Teen Age : has time and energy, but no money.
Middle Age : has energy and money, but no time.
Old Age : has money and time, but no energy.
Showing posts with label Live Experience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Live Experience. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Am I A Fool?
You might have been approached by people on the street who asked for money for some reasons (e.g. to buy a ticket to go home because he lost his wallet etc.) Sometimes you might struggle whether you should give help or not. You know that if you lend the money, it's very unlikely you will get it back (you don't want to leave your contact to a person you don't know anyway). You might have seen or heard from the news that there are plenty of people who lie in order to cheat for money. Although the amount of money may not be too much, you might think you would become a fool if you are cheated by one of those. What will you do?
Imagine the person isn't a liar and we turn him down. He might panic and feel desperate. He might have missed something very important, the result of which may be very serious (e.g. he needs to go home urgently because his child is very sick etc.) In that case, we might have unknowingly done something very seriously wrong just because we decline to help. On the other hand, if the person is indeed a liar and we are cheated. It is only he who has done wrong and not us. If a person lies to cheat for money, he must be in need of money for some reasons, be they good or bad. He might need the money because he could have been out of job for long and he needs food for his family, in which case we would have done something for good sake. He might need the money desperately to buy drugs, in which case we might feel guilty as we could have helped in crimes. But to think further, if he doesn't get the money from us, he would turn to others anyway. Worse still, he might resort to other violent means like theft and robbery if he is really desperate, in which case we could instead have helped to avoid serious crimes by being cheated. We might be seen by others as being fooled, but we know we are not foolish as we know exactly what we are doing after all considerations.
Hence, don't bother too much about ourselves for being a fool. Concern more on others as in most cases our help could have made quite a difference to others. If we look to ourselves first, the matter may become an ugly one. If we look to others first, the same matter may look much brighter.
Imagine the person isn't a liar and we turn him down. He might panic and feel desperate. He might have missed something very important, the result of which may be very serious (e.g. he needs to go home urgently because his child is very sick etc.) In that case, we might have unknowingly done something very seriously wrong just because we decline to help. On the other hand, if the person is indeed a liar and we are cheated. It is only he who has done wrong and not us. If a person lies to cheat for money, he must be in need of money for some reasons, be they good or bad. He might need the money because he could have been out of job for long and he needs food for his family, in which case we would have done something for good sake. He might need the money desperately to buy drugs, in which case we might feel guilty as we could have helped in crimes. But to think further, if he doesn't get the money from us, he would turn to others anyway. Worse still, he might resort to other violent means like theft and robbery if he is really desperate, in which case we could instead have helped to avoid serious crimes by being cheated. We might be seen by others as being fooled, but we know we are not foolish as we know exactly what we are doing after all considerations.
Hence, don't bother too much about ourselves for being a fool. Concern more on others as in most cases our help could have made quite a difference to others. If we look to ourselves first, the matter may become an ugly one. If we look to others first, the same matter may look much brighter.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Travel History - A Look Into The Past
I worked in the airline IT industry for 34 years: 28 in Cathay Pacific and 6 in Qantas. As such, I had the convenience (being an airline staff) and the necessity (due my IT work) of traveling quite a bit over the years. I do not have the slightest intention to show off anything here, but really I just think it's time to look back and take stock of what I've done in the past. Following are lists of cities I've visited and airlines I've traveled:
A. Cities visited - by air with overnight stay and not including stopovers in transit
B. Airlines Traveled
A. Cities visited - by air with overnight stay and not including stopovers in transit
Country
|
City
|
Hong Kong
|
Hong Kong
|
Australia
|
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ayers Rock, Alice Spring, Hamilton Island
|
New Zealand
|
Auckland
|
Fiji
|
Fiji
|
USA
|
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, New York, Washington, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, Houston, New Orleans, Tucson, Minneapolis/St Paul, Atlanta, Philadelphia
|
Canada
|
Toronto
|
Brazil
|
Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Falls do Igaucu
|
Columbia
|
Bogota
|
UK
|
London
|
France
|
Paris
|
Germany
|
Munich
|
Denmark
|
Copenhagen
|
Bahrain
|
Bahrain
|
Japan
|
Tokyo, Osaka
|
Korea
|
Seoul
|
Taiwan
|
Taipei, Hualien
|
Singapore
|
Singapore
|
Malaysia
|
Kuala Lumpur, Penang
|
Thailand
|
Bangkok
|
Philippines
|
Manila
|
B. Airlines Traveled
Airline Code
|
Airline
|
Country
|
CX
|
Cathay Pacific Airways
|
Hong Kong
|
QF
|
Qantas Airways
|
Australia
|
JQ
|
Jetstar
|
Australia
|
AN
|
Ansett
|
Australia
|
TA
|
Trans Australian Airline
|
Australia
|
AA
|
American Airline
|
USA
|
DL
|
Delta
|
USA
|
NW
|
Northwest
|
USA
|
PA
|
Pan American
|
USA
|
PS
|
Pacific Southeastern Airline
|
USA
|
TW
|
Trans World Airline
|
USA
|
UA
|
United Airline
|
USA
|
US
|
US Air
|
USA
|
AC
|
Air Canada
|
Canada
|
CP
|
Canadian Pacific
|
Canada
|
BA
|
British Airways
|
UK
|
KL
|
KLM
|
Netherlands
|
SK
|
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
|
Sweden
|
JL
|
Japan Airline
|
Japan
|
FE
|
Far East Airline
|
Taiwan
|
MH
|
Malaysian Airline
|
Malaysia
|
RG
|
Varig
|
Brazil
|
Crucero
|
Brazil
| |
AV
|
Avianca
|
Columbia
|
Friday, June 1, 2012
How To Become Happy
In my blog 'How To Become Happier' on 26Mar10, I discussed that we can always be happier disregard we are happy or not, and went through some ways that can help us becoming happier. In this blog, I'll take one step further and discuss on how to ultimately become happy.
A. Always Be Happier
As a first step, we can always be happier as mentioned in my previous blog, and as such, I do not intend to repeat here any further.
