To a special friend, for a new year..

Ever had a guy friend that noticed a small difference on your face even when you yourself did not notice it? I do. It makes me wonder... Is it because he harbours such deep feelings for me that he notice every single thing from my perfume to the extra kilo I gained or it simply is because of his keen observation. Well, after years of friendship I would think it’s the latter.

Anyway, the same guy also made me realise that experience is something that you cannot buy. Because you can never buy time. And experience comes with time.. rather than sitting at home dreading about how much time you have left or how much time you have missed, why not just get out there and start spending time! We are all still in our early 20s without much of an obligation and commitment. If we were to go missing now, it’s not like we will cause much material differences. So, why not just go ahead and spread your wings? Go into the World Wide Web and look around for some job overseas. If you see a prospective job that might boost your line of career, just give it a try. If you really felt a burning desire within you that is banging on your chest, demanding for adventures and excitement, then perhaps you are meant to do it. Some might say that it is silly to do so for you would not get paid much. But then, the very same people are also those who had not gained much in their travel life. You have no idea how much you would learn and experience until you actually try it yourself. It doesn’t matter if it is a technical or life lesson, it will definitely made you stronger and wiser. Can you imagine--- in your resume, under working experience there is (a) building up a private enterprise in Indonesia (b) worked in Hong Kong port (c)experienced the business culture in Taiwan by working in a local accounting firm (d) went to India to assist in their technical development... WOW!! Shiok gila. Then again, these things only apply to certain type of people. Some others might enjoy the comfort, love and stability of being near to home. Its nothing wrong with that anyway! =)

With the New Year coming along, we better plan it well. So here’s my few 2011 resolutions:

· Finish with my studies & apply for a TR/PR..

· Hopefully land with a Graduate job in an Audit field.. yes, I still like Audit.

· Try and be wiser and less sensitive/emotional

· Watch at least one horror movie that don’t give me nightmares for 2 consecutive weeks.. its time for me to grow up

· Travel to Gold Coast!!

· Able to meet Ivy’s & Jean’s boyfriends before they actually couple up (they haven’t got one yet.. but am sure they will in 2011)

· Skype more with my family.. especially Jie.. (if she is willing)

· Enjoy the weather more!!!!

That’s just too much I think.. hehe. But a girl is allowed to dream eh?

Plants, car & travel journal..

So eventually, people have to float back to reality right. Anyway, today had been such a marvellous day for me. I slept till 3 pm.. without any bloody alarm waking me up. It’s a great feeling. Hehe. And did some much needed gardening with my Minty. Poor Minty.. He had been suffocating without fertilizer when I’m not around. I split them into half so its Minty & Monty now. Hahhaa!

Then I went and fix Terence’s car. The radiator water is running way below the low level and hence the overheating engine yesterday. I seriously suspect that there is a leak somewhere but I still can’t see any water dripping out. Anyhow, I am still very proud of myself for being able to refill them. I’ve done the ‘batt low-jump start the car’ scene and ‘engine is hot-refill radiator water’ scene! Whatever's next I'm pretty sure I can do it. =)

After all that, I decided to proceed with my travel journal that I was supposed to hand in next week. Its one of the assignments for my HRM unit. I’ve written well (I suppose) for 30 minutes because everything after that is just mere crap. For example:

I’ve no idea why I typed that out. Frustrated with my brain block I think.. the thing is; this travel journal was suppose to be similar with blogging. Then again, it cannot be too casual or expressive. But still, it has to be interesting and truthful! Its like asking me to wear smart casual and then says no jeans, no flats, no tank tops and etc... geez..

On top of that, I realised that the word count has gone beyond the word limit! If there is a ‘word-limit-camera’ like the speed catch camera we find very annoying, I probably would have 278 tickets by now. Shame on me..

BLAH!!

China Study Tour 2010

I am back in Melbourne! This whole month had been an unbelievable experience. Let’s just say the China Study Tour was much more than I expected. I had abundance of fun, that is a must. But apart from that, I gained much more respect to both China and Hong Kong. Yes, we mentioned about the extreme growth in both areas and frankly being a Malaysian myself, I knew China is growing while HK had already grown yet I still had my doubts. But having to go and actually look at their growth is just beyond imagination and definitely open up my opinion towards those countries. We talked, gossips and sometimes criticize them but you will never know what it is until you go there. Look at their business operations or perhaps look at their business culture. They are just soooo much more advanced than us. And if you compare, you will just realise how shallow you were.. Before I go, I heard numerous rumours about them. And at the end of the trip, I know some are entirely false while some are true. Nevertheless, it is just simply amazing. Also because I met lots of great friends!! (That I will hopefully keep in touch.. hehhee)

There is no downhill though. Am not trying to complain but I got sick for most of the trip. The air quality was just not what I used to and I find myself coughing away. It might also be because that I’m not as tough as I thought I might be. The constant travelling, airports, long bus rides, company visits, seminars, de-briefings and social events totally took their toll on me. The study tour started with Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xi’an then back to Shanghai for a couple of days before heading to Hong Kong. And it is always jam packed with lots of non-stop activities that drag on till 10 pm. I literally only slept around 7 hours for the last 4 weeks, including weekends! For a person that requires at least 1 day of work-free, people-free and sleep-full day in every week, I was exhausted.

