She looked so beautiful that morning.

As I shifted my hands through her gorgeous

hair, I kissed her. Take care, darling. Gotcha go to work, I said, in my peculiar
Australian and European mixed accent. After waving at my wife, I got into my black
Brabus S350, sitting in my porch, growling. Good day, Sir, wished Mr. Baskaran,
my personal driver, as he started to drive the growling beast, ready to unleash its
mighty horsepower. As I leaned back in the posh leather seat, the 30 inch
widescreen LCD screen started to unfold in front of me. It resumed the episode of
House, I was watching yesterday.

But no matter how I tried, I couldnt enjoy the sarcasm of Hugh Laurie as I was too
preoccupied with what happened at work yesterday. Being a CEO of a multimillion
dollar company like Google does equate to a life full of stress and tension. The only
consolation I got was, the security analyst, who melted my heart and made me go
on a cloud nine, Julie became mine. Her smile made me euphoric, her eyes made
me drool; her voice sent a tingling sensation down my spine, which I longed for,
every minute, every second.

Mr. Mahen, we have arrived, Sir, announced Baskaran as he opened the door and
led me into the giant headquarters of the world-renowned Google Inc. As I made my
way through, dozens of smiling faces wished me a good morning. But, the morning
wasnt good. The thought of what I did yesterday was running all over my mind.

Hssh! the air-conditioner hummed as I went into my cabin. The most luxurious in
the building. The CEO room was finished with fine oak wood, enriched with blinds
which are controlled automatically, a foosball table and yes, a state-of-the-art
computer system.

Slowly, I sat and took out the files. The figures were big and scary, some eight digits
and some nine. If it happened, I have no idea how Im going to pay the foreign
investors and even worse, my staff! I need a solution, one which can solve this
problem once and for all. Trying to think as hard as I could, I closed my eyes. Just
as I was trying to visualize some ideas, there was a knock on the door. It was hard.

Sorry to interrupt Sir, but heres your cup of special Jamaican brewed mocha
cappuccino, mumbled Sarah Lane, my personal assistant cum secretary. Still
thinking hard, I brought the porcelain cup closer to my mouth. There was a code on
the cup. It read CBSGOOGLEV2. Just as I started to take a sip, suddenly the
missing pieces of the jigsaw in my mind came together. YES! Ive got it! It was all
because of the V2 code on the cup. If it wasnt for that code, I wouldnt have got it.

I immediately called my chief programming officer, Mr. Karl Benzer. A sore looking,
depressed, fat, belly-buttoned guy entered my cabin. Take that look off your face at
once, I exclaimed. Ive found the solution to our problem! I shouted happily.

As though my words were words of some sorcerers magic, the sore look
disappeared. His teeth started to show and he was desperate to know further. I
poured the whole thing. Benzer, settle down and Ill tell you. Initially, as you
know, we were facing a losing battle with those scoundrels who stole our new
unreleased software, Gamma Google. If it went into the pirates hand, we would be
bankrupt........ . As I was talking, Benzer interrupted me. But sir that is what we
were discussing the whole day long yesterday. Tell me how you are going to
overcome it, blattered my impatient staff.

Its like this. Theyve stolen Gamma Google which wasnt ready and for testing
purposes, I secretly added a command which would allow the software to self-
destruct no matter wherever it is in the world. How silly of me to forget about that,
I explained contentedly to Karl. Wow! Its a huge relieve to hear that, sir. I will
start working on executing the command strings youve put in, said Karl.

That evening, I left early. I wanted to take my wife to an exclusive, select restaurant
as a treat. I hit the pause button of the LCD TV and I called my wife to inform her
about the good news while I was in the Brabus. Later, I resumed watching and yes,
it was that sarcastic doctors show being screened. Hey, who said being a CEO of a
multimillion dollar company like Google equate to a life full of stress and tension?
After all, it isnt that bad.






This friend I have is special, whilst young, intelligent and righteous. He lives with me
since he was born, a pleasure to have all these years.The strength to face each day
can sometimes be drawn from knowing him.

