Two days ago I read an article in a female magazine regarding new year resolution. It was from the editor's desk so I just want to know what she thinks. Surprisingly, the article brought a refreshing note. She mentioned about an incident with her 10-year-old who told her mom that she worry about every little things. This got the mom thinking.
Guess what, her new year resolution is reduce fear. Fear of snatch thief, fear of losing ones job, fear for the children and more. It's our everyday fear that makes us sceptical and prevent us from moving forward and enjoy life to the fullest. Her article got me thinking about my fear.
I worry too much. Worry about my career, worry about my health, worry about my diet, my losing weigh that never seem to work, worry about my bf, worry about my friends, worry about my colleagues and staff, worry about my CD whom I might have given too much task, worry about my designer who might not stay long due to his peanut salary, worry about my dogs and more.Besides worry, I fear of snatch thief, fear of people who's take advantages of my kindness, fear for my safety walking home at night, fear of thunderstome and etc.
All this accumulated and it seems to be reducing a big chunk of my life fulfillment. It takes away my joy of living, the joy of trusting, joy of sharing, joy of laughters. With all the fear and worries, life has become a routine, lost its special magic spices and charm. The once a happy-go-lucky gal has gone for a long holiday. Comments were given that I don't laugh as much, I live in my own island, I think too much of others, I stress too much, I'm too serious, I'm not approachable. All these comments and feedback flashes me when I read that article. Indeed I need to change. I need to reduce my fear and worry. I need to live life as to the fullest and be less sceptical. I have to trust my close friends and learn to open up my problems to close friends.
The list is easier to say than done. Nevertheless, I will try my best. If not all, at least 20%? Happy New Year Teddy.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
New boss in DBKL
Kudos! to the new boss for DBKL. Yesterday I was able to go hime early and had the opportunity to watch the news before I went out for dinner with friends. There was a report regarding a-cry-for-help from the residents in one of the main suburb in the city. Aparently, they have been living in a stench. To be exact, they are living together with a illegal ground of waste. The reporter was sending a strong message to DBKL who wasn't doing their job. There was interviews with some of the residents expressing their out-cry of the unbearable smell specially after the rain.
Alas! Immediately today there was an emergency meeting held by the new boss of DBKL and the place was clean up this very day. I've been living in KL for over 7 years and this is one of those days I wish all government/civil servents are such efficient. This attitude is more important as we are ushering into Visit Malaysia Year 2007 in a few days.
Thank you DBKL.
Alas! Immediately today there was an emergency meeting held by the new boss of DBKL and the place was clean up this very day. I've been living in KL for over 7 years and this is one of those days I wish all government/civil servents are such efficient. This attitude is more important as we are ushering into Visit Malaysia Year 2007 in a few days.
Thank you DBKL.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
My EQ or lack of it
Living in the jungle required a very high EQ. Mainly to face the animals in the jungle. As a freshie in this aged jungle, I have to cope with my EQ problem. I am never good at EQ. Many in my herds have highlighted to me. I tried my best level to adapt in the jungle but my lack of control in EQ is pulling me down.
Managing baboons, snakes, donkey, coyotes, cows and hippos are draining my emotion every day. After about 3 months in the new jungle, I am starting to wonder if I can survived. I am not a quiter so I will not run away from the jungle. Somehow I need to find a solution for my weak EQ in order to survive. Every time when I need to talk, I will pour my heart out to my beloved teddy. Even teddy can't help me because he faces the same situation as mine, it's owesome of him to listen to my whinning patiencely.
Sometimes I would pour my emotions to Gorilla de-Sag but I dare not express too much as he too has lack of control of his EQ. I am worried that if I tell Gorilla too much, it will affect him and he might leave the jungle. As I never want to lose and will fight till the end, I fear that losing Gorilla will means I defect and fail. He mentioned to him yesterday that I need a back up. Meaning to find another Gorilla. Each time I felt that de-Sag might leave, my worry will just zoom up and drain out all my energy. I tried my best not to stress him out and make life in the jungle as interesting as possible or where possible. Unfortunately, I don't think I am doing a good job.
I know not many animals can work with me and it was not easy to find de-Sag that can work with me as a team. Should I leave the aged jungle?
Managing baboons, snakes, donkey, coyotes, cows and hippos are draining my emotion every day. After about 3 months in the new jungle, I am starting to wonder if I can survived. I am not a quiter so I will not run away from the jungle. Somehow I need to find a solution for my weak EQ in order to survive. Every time when I need to talk, I will pour my heart out to my beloved teddy. Even teddy can't help me because he faces the same situation as mine, it's owesome of him to listen to my whinning patiencely.
Sometimes I would pour my emotions to Gorilla de-Sag but I dare not express too much as he too has lack of control of his EQ. I am worried that if I tell Gorilla too much, it will affect him and he might leave the jungle. As I never want to lose and will fight till the end, I fear that losing Gorilla will means I defect and fail. He mentioned to him yesterday that I need a back up. Meaning to find another Gorilla. Each time I felt that de-Sag might leave, my worry will just zoom up and drain out all my energy. I tried my best not to stress him out and make life in the jungle as interesting as possible or where possible. Unfortunately, I don't think I am doing a good job.
I know not many animals can work with me and it was not easy to find de-Sag that can work with me as a team. Should I leave the aged jungle?
Face of the day
Yesterday Gorilla de-Sag was stress out due stupid-cupid in the jungle. I think part of it was because he had to moved out from his cave. This was how his facial expression yesterday. Curtesy of Shutterstock.
Multi-face and attitude coyote
The morning jungle journey started off with a bang. I was summon to a meeting with wizard de Wise. Preparing myself and arm with answers, I marched up to the top of the hill together with my adorable and meticulate gorilla named de-Sag. When I reached wizard de-Wise hut, I noticed Baboon de-Ann was already there seated with a book in her hand. Immediately when de-Wise personal assistant saw gorilla and me, she instructed the 3 of us to enter the chamber. The chamber felt a bit warm and bright today. Topic to the day is reward. de-Wise would like to express his gratitude by rewarding us with gold coins. Upon hearing this, de-shaz and I was thrill with the news. At last someone recognise our effort and hard work.
As we were digesting the good news, came the senior Goat named de-Zee. de-Wise asked de-Zee if the 3 of us are allow to claim the rewards. Upon hearing this, de-Zee mentioned that it was not a current practise that a senior animals entitle for gold coins. However, he could bring it up to the board of animal kingdom. With that, de-Wise agreed. As de-Wise would like to show his token of appreciation, de-Zee said we can claim jungle fruits. All de-Zee needs is the time with work. Being quite a rebel, de-Sag and I never punch our time sheet. I could never get the logic behind swaping my touch pad everytime I enter the jungle but still need to punch the antique clock like the worker ants. Well, in order to claim our gold coins, de-Sag and I have no choice but to start using the antique clocking. All this just for the gold coins.
Baboon de-Ann who has been quiet started to babling. She said that it's all about time management. As long as one knows how to manage time efficient, there
s no need to claim the gold coins. Hmmm... has she forgot that she only manage one project but I manage a hugh department of work force? Gorilla de-Sag has to managed all the creative projects single-handedly and at the same time train his team of soldiers to be as good as him. If not at least 50% like him so that everyone will achieve a good performance review from Kitty de-Jun. Her remarks seems to me as a way to pitch for favourite from de-Wise. Baboon de-Ann is smart and cunning. She knows that in order to stay safe in the jungle, she has to make sure her skills and talents are recognised. Maybe is her plan to secure herself. However, I hope not at the expand of putting her hand into my teritory.
Everytime I entered a new jungle, I am summon to turn around a sick teritory into a well groomed and exciting place to work and harvest. When my teritory is green, healthy and fruitful, coyotes in various disguises will try to enter and make a mark and impression off my hardwork. They are like linches who would suck my blood dry. consume my energy and my spirit. This new jungle I have already faced 2 coyotes. I believe as the months goes by, there will be more and more coyote disguised as other innocent animals in the hope to enter my teritory and stole the harvest. Worse, some will try to concure my teritory and outcast me.
Since this is not the first time I encounter multi face and attitude coyotes, I still have to guard my teritory wisely and on full alert. Stay tune to next episode of Life in the Jungle.
As we were digesting the good news, came the senior Goat named de-Zee. de-Wise asked de-Zee if the 3 of us are allow to claim the rewards. Upon hearing this, de-Zee mentioned that it was not a current practise that a senior animals entitle for gold coins. However, he could bring it up to the board of animal kingdom. With that, de-Wise agreed. As de-Wise would like to show his token of appreciation, de-Zee said we can claim jungle fruits. All de-Zee needs is the time with work. Being quite a rebel, de-Sag and I never punch our time sheet. I could never get the logic behind swaping my touch pad everytime I enter the jungle but still need to punch the antique clock like the worker ants. Well, in order to claim our gold coins, de-Sag and I have no choice but to start using the antique clocking. All this just for the gold coins.
Baboon de-Ann who has been quiet started to babling. She said that it's all about time management. As long as one knows how to manage time efficient, there
s no need to claim the gold coins. Hmmm... has she forgot that she only manage one project but I manage a hugh department of work force? Gorilla de-Sag has to managed all the creative projects single-handedly and at the same time train his team of soldiers to be as good as him. If not at least 50% like him so that everyone will achieve a good performance review from Kitty de-Jun. Her remarks seems to me as a way to pitch for favourite from de-Wise. Baboon de-Ann is smart and cunning. She knows that in order to stay safe in the jungle, she has to make sure her skills and talents are recognised. Maybe is her plan to secure herself. However, I hope not at the expand of putting her hand into my teritory.
Everytime I entered a new jungle, I am summon to turn around a sick teritory into a well groomed and exciting place to work and harvest. When my teritory is green, healthy and fruitful, coyotes in various disguises will try to enter and make a mark and impression off my hardwork. They are like linches who would suck my blood dry. consume my energy and my spirit. This new jungle I have already faced 2 coyotes. I believe as the months goes by, there will be more and more coyote disguised as other innocent animals in the hope to enter my teritory and stole the harvest. Worse, some will try to concure my teritory and outcast me.
