Kucing bahaya???????

sweetnya kucing ni

Kucing adalah haiwan yang sememangnya comel dan digemari oleh ramai orang. Namun begitu, saya pernah mendapat info dari lectrurer yang mengatakan bahawa ada sejenis kuman pada kucing yang membahayakan kaum wanita.Ia boleh menyebabkan kemandulan. Saya bukanlah tidak menyukai kucing, suka juga kalau yang comel2 belaka tu. Cuma kalau saya dah pegang, saya akan cepat2 cuci tangan. Dan saya sangat risau duduk di sofa or kerusi bila ada kucing dah landing kat situ. 


Apa yang saya tahu, bukanlah bulu kucing itu sendiri yang menyebabkan kemandulan kaum wanita. Sebenarnya, pada haiwan2 berbulu seperti kucing, anjing, tikus dan sebagainya terdapat kuman Toxoplasma yang mudah menular pada manusia.


Pastinya ramai dah tahu bahawa Vagina wanita amatlah sentitif dan amat mudah dijangkiti kuman. Walau diselaputi seluar sekalipun, tidak mustahil kuman mudah berjangkit. Jadi, cuba bayangkan kalau kita tidur dengan kucing, peluk kucing tu atau sebagainya, bagaimana yer??


Cuba anda kaji sebentar, mereka yang membela banyak kucing, ramai tak anak mereka? Saya tahu, bukan semua tetapi majoriti.


Kucing adalah haiwan kesayangan nabi kita. Tidak salah menyayanginya, tetapi pandai2lah jaga kebersihan untuk kebaikan diri. Selepas pegang kucing tu, cucilah tangan sebersihnya. Atau bagi kaum wanita, kurangkan lah tidur dengan kucing. Kita tak nampak kuman dia.


Tetapi, bagi kaum lelaki tak kisah je. Bela lah seberapa banyak pun... Tak ada bahayanya.. 




Renung2 kan.....

Canon launches new entry-level DSLRs

EOS 600D

KUALA LUMPUR: Canon Marketing Malaysia has announced two new DSLR cameras, the EOS 600D and EOS 1100D. Canon said both cameras are designed for entry level photo enthusiasts looking to upgrade from a compact model to their first DSLR camera.

The EOS 600D has an 18-megapixel CMOS sensor while the EOS 1100D comes with a 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor. Both cameras have a nine-point autofocus system to swiftly track and focus on moving subjects.

For capturing moving subjects, the EOS 600D can shoot at a continuous burst of up to 3.7 frames per second (fps) while the EOS 1100D snaps at 3fps. The 600D also comes with a built-in wireless flash transmitter that can be used to control multiple flash units.

The DSLR cameras are backed by Canon's Digic 4 image processor, enabling them to process photos faster and reduce noise at higher ISO levels, the company said.

EOS 1100D

Designed for beginners, the EOS 1100D has a redesigned control layout with all buttons arranged on the right side of the camera, allowing for one-handed usage.

Aiding photographers to get unique angles for their shots, the EOS 600D's 3in vari-angle LCD monitor can be folded out and swivelled, thus allowing pictures to be framed at more flexible angles.

Not to be left out, the EOS 1100D has a 2.7in LCD monitor with a wide viewing angle of 170° so users can still see the screen from both high or low angles.

Canon said both cameras' low light shooting performance are enhanced thanks to their higher ISO range with the EOS 1100D having a maximum ISO6400 sensitivity while the EOS 600D has an expanded ISO range of 12,800.

The two new entry-level DSLRs will come with a new "Feature Guide" that displays simple descriptions to all modes and settings in the camera, helping users understand general photography terminology.

The EOS 600D will have a new Scene Intelligent Auto mode that automatically analyses an image to determine the right exposure, focus and white balance settings.

The EOS 600D can also shoot full HD (1,920 x 1,080-pixel) movies and is able to capture videos at a high ISO speed of 6400.

Meanwhile the EOS 1100D is able to record HD movies at 1,280 x 720-pixel resolution. A new video specific feature found on both EOS cameras is the Video Snapshot function that shoots short video clips that are two, four or eight seconds in length.

The EOS 600D is able playback both photos and video with accompanying background music. It will come with five preselected tracks and users can import their own music via SD card.

Advanced creative filters are another new feature on the EOS 600D - it gives users the ability to apply effects like soft focus, toy camera, miniature and fish-eye to photos.

Aside from the usual black colour scheme, the EOS 1100D is also available in red, brown and metallic gray.

Both cameras are available now with the Canon EOS 600D priced at RM2,999 with an EF-S 18-55mm IS kit lens while the Canon EOS 1100D is priced at RM1,999 with a EF-S 18-55mm IS kit lens.

Sony's HD and 3D push

TX100V

SONY is all out to flex its HD and 3D muscles this year as is evident from looking through its 2011 product lineup.

At a recent Sony product convention held here, the consumer electronics company brought out camcorders capable of recording Full HD 3D videos and a compact camera that can capture 3D images using only one lens and imager.

Its latest Full HD 3D handycam lineup consists of the HDR-PJ10E, HDR PJ-30E and HDR PJ-50E.

Besides being able to record in 3D videos, these camcorders also come with a built-in projector tucked in the 3in LCD touchscreen panel so you can view your videos as soon as you've recorded them. Users can project the images up to 60in in size on any flat surface, Sony said.

HDR PJ-30E

All the camcorders are also equipped with Sony's Exmor R CMOS sensor, which is designed to help users take better quality images even in dim settings.

Additionally they also have a built-in zoom microphone so users don't have to stand too close to their subjects to record their speech.

The PJ10E can snap still images up to 3.3-megapixels while the PJ30E and PJ50E can capture stills that are up to 7.1-megapixels.

As for internal memory, the PJ10E has 16GB of Flash memory while the PJ30E has a 32GB Flash memory capacity.

The PJ50E has a 220GB hard disk drive and storage can be expanded using Sony's Memory Stick Pro Duo or an SD memory card.

All of the camcorders are equipped image stabilisation technology.

The PJ10E retails at RM2,299 while the PJ30E and PJ50E are priced at RM3,299 and RM3,499 respectively.