B. Appreciate What We Have
While we should always aim for higher and better, nonetheless we should always be content of what we are having; our family, friends, what we process and our status quo. Remember, the present is always already a present. Do not be unhappy unnecessarily.
C. Seeing People Around Us Happy
We will feel happy when we are surrounded by happiness. When we are in Disneyland, we feel happy because we are surrounded by a happy environment and atmosphere, and by happy people everywhere. Likewise, when we see that our family, friends and neighbours are happy, we will be happy too.
D. Making People Around Us Happy
By making people around us happy, we can have happiness around us. As result, we'll feel happy as mentioned in C above. There are various ways we can make people around us happy. We can employ whatever means appropriate to us, e.g.:
. buying a gift for our family and friends
. sharing funny and interesting stories, and our favourable experiences with others
. helping out with people needing help
. making donations to charity
. performing voluntary work in our community
. to a larger extent, be a philanthropist and contributing back to the society (some of) what we gained from them
E. Seeing That We Can Make People Around Us Happy
When we see people around us happy as result of us making them so, we'll have a very high degree of personal satisfaction. The happiness we acquire from such at that moment is usually far beyond any words of description.
As we expereience, happiness from material gains (e.g. living in a big house, having a delicious meal or enjoying a luxurious holiday etc.) is usually superficial and short-lived. Happiness gained from sharing happiness with others are mostly much more intense and long-lasting, and surprizingly, usually comes for free!
Be happy always!
A. Always Be Happier
As a first step, we can always be happier as mentioned in my previous blog, and as such, I do not intend to repeat here any further.
B. Appreciate What We Have
While we should always aim for higher and better, nonetheless we should always be content of what we are having; our family, friends, what we process and our status quo. Remember, the present is always already a present. Do not be unhappy unnecessarily.
C. Seeing People Around Us Happy
We will feel happy when we are surrounded by happiness. When we are in Disneyland, we feel happy because we are surrounded by a happy environment and atmosphere, and by happy people everywhere. Likewise, when we see that our family, friends and neighbours are happy, we will be happy too.
D. Making People Around Us Happy
By making people around us happy, we can have happiness around us. As result, we'll feel happy as mentioned in C above. There are various ways we can make people around us happy. We can employ whatever means appropriate to us, e.g.:
. buying a gift for our family and friends
. sharing funny and interesting stories, and our favourable experiences with others
. helping out with people needing help
. making donations to charity
. performing voluntary work in our community
. to a larger extent, be a philanthropist and contributing back to the society (some of) what we gained from them
E. Seeing That We Can Make People Around Us Happy
When we see people around us happy as result of us making them so, we'll have a very high degree of personal satisfaction. The happiness we acquire from such at that moment is usually far beyond any words of description.
As we expereience, happiness from material gains (e.g. living in a big house, having a delicious meal or enjoying a luxurious holiday etc.) is usually superficial and short-lived. Happiness gained from sharing happiness with others are mostly much more intense and long-lasting, and surprizingly, usually comes for free!
Be happy always!
Monday, April 23, 2012
A380 Experience
Recently I went to Hong Kong with my son to see my grandson, Christian. We flew Qantas QF127 from Sydney to Hong Kong on 8Apr (Sunday). Qantas began flying Airbus A380 between Sydney and Hong Kong on Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday and Boeing 747 on other days from January, 2012. We took the opportunity to try the A380 with that trip.
The A380 is a double-deck aircraft. The first class and economy class are on main deck, and business and premium economy class are on upper deck. Total capacity is 450 passengers with 14 first class, 72 business class, 32 premium economy class and 332 economy passenger seats. Boarding was a bit lengthy given the large passenger loads. Luckily we had boarding priorities as being Qantas frequent flyers. Inflight facilities were new and clean. Inflight entertainments were satisfactory with sufficient varieties. Cabin was generally spacious. Seat space was simillar to other aircrafts. Like boarding, baggage collection took longer than usual with the passenger loads. Overall, the journey was comfortable and enjoyable.
The A380 is a double-deck aircraft. The first class and economy class are on main deck, and business and premium economy class are on upper deck. Total capacity is 450 passengers with 14 first class, 72 business class, 32 premium economy class and 332 economy passenger seats. Boarding was a bit lengthy given the large passenger loads. Luckily we had boarding priorities as being Qantas frequent flyers. Inflight facilities were new and clean. Inflight entertainments were satisfactory with sufficient varieties. Cabin was generally spacious. Seat space was simillar to other aircrafts. Like boarding, baggage collection took longer than usual with the passenger loads. Overall, the journey was comfortable and enjoyable.
Friday, March 9, 2012
When A (Grand) Child Is Born
This song is dedicated to little Christian, my first grandson.
Christian was born in the morning of 9th March, 2012. With his arrival, everyone in the family has unknowingly progressed to a new stage of our lives; nonetheless I became a grandpa!
We are so much excited. I just can't wait to see Christian in Hong Kong!
(Extract from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R47B9LWjVrg&feature=related)
Christian was born in the morning of 9th March, 2012. With his arrival, everyone in the family has unknowingly progressed to a new stage of our lives; nonetheless I became a grandpa!
We are so much excited. I just can't wait to see Christian in Hong Kong!
(Extract from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R47B9LWjVrg&feature=related)
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Hospital Service in Hong Kong
I went for an emergency treatment at the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit of the Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong on New Year Eve!
We went to Macau on holiday for a few days. I disembarked from the coach at the Macau Ferry Terminal when returning to Hong Kong. I tried to use my right leg to stand up from my seat and suddenly I had a very sharp pain. I rested for a while until the pain eased, and I managed to come back to Hong Kong afterwards. But the next morning at New Year Eve, it hurt very badly whenever my right leg touched the ground. I was worried that I might have a bone fracture given my age. So I was escorted by my family to the Queen Mary Hospital for an emergency treatment.
After I registered at the reception of the A&E, I was shortly directed to the Triage section for an initial assessment. I was classified as Grade 4 severity (Grade 1 being the most serious which will be given top priority treatment whereas Grade 5 is regarded as non-urgent and will be turned away by A&E), and was asked to wait in the waiting area until called. There were some others in the waiting area who also seemed to be of low severity like me. During the time waiting, we saw other more serious patients urgently brought in by ambulances, and we observed the A&E staff attending to them quickly with due medical care. So we watched and waited willingly and patiently.
