Finally a tag from my new blog friend, Mahak. Her blog is simply a delight to read. This is the first time any one had actually tagged me. Bear with me if my answers are a little orthodox or amateurish :)

The tag comes with the following rules:

RULE #1 People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs and replace any question that they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves.

RULE #2 Tag 6 people to do this quiz and they cannot refuse. These people must state who they were tagged by, cannot tag the person whom they were tagged by, and must continue this game by sending it to other people.

  1. If your lover betrayed you, what will your reaction be?
    Kick him for sure ! Physically and out of the relationship!
  2. If you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?
    To attend my big sister's marriage :( We missed it :(
  3. What is your idea of a perfect date?
    Effort. If me or hubby makes an effort to be there for each other, that is a perfect date for me :)
  4. What would you do with a billion dollars?
    I would definitely donate a huge chunk and go for shoe shopping afterward ;)
  5. Will you fall in love with your best friend?
    I would and I am :)
  6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?
    I don't believe in one sided love. Loving each other is important.
  7. How long do you intend to wait for someone you really love?
    Forever, since I've waited for him and we are now married :) A real life testimony!
  8. If the person you secretly like is already attached, what would you do?
    Nothing. It's just "liking" and not "loving". More of having a crush, than love. So, I won't do anything.
  9. If you like to act with someone, who will it be? Your gf/bf or an actress/actor?
    My hubby. By the way, I do not and don't know how to act !
  10. What’s your favorite love quote?
    "Better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all"-St. Augustine.
  11. How would you see yourself in ten years’ time?
    Having a great family of our own and an established career.
  12. What’s your fear?
    Losing the ones I love...
  13. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is? An intelligent person, with a bright and bubbly personality!
  14. Would you rather be single and rich or married but poor?
    I am already married and we are richly in love :)
  15. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
    Switch the noisy alarm off.
  16. Would you give all in a relationship?
    We have, we are and we will. Solemnly :)
  17. If you fall in love with two people simultaneously, who would you pick?
    How can one fall in love with two people? I can't do that in the first place.
  18. Would you forgive and forget, no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?
    I might forgive, but I don't think that I would forget.
  19. If you get to go back in time and fall in love all over again, would it still be with the same person?
    Definitely! We are destined. We are soul mates :)
  20. List 6 people to tag:
    I am tagging every one who has not done this tag. Enjoy!
xoxo

Average Home Cost in USA - around $215,000. Lets say the average home cost for a home in foreclosure is $200,000. We can buy around 3.5 Million homes with $700 Billion. Easy and straight forward. Why does this not happen? Simply because these Wall Street executives have packaged them, sold them and named them so many times that no one knows about the original mortgage.
So now that the Congress has decided to spend $700Billion to rescue these Wall St bankers who drew around $400Billion salaries and $60 Billion as bonuses just last year, the questions is where does the money come from?
I would have not bothered if the money was coming from Investors. Means they are willing to pay for it. Like the way they invested in these so called Financial Institutions whom I call the Thugs. But since Congress is going to invest which earns nothing -nada- from anywhere except from the tax payer, I am wondering about my future tax bills. There are only two ways to take this tab - either increase the taxes or decrease spending. They chose to spend 700B. So the second option is out of question. So increase taxes is the other way out. But we all are not going to see any increase in taxes.

So the question is - where does the money come from?
Simple - Take Country Equity Loan. Sounds weird? Yes. Like the way we take Home Equity Loan against our homes, Govt would take Country Equity Loan against the country. In simple words, we are mortgaging our nation to bail out these thugs. Now if this was in national interest, I was for it. But who is going to gain out of it - The Chinese and the Saudis and the Sheikhs (in the form of Sovereign funds). Since they were the ones who bought MOST of these shares, they were the ones who were loosing on it. What it means? We would borrow from the Chinese and the Sheikhs to pay them back.
And why do we have to pay them back at the first place? It was like any investment going bad. Now the real answer is - Once we pay them back, they would reinvest the same money in these banks, these corporate executives or the white collared Thugs would again draw billions in salaries and bonus. We would pay taxes to keep their lifestyle.
Why do we have to bail them out? Since they are hand in glove with the Congress. Simple. Where would the money actually go? Around 300 Billion in executive pays on Wall St. (let's presume there is no Bonus this year). Means in the very first year of we pumping in the money in Wall St, it would be disbursed as salary for these Thugs. So once they get their salaries, they would be running their companies. Or else they wouldn't. The bottom line is from 700Billion, we would be paying Wall St salaries for 2 years.
How does it help the economy?
GOD KNOWS.

Tarun

Note: These are personal opinions and reflections of the blog author(s).

