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    3/23/2009

    The motorcyclist

    I am slowing down on the right lane towards the main cross junction. The road was less peak. From far, I saw a motorcyclist was reversing his motor slowly by kicking to the ground. I was wondering why is he reversing like that at the right lane here? Even if his motor breaks down, he can just come down and push it. Soon, my car passed him and I caught a glance at his face. He is a man, probably in his fifties that have a pair of small eyes. I was showing him my confusing yet a bit of angry or serious look because what he was trying to do is dangerous.
     
    I passed him and came to a stop at the cross junction. My eyes were on the mirror looking his actions. After reversing "manually" for about 10 meters, he bended down to his right to pick up a can drink. A aluminium can drink. He looked inside the can and then pour out the liquid inside the can. He put back the can to the ground and then...he stomp on it. I just keep on staring on my mirror. Then slowly, he picked up the crushed aluminium can and put into his front basket. I am just speechless again.
     
    I am happy to able to see the whole picture. I can't imagine if I was to zoom pass him then cursing him without knowing the twist and turn of the situation. Maybe I am still lack of experience and wisdom. My temper doesn't do me any good yet I still let it over rule me. Everytime before my temper flare, I hope this story will remind me how I should act. Life is tough. The world is full of crooks. But we can never let them take advantage of us. If there are more uncles like him in my stories, life will be less complicated and more peaceful. His little action has great deeds behind it.
    12/5/2008

    Britain's Got Talent: Signature does Michael Jackson

     

    Talking about YouTube - Britain's Got Talent: Signature does Michael Jackson
      
    11/9/2008

    SMART Investment Expo

    I went to this Expo yesterday at KLCC Convention Center. Today will be the last day they are doing this Expo. Go now and today, if can.
     
    I was rushing and reached there at about 5:15pm after finishing my work. When I walked in, I saw many people were gathering and listening to a speaker. I walked nearer. The speaker was delivering his speech in a very energetic and positive way. I seldom see this kind of people on stage. Less than few minutes, I guess he is a motivation speaker. well, truly he is and he is a very good ones. He talked about oneself changes begin from internally, perspective of good or bad situation in oneself and doing some very good comparison examples of imapct with the negative attitude or habit. Everyone was drawn to his speech. He did not use any presentation slide at all but only a small white board on stage. He can get the strangers around him to participate on what he is trying to deliver. Most important, he walked around the stage and maintain eye contact with the listener. He finished his speech on 5:45pm and I stood there until the very last minute. A very good presentation. Do positive action and you will be on your way to millionaire journey.
     
    The next speech was up at 6pm. There was 15 minutes break interval. The speaker will talk about "Grabbing the Market Opportunity". It must be a great topic. I am interested and looking forward to it. And after 15 minutes of waiting, the speaker was up. He setup his presentation slide and then satrt introducing himself. He was talking in a monotaneous tone which I thought he is trying to be humble with himself. Certainly, he is some great guy if not he would be on stage talking. Then when he started delivering his speech, I can't understand for the first five minutes. He was using very technical term in his speech. I was trying very hard to understand and I saw many peopl were struggling like me too. Obviously, there were some people leaving. He was talking about funds that worth of billions and trillions of dollar. Which I think was too far fetch from me. Then I realised that what is an opportunity for other may not be an opportunity for me. On the tenth minute, I decided to get up and leave.
     
    When leaving, I dropped by the exit door, looked at the magazine booth and they were free! Of course, I started grabbing those magazines like trading places, property watch, stock watch and etc. And then, the event coordinator (I supposed) walked to me and said I won a free gift. It was a book on Self Made Millionaires by Adam Khoo (a singaporean, I guess). I was caught by suprise and I thanked him very much. (haha...I was laughing to myself and greed is good). I read the first few pages and this book is good. I must finish this book.
    10/1/2008

    Current US and World Economy

    As we all know, US is deciding whether to use USD 700bil to bail out its economy crisis.
    For those who does not know how much USD 700bil cost or how deep is the crisis, please click on the link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/howmuchis700billion
     
    From the history, the US economy has been the indicator for the world economy. No doubt, US and UK are affected. This is same goes to Asia region. For most countries in Asia, this crisis effect is only the beginning or infant level. So, save up and be prepared for the wave of recession.
     
    For those smart investors, prepare yourself to stand in line to grab the incoming opportunities.
    9/25/2008

    My Days...