New Cyber-shot

Sony also introduced a new member to its Cyber-shot T-series family, the DSC-TX100V.

The company claimed that the 16.2-megapixel camera is the first compact digital camera that can take 3D images using one lens and imager.

This is done using either the 3D Sweep Panaroma mode or the 3D Still Image mode.

In the 3D Still Image mode, the camera takes two consecutive shots in different focus positions then calculates the depth.

It then creates a right-eye, left-eye image to produce a 3D effect. The images can then be viewed on a 3D TV.

The 3D Sweep Panaroma mode lets users capture a 3D version of a panaromic picture with one sweep. And if you only want a conventional 2D panaromic picture, you can use the Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode.

The camera also has Full HD video recording capabilities and sports a 3.5in OLED touch screen display.

It also has a dual recording mode where users can take still shots while shooting a video.

Like the camcorders mentioned above, it is equipped with an Exmor R CMOS sensor.

If you are the outdoorsy type, the TX100V is one tough cookie as it is waterproof up to 5m of water and shockproof from a height of up to 1.5m.

Sony has also designed the camera so that beginners are able to capture more artistic images - one of the featured shooting modes is "background defocus" that allows users to capture shallow depth of field images easily.

The TX100V will be available in April for RM1,499.

Going places with Go 750

With the Go 750 by your side, you can hit the road knowing that you will not get lost.

THE TomTom Go 750 is not your typical GPS car navigation unit. It has a couple of interesting and fun features that you will not find in other models.

For a start, you can have your turn-by-turn voice guidance read by Darth Vader, Yoda and even Homer Simpson.

Unfortunately, the voice guidance is not free and each one will set you back $9.95 euro (RM42) per download.

However voice guidance in different languages such as French, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese and Malayalam are free.

To download the voice guidance into the GPS, you will first have to install the TomTom Home software from the company's website.

Home also helps keep the GPS up to date with latest software and maps.

The Go 750 comes pre-installed with Tele Atlas maps for Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

TomTom will update the map four times a year. However, only the first year is free. Tom Tom and its distributor Ingram Micro Malaysia Sdn Bhd have yet to announce the price for future updates.

rear view

You can also keep the maps updated by joining the TomTom Map Share community, which is always free.

Any changes to the map done by the community can be instantly downloaded to the GPS using the Home software.

Another interesting feature is QuickGPSfix which updates the GPS with the latest position of the satellites.

This helps the GPS get a satellite lock much faster.

With QuickGPSfix, the Go 750 takes mere seconds to get a satellite lock.

You can also customise the look and feel of the GPS' user interface. You can, for instance change the startup and shutdown images, and the Home icon.

You can personalise the GPS further by also changing the colour schemes for the maps. Easy to use

STICKY: Go 750 has a pretty good windshield mount.

The Go 750 has a pretty good windshield mount called the Active Dock. It attaches very securely to the windshield and I was never once worried that the Go 750 would fall off while I was driving.

There is also a car charger to keep the GPS charged for the duration of the drive.

The Go 750 has a 4.3in touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 272-pixels. Whether you are travelling in broad daylight or at night, the display is sharp and bright enough to be viewed clearly.

It was easy to use the touchscreen using my thumb (and sometimes the index finger) to type the address or choosing an icon.

The touchscreen was amazingly responsive compared to other GPS units that I have reviewed.

My one complaint with the UI is that the menu screen doesn't have a back arrow. To get to the previous section of the menu you will have to cycle through all the other menu sections first.

This can be quite annoying especially when you are in a hurry.

Getting there

You can search for the destination by street name, POI (points of interest), postcode and more.

However, searching by postcode doesn't produce accurate results. For example, if you enter 59100 (which is the postcode for Bangsar), it will list Section 51 in Sungai Buloh, Mukim 5 in Bukit Balik Pulau, etc. I found the voice guidance funny because the pronunciation of the street names were awfully weird.

However, you can turn stop it from prouncing the street names. The Go 750 gives you the option to find the fastest route, shortest route and even a route for making a journey on foot or bicycle.

You can even set the Go 750 to avoid a particular route. This is handy for avoiding routes that have a high traffic.

It would also prompt you whether you want to avoid toll charges. The GPS also displays an estimate of the time it would take for you to reach your destination. I found this handy because I know if I am running late for an appointment.

The Go 750 also features Advanced Lane Guidance, which lets you know which lane you should be in advance. It keeps me relaxed even though you are driving in complex intersections.

The GPS can also list the roads you have to take to reach your destination. I find this feature handy because I prefer to know how to get to a particular place in advance. If I am still not clear, I just run a simulation of the journey.

In case of an emergency, you'll find the Help Me feature really handy. This feature lists the nearest police stations, hospitals, car repair shops.

This feature is made even more useful because you can pair your phone to the GPS via Bluetooth. To call, say, the car repair shop, you just have the touch the name of the shop on the GPS and it will initiate the call on the phone.

The Help Me screen also has a useful First Aid Guide that gives you general tips on what to do if you are at the scene of an accident, for example.

The Where Am I option as the name says, shows where you are. If you are in a car accident, for instance, you could use it to find out the name of the street.

You can copy the phonebook from your mobile phone to the Go 750. By doing so, you can initiate a call from the Go 750.

The Go 750 is also supposed to be able to read SMSes. I was not able to try this feature because my smartphone was not compatible with the GPS. You can check if your phone is compatible with the GPS at bit.ly/ih9dyw.

Conclusion

The TomTom Go 750 has all the features that matter and some really cool ones.

The GPS is quick to get a satellite lock thanks to the QuickGPSfix feature and it is also equally fast to plot a course.

When paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth, the GPS has even more features to offer, like the ability to initiate calls.

Also, in case of an emergency, the Help Me functions will come in really handy And having Darth Vader or Yoda give turn-by-turn voice instructions is a lot more fun than listening to a generic voice.

About the only thing not to like about the GPS is that TomTom will only offer four free updates and has yet to announce the pricing for extra updates.

