International Jatropha Congress

I will be attending the congress. Will be in singapore most probably 15 (no early flight on 16th and may miss part of the sessions in the morning if go on 16th) and coming back on 18 december.

So, it will be on jatropha. Hopeful to learn more and network more and use to enhance our own work on jatropha.

So, kalau ada gambar cantik kat singapore (the usual decor during christmas) I will post next round....hehe...

Crazy month ahead =P

The last month of 2008....a time for peace and joy and blessings....Christmas is here!

Haha......not much of peace for me. I have the whole month packed to the brim. 2 plantings of jatropha at work, convention, pindah rumah, road trip....-_-`

Nevertheless, will take it one step at a time (YEH!) and hopefully made it through in 1 piece....*fingers crossed*

-_-`

Personalities of people I met:

i. "Tak apa" attitude.

One of the more popular one is the "tak apa" attitude ("I don't care). As long as they get to do nominal work and get paid, they do not care if anything happen to any one else and the company. Only when they themselves are in a situation, then they 'tunjuk taring'. They only care when their livelihood is affected.

ii. Big time liars

I hate this type the most when they say one thing, they do another. Some more declare openly to take responsibility but then just push it away at the right time. This usually comes with many years of practice at setting people up and getting away with it.

iii. so-called "expert" or "experienced" person (tin kosong)

People who claims that they are "experts" when they only know about the subject for a short period. And lead everyone by the nose and make loud claims that have no substantiation. Sigh.....

iv. "The world is my oyster"

Things should evolve around them and they are oblivious to what is happening. One example, one fella pretending to be blind and not help when the more senior people was cleaning up the place. What a shame....

v. "Bagai Kacang lupa kulit" ('like the nut forgetting the shell')

Is similar to the dog biting the owner's hand that was feeding it. People just don't appreciate that the current economic situations in the world is bad and jobs are hard to come by. Some more can become 'traitors' because of association with so called "big fish". Sigh...so sad....

Well, that's life....I quote "or the world wont be round" (Famous quote by Choulyee) =P

Suria KLCC night view

Was at Suria KLCC with Choulyee....took a few pics.

3 shots combined as 1...

Fountain....

The twin towers...

I am on the news....=P

Adapted from The Star Online

KUALA LUMPUR: Biotechnology will benefit all races and provide the direction for the country, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Biotechnology, as the main driver of development in the five economic corridors, has an important influence in agriculture, the environment, energy resources as well as future development of scientists, he said.
“With our three areas of focus - agriculture, healthcare and industrial development - biotechnology will have a tremendous influence in the direction of our country’s future,” he said at the opening of BioMalaysia 2008 yesterday.

He pointed out that the emphasis on biotechnology would pose a challenge to industry players.

“These areas (corridors) are multiracial and it (the benefit) is not for a particular race only.

“Biotechnology will help improve people’s lives. It will also produce many new courses in universities.”

The corridors are Sabah Development Corridor, Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy, Northern Economic Corridor Region, East Coast Economic Corridor and Iskandar Malaysia.

Abdullah hoped the application of biotechnology, including producing more effective medications, would give Malaysians a more healthy, vibrant and active lifestyle.

He said he was glad that the Biotech International Advisory Panel, which held its third meeting on Monday, recognised Malaysia’s effort to succeed in biotechnology.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said the three focus of biotechnology would be applied at the corridors based on their strengths and their needs.

He said the International Advisory Panel had advised that Malaysia go back to its strengths in marine and agriculture and find ways to add value to them.

He said the meeting felt it was the right time for Malaysia to market itself more aggressively, as the Americans and other investors were looking for alternative investment opportunities.

“Malaysia is a suitable alternative. With a reasonable high growth rate of 5.5%, we are able to absorb the shock (of the meltdown in the United States),” he said.

About 2,000 delegates took part in the three-day conference and exhibition.

Energy source: Abdullah looking at the Jatropha seeds while SaintifikSiatic Centre for Genome Technology Sdn Bhd senior executive Alex Kuek Chun Seng tells him about the crop that can produce biofuel at the exhibition held in conjunction with BioMalaysia 2008 in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Looking on is Dr Ongkili (centre).

LEAD programme.....at Ulu Kenas =)

Just came back from Ulu Kenas, Kuala Kangsar for another LEAD programme........a much needed departure from my work......had a very good weekend there. Tired now but satisfied with the weekend....=P

Long time no blog.....=P

Hello...it's been a while since I last blogged. I have been busy, busy and busy. Not only with work but also with lasallian stuff. It was FT weekend last 2 weeks and now in another 2 weeks will be LEAD programme. 

