Today is Ling's Happy Birthday,the following song is dedicated to her which i think the lyrics is meaningful....
It is sing and compose by Corrine May,who is one of the singer that i like so much recenty...
The Birthday Song
Don't worry about that extra line
That's creeping up upon your face
It's just a part of nature's way to say you've grown a little more
Trees have rings and thicker branches
Kids shoes get a little tighter
Every year we're getting closer to who we're gonna be
It's time to celebrate the story of how you've come to be
Happy Birthday, my friend
Here's to all the years we've shared together
All the fun we've hadYou're such a blessing
Such a joy in my life
May the good Lord bless you
And may all your dreams come true
So light a candle on your cake
For every smile you've helped create
For every heart and every soul
You've helped to grow a little more
A few more pounds, a little more grey
Dont count the years, just count the way
It takes a little time to go from water into wine
Dont ever lose the wonder of that child within your eyes
Happy Birthday, my friend
Here's to all the years we've share together
All the fun we've had
You're such a blessing
Such a joy in my life
May the good Lord bless you
And may all your dreams come true
Monday, September 26, 2005
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
The problem with guys!!
Men Are Hard To Please
The problems with GUYS:
If u TREAT him nicely, he says u are IN LOVE with him;
If u Don't, he says u are PROUD.
If u DRESS Nicely, he says u are trying to LURE him;
If u Don't, he says u are from KAMPUNG.
If u ARGUE with him, he says u are STUBBORN;
If u keep QUIET, he says u have no BRAINS.
If u are SMARTER than him, he'll lose FACE;
If he's Smarter than u, he is GREAT.
If u don't Love him, he tries to POSSESS u;
If u Love him, he will try to LEAVE u. (very true huh?)
If u don't make love with him., he says u don't Love him;
If u do!! he says u are CHEAP.
If u tell him your PROBLEM, he says u are TROUBLESOME;
If u don't, he says that u don't TRUST him.
If u SCOLD him, u are like a NANNY to him;
If he SCOLDS u, it is because he CARES for u.
If u BREAK your PROMISE, u Cannot be TRUSTED;
If he BREAKS his, he is FORCED to do so.
If u SMOKE, u are BAD girl;
If he SMOKES, he is GENTLEMAN.
If u do WELL in your exams, he says it's LUCK;
If he does WELL, it's BRAINS.
If u HURT him, u are CRUEL;
If he HURTS u, u are too SENSITIVE!!
SO HARD TO PLEASE!!!!!
The problems with GUYS:
If u TREAT him nicely, he says u are IN LOVE with him;
If u Don't, he says u are PROUD.
If u DRESS Nicely, he says u are trying to LURE him;
If u Don't, he says u are from KAMPUNG.
If u ARGUE with him, he says u are STUBBORN;
If u keep QUIET, he says u have no BRAINS.
If u are SMARTER than him, he'll lose FACE;
If he's Smarter than u, he is GREAT.
If u don't Love him, he tries to POSSESS u;
If u Love him, he will try to LEAVE u. (very true huh?)
If u don't make love with him., he says u don't Love him;
If u do!! he says u are CHEAP.
If u tell him your PROBLEM, he says u are TROUBLESOME;
If u don't, he says that u don't TRUST him.
If u SCOLD him, u are like a NANNY to him;
If he SCOLDS u, it is because he CARES for u.
If u BREAK your PROMISE, u Cannot be TRUSTED;
If he BREAKS his, he is FORCED to do so.
If u SMOKE, u are BAD girl;
If he SMOKES, he is GENTLEMAN.
If u do WELL in your exams, he says it's LUCK;
If he does WELL, it's BRAINS.
If u HURT him, u are CRUEL;
If he HURTS u, u are too SENSITIVE!!
SO HARD TO PLEASE!!!!!
MAICSA Leardership Camp 2005
I was joining the MAICSA Leadership Camp this year,this is the first time that i am joining such activity in KL,not even in my life of ACCA studies.
Me and Yee Ling met at Wangsa Maju LRT and we reached the Bangsar LRT at 7.30am,we chit chat with others from TAR while waiting for the rest to come,at about 8.00am,we depart from Bangsar LRT and reached the Dusun Eco Resort at about 9.00am,the Dusun Eco is situated at the Bentong,it is a place which is secluded from the city and gave us a very natural feel as we are surrounded by trees,in here,you can't hardly see tall buildings,buses and also cars passing through..We are going by those big bus sekolah,so since the resort is situated quite high level,therefore we need to transfer to another lorry which it will send us to the main entrance of the resort.The feeling when sitting on the lorry is like playing the corksrew in Genting,it is exciting yet scary.
After we reached the main entrance,the staffs gave us the room key,since there is already 3 of us,so we need to find another roommate as one chalet fit 4 people.After that,we need to go to the office to take the bedsheet and pillow cover as we need to fix that ourselves,even though it is the name resort,but it is not really a resort that we can normally imagine.
Then we were asked to meet at the field to start the first activity,we are not allowed to wear jeans,i forget to bring the long track bottom,so i had no choice but to wear the short pants.The 1st activity is the obstacles course.I feel a bit nervous when i see those obstacles as i never try such activity before and i think it is quite difficult for me to try it out.We were divided into 7 groups with 6 of us in 1 group.My team got 4 girls and 2 boys,i think it is quite a good mix as for some activity,the guy can help us out.
The first one is Tembok,the instuctor first explain to us and teach us how to climb over the tembok,but since most of us are girls and our arms can't really support us when we jump over,therefore we need the help of the guy.At first i was quite scare,but just want to see whether i can make it,after finish it,it gives me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.Then the later one should be no big problem,even though some of it are not tough,but we need to use out hands and legs to make it out,so there are bruises and scratches after completing it.
Then we had our lunch,the lunch got fish,prawn,vege,but all cooked in Malay style,so almost everything is hot and spicy,and the drink they gave also syrup.I dare not eat too full as i know later still got activity.After washing our plates,then we were asked to gather at the field again.This time is bamboo rafting.We were divided into 4 groups and each group was given 30 minutes to make our own raft with the bamboo sticks,water containers and also the ropes.The challenge will be we need to make our own raft from zero and also sail it over a short distance over a small lake.Luckily we got 2 guys in our team where they can help us tighten the rope tightly.Even though it is like that,our raft was not very stable and tough,therefore for each trip,only 3 of us can sit on it,and it is glad that the raft still can sail for at least 3 trips,it is so funny that the raft of one of the team was broken half way when they are going to sail,and all the people sit on it being thrown into water and become water duck.Even though after that all of us are wet,but i think all of us enjoyed and it is cool to swim in the lake also....
Each team was asked to create a team song which it must comprise the word "I love MAICSA!","I Love ICSA!",i told the staff that why make us so "patriotic",but finally we still manage to come out with a song amended from the song "Top of the World" and also we sang the Ah Niu song,"du mian de nui hai kan guo lai",but we just manage to get the 4th place,it is still ok,at least not the last 2 which will be punished.....
So after that,we were asked to go to the lorry again and this time we were sent to the entrance of the jungle.We got Night jungle walk and at that time it is 11.30pm.The instructor first warned us not to speak something bad inside,can't play and must follow one by one.Then later he start to pray,at that moment,i felt a bit scare coz i think the surrounding is quite scary.It gave me an uncomfortable feeling but i will still go on to try it out.Inside the jungle,we can hardly see anything clearly as every way is dark,beside that i also dare not look around as i scare that i would see something that i not supposed to see,so just take my torchlight to light my way as we need to climb up and down,so we must be careful or else we may get hurt easily.When we finally finished 90% of the journey,it is around 12.30am,so i think this is the first time that my mooncake festival is celebrated inside a jungle,few of us are singing the song"yuan liang yuan" for a small part.
After all,we all are tired and when we reached the chalets,we quickily change the cloth and set the alarm and sleep.It is cold and i did not realise that time pass so fast,it is so tired till i can sleep like pig.So we quickily change the cloth and go to have out brakfast as we need to start the final activity.This time is the Flying fox.When i saw it from down,it seems like so scary as it is about 10th floor high,and before reaching the platform,we need to go over a long long bridge which is hanging over ,i was so nervous when i was walking over it as it is swinging,but since it is half way,so i just tell myself that you can make it you can make it to reach the platform.Then the instructor helps us to set up the things,2 of us in a group and he try to push you until your foot can't reach the land and fly out.Wau,it is so fun flying in the sky,at that moment,i don't even think that i am scare or what,in fact after that,i am wishing to try it one more time.
After the flying fox then it is time to pack out belongings as we are going back to KL.Before we left the resort,each of us is taking photo for memory.Then we get into the bus again and reach Bangsar LRT at 1.30pm.So the 2 days 1 night trip ends there.
This is the first time i am joining such camp,in fact i would not joining it if not because of my friends asking me,i have a fear in carrying out such outdoor activities sometimes and that make me not dare to join.And for certain things like the obstacles,i always have a fear that i am not able to do that,and also deny myself before i really carrying out.But after all,even though i can say it is the environment push me to go on,i think myself get an imporatant message,"You never know whether you can make it or not before you try!",sometimes we always think that saying is easier compare to action,but do we really try to do what we said before we really saying that we cannot.I think after joining this camp,it helps on my personal development,i believe i will be more brave on trying out the new things next time.
This is the entrance of the Dusun Eco Resort,not a really high class resort huh?
This is the canteen that we had our breakfast,lunch,tea break and also dinner.....
The chalet that we styed for 1 night.
A pondok where you can sit down and chit chat here and there......
A swimming pool which the water is very cold as the water is the mountain water......
This really trains you how to balance up!
This is called Commandotrap,it is this giving me bruises on my hands and legs....
Various types of obstacles game.....
Tembok....my 1st scary obstacle.....after this..then everything seem not difficult...
The scary Vietname bridge before reaching the platform of Flying Fox,long and scary for me....
Here is the Flying Fox,really excited when "Fly" in the sky......
Me and Yee Ling met at Wangsa Maju LRT and we reached the Bangsar LRT at 7.30am,we chit chat with others from TAR while waiting for the rest to come,at about 8.00am,we depart from Bangsar LRT and reached the Dusun Eco Resort at about 9.00am,the Dusun Eco is situated at the Bentong,it is a place which is secluded from the city and gave us a very natural feel as we are surrounded by trees,in here,you can't hardly see tall buildings,buses and also cars passing through..We are going by those big bus sekolah,so since the resort is situated quite high level,therefore we need to transfer to another lorry which it will send us to the main entrance of the resort.The feeling when sitting on the lorry is like playing the corksrew in Genting,it is exciting yet scary.
