Reading Habits of my Students

I have 5 business students in Life College.

They have very weak reading habits - their absorption of technical info is slow

Water of Life - Glenmorangie 10 year single malt.

Meet an excellent guy called Johnny Chew at a whisky shop - he's a Malt Wizard. He has I think about 50 types of whiskey at his home. Go on rocking dude..

Basically, Johnny spent a half hour of his life teaching me a few things re Scotch whisky (English)/ whiskey (Irish). Scotch whisky is actually 'water of life'. Scotch is made from Barley and is dried using peat to give it a smokier taste. According to Johnny, some Scotch whiskey is chill filtered in order to remove its impurities (and hangover). Downside of chill filtering : some of the taste is also removed - ohh well. Whisky can only be called Scotch if it uses ingredients from Scotland UK (barley, water, etc.) and is manufactured there. Indian whiskey i.e. Amrut cannot be called Scotch. Incidentally, most single malt distillery uses American oak casks to mature their products (God Save American Oaks)

Ended up getting to know a few new Scottish friends.

a) First of all, let me say that I AM NOT AN ALCHOLIC. Yes, I am addicted to Bak Kut Teh and that is a historically known medical fact about me. I drink like 2-3 times a year and almost always after a run/hill climb. Helps with the sleep.

b) Dont drink and drive - let's not spill 10 year or more expensive Scotch on your car seat. It is sacrilege.

c) Mixing Coke and Scotch is a sin if especially it is a single malt whiskey.

d) Am going to taste the Glenmorangie soon - maybe over a dinner with da parents.

e) Googling malt madness website now to update myself re single malts.

Go on rocking Scotch (and Johnny)

Food prices surge in China.

Grim news from China:-

a) Inflation rate is at 4.9% (Jan '11) compared to 4.6% (Dec'10)

b) Jan'11 : Surges include

Eggs up by 20%

Fresh fruits by 33%

Sugar up by 80%

High grade rice more by 65%

c) What this means is that millions of the poorer Chinese households which spends half their income on food will experience severe economic setbacks - 50% spending of income on income might translate up to 70%.

d) Remember also that crude oil is now at USD$100 and standing by. The Chinese folks still needs to pay for transport somehow.

e) Food prices hikes were recognised as one of the catalyst in bringing down the governments of Tunisia and Egypt.

ACE INA of the USA acquires Jerneh Insurance Berhad

a) ACE USA has total assets of USD 78billion/RM 245billion.

b) ACE has 15,000 employees in 50 countries around the world.

c) Jerneh is one of the two listed insurance company in Malaysia - higher standard of transparency to both Bank Negara and Security Comm.

d) Two good brands make a stronger whole. 'Nuff said.

TIN PRICES ESCALATING AGAIN.

Why is it that a world economy with the US, bulk of Europe and Japan in recession, our bulk commodities prices are still on the rise?

When a strong wind comes, you can either build windmills or windbreaks!

China in 2011?

Hopefully, China should make the move to tighten their grip on inflation.

See Mssr Rogers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja9qC0tYW2Q

Copper, Tin, Anyone?

Traditionally, copper has been used in the electrical industry and closer to home, the as the plates in the humble but crucial car batteries.

http://lite.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/copper-soars-to-us10000-supply-fears-dominate-mood

But let us look at the fine print regarding such a shortage, shall we?

Remember the earthquake in Chile a while back? I recalled reading something which said that the quake affected the transport links to the mines itself.

I wonder how long this trend will continue. Mines are really expensive to start and those existing ones are definitely looking at the law of decreasing returns.

The effects of such price rise also has a spill over effect in Malaysia itself. I wonder which of the areas or properties near the tin mines in Perak as going for a song right now?