Speed Test

Got this from Laymank to test my typing speed.








So, I managed 67 words in one minute. I suppose I can type a little bit faster but errors may creep in. Can do'lah! :)

Taken from wikipedia for average typing speed:

Alphanumeric entry
In one study of average computer users, the average rate for transcription was 33 words per minute, and only 19 words per minute for composition. In the same study, when the group was dividing into "fast", "moderate" and "slow" groups, the average speeds were 40 wpm, 35 wpm, and 23 wpm respectively. Two-finger typists, sometimes also referred to as "Hunt-and-Peck" typists, can reach speeds of about 37 wpm for memorized text, and 27 wpm when copying text.

An average typist reaches 50 to 70 wpm, while some positions can require 80 to 95 (usually the minimum required for dispatch positions and other typing jobs), and some advanced typists work at speeds above 120.

A less common form of finding the speed of a typist, the acronym CPM is used to identify the number of characters typed per minute. This measurement is not a common measurement of speed considering the difference between typing in different languages. This is a common measurement for typing programs, or typing tutors, as it can give a more accurate measure of a person's typing speed without having to type for a prolonged period of time. Also used occasionally for associating the speed of a reader with the amount they have read.

What's your speed? Take the typing speed test here.

Of one quiz and another

Took an online quiz recently, regarding "What Musical Instrument Are You"? And my result?

You are very conservative around people you don't know, but if you are comfortable in a situation you REALLY know how to let loose. You consider your intelligence to be your greatest asset and are not afraid to show that to other people. This can make you come off as somewhat 'stuck-up'; but let's face it....you do think you're better than everyone else. You have a flair for sophistication and can be a really great party host. You tend to over analyze your physical appearance and can be a bit TOO organized at times.

Somehow, there's a semblance of truth in there somewhere... :)
But why a flute? I tried once but simply can't blow a single note out of it. Much prefer the Sax...

Of one tie and another

Wore a new tie to work today, a plain purple-grey tie. My colleagues said it matched my shirt very well. And some even asked if I was wearing a new shirt, but no, only the second time I have worn this shirt. I guess it is out of my norm as I typically wear plain coloured shirts, but non white (fattening).

Today, I wore a white shirt, with subtle stripes of purplish red, light blue, and navy blue. So, I guess it was striking enough, and very corporate at that. Another colleague said I look more mature and have the "don't mess with me" kind of look when I wear this shirt. Well, could also be because of my usual "black face" look, but then again, was in a better mood today at work compared to yesterday.

What's the point of what I want to say? Well, the tie I wore today came with a story. Was shopping for a few new work shirts one day (to change my wardrobe during the christmas sale period) and decided to get some plain coloured ties to go with the new shirts I just purchased at the same time. As I was browsing through the selections, I couldn't decide between two colours, either a purple tie or a purple grey tie. As I stood there for a good five minutes internally having a heated debate as to which tie goes better with my new shirt, a sweet young thing walked past me, pointed at the purple grey tie, beamed me her sweetest smile, and said "this one"! HA! So, there you go. That's the story of my purple grey tie. Incidentally, I didn't manage to get her phone number...

But seriously though, why use a neck tie at all (besides looking all smart and proper). As I commented on the Chinese's preoccupation with signs and symbols, it is like putting a noose around one's neck every day. Shishh... But then again, the influence of western culture (or should I say, the subjugation of the eastern culture by the west) does play a big part. You don't see everyday, regular office folks attired in cheongsams and other oriental motifs now, do you. Incidentally, what's the male equivalent of cheongsam? Cheongnam?

Then again, I have over 30 neck ties (one or two dating back to pre historic days) of various designs (almost one for every work shirt neatly ironed, lined up, and ready to wear in my wardrobe). And no, I don't iron my own shirts... :)

The time for "lurve"

[L] is for the way you look at me
[O] is for the only one I see
[V] is very, very extraordinary
[E] is even more than anyone that you adore

Love is all
That I can give to you
Love is more
Than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart
And please don't break it
Love was made
For me and you

Alas, it's the time of the year again for the lovey-dovey feeling. It is the time for love, with a special day dedicated for couples to renew everlasting devotion to each other. Some quite "forced" into it I would say, and with the onset of capitalisation and chasing of profits, most restaurants and eateries, as well as florists and chocolatiers charge inflated prices, all for this one special occasion.

