Last Day of 2010... Hello 2011

It's almost here...

A brand new year. I'll be some where, working, helping a group of strangers usher in the new year, but, I'm pretty sure I'll selit2 and enjoy myself while I'm at it.

To my family, my friends and my foes, I wish them all nothing but good things. I love you all.

Here's wishing everyone, A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011.

Obligatory new year song...

Goodbye 2010... Happy New Year 2011!

Y-E-S

It's almost December 2010 and it's time for the annual dose of the Y-E-S!

That's short for the Year End STRESS! But then again, stress is just a software, just like aging and everything else in life, you don't have to do it, if you don't feel like doing it.

It's time to take out the old dusty piece of paper which is my supposedly new year resolution list for 2010.

Take it out, cancel the items that doesn't seems to fit anymore and adding in items that seems relevant at the moment, study it for a moment, tell people about it and then forget all about it...

Went through the calendar yesterday and was kinda surprised to see that the new year celebration fell on my off day, that meaning... :D

Anyway, here's a pre-new year, new years wish. Happy ushering in the year 2011!

p/s: I just tried a new way to relax. It's either white noise for nappy time or Cake! ;)

Comfort Eagle by Cake!

Budget 2011 Highlights

These are the highlights of Budget 2011:

The Govt took into consideration views from the public and private sectors, focus groups, media, 1M blog and lab sessions.

Govt expects 7% growth for Malaysia in 2010 over previous estimate of 6%.

Govt aims to achieve 6% growth in 2011, supported by private investments, expanding 10.2%, private consumption 6.3%, exports 6.7%.

Income per capita will increase 6.1% to RM28,000 while income in terms of purchasing power parity to USD16,000 (RM49,440).

Will emphasise on efforts to transform the nation into a developed plus high-income economy plus sustainable development.

With the theme "Transformation Towards a Developed and High-Income Nation", Budget 2011 will centre on 4 key strategies.

Several PPP projects identified under the 10MP will be implemented in 2011 through private investment of RM12.5bil PPP project: Construction of highways such as the Ampang-Cheras-Pandan Elevated Highway

PPP project: Construction of a 300-megawatt Combined-Cycle Gas Power Plant in Kimanis, Sabah

PPP project: Development of International Islamic University Malaysia Teaching Hospital in Kuantan; Women and Children’s Hospital

Another PPP project identified is the Academic Medical Centre. This project involves private investment of RM2 bil

Greater KL MRT to be implemented from 2011. When completed, public transport utilisation rate is expected to rise to at least 40%

Another major project is the development of the Malaysian Rubber Board land in Sungai Buloh covering an area of 2,680 acres

A new landmark, Warisan Merdeka, is expected to be completed in 2020. It will include a 100-storey tower, the tallest in Malaysia

The Govt will implement bold measures to revitalise the domestic capital market

Efforts will be taken to strengthen Malaysia's position as a premier Islamic capital market

The Govt will provide Entrepreneurship Enhancement Training Programme to train 500 technopreneurs and attract more angel investors

The Malaysian Technology Development Corporation will be provided a startup fund amounting to RM100mil to provide soft loans

To revitalise capital market activities, the Govt will launch a Private Pension Fund in 2011

Existing income tax relief of up to RM6,000 for employees contributions to EPF will extend to Private Pension Fund contributions

A sum of RM857 mil is allocated for local E&E companies to compete at the international level

The Govt will allocate RM146 mil to support the oil, gas and energy industry

The Govt is committed to develop green technology to ensure sustainable development

Pioneer Status, Investment Tax Allowance for energy generation from renewable sources plus energy efficiency activities extended til 31 December 2015

To further encourage ownership of hybrid cars, import duty and excise duty exemption will be extended until 31 December 2011

Tax exemption on income from trading of Certified Emission Reductions certificate to extend until year of assessment 2012.

The Govt will implement the Programme on Blending of Biofuels with Petroleum Diesel (B5 Programme) in June 2011

The Govt will allocate RM3.8bil in 2011 to increase productivity and generate higher returns in the agriculture sector

Infrastructure facilities to be allocated - RM85mil to facilitate construction of hotels and resorts in remote areas

RM3bil eco-nature resort Nexus Karambunai, Sabah, to commence 2011

To support the tourism industry, the Government will allocate RM100mil

The Govt proposes that import duty on approximately 300 goods preferred by tourists and locals, at 5% to 30%, be abolished.

