A Token of My Appreciation

5 days since my departure from Horwath, my life has been experiencing a complete turnover. I was not talking much during work at Horwath, but now my job is to talk 9 hours a day, averaging 5-6 days a week. Talking is living. I was trained in road shows to conduct sales. It was not easy, my first site was the Main Post Office, in which the people were mostly rushing or most of them are office boys. Anyway I managed to close 3 sales in 2 days, which in turn I had received good compliments from my colleagues and the partner. I even got the chance to "ring the bell" today because of my great performance. I am a hardcore sales representative now. To know more about my company, visit here. I believe you may be very surprised with the state-of-the-art interactive website. Anyway, my photo will only be up in the website somewhere this week.

Basically, my job is to create public awareness to the public that Standard Chartered is currently helping you to settle your outstanding balances with your current credit card, by paying them on behalf, and you will be then repay your debt by instalments to Standard Chartered. What's the good deal? So instead of paying like 18% p.a. interest for your current credit card, which will take years for you to clear the outstanding of, let's say, RM10,000, Standard Chartered is offering an incredible 5.99% p.a for repayments of over 6 months that in turn, would save you of up to 70% of your interest expenses. Saving you from forever-cannot-be-cleared debts once and for all!

I would certainly be grateful to help if you happen to have an outstanding with your current credit card. I provide the same service as Pizza Hut's special delivery, but without service and delivery charges.

The most fundamental purpose of today's post is actually to thank all of the people in Horwath that I spoke to from 12 April 2004 to 2 December 2004. I hope my sincerest thank would be welcome by you all here.

1. Mr. Poon (the Partner)
I remembered all of the valuable words from you, which in fact they are exceptionally true. A quote I trully agreed with you - "When you do things, do it with 'feel'. You need to have the 'feel' in every comps (tax computations) here Wing Keong". Do it with your heart, not for the sake of doing it.

2. Helen Cheong (Half Senior/Manager)
I have no idea what position you are holding. All my work is reviewed by you and passed straight to Yoke Lee, it is the same as other managers, and yet you tell me you're my senior. Who is my manager then? Anyway thank you for the constant understanding and listen to all of my queries. Hope you will be promoted soon and have a happy family everafter.

3. Hwa Bee
Hmm.. she has met every requirements in Horwath evaluation form. Funny, humble, rich tax knowledge, understanding, and cares for every staff's welfare and news. For more information, refer below. She has the habit of constant praising herself pretty, but now cutting down already. But beware of her voice over the phone that can kill any guys instantly. Just like the Jif killing the cockroaches.

4. Pei Geok & Rachel
Two beautiful teammates - Mr. Poon set up these two teammates to have me come to office everyday, even when I was sick. How happy I was yeah! Rachel is like one of the superheroes in the movie Incredibles - she finishes her works days and weeks before the due date! Pei Geok has a wide tax knowledge. Mr. Poon has no issues raised after reviewing her big IguanaMobile comp. Of coz, she got the compliments! Well done and keep it going full steam!

5. Ming Huei, Liza, Sim, Fennie, Yoke Lin, Yoke Lee
These are great managers and director. One of them already crowned "fabulous manager" too. Check it out. Thanks Liza for reviewing all of my English-broken letters! I've tried my best giving you no common errors, but sometimes I just really can't help it. Thanks for all of your patience and understanding with me and/or other staff.

6. Sabrina, Yvonne
Thank you very much for the Rosken and the Chinese wound healer. I also appreciate the time we had in Penang - the journey was hell full of great time and experience!

7. Bee Chin, Michelle Wong, Yap, Tze Wee
Well, you guys are the Horwath sports members. Please call me whenever you guys are going for another badminton session alrite.

8. Zaimi, John, Sunthari
Zaimi - thanks for the Raya treat!
John - Stay who you are.
Sunthari - Soondrima...... take care maa...

9. Vincent
My only companion when I need to break away from periodic tensions especially during the peak period. I believe a great future lies ahead of you. Work harder on it.

10. Alicia, Michelle Chuo, Chuan Maw, Siew Lan, Kerryn
Alicia is no bad in Mahjong and gambling. She always have the 'feel' in everything she does, such as driving, food and gambling of course.

Michelle, I believe next time you may either be a good drinker or dizzy-going drinker. Keep it up for Horwath Sports Committee.

