Merry Christmas... and what a happy Christmas we shall have with the thought of increased toll rates looming over us. Jeebers. The price hike is ridiculous. RM1.60 for the LDP? Again, many of us question the concession agreements between our government and highway operators. What are the terms of those agreements? Why must it be so secretive? Don't we, the public, deserve to know what's going on? And will the increase in toll rates actually improve traffic jams? Especially the LDP at the Sunway area? I've been stuck approaching the toll gate from Puchong to Sunway so many times it's not funny anymore. Now, we're being conned to paying extra to sit stewing in our rage in traffic jams. Ridiculous, ridiculous, ridiculous. If there is a guarantee that traffic flow will improve then I'm sure we rational Malaysians will gladly pay the extra. Now, we're just being ripped off... again. And can the government STOP comparing to other countries?!?! It just irks me when they always say "our rates are still lower than our neighbouring countries". Yes, rates may be higher but they're offset with lower car prices, more efficient public transport etc. So stop comparing and start giving us transparent justifications instead of spouting of pre-written speeches with the same glib.

And then, some people are also saying that unemployed graduates should stop relying on the government for jobs. Er... can't speak for all Malaysians, but I for one definitely didn't rely on getting a cushy government job. First of all, we ALL know that only certain people get selected to become civil servants. Second of all, employment doesn't mean working for the government. What the government needs to do is to ensure there is enough investments in the country to establish companies and business where people can look for jobs. And the problem of unemployed graduates is not about not being able to find work. The work is there, if you're qualified. But are our local graduates qualified? I would think not. The level of English is non-existent and in the working world, it's extremely important. I won't comment on the quality of education because as we all know, the Malaysian education system is all about memorizing and just regurgitating facts from the textbook back onto the exam paper. Anyway, I'm a local graduate but because of the poor quality of graduates our local universities are churning out, it gives people like me a hard time. When employers see a local graduate's CV, they won't even bother calling them up for an interview. I even had my current boss comment on my English because I was a local graduate and he didn't expect my proficiency of English to be this good. How not to feel insulted? We have so many 'universities' and 'colleges' and 'university colleges' (whatever that is) that having a degree is not enough anymore. It's like any Tom, Dick and Harry can have a degree. And it really gives people who ARE really qualified a hard time because employers just won't know how to filter. Yes, tertiary education is a must for everyone, but it doesn't mean that we can start handing them out like flyers. And unemployed graduates complain about the government not doing enough for you. Take a look at yourself in the mirror and question yourself if you're qualified for a job not only in an MNC but ANY company when you can't speak decent English. We talk about going global but so many of our young Malaysians today can hardly string together a sentence in English.

Yes, I know proficiency in English takes time and we all should really start working towards making English important. Schools being taught in BM is good because for some, that's the only place where they actually speak BM but the standard of the English taught really should be higher. And university subjects should be taught in English. Because translating English terms into BM is just plain difficult because in the outside working world, English is used. Imagine teaching the Black Scholes model in BM. Or stochastic probability. Or what about financial theories?

Sigh...news like these make me just want to move.

Wish Granted!

Someone up there is looking out for me. Thank you so much! My flight has been confirmed and I'll be flying out of here on the 19th!

Fly me home for Christmas?

I've managed to talk my boss into letting me go home earlier for Christmas. Unfortunately, all flights are fully booked. Damn you, Qatar Airways!!! The first time I take Qatar after so long, and you have to do this to me. The best I could do was get myself on the waiting list for the flight that leaves on the 19th. That's 2 days earlier than expected but I'd rather take that than spend my Christmas weekend here feeling miserable.

I'm really such an ungrateful swine sometimes. I complain that I'm bored but when kind souls ask me out, I say No because I'm just too lazy to mingle and meet new people. Okay, starting from this week, no more Miss anti-social. If an invitation floats by, say Yes. Note to self.

On another note, I was recently head-hunted for a job. Haha... my first encounter being head-hunted. Well, it wasn't exactly head-hunting because it was a friend who asked me I was interested in a job in her company. I was happy that she thought of me since it was purely through her experience with me which made her think the job was suitable for me. Totally different industry although it will still be within the realms of consulting. Tempting offer since she told me what they're willing to pay plus the benefits thrown in are pretty good. Definitely better than what I'm getting now. Something to mull over, I suppose during my lonely days left here. I'm not really looking at changing jobs but it never hurts to think over an opportunity like this. Plus, it's a really independent role so it'd give me a chance to really prove myself and see what I'm made of. But I definitely have to think about where I want my career to go. Banking, financial institutions or pure consulting? Business processes and IT solutions? Hmmm....

I'm excited about going back. Well, this wholly depends on if I get my early flight home but I just want to go back home for a few days. And when I say home, I mean Penang home. I suddenly miss all my friends back home and my family and the food! Maybe I can convince mum to get a christmas turkey for me :)

I wonder what the New Year will bring. I'm currently only hoping for one thing regarding my job and it better bring what I'm hoping for and what I've been told is a high possibility. If that doesn't come about, then I guess thinking about new jobs won't be such a difficult decision.

This year has been rather good for me. Although I did spend nearly half of the year here, in Bahrain. I started out the year here and I'm ending the year here. Full circle. I grew a lot, career wise. I travelled a fair bit. I grew closer to some of my colleagues who are now no longer colleagues but friends. My relationship has become stronger. All in all, pretty alright.

So what adventures will the new year bring me? If all goes to plan, I'll be visiting a new place in January, I'll be earning more and having more responsibilites in my job and moving to a new place with V. Keeping my fingers crossed!

P.S. Am also crossing my fingers and hoping really hard that I get on the flight on the 19th! Which is just next week!

My office in Bahrain is on the 7th floor and overlooks the coast. From my window, I have a great view of the sea. And on a clear day like today, the sea is a magnificent colour of blueish green. Being in this Arab country has kind of opened up my eyes to quite a number of things. Like how the people here are pretty liberal and open-minded for an Arab state. It's not a dry country. Pork is easily available in the supermarkets. The cashiers who are Muslims handle pork and alcohol like it's just another item. There are ample pubs and discos around. Many of the locals drink. You can order pork in restaurants discreetly. The people here dress exceptionally well. Especially the younger generation in their designer suits and dresses. If you marry a Muslim here, you don't have to convert.

Then I read the news back home. And it saddens me to think that a Muslim Arab state can be so liberal and yet my home which is supposed to be a secular country is so close-minded. I was having a conversation with an expat from Northern India who works with the Ministry of Commerce in Bahrain. She was asking about Malaysia and how it's like in terms of being liberal. So I told her that it's pretty much like in Bahrain where you can get pork and alcohol. Walking around town in spaghetti strap tops is okay. There are pubs and discos around. Then she asked me about conversion. That non-Muslims who marry another Muslim has to convert. Hmm... didn't know how to respond. Then she mentioned that she dealt with the Malaysian embassy in Bahrain quite often seeing that she's doing PR for Commerce. And she asked how come all of the people working at the embassy are Muslims since Malaysia is a multi-racial, multi-religion country. Again, didn't know how to respond. How do I tell a foreigner that the reason why government posts are predominanly Muslim because of racial quotas? That for every application for a government post, only 1 or 2 positions are set aside for other races, the rest for Malays? Sigh...

Then, I read about another fight over a dead body. I don't understand why the religious department has to come into the picture of a deceased person, whether this person was Muslim or not. In this particular case, the fella apparently renounced Islam and returned to being a Roman Catholic and even has documents to prove it. So why must the religious department still insist on claiming the body just to give the fella an Islamic burial? First of all, his family is the one suffering for their loss. He was a part of their family NOT a part of the religious department. If anything, the family should have the right to bury him, whether he was Muslim or not. Why must there be interference from outsiders in deciding how our loved ones should be buried? Isn't the loss of a family member sad enough without adding salt to the wound? Yes, it may be important to be buried according to religious beliefs but aboveall, shouldn't the FAMILY have the last say? Especially in this case, where they have all the documents stating that he is now a Catholic. I'm wondering how this case will turn out. If the Syariah court rules that the religious department has the RIGHT to claim the body, we all know where our country is headed for.

