Cyza Sector

My wife could not sleep last night. As a result I could not sleep as well. Why? Because she was coughing badly and could not breath smoothly. She has some difficulty breathing because of asthma. That’s it… I don’t want to risk anything. At 4 a.m. in the morning, I dragged her to a nearby 24 hour clinic (not our panel clinic). It was very unfortunate that the our clinic panel which claims to open 24 hours only have doctor 18 hours a day. What the hack with the other 6 hours?!!! (12am to 6am)

As a result, we have to go to another clinic which is not our panel. My wife was neb (short form for Nebulizer). . Luckily, after neb, she feels ok and can breath better than before. I was relief and we waited for the medicine and to pay the bill. The neb + medicine + doctor consultation cost us RM60. So, I paid the RM 60 and headed home.

OK, is that really a big deal?! I can say we are a regular in our clinic panel. There are 5 of us in the family (me, my wife and 3 kids) and there were times that we visited the clinic every week. In our clinic panel, all medical cost are paid by our employee. We don’t have to worry to pay any of the medical bill. That’s why we don’t mind coming to the clinic (panel).

Then, today very early in the morning, we went to a clinic which is not our panel and paid RM60… What if all my 3 kids are also sick, and we are desperate that we could not go to our panel clinic? What if all my 3 kids medical bill is RM60, just the same as my wife medical bill? That is RM60 + RM180 = RM240.

My point is, I’m very fortunate that the institution I work covers our medical bill. Those of you who are like me are lucky. I have known people who are self employed and who worked in companies that have very small medical coverage. They have to pay their own medical bill. Sometimes, due to lack of money, they tend to avoid seeing the doctor for treatment because they cannot afford the medical bills. I have seen them those type of unfortunate people. They are poor and they could not afford to pay the bill.

Morale of the Story…

We should feel empathy to those unfortunate people and at the same time feel grateful to God of what we have. If we financially sound, maybe we can give a hand to those who may need assistance. I should also switch to a more reliable clinic as our clinic panel.

What about you…?

It’s Monday, but luckily I’m not affected with the Monday blues syndrome. It seems to be a normal day for me. In the morning, I tested my memory on the Statistika version 6 software that I used while struggling with my masters degree 8 years ago. I’m going to use the mathematical software again for my pH.D. Hmmm… that’s not the main reason. It’s my wife. She’s using it and I’m helping her a little understanding the software. Majority of you out there might not be aware what the heck is Statistika… don’t even bother. It’s not important for you… Unless you are an engineering student and want to optimize a process inside your research.

My Article Published in Yellow Pages Energy Guide

I strolled into my boss office and politely asked for a copy of the Yellow Pages Energy Guide. There were quite a number of copies on top of the coffee table inside his office. I took 3 of the Yellow Pages Energy Guide. I was excited to see my article on “Biomass Derived Fuels” inside the 5mm thick book. I authored the article and it was checked earlier by my supervisor. Yellow pages editor have brilliantly arranged the article and included bright and attractive illustration. Now (I whispered to myself), this can go into my C.V. under publication category.

Dining at LC Catering Johor Bahru

In the afternoon, I had lunch with my wife at LC Catering Restaurant at Giant Pulai Utama. It was our first time dining in the restaurant. Two months earlier, we have tasted LC Catering cooking at a wedding feast nearby my folks home. I ordered Nasi Ayam Penyet while my wife ordered Roti Sardin. I took 20 minutes staring on the walls and analyzing a lot of things inside the restaurant. That was because they took 20 minutes to prepare the Nasi Ayam Penyet I ordered… Damn!!! why do you waste my precious time… Definitely, LC Catering need to speed up their servings. Another improvement that should be made is for them to seek for the latest technology to chase away “flies” flying in the restaurant. Yep, I felt irritated and have to swing my right hand all the time to chase away the stubborn flies from landing on our food. The manager came to us and apologized. He offered us to switch to the other section which is well air condition. I kindly said to him we prefer to remain seated.

Homestay Johor Bahru

Alhamdulillah, we received another 3 nights booking of our homestay. That means, the business is doing well so far. It’s still July, but the bookings for August are very encouraging. We never know the demand would be this good until we seriously indulge ourself into this business. Now, we are thinking to market Johor Homestay internationally.

My First Research Grant

I was happily supprized when a colleague suddenly informed that my application for a research grant was approved. Although I did not received the full amount that I requested, I still managed to get 62% of it. I am very grateful to God to receive the research grant. Out of about 600++ applicants, 58 successfully got it and I’m one of them. Now, I have some financial assistance to do my ph.D research. Alhamdullillah… Mmm…I’m sorry that my wife did not get the grant. Try again honey…try harder next time…

Ayah’s Proton Saga Engine Wracked Off

Hmmm… Obviously I’m not happy of it. Ayah called me at 17.30pm  and I was still in the office correcting my research proposal. His 1990 Proton Mega Valve car stopped on his way back home. Upon arriving, 2 mechanics who happen to be at the scene gave a helping hand. After inspecting it, they discovered that the engine was basically damaged and ruined. We left the car to the mechanics and I sent my father home. I had some dinner at my folks home and returned after Maghrib.