When I watch him dribble around with the ball at the street soccer court then
knocking it into the goal leaving the opponent frustrated there is unspeakable pride
and joy emitting from the core of my heart. How this fine young man has grown
from a novice soccer player just three years ago to a forwarder that instill fear to
defenders who have to mark him. A elusive player who pass his opponent with ease
and elegant he can match the highest standard of the land.

The fond memories of the time we spend together still lingers in my mind. Bringing
him to the movies, watching him fight with his sisters still sits in my mind. When he
is younger, he never kept still and even climb out of the cradle that is meant to
restrain him. That is when he is only two years old and that time nearly got a
spanking from his grand mother.

The coolest transformation is his hair. It uses to be always gelled and groomed into
the "curry puff" look that is the trademark look that signifies his childhood days.
Curry puff is a local snacks that has ultra ordinary puff when fried. Youth has robbed
away that and reinstall a new image to befit the modern time. The "anime" type
spike hairstyle is now the replacement. Skinny jeans with a smart tee shirts is the
order of the day when he needs to go for a outing. While I would prefer him to be
inlong sleeved shirt and a business pant, his peer may feel out of place with this
sort of strange outfit.

Our favorite chat always centered on his favorite Barclay Premier League Club
Chelsea and my Manchester United Football Club. Our exchange on the matter can
turn into a feisty with each not giving way to the other. Glorified Manchester United
has done it once again but the arrival of Ancelloti this season and the departure of
Christano Ronaldo has up the challenge for the rivals.

Every weekend is spent at the soccer field where we conduct soccerlessons for
children under ten. He is my coach while I am his manager and together we
managed to keep soccer alive for these kids who showed up every weekend. Our
effort has rewarded us with two championship through the years and the greatest
pride is the one that Chris has played in.

Chris is more of a friend than a son, we spend our time together like most friends
do. I am proud of him both as a friend and a son.


One of the most interesting places in Malaysia is the night market. You may visit
and experience the night market yourselves. Both locals and foreigners agree that
the night market is the most common feature in the local society.

The night market begins when the vendors arrive in the late afternoon. More and
more goods laden vans arrive to begin a brisk day of business. Most of the vendors
busily set out to set up their stalls respectively in order to get ready for a brisk day
of business.

The sun gradually sets and the night market picks up momentum. Morecars and
vans are arriving. By now, the stalls are neatly and strategically arranged to entice
their customers. There is an assortment of goods sold ranging from food, toys and
clothes, to name a few. A variety of goods is sold at low prices.

Large rainbow-coloured parasols are used to shade the people from rain and shine.
A concoction of blaring music can be heard in the night market background amidst
the constant shouting. It is an amazing kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, smells and
colours.

The night market is known as a haven by local gourmets who can enjoy various
kinds of mouth-watering local cuisine. Still more people arrive, they come from all
walks of life, mingling freely and harmoniously. Crowds are walking up and down in
an endless stream. Some of them are stopping by the stalls and haggling before
making purchases. Little children tag along, amused and excited. Sprinklings of
tourists join in to experience the lifestyle of typical Malaysian folks.

When night falls, lighted lamps brighten up the place, they add gaiety to this
atmosphere, and it is like a funfair. The night wears on and the traffic of people
recedes. Vendors get a chance to rest their weary legs besides bantering with each
other.

By 10.00 pm, all the stalls call it a day. The vendors pack up and close the van
doors. One by one, they leave, leaving behind pieces of papers,plastic bags and
discarded boxes. It us an eyesore! Finally, the night market disappears. The place
becomes quite and still once more.

Note: Night market is known as "pasar malam" in Malay language.





About seventeen years ago, a beautiful young woman, named Kari, was trying to
adjust and understand the purpose of her life. She was a typical adolescent,
making mistakes and hoping each lesson would guide her in the right direction of
life. At this time, she was living in Germany, occupied in the US Army, on and off
with a boyfriend, and fighting to keep a relationship with her family, through letters.
It may not seem like an ideal situation, but everything in life has a purpose, the
challenge is discovering it. Unlike most adolescents, her life was put into perspective
very quickly. At the age of nineteen, Kari received results from a test, which
changed her life forever. She was pregnant.

