Currently I'm connected to Maxis 3G Connect. My sister got a free data card upon the subscription to Maxis 3G Connect (RM120 for unlimited usage per month) and the deadline is today. The data card is worth RM1299.

Coincidentally I need a new connection. So I told my sister to get the connection since we always go back to our hometown in Kuantan. It's slightly expensive and have slower connection than Streamyx but we do not want to go through the hassle of opening a phone line. It's also a hassle to use the UM's wireless connection because of the pop-ups (and connection failure like last night).

When we went for registration just now, we just need to pay RM100 for deposit and within minutes we were connected. The connection is better than I expected.

After my post yesterday, finally I have received a good news from HP this afternoon.

I did sent an email to the HP Marketing Manager (MM) yesterday asking the status of my prize, a HP Desktop PC which I won at the Window Vista Launch recently.

And today after failing to get the person in charge on the phone several times (I failed to get her on the phone yesterday too), I decided to call the MM himself. He told me that the PC is available for pickup.

I've just log on to my email and saw the MM's reply and he thought I already collected the PC.

I'm just glad that I called the MM or else the PC is going to sit at the office just because nobody cares to inform me (or should I say attend my enquiry).

I'm going to pick it up tomorrow and going to write a review about the desktop PC soon. Hopefully it's going to worth the wait.

Some students actually confused between plot and teknik plot.

Plot is the structure of events within a story and the causal relationship between them. In KOMSAS (Komponen Sastera), the novels used are chronological and they are formed by 5 elements:

1. Permulaan
2. Perkembangan
3. Perumitan
4. Klimaks
5. Peleraian

On the other hand, teknik plot can be seen by the usage of the following techniques in presenting a story:

1. Monolog (dalaman atau luaran)
2. Dialog
3. Saspens
4. Kejutan
5. Pemerian
6. Imbas kembali
7. Imbas muka

Hope you don't get it wrong the next time you see the words plot and teknik plot. For more details on how you can apply the above elements to your novels, please find them in your reference books. I recommend publishers such as Sasbadi and Fajar Bakti for their KOMSAS reference books and Cerdik Publications for their past years papers.

I have waited patiently. Indeed very patiently. My friends including a few bloggers and treasure hunters have been asking me the same questions repeatedly for the past 1 month.

"Hey, how's your new HP desktop PC, ah? Window Vista nice or not?" asked Shuh Yong.

"I'm sure you already get your PC by now," said a treasure hunter in an email.

"Wei, nice or not ah the PC? I thought we agreed to sell it at ebay and then split the money since we don't win anything at the Vista Walk Hunt?" asked Chia Chia, my treasure hunt team mate and friend.

"Joking only lar. What??? Serious ah?! HP haven't give you the PC, meh?" she continued.

"I told you to complain already. Supposed to be your birthday present, wert. Now after more than one month also haven't get. No stock, no stock. Ask them to give you a laptop with similar feature lar," my sister insisted.

"Yah, yah yah. I will call them again tomorrow lor. They said no stock mah. I also cannot do anything, wert. You know I don't like to ask so many times. Not that I'm embarrassed to ask for my prize. But I called so many times till people also scared liao," I explained to them.

"HP is a big company mah. If that model out of stock, sure they can afford to give something better than that model mah. You think which one is important? Owe people a PC or just give away a PC or laptop with similar model and save their face?" my brother added.

"Aiya, you all don't say liao lar. I pening already lar. Tomorrow I'll call again lar. Altogether I'm like call four five times liao. Email to the Marketing Manager also send liao. But he can't even promise me a date," I said trying to calm everyone down.

"I'll give them a call tomorrow and then see if they can settle that for me within this week lar. Seriously I lagi pissed off than you all coz I have to wait for more than 1 month liao. Window Vista punyer mood also tarak liao. Haih, we'll see how lar, ok?" I tried to convince them again.

Do you realize that our badminton champs Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong like to carry their sling bags where ever they go?

I'm not sure if it's because of their sponsor request or whether it has to do with their sense of fashion? And they especially like the chequered bags. Anyone has any idea what brand is that?

Wrestlemania 23 is just 8 days away!