Now, got some pics to put up.....

My ex-colleagues in Genting Sanyen (Division outing)

Current colleagues in ACGT (Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology)

Also, I worked so hard that I 'lost' some hair.....hehe....most of it had grown back....haha

Yes, its been 4 months since I left sanyen to join ACGT. The job's pretty challenging but I should be able to handle the usual workload.....of course with extra hours put into it....*tired look* Now officially a 'farmer' (my friends will give me that 'you are kidding' look). Yes, I never did once ever think I will end up in the agriculture sector. It's amazing how things become. 

Haaaa......it feels good to blog again. It takes off some level of stress (I was actually doing some work just now, drawing so many crosses just now until i felt 'crossed-eyed'!)

Ok.....back to do whatever is left! CHIA YU!

A moment to ponder.....sigh...

Sigh.....what should I do? Am facing a flip-flop consultant at work. At first say he will do the task -example labelling (ask him twice somemore last friday), today he inform we should do.......'baka'....and did not see his shadow at all the whole week.

Can no longer take his words at face value. I am frust because got important visitor coming to my workplace end of this month. AND THIS FLIP FLOP person is purposely causing trouble. *sigh*

Will take things into our own hands and NEVER EVER BELIEVE HIS WORDS anymore. This is the last straw for me. We will no longer ask him to do anymore things. 

Lots of things in the pipeline....I hope I have the strength to finish it and not collapse before the whole episode is over.

Melaka Trip

Well, its long long ago. Choulyee and I went to Melaka for a weekend with her UPM coursemates. Here are some of the pics of the place....not much u see. Only my camera phone....=P

Christ Church Melaka


Choulyee and friends


Choulyee and I


The place where the body of St. Francis Xavier was laid
before he was moved to Goa, India



Me at the Gate of A'Farmosa

Busy....busy.....busy......

Yes yes....its been a while since i updated the blog. My goodness, my job has really gotten to me. So busy with this and that. Yes, I may be complaining but its better than sitting there and nothing to do.

However, I have been putting myself under a lot of stress because we are shorthanded at my current workplace (only me and my boss, u see) and we have to run everything ourselves. Yes, the legendary slash (/) artist.......clerk/purchasing/operations/R&D/etc.....anything u can think of we do (legal and above boardla). Coupled with the issue of someone hired to advise us but does no advising but cause more trouble.....geram.... -_-``

Well, I may be complaining but I am looking forward to prove some 'person' wrong by using proper science. Real science with real facts and real hard data. Not some wishful dreams and heads in the clouds thingy. I am working as hard as I could to catch up with the knowledge I need (tough luck that I did not do agriculture in university but my biotech degree does me a little good as I am more scientific in my approach).

Next major assignment other than my job scope is to prepare for minister's visit.......sigh.....

It seems this will be my blog entry for now.....=P maybe the next time is after the minister's visit.....

After WCIT

Well, well. WCIT is over and man am I tired! Worked for an entire week including my saturday and sunday and not to mention Wesak Day holiday. Will post some pics later of what happen and what I see and all that.

Hehe.....

Too busy and no internet access at work yet

Not updating this blog for the forseeable future. Busy at work at the moment and have no internet access for now.

Moving.....

Today, officially I am on my last day at Genting Sanyen. Will start work in another sister company (ACGT) on Monday. Not really much of a change. Will be doing the same things I started with when I joinedGenting Sanyen. Well, hope everything's ok! *fingers crossed*

Club Med

Went to club Med with a group of colleagues. Will post pics and comments on the trips soon. =)

New partners in crime.....

Gollywog has 2 new partners in crime.........The panda one is mine while the other one is Kam Tat's...=P

Birthday pics!

Birthday pics from office!

With my collegues

Yes...yes...I will.....=P

Letter to the Editor (The Star)

I wrote this letter to the star yesterday and it's published today! Yeh yeh...

=P

Extracted from The Star, dated 18 April 2008

Steps to control rising prices

CURRENTLY, world prices of foodstuff have risen dramatically and it has put a strain on many developing countries, Malaysia included. Rice, wheat and many foodstuff have hit record prices and are hurting the country due to the subsidy we spend to control prices.

