X'mas in Spore, oral surgery, Happy New Year!

When pictures paint a thousand words, I don't have to write so much. The past week has been really eventful, from missing out on the 15NOW concert just to show face at a big coconutsteamboat family reunion, to taking the bus alone from Pudu at midnight and getting down at Skudai 3am in the morning, to celebrating x'mas with sayang's family in Spore in the most Christmassy way.

X'mas eve, I used imeem to play Christmas jingles through out the night from the brother's desktop. The lights were dimmed, turkey & ham were served in most generous portion, champagne were served before and after dinner! I said, "didn't we forget to say grace?" Then everyone looked at each other... "Amituofo!"

I enjoy the company and the warm cosy feel more than the food because it was very meaty! Maybe it was the very hearty western meal for lunch, treated by myee's friend in Spore. They brought us to Miss Clarity Cafe that even have their own website! If there's one cafe here so colourful and 'girlie' I'd definitely bring my 15-year-old and 12-year-old cousin sisters! It seems every Western joint we went, there'd be Chocolaty dessert! In one short trip, I didn't have to pay for any meal at all... and get to eat what I like to eat!

What I'm most thankful for is the opportunity to visit the Nalanda Trial exhibition in the Asian Civilization Museum for free! And there was a special Buddhist guided tour by this gentleman who spoke with so 'englishy' accent but good in Chinese as well! Usually museum visit is boring to me... but this is so different! Maybe of my interest in learning Buddhist history and culture... at the room where I first saw the Buddha's relic... it just dawned on me, that's BUDDHA's RELIC?? THE BUDDHA??! (ok at this point, I thought it was the first time I saw the Buddha's relic) You know the 'rapture' feeling? Tears just trickle down... *what?! you're crying?! in public?! no no you gotta be kidding quick control!!*

I'm not sure how to explain this feeling, its like there's a strong energy or aura in the room. According to sayang, he said he could sense that there were many devas in the room! :P Anyway, moving on... we bought the souvenir book of this Nalanda Trail exhibition at $37++! Even the handbag bought at Robinson was much cheaper ler...

Alright so back to Malaysia... another xmas party with the starbugz gang on boxing day before I go on mc leave for my minor oral surgery. Gift exchange was so funny thanks to Sue's crazy idea -- you get to unwrap your gift infront of everyone and the next person gets to snatch your gift if he/she likes it! Errr... very confusing to explain to anyone. I feel sorry for snatching SF's mug... but hey it was aaron who snatched my nice porcelain tea set woh! Saved the best for last.. sayang got to unwrap the last gift (sort of least attractive present)... and aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh I want! :D Nvm surely he'll bring me along for it -- HarganDaz icecream voucher!

OK OK... now here's what I really wanna write about -- my wisdom tooth surgery. Everybody was telling me how painful it will be, and yes I've been for my first oral surgery at UPM and it was excruciatingly painful! But, I dunno if its the dentist experience or my prayer before leaving the house... the surgery was pretty smooth, the only pain was the one second anaesthetic shot and that's it! Until now, I don't feel any pain! How could this be?! Then I remember Datuk telling this to Alex Tan "you don't feel pain because you got no anger!" LOL :D

How true is this statement? I hope some one else can verify for me, that its the dentist or is it the prayer?

Happy New Year 2008 to all my friends! If you believe, let's pray or make your personal aspiration for the new year, and if you ask & believe *like attracts like* -- it will happen.

Have a merry sinful xmas!

I had such a fantastic time in Singapore for the xmas holiday, I wish to quickly blog it down before I forget. Esp on the food that I get to eat every meal. Felt so 'sinful' to be able to have so much good food to eat and its all not even with my own money!

Anyway, I'll not take too much time today as it's the only day in the week that I'll be working. Thursday I'll go for my 2nd time in my life wisdom-tooth-surgery. So all the feasting will finally end tonight, with my last round of coconutsteamboat xmas dinner before I go on my numb-spell for the rest of year...

Well, watch out for my fotopages or even story that I'll post in incovar blog!

My eccentric brother (not again!)

A weird self boast read ~ I am one lucky girl

I think this post is gonna be about how I should be really thankful and why I feel so 幸富. I just thought about myself as a person who can understand things (easily) and I just know of a girl who really cannot understand & see things clearly.

There was a simple sms I received from my buddy sunday school friend who asked about traditional medicine for cancer in KL. It is for her mom who's got breast cancer. I just thought how lucky my parents are... and how fortunate I am that I don't have to worry about my parents health *touchwood*. My dad smoke so much and never exercise and his belly is like 9 months pregnant, but his worst pain is "leg pain" which he'll recover in few days.

I'm also thankful that both my parents are very kind and understanding people that I could be proud of. There's another buddy sunday school pal whose very disappointed and definitely not proud of her dad. I've never had that thought before to be not proud of our parent. I'm so lucky to born into such wonderful parents that I'll never feel sorry for parents. My friend's dad is such a loser even I wish I can try to help or change him, but according to my friend its impossible.

How karma really works? Of course I have many friends who are like me, who have wonderful parents, great social life and big positive attitude towards life! It's true when some people say I seems to have nothing to worry about, and I'm such a happy-go-lucky person.

I think maybe its a whole cycle of giving and receiving. For me to be receiving the merits and blessings of my peaceful happy family, I should in turn continue my own purpose of life. To live a purposeful life, and to help people.

From finding out for people what's the latest fund price of certain fund... to telling you what sort of insurance policy you should need (if you didn't already know)... to bringing my aunty to go shopping with her kids... to doing camp feedback forms (although I really don't have to!)... to buying tickets... to listening to a mentally handicapped girl rant... to arranging things... to covering other colleagues... to just being there to assure you life is good!

I'm short of words now. My mind went off abit thinking what if I could become a nun now (cos I was sitting in the same table with 2 nuns from FGS during the bmsm dinner & they're very humble, caring & nice). What if I could just really let go of things and join a 10-days no-joker mind-silencer retreat? Suddenly a thought came by -- am I afraid of letting go of all the goodness and nice things in my life?

What if I try to live a day without any purpose...

Don't cry for me, Malaysia!

I would have become a political activist, if all you need is alot of passion and belief of what you truly believe in, then I'd really become one. To become somebody to take on the fight, the fight for people to see for themselves what this country truly means to them. Why can't they see it? (at the back of my mind, I really pity all the rural voters in this country who's putting them all in the house)

What about my own big town PJ where city-folks are supposed to be more aware of what's happening. Why hasn't it changed? Suddenly I have a thought that miss Chew accident is also part of the prophecy! Now everybody pity her. Even I feel so sorry for her, she's still in the hospital in Kuantan (she's gonna get more sympathy vote than wisdom vote for DAP). But I never voted for her and I wish to tell everyone not to vote for her, not because she's not nice and kindhearted, but because she's not representing your VOICE! You are screaming and shouting and crying... but nobody is standing up for what you want to say.

The law is ammended just like that.

They send them to ISA just like that.

But maybe, it is only me who is screaming and getting angry inside. From the Buddhist perspective -- it is supposed to be me that made me angry. I still can't tell WHY am I angry, why do I feel like shooting people who are ignorant of the policies & never care to find out .......

IS that it? People generally do not want to find out what's there to fight for. People do not want to rock the boat to keep life just the way it is. People do not like to progress further to be like other developed countries. People like to complain but do not want to change things.

I guess I can sum up my frustration over 2 types of people:
i) the truly ignorant group who's lowly educated who's thankful & happy for having little money in their pocket.
ii) the highly educated people who could have just find out more about what's truly happening & make that change but didn't bother.

Still newbie at Mindfulness Awakening

What's the meaning of Awakening? What's being mindful all about? From emo-intelligent training, to the Global Conf on Buddhism themed on 'Transforming The Mind', then came THE CAMP on 'Simple Steps of Wisdom, Journey to Awakening' & just yesterday I attended a Dhamma talk by a living example of a man with mindfulness.

It is very useful reminder, time and time again, on the benefits of practising mindfulness or just be aware. I have not much comment about the camp (better to leave it to the participants or hardworking committees to share) as I was more of trying to 'see' things. Just learn from the speakers, watch the participants, being there when I'm needed and live each day by the moment!

