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Momofuku Ando - inventor of instant noodles

The inventor of instant noodles, Momofuku Ando, has died in Japan, aged 96, of a heart attack.
Mr Ando was born in Taiwan in 1910 and moved to Japan in 1933, founding Nissin Food Products Co after World War II to provide cheap food for the masses.

His most famous product, Cup Noodle, was released in 1971.

Its taste and ease of preparation - adding hot water to dried noodles in a waterproof polystyrene container - have made it popular around the world.

Mr Ando said the inspiration for his product came when he saw people lining up to buy bowls of hot ramen noodle soup at a black market stall during the food shortages after World War II.

Read more on: bbc.co.uk

Born in Taiwan, but with a Japanese surname. Could it be….the father was a Japanese? Or…unless…..

Anyway, here is a humorous Nissin Instant Noodles commercial.

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Tiny transmitters in Canadian coins.

OTTAWA — They say money talks, and a new report suggests Canadian currency is indeed chatting, at least electronically, on behalf of shadowy spies.

Canadian coins containing tiny transmitters have mysteriously turned up in the pockets of at least three American contractors who visited Canada, says a branch of the U.S. Defense Department.

Security experts believe the miniature devices could be used to track the movements of defence industry personnel dealing in sensitive military technology.

“You might want to know where the individual is going, what meetings the individual might be having and, above all, with whom,” said David Harris, a former CSIS officer who consults on security matters.

“The more covert or clandestine the activity in which somebody might be involved, the more significant this kind of information could be.”

The counterintelligence office of the U.S. Defense Security Service cites the currency caper as an example of the methods international spies have recently tried to illicitly acquire military technology.

The service’s report, Technology Collection Trends in the U.S. Defense Industry, says foreign-hosted conventions, seminars and exhibits are popular venues for pilfering secrets.

The report is based on an analysis of 971 “suspicious contact reports” submitted in the fiscal year 2005 by security-cleared defence contractors and various official personnel.

“On at least three separate occasions between October 2005 and January 2006, cleared defense contractors’ employees traveling through Canada have discovered radio frequency transmitters embedded in Canadian coins placed on their persons,” the report says.

Read more on: canada.com

Whoa, that’s…uhh…..scary. I wonder if the coin is weighed more lightly with a transmitter inside.

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Year 2007 has many long vacation opportunities in Taiwan, as long as you’re smart enough and fast enough (vs. your co-workers) to choose the right time to take your holiday from work. Eg, get a 12-day Chinese New Year vacation by taking only 3 days off your working days!!!

2007年有很多連假喔~~
農曆過年是2/17~2/22 請個23號星期五就繼續連休星期六星期日~
意思就是說再請26~27號~就又連到228假期~只要請三天!!! 就可以得到一共12天假!!! 這才叫爽!!!
清明節 4/5~ 請一天4/6號就連續4天假期~可以誠心祭祖 !!
端午節 6/19 從6/16開始~請一天6/18~是個連續4天假 GOOD!!
中秋節 9/25 從9/22開始~請一天9/24~也是個連續4天假 VERY GOOD!!
要訂飯店的快去訂~~~ 要訂機票的也快去訂~~
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I was thinking about getting a car during this Christmas holiday. Now here it is. An article for me to get started. The article suggests Honda Civic and Suzuki Swift. What do you people think?

Also, where can I check the accident/repair/liability history of a used car? I don’t want to buy a car previously involved in a car accident, a car carrying a loan/mortgage, or a car with fraudulent mileage. Anyone knows which provincial organization in BC or Alberta provides such info?? (Is it free? )

No matter how much you might love public transit or getting rides from your parents to get to school, nothing gives you the freedom, convenience and satisfaction of owning your own car.

But, of course, being a university or college student, your pockets are probably as deep as a puddle in the middle of a drought. This means you’ll probably have to get a used car.

What you want to look for is a reliable and safe car that has reasonable insurance costs, good gas mileage and might even have a cool factor, but let’s not get too carried away with that one.

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1994-2001 Honda Civic

The ever-popular Civic is a good choice for students. With a little more coolness and easier resale, 2001 and older models with more than 125,000 kilometres will usually cost you less than $9,500 (not including SiR models).

Four-door Civics are easier on insurance than coupes, but they are both known for their gas mileage. Newer Civics come standard with driver and passenger air bags, power sunroof/locks/mirrors, keyless entry, AM/FM stereo with CD player and air conditioning.

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1995-2001 Suzuki Swift

Swifts made in 2001 and earlier with more than 115,000 klicks will run you a bill of less than $4,000.

Of course, older cars with higher odometer readings will cost you less. Most models made in 1995 and on come standard with air conditioning, driver and passenger air bags, AM/FM stereo and even a CD player.

The 2001 Swift was also one of the most fuel-efficient subcompact cars, according to the Office of Energy Efficiency (Natural Resources Canada) in its 2001 report on fuel efficiency.

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Read more on: canada.com

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This year’s Rose Parade was dominated by the Star Wars robots. It would be even nicer if the costume is made of black or white roses. Black rose? Must be very expensive. The Rose Parade was held in Pasadena, California on January 1, 2007.

The theme of this year’s parade is “Our Good Nature.” Wait…does Star Wars count as Good Nature? I didn’t see any Jedi walking in the parade…

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