The government has indicated that they are intending to study the possibility of removing some of the price controls to alleviate the strain on the expenditure of the country. However, it should only be done on the following conditions:

> Free market system is implemented and there will be no monopoly by any parties or companies.

There should be no restriction on imports and exports.

> Strict control and monitoring of prices of prepared food and beverage to prevent opportunistic behaviour among restaurant owners, etc.

Definitely, if the price controls are taken away right now, food prices will increase dramatically.

Then again, looking at the long run, when demand decreases and supply remains as it is, prices will decline as sellers cannot afford to hoard goods that are perishable.

Sellers will need to engage in price wars, promotions and discounts to sell their products. If we take away the maximum price ceiling so we must take away the minimum floor price.

This will ultimately put the power into the hands of consumers as they can decide on what and whom to buy from, provided there is a free market out there rather than a monopolised market like the current day situation.

The government should open up the agricultural industry to every Malaysian. It is sad to hear that Malaysia still imports foodstuff.

One very important reason why Malaysian farms are not as productive as those elsewhere is the land issue. Many farmers are not keen to upgrade their farms as it is on temporary land titles or even on rented land from the government.

In view of the current situation, the government should award permanent land titles to the farmers, with strict conditions like no conversion from agricultural to residential or industrial use so that it would encourage more investments in farming.

This will in turn help Malaysia cope with potential food shortages and make Malaysia self sufficient.

Such an approach may help in combating price increases when the price control is removed, and it will be removed sooner or later.

Alex,
Kuala Lumpur

Trapped in the lift part II

Trapped in the lift!

Yea,

we overloaded the lift and there goes.........we got stuck as we were leaving for home....-_-`

Haha......we all did not panic.....we were having a bonding session in the lift. We were stuck in the lift for 30 minutes and the Bomba was on the way. Then John saved the day, He found the mechanism to open the outer door and walla.....it opened. Yeh!

was an interesting experience......=P Thanks John, for getting us out!

6th Regional Klang Valley Regional Convention

Went for 3 days 2 nights program at Port Dickson. We stayed at La Salle PD. Well, it was a welcome 'break' from work. Needed that to take me off my work troubles. It was a wonderful weekend and it was great to be part of the OT process again. 

The participants was one of the most roudiest I have ever met. 0_0`

But everything went well and was tired at the end of programme.

'Tua Pui' the cat ('Fat Cat')

My Grandma's cat......been around since I was in form 4 or form 5.... Also rules the back alleys and is big in size (since it was a neutered cat...will grow big). Also very pampered and manja one.....probably no other cats want to get to near.....will just sit on the other cat and the other cat will suffocate...haha.

Fat Cat posing for me =P

Bad weather in KL....

The weather was so bad that by 5pm it looked like 8 pm....this is a photo somebody send me taken from KLCC....

Scary.....the jam was horrendous. I needed to pick choulyee up from Midvalley......reached home bout 10pm. 

Dark clouds in the afternoon

Boring Monday....

Its a boring day for me. Well, I am neither here nor there. Still waiting for new developments about my job. Hmm....can be very depressing. Waiting for replies and so on....hoepefully can settle my limbo soon or else I will be continually in depressing mode....=(

 

Moses......

By the way I am not talking about the prophet.....its Doreen's pampered cat!

Moses posing with me (or was it the other way round?)

Contented and with the "what're u looking at?" look

Not in good mood now.....i scratch!

A day's work at the waterfall

My collegues and I went to Kancing forest reserve to do some work. Mainly trying to channel water through a hose from the top of the waterfall to the bottom. Well, it was for the micro turbine that we bought.

Started off by lugging the hose (which was 40 m long and heavy). Kam Tat (i think) carried the hose. We set up the hose at the top and then threw the hose down.

At first not much water....some tinkering and walla.....4 m/s....double of what we have but still not enough. Then we adjust some more....but din work. Well, we sort of figured 2 things, one, we need a bigger water intake head at the top to channel more water in, two, it seems that if there is a 'storage' scenario at the bottom, higher water inflow will generate higher flowrate and it will help power the turbine.

So back to the drawing room to design a simple funnel like inlet for the hose. Haha....had some fun after that playing water.

