Just Me

Penang - A land with lots of Hokkien Lan

        I am glad that I have time to stay in Penang for a couple of days after the mission trip. I have been away for a year, yet, the city was still as stunning as I remembered. So, what had we done in Penang? We went for mural hunt. Penang is one of the top destinations in Malaysia. Penang is famous of its beaches, food and heritage culture. Georgetown became a UNESCO world heritage site in 2008. After winning the award, an art challenge had been organised by the State government to give the city the image of being the "living museum". It was won by "Voices from people". "Voices from people" consists of 52 steel caricatures. These steel caricatures had greatly reflect the living style of Penang people. In 2012, Georgetown commissioned Ernest Zacharevic from Lithuania for the "Mirrors George Town" project. If you would like to know more about the history of Penang, kindly click Penang. From that day onwards, Penang street art had became a hit. People around the world began to flood the island. In 2013, there were a group of artist who install street arts in various location. The objective of the street arts is to raise the awareness over helping the stray animals to find its shelter. This is my third time doing mural hunting with my friends. In cloud nine, we started our journey. It drizzled, yet, it did not stop us from continue our trip. 

Our first Stop is Chew Jetty.

Too bad, The mural - Children in a boat disappeared. T^T

           

            We spent the whole morning walking and searching the street arts around the city. Penang people were very friendly. They showed us the direction of the street art when we were lost. An auntie gave us the map which shows all the street art location. Kimberly and I had lots of fun. We visited the Upside down museum and the famous restaurant - China House. I am happy that I could take photos with most of the street arts before it disappeared. I had bought a set of Penang mural art magnet in remembrance of the vanished artworks. That gives me a better reasons to take more photos with the street arts while it still there.That ends the Penang mural hunt. 

Ever since I start working, I found that I am weak in finance. I am lack of financial education. Financial education is not something that was taught in school. Thus, I decided to take an hour a day to read some of the most well written book that I have ever encountered. The first book that I am going to talk about entitled "The richest man in Babylon". The book itself was suggested by my boyfriend after he went to the Rich Dad Poor Dad free seminar. 

The book had been written in 1926. More than 2 millions books was sold. The book explain the basics of money. It is a good book for graduate who will be leaping into the street. Since the book had been written for more than 90 years, the english they used is rather different compared to the modern english we used. It shall take some patience to read the whole book. It is definitely worth all your time and patience. 

The summary of the book was printed on his first page. 

LO, MONEY IS PLENTIFUL,

FOR THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND 

THE SIMPLE RULES OF ITS ACQUISITION

-THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON

The story is about Akrad who was the richest man in Babylon. The 7 points above is the 7 cures he had suggested towards lean purse. The first cure is start thy purse to fattening. Akrad suggested us to pay ourselves first before we spend. In order to that, we shall put away one tenth of our salary. Secondly, we shall control our expenses. We shall not spend more than nine-tenths of our earnings. Thirdly, we have to put each coin to labour so that it may produce its own kind. By doing so, a stream of wealth shall flow constantly into our purse. The forth cure is to guard your treasures from loss. Before we start investing of something, we shall have enough knowledge on the particular field. By consulting advice from wise man and reading, we shall able to protect ourselves from bad deals. 

The fifth cure is to own your own home. By owning your own house, our cost of living will reduce. Yet, I am not sure this advice is applicable in our modern day now. The price of the house is so high and it was not something that a graduate can afford. In long term basic, buying your own house is beneficial as we do not have to pay the rental to a total stranger. We can decorate the house according to our own desire. We do not have to bump into tedious housemate. Owning your own house definitely bring many long term advantages. 

The sixth cure that Akrad suggested is to provide in advance for your future needs. "Retirement plan" came over my mind while I was reading this chapter. However, Akrad's advice does not limit to retirement plan. He propose us to have a plan, not only beneficial for our second generation but also the generations after. The seventh cure he had suggested is to continue to learn. Akrad suggested us to cultivate our own powers, to study and become wiser, become more skilful and to act as to respect yourself. The thirst of knowledge shall be continue even though we had walked out of our university's gate. 

All the suggestions are simple but powerful. Do pick this book up when you stop by a book store. There are many more hidden values you can learn through the book.

Regards, 

ME :-) 

 田馥甄 

          I was pretty worn out last few weeks. I was trying to update to my new environment. Even though it was a tough decision to make, I chose to work in one of the consultant firm in Subang Jaya. Well, I spent a day time in headquarter. Then, I was transferred to client's office. I had a brief introduction from my manager. Then, I was dragged to lots of meeting after that. Then, I realized that what I was doing was not actually engineering work. It was more towards managing. I was a bit upset with the realization. Now, I fully understood the meaning of the well known poem - the road not taken. Thus, I went to consult a senior engineer. He talked me into changing attitude and perspective. I would give the job a year duration. If it did not bring me any steps forward to my dream, it would be better for me to make my own next move. 

             After finishing complains, I would like to continue this post with something positive. I was blessed with a kind and understanding house mate. As for the furniture, my room mate had provided me with a white ikea table. I bought a wardrobe from 11 street with a really cheap price. Yesterday, I had a good bargain. I bought a second hand ikea bed rack and mattress. Something that I really want right now is a cupboard. My desk is now crowded with my books, cosmetic and food. It would be nice to have a cupboard. :( So, my next goal is to buy a cupboard. I am motivated to get one within 2 months time :)