A quick post from the office. I am helping one of the centres in the University of Warwick, update their website. It's a temporary job but the pay is not that bad. It is but one of the various temporary, part-time and short-term contractual work that I have taken up. I need to work to pay for my fees which has unfortunately increased. It's no wonder that UK Universities love non-EU foreign students.
The only problem is that it is adversely affecting my studies. My research has been left on a back burner. I had planned to complete my PhD in the stipulated three years but that is slowly looking like an unrealistic dream now. Considering the fact that NO ONE has ever completed his/ her PhD degree from the Warwick Business School within 3 years also adds to this possibility.
I don't know how I am not going to manage once the classes start in full swing and I start teaching. And I am supposed to be a full time student with no possibility of converting to part time.
Wonder how I am going to manage. Completing my PhD in time is still my top priority.
22 September 2008
Nasterium flowers
The only remaining plants still flowering in my garden is this Nasterium bush. There are a few roses as well but can see that the cold is getting to them.
I planted the Nasterium last year and it withered in winter. I thought they had died but they miraculously sprouted up again in summer this year.
The shiny streaks on the leaves in the picture are the slug trails.
This is my Green Thumb Sunday post for this week.
Join
Do visit As the Garden Grows for more information.
I planted the Nasterium last year and it withered in winter. I thought they had died but they miraculously sprouted up again in summer this year.
The shiny streaks on the leaves in the picture are the slug trails.
This is my Green Thumb Sunday post for this week.
Join
Do visit As the Garden Grows for more information.
20 September 2008
Deregistered from Surgery
My daughter was suffering from an allergy and I called up our Surgery (they call the clinic a surgery here in the UK though I have no Idea why as no surgeries are carried out at all). Imagine my shock when the lady on the line told me that we had been de-registered from the surgery and that our records had been sent to the Coventry Teaching Primary Care Trust.
For a few moments I didn't even know what to say - I was totally speechless. After the initial shock, the anger came. No! I had not joined another surgery nor had I moved my home address. The lady told me that there was nothing she could do and I should talk to the manager next day.
Called up in the morning and had a chat with the manager and she told me that we would have to register again by filling out some forms. She was really helpful and told us that I could still bring my daughter to see the doctor. She told me that I am quite lucky I found out about this by chance. Our names were still in their computer even though we had been deregistered.
I had emailed the Coventry PCT the night before and I received an email reply from them. They found out that our records had been recalled by the Coventry PCT because we had not replied to an immigration check which had required a response. Not responding to the letter results in an auto recall of the medical records from the surgery. I can't recall receiving any letter from the Coventry PCT.
Took my daughter to the surgery today after school and filled up the forms. The doctor saw her and prescribed a cream. Hopefully our names and our records will be back in the surgery soon.
For a few moments I didn't even know what to say - I was totally speechless. After the initial shock, the anger came. No! I had not joined another surgery nor had I moved my home address. The lady told me that there was nothing she could do and I should talk to the manager next day.
Called up in the morning and had a chat with the manager and she told me that we would have to register again by filling out some forms. She was really helpful and told us that I could still bring my daughter to see the doctor. She told me that I am quite lucky I found out about this by chance. Our names were still in their computer even though we had been deregistered.
I had emailed the Coventry PCT the night before and I received an email reply from them. They found out that our records had been recalled by the Coventry PCT because we had not replied to an immigration check which had required a response. Not responding to the letter results in an auto recall of the medical records from the surgery. I can't recall receiving any letter from the Coventry PCT.
Took my daughter to the surgery today after school and filled up the forms. The doctor saw her and prescribed a cream. Hopefully our names and our records will be back in the surgery soon.
19 September 2008
Are bedrooms important for you
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.
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.
17 September 2008
AIG and Turmoil in the Financial market
Following the collapse of Lehman Brothers yesterday, I was wondering whether the US Govt. would allow the same thing to happen to AIG, the country's biggest insurance company. Well today morning I learnt they didn't. I guess they couldn't.
When I learnt that US Federal Reserve was bailing out AIG with a $85bn (£48bn) rescue package this was something big. According to this 2 year deal, the US government will receive a 79.9% equity interest in AIG. A case of nationalisation of a financial body in Capitalist America.