I understand the need for religion but I don't understand people who use their religion to commit acts of stupidity like imposing your beliefs on others and condemning other religions and destroying other places of worship. Religion gives people an excuse to be stupid and unreasonable. And politicians using religion to justify things? C'mon! Take the case of our lady minister who declared that if God said to stay, then she will stay. Urm... that doesn't explain the case of the APs, dear. I absolutely hate it when they use God's name to justify themselves or to explain things. And why must a religion be imposed on people? Why force people into your religion? Doesn't religion preach about freedom of choice? That you should only believe if you believe? And not because you were born into it or married into it? And is it really a crime to renounce said religion and punish them by law? If I don't believe in my religion anymore, who are you, another human being, to tell punish me? Shouldn't it be between myself and God come judgement day? Shouldn't it be God who has the ONLY RIGHT to punish me? And using the ISA on people who renounce said religion? Jeebers... The justification of using the ISA is on people who may cause threat to national security. Er... how does renouncing said religion cause unrest? Isn't that sentence so vague? If it's really about causing unrest then what about those keris-waving people shouting that they're the pivotal race and that Malaysians can never be equal as there are some who are MORE equal than others? Aren't speeches like that even more disturbing than people who renounce said religion?

The whole 'let's play race politics' is getting out of hand. These people preach that they don't want another racial riot to occur but from the things that spew out of their mouths, they appear to be the ones instigating and fanning the embers. And what's most frightening about all this is that there ARE people who believe what is being said. That other races are causing problems. That they are stealing businesses and controlling the economy. That said race can never progress and rise because of these other races. It's really really sad.

I have a whole lot more to rant about but if I do, it'll never end. I'm just hoping that we, as smart Malaysians, see what is right and what should be done to stop all this.

It's so annoying reading the news from back home. Discussing religion is a 'sensitive' issue. Bumiputra rights are a 'sacred' issue. Sex is 'sensitive'. Jeebers. Bollocks.

And I hate it when people say, "Oh, it goes against our Eastern values" or 'Asian values'. What the heck is that anyway? Just because we're Asian, doesn't mean we're governed by these so called values and just clam up regarding issues which are deemed 'sensitive'. C'mon, we're in an era where information is so easily available, wouldn't it be easier to just address these issues instead of hiding behind 'values'?

I think I should just stop reading the news back home. Gets me riled up.

Temptation

Curiousity killed the cat. But satisfaction brought it back :)

I can't say I've been killed. But I am going to knock my head against the wall for being curious and for asking that question which has been in my head since I got offered a job here. We all knew the package would be good. But I never had real figures. Today I popped the question. And the numbers are dancing in front of my eyes. Everywhere I turn, those figures are just sashaying and parading in front of me, enticing me to grab at them. Temptation, temptation, temptation. Sigh. Sorely tempted to just grab those numbers and start living a whole new life. So what's stopping me?

Fear. Fear of starting a new life alone in a new place. Fear of not being able to keep up with the job demands. Fear of not being able to adapt to the life alone without my friends and family. Unfounded fears, I must say, but fear nonetheless.

So what if a high chance of getting promoted next year is there? I definitely won't be earning what they offered me here. But... (and there's always a but) the fear of starting anew is there. This is like being back in the past where major decisions I made were influenced by the people around me. I chose a university locally because my family would be near and my friends were also going there. I applied for my first job with my friends because I was afraid to let go of my university life. I think the only major decision I made which wasn't influenced at all was my decision to accept my current job. And I love my job. I love my workplace. I love my department colleagues and the bond I've forged with some of them. And now this.

Pros:

• MONEY!!! AMERICAN DOLLARS!!! More money I'll ever earn at my age.
• Great career opportunity.
• Challenging job.
• Experience of living as an expat.

Cons:

• Too challenging of a job. Work culture is very different here and things sometimes move at tortoise pace. And is very very frustrating.
• Termination. Apparently, employees can get terminated really easily here. Contract or no contract, if the big boss no like you, "You're Fired!"

Fears:

• Not enough strategic experience. Albeit I won't be heading the strategic department but I would be very much involved in the strategies and issues each project would individually face, not forgetting the parent company. At this stage in my career, I'm still receiving guidance from my fellow colleagues and being next in line after a Dept Head is pretty scary. However, the confident part of me tells me I can do it and will pull through and that I'm smart enough to handle anything that pops up. After all, I got into consulting with absolutely no experience and I'm doing alrite.
• Starting a new life alone in a strange place. Okay, so it's not exactly a strange place anymore but still, it's not Malaysia. It's not home. I won't go into food coz nothing beats food back home. I haven't had the experience of living abroad and I'm scared of living alone in a new place. Even though my family's back in Penang but it's only a short drive home and I can call them anytime I want and can go home anytime I want.
• My relationship. He's just got a new job. If he was still at his old place, then maybe I can get him a job here. I don't think it would be too difficult. Yes, I haven't spoken to him about it, but I don't know if he is as willing to move now that he will be doing something he likes. Also, there's no guarantee I can get a job for him here.
• My friends. I love my friends. And I don't know what I'd do without them. Yes yes... I'm sure I'll find new friends here but still... nothing like my sistas in KL and Penang.

So there. I've listed all down. At least thoughts that popped in my head when I got the numbers and the open offer. Although, now that I think about it, there may be something in the contract which forbids clients from poaching consultants. Hmm... I discussed this with another colleague who was also offered a position and we are both sorely tempted now that I've given him the actual figures. We've always joked about coming to work here since we've been here for so long but now that it can actually be a reality... we're both pretty stunned. And I know he's extremely tempted by the money. So am I. We've always joked about being able to afford an aston martin, a yacht, holidays in Nice if we worked here. And now with the figures in front of us, that's one step closer to turning our jokes into a reality. Well, maybe not the aston martin and the yacht but holidays in Nice, definitely.

What to do... what to do :) Oh well, until they find someone (other than trying to poach us, consultants) the position(s) is open. So anyone interested to work in the Middle East, do send me your CVs. I'll just take an ESS fee: 20% of your annual salary :)

Tinkling thoughts and things

I thought being in here would give me more time to reflect on things and write in my blog about what's going in the world today. But that doesn't seem to be the case. I seem to lost the 'will' to write. I've been pretty lazy the past week since I got here. Lazy not in the work sense. I'm still doing my work as I'm supposed to. But just being lazy. Lazy to cook my own dinner, so I order in even though I've already bought my groceries. Lazy to exercise. Lazy to go out. I've just been bumming around the apartment being a damn couch potato or surfing the net or playing my computer games. Also, my tummy's been acting really strangely. I've been visiting the toilet so many times that it's now my loyal companion here. I'm not having any pains or cramps. But I've just been running like crazy. And I have no idea why. Everytime I go to the toilet, there's stuff coming out. Sounds gross, but crapping is part of life so deal with it. I think I'm either still getting used to the food here or something I'm eating regularly could be doing this to me. Could it be the bran bread I eat for lunch everyday? Or maybe the bran cereal I take every morning for breakfast? I'm eating so much fibre, enough to last me for a lifetime I think. Anyhow, I suppose it's good for my system. Get rid of the excess crap I may have in my intestines.

My first weekend here passed uneventfully. Was invited for dinner by a Malaysian colleague who's on secondment here as the big boss was in town. Her apartment was huge! And she's living alone. I should have just accepted her offer to stay with her. But then again, she's not really on the same wave length so on second thoughts, living alone here is much better. So dinner over the weekend was taken care of. Had chinese food in this Hong Kong restaurant on Saturday night. It was actually quite decent. Can you believe it? Decent chinese food in Bahrain. Plus the servers were from China. The big boss was like "Oh, you can speak chinese to them and order for us!" And I was going "Crap crap crap..." since I obviously can't speak mandarin for nuts. And when the waitress spoke to me in her mandarin, the accent was so thick I could hardly understand her! As it is, I already have a hard time understanding Malaysian Mandarin. But anyhow, the food was ordered and it was pretty alright. Very saucy. Not so much Hong Kong style but more of South China, I think. But hey, I'm no expert on food.

Sayang's started his new job. Well, technically started anyway. He's on this camping trip with the workmates. Part of the programme. I started laughing when I found out he has to go for this trip. Going camping and being adventurous is the last thing he would do.

Urgh... I just read the news that some 100 year old man married a 22 year old woman. I don't know. Something about that just doesn't seem right. Call me conservative but what the heck would they do with each other? It's just disturbing...

Okay, back to work...although I'm now in the mood to strangle some people!

Of old friends, runny stomachs and green hair

Edit: This post is a bit outdated but what the heck...