    Today I have my car back after 10 days parted with it. I send for paint works for the whole car. The paint looks nice on it now. It is mostly silver but with a bit of gold and green. I just can't find any colour to describe it. Nevertheless, it looks good. My car has been 8 years with me now. So far, it has been faithfully serving me. Time to give it a facelift.Smile
     
    Today I went to cinema with my mum. We watched Dance of the Dragon. At first, i thought it was an action packed movie. Then, the outcome...i am just speechless Eye-rolling
     
    A lot of young people now like to stay single. Is it true? I am one of them. Maybe? Or Maybe not?
     
    My days is passing fast. There are things need to be done.
    9/17/2008

    Talking about Talking about Stay Away from Investment now

    It seems that the market is really not good. Malaysia is still struggling with political issues here and there. The IPPs are in divesting state due to the tax structure. Plantation stocks are going very low now due to the commodities have been going down to three years back.

    Plus, the US and Europe are still at aftermath of the subprime crisis. Lehman is at the verge of bankrupt. Merill Lynch was bailed out from the US fed government. They are looking into AIG.

    Robert said before the index might reach 800+pts. The market will continue to show down trend as it is really dampen everyone spirit; the investor, retailers, fund managers and public. It is really bad for 90% of the people and probably good for 10% of the people. What really surprise me was the insights from Robert. As a investor like him, does everyone needs that kind of insights that able to see through everything? Well, if we need to win, the answer is yes. But how can we able to reach that kind of level?

     

    Quote

    Talking about Stay Away from Investment now

    Our Bank Negara Govenor just annouced that we will postpone the review of interest rate. Last month, our interest rate peaked at 7.7%. But yesterday, she said YTD interest rate is only at 3.7%. Can anyone believe this?? By holding back the interest rate, she claimed it will regain back the investors' confidence.

    Besides that, the oil prices also dropping. It might be hovering around $100 to $130 per barrel. All these non-replenishable comodities will only go up and up. The oil will come to $200 per barrel. It is just a matter of time.

    Anyway, I will keep my eye open. Whatever going to happen from now is going to be interesting.

    Quote

    Stay Away from Investment now
    Today is one of my best day. I get to meet my ex-GM, Robert. It is been nearly a year we didn't meet together and have a private nice talk and coffee.
     
    He is still as informative, sharp, detail and super planner as ever. We talked about much things then later to the stock market. He said our market now is just the beginning of the recession. Not only about the commodities at record high but the one which going to impact most is the revise plan of the interest rate. It is clearly a sign the nightmare of recession just begin. The interest rate is going to be heighten up due to the inflation rate which reported at 6%. Our interest rate now is far too low from that. If the rate is revised, the banks will have to tighten all the loans, IOUs, bonds and etc which they offer to the people. They need to do this as they need to clear out those low middle income earners who cannot afford to cope with the new interest rate. Soon, the banks will control and tighten the money they loan out to the public. Public will start to feel the tightening of that. Everyone (which the middle income earners - the majority) will start to squeesh their pocket money and trying to live much more lower below their means. Eventually, the spending will be less and less which causing the economy to a major slowdown. The stock market will get hit then will crop out to the property market and if the worst case scenario, the depression will come and everything will crumble to fall. Now, we only seeing the seam crack on the bath tube which is only the beginning. No one can stop this and everything will be led into each and other.
     
    So, I asked him, "When will be the right buying time to the stock market?"
    He said, "Everything will happen in spiral. It would probably take a year from now, but I will wait for more than that. Perhaps, two years."
     
    He told me that he already sold all his stocks few months ago. Last month, all his account was cleared. I am totally shocked. I am doing the opposite. I am holding too much now. OMG!! This is crazy for me. He said, "Only the fund managers will give the public a buy call when they want to sell everything off their hand." There are some truth over all his statements and analysis. I trust him because he always win. He is already a millionaire. That's why.
    9/7/2008

    Laziness q(- -)p

    I feel so much of laziness in me now. I don't feel like continuing writing my blog. There are tonnes of things waiting for me to do. I am really enjoying my life. Doing stuffs I like. However, I am slacking and too much indulged with them. The big rocks...which I need to concentrate and have the small rocks later.
     
    Argghhh...I need a remedy. I need a catalyst. I need something for my inner fire.
    8/9/2008

    Buying Time or Waiting Time

    It seems like the government is not going to revise the interest rate. The crude oil trend is pointing downwards as the production has been more than the demand from the beginning of the year. The recent peak was all due to speculation. Other commodities are pointing on downwards too.
     
