It's quite funny when I found out that the for most people (at least people I know) the kitchen and bathrooms are the main rooms that make them decide whether they want to rent or buy a house. I guess we don't fall into that category because the rental was the most important thing in our head plus we didn't cook that much (that has changed now). Now coming back to the rooms, the two rooms I mentioned above are the rooms that we spend the least amount of time during a day (of course may be different for people who love to cook). Most of us tend to ignore the room we spend the maximum time in - the bedroom. I read somewhere (can't recall the source) that we spend around 25 years of our lives on the bed.
Also ignored are the Bedroom Furniture. We simply don't care about the bed we sleep on. I have been reading up on how important a good night's sleep is. I can sleep almost anywhere but my wife has been complaining about our old bed and I think it's time we go and look for a new one. And it's not just about comfort. I am not sure about you guys but I prefer Modern Bedroom Furniture. Unlike a lot of Malaysians I know, I am simply not into period furniture - antique or reproduction.
If you are thinking of renting out or selling your property, I would recommend going for Contemporary Bedroom Furniture. I learnt this from watching various home improvement shows on TV. Of course it all depends on your own taste of interior design.
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
19 September 2008
12 September 2008
Vistaprint business cards
Just realised that I have almost run out of my business cards. It's been slightly more than a year since I took Vistaprint's "250 free business cards" offer.
This was before I commenced my PhD studies and was a stay-at-home husband taking care of the kids. I was a full time blogger then and my blogs were my sole source of income. One day I happened to come across the above mentioned offer and I thought "why not". All I had to do was pay for the delivery cost.
Though initially I was wondering what I would do with the cards, they have proved really useful. Before this, people would give me their business cards and I would have to explain that I didn't have one - I was unemployed, blah, blah, blah. That doesn't happen any more.
Unlike some bloggers who prefer to put only the blog url, I put in my home address in as well. Great to give out to friends who always forget your house address. It's definitely better than writing it down on a loose pieces of paper which might get thrown away accidentally. Besides, it is a great way to create awareness about your blogs.
Anyway, I was thinking of ordering a new set of business cards from Vistaprint and was delighted to find out that you can still order 250 cards for free (you only pay for the delivery). The free option has 42 designs you can choose from. There are many more ways you can further customize your card such as by uploading your own designs and so on.
The great thing is that they have slashed prices for a number of options. For example, However, by paying a little bit more (£8.24 instead of £11.99) you can opt for the Premium quality cards. Do check out their range of products including cards letter heads, sticky notes, etc.
However, make sure you do read the fine print before you order and don't rush while going through the ordering process. Decide whether you really want to join the VistaPrint Rewards scheme or accept any of the offers or extras as the costs can add up.
This was before I commenced my PhD studies and was a stay-at-home husband taking care of the kids. I was a full time blogger then and my blogs were my sole source of income. One day I happened to come across the above mentioned offer and I thought "why not". All I had to do was pay for the delivery cost.
Though initially I was wondering what I would do with the cards, they have proved really useful. Before this, people would give me their business cards and I would have to explain that I didn't have one - I was unemployed, blah, blah, blah. That doesn't happen any more.
Unlike some bloggers who prefer to put only the blog url, I put in my home address in as well. Great to give out to friends who always forget your house address. It's definitely better than writing it down on a loose pieces of paper which might get thrown away accidentally. Besides, it is a great way to create awareness about your blogs.
Anyway, I was thinking of ordering a new set of business cards from Vistaprint and was delighted to find out that you can still order 250 cards for free (you only pay for the delivery). The free option has 42 designs you can choose from. There are many more ways you can further customize your card such as by uploading your own designs and so on.
The great thing is that they have slashed prices for a number of options. For example, However, by paying a little bit more (£8.24 instead of £11.99) you can opt for the Premium quality cards. Do check out their range of products including cards letter heads, sticky notes, etc.
However, make sure you do read the fine print before you order and don't rush while going through the ordering process. Decide whether you really want to join the VistaPrint Rewards scheme or accept any of the offers or extras as the costs can add up.
01 September 2008
Renting a house in Coventry - tips for Malaysians
Every year, a number of Malaysians contacting me every year enquiring about accommodation here in Coventry. Most of these were from people who were coming over to the UK to pursue a PhD at the University of Warwick. Despite it's name, the University is in Coventry. A lot of people are not even aware that there's a "Malaysian Coventry Society" here.
As I had mentioned in an earlier post of mine, "Newbie in the UK", most Malaysians prefer to live in either the Foleshill or Stoney Stanton area of Coventry. The rent there is unlikely to go down as the demand from families looking for affordable accommodation (read cheap) is quite high. Apart from a few exceptions, the condition of many of the houses are in a bad state of repair with leaking bathrooms, ancient looking decor and tatty and old carpets.
Most Malaysians who thought that they were moving into 3 bedroom houses are surprised to find that the third bedroom fits only a single bed with no room to move. Most end up moving to another house later. Also, if you were seriously thinking of converting one of the rooms into a office or study, you might have to reconsider.
If you are moving to the UK to pursue your PhD, you might want to consider moving into a partly furnished house. The reason is that you are going to be here for at least three years (four in most cases) and usually the furniture provided are of such low quality or old, that by the time you get ready to leave the UK, you would have replaced most of the furniture provided with your own. In the end you are paying for a fully furnished house but the furniture are all yours.
Some of the rental rates are quite high considering the condition of the houses and quality of the furnishings. Maybe it's time we moved away from these localities and looked elsewhere.
A few of my friends have been able to find houses done up to a good quality and nearer the University. They usually have to pay a higher rent but the difference is more than made up by the money saved on transport.