Chuan Maw has contributed most of the pictures published here. You have done a great job for Horwath Sports Committee. Keeeeep it up!!! Glory Glory Man United!

Siew Lan, I noticed you were smiling more these days, be yourself and keep it going! It looks good on you.

11. Katrina
Knowing you from my first job in Tan Peng Sam & Co., you're everything.


For those whom I have had farewell lunch and dinner the other day, many thanks to you all!!

Evolutionary Cockroach Killer

Jif - $4.99; Travel to supermarket - $6.00; Felt excited to terminate cockroaches with Jif - PRICESLESS! There is something money just can't buy

Uh. I have been very successful in becoming a pest control in my house. Nothing can beat cockroach in 5 Seconds (5 Seconds?) than this concentrated Jif (liquid) - "made to solve really tough cleaning problems without harsh scratching. Use in the kitchen and bathroom and on surfaces like chromed appliances and white goods."

Available in all hypermarkets to sundry shops, this concentrated liquid works better than a conventional aerosol sprays. Target the cockroach from the top of its body, flow out just some dips of the concentrated liquid, and splash water to the enemy so that the concentrated liquid absorbs quickly just as to "clean" it up. Count to 5 and voila! It's deader than dead.

Guaranteed 5 Seconds effect especially the enemy is standing still in a sink, mug or inside the toilet roll - enemy targeting is much easier.

Other not so effective weapons - Clorox Bleach, Persil Laundry Powder, Dynamo Laundry Detergent, Vim Cleaner, etc.

Aidilfitri Invitation in Zaimi's place 19th Nov 2004

After we gave Zaim a tie for his birthday present, he decided to organize a Hari Raya invitation to his house in .. near Sentul, Kuala Lumpur. We found out that he's actually has a big condo unit with Batu Caves view, bunch of watches and plants - in which we concluded that he is a rich man earning good salary in Horwath KL Tax Sdn Bhd as an Administrative Director, I supposed. What is missing in his house is really ... a chick! ;o)



Happy Happy Raya!



Urghh.. Zaim has got my dreeaam car - Mitsubishi Evo


Zaim's Bunch of Ferraris



Zaim's Ex-colleagues - Husband and Wife

Happy Birthday to Ch'ng Hwa Bee aka BB; Wa Bei on 19th November 2004

Just like Sabrina, you can talk to her from nutrition to tax - from tax to insurance - from insurance to karaokes - from karaokes to chinese songs - Whatever your topic is - she's got it! I've known her for 7 months ++. Seeing her 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. This chick is not only pretty, she even often praises herself pretty! She's open-minded but not too proud. Guess she deserves this birthday wish for her 27th year since her arrival to Earth! Geaaappy Buurfday!


I noticed that she likes to stand beside Katrina

How to Survive in Heart Attacks - Alone

I got this from e-mail forwards, and I hope it would reach better to everyone if this is posted as an article or a notice in the world wide web.

Let's say it's 6.15pm and you're driving home (alone of course) after an unusually hard day on the job. You're really tired, and frustrated. Suddendly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to radiate out into your arm and up into your jaw. You are only five miles from the hospital nearest your home. Unfortunately you don't know if you'll be able to make it that far. You have been trained in CPR, but the guy that taught the course did not tell you how to perform it on yourself. HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE?

Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing conscious. However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let - up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital.

Voila! I have no idea if it really works - I hope I will not use it. If someone may have tried this methodology of self-saving, please do not hesitate to inform me. Thank you.

Fitness Session @ Celebrity Fitness

Venue: Skybridge, 2nd Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre (New phase)
Cost : RM0 (7-Day trial xs)

I haven't been to some fitness centres to really pump up my body, but this is an experience that would hardly vanish from my memory. It's actually inside the shopping complex, similar to Sweat Club in Mid Valley Shopping Centre. But this fitness centre is not anything like the Mid Valley's. In respect of the space it occupied - 27,000 square feet - average. We're not big fat bumps gonna require a wide space to exercise anyway. About the equipments, it's more than average, user-friendlier than average, I should say (as a consumer). 96 Cardio machines (for light running and training) and 74 Strength machines (for body and muscle trimming) - I get to put my hands on most of the machines without a queue.

