Today our M.D. issued a greeting to all staff via corporate email:
SEASON'S greetings
& Best Wishes for a
Happy New Year!
I pondered upon the greeting and, I wondered to myself, 'Now what Season would that be..hmm..?'
I know that Christmas is round the corner.. as does everybody; I also know that New Year follows a week later.. but 'Christmas' is not mentioned in the greeting. That the case, then his greeting wouldn't be a Christmas greeting! Cos if it's a Christmas greeting, surely it would be mentioned.
After all, what's in a word.. it's not like the word Christmas would offend anyone, or any group in particular, right? Or that the religious intonations attributed to the word Christmas is so feared and offensive to certain groups of people to cause our M.D. to be senselessly mindful of his choice of words? Nahh.. he is the M.D., mind you! Not any Tom, Dick and Harry can be MDs! It takes 'brain' to be one.. I mean, brain that really can function; not only a functioning one cos any chimpanzee's brain can also do just that, albeit with minimal effort. Really!
Or, could it be possible that our M.D. was politely advised, by his team of 3 corporate wisemen of the east, against using the word 'Christmas' because, in the modern world, 'Season' has been accepted as the appropriate substitute for what was once a religious event? Now I try not to concede to the idea that someone as highly regarded as our M.D. would subject his esteemed reputation to a compromising position and adopt his corporate advisors' recommendation to drop the word 'Christmas' from a 2,000 year old greeting, which the whole world, consisting of all types of races and religions, has known, for a fact, that the Chirstmas celebration is always greeted with "Merry Christmas"!
Naah! He is our M.D.!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
It's so exciting that we can finally savor the delightful taste of cinnamon rolls, made right from home! I never knew it was that easy to make, and doesn't use so much ingredients. What's really good about it is the simple process of making them, doesn't require great effort or labor.
Okay, I know I don't have a detailed recipe and instructions laid out, but then again, this is not a "How to make..", rather, "What I've enjoyed on a nice Sunday evening! Yummy!
This is the dough which my wife prepared. It's got yeast in it, and once properly kneaded you've got to keep it covered with cloth for 20 minutes.
This is what 20 minutes yeast produce.
Place the dough on a table with flour spread on it, and start using the rolling pin, then apply butter throughout the surface before sprinkling the brown sugar and cinnamon powder.
Once rolled, start slicing them unto pieces,
and lay them on a baking tray.
After a preset time, Walla!
Start serving yourself a piece before your saliva gland runs out of juice..
Okay, I know I don't have a detailed recipe and instructions laid out, but then again, this is not a "How to make..", rather, "What I've enjoyed on a nice Sunday evening! Yummy!
Festival City
When will Festival City shopping centre opens?
My guess is before this year-end. Can't wait. It looks more promising than Wangsa Walk which has got no department store, mostly food court and caters mainly to the female gender. The food outlets there are not even serving food worth the money spent.
This Festival City is located at the junction into Danau Kota from Jalan Genting Kelang. Clearly visible from the main road and keeps taunting the Setapak residents each passing moment!
Anchor tenants are Parkson, Econsave Supermarket and MBO Cinema. Other notable stores would be Yamaha Music, Popular Bookstore. You will also find Nando's, Kenny Rogers Roasters, Secret Recipe, Subway and The Chicken Rice Shop among many other food outlets. For the IT savvy there's a neat range of IT & Digital stores. For entertainment you'll have Superstar Karaoke.
For those with so much money to spend, "everyday is a celebration!"
My guess is before this year-end. Can't wait. It looks more promising than Wangsa Walk which has got no department store, mostly food court and caters mainly to the female gender. The food outlets there are not even serving food worth the money spent.
This Festival City is located at the junction into Danau Kota from Jalan Genting Kelang. Clearly visible from the main road and keeps taunting the Setapak residents each passing moment!
Anchor tenants are Parkson, Econsave Supermarket and MBO Cinema. Other notable stores would be Yamaha Music, Popular Bookstore. You will also find Nando's, Kenny Rogers Roasters, Secret Recipe, Subway and The Chicken Rice Shop among many other food outlets. For the IT savvy there's a neat range of IT & Digital stores. For entertainment you'll have Superstar Karaoke.
For those with so much money to spend, "everyday is a celebration!"
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Spykids 4
It really wasn't my choice of movie but I had nothing else to do in the hot Monday afternoon so I thought I'd give it a shot. What a shot it had been - multiple pellets from a double barrel shotgun straight to my intellect!
I paid RM8 for the movie in Megalong, Dongongon, Sabah, and armed with a popcorn and a drink for another RM6.50 I hastily entered the cineplex hall expecting a good treat. Hey, wouldn't wanna miss Jessica Alba..
Before the actual movie got reeled out onto the screen we were introduced to a purportedly new 'sense'-sation technology - a smell card with 8 smell flavor. We were supposed to scratch on the allotted number when the number start flashing on the screen so we would experience a sense of being immersed in the scene. Well, the cards were not handed to us.
First minute into the movie and my intellect was already on the high speed cruise downhill. I understand the producers wanted the characters to be funny but attempting to be funny and at the same time maintaining the thrill and action seemed to be the missing ingredient throughout the whole movie.
Where are the mind blowing and awesome gadgets and the fast paced action that was what made the previous Spykids movies so successful? And what's with the overuse of the fart scenes? Even the kids characters are seen trying so hard to be adorable.
Even though Jessica Alba's the only reason for my sacrifice of RM14.50 it still doesn't compensate for the agony of having my intellect degrade over the hour and 20 minutes.
However, I would recommend it to all 7 years and below before they realize that they've been duped!
I paid RM8 for the movie in Megalong, Dongongon, Sabah, and armed with a popcorn and a drink for another RM6.50 I hastily entered the cineplex hall expecting a good treat. Hey, wouldn't wanna miss Jessica Alba..
Before the actual movie got reeled out onto the screen we were introduced to a purportedly new 'sense'-sation technology - a smell card with 8 smell flavor. We were supposed to scratch on the allotted number when the number start flashing on the screen so we would experience a sense of being immersed in the scene. Well, the cards were not handed to us.
First minute into the movie and my intellect was already on the high speed cruise downhill. I understand the producers wanted the characters to be funny but attempting to be funny and at the same time maintaining the thrill and action seemed to be the missing ingredient throughout the whole movie.
Where are the mind blowing and awesome gadgets and the fast paced action that was what made the previous Spykids movies so successful? And what's with the overuse of the fart scenes? Even the kids characters are seen trying so hard to be adorable.
Even though Jessica Alba's the only reason for my sacrifice of RM14.50 it still doesn't compensate for the agony of having my intellect degrade over the hour and 20 minutes.
However, I would recommend it to all 7 years and below before they realize that they've been duped!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Cowboys & Aliens
Watch it for good entertainment. It has got some frightening aliens, and this time the aliens have much more screen time than Super 8. Sad to say the romance element did not constitute an integral part in this movie. Doesn't have much comedy scenes but still enjoyable.
I had the opportunity to watch it with my brother in Megalong shopping complex, Dongongon. Movie time was slated to be 12:45pm but when we entered the cinema hall 5 minutes earlier those goons have already started reeling and we missed about 2-3 minutes opening. The hall was near to empty as I estimated only less than 20 people. Picture was okay, not blurred as in some cineplex in KL. But the sound system was not up to expectation - I think the surround sound effect was somewhat lacking.
Despite several bad reviews on this movie I really enjoyed it. Like I mentioned in my previous blog, those wannabee reviewers are trying to make it big pretending to know what they're writing.
Maybe tomorrow I'll catch the 5:30pm Captain America movie. Can't wait..
I had the opportunity to watch it with my brother in Megalong shopping complex, Dongongon. Movie time was slated to be 12:45pm but when we entered the cinema hall 5 minutes earlier those goons have already started reeling and we missed about 2-3 minutes opening. The hall was near to empty as I estimated only less than 20 people. Picture was okay, not blurred as in some cineplex in KL. But the sound system was not up to expectation - I think the surround sound effect was somewhat lacking.