For those planning to come over this year, I think there might be some good news. I have been hearing rumours that rentals were falling in the city but brushed them off as I am aware that some new comers who moved into houses previously occupied by Malaysians had the rents increased. However, a look at Gum tree and accounts of some friends who have been able to secure cheaper rentals, might indicate that rentals are indeed falling. This might be due to the present economy whereby many house owners have entered the rental market instead of selling.
Yesterday evening, I went to take a look at a house for a friend who's moving here soon. It's just a short distance from my house and because the rental was quite low, didn't have high expectations. Imagine my shock when I found a really spacious house with good quality furnishings - for example, two comfy leather sofas, solid wood dining table, display cabinet, etc. Furthermore, every bedroom has a wardrobe fitted and even the smallest bedroom has a double bed with enough room to fit a table in. A lot of Malaysians were amazed when I told them about the house and I can guess, a lot of them are now currently house hunting on the net.
As I had mentioned in an earlier post of mine, "Newbie in the UK", most Malaysians prefer to live in either the Foleshill or Stoney Stanton area of Coventry. The rent there is unlikely to go down as the demand from families looking for affordable accommodation (read cheap) is quite high. Apart from a few exceptions, the condition of many of the houses are in a bad state of repair with leaking bathrooms, ancient looking decor and tatty and old carpets.
Most Malaysians who thought that they were moving into 3 bedroom houses are surprised to find that the third bedroom fits only a single bed with no room to move. Most end up moving to another house later. Also, if you were seriously thinking of converting one of the rooms into a office or study, you might have to reconsider.
If you are moving to the UK to pursue your PhD, you might want to consider moving into a partly furnished house. The reason is that you are going to be here for at least three years (four in most cases) and usually the furniture provided are of such low quality or old, that by the time you get ready to leave the UK, you would have replaced most of the furniture provided with your own. In the end you are paying for a fully furnished house but the furniture are all yours.
Some of the rental rates are quite high considering the condition of the houses and quality of the furnishings. Maybe it's time we moved away from these localities and looked elsewhere.
A few of my friends have been able to find houses done up to a good quality and nearer the University. They usually have to pay a higher rent but the difference is more than made up by the money saved on transport.
For those planning to come over this year, I think there might be some good news. I have been hearing rumours that rentals were falling in the city but brushed them off as I am aware that some new comers who moved into houses previously occupied by Malaysians had the rents increased. However, a look at Gum tree and accounts of some friends who have been able to secure cheaper rentals, might indicate that rentals are indeed falling. This might be due to the present economy whereby many house owners have entered the rental market instead of selling.
Yesterday evening, I went to take a look at a house for a friend who's moving here soon. It's just a short distance from my house and because the rental was quite low, didn't have high expectations. Imagine my shock when I found a really spacious house with good quality furnishings - for example, two comfy leather sofas, solid wood dining table, display cabinet, etc. Furthermore, every bedroom has a wardrobe fitted and even the smallest bedroom has a double bed with enough room to fit a table in. A lot of Malaysians were amazed when I told them about the house and I can guess, a lot of them are now currently house hunting on the net.
29 August 2008
Choosing a web host
If you are really serious about earning money from your blogs, it goes without saying that you should get your own unique domain name. After that, you would then have to decide which blog publishing platform to use. Most of my blogs (yes, I blog on more than one blog)are hosted with Blogger. Finally, you then choose a place to host your blog.
Choosing a good web hosting company can be one of the most important choices. With all the offers out there, it can get real confusing. I have found out from experience that the costliest is not necessarily the best. The choice depends on the system requirements of the platform you choose, whether you prefer to host on a Linux or Windows based server, your bandwidth and of course how much you are willing to spend.
You may want to take a look at the "Top 10 Web Hosting Providers - Best Web Hosts 2008" on the webhosting rating site. They have some really useful articles as well. For example, check out their "Tips For Choosing A Domain". A must read before you go ahead and buy a domain name. I definitely agree with them when they say "Choosing a domain may not be as simple as perceived.." Finding a name for a new site I was planning on proved to be quite frustrating when I found out that most of the names I had in mind were taken. After reading the article, I decided that the name was too long and finally found a short varient to the name I had in mind.
Choosing a good web hosting company can be one of the most important choices. With all the offers out there, it can get real confusing. I have found out from experience that the costliest is not necessarily the best. The choice depends on the system requirements of the platform you choose, whether you prefer to host on a Linux or Windows based server, your bandwidth and of course how much you are willing to spend.
You may want to take a look at the "Top 10 Web Hosting Providers - Best Web Hosts 2008" on the webhosting rating site. They have some really useful articles as well. For example, check out their "Tips For Choosing A Domain". A must read before you go ahead and buy a domain name. I definitely agree with them when they say "Choosing a domain may not be as simple as perceived.." Finding a name for a new site I was planning on proved to be quite frustrating when I found out that most of the names I had in mind were taken. After reading the article, I decided that the name was too long and finally found a short varient to the name I had in mind.
04 August 2008
Changing currency
Planning for our trip to France gave me a good lesson in changing currency. I went around a few travel agencies and the post office as well. I ultimately found that the best deal is that offered by Marks and Spencer
They don't charge any commission on foreign currency and only 1% on sterling travellers' cheques. I went to the M & S outlet at Arena park near my house and got €245 for £200.36 (@ rate of 1.2228).
A lot of people tend to change currency in banks but ore often than not, their rates are not the best. Doing some research, I learnt that the worst rates are those offered by those money changers operating from small kiosks.
I too did make some mistakes on the way and bought travellers cheques worth £500 from the post office a few days before that. They charged me £7 pounds as commission.
If you are interested incurrency Forex trading, do check out my friend Ahrasis' blog: "Forex Profiteer".
