Job Opportunity at STMicroelectronics Muar, Johor

This is one job opportunity shared by one of our friends. Hope you can let your close friends know about it and ask them to reply directly.

IT System Engineers/Senior Engineers
(Johor)

Responsibilities:

• Maintain and roll-out SAP R/3 Payroll and Time Management modules in a manaufacturing environment
• Analyse user requriements, propose solution with business blue print for the respective modules
• Execute new process implemenation and enhancements to existing payroll and time management module
• Validate development request for ABAP and define specifications for development and testing
• Application of Support Packages and associated testing in a 3 system landscape.
• Functional support to local Payroll team
• To install, configure, administer and optimize Infrastructure components to achieve high performance of the various business application.
• To find root cause and resolve IT incidents raised.
• Implementation of Change and Service Requests.
• To monitor performance and capacity of Infrastructure components in specific domain for the area.

Requirements:

• Possess at least a Bachelor's Degree in Computer/Telecommunication, Computer Science, Information Technology or equivalent.
• 3-5 Years experience in SAP PT and PY modules covering extensively on Time mangement
•  Experience on SAP Payroll and Time Schema and PCRs Applying Support Pack
• Good knowledge on Payroll processes and Malaysia legal requirements
• Knowledge in mission-critical servers, SAN, NAS and operating systems (Unix, Linux, Windows, etc)
• Experience in manufacturing environment will be an added advantage
• Fresh graduates/Entry level applicants are encouraged to apply for other ICT vacancies 

Interested may send their resume directly to : ST - HR

How to Choose the Right Paint Color

When it comes to decorating, choosing paint color can really be a challenge. While you may feel that there are so many choices you're bound to find the right one, you may end up feeling that there are so many choices you don't know where to start!

The tips here will really help you if you feel stumped by this important choice. After all, the paint color will set the tone for the room.

Be Patient

It's great to collect paint chips when planning a room, but hold off making final choices until you've developed an overall room scheme. Paint is available in literally an infinite array of colors and is the most versatile element of your room decor, the easiest to change, and the least expensive. Get ideas but make the final decision after rugs, wallpaper, and fabrics are finalized.

Coordinate Decorating Samples

When you go shopping, you'll need to refer to your fabric, carpet, tile, wallpaper, and trim samples constantly. Be sure to take everything with you wherever you go. No tellng where you might see something wonderful.

Really Study the Colors

You'll find clues about the underlying tones of different shades of a color on a full sample strip of coordinated colors. Even if you're not even considering using a darker tone, look at all the colors carefully. Decide if the family of colors is the direction you're headed with your color selection.

Tried and True Formula for Colors

If you're working with a print fabric, you'll probably be happier if you select the coordinating wall paint color from the background of the print. Use the deeper or brighter tones for accents throughout the room or adjacent spaces. Learn more tips here about how to choose a color scheme.

Trim it Out

More often than not, you'll select a shade of white or off-white for the moldings, doors, and windows. If you're feeling brave, consider the palest shade of color to coordinate with the walls. For a really striking look, try lighter walls and dark tones or bright color for trim.

Choose the Paint Finish for the Job

Consider which paint finish might be best for your project. Matte or flat finishes hide wall imperfections, but glossier finishes will reflect more light.

If you're searching for the perfect paint, the tips here will be helpful.

Warm or Cool?

Colors are often referred to as "warm" and "cool." Orange, red, and pink are considered "warm" colors, while blues, greens, and violet are thought to be "cool." Knowing the theory behind color can help you select the right tone for the feel you're trying to achieve.

White is Not Always White

Trying to find the perfect white can be a challenge! Beiges and off-whites have subtle color, so compare paint chips to your fabrics and flooring to determine if a warmer pinkish or yellow-toned white -- or a cooler, bluer white -- is best for your room.

Keep Notes as You Shop

It's a good idea to make a note on the back of the paint color cards, telling yourself the name of the store where you picked it up, and the paint brand whenever this information isn't printed there already. Since most home centers and hardware stores carry more than one brand of paint, you may discover the perfect color, and then find you can't remember where you got the sample! Then you'll have to start over. Ugh!

