Nouvelle

Statistics

2010-01-31T11:55:00.000-08:00

Here is a cute story on how we use statistics unconsciously throughout our live. Hopefully this story will help all of you to like statistics better and not think of it as just another class that you have to take in the university :)

Portrait of the Young Child as Researcher

By Jon'a F. Meyer

Rutgers University

As all children, I have always relied heavily on research methods in my life. Even as young child, I participated in and mastered many techniques and theories of inquiry. This brief essay describes some of my experiences in the wonderful world of research.
My parents played a strong role in my development as a researcher. As a toddler, for example, I remember Mother baking holiday cookies. The delightfully sweet scent filled the kitchen and spilled over into the playroom in which I played. I was immediately drawn to the kitchen for a closer observation of the baking process (qualitative research is sometimes preferable to more quantitative approaches, especially when the concept under study defies quantification). I quickly discerned that the aroma emanated from the big white box in the corner with the window on the front door, and proceeded to conduct more thorough research when Mother yelled "HOT!" and slapped my hand as it moved toward the oven. As soon as she looked away, however, I firmly planted my hand on the glass window and shrieked in pain. I immediately recognized that we had inter-rater reliability, that is we both agreed that the oven was hot. There was no question in my mind about the validity of her initial assessment; my burnt fingertips were proof of that.
Later that day, Father came home and initiated his favorite game, “Whasinabox.” Whasinabox was designed to develop deductive reasoning skills. He would wrap objects in brightly colored paper, sometimes enclosing them in boxes before applying the paper. The idea of the game was to ascertain the contents without first opening the package. He would often deliberately camouflage the contents to make it more difficult to determine what was in the box. We played this game every winter; he would go so far as putting the game pieces under an elaborately decorated tree to intensify the experience. I quickly learned a plethora of deductive skills, such as squeezing and shaking the packages to help me figure out what they contained. Clothing, for example, didn't make rattling noises like many toys or board games did. I also learned from what was included in other boxes of the same general shape and size. My sister, on the other hand, preferred a more inductive approach. She would carefully cut the paper, look inside, and then re-tape the paper so that it looked as pristine as when Father put it under the tree. When it came time to announce what we hypothesized was inside the package, she would always make accurate "predictions." When Father discovered her techniques, however, he angrily accused her of ex post facto hypothesizing, that is coming up with one's hypothesis after a thorough examination of one's data (the contents of the package in this case). That her "prediction" was correct did not mitigate the fact that she hadn't played the game properly by using her deductive skills and facts available outside the package in formulating her hypothesis.
The winter ceremony was also a good way to learn a bit about sampling. Father would allow us to select which one of the many boxes under the tree we would open on Christmas Eve. This was an important decision because all of the other boxes had to wait until Christmas day. I usually engaged in simple random sampling. I would arrange the boxes on the floor then use a table of random numbers to decide which I would open first. I thought this method was the best because each box had an equal chance of being selected. My sister, on the other hand, preferred to use a non-random sampling technique, purposive sampling. She always selected the largest box under the tree because it met her single criterion: big in size. To frustrate her, Father sometimes put a single piece of candy in the largest box, so that my selection method more often yielded a good sample. I told my sister if she would randomly select a box like I did, the contents of it would be more representative of the other boxes, but she insisted on her haphazard method.
Another fond research memory centered on the value of operationalization in research. I learned through experience that my parents' opinions of things often differed vastly from my own, that is that we operationalized concepts differently. Father's ideas of what constituted good ways to spend family time, for example, never included rolling in the grass and playing in the mud. Instead, he preferred more mundane activities, including attending church and long family "discussions" around the dinner table. Whenever Father would tell us how much we children would enjoy something, my instant reply would always be "and just how do you operationalize that concept, Father?" If I was lucky, I received an answer rather than a firm swat on the behind (and ironically, he always told me that the swats hurt him more than they did me leading me to wonder how he operationalized pain!).
My sister and I often engaged in rigorous hypothesis testing. We would take commonly accepted statements and attempt to test them through empirical research. One of these statements was that eating candy would make your teeth rot out. I told Mother how important it was to do research on the topic, and asked her to buy us several cases of candy; I and my sister would volunteer as subjects in this groundbreaking study. She resisted, stating that research by others had firmly established a relationship between eating candy and tooth decay. My sister and I lamented that the external validity had not been confirmed; what if the results did not apply to other samples, areas, settings, and times? To address this possibility, we needed to conduct additional replications of the experiment in a variety of settings and with a variety of research subjects. By refusing to allow us to conduct this study, she was engaging in premature closure of inquiry. She would not yield, however, so I went to a backup funding source, Grandmother. Grandmother was much more agreeable and agreed to provide us with the required materials so that the valuable research could take place.

Orange International Street Fair

2009-09-14T15:53:00.000-07:00

The street fair is awesome, if you people have spare time, make sure to go to the international street fair in Orange. It is a once a year event where foods from around the world are available in one place. However, it is kinda hard to find parking :( so plan ahead and better yet, carpool. Even when there is parking problem, going to the fair is a must. I can almost guarantee that you will enjoy it ^^. There are bands too.... so check it out.