Besides "Battle of the Billionaires" match between Donald Trump and Vince McMahon, I'm looking forward to the "Money In The Bank Ladder Match" and "John Cena vs Shawn Michaels match".

John Cena, the WWE Champion, together with Shawn Michaels are the World Tag Team Champions. However, I suspect that after Wrestlemania 23, they are going to go their separate ways just like what had happened to Edge and Randy Orton this week.

Hey, actually I'm not going to say much about Wrestlemania in this blog. Instead I wanna put the intro songs for John Cena and Carlito here. I thought John Cena's intro song is cool.

Disclaimer: For non-Muslims or Buddhists only unless if you are reading this for knowledge purpose. This is a Q&A session with HH Sakya Trizin.

This is the continuation from part 7.

Q: What is 'Mantrayana', Your Holiness?

A: Mantrayana or Tantra, actually is method. The first intentions, and the final goal, are exactly the same as they are in Mahayana, but since the Mantrayana is direct, more intelligent and has more methods, it reaches the same destination from the same starting place much more quickly: the difference is as between travelling by train and by aeroplane. The Mahayana practices consist mainly of meditation through thinking about things, but in the Mantrayana, our bodies are also extensively used. By knowing and using our bodies, we can reach our destination much more quickly. Now, many things are required for an aeroplane to fly, such as fuel, wind, the design of the machine, and so on, and in the same way, when we try to attain realization in the Mantrayana we practice not only in thought: we visualize different Mandalas, repeat Mantras, and so on, and you can say that if these practices are correctly followed, realization will automatically arise.

Q: Is this the only difference between Mahayana and Mantrayana?

A: The Mahayana is called the "Cause Yana", the Causal Path, and the Mantrayana is called the Result Path. In the Mahayana, you work only to create the right causes by practicing giving, moral conduct and so on. These practices are very valuable and correct, but they are still very different from the immense qualities of the Buddha. But in Mantrayana, you imagine yourself right from the beginning in the form of the result - the Buddha, in one form or another. By this practice, the result - which is the same as the practice - will arise and consequently Mantrayana is called the Result Path. Right from the beginning, you think of yourself as the Buddha with all the qualities, the thirty-two major signs, the eighty minor signs and so on.

Q: Is it wrong to think of ourselves as the Buddha?

A: Indeed not. It is said in Mahayana, too, of course, that the nature of our mind, of our entire organism, is actually Buddha, and always has been. However, we have not realized this and we are wrapped up in an illusion, so consequently we suffer. If the obscuration and defilement were intrinsically part of our mind, purification would not be possible. Coal will not become white, however much we wash it, but since the nature of mind is pure, it can be purified. Since other beings have attained Enlightenment, it is clear that it is possible for us, too, that our minds can also be purified.

Q: The teaching of rebirth is unfamiliar to the West. Can one practice Dharma effectively if one does not accept rebirth?

A: According to our definition of the practice of Dharma, no. We say that, whatever you practice, however high or good it may be, it is not Dharma if it is just intended for this life. Dharma is what you practice for the next life, so the idea of rebirth cannot be separated from the idea of Dharma. The law of Karma is an intrinsic part of Dharma and future rebirth is the result of present causes.

Q: Many people in the West might deny the universality of suffering.

A: Buddhists however say that, whatever you are in Worldly Existence, there is suffering. It is wrong to ignore the continual presence of suffering. One should not hide from suffering: one should know its cause and try to avoid creating the causes of suffering.

In the next part, we will look at what HH Sakya Trizin had to say about the ego-lessness doctrine taught by the Buddha and the mind.

When I first started blogging, I would sometimes blogged about the government whether in a positive or negative way. I would also read blogs written by the opposition parties not because I'm interest in their propaganda but mainly because I wanted to know what's not debated in the local newspapers and tv news.

At first I enjoyed reading their blogs. However, after some time I told myself not to read anymore because I was getting sicked of their criticisms. When one of the opposition party leader criticized the banners in UM (I'm sure you know what I'm talking about), I was pissed off by their negativity and told myself not to read their blogs again.

