COBIT Foundation training and exam

29th and 30th June : I'm attending the COBIT Foundation training and certification exam at Pink Elephant. The training is held at The Nomad, 26th Floor. Pergh... the second last floor of the ETIQA Twin Building. Today is my exam day at 3.00 pm and as usual i'm cramming my brain with loads of information (all 150 pages).

What is control?
control is define as to reduce incidences or severity of undesirable events to acceptable levels.

What is COBIT?
COBIT is Control Objective for Information related Technology! its an open framework of good practises designed to reduce undesirable events an increase the value of IT to the business.

BITA - Business to IT Alignment. IT supports business. IT goals must be aligned to the Organizations'/Business's Goals.

IT Challenges
-Keeping IT running
-value
-costs
-mastering complexity
-BITA
-Regulatory compliance
-security

What is COSO?
COSO is The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. COSO is based on internal control. Its actually an initial report produced by the Treadway Commission. The Treadway Commission is a private-sector initiative called the National Commission on Fradulents Financial Reporting which was set up in 1985.

COBIT History?
-1st edition - audit tool created
-2nd edition - formally known as COBIT
-3rd edition - added management guidelines
-4th edition - added BITA
-4.1 edition - more improved and enhanced control objectives/Business and Management focus

Characteristic of a control framework (general framework)
-business focus
-process orientation
-general acceptability
-common language
-regulatory requirement

IT Governance is a part of entreprise governance.
Entreprise governance is a structure of relationships and processes designed to direct the entreprise towards achieving its goals.

IT resources needs to be managed by a set of naturally grouped processes - 4 domains ... which is build on the concept of Plan, Build, Run and Monitor.

IT governance integrates good practices to ensure IT supports the business objectives.

COBIT is IT Governance and an internal control framework!

What does IT Governance consists of?
-leadership
-organizational structures
-processes

Who is accountable/responsible for IT Governance?
-Executive Management
-Board of Directors

IT Governance institute (ITGI) owns the concept of IT Governance.

IT Governance is best described as the responsibility of executiveas and the Board of Directors and consists of leadership, organizational structures and processes that ensure that the entreprise's IT sustains and extends the organization's strategies and objectives.

COBIT is IT Governance. COBIT supports IT Governance by ensuring that:
-IT is aligned with the business (BITA)
-IT enables the business and maximize benefits (value delivery)
-IT resources are used responsibly
-IT risks are manages appropriately.

IT Governance Focus Area (5)
-Strategic Alignment
-Value Delivery
-Resource Management
-Risks Management
-Performance Management

Penat shopping

Ok .. just got back from buying stuff for Naureen and Arshad at KLCC and Jusco AU2.

Yes! I got the Leapfrog for naureen. It costs me a bundle but its worth it!!!
Yes! I bought myself a DKNY Town & Country Tote bag .. (3x bayar) from kadieazlan.blogspot.com
Yes! I manage to find a nice present for my husband .. his officemate will be in awe .. heheh .. biasa la baju je.
Yes! Sudah tempah chocolates from Raiza.
So .. So .. party bag belum penuh .. I need to use up RM 25 Toys R Us coupon ASAP!

Here's the snap of the presents!!!

Happy 34th Birthday to my dearest Husband

Today you're another year older.. I'm sorry I couldn't celebrate it with you.
It would've been great.. i mean wonderful to have all four us celebrating your birthday together like we used to.
Be happy my dearest husband .. do not fret .. as we will be reunited InsyaAllah.

Naureen wrote you a letter and draw a picture of us together! You, me, naureen and ayman. Its still with me. I will send it with the presents. I know you don't like me to spend too much on you but what can I do.. I love you too much :-). DO you remember your first birthday card from me? It was 7 years ago. I remembered flipping through the cards .. trying to find the right card for you. I chose friendship as at the time.. we didn't say the Love You'ss .. its just I'd like to be your friend .. funny. How you approached me.. eventhough it was only on the internet. How you tried to say that you like this girl whom you've never met .. and you would like to know her more. And you know what I said ? Come here and get to know me and my family... and there you were.. You came! You met my uncle and aunt .. do you remember the first time we met? Hah .. another funny story ..

I was worried .. what if you don't like me .. what if you have a change of heart.. I told you as much as who I am .. I do not want to pretend to be a person whom I am not.. I remember waiting at the International Arrival .. I was having panick attack.. do you know who I called? Siti Zarina.. I was on the phone with her .. she tried to calm me down telling me its okay and go meet you ... Then I saw you .. i was screaming on the phone.."What do I do?? What do I do Ina??? Ina said .. "GO AND MEET HIM"... Damn .. I was walking in circle in and outside the entrance .. how stupid can I be.. I took a deep breath .. off the phone .. went inside .. you were searching for me .. "The girl in the blue blouse" but I tricked you .. I was wearing PINK! You saw me smiled .. and I smiled back .. the rest was history.