My Prince

2009-04-25T23:07:00.000-07:00

When I met you, it looked like I would spent my whole life alone
But now, I understand that is impossible
People cannot live alone
Everyone needs someone to stand beside them
I finally learned this simple truth after I fell in love with you
No matter what anyone says, you really are a prince
From now on, forever, only mine....

(private prince)

New Year

2009-01-07T17:51:00.000-08:00

Yeah everybody..... Happy New Year. Hope that this year will be better than the past years. We have lots of adventures ahead of us. Lots of new love, friendship, and opportunities. Oh, for those who haven't made a new year resolution: GO and MAKE one now..... Get into the spirit of new year guys..... We all will have a lot of fun in this new year. Well then, to celebrate our new year, here is a song for all of us, sang by Taylor Swift, "Love Story"
This is a really good song and have a happy endings, lets hope that all our love adventure will also have a happy ending. Girls, it's never wrong to dream of a happy ending :)

"LOVE STORY"

We were both young when I first saw you.
I close my eyes and the flashback starts:
I'm standing there on a balcony in summer air.

See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns.
See you make your way through the crowd
and say hello;

Little did I know
That you were Romeo; you were throwing pebbles,
And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet."
And I was crying on the staircase,
begging you, 'Please, don't go.'

And I said,
"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting; all there's left to do is run.
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'

So I sneak out to the garden to see you.
We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew.
So close your eyes; escape this town for a little while.
'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter,
And my daddy said "Stay away from Juliet,"
But you were everything to me; I was begging you, 'Please, don't go,'

And I said,
"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting; all there's left to do is run.
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'

Romeo save me; they're tryin' to tell me how to feel.
This love is difficult, but it's real.
Don't be afraid; we'll make it out of this mess.
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'

Oh.

I got tired of waiting,
Wondering if you were ever comin' around.
My faith in you was fading
When I met you on the outskirts of town.

And I said,
"Romeo save me - I've been feeling so alone.
I keep waiting for you but you never come.
Is this in my head? I don't know what to think-"

He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said,
"Marry me, Juliet. you'll never have to be alone.
I love you and that's all I really know.
I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress;
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'

Oh, oh.

We were both young when I first saw you..

p.s: if you guys wanna hear the song, go to this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0WzY1cvuF8

Happy Birthday

2008-10-03T00:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Angel. You are one year older now, so you have to be more responsible for all your actions. Remember, being older is a way to become an adult. Happy birthday!!!! I wish that in this new age, I'll be more responsible, be a better person, and most importantly, BE HAPPY! Life is too short to not enjoy it :)

Cherish what you have

2008-08-31T23:30:00.000-07:00

There was this guy who believed very much in true love and decided to take his time to wait for his right girl to appear. He believed that there would definitely be someone special out there for him, but none came.

Every year at Christmas, his ex-girlfriend would return from Vancouver to look him up. He was aware that she still held some hope of re-kindling the past romance with him. He did not wish to mislead her in any way. So he would always get one of his girl friends to pose as his steady whenever she came back. That went on for several years and each year, the guy would get a different girl to pose as his romantic interest. So whenever the ex-girlfriend came to visit him, she would be led into believing that it was all over between her and the guy. The girl took all those rather well, often trying to casually tease him about his different girlfriends, or so, as it seemed! In fact, the girl often wept in secret whenever she saw him with another girl, but she was too proud to admit it. Still, every Christmas, she returned, hoping to re-kindle some form of romance. But each time, she returned to Vancouver feeling disappointed.

Finally she decided that she could not play that game any longer. Therefore, she confronted him and professed that after all those years, he was still the only man that she had ever loved. Although the guy knew of her feelings for him, he was still taken back and have never expected her to react that way. He always thought that she would slowly forget about him over time and come to terms that it was all over between them. Although he was touched by her undying love for him and wanted so much to accept her again, he remembered why he rejected her in the first place-she was not the one he wanted. So he hardened his heart and turned her down cruelly. Since then, three years have passed and the girl never return anymore. They never even wrote to each other. The guy went on with his life..... still searching for the one but somehow deep inside him, he missed the girl.

On the Christmas of 1995, he went to his friend's party alone. "Hey, how come all alone this year? Where are all your girlfriends? What happened to that Vancouver babe who joins you every Christmas?", asked one of his friend. He felt warm and comforted by his friend's queries about her, still he just surged on.
Then, he came upon one of his many girlfriends whom he once requested to pose as his steady. He wanted so much to ignore her ..... not that he was impolite, but because at that moment, he just didn't feel comfortable with those girlfriends anymore. It was almost like he was being judged by them. The girl saw him and shouted across the floor for him. Unable to avoid her, he went up to acknowledge her.

"Hi......how are you? Enjoying the party?" the girl asked.