In efforts to propel the palm oil and related products industry, several measures will be implemented

Measures include encouraging replanting activity to replace aged trees with high quality new clones through RM297mil

RM127mil to be allocated to support domestic oleo derivatives companies plus RM23.3m to expand downstream palm oil industries

Multimedia Development Corridor programme is allocated RM119mil. Focus is on creating an innovative digital economy

Import duty and sales tax exemption on broadband equipment are also extended for two years until 2012

The Government proposes that sales tax be exempted on all types of mobile phones

Corridor and regional development will be accelerated. The Government allocates RM850mil for infrastructure support

For Iskandar Malaysia, a sum of RM339mil is allocated.

The Northern Corridor Economic Region is allocated RM133mil.

East Coast Economic Region is allocated RM178mil for projects

For Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy, RM93mil is allocated for facilities

A sum of RM411mil is allocated in 2011 for R&D&C activities

For 2011, a sum of RM71mil is allocated for Special Innovation Unit UNIK

A sum of RM200mil is allocated to purchase creative products such as high quality locally-produced films, dramas and documentaries

The Government proposes that the rate of service tax be increased from 5% to 6%

RM29.3bil is allocated for Ministry of Education, RM10.2bil for Ministry of Higher Education and RM627mil for Ministry of Human Resource

The Govt will establish a Talent Corporation under the Prime Minister’s Office in early 2011

RM6.4bil is allocated for development expenditure to build and upgrade schools, hostels, facilities and equipment

RM213mil is allocated to reward high-performance schools

The Govt will increase pre-school enrolment rate to a targeted 72% by end-2011 through an additional 1,700 classes

The Govt will also strengthen the curriculum and appoint 800 pre-school graduate teachers

RM250mil is allocated for development expenditure to schools: religious, Chinese-type, Tamil national, missionary, Government-assisted

RM576mil is allocated in the form of scholarships for those wishing to further their studies

RM213mil is allocated to enhance proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia, strengthen the English Language

RM20mil is allocated to increase PhD qualified academic staff to 75% in research unis plus to 60% in other higher learning institutions

RM60mil is allocated to further intensify the Industrial Skill Enhancement Programme in State Skills Development Training Centres

The Govt will also allocate RM50mil to the Multimedia Development Corporation to train graduates in ICT

RM474mil is provided to enhance productivity and skills of non-graduates

The 1Malaysia Training Programme will commence in January 2011 with an allocation of RM500mil

RM200mil is allocated to conduct part-time training in the evenings and weekends in selected training centres nationwide

RM200mil from the Human Resources Development Fund to be used by companies to fund specific training programmes for their employees

The Govt will enforce basic minimum wages for security guards, to between RM500 and RM700 a month depending on location

RM30mil is allocated to introduce the Single Mother Skill Incubator Programme and the Prime Entrepreneur and Women Activist

The Govt will provide 40 1Malaysia TASKA to assist women to obtain quality childcare and early education for their children

The Govt will allow flexibility to self-determine fully-paid maternity leave, not exceeding 90 days from the current 60 days

For sports development and management, a sum of RM365mil is allocated to the Ministry of Youth and Sports

To develop football, the Govt will establish a Football Academy in Pahang with RM20mil to produce quality football players

In 2011, the Government will allocate RM1.2 bil to the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.

The Govt will launch assistance programme to benefit 80,000 disabled individuals with an allocation of RM218mil

Government will extend tax relief of up to RM5,000 to help parents with expenses such as daycare, caretakers & other daily needs

First-time house buyers will be given stamp duty exemption of 50% on instruments of transfer on a house price not exceeding RM350,000

RM6.9bil is allocated to implement basic infrastructure such as water and electricity supply as well as rural roads

Build and upgrade rural roads in Sabah and Sarawak with an allocation of RM2.1bil and RM696mil in Peninsular Malaysia

RM974mil is allocated as price subsidy for padi, fertilisers and padi seeds. RM230mil for production incentives, increasing padi yield

Govt to establish a 1Malaysia Smart Consumer portal to help the rakyat keep abreast with price movements of retail goods.

