Pages of Life.

Let's talk about Brunei and Money

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:01:50 -0400

NERD ALERT!!!

Be warned, this is not about my interesting moments in life but this is the nerdy moment that occurs to me more than once in a while when I start thinking about national development.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

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I was supposed to help a friend in expressing my opinions to him through Skype for a certain occasion. However, unfortunately I am not able to due to technical difficulties in dealing with video conferencing. The topic was supposed to be about Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) flowing in relation to Brunei’s economic development.

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FIRST of all,

FDI is invesment only in assets, which is a strong enough investment that can hold a company in a location for a significant amount of time. Not just money.

So when we talk about FDIs, think Shell company for Brunei. Think Walmart in China and so on.

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In terms of economics, economic development is a growth in national income (GDP). or in simpler terms, more goods and services that improves the standard of living.

But to make it even simpler, and dumb-ify all these terms, economic development is supposed to make things better.

I guess it would be no argument that for a company to invest their business in say, Brunei, Brunei would definitely be economically better-off. The question in mind, or at least in my mind, is what kind of country we want Brunei to be in the future.

Based on the kind of future(specific vision) that we want Brunei to grow into, we can derive the kind of businesses needed, the level and type of education to be reached by a certain point in time to fill in the labor needs for a growing economy and the kind of policies needed to regulate people to get into the groove of the shifting economy.

With these three things in mind, we can develop a whole plan out of it and we can figure out what kind of FDIs would be good for Brunei and how we can begin to attract them to invest in Brunei.

This post is getting really long now and frankly, I just don’t think I’ll be able to follow. LOL.. see how lazy I am~

Anyway, in a following post, I’ll begin with Brunei’s 2035 vision and how it can be achieved (based on my opinion which is based on my experiences and knowledge).

See y’all soon

It's All For the Kids~!

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:14:44 -0400

So, I bought a shirt.

This one!

To be honest I thought it was elmo, until a kid shouted, “Look mommy it’s the cookie monster!!!”

At that same moment, I was pushing out a cart full of Pepperidge Farm soft baked chocolate chip cookies for the store. HAHA..

Walking around market street and Broad street there were other kids who seemed to be really entertained by my shirt. That was a fun walk.

So far, this is my favorite shirt cause it made kids smile!!!

IT'S A GIRL!!

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:03:11 -0400

My aunt Mercia is pregnant and is due on July 15th, for the Bruneians out there, you’d know that’s an awesome date to be born on. haha.

To be honest, I was a little disappointed in a sense that I won’t have a lil brother to hang out with in the States, I’ve always wanted a lil brother. Not that I won’t love my cousin just the same. lol..

Well at least now we can be prepared to buy PINK stuff!!

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER WHEN YOU ARE IN A BAD MOOD?

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 07:59:38 -0400

Remembering the purpose of why I am doing something and understanding that nothing is ever as bad as it seems.

An Insight to Philadelphia

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:39:27 -0400

Day 3

is just a simple day hanging out and helping my uncle out at the store.

My uncle’s convenience store is located near 3 homeless shelters, so a lot of homeless people come to buy stuff as well. Then I thought how come they get to shop here most of the time?

then I found out about their food stamps which the U.S. Government gives to those who apply. Some who came in looked really helpless, old and tired.. I couldn’t help but feel like there was something that should be done. The economy is tough they say… yet Presidential candidates are talking of “war to Iran” (which would cost a hell lot of money) leaving their own economy to suffer for their leaders’ blindness.

On the other hand, it was a great thing to do I thought, helping to feed those who can’t feed themselves. Unfortunately, just giving away food stamp won’t solve the problem.

Another thing is, the homeless weren’t the only ones using food stamps.I saw people working from offices across the street using food stamps as well. As ironic as it is, I’m not that surprised. Same case in Brunei when excess of donation money (zakat) were being allocated to those who couldn’t afford much, even those who were well-off came to claim some of those donations.

I guess humans aren’t so different after all, no matter what race or nationality you are…

Aside from that I went to the liberty bell. to be honest it’s just a bell that happened to be used anytime something historic went down. Sometimes, I just don’t get why people even bother. =P

INTERESTING STUFF

Two dudes came in wanting to buy 6 packs of cigarettes, using $60 worth of quarters. and I had to count ‘em. Yea, thanks a lot. LOL

Stocks were running out quick, so we went on a shopping trip to Walmart.