This centre is currently running 140 aerobic, pilates and yoga classes per week. My sister eventually informed there was a program called MTV Style coming soon after we reached the centre, and I hesitated of joining her then. All these while I thought that these programs are actually as bored as jogging alone in the park (tried once and it's done!). She insisted that it's going to be fun, as the name already speak for themselves. I was like - "OK then, let's see what it has got". As we reached the centre we headed to the average sized studio and there was already a pumping program running, which I saw some "chun chicks" (pretty girls) and "hot dogs" (*) - pumping (not each other, but with their own weights, on their own mats, on the floor, with the trainer at the center stage) - then wow, a good first impression. ;o)

Then after that my sis and I joined another group for MTV Style - in which I initially thought the trainer will dance like the pop singers like Britney Spears or Ricky Martin and we follow. Eventually it turned out like we were dancing some kind of modern dance that incorporates Latino with Modern-pop and warm-up-styles, which I found it very hilarious but I was controlling myself not to lough out loud. It was in fact a one whole dance that they tought us phase by phase gradually, and the process of learning it made it so funny - more to the sense of enjoying. Anyway, the trainers was an Australian and an American (I supposed) so I don't think loughing out loud is a good idea of expressing oneself at the moment. But the good thing is - the steps are still clear on my head - Bravo to the trainers.

Compared to Sweat Club or Fitness First, I would suggest RM140 per month with no upfront fees may be worth for the pay (as a consumer) to stay "chun" and "hot" - I mean young and fit. Visit the Celebrity Fitness official site.


* "Hot dogs" was actually a new term to address pretty boys or hot guys - thanks to Sabrina Sim

Look @ those..

Pictures below showing the basic interaction between the Martian-Venusian. The temptations and lusts shown on the faces tend to be very captivating. Kids, do not try it at home.



MmmMmmMm...



whooahh....



Angel sent from above!!

George W. Bush Was Wired?

Dr. Robert M. Nelson, a respected NASA scientist that spent his off-hours analyzing a video of the president with Adobe Photoshop (a software that deals with computer graphic images). Seemed like Bush was attached with some sort of remote device during the first debate with Senator John Kerry.



Physicist confirmed the president's bulge was definately not wrinkled clothing

However, President Bush tried to laugh off the bulge quoted:

"I don't know what that is," he said on "Good Morning America" on Wednesday Oct. 29 2004, referring to the infamous protrusion beneath his jacket during the presidential debates. "I'm embarrassed to say it's a poorly tailored shirt."

* (+o+) His comments caused me in a total cloudy situation

Interesting Lyrics...

I found this song on the Yahoo! Music Videos couple of days ago. I think the lyrics are amazing:

Artist: Lazyboy
Title: Underwear goes inside the pants

Why is marijuana not legal? Why is marijuana not legal? It’s a natural plant that grows in the dirt. Do you know what’s not natural? 80 year old dudes with hard-ons. That’s not natural. But we got pills for that. We’re dedicating all our medical resources to keeping the old guys erect, but we’re putting people in jail for smoking something that grows in the dirt? You know we have more prescription drugs now. Every commercial that comes on TV is a prescription drug ad. I can’t watch TV for four minutes without thinking I have five serious diseases. Like: “Do you ever wake up tired in the morning?” Oh my god I have this, write this down. Whatever it is, I have it. Half the time I don’t even know what the commercial is - People running in fields or flying kites or swimming in the ocean. I’m like that is the greatest disease ever. How do you get that? That disease comes with a hot chick and a puppy.

The schools now - It is all about self-esteem in the schools now. Build the kids’ self-esteem, make them feel good about themselves. If everybody grows up with high self-esteem, who is going to dance in our strip clubs? What’s going to happen to our porno industry? These women don’t just grown on trees. It takes lots of drunk daddies missing dance recitals before you decide to blow a goat on the internet for fifty bucks. And if that disappears, where does that leave me on a Friday night with my new high speed connection?

Masterminds are another word that comes up all the time. You keep hearing about these terrorists masterminds that get killed in the middle east. Terrorists masterminds. Mastermind is sort of a lofty way to describe what these guys do, don’t you think? They’re not masterminds. “OK, you take bomb, right? And you put in your backpack. And you get on bus and you blow yourself up. Alright?”
“Why do I have to blow myself up? Why can’t I just…”
“Who’s the fucking mastermind here? Me or you?”

