Take A Break

STORY 1
The Titanic was sinking, and there weren't enough lifeboats.
So the captain had to persuade male passengers to jump into the icy waters to make room for women and children.
To the British he said. "You must act like gentlemen." They jumped.
To the Americans he said, "You can be heroes." They complied.
To the Germans he said, "It's the rule." They obeyed.
To the Japanese he said," It's the consensus." They obliged.
Then came the Singaporean and they just weren't budging until he came up with the appeal: "Free life jackets for those who jumped."

STORY 2
3 recruits - Chinese, Malay & Indian are at the army supply base to collect underwear. The sergeant was there to aid the supplies.
Sergeant: Hei Ah Beng! How many underwear you need ah?
Ah Beng: (thinks a while) 7 sasen(sergeant)!
Sergeant: (puzzled) How come so many?
Ah! Beng: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun. One day one.
Sergeant: (Malay recruit) Eh Mat! How many underwear?
Mat: (without hesitation) 6 sargen!
Sergeant: (curious) How come six?
Mat: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat & Sun. Friday I wear sarong.
Sergeant: (Indian recruit) Dei Tambi. How many underwears dah dei?
Tambi: (very confidently) 12 Sarjen !!!!
Sergeant: (shocked & fell to the ground) Why you need so many for?
Tambi: January, February, March.....One month one.

STORY 3
One day, two Ah Lians got into a lift from the 20th storey and want to get down to the ground floor. As they looked at the dial, they could see the number 20 down to number 2. It was then followed by a G. As they not English-educated, they were puzzled and had no idea what does the letter G mean. Suddenly one of them exclaimed excitedly and hit G. When they finally reached the ground floor, the other Ah Lian was so impressed and asked the first Ah Lian, "Wah low!!!, how you know one?" The first Ah Lian reply smugly, "Easy lah.. G for Gero mah..."

STORY 4
Santa Singh (remember him?) just graduated from Law school and decided to apply for a job in the most prestigious "Lee & Lee Law Firm"
During the interview, Mr. Lee KY looked at Santa Singh's resume, thinks for a while and said, "Well, I would need to discuss your application with my wife."
And went off to discuss Santa's application with his wife. Lee KY's wife said, "C'mon, don't you know that we only hire lawyers with surnames beginning with 'Lee' only? Of course, we can't hire Santa Singh!"
So Lee KY told the bad news to Santa Singh about his rejection.
Few days later, Santa Singh came back to the same company and request for another interview and Lee KY said, 'Look Santa, I have already told you that we only hire.......'
when Santa Singh interrupted him and said, 'I know, I know. I have just changed my name.
Lee K Y looked at Santa Singh in surprise and asked, "What is your new name then?"
On this, Santa Singh replied, 'Surname Lee, Last name, Manga!' (Manga-Lee)

The "Noice"

Working in this company really opens my eyes to a whole new breed of female and male that I normally don't encounter or meet in my circle of friends. Things that I would never see a female do in public, I see it here.

FEMALE:
Before they open their mouth, they look like any other female you see on the streets, your next door neighbour etc. But when they open their mouth, all hell broke. One, poor communications skill. When trying to explain something in their broken English, they goes round and round the world and I still can't understand what they are trying to say or want to do. I tried to speak to them in Mandarin but funny thing is they still answer me in broken English. I fully understand that they try to cope with me speaking English, but I think I much prefer them to speak English so I can understand better.

Two, the "BURB" sound. Have you ever seen a female burb loudly in the open???? It disgust me to hear it and my imagination run wild. Whether it's after food with full stomach or in the meeting, they just go Burrrbb... no 'excuse me' no apologise...

Three, the sneezing or "AHHCHOOO". Sneezing openly is the favourite. It's understandable if someone sneeze aloud due to emergency like not enough time to over their mouth. Unfortunately, the Ahh..Ahchooo.. is continously a few times without covering one mouth. Imagine the spread of the gems to the people around you. YUIKS! Have some decency to cover ones nose or mouth when you cough or sneeze.

MALE:
Men in general won't speak Engligh if they are not fluent. I guess is the ego thing. However, for item Two and Three are the same.

FOUR, a smelly feet or shoes that could kill a cow miles away. Male has thing about taking off their shoes when they work. Not all, just a few in my company. Once the feet is out, the smell can even kill a fly. It's worse than the liquids that dripped on the street when a rubbish truck pass by. People around has to endure the foul smell all day long.

