Public Mutual Fund

Well, actually i don't have any idea on investing Public Mutual.but i have learnt some useful info from lowyat forum and would like to share it here.

Q1:Hmm.. interesting... I invest in PB by myself, in which i go to PM HQ at Damansara to start the account. In all my statement i have a UTC name on it which i have never met and never seen before. So far invest 7 years liao, also never receive phone call before although already dump tens of thousands in 3 funds. Yet I have to pay the 5.5% at every transaction. Wonder where the money go? since I have contributed thousands in fees already, yet never got anything, I am beginning to move my funds to cheaper options.

Ans1:gark,

Just ask yourself if you would set up a company and provide free services. It is our policy that every investor must have a consultant, that was why the system randomly chooses a UTC for you. In the 7 years, if you have not been serviced by the consultant, why didn't you make a report? Because you were enjoying good returns from your funds, so you did not even bother. Look back at your returns, what was the 5.5% compared to it?
A statement which I always share with my clients: "You get what you paid for".

Ans2:Scenerio 1
Assuming one low entry fund (Fund A) charge at 2%, and PM charge at 5.5%, you put rm10K each for Fund A and PM fund for 1 year, after 1 year u sell the fund.
Assuming both funds give u the same gross return of 10%, Fund A will give u 8% net return (10%-2% initial charge), while PM net return only 4.5% (10%-5.5%), so u see the effect between the low initial cost fund and hight initial cost fund? Pls dont tell me PM fund return is the best in the market that is why they charge 5.5%, or u shd pay 3.5% more, low entry cost fund doesnt means low return.



Scenerio 2
Assuming u invest RM10K in Fund A, after deducting the 2% initial charge, ur net invested amount will be RM9800, while the net invested in PM fund will be RM9450, asuming u invest for long term, say 10 years, average return of both funds are constantly at 10% p.a. for easy calculation. On the 11th year, Fund A will give u a total return (with principal) of RM25418, while PM will fund only give you RM24510, u r worst off by RM908 in 10 years time.

Either u invest for short term or long term, low cost fund is still better off.
Note: i dont work for any UT company, just a layman investor

Ans2:
No doubt PM is one of the pioneer in the industry with long history, 10 years ago there were not many Mutual fund companies around, so PM can easily outshine the others if u r talking about 10 years ago with less competition.

However, if u look at http://my.morningstar.com website (an independent website that track unit turst performance in the country), look at the 1 year - 3 years catagory, many funds performance are overtaking Public Mutual funds, including OSK series (with 2% initial charge invest via Fund supermart), and CIMB/RHB/Am Mutual series (if subscribe via CIMB Click, initial charge is 2.5% for equity funds). If Public Mutual do not do anything to reduce the initial cost, it will loosing the market shares, investors are smarter and cost sensitive now.

Note: i am still an existing customers/supporter of PM, with PM Gold Elite Status

Ans3:

i will not prove you wrong as i do not want to affect you and many agent's rice bowl. Those who choose to invest in PM may not have information on how and where to invest in lower service charge funds. PM is using the personal touch service/ agent service to approach those who are busy, do not read and research around, and do not have much knowledge on investment, not cost sensitive investors. So it got a niche in the market.

I guess i have provided sufficient info on how low/high cost funds will affect the return of the funds in short/long run. I am not here to debate with u, perhaps Public Mutual will reduce its cost, i have no complain on Public Mutual except for their initial charge.

We just look at different point of views, you look at seller point of view and i look at the investors point of view who forms the majorities. There is nothing right or wrong.
____________________________________________________________


Q2:having read this thread, i have a few questions to ask.
1. What exactly is the function of UT distribution?If it wont benefit investors, why distribute the fund then?
2. If I intend to save for my retirement like EPF using DCA, which fund should i go to in PM?bond?money market?
3. What are the difference between fund focusing on capital growth, fixed income/divident or anti-inflation?seems all same to me as they all focused on value appreciation. Is it only the risk and gain things different

ANS1:I'm no expert at the subject matter but i'll do my best to answer yr questions:

1) there's 2 types of return in UT investment namely, capital growth and distribution. hence, to answer yr question UT distribution is actually a form of ROI. Sometimes, it's the fund manager playing with investor's psychology in distributing the profit from the fund because many unitholders (unfortunately) still associates a fund performance solely base on its distribution.

2) First of all, you need to ask yrself, "what's your retirement number?" once you've got it then a portfolio of UT investments can be constructed based on yr risk appetite and investment time horizon to meet that goal. Hence, the question of which fund to save in will arrive to what are your needs in the first place.

3) IMHO, all investments are focused value appreciation. The terms used above are different types of capital appreciation that would be experienced by the investors. Below are the terms explained to the best of my knowledge:

Capital growth - increase in the value of the units over time. these type of funds usually do not give distributions. eg: PCSF price per unit is at 0.25 sen on 2009 compared with 0.15 in 2008

Fixed income - usually money market and bond funds as these financial products aim to pay a certain amount of interest on the capital every year. their focus is to give distribution every financial year to the investors and not price movement i.e capital growth.

Dividend or distribution - focused on giving distribution every financial year to the investors. how is it different from fixed income u might ask. well, the answer's simple, the term dividend/distribution tells you that the source of that income is not from bond or money market but it's from stocks listed that have a good track record of paying out dividends. hence, it's even more risk to the investor compared to a fixed income fund as the dividend is not given in fixed amount every year.

I hope the above explanation helps a little.

Q2:It didn't help a little, it actually helped me a lot! Thanks ya for your lengthy explanation. Unfortunately, more questions follow
1. If distribution is also a form of ROI, why some investors prefer not to have it?Does that means ROI in term of capital growth will be better?
2. Let say I need a retirement UT investment for 30 years with DCA, which type of funds should be considered?bond?money market?
3. I'm still at a loss on calculating the profits for UT investments. If let say I invest RM1k and the end of 3 years the NAV is RM2k, how should I calculate my gains after considering those initial and management fees?including tax?

The more I read, the more things I didn't know.

Ans:I'm glad the explanation above helped. It's a good habit to always ask and have some information regarding any investment instruments that you would like to invest in. However, do take care not to suffer from a syndrome known as information overload And now to answer your questions:

1) Distribution increases the number of units in the fund and is reinvested at zero charge. Fund managers encourage it to capitalize on the compounding effects over time. for
eg: Mr A has two funds, 1000 unit of Fund A and 1000 units of Fund B. Fund A's distribution is reinvested every year while Fund B is payout.
if distribution is RM1/unit for both funds
Fund A- 1000 units + 100 units from distribution=1100 units
Fund B- 1000 units + distribution payout =1000 units

2nd financial year, assuming distribution is the same and price per unit is RM0.50, we get
Fund A- 1100 units + 100 units from distribution=1200 units (RM600)
Fund B- 1000 units + payout =1000 units (RM500)

The difference in that amount may be small but over long terms like 30 years the difference is very significant due to compounding effect. However, this doesn't mean any form of ROI is better than the other. It really boils down to the investor if they feel more comfortable with distributions or capital growth as long as they meet their investment objectives.

2) A consultant has responsibility to do a retirement planning for you to help you reach the amount desired after 30 years. A half-yearly or yearly review of yr retirement blueprint is highly recommended. Normally the UT portfolio will comprise of a mix of fund types to help u achieve a certain % on yr ROI to help u reach yr financial goal.