I sort of got 'awakened' at some point during the camp when I was idling and just watching... actually there's nothing much for me to do! I'm already exco and then chairperson... what more is there to do? With that thought, I realised my Dhamma knowledge is limited. That sometimes (or most of the time), I cannot speak like a Dhamma speaker on sharing all the concept, ideas and knowledge on Buddhism to the beginners. One participant was really confused about stuff and I couldn't really give a satisfactory answer. Why don't I resolve to just improve on my Dhamma knowledge and have more ready answers at the tip of my fingers?!!! That way I'll be really useful in helping people to clear doubts on Buddhism and what not. I'm contemplating.. hey Dhamma speakers course!!! *hahaha*

Meanwhile, on having to be reminded to be mindful, yes it's not easy. I've learnt the most powerful phrased during the camp, coined by Dr. Chan Kah Yein "don't think too much! 85% of your thinking is useless!"

Yesterday nite talk by Bhante Kovida, he said something about the state of awakening is when all the thinking STOP. There will be no "listener" and "sound" but just -- listening. There will be no "see-er" and "sight" but just -- seeing.

Fuiyo. Kaulat... for the Canadian monk who was brilliant as a child, who did well in science and maths, who chose the path to become a monk, to satisfy his search for the 'silent mind'. All his life when he was growing up, he said he "think too much" which doesn't give him happiness and peace. To really feel happy, peaceful, have loving-kindness and compassion, one's mind must be mindful and silent.

For the less than 5 minutes of 'trying' to be 'silent' at the start of his talk, I know my mind is too 'full of activity'. My eyes could not close for just 5 minutes! For that mere 5 minutes, I observed that my heartbeat was fast and breathing was very uneasy. Maybe it was right after dinner, the food is trying to settle in. Not a good idea to 'meditate' on a full stomach!

Maybe grasping for breath is due to my lack of exercise and using too energy in the mind.

Sayang also advised me to just 'be quiet' sometimes. At first I thought it's a sign of he's getting annoyed with me talking too much & being too noisy for him. But he said it is for my own good. I'm slowly grasping it... and sinking in with this important aspect of Buddhism -- mental cultivation -- to purify the mind.

It is already very easy for me to "do good & avoid evil" why not take the next step now, step up to the challenge and go on try it... practise and learn right mindfulness.

I once cried because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet

Before I take the time to blog about the 'yeo-ah-yeo wonderful camp', I wish pen this down to remind myself, that each time when faced with adversity esp in my worklife -- be humble. I had this opportunity to meet up with a brave young girl suffering from celebral palsy, a USM graduate and a finalist for a reality-tv show on tv9 for disabled people in the country. She's currently teaching computer-skills to children at the Penang Spastic Centre.

I felt so overwhelmed when she told me that she was from the Science stream in her STPM. Something which I didnt do. I'll never know how difficult STPM science stream is like, for I was so 'lucky' to get into a degree course thru a 1-year diploma (way too inferior for STPM standard).

She graduated with a degree in social science, and she can speak fluent English very slowly. She takes her time to walk and write. Mentally she's just like any other young lady who have goals in life and have wishes waiting to be realised.

When I first met her at the hotel room where she was staying (Sunday night), she was alone. As she opened the door and tried to step back she almost lost her balance. It was the first time I saw her and I felt a lil silly myself for not understanding a disabled person better.

When I arrived at the lobby, I called her to come down to go for a drink but she talked me into coming up to the room first. Only after meeting her for the first time did I realise how foolish I was: for her to walk all the way from her room to the lift, and press the button by herself, and coming out from the lift slowly and walking all the way through the lobby hall.... its gonna be very challenging for her. Anyway, I didn't ask further about going out for a drink, just being there in the hotel room and getting to know her better... has impacted my attitude towards life (for the time being.. until I lose my memory of this rare moment).

I've always being a spoilt only daughter, I yell at my dad and argue with mom at home. I conveniently get other people to do things for me even for the simplest thing like getting a ribena to drink. I'm not disable and I do not have a speech problem but I took things for granted. I complain that I have 'siu-yan' at work and I never send any love towards my colleagues.

I must be humble. If I were to speak like a God-believer I'd say that God created a few special people on this earth to touch our heart and to teach us to be grateful, caring and happy.

Fatigue...

I don't have any energy left to work today, Monday. I've not felt so lifeless at work...

Friday went for a programmers mtg that lasted way passed midnight!

Saturday morning jump up from bed early morning to pick up 3 guys before driving to Sunway for the GCB. Very good session session I & II, even the keynote address by Ven. Mahinda was very apt for our current INCOVAR camp concept, in relating to understanding the mind and staying happy. Where the 4 sublime states of mind which is Metta, Karuna, Mudita & Upekkha is truly a way of life or practise if we want to have a 'good' mind. OK pls hijack the keynote paper printed for everyone, I need to take the time to read all the papers written all the speakers.

Sat afternoon -- what a surprise, I met up Sau Yee my schoolmate aka 'bus friend' who happens to be the standin official PHOTOGRAPHER for the event! She recognised me first... and I couldn't even tell who's she for 3 seconds! Gossh... if I'd uttered 'who u?' *cannot imagine*

So yada yada, times up had to rush home to change into dinner baju and head on to Puchong to carpool with 3 other upm-coursemates for a wedding dinner in Sg Pelek, that's a holy 1++ hr of driving thanks to the slow tractor occupy the one lane street! Couldn't believe I left my mobile phone at home in the midst of rushing out... I'd roped in my Klang coursemate to go help my INCOVAR friends for the Bamboo mission for Sunday, and I'm handphone-less?!

Sunday morning -- 7am jump up from bed, let the dog out (mom is away for 2 weeks so I'm co-dog sitter & housekeeper) dragged myself all the way for morning walk at Kiara.. then went to Seapark to buy Ribena & junks for a class party starting at 11am at my Sunday school. Oh and I forgot to print out the Feedback form for the school teachers to fill in (it was last day of school). So sharks I was splitting my body into doing printing/distributing feedback form and attending a kids party and ensuring the latest newsletter is given all out(got a girl to help).

I couldn't help to clean up the mess for the class, really thankful for my nice co-teacher to clean up the mess while we let go the kids early, and I rushed off to change into a dress & head on to KLCC for the "Swan Lake" mpo concert ~ that nearly made me wanna doze off. It was really CLASSICAL music + ballerina in tight pants spinning around. I could help wonder what if the 'prince' is turned on... I tried very hard to stay awake until the end of the show... made some wrong turn at kl.. finally got home to change & zoom off to BGF.

It's gonna be 7pm where the meet up with Spore youth will commence, and I couldn't get anybody to reply my sms that they'd be bringing the food. I drop the bgf key to CO and then went to Nanking to order rm130 worth of food, then back to BGF to confirm food is definitely NOT enuff and there's no ice. So CO drove me to get ice and tapao alot more non-vegetarian food and came back... started the session when everyone is there.

The night went well, with some output and alot of conversation Having Said That yadayada.. and I'm so thankful that the Msian people came and it turned out well. I finally got home... to bath, change, sweep the floor.. cannot tahan.. zzzzzzzzzz....

Monday morning -- jump off the bed -- im LATE! Geezzz.. where is my mom?! Grrrrr.... need to let the dog out shit, clean up the peepee on the flr, get changed in split seconds, dash out of the house and pray that I can get a parking near my office and dragged my feet up to my desk.

This is how I'm feeling sooooooooooooooooooo tired today. First time I went to the toilet cubicle to take a short nap in the office!

Rojax mix all-in-1 update

I'm going off to Cameron Highlands on Friday, buy some flowers & take some pictures, then next day help sayang to arrange flowers for SBS for Kathina on early Sunday morning. Pretty happening, the most happening part is knowing my Indian neighbour (the entire family) will be going to Cameron Highlands too for Deepavali! *Aiyaah there goes my neighbour aunty's Thosai & curry...* Who else will I be meeting in Camerons? My cousin sis from Penang!

Like no wonder I couldn't get to book the 'hostel' that I wanted -- Father's Guest House. But not complaining cos I read a horrible review about the management being 'racist', they only allow gweilo to stay in the dorm -- wtf. Like if you're Malaysians you cannot book or stay a certain specified type of room cos its specially reserved for foreigners. Like huurrrllllooo???

