healthy, you will be stronger to face obstacle from outside world. When you are humble, the first thing you will notice is that you will not keep depending on others to give the meaning of your existence and the meaning of your friendship.

We also need to learn from someone that can be our model and work with someone that has more experience and knowledge than us. The key is low profile and humble to ask others' help for ourselves development.

The first step to success is to appreciate ourselves. Only by doing this we will know how to appreciate others.

The only person who will spend the whole life with you is yourself. So if you want to be happy in your life, this is the time for you to make peace with yourself and smile to yourself. Have you smile to yourself?:)

Read this article in Indonesian.