How would you like to share an apartment with 18 other people?

// October 29th, 2009 // No Comments » // Finance, News

Real estate has skyrocketed in Hong Kong for the past decade because of the increasing demand and limited land for development. Average citizens of Hong Kong typically devote roughly 50% of their paycheck to pay their rent. Most of them live in high rises apartments, which may cost roughly $600,000 in areas that are close to the city center. CNN has an interesting article about “cage housing”, a 625 sq ft apartment shared by 18 other people. Each “cage” provides enough space for a bed, a small tv and some storage space for the tenants. The tenants share the kitchen and two bathrooms. The apartment owner collects about $2,500 (HK$19,375) from all the tenants. The sleeping spaces are stacked on top one another and rent for the top space goes for $100 while rent for the lower deck goes for $150 because you have standing room below. The economic crisis has caused an influx of people who have no choice but to live in these cage houses. Otherwise, they would probably end up living on the streets of Hong Kong.

-Boon

CNN Reports: Living in a cage in Hong Kong by Eunice Yoon

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We Remember 9/11 – 8 years later.

// September 11th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events, News, Thoughts

8 years ago, the world was shocked at the horrifying attack on American soil. The World Trade Center, represented New York City’s pride as the world’s financial powerhouse, fell down after two airplanes flew into its two towers. It was one of the saddest days in the history of our country and it reminded America that terrorism is alive and it threatens the safety of everyone. 9/11 changed the course of world history. As a result, Americans were united even more and we are at war with terrorism . Today on September 11, 2009, we remember the tragedy not with bloodshed nor anger but with solemn and unity. We shall stand together as one nation under God, preparing ourselves for the future. We shall educate our young ones, reform our health care system, create more jobs for everyone, ensure our freedom and safety are protected and most importantly, uphold the Constitution.

America, on this day, let us remember that we are citizens of the world but most importantly, you and I are the Citizens of the United States of America.

United We Stand.

May those who gave their lives on 9/11 rest in peace.

Star Spangled Banner by Whitney Houston – SuperBowl XXV

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Can’t get a job upon graduation? Sue your alma matter!

// August 3rd, 2009 // 2 Comments » // News

A recent college graduate, Ms Thompson of the Bronx, NY, filled a lawsuit against her Alma Matter, Monroe College of New York because she couldn’t get a job after 3 months of searching. In her lawsuit, she is suing Monroe College $70,000 for the full tuition she paid and $2,000 for the stress she had to faced during her job search. With a 2.7 GPA , clean academic attendance and a Bachelors Degrees in Information Technology, Ms Thompson said that Job Counselors at  Monroe College didn’t do their best to ensure she gets a job. She also suggested preferential treatment given by counselors to students with 4.0 GPA, helping them get job placements.

Ms Thompson did not hire an attorney to represent her case because she couldn’t afford one and asked by CNN if she would encourage others to sue their Alma Matters, she replied yes.

Read the whole story here.

IMHO: She’s wasting everyone’s time. If i were the judge assigned to the case, I would throw it out of the court.
2.70 GPA, clean academic records…..haven’t she heard of the Global Economic Crisis?

Love it, loath if? Comments appreciated.

-Boon

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What has become of Malaysia?

// August 2nd, 2009 // No Comments » // News, Politics

My beloved country, Malaysia was sucked into chaos yesterday (Aug 1, 2009) when two groups, those for and against the controversial ISA (Internal Security Act), took the streets in what was supposed to be a peaceful march from the heart of Kuala Lumpur (Masjid Jamek and SOGO) to the Royal Palace but was met with brute police intervention. Each of the groups was supposed to hand in their memorandums regarding the ISA. The Anti-ISA group wants the government to abolish the draconian law of ISA which allows the government to detain indefinitely anyone suspected of undermining the stability of the nation without trial while the Pro-ISA maintains the need for a law, created to capture and put to trial Communist Members back in the 1960’s <–Click here for wiki on ISA. The ISA has been the subject of abuse by the government and there have been many horrors stories related to the ISA.

The New York Times reported the ruckus here.

The Anti-ISA rally was dispersed by the Royal Malaysian Police through unnecessary shots of tear gas and chemical-laden water. A supposedly peaceful march turned into a scene of police abuse and brutality. “There was no need for the firing of tear gases or the chemical-laced water to disperse the march because it was a peaceful one”, said one of the rally members.

While elsewhere:

Malaysia, once a peaceful and developing country, is now faced with heavy corruption from all levels and ever increasing crime rate. Many Malaysians, feeling unsafe, even in their own homes during broad daylight, are taking matters into their own hands <– click for news . They are organizing their own crime watch groups, similar to that of Rukun Tetangga back in the days. (I foresee an opportunity for a new group of elite security forces for hire, consisting of foreign or local ex-police or ex-military personnel). The government has abused their power while the police force is good for nothing.

IMHO:

Malaysia needs change badly but I don’t foresee it happening overnight. Even the French Revolution lasted for 10 years and within the lost decade, many people sacrificed their lives for such change.

Let all Malaysians rise to the tyranny of the Government and make the necessary changes for a better tomorrow for our future generations.

We need a Malaysia for all Malaysians with low crime rate, high job opportunities, zero – corruption and Freedom of speech and press!

-Boon

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Hah, told you so – Obama Is An American Citizen!

// July 31st, 2009 // No Comments » // News, Thoughts

For those out there who are questioning the legitimacy of Barack Obama’s birth place, the birth certificate proves it once and for all – Obama was indeed born in the 50th state of United States, Hawaii.