Anyway, I've been waiting to blog about my recent interesting "dinner" organised by the man himself Mr. Tony Pua for Petaling Jaya residence with the apt theme of "To Lead Malaysia Forward". If you're into politics and not sensitive (with my words) then check out my ahmoi blog. Oh ya and how can I forget that, on 10th November, when I'll be in Taiping there's this BERSIH peaceful people's gathering -- Coalition for Clean & Fair Elections. Pls wear YELLOW. I do wish to join, really... its gonna be so happening! Bet Med will be there (google abit & found she's the secretariat!). This petite lady that I first got to know when I first volunteered as polling agent in the last election, she's a very yau-yeng activist to me. Feel like shouting out that she's linked to me on Facebook! :p *did I tell you politicians also on facebook?! Like Fong Po Kuan just baru signed up for it*

This blog entry is like crap, all rojak story mix into one. I attended NS's grandpa 90th bday dinner which means I missed out on my cllg's wedding dinner (where most of my cllg attended except me & I didn't even bother to tumpang give angpow). Why?! Because Kevin my Indon cllg say that back in his homeland if you're not married you DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT give angpow in whatsoever condition, be in expensive wedding. Then I said what you're just gonna go have dinner for free?! He said -- maybe will get a gift. *rolled eye* Ok the other not so important reason was that I didn't feel like I giving *ahem* cos he's the guy sitting same row as me -- the you know who. Gosshh.... cannot imagine when he's back from his honeymoon & found out if I've unintentionally stepped his back.

Work -- at work been really busy these days, esp trying to find out why these sms-agents on user machines are not 'healthy'. And I found out that you-know-who's team of field engineers were not doing a proper job in agent verification, and then the ball landed onto my court (system not productive). Blaaahhhh you'd be clueless to know what I'm yakking about, but anyway I totally enjoyed investigation / troubleshooting / learning something new technically. I get shit bored doing the same ol' routine server and engine checking, and because of my laziness -- i got screwed. "Warning" email received from my manager, for not following the 'process' which resulted in the engine being down undetacted & causing their reporting inaccuracy that made the client so unhappy. Me... the girl who can find out all the rootcauses of problems but more prominently known as the girl who didn't follow process (in the eyes of the big big boss sitting far far away in Singapore).

Somemore, attended the "Chicago" musical concert this evening -- ok lah! Free tickets what... not like the seats were sooo front, its quite far. I don't know any of the song except 'All That Jazz'. Good performance to be razzled dazzled with.

GCB -- this one also kuan ngo si... not that its kuan ngo si, but im just helping out with getting more students to join.

Ohya, before I end this, what's been most most eventful over last weekend, was my staying up late all the way till 4.30am to meet the Monday morning deadline to deliver my Sunday School 24pages of newsletter for printing. Thankful for knowing my printer who can accomodate my tight schedule, have to get it out this coming Sunday (when I'm not around)... but I'm really glad its all over. When you put your mind and heart into it, it can all conspire to make things happen for you... I had only 2 editors cum proofreaders working virtually online with me. I'm the layout/formatting technical person that I am. I think I finished it off quite quickly, as I used Indesign instead of Illustrator (learning the vital tips from Pevin & Sue). What would take 5 hours in illustrator would take only 1 hour in indesign, esp on the arrangement of the pages.

Aahhh.. in life, there's no complain if you're doing things that you enjoy doing! And things will surely work out anyway for you -- the secret.

The secret of The Secret, according to Datuk is our Karma. Dohhhh......

“I’M TAGGED, THEREFORE…"

Hahaha! Suddenly I stumbled upon this...

Rules:

Repeat subject header “I’M TAGGED, THEREFORE…”

Copy + paste these rules in your entry. Complete these 15 totally useless statements & questions. Mention who you were tagged by, followed by 8 people who you’ll be tagging.

WARNING!
Failing to do so and you’ll be cursed eternally with a 3-holed nose and a low-cost flat. *doh!!*

I kena tagged by ahban.

1. If I was an opposite gender, what would my party clothes be like?
..jeans & comfortable "save burma"-print Tshirt ;)

2. At 10am this morning, I was… ...busy juggling btwn personal work & office work.

3. At 10pm tonight, I will be… ...if there's a meeting I'll be at the meeting.

4. Who should be the next Malaysian Prime Minister? ...Tony Pua.

5. If my spouse told me to do without sex for a year, I would… ...get him a brainscan.

6. If I was a piece of a car, I would be the… ...the steering wheel.

7. If I was told one day that I would have to give up either 1) anything chocolate OR 2) ever seeing the beach again, for the rest of my life, which one will I give up?
...wow this is pretty hard one!! I can't let go chocolate neither could I imagine never seeing the beach again! Gossshh.... how?! This is sooo hard! This is harder than life!

8. Singapore is good for… ...having the Phantom of the Opera live at the Esplanade!

9. If I could only say 3 words before I die, what would those last words be? ...let me go!

10. Who would I like to be left on a deserted island with? ...sayang la who else.

11. Die by drowning or by fire? ...drown (die faster not so pain).

12. What one single thing would you buy with your last RM9.95? ...a bet that would double the money.

13. If I opened a night club, what would I call it? ...bar sayang *hahahahha ROFL hahaha*

14. Don’t cheat: what’s “bulbous”? ...huh?!? dunno.

15. I think my ass is… ...ok what. Doesn't give me pain.

Wah, now I have to think of 8 ppl to tag? I really don't want to name people here la. Here are the people i think would read my blog gua..

twinkle
chaos
sansquare
subangboy
joyce
mcc
aaronation
anna - wish she's reading oh well..

...i got Amygdala hijacked...

Before I write further, here's how bro. Keek began his session about Emotional Intelligence --> go read books by Daniel Goleman and google Amygdala (inside the centre of your brain covered by a large portion of Thalamus).

The talk hit me hard from the beginning, when he ask -- do you think you are a logical or rational person? *I've always thought I am, since I'm just a white hat neutral uppekkha person* But he went on asking -- then why sometimes you can say the wrong things at the slip of your tongue or at the spur of moment stop talking to a friend ever?

Yeah... if I have a high EQ *which I've always thought I have* why do I still feel offended at times, feel like cursing people inside my heart or sometimes really react illogically / unpredictably? Even when I could have used my mental "thought" to analyze the "situation" and control the "feeling" but unfortunately at times I got ...amygdala hijacked...

Another way of saying I got "emotionally hijacked". That sometimes feeling appear so much faster than thought, yes although I'm a logical-thinking person, I'm not aware my own feelings. The end of the talk teaches us to be mindful, in order to control or manage any situation better so that the personal behavior is much more 'effective' and 'productive' in whatever we do.

The method to manage ourselves is where the 80/20 rule comes in. Many a times, average people spend 80% of their time working to produce 20% result, only a few people would really know how to work only 20% of their time to produce the 80% result that is REALLY what is needed. Do you really need to do all the work that your boss ask you to do? Do you really need to print a stupid interim 600pages report just because the big Tan Sri said "I want to you in my office for 30 minutes". Does a meeting really require 2 holy long hours to accomplish the purpose of the meeting?

According to speaker, a meeting should only be about 45mins max, the rest of the time is crap...

On normal day, you only need about 4-5 hours of WORK, if you work longer than 8hours a day you're actually bluffing or lying to yourself. *exactly I'm blogging now at office hour instead of working*

When I heard that 80/20 technique in being effective (at work or with incovar), I felt like.. gosh that's how these great people do so much with so little TIME! In fact, speaker said you only need to Do "ONE" thing, and hell you better do that "ONE" thing damn bladdy GOOD!

He's hinting to me, I'm doing too many other things, but not doing that ONE thing... *smack smack me...* these words are resonating in my mind... (cos I do incovar, i do bisds, i do unit trust, i do photograpy, i do fixing computers, i do writing, i do things that's not even my thing..)

So HOW do you learn to MANAGE yourself to be effective?

LEARN TO SAY "NO".

*fell off the chair %#^$&^%!$#$%*

Learn to negotiate. Of course if only if I use my brain to THINK and analyse for a moment, WHAT TO DO that is worth doing and add value to myself (and to my work). When I could THINK for the solution, then I should be able to NEGOTIATE (for you to be effective & not do crap).

~*~

Having said all that, I got carried away thinking the Effective Management Training (EMT) 1st session was so much inline with the 28idc whole camp concept! It just dawn on me that our camp can be summed up in 2 words : Emotional Intelligence.