Yes, I'm a pro government but I'm also a rational citizen and voter. So when recently the Tourism Ministry labelled women bloggers as liars I condemned his remark too. If you have been reading the papers in these couple of days, you would not appreciate the comments (perhaps I should use the word 'attacks') by the Johor Bahru MP and Hulu Langat MP too.

Instead of making enemy with Malaysian bloggers, I suggest the government to start learning about the blogosphere and find ways to seek opportunity and gain support from bloggers instead. Many of us are more interested in learning how to make money online and discussing about the latest happenings and personal lives rather than criticizing the government. At least I am. And most of the bloggers in my community too.

I've been working on my manuscript these couple of days I don't feel like updating my blog. Too much of writing can be sickening sometimes.

Did you watch Prison Break on Star World (Astro Channel 70) on Tuesday? I watched the first season on 8TV but missed the first two episodes. I'm so glad that I get to see the first during the repeat on Wednesday. It's definitely one of my favourite tv shows besides Heroes, Grey's Anatomy and Lost (I gradually lost interest in this show because the storyline is getting nowhere). Wentworth Miller is hot but I think Dominic Purcell is even hotter.

What else on tv?

I'm kinda disappointed with the result show on American Idol. Who would have thought Sanjaya, Haley and Gina not in the bottom three? I thought Chris R. did a good job and he doesn't deserve to be in the bottom two. His rendition of the song, Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying, reminds me of Color Me Badd in their album Time and Chance. And poor Stephanie. She's talented but I guess America doesn't need another Fantasia or Beyonce. And so she was voted out of the show.

Recently, I've been hooked up with the show Real World: Denver on MTV too. Currently, Astro Channel 71 is showing the 1st and 2nd episodes (you can catch up the show on their official website on MTV). I've watched Real World: Key West and Real World: Austin and like them. There's really nothing you can learn from the show actually. It's always about a bunch of self-centred kids who stay together in a big house and all they ever do is partying and having sex. And sometimes they mess with the law and get arrested too. I don't recommend kids under 18 to watch this show because it's a bad influence, really.

Vonage is an internet phone company that provides affordable alternative to the traditional telephone service. Currently they are providing a free one month free service for new sign ups.

What differentiate internet phone from the normal traditional telephone is you'll be able to make local and long distance calls at very low price - up to 50% if you are using Vonage.

Some of the extra features are voicemail, 3-way calling, call waiting, call forwarding, 911 dialing and call transfer. These features are actually available at no extra cost!

By the way, their service is available in US only.

This is a sponsored post.

This is the follow up of my previous post on the movie 300.

In my opinion, the most fascinating character in 300 is not King Leonidas or his Queen but the effeminate Xerxes of Persia. I was asking myself, since when a Persian King was bald, gold and jewel-clad and had his fingernails manicured?

Eventually, the real Xerxes in the picture above wear little jewelery or probably no jewelery at all. He also has a beard and mustache and a head full of hair (even more than Leonidas).

To continue from the ending of the movie, which is based on what I get from wikipedia, after King Leonidas was killed by Xerxes men, he was beheaded by Xerxes' order and his body crucified. Immediately after Xerxes ordered the desecration of Leonidas' body, however, he felt remorse and, forty years later, Leonidas' corpse was returned to the Spartans.

Finally, the wait is over. Rafael Nadal has won his first title in 2007 at the Pacific Life Open! I have no doubt that this is the best time for him to win something before his clay court campaign starts in April. It has been a long wait because the last time he won a championship was at the Roland Garros last year.

Nadal came out firing and Novak Djokovic was clearly nervous in his first Masters Series final. The end result was 6-2 7-5.

Nadal, 20, did not drop a set during the tournament and became the first Spaniard since Alex Corretja in 2000 to win the Pacific Life Open.

It was Nadal's seventh Masters crown and his third on hard courts.

I'm not into violent movies but I've just watched 300. I fell asleep while watching the Lord of the Ring movies but I didn't even blink for a second when watching 300.

300 is not the best movie I ever seen. However, I must say that it is the most visually eye-popping experience I ever had since Jurassic Park. The bloody battles and beheading scenes were very impressive.

