Is it a good time to buy a house? A simple look at real estate investment.

Recently my husband and I, we started discussing about moving into a bigger house.  We bought our current house about 5 years ago when we decided to settle down. Back then I remember the property price was rocketing as the economy was getting better. The houses you thought you could afford were going beyond the original market value as the economy was steadily improving until the end of 2009. In 2008, the Housing and Local Government minister Datuk Wira Chor Chee Heung said that there is a long way to reach the property bubble in Malaysia. According to him, the property prices were rising as a result of initiatives and measures taken by the federal government due to the land cost, building materials and vibrancy of the economy. Anyway, by the middle of 2009, some of the housing developers were facing difficulty selling their units as a result of a sudden gloomy economy condition which resulted in poor sales. I still remember when my husband told me that there’s this condominium selling their units for a discounted price, somewhere around the Cheras area. I was in awe. It took me a while to grasp the whole idea of finally owning our own house. My dad has always been a man who constantly reminds me how important it is to own a house than to rent one. He always says when one rent a place the money spent is actually lost without any returns compared to owning a house which appreciates with time and when sold you actually make good profit, which you can always invest in another house.  Purchasing, owning, managing, rental or sale of property for profit is what we call property investment but somehow it is not for everyone. Normally most of us would only house-hunt when we need to which could be due to a change of career location or for an upgrade. Now that we do own a house and thinking of an upgrade ourselves, looking at the prices I think I’m going to faint. I mean, for the size of our house being a condominium unit, to my surprise we can actually sell it for double the price we bought it for. Of course it makes you wonder how come? Well the whole area appreciated with time and being on top of a hill doubt as the “Little Genting”, the condominium is overlooking the beautiful view of the city of Kuala Lumpur which is amazing at night with all the lights. Plus with all the renovation done from the kitchen cabinets to the sliding door for the bathroom to separate the wet area to the dry, some of the units can be viewed as worth the money spent.  Since the property prices are incredibly high right now selling our house is definitely the right move as you have no idea how long the economy could sustain before the bubble bursts. And when it does, all the property prices would also drop which would mean selling our house would be difficult and not to mention the profit we might not make.  SO it might be the right time to sell but is it the right time to buy? It’s definitely a risky move. We are thinking maybe we could sell now but wait to buy the next property hoping by next year the price just might decrease. But can anyone be certain of this economy situation? Is it that predictable? If it was I’m sure everyone would be into property investment and make millions. 

Who makes the best pizza in Malaysia?

Pizza might have originated from Italy but today everywhere you go there's a pizza joint which everyone goes to. I mean who doesn't like pizza right? I love pizza. The first time i had it was when i was 18years old, can you believe that? It was so embarassing to admit i haven't had one when friends talk about having pizza for dinner. I grew up in very traditional indian family where my dad only acknowledges spicy curry and rice being "food" and the rest garbage. Gosh... you have got no idea how i longed to taste that cheesy piece of pie. I know what you're thinking, well dad don't let you eat why not you buy one when you're out and try em' out. Sadly, i grew up in a kampung and that means no pizza in about 30km radius. I had to travel 40 minutes to 1 hour at least to a pizza joint which is to the nearest town, and to see the look on dad's face when i ask for permission to go into town. "NO!" was the usual reply. Dad was too conservative, that he thought if he didn't put those strict rules (I'd say a leash) then as kids we would be spoit like others, wondering around lepaking and smoking while our grade fall behind. I always thought the more you try to restrain the untamed horse the more it would rebel, well i did my share of rebelling but lets save that for another day. So where was i? Yes, no pizza joint near my place. I told myself when i'm out for college, then I get to do anything i want and so tried all the things and food i never got to try being in a restricted home. And boy... the juicy, cheesy pizza, that smelled so fresh and buttery was just amazing. 

I must say the first time i had one was simply from a bakery near to college so it felt like i haven't tasted the best yet. But i challenged to try all the different pizzas and decide for myself which one was 'THE ONE'. SO who's next on the list? Pizza Hut. Yes, so i headed for Pizza Hut one fine day and tasted their famous Hawaian Supreme. To compare to the bakery slice i had, Pizza Hut had a better pizza. Maybe it could have been due to the freshness of the pizza slice compared to the one from the bakery, which might have been on the shelf awhile before i took a bite. SO how to judge? Nevermind i thought. Let me visit another pizza joint to compare properly. Where do i go? Dominos Pizza. I must say, Dominos Pizzas were more cheesy and the best was the option for the customers to custom make their pizza by choosing the type of crust they want and add any other element to make them more tasty for example adding cheese on their already cheesy pizza or increasing the topping to make em' more compact depending on your tastebuds. That for me took the whole pizza to a different level. I know, i know... sorry i'm from the kampung remember? Anyway, after years of only choosing Dominos Pizza finally my husband and i, we decided to explore another joint, Papa Johns. Ok, i must say, the first bite i took, it was deliciously satisfying. Even though we don't have the option of custom making the pizza, but then truth is they didn't need to be, as they were simply superb the way they were. Adding anything else extra would only spoil the original taste. I can still remember how they smelled... when you open the box with a huge green pickled chily sitting inside to add the smoky chily smell and of course you can eat em' too. And the only other thing they give extra is a small container of butter. I suppose for you to dip the pizza before each bite, but i choose Tabasco sauce and chily flakes anytime. YUM!! Gosh my mouth is watering already.

