Author: Hafiz Noor Shams

For more about me, please read this.

[517] Of farewell

My truly last exam will be this coming Tuesday. Graduation day will come a week or so after that. Knowing that. gosh, I’m going to miss the economics department.

Another shot of Lorch, taken about a week later.

Goddamned! If only I could bring down that one pesky tree so that I could get a better view of Lorch! LOL!

It has been a great honor to be under the tutelage of some of the distinguished economists. I wish I had done more during my years here in Michigan. That’s my only regret.

At least, I will be able to wear a gold tassel on graduation day. You can almost bet your head that I will be bragging to those that will wear white tassels.

Sports

[516] Of FFTW!

In the 48th minute, Feyenoord 1 – 0 Ajax.

57th minute, Feyenoord 1 – 1 Ajax.

80th minute, Feyenoord 2 – 1 Ajax.

86th minute, Feyenoord 2 – 2 Ajax.

90th minute, Feyenoord 2 – 3 Ajax.

Full time, w00000000000000000000000000000000t! And the win is even sweeter given the fact that Ajax supporters were barred from entering de Kuip Stadion by the Rotterdam mayor.

With the win, Ajax is now second behind PSV. If AZ loses their next match, Ajax is up and running for the 2005/06 Champions’ League season. The first place is possible, however unlikely – but let’s celebrate first and worry later!

p/s – damn the hooligans. Here’s an explanation of what happened in Rotterdam:

Here goes!

The Ajax supporters (1,600) were divided over two trains from the ArenA to De Kuip. 800 on each train. I was on train #1. Just before arrival, less than one mile before De Kuip, some nutters managed to pull the emergency brake, in spite of riot police presence on board. The train was suddenly standing still, furniture was thrown out of the windows and approximately 30 hooligans managed to open the doors and get off the train. There weren’t many Feyenoord supporters there. Riot police were on the spot in no-time and secured the area.

More here.

Gaming Personal

[515] Of FTW!

A shoutout.

Welcome Jun to World of Warcraft!

FTW!

Economics Sports

[514] Of Malaysia and the American trade deficit

Post author By Hafiz Noor Shams
Post date Thursday, April 14 2005
No Comments on [514] Of Malaysia and the American trade deficit

Did you know, Malaysia ranked 7th as countries that contribute to the American $60 billion trade deficit?

The first place is China’s of course, contributing half of the deficit – $30 billion. Malaysia is attributed with almost $3 billion.

It’s interesting to see how the dots connect. And I wonder, does Malaysia have a trade deficit? I have to look that up.

I do know however, Malaysia has an huge budget deficit to GDP ratio; if I recall correctly, larger than the US. This is one reason why I find Malaysia is weird – in the US, the deficit is giving everybody headache; in Malaysia, almost nobody gives a damn.

Maybe because, the people in Malaysia care more for the establishment of moral police rather than maintaining and improving sound economic performance. Given that, it’s surprising to see Malaysia as one of the tiger economies.

p/s – to all Liverpool fans, aww, shut up and quit telling me that you guys are in the semifinal. Let me be with Ajax…

As such, w00t! Feyenoord lost 1-4 to Den Bosch. Pity Ruud Gullit but w00t! Ajax stays third and is making ground for second place!

pp/s – who am I kidding. Malaysia is an export-oriented country. Trade deficit. LOL!

Politics & government

[513] Of good luck Japan

I’d suppose, Japan should forget its dream of a permanent seat in the United Nations. According to AP, China has just voiced out its strongest statement against Japan’s bid for a greater role in the United Nations. Veto against Japan is now almost certain.

The United Nations should simply abolish veto power. It allows the interest of the few to outweigh the will of the majority; it’s undemocratic to say the least.

Besides the veto issue, it’s kind of weird however to see Japan not giving any ground to China, despite the importance of courting the dragon. If I were Japan, I would do what China wants and then do away with the China’s pride later. But hey, it seems to me that this irrationality is the Japanese nationalists’ undoing.

Well, a nationalist does what a nationalist does – most are myopic as usual. Perhaps we can’t really blame China if the Japanese’s bid fails.