Amazing Private Island Homes

This concept home has a retractable glass canopy and can be floated anywhere. Photo: Nigel Gee

Taking up residence in the middle of an ocean, lake or river isn’t for everybody. But for anyone who yearns for a property line that laps to shore, options abound. Architecturally expressive abodes for the aesthetically inclined, secluded dwellings for the nature-loving set, spacious compounds for the party minded, and unforgettable retreats for families are just the beginning.

Take the Utopia Project. It’s not just a home. It’s a man-made island. With glass canopy panels that cover its interior or open out to create decks, it’s suitable for any climate. And its spaceship-style design allow for observatories with 360-degree views.

Views of what, exactly? Well, that’s for the owner of this private island to decide. After all, the island home’s naval design, created by Yacht Island Designs in conjunction with BMT Nigel Gee, means it can be floated slowly to any desired location. Once there, the structure can withstand even the roughest seas thanks its four legged design. And for those who like the idea of a man-made island but prefer the look of a tropical paradise to that of a floating UFO, the firm offers just that—a 295-foot island complete with a waterfall and faux volcano.

Of course, most islands are not made out of steel. And certainly, the sky-reaching conifers, rocky points, rugged underbrush and verdant ferns are what would have attracted Frank Lloyd Wright to the tiny island in Lake Mahopac, New York, on which stands a summer house inspired by his drawings. Distinguished by its 28-foot cantilevered great room which juts into the lake, the modern masterpiece is visible from the mainland.

The house features an expansive deck that’s contiguous with the rocky ledges that define the perimeter of the island. And to enter the home, guests must pass through a surprisingly narrow passage, built to accommodate a huge boulder. Indigenous to the tiny island and named the Whale Rock, it makes a a dramatic statement in the entry hall, where it basks in natural sunlight thanks to an expansive skylight.

Of course, nothing says private island living like luxury. And Miami‘s La Gorge Estate is a pristine example. Originally built as a Mediterranean style for American entrepreneur Carl Graham Fisher, the villa, made up of three buildings, has since been remodeled to create a sleek and gracious contemporary modern home. Glass walls and large windows allow for unobstructed views of glittering Biscayne Bay from almost any room in the 16,000-square-foot main house.

Read on for more about these and other private island homes:

Architectural Island Gem
Location: Lake Mahopac, New York

The Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home includes a giant boulder inside. Photo: David Allee

You don't have to be a Frank Lloyd Wright fan to recognize his signature style in this private island home. Its 28-foot cantilever is nearly twice the length of the one at Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennsylvania. Celebrating the island's natural surroundings, the home features an enormous boulder in its entry hall and rocky surfaces discovered along the shores.

Private-Island Resort Home
Location: Near Grand Cayman Island

Waterways connect the deck house to the rest of Dragon Bay. Photo: Dragon Bay

One of 19 deck houses at Dragon Bay, a resort community on a private island near Grand Cayman Island, this home is designed for outdoor living. Its floor-to-ceiling glass walls provide views of water on every side. The home has a wrap-around entertainment deck, private beach, infinity pool, and outdoor summer kitchen. A boat can be moored beneath the deck. Waterways and pathways provide easy access to the rest of Dragon Bay's amenities.

Futuristic Island Home
Design concept 

The floating island concept provides all sorts of luxury. Photo: Nigel Gee

Arriving by helicopter? This man-made island concept has four landing pads as well as a mooring system and wet dock for anyone arriving by sea. Designed by Nigel Gee as “a place to be,” the naval-inspired destination is 330 feet in diameter and has 11 decks. The island's glass canopy allows sunlight to filter into the interior and can be opened, if desired, for fresh air. The top floor can also serve as an outdoor pool deck.

Island Villa
Location: Biscayne Bay, Florida

The modern estate was once a Mediterranean-style villa. Photo: Touzet Studio

What was once an elaborate Mediterranean-style retreat in the 20s has been re-conceived as a modern luxury estate by Touzet Studio. Three buildings, including a main house, guest house and staff quarters, are situated on the private island. The glass-sided main house is oriented to Biscayne Bay with views from all six of its bedrooms as well as from its heated lap pool and multiple decks and balconies.

Pine Cay Private Island Community
Location: Providenciales, Turks And Caicos Islands

This private island home covers 10,000 square feet. Photo: amanresorts.com

Situated on Pine Cay, an 800-acre private island, this 10,000-square-foot home is nestled in a lush landscape framed by an intimate pond. The villa-style residence is one of only a few exclusive residences on the tiny Caribbean island. Each of the home's four bedrooms is housed in a separate pavilion. Located at Amanyara Villas, it has its own private black-volcanic-rock, infinity-edged pool.