After we reached the main entrance,the staffs gave us the room key,since there is already 3 of us,so we need to find another roommate as one chalet fit 4 people.After that,we need to go to the office to take the bedsheet and pillow cover as we need to fix that ourselves,even though it is the name resort,but it is not really a resort that we can normally imagine.
Then we were asked to meet at the field to start the first activity,we are not allowed to wear jeans,i forget to bring the long track bottom,so i had no choice but to wear the short pants.The 1st activity is the obstacles course.I feel a bit nervous when i see those obstacles as i never try such activity before and i think it is quite difficult for me to try it out.We were divided into 7 groups with 6 of us in 1 group.My team got 4 girls and 2 boys,i think it is quite a good mix as for some activity,the guy can help us out.
The first one is Tembok,the instuctor first explain to us and teach us how to climb over the tembok,but since most of us are girls and our arms can't really support us when we jump over,therefore we need the help of the guy.At first i was quite scare,but just want to see whether i can make it,after finish it,it gives me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.Then the later one should be no big problem,even though some of it are not tough,but we need to use out hands and legs to make it out,so there are bruises and scratches after completing it.
Then we had our lunch,the lunch got fish,prawn,vege,but all cooked in Malay style,so almost everything is hot and spicy,and the drink they gave also syrup.I dare not eat too full as i know later still got activity.After washing our plates,then we were asked to gather at the field again.This time is bamboo rafting.We were divided into 4 groups and each group was given 30 minutes to make our own raft with the bamboo sticks,water containers and also the ropes.The challenge will be we need to make our own raft from zero and also sail it over a short distance over a small lake.Luckily we got 2 guys in our team where they can help us tighten the rope tightly.Even though it is like that,our raft was not very stable and tough,therefore for each trip,only 3 of us can sit on it,and it is glad that the raft still can sail for at least 3 trips,it is so funny that the raft of one of the team was broken half way when they are going to sail,and all the people sit on it being thrown into water and become water duck.Even though after that all of us are wet,but i think all of us enjoyed and it is cool to swim in the lake also....
Each team was asked to create a team song which it must comprise the word "I love MAICSA!","I Love ICSA!",i told the staff that why make us so "patriotic",but finally we still manage to come out with a song amended from the song "Top of the World" and also we sang the Ah Niu song,"du mian de nui hai kan guo lai",but we just manage to get the 4th place,it is still ok,at least not the last 2 which will be punished.....
So after that,we were asked to go to the lorry again and this time we were sent to the entrance of the jungle.We got Night jungle walk and at that time it is 11.30pm.The instructor first warned us not to speak something bad inside,can't play and must follow one by one.Then later he start to pray,at that moment,i felt a bit scare coz i think the surrounding is quite scary.It gave me an uncomfortable feeling but i will still go on to try it out.Inside the jungle,we can hardly see anything clearly as every way is dark,beside that i also dare not look around as i scare that i would see something that i not supposed to see,so just take my torchlight to light my way as we need to climb up and down,so we must be careful or else we may get hurt easily.When we finally finished 90% of the journey,it is around 12.30am,so i think this is the first time that my mooncake festival is celebrated inside a jungle,few of us are singing the song"yuan liang yuan" for a small part.
After all,we all are tired and when we reached the chalets,we quickily change the cloth and set the alarm and sleep.It is cold and i did not realise that time pass so fast,it is so tired till i can sleep like pig.So we quickily change the cloth and go to have out brakfast as we need to start the final activity.This time is the Flying fox.When i saw it from down,it seems like so scary as it is about 10th floor high,and before reaching the platform,we need to go over a long long bridge which is hanging over ,i was so nervous when i was walking over it as it is swinging,but since it is half way,so i just tell myself that you can make it you can make it to reach the platform.Then the instructor helps us to set up the things,2 of us in a group and he try to push you until your foot can't reach the land and fly out.Wau,it is so fun flying in the sky,at that moment,i don't even think that i am scare or what,in fact after that,i am wishing to try it one more time.
After the flying fox then it is time to pack out belongings as we are going back to KL.Before we left the resort,each of us is taking photo for memory.Then we get into the bus again and reach Bangsar LRT at 1.30pm.So the 2 days 1 night trip ends there.
This is the first time i am joining such camp,in fact i would not joining it if not because of my friends asking me,i have a fear in carrying out such outdoor activities sometimes and that make me not dare to join.And for certain things like the obstacles,i always have a fear that i am not able to do that,and also deny myself before i really carrying out.But after all,even though i can say it is the environment push me to go on,i think myself get an imporatant message,"You never know whether you can make it or not before you try!",sometimes we always think that saying is easier compare to action,but do we really try to do what we said before we really saying that we cannot.I think after joining this camp,it helps on my personal development,i believe i will be more brave on trying out the new things next time.
This is the entrance of the Dusun Eco Resort,not a really high class resort huh?
This is the canteen that we had our breakfast,lunch,tea break and also dinner.....
The chalet that we styed for 1 night.
A pondok where you can sit down and chit chat here and there......
A swimming pool which the water is very cold as the water is the mountain water......
This really trains you how to balance up!
This is called Commandotrap,it is this giving me bruises on my hands and legs....
Various types of obstacles game.....
Tembok....my 1st scary obstacle.....after this..then everything seem not difficult...
The scary Vietname bridge before reaching the platform of Flying Fox,long and scary for me....
Here is the Flying Fox,really excited when "Fly" in the sky......
Monday, August 29, 2005
These few days......
I think the past few days have been busy days.first on monday is the release of ACCA result,even though i had passed my papers but i also anxious to know that how are my friends doing,will there more good news or bad news?i also expect that that day will be busy in sending sms asking and replying each other.So from noon,i am waiting for their sms.The first news come from Yan er,she sent me a very simple sms tell me that "I passed!",i think that 2 words tell everything,that she manage to pass all the 4 papers and become ACCA affiliate,then later more news from my friends,some are quite ok,some are not too good and some pass all,but mostly i think is pass few and fail few.For those who pass,i congrate them,and for those who fail,i just see what i can do to help them based on my past experience and the way i tackle my ACCA all these ways.I think that no matter how much i said,everything lies on their ownself,how long they wish to recover from that and what they want to do in the coming month?I only can give advice and also suggest what i could but whether they want to accept is really up to them.
I always tell myself is no matter how life must still go on,and after reading the book "The Present" for the second time it reminds me that we all need to stay at the present,what is the most important thing to do now?Past is past,past is just for us to learn what we had done wrong and done right,we should not wasting time staying in the past and also put ourselves remain in the past tense and not willing to come to the present,i think it is not rational to do that and also not benefit,i always try to convey the messages to those who still stay in the past,i know it is very difficult for some to really recognise it and do it fast,but i think at least we need to try,try not to think,try to come out from the negative emotion and move towards positive thinking,the reason is simply because we experienced the sadness,we don't want to experience it again,so we must do something to make it not happened.I do wished that for those still stay in the sadness can recover soon and for those who are fighting for their coming exam will not experience such sadness.
Then saturday i and my mum wake up very early as we need to go to airport,she is going back and taking the early flight.We walked to the LRT station at about 6.45am and able to reach KL sentral to check in at 7.30am.Then after that we take the KLIA express to KLIA and having breakfast there which we "ta pao" from the Wangsa Maju Station.After sending her to the imigration counter then i decide to take another methos to go to KL,since taking KLIA express will be very expensive.For the last time,i took the KLIA transit and try one of the method that people suggest in the net which can save half of the cost,so i want to try whether it works or not,then i take the effort to do that and find that it really works,just i need to sacrifice half more hour which i think is ok as i don't bring any luggage and also not rushing,so i save nearly 50%.
Then this time i want to try another method which is taking the bus and the KTM,so i find my way to the bus station by asking few staff in the airport and finally get up to the airport liner,it is just a normal bus that will send you to the Nilai KTM station and i am so lucky that i do not need to wait so long for the bus to depart,the bus fee from KLIA to Nilai KTM is just RM 2.50 and the journey is about 35 minutes.Then after reaching the KTM station,i bought a train ticket from Nilai to KL sentral which cost me RM 4.70,the journey is about 1 hours.This is the 1st time i take the KTM train beside from KL sentral to Midvalley and also the first time i can tour around Nilai when i was inside the bus.I found that the station is really simple compare to those KL Sentral and Midvalley where they only have 2 platforms.So after one hour i reached the KL sentral and feel satisfy coz this is the cheapest way to go to KL from the airport and also i feel myself like finish one mission and make it,at least i think i got one more different experience beside the normal way.
After reaching the pasar seni,i straight away went to FTMS college as Low had organised a gathering.Then after reaching there,i only realised that actually he did ask quite a lot of friends coming,it is such a long time i did not join such a big gathering as 13 of us were sitting in a long table in Kenny Rogers and also seem like having meetings.So we eat and chit chat here and there till about 2pm.Some of us got class,some still stay there to continue and some of us go home.It is quite difficult to gather as everyone now is busy for their work,study and other stuff,each person has a different free time so it is nice that we can come out and meet once a while and sharing what happened around us.
I always tell myself is no matter how life must still go on,and after reading the book "The Present" for the second time it reminds me that we all need to stay at the present,what is the most important thing to do now?Past is past,past is just for us to learn what we had done wrong and done right,we should not wasting time staying in the past and also put ourselves remain in the past tense and not willing to come to the present,i think it is not rational to do that and also not benefit,i always try to convey the messages to those who still stay in the past,i know it is very difficult for some to really recognise it and do it fast,but i think at least we need to try,try not to think,try to come out from the negative emotion and move towards positive thinking,the reason is simply because we experienced the sadness,we don't want to experience it again,so we must do something to make it not happened.I do wished that for those still stay in the sadness can recover soon and for those who are fighting for their coming exam will not experience such sadness.
Then saturday i and my mum wake up very early as we need to go to airport,she is going back and taking the early flight.We walked to the LRT station at about 6.45am and able to reach KL sentral to check in at 7.30am.Then after that we take the KLIA express to KLIA and having breakfast there which we "ta pao" from the Wangsa Maju Station.After sending her to the imigration counter then i decide to take another methos to go to KL,since taking KLIA express will be very expensive.For the last time,i took the KLIA transit and try one of the method that people suggest in the net which can save half of the cost,so i want to try whether it works or not,then i take the effort to do that and find that it really works,just i need to sacrifice half more hour which i think is ok as i don't bring any luggage and also not rushing,so i save nearly 50%.