I recall that during the Asian crisis, the US Government was against Government intervention and to let "market forces" rule. They were particularly angry when the then Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad defied the International Monetary Fund and put in controversial capital controls. I have often heard Western economists talking against Government intervention in the markets, of denationalisation of businesses as the only route to economic development. I agree to some extent but as this case shows, sometimes Governments have to intervene against market forces to protect the interest of the people. As the Board of the Federal Reserve mentions about the need to protect "the interests of the US government and taxpayers". It's quite interesting that they don't see it that way if similar events happen in other countries.
Looks like it is going to be a time of turmoil for the financial market as several companies go under or are bought over. JPMorganChase acquired Bear Stearns recently and Bank of America has announced that it would buy Merrill Lynch & Co.
When I learnt that US Federal Reserve was bailing out AIG with a $85bn (£48bn) rescue package this was something big. According to this 2 year deal, the US government will receive a 79.9% equity interest in AIG. A case of nationalisation of a financial body in Capitalist America.
I recall that during the Asian crisis, the US Government was against Government intervention and to let "market forces" rule. They were particularly angry when the then Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad defied the International Monetary Fund and put in controversial capital controls. I have often heard Western economists talking against Government intervention in the markets, of denationalisation of businesses as the only route to economic development. I agree to some extent but as this case shows, sometimes Governments have to intervene against market forces to protect the interest of the people. As the Board of the Federal Reserve mentions about the need to protect "the interests of the US government and taxpayers". It's quite interesting that they don't see it that way if similar events happen in other countries.
Looks like it is going to be a time of turmoil for the financial market as several companies go under or are bought over. JPMorganChase acquired Bear Stearns recently and Bank of America has announced that it would buy Merrill Lynch & Co.
16 September 2008
Your postcode and your life span
The Thursday issue of the Coventry Times carried a very interesting report. "..where you live can have a crucial bearing on HOW LONG you live", it said.
I guess I am lucky because I live in Radford where the average life expectancy of Men is the second highest (77.3 years) in the Whole of Coventry after Sherbourne. Earlsdon came out on top with Men and Women live to an average age of 77.2 and 83.5 years respectively.
Foleshill, where most Malaysians reside came out on the bottom, with the average life expectancy of Men and Women were both below the average.
Not surprising that people live longer in the more affluent areas of Coventry. Besides standard of living, genetics does play a role as well. The population in Foleshill is predominantly made up of south Asians and as Dr. Zifhiri points out in the report, they tend to be more prone to type-two diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol problems.
I wonder whether the lack of green spaces may have something to do with this as well. Unlike Earlsdon, there's not a single nice park in the entire area. A healthy lifestyle is essential of course but the environment does play a big role in your life expectancy as well.
I guess I am lucky because I live in Radford where the average life expectancy of Men is the second highest (77.3 years) in the Whole of Coventry after Sherbourne. Earlsdon came out on top with Men and Women live to an average age of 77.2 and 83.5 years respectively.
Foleshill, where most Malaysians reside came out on the bottom, with the average life expectancy of Men and Women were both below the average.
Not surprising that people live longer in the more affluent areas of Coventry. Besides standard of living, genetics does play a role as well. The population in Foleshill is predominantly made up of south Asians and as Dr. Zifhiri points out in the report, they tend to be more prone to type-two diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol problems.
I wonder whether the lack of green spaces may have something to do with this as well. Unlike Earlsdon, there's not a single nice park in the entire area. A healthy lifestyle is essential of course but the environment does play a big role in your life expectancy as well.
13 September 2008
ah ok lah not on MSN search
Quite disappointed with MSN's Live Search. Searched for the keywords "ah ok lah" (the name of my blog) there and my blog was nowhere on the first page nor on the second page either. This is strange considering that it is the first result on Google and Yahoo for the key words.
Going through the MSN Live search results, I discovered that the #1 spot has been taken by www.ok-lah.com owned by someone in Singapore. However, #4 is a widget linked to my site provided by Netvibes. #6 links to my MyBlogLog page.
This might indicate that MSN search gives preference to top-level domain names, viz., .com, .net, .org, etc..
Going through the MSN Live search results, I discovered that the #1 spot has been taken by www.ok-lah.com owned by someone in Singapore. However, #4 is a widget linked to my site provided by Netvibes. #6 links to my MyBlogLog page.
This might indicate that MSN search gives preference to top-level domain names, viz., .com, .net, .org, etc..
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