Coca Cola's secret formula

One of the World's best kept trade secrets is is finally out - Coke's secret formula.



The secret was discovered by producers of the radio program This American Life in a photograph used to illustrate an article on the history of Coca-Cola in an old copy of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The photo is a hand-written copy of the original recipe by John Pemberton, the inventor (is that the right term) of Coca Cola.

You can now make Coke in your own kitchen. The 7X flavour is the secret ingredient which gives Coca Cola it's unique taste and kick.

Here are the ingredients:

A) The Syrup:

Fluid extract of Coca: 3 drams USP
Citric acid: 3 oz
Caffeine: 1 oz
Sugar: 30 (unclear quantity)
Water: 2.5 gal
Lime juice: 2 pints, 1 quart
Vanilla: 1 oz
Caramel: 1.5 oz or more for color

B) The 7X flavor (2 oz of flavor to 5 gallons syrup):

Alcohol: 8 oz
Orange oil: 20 drops
Lemon oil: 30 drops
Nutmeg oil: 10 drops
Coriander: 5 drops
Neroli: 10 drops
Cinnamon: 10 drops

Read the article about Coke's original recipe on the This American Life site.

New proposed UK immigration changes

The UK Government is proposing a number of changes in the immigration rules which will have a huge impact on all non-EU foreign students.

Under the main changes which are likely to impact Malaysian and other non-EU foreign students and their dependent include the following:

1. Students will only be allowed to work on campus during the week in term time.

2. Dependants of students will not be allowed to work in the UK unless they get a Tier 2 visa from the employer. Means no more cleaning jobs.

3. Closing down the Post Study Work (PSW) Scheme. means we have to go back as soon as we graduate.

4. Remove right of dependants to come to UK unless the student is on a course of 12 months or more. This may not be relevant to the PhD students, but it will definitely have an impact on those students with family taking a Masters course.

The Government is no carrying out a consultation with various Universities.

Saving time by Shopping Online

With the rise of the internet is it unsurprising that retailers have jumped on the opportunity to offer goods online whenever they can. Reaching a far wider group of people, retailers can use clever online campaigns to advertise their goods as much as possible. While retailers benefit, shopping online also offers you and I, the consumers on the street a huge range of benefits as well.

One of the best reasons to shop online is the ability to save time. Modern lives have become very busy, with work and leisure activities quickly taking over all the hours of the day. While some lucky guys may love nothing more than to hit the high street and shop, others simply don’t have the time as they are too busy with their families or with work. This is where online shopping is becoming increasingly important as it saves valuable time which can be put to better use elsewhere.

A major benefit is that no travel time is needed if you want to shop online. While an entire morning may need to be set aside for grocery shopping, browsing the internet before buying goods can be done in an instant. It can be done within the comfort of your own home, meaning that it can be done at any time of day whenever you get a spare moment. Search options also significantly reduce shopping time. Whereas in a shop you have to browse through items, in an online store you can instantly look for what you need and want. Prices are often cheaper too, with online retailers not having to pay large overhead expenses for brick-and-mortar shops and many retailers such as M and M, direct discount vouchers can be found. And with search options often offering categories, pricing ranges, sizes, or quantities, life can be made much quicker and easier.

Over the past few years food shopping online has become particularly popular, with a range of both high street and online retailers offering delivery services. This is a brilliant way of saving time as not only can you get delivery options, but many websites provide online baskets which will remember the foods bought previously. A weekly shop can then be done by simply reordering a standard basket, taking only a few minutes of your valuable time.

Online clothes’ shopping can also save a huge amount of time, and while you may believe that the returns procedure is complicated, many stores have taken steps to make it as easy as possible. Valuable time can be saved by utilising search facilities available on websites, allowing you to search for garments by size, colour, prices, or even brand. A number of websites also offer style guides, a great benefit if you find a top you like but are not sure of a suitable trousers for example. Meanwhile, by shopping at online outlets such as M and M, direct discount codes can be found and the returns process is often free and as easy as simply filling out a small coded sheet and popping items into the post. And for anyone who is pushed for time and would rather spend valuable moments enjoying their family and hobbies, online shopping is a fantastic time saving opportunity.

Phoenix Jones - The Guardian of Seattle

Clearly inspired by Kick Ass the movie, there's a masked vigilante called Phoenix Jones patrolling the streets of Seattle, Washington.

He even wear black and gold tights and a mask.

