2015 Happy New Year - Goodbye 2014

Well, we've come to the last day of year 2014. It has been a good year for me but I won't bore you with details. I certainly hope it has been a good/great year for you too. Let me take this opportunity to thank you for being a part of my life. You have added spice to my life. Thank you.

Google has come up with this simple-looking doodle to end the year.

But click on the doodle and you will find Google Trending Topics for the year. Below are the topics that were trending in Malaysia and Singapore. What was trending in your country? You can check it out here.

My wish for you..

Goodbye 2014.. Hello 2015!

Air Asia Indonesia Flight QZ8501 missing - Second day & Update

Update on Day 3, Dec 30 - Wreckage found

NST reported that: An Indonesian warship recovered more than 40 bodies from the sea in the search for the AirAsia jet, a navy spokesman told AFP.

Dozens of floating bodies as well as bags and aircraft debris were first spotted by an Air Force Hercules C130 which flew over waters near Pangkalan Bun in Central Kalimantan at around 11:00am this morning. - Jakarta Post

CNN - Who was aboard AirAsia Flight QZ8501? A family, veteran pilots, a fiance and more

List of passengers aboard AirAsia QZ8501

AirAsia Emergency Call Centre
Malaysia: 03-2179 5959
Indonesia: +622129270811
Singapore: +6563077688
Korea: 00798142069940

AirAsia media statement on QZ8501


Day 2, Dec 29
Indonesia resumed at dawn this morning its search for the Indonesia AirAsia plane that went missing yesterday morning in the Java Sea with 162 people onboard.

Air traffic controllers lost contact with Flight QZ8501 around an hour after it left Juanda international airport at Surabaya in east Java at 5.35am local time Sunday.

The Airbus A320-200 was en route to Singapore when it disappeared after the crew requested a change of flight plan due to stormy weather.

According to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency chief, the plane is likely at the bottom of the sea.

“Based on the coordinates given to us and evaluation that the estimated crash position is in the sea, the hypothesis is the plane is at the bottom of the sea,” Bambang Soelistyo told a press conference.

“That’s the preliminary suspicion and it can develop based on the evaluation of the result of our search,” he said.

According to aviation experts, weather conditions around the Java Sea towards year end are known to be violent but not unmanageable.

Indonesia AirAsia Flight QZ8501 pilot had asked the air traffic control at 7.12am yesterday to deviate its flight path.

The plane, however, disappeared at 7.24am. Departing from Surabaya at 6.35am, it was sup­­posed to have landed in Singapore at 8.30am.

A Met Separt­ment spokesman when contacted confirmed that the Java Sea region had been experiencing thunderstorms and rain from 6am.

Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology senior expert Ahmad Maulan Bardai said com­munication systems on aircraft such as the A320-200 was designed to work in bad weather.

The airline, Indonesia Air Asia, in an updated statement issued late Sunday, said it is cooperating with the relevant authorities to determine the cause of the incident.

For the families in Singapore, an emergency briefing room at Changi International Airport Terminal Two has been set up where AirAsia Indonesia will be providing regular updates.

An Emergency Call Centre has also been established, available for those seeking information about relatives or friends who may have been onboard the flight. The number is +622129270811.

Photo Gallery: AirAsia Indonesia Flt QZ8501 plane missing..



Source: The Star

Friday Frolics- What Do Your Initials Say About You?

Do you believe that your name has somewhat of a bearing on who you are? Never mind, just take the quiz below to see if it's true in your case and it's just about your initials only. Go on..

You Are Accepting and Open

When You Are Comfortable or in a Social Setting: You are enthusiastic and flexible. You are open-minded. You prefer to learn from others... not judge them. People see you as kind and cooperative. You are very supportive when friends are down on their luck. When You Are At Your Best: You are a hard worker. You need security and stability in your life, even if that means putting in long hours. People see you as solid and dependable. You are always able to see the good in situations. Other find this comforting.

What Do Your Initials Say About You?

More of Friday Frolics!

Have you taken The Color Test Quiz?

Flood situation in Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur is spared though

Wet is the word to start off the day. It's raining here in Kuala Lumpur.