Since this is not the first time I encounter multi face and attitude coyotes, I still have to guard my teritory wisely and on full alert. Stay tune to next episode of Life in the Jungle.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Life in the local community
It has been 2 months since I residence in a local company, the new office where I am working. Two months have past but I felt like I have been here ages. My new role and responsibilities are interesting and exciting, at the same time exhausting and stressful. As days goes by, I started to learn the culture of local company and have comments that I have to adapt to existing culture, instead of turn them around to adapt a forward looking and fast pace culture.
To begin my journal today, the feeling of trap in a tiny box creep inside my head. A lot of business issues required my attention and solution but it is not something I can resolve immediately. A lot of it needs attention and support from other parties. Without amper time to learn about the strategies and directions of the company, I have to jump in with a life-saver. This experiences thought me to make decision within minutes, alert at all time, think before I say anything and my brain has to work overtime and lighting speed.
Sales personels are the group ones needs to beware and be careful. Someone told me this during my first week here. I learnt the truth about his word in a very short time. Sales will manipulate their ways to get what they want. They are very clever and some with an attitude. As sales required to meet target each month, they are full of tactics and strategies. They will think that they can smooth their way out of the new HOO. Procedures that have been in place for many years, they will think the the HOO won't know a think and start twist and turn the procedures and stories. Not to mentioned with full drama and special effects on their expressions.
Just yesterday, one of the sales came to me asking why she can't report her sales with sample images. I believe she thinks that because I'm new and young, I know nothing. As usual, my daily task is to put attitude back to where they belong. Once out of my room, the noise still continued and express her frustration. I still an earlier insident where a female sales was making a loud statement because my department rejected her spec ad for in-column ad. What a fuss! This remains me of an advice from my grandmother. Tin kosong. Indeed, at that point of time, she did look like the tin-kosong. Big and loud but nothing to show. Nothing to show on her performance. I wonder how gulible one can get. (I would prefer to use the word stupid)
There is one who would push all the blame to others but himself. It is amazing how he twist the stories and never take responsibilities. Everything he said has to be email and repeated to him or else he would change the stories. In front of my boss, he's timid mouse. Behind, he would roar like a lion without teeth. More like a lion without courage.
At the same time, I am worried that my creative director can't take the pressure and the environment here that he would resign. That will be my worst fear. without him, I won't be able to go though my days here and my plan for my department will fail. It is not easy to find a excellent colleague like him. He will give 200% of his job, never compromise quality and everything he touch turns gold. The designs are just fantastic. He even creates follower for his design. a trend-setter. Each day, he would put in minimum 11 hours. Single handedly complete a few projects by himself. Well, more like all the creative designs. On top of that, he has to couch and guide my designers who just woke up from 14 years of sleeping. They learn something for the first time after 10 to 14 years with this company. I've seen my strategy working. My designers are respecting him a lot and look up to him as a role model. They are starting to open up and more relax working here. They start to question those who are not performing or under perform.
All these new changes I have to thank my creative director for his unlimit dedication and loads of patience. His pride that won't compromise speed with quality has made our department looks good in the eyes of our contractor and ad agency who handle our group accounts. I bet they are starting to worry about the security of their account with our group companies. Thanks, S. You're the star in the department and I aknowledge your contributions even though there are a lot of dungu and poyuh who don't believe you and at times try to sobotage you.
Keep up the good work dude!!
To begin my journal today, the feeling of trap in a tiny box creep inside my head. A lot of business issues required my attention and solution but it is not something I can resolve immediately. A lot of it needs attention and support from other parties. Without amper time to learn about the strategies and directions of the company, I have to jump in with a life-saver. This experiences thought me to make decision within minutes, alert at all time, think before I say anything and my brain has to work overtime and lighting speed.
Sales personels are the group ones needs to beware and be careful. Someone told me this during my first week here. I learnt the truth about his word in a very short time. Sales will manipulate their ways to get what they want. They are very clever and some with an attitude. As sales required to meet target each month, they are full of tactics and strategies. They will think that they can smooth their way out of the new HOO. Procedures that have been in place for many years, they will think the the HOO won't know a think and start twist and turn the procedures and stories. Not to mentioned with full drama and special effects on their expressions.
Just yesterday, one of the sales came to me asking why she can't report her sales with sample images. I believe she thinks that because I'm new and young, I know nothing. As usual, my daily task is to put attitude back to where they belong. Once out of my room, the noise still continued and express her frustration. I still an earlier insident where a female sales was making a loud statement because my department rejected her spec ad for in-column ad. What a fuss! This remains me of an advice from my grandmother. Tin kosong. Indeed, at that point of time, she did look like the tin-kosong. Big and loud but nothing to show. Nothing to show on her performance. I wonder how gulible one can get. (I would prefer to use the word stupid)
There is one who would push all the blame to others but himself. It is amazing how he twist the stories and never take responsibilities. Everything he said has to be email and repeated to him or else he would change the stories. In front of my boss, he's timid mouse. Behind, he would roar like a lion without teeth. More like a lion without courage.
At the same time, I am worried that my creative director can't take the pressure and the environment here that he would resign. That will be my worst fear. without him, I won't be able to go though my days here and my plan for my department will fail. It is not easy to find a excellent colleague like him. He will give 200% of his job, never compromise quality and everything he touch turns gold. The designs are just fantastic. He even creates follower for his design. a trend-setter. Each day, he would put in minimum 11 hours. Single handedly complete a few projects by himself. Well, more like all the creative designs. On top of that, he has to couch and guide my designers who just woke up from 14 years of sleeping. They learn something for the first time after 10 to 14 years with this company. I've seen my strategy working. My designers are respecting him a lot and look up to him as a role model. They are starting to open up and more relax working here. They start to question those who are not performing or under perform.
All these new changes I have to thank my creative director for his unlimit dedication and loads of patience. His pride that won't compromise speed with quality has made our department looks good in the eyes of our contractor and ad agency who handle our group accounts. I bet they are starting to worry about the security of their account with our group companies. Thanks, S. You're the star in the department and I aknowledge your contributions even though there are a lot of dungu and poyuh who don't believe you and at times try to sobotage you.
Keep up the good work dude!!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Stress at work
I'm at the edge of a nervous break down. I know this because Sham has told me twice today that I need to relax a bit. Immediately, my friend's advice pop up in my head. She advised me to be cool and easy when I was about to join this company. I listened to her advice but I guess one never know the true meaning of advice until one is in the middle of it.
This week is the one of the worst weeks in my career life. The first one happened when I was with my previous company. I was given a task to design a booth for an international trade in a month. The preparation and execution would normally take mininum 4 - 6 months. It was my first time handling trade show booth and design. I put in 16 - 18 hours a day. On top of that, I had to managed a team of designers and in-house marketing design work, which normally have up to 8 - 10 projects a week. I still remember that I lost 15kg in a month and everyone could see clearly that I was at the edge if nervous break.
A few years later, today, I am facing the same problem but woth greater heights. Due to unorganised company structure and internal problem, I am force to face the same situation again. Lepas tangan and pakar complaint is famous in this company. When things go wrong, people will walk away and pretend doesn't know anything. This make me emotionally very exhausted because I have to manage a hugh department. Not to mention I haven't start carried out a re-structuring.
I just hope this project will ends soon and print smoothly without any errors.
This week is the one of the worst weeks in my career life. The first one happened when I was with my previous company. I was given a task to design a booth for an international trade in a month. The preparation and execution would normally take mininum 4 - 6 months. It was my first time handling trade show booth and design. I put in 16 - 18 hours a day. On top of that, I had to managed a team of designers and in-house marketing design work, which normally have up to 8 - 10 projects a week. I still remember that I lost 15kg in a month and everyone could see clearly that I was at the edge if nervous break.
A few years later, today, I am facing the same problem but woth greater heights. Due to unorganised company structure and internal problem, I am force to face the same situation again. Lepas tangan and pakar complaint is famous in this company. When things go wrong, people will walk away and pretend doesn't know anything. This make me emotionally very exhausted because I have to manage a hugh department. Not to mention I haven't start carried out a re-structuring.
I just hope this project will ends soon and print smoothly without any errors.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Into shopping mood
Last weekend was interesting for me. It was the last week of Ramadan month and quite a lot of forks have gone back to their kampong to prepare for Eid al-Fitr. Last Saturday, despite warnings from my friends not to venture into TAR area during this season or you'll be stuck inside the crowd, I ignored their warnings.
I went there by taxi and just before entrying the main street, the jammed was unspeakable. Cars parked everywhere as long as there're adequate space. Then humans were everywhere from 5-year-old to 60-year-old on the streets, shops, make-shift stores, walkways, common areas. Most are busy with their last minute shopping before they go back to their hometown to celebrate the festive season. Mothers selecting songkoks for their children, Teenagers looking for the best deal for their al-Fitr clothes. Men tried on shoes, shirts at the stores. Some of them waited at a nearby restaurants with their children while the mothers doing all the shoppings.
As I entered one of the shopping malls in TAR street, the crowd was everywhere that I felt claustrophobic. I managed to find the career section after jostling though the human sea. I go through the clothes and jackets, and found that some of the prices are very reasonable. The cutting are neat and nice too. After trying on a few I bought a jacket that has no button. After that, my sister and I went into the make-shift stores bargain hunting for good stuff. We walked from one store to another inspecting the baju kurung and the crafts. All stores are having the lelong sales. Most put up RM50 for a pair of baju Kurung. Unfortunately, there was no place to try on the clothes before we buy so we decided not to get any. A few minutes later, I saw a wooden tissue box on sales for RM15 each. I like the design and selected one with better craftmanship. For a price like that, one has to inspect the quality before depart with our money. Or else, you will regret it when you reached home.
Since there were not much to see and interest us, we went to a mall a black away. There I visit a fashion shop that I used to frequent. The clothes there are always reasonable priced and in-style. Everytime I went there, I will buy a few clothes and this time is no different. Every corner and nice looking outfit. Now the trouble is that I've gained so much weigh that I have difficulty to find a suitable outfit. I pick up a few and tried them. Luckily, a dark green shirt fits nicely on me. I then look at the jacket section and tried on a few. I ended up bought 3 jackets with good quality. I also bought a pair of pants that goes with one of the jackets.
It was a good buy. I bought 3 jackets, a shirt and a pair of pants. End of that session, I decided that I have to lose some weigh. Even though I can't shades all 25kg, at least I must start with 5kg.
Wish me luck!
