One website Malaysians will not miss

Everyone knows that the living standards in UK are high. And this is what One guy came up with MoneySavingExpert.com (and later became a millionaire, no surprise!) and maybe 10% of UK's 60+ million population checks on this website?! (Gross exaggeration)

Anyway if you check out the website, it has FREE financial advice for everything from card loans, loop holes in the financial institutions, shopping, utilities, mortgage, insurance to everything!

When I was in UK, I was checking out the sections about saving on Mobile Phone Bills, FREE samples (I am a real Malaysian), Buy a 5GBP magazine for a bottle of lotion worth 30GBP, how to get a free designer bag etc by signing up for something then not paying for a cent, save on train tickets etc....

This website is obviously not applicable to Malaysian bank accounts and credit cards, but hey we've got more or less the same deals in some sectors.

Question is, why hasn't anyone set up any for the kiam siap Malaysian society? ;)

Glastonbury: The holy place of UK

One of my fondest memories with some of my housemates took place at Glastonbury. I was trying really hard to dig up some photos but I never take any photos, so I rely on my friends' FB efforts.

Have you heard about crop circles?
This picture was taken from www.ufoevidence.org ;)
Contrary to what I USED to think, they do not happen all the time. There are some documented cases, but they usually happen AROUND Glastonbury (more precisely WiltShire) and this place is full of amazing things.


"The Chalice Well is among the best known and most loved holy wells in Britain. Many legends are attributed to its chalybeate waters, which flow ceaselessly at a steady rate and temperature that never varies. Not least among these is that they represent the blood of Christ miraculously springing forth from the ground when Joseph of Arimathea buried or washed the cup used at the Last Supper. For others the waters are acknowledged as the essence of life, the gift from Mother Earth to sustain its living forms and so a continuous spring like Chalice Well is a direct expression of an unbounded life force."


Every house had a charm of some kind. Some wind thing, some teruteru bozu, it doesnt matter which culture the superstition came from. It had a very nice, warm, humid feeling in the air. People were free to dress however they want, but most likely you'll find cloacks, elves' ears worn everyday as an identity, it is a place where people look for ingredients for a magic wand (you know who you are), it's a magical and wonderful place! Imagine it as a place for all pagan/witch/spirit/spiritually inclined.

I love it and I totally recommend a visit, if you ever come to England. After all, it's only 1.5 hours from Stonehenge and most tourists go there anyway. Check out the therapies there! You have everything from Chakra healing to Reiki, Runes, Lympathic Drainage, Flower Essences etc.

I forgot to mention that Glastonbury is famous among music-goers because it hosts one of the biggest music festivals in UK every year called the Glastonbury Music Festival which has sadly been opposed by rain and bad weather for a few years now.... I never get tickets for it because you usually need to register 6 months in advance and I am never that disciplined or willing to part with the ticket fee, 175 GBP.

Why do you blog?

It has been difficult trying to post things up at the blog mainly because...
my day time is taken up by the CIMB internship which has exceeded my expectations for now,really....

My night time has been taken up by One World Youth Project, because we are dealing with expansions at the moment (more on that to come soon....)

My weekends are taken up by friend- times......

So what other times are left for blogs?

You are right, I can still write simple stuff without much brains or research. BTW, This Ezy Connection doesn't really pay off but it does give me a simple enough connection to get online....

What do you think about blogging?
As for today's question, I would like to know about your reason behind blogging. I think blogs that are structured around something are more likely to capture anyone's attention.

AIESEC: Biggest puzzle in my life til now

"AIESEC, the world's largest student organization, is the international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential so as to have a positive impact on society.In addition to providing over 7,500 leadership positions and delivering over 350 conferences to our membership of over 32,000 students, AIESEC also runs an exchange program that enables over 4,450 students and recent graduates the opportunity to live and work in another country. AIESEC is celebrating in 2008, 60 years of activating leadership in young people."

After copying and pasting what AIESEC says about itself, do you understand it?

No?? This is my version.

1. At university, you do crazy things to market your program to university students to go abroad.
2. You wear business suits into networking events, and raise meetings, sell your programs to private organisations. In the office, you do market research, cold calls, warm calls...

3. You attend crazy conferences where you learn about everything so much in a day, meet lots and lots of people and have crazy parties as a way to unwind after learning so much.
6 nationalities in the above photo.

4. At the end of the day, you could go on work exchanges, find that dream job in your life, become a traveller for the rest of your life.... AIESEC-ers go out and do different things. Some try to save the world while others simply become an investment banker. As for me, my retirement plan is to set up an NGO, or maybe more than one.

What has AIESEC done for me?
Friends friends and friends top my list. My housemates and some of the loveliest people are all somehow related to AIESEC. I wouldn't dare say that I'm who I am today because of AIESEC. Also, I now have no problem presenting/ selling something (together with all the other unmentioned things I do at AIESEC ) ;)

Let me hear about your GOOD/ BAD Aiesec/ Society story!