I was later called into one of the A&E cubicle to see the doctor. She asked me in detail what happened and how I felt, and examined my right leg. She then directed me to the X-ray section for X-rays. Luckily the X-rays showed no bone fracture but some bony out-growth in my right knee. The doctor said my case looked to be some bone inflammation on the knee, and prescibed me some medications. She felt the bony out-growth in the knee position is quite uncommon and suggested me to make an appointment with the Orthopaedics Department for a follow-up consultation. I said to her that I would only be in Hong Kong for a few more days and might not have enough time for the appointment. She then kindly wrote me a reference letter and reminded me to visit my doctor upon return to Australia. I was charged $100 for the whole visit including consultation, X-rays and medications.
Despite we have heard so much negative reports on public hospital services from the Hong Kong media, my own personal experience above in Queen Mary Hospital has been highly positive. The doctors, nurses and hospital staff were all attentive, caring and professional. The medical procedures were well organized, efficient and effective. The A&E set-up was systematic, neat and well equipped. The fairly low medical charge reflected high level of subsidy by the Hong Kong Government. I have to say the overall service has been extremely impressive by every standards.
While sometimes we should criticize on matters in order to forge on improvements, but over-reporting on negative aspects would be counter-productive. We should look more to the bright side and at times show appropriate and deserved appreciations whenever situations warrant. This will make people feel rewarded, reinforce staff morale and confidence and thus further help to improve the overall performance. In return, we can have a even better hospital service in our community.
We went to Macau on holiday for a few days. I disembarked from the coach at the Macau Ferry Terminal when returning to Hong Kong. I tried to use my right leg to stand up from my seat and suddenly I had a very sharp pain. I rested for a while until the pain eased, and I managed to come back to Hong Kong afterwards. But the next morning at New Year Eve, it hurt very badly whenever my right leg touched the ground. I was worried that I might have a bone fracture given my age. So I was escorted by my family to the Queen Mary Hospital for an emergency treatment.
After I registered at the reception of the A&E, I was shortly directed to the Triage section for an initial assessment. I was classified as Grade 4 severity (Grade 1 being the most serious which will be given top priority treatment whereas Grade 5 is regarded as non-urgent and will be turned away by A&E), and was asked to wait in the waiting area until called. There were some others in the waiting area who also seemed to be of low severity like me. During the time waiting, we saw other more serious patients urgently brought in by ambulances, and we observed the A&E staff attending to them quickly with due medical care. So we watched and waited willingly and patiently.
I was later called into one of the A&E cubicle to see the doctor. She asked me in detail what happened and how I felt, and examined my right leg. She then directed me to the X-ray section for X-rays. Luckily the X-rays showed no bone fracture but some bony out-growth in my right knee. The doctor said my case looked to be some bone inflammation on the knee, and prescibed me some medications. She felt the bony out-growth in the knee position is quite uncommon and suggested me to make an appointment with the Orthopaedics Department for a follow-up consultation. I said to her that I would only be in Hong Kong for a few more days and might not have enough time for the appointment. She then kindly wrote me a reference letter and reminded me to visit my doctor upon return to Australia. I was charged $100 for the whole visit including consultation, X-rays and medications.
Despite we have heard so much negative reports on public hospital services from the Hong Kong media, my own personal experience above in Queen Mary Hospital has been highly positive. The doctors, nurses and hospital staff were all attentive, caring and professional. The medical procedures were well organized, efficient and effective. The A&E set-up was systematic, neat and well equipped. The fairly low medical charge reflected high level of subsidy by the Hong Kong Government. I have to say the overall service has been extremely impressive by every standards.
While sometimes we should criticize on matters in order to forge on improvements, but over-reporting on negative aspects would be counter-productive. We should look more to the bright side and at times show appropriate and deserved appreciations whenever situations warrant. This will make people feel rewarded, reinforce staff morale and confidence and thus further help to improve the overall performance. In return, we can have a even better hospital service in our community.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
How To Spend To Save
I present below a simple way to save on grocery spending. This is not something new nor anything special. It's just some usual practice undertaken by most retirees and astute housewifes!
1. Prepare your shopping list in advance.
2. Visit shopping mall with presence of both supermarket giants - Coles and Woolworths (see list further below).
3. Have quick tours of these supermarkets in turn, jot down (or memorise if you can) the lower prices between the two for the items you intend to buy.
4. Go to the first supermarket (e.g. Coles), select and buy those items with lower prices. Get the fuel discount voucher for further savings when you make the appropriate amount of purchase.
5. Unload bought items to your car in the car-park.
6. Go to the second supermarket (e.g. Woolworths), select and buy those items with lower prices. Get the fuel discount voucher for further savings when you make the appropriate amount of purchase.
7. Unload bought items to your car in the car-park and go home.
Following are the shopping malls in the Sydney metropolitan area with presence of both Coles and Woolworths. Surprisingly, the supermarkets are usually located fairly close to each other (as shopping malls usually set aside only certain region for groceries). As such, you don't have to spend too much extra of your time to compare prices between the two supermarkets. But the saving could be quite rewarding:
Bauulkham Hill - Stockland
Bondi Junction - Westfield
Brookvale - Warringah Mall
Burwood - Westfield
Campbelltown - Macquarie Square
Carlingford - Carlingford Court
East Garden - Westfield
Hornsby - Westfield
Liverpool - Westfield
Mt. Druitt - Westfield
Parramatta - Westfield
Rouse Hill - Rouse Hill Town Centre
Sylvania - Southgate Shopping Centre
Warriewood - Centro Warriwood
Happy shopping!
1. Prepare your shopping list in advance.
2. Visit shopping mall with presence of both supermarket giants - Coles and Woolworths (see list further below).
3. Have quick tours of these supermarkets in turn, jot down (or memorise if you can) the lower prices between the two for the items you intend to buy.
4. Go to the first supermarket (e.g. Coles), select and buy those items with lower prices. Get the fuel discount voucher for further savings when you make the appropriate amount of purchase.