Despite several bad reviews on this movie I really enjoyed it. Like I mentioned in my previous blog, those wannabee reviewers are trying to make it big pretending to know what they're writing.
Maybe tomorrow I'll catch the 5:30pm Captain America movie. Can't wait..
Home Trip Day 2 - Tuesday 16th
Some birds kept on chirping non-stop and then I realized it was 9am and very bright morning sun outside. Couldn't even hear my phone alarm. When I got out of bed and looked through my window I saw my brother driving off. He must have given up waiting on me.
After shower had the usual nescafe and a cupcake before going out with Titi, my brother in law. After dropping off his niece at St Francis school he brought me to PNS (Perpustakaan Negeri Sabah), located nearby the school, while waiting to pick up his daughter at 12:30. The library was quite new, occupying 3 floors. It has one floor dedicated to few workstations connected to the Internet and a row of audio visual equipment where, by being a member, you could watch movies and stuff. We just contented ourselves with reading newspapers.
After fetching Atiqa at 12:30 we went to Karamunsing for lunch at Mint Vietnamese chicken rice, an air-conditioned eatery. Ordered beef dish with rice for only RM7 which is actually quite cheap compared to the price KL-kites would have paid for in KL.
After lunch roamed around the Karamunsing shopping complex where I finally found my IPAD cover for only RM39. May not last very long, but even my first cover didn't last more than 2 months which cost me RM126. I did hunt almost everywhere in KL but couldn't find a cheap one.
After fetching the rest of Titi's boys from La Salle school I dropped off at Megalong complex around 2:45pm hoping to catch Captain America movie but the showtimes were not in my favor so I had tea at a nearby shop in Dongongon just enjoying the cool weather with light drizzle. There I noticed that many of the workers are young foreigners from the neighborhood countries. Even as young as maybe 12 years old. And they're more energetic than the older ones I find in KL.
Night had dinner with my sister Judith in Bundusan.
Wish I could upload some photos here but my HTC cannot Bluetooth with my IPAD. So difficult and too technical. Looking forward to tomorrow's movie..
After shower had the usual nescafe and a cupcake before going out with Titi, my brother in law. After dropping off his niece at St Francis school he brought me to PNS (Perpustakaan Negeri Sabah), located nearby the school, while waiting to pick up his daughter at 12:30. The library was quite new, occupying 3 floors. It has one floor dedicated to few workstations connected to the Internet and a row of audio visual equipment where, by being a member, you could watch movies and stuff. We just contented ourselves with reading newspapers.
After fetching Atiqa at 12:30 we went to Karamunsing for lunch at Mint Vietnamese chicken rice, an air-conditioned eatery. Ordered beef dish with rice for only RM7 which is actually quite cheap compared to the price KL-kites would have paid for in KL.
After lunch roamed around the Karamunsing shopping complex where I finally found my IPAD cover for only RM39. May not last very long, but even my first cover didn't last more than 2 months which cost me RM126. I did hunt almost everywhere in KL but couldn't find a cheap one.
After fetching the rest of Titi's boys from La Salle school I dropped off at Megalong complex around 2:45pm hoping to catch Captain America movie but the showtimes were not in my favor so I had tea at a nearby shop in Dongongon just enjoying the cool weather with light drizzle. There I noticed that many of the workers are young foreigners from the neighborhood countries. Even as young as maybe 12 years old. And they're more energetic than the older ones I find in KL.
Night had dinner with my sister Judith in Bundusan.
Wish I could upload some photos here but my HTC cannot Bluetooth with my IPAD. So difficult and too technical. Looking forward to tomorrow's movie..
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Home Trip Day 1 - Monday 15th
Finally, I'm home in Sabah! This time it'll be 11 days relaxation compared to 6 days in February.
Took the LRT from Wangsa Maju at 8:45am as I carried only 1 baggage. No sense in making my wife drive me all the way to Sentral station when our government had spent billions in improving the transportation system, right? Still, I find the facilities are somewhat lacking in proper maintenance, which is actually not surprising, if you know what I mean..
Skybus left at 9:35 and reached LCCT at 10:35. I always wonder how the drivers keep the journey to exactly 1 hour each time I take the skybus.
At the airport my mind kept reeling what to do and where to go, just like a novice. They seemed to keep changing the system. One day they do away with the check-in counter and you find yourself lost even before midway of the terms and conditions print. So I asked the girl at the information counter if my web check-in printout was admissible and she smiled and nodded, giving me the feeling that I could be so dumb to have asked her such question. I thanked her and left, trying not to succumb to embarrassment, and made my way to the baggage screening, then headed to the baggage drop counter. There the staff checked my printout and issued me a boarding tag, and relief washed over me.
With that settled, and with so much time to kill I headed straight to McDonald's for breakfast at 10:55 after which I entered the waiting area. There I remembered I was supposed to take 2 Panadeine tablets which my doctor said would help relieve the throbbing pain of pressure in the veins at my neck during the flight. So I ordered cold Nescafe drink from Buy & Fly - cost me RM6 a medium-sized cup. It's not so bad compared the the ordinary doughnut which they're selling for a whopping RM4 per piece, can you imagine that! No wonder I was the only customer! And No, of course I did not buy the doughnut!
Plane took off at 12:50pm and immediately I began to feel nauseous. I've never felt like that before, except when I was, like, 10 years old. My head felt dizzy, and the intermittent constrictions in the muscles at my throat area caused me to almost vomit but I tried my best to ward off any thoughts of nausea. It was like that almost throughout the flight so I tried to sleep most of the time, and whenever the feeling of nausea came I would try to fight it off. After the plane landed it was such a big relief. I never wanted to feel like that again, ever..
Enough of my troubles during flight, here's the facts spoken by the captain - "..we're flying at 37,000km above sea level, weather in KK is sunny.." and when we landed at 2:15pm he announced that we are 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Bah! I think that's what they always say. Every flight to Sabah that I've been always take 2 hours 15 minutes and here he's crediting himself by being 10 minutes ahead!
Upon reaching home I wished my parents, washed up and after a cup of hot nescafe my brother in law dropped me off at Dongongon at 4:30. Had yeemee at a Chinese coffee shop and tea, RM7+. That was my late lunch and it was not so tasty. After that I walked around the shops a little and ended up in Megalong shopping centre just browsing around. Still not many shops are occupied and most of the existing ones do not seem to be doing well. By 6:20 I left the place and started walking home. The weather was so beautiful and almost getting dark. Took me only 15 minutes to reach home.
Went out with my sister Juliana and her family at 8:30pm for dinner at Fook Yuen cafe where we had noodles and dim sum. The dim sum were really tasty, tastier that most that I'd tried in KL and it costs only RM3 per dish of 3.
I had so much of energy today I wasn't even tired at all. Could be the calmness effect of being hundreds of miles away from office, huh? Tomorrow? Well, maybe I'll go for Captain America in the afternoon. Maybe with my brother Roy since he's not got a job yet since July.
Well let's see how tomorrow will play out..
Took the LRT from Wangsa Maju at 8:45am as I carried only 1 baggage. No sense in making my wife drive me all the way to Sentral station when our government had spent billions in improving the transportation system, right? Still, I find the facilities are somewhat lacking in proper maintenance, which is actually not surprising, if you know what I mean..
Skybus left at 9:35 and reached LCCT at 10:35. I always wonder how the drivers keep the journey to exactly 1 hour each time I take the skybus.
At the airport my mind kept reeling what to do and where to go, just like a novice. They seemed to keep changing the system. One day they do away with the check-in counter and you find yourself lost even before midway of the terms and conditions print. So I asked the girl at the information counter if my web check-in printout was admissible and she smiled and nodded, giving me the feeling that I could be so dumb to have asked her such question. I thanked her and left, trying not to succumb to embarrassment, and made my way to the baggage screening, then headed to the baggage drop counter. There the staff checked my printout and issued me a boarding tag, and relief washed over me.