Last weekend was about meeting old friends and reminiscing memories shared. The trip back to ole cyberjaya was good even though we were kind of grumbling about it as it was just so very far away. But hanging out in Annie’s apartment, drinking wine, looking at NG’s photos of Indonesia, eating green salad and chatting was good. It was good to just lay back with my friends and talk about everything and nothing. Dinner with Logan and Mohan was also good and though it was just simple pork noodles and ikan bakar, the company was good and the laughter aplenty. The invitation back to Logan’s house was at first turned down as it was quite late and quite far but in the end we relented and all of us convoyed to his house. The treat of mango margaritas on Logan’s newly bought blender and wine was a bonus. Conversation was flowing as was the margarita. I continuously drank the lone bottle of wine and it was all mine. Topics of conversation ranged from local bloggers to music. The fun really started when Logan dug out old photographs of our debating days. Memories long tucked away were once again dredged up as what happens everytime we get together. Stories which have been told and retold a gazillion times were regaled once again and the laughter was never-ending. Each of us have had our own share of humiliating and embarrassing stories but we’re never shy to tell them each time as those times were equally shared with fun and laughter. I have never laughed so hard with them for a very long time. Remembering the times we had as a debating group was bittersweet. I know those times are long gone and that we’ve grown up and moved on but clinging on to those memories make all of us bonded together somehow. Logan got his video cam out and started recording the party after a while. I don’t really remember what transpired that got recorded but I remember laughing a lot. And being a commentator of a wild life show and getting bitten by Logan who was pretending to be a sting ray after Logan, Farrah and Mohan decided to attack me. The party finally broke up at about 4 plus AM after the booze ran out. I drove myself back tightly wrapped with the happy memories I’ve created with my friends and a smile on my face.

Didie’s engagement dinner was simple and easygoing. Dinner was alrite and seeing old friends from uni was good. Looking at who’s going out with who and who’s getting married. Seems like a lot of people are getting hitched. Not like I’m rushing for my turn. *touch wood*

Was home sick yesterday with a slight bout of the runs. A bit of stomach cramps and a lot of running to the toilet. As sick as I was, I still managed to buy more clothes. My excuse is that I haven’t shopped for clothes in a while so it’s alright. In total, I bought 4 skirts, 1 jacket, 1 shirt and a leather handbag. Thank goodness I’m going off to Bahrain in a few day’s time and will live on my allowance hence leaving my salary untouched allowing me to use that money to clear off my credit card bills!

Did my hair over the weekend. The colour came out disastrous. Well, it wasn’t that bad. In fact, I kinda liked it but it just wasn’t suitable AT ALL for work. So I walked out of the salon feeling cool and funky but as the weekend drew to a close, I realised that I really wasn’t THAT confident to be walking into the office with peacock green hair! So I bought myself some blue-black hair dye and re-coloured the bright parts. So now my hair is a very dark brown with dark blue highlights. Pretty alright looking now. Why didn’t I have peacock green hair during my uni days?

Again?

It was around this time last year when I was preparing to go to Bahrain. I remember the excitement of having to go overseas for an assignment, the apprehension etc. Fast forward a year later and here I am back in the same position of preparing to go to Bahrain. Except this time, the excitement and apprehension have worn off. All that's left is a feeling of tiredness and "When is this going to end?"

I came back home after a total of 4 months (collectively) in Bahrain. I reached Malaysian land in April. 6 months later and I'm flying back again. Urgh. I'm not exactly thrilled about going back. The only light in my tunnel right now is the money I will be able to save. The work, on the other hand, is a real chore.

I'm trying to console myself right now and keep reminding myself about the money and the change of environment. However, I will be missing quite a few things with my impending departure.

1. Melissa's coming back home and I most probably won't have time to see her.

2. Mel's hen's night. I've never actually been to a hen's night before so I was really excited about it since I was supposed to be helping out.

3. Company annual dinner. What a bummer. Everyone in the department is around and will be attending and I will have to miss it.

Feeling rather down and out now with my departure date looming closer.

On another note, I'm really wishing well for someone close to me to get the job he is interviewing for. Although it would mean a pay cut for 6 months, prospects are much better and benefits to die for.

I now need a short (knee-length) cheongsam to wear for Mel's wedding as one of the chee-muis. Ish. I probably have to purchase one now. Plus i don't have anything to wear for the wedding dinner yet. Gotta buy a dress for that too.

Anyway, for some viewing memories, some random pictures of happy times and holidays...

Happy times in Rantau Abang - 2004














High and happy in Bangkok - 2006













Chirpy in blue - Pangkor 2006














Tired but happy in Phnom Penh - 2006












Tiredly painting for Community Day - 2006














Being ladies futsal champions among all the accounting firms in the Klang Valley - 2006












I can't seem to find my older pictures. Kuantan, Phuket, Bali, Langkawi etc. They're probably somewhere around...

Holiday!

Yes, I'm going on a holiday!!! From tomorrow onwards till next week, I should just be lying around on the beach, getting burnt by the sun, drinking lots of ice cold beer at premium prices, getting pampered at the spa and eating lots of good food at affordable prices. Sounds perfect.

It's been a while...

It's been a while since I last posted anything. It's not that I've been particularly busy but somehow, time in the office passes by so quickly that even though there's not many things to do, updating my blog just doesn't get done.

So let's see... last update was July. It's now September. Let me do a recap of key things that happened:
July: Company trip to Pangkor / Grandmother passed away at the ripe age of 94
August: Cambodia Holiday / Birthdays galore / Playing Futsal for my company and emerging as champions / Merdeka party / Beloved Sony Ericsson K750i stolen / Community Day - painting a special school in Klang

My grandmother passed away in her sleep. She was 94 years old. I suppose we can all say that she's lived a full and glorious life with 12 children and a large number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. So, here's to you, ah ma... you will always be remembered.

The company trip to Pangkor was crazy. I've never seen my bosses getting themselves so drunk and dancing so crazily even I got scared! The whole trip was a blast and going kayaking at 3 in the afternoon is NOT a good idea. Got burnt by the sun. Fortunately, it wasn't the pain+peeling skin type of burn. Just got darker. I got totally smashed on the first night but managed to get back to my room to take off my contact lenses and change into PJs before passing out on my bed. Talk about being a responsible drunk! Although I don't remember a few things I did which my colleagues were more than happy to tell me :P

My short trip to Phnom Penh / Siem Reap was incredible. Seeing the Angkor Wat up close and personal is a once in a lifetime experience. It's amazing how they could have built such incredible structures. And how accurate they are in their construction. And to hear the stories of how and why the temples were built and the stories of the murals was just wonderful. The not so nice experiences are the children who beg / sell trinkets, the exhibits of the Pol Pot Regime and how they tortured thousands of people and the number of people who were killed at that time. But it's a real eye opener and made me realise how lucky we Malaysians have it. It was really depressing to see the killing fields and the musuem.

My birthday came and went. I am now a quarter of a century old.

The worst thing about my birthday was losing my phone. Sucks ass to lose my 'only one year old' phone and all the information I had inside. Plus, the fact I left my phone in the cubicle of a reputable hotel where a medical conference was being held which would have been attended by upper middle class professionals and having my phone NOT returned shows that Malaysians are pure greedy and selfish people. Come on... I'm pretty sure that EVERYONE at the conference had their own mobile phones and it COULDN'T have been the cleaners coz I rushed back to the toilet only 10 minutes later and it was already gone. So why take the phone, huh? Pure idiots. I was at a derivatives seminar last week and I found a Motorola Razr on the floor. Obviously someone who attended the seminar had dropped it. Would I have kept it? No. I picked it up and passed it on to the organiser of the seminar. Why? Because it's the RIGHT thing to do! IDIOTS! I curse the person(s) who took my phone and hope he / she falls into a huge monsoon drain and breaks both legs and arms. Serves you right for not returning my phone.

Community Day was tiring! I was in the group which had to paint a section of the school and it was hard work! First of all, because the walls were brick and we had to fill in ALL the little cracks. Secondly, some pure slackers didn't finish their part properly and we, being responsible people, had to pick up after them. I realise that there will always be people who slack off and expect someone else to pick up after them. And there will always be people who will finish off whatever these slackers leave behind. It’s the way the world works and it sucks. It sucks when you have to finish off other people’s work and you have to clean up after them. It sucks when you can’t just leave the unfinished work and walk away because there is that thing called responsibility so ingrained that you just have to finish it up. Crap… A curse on slackers and their offspring who ultimately will grow up to be irresponsible beings as well.