5. Unload bought items to your car in the car-park.
6. Go to the second supermarket (e.g. Woolworths), select and buy those items with lower prices. Get the fuel discount voucher for further savings when you make the appropriate amount of purchase.
7. Unload bought items to your car in the car-park and go home.
Following are the shopping malls in the Sydney metropolitan area with presence of both Coles and Woolworths. Surprisingly, the supermarkets are usually located fairly close to each other (as shopping malls usually set aside only certain region for groceries). As such, you don't have to spend too much extra of your time to compare prices between the two supermarkets. But the saving could be quite rewarding:
Bauulkham Hill - Stockland
Bondi Junction - Westfield
Brookvale - Warringah Mall
Burwood - Westfield
Campbelltown - Macquarie Square
Carlingford - Carlingford Court
East Garden - Westfield
Hornsby - Westfield
Liverpool - Westfield
Mt. Druitt - Westfield
Parramatta - Westfield
Rouse Hill - Rouse Hill Town Centre
Sylvania - Southgate Shopping Centre
Warriewood - Centro Warriwood
Happy shopping!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
某年, 某月, 某曰 寫於羅省機埸
我欲乘機歸去
又恐隨時 off - load
心底不勝寒
此詞寫出一般航空公司職員 (及其家屬), 手持（staff standby) 機票於登機櫃枱前百感交雜之心情; 其中包括: 期待, 渴望, 無助, 無奈, 失落, 擔憂, 抑鬱, 焦慮, 惶恐, 希斯底里, ............................
註 : offload
一般航空公司職員 (及其家屬), 享有特別優惠價錢的（staff) 機票. 惟亦需遵守侯補（standby) 登機之條件. 每次辦理登機手續後, 需於登機櫃枱前等候. 待所有其他乘客完成登記程序, 點算剩餘機位, 才可陸續登機. 假若機位不足, 便不接受上機, 是為 offload.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
空籠
最近記起一個關於亞嘛的故事.
有一天，亞嘛, 大哥, 大嫂，威伯伯，姑媽和我們幾人飲早茶. 吃過一輪點心後, 亞嘛想將吃完了空的點心籠, 放到枱邊, 以便侍應容易收拾. 亞嘛看到坐在對面的大嫂, 正在津津有味地吃着蝦餃. 亞嘛指着她說, "亞嫂, 你嗰邊有冇籠空（隆胸)?" 大嫂嚇了一跳. 蝦餃差點兒哽在喉嚨裡. 她連忙向亞嘛灑手, 急促地說, "細聲, 細聲點 ! 我冇, 我冇呀 !" 亞嘛看了她一眼, 更加提高聲響地說, "乜話? 我明明見到你有籠空. 仲話冇?"
全場一時為之嘩然 ! 大嫂差一點要躲到枱底下去了.
有一天，亞嘛, 大哥, 大嫂，威伯伯，姑媽和我們幾人飲早茶. 吃過一輪點心後, 亞嘛想將吃完了空的點心籠, 放到枱邊, 以便侍應容易收拾. 亞嘛看到坐在對面的大嫂, 正在津津有味地吃着蝦餃. 亞嘛指着她說, "亞嫂, 你嗰邊有冇籠空（隆胸)?" 大嫂嚇了一跳. 蝦餃差點兒哽在喉嚨裡. 她連忙向亞嘛灑手, 急促地說, "細聲, 細聲點 ! 我冇, 我冇呀 !" 亞嘛看了她一眼, 更加提高聲響地說, "乜話? 我明明見到你有籠空. 仲話冇?"
全場一時為之嘩然 ! 大嫂差一點要躲到枱底下去了.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
甚麼？
有一天, 媽媽,志瀚和我到一間餐館吃飯. 點過菜後, 我發覺枱面只得兩對筷子, 於是便揮手向一位侍應小姐示意, 打算向她再取多一雙. 那小姐慢慢地走過來問我, "先生, 你想要些甚麼?" 我説, "我想要筷子." 那小姐愣了一下, 走到柜面找了一會, 然後拿着一張空白的 A4 紙回來給我.
老天！我明白了那位小姐為何會猶豫. 原來她以為我説, "我想要塊紙."!
老天！我明白了那位小姐為何會猶豫. 原來她以為我説, "我想要塊紙."!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Confusion. Confusion.
I was writing a blog some other day. I was trying to say something was stationary (i.e. not in motion), but I suddenly forgot whether it should be spelled as 'stationary' or 'stationery'. I knew they are both pronounced the same but their meanings are entirely different. To ensure the correctness of my writing, I had to look up the dictionary to find the right word to use.
After the writing, my mind wandered along similar vein. A couple of other words came to my mind which I felt very easy to get confused and mistaken. Following are some examples but I'm sure there could be many more others. If you know which is which, good on you. If you are not that sure, it's better to consult the dictionary before putting them into writing. Good luck!
After the writing, my mind wandered along similar vein. A couple of other words came to my mind which I felt very easy to get confused and mistaken. Following are some examples but I'm sure there could be many more others. If you know which is which, good on you. If you are not that sure, it's better to consult the dictionary before putting them into writing. Good luck!
aides/aids
aisle/isle
ascent/assent
born/borne
breath/breadth
canon/cannon
complement/compliment
complementary/complimentary
capital/capitol
cast/caste
counselor/councilor
cubical/cubicle
decent/descent
discreet/discrete
ensure/insure
fiance/fiancee
hail/hale
heroin/heroine
immerge/emerge
insolate/insulate
incidence/incidents
instance/instants
kerb/curb
loath/loathe
marshal/martial
principal/principle
recount/re-count
rein/reign
rhyme/rhythm
sensor/censor
stationary/stationery
storey/story
vain/vein
wean/ween
wreath/wreathe
Finally, don't confuse 'we' with 'wee' as we wee.
aisle/isle
ascent/assent
born/borne
breath/breadth
canon/cannon
complement/compliment
complementary/complimentary
capital/capitol
cast/caste
counselor/councilor
cubical/cubicle
decent/descent
discreet/discrete
ensure/insure
fiance/fiancee
hail/hale
heroin/heroine
immerge/emerge
insolate/insulate
incidence/incidents
instance/instants
kerb/curb
loath/loathe
marshal/martial
principal/principle
recount/re-count
rein/reign
rhyme/rhythm
sensor/censor
stationary/stationery
storey/story
vain/vein
wean/ween
wreath/wreathe
Finally, don't confuse 'we' with 'wee' as we wee.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
VVJ380
When I purchased my Ford Fairmont Ghia sedan in 2002, I also bought a personalized registration plate (VVJ380) to come with it. VVJ stands for my three children: Vickie, Veronica and Johnson. 380 was the airbus aircraft model introduced at that time. As I had been working in the airline industry for over 30 years, I had particular passion for choosing such number. Besides, 380 also mean:
I'm so fond of the number 380 that, every time I go to withdraw money from the ATM machines, I withdraw $380 for no reasons!