Americans, let’s face it: We’ve been a spoiled country for a long time. Do you know what the number one health risk in America is? Obesity. Obesity! They say we’re in the middle of an obesity epidemic. An epidemic like it is polio. Like we’ll be telling our grand kids about it one day. The Great Obesity Epidemic of 2004.
“How’d you get through it grandpa?”
“Oh, it was horrible Johnny, there was cheesecake and pork chops everywhere.”

Nobody knows why were getting fatter? Look at our lifestyle. I’ll sit at a drive thru. I’ll sit there behind fifteen other cars instead of getting up to make the eight foot walk to the totally empty counter. Everything is mega meal, super sized. Want biggie fries, super sized, want to go large. You want to have thirty burgers for a nickel you fat mother fucker. There’s room in the back. Take it! Want a 55 gallon drum of Coke with that? It’s only three more cents!

Sometimes you have to suffer a little bit in your youth to motivate yourself to succeed in later life. Do you think if Bill Gates got laid in high school, do you think there’d be a Microsoft? Of course not. You got to spend a long time in your own locker with your underwear shoved up your ass before you start to think,
“You’ll see. I’m going to take over the world of computers! You'll see. I’ll show them.”

We’re in one of the richest countries in the world, but the minimum wage is lower than it was thirty five years ago. There are homeless people everywhere. This homeless guy asked me for money the other day. I was about to give it to him and then I thought he was going to use it on drugs or alcohol. And then I thought, that’s what I’m going to use it on. Why am I judging this poor bastard. People love to judge homeless guys. Like if you give them money they’re just going to waste it. Well, he lives in a box, what do you want him to do? Save it up and buy a wall unit? Take a little run to the store for a throw rug and a CD rack? He’s homeless. I walked behind this guy the other day. A homeless guy asked him for money. He looks right at the homeless guy and says why don’t you go get a job you bum. People always say that to homeless guys to get a job like it is so easy. This homeless guy was wearing his underwear outside his pants. Outside his pants. I’m guessing his resume isn’t all up to date. I’m predicting some problems during the interview process. I’m pretty sure even McDonalds has a “underwear goes inside the pants” policy. Not that they enforce it really strictly, but technically I’m sure it is on the books.

Are You Brainy?

IQ and EQ Defined

For many years, people used IQ tests to try and determine someone’s intelligence. There are a number of different methods which purport to measure intelligence, the most famous of which is perhaps the IQ, or 'Intelligence Quotient' test. The 'Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale' began life in early 20th century Paris, as part of Alfred Binet’s efforts to educate children with learning difficulties. Those that obtained a score below their age were considered "retarded".

Emotional intelligence, or EI is the ability to understand your own emotions and those of people around you. The concept of emotional intelligence, developed by Daniel Goleman, means you have a self-awareness that enables you to recognise feelings and helps you manage your emotions.

On a personal level, it involves motivation and being able to focus on a goal rather than demanding instant gratification. A person with a high emotional intelligence is also capable of understanding the feelings of others. Culturally, they are better at handling relationships of every kind.

So?

High IQ people may lack the social skills that are associated with high EQ. Savants, who show incredible intellectual abilities in narrow fields, are an extreme example of this. Why would Bill Gates chose a marketing manager as his lifetime companion? (2004 Richest Man @ Forbes Magazine)

Most people would agree that Mozart was a genius - but Mozart would probably have struggled with Einstein’s theories just like the rest of us. This doesn’t mean that one man was more clever than the other – they just thought in very different ways!

And?

Both emotional and intellectual problems are more easily resolved when in a good mood, which to some extent depends on emotional intelligence. Self-motivated students tend to do better in school exams.

Low emotional intelligence can affect intellectual capabilities. Depression interferes with memory and concentration. Psychological tests show feelings of rejection can dramatically reduce IQ by about 25%. Rejection increased feelings of aggressiveness and reduced self-control.

It is this quality of self-control, rather than being impulsive, which is regarded as necessary to perform well in IQ tests. So a low emotional intelligence may limit intellectual performance.

Recipe for Intelligence

Better schooling, parenting and increased leisure time for activities are believed to have influenced improved IQ scores. Good nutrition means an individual is able to function well both physically and mentally.A balanced diet will provide all the foods required to maintain the correct balance of neurotransmitters (body cells that transmit signal waves to the brain).