Overall, the TomTom Go 750 is one of the better GPS units I have tested recently. There is a lot to like about it and it's worth checking out.

Pros: Easy to use; pairs with phone via Bluetooth; nice screen; can download amusing turn-by-turn voice guidance.

Cons: Only four free updates from TomTom; searching by postcode doesn't work; UI can be better.

Go 750
(TomTom)
GPS car navigation unit
GPS CHIPSET: NA
DISPLAY: 4.3in touchscreen (480 x 272-pixels) MEMORY: 1GB
STORAGE: Micro SD slot (up to 4GB supported)
BATTERY: Lithium-ion
OPERATING SYSTEM: NA
OTHER FEATURES: Bluetooth, car charger, windshield mount
DIMENSIONS (W x D x H): 127 x 85 x 23mm
WEIGHT: 224g
WEBSITE: www.tomtom.com
PRICE: RM949
RATING: 3.5
Review unit courtesy of Ingram Micro Malaysia Sdn Bhd, (03) 7952-8188

Accounting: What's the Real World of Accounting Like? [2]

Before you get into the Real World of Accounting

If you are a junior or senior accounting student, you are almost certainly contemplating your work options after graduation. Before interviewing with prospective employers, ask yourself the following questions:

(1) Do I want to work with a small, local firm or a large national firm? And more specifically, do I want a clear, fast path to advancement, or am I willing to wait awhile, until a path opens up?

(2) Do I prefer a regular, nine-to-five workday, or am I willing to work additional overtime and weekends on a normal basis?

(3) Do I prefer to do more mundane yet essential tasks, or do I want diverse and complicated assignments?

(4) Do I prefer an "easygoing" office environment or would I be able to handle an "intense" one?

(5) Do I prefer to work at the same office location all the time or am I willing to travel regularly?

Be honest with yourself when answering these questions. For instance, it's easy to say, "I'll do anything for the right amount of money," but it's very different to be paid well but to be unhappy with your job. Often you can't know how much you will enjoy your job until you are well into it. But you can certainly ask your interviewer specific questions about the firm they are representing and the position for which you are applying. Also, researching the company, visiting the job site and talking to current employees can provide valuable insights into what to expect if you were to choose that particular place to spend most of your waking hours.

So, what can you expect when you walk through the doors for your first day of work? For one thing, before you go directly to work, you will need information – and it doesn't just come from a book!  You will have to access the computer, acquire source documents, run reports, and do research in books, periodicals, journals, and other secondary sources. Beyond that, you will need to interview the people you work with: managers, co-workers, clients, and others with valuable information.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Accounting: What's the Real World of Accounting Like? [1]

For recent accounting graduates, life holds the mysterious, age-old question:  what is it like in the real world? In particular, what is it like to work daily as an accountant and what does it take to succeed in your accounting career? The answers to those questions come in part from knowing yourself and your own goals, then realizing that there are several types of accounting careers. Your success will depend partly on whether the accounting path you choose fits your goals and your lifestyle. Whether you advance depends upon the structure of the company you work for. If you choose to work as one of three accountants, you may have to wait until one of the two above you leave or retire before you can move up. Consider the areas of accounting.
Those are:

Areas of Accounting

Early in your career, preferably while still in college, you will want to get an idea of what kind of accounting field you wish to enter. You may already know that there are three types of businesses, and accounting fits into each one:

Sole proprietor – a single, independent CPA practitioner with several reliable clients

Partnership – start a CPA firm with other CPAs and share clients, or join a firm already established. This provides advantages such as taking time off or reducing the workload or liability.

Corporation – joining a large company with several accountants. In this case, you have little liability but also not as much control.

In addition to these, you will want to decide whether to work in a for-profit firm in private industry or a not-for-profit organization such as a city, state or federal government agency. Private industry jobs normally pay more than government jobs, but there is also less job security. While all jobs have an "office politics" element, some jobs are clearly more political than others (e.g, handgun or tobacco manufacturers, or abortion clinics). Also, be aware that government jobs' salaries are generally publicized – and that means politicized. So, if any person or position makes too much money, the civil service commission may feel pressure from politicians, public interest groups or rival government agencies to modify the pay scale to reflect the public's priorities (e.g., police or public school teachers vs. accountants).
Finally, you will want to decide what branch of accounting you prefer to specialize in. Here are some examples:

General accounting – posting journal entries, posting and monitoring accounts receivable or accounts payable, reconciliations of accounts, keeping track of amortization schedules, monitoring investment income, etc.

Financial analysis – comparing actual income and expenses to budget or prior year, and reporting on the causes of variances. This also includes balance sheet analysis, where you ensure that a balance sheet account is reported at the proper level. These include extensive primary and secondary research.

Taxation – preparing and submitting tax forms for individuals or corporations. This may also include answering clients' questions or providing information to authorized parties.

Audit – testing client transactions and accounting policies and procedures to ensure management reports fairly represent the financial condition of the business, based on some standard such as Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP). This includes internal audit (done with company employees) or external audit (done with independent CPAs).

Consulting – providing clients and business with ideas to improve their financial condition or profitability.

Major Accounting Firms

Many aspiring accountants start their careers with a major accounting firm. While those firms in fact do accounting, most of their business comes from consulting, auditing, and other attest engagements. In many cases, starting at an accounting firm allows you to become exposed to many facets of accounting and many types of businesses.
Most of the Fortune 500 companies and many public companies are audited by the "Big Four" accounting firms, that is, the ones ranking in the top four in the country in revenues and professional staff. They are:

~ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
~ Ernst & Young
~ KPMG
~ PricewaterhouseCoopers

However, over the past few years, the Big Four have been losing clients and other major national firms, such as the following, have been gaining them. Other major national firms:

~ BDO Seidman

~ Grant Thornton

~ McGladrey & Pullen

While these companies are large and provide good compensation and some opportunity for advancement, they also pressure their employees to pass the CPA Exam. Also, only a few will make it to the level of "partner" or "managing partner," where the large salaries are made. More likely than not, you will stay at an accounting firm for two to three years, then move on to industry, as the compensation and opportunities for advancement are greater in a regular company. A firm that you may audit may seek your services as an employee.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Panduan Kerjaya Akauntan

Salam mesra.. Di sini saya ada beberapa tips untuk mereka yang megambil bidang akaun untuk memilih future anda. Tips ni berguna untuk diri saya juga yang bakal grad satu ketika kelak. Saya juga masih memikirkan the best decision untuk future saya kelak. Untungnya ambil akaun merata2 tempat kita boleh pergi. Mana2 tempat pun memerlukan akaun. Cuma bergantung pada diri masing2 untuk memilih company jenis apa. OKAY.....

