Happy Mid-Autumn Festival

Today is the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, a fullmoon day and incidentally, it is one of the major festivals in the Chinese calendar. It is the Mid-Autumn Festival and over here in Malaysian we also refer to it as the Mooncake Festival or Lantern Festival not to be mistaken with the Lantern Festival on the 15th/last day of the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival.

Today is pretty hazy too. Hopefully, the moon will be able to shine through tonight so as to pep up the spirit of the festival.

Image source: Wikipedia

Traditionally, family members will get together for dinner and afterwards enjoy an after-dinner spread of Mid-Autumn Festival delicacies of mooncakes, taro (mini yam), fruits mainly pomelo, and a very traditional food item, water caltrop.

A water caltrop is a fruit that resembles the head of a bull, each fruit containing a single very large starchy seed. The shell is hard and needs to be cracked open with an implement. Though it can be eaten raw, over here, we normally cook water caltrops by boiling them in water with salt added for taste.

There is an added attraction in this festival for children as they get to play with colourful pretty paper lanterns that come in various shapes/forms and sizes.

If you are in Kuala Lumpur, you may want to head on over to the Central Market to view the many beautiful lanterns on display. This is an annual affair.

Wikipedia has more about this Mid-Autumn Festival if you are interested.

If you are celebrating this festival, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival or like what the greeting card below says, Happy Moon Festival!

You might also be interested to read about Mid-Autumn Festival 2013 - more information and more images..

Tracking company data and progress

If you are looking for a balanced scorecard and dashboard solution for tracking key metrics and business performance, you'd want to be looking for one that is not only robust, it has to be easy and flexible.

Easy as in the software is able to be deployed within weeks instead of months and end-users just need little minimum training to learn up the system.

As for being flexible, the software must be able to conform to changing data information and business needs as well as the ability to accommodate data exploration through visualization and maximum self-service.

Being robust is a given. The software must be able to satisfy the demands of power users and adapt to any organization regardless of its size.

There are many balanced scorecard and dashboard solution softwares available in the market but one that fits what's mentioned above worth checking out is the InetSoft's dashboard scorecard. Their website says it can be easily deployed and used.

Budget 2013

Budget 2013 was tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday. Tax breaks, affordable housing and cash for the needy are just a number of the goodies.

Read Full text of the Budget speech..

Friday Frolics - What Starbucks Drink Would Warm You Up?

This week's personality quiz is about coffee, a drink at Starbucks. It says an Earl Grey Tea Latte would warm me up and what a coincidence that I happen to like Earl Grey tea among all the teas. Your turn! Check out the Starbucks drink that warms you up.

You Are an Earl Grey Tea Latte

You are an old fashioned person with down to earth tastes. You always are looking for quality. You appreciate subtly, and you always realize that less is more. You aren't bowled over by novelty. You are brilliant and sharp. There is a perfect balance you're striving to achieve in your life. You enjoy home comforts and simple pleasures. You are a creature of habit and you relish your routine.

What Starbucks Drink Would Warm You Up?

Friday Frolics: Learn Something Surprising About Yourself

Key-chains make great gifts

Key-chains make great gifts to bring home for friends and family from your travel. They occupy very little space in your luggage and don't spoil when you reach home.

If it's key-chains in my shopping list, I'd certainly be looking out for key-chains that not only function as a key-chain but has another purpose to it. A key-chain that also acts as a bottle opener would be what I'd look for in a key-chain, for instance. Having such a key-chain would be like having the best personalized bottle opener with you all the time. People may not be using a bottle opener all the time but when they need one, they have one on hand. Just like having a Swiss army knife in your bag, you never know when you'll be needing it.

Online MyKad Replacement - Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a query relating to online MyKad replacement and need an answer, here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions that the National Registration Department has put together for the benefit of users and whose answers can be obtained from the NRD website.

Also, on this page, you can access various other application forms including Renewal of Driving License, Road Tax renewal, Police department Summons alert as well as Maid Permit renewal and others.

These are the 15 Frequently Asked Questions on the MyKad Replacement. Answers can be found here: MyKad Replacement FAQ.