Alternative therapy: Bach flower remedies

What alternative therapy means is that it should be taken alternatively, at your own risk/ benefit after taking into consideration the advice from your health practitioners. Still, I get people doing this (above) to me when I tell them I take them.

Bach flower remedies was developed by a homeopath (tempting as it may sound, it does not equal psychopath), Edward Bach who identified some properties of flowers (like how we derive medicine out of plants) for emotional and spiritual purposes. For a quick answer to which of the 38 Bach flowers fit you most, go to Remedy Chooser or Learning about Bach Flowers.

During the stresses of the final exam, I had a housemate who got introduced to this by yet another housemate, the Bach Rescue Remedy. Of all the concoctions of Bach flower remedies you can get, Rescue Remedy proves to be extremely popular and you can easily find it at a local pharmacy in UK.

Its functions?
Rescue Remedy® has been used successfully on stressful days where we suffer from impatience, tension and pressure. It has also been used successfully with children to stop a tantrum, before a speech or job interview. Rescue Remedy® helps us relax, get focused and get the needed calmness.

Its endorsees?
Jay McCarrol, the winner of the reality TV show Project Runway, used Rescue Remedy® on the show's grand finale. Jennifer Anniston says it keeps her cool under pressure. Cate Blanchett swears by it, and Salma Hayek has been a fan for years. Source: http://www.bachflower.com/

What do I think?
I kept a bottle handy at all times during the exam season and the effect was soothing. I wouldn't say that it works for everyone and this is why...

As my housemate said, the effect was probably more psychological than physical. The bottle of Rescue Remedy took the place of my "sanctuary" when I got stressed up. With one or two drops of Bach flower diluted with brandy, I inhaled properly and imagined all the goodness it did to my body. Result: I got out of my manic final exams alive.

That said, I really want to believe that the cure to human problems (stress, loss of a beloved person, loneliness etc) can be found in nature. The best medicine to cure emotions come from natural surroundings.

How much do you buy this flower story? Share here!

The Picture of Dorian Gray

I uploaded this picture at its original size for the first time although I have no idea who this picture belongs to apart from finding it here. I am not really the reading kind, I usually read only when it's well recommended or has something to do with me at that time.

On what it is about, I shall tell you very briefly without trying to ruin Oscar Wilde's story. Dorian Gray is youthful, naive, confident man etc who had a portrait done of him. He resented aging and as a result, the portrait grew old and showed the real him, while he remained as youthful as he was...... (The one line summary, without spoilers)

It is a total drama from start til end (with not-too-difficult-language) but there are some beautiful phrases in this book.

"Don't squander the gold of your days, listening to the tedious, trying to improve the hopeless of failure, or giving away your life to the ignorant, the common and the vulgar. These are sickly aims, the false ideals of our age. Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensations. Be afraid of nothing... " Ironically, it is quoted by antagonist in my point of view, Harry.

The genetically- modified suicide

Did I catch your attention?

Well, apparently according to the surveys, genetically modified foods are consumed everyday. The way it was phrased "GENETICALLY MODIFIED" aka GM does not alarm us, but it might just raise a few eyebrows among the you's.

What is genetically modified food?
Taken from wikipedia: Genetically modified (GM) foods are food items that have had their DNA through genetic engineering. In plain words, a gene or two are added into plants to enhance their chances of surviving etc, e.g. SOYA BEAN could prevent heart disease (Telegraph). If nothing is being introduced to stop GM food, this (below) is going to happen.
Picture courtesy of keropok.com

Benefits (from csa.com):
1. Pest and Herbicide resistance, Temperature, PH, drought, etc- tolerant. The bad weeds die + the crops stay alive = Super Crops
2. Nutrition. Normal crops such as rice are inserted with extra vitamins and all the goodness, therefore provides an all-in-one solution in developing countries.
Imagine replacing all the nutrients above with rice and only rice.
3. Easier to produce medicine. Scientists can grow GM crops to extract medicines.


This is why you should be concerned:
1. Harm to other organisms. Pollen from B.t. corn could be involved in the "mass-killing" of monarch butterfly caterpillars.

2. Producing superweeds. Genes from GM could interbreed with normal weeds causing immunity to "everything", thus, superweeds. Watch the Happening for a full blown exaggeration of the picture.

3. Does not benefit farmers. The suicide gene has been introduced in some crops, therefore farmers will have to buy seeds all the time from the big companies. Other examples, when Golden cotton (resistant to bollworms) are grown all at once, it reduces biodiversity in the farms and resulting in less space for personal food cultivation. As a result, big companies dominate farmers by increasing the prices of seeds etc every year.

4. Unknown effects to human health. Everything might be alright or you might end up having intestinal problems like the rats which were tested, which also happen to cancel out Benefits 2 and 3 above.

Does it feel like something is very wrong? For more people on my side, read/listen to what Prince Charles said, who has been called off for not providing substantial evidences to his claim.

Unfortunately, I happen to conclude the same: "A gigantic experiment I think with nature and the whole of humanity which has gone seriously wrong."

PS: I wanted to provide some names of companies that are using GM food extensively in derivatives etc but I need more statistics. Help me if you can!

