Sunday, July 8, 2018

Why Young Working Adult Need to know the word 'afford'

I get it. I do get it. I was a young working adult once too. I know how it feels to be when one first started working, I had so many aspirations, wishes, and dreams that I wanted to do all at one time. I was ambitious and I was diligent. Needless to say, I had that vigor and raw energy to work hard. All of it I hope, in one day, I would be living the life of a successful person with a big house, a powerful sport car, and a beautiful wife. Of course, everyone had that one dream. There are people who plan, seriously, their life out of it. Some, they take what life has to give along the way. Then, they are some who think could not care less because you only live once. YOLO!

You only live once, yes, but it should not be without any plans to achieve some goals. I called that personal life goals. Any sane person without plans and goals, that person would not know what will be the next exciting thing to look forward to in life. Let us all face the truth, it is very low percentage that everyone comes into the world rich. Most of us, our parents had to work hard to get paid so there will be food on the table, there will be some money to buy their children some uniforms, shoes, clothes, stationery and so on that their children can go to school and learn. Now, their children has grown up and started to work and earn money on their own. They are push out the door from the university, from their own home into the fast paced, challenging, domineering, and tormenting rat race, i called it working. They are now known as the young working adults. These young working adults arm with just a scroll called degree has so little experience to offer to their employers that they are not able to negotiate a great deal of pay out of it. Seriously, fresh graduates are the freshest workhorse with zero experience out from the oven and out to the carousel for employers to pick and hire. Sounds harsh? Yes, it is as it is, working is tough. 

At the same time, fresh graduates had to endure the pain of renting, if one is working far from their home, the fluctuations of petrol price, transportation ire, and the expensive cost of living. By many considerations, leaving the education institution and joining the workforce is an opportunity for many because they can finally chase after their dreams. Little do they know that at these several years, they have to be very careful with their financial status. Many of them wish and dream for better living, better expenses, better opportunity but the realization to save and make better earning failed terribly. They failed not because of finding work opportunity but the wants to earn more money in the shortest duration. They are enticed to find work that gives them fast return. All hope that they could get the fashionable clothing, that expensive car, and that luxury home. In this sense, it shows the world they are successful; successful at that very young age. Honestly, I can tell you, success in life does not mean owning expensive cars and huge house but it is the process of going through hardship, respecting your skills, and the willingness to pick up the wrong and correct the mistakes. That is valuable life learning lesson. Many young working adults falls into the trap of getting expensive cars when their financial statement said otherwise. As a result, annual reports from the banks always indicate young workers are often mired with bankruptcy because they could not service the car loan.

Young working adults in any working fields should learn to accept that wants cannot be quantified by the working experience they have because the pay grade is not there. They need to know, working experience is a direct relationship to the question of how much one could earn from doing his or hers work for a month. At least, a month's pay is how much one justify a person's wage in Malaysia. Young working adults should learn to prioritize their savings and focus on self improvement. Luxury cars and big houses are worldly desires that will absorb a huge part of your life's earning. It can be disastrous even for the older working adults who are not careful with their finances. Young working adults need to be wise and think carefully as to what constitutes reasonable spending and that does not blow a hole in their saving account. I know, there are still many out there doing it wrong. It is wrong if you are struggling hard to overcome a car loan. Many things can be said for one who is struggling to sustain the car loan and it is the deficit of re-paying the car loan in many cases. Young working adult just do not have the financial capability to sustain an expensive car. It is the word called affordability that young working adults should learn to embrace it. The word afford puts a dot that determines whether you can or you cannot. It does not go that today is the day and tomorrow another care. Affordability, this word, does not work in that way. It cares nothing for tomorrow because if you cannot afford it today, then you cannot afford it right now. It is as simple as a child singing the alphabet song ABC. Unfortunately, many young working adults, they only have a mindset affixed at a very narrow view. The afford word usually comes to haunt them in another word called bankruptcy. 

Modernize Home Living Today

Our parents had a much simpler views on managing their household. A simple kitchen with all the bare necessities that can make out delicious food for the family was all mothers wanted and still it is today. A simple living room with a sofa, a television, and a fan was all fathers wanted and they could have a good hearty time with the wife and the kids. A simple bedrooms with beds, a table that could be for either make up or studying was simply enough for the wife and the kids. Then, a simple toilet with a proper toilet bowl, a sink, a huge water tank to store water was just it. 