Don't get me wrong,  until i step my foot in Italy I know I haven't tasted the real pizza yet. Once in a while we try making our own pizzas. The art of kneading the dough with the right amount of ingredients sometimes seems like a rocket science hard to master. But my husband does it well... with all the topping we like and a whole lot of cheese...and baked using pizza stone in a oven, suppose that's the closest we could come to a wood-fired-oven you see in Italy. The taste? Simply delicious. Anyway, apart from the three pizza joint i tasted from i must say i still choose Papa Johns. But my journey is still continuing, i would like to try other pizzas like Canadian pizza which also allows customers to add extras on their pizza,  Sarpino's Pizzeria which offers a wide range of pizza to choose from, Yellow Cab Pizza which i haven't heard anyone recommend though, and finally Vivo pizza. So let the game begin. :)

Is Bioethics Necessary?

Before we begin to answer the question, ‘is it or is it not necessary, we need to ask more questions, relevant questions to unravel the basic knowledge of what exactly is bioethics? We might be familiar with the word and have heard it mentioned in the news or perhaps in some research papers. But how many of us actually “know” what bioethics is? Well, I’m asking because I’m constantly questioned by friends, family and people I meet especially when mentioning my chosen field of research for my doctoral studies. “SO what do you actually research in bioethics? “, is also another common concern.  They ask with such worry that gives you the impression that you are simply wasting your precious time as the outcome is nothing but a pile of rubbish that no one would find use for. I still remember the comment my former boss made when I raised interest to pursue this field for my PhD research.  “Nisha, ethics or bioethics no need to waste time to study, it’s simply a skill you pick up as you conduct research, why don’t you choose a ‘more important’ research like chemistry, biomedical science or others?” I was completely heartbroken to hear my boss, a senior in the workforce feels so niggling about bioethics and to make such a comment that bioethics is not important in comparison with other pure sciences was even more unacceptable.  Then why, is there bioethics?

Bioethics is more of a pursuit to reflectively examine the moral and ethical issues surrounding the research of medical and health sciences. It also helps monitor and regulate proper health care facility and overall maintain a fair public health policy. Bioethics is troubled with issues involving basic human values for example the rights to life and health and also if certain developments in healthcare institutions, life technology and medicine are done properly with the experts involved, performing their duties with moral and without any selfish goals. Lately we are overwhelmed with the amount of research conducted in the name of science and medicine like stem cell, but in the course of finding a cure or treatment for devastating diseases scientists tend to overstep the ethical boundaries of animal and human rights especially when their research and experiments utilizes animals, human embryos or humans as test subjects. Some of these researches might offer the possibility of easing the suffering of patients but without a bioethical committee or review board overlooking the rights of the experimental subjects (this includes patients, test subjects, animal or human and also donors) there is a possibility of breach to the code of ethics where the involved parties’ rights might be violated.  Therefore it is vital for such committee to analyse each and every research, if they are worth conducting without any form of controversies. And by doing so we ensure all the parties are well informed of their rights and the risks involved unless it’s an animal then you need to get the proper bodies to grant consent. There are so many ethical issues we are faced with when we start digging about immoral research such as women treated as commodities for their egg and embryo donations, using human test subjects without attaining the necessary consent, ill-informing these human test subjects of their rights and risks throughout the experiments, the violation of basic rights of the embryos which are destroyed while extracting stem cells, the animals which are used as test subjects which are destroyed in the process of securing data and many others. If there isn’t an ethicist or bioethicist then this type of discrimination would continue and the future of mankind is questionable, as one day our fundamental value would be at stake. SO is bioethics necessary? Yes!!

Bioethics has brought over substantial changes in terms of standards for conducting research, and treatment for the sick. Based on the theories and explanation, healthcare professionals now recognise that patients have the right to know what is being done to them and the choice to refuse if need be. Ultimately every scientists now understands that any participants in their research have the same rights and the review board have the authority to evaluate the proposed research on the same basis and that eventually becomes universal. 