Shed a Little Light

The best way to get a true view of a paint color is to look at it in many lights. Take the paint chip outside to see it in natural light. Look at in under an incandescent and fluorescent light. Best yet, take the paint chip, fabrics, and accessories to the room in which they'll live. Check out the colors there.

Measuring Works Magic

Take your room measurements with you to the paint store or home center. The professional at the store will help you determine the correct quantity of paint to buy for your job. Or you might use your numbers to consult one of the handy online paint estimators to get an idea of how much paint you'll need for your project. Remember primer and trim paints.

Ask, Ask, Ask!

For helpful paint advice, go both online and to your local paint store. Tell the paint professional about your project and goals for your decorating project. Ask which paint products they recommend, and why. Get information on specialty paints such as low-odor, stain-killing primers, chalkboard paint, washable paint, and many more.

Custom Color Matching

If you want to achieve a perfect match or find a truly unique color, your paint store or home center offers custom color mixing. This makes it possible to bring in a fabric swatch, painting, or other color reference, and have a paint color created to be a perfect match. Visit Home Depot or Lowe's or call a local hardware store to inquire.

Look Up to the Ceiling

Light colors are usualy most pleasing for a ceiling, because ceilings are seen in shadow. If you'd like the ceiling to match the wall color, buy ceiling paint one or two shades lighter than the wall color (on its color chip). Or, dilute your wall color with white paint in a ratio of 25% color to 75% white.

Try it on for Size

When you think that you've really chosen your perfect color, buy a pint of paint to do a test patch. This will prove to be excellent insurance for less than $10.00. Paint a 12-48" square on a board or directly on your wall. Look at it during the day, morning, evening, and night. How does it look with with the room's flooring, wallcoverings, and fabric choices? If it isn't right, get another pint and try again. We like to test three colors at once to save time. You'll undoubtedly find the right color.

See the Plane

For the most accurate color representation, view paint samples vertically (up against the wall) and view carpet samples set flat on the floor. If you do this, you'll see how the colors will look when they're applied to your space.

Color Contamination

Once you've gotten your test sample up on the wall, notice whether the color you're testing might be adversly affected by other colors in a room. For example, if your room is currently painted pink and your test patch is beige, it is likely that the pink will reflect onto the beige, changing the color. The same would go for blue or yellow. Or if there are colored curtains on the windows, their color will reflect onto your new paint. To get the best idea of how the room will look. place the painted sample up on the wall and place the flooring samples on the floor. Test the color in a room with the same exposure to sunlight. Find a room that is neutral.

Let It Dry

Wet paint color often looks different from dry paint. Don't panic when you first see the paint applied to the wall. Let it dry, then check it with your other samples (fabric, tiles, carpet) to decide if it looks right. Paint can also look out of place in an empty room. Bring in a few room elements (a chair, painting, or window treatment) to see how it all works together.

Always Have White Around

Having some extra white paint, carefully sealed in a container, can never hurt. Use it to lighten some paint that's too dark. Or use it to dilute your wall color by 3/4 for use on the ceiling. Just make sure to use the same kind of paint (flat latex for example), mix thoroughly, and make enough of the new color to finish the project. It will be impossible to mix up more later.

Give It Time

Getting used to a new room color might take a few days. A new bold color may seem overwhelming at first. Put some furniture, flooring, and fabric in the room. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised to see that your new color harmonizes with other room elements.

Quick and Simple Home Lighting Projects

Fresh and easy home lighting projects can really transform an interior space. By changing lamps, shades, and fixtures, you can bring new drama and interest to any room. Add warmth, excitement, and ambiance to a living space or private sanctuary.

While major home lighting installations should be done when a home is in the construction stage, there are lots of projects, -some easy, some a bit more difficult,- that can be done by the average homeowner.

If you know a good handyman and don't want to do these home lighting projects yourself, you might be able to save a bit of money. But for other installations, you should contact a licensed electrician.

It's unlikely that any of these home lighting projects would require any building or lighting permit.

