Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by EasyLife

Who're these Korean actors? What's movie title?

EasyLife — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:35:39 +0800

Anyone knows the actors shown in this snapshot from a Korean movie? It's story about gangsters, I guess. Anyone knows the movie title? Thanks :-)

Casual wear for 28-30 years old

EasyLife — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:31:11 +0800

Would like to know what a 28 years old guy should wear for casual while not appearing childish. So far, all my casual wears:

1. long sleeve striped shirts. Mostly dark colour. (Padini, G2000)
2. dress pants (slack/working pants for some). Not slim but just fit, flat front. Black and grey.
3. leather shoes with soft soles (no kik kok sounds)

Normally I roll my sleeves up, and never tuck my shirt inside my pants.

Do I appear like working all the time? I'm a phd graduate and a lecturer/researcher by profession.

A PhD graduate gets job offers!

EasyLife — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:37:16 +0800

There has been much said about my career path upon completing my PhD as in which country to work, and also salary. Recently, I got job offers! Speaking of which, a bit of self introduction. I'm 29 years old good bloke fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and Hakka, graduated recently with a PhD in Computer Science from a non-ivy league varsity in NZ.. Uni of Auckland. My scholarship was bond-free, so I could work anywhere. I sent out my job applications weeks ago, had a number of onine interview thtough Skype with Kiasu people, and got some job offers....

Kiasuland: I got two job offers that could be held at the same time.
a. A research scientist position in a research center with a salary of S$7,500.
b. Adjunct lecturer in a college, however, they are still working out with number of teaching hours...

Bolehland:
a. Applied to government Uni academic position, but yet to hear any reply from them... still taking own sweet time in LA-LA land? Are they expecting me to wait longer while Kiasuland need me to reply soon??!!!
Note: I did not apply UTP, MMU and Monash....

OZ:
a. Same as Bolehland... I received email notification fromthem upon receiving my application... No response after that.

PhD Hopefuls

EasyLife — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:29:08 +0800

I'm a recent PhD graduate in the field of Computer Science/Computer Engineering, though I'm yet to go through the commencement. I would be more than happy to offer my advice, so tell your problems all about PhD in this thread

What's the target at 30 years old?

EasyLife — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:31:00 +0800

I know this is a subjective question. But, I feel that the amount of money/asset that I have is... kacang puteh
In fact, we always hear that fresh graduates are having difficult to survive for the first few years earning <RM2500.
And, some people have to repay their study loan for 10 years!

Say, at 30 years old, how much money (including assets) do you guys think a man should have for a good life in Malaysia? Say, one has been working for 7 years.

RM50,000?
RM100,000?
RM150,000?
RM200,000?
RM 500,000?
or much more?

What do Malaysians, in general, targeting at 30 years old? No bullshit please. Be realistic and justify your amount.

Beware of college... My advice

EasyLife — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:32:52 +0800

As a PhD graduate who had taught in a college before in Bolehland, I would like to tell about some private colleges.

Sitting on the fence, I would rather not to voice any justifications on public universities in Bolehland. Nevertheless, the education system in Bolehland, notably among the private colleges, is rotting! I would like to tell about some awful experiences during my time as a lecturer in one of a prominent college in Bolehland. In fact, it might be far be it from anyone to believe on what I am going to tell about a reowned college with branches throughout Bolehland. I could not help but laughing my ass off learning that the college had won several commendations from the ever sleepy government body.

I list down below so you guys are not stunned after enrolling in the majority sub standard colleges. Note, I am referring to the college that I taught in PERAK, it does not represent all colleges.

1. Lecturers are underpaid. In 2006, Bachelor degree holders earn RM1500 per month, Master degree holders earns RM1800. Lecturers' salary are below the price floor given by LAN (Lembaga Akreditasi Negara). So, many staff are unmotivated and snapped up for other jobs after few years. Turnover rate is high!

The college principal told me that it normally took about two to three months to hire a lecturer. During that time, students are left alone without lectures, and guidance in their projects although they have paid their fees!

2. A large number of the college lecturers are graduated from private college. I know many lecturers with Bachelor degree took courses like 3+0 for an engineering degree right after SPM! This is preposterous! Those STPM leavers took 4 years to complete an engineering course in public university with state of the art facilities and graduate at least 24 years old. You should be able to justify yourself just how much quality are those lecturers.

3. It is common for lecturer to teach more than the allowable maximum number of hours per week, which is a LAN (Lembage Akreditasi Negara) requirement. It is an uphill struggle to prepare all teaching materials when the lecturers are overloaded.

4. Lecturers have to involve in commercial activities. For instance, as a liason personnal during education fair or giving talks in school. This is done on top of the overloaded teaching hours. No extra money for that!

