Then and now

Hubby and I saw his work colleague who has just undergone a lap band surgery, I think that happened a year or so ago. He was now doing well and keeping trim. Although one could still tell though what his past was like as he had his double chin in place. I guess one could think that would just be genetics showing up. Overall though, it looks good on him. Considering the first time I saw him he looked really unhealthy and tired. I guess his main reason for undergoing this treatment was really due to tohealth reasons. Fair enough. He now has a new gal pal and so it worked well.

December Special : Christmas Island

Somewhere on the Indian Ocean, between Asia and Northern Western Australia, lies Christmas Island. This lovely tropical island, which is administered by the Australian government, is in fact home to the famous Red Crabs. There are after all, about 100 million of this species that call this island home. Every year sometime about November-December, these red crabs crawl their way and migrate to the shoreline to breed by the sea. Can you believe that they even have their own crossing grid, to facilitate their safe journey! (see photo!)

This red crab migration is such an interesting phenomenon, and here is a good read if you want more information about this whole process.

Getting to Christmas Island, one can travel from Perth or Kuala Lumpur. There are numerous Christmas Island accommodation type suitable for different travellers. A number of activities (birdwatching, photography, etc) Surely, this nature haven would bring so much excitement and great photos!

Nasty Stingers Migration

I could not believe it when I saw the photos of Sting rays’ migration! Hundreds and thousands of them apparently migrate from Florida area to the Gulf of Mexico area twice each year.

Having watched a lot of Planet Earth documentation, I am always amazed at how nature takes it course and reflected onto us, by our animal friends migrating. I suppose, humans do migrate too, not necessarily as often as the animals, and maybe not every human specie migrates. I, of course, belong to those who do. Read about it here.

Beijing Olympics : Aussie queen of the pool

Okay! We’ve won our first gold in swimming! I haven’t really followed so much of the Olympics. I only got to watch the Women’s lightweight lifting (and we were not even in it) and swimming. Stephanie Rice won 400m Individual medley! Such an intense competition as Coventry was coming in very close. But not close enough. Here is a link to Yahoo 7’s online olympics watch.

What would you do if you were the Richest Man in the world?

Just watched a special feature on BBC Channel on Bill Gates and his empire. It just blew me away. The segment feature Bill Gates and his beginnings, his interests, his young adult life, background and how his interest in computers and technology led him to create the mega company Microsoft. In the interview it was said that Gates made so much money and that if quantified, he’s been earning about $5 million a day, since 1975. That means he is worth more than about $68 billion dollars! I probably won’t even make $5 million in my lifetime, and here he is just doing that overnight! The interviewer mentioned that Bill Gates likes burgers, and that with his earnings, he could give each person on the planet (all 60 billion people) a hamburger (costing say a dollar each), and he would still have about $6 billion left as a change.

The good thing though about Bill Gates, or at least what the interview made me believe, is that he is not a greedy person. Him and his wife, Melinda, have invested and created a foundation in the interest of education, world health and population. Gates has actually invested billions of dollars to funding research on malaria, and is aiming to make an impact on every person’s life by him contributing his earnings for the benefit of the world. Husband and wife Bill and Melinda Gates have decided to give back to the public what they have earned, instead of acquiring properties or giving this to their children as inheritance. Really, one can see that they are quite a well grounded couple.

He's one of those people who looks like all their lives they've just been using their brains. By choice or by not, I think the world needs more people like him. Making good use of his talent and his resources.

Watch fit for a Queen

Have you heard of this watch? Breguet? I only came across it last week and was so enthralled by it that I've researched on it. The Swiss watches, Breguet over the centuries have created timepieces for historical people! They've been around since the year 1775, and have done watches for : Queen Marie Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte (!), Queen Victoria and Sir Winston Churchill (!!) to name a few.

Breguet's even mentioned in a number of literatures such classical works from Victor Hugo, Henry Murger, Alexandre Dumas, etc! Breguet even houses their own museum, which includes such a rich timeline.

Imagine the pride one would have when carrying such brand on oneself.

What makes this watch an icon on its own? Aside from the history, literature and all that. Craftsmanship of these watches: it possesses a secret signature in the dial and individual numbers assigned to the item, hands, and dials are exquisitely made, the lugs are made of 18 carat gold, blue steeled hand, each watch comes in an elegant casing made from precious metal (yellow or rose or white gold, platinum).

I'd probably be happy if I could borrow this one even for just a day! It's been said that these watches supply is less than what people in the upper crust are demanding. Wow! (BTW, Breguet watches sell for about $130K!)

PS. Each watch comes with an instruction manual!