Effective January 2011, the monthly allowance of Imam will be increased from RM450 to RM750

The monthly allowance for KAFA teachers will be increased to RM800, an increase from RM500, starting Jan 2011

RM100mil is allocated to implement various programmes, including resolving Orang Asli land rights and border settlement issues

Toll rates in four highways owned by PLUS Expressway Berhad will not be raised for the next five years, effective immediately

RM15.2bil is allocated to build new hospitals, increase the number of doctors, nurses, obtain supplies of medicines and equipment

Since 2009, 51 1Malaysia Clinics are in operation. The Government will provide an additional 25 1Malaysia Clinics

RM350mil is allocated to implement various programmes to combat crime, including burglary, motorcycle and car thefts

RM70mil is allocated for programmes with select NGOs to help Govt strengthen family institution and address social ills eg baby dumping

RM1.9bil is allocated to environmental preservation, including implementing the River of Life Programme and KL greening

To assist children, particularly the low-income to excel academically, the 1MDB will provide multi-vitamins for primary school pupils

1MDB will provide RM20mil to the 1Malaysia Youth Fund. This fund will be utilised to instil the 1Malaysia spirit

The Govt agrees to abolish the Competency Level Assessment/PTK and replace with a more suitable evaluation system by June 2011

Civil servants burden in coping with schooling expenses to be reduced by providing a Special Financial Assistance of RM500

RM212bil is allocated for Budget 2011, which is 2.8% higher than the allocation for 2010

RM45.6bil will be allocated for Development Expenditure, RM15.5bil for the social sector

Government revenue collection is estimated to increase 2.3% to RM165.8bil in 2011, up from RM162.1bil in 2010

The deficit for 2011 is expected to further decline to 5.4% of GDP, compared with 5.6% in 2010

Bitter Sweet Poetry Reading by Madonna.

I looooooveeeeeee This!

In my hallucination
I saw my beloved's flower garden
In my vertigo, in my dizziness
In my drunken haze
Whirling and dancing like a spinning wheel

I saw myself as the source of existence
I was there in the beginning
And I was the spirit of love
Now I am sober
There is only the hangover
And the memory of love
And only the sorrow

I yearn for happiness
I ask for help
I want mercy
And my love says:

Look at me and hear me
Because I am here
Just for that

I am your moon and your moonlight too
I am your flower garden and your water too
I have come all this way, eager for you
Without shoes or shawl

I want you to laugh
To kill all your worries
To love you
To nourish you

Oh sweet bitterness
I will soothe you and heal you
I will bring you roses
I, too, have been covered with thorns

Ramadhan is Back!

When Ramadhan starts, the gates of heaven opens and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained...

May your prayers in the holy month of Ramadhan brings your more prosperity, faith, satisfaction and holy love from God ; )

Drawing on Glass...

This is my latest interest (reads- old, old, old interest renewed).

I know I'm getting a wee bit too old to start learning new stuff but hey, it's always not too late to learn new things. Life is about learning and learning.

Speaking of getting older (and hopefully wiser, with less wrinkles and gray hair), I've just turned 30-ish! Thank you for *the birthday wishes!

My phone got messed up the other day and all the contacts got saved twice so I have no idea who sent which message but thanks anyway for the birthday wishes and prezzies!

Anyway back to the drawing/painting/sketching on my tablet pc. Here are some of the more acceptable drawing I've made.

Normally I just doodle. You know, random lines and smudges, trying to find the Picasso in me.

I can stay up and doodle all night.

I know, I know. I live a rather BORING life! Ekekekeke....

Yellow-tail "Tuna"?

Catfish/Ikan Duri


Belida/Clown Knifefish


Freshwater Angelfish




Don't-Know-What-Fish

Redfish



Drawn by a friend within 5 minutes of learning how to use a tablet pc!
"Half a Dozen of Coconuts under the Coconut Tree with Partial Fence and Black Sand and a Flock of Black Birds"
This guy can draw!

He speaks 5 different languages, and can make a good impression of how a hungry duck sounds like!


He plays guitar!!!

...And he sings!!!
I know, I know, it's a little bit off key but at 6++ in the morning, kira ok la...
Ekekeke.... This video is so cute, it should be illegal!


*the birthday wishes! THANK YOU!!!!

The "New" Aquarium

The "New" 3' aquarium.

No. Not a new one but this one was put together as small community tank after the Buntet II crashed through the support bar and knocked off the cover of the aquarium. In case you don't already know, The Buntet II is a 2++' Alligator Gar. ;)

This set-up has been running empty for 3 months. Fish were added in stages in groups of threes.

So presenting the new community tank set-up.