I went there by taxi and just before entrying the main street, the jammed was unspeakable. Cars parked everywhere as long as there're adequate space. Then humans were everywhere from 5-year-old to 60-year-old on the streets, shops, make-shift stores, walkways, common areas. Most are busy with their last minute shopping before they go back to their hometown to celebrate the festive season. Mothers selecting songkoks for their children, Teenagers looking for the best deal for their al-Fitr clothes. Men tried on shoes, shirts at the stores. Some of them waited at a nearby restaurants with their children while the mothers doing all the shoppings.
As I entered one of the shopping malls in TAR street, the crowd was everywhere that I felt claustrophobic. I managed to find the career section after jostling though the human sea. I go through the clothes and jackets, and found that some of the prices are very reasonable. The cutting are neat and nice too. After trying on a few I bought a jacket that has no button. After that, my sister and I went into the make-shift stores bargain hunting for good stuff. We walked from one store to another inspecting the baju kurung and the crafts. All stores are having the lelong sales. Most put up RM50 for a pair of baju Kurung. Unfortunately, there was no place to try on the clothes before we buy so we decided not to get any. A few minutes later, I saw a wooden tissue box on sales for RM15 each. I like the design and selected one with better craftmanship. For a price like that, one has to inspect the quality before depart with our money. Or else, you will regret it when you reached home.
Since there were not much to see and interest us, we went to a mall a black away. There I visit a fashion shop that I used to frequent. The clothes there are always reasonable priced and in-style. Everytime I went there, I will buy a few clothes and this time is no different. Every corner and nice looking outfit. Now the trouble is that I've gained so much weigh that I have difficulty to find a suitable outfit. I pick up a few and tried them. Luckily, a dark green shirt fits nicely on me. I then look at the jacket section and tried on a few. I ended up bought 3 jackets with good quality. I also bought a pair of pants that goes with one of the jackets.
It was a good buy. I bought 3 jackets, a shirt and a pair of pants. End of that session, I decided that I have to lose some weigh. Even though I can't shades all 25kg, at least I must start with 5kg.
Wish me luck!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Shopping
Last week, during one of my many and long meetings, the company new HOM revealed that the best time for business to profit is during the Ramadan month, before Eid al-Fitr. During this season, people has the spending power. In fact, the spending power is the highest during Ramadan season followed by Christmas and Chinese New Year in desending order. During this time of the year, all department stores and shopping complexes will come up with the latest fashions, latest arrival. Furthermore, I found out that the latest arrival will bring forward till after Chinese New Year. Shoppers are banking in profit now so that they can sustain low spending seasons in the next 6 months.
For the next 6 months, people like me will be paying our monthly installment fees of my credit cards to the commercial banks. I wonder if his theory was true... I haven't shop during festive seasons for more than 4 years now. Just thinking of the crowd and the jostling make me lost interest in shopping during festive seasons. I am the kind that like to shop in shopping complexes that have fewer petrons. I have a piece of mind to shop, think wisely before I purchase, and find the right items. That is why I like to visit bookstores.
Now, I want to put the HOM view to test. Today I went shopping. Brave myself though the crowd, I was surprise to see items on sales everywhere. All the latest collections are on sales or arrived. Amazing. Everyone is buying as if they have tons of money to spare and spend. All the clothes are the latest fall-winter collections, the shoes, watch, bags, you name it, it's there. I believe my HOM is right after all.
Since I haven't shop for about 6 months, seriously, I took the opportunity to follow the crowd and did my window shopping and see if anything that caught my attention and worth buying. After walking for a while, I found a pair of nice and comfortable heels. The price was reasonable and the cutting was elegent. After trying it on, I bought the brown colour. After that I stopped at Swatch store. My, my... their winter collection has arrived. Looking at the crowd, I didn't bother to check out the display uints. I went straight to the collection brochures and browsed through. There were a few watches that I am attracted. So I asked the sales personal to take out all that I like and tried it. I narrowed down to 2. Then I finally pick the one I like best. As I am a skin fan, the one I selected is a skin collection with a feminine twist.
Teddy, nice or not?
For the next 6 months, people like me will be paying our monthly installment fees of my credit cards to the commercial banks. I wonder if his theory was true... I haven't shop during festive seasons for more than 4 years now. Just thinking of the crowd and the jostling make me lost interest in shopping during festive seasons. I am the kind that like to shop in shopping complexes that have fewer petrons. I have a piece of mind to shop, think wisely before I purchase, and find the right items. That is why I like to visit bookstores.
Now, I want to put the HOM view to test. Today I went shopping. Brave myself though the crowd, I was surprise to see items on sales everywhere. All the latest collections are on sales or arrived. Amazing. Everyone is buying as if they have tons of money to spare and spend. All the clothes are the latest fall-winter collections, the shoes, watch, bags, you name it, it's there. I believe my HOM is right after all.
Since I haven't shop for about 6 months, seriously, I took the opportunity to follow the crowd and did my window shopping and see if anything that caught my attention and worth buying. After walking for a while, I found a pair of nice and comfortable heels. The price was reasonable and the cutting was elegent. After trying it on, I bought the brown colour. After that I stopped at Swatch store. My, my... their winter collection has arrived. Looking at the crowd, I didn't bother to check out the display uints. I went straight to the collection brochures and browsed through. There were a few watches that I am attracted. So I asked the sales personal to take out all that I like and tried it. I narrowed down to 2. Then I finally pick the one I like best. As I am a skin fan, the one I selected is a skin collection with a feminine twist.
Teddy, nice or not?
Monday, October 09, 2006
Sleepless night in KL
It's now 4.30am, Monday and I'm still wide awake. I should be sleeping soundly by now, in my moo-moo land. But alas, my sleeping patern just got screwed. Since I started my new job, so many task to acomplish and so little time. On top of that I had to train a group of so called designers of 10 - 14 years who can't design. These 'designers' are dupe as CUT AND PASTE ARTIST.
As the design department is getting more demanding and moving towards a restructuring, these group of people have to buck up or ... I have to admit it's the most difficult task i had to faced. When I thaught them, they will forget it in just a mare 2 minutes. I didn't want to provide notes because I would like them to write their own notes. Well, as you might know the answer, that didn't really happened. They can even forget what they write on their notebook.
Another sad thing is that out of the 7 loads, only 2 showed up on Saturday. I had to sacrified my Saturday for them. Yet, they preferred not to come. I mentioned in my meeting prior to the class that it's not compulsary and we are all adults. I would assume all will showed up as they failed my test. Nope, only 2 showed up.
These 'designers' goes back on time but my CD, an intern and myself had to work all out till late nights every day. Now that my Sat is gone for 2 months, I better get something worth my sacrifice. The answer, productivity target, start in a few hours.
After I came home Saturday, I slept at 8pm till 2pm, Sunday. Then I did some routine and back to bed again at 6pm. Woke up at 8pm, Sunday till now. I'm going to get panda eyes in a few hours.
Well, I better start work early today and rest tomorrow. Tomorrow is a public holiday.
As the design department is getting more demanding and moving towards a restructuring, these group of people have to buck up or ... I have to admit it's the most difficult task i had to faced. When I thaught them, they will forget it in just a mare 2 minutes. I didn't want to provide notes because I would like them to write their own notes. Well, as you might know the answer, that didn't really happened. They can even forget what they write on their notebook.
Another sad thing is that out of the 7 loads, only 2 showed up on Saturday. I had to sacrified my Saturday for them. Yet, they preferred not to come. I mentioned in my meeting prior to the class that it's not compulsary and we are all adults. I would assume all will showed up as they failed my test. Nope, only 2 showed up.
These 'designers' goes back on time but my CD, an intern and myself had to work all out till late nights every day. Now that my Sat is gone for 2 months, I better get something worth my sacrifice. The answer, productivity target, start in a few hours.
After I came home Saturday, I slept at 8pm till 2pm, Sunday. Then I did some routine and back to bed again at 6pm. Woke up at 8pm, Sunday till now. I'm going to get panda eyes in a few hours.
Well, I better start work early today and rest tomorrow. Tomorrow is a public holiday.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Grass is still green on my side of the fence
It has been a month since i started work as a HOD in a new company. Life was never the same again. Workload is crazily a lot and I feel that 24 hours is not enough. So much to do yet so little time. So much implementation to do and process to change. But above all, I love the work challenges. It make me wake up every morning looking forward to go to work and plan my day the best I can. I said it because it usually ends up with hours of meeting.
Meeting in a local company seems to be a fav. That's solely based on my personal observation and opinion. I never had meeting that last longer than an hour. Here sometimes a meeting can last up to 4 hours. Amazing. However, if you cut the jokes and small talk, I think we can make it in 2 hours. I shall wait and see.
I've a CD now and this make job a lot easiler. He has been the backbone of my operations and I enjoy working with him. Quote from my previous employee, " We are a great team". I believe we are. i have to admit not many people can handle the way I work. I can be very pushy and demanding. Sometimes I forgot to take into account others feelings and readiness. That was what happened yesterday when we had our disagreement. We both need space and time to cool off so he went home early. It did us good. I had time to reflex my action and view it from outside the box.
Indeed I was at fault. Forgeting that he is only into his second week here, I gave him too much workload and pressures. Not to mention a lot of responsibilities that he is not ready. No doubt he is a very capable guy but he hasn't receive any training yet. Even I haven't finish my training. As I mentioned, time is my enermy now. I have to adjust my time much better. This means late nights in the office again. Saturday in office again.
Despite all this, I believe I can overcome the challenge after 3 - 6 months. Changing a process is easy, changing a work culture that ahs been the same for over 14 years is the hardest. Anyway, it's good to have a friend to share your burden and go through the tough time with you together.
Grass is still green on my side of the fence.
Meeting in a local company seems to be a fav. That's solely based on my personal observation and opinion. I never had meeting that last longer than an hour. Here sometimes a meeting can last up to 4 hours. Amazing. However, if you cut the jokes and small talk, I think we can make it in 2 hours. I shall wait and see.
I've a CD now and this make job a lot easiler. He has been the backbone of my operations and I enjoy working with him. Quote from my previous employee, " We are a great team". I believe we are. i have to admit not many people can handle the way I work. I can be very pushy and demanding. Sometimes I forgot to take into account others feelings and readiness. That was what happened yesterday when we had our disagreement. We both need space and time to cool off so he went home early. It did us good. I had time to reflex my action and view it from outside the box.
