Sunday, October 25, 2009

RM50 Credit Card Charge - my take

You know what? I got better things to do and blog about than this. But this ticked me off I couldn't stand.

The Star Online, 25th October 2009

PM: RM50 for credit card not a big deal



Let me try to understand your point here.. To "promote prudent spending" (pg33), you're going to charge RM50 for each principal credit card, and RM25 p.a. on each supplementary credit card. The very first thing that comes to my mind is what a load of nonsense! Is the RM50 is supposed to be a deterrent for people who rake up thousands and thousands of dollars on their credit card? RM50 is but a joke compared to the amount of debt they rake. Overdue credit card fees, and exorbitant credit card interest rates are already there to deter every Tom, Dick, and Harry who knows how to count from spending like there's no tomorrow.

What pisses me off is not the charge, but the reason used to so call justify the charge. What aggravates it is the response by the Prime Minister, quoted

“They are getting the RM1,000 tax relief and those paying tax at 27% will now pay 26%.
“So, they get two (relief measures) and only have to pay RM50 (per credit card). Don’t tell me they cannot pay RM50?” he said after a meeting at the 15th Asean Summit here yesterday.

The Prime Minister, quoted in The Star Online, October 25th 2009
Whats the point of your tax relief if you're going to tax elsewhere? It's like saying no taxes on your house AND car, but we're going to increase your income tax. Oh, and you shouldn't complain because you get taxes off your 'house' and 'car' (see that's TWO things you get taxes off) but get taxed on your income (only ONE). And whether or not we can or cannot pay RM50 is really none of your concern. I am objecting based on principal. Even if you charge me RM1, I will object because it is rubbish.

In the end, who you're really hitting is the hardworking and responsible middle class who use credit card responsibly. If you really wanted to 'promote prudent spending' by penalty, you'd penalize only those who spend beyond their means - which banks are already doing. Even then, I am not sure more penalty is needed to 'promote prudent spending'. Think again.

From your average Tom, Dick, and Harry,

Logging off,
Lawrence Chong

Friday, October 16, 2009

Updates?

I feel its been ages since I last updated.. I've got SO much to blog, to the point im lazy to blog =.=" does that even make sense? Nah i'm sorry, EXAMS ARE COMING, bloody exams, and I have my hands full studying for them =.="

so apologies over the lack of any updates, i hate exams, did i mention that already? but yeah updates will be scarce over the next one month apologies!!

Btw this blog has just passed its 5 year old mark yipee!! I think I shud change my sign off with something other than 'Lawy3rz'.. that was made when it was in the era when tHi$ wa§ C00L.. =.="

Logging off,
Lawy3rz

P.S. - Sorry guys, I'd love to update, but it'd be after exams before I can find time to.. =)

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Officially Missing You

Seldom do I come across any youtube videos I post up here, but check out these 2 girls, they're great =) puts a smile on your face.. I'm a fan after just one video.. Kudos!



Logging off,
Lawy3rz

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Room T1.25

Okay this is mainly to shed the emo post behindd.. Room T1.25. my second home.. Filled with white tables and computer screens... oh Room T1.25.. the memories of coffee cups, 7-11 pies and sandwiches, the memories of battling mad crazy winds to get water.. the memories of the guards checking IDs...

I vouch that stress from upcoming exams make you go crazy... I'm very tempted to like start taking pics of my lovely room T1.25 but I'm scared I will really look like I've gone crazy... Well alot of ppl in room T1.25 are pretty cranky, unsurprisingly... Come often enough you'll see familiar faces here =.="

There's a huge sign (huge literally) on the wall, and it is repeated like 20 times around other notices around the lab saying NO FOOD NO DRINKS NO MOBILES! Every single person here has some sort of biscuit/chips/Mother/bubble tea/coffee cup with them.. We're the security's worst most annoying enemy. The guy next to me seems to have 4 large 1.5Litre bottles of Coke with him..... =.=" a sight of terror..

