Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Money! Money! Money!



Money is hard to come by. And I know how hard it is to save up just to let it go in fulfilling my dream in getting my first degree. I will never understand people who are desperate enough to borrow money from family members or friends – promising the lenders that they will pay back in a short time. Now, how short is short?

Don’t these people realise that they have to pay high interest if they were to loan from the bank? Apparently, there are some heartless creatures who are just plain selfish!

The rule of thumb is that:
Money you have now is worth more than the same amount you have in the future.

So, it does not make sense to lend out $5000 in 2009, only to get back the same amount ten years later.

Let's calculate how much you'll earn if you put the $5000 safely in the bank with 2% compound interest for the period of 10 years.

Formula: [$5,000 x (1 + 0.02 interest)]^10 years = $11,904.24

It's a lot of money, don't you think?

To all kind-hearted lenders out there (sans the loansharks who are a lot more smarter), don’t fall into this vicious trap. You’re not helping the borrowers but you’ll only encourage them to keep on borrowing.

Remember, there's always EZY Cash that they can rely on.

:)

Note: I came from a poor family so it irks me that people take others for granted and hurt them in the process of borrowing or lending. My Mum and Dad taught me to make do with what I have, not what I don't. I hope YOU will make do with what you have too.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Of friends and weddings...





More pictures on Facebook.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Morning Sickness Can Make Your Child Smarter: Study - CityNews

Expectant mothers who experience morning sickness may not be suffering in vain.

A new study out of the Hospital for Sick Children has found the nausea and vomiting that plague some 80 per cent of pregnant women may actually result in a smarter child.

"Our findings suggest an association between [nausea and vomiting of pregnancy or NVP] and improved neurodevelopment in the offspring," noted Dr. Irena Nulman, lead author of the study. "NVP is a widespread and puzzling physiological phenomenon that has yet to be sufficiently studied."

The research shows children of women with morning sickness scored higher on IQ, verbal, phonics and memory tests. In fact, the more severe the symptoms were, the higher the scores. Not surprisingly, maternal IQ also played a role.

That's good news for mom-to-be Jennifer Rubenstein, who's been suffering from the ailment. "In the beginning I was sick about anywhere from 10 to 15 times a day," she recalls. And even at five and half months along, she's not done yet. "It hasn't just been morning. It has been morning, afternoon and night."

If the research is right, she may be giving birth to a future Einstein.

"It does seem that the "puke-iness" is going with better hormonal levels," suggests Dr. Gideon Koren of Motherisk. Better hormone levels equal a healthier placenta. For years, doctors have known that morning sickness helps prevent miscarriage and heart defects in babies.

"The fact that you suffer may have a prize at the end of the road," notes Dr. Koren.

Previous studies have suggested an early protective benefit, but this is the first time the long-term effects, including intelligence and cognitive skills, have been examined.


Source: Morning Sickness Can Make Your Child Smarter: Study - CityNews



This is my own pix which I tweet-ed last week.
Thanks Azlina for the info!

And to Baby A, you make me so proud of you already. I'm sorry to have complained too much in my previous entry. I'm sorry to let my emotions change my positive outlook towards life. I promise to eat and drink right so that you can get all the nutritions you need.

Mummy and Daddy love you so much and we can't wait to see you on the 23rd! We collect pictures of your teeny-weeny developments and we're glad that you're doing so well inside. Happy swimming, baby! Don't kick me too much though. :p

Bohemian Rhapsody - Who's better at it?

Adam Lambert's version



The Muppets' much oomph version



Watch the clips?

We were all wrong about Adam Lambert becoming Freddy Mercury's successor. My fave is the crazed red animal crooning the familiar "Mama...", and nothing else.



Let's see if you can remember this nursery song next.



SERIOUSLY, LAGU NI TAKDE MAKNA!!!
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. WTH.

TK Band Concert

Thanks to Fana and her brother who fetched me to the concert, I was able to concentrate on putting on the make-up in their car! LOL!

Seriously, I don't really like to dress up these days. Some friends predicted that it's going to be a girl - hence the constant vomitting and not-looking-pretty presentation of late. Hahahaha!!