3) The fund manager will send a statement after the distribution showing you the net payable after deducting all the relevant expenses like income tax and management fees. Alternatively, u can contact yr agent to know the ROI of yr fund.

That is all for today lesson on investing on Public Mutual Fund.haha.
perhaps i might even consider to make some investment in future if my experiences are well enough.=)
I just come across this useful site as well. 11477-inside.blogspot.com/2008/05/new-job.html
It introuduce you basically all things about Public Mutual Fund( Unit Amanah Saham).
Enjoy reading.=)

Finanicial Planning

Well, i found a very good advices and preaching from senior member from Lowyat forum.
i guess he is the super senior of us, and have been preaching for several decades.=)
Good advices are meant to take in, so why not we just listen to his good advices on financial planning ? I have compiled the questions and answers below, Enjoy and learn something there=)

Debt trap.

Normally, the 3 largest purchases in a person's life are

1) College education

2) House

3) Car

And, in spite of what everyone says, unless you have rich parents, you CANNOT afford to buy all 3 at the same time. If you do and most of your incomes are used to service the payment, you are taking a huge risk. If you lost your jobs for a few months, you could ends up in a debt trap. You pays every month but your debt is increasing.

In Malaysia, in general, we have variable interest rate for housing loan. And, negative amortization is not illegal. So, if the interest rate went up, you have to pay more per month or make more payments. There is a possibility of you may never pay off your house.

DO NOT TAKE A 9 YEARS CAR LOAN. Do you understand that car loan interest rate is calculated differently than housing loan?? Do you know how much interest are you paying to the bank.

The longer that you can hold off buying one of those 3 or shop around for a cheaper alternative, you will spend a lot less money on interest to the bank.

Unfortunately, it may be too late for a lot of forumer. I am sorry to say that I will be making money off you by collecting dividend from my bank's share. For some of you, you maybe spending most and if not all of your working life paying interest to the bank.

Really insightful, isn't it?
For more info, refer to :http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/326577/+40

things i have learnt at TARC.(part time)

During the 1 whole month( 24NOV to 24 DEC)working as a temporary assistant at the student affair dept at TARC has given me the right experiences to prepare me for the real life working society.

i learn a little skills, not much more than using a Photostatting machine to Photostat papers, arranging papers, receive calls from other staffs, people from other company calling in for posting the vacancy to TARC, lecturers of TARC to ask for enquiries etc.
besides that, my works scope extends beyond Photostatting and paper works like typing, sometimes i got to do pass some documents help other staffs from other dept like estate dept to arrange tables and chairs for exam purposes and so on.

well within the 1 whole month that i have worked there, a string of activities are being held, these include TARC investment games, election for Student Welfare Society(SWC), TARC open days. Not only that Yee Weng and i have to help Miss Ng to prepare for the stuffs like banners, prospectus books,calenders etc to bring along to edu fair exhibition which is being ran at Jit SIn, Traders Hotel, Alor Setar for the whole weeks.

through all these activities and preparations, i have not only learnt how to prepare for these stuffs , but i do also learn how to deal with people nicely. A simple wish of Good morning and Hello, Mr or Miss would makes a day for all of us, esp the person being greeted.=)
As there are plenty of lecturers coming in and out for Photostatting and printing purposes, i always greet them and they too have in return greeted me too.
thus, if you first be nice with people , people will always be nice to you too.=)
As u guys know, we as a juniors should always take the initiatives to greet those senior first, smile to them and show your friendliness towards them. and i believe most of them would be good to you as well, and the friendly, happy relationships are created , eventually lead to a long lasting sustainability of a nice atmosphere at work place.=)

Not only that, i have met a very nice people too. yee Weng and Ah Goon in particular. you guys are real nice. thanks for the support and guidances provided during my tenure there. haha..=)

All in all,Bravo TARC!=)

MLM

Well, to make things clearer, i would like to point out some of the Multilevel marketing company like Amway,Cosway,Lampe Berger ,etc.

Anywhere, time will tell everything.
Bad business will be advertised in the local news.
Good business won't but usually circling through the people word of mouth.

I am glad to point out a few important points about direct sales. As MLM is just a business model.
People greediness and want to get rich quicker that kill.



I hope the following points are to be taken into consideration before anyone decide to join a business.

Just be remembered:
1.Don't Come out with your money in advanced in dealing with a recruitment business.
2.What benefits you gain from buying a single product? E.g.Does it caters on your need? Are you able to try the product?
Does it comes with 100% money back guaranteed?
3.Don't ever join a business that needs you to keep stock just to achieve a quota.
4.Avoid a system that accumulate your investment.Like,the more you invest(come out money),the more you earn.
More crazy,this is done on a piece of paper.

Let's say a top upline just wants to hit a monthly quota to get qualified profit sharing. He/she will try everything to order stock to meet the requirement. What will happen? They will definitely pile up stock in their house for months or years. How are they going to do with their excessive stocks?

They might slash their price for clearing all the stock in their house. Hence,would you still want to join such company as a new comer? As new comer, how are you going to sell a product with the price you are not afford to sell? What are the consequences from there on...you guess it?

Today, even Amway used pyramid methods to ask people to join, no more selling item by item. this kind of strategic is not really applicable to today society as you will definetely piss other people off.

1.What if such company is recognised by Malaysia government? E.g. Selling Educational systems?
2.What if our government rented land for seed oil plantation? Such company will find referrals to make money.
E.g to start with, you need Rm6k to plant 1000kg of seed oil, this seed oil will then export to other country for Rm1.20 per kg. I am not sure about the costs.But,it seems that the more you invest, the more income you get.You will make income every 4 months, according to them.


The answer is very simple, this is because not every countries government is 100% practice on excellent and perfect in ethics value.
For example in a country, even human bombing case can be close so easily and even many corruption government related to some companies case happen.



Why not government legalize such business if the top person or company operator provide something so called "present" or benefits to top government related VIP? Once again govenment is just a politic parties who rule the country, they are not a programmed robot machine that can 99.9% ensure rules and regulations being followed.
Heres a question again: what if some scratch and win companies still exit in malaysia? For me it wont be suprise.

If talk about investment, why invest in such company that required earn money by just sell their product that is 300 times and above markup price and had a very low consumers' demand?
I agreed about "high risk will lead you to get high return" but in mlm company who is the top earner?, obviously the person who makes milion is the first network starter or the company itself made huge money not the mlm members. The mlm members just having small percentage part of it because you need to get 3 left and 3 right = 6 referrals only you get $200-300 USD, but the company already made 5.7k(6k-300) USD if let say the so called "product" price is 1000USD each.

But once again, some mlm company do use so called "invest" to required the signup person to buy certain value of products in order to join their business, but when you look closer and think out of the box you will see actually yourself just part of a salesperson who help the company gain more % on profits, yet you still need to pay them for "extending investment product plan".

So, why dont we just invest in a company that we have sufficient knowledge than instead of a company that we had less knowledge about it?
{even wallet buffert said that "invest your money only into a company that you had sufficient knowledge about it"}

Actually this is a very good website to make your own judgement here.
http://www.dsam.org.my/dsam/industry/what-is-direct-selling/

I found that although the company is under Direct Sales category, the system structure is none.
I don't see like this.=(

Manufacture(Direct Sales)>Consumer. That's it.

