Last year (2008) I terribly missed the Christmas at America as I was supposed to leave well ahead of Christmas. Therefore, I just missed 2008 white Christmas at Green Bay. But, this year (2009) god created that chance with my wife. Here in Singapore, celebration of Christmas started well in advance - much before indeed. Streets were decorated and sparkling lights everywhere - especially at Orchard Road. I was just stunned to see those - that too a National govt. spending like heck.


Last 2 nights went to roam around at Orchard Road, it was fabulous. I really admire their enthusiasm in celebrating festivals. Be it Christmas, Be it Deepavali, Be it Chinese New Year or Be it Hari Raya - all with full energetic - however, Christmas is THE grand one.

And on Christmas eve and on Christmas, the Orchard road was closed for vehicles and people (including me) started walking on the roads. Mid of the road, there was an orchestra group from LA, CA, USA. That was another sparkling thing at the Orchard.

At office, everybody start sharing sweets and gifts to each other. I really admire this culture of sharing love and gifts. This is how an organization cultivates a good working culture and relationships among workers.

SALE? - No scarcity for sale in Singapore and that too in festival season.

Overall, it is a real great feeling and good experience indeed. God Bless!!

what is ART? - Average Reading Time. Interesting one that I came across at the local library. The average human ART is 180 to 200 words per minute. Good to know isn't it?

I came across this particular mail as forwards, but worth sharing. Of course, I didn't vouch for the authenticity of the origin of the message - whether this was a real speech by Chetan Bhagat - BUT something good that worth sharing. Here we go:

Speech by Chetan Bhagat at Symbiosis ...must read...

Don't just have career or academic goals. Set goals to give you a balanced, successful life. I use the word balanced before successful. Balanced means ensuring your health, relationships, mental peace are all in good order.

There is no point of getting a promotion on the day of your breakup. There is no fun in driving a car if your back hurts. Shopping is not enjoyable if your mind is full of tensions.

"Life is one of those races in nursery school where you have to run with a marble in a spoon kept in your mouth. If the marble falls, there is no point coming first. Same is with life where health and relationships are the marble. Your striving is only worth it if there is harmony in your life. Else, you may achieve the success, but this spark, this feeling of being excited and alive, will start to die...................

One thing about nurturing the spark - don't take life seriously. Life is not meant to be taken seriously, as we are really temporary here. We are like a pre-paid card with limited validity. If we are lucky, we may last another 50 years. And 50 years is just 2,500 weekends. Do we really need to get so worked up? ................

It's ok, bunk a few classes, scoring low in couple of papers, goof up a few interviews, take leave from work, fall in love, little fights with your spouse. We are people, not programmed devices........." :)

"Don't be serious, be sincere."!!

Been to Mount Faber Walk Singapore. Really a nice place to visit. And we enjoyed each and every minute over there. Its a very good place to visit on a weekend with family or friends or even alone - if you are that kind of a person.


It really exhibiting the architectural amazing in there. Henderson waves & forest walks and many more. Since went on a week end evening, the climatic condition coupled with drizzling rain took us to the peak of romantic mood. We went with packed food (home made) and had over there - real fun.

Many of us might tend to forget this place (after one year I came to know about this place) as its in a very reachable distance. Try visit once or whenever you get time. Awesome bird's eye view of Singapore and the nearest islands - from hill top.

How to?

Get down at Harbor Front terminal (NE line or Purple Line)
Head to Exit B and go to McDonalds Taxi Stand and catch a taxi.
Get down at "Jewel Box" - Cable Car Station.
Start exploring the entire hill station with a walk.
You can get down at Henderson Road to catch local bus service to reach back the Station / City.

Yes, Finally, I've decided (rather pushed towards) to give up CPA. Circumstances, Time & Money is not favorable to me at this juncture to continue with this course. But I am leaving with loads of memories of this course - dream course. Let the time answer. However, who read these guidance posts can better make it - successfully. You can take me as just another bad example on this ;-) ciao.....

Just wanted to reproduce my mail that I sent on 07 Aug 2008 (23:33 CST). For which I'm still waiting for the reply from local authorities of Coimbatore.

Dear Sir / Madam,
Hope this mail finds you in better health & greater spirit! Try spen at least 5-10mins goin thru this.