Poll

Howdy! I've created a poll on the right. I need your genuine opinion(s) on this matter. Feel free to leave a comment or two if you do not fancy polls. Don't worry, I will not judge you for that. Happy polling!

xoxo

I am back after a few days of snooze from the blogging world and countless of sleepless nights. Anxious to share some of my encounters, highlights and news around the globe for the past few weeks. Hopefully by the end of this post, you won't snooze off to sleep.

Anyways..

Several devastating news lingering on us from all around the world. It has been a global epidemic for a few weeks now. Whether it's humanity, environmentally, economically or politically challenges. I was not able to write about my experiences during tropical storm FAY. Wanted to share with you the glimpse out of my window when the horrible storm took place.



We stocked on various nonperishable food items, water, candles, flash, etc. Our laptops and important documents were put away safely just in case we need to rush out of the house and go some where safe. We were on alert for hurricane Fay. By the time it hit us, the status changed from "hurricane" to "tropical storm". We were so relieved. Unfortunately, we can't say the same else where. Devastation was apparent in other counties where water level continued rising for a couple of feet. It was a pretty frightening experience. Nevertheless we were again on alert for other hurricane warnings; Gustav, Hanna and Ike. Thank god we surpassed away from it. What a nightmarish experience.

ISA detainees updates 2
Sept 18 - Another blogger arrested under the Sedition Act. On Sept 20th, he was released on police bail. I will not comment further as his arrest was legitimate. Read here.

An update from my previous post.
Sept 19 - Teresa Kok is finally released from the ISA! You can read here for more information on her release.

Sept 24 - Sad to say that blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin is announced to be further detained for 2 years for blogging on topics considered by authorities to be, quote "maligned Islam, and being malicious and seditious". Quote was from article The News Straits Times Online.

Where is justice?

Delhi blast
From my previous post.

Lehman Brothers melt-down & Merill Lynch sub-prime mortgage crisis
Gone are those days when these Wall Street investment bank's bask in their glory and name. Lehman is down without the fruit of it's poor performance and management labor. Fortunate or unfortunate, Barclays plc stepped in and acquired the ailing company. It is apparent that Chapter 11 bankruptcy translates itself as a lenient law easily misuse by corporate giants to dance their trouble away with billions of dollars at stake.

And I quote from Wikipedia,

"in New York, on September 15, 2008, shortly before 1am, Lehman Brothers Holdings announced it would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection citing bank debt of $613 billion, $155 billion in bond debt, and assets worth $639 billion".

This filing marks the largest bankruptcy in the U.S history. Then, comes Merill Lynch. Why bother discussing and writing about them. Their CEO's are basking in glory, especially Merill Lynch's ex-CEO Stan O'neal. With a whopping compensation package of US$161millon, wonder why the U.S government next steps would include the disastrous bail-outs of corporate mis-managements?

U.S. government bail-outs 2008
Bear Stearns US$30 billion
Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac US$200 billion
AIG US$85 billion

*source of bail-out figures.

Wall Street pleading for US$700 billion bail-out!
The talks on the market now is about US$700 billion bail-out plan for Wall Street. First thing first. $700 billion is a huge amount. Gigantic! Enormous! I would say Ginormous. What's going on in Wall Street? Money is being swindled by the so called "speculators" and fund managers. Left and right, back and front. It's obvious. And how did WS justify the huge amount needed from the U.S government? It's all politics. Not in the frontlines, but in Wall Street. Not in the Main Street, but the corporate misconducts in handling and governing their fund managers and speculators who thrieves in their method to make quick big bucks and leave the Americans to pay for the consequences.

Everything was and is blamed on the mortgage crisis. If we talk about bail-outs, why weren't there any for mortgage crisis? Why isn't there any plans to provide funds in the effort to recover the mortgage crisis directly? Why is the U.S govt even considering and debating with Wall Street funding? Why not fund the root of all the problems and not deteriorate it further? These are some of many questions, I believe, an average American tax-payers are seeking for an answer. I am one of them, unfortunately. I don't like talking politics, not on my blog. But this is the only place where I can freely share my view and frustrations. Everything is just falling apart, around us. And it is just too much to take in.

xoxo

MIA...

Friday, September 19, 2008

Noticed I have not post anything for almost a week now? That is because I am focusing all my energy towards completing my MBA theses. Shall be back with updates on my blog some time next week. Drop in a comment or two and motivate me :D

Have a nice week and weekend ahead.

xoxo

ISA detainess update 1

Sunday, September 14, 2008

-update-
Sin Chew journalist Tan Hoon Cheng is released from ISA on Sept 14th 2008 after 1 day arrest. Read details of her return here and her report on the ISA arrest experience here and on mysinchew.com.