Legitimate Direct Selling Companies
Source:http://www.dsam.org.my/dsam/industry/what-is-pyramid-selling/

1. The start-up fee for all ethical multi-level selling companies is generally low, primarily to cover training materials, sales aids or demonstration kits.
2. Such companies sell a wide range of quality products to the general public. The bulk of the sales are on repeat sales form satisfied customers. This is only possible because these companies spend millions on research and development to develop quality products.
3. Many companies have a 100 percent money-back guarantee. Dissatisfied users (and there are relatively few) could exchange the products back for money or for an equivalent amount in other products.
4. These companies are interested in long-term business. In every country that they operate, this criterion is important because the companies have an obligation to their distributors who are small businessmen in their own rights.
5. Recognition of achievement is based on efforts. This means that a distributor’s income is commensurate with the efforts he/she puts into the business.
6. Established companies depend on selling to customers quality products which offer value for money in order to establish a market.
7. These companies build up networks of independent distributors to sell products.
8. They have strict Rules of Conduct which, among other things, forbids its distributors to load up on inventory.
9. Distributors sell products and or services.
10. Direct selling is a popular method of retailing which is recognised as a lawful and legitimate business in many countries including the U.S.

For 1.) Very low, yes.
For 2.) 60 days free trial, yes.
For 3.)We give 100% full refund even you are not happy.
For 4.) Not really. No need a distributor. Direct to consumer.
For 5.) No distributor.
For 6.) Yes, consumer decides the product in our company.
For 7.) Yes, that's right.
For 8.) No inventory to keep.
For 9.) No distributor. No selling.Consumer direct to the company.
For 10.) Absolutely yes.



So,
To evaluate a company before joining, here are my points consideration.

1) The company must be listed in US Inc.500 companies.
2) Must have received Blue Chip Enterprise Award from United States Chamber of Commerce.
3) Must Achieve "A" Profit rating and received award from Ernst & Young and CNN.
4) Must have participation from advanced countries.


This really make my day.
Cheers=)

My last day at TARC

Dear Blog:

Tomorrow would be my last working day at TARC. Being working at student affair dept for exactly one month(from 24th Nov to 24th Dec) has given me the right experiences of the way to handle paper works like photostating. i learn how to use cyclostyle photostate machines--and of course i get to know this kind of useful machine which can indeed help us especially the big corporation and company in increasing their productivity and efficiency.=)

Not only did i learn about the photostating skills, i also learn to improve on my interpersonal skills as well. While most of the lecturers will drop by to the Student Affair Dept to have their printing and photostating done,so i meet and get to know quite a lots of them there.The way to communicate with them effectively is very important to ensure the works go smoothly.But one thing i can reassure you is that

My Dept officers are Miss Ng, Miss Lee and Miss Irene. they are real nice and friendly.=)Another important and humerous figure is Yee Weng.he is a nice, friendly and honest guy. i really happy to be his collegue and work with him for the excatly one month. he must be very' keberatan' to have me working for the last day tommorow.
=D

Anyway,let me explain briefly what tasks i have done for the 1 whole month. As everyone else know, Student Affair Dept is the place for students with problematic attitudes, having personnal and academics problems, Lost and found stuffs ,PTPTN, society (student welfare society(SWC))refer to.
thus i have dealt with quite a lots of these stuffs. especially the lost and found stuffs. many of the students are really forgetful, they lost their things unaware for a week and only notice it and come by to SAD to report after a week. Worst still,the stuffs involved are real expensive stuffs like money,laptop,files and notes as well.

well, just looking forward to the last day of mine at TARC, as if it mean i have to start my new sem at UM next week.=p
i miss my friends, YEE weng, chin long, ah goon, etc..there. all the best, guys!=)
And of course the lecturers there as well. i salute for your great effort in nurturing the students there. though some of them really annoying and not have the passion and interest in studying, but i know you guys would not let them be by showing up your burning passion and fervently nurture them into good future leader.=)
cheers!

--AVATAR--

Well, just yesterday, i watched a very nice movie -Avatar!

It is very worth a watch ...takes the longest duration to end. about nearly 3 hours!

well, the story is like that :

Two alternate titles come to mind when watching Avatar, the modest little indie by way of James "King of the World" Cameron: How about Runs With Na'vis, or Flies With Banshees?

When his twin brother, a well-studied researcher, dies, paralyzed war vet Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) takes his place amongst a crew stationed on distant alien moon Pandora. It is here that he will participate in the Avatar program, wherein each person is able to mentally control the physical body of their assigned avatar, grown from a cocktail of human and alien DNA. In his new, ten-foot-tall, blue-skinned body, Jake can walk again, breathe outdoors, and is a dead-ringer for the primitive Na'vi tribe. Alongside head scientist Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) and fellow comrade Norm Spellman (Joel David Moore), Jake is to study his surroundings and gather data on a valuable mineral within the moon's jungles. The more time he spends in his alternate body, however, the more Jake becomes attached to it, his feelings of connection only intensifying when he meets and falls in love with Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), a Na'vi. Just as the civilization has welcomed him as one of their own, trouble lurks in the form of Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), an environmentally-unconscious radical who has instructed his men to start tearing the forest (and its resources) to shreds. If not stopped, this could spell the end for not only the Na'vis, but every living creature on Pandora.





"Avatar" is positively dripping with ambition, but the film is like a gung-ho party guest who has arrived entirely too late and missed all the festivities. Despite having been worked on long before the animated "Battle for Terra" was even a pipe dream, "Avatar" has arrived after the fact. The similarities between the two are sizable, to say the least, right down to the preachily handled message that even Al Gore would deem overbearing. Heck, long before "Battle for Terra," there was 1992's "Ferngully: The Last Rainforest," which boiled down to the same elementary lessons. In its story of humans "driving" synthetic bodies in the real world, "Avatar" has been beaten again by 2009's "Gamer." And, in the long section where Jake explores his foreign surroundings of forests, cliffs and waterfalls and is chased around by a cavalcade of alien creatures, all that one is reminded of is how much more thrilling and involving it was in 2005's "King Kong."


As eye candy, "Avatar" has been created with much love and care. With the possible exception of the other animal creatures, conceptualized and designed in garish colors resembling a sick rainbow, the world of Pandora is immersive and mystical. Even more impressive are the virtually photo-realistic treatment of the Na'vi people. The stark, raw emotions of terror, anguish and sadness that read across their faces is the one effects element that stands as a step forward in the evolution of CGI-rendered beings. The rest, while looking good, fails to inspire much awe or suggest that history is being made. To this day, the groundbreaking work of 1991's "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" and 1993's "Jurassic Park" is more impressive.


Take away the snazzy technology and what is left? Precious little. From a writing and storytelling standpoint, "Avatar" is a considerable failure. The aforementioned plot strikes one as unoriginal. The characters—all of them, human and Na'vi—are underdeveloped, never reaching close to three dimensions and falling into "good" and "bad" types. The all-important love story between Jake and Neytiri lacks substance and charisma, not even a faint shadow of what James Cameron achieved between Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in "Titanic." Spending most of their time running across trees branches and hopping around on logs, Jake and Neytiri share no more than a dozen or so lines of dialogue with each other and romantically connect for no other reason than because the script demands it. In other words, their bond is about as genuine as press-on nails.



