Math trick: works with number 6 (amended)

Math trick: works with any number 6 (amended) [thanks to one of my readers!]

Lego Technic model 42029 - new project for the next couple of weekends

I got this model a couple of months ago. Have yet to start on it. Hopping to do so this weekend. This unit really reminded me of my old Ford Ranger 4x4 pick-up truck but in blue.

This model can be operated with the Lego Power unit (sold separately). Apart from the pick-up truck, you can also use the bricks to build another vehicle seen below on the right.

The cure for ignorance is education

The cure for ignorance is education

Briefing for Senior Financial Market Executives form Iran

I was recently invited to brief a group of senior financial market executives from Iran about the Malaysian Bond & Sukuk market. I was one of a few invited Malaysians to share experience with the Iranian. I was impressed they came all the way to Kuala Lumpur to learn.

The participants which numbered about 20 are all Iranians.

Due to some language barriers, a special translation booth has been set up to broadcast live transaction of my presentation. Looks just like in the United Nations.

Honestly, I am proud to know that people all over the way recognised our expertise.

UKC Alumni get-together with UKC dignitaries

The University of Kent, in the UK's Malaysian pro-temp Alumni Committee meet UKC's dignitaries in KL recently. The VC was in KL and we hosted a dinner for her and her team at a local hotel.

The current VC of UKC.

Yours truly.

Group photo.

Preventing credit card fraud

Saw this article from Bank Negara Malaysia. Very good advice to follow.


See: http://www.bankinginfo.com.my/04_help_and_advice/0402_helpful_guides/tips_article.php?intPrefLangID=1&intTipID=14


-------------------------------------

Preventing credit card fraud

Credit card fraud is a serious crime which can cost you and credit card issuers huge losses. Credit card issuers have taken security measures to protect you against such possible frauds. However, you can also take the proper safety measures to avoid from being a victim of fraud.

Here’s what you can do to minimise your risk of being a victim of card fraud:

Safeguard your credit card

Sign on your credit card immediately after you received it.
Keep your credit card in the same place in your wallet or purse so that you will notice it immediately if it is lost or stolen.
Do not lend your credit card to anyone.
Do not provide your credit card details to an unknown party.
Do not write down your PIN number on the back of your credit card or keep it in your wallet. Always memorise you PIN number instead.
Keep the telephone number of your credit card issuer so that you can immediately report lost or stolen cards, unauthorised transaction or disclosure of PIN to a third party.
Cut your expired credit cards into two when you get a new one.


Check your credit card transactions to avoid unauthorised transactions

Check all details on the charge slip before signing or confirming the transaction.
Keep all your charge slips and check it against your credit card statement as soon as you receive it.
Notify your credit card issuer immediately of any error or possible unauthorised transactions and follow up in writing as soon as possible.
Destroy all your charge slips before throwing them away.

Mercedes Benz Driving Experience F1 Sepang Circuit, Saturday 23 July 2011

Last Saturday, I attended the Mercedes Benz Driving Experience held at the F1 Sepang Circuit with 44 other participants. This event is organised by Mercedes Benz Germany and aims to provide the necessary knowledge and guidance to participants on how to handle Mercedes cars.

Below is the introductory briefing by the head driving instructor. The others on the stage are also instructors.

Mercedes must have spent a bomb to organise this event. They took the whole circuit for the day and got KL Hilton to cater for the food!

Apart from the food, they also provide video games consoles for R&R! (see the lighted screen in the background).

We were then broken into 4 teams and moved to specific areas on the circuit for the session to start.

There were 8 exercises that we need to go through. The first is the emergency stop using the anti-locking break system and the braking-assist system. Below is the instructor in-charge of this first exercise giving his briefing. By the way, he is the only Malaysian qualified by Mercedes Benz to do this.

My yellow team. Average age, middle-age!

We got 7 cars set aside for us in this sector, a B200, a couple of C250, a couple of E300, a S300 and a ML300. It was nice when the intructor told us that these cars are not ours and hence, to be "used and abused"!

At first it was frightening to do an emergency braking exercises but it was exciting when once you do it.

Moving to the next set of exercises. Below is the view of the grandstand from the track itself.

This exercise teaches us how to take a corner without using brakes!

At last I got the chance to drive on the circuit!

High speed formation driving.

Slalom driving.

Institutor giving the finer points of car control using visual cues.

One of the participants trying it out.