"Sure.....yeah!", he replied.
She was slightly tipsy..... must be from the whiskey on her hand. She continued,
"Why...? Don't you need someone to pose as your girlfriend this year?" Then he answered, "No, there is no need for that anymore......"
Before he can continue, he was interrupted, "Oh yes! Must have found a girlfriend! You haven't been searching for one for the past years, right?" The man looked up, as if he has struck gold, his face beamed and looked directly at the drunken girl. He replied, "Yes......you are right! I haven't been looking for anyone for the past years."
With that, the man darted across the floor and out the door, leaving the lady in much bewilderment. He finally realized that he has already found his dream girl, and she was.....the Vancouver girl all along! The drunken lady has said something that awoken him.

All along he has found his girl. That was why he did not bother to look further when he realized she was not coming back. It was not any specific girl he was seeking! It was perfection that he wanted, and yes.....perfection!!
Relationship is something both parties should work on. Realizing that he had let away someone so important in his life, he decided to call her immediately. His whole mind was flooded with fear. He was afraid that she might have found someone new or no longer had the same feelings anymore..... For once, he felt the fear of losing someone.

As it was Christmas eve, the line was quite hard to get through, especially an overseas call. He tried again and again, never giving up. Finally, he got through......precisely at 1200 midnight. He confessed his love for her and the girl was moved to tears. It seemed that she never got over him! Even after so long, she was still waiting for him, never giving up.

He was so excited to meet her and to begin his new chapter of their lives. He decided to fly to Vancouver to join her. It was the happiest time of their lives! But their happy time was short-lived. Two days before he was supposed to fly to Vancouver, he received a call from her father. She had a head-on car collision with a drunken driver. She passed away after 6 hours in a coma.
The guy was devastated, as it was a complete loss. Why did fate played such cruel games with him? He cursed the heaven for taking her away from him, denying even one last look at her! How cruel he cursed! How he damned the Gods...!! How he hated himself....for taking so long to realize his mistake!! That was in 1996.

The moral of this story is :
Treasure what you have...
Time is too slow for those who wait;
Too swift for those who fear;
Too long for those who grief;
Too short for those who rejoice;
But for those who love...
Time is Eternity.

For all you out there with someone special in your heart, cherish that person, cherish every moment that you spend together that special someone, for in life, anything can happen anytime. You may painfully regret, only to realize that it is too late.

(from www.lovefatedestiny.com)

I'm in love

2008-07-10T04:20:00.000-07:00

Right now, I'm in love with many things and one of them is "batik" hohohohohoho.
I'm currently on a vacation, and when I first arrived at Soekarno - Hatta International Airport about two weeks ago, the first thing that I realized was the "new trend" which is Batik. And like all other people, I fall in love with Batik. So, here I am in Indonesia, buying lots of batik to be used when I am back in US.
I just want to share this with everyone out there who are Indonesian, but currently living in foreign country. Also, for foreigners who happen to love Indonesian culture. I hope that they will be informed about the newest trend within Indonesian people, especially for the ladies.
:)

Love Indonesia, Love Batik ^^

P.S. I love You

2008-06-14T00:45:00.000-07:00

It was really good. I shed lots of tears for the couple in the movie. I know the plot in the movie might seem impossible, but I do believe that it is possible. The reason? power of love.
P.S. I Love You is about Holly which is a widow after her Irish husband, Gerry, died of brain tumor. She was so sad for her lost that she didn't go out of their apartment for several weeks after his death. Then, at her birthday, she got a cake delivered to her apartment and the cake was from her loving yet dead husband. This is where the story really begin. After that time, her dead husband send her letter that will guide her to enjoy life and move on with her life. And in all the letter, it is ended with "p.s. i love you." The letters are designed to help her cope with the loss and let go, as well as help her to learn to love again.
It was indeed hard to lose someone who you cherished and loved so much; however, what is important is how to live. Even if we mourned for our loved one, they won't come back and mourned with us. When we mourned, we make other living people sad. So, even when it is hard to let go of the one that you love, at some point, we must move on and live with the beautiful and good memory about them. They will be happy if we are happy. This is hard, but it is not an impossible thing to do. Time will help make it all easier.

Learning French

2008-06-01T00:51:00.001-07:00

I took a French course 2 years ago at my current college with one thing in my mind: I want to understand French people and the language too. Well, the course turned out to be one of the best courses I have ever taken at my college. So now that I was reminded again about those memories I have from my French class, I decided to make a description for my blog using French. I'm not quite sure if I did it correctly or if I made some mistakes. For those who understand French, please correct me if I make some mistakes. Anyway, I was trying to say "I created this blog because I felt the need to share my thoughts (and stupid story) to anyone out there who are kind enough to read it. So, please enjoy" for the description of my blog. So once again if I made some stupid mistakes in practicing my French, please do let me know. I'm a newbie at this, so I still need to learn a lot of things before I can master my French.