They don't charge any commission on foreign currency and only 1% on sterling travellers' cheques. I went to the M & S outlet at Arena park near my house and got €245 for £200.36 (@ rate of 1.2228).
A lot of people tend to change currency in banks but ore often than not, their rates are not the best. Doing some research, I learnt that the worst rates are those offered by those money changers operating from small kiosks.
I too did make some mistakes on the way and bought travellers cheques worth £500 from the post office a few days before that. They charged me £7 pounds as commission.
If you are interested in
01 May 2008
DIY metal pent shed
For quite sometime we had been using the second toilet outside as a storeroom but finally decided to get a shed as we need to use the toilet sometimes .
We finally decided on the Yardmaster 6' x 4' Metal Pent Shed. We bought it online and it cost us £119.00 plus a delivery charge of £4.85.
Argos also carries a similar shed and at a slightly lower price but we decided on the product from Tesco because it comes with anchoring fittings and work gloves.
The shed was delivered this Monday and I straight away started on the roof. It took me 45 minutes to assemble it.
Next day, the weather was quite bad and it rained intermittently through out the day. Thank God! my father-in-law who's visiting, was there to help me. We took several breaks and I had to buy a new screwdriver from Wickes and a cordless power screwdriver from Woolworths halfway through the assembly. Wish I had made the decision earlier as we would have got though it much faster.
Without the roof and the front walls.
Now all I need to do is to fix the anchorings and put some grease on the door rollers. My first major DIY project completed successfully.
The shed is not really big and I realised one major disadvantage of buying a metal shed - fixing shelves on the wall is going to be really difficult if not impossible. That means that I am got to look for some metal shelves.
So what do you think?
We finally decided on the Yardmaster 6' x 4' Metal Pent Shed. We bought it online and it cost us £119.00 plus a delivery charge of £4.85.
Argos also carries a similar shed and at a slightly lower price but we decided on the product from Tesco because it comes with anchoring fittings and work gloves.
The shed was delivered this Monday and I straight away started on the roof. It took me 45 minutes to assemble it.
Next day, the weather was quite bad and it rained intermittently through out the day. Thank God! my father-in-law who's visiting, was there to help me. We took several breaks and I had to buy a new screwdriver from Wickes and a cordless power screwdriver from Woolworths halfway through the assembly. Wish I had made the decision earlier as we would have got though it much faster.
Without the roof and the front walls.
Now all I need to do is to fix the anchorings and put some grease on the door rollers. My first major DIY project completed successfully.
The shed is not really big and I realised one major disadvantage of buying a metal shed - fixing shelves on the wall is going to be really difficult if not impossible. That means that I am got to look for some metal shelves.
So what do you think?
05 January 2008
Save money on office supplies
All the time I get queries from a lot of people asking me how it feels to be a student again. It exciting but to tell the truth, it's much harder now. I guess my brains are not that sharp any more and it's hard to sit down and listen to lectures for hours. I need to take a break every half an hour or so with loads of coffee.
Money is another important issue that always comes up for people like us who left their full-time jobs to study again. More so if you have a family. Even with a scholarship, we try to stretch every penny we have.
After getting free office supplies for years, it's a shock when you realise that stuff like notebooks, pens, printer ink are not exactly cheap. Looking for discount office supplies, I came across the OfficeDeals.info website. This site lists hundreds of discount coupons, coupon codes and promotions from leading stores that sell office supplies, computers, office furniture and a range of products and services. The merchants listed including among others, Office Depot, Vistaprint, etc.
I recently bought a Dell PC after my old computer crashed. I wish I had come to the site earlier because they have all the latest coupon codes from Dell here. I guess this site will appeal not only to students but business owners as well. Do check out the site if you are looking to save some money.
Money is another important issue that always comes up for people like us who left their full-time jobs to study again. More so if you have a family. Even with a scholarship, we try to stretch every penny we have.
After getting free office supplies for years, it's a shock when you realise that stuff like notebooks, pens, printer ink are not exactly cheap. Looking for discount office supplies, I came across the OfficeDeals.info website. This site lists hundreds of discount coupons, coupon codes and promotions from leading stores that sell office supplies, computers, office furniture and a range of products and services. The merchants listed including among others, Office Depot, Vistaprint, etc.
I recently bought a Dell PC after my old computer crashed. I wish I had come to the site earlier because they have all the latest coupon codes from Dell here. I guess this site will appeal not only to students but business owners as well. Do check out the site if you are looking to save some money.
30 October 2007
Getting rid of termites
A few weeks back, my in-laws had called. They have had a termite problem for quite sometime now and they had thought that it was under control. Unfortunately, they were wrong. My wife's room in their house had been left unoccupied and they discovered that the termites has taken over. They had eaten through the Ikea bed, a wardrobe and most of our books and clothes inside it.
My in-laws have invested quite a bit in the last few years to get rid of the termite infestation, as well as to repair the damages. However, recently the termites return, most probably from the neighboring houses. It seems that the whole area is infested by this pest. If you have a similar problem,do visit the Termite Guide. There are loads of information on termites, including the signs of infestation as well as ways to getting rid of these pests on the Termite guide.
My in-laws have invested quite a bit in the last few years to get rid of the termite infestation, as well as to repair the damages. However, recently the termites return, most probably from the neighboring houses. It seems that the whole area is infested by this pest. If you have a similar problem,do visit the Termite Guide. There are loads of information on termites, including the signs of infestation as well as ways to getting rid of these pests on the Termite guide.
29 October 2007
Of car boot sales and stupid traders
We haven't gone to a car boot sale for a few weeks and was really looking forward to going to the one at Lea Marston this weekend. Unfortunately the skies opened up and we were about to cancel our plans when I remembered that CJs at Stonleigh was held under cover (meaning under a roof).