Then this time i want to try another method which is taking the bus and the KTM,so i find my way to the bus station by asking few staff in the airport and finally get up to the airport liner,it is just a normal bus that will send you to the Nilai KTM station and i am so lucky that i do not need to wait so long for the bus to depart,the bus fee from KLIA to Nilai KTM is just RM 2.50 and the journey is about 35 minutes.Then after reaching the KTM station,i bought a train ticket from Nilai to KL sentral which cost me RM 4.70,the journey is about 1 hours.This is the 1st time i take the KTM train beside from KL sentral to Midvalley and also the first time i can tour around Nilai when i was inside the bus.I found that the station is really simple compare to those KL Sentral and Midvalley where they only have 2 platforms.So after one hour i reached the KL sentral and feel satisfy coz this is the cheapest way to go to KL from the airport and also i feel myself like finish one mission and make it,at least i think i got one more different experience beside the normal way.
After reaching the pasar seni,i straight away went to FTMS college as Low had organised a gathering.Then after reaching there,i only realised that actually he did ask quite a lot of friends coming,it is such a long time i did not join such a big gathering as 13 of us were sitting in a long table in Kenny Rogers and also seem like having meetings.So we eat and chit chat here and there till about 2pm.Some of us got class,some still stay there to continue and some of us go home.It is quite difficult to gather as everyone now is busy for their work,study and other stuff,each person has a different free time so it is nice that we can come out and meet once a while and sharing what happened around us.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Examiners under the microscope
In a world exclusive we decided to turn the tables on the examiners by putting them to the test. LCA’s Michael Mainwaring goes where nobody else has ever dared
A final level paper in strategy started some 12 years ago and will have its third reincarnation in 2007. If I had to describe it in one word it would be disastrous. Decency and good taste prevents me from describing it in two words!
While most of the blame rests with the ACCA, the examiners bear some responsibility. In fairness, however, being an examiner in a strategy paper is an invitation to be shot at. Before accepting the invitation, it is useful to have some sympathy with the target.
Firstly, in accounting and finance papers there is generally a clear technical or theoretical base to the subject. However in strategy and management there is little consensus over how to manage or how to formulate or implement strategy. What consensus does exist is often fleeting - it is fashion driven.
Secondly, the syllabus that the examiner has to contend with is incoherent and excessive. This isn’t a problem if examiners recognise its failings and examine around them. The syllabus is also seriously outdated (and was from the moment it came into effect).
Strategic planning is unfashionable but substituting ‘strategic management’ for ‘strategic planning’ whilst using the old strategic planning frameworks is not a solution. Perhaps someone should explain to the ACCA the meaning of postmodernism, but as the ACCA is struggling to be modernist in this subject, then this might be a little premature.
Even as an exam in strategic planning, it is seriously flawed largely because the frameworks employed have been vulgarised. How many students are aware that Porter acknowledges that combined cost based and differentiation based strategies can be spectacularly successful? Or that far from being the prisoner of the ‘Five Forces’, the firm can influence them? Or that the BCG is a complex set of interlocking frameworks rather than the ‘dog,’ ‘star.’ ‘cow,’ ‘question mark’ that is typically used?
Move into the related field of organisation or change management or ethics - would the ACCA countenance ethical but illegal behaviour? The shortcomings of the syllabus are even more marked.
Thirdly, there are the global aspirations of the ACCA and the problem of setting an English language paper at final level for students whose native language is not English. Think China. A demanding final level strategy paper set in English and marked to uniform standards would result in high failure rates overseas which would jeopardise global expansion.
Fourthly, it is desperately difficult to write good, relatively short case studies which contain enough complexity to challenge the student but not so much as to overwhelm them (and again remember the language factor).
Finally, how does business strategy link with financial strategy? Is it shareholder value or stakeholder interests? Capital budgeting or strategic decision making? Rational decision making processes, logical incrementalism or empire building visionaries?
These problems partly explain the high turnover rate of examiners in strategy/management papers - four in the past 12 years. Only one of these examiners has made a consistently determined effort to produce good exams. Given that strategy is apparently all about two-by-two grids and matrices, let’s analyse how the examiners have performed using a competence/coverage grid and theory practice grid.
The competence/convergence grid (it is necessary to have flash titles in strategy) assesses whether the examiner knows his (they have all been males) and the extent to which the examiner examines what he knows.
Hopefully in the exams that remain, the examiner will either restrict what he examines or becomes competent in what he is examining.
The competence/convergence grid
* Style of second examiner. Knew very little about strategy or management but good on IT and finance which were intensively examined. A viable style.
* Style of current examiner. An emphasis on growth, entrepreneurship and marketing but a relative lack of knowledge on HRM, IT, finance, organisation, TQM. An over-ambitious style.
* Style of previous examiner – good financial information that linked with case information. Explicit decision not to examine IT and HRM to reduce syllabus load. A good style.
* The ideal style providing the syllabus is well designed and provided the examiner is competent in the syllabus areas.
The theory/practice grid
* Style of the first examiner. Total bullshit cases that did not test student knowledge or analytical ability. Even the ACCA were appalled and removed the examiner.
* Style of the current examiner. The compulsory case becomes mostly an exercise in vomiting a restricted range of frameworks with limited use of case information. Tends to result in a ‘learn and churn’ style of answer.
* Style of the second examiner in his best cases and of the third examiner. Emphasis on linking financial information and case information within the context of relevant frameworks. Makes for demanding but fair cases, provided the examiner puts considerable effort into writing them. A good style.
* Probably not appropriate to ACCA. Requires radical redesign of the syllabus and the means of examination. Need to dispense with simplified versions of frameworks, especially ‘potted Porter’ and a single case study exam paper. Unlikely that the ACCA can attract examiners capable of writing such cases or markers capable of marking them,
The theory/practice grid assesses the extent to which the emphasis is on knowing frameworks on using the case information.
The cases written by the current examiner are not the worst cases in this paper - but that isn’t saying much.
The examiner appears convinced that frameworks are important - and he likes some frameworks more than others, though this seems more a personal preference than a rationally grounded decision.
Lecturers teach what the examiners want them to teach - even if it is outdated, oversimplified or incorrect. We are teaching students to pass an exam - though we would like to teach them something relevant, useful and interesting. Sometimes the examiner allows us to do this. My advice to paper 3.5 students is to erase what you have been taught (but wait until you have passed) and then read some decent stuff on the subject.
Will the new scheme be any different? It will depend on the syllabus, the examiner and the mode of examination. Though an optimist by nature, I do not entertain any great hopes.
A final level paper in strategy started some 12 years ago and will have its third reincarnation in 2007. If I had to describe it in one word it would be disastrous. Decency and good taste prevents me from describing it in two words!
While most of the blame rests with the ACCA, the examiners bear some responsibility. In fairness, however, being an examiner in a strategy paper is an invitation to be shot at. Before accepting the invitation, it is useful to have some sympathy with the target.
Firstly, in accounting and finance papers there is generally a clear technical or theoretical base to the subject. However in strategy and management there is little consensus over how to manage or how to formulate or implement strategy. What consensus does exist is often fleeting - it is fashion driven.
Secondly, the syllabus that the examiner has to contend with is incoherent and excessive. This isn’t a problem if examiners recognise its failings and examine around them. The syllabus is also seriously outdated (and was from the moment it came into effect).
Strategic planning is unfashionable but substituting ‘strategic management’ for ‘strategic planning’ whilst using the old strategic planning frameworks is not a solution. Perhaps someone should explain to the ACCA the meaning of postmodernism, but as the ACCA is struggling to be modernist in this subject, then this might be a little premature.
Even as an exam in strategic planning, it is seriously flawed largely because the frameworks employed have been vulgarised. How many students are aware that Porter acknowledges that combined cost based and differentiation based strategies can be spectacularly successful? Or that far from being the prisoner of the ‘Five Forces’, the firm can influence them? Or that the BCG is a complex set of interlocking frameworks rather than the ‘dog,’ ‘star.’ ‘cow,’ ‘question mark’ that is typically used?
Move into the related field of organisation or change management or ethics - would the ACCA countenance ethical but illegal behaviour? The shortcomings of the syllabus are even more marked.
Thirdly, there are the global aspirations of the ACCA and the problem of setting an English language paper at final level for students whose native language is not English. Think China. A demanding final level strategy paper set in English and marked to uniform standards would result in high failure rates overseas which would jeopardise global expansion.
Fourthly, it is desperately difficult to write good, relatively short case studies which contain enough complexity to challenge the student but not so much as to overwhelm them (and again remember the language factor).
Finally, how does business strategy link with financial strategy? Is it shareholder value or stakeholder interests? Capital budgeting or strategic decision making? Rational decision making processes, logical incrementalism or empire building visionaries?
These problems partly explain the high turnover rate of examiners in strategy/management papers - four in the past 12 years. Only one of these examiners has made a consistently determined effort to produce good exams. Given that strategy is apparently all about two-by-two grids and matrices, let’s analyse how the examiners have performed using a competence/coverage grid and theory practice grid.
The competence/convergence grid (it is necessary to have flash titles in strategy) assesses whether the examiner knows his (they have all been males) and the extent to which the examiner examines what he knows.
Hopefully in the exams that remain, the examiner will either restrict what he examines or becomes competent in what he is examining.
The competence/convergence grid
* Style of second examiner. Knew very little about strategy or management but good on IT and finance which were intensively examined. A viable style.
* Style of current examiner. An emphasis on growth, entrepreneurship and marketing but a relative lack of knowledge on HRM, IT, finance, organisation, TQM. An over-ambitious style.
* Style of previous examiner – good financial information that linked with case information. Explicit decision not to examine IT and HRM to reduce syllabus load. A good style.
* The ideal style providing the syllabus is well designed and provided the examiner is competent in the syllabus areas.
The theory/practice grid
* Style of the first examiner. Total bullshit cases that did not test student knowledge or analytical ability. Even the ACCA were appalled and removed the examiner.
* Style of the current examiner. The compulsory case becomes mostly an exercise in vomiting a restricted range of frameworks with limited use of case information. Tends to result in a ‘learn and churn’ style of answer.
* Style of the second examiner in his best cases and of the third examiner. Emphasis on linking financial information and case information within the context of relevant frameworks. Makes for demanding but fair cases, provided the examiner puts considerable effort into writing them. A good style.
* Probably not appropriate to ACCA. Requires radical redesign of the syllabus and the means of examination. Need to dispense with simplified versions of frameworks, especially ‘potted Porter’ and a single case study exam paper. Unlikely that the ACCA can attract examiners capable of writing such cases or markers capable of marking them,
The theory/practice grid assesses the extent to which the emphasis is on knowing frameworks on using the case information.