Nowadays, the society had moved from traditional living to modernize living. People who can afford to hire an interior decorator can have all types of themes, that one could just live out a show room. Back in those days, an interior decorator was unheard of and probably on the rich could afford it. Hiring an interior decorator is expensive and one could easily spent at least fifty thousands of ringgit and above. Times has change, the society has been progressively changing with the level of economics in the country. Therefore, this has somehow modernize home living. 

Firstly, developers no longer just build and sell a house to home buyers. There are different developers out there offering different types of package which include a certain level of customization or interior furnishing. Buyers now has a choice to choose the type of house they want despite the fluctuation of home prices but that is another issue to consider. Right now, buyers can find home projects that offers some degree of interior furnishing. Yes, home buyers gets to have some built-in furniture when they go collect their keys. These are some optional offerings that one could find in the housing market today. 

Secondly, maturity of society towards home living has change over the years. The accessible of the Internet and opening up of great bookstores has open up or broaden up the community to different themes and knowledge in home living. One could just google up some aspect on home living such as modern living room, rustic kitchen, home appliance and so on has open up doors to many types and styles of home living. As a result, this has led to the demand of different type of home living. This exposes ideas to family and individuals to how one could change their ways of living in their beloved house. 

Thirdly, home improvement has been gaining momentum and becoming a challenge to many furniture designers and manufacturers. Local manufacturers no longer has to settle with the price-to-equal design product because progression in home living has led them to be more progressive in pricing and getting to the quality and level of design of furniture. They have to compete with bigger manufacturers who provides a higher value added services such as do-it-yourself furniture, delivery, and assembled on the spot. All of these were made affordable to buyers by global manufacturers successfully such as IKEA. If one take a stroll in IKEA Malaysia, one will beg to question the huge turnout of visitors every weekend. The numbers are huge and the counters are frequently long. In comparison to local home furnishing providers, the numbers differ. One could argue that it is incorrect to compare local sellers to huge brand seller like IKEA because their business model is totally different. In my opinion, they are similar because both offers furniture. Probably, a degree higher because they offer not just a wide range of furnishing because it has so many department that one could easily spend hours in it. Therefore, local sellers has to be more creative and offers more for their customers. 

Home living is a huge business and there is no doubt to it. Every year, there are many buyers getting their keys to their first house or another house. It is not going to stop because developers has to keep on going to the next project in order to grow. Therefore, home living will continue to be a challenge to local sellers, more choices to home buyers, and home designers will have to continue to find and sources for fresher ideas. 

Monday, August 28, 2017

Table Manners and Younger Generations


Our world is filling fast with better and smarter devices; especially smartphones. Every year, there are newer and improved versions and this include better applications too. Unfortunately, we descendants of the apes are devolving. Not evolving. Many times, I would bump into mindless kids or young teenagers doing all sorts of stunts or foolish acts. It is a wonder how some parents refuse to lecture and let their kids go wild and free. 


The other night, I was having dinner with my wife and the food court were pack because of the school holidays. We managed to get a table for four. Since there were just the two of us, my wife allow a young mother and her son to join us. 

Me : I'll go get my dinner, eat on, don't wait for me. 
She : Okay. 

After 15 minutes, I returned to the table, the kid returned with his food too. None were too annoying until he started to eat his chicken chop. It was the way he uses his fork and knife that was irritating. He could learn some table manners on how to use that tools that us, human with the almighty brain, created to cut the chicken and eat. You don't raised your elbow with that pair of tools. Elbows down, sit up straight, hold the fork and knife in the correct position, cut and eat. You don't elbow up and touch your next neighbor!

My Wife : Damn, that was disturbing!
Me : See, am I right? Always eat with elbow down and don't spread out. Tuck in. Eat politely.

My Wife : God Damn... that was so rude. You are right!

Me : The right way to eat, no matter what culinary utensils, is elbow down, don't spread out, eat slowly and politely. Don't be rude to others sitting next to you. 

My Wife : His mom didn't say a thing... I can't belive it!
Me : Well, I think his mom loves his boy too much...

Parents, you should teach your kids to have table manners when it comes to meal times. 

williamwilstroth... where are your table manners?

Twisted Thoughts - My Wife

When you had done bad before, you would always be aware of some bad karma coming back to kiss your sorry ass. That is when fear strikes hard at you in the heart, and I am always very careful of that. Yes, you can do all the charity and gave as many prayers as you can do in any temple you come across to make atonement. Does it really work? I don't think so.

Me : Will you turn your back on me?
My Wife : Yes. 

Me : Will you go somewhere and leave me alone?
My Wife : Yes. 

Me : How about another man approaches you?
My Wife : Yes. 

