Business in America

  It was a great opportunity to listen a talk from Professor Thomas Mihajlov. His talk gave me a better perception of the American business. Listening to his talk, I noticed that there are significant differences comparing the American business to how business is conducted back in my country. In my country, the tax rates are lower compare to here. In addition, the tax rate is equal throughout the states whereby here in America different states has its own tax system. One thing that I have observed here in America is that, the competition is very high. For an example, there are a lot of fast food restaurants and each specializes in its own main product. For instance take McDonald's and KFC. Back in my country, you can get a burger from KFC or some fried chickens in McDonald's. But here in America you cannot get that. Why? I believe the competition is very high. Producing burgers will be a big risk for the KFC as like how producing fried chickens will be for McDonald's. These are some of the concepts I've learnt by while I'm here in the United States.And once again, I would like to thank Professor Johnson for giving the class an opportunity to learn more about the American business by inviting Professor Thomas Mihajlov; who actually is my finance lecturer, to give a speech.

Minorities In Malaysia

Malaysia is known as a multiracial country. The majority of the population is Malays followed by the minorities which are Chinese, Indian, Kadazans and more on. I am an Indian. Although I'm the minority in my country, I was given equal opportunities to strive for success. However, there is still time where the government tends to support the majority more than the minority. Form of help which I am referring to includes working opportunity in the government sector, financial aid for studies, housing loans and more on. Nevertheless, things have been changing recently. Voices from both the minorities and majorities have been raised for this unequal treat to the citizens. And I believe everyone must be treated equally and be given equal opportunities to be successful in life.

A Gun.Is it neccessary to have a gun in one's own home?

 In my opinion, it is not necessary to have a gun. A gun is a very dangerous weapon. If not handled with care, it may cause death. First ask yourself, do you need a gun in your home? Yes, no, maybe? For me, I will not have a gun in my home. Firstly it because i'm leaving in a safe neighbourhood. In addition, having a gun will make one to feel powerful and superior. So, when one is in anger, one might use this weaopn to resolve his or her anger which may result in murder or some sort of other casualties.
 On the other hand, my roomate has a different point of view on it. He said that it is neccessary to have a gun in home. And the main reason to it is for safety purpose. In the present world, he believes that anything may happen anytime. Thus, having a  gun would definitely help in life threatenig situation.

A First Time Cross-Country Skiing

It was just a month and a half I arrived to the States but I'm already having lots and lots of fun. One that I will never forget is definitely my first time skiing last sunday. It was simply amazing. It was actually a part of a group activy for my ESL( English For Second Language) class. As for me, I had never done skiing before in my life. It was the first time. Hence, i did struggle in the early stage to get a hook of the sport but eventually I manage to do it. I felt a down a couple of times but I never gave up. Each time I fell, it made me more determined learn my mistake and to ski better. In the end, I believe I've manage to learn the basic skills to ski. I was very proud of myself for it. I would really like to thank my professor, Professor Johnson  who took the initiative to organize this vey fun and adventurous activity. Thank you so much Professor!

A Chat With My Roomate

            Unites States was described as a "melting point" in a play written by Israel Zangwill in 1908, where different ethnic groups coming from different races, religions and nationalities combine into one culture. I totally agree with it. Last weekend, I had a small chat with my roommate. The main purpose was that I wanted to know more about him and his ethnic background. Getting to know more about him indeed surprised me.
            His ancestors were originally from Norway, Czech, France and Germany. I felt it was really cool to have different blood running in the family. He too was surprised to know that from his parents. He explained that the time period his ancestors immigrate to America differs accordingly. For what he remembered, his great grandma emigrated from Norway during the late ninetieth century.
            I was curious if anyone in his family speak the language of the "old country" and he proudly said yes. His grandpa speaks German language whereas his mum and he speaks French. In addition, he said his family still maintains contact with relatives in the old countries especially from Norway and Germany. He added that his family had just visited their relatives in Norway last summer. So I asked him if there is any family customs or traditions from the old country that he observed and he said that the most he observed was their food and religion. I asked if this observation had any impact in his family and he reacted macho for a split second and said it is what that distinguishes between them and his family.
            For one final question, I asked him if any of his family members done any genealogy research to learn about your family history and again he proudly answered yes. He even included that his grandfather had completed the extended family tree. That really surprised me. He said that it was kind of common for Americans to do a family tree. It was something new that I had learn from him about American culture because back in Malaysia, we don't really practice doing a family tree.
              Hence, once I go back to Malaysia, I'm definitely going to find resources and start doing a research about my family history. It will be my individual goal to complete an extended family tree!

A Walking Tour

It was 1.50 p.m and I was all prepared and exited to get started with my walking tour all the way to the north side of the city. Walking along with me will be my group member Abba and Sushi. We had two destination in our mind; first one will be the sacred heart church and the second will be the old sacred heart hospital. As we start walking, we felt the warmth that we had yet to feel since we arrive in Wisconsin. The weather was great at five degree celcius and we finally got some sunshine that we were all craving for.It approximately took us thiry-five minutes to reach to our first destination,  the sacred heart church. We spent around five minutes there taking pictures and we quickly continued our journey to the old sacred heart hospital. It was just 100 metres away. We spent another ten minutes there taking some pictures as well. And then, we started our journey back to the university.  We had plenty of fun during our walking tour and you can see all of them in the pictures we took below. Eau Claire is a beatufil city. It was after all an amazing journey!

where the journey begins.....

We arrived to our first destination!

This is the Sacred Heart Church. It was all brick made. The building looks very old but yet it was in a very good condition. We tried to enter the building to have a better idea of the structure but it was closed. Anyhow, the exterior design itself shows that it must had been a very important builing once upon a time. For an example, the two towers on each side, the rounded arched entrance and the big round red colored window .

                Cheeeseeeeeeee....Finally arrived at our second destination.

Thats the Former Sacred Heart Hospital. It was situated just one hundred metres away from the sacred heart church. Just like the church, it was also brick made. It used to be a hospital that could accomodate 158 beds till 1964, when it was moved to a new building in Clairemont Avenue. Now, the building has become a child and adolescent treating center. It is now known as the Eau CLaire Academy.

Smile again...=)

cool....!!

happy to start our journey back to the university...

Good job Sushi...!!

Ooops...someone felt down...not a good job sushi..

walking back....

trying to be a tough guy huh???

aren't they so Macho!!!

that's enough guys...

among the obstacles we had to face through...

that's the way guys!!

what are you doing Sushi??

isn't that so beautiful...

One of my favourite picture..=)

Stop playing aroung Sushi...we have more miles to go

 Wowwwww....

rawrrr....!!

Culture as How I Define It.

What is culture? What first comes to your mind when you talk about culture? To my understanding, culture is what a particular society belief and practice in their daily lifestyle. Let me give you an example on it; the Malaysian culture. In Malaysia, it's our culture to celebrate all the festivals together regardless of races. Another example, here in Eau Claire, it is the culture of the people to greet each other as they walk by. It is fascinating to know that different people in different places have their own identity for their culture. And yet it is what that actually distinguish one society from another. You might be an Indian from Malaysia but your belief and practice will not be the same as an Indian from America because you were brought up in a different culture compared to an Indian from America.