I also realise that we need to start a culture of firing people who are not performing and who have general bad work ethics and attitude. People who give off a bad smell whenever they’re around (and in my case, I mean that quite literally) should just be let go. The situation we have right now at work is a wholly annoying person who thinks he is a hell of a great person and is smarter than everyone else. Right. Well, let me tell you something. Not meeting deadlines, having to re-do your work, going AWOL is a pain in the ass. When we have to look for you on deliverable day because you’ve gone MIA and you haven’t given us your report is not acceptable. Waltzing into the office at 11am when work starts at 9 is not acceptable. Jeebers. And bragging about yourself is a no-no especially since your work and attitude proves otherwise. This dude is a real pain-in-the-ass. In a way, I feel kind of sorry for him coz none of us talks to him and we go out for lunch without including him etc. But he's just so annoying that all of us can't stand him. Urgh. Words can't describe him. I think we need to start emulating Donald Trump's words... You're fired!

It's a bit slow now at work. Nothing new confirmed yet and a lot of things in the pipeline. I'm hoping to be put on the overseas jobs. At least then I'll get to travel again. I've practically been grounded since coming back from Bahrain in April.

Looking forward to my next holiday which is coming up in exactly 14 days! Hoorah! 6 wonderful days sun, sand and surf. 6 glorious days of cheap and delicious food, drinks and great company. Aah... I can feel the sun on my back and an ice cold beer in my hand...

I shall end this post with a photo of which I am very proud of. To be part of a team who emerged as ladies futsal champions among all the accounting firms in KL! Plus we were the only team to have nice jerseys and looked the best :)

Forum on Community Driven Change

There will be a forum hosted by BalaiRakyat and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation titled Community Driven Change to discuss how communities (i.e. Resident Associations, Community based Organisations) can effect change in their own environments.

The forum will include highlights of common problems based in certain areas / districts, ideas on how communities can be mobilized and finding workable solutions to these identified problems.

There will be two invited speakers. One of which is the president of the PJ Resident's Assocation and the other from a political party which fights for the urban poor.

Details of the forum below:
Date: 8th July 2006
Time: 2:30 pm
Venue: Function Room, Hotel Malaya, Kuala Lumpur

Contact and registration: sylvia.joachim@gmail.com

Click on the Balairakyat link above for more information on the forum and its objectives.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Admission is free.

Football Fever

It's World Cup season! I know this is coming in 19 days too late but what the hell... England is in the Quarter Finals!!! Although their performance have given me a few heart attacks but at least they managed to scrape and crawl their way through to the last 8. Luckily there are quite a number of England supporters in the department so won't kena maki that much. Have made bets within the department... England for the Semis!!!

I've been so lazy these past few weeks. Busy but lazy. Busy at work but lazy to do anything else after work.

Will be free this weekend. Trying to decide what I should do :)

Cranky and Crampy

Half a day has gone by and I haven't accomplished anything. The document I'm supposed to finish still looks like how I left it yesterday. Thought I could make this queasy feeling in my stomach go away if I ate something but it's after lunch time and I'm feeling worse. Plus, it doesn't help that I'm having my monthly cramps. Crap, this is the worst bout of cramps I've ever had. At least I got the rest of my other stuff done and only have this proposal to complete by tomorrow. My head's jammed and I can't seem to think. I can feel a headache coming along. It's as if there's a tiny little hammer pounding at the back of my head now. And as the day progresses, this hammer is going to grow into one giant mother-fucker. Am in such a bad bad mood. Don't feel like talking. Don't feel like working. I just want to go back home and curl under the blanket, hoping that when I wake up the next day, everything will be rosy.

Leaving on a jet plane

create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands


I've been here and there but the above map doesn't quite paint a correct picture. Like I've only been to California in the States so the whole of US shouldn't be coloured. But it's cool... hopefully I can cover a fair bit before I'm too old and feeble to walk :)

Wind down, wind up, open wide

*Another update*
Yay.. I've gone and gotten myself that test. Will be getting a blood test done next week... better safe than sorry...
Apparently I'm very fertile o_O

*Update*
Have decided to consult a private clinic instead. Sceptical about the nurses in government clinics... they're so obviously not going to be gentle and I'd have to endure embarrassing lectures about having pre-marital sex :P So don't need all that crap right now.

No time to recover from Bangkok! Was forced to go into work extra early the next day even though I had just reached home around 12 am and still needed to shower and unpack! This week has been extremely busy (as usual). Have been leaving the office around 9pm every night! Hopefully by next week, things would slow down a bit for me as I've already finished my report and just have to get through the presentation next week.

Bangkok was a blast! Stayed at the Ascott which was extremely lovely and comfortable. Even though I had to share a room with a colleague but the 4 of us in the 2-bedroom suite was just nice. Adn there was free food! Cans of soft drinks, boxes of milk, oreos and some packets of nuts. Although they don't refill the food but still, it was free! At first we thought we had to pay for them and just stared hungrily at them while waiting for boss for dinner. How stupid we felt when we found out they were free! Forgot to take pictures of the apartment though. But below are some photos taken from their website:

The master bedroom...










Lounge area...








View from the kitchen... obviously our apartment didn't have the fancy bread and salad...




Stuffed myself silly with food during the whole week. Thai food is just extremely delicious. Even though I tell myself not to eat so much, I just can't help trying everything and end up eating till I'm stuffed. So it was always pretty hard concentrating on the training after lunch :)

The shopping was great too. Everything is just so cheap! Shoes, bags, clothes.... you name it. Most of the things are like 199 baht (Pronounced wan nai nai by the salesgirls). I initially changed only about RM400. But then during the week, I got an extra 2000 baht from my boss since he was leaving and changed another RM100 :P Uncontrollable spending!!!

And I haven't drank as much as I did during that week in a long while (minus Voices days). We were drinking every night! And I don't know how but I was suddenly crowned the President of our department alcoholics! Hey, I don't drink all that much, you know! There was one night I was too full after dinner to drink and my boss was like "Did that come from you?" Hmph! My colleagues who couldn't finish their drinks also passed them to me... do I look like a drain? And surprisingly, I didn't get high... Hmm... Have found a new drink... Grey Goose Vodka with Ligo Cranberry Juice and a slice of orange! Mmmm... refreshing!

On a totally different note, I need to get myself checked up. No, I don't have any diseases... Just for my own health. I was in Putrajaya on Tuesday to collect something from a government office and decided to try and make an appointment with the health clinic there to get that check since it will be affordable (note: cheap). Went to the women's health counter:
Me: (all in malay) I want to make an appointment with a specialist to get a test.
Nurse: Oh, you don't need a specialist. Usually for that, a nurse will do it.
Me: Okay. Can I make an appointment then?
Nurse: You don't need to make an appointment. Those tests are done on Thursdays. So you can just come.
Me: Okay, then.
Nurse: Are you married?
Me: Er... no....
Nurse: Oh, if you're not married then you don't need to get that checkup.
Me: Er... (knew what she was getting at)... but I just want to get it checked anyway.
Nurse: Usually we don't do it for unmarried women. Only married ones.
Me: Er... okay... but I just want to get the test anyway. (trying not to laugh)
Nurse: Have you ever been with a man?
Me: (really trying not burst out laughing coz I just found it funny) Yes.
Nurse: Oh.... then you need to get the test. Come on Thursday.

Goodness!!! How naive was that?!?!! Pap smears are only for married women.... (rolling eyes) Why do I get the feeling that I will be lectured by the nurse when she finds out that I'm not married but (GASPS) pernah bersama dengan lelaki!!!

So anyway, am finally making good on that promise I made to my sister to get myself tested. Will be going today or next week. Feeling pretty aprehensive about it. Takut, la...

At this particular moment, I feel so taken for granted. I feel that I've done so much for him which has gone unappreciated and unnoticed. I put in so much extra effort to make sure that we see each other. I do my best at whatever he asks. And yet... it seems as if everything I do doesn't matter, because after all, it's supposed to come with the relationship, right?