    The stock market now is inactive state. The volume is really low. Everyone is staying away from the market because they have been losing money all this while from beginning of this year. It is not fear of losing money in the future, it was keeping on losing money that dampen their spirit and their judgement. I would say big time investors like EPF and PNB are taking up relatively low, cheap and good stocks now. They are buying like crazy just like mega sale in the open market. The fundamental is building up. By the time the base is already solid, the bull will awake and run once more. By that time, everyone will jump onto the bandwagon and further speculate on the market.
     
    Right now, due to the political unstable, it has fend off the foreign investor. In acrual fact, Malaysia is really a stable country. However, yesterday was the launching of the Olympic Games in China. Many said, after the game, the China's economy will face downturn. As many experienced China is one of the major player now, it's role cannot be denied. However, the recent China's index fell from 5000+ to 2000+ doesn't really gave much impact as the western has already been in subprime crisis. Does this going to form a good fundamental?
     
    We can never predict the stock market. What we can do is to time our buying time into the stock market. So, is now a good buying time?
    7/27/2008

    Talking about Stay Away from Investment now

    Our Bank Negara Govenor just annouced that we will postpone the review of interest rate. Last month, our interest rate peaked at 7.7%. But yesterday, she said YTD interest rate is only at 3.7%. Can anyone believe this?? By holding back the interest rate, she claimed it will regain back the investors' confidence.

    Besides that, the oil prices also dropping. It might be hovering around $100 to $130 per barrel. All these non-replenishable comodities will only go up and up. The oil will come to $200 per barrel. It is just a matter of time.

    Anyway, I will keep my eye open. Whatever going to happen from now is going to be interesting.

    Quote

    Stay Away from Investment now
    Today is one of my best day. I get to meet my ex-GM, Robert. It is been nearly a year we didn't meet together and have a private nice talk and coffee.
     
    He is still as informative, sharp, detail and super planner as ever. We talked about much things then later to the stock market. He said our market now is just the beginning of the recession. Not only about the commodities at record high but the one which going to impact most is the revise plan of the interest rate. It is clearly a sign the nightmare of recession just begin. The interest rate is going to be heighten up due to the inflation rate which reported at 6%. Our interest rate now is far too low from that. If the rate is revised, the banks will have to tighten all the loans, IOUs, bonds and etc which they offer to the people. They need to do this as they need to clear out those low middle income earners who cannot afford to cope with the new interest rate. Soon, the banks will control and tighten the money they loan out to the public. Public will start to feel the tightening of that. Everyone (which the middle income earners - the majority) will start to squeesh their pocket money and trying to live much more lower below their means. Eventually, the spending will be less and less which causing the economy to a major slowdown. The stock market will get hit then will crop out to the property market and if the worst case scenario, the depression will come and everything will crumble to fall. Now, we only seeing the seam crack on the bath tube which is only the beginning. No one can stop this and everything will be led into each and other.
     
    So, I asked him, "When will be the right buying time to the stock market?"
    He said, "Everything will happen in spiral. It would probably take a year from now, but I will wait for more than that. Perhaps, two years."
     
    He told me that he already sold all his stocks few months ago. Last month, all his account was cleared. I am totally shocked. I am doing the opposite. I am holding too much now. OMG!! This is crazy for me. He said, "Only the fund managers will give the public a buy call when they want to sell everything off their hand." There are some truth over all his statements and analysis. I trust him because he always win. He is already a millionaire. That's why.
    7/17/2008

    Talking about An Off Day

    My PC is up and working back. I am so happy. Initially, I thought like giving up and need to buy a new laptop which I budgeted around RM 2.5k, but now, can save back the money. Smile Thanks to Siew Loong, who came at late night yesterday and used 10 minutes to restored back my PC. He really got a blue fingers (someone who is good at technology gadgets). Anyway, my PC still has come problem here and there and it is super slow now, but later I will get it format and fix them.

    This week I went to aikido class every two days. I am learning and developing something new for myself to explore. My own aikido techniques. It is about using my physical advantage (because I am quite tall and have long limbs Tongue out) to have minimum movement with maximum impact. It is getting more and more interesting. I feel the rush inside me whenever I am practising. I am trying to use the most minimum force I can go when practising. But there is one guy, who is super strong and tough. I never held back when practising with him. To a normal people or other students, I could easily break their wrist, arm and neck when I go for full force. At many incidents when I was practising with him, when I went all out, I lost control and it was like a double sided edge sword, which it hurts me as well. I still hold back a lot when practising with others, because the force is very deadly if the movement is vicious. I don't like to hurt people. It will grow grudge. However, it is really an interesting martial art. I think I can never stop until I have everything of it Tongue out  Anyone who reach the higher level of aikido can understand what I am saying here.

