Something useful

Every night, I make it a point to read at least one blog written by other bloggers from the blogosphere. Not only to make new friends, but also to find out what interesting contents are written out there. I like bloggers who blog in their own styles and provide personal opinions about a topic.

Last night, I happened to drop by this one particular blog which focuses on ‘something useful,work online,home working,money online,online money,online working‘. My very first thought was, ‘It’s just another blog full of links to other pages’. But I clicked it anyway. To my amazement, the content is rather unique and the author makes it a point to put some personal touch into each blog entry. Of course, sometime he also peppered his entries with relevant links elsewhere.

What’s so interesting about this blog is: he touches on topics which might be of interest to the critical mass - Making Money Online. The ideas are not as complex as what other probloggers have written, but I believe it’s simple enough for a novice to understand and to find the relevant resources to kick-start their small blogging business.

Being a novice in this area, I begin to find meaning of making money from his entries. He also shared about ads placement in the blog, and gave good critique on pay-per-clicks (PTC) sites.

If you are also a novice in the blogging wagon and hopes to make some $ from your blog, I believe this is a good site for a start.

“Next”

Image via Wikipedia

The latest book ‘Next‘, by Michael Crichton is now lying in my hands. I had been waiting for the soft cover for a long time, and recently i managed to get hold of it. He is one of my favorite authors of the fictional series. Even though i am only halfway through this book, I cant keep my fingers from sharing some of the juicy parts of the story here. Okay, i promise there’s no spoiler.

What’s interesting about this book entitled ‘Next’ is, it focuses on the power of genes. …

When i studied Biology some years back, it’s been stated that it took a great number of years for Watson and Crick to discover the human DNA structure. But this book has already started talking about genes therapy that can make one become more mature and intelligent. They can even cultivate one’s own cells to repair cancerous cells - stem cells technology.

My eyes became even wider when the author wrote about talking chimpanzees. Geez… and the chimpanzees speak understandable French and Dutch. Pretty scary. But when i rethink about it, i will say why not? Human beings evolved from ‘monkeys’ anyway, so what’s so surprising if those animals can really be ‘configured’ to speak in the next century?

Another strange and debatable idea which the author touches on is, people who are:

• Overly desirous of joining the majority
• Feel depressed when they were alone
• Surrounded by like-minded people most of the time

have genetic disorders. Blah… this i don’t quite agree. Personality disorder might be a better term, but genetic? Oh great.

You may think it’s all been very ridiculous. But what’s written in this book is nothing far from the near reality.

Some years back, i read about another of his book - Prey. This book focuses on the use of nano-technology. Months after reading the book, the news announced the use of the technology in the medical surgery area. The book ‘Prey’ was also featured in the papers. What makes his fictional books more credible than some other authors is, the author himself is a distinguished medical scholar in academic history. I cant wait for his next book.

A big Balancing loop in my life

Image by iandavid via Flickr

Sometime in March, my school has nominated me to attend an external course entitled ‘Systems Thinking‘.

After attending this course, I realized that my life is filled with balancing loops. I would like to elaborate on one of my own version of balancing loop.

Analogy 1: my savings account. I am personally comfortable with having a balance of $x amount in my account. Whenever i receive any small bonus or any other minor benefits, say $y, i will have a balance of $(x + y) in my account. Of course i will be very happy of my own achievements, and most of the time, i will spend the extra $y to pamper myself or to treat my hubby and so on. So i am always back to $x in my account, because $(x+y-y) 

Analogy 2: my hobby. Being one who loves to travel around the globe, i will surely book a tour to go somewhere far away during the school holidays whenever time allows.  The tour package will cost $p, which is way more than my $y (Pretty Yucky). Thus having $p > $y, my bank account will be left with an even smaller balance of $(x-p). I hate the feeling of being back from my holidays, because this is the period which i will usually announce to my friends that i am pathetically poor, so no more outings for me. I had to scrimp and save all over again in order to reach my comfortable level of $x again.

My savings graph, when drawn, could look something like this:

Sounds familiar? I am sure many of you out there have your so-called comfort zones. Whether it’s in school or at work. Once you are out of your comfort zone, you will feel uneasy or feel threatened. Most of you will strive hard to bring yourself back to the comfort zone level, by resigning or quiting school etc…

I personally think this is a bad kind of loop. After listening to the trainer’s explanation, people who followed this loop are doom to fail in life. We should always strive for the better and aim high. In order to succeed in life, we need to break out of the comfort zones.

That’s all i have to share here. Enjoy!

Viwawa: Sushido Game Guide

Have you ever tried the Viwawa game called ‘Sushido‘? That is one of my favourite games in Viwawa. Reasons being:

1. It’s not so brainless

2. It can take a minimum of 2 players

3. It’s hilarious to see how the customers flare up in anger when you don’t satisfy their orders

I personally don’t like the other games because either they are too ’stressful’ for me or you need a minimum of 3 players to play the game.

The purpose of this post is to elaborate on the simple game rules of Sushido. Having the need to explain to my friends over IM is really frustrating without something to refer to. I hope you will find this simple MsSheepy’s very own guide useful.

Here goes…  once you click on the Live button to get into Sushido, you will be prompted to select a channel. For me, i will select the very first channel for Newbies and will be greeted by the following screen. Your avatar will appear on the bottom left corner of the page.

(more…)

Updates to my blog

I think you already have noticed. I’ve made some changes to my blog:

1. Changed my layout to my favourite color scheme

2. Added Feed subscription form

3. Realigned some of my sidebar items

Work is so stressed up, to the point that i have to do something to de-stress myself.

Seven Ancient Wonders

Image via Wikipedia

I have another book to recommend - Seven Ancient Wonders. It’s another book written by the author Matthew Reilly. In this book, the hero is not the usual Schofield as introduced earlier in Ice Station.

This hero is another good guy named West. Being a well trained military guy, he led a team of elite members from 7 other countries, in search of the 7 pieces of capstones.

The 7 capstones, when combined together, can produce tremendous power to rule the world. The French, Europeans etc are all eyeing the seven pieces. And together with West team, they set out to race against one another in search of the seven wonders which had been placed all over the world as ordered by the late Alexander the Great.

The adventures are exciting and hair raising. Feel the perspiration, the frustrations as you ‘follow’ the group get pass their enemies and the deadly traps while in search for the capstones - along with a little girl.

RicoChet Tavern - New CyberCafe

Have sometime to spare while waiting for friends at Outram Park North East Line station? Or are you one of those who love to play face-to-face with friends? If yes, why not patronize this newly opened cybercafé inside the very heart of Outram Park NEL station?

I was there to have a look recently and was attracted by the cozy atmosphere inside the cafe. They have web-cam facilities too; so if you are one of those who love to use a web-cam via MSN/Skype to converse with friends from overseas, here is also a good place to settle for a nice chat before taking the train home. But one thing to note, it’s first-come-first-serve .

This cybercafé charges $1.95 per hour. This can be considered one of the cheapest hourly rates you can find in the market.

Full day packages:

Monday to Thursday: $15

Friday and weekends: $18

Shop Operating Hours: 10am to 11pm

Image via Wikipedia

Some of the popular games available at this cyber cafe are:

* Audition
* Cabal
* CounterStrike
* Maple Story
* MuOnline
* Ragnarok
* Silkroad
* World of Warcraft
* and many more….

Where to locate this shop?

Leave the station via the gantry at Exit H in Outram Park NEL station. Go all the way up, the shop is just right in front of the escalator inside the station.

*Disclaimer: The above information is accurate at the time this post is published. Rates and promotional items are subjected to changes by cybercafe owners.

Cushion for office

I’ve recently changed my office cubicle. The new cubicle was more conducive and I finally can have some space for my music. I tend to focus better on my work with some light-hearted music in the background.

To add some spice to my office life, I’ve done something which I’ve never done in my previous offices. i.e. I bought myself a cute cushion !

Isn’t it kawaii???

You can find more cute cushions here:

Crystabelle Ktv Lounge

It’s Labour day today and it’s also a perfect day to celebrate mum’s day as well as to catch up with ex-school mates. I spent my whole afternoon at Chinatown-Outram area.

I celebrated Mother’s day with the in-laws and had a great dim sum lunch at one of the teahouses in Chinatown. MIL is also considered my half-mother.

We went shopping around OG and the new Chinatown market before i left to meet my buddies at Outram.

Today, we went to a new KTV lounge situated along Teo Hong Rd. The lounge had a cool name called ‘Crystabelle‘. We got there via exit H at Outram NEL station. The KTV is right in front of the mrt exit.

From the outside, the entrance does look rather sleazy, but once you stepped into the shop, you will be greeted by a friendly uncle.

The price is quite reasonable. There were 7 of us and we spent 4 hours in the ktv (from 3pm to 7pm). The whole room cost $75 nett for 8 people. This price is inclusive of 2 plates of small tidbits, 2 plates of fruits and one drink each.

Name card of KTV Lounge

Their menu

Interior of KTV room (Quite big ^_^)