From where I am.........Kuala Lumpur

Of Nose-piercing and Equestrian Apparel

2009-11-09T15:13:00.003+08:00

I just read about a 12-year-old schoolgirl being suspended from a public school in Bountiful, Utah, for piercing her nose as a way to connect with her roots in India. She was suspended for violating a body-piercing ban.

School officials - who noted that nose piercing is an Indian cultural choice, not a religious requirement - compromised and said she could wear a clear, unobtrusive stud in her nose, and Suzannah returned to her seventh-grade class.

Just like in most Asian societies, culture and religion are closely intertwined in the Indian community. I wonder if one were to be in equestrian apparel, would one be singled out in school in the US? I'm sure not because equestiran apparel can be stylish and neat like the ones in the picture.

Food! Glorious Food!

2009-11-08T13:38:00.000+08:00

I just passed up on an invitation to join a few girlfriends for another weekend outing, more like a food-bingeing session. Don't get me wrong. I love these outings and playing catch-up but not this weekend. After so many nights the pass week of food outings, I think I just need to stay in and just give my digestive system a break. I now see why some of my colleagues go for their colon cleanse and detox sessions once in a while.

On the subject of food, Astro Ch 707 (Travel & Living) has a new show titled "Man V. Food" and I don't have to tell you what it is. The episode I saw this morning is about this 21oz-sandwich of slices of turkey, ham, cheese, onions, pickles between a thick bun. And there are fries to go with it.

This restaurant that serves this sandwich calls it a Dagwood and whoever is able to finish that giant sandwich within 30 minutes get to stick his picture with a prized Dagwood t-shirt (compliments of the restaurant) on the Wall of Fame in the restaurant. This tv-host challenger (forgotten his name) made it, so his picture is now among the hundreds on the wall. This is in the U.S.

No wonder the cliche, Food! Glorious Food!

I hope you'll have a wonderful Sunday..

Of Robberies and Shooting at Ford Hood

2009-11-07T15:32:00.000+08:00

I just heard of two cases of robbery (snatch theft) in Kuala Lumpur. One happened in Kepong in a lift of a highrise flat. A lady was in the lift and the door opened on the first floor, a young man came in and in a split second her handbag was snatched away by the young man. She had RM900 with her plus other documents.

The other incident happened in Wangsa Maju involving a roadside motorcyclist snatching the handbag of another lady. After the incident, he was found eating at a teh tarik foodstall nearby. Not sure if he was caught there. This was reported in a Chinese language daily.

I'm sure there were other robberies which involved the use of weapons such as parang (long knives) but I suppose, parang is the lesser evil as compared to firearms as in the case of the recent rampage by Major Nidal Malik Hasan at Fort Hood in Texas with 13 dead and a lot more injured. In times like these, life insurance comes to mind. Are we adequately insured such that the loved ones we leave behind are taken care of in the event of something unfortunate happening?

Travel Insurance Gives You Peace of Mind

2009-11-07T14:29:00.007+08:00

Air Asia has made it possible for more people to travel on holiday several times a year. A colleague makes it a point to make bookings when Air Asia gives out "Zero Fare" tickets.

His trips would coincide with the school holidays so that they could travel as a family, his children being still in school.

Travel may be fun but some protection is needed in case of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. Trip Protection Insurance plans typically reimburse you for pre-paid non-refundable travel expenses if an unexpected crises (e.g., death of a family member, sickness, airline strike, travel supplier bankruptcy, among other crises) occurs before or during your trip causing it to be cancelled, interrupted or delayed.

For that peace of mind before you travel next, get an travel insurance quote and sign up for that protection. It pays to be prepared because you never know what will happen on a trip.

Carrefour Market Going Green

2009-11-06T14:38:00.005+08:00

Well, it's about time! Going green all the way, Carrefour's new outlet, Carrefour Market, at the Sphere in Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur, has implemented its no-plastic-bag policy starting last week.

I'd have to bring a few more recyclable bags if I were to be shopping like the models below. I have stocked up a few of these bags but probably will need more (before prices go up based on demand).

Do you bring your own recyclable bag(s)?

Friday Frolics - What Fall Fruit or Vegetable Are You Most Like?

2009-11-06T14:19:00.000+08:00

I didn't know apples are a Fall fruit. Over here, fruits have their seasons. We can go for months without a mango on the store shelf nor a rambutan or durian but strangely, we get apples here all-year-round. Interesting!

By the way, this quiz here says I'm an Apple.. What are you?