    Quote

    An Off Day
    Today is still my off day. Quite a busy day. Nah...not that busy but things are like coming to me rather than I am going after them.
     
    I woke up at 11am (quite a sleepy pig), then took my breakfast and lunch together (how's about that, can save a meal some more) with my mum. Then fetch my brother back from school and off to 1U. I got a nice parking place just in front of the GSC cinema and then bought two tickets of Hellboys: The Golden Army. It was a good show for me but not my mum. She doesn't understand the whole story line. Besides that, there was a bugger with strong stench of body smell. My mum can't stand for 10 mins later requested to change seat. I already expected she not going to enjoy this movie from the beginning but there isn't any chinese movie on showing. But never mind, she seems like the new Mummy movie: The Emperor Dragon when it was showing supporting ad. Maybe, and probably, I will bring her again there. Then start buying a lot of things (especially food) for her so she doesn't need to cook for dinner. Argh...over budget and really spent too much.
     
    Then came back took half an hour nap then had dinner with the dishes bought from 1U. Not bad either. And off to go to aikido class After that, just spent all remaining time reading newspaper.
     
    Something just not right. For two days, I can't access to my pc. ARGH...I cleaned my pc yesterday and then when starting up, nothing happened. Just dunno where went wrong. I checked everything, thoroughly and few times more. Just don't know why it can't start up. It is driving me crazy. Everything is in there. I need them! My only computer expert friend (who always helps me on all the pc's problems) has left to Singapore. Luckily, Siew Loong (another expert) offered his help. But he is kinda busy lately. So need to wait few days for him. I don't know how much longer I can live without my pc.
     
    Tomorrow need to go back to work. Have to wake up early. How I wish that I don't need to work forever.
    7/16/2008

    An Off Day

    Today is still my off day. Quite a busy day. Nah...not that busy but things are like coming to me rather than I am going after them.
     
    I woke up at 11am (quite a sleepy pig), then took my breakfast and lunch together (how's about that, can save a meal some more) with my mum. Then fetch my brother back from school and off to 1U. I got a nice parking place just in front of the GSC cinema and then bought two tickets of Hellboys: The Golden Army. It was a good show for me but not my mum. She doesn't understand the whole story line. Besides that, there was a bugger with strong stench of body smell. My mum can't stand for 10 mins later requested to change seat. I already expected she not going to enjoy this movie from the beginning but there isn't any chinese movie on showing. But never mind, she seems like the new Mummy movie: The Emperor Dragon when it was showing supporting ad. Maybe, and probably, I will bring her again there. Then start buying a lot of things (especially food) for her so she doesn't need to cook for dinner. Argh...over budget and really spent too much.
     
    Then came back took half an hour nap then had dinner with the dishes bought from 1U. Not bad either. And off to go to aikido class After that, just spent all remaining time reading newspaper.
     
    Something just not right. For two days, I can't access to my pc. ARGH...I cleaned my pc yesterday and then when starting up, nothing happened. Just dunno where went wrong. I checked everything, thoroughly and few times more. Just don't know why it can't start up. It is driving me crazy. Everything is in there. I need them! My only computer expert friend (who always helps me on all the pc's problems) has left to Singapore. Luckily, Siew Loong (another expert) offered his help. But he is kinda busy lately. So need to wait few days for him. I don't know how much longer I can live without my pc.
     
    Tomorrow need to go back to work. Have to wake up early. How I wish that I don't need to work forever.
    7/13/2008

    Stay Away from Investment now

    Today is one of my best day. I get to meet my ex-GM, Robert. It is been nearly a year we didn't meet together and have a private nice talk and coffee.
     
    He is still as informative, sharp, detail and super planner as ever. We talked about much things then later to the stock market. He said our market now is just the beginning of the recession. Not only about the commodities at record high but the one which going to impact most is the revise plan of the interest rate. It is clearly a sign the nightmare of recession just begin. The interest rate is going to be heighten up due to the inflation rate which reported at 6%. Our interest rate now is far too low from that. If the rate is revised, the banks will have to tighten all the loans, IOUs, bonds and etc which they offer to the people. They need to do this as they need to clear out those low middle income earners who cannot afford to cope with the new interest rate. Soon, the banks will control and tighten the money they loan out to the public. Public will start to feel the tightening of that. Everyone (which the middle income earners - the majority) will start to squeesh their pocket money and trying to live much more lower below their means. Eventually, the spending will be less and less which causing the economy to a major slowdown. The stock market will get hit then will crop out to the property market and if the worst case scenario, the depression will come and everything will crumble to fall. Now, we only seeing the seam crack on the bath tube which is only the beginning. No one can stop this and everything will be led into each and other.
     
