Saturday, June 20, 2009

Bermuda

Damai di Bermuda

Oleh Mohamed Juhari Shaarani
bminggu@bharian.com.my




Gugusan 9 pulau indah: Pasir pantai merah jambu janjikan percutian mengasyikkan di Bermuda

SEBUT saja Bermuda, pasti mengingatkan kita kepada pulau yang penuh mistik dengan kisah kehilangan kapal dan pesawat di kawasan dikenali Segi Tiga Bermuda, terus terlintas di fikiran.

Atau paling tidak pun, mereka yang meminati muzik, pasti terkenangkan lagu popular Barry Manilow yang bertajuk Bermuda Triangle.

Namun bagi penulis, bukan soal mistik atau misteri Bermuda yang melekat di minda, sebaliknya pengalaman menempuh perjalanan untuk sampai ke pulau yang sungguh indah ini terbukti bukanlah sesuatu yang mudah.

Perjalanan yang dilalui menghampiri 20 jam tanpa mengira waktu transit, tetapi jika dicampurkan waktu menanti transit di Lapangan Terbang Heathrow, London, ia sebenarnya mengambil masa 29 jam kerana hanya ada satu penerbangan ke pulau ini.

Sebaik menjejakkan kaki di Lapangan Terbang Bermuda, sesiapa pun pasti terkejut melihat bangunannya amat jauh ketinggalan zaman serta uzur dan luntur warnanya, namun apa yang dilihat seterusnya boleh menjadi kenangan seumur hidup kerana pulau ini sangat indah.

Tembok yang dibina British pada awal 1800.

Bermuda yang merangkumi sembilan pulau dikelilingi Lautan Atlantik dihasilkan daripada letusan gunung berapi dan percayakah anda, di sebalik keindahan lautan serta daratannya, pulau ini cuma didiami kira-kira 60,000 orang.

Budaya pulau ini, khususnya muzik dan tarian pula sarat dengan pengaruh Afrika berikutan ramai golongan hamba abdi dari benua itu dibawa ke Bermuda yang dikatakan mendapat nama daripada seorang kapten berbangsa Sepanyol, Juan Bermudez.

Bermudez dikatakan menjumpai pulau ini pada 1503 dan pada 1609, Laksamana Sir George Somer berdepan masalah kapal karam berhampiran Bermuda lalu di pulau inilah beliau membina kembali kapal dan cuba untuk menuntut Bermuda yang dimiliki British selain cuba menamakannya sebagai Pulau Somers, tetapi gagal.

Bagi penulis, keunikan di pulau ini jelas terasa sepanjang perjalanan dari Lapangan Terbang Bermuda ke ibu kotanya, iaitu Hamilton.

Bandar St George, diiktiraf Bandar Warisan Dunia oleh Unesco.

Ini dari segi barisan rumahnya yang menggunakan bumbung diperbuat daripada ‘limestone’ atau batu kapur berwarna putih untuk menakung laluan air hujan.

Kaedah ini digunakan sejak ratusan tahun lalu kerana masalah air bersih sememangnya menjadi satu masalah utama kepada penduduknya.

Air hujan yang melalui celah bumbung ini dikumpulkan dalam kolam besar yang dibina di bawah tanah setiap rumah yang menjadi usaha mendapatkan sumber bekalan air bersih sepanjang tahun bagi kegunaan harian penduduk Bermuda.

Satu perkara yang menarik tentang Bermuda, tidak ada satu pun bangunan tinggi di pulau ini dan jika ada pun, sebuah bangunan yang kini dalam pembinaan setinggi 10 tingkat di bandar Hamilton yang bakal menjadi bangunan tertinggi di Bermuda.

Jangan lupa melawat Bermuda Aquarium Museum dan zoo yang ditempatkan dalam sebuah bangunan 3 dalam 1, menggabungkan tiga tarikan utama di sini, malah koleksi hidupan laut di akuarium itu sememangnya menakjubkan.