Online…Offline…

I’m wandering, can I managed my official work, online work and offline business successfully at one shot?!! Can I? Can you…?

I mentioned earlier that I need a new laptop as a back up for my HP laptop. My HP laptop will be 2 years old this coming December. The HP laptop with Manchester United skin has been such a great servant to me and I will carry it wherever I go. I don’t need a smart phone such as blackberry, HTC or iphone as a mobile office. For me, it’s not convenient to work from such a tiny device. I just carry my laptop and work from it anywhere. It’s totally my choice. The sweetest think about my HP laptop is it paid from my online income.

Last 2 weeks I received my new Toshiba laptop from work. Since, I already have my own laptop, I’m dedicating the Toshiba laptop for certain jobs such as simulation and optimization works. for that reason, I’ve installed Adobe CS3, Statistika and Matlab software. By doing that, I’m not burdening my HP laptop because it already contains a huge number of softwares and application.

So, I have a new back up laptop and I’m very glad. I did mention that I need to get a new digital camera, handphone and a printer. The good thing is my Sony Erickson HP is still working very good and I don’t think I need a new one. However, I should think of a new hand phone as a back up plan in case the K810i could not perform as it is suppose to.

Our old Canon A950 suddenly works fine as well and I think we don’t need to get a new one. However, in case it suddenly breaks down and could not recover, I already plan to get ourselves the new 8.1MP Automatic Panasonic Lumix digital camera. I’ve eyed this digital camera since the last 2 months. Well, that’s the back up digital camera for us.

Printer, yes, I’m going to buy the Canon laser printer soon, probably this Tuesday or Wednesday. It’s going to be stationed in my office house.

After venturing into an offline business last 2 weeks, I’m now partnering with a company manufacturing good quality herbal coffee. The coffee which is integrates high quality selected coffee beans and important herbs is called Maxtra. The product was just released last week and now I’m helping the manufacturer who happen to be my good neighbour to market the product locally and internationally. Maxtra Herbal Coffee is Halal and I can proudly say that this is a product of Malaysia. The nutritional information was analyzed and reported by Chemical Engineering Pilot Plant (CEPP), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).

My Maxtra Herbal Coffee Experience

I was given a packet of Maxtra Herbal Coffee last week for trial and marketing reason. I tasted it and the flavour is brilliant. It is very tasty and delicious. The good part is we are not just drinking good coffee but healthy coffee. The coffee contains several precious and important herbs to help us become healthier and stronger. I’m not going to name all the herbs blended into this coffee. You can refer to the in-official website that I just created: kopi-maxtra.blogspot.com. The herbal coffee help improve our blood circulation and is good for those suffering high blood pressure. The herbal coffee is also good for other illnesses.

One packet of Maxtra Herbal Coffee contains 20 sachets. One sachet is 25g, enough for a cup of meaningful cip of coffee. The recommended retail price for a packet of Maxtra Herbal Coffee is RM24.00. For me it is a value for money deal. You get the tasty coffee and you get to be healthy at the same time. Double bonus!!!

Distributors Wanted

The herbal coffee is not new to those who used to get it from the manufacturer/my friend (neighbour). He has previously carefully manufactured the coffee and it was proven successful. His customers enjoys the coffee very much not only because of the taste but mainly because of the nutrition. Now, he has re-branded and re-manufactured it and the new herbal coffee is as you already know, called Maxtra Herbal Coffee. I’m partnering with him to market the coffee and we need serious distributors nationwide. We need state distributors as well as small mobile distributors. If you or you know somebody who are interested to be a distributor for Maxtra Herbal Coffee, please kinly contact me. The manufacturer is already planning for a massive and aggrasive advertisement and will execute the strategy as soon as we have enough distributors nationally.

Want to try one? You can get from Ebay as well.

I’m venturing into a new off-line business. I’m trying my luck venturing in homestay business and partnered with a colleague from work. We are in the process of setting up a new homestay in Johor Bahru. Yes, you can call it JB homestay. So, if you happen to visit Johor Bahru for any reason and need accommodation and don’t fell like staying in a hotel, feel free to contact me. The homestay is a better alternative for family of 3 to 6 or even up to 8 because getting 2 to 3 hotel rooms will be far more expansive.

Homestay Mutiara, the name given, is a 2 storey corner lot house and have 3 bedrooms and newly furnished. It will be openeed at the end of July. The prices are reasonable and it is strategically located. For more information, feel free to visit jb-homestay.blogspot.com.

It is a fact we have to accept that after some time our gadget will get older, out dated, malfunction etc. The same goes with me. After a while I need to change some of my gadgets. I’m going to get a new digital camera, new hand phone, new printer and new laptop (for back-up).