Indeed I was at fault. Forgeting that he is only into his second week here, I gave him too much workload and pressures. Not to mention a lot of responsibilities that he is not ready. No doubt he is a very capable guy but he hasn't receive any training yet. Even I haven't finish my training. As I mentioned, time is my enermy now. I have to adjust my time much better. This means late nights in the office again. Saturday in office again.
Despite all this, I believe I can overcome the challenge after 3 - 6 months. Changing a process is easy, changing a work culture that ahs been the same for over 14 years is the hardest. Anyway, it's good to have a friend to share your burden and go through the tough time with you together.
Grass is still green on my side of the fence.
Monday, September 11, 2006
A dog's life
My interpretation of a dog's life. That's how i felt with my previous employment. I am happy that I have move on to a better career advancement. My boss is a very intelligent and agressive boss. I will learn a lot from him.
Employment contract - Read carefully before you sign
I recently resigned from an multinational company and the ending wasn't what I'd expected. All the contribution I gave to the company went down the drain. After i resigned, they slapped me with a REMINDER letter about my employment contract. The strange thing was that when I resigned the first time (this is the second time I resigned), I didn't have to go though all that. In fact, first time i resigned, I joined a product solutions company too. No REMINDER letter.
The different of this second time is that I somehow hold a 'managerial' position. The company I joined now is their sister company's client. What amazed me is that they would think that I can't differenciate personal and business. In fact they came up with a law that if I don't sign the letter, they won't release my last salary. What a brave attempt. What they don't realise is I have facts, lots of facts to back up myself. Information that i can give to my govenment and authorities that will affect their business in Malaysia. Word of advice, when you want to sue, make sure you don't have problem with the Malaysia labour law. Word of advice, if you want to sue, make sure you're a local company or foreign company with good reputations.
When a company already had 2 cases that was settled outside the court, 1 case of labour law that had to settle payment in front of a judge, one has to rethink its action against an employee who didn't nothing wrong but contributed much to the company. when a company owe a few months of overdue contributions to EPF and income tax department, one need to realise its pro and con should the company go ahead with legal or commercial action.
The company need to realise that the law in a developing country might be different from the origin country of my ex-beloved company. An example: I have so many good friends who works in international and local advertising companies. When they resigned, they ONLY go to their competitors. Besides that, quite a number of my friends brought alone their accounts too. Trust from their clients enable them to do so. However, I have never heard of anyone suing them, specially this industry is so competitive.
Here's some of the site about labour law:
http://www.lawyerment.com.my/library/doc/empl/hr/
http://www.mohr.gov.my/laws.php"
http://jtksm.mohr.gov.my"
I might be persive as a gullible person, but I'm not and when I have to defend myself, I am all focus and facts only kind of person. It helps being an honest person.
I will post the clauses from my reminder letter in my coming post.
The different of this second time is that I somehow hold a 'managerial' position. The company I joined now is their sister company's client. What amazed me is that they would think that I can't differenciate personal and business. In fact they came up with a law that if I don't sign the letter, they won't release my last salary. What a brave attempt. What they don't realise is I have facts, lots of facts to back up myself. Information that i can give to my govenment and authorities that will affect their business in Malaysia. Word of advice, when you want to sue, make sure you don't have problem with the Malaysia labour law. Word of advice, if you want to sue, make sure you're a local company or foreign company with good reputations.
When a company already had 2 cases that was settled outside the court, 1 case of labour law that had to settle payment in front of a judge, one has to rethink its action against an employee who didn't nothing wrong but contributed much to the company. when a company owe a few months of overdue contributions to EPF and income tax department, one need to realise its pro and con should the company go ahead with legal or commercial action.
The company need to realise that the law in a developing country might be different from the origin country of my ex-beloved company. An example: I have so many good friends who works in international and local advertising companies. When they resigned, they ONLY go to their competitors. Besides that, quite a number of my friends brought alone their accounts too. Trust from their clients enable them to do so. However, I have never heard of anyone suing them, specially this industry is so competitive.
Here's some of the site about labour law:
http://www.lawyerment.com.my/library/doc/empl/hr/
http://www.mohr.gov.my/laws.php"
http://jtksm.mohr.gov.my"
I might be persive as a gullible person, but I'm not and when I have to defend myself, I am all focus and facts only kind of person. It helps being an honest person.
I will post the clauses from my reminder letter in my coming post.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Taxi Executive
A few days ago, I heard on the tele that the tourism ministry will be introducing a group of premier taxi service called Taxi Executive in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2007. The plan is excellent to attract more visitors and to show them we are coutesy people.
However, the execution of this wonderful plan is in doubt. In fact, I'm not sure if it was carefully plan out. In the past, we have seen a few similar taxi services that fell after a while. Why, because there wasn't a proper planning for the poor taxi drivers and no follow up from the authorithies or company that came up with the idea/project. We had the GPRS premier airport taxi services that wasn't well thought and result in a lot of money wastage and unhappy drivers that the government had to interven to resolved the issues. Then we had the yellow taxi premier. The local as well as expats had experiences that the metre of the taxi is running super fast. Can you imagine going from Ampang Point to Semarak costed over RM30 on a not-so=busy traffic hours. Very few people would travel in it too.
I wonder how this taxi executive will work. It's great that they want to kick start with 300 taxis on the streets by 2007. As it is double the charges, is there a survey prior to the launch carried out? Did tourists prefer a double pay taxi ride in the city or standard taxi? How many percent prefers to walk and sight-seeing? How many percent has a family more than 4 travelling together? How many percent willing to pay the price? Where can the tourist call or find taxi excutive service? Will the taxi drivers only rely on passengers who can afford them? What happen to those taxi drivers during low tourist season? How many locals or expats working here would like to use this service at all times? How many percent of tourists visit Malaysia due to the low currency exchange? There are many more questions...
My point is that I don't want to see the 300 taxi drivers have to struggle later to find customers because the people responsible didn't do a proper follow up and planning after 2007. I won't want them to resort to the scene I see daily at KLCC Suria where a bunch of taxi drivers fishing for Middle East and Western tourist with a fixed price. Even the many guards in front of KLCC and a big signboard don't deter them from fishing expensive customers. I won't want to see the taxi executives ending up doing the same thing in famous mat-salleh areas. Everyone is trying to make a living and the fittest and toughest survive.
However, the execution of this wonderful plan is in doubt. In fact, I'm not sure if it was carefully plan out. In the past, we have seen a few similar taxi services that fell after a while. Why, because there wasn't a proper planning for the poor taxi drivers and no follow up from the authorithies or company that came up with the idea/project. We had the GPRS premier airport taxi services that wasn't well thought and result in a lot of money wastage and unhappy drivers that the government had to interven to resolved the issues. Then we had the yellow taxi premier. The local as well as expats had experiences that the metre of the taxi is running super fast. Can you imagine going from Ampang Point to Semarak costed over RM30 on a not-so=busy traffic hours. Very few people would travel in it too.
I wonder how this taxi executive will work. It's great that they want to kick start with 300 taxis on the streets by 2007. As it is double the charges, is there a survey prior to the launch carried out? Did tourists prefer a double pay taxi ride in the city or standard taxi? How many percent prefers to walk and sight-seeing? How many percent has a family more than 4 travelling together? How many percent willing to pay the price? Where can the tourist call or find taxi excutive service? Will the taxi drivers only rely on passengers who can afford them? What happen to those taxi drivers during low tourist season? How many locals or expats working here would like to use this service at all times? How many percent of tourists visit Malaysia due to the low currency exchange? There are many more questions...
My point is that I don't want to see the 300 taxi drivers have to struggle later to find customers because the people responsible didn't do a proper follow up and planning after 2007. I won't want them to resort to the scene I see daily at KLCC Suria where a bunch of taxi drivers fishing for Middle East and Western tourist with a fixed price. Even the many guards in front of KLCC and a big signboard don't deter them from fishing expensive customers. I won't want to see the taxi executives ending up doing the same thing in famous mat-salleh areas. Everyone is trying to make a living and the fittest and toughest survive.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Rainy Drainy Day
At around three something this afternoon, the sky suddenly swift from a cloudy day to gloomy and dark within minutes. Rain started to pour. It was moderate in the beginning and I could see families trying to cross the bustling and busy road of Kuala Lumpur. Maybe they were trying to get back to their hotels or getting inside a nearby building. Cars started to jammed up along the Bukit Bintang Road and queueing tail to tail trying to get out the infamous jam area before the rain became heavier.
I saw a traffic policeman at the junction of Bukit Bintang and Sultan Ismail navigating the traffic flow as best as he could. Bikers didn't seem to care less of the traffic police. Most of them just squeezed through the long queue and maneuver themselves out of the bustling road. Occasionally I could heard the irritating hon-hon from impatience drivers. Everyone predicts that the pour was going to be heavy very soon. Sky was getting darker with the heavy clouds moving fast.
I just finished my errant for the day and was waiting for a taxi to go home. I, too hope to reach home before mother nature spitted out thunder storm. The anger felt after hearing Homo sapiens complainting of hot, humid and hazy weather for the last few days. There goes my wishful thinking. The down pour was getting heavier and lighting started. A few minutes later it followed by a loud thunder. I dreaded thunder storm, ever since I was a child I am always afraid of it. When I see lightings, I would hid under my sheets. If there was thunder storm at night, I would woke up felling scared. I would stayed awake under my sheet until it stopped. Even though I'm all grown up now, I am still afraid of thunder storm. So when I see lightings, my body language would tell I'm uncomfortable.
Water started to rised up after 15 minutes of heavy storm. The queue was getting longer. A few times, there were people trying to cut queue. Twice from 2 tourist familes and a young local couple. The first tourist family got away with it because some taxi drivers target middle east tourist thinking they would get big tips. The second tourist family wasn't so lucky. They were told off by a young girl who asked them politely to follow the queue. The same girl told the young couple to queue up too. Kudoos to her! I wish more Malaysian are like her; who knows her rights and bold.
It looks like the storm is not going to end soon. In fact, it was getting heavier. It's going to be a massive jam later when office workers clocked out. There was a guy in front of me and I noticed that he has some difficulty trying to get a taxi who is willing to send him to his destination. I listened carefully and found out he was going my way. Since it is difficult to get a taxi in this condition, I asked him if he was going to xxx Road. He replied yes. Without hesitating, I asked if he wanted to share the taxi as he was going my way and he agreed. After 2 more taxi turn down his destination, the third one agreed. He opened the door for me, I thought it was very polite of him. Trust me, men hardly open door for me. Period. I once asked my male friend and he said because of my strong personality. What a load of bs!