To bring interesting light to your room and add drama and interest, check out some of our simple home lighting update projects. They're basic and simple but can work wonders in your home.

•        Update Your Lamp Shades

A fresh lamp shade can really perk up a boring lamp. When the pleats get flat or the lining burns off, get rid of the lamp shade and give the lamp a new life. The easiest way is to take your lamps and an old shade to a lighting store or home center. You'll be able to replace the size and shape easier and see how any new shade will look on the lamp.

For a real new look, experiment with a colored shade, a different shape, or one with a metallic lining. Consider covering a shade frame with fabric or wallpaper that coordinates with your decor. Another option would be to decorate a plain linen with stencils, a color wash, or decoupage finish.

For a unique finishing touch, add fringe, beads, or braid to the bottom and to edge of the shade using craft glue that dries clear or a hot glue gun. To top it all off, find a newfinial that draws the eye up.

•        Install a Dimmer

Adjusting the intensity of light in a room is a simple process if each light fixture has adimmer switch attached. The light can be controlled at a wall switch or with a dimmer on the light cord. It's really quite easy to install a dimmer and it will give you the ability to adjust the light according to your need. You can choose from numerous styles of dimmers for any need.

Have full light for homework and hobbies. Turn down the light for romantic dinners or quiet evenings in the family room. For general lighting during the day, adjust the light to a medium intensity.

In addition, the life of every light bulb can be lengthened when it's dimmed. Think of the money you'll save.

•        Add an In-Line Cord Switch

With a simple cut of a cord and tightening of a screw, you can have a light switch conveniently installed on an electric cord in no time at all. Select the size of switch that is appropriate for the electric cord you have. The actual on/off switch you'll install might be a roller, a rocking tab, or a little bar. Think how convenient this could be.

•        Make a Custom Lamp

If you can't find a lamp that you like, consider making one yourself. If you have a vase you like, an interesting box, a pretty basket, vision it as a lamp base. Purchase a kit to construct a lamp at any home center or lighting store. Or have a lamp shop put together your new vision of a lamp. Check out some of the Lighting Projects that are posted online.

•        Check Out Special Needs Lights

I particularly like motion sensor lights. When someone walks into the room or past a door, the light goes on. And when the motion ends, the lights automatically go out. What a convenience when your hands are full.

Another great light is one that goes on when the daylight dims. I have one outside my front door, but it would be great in a hallway too.

Read on for information about special lighting fixtures that add interesting lighting to your home.

•  Light It Up (instead of down)

Designers and landscapers love up-lights. The fixtures are inexpensive, the require almost no installation beyond a simple plug in, and they instantly light up and transform a space. Indoors you can set a can up light behind a floor plant, behind a piece of furniture like a chest or armoire, or on top of a cabinet. The light will wash over a wall or up to a ceiling, providing indirect light for the room.

The can of an up light can get hot or knocked over if it's on the floor, so if you have kids or pets, place them carefully.

•  Change Out a Ceiling Light

I just took down a dated brass ceiling light that was getting tarnished and the finish was flaking off. Replacing it with a new, more up to date fixture was the solution. I had to be careful to get a fixture whose base was wider in diameter than the previous one so that the mark on the ceiling could be covered.

Another solution would be to install track lightingor recessed can lights. The light beam can be focused at artwork, a work area, onto the ceiling, or down. Dark halls, a dining room, or home office is a great place these minimalist lighting.

•  Place Lights on a Book Shelf

Often, bookshelves are dark and it's hard to find the book you're searching for. Install under shelf light fixtures, strip lights, small "hockey puck" lights, or a small lamp. If you choose a fixture with an electric cord, you might have to drill a hole the size of the plug into the back of the unit in order to get the plug to the wall outlet.

•  Under Cabinet Lights

Instead of using all overhead lights, I love to install lighting under cabinets and conceal plugs and cords. Under cabinet lights shine the light right onto the work space and the room retains a wonderful ambiance. Using dimmers for all these lights is great, too.

•  Change an Overhead Light With a Fan

I feel really strongly about ceiling fans, especially if you live in a warm climate. You can save loads of power over air conditioning and add a lovely decorative element, too. For extra convenience, include a remote control for both the light and the fan. You can control the fan and light from a chair or bed. What a luxury!

