E Paper

No one would have imagined that the newspapers would become so interactive. But thanks to technology, the Star paper will make history in that the readers can read e paper in the same format as the original. Just read the paper in its original form on a computer tablet and even watch a video associated with an article.

Thanks to the emergence of smartphones and tablet computers, the Star paper is now available online to those who want to read it in its original format and they can also switch to Internet edition for updates at the same time.

The e paper is on trial for one month and is available for subscription at a lower cost comes May 2012. Furthermore the e paper readers in remote areas such as Sabah and Sarawak can now read the newspaper not later than seven in the morning.

A great step in change technology.

Something for sharing.

Managing Debts

Borrowing money means getting into debt. There are many ways to land oneself in the clutch of debt - credit cards, hire purchase, student loans and the list goes on and on. When we borrow, we need to repay the loan amount or principal plus interest. Interest is what a borrower pays a lender for the temporary use of the financial facility or lender's money.

Debt is like a rubber band. When we stretch too far and it will snap. If the rubber band is to snap, it will hurt our hands. We have to learn to manage our debts well, live within our means and manage our financial affairs well. We must constantly spend less than what we earn. We must be mindful of our spending and learn to control it effectively.

Saving for emergencies is equivalent to keeping a functionable spare tyre in our car. It is advisable to set aside for a rainy day.

Phone Addiction

If we ask a random passer-by what they couldn't leave home without, chances are they will nominate their mobile phone.

Communication is definitely a priority in life. In the quest of always being in touch and reach of friends, we end up neglecting the ones who are sitting right in front of us at the dining table. Addiction to mobile phone can lead to a host of problems.

Family meals where members hardly talk to each other as their attention is focused n the mobile phones/smartphones. They tend to pay more attention to their phones instead of family members at the dining table. Isn't it rude to let our attention drift away when someone is talking to us? There have been time of absolute silence where a few family members would be looking at their mobile phone instead of each other. There is lack of communication and interaction when we focus more on our mobile phones. Many children who are hooked on mobile phones, texting and online chatting may be unable to handle real life, not forgetting the health related problems too.

Something for sharing.

Jokes of the World

A young man went to his father one day to tell him that he wanted to get married. His father was happy for him. He asked his son who the girl was, and he told him that it was Samantha, a girl from the neighbourhood.

With a sad face, the old man said to his son `I'm sorry to say this son, but I have to. The girl you want to marry is your sister, but please don't tell your mother.'

The young man again brought three more names to his father, but ended up frustrated because the response was still the same. So he decides to go to his mother, `Mom, I want to get married but all the girls that I love, dad said they are my sisters and I mustn't tell you.'

His mother smiling said to him, `Don't worry my son, you can marry any of those girls. You're not his son.'

Something for sharing.

Trip to Bali

Tanah Lot is the temple which symbolizes the melting pot of natural and cosmic elements and we were there to witness it in Bali. However, we did not stay till sunset as it is magnificent at sunset. The waves are quite a spectacle.

We also witnessed the Barong Dance, it represents an eternal fight between good and evil spirts. The dance lasted for half an hour.

We have had good memories of Bali after a 5 days 4 night visit.

The Magic of Colours

The colour Green
Have you ever wondered why people say `Green with Envy' and also `Green eyed monster'. Why do they associate jealousy with the colour green? When we think of green, we tend to associate the colour green with the trees in the forest, not jealously. If we are given approval for a project at hand means we have the green light to proceed.

The colour red
If the business is losing money, we said the business is in red. Red on the other hand means prosperity and richness. If we suddenly get very angry, we start to `see red' but on the other hand if we are celebrating and in high spirits, we might want to `paint the town red'. Red is a fierce colour and it symbolises aggressive, bad tempered, impulsive and centre of attention. We hope to get red carpet welcome when we attend functions. Red is also associated with danger.

The significance of colours have been studied throughout history and despite meaning different thing to different people, they do have an effect on us. What colours are we drawn to on a daily basis?

Something for sharing.

The goat and the horse

There was a farmer who collected horses, he only needed one more breed to complete his collection. One day, he found out that his neighbor had the particular horse breed he needed. So, he constantly bothered his neighbor until he sold it to him. A month later, the horse became ill and he called the veterinarian who said, `Well your horse has a virus. He must take this medicine for three days. I'll come back on the 3rd day and if he's not better, we're going to have to put him down.'

Nearby the goat listened closely to their conversation. The next day, they gave him the medicine and left. The goat approached the horse and said, `Be strong, my friend. Get up or else they're going to put you to sleep.'

On the second day, they gave him the medicine and left. The goat came back and said, `Come on buddy, get up or else you're going to die. Come on, I'll help you get up. Let's go! One, two, three......'

On the third day, they came to give him the medicine and the vet said, `Unfortunately, we're going to have to put him down tomorrow. Otherwise, the virus might spread and infect the other horses.'

After they left, the goat approached the horse and said, `Listen pal. It's now or never! Get up, come on! Have courage! Come on! Get up! That's it, slowly! Great! Come on, one, two, three..... Good, good. Now faster, come on ..... Fantastic! Run, run more! Yes! Yes! You did it, you're a champion!!!!!!

All or a sudden, the owner came back, saw the horse running in the field and began shouting, `It's a miracle! My horse is cured. This deserves a party. Let's slaughter the goat!'

Points for reflection
This often happens in the workplace. Nobody truly knows which employee actually deserves the merit of success or who's actually contributing the necessary support to make things happen.

LEARNING TO LIVE WITHOUT RECOGNITION IS A SKILL.
If anyone ever tells you that your work is unprofessional, remember: amateurs built the Ark and professionals built the Titanic