Some of the inhabitants of this tank includes-

1. Unidentified Barb (no pix)

2. Tengas (Neolissochilus hexagonolepis) 1-2"specimens collected at Lubuk Semilang.


3. Bristlenose Sucker Ancistrus sp.


4. Unidentified Hillstream Goby (no pix)


5. Tiger Barb (Puntius tetrazona).


6. Red Tiger Barb (Puntius tetrazona).


7. Rosy Barb (Puntius conchonius)


8. Zebra Danio Red TK2 (Danio rerio)


9. Black Neon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi).


10. Black Widow Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi).


11. Black Ghost Knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons).


12. Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon callistus)


13. Glass Catfish (Kryptopterus bicirrhis)

The Activity Inside...

p/s: I don't own the photos here. Credit to the respective owner(s).

Protopterus annectens Update

Polyopterus annectens

The African lungfishes are the genus Protopterus and constitute the four species of lungfish found in Africa. Protopterus is the sole genus in the family Protopteridae.

Description

African lungfishes are elongated, eel-like fishes, with thread-like pectoral and pelvic fins. They have soft scales, and the dorsal and tail fins are fused into a single structure. They can either swim like eels, or crawl along the bottom, using their pectoral and pelvic fins.

The largest species reach about 200 centimetres (6.6 ft) long.

African lungfishes generally inhabit shallow waters such as swamps and marshes, however they are also found in larger lakes such as Lake Victoria. They can live out of water for many months in burrows of hardened mud beneath a dried-up stream bed. They are carnivorous, eating crustaceans, aquatic insect larvae, and molluscs.

It kinda grew bigger since I got it.

Biology

The African lungfish is an example of how the evolutionary transition from breathing water to breathing air can happen. Lungfish are periodically exposed to water with low oxygen content or situations into which their aquatic environment dries up. Their adaptation for dealing with these conditions is an outpocketing of the gut, related to the swim bladder of other fishes, that serves as a lung.[1] The lung contains many thin-walled blood vessels, so blood flowing through those vessels can pick up oxygen from air gulped into the lung.

Lungfish will drown if denied access to breathe from the surface, but they're easy to keep. They don't care about the water perimeter.

The African lungfishes are obligate air breathers, with reduced gills in the adults. They have two anterior gill arches that retain gills so it can breathe either air or water.

The lungfish heart has adaptations that partially separate the flow of blood into its pulmonary and systemic circuits. The atrium is partially divided, to that the left side receives oxygenated blood and the right side receives deoxygenated blood from the other tissues. These two blood streams remain mostly separate as they flow through the ventricle leading to the gill arches. As a result oxygenated blood mostly goes to the anterior gill arches and the deoxygenated blood mostly goes to the posterior arches.

Lungfish checking out its meal. It chews its food into a mush held together by a glue-like secretion. This can go on for up to 20 minutes. After it's satisfied, it'll swallow the mush!

African lungfishes breed at the beginning of the rainy season. They construct nests or burrows in the mud to hold their eggs, which they then guard against predators. When they hatch, the young resemble tadpoles, with external gills, and only later develop lungs and begin to breath air.

As food

Native Africans have been found to dig up lungfishes, burrow and all, and store it for later use when they want fresh fish to eat. These fish have also been carried in their mud burrows for exhibition in the United States. They have a strong taste. The taste is such that "it is locally either highly appreciated or strongly disliked".

It's a well-known fact that big fish got personality- mine is camera-shy to the extreme!

As technology advancements such as longlines and gillnets have been increasingly applied over the past fifty years, it is believed that the lungfish populations there are decreasing.-(when available- the ones one the market are most probably wild caught!).

In Uganda, females do not eat the lungfish because they consider it a "sister fish," and therefore it is associated with men and manhood. (article taken from Wikipedia... ;))

Here is a good video from BBC showing how tough a lungfish is.

Note: Not stated in the article- Lungfish can live up to 25 years, yours may not live that long, but it may seems like it. Their teeth plate can crush/severe fingers. DON'T TRUST LUNGFISH WITH CHILDREN, or vice versa, ESPECIALLY THE VICE VERSA. ;)

New Pet: - Protopterus annectens

A friend found one some where in Penang but didn't booked and knowing how susah to get a lungfish...

Somebody else had already bought the fish when I called then I had to call another friend and called a few shops in Penang. Long story short... I just bought a lungfish!!! I'm pretty sure it's Polyopterus annectens .

Many thanks to Kian Weng Aquarium (Ayer Itam, Penang, 04 828 2613) for being so helpful and very friendly too. They don't ship tho but they're helpful and packed the fish nicely (tipple bagged, corners tied with rubberband, polysterene box!) for shipping.

I shipped the fish over to Langkawi through Langkawi Ferry Services (Cargoman for Penang-Ah Chai 016 419 5786 or Langkawi side -Sabri - 012 595 3257).