Then again, given the chance to do the similar things all over again, I wouldn’t mind at all. And my current wish would be going over to Shanghai or HK for a year to gain experience..

That’ll be so cool!!

KEYS reunion

I suppose this is my first time blogging in KLIA Airport. Anyway before Darling Ivy start being upset over my lack of frequency in mentioning her, I shall write a quick review of yesterday, the day where KEYS finally met up.. ALONE!

The day started with me going for dim sum with my family followed by a haircut and finally met Darling Jean, my driver. Apparently I was already very late for our KEYS appointment. Am so terribly sorry for that. I didn’t know they were waiting! Gomenasai! We met up for lunch at this mamak place that serve reasonable good banana leaf rice but with extremely bad service. Well, I suppose the companion is what matters there anyway. And this time, with Darling Shanny around, our usual loud chattery KEYS is back. Hhehee. Yeap, we blast the whole place with our laughter and gossips. I am pretty sure the table right next to us are forced to eavesdrop.

Obviously, a session of lunch is not enough for us to update on each other. So we drag on to Snow Flake (I think its spelt that way) for another session of gossips. Our topics? Well, the usual things that girls talk. Relationships, boys, new addition to our wardrobes, friends of friends, the bitch we currently hate and etc. But compare to a few years back, our conversation is much more work oriented. And its all about AUDIT!!! I’m so glad we are working in the same industry. At least we know what is material level and vouching is all about!

We also manage to squeeze a good hour of window shopping as well at er... Kota Damansara. I think... Imagine four old girl friends walking across the street again and again. Its almost like the scene in Sex & The City where wind blows and the girls are all laughing. The difference between us and them is instead of wind, there were lots of cars and we are definitely genuinely laughing, not faking it. In fact, we were so loud that the sales girl opens the door for us even before we reach the top of the stairs!

Anyway considering I had a dinner date with all my cousins later in the evening, I couldn’t spare any more time for dinner. Wait till I’m back next month ya! Dinner was great too!! Chat till my voice went husky.... And lots of laughing, as usual.

Life’s is so beautiful right now eh? =)

Electric shock to the car

Alright. I really need to write about this. Yesterday, 11th November 2010, I was attending one the usual events for the Mentor Program. On that same day, I also received my results and YES, I didn't get any Credit! Hehehehe.. So I was excited you see. In fact, I was nervous about it the whole day.
Anyway, Hani passed all her papers as well and so it officially meant that she is graduating! With that in mind, we planned to have a dinner out. I drove to her place in great joyous mood, went up to her house and have absolutely loud congratulation session. Like this = WOOOOOOOHHHH!!!

When we've finally done with shouting and laughing and thanking god, we decided its time for dinner. As we walk to my car, or rather Terence's car.. I realised that I didn't turn off the car light since this morning. Damn.. I was hoping that the car would still start but it didn't!! The battery died!!! It went... Grrr... Poof!

So much for a celebration..

I did panic a little but Hani was there and her cousin's car was also there. So jump start is a good idea. The unfortunate thing is neither one of us know how to do so.. It's not like they taught us in JPA or anything. So I had to make an international call to Terence who didn't pick up his call. I had to then, call his mom.. to look for his sister, who is the original owner of the car. Thank goodness, the sister managed to get Terence eventually and gave me some very detail orders to JUMP START A CAR!!!

There were times in my mind where I had an image of me flying off due to the electric shock but I did it nevertheless. And it worked!! Let's just say the rumbling sound of the start of the engine had never sounded so good. hehehehe.

Yeap, I can proudly declare I know how to jump start a car now. =)

Tika Bday + Brighton Beach

I thought it might be a good idea to blog about Tika’s Birthday when the memory of it is still a little fresh in my head. Anyway, all three of us decided to go to Brighton Beach despite the not-so-good weather forecast. The experts predicted it to be windy and expected a late shower. Let’s just say the expert really did know how to predict.

So, we started the day with a late breakfast in Coin Laundry. A great cafe with bright and cheerful ambience to enhance their image. The high ceilings and white background with a touch of nature really did made a great combination. The place was full of laughter and chattering. Despite the late arrival of the food, it was worth the wait.

Next destination is the Brighton Beach. Its not quite far away from my place actually. The main attraction is the colourful huts. They are all filled with interesting designs and tonnes of colours. Its like a mini village where the people are all extremely hippie type. But all the huts are closed. I wonder if they will open during summer to sell drinks and all, though I highly suspect that it is a storage place for the surfers. But anyway, we did spent some time walking around the beach and all. Its a great day after all.