Ballon d’Or shortlist

The following 23 men (in alphabetical order) are in contention for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2012:
Sergio Agüero (Argentina), Xabi Alonso (Spain),Mario Balotelli (Italy), Karim Benzema (France), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Sergio Busquets (Spain), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire), Radamel Falcao (Colombia), Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden), Andrés Iniesta (Spain), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Manuel Neuer (Germany), Neymar (Brazil), Mesut Özil (Germany), Gerard Piqué (Spain), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Wayne Rooney (England), Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire), Robin van Persie (Netherlands), Xavi (Spain).



The following ten coaches (in alphabetical order, first nationality and then team) are in contention for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football 2012:

Vicente del Bosque (Spain/Spain national team), Roberto Di Matteo (Italy/Chelsea FC), Alex Ferguson (Scotland/Manchester United FC), Pep Guardiola (Spain/FC Barcelona former coach), Jupp Heynckes (Germany/FC Bayern München), Jürgen Klopp (Germany/Borussia Dortmund), Joachim Löw (Germany/Germany national team), Roberto Mancini (Italy/Manchester City FC), José Mourinho (Portugal/Real Madrid CF), Cesare Prandelli (Italy/Italy national team).

Malaysia is top 10 friendliest nation in the world

Forbes Online has rated Malaysia as the 10th friendliest country in the world, based on HSBC's recent Expat Explorer Survey,


“Better quality of life, a satisfying social life, easy local travel and better housing than in their home country helped put Malaysia in fifth place overall though many reported difficulty integrating into the local community (often because of a language barrier),” a recent Forbes Online article stated.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak lauded the article and tweeted yesterday, “We welcome the world”.

Forbes Online listed Cayman Islands, Australia and Britain as the top three friendliest destinations for expatriates.

Referring to the survey, the article stated that the three nations were the “easiest to befriend locals, learn the local language, integrate into the community and fit into the new culture”.

It quoted an expatriate living in Cayman Islands who gave the place the thumbs up for not having any income or payroll tax, hardly any crime and for being pollution-free, besides an all-year summer.

Canada took fourth place in Forbes Online's World's Friendliest Countries 2012, followed by New Zealand, Spain, United States, Bermuda, South Africa and Malaysia.

A total of 5,339 expatriates from 97 countries took part in the online survey which was carried out from May 11 to July 3.



Extracted from "The Star", 29 Oct'12

Weekly Quotes

KL ranked No. 2 in shopping

Extracted from "The Star", 28/10/12

Kuala Lumpur is the second best shopping city in Asia Pacific, according to the latest Globe Shopper Index, cementing its position as a shopping paradise.


Twenty-five cities in the region were assessed under five categories shops; culture and climate; hotels and transport; affordability; and convenience.

Kuala Lumpur achieved the second highest overall score of 65 out of 100.

Only Hong Kong scored higher 68.5 edging other cities for its safety, dependable city transport and variety of shops and brands. Shanghai was third with a 63.1 score with Beijing placed fourth at 60.7.

Singapore (60.2) and Bangkok (57.1) were ranked fifth and seventh respectively. The other big cities ranked included Sydney (58.4), Tokyo (56.4) and Seoul (54.8).

“Kuala Lumpur's specific strength is its ability to combine low prices with a good range of products in a large number of stores, including three of the world's 10 biggest shopping malls,” the index report stated.

The report predicted that Kuala Lumpur had the potential to perform better in future indexes due to the Government's efforts to promote retail tourism.

Datuk Seri Sharizat is cow?

Alcohol is good

Famous passwords

Robbie Fowler for Malaysia?

Extracted from NST 25/10/12.


WILL Robbie Fowler be joining T-Team? Maybe, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said.

Ahmad told a press conference after yesterday's state executive council meeting, that negotiations with the former Liverpool great are currently ongoing.

He said T-Team are looking to bring the 37-year-old striker whose last stint was with Muangthong United in Thailand, to Kuala Terengganu as a player-cum-coach.
"I have been told that he is keen to come down to talk about the possibility of taking on the roles of manager, coach and player.
"But we have to make sure he is still fit enough to play as we are not taking him in just because he was once a legend at Liverpool," said Ahmad.

Ahmad said T-Team will adopt an English league style for the new season and a single person will assume the roles of manager and head coach. "We have no doubt that Fowler will be a high-profile signing and his name alone should attract a sizeable number of new supporters for T-Team.

NPO leaders

When you join Non-Profit Organisation, you are not paid, nevertheless, it's a platform to influence people through actions and leadership abilities. It's a voluntary organisation, but when you bare committed for a post, you have to perform it.

If you can't perform your task as leader, then why join the organisation?

Old Kids

There's a saying, "when you grow old, there's tenancy for you to act like kids".

You could be in your 60s and 70s and when you work with someone whom is younger, you have to respect the leader regardless of the age.

Doesn't mean that, just because you are old, you can overrule the team and starts to direct everyone.

When people ask to answer question, grandma stories will come. Damn, respect people lah...

Facebook is created by a Gen-Y too.

Weekly quotes

Talent Crushers

Awards are given to people whom has exceeded the expectations and achieved/contributed in a field. By receiving the award, the award itself should feel gratified.

But today I realised an award was given to someone whom was merely a follower and achieved what the previous person achieved. Outstanding ward is given for outstanding performance. Now can that person stand equal with the other award recipient as say that I have doesn't better than you?

Just because, the organiser / leader of the group likes that person and being "buttered", doesn't mean she/he deserves that award. The leader of the group should also realise that they are killing talents whom really deserve for the award.