FIVE, wearing a torn slippers in the office. This is the worse. We are suppose to be professionals working in a GLC company, unfortunately the people inside doesn't reflect such way. Yes, I dress casually but I dress presentable, be it in jeans and T-shirt.

That's the environment I'm in now. This is just my view. Well, that's all folks.

Funny Singh

I received this from my friend this morning. Boost my day.

The Story of "Ah Singh"

A Singh who is a sailor?
Karpal singh

A Singh who attends a Chinese wedding party?
Yam Singh

A Singh who is digging a hole?
Menggali Singh

A Singh who likes to slap people?
Tau Ba Singh

A Singh who is a gangster?
SamSingh

A Singh who is lost?
MisSingh

A Singh who is noisy?
BisSingh

A Singh who likes herbs?
Gin Singh

A Singh who kills people?
AssasSingh

A Singh with one ball?
BalwantSingh (Ball One Singh)

A Singh with two balls?
BalanSingh ( as in balance)

A Singh with three balls?
AMASHIGH!! (Amazing)

A Singh who is swimming in an iced pool?
KuldipSingh (Cold Deep Sink)

A Singh who likes to drink soyabean milk?
YeoHupSingh

A Singh who owns a ship that sink?
No lah, not Titanic Singh, He's KaramSingh

A Singh who was sacked from the national hockey team?
Relax Singh

A Singh who likes roundsbout?
PuSingh

A Singh who is flyinh around on a broom?
Sau Pah Singh

A Singh who is a three-star general?
Sam Lap Singh (Cantonese)

If the Sikhs were to succeed in forming their own country, what will they call their country?
Mata Wang Ah Singh

Then, what do you call a Singh who likes to scold people?
TiewNiaSingh

24 Carrot Manager

I am half way reading this book and it already reminded me of the methods and gestures I almost forgot to practise. Before joining my current employment, I was a different type of manager. I was more concern towards my staff and rewarding them for all the achievements. I would always say thank-you for a job well done but won't hesitate to comment them for improvement if work were sloppy. Whenever I noticed my staff feeling demotivated, I will have a chat with them as a friend. To me everyone is on the same level. I believe this would break the communications barrier between manager and bottom line staff. It would also improve their productivity and loyalty if they feel important and appreciated. I would want to keep my good people but I won't keep those with the wrong mindset long. Whenever someone has family problem and personal problem, he will gets times off from achieving the 'standard' for a few days. This way, it won't hurt their career and they can concentrate to resolve their problem faster.

When I was reading this book last night, I realised that I haven't been as involved as I was previously. I think the main part of the reasons is that majority of the staff are already demotivated beyond help. Most of them also not qualify and with the wrong mindset for the job. I still believe I can change them but it will take 2-3years. Unlike my previous employment where I can change someone attitude and mindset in 2-3 months.

When I started working in my current company, I finally understand why my country has a third world mentality and is still a developing country after so many many years. There are just so many negative points in them. Work the least but want the best benefits and salary. Reluctant to change and don't want to take ownership. Never understand sense of urgency and go home sharp on the dot! Most of them are not academically qualified and even though company provide them the fund for advance their studies and executive courses, 99.99% never take it. Even the yearly fund for workshop and training wasn't used. They just not interested to take it unless one make it compulsary. I keep telling myself can't blame them, they only have high school certificate. Never goes to college or university. With all those fund and budget for workshop, it like haven to me because very very few companies nowadays will have such benefits.

Down Memory Lane - Banff

This morning I was searching for some photos for my projects and stumble across images of Banff. As I browse through the images, it reminded me of a holiday a few years back in Banff and its national park. Despite the slow Edmonton town, my friend and I took a trip to Banff over the weekend. It was autumn and everything is snowy up there. Banff is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. It was clean, scenic and fresh. We were cold and the heater was always on in the car and the journey we past by farming ranges to get to Banff. Banff has various souvenir shops. From there you can see Rocky Mountain clearly and it was so beautiful. Those who live are so lucky! Living so close to nature and its wonders. We also saw a beautiful hotel that looks like a fairy-tale castle too. The trip was my best memory and it was the happiest day of my life.

These are some photos that remind me of the place.

Marley And Me - A Touchy Story

I finally finished reading this book at 6am this morning. I bought this book six months ago but never had the chance to read it due to my busy schedule. I finally had 2 days off last week during my Birthday week. After spending some time at a spa, I was at home reading Marley and Me. It was about how Marley sees the world and his affects on John (author) and readers (namely me). I strongly suggest anyone who thinks he/she has a worse day, feeling sorrow, feeling sorry or all those negative feelings should grab this book.