    So, I asked him, "When will be the right buying time to the stock market?"
    He said, "Everything will happen in spiral. It would probably take a year from now, but I will wait for more than that. Perhaps, two years."
     
    He told me that he already sold all his stocks few months ago. Last month, all his account was cleared. I am totally shocked. I am doing the opposite. I am holding too much now. OMG!! This is crazy for me. He said, "Only the fund managers will give the public a buy call when they want to sell everything off their hand." There are some truth over all his statements and analysis. I trust him because he always win. He is already a millionaire. That's why.
    7/2/2008

    Going on Trip again. Can?

    Last year, I joined a trip organized by UM Engineering Faculty. We went to China to visit the Three Gorges Dam. A few lecturers, and most of them were coursemates. We went not only to see the dam but also to explore the control room. It is a huge room guarded with red army. They whole dam is magnificent. The people working there are so committed to their work. I love meeting and talking with them. Besides that, we also travelled a lot by bus, train and even by foot. There were so much fun hanging out with friends and even lecturers. Forget about all the books...We even went for massage. It was one of the exotic massage parlour there and everyone was impressed and enjoyed with the massage. Even I had to admit it. Haha...
     
    Today, I get to know that UM Engineering faculty is organizing another trip to Vietnam. It is in mid August. A 5 days trip about RM 1k which include all the transport, air ticket, accomodations, etc. Nok talked about the wonderful places in Vietnam. I have few coursmates there also saying the peacefulness of the place. Ms. Lim give a very good comment after her visit to Vietnam. It is like a "must visit" place to go. Argh.... I want to go. But I have trainings on mid August too. The training is important. The trip is irresistable. How le...I need both.
    6/27/2008

    How can you live without knowing these things?

     

    1. Many years ago, in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled "Gentlemen Only ... Ladies Forbidden" ... and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language. Hot
    2. The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred and Wilma Flintstone. Left hugRight hug
    3. Everyday more money is printed for Monopoly than US Treasury.
    4. Men can read smaller print better than women can; women can hear better. Don't tell anyone
    5. Coca-cola was originally green. Sick
    6. It is impossible to lick your elbow. Tongue out
    7. The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska Snail
    8. The percentage of Africa that is in wilderness: 28% (now get this ...) The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
    9. The average number of people airborne over the US at any given hour: 61,000 Airplane
    10. The BIllion $$$ dolar problem; When Nasa first started sending up astronauts, they discovered ball point pens would not work in zero gravity. To combat the problem, Nasa scientists spent a decade and $12 billion to develop a pen that writes in zero gravity, upside down, underwater, on almost any surface and at temperatures ranging from below freezing to 300 degree celcius. The Russians used a pencil. Surprised
    6/12/2008

    Scenario Planning

    Scenario planning or easier term would be forecasting or maybe predicting. Forecasting has been one of the important techniques that we are using everyday without realizing them. For example, we forecast the oil price will be still going up on the next month, there would be heavy rain in this few weeks in the early morning, the people who goes for gambling will predict themselves would win today but it never happen, and etc...
     
    Scenario planning is more of an art than a science but it will prepare your firm (if you are the company's CEO) better if the unthinkable should occur. However, it still would benefits the individual if you able to use them wisely.
     
    Here are some true examples of forecasts that have been made in the computer industry. I picked the computer industry as they are advancing faster in the technology factor.
     
    • 1943: "I think there's a world market for maybe five computers."
    • 1949: "Computers of the future will weigh no more than one and half tons."
    • 1977: "There is no reason why anyone would want to have a computer in their home."
    • 1981: "A memory of 640kb ought to be enough for anyone."

    As you can see, the degree of predictability varies from industry to industry, but in those where fast changing factors such as fashion and technology are crucial to success the period of uncertainty will be longer. Unfortunately, most of the things in our life are involved with fashion and technology. This is where it separates the genius from the others. Agree?

    So, what type of scenario planning or forecasting is in your mind now?

    6/5/2008

    Fuel Hike !!!

    "Petrol up from RM1.92 to RM2.70 >> 40% increased! Diesel up from RM1.58 to RM2.58 >> 63% increased!"
     