So we set off for Stoneleigh. We haven't been there for a long time and was kind of looking forward to it. When we got there there was an enormous queue of cars. Apparently there was some exhibition or something going on over there as well.
The car boot sale was kind of disappointing. I guess we were too late and most of the good stuff had been sold. One thing I noticed was that overall, it seemed that stuff were costlier here and the sellers were not really into bargaining. One incident really spoiled my day. There was a trader selling a used Sony CD player that caught my eye. As I normally do, I tried to bargain and you won't believe it, this guy actually told me to "Fok Off!". For a minute I was shocked which was taken over by feelings of anger.
"If you don't like bargaining, you probably shouldn't be selling at a car boot sale Ar$£&*!e".
I guess there are stupid people everywhere. Someone told me that traders really spoil the atmosphere in a car boot sale. From my experience, the car boot sales I really liked were those with a lower percentage of traders. If you want to enjoy your car booting experience, stay away from them.
So we set off for Stoneleigh. We haven't been there for a long time and was kind of looking forward to it. When we got there there was an enormous queue of cars. Apparently there was some exhibition or something going on over there as well.
The car boot sale was kind of disappointing. I guess we were too late and most of the good stuff had been sold. One thing I noticed was that overall, it seemed that stuff were costlier here and the sellers were not really into bargaining. One incident really spoiled my day. There was a trader selling a used Sony CD player that caught my eye. As I normally do, I tried to bargain and you won't believe it, this guy actually told me to "Fok Off!". For a minute I was shocked which was taken over by feelings of anger.
"If you don't like bargaining, you probably shouldn't be selling at a car boot sale Ar$£&*!e".
I guess there are stupid people everywhere. Someone told me that traders really spoil the atmosphere in a car boot sale. From my experience, the car boot sales I really liked were those with a lower percentage of traders. If you want to enjoy your car booting experience, stay away from them.
12 September 2007
Advantages of incorporating your business
Stephen L. Nelson is the author of the bestsellers, Quicken for Dummies and QuickBooks for Dummies books. He is the author of more than 150 books, which have have sold more than 4,000,000 copies in English and have been translated into several other languages.
He has recently come out with self-published do-it-yourself Fast Easy Incorporation Kits and limited liability company formation kits. He actually makes more money from these kits than from his two bestsellers. The website Fasteasyincorporationkits.com, provides basic information about Subchapter S corporations.
According to Nelson, the two benefits of incorporating a business are namely Minimizing liability and Minimizing Income and Payroll Taxes. Go on to his site to find out more.
26 August 2007
Surf the Internet anonymously
You might be surprised at some of the information your IP address reveals about you. In case you are not aware, the way the whole Internet works is based on IP or Internet Protocol. Without going into the technical details, an IP address is a unique identifier that allows your computer to communicate with others. For example, when you leave a comment on a blog, your IP address is visible (at least to the blog owner).
Using a few freely available tools on the web, it is very easy to instantly trace back to your Internet service provider (ISP). You must also remember that when you signed up for an internet connection, you provided your address to the ISP. Of course, ISPs do not go around giving everybody your personal details but under certain circumstances, they will. It's scary.
Theoretically, by looking at your surfing patterns and the way you behave and express yourself on the net, people can actually profile you.
If you are concerned about Internet privacy, you may be interested to learn that you can hide IP address. The Hide My IP Address software (http://www.hide-my-ip-address.com/) does exactly that by using a specially-modified browser, based on Firefox. They are able to do this by automatically re routing all of your Internet traffic through at least TWO ultra-secure, ultra-fast and anonymous Tor network servers for total privacy. Go over to the site for more details.
Using a few freely available tools on the web, it is very easy to instantly trace back to your Internet service provider (ISP). You must also remember that when you signed up for an internet connection, you provided your address to the ISP. Of course, ISPs do not go around giving everybody your personal details but under certain circumstances, they will. It's scary.
Theoretically, by looking at your surfing patterns and the way you behave and express yourself on the net, people can actually profile you.If you are concerned about Internet privacy, you may be interested to learn that you can hide IP address. The Hide My IP Address software (http://www.hide-my-ip-address.com/) does exactly that by using a specially-modified browser, based on Firefox. They are able to do this by automatically re routing all of your Internet traffic through at least TWO ultra-secure, ultra-fast and anonymous Tor network servers for total privacy. Go over to the site for more details.
10 July 2007
Would you like a Hardwood Floor
Most houses over here in the UK (at least those I have gone to) have carpeted rooms. I guess it is the floor covering of choice for the majority of people here. Not surprising considering the cold winter months. However I definitely prefer a Hardwood Floor. The link gives some great tips to consider before going for hardwood flooring.
I guess it's just a matter of preference. I like to see the polished grains on the polished wood floorings and the feel as I walk barefooted. They somehow convey feeling of warmth and sophistication. They are definitely easier to clean and do not trap dust like carpets do. I was watching this home renovation program on TV and thinking to myself "what a pity", when the owner decided to carpet over the great looking wooden floor.
I guess it's just a matter of preference. I like to see the polished grains on the polished wood floorings and the feel as I walk barefooted. They somehow convey feeling of warmth and sophistication. They are definitely easier to clean and do not trap dust like carpets do. I was watching this home renovation program on TV and thinking to myself "what a pity", when the owner decided to carpet over the great looking wooden floor.
03 July 2007
Get those termites before they get you
My in-laws had been using one of their bed rooms as a store for quite sometime. One day they decide that they needed that extra room and started clearing it. When they opened up the built in closet, they found out that a huge colony of termites had decided to make it their home. They had completely destroyed the inside of the closet as well as the contents. My wife's leather jacket was half eaten as well most of the old clothes inside.