Source: realestate.yahoo.com

Gold Medallist at London Olympic Games 2012 stands to become an instant millionaire

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian gold medallist at the London Olympic Games stands to become an instant millionaire — with a minimum reward of RM2mil.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Gan Ping Sieu said a new corporate giant had pledged RM1mil for a gold medal winner at the Games from July 27-Aug 12.

Gan said he would reveal the identity of the corporate giant soon.

“It is important to give moral support to our athletes and we hope more corporate figures would make pledges to reward the players,” he said after launching the 13-week NSC-100Plus Road to Olympics television series at Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The series will be aired on Astro Arena (Channel 801) from Saturday (April 28). The 30-minute show will depict the life, the struggle and the determination of the Olympics-bound athletes and the history of the Games.

Besides the latest announcement of the additional reward, an Olympic gold medallist stands to win RM1mil from the National Sports Council (NSC)’s incentive scheme and another RM5,000 a month for the rest of his life.

Gan said the prize money offer from the corporate giant would spur Malaysian athletes to excel at the London Games. Malaysia has yet to win a gold medal at the Olympics.

Gan praised 100Plus for its RM4mil contribution to the show.

“I hope the television series on the Olympic-bound athletes would garner the support of the public for our athletes,” he said.

He hoped the inspiring stories would create awareness and provide an educational platform for all sport enthusiasts to want to know more about the athletes and the Games.

On paper, Malaysian athletes with realistic chances of winning medals at the London Games are shuttlers Lee Chong Wei, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, diver Pandelela Rinong, cyclist Azizul Hasni Awang and the men’s archery team led by Cheng Chu Sian.

Source: Star Online

Buy planters & consumer stock- Kenanga Fund

Malaysia’s best-performing fund in the past year is buying consumer and plantation stocks that are benefiting from government efforts to bolster domestic growth and a rally in palm oil prices.

Kenanga Growth Fund, with assets of RM59 million (US$19 million) as of March 31, favors companies including Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd and Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd, Chen Fan Fai, investment director at Kenanga Investors Bhd, said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur on April 23. The fund beat 370 other Malaysian equity mutual funds in the past year with an 18 percent return, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Dutch Lady has doubled in the past year, outpacing the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index’s 3.9 percent gain.

Gauges of consumer and plantation stocks are the best performers of 10 industry groups on the Malaysian bourse in the past year on optimism Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 2012 budget plan to distribute cash to low-income families, raise wages for civil servants and boost spending on transportation will bolster growth and consumption. Palm-oil futures have surged 9.2 percent this year and hit a 13-month high on April 10.

“Consumer stocks have done well because they are more resilient in any downturn and the government’s drive to boost income levels will also be positive for consumption,” Chen said. “We have always liked plantation stocks because demand for crude palm oil is ever on the rise.”

The Kenanga Growth Fund beat 97 percent of its peers in the past three years and 98 percent of them over five years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. It was named Malaysia’s best equity fund in 2011 by Morningstar Inc. Chen said he’s willing to buy stocks even before an election that Najib may call as early as June, according to four government officials who spoke on condition of anonymity last month.

 
Concern a poor election result for Najib would disrupt the government’s spending plans has limited the KLCI index’s gain to 3.4 percent this year, the second-worst performance among Asia- Pacific benchmark indexes after Sri Lanka, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The MSCI Emerging-Markets Index has risen 10 percent in 2012.

Investors will probably be wary of the stock market before the polls, Tan Ting Min, an analyst at the Malaysian unit of Credit Suisse Group AG, wrote in a report dated March 7.

“Investors don’t like uncertainties,” said Kenanga’s Chen. “Uncertainties can be positive or negative. The outcome is not certain so nobody knows which way it’s going to go. We take a view that there is not going to be a change in the government.”

Gains by Malaysian consumer stocks pushed valuations relative to the Bloomberg World Consumer Non Cyclical Index to a four-month high on April 13. The Bursa Malaysia Consumer Index of 136 stocks, which includes carmakers Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd. and Proton Holdings Bhd, has rallied 11 percent in the past 12 months, outpacing a 3.9 percent gain in the KLCI index. The Selangor state-based Nestle Malaysia, the local unit of the world’s biggest food company, has advanced 16 percent.

“We focus more on consumption,” Chen said. “Sector-wise, that’s probably our biggest bet.”