I don't think 300 is historically accurate but who cares when you are watching great acting skills from Gerard Butler as King Leonidas and Lena Heady as the Queen who fights for the freedom of their country.

Yes! Rafael Nadal has beaten Andy Roddick to continue his quest for his first title this year. The final result is 6-4 6-3.

Nadal has been very inconsistent after Wimbledon last year. And based on his match with Roddick, he shows that he is a better player. For your information, Nadal is the 2nd best player in the world while Roddick is the 3rd.

I'm going to have a sleep now. I won't be watching the match between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. But I think Djokovic is going to win.

If Nadal continues to play like he played just now, I think he will be unbeatable in the final at the Pacific Life.

If you have read my post on Akademi Fantasia earlier this week, you will find my post is true.

The pelajar Akademi Fantasia mentioned in my post is missing from today's Konsert AF5 because she has been fired from Akademi Fantasia. (Update: In explanation to her non-performance tonight, she claimed that she was under stress and therefore have to leave the show)

Finally, her racy photos has been discovered which lead to her dismissed. Sorry, I can't post the photos here as my blog is U rated. But you can try google for other blogs and website for pictures. There are about 4-5 nude photos taken by herself when she was drunk and posted into her myspace website. In Antonella Barba's case of American Idol, her nude photos are fake although her semi naked photos are real.

By the way, I'm watching Konsert AF5 and it is a boring show compares to previous seasons. And I'm kinda disgusted by Ogy Ahmad Daud's judging style. The way she criticized all the pelajar is very unprofessional. She reminds me of some of my school teachers back in primary schools. Or perhaps pelajar-pelajar AF5 deserves it.

Talking about Trump, you must watch WrestleMania, which is just 15 days away. Either Vince McMahon or Donald Trump will be shaved bald following the Battle of the Billionaires.

And earlier this week, for the first time in his public life, Donald Trump sealed a deal with a physical confrontation. It's unbelievable not only because you see Trump on WWE but my jaws dropped when he shoved Mr McMahon over the table and chair in front of the Raw crowds. I mean, you don't get to see this everyday from Trump!

Well, I certainly don't believe Trump is going home bald by the end of the show. But still it's going to be fun and interesting to watch.

By the way, Trump is not going to wear tights and performing frog splash from the top of the rope. Instead he is represented by Bobby Lashley while McMahon picked Samoan Bulldozer Umaga to play for him.

Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Ignacio Chela 7-5 7-5 to setup a semifinal showdown with Andy Roddick at the Pacific Life Open. I watched the match and personally I think Nadal could have done better. He must improve on his game and avoid making too many unforced errors if he wants to beat Roddick.

On the other hand, Nadal and Roddick have confirmed to play in ATP Thailand Open in September. It will be the first time Thai fans will have a chance to see Nadal in action. I'm actually thinking of going to Bangkok to watch Nadal play. Besides Nadal and Roddick, Marcos Baghdatis and Andy Murray also confirmed their participation.

Anyone went to ATP Thailand Open before? Perhaps you can share some advice on how I can get the right tickets to see Nadal play? Well, if he doesn't get himself injured.

Angelina Jolie has taken custody of her new son, Pax Thien Jolie.

Angelina and her eldest son, Maddox, visited Pax at his orphanage. Angelina stayed at the orphanage for about 20 minutes then Pax was carried into a waiting minivan with dark windows, his face shielded from photographers with an umbrella. Angelina followed him into the vehicle and the two headed to the nearby adoption ceremony.

Reports claim that Angelina cried as the adoption papers were finalised at 9am local time and Pax, previously called Pham Quang Sang, officially became her son.

She now has to meet with consular officials to finalise Pax’s passport to enable him to fly to the US to meet the rest of his new family. He, Maddox and Angelina are expected to fly out tomorrow or over the weekend.

Angelina adopted Pax as a single parent because Vietnamese adoption law doesn’t allow unmarried couple to adopt children but Angelina’s partner Brad is expected to adopt Pax at a later date.

Brad couldn't be there in Vietnam due to contract working on a film in Los Angeles.