Ok. Forget about all the IQ and EQ tests. Give a try for BBC's Brain Sex Quiz to determine which side of sex does your brain lies on.

Also, what about your personality like?

Also, can you spot the fake smiles?

Also, a simple interesting five senses test here.

I'm an Intrapersonal thinker. Intrapersonal people spend a lot of time thinking about and trying to understand themselves. They reflect on their thoughts and moods, and work to improve them. They also understand how their behaviour affects the relationships with others. What kind of thinker are you?

Information courtesy of bbc.co.uk

BIG Burfday Shoutout to our Ms. Yvonne Chung

Happy birthday Yvonne! Celebrating the 26th year since your arrival to Planet Earth.

2004 Richest Man @ Forbes Magazine

Forbes Magazine recently ranked 400 richest americans in the year 2004. The magazine summarized that the combined net worth of U.S nation's wealthiest climbed to $1 trillion, up $45 billion in 12 months as compared to 2003.In 2004, Bill Gates (real name William Henry Gates III) again, remained at his wealthiest status in the U.S unbeaten since 1992. He was among the wealthiest Americans since 80s though! Here's a simple biography of his:

I'm wearing Vic Secret's custom made undie!

Net Worth: $48.0 billion

Age: 48

Marital Status: married , 3 children

Hometown: Medina , WA, U.S.A

Education: Harvard University, Undergraduate - Drop Out

Glorious years

1992: Becomes world's richest man for the first time. Microsoft's operating system thought to be used by 93% of the world's personal computers. The company launches much-ballyhooed Windows 3.1. Gates' Redmond, Washington-based company finishes year with profits of $708 million, compared with $463 million in 1991. Revenue jumps from $1.8 billion to $2.8 billion--the second straight year of 50%-plus growth. Busily constructing an approximately $35 million home in the wealthy enclave of Medina.

1994: Justice Department investigation of the company launched the previous year ends in a consent decree. Microsoft promises to give PC makers more leeway to use the software of its rivals. Gates marries former Microsoft marketing manager Melinda French.

1995: Microsoft launches Windows 95 operating system. Sells more than 1 million copies in four days. After dismissing the Web, Gates turns the company on a dime and says Microsoft strategy is shifting to concentrate on the Internet.

1997: Internet Explorer 4.0 to challenge Netscape Communications' dominance of the browser market. Justice Department sues Microsoft, alleging it violated a 1994 consent decree by forcing computer manufacturers to bundle its Internet browser with its operating system. Microsoft makes $150 million investment in Apple, plunks down $1 billion for an 11.5% interest in Comcast and buys WebTV Networks. Microsoft once again enjoys record profits and revenue, thanks to strong sales of its Office and Windows products.

1999: Microsoft becomes first firm in history to have a market value exceeding half a trillion dollars. Halcyon days, despite nagging antitrust case.

2000: Considering competition, antitrust trial and record philanthropy, Gates is able to retain world's richest man title in 2000. Gives lavishly to his $22 billion Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, even as a federal judge orders his company split in half. Meanwhile, rivals such as Oracle and Sun Microsystems seem better poised to thrive in the New Economy.

2001: Though $9 billion poorer than he was in 2000, Gates extends his lead as world's richest man--he is 38% wealthier than world's second-wealthiest man. The Bush Justice Department scuttles plans to split Microsoft up, striking a deal where the company promises to give PC makers more leeway to use the software of its rivals. Company launches XP operating system and much-hyped video game console Xbox.

2004: Still the same old Wealthiest Gates.

Conclusion: If it was not for the drop out from Harvard, he wouldn't topped the wealthiest man list in America. Today, his Microsoft Windows is installed in 94% of PCs being sold. Be proud of what you are using now. =o)

Badminton @ KL Sports Centre 8 Oct 2004

Instead of going for footie at Astrodome, Summit Subang, I joined Bee Chin, Yap and Tze Wee for a play-for-fun badminton session at the Kuala Lumpur Sports Centre located off Jalan Kuching. The price for 2 hours play is not expensive, which is just RM7 from each of us. The badminton courts are indoor, arranged in a well-organised co-ordinates in a big blue warehouse-like building. I was amazed that I could see there were alot of parking spaces in and outside the warehouse compound, but hardly could find a parking there. Not that I really went inside the Sports Centre, it was amazing to see dozens of people actually cramp inside this warehouse that consists of more than 20 courts. Each courts have 4 players, not including the substitutes, observers or "cheerleaders" (Hehe. You know some girls like to see their beloved boyfriends in action) - It's the reason that makes the parking environment very much similar to Mid Valley's. The only difference is that, thank God, no traffic jams at the Sports Centre.