1) What kind of JPN Services can be done at MyEG’s website?
2) What are the charges involved for the application?
3) Do I have to make / have a police report before applying for the application?
4) Who can use this replacement services?
5) How do I carry out my transaction through the website?
6) Can I replace a new address or insert a new photograph for this MyKad?
7) How do I make my payment for this service?
8) Do I get a receipt for the transaction I make through MyEG Services?
9) Can I use MyEG’s JPN Receipt as my Temporary Identity Document?
10) Can I get my MyKad delivered to me?
11) Can I ask somebody else to collect my new MyKad on my behalf?
12) What do I do if I found out there is a mismatched thumbprint during my collection?
13) How long the application will be processed?
14) How can I check the status of my application?
15) Is the JPN Service available for 24 hours a day at MyEG’s website?

New abduction tactic

This one warrants passing on. Read on..from an email in its entirety..


BEWARE!!! - A new way to abduct a female -- very scary !!! This happened in the US... this tactic may hit our shores .....

Please read this one for safety. It happened at a Target outlet and it could have happened anywhere. They are using elderly ladies to lure women. This could save you and your love ones' life.

Please pass this on to all females you care about, your girlfriends, wives, etc. Just to be on the safe side, pass it on to anyone you think this will help.


Sunday afternoon around 5 PM, I headed into the Target. It was still light outside and I parked fairly close to the entrance. As I got out of my car and began walking towards Target, an older lady shouted to me from the passenger seat of a car about 30 feet away from me.

"Ma'am you must help me, help me please, help me Ma'am!" I looked at her in the eyes and started to walk towards her when I remembered an email my Mom had sent me a week or two ago about rapists and abductions using elderly people to lure women in.

I paused, memorized the license plate and immediately headed into Target to get a manager to come help this lady, just in case something was up.

While the woman manager headed out there, I kept a close watch just because I was curious what was wrong with the lady and wanted to be sure nothing happened.

As the Target lady walked up towards the car and got very close to the old woman in order to help her, the back door of the car flies open and a large man with a stocking cap on, jumps out and sticks a gun to the lady's stomach as he shoves her into the back of the car.

I yelled out "call 911" several times and just as I was saying that, a policeman who happened to be on the other side of the parking lot and who,luckily had seen the entire thing happen, raced over to the car.

He was able to stop the car and arrest the male as well as the old lady, who was involved in the scheme. By God's grace everyone was all right, including myself, although I think we were both shaken up.

Like many of you, I would not in a million years have left an elderly person who was yelling for help if it weren't for the e-mail I had read last week. So, I wanted to pass this along so you all can be aware and remember that you really can't trust anyone these days.

You just never know when something like this could happen. I would have never dreamed it to happen to me especially on a Sunday afternoon at a Target in a safe area !

It definitely was not a coincidence that my Mom sent that email just a few days before this all happened. Please, be careful and always be aware of your surroundings.

Just because you individually don't go over to help someone doesn't mean you have to leave them in trouble, but don't go ALONE, you really don't know what might be going on.


Please pass on to all ladies that you know....... thanks

This was checked with Snopes - this is true and they also use children to lure the victim!

Ancient site, Mes Aynak, needs saving not destroying

Just like the Bamiyan Buddha statues that were dynamited and destroyed in March 2001 by the Taliban in Afghanistan, another Buddhist site in Afghanistan, is slated for destruction end of this year. The site is Mes Aynak, a 2,600-year-old Buddhist site in Logar province, Afghanistan. All of the temples, monasteries, statues as well as the Bronze age material will be destroyed.

What would take 30-35 years to salvage, archaeologists have been given just three months to salvage whatever Buddhist artefacts they can find before the site is converted to a massive open-pit style copper mine by a Chinese government-owned company called China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC). Six villages and the mountain range will also be destroyed in the process.

Brent Huffman, filmmaker and professor, is doing whatever he can to save the destruction of this historical site he believes is the missing link showing Afghanistan's historic role in Asia. He says destroying Mes Aynak is equivalent to wiping Machu Picchu off the map.