With that settled, and with so much time to kill I headed straight to McDonald's for breakfast at 10:55 after which I entered the waiting area. There I remembered I was supposed to take 2 Panadeine tablets which my doctor said would help relieve the throbbing pain of pressure in the veins at my neck during the flight. So I ordered cold Nescafe drink from Buy & Fly - cost me RM6 a medium-sized cup. It's not so bad compared the the ordinary doughnut which they're selling for a whopping RM4 per piece, can you imagine that! No wonder I was the only customer! And No, of course I did not buy the doughnut!
Plane took off at 12:50pm and immediately I began to feel nauseous. I've never felt like that before, except when I was, like, 10 years old. My head felt dizzy, and the intermittent constrictions in the muscles at my throat area caused me to almost vomit but I tried my best to ward off any thoughts of nausea. It was like that almost throughout the flight so I tried to sleep most of the time, and whenever the feeling of nausea came I would try to fight it off. After the plane landed it was such a big relief. I never wanted to feel like that again, ever..
Enough of my troubles during flight, here's the facts spoken by the captain - "..we're flying at 37,000km above sea level, weather in KK is sunny.." and when we landed at 2:15pm he announced that we are 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Bah! I think that's what they always say. Every flight to Sabah that I've been always take 2 hours 15 minutes and here he's crediting himself by being 10 minutes ahead!
Upon reaching home I wished my parents, washed up and after a cup of hot nescafe my brother in law dropped me off at Dongongon at 4:30. Had yeemee at a Chinese coffee shop and tea, RM7+. That was my late lunch and it was not so tasty. After that I walked around the shops a little and ended up in Megalong shopping centre just browsing around. Still not many shops are occupied and most of the existing ones do not seem to be doing well. By 6:20 I left the place and started walking home. The weather was so beautiful and almost getting dark. Took me only 15 minutes to reach home.
Went out with my sister Juliana and her family at 8:30pm for dinner at Fook Yuen cafe where we had noodles and dim sum. The dim sum were really tasty, tastier that most that I'd tried in KL and it costs only RM3 per dish of 3.
I had so much of energy today I wasn't even tired at all. Could be the calmness effect of being hundreds of miles away from office, huh? Tomorrow? Well, maybe I'll go for Captain America in the afternoon. Maybe with my brother Roy since he's not got a job yet since July.
Well let's see how tomorrow will play out..
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Movie: The Green Lantern
Happy Father's Day to all dads!
My family had no choice but to grant my Father's Day wish to go watch The Green Lantern in Wangsa Walk today. Well, actually, they didn't mind at all.
Just yesterday Rachel and I were reading several reviews of the movie and 90% pitted against it. Nevertheless, we chose to go for it against the better judgement of these reviewers.
The movie was truly enjoyable and had several funny moments, like Thor. I thought Ryan Reynolds played his character well. The movie cleverly exploits his inner fear masked by his duty to put on a brave front, only to be surfaced when put to real test, and was about to give everything up and walk away until the girl he loved showed him how his fear can be surmounted by courage.
Don't believe what the reviewers say about too much green or aliens with a fish head or stuff. If you like comic book hero movies, even if you haven't read about the Green Lantern, you'll not get lost. There are characters with certain shortcomings whom you can associate with, there's romance, though not heavy, and there's action, but not too much of it. It's likable and enjoyable, well, so far, for me and my family.
Take a break from the office stress. Go watch it!
My family had no choice but to grant my Father's Day wish to go watch The Green Lantern in Wangsa Walk today. Well, actually, they didn't mind at all.
Just yesterday Rachel and I were reading several reviews of the movie and 90% pitted against it. Nevertheless, we chose to go for it against the better judgement of these reviewers.
The movie was truly enjoyable and had several funny moments, like Thor. I thought Ryan Reynolds played his character well. The movie cleverly exploits his inner fear masked by his duty to put on a brave front, only to be surfaced when put to real test, and was about to give everything up and walk away until the girl he loved showed him how his fear can be surmounted by courage.
Don't believe what the reviewers say about too much green or aliens with a fish head or stuff. If you like comic book hero movies, even if you haven't read about the Green Lantern, you'll not get lost. There are characters with certain shortcomings whom you can associate with, there's romance, though not heavy, and there's action, but not too much of it. It's likable and enjoyable, well, so far, for me and my family.
Take a break from the office stress. Go watch it!
The Great Movie Review
I'm not very good in writing a movie review. I used to be awed by the bombastic choice of words and grammar reviewers described their likes and dislikes in their reviews. That's why I don't usually write movie reviews.
I also used to be impressed by the way the reviews are based on, like, how unrealistic that the Romans would speak like Americans in The Centurion, how certain movies plots are not original, etc, etc. I have never even noticed all the little details myself!
I also used to depend on these reviews to see if I would get my money's worth going to the cinema.
Now, I see the truth! These reviews are all just crap! Big crappy bunch of time-wasting articles to make you impressed by how well they present their 'intelligent' opinionated reviews!
You just go and watch movies and just enjoy them as the producers produced them. If the movie genre are not your type, don't go. Don't expect too much, cos if you do, you're behaving like you are the one who wrote the script and helmed the movie. Simple and sweet, won't kill you!
You don't have to look at a movie from a technical viewpoint. You don't have to stressed yourself by wondering why the Romans are not speaking in their mother tongue. You don't have to make too much comparison of the movie you're watching with other movies. You're not going to the cinema, with a popcorn and Coke, just to do an academic review. Heck, you're going there to watch and enjoy every last bit of shillings you paid to the cinema owner by watching a movie of your choice!
Who cares if the storyline is somewhat similar to other movies? Are the casts and action sequences the same? And who cares if they're box office flops? Does that mean you won't like it? Does it mean that if you don't like a certain movie, the rest of the world's population share the same sentiment?
The Postman and Waterworld (Kevin Costner) and 13th Warrior (Antonio Banderas) were flops, but I watched them like 5 to 8 times! Look, how many of the so-called Academy Award winning movies you actually like? Mostly I stay away from them if they're not of my genre.
Thing is, movie reviewers are just a bunch of wannabes trying to make themselves stand up above other competing reviewers with their salvos of facts, technical angles and expressive grammatical prowess. If they refuse to enjoy a movie like a normal and sane person there's not much even a shrink can do to alleviate their obsessive desire to rant their opinions of movies.
Now you pick a movie, go out there with your friends, loved ones, or alone, and buy your tickets and popcorns, and make every experience worth your cents! Watch and enjoy!
I also used to be impressed by the way the reviews are based on, like, how unrealistic that the Romans would speak like Americans in The Centurion, how certain movies plots are not original, etc, etc. I have never even noticed all the little details myself!
I also used to depend on these reviews to see if I would get my money's worth going to the cinema.
Now, I see the truth! These reviews are all just crap! Big crappy bunch of time-wasting articles to make you impressed by how well they present their 'intelligent' opinionated reviews!
You just go and watch movies and just enjoy them as the producers produced them. If the movie genre are not your type, don't go. Don't expect too much, cos if you do, you're behaving like you are the one who wrote the script and helmed the movie. Simple and sweet, won't kill you!
You don't have to look at a movie from a technical viewpoint. You don't have to stressed yourself by wondering why the Romans are not speaking in their mother tongue. You don't have to make too much comparison of the movie you're watching with other movies. You're not going to the cinema, with a popcorn and Coke, just to do an academic review. Heck, you're going there to watch and enjoy every last bit of shillings you paid to the cinema owner by watching a movie of your choice!
Who cares if the storyline is somewhat similar to other movies? Are the casts and action sequences the same? And who cares if they're box office flops? Does that mean you won't like it? Does it mean that if you don't like a certain movie, the rest of the world's population share the same sentiment?
The Postman and Waterworld (Kevin Costner) and 13th Warrior (Antonio Banderas) were flops, but I watched them like 5 to 8 times! Look, how many of the so-called Academy Award winning movies you actually like? Mostly I stay away from them if they're not of my genre.
Thing is, movie reviewers are just a bunch of wannabes trying to make themselves stand up above other competing reviewers with their salvos of facts, technical angles and expressive grammatical prowess. If they refuse to enjoy a movie like a normal and sane person there's not much even a shrink can do to alleviate their obsessive desire to rant their opinions of movies.