Bersebelahan akuarium, terletak bangunan muzium yang menempatkan fakta asal usul Bermuda yang lebih terperinci dan dipenuhi kemudahan seperti interaksi bersama pengunjung menggunakan teknik robotik, audio visual, skrin sentuhan, kios dan hologram.

Sebuah zoo kecil yang terletak di tepi laut pula menempatkan binatang jinak yang dibiarkan berkeliaran bersama pengunjung.

Bagi penulis, antara keunikan yang harus dikongsi bersama pembaca adalah pantai di Bermuda yang pasirnya berwarna merah jambu, dikatakan terhasil daripada kehancuran hidupan laut ‘foram’ di lautan Bermuda.

Pasir-pasir ini boleh dibawa pulang kerana boleh dibeli pengunjung dalam botol kecil.

Peringatan lain - pastikan melawat Bermuda di musim panas. Ini disebabkan pengalaman melucukan penulis yang menjerit kerana tidak sabar turun ke laut tetapi sebaliknya ditertawakan pengunjung kerana suhu air ketika itu yang dingin.

Hanya selepas itu, penulis menyedari tiada sesiapa pun yang mandi disebabkan suhu airnya itu.

Tarikan lain adalah sebuah pulau menarik dan unik namanya, Nonsuch Island yang memerlukan pengunjung menaiki kapal ke pulau ini yang pada asalnya digunakan sebagai habitat burung.

Namun kini, pulau itu terus dipulihara bagi mengekalkan flora dan faunanya yang dikatakan tidak ada di pulau lain dan semasa menaiki kapal, pengunjung akan berasa kagum kerana pulau ini amat indah sewaktu dilihat daripada lautan.

Awas! ada amaran kepada mereka yang mudah mabuk laut - anda perlu membuat persediaan awal kerana gelombang ombaknya agak mencabar.

Sebagai pulau yang mempunyai hidupan laut yang mungkin tiada di kawasan lain, Bermuda Under Water Exploration Institute (BUEI) menempatkan saintis dari seluruh pelusuk dunia membuat kajian mengenai hidupan dan masa depannya, termasuk menyelamatkan spesis sedia ada daripada pupus.

Salah satu pulau yang popular dan menjadi kunjungan ramai pelancong ialah Bandar St George yang diiktiraf bandar warisan dunia oleh Pertubuhan Pendidikan Saintifik dan Kebudayaan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (UNESCO) pada 2000.

Ia menjadi penempatan awal yang memperlihatkan ‘ketuanan’ British di pulau ini, juga ibu kota lama Bermuda menempatkan bangunan Vermond Bermuda National Craft Museum dibina pada 1710 yang mempamerkan banyak koleksi artifak dunia barat dan China.

Satu lagi keistimewaan Bermuda ialah deretan hotelnya di tepi laut yang banyak bercirikan bangunan lama Inggeris seperti tempat penginapan penulis, Hotel Fairmont Hamilton Princess hingga pekerjanya juga berpakaian bercirikan ketuanan British.

Bagi peminat seni tampak, pastikan mengunjungi Bermuda National Gallery dan Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art yang menempatkan karya pelukis pulau ini, selain Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences dan Bermuda Historical Society Museum.

Jika berkesempatan, Bermuda boleh menjadi destinasi pilihan terutama pasangan yang ingin berbulan madu atau meraikan ulang tahun perkahwinan kerana ia menjanjikan satu percutian yang penuh nostalgia dan mengasyikkan.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

3G RF Optimization Consultant

Please find a role below which is currently live.

Job Title: 3G RF Optimization Consultant

Location: Turkey

Contract Length: 6 month (renewable)

Rate: Depending on skills and Experience (Accommodation, local transport and return flights will be provided as part of the package)

Essential skills and experience:

- Have good experience in Huawei 3G

- Latest work experience in Huawei 3G optimization

- Additional optimization experience in Ericsson 3G is preferred

if you are interested in the role please send a updated copy of your CV with x2 references.