More on CNN - Ancient site needs saving not destroying

CNN Editor's note on the writer, Brent Huffman, of the above article:
Brent Huffman is a documentary filmmaker and assistant professor at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. He started making a film about the Mes Aynak site in the summer of 2011 thinking he would be documenting the site before it was demolished and recording the process of rescue archeology. Now he hopes he can use his film to raise awareness to actually save Mes Aynak.

Watch a video on YouTube..

96 balloons & Liverpool 1 - Man Utd 2

The rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool FCs is considered one of the fiercest rivalries in football. It was briefly put aside before kickoff at Anfield as players and fans from both clubs paid a tribute to the 96 killed in the Hillsborough tragedy of 1989. More on the tribute to follow..

Robin van Persie’s late penalty earned Manchester United a fortunate 2-1 victory against 10-man Liverpool in an emotionally-charged Premier League clash at Anfield.

Here, Manchester United's Robin Van Persie celebrates scoring a penalty against Liverpool - REUTERS/Phil Noble

Source: The Star

Back to the tribute..

The 1989 Hillsborough disaster was a human crush which occurred during the FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest football clubs on 15 April 1989 at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, England. The crush resulted in the deaths of 96 people and injuries to 766 others. The disaster remains the worst stadium-related disaster in British history and one of the world's worst football disasters. - Wikipedia

Liverpool fans were blamed for the tragedy but an independent report published this month revealed that the disaster was caused by a breakdown in crowd management.

At Anfield yesterday, the crowd held up white and red cards spelling out "TRUTH" and "JUSTICE" as the players walked out on to the pitch in tracksuits emblazoned on the back with 96.

Opposing captains Gerrard and Giggs released 96 balloons into the Merseyside sky and the anthem "You’ll Never Walk Alone" reverberated around the stadium with added emotion.

Even the race row between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra was finally put to bed as they shook hands before kickoff.


United have not won at Anfield since 2007. This win moved Man United up to number 2 spot below Chelsea. And in a later match, Manchester City drew 1-1 with Arsenal. Yes, oh yes!!

Here's the current EPL standing..Click on image to enlarge

Source: Premierleague


Sources:
- The Star: Van Persie’s late penalty sinks Liverpool
- Pics: Tributes paid at Anfield
- Premier League current standings
- Wikipedia - Hillsborough disaster

Cigars for a baby boy

Over here, fathers whose wife has just delivered a baby boy would give away cigars to male friends in celebration. The other day, a colleague was doing just that after the birth of his first-born, a boy.

Of course, this is not really a tradition but some fun guys practise it to celebrate the occasion. Chocolates are given away if the baby is a girl. I've often wondered where this came from.

Friday Frolics - What Cooking Show Are You?

This week's Friday Frolics personality quiz is about Cooking. The two reality television cooking competitions that I'm familiar with are Hell's Kitchen and Masterchef so when this quiz says I'm Iron Chef cooking show, I had to look it up.

I'd give this a 3 rating..

Rating Guide
1 = Absolutely not true
2 = Some truth
3 = 50% true
4 = Mostly true
5 = Close to 100% true

Happy Friday! Hey, we had sunshine today. :)

You Are Iron Chef

For you, food is an adventure - the crazier the better! You may not be the world's greatest chef, but that doesn't stop you from coming up with your own zany creations. You are an adventurous eater, and you haven't been known to pass up an exotic ingredient or dish. You are also a natural food critic. Very few dishes measure up to your standards.

What Cooking Show Are You?

Friday Frolics: Free Quizzes for Everyone

Innocence of Muslims - Actress sues California man

Three days ago, an incoming email with the subject: There may be no anti-Islamic movie at all got me thinking whether I should post it and spread a little awareness but thought against the idea considering the sensitive nature of the issue.

But am glad now I no longer have to keep it under wraps as The Star has an article today about it. You can read about it here: Actress sues California man behind anti-Muslim film

In case you are wondering what this is all about, this is in relation to the movie/video that has stirred up quite a reaction and caused much unrest and/or deaths in some parts of the world, even in Indonesia.

Even our very own Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim was quick to react describing YouTube as being insensitive to the anguish of Muslims the world over as it has yet to remove film clips of the "Innocence of Muslims" from its listing.

