Enter Xena's World

Back in primary school, when I was first taught about the solar system and how all the nine planets go around the sun, teachers never failed to emphasise that Pluto, the 9th planet, is the furthest planet away from earth and the sun.

Even at that young age, I always used to wonder if it will ever be possible for another planet to be found - and if I will live through to see, hear and read about a new planet's discovery?

Miraculously in March this year, there was news that a world beyond Pluto, indeed, did exist after all.

What's even more interesting is the latest finding reported at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4304048.stm says that the new planet which at present is being called Xena, will have the company of the moon - the latter is nicknamed Gabrielle for now :-)

Hey, Mate!

Mate.

What does that word tell you?

A lot. Different people view it differently but it has been used by millions of people the world over for a long, long time.

Recently however, there was an uproar in the Aussie parliament over the usage of the word 'mate' and subsequently utterance of that word was banned.

This followed some serious outcry from the public and I recall reading a newpaper report which quoted the ruling Liberal Party's Mal Washer as saying that 'mate' is the nicest four-letter word he has been called all year!

It appears now, however, that the public outcry did work anyway as the ban has just been overturned according to this Reuters report.

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=2005-08-19T154412Z_01_EIC956594_RTRIDST_0_ODD-AUSTRALIA-MATE-DC.XML

This has been a good weekend read for me, most definitely.

Soccer Crash Course for Women

Guess the world cup fever has already begun and now its almost like battles of the sexes!

Read the link to a Reuters article here http://todayreuterscomnewsnewsarticleaspxtypeoddlyenoughnewssto.htm/ which talks about a crash course for women being organised by an adult education centre in Germany in line with keeping up to the World Cup 2006 fever.

Now, isn't that cool? How I wish something like that will be held here since I have no knowledge about soccer except that I always find 11 men of a particular team competing with 11 men from an opposing team and all 22 men clad in shorts are chasing one ball.

Have I said enough? I don't mean to offend any soccer fans out there, but I'm just hopeless when it comes knowledge regarding the world's most beautiful game.

God seriously needs to help me, don't you think?

Long Absence

Have been rather silent for so long.

It was none other than usual work pressure and all but this time around, life really was a roller coaster ride because I decided to quit my full time job due to domestic commitments at home and such.

Struggling to survive now, yes and my days have never been tougher before.

More blog later on!

Last day at Personal Money

June 19th was my official last day at Personal Money, at The Edge.

However, I will continue writing for them on a freelance basis.

Will blog later on my decision to leave them.

Fired for refusing to wear lipstick & make-up

What has lipstick and make-up got to do with a person's employment? A lot actually, say some of my girl friends employed with airline companies as well as those working in the public relations line.

No matter how decently or presentably they dress and carry themself, a dash of lipstick and some make-up is a must as far as their employment policy is concerned.

Although I can't seem to digest it, some people still agree with the notion that for female employees, being 'presentable' can only be achieved by wearing 'make-up'.

Read this for context: http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=2005-0516T143541Z_01_N13365695_RTRIDST_0_ODD-LIFE-MAKEUP-DC.XML

I'm personally not against wearing make-up and at the same time, I don't think anyone, employers included, should dictate wearing make-up as an employment condition.

I can agree if a company wants presentable looking staff but why equate being presentable with wearing make-up? I don't quite see the point, though.

Some people do and can look presentable even without make-up - I think this is a fact that all of can relate to.

let's NOT get married?!

People choose to tie the knot for many reasons.

Topping the list as reasons why people get married is none other than love.

But today, while surfing the net I came across a funny but interesting write-up about marriage - the difference is, this article talks about what makes it difficult for men in a village in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India to find wives.

Read it here and you will find out what I'm talking about:
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspxtype=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=2005-05-10T160710Z_01_BOM55524_RTRIDST_0_ODD-WATER-DC.XML

Logical reasons not to get their daughters married off to men from this village especially if the villagefolks here keep to the age-old tradition that women are supposed to fetch water for the family?

Wanna get rich? Think again

I guess all of us dream of becoming rich in someway or another, at some point in life.

And we work our souls out to achieve this dream because at the end of it, it will mean that we have achieved something great.