When I look at the quadrant below *grasp!* -->

[Self Awareness ][ Social Awareness ]
[Self Management][ Social Skills ]

I was so 'emotional hijacked' by the session, when he first showed the various function of the brain, where there is a tiny Amygdala is linked to our feelings, instantly Talk 2 debate came to mind -- What defines me? -- "Is it my feelings or my thoughts?" "Do I feel first or do I think first?" "If human have a brain which have a larger portion for thinking-processing, then human should be very rational & logical species... is that so?" "Why do people still get angry or say things that hurt people or simply illogical at times?"

I dont remember how, but Bro. Keek did brought up the Mahayanese aspect of Buddhism which is Metta-Karuna-Mudita-Upekkha inclined which is suitable for people who like to reach out /be socially aware /love others. Where as Theravada emphasis of mindfulness & insight is suitable for people who's more into self awareness/self management. Tibetan Buddhism have both emphasis. *wow Buddhism is like the answer to EQ or vice-versa*

In a nutshell, I felt like I went through the entire 4-day 28IDC through the Emotional Intelligence training! I think speaker tried his best to train us in 3 hour, and I truly learnt something from it. Esp on learn to say no (as the first step) to produce EFFECTIVE 20/80 result. Always use the brain to THINK and analyse, what is effective, to be proactive in thinking & not keep silent / tidak apa / just accept whatever bullshit boss give us to do...

...sei mei....
Can i make bro. keek my mentor?

525600

Just today I found out what's 525600...

I'm really excited about this new idea, if only it was on a broader scale, maybe making it like a musical, wah.. that would be power!

The jingle has been ringing in my head ever since, hope I'm not sick of it for over ringing it! But I'm so excited to be part of it, even if its just one small tiny bit of it!

For now this is a code -- 525600.

On the look out for nice property...

You know what? Finally I'm going make this happen :: To own a property of my own. This can only happen after I fully settled my study loan, which is coming to an end soon! If I don't commit into mortage, my lack of discipline will see my monthly salary disappear with what camera accessory, what airasia, what mattafair, what juscosale, what padini, what warehouse sale...

I MUST NOT SIMPLY SPEND! I MUST NOT SIMPLY USE THE CREDIT CARD!! I am going to squeeze through it... I will survive... with a hefty drop dead mortage.

So any nice property within my +/- RM200,000 budget? Hmm, my criteria...

1. Affordability or within my budget

2. Location (not too far until have to travel >1 hour to work or keep paying shit toll)

3. Developer reputation

4. Nice neighbours

5. Appreciate in value after 10yrs

6. ...

7. ...

8. ...

9. ...

10. Not next door to my family ( :P hahaha..)

Ok ok.. finish building castle in the air. Balik rumah!

Look who's sampat?

Me!

I logged in maybank2u today and saw wwwwuuuiii? Why all 7,777.77? This probably come once in my life! Hmm..well, of course I can so siow to go deposit or transfer ngam ngam to create this number, but this is unintentional! ;)

...oh when will this sampat streak ever end...

5 Things

It's not that I don't have anything in mind to write, but posting answers to tag like this, can be wuliow! You know wuliow is as wuliow does. Too bad I don't want many people to read my blog, so I won't know how to tag back :P

5 Things In My Bag (assuming it's applicable to all occasions)
wallet, handphone, namecard holder, BGF keys, thumbdrive.

5 Things in My Head
brain, blood, fluid, nerves, energy.

5 Words That I Frequently Use
Doh, Huh?, inspire, invest, sayang.

5 Recent SMSes Received
aysl, munyee, soo teng, wendy, choon hong.

5 Recent Things I Just Did
I bathed! I answered the phone.. I imagined.. I talked on phone.. I ate..

5 Things In My Wardrobe
clothes, facial stuff, comb, hanger, cotton.

5 Things I Just Ate
Grilled fish, mum's cooking, vegetarian asam laksa, jap-fan, roti canai.

5 people to tag
u, u, u, u, u.

One of a kind Birthday experience

I took leave on Monday, 17th Sep the eve of my bday. Why didn't I take leave on my bday itself? Well, I don't think I wanna miss out having to meet up with cllg for makan on my bday. Anyway, my bday eve turn out to be very special.

In the evening, just about the time when sayang came to pick me up, there was full rainbow up in the sky! *oh so auspicious in the Buddhist context according to him, while I had the scientific reason for it :P*

The "surprise" came when I was transported to a classic chic restaurant français in KL, which has a beautiful ambience of chandelier & crystals dangling from the ceiling, with glass wine & flowers on every table. Little did I know the roses decorated on our table is different from the white flowers on the other tables.

*Smack smack, don't knock over the table, don't drag the chair, don't fumble-tumble with the cutlery -- words that kept ringing inside my head* I had to remind myself to keep still and try very hard to sit with poise. Yes, I could afford to smile but don't grin like sampat. It was just very lovely & sweet. The fact is that I didn't even expect it! I was completely smitten, sayang is beyond my imagination.

Maybe it's just those special day, once a year thing that its ok according to sayang to splurge. It was also around this time, one year ago that our coming-together began.

Although I could just end my sweet bday story right there, I guess life is not all about a bed of roses, certainly my life is not just about one lovable guy. My wonderful family played their part in trying to celebrate my bday. Like doh if you really wanna know more, you can check out my fotopages of course.

On my bday, somebody also uttered 'I hate you' to me over my mobile, for some apparent trouble that is beyond my control. Of course nothing beats watching my entire cranky family making a nuisance much ado about nothing.

On Thursday, 20th Sep, how could I forget to blog this! I was invited by sayang's parents for a "simple" dinner which turned out to be so heavy, and I'm so paiseh I don't eat prawn. The most paiseh part above it all, and you won't believe me what his mother gave me for my birthday gift. Yeah... I finally found out what's the hype about it, why Tym said I'm so lucky, why LeeLeng looked so thrill, why my aunties wanna have a bit of the set that came with it inside the big golden box. Estee Lauder makeup set! Above it all, I'm supposed to be the girl most clueless about makeup! I think I must tell miss ELSF about it. It's just not fun that I can't give it away, or else my parents will nag me, I wish to give it to my friends who like 'em but my aunty say must think of 'aunty' first... doh. I honestly wouldn't make use of all the 3 lipgloss and 3lipsticks so that have to go.

What do you call this? Someone said it "when you least expected it, you'll get it." How apt.

Tunku ~ the musical ~ admirably awe-inspiring

I just have to find the time to pen this down, before the memory slips away. The memory of having the one opportunity to catch Tunku -- The Musical, for free courtesy of YTLcommunity. I'd actually wished to go get the tickets to watch it with sayang, but he said 'save money' so we didn't buy the tickets. Later, free tickets were given out by YTLcommunity, and sayang quickly register before the shows went full house.

I'm so grateful for this chance to be part of this oh-my-im-so-overwhelmed-by musical production directed by Joe Hasham, husband of Dato' Faridah Merican. I can't even tell what race they both belong to, but that's the case of the musical story -- the dream of all Malaysians being blind, colour-blind!

I first shed tears listening to the most impeccable light-hearted original score "Laksa", when all the performers dressed in respective cultural costume, praising their own laksa dish as the best. I was entralled and dumbfounded. The Malay laksa stall owner claimed that laksa is a Malay dish (dancing & singing to the Malay tune) and then the Chinese lady sung in Hokkien claiming the laksa is a Chinese dish. I just felt the instantaneous euphoria in my heart... I can't explain how I could cry. I love asam laksa. Wether its nyonya laksa, penang laksa, PJ laksa or Taiping laksa. When I worked alongside the government Malay staffs, I learnt about the difference btwn Kelantan laksa and johor laksa. There are just so many types of laksa, and even my grandma's laksa is different from my grandaunt's laksa. And I loved all of them. It never even occured to me, wether Laksa is a Malay or chinese dish. The music of Laksa together with the dance, melody and lyrics, captivated the essense of a true blue Malaysian culture -- beauty in diversity.

I really felt that the song had for a moment, binded all Malaysians into one, the Malaysian Malaysia. Reminiscence of my kolej uni days during the 1998 World Cup fever, I was sitting alongside a bunch of Malay girls, sharing some snacks watching football on tv in the common living room in the hostel.

The lyrically astouding score ensuite, brought tears to me eyes when Fauzia & Malik, the ahmoi & Malay dude embracing & passionately singing to each other -- Sayang.... Sayang....Sayang.... *ok I don't remember what were the words that came out after "sayang... sayang...". My sayang was glancing back at me and there.. *tissue please*

At the end of the show, of course there's a long-winded touching story behind it, this sayang went over to shake hand with Joe Hasham and Faridah Merican. Well, I'm not quite a PR person, its for me to know, that the musical striked a cord in my heart, and my eyes were still red when is the show is over. I guess when the performers saw me tearing up, they'd know how much I appreciated the show. I was seated only 5 rows away from the stage with my swollen eyes and wetty nose.