3 (生) - healthy
8 (發) - wealthy
0 (靈) - intelligent.
8 (發) - wealthy
0 (靈) - intelligent.
I'm so fond of the number 380 that, every time I go to withdraw money from the ATM machines, I withdraw $380 for no reasons!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Brief History of IBM Mainframe Computers and Computing
When I began my working career in the IT (Information Technology) business in 1968, I first worked in IBM with the computer series S/360 (System 360). IBM named the series as 360 (a complete revolution) as, apart from being in the '60s, they regarded those as their first ever all-rounder general purpose computers. Entered the '70s, I then worked with the successor series S/370 (System 370). Came the '80s. IBM stopped short of producing System 380 series. Instead, they produced the 308x series (3081, 3083 etc) and 3090 series, and I continued to work with those. Further came the '90s, I then worked with the Enterprise System ES/9000. At the turn of the millennium into 2000, IBM came back again to the series S/390 (System 390).
All these were mainframe computers which were huge processor complex running all or most applications in a corporation. The processor complex were huge in the sense of their processing power and also they were big refrigerator-type boxes which needed to stay in large air-conditioned, humidity-controlled computer rooms with raised flooring (to hide the numerous computer cables underneath). Data were stored in numerous fast-spinning disks coupling together in a big disk farm which gave another reason why a large computer room was needed. Usually the computer rooms were behind floor-to-ceiling glass walls as companies wanted to show off to their customers the usage of high technology. The computer rooms were dubbed as 'glass houses' at that time. Processing power of the mainframe computers were measured by MIPS (million instruction per second that the processor could compute). As an indication, a S/360 model 20 in 1965 was at 0.002 MIPS and a S/390 model G6 in 1999 was at 1644 MIPS.
In the '60/70s, computing were essentially done by mainframe computers. Processing power of mainframe computers grew exponentially year after year. However, in the '80/90s, with the advent of high-speed telecommunications and personal computers, computing began to shift from centralizing all processing in one single huge mainframe to a distributed processing environment. Individual applications (e.g. accounting or email etc) would be offloaded to individual mid-range computers with medium-sized processing power like Sun Microsystem or HP (Hewlett Packard). Personal applications (e.g. word processing etc) would be offloaded to personal computers with numerous brands and models. Mainframe computers would no longer grew in power as fast as before. Instead, the mainframe computer, mid-range computers and personal computers were interconnected via advanced telecommunications links to form a computer network to collaboratively perform all necessary processing for a corporation. Computing began to be done under multi-tiered architecture environments. A typical 3-tiered architecture might have a large mainframe computer for corporate computing (running the critical applications like reservations in an airline for the entire corporation), several mid-range computers for departmental computing (running individual applications like Accounting for the Accounts department, Flight Scheduling for the Flight Control Department etc), and numerous personal computers for personal computing (running as individual staff workstations and to access the mainframe or mid-range computers depending on individual staff needs).
In addition to computing internally within a corporation, the '90s saw the evolution of business into the e-business era where corporations connected externally to other companies to perform electronic business-to-business transactions (e.g. to banks or credit card companies or to other enterprises etc). Corporations also had increasing demand for global information access and sharing via the internet (which is a global system of interconnected computer networks using a commonly accepted standard called internet protocol), and increasing demand for internal information access and sharing via the intranet (which is a corporate computer network using the internet protocol technologies for internal usage within the corporation).
Moving into the new millennium 2000, computing continues to evolve in different diversities. We are seeing continuing advancements in computing speed, functionality and accessibility at all levels enabling users to obtain information and knowledge of any sort from anywhere at any time as they desire.
All these were mainframe computers which were huge processor complex running all or most applications in a corporation. The processor complex were huge in the sense of their processing power and also they were big refrigerator-type boxes which needed to stay in large air-conditioned, humidity-controlled computer rooms with raised flooring (to hide the numerous computer cables underneath). Data were stored in numerous fast-spinning disks coupling together in a big disk farm which gave another reason why a large computer room was needed. Usually the computer rooms were behind floor-to-ceiling glass walls as companies wanted to show off to their customers the usage of high technology. The computer rooms were dubbed as 'glass houses' at that time. Processing power of the mainframe computers were measured by MIPS (million instruction per second that the processor could compute). As an indication, a S/360 model 20 in 1965 was at 0.002 MIPS and a S/390 model G6 in 1999 was at 1644 MIPS.
In the '60/70s, computing were essentially done by mainframe computers. Processing power of mainframe computers grew exponentially year after year. However, in the '80/90s, with the advent of high-speed telecommunications and personal computers, computing began to shift from centralizing all processing in one single huge mainframe to a distributed processing environment. Individual applications (e.g. accounting or email etc) would be offloaded to individual mid-range computers with medium-sized processing power like Sun Microsystem or HP (Hewlett Packard). Personal applications (e.g. word processing etc) would be offloaded to personal computers with numerous brands and models. Mainframe computers would no longer grew in power as fast as before. Instead, the mainframe computer, mid-range computers and personal computers were interconnected via advanced telecommunications links to form a computer network to collaboratively perform all necessary processing for a corporation. Computing began to be done under multi-tiered architecture environments. A typical 3-tiered architecture might have a large mainframe computer for corporate computing (running the critical applications like reservations in an airline for the entire corporation), several mid-range computers for departmental computing (running individual applications like Accounting for the Accounts department, Flight Scheduling for the Flight Control Department etc), and numerous personal computers for personal computing (running as individual staff workstations and to access the mainframe or mid-range computers depending on individual staff needs).