I seriously hope he doesn't get hurt.

Why do Malaysians like to study in the UK?

In 2007 / 2008, there were 12,430 Malaysian students in the UK with 35% enrolled in postgraduate programmes, mainly PhDs (4,375 students) (source: British Council). Most of them are funded by the Malaysian Government. Considering that the average annual fees for a non-EU student in the UK is approximately, £11,00, not counting the cost of living, this is a huge investment on the part of the Malaysian Government.

I was curious as to what is it that makes UK universities so popular with Malaysian students as compared to the US or other countries.

Of course the reason may be that some of the World's best Universities including Oxford, Cambridge and Warwick are located here. However, this does not explain the high number of Malaysian students in other Universities which are not that high ranked as well. A lot of people in Malaysia still consider British education to be the best in the World even though a number of high ranking Universities are in other countries as well. 

It may have something to do with the fact that English is the language spoken here so unlike France, Spain or Germany, you don't have to learn a new language as English is compulsory in Malaysian schools.

However, that's not the only reason and I found out several other facts which contribute to the UK as a popular destination for education., some of which are quite surprising.

An important factor is that foreign students are allowed to work in the UK, limited hours during term time and full time during holidays. Student dependants are allowed to work full time, an important factor considering that the scholarships provided by the Malaysian Government are not really enough to live comfortably. On the other hand, as fas as I know, students are not allowed to work outside the campus and dependent are not allowed at all in the US. Rules in Australia are quite similar to the UK.

There are specific reasons as well. A PhD in the US apparently takes at an average of about 4-5 years to complete whereas in the UK, it's about 3.5 years. If you are in the Business and Managements stream, you also need to get really high GMAT scores in order to get in. This is not true for PhD in business and management studies here in most UK universities.

Some other factors listed by friends:

1. Easier to get Halal food.
2. Cheaper to fly to the UK than to the US.
3. Great shopping specially on boxing day.
4. I also discovered that another reason is the fact that every Malaysian student is entitled to an approved permit (AP) to import a car back into Malaysia with nominal tax rates.Normally foreign built cars are subject to a tax as high as 300%. The UK also drives on the correct side of the road (the left side and cars are right hand drive) as compared to several other countries.

So it is not only the reputation of British universities or because it is cheaper (they are not) but a combination of several factors. I am wondering whether the recent proposal to reduce the number of permitted working hours and that student dependants won't be allowed to work, would have an impact on the numbers coming here to study.

If you are a Malaysian student here in the UK, are there any more reasons you selected the UK?

My Hawk bike bought over eBay

I realise that this blog is slowly turning into a bike blog but that is what I am really into right now.

When I decided to start cycling, I was shocked at the prices of bikes here in the UK. I was determined not to spend more than £50 and I went on to eBay.

This is a Hawk Reaction mountain bike which I finally won on eBay for just £16.

Hawk cycles which is based in the Midlands are said to be the largest family owned cycle chain in the UK.

Anyway, the bike was listed as a unisex bike but after I won it, one look at the pink stickers and I realised that it was a ladies bike. I don't really care even if it is a ladies bike but I am not really fond of pink and I later removed all the stickers.

When I collected the bike, the tyres were flat and I though I might have to replace them but later found out that they were in really good condition.

The bike is fitted with 18 speed Shimano gears with twist grip gear levers. It is not that light but I have got used to it now and the Zoom Front Suspensions does help when going over potholes.

As I mentioned in my previous post Finding the right saddle for my cycle, I replaced the original saddle with a new WTB Speed-V Sport Saddle. This will soon be replaced by a used Brooks saddle - said to be the best cycle saddles in the World, which I also won on eBay.

I also replaced the old chain with a KMC X9-73 9 Speed Chain from Go Outdoors for £14.39. I initially wanted to buy the Shimano HG73 9 Speed Chain but it was too costly.

Other additions include the mudguards from Halfords, front and rear lights and a stand.

Happy New Year 1.1.11

The nights merged into day and sometimes didn't know whether I was awake or dreaming. My PC was my best friend and my enemy. Feelings of guilt as I ignored my kids. I am leaving the tears, shouts and all negative thoughts behind.

Now it's no longer the light at the end of the tunnel. I have finally something solid in my hands and I look forward to the new year with hopes of a better future.

Wishing all visitors to my Blog a very Prosperous, Brilliant, Eventful, Fantastic, Glorious and Happy New year 2011.