The value of the Malaysian currency seems to be dropping even further against the US dollar. As I don’t trade in US currency, this does not really bother me. But for businessmen who pays in US dollar for imports, then it will make a big difference in their wallets. A bottle of wine in the UK costs only 4.50 great Britain Pounds, but over here in Malaysia, it costs in the region of $26 ringgit or more per bottle. On the other hand, I earn US dollars for work done online and the stronger US dollars means higher earnings for me in Ringgits. Just hope that the Malaysian currency will eventually strengthen and not dive too much in value against other countries’ currencies.

So far, life is good to me. I have a roof over my head, no floods here in Penang and I live in a high rise condo in the heart of Georgetown. I have enough money to last a lifetime and am entitled to my dad’s pension for the OKU programme with monthly allowance.

I might go down to KL this evening or tomorrow morning as my colleague needs to meet up with someone. Just pray for journey mercies and protection on the road while driving, especially along the ever busy North-South highway. I was in Kedah yesterday evening to meet up with a potential client and the trip there was smooth, hardly any traffic around. There’s no snarling traffic jams unlike crowded Penang, chocked with so many vehicles that it is common to have bumper-to-bumper drive. I also received payment for my PR2 website of USD 66 after service charge deduction by Paypal. This is repeated monthly income for 1 year after I emailed my clients the monthly invoice using Paypal. I will also receive USD 10 from a China client for blogging on a monthly basis, paid on the 10th every month.

The year 2014 ended with many tragedies like the missing MH planes and an Air Asia plane with floods hitting the East coast of Malaysia. Lee Chong Wei was suspended for 2 years from playing badminton plus a host of other incidents. But compared to the lost of lives in the 3 plane mishaps, our problems in life is nothing compared to such a magnitude of sorrow experienced by the families of the plane victims. Let’s hope 2015 will be a better year for everyone and come 1st April, it will be the implementation of the GST of 6% to replace the current sales and service tax that we see on our dining chits. I stayed a little longer outside my place for the new year count down without the fireworks this time around.

I just came back from Hatyai for a night at Lee Gardens Hotel and tonight will go to KL with my colleague. There will be an interview to attend and a visit to another site. I also have to withdraw money to pay for my apartment in KL for the balance 90% amounting to RM 261k. It is a very small apartment of about 620sq ft, enough for 2 persons or 1 person ideally. My second sister is now is Jogjakarta, Indonesian and visited the temples there. Then she will go to KL and then spend 1 night in Ipoh to have dim sum before coming back to stay with me for the rest of the days she will be in Penang before returning to Southampton to continue her PhD studies for another 1.5 years. She plans to work in Singapore after graduation and I wish her all the best.

I am a firm believer in living life to the fullest and to make the best of your potential. We should strive to work hard and play hard. By striking a balance, then only can we fulfill our potential to be the best in whatever endeavours we pursue – be it in our careers, relationships, hobbies, social work, etc. As they say, ‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ Also be true to yourself as you deserve it and love yourself before you can pass the joy and love to others in this season of Yuletide where presents and joy abound. It is a time for giving and receiving. Be generous to others for Blessed are the generous in heart. During this Christmas season, I hope you will enjoy your holidays with closed ones and friends.

I woke up at 6:30am this morning, had simple breakfast of Chinese tea with vitamins and then I promptly logged into the computer. Did some editing on Photoshop and learnt from Youtube video how to draw a line in Photoshop which is different from Illustrator where is a tool for direct line drawing. In Photoshop, you have to select the Brush tool, then hold down the Shift key while clicking on a dot to position the line and then click on a second dot to finish off the line. The result is a straight line from point A to point B. It was easy peasy if you know how after watching the video. Then I typed 2 quotations for different clients and emailed them out this morning. Voila, my job is done for the day, unless of course, then is more incoming work from my boss.