According to tabloid magazine reports: “Brad and Shiloh saved the day when twin sisters hired to take turns playing actress Cate Blanchett’s character as a baby wouldn’t settle down. Everyone waited in vain while the babies were fed, changed and hugged, but nothing worked to calm them on the set in New Orleans. Then quick-thinking Brad realized his daughter’s happy and mellow disposition made her a quick fix for the role.”

The source added: “She’s a natural. Shiloh did her scenes perfectly and was giggling and happy throughout her big day.”

Shiloh is now ready to welcome a new brother into her life.

If you have been listening to the radio, you know Avril Lavigne the necktie-wearing skater girl recently came up with a single called "Girlfriend" with an extremely catchy chorus ("Hey hey you you/I don't like your girlfriend/No way no way/I think you need a new one/Hey hey you you/I could be your girlfriend"). Check out her video here:



Avril is also delivering "Girlfriend" in 7 different languages including Japanese and Mandarin. Apparently a huge portion of her fans are from Asia. Listen to Avril trying to punk up some Mandarin in the chorus which goes something like this ("wo hui bu hui shi ni de nu peng you"). It's hilarious but she did a fairly good job.

I've been following Akademi Fantasia for years and it is one of my favourite local show. It's kind of weird because a lot of Malaysian Chinese don't actually like to watch local Malay shows. I think my interest has to do with my education background. Besides imagine growing up with only 3 television channels (RTM1, RTM2 and TV3), I'm used to watch locally produced shows.

I missed Tirai Akademi Fantasia last Saturday because I was in Malacca. And I haven't got the chance to watch it yet except for about 10 minutes of the repeat show on Monday.

Recently, I've heard a rumour about one of the pelajar Akademi Fantasia 5. If you watch American Idol, you would have heard about what had happened to Antonella Barba who was voted out last week. Antonella Barba has her semi exposed photos all over the internet. In the case of the pelajar Akademi Fantasia 5, it was said that she had once taken her own nude photo while she was drunk and posted it into the internet. Well, don't ask me the details because this is all I've got.

By the way, Roslan Aziz has migrated to Astro from 8tv and he is now the Pengetua of Akademi Fantasia 5. I guess Malaysian Idol couldn't survive for the 3rd year?

It's been quite a awhile since we last saw Rafael Nadal played so confidently. Perhaps Federer's knocked out in the third round motivated him to perform better?

Today, Nadal booked his way into the quarterfinal at the Pacific Life Open, with a convincing 6-1, 6-1 victory over compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero in just 61 minutes!

Nadal obviously need to win this tournament to boost his confidence before his clay court campaign starts in April. He is still seeking his first victory since winning Roland Garros last year and also looking for his first semifinal spot since Wimbledon.

I'm actually planning to get a custom domain for my blog. However there are a few things I must consider before I do that.

Instead of paying extra money for a hosting plan, I'll continue to use Blogger's service to host all my contents but displaying my own custom domain. However, I'm not sure if this will affect my current Page Rank (PR). My PR is already very low and I don't want to start from 0 again.

I'm also not sure if the changes will affect my links especially in Technorati. I've just started using Technorati recently, so I think I'll be okay to rebuild my links again.

It's about time for me to use my own domain. My current blogspot url disallowed me from writing certain sponsored post. Besides I don't think there's a better way to spend my PayPerPost earning than a custom domain.

If you haven't know yet, I'm actually a big fan of Rafael Nadal.

Is Rafa your favourite ATP tennis player too? Now's the chance to let him know by voting for him to be the ATP Fan Favourite in the 2006 ATP Awards which reflect on players' achievements throughout the 2006 season. The results will be announced on the 26th March at 3pm, so make sure you get your vote in right away.

By the way, only one vote per person will count, so don't try to submit your vote more than once, but tell all your friends to vote!

Other categories at the 2006 Awards include Player of the Year, Doubles Team of the Year, Most Improved Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Comeback player of the Year, Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award, and the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year Award. Those categories plus others will be decided by 2006 rankings, ATP players, and an ATP panel.

Rob & Amber were knocked out of the Amazing Race: All Stars sooner than I thought. The reality stars were favourites to win considering their winning streak in the previous legs. They made a series of mistakes and bad decision which lead to their downfall.