Actually I prefer my 'slack' life now.
Just can't be bothered la.
I prefer to be in slippers, t-shirt and jeans.



Now, now. The highlight of the concert is not TK Band but the Thai boys (and girls) who performed. There, I said it....my very honest opinion (hopefully nobody will hentam me here).

Not just because they're good...hey, they're CUTE too!!!
To my baby inside, if you're a boy, pls pls 'terkenan' that cute Thai boy! :p

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

Ok, I know.
I'm naughty.
Can't help it.

It's the hormones, you know.

...

It's been a stressful month. I've been dreading to work. My journey to work by bus or taxi is a nightmare now. Strange, after I've let it all out I feel better, only to dread lunchtime next. I don't eat much, I can't eat what I like anymore and my sleep is constantly disturbed by sudden cramps. I can't find a good position to sleep. I don't have enough maternity wear. I've outgrown most of my clothes. I'm just plain whiny now.

Wow. I feel better for letting this out.
Goodbye!


P.S: What shall I do with Firda's kain?

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Love quote from the Internet



If you love someone, put their name in a circle, instead of a heart. Because hearts can break but circles go on forever...

Friday, November 20, 2009

Michael Jackson's Ghost

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Remember, "Tamparan Bola Berkembar" on RTM1?



Meeting this bunch certainly brings back fond memories of the good old days! We talked non-stop about so many things...from sch CCAs to unforgettable ads and TV programmes that kept us glued when we were young! From Oshin, Rin Harikoma to Doraemon, I'm sure everyone had fun imitating the memorable taglines like "Satria Baja Hitam", "Tamparan Bola Berkembar", "Ubat Batuk Cap Ibu dan Anak" and "Gaya, Mutu, Keunggulan"! ;)



Thanks Aisyah for this lead on YouTube and the fun impromptu Rat-a-Tat board game!







Azhari & Farhana...forever "swapping" and "peeking" at each other's cards.



Teh Tarik, anyone?

Amazing, how these small lil' things can actually make our day.
Long live happy memories! :)

Monday, November 9, 2009

Need to put these into good use

I seldom wear them.



1) Tak sempat
2) Tak kuasa
3) Takde orang perasan

Ok, I definitely need to do something about this (flea market, perhaps?) cos' they've been collecting dust.

Now, let's watch this short film. Cute!

My snack

Refreshing change from the usual chips, chocs, nuts, keropok-kerepek dan benda-benda lain yang merepek. Hehe...

Sunday, November 8, 2009

I'm proud of you, Kakak!



Anugerah Belia Harapan Cemerlang Goh Chok Tong 2008
Anugerah Penulis Harapan 2009

dan pelbagai anugerah sebelumnya...

Terima kasih kerana sentiasa membuat kami bangga atas kejayaanmu.

Beautiful wedding, beautiful company!











We're bad at keeping good news.

Selamat Ulang Tahun Sang Singa Purbaku...

Selamat ulang tahun sayang
Kini kau bersayap pergilah terbang
Rentaslah langit cita-citamu
Harap nanti kita bertemu




Terlalu banyak kenangan manis bersama Sang Singa Purba. Ketika di Tahun Ketiga, aku mendapat mesej daripada presiden sebuah persatuan Melayu. Firdaus namanya. Very charming guy. So aku layanlah si Fir ni sampai larut malam. Hahaha!!! Tapi topik yang diperbualkan bukanlah berbaur cinta…cuma setakat berbual tentang aktiviti-aktiviti sekolah walaupun dalam hati boleh cairrrrr beb! :p

Fir melamarku untuk memasuki sebuah pertandingan drama yang dianjurkan kelab persatuan Melayu NUS. Aku terima lamaran Fir dengan hati terbuka kerana hadiahnya agak lumayan – wang tunai $1000! Dengan syarat, aku mesti menubuh kumpulan itu sendiri kerana Fir cuma ada Haddad, Humairah dan Huda ketika itu. Aku gembira kerana diberi kepercayaan bagi tugasan yang agak besar. Kerana kurang kakitangan, aku mendapatkan khidmat kakakku, Noor Hasnah bagi skrip drama tersebut. Aku mendapatkan 7 orang lagi (3 ahli kelab silat SP, coursemates DMC Azlina dan Shikin, Alfiah, serta kawan baikku Adibah) untuk memampatkan lagi jalan cerita.