•  Top Off Your Art With a Picture Light

If you've invested in fine art, you probably already know this tip. But even modest art looks better with directed lighting focusing on it. Select the right size for your piece and the room.

With fresh, new lighting, you can achieve a fresh new look for your home. You don't have to spend a lot of money.

Buying Pine Furniture

If you’re new to purchasing wood furniture, deciding what to buy can be a daunting challenge. There are so many types of woods and finishes that it may not be clear what type of wood you’re buying. Pine is often used to make furniture, including dining room tables and bedroom sets. It can be finished or covered with a wood veneer. Here are a few tips to think about before buying pine furniture.

·         What is Pine?

Solid woods are classified as either hardwoods or softwoods, but the description is based on the tree’s foliage rather than the strength of the wood. Hardwood trees lose their leaves seasonally. Softwood trees maintain their leaves year-round. Pine is a softwood that’s grown and used worldwide. It is light in color with a prominent grain and has knots that are usually much darker than the rest of the wood. Many woodworkers favor pine because it is easier to work with than hardwoods.

·         Why Consider Pine?

Pine furniture is less expensive than many other wood pieces, especially if you buy it unfinished, which makes it a very popular choice. It can be painted, stained or covered in a clear coat of varnish. The wood’s noticeable grain and knots give each piece a unique look. Pine furniture blends well with other woods, allowing the buyer to mix and match pieces. Pine furniture adds coziness to a room, and the wood is ideal for rustic or English Country decor. Pine’s coloring keeps bookshelves, armoires, dressers and beds from appearing heavy and stuffy. Unfinished pine furniture, which can be personalized by painting or stenciling, allows great flexibility in a child’s room. The furniture can be refinished and repainted as the child’s tastes changes.

·         What to Look For

The quality of pine furniture can vary widely. Although pine is more pliable than most hardwoods, pieces can last for decades if it is constructed well. Knots should be expected and can be attractive in a piece of furniture, but watch out for knots that create a hole in the furniture. Too many knots can weaken the piece. Although pine is a sturdy wood, it can easily be dented and scratched. Like all woods, pine will warp when exposed to constant humidity or moisture. Well-crafted pine will be smooth and the walls plumb. The fasteners on the drawer should create a snug fit between the front and rest of the drawer. Drawers should pull out smoothly and maintain their shape when twisted.

·         Getting a Good Price

Custom-built pine furniture can be surprisingly affordable. Local Amish and Mennonite communities may have woodworkers who can craft a custom piece for about the same cost or even less than a retailer would charge for a mass-produced work. Reasonably priced pine furniture also is sold at many big-box retail stores. IKEA carries a full range of mass-produced, unfinished pine furniture pieces. The furniture will have to be put together, which can require some patience but isn’t overly difficult. Also check yard sales and resale shops. If the furniture piece is in good condition it can be stripped and refinished to suit the new owner’s taste.

Lot to Learn for the Indian government!!

I am enclosing a weblink of what is a slideshow about the project plan for a road construction which is currently on in the city of Kuala Lumpur to improve traffic congestion.

http://www.slideshare.net/edwinwang/dbkl-brickfield-road-disbursement

What I liked about the slideshow is the systematic analysis of the situation and the proposed solution which is not just put in words but also depicted very well in pictures - real site pictures as well as the road maps.

It is not that India does not have the knowledge of doing it this way, the thing is the time when it is done & how it is done.

This type of information prepares the general public who at the end of the day wants to know what is happening of the tax money that is paid and secondly this also helps the people gear up for the changes that are expected as result of such type of project.

I hope the government officials can take this up seriously. This clearly helps the govt. efforts in making a smooth changeover towards the new plans to be put in place quickly and with a census from the people.

Suicidal coincidences

Thsi was an interesting article that I found on another blog and wanted to share the same with you all.

How often do you ever get to hear that two words together? This again shows that truth is stranger than fiction. A broken-hearted young man decided to throw himself off a bridge in Russia. He climbed up a tall one and spotted a young woman doing the same thing. They climbed down together. Now Andriej Ivanov, 26, is due to marry Maria Petrova, 21.