In addition to computing internally within a corporation, the '90s saw the evolution of business into the e-business era where corporations connected externally to other companies to perform electronic business-to-business transactions (e.g. to banks or credit card companies or to other enterprises etc). Corporations also had increasing demand for global information access and sharing via the internet (which is a global system of interconnected computer networks using a commonly accepted standard called internet protocol), and increasing demand for internal information access and sharing via the intranet (which is a corporate computer network using the internet protocol technologies for internal usage within the corporation).
Moving into the new millennium 2000, computing continues to evolve in different diversities. We are seeing continuing advancements in computing speed, functionality and accessibility at all levels enabling users to obtain information and knowledge of any sort from anywhere at any time as they desire.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Family Re-union - Fiji
Last month, my first daughter, Vickie, came from Hong Kong to Sydney to visit us and for her admission as an Australian lawyer. My second daughter, Veronica, also came back from Canberra on holidays. We took the opportunity to go for a vacation in Fiji together. The weather there was beautiful. We enjoyed the fresh air, sunshine, beaches, food and cocktails. We relaxed and did nothing. We had lots of family chats. We all had a wonderful good time during the period.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays in this month, Vickie and Veronica.
Those were happy memories in the not-too-distant past. To mum and dad, things always seem like yesterday. Here, we'd like to share the following song with you for these special occasions, and with everyone too in this festive season of X'mas!
A ray of hope flickers in the sky.
A tiny star lights up way up high.
All across the land dawns a brand new morn.
This comes to pass when a child is born.
It must come true sometime soon somehow.
All across the land dawns a brand new morn.
This comes to pass when a child is born.
(extract from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R47B9LWjVrg&feature=related)
Those were happy memories in the not-too-distant past. To mum and dad, things always seem like yesterday. Here, we'd like to share the following song with you for these special occasions, and with everyone too in this festive season of X'mas!
When A Child Is Born
A ray of hope flickers in the sky.
A tiny star lights up way up high.
All across the land dawns a brand new morn.
This comes to pass when a child is born.
A silent wish sails the seven seas.
The winds of change whisper in the trees.
And the walls of doubt crumble tossed and torn.
This comes to pass, when a child is born.
A rosy hue settles all around.
You got the feel, you're on solid ground.
For a spell or two no one seems forlorn.
This comes to pass, when a child is born.
And all of this happens, because the world is waiting.
Waiting for one child; Black-white-yellow, no one knows...
but a child that will grow up and turn tears to laughter,
hate to love, war to peace and everyone to everyone's neighbor,
and misery and suffering will be words to be forgotten forever.
It must come true sometime soon somehow.
All across the land dawns a brand new morn.
This comes to pass when a child is born.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Bad Pronunciation
I seemed to have countless stories with the McDonalds.
One day I went to the McDonalds to buy a chocolate sundae. Being a senior, I have the privilege of having a complementary drink together with any purchase in McDonalds. So I asked the girl at the counter for a "free fruit fizz". As happened a few times already, I was again mistaken as asking for a fillet-o-fish. I was then given a fillet-o-fish burger with my chocolate sundae. With a bit of difficulty, I explained to the girl what I asked was a fruit fizz drink and not a fillet-o-fish burger. The girl apologized, and gave me the fruit fizz drink. I then returned the fillet-o-fish burger to the girl. But the girl said since the burger had already been made, I might just as well take it. So I ended up having a few freebies as result of my bad pronunciation.
Sometimes, a bad thing really isn't too bad at all!
One day I went to the McDonalds to buy a chocolate sundae. Being a senior, I have the privilege of having a complementary drink together with any purchase in McDonalds. So I asked the girl at the counter for a "free fruit fizz". As happened a few times already, I was again mistaken as asking for a fillet-o-fish. I was then given a fillet-o-fish burger with my chocolate sundae. With a bit of difficulty, I explained to the girl what I asked was a fruit fizz drink and not a fillet-o-fish burger. The girl apologized, and gave me the fruit fizz drink. I then returned the fillet-o-fish burger to the girl. But the girl said since the burger had already been made, I might just as well take it. So I ended up having a few freebies as result of my bad pronunciation.
Sometimes, a bad thing really isn't too bad at all!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Lost or Stolen?
A few months ago, I lost my handbag in a shopping centre in Gordon. I went to the police station to report the loss. The police officer wrote down my details, and descriptions of all the contents in my handbag. Finally he asked, "Was the handbag lost or stolen?" I replied, "I just knew my handbag disappeared when I left the shopping centre. I had no idea whether it was stolen or not,"
I thought that was only a particular incidence. But that evening when I got home, I rang up the banks and credit card centres to report losses of my bank cards and credit cards, and requested to re-issue replacements. I provided details of where and when they were lost. To my surprise, everybody asked the same question, "Was it lost or stolen?"
My goodness. I wonder how people can answer such a question. The thief wouldn't leave a note to us to let us know if the thing was indeed stolen!
I thought that was only a particular incidence. But that evening when I got home, I rang up the banks and credit card centres to report losses of my bank cards and credit cards, and requested to re-issue replacements. I provided details of where and when they were lost. To my surprise, everybody asked the same question, "Was it lost or stolen?"
My goodness. I wonder how people can answer such a question. The thief wouldn't leave a note to us to let us know if the thing was indeed stolen!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Mr Holland's Opus
I watched this 1995 movie a few times on flights between Sydney and Hong Kong a few years ago. It was an ordinary story about an ordinary person in an ordinary town.
Glenn Holland lived with his wife, Iris, in a small town. Glenn had a great passion in music. He always wanted to compose a remarkable piece of symphony that would make him rich and famous. In his late twenties, he took up a teaching position in music in a local high school, hoping that he could have some spare time to compose his masterpiece while being able to meet the financial needs of the family.