Now you pick a movie, go out there with your friends, loved ones, or alone, and buy your tickets and popcorns, and make every experience worth your cents! Watch and enjoy!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
A day at work
It was truly a good exercise for me albeit the sweat. Repeated routine of taking the LRT and walking to office should make me more lean in no time. That was the 2nd day now, and I realized I'm typing this journal after 12 midnight.
Today at work was no different than yesterday but it took a turn for the worst after 6pm when I left office and midway near Pavillion boss called me and asked if I had left. I told him that I had to catch the bus as I did not take the car. I offered to turn back if there was urgent work. He asked if I was sure about that. Now how could I have said no?
So it was back to office, but more like hellhole.. The work had something to do with some ministry implementing or gazetting an Act which would come into force tomorrow, or rather, today. Without my staff to assist me the work was almost unbearable. Two parts of the assignment and I managed to complete only one and by 10pm I left office and walked to KLCC trying to clear my mind of worries about tomorrow's implementation of the 'rushed' Act.
Halfway walking a guy on a motorbike, which was stationery by the sidewalk, handed me a call card and I sheepishly took it, only to realize it was a contact number of a massage service. Now that I could use!
'nyway, I got to the LRT safely and was home by 10:40pm. Cooked myself 2 eggs and some sausages after shower and started surfing, and ended up entering the day's journal. Gonna hit the sack now that it's already 12:45am. Stay tuned for more boring journals...
Today at work was no different than yesterday but it took a turn for the worst after 6pm when I left office and midway near Pavillion boss called me and asked if I had left. I told him that I had to catch the bus as I did not take the car. I offered to turn back if there was urgent work. He asked if I was sure about that. Now how could I have said no?
So it was back to office, but more like hellhole.. The work had something to do with some ministry implementing or gazetting an Act which would come into force tomorrow, or rather, today. Without my staff to assist me the work was almost unbearable. Two parts of the assignment and I managed to complete only one and by 10pm I left office and walked to KLCC trying to clear my mind of worries about tomorrow's implementation of the 'rushed' Act.
Halfway walking a guy on a motorbike, which was stationery by the sidewalk, handed me a call card and I sheepishly took it, only to realize it was a contact number of a massage service. Now that I could use!
'nyway, I got to the LRT safely and was home by 10:40pm. Cooked myself 2 eggs and some sausages after shower and started surfing, and ended up entering the day's journal. Gonna hit the sack now that it's already 12:45am. Stay tuned for more boring journals...
Monday, June 13, 2011
A day at work
Today I walked to office from KLCC. My daughter needed to drive to college early morning so my wife and I took the LRT to KLCC, had a good breakfast before I started my journey to office by foot.
Took me 30 minutes at slow pace with a stop midway to dry my perspiration, but still reached the office soaked with it. Made no difference there.
Had meeting at 10am till 12pm, causing my workload to pile up. My staff is still on 2 weeks marriage leave, due back to work this Wednesday. There were just too many calls and most times after I placed the telephone back and started to attend to the latest request another call came in. It was like that most afternoons and I got so mad and frustrated cos I never seem to get my work done!
Though I could get off work at 5:45pm and take my colleague's offer to drive me home but had to stay back till 7pm to clear my backlog. So it's walking again, this time to back to KLCC.
But it's okay. Helped me to de-stress after a crazy day at work. I'm beginning to like walking and taking the LRT to work. Guess it helps me take my mind off the worries of working life..
Took me 30 minutes at slow pace with a stop midway to dry my perspiration, but still reached the office soaked with it. Made no difference there.
Had meeting at 10am till 12pm, causing my workload to pile up. My staff is still on 2 weeks marriage leave, due back to work this Wednesday. There were just too many calls and most times after I placed the telephone back and started to attend to the latest request another call came in. It was like that most afternoons and I got so mad and frustrated cos I never seem to get my work done!
Though I could get off work at 5:45pm and take my colleague's offer to drive me home but had to stay back till 7pm to clear my backlog. So it's walking again, this time to back to KLCC.
But it's okay. Helped me to de-stress after a crazy day at work. I'm beginning to like walking and taking the LRT to work. Guess it helps me take my mind off the worries of working life..
Saturday, June 4, 2011
"Obey, serve and entertain your husband"
I never imagined these message delivered from a spokesman of The Obedient Wives Club which was supposed to be launched today! "Domestic abuse happens because wives don't obey their husband. He muse be responsible for his wife's well-being but she must listen to him," Siti Maznah told The Star.
Some of the key messages that was delivered to members and the general women are:
- husbands would not even think of going to the prostitutes if their wives give them a satisfying sex experience
- wives who did not bring joy to their husbands are labelled as disobedient and are the cause of many social ills
- if the wives are disobedient towards their husbands domestic abuse will arise
Oh, here's the good part - when asked if the wife is abused, is it her fault? She replied yes, and it's most likely that it's because she did not listen to her husband!
So what should wives do to prevent from being abused and to ensure husbands do not seek gratification from prostitutes? "Wives should welcome them with sexy clothes and alluring smiles in the privacy of their homes," she said.
Fortunately, we have Datuk Seri Shahrizat to counter-respond the misguided thinking by saying that she is saddened by this development.
Ratna Osman, acting executive director of Sisters in Islam, said that Islam has always promote that marriages are always based on mutual cooperation and respect, which I believe are the same for all major religions. Heck, it is the same belief even for "normal minded" people!
Unfortunately, even in any country, whether developed or developing, there still are people who are gullible, though they are not ignorant mind you, who still fall for the twisted-minded propagandas.
Some of the key messages that was delivered to members and the general women are:
- husbands would not even think of going to the prostitutes if their wives give them a satisfying sex experience
- wives who did not bring joy to their husbands are labelled as disobedient and are the cause of many social ills
- if the wives are disobedient towards their husbands domestic abuse will arise
Oh, here's the good part - when asked if the wife is abused, is it her fault? She replied yes, and it's most likely that it's because she did not listen to her husband!
So what should wives do to prevent from being abused and to ensure husbands do not seek gratification from prostitutes? "Wives should welcome them with sexy clothes and alluring smiles in the privacy of their homes," she said.
Fortunately, we have Datuk Seri Shahrizat to counter-respond the misguided thinking by saying that she is saddened by this development.
Ratna Osman, acting executive director of Sisters in Islam, said that Islam has always promote that marriages are always based on mutual cooperation and respect, which I believe are the same for all major religions. Heck, it is the same belief even for "normal minded" people!
Unfortunately, even in any country, whether developed or developing, there still are people who are gullible, though they are not ignorant mind you, who still fall for the twisted-minded propagandas.
Luck deserted me
Or rather, do I even have lady luck at all?
Last Monday I was issued a summons from a traffic cop. What's so bad about a summons? Well, it's one summons for 2 offences!
It was just after lunch at Imbi area and I committed the offense by making an illegal u-turn just like any other drivers would do to ease the traffic. Though it was a shortcut but it was like exercising our social responsibility by not adding one more car onto the jumble of vehicles trying to weave around the jam.
Two cops beckoned me to pull over and the closest one asked me if I knew what offense I'd committed, to which I just smiled and nodded. What benefit would I gain in acting dumb? So, out goes my driving license and ID while he began scribbling on his pad. I'm no expert in sweet-talking to cops so right then I began to accept my fate, and started counting down my income silently, for making the silly mistake of u-turn.
Just when I thought I had a budget allocated for the summons I was hit with a double whammy - he noticed that my driving license expired on 17 May! There goes one more addition into the piece of summons!
Why couldn't they make themselves more useful than summoning corporate lunch goers! The real criminals are out there, terrorizing our neighbors, and here these cops going after non-criminal law breaking offenders who are just taking a lunch break!
Last Monday I was issued a summons from a traffic cop. What's so bad about a summons? Well, it's one summons for 2 offences!