Well, we played for 2 hours and I never underestimated the two girls, Bee Chin and Tze Wee, and they were playing so good! Now I doubt that they are really girls. Heheh. Jk. But seriously I can tell you about Bee Chin, you can never look down on her "smash". When she smashes, she gives no face to you - Hard and accurate.

At the end we went for a drink at Jalan Ipoh, and everyone was so exhausted and in pain. We could forsee that there will not be a better tomorrow, because our bodies were experiencing cramps and our muscles are torn. As for me, I got pain in the right arm as well as my ass on the next day. But I do not think it was a bad badminton session and hope there will be another time with more participation from everyone.

Well, we still got the energy to catch Ladder 49 at Mid Valley the next day afterall.

Anyone who finds that your friends are not interested in any sports the way you do, here is your solution. Nothing can prevent you from enjoying the sports that you interested in. As you may always hear from a local sports commentator - "Majulah Sukan Untuk Negara" (Improve Our Sports for the Country-Lah).

Nicknames @ Horwath

Malaysians are infamous for their nicknames given by their own friends or intimates, as means of being more intimated from one another. Even the government authorities would publish and advertise prisoners or criminals wanted by their nicknames, for example our national hero Wong Swee Chin, a.k.a Botak Chin. Who the hell in this world knows about Wong Swee Chin, the most popular gangster, until you mention "Botak Chin"?! Nobody except Swee Chin's friends and families duhh!

In Horwath, we have got our own Malaysian tradition here. For what I can gather, you could hear others call ourselves in the office like:

Bee Chin = "Bei Cheen!" (Pay Money!) or "Mei Zhing" (Monosodium glutamate)

Hwa Bee = Wa Bei

Vincent = Er, Ah Sernt?

Zaimi = Zaim Zaim

Sabrina = Sab Sab

Yvonne = Ah Vonne

Katrina = AH NA! (sounds so rough, but well, that's intimate) or Cat

Michelle Wong = Miao Sou (Mrs. Cat - Chuan Maw's spouse), Shiao Jie (Lady/Miss)or Miao Lui

Sook Hua = Ah Fa (Ah "Flower" I supposed)

Teck Ho = Partner (Yes. It's English and it really means Partner, coz he looks like a Partner)

Wing Keong = Darren, Keong Keong, Wing Keong, or "Eiii"... *Sigh

Rachel Low = Lau Warn Lei (As pronounced in cantonese)

Sim Sai Chu = Ah Sim

Chen Choo Pin = Ah Chen

Yap Shin Lun = Ah Yap, Yap "Ko" or "Hakka Lou" (Hakka people)

Ming Huei = Marvellous Manager, Hui Ko or "Hakka Lou"

Wong Yoke Lin = Wong Si Foo (Master Wong) or Ah Ma (Grandma to Vincent)

Sunthari = "Soondreee" or "Sundry" (expense)

Teoh Kok Liang (ex-Sports Club Chairman) = "Uncle" *I pity him so much.

The last but not least,

Chuan Maw = Ah Miao (Cat)! or it can be Fei Chai Miao! (Fatty Cat)

Well. That isn't so bad. We set our own cultures to be close to one another by calling ourselves by the names that contain various meanings on the back. We communicate like a team and work like a team. One may be falling, but others would lend a hand, as we all share something in common as one - One identity.. one mission.. one promise..... I believe it's a team that holds better than any concrete.

K Session @ Red Box 2 Oct 2004

Last Saturday afternoon was great. Planned couple of days before, ending up everyone successfully "made it" there.