Another article in the same paper published the same day says Google Malaysia blocks 'Innocence of Muslims' video clip and that

Those trying to load the video from a Malaysian Internet Protocol (IP) address would see a message that reads: "This content is not available in your country due to a legal complaint. Sorry about that."

Out of curiosity, I did a search on Google Malaysia and voila(!) was surprised to be able to access the video clip and the full movie as well. Go figure.

Let's hope this new information will put a stop to all the escalating violence in countries where people strongly reacted to this "dubbed" movie before more damage is done and more deaths resulting.

As if it's not enough that we have to contend with natural disasters left and right! I can't help thinking if all these man-made disasters are also counted as contributing to what's leading up to the end of the world on Dec 22 which by the way many experts and spiritual leaders are advising preparation for.

Harper Beckham - Daughter of David and Victoria Beckham

Cute as a button, the little one, that is. That's Harper Beckham with her mum, Victoria Beckham, at the mum's New York Fashion Week show last week. (Source: Dailymail)

Meanwhile, dad, 37-year-old soccer star David Beckham, is apparently ready to part with $162,230 (£100,000) to buy the Aston Martin the car that Daniel Craig drives in the James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace.

Being a huge Bond fan, Becks has always wanted to own something classy from the films. However fellow footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is also after the motor and is bidding for it too.

The two-door V12 DBS coupe will be the top attraction at Christie’s charity auction on October 5.

David Beckham's car collection is said to include Cadillacs, Porsches, Range Rovers, Bentleys and a Hummer. More..

Sweet Dreams of Annie Lennox

Now here's a familiar name spotted as I was going through The Star today. The article says Pop diva Annie Lennox weds for third time.

It says:
LONDON: Scottish singer-songwriter Annie Lennox has married for the third time, her spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

The former Eurythmics star, 57, wed American gynaecologist Mitch Besser on Saturday in London.

The ceremony was reportedly onboard a boat on the River Thames in a ceremony attended by Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth and comedienne Ruby Wax.

Annie Lennox and the Eurythmics gave us some of the best 80s music. Sweet Dreams stands out and remains a classic and a favorite of mine to this day. Yes, a wedding (a third one at that!) calls for a celebration and what better way to celebrate than listening to Sweet Dreams again. The 80s, some say the best, music-wise.

Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - Eurythmics


Watch a live performance at an awards ceremony..


Annie Lennox has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide with the Eurythmics and as a solo artist, winning a string of awards including four Grammys and an Oscar for a song that appeared on the "Lord of the Rings" soundtrack.

She performed at the closing ceremony for the London Olympics last month, as well as the star-studded concert outside Buckingham Palace in June marking Queen Elizabeth II's 60th year on the throne. -AFP


Image Source: The Star

An Obituary in the London Times

Oh, this is too good to pass up. It is an Obituary printed in the London Times says the email. A brilliant piece. Read on..

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense,
who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he
was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red
tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable
lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend
more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not
children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old
boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens
suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher
fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his
condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing
the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their
unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental
consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but
could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to
have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became
businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their
victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a
burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed
to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a
little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust,
by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his
son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If
you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and
do nothing.

Prince William and Kate on Far East tour

Source
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, are on a tour of the Far East as representatives of Queen Elizabeth II in conjunction with the celebration of her Diamond Jubilee. Malaysia is included in the itinerary. Their Royal Highnesses arrived at KL International Airport on Thursday, Sep 13, to begin their three-day official visit in the city.

Malaysia was their second destination after Singapore in their 9-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific. Let's trace their footsteps a little to see the activities they have been involved in..

Will and Kate on their way to Seri Perdana for lunch with the Prime Minister and his wife after arriving at KLIA - Source

Prince William and his wife Catherine pose with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor at Seri Perdana - Source

The royal couple later visited Hospis Malaysia, a charitable organisation which offers professional palliative care to patients suffering from life-limited illnesses, and received a warm welcome from residents and children from a nearby kindergarten.