Southeast Asia’s third-biggest economy may expand 4.2 percent in 2012 on domestic demand, thanks to increased private investment and state spending, the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research, a partly government-funded institute, said in a statement on April 17. The body earlier estimated 3.7 percent growth. This is in line with the central bank’s revised forecast of 4 percent to 5 percent on March 22.


   
Najib unveiled economic and government transformation plans in 2010 and identified $444 billion of private sector-led projects this decade to bolster growth and achieve high-income status by 2020.

The Bursa Malaysia Plantation Index of 43 members including IOI Corp and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd has surged 15 percent in the past year. The plantation measure trades at 13.9 times estimated profit, compared with a record-low 6.25 times in October 2008, weekly data compiled by Bloomberg shows.

Palm oil will advance to RM3,800 a metric ton in Kuala Lumpur by Dec. 31, the highest level since February 2011, according to the median of 11 analyst and trader estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Palm oil futures fell as much as 0.8 percent to RM3,448 a metric ton yesterday.

“Palm oil prices have been firmer than expected,” Chen said. “The offshoot of this will be higher income for families in the rural area who are involved in agriculture. This will also give a boost to consumption.” -- Bloomberg

Source; Boomberg

Top 10 Cars Women Love - Yahoo Auto

Regardless of which direction the war of the sexes is leaning, one thing is certain: A gender gap still exists between women and men when it comes to buying a new car.

According to the third annual gender and car buying study by TrueCar.com, the brand with the highest percentage of retail sales to women in 2011 continues to be Mini (46.2 percent), followed by Nissan (45.7 percent), and Kia (45.6 percent) compared to 2010 when Mini (47.9 percent) came in first, followed by Kia and Honda respectively (46.8 percent and 46.0 percent).  On the flip side, 13 of the top 20 brands in 2011 with the highest percentage of male buyers were either exotic or luxury brands. 

While the stereotype for men and women in relationships tells us that men lead with their head and women with their hearts, the opposite can be said of their decision-making at the car dealership. According to the results, female car buyers really gravitated toward practical cars; smaller, more fuel-efficient cars while it was male buyers, who preferred either a fast, sporty vehicle or more heavy-duty vehicle, like a large truck or SUV, basing their decision more on aesthetics than substance.

So what new cars are women buying? Let's take a look!

Volvo S40
Starting Price: $27,750
Percentage of female buyers: 57.9%
Promoted by Volvo as the "Fuel Efficient Sedan," is it any wonder that women were attracted to the well-priced S40, which retailed for about $27,750 and offered great fuel economy of 21 mpg city, 30 highway, and a combined 24 mpg? Sadly, the Volvo S40 was discontinued for the US market after the 2011 model year, but if you just gotta have this fun to drive, sport sedan we suggest you take a look at the 2012 Volvo S60 instead. 

Nissan Rogue

Starting Price: $23,915
Percentage of female buyers: 56.9%
The first of three Nissan vehicles in this list, the Rogue packages a flexible interior offering room for five passengers or up to 57.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The small crossover SUV also boasts fuel economy of 23 mpg city, 28 highway, and 25 mpg combined, making it appealing to the woman who needs to carry kids and their gear while also offering an affordable starting price and fuel budget.

Volkswagen Eos
Starting Price: $34,350 
Percentage of female buyers: 56.4%
At $34,350, the Volkwagen EOS is the most expensive of the cars on the women's list (compared to $82,100 for the Porsche 911 Carrera at the top of the men’s list). As the only convertible among the top 10 most popular new cars purchased by women its retractable hardtop with sunroof and respectable list of standard convenience and technology features makes it worth the price. Standard features like heated leather seats, dual climate control, and a touchscreen sound system combine with fuel economy ratings of 22 city, 30 highway, and 25 mpg combined to make this four-seat coupe a fun and sporty, yet value-oriented option for women who prefer open-air driving. 

Volkswagen Beetle
Starting Price: $18,995 
Percentage of female buyers: 54.6%
Volkswagen completely redesigned its Beetle for the 2012 model year to help it better appeal to male new car buyers, but that didn't keep it out of the hands of 54.6 percent of women shoppers in 2011. Even though the iconic little coupe no longer boasts a dash-mounted bud vase, the sporty four-seater does offer keyless access with push button start, an affordable starting price, and fuel economy ratings of 20 city, 29 highway, and 23 mpg combined. 