My Wife : Can you stop being an ass? If i wanted to do all those, it wouldn't be now. Way earlier. Go to sleep! It's already 2 in the morning... jeeze...

Damn coffee... don't drink coffee at night...

WilliamWilstroth... scary thoughts and fear of bad karma

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Twisted Thoughts : Where are you?

Gabe : Hey, I'm going to take a nap. 
Beth : Okay, Oh, I am heading out to Sam's, you need anything? 
Gabe : Get me some meatloafs? 
Beth : Okay. 

It must have been hours she had went out but never this long, and it's already too dark and past dinner time. 

Gabe : Hi John, you seen Beth? 
John : No, she didn't tell you where she'll be heading to?
Gabe : Told me she'll be at Sam's. 
John : Why don't you go over to find out?
Gabe : I'll do that... 

The drive was short and fast. He was anxious to know if she was still there. Perhaps, she met some neighbors or someone from her Yoga group; talked too long unknowingly. If it is, then it is good to know. 

Gabe : Sam! You see Beth?
Sam : She just left many hours ago. 
Gabe : You sure?
Sam : Hey, if you are heading home, take this bag with you. She missed one shopping bag.
Gabe : Thanks!

He walked fast to his truck and his mind is searching fast.

Gabe : Where are you, Beth?

He opened his phone and pressed his sister's name on the screen. It blinked a while before someone answer the call.

Gabe : Sis, is Beth there with you? 
Sister : What are you talking about?
Gabe : Beth, is Beth there with you? 
Sister : What? Beth?
Gabe : Yes, Beth. Is she with you? For god sake!
Sister : Gabe, have you been drinking too much?
Gabe : Just tell me where is Beth, will you?
Sister : Gabe, just get a hold of yourself, please...
Gabe : I am just asking you where is Beth...
Sister : Gabe, did you visit Dr. Freeman?
Gabe : Jeeze, I just want to know if Beth is there...
Sister : I give up, Gabe. Beth is not here...

His mind is wrecking now. She is not there at her sister's house. Where could she be? He had to drive home and maybe she just went to do some personal errands elsewhere. At the apartment, he ran up the stairs, and bumped into John.

John : You found her? 
Gabe : No. Please let me know if you happen to see her? 
John : Sure. 

Gabe went into his home and closed his door. 

Gabe : Beth! Are you home? 
Beth : Hey! I am here... where were you? I was looking all over the places for you!
Gabe : I went to Sam to look for you. You left your shopping bag there...
Beth : Oh dear, I know I can rely on you... Thanks.

-------

John : He is at it again, every month.
Suzy : You mean the crazy Gabe opposite us?
John : Yes, he just can't get over her. She's been dead for years. 
Suzy : Oh poor Gabe... 
John : He is crazy enough to wear her clothes too! I wonder why the management hasn't kick him out yet. Oh god... hear now, he's talking loud to himself now...

-------

Sister : Mom, are we going to visit Gabe?
Mom : No, the last time we were there... Oh god, I have no wish to say anymore... He is sick...
Sister : Why don't we call in the hospital? 
Mom : It's no use... He refuse to take meds and all he does is talked to the mannequin and pretend Beth is still alive. 

-------

Peter : Aren't we being too nice? 
Sam : That's the least we can do for Beth to take care of Gabe. 
Peter : Do we get paid for all the groceries we given him?
Sam : No worries, his estate is rich enough to handle all that. 
Peter : Poor Gabe... What happen to his wife?
Sam : ... She jumped... 



williamwilstroth... Gabe, she's not here. 

Twisted Thoughts : He Came Back

"Where have you been?", asked Sharon. She gripped the door knob tightly as the person she was talking to had long been forgotten. He just came up to her door step, a knock she heard and she opened to him. "Hi", the man said minutes ago. 

"They told me," she couldn't bare to say it again. The military came with the letter. It had happened many years ago and she couldn't even manage to stand when the officer broke the news to her, right at the very same doorstep that night. "I am very sorry, ma'am", the officer apologized as according to the policy when they need to visit relatives of the deceased. 

"They had me iced...", John said. He was drenched in the heavy rain. Thunder struck behind him as he stood there lifeless. "I have no idea where was I and the first thing I remembered was you", and he moved one step closer. Sharon was alarmed and immediately closed the net door. "You are dead, John", she cried. 