Motherhood or ambition: the impossibility of attaining both

Motherhood is a sacred journey and it is quite common for the general public to look at mothers with this noble spark in their eyes.  As a woman, I feel it is truly a blessing and an accomplishment for one to be given the opportunity to be a mother to a child. It is also considered as near to divinity and the highest and holiest service assumed by mankind as quoted by Howard W.Hunter. But who were we before this position resumes duty? When we attend a party how are we introduced? I mean normally if you’re married you’d probably be introduced as a wife to so and so. Unless you have your own story and achievement to brag about along with future plans and goal, then all of a sudden you are interesting, you are successful and proud to hang with. I mean, it’s sad but that is how the modern culture perceives you to be acknowledged. Let say you got pregnant while in high school and decided to be stay-at-home mum while you boyfriend or husband worked, and you attended the same elaborate party with people mingling, introducing themselves to guests and making small talks when your turn comes, how would your introduction be?

“Oh, hey I’m Brenda. I’m a stay-at-home-mum and I have 2 kids at home, one’s 4years old and the other 7. And gosh this is like my first time out to a fancy dinner after a long time.” All of a sudden the light just seems to be 3 tonnes dimer to your new friend. He or she might be a high-flying executive at a local investment company and being completely unaware of how to respond to you. “Oh err..hi Brenda, I’m Cindy. I am an investment banker at Pearsons and Brothers. Have you heard of them?” Brenda looks impressed. “oh wow, yes I have.  My husband says it’s a pretty successful company with millions of investment deals that people sort you after. You must be smart to work there.” Cindy couldn’t help but smile with pride, but then slowly walks away with an excuse for a drink. 

This is normally how the general people see everyone else. Your college achievements, career and jobs become your only sense of introduction that people relate to and somehow “motherhood” which is the most daunting responsibility that is selfless and also glorious isn’t recognized. My oh my, what a world and cruel civilization we live in. I am a doctoral student at a prestigious university in Malaysia and I am researching about the moral and ethics of medical research and hoping one day would be a part of a governmental or non-governmental but definitely reputable committee that would help ensure the ethical environment of both the medical research but also in terms of the future of patients through proper regulations of public policy, I am also a wife, to this amazingly funny stand-up comedian Kavin Jayaram a.k.a Kavin Jay a.k.a Grumpy from the Really-really Late breakfast show with Papi and Grumpy on Redfm but utmost  I am a MOTHER.  Being a former lecturer with INTI International University, I took a long and hard look at this new role I will be taking in a few months’ time. I realized there’s a lot to prepare and expect. Reading “What to Expect when You’re Expecting” alone isn’t enough.  Here I am, love to teach, conduct research, write brilliant papers and above all I wanted to be the mother my child needs. I knew my husband would support me with any decision I was to make. I thought of going back to work right after my maternity leave to share the finance of the household but the thought of leaving my daughter with a babysitter or even a day-care centre frightened me to my bones.  After the news we heard with babies winding up dead due to unprofessional care by this so-called-professionals it was definitely a no-brainer to decide to turn to reliable family if not yourself for child care.  I must say, this is a delicate matter but being old , the family aren’t that helpful as they need help most of the times themselves, so go figure.  So I did the noblest thing any mother would do. I resigned from the job I loved.  But before I did, I wondered, what would happen if I one day decided to resume my career where I left off, truth is there’s simply no such thing. I can’t go back to work, not even to my old job with 3 years gap in my resume.  What would the future employer be looking for in a candidate, a smart, with good references and of course with current and up-to-date experience. My absence from workforce for 3 years would only make them wonder what I have been up to and believe me when I say motherhood isn’t a job recognized. The fact that stay-at-home mothers who work under constant stress and pressure with a fussy, tantrum throwing toddler who refuse to eat or follow your rules, but somehow you use all your knowledge from how-to books and other mothers advices for all sort of problems and issues from ill and unwell child, food to enhance growth, visits to the paediatric doctors to ensure a good developmental milestone achieved,  and not only you succeed with all these daily struggles but, still maintain a clean house with healthy home cooked food, and unfortunately those aren’t qualities to hire a candidate for a job.  What a bummer. So knowing this, and trying to make the best 3 years of my stay-at-home time with my baby, I thought why not go back to school, I mean study.  I have always been a lecturer and a doctoral study would not be seen as an absence but as a comeback to the academic world with a umph and a whole lot of knowledge and credibility as an educator with quality.  And finally here I am still in my first year of three but managed to raise this kid to my best knowledge of how and managed to witness all the wonders of child caring like first tooth, first word, first crawling, first step, and all the other beautiful moments like the tight hugs and dancing but not only that I am also in the midst of writing my second article but this time for a journal unlike the first one which was a chapter for a book.  I can’t exactly say it’s easy but gosh with a little help from my maid who’s amazingly patient I guess motherhood and ambition can be attained and yes at the same time, at least for me but it just needs some sacrifices, if not money, then time and sleep.  But thanks to my hardworking husband and helpful maid and family I am on this beautiful journey. I can’t deny the many times I fell of my cool wagon, with no or low self-esteem being completely stressed out thinking that I’ve made the biggest mistake but Kavin always makes sure exactly what to say to lift my spirit and ultimately motivate me to keep going. And the icing on the cake, our daughter always choses me between the two of us, sorry papa no hard feelings but then too bad for me, no vacation for three years. So is it worth it? HELL YEAH !!