There is one dramatically effective scene where a tree held in reverence by the Na'vi tribe is destroyed before their horrified eyes, countless lives of their people taken with it, but it is the exception in a movie that does not involve the viewer or successfully get the audience to feel anything. We do not properly get to know them and so no reason is provided for why we should care. Instead, from almost beginning to end, the film takes on a monotonously repetitive rhythm, the action boiling down to a lot of flying around in the air on the backs of creatures, shooting arrows, giant tractors bulldozing trees, and military helicopters firing ammo. Never is director Cameron able to elicit tension. By the chaotic, almost never-ending third act, it has become a bunch of empty, thrill-free spectacle resulting in nothing memorable to grasp hold of.


If the cinema is first and foremost about ratcheting up emotions within the viewer, then "Avatar" has not done its job. Sam Worthington (2009's "Terminator Salvation"), Sigourney Weaver (2008's "Baby Mama") and an especially striking Zoe Saldana (2009's "Star Trek") give it their all, but they are let down by James Cameron's negligible pen. Here, he has become so enraptured with his flights of computerized fancy that he has lost track of the film's very substance and soul. Without that, and without much in the way of novel imagination, all that is left are some pretty pictures and a well-meaning, if sanctimonious, advertisement for Greenpeace. Unfortunate though it is, "Avatar" isn't even worth a fraction of its built-in hype.


It is really a nice movie to watch! I spent the whole days watching it..dam touching besides enthralling!=)

clinical biochemistry video

well, i found this interesting video on: Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology at The Royal Sussex County Hospital NHS Trust



well provide this insight to u guys: =)

Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the study of how living organisms work. It lies at the interface of many disciplines, incorporating principles of chemistry, biology and physics. One of the most rapidly advancing areas within biochemistry is molecular biology. Biochemists are interested in the molecular changes which occur within organisms; the conversion of food to cellular components, the provision of energy to drive bodily processes, the chemical nature of genes and the way in which these specify and control biological processes. Biochemists study the nature of disease and undertake the design of drugs and production of vaccines and human hormones. One of the most stimulating and positive aspects of biochemistry is its increasing interaction with medicine. Biochemists study the molecular basis of diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cystic fibrosis and AIDS, and this enables definitive diagnosis and development of cures.



Your Future in Biochemistry

The rapidly expanding fields of molecular biology and biotechnology have resulted in great demand for biochemists. In fact, the number of job opportunities for those trained in modern biochemical techniques already far exceeds the supply. Before starting their careers, more than 50 percent of USP graduates go on to graduate school or to medical, dental, or other health professional schools.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, median annual earnings of medical scientists were $57,196 in 2000.
Hands-on Learning at USP

Undergraduate research gives you the opportunity to explore one area of biochemistry in depth. Employers and graduate/professional schools recognize independent research as a very valuable learning experience.
Learn from the Best

You'll have access to a wide range of expertise from faculty members in the departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Biological Sciences who teach courses in the biochemistry program. You'll receive a solid foundation in the areas of physical and analytical biochemistry, enzymology, nucleic acid biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, and genetics. Some of the experts you'll learn from include:

* Edward R. Birnbaum, Ph.D., inorganic chemistry, department chair. Dr. Birnbaum's research interests include bioinorganic chemistry, lanthanide spectroscopy, and calcium-binding peptides and proteins.
* Michael F. Bruist, Ph.D., biochemistry. Dr. Bruist's research interests include nucleic acid biochemistry, chemistry of DNA rearrangements, and DNA-protein interactions.
* Yumee K. Koo Ph.D., biochemistry. Dr. Koo's research interests include chemical education and protein interactions.
* Preston B. Moore, Ph.D., chemistry. Dr. Moore's research interests include molecular interactions within biological systems, computational chemistry, and molecular dynamics simulations as applied to biological membranes.
* Guillermo Moyna, Ph.D., organic chemistry. Dr. Moyna's research interests include biomolecular NMR spectroscopy, computational chemistry, and computer-assisted rational drug design.
* Julian W. Snow, Ph.D., physical chemistry. Dr. Snow's research interests include structure of serum apolipoproteins, serum apolipoprotein-lipid interactions, and thermodynamics of amphiphile-membrane interactions.
* C. Reynold Verret, Ph.D., biochemistry, Dean of Misher College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Verret's research interests include cell-mediated cell cytotoxicity, biosensors, and peptide-based vaccines.
* Randy J. Zauhar, Ph.D., molecular and cell biology. Dr. Zauhar's research interests include computational chemistry, bioinformatics, and computer-aided drug design.

The USP Biochemistry Curriculum

In your first two years, you'll take foundation courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. You'll also build a solid understanding of your field by taking courses in the five major areas of chemistry-analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, as well as biochemistry. Laboratory courses, which typically accompany lecture courses, will help you develop the skills and techniques needed in the five major areas. You'll also be encouraged to conduct one or more undergraduate research projects.

In your third and fourth years, you'll take extensive work in physical and analytical chemistry, molecular and cell biology, and genetics. You will also select specialty electives to strengthen a particular area of interest. These may include biochemistry, bioinformatics, genetics, cell biology, microbiology, virology, or courses such as instrumental analysis that provide the skills needed to utilize sophisticated instrumentation to investigate complex biological phenomena.

Computer technology is incorporated throughout the curriculum, starting with Principles of Chemistry I, your first course in chemistry. Most of the computer knowledge you gain will be as a result of integrating computer applications into many of the lecture and laboratory courses.

The biochemistry major is also excellent preparation for our pre-med track, which includes the basic courses required for admission to medical school, normally completed in the first two years of the program. Most pre-med students major in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, microbiology, or pharmacology and toxicology.

Graduates in Biochemistry are readily accepted into a wide range of courses. Some continue with research and obtain a PhD degree. Others will enter professional coursework programs such as the medical program, business courses or teacher training programs.

Jokes =D

I would like to ahre with you guys about these jokes:
have fun and enjoy!=D

1st thief: Oh! The police is here. Quick! Jump out of the window.
2nd thief: But this is the 13th floor.
1st thief: hurry! This is no time for superstitions.


Girl: Do you love me?
Boy: Yes Dear.
Girl: Would you die for me?
Boy: No, mine is undying love.


Father: Your teacher says she finds it impossible to teach you anything!
Son: That's why I say she's no good!


Teacher: Where were you born?
Student: Singapore, Sir.
Teacher: Which part?
Student: All of me, Sir.


Patient: How much to have this tooth pulled?
Dentist: $90.
Patient: $90 for just a few minutes work?
Dentist: I can extract it very slowly if you like.


Teacher: What is 5 plus 4?
Student: 9
Teacher: What is 4 plus 5?
Student: Are you trying to fool me, you've just twisted the figure, the answer is 6!!
__________________

January to december
sunday to saturday
Am to Pm
My feelings for u have never changed.......
u....
R....
always....

a HEADACHE to me !!!!

********************************

When u feel lonely and alone & cannot see any one around you,
the world seems to be fading away,
come along with me
i'll take u an eye specialist !!

********************************

Just close ur eyes and think of urself for 10 seconds......
Open ur eyes !
Now you will realize that u have wasted 10 sec in thinking of a
fool............