The Cheapest Flights on Earth

I think Air Asia is doing really well, in terms of customer satisfaction etc, and it really really performs at par/ above par some of the top budget airlines in Europe. I can tell you that because I used to be one of those who wait for 12 midnight to buy online Easyjet/ Ryanair ticket. As you might have guessed, I admire AIRASIAAAAAA and Tony Fernandez' guts to set it up! But well done, thanks to you, With 200RM I can fly from Penang to Bangkok to satisfy my yearly quotient of travelling but also add more eco foot print (= bad eco karma).


Back to the topic, I do not know of any cheaper flight apart from this deal. During the months of November (when it is getting cold, students are studying and people are working), it is low season time and the best time for FREE FLIGHTS TO BE ISSUED!

WHAT?! FREE?!

I'm sure there's some kind of catch, is it a buy1free1 or pay taxes no fare?

Uh uh.

It is FREE. If you consider RM0.07 not close to "free", then I wouldn't know what to say anymore. Ryanair is one of the biggest (if not the biggest budget airline) and they give out certain routes for free. Thanks to their promotional gimmick, I have flown to Porto in Portugal from Bristol (and return) for Rm0.14!


The flight was good, I wasnt discriminated for paying 14 cents, but I did have to wake up REAALYYYY early in the morning to catch it.

Good deal, anyone?

How toilets can get an NGO status

Let us take a reality check on Malaysian toilets. I will have to say that apart from China, we are second to none (countries that are at the same development pace as Malaysia) in terms of toilet hygiene. I do think however that it is improving by centimetres over the years, but the stench from the public toilets at mega shopping malls can still get unbearable.

We however have not faced the worst. One man has decided to do something about the kids, women, men, everyone, peeing in the streets, doing their business in the bushes....... But HOW?!

The government isn't going to fund you. Unless you belong into the category where you earn 5 figure USD, you wont have the money to build mobile toilets...

But this is Otunfa Gadaffi's story... On how he feels passionate about hygienic toilets, employing janitors to give them jobs and hygiene of his people on the whole. Therefore, His Shit Business just turned Real in The Developing World!


Adapted from DMT Toilets Website, an excerpt of his 10 commandments on Why Shit Business is Serious Business.

1. It is our core business and source of revenue
2. It is a business that must be done, we have chosen to do it with all dignity
3. It is a necessity of life that people must "Shit"
4. We employ modern technology in evacuation and disposal of "Shit"
5. Not many people can face up to other people's "Shit"
6. We smell the money, not the "Shit"
7. We help maintain a cleaner and sustainable environment
8. Sanitation, Environmental & Hygiene issues are serious issues that deserves serious attention
9. We create jobs and wealth through "Shit business"
10. We don't discriminate against any "Shit" regardless of race, sex, religion, language, creed, distance and location.

Have a great NGO idea? Share them HERE!

The Have-fun-do-good blog

There is one thing I believe in, and that is I believe that everyone has the potential to do what she/ he wants. However, whether that potential will turn into reality or not depends on a lot of factors, what do you think?

For start,I have been following http://havefundogood.blogspot.com/ and she seems like a very ordinary lady, but who knows how many lives has she touched upon! The things I like about her include she gives free tips on her blog (which are useful!), is a fellow "positive change agent" whom I also aspire to be, and is uber friendly! I also like how indispensable her advice is and how she is a self starter to create the organisation today.


Her tagline: A blog for people who want to make the world a better place AND have fun!

I chose to feature her although there are lots of social consultants because: her messages are simple, easy to follow and committed. Plus I really like her tagline!

The upcoming fashion: EVERYTHING ORGANIC

In the US, Organic Clothes are already a Big Hit. This is One of the many websites I flipped on and saw the Eco Chick. I figured it will land sooner or later in Malaysia with a huge KA BOOM.

How would you like your latest handbag to be made out of aluminium cans? And you are not going to be the only one wearing it, it will be on the next TopShop aisles! (The product above is by Ecoist)

At the same time, I tried to do some research on emmagem because I believe in Malaysian products! And guess what I found...

Organic Cloth Pads
Retailing at 30RM-ish for one, and u can wear and re wash every time, I think you might be able to save a lot of money! Shall I get one? At least if nothing happens to me, the rest of you can consider buying it.... I do not get any commission for promoting it, but I do like the WWF- feel to the website...




Do you truly know what it means to be organic? Share here!

It's a new day in November......

I was previously blogging only about myself.. and I think some of you might have taken this to be one of those personal blogs. I have also written this far, highlighting what I have done prior to university years because I find it frustrating unable to find out how bloggers made it that far in their lives and I want you to know why I chose to blog this.

YES this blog is most personal to me indeed, but it is also a collection of opportunities and people whom I admire for what they do. I write about them, and I hope you will be as inspired by them as I am.

Small introduction: Little things that change your lives

To begin, what is the one event of your life that changed your life to the largest degree up til now?

I invite you to share it with me at cathching@hotmail.com and I promise all emails will be kept anonymous so as long as you want it to be....