Perfect Lillies: Sewing? Is it just another hobby?

Perfect Lillies: Sewing? Is it just another hobby?

Sewing? Is it just another hobby?

How many times we, ladies end up in the fitting room trying out a dress, that looked so flawless on a mannequin but somehow doesn't on us? I mean, the low-cut neck just too revealing on our petite build while the sleeves are just too tight due to our untoned arms with the huge ruffles that makes your upper body look completely un-appealing. You just keep looking at your self while thinking, maybe if there weren't this ugly ruffles or maybe it was sleeveless instead plus the fabric was much soft and silky maybe it would fall-off our body adding this dazzle we are so helplessly looking for. What should we do? Keep hunting for this amazing dress that might be just a myth after all, or should we approach a seamstress and request for a dress made for our build? Maybe the later seems more reasonable but have you any idea how much they cost these days? Simply unbelievable, compared to the affordable H&M dresses. So, what should we do? I used to dread  my mother's complaints how i was not interested in sewing even with a sewing machine lying in the house. My mother was a different story altogether, being a housewife she found sewing to be a great way to fill the time not to mention all the experience that made her a very capable tailor. You have got no idea how WRONG i was!! Today being  in my 30s, married and a stay-at-home mother i realize mother was RIGHT!! So, i got myself this awesome machine with almost 20 stitch patterns and decided to make use of all my old clothes that's filling up the cupboard and train myself to sew, of course i still remember some of those lesson learnt in school but to simply rely on those memories itself to sew one needs room for mistakes. So old clothes are the best indeed. How do you think my blouse look now? Hahaha... i know, if i were to give someone else this blouse they would've been happy but instead i decided to cut and make a pair of leggings for my daughter. How does it look? I can't say they're stunning but then it's useful wont you agree? Instead me buying a new one, i decided some old ones for my sewing purpose makes my daughter the right model. 

        

Anyway, so what's next? Right now i decided to alter my considerably new dress but just too big for my fit into a skirt nonetheless. I'm excited. Unfortunately didn't take the before picture but right now too early to take the after picture too. So, patience people... will show you soon.Alright then...just to share to all of you, i will write an article soon about the ABCs of sewing. Gosh, i know i am a beginner but that is exactly what i want other beginners to know. Anyone can sew (maybe not those gorgeous party dress or those complicated saree blouse) but simple shorts, blouse and dresses.

Gosh, it's hard keeping an up-to-date blog...

Hey there... gosh it's pretty hard to juggle a whole lot of stuff...and still maintain an up-to-date blog.. I mean who am i kidding, when i see how some poeple tend to keep their blog going like some-sort of a diary i must say I don't have that much drive to keep my blog updated that well. The most i could do is talk about stuff that i find important in sharing, which doesn't happen that often. I know, i know.... i've been gone a while, and i thought screw this blogging, but truth is most of our lives (these days at least) we tend to Google anything we're about to do... Example: wanna cook steak, well we Google for recipes, wanna buy something online, we Google for the best deal, wanna wish someone 'happy birthday', we Google for wishes or quotes that we can forward to people... You name it, first thing you do, You GOOGLE! Well, thats how life is... SO i am one of those person who do use the Google alot to search for anything, but then i realize i hardly or never put up anything people can use... I mean i take but i don't give back or share... How can you give back? Well easy share beauty tips, recipes, how-to-do certain things which allows people to view and learn the next time they Google something... SO here's my temporary pledge (hahahahah... please dont judge me... i dunno how long i got thing inspiration going for..before it burns out)..

So lets all make a simple pledge, from now on lets share, post up anything we learnt and perfected over the years and make someone else's life better and happy... YAY!!!!