Introduction

I am basically an Indian Chartered Accountant (27) and traveling major part of the world upon my professional requirements. At present in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the USA. I’m currently an NRI (Non- Resident Indian). I was a member of Town Hall & R.S. Puram library during my school & college days (from 1993). Right now I’m a member in Brown County Library (in Wisconsin State, USA). I’m so surprised to see lot of things offered in this library (though it’s a village of 100,000 populations only). Therefore, I wish the same can be made in Coimbatore - if everyone works together.

Purpose of this mail

To make everyone a mankind!

I wish I could help or at least try in providing thru library some basic necessities of current students / youngsters – who are all in needy and un-affordable people -to enlighten their knowledge starving. I know how much I starved (even now) for knowledge resources. I wish I could give back something to my society – especially Coimbatore – my own town.

I have lots of ideas – of course it’s a big project can involve more youngsters / college students who love to help the community. I strongly trust that education / books are only the back bone of every advanced society. I see this from here.

My ideas / Project

I’m unsure how much it’s practicable AND you are interested in this or even I don’t even know if you take up this from me – simply because of the fact – that you are the controlling authority and I’m just a simple person – thinking globally but acting locally – without sufficient resources. I foresee 5 to 10 years down the line and coming decades with all enlightened people out of this project. This is 100% non-profit motive and 100% serving the community.

In short, I would like to concentrate on these areas:

  1. Integrating all the 300 libraries – under Coimbatore
  2. Consolidating all books’ catalogues – accessible thru internet.
  3. Setting up an net library – with user ID and Password to access eBooks
  4. ILL – Concept of Inter- Library Loans. (If particular book is not available in local library and getting from some other library – from same dist. Or other)
  5. Introducing weekly once a free trip to and from the local libraries – age group 12 to 17 (up to class 12) – say, every Saturday between 1100am – 0300pm. (off peak hrs.) On showing your library membership cards – should make tie-up with TNSTC.
  6. Online book request and renewal.
  7. Organizing old used book sale – every 3 months – at cheaper rates.
  8. Organizing college student volunteers – for No. 1 above – for computer related technical activities (this will save cost).
  9. Introducing free internet access in selected libraries – 15 mins - 30mins per member (max.) – can tie up with CTS in Coimbatore or Some other software companies resources.

What you can do:

Analyze the feasibility of all these above and you will want to get more clarity / further step by step things – for which I’m mostly available from here / or any part of the world AND – you may budget the hours / money resources + getting appropriate approvals from various line authorities.

You will want to visit my local county library website: http://www.co.brown.wi.us/library/

What I can do:

Support at least 1 hr. per day – by any means – having discussion / email replies / even can have teleconferences.

  1. Planning simulate the whole American library system to Coimbatore.
  2. I’m not affordable to provide financial assistance as – I’m still a student and not self sufficient.

What WE can do:

Hold our hands till this on-going project. If possible – hold a meeting in my next week Indian vacation. Between 08/12/2008 to 08/20/2008.

Conclusion:

GOD BLESS COIMBATORE!!

take care,

Best Regards,

ALN

--

Hello...Hello.. is there anyone hearing this (rather listening??)

Food for thought – with pure fun J ENJOY!!

A big city lawyer went duck hunting in rural North Cowra. He shot and dropped a bird, but it fell into a farmer's field on the other side of a fence. As the lawyer climbed over the fence, an elderly farmer drove up on his tractor and asked him what he was doing. The litigator responded, “I shot a duck and it fell in this field, and now I'm going to retrieve it."

The old farmer Peter replied, "This is my property, and you are not coming over here."

The indignant lawyer said, "I am one of the best trial lawyers in Australia and, if you don’t let me get that duck, I'll sue you and take everything you own."

The old farmer smiled and said, "Apparently, you don't know how we settle disputes in North Cowra. We settle small disagreements like this with the 'Three Kick Rule.'

The lawyer asked, "What is the 'Three Kick Rule'?"

The Farmer replied, "Well, because the dispute occurs on my land, I get to go first. I kick you three times and then you kick me three times and so on back and forth until someone gives up."The lawyer quickly thought about the proposed contest and decided that he could easily take the old codger. He agreed to abide by the local custom.

The old farmer slowly climbed down from the tractor and walked up to the attorney. His first kick planted the toe of his heavy steel-toed work boot into the lawyer's groin and dropped him to his knees!

His second kick to the midriff sent the lawyer's last meal gushing from his mouth. The lawyer was on all fours when the farmer’s third kick to his rear end, sent him face-first into a fresh cow pie.Summoning every bit of his will and remaining strength the lawyer very slowly managed to get to his feet. Wiping his face with the arm of his jacket, he said, "Okay, you old fart. Now it's my turn."