I don't mind doing all that I'm doing but I would like some acknowledgment. You need someone to pick you up? Fine, I'll do it because I understand that you don't have your car back yet. You need some money to tide you over? Fine, I'll lend you some. You left something in my car and need me to turn back to return it you? Fine, I'll do it. You need to borrow my car to go somewhere? Fine, take it since I'm not using it. You're vegetarian today? Fine, we'll go somewhere where you can easily get vegetarian food. I will gladly do anything for you. But all I'm asking for is a word of 'thanks' and some appreciation. Do I get that? No, not really. You borrowed my car yesterday and when I got in this afternoon, I noticed the floor mat was out of place and so I asked you if you fetched anyone else. Did I get a decent answer from you? No. What I got was, "I can't wait to get my car back so that I won't have to get questions like that from you." Look, you borrowed MY car, and I definitely have the RIGHT to ask if there was anyone else. I didn't say you couldn't fetch anyone but all I wanted to know was who sat in the passenger seat last night when MY car was with you. Even if it had been your car, I would have asked the same question! You borrowed MY car and got annoyed with ME for asking you a harmless question. Did I get mad at you? No, because I didn't want to start an arguement. So I let it pass. Later, we had to send your uncle back to his house where you were getting off as well to follow your cousin back to your house. Fine. Which means, I will have to go to your uncle's place to drop YOU off, then drive MYSELF back to my house. Still fine. But when we got there, you left without taking your things. And I had to turn back after being halfway home, to give you back your stuff since you needed them. When I got there, you opened the door and just took your stuff. No word of "thanks". No word of "bye". No word of "good night". I know we had an arguement on the way to your uncle's place but if our positions were reversed, I know I would have at least said "thank you". I was feeling slightly depressed that I would be going back home alone and even wanted to put in that extra effort to follow you back home even though it means going through a horrendous traffic jam in the morning so that I could spend a little more time with you. But you said your cousin was staying over with you tonight. Fine. So I said let's go back to my home first and your cousin can pick you up later when he sends your uncle back home since they're still drinking and will be ordering another jug. Which would give us at least an hour together. But you said No. You wanted to continue drinking with your uncle. Obviously I got upset since I won't be seeing you for the coming 2 weeks. Was I wrong to get upset? I don't think so.

I do wonder if it's really worth it. If what we have is really worth my putting in all this effort for you. Why bother doing things for someone if I get nothing in return? Why bother thinking of someone and doing nice things if that someone doesn't bother putting in the same effort and doing nice things for me? Sometimes, it's the little things that count. And if that someone doesn't believe in putting effort in the small things (or big things for that matter), is it worth it?

You tell me.

Still busy

The month of May is whizzing past me. I feel like it was just yesterday I was stepping out of the plane back from Bahrain. But it's actually been nearly a month since I got back. The amount of work I've got on my plate makes it seem I've never left. And I just received news that our contract might be extended again and I will need to go back to Bahrain after the summer break. But I've got my holiday plans in September / October, so we'll see. If it really gets extended, then I'll have to negotiate something.


Am based in the heart of KL right now. The drive here is horrendous and I can't take the LRT as there isn't one near my place and by the time I drive to the nearest station, I might as well drive all the way to town already. Luckily I can come in slightly later and miss most of the morning rush. The food around here is great, though. Cheap and good! And loads of chinese eateries around. What more could I ask for!


Went back home over the long weekend and just lamed in the house. Forgot to call up my friends beforehand and felt too lazy to go out and catch up with them :( Bad, I know... but sometimes I just want to laze at home and not do anything except hang out with my family and eat good home-cooked food. The bus journey back home and back to KL was alrite. Surprisingly no jam.

MMU won the Asians again this year. Good for them. Had the option of taking a ferry to Langkawi to meet up with the kids but was just too lazy :) Besides, I haven't been home since I got back from Bahrain so it was a good reason not to go.

Apparently a lot of the spectators were anti-MMU during the finals. Oh well, that's like so expected. I would have to say other contingents in Asians are normally intimidated by us because we're so outgoing and united as a group. Not to mention our guys and gals normally score :) The culture of Voices MMU carries on :)
I'm actually blogging right now because I can't stand looking at my work anymore. After this project, I think I'll be an 'expert' on Islamic banking :| All the jargon and terms and concepts are so confusing. And the project room here is such a mess. Documents and files strewn all over the table. Everyday,we say we'll tidy them up but by the end of the day, we'll be too tired and too eager to go home.

Went back to the office yesterday and got bombarded with more work. It's like she can sense when her people are back. Immediately when I came back from lunch (coz before lunch in the morning she wasn't in), my phone rang... oops... get something done for her by the end of the day coz she needs it by the next morning :|
So spend the whole afternoon rushing that out for her, then had to finish up some slides which were due and finally only left the office nearly 8. Bleh.

My claims submission this month was so measly. This is the first month where my claims aren't 4 digits. So sad :( No more extra cash / savings.

Okay... back to work now. Deadline drawing near. So is lunch time :)

Busy Bee

Busy busy busy... that's what I've been since my first week back to work in Malaysia. No time to go gym, no time to read the news, no time to upload my photos from my camera... even time in the office just seems to fly like nobody's business. I'll come in at 8:30 and with a blink of an eye... it'd be time for lunch and I would have hardly gotten anything finished. Come back from quick lunch at 1, *blink*, 6pm... What the?!?! Where did time go?

I'm finding it a little hard to adjust being back in the office. When I was in Bahrain, all I had to do was that project and nothing else. But being back here, means I'm easy prey for the bosses. First day back and had two deadlines to meet by the next day. Bleh. Plus... audit is coming so we have to rush to file all documents properly and to make sure that we've got everything in order. Also, am put on a new project which I am totally not familiar with so really need to do some reading. But where's the time?

Eee... I want to go holiday again... Phuket was great! Even though having my wallet stolen was a HUGE dent on the holiday... but nevertheless, I still had a great time being a beach bum :)

Next destination to look forward to: Bangkok at the end of May. Although technically it's not a holiday but some training, still... since there will be bunch of us from the dept attending the training, it's going to be a blast!

Okay... time to get back to work... no time to go toilet also!

Back from London...

What can i say? I had a wonderful 3 and a half days in London. Definitely not enough time to sight-see and shop though. Will definitely have to plan another holiday there. Thanks to my wonderful sister who provided me with accomodation, some payment of my food and transport and a visit to a West End show. The public transport there was superbly efficient. Of course, you would expect that from a city that's centuries old. I love the architecture of the city. The mix of centuries old buildings with new and modern skyscrapers. I love the Victorian buildings and the cobblestone streets and the statues / memorials that are around every corner. I love the tube with its centuries old tunnels even though they're infested with rats. I love the parks and gardens at every corner and the posh apartments with their Victorian architecture and red brick walls. I love the churches and their steeple tops. I love the buildings with their chimneys sticking out which remind me of Mary Poppins and the chimney sweeps. I love the street names which brings back fond memories of when Monopoly was a huge part of your life. Mayfair and Park Lane are the posh and expensive part of the city. You've King's Cross station just around the corner. Picaddily Circus and Leicester Square just adjacent to each other. Bond street. Oxford Circus. Regent Street. The whole city is so picturesque that you can never stop taking photos and so I decided to not take any photos of the architecture because every building is just so unique that if you take a photo of one building you have to take photos of every building to give them fair justice. Hopped over to Portobello Road market which made me think of Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Went to Buckingham Palace to catch a glimpse of the changing of the guards. Queen wasn't in :) Walked the streets of Covent Garden and Chinatown. Roamed the theatres of West End. Appreciated Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Chair, Leonardo da Vinci's Virgin on the Rocks, Monet and Reubens at the National Gallery. Climbed the steep steps of St Paul's Cathedral to the Stone Gallery at the top of the dome. Gazed in awe at the wonderful knave of the church and walked in sombreness in the crypt. Stood outside Westminster Abbey and gazed in awe of the church but didn't have time to go in. Saw and heard the bells of Big Ben chiming the hour at the Houses of Parliament. Saw London Bridge that isn't likely to fall down. Walked the span of Tower Bridge. Saw the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London and had a tour of the castle / prison with the original guards of the Tower, the Yeomen Warders (or more popularly known as Beef-eaters). Saw the tower Elizabeth I was kept in. Took a cruise along the River Thames. Went up the London Eye to look at the wonderful city from a bird's eye view. Visited the Tate Modern for a view of modern art. Walked amongst the pigeons of Trafalgar Square. Shopped along the streets of Oxford Circus and Regent Street. Caught an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical at the Palace Theatre. Window-shopped in Harrods. Ate lunch in one of the many parks on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Love the food there as well. M&S has such wonderful take-away food. And pretty cheap too. I love M&S!!!