They had to spend a bit to get rid of the pests and repair the damage. Fortunately, it was not that bad.
I guess the signs of termites were there even though we had ignored it. For example, there were mud-looking material on the wooden surfaces as well as holes. To find out how to get rid of termite, refer to the 'Termites guide'.
However, I just wish they would get rid of that awful red background. Makes it really hard to read the information. Really informative and contains everything you needed to know about termite infestation and their control.
They had to spend a bit to get rid of the pests and repair the damage. Fortunately, it was not that bad.
I guess the signs of termites were there even though we had ignored it. For example, there were mud-looking material on the wooden surfaces as well as holes. To find out how to get rid of termite, refer to the 'Termites guide'.
However, I just wish they would get rid of that awful red background. Makes it really hard to read the information. Really informative and contains everything you needed to know about termite infestation and their control.
29 June 2007
Solving the flea problem
My daughter wants to keep a cat. I had to refuse as I know from experience that keeping a pet is not that easy nor cheap. Moreover we plan to go back to Malaysia after 4 years and I won't want to have a situation where we might have to leave it here in the UK.
Anyway, one of the problems associated with cats as well as with dogs are the flea problems. If your dog or cat has fleas you better do something quickly as they can affect us too. It is dangerous if you have kids as flea bite can be really itchy and there might be secondary infections too.
I found out that besides flea shampoo there are many other ways to get rid of fleas. If you want to know more, visit the "Flea Control Guide", which has information and links to everything you need to know about flea problem and the solutions.
Anyway, one of the problems associated with cats as well as with dogs are the flea problems. If your dog or cat has fleas you better do something quickly as they can affect us too. It is dangerous if you have kids as flea bite can be really itchy and there might be secondary infections too.
I found out that besides flea shampoo there are many other ways to get rid of fleas. If you want to know more, visit the "Flea Control Guide", which has information and links to everything you need to know about flea problem and the solutions.
22 June 2007
B&Q - leaders in DIY
If you are into DIY, you will love B&Q. It is the UK's leading DIY and garden centre retailer, offering thousands of home improvement and garden products. It has a total of 332 stores in the UK and Ireland.
B&Q is the number one DIY retailer in Europe and the third largest in the world, with more than 60 stores opened internationally, Their including Beijing stores is now the largest B&Q store in the world.
They have a price guarantee: If you find a product cheaper, they will match the price and give you a further 10% off.
Their site also carries a lot of information on useful DIY help and advice. I really found their "How To Project Library" useful.
B&Q is the number one DIY retailer in Europe and the third largest in the world, with more than 60 stores opened internationally, Their including Beijing stores is now the largest B&Q store in the world.
They have a price guarantee: If you find a product cheaper, they will match the price and give you a further 10% off.
Their site also carries a lot of information on useful DIY help and advice. I really found their "How To Project Library" useful.
12 June 2007
Garden update June 07
Early in February this year, I wrote about 'getting the gardening itch'. It's been sometime since then and a few guys have been asking me about my progress.
Well, it's not that bad but could have been better. A serious obstacle has been the slug infestation. I finally went along with my sister's advice (initially recommended by my landlord) - the beer trap. I bought a 4 pack of the cheapest beer in the market, which happens to be Tesco's value bitter. I then put disposable plastic containers in my vegetable patches, with the top level with the surface. These were then filled up with beer in the evening. In the morning, I would find that they were overflowing with dead slugs. I have pictures but they were too disgusting to put up.
Anyway, I now have the following plants growing in my garden:
1. Strawberries
2. Mint
3. Potatoes
4. Tomatoes
5. Lavender
6. Rosemary
7. 1 rose plant (the rest died)
8. a few marigold plants.
I have also planted carrots and chilies but they are yet to germinate.
The lawn is coming up well too. Our landlord gave me two boxes of hard wearing grass seed and I sowed them just before the rains. They are a bit patchy now but I am sure it will slowly grow over the bare patches in the future.
Take a look at how far our garden has come:
When we first moved in
In April 2007
Now
Got the idea for this post from Skeet's blog.
Well, it's not that bad but could have been better. A serious obstacle has been the slug infestation. I finally went along with my sister's advice (initially recommended by my landlord) - the beer trap. I bought a 4 pack of the cheapest beer in the market, which happens to be Tesco's value bitter. I then put disposable plastic containers in my vegetable patches, with the top level with the surface. These were then filled up with beer in the evening. In the morning, I would find that they were overflowing with dead slugs. I have pictures but they were too disgusting to put up.
Anyway, I now have the following plants growing in my garden:
1. Strawberries
2. Mint
3. Potatoes
4. Tomatoes
5. Lavender
6. Rosemary
7. 1 rose plant (the rest died)
8. a few marigold plants.
I have also planted carrots and chilies but they are yet to germinate.
The lawn is coming up well too. Our landlord gave me two boxes of hard wearing grass seed and I sowed them just before the rains. They are a bit patchy now but I am sure it will slowly grow over the bare patches in the future.
Take a look at how far our garden has come:
When we first moved in
In April 2007
NowGot the idea for this post from Skeet's blog.
07 June 2007
Father's day gift tips
Father's day is on the 17th of this month - this coming Saturday. Have you thought about a gift for your father or your partner, who's a father? I was going through several blogs and can see that a lot of people are scratching their brains for the right gift.
If you haven't thought about a gift for the father in your life (shame on you), well here are some great tips from Belisi.com. Regulars to my blog will have noticed that I carry news about this fashion brand quite often. This is because I believe that this brand will definitely grow in the future.