Hyundai Tucson
Starting Price: $19,145 
Percentage of female buyers: 54.0%
Another of the several compact crossover utility vehicles on this list, the Hyundai Tucson seats five, and offers up to 55.8 cubic feet of cargo room. The Tucson captured 54.0% of the female new car buyers thanks to its affordable pricing, strong five-star safety ratings, stylish looks, fuel economy ratings of 22 city/31 highway/25 mpg combined, and Hyundai's appealing10-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Honda CR-V
Starting Price: $22,295 
Percentage of female buyers: 53.4%
Honda's CR-V compact utility vehicle is small, easy to drive and park, and was completely redesigned for the 2012 model year to offer stylish new looks and a functional interior that offers flexibility for driver, passengers, and cargo. Honda's Eco-assist helps drivers save fuel with just a push of a button to achieve fuel economy ratings of 23 city, 31 highway, and 26 mpg combined for the two-wheel-drive model. Women drivers also appreciate safety, and the 2012 Honda CR-V is rated as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 

Toyota RAV4
Starting Price: $22,650 
Percentage of female buyers: 53.0%
Practical and family friendly, Toyota's RAV4 boasts the typical benefits of a crossover utility vehicle, including flexible seating and cargo capacity, higher visibility, comfortable seating and handling, and fuel economy ratings of 22 city, 28 highway, and 24 mpg combined from the two-wheel-drive model.

Nissan Juke
Starting Price: $19,990 
Percentage of female buyers: 52.7%
One of three Nissan vehicles on the list, the Juke mini crossover has funky "Love it or hate it" styling and a smaller interior offering room for five and 105 cubic feet of storage or two passengers with 35.9 cubic feet of storage. Obviously smaller than the other crossovers on this list, its women buyers aren't schlepping big families, and appreciate its low starting price and fuel economy ratings of 27 city, 29 highway, and 32 mpg combined when equipped with an automatic transmission.

Jeep Compass
Starting Price: $19,295 
Percentage of female buyers: 52.7%
Redesigned for the 2011 model year, the Compass reflects the rugged styling of the Grand Cherokee, but in a smaller package that's less expensive and easier to navigate in tight spaces. No, it's not intended to take you on black-diamond off-road terrain, but its optional off-road-ready four-wheel drive system can tackle most off-roading duties, all with an affordable starting price and great fuel economy ratings for its class of 23 city, 27 highway, and 24 mpg combined (for two-wheel drive).

Nissan Versa
Starting Price: $14,480 
Percentage of female buyers: 52.2%
It's not luxurious or performance-focused, but it's hard to beat the bargain-basement pricing of the entry-level Nissan Versa. Nissan's smallest car is available as a hatchback or sedan, and offers a variety of options to accommodate the needs of women buyers who seek affordable, practical, fuel-efficient transportation without the costly bells and whistles found on some of the pricier cars on this list. Top it off with fuel economy ratings of 28 city, 30 highway, and 34 mpg combined, and it's easy to see why the Nissan Versa makes it onto the list as the 10th most popular new car purchased by women shoppers.




Source: Yahoo Auto

Top Nine Degrees That Put You on the Fast Track to $100K

Deciding on a college major is difficult -- should you follow your passions, or should you choose a four-year degree that promises to net a high salary? There are good arguments for both paths, but if you choose the latter, consider the disciplines on this list: the top nine four-year degrees that get top earners (for this list, that's the top 25 percent, or the 75th percentile) to $100,000 in a decade or less, according to the salary experts at PayScale.com. And here's a surprise: It's not just those often-touted engineering degrees that make the cut -- liberal-arts degrees are well-represented, too.

1. Petroleum Engineering

75th Percentile Starting Pay: $108,000
Years for 75th Percentile to Reach $100K: 0 to 3

With the price of petroleum products at a premium, it's no wonder that people who know how to obtain oil earn high salaries. People with four-year petroleum-engineering degrees work at locating and analyzing reserves, making petroleum available through drilling and other means, refining petroleum, transporting it and more. After 10 to 12 years, 75th percentile earners in this field can expect to make $184,000 a year.


2. Computer Engineering
75th Percentile Starting Pay: $68,100
Years for 75th Percentile to Reach $100K: 7 to 9Computer engineers usually have training in electronics, as well as hardware and software design. They are involved in many high-tech fields, working on designing everything from microprocessors to supercomputers. As computers become ever-more ubiquitous in our lives, computer engineers are found in an increasing number of industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), computer engineering will be among the fastest-growing occupations between 2008 and 2018. After 10 to 12 years on the job, the top 25 percent can expect to earn $114,000 a year.