John looked at her, not sure if he was really dead dead. Time had not waited for him. She was frightened not because John came back. She did want him returned many years ago after she had received the letter. She had missed him so much that every night she would cried herself to sleep. "John, you are dead", she repeated. "Don't move any closer", this is different now as she had come to accept he had passed on. Now, this stranger who resemblance John or was it really John who is standing in front of her now. "Stay there, John", she fidgeted at her phone and started looking up for Derek. Derek is in the military in-charge of John's team. He was the commanding officer now in some place. The phone dialed Derek and a beep went on before a replied came through.

"Sharon, I've been trying to get hold of you. Listen to me, whatever you do. Do not open the door. Lock it", Derek instructed Sharon. She stood frozen upon hearing those words. Her hand slowly reach to lock the net door and walked backwards. John stared at her. His eyes were glassy and void of life. John continued to stare at her. His mouth opened a bit. "Derek, come quick," and that's what all she could manage to say. 

"Sharon! Sharon! We are coming!" Derek's voice echoed through the night. It was quiet after that. The only sound that filled up the house was some hungry animals feeding; the crackling and crunching of bones. After some time, it went quiet...

williamwilstroth... hecameback whatwashe 


Sunday, February 1, 2015

The Malaysian anxiety on Vegetarian food...

I take vegetarian food during weekends and sometimes at night. Yes, I know what comes into every Malaysian thoughts. 

"Eat vegetarian food, no energy lar".
"Vegetarian food, bad lar, too much gluten".
"Too oily lar".
"Vegetarian food, huh, why lar?".

These are the five primary concerns when I tell people I am having vegetarian food for the night. Sometimes, I find it freakish that Malaysian are apprehensive against vegetarian food. I started vegetarian about a year ago during my time looking for a good source of protein and trying to get as lean as possible. So I found out vegetarian and organic source. For a start, those 5 primary scary concern is not true at all.

"Eat vegetarian food, no energy lar"
It is all in our mind and how we were all brain-wash by our parents and school that food must consist of fish, chicken, vegetables, rice and fruit. That is what we had during our growing up years. Our family had fed us these throughout our growing years and we have grown used to it. "Ah boy, eat your rice otherwise you won't grow", ever remember how your parents tells you this? Yes, we all do. These are all your mindset which have been auto feed into us by our parents when we were growing up. Then comes the commercialized food on the other hand, commercialized food like KFC, McDonald's, Nasi Kandar and others has more exposure to us than a vegetarian meal menu. It's true. Do you ever see a vegetarian advertisement on the television programs. No and none will ever go there. That's why, people who started to eat vegetarian food will suddenly find themselves not being able to adapt and digest food that is non-meat based and hence, they feel weak. However, it's all how we were brought out. You need fish, chicken, beef and other meat based product. 

"Vegetarian food too much gluten"
Almost everything we eat from a piece of white bread to that ever glorious perfectly deep fried golden brown chicken thigh has gluten. Yes, I am telling the truth. If you are chewing a cracker or enjoying a nachos, you are swallowing a bit of gluten into your body. In theory, we all have been eating or digesting gluten for a very long time. So, does that make any difference if we suddenly change our meat based diet to a vegetarian diet? No, it does not make any difference. In a vegetarian based diet, we can always opt to have organics that is gluten-free. How's about that? Good right? This one thing I am always amaze why Malaysian harps on gluten when throughout their life they are already eating gluten. 

"Vegetarian food too oily"
Isn't the oil used to deep fried your bacon, fried chicken or beef from the Steak House, KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut or even your usual Chinese hawker stall oily? How bad is vegetarian using vegetarian oil like canola oil? I bet you won't know that vegetarian or organics shop uses canola oil and olive oil to cook your vegetarian meals right? Okay, olive oil will be expensive but canola oil? Canola oil or sunflower oil are mainly used in cooking vegetarian meals. So, I am wondering how oily can it be comparing to a chap fan stall cooking all those dishes for a hundred mouths on a day? I bet they don't even change those oils in the wok. Moreover, you have been eat those non-vegetarian oils for a lifetime... especially your favorite dish of char-koay-teow. 

"Vegetarian food, but why?"
My introduction to vegetarian was a number of reason. One, my girlfriend challenged me into a month's of vegetarian food. Two, i saw some benefit in it when I was doing my weight training, swim training and cycling training. As a matter of fact, there are whole lot of reasons for one to avoid vegetarian but so few are encouraged to start being a vegetarian. It is all a matter of choices due to personal beliefs, personal preferences, medical conditions or even religion. So before you go asking why someone is having vegetarian meal, the same you should ask yourself, "Meat, why?". 

williamwilstroth... vegetarian diet...