********************************

I wrote ur name on the sands.............
it got washed away,
I wrote ur name in air..........................
it got blown away,
So i wrote ur name in my heart.............
i got a HEART ATTACK

********************************

LOVE is like a CIGAR
It starts with a fire..... continues with smoke.....and ends in ashes...
But dont worry - we are chain smokers

********************************

ur smile can be compared to a flower
ur voice can be compared to a cuckoo
ur innocence to a child
but in stupidity
u have no comparison
u r the best

********************************

True love is like a pillow
u can hug when u r in trouble
u can cry on when u r in pain & u can embrace when u r happy
so when u need true love
spend RM50/-Buy a pillow

********************************

Dear Friend,
when i ask u flower,
u give me bouquet
when i ask u a stone
u give me a statue
when i ask u a feather
u give me peacock

ARE U REALLY DEAF ?

********************************

when i call u;
1 ring means i'm thinking of u;
2 ring means i like u;
3 means i miss u;
4 means .........pick d phone idiot

********************************

The human brain is most outstanding thing.......
it functions 24hrs 365 days.....
it functions right from the time u r Born....until you fall in love

********************************

SMILE - is a language of love
SMILE - is a source to win hearts...
SMILE - creates greatness in ur personality
SO....
Brush ur Teeth today onwards




===========================================================

First Semester result out!

Code Course Title Grade
1 SCEP1252 KIMIA ASAS I A-
2 SHES1201 BIOLOGI SEL B+
3 SHES1203 BIOLOGI POPULASI A
4 SHES1270 AMALI BIOLOGI A-
5 SXEX1400 SEJARAH & FALSAFAH SAINS A

yes, and i have gotten my result today by checking online.
overally, i am still satisfied with it.
But i am just curious to wonder about the way to count CGPA. Still wondering~~

I am too shocked to know that my biology cell got B+, i thought i have done enough revision for that. haiz!

well, i am looking forward to have my result improve by the next semester. Bravo!
=)

My Part-timing at SAD of TARC!

And yes, i was being recruited to work as temporary assistant at Student Affair Department ,to my surprise, i thought i will be working at library as what my mum told me, but due to the lack of workers/staffs, i was being dispatched there.

All i have to manage and handle is a lots more bunch of paper works, that is photocopying using the cyclostyle photostat machines( a very advancing machines which can produce many copies of papers at a very high speed ). Huh, it makes me so rushing the whole days long9 from 8.30am to 5.30pm and eventually what i have learnt today is to have the my hands work fast to control the photostating machines and to arrange the papers as well.

First day at work , i can definitely feel a very nervous and tensed atmosphere!
i met a lots of people like Yen Pin , Richard Choo, Mr Tan(IT officer), the last time i worked at TARC is Dec 2007 till May 2008. almost 6 moth, and now i have came back again, and most staffs are still left without intact! haha..a new staff with a new face are seen somewhere.
Miss Ng Yi Jiuan,the senior registrar of SAD have a chat with me this morning before i started my jobs.

The Student Affair Department (SAD) is a place where almost all lecturers flock to photostats their teaching materials like tutorials , notes and etc..so i everytime, no matter it is a matter of seconds or minutes, u could see lecturers walk in and out of the office. haha, some of them have some clinche gossip too.=p

I met a nice and honest guy name Yee Weng,my collugue now..he is very nice and friendly, i still remember he told me to treat this office workplace as you own home, don't have to tensed up and shy. haha..i hope for his kind of employer in future, really hard to find one like him, so caring !..
another Indian girl named Givi, she is quite okay too, and to my surprise, she is going to leave her job to work as worker at TNB next week. well, if she is leaving, the workloads would be much heavier then. haiz!

I hope to learn more tommorow besides the photostating works. Sitting at the office counter dealing with hundreds of lecture notes and tutorials from lecturers are not an easy tasks. HUH!

Anyway, i have just posted some of my oinions in lowyat and get a good feedback from one of the forummer regarding the benefits of doing part time jobs.
here is the excerpt from her blog:

My personal experience:

I have worked the following jobs:

a clerk/receptionist- at the age of 17 for 3 months
a lab assistant- at the age of 19 for 4 months
in university- held the following jobs: secretary (twice), telemarketer, data entry clerk, industry training intern (compulsory for me to earn my degree)
As your career life cycle changes, the choices you’ve made also change. My first job as a clerk got me 3 things that I’ve wanted since I was 13- my first Panasonic walkman, a mountain bike and a camera- all of which I proudly bought with my own hard earned money. From there, I’ve learn from young to work for what you want- and when you get the reward, the feeling that you’ve earned it is priceless.

When I was 19 and working as a lab assistant, I decided I wanted to be a qualified chemist- because I thought I had loved lab work- I was having so much fun working alongside seniors who were fresh graduates. We were having so much fun testing compounds of M&Ms, twisties, Gardenia, cakes, cookies and eating them after…. My colleagues then were about few years older than me and were my role models- that’s why I stressed the point in the first article- that you must select the right kind of jobs to mix with the right group of people. Sometimes, you may set yourself up for a misguided direction for a long time by mixing and being influenced by the wrong group of people.


Anyway, when I got accepted into a local university, I relunctantly tendered my resignation. At first I did not want to leave the place but my colleagues, mostly graduates themselves knew the benefits of an education and warned me not to give up the chance. Another lab assistant- a rowdy tomboy who chain smoked and did not manage to get a decent education, had advised me to further my studies so that I would not be like her- doing a chemist’s job but being paid as a lab assistant (much lower).

The boss even wrote me a good recommendation letter (he was known not to be a generous person with compliments or money but he was kind enough to write me the letter). While all my schoolmates applied for engineering (why science students can only think of being an engineer?) or IT. I targeted specifically for chemistry courses. I got into chemistry- and even successfully applied for an upgrade (to a better course) because of the recommendation letter written by my boss which I submitted with my upgrade request.

At the same time, I was also taking some management papers because everyone else was taking it. And strangely, except for the first semester when the management lecturer was really plain boring and had a strange way of evaluating students, the rest of the semesters I was excelling my management papers- especially those like marketing, entrepreneurship, basic accounting (even though I have no prior basics in accounting before). And the scores for my chemistry papers were of lackluster- in regions of B minus and Cs.

Because I was working during the breaks doing mostly office jobs (I found these jobs myself through classified ads/job agencies), I realized that my calling is to work with people, not with chemicals or in labs. I was happy previously as the lab assistant job because I had friends- and these people had treated me like their ‘little kid sister’.

But during a few office jobs that I’ve taken during semester breaks, I was to help one boss to organise a seminar in a hotel. I did it single-handedly- by calling his clients/suppliers, sourcing the right hotel and making arrangements with them, RSVP those attending- till his seminar was a success, I knew for sure I studied the wrong course- that time I just finished the first semester of my second year.

I forced myself to study to make sure I pass all my chemistry papers and to get a degree. I was lucky that my management papers helped my grades a little. After I graduated, while my course-mates were searching for chemistry and engineering jobs, I search for jobs in the service industry. Because of my holiday working experience, I managed to land myself with one of the market leaders- and worked in the company for 9 years till I resigned last year and went travelling.