An Evening to Remember

2008-05-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

That particular Friday night after I finished my Accounting Class, I walked toward the parking lot to find my car, but instead I found something much more interesting then my lovely car. I saw someone holding a big knife, with red fluid dripping from it, standing in front of my car. I told myself, "This is just a hallucination, it can't be true." How I wish it wasn't true, but the truth was in front of my eyes. I knew that my eyes didn't lie to me. I couldn't run away now coz HE saw me already, so I walked slowly toward his direction while praying to God. When I got close enough to him to see his face, I realized that I know this guy, and he was the love of my life.

"What are you doing there honey? Picking me up from school? How sweet!" those are the words that come out from my trembling mouth.

He replied, "I missed you, so I thought that I should come and see you tonight."

"But... why are you standing there with a knife, sweet heart?"

"Oh... this knife? Coz I missed you so much and don't want to lose you, so I decided to make you mine forever."

"Ok, but what is the connection between making me yours and the knife? You couldn't be thinking about making me yours by killing me right?"

"Killing you? Oh sweety, You're so smart, that's why I love you"

I started to run as soon as I heard him saying that, but it seems like it's not fast enough coz he caught my arm. At that time, I was crying and starting to scream for help, but He kissed my hand and put one of his hand in my mouth to stop me from screaming for help. Then he hold my face and told me "Happy Halloween sweet heart, I guess I scared the hell out of you."

Believe me, I hated him at that time, I couldn't believe it, he was playing with me and scared me to death.

Then I heard someone calling me

"What? Where are you? Why are you calling me?"

I felt something cold on my face,
then I woke up to find my dog licking my face and I was taken back to reality.

Well, I guess that just a sweet nightmare, An evening to remember :)

Sciences politiques

2008-05-05T23:32:00.000-07:00

Argghhhh.... I just finished my political science exam and that was hard. Uh... Can anyone tell me why do we have to study political science in college? (I know the answer, but please tell me the reason again, so I can bear with my class). The exam was soooooooooooooo hard, and I'm not joking. It is HARD. Uhhh, I can only hope that I'm good at guessing :)
But anyway, even if it's hard, the class was fun (when we were talking about the presidential nomination and campaign and all those "fun" stuff) hahahahaha. At least, I get to learn lots of new things like, what is a superdelegate? What happen with the social welfare in the US? what is dealignment and realignment? Jewish people are more likely to vote for Democrats (cool), high income people support Republican, and Republican (the Grand Old Party) is actually not the oldest party in America, since the oldest party is the Democrats. Not bad huh? Yup, those are some "facts" that I learn from my political science class. So, after all, it wasn't that bad (I'm sorry professor T., for saying earlier that your class is hard and that I don't like it. I actually love your class and your teaching)
I pretty much enjoy the class, but not the exams..... those are hard (seriously).....

Belle de prix sur les fleurs

2008-05-04T16:36:00.000-07:00

A flower's fragrance declares to all the world that it is fertile,
available, and desirable, its sex organs oozing with nectar.
Its smell reminds us in vestigial ways of fertility, vigor, life-force,
all the optimism, expectancy, and passionate bloom of youth.
We inhale its ardent aroma and, no matter what our ages,
we feel young and nubile in a world aflame with desire.
- Diane Ackerman

In the hope of reaching the moon
men fail to see the flowers
that blossom at their feet.
- Albert Schweitzer

Silently a flower blooms,
In silence it falls away;
Yet here now, at this moment, at this place,
The world of the flower, the whole of
the world is blooming.
This is the talk of the flower, the truth
of the blossom:
The glory of eternal life is fully shining here.
- Zenkei Shibayama..

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.
- Emma Goldman

Internal Control

2008-05-04T16:24:00.001-07:00

Five Elements of Internal Control:

Control Environment

A business’s control environment is the overall attitude of management and employees about the importance of control. Three factors that influence the control environment are:

- Management’s philosophy and operating style, because a management that over emphasizes operating goals and deviates from control policies may indirectly encourage employees to ignore controls.

- Business’s organizational structure, which is the framework for planning and controlling operations.

- Personnel policies, which involve the hiring, training, evaluation, compensation, promotion of employees, job descriptions, employee’s code of ethics, and conflict-of-interest policies are part of the personnel policies. Such policies can enhance the internal control environment if they provide reasonable assurance that only competent, honest employees are hired and retained.

Risk Assessment

All companies face risks, such as changes in costumer requirements, competitive threats, regulatory changes, and employee violations of company policies and procedures. The management must be aware of these risks and take necessary actions to control them. Once risks are identified, they can be analyzed to estimate their significance, to assess their likelihood of occurring, and determine actions that will minimize them. Some examples are:

- Clear objectivities regarding operating, financial reporting, and law compliance functions

- An entity-wide review to assess and evaluate risks.

