马 到 功 成. Success is when the horses come. Success goes only to those who dare and act, it seldom goes to the timid. The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Red Durian Flowers
Durian flowers are very common. But the red ones are rare. Consider yourself lucky when you spotted them. These flowers are found in one of my durian trees.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Twelve Basic Stock Investing Rules - C.C.Collins
C.C. Collins is a Financial Planning Advisor and Author of “Scientific Wealth Strategies” His basic stock investing rules are as follows:
There are many important things you need to know to trade and invest successfully in the stock market or any other market. 12 of the most important things that I can share with you based on many years of trading experience are enumerated below.
1. Buy low-sell high. As simple as this concept appears to be, the vast majority of investors do the exact opposite. Your ability to consistently buy low and sell high, will determine the success, or failure, of your investments. Your rate of return is determined 100% by when you enter the stock market.
2. The stock market is always right and price is the only reality in trading. If you want to make money in any market, you need to mirror what the market is doing. If the market is going down and you are long, the market is right and you are wrong. If the stock market is going up and you are short, the market is right and you are wrong. Other things being equal, the longer you stay right with the stock market, the more money you will make. The longer you stay wrong with the stock market, the more money you will lose.
3. Every market or stock that goes up will go down and most markets or stocks that have gone down, will go up. The more extreme the move up or down, the more extreme the movement in the opposite direction once the trend changes. This is also known as “the trend always changes rule.”
4. If you are looking for “reasons” that stocks or markets make large directional moves, you will probably never know for certain. Since we are dealing with perception of markets-not necessarily reality, you are wasting your time looking for the many reasons markets move. A huge mistake most investors make is assuming that stock markets are rational or that they are capable of ascertaining why markets do anything. To make a profit trading, it is only necessary to know that markets are moving - not why they are moving. Stock market winners only care about direction and duration, while market losers are obsessed with the whys.
5. Stock markets generally move in advance of news or supportive fundamentals - sometimes months in advance. If you wait to invest until it is totally clear to you why a stock or a market is moving, you have to assume that others have done the same thing and you may be too late. You need to get positioned before the largest directional trend move takes place. The market reaction to good or bad news in a bull market will be positive more often than not. The market reaction to good or bad news in a bear market will be negative more often than not.
6. The trend is your friend. Since the trend is the basis of all profit, we need long term trends to make sizeable money. The key is to know when to get aboard a trend and stick with it for a long period of time to maximize profits. Contrary to the short term perspective of most investors today, all the big money is made by catching large market moves - not by day trading or short term stock investing.
7. You must let your profits run and cut your losses quickly if you are to have any chance of being successful. Trading discipline is not a sufficient condition to make money in the markets, but it is a necessary condition. If you do not practice highly disciplined trading, you will not make money over the long term. This is a stock trading “system” in itself.
8. The Efficient Market Hypothesis is fallacious and is actually a derivative of the perfect competition model of capitalism. The Efficient Market Hypothesis at root shares many of the same false premises as the perfect competition paradigm as described by a well known economist. The perfect competition model is not based on anything that exists on this earth. Consistently profitable professional traders simply have better information - and they act on it. Most non-professionals trade strictly on emotion, and lose much more money than they earn. The combination of superior information for some investors and the usual panic as losses mount caused by buying high and selling low for others, creates inefficient markets.
9. Traditional technical and fundamental analysis alone may not enable you to consistently make money in the markets. Successful market timing is possible but not with the tools of analysis that most people employ. If you eliminate optimization, data mining, subjectivism, and other such statistical tricks and data manipulation, most trading ideas are losers.
10. Never trust the advice and/or ideas of trading software vendors, stock trading system sellers, market commentators, financial analysts, brokers, newsletter publishers, trading authors, etc., unless they trade their own money and have traded successfully for years. Note those that have traded successfully over very long periods of time are very few in number. Keep in mind that Wall Street and other financial firms make money by selling you something - not instilling wisdom in you. You should make your own trading decisions based on a rational analysis of all the facts.
11. The worst thing an investor can do is take a large loss on their position or portfolio. Market timing can help avert this much too common experience. You can avoid making that huge mistake by avoiding buying things when they are high. It should be obvious that you should only buy when stocks are low and only sell when stocks are high. Since your starting point is critical in determining your total return, if you buy low, your long term investment results are irrefutably better than someone that bought high.
12. The most successful investing methods should take most individuals no more than four or five hours per week and, for the majority of us, only one or two hours per week with little to no stress involved.
There are many important things you need to know to trade and invest successfully in the stock market or any other market. 12 of the most important things that I can share with you based on many years of trading experience are enumerated below.