Saved each other ... Andriej Ivanov and Maria Petrova

Devastated Andriej Ivanov, 26, wanted to end it all when his fiancée died in a car crash the day before they were due to get married. But when he arrived at the bridge — in Ufa, central Russia — he found Maria Petrova climbing over the railings.
Maria, 21, had been thrown out by her parents for falling pregnant and was seconds from throwing herself more than 100ft into the icy Belaya River when Andriej rescued her.
He said: "Something in my heart snapped and I couldn't let her do it no matter how broken my own heart was.
"I shouted, 'Stop' and ran over to her. She fell into my arms sobbing and I began crying too.
"We held each other and talked, and talked and talked. That night saved my life - and hers."
The couple talked into the night and agreed to help each other mend their broken hearts. Now they plan to get married after telling their families about how they met.
Maria said: "He is my knight and my saviour. All that pain was worthwhile because it led me to my Andriej."
Unbelievable, and I am very sure we will see this being made into a movie...

Khwaja mere Khwaja.. Karim Hajee..

It was a lucky day for me when I was traveling back yesterday from Mumbai to KL from my vacation to meet with one of the known faces from recent movies.

I am sure everyone remembers Lagaan & the character who was dumb and played the drum/dhol in the movie. The same person along with his twin brother also figured in Jodha Akbar - in the divine composition of AR Rehman - Khwaja mere Khwaja. You can get a look at them from the following picture.

So this gentleman's name is Mr. Kareem Hajee.... who is identical twin of Amin Hajee..who played as Bagha, the mute drummer in Lagaan. 

Apparently Mr. Kareem got into movies after 13 years. We spoke for about 10-15 minutes and took some snaps, which are attached below. He is traveling to Malaysia for a holiday with his family. He also shared that he is working on a new project with Mr. Sanjay Leela Bhansali.. and we shall hear about this movie in the coming months.. 

I wish him all the best.... and hope to see him in more interesting roles in the coming years.. 

Some more from Robin Sharma

LEADERSHIP & CRITICS
One of the challenges for anyone dedicated to expressing their leadership best is dealing with the chattering voices of naysaying critics. As a matter of fact, the more brightly you shine in your work and the more quickly you innovate and the more excellent you become, the more foulmouthed critics you will attract. It's just part of the game. Emerson said it brilliantly: "Great people are always misunderstood."


Here some key insights to help you fly in your career (and within your life), in the face of criticism:

#1: To lead is to often be unpopular. Leadership isn't a popularity contest. Leadership is about having the bravery to do what's right versus what's easy. That attracts criticism. Why? Because people don't like change. And they don't want to change. To truly lead is to disrupt the way things were-and are (in an effort to make things better). And rather than having the openness and courage to embrace the change, most people would rather shoot the messenger, in an effort to preserve the status quo.

#2: Critics Can Serve You. Sometimes, there is some truth to what your critics are saying. Smart leaders have the intelligence to discern the difference between the misguided ramblings of those seeking to knock them down and negative feedback that has truth beneath it. Each of us can get to a whole new level of excellence by improving our weaknesses.


#3: You Can Create More Value Amid Your Critics than With Your Fans.  Yes, moving your closely cherished vision/mission/ideals/goals forward in the face of people throwing stones (or even simply laughing) at you is hard work. But, ultimately, doing what you believe to be right/good/important surrounded by critics is more valuable than doing all that alongside your supporters. Why? Because the critics are resisting what you are trying to change. And if you can positively influence them (even a few of them), then you've advanced your mission much more significantly that preaching to the converted.

Streets of Pune...

Things are changing so drastically in Pune and surrounding areas.. that it is too difficult to keep track of things... its quite difficult to find the same place which one remembers when he returns in 6-8 months.. just snapped a few  snaps.. while traveling.. here are some of them... 

View of  "Aga Khan Palance"

Bund Garden area and the under construction bridge at Bund Garden..

Somewhere on the Pune -Nagar Highway...