I'm actually quite sad to hear that Michael Jackson has passed on. Been listening to his best of hits for the past hour or so. He was a true musical genius - truly truly talented one of a kind entertainer. I think people will ask and consider it a point in their lives "Where were you when MJ died?"

Just reminds you that life is precious and it can be taken away from you at any time.

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My older sister is getting divorced. Sigh. I blame them both - my brother-in-law and her because I believe it takes 2 hands to clap. I'm pissed and angry that their 4 kids will be the ones suffering the effects from a broken home.

Apparently since they are unable to "solve" their money problems as well as their lousy communication to each other, the next best thing to do is to get a divorce.

Stupid idiots. Both of them. 12 years of marriage down the drain.

I'm not close to my older sister at all - she sort of "abandoned" the family after marriage and hardly visited. Only now when there is no else to turn to, she then realizes that she had this other family.

My parents and younger sister has been big-hearted and supportive to her but I chose to remain neutral and impassive. Sure call me heartless or even someone who takes things personally - but there is something to be learned from this nonsense going on.

1) Marriage will always put women at a disadvantage. Never give up your career and source of income and believe you can depend on your husband.

2) NEVER ever put yourself in a position where you are financially dependent on a man. Because 99% of men nowadays are not even fit to be called a man.

You know those jungle tribes of native people where young boys must go severe tests and rituals in order to be recognized as a man by the older folk? I think those tribes are definitely are on to something.

3) Just because you made some money before, you become arrogant and believe you must be a natural-born businessman. Take out huge bank loans before you even secured cash flow in your business!

STOOOPID. And then run away like a coward leaving your wife and kids to deal with the bank who takes your belongings to auction off.

I know a businessman who was half a million in debt about 13 years ago - who never abandoned his kids. He is now worth USD120 million.

I'm pretty sure his character and personal strength to overcome adversity contributed to his wealth.

People are really like teabags. You never know how strong they are until they are inside hot water.

4) Singapore men keep saying that Singapore women are materialistic. Hell yeah. You are a man, you are expected to support your wife and family.

I'll buy my own diamond ring because I can bloody well afford it. My own car even if I want to. No one else can give me what I want except myself.

But if you are not sure whether you can even feed/clothe/educate my kids well, please don't think of getting married or settling down. Don't drag a woman inside your incompetent life to suffer along with you.

I had Chinese boyfriends and Malay boyfriends. And I think Malay boyfriends are the useless of the lot. Indecisive and insecure and only know sweet words. Darling, I do multi-million dollars sales but I don't think my tongue is that honeyed.

I'm sorry but I live in Singapore. Please show me your bank account first. In the meantime, I like to enjoy my single, almost-financially-free life and the complete freedom of being able to do whatever I want.

5) Bottomline is - All ladies out there: Just rely on yourselves. 99% of men will never be able to give you what you want.

I wish all women becomes successful in finding that rare gem of a man because you are the truly lucky ones.

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In Ghazali's book "Faith in Divine Unity and Trust in Divine Providence", he tackles the issue of predestination and free-will subject fairly deeply.

One of the things I took from the book is that God doesn't just create this reality as it is, but also created all possible realities.

He doesn't just know the results of our decisions, but knows the results of all alternative decisions we didn't make.

All outcomes were created, but we only experience one out of the multitude... the one the results from our choices.

Freewill and Providence. Only Allah has infinite knowledge.

This is a record of your time. This is your movie. Live out your dreams and fantasies.

Whisper questions to the Sphinx at night. Sit for hours at sidewalk cafes and drink with your heroes.

Make pilgrimages to Mougins and Abiquiu. Look up and down. Believe in the unknown for it is there.

Live in many places. Live with flowers and music and books and paintings and sculpture. Keep a record of your time.

Learn to read well. Learn to listen and speak well. Know your country, know your world, know your history, know yourself.

Take care of yourself physically and mentally. You owe it to yourself. Be good to those around you. And do all of these things with passion. Give all that you can.

Remember, Life is short and Death is long.

- Fritz Shoulder

Few things in life are more important to master than your relationships. Success is unfulfilling unless you have someone to share it with--indeed, the most highly sought emotion is that of connection. In the next few days let's consider six organizing principles that are fundamental to the success of any relationship, especially your love relationships.

First, you must know the values and rules of the person with whom you are involved. No matter how much you love someone, no matter how intimate your connection, there will be upsets and debilitating stresses if you are constantly breaking each other's rules.

If you don't know (or have forgotten) your partner's rules, find them out. If it's been a while since you've discussed them, it's a good idea to check in again.

Anthony Robbins

From: http://www.ummahreflections.co.za/reflections47.htm

A Muslim Society group member posted an interesting email recently. About the benefits of reciting the Quran everyday.

I knew about this many years ago when I attended religious class. What I remembered then was because I kept the Holy Book company everyday by reading it, it will in turn keep me company when I'm in the grave. And I recalled distinctly that the ustazah said the Quran will appear as a very handsome male companion. Hehe.