Rob made the wrong choice at the detour by choosing a harder task, then misspelled the word "Philippines" but insisted on hanging on to the task while almost half of the other teams already done with the other task. Luck was again not on their side as Charla & Mirna, who struggled throughout the competition, completed the Road Block first and raced to the pit stop leaving Rob & Amber in the last place. The rest of the teams must be very happy to hear Rob& Amber dismiss. This means that the chance to win a million dollars is wide open now. It's hard to predict who are the favourites to win.

Earlier of the day, Roger Federer also ended his 41-match winning streak. Federer arrived at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California, having won seven consecutive tournaments and was considered an odds-on favourite to break the record of 47 straight matches. He was beaten by Guillermo Canas in the third round, with the result 7-5, 6-2.

Anyone interested to start a freelance job in writing Science and Maths workbooks? If you are:

• looking for a writing job, working comfortably from your home and with attractive pay,
• an organized person who is able to meet reasonable deadline,
• in the educational industry (teacher, tutor, editor, writer, etc),
• well versed with the National syllabus particularly the Science and Maths subjects,
• able to present your manuscript neatly using the Microsoft Word;
• creative and original,
• doesn't mind working closely with the editors and accept their criticism,

As per Sam' request, I'm sharing the links to the sites where you can generate Flickr slide show as you can see in my previous post.

First of all, you need to have an account with Flickr to do this. After uploading all your files, remember to tag your photos. For example, in this slide show of mine, I tagged all the photos as "booksale" and I grouped them into a set. (As long as you have the tags, it's okay if you don't group and organize them).

Then go to this website or this to generate your flickr slide show.

1. User NSID - Go to idgettr to get your user NSID by keying in your Flickr username. For example my user NSID is 78324041@N00.

2. With that user NSID, your set ID is the number on your user NSID. For example, mine is 78324041.

3. Lastly, key in the tags of the photos you want to show in your slide show. For example, mine is booksale. I have tagged all the book photos with the same tag.

4. Click 'generate' or submit' and there you go! Copy and paste the HTML code in your blog.

I think just like youtube, you will not be able to shrink the size of the frame. Any problem, please leave a comment here.

Let's share your photos with us in your blog!

These are the books currently for sales on ebay. If you are interested, place your bid there by clicking on the book list at the bottom of this post. If you do not have an ebay account, you can email to me and I'll reserve the book for you if I couldn't sell it in 5 days time. Delivery is free of charge. You can check out the retail price of these books at MPH or Popular websites. For any enquiry, you can contact me via hcfoo7@gmail.com.

1. The Luck Factor by Richard Wiseman - RM25
2. Ziglar On Selling by Zig Ziglar- RM18
3. Short Short Stories by Dave Eggers- RM7
4. The State of Poetry by Roger McGough- RM7
5. Succeeding at Interviews In A Week- RM12
6. Tackling Interview Questions In A Week- RM12
7. CVs In A Week - RM12
8. Total Quality Management In A Week- RM12
9. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield- RM30
10. The Quick & Easy Way to Effective Speaking- RM15
11. How To Stop Worrying and Start Living- RM15
12. Self-Motivation for the Self-Employed- RM10
13. The 21 Indispensable Qualities of A Leader- RM13
14. How To Talk To Anyone - Leil Lowndes- RM25
15. Book of Love from the Ancient Mediterranean - RM7
16. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership - RM13
17. Awaken the Giant Within - Anthony Robbins - RM25
18. Bringing Out the Best in Others - RM16
19. People Like Us - Sexual Minorities in S'pore - RM13
20. Getting Rich Your Own Way - Brian Tracy - RM28
21. The Psychology of Selling - Brian Tracy - RM15
22. The 48 Laws of Power - Robert Greene - RM20
23. Master Your Mind Design Your Destiny - RM20
24. The One Minute Sales Person - Spencer Johnson - RM8
25. Idiot's Guide to Intermediate Spanish - RM18
26. How to Write Articles for Newspapers & Mags - RM15
27. Hook, Spin, Buzz - RM8
28. Dogbert's Top Secret Management Handbook - RM13