A group of K-Gor Zhi Wong (Kings of Karaoke) wannabe

Group of us went up to Menara HLA beside AM Bank, opposite of The Weld along Jalan Raja Chulan's Red Box Karaoke Lounge. What's so fantastic was the 3-hour room booking of karaoke at the renowned Red Box, was priced at RM Nil (yes I mean Ringgit Malaysia Zero) for the quite a big room we had - many thanx to Hwa Bee who booked it. Well, nothing in this world is free though. All we have to pay is the food and drinks that we have ordered, while the room of 3 microphones is totally free! Btw, it's only from noon til 3 p.m.

We had our time singing from love songs to profanity-theme, all of us had the chance to hold the mic, though Katrina and Shin Lun (a.k.a. Yap) a 'lil shy. Hwa Bee gave no face to us all and sang whatever she could find on the songs list. I really think that 3 hour is definately not enough for her hehehe. As I am the everyday neighbour to her, all of the songs that she listens everyday, she got the oppotunity to show up her talents that day. She sang sweetly, so as Bee Chin and Michelle. They were just so sweet, and they were great duet partners too. As for Tze Wee, she's more or less like Stephanie Sun!

But above all, i think Yvonne is the real K-K-K (Kings of Kings of Karaoke) I've ever met with. A couple of weeks ago, we went to Penang by car and along the long journey there (5 helluva great memorable hours), she entertained us by singing along with more than 3 playing audio discs - non stop! Just only 3 hours of the journey began, I already bow to her great ability and I respected her as the "K-Gor Zhi Wong" (Kings of Kings of Karaoke). We'll invite everybody for another karaoke session next time - with larger participants and more hidden talents revealed. Hehe. The more the merrier isn't it. Pss. You heard me there Horwath Club representatives. ;oP

Hwa Bee was being guided by Dancing Master Bee Chin for couple of steps along with the music.

Pictures courtesy of Michelle Wong. For more pics, you can have it here.

Additional 5 Cents to Pressure of Living

Over the period before the Budget 2005 speech by our Prime Minister, the government announced that there will be an increase of diesel prices but maintain the prices of petrol. The government assured in their statements that they will keep our nation's petroleum prices at a competitive edge, despite the recent record high world crude oil prices. There you go, the government has step out to announce once again the prices of petrol and diesel will be increased the 6th time, since year 2000, by a damage of 5 sen per litre and gas by a damage 5 sen per kg from Friday, 1 October 2004.

Economists speculated that the continuing boom of world crude oil prices would cause the Malaysian government to further cut its petroleum subsidies, gradually. As the petrol prices already gone up by 2 cents on May 2 this year, it would be possible for another increase in the next couple of months.

However, the pump price of petrol in Malaysia, at RM1.37 a litre, is much lower than in Singapore (RM3.28/litre) or Hong Kong (RM5.75/litre). With the subsidised prices, the government would give up revenue of RM695 million while paying subsidies of RM610.3 million to keep fuel prices in the country low. From January to the end of last month, uncollected taxes from petroleum products amounted to RM6.631 billion while the subsidies amounted to RM6.74 billion.

A further boom of world crude oil prices would not only damage our pockets for petrol pumps, but also affects other commodities to transfer the burden of higher oil and gas prices to end users - no doubt it's us again. Although the government urged manufacturers and retailers not to take advantage of the increase, but does any businesses would like to enjoy a lower profit, rather than to pass the burden to the consumers?

Public Ruling 1/2004

A new public ruling (1/2004) in regards to the specific treatment of rental received from letting of real property has been issued by the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and it can be downloadable here.

One of my friend opened the file, found out that the contents (words) do not display properly. If you are experiencing the same, I suggest that you upgrade your Adobe Acrobat reader here.

Blog = Web Log

For those who are new to blogs, getting to read this is not too late! Coz now I have a brief "bombing" kick start for you. What is a blog? It actually stands for "web log", in short. It is the quickest and easist way to post articles, journals, announcements, or even create a website from scratch and and keeps it updated. Unlike any conventional e-mails and websites, blogs can be updated at anywhere, at anytime. As long as it is plugged in to the Internet, you are ready to edit, access, view or log into the web log. A simple and plain web log would consist of only words of articles (a.k.a posts) for users to read. However, additional features can be added in order to serve better for its purpose. As an example, this blog is added a tagboard, where short messages or announcements can be posted by users at anywhere, anytime. There is also a "comment" feature right below of each post, where comments for a particular post can be made and your comments can be replied by anybody, at anywhere, anytime too.