School children waiting for the arrival of Prince William and his wife Catherine outside Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur Thursday - Source

Prince William and Catherine unveiling a plaque at Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur - Source

The Duchess of Cambridge shares a light moment with a boy and a woman - Source

In the evening, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had an audience with the King and Queen, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah and attended a royal banquet at Istana Negara.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pose for a photograph with Malaysian King Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, Queen Haminah Hamidun, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor at the palace in Kuala Lumpur - Source
Included in the royal couple's itinerary was a visit to the Kuala Lumpur City Centre and in Sabah, the Danum Valley, a primary tropical rainforest in Sabah. They left for the Solomon Islands on Sunday (yesterday).

School children waiting to welcome the arrival of Prince William and Kate Middleton during their 'cultural walkabout' at KLCC Park in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. The iconic Petronas Twin Towers in the background. - 14 September, 2012 - Source

Wonderful weather for a walkabout in the KLCC Park. Pretty flowers for a pretty lady..

Prince William and Catherine Middleton making their way to the Assyakirin Mosque during the royal couple's walkabout at KLCC Park on Friday

Respectful: Prince William and his wife Kate take their shoes off - Source

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, giving a speech during a business luncheon hosted by the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Friday. - Reuters - 14 September, 2012 - Source

Brave face: The Duchess of Cambridge smiled her way through a tea party at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur despite the news that a French magazine has published topless pictures of her on holiday - Source

Grim faced: With lips pursed, the Royal pair head down the red carpet towards a waiting Boeing 737-800 jet at Kuala lumpur's airport taking them to their next stop, Sabah, East Malaysia.

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, wear the beaded jewellery Pinakol, synonymous with the Rungus ethnic culture, on their arrival at the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Beach Resort in Kota Kinabalu for a two-day visit to Sabah. NORMIMIE DIUN/The Star

The royal couple visited a rainforest in Borneo and enjoyed the high life - by being hoisted up a 130ft rainforest tree by ropes and walking along a 300-metre long canopy bridge.

Kate joked: 'I'm going to go "whee" and fly the way up.'

William and Kate toured the Danum Valley research centre in Sabah, one of the two States that make up the Malaysian part of Borneo. More: Dailymail - including a video

After lunch, much to their delight, they were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of an Orang-Utan family, a mother, father and their baby, while with a guide from the lodge.

An Orang-Utan seen near the tree William and Kate were hoisted up by forest conservationists

The couple have vowed not to let the furore over a magazine's decision to publish topless pictures of the Duchess derail their nine-day Diamond Jubilee tour of South East Asia and the South Pacific.

The say they are determined to press ahead with their high profile visit.

A source close to William and Kate, said they felt intense anger and disappointment at what had happened but believed very strongly that the tour was far too important to British interests abroad to be allowed to suffer.

'The Duke and Duchess are hugely disappointed by what has happened but both feel very strongly that it should be business as usual,' the source said.

'They feel it has been a great success so far and have thoroughly enjoyed the places they have visited and the people they have met.

The couple launched a legal action in the French courts against Closer magazine for what they described as a 'grotesque' and 'unjustifiable' breach of their privacy.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton, concluded their four-day visit to Malaysia Sunday.

They were given a traditional red carpet send-off at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport at about 7am. Next stop: the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.

On to Solomon Islands: Kate is crowned an Island Princess as she wears decorative headpiece given by well-wishers during village visit in South Pacific

More..
Photo gallery from The Star
Photo gallery from The Telegraph, UK
Videos from The Star

Related articles:
- Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive for three-day visit
- Royal couple endear themselves to guests with down-to-earth approach
- Tea and sympathy for Kate as she puts on a brave smile but grim-faced William shows his anger after topless photo outrage
- Scene of the crime: Royals confirm legal action against French mag as we reveal spot where long-lens photo of topless Kate was taken
- Will and Kate end Malaysia visit and head for Solomon Islands
- 'I'm going to go whee and fly the way up': Wills and Kate are royal high-nesses as they forget their troubles by being hoisted up a 130ft tree in Borneo rainforest
- Kate is crowned an Island Princess as she wears decorative headpiece given by well-wishers during village visit in South Pacific

Bustling Port Dickson

Kuala Lumpur being located inland provides little or no real opportunity for sunset views on ground level. Fortunately for highrises, beautiful sunsets can still be viewed though not over the horizon.