My point in sharing the story with you is for you to realize that by getting a job that exposes you to people whom you want to be when you grow up, you have a clearer direction. You can potentially save yourself years of trial and error when you work and observe those around you when working. It sure beats spending the holiday just holed up in front on the PC doing chats, Facebook and games or watching TV- you can do that after work but don’t just do it the whole day.

Your skills, preference, interest, life’s direction would evolve with time – it’s not carved in stone. Many of my former colleagues are now upcoming successful people in various industries. We have all begun from the same point, doing the same job- and with time, we realize our individual callings. I’m probably the ‘rebel’ of them all, as I’ve always been, choosing to love content management, websites and blogging- despite nearly flopping my Internet & Multimedia course during university (had it not been my friend who wrote the entire html program, I would have gotten at least a C).

Accept and embrace change- but don’t get too worried about it either. When the time comes, you would know what to do- with a bit of courage and hard work, you would succeed.

Most importantly, try something- even jobs that is labor intensive if you cannot find suitable office jobs (since times are hard now). And when working, observe successful people around you. By doing this, you can save years of being stuck in a job you do not like because you took the wrong major in college.

In the next article, I will explore other alternatives you can also consider- you can start young and build up good income that can trail off.

source:http://life.yinteing.com/


i hope to gain more experience and thus i am willing to work part time.alright, i am a shy person i admit, but seriously, i hope to expand muy social networking and eventually i can be a brave person standing in front of a crowd to give speech and share my thoughts. ^^ after all, Interpersonal skills are important, isn't it? haha..

Works at TARC

I will be going to TARC , working part time there tomorrow, As a temporary assistant at library, i know my task would be something like checking the books , do some paperworks and arranging books etc..or maybe have to deal with student--TARCians, like on the look-out by checking their attires and student Identification cards( which i found it rather boring! Hope that i won't get this kind of job!).

I want to learb something new, and thus i am willing to work there. may God bless me with the good tasks coming ahead tomorrow so as i can learn something new and beneficial. after all, it is all about utilising my time to the fullest during this semester break.=)
this is the second time i am working part time there, luckily my mum introduce me this part time job, at least can get my time fulfilled beneficially.=D
But, i don't know why, feeling quite nervous now, and hope that everything would go smoothly tomorrow =)

And here am i , posting on lowyat forum , hoping to get some constructive feedbacks. but things apepear to be like a simple yet satisfying reply. HAH!

My Questions--new thread created:

Hi, lowyat forummer, Good days to you all.
I am undergrads student ,first year,and am currently on my semester break and i am looking for a suitable part time job to fully utilise my long break instead of slacking at home.
And now, my mum has helped me by introducing me a part time job which is working as a temporary assisstant at library of TARC .

Would it be beneficial to me in future if i were looking for any job since i have got the experience of working as a library assistant before?

previously i have worked there during my holidays while waiting for my SPM result and that is the time when i have worked at computer lab for 5 months. and now i am returning to work there part time again as a temporary assistant in library.

So i have the EPF deduction and my EPF number as well, Would it do anything to me? cos i have no idea on how the salary is being calculated . All i know is there is reduction in SOSCO and EPF, and the net salary per month is RM 800++..

and from what my mum told me, now we only work during weekdays, weekends not included as it is the time to relax and get out of the bustling of workdays. And thus i think of just utilising my time well so i will start working there tomorrow.

What i want to know is does the work experience like this--part time job would do anything good to me in future?

one useful reply:

Depends on what you actually do for your job.

Real world situation, employer will be interested in qualities like public relation skills, critical thinking skills and troubleshooting skills.

In your case, as temporary assistant in a library, do you actually practice or implement those skills?

Of course, duration of your part-time job is another thing too.

All right, i hope for the best to come tomorrow! Bye and good night! wanna have my dinner then.=D

Finish semester 1! =)

Time flies, time flies quickly.
After my last exam paper yesterday(13th Nov), it finally signifies the end of my first semester in UM. And yeah, i have completed one semester out of my six semester at UM.
Without really realising it, time flies very quickly and swiftly, i still remember the time when i firstly stepped into 4th Residential College,University Malaya. The registration day and the long,tough weeks of Haluansiswa still vividly portrayed on my mind. And yet now, it is already the end of one semester.

Alright ,i am summing up the life during my first semester in UM.

Well, lecturers in UM are all nice..I like the way my inorganic chemistry professor , Dr Zainuddin explains things in detail . i admired the way he carry himself and with his good commandment in English, he speaks a very fluent english and that makes us understand the context of chemistry very well. He taught us a lots of life philosophy besides the periodic table , the Group one ,two etc elements . He makes a good lecturer and i see the passion while he is teaching.I hope i will one day become like him, very fluent in english and delivers my lesson in a clear and concise way.=) thus, from nowonwards, i have to constantly improve my english , elevate from intermediate level to higher intermediate.

I took a total of 15 credits for this semester:
History of science and philosophy---3 credits
(well, theis lecturer is very young, Mr SMS,as he is commonly known as. He is well known for his visit to Egypt=p..do you know why? this is because the famous piture of him being printed out on the slides of our notes. haha.
through this course, it is not a bad course after all, some may think it is like a history where we have to kepp on memorising ecery little facts and cramp it into our mind to face the hardcore exam.
actually it is not only that, try to think : if we wanna learn something, we got to memorise things and get our concept and theory well before we could explain to other people right? so the facts like the Father of Biology which is Aristotle, Father of Modern Astronomy- Nicolaus Copernicus, Father of surgery- Sushruta etc...the list go on and on.If ever somebody ask us this kind of question to test our history knowledge, isn't it comes in handy?=p
Seriously, i not only learn all the philosophical and the history of ancient civilisation like China, India, Islam, Greek, Mesapotamia, Egypt and Europe, but i learn about the contribution of famous figures in every cicilisation like Hammurabi in Mesapotamia,Esagil-kin-Apli who wrote the Diagmostic Handbook, Ibn Sina who is regarded as the father of medicine. Zhang zhong Jing who is regarded as the 'Hippocrates of China' and so on...i learn to appreciate their efforts in making many contributions in order to glorify and to make their civilisation prosper.

2.Asas Pembudayaan Keusahawanan(APK)
This course structure is designed to train us as a future entrepreneur. sound fun right? and yes, we learn about the many tactics and skills of setting and doing business. We are given a task to form a group of 25 people and staring out a bussiness, selling food and drinks and we are just given a mere of a set-up empty space and thus, all the model, products and all types of preparations like banners, the strategics of marketing and production, finance have to be done barehand by us. I was given a task of being the head of marketing and what i can say is i learn quite a lots of things through this bussiness activity.perhaps this is the first time i set up a bussiness and being the marketing head, i have to think of the proper startegics to sell out our bussiness ,that is to market our products by preparing banners, poster and some ideas to attract customers. I was rather suprised and at the same time tingling with the idea of one of members to suggest us for`wearing mask to attract more customers to come to patronise our products . people are always intriguing with the special make-up and appearances, thus we rather make a good strategic to market our products.
Besides, the Rubic cube competition is rather interesting too. We have come out with idea of organising a rubic cube competition to make more customers to patronise our stall. that is a very good idea , isn't it?=)

3.BioPopulation and Biocell
well, these are the 2 compulsary subjects that need to be taken by all ISB students.
I can't believe that the questions are pretty easy and straight forward. For biopop, like what Dr Pozi Millow had said before, this subject designed to let all of us grab an additional A. well, true enough, the questions though there are 100 of them all together, but once you got read through the whole chapters , it is quite basci actually. HAIH!, All in ALL i still hope for an A la..HAHA
Biocell, well,50 questions all together, i can say it is a bit harder than biopop, i pray for the A to come the way seeing that i have striked rather hard for this subject! LOL..I like Dr Hashimah, she is regarded as the best teacher in delivering lessons in a effective ways ! her english is excellent, clear and more importantly concise and straight to the point!=) I like genetics ever since she taught us!
PS: i think Dr Pozi , lecturer of biopop should have learned from her, the way to effective teaching!