It was just after lunch at Imbi area and I committed the offense by making an illegal u-turn just like any other drivers would do to ease the traffic. Though it was a shortcut but it was like exercising our social responsibility by not adding one more car onto the jumble of vehicles trying to weave around the jam.
Two cops beckoned me to pull over and the closest one asked me if I knew what offense I'd committed, to which I just smiled and nodded. What benefit would I gain in acting dumb? So, out goes my driving license and ID while he began scribbling on his pad. I'm no expert in sweet-talking to cops so right then I began to accept my fate, and started counting down my income silently, for making the silly mistake of u-turn.
Just when I thought I had a budget allocated for the summons I was hit with a double whammy - he noticed that my driving license expired on 17 May! There goes one more addition into the piece of summons!
Why couldn't they make themselves more useful than summoning corporate lunch goers! The real criminals are out there, terrorizing our neighbors, and here these cops going after non-criminal law breaking offenders who are just taking a lunch break!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Journal - Home to Sabah : Day 5
Wednesday exploits..
Days seem to fly by so quickly and tomorrow is goodbye Sabah. Today would be a good time to explore KK city.
After a night of forex and and forcing myself to bed at 3am I got up at 10:35am. Soon after that Juliana (sis) called and said she couldn't locate mum in KK. She had dropped of my mum at Stanchart bank and went off to get some stuff. By the time she drove to the bank to pick mum up she couldn't find her and called me if mum had come home by herself. Nope. After some time sis came home with mum in the car. Said she saw mum walking home halfway from Dongongon after taking a bus from KK. So, suspense over.
Immediately I got dressed up and got a lift from sis to Dongongon town so I could take a mini bus to KK. Had to wait about 25 minutes before the driver hopped on at 11:55 and drove off. The journey to KK took 35 minutes. Wasn't packed. Got to see some old fashioned homes which reminded me of my younger days in Sabah.
In KK we disembarked at a central place and I stopped by a bakery, bought some buns, and, while eating, continued on foot towards Centrepoint shopping mall. But I just walked right through the ground floor of the mall and out the other side, as I was not interested in the shopping mall. I wanted to move around the shop lots and feel life in the city.
First stop brought me to the Filipino market where all handicrafts are on sale. The place seem to be deserted. Not like it used to be before. Perhaps it's a working day. I wonder how the stall owners survive. I only bought 2 items worth RM38.
From there I moved on to KK Plaza, again just passing by, and towards the Segama complex just adjacent to the plaza. Somehow I was able to find my way easily to the intended shop, KK Religious Centre (KKRC), where my brother, David, brought us before. I was really exhausted and took my time looking around. Bought several religious stuff, including AlKitab. Spent RM107 of Catholic stuff, and left the place feeling satisfied.
Time to head towards a food court but couldn't locate it in KK Plaza. By then sis called and picked me up at 3:10pm. Her family were in the car except for Azlan. Before heading for home we stopped by an old Chinese coffee shop and had a drink with roti kahwin (sandwich with butter & kaya) and satay.
It was 4:15pm by the time we reached home to drop off my nephews and after unloading my shopping items at home we went off to the tamu in Dongongon. But before that we took a detour to the Penampang polyclinic to check out blood pressure as the clinic had put out a self check BP reader. Few attempts at the reader seem to produce varying readings so we decided human doctor is still needed for reliable and accurate results.
Tamu here we come. I was told that traders all over neighboring towns come to the Dongongon tamu every Wednesday afternoon to put out their produce for sale till Thursday. Chickens, fishes, wet dried and salty ones, prawns and eels, chickens, lots of different kinds of vegetables, kuihs, and many more..
It was already 5:45pm when we reached home and I was too exhausted and wanted to lie on the bed and rest. But after my shower (no shower, I forgot, only cold bath) I felt refreshed. Talk about cold turkey treatment!
After simple dinner with David and his family (every time I had dinner with them I ended up saying grace before meals!) I waited a short while before my sister Judith came and took me out to Millenium park. I kept her company while she had her dinner. We just talked to make up for lost time till 10pm. Mum didn't want me to stay out late. She's always concerned about our safety because of the immigrants in Sabah. Mothers..
Soon as I reached home sis (Juliana) called me over to her home - just next door. Spent some quality time with her and her family. My, my, how much my nephews have improved in playing the guitar, just learning from the Internet! So we jammed a little but mostly I just listened in awe to Azlan and Junaidy plucking away their guitars.
By 11:30pm I left and went home to monitor my opened trade account. It's 2:15am Thursday and I'm still trying to cut my losses..
Days seem to fly by so quickly and tomorrow is goodbye Sabah. Today would be a good time to explore KK city.
After a night of forex and and forcing myself to bed at 3am I got up at 10:35am. Soon after that Juliana (sis) called and said she couldn't locate mum in KK. She had dropped of my mum at Stanchart bank and went off to get some stuff. By the time she drove to the bank to pick mum up she couldn't find her and called me if mum had come home by herself. Nope. After some time sis came home with mum in the car. Said she saw mum walking home halfway from Dongongon after taking a bus from KK. So, suspense over.
Immediately I got dressed up and got a lift from sis to Dongongon town so I could take a mini bus to KK. Had to wait about 25 minutes before the driver hopped on at 11:55 and drove off. The journey to KK took 35 minutes. Wasn't packed. Got to see some old fashioned homes which reminded me of my younger days in Sabah.
In KK we disembarked at a central place and I stopped by a bakery, bought some buns, and, while eating, continued on foot towards Centrepoint shopping mall. But I just walked right through the ground floor of the mall and out the other side, as I was not interested in the shopping mall. I wanted to move around the shop lots and feel life in the city.
First stop brought me to the Filipino market where all handicrafts are on sale. The place seem to be deserted. Not like it used to be before. Perhaps it's a working day. I wonder how the stall owners survive. I only bought 2 items worth RM38.
From there I moved on to KK Plaza, again just passing by, and towards the Segama complex just adjacent to the plaza. Somehow I was able to find my way easily to the intended shop, KK Religious Centre (KKRC), where my brother, David, brought us before. I was really exhausted and took my time looking around. Bought several religious stuff, including AlKitab. Spent RM107 of Catholic stuff, and left the place feeling satisfied.
Time to head towards a food court but couldn't locate it in KK Plaza. By then sis called and picked me up at 3:10pm. Her family were in the car except for Azlan. Before heading for home we stopped by an old Chinese coffee shop and had a drink with roti kahwin (sandwich with butter & kaya) and satay.
It was 4:15pm by the time we reached home to drop off my nephews and after unloading my shopping items at home we went off to the tamu in Dongongon. But before that we took a detour to the Penampang polyclinic to check out blood pressure as the clinic had put out a self check BP reader. Few attempts at the reader seem to produce varying readings so we decided human doctor is still needed for reliable and accurate results.
Tamu here we come. I was told that traders all over neighboring towns come to the Dongongon tamu every Wednesday afternoon to put out their produce for sale till Thursday. Chickens, fishes, wet dried and salty ones, prawns and eels, chickens, lots of different kinds of vegetables, kuihs, and many more..
It was already 5:45pm when we reached home and I was too exhausted and wanted to lie on the bed and rest. But after my shower (no shower, I forgot, only cold bath) I felt refreshed. Talk about cold turkey treatment!
After simple dinner with David and his family (every time I had dinner with them I ended up saying grace before meals!) I waited a short while before my sister Judith came and took me out to Millenium park. I kept her company while she had her dinner. We just talked to make up for lost time till 10pm. Mum didn't want me to stay out late. She's always concerned about our safety because of the immigrants in Sabah. Mothers..
Soon as I reached home sis (Juliana) called me over to her home - just next door. Spent some quality time with her and her family. My, my, how much my nephews have improved in playing the guitar, just learning from the Internet! So we jammed a little but mostly I just listened in awe to Azlan and Junaidy plucking away their guitars.
By 11:30pm I left and went home to monitor my opened trade account. It's 2:15am Thursday and I'm still trying to cut my losses..