Update is based on my previous post.


xoxo


New Delhi Blast

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Oh my god! I can never fathom what has just happened. My in laws, families and friends are in Delhi, and thank god they are all doing fine and well. Our thought and prayers goes out to the ones affected and hoping for the safety of the rest, as we all try to digest what just happened. Act of terrorism existing in the 21st century, is hard to believe, and this have been going on all the time, every where around the globe. This is a cowardly and selfish act, claiming to be heroic by the minorities who believes in killing the innocents and not obeying the law. There are other ways of negotiating. I shall not write or comment more on these terrorist as I do not want to glorify them in writing.

I shall bid adieu now, with the thought and prayers of Delhians safety. It is a very emotional time. For all of us.

xoxo

I am thoroughly devastated...
Recently, it has been difficult reading Malaysian news. Politicians like Datuk Ahmad Ismail should be detained under the ISA for calling all chinese in Malaysia squatters. Instead of feeling guilty or apologetic, he believes he did NO wrong in saying so. I can't imagine if we were let out loose if any one of other race, be it Chinese or Indian, were to make such derogatory remarks about the Malays. Can they explain justice in this? This politician is now walking free without any detention, merely a 3 year suspension from UMNO.

It is time to abolish ISA and come to the terms of basic human rights. Let's begin listening for once and not shun Malaysians who wants their voice to be heard and justice prevail. Three ISA detainees, namely Raja Petra Kamaruddin a blogger, Teresa Kok a state assemblyman and Tan Hoon Cheng a journalist, are going through significant ramifications for sharing their ideas and beliefs. Race has been a huge issue in this country. How long would the majorities ill treat the minorities and turn our country into shambles? Known to many as a multi-racial country, we are heading towards a road of colorless beliefs, ethics and ethnicity. Wake up people, it is just not about YOU, it's all about US, EVERY ONE OF US.

Instead, bloggers and journalists are being targeted under a draconian law. One of basic human rights I believe is freedom of speech. The right to express or challenge opinions legitimately. Not by living in a cocoon society where one is under scrutiny 24 7. A monarchy ruling and government that constitutes democratic parliamentary, surely the people of Malaysia expects more than just a push-over political tactic every now and then.

MALAYSIA BOLEH! God bless...

To know more about Malaysia and the ISA, visit The World Factbook, Wikipedia and ISA.
For detailed news on the ISA detainees, read here where it all started.


xoxo

Mix vegetable fried rice

Thursday, September 11, 2008

I love looking and always looking for some inspirations to inspire me in my kitchen. I am kind of a non-veg and vegetarian meal person. Meaning, I can survive just by consuming vegetarian food (not too long though). I find it a challenge to always try and come up with something new and different to enhance our daily palette. Indian food and recipes has been adorning my kitchen for some time now. But me and Tarun are planning to change our diets by incorporating some Asian (Chinese influence) and Indian recipes. I am from Malaysia, a land of multi-colored society. We are blessed with the opportunity to learn and sample a vast variety of dishes from Chinese cuisine, to Thai to Indian and Indonesian palettes. Chinese cooking is by far my favorite in terms of dietary values and vegetarian recipes. So I came up with a recipe of mix vegetable fried rice, with some Chinese umph and Indian kick added to it. Let's begin cooking, shall we?

First, let me introduce you to the cast members:

1 Red bell pepper
2 sprigs scallions
1.5 cup mung bean sprouts
Handful of radishes
1 medium diced red onion
2 tbsp ginger paste
2.5 tbsp garlic paste
2 green chilies
2 tbsp lite soy sauce
2 tbsp salt
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tbsp cracked black pepper
2 tbsp of cooking oil
2 cups of cooked Basmati rice


Method:
Add cooking oil into a searing hot wok. Fry the onions till lightly brown, add turmeric and garam masala powder. Proceed to add ginger and garlic paste. Then add green chilies, red bell pepper, radishes, lite soy sauce and cracked black. Stir fry for a minute. Finally add rice, scallions, mung bean spouts and salt to taste. Mixed vege fried rice is ready in 10 minutes! Serve hot!

Go on, try the recipe and let me know how it turned out. Try adding or substituting varieties of vegetables such as carrots, green capsicum, green beans etc. Enjoy cooking!

xoxo

India... here we come!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Been occupied for many days now. I have a few more thesis to go before the semester break. That's a relief. We are also planning a trip to India early '09. I can hardly contain myself. It's my first trip ever! I am very excited! But I would need some suggestions:

Venue: New Delhi & surroundings

1. Places that I must visit & why?

2. Shopping venue for (home decor, personals etc)everything a girl loves?

3. Shopping must-haves (suggestions)?

4. What food must I try and suggestions on venue?

5. Do's and Dont's.

6. Tips, suggestions or advice?

Drop me a comment. I would love to know more about India and get an early head start on planning for the trip.

xoxo