This brand was started by Peter Belisi (check out his picture), whose lifelong aspirations were to fuse the luxury and prestige of Palm Beach with Italian sophistication. Belisi’s unwavering commitment to creating fashion products is evident by the quality and detail that goes into each product.
The company started out and became famous for their luxurious ties which are made from silk. Their online store also carries handbags, scarves and pocket squares.In case you were wondering about the last product, it refers to silk handkerchief used as an accessory to a suit. Belisi suggests that a luxurious silk pocket square may just be the right Father's day gift - something different.
The company also offer the latest insights, trends and tips from fashion, beauty and lifestyle experts in their fashion blogs, namely, TheDivasDreams.com for women and SharpByDesignblog.com for men. Another blog BeautifulMeblog.com, focuses on beauty—inside and out. Highly recommended for those who are fashion and beauty conscious.
It is interesting to note how Belisi sees itself:
Peter Belisi welcomes all comments, suggestions or questions and responds to his clients personally. That's what I call true "customer service". I also like the fact that every time a customer purchases a Belisi product, a portion of that goes to a charity of their choice. They refer to this as the "Luxury with Meaning" program. I wish all companies thought like that.
Following is a press release from Belisi.com
~ * ~ * ~
Finding the Right Gift for Father’s Day May Not Be as Hard as You Think
Give a Gift Dad Will Remember…Luxurious, Stylish, and Thoughtful
PALM BEACH , FLORIDA (MAY 15, 2007) Okay, so Father’s Day is right around the corner. Wondering what to get Dad? Neckties are often times considered the “stand-by” gift for guys but not anymore. More and more Dads are putting their best fashion foot forward with colorful neckties, as they know this simple accessory can make or break an outfit. Whether you are looking for the red power tie or sophisticated yet casual, there is a tie for every occasion. Give Dad a gift he will remember, something he can wear and treasure for years to come. Dad will feel extra special this year with a beautiful Italian necktie or pocket square from Belisi. With each Father’s Day purchase at Belisi, customers will receive free shipping with their orders. To qualify for free shipping, customers should visit Belisi.com.
Belisi ties are made with more silk per inch than the average tie, which creates a fuller necktie knot, the hallmark of true luxury silk neckties. They come in a variety of colors and styles, so it’s easy to select a thoughtful gift that any father would appreciate.
Pocket Squares, which are making a big comeback, also make excellent Father's Day gifts. Belisi pocket squares are oversized, made with a lavish thick silk and hand-rolled on the border. So if you want to give a unique gift for that special guy in your life, a pocket square fits the bill. Another reason ties are still a fresh gift idea is that men can wear ties that accessorize with their partner’s silk scarf, which she can wear tied around her neck or draped around her shoulders as a shawl, tied on her wrist, worn as a belt or handbag accessory or in her hair (a very hot trend right now).
Belisi Fashions remains steadfast in giving back to those less fortunate. Through the “Belisi Luxury with Meaning” program a minimum of 10 percent of the company’s pre-tax profits are donated to those in need. Keeping in-line with Belisi’s mission to create a community within a community, customers decide which charity to make their contribution. Some of the charities include: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, American Heart Association, and 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com.
Belisi was built on the philosophy that a tie or a scarf is more than an article of clothing—it completes your look. “There are plenty of Web sites where you can buy accessories but few where you feel like you’re a part of a fashion community,” affirms Peter Belisi of Belisi Fashions.
The Belisi brand is flourishing, and anticipates the release of its new luxury handbag collection in Fall ’07. As with all Belisi products, the handbag collection will feature extraordinary detailing including real gold hardware, soft treated Italian leather and brushed fabrics, plus many other exclusive features only available through www.Belisi.com.
Belisi Press Contact:
Amy Covington
amycovington@belisi.com
800.434.1962
Agency Contact:
Cher Murphy
cm@newsworthystories.com
703.323.5976
Updated: 14 June, 07
If you haven't thought about a gift for the father in your life (shame on you), well here are some great tips from Belisi.com. Regulars to my blog will have noticed that I carry news about this fashion brand quite often. This is because I believe that this brand will definitely grow in the future.
This brand was started by Peter Belisi (check out his picture), whose lifelong aspirations were to fuse the luxury and prestige of Palm Beach with Italian sophistication. Belisi’s unwavering commitment to creating fashion products is evident by the quality and detail that goes into each product.
The company started out and became famous for their luxurious ties which are made from silk. Their online store also carries handbags, scarves and pocket squares.In case you were wondering about the last product, it refers to silk handkerchief used as an accessory to a suit. Belisi suggests that a luxurious silk pocket square may just be the right Father's day gift - something different.
The company also offer the latest insights, trends and tips from fashion, beauty and lifestyle experts in their fashion blogs, namely, TheDivasDreams.com for women and SharpByDesignblog.com for men. Another blog BeautifulMeblog.com, focuses on beauty—inside and out. Highly recommended for those who are fashion and beauty conscious.
It is interesting to note how Belisi sees itself:
...an online community where customers are “Insiders” instead of order numbers.
Peter Belisi welcomes all comments, suggestions or questions and responds to his clients personally. That's what I call true "customer service". I also like the fact that every time a customer purchases a Belisi product, a portion of that goes to a charity of their choice. They refer to this as the "Luxury with Meaning" program. I wish all companies thought like that.
