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.