Tuesday, April 29, 2008

CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS?

Finally, I went to see a Dentist this afternoon. Ah Don made the appointment for me and insisted that I go. He knew that I have had trouble in eating lately.

First, I filled out some papers on my particular, dental history.......,consent for the dentist to disclose health information, taking photo, acknowledge notice of privacy practices ...... this was surely the first time that I come across such procedures at a dentist's office. Why ??? Medical practitioners here have to protect themselves from being sued by unhappy clients.

Next, the dental assistant asked a whole lot of questions before she could proceed with the X-rays and I could see the roots of all my teeth from 2 PC screens.

After she completed all her reports, the dentist came to see me. He appeared he had been briefed by the assistant. The first question he asked was "Would you like to have an implant? " I did not answer because I knew an implant would be very expensive. He kept telling me it would be good to have a good treatment plan ....... so on and so forth, blah, blah, blah ..... The only thing I had in mind for this visit was to have my cavity fixed. That's all !

After the long talk, he told me that he had to take a few shots of my teeth and my SMILE.......Twenty minutes later, he explained to me, with the images of my teeth on the screen, what he intended to do for me..... As I knew that I might not understand all of his dental terminology, I suggested to invite Ah Don to join us..... While they were talking, all I could hear was..... "... this option will cost $14K, this other option will cost $12K and the third option will cost $11K ..."

OMG..... how much it is in Malaysian Ringgit?!?!?!!!!

I knew I would not chose any of the options so, I told the Dentist I need time to think about the options and left.

On the way back to work... I told Ah Don "If I were to spend that amount of money on my teeth, it would be better and wiser for me to fly back to Malaysia (perhaps in first class seat) to have my complete dental treatment!!!"

Anyway.... this is life in America. Love it or leave it ! ha ha haha........

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

I CAN'T STOP LAUGHING.......

I like to watch Tyra Bank Show and Her American Next Top Model. I had been watching AMTM back in Malaysia. My daughter and me used to guess " Who is going home tonite!"
before she annonced the result.

When I came across the following videos by accident, I can't stop laughing....

Enjoy the show......









I think its part 4 is still in the making...... to be continued See you in next CNTM...:)):)):))

RECYCLE WHENEVER YOU CAN



Everyone from my family know that I am a great Recyclist. I save every single item that can be reused. When I see any shopping bags or plastic bags, I will fold them nicely for future use. I kept all papers that could be reused as drafts in the office. I do not like to see them in the rubbish bins.

> I do not let the water run freely while doing dishes.
> I do not on the air conitioning when I can get the nice breeze through window.
> I did not drive if I could walk to the store.

These are simple things that we can do everyday not only to save money for ourselves but to keeep the world goes GREEN.

Monday, April 21, 2008

WHEN YOU ARE NOT HAPPY .......







next...... see the many faces of baby ..........



SOME SLOW MOTION.....



SO, YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE ?



IS THIS AMERICAN KID IDOL?



PLEASE CALL AND VOTE !!!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

BYL found LMN !!!!

OMG ... BYL HAS FOUND LMN (Lifetime Movie Network)!!!! The play "women's movies" 24/7.

The movies have one of three plots.

1.) Woman dies or otherwise leaves her children with her single sister. The sister struggles with her new role as a mother. Finally the sister and the children adjust and love each other and they all live happily ever after. YUK!

2.) Woman marries "nasty" man. The man cheats on the woman or abuses her or plots to kill her. Family and/or friends come to the woman's rescue (once in a while the woman is killed).

3.) Teenage girls becomes member of the "in" crowd. The leader on the "in" crowd gets mad at the girl and puts her on the outside. The girl struggles to get back "in" and finally realizes that the members of the "in" crowd are not nice people.

These three plots play over and over and over and over AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH !!!!

So, no more sports, actions movies, etc. for me. Just LMN forever. :( :( :(

BUT ... BYL enjoys these movies so it is good for her to sit back and relax. Thus, I will endure them for now. I can always turn n my laptop and act like I am watching (don't tell BYL I do this). :)) :)) :))

GARAGE SALE & MY HEALTH ISSUE

As usual, we started off around 10 am to garage sale. For weeks now, I would look at the classified advertisement for Garage Sale and list down the time and addresses that I would like to go. In most cases, I will prefer to to go to Community Sale, Charity Sale and Rummage Sales organized by church - these are the places where we can find a lot of good stuff; If we were there approaching closing time, we might be able to get all stuff that can fit into a shopping bag at $2.00.



Next, Ah Don will go through my list to map the location with the software " Mappoint" that he bought specifically for this purpose. the program will work out the best route from point 1 to the last destination. ehmmmm.. this saves us from wondering from one location to another. ....this is one of the way to save the "gas" OMG... now the gas price has gone up to $3.57 today !!!
(Foot note. It was only $1.90 per gallon when I came here )



Ok.. now let me list down what we got from the garage sales yesterday.



First, we stopped by a church and bought a " Huffy Scout - 10 speed Bicycle" at $20.00 ( which I bargained from $25.00 ! ) - We don't know how old is the bicycle but it is still in good condition.



Obviously, the bike is not the right model for Ah Don but he can use it till we get another one in near future. He has been busy this morning to polish the bike. He is getting ready to ride it to the Town Center for his work out at the Gym ; The Town Center is about a mile from our place. On the other hand, I will have to pick up the skill so that once we have the one bike, we can both cycle to " The Legacy Trail "which has just completed recently for biking.


Next, I got this Nike Swimsuit @ $2.00 - New and unused; I am going to list is in ebay for sale!


I also bought a funny item as shown below at $0.25 which I guess is used for massage.