Control Procedures

Control procedures are established to provide reasonable assurance that business goals will be achieved, including the prevention of fraud. Some control procedures that can be integrated throughout the accounting system are:

- Competent personnel, rotating duties, and mandatory vacations. The successful operation of accounting system requires procedures that ensure that people are able to perform duties to which they are assigned. Thus, it is necessary to have all accounting employees trained and supervised in performing their job.

- Separating responsibilities for related operations. This can be done to decrease the possibility of inefficiency, errors, and fraud by dividing responsibility for related operation to two or more people.

- Separating operations, custody of assets, and accounting. This can be done to decrease the possibility of having errors and fraud. Then, the accounting records cans serve as an independent check on the individuals who have custody of the assets and who engage in the business operations.

- Proofs and security measures. This should be done to safeguard asset and ensure reliable accounting data. Some examples of security measures are:

1. Immediately deposit all cash in a bank account.

2. Use cash registers to record sales.

3. Have employees bonded

4. Install security cameras or hire security guards.

Monitoring

Monitoring can help locates weakness and improves control effectiveness. In this way, the internal control system can react dynamically, changing as conditions warrant. Some examples include:

- Regular receipt reports of problem in the internal controls (from external/internal auditors).

- Prompt follow-up on unusual variances from budget.

Information and Communication

Information and communication are essential because they enable people to capture and share the information needed to conduct, manage, and control operations; also, to ensure compliance with reporting, legal, and regulatory requirements. The management can also use external information to assess events and conditions that impact decision making.

Sarbanes-Oxley act

2008-05-04T16:18:00.000-07:00

Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) became a law in July 2002. The law, enacted largely in response to the Enron and WorldCom scandals, has been described as the most sweeping and significant change in securities law since 1930s. Sarbanes-Oxley is a wide ranging, complex statues that amended the US securities law in significant ways. It established new law, made changes to existing laws, and affected the Securities and Exchange Commission rule making and stock market listing standard. Although SOX applies only to companies whose stock is traded on public exchanges, it has highlighted the need to assess the financial controls and reporting of all companies. The SOX purpose is to restore public confidence and trust in the financial statements of companies. Thus, SOX emphasizes the importance of effective internal control; it requires companies to maintain strong and effective internal controls over the recording of transactions and the preparing of financial statements.

The accounting profession was largely self-regulating prior to the adoption of SOX. This era ended when the SOX was enacted in July 2002. The first of these reforms is the creation of the PCAOB (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board). The PCAOB is a new federal oversight board that is charged with: (1) registering and disciplining accounting firms that prepare audit reports on public companies; (2) establishing audit and accounting standards; and (3) conducting inspections and investigations of registered accounting firms that audit public companies. Also, the lack of auditor independence is viewed as significant contributor to major corporate scandals. Thus, SOX clearly focuses on the issue about constraining potential auditor conflicts through measures intended to enhance auditor independence. This is accomplished by forbidding auditors of public firms from providing to their audit clients most non-audit consulting services. Accounting firms are permitted to provide tax services to audit clients; however, the audit committee of the company must approve the services in advance. This approval requirement is an important example of the increased importance, influence, and potential for liability that the audit committee has received because of SOX. Furthermore, SOX mandates the rotation of audit partners in charge of audit clients. Lead audit partners and audit partners who are responsible for review of the audit must be rotated off after five years. In addition, these partners are subject to a five-year time-out period. Other audit partners, not including lead or concurring partners, are subject to a seven-year rotation and a two-year time-out period. The SOX act also requires CEO's and CFO's to certify that the company's SEC filings are accurate. CEO's and CFO's must sign two separate certifications in their companies' periodic reports to the SEC.

Primary concerns and criticism about the SOX act are increased regulation, professional conflicts, increased compliance costs, corporate federalism, and lack of clarity. Some people argue that the new regulations are too strict or misdirected, and others propose amending the law for greater clarification of information and ease of the public obtaining such information. It is understood that the new regulations have resulted in increased expense, time, and liability of auditing companies. It is further believed that the loss of consulting fees will be offset by the increase in auditing fees. Also, another overriding concern identified is that of the loss of corporate autonomy and the rise of "federalization" of corporate law. With the enactment of Sarbanes-Oxley, the Federal government has stepped into many areas that were previously controlled in-house or traditionally regulated by state legislatures and state courts. The loss of corporate autonomy is perceived through limitations placed on officer and director appointments; requirements for proper corporate governance, including of codes of conduct for senior financial officers; board member qualifications; restrictions on executive compensation and loans and restrictions on audit and consulting services.

Besides complaint on SOX, there are also recommendations to improve the SOX act, especially section 404 (about financial risk assessment). Some of these recommendations are: (1) regulation should allow for different size companies to phase in their implementation of 404; (2) The financial statement audit and all internal control procedures should be integrated so that only one audit is performed with one audit opinion issued and one engagement letter agreed upon; (3) The PCAOB rule making process should be more transparent in a manner similar to the FASB's process; (4) Only significant financial statement assertions should receive a full annual review.