Wet condition emergency braking exercise. The instructor told us that in a Merc, despite wet conditions, despite one side of the car (hence the tires on that side) is on wet canvas while the other is on wet asphalt, the intelligence computer in the car will do all the necessary work to ensure the car does not spin when the emergency brake is applied. In fact, he challenged all of us to do this exercise (driving at 90kmh) without needing to hold on the steering wheel!

This is a picture of him doing just that! The car was so fast that when I took the picture, the car looks compressed.

Below is the wet surface used for the test. The top part is covered by wet canvas.



Over 38 Mercs were there for us to try out.

An exercise on drifting. Only way to do this is with the car computer switched off!

The set of cars for our use.

One of the participants doing his thing.

The final exercise is a race around the circuit. It was VERY GOOD FUN!

Below is the debriefing.

Certificate giving ceremony.

New school term has started - back to the grindstone of the School Run

The school holidays has ended. It was a nice two week break for parents (especially me!) as it means we do not have to do any school runs (sending kids to school) for those two weeks. Unfortunately, good times cannot last forever and today, it is back to the grindstone.



With the problems of kidnapping and perverts running around our cities, registering our kids with school bus operators is not an option. Moreover, the extra-curriculum that our kids are subjected to makes such arrangement a waste since they do not go back based a set time anymore. Now, it depends on the activities that they do in school.



That responsibility therefore now lies squarely on the shoulder of the parents. One or both parents much be a driver to the kids. This get even complicated when you have more than two kids that are off different sexes or different school systems (primary versus secondary etc.).



The only solution is for us to got back to first principle of education. Location. There should be a school situated at least walking distance away from your home. Parents should not be choosy and perverts should be locked up well before they can start to be a real menace to the society.

Happy Teachers' Day to ALL Teachers...

Happy Teachers' Day to ALL Teachers...


With a very special THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart...

May Allah SWT bless all of you...

FUCK – Fokus Untuk Capai Kejayaan

The acronym FUCK, Fokus Untuk Capai Kejayaan (in Bahasa Malaysia) or Focus for Success is one of the most easiest MOTIVATIONAL acronym that Malaysian students can remember. Although the root word which the acronym was created from is deemed offensive, its unconventionality what makes it easy to retain in memory.

How would school authorities handle this issue if students start to support the FUCK campaign? 

Everyone must FUCK to be successful.

Why it is important to set goals instead of dreaming - the transition of a child to and adult

Today's topic of conversation in FLY.FM was on the number of successful candidates in the recent SPM examination that got all As. There were over 9 thousand successful students compared to the rest that did not get straight As which numbered over 300 thousand.

First of all, congratulations to EVERYONE who worked hard to get the best that they could get.

The DJs on the morning crew focused on the rest of the SPM candidates, those that did not get all As. The idea which they wanted to share with their listeners is that - "IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD".

This fits in nicely on the subject that I wanted to discuss today which is goal setting. When we are young, our world is a world of imagination. This is how we spent hours playing with just a simple stick or ball. However, adult life is reality and we need to switch from the world of imagination to reality as we progress from a child to an adult.

Although UPSR, PMR and SPM are national exams that children take between the ages of 12 to 17 in this country, they must be adult in thinking and not assume childish expectations just because of their age.

I have seen many children traumatised for life because they dreamt of getting something that they cannot achieve. You cannot blame them. Responsibility lies with parents and educators. They must provide the necessary support and guidance to ensure a child will always be positive in life.

Setting goals and achieving them is a very strong confidence booster for children. Although not many people can see this but art classes, drama classes, the choir, public speaking and many more "non-exam-subject" activities in school all provide the necessary life experiences to make one focus on a particular goal. For example, the goal for public speaking is to be able to choose an interesting topic, talk about it in public with such confidence that you can sway the listeners to believe you. This is a goal that is achievable.

Once you join the rat race, your capability as a worker will be assessed in your ability to deliver something that has obvious benefits to the organisation that you work for. Everything you do will need to be documented and presented to your fellow workers for comments. If you have not transitioned from dreaming to setting goals, you will easily be identified by your colleagues as a weak member of the team.


Therefore, to those not getting the results as perfect you have dreamt, DO NOT worry. Life still goes on. With hard work, you can achieve anything.

The UK Education Week has just ended - Still affordable to study in UK

The UK Education Week has just ended. It was held over the weekend in KLCC Convention Centre. The new fees to study:

1. Non-lab courses: GBP11,200
2. Lab courses: RBP13,400

With the current exchange rate the way it is, you just need RM270,000 to cover a three (3) year course.