    Malaysia government had annouced fuel hike for all the consumers from yesterday 5pm. It sent chaos to the whole country as everyone was rushing and queueing up at the petrol station. These people should be, I think, at home or restaurants having dinner. By 7pm, all the major roads were empty where all the vehicles were on the roads connecting to the petrol stations. The shopping complex, restaurants, night markets etc were like a "ghost area".
     
    These kind of news really send a knee jerk reaction to the whole country and they are affecting by it badly. Can our Malaysia's economy sustainable? The KLCI reacting with a drop of 37.81pts to 1215.31pts as of now. Furthermore, Goldman Sach commented yesterday, Malaysia's market has gone into uncharted territory and they has downgraded the market here. This is not a good news...
     
    If a person is earning at RM 5,000 per month, I would clasify him, now, as lower class of middle income group. If you want to be at the higher class of middle income group, I would say you need to earn RM 10,000 per month.
     
    This fuel hike surely has it's effect on me too. What would others feeling now?
    6/1/2008

    ~ * v * ~

    Top 5 Business Signs That Make you Think
    1. On a Plumbers truck: "Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber."
    2. At a towing company: "We don't charge an arm and a leg, just a toe."
    3. In the front yard of a funeral home: "Drive carefully. We'll wait."
    4. In a veterinarian's waiting room: "Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"
    5. On an electrician's truck: "We'll remove your shorts."
    5/18/2008

    The Daffodil Principle

    Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, 'Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over.'

    I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead 'I will come next Tuesday', I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.

    Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren.

    'Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!'

    My daughter smiled calmly and said, 'We drive in this all the time, Mother.'

    'Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!' I assured her.

    'But first we're going to see the daffodils. It's just a few blocks,' Carolyn said. 'I'll drive. I'm used to this.'

    'Carolyn,' I said sternly, 'Please turn around.'

    'It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience.'

    After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, ' Daffodil Garden ' We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped. Before me, lay the most glorious sight.

    untitled

    It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.

    untitled3

    'Who did this?' I asked Carolyn. 'Just one woman,' Carolyn answered. 'She lives on the property. That's her home.' Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house.

    On the patio, we saw a poster. 'Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking', was the headline. The first answer was a simple one. '50,000 bulbs,' it read. The second answer was, 'One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain.' The third answer was, 'Began in 1958.'

    For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop. Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration. The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration.

    untitled5

    That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby-step at time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world .

    'It makes me sad in a way,' I admitted to Carolyn. 'What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!'

    My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. 'Start tomorrow,' she said.

    She was right. It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask, 'How can I put this to use today?'

    Use the Daffodil Principle. Stop waiting.....

    Until your car or home is paid off

    Until you get a new car or home

    Until your kids leave the house

    Until you go back to school

    Until you finish school

    Until you clean the house

    Until you organize the garage

    Until you clean off your desk

    Until you lose 10 lbs.

    Until you gain 10 lbs.

    Until you get married

    Until you get a divorce

    Until you have kids

    Until the kids go to school

    Until you retire

    Until summer

    Until spring

    Until winter

    Until fall

    Until you die...

    There is no better time than right now to be happy.
    Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
    Wishing you a beautiful, daffodil day!

    If you want to brighten someone's day, pass this on to someone special. I just did

    5/3/2008

    The Mexican Fisherman

    The American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

     

                The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.”

                The American then asked, “Why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?”

    The Mexican said, “With this I have more than enough to support my family’s needs.

    The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

    The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life.”

    The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the profits, buy a bigger boat. With the profits from bigger boat, you could buy several boats. Eventually, you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles and eventually to New York where you will run your ever-expanding enterprise.”

    The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will all this take?” To which the American replied, “15 to 20years.”

    But what then?” asked the Mexican. The American laughed and said that’s the best part. “When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.”

    Millions?…Then what?”

    The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play guitar with your amigos.

    4/29/2008

    ...

    Today I went through Nok's blog. So many things were added. I can't understand most of the words in her blog because she is using Thai. She is one of the best friend I ever had. A person with few words but many smiles. A person I would say near to perfection. We know each other not for long but parted because of different backgrounds and different dreams to catch. I am wondering how is she doing there. I know she is OK. I have good faith in her.
     
    One of my coursemates joined my company today. Never crossed our mind we would meet here. When studying, we were saying to each other we will join Intel. However, the funny things about life is you never know what lies in the future. 
     
        .....this is what makes the life interesting...