~  Kalau nak jadi akauntan yg mahir, pergilah accounting firm. Yang tak bestnya, mana2 accounting firm (termasuk firm Melayu) akan byr gaji kecik & kadang2 keja sampai malam.. Dia akan perah kita kaw2 punya (ini berdasarkan cerita kawan2 yg pernah keja kat audit firm). Tapi yang bagusnya, after 3-4 years, U mungkin akan jadi sgt2 mahir dlm accounting berbanding dgn kawan2 yg tak masuk accounting/audit firm… Lagi 1 advantage dia, lebih senang utk dapat CPA nanti.. Kalau ada CPA, kemudian2 nanti kalau nak tukar2 kerja yang lagi best lebih senang, sbb value tinggi tu..

~  Alternatif lain, masuk private company, GLC atau semi-govt.. Contohnya Bank Negara, TM, TNB, Securities Commission, MAS, LHDN, Maybank etc… Insya Allah gaji much better (starting dlm RM2k lebih). Keja pun normally ikut waktu keja (8am – 5pm). Dipandang tinggi jugak dlm masyarakat. Ada work-life balance laa..

Bezanya, kalau keja kat company ni, u punya accounting skill akan berkarat sikit. Sbb dlm company, kita cuma cover a small area of the financial statement. Kalau jaga asset, tau asset je lah. Part2 lain tak tau sgt.. Lagi satu, company/GLC ni selalu hantar staff pegi training (interpersonal skill, etiquette, communication etc..), very good for personal development..

Saya ada sorang kawan, before this dia kerja di Telekom dan dah tak berapa sangat guna accounting sbb dia masuk level middle management. So banyak keja2 management, deal dgn department2 lain, & debit-credit ni sangat2 minimum.. Bila dapat offer kerja di UAE, dia kena guna balik segala debit-credit tu.. Terkial2 la nak ingat balik, semput jugak rasanya nak compete dgn budak2 Mesir & Pakistan yg cekap debit-credit katanya.. DIa rasa mcm lembap giler bila discuss dgn diorg..