1. Buy low-sell high. As simple as this concept appears to be, the vast majority of investors do the exact opposite. Your ability to consistently buy low and sell high, will determine the success, or failure, of your investments. Your rate of return is determined 100% by when you enter the stock market.
2. The stock market is always right and price is the only reality in trading. If you want to make money in any market, you need to mirror what the market is doing. If the market is going down and you are long, the market is right and you are wrong. If the stock market is going up and you are short, the market is right and you are wrong. Other things being equal, the longer you stay right with the stock market, the more money you will make. The longer you stay wrong with the stock market, the more money you will lose.
3. Every market or stock that goes up will go down and most markets or stocks that have gone down, will go up. The more extreme the move up or down, the more extreme the movement in the opposite direction once the trend changes. This is also known as “the trend always changes rule.”
4. If you are looking for “reasons” that stocks or markets make large directional moves, you will probably never know for certain. Since we are dealing with perception of markets-not necessarily reality, you are wasting your time looking for the many reasons markets move. A huge mistake most investors make is assuming that stock markets are rational or that they are capable of ascertaining why markets do anything. To make a profit trading, it is only necessary to know that markets are moving - not why they are moving. Stock market winners only care about direction and duration, while market losers are obsessed with the whys.
5. Stock markets generally move in advance of news or supportive fundamentals - sometimes months in advance. If you wait to invest until it is totally clear to you why a stock or a market is moving, you have to assume that others have done the same thing and you may be too late. You need to get positioned before the largest directional trend move takes place. The market reaction to good or bad news in a bull market will be positive more often than not. The market reaction to good or bad news in a bear market will be negative more often than not.
6. The trend is your friend. Since the trend is the basis of all profit, we need long term trends to make sizeable money. The key is to know when to get aboard a trend and stick with it for a long period of time to maximize profits. Contrary to the short term perspective of most investors today, all the big money is made by catching large market moves - not by day trading or short term stock investing.
7. You must let your profits run and cut your losses quickly if you are to have any chance of being successful. Trading discipline is not a sufficient condition to make money in the markets, but it is a necessary condition. If you do not practice highly disciplined trading, you will not make money over the long term. This is a stock trading “system” in itself.
8. The Efficient Market Hypothesis is fallacious and is actually a derivative of the perfect competition model of capitalism. The Efficient Market Hypothesis at root shares many of the same false premises as the perfect competition paradigm as described by a well known economist. The perfect competition model is not based on anything that exists on this earth. Consistently profitable professional traders simply have better information - and they act on it. Most non-professionals trade strictly on emotion, and lose much more money than they earn. The combination of superior information for some investors and the usual panic as losses mount caused by buying high and selling low for others, creates inefficient markets.
9. Traditional technical and fundamental analysis alone may not enable you to consistently make money in the markets. Successful market timing is possible but not with the tools of analysis that most people employ. If you eliminate optimization, data mining, subjectivism, and other such statistical tricks and data manipulation, most trading ideas are losers.
10. Never trust the advice and/or ideas of trading software vendors, stock trading system sellers, market commentators, financial analysts, brokers, newsletter publishers, trading authors, etc., unless they trade their own money and have traded successfully for years. Note those that have traded successfully over very long periods of time are very few in number. Keep in mind that Wall Street and other financial firms make money by selling you something - not instilling wisdom in you. You should make your own trading decisions based on a rational analysis of all the facts.
11. The worst thing an investor can do is take a large loss on their position or portfolio. Market timing can help avert this much too common experience. You can avoid making that huge mistake by avoiding buying things when they are high. It should be obvious that you should only buy when stocks are low and only sell when stocks are high. Since your starting point is critical in determining your total return, if you buy low, your long term investment results are irrefutably better than someone that bought high.
12. The most successful investing methods should take most individuals no more than four or five hours per week and, for the majority of us, only one or two hours per week with little to no stress involved.
Monday, April 21, 2008
The Wonder of Bird Nests
Birds' nest have been used for a long time in traditional Chinese medicine. It is classified as a cold food or ying according to the Chinese food concept. Birds' nest has been recommended for use in the curing or strengthening of the body in diseases related to weak blood or body overheat, cold, influenza, cough, asthma, and other bronchio ailments. Consumption of birds' nest is also recommended to complement other treatments to combat degenerative diseases such as cancer and also for convalescence or to recover health after illness or surgery.
It is also claimed that consuming birds' nests regularly can give a person exuberant physical and mental strength as well as to restore the fine and fair complexion of one's youthfulness. It is also mentioned that an expectant mother consuming birds' nests would have a baby with fine and smooth complexion. Chinese concept of food and medicine is a conspicuous part of the Chinese culture and birds' nest is one of the food items highly valued and often prescribed for use in the treatment of various body ailments.