At first, Glenn thought he would only spend a few years in teaching before returning to his full-time composing. But as his teaching career started, he found he was confronted with groups of bored and unresponsive students unappreciative of music. In order to inspire the students to enjoy music as he did, he devoted much of his time demonstrating his own passion and knowledge in this subject to the students. He started patiently showing the students the common elements of popular music like rock and roll and classical music. He tried to arouse interests among the students so that they feel playing music was fun with various musical instruments, bands and concerts. He even spent extra hours mentoring students with difficulties in music and with musical instruments. Over time, he came to realize that he had to spend much more time than he thought before in teaching, leaving him little time in composing his symphony as he originally planned. Further to that, Iris became pregnant and later gave birth to their son, Cole. Glenn was forced to live with the reality to prolong his teaching life for necessary financial commitments to the family.
Years passed. Glenn met with constantly changing bodies of students, inspired many of his challenged and troubled pupils and enhanced the school music program with new marching bands, orchestras and performances. Unfortunately one day, their young son, Cole was diagnosed as having severe hearing difficulty. Glenn was devastated to hear the news that he could never teach the joys of music to his own child. He reacted passively by refusing to learn sign languages together with Iris to communicate with Cole, leaving Iris as the single person to maintain communications in the whole family. He even tried to get away from this reality by spending more and more time in school and with the students. During auditions for a music drama, Glenn became attracted to a young student named Rowena. Without Iris' knowing, Glenn wrote a small piece of music for her entitled 'Rowena's Theme' and took an interest when Rowena stated she wanted to leave town and go to the City to sing professionally. Glenn encouraged her. When Rowena planned to leave on the night after the last performance of the drama, she hinted that she would like Glenn to come with her. Being content with his love with Iris, Glenn was in time to withdraw and declined. Instead, he gave Rowena the name of someone in the City to help her find lodging. That night, he just watched Rowena depart, and went home.
Time further went along. One day Glenn heard the news from the radio that one of the Beatles, John Lennon, was killed by gunshot. Although seemingly unrelated, Glenn suddenly realized that he was wrong to continue his lack of concern with Cole. He tried every effort to repair the situation. He began to learn the sign languages. He provided a concert at the special high school where Cole attended. He even did an interpretation by sign languages of John Lennon's song 'Beautiful Boy', dedicated to Cole.
Time continued to move on, Glenn unknowingly worked with his teaching career for over 30 years. At the age of 60, Glenn's high school met with financial difficulties and needed to cut the school budget. The school board decided to eliminate some facilities in the school for cost saving, and planned to remove the music program. Glenn strongly objected and argued with the school saying that music was very important to the development of students. The Principal insisted to go ahead explaining that if the school needed to eliminate languages, mathematics or music, they had no choice but to remove the music program. Glenn then realized his working life was over. He looked back and felt very much that he had achieved little in his entire life. He had not produced, and would never produce, a memorable piece of symphony as he liked to produce. He believed his students, who had grown up and graduated, year after year, had mostly forgotten him.
On the final day as working teacher, Glenn packed up in school with help from his wife, Iris, and son, Cole. Before leaving, Glenn took a last look around the school campus, and was led by Iris and Cole to the school auditorium. When Cole opened the door of the auditorium, they were faced with a full house of audience inside; the Principal, teachers, present and past students coming from all walks of life. Hearing the news of Glenn's departure, the students secretly came back to the school to celebrate his retirement, bid him farewell and honored his life. A former student and now state governor, represented the students to thank Glenn for his dedication and contribution in teaching over the years. She then handed him a baton and invited him to serve as conductor of the orchestra made up by alumni of different years for the first ever performance of a piece of symphony that Glenn had completed but was totally forgotten and never performed.
Glenn Holland didn't accomplish what he had always wanted. Instead, he spent most of his life in work that he didn't intend to do, but he did it remarkably well. He felt his life was a complete failure, but he didn't realize he had planted lots of seeds for successes. I think this whole story can best be summarized in the speech made by the state governor at the farewell ceremony in the closing finale:
"Mr Holland had a profound influence on my life and on a lot of lives I know. But I have a feeling that he considers a great part of his own life misspent. Rumour had it he was always working on this symphony of his. And this was going to make him rich, famous, probably both. But Mr Holland isn't rich and he isn't famous, at least not outside of our little town. So it might be easy for him to think himself a failure. But he would be wrong, because I think that he's achieved a success far beyond riches and fame. Look around you. There is not a life in this room that you haven't touched, and each of us is a better person because of you. We are your symphony, Mr Holland. we are the melodies and the notes of your opus. We are the music of your life.
Mr Holland, we would now like to give something back to you, to you and your wife, who along with you has waited 30 years for what we are about to hear. If you will, would you please come up here and take this baton and lead us in the first performance ever of the American Symphony by Glenn Holland."
(extract from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jM9MC7t-8g&feature=related)
Glenn Holland lived with his wife, Iris, in a small town. Glenn had a great passion in music. He always wanted to compose a remarkable piece of symphony that would make him rich and famous. In his late twenties, he took up a teaching position in music in a local high school, hoping that he could have some spare time to compose his masterpiece while being able to meet the financial needs of the family.
At first, Glenn thought he would only spend a few years in teaching before returning to his full-time composing. But as his teaching career started, he found he was confronted with groups of bored and unresponsive students unappreciative of music. In order to inspire the students to enjoy music as he did, he devoted much of his time demonstrating his own passion and knowledge in this subject to the students. He started patiently showing the students the common elements of popular music like rock and roll and classical music. He tried to arouse interests among the students so that they feel playing music was fun with various musical instruments, bands and concerts. He even spent extra hours mentoring students with difficulties in music and with musical instruments. Over time, he came to realize that he had to spend much more time than he thought before in teaching, leaving him little time in composing his symphony as he originally planned. Further to that, Iris became pregnant and later gave birth to their son, Cole. Glenn was forced to live with the reality to prolong his teaching life for necessary financial commitments to the family.