The cases written by the current examiner are not the worst cases in this paper - but that isn’t saying much.
The examiner appears convinced that frameworks are important - and he likes some frameworks more than others, though this seems more a personal preference than a rationally grounded decision.
Lecturers teach what the examiners want them to teach - even if it is outdated, oversimplified or incorrect. We are teaching students to pass an exam - though we would like to teach them something relevant, useful and interesting. Sometimes the examiner allows us to do this. My advice to paper 3.5 students is to erase what you have been taught (but wait until you have passed) and then read some decent stuff on the subject.
Will the new scheme be any different? It will depend on the syllabus, the examiner and the mode of examination. Though an optimist by nature, I do not entertain any great hopes.
Friday, August 19, 2005
A lecturer.....
A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience raised a glass of water and asked, "how heavy is this glass of water?"
Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g. The lecturer replied, "The
absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it."
"If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour,
I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to
call an ambulance. "In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I
hold it, the heavier it becomes."
He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry
our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes
increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on." "As with the glass of
water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again.
When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."
"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't
carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying
now, let them down for a moment if you can." "Relax; pick them up later
after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy it!
Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g. The lecturer replied, "The
absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it."
"If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour,
I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to
call an ambulance. "In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I
hold it, the heavier it becomes."
He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry
our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes
increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on." "As with the glass of
water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again.
When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."
"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't
carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying
now, let them down for a moment if you can." "Relax; pick them up later
after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy it!
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Hot favourite with the lunch crowd
By K.W. MAK
Photos by CHUA KOK HWA
Hot Mama Restaurant
E-50, 4th Floor, Sungei Wang Plaza
Jalan Sultan Ismail
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-21481336
Business Hours: Daily, 11am-9.45pm
"Inside the restaurant"
The restaurant is popular with the office crowd during lunch.
I believe in the theory that a crowded restaurant is proof of its food quality. Hot Mama Restaurant is one of those restaurants that is normally packed to the brim especially during lunch hours.
I stepped into the outlet located in shopping mall Sungei Wang Plaza recently and found the prices of the dishes agreeable to my wallet.
After checking out the dishes, and their prices, I found that the most “expensive” dish was priced at about RM14.
This serving is decently sized and the food is tasty.
Traditional Boiled Tapioca paired with a variety of freshly made herbal drinks.
As there are over 90 items on the menu, I eyed the more popular dish, the Cheesy Chicken Canai Treesome.
It is a simple sandwich with egg, mayonnaise, chicken breast meat fillet, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and slices of cheese, with the only exception being the Roti Canai used as the wrap instead of bread.
No pretences as to what this dish is - it is simple, healthy and filling, making it popular with the office crowd.
Ayam Percik with Rice Balls is another favourite, with the sweet tender meat marinated in a blend of tamarind, cinnamon and lemongrass spices.
Hot Mama’s Roast Beef Rice offers beef lovers tender roast beef marinated in various spices and served with a sweet sour tamarind sauce.
Besides the beef, the other highlight of the dish, albeit only a garnishing, is the pickled lotus seed.
Saigon Seafood Fried Mee has lots of prawns, squid, fish fillet, broccoli and bell peppers served with noodles.
The generous portions were value for money.
Desserts are simple with Hot Mama’s Tapioca Sago, a traditional Malay steamed tapioca served with grated coconut (marinated in coconut sugar) and Sambal Belacan.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the restaurant that me and michelle went when we went to Sungai Wang to shop.
The food there is really quite nice and also affordable,so if you all have chance,can
go and try it out.
Photos by CHUA KOK HWA
Hot Mama Restaurant
E-50, 4th Floor, Sungei Wang Plaza
Jalan Sultan Ismail
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-21481336
Business Hours: Daily, 11am-9.45pm
"Inside the restaurant"
The restaurant is popular with the office crowd during lunch.
I believe in the theory that a crowded restaurant is proof of its food quality. Hot Mama Restaurant is one of those restaurants that is normally packed to the brim especially during lunch hours.
I stepped into the outlet located in shopping mall Sungei Wang Plaza recently and found the prices of the dishes agreeable to my wallet.
After checking out the dishes, and their prices, I found that the most “expensive” dish was priced at about RM14.
This serving is decently sized and the food is tasty.
Traditional Boiled Tapioca paired with a variety of freshly made herbal drinks.
As there are over 90 items on the menu, I eyed the more popular dish, the Cheesy Chicken Canai Treesome.
It is a simple sandwich with egg, mayonnaise, chicken breast meat fillet, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and slices of cheese, with the only exception being the Roti Canai used as the wrap instead of bread.
No pretences as to what this dish is - it is simple, healthy and filling, making it popular with the office crowd.
Ayam Percik with Rice Balls is another favourite, with the sweet tender meat marinated in a blend of tamarind, cinnamon and lemongrass spices.
Hot Mama’s Roast Beef Rice offers beef lovers tender roast beef marinated in various spices and served with a sweet sour tamarind sauce.
Besides the beef, the other highlight of the dish, albeit only a garnishing, is the pickled lotus seed.
Saigon Seafood Fried Mee has lots of prawns, squid, fish fillet, broccoli and bell peppers served with noodles.
The generous portions were value for money.
Desserts are simple with Hot Mama’s Tapioca Sago, a traditional Malay steamed tapioca served with grated coconut (marinated in coconut sugar) and Sambal Belacan.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the restaurant that me and michelle went when we went to Sungai Wang to shop.
The food there is really quite nice and also affordable,so if you all have chance,can
go and try it out.
Haze
The haze situation is deteriorating as seen today.
HAZE
YOUR GUIDE FOR STAYING HEALTHY
WHAT IS 'HAZE' ?
Haze is a phenomenon or occurrence caused by the accumulation of fine particles in the air which are barely visible to naked eye. These particles may occur naturally or may be an outcome of human activities like open burning or smoky discharges from factories and exhaust of motor vehicles.
When these particles accumulate in large quantities and suspend in the air,they can lock out sunlight and visibility will be greatly reduced.
AIR POLLUTANT INDEX (API)
The API is obtained from the measurement of fine particles (below 10 microns) and several gases which are hazardous to health such as carbon monoxide,sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. The API is used as a guide for measuring air quality and its effect on health as follows :-
API VALUE STATUS
0 - 50 - Good
51 - 100 - Moderate
101- 200 - Unhealthy
201- 300 - Very unhealthy
301- 500 - Dangerous
HAZE THREATENS YOUR HEALTH
Continuous hazy conditions will cause ill effects to all people especially those in the high risk groups such as :-
1. Children
2. The elderly
3. Those with illnesses like, Asthma, Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Chronic lung
diseases, Heart diseases and Allergies
4. Cigarette smokers
5. Those who work outdoors most of the time
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HEALTH PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF EXPOSURE TO THE HAZE?
The effects of continuous exposure to the haze include:-
* Itchy sensation in the throat, and coughing, increased phlegm
* Difficulty in breathing (wheeze) or nose block
* Pain, irritation, red and watery eyes
* Itchy skin rashes
If above symptoms persist, get advice and treatment at the nearest clinic.
PREVENTION OF HAZE-RELATED ILLNESSES
* Close all windows and doors to your bedroom. Boil a kettle (electric) of water in the room and allow the steam to fill the room. Allow 10 - 15 minutes for the fine water vapor (steam) to collect the pollutants / particles in the air and settle down. After this the room should contain healthier air.
* Usage of face and surgical masks are of no use if they are not regularly changed as they can act as a base for bacteria to grow and result in other infections. Only very close fitting masks that do not allow air to enter through the sides of the mask are effective.
* Limit all outdoor activity as far as possible e.g avoid outdoor sport or physical activities.
* Always wash / bathe as soon as you return from outdoors. This will minimize eye / skin irritation. For minor eye irritation try using over the counter eye drops e.g Eye Mo.
* Use your car air-conditioner when traveling in the car.
* Drink a lot of water.
* Smokers are advised to quit smoking.
* Those who suffer from diseases such as flu, bronchitis, asthma,conjunctivitis,
heart diseases or chronic lung diseases should seek immediate treatment at the
clinic or hospital if their condition worsens.
TO AVOID DISEASES FROM THE HAZE:
Mask needs to be used by all motorcyclists, outdoor workers, those who are exposed to dusty places and those who are in the high-risk group.
The public is advised to stay indoors as much as possible.
Reduce outdoor activities.
Those who are in the high risk group (Children, Elderly, Smokers, Workers in open areas, Those who have; Asthma, Bronchitis, Lungs inflammations,Chronic lungs problems, Heart and Allergy) are advised to continue medication as prescribed and take care of their health at all times.
The public is advised to wash their hands, face and bathe regularly.
Those who are having cough, flu, asthma, eye irritation, chronic lung infection are required to go to the clinic as soon as possible if symptoms persists.
Those who are driving in an air-conditioned vehicle needs to start the air-conditioner and close all windows when driving.
The public is advised to drink as much water as possible at all time.
Those who have children, elderly and relatives who are sick in the house,please do not smoke.
Smokers are advised to stop smoking during hours where API is higher than 101.
Those who are in the high risk category are advised to stay indoor if API exceeds 201.
Please be tuned to the radio, TV and major newspaper to get an update on the haze conditions and heed the advice given by Ministry of Health and Department of Environment.
HAZE
YOUR GUIDE FOR STAYING HEALTHY
WHAT IS 'HAZE' ?
Haze is a phenomenon or occurrence caused by the accumulation of fine particles in the air which are barely visible to naked eye. These particles may occur naturally or may be an outcome of human activities like open burning or smoky discharges from factories and exhaust of motor vehicles.
When these particles accumulate in large quantities and suspend in the air,they can lock out sunlight and visibility will be greatly reduced.
AIR POLLUTANT INDEX (API)
The API is obtained from the measurement of fine particles (below 10 microns) and several gases which are hazardous to health such as carbon monoxide,sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. The API is used as a guide for measuring air quality and its effect on health as follows :-
API VALUE STATUS
0 - 50 - Good
51 - 100 - Moderate
101- 200 - Unhealthy
201- 300 - Very unhealthy
301- 500 - Dangerous
HAZE THREATENS YOUR HEALTH
Continuous hazy conditions will cause ill effects to all people especially those in the high risk groups such as :-
1. Children
2. The elderly
3. Those with illnesses like, Asthma, Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Chronic lung
diseases, Heart diseases and Allergies
4. Cigarette smokers
5. Those who work outdoors most of the time
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HEALTH PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF EXPOSURE TO THE HAZE?