Indeed the road was jamming up every where. I could hardly see the road in front of me due to the heavy pour. I wonder how the taxi driver drove in such weather. At least he was caution and drive slow. When we reached a tunnel, I noticed a few men on bikes were waiting for the rain to ease. I was a old chinaman concentrating lighting his cigarette. He needs a fix on a windy and wet weather. There was a guy squatting. Waiting for the rain to stop. His mind was somewhere else. Then, there were two men chatting. After that, I saw another man looking afar. I think he was hoping the rain to slow down as soon as possible so that he could go home to his wife and children.
After our taxi driver cleverly maneuver his way through the jam, we finally reach my apartment. Luckily the gate was open and the taxi drove into the shades. Again the nice gentleman open the door for me. When I wanted my share of fare, he refuse to accept it. Even though I insist, he still refused to accept my payment. I thought that was really nice of him. After that I found out he was one of my neighbours living on the same floor. I thanked him for his kindness.
I saw a traffic policeman at the junction of Bukit Bintang and Sultan Ismail navigating the traffic flow as best as he could. Bikers didn't seem to care less of the traffic police. Most of them just squeezed through the long queue and maneuver themselves out of the bustling road. Occasionally I could heard the irritating hon-hon from impatience drivers. Everyone predicts that the pour was going to be heavy very soon. Sky was getting darker with the heavy clouds moving fast.
I just finished my errant for the day and was waiting for a taxi to go home. I, too hope to reach home before mother nature spitted out thunder storm. The anger felt after hearing Homo sapiens complainting of hot, humid and hazy weather for the last few days. There goes my wishful thinking. The down pour was getting heavier and lighting started. A few minutes later it followed by a loud thunder. I dreaded thunder storm, ever since I was a child I am always afraid of it. When I see lightings, I would hid under my sheets. If there was thunder storm at night, I would woke up felling scared. I would stayed awake under my sheet until it stopped. Even though I'm all grown up now, I am still afraid of thunder storm. So when I see lightings, my body language would tell I'm uncomfortable.
Water started to rised up after 15 minutes of heavy storm. The queue was getting longer. A few times, there were people trying to cut queue. Twice from 2 tourist familes and a young local couple. The first tourist family got away with it because some taxi drivers target middle east tourist thinking they would get big tips. The second tourist family wasn't so lucky. They were told off by a young girl who asked them politely to follow the queue. The same girl told the young couple to queue up too. Kudoos to her! I wish more Malaysian are like her; who knows her rights and bold.
It looks like the storm is not going to end soon. In fact, it was getting heavier. It's going to be a massive jam later when office workers clocked out. There was a guy in front of me and I noticed that he has some difficulty trying to get a taxi who is willing to send him to his destination. I listened carefully and found out he was going my way. Since it is difficult to get a taxi in this condition, I asked him if he was going to xxx Road. He replied yes. Without hesitating, I asked if he wanted to share the taxi as he was going my way and he agreed. After 2 more taxi turn down his destination, the third one agreed. He opened the door for me, I thought it was very polite of him. Trust me, men hardly open door for me. Period. I once asked my male friend and he said because of my strong personality. What a load of bs!
Indeed the road was jamming up every where. I could hardly see the road in front of me due to the heavy pour. I wonder how the taxi driver drove in such weather. At least he was caution and drive slow. When we reached a tunnel, I noticed a few men on bikes were waiting for the rain to ease. I was a old chinaman concentrating lighting his cigarette. He needs a fix on a windy and wet weather. There was a guy squatting. Waiting for the rain to stop. His mind was somewhere else. Then, there were two men chatting. After that, I saw another man looking afar. I think he was hoping the rain to slow down as soon as possible so that he could go home to his wife and children.
After our taxi driver cleverly maneuver his way through the jam, we finally reach my apartment. Luckily the gate was open and the taxi drove into the shades. Again the nice gentleman open the door for me. When I wanted my share of fare, he refuse to accept it. Even though I insist, he still refused to accept my payment. I thought that was really nice of him. After that I found out he was one of my neighbours living on the same floor. I thanked him for his kindness.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Buzz of the day
Recently there was a lot of buzz about our beloved Tun Mahathir and the current PM Pak Lah. It seems to portray that the different ideology between the two leaders might affect our economic environment. Can they really have such an effects? From a layman point of view, if Tun is able to stir the economic environment, it shows that he still has great supporters. I'm not into politic but I have always admire Tun for his sharpness, witty, agressive, risk taker and intelligence. Ever since I read his book Malay Dilema as a child, I started to love history during my school days. In fact, my favourite subject was South East Asia History and I moved on to Islamic history later in the years.
Tun has his unique ways of leadership and so as Pak Lah. Both can't be compare because they are unique in their own way. Yes, Tun has been our beloved country leader for 22 years. So it is not strange if he continues to give his views on current economic situation. I, for one would respect him for that. After leaving politic, he still love his country with passion and wants the best for her. We as the younger generation, shouldn't ignore him. Aren't our parents tell us to respect our grandparents? In school, are we not told to respect the elders and our teachers? Shouldn't we show this example to our children? It's sad that Tun and Pak Lah are being put in the middle of this unpleasent situation. We should never forget all the contribution Tun gave to Malaysia.
I still remember when I was young, when I travel overseas and tell people where I'm from, no one knows Malaysia. But if I say it's near Singapore, the reation was "Oh, yes I know Singapore". So I have to explain that my country is above Singapore. Believe me, no one was interested what's above Singapore. That was then. Now everywhere I go, everyone knows where exactly is MALAYSIA. Tun has put Malaysia into the world map. Tun changed our country from an argo-based industry to what we are today. Our voice is strong in the OIC and UN. We won't make it this far without Tun love for the country and the time he sacrifice over 20 years.
I am proud to be a Malaysian because of Tun Mahathir and all that he has done for my lovely country. God Bless You Tun.
Tun has his unique ways of leadership and so as Pak Lah. Both can't be compare because they are unique in their own way. Yes, Tun has been our beloved country leader for 22 years. So it is not strange if he continues to give his views on current economic situation. I, for one would respect him for that. After leaving politic, he still love his country with passion and wants the best for her. We as the younger generation, shouldn't ignore him. Aren't our parents tell us to respect our grandparents? In school, are we not told to respect the elders and our teachers? Shouldn't we show this example to our children? It's sad that Tun and Pak Lah are being put in the middle of this unpleasent situation. We should never forget all the contribution Tun gave to Malaysia.
I still remember when I was young, when I travel overseas and tell people where I'm from, no one knows Malaysia. But if I say it's near Singapore, the reation was "Oh, yes I know Singapore". So I have to explain that my country is above Singapore. Believe me, no one was interested what's above Singapore. That was then. Now everywhere I go, everyone knows where exactly is MALAYSIA. Tun has put Malaysia into the world map. Tun changed our country from an argo-based industry to what we are today. Our voice is strong in the OIC and UN. We won't make it this far without Tun love for the country and the time he sacrifice over 20 years.
I am proud to be a Malaysian because of Tun Mahathir and all that he has done for my lovely country. God Bless You Tun.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Renew My Passion
For the first time in many years, I am free for 3 days. Although I need to go to few agencies to make a reports about wrong-doings, I am free to explore my passions that I have been putting on hold for quite a while.
Everytime I plan to self-improve my knowledge, there is always something more important that requires my atmost attention. Soon my creative passions are left aside; waiting with patience. I would like to continue my ONHOLD passion such as fineart - onhold for 4 years, photography - onhold for 2 years, reading - onhold for a year. For the first time last Friday evening, I had time to re-examine my passion. In fact I did that in my tiny but cosy room in Glade Eagle Hospital. I was there for an over night observation due to my heart condition. Funny thing is I heart was fine till an idiot stupidly trying to be clever and announced bad news to few of my staff without approval and direction from his immediate boss, who was here to evaluate him.
His un-rational action made me very angry for the first time in many years. I believe he sense a need to proof himself that he is a capable superior. Unfortunately without proper information, he dive into the sea and piss off the shark. Later I found out that he wasn't being involved in the restructuring and this makes him worry about his future with the company. As a worried freak, his immediate boss action would have cause him sleepness nights. Anyway, I will publish more about the old worried freak in my next post.
Back to the hospital, yes I was able to think about my passions which I put onhold while trying to chase my career and making money for the kwai-loo aka mat-salleh. So when I discharge myself the next morning, I started to do some searching about Nikon and photography. I'm a Nikon user since my school days and am a vivid follower too. I told my teddy bear that I want to start my photography passion again. However he was sceptical about it because I often not able to commit to myself. This time I will proof him wrong. I hope. Besides that, I found a nice url over the website where I can get tips about photography and the best part is that it is using the same digicam as mine. How cool is that.
http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGall2.asp?camID=1530
I have quite a few photography I did over the past year that I haven't any time to upload or print it out. All are filed in folders and burned into CDs. It's time to check those folders for some nice photos to published. On the other hand, I should be getting some new photos after i learnt the tips and post'em here.
Okidokie, signing out.
Everytime I plan to self-improve my knowledge, there is always something more important that requires my atmost attention. Soon my creative passions are left aside; waiting with patience. I would like to continue my ONHOLD passion such as fineart - onhold for 4 years, photography - onhold for 2 years, reading - onhold for a year. For the first time last Friday evening, I had time to re-examine my passion. In fact I did that in my tiny but cosy room in Glade Eagle Hospital. I was there for an over night observation due to my heart condition. Funny thing is I heart was fine till an idiot stupidly trying to be clever and announced bad news to few of my staff without approval and direction from his immediate boss, who was here to evaluate him.
His un-rational action made me very angry for the first time in many years. I believe he sense a need to proof himself that he is a capable superior. Unfortunately without proper information, he dive into the sea and piss off the shark. Later I found out that he wasn't being involved in the restructuring and this makes him worry about his future with the company. As a worried freak, his immediate boss action would have cause him sleepness nights. Anyway, I will publish more about the old worried freak in my next post.