I appreciated so many aspect of the musical from the original score, to the talented vocals, to the passion in acting, to the fear and stir of audience emotions, to the detailed production... I would pay a hundred more ringgit to watch it again, bringing along as many friends and family as I could. The most important point to note about the musical, is the fact of history that was never covered in our school book, that was portrayed in the musical. I wonder why they'd not censored or disallow or caused a controversy with the brave portrayal of may13 1969 event.

Atleast I felt relieved to know my gal-friend who never bothered about politics, finally came to know know what actually happened in the may13 riot from this musical play. Politics had ruined the beautiful culturally-rich Malaysian Malaysia, but arts (and also football) could inspire us to dream for a beautiful vision and bring out the spark of patriotism within our heart.

I salute the entire director & producer, cast & crew, heart & soul that made Tunku the musical, so heart touching and pride brimming.

Here's some blog about Tunku that I stumbled upon.. Nick, Zamil.. I wonder what politicians would comment about this admirable ensemble.

..work rant..

The kpc is all out to taichi the blame on our remote services team, for one problem affecting a vip user in SG. Today whole day, I'm on guard with my shining shield to defend any missile attack from the kpc, sitting just right across the same row as me.

So far no sound. He's gone back. Not even a fake accidental knock on my chair. *phew* And what spurred me to suddenly log on to my blog, is when I beh-tahan the way he 'talk' (with other colleague), he doesn't have a voice. He speaks with such a tiny weenie voice, almost like whispering, but you'll know whoever he's speaking to is talking with a normal voice. He's trying to prevent other people from eavesdropping his conversation. Like DOHHHHHHHHH..... ok maybe he's not talking about me or my problem but still... just suck to know a guy (who's getting married for that matter, ya allah how on earth could anyone marry him?!!$%$^) who's such a pretentious unscrupulous arshole, working in the same group as me.

Maybe the turtle shell is 'covering' me well, I've put the turtle shell facing his direction.

Just on and off, I get nagged / drilled by my teamlead, who's playing defend mode really well. Even a simple email I wrote, could trigger her to voice at me for "giving loophole" for kpc to counter-attack. I'd refrained from arguing with her, saying "that's what you said earlier!"... sighh nvm..

Like I said, and always thought, assimilating 4th precept in corporate environment is sooo hard. I'm still wondering if learning how to CYA (of any form) is considered breaking the 4th Precept or not.

*imagine when my teamlead is talking to me on the phone, I cannot speak much but to just listen to prevent kpc from eavesdropping what me and my teamlead discussed*

Happy Birthday to Tien!

Upholding the 4th Precept in Biz

I got in an interesting debate with a group of Buddhist-inspired friends, on the topic about upholding the 5 Precepts in doing business. Of course, being brainwashed by Theravada Buddhism since as a child, keeping the 5 Precepts its very much asimilated to my daily life.

Yet, even my holy parents would ridicule me for being naive for being too honest in work life or business. In all my 3 companies that I worked for, breaking the 4th precept is so prevalent that I thought that it is impossible to be honest (to the extend of not telling the truth) when dealing with client/customer.

Right infront of my eyes sitting infront of my current manager, he was bullshitting to the big bossy lady not technically inclined client on the rootcause of a certain problem, (in other words) TaiChi the blame on the client side instead of revealing the actual rootcause which is actually due to our own application fault. With that, manager saved our team from being screwed (again) by the top manager or bossy client.

The whole business world that I know off is the world of corporate taichi. Even with glamour American consulting firm, you can get axed not because of non-performance reason, but only for reason the firm deem fit. You can look up to a good manager, and at the end of the day, he gets headhunted to another company leaving you behind.

There is a guy that I've never met, but he got hired as a manager of 200++ staff in a competitor company, by faking his CV. He left before I joined the team.

When I was being sub-subcontracted out previously, I was to 'hush' about my employer, only telling everybody that I'm direct from main contractor. I'm being told to lie. I'm being told not to say this / that.

I'm being appraised as a girl who "work-hard but need to learn to work-smart". I know very well what that means. Yet it's not easy to be like the lotus flower that don't get stained growing out from the muddy water.

My direct teamlead has whispered to me many times on what to say, what not to say to certain people. She's a so-called Buddhist by the way. My wonderful fat manager who bullshit like a pro to the customer is a christian who wears the cross round his neck.

So in my new adventure in being part of a new Buddhist-inspired business, by having the 5 Precepts as guidelines, it'll be great to know that doing business and practising Buddhist teaching can get along!

There is really only a very fine thin line to seperate the good and the bad. How many companies out there are really truly honest in their business dealings?! I can go on and on... one now, is my cousin's small-time IT company. The boss run away with tax through the most unique way that I've never heard off -- paying >10k to all the staff as fake bonus, then staff have to cash out the $ and return to their boss. My cousin think it's not a problem, boss what!

*faint*

the blog about my new roommate

Right about the time when my 3rd uncle gave away one his jack russell puppy to my home, that's also the time when my cousin sister came down from Penang to study in PJ, where our home is.

My cousin sis had a few choices, to rent a room near her uni at Section13 or put up with nincompoop & her noisy kids OR put up my home with already 8 living beings in it! After a month with nincompoop's family (oh don't bother, that's another aunty with lotsa crazy you dont wanna hear story), Wen decided to live with us.

*at this instant, Rodney the jack russell is barking nonstop at near midnight*

Actually I'm pretty blessed. Inspite of all the noise that everbody have to put up with, there's more good for me in having a new roommate, sharing the same bed with me. Yes, all these years I sleep by myself on my queen size bed and my bedroom the size of a master bedroom belonged to just me! The funny thing about Wen is how she's like an "aunty" to me, where she observed how I'm living with my bad habits which she couldn't tolerate...

For example, (need I say here? its so going to ruin my reputation!!) ok basically I am a lazy person. I am lazy to .... (you can fit in the blank). So Wen taking up this challenge, to CHANGE me, to not be lazy to .... ;) Well good luck to her!

She's a vegetarian. So naturally living with us, my mom will cook more vege meals, even the soup will be meatless. This is something good & healthy esp for sayang, so he says. Of course its better to have less meat la...

The coolest thing I thought that came out from her mouth one day was, she thought that my mom is bias towards my brother! *oh my gawwd* She actually saw that?! She said through her observation, my mom doesn't scold my bro for the nitty-gritty stuff that she'd usually shoot me non-stop for. And she showed her hand gesture of the woodpecker shootshootshoootshooooottt oh that's so my mom to me.

So now it seems like I'm having a new "sister" sharing the same room with me. No due to the wide age gap, I don't tell her my personal stuff, we just joke about each other alot. She's just very aunty-like... minding about me so this / that... in a fun way.

In most days, my mom will send both me and her to work/class. Then my dad will come pick us home.

I guess the whole point of my story is, in life we gain some and we lose some. I'm losing some space in my bedroom & privacy, but I gain the experience of having a fun younger sister! You see I've never ever had ANYBODY ironing my clothes for ME! (ok minus my mom ironing my school uniforms when I was in primary school) My brother IRON for ME? Hell no... me iron for my brother? Hell so many times...

I really got a little taken aback, when it was SO easy to get her to iron 2 pieces of clothes for me!

I'm not sure if this is long term, if I can continue sly / take advantage... its as easy as calling out "Wennnnn!!!!!! Bring that for me!" or "Wennnnnnn the dog shit already!!"

Oh the dog shit... since Wen is a pro in taking care of dogs, she's got a rottweiler back in her hometown, so now in my house where there's 2 dogs, she's co-master. And I don't really have to clean up the dog shit / pee mess! Can you believe that?! Unbelievable.... I had NEVER successfully got my bro to clean up the dog shit / pee mess in the house when I'm in the house. My other cousin brothers living with us? They're the same species like my brother.

Welcome to my house. There's no word to describe it. Big thanks to my mom for having to cook for everybody and babysit 2 dogs and become a driver and put up with the noise... *breath* my mom, that'll be another story.