It was about a 97 pound Lab with a biggest heart I've ever seen and the way he view everyday as the best day of his life. His philosophy in life is simple and beautiful. He was loyal and loving yet disobedient. He was kicked out of obedient school because he sees everything as fun and game. His love for the Grogan family was uncondition and despite his worse behaviour he was very protective of his family.

When you read the things he did for his family during his elderly days was heartwarming. Expect some tears if you're the easy-to-tear type. The book is not just for animal lovers but for all of us.

Presentation Day

I just came back from my presentation of a campaign project. Since the client was busy and had to rush off for a meeting, I did a quite presentation just to find out his comment and feedback. The 35 minutes presentation was shorten to 15 minutes.

After the presentation, he was clearly happy and I was relieved. That means I don't have to do changes on my presentation and my team doesn't need to work till 5.30am again. After that, he told me to do the presentation at their AGM on Nov 30, in PD. Tentatively at 4.30pm follow by Q & A session. After the presentation, the 1 day AGM will adjourn. Then, we will have dinner with the client. Hopefully we get a free room sponsor by the client.

Hong Kong - Day 3

Today we woke up around 7am again. All the long meetings and late nights make it harder to wake up. The room was freezing. We rush to shower and get ready for breakfast. It was the same menu again. We ate what we can because lunch is not provided by our vendor today because we are leaving their office around 11.45am. So we have to eat enough to cover for lunch.

After we packed up our belongings and rush to their office on foot. As the meeting started, we break into few groups to cover all the areas possible. Everyone was rushing through the slides and demo. Even till the very last dot, we were still in the serious discussion mode. We then managed to take some photos and rush back to our hotel to check out. We were already late so we called a taxi to send us all the way to the airport. It took us 40 minutes and along the way we show Hong Kong view for the first time. The harbour was beautiful despite the pollution. The underground tunnel was amazing. By the time we reached the airport's check-in counter, it was already closed. 'Luckily' we were at the wrong counter and the airport assistant then excort us to the right counter. We were supposed to take Cathy Pacific instead of MAS during to couch sharing. After passing the security check, we went to the dty free shops. One of my favourite is the Disney Hong Kong shop. All the disney items there were so nice. If I had more money, I would have spend more there. I bought a Winny the pooh t-shirt, 4 Mickey Mouse and friends key chains, a Mini Mouse mug and a Mickey and friends fridge magnet. After that, we stopped at another gift shop and I bought a Hong Kong places of interest fridge magnet. Lastly, I spent my last few coins (dollars) to buy a bottle green tea drink at Watson.

On the plane, we were all seperated. The flight was full because it flew till Penang. So we were all seated in the middle row in the middle seat. I was seated between a Hongkie and a Australian. The weather was cloudy and raining that day. So the flight was shaky during most of the journey back home. Despite the weather, the in-flight movies weren't bad. There were Hair-spray, Scooby-doo animation, Brothers and few more. The food was much better than MAS. I had curry chicken, ice cream, wine, coffee and more wine. The flight was cold and the wine works wonders.

We touched down to KL International airport around 6.45pm. The weather was nice. We stopped by the duty free shop to buy some chocolates. After check out custom, I took a taxi back to my office. My friend was waiting for me there. I have to do some work in the office because we are doing to do a pitching for communications company next week. I really hope we will get this project. It will really have a big impact in our performance and portfolio. not to mention our CV.

Hong Kong - Day 2

I woke up a bit late, just after 7am. My roomy already shower and was reading the Mandarin newspaper when I finally drag myself off the pillows. I showered, clothed and watched a bit of the morning news. We headed for breakfast around 7.45am. Since today we planned to eat non-halal stuff so we decided to sit on different table.

The breakfast is the same menu everyday. There are:
Breads - toast, danish and all the likes
Fruits - honeydrew, watermelon, apples and orange
Cold-cut - ham, salad, yoggart
Main course - tim-sum, 2 pau per tray, fried noodles, waffle, deep-fried samosa, baked beans, baked tomatoes, fried bacon, french toast, sausage, omelette and potatoe wedges, porridge, boiled egg
Drink - orange juice, guava juice, plain water, milk, coffee, tea and cuppucino.

This is the second day I ate the same breakfast. Luckily some of the food was not bad. The fried bacon was too hard for me. Nontheless, I noticed that some of the visitors were having big servings of it. I stick to tim-sum, fried noodles, french toast, sausage, potatoe wedges, watermelon, orange juice and milk. I'm not much of the porridge person.