The above is an extract taken from: http://birdnestman.tripod.com/
It is also claimed that consuming birds' nests regularly can give a person exuberant physical and mental strength as well as to restore the fine and fair complexion of one's youthfulness. It is also mentioned that an expectant mother consuming birds' nests would have a baby with fine and smooth complexion. Chinese concept of food and medicine is a conspicuous part of the Chinese culture and birds' nest is one of the food items highly valued and often prescribed for use in the treatment of various body ailments.
The above is an extract taken from: http://birdnestman.tripod.com/
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Swiftlets’ Delights
Set up your birdhouse where AF swiftlets abound
Soon your financial position will be sound
Consult a good sifu, to be smart
Someone with good moral value is a good start
Knowledge with capability means superiority
Honesty with integrity is the priority
Success depends on how well you plan
You must do it to the best you can
Mangrove swamps, plantations, rivers and the like
Are what the swiftlets delight
‘Cos there, insects are aplenty
Satisfying their hunger is a necessity
The flying path of the birds must be ascertained
The proper entrance window must be maintained
To and flo, to enter and to exit
An easy access is what they need
Inside the birdhouse
The smell, the sound, the light, the weather and the humidity
Must all be right
If you fail to do it correctly, the birds will not stay overnight
Beware of pests
Beware of the cockroaches and the rats
These you must get rid off
For the birdhouse to be at its best
Swiftlets are not polygamous
At maturity they pair off for life
They are loyal and faithful together
If one dies, ( I wonder) what happen to the other?
What is the life span of a swiftlet?
Twelve to fourteen years, I gather
Anyone who has the answer
Please share it with other bloggers.
Soon your financial position will be sound
Consult a good sifu, to be smart
Someone with good moral value is a good start
Knowledge with capability means superiority
Honesty with integrity is the priority
Success depends on how well you plan
You must do it to the best you can
Mangrove swamps, plantations, rivers and the like
Are what the swiftlets delight
‘Cos there, insects are aplenty
Satisfying their hunger is a necessity
The flying path of the birds must be ascertained
The proper entrance window must be maintained
To and flo, to enter and to exit
An easy access is what they need
Inside the birdhouse
The smell, the sound, the light, the weather and the humidity
Must all be right
If you fail to do it correctly, the birds will not stay overnight
Beware of pests
Beware of the cockroaches and the rats
These you must get rid off
For the birdhouse to be at its best
Swiftlets are not polygamous
At maturity they pair off for life
They are loyal and faithful together
If one dies, ( I wonder) what happen to the other?
What is the life span of a swiftlet?
Twelve to fourteen years, I gather
Anyone who has the answer
Please share it with other bloggers.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Viva Swiftlets
Swiftlets Swiftlets flying high and low
In the morning and evening sky, they glow
Twisting and turning, up and down they fly
Searching for insects,they try and try
Far and wide though they may roam
At every sunset, they come home
They brave the storms, the wind and the shine
To be home to rest, so as to be fine
They mate in the clouds
Sometimes they sleep while flying about
In total darkness, they can still locate their own nests
Using echolocation, they are as good as the bats
Man have identified them as good profitable partners
They build them safe homes to shelter them from cold
They help them to grow and multiply in numbers
In return, the swiftlets leave them their pure white gold
Swiflets swiftlets; together we shall prosper
You in your population and me in gold
For those who wish to know more
Ask CKSOON and Harry, they are the ones who know.
(To know about swiftlet farming click here: http://worldofswiftletfarming.blogspot.com/ http://swiftletfarming.blogspot.com/ )
In the morning and evening sky, they glow
Twisting and turning, up and down they fly
Searching for insects,they try and try
Far and wide though they may roam
At every sunset, they come home
They brave the storms, the wind and the shine
To be home to rest, so as to be fine
They mate in the clouds
Sometimes they sleep while flying about
In total darkness, they can still locate their own nests
Using echolocation, they are as good as the bats
Man have identified them as good profitable partners
They build them safe homes to shelter them from cold
They help them to grow and multiply in numbers
In return, the swiftlets leave them their pure white gold
Swiflets swiftlets; together we shall prosper
You in your population and me in gold
For those who wish to know more
Ask CKSOON and Harry, they are the ones who know.
(To know about swiftlet farming click here: http://worldofswiftletfarming.blogspot.com/ http://swiftletfarming.blogspot.com/ )
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Through a Rapist's Eyes
CG, one of my blog readers, sent this information to me. It is useful, so please read on.
>
> *This is important information for females of ALL ages.