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Journal - Home to Sabah : Day 4
Day 4 has been a very interesting day. It's uneventful, filled with rain the whole day through, though not heavy, but more than sufficient to cool my day. It was uneventful because today I was feeling self centered and drowned myself in the cyber world of Forex since my account went 'live' yesterday evening. You can read about my first experience trading in Forex in a separate posting.
Anyway, again I missed the sunrise because I only went to sleep at 4am in the morning, due to the Forex. My dad woke up around 3:30am and was watching TV. I was afraid that I would not be able to wake up early, but I think 8:45am wasn't that bad at all!
As usual there was nothing much for breakfast except for a hot nescafe and 2 pieces of kuih. While eating I started trading nonstop till lunch at 12:30pm. Today was exceptional as it was raining intermittently and practically the whole day. It was great sitting at the porch and trading via my IPAD which is connected to my home PC. Lunch was just a simple fried rice mum made.
After lunch I continued monitoring my forex accounts, making some losses, recovering some, and making some more small losses. By evening I had to connect to my office PC to do some work, and getting calls from my office. I wonder if I actually played a very important role cos I seemed to be indispensable to some colleagues.
By evening all the concentration and suspense of forex trading gave me a mild headache that I had to lie on the bed for a while, while at the same time taking intermittent peek into the market progress. As long as I have an open trade I seem to be a slave..
I decided I had to get outnfor a while so I got my sister to drop me off at the Mega Long shopping mall in Dongongon around 7:30pm. After searching for a suitable place to dine and continue with my trade I seated myself at the Ho Ho Bento outlet. There was only one table occupied. But as soon as I was gulping down my dinner customers just started to come in. I seem to bring luck to food outlets I visit!
Originally I had wanted to watch a movie and it took me some time to locate the cineplex. The shop lots occupy 3 floors and I found out that the cineplex was at the 5th floor and you have to take the lift up. Upon reaching it I found it was deserted, save for the cineplex crews. There was only one movie being shown - Sanctum. I was hoping for I Am Number Four. Decided to abort and head for dinner.
The Teriyaki Chicken dish was a little salty to my liking and I could have sworn that the teh tarik was made from a 3-in-1 pack. Luckily I was so hungry I could eat a horse.
After dinner at around 9:30pm there was nothing much I could do so I got my sister and her husband to come pick me up. Once home I continued with my trading.
At 12pm dad decided to come out of his bedroom to watch TV and he was struggling to walk, even with the aid of the walker. So I helped him all the way like a guardian angel. Not that I'm anything like it, just thatbinhad to be beside him all the way that he walked. An hour later he was struggling to get off the armchair into the walker, so there I was again. 3 years ago when I last saw him he was tending to the plants, doing his daily rounds of walk around the compound, and actively doing other chores. Suddenly, my mind couldn't compensate for the lost years and it was shocking and sad to see him almost like an invalid. God, I hope his strength will return soon.
Tonight will be another long night of trading and learning..
Anyway, again I missed the sunrise because I only went to sleep at 4am in the morning, due to the Forex. My dad woke up around 3:30am and was watching TV. I was afraid that I would not be able to wake up early, but I think 8:45am wasn't that bad at all!
As usual there was nothing much for breakfast except for a hot nescafe and 2 pieces of kuih. While eating I started trading nonstop till lunch at 12:30pm. Today was exceptional as it was raining intermittently and practically the whole day. It was great sitting at the porch and trading via my IPAD which is connected to my home PC. Lunch was just a simple fried rice mum made.
After lunch I continued monitoring my forex accounts, making some losses, recovering some, and making some more small losses. By evening I had to connect to my office PC to do some work, and getting calls from my office. I wonder if I actually played a very important role cos I seemed to be indispensable to some colleagues.
By evening all the concentration and suspense of forex trading gave me a mild headache that I had to lie on the bed for a while, while at the same time taking intermittent peek into the market progress. As long as I have an open trade I seem to be a slave..
I decided I had to get outnfor a while so I got my sister to drop me off at the Mega Long shopping mall in Dongongon around 7:30pm. After searching for a suitable place to dine and continue with my trade I seated myself at the Ho Ho Bento outlet. There was only one table occupied. But as soon as I was gulping down my dinner customers just started to come in. I seem to bring luck to food outlets I visit!
Originally I had wanted to watch a movie and it took me some time to locate the cineplex. The shop lots occupy 3 floors and I found out that the cineplex was at the 5th floor and you have to take the lift up. Upon reaching it I found it was deserted, save for the cineplex crews. There was only one movie being shown - Sanctum. I was hoping for I Am Number Four. Decided to abort and head for dinner.
The Teriyaki Chicken dish was a little salty to my liking and I could have sworn that the teh tarik was made from a 3-in-1 pack. Luckily I was so hungry I could eat a horse.
After dinner at around 9:30pm there was nothing much I could do so I got my sister and her husband to come pick me up. Once home I continued with my trading.
At 12pm dad decided to come out of his bedroom to watch TV and he was struggling to walk, even with the aid of the walker. So I helped him all the way like a guardian angel. Not that I'm anything like it, just thatbinhad to be beside him all the way that he walked. An hour later he was struggling to get off the armchair into the walker, so there I was again. 3 years ago when I last saw him he was tending to the plants, doing his daily rounds of walk around the compound, and actively doing other chores. Suddenly, my mind couldn't compensate for the lost years and it was shocking and sad to see him almost like an invalid. God, I hope his strength will return soon.
Tonight will be another long night of trading and learning..
Monday, February 28, 2011
Journal - Home to Sabah : Day 3
Well, it's Monday and again I woke up late at 8:40am. Missed the sunrise again, drat!
As usual made hot nescafe, browse through my IPAD. Sis said I should stay home to help mum support dad when he wants to move from bedroom to the hall, and vice versa. Hot day. Watch a bit of TV and dozed off. Lunch at 12:30 after mum gave dad some bread and stuff. Initially we were worried cos he didn't want to eat since yesterday. I was glad to see he finished his lunch. Soon after mum and I helped dad into the bedroom for his nap.
After lunch I was toying with the idea of going over to Dongongon town instead of being cooped up at home all day. My brother, who dropped in for lunch, said I could use the Kancil. So when I was about to go out at 1:45pm we couldn't find e key so my mum said to walk there. So into the hot blazing sun I walked for 15 mins. It's really not that far.
The Immersion
The shopping mall was my first stop. Had to cool myself. It was recently built, so far around 70% occupancy, 3 floors, with Giant as the anchor tenant. Nice place with retail lots catering to simple people like us. It is built just adjacent to the shop lots so it seems a little bit odd that when I stepped out of the mall I find myself appearing in the old town instantly.
I just walked and walked among the shop lots and after buying some kuihs stopped by at a mamak restaurant for a drink, and just immersed myself in the environment. Just needed to feel I'm back in my homeland.
The Gimmick
After 2 glasses of "teh peng" and half an hour just sitting there, I decided it's time to go. As I went back into the mall I was fleeced by some sales people who were introducing some new brand and said I was entitled to a free gift. I was directed to a seat in front of a computer where they explained that I was entitled to 3 clicks which could win me some more gifts. They reiterated that I was not compelled to make any purchase as they claimed that they just want to promote the brand. One gift was already in hand for me, a gel pack for the eyes.
As I began to click on a random boxes on the screen I was instantly rewarded with 2 out of 3 mystery gifts. The second one entitled me to another round of random picking which, after complying ton their instruction, sort of hit the jackpot - a Home Theatre set worth RM4K, plus 3 other stuff worth RM300 to RM1000. They were very surprised and asked me thrice if I had clicked on the icon twice, and I said no, only once. They mentioned that it was very unlikely that 3 gifts appeared on screen, usually only one item would be displayed. So they called their 'boss' on their mobile, and the boss spoke to me, which I handed over to the sales person for I could not really understand why the boss was ranting. It turned out that I had to fulfill 3 criteria in order for me to grab all 4 gifts for free.
The Criteria
1. I have to promote their products and brand. Just use these at home and tell friends about it. No problem there.
2. Take photo with the sales people. I guess they want photos of winning customers to convince new blood. No problem - no harm there.