~ Ok, selain tu kalau u nak jadi lecturer, keja dulu kat mana2 company/firm for at least 3-5 years utk dapat pengetahuan secara hands-on. Kalau tak nanti u cuma cerita benda2 dlm buku je, boring.. Jadi lecturer ni bagus. Walaupun gaji tak seberapa, tapi murah rezeki sbb menyampaikan ilmu pengetahuan..

 ~~~~ Itu je lah panduan2 yang dapat saya share untuk bakal2 akauntan. Apapun pilihlah decision yang terbaik untuk masa depan you all. Saya pula memang berminat untuk masuk company sbb gaji besar sikit. Tapi saya rasa seperti ingin membatalkan hasrat tu. Saya rasa pengalaman lebih berharga dari duit starting keje tu. Saya lebih suka belajar banyak benda kerana mungkin gaji yang kita dapat tu lebih benilai untuk masa depan kita. Tapi pendapat masing2...Anyway, bila kita keliru untuk memilih, mintalah kepadaNya. buat solat Istikharah banyak2, keja mana nak dipilih. Bangun setengah jam awal sebelum Subuh utk tahajjud, insya Allah makbul segala doa. Biasa2kan solat dhuha, sbb itu utk buka pintu rezeki. Amin~~~

All the best...

AS mahu Suleiman ambil alih

Mubarak sedia mati di Mesir, Amr Mussa juga berminat jadi presiden baru 

WASHINGTON: Amerika Syarikat sedang berbincang dengan kerajaan Mesir kelmarin mengenai peralihan kuasa dengan ‘segera’ dan dilaporkan memberi tekanan kepada Presiden Hosni Mubarak untuk berundur serta-merta.


Amerika sudah ada rancangan supaya Mubarak berundur serta-merta, menyerahkan kuasanya kepada sebuah kerajaan peralihan diketuai Naib Presiden, Omar Suleiman, lapor akhbar The New York Times (NYT), kelmarin.

Laporan itu, yang memetik pihak berkuasa pentadbiran Presiden Barack Obama dan diplomat Arab berkata, rancangan itu menyasarkan untuk mendapatkan sokongan tentera Mesir. 

Jurucakap Rumah Putih, Tommy Vietor memberitahu: “Presiden berkata sudah sampai masanya untuk memulakan satu peralihan aman, teratur dan bermakna dengan rundingan boleh dipercayai. 

“Kami sudah berbincang dengan pihak berkuasa Mesir pelbagai cara berbeza untuk menggerakkan proses itu ke hadapan, namun semua keputusan perlu dibuat rakyat Mesir,” tambah Vietor. 

Secara berasingan, seorang pegawai kanan Amerika berkata: “Adalah salah untuk melaporkan bahawa ada perancangan tunggal Amerika yang dirunding dengan pihak berkuasa Mesir.” 
NYT melaporkan, walaupun Mubarak enggan berundur segera, pegawai kedua-dua kerajaan berbincang supaya Suleiman, disokong angkatan tentera Mesir, memulakan proses pembaharuan Perlembagaan. Cuma, belum jelas sama ada Suleiman sudah bersetuju mengambil alih segera. 

Akhbar itu berkata, cadangan gesaan kepada kerajaan peralihan termasuk menjemput anggota dari kalangan kumpulan pembangkang meluas termasuk kumpulan diharamkan, Ikhwanul Muslimin, untuk memulakan satu proses pilihan raya bebas dan adil September depan. 

Di KAHERAH, Mubarak berkata beliau sedia berundur tetapi bimbang negaranya akan menjadi kucar-kacir ketika penunjuk perasaan sekali lagi berhimpun di Dataran Tahrir menggelarkan protes terbaru sebagai ‘Hari Menyambut Pemergian (Mubarak).’ 

Pemimpin berusia 82 tahun itu berkata, beliau bosan menjadi presiden dan mahu meletakkan jawatan tetapi keadaan tidak membenarkan kerana bimbang Mesir menjadi lebih kucar-kacir, katanya dalam temu ramah dengan ABC. 

“Saya tidak kisah apa yang orang kata mengenai saya. Ketika ini, apa yang saya pentingkan ialah negara. Saya sayangkan Mesir. Saya sedih mengenai apa terjadi semalam. Saya tidak mahu rakyat Mesir bergaduh sesama sendiri. Ikhwanul yang bersalah,” katanya. 

Ditanya apa perasaannya, Mubarak berkata: “Saya rasa masih kuat. Saya tidak akan lari. Saya akan mati di bumi Mesir,” katanya. 

Di PARIS, pemimpin Liga Arab, Amr Mussa, yang juga bekas Menteri Luar Mesir, menyatakan kesediaan bertanding jawatan presiden walaupun tidak yakin Mubarak akan melepaskan jawatan itu. 

Ditanya sama ada berminat untuk bertanding dalam pilihan raya baru Mesir dalam program radio Europe 1, Mussa berkata: “Mengapa tidak? Sudah pasti saya sedia berkhidmat untuk negara sendiri. Saya sedia berkhidmat dan berhak menjadi calon.” – Agensi 

Cikgu Shida Youtube dan Paku & belacan barsama FBI

baru je lepas tengok tv9. FBI bersama cikgu shida dan paku & belacan. Gelak2 tengok. Lagi2 part yg cikgu shida n paku single..... FBI kenen2 kan diorang, n cikgu shida tolak kerusi ke tepi.. Gelak sakan aku....

PS, I Love You [Part 12 & 13]

PS, I Love You

Part 12

SHARON, DENISE AND HOLLY SAT by the window in Bewley's Café overlooking Grafton

Street. They often met up there to watch the world go by; Sharon always said it was the best

window-shopping she could ever do as she had a bird's-eye view of all her favorite stores.

“I can't believe Gerry organized all this!” gasped Denise when she heard the news. She flicked

her long brown hair behind her shoulders and her bright blue eyes sparkled back at Holly

enthusiastically.

“It'll be a bit of fun, won't it?” Sharon said excitedly.

“Oh God.” Holly had butterflies in her stomach just over the thought of it. “I still really, really,

really don't want to do it, but I feel I have to finish off what Gerry started.”

“That's the spirit Hol!” said Denise, “and we'll all be there to cheer you on!”

“Now hold on a minute, Denise,” Holly said, changing the celebratory tone. “I just want you

and Sharon there, no one else. I don't want to make a big deal out of this at all. Let's keep it

between us.”

“But Holly!” Sharon protested. “It is a big deal! No one ever thought you'd do karaoke again

after last time . . .”

“Sharon!” warned Holly. “One must not speak of such things. One is still scarred from that

experience.”

“Well, I think one is a daft cow for not getting over it,” mumbled Sharon.

“So when's the big night?” Denise changed the subject, sensing bad vibes.

“Next Tuesday,” Holly groaned, bending forward and banging her head playfully on the table.

The surrounding customers stared at her curiously.

“She's just out for the day,” Sharon announced to the room, pointing at Holly.

“Don't worry, Holly; that gives you seven days exactly to transform yourself into Mariah Carey.

No problem at all,” Denise said, smiling at Sharon.

“Oh please, we would have a better chance teaching Lennox Lewis how to do ballet,” said

Sharon.

Holly looked up from banging her head. “Well, thanks for the encouragement, Sharon.”

“Ooh, but imagine Lennox Lewis in a pair of tights, that tight little arse dancing around . . . ,”

Denise said dreamily.

Holly and Sharon stopped growling at each other to stare at their friend.

“You've lost the plot, Denise.”

“What?” Denise said, defensively snapping out of her fantasy. “Just imagine those big muscular

thighs . . .”

“That would snap your neck in two if you went near him,” Sharon finished for her.

“Now there's a thought,” Denise said, widening her eyes.

“I can see it all now,” Holly joined in, staring off into space. “The death pages would read:

'Denise Hennessey has tragically died, crushed to death by the most tremendous thunder thighs

after briefly catching a glimpse of heaven . . . ' ”

“I like that,” Denise agreed. “Ooh, and what a way to die! Give me a slice of that heaven!”

“OK, you,” Sharon interrupted, pointing her finger at Denise, “keep your sordid little fantasies

to yourself, please. And you,” she pointed at Holly, “stop trying to change the subject.”

“Oh, you're just jealous, Sharon, because your husband couldn't snap a matchstick between his