>
> *When this was sent to me, I was told to forward it to my lady friends,
> but I forwarded it to most everyone in my address book.
> My men friends have female friends and this information is too important to miss someone.
> **
> **Please pass it along**
>
> *A group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interviewed on what they
> look for in a potential victim and here are some interesting facts:
>
> *1) The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They
> are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid or other
> hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a
> woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets.
>
> *2) The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women
> whose clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors around
> specifically to cut clothing.
>
> *3) They also look for women on their cell phone,searching through their
> purse, or doing other activities while walking because they are off-guard
> and can be easily overpowered.
>
> *4) Men are most likely to attack & rape in the early morning, between 5:00
> a.m. and 8:30 a.m.**
>
> *5) The number one place women are abducted from/attacked is grocery store
> parking lots . Number two: Are office parking lots/garages. Number three:
> Are public restrooms.
>
> *6) The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman and
> quickly move her to another location where they don't have to worry about
> getting caught. **
>
> *7) Only 2% said they carried weapons because rape carries a 3-5 year
> sentence but rape with a weapon is 15-20 years.
>
> *8) If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged because
> it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you isn't
> worth it because it will be time-consuming.
>
> *9) These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas, or other
> similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands.
>
> *Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the
> attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these guys
> you're not worth it.
>
> *10) Several defense mechanisms he taught us are: If someone is following
> behind you on a street or in a garage or with you in an elevator or
> stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question, like what time is
> it, or make general small talk: 'I can't believe it is so cold out here,'
> 'we're in for a bad winter.' Now you've seen their face and could identify
> them in a line-up; you lose appeal as a target.
>
> *11) If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you
> and yell STOP or STAY BACK! Most of the rapists this man talked to said they'd
> leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to
> fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY target.
>
> *12) If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate of it
> and carries it with him wherever he goes), yell I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY and holding
> it out will be a deterrent.
>
> *13) If someone grabs you, you can't beat them with strength but you
> can by outsmarting them. If you are grabbed around the waist from
> behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm (between the elbow and armpit)
> OR in the upper innerthigh VERY VERY HARD.
> One woman in a class this guy taught told him she used the underarm pinch
> on a guy who was trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through
> the skin and tore out muscle strands - the guy needed stitches. Try
> pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it - it hurts **.
>
> *14)** After the initial hit, always GO for the GROIN**.** I know from a
> particularly unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy's parts it is
> extremely painful . You might think that you'll anger the guy and make him
> want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our instructor is
> that they want a woman who will not cause a lot of trouble. Start causing
> trouble and he's out of there. **
>
> *15) When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two fingers and
> bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them
> as possible . The instructor did it to me without using much pressure, and I
> ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked audibly.
>
> *16) Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of
> your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and **if you see any odd
> behavior,** **don't dismiss it, go with your instincts!!!
>
> *You may feel a little silly at the time, but you'd feel much worse if the
> guy really was trouble.
> *
> *1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If
> you are close enough to use it, do!
>
> *2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans . If a robber asks for
> your wallet and/or purse,** DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM**. Toss it away from
> you....chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse
> than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. **RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER
> DIRECTION!
>
> *3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail
> lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The
> driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.
>
> *4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating,
> working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.)
> **DON'T DO THIS!** The predator will be watching you, and this is the
> perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to
> your head, and tell you where to go. ** AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR,
> LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.
>
> *a. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF,
> repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything,
> wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back
> seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and
> run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.
>
> *5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot or parking garage:
>
> *A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side
> floor, and in the back seat.
>
> *B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger
> door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their
> vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
>
> *C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the
> passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you
> may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to
> walk you back out.
>
> *IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
>
> *6.** ALWAYS** take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are
> horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially
> true at NIGHT!)
>
> *7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, **ALWAYS
> RUN!** The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times.
> And even then, it most likely **WILL NOT** be a vital organ.** RUN,
> preferably in a zigzag pattern!
>
> *8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: **STOP!** It may get
> you raped or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking,
> well-educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting
> women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his
> vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
>
> *9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a
> crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police
> because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her
> **'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.'
>
> *The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window,
> and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The
> policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT
> open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry
> recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone
> dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several
> calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when
> they're home alone at night.
>
> *Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby ----This
> **should be taken seriously because the Crying Baby theory was mentioned on
> America's Most Wanted this past Saturday when they profiled the serial
> killer in Louisiana.
>
> *I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life.
> A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this
> to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters,
> daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as well. *
>
>
> *This is important information for females of ALL ages.
>
> *When this was sent to me, I was told to forward it to my lady friends,
> but I forwarded it to most everyone in my address book.
