What do you dislike most at Shell petrol station?

When arriving at a petrol station, one thing that annoy me most is ...

"Harap maaf pump angin sedang bidaiki", ie, air pump is not functioning.

At one time, instead of pumping air into my tyre, it almost releases all the air!

And in Miri, the Shell Shin Yang Station at Pujut seems to have a broken air pump which is never repaired. Their petrol pumps also seem to be set to dripping mode and it pumps so slowly. I have since stopped going to this station.

The other thing that annoyed me most is "Sorry, no more diesel". Looks like someone is siphoning diesel to somewhere! This is a global issue, ie, not limited to Shell station.

So, if you have a deflated tyre and you see a Shell Station, don't be too happy. Because most Shell stations have non functioning air pump in Miri!

How to Shoot Firework Photo

In view of the new year countdown, and the beautiful firework display, below is a guideline on how to shoot firework.

1. Use a tripod
2. Be on site early to secure a good spot
3. You may use landscape or portrait format. The choice is really yours
4. Exposure setting:
   For digital compact, use firework mode if there is one
   
   For DSLR: Use B mode if available. Shutter will remain open as long as the shutter release button remain pressed. A good way is to use a black card to cover the lens. When firework goes off, take off the card and put it back on as appropriate.
   
   Set Aperture between 8 to 16.
5. Use the lowest ISO available
6. Focus - use manual mode.

After a few practice, I hope you get good pictures. Otherwise, fine tune the setting.
eg, if too bright, set apperture to a higher value, etc.

Things you must do on this Monday!

I just wanted to remind all my readers in Malaysia, especially those who have children still studying and have to pay income tax. From next year, the tax relief for education saving fund for children has been increased to RM6000! So, if you are paying the max bracket, this means a saving of RM1600+!!! Run to Maybank on Monday and get it done! I think CIMB is also an agent. After that, pls remember to bring me out for yam char!

The scheme is called Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional (SSPN).
Amount deposited in SSPN by an individual for his children’s education is deductible up to a maximum of RM6,000. The allowable deduction is limited to the net amount deposited in that basis year only. So if both husband and wife are working and has opted for separate assessment and you have two children still studying, you are entitled to RM6K each!

If you are retired like me, don't forget to put money in EPF if you have no insurance, etc to claim for deduction. Max deduction is also RM6K each for separate assessment. Go to EPF to get the form and then go to the bank to put in $$.

Maximum deductible for complete medical examination is RM500. But this is combined with medical expenses on serious diseases also. Anyway, total for these two item is RM5K only. Otherwise, go for a complete checkup on Monday.

Reading my blog may actually save you money!

Dōngzhì Festival or Winter Solstice Festival (冬至)

The Dōngzhì Festival or Winter Solstice Festival (Chinese: 冬至; pinyin: Dōngzhì; literally "the Extreme of Winter") is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Chinese and other East Asians during the Dongzhi solar term (winter solstice) on or around December 22 when sunshine is weakest and daylight shortest. It occurs on Friday, December 21, 2012, ie, today!
Traditionally, the Dongzhi Festival is also a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get togethers (especially in the southern parts of China and in Chinese communities overseas) is the making and eating of tangyuan (湯圓) or balls of glutinuous rice, which symbolize reunion. Tangyuan are made of glutinuous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. Each family member receives at least one large tangyuan in addition to several small ones. The flour balls may be plain or stuffed. They are cooked in a sweet soup or savoury broth with both the ball and the soup/broth served in one bowl. It is also often served with a mildly alcoholic unfiltered rice wine containing whole grains of glutinous rice (and often also Sweet Osmanthus flowers), called jiuniang.

Have you eaten your tangyuan today?

We were served with this tangyuan the other day at the Chinese Association Merit Award dinner.

Traditionally, we have been eating this tangyuan with roasted peanut/soy bean powder added with sugar. I will see whether I have the energy to go out and buy some later.

For more reading about this festival, click here.

Where is God?

When tragedy struck, we always ask where is God? Is there a God? Why God allows the shooting to happen at the school in USA that killed 26 people? Watch this video... and ask yourself at the end of it.... have you been systematically removing God from your life, from your workplace, from the community. Have you been forbidding God to be part of your life? And when tragedy struck, why would you ask "where is God"? 

Another serious car accident at Taman Awan, Miri

More photos at my facebook.

16-Dec-2012 5:30PM: I was passing by Taman Awan on the way to Merdeka Mall and saw this accident involving a Proton Saga and a Brunei registered Lexus LS300. I think it took the ambulances at least half an hour to arrive on site.

Upon impact, the Proton was flung to the side of the road, over the road divider and turned 360 degree! I was told that the Proton was parked at the road side. It seems to supported such a theory because the hazard light was switched on and the handbrake was engaged.

The impact causes the boot of the Proton to literally "disappeared". The back seat touched the back of the front passenger seat. And...

... the Proton was compressed to half of it length!
Fortunately there was no passenger at the back seat!
The young lady driver was quite seriously injured as I saw blood from her mouth. I hope that her spine is ok. She seems to drift in and out of consciousness and wasn't moving.
A young child was flung out of the car and landed on the grass at the road divider.

The driver of the Bruneian car wasn't seem to be seriously injured. I saw just some scratches on his arms and appeared to be shaken.

A serious accident happened at the same spot. A lady driver ramp into one of the trees and died on the spot. I think that was last year.

Christmas in Miri

As usual, Christmas parade has become an annual affair in Miri. The year, it was held last Saturday.

 After the parade, was the usual open air concert.

Despite the slight rain the crowd was quite big.

The usual Christmas tree at the Miri City Fan.  Samling company constructed this huge tree and display again this year.
I didn't take many photos and I hope you like the above photos and the effect I use. They are straight from my camera!

IBS Graduation and Awards Ceremony 2012

For more photos, please go to my facebook by clicking here.

Congratulations to all graduands.