This is the time of the year of the monsoon season. Malaysia experiences two monsoon seasons a year and this time it's the north-easterly monsoon which begins in September right up to December/January. Not so much of the wind but the rain is much feared. The flood situation currently is bad or rather worse off than previous years with six states being affected including Sabah on the island of Borneo.

On the bright side for KLites, KL is not experiencing any flash flood so far unlike the other six states with flood waters almost reaching the roof in some places.

Even our National Park in Pahang, Taman Negara, is not spared. Some 102 tourists were caught unawares and stranded but they are out of danger with food supplies reaching them and they being safely flown out to safe ground.

Kajang town, the town of satay was also not spared. Kajang suffered a flash flood last Saturday and some animals at an animal shelter perished.

An umbrella or a raincoat is a good item to bring along should you wish to visit Malaysia this time of the year. Alternatively, they are readily available at very affordable prices, anyway.


Image source: The Star

Deputy PM said Christmas is a time for all Malaysians to come together

Hear hear! It's good that somebody up there is speaking up.. and about time too!

"Christmas is a time for all Malaysians, regardless of ethnicity and religion to come together and have a joyous time of merrymaking, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin." spoken at the Christmas tea event hosted by the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) at Subang Jaya on Thursday.

Source: The Star

Tis the Season to be Jolly..

Tis the Season to be Jolly..

Here's..

and..

Image source: 123greetings

Miss World 2014 is Miss South Africa

Congratulations, Miss South Africa!

Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss is the new queen of the world, while Miss Malaysia Dewi Liana Seriestha places in the Top 25 and wins the talent competition!

Rolene Strauss, a 22-year-old South African, has won the Miss World 2014 pageant in London, the organisers said in a statement released on Sunday Dec 14. Hungary’s Edina Kulcsár came second and Elizabeth Safrit, representing the US, came third. Miss World 2014 pageant was held at the ExCel Centre in east London.

Rolene Strauss of South Africa (centre) reacts after being crowned Miss World 2014. – Reuters/Toby Melville

Strauss is the third South African to hold the Miss World title and puts the country just behind Venezuela (6), India (5) and the United Kingdom (4) for total number of wins. However, South Africa does have the longest gap between wins – Strauss’ victory comes 40 years after Anneline Kriel inherited the crown in 1974. Penelope Ann Coelen was the first South African to win the pageant in 1958.

Miss World, the crowning moment..

Miss World (Miss South Africa) at the Oxford Debate. What a speech!

Meanwhile, Dewi Liana Seriestha from Kuching, Sarawak represented Malaysia. The 25-year-old performing arts student from ASWARA placed in the Top 25 and won the talent competition. Well done!

Dewi clinched the title after a live sing-off against Miss Scotland where she performed a stirring rendition of Don Juan Triumphant from the 1989 film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera.

Other than classical opera, which she picked up at the National Academy of Arts, Culture & Heritage (Aswara) – Dewi can also sing in over eight languages including Tagalog, Spanish, Mandarin and Hindi.

Each year at Miss World the contestants are encouraged to partake in a charitable project which enriches the lives of others through hard work, selfless acts and fundraising.

As varied as the contestants themselves, the projects are inspiring to behold, and are their 'Beauty with a Purpose'. Although there are many great projects, only one can be chosen as the winner of the Beauty with a Purpose Award, an accolade presented at the Miss World Final, on Sunday the 14th of December.

This is Miss Malaysia's project.. Commendable!

More information on Beauty with a Purpose @ http://www.beautywithapurpose.com

(L-R) Miss India Koyal Rana, Miss Kenya Idah Nguma, Miss Brazil Julia Gama, Miss Indonesia Maria Asteria Sastrayu Rahajeng and Miss Malaysia Dewi Liana Seriestha react after winning the charity section of the Miss World 2014 pageant. – EPA/Facundo Arrizabalaga

Previous Miss Malaysia queens who won a Miss World placing include Deborah Henry (Top 16 in 2007), Arianna Teoh (Top 10 in 1997) and Rahima Orchient Yayah, the last Malay winner from Malaysia (Top 10 in 1994). Lina Teoh remains the most successful Miss Malaysia World, placing 2nd runner up at the Miss World finals in 1998.