Port Dickson, a coastal town southwest of KL provides great sunset views however. Just an hour's drive from the city, PD as it is commonly-known, is now seeing a lot of development with a coastline now lined with hotels and holiday resorts.

Just like oak island nc real estate, Port Dickson real estate is now much in demand. This little town once laid back and quiet is now bustling with holiday-makers and an increasing local population. Have you been to Port Dickson lately? You would be surprised at how lively it is now.

Friday Frolics - What Internal Organ Are You?

I wonder how far it's true that the foodstuff that shapes like a particular organ in our body is supposed to be beneficial for that particular organ. For example, kidney beans are good for the kidneys just as walnuts are good for the brain, and so forth. Ever read about it?

This week's Friday Frolics personality quiz concerns Internal Organs and what each one of us is based on the answers we provide.

I'd give this a 4 rating..

Rating Guide
1 = Absolutely not true
2 = Some truth
3 = 50% true
4 = Mostly true
5 = Close to 100% true

Take the quiz to find out about yourself.

You Are The Liver

You are a very versatile, adept person. You are able to do many jobs. You seek balance at all times. You are good at adjusting yourself to keep things level. You are able to counteract bad influences. You can neutralize anything toxic. You are resilient like no one else. You can rebuild yourself completely if you need to.

What Internal Organ Are You?

Friday Frolics: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

Coupons for shopping discounts

Strangely, after watching the Extreme Couponing series, weekend shopping ads in the papers are now getting my attention these days. If these weekend ads are any indication, looks like there are good savings shopping on a weekend as opposed to shopping on weekdays. Don't just take my word for it. Just check out the papers this weekend and be amazed at what you can save. For example, one hypermarket offered a savings of around RM7 (approx USD2.33) off a large bottle of Dynamo liquid detergent and RM8 (approx USD2.67) off for Breeze. There are savings too on Nescafe and other foodstuff, bath gels and other toiletries as well as price-reductions on fresh produce such as vegetables, fruits, fish and prawns, and lots more.

Unlike in the U.S., the coupon system has not caught on here and what few coupons we get are from newspapers primarily or from the occasional flyers and inserts. Carrefour at one time printed coupons on the reverse of their receipt, sort of like Catalinas, but has discontinued this practice a long time ago. Dominos Pizza has coupons affixed on every pizza box which come in useful for the next order.

A number of hits on 'Coupons' on my site yesterday made me do a quick check on it and was amazed at the coupons available online. Here, let me share a few sites that you (mostly for U.S. shoppers) could pick up a coupon on two from.

This one is good for when you visit Japan..

Visit Japan - Super Saver Coupons

Sites that offer group discounts have suddenly sprung up in Malaysia. Found this site, Milk A Deal.

Have been contemplating getting this Portable Iron/Steamer. It's now going for RM60, usual price at RM139. That's a 57% discount. If you are interested, hurry, because the offer is good for just ONE more day.

Another item ladies would find useful is a self-adhesive invisible V bra. Also, ONE more day left to buy on this item. Like all discount sites, this one too gets updated with new items on a daily basis.

Noticed that Kroger stores were featured in the Extreme Couponing show so readers in the U.S. may be interested in their coupons. Here is the Kroger store coupon link.

Whole foods market coupons

Target coupons

Even Twitter is helping people save, so if you are on Twitter, they have a daily coupon.

Here's one from a manufacturer - if you like cereals, who doesn't, here are Kellogg's coupons.

KFC coupons for the U.S.


Here's a good site for when you are in San Diego - San Diego Offers & Coupons. Didn't know they have a Legoland there too. Get a $10 off coupon here. Incidentally, Legoland Malaysia officially opens in nine days, Sep 22. It's located in Johor Bahru in the southern state of Johore, across the Causeway from Singapore.

Chicago shopping coupons..

Walmart coupons

There you go, plenty of shopping and saving opportunities. Do you shop with coupons? How about sharing your shopping experiences in the comments.

Malindo Airways - Malaysia's second low-cost carrier

Come May 1 next year, travellers will have a wider choice of seats and destinations with the addition of another budget airline. Currently, Air Asia is the only low-cost carrier in Malaysia.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the setting up of a new low-cost airline known as Malindo Airways.