But if you happen to live in a 3rd world country, you may want to re-think your ambition of getting rich.

For more context, read this article in Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=AEUCF2VNOVVJ0CRBAEOCFEY?type=healthNews&storyID=8365249

Happy becoming rich while being healthy of course:-)

Saddest day in my life

Something in me has moved me to tears all day long.

For once, I think today is probably the most saddest day in my life and no, it wasn't caused by someone's demise or a loss of a good friend.

I think my saddness has really got to do with my realisation that whenever we are totally honest with someone who lights up our lives, it comes with a price.

At times, the price that we pay as a result of being completely honest isn't really worth our act of honesty but then again I guess life has never been fair to anyone, so why should I be an exception?

To many of us, the person who is near and dear to us, one who means the world to us, is probably the one capable of hurting us the most, whether or not they realise their actions will result in us feeling the pain.

At this point in time, I really don't know if its worth pouring my heart out through my blog because I'm really hurt by the things that one person told me repeatedly today.

Funnily enough, I find that its really weird that I always stumble upon similar situations throughout my life - times when I go out of my way to understand someone and situations surrounding them, the many things that I do to help them lead a better life...always end up in a scenario where I'm criticised for not trying hard enough to understand them, not being there to help them and never doing my best to ensure they live comfortably.

Sad isn't it?

The way life always turns out for me has never been far from tear shedding and heart breaking.

Day of Love

I don't agree with the notion that this day is only for lovers.

To me its a day to celebrate love and the many forms in which it manifestates itself in our daily life.

So there, what better reason do you need to get up and start celebrating the day?

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone :-)

Pregnant...despite the PILL!

Read this article for some fun-filled yet serious reading: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4238765.stm

It reminds me and everyone out there why manufacturers of certain goods, such as the pill and condoms, only give a guarantee close 100% and never quite an absolute guarantee.

If you read the story at the link above, you'll know what I'm blogging about - many of us take for granted the effectiveness of certain products, especially if the manufacturer or distributor offer a guarantee that the said product is about 98% or 99% effective in what it is supposed to do.

The pill is one such product. I know of many who take for granted the fact that the pill is only 98% effective in curbing pregnancy but to some, anything close 100% is as good as being an absolute, all encompassing guarantee and are caught off-guard when the 2% leeway cooks up a surprise.

The above story must be one such unfortunate incident and imagine the shock of the lady who is not pregnant with one but four at one go despite being on the pill.

Not that I'm condemning anyone but hey, let's face it - its not a perfect world and we do not have perfect goods to make life better. So be careful and never take things for granted - the pill included!

Sister's Wedding Anniversary

This day in 1994, my sister tied the knot with Capt Raja Sager.

Today, eleven years later, the couple are proud parents of three boys :-)

Happy wedding anniversary to my sister and her hubby.

Annual lunch

I know companies often have what is called an "annual dinner."

But at the departmental level, my editor has organised an annual lunch for us today.

The lunch was held at an exquisite restaurant in Mon't Kiara near here, an upmarket locality much preferred by the expat community.

The lunch lasted for about 2 hours and was attended by our senior graphic designer, senior sub editor and the rest of the team which works behind the scene to put out the monthly publication.

Dad's not well

Today I had to call in on emergency leave for work.

Dad wasn't well - he had a severe ear inflammation that caused his cheeks and ears to be swelled up.

Brought him to see a doctor and got him treated - his condition improved a bit towards evening but he was still finding it difficult to sleep as his ear was still hurting.

A hectic week

The week of Jan 10-15, 2005 was really hectic at work.

There was just no time to do anything but work, work and more work.

That also explains the absence of regular blogs from me :-(

A hectic New Year Week

What's so new about new year for me?

Nothing actually.

I have been working and working and working.

Not to forget that I have been monitoring world reports on the tsunami disaster and the increasing number of people found dead due to the tragedy.

2005 comes

The new year is here again.

World over, the people who have lost their homes and loved ones are still sobbing over their irreplaceable losses and my only wish is that God and Lady Luck smiles upon them for better days ahead for all mankind.

Let this year be filled with better things to come.