There are approximately 560 satellites operating in the Earth’s orbit, out of ~8,000 man-made objects in total. Satellites have an operating lifespan between five to twenty years after which they will continue to stay in the orbit as space junk or incinerated upon re-entry to the Earth’s atmosphere.

Currently, the former Soviet states launch about 1,300 satellites into the orbit per year, the USA about 1,000, Japan 100, China 50, France 40, India 30, the UK 25, and a few from Australia and Israel.

Some satellites, called microsats, nanosats, or picosats, can be as small as 10 cm in diameter and 0.1 kg in mass.

What is Earth Hour?

Earth Hour is an annual global initiative organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) that encourages households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour in order to raise awareness of climate change. It started in Australia in 2007, and achieved global participation in 2008.

This year, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights. It is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories, including Singapore, have pledged their support to Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

Switch off your light for one hour on 28 March, from 8:30 - 9:30PM. Its the real GREEN call.

If you like to know more about Earth Hour, visit www.earthhour.org or www.wwf.sg.

The Malaysia government has announced that petrol price will go up by 78 sen at midnight (05 June 2008) - a 40.6% jump from RM1.92 per litre to RM2.70.

The public outcry over the hike in petrol has already begun. It won’t be too long before the long queues last night for a last taste of RM1.92 petrol translates into street demonstrations.

PM Abdullah indicated that further increases were in the pipeline as Malaysia moves to completely abandon fuel price controls that would have cost US$17.4 billion this year — about a third of the national budget.

“We can do nothing about this government increase — we have to buy fuel, otherwise how can we go to work?” said 56-year-old engineer K. Letchumanan.

Get a bicycle? Dude.

Join the recovery efforts underway to assist earthquake victims in southwest China. Your donations to the organizations listed below will help survivors and other disaster victims rebuild their communities and their lives. 100% of contributions will help support emergency relief efforts in China.

Remember, every single penny can make different.

Ever wonder whose voice it is, behind all our Singapore MRT announcements?

If you commute to work via MRT, you will hear the same voice almost everyday. “Attention please, eating or drinking is not allowed in the trains and stations”, “Thank you for traveling with SMRT”, etc.

Well, here she is:

However sadly, the voice has already been replaced since early of 2008. Now we cannot hear her voice anymore. (never mind the below video clip…)

Donation Collection until 14th June

1) Walk-in cash/cheque donations

* Singapore Red Cross, 15 Penang Lane, Singapore 238486.
* Collection hours are:

Monday to Friday: 9:30am-5:45pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9:30am-5:00pm

2) Cheque donations

* Cheque to be made payable to the “Singapore Red Cross Society”.
* Please indicate at the back of the cheque name of donor/organisation (if applicable), mailing address and contact numbersand “Red Cross China Earthquake”
* Cheques should then be sent to Singapore Red Cross, 15 Penang Lane, Singapore 238486. Once the cheque/s are received, an official non-tax deductible receipt will be issued.

3) UOB

* Starting tomorrow, members of the public can donate via the Bank’s banking channels, i.e. the cheque drops, internet banking and donation tins.
* Please refer to attached press release from UOB

筹款活动至6月14日

　　到红十字会总部捐款（15 Penang Lane），开放时间是星期一至星期五，早上9时30分至傍晚5时45分，周末早上9时30分至傍晚5时。

　　支票捐款，收款人为“Singapore Red Cross Society”，支票背后注明“Red Cross China Earthquake”，并写上姓名／机构，地址及联络号码，把支票寄至Singapore Red Cross, 15　Penang Lane, Singapore 238486

　　公众也可通过大华银行(UOB)的互联网银行转账服务和支票箱捐款，支票收款人为“Red Cross-China Relief Fund”。从本月22日起，各分行也将设有红十字会的捐款箱。

This is the gift I have got for myself.

Life is about moving on… growing up and not looking back. I have got an open (golden) opportunity for me to join a BIGGER company and a higher position right after I came back from long CNY holiday in KL. (It really works, Mum!! The Ti-Gong heard my wishes!!). At least 30% of salary increment, and lots more new skills for me to pick up.

Had a meeting with my current supervisor, he is 100% support my decision: “Don’t look back… just go… ”

So, am going to tender my resignation tomorrow (choose 15th day of lunar new year and believe it will bring good lucks) and signing up the offer letter the next day.

Moving on to the next chapter of my career, and my life. Kudos!

P/S: Good luck to all of us for the TOTO’s $10,000,000, and good luck to Singapore too for the Youth Olympics tomorrow, 21st February 2008.