Dead Certain

Recent events in my life has reminded me of how fragile our life on earth can be. This blog may be rather morbid to read but one things I am certain of that is someday each one of us has to die! Has this fact sunk into you yet or maybe we are constantly avoiding this age old question, "When our life will end and how will it end?"

The last couple of weeks is rather strenous in the life of my church. We have a handlful of report of persons facing terminal illness. At this point of blog some have already passed on and others just hanging in there. Thoughts that rushed pass my minds is boggling. Why? Or is it I was simply too busy to be aware of these happenings around the world until it come closer to home which in this case news stemming from my church front. In view of these events, here is what we can major or minor in.

Major in:-

1. Eternal issues. Set in our hearts once and for all eternal matters. Get right with our creator who loves us.
2. Endeavor to live a good life of valuing life and respecting others. Celebrate life on earth together with all.
3. Be good stewards of all blessings in our lives. Share it with others.
4. Leave a legacy to glorify God.

Minor in:-

1. Sinful desires and actions.
   

Do I need a PDA?

Today many people hold a PDA in their pocket. It is more like the diary or organizer of many years ago. For the curious, PDA stands for personal digital assistant. If I mentioned the "Palm" or "Windows Mobile" or PDA phone you will know what it is.

For techie, a PDA is a must simply because it is fun to have one. For those who are more affluent perhaps owning a PDA exhibits some status and commands respect of peers.

From personal experience I can tell you that a PDA does not immediately benefit its owner. It is only after some time of usage that an owner becomes dependent on it. This is because of the build up of information collected over time.

So I would provide some checklist of the major purpose of a PDA.

1. Keeping appointments.
2. Records of contacts.
3. Things to do
4. Other peripheral applications like expense tracking, etc.
   

Are you addicted to the internet?

5 major symptoms of addiction to the internet?

1. You get depressed when unable to get connected.
2. You checked your email everytime you get back to your computer.
3. You email to your spouse even though he/she just next to you!
4. You feel that your computer is of not much use when there is no internet connection.
5. You invite almost everyone you know to Gmail.
   

Korean TV series

How to recognise a Korean TV series? (Usually love stories)

1. There will be the main character (a boy and a girl)
2. There will the unfortunate boy and girl (who would end up does not get the girl or boy he/she wants)
3. It will take almost 3 episodes to complete a sub-plot.
4. The main guy will almost always miss the girl in the first half of the series.
5. The parent or parent-in-law will always be portrayed (I guess family values are emphasized here).

Recommended series: "Love in Harvard", "Hotelier",....

Never enough

2006 is closed. Never to come back again. Whatever is done is done. I am sure many will have made the new year's resolution. Whatever it is, I am sure it is something achievable.

One of the common things the "financial controller" of the family does at end year is to do the accounts for the year. If you had already done yours, would it be not too far from wrong to guess that the expense almost equals the income. This must be so otherwise you are either in greater debt or you are rich!

So going by the maxim, it is safe to say that it does not matter how much you earn that determines whether you are better off. Somebody who earns less can actually be better off than someone else who commands a higher salary if he/she is clever in controlling the expense part of the equation.

In the realm of financial planning, one needs to major in "paying yourself" first in allocation for savings or investment before the rest of the expense come in otherwise he/she may find that it is not possible to save the intended amount.

Make "paying yourself" first or rather allocation for others before self-gratification one of your 2007 resolution. You will enjoy the benefits of this discipline in years to come.