Forum Accountant 2008

Future Prospects and Challenges as Accountants

Date: 26 January 2008, 11am-1.30pm
Venue: Dublin Business School
Panel: Harith/Cipan, Iskandar Tariq, Andy, Fuad(AF3)

This is the first time where the forum being conducted by KUD(Kelab UMNO Dublin). So, as a future qualified accountant, I took the oppoturnity to go there just to hear them out about their experiences here.

They talked about their career & challenges they have been through. Cipan & Iskandar are working in practice whereas Andy & Fuad are working in financial services/commercial. There are a bit of debate regarding on differences of working in those two environment. All I can say here, it depends on where do you want to go? If you think you have a better prospect in practice, you work there. Same as financial services.

The advantage of working in small practice is that you learn a lot from there. You basically learn everything from scratch.Not trying to brag myself, it is the fact. For instance, if you compare yourself(working in small firm) to your friend(working in medium/big firm), your friend might not even have a clue on what are you talking about (say P60-Borang J in Malaysia).Why is that? Because when you work in bigger firm, you are more specialised.You don't need to know everything(that could be one of the drawback on working in big firm).

Some may found it's a waste of time to work in small practice because of the small pay. It is true, but you'll be rewarded once you're qualified/part-qualified.FYI, by the end of the day, CEOs,Managers will look for people with good 'grounding' of the business.Some may found working in practice will sharpen your technical skills.I think that will be depending on the company.If you think you can't progress yourself anymore or bored, move forward.Find a job where do you want to go for.

I think I know where to go to from here and I think I can see clearly where I'm gonna be in 2 years time(trying hard not to be too ambitious..knowing myself with a hangat hangat tahi ayam attitude =p).For a start, I should be looking AND reading materials about business surrounding globally.Not trying to be a nerd but knowledgeable.A drop dead gorgeous with full of knowledge :)

Recent event which has become a biggest hit around Europe.Hehe.. =p

Societe General

エビ天ぷらこんにちは! (hello prawn tempura!)

I had these yesterday for dinner. Not outside, but I cooked it!Hehe..it's so simple that even a school kid can fry these prawn tempura. What you need is :

king tiger prawns (peeled & deveined)
tempura batter (corn flour, plain flour, egg, cold soda water/ice)

ok..why soda water/ice? the purpose of these is to make the batter more crispy & fluffy. Well that's what I've been told by the chef in BBC channel =D

First, sift the flours into a big bowl. Add egg & cold soda water into it.Mix it well together but not too well because we want the batter to be fluffy when fried. In other words, it's okay for the batter to be lumpy.

Then, heat oil into large saucepan or wok. Dip the prawn into the batter and deep fry it. This is how you know whether the prawn is cooked.

When you deep fry, the prawn is 'sleeping'. NB:it is advisable to not put in many. Why? You'll see why.

Now the purpose of not putting many prawns in it because we want the prawns to be able to 'swim' around. When you see these, it means it is cooked & ready to be drained.

Tadaa!My very first attempt of making prawn tempura! =D

This is hilarious!

http://www.c00lstuff.com/1133/Do_s_and_don_ts_with_babies/

Resolutions Updated

1. To be slim(average 45-47kg).Reason: to look gorgeous for Summer 2009! =D
   
2. To be knowleageable (will be recording some informations on Irish Vs Malaysian Tax for reference purposes..plus reviews on current business situation in the new blog) <--coming soon eh.
   
3. To be like a postage stamp-Stick to one thing until you get there!
   
4. To read at least 1 book a month.
   
5. To be less addicted to shopping <--yeah right!
   
6. To save at least €400 a month in saving accounts (that's minimum)
   
7. To start making an investment at home(Malaysia) for future purposes.
   
8. To control emotions (which is hard to achive!) :p
   
9. Enjoy single life before getting married. Travelling around europe perhaps?
   
10. Lastly..relax, it's just a list of resolutions! Good Luck to myself :)

Pre-Marriage Course..Final Part

On the 20 Jan, it started from 9.00-1.00pm. The ustaz talked about the idea of family. It was very informative and I feel the 'fear'. Fear on building own family. Ustaz said it's common to argue more between man & wife. Well, I'm ok about that. I'm just worried on how to raise a child. I'm guessing my friends who are married also faced this fear at first and eventually manage to deal with it.