The effects of continuous exposure to the haze include:-
* Itchy sensation in the throat, and coughing, increased phlegm
* Difficulty in breathing (wheeze) or nose block
* Pain, irritation, red and watery eyes
* Itchy skin rashes
If above symptoms persist, get advice and treatment at the nearest clinic.
PREVENTION OF HAZE-RELATED ILLNESSES
* Close all windows and doors to your bedroom. Boil a kettle (electric) of water in the room and allow the steam to fill the room. Allow 10 - 15 minutes for the fine water vapor (steam) to collect the pollutants / particles in the air and settle down. After this the room should contain healthier air.
* Usage of face and surgical masks are of no use if they are not regularly changed as they can act as a base for bacteria to grow and result in other infections. Only very close fitting masks that do not allow air to enter through the sides of the mask are effective.
* Limit all outdoor activity as far as possible e.g avoid outdoor sport or physical activities.
* Always wash / bathe as soon as you return from outdoors. This will minimize eye / skin irritation. For minor eye irritation try using over the counter eye drops e.g Eye Mo.
* Use your car air-conditioner when traveling in the car.
* Drink a lot of water.
* Smokers are advised to quit smoking.
* Those who suffer from diseases such as flu, bronchitis, asthma,conjunctivitis,
heart diseases or chronic lung diseases should seek immediate treatment at the
clinic or hospital if their condition worsens.
TO AVOID DISEASES FROM THE HAZE:
Mask needs to be used by all motorcyclists, outdoor workers, those who are exposed to dusty places and those who are in the high-risk group.
The public is advised to stay indoors as much as possible.
Reduce outdoor activities.
Those who are in the high risk group (Children, Elderly, Smokers, Workers in open areas, Those who have; Asthma, Bronchitis, Lungs inflammations,Chronic lungs problems, Heart and Allergy) are advised to continue medication as prescribed and take care of their health at all times.
The public is advised to wash their hands, face and bathe regularly.
Those who are having cough, flu, asthma, eye irritation, chronic lung infection are required to go to the clinic as soon as possible if symptoms persists.
Those who are driving in an air-conditioned vehicle needs to start the air-conditioner and close all windows when driving.
The public is advised to drink as much water as possible at all time.
Those who have children, elderly and relatives who are sick in the house,please do not smoke.
Smokers are advised to stop smoking during hours where API is higher than 101.
Those who are in the high risk category are advised to stay indoor if API exceeds 201.
Please be tuned to the radio, TV and major newspaper to get an update on the haze conditions and heed the advice given by Ministry of Health and Department of Environment.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
How to: cope with rejection
‘A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success,’ – Bo Bennett, motivational speaker. Gwen Cheeseman helps you get over it.
Some things aren’t meant to be – even if you get to the final stages of interview you still can’t be sure you’ll end up with the position you’ve applied for, and you should always be prepared for that. Sometimes a miscommunication means they can’t offer the job to anyone, and financial cuts can mean the role is withdrawn at the last minute.
Let things go – if you’re upset following an unsuccessful application, don’t be afraid to go with your emotions. It’s unhealthy to bottle your feelings up and it can do more harm than good. Choose a good friend or a member of your family that you can really talk to and tell them how you’re feeling. This will help you move on and release any emotional tension you might be harbouring.
Know what you need – it may be that the job market has changed since you were last looking for work. Speak to people who are working in a similar role to those that you’re trying for and make a list of the skills you might be missing. Find out what kind of people are being employed in these roles and how you can tailor your interview skills to make yourself more attractive to potential employers. Organise a meeting with a recruitment consultant. You don’t have any obligation to sign up with them if you don’t want to, but they may be able to give you a valuable insight into how to get the job you’re after.
Don’t be afraid to ask – when you have been turned down for a role, it may be daunting, but ask for some feedback as to why you were unsuccessful. If you’re feeling low after being rejected it may seem like the last thing you’d want to do, but feedback can be invaluable. Gaining an insight often means you discover where you went wrong in the last interview, enabling you to succeed in the next. Make sure that it is clear when you write to them that you are seeking help in understanding why you weren’t successful, not complaining because you didn’t get the job.
Don’t be negative – it’s all too common to feel like a failure if you are knocked back from an interview. Focus on the areas you did well in and learn from what you did wrong. For example, if you feel you lacked confidence, ask a friend or colleague if you can practise your interview technique with them. And make sure you give your friend a list of any questions you felt you struggled with in your last interview.
Rejection, rejection, rejection – if you are rejected several times in a row, make sure you request feedback. Compare responses and see if you can spot a pattern or a particular point which is made by all of them. Rather than looking upon this negatively, realise that the feedback may help you unlock the key to your future job success. Remember that if you don’t know what you’re doing wrong, you can’t fix it. Think positively – every job you don’t get should teach you how to get your next one.
Some things aren’t meant to be – even if you get to the final stages of interview you still can’t be sure you’ll end up with the position you’ve applied for, and you should always be prepared for that. Sometimes a miscommunication means they can’t offer the job to anyone, and financial cuts can mean the role is withdrawn at the last minute.
Let things go – if you’re upset following an unsuccessful application, don’t be afraid to go with your emotions. It’s unhealthy to bottle your feelings up and it can do more harm than good. Choose a good friend or a member of your family that you can really talk to and tell them how you’re feeling. This will help you move on and release any emotional tension you might be harbouring.
Know what you need – it may be that the job market has changed since you were last looking for work. Speak to people who are working in a similar role to those that you’re trying for and make a list of the skills you might be missing. Find out what kind of people are being employed in these roles and how you can tailor your interview skills to make yourself more attractive to potential employers. Organise a meeting with a recruitment consultant. You don’t have any obligation to sign up with them if you don’t want to, but they may be able to give you a valuable insight into how to get the job you’re after.
Don’t be afraid to ask – when you have been turned down for a role, it may be daunting, but ask for some feedback as to why you were unsuccessful. If you’re feeling low after being rejected it may seem like the last thing you’d want to do, but feedback can be invaluable. Gaining an insight often means you discover where you went wrong in the last interview, enabling you to succeed in the next. Make sure that it is clear when you write to them that you are seeking help in understanding why you weren’t successful, not complaining because you didn’t get the job.
Don’t be negative – it’s all too common to feel like a failure if you are knocked back from an interview. Focus on the areas you did well in and learn from what you did wrong. For example, if you feel you lacked confidence, ask a friend or colleague if you can practise your interview technique with them. And make sure you give your friend a list of any questions you felt you struggled with in your last interview.
Rejection, rejection, rejection – if you are rejected several times in a row, make sure you request feedback. Compare responses and see if you can spot a pattern or a particular point which is made by all of them. Rather than looking upon this negatively, realise that the feedback may help you unlock the key to your future job success. Remember that if you don’t know what you’re doing wrong, you can’t fix it. Think positively – every job you don’t get should teach you how to get your next one.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Misc Tests Results
What wise quote fits you?
Your wise quote is: "Our greatest glory is not
in never falling, but in rising everytime we
fall" by Confucius.
Yes indeed, you see true strenght can only be
seen when a person has "fallen". Only
then one can tell how they will handle it. Just
don't make others fall so you can know who they
really are. You on the other hand may be a very
quick recoverer and don't let people bring you
down. You are your own, and you're find with
that. Emotional issues is something you handle
rather nicely.
What wise quote fits you?(pics) UPDATED
brought to you by Quizilla
How do you see life?
Life is good and bad. You know it can never be
perfect and that it never have been, and you're
fine with that. You still feel it's important
to live life since it can end any day and not
sulk because of some little failure in life.
You are often a happy person, still you don't
laugh all the time. You have a somewhat calm
aura and most people feel comfortable around
you.
How do you see life?
brought to you by Quizilla
How is your soul?
Your soul is caring.
Other people are your concern, even if you
don't know them. If you see a person trip you
worry is he is okay. You put your loved ones
first and you're very mature. When someones
sick you're nurturing and always try to help
family and friends when failure strikes them.
You can be called the motherly one, if you are
in a group of people, which doesn't have to be
bad. Love is something that's already in you
and you have a lot to give whether you believe
it or not. Your friends probably love you very
much and come to when they need help since
you're reliable. People can feel secure with
you and generally like you.
How is your soul?(pics)
brought to you by Quizilla
What is your element?
Your element is Earth. You have your feet on the
ground and are in touch with reality. Some may
say you need to lighten up, but you are just
not that way. It's not that you don't enjoy
having fun, you only find it in more calmer
activities such as writing or reading a book.
But before you have your fun you always make
sure your work is done. You are considered the
reliable one among your friends, you would
never betray anyone just like and are not
influenced on peer-pressure. Friends and family
can always come to you for guidance because you
are wise and smart. You know what is right and
what is wrong and you study hard to become
something big in the future. The bad side is
that your friend/s feel ignored when you spend
more time with books and papers rather with
them. You are not such a people person and are
sometimes a question-mark on how to behave
around them at certain times. Luckily it always
works out, somehow. Love is not really desired
in your world right now, maybe in the future
when you've got a work and so on under control.
After all, you are a perfectionist. Rate and
message!
What is your element? [with pics + 7 outcomes + detailed answeres!]
brought to you by Quizilla
Your wise quote is: "Our greatest glory is not
in never falling, but in rising everytime we
fall" by Confucius.
Yes indeed, you see true strenght can only be
seen when a person has "fallen". Only
then one can tell how they will handle it. Just
don't make others fall so you can know who they
really are. You on the other hand may be a very
quick recoverer and don't let people bring you
down. You are your own, and you're find with
that. Emotional issues is something you handle
rather nicely.
What wise quote fits you?(pics) UPDATED
brought to you by Quizilla
How do you see life?
Life is good and bad. You know it can never be
perfect and that it never have been, and you're
fine with that. You still feel it's important
to live life since it can end any day and not
sulk because of some little failure in life.
You are often a happy person, still you don't
laugh all the time. You have a somewhat calm
aura and most people feel comfortable around
you.
How do you see life?
brought to you by Quizilla
How is your soul?
Your soul is caring.
Other people are your concern, even if you
don't know them. If you see a person trip you
worry is he is okay. You put your loved ones
first and you're very mature. When someones
sick you're nurturing and always try to help
family and friends when failure strikes them.
You can be called the motherly one, if you are
in a group of people, which doesn't have to be
bad. Love is something that's already in you
and you have a lot to give whether you believe
it or not. Your friends probably love you very
much and come to when they need help since
you're reliable. People can feel secure with
you and generally like you.
How is your soul?(pics)
brought to you by Quizilla
What is your element?