Lately, I am a bit concern about having excessive yawning in the morning. From some of the medical articles that I read from the Internet, it said this could be due to stress, depression, lack of good sleep or a symptom of heart problem.....Hence, this handy item is just perfect and useful for use. I can massage my head, shoulder and back to release the stress. On the other hand, I resume my practice of Tai Chi every morning and try to reach my bed before 11.00pm. No more long hours sitting at my pc. I have to learn to "enjoy" life a bit .... after all I have been working very hard in the past and I should go slow..............slow....... and slow..... and I broke the record in my life .......... siting in front of TV and watched 3 movies consecutively last Sunday!





Lastly, I bargained this pair of roller skate from $5.00 to $2.00. They are fairly new. Now. my problem is whether I should keep them for my personal use or to list them in e bay. Last year, I listed a pair of vintage white leather roller skate which I bought at $2.00 and sold at $15.00. I don't think it's late to learn the skill but my bones are too " delicate" for the game !


>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<




Tuesday, April 8, 2008

THIS IS FUNNY BUT TRUE!

I was blessed to be able to work in a single company for 25 years as the Head of HR & Admin Department. Hence, I had good chance to deal with people of different characters & behaviour... the good, the bad and the ugly. When I mention "Ugly" I am refering to those people who di not used dirty tricks or back-stapping approach to move themselves up in the organization.

When one of my friends sent me this e mail, I can't resist not to post it in our blog.
"5 MINUTES MANGEMENT COURSE"

Lesson 1:

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbour.
Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you $800 to drop that towel.'

After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.

The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.

When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, 'Who was that?'

'It was Bob the next door neighbour,' she replies.

'Great,' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?'



Moral of the story:

If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.


Lesson 2:

A priest offered a Nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg. The nun said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'

The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.

The nun once again said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'

The priest apologized 'Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.'

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.

On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129.

It said, 'Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.'


Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.


Lesson 3:

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out.

The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish.'

'Me first! Me first!' says the admin clerk.
'I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.'
Puff! She's gone.

'Me next! Me next!' says the sales rep.
'I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.
' Puff! He's gone.

'OK, you're up,' the Genie says to the manager.
The manager says, 'I want those two back in the office after lunch.


' Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.

Lesson 4

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.

A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?'
The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.' So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested.

All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.


Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.


Lesson 5

A turkey was chatting with a bull.

'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.'

'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients.'

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.

He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.


Moral of the story:
Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there..


Lesson 6

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.

While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.

As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.

The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.

A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.


Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.

(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.

(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!



THUS ENDS THE FIVE MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE

Monday, April 7, 2008

WHO MOVED ME HERE ???

I bought this book " Who Moved My Cheese? " from a garage sale last Saturday. the book is brand new and I only paid 25 Cents for it !...... This book brought me back to one of management trainings that I participated some years ago.......

This book would remind me to stop thinking and living in the past; It will lead me to accept and move on with changes......Move on .... move on and feel better.

So here are two short videos on the four characters in the book.




Sunday, April 6, 2008

MY RELIGION ; SGI

Yesterday, while taking lunch with Ah Don at Grand China Buffet, we talked about many diferent things....his family, my family etc.When we touched on religion, I was excitied to relate how the practice of Nichiren Buddhism has changed my life and behaviour. It is now my pleasure to introdue this religion with these 2 video clips :



SGI : Soka Gakkai International

President : Daisaku Ikeda

Chanting : Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

It is now practised by people over 155 countries









Thursday, April 3, 2008

MY THOUGHT TODAY

I remember once someone told me ..... " You may not have many friends like other do,but ... if you do have one or two friends who are true, dear and real to you, you are good!"

This following notes that I copied from The Perfect Greeting make me wonder who would be the one appears standing there for me if I got in any of the following situations:

When you've lost your way down the road of life
and the shadows seem to loom...

When you see no hope as a new day dawns
and the emptiness seems to consume...

When you shed each tear and you feel inside
there could be no greater pain...

When you look outside to see the sun
yet all you can see is the rain...

When you drift in thought, feeling so alone
and you wonder just how you'll get by...

When you try to think of a positive thought
yet all you can do is sigh...

When you've reached the end
and with one last hope, you wish to find some cheer...

When you look in your heart
and with arms open wide,

You will see
I'll be standing here...


Written by: Donna Patri
May 30, 1999


.... the weather is Sarasota is warm & fine most of the days....
..... I hope my inner feeling would be kept as warm... but not quite.....
.......The Ching Ming Festival makes me very homesick......

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

APRIL FOOL

I DON'T WANT TO BE FOOLED!!

FINALLY, SUBMITED THE APPLICATION TO REMOVE CONDITION OF RESIDENCE TO MY GREEN CARD ON THIS APRIL FOOL DAY!

WHOEVER HAS EXPEIENCE WITH THE US IMMIGRATION WILL AGREE THAT IT IS A GREAT PAIN TO DEAL WITH THIS KIND OF APPLICATION.

FIRST OF ALL,IT TOOK ALMOST 11 MONTHS TO GET MY FIRST PROVISIONAL GREEN CARD TO BE ISSUED IN JULY 2006.

NOW. IT'S DUE FOR THE REMOVAL OF " PROVISIONAL CONDITION" ---HAVE TO SUBMIT FOR RENEWAL 90 DAYS BEFORE THE ACTUAL EXPIRY DATE !!!


I LOST MY GREEN CARD IN LAST JULY ......

COST OF REPLACEMENT : FILING FEE $190.00
BIOMETRIC $ 70.00..............$260.00
*********************************************************************

COST TO RENEW : FILLING FEE $465.00
BIOMETRIC $ 80.00..............$545.00

SO WE ARE POORER BY $545.00 BY APRIL FOOL.

SO WHOEVER IS THINKING OF GETTING A FOREIGN WIFE / HUSBAND..... PLEASE TAKE NOTE
OF THIS EXPENSES.:(:(:(