Happy birthday dearest husband! .. I love you infinite much .. as you would text me "ILUIIIIIIIIM" .. same here babe .. ILUIIIIM too.

Here is a song dedicated just for you and me :-) .. love you sooo much . I got this from Rahiza's blog and fell in love with this song.

Way Back Into Love
by Hugh Grant And Haley Bennett

I've been living with a shadow overhead
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed
I've been lonely for so long
Trapped in the past
I just can't seem to move on

I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away
Just in case I ever need them again someday
I've been setting aside time
To clear a little space in the corners of my mind

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
Oh oh oh

I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine
I've been searching but I just don't see the signs
I know that it's out there
There's got to be something for my soul somewhere

I've been looking for someone to shed some light
Not somebody just to get me through the night
I could use some direction
And I'm open to your suggestions

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart again
I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end

Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh

There are moments when I don't know if it's real
Or if anybody feels the way I feel
I need inspiration
Not just another negotiation

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart to you
I'm hoping you'll show me what to do
And if you help me to start again
You know that I'll be there for you in the end

Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh

Oh my DHL?!! Computerized or manual .. sometimes screw up just happens!

My husband sent an email on 11th June . He said he had sent a gift for naureen via DHL and gave me the tracking number.
On June 12, he sent me another email ... the package was sent to London instead of Kuala Lumpur. Wow ... isn't that crazy .. DHL screwed up! Instead of getting it this week ... I bet its going to arrive by end of this week instead of today.

This is sooooo funny!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Time

Location

Arrived at Sort Facility London-Heathrow - UK

17:29

London-Heathrow - UK

Departed Facility in Lambeth - UK

15:09

Lambeth - UK

Friday, June 12, 2009

Shipment arrived at incorrect facility. Sent to correct destination

12:46

London-Heathrow - UK

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Shipment picked up

11:19

Jubail - Saudi Arabia

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Le Bec Sucre Part Deux

Well we waited and waited for hours for my sis from her baking expedition with sharifah.
At 7.00 pm she arrived home from Kota Damansara and here's the result!!! ANIMALICIOUS!!!
I went downstairs and ate the Owl cupcake .. sedap I tell you!

Le bec Sucre ..

Its french .. I asked Hanim "What does it mean?" .."Who thought of it"

Its meaning .. the french baker .. oh and why? To describe their passion of baking cakes and cupcakes..

Hanim and Sharifah's new business blog .. http://lebecsucre.blogspot.com

Both of them bake delicious cake .. and both of them are crazy about cupcakes.

I'm not sure about Sharifah but Hanim was selling cake since she graduated from UTM. It was on the side business...whenever she's free she'll bake cakes .. gets orders from my friends .. from the parents of her students .. and now at her workplace..

Sharifah ... sells her delicious food during Ramadhan.. somewhere in PJ or Shah Alam .. I don't remember but her shepherds pie sold like hot cakes .. DORIS .. its her husband's recipe you know .. both husband and wife loves to cook!!!

Anyways they are trying to get a stall in Setapak to kick off their cupcake business .. here is some samples of their product which they baked and decorated last 2 week .. This week they are going to bake again~

Planning for Naureen's 4th Birthday Bash

Hmmmm 2 celebration (1 at home and another at school)

Date : 27th June 09 ( with family .. had to it on weekends)
30th June 09 ( at QDees)
1st July 09 ( Me .. Naureen and Hanim at the movies!)

Theme : Princess Cinderella (blue)

Preparation :

30th June @QDees

18 Party bags
+balloons
+milo/ribena packet
+cupcakes [by chef hanim]
+chocolate ? Kinder Bueno?Kit Kat?Rocher?
+party favours- toys???
+home made cookies by hanim

27th June @home or A&W AU2??? - don't know yet
if Home:
Simple preparation:
+Finger foods
+Salads
+Cake -- 1kg?500gm? with cinderella image on it
+Balloons for deco
+Rice ... etc etc for family members

A&W????
+fast food
+the plush bear with my cousin Aqil in it :P
+Lots of presents~!

What should I get for Naureen this year?
+NO MORE TOYS~
+Leapfrog educational system .. have to browse at Great Eastern Mall

This Leapfrog Toys Clickstart my first computer, introduces children to the world of computer learning.

Fun activities teach essential skills for school and life in a safe, child-friendly environment.
Includes child-size mouse with adjustable mouse pad for left-or right-handed play, a console that connects directly to your TV, a wireless keyboard and four desktop learning games.

Includes 4 learning games that adapt to your child's pace!

Dress:
+Cinderella Gown that was bought by Prity at Hong Kong Disneyland .. comes with glass slippers and tiara ..

Hmmm what else ??? will add later when time permits me ..