London is magnificient. And I obviously didn't have enough time to go outside of London to Bath to go see the Stonehenge and the Roman Baths. Buckingham Palace was also closed to visitors so I didn't get to see the Queen's staterooms. Definitely need another trip back. And the shopping was pretty alrite. Got an England jersey (kids size) for myself for only 9 pounds. Was on sale. Plus, if England win the World Cup, I can get a refund on my jersey! Got cordurouy jeans from GAP for 10 pounds and a few more other items. Too bad most things weren't really on sale. But every London-er seemed to be out on a shopping spree during the weekend. Met up with my cousins whom I haven't seen for 10 years. Aunt and Uncle were away in Amsterdam so didn't get to see them.

But I love London. The rich history behind the country and city fueled by countless reads of Victorian romance novels intrigues me. Would I want to live and work there? Definitely. Is there a chance? Maybe... in the near future... if I play my cards right :)

London is a city of walking. Everyone walks. They take the tube / bus and walk to their destination. I have never walked so much in my life for a very long time now. The hectic running around of sight-seeing is something I haven't done in a long time. And the ladies wear gorgeous heels and boots and I wonder how they walk so fast from one place to another with those 3 inch heels. And the wonderful and stylish coats everyone wears! And me with my plain fleece jacket and borrowed scarf and sneakers. It's no wonder I was freezing my ass off!

And so ends my journey to London where there are more photos kept in my head than actual photos taken on my camera, my sister's camera and my phone.

Wah!!!

Was just doing some searching online... and London is one bloody expensive place! All the dang tourist attractions have an admission price! Just to go see a church (St Paul's cathedral), I have to pay 9 pounds! That's RM63!!! Was doing some calculating and my money spent on tourist attractions will amount to about 50 pounds!!! Wah!!! Actually it'd be more since I don't have the full pricing list of some of the other places I want to visit. The admission price for Madame Tussauds is already 24 pounds! Not to mention I'd have to spend on transport and food. Plus I would like to buy a few things of course. And I want to watch a West End show. How now? Looks like I'll have to purchase the London pass (for tourists attractions) and the Travel Card (for traveling on the tube). Why so expensive!!!

Things to buy:
England football jersey (for him... and if not too pricey, one for me too!)
Small (and affordable) souveniers for dear friends
Clothes (let there be cheap clothes!)
Nice English butter biscuits from M&S (I love those things!)

Again... London, here I come! Expensive as you may be...

In brief...

I read this in the NST today:

He doesn’t like to be ‘boss’ "YES, boss" or simply "boss" has found its way into the local vocabulary and most people have come to accept this form of address.
Not so Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, BN MP for Santubong. "If I see something I really want to buy and someone calls me boss, I won’t buy it," he said during question time yesterday."When I was at a hotel yesterday, the chef asked me, ‘Boss, what do you want?’ I said to him: ‘Thank you, I don’t want anything’."
Dr Wan regretted that the word "boss", which was used by Americans during their gangster era, had taken hold in Malaysia.He wanted to know why a "useless and bad" word like "boss" had become a "culture" in the country.
Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the use of such words was the result of accepting words from other languages into Bahasa Malaysia.Rais said a committee consisting of representatives from his ministry and the Education Ministry was looking into the matter.
(They should discover that the word "boss" is from the Dutch "baas", meaning "master", and was used to mean that long before the "gangster era" in the US.)

Er… don’t you think our MPs would have more important things to worry about? Granted ‘boss’ may not be a ‘good’ word but to worry about such things and actually discuss it when there are so much more high priority issues at hand…. I’m at a loss for words…

Another funny comment by one of our esteemed MPs:

‘Overeating cause of failure among athletes’ IS overeating a reason for the poor showing of Malaysian athletes in international competitions? Hasni Mohamad (BN-Pontian) suggested that athletes from Africa succeeded because they did not have enough to eat.
"But our athletes and officials eat too much which causes them to fail at international meets." Hasni was responding to comments by Datuk Razali Ismail (BN-Kuala Terengganu) during the debate on the 9MP yesterday.

Only in Malaysia, can we have someone saying food shortage and starvation is a good thing. I’m sure there are plenty of reasons why our local athletes aren’t doing well but I don’t think making them starve will motivate them any further to excel. Again… at a loss for words…

We should take note of Thailand:
(from Bernama)

… the whole episode was a learning process for the Thai people who have learned about democracy and how it could be made to work the way it was intended.
"People learned that they can take their fight to the streets against a government that has lost its legitimacy to rule, and they can also take their fight to the ballot box. The avalanche of abstention votes cast by democratic-loving citizens was a resounding rejection of Thaksin, his Thai Rak Thai Party and the culture of deceit and corruption that they stand for," the Nation said.
The paper said the most remarkable thing was that the titanic struggle between Thaksin, a seriously-flawed, but democratically-elected leader, and the people who had taken to the streets to oppose him was played out over two volatile months without violence.

How about that? If our dear neighbour can make a change, why not us as well? We just need to get more people to be more aware of what’s happening and for people to believe that we CAN make a change. Most of the time, we just think “Complain also no use… nothing will change….” Yeah… so, c’mon people… be aware of what’s happening and be aware that we CAN make a change.

And looks like our govt is establishing yet another body to oversee the implementation of projects in the 9MP. Another body. Another plan. I wonder when they will realise that a plan is only good if (1) there is actual implementation, (2) the implementation of course has to be done well (ie cost efficient etc) and (3) the body overseeing this implementation has to be free from corruption and crony-ism to make the plan work.

To quote our PM:

"For example, we also do not want a situation where there are no doctors once a hospital has been completed. The people get angry with the government when we do not build a hospital and when the hospital is ready the people again find fault with the government because there are no doctors," he said."Other matters include water, electricity and roads. For example, we do not want to have a completed project without an access road," he said.

So they want proper planning to be done BEFORE projects are actually implemented. Let’s hope it works. I think all of us are too familiar with situations where projects are completed only to realise… Oops, no telephone line. Oops, forgot to build road. Oops, got university but no students and lecturers. Never mind, dump in poor students who can’t afford to fund their own studies. Who cares about shitty lecturers and poor quality of education? Oops, oops oops. Sounds like a Britney Spears song… I’m wondering who will be in this new body. I’m interested to see how things work out.

And apparently, we can be jailed / fined for kissing and hugging in public.

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/49310

Now I’m no advocate for issues on morality but I just don’t like it when people throw out the words ‘Asian morality’. And I don’t like it when people compare Western value to Asian values. True, just because kissing and hugging are widely accepted in the Western world doesn’t mean we can emulate it too. But doesn’t it all come down to moderation? Yes, we Asians, are supposed to be more conservative when it comes to these kind of things but c’mon, we’re now in the 21st century and more and more people are being more open. Now, if there kids who were in the park were just in the act of smooching (no tongue!) and hugging, I guess that would be alrite. But if it was more like the act of second base, then I’d say “Get a room!” There’s always a limit to everything and this is just one of those things. Anyway, does ‘public’ constitute clubs as well? If so, then the govt will have a field day charging people! Myself included!

I was watching CNN last night and during one of the commercial breaks, an advertisement for Malaysian Tourism came on. Looking at the wonderful pictures shown during the ad, I was never happier to be a Malaysian. But when our PM came on the picture to utter some words of welcome wearing a batik shirt (hehe… how typical), my only thought was “What did he say?” I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t understand what he said coz the pronunciation wasn’t quite there. Heh…

Taking a short break tomorrow onwards. London here I come!

*silly grin*

I’ve got a new toy!!! Well, two actually. Bought my camera right before I left for Bahrain but just didn’t write about it. Anyway, the latest toy is something I’ve been harping about for a long time. And now I finally got it! And for below RM1000! WooHoo!! What a steal! It’s so white and shiny, I’m afraid to touch it for fear I’ll leave finger prints all over it’s white shiny surface. I don’t think I’ve ever liked seeing U2 so much before!

Anyway, to give some credit to my first new toy:

My new Casio Digi Cam!
How’s that? Woo Hoo! Super thin. Got it for quite a good bargain too. Got a 1GB memory card with it, a mini tripod, LCD screen protector and 3 year warranty. The features ain’t bad for someone like me. Just point and shoot :) WooHoo! Will be fully utilised in a few days time when I fly over to another continent. Can’t wait!!!




Moving on… to my newly acquired toy:

My new Apple Ipod!!