> My men friends have female friends and this information is too important to miss someone.
> **
> **Please pass it along**
>
> *A group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interviewed on what they
> look for in a potential victim and here are some interesting facts:
>
> *1) The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They
> are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid or other
> hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a
> woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets.
>
> *2) The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women
> whose clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors around
> specifically to cut clothing.
>
> *3) They also look for women on their cell phone,searching through their
> purse, or doing other activities while walking because they are off-guard
> and can be easily overpowered.
>
> *4) Men are most likely to attack & rape in the early morning, between 5:00
> a.m. and 8:30 a.m.**
>
> *5) The number one place women are abducted from/attacked is grocery store
> parking lots . Number two: Are office parking lots/garages. Number three:
> Are public restrooms.
>
> *6) The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman and
> quickly move her to another location where they don't have to worry about
> getting caught. **
>
> *7) Only 2% said they carried weapons because rape carries a 3-5 year
> sentence but rape with a weapon is 15-20 years.
>
> *8) If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged because
> it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you isn't
> worth it because it will be time-consuming.
>
> *9) These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas, or other
> similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands.
>
> *Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the
> attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these guys
> you're not worth it.
>
> *10) Several defense mechanisms he taught us are: If someone is following
> behind you on a street or in a garage or with you in an elevator or
> stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question, like what time is
> it, or make general small talk: 'I can't believe it is so cold out here,'
> 'we're in for a bad winter.' Now you've seen their face and could identify
> them in a line-up; you lose appeal as a target.
>
> *11) If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you
> and yell STOP or STAY BACK! Most of the rapists this man talked to said they'd
> leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to
> fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY target.
>
> *12) If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate of it
> and carries it with him wherever he goes), yell I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY and holding
> it out will be a deterrent.
>
> *13) If someone grabs you, you can't beat them with strength but you
> can by outsmarting them. If you are grabbed around the waist from
> behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm (between the elbow and armpit)
> OR in the upper innerthigh VERY VERY HARD.
> One woman in a class this guy taught told him she used the underarm pinch
> on a guy who was trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through
> the skin and tore out muscle strands - the guy needed stitches. Try
> pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it - it hurts **.
>
> *14)** After the initial hit, always GO for the GROIN**.** I know from a
> particularly unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy's parts it is
> extremely painful . You might think that you'll anger the guy and make him
> want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our instructor is
> that they want a woman who will not cause a lot of trouble. Start causing
> trouble and he's out of there. **
>
> *15) When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two fingers and
> bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them
> as possible . The instructor did it to me without using much pressure, and I
> ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked audibly.
>
> *16) Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of
> your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and **if you see any odd
> behavior,** **don't dismiss it, go with your instincts!!!
>
> *You may feel a little silly at the time, but you'd feel much worse if the
> guy really was trouble.
> *
> *1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If
> you are close enough to use it, do!
>
> *2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans . If a robber asks for
> your wallet and/or purse,** DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM**. Toss it away from
> you....chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse
> than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. **RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER
> DIRECTION!
>
> *3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail
> lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The
> driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.
>
> *4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating,
> working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.)
> **DON'T DO THIS!** The predator will be watching you, and this is the
> perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to
> your head, and tell you where to go. ** AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR,
> LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.
>
> *a. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF,
> repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything,
> wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back
> seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and
> run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.
>
> *5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot or parking garage:
>
> *A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side
> floor, and in the back seat.
>
> *B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger
> door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their
> vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
>
> *C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the
> passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you
> may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to
> walk you back out.
>
> *IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
>
> *6.** ALWAYS** take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are
> horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially
> true at NIGHT!)
>
> *7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, **ALWAYS
> RUN!** The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times.
> And even then, it most likely **WILL NOT** be a vital organ.** RUN,
> preferably in a zigzag pattern!
>
> *8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: **STOP!** It may get
> you raped or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking,
> well-educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting
> women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his
> vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
>
> *9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a
> crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police
> because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her
> **'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.'
>
> *The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window,
> and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The
> policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT
> open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry
> recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone
> dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several
> calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when
> they're home alone at night.
>
> *Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby ----This
> **should be taken seriously because the Crying Baby theory was mentioned on
> America's Most Wanted this past Saturday when they profiled the serial
> killer in Louisiana.
>
> *I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life.
> A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this
> to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters,
> daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as well. *
>
Sunday, March 30, 2008
ECER states ramps up swiftlet farming
Business Times On-Line says:
THE East Coast Economic Region (ECER) states are ramping up swiftlet farming, with Kelantan emerging as the country's second largest swiftlet farmer after Perak.
