Ecosophie =

∫]Ecology + Economics - pollution[ d× )Phil + adel + (so) + phia( ÷ LOVE of Wizdom

Vote Earth for Earth Hour 2009!

Earth Hour 2009

Vote for Earth! Join the Earth Hour movement!

Thank you!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Wishing everyone an Ox-picious New Year...

$20

I got this from an e-mail forwarded by my English teacher, Mdm. Oon. It has never been more timely! Thank you, teacher!

With the release of the SAT scores and the tonnes of university/college applications to work with, many of us are really stressed out by the external challenges and circumstances.


To all those who feel they are like a crumpled $20 bill:

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by: holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, 'Who would like this $20 bill?' Hands started going up... He said, 'I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this . He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, 'Who still wants it?' Still the hands were up in the air. Well, he replied, 'What if I do this?' And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe... He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. 'Now, who still wants it?' Still the hands went into the air.

My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.

The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE. You are special - Don't EVER forget it.' If you do not pass this on, you may never know the lives it touches, the hurting hearts it speaks to, or the hope that it can bring. Count your blessings, not your problems. '

YouTube Symphony - 香港中樂團 Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra - Eroica

香港中樂團應邀作為 YouTube 交響樂團合作夥伴。 本片為香港中樂團演奏譚盾作曲之Eroica中樂版。 由樂團副指揮周熙杰編曲，藝術總監兼首席指揮閻惠昌帶領85人樂團演奏。

HKCO is a partner of YouTube Symphony Orchestra project. HKCO is playing the Chinese music version of Tan Dun's "Eroica", re-arranged by Chew Hee-chiat (Associate Conductor, HKCO) and performed by 85-member HKCO under the baton of Yan Huichang (Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, HKCO).

http://hk.youtube.com/symphonyhk

Rate cut! FD interest rate down!

Bank Negara has a very far-sighted, highly responsive and responsible lady Governor called Zeti Aziz and a team of caliber economists (no sarcasm intended). In November 25th, 2008, Bank Negara cut its benchmark Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 25 basis points to 3.25% from 3.5%, and signaled it was ready to cut the rate further.

The central bank of Malaysia cited reasons for the rate cut as “the heightened downside risks to growth” and “the diminishing inflationary pressures”. Well said. On top of that, Bank Negara also cut the statutory reserve requirement (SRR) for banking institutions, the first time in a decade, from 4.0% to 3.5% - effective December 1.

I laud the pre-emptive and proactive measures taken by the central bank in view of the future and current global economic situation and the international financial conditions. The rate cut is especially instrumental to maintain stability in market prices to avert the spiraling down of prices. Thus, I see the assertive intervention by Bank Negara as timely and effective to give assurance and confidence to investors. Though, like many other members of society, my savings in the FD accounts will earn lower interest as a result of the rate cut. I guess that Bank Negara really wants us to shift the saving funds into other investments that will directly stimulate economic growth, for instance the Amanah Saham. We would have to compromise as a microcosm in the economy to support growth in the macroeconomic environment.

Currently, ten banks have already reduced their fixed deposit (FD) rates, following Bank Negara’s recent cut in the key interest rate and more are expected to follow suit.

Effective Nov 25, the minimum rate set by the central bank for 12-month FD is 3.5% per annum. The minimum rate set for one-month FD remains at 3% per annum.

As cited by the business, banking and financial community, we can expect more rate cuts ahead as the economy slows down, and yikes, lower interest rates in our FD accounts, unless we shift the funds to other profitable investments! For that matter, education on investments would be needed!

References:
Loong Tse Min (Tuesday November 25, 2008) 'Overnight Policy Rate lowered to 3.25%', The Star Online (cited December 11, 2008)

Yap Leng Kuen (Wednesday November 26, 2008) 'Market expects more interest rate cuts', The Star Online (cited December 11, 2008)