Your element is Earth. You have your feet on the
ground and are in touch with reality. Some may
say you need to lighten up, but you are just
not that way. It's not that you don't enjoy
having fun, you only find it in more calmer
activities such as writing or reading a book.
But before you have your fun you always make
sure your work is done. You are considered the
reliable one among your friends, you would
never betray anyone just like and are not
influenced on peer-pressure. Friends and family
can always come to you for guidance because you
are wise and smart. You know what is right and
what is wrong and you study hard to become
something big in the future. The bad side is
that your friend/s feel ignored when you spend
more time with books and papers rather with
them. You are not such a people person and are
sometimes a question-mark on how to behave
around them at certain times. Luckily it always
works out, somehow. Love is not really desired
in your world right now, maybe in the future
when you've got a work and so on under control.
After all, you are a perfectionist. Rate and
message!
What is your element? [with pics + 7 outcomes + detailed answeres!]
brought to you by Quizilla
Monday, July 25, 2005
面試的機車問題
破解面試的吊詭問題
Cheers雜誌
編譯─蔡明珊
工作面試愈來愈困難，不僅要反應機伶，還要過五關、斬六將。掌握主管面試的4大危險問題，讓你輕鬆回答，贏得工作機會。
找工作的困難度與日俱增。面試主管也不是好惹的，他們有點神精質、很挑剔，常出怪招，問怪問題，讓你招架不住，有時更摸不著頭緒。美國《財星》雜誌（Fortune）職場專欄作家安‧費雪（Anne Fisher），教大家應對面試主管常問的5大弔詭問題的方法。
問題1：你有幾個小孩？你的小孩幾歲？
主管問此問題的背後假設是：如果我們僱用你，家中的小孩會不會是你工作的絆腳石，讓你分心工作？
這真是個燙手問題，多數主管常對有家累的員工、已婚員工有負面印象，認為他們的「私人」問題比較多，反而偏愛僱用單身員工。
這時，你可以回答說：「老闆，我瞭解你的感受；不過，你放心，我有一套照顧小孩的安排計劃，我保證每天能專心工作，不受那些小麻煩的影響。」
問題2：你願意無報酬的工作嗎？
這個問題的真正意思是：「你對這份工作熱情度多高？工作對你具吸引力嗎？」因此，薪水高低不是關鍵問題，就算你今天贏了樂透彩，仍會在這家公司工作才是重點。
回答的方式很簡單，只要表現出你對這份工作、服務這家公司的最大熱誠，強調你對這份工作興趣高昂。
問題3：你最大的缺點為何？
問題非常弔詭，一個人不可能沒有缺點，但如果你真的很老實的說出你的缺點，等於自暴其短，斷了自己的生路；但如果回答沒有缺點，豈不是太假了？
所以，回答時要著重在過去經驗，自己學到那些東西，有那些進步。例如，你曾擔任小組導領人時，學到如何傾聽別人的建議。絕不要說你自己的缺點，也不能說超過一個以上的缺點。
問題4：你計劃在公司工作多久？
當你不想回答：「我願意做一輩子」或「也許幾年」等這類回答時，你該怎麼說？
你需要重新架構回應內容，先說你想待在這家公司的原因，將話題轉到對這份工作能激勵你哪些潛能、對你有多少吸引力等。例如：你評估這份工作有機會讓你一展長才時，你可以回答：「只要機會一直存在，我就會一直待下去。」
Cheers雜誌
編譯─蔡明珊
工作面試愈來愈困難，不僅要反應機伶，還要過五關、斬六將。掌握主管面試的4大危險問題，讓你輕鬆回答，贏得工作機會。
找工作的困難度與日俱增。面試主管也不是好惹的，他們有點神精質、很挑剔，常出怪招，問怪問題，讓你招架不住，有時更摸不著頭緒。美國《財星》雜誌（Fortune）職場專欄作家安‧費雪（Anne Fisher），教大家應對面試主管常問的5大弔詭問題的方法。
問題1：你有幾個小孩？你的小孩幾歲？
主管問此問題的背後假設是：如果我們僱用你，家中的小孩會不會是你工作的絆腳石，讓你分心工作？
這真是個燙手問題，多數主管常對有家累的員工、已婚員工有負面印象，認為他們的「私人」問題比較多，反而偏愛僱用單身員工。
這時，你可以回答說：「老闆，我瞭解你的感受；不過，你放心，我有一套照顧小孩的安排計劃，我保證每天能專心工作，不受那些小麻煩的影響。」
問題2：你願意無報酬的工作嗎？
這個問題的真正意思是：「你對這份工作熱情度多高？工作對你具吸引力嗎？」因此，薪水高低不是關鍵問題，就算你今天贏了樂透彩，仍會在這家公司工作才是重點。
回答的方式很簡單，只要表現出你對這份工作、服務這家公司的最大熱誠，強調你對這份工作興趣高昂。
問題3：你最大的缺點為何？
問題非常弔詭，一個人不可能沒有缺點，但如果你真的很老實的說出你的缺點，等於自暴其短，斷了自己的生路；但如果回答沒有缺點，豈不是太假了？
所以，回答時要著重在過去經驗，自己學到那些東西，有那些進步。例如，你曾擔任小組導領人時，學到如何傾聽別人的建議。絕不要說你自己的缺點，也不能說超過一個以上的缺點。
問題4：你計劃在公司工作多久？
當你不想回答：「我願意做一輩子」或「也許幾年」等這類回答時，你該怎麼說？
你需要重新架構回應內容，先說你想待在這家公司的原因，將話題轉到對這份工作能激勵你哪些潛能、對你有多少吸引力等。例如：你評估這份工作有機會讓你一展長才時，你可以回答：「只要機會一直存在，我就會一直待下去。」
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
A day to pasar malam
One week had passed,for the last week,i got some special activities,on thursday i went to the sri rampai pasar malam with michelle,it has been quite some time that i have not been there,i think is nearly one year,i remember when i went last time,there sure be certain food that is in my "must eat" lists.one example of that will be the fried tau hu which rarely can be found in other place,the other one will be the sugarcane chestnut water,so we went there at around 6.00pm and when we reach there,all the stalls are opened,so we decided to walk from the beginning of the stall towards the end,so that we won't simply miss out the stall.When i 1st see the fried tau hu,i quickily bought one pack,it is 5pcs for RM 2.00 and michelle bought the crepe,so while waiting for that,i saw a new product called taiwan ice-cream,i think this is a new one,so i bought one cup and try it out,actually it is just like the plain ice-cream with some chocolate chips inside,so not too special, anyway,just give that a try.....
so we continue walking and till the end,i met the aunt that i used to buy cd from her but not too often nowadays,just say hi to her lo.and after that,we went to the laksa stall and michelle wanted to eat laksa,so i eat a little bit since i am thinking to eat more other food later.Then we bought the taiwan sausage and also the "yim kuk kai",where the chicken is rapped and cooked by putting it on the rough salt.i bought the drumstick and make it be my dinner.
when we are walking,it starts to rain,actually we have go to every stall to see,since some of the stalls are selling cloths which we are not interested,so we can finish walking all the stall very fast,and by that time it is only arounf 7.15pm and it is still quite early,but it is raining quite heavily,it is bit inconvenient to walk under the rain with the umbrella as the space between the stalls are quite narrow and also everyone is using the umbrella,so after a while,we continue to go one more round to find our what we missed out during the 1st walk,so after finished "shopping" for that and i bought some apples,then we take a taxi and back to wangsa.
after i went back home,i start to try out the food i bring back from pasar malam,the chicken is nice,i feel bit regret coz only buy a drumstick which is quite small,anyway,just try that out and will buy the bigger portion if i go next time.
and there will be no tv watching for me as sze ping's room tv is spoilt,so she bring the one in the dining room inside and she told me that she already bought one with 29' one which will be delivered tomorrow,so i got new big tv to watch.....
so we continue walking and till the end,i met the aunt that i used to buy cd from her but not too often nowadays,just say hi to her lo.and after that,we went to the laksa stall and michelle wanted to eat laksa,so i eat a little bit since i am thinking to eat more other food later.Then we bought the taiwan sausage and also the "yim kuk kai",where the chicken is rapped and cooked by putting it on the rough salt.i bought the drumstick and make it be my dinner.
when we are walking,it starts to rain,actually we have go to every stall to see,since some of the stalls are selling cloths which we are not interested,so we can finish walking all the stall very fast,and by that time it is only arounf 7.15pm and it is still quite early,but it is raining quite heavily,it is bit inconvenient to walk under the rain with the umbrella as the space between the stalls are quite narrow and also everyone is using the umbrella,so after a while,we continue to go one more round to find our what we missed out during the 1st walk,so after finished "shopping" for that and i bought some apples,then we take a taxi and back to wangsa.
after i went back home,i start to try out the food i bring back from pasar malam,the chicken is nice,i feel bit regret coz only buy a drumstick which is quite small,anyway,just try that out and will buy the bigger portion if i go next time.
and there will be no tv watching for me as sze ping's room tv is spoilt,so she bring the one in the dining room inside and she told me that she already bought one with 29' one which will be delivered tomorrow,so i got new big tv to watch.....
Friday, July 08, 2005
"Portrait of a Friend"
I can't give solutions to all of life's problems, doubts,
or fears. But I can listen to you, and together we will
search for answers.
I can't change your past with all it's heartache and pain,
nor the future with its untold stories.
But I can be there now when you need me to care.
I can't keep your feet from stumbling.
I can only offer my hand that you may grasp it and not fall.
Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are not mine;
Yet I can share in your laughter.
Your decisions in life are not mine to make, nor to judge;
I can only support you, encourage you,
and help you when you ask.
I can't prevent you from falling away from friendship,
from your values, from me.
I can only pray for you, talk to you and wait for you.
I can't give you boundaries which I have determined for you,
But I can give you the room to change, room to grow,
room to be yourself.
I can't keep your heart from breaking and hurting,
But I can cry with you and help you pick up the pieces
and put them back in place.
I can't tell you who you are.
I can only love you and be your friend.
or fears. But I can listen to you, and together we will
search for answers.
I can't change your past with all it's heartache and pain,
nor the future with its untold stories.
But I can be there now when you need me to care.
I can't keep your feet from stumbling.
I can only offer my hand that you may grasp it and not fall.
Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are not mine;
Yet I can share in your laughter.
Your decisions in life are not mine to make, nor to judge;
I can only support you, encourage you,
and help you when you ask.
I can't prevent you from falling away from friendship,
from your values, from me.
I can only pray for you, talk to you and wait for you.