Swiftlet farms produce highly-prized and much coveted birds' nests, where male swiftlets deposit salivary strands to build nests.
A kilogramme of unprocessed white edible birds' nests was priced between RM4,500 and RM6,000 in 2006, while its processed version fetched retail prices of RM15,000 to RM25,000 in Hong Kong and China.
The total consumption value of edible birds' nests throughout the world in 2006 was estimated to be in between RM8 billion and RM12 billion.
Hong Kong, at a 50 per cent consumption rate, is the world's biggest buyer of birds' nests, while China stands at eight per cent, Taiwan four per cent and Macau three per cent, with consumption weight value of 160 tonnes for 2006.
As of June 2004, there were about 300 birds' nest locations in Kelantan, especially in Kota Baru, Tumpat and Rantau Panjang.
Other swiftlet farms within the ECER are in Pasir Mas in Kelantan; Kampong Air Papan in Mersing; Kuala Besut, Kuala Terengganu, Tok Soboh, Kampung Pinang in Terengganu; as well as Rompin and Pekan in Pahang.
Nespure Birdsnest Sdn Bhd managing director Ng Ching Phock said swiftlet farming has become a new industry to generate Kelantan's economy, apart from offering jobs to its people.
With its own outlet and swiftlet farm in Kota Baru, Nespure Birdsnest markets birds' nest products directly from its outlet and sells to third parties.
It is also the first outlet in the east coast to sell sea swiftlet's birds' nest products.
"Locally harvested birds' nests are among the world's best in quality and are in demand from the international market, either raw or processed," Ng said in a statement yesterday.
"At Nespure Birdsnest, Muslim workers are employed to collect, clean, process, and select quality bird's nests by using traditional methods."
Meanwhile, Bio Research Centre (M) Sdn Bhd (BRC), one of Perak's largest swiftlet farmers, is also exploring swiftlet farming in Mersing, Kota Baru, as well as Kuantan and Kuala Rompin in Pahang.
Its managing director Loke Yeu Loong said: "Since the production of commercially harvestable quantities of edible birds' nests started to grow in 1998, more and more SME (small and medium enterprise) businessmen, landlords and investors have began to realise the financial viability of the swiftlet farming industry in Malaysia."
In Malaysia, the industry has been growing by leaps and bounds over the last eight years.
By the end of 2006, there were nearly 36,000 swiftlet farms throughout the country, with an average annualised growth rate of 35 per cent per year in the last five years.
Malaysia is the world's third largest producer of edible birds' nests with seven per cent of gross supply value, behind Indonesia (60 per cent) and Thailand (20 per cent).
The Perak state government has offered 10 potential sites for swiftlet farming, while Johor has proposed swiftlet eco-parks in Endau and Desaru. The Negri Sembilan state government is also interested in setting up similar eco parks.
The swiftlet farming industry is governed by various guidelines drawn up by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government as well as Jabatan Perkhidmatan Haiwan.
Bank Pertanian Malaysia is offering end-financing of up to 85 per cent as birds' nest cultivation has been termed an agro-based industry.
THE East Coast Economic Region (ECER) states are ramping up swiftlet farming, with Kelantan emerging as the country's second largest swiftlet farmer after Perak.
Swiftlet farms produce highly-prized and much coveted birds' nests, where male swiftlets deposit salivary strands to build nests.
A kilogramme of unprocessed white edible birds' nests was priced between RM4,500 and RM6,000 in 2006, while its processed version fetched retail prices of RM15,000 to RM25,000 in Hong Kong and China.
The total consumption value of edible birds' nests throughout the world in 2006 was estimated to be in between RM8 billion and RM12 billion.
Hong Kong, at a 50 per cent consumption rate, is the world's biggest buyer of birds' nests, while China stands at eight per cent, Taiwan four per cent and Macau three per cent, with consumption weight value of 160 tonnes for 2006.
As of June 2004, there were about 300 birds' nest locations in Kelantan, especially in Kota Baru, Tumpat and Rantau Panjang.
Other swiftlet farms within the ECER are in Pasir Mas in Kelantan; Kampong Air Papan in Mersing; Kuala Besut, Kuala Terengganu, Tok Soboh, Kampung Pinang in Terengganu; as well as Rompin and Pekan in Pahang.
Nespure Birdsnest Sdn Bhd managing director Ng Ching Phock said swiftlet farming has become a new industry to generate Kelantan's economy, apart from offering jobs to its people.
With its own outlet and swiftlet farm in Kota Baru, Nespure Birdsnest markets birds' nest products directly from its outlet and sells to third parties.
It is also the first outlet in the east coast to sell sea swiftlet's birds' nest products.