What’s next? Obama is a friend of the KGB because of his recent visit to Russia or that he is a closet terrorist plotting the destruction of America? I think the latter is more Dick Cheney – check it out here.

Love is, loathe if? Comments appreciated?

-Boon

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Speeding at 210mph on a 65mph highway….walk away with a $500 fine.

// July 24th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // News, cars

A driver of a Bugatti Veron was caught by speeding camera for breaking the 65 mph speed limit in California. The culprit was clocked at *drumroll* 210 mph and he was slapped with the maximum fine for speeding which was a $500 fine. I am surprised that he didn’t get anything more serious for doing more than 3 times the speed limit.

Forget the plane ticket to Germany where Autobahn is located. All you need is a Veron and $500 to pay the fine when they catch you. =)

Here’s a pic of the ticket:

Love it, Loathe it? Comments are very much appreciated.

-Boon

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Sawadee Krab, you’ve been scammed!

// July 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // Food, News

Times are changing and so are the scams, especially those targeted at foreign tourists. According to BBC, there is now a new scam at the Thailand International Airport. A British couple was accused of shoplifting at the airport’s duty free store and was taken away by the security guards for interrogation. Below are the accounts of what happened:

1. The couple was accused of shoplifting
2. Security guards and cops took them away and separated them into different rooms for interrogation
3. Throughout the process they negotiated the amount that was needed to get them out of the mess – £8,000
4. They provided a translator and explained to them that the charge of shoplifting was pretty serious and if they don’t pay, they will be transferred to a jail, a very unpleasant experience
5. They were not allowed to contact anyone and was only provided with a translator that was working “part time” for the police
6. Their passports were seized and they were warned not to contact their embassy or any lawyers
7. They were forced to withdraw money from the ATM to pay for their release

The BBC has spoken to the translator and the regional police commander, Colonel Teeradej Phanuphan.They both say the translator was merely helping the couple with translation, and raising bail to keep them out of prison.
The translator says about half the £8,000 was for bail, while the rest were “fees” for the bail, for his work, and for a lawyer he says he consulted on their behalf.

In theory, he says, they could try to get the bail portion refunded.

Colonel Teeradej says he will investigate any possible irregularities in their treatment. But he said any arrangement between the couple and Tony was a private affair, which did not involve the police.

You can read the whole BBC article here.

The next time you’re traveling to a different country, beware of scams and con artists!

Love it, loathe it? Comments appreciated.

-Boon

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Google Voice

// July 23rd, 2009 // No Comments » // News, Technology

Google is evolving from a Search engine company into a Technology Conglomerate and they are picking up momentum. Their latest project, Google Voice, is set to change the way you screen and take your calls. Since most of us have a cell phone these days, Google is bringing you the home voice recording machine to your cell. The best part is that its FREE!

You can use Google Voice to screen calls, listen or read your voice mail and even listen in while the voice mail is being recorded. You have the option of picking up the phone while your caller is recording his/her message. Pretty sweet! Google Voice is currently by invitation only but you can sign up by entering your name and email address here.

Here is an overview of Google Voice. Full details can be found here. Thanks AB for the tip!

One number for all your calls and SMS

• Call screening – Announce and screen callers
• Listen in – Listen before taking a call
• Block calls – Keep unwanted callers at bay
• SMS – Send, receive, and store SMS
• Place calls – Call US numbers for free
• Taking calls – Answer on any of your phones
• Phone routing – Phones ring based on who calls
• Forwarding phones – Add phones and decide which ring

Voicemail as easy as email, with transcripts

• Voicemail transcripts – Read what your voicemail says
• Listen to voicemail – Check online or from your phone
• Notifications – Receive voicemails via email or SMS
• Personalize greeting – Vary greetings by caller
• Share voicemail – Forward or download voicemails

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H1N1 Song – Remixed from Wonder Girls’ Nobody

// July 21st, 2009 // No Comments » // Entertainment, Music, News

This song about H1N1 is hillarious. The H1N1 virus a.k.a Swine Flu has spread all across the world in less than 4 months, killing almost 700 people. First case of H1N1 was found in Mexico and it is now a pandemic.  Ms Magaret Chan, WHO Director, says that H1N1 will be the biggest and fastest spreading flu pandemic we have ever seen.

Check out the H1N1 music video courtesy of mrbrownshow.com :

-Boon

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The Credit CARD Act 2009

// July 17th, 2009 // No Comments » // News, Politics

-Pic by Nora Dunn at www.wisebread.com

I was reading an article about the Credit Card Act 2009 online and I thought about rehashing what the government has already published on the white house website here. Introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney [D-NY14] and signed by President Obama on May 22, 2009, the CARD Act of 2009 brings about the issue of long term credit card reform. Among the issues pressed by the act are:

• strong and reliable protections for consumers.
• forms and statements from Credit card companies must be in plain language and in plain sight (full disclosure prior to signing up)
• Consumers can shop and choose their credit cars without being taken advantage of by the credit card companies
• Credit card companies who are found to deceive and cheat consumers in any forms of abuse shall be held accountable

And the main elements of the act, as reported by the White House, are:

• Bans Unfair Rate Increases
• Prevents Unfair Fee Traps
• Plain Sight /Plain Language Disclosures
• Accountability
• Protections for Students and Young People

There is a good article at www.personaldividends.com that talks about how the Card Act 2009 will affect you. Read it here.

-Boon

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