Left or Right?

Got this from my sister. You may want to try it for yourself. :D

First, identify yourself as right or left brain person:

1. Hold your hands together, as if you were praying. Look at your hands.

Left thumb is below the right thumb ---> left brain
Right thumb is below the left thumb ---> right brain

2. Fold your arms in front of you (as if you are angry)

Right arm above left arm ---> left brain
Left arm above right arm ---> right brain

Based on 1+2 (order important), below is the interpretation of your personality:

Right-Left

Considerate, traditional, indirect type

Can instinctively read other's emotion, and respond friendly by natures. Although not very into taking initiatives in moving forward, but this person will always take a step back in supporting others. Stable personality and considerate, give others a being protected feeling. But the weakness is they cannot say no; regardless how unwilling they are, they will take care of others.

Right-Right

Loves challenges type

Straightforward. Once they decided on one thing, will take action right away. Very curious, and love challenges. Dare to face dangers without thinking through (sometimes foolishly). Their weakness is they don't listen to others, will filter in only what whey want to hear in a conversation, and very subjective. However, because of their straightforward attitude, they tend to be fairly popular.

Left-Left

Dedicated, cold, perfectionist

Very logical in all aspects. The only way to defeat (or win over) him/her is through reasons. Has a lot of prides, and feeling strongly about doing the right thing. If they are your friends, they are very trustworthy. However, if they are your opponents, they will be very tough to deal with. Because they can be very "anal" as a perfectionist, they usually leave a bad impression of being hard to deal with when first met.

Left-Right

Likes to take care of others, leader type

Has a cool and keen observation ability to see through situations, yet still can be considerate in others needs. Because of their cool and calm nature, and strong sense of responsibility, they tend to become head of a group. Popular among people. However, they may not be able to help themselves in meddling because they want to take care of others too much. Very concerned about how others view them, and always on alert.

My Faye-vorite Idol

It was one of those usual lazy Saturday afternoon, when I decided to ransack my cd collections and found some of Faye Wong's cds I bought years back. And yes, she's my favorite chinese singer ever since the release of her 'Tian Kong' album at the end of 1994. It was arguably one of the best Mandarin pop album ever produced to date, and undoubtedly a classic among all other Mandarin music. Even the alternative music fans would find her music so appealing.

My Faye-vorite CD collections

A lil bit on her background. Born on 8th August 1969, she first shot to fame with the stage name Shirley Wong. As she was reaching stardom after the release of her first album, she decided to travel to US to study music and to better her vocal. When she returned to Hong Kong, she released a very important album to her career, Coming Home, and decided to changed her name to the original Faye Wong. Several songs from this album became big hits. This album's popularity made her a superstar. From then on, there was no turning back for her.

This Chinese pop diva has since been a favorite among chinese music listeners throughout the 90's. Surprisingly, not everyone likes her though. Some says she's snobbish. I'd say she's got character! Some condemns the way she sings. To me, her voice is simply unique, second to none! And when she came to Malaysia for her Scenic Tour 98-99 Concert in August 1999, I did not miss the chance to catch her live performance. What can I say, splendid!

I'm still keeping the concert ticket :D

Unfortunately, after giving birth to her second child, she's rumoured to have left the music industry for good. May she and her family be well, and of course if you'd ask, I still harbor the hope of her returning and continue to graze the music world with her unique vocal. Even if she doesn't, she has certainly set a high standard benchmark for fellow chinese diva-hopefuls to follow. She will always be remembered for her exceptional music talent and her chart-topping wonderful chinese songs.

Below are some of her pic I snapped from the picture magazine I bought during her 1999 concert in Bukit Jalil.

Cheers Faye!

Smart Tag Price Reduced

Folks, if you haven't got one, now is the time to get it. Smart TAG will cost only RM50 for the next three months in conjunction with the 50th Merdeka Day celebrations. Motorists will have to pay RM65 for one set, which would include RM10 for the prepaid credit.

However, in June, you can only get it from selected toll plazas, Rawang, Sg Buloh, Kota Damansara, Jalan Duta and Sg Besi. The following month it would be made available at Penang Bridge, Elite expressway and Linkedua in Johor. And in August the items would be available at all toll plazas.

Black Fury

Lady luck must have been smiling at me. What was first seemed another one of those contests that lures internet user into believing that there are prizes to be won, has turned out to be something real indeed, not until I won it myself! LOL...

So what is this Black Fury hype all about. It's a super energy drink, simple as that. Not only does it injects energy into your physical activities, it increases and maintains alertness, endurance and performance levels of your body and mind. For more info, pls go to BlackFury.

Follow the instructions there and get yourselves registered in just a few simple steps. Who knows you might just be the next person Lady Luck chooses! All the best folks.

Don't forget to check me out in the winners list too. :D

Thanks to Black Fury!

Futsal

I believe during recent times, majority of football lovers are leaning towards Futsal (indoor soccer) rather than the field soccer. Reasons?? We no longer need to play under the hot sun. Secondly, convenience. We can play at any time, even at night. Thirdly, for working people like me, sports activities are getting limited, beer intake is ever increasing, resulting in poor stamina. Imagine having to run in the big football field chasing for one ball. So Futsal is just about the right alternative for people like me.