"Locally harvested birds' nests are among the world's best in quality and are in demand from the international market, either raw or processed," Ng said in a statement yesterday.
"At Nespure Birdsnest, Muslim workers are employed to collect, clean, process, and select quality bird's nests by using traditional methods."
Meanwhile, Bio Research Centre (M) Sdn Bhd (BRC), one of Perak's largest swiftlet farmers, is also exploring swiftlet farming in Mersing, Kota Baru, as well as Kuantan and Kuala Rompin in Pahang.
Its managing director Loke Yeu Loong said: "Since the production of commercially harvestable quantities of edible birds' nests started to grow in 1998, more and more SME (small and medium enterprise) businessmen, landlords and investors have began to realise the financial viability of the swiftlet farming industry in Malaysia."
In Malaysia, the industry has been growing by leaps and bounds over the last eight years.
By the end of 2006, there were nearly 36,000 swiftlet farms throughout the country, with an average annualised growth rate of 35 per cent per year in the last five years.
Malaysia is the world's third largest producer of edible birds' nests with seven per cent of gross supply value, behind Indonesia (60 per cent) and Thailand (20 per cent).
The Perak state government has offered 10 potential sites for swiftlet farming, while Johor has proposed swiftlet eco-parks in Endau and Desaru. The Negri Sembilan state government is also interested in setting up similar eco parks.
The swiftlet farming industry is governed by various guidelines drawn up by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government as well as Jabatan Perkhidmatan Haiwan.
Bank Pertanian Malaysia is offering end-financing of up to 85 per cent as birds' nest cultivation has been termed an agro-based industry.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The World's First Legal Swiftlet Park
17/07/07
By Zoe Phoon
Incredible, but true! An astounding RM13 billion worth of edible bird?s nests were produced around the world last year alone, with a significant portion coming from swiftlet houses in Malaysia and Indonesia.
And there's no letting up.So much so, in fact, that with demand from China,Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan on the rise, there's now a "housing shortage" for these birds!
Enter the Perak Swiftlet Eco Park @ Manjung ? the world's first legal, structured park to accommodate swiftlets.
Here, "housing units" of detached, semi-detached and terrace types permit edible bird's nests to be be cultivated in an organised manner, with the park also serving as an eco-tourism centre.
The first phase of the project being jointly developed by Bio Research Centre (M) Sdn Bhd (BRC) and the Perak State Development Corp, which provided the land, is expected to be ready for the swiftlets to occupy come June 2008.
BRC co-founder and executive chairman Datuk Dr Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan said the the park, which has garnered federal government support, will adhere to Good Animal Husbandry Practices to protect the welfare and behavioural aspects of the ranched swiftlets and ensure that they will not become a public nuisance or health hazard.
The three types of swiftlet houses available for sale with individual titles, round-theclock security and bio-environment management system are all specially designed, with BRC offering professional management to guarantee efficient commercial harvesting of the bird's nests.
The three-storey terrace units with dimensions of 25ft by 75ft will have 4,600sq ft of built-up space. Priced at RM398,800, they are suitable for those with little or no experience in swiftlet farming and intend only to put out minimum capital outlay.
End-financing of up to 85 per cent is being offered by Bank Pertanian Malaysia, which has termed bird?s nest cultivation an agro-based industry.
All the 13 units in the first phase, and over 50 per cent of the second phase, with 13 units as well, were sold at a soft launch recently, with the official launch slated for the end of this month.
?As long as the birds are well taken care of, they?ll earn millions of ringgit for the investor,? said Dr Abdullah.
Those already getting returns from their swiftlet farms but seek properly managed premises can opt for one of the 18 units of 60ft by 105ft three-storey semidetached houses with a typical built-up area of 8,500sq ft. These are priced from RM678,000.
For an even larger house, there?s the choice of a 75ft by 150ft three-storey detached unit with a built-up size of 13,600sq ft. Seven units are for sale, at RM988,000 each.
A medical doctor by training, Dr Abdullah was a former deputy minister in the Foreign Affairs and Defence ministries. He is also the executive chairman of Bio Perak (M) Sdn Bhd, which promotes the biotechnology industry in the state on behalf of the Perak government as well as an established developer and major shareholder of Perak Integrated Network Services Sdn Bhd, which builds telecommunication towers in the state.
His partner and BRC managing director, Loke Yeu Loong, has 22 years of property development under his belt.
The duo initiated the Perak Swiftlet Eco Park @ Manjung project to bring an end to unregulated swiftlet farming in the state, particularly in the Manjung district, and to create a niche investment opportunity.
They target to launch their second swiftlet housing scheme in Taiping by the end of this year.