The airline, a collaboration between National Aerospace and Defence Industries Sdn Bhd (Nadi) and Indonesia's PT Lion Group, would begin operations on May 1 next year and be based in KLIA 2.

Malindo is a combination of the names of Malaysia and Indonesia reflecting the long intertwined history of the peoples of the two countries.

The budget carrier will take off with a fleet of 12 Boeing 737-900ER aircraft to destinations between big cities in Malaysia and Indonesia before expanding to other Asian countries.

Malindo Airways is considering offering low fares, even lower than AirAsia, in addition to the in-flight entertainment systems and in-flight connectivity in all of its aircraft.

Meanwhile, AirAsia Chief Executive Tan Sri Tony Fernandes has welcomed the new low-cost airline in Malaysia, but dismissed that the new budget carrier will be a potential threat to AirAsia Bhd, Asia's largest frills-free airline.

He said the formation of Malindo Airways clearly indicated the growing importance of budget carriers in the global aviation industry, particularly in Malaysia and in the Asean region, in tandem with the Asean Open Skies Policy, which will come into force in 2015.

"I welcome Malindo Airways' establishment. AirAsia had always wanted Asean to be opened up. This is a good step," he told Bernama. More..NST..'Malindo Airways will not pose threat to AirAsia'


Source: The Star..PM launches new low-cost airline Malindo Airways

Bose L1 Compact PA System

If you are in the market for a PA system, here's one system to check out. Bose's L1 Compact system combines conventional PA and monitors into one sleek unit. Weighing just 29 pounds, it is their smallest, lightest, easiest-to-set-up L2 system.

Even though compact enough to carry in one trip, it has the flexibility of two setup positions. It can be collapsed for smaller spaces or extended for larger ones, both setups deliver wide, even sound coverage across the stage and throughout the audience - even to the extreme sides.

Ideal for musical performances, mobile DJs, classrooms, business presentations and other events, it is not difficult to see why this system is called the bose l1 compact musicians friend. Happy shopping!

The Booster Bag Scam - at the Airport

Traveller tales are aplenty - mostly good stories (fortunately) but once in a while you get someone who has suffered some inconvenience or other while holidaying in a foreign land.

I have friends with tales of pouch being taken right under his nose at the airport; pickpocketed on the very first day of a Europe trip; pants pocket being slashed open and money taken. All these happened without anyone of them realising it until later. Unnerving episodes these if one should fall prey to any one of them.

Security experts say a little extra effort in safeguarding your belongings, turns off the scammers who are always there looking for easy prey.

The following is an old video but worth viewing if you haven't. I won't spoil it for you. Just watch the video. Better be safe than sorry holds true..



Have you had any experience with any property loss while travelling?

How did they know? 31 elephants travelled 12 miles to pay respect..

An email from my Inbox made me stretch for a Kleenex. Not sure if it'll have the same effect on you but this real-life episode is a great read and is worth passing on..

HOW DID THEY KNOW?
SOMETHING IN THE UNIVERSE THAT IS MUCH GREATER AND DEEPER THAN HUMAN INTELLIGENCE.

Lawrence Anthony, a legend in South Africa and author of 3 books including the bestseller The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild,bravely rescued wildlife and rehabilitated elephants all over the globe from human atrocities, including the courageous rescue of Baghdad Zoo animals during US invasion in 2003.

On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died.

He is remembered and missed by his wife, 2 sons, 2 grandsons and numerous elephants. Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home led by two large matriarchs. Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say goodbye to their beloved man-friend.

A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 12 miles to get to his South African House.

Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not only because of the supreme intelligence and precise timing that these elephants sensed about Lawrence 's passing, but also because of the profound memory and emotion the beloved animals evoked in such an organized way:
Walking slowly - for days - Making their way in a solemn one-by-one queue from their habitat to his house.

Lawrence's wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the elephants had not been to his house prior to that day for well over 3 years!
But yet they knew where they were going.
The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects, honoring their friend who'd saved their lives - so much respect that they stayed for 2 days 2 nights without eating anything...

Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back home............


Source: Unknown.. but if you know the source, please leave a comment below.