Meeting Dato' Tony Fernandez

Hmm.. no photo to show, cos didn't bring my camera along. Why? cos its bulky and i'm not a big fan snapping picture of human. (Lagi the man is not so lengchai also :P)

The title of the meet-the-man session was "Dream a little dream" and that motivated sayang to go! And I just tag along without anticipating for anything. Cos I'm not allowed to ask him when is he going to 'refund' my cancellation of KT-KL flight fare.

My question written on the paper for him was "Are you a spiritual person?" and he replied "of course not!". Well then he said he's born and raised a roman catholic, but he's not such a believer and not so much a non-believer.. yeahhh..hhhhhhhuu

Then whole talk he said so many times hhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh so much so it's very FUNNY. Imagine a CEO of a company talks so funnily, with the uncontrolled hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I didn't get much from the talk, cos I don't have a big dream like him. In fact I don't think what he referred to (low cost airline business startup) was his own DREAM, maybe he dreams about becoming his own boss of a big multimillion dollar business... but the AirAsia is not his dream!

He is a daring risk taker. He DARED to go for it. And THAT's what sets him apart from every other people living on this Malaysian soil. For THAT my salute to him. He's got nothing to lose to risk to TRY what he thought was a great business model.

Now that's an inspiring entrepreneur. He had zero knowledge about airline industry, he's a musician and he hates accounting. I guess he's got lotsa guts and faith and determination to see through his vision and mission to do something. Not forgetting, I think he is very intelligent. Somebody who knows how to think and knows that his idea for sure is a brilliant idea that will sure work!

Some consider him as "lucky". Maybe there are other smart & brilliant aspiring entrepreneur out there who knows that their idea will be a great business, but may not have the opportunity to meet with like-minded partners who'd risk their house for you, or who have the cable connection.

In Malaysia, anything is possible. Everything imaginable is possible. Your imagination is your limit! What can happen to your idea can go beyond imagination!

So there, I had the opportunity to listen to the man himself, Dato' Tony Fernandez who wasn't the god son of AK he wished he was.

Here I am admiring and revering a successful Malaysian reknown entrepreneur...
There I am not challenging and motiviting myself to be like one.

Oh such choleric-phlegmatic contradiction in me!

Voter Registration Exercise in temple

Wooohooo! Last count at 1pm-ish there were 74 who'd registered as new voter at the vihara voter registration exercise. I gotta hats-off to Med, her body frame is like igemz Suesan, only she's more aggresive! She went on to approach anybody in the vihara, some super blur aunties actually asked "voting? What voting? Today got AGM meh?"

*roll eye* When I explained to Med about the diff Buddhist societies housed in the same vihara, she asked if there's any 'politics' in here, ahhh... very pandai, her first time in the temple and she knew about the existance of politics! I'm pretty sure that Med and many of the DAP people are Christians, but very passionate about their fight for the opposition for the country.

I met Tony Pua in person, but I wouldn't know its him until Med introduced him to me, while I was just standing right beside him. He's so young looking, how can he be?! I'm wondering / hoping if I can help to organise a talk for him to speak for the young Buddhist audience. The topic maybe on "religion & malaysian politics" and we could even make it an interfaith dialogue / forum, so that more people from diff faith could attend! I think the Buddhist youths are more interested in interfaith than politics, so as usual, me and my hidden agenda! ;) Aiseyman, with election coming soon, I'll try to do what I can within my reach to deny the ruling party 2/3 majority in the parliament ma! Even if opposition gets 20% of the seats also I'm happy. Like 1/5 definitely easier than 1/3, and its really sad to have 1/10 voice only to represent the 40% of the population!!!! Aiyah, you do your maths. They don't teach us much in national school books, youths at large are more concern about dumbledore or dumblebore or bumblebee whatever... and then one woman becomes richer and richer and richer, does she gets taxed? I don't care about her life but I know she's richest woman in entertainment, she could use her power to change!

OK ok back to vihara... Med met Prem, Med came to know about another opportunity to set up voter registration exercise at a foodfair in Serdang. Oohhh.. that'll be good to penetrate into the Serdang people, to bring DAP to Serdang! Currently, I think Serdang is under BN :P

Oh ya, I met the MP of Bukit Bintang, Fong dunno what. In future, hopefully vihara could also invite these DAP KL MP... not just have fried-mee-hoon or DTCH to show face. Let me get all their contacts ya.

PS: many roads in PJ are getting nicely tarred... no winner for correct guess.

My students emerged champion of hymn singing competition!

My sunday school students from Nanda2, merely made the cut to emerge champion of the group aged 5-8 category of the hymn singing competition! They sang Brahma of My Heart one of my fave song from the igemz album. Naturally I'd teach all my students to sing this song, and using the song lyrics to teach them about the kindness of our mother and father. Every Mother's Day and Father's Day, my students will sing this song in class and they actually love it! Too bad last year, there was no hymn singing competition if not my then 11-year-old class student would go nuts over singing this song.

This year, I'm one of the co-teacher for Nanda2, an orientation class for students aged 7-8 years old. None of my students took part in the story telling, but that's not a bad thing, cos with only 3 teachers, we cannot handle this hyperactive noisy and no-eye-see class! My co-teachers doesn't really teach chanting and hymn singing, so I quite single-handedly prepared my class students for both chanting and hymn singing.

The fact that I'm also the main organiser for the competition, doesn't really give me the advantage, cos the judges don't really know who are the teachers. I've observed that my class biggest challenger was Nanda1 during the prelim! We share the same class room, except that I'm in the school2 session. I supposed there were more dedicated teachers for Nanda1. Anyway, for chanting, my class was no match for the rest of them of the same category, simply because they cannot remember the whole sutta! In class during practise, I usually chant along with them, with the whole class. I underestimated the children's memory power. Not many can really memorize!

Anyway, I'm actually really happy after the event last Sunday, although there was major microphone-breaking-out problem during the start, which unfortunately dragged the whole programme! I was really panicky inside, wondering how would the show go on without further delay, with the stupid mic problem at the huge hall. Me and wiring doesn't really click. I remember I dislike 'electric circuits' in my 1st semester. It's something beyond my control, I can't fix the problem and nobody can.

Alas, I'm thankful for bro Lim who brought down the portable mic, and the temple boys brought over 2 big portable speakers to substitue the hall's PA system. The number of microphones reduced from 6 to 3. Towards the way, somehow there were 4 mic.

The hymn singing competition which was what most students would be anticipating for finally started about 40 mins later than scheduled. I had no time to bring my class students for a final round of practise with the keyboardist -mhuiy. I'm really thankful that she suggested that we could use the old piano inside Sri Dhamma hall, where it was actually only half occupied! I saw the Youth Section people having a workshop, with not many people, I just dared myself in and smiled and just pleaded for them to *chup* for 5 minutes for my class students to come in to practise our song with mhuiy. Ohhh.. i can see they were reluctant, cos its distracting to them... but this practise was needed, for my students aren't really pro in following the melody, they just love to sing and when they sing they just SING!

Mhuiy gave them a tip about how to start singing not-off-key, by humming inside their heart when she play the intro. It works! My students just have to listen to the tune, hum inside and start singing at the right key!

Whoaalaaa! After what took more than 10mins *ahem sorry YS*, we dashed back to the Asoka Hall, and I got them lined up and all of us including me just got so excited for our turn. They were all not scared. They were more excited than scared...

"Teacher! Teacher! I want to sing with the mic!"
"Teacher! Teacher! I also want the mic!"
"Iyyeeerrr teacher, I also want!"

3 of them, the 3 'leaders' were positioned infront in the middle, although one of the girl was too tall for 8yo, and they took turn to introduce the class and then say "this song is specially dedicated to all our parents".

I think my other students who were too naughty to take part came to the front to watch, and once the keyboardist started to play... the whole hall practially calmed down. *miraculously* and all eyes were on them. And they sang with all their mighty heart ~ on key! Bam! Yes! It doesn't matter that some of them don't really remember all the hand movements, and some were too stone to sway their body and the handmovements doesnt look in synch. Their voice were loud and clear, and can say full of sweetness. The girl in the centre, sang so loud, (but not off key) and lead the whole group to sing in tune, on pace with the keyboardist mhuiy!

When they said thankyou and bow, the whole floor cheered! *Whoaah* really good performance I guess, I'm not sure if Nanda2 was good enough to beat Nanda1 who sang "Buddha's Love" without any music accompaniment yet it was simple, loud, clear & good!