4.basic chemistry(4credit hours)
This is the most compulsary subjects for all of us---biochemistry student! Every students have a minimum of 10 credits hours to take extra courses outside their department. But we biochem student are made compulsary to take basic chem 1 and 2 which made up of 8 credits hours in total, thus left 2 credits hours available for us to take courses out of our department.
IMO, basic chem expose us to the 3 main branch of chem which are Inorg chem taught by Dr Zainuddin, org chem taught by Dr Hairul Tajuddin, physical chem taught by Dr Sim. well, personally, i like Dr zainudiin, the way he teach is very impressive.
during the bacis chem exam, it is the worst exam that i have sat for of all the 15 credit hours that i have taken. probably due to the lack of time while doing the questions which stands for 10 marks! All in all, i will pray that i could get a good result, at least A-...please! HAHA....

well,next semester course registration will start soon, and i have to register for another 18 cerdits hours , if not mistaken! =D

conclusion: what i learn during first semester is really fun! CHEERS!

Biochemistry Rocks!

dear blog,
i have not written or posting anything for such a long time ..the reasons for that are:
1. i was quite engrossed to facebook.
2.i was busy preparing for exams , assignment ,projects, presentations, and all sorts of activities meetings.

all sorts of reasons and explanations are not enough time.i think it is a lame excuse lor. haha

well, anyway, i am really looking forward to the end of the exam which is on 13th nov, next friday. besides, i do hope that i could do the best in my exam.

i have a great dilemma before that, i think of give it a try to appeal to change my current course to pharmacy but eventually i have changed my mind again.i believe i am not that fond of being worked in hospital , but what i like and what i interested matter the most in the determination of my future careers isn't it?
thus, i will continue my biochemistry degree and perhaps, with god grace i can become a good lecturer , teaching medical and life sciences students, passing all my precious knowledge to them. i believe i can be a good educators by enhancing and improving myself from time to time. Thus no matter what would i end up in future, academics field is definitely my most chosen field based on my INTEREST!

here i quote some facts from www.biochemistry.org:

Biochemistry is at the heart of life science. It is a fascinating, diverse and sprawling discipline; which makes it near impossible to pigeon-hole or define concisely. Many look upon biochemistry as a science that underpins and explains the essential processes of life, impacting on:

* Biotechnology and bioinformatics
* Cell biology and signalling
* Development and disease
* Energy and metabolism
* Genetics
* Molecular biology
* Plant biology


Biochemists:

* Provide new ideas and experiments, essential for understanding how life works
* Support our understanding of health and disease
* Drive the discovery of new ways to use molecular systems and their biological functions
* Contribute essential innovative information to the technology revolution

Biochemists have high-value jobs that influence work in:

Hospitals, university research departments, agriculture, food institutes, education, scientific law, cosmetic industries, forensic crime research, industrial laboratories, drug manufacturing, biotechnology, publishing, sales and marketing, government administration, science writing and many more…
A degree in biochemistry provides many attractive and transferable skills:

Analytical, communication, research, problem solving, numerical, written, observational, planning, team work, organizational, computational… good preparation for any career.

Biochemistry is a very interesting subject and field,and here i hope to explore it to the fullest!=)

A quiz which reveal my personality=)

I tried a quiz from http://www.quizbox.com/personality/test82.aspx and come out with this following result:=)
Your view on yourself:
You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:
You like serious, smart and determined people. You don't judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren't necessarily your style. This makes you an attractive person in many people's eyes.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:
You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.

The seriousness of your love:
You are very serious about relationships and aren't interested in wasting time with people you don't really like. If you meet the right person, you will fall deeply and beautifully in love.

Your views on education
Education is less important than the real world out there, away from the classroom. Deep inside you want to start working, earning money and living on your own.

The right job for you:
You have many goals and want to achieve as much as you can. The jobs you enjoy are those that let you burn off your considerable excess energy.

How do you view success:
You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.

What are you most afraid of:
You are afraid of things that you cannot control. Sometimes you show your anger to cover up how you feel.

Who is your true self:
You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.

if you ask me :does it sound accurate to me?
well, it is pretty accurate , man, especially the last statement!..however with few exceptions like how i view education, and in reality i seriously care more on education than working, to me life long learning is a way to improve yourself and i am all for it! =)

Facebook updated

is it a good thing by setting up and posting various pictures of ours at a social network called Facebook? i really wonder that. since my first moment in setting up my own blog, i thought of i could perhaps expanding my social network by setting up a Facebook. through all these networks like blogger, friendster and facebook and forum, i can share my view, my perspective and my opinions. I can tell about the current perspectives, and it is after all a great sharing platform for all.

thus, i am here to update my status on facebook. yesterday, you can see that a bunch of photos, amonting to 70++ are posted within my facebook. lolz, that is so amazing.
for the sake of convieniences, i just upload as many pictures as i can =p.haha

anyway,You guys can browse my facebook by typing my name .don't forget to add me as well.=)

Prangin Mall trips

well, just my simple thoughts to share since i have the spare time to do so.=)

Today, i was having a trip to Chung Ling High School to get back my SPM certs.

i took 2 buses for going there , and it costs me around RM 2.50 plus Rm 2.00 for going back. It strike my nostalgic feeling when i was stepping into CLHS.It has been a while for almost two years that i wasnt benn to my former secondary school.

Right after that, i , Geng Liang and Wei Sheng going to Prangin to watch' ALIEN IN THE ATTICE'...IT IS REALLY a nice movie, it is worthy to watch then.=)

I am going back late at 7pm, somemore it is raining quite heavily.Luckily i took Rapid that is going directly to my house =)

I have enjoyed myself today.




View at the GIANT!



Special promotion during RAYA!^^



GENg Liang and me


Wei sheng and I.




This spot is always my favorite and POPULAR spot as the names imply.^^

Some basic (biochemistry) comments about H1N1 virus.

Here is an except from http://biochemistryquestions.wordpress.com/ that tells us more about the H1N1 virus based on a molecular and biochemical perceptives of that deadly virus.

This picture represents an Influenza virus.

Observe the capside and the core, containing nucleic acids associated to proteins.

The genome of the Influenza A virus is formed by 8 segments of negative sense RNA. Negative sense means that the molecule runs from 3’ to 5’, so it can not be translated to proteins. This type of virus needs a RNA polymerase for the transcription of the original viral RNA to RNA with positive sense (5’3’) that can function as mRNA.

Observe also in the viral surface two important glycoproteins: Haemagglutinin and Neuraminidase (Sialidase).