skinny little thighs,” teased Denise.

“Excuse me, but John's thighs are perfectly fine, I just wish mine could be more like his,”

Sharon finished.

“Now you!” Denise pointed at Sharon. “Keep your sordid little fantasies to yourself.”

“Girls, girls!” Holly snapped her fingers in the air. “Let's focus on me now, focus on me.” She

gracefully motioned with her hands, bringing them toward her chest.

“OK, Ms. Selfish, what are you planning on singing?”

“I have no idea, that's why I called this emergency meeting.”

“No it's not, you told me you wanted to go shopping,” Sharon said.

“Oh really?” Denise said, looking at Sharon and raising an eyebrow. “I thought you were both

coming to visit me on my lunch break.”

“You are both correct,” Holly asserted. “I am shopping for ideas and I need you both.”

“Ha-ha! Good answer,” they both agreed for once.

“OK, OK!” Sharon exclaimed excitedly. “I think I've got an idea. What was that song we sang

for the whole two weeks in Spain and we couldn't get it out of our heads and it used to bug the

hell out of us?” Holly shrugged her shoulders. If it bugged the hell out of them it was hardly a very good choice.

“I don't know, I wasn't invited on that holiday,” muttered Denise.

“Oh, you know the one, Holly!”

“I can't remember.”

“Oh, you have to!”

“Sharon, I don't think she can remember,” Denise frustratedly said to Sharon.

“Oh, what is it?” Sharon put her face in her hands, irritated. Holly shrugged her shoulders at

Denise again. “OK, I've got it!!” she announced happily, and began to sing loudly in the café. “

'Sun, sea, sex, sand, come on boy give me your hand!' ”

Holly's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as people at the surrounding

tables turned to stare. She turned to Denise for support in silencing Sharon.

“ 'Ooh ooh ooh so sexy, so sexy!' ” Denise joined in with Sharon. Some people stared in

amusement but most in loathing while Denise and Sharon warbled their way through the tacky

European dance song that had been a hit a few summers previously. Just as they were about to

sing the chorus for the fourth time (neither of them could remember the verses), Holly silenced

them.

“Girls, I can't sing that song! Besides, the verses are rapped by a guy!”

“Well, at least you wouldn't have to sing too much,” chuckled Denise.

“No way! I am not rapping at a karaoke competition!”

“Fair enough,” nodded Sharon.

“OK, well, what CD are you listening to at the moment?” Denise got serious again.

“Westlife?” she looked at them hopefully.

“Then sing a Westlife song,” Sharon encouraged. “That way, at least you'll know all the words.”

Sharon and Denise began to laugh uncontrollably. “You might not get the tune right,” Sharon

forced out between hacking laughs.

“But at least you'll know the words!” Denise managed to finish for her before the two of them

doubled over at the table.

First Holly was angry, but looking at the both of them crouched over, holding their stomachs in

hysterics, she had to giggle. They were right, Holly was completely tone-deaf and hadn't a note

in her head. Finding a song she could actually sing was going to prove impossible. Finally after

the girls settled down again, Denise looked at her watch and moaned about having to get back

to work. They left Bewley's (much to the other customers' delight). “The miserable sods will

probably throw a party now,” Sharon had mumbled, passing their tables.

The three girls linked arms and walked down Grafton Street, heading toward the clothes store

where Denise was manager. The day was sunny with just a light chill in the air; Grafton Street

was busy as usual with people running around on their lunch breaks while shoppers slowly

meandered up the street, taking full advantage of the lack of rain. At every stretch of the road

there was a busker fighting for attention from the crowds, and Denise and Sharon

embarrassingly did a quick Irish dance as they passed a man playing the fiddle. He winked at

them and they threw some money into his tweed cap on the ground.

“Right, you ladies of leisure, I better head back to work,” Denise said, pushing the door to her

shop open. As soon as her staff saw her they scarpered from gossiping at the counter and

immediately began to fix the clothes rails. Holly and Sharon tried not to laugh. They said their

good-byes and both headed up to Stephen's Green to collect their cars.

“ 'Sun, sea, sex, sand,' ” Holly quietly sang to herself. “Oh shit, Sharon! You've got that stupid

song in my head now,” she complained.

“You see, there you go with that 'shit Sharon' thing again. So negative, Holly.” Sharon began

humming the song.

“Oh, shut up!” Holly laughed, hitting her on the arm.

PS, I Love You

Part 13

IT WAS FOUR O'CLOCK BY the time Holly eventually got out of town and started heading

home to Swords. Evil Sharon convinced Holly to go shopping after all, which resulted in her

splashing out on a ridiculous top she was far too old to wear. She really needed to watch her

spending from now on; her funds were running low, and without regular income she could sense

tense times ahead. She needed to start thinking about getting a job, but she was finding it hard

enough to get out of bed in the morning as it was, another depressing nine-to-five job wasn't

going to help matters. But it would help pay the bills. Holly sighed loudly, all these things she

had to handle all by herself. The thought of it was just depressing her, and her problem was that

she spent too much time on her own thinking about it. She needed people around her, like today

with Denise and Sharon, as they always succeeded in taking her mind off things. She phoned

her mum and checked if it was all right for her to call around.

“Of course you can, love, you're always welcome here.” Then she lowered her voice to a

whisper, “Just as long as you know that Richard is here.” Christ! What was with all the little

visits all of a sudden? Holly had contemplated heading straight home when she heard that but convinced herself she was being silly. He was her brother, and as annoying as he was, she couldn't go on avoiding him forever.

She arrived to an extremely loud and crowded house and it felt like old times again, hearing

screams and shouts in every room. Her mum was setting an extra place at the table just as she

walked in. “Oh, Mum, you should have told me you were having dinner,” Holly said, giving her

a hug and a kiss.

“Why, have you eaten already?”

“No, actually I'm starving, but I hope you didn't go to too much trouble.”

“No trouble at all, dear, it just means that poor Declan will have to go without food for the day,

that's all,” she said, teasing her son who was taking his seat. He made a face at her.

The atmosphere was so much more relaxed this time around, or maybe it had just been Holly

who was uptight during the last family dinner.

“So, Mr. Hard Worker, why aren't you in college today?” she said sarcastically.

“I've been in college all morning,” he replied, making a face, “and I'm going back in at eight

o'clock, actually.”

“That's very late,” said her father, pouring gravy all over his plate. He always ended up with

more gravy than food on his plate.

“Yeah, but it was the only time I could get to book the editing suite.”