In the car.


In front of my door.


Acclimatizing in the box (a very important step when transporting fish over long distance is to double bag or tripple bag them, pack them in insulated boxes and to let the fish rest and wait for the water to come close to the room temperature!) It arrived with a small white feeder goldfish which I think was so cute. It's like it brought along its pet to move to Langkawi. The goldfish is safe in my Barbs and Catfish tank.



It dug around when first introduced to its new home.



Head profile with "pores"



African Lungfish Protopterus annectens



This is a rarely seen species... It's a Erpetoichthys calabaricus aka the reedfish/ropefish. Closely related to the morecommonly available Bichir.


After 6 months, "Panjang" finally delevoped a taste for pellets (meaning nomore pressing need to breed thosefancy-tailed guppy and mollies! Yay!)



Erpetoichthys calabaricus aka the reedfish/ropefish.

Jalan2 to Malacca...

Me and my friends been planning a trip for so long...

So it's time to take the "planning" part to the next level...

One of the places to be taken into consideration is... Consideration number 1... (Insert musical fanfare just about here... Ngeee)...

Jom jalan2 Melaka. Melaka Hotel Sentosa!

Ok a bit about the hotel.

The Hotel is stractegically located offering budget accommodation which is comfortable and value for money! All major attractions and nightlife areas are only a distance away.

It is just 2 KM away from Melaka Sentral, TESCO and Jusco. Ample FREE parking for cars, buses & trucks.

All rooms are with attached with cold & hot showers in the bathrooms, air cond, coloured TV, WIFI/internet/Broadband, a meeting room for 5-15 pax, cosy reception area and all rooms are with windows.

The Hotel is also approximately 20 minutes away from Klebang Beach and 15 minutes away from the famous Jonker Walk.

The hotel caters for business travellers, families as well as back packers.

There are 21 rooms with a total capacity of 38 people.

How to get there?

Room Rates

Twin Bed Room @ RM 90nett (weekday) RM 110nett (weekend)


Queen Bed Room @ RM 90nett (weekday) RM 110nett (weekend)


King Bed Room @ RM 110nett (weekday) RM 130nett (weekend)


Triple Room @ RM 110nett (weekday) RM 130nett (weekend)


1 King Bed & 1 Single Bed @ RM 135nett (weekday) RM 155nett (weekend)


1 King Bed & 1 Queen Bed @ RM 160nett (weekday) RM 200nett (weekend)

For reservations, call: 06 - 336 6733 (hotel and fax) or email : melaka.hotel.sentosa@gmail.com

Modular Origami...

When I'm bored, I fold.
When I'm stressed, I fold.
When I don't succeed with the first fold,
I get stressed and then I fold some more...

Then I ran out of origami paper.
The end.

Polyhedra Modular Origami

Polyhedra Modular Origami

Tomoko Fuse Boxes

Not a Modular Origami. This one was folded from 1 A4 sized paper.

The above Japanese Light Thingy with tea light inside. Nice eh?

Sketches...

I've got problem sleeping since 2 weeks back.

There's saying that says "when life throws you lemon, you make lemonade..."

I don't drink lemonade at night... Got sensitive tummy... :P

Since I cannot sleep, I decided to try my hands in some freehand sketching using my old tablet pc.

This is one of the few that I've managed to resist from pressing the "delete" button because it's a cute baby dinosaur!

Makan2 Again...

Makan2 with friends after work...

Curry Mee


(Dismantled) Tauhu Sumbat

Iced Longan!

Japanese Dinner Buffet

Makan-Makan Session with Friends.

What is it about? All You Can Eat Japanese Buffet Dinner.

Location: The Flamingo Restaurant,The Bayview Langkawi.

Time: 7pm-10pm, Nightly.

Price: RM30/pax, RM10 for hot Japanese Green Tea (free refills), RM10 for Teh Ais (ask for Mr. Morris- for the best Teh Ais ever! ).

The table. Cold marble. Nice.

Chicken, tofu and spring onion

Beef Soup.

California Roll

Pickels, Snowpeas and shredded turnip+carrot

Thick Rice Noodle with Beef and Tofu.

The meal.

Cold-Style Wheat Noodle with Tofu.

California Roll with Ice-Cream and Fruit, why not?

Not pictured: The Tempura Bar, The Sushi Bar, The Shellfish Bar, The Veggie Bar and The (killer) Teh Ais.

Call +60-4-9661818.