Hahaha! I finally got it! The Apple Ipod 30GB. And for less than RM1000! I couldn’t believe when the salesguy (who was very cute) told me the price. I kept asking him again and again until he finally said “It’s the price I told you!” Unfortunately, they didn’t have anymore black ones. In fact, I just bought the last one they had!
It’s a newly opened hypermarket and I actually went there with the intention to get a 4GB Ipod Nano coz they were having some promo I saw in a leaflet and it cost only RM980. Which is cheaper than what I can get back home. So there I was, looking at the Ipods they had on display and opened my mouth to ask the cute salesguy (CS):

Me: How much is the Ipod Video 30GB?
CS: 30GB? Hold on… let me check… (went to ask another salesguy who was ALSO cute – the electronics dept seemed to be crawling with cute salesguys)
Me: Dum di dum…..
CS: Oh, it’s 97.9 dinar (around RM 979)
Me: Sorry? Could you repeat that? (with a silly grin – CS might have thought I was smiling at him, now that I think about it, coz after that he was really friendly and all)
CS: 97.9.
Me: Oh okay. Do you have black colour? (still with silly grin)
CS: Let me check… (rummaging around display case, asking his cute colleagues)
Sorry, this is the last one.
Me: What?! Really? Oh no.. are you sure? Can you check again? I’m so upset… (basically just making a lot of noise and whining)
CS: Okay… I’ll check in the back store room… just for you (smile)
Me: (heart fluttering… yeah right!) okay… I’ll wait.
CS: Sorry, this is really the last one.
Me: That’s okay. I’ll take it anyway. (WooHoo!!!!)

So there you have it. How I got my new toy. Am in the midst of installing iTunes into my computer now. BTW, cute salesguy is Persian and is from Iran. His girlfriend is a Thai. Random information.

Check out the super reflective screen!









Thingamajigs that come with the Ipod.

The only annoying thing about the ipod is that it doesn’t have international warranty. Which means I’ll have to fork out more moolah when I’m back home to buy a 2-year warranty from the Apple centre. But what the heck… Ipod 30GB for less than RM1000!!!
Hahaha…. And so…. Here begins my journey with an Apple. Being the blur person I am, will probably take some time to learn how to sync my stuff with iTunes etc. WooHoo…

Grr...

Disturbed I am by the recent (and not so recent) events happening back home while I am here in the land of sand. More importantly the issue about non-muslim citizens being threatened by one of our ‘esteemed’ ministers is extremely disturbing. Sick also I am about non-muslims citizens treated like second-class citizens. A few quotes which irked me:

Non-Muslims should not interfere in the religious affairs of Muslims, as this will make the Muslims uneasy.

How the heck does questioning something related to Islam make Muslims uneasy? And should we not ‘interfere’ in something that directly affects us? Especially the act which denies us the right of a fair trial in civil courts should be have converted into Islam. It’s not like we have been ‘interfering’ with what Muslims have been practising but isn’t it fair for us to question something that will directly affect our lives?

… warned that the Government would not hesitate to use the Sedition Act against those who insulted Islam.

So is it only Islam or will this apply to any other religion? Not that I agree to prosecuting anyone, but if you want to make a statement like that, then does it apply to all insults on any religion? Or like the double-standard way you govern, it only applies to whatever you want? Another point is how does questioning something become an insult? How does questioning an Act turn into an insult? Unless of course you’re thinking of the MPs we have in the Dewan Rakyat who do not think twice about shouting and hurling derogatory insults, then of course, questioning is insulting.

Expressing his concern about some recent articles written by non-Muslims, he said the tolerance level among Muslims was high.

Eh? Tolerance level among Muslims high? Then why would you think questioning something is an insult? And why would you think calling for a review and reform is an insult? Hallo? Why would everything related to Islam be an insult? If you’re talking tolerance, what about the tolerance level among non-muslims? Why not address that in the same breath?

“We do not want to take away your rights but religion is an important matter, especially to the Muslims,” he said.

Oh, so now religion is only important to Muslims? What about devout Christians, Buddhists, Hindus etc? Religion not so important, eh?

He said there was also no need to have a law to curb open discussions as the people could practise mutual respect, tolerance and understanding while taking into consideration religious sensitivities.

What the…? In the first few paragraphs, he threatens non-Muslims and then suddenly preaches about mutual respect, tolerance and understanding? Firstly, I think all of us are currently practicing tolerance, respect and understanding. Some more than others thanks to self-righteous pricks who first threaten us then tell us we’re tolerant. Secondly, I think the group of people which you call on to be tolerant are those whom you CLAIM are so tolerant that they’re bleeding tolerance out of their ears.
Again, this shows us the level of intelligence our esteemed ministers have. They really should learn to process before shooting out of their mouths. But then again, if there’s nothing much up there, then it’s no wonder.

Next comes this whole issue of wearing the ‘tudung’ for non-muslim women police officers during official parades. When I read this, the first thought that popped into my head was “Why the heck for?” And how does the ‘tudung’ translate into part of the police uniform? How does making a woman wear a ‘tudung’ add to uniformity? Oh wait, everyone’s head is now covered so it looks very uniformed. There’s Malaysian mentality for you. The worse part is that the non-muslim women featured in the article said the regulation should not be questioned. Again, Malaysian mentality. The take all the bullcrap that is handed down and sit down and shut up. Not that I’m a religious person, but isn’t the ‘tudung’ part of Islam where the women folk have to cover their hair? So how does that apply to uniformity? Why impose something religion-based onto those who are not part of that religion? This comes back to the IIU ‘tudung’ incident as well. If we’re practicing freedom of religion (to some extent) then why impose a uniform rule which is religion-based?
Anyway, more stuff did I read about IPMC, APs etc. I found the notion of the govt re-educating AP holders highly amusing. The last time I checked, these AP holders are already very rich businessmen made richer by the APs and certainly do not need our poorly managed govt re-educating them on how to make money. Unless it’s a course on how they can siphon more money from the govt. Then, I’m sure they’ll be very interested in your re-education.
Can’t upload the photos I took with my camera. Silly me. I brought the docking station for the camera but didn’t bring the usb cable to connect the dock to the laptop.

Interesting...

The land of cheap petrol and sand

Here I am, back again. Everyone I meet here goes "oh... you're back again..." ^_^ Chee... Anyway, I've been moved from the conference room to an office of my own. WooHoo. Better than back home! I now have my own room. Feels like I'm permanently working here. Will try to sneak some shots of the office.

Facing the same hurdles here. Trying to get in touch with these people is so hard! I don't know if they're conciously avoiding me or what. I mean, they're all very nice. But it's so hard to secure some time with them. Bleh... and sometimes, I'm also chicken shit... coz I feel like I've been 'in their face' too much... but that's what I have to do! Since being polite and nice and waiting for them to get back to me isn't working!

Note to self: must be more assertive.

Will wait for another hour to try calling these people again. Probably having lunch since it's lunchtime (duh!).

1 month hiatus

Ever since I found out that I’ll be returning to Bahrain in 2 weeks time, everything has been rather chaotic. And when I mean chaotic, I don’t mean my work but rather stuff has been happening between us and we’ve been arguing a lot.

I’m kinda feeling a bit tired of all this. Our ‘night n day’ working times is putting a huge strain on us. Is it wrong of me to spend as much as time as possible with him since I will be away for a whole month next week onwards?

He said he will stay at my place for the whole week after work. But now, since we spent the weekend together, he said he doesn’t have to anymore? Huh? Why must the 2 things relate to each other? I was assuming that they were mutually exclusive. But I’m not upset that he’s not staying with me considering his mobility problems. I’m just upset at why he can’t call or sms me to let me know that he isn’t coming. And I rushed myself yesterday to duplicate a set of keys for him, thinking that he was still coming over to my place.

I admit that I expressed myself poorly last night and made it seem as if I was upset at him not coming and not at him not calling. And then after our argument, I get an sms from him which was rather upsetting. The gist of it was this:
(a) he doesn’t spend as much time with his family as should because of me
(b) he should have just gone to PD over the weekend as planned instead of hanging out with me
(c) he has his work to worry about which is more important than staying with me

When I read the sms, I was just stumped.