You Are Apples

You have simple tastes in food, and you appreciate a basic, clean flavor. You don't think eating or cooking should be complicated.

In fact, you're really not one for cooking much at all. Your best meals come together quickly and don't require many ingredients.

If anything, you're the type of person who's more likely to pull out the oven mitts and bake every so often.

Chocolate chip cookies are one of your favorite things to smell baking, and it goes without saying that you love apple pie.

What Fall Fruit or Vegetable Are You Most Like?

There is a Quiz for Almost Everything

How to Suppress Appetite for Food

2009-11-06T11:02:00.000+08:00

According to the Chinese community, one should not refuse or shun food as to be able to eat is a blessing. And with that in mind, many of us have turned into gluttons and having a broader mid-section to show for it. LOL!

We all know that anything in excess is harmful, food included. Perhaps what some of us need is an appetite suppressant to at least curb our food-craving ways. Or perhaps pick up smoking and/or drink lots of coffee. I hear smoking and caffeine suppress appetite. Maybe not, let's just stick to good old-fashioned discipline.

Of Steam Iron and Steam Cleaners

2009-11-06T10:13:00.002+08:00

Steam does wonders. The other day at a Homelife exhibition, I almost bought a steam iron, you know the type that you can just go over the crinkled fabric and voila! it's all smooth and ironed out. Sometimes I wonder if it really works that well or is it just a magic trick that only the sales personnel is trained to do.

Homes with wall-to-wall carpeting definitely can do with steam cleaners or at least one at home. Carpets are landing pads for dust and over time, they become homes for dust-mites, the cause of a host of health problems.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 25th Anniversary Concert

2009-11-04T15:38:00.002+08:00

That must have been some party, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 25th anniversary concert held in New York's Madison Square Garden on Oct 29 & 30 with rock legends including Crosby, Stills & Nash, Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon solo, Stevie Wonder, and Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and the E Street Band who can all fill arenas by themselves.

Set List (courtesy of Entertainment Weekly)
Jerry Lee Lewis, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”
Crosby, Stills & Nash, “Woodstock”
Crosby, Stills & Nash, “Marrakesh Express”
Crosby, Stills & Nash, “Almost Cut My Hair”
Bonnie Raitt with Crosby and Nash, “Love Has No Pride”
Bonnie Raitt with Crosby, Stills & Nash, “Midnight Rider”
Jackson Browne with Crosby, Stills & Nash, “The Pretender”
James Taylor with Crosby and Nash, “Mexico”
Crosby, Stills & Nash with James Taylor, “Love the One You’re With”
Crosby, Stills & Nash, “Rock & Roll Woman”
Crosby, Stills & Nash with Jackson Browne, James Taylor, and Bonnie Raitt, “Teach Your Children”
Paul Simon, “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes”
Paul Simon, “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard”
Paul Simon, “Call Me Al”
Dion DiMucci with Paul Simon, “The Wanderer”
Paul Simon with Crosby and Nash, “Here Comes the Sun”
Paul Simon, “Late in the Evening”
Little Anthony and the Imperials, “Two Kinds of People”
Simon & Garfunkel, “The Sounds of Silence”
Simon & Garfunkel, “Mrs. Robinson”/”Not Fade Away” medley
Simon & Garfunkel, “The Boxer”
Simon & Garfunkel, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”
Simon & Garfunkel, “Cecilia”
Stevie Wonder, “Blowin’ in the Wind”
Stevie Wonder, “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)”
Stevie Wonder, “I Was Made to Love Her”
Stevie Wonder, “For Once in My Life”
Stevie Wonder, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours”
Stevie Wonder, “Boogie On Reggae Woman”
Smokey Robinson with Stevie Wonder, “The Tracks of My Tears”
John Legend with Stevie Wonder, “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)”
Stevie Wonder with John Legend, “The Way You Make Me Feel”
B.B. King with Stevie Wonder, “The Thrill Is Gone”
Stevie Wonder, “Living for the City”
Stevie Wonder with Sting, “Higher Ground”/”Roxanne” medley
Stevie Wonder with Jeff Beck, “Superstition”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”
Sam Moore with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Hold On, I’m Comin’”
Sam Moore with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band,”Soul Man”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with Tom Morello, “The Ghost of Tom Joad”
John Fogerty with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Fortunate Son”
John Fogerty with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Proud Mary”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with John Fogerty, “Oh, Pretty Woman”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Jungleland”
Darlene Love with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “A Fine, Fine Boy”
Darlene Love with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Da Doo Ron Ron”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with Tom Morello, “London Calling”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Badlands”
Billy Joel with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “You May Be Right”
Billy Joel with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Only the Good Die Young”
Billy Joel with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “New York State of Mind”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with Billy Joel, “Born to Run”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with Billy Joel, Darlene Love, Sam Moore, John Fogerty, Tom Morello, Jackson Browne, and Peter Wolf, “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher)”