Then he discussed about various real-life examples of marriage problems. Some may seems 'wtf?!', but hey..no one is perfect.Hopefully I have no problem in my marriage, I mean I know no one want to ask for problems.That would be one of the reasons why I'm not ready for marriage.I admit I fear my marriage won't last long,to be clear..fear for commitments.

I totally sure of myself that my heart will open up to marriage when I certainly sure that he's the one.Amin..

Done curik tulang..back to work! =p

Pre-Marriage Course..Part 1

In order to get married in Malaysia, we Malays have to take pre-marriage course before solumnised(nikah). Some of my friends said that to take this course, you might be in the waiting list. So, how am I gonna get out of this 'waiting list'?

Luckily in Dublin, we hired an ustaz (religious lecturer) from UK to conduct the course which is today(19.01.08) & tomorrow(20.01.08). Am I getting married? Certainly not in the couple of months time. I'm just registering myself just to get the certificate!Hehehe. Also, most people(including me) want to avoid the test based on the pre-marriage course.(Buruk betul perangai.LOL!) And so, we pay E15.00 for the 2 days course.

It was held at Malaysian Hall Dublin. Starts at 9.00-4.00pm (as per schedule). Unfortunately, it started a bit later as ustaz overslept!LOL. We enjoyed the course as he's a very easy going ustaz who jokes around. I like the cute cartoons after each topics discussed. Hehe.

So far, today he talks about the whole idea of marriages & divorces. During lunch break, I couldn't help myself discussing with my friends about our 'engagement' & 'wedding' gonna be like. I think I have the idea of my engagement gonna be like. I will reveal when the time comes. ^_^ (to be frank, I keep changing the idea of my engagement, that's why I'm not revealing now.LOL!)

Part 2 will be continued tomorrow..

Come Home

Artist: One Republic
Song Title: Come Home
Taken from OST Gossip Girl

[Verse 1]
Hello world
Hope you're listening
Forgive me if I'm young
For speaking out of turn
There's someone I've been missing
I think that they could be
The better half of me
They're in their own place trying to make it right
But I'm tired of justifying
So i say you'll..

[Chorus]
Come home
Come home
Cause I've been waiting for you
For so long
For so long
And right now there's a war between the vanities
But all i see is you and me
The fight for you is all I've ever known
So come home
Oooh

[Verse 2]
I get lost in the beauty
Of everything i see
The world ain't as half as bad
As they paint it to be
If all the sons
If all the daughters
Stopped to take it in
Well hopefully the hate subsides and the love can begin
It might start now..Yeahh
Well maybe I'm just dreaming out loud
Until then

[Chorus]
Come home
Come home
Cause I've been waiting for you
For so long
For so long
And right now there's a war between the vanities
But all i see is you and me
The fight for you is all I've ever known
Ever known
So come home
Oooh

[Interlude]
Everything i can't be
Is everything you should be
And that's why i need you here
Everything i can't be
Is everything you should be
And that's why i need you here
So hear this now

[Chorus]
Come home
Come home
Cause I've been waiting for you
For so long
For so long
And right now there's a war between the vanities
But all i see is you and me
The fight for you is all I've ever known
Ever known
So come home
Come home

Horrible day...EVER!!

My parents have finally touchdown from performing Haji in Mekah. I got up in the morning, picked up the phone and ring home. Waiittt...why am I not at work?I'm on MC for 2 days since yesterday.Food poisoning. So I wasn't at work since Wednesday. This is definitely not a great year to start!

Back to my conversation with mom. It was grant at start until she broke the news about our home was broke-in!I was totally speechless,unsure how to react. My mum was totally surprised that I didn't know about this. She thought I might found out from my brother.Silly him!! He's gonna be dead when I'm back!Hahaha-kidding!

Basically, the bloody fucking burglars took my mom's jeweleries, cashes, cameras, nice clothes, dad's retirement gift -keris, car keys - proton saga only!!, mom's IC, and I think that just it. Just updated with my bro, the fuckers happen to be robbed my house TWICE! My parents left for Mekah on the 11 Dec and the incident happened on the 12th & 14th. I'm not sure who to blame, but erm..it's so irresponsible to let that happen TWICE! .My bro went home on the 15th from his uni, in shocked, quickly lodged a report to the police & went to his friend's house, asking his friend a favour to stay over with him at my house. Well, that explained why the sudden friends wanted to accompany him over the weekend.sigh~

Even people here (in Ireland) help strangers. Why? Because people here help with sincere. It's amazing why Malaysian can't do the same. Do you have a problem with trust? What if anything bad happen to you, wouldn't you want to help? Instead, being a coward and mind your own business. For fuck sake, that doesn't work to me. How can you be fucking selfish?! Here's the thing.