“Is there only one editing suite, Declan?” piped up Richard.

“Yeah.” Ever the conversationalist.

“And how many students are there?”

“It's only a small class, there are just twelve of us.”

“Don't they have the funds for any more?”

“For what, students?” Declan teased.

“No, for another editing suite.”

“No, it's only a small college, Richard.”

“I suppose the bigger universities would be better equipped for things like that, they're better

all-round.”

And there was the dig they were all waiting for.

“No, I wouldn't say that, the facilities are top of the range, there's just fewer people so therefore

less equipment. And the lecturers aren't inferior to university lecturers, they're a bonus because

they work in the industry as well as lecturing. In other words, they practice what they preach.

It's not just textbook stuff.”

Good for you, Declan, Holly thought, and winked across the table at him.

“I wouldn't imagine they get paid well doing that, so they probably have no choice but to lecture

as well.”

“Richard, working in film is a very good job; you're talking about people who have spent years

in college studying for degrees and master's . . .”

“Oh, you get a degree for that, do you?” Richard was amazed. “I thought it was just a little

course you were doing.”

Declan stopped eating and looked at Holly in shock. Funny how Richard's ignorance still

amazed everyone.

“Who do you think makes all those gardening programs you watch, Richard?” Holly interjected.

“They're not just a crowd of people who are doing a little course.”

The thought had clearly never crossed his mind that there was a skill involved.

“Great little programs they are,” he agreed.

“What's your project on, Declan?” Frank asked.

Declan finished chewing his food before he spoke. “Oh, it's kind of too messy to go into, but

basically it's on club life in Dublin.”

“Ooh, will we be in it?” Ciara broke her unusual silence and asked excitedly.

“Yeah, I might just show the back of your head or something,” he joked.

“Well, I can't wait to see it,” Holly said encouragingly.

“Thanks.” Declan put his knife and fork down and started laughing. “Hey, what's this I hear

about you singing in a karaoke competition next week?”

“What?” Ciara yelled, her eyes nearly popping out of her head.

Holly pretended not to know what he was talking about.

“Ah come on, Holly!” he persisted. “Danny told me!” He turned to the rest of the table and

explained, “Danny is the owner of the place where I did the gig the other night and he told me

Holly has entered a karaoke competition in the club upstairs.”

Everyone oohed and aahed and talked about how great it was. Holly refused to give in. “Declan,

Daniel's just playing games with you. Sure everyone knows I can't sing! Now come on,” she

addressed the rest of the table. “Honestly, if I was singing in a karaoke competition I think I

would tell you all.” She laughed as if the thought were so ridiculous. In fact, the thought was so

ridiculous.

“Holly!” he laughed. “I saw your name on the list! Don't lie!”

Holly put her knife and fork down, she suddenly wasn't hungry anymore.

“Holly, why didn't you tell us you're going to sing in a competition?” her mother asked.

“Because I can't sing!”

“Then why are you doing it?” Ciara burst out laughing.

She might as well tell them, she figured; otherwise Declan would beat it out of her and she

didn't like lying to her parents. It's just a shame Richard would have to hear it too.

“OK, it's a really complicated story, but basically Gerry entered my name in months ago because

he really wanted me to do it, and as much as I don't want to do it, I feel I have to go through

with it. It's stupid, I know.”

Ciara stopped laughing abruptly.

Holly felt paranoid with her family staring at her, and she nervously tucked her hair behind her

ears.

“Well, I think that's a wonderful idea,” her dad suddenly announced.

“Yes,” added her mum, “and we'll all be there to support you.”

“No, Mum, you really don't have to, it's no big deal.”

“There's no way my sister is singing in a competition without me being there,” declared Ciara.

“Here, here,” said Richard. “We'll all go so. I've never been to a karaoke before, it should be . . .

,” he searched his brain for the right word, “. . . fun.”

Holly groaned and closed her eyes, wishing she had gone straight home from town. Declan was

laughing hysterically. “Yes, Holly, it'll be . . . hmmm . . . ,” he said, scratching his chin, “. . .

fun!”

“When is it on?” Richard said, taking out his diary.

“Eh . . . Saturday,” Holly lied, and Richard began writing it down.

“It is not!” Declan burst out. “It's next Tuesday, you liar!”

“Shit!” cursed Richard, much to everyone's surprise. “Has anyone got any Tipp-Ex?”

Holly could not stop going to the toilet. She was nervous and had gotten practically no sleep the

night before. And she looked just the way she felt. There were huge bags under her bloodshot

eyes, and her lips were bitten.

The big day had arrived, her worst nightmare, singing in public.Holly wasn't the kind of person who even sang in the shower, for fear of cracking all the mirrors. But man, was she spending time in the toilet today. There was no better laxative than fear, and Holly felt like she had lost a stone in just one day. Her friends and family had been as supportive as ever, sending her good luck cards. Sharon and John had even sent her a bouquet of flowers, which she placed on the draft-free, heat-vent-free coffee table beside her half-dead orchid. Denise had “hilariously” sent her a sympathy card.

Holly dressed in the outfit Gerry had told her to buy in April and cursed him all throughout.

There were far more important things to worry about right now than irrelevant little details like

how she looked. She left her hair down so it could cover her face as much as possible and piled

on the waterproof mascara as though it could prevent her from crying. She could foresee the

night ending in tears. She tended to have psychic powers when it came to facing the shittiest

days of her life.

John and Sharon collected Holly in the taxi and she refused to talk to them, cursing everyone for

forcing her to do this. She felt physically sick and couldn't sit still. Every time the taxi stopped at

a red light she contemplated jumping out and running for dear life, but by the time she built up

the courage the lights would go green again. Her hands fidgeted nervously and she kept opening and closing her bag, pretending to Sharon she was searching for something just to keep herself occupied.

“Relax, Holly,” Sharon said soothingly, “everything will be fine.”

“Fuck off,” she snapped.

They continued on in silence for the rest of the journey, even the taxi driver didn't speak. They

finally reached Hogan's, and John and Sharon had a hell of a time trying to stop her ranting

(something about preferring to jump in the River Liffey) and persuading her to go inside. Much

to Holly's horror, the club was absolutely jammed, and she had to squeeze by everyone to make

her way to her family, who had saved a table (right beside the toilet as requested).

Richard was sitting awkwardly on a stool looking out of place in a suit. “So tell me about these

rules, Father, what will Holly have to do?” Holly's dad explained the “rules” of karaoke to

Richard and her nerves began to build even more.