Some pics of the place we went:

Rays of sunlight through the trees

Low at the waterfall

Kancing forest reserve entrance to waterfall

Flash Floods

Flood at Jalan Peel

Flood at Jalan Peel



Steven's Corner Pandan Indah

Well, we are on our way back from Sri Petaling. The sky opened and down came the rain (literally raining like cats and dogs. Enough to cause some small flashfloods throughout low lying areas in KL. Talk about drainage....*sigh*

At Jalan Peel, the water was probably half a foot, but people scared to cross....apparently never come across flood waters (unlike us who comes from kuching, remember the floods during chinese new year about 5 years back). Had to prod the car in front to go ahead (with the car horn of course =P). My my, proton perdana and pesona don't dare to cross...haha....I did in my 'puny' MYVI. No probs....

Then at steven's corner, same situation. It was worse but by the time i arrive at the junction the water was receeding already. Took pics of course for posting on blog....haha....

Migrain....

My migrain was killing me last night. This morning as groggy as ever. Had to take the day off. Got my supply of ponstan. Hopefully it helps. Felt much better now.

Tomorrow got meeting at work. Hopefully everything's ok. The time for me to make important choices are coming up. Hopefully I can make the corect career choice.

Is a great working environment but no career progress better than an average working environment but with very good career progress?

I am a bit confused.....-_-`

Malaysian elections...

It started as a small whisper and progressed to a full blown typhoon as election results rolled in. The change is on! People's power for the first time!After 50 years of domination, BN lost its 2/3 majority in parliment and more importantly lost 4 states (Selangor, Perak, Penang and Kedah) while failed to capture Kelantan. It was such a historical moment for malaysia......It will be something I will remember for the rest of my life......

Kudos to DAP, PKR and PAS!

Now its time to walk the talk......The people are watching.......

Election Day in Malaysia....

12th general elections is in Malaysia! Today is voting day....well plz read Malaysiakini and Malaysia-today before you vote. The links are on my blog.

Choulyee's Birthday

Its been a while since I last posted a post. Sorryla....busy and was a bit lazy....haha...=P

Brought her to Dragon-i to try the food there...it was a shanghainese food restaurent. Below are the pics of the dishes we tried...

Shredded Beijing Chicken

Xiao Lung Pao

Steamed Rice with Chicken and Mushrooms

=P

Kolo mee.......



Laksa......

Kitten....=P


 

 

 

A good rest on the weekend

What a relaxing weekend. Not had such a weekend since dunno when. Did not have to wake up at ungodly hours. Kept sleeping and sleeping....ah....

Also bought the plastic table and chair. No need to have strain back and sore knees while using laptop. Yeh....got stramyx now also. hehe.....

Now back at work. Hopefully will be a good week ahead. *fingers crossed*

A good rest on the weekend

Kolok Mee and Sarawak Laksa!!!!

Yeh! I found Kolok mee and Sarawak laksa....hehehe....just nearby my place. Not bad the taste but choulyee commented that the laksa soup a bit diluted. However, I don't have to dream to eat either food until I go back.

HAHAHAHA......

Pics of cow and dolphin

Renewable energy

Thinking of starting a new blog on news, info, technology and any other interesting titbits about renewable energy....hmmm...

If i incorporate it here may be a not so good thing....mess up my blog then. hmm....need to think more. Would like to feature each type of renewable energy each week then the details on it will come later.....news articles, links and what not....

CNY at Santubong pt 1

3 words......rain rain rain.....wonder that it seems that it rains almost every year for CNY.....*sigh*

But its a welcome sight away from the city....=)

Before going up....eating at McD

Lazy......

Family photo

Huh........

Syiok sendiri....especially my sis! =P

The men (oh one still boy...=P) of the family...

Swimming pool

The roaring seas....

Kuek Family by the beach...

One hell of a busy weekend.....

Choulyee and I went to the Klang Valley OT meet at La Salle Hall in PJ. Was a bit late... (Sorry Isa....) After meeting, chit chat with Isa and then go to Megamall for walk around. Choulyee hunting for clothes for her work....professional clothing. Was turned off by the price though....No sales.

Then went home.

Next day, wanted to go see electrical goods (fridge and washing machine). Shop tidak buka lagi....-_-`` So in the end go to meet CC and gf, Pooi mun and bf at DaintiHill at Pavillion. Until around 3.30 pm. Then go see whether shop buka or not.....

Then managed to get our goods and was sent to our house around 6 pm. YEH! I cai chiang the washing machine oledi....*rubbing hands*

SO the whole weekend was rushing around and getting things done. *sigh* house still left the master bedroom uncleaned.....

When my parents were here in KL...

They went to genting





At 1 Utama

At Sungai Wang

Anyways, these pics were overdue. My parents were here b4 chinese new year......just got them during cny. =)