(a) I don’t spend as much as time with my family as well ever since I’m with him. But I don’t go pointing my finger at him and say it’s his fault. I CHOOSE to stay back with him. And even though my choice is obviously because of him, it wouldn’t be fair for me to blame him for not going back home. Because it obviously isn’t his fault. It’s MY choice. So I found it really unfair for him to suddenly point his finger at me and say ‘it’s your fault I’m spending so little time at home’. WTF?!?
(b) Again, this boils down to choice. If under normal circumstances, by all means, go drinking with your buddies. But the difference this time is that I will be going away in a week’s time for a whole month. Obviously I would want him to spend the weekend with me. And I told him how I felt about it, but inevitably, the choice was his. Again like (a) it would have been influenced by me, but still, his choice. And if he had chosen to go, then it would have summarized where our relationship is. But he chose to stay with me and now suddenly, it’s my fault?
(c) Yes, worry about work. And because of his mobility problem, I admit that it was my fault for overreacting. And I understand why he was feeling down last night. But I overreacted because he didn’t tell me he wasn’t coming and I had to call him to find out. And it was already 5 am at that time. Of course I was cranky.

And so I didn’t reply his sms because I was upset and I knew that I would say something that would worsen the situation. But I couldn’t sleep after that and was tossing and turning for over an hour plus. From that sms, I derived that his family comes first, friends second, work third and then me. After all, his exact words were “you’re just my girlfriend, that’s all”. Obviously family comes first. But what about friends and work? Shouldn’t there be some sort of balance? I know we’ve tried to achieve some sort of balance so why suddenly turn around and put me at the bottom of the list? I’m the only person he can say “no” to. With everyone else, it’s “sure, I’m there”. Does that not scream taking me for granted?

I think it’s time for him to think about where he wants to be in terms of us. Hitting the 2-year mark with him was great and I obviously would want to still be with him, but if it means having to go through the same things again to hit another 2 years, then I don’t know if I want to do that. I don’t know if I’m up to it. Challenges I can take. But the same obstacles again and again?

So where do we go from here? I don’t know. Even though this mess right now is caused by my going away, I’m glad that I will be gone. I think it’s time for us, or at least me, to take a break from all this. I’m tired of arguing about the same things over and over again. I’m tired of having to justify my feelings when we argue. I’m tired of explaining myself over and over again and for him to not understand what being in a relationship means. I’m tired of having to sacrifice so many things for him and not having the same being done for me. I’m tired of being the one to always call or sms. I’m just tired.

I’m glad I’m going away. At least it will give us some time apart (even though we’ve been apart for weeks at a time since November). We’ll see how things go after this. Tired, tired, tired.

Looking forward to this:


London, here I come! It'd be a great break from the monotony of Bahrain and the chaos of KL.

Okay, bye bye

It’s been a week since I’ve been back in Malaysia. Have stuffed myself with all types of yummy food, from good ole’ bak kut teh to banana leaf rice. Yum… I can’t believe that I’ll be flying back to Bahrain next week. I mean, I knew I would be going back but just didn’t think that it was going to be so soon. I thought I’d have at least one month to chill here. But no… came in to work on Monday morning all smiles and BHAM! I got called into my director’s office and she told me the ‘good’ news. Oh well. All in the name of work. So I technically only have 2 working weeks and one weekend before my flight out. The highlight of this trip would be the little holiday I will be taking when I’m in Bahrain. Will update more of this trip once I’ve gotten my flight ticket. Right now, it still feels a little too hard to believe. Why didn’t I find this out earlier! Damn! I could have gone to so many other places! Anyway, am supposed to get my ticket on Monday. Keeping my fingers crossed till then!

Anyway, there are still people griping about the fuel price hike but I think we’re all kind of resigned to the fact that it’s happened and there’s nothing we can do about it right now except maybe hope that the govt will actually stick to their word about improving the public transportation system. And that we, the public, will remember this thing as well as all the other things they have done when the time comes for the next general elections.

Then there’s the news about rape and incest cases. For me, the one that really stood out was the case where two brothers raped their younger sister after watching porn. I was like “WTF?!” If you’re going to offer an excuse for committing rape, at least give a better one than that. But then again, what kind of excuse CAN you give for raping your sister or anyone for that matter?! Anyway, I’m pretty sure after this case, there’s going to cries of “porn is evil” etc all over. What I don’t understand is why we can’t be open about sex and sexuality? Why do we have to hide the subject away and censure everything related about it? Again, this points to our attitude of ‘ignorance is bliss’, ‘better not to talk about it since I’m so uncomfortable about it’ etc. Sigh… somehow, it’s just so sad when you hear of incest rape cases… if you can’t trust your family, who else CAN you trust?

All I can think of right now is how much will the public remember when the time comes to vote? Will we then forget all the past mis-deeds when we hear their empty promises come election time or will we still vigilantly hold on to our opinions and feelings when they continuously mess up. Will we hold them accountable for what they’ve done and to want more transparency? Or will we once again succumb to their sweet words and empty promises which works time and time again? Will the blogosphere change our attitude towards accepting these kind of deeds or will we continue to bend over and accept everything and anything they do? Will we demand for a more transparent govt and a more accountable govt?

I’m just hoping that when the time comes, we will do the thing that matters.

$&%**$*@*@#&

I forgot to blog about this when I found out about the petrol price increase. Cibai. 30 sen increase. The increment in my salary won't be enough to cover the price hike. And we're not only talking about petrol. Everything will go up! Mahai. Why didn't the Govt at least announce this first before dumping this policy on us? I'm not saying they should continue subsidising petrol indefinitely, but at least do lar some proper announcement and they should have done it at the end of last year. They would have known how much oil prices would be and should have announced last year so that the public (US!) would have time to plan for the next year. And companies would be able to increase our salary much more! The govt really should put a mandate on companies that all salary increment should reflect at least petrol price hikes. Cibai. Damn pissed off. And don't talk to me about car-pooling and public transport. Yeah, it's a swell idea if you've got people colleagues staying nearby or your housing area has easily accessible public transport. But what if you don't? Take for example, me. None of my colleagues are nearby so car-pooling is out of the question. Besides, our working hours aren't exactly so fixed that we all come and leave at the same time. There are no bus stops / lrt stations / ktm stations near my place OR my office so there's really no chance for me to even think of using public transport. So what now? I have to drive lar, rite! Cibai. And don't give me this crap that the money saved from the subsidies will be put to development projects and improving public transportation. More like the money saved will line your pockets even more! What a load of bull-crap. You have local councils going to South Africa and Australia for field trips and you tell us you want to save money for the good of the general public. Cibai. Going to South Africa for a study on toilets?!?!?! Going to Sydney to learn how to plant flowers?!?!?! Hello!?!? The fucker who approved these visits must have had his ass as his head. Motherfuckers. We, the public, are not stupid. Well, not all that stupid anyway. Yes, we understand the rationale behind lifting the subsidy. But like I said earlier, why was there no prior announcement? Or did some minister just think, 'Hmm... 28th February is an auspicious date... let's raise petrol prices!'. Cibai. You would think with 90 plus ministers in the Cabinet, one of them would have brains. I applaud our PM's efforts in wanting to eradicate corruption and whatever else he announced when he got the position but so far, it's all just been talk. We still have cibai local councils going on 'study trips', we still have cracks in major highways which can and will endanger our lives, we still have 'consultants' being hired to do menial things and being paid shit loads, and the list goes on. Cibai. I just can't stop saying Cibai. And then I just read that civil servants have to go on a 3-month training course to improve services. Eh? WTF? Who's going to pay for those courses? US!!! Hello, it doesn't take a genius to know that the only way to improve services is for them (civil servants) to actually work instead of taking coffee / tea breaks all the time. Why have 4 counters if only 1 counter is going to be manned? And the person manning it doesn't know shit most of the time!?!?! Then, the govt also wants all civil servants to sit for SPM english papers to improve their english. Eh? Again, WTF? No doubt I think this is important but we're not asking for our civil servants to have perfect english with no grammatical errors. I think we're more than happy if they speak broken english but are efficient. Bloody hell. Cibai fuckers.

So what now? We, M'sians, can complain to the Govt till Kingdom comes and there will still be no change. See lar... vote lar for the same party again! Cibai. And don't give me this bull-crap about how the other parties are un-tested etc. Hello, if we don't give them a chance, then they will ALWAYS be un-tested. What a Catch-22.

I would seriously like to know how our govt works. How each ministry functions. Because it just seems that there is no planning involved in anything. Everything just seems to be thrown together haphazardly. Cibai.

After everything that's happening back home, the thought of accepting the job offer here seems more and more tempting. After all, at least over here, petrol price is cheap, pay is good (tax-free!), things seem to be efficient (but could be deceiving), and... pay is good. :) Time to give this serious thought...

Cibai!