Related articles:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert - Entertainment Weekly
Epic moments at the Rock Hall 25th Anniversary Concert - RollingStone
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concerts - Metallica.com

Image source: life.com

Math Tutoring available Online

2009-11-04T12:21:00.007+08:00

I know I'm going to sound like a broken record but the Internet is really an amazing tool. In the U.S., there is even online math tutoring available for students who need Math help. Math is one subject most students are concerned about and one of the ways to do well is to get extra help by way of tuition.

To take it a step further, online math tutoring is now available. One can get help on the various Math Concepts including Geometry, Algebra, Number Theory, Discrete Mathematics, Boolean Algebra, Trigonometry, Statistics and Probability, and Calculus.

TutorVista's online Math Help is designed to help the student get the desired edge in acing the subject. Online math help is available 24/7 and you can get instant help from an online math tutor anytime, anywhere.

If you want to be sure before you sign up, why not check out their free online math tutoring demo service and experience the benefits yourself; be reassured by their free online math help.

TutorVista takes in students from Grade 3 right up to Grade 12.

Appreciating Art

2009-11-03T15:18:00.003+08:00

I watched "Thomas Crown Affair" the other night for the umpteenth time. The word 'art' conjures up some pretty pictures, at least it does for me. But then again, beauty is subjective and it really is in the eye of the beholder.

Just like these works of art below. The first piece reminds me of the one in my office which makes me feel how inadequate I am at interpreting modern art. Sigh.

And then there are these..

Mind you, all these are pieces by famous artists and are slated for Fall Auction at Sotheby's this coming week. Even auction houses have been impacted by the economic downturn as prices for art pieces - paintings, sculptures, drawings - have taken a beating.

Gone are the days of lucrative financial incentives like guarantees (a minimum sum offered to a seller regardless of the outcome of a sale) that were regularly doled out when times were good. Gone too are extravagant parties and lavish catalogs the size of telephone books.

People now think carefully about what they buy and how much they are willing to spend. Prices are also lower because there aren’t many blockbuster artworks on the market.

Source: NY Times

Malaysia International Fashion Week, Nov 4 to Nov 8 - Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

2009-11-02T17:06:00.011+08:00

During Fashion Week in New York, there was a constant flurry of activity on the streets as models scurried to their modelling fittings and assignments, fashion designers and assistants shopping for fabrics and such, and photogs having a field day...and endless eve-candy for all..

I wonder if we'll see the same kind of activity here in Kuala Lumpur from Nov 4 to 8 these dates being the Malaysia International Fashion Week.

Malaysia International Fashion Week promises to return with a bang! Presented by Maxis, it will be held from Nov 4 to Nov 8 at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

You'll get to see New York-based Japanese supermodel, Ai Tominaga, and 10 award-winning models from Beijing strutting their stuff all set to sizzle on the catwalk while bearing the creations of top designers from Malaysia, the region and beyond. It's going to be a Fashion extravaganza to watch out for.

For details, visit www.m-ifa.com. In the meantime, below is the schedule at the Pavilion for your easy reference. Click on image to enlarge.

10 Dangerous Everyday Things in Your Home

2009-11-01T12:32:00.001+08:00

We have known that chemicals are bad for health. They are toxic and dangerous. Scientists have realized that chemicals found in a wide variety of the goods we use every day may be more toxic than previously thought.

Where are these toxins coming from and what can we do about it? Here are 10 of the most common products that people are starting to think twice about bringing into their houses.

10. Mothballs
Mothballs emit one of the most distinctive and unpleasant household scents. Since moths will chew holes through clothing or other textiles, people pack away these stinky repellents to kill any moths that attempt to. But as they convert from a solid to a gas, you do not want to inhale too much of it. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency even requires mothball manufacturers to include a warning on packaging to "avoid breathing in the vapors."