Seriously, why wait for the one day? Wouldn't it be more meaningful for such renewal of love on an unexpected basis? To watch that special person's face light up when a pleasant surprise is made. But to be forced into complying with the common masses just because there is that one day devoted to sweethearts?

Curvaceous Cindy: Wah! Flowers, chocolates and dinners are all so expensive at this time of the year. I told my other half no need to send. Keep the money and buy me that diamond ring!
Busty Betty: Really? You don't want flowers meh?
Curvaceous Cindy: Seriously though, no need'lah. Safe money better.

Then a large bouquet of flowers arrives for Curvaceous Cindy, and one and all can see her face all lit up with joy that her other half still sends her flowers. Contradiction? Or is this a female thing to say "Don't want, Don't want" but actually "Want"?!

But then again, I DO understand. There is somehow, that little magic or buzz one gets when receiving flowers. After all, someone once sent me flowers, and my office colleagues' curiosity went on maximum overdrive with many "oohs" and "aahs"....... :)

A New Year - Part 3

Prang, Prang, Prang, Prang, Prang! goes to sound of the firecrackers. And these are not just the one or two, but the long series one which goes on for quite a bit. During this period, lion dance troops will comb the various commercial and residential areas for a bit of pocket money. And it is customary to throw firecrackers at the feet of the "lions" to scare away evil spirits (if you have the firecrackers that is). To me, Chinese New Year without the sound of the firecrackers or fireworks is somehow simply not Chinese New Year.

Again, what is Chinese New Year without the lion dance? Actually, you see that little horn on the lion's head? It's really not a lion, but a "Ki-Lin". This shot was taken from my cousin's house, with her two broods enjoying themselves tremendously showing off their lion dancing skills, with background "toong, toong, toong, chiang" as well (yes, there was a chinese drum set which someone else played). Even to the extent of the lion peeling and eating (literally in this case) the oranges. Quite cute, although my cousin and her hubby told us that during the run-up to Chinese New Year, the neighbours sort of complained of the noise the two wonderful terrors made, but was very tolerant during the actual festive season itself. Incidentally, I made a video recording of the two doing their lion dance. No mean feat for two boys aged 7 and 5. Ahh, the wonders of youth, with energy aplenty.

A simple, but elegant (at least I think so) Chinese New Year decor at my cousin's house. Yes, same cousin with the two boys doing the lion dance. Incidentally, the firecrackers hanging towards the back of the picture was made by the younger (5-year old) nephew as part of his school project. Cool!

Incidentally, the Chinese places so much importance on protocol. An Aunty is not just an Aunty for example. There is rank, as is eldest aunty, or eldest uncle. Relatives are differentiated by "rank" from both the father and mother side. Seriously, where else would you hear "cousin brother" or "cousin sister"? Such a contrast to the western usage of "cousin" etc.

And during such festive period, the young ones are taught the proper name calling by rank. In Hakka, an uncle can be "KuChong", "SukSuk", or even "PaPak", depending upon the seniority of it all. And that's not even putting the seniority number in front, eg, "TaiPak" (eldest uncle on the father's side - an uncle who is older than your father), "YeePak" (second eldest uncle, older than your father), and assuming that your father is the third eldest male child, "SeeSuk" (refers to the fourth uncle, younger than your father). And the list goes on. Can be "a bit" daunting to the young ones who have to learn all these, but I guess with repetition, the names will register somehow or rather at a certain point in time. Phew!

A New Year - Part 2

Despite the light hearted post earlier, Chinese New Year celebration is actually a serious affair. The importance of the reunion dinner to renew kinship is paramount I would say. We read about how the Chinese migrant workers try to journey back to their hometown (they only go back once a year) but was stranded in the city due to bad weather conditions. Is that just ordinary news? Or has the importance of it all been eluded?

Here in Malaysia, it is supposed to celebrate spring, as a new beginning, with flowers blooming (real and not real ones at that). And back to the point of reunion dinners, Petronas over the years has done a series of advertisements during such festive periods to highlight the cultural importance of such events. I happened to see one earlier on and it caught my attention immediately. Please catch it here. It is extremely touching.