But how many of us actually know the rules and regulation of Futsal? Most of the time, we just play and couldn't be bothered by these rules. Important thing is we have fun. But at times, questions arise. Can we score inside the penalty box? Is a backpass to the goalkeeper allowed? Sliding tackle? Any goalkicks? Or just plain throw by the keeper?

Being a futsal fanatic myself, I decided to look it up in the internet. Below are some of the official FIFA Futsal rules taken from gofutsal.com for our reference. I believe some of the rules seem difficult to follow. What the heck, just play the game!

Number of Players
1. Minimum Number of Players to Start Match: 5, one of whom shall be a goalkeeper
2. Minimum Number of Players to Finish Match: 2
3. Maximum Number of Substitutes: 7
4. Substitution Limit: None
5. Substitution Method: "Flying substitution" (all players but the goalkeeper enter and leave as they please; goalkeeper substitutions can only be made when the ball is out of play and with a referee's consent)

Ball in and out of Play
1. Ball out of play: When it has wholly crossed the goal line or touchline; when the game has been stopped by a referee; when the ball hits the ceiling (restart: dropped ball beneath that point).
2. Lines: Touchlines and goal lines are considered inside the playing area.

Method of Scoring
When the whole of the ball has passed over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar (except by illegal means).

Fouls and Misconduct Direct free kick awarded when a player intentionally commits any of the following 11 offenses (penalty kick awarded when infringement takes place in penalty area):
1. kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
2. tripping an opponent
3. jumping at an opponent
4. charging an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner
5. charging an opponent from behind
6. holding an opponent
7. pushing an opponent
8. charging an opponent with shoulder (i.e., shoulder charge)
9. sliding at an opponent (i.e., sliding tackle)
10. handling the ball (except goalkeeper)

Indirect free kick awarded when any of the following 8 offenses is committed (kick taken from the 6-meter line when infringement takes place in penalty area):
1. dangerous play (e.g. attempting to kick ball held by goalkeeper)
2. obstruction
3. charging the goalkeeper in the penalty area (i.e., goalkeeper charge)
4. goalkeeper throws ball directly over the halfway-line (without it first touching his own side of the pitch or any player)
5. goalkeeper picks up or touches with his hands a backpass
6. goalkeeper picks up or touches with his hands a kick-in from a teammate
7. goalkeeper controls the ball with any part of his body for more than 4 seconds
8. goalkeeper touches with any part of his body a backpass that has been played back to him before the ball has (1) crossed the halfway-line or (2) been touched by an opponent

Players shall be cautioned (i.e., shown yellow card) when:
1. a substituting player enters the pitch from an incorrect position or before the player he is substituting has entirely left the pitch
2. he persistently infringes the Laws of the Game
3. he shows dissent with any decision of the referee
4. he is guilty of ungentlemanly conduct These 4 yellow-card offenses are punishable by an indirect free kick taken from the point of infringement (or from the 6-meter line when the infringement takes place in penalty area).

Players shall be sent off (i.e., shown the red card) for:
1. serious foul play
2. violent conduct
3. foul or abusive language
4. second instance of cautionable offense (i.e., second yellow card)
5. intentionally impeding a clear goal opportunity (e.g. through a "professional foul")
6. intentionally impeding a clear goal opportunity in the penalty area by handling the ball Direct free kicks (or penalty kicks) accompany the expulsion for (a), (b), (e) and (f); indirect free kicks, for (c) and (d) (from the 6-meter line when the infringement takes place in the penalty area).

Rules of Expulsion:
1. The player sent off is out for the rest of the game and is not even permitted to sit on the reserves' bench.
2. The team of the player sent off can substitute for that player after 2 minutes of playing time or after the opposing team scores -- which ever comes first.
3. The 2-minute punishment shall be checked by the timekeeper (or by the assistant referee, if there is no timekeeper).
4. The substitute cannot come on until the ball is out of play and he has a referee's consent.

Free Kick
1. Types: Direct free kicks and indirect free kicks
2. Wall: At least 5 meters away until the ball is in play
3. Ball in Play: After it has traveled the distance of its own circumference
4. Time Limit: Kick must be taken within 4 seconds
5. Restriction: Kicker cannot touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player

Accumulated Fouls

Once a team has accumulated 5 fouls during a half (those accumulated in the second half continue to accumulate into extra time), from the 6th foul:

1. that team shall not be allowed a defensive wall
2. all free kicks shall be direct (no indirect free kicks)
3. infringements committed within 12 meters of the goal line shall be punished with a direct free kick from the point of infringement; infringements committed from 12 meters or further from the goal line shall be punished with a direct free kick from the Second Penalty Spot Procedure.
4. Until the ball is kicked into play, all players other than the goalkeeper and kicker shall remain behind an imaginary line that is in line with the ball and parallel to the goal line.
5. The goalkeeper shall remain in his penalty area at least 5 m away from the ball.
6. The kicker must aim at the goal, with the intention of scoring.
7. No other player may touch the ball until it has been touched by the pitch, rebounded from the goal post or crossbar, or has left the pitch.
8. If the infringement took place in penalty area (and does not merit a penalty kick), the free kick is to be taken from the 6-m-line on the spot nearest to where the infringement occurred.