2005 Budget Seminar @ Nikko Hotel 15 Sept 2004

On the 15th September 2004 marked a day of remembrance for our annual budget and tax planning seminar. The 2005 Budget and Tax Planning Seminar has been a successful one. We, as the organiser, reached Hotel Nikko as early as 7.15 in the morning, that is the latest! Well, I reached the hotel at 7.10 though, looking for cheap parking and finally bumped into Pei Geok and Siew Lan at the hotel's loading bay, unloading the budget booklets from their cars (passenger car of course - they don't drive any trucks or lorries to the hotel that day). I helped them to unload and waited for hotel service to move the booklets to the ballroom. I waited for more than half an hour for hotel service and finally reached the ballroom 45 minutes late.

Everyone was busy listening to orders from Carol, especially the "front-liners" that responsible to usher and register guest and VIPs on that day, until that no one ever asked me why I was late ("o,) I then joined in-da-flow, and my attention was redirected to two cameramen - Yu Han (the event's official photographer) and Chuan Maw. They started snapping pictures after Carol has finished her instructions, taking everyone's enthusiastic faces on that day while rushing on their own "booth" set-ups. I have no idea what happened to the pictures taken by Yu Han's camera, none of the pictures are published anywhere. Well, there are alot more pictures taken by Chuan Maw's camera shared in the Horwath's network . Double click on my (Wingkeong) sharing folder and look into the folder "Pics" if you have the access to the said "network neighbourhood".

The morning that day turned into a grand atmosphere when our guest of honour - Datuk Dr. Ng Yen Yen, Deputy Minister of Finance I made her way to the ballroom, accompanied by several cabinet ministers. Two of the Inland Revenue Board officers who were just arrived, did not claim their tags

but just walked in straight to the ballroom. Yvonne got sounded because she was supposed to inform the management as the arrival of two guest IRB officers, but none of the guest IRB officers told us they were IRB officers, and none of us would know that they were IRB officers, therefore they had the opportunity to walk in and out with Datuk Dr. Ng Yen Yen freely, without anybody knowing and without their tags on. We won't let this happen again next year.

The luncheon, tea breaks and the speeches went on smoothly. I got the chance to see some feedbacks by the guests, and overall, our Mr. Poon and Fennie speeched seemed to catch most of the guests attention. Congratulations! The seminar ended after 6 pm and we all rushed to get back home, and realised there was a heavy downpour outside, and 'duh' - Massive Traffic Jam!

Mr. Poon conveying his speech

75% of the organisers

Front liners for the event

Mr. Poon's big guns, Ms. AK 47, Mr. Artillery, etc.

Pretty ladies are hired to make the event more successful

Pictures courtesy of Chuan Maw

New Toyota Avanza

UMW Holdings Bhd will launch its latest Toyota Avanza model in October. The 6 seater 1.0 and 1.3 litre multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) will be launched at a very competitive price of below RM60,000, which is lower than the initial indicative price of close to RM70,000.

Toyota Avanza will be an Asean car with more than 40% of its content sourced from Asean countries. The car will be produced by Perodua (38%-owned by UMW) at its plant in Rawang for UMW. The model is targeted at younger drivers and we expect the Avanza to give the Perodua Kembara and Hyundai Atos a run for their money. We expect consumers to respond well to the new Avanza given its attractive pricing and Toyota’s strong branding. In view of the increased competition in the auto industry, UMW will step up its launches of new models. Apart from the Toyota Vios which was launched in 2003 and the Toyota Avanza soon, UMW will be launching a new sports utility vehicle (SUV) in mid-2005.

With the introduction of the new SUV model in 2005, Toyota will have a complete range of vehicles in Malaysia, which includes passenger cars, SUVs and MPVs. This is a vast improvement from Toyota’s previous models that had included only the Toyota Camry and Corolla passenger cars.

Apart from the increased product range, UMW has also recently re-introduced completely built-up (CBU) Toyota models. The latest CBU project is the face-lifted Toyota RAV4. UMW expects to sell about 100 units of the RAV4 per month with at a price tag of between RM179,000-RM186,000. UMW also plans to bring in Toyota Wish and Previa models from Thailand and Japan respectively in 2005. Although the CBU business is not a volume game, we believe that it would boost UMW’s earnings over the longer-term, as the margins are higher.