How did I spend my new year? Essentially, helped decorate the house (again, signs and symbols), rested and caught up on news with my immediate family, cousins, etc. Also took the opportunity during this long break to catch up on my watching of TV series, and managed to cover Survivor China, Kyle XY Season 1 and most of Kyle XY Season 2 (FINALLY!!!). Good shows these. Also, went visiting around houses of uncles and aunties, and so, will leave it here with one or two pics for now.

Flowers at my grandaunty's house. The name of this flower in Chinese has a connection to "chicken". Forgot what exactly already. It's tradition to go visit during the 1st day of Chinese New Year. She will cook up a storm even during her advanced age (she's more than 80 years old), and every year, she will prepare my favourite, a peanut kuih. I got to "ta pau" this year somemore! But now I know that one of my uncle and a cousin-in-law also like this kuih. So, I guess it is made not just for me!

Decor at one of my uncle's house. Every year, this particular uncle will "grandly" decorate his house, using angpow packets to make fans, etc. This year is not an exception, with this showing the year of the rat.

This year also, my aunty who stays with my parents went on an overdrive mode with fishes. That is, making fishes with angpow packets. Truth be told, some are actually quite nice, but can be a bit of an overkill with so many fishes about. Then again, it's back to signs and symbols. And yes, I did learn how to make this particular paper fish, but didn't do any fishes this year. I did make a set of firecrackers using angpow packets last year, but this year, somehow, I stayed away from handicrafts. Hmm, must pick up the motivation next year. One thing I have never learnt is how to make Chinese Lanterns using angpow packets. A friend said he knew how to make, since he learnt it whilst studying in a chinese school, but has so far refused to teach me. Bummer.

Of hampers and what nots also, these days, the creativity is astounding. The intricacies of the hamper, the design, and the whole package of it all, I simply marvel at times. More so from the office, when gifts arrive at such festive periods, and you can hear the "oohs" and the "aahs" from many an office corner once the hampers have been sighted. Well, this is one hamper my elder sister self decorated to give to my grandaunty for Chinese New Year. Goodies galore inside. Yummy!

A New Year - Part 1

The pig is cute and fat,
It has left but don’t be sad.
As we now have the rat,
To all we hope be glad.

Well, got part of the above poem via sms, and added another bit myself. And it is at this point, you are supposed to hear Chinese Music in your head, “Gong Xi Ni, Gong Xi Ni” with all the wishes for a bountiful new year, excellent health, never ending peace, great prosperity, and perpetual happiness.

And amidst the fireworks raging in the sky, brightening the heavens to usher in the new year, supposedly spring now (but there's winterstorm in China!) and with food aplenty. Reunion dinners abound, strengthening kinships, with the “ong”-ness of red observed for prosperity, angpows being given, wishes galore with blessings and thankfulness for another wonderful year. Yadaa, yadaa, yadaa.... Really, for Chinese, there are so many Do’s and Don’t’s during this time, one would sometimes wonder, and marvel at the importance of signs and symbols. This essentially quickly summarises one aspect of Chinese New Year.


But I am rambling, and my thought process is all over the place. Well, to be honest, part of this post was written during the New Year Eve while the fireworks were raging for at least a good 30 minutes even before the clock struck 12 midnight in my hometown. I heard that in KL, there was hardly a "pop" being heard, obedient to the ban on fireworks and firecrackers. Not sure how true though.

Now am back in KL already, ready (well, not quite - need a longer break!) for work on Monday. Have caught the flu bug, could be psychological, having to go back to work and all ... hmm....

Of Mice and Rats

Another year is passing in the Chinese Calendar, with the onset of the New Year just a week away. As the year of the Boar passes, the year of the Rat approaches, but seriously, why not call it the year of the Mouse?

Do you know your rodents?

a) Rat = Any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse.
b) Mouse = Any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails.
c) Mice = Plural of mouse.
d) Tikus = Malay name for mouse.

And here is to wishing all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Toong, toong toong Chiang!
Toong, toong toong Chiang!
Toong, toong toong Chiang!
Toong Chiang! Toong Chiang!

Forget Not

Amidst the clangs and the thumpety thumps,
Of youth and age, and growth are sung;
Mirrored there and here a passage of time,
But one still the same, yet different be chimed.

Of childhood memories and the rebellious years,
of travels and studies, and experiences galore.
Across the seas a distance did make,
and plenty besides, of friends and more.

Now how the line of age appears,
from tender years to current cheer.
Forgot not the echoes of time be sung,
Forward Ho!, the journey's yet begun.