The closest I could get to without getting caught =="

We're supposed to study, but most of the stuff on our computer screens is anything but studies.. I see facebook, I see flash games, I saw computer mahjong earlier, ebuddy, bla bla. the list goes on. *my own screen now is blogger =.="

Ranting begins!
Here's to the geniuses who designed the com labs layout - I understand some labs are owned by faculties and not ITS so its unfair to blame all to ITS. Down the corridor, there are 2 more big nice comfy labs. I've never seen it used once, yet its only open to MUELC and Monash College students. even the nice study area just up the hallway is only open until 10pm. I mean, the building itself requires a swipe card to get in, you might as well make it open 24 hours as well??!! Have you any idea how crowded it gets when it nears the exam? There's a legion of vampires in Monash and they study 24/7!! imagine the labs being absolutely crowded to the brim until there is no computers free to use... at 4AM in the morning!

For goodness sake, I hope you pity your students studying along the corridors on the floors, in the dining room, cramming 2-3 people at one computer space, and open up the frigging rest of the space around. While you're at it, give us back the sink you took away from us!! At least we could have brought kettles then and made our own coffee & instant noodles..

Security! If we're vampires then they're pretty much regarded as vampire slayers =.=" most of them are pretty nice and friendly, they do their job; check ur IDs, and attempt to kick you out until you finish all your food. Some seem like they don't have enough sleep, hate anyone under 30, or simply born as a vampire slayer. Everyone that goes through the door, which makes a loud sound in and out by the way, is stared at, as everyone is checking if the vampire slayer has just walked in. I was once caught just about to munch my first bite into a sandwhich when a security walked in T.T

Im not done ranting yet!!! The vending machines are crazily overpriced, and the coffee made by the machine is worse than brown drain water. why does Berwick's 24 hours labs have frigging sofas and beanbags, but Caulfield have freezing rooms? I reckon I can keep a frozen sausage here and it'll remain frozen the next day. Do you think your students are polar bears? I think I've sent about 2-3 emails, no one bother replying me. But at least they fixed the door, which used to slam shut like slammed by an angry kid everytime it closes. Now try to study when it happens every 30 seconds. They fixed that. Thank god. One small step for the student vampires.

Okay ranting enuf! BACK TO STUDIES!

Logging off,
Lawy3rz

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

why?

Yes sorry emo post..

Why is it life always seem so out of control? it feels like I sometimes know and don't know what is going on at the same time with my life, or what I want out of it.. I know I need to get a grip on things, to probably know all my studies at the top of my head, to know everything thats happening in melbourne, to start looking for jobs and opportunities. I talk alot, yes, but when it comes to actually putting the shoulder to the shovel, I somewhat lack..

I guess in short I need to talk less and do more.. a former EY senior manager I so happened to bump at the train station said, sometimes you dont even have your life figured out when you reach 40.. I want to figure everything it right now right here.. Sometimes, too many roads is not a good thing.. There was once a time where the son simply takes over the father's profession. Now, the choices faced today requires sacrifices.. Sacrifices I am not sure I am willing to take anymore..

Perhaps I am too obsessed with making the 'right' decision, but it is a decision that cannot be reversed, a decision that cannot be changed in time. Perhaps there is no 'right' decision, as both decisions requires sacrifices. Sometimes I am determined, other times I am not..

What exactly do I want out of my life? I guess I want to have a grip on it.. to feel like I am actually in bloody control of my own life..

And as I close my eyes and take in a deep breath,
I sighed, 
and wished I had a stronger determination..

Logging off,
Lawy3rz

Friday, October 02, 2009

Lazy student?

Hahha this is what LAZINESS + STUDENT can do to you. I present... my very own clothes dryer!!



Hahah actually I can blog about like so many things.. Royal Melbourne Show... Sim Yee's Birthday (I FORGOT MY CAMERA!) erm erm.. but im too lazy so nah, my dryer will do. =.="

Logging off,
Lawy3rz