Superdelegates

2008-05-04T16:06:00.000-07:00

Right now, America is busy with the campaign for president. Currently, the Democrats party is still having problem with determining the Democratic Presidential Nominee. Both Obama and Clinton are still fighting for the Democratic Presidential Nomination and because the nominee hasn't been settled till now, the Democrats nominee will be determine by the superdelegates.

What's a superdelegate?
Superdelegates are those Democratic Party leaders and elected officials who are automatically delegates to national convention. In order to win the democratic presidential nomination, a candidate must win not only the pledged delegates who are apportioned according to the results of the primaries or caucuses, but also enough number of superdelegates.

Who gets to be a superdelagate?
Every democratic member of the House and Senate, every democratic governor and members of the DNC (democratic national committee); also, former democratic president and vice president, former democratic House and Senate leaders, and former DNC chairs.

How do superdelegates decide which candidate to support?
Though they aren't bound by the results of primaries and caucuses, superdelegates often cast their vote to whomever they think will make the stronger presidential nominee in the general election.

When did the superdelegates concept first appear?
The Democrats first introduced superdelagets in 1984.

How to spell Mississippi

2008-04-30T16:19:00.001-07:00

A bus stops and two Italian men get on. They seat themselves, and engage in animated conversation. The lady sitting behind them ignores their conversation at first, but her attention is galvanized when she hears one of the men say the following:

"Emma come first. Den I come. Two asses, they come together. I come again. Two asses, they come together again. I come again and pee twice. Then I come once-a-more."

"You foul-mouthed swine," retorted the lady indignantly. "In this country we don't talk about our sex lives in public!"

"Hey, coola down lady," said the man. "Imma just tellun my friend howa to spella Mississippi."

The History of Phi Theta Kappa

2008-04-25T21:50:00.000-07:00

Phi Theta Kappa was established by Missouri two-year college presidents in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership, and service programming. Today, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in America higher education with more than 1.3 million members and 1,100 chapters located in the United States, U.S. Territories, Canada, Germany, and Japan. In 1929, the American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year college.

Long Live Phi Theta Kappa!!!

Computer

2008-04-22T23:15:00.001-07:00

A language teacher was explaining to her class that in French, nouns unlike their English counterparts, are grammatically designated as masculine or feminine. “House” in French, is feminine -”la maison,” “Pencil” in French, is masculine “le crayon.” One puzzled student asked, “What gender is computer?” The teacher did not know, and the word was not in her French dictionary. So for fun she split the class into two groups appropriately enough, by gender and asked them to decide whether “computer” should be a masculine or a feminine noun. Both groups were required to give three reasons for their recommendation. The men’s group decided that computer should definitely be of the feminine gender (”la computer”). And there reasons were: The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else Even the smallest mistakes are stored in long term memory for possible later review As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your paycheque on accessories for it. The women’s group, however, concluded that computers should be masculine “le computer”) and there reasons were: They have a lot of data but still can’t think for themselves They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they ARE the problem As soon as you commit to one, you realise that if you had waited a little longer you could have gotten a better model.

Adam Air Joke

2008-04-22T22:35:00.000-07:00

This is really funny

Adam Air Captain Speaking:

"Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen.

This is your captain speaking,

welcoming both seated and standing

passengers on board of Adam Air!

We apologize for the four-days delay

in taking off, it was due to bad

weather and some overtime I had to put

in at the bakery.

This is flight 717 to Yogyakarta.

Landing there is not guaranteed, but

we will end up somewhere in Central Java.

And, if luck is in our favor, we may

even be landing on your village!

Adam Air has an excellent safety-record.

In fact, our safety standards are so

high, that even terrorists are afraid

to fly with us!

It is with pleasure I announce that,

starting this year, over 30% of our

passengers have reached their destination.

If our engines are too noisy for you,

on passenger request, we can arrange

to turn them off!

For our not-so-religious passengers,

we are the only airline who can help

you find out if there really is a God!

We regret to inform you, that today's

in-flight movie will not be shown as

we forgot to record it from the television.

However, for our movie buffs, we will

be flying right next to Garuda Indonesia Airways,

where their movie will be visible from

the right side of the cabin window.

There is no smoking allowed in this airplane.

Any smoke you see in the cabin is only

the early warning system

on the engines telling us to slow down!

In order to catch important landmarks,

we try to fly as close as possible for the best view.

If, however, we go a little too close, do let us know.

Our enthusiastic co-pilot sometimes

flies right through the landmark!

Kindly be seated, keep your seat in an

upright position for take-off and fasten your seat-belt.

For those of you who can't find a seat-

belt, kindly fasten your own belt to the arm of your seat.

And, for those of you who can't find a

seat, do not hesitate to get in touch

with a stewardess who will explain how

to fasten yourself to your suitcase.

Enjoy Adam Air!!"

The Language of Flowers

2008-04-17T23:58:00.000-07:00

(rock-rose)

All flowers have a meaning. The Victorians used to use flowers as a symbol to express their feelings. Here is a simple list of some of those flowers meaning (from www.pioneerthinking.com).