“Gosh, that's terrific, isn't it?” Richard said, staring around the club in awe. Holly didn't think he

had ever been in a nightclub before.

The sight of the stage terrified Holly; it was much bigger than she had expected and there was a

huge screen on the wall for the crowd to see the words of the songs. Jack was sitting with his

arm draped around Abbey's shoulders; they both gave her a supportive smile. Holly scowled at

them and looked away.

“Holly, the funniest thing just happened earlier on,” Jack said, laughing. “Remember that guy

Daniel we met last week?”

Holly just stared at him, watching his lips moving but not giving a damn about what he said.

“Well, me and Abbey got here first to keep the table and we were having a kiss and your man

came over and whispered in my ear that you were gonna be here tonight. He thought we were

going out and that I was doing the dirt!” Jack and Abbey laughed hysterically.

“Well, I think that's disgusting,” Holly said and turned away.

“No,” Jack tried to explain, “he didn't know that we were brother and sister. I had to explain . .

.” Jack trailed off as Sharon shot him a warning look and silenced him.

“Hi, Holly,” Daniel said, approaching her with a clipboard in his hand, “OK, the order of tonight

is the following: First up is a girl called Margaret, then a guy called Keith and then you're up

after him. Is that OK?”

“So I'm third.”

“Yeah, after . . .”

“That's all I need to know,” Holly snapped rudely. She just wanted to get out of this stupid club

and wished that everyone would just stop annoying her and leave her alone to wish evil

thoughts on them all. She wished the ground would open and swallow her up, that a natural

disaster would occur and everyone would have to evacuate the building. In fact, that was a good

idea; she searched around frantically for a button to raise the fire alarm, but Daniel was still

talking away to her.

“Look, Holly, I'm really sorry to disturb you again, but could you tell me which of your friends is

Sharon?” He looked like he was afraid she was going to bite his head off. So he should be, she

thought, squinting her eyes.

“Her over there.” Holly pointed to Sharon. “Hold on, why?”

“Oh, I just wanted to apologize for the last time we spoke.” He started to walk toward Sharon.

“Why?” Holly said with panic in her voice, making him turn around again.

“Oh, we just had a minor disagreement on the phone last week.” He looked at her confused as

to why he had to explain himself to her.

“You know, you really don't need to do that, she's probably forgotten about it completely by

now,” she stammered. This was the last thing she needed.

“Yeah, but I would still like to apologize,” and he headed over to her. Holly leapt from her

stool.

“Sharon, hi, I'm Daniel, I just wanted to apologize about the confusion on the phone last week.”

Sharon looked at him as though he had ten heads. “Confusion?”

“You know, on the phone?”

John placed his arm protectively around her waist.

“On the phone?”

“Eh . . . yes, on the phone.” He nodded.

“What's your name again?”

“Em, it's Daniel.”

“And we spoke on the phone?” Sharon said with a smile appearing on her face.

Holly gestured wildly to her behind Daniel's back. Daniel cleared his throat nervously. “Yes, you

called the club last week and I answered, does that ring a bell?”

“No, sweetie, you've got the wrong girl,” Sharon said politely.

John threw Sharon a dirty look for calling him sweetie; if it had been up to him he would have

told Daniel where to go. Daniel brushed his hand through his hair and appeared to be more

confused than anyone else and began to turn around to face Holly.

Holly nodded her head frantically to Sharon.

“Oh . . . ,” Sharon said, looking like she finally remembered. “Oh Daniel!” she yelled, a bit

overenthusiastically. “God, I am so sorry, my brain cells seem to be going a bit dead.” She

laughed like a madwoman. “Must be too much of this,” she laughed, picking up her drink.

Relief washed over Daniel's face. “Good, I thought it was me going mad there for a minute!

OK, so you remember us having that conversation on the phone?”

“Oh, that conversation we had on the phone. Listen, don't worry about it,” she said, waving her

hand dismissively.

“It's just that I only took over the place a few weeks ago and I wasn't too sure of the exact

arrangements for tonight.”

“Oh, don't worry . . . we all need our time . . . to adjust . . . to things . . . you know?” Sharon

looked at Holly to see if she had said the right thing or not.

“OK then, well, it's nice to finally meet you in person,” Daniel laughed. “Can I get you a stool or

anything?” he said, trying to be funny.

Sharon and John sat on their stools and stared back at him in silence, not knowing what to say

to this strange man.

John watched with suspicion as Daniel walked away.

“What was that all about?” Sharon asked Holly as soon as he was out of earshot.

“Oh, I'll explain it to you later,” said Holly as she turned to face the stage. Their karaoke host

for the evening was just stepping up onstage.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!” he announced.

“Good evening!” shouted Richard, looking excited. Holly rolled her eyes up to heaven.

“We have an exciting night ahead of us . . .” He went on and on and on in his DJ voice while

Holly danced nervously from foot to foot. She desperately needed the toilet again.

“So first up tonight we have Margaret from Tallaght, who is going to sing the theme to Titanic,

'My Heart Will Go On,' by Celine Dion. Please put your hands together for the wonderful

Margaret!” The crowd went wild. Holly's heart raced. The hardest song in the world to sing,

typical.

When Margaret began to sing, the room became so quiet you could almost hear a pin drop.

Holly looked around the room and watched everyone's faces. They were all staring at Margaret

in amazement, including Holly's family, the traitors. Margaret's eyes were closed and she sang

with such passion it seemed she had lived every line of the song. Holly hated her and

contemplated tripping her up on her way back to her seat.

“Wasn't that incredible?” the DJ announced. The crowd cheered again, and Holly prepared

herself not to hear that sound after her own song. “Next up we have Keith, you may remember

him as last year's winner, and he's singing 'America,' by Neil Diamond. Give it up for Keith!”

Holly didn't need to hear any more and rushed into the toilet.

She paced up and down the toilet and tried to calm herself, her knees were knocking, her

stomach was twisted in knots and she felt the beginnings of vomit rising to her mouth. She

looked at herself in the mirror and tried to take big deep breaths. It didn't work, as it only made

her feel dizzy. The crowd applauded outside and Holly froze. She was next.

“Wasn't Keith terrific, ladies and gentlemen?”

Lots of cheers again.

“Perhaps Keith is going for the record of winning two years in a row, well, it doesn't get any

better than that!”

It was about to get a lot worse.

“Next we have a newcomer to the competition. Her name is Holly and she's singing . . .”

Holly ran to the cubicle and locked herself in. There was no way in this world they were getting

her out of there.

“So ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for Holly!”

There was a huge applause.

to be cont'd