BR//

Jonathan Lewis

Recruitment Consultant

… A Global Resource Solutions Provider

Recruitment Services · Managed Services · Consultancy Services

Business Award Winners: Innovation of the Year - 2006 · Exporter of the Year - 2005


Tel: +44 (0)20 8313 6658

Tel: +44 (0)20 8313 6666

Fax: +44 (0)20 8313 6601

Email: jonathan.lewis@commsresources.com <mailto:jonathan.lewis@commsresources.com>

Web: www.commsresources.com <http://www.commsresources.com/>

No 1 Sherman Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 3JH, United Kingdom

London · Rome · Dallas · Kuala Lumpur · Melbourne · Riyadh · Dubai

P Please consider the environment before printing this email.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

DRCongo soldiers fire shots at UN base over no pay

KINSHASA (AFP) — Some Congolese soldiers, apparently disgruntled over months with no pay, fired shots at a UN base in the restive east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, UN officials said Wednesday.

No one was injured in the shooting that took place late Monday in Pinga in Nord-Kivu province where some 160 UN peacekeepers are based, according to a spokesman for the UN mission in DR Congo known as MONUC.

"No one was killed or injured. The armed men took off into the surrounding hills where sporadic gunfire could be heard during the night," said MONUC spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-Paul Dietrich.

"The commander of the DR Congo armed forces (FARDC) told us later that they have arrested 27 soldiers believed responsible for firing" at the MONUC base, he added.

According to a UN military source, the soldiers were showing "their discontent because they have not been paid for several months" by the Kinshasa government.

Dietrich commented: "Not paying the salaries of the soldiers at the front is a major concern. The problem must be resolved quickly."

The Congolese army is engaged in fighting rebel militias in the east of the vast central African country, including Rwandan Hutu rebels, some of whom are accused of having taken part in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

MONUC provides logistical aid to the Congolese forces.

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Pemberontak Nigeria dakwa musnah paip minyak Shell

LAGOS: Kumpulan militan Nigeria semalam mendakwa memusnahkan paip utama minyak mentah milik Royal Dutch Shell sebagai sebahagian tindakan mereka menentang syarikat minyak asing di negara itu.

Dalam satu kenyataan kumpulan itu menyebut mereka berjaya memusnahkan paip utama itu di negeri Bayelsa sebagai kempen menentang pemilikan asing terhadap sumber minyak Nigeria.

Paip itu menyalurkan minyak mentah kepada terminal eksport Shell Forcados.

Awal semalam, syarikat itu terpaksa menangguhkan operasinya dua bulan lagi berikutan kerja membaiki satu lagi paip utama menghadapi kelewatan.

Puak penentang itu sebelum ini melancarkan beberapa siri serangan terhadap kemudahan memproses minyak mentah milik syarikat antarabangsa termasuk Amerika Syarikat di selatan Nigeria.

Mereka mendakwa kehadiran syarikat minyak asing itu menyebabkan sumber kekayaan negara tidak membantu rakyat yang mengalami kesulitan.

Pengeluaran minyak mentah Nigeria kini hanya 1.8 juta tong sehari, menurut laporan terbaru Agensi Tenaga Antarabangsa berbanding 2.6 juta tong sehari pada 2006. - AFP

Vivendi Named As Possible Bidder for Zain's African Networks

Following reports last week that Middle-East operator, Zain was unexpectedly looking at selling its African operations to an unnamed French company, Vivendi has emerged as the suspected bidder. The Nigerian newspaper, Business Day said that Vivendi is the bidder, without citing sources.

Zain is waiting for reply from the French company this week and if the deal isn't settled Zain will study bids made by other companies, the newspaper added. The deal is reported to be worth around US$12 billion, although some sources suggest that this could be an all-share based transaction, with Zain taking 20 percent of Vivendi, in exchange for 10 percent of Zain Africa.