3. Use up the RM300 voucher. I just knew it. They would introduce me to high price products and knock off the voucher's worth.
Mistake! They didn't know who they were dealing with. I was almost duped once in KL right and my wife and another friend had to coaxed me out of it. So I smiled and said Thank You but I have to decline their 'generous offer'. They were surprised (another drama there) and said even if I buy their products with the voucher, and go for instalment payments, it was still worth it, as the 4 free items were worth more than RM5,000. I stood my ground politely and it didn't take them long to admit defeat. Once that realization dawned upon them the sales girl playfully asked me to belanja them drink so I obliged. They're nice people anyway, not overly persuasive and I felt pity that so much of their energy and effort didn't go in their favor. Anyway, I got my free gift of the gel pack for the eyes.
By 4:30 I left for home on foot in the slight drizzle. I was extremely tired and sleepy but when I lay down to nap I couldn't sleep so I just went for a bath. Simple dinner and the rest - no further happenings. Goodnite all...
As usual made hot nescafe, browse through my IPAD. Sis said I should stay home to help mum support dad when he wants to move from bedroom to the hall, and vice versa. Hot day. Watch a bit of TV and dozed off. Lunch at 12:30 after mum gave dad some bread and stuff. Initially we were worried cos he didn't want to eat since yesterday. I was glad to see he finished his lunch. Soon after mum and I helped dad into the bedroom for his nap.
After lunch I was toying with the idea of going over to Dongongon town instead of being cooped up at home all day. My brother, who dropped in for lunch, said I could use the Kancil. So when I was about to go out at 1:45pm we couldn't find e key so my mum said to walk there. So into the hot blazing sun I walked for 15 mins. It's really not that far.
The Immersion
The shopping mall was my first stop. Had to cool myself. It was recently built, so far around 70% occupancy, 3 floors, with Giant as the anchor tenant. Nice place with retail lots catering to simple people like us. It is built just adjacent to the shop lots so it seems a little bit odd that when I stepped out of the mall I find myself appearing in the old town instantly.
I just walked and walked among the shop lots and after buying some kuihs stopped by at a mamak restaurant for a drink, and just immersed myself in the environment. Just needed to feel I'm back in my homeland.
The Gimmick
After 2 glasses of "teh peng" and half an hour just sitting there, I decided it's time to go. As I went back into the mall I was fleeced by some sales people who were introducing some new brand and said I was entitled to a free gift. I was directed to a seat in front of a computer where they explained that I was entitled to 3 clicks which could win me some more gifts. They reiterated that I was not compelled to make any purchase as they claimed that they just want to promote the brand. One gift was already in hand for me, a gel pack for the eyes.
As I began to click on a random boxes on the screen I was instantly rewarded with 2 out of 3 mystery gifts. The second one entitled me to another round of random picking which, after complying ton their instruction, sort of hit the jackpot - a Home Theatre set worth RM4K, plus 3 other stuff worth RM300 to RM1000. They were very surprised and asked me thrice if I had clicked on the icon twice, and I said no, only once. They mentioned that it was very unlikely that 3 gifts appeared on screen, usually only one item would be displayed. So they called their 'boss' on their mobile, and the boss spoke to me, which I handed over to the sales person for I could not really understand why the boss was ranting. It turned out that I had to fulfill 3 criteria in order for me to grab all 4 gifts for free.
The Criteria
1. I have to promote their products and brand. Just use these at home and tell friends about it. No problem there.
2. Take photo with the sales people. I guess they want photos of winning customers to convince new blood. No problem - no harm there.
3. Use up the RM300 voucher. I just knew it. They would introduce me to high price products and knock off the voucher's worth.
Mistake! They didn't know who they were dealing with. I was almost duped once in KL right and my wife and another friend had to coaxed me out of it. So I smiled and said Thank You but I have to decline their 'generous offer'. They were surprised (another drama there) and said even if I buy their products with the voucher, and go for instalment payments, it was still worth it, as the 4 free items were worth more than RM5,000. I stood my ground politely and it didn't take them long to admit defeat. Once that realization dawned upon them the sales girl playfully asked me to belanja them drink so I obliged. They're nice people anyway, not overly persuasive and I felt pity that so much of their energy and effort didn't go in their favor. Anyway, I got my free gift of the gel pack for the eyes.
By 4:30 I left for home on foot in the slight drizzle. I was extremely tired and sleepy but when I lay down to nap I couldn't sleep so I just went for a bath. Simple dinner and the rest - no further happenings. Goodnite all...
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Journal - Home to Sabah : Day 2
Some time during my sleep I could hear the rain sputtering, couldn't lift up my eyelids but was sure it was in the wee hours of the morning. When I awoke it was already 1 half hour past 6am, my targeted waking time. Anyway, don't matter much as Mass was due 10am.
Went over to Juliana's house (sister) for the first time since they built it on their own last year. It's wonderful that their house is on the same land as my dad's so they could easily look after my parents.
Off to St Michael's church in Penampang, just a kilometer away with Jacintha (sis in law) and the girls. The church looks the same as the last time I'd seen it, but nevertheless beautiful and homely. But what really amazes me is the singing. the Mass was in Bahasa Malaysia and the choir was in full force, mostly young boys and girls in their teens, guided by a female choir master. The singing was absolutely superb! With seconds and perfect timing they sang with passion and discipline. it's true then, that Sabahans have the talent for singing. Yup, no doubt about it.
After Mass we adjourned to Bundusan for Chinese breakfast where David (brother) joined in. the noodles was really fantastic. it seems the restaurant owner made the noodles themselves and the dish is called Beaufort mee. It's one of the well known dish in Sabah.
As we almost finished our meal we got a call from my sis Juliana that dad fell and got his fingers cut and she was on the way to bring him to the 1Malaysia clinic near where we were having our breakfast. When they arrived we were told that the clinic did not have the antibiotic so we proceeded to Queen Elizabeth hospital in KK. Alas, the trip there met with a long queue of traffic caused by unintelligible traffic light system.
When we reached the emergency ward we had to register my dad for a Ringgit and it took about 15 minutes before he was whisked in a wheel chair into the ward where the doctor, or a nurse i think, gave him 6 stitches. That procedure took aver an hour. We reached home at 2:25. He's okay but the main concern is that he is unable to walk, since about a week ago, due to the weakening of his legs. We had to support him at both sides.
later at 3:45pm my younger sister, Judith, came over and took me out to paint the town red before stopping for a drink at Damai, Luyang. Chit chat about Tone Excel programme and forex. before dinner we stopped by a supermarket and bought adult pampas for my dad and 2 packs of Essence of Chicken. Dinner was at a chinese restaurant in Bundusan.
Home at 9:05pm. Spent some time with my dad on his bed. His speech is a little bit slurred and his hearing is not very good. Sitting by his side I felt very sad that he is no longer able bodied as before and needs someone to support him physically. He must be feeling lonely too and frustrated that he is not as mobile as he wishes to be. I really don't like to think about it so much because it breaks my heart knowing this.
After my shower and a hot mug of nescafe I began to type my 2nd day in Sabah journal so I would not forget my exploits here. Tomorrow is a working day and I do hope my office will not call my mobile. Let's hope tomorrow will be a really great day! Of course, for you, too!
Went over to Juliana's house (sister) for the first time since they built it on their own last year. It's wonderful that their house is on the same land as my dad's so they could easily look after my parents.
Off to St Michael's church in Penampang, just a kilometer away with Jacintha (sis in law) and the girls. The church looks the same as the last time I'd seen it, but nevertheless beautiful and homely. But what really amazes me is the singing. the Mass was in Bahasa Malaysia and the choir was in full force, mostly young boys and girls in their teens, guided by a female choir master. The singing was absolutely superb! With seconds and perfect timing they sang with passion and discipline. it's true then, that Sabahans have the talent for singing. Yup, no doubt about it.
After Mass we adjourned to Bundusan for Chinese breakfast where David (brother) joined in. the noodles was really fantastic. it seems the restaurant owner made the noodles themselves and the dish is called Beaufort mee. It's one of the well known dish in Sabah.