9. Pesticides
According to the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network, 90 percent of households in the United States use some form of pesticides [source: NPTC]. Pesticide is a broad term that encompasses a variety of chemical formulas that kill everything from tiny microorganisms up to rodents. They could be insecticides, fungicides, disinfectants or other varieties. Because these are poisons, the U.S. EPA requires pesticide manufacturers to include the toxicity level of the product on its packaging.

8. Pressed Wood Products
If you catch a couple episodes of "The Brady Bunch," you can see pressed wood paneling at the height of its splendor. This faux wood is like the hotdog of timber products, taking bits and pieces of logs and whatnot and combining them together. Pressed wood products also include particle board, fiberboard and insulation, which were particularly popular for home construction in the 1970s.

7. Chemicals in Carpet
Indoor carpeting has recently come under greater scrutiny because of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with new carpet installation. Although the popular floor covering isn't inherently dangerous, people have reported health problems associated with it [source: EPA].

6. Laser Printers Chemicals
A 2007 study from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia found that some laser printers give off ultra fine particles that could cause serious health problems [source: He, Morawaska and Taplin]. Another study from the National Institute of Public Health also confirmed that laser and ink-jet printers can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ozone particulates [source: Kagi et al].

5. Lead Paint
In 1991, the U.S. government declared lead to be the greatest environmental threat to children [source: EPA]. Not a big surprise considering the nasty effects that lead exposure can have on adults and children alike. Even low concentrations can cause problems with your central nervous system, brain, blood cells and kidneys [source: EPA]. It's particularly threatening for fetuses, babies and children, because of potential developmental disorders.

4. Air Fresheners and Cleaning Solutions
Air fresheners and cleaning solutions freshen and sanitize our indoor habitats. However, a study by the University of California at Berkeley found that when used excessively or in a small, unventilated area, these products release toxic levels of pollutants.

3. Baby Bottles and BPA
Canada has taken the first steps to outlaw the sale of baby bottles made from polycarbonate plastics, which are the most common type on the market. It has done so because the plastics are made with a chemical called bisphenol-a (BPA). When heated, these types of baby bottles can release BPA.

2. Flame Retardants
Commonly used in mattresses, upholstery, television and computer casings and circuit boards, flame retardants have likely saved many lives by preventing unexpected fires in homes across the world. However, science has revealed a darker side to these chemical superheroes, called polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs for short, found in a variety of consumer plastics. Two forms of PBDEs were phased out of use in manufacturing in the United States in 2004 because of related health threats [source: CDC]. However, the products containing them and their cousin deca-PBDE linger on.

1. Cosmetic Phthalates
Forget about bat poop in mascara. There's another icky ingredient that could be floating around in your favorite beauty products. Phthalates, also called plasticizers, go into many products dotted around your bathroom and vanity, including hair spray, shampoos, fragrances, deodorants and even your rubber ducky. Along with increasing the durability and flexibility of plastics, phthalates also bind the color and fragrance in cosmetic products.

There you have it, all 10 dangerous everyday things in your home compiled by HowStuffWorks. Visit the site for more details.

Cool Pumpkin Carvings - Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T18:23:00.001+08:00

Okay, some ideas here for pumpkin-carving. More pumpkin carvings..

Happy Halloween!

All That Glitters is Gold in the End

2009-10-31T12:28:00.002+08:00

Gold, who can resist owning it. It is a precious metal loved from over the centuries and is getting more popular today as the man on the street sees real value in this precious metal.

Gold in the form of gold coins or gold bullion can be purchased and are much sought after as one of the ways to preserve savings and the purchasing power in the face of inflation.

Over the years, the value of gold and other precious metal bullion has increased hundreds of times thus making them, gold, especially, an asset to have in one's retirement account. Ever thought about buying a gold coin a month? In a year, you would be having twelve gold coins.

The Gold Coin Gain site says it all:

Gold is the ultimate asset. It is the purest form of money, and the oldest, most durable wealth-preserving asset on the planet. Governments can’t devalue it. It has no debts, no board of directors, no politicians or central bankers that can mess with its value. That’s why gold has survived every economy history has ever witnessed, and preserved investors’ purchasing power over a span of some 5000 years.

Credit Cards and Debit Cards are a Necessity

2009-10-31T10:32:00.002+08:00

In this day and age, you would find it limiting to be still using cash alone. Even though cash may be king, cash would not get you very far unless you only intend to spend your life at home or just in your little town.

Some of us may not admit it but credit cards or debit cards are the answer to life beyond your comfort zone. They are no longer a luxury but a necessity in contemporary times. Our current environment calls for a safer, more secure means of carrying cash. You wouldn't want to carry those wads of cash shopping for big-ticket items like air-tickets or that diamond ring.