Back to the hospital, yes I was able to think about my passions which I put onhold while trying to chase my career and making money for the kwai-loo aka mat-salleh. So when I discharge myself the next morning, I started to do some searching about Nikon and photography. I'm a Nikon user since my school days and am a vivid follower too. I told my teddy bear that I want to start my photography passion again. However he was sceptical about it because I often not able to commit to myself. This time I will proof him wrong. I hope. Besides that, I found a nice url over the website where I can get tips about photography and the best part is that it is using the same digicam as mine. How cool is that.
http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGall2.asp?camID=1530
I have quite a few photography I did over the past year that I haven't any time to upload or print it out. All are filed in folders and burned into CDs. It's time to check those folders for some nice photos to published. On the other hand, I should be getting some new photos after i learnt the tips and post'em here.
Okidokie, signing out.
In the name of business
Today is my first day of relaxation after i resigned from my last company. Many ups and downs i experienced and indeed I will treasure it as a life learnt experience. I was with this company for about 6 years, technically.
You see, i started off as a graphic designer in this amazing company located in one of world tallest buildings. The office environment was great and everyone I met was my cup of tea. We click instantly and times flys like a time machine. Then 9/11 happened and it affected this company directly because all our clients are US based. So you can imagine the horror. Since then, this company is just going down hill. Of course not forgetting a decision it made by going towards IPO when at the same time the .com bubble burst!
The chairman tried its best to pull the financial situation though this trying times and i must day he did something right. However, while doing it, i believe there are sacrifices he has to live by. For example, retrenchment, legal batter from the ex-employees to get back what's owning to them. Moving from a grant office to a small, made-do office, and this happened all over the world. Legal cases that lasted till today.
Then there is this funds loan from my govenment. It's a huge millions of funds that was grant to promote R&D for the country. But Alas! the funds goes 'puffff' within a year. What's left is a salary delay for over a year already and staff leave the organiasation one by one. Like dead flies drop one by one. I guess being a businessman, there are a lot of tactic ones must learnt and mastered - not to mention lots of exploitations. Now, not only our salary is delay, our EPF, scheduled tax, socso are also delayed. I've been through this twice and I tell you it's no fun game. Your financial planning is all screwed, you owe bank your installment, you owe your credit cards money with super high interest, you quarrel with your wife or husband for not being able to support the family, you put your education planning on hold and many more.
All this in the name of globalisation and it's just business, no hard feelings.
You see, i started off as a graphic designer in this amazing company located in one of world tallest buildings. The office environment was great and everyone I met was my cup of tea. We click instantly and times flys like a time machine. Then 9/11 happened and it affected this company directly because all our clients are US based. So you can imagine the horror. Since then, this company is just going down hill. Of course not forgetting a decision it made by going towards IPO when at the same time the .com bubble burst!
The chairman tried its best to pull the financial situation though this trying times and i must day he did something right. However, while doing it, i believe there are sacrifices he has to live by. For example, retrenchment, legal batter from the ex-employees to get back what's owning to them. Moving from a grant office to a small, made-do office, and this happened all over the world. Legal cases that lasted till today.
Then there is this funds loan from my govenment. It's a huge millions of funds that was grant to promote R&D for the country. But Alas! the funds goes 'puffff' within a year. What's left is a salary delay for over a year already and staff leave the organiasation one by one. Like dead flies drop one by one. I guess being a businessman, there are a lot of tactic ones must learnt and mastered - not to mention lots of exploitations. Now, not only our salary is delay, our EPF, scheduled tax, socso are also delayed. I've been through this twice and I tell you it's no fun game. Your financial planning is all screwed, you owe bank your installment, you owe your credit cards money with super high interest, you quarrel with your wife or husband for not being able to support the family, you put your education planning on hold and many more.
All this in the name of globalisation and it's just business, no hard feelings.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Private Affair
I recently read a blog from someone I knew who talked a lot about her private life in her online-for-all-to-see blog. The ironic is that I also knew the person she talked about. Being a person who guarded her 'privacy', I am quite uncomfortable about this little public affair.
Little by little our life is becoming an open book for all to read, judge and criticise. I for one is guarding the little privacy I have left with all means possible. Celebrities are not the only people whose life is a public affair. Normal, average people like us are subject to this cruelty. Sadly it's not by the greedy paparazi but mostly by their love ones. Love ones are writing freely about their daily life in an online 'daily' or 'journal' called blog. Yet, another modern tools meant for good intention has gone out of control.
Back to the friend who was subject to public eyes and judgement, I felt sorry for him. His colleagues, friends and family would read about his private life and all the troubles, the ups and downs in his private life. He has to brave himself to face everyone everyday when one of his private affairs is shared openly. Simple and sensible, he would just swallow the pain and humiliation himself. Even when asked by others if he approves with the public affair, he would just say "it's ok".
There is a fine line between private and public affair that one can share on public blog.
Little by little our life is becoming an open book for all to read, judge and criticise. I for one is guarding the little privacy I have left with all means possible. Celebrities are not the only people whose life is a public affair. Normal, average people like us are subject to this cruelty. Sadly it's not by the greedy paparazi but mostly by their love ones. Love ones are writing freely about their daily life in an online 'daily' or 'journal' called blog. Yet, another modern tools meant for good intention has gone out of control.
Back to the friend who was subject to public eyes and judgement, I felt sorry for him. His colleagues, friends and family would read about his private life and all the troubles, the ups and downs in his private life. He has to brave himself to face everyone everyday when one of his private affairs is shared openly. Simple and sensible, he would just swallow the pain and humiliation himself. Even when asked by others if he approves with the public affair, he would just say "it's ok".
There is a fine line between private and public affair that one can share on public blog.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
It's that time of the year again
It's that time of the year where men go crazy and glued to the tv till wee hours. Yup, the World Cup is coming and the heat is up. In the office the males colleagues are guessing who'll be this year winner. Prediction and analyzing each team and their internal problems are the talk of the guys everytime they are on their chimney break.
They gets more excited when female colleagues share their passion and interest. The debut heats up further and laughters are heard from afar. My male colleagues are all more than willing to share their knowledge and excitement whenever I asked them on view of the teams or players.
I just promote one of my team leads as my assistant. That will really ease my responsibilities and burden. He will be helping me to carry the loads and shares the problem. I think I made a good choice because he is the opposite of me, in my boss that i can train him in 3 months but I believe it will only takes a month to train him to run production. In fact I think we will compliments each other to run the production floor smoothly.
Let's see. Since now is the World Cup season, he's been wearing his fav jersey to work. Cute.
They gets more excited when female colleagues share their passion and interest. The debut heats up further and laughters are heard from afar. My male colleagues are all more than willing to share their knowledge and excitement whenever I asked them on view of the teams or players.
I just promote one of my team leads as my assistant. That will really ease my responsibilities and burden. He will be helping me to carry the loads and shares the problem. I think I made a good choice because he is the opposite of me, in my boss that i can train him in 3 months but I believe it will only takes a month to train him to run production. In fact I think we will compliments each other to run the production floor smoothly.
Let's see. Since now is the World Cup season, he's been wearing his fav jersey to work. Cute.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Does Money Make Us Happier?
I read an article in the newspaper today that put me in my thinking hat. Does more money makes one happier?
I remember my late grandmother stories when I was very young. Every night, I would crawl into my granny's blanket and asked her to tell me stories of her life. Every stories she told has a sense of hardship in it. Some of it were rather sad and frightening. She would tell me how she faced a lot of struggle for her family basic neccessites. Sometimes, her family went without food specially during the Japanese occupancy. In fact her stories during the Japanese occupancy was very interesting, at the same time scary for a 5-year-old. Maybe that's the reason why I like to read crime and horror novels. I also like to read about true-event and history related books. I will tell some of my granny's stories other time.
Nowadays, most of us didn't have to struggle for basic neccessities and life was way better than our fathers and forefathers. All of us are financially better. But are we happier?
Various survey were done to get the answer. Most of the people are satisfied and optimistic. However, there was a 10% or so revealed that they are pessimistic about the future and not content with their lives. This unveil that financial well being doesn't guarantteed happiness.
For most of us, except for the extremely rich, there are too many variebles that prevent the feeling of happiness. Low sense of security top the chart. In most asian countries, the saving rate is high compare to western countries. The lack of social security systems is the major reason for the public's reluctance to spend. The scenario is more prominant among the low and medium income group. The uncertainty regarding employment, income, medical situation, housing, education, politic and war in recent years were the main reasons. People can't be content if they have to fortified with the unexpected.
Ones has to save for rainny days. Unless government can provide a more stable environment, people will continue to save and reluctant to spend.
I remember my late grandmother stories when I was very young. Every night, I would crawl into my granny's blanket and asked her to tell me stories of her life. Every stories she told has a sense of hardship in it. Some of it were rather sad and frightening. She would tell me how she faced a lot of struggle for her family basic neccessites. Sometimes, her family went without food specially during the Japanese occupancy. In fact her stories during the Japanese occupancy was very interesting, at the same time scary for a 5-year-old. Maybe that's the reason why I like to read crime and horror novels. I also like to read about true-event and history related books. I will tell some of my granny's stories other time.
Nowadays, most of us didn't have to struggle for basic neccessities and life was way better than our fathers and forefathers. All of us are financially better. But are we happier?
Various survey were done to get the answer. Most of the people are satisfied and optimistic. However, there was a 10% or so revealed that they are pessimistic about the future and not content with their lives. This unveil that financial well being doesn't guarantteed happiness.
For most of us, except for the extremely rich, there are too many variebles that prevent the feeling of happiness. Low sense of security top the chart. In most asian countries, the saving rate is high compare to western countries. The lack of social security systems is the major reason for the public's reluctance to spend. The scenario is more prominant among the low and medium income group. The uncertainty regarding employment, income, medical situation, housing, education, politic and war in recent years were the main reasons. People can't be content if they have to fortified with the unexpected.
Ones has to save for rainny days. Unless government can provide a more stable environment, people will continue to save and reluctant to spend.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Never Give Up and Be Rewarded
Today one of my ex-colleague received what was due to him a long time ago. He finally received his 2 years 13th month bonus owing to him by a company. I believe he won after a long battle to get what was rightly due to him. If one has a will, he will always be rewarded. I was there when the cheque was signed yesterday and immediately I informed my ex-colleague. I am very sure he will be celebrating his victory today or over the weekend.