Can the award recipient explain why he/she deserves that award? certain sweet poisons are killing the talents just because they have personal grudge on them..

Bullshit can bring you to the top but it won't keep you there. Be a true leader..not follower.

Even if your group betrayed me, I have the maturities to face all you people.

Creative Business Cards

We often give business cards to people whom we are meeting for the 1st time. Just after few months or year, we will be wondering, who are they and why are we still having their cards. That's where interesting credit cards are needed to ensure people still remembers you always.



Race for EPL Broadcast

The battle for the rights to broadcast English Premier League (EPL) matches for the next four years is set to begin.


Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) has expressed interest in the EPL to StarBiz. This means that it will go head on against incumbent rights owner Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd for the coveted content.

Both parties were said to have slugged it out in late 2009 for the the 2010-2012 seasons.

That time Astro emerged winner, paying a rumoured figure of RM800mil. Prices paid and the names of the bidders for the EPL rights are confidential.

The battle this time around may also include newcomer Asian Broadcasting Network (ABN). The digital cable TV company that has yet to launch its service may also be a contender given its need to boost its sports content.

Extracted from, The Star, 17 Oct'12.

My comment:
ABN, has yet to launch itself. Dont we need to analyse their performance as Cable TV company before offering big deals.

Should Astro looses, does this mean, it will affect their performance as best paid TV company.

If TM wins, it may come to RTM, which can be viewed by all the public.

So who really benefits?

Cars in ASEAN

Looks like Malaysia is still the cheapest in ASEAN countries for car price. But, why are we still comparing with ASEAN countries and not the rest. Even if Singapore is expensive, their public transportation is really effective and properly planned.

Now, can we compare with Singapore again?

Weekly Quotes

1st Female Team Principal for F1

Monisha Kaltenborn became the first woman team principal in Formula One on Thursday when she took control of Sauber with immediate effect.

 Kaltenborn, 41, an Austrian of Indian origin, joined the company in 2000 to run the legal department, was appointed a member of the board of management not long afterwards and took over asCEOof Sauber Motorsport AG in January 2010.

Lets hope for 1st female F1 driver and podium finisher.

Weekly Quotes

Rapid Promotions

There are five characteristics which suggest to me that a person has the potential for rapid promotion:


1.The person is ambitious.

2.The person works harder than their peers—and enjoys it.

3.The person has a brilliant brain—inventive and unorthodox.

4.The person has an engaging personality.

5.The person demonstrates respect for the creative function.

From JobsDB.

Resume Tips

Consider her 10 awesome tips before pressing “submit”: (from Jobs DB.




1.Search job boards and the websites of employers that appeal to you. Print out the job postings that you’re interested in pursuing before you apply.

2.Use a highlighter to mark the keywords and industry language used to describe the requirements and responsibilities of each position.

3.Compare those words and phrases to the language that appears in your current resume.

4.Figure out how and where to add the most relevant keywords to your resume, assuming you have the specific knowledge, skills and experience. Applicant tracking systems will search for keyword matches – the more matches, the better, which often determines if a recruiter opts to view your resume.

5.If the system requests a cover letter, write a short one that expresses why you’re a strong match and why you’d like to join the organization. This is a chance to tout your research on the role.

6.Never submit a generic, one-size-fits-all resume or cover letter. If you really want the position, you’ll customize all documents for each job.

7.Follow up with a call or email to the recruiter responsible for filling the position. Never say, “Did you get my resume?” Instead be ready to reiterate your strong qualifications and interest in the role. You’ll have just a brief moment to sell yourself, so rehearse before making the call or sending the email.

8.Don’t know the name of the right person? Cold-call the company and ask an operator to put you through. If that doesn’t work, Google the term “recruiter” or “human resource director” along with the name of your employer of choice. The results may reveal the name you’re trying to find. LinkedIn is another resource to find the correct name.

9.Stay top of mind. Every recruiter is different, which makes this a challenge. Some say you’re welcome to follow up weekly. Others say every other week is enough. And then there are some who’ll tell you to never call. Find the right balance so you’re politely persistent without crossing over to a pest.

10.Ask directly for advice on how and when to follow up. A simple question, “What’s the best way to keep in touch?” will give you the details you need to stay ahead of the pack.

Weekly Quotes

PJ Half Marathon - 30 Sept'12

It was my 3rd run for the year. I wanted to take it easy so I registered for 7km. It was also a race where I started and finished in dark.

As the race started I was stuck in the middle of the group, thus slowly I had to move away from the group. The route headed towards LDP and Taman Sea(part of it) and back to PJ stadium through MAS academy.

Noted that certain places there were no street lights. Just wonder if its the central government's ploy. The route was mixture of flat and slight high slope. The one I hated was the "U-Turn", which sometimes demotivates you when you see to many people running ahead of you.

Upon reaching KG SAS, I though, it was going to finish, until, they route to MAS academy and go through the lake before finishing it at Stadium.

After midway mark, I didn't allow anyone to overtake me and just maintained the pace. Upon reaching the lake, I knew its just few meters way from the Stadium, thus I started to increase the pace. This made me to overtake few pelathons. Upon stepping into the track, allot of them were struggling with the surface, which gave me the advantage to stride and overtake 4 to 5 runners.

Upon reaching the final 100, I heard someone trying to overtake me which made me to sprint till finishing.

My timing was 37:41. Great start for a comeback.

I was back home by 7.45am, the earliest so far.

Next race will be Pacesetters 30km Run followed by Great Eastern Run on 4 November.