In January 1995, at the age of twenty years old, Kari gave birth to a baby girl. Her
life now revolved around her child, Alexis. She got out of her relationship, got a job,
and found a safe place for the two of them. Now living with her mom and step dad,
working as a papergirl (newspaper delivery person), and fighting for divorce, Kari
was struggling. It didnt matter though; she made the best of it.

When Alexis was two, Kari married her husband, Mike. Together, they got a town
home. Now, with a home and family, it may seem like times were great, but there
was still a lot of life to be learned from. Mike was constantly traveling; in fact, he
was in Utah for two years after they got married. Kari was now raising Alexis,
working seven days a week, and working to keep her marriage healthy. As with
everything in her life, Kari took sacrifices and made it work.

Fourteen years later, looking at this 36 year old, you would never realize the
struggles she has faced in life. She is a beautiful, young, and caring,mother, friend
and wife. She lives in a nice house, takes care of kids,home-schools Alexis and, her
husband is home almost every night. She has many great qualities, but I think the
characteristic that makes her the most unique and genuine person, is her love and
creativity. She was, and is, able to take anything normal and make it enjoyable.

By now you have probably realized, I am Alexis, her daughter. I have a great
relationship with my mom, something many girls, my age, are lacking. In some
ways, its like we grew up together (although twenty years apart), best friends. She
has always provided the loving, but strict mother figure, which I can rely on, in my
life. Her creativity brought me lots of fun times, and cherished memories,
throughout my adolescents. Her strong words and lectures, many she has learned
from in the past, bring me wisdom and guidance for the rest of my life. And her
open and loving heart, gives me a safe place to share my emotions. I never could
ask for a better person to spend my memories with, for they wouldnt be the
memories they are, without her.



The Importance of Studying English
It is a big concerned for teenagers nowadays as they are unaware of
the importance of English language as they tend to ignore to learn the language.
Students attitude towards the language is also crucial to make sure that these
teenagers can face the future world better by learning English language as it is an
international language.

Although the government has repeatedly told us of the importance of
English, many students are still not bothered about studying it seriously. There is
also a campaign that still on to make all the Malaysian becomes a better
English learner, which is Enhance Proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia, Strengthen the
English. English is the most important and the most useful language in the world
today. There are many reasons why you should study the language properly.

First and foremost, English will definitely help you a lot when you want to
further studies. Almost all books at university are written in English in all subjects.
Plus, it is a compulsory for any candidate to pass English with credit before entering
any universities. So, if you are poor in English, you will blow you chance for better
education or worse, you are going to have a big problem studying at university.

The second reason why you have to
study English
well is that it will help you to get a job. When you go for a job interview, the
interviewer will surely talk to you in English. The first impression you should give in
order to success and have the job is, to respond in English fluently. Your chances of
getting the job are very slim if you stutter while interviewing.

A good command in of English will also help you greatly in your job. If
the company you work is actively involved in international trade, you have to speak
to prospective customers in English. Miscommunication might occur if your English is
bad. And this will put your company at risk and you will likely be dismissed if this
happen.

Good English will also help you a lot when you travel. Every country in the
world studies English. Even the roadside stall-holders in China speak fairly good
English! At least some of the people you meet on your travels in other countries can
understand English. The language is certainly practical when you are lost in your
trip. Communication problem will not happen if you can converse well in English.
Inevitably, English is one of the languages used in any airport in the world in making
announcement. Knowing English well, therefore, make travelling overseas easier.

Besides all these, entertainment is one of the major advantages you will
experience if you good in English. You will enjoy televisions best programmes. We
must admit that many of the best programmes are produced by the Americans
and British companies. High self confidence influenced by the programmes will
indirect inculcate in yourself when you are fluent in the language. Quality time is
worthily spent if you understand and enjoy the programmes.

Based from all the above elaboration, I hope that students will see the
importance and realise how importance the language is for their own future.