Penalty Kick
1. To be taken from the penalty mark on the mid-point of the 6-m-line.
2. The kicker is to aim at goal, with the intention of scoring.
3. All players must be out of the penalty area, and the players of the opposing team must also be at least 5 m from the penalty spot.
4. The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.

Kick-in
1. To be taken in place of the throw-in.
2. The ball is placed on the touch line before kicking.
3. The kicker's foot not kicking the ball must be outside or at least on the touchline; if it crosses the touchline all of the way, into the pitch, the kick-in is given to the opposing team.
4. The kick-in must be taken within 4 seconds; if it is not, the kick-in is given to the opposing team.
5. The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has been played by another player; infringement of this rule entail an indirect free kick to the opposing from the point of infringement.
6. Players on opposing team must be at least 5 m away from point of kick-in.
7. Cannot score directly from a kick-in.

Goal Clearance
1. To be taken in place of goal kick.
2. From inside the penalty area, the goalkeeper throws the ball into play.
3. The ball is not in play until it has passed outside of the penalty area. If the goal clearance is received inside of the penalty area, the goal clearance shall be taken over.

Corner Kick
1. Ball placed on the corner (no corner-kick arc). If ball is misplaced, the corner kick is taken over.
2. Must be taken within 4 seconds; failure to do so entails indirect free kick to the opposing team from the corner mark.
3. The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has been played by another player; infringement of this rule entail an indirect free kick to the opposing from the point of infringement.
4. Players on opposing team must be at least 5 m away from point of the corner kick.
5. Can score goal directly from a corner kick.

Penalty Kick Shoot-out
1. Main referee decides goal to be used.
2. Coin tossed to decide order.
3. Five kicks to be taken by 5 different players selected from the 12 suited players. Captain of each team announces these 5 to the main referee before the kicks are taken.
4. If two teams are still tied after 5 kicks, the additional kicks will be taken on a sudden-death basis by the rest of the players who have not kicked yet.
5. Players sent off during the match are not eligible to take these kicks.
6. Any eligible player may change places with his goalkeeper.
7. While the penalty shoot-out is in progress, players will remain on the opposite half of the pitch. The assistant referee shall control this area.

England Surely Missed Becks

The headlines says it all. He's done it again. The boy is undoubtedly one of the best crosser of the ball in the world. Check out the great moments in the match against Estonia. Credits to Owen who is back in the scoring sheet for England after a lengthy injury spell last season. Do also check out how Crouchy heads the ball beyond the keeper's reach, courtesy of a Beckham's (who else's?) trademark pinpoint cross from the right flank.

Some said Becks did a mistake by choosing to play in the US for Galaxy next season. Well, I think he certainly has a few more good footballing years in him, to play in some better and more challenging football leagues in Europe. I'm not saying that the Americans play lousy soccer, but lets be realistic, I think the standard of their soccer league there is far below the likes of the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga etc. And I think it won't do Beck's England career any good.

Having said that, lets wish him all the best and hope he continues to play and shine for England for as long as he can. Cheers Becks!!!

A Whole New Place...Soon

As we grow older, we'll find that decision making is well becoming part and parcel of our lives. Less than 2 years back, me and my gf decided to get a house of our own. After serious consideration, we decided to make the drastic move. No doubt now we have to fork out extra money every month for the house loan, but think this way. We are now paying for something that belongs to us, rather than indirectly helping someone else to pay their house loan with our monthly house rental.

I must admit, it wasn't easy, I mean all the procedures, loans, agreements, banks, lawyers, developers etc. Gosh suddenly I felt it was getting rather complicated and we're burdened with extra responsibilities. But we learned and I'm glad to say, the enthusiasm got us through.

Our house was finally completed and we got the CF towards the end of March 2007. After some minor complaints and eventually the fixes by the developer, we decided to do some renovation. We thought the kitchen was rather small and that the extra land behind is of no use. Simple as that, we extended the kitchen, and in the process, we shifted the toilet from it's original place to the back of the house and enlarged the room beside it.

It took us long enough to look for a good and reputable contractor. I think we went to about 5-6 contractors before finally settling for one. And before we can start the renovation, we had to get the necessary approval from the local authority, in my case, Majlis Perbandaran Sepang.

I thought it was going to be hell of a time dealing with these government people. But much to my amazement, the person I dealt with, Pn Kamariah was really helpful and kind to me, even before the salary increment's announcement for all government servants. :D Two visits to Sepang and finally, we were given the green light to start the renovation works. She really changed my negative view towards government servants. Credits to her, cheers!

Almost 2 months now, and the renovation works are nearing completion. Still some paint works to be done though. We are anxiously waiting for its completion and looking forward to move in to our own new place. Hopefully everything will be good then. Cheers!