As we almost finished our meal we got a call from my sis Juliana that dad fell and got his fingers cut and she was on the way to bring him to the 1Malaysia clinic near where we were having our breakfast. When they arrived we were told that the clinic did not have the antibiotic so we proceeded to Queen Elizabeth hospital in KK. Alas, the trip there met with a long queue of traffic caused by unintelligible traffic light system.
When we reached the emergency ward we had to register my dad for a Ringgit and it took about 15 minutes before he was whisked in a wheel chair into the ward where the doctor, or a nurse i think, gave him 6 stitches. That procedure took aver an hour. We reached home at 2:25. He's okay but the main concern is that he is unable to walk, since about a week ago, due to the weakening of his legs. We had to support him at both sides.
later at 3:45pm my younger sister, Judith, came over and took me out to paint the town red before stopping for a drink at Damai, Luyang. Chit chat about Tone Excel programme and forex. before dinner we stopped by a supermarket and bought adult pampas for my dad and 2 packs of Essence of Chicken. Dinner was at a chinese restaurant in Bundusan.
Home at 9:05pm. Spent some time with my dad on his bed. His speech is a little bit slurred and his hearing is not very good. Sitting by his side I felt very sad that he is no longer able bodied as before and needs someone to support him physically. He must be feeling lonely too and frustrated that he is not as mobile as he wishes to be. I really don't like to think about it so much because it breaks my heart knowing this.
After my shower and a hot mug of nescafe I began to type my 2nd day in Sabah journal so I would not forget my exploits here. Tomorrow is a working day and I do hope my office will not call my mobile. Let's hope tomorrow will be a really great day! Of course, for you, too!
Journal - Home to Sabah : Day 1 - after the nap
Day 1 after my siesta:
Woke up to a cool evening at 6.20, splashed myself in cool water - no shower facility. Made me a hot mug of nescafe and spent time in the hall with my parents and outside the house enjoying the evening whether. Nothing much going on. Mum said dinner would be about 7:30ish waiting for my brother to pack food after work.
Finally he came at 8pm and 10 mins later we had our dinner - Chinese takeaway. After dinner I took a stroll outside the house and was enjoying the starry view on a clear sky. Later on I performed a remote connect to my good friend in KL to instal another version of Forex Demo and spoke about forex for a good half hour.
Other than that nothing eventful took place and I embraced a good night's sleep about 12:30pm.
Woke up to a cool evening at 6.20, splashed myself in cool water - no shower facility. Made me a hot mug of nescafe and spent time in the hall with my parents and outside the house enjoying the evening whether. Nothing much going on. Mum said dinner would be about 7:30ish waiting for my brother to pack food after work.
Finally he came at 8pm and 10 mins later we had our dinner - Chinese takeaway. After dinner I took a stroll outside the house and was enjoying the starry view on a clear sky. Later on I performed a remote connect to my good friend in KL to instal another version of Forex Demo and spoke about forex for a good half hour.
Other than that nothing eventful took place and I embraced a good night's sleep about 12:30pm.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Journal - Home to Sabah : Day 1
It,s really great to be home. Last time I checked it was in year 2008 December. Thanks to Irene I managed to grab a very cheap price - RM136 for a return trip. In fact, she persuaded me to go home and spend some time with my parents.
But the week preceding my trip was a very terrible one. Work tension, resulting in terrible pain at the back of my neck the whole week. just couldn't get my backlog cleared as there were too many office issues that kept demanding my attention. Even till the yesterday, I only left my office at 9pm!
Slept at 1am, got up by 4:20am - left home 5:15am to Sentral Station. Sky bus began journey to airport at 6 and I was worried if I would miss the flight at 8am. When we reached at 7:15 I rushed to check in and still had time for nasi lemak with coffee before going through the boarding gate.
Flight took off on time at 8. Travelled at 35,000ft in the clear weather. I was worried of the pressure pain on my neck which I usually suffer in the past, but this time I was lucky. Tried to get some sleep but the angle of the seat was not very accomodating.
The plane touched down at 10:30 and I only waited about 15-20 mins for my baggage to arrive. my sister, Juliana, came half an hour later to pick me up, together with Junior and Aci. I was hungry and needed to spend some time in KK town before going home to my parent's place. I needed to breath the air there, to immerse myself in the heart of KK town. So we had something to eat in town. Since Juliana had to pick up Junaidi from La Salle school in KK we dropped by an eatery near the beach at Tg Aru. Junaidi had some outdoor activity in Lok Kawi and was on the was back to the school.
By the time we reached my parent's home it was 1:40pm. Hugged my mum. After she woke my dad up I went to hug him too. He has grown a beard and has started to use the walking stick. I feel so sad to see him like this, especially after more than 2 years. Anyway, the weather's hot here. It's 3pm now after typing my journal and I'm off to take a short nap..
But the week preceding my trip was a very terrible one. Work tension, resulting in terrible pain at the back of my neck the whole week. just couldn't get my backlog cleared as there were too many office issues that kept demanding my attention. Even till the yesterday, I only left my office at 9pm!
Slept at 1am, got up by 4:20am - left home 5:15am to Sentral Station. Sky bus began journey to airport at 6 and I was worried if I would miss the flight at 8am. When we reached at 7:15 I rushed to check in and still had time for nasi lemak with coffee before going through the boarding gate.
Flight took off on time at 8. Travelled at 35,000ft in the clear weather. I was worried of the pressure pain on my neck which I usually suffer in the past, but this time I was lucky. Tried to get some sleep but the angle of the seat was not very accomodating.
The plane touched down at 10:30 and I only waited about 15-20 mins for my baggage to arrive. my sister, Juliana, came half an hour later to pick me up, together with Junior and Aci. I was hungry and needed to spend some time in KK town before going home to my parent's place. I needed to breath the air there, to immerse myself in the heart of KK town. So we had something to eat in town. Since Juliana had to pick up Junaidi from La Salle school in KK we dropped by an eatery near the beach at Tg Aru. Junaidi had some outdoor activity in Lok Kawi and was on the was back to the school.
By the time we reached my parent's home it was 1:40pm. Hugged my mum. After she woke my dad up I went to hug him too. He has grown a beard and has started to use the walking stick. I feel so sad to see him like this, especially after more than 2 years. Anyway, the weather's hot here. It's 3pm now after typing my journal and I'm off to take a short nap..
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Mustard Seed and The Master Key!
Year in, year out, new year resolutions were like making a dull wish whenever I wake up in the morning after a vague fantasy dream. Soon as I get my butt off the bed all the dreams and wishes would instantly disappear under the blanket, only to engulf me again when I hit the sheets at night. New Year resolutions never made any sense to me, because they're beyond my grasp. And, whenever I made one up it'd only made me more discouraged, and put me in a state of depression.
This year is different. I just know it. Someone had planted a mustard seed in me during a Christmas visit to my dear old friend, Hilary, who was my wedding best man. He introduced me to a friend who is a director of Asia Event, and we got acquainted very well. Why not, since he is very humble and friendly, who was once suffering in an endless loop of rat race corporate world. Ever since he got out of it, things began to change, and with every new door he opened, another door presented itself, but not before he had acquired some knowledge and experiences which equipped him with the wisdom and courage in order to open the next door of new challenges. From thereon, more doors would present themselves and every door he had opened brought with him more new experiences and knowledge that would excite him to take on new challenges. And every new challenges would bring him more success!
From just a single act of courage in opening the first door of opportunity his life has never been the same. He is now able to provide for his family, not only in terms of money, but he is able to spend more quality time with his family. Plus point - no more stress! Every day he looks forward to start the day meeting new clients and new challenges!
He has inspired me on that Christmas day. He has planted a seed in me. I have started to grab an opportunity before that chance meeting with him, but his words of courage has driven me to courageously pursue that opportunity and go all out to open more doors as they come my way. With every door I open more doors will present themselves, as the first key, which I have used to open that very first door, is actually The Master Key!
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