As a matter of fact, he was not the only one facing this problem. Since 2002, the company was in financial difficulties and all employees didn't get their 13th month bonus. Being the patient loads, we swallowed the fact unwillingly and hoping that the owner will keep his promise to pay us the bonus un due time. However, a year past and no news. Came end of 2004 and again, our 13th month bonus was no where to be seen. Besides that, I found out some of our EPF wasn't paid to the KWSP department. It was deducted from our monthly salary, but was never submitted. I filed a complaint to the GM and luckily he was professional enough that he order to get our EPF updated to date.
Coming back to 13th bonus, the company owe quite a few employee 2 months bonus. All has left the company expect myself. Well, I did left the company but I joined back again due to the opportunities the president promised me. I took the job knowing that they still owe me two month bonus. I still keep in touch with most of the previous colleagues who left the company after 2002. In fact, some of us became close friends and hanging out together monthly. All of them said they wanted to take legal action but I have doubt. There is a different between all talk and no action. In the end I knew they are not going to do anything and waiting for someone to initiate it. So when my ex-colleague told me about his hearing, I was very happy for him. He took the initiative and not waiting for the company to take their own sweet time to pay. To tell the truth, I don't believe the company will pay what was due to us without legal action. Unfortunately for me, I can't do anything at the moment because I'm still an employee of the company. I have cons0ulted many people and everyone told me I will be at risk of getting fired if I file a complaint at the labour department. When time comes, I will do it.
Being at a losing end and helpless due to my situation in the company, I promised myself that I will reap the most knowledge and gain from it. In fact, after returning to the company for 6 months, I was already building up my business from the experience I gained. I gained in terms of business, management, industry and work experiences. With that, I used it to my advantages. Team up with couple of friends, we build a business during the 3rd quater of 2005.
We started small because we believe in being prudent. We spend only what we can afford and try to make the most profit in everything we do. The cost was very low because we work from SOHO. In just a month, we managed to get a business contract from oversea. Using freelancers to save cost, we began to build business and customer relationship with our client. In the beginning, the work were fewer, never the less, it was a paid work. After trying us for 2 months, our client has more confident and began to past us more and more work to do. Mind you we are only in our 4th month! The amount of work has gone up over 100% but we maintain the total freelancers. I always believe employees should be an asset with high value. I will only increase staff when everyone is overloaded. I did this not because I want to overwork staff but in the frigile economic since 1997, it is important to create value so one will not be easily dispossed by the company.
Now we have one stable client who gave us more work, we also have a new client. Even though I have to put in a lot of hours daily and all my weekends, I have never been more content. Now's it's like having 2 full time jobs. I work for a company in during the day, clocking in 42 hours a week, After that I work on my business during the nights and weekends, clocking countless hours. All the hardwork my friends and myself put in are bearing fruits. Our second client is giving us full control, which means all work will be coming to us. We are a start-up business and we are constantly trying to improve our business and process. I would like to work together and along-side with clients so we can help each other to meet our goals and objectives.
All that I've learnt my my company, good and bad, I am using it as a reference in my business.
As a matter of fact, he was not the only one facing this problem. Since 2002, the company was in financial difficulties and all employees didn't get their 13th month bonus. Being the patient loads, we swallowed the fact unwillingly and hoping that the owner will keep his promise to pay us the bonus un due time. However, a year past and no news. Came end of 2004 and again, our 13th month bonus was no where to be seen. Besides that, I found out some of our EPF wasn't paid to the KWSP department. It was deducted from our monthly salary, but was never submitted. I filed a complaint to the GM and luckily he was professional enough that he order to get our EPF updated to date.
Coming back to 13th bonus, the company owe quite a few employee 2 months bonus. All has left the company expect myself. Well, I did left the company but I joined back again due to the opportunities the president promised me. I took the job knowing that they still owe me two month bonus. I still keep in touch with most of the previous colleagues who left the company after 2002. In fact, some of us became close friends and hanging out together monthly. All of them said they wanted to take legal action but I have doubt. There is a different between all talk and no action. In the end I knew they are not going to do anything and waiting for someone to initiate it. So when my ex-colleague told me about his hearing, I was very happy for him. He took the initiative and not waiting for the company to take their own sweet time to pay. To tell the truth, I don't believe the company will pay what was due to us without legal action. Unfortunately for me, I can't do anything at the moment because I'm still an employee of the company. I have cons0ulted many people and everyone told me I will be at risk of getting fired if I file a complaint at the labour department. When time comes, I will do it.
Being at a losing end and helpless due to my situation in the company, I promised myself that I will reap the most knowledge and gain from it. In fact, after returning to the company for 6 months, I was already building up my business from the experience I gained. I gained in terms of business, management, industry and work experiences. With that, I used it to my advantages. Team up with couple of friends, we build a business during the 3rd quater of 2005.
We started small because we believe in being prudent. We spend only what we can afford and try to make the most profit in everything we do. The cost was very low because we work from SOHO. In just a month, we managed to get a business contract from oversea. Using freelancers to save cost, we began to build business and customer relationship with our client. In the beginning, the work were fewer, never the less, it was a paid work. After trying us for 2 months, our client has more confident and began to past us more and more work to do. Mind you we are only in our 4th month! The amount of work has gone up over 100% but we maintain the total freelancers. I always believe employees should be an asset with high value. I will only increase staff when everyone is overloaded. I did this not because I want to overwork staff but in the frigile economic since 1997, it is important to create value so one will not be easily dispossed by the company.
Now we have one stable client who gave us more work, we also have a new client. Even though I have to put in a lot of hours daily and all my weekends, I have never been more content. Now's it's like having 2 full time jobs. I work for a company in during the day, clocking in 42 hours a week, After that I work on my business during the nights and weekends, clocking countless hours. All the hardwork my friends and myself put in are bearing fruits. Our second client is giving us full control, which means all work will be coming to us. We are a start-up business and we are constantly trying to improve our business and process. I would like to work together and along-side with clients so we can help each other to meet our goals and objectives.
All that I've learnt my my company, good and bad, I am using it as a reference in my business.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Festive Air
Since the begining of this year the weather has been terribly hot and humid. Blessed with sunny weather, it is beginning to be unbearable. Normally during the chinese New Year festival, it would rains and nice cozy weather all day long. Unfortunately this year it wasn't the same. For the first time in many years, I think for as long as I can remember, it didn't rain a drop during the 3 festive days. It was sunny and humid.
Sunny days should have been delightful for young children and teenagers during the festive season. It won't be a hassle when they go with each other's open house. No need to drive into a car pouch area, no need to run into the house with a shared umbrella, hoping the new clothes would stay dry. Movement is surely more at ease and pleasent too. Everyone will be able to visit more friends and neighbours, specially those who is staying just a stone throw away. It would be a good walking exercise after all the eating and drinking. Friendship is reinforce and strenghten.
For the boys, it means more fireworks! I live in a neighbourhood where most of my neighbours have sons and their favourite past time during Chinese New Year is experiement various types of fire crackers. Big and small, loud and colourful. Some of it, it felt like a boom exploded! It is also the worst time for my pets. Dogs are not used to all this noise and they tend to hide whenever firecrackers sound blasted into the air.
All the time I hear heartbreaking stories from friends about their pets ran away during this time and was never found. Pets tend to run for their life when they feel threathen that they forgot to look where they were going or leave their sense as trail. Every year during chinese new year, my pets in always in my bedroom. No doubt mom hates the ideas but she didn't say much. Mom knows how much I love my pets. They are very obedient too. No running around the bedroom or destroying my stuff. They would all stay quitely under my bed and stay close to each other. Whenever they are in my room, everyone feel calm and more relax. However, all of them knows how much I love them that they will show their 'horns' after the sounds of firecrackers died down. One by one will come out from their hideout and jump onto my bed. Since I never leave my pets along during their fear encounter, they will start licking me and group hugging me. After a while, all will sleep quitely all over the bed while I read. When I am ready to go down, all of them will wake up and follow me down. I always love to see everyone walk up and down the skills. Very delicate and skillful. The best rewards I get for acompany them. They are my angels.
Chinese new year is also the time I get to eat mom specialty food. Dishes that take long time to prepare during normal days, will always appear during Chinese new year. In fact all my favourite dishes are on the table during reunion dinner. Till now I never knew hoe to prepare all those dishes. I sometimes eat the same recipe at friends place or restaurants, but nothing bet moms cooking. Perfect touch to the taste. Chinese new year is coming to an end and soon we will be celebrating Chinese valentine on the 15th day.
Sunny days should have been delightful for young children and teenagers during the festive season. It won't be a hassle when they go with each other's open house. No need to drive into a car pouch area, no need to run into the house with a shared umbrella, hoping the new clothes would stay dry. Movement is surely more at ease and pleasent too. Everyone will be able to visit more friends and neighbours, specially those who is staying just a stone throw away. It would be a good walking exercise after all the eating and drinking. Friendship is reinforce and strenghten.
For the boys, it means more fireworks! I live in a neighbourhood where most of my neighbours have sons and their favourite past time during Chinese New Year is experiement various types of fire crackers. Big and small, loud and colourful. Some of it, it felt like a boom exploded! It is also the worst time for my pets. Dogs are not used to all this noise and they tend to hide whenever firecrackers sound blasted into the air.
All the time I hear heartbreaking stories from friends about their pets ran away during this time and was never found. Pets tend to run for their life when they feel threathen that they forgot to look where they were going or leave their sense as trail. Every year during chinese new year, my pets in always in my bedroom. No doubt mom hates the ideas but she didn't say much. Mom knows how much I love my pets. They are very obedient too. No running around the bedroom or destroying my stuff. They would all stay quitely under my bed and stay close to each other. Whenever they are in my room, everyone feel calm and more relax. However, all of them knows how much I love them that they will show their 'horns' after the sounds of firecrackers died down. One by one will come out from their hideout and jump onto my bed. Since I never leave my pets along during their fear encounter, they will start licking me and group hugging me. After a while, all will sleep quitely all over the bed while I read. When I am ready to go down, all of them will wake up and follow me down. I always love to see everyone walk up and down the skills. Very delicate and skillful. The best rewards I get for acompany them. They are my angels.
Chinese new year is also the time I get to eat mom specialty food. Dishes that take long time to prepare during normal days, will always appear during Chinese new year. In fact all my favourite dishes are on the table during reunion dinner. Till now I never knew hoe to prepare all those dishes. I sometimes eat the same recipe at friends place or restaurants, but nothing bet moms cooking. Perfect touch to the taste. Chinese new year is coming to an end and soon we will be celebrating Chinese valentine on the 15th day.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Tribute to Sheena
Recently various media is starting to take notice about animal rights and are fighting for our four-legged friends. In newspapers, TV and radio, many have take part in the Tribute to Sheena, who suffered an inhuman abuse from its 'family' and gave up in its battle to survive. The abuser was only fine RM100 for abusing and taking a live.