Following is a press release from Belisi.com
~ * ~ * ~
Finding the Right Gift for Father’s Day May Not Be as Hard as You Think
Give a Gift Dad Will Remember…Luxurious, Stylish, and Thoughtful
PALM BEACH , FLORIDA (MAY 15, 2007) Okay, so Father’s Day is right around the corner. Wondering what to get Dad? Neckties are often times considered the “stand-by” gift for guys but not anymore. More and more Dads are putting their best fashion foot forward with colorful neckties, as they know this simple accessory can make or break an outfit. Whether you are looking for the red power tie or sophisticated yet casual, there is a tie for every occasion. Give Dad a gift he will remember, something he can wear and treasure for years to come. Dad will feel extra special this year with a beautiful Italian necktie or pocket square from Belisi. With each Father’s Day purchase at Belisi, customers will receive free shipping with their orders. To qualify for free shipping, customers should visit Belisi.com.Belisi ties are made with more silk per inch than the average tie, which creates a fuller necktie knot, the hallmark of true luxury silk neckties. They come in a variety of colors and styles, so it’s easy to select a thoughtful gift that any father would appreciate.
Pocket Squares, which are making a big comeback, also make excellent Father's Day gifts. Belisi pocket squares are oversized, made with a lavish thick silk and hand-rolled on the border. So if you want to give a unique gift for that special guy in your life, a pocket square fits the bill. Another reason ties are still a fresh gift idea is that men can wear ties that accessorize with their partner’s silk scarf, which she can wear tied around her neck or draped around her shoulders as a shawl, tied on her wrist, worn as a belt or handbag accessory or in her hair (a very hot trend right now).
Belisi Fashions remains steadfast in giving back to those less fortunate. Through the “Belisi Luxury with Meaning” program a minimum of 10 percent of the company’s pre-tax profits are donated to those in need. Keeping in-line with Belisi’s mission to create a community within a community, customers decide which charity to make their contribution. Some of the charities include: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, American Heart Association, and 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com.
Belisi was built on the philosophy that a tie or a scarf is more than an article of clothing—it completes your look. “There are plenty of Web sites where you can buy accessories but few where you feel like you’re a part of a fashion community,” affirms Peter Belisi of Belisi Fashions.
The Belisi brand is flourishing, and anticipates the release of its new luxury handbag collection in Fall ’07. As with all Belisi products, the handbag collection will feature extraordinary detailing including real gold hardware, soft treated Italian leather and brushed fabrics, plus many other exclusive features only available through www.Belisi.com.
Belisi Press Contact:
Amy Covington
amycovington@belisi.com
800.434.1962
Agency Contact:
Cher Murphy
cm@newsworthystories.com
703.323.5976
Updated: 14 June, 07
26 April 2007
Monkeys and their bananas
Wanted to share this nice story forwarded to me, with your guys.
Put five monkeys in a cage. Put a ladder in the cage with a bunch of bananas at the top. As soon as one monkey starts to climb the ladder, spray cold water on all the monkeys. When another tries to climb, spray cold water on all the monkeys again. Soon, no monkey will attempt to climb the ladder.
Now, remove one monkey and put a new monkey in the cage. The new monkey will see the bananas and try to climb the ladder. Not wanting to be sprayed with cold water again, the other monkeys will quickly pull him down.
Remove a second monkey and put a new monkey in the cage. Again, the new monkey will see the bananas and try to climb the ladder. Not wanting to be sprayed with cold water, the other monkeys will quickly pull him down.
Repeat this process until all five original monkeys are gone, and five new monkeys are in the cage. None will try to climb the ladder, and none will understand why.
Now, remove all five monkeys and put a brand new monkey in the cage. The monkey will quickly climb the ladder and eat the bananas. Don't spray any cold water.
Put the five original monkeys back in the cage with the one brand new monkey who has tasted the delicious bananas. Replenish the bananas.
The brand new monkey will again climb up the ladder. Despite the efforts of the older monkeys to hold him down, the brand new monkey has tasted the bananas, he will strive again until he succeeds.
When he succeeds, the other five monkeys will realize that bananas are worth the climb, and worth the risk of some cold water. They, too, will climb the ladder and enjoy the delicious bananas.
Moral of the story ?
- Fresh perspective is important to continue growth and success.
- A little cold water can destroy a lot of motivation.
- New staff tend to take on the behavioral characteristics of your existing team members. Therefore, be sure your new hires are coached and mentored by the best of your existing team.
- Trying something new can yield delicious rewards.
If you are the boss of an organisation, it's something worth thinking about.
(Source : Up Your Service ! by Ron Kaufman)
Put five monkeys in a cage. Put a ladder in the cage with a bunch of bananas at the top. As soon as one monkey starts to climb the ladder, spray cold water on all the monkeys. When another tries to climb, spray cold water on all the monkeys again. Soon, no monkey will attempt to climb the ladder.
Now, remove one monkey and put a new monkey in the cage. The new monkey will see the bananas and try to climb the ladder. Not wanting to be sprayed with cold water again, the other monkeys will quickly pull him down.
Remove a second monkey and put a new monkey in the cage. Again, the new monkey will see the bananas and try to climb the ladder. Not wanting to be sprayed with cold water, the other monkeys will quickly pull him down.
Repeat this process until all five original monkeys are gone, and five new monkeys are in the cage. None will try to climb the ladder, and none will understand why.
Now, remove all five monkeys and put a brand new monkey in the cage. The monkey will quickly climb the ladder and eat the bananas. Don't spray any cold water.
Put the five original monkeys back in the cage with the one brand new monkey who has tasted the delicious bananas. Replenish the bananas.
The brand new monkey will again climb up the ladder. Despite the efforts of the older monkeys to hold him down, the brand new monkey has tasted the bananas, he will strive again until he succeeds.
When he succeeds, the other five monkeys will realize that bananas are worth the climb, and worth the risk of some cold water. They, too, will climb the ladder and enjoy the delicious bananas.
Moral of the story ?
- Fresh perspective is important to continue growth and success.
- A little cold water can destroy a lot of motivation.