After that 5% government tax to be implemented from Jan next year, we would still require at least two cards, one Mastercard, the other Visa card - should one doesn't work; and a charge-card if you wish.

Credit cards are sometimes used to serve as loans but if the balance is not paid in a timely manner, one would have to bear a higher interest on that loan.

Debit cards are gaining popularity and for the public at large, it is a great way to curb impulsive spending. A prepaid debit card allows you to spend only when you have funds in your account making it an invaluable budgeting tool. More and more banks here are switching to prepaid debit cards replacing ATM cards.

If you are looking for a prepaid Mastercard or a prepaid credit card, check out the AchieveCard. They do not do credit check, no bank account is needed, they are safe and a secure card-issuer, and they approve 100% of the time.

Installing a New Garage Floor

2009-10-30T23:23:00.000+08:00

It doesn't concern me directly but besides neighbours moving in (versus moving out) that makes me happy, neighbours doing renovation or remodelling of their property gives me that happy feeling too. Weird, huh?

A neighbour down the road is doing something new to their garage. They are having a new garage floor installed and I can think of only good reasons. It would be cool if the garage looks something like in the picture.

I Saw "Michael Jackson: This Is It"

2009-10-30T12:38:00.001+08:00

I watched Michael Jackson: This Is It yesterday (second day of screening) but I missed MJ's special message to his genuine fans as tipped by Anonymous in his comment on my Oct 13 post - This Is It - Michael Jackson's New Song.

So, if you are going to watch it, stay back for MJ's special message to all his genuine fans. Too bad I read Anonymous's comment too late.

What do I think of This Is It? If you are a fan or if you are like me, interested in behind-the-scenes kind of stuff, this documentary is for you. Some of the numbers MJ sang include Jam, Bad, Billy Jean (with a very brief moonwalk), Earth Song, Black or White, Thriller (great set), Smooth Criminal, Man in the Mirror and a medley of Jackon 5 hits. You'll also get to see the dancer selection - sexy - and dance practices including suggestion of the right way of holding the crotch! LOL!

Looking at Michael perform, even though they were rehearsals, you wouldn't think he was sick though I think making it through 50 rounds of such a gruelling routine would have been tough. MJ was so thin that he could pass for one who is a user who has gone overboard on one of those best weight loss pills. Oops!

The beginning was touching. It got me welled up as the principal dancers spoke about how they felt. A few even got choked up.

Go see it just to see the man alive, albeit in rehearsals. It'll be two hours well-spent. I believe the actual concert in London would have been a blast! The movie/documentary will run for two weeks only.

Oh, I was amazed at how Michael was spoken to - so much respect there, and how much he knew his music. Eye-opening.

Btw, do you think MJ's death is a hoax? Check out comment left by Anonymous in my Oct 13 post - This Is It - Michael Jackson's New Song.

Friday frolics: The Chair Test

2009-10-30T11:28:00.000+08:00

Ahh.. it's Friday again and another round of Friday Frolics.

What does your choice of chair say about you? Find out..

You Are Freaky and Funny

You're the type of person who can sit all day without feeling bored or boring others.

You find the world entertaining. There's always something going on that you can riff on.

You give a first impression of being eccentric. Luckily, most people find your weird ways to be highly entertaining.

You are an armchair philosopher. You are constantly developing your unique, quirky take on life.

The Chair Test

These Quizzes Weren't Written By Bored 12 Year Olds

Make It A Cancun Holiday! Yeah!

2009-10-28T17:41:00.005+08:00

Holiday-makers who normally take time-off for a vacation end of the year would have made their reservations already. We were talking about vacation time and places to visit the other day and the place that got us all excited is Cancun, Mexico.

A visiting colleague from Mexico City will be taking his family to Cancun for Christmas. How can you not love Cancun. I mean, take a look at its location.

There are even some cancun hotels that allow you to book now and pay later. How cool is that!

So, have you made reservations yet?

Do You Enjoy Casino Gambling?

2009-10-28T15:54:00.002+08:00

For those who enjoy casino gambling but are living away from Kuala Lumpur or the Klang Valley, going uphill to Genting Highlands could be a hassle. That is why, many people nowadays turn to casino games online.

With online gaming or betting available these days, more and more people are turning to the convenience of gambling in the comfort of one's home.