I can't give you boundaries which I have determined for you,
But I can give you the room to change, room to grow,
room to be yourself.
I can't keep your heart from breaking and hurting,
But I can cry with you and help you pick up the pieces
and put them back in place.
I can't tell you who you are.
I can only love you and be your friend.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
After back to KL......
There have been some times after i come to KL,but it is just not so easy to online here comparing at home where i can simply sit in front of computer for many hours,anyway,i think it is necessary for me to update my blog also and that's why i am sitting now in a noisy cyber cafe in BRJ and writing this.
There are so many things that happened for the past few days,after my mum back to Sabah,i start to settle some of my study stuff,1st go to MAICSA office to settle up the registration and exemption matter,i still need to wait for one month for them to send me the letter to confirm that i can get the exemption and also reg number,and also the study material.then the next day i need to go to Systematic to sign up for the course,since i have taken up the 3.2 course in there b4,so i am considering ex student and they give me extra 5% discount,wau,it is so happy coz i din expect that,and i can pay less already......
after asking the cashier,then i only realise that i am the one who sign up for 4 papers only,most of the students signed up for 2 papers only,he said i am so "yong",that is brave in cantonese,but i think my situation is different,i am studying full time and one of the paper i studied b4,so i still want to go for 4 papers and i really wish that i can complete it in the shortest time,don't know is it a sickness of over-confident.
after settled all the studies thing,me and michelle go to melaka for the 2 days 1 night trip,it is fun and for everytime i go,there must be something new that i can try it out,so i think i quite like melaka and i think will go there also in the future,yan er must be frighten when c this coz she need to be the driver and tour guide.
after come back from melaka,i am meeting soo wei the next day,after chit chatting in the Mc D for few hours,then we go to the new FTMS to settle up her matter,since we need to c Jana,so we are waiting for him to finish the conversation with 2 students,after he saw me,we had chit chat for a while and he wants to bring the 2 "potential" students for a tour to the building,then he invites us also,so we went with him also since i also got no chance to visit that building last time when i go there,then he is asking me where am i working,i said i am studying ICSA,then he say why study,go to work la....hehe,just like last time,say me crazy.....so he brings us from the 5th floor and till the ground floor,we went to the library and also his office which is situated at the corner of the 4th floor,difficult for ppl to catch him....
we saw daniel in the staff room but no chance to chat with him that time,then later he told us that he is meeting Keith for lunch,after we went to the ground floor,he asked Keith out and then i am Keith chit chat for a while also,he is telling me about his daughter,his son,his holiday etc,he asked why i am not going for CFA,i say i don't want and i explain to him the reason i taje up ICSA also...then later daniel came down,they are chit chatting for some matter ,so i am standing there waiting for them to finish and also waiting for soo wei to deal with her reg,then after they finished,Jana is waiting them for lunch,and suddenly we saw a lady coming out from inside,then later we reaslise that she is keith girlfriend,it is so suprise to c her and soo weil say Keith also bit paiseh when we are present,haha,at least we got the chance to c her after hearing what other ppl say that he got gf,so after they go for lunch,we continue to chat with daniel,i am praising him for so hardworking,coming to college everyday to prepare the notes,we also talk about the class,the exam and etc.....
then after say bye to him,we went to petaling street to eat the wantan mee in the lorong,it is quite nice,then after that we do some shopping in mydin then we go home ......
my class will start soon,very anxious to know what am i going to face,just with an open mind lo,what come to me,i accept it and try it out.i think there have been so many things that happened after i back to KL,my life is bit different comparing at home,and michelle say i got some change in my personality also for this time she see me,she said i am not so stubborn now,i also don't know,coz maybe sometime it is difficult for ourselves to c what is the changes that happened on us also,but i do learn something also,i think i realise that sometime what i think is not true,or sometime the way i deal things is not perfect,and i think the biggest changes is i know myself that i can forgive someone whom i think i never forgive,i think life is just like that,we need to learn and change to become a bettter person.
don't know when is the next time that i will post up something,ya,hoping for that will be very soon.....
There are so many things that happened for the past few days,after my mum back to Sabah,i start to settle some of my study stuff,1st go to MAICSA office to settle up the registration and exemption matter,i still need to wait for one month for them to send me the letter to confirm that i can get the exemption and also reg number,and also the study material.then the next day i need to go to Systematic to sign up for the course,since i have taken up the 3.2 course in there b4,so i am considering ex student and they give me extra 5% discount,wau,it is so happy coz i din expect that,and i can pay less already......
after asking the cashier,then i only realise that i am the one who sign up for 4 papers only,most of the students signed up for 2 papers only,he said i am so "yong",that is brave in cantonese,but i think my situation is different,i am studying full time and one of the paper i studied b4,so i still want to go for 4 papers and i really wish that i can complete it in the shortest time,don't know is it a sickness of over-confident.
after settled all the studies thing,me and michelle go to melaka for the 2 days 1 night trip,it is fun and for everytime i go,there must be something new that i can try it out,so i think i quite like melaka and i think will go there also in the future,yan er must be frighten when c this coz she need to be the driver and tour guide.
after come back from melaka,i am meeting soo wei the next day,after chit chatting in the Mc D for few hours,then we go to the new FTMS to settle up her matter,since we need to c Jana,so we are waiting for him to finish the conversation with 2 students,after he saw me,we had chit chat for a while and he wants to bring the 2 "potential" students for a tour to the building,then he invites us also,so we went with him also since i also got no chance to visit that building last time when i go there,then he is asking me where am i working,i said i am studying ICSA,then he say why study,go to work la....hehe,just like last time,say me crazy.....so he brings us from the 5th floor and till the ground floor,we went to the library and also his office which is situated at the corner of the 4th floor,difficult for ppl to catch him....
we saw daniel in the staff room but no chance to chat with him that time,then later he told us that he is meeting Keith for lunch,after we went to the ground floor,he asked Keith out and then i am Keith chit chat for a while also,he is telling me about his daughter,his son,his holiday etc,he asked why i am not going for CFA,i say i don't want and i explain to him the reason i taje up ICSA also...then later daniel came down,they are chit chatting for some matter ,so i am standing there waiting for them to finish and also waiting for soo wei to deal with her reg,then after they finished,Jana is waiting them for lunch,and suddenly we saw a lady coming out from inside,then later we reaslise that she is keith girlfriend,it is so suprise to c her and soo weil say Keith also bit paiseh when we are present,haha,at least we got the chance to c her after hearing what other ppl say that he got gf,so after they go for lunch,we continue to chat with daniel,i am praising him for so hardworking,coming to college everyday to prepare the notes,we also talk about the class,the exam and etc.....
then after say bye to him,we went to petaling street to eat the wantan mee in the lorong,it is quite nice,then after that we do some shopping in mydin then we go home ......
my class will start soon,very anxious to know what am i going to face,just with an open mind lo,what come to me,i accept it and try it out.i think there have been so many things that happened after i back to KL,my life is bit different comparing at home,and michelle say i got some change in my personality also for this time she see me,she said i am not so stubborn now,i also don't know,coz maybe sometime it is difficult for ourselves to c what is the changes that happened on us also,but i do learn something also,i think i realise that sometime what i think is not true,or sometime the way i deal things is not perfect,and i think the biggest changes is i know myself that i can forgive someone whom i think i never forgive,i think life is just like that,we need to learn and change to become a bettter person.
don't know when is the next time that i will post up something,ya,hoping for that will be very soon.....
INSPIRATIONAL POSITIVE THOUGHTS
Allow Your Own Inner Light to Guide You
There comes a time when you must stand alone.
You must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams.
You must be willing to make sacrifices.
You must be capable of changing and rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved.
Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged.
There are times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities.
Be strong enough to at least try to make your life better.
Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by.
Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose in this life.
Don't stand in someone else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way.
A Lesson in Life
Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, if they be events, illnesses or relationships, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere.
If someone hurts you, betrays you , or breaks you heart, forgive them. For they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to who you open your heart to.
If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them.
Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.
Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you either.
You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it.
There comes a time when you must stand alone.
You must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams.
You must be willing to make sacrifices.
You must be capable of changing and rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved.
Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged.
There are times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities.
Be strong enough to at least try to make your life better.
Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by.
Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose in this life.
Don't stand in someone else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way.
A Lesson in Life
Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, if they be events, illnesses or relationships, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere.
If someone hurts you, betrays you , or breaks you heart, forgive them. For they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to who you open your heart to.
If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them.
Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.
Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you either.
You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
成为湖泊
一位年老的印度大师身边有一个总是抱怨的弟子。有一天，他派这个弟子去买盐。弟子回来后，大师吩咐这个不快活的年轻人抓一把盐放在一杯水中，然后喝了它。
“味道如何？”大师问。
“苦。”弟子呲牙咧嘴地吐了口吐沫。
大师又吩咐年轻人把剩下的盐都放进附近的湖里。弟子于是把盐倒进湖里，老者说：“再尝尝湖水。”
年轻人捧了一口湖水尝了尝。大师问道：“什么味道？”
“很新鲜。”弟子答道。
“你尝到咸味了吗？”大师问。
“没有。”年轻人答道。
这时大师对弟子说道：“生命中的痛苦就象是盐；不多，也不少。我们在生活中遇到的痛苦就这么多。但是，我们体验到的痛苦却取决于我们将它盛放在多大的容器中。”
所以，当你处于痛苦时，你只要开阔你的胸怀……
不要做一只杯子，而要做一个湖泊。
Saturday, June 18, 2005
一切，都會過去的
這是從朋友送給我的書籤上讀到的「箴言」。
當時我正面臨人生的關卡，心情極度沮喪，這句話給了我莫大的安慰與希望。
慢慢地我終於度過難關。
此後，我常對自己重複這句話，逆境果然都過去了。
就這樣，我學到了這種心靈上的新態度，並全心相信：「一切，都會過去的。」
包括最深切的悲苦，或是最愉快的歡樂都不例外。
回頭看看你的一生，從出生起到安頓下來，你聽了一些話，做了一些事，度過哀傷，也歡度過快樂時光；
曾經憤怒、飲泣、流淚、大笑……不管多少個曾經，那又如何？
一切都過去了，不是嗎？
未來會如何？隔幾天，會變得怎麼樣？
你最多不過是笑笑跳跳，要不然就是失望流淚，那又如何？ 反正都會過去的。
生命的遭遇猶如水中的浮草、木葉、花瓣，終究會在時間的河流中飄到遠方。
失意嗎？你可以試著把困苦想像成一滴墨汁，滴到河中，看著河水有沒有改變？
有改變，但幾乎是看不出來的。
就算看出來了又怎麼樣？
一切，還是會過去的。
事情總是來來去去，在萬事順遂時，美好會過去，讓我們懂得珍惜；
在傷心失望時，痛苦會過去，讓我們學會接受。
日子縱使時而有陰影遮掩，煙塵蒙蔽，然而愁霧散去，又將是清澈明淨，雲淡風輕。
試著回憶起兩個月前的這個時刻，你對生活有何抱怨？
你記不起來了，對不對？
再問問自己，十年後這個問題還有多重要？
像現在，就在此刻，不管你是喜也好，悲也罷，
一切,都會過去的.