Vivendi currently owns a 56% stake in French mobile network, SFR - with Vodafone holding the remainder. The joint shareholding in SFR will raise speculation that Vodafone is involved in the talks through its South African Vodacom subsidiary.

SFR also offers mobile services on the African island of Réunion through SRR (Société Réunionnaise du Radiotéléphone) although the company is branded as SFR Réunion. Vivendi is also a 53% shareholder in Morocco's Maroc Telecom.

No reason was given for why Zain is looking to sell the African division - which is largely made up of the Celtel International subsidiary it brought in 2005 for US$3.4 billion. None fo the companies are willing to comment on the "market rumours".

On the web: Business Day

http://www.cellular-news.com/

Project Engineer TI- Flexihopper hybrid Supervisor

As spoken we have the below position, please let you friends know if they are interested. They can send their CV to me and I will call them.
1. Project Engineer TI- Flexihopper hybrid Supervisor
Job description: Supervision installation of flexihopper and flexihybrid (formely SRA4 HC) microwaves.
Main skills : Minimum 5 years on hands on installation supervision of ex-Nokia and ex-Siemens transmission equipment. Ability to do commissioning is an added advantage
Duration : 6 months
2. Project Engineer TI- Flexihopper hybrid commissioner
Job description: Commissioning and intergration of flexihopper and flexihybrid (formely SRA4 HC) microwaves
Main skills : Minimum 5 years on hands on commissioning experience on ex-Nokia (flexihopper) and ex-Siemens (SRA4 HC) transmission equipment. Ability to do installation supervision is an added advantage
Duration : 6 months

Best Regards,

Chan Choon Miang
Lemcon Networks
+65 9795 8287

+65 6258 4842 (TeleFax)
Singapore
+8hrs GMT
www.lemcon.com

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Field Operation Engineer

CommsResources is a globally renowned communications services provider and has proven experience in delivering Recruitment Services, Project Services and Software Solutions.

One of the Global Players in the Telecom Sector in the region is in look out of Qualified Professionals in Field Operations Engineer

Please find below the Detailed Job Specification. If this Position Interests you, Certainly do E-mail me your Profile to shima.sharifirad@commsresources.com and We shall take it up from there

Responsibility

The Field Operations Team Engineer E-M is responsible for managing a regional group of Service Technicians responsible for:

Ø Corrective and preventive Maintenance of E&M Equipment.

Ø Attend all MDT related tasks

Ø Outage Reporting

Ø Root cause Analysis for daily report from NOC

Ø Escalation of any deficiencies in the equipment

Ø Adherence to Processes

Ø Ensure to manage & conduct the Monthly PMR of E-M of BSC, MSC, and BTS sites and maintain data base for performance records.

Ø Coordinate with the E-M Subcontractors for operational issues

Specific Competence elements

The following specific competence elements apply to the Field Operations Engineer functional role.

Ø Knowledge of E-M Equipment for Mobile networks

Ø Ericsson Safety regulations for Field Operations

Ø Dispatch & Work Order handling

Ø Corrective & Preventive Maintenance

Ø Other assignment as directed

Look forward for your valuable reply

Best Regards ,

Shima

Shima Sharifirad

Account Manager

… A Global Resource Solutions Provider

Recruitment Services · Managed Services · Consultancy Services

Business Award Winners: Innovation of the Year – 2006 · Exporter of the Year - 2005

Tel: +98 21 2288 5563

Fax: +44 20 8313 6621

Email: shima.sharifirad@commsresources.com

Web: www.commsresources.com

Office # 5, 2nd Floor, Building # 57, Boostan-e-Yekom, Pasdaran Ave, Tehran, Iran

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Monday, June 15, 2009

Is Freelancing Right For You?

Owning a freelance firm is a viable career choice in these uncertain economic times. Before quitting your day job, however, consider these five points to decide if freelancing is right for you.