We headed to the office around 8.50am. Along the way, we took photos in front of a dragon stature. I noticed that Hong Kong has a number of dragon icons. I guess it a symbol of prosperity. We reached the office a quarter past nine. We were brought to an office tour and our first stop was the sales department. Overall, their sales are very motivated and eager. Some groups were seen having a meeting among the team and some team members were on the phone making appointment. Some team members share success stories. We were brought to other departments to view their daily work. After the short tour, we were back in the meeting room for another long day.

We finished meeting around 7.30pm. That night, we decided to explore a bit and shopping for gifts to bring home. We walked to Jaronine crescent. It took us about 15 minutes. The place was around the MTR station and I couldn't believe the crowd at that hours. It's like the super peak hours or the new year eve situation in my place. We managed to find Jaronine and walked the narrow street. Not much to see but there are some bargain hunting stuff. Unfortunately, only one of us speak Cantonise so the rest of the gang has to depend on her for bargaining. I ended up buying the typical Hong Kong T-shirts. One of my colleagues sarcasticly asked, "Is it because the t-shirt is too cheap for you?" I just swallowed it. No point argue with her. We are from different background. I was reluctant to buy the t-shirt because it a too common gifts.

We walked around further and did some window shopping. My colleagues bought some mini perfume in Sasa and some bundle clothes nearby. We managed to walked our way back to the hotel. Luckily, one of my colleagues is good at remember landmarks. If it were me, I would be lost. After putting our stuff in the room, my roomy and I went for dinner at a noodle house across the street from the hotel. It cost HK$23 per bowl but it was worth it. The noodles was nice and the spicy chillies add the flavour to it. Word of notes, their chillies or spicy noodles are not spicy at all. It's more like sweet and sour. As the time was closed to 11pm, we were the last customers. We hurry finished up our food and go back.

when packed all our stuff when we reached the room because we have to check out tomorrow and our flight back was 3.45pm. That's all for second day.

Hong Kong - Day 1 - Part 2

After breakfast, the team lead of our service provider came to fetch us to their office. I noticed people in Hong Kong do a lot of walking and they walk very fast. When we were at the traffic lights, everyone was waiting obediently for the light to turn green. Then we walked accross. Waited for another traffic light and cross. Waited for another traffic light and cross. We waited for 3 traffic light, U shape, just to get across the opporsite side of the street! Back home, pedestrians seldom cross corner by corner to the opporsite side of the street. We would just cross straight ahead! To see this side of Hong Kong people, I was pleasantly surprise.

It took us 15 minutes to reached their office. From there on, it was a long, long day with meetings. We had breaks in between and coffee was nice. There was a type of cookies made by Jenny's Bakery that taste delicious. We all help ourselves with second and third servings. Lunch was pizza hut. I had to informed and explained to my service provider the meaning of Halal. In the beginning, they thought it was just pork or anything related to pork. So They bought chicken pizza and seafood pizza. I had to explained again that chicken and beef that weren't slaugthered Muslim's way is consider non-halal. They were all confuse and don't really understand the reason.

That evening, our service provider brought us to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. I was in a delima and so as my colleagues. Our host really trying to understand the meaning of Halal and at the same time trying to be a good host. They order everything that didn't have chicken, beef, anything of meat and pork. They order seafood, vegetables and eggs. Well, what they don't know was that the utensils for the food is non-halal. I really pity my colleagues. It was a very unpleasant evening for them. My advice to Muslim who have counterparts in a foreign countries, it is wise to spend a day explain the meaning of Halal or provide them with some short reading materials about Halal. Your counterparts may try their best to be a good host during your stay in their country but it would turn out unpleasant if misinterpretation happens.

After dinner around 11pm, we walked back to our hotel. I took a hot shower and ready to bed. It was an interesting day.

Hong Kong - Day 1

I woke up around 7am feeling like I was being stored in a fridge. My colleague has already shower and prepare to get dress. I opt for a hot shower and 15 minutes to warm my body. My collegue was ironing her clothes when I got out. You can say that I'm not the type who's particular with wrinkle on my clothes. I don't iron unless it is serious wrinkles. So I end up ready earlier than her. I switch on the TV and watch the news. They have multi-language channels including German, Italy, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, SBS, TVB and others.

We went to the restaurant for our breakfast. Luckily our room came with breakfast. what else, we eat generously until we are full. This is one way to save your per diem - skip lunch and fill up your stomach with breakfast.

First Night - KungFu Fighting

In the middle of the night, the room was freezing. I drag myself up to change the aircon volumn to low. Luckily the bathroom light was on and I was able to find my way to the switch. I have to admit that the bed is more comfortable than it looks. Not too hard or too soft. Just nice and cozy.