The old farmer smiled and said, "Nah, I give up. You can have the duck."

Moral:

When you are educated, you’ll believe only half of what you hear.

When you’re intelligent, you know which half.

How a country can impose more than ONE tax for a single thing / person / whatever..Yes, it's possible only in our beloved INDIA. A beautiful article which nudes Indian tax system by my ex-CEO tick here..

It's really an amazing thing to view such a thing in the screen. Nearly 2+ hrs. movie. I also reviewed the behind the scene and learned that it was 50,000 sq ft. space that was built to pictuarize the earthquake scene. And the whole 2 hrs. we were totally surrendered in that and were really heading to China to escape.

The most important thing in that movie was - the thought originates from INDIA. I wish this shouldn't happen. It was really scaring concept that north pole moves to wisconsin (where I stayed nearly for an year -2008) and India moves upward. I recommend to see at least once - real thriller while you come out of theater. The Director touched the part of civilization as well - good try.

It happened to me along with my family went to a small city called "ipoh" in Malaysia. A cool, calm and peaceful city where no adulteration of any of today's hi-tech city things entered into. One important thing to note is the language the people speak. Yes, no wonder it's "Tamil". Most of the people speak tamil. Then we visited to "Penang" aka "World Heritage City - given by UNESCO". I would say that this city or island is another Singapore. Such a high rise buildings and amazing beauty in and around the city.

Another great thing worth mention - is again, yes, its "Tamil" again. Majority of the people speak tamil. Point to be kept in mind is security. You need to be very careful while roaming in both the places. Wonderful journey - just starts.

This particular post, I wanted to post long back but just now I got the right time - probably yes! Well, my first visit (rather my first international travel) to Singapore was in Sep. 2006. I did not made exhaustive visit out side by that time - meaning, just as a tourist visit. I was just surprised with the "tamil" name boards / hoardings on the streets. And it was after my US of A trip i.e. Dec 08 that making me to explore nook and corner of Singapore - the country city.


Singapore is in a way akin to Tamil Nadu in a sense that lots of life styles which reflects our Tamil Nadu life. If it happened to you to go to "Little India" you could witness it. I was just surprised why the SAME people (tamil) unable to follow this same "discipline" at our own country..is it because of the administration? or the mentality - you are not good so am I!!

I meant everything, the bus travel, littering on the streets, standing in a lane, waiting at the restaurants..almost in everything. Is it because of penalties & imprisonments that made them to behave like that? Yea, I agree to some extent. Having said that, allow me to pose a question too - is it not possible to do this without penalties & imprisonments - can can... (Singlish) - how? - just simple way - self discipline.

The greatest salesman in the world


I am just reproducing this great blog from my ex-boss!! Really worth reading..

This weekend's light reading (or viewing I should say) is something that my good friend, Subroto Bagchi, sent me some 8 years ago. Thanks Subroto for sharing something very inspirational.

This is the story of Bill Porter. Born in the US in 1932, Bill moved to Portland at an early age where he lives now. He was born with cerebral palsy and lost his father early. They told him he would never work and nobody would employ him. He refused to go on disability and convinced Watkins Inc. to give him a job as a door to door salesman.

He needed help to dress. He could not drive. His speech was slurred. He was often in pain. And what did he do - he became the top selling salesman in Watkins. He was hit by a car in 1998 and broke his hip. He could no longer do door to door - Instead he has turned into an online salesman. (visit his online shop here). Some 50 years after they told him nobody would give him a job, he's selling fine, thank you. And when asked how he overcame all his obstacles, he says I don't have any obstacles.

Shelly Brady first met Bill as a teenager when she worked for him to help him deliver his products. Since then she has become a close friend and now she is a motivational speaker. She has written a book - Ten Things I learned from Bill Porter. You can read an extract from the book here.

In 1995, The Oregonian, wrote a story on Bill Porter in the newspaper. that brought Bill into the public limelight. He was featured in The Readers Digest and ABC's 20/20. He was the subject of a made for TV film on TNT called Door to Door. The film won six Emmy awards.

There's a film on Bill Porter in Shelly's website. Its 30 minutes long, but a fascinating watch. Grab a cup of coffee, make yourself comfortable and watch it. Trust me; you will be inspired, for Bill Porter is a remarkable man. Click here to watch it

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