Hemagglutinin is a kind of lectin. Lectins are glycoproteins related to cellular recognition. Hemagglutinin in viral capside allows the virus to bind, in lungs and throat, with sialic acid residues (derived of neuraminic acid) that are part of the proteins in the epithelial cell surface. An endocytosis process allows the transport of the virus inside the cell and the eventual replication of the virus.

Once the viruses have been replicated inside the cell, they are excreted from the host cell inside a spherical phospholipid membrane that contains Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase. In the same say that happened at the beginning of the infection, the Hemagglutinin binds to sialic acid residues, but the Neuraminidase hydrolyses the glycoside linkage between Hemagglutinin and the Sialic Acid residues.

Life at UM...activities plus trips!

KLCC






Ｍｙ　ａｕｎｔｙ　ｈｏｕｓｅ　ｖｉｅｗ．





Khang Way and Vyian during our midvalley trip during weekends. they have been busy around till we haven't meet for almost a month.



Fellow debaters:we represent our college for a debate competition during Minggu Haluansiswa.Hemah,Samantha and me.



I spotted a cute 'couples'at midvalley..LOL


taken in a quite snap: During trip to PC fair at KLCC

Coming along with me are Li Poh ,Chui Kheng and Zhe yi.Li Poh and her friend bought two printers.

_________________________________________________________________
Photos taken during Minggu keluarga Bestari held during July:

there are papa and mama being assigned in our family.This is our papa.

various performances are carried out by every families and we enjoyed the time thoroughly.=)
___________________________________________________________________

I am here, with a 1 week holiday now, at penang. I have couples of free time, thus here i am with updated good news to my blog.

My life so far, have anyone asked about it? Well, i would just put it in a simple way.

Throughout the periods from 20 July till 14 august, there are a bunch of activities being carried out. Some of them are Minggu keluarga Bestari, temuduga for JKP , my 4th College AJK,etc...Well, out of my surprise, i have joined UM educational counselling(MA Sheng).It is a platform for those who are going to IPTA to get more info on that.There is a special forum cater for it, http://www.quansheng.org/.

I have my biology cell exam at 8th August 2009, hopefully can score well la.

Then follow by bio population exam at 12th August(Thursday), hope will get full marks because it is quite easy.=)

During the last two weekends,which are 31July-2nd August 2009 and 14th July -16th july, i have gone to my aunty house to pay her a visit and to teach her daughter tuition. 4 of them are pretty attentive when i am delivering my lesson. they are from different standards, range from standard 4, standard 6 , form 2 and the eldest being form 5. You can see the difficulties there when dealing with different standards students.

Anyway, i still enjoyed my time there. =)

Semester 1 at UM

Well, to put it simple, i have been in UM for almost 3 weeks,life being there is quite nice to me , at least i am getting used to the environment there.
This week is our Minggu Keluarga Bestari.Thus we would have busy days ahead.
Life is so hectic for certain weeks but i do hope that i won't be so busy for the coming weeks, i need rest in order to continue my daily tasks.
I find no time to blog here and there, thus you guys would see my blog is very inactive for a particular weeks or so. Sorry for that, i don't really have any extra time to pen down my thoughts.

Anyway, to simply pen it down.I have been to Midvalley to shop, i have bought a RM100++ sports shoe there, i watched 17 again there with Khang way , Funian, and my KK4 friends--Pei Yi and Ji soon,etc..

We have enjoyed ourselves, and i remember that i celebrated Funian Birthdays at week 2 with other biomedicine freinds from 1st college. that is where i met Ai Lee, Yue Ching(KMK girl),Keong ..they are real nice.

Last week, i came back to Malacca to bring my laptops to UM. i have my hair cut at ALor Gajah with Sok Ping.

yesterday i went to join the UM Educational counselling groups.They are the one who responsible to come out a forum named Quansheng,org..i have browsed it before and my interest is always there to counsel and educate people.so i just have a look there last night and it is really nice .=)

Alright, i managed to take some notes (biocell,biopop,chemistry) form seniors of biochemistry.
Thanks them so much!
btw, i will be having a week of holiday next month, and i am planning to go back to penang.

i am thinking of updating my facebook now.
cheers!

Journey to UM

I am going to KL tommorow.have a short stay at my uncle house and the next morning,well, heading to UM for registration.

Dear readers of my blogs,and my dearest friends, i may not updating my blog for the following weeks or so. i guess i have to bring my own laptop to my hostel only am i available to start blogging again.

I am absolutely looking forward to the exhilirating and challenging orientations weeks (28th June -4th July) ahead.
Hope that i can enjoy my times and have a wonderful experience there.Since university life is just once in a life time. i should have really enjoy myself there.=)

Cheers! UNIVERSITY MALAYA!

between biochemistry and pharmacy

this is part of the advice of one of LYN user name:dunaskwhy posted on Lowyat.net on the choices of pharmacy and biochemistry.

i value it very much, it helps me to get a roughly clear idea on these two professions.

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I guess I can give you some advice here. My ex-Gf is a pharmacist and my current Gf and elder brother is a Biochemist. 1. Now, pharmacy has had tremendous interests from students in recent years. Its a sprouting profession and if the ministry of health plan to change the dispensing right regulation, the Malaysia still needs plenty of retail pharmacist. The course roughly takes 4 years to complete and upon completion you need to undergo 3 years of compulsory government service before practicing in private sector as a pharmacist. Most people have the idea of a pharmacist being a retail or hospital pharmacist where they dispense medication to patients. There is a lot interpersonnal contact here, one might find satisfaction working with people. However, from what I heard from my pharmacists friends its pretty boring working as a retail pharmacist. The other carier pathway you might be interested working as a pharmacist is industrial pharmacist working with drug companies. But again, you need to complete the compulsory government service. Basically its more of the drug itself rather than person. What my ex is doing at the moment is studying her PhD in pharmacology. Research for a paper about protein signalling. More intellectual challenging but you basically work like a hermit in the lab talking to your cell culture. Even without doing a PhD, you can go into research once you finish your degree that another career pathway. Generally doing research gets you the least pay most challenge and satisfaction depends on whether your experiment works. 2. Biochemistry is also has quite wide career pathways as well as study scope. Its less soughted here in Malaysia as there is less emphasis into research. Most people gets into research after they finish their degree and at the meantime study for honours/masters. What they study is mainly everything in relation to organic chemistry - Proteins, DNA, phospholipids, enzymes, protein channel, glycoprotein these are just some examples of them. Most gets to be expert in things they do during their lab years and stick with the field they familiar and research in the particular field. Its good challenge and again, satisfaction depends a lot on whether your experiment works (lots of frustration when something they do failed for after several experiments and one would take a week) However at the end of the day when you able to publish a paper on the things you do you get lots of satisfaction. Interpersonal interaction is limited. You work with a small group of lab people and from time to time you go for conferences. ]My brother is one of the pioneer group that goes to antartica for research under UM which started I think with the endorsement of Dr. Mahathir. Pretty interesting if you ask me. However its not everyone's cup to tea. He is planning to finish his PhD and go into teaching. To get a decent pay most people does not work in Malaysia. Singapore pays roughly 3.5k for fresh graduate with more job opportunities. Plenty of job available here too in Australia and I do not know about other country. So if you planning to get into any one of these course and you just finished SPM, obviously you would need to take Chemistry and Biology.
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