New Digital Camera required

Our family’s Nikon 5.1 mega pixel digital camera was purchased in 2004 and it is very old now. The display is already in very bad condition. I think it can be repaired but I’m not sure about the cost. I prefer getting a new slim sleek small digital camera. I’m now eying for a new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS 6 digital camera 8mp with lithium battery. I don’t prefer the AA size battery because the lithium battery is more convenient, just like the hand phone. The prize of the Panasonic Lumix 8 mp camera is about RM599 in a digital camera outlet in Jusco Taman Universiti. I will also visit Courts Mammoth Larkin because I notice an attractive offer in an advertisement sent to my house. I’ll make a post about it when after buying one.

New Hand Phone also required

My Sony Erickson K810i are now in poor condition. I think the battery-power connection has broken or something else… It could not charge my hand phone and I’m so sad and disappointed. Now, I’m using our family back up hand phone, Nokia 2100 which is very simple. However, the Nokia 2100 is creating some other problem now, I can’t sms other people!!! That’s bad. It could not serve the basic purpose of a hand phone which is for calling and text messaging. I’m not sure which hand phone to choose right now. I think I still prefer Sony Erickson, perhaps C903.

New Printer also required

Since I bought the 4 in 1 HP 5600 printer last year, I have hardly use it. I’m so frustrated with the printer. The cartridge holder could not move freely as it was supposed to work. As a result, the printer was covered with dust and after massive trouble shooting by me and my wife, we decided that the printer was useless. I can only make myself feel good to say that at least we can use for scaning document. So now, I’m thinking of getting my IT department in my house a new canon laser printer which I plan to purchase in Jusco Taman Universiti. The Canon laser printer cost RM399. I have not yet studied the specification or performances but I think it should be OK for domestic use.

New Back Up Laptop required

This coming december, my current HP laptop will be 2 years old. It is still running perfectly fine. However, I still need to prepare back up for it if in case it suddenly create unwanted problem. I hope it won’t. I’ll be getting a new Toshiba laptop from work and I plan to make it a back up for my present laptop. ‘m not sure when I’ll get them, but I believe it will be soon.

Well, those are basically some of the items that I badly need right now. Not sure when to buy them, but I can say really soon.

I know I haven’t spent that much time in this blog recently. I don’t like to leave Cyza Sector empty without good content or my unimportant rambling. However, this is the fact. I’m committed to my Ph.D and I’ve got to spend my time wisely. I want to complete my Ph.D as soon as possible within the allocated 3 years given by my employer. I’ve dedicated zakiyamani.com to record my post graduate journey.

It’s really a mixed feeling because at the same time, I fancy blogging and other making money online activities. Am I going to let all of them go? Nope. It’s definitely a big NO. I need to rearrange my time and plan each and every activity of mine wisely. I’m going to optimize my daily hour totally on my research and official activities. I’m going to re-organize my online activity goals. I’ll spent perhaps 1-3 hours at night per day on my online jobs, which include blogging, learning, establishing my online business etc.

I really missed the time when my blog was heavily visited and comments were rushing in. I need to fine tune my strategy and execute a plan to further boost Cyza Sector to a better level. So, just wait for some changes that I’m going to apply.

Adsense

Adsense has consistently giving me something on a monthly basis. However the challenge is really how to grow this income higher than what I’m presently earning. It’s tough. It’s difficult. I’m still learning and exploring ways to enrich myself in strategies to power my adsense. So far I estimate that I spent about 30-35% of my online time on this.

Revresponse

This is the second highest and consistent income provider for me. I love revresponse because it is easy, simple and people like free stuffs. It’s not difficult to promote this. Just insert the ads in your post or sidebar or make a short positive review on magazine you selected. If your blog has such a flux of traffic, this will be an extremely good supplement for your additional extra monthly income. Time spent is about 5%.

Other income generating programs

Apart from the 2 programs mentioned above, I also earn from text-link-ads (TLA), Blogvertise.com, Indeed.com, Infolink.com, jobamatics.com, used to earn from smoorty etc (I can’t remember the others). I have not yet earn from Advertlets and Nuffnang. I got fed up waiting for kontera (which is just like infolink.com).

Ebay?

I’ve been very excited with e-bay early this year. I’ve spent substantial amount of time exploring and learning the tips and tricks to so call build my e-bay business part time, off course. I’ve got a number of positive comments (which I gained through purchasing) and I may be ready to start selling online. I don’t really plan to be extremely active in e-bay. I may only spend 5-10% of my online time on it. What to sell? I’m going to identify any unused items in my house. I will also help my colleague sell his factory products which I hope can penetrate international market share.

Opt-in List

Opt-in list is very important, as stated by all online gurus. I have not yet subscribed to a system of building my online business. Blogging for sure is a way to share stories and at the same time a tool for marketing. However, still an opt-in list is crucial if we want to establish our proper online business.  I’m yet to decide to choose either Getresponse or Aweber. Any experience from the floor? I’m probably going to spend approximately 20-30%.

Transformers 2?

I have not yet watch it. My other half has been asking when are we going to watch the highly rated movie of the year. I said, “Try and call the cinema tomorrow”.