3. Economics
75th Percentile Starting Pay: $56,100
Years for 75th Percentile to Reach $100K: 7 to 9Economics is more than the study of money. In this discipline, you also learn about history, sociology and political science -- all of which affect economics at the micro and macro level. According to theOccupational Outlook Handbook, "rising demand for economic analysis in virtually every industry” should result in good job prospects for economists, especially in management, scientific and technical consulting services. Earners in the 75th percentile can expect to make $126,000 a year after 10 to 12 years.

4. Chemical Engineering
75th Percentile Starting Pay: $70,600
Years for 75th Percentile to Reach $100K: 10 to 12
Chemistry is at the root of just about everything, so getting a degree in chemical engineering doesn't necessarily mean you’ll work in a laboratory environment. Graduates with this degree work not only in chemical manufacturing and R&D, but also in fields as diverse as medicine, architecture, green industries and food processing. The top 25 percent can expect salaries of $117,000 a year after 10 to 12 years.


5. Applied Mathematics
75th Percentile Starting Pay: $64,700
Years for 75th Percentile to Reach $100K: 10 to 12If you ever asked your math teacher, "Will we need this stuff in the real world?" Here's your answer. According to the BLS, people who study applied mathematics go on to use techniques such as mathematical modeling to solve practical problems in business, government and life. That can include roles such as helping companies streamline their manufacturing processes or analyzing the efficacy of a new pharmaceutical product. Annual salaries for the top 25 percent hit $115,000 after 10 to 12 years.



6. Physics
75th Percentile Starting Pay: $59,800
Years for 75th Percentile to Reach $100K: 10 to 12
According to the WorldWideLearn Web site, physics is better defined "as a way of thinking than as a profession. The field of physics trains students to take a logical, problem-solving approach in whatever situations they might find themselves." People with physics degrees work in medicine, education, financeand other fields. The 75th percentile earners can expect to make $112,000 a year after 10 to 12 years.


7. Statistics
75th Percentile Starting Pay: $58,500
Years for 75th Percentile to Reach $100K: 10 to 12
In just about any industry, statisticians are employed to gather and interpret data. The BLS forecasts average job growth for statisticians between 2008 and 2018, but a degree in statistics is a good foundation for any job that deals with data analysis. After 10 to 12 years, the 75th percentile can expect to make $139,000 annually.


8. Finance
75th Percentile Starting Pay: $54,400
Years for 75th Percentile to Reach $100K: 10 to 12If you get this degree, employers will really "show you the money." A finance degree is designed to provide broad knowledge in areas such as corporate finance, the banking system, accounting and financial analysis. People with a finance degree find entry-level jobs in industries such as banking,insurance and government. The top 25 percent can expect to earn $111,000 a year after 10 to 12 years.


9. International Relations
75th Percentile Starting Pay: $49,100
Years for 75th Percentile to Reach $100K: 10 to 12
This liberal-arts degree, which covers a broad range of study, gives students a wide knowledge base that can be applied to a diverse array of occupations in foreign service, business, journalism or market research, for instance. Fluency in at least one foreign language will increase opportunities for graduates with this degree. After 10 to 12 years, the 75th percentile can expect to earn $114,000 a year. 




Source: Yahoo Career

Keputusan Kemasukan Matrikulasi 2012

Semakan Kemasukan Matrikulasi 2012 untuk pelajar lepasan SPM 2011. Semakan permohonan kemasukan ke Kolej Matrikulasi Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia(KPM) untuk sesi 2012/2013 dijangka boleh mula disemak bermula 25 April 2012.

Untuk membuat semakan keputusan permohonan kemasukan Program Matrikulasi KPM, pelajar boleh menyemak secara online di laman web Bahagian Matrikulasi Kementerian pelajaran Malaysia atau menggunakan Sistem Pesanan Ringkas (SMS) yang telah disediakan.

Semakan Kemasukan Matrikulasi Secara Online

Untuk menyemak secara online, sila lawati laman sesawang Bahagian Matrikulasi KPM. Anda akan diminta untuk mengisi beberapa butiran sebelum membuat semakan permohonan anda seperti No. I/C dan Nombor Pin.

Semakan Kemasukan Matrikulasi Melalui SMS

Taip MOE  MAT  No.KP dan hantar kepada 15888

Rayuan Kemasukan Ke Matrikulasi KPM Sesi 2012

1. Proses rayuan hanya boleh dibuat bermula 25 April 2012 sehingga 13 Mei 2012.
2. Rayuan perlu dibuat secara online di laman web Bahagian Matrikulasi Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia.
3. Keputusan rayuan kemasukan ke Program Matrikulasi akan diumumkan pada 7 Jun 2012.