- New staff tend to take on the behavioral characteristics of your existing team members. Therefore, be sure your new hires are coached and mentored by the best of your existing team.
- Trying something new can yield delicious rewards.
If you are the boss of an organisation, it's something worth thinking about.
(Source : Up Your Service ! by Ron Kaufman)
25 April 2007
Why you need breakdown cover 2
Continuing from where I left off in my last post.
I rushed back and picked up Naz. Learned that the AA people had come and left. The mechanic had refused to wait and told Aznil that it was out of his hands. Really felt bad for Aznil. He had just arrived from Malaysia and jet lagged. And there he was, freezing by the motorway.
When we reached him, another tow truck had just arrived. The tow truck was to take the car to the nearest service area - being Tamworth. It was about 5 minutes drive and for that he took £115. He also informed us that the car had been left on the highway for way too long and a police fine might be coming in the mail soon. I hope not.
I was relieved that we were at least out of the motorway. Aznil called up the AA as soon as we reached the rest area. They informed that they would be sending someone 90 minutes later.
We went over and had drinks and some snacks. I suddenly realised that I haven't had lunch. Felt sightly better after that.
The AA guy finally arrived right on the dot. He put in a temporary hose and recharged the battery. Our spirits lifted when the engine started but went down again when it died. The mechanic's diagnosis was the the engine had been damaged and it wouldn't take them either to Nottingham or to Coventry.
At that moment in time, it was like a blur and I couldn't think of anything. Can just imagine how Aznil and Naz were feeling.
Finally there was some good news, the mechanic was able to get in touch with a mechanic who would be able to tow them back to Nottingham but they would have to pay around £50. Of course, they readily agreed.
I returned to our house in Coventry to fetch the kids (around 22 miles). It was around 10 pm when I reached the Tamworth service area. The tow truck was not there yet but was on the way. So with nothing more to do, I went back home. Had gone back and forth between my house and their car 8 times yesterday. Not sure how many miles I had driven. You go do the maths.
It was a tiring day but I learnt a lot of lessons with #1 being:
I rushed back and picked up Naz. Learned that the AA people had come and left. The mechanic had refused to wait and told Aznil that it was out of his hands. Really felt bad for Aznil. He had just arrived from Malaysia and jet lagged. And there he was, freezing by the motorway.
When we reached him, another tow truck had just arrived. The tow truck was to take the car to the nearest service area - being Tamworth. It was about 5 minutes drive and for that he took £115. He also informed us that the car had been left on the highway for way too long and a police fine might be coming in the mail soon. I hope not.
I was relieved that we were at least out of the motorway. Aznil called up the AA as soon as we reached the rest area. They informed that they would be sending someone 90 minutes later.
We went over and had drinks and some snacks. I suddenly realised that I haven't had lunch. Felt sightly better after that.
The AA guy finally arrived right on the dot. He put in a temporary hose and recharged the battery. Our spirits lifted when the engine started but went down again when it died. The mechanic's diagnosis was the the engine had been damaged and it wouldn't take them either to Nottingham or to Coventry.
At that moment in time, it was like a blur and I couldn't think of anything. Can just imagine how Aznil and Naz were feeling.
Finally there was some good news, the mechanic was able to get in touch with a mechanic who would be able to tow them back to Nottingham but they would have to pay around £50. Of course, they readily agreed.
I returned to our house in Coventry to fetch the kids (around 22 miles). It was around 10 pm when I reached the Tamworth service area. The tow truck was not there yet but was on the way. So with nothing more to do, I went back home. Had gone back and forth between my house and their car 8 times yesterday. Not sure how many miles I had driven. You go do the maths.
It was a tiring day but I learnt a lot of lessons with #1 being:
"Don't procrastinate! Go get a breakdown cover ASAP."
21 March 2007
Loans for people with bad credit
When you start a family of your own you start building debt in so many ways - for buying a car, buying a house and so on. In our case, it was worse because we were working at different place, me in Kedah in the north of Malaysia and my wife in Kuala Lumpur. We had to maintain 2 separate houses and we also had our own cars. We also decided to buy an apartment on a loan which we have to repay for 25 years.
This caused a severe strain on our finances. We were fortunate because both of us were working. However, things would suddenly turn up that we had no chance but to borrow money (using our credit cards). Like the time my wife had to go for a Caesarean birth. We decided to go to a private hospital and as you know these places are not free or even cheap. Fortunately our bank credit history was good.
We are still in the process of repaying of our house loan. Thank God! we got rid of both our car when we came to the UK, otherwise we would have been paying for that too.
I am sure many people are in a similar situation and maybe worse. Some of these people come under what is known as a bad credit history. Whenever we apply for a loan, our credit history is reviewed. If you have a bad credit history, you may have to settle for a bad credit loan, which has less favourable terms including higher interest rates. There are several Loans For People With Bad Credit. This includes Bank loans for financing your business and Secured loans for people with bad credit but who have property, among others.
This caused a severe strain on our finances. We were fortunate because both of us were working. However, things would suddenly turn up that we had no chance but to borrow money (using our credit cards). Like the time my wife had to go for a Caesarean birth. We decided to go to a private hospital and as you know these places are not free or even cheap. Fortunately our bank credit history was good.
We are still in the process of repaying of our house loan. Thank God! we got rid of both our car when we came to the UK, otherwise we would have been paying for that too.
I am sure many people are in a similar situation and maybe worse. Some of these people come under what is known as a bad credit history. Whenever we apply for a loan, our credit history is reviewed. If you have a bad credit history, you may have to settle for a bad credit loan, which has less favourable terms including higher interest rates. There are several Loans For People With Bad Credit. This includes Bank loans for financing your business and Secured loans for people with bad credit but who have property, among others.
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