Sources:
- Med student, 22, ends South Africa’s 40-year drought at Miss World pageant
- M’sian beauty lets her talent shine

Big Bad Wolf Book Sale - Dec 5 to 16, 2014

The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale is back! Regarded as The Biggest Book Sale in the World, 3.5 MILLION books are available to book-lovers this time and for prices you can't find elsewhere. Books are going at between 75 to 95% discount! Book-lovers come from miles around, some even interstate. An event not to be missed surely.

So, hurry! 4 days left, ending on 16 December.

Location: MIECC@Mines (Mines Exhibition Centre) Here's a map to MIECC.

An idea of how huge the venue is.

Just like at supermarkets, trolleys are also available (albeit limited).

But then again do not despair as the Wolf provides boxes. Fans at the Sale can use the Customer Storage section beside the cashiers to stow unpaid purchases, then go back for more. Cool, eh?

Some like to bring their own bags..

Remember this book sale is around the clock, 24 hours, but rest assured food is available too any time you want it.

All images here are courtesy of the Big Bad Wolf facebook page.
For more information, check out the Big Bad Wolf facebook page.

Friday Frolics - The Colors Test

Indeed, the colors you're attracted to say a lot about your personality and current emotional state. Pick the color combination that appeals to you the most to learn what makes you colorful.

Have a wonderfully colorful weekend, everyone!

You Are Colorful Because You Are Delightful

You are simply a joy to be around. You are cheerful, cute, and charming. You truly respect and appreciate other people, and it shows. You are extremely non-judgmental. You avoid confrontation, and you hate fighting. You try your best to make sure that everyone gets along. Life is hard, so you try to be easy on people. More importantly, you try to be easy on yourself.

The Colors Test

More Fun, Free Quizzes!

Have you taken the Socks Personality Test?

Nice kitty

Cat goes green.. Nice!

From The Star:

Locals, who first spotted the feline in Bulgarian seaside town of Varna, had initially assumed that the cat was abused by vandals who had painted him green.

They even set up a Facebook group to catch the perpetrators.

However, it seems that the feline was sleeping on top of an abandoned pile of synthetic green paint in a garage.

It is believed that the paint gradually covered the entire cat, giving him unusually vibrant appearance.

It also seems that the colour is not coming off any time soon as each nap he takes just makes the colour stronger.

Based on reports, it is unclear to whether the green feline belongs to anyone or it is just another stray cat roaming the streets of Varna.

Friday Frolics - The Socks Personality Test

An easy-to-take personality quiz this week. Pick the socks you fancy and let your choice tell about you. Talk about choices!

Your Socks Say You're Charming

You Are: - Infinitely enchanting - Simply amazing - An incredible person - A true star

The Socks Personality Test

Fun, Free Quizzes!

Have you taken last week's personality quiz? What Animal Print Are You?

World's biggest stamp exhibition here in Kuala Lumpur this week

If you are a stamp enthusiast, this is one stamp exhibition not to be missed. Touted as the biggest philatelic event in the world, this first-of-its-kind exhibition opened on December 1 for just six days ending on December 6.

It is held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC) and features over 300 stamp exhibitors from around the globe.

The Star reported"

On display are some 700 frames of stamp exhibits. More than 30 trade booths have been set up by stamp dealers and postal administrations from around the world. Countries participating in the exhibition include Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Spain, Maldives, Wales and Mexico.

Images courtesy of The Star

QSC K10 10" Speakers

If you are in the U.S, and are in the market for speakers, you have got to check out the qsc k10, known for its amazingly powerful output and killer sound quality for its size.

The QSC K10 10" powered loudspeaker features a revolutionary 1000W power module, delivers high-quality amplification, HF driver, and low-frequency driver of the K-Series speakers, offering ~90° conical coverage and 129dB peak output, low frequencies extending to ~56Hz.

The K10 offers exceptional power and performance from an extremely compact system, and it can also be used as an ultra low-profile, horizontal wedge or side fill.

User reviews indicate the following Pros:

Compact (13)
Good audio (13)
Durable (11)
Easy to use (11)
Lightweight (11)
Clear sound
Versatile
- among others.