Friday Frolics - The Birthday Cake Test

We celebrated two birthdays in the office this past week. We ordered a Banana Chocolate cake and a Strawberry Chocolate cake from Secret Recipe. Both were equally delicious.

While we are at cakes, let's do a Birthday Cake test this week, shall we?

You Are Daring and Dazzling

You are funky, eccentric, and charming in unexpected ways. You are constantly inspired and inspiring. You throw caution to the wind and try to avoid the safe option. You love not knowing what's coming around the corner. You love that the world is full of infinite possibilities - and you'd like to try every combination of them that you can. You are always changing, growing, and expanding your horizons. You never suffer from stagnation or boredom.

The Birthday Cake Test

We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

A Chinese New Year video with a Message for Everyone by BERNAS

Here is a made-in-Malaysia video but with an international message.

Every year, just before or during major festivals such as Hari Raya Puasa and Chinese New Year (not sure about Deepavali), there were videos made with an important message. Petronas used to sponsor these memorable and impactful videos made by Malaysia's very own award-winning art and film director, Yasmin Ahmad, before her untimely demise in 2009. Since then, no festival video has come close in comparison.

However, this year we have a surprise. BERNAS, a Malaysian company in the padi and rice industry, came up with a video that strikes a chord not only across races, states but even across the world. Well done, Bernas!

A must-see video.. one even God Tube has picked up.



Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Of Garden Parties and Freezing Winter in Europe

Some of us may incessantly be complaining about our hot and humid weather here in Malaysia, but at least we can hold garden parties or poolside parties any time of the year and can probably show off our modern outdoor seating furniture?

Just as heat kills, freeze can also kill. 89 people have died from the extreme cold in Eastern Europe.

According to The Star/Reuters, in Ukraine, 43 people have died in the past five days. This winter has been reported to be the coldest winter in six years.

Overnight temperatures sank as low as minus 33 degrees Celsius (minus 27 Fahrenheit) and hundreds of heated tents have been put up to shelter the homeless.

A woman protects her face from frost as she walks in Minsk, February 1, 2012. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko/The Star

Football violence in Port Said, Egypt

More violence in the world.. and from a sporting event! Sad.

Egyptian soccer fans stampede after game

Source: The Star/REUTERS/Stringer

The image shows a soccer fan fleeing from a fire at Cairo stadium yesterday, February, 1, 2012, after violence broke out when home team fans rushed to the field celebrating the home team's unexpected victory against Al-Ahly, Egypt’s top team. 70 people have been reported dead with 1,000 injured. This happened in a Mediterranean port city, Port Said.

According to a health ministry official who told state TV, most of the deaths were caused by concussions, deep cuts to the heads and suffocation from the stampede.

This is the worst incident of soccer violence in Egypt and the deadliest worldwide since 1996 in which at least 78 people died and 180 others injured in a stampede at a stadium in Guatemala City before a World Cup qualifying match between Guatemala and Costa Rica.

EPL - Manchester United and Manchester City are on level points

Now here's something to celebrate about.

(Manchester) City lost the game 1-0 to Everton and are now on the same points as Manchester United who defeated Stoke City 2-0 at Old Trafford. Yayy!!

The loss was probably due to this good man who handcuffed himself to the goal post and halted the Premier League match for around four minutes just before halftime on Tuesday. Merseyside police eventually freed the man who had attached himself to the goal City were defending.

Both Manchester teams have 54 points from 23 games but City lead on goal difference.


Source: The Star..Fan halts City game by handcuffing himself to post

Valentine's Day Gifts

Today is Feb 1, the 10th day of the Chinese New Year. As this important festival is celebrated for fifteen days, merry-making is still ongoing and Chinese restaurants are still bustling every night until the 15th day, i.e., Chap Goh Meh, which falls on this Monday, Feb 6.

Today is also a Public Holiday marked by Federal Territories Day. The Federal Territories in Malaysia comprise three territories: Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, governed directly by the federal government of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is the national capital of Malaysia, Putrajaya is the administrative capital, and Labuan is an offshore international financial centre. Both Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya are enclaves in the state of Selangor, while Labuan is an island off the coast of Sabah. (Wikipedia)

What's synonymous with February? Why, Valentine's Day, of course. Do I hear husbands groaning about getting Valentine's gifts for wife?

If your wife loves chocolates, (which wife doesn't), a platter of succulent strawberries dipped in yummy chocolate might be the right gift this year and every year. Whether it's a full two dozen gourmet dipped Valentine's berries or a half-dozen dipped swizzled berries, they will surely start Valentine's Day on a happy note. Check out the options available. You'd be spoilt for choice!

Curbing illegal outflow of funds from Malaysia

The Star in an article today reported that US-based watchdog group Global Financial Integrity in its annual report said Malaysia lost RM150bil in illegal outflow of cash in 2009.

The article goes on to say that It was the fourth highest among developing nations, the report said, adding that Malaysia lost US$338bil (RM1.08tril) between 2000 and 2010.

These figures are mind-boggling considering that Malaysia is a small country and a Third World country at that.

High-tech scanners will be installed at all entry and exit points in the country to curb the illegal outflow of money. These scanners are capable of detecting banknotes in luggage.

Last December, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the setting up of a special task force comprising the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Attorney General's Chambers, the Inland Revenue Board, Bank Negara and the Customs Department to check the illegal flight of funds.

Sigh.. I reserve my comment..


Source: The Star..Scan for cash

Useful art of David by Michelangelo

Meet David, the giant-slayer of Biblical times.

David is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture created by the Italian artist Michelangelo between 1501 and 1504. It is a 5.17-metre (17.0 ft) marble statue of a standing male nude.

You would have noticed certain parts missing, which is good in a way too as otherwise, it may not be posted here. It depends..

This is useful art, I call it. This image is actually on switch plates or some refer to them as wallplates or even light switch covers. Naughty play on the image, wouldn't you agree?

Back to David, many replicas have been made of David but the original statue of David is located at Florence's Galleria dell'Accademia (The Gallery of the Accademia di Belle Arti) in Florence.

Source: Wikipedia