At the moment, SPCA Malaysia is collecting petitions from the mass to the Prime Minister. SPCA wants to raise the cruelty fine from RM200 to a significantly higher fine of around RM10,000.00. In order to do that, SPCA needs to collect at least 100,000 signatures from the public locally or internationally. Currently after the first phase, they only managed to collect 20,000 signed petitions. An insufficient number to change the live of Man's Best Friend.
I hope more people from all folks of life will drop by SPCA Malaysia site and take a minute of their time to sign the petition. This would greatly help our feline and canine friends to have a better protection from cruelty.
Have a heart.
At the moment, SPCA Malaysia is collecting petitions from the mass to the Prime Minister. SPCA wants to raise the cruelty fine from RM200 to a significantly higher fine of around RM10,000.00. In order to do that, SPCA needs to collect at least 100,000 signatures from the public locally or internationally. Currently after the first phase, they only managed to collect 20,000 signed petitions. An insufficient number to change the live of Man's Best Friend.
I hope more people from all folks of life will drop by SPCA Malaysia site and take a minute of their time to sign the petition. This would greatly help our feline and canine friends to have a better protection from cruelty.
Have a heart.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
So Far So Good...
"Nothing could succeed in discouraging you, on the contrary, obstacles will stimulate you. You'll be well decided not to let yourself be disheartened" That is what I read about me for the Chinese calender year of dog. I am not a believer of horoscope or prediction. I believe in my own effort and initiative.
So far, it has been good. My freelance job looks positive and hopefully I will have a regular income. Personally, I regard this as my passive income. I know most people won't agreed with me. Passive income is suppose to 'generate' money without much effort and time putting into it. I look at it as work that gives me pleasure and excitement. I am motivated and put in 200% in my work. I will take extra miles to make each work a success and my clients satisfied. When I have satisfied clients, I get return business without much self advertising.
In my job, understanding each client's uniqueness is vital. Flexibility is a must. Good pay master will keep me alive. I had to fished in the sea for a quite while before I found a few good clients.
Since the first day of 2006, I have been rather busy with design work. Having to work during the day, 5 days week, this leads me to have to skip my beauty sleep most of the nights. Sleep only comes at wee hours in the morning. Normally that will be the time when clubers return home after an eventful night. When people are dancing the nights away, the ladies taking their beauty sleep, I will be in front of my 8 years old pc indulge in my work. Next to the pc will be a cup of coffee or chocolate drink. Occasionally music is my companion throughout the nights.
Weekends is not for shopping or hanging out with friends. I spend my full weekend working because this is the time I can get a lot of work done. Of course, I don't stare into the computer 24 hours a day. There are time for cooking my favourite food, try out new recipes I read from the internet and cooking books. I also have time to clean my apartment and do the laundry. I even have time to watch my favourite movies on DVD or read a good book. Life can't be more satisfy.
With 2 jobs, I also have time for lunch or tea with my friends. Of course, planning has to make before hand or I will end up not meeting my dateline. Speaking of 2 jobs, there is a vast contrast between both jobs. My day time job takes the toll out of me. Working in a multi national company and a lot of issues to resolve and maintain good working environment for my staff is draining out my energy. As the company grows and staff increases, politic and potential politic is unavoidable. All I can do is managed it the best I can and tackle an issue one by one.
Then, there is my evening job. I work from home without anybody popping at my desk all the time. I can work peacefully. I can get a lot of work done and quicker. I only have a handful of staff and I managed them remotely. The beauty of internet and all the 21st century technology. Business can be done with just a computer, a scanner, a printer, broadband access, videocam and a headphone with speaker. No politic, no gossip, no need to watch my back, no need to go through all the hassle and unpleasent things everyone has to do when we work from 9-5 and more for 5 days. For the unfortunate few, it is an extra half day added in.
I have few projects going on for my evening job and dateline is impposible but I am very satisfied and enjoy every moment. I put extra effort to help my clients and build a trusty business relationship. I look at it as partnership with my clients. I am generous with suggesions and ideas. I give more than what my clients asked of my service. Why do I go all the troubles to do this? Because I love my work!
A win-win business relationship. I hope the year will continue to be better and brighter each day. Time to go shopping. Till next time.
So far, it has been good. My freelance job looks positive and hopefully I will have a regular income. Personally, I regard this as my passive income. I know most people won't agreed with me. Passive income is suppose to 'generate' money without much effort and time putting into it. I look at it as work that gives me pleasure and excitement. I am motivated and put in 200% in my work. I will take extra miles to make each work a success and my clients satisfied. When I have satisfied clients, I get return business without much self advertising.
In my job, understanding each client's uniqueness is vital. Flexibility is a must. Good pay master will keep me alive. I had to fished in the sea for a quite while before I found a few good clients.
Since the first day of 2006, I have been rather busy with design work. Having to work during the day, 5 days week, this leads me to have to skip my beauty sleep most of the nights. Sleep only comes at wee hours in the morning. Normally that will be the time when clubers return home after an eventful night. When people are dancing the nights away, the ladies taking their beauty sleep, I will be in front of my 8 years old pc indulge in my work. Next to the pc will be a cup of coffee or chocolate drink. Occasionally music is my companion throughout the nights.
Weekends is not for shopping or hanging out with friends. I spend my full weekend working because this is the time I can get a lot of work done. Of course, I don't stare into the computer 24 hours a day. There are time for cooking my favourite food, try out new recipes I read from the internet and cooking books. I also have time to clean my apartment and do the laundry. I even have time to watch my favourite movies on DVD or read a good book. Life can't be more satisfy.
With 2 jobs, I also have time for lunch or tea with my friends. Of course, planning has to make before hand or I will end up not meeting my dateline. Speaking of 2 jobs, there is a vast contrast between both jobs. My day time job takes the toll out of me. Working in a multi national company and a lot of issues to resolve and maintain good working environment for my staff is draining out my energy. As the company grows and staff increases, politic and potential politic is unavoidable. All I can do is managed it the best I can and tackle an issue one by one.
Then, there is my evening job. I work from home without anybody popping at my desk all the time. I can work peacefully. I can get a lot of work done and quicker. I only have a handful of staff and I managed them remotely. The beauty of internet and all the 21st century technology. Business can be done with just a computer, a scanner, a printer, broadband access, videocam and a headphone with speaker. No politic, no gossip, no need to watch my back, no need to go through all the hassle and unpleasent things everyone has to do when we work from 9-5 and more for 5 days. For the unfortunate few, it is an extra half day added in.
I have few projects going on for my evening job and dateline is impposible but I am very satisfied and enjoy every moment. I put extra effort to help my clients and build a trusty business relationship. I look at it as partnership with my clients. I am generous with suggesions and ideas. I give more than what my clients asked of my service. Why do I go all the troubles to do this? Because I love my work!
A win-win business relationship. I hope the year will continue to be better and brighter each day. Time to go shopping. Till next time.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Hello 2006, How are you?
I know it's a bit late to welcome a new year but hey, it's still in its first month so I'm sure it's not an issue. Many things had happened to me during 2005 and some of them I would rather forget.
Well, this is 2006 and I hope it will be a better year for me. My resolution for this year is to take care of my health and hopefully able to lose some weight. I know when my friend read this, he won't believe it. This is because I have been trying to lose weight for so long. Anyway, I hope my resolution to lose weight will stay in focus because my health is deteriorating. I sense it is deteriorating in a fast pace too. Besides that, I would like to lead a healthier lifestyle.
During the end of 2005 I joined my friend and another partner in a project which lead to the birth of a company. I'm not the main share holder of the company because financial in not on my side. I would execute the work coming in while two of them look for contracts and projects. They are the main share holder of the company. This is a fair deal because they have contacts and finances while I have the talent and skills. Both party gains. For 2006, I hope that our business will continue to grow and improve. Hopefully someday I can work from home. That's the dream of a bookworm.
After working for 8 years, I have to admit that I'm getting tired of corporate world and its politics. The higher the corporate ladder I climb, the more ugly the politic. Everyone is trying to save their own a** and keep their job. I don't blame anyone. In this century, the employment belongs to the young. When you reach 40s, you are an endanger species. By then, I will have to try to keep my job and monthly stable income. Before that happen, I am looking for a remedy and it lead me to team up with few friends and work hard to build my own personal income. I found self fulfilling when I work from home and during the night. Even though I have to cut a lot of sleeping time and weekends but I am much happier because it is the fruit of my labour. Therefore, I pray to GOD that HE will bless us and open a path for us to grow our business.
My partners are planning to get me a new pc or laptop sometime this year. I hope it will be soon because my old pc is dying. Now I have to wait for the budget so I can propose a laptop. I would much prefer a laptop because I will be doing a bit of traveling and it will be much more convenient for me to work from anywhere.
Traveling, yes, this is one of the things I plan to do a bit this year. After working for 8 years, I now prefer to go slow and see more of the world. However, my work doesn’t enables me to save a lot, not in this country anyway. So, the traveling will be budget based. I remember a good friend once said that he prefers backpacking because he will have a lot of freedom to move around and see more of the world. Hmm... maybe he was right. Budget holiday does have its fun and thrill. I will write more when I go traveling few countries later this year.
Tomorrow is my first day to work. I spend the first week rejuvenating my mind and body. I spend my time doing some reading, learn few new cooking recipes, watching movies, learn few photography tricks, doing some accounting work for my business and draft some business plans. All in all, it was a fruitful week for me. The best part is I didn't go out a lot. All I need is internet access and many things get done. Internet access, the one thing I can't live without it.
Well, food supply is finishing so I would have to do some groceries shopping after work tomorrow. I also needs to do some card shopping because I have to send CNY cards to friends overseas. Other than that, I have to buy new clothes because CNY is around the corner. Being penniless that I am, I have to hunt for a really great bargain. Better starts now when there are still some sales going on. At the same time, I need to get some CNY goodies in case someone visits me. This will be the first time I celebrate CNY away from home and alone. So instead of feeling sorry for myself, I would rather build the festive mood to cheer myself.
Happy New Year!!