After spending 20 years in corporate America, I decided it was time for a change. It was time to step down from the long hours of laboring for someone else’s benefit, to say “no” to the business trips and after-hours functions, and to begin a new career as a freelance writer. Finally, I’d be able to enjoy the fruits of my own labor, set my hours, and pick and choose my clients and assignments. For the first time, I would be in control, I would be my own boss, and I would write the rule book by which I would play.

Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? As I’m sure you can guess, becoming a successful freelancer wasn’t as easy as I expected it to be. Instead, it took a lot of patience, persistence and hard work. Whether you are considering becoming a freelance graphic designer, Web master, writer or consultant, here are five points to think about when deciding if freelancing is right for you:

Consider what products or services you’ll offer.

If you enjoy making jewelry, buying and selling real estate or finding priceless collectibles, you may, indeed, have a talent that can translate into a full-time business. If building ant farms or playing online poker is your passion, however, be sure to research the income potential before quitting your day job. Do you have a marketable skill, talent or hobby that you’d like to share with others?Evaluate your finances.

This step is a critical one, particularly if you are the primary breadwinner in your household. Is it your job that brings in the majority of the income and provides benefits to your family? If so, you can still start your own freelance business, but you will have to plan ahead to ensure your family’s needs are met during the transition from your current job to your new venture. This will not only include managing your current bills, but setting funds aside to invest in your business for equipment, supplies, inventory, staff, marketing, etc. Are you financially prepared to make the necessary sacrifices?Enlist support.

If you choose to start your own business, you’ll obviously want the support of your family and friends. Take their “you can do it” attitude one step further. Ask for their help answering the phone, sending out mailers, or sharing your business with their friends and acquaintances. In addition, seek out the support of professional groups and organizations in your community as well. Most cities have a chamber of commerce that will allow you to visit once or twice before joining. Other towns have a women’s professional network or marketing group you might join. Do you have a network of support available to you? If so, what will it take to put that network in place?Assess your personality.

While businesses vary far and wide, the most successful business owners often possess similar traits. Many of us are independent, forward thinking, objective and analytical, while others are creative, passionate, flexible and communicative. We know our products and services, and we know our customers. Above all, we are comfortable making difficult decisions and taking risks. The question is, are you?Identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Through education, experience, and heredity, we have each been blessed with strengths and saddled with weaknesses. It is crucial to each and every business owner to identify those strengths and weaknesses. I suggest getting out a sheet of paper and dividing it in half. On one side, list your strengths – things like “good with people,” “business savvy,” “ability to make solid decisions.” On the other side, list your weaknesses such as “uncomfortable hiring and firing” or “mediocre bookkeeping skills.

”Once you’ve completed both of your lists, ask someone who knows you well (spouse, friend, peer, mentor, etc.) to objectively critique your lists and make adjustments. For example, maybe you don’t think your bookkeeping skills are up to par, but your wife knows your checkbook is always balanced to the penny.

Afterward, carefully consider your strengths and weaknesses. Make your strengths your greatest assets. If you are good with people, for example, you should be your company’s key spokesperson. If you are creative, assist in the design of your Web site and marketing materials. If you are not particularly business savvy or if you just hate working with numbers, however, consider outsourcing some of those management tasks to an outside firm. Let someone else hire key staff or perform regular bookkeeping. Are you willing to relinquish control enough to maximize your strengths while delegating the other tasks to professionals?After carefully evaluating these five points and assessing your resourcesArticle Search, you should be able to make a sound decision about whether or not a freelance business is right for you. Best wishes to you for many years of freelance success!

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With 20 years of professional experience and a degree in business administration, Dana Blozis is the owner and president of Virtually Yourz, a Seattle-based virtual assistant firm. Virtually Yourz specializes in writing, editing and marketing services for small businesses, nonprofit organizations and municipalities. For more information, visit Virtually Yourz at http://www.virtuallyyourz.com .

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