Hey I was young and ignorant. Serious. At first just to practice and understand. Eventually to become a complement to my prayers. But now, it is a constant companion which I read everyday. Anything from 10 mins to 30 mins. I have faithfully kept to this habit for the past 10 - 12 years after Ishak prayers or early morning before Subuh prayers.

So it is with great happiness and gratitude to God for showing me the way then - now I share this on my blog here.

( Noble Quran - Your Companion In the Grave )

1. Reading and reflecting over the Noble Qur'an fulfils an Islamic duty.
2. The Noble Qur'an will be a proof for us on the Day of Judgment.
3. The Noble Qur'an will intercede for us on the Day of Judgment.
4. Your status in this life will be raised.
5. You will be from the best of the people.
6. There are ten rewards for each letter you recite from the Noble Qur'an.
7. The reciters of the Noble Qur'an will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels.
8. Your position in Paradise is determined by the amount of Noble Qur'an you memorize in this life!
9. The Noble Qur'an will lead you to Paradise!

So did you seriously ponder the question? Or was it me just being silly?

Ask such a stupid question.

So to make it clearer:
Do you want to make $10,000 in 1 month OR
Do you want to make $1,000 in 1 day?

So you should realize that the 2nd choice is much preferred. It is not about how MUCH money you make but how Fast you make money.

Making money is a mindset. I realize that income will not equal to wealth. Working alone is never enough - as you can see clearly from recent market collapse - that even the largest companies can fall. No one is completely immune - the world changes in a heartbeat.

As such, always have a mindset that continues to seek OTHER income streams. A single pay cheque is never enough. Can you imagine having your entire life DEPENDING on a SINGLE JOB? I have realized this reality as I watched the recent financial hurricane.

So what are the possible sources of income streams? I'm now in the process of creating an automated business that does not require me to be there.

The potential is definitely there - I'm able to earn $100 a day working 1 hour per day.

If you are keen to know - stay tuned for the next post.

The fasting month is amongst us again! And as usual, I torture myself by looking at food recipes. Tantalizing food recipes. I think I'm sado-masochistic. LOL.

You see this chocolate bar? 26% nuts, freshly golden roasted! It has become my ultimate favourite chocolate bar and sinful (alamak. hilang tak pahala) bar when I get stuck in the office when it is time to break fast.

Seriously, it is damn good. The Gold wrapping really means gold standard. It costs $1.50 at SPC outlets. I want to buy this in bulk and let it become my emergency supply of food when it is time to buka. Wahaha. Best with air katira and very long 30 minute workout after that.

Tsk. I'm supposed to lose weight this month.

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Is it wrong of me to snigger a bit at Lehman Brothers impending buyover? 94% loss in share price. This is what happens when you don't take a Lehman Sister?

Ok la not funny. A lot of jobs will be gone there and people are losing the total value of their retirement accounts.

I think I'm over the sore loss of being an analyst there and Merrill Lynch. Both are in serious financial trouble. Uh-oh. Blessing in disguise. But I think whole of Wall St are affected. If you find out exactly how the banking principle works, you will be shocked.

Here's a question to ponder:

1) Do you want to earn $10,000?

OR

2) Do you want to earn $1,000?

Think carefully.

What the hell LJ? I see ads here in my basic account!

I'm going to move to Vox at this rate. So irritating.

See here. Such a cute car!

And the fact that it needs only 1 litre to travel 100 km! Super efficient fuel savings here.

London to Edinburgh for £8.50 in the VW 'tandem' (just don't bank on bringing too much luggage | Mail Online

Finally!

I'm back to updating LJ.

For those thinking of doing house painting and giving the walls a makeover since Hari Raya is coming soon..(Heh. Actually fasting month hasn't even started... what lah you!)

But if you want to make your home look more meriah and BRAND NEW... I highly recommend Singapore Painting Services. Highly competitive rates and no need to worry about clean up.

Walls look great, I feel happy thanks to better mood. :)

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Updating LJ at 2+ early morning means I have been busy finishing up with work. But getting bloody sleepy.

And let me introduce you to this song - Sara Bareilles - Between The Lines. This girl is really talented. UCLA alumni!

I wonder whether is there a Bones shipper video on this song...

This remixed version has a sweet intro!

I feel like moving to Vox. Should I? I already have a journal there actually established for the past 2 years (was a beta tester) but I keep coming back to LJ.

Here are the reasons for staying put in LJ:

1) The customized Sarah Mackenzie mood theme which I have lovingly created

2) My pretty JAG layout here

3) My LJ friends

4) Vox doesn't accept animated gifs (I think)

5) News feeds


Here are the reasons for moving to Vox:

1) Finally more established communities there just like LJ

2) Uploading of images and music so very very easily

3) Pretty layouts

4) Very very pretty interface

5) Better SEO ranking I think... LOL.

I think my tipping point for moving to Vox if my LJ friends move there as well... I can probably recreate the JAG layout. Mood theme not sure how possible.