Around 5am in the morning, there was a fight outside our hotel. It was just outside our side of the room. Unfortunately for me, I'm as dead as a dodo. My colleages all got up to see what happened. A few men where fighting each other. It was just like the one we see in Hong Kong movies. Wow! talk about close encounter... 2 vans of police arrived at the scene and arrested the men. Are they from an under ground gang? I'm not sure but it was interesting that it happened where they can see from our windows. They said can't see the men but it was like watching movie from afar.

It was the talk of the day during breakfast. I noticed that some of the visitors were talking about it too. I don't see them afraid. I guess most of us are used to watch fighting scenes in Hong Kong movies. I got to know that there will be a filming of the new Batman movie in our area early November. Just right at Wan Chai Road. What a blust! Wish I could watch the movie in progress. A letter has been issued to all residence living in Wan Chai alerting them about the noice from night till the wee hours during fliming. It seems that they are going to use a heli to shoot the movie.

First night in Hong Kong and so many interesting happened. This goes to show that Hong Kong is indeed a colourful place to visit if you want excitement.

Arrival - First Night

When I step out of the lift and our bedroom door seem to be smaller than the standard doors I've seen in other hotels during my vacations and my place. It's about 1/3 smaller. I opened the door and second surprise was how small the room was. The small fridge and TV occupied a small corner space and the table was inches away from my bed. We barely have space to put our bags and the walk way was just enough for 1 person. The bed was mini single size...

Even though the room was small, it was relatively clean and cozy. No funny smell or dirty carpet. The bathroom was clean too. I put my bag on the table and my colleague put hers on the floor (walkway to be exact). The aircon work and it was cold within minutes. We took turn showed and ready for bed. It was already 2am and we supposed to start our meeting at 9am.

I opened the curtain to see what's outside. Alas, we are a few meters away from the next buildings and we can see the apartments opposite us clearly. All the buildings were no less than 20 floor high and very congested. After a short view, we went to bed. I was so tired that I must have doze off within minutes.

The Door

The bathroom

The bed

The TV cabinet and fridge (hidden at the bottom)

Trip to Hong Kong - Departure

I went to HK with a team of colleagues for business purposes. It was Tuesday, 30th October. due to our flight was at 6.45pm we planed to depart to airport from the office to save cost. I was on vacation but due to work I ended up coming to office in the morning to finished up important work. We changed the currency to HK dollar at noon because we just received our advanced per diem. Not as much as my previous company but this will do. On Tuesday, the currency rate was RM0.44 to HK$1. After we settled with currency changes we departed from the office. My Muslim colleagues brought along some instant noodles and cookies. They were concern about the Halal food in HK.

When we arrived the airport, I was feeling hungry because I was so busy clearing my work and didn't have time to eat lunch. The 3 of us sitting at the business class couch waiting for the 4th team member. She arrived an hour later due to some family matters. When 4 of us together, we checked in our bags and headed for some food. Food in the airport is relatively more expensive. I guess airport employee should have some kind of discount on food or they are being paid well. After filling up my stomach we cross the security check and waited for our turn to board the plane.

When the gate was opened, we had to go through another security check. When I was my turn, I was stopped for security check. Only then I realised that I forgot to finished up my packet drink I brought from the office. I had to drink and my colleagues waited for me. Once inside the waiting hall, I found out a few hongkies had their items confiscated by airport security as we had to adheld to the liquid procedure and wet food. The visitors from Hongkies were talking laudly about their unhappiness towards their confiscated item. I thought I only see Hong Kong people talk laudly in movies but clearly I was wrong. However, majority Hongkies don't behave like that.

When we are on board the airplane, it was unfortunately that the same group of visitors were ocupying 2 rows in front of us. You can imagine the casual conversation all the way to Hong Kong. I was on head phone watching the movies and at the same time fending off some of the noise. I can't remember what movie I watched. Food suck! I can't drink because I was seated in between 2 of my Muslim colleagues.

We arriveved at Hong Kong at 11.55pm. After taking 10 minutes walk to the immigration, we were officially entered Hong Kong. It was 12.30am by the time we reached the arrival hall. My team lead went to asked about a taxi to take us to our hotel. We found out that we had to wait for 45 minutes. He then asked the second counter and was told we have to wait about 15 minutes to half hours. We agreed to take this one. Feeling tired, the counter assistant offerred us mineral water. About 15 minutes late, the counter assistant told us that they are going to use 2 taxis instead of a van for 5. We were glad