Cycling Anyone?

When was the last time we did our personal budgeting? And if you have pretty recently, its easy to notice that one of the big chunks which we have to deduct from our monthly income goes to the monthly car loan. As a fresh graduate who have started a career and earning that very first paycheck, I've conducted a thorough analysis on this matter.

We all know that in our country, the average household has at least two cars or more. That said, there are those who are paying for more than one cars a month, considering that he/she is earning from a high-paying job, and those who only financed for one car, the ones that he/she primarily uses for work or leisure. In my case, I'm categorized in the latter.

Having realized that I have to pay close to half of my monthly income for my car loan, I thought to myself what it's like to live without having to pay for my car, and break myself away from monthly deductions on my income statement. But considering the lack of proper and efficient public transportation services here (we only have purple buses and motorboats), I don't think anyone here could live without at least one vehicle to get to work, to send and pick up the kids, shopping for groceries or visit distant relatives in another district.

But after several research I've made on the internet on alternative commuting, I've discovered interesting insights on bicycles! Wouldn't it be great if we all commute with bicycles? Think of all the money you save annually from the costs of cars (including the payments, insurance, gas, maintenance, tickets & fines, parking, car washes, supplies, and after-market parts & upgrades). Would you like to not have to spend that money?

Cycling to work. A cheaper, 'greener' trend? Why not.

I know this sounds crazy, and I'm sure gonna get a backlash on this, but think about the benefits of cycling in the long run:

• For most town commutes, a bicycle is quickest door-to-door.
• Cycling gives you the energy and enthusiasm for your work and study.
• Cycling boosts your brain power, makes you mentally sharper, re-focuses your mind and improves your concentration.
• Cycling is healthy because it protects you from heart disease, obesity and much more.
• Cycling helps to prevent weight-gain. You will build healthy, lean muscle, lose fat and pump up your metabolism.
• Cycling is inexpensive. All you need is a bicycle and some bits of equipment.
• Cycling does not pollute. The only fuel you will need is a healthy meal.
• At times it is possible to reach your destination faster with a bike rather than a car, during those traffic jam moments.
• So what if it takes a little longer to reach your destination? It's definitely faster and far less tiring then getting there by foot.
• Statistics have shown that the number of deaths from cycling are very low compared to the staggering figures of deaths of car drivers.
  

As I've mentioned above, living without a car can be pretty tough, especially in the Brunei, where public transportation is frequently lacking and I'm sure everyone don't like the idea of getting soaked from the rain. That said, it's certainly possible, as long as you're willing to change your lifestyle. After all, bicycles are dirt cheap, and there are no added cost to it (unless if you're thinking of pimpin' it). Best of all, you don't have to pay that monthly car loan anymore. Yay!

Interesting fact: Most millionaires leave well below their means. Maybe this could be a good start of a debt-free life. Of course, you still need to be more precautious when cycling on the road, because you don't wanna end up like this guy:

Happy cycling!

On This Day, 7 Years Ago

It was the day that changed the world, the economy, politics, environment, warfare and security. I was 18 back then. I could never forget the first time I heard it on the news on the radio as I was driving my way to work.

Then upon reaching my office, I noticed a copy of that day's edition of the Borneo Bulletin on my colleague's desk with a giant colored picture of New York City totally covered in thick black smoke portrayed on the front cover. I was like, "What the hell is this??" The following days, the entire media had been covering the terror that stroke Manhattan.

For those who were either born after the September 11 attacks or have been on a different planet during the course of the attack, 9/11 was a day of darkness and fear. On that morning, terrorists affiliated with al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners. The hijackers crashed two of the airliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in New York City killing everyone on board and many others working in the building, causing both buildings to collapse within two hours. A third airliner hit the Pentagon in Washington while the fourth crashed in Pennsylvania. About 3000 people died on this day.

The World Trade Centre used to be a symbol of America's financial and economic growth and a prominent landmark in one of the biggest cities in America. Now is 2008. This is how New York City's downtown financial district looks like 7 years later. Lapang yo!

Towering at 394ft

I have a fetish on tall buildings and skyscrapers. They are the first things I would set my eyes on whenever I travel to another country. Unfortunately we do not have much of those in Brunei, but I am aware of the Islamic regulations that restrict construction of buildings taller than the Mosques.

One of the few tall buildings in Brunei is perhaps the most recognizable one, the Ministry of Finance building located at Jalan Kebangsaan lama, Berakas. Completed in 2001, the height structure of the building is approximately 120m/394ft high with a total of 21 floors. And its almost visible from where I live as well. I really admire its robust architecture. It has a suave address too, the Commonwealth Drive. A few of my colleagues are currently attached here.


Waaaaaaaahhhhh... (sakai)


The magnificent glass ceiling view from the lobby.


This was as far as I could go. Others were inaccessible for security reasons.
Contrary to popular belief, the Ministry of Finance building isn't really the tallest structure in Brunei, though when you look at it, it does seem to be. Click here for further reading on this.

More Muslims Than Catholics

It used to be that there are more catholics in this world than Muslims. But since 2006, for the first time in history, Muslims have overtaken the catholics. According to the Vatican, Muslims now accounted for 19.2 percent of the world population, while Catholics have fallen to 17.4 percent.

Muslims are rapidly increasing on this planet. Statistically, the highest number of Muslims reside in the Republic of Indonesia. World domination could be imminent, but will there be enough room for the hajj pilgrims?