當時我正面臨人生的關卡，心情極度沮喪，這句話給了我莫大的安慰與希望。
慢慢地我終於度過難關。
此後，我常對自己重複這句話，逆境果然都過去了。
就這樣，我學到了這種心靈上的新態度，並全心相信：「一切，都會過去的。」
包括最深切的悲苦，或是最愉快的歡樂都不例外。
回頭看看你的一生，從出生起到安頓下來，你聽了一些話，做了一些事，度過哀傷，也歡度過快樂時光；
曾經憤怒、飲泣、流淚、大笑……不管多少個曾經，那又如何？
一切都過去了，不是嗎？
未來會如何？隔幾天，會變得怎麼樣？
你最多不過是笑笑跳跳，要不然就是失望流淚，那又如何？ 反正都會過去的。
生命的遭遇猶如水中的浮草、木葉、花瓣，終究會在時間的河流中飄到遠方。
失意嗎？你可以試著把困苦想像成一滴墨汁，滴到河中，看著河水有沒有改變？
有改變，但幾乎是看不出來的。
就算看出來了又怎麼樣？
一切，還是會過去的。
事情總是來來去去，在萬事順遂時，美好會過去，讓我們懂得珍惜；
在傷心失望時，痛苦會過去，讓我們學會接受。
日子縱使時而有陰影遮掩，煙塵蒙蔽，然而愁霧散去，又將是清澈明淨，雲淡風輕。
試著回憶起兩個月前的這個時刻，你對生活有何抱怨？
你記不起來了，對不對？
再問問自己，十年後這個問題還有多重要？
像現在，就在此刻，不管你是喜也好，悲也罷，
一切,都會過去的.
Friday, June 17, 2005
葡萄酒 Grapewine
Few days ago,i was thinking about one question,can i really set aside something?i always tell my friends to try to set aside their emotion when some problems already settled,and i also think that i can do that,but few questions pop up in my mind recently,i always think why is like this?why is like that?what is the main reason? and all these questions bothered me.then later i tell myself,why i cannot really forget about it and make it as past tense,why should i still thinking about it,and i told myself that i cannot keep it continue,i really need to set it aside,i remind myself about that and finally i manage to do it,i have no more weird feeling about it now and i really feel i put it down.suddenly recall what my friend asks me:"nothing for you is impossible right?",and i told her "yes,there is only i want or i don't want only".so now i know that if i want,i can make it.
while surfing the net,i found the above article,it eventually make me think even further and make me clear about the point and also make me accept the fact more openly.It says for many times,you need to face some difficulty and problems,and all these is necessary for you to take it and it will affect you certainly,so you just take it and make it as a process that you need to go through to become a tougher person,it is just like the grape,it needs time and all kinds of fermentation process then only good wine can be produced.so i will just treat that as a test for us and also a test that i need to take,and now i know the result and i feel very comfortable with what i had done.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
生命在等待中消失
『等到我學業完成以後，我定要好好地放鬆自己。』
『等到我生意上了軌道以後，我定要出國旅行，到處遊玩，開開眼界。』
『等到我賺了錢以後，我定要好好地孝敬父母，讓他們過上好日子。』
『等到我買了房子以後，我就會停下忙碌的腳步，好好享受人生。』
『等到我孩子結了婚以後，我就可以安心打牌，毋需再顧慮那麼多。』
等到‥‥‥等到‥‥‥我們總是這樣對自己說，
也總是這樣把享受人生寄托在遙不可知的未來。
似乎我們所有的生命，都消耗在等待上。
曾有這麼兩個年青人，一位是中國人，另一位是美國人。
他們同在某個大城市的一家公司上班，職位相同，薪金相同，
然而所過的生活卻迵然不同。
那位美國人在他上班一年後，
用所賺的薪金分期付款買了一套非常漂亮、舒適的房子，日子過得稱心如意；
而另外那位中國人，卻是租住在一棟非常破舊的公寓裡，
房子又黑又小又舊，彷彿稍微用力一點，整個房子就會倒塌似的。
那位中國人省吃儉用，他告訴自己，等到賺夠了錢，就一定要買棟漂亮的房子，
讓自己住得舒服一點。
二十年後，他終於如願以嘗，
在那位美國人所住的公寓裡買了一套與他一樣漂亮的房子，與美國人毗鄰而居。
結果不幸的是，那位中國人住進新房子還不到一年，
就因多年來營養不良、積勞成疾而撒手西歸。
這就是中國人的悲哀，也是東方人與西方人最大的區別。
中國人顧慮太多，總是把生命用在等待上；
而西方人卻是秉持“把握現在，及時行樂”的人生態度。
如果那位中國人也像那位美國同事一樣，
用分期付款的方法買一套房子，
那他不也是一樣可以在二十年前就讓自己過得舒服一點了嗎？
人人都願意犧牲現在，去換取不可知的等待；
犧牲今生的辛苦錢，去換取來世的安逸。
其實我們毋須等到生活完美無瑕，也毋須等到一切穩定下來，
想做什麼，現在就可以開始。每個人的生命都有盡頭，
許多人往往在生命即將結束時，才發現自己還有很多事沒有做，這實在是一種遺憾。
人生是一張單程車票，失去的便永遠不會再擁有。
千萬別把美好的生命浪費在等待上，把握現在，享受現在，才是最重要的。
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Stick your neck out
ACCA paper 3.7, SFM, is FTC tutor Patrick Lynch's specialist subject
Overview Scott Goddard (the SFM examiner) has been studying Strategic Financial Management for over thirty five years, so he can write fairly innovative papers. When you open your exam paper, you may feel in the initial minutes after reading the paper that the challenge is too great. That's OK, that's all part of the process. Students have had trouble acclimatising to SFM papers for years. Take a few deep breathes and score one mark, then another and so on. Remember all you need is 50 per cent, so as the old saying goes "you can get 50 per cent wrong and still pass". Keep your nerve and keep going. If you can get the basics down on the paper you will pass.
Time management
Spend the first fifteen minutes reading the paper then select the questions you are going to attempt in Section B and complete them by 11.00 am. Then choose the more structured of the compulsory questions and complete it the time allowed i.e. 1.5 minutes per mark. Then attempt the final compulsory question.
Review topics for June 2005:
Section A: Contains two compulsory questions, normally a thirty and a forty marker. These compulsory questions will often include more than one core area of the syllabus.
* Interest Rate Risk and Currency Risk: please review both areas in detail. Remember that Goddard wrote a question called Autocrat in December 2002 which for the first time in the history of the paper combined both topics. Ensure you have a solid understanding of both interest rate and currency futures and options!
* Company Valuation: Be able to use and abuse the different valuation methods; Net Asset Valuation, Dividend Valuation Model, Price Earnings Ratio and of course the Present Value of Free Cash Flows (the new name for NPV). The valuation question is often within the context of the Merger and Acquisition environment. Another possibility is that you are asked to calculate an acquisition premium in a share for share merger.
* Foreign Direct Investment - Overseas NPV: Specific items you need to be aware of, the application of double tax agreements, remittances from subsidiaries, use of purchasing power parity theory to estimate future exchange rates and the overall structure of an overseas NPV.
* Investment Appraisal: please review the basic calculation of WACC and Risk Adjusted WACC and the use of deferred annuities and perpetuities within an NPV calculation. Knowledge of real options may be useful.
Section B: At least one of the questions is discursive.
* Dividend Policy
* Term Structure of Interest rate
* Portfolio Theory and CAPM – the calculation and interpretation of summary and alpha tables.
* International economics – I.M.F., Political Risk, Foreign Exchange Rate Systems, Balance of payments deficits. Control of foreign subsidiaries, Treasury Management.
Good Luck
Patrick Lynch
Overview Scott Goddard (the SFM examiner) has been studying Strategic Financial Management for over thirty five years, so he can write fairly innovative papers. When you open your exam paper, you may feel in the initial minutes after reading the paper that the challenge is too great. That's OK, that's all part of the process. Students have had trouble acclimatising to SFM papers for years. Take a few deep breathes and score one mark, then another and so on. Remember all you need is 50 per cent, so as the old saying goes "you can get 50 per cent wrong and still pass". Keep your nerve and keep going. If you can get the basics down on the paper you will pass.
Time management
Spend the first fifteen minutes reading the paper then select the questions you are going to attempt in Section B and complete them by 11.00 am. Then choose the more structured of the compulsory questions and complete it the time allowed i.e. 1.5 minutes per mark. Then attempt the final compulsory question.
Review topics for June 2005:
Section A: Contains two compulsory questions, normally a thirty and a forty marker. These compulsory questions will often include more than one core area of the syllabus.
* Interest Rate Risk and Currency Risk: please review both areas in detail. Remember that Goddard wrote a question called Autocrat in December 2002 which for the first time in the history of the paper combined both topics. Ensure you have a solid understanding of both interest rate and currency futures and options!
* Company Valuation: Be able to use and abuse the different valuation methods; Net Asset Valuation, Dividend Valuation Model, Price Earnings Ratio and of course the Present Value of Free Cash Flows (the new name for NPV). The valuation question is often within the context of the Merger and Acquisition environment. Another possibility is that you are asked to calculate an acquisition premium in a share for share merger.
* Foreign Direct Investment - Overseas NPV: Specific items you need to be aware of, the application of double tax agreements, remittances from subsidiaries, use of purchasing power parity theory to estimate future exchange rates and the overall structure of an overseas NPV.
* Investment Appraisal: please review the basic calculation of WACC and Risk Adjusted WACC and the use of deferred annuities and perpetuities within an NPV calculation. Knowledge of real options may be useful.
Section B: At least one of the questions is discursive.
* Dividend Policy
* Term Structure of Interest rate
* Portfolio Theory and CAPM – the calculation and interpretation of summary and alpha tables.
* International economics – I.M.F., Political Risk, Foreign Exchange Rate Systems, Balance of payments deficits. Control of foreign subsidiaries, Treasury Management.
Good Luck
Patrick Lynch
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