In the end, it was actually a tie for the 1st place, btwn Nanda1 and Nanda2... *ahem* only me and the judges knew this. So I told the judges they had to choose the 1st and 2nd, no tie. All my gifts were prepared according to positions. So few minutes later, they added 1 more mark for Nanda2. I have no idea why so, I'm so tempted to know why and I hope its not because I'm the teacher for that class. (found out later from aaron that because the marks given for my class were more consistent). *phew*

They deserved to win! Cool eh?!
During prize presentation, my class students couldn't wait to dash to the stage to collect the prize. I know they're crazy, they're mad. I don't know what sorta food their parents feed them... they rushed to unwrap the big package and have no patience. I had to sternly sound them. I think this class of students need chinese-school-teacher-teaching-method to discipline them. If I could actually use a rotan in sunday school!

I'm so happy myself, my class won! *phewiittt* Click here to view more pictures.

For those of you who'd not heard of this beautiful song, it does really melt your heart! Somebody actually youtubed it! *ahem me too*

Complain what!??!!

No reply so far from AirAsia. Not like there's any hope for them to pay us back our expensive return flight by MAS.

If there's a need for me to shoot a letter to the media and fire up all the disbelief dissatisfaction & disappointment, it's gotta do with all our lost of "freedom" in this society.

Our friend's whole laptop bag got snatched away while walking towards Uptown, and she lost her personal laptop! If I was her, I'll be so fried up, cos of the lost of data, lost of company's work, lost of personal photos that I download to my laptop... worst of all, my backup external drive (with all my years of pictures compilation) is always inside the same laptop back! Digital data is very important to me, I even have all the camp stuff, all my work-related documents from my 1st job until now, kept inside my external hdd, kept inside my laptop bag.

I know this can happen to anyone, but I cannot understand why snatch thief occurs so rampantly and everyday this terrible crime is increasing but not reducing?! Why in this developing Malaysian society?

My pakistani penpal is right, it's safer in anywhere else I'd travel to in the world, than my own backyard. There's nothing creepy or scary walking down the street in Prague alone at night.

In my own country, on every count of this snatch thief occuring, I'm snatched of my freedom. My freedom to walk freely. In the West, they encourage you to walk or cycle, from one street to another, if its just a short distant away, but in my country, when you choose to 'walk', you have to keep all your bags out of sight, be extra careful, set your heart and mind in full alarm mode, but inspite of all that, you're still vulnerable! Until the point that we now have to chant "GIRLS SHOULD NEVER WALK ALONE AT NIGHT!" Which is ripping off a female species freedom.

My grandma was robbed at knife point right infront of her house in broad daylight.

2 aunties' handbag were snatched while walking & they fell. One aunt was in shock, another aunt broke her front tooth.

My coursemate was pregnant, her handbag left inside passenger's seat car was 'taken' away right infront of her own house.

The exact same thing happen to another aunty.

So now, I cannot walk alone at night or day time, I cannot put my handbag infront of the car seat...

THIEF oh dear thief... who are you? Why do you want to do rip off our freedom in this soceity?!

Can I blame the authority and the whole screwed up system? Why "greed" is so adamant in these $%^%@#&^%# thief, dont they have conscience in them? Do they want their own daughters / mothers / sisters' handbag being snatched away?

Have the police ever caught ANY of these criminal? Atleast attempt to give a good chase or TRY to do something? The police station is just down the road where the snatch theft happened to my friend walking to towards Uptown.

I don't want to surrender. I don't know what I can do to fight against snatch theft cases, but I wont easily submit in just because I'm born a girl. I'll use all my mental energy that I have, and gather all my fellow female friends, to focus on the thought of all the evil thief that have no conscience -->> to PAY BACK!!!

Ommmmmm.........%^(*&$%!$##!$%$%&*(*&^%$$~#$%!!!!!

Family Helpdesk

..imagine i work in an IT environment, with the hardcore server team sitting very near me who speaks loads of IT jargons all the time...

*mobile phone ring*

"Ah Joon ah! What is a thumb drive? Is it like a disc?"

"It's like a pen drive."

"Can copy wan ah? I want to download something from the internet... how much is a thumbdrive?"

"Depending on the size you want, usually people buy 1GB now for about rm50++"

"I dont want so big la.. got small wan ah? Small wan how much?"

"errr.. you just go and buy the 1GB la.. rm50++"

"I want to copy something from internet la..."

"Then I lend you my thumbdrive la (ah chek), I got extra thumbdrive... even my bro & my cousin at home got."

*mumble with another man who asked for another cd also*

"OH ok ok.. next week I come and borrow from you..."

*geez... hope my colleagues didn't hear my conversation with my relative...*

Tahan.. tahan... tahan...

It's not that I cannot let go, I've breathed in, closed my eyes and let go of him. But every now and then when the mind wonders, the thought of him return.

No no im not talking abt boyfriend. Sayang would surely help me to humiliate him infront of everyone.

He is one of the 'siu-yan' (small people) in my life, that is a hindrance to my career or my job. I don't believe I'd did anything wrong to him, he just sit across the same cubicle row as me, he's from another team, he's the teamlead of all the field services engineers across Asia, he's your worst office-enemy.

This is not the first time, won't be the last time, if I continue my stint in this company (I don't intend to quit for locality reason) that I have to put up with this stupid nonsense. He like to add oil to fire, instead of helping to put off the fire.

And he's the dog to the big boss. So he dare to cc to the big boss, a tiny problem that I faced. No the problem is not with me, I did all I could do within my technical capacity to fix the stupid software installation problem, and even escalated to various people to get idea on how to fix the software installation issue. In the end, the logic was simple, if the same source of installation file can work for all other machines in across all China, why can't it work for that 1 @#$$ machine?!

Machine problem!!!

So I open ticket to the field service engineer in China to obviously rebuild the user machine, which is obviously the last resort.

THAT IDIOT think he's sooo bladdy smart, without investigating, nor asking me, escalated to all the higher level (without putting me in the loop) that I should have solve my own software problem instead of asking fs guy to rebuild the machine. AND cc to the BIG boss who already don't have good impression of my team due to past poor incidents.

My teamlead knows what this bladdy arsehole is up to.

Now me and my teamlead is digging out all the prove and story to CYA. That prove that its a machine problem that's why the need to rebuild the machine and the machine causes my software installation failure.

My teamlead fwd and bcc her correspondance with this bladdy arsehole, and now my manager is assigned to solve this matter, which came from no where.

My job has been smooth and calm so far, why does this idiot who is right now just sitting across the same row as me, i see him, he see me everyday, have to find problem with me?! I so wish to tell him off... "you got problem you find me, you don't go cc to the big boss and pock my back as you wish!"

Tahan.. tahan... tahan...

the problem with me is why I have to be patient with him, why can't I shoot him back...

nevermind, in my last day of work here, i hope i can nicely give him my piece of crude sarcastic remark. *dont worry he's a nobody, everybody knows he's sly except the BIG boss*

Jeng jeng jeng!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!! I finally bought it! On Sunday night, 1st July, me and CO went camera hunting at Sg Wang! With some cash in hand, we resorted to ask for best price with cash on spot payment for 2 units of the same model!

Jeng jeng jeng... the model is none other than the Canon EOS 400D, with anti-dust feature inside (like I really know), with kit-lense, and the package include 2GB CF card, 2 bags and a lense cleaning cloth! The price was rm26*0! Wooohoo...

So I knew I could get rm2680 offer from Pudu, so at Sg Wang, first we entered Tarita, I asked for best price, she actually quoted rm2688 which was cool enough. So we went down to a shop JS recommended called Boeing, the lady servicing us was way much efficient and seemed knowledgable compared to the pretty lass at Tarita who took quite some time checking on the pc to check for bestprice.

So I was pretty sure that's the best offer from Boeing, so we went ATM hunting.. ahhh but my Maybank card max withdrawal aday is rm1k!! How.. ok take out SBB card.. hmm woo still got some cash inside, dont care *deeett* take out.

Actually my saving accounts would not have so much cash if not for gaji masuk, but I wont survive my whole month if I dont strike a deal with CO! :P haha.. you see pay by credit card would incur 5% charge. OK so with 106 pcs of 50 ringgit notes we exchanged for 2 sets of market hottest DSLR!!

Now why didn't CO go for this Nikon D40x if the picture turns out better actually? The shoplady explained that Nikon lenses are more expensive, so in the long turn, if wanna buy lense, expensive affair! Canon got more compatible lenses, and its cheaper. Also pictures can be edited! All settings can be set.. blah.. let me find out later what she meant by, I can change the skin colour of a person with the camera...