Acacia - Secret love
Acanthus - Arts
Acorn - Nordic symbol of life and immortality
Aloe - Grief
Allspice - Compassion
Ambrosia - Love returned
Amaryllis - Pride; Timidity
Anemone - Unfading love
Angelica - Inspiration
Aniseed - Restoration of youth
Arbutis - Only love
Apple - Preference
Ash - Greatness
Aster - Love; daintiness
Azalea - Take care of yourself for me; fragile passion; Chinese symbol of womanhood

Bachelor Button - Celibacy
Balm - Joke
Baby's Breath - Everlasting Love
Barberry - Sourness
Basil - Best Wishes, Love
Bay Leaf - Strength
Begonia - Beware
Bells Of Ireland - Good luck
Bird Of Paradise - Magnificence
Bittersweet - Truth
Bluebell - Humility; constancy
Borage - Courage
Bouquet of withered flowers - Rejected love
Bryony - Support
Burnet - A merry heart
Buttercup - Cheerfulness

Cactus - Endurance; warmth
Calendula - Joy
Camellia - Admiration; perfection; good luck gift to a man
Candytuft - indifference
Carnation (in general) Bonds of affection; health and energy; fascination; woman love
Carnation (pink) - I'll never forget you
Carnation (purple) - Capriciousness; whimsical; changeable
Carnation (red) - My heart aches for you; admiration
Carnation (solid color) -Yes
Carnation (striped)- No; refusal; sorry I can't be with you; wish I could be with you
Carnation (white) -Sweet and lovely; innocence; pure love; woman's good luck gift
Carnation (yellow) - Rejection; disdain
Cattail - Peace; prosperity
Chamomile - Patience ; attracts wealth
Chrysanthemum (in general) - Cheerfulness; You're a wonderful friend
Chrysanthemum (red) - I love
Chrysanthemum (white) - Truth
Chrysanthemum (yellow) -Slighted love
Coreopsis - Always cheerful
Coriander - Lust
Cowslip - Pensiveness; winning grace
Crocus - Cheerfulness; abuse not
Cyclamen - Resignation and goodbye
Clover Good luck

Daffodil - Respect
Daisy - Innocence
Dandelion - Wishes come true

Eucalyptus - Protection

Fennel - Worthy of all praise
Fern - Sincerity
Forget-Me-Not - True love
Fern (Magic) - Fascination; confidence and shelter
Fern (Maidenhair) - Secret bond of love
Feverfew - Protection
Fir - Time
Flax - Domestic symbol; fate
Forget-me-not - True love; memories
Forsythia - Anticipation

Gardenia - You're lovely; secret love
Garland of roses - Reward of virtue
Garlic - Courage; strength
Geranium (Scented) - Preference
Gladiolus - Love at first sight
Grass - Submission; utility

Heather (lavender) - Admiration; solitude
Heather (white) - Protection; wishes will come true
Hibiscus - Delicate beauty
Holly - Good will, Defense;domestic Happiness; foresight
Honeysuckle - Generous and devoted affection
Hyacinth (general) - Games and sports; rashness;flower dedicated to Apollo
Hyacinth (blue) - Constancy
Hyacinth ( purple) - I'm sorry; please forgive me; sorrow
Hyacinth (red or pink) - Play
Hyacinth (white) - Loveliness; I'll pray for you
Hyacinth (yellow) - Jealousy
Hydrangea - Thank you for understanding; frigidity; heartlessness
Hyssop - Wards away evil spirits

Iris - Faith; hope; wisdom and valor
Ivy - Fidelity and friendship
Ivy - sprig of white tendrils - Anxious to please; affection

Jasmine - Amiability; attracts wealth
Jonquil - Love me; affection returned; desire; sympathy; desire for a return of affection
Juniper Protection

King's spear - Regret

Larkspur - pink - Fickleness
Lavender - Devotion
Lemon - Zest
Lemon Balm - Brings love
Lemon verbena - Attracts opposite sex
Lily (general) - Keeps unwanted visitors away
Lily (calia) - Beauty
Lily (day) - Coquetry
Lily (eucharis) - Maiden charms
Lily (orange) - Hatred
Lily (tiger) - Wealth; pride
Lily (white) - Virginity; purity; majesty; it's heavenly to be with you
Lily (yellow) - I'm walking on air; false and gay
Lily of the valley - sweetness; return to happiness; humility

Magnolia - Sweetness; beauty; love of nature
Marigold - Comforts the heart
Mint - Protection from illness; warmth of feeling
Marjoram (sweet) - Joy and happiness
Mistletoe - Kiss me; affection; to surmount difficulties; sacred plant of India
Monkshood - Beware, a deadly foe is near; chivalry
Moss - Maternal love; charity
Myrtle - Love; Hebrew emblem of marriage

Narcissus - Egotism; formality; stay as sweet as you are
Nasturtium - Conquest; victory in battle; maternal love; charity; patriotism