Years passed. Glenn met with constantly changing bodies of students, inspired many of his challenged and troubled pupils and enhanced the school music program with new marching bands, orchestras and performances. Unfortunately one day, their young son, Cole was diagnosed as having severe hearing difficulty. Glenn was devastated to hear the news that he could never teach the joys of music to his own child. He reacted passively by refusing to learn sign languages together with Iris to communicate with Cole, leaving Iris as the single person to maintain communications in the whole family. He even tried to get away from this reality by spending more and more time in school and with the students. During auditions for a music drama, Glenn became attracted to a young student named Rowena. Without Iris' knowing, Glenn wrote a small piece of music for her entitled 'Rowena's Theme' and took an interest when Rowena stated she wanted to leave town and go to the City to sing professionally. Glenn encouraged her. When Rowena planned to leave on the night after the last performance of the drama, she hinted that she would like Glenn to come with her. Being content with his love with Iris, Glenn was in time to withdraw and declined. Instead, he gave Rowena the name of someone in the City to help her find lodging. That night, he just watched Rowena depart, and went home.
Time further went along. One day Glenn heard the news from the radio that one of the Beatles, John Lennon, was killed by gunshot. Although seemingly unrelated, Glenn suddenly realized that he was wrong to continue his lack of concern with Cole. He tried every effort to repair the situation. He began to learn the sign languages. He provided a concert at the special high school where Cole attended. He even did an interpretation by sign languages of John Lennon's song 'Beautiful Boy', dedicated to Cole.
Time continued to move on, Glenn unknowingly worked with his teaching career for over 30 years. At the age of 60, Glenn's high school met with financial difficulties and needed to cut the school budget. The school board decided to eliminate some facilities in the school for cost saving, and planned to remove the music program. Glenn strongly objected and argued with the school saying that music was very important to the development of students. The Principal insisted to go ahead explaining that if the school needed to eliminate languages, mathematics or music, they had no choice but to remove the music program. Glenn then realized his working life was over. He looked back and felt very much that he had achieved little in his entire life. He had not produced, and would never produce, a memorable piece of symphony as he liked to produce. He believed his students, who had grown up and graduated, year after year, had mostly forgotten him.
On the final day as working teacher, Glenn packed up in school with help from his wife, Iris, and son, Cole. Before leaving, Glenn took a last look around the school campus, and was led by Iris and Cole to the school auditorium. When Cole opened the door of the auditorium, they were faced with a full house of audience inside; the Principal, teachers, present and past students coming from all walks of life. Hearing the news of Glenn's departure, the students secretly came back to the school to celebrate his retirement, bid him farewell and honored his life. A former student and now state governor, represented the students to thank Glenn for his dedication and contribution in teaching over the years. She then handed him a baton and invited him to serve as conductor of the orchestra made up by alumni of different years for the first ever performance of a piece of symphony that Glenn had completed but was totally forgotten and never performed.
Glenn Holland didn't accomplish what he had always wanted. Instead, he spent most of his life in work that he didn't intend to do, but he did it remarkably well. He felt his life was a complete failure, but he didn't realize he had planted lots of seeds for successes. I think this whole story can best be summarized in the speech made by the state governor at the farewell ceremony in the closing finale:
"Mr Holland had a profound influence on my life and on a lot of lives I know. But I have a feeling that he considers a great part of his own life misspent. Rumour had it he was always working on this symphony of his. And this was going to make him rich, famous, probably both. But Mr Holland isn't rich and he isn't famous, at least not outside of our little town. So it might be easy for him to think himself a failure. But he would be wrong, because I think that he's achieved a success far beyond riches and fame. Look around you. There is not a life in this room that you haven't touched, and each of us is a better person because of you. We are your symphony, Mr Holland. we are the melodies and the notes of your opus. We are the music of your life.
Mr Holland, we would now like to give something back to you, to you and your wife, who along with you has waited 30 years for what we are about to hear. If you will, would you please come up here and take this baton and lead us in the first performance ever of the American Symphony by Glenn Holland."
(extract from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jM9MC7t-8g&feature=related)
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Stones and Sands
We probably have heard this story from some management training courses.
A lecturer started the lesson with a large empty jar in his hands and proceeded to fill it with stones until no more stones could be put inside. He then asked the students if the jar was full. The class agreed it was. The lecturer then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open spaces between the stones. He asked the students again if the jar was full. The class all agreed it was. The lecturer next picked up a box of sands and poured them into the jar. Of course, the sands filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The class unanimously agreed it was.
The lecturer then explained, "Now, I want you to recognize this jar represents your life. The stones are the most important things like your career, your family, your health or your favourite passions. If everything else was lost and only they remained, your life will still be full. The pebbles are other less important things like your job, your car or your vacation. The sands are just small and trivial things like playing games, napping or simply doing nothing. If you spend effort in the most important things first, your life will be full, and yet you still have rooms for handling the less important things and small matters, just like what we did with the jar. On the other hand, if you put the sands into the jar first, there will be no rooms for the pebbles and stones. Thus, if you spend all your time and energy on small matters, you will never have rooms for the things that are important to you. So, remember the main point of today's lesson:
A lecturer started the lesson with a large empty jar in his hands and proceeded to fill it with stones until no more stones could be put inside. He then asked the students if the jar was full. The class agreed it was. The lecturer then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open spaces between the stones. He asked the students again if the jar was full. The class all agreed it was. The lecturer next picked up a box of sands and poured them into the jar. Of course, the sands filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The class unanimously agreed it was.
The lecturer then explained, "Now, I want you to recognize this jar represents your life. The stones are the most important things like your career, your family, your health or your favourite passions. If everything else was lost and only they remained, your life will still be full. The pebbles are other less important things like your job, your car or your vacation. The sands are just small and trivial things like playing games, napping or simply doing nothing. If you spend effort in the most important things first, your life will be full, and yet you still have rooms for handling the less important things and small matters, just like what we did with the jar. On the other hand, if you put the sands into the jar first, there will be no rooms for the pebbles and stones. Thus, if you spend all your time and energy on small matters, you will never have rooms for the things that are important to you. So, remember the main point of today's lesson:
Establish your priorities and work towards them."
The class all nodded in agreement. The lecturer then poured the remaining cup of coffee he was drinking into the jar. The coffee quickly got mixed up with the stones, pebbles and sands. A student asked what it meant. The lecturer smiled, "There's always room for another cup of coffee. Let's go."
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