I didn't trade in my S2IS... I'm wondering if its actually faulty :P Nah... my cllg suggest that I sell it to my bro 2nd hand! I have no idea what's the value of my very scratched S2IS.. you know me la... very chor lor. Don't know how to be gentler abit with the gadgets. I think I can still use it anyhow! My parents and my bro use it.. im not so reluctant to teach my blur parents how to use a digital camera.. hopefully wont be too blood-vomitting. My parents are really doh... where do you think I get my genes!

I'm so going sampat with this... hopefully will improve my skills :P and not look so dumb when talking to the guys..

Jack of all trade

When I was called up by a photographer if I'm interested to be 2nd photographer where he dont mind training me, but I must atleast have a EOS400D... and my 1st assignment was to a vihara wedding registration do on Saturday afternoon...

In my mind, I just thought, whoaah... is this gonna be serious? Me becoming 2nd photographer? Me getting paid for just taking pictures for people (doing things that I like & earn $ for it)?

Well, here I am sitting in my IT desk, working as operation technical support, specifically dealing with CA product, there I have a bigger life outside work -- volunteer as teacher for sunday school, coordinating Buddhist youth events, learning about market trend & understanding indepth how funds work, taking care of investors' fund performance, barely surviving at home helping my relatives as internet-down troubleshooter / driver / babysitter / airasia or hotel booker... what am I Jack of all trade?!

I was described as a generalist than a specialist by somebody. Even in IT field, I think it'll be really boring if I end up being a specialist in just one technical aspect. But a technical specialist can demand more pay and probably work in a more stable environment *yawn boring*. I wish I can learn more about management, and learn how to deal with people of all level. I like to talk, yet not so confident in talking too much. I like to think, but somewhat lazy to think of genius ways to add value to cinepek company.

I like music, I like culture, I like travelling, I like taking pictures, I like to learn, I like to talk, I like to invest, I like to dream, I like to spend time with people I love, I like to help, I like to plan, I like to inspire, I like to have fun...

There's so many things I like to do or I'm getting myself into doing where time and $ permits... should I narrow down the spectrum of my interests and just be more focus in my doings in life?

I find this Jack of all trade vs specialization article interesting read.

Rant about mom

You wanna know how easy is it to start a verbal fight with my mom? Imagine you're me, playing with ur laptop and mom is sitting across the table. Suddenly she made a comment "Your brother sms me to tell me he didn't get any increment, because he worked only 8 months so no increment.. but his boss give him 1 month bonus... what do you think?"

*not paying much attention... but really don't wanna talk about it..*

"Ha.. so what's your comment?" (and she repeated again what she'd just said)

"Whaatttt! You're trying to rub it in isit? You know in the 1st 2 years of my work life I didnt get any increment and didnt get any bonus... *lets not even start about me being contractor only in my 1st job although I'm smarter, and my bro gets paid just as much even with a diploma*

"What's wrong with you?! I'm trying to ask for your comment about your brother, and now you trying make me don't wanna talk, see I don't feel like talking already.. what's wrong with asking you about your comment? Why just because you didn't get paid well enough? You jealous ah..."

"What comment do you want!? What is there to comment?? Whoaah.. your son so good ah!!"

"Well, he actually sms me to tell me how much I want since he got 1 month bonus.."

"Then good for you la! Tell me for what?! What is there for me to comment?"

"Always like that you... cannot have decent chat with you wan..." (walk away...)

~*~

It's like this, how I grew up with my mom. Tym just quoted while msn-ing with me when argument took place "your dad must be so patient to tahan so many years." Exactly! The secret to my parents' many years of being together - my dad will never answer back. He'd learnt his lesson of no point arguing with mom. My mom can be viewed as 'always nice to my brother' but me and my dad just cannot have 'nice chat' with her.

Oh ya, my bro is not very fond of talking, he just go "ya.. ah.. uh.. a.. ya..ah.. uh.." So go figure.

I don't think my mom can take it if I were to tell her off, "its fake". I just don't know how to be nice and keep nodding yes without answering back or giving my opinion, without thinking about what you want to hear. I don't even know how to give a sincere warm smile to my mom sitting across the table when she's irritating me.

Atleast I think sayang understands who I am and agrees about the thing with my mom.

~*~

Just another note, since I'm talking abt my mom. Some days ago, out of no where, mom raised the issue about her will where she'd only one house, to be given to me and my brother. It was said before that the house will be shared by both of us equally half half. Back then I never had sayang. Now she's asking what I think about if she'd give me cash of half of the house value (from her epf withdrawal when she turn 55) instead and the whole house goes to my bro. Good idea!

Before verbally agree to that, of course I'd reminded her that my bro may also want to get his own place to stay.. and you'll never know if you get kicked out of the house... so its better to leave the house under your name until death. Yeah.. she also agreed on that.. who know's what daughter-in-law she'll get in the future.

Why am I writing this!! This is ultra private but that's just about the stuff that could trigger me to write...

Just a simple trip to Perhentian…

Pulau Perhentian was such a beautiful place. Its hard not to compare Perhentian with Redang… actually both are equally beautiful. I can’t pick which island is better judging from the scenery, but base on Marine Park definitely the underwater world in Redang was better. But it was in Perhentian, that I saw 2 big turtles in the sea! It was also more relaxing in Perhentian, with virtually nothing much to do. We only had 2 snorkelling trips but it was surely worth it to do nothing on the 2nd day afternoon.

It must be an interesting sight of my fatty body wrapped with purple swimming suit lying on the beach with 2 gal friends beside me, beneath the shades of a tall tree. I guess one of the best thing about this place, maybe it’s the Western culture, is that nobody bother what you’re doing. There were many Caucasians sun bathing on the beach, every white female would be clad with only bikinis. It was quite like holidaying in a foreign land with such blazing hot sunshine, clear blue sea water, calming sounds of the sea waves…

Wish to show you some of the pictures at my fotopages.. I was trying to mess around with what Bighugelabs can do. Thought I was so stupid to not know how to use a Mosaic Maker, anyway, my friend got nice(r) shots at her site! *I'll admit that some of my pictures suck... a compact nikon can deliver just as great wonder as a bulky S2, thanks to the camera's best friend - the sun*

A simple enjoyable trip aside, the most unforeseeable thing happened at the end... you wont believe it! I've helped to edit the complaint letter to AirAsia, I doubt we'd get back the refund of the MAS airfare that we had to miserably fork out for our return to KL :( A lesson learnt when dealing with AirAsia... always always check your flight schedule!!! Here goes..

RE: BOOKING NO.: AWS8CI
With reference to the above flight booking through your website with the following itinerary: -
Flight Departure Arrival
AK6334 KLIA-LCC Terminal Kuala Terengganu
0715 Thu 14 Jun 2007 0805 Thu 14 Jun 2007

AK6337 Kuala Terengganu KLIA-LCC Terminal
2120 Sat 16 Jun 2007 2210 Sat 16 Jun 2007

We regret to inform that the rescheduling of flight AK6337 time to 1815 hour was oblivious to us, hence we missed the flight departing from the isolated Kuala Terengganu airport to Kuala Lumpur. The failed attempt in trying to contact my mobile number on the night before departure is deemed unprofessional.

We were not the only group stranded by the change of schedule; there was another Japanese couple who faced the same situation as us. Surely being foreigners on holiday in Malaysia, the sudden change of flight time is most unforeseeable for them; they even had a connecting flight back to Japan at 1am from Kuala Lumpur. We (including the Japanese couple) had no other feasible alternative but to purchase must costlier MAS flight ticket back to KL on the same evening. The allowance for us to board the next AirAsia departure flight to KL at the next day 0820 hour is not practical or possible.

It is clearly unreasonable for your well-establish company to reschedule flight time at the eleventh hour. You should inform us earlier of the change of time. If passengers can book your flight more than six months in advance, your management should be able to inform us at least one week ahead! Or at the very least, you could have informed us during check-in at KLIA-LCCT before boarding the flight. A simple gesture that could have saved us a hefty sum of penalty was surely overlooked.

With this letter, we would like to seek for compensation for the extra cost incurred to us in returning from KT to KL, amounting to RM1960.00, deduced from MAS flight charge of RM245 for eight people. Attached herewith the receipt of the MAS flight tickets for your perusal.

Looking forward to your positive reply as soon as possible.