BRC has also identified sites in Selangor, Pahang, Terengganu and Johor that will be suitable for legalised swiftlet farming and eventually, the firm aims to venture into other states, and even abroad to Vietnam and Thailand.
On why Manjung was selected for the first site, Loke said "abundant food supply is vital for swiftlet farming, and the project in the town of Sitiawan is one of the best swiftlet farming areas" in the country.
He added that other areas considered excellent for commercial farming of bird?s nests are Parit Buntar and Taiping, also in Perak; Kota Baru in Kelantan; Endau and Kota Tinggi in Johor; and Kuantan and Kuala Rompin in Pahang.
"The swiftlet farm site must be located in the direct flyingpath of swiftlets, amidst forest reserves, mangrove swamps, plantations, rivers and the sea," he said.
"This creates the perfect environment for the birds... and for investors to make money."
By Zoe Phoon
Incredible, but true! An astounding RM13 billion worth of edible bird?s nests were produced around the world last year alone, with a significant portion coming from swiftlet houses in Malaysia and Indonesia.
And there's no letting up.So much so, in fact, that with demand from China,Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan on the rise, there's now a "housing shortage" for these birds!
Enter the Perak Swiftlet Eco Park @ Manjung ? the world's first legal, structured park to accommodate swiftlets.
Here, "housing units" of detached, semi-detached and terrace types permit edible bird's nests to be be cultivated in an organised manner, with the park also serving as an eco-tourism centre.
The first phase of the project being jointly developed by Bio Research Centre (M) Sdn Bhd (BRC) and the Perak State Development Corp, which provided the land, is expected to be ready for the swiftlets to occupy come June 2008.
BRC co-founder and executive chairman Datuk Dr Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan said the the park, which has garnered federal government support, will adhere to Good Animal Husbandry Practices to protect the welfare and behavioural aspects of the ranched swiftlets and ensure that they will not become a public nuisance or health hazard.
The three types of swiftlet houses available for sale with individual titles, round-theclock security and bio-environment management system are all specially designed, with BRC offering professional management to guarantee efficient commercial harvesting of the bird's nests.
The three-storey terrace units with dimensions of 25ft by 75ft will have 4,600sq ft of built-up space. Priced at RM398,800, they are suitable for those with little or no experience in swiftlet farming and intend only to put out minimum capital outlay.
End-financing of up to 85 per cent is being offered by Bank Pertanian Malaysia, which has termed bird?s nest cultivation an agro-based industry.
All the 13 units in the first phase, and over 50 per cent of the second phase, with 13 units as well, were sold at a soft launch recently, with the official launch slated for the end of this month.
?As long as the birds are well taken care of, they?ll earn millions of ringgit for the investor,? said Dr Abdullah.
Those already getting returns from their swiftlet farms but seek properly managed premises can opt for one of the 18 units of 60ft by 105ft three-storey semidetached houses with a typical built-up area of 8,500sq ft. These are priced from RM678,000.
For an even larger house, there?s the choice of a 75ft by 150ft three-storey detached unit with a built-up size of 13,600sq ft. Seven units are for sale, at RM988,000 each.
A medical doctor by training, Dr Abdullah was a former deputy minister in the Foreign Affairs and Defence ministries. He is also the executive chairman of Bio Perak (M) Sdn Bhd, which promotes the biotechnology industry in the state on behalf of the Perak government as well as an established developer and major shareholder of Perak Integrated Network Services Sdn Bhd, which builds telecommunication towers in the state.
His partner and BRC managing director, Loke Yeu Loong, has 22 years of property development under his belt.
The duo initiated the Perak Swiftlet Eco Park @ Manjung project to bring an end to unregulated swiftlet farming in the state, particularly in the Manjung district, and to create a niche investment opportunity.
They target to launch their second swiftlet housing scheme in Taiping by the end of this year.
BRC has also identified sites in Selangor, Pahang, Terengganu and Johor that will be suitable for legalised swiftlet farming and eventually, the firm aims to venture into other states, and even abroad to Vietnam and Thailand.
On why Manjung was selected for the first site, Loke said "abundant food supply is vital for swiftlet farming, and the project in the town of Sitiawan is one of the best swiftlet farming areas" in the country.
He added that other areas considered excellent for commercial farming of bird?s nests are Parit Buntar and Taiping, also in Perak; Kota Baru in Kelantan; Endau and Kota Tinggi in Johor; and Kuantan and Kuala Rompin in Pahang.
"The swiftlet farm site must be located in the direct flyingpath of swiftlets, amidst forest reserves, mangrove swamps, plantations, rivers and the sea," he said.
"This creates the perfect environment for the birds... and for investors to make money."
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
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