I couldn’t believe the way people looked at me as I pushed the trolleys around.

I had 3 people commenting to me, “Must be a really huge party huh…”

Hahaha, If you thought pushing the trolley was hard, check this out…

This is only the back half. =P

I got hungry, and I really liked the Philly Cheese Steak so I decided to make one for myself!

Anyhow, I got new shoes! Been wanting one ever since I got to IU-Bloomington.

So, Finally~

Art in the City of Brotherly love

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:11:22 -0400

Apparently South Street is the place to go around here.

Shopping, food, hanging out, and street art.

but remember!! Food is art as well!!!

THE PHILLY CHEESESTEAK! or at least in this case, Phillip’s Cheese Steak!

Philly so far sooo AWESOME!

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:59:59 -0400

First Day

Ate “Nasi Lemak”!!
Walked around the southern neighborhood and saw a REALLY CUTE CAT!! Will take a pic of it soon!! My mission!!
Went to the museum of art where Rocky Balboa staircase jogging scene

And lastly, hehehe.. Van Goh makes art.. so this is art!!!

Second Day

Visited the University of Pennsylvania!!!!!!!!

That place is awesome! the campus was organized and so pretty!!

Here’s praying I get into the Wharton School~

There’s something really different about the environment there.. it was simply awesome~

The City of Brotherly Love!

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 00:52:51 -0500

Spring break is finally here!!!

This only means one thing!

Soon I can see HOME!

Anyhoo, I am in Philadelphia~!

My first night here is awesome filled food!

My main goal here is to hang out with my uncle and aunt, visit the school of my dreams, and to see another city in the U.S. of A.!

Goodnight =)

This is a Bruneian band. Not many of them really get famous, so...

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:01:49 -0500

This is a Bruneian band. Not many of them really get famous, so far, they top the list. I can say though that their video speaks louder than their lyrics. Nevertheless, I’m proud of em, and the song is stuck in my head!!!

Newb in Tumblr! >.< @#$$@

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:00:21 -0500

I am officially a noob.

I can’t seem to make my blog work the way I want it to. HAHA..

sad.

Uke SuperBass Magic

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:53:47 -0500

Uke SuperBass Magic

A Confession.

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:32:45 -0500

I really like watching the Suite life on deck. LOL!

Yeap, a college boy who still likes watching kiddy (actually teen in my defense) shows.

There’s just something about travelling the world on a ship with your friends that appeals to me. The adventures, the sights, the troubles at sea, and detachment from mainland that sets a vibe of independence.

From then on, I’ve always dreamed of spending some time away on a ship, either for education or for worldwide community service. Which was why I wanted to join M.V. Doulos on their journey.

http://gcaptain.com/mv-doulos-the-worlds-oldest-passenger-ship/?4625

Now that I’m in college, I find myself in a more difficult position to even think about that. But then because of my nomination to join the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, I was informed of the Semester at Sea program.

It’s literally a floating university. It’s as if I was meant to do something like this!

Well, this goes onto my bucket list!

(~~I am slightly attracted to D3$$7 R7AN.~~. LOL.. there I said it.)

Stepping Outwards

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:32:18 -0500

Since August of 2011,

I’ve been studying in Indiana University Bloomington taking a Bachelors of Science in Business majoring in Finance.

It’s my second semester here. Though I miss home terribly, I’m having a good time here. I’ve gained more friends. Created and completed some of my goals.

Worst yet best of all, I’ve had new obsessions… =P

Something New for the Following Chapters of Life

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:53:01 -0500

Hi!

My name is Awangku Mohammad Fadhil Pengiran Ali.

I know.. A mouth full isn’t it? Call me Fadhil

Pronunciation: Adelle with an “F” in front, or Fidel, just switch the vowels around.

I’m from Brunei Darussalam, one of the last surviving Malay Monarchs. Officially, the Kingdom of Brunei Darussalam.

It’s a tiny place. =) Tiny, Peaceful and Beautiful

That’s what I love about it.

SO, if there are any celebrities who are thinking of getting away to a place where paparazzi will never find you. Brunei’s the place. =D