5. LAN is BShit! It is the worst organization. It BS students, parents and the society! It is a normal practice that the college would change the following during LAN inspection:
Lecturer's payslip
Lecturer's timetable
Keep all photostat copies of books in store room because they are illegal!

6. Lecturers have to work on Saturday even if there is normally no class on Saturday.

So, it is important that you make sure what I have stated above does not occur to your prospective college. One thing is to know the
a. Turnover rate of the lecturers in the college.
b. Qualification of the lecturers. Make sure they are not 3+0 material! That's real substandard.
c. Are lecturers' salary underpaid (below price floor enforced by LAN)?
d. Are lecturers teaching more hours than the maximum number of hours (enforced by LAN)?

I think lecturers are exploited in certain private colleges. Looking for a smashing position in a college is near to impossible! It is high time to establish a union among the lecturers, just like the staff in the banking sector, to protect their interests.

PhD Travel and Funding

EasyLife — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:46:10 +0800

For those who are doing your PhD, locally or abroad, please tell about your travels duing your PhD. Where did you go for conference or research attachment? How much did your school fund the travel? How much did you spend?

[addedon]March 18, 2009, 12:00 pm[/addedon]I had just completed my PhD at University of Auckland, NZ, so I'll tell about my blissful trips during the past 2.5 years. To this day, I attended conferences in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Dresden (in Germany), Manchester (UK), Shanghai, Auckland, Christchurch, and Singapore. I should have made a trip to US , unfortunately, I have spent all available travel fund.

I'll tell about my research attachment and a conference trip to Sydney.

My one-month research attachment was in Manchester. From Manchester, I flew to Dresden for a conference, then another conference in Singapore. Total funding that I secured was NZ$10000, of which 3000 from the faculty, 4000 from a govt body and the rest from my supervisor's research fund.

Another trip to a conference in Sydney costs about NZ$2000. The faculty provides $1500; while the school provides the rest.

Generally, my travel funds have been covered by fundings from the school, faculty, a govt research council, and my supervisors' research fund. The fund is enough to cover flight, accommodation (budget backpacker to three-star hotels, no four or five stars of course), all meals and transportation fees (including taxi fares in Auckland city to airport).

I take my hat off to my supervisors, they are generous

Money stuck in NZ

EasyLife — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:27:06 +0800

Hi there, I would like to learn from you about money management. During my PhD study in NZ, I earned a lump sum from my scholarships, it's way more than the amount that one can carry during flight. Now, the NZ dollar sucks and drop a lot this recession, apparently I choose to keep my money in NZ bank. It's earning about 4.25% per annum.

However, I might leave NZ for years. As a foreigner, my questions are:

1. Can I keep my money in NZ bank account for many years, though I will not be physically in NZ?
2. What is the cheapest way to transfer money back to MY?
3. Can I transfer money from NZ back to MY while I'm in MY?

Thanks!

Which is the best country for expat?

EasyLife — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:50:39 +0800

I'm a recent PhD graduate, single and 29 years old. I might choose to work at overseas for a couple of years to earn extra cash. So, I'm interested in the gross income that I could earn. For simplicity, I meant which country would give the best deal considering the formula:

Gross Income = Salary - Income Tax - All living expenses

For living expenses, please consider the most decent one: a single room, self-cooked meal, public transportation.

In NZ, I spend around NZ$700 per month for living expenses.

If you have other choice of countries, please recommend. Thanks!

Which is the best country for expat?

EasyLife — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:47:50 +0800

My plan

EasyLife — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:16:14 +0800

I'm 29 years old guy, just completed my PhD in Computer science in New Zealand. After spending many years abroad and busy with my research, I dare to tell that I'm single!

Of course, I had a number of friends from the opposite sex. Obviously, they had something on me, but I couldn't accept due to my busy lifestyle. Quite a number of times, girls sms and msn me for outing, but I ignored. I don't think I'm a nerd, and I know girls could feel interesting with me. Not bad look either, girls said I got the look It's just that I don't feel like getting a girlfriend for the sake of having one. And, to this day, I had put my work and career as top priority.

I'm thinking of working at overseas for 2 years. By the time I get back to Malaysia, I would be 31-32 years old. Date a girl for 1-2 years, and get married at 33-34 years old.

What's your comment on my plan?

How much can a lecturer with PhD earn?

EasyLife — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 11:50:32 +0800

As a PhD holder in Computer Science from a New Zealand University, I'm wondering how much I can earn as a lecturer in a public and private university (Monash, Nottingham) back in Malaysia. I expect at least RM8000. Is this possible? I would consider working in Australia, NZ, Singapore or HK if salary is low in Bolehland.

I'm single, 29 years old guy. So, don't comment on family expenditure