Oleander - Caution; beware
Orange Generosity
Orange Blossom - Brings wisdom
Orange Mock - Deceit
Orchid - Love; beauty; refinement; beautiful lady; Chinese symbol for many children
Orchid (cattleya) - Mature charm

Palm leaves - Victory and success
Pansy - Thoughts; love
Peach Longevity
Peony - Aphrodisiac
Petunia - Resentment; anger; your presence soothes me
Pine - Hope; pity
Poppy (general) - Eternal sleep ; oblivion; imagination
Poppy (red) -Pleasure; consolation
Poppy (white) - Consolation; sleep
Poppy( yellow) - Wealth; success
Prickly Pear - Satire
Primrose - I can't live without you; early youth
Primrose(evening) - Inconstancy

Rose (general)(Red) - Love ; I love you
Rose( white) - Eternal Love ; innocence; heavenly; secrecy and silence
Rose(pink) - Perfect happiness; please believe me
Rose(Yellow) - Friendship ; jealousy; try to care
Rose(Black) -Death
Rose(red and white) - Together; unity
Rose(thornless) - Love at first sight
Rose( single, full bloom) - I love you; I still love you
Rose bud - Beauty and youth ; a heart innocent of love
Rose bud(red) - Pure and lovely
Rose bud(white) - Girlhood
Rosebud (moss) - Confessions of love
Roses(Bouquet of full bloom) - Gratitude
Roses( Garland or crown of) - Beware of virtue; reward of merit; crown ; symbol of superior merit
Roses ( musk cluster) - Charming
Rose(tea) - I'll always remember
Rose(cabbage) - Ambassador of love
Rose(Christmas) - Tranquilize my anxiety; anxiety
Rose(damask) - Brilliant complexion
Rose(dark crimson) - Mourning
Rose(hibiscus) - Delicate beauty
Rose leaf - You may hope
Rosemary - Remembrance

Sage Wisdom - long life
Salvia -(blue) I think of you
Smilax - Loveliness
Snapdragon - Deception; gracious lady; presumption
Spiderflower - Elope with me
Stephanotis - Happiness in marriage; desire to travel
Stock - Lasting beauty
Strawberry - Perfect goodness
Sunflower - Loyalty; wishes
Sweetpea - Goodbye; departure; blissful pleasure; Thank you for a lovely time

Thyme - Strength and courage; ensures restful sleep
Tulip(general) - Fame,charity; perfect lover
Tulip(red) - Believe me; declaration of love
Tulip(variegated) - Beautiful eyes
Tulip(yellow) - Hopeless love

Violet - Modesty; calms tempers; induces sleep
Violet(blue) - Watchfulness; faithfulness; I'll always be true
Violet(white) - Let's take a chance on happiness
Viscaria - Will you dance with me?

Woodruff - sweet humility

Yarrow - Health,healing
Yew - Sadness

Zephyranth - Fond careness
Zinnia - Thoughts of friends
Zinnia(magenta) - Lasting affection
Zinnia(mixed) - Thinking of an absent friend
Zinnia(scarlet) - Constancy
Zinnia(white) - Goodness
Zinnia(yellow) - Daily remembrance

Accident in the freeway

2008-04-17T23:09:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody, this is a story for everyone who loved to drive without using seat belt.

On April 12, 4 people were killed in crash on freeway (jalan tol) 60. Three of them were tossed out of the car because they didn't use any seat belt, and all three of them died in the place. While, one of them, the driver, was also using a seat belt and wasn't thrown out of the car, but later on he too died. Walaupun akhirnya si driver died, tapi waktu itu dia yang punya chance paling besar untuk selamat karna dia nda talempar out of the car.
Banyak orang yang kase alasan2 supaya nda usah pake seat belt, contoh:

"I'm afraid the belt will trap me in the car." Statistically, the best place to be during an accident is in your car. If you're thrown out of the car, you're 25 times more likely to die. And if you need to get out of the car in a hurry - as in the extremely tiny percent of accidents involving fire or submergence - you can get out a lot faster if you haven't been knocked unconscious inside your car.
"I won't be in an accident: I'm a good driver." Your good driving record will certaily help you avoid accidents. But even if you're a good driver, a bad driver may still hit you.
"Oh, kita nda m bajalang jauh2 kua, paling cuman k mall." Hasil penelitian, malahan 80% of car accidents occur within 25 miles (kira2 40 km) dari rumah.

("Seat belts: Why you should use them, Oklahoma state university)

Jadi teman2, kalo lengkali m bawa oto kong malas pake seat belt, jangan lupa inga yang mana kalo nda pake seat belt, kong sampe kecelakaan, kemungkinan for orang yang nda pake seat belt mo mengalami luka yang fatal jauh lebih tinggi daripada orang yang ada pake seat belt.
Lagian, m pake itu seat belt kua nda sampe 1 menit le, so begitu nae di oto, langsung pake itu seat belt. After all, lebe bae mencegah daripada mengobati.

:)