I'm not encouraging gambling but it's really a personal choice and some of us do enjoy that adrenaline rush. If one is a fan of gambling, it would be wise to be gambling with the best online casino advice and knowing which are the best online casino or casinos for a better online casino gaming experience.

Casino Advisor is dedicated to bringing you all the latest casino news, views and reviews with 100% accuracy 100% of the time. If you would like to know more about the games, with a simple click of the mouse, you can learn all about these online: Online Blackjack, Online Roulette, Online Video Poker, Online Baccarat, Online Craps and Online Keno.

Free Movie Tickets from GSC IOI Mall

2009-10-27T18:29:00.000+08:00

Whoa! Spanking new movie theatre! This is one of four new theatres at the new extension of GSC IOI Mall and starting Oct 31, they are giving away free movie tickets. You read right, free tickets will be given away to the public from Oct 31 onwards for the following movies:

- Knowing,
- Terminator: Salvation,
- Jangan Pandang Belakang Congkak (Malay), and
- Where Got Ghost (Chinese).

More details from The Star:

To enjoy this screenings, the public need to catch any movie at GSC IOI Mall (Old Wing) from Oct 22 to Oct 29 and they will be given two coupons which entitles them to two free tickets per coupon, on a first-come, first-served basis while tickets last.

Each person is limited to four tickets (maximum) per movie.

The redemption exercise will start from Oct 31 onwards.

Tickets can only be redeemed for the movie screenings on the same day of redemption as no advance redemption will be entertained.

Movie schedules can be downloaded from the GSC website www.gsc.com.my.

Time well-spent at Kindergarten Concert

2009-10-27T17:33:00.001+08:00

I watched a kindergarten concert at a shopping mall the other day quite by accident and I might add that I was pleasantly entertained by the very little ones. With their colorful and pretty costumes, they all look simply adorable.

I wonder if its adhd in children that makes them talk and jump about non-stop or are all children naturally energetic. It was an hour well-spent, I should say.

Picture source:
bi-lingual.com

Experience with a Hacked Account

2009-10-27T15:38:00.003+08:00

Most of us have at least two email accounts, one at work, the other a personal account. The other day, a girlfriend found that she was locked out of her Gmail account. Apparently, someone hacked into her account.

To make matters worse, that someone sent out an email in her name asking for financial assistance. All of us who are close to her found the email strange. We later received an SMS from her informing us of the real situation.

Considering how advanced technology has become and more people being IT-savvy, we really do need an antispyware software that is capable of removing all manner of spyware and malware from our computers.

Lorenzo Natali Journalism Prize 2009

2009-10-27T11:32:00.005+08:00

Prizes for the Lorenzo Natali Journalism Prize 2009 were presented to the winners in Stockholm last Thursday.

Journalist Chin Mui Yoon made The Star proud by clinching the third prize for the Asia and Pacific region for her story Living With Bombs, which was published in StarMag on Nov 30 last year.

Winning this prestigious Lorenzo Natali Journalism Prize makes The Star the first Malaysian newspaper to win at the prestigious awards organised by the European Commission in association with Reporters Without Borders and the World Association of Newspapers.

The Lorenzo Natali Journalism Prize was created in 1992 by the European Commission to honour written press, radio and television journalists from all over the world committed to human rights, democracy and development.

It is named after Lorenzo Natali, a former vice-president of the European Commission, who was in charge of cooperation and development between 1985 and 1989.

The first prize for the Asia and Pacific region went to South China Morning Post reporter, Fiona Tam, for her article Deadly Harvest, documenting China’s black corpses market; while Massoud Ansari of the Herald, Pakistan, picked up the second prize for The Ticking Bomb on the assault of girls in his country.

The best: Muhammad Yunus (third from left) posing for a group photo with (from left) Tam, Chin and Massoud Ansari in Stockholm on Thursday. Nobel Prize 2006 laureate, Muhammad Yunus, gave away prizes.

The Lorenzo Natali Grand Prize went to Chinese journalist, Lee Yee Chong, for his television documentary for Now TV news channel on the deadly earthquake in Sichuan on May 12 last year which claimed 50,000 lives.

Relatives of victims maintained that the huge death toll was due to bad quality constructions. Yee-Chong Lee and his camera crew headed back to the epicentre to investigate the latest development in the issue of substandard construction. While the Chinese government denies any responsibility, relatives of the victims are trying to make their voices heard. Watch the video below for the story..

Sources:
The Star
NataliPrize2009 website