Pada tanggal 8 November 2003, pihak NUS mengadakan majlis taklimat bagi para peserta. Kami dikehendaki mengisi borang beserta nama kumpulan. Memandangkan Politeknik Singapura merupakan politeknik pertama di Singapura, maka lahirnya nama “The Ancient Lions” yang dialih bahasa kepada Sang Singa Purba.

Pejam celik pejam celik, hari ini sudah genap enam tahun Sang Singa Purba ditubuhkan.

Ibarat seperti bayi yang mula merangkak, lalu bertatih, berdiri dan hari ini dapat berlari dan berdikari, aku pasti Sang Singa Purba adalah kebanggaanku dan juga kebanggaan generasi pertama dan generasi seterusnya, di mana jua mereka berada.

You're our best discovery!



Friday, November 6, 2009

Sparrow = Burung Murai?

Greek's Short Film in 2007



Yasmin's Commercial for Petronas in 2007



Viewed the videos? I see similarities. I'm not pinpointing who copied who. But I prefer Yasmin's version.

Just like the Nokia and i-Phone fued, sometimes it's not about being the first or the copycat - it's about improving things and making it better.

I'm sure you would prefer to own an i-Phone than a Nokia that always hangs.

Ever heard of competitive advantage?
The best (not first) is usually the most superior.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Can't wait to graduate...

and wear this gown just like my sister did.



I wish for December to come (real soon).

Song of the week!

I've never been this close to anyone or anything
And it just blows me away



An amazing feeling, knowing, someone's growing inside

Help!

This must be the most hectic week in my life! I have an assignment to hand in today. I have 1 exam paper and 1 mid-term test to clear this Saturday, and a close friend of mine is also getting married that same day.

With the countless "morning sickness" (strange, I only vomit at night), life has not been easy as my classes are held after work i.e. at night! Really, I can't concentrate in class. I can't decipher what the lecturers are actually saying. Most of the time, my mind just went blank despite the many mind maps I drew to help myself understand the topics. There are times when I just want to scream and cry. But I keep telling myself, that this is my last semester and my misery is going to end soon.

It doesn't help that I got a good scolding last night from an agitated librarian who commented I was slow at packing. I was terribly upset by the choice of words she used. Still am. I get tired easily. I can't move as fast. And that's the whole truth about being pregnant. You feel, people are not as nice to you.

To cut the story short, these are the almost-20 books which I strolled home from the library.



Yes, that's a lot(!) - perks of being a premium library member. And I don't even have the energy to carry all those books! So, the best solution is to place them in my brand new luggage bag.

How innovative! Right?

Now, that's what I call: EXCESS BAGGAGE!!!
Where's my holiday?

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

I wish

You know that you're special.

I'll be by your side, regardless of race, language or...

religion.

This love story reminds me of Yasmin Ahmad's films Sepet and Gubra :)







Cute kan?

Alhamdullilah.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Leaving on a jet plane

I bought a 25" bag on impulse at Junction 8 today.
It's quite a bargain. It comes with a free 20" bag.

The thing is...I don't know where I'm heading.
I don't even have a destination.

This is so random but I really need a break.
I think, we all do.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Save my soul



I'm at the library trying to finish my individual assignment as much as I can. There are times when you just cannot think. It's as if your brain has stopped functioning. That’s what I’m experiencing right now.

Good news though...surprisingly I got a credit for my grp project last term.

All I need now is a miracle.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Blackout in Muar

Quite funny, must watch...how an aspiring songwriter "ambushed" the staff @ TNB. Farhana, you're lucky you're not in Muar. Mcm mana nak complete kerja sekolah kalau asyik blackout je?

Saturday, October 24, 2009

My Baby You & Fantasia Bulan Madu

Dah basi, tapi ok kan kalau upload? ~Enjoy!



Now it's Bai's turn in 2 weeks time.

Baizurah's Hen Night :)



I'm not too sure if the girls are still out to party tonight.
As far as I'm concern, I'm safely home...took a cab with Wani.
We are both very lethargic. Penat sangat.

Fana, this is just a teaser.
More pics and videos (from the Minahs) will be uploaded on FB.





Amacam? Cantik tak?
Geek-in-the-making.

Sabo betul!

Muzikaraya 2009: Jom Balik Kampung!

Their trailer.
A for effort. Ada suara Fiza O lagik!



I am proud of you Sang Singa Purba!













Who wouldn't?
I'm sure the rest of the ancient lions (below) will agree with me.





Thank you for giving your best.

And of course, seeing my sis' ex-students from West Spring Sec makes me feel old :p They've all grown up and are working now.



But then again...the taxi uncle said I looked "sweet sixteen".
He thought I'm still schooling. LOL.

Tak malu betul aku ni...!


// Edited on Saturday, 24 October, 8.52pm

Abdillah's review on FB:

"A musical about family, kinship and love that surrounds a family wasn't something that SSP had ventured on before, especially when it seemed as if MCYS had sponsored it.

The first ever musical performance without the extravagance of artistic direction had every single bit of raw emotions in the scenes that captivated me and eventually, to tears.

The accompaniment of live music helped keep the atmosphere lively and real and very often, I had to remind myself that there was a live band performing and not from a recording or CD. With a very different type of musical which engaged the audiences to be part of it, this performance by SSP was definitely worth every bit of the $10 spent with $2 going to humanitarian efforts.

For those who didn't catch it, if there's one thing about this that's worth noting and remembering. Forget fireworks, just stick to simplicity.

Bravo SSP!"

Friday, October 23, 2009

If you never fail, you never live.

Life = Risk



I'm in need for motivation.
Guess...this will help you too :)

On a different note, if you're the sort of person who hates to read, you may want to watch this video on H1N1 (Swine Flu). It's a deadly virus...hence the more we should learn about our common enemy.

This is it!

If you're interested to catch Jom Balik Kampung! musical by SSP, please contact Syafiqah at 82688595 or Iffa at 84483605.



MUZIKARAYA '09 - JOM BALIK KAMPUNG!
Date: Friday, 23 Oct 2009
Time: 3pm and 7.30pm
Venue: Singapore Polytechnic Auditorium

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

I love this. Simple play of words and graphics, yet powerful.



But I'm not too sure the part about Burma though.
Maybe it's time to hit the history books!

Kekadang cinta harus memilih...



Cinta pada keluarga.
Cinta pada kerjaya.
Cinta pada dunia.
Cinta pada akhirat.

Something irreversible that can be fixed from the start.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

DeepaRaya Celebration

We had fun!



Kudos to the organizing committee :)



I became (of all things) A TREE!

Missing pictures

There are so many pictures I've yet to upload...pictures I owe to friends and colleagues. Tot of uploading them on Facebook. But I got lazy (Read: past tense). Plus, I can't do it @ work.



Will do so. I promise!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Project Hope went well. Thanks for your support!



The first thing Elly commented this morning, "Zalinah, what happened? Your eyes!!! They look terrible!"

I am very tired lah.

But I'm glad the show went well yesterday.

To the kind souls who have donated for Project Hope, thank you for the one-million-dollar mark. I'm sure there are more Singaporeans out there who wish to contribute. Fyi, all proceeds will go to Mercy Relief and Singapore based Red Cross and Habitat organisations to help the survivors of the disasters that tore through Sumatra, Philippines and Vietnam by giving them the hope they need to live on. By donating to Project Hope, you'll be providing them the aid they need to rebuild their lives.

The 3 main hotlines are still open till Monday 26 October 2009 for the following donation amounts*:

1900-112 5010 $ 10 donation
1900-112 5020 $ 20 donation
1900-112 5050 $ 50 donation

*Administrative fee of $ 0.21 (inclusive of GST) chargeable for each call

If you have missed the show, do catch the encore telecast on Sunday 25 October 2009 on Suria from 11am to 1pm, and on Channel 5 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.

May God bless you for your generosity.


Pictures taken during full dress rehearsal.



Di sebalik tabir



Idol in-the-making



Stand-in: John Labu as John Lee



Stand-in: I get this a lot - "Miss, are you a Filipino?"
I hope it's a good thing :S