Wednesday, December 15, 2010

1st Semester's Result...

Semester one (3 more to go) in Monash has finally ended a month ago. During this one month of holiday, all I did was sitting at home, staring at the computer for hours and I only move my butt from my bed when it is time to move out and fetch my mum from work (except for the times when I take my bath and also meal).

Well, I have wasted yet another month and now the year is coming to an end. 2010 is ending and I have received my result two weeks ago. I said before that I wished I would pass with flying colours at least for one or two subjects and no failures. I guessed my prayers were answered.

The time when I receive my result was pretty much scary and shocking.

At first, my phone rang informing me that there is a message. Like usual, I just take my phone out and open the message. It was a number I did no recognize and when I read the first few words, it says that it is a message from Monash and I was shocked!

“Why is Monash sending me a message?!!” thought me curiously.

Then I continued reading the message and it has my subject name and also the result (I subscribed for the service to receive my results via sms and the result came a day earlier when it said they would be coming maybe a day later as the system is still new). When I read through the message I was scared because I am finding out my result. Guess my brain is working a little slow even though I have read the whole message, I still haven’t realize what my results are. So, I read it again and I was surprised and couldn’t be happier of what I have achieved. Not great, but still better than I have expected and also a lesson to learn that is to be more hardworking next semester. Hopefully, I will not be all talk again and did nothing to improve myself. Well, guess that is one of my new year’s resolutions.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

How to Catch a Liar



Are you being lied to? Find out how you can tell.

1. How is the person speaking?
Although a change in voice can be the tip-off to a lie, experts say that to be sure, you should also pay attention to a person's speech rate and breathing pattern -- if either speeds up or slows down, chances are you're not hearing the whole truth.

Jupiterimages Corporation

Jupiterimages Corporation

2. What is the person saying?

Liars tend to avoid exclusionary words like "but," "nor," "except," and "whereas," because they have trouble with complex thought processes. Liars are less likely to use the words "I," "me," and "mine." In their attempts to distance themselves psychologically from their tall tales, liars will tend to communicate using fewer personal pronouns.

3. Is his face giving it away?
You may think disguising your true feelings is easily accomplished with the help of a smile, but the expressions that flash across your face will give away what you're really thinking -- whether you know it or not. Experts advise paying close attention to the micro-expressions that a face can't hide. These clues are often so difficult to detect that even trained experts have trouble discerning them.

PLUS: 13 Things Your Bartender Won't Tell You

4. How is the person smiling?
A smile can sometimes mask a person's true feelings. Pay close attention to how a person smiles as well as other facial movements. You may be able to detect the emotions he or she is trying to hide -- such as fear, anger, and disgust. A true smile will incorporate both a person's lips and eyes.

5. Does the body language follow the story?
It's more important to examine a person's entire demeanor, as there's no one feature that's apt to give away a liar. Honesty is characterized by features that are in sync with one another -- so besides posture, note the fit between face, body, voice, and speech.

PLUS: 20 Secrets Your Waiter Won't Tell You

6. Is your subject behaving uncharacteristically?
Experts believe changes in a person's baseline -- how she generally conducts herself -- are worthy of your attention. You should weigh rate of speech, tone of voice, posture, and hand gestures against what you know, along with the context of the situation.

7. Is the question simple or embarrassing?
It's normal for someone to look away when asked a difficult question. But when someone avoids your gaze when asked a simple question, you should be suspicious.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Seven Best Stress Fighting Foods....

Mens Health

7 Best Stress-Fighting Foods

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/7-best-stress-fighting-foods

Papaya
Wouldn’t it be awesome if there was a magic nutrient that could stop the flow of stress hormones—the very hormones that make your body superefficient at storing fat calories? Wouldn’t you want to gobble that food up like crazy, especially if it tasted great? Half a medium papaya carries nearly 75 percent more vitamin Cthan an orange, and provides potent protection against stress. Researchers at the University of Alabama found 200 milligrams of vitamin C—about as much as you’ll find in one large papaya—twice a day nearly stopped the flow of stress hormones in rats. It should work for you, too.

Other smart sources of vitamin C: Red bell peppers, broccoli, oranges

Bonus Tip: The closer an ingredient is to its original form, the healthier it is for you. Avoid the worst side of the nutritional spectrum by familiarizing yourself with this shocking list of The 15 Worst Food Creations of 2010.

Peppermint Tea
The mere scent of peppermint helps you focus and boosts performance, according to researchers. Another study discovered that peppermint tea makes drivers more alert and less anxious.

Other smart sources of peppermint: Peppermint candy and peppermint oil

Bonus Tip: Beware of disastrous drinks that only pretend to be healthy. Avoid 2,000-calorie shakes, 1,500-calorie smoothies, and other big offenders in this eye-popping list of The 20 Worst Drinks in America in 2010.

Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are loaded with stress-busting potential thanks to high levels of magnesium. Only about 30 percent of us meet our daily magnesium requirements, placing the rest of us at a higher risk for stress symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, tension, fatigue, insomnia, nervousness and high blood pressure. (Basically we’re frayed wires, and magnesium is the electrical tape that can pull us back together.) A quarter cup of pumpkin seeds gives you half your day’s magnesium requirements.

Other smart sources of magnesium: Spinach, Swiss chard, black beans, soybeans, salmon

Avocados
The healthy fats buried in the avocado’s flesh make it an ideal choice when you’re craving something rich and creamy. The reasons? Monounsaturated (healthy) fatty acids, and potassium--both of which help combat high blood pressure. Avocado fat is 66 percent monounsaturated, and gram-for-gram, the green fruit has about 35 percent more potassium than a banana. Whip up a fresh guacamole or slice a few slivers over toast and top with fresh ground pepper.

Other smart sources of potassium: Squash, papaya, spinach, bananas, lentils

Bonus Tip: Learn how to put these and other health-promoting foods to work in your daily diet to lose weight fast and look and feel better. Sign up for the free Cook This, Not That! newsletter. You’ll have quick and delicious recipes delivered right to you inbox.

Salmon
Not only does omega-3 fat protect against heart disease and cognitive decline, but according to a study from Diabetes & Metabolism, the wonder fat is also responsible for maintaining healthy levels of cortisol. And what’s the world’s best source of omega-3s? Salmon. But there’s another trick in salmon’s arsenal—a sleep-promoting amino acid called tryptophan. One salmon filet has as much tryptophan as you need in an entire day, and if there’s one remedy for stress, it’s a good night of blissful Zs.

Other smart sources of omega-3 fats: Flaxseeds, walnuts, sardines, halibut
Other smart sources of tryptophan: Chicken, tuna, beef, soybeans

Bonus Tip: The favorite trick of your friendly neighborhood restaurant? Substituting salt for flavor. Studies have linked high-salt foods to increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and even heart disease--and experts recommend getting no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium in your diet each day. Keep your salt intake in check by cooking with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients—and by dodging the salty disasters in this list of the 30 Saltiest Foods in America.

Almonds
The almond's first stress-buster is the aforementioned monounsaturated fats, but at risk of belaboring that point, let’s look at another almond-centered, mind-calming nutrient: vitamin E. In one study, Belgium researchers treated pigs with a variety of nutrients just before sticking them in a transportation simulator (basically a vibrating crate). After 2 hours of simulation, only those pigs treated with tryptophan and vitamin E had non-elevated levels of stress hormones. Almonds, thankfully, are loaded with vitamin E. To reach your day’s requirement from almonds alone, you need to eat about 40 to 50 nuts. Or you can mix them with other vitamin-E rich foods to save calories and add more dietary variety.

Other smart sources of vitamin E: Sunflower seeds, olives, spinach, papaya

Oatmeal
A biochemical effect of stress is a depleted stock of serotonin, the hormone that makes you feel cool, calm, and in control. One reliable strategy for boosting serotonin back to healthy levels is to increase your intake of carbohydrates. That said, scarfing down Ding Dongs and doughnuts isn’t a sustainable solution. Rather, to induce a steady flow of serotonin, aim to eat fiber-rich, whole-grain carbohydrates. The slower rate of digestion will keep seratonin production steady and prevent the blood sugar rollar-coaster that leads to mood swings and mindless eating.

Other sources of fiber-rich carbohydrates: Quinoa, barley, whole-wheat bread, Triscuits

Bonus Secrets: Extra flab fueling your stress? Check out the fitness secrets from Hollywood's hottest celebrities. The best part: No trainer required!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Nice News Story...

Trapped Chile miners alive but long rescue ahead

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100822/wl_nm/us_chile_mine_accident

SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Thirty-three Chilean miners trapped deep underground sent a message to the surface tied to a drill on Sunday, saying they were all alive in their first contact since a cave-in 17 days ago, but experts said it would take months to dig them out.

President Sebastian Pinera said the paper message was tied to a perforation drill that rescuers used to bore through to the area near an underground shelter, where the miners took shelter after the August 5 collapse at the gold and copper mine in the far north.

"The 33 of us in the shelter are well," read the message written with red paint on the piece of paper that Pinera held up on television.

Around 200 people gathered in a square in the capital Santiago, waving flags to celebrate the news. Drivers honked their horns and diners applauded in restaurants.

"It will take months" to get them out, the beaming president said at the mine head. "It will take time, but it doesn't matter how long it takes to have a happy ending,"

The miners are 4.5 miles inside the winding mine and about 2,300 feet vertically underground. They are inside a mine shaft shelter the size of a small apartment.

Authorities said they had limited amounts of food, and doctors advised sending glucose, enriched mineral water and medicines as well as other foods.

"God is great," 63-year-old Mario Gomez, the eldest of the trapped miners, wrote in a letter to his wife attached to the drill along with the message, which Pinera read on television.

"This company has got to modernize," he added. "But I want to tell everyone I'm OK, and am sure we will survive."

Relatives hugged, kissed and thanked God as news of the message reverberated outside the entrance to the mine, where they have camped out since the mine caved in on August 5.

'NEVER LOST FAITH'

"We never, never lost faith. We knew they were there, and that they would be rescued," said family member Eduardo Hurtado, as other miners' relatives waved red-white-and-blue Chilean flags and cheered.

The miners' plight has drawn parallels with the story of 16 people who survived more than 72 days in the Andes mountains after a 1972 plane crash. Their story was later made into the Hollywood movie "Alive".

Rescuers plan to send narrow plastic tubes called "doves" down the bore-hole with food, hydration gels and communications equipment.

Deep in the small mine, located near the northern city of Copiapo, there are deposits of water and ventilation shafts that helped the miners to survive.

The mine, however, is unstable, and rescue workers were forced to abandon attempts to dig past the main cave-in and down a ventilation shaft.

The plan is now to dig a new shaft to enable the trapped miners to escape, which will take months. Rescue workers say it could take around 120 days to dig a new tunnel to reach them.

Mining Minister Laurence Golborne said rescue workers would lower a camera and microphones to communicate with the miners.

Pinera sacked top officials of Chile's mining regulator and vowed a major overhaul of the agency in light of the accident.

Serious mining accidents are rare in Chile, but the government says the San Jose mine, owned by local private company Compania Minera San Esteban Primera, has suffered a series of mishaps and 16 workers were killed in recent years.



Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Singapore

Have you ever sit at a place and just watch the beautiful view around you? For me, I did sit at a place before but I wouldn't say I sat and watch my surroundings so closely like I did the other day.

I guess I should say that I was very fortunate when I went to Singapore last weekend. They were having their Youth Olympics Games Rehearsal and there were fireworks. I was there with my cousin and while she was working, I sat around esplanade and watched the beautiful scenery and the fireworks were just right there in front of me.

Although there were some constructions going on but the night scenery was so gorgeous that I could not resist and sat there watching for hours.

I regretted for not bringing my camera to take down such amazing part of Singapore (amazing because I have not sat and watch a place for so long and enjoy every single minute of it.)

The view was so wonderful all thanks to YOG and it captures my heart and gave me the urge of going back there to watch the opening of YOG on Thursday.

Hong Kong is named the city of light and though I have not seen the actual Hong Kong except from HK Dramas but I do think that Singapore can also be called the city of light due to the fireworks and the 28 spotlights that lightened up the city.

It is not very colourful but part of the place that I saw are brightly lit and most of these buildings are offices.

In front of me, there was this building and on top of it there were the shape of a ship and it looks really nice and really cool. Singapore does have good taste for architecture.

On the right side, there was also this hotel that I can see from where I was sitting and it is called the fullerton hotel. It is one of the building that were so bright and with all those lightings, it looks so grand. So I told myself that I would go in one day and see how it actually looks like.

As for now, we'll save this part till I get back to Singapore and that time I will definitely not forget my camera.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Olden Days of Penang....

I have always wondered how does the real Penang look like back in the olden days, how does thing work and all the historical stuff. People would tell me to go to the museum to find out but frankly, I don't see the credibility of Penang Museum.

Here are some photos that I found..... (Can't remember from where though...)













I don't know how credible this pictures are but they are still giving some basic information and pictures of how things back in the olden days looks like... All the little things that our parents do and how do people live as well as how things are sold and stuffs like that....

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Kingdom Hearts....


Kingdom Hearts...... Fantastic Game (or maybe it is just me because I was not exposed to a lot of games...)


My cousin and I started this game when we were both in secondary school but we did not manage to finish it in about 3 years time. (We only play during the school break from November to December.)


We managed to go to about seven worlds but managed to lock four worlds. However, this time, we played from the beginning of the story and we managed to end it within a week. The front part was based on our memory if we can remember anything about the world and is able to give us some hints about the world that we are playing in.

Now we are done playing this game.... and waiting to buy the second and the third part of this game..... while waiting for the forth part... to be out this end of the year....

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Scardy Cat?

Why is it that I lack in confidence? Why is it that before something even start doing something, I will chicken out and tend to think of quitting instead of gathering the strength and courage to keep on moving forward?

I don’t know how to answer any of that. It is like a mystery to me, trying to solve it myself. Of course, the problem lies within me. It is because of how I think and how I make things more complicated myself when those stuffs that are laid in front of me are so easy to be done.

No matter how many times I tell myself that I am not going to think negatively, sometimes, I just feel that I am deceiving myself which is a huge crime. Sometimes I manage to gather my thoughts and just forget about those pessimistic stuffs that I was thinking and focus on the good things. However, this could not last long.

I wonder how can I help myself…. to build up more courage…. to stop being a chicken… to stop being a pessimist?

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Penang In BBC News....

Penang, my hometown became a part of BBC on the day of my birthday... Oh, nothing special, just happy that it gets free publicity in an international news agency.


I am not happy with the government, that is a fact but hey... Penang is still my birth place and I still love it no matter how dirty or stinky some of the places are but hey, I always tell my friend that if you come to Penang and you want to have some good food, just remember to look for places that are dirty and stinky, I am sure they sell good, tasty, yummylicious food.

I wouldn't call myself a true Penangite YET but once I have visited all the beautiful places in Penang with my beloved camera, I will only start calling myself a true Penang Kia!

Anyway, check out the video in the website, it shows some pictures of Penang in the olden days and I never thought it looked that way....

Monday, July 12, 2010

Legal Age...

"You are finally legal to do everything”, so said my cousin.

Yes, I am finally 21 years-old and legal to do everything such as going to the casino which I tried when I was 17 and was denied the access. So now, I can just go and flash my IC to them (hopefully I get to flash as it means that I look younger than 21 and they still need to reconfirm

whether I am allowed to step my foot in there or not) and walk in.

Some people usually take this number 21 as a big thing, but for me, it was, until a few years ago when I wish I could just be a teenager for life. That would be great. The older you go, the more responsibility you carry.

Well, some of my friends that I knew or people I heard about, they celebrated it quite grandly. For me, it was simple and nice as well as touching.

First of all, I would say that the biggest present I get was to get a place to stay for my 2 years tenant here in KL as a student of Monash University, Sunway Campus. I just need to spend RM2 for a daily trip from my aunt’s place to go to Uni and study. Quite convenient an I get to do some exercise such as walking. 10,000 steps a day leads a healthy life.

Secondly, my sister, cousin and niece made me a cake! So touching right, that my sister actually made me a cake. It was Oreo Cheese Cake in a heart shape, sprinkled with some heart toppings and with some round silver thingy and they formed an ‘S’ at the bottom of the heart which I did not notice until my cousin point it out.

This present was given two days before my birthday and it was a surprise with dinner cum supper of KL style Hokkien Char aka Tua Pui Mee, courtesy of my aunt (different aunt as the one I am staying with for my next two years).

Another wonderful thing about my birthday is that I get RED EGGS for my birthday!!! Back in Penang, I only get to eat red eggs when my parents’ friend’s kids are one month old and they give us a box of food. This year, it was different; I get to have it on my birthday!

One last thing that I got from this was a present from my cousin. She bought and brought back the present all the way from Australia and it has something to do with the field that I am studying. (She said that and I guessed incorrectly). It was a notebook cum file and the pattern is so nice which in the end, I don’t feel like using it until I really really need it.

So that was my 21st birthday. Simple, nice and wonderful. Thanks to my loving family.

PS: I did not take any photos of the red eggs and also the present I got from my cousin. So do bear with the cake.