TO ALL FUCKING SELFISH MALAYSIAN! FOR ONCE, PLEASE BE HELPFUL WHEN SOMEONE IN TROUBLE RATHER THAN IGNORE IT. IMAGINE WHAT IF THAT HAPPEN TO YOU?DOES THAT EVEN OCCUR IN YOUR MIND??FUCKK!!

I wish that I'm at home right now. Being there for my family.Especially my mom.sigh...I wouldn't mind to go home straight, if I have the money..sigh..

girls

St Trinian's

You will go mental when you watch this movie. It's hilarious to see these mischievous girls in action, the wacky headmistress(Rupert Everett) also the charming minister(Collin Firth) =D. You might want to think zillion times to sent your girls to that school. It's fiction by the way.
To conclude, it's a good one.

To have an inconsiderate employer who couldn't care less for her son, Annie(Scarlett Johansson) seem to be very strong nanny in the beginning till the end. I was very impress to see her hanging there with that rascal brat, but eventually they get along. Interesting movie I would say =)

what's on my mind?

1. To be in a different environment where I can be progress myself
   
2. To be the one for him.
   
3. To be able to see and work out my 5 years planning
   
4. Being thankful for everything I have now
   
5. Ignore age accomplishment and just go with the flow
   
6. To live life with happiness & sadness. It's a karma thing.
   
7. To face reality and accepting everything happen for a reason.
   
8. To ensure myself that I am not weak because of him, it's because of me.
   
9. Willingness to make sacrifices with a certain of limits.
   
10. Although it is a bad start for me this year, it doesn't mean the world has comes to the end. My time will come.

Shopping:aid for depression?

How do you deal yourself when you are depress?Chocolates?Crying?Alone?Shopping?

It depends..
As for me, I try to avoid chocolates(because it's fattening) although some say it helps to ease the sadness.

Crying? Im a cry baby. I get very emotional when things do not go as I expected.

Alone? I've been there. I wouldn't want to be alone very long as it doesn't seem healthy. I didn't mean by jumping into another relatioship soon, it's more like..'move on'. Like most people say, easier said than done.

Shopping? As far as I'm aware, when I gone mad..ok,spend some money!(that includes when im broke as well). For me, shopping helps me reduce stress. Not only that, shopping is in my biggest vice!hahaha..

Last thurday, I got myself DKNY sling bag from e95 to e47.50! Today I bought Wallis accessories for e20! I think I got at least 5 accessories for the price of 1! So, I guess you understand why I go mad for shopping! :D

Big Q: Where does the money come? Well, let just say I got the money from Santa. Hehe, not kidding you.Santa gave me e250.00 gift voucher. So..that's explain the shopping madness?

Not really.I'm just about to becoming a shopaholic.(DUH..I am a shopaholic NOW!) =p

It all started when I shopped MNG stuffs for RM550 in 30minutes! Yes, not kidding you. My mum even said to me 'Mama dulu shopaholic,so ok la kalau awak shopping'. My assumption: I was home for short break.Earnings in euros.So,it's okay for my mum to 'kikis' my money. WTH, I can hardly shop before (because I have no money, DUH!) But then again, I still didn't shop much when I start working. Maybe it's because of someone. So partly I become a shopaholic because of mama.

It is no biggie deal to me. To me, bila lagi nak shopping? When you're into the next phase(building own family),you wouldn't be able to shop for yourself more compare to shopping when you are single.Or maybe more exciting? Especially dressing up your kids.hrmm.. ^_^

Also, it's fun to go shopping with your partner.Not because we want to dig in their money.It because the feeling of..I can hardly describe it.hehe..

It's been a year...

Since I left from home..i miss
>>spending time together
>>dining together
>>shopping together
>>talking & sharing thoughtsz

Just hope this 'missing' feelings will end soon..

From now on...
>>find a nice breezy short getaway during my stay at home
>>get my mission done *personal* ^_^
>>meet them
>>most importantly...CASH! -How on earth am I suppose to spend the above without it!

*Saving Money - another NY resolutions I suppose..hehehe

Attention to my mutual friends...IM COMING HOME IN SUMMER 2008! :D

will obviously notify when I purchased the ticket. =)

LeO fOr tOdaY!

You aren't as emotional as others today, but this doesn't mean that your life settles down. You are entering a new relationship phase in which you can be less demanding and more detached. Romance may be less important now than independence. Try replacing your shifting moods with a more logical way of dealing with others.

better or worse??

How's life? getting better or worse? mine getting worse..

My laptop is broken.

My mobile is broken (currently using bro's-sorry yer :p)

My camera batt is out(using rechargeable batt)

New Year's Resolution?
-->To get everything NEW! :p

gorgeous!

Dell XPS M1330

Planning on getting this one soon! =)

25 tips for relationship success

What's the key to successful relationships? Here, Susan Quilliam reveals the simple things you need to know to deepen your partnership and make your relationship work

1. Without quality time, your relationship will not survive. Carve out at least half an hour a night, and at least one day a month when you the two of you spend time exclusively together.

2. You will both need security, comfort. A good relationship is built on compromise and a great deal of give and take on both sides.

3. Keep your dependence and independence in balance. Tell and show your partner how much you need him, but don't cling, as that can make your partner feel trapped.

4. Encourage him to listen to you, by showing appreciation when he does. By the same token, show interest when he talks to you. Be aware that most men aren't mentally programmed for conversation in the way women are. They need more silence and internal time.

5. Make him appreciate you. Don't wait for a spontaneous compliment, but say something good about yourself and ask for his agreement.

6. Teach him, preferably early in your relationship, exactly how to give you a fail-safe orgasm because it's unlikely he'll find out alone. If you don't yet know yourself, find out.

7. Learn to do the one thing that is most likely to restore good feeling in your relationship - giving your partner a genuine, loving and approving smile.

8.Often those subtle quirks that first attracted you to your partner can, with time, turn around and become toe-curlingly annoying habits. Learn to love him, warts and all.

9. Hidden resentments poison a relationship; so if something bothers you, say it. Remember that while men are wary of emotional conversations, they love to find solutions. Express your problem and then ask him to help you find the answer.

10. Learn that punishing your partner won't work. It may make you feel better to give him a hard time, but it will actually make him dig his heels in more. A better tactic is to reward the things you like and ignore what you don't like.

11. Money is the number one cause of couple conflict. For a relationship to work, you need to address your finances and work out a budget.

12. If the domestic work is not divided fairly between you, it will cause friction in your relationship. Make a list of the domestic tasks, talk it through with your partner and mobilise the whole family, your partner included, to share the work.

13. If you have children, involve your partner as much as possible with the childcare - even if you feel he's not as good as it at you are. It's important to present a united front to your children.

14. Sort out your sex life. The sex may ebb and flow over the years, but if sex starts going downhill, don't just accept it. As soon as you notice a slide, question why and then work at bringing the passion back.

15. Don't assume you won't be tempted to have an affair as almost everyone is. You need to learn to resist. If you do stray, don't feel it spells the end of your relationship. Most couples recover, particularly from a one-night-stand, and often find that unrooting the cause of the affair helps them to get even closer. So, you need to learn to resist. But don't think that an affair is the end of everything.

16. Remember that boredom typically covers up anger. If you feel bored with him, ask yourself what you're angry about.

17. Be aware that men generally feel overwhelmed by emotion more than women do. If he's angry or tearful, half an hour's 'unflooding' time to himself will help get his balance back and make him more able to interact positively with you.

18. Learn how to argue well. The trick is to never say anything that you wouldn't want to hear said to you.

19. Research suggests you need five positive experiences to erase the memory of one negative experience. So give five kind words for each bitchy comment. Give five hugs for each cold shoulder.

20. Learn how to negotiate. Each of you states what you want, then both of you work together to find a way forward.

21. Accept the things that won't change. Some characteristics about your partner are there for life - and you have to face that.

22. Learn to forgive. If you know you will never forgive your partner over something important, then give him - and yourself - a break and start again, with someone else.

23. Realise that the two of you will shift and change over the years. So, even if you think you understand him, or believe you have agreements sorted, check regularly - at least once a year - to make sure that neither of you has changed your mind.

24. Know when to leave. If your life aims are incompatible, there are heavy drugs or violence around, or if there is consistently more pain than pleasure, then walk before the relationship destroys you.

25. Don't think that going to counselling equals failure. It can turn a bad relationship around. It can turn an average relationship into a brilliant one.

article taken from ivillage

faces of me 2007

Happy New Year to all =)

still pressure?

tired & exhausted..hanging there for the big treat!
-->11days of relaxing!

Aidil-Adha in Dublin will be on Wednesday, 19.12.2007 ..

Selamat menunaikan haji

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil-Adha

Maaf Zahir & Batin

Top Five Dating Mistakes That Men Make

How many times have you gone on what you thought was an amazing date only to find that the person never calls back or doesn't seem interested when you try to book another date?

Dating can be awkward, and everyone makes mistakes. Of course, there are some instances in which the person you like doesn't follow up and it has nothing to do with you (e.g,. an ex comes back into her life...don't you love that?). But often it's simple things we do (or don't do) that prevent us from making a connection.

During the past few years, I've interviewed hundreds of daters and asked them what they were looking for, and it's amazing to hear the same themes. Women have certainly complained to me about the biggest mistakes they feel that men make in dating, so I thought I'd share the secrets.

“Don't worry -- I have plenty of material on the mistakes women make, but
that's for a future installment.”

Top Five Dating Mistakes That Men Make
1. Men Show Off or Try to Impress Too Much.
Don't offer your resume, your earning potential, and tell us how you'll change our lives the first time we meet you. Instead of talking about yourself the whole night, ask questions! Don't come on too strong right away. Let us figure out if we want to be with you, instead of telling us we do.

2. Men Don't Listen to Us When We're Talking.
We notice if you stop listening to us, if you ask us questions we just answered, or if you keep interrupting us when we're opening up. This drives most women nuts! Unless you're on call, don't check your Blackberry at dinner and don't check out other women.

“Focus on the woman across the table from you and listen to what she has to
say.”

3. Men Aren't Chivalrous.
The lines here are not always clear. We want you to treat us like equals, but we also want you to treat us like women. It's nice when a man picks up the tab or makes sure his date gets home safely. It may be old-fashioned, but a number of women report that dating a gentleman matters.

4. Men Don't Take Initiative.
Men, how many times have you caught yourself saying, "I don't know" or "Whatever you'd like" when planning a date? If you've asked a woman out, a better approach is to give a few fun and creative date options and ask her to pick one.
Initiative doesn't mean ordering for a woman at a restaurant or ordering a woman around! It does mean confidently approaching your date with ideas, passion and interest. It also means you can be flirty and forward, letting her know how amazing you think she looks or how much you want to kiss her.

5. Men Say They'll Call and Then Don't.
It's no surprise that acting like you're going to follow up when you're not bothers most women (and never underestimate the way word travels about you not keeping your word!). Better to end a date by saying, "It was nice to meet you. Have a good night." Don't act like you're going to follow up if you're not. If you've gone out more than a few times, be honest that while you enjoy your date's company, you don't feel a romantic connection.

“Just remember, communication is usually the way to go with a woman.”

There are always exceptions, so I don't believe there are absolute rights and wrongs in dating -- but there are strategies. If you follow these simple steps, you'll be ahead in the dating game. At least you'll get an 'A' for effort.

My Interpretation

You talk about life, you talk about death,
And everything in between,
Like it’s nothing, and the words are easy.
You talk about me, and you talk about you,
And everything I do,
Like it’s something, that needs repeating.
I don’t need an alibi or for you to realize,
The things we left unsaid,
Are only taking space up in our head.
Make it my fault, win the game
Point the finger, place the blame
It does me up and down,
It doesn’t matter now.

[chorus:]
‘Cause I don’t care if I ever talk to you again.
This is not about emotion,
I don’t need a reason not to care what you say,
Or what happened in the end.
This is my interpretation,
And it don’t, don’t make sense.

The first two weeks turn into ten,
I hold my breath and wonder when it’ll happen,
Does it really matter?
If half of what you said is true,
And half of what I didn’t do could be different,
Would it make it better?
If we forget the things we know.
Would we have somewhere to go?
The only way is down, I can see that now.

[chorus]

It’s really not such a sacrifice

[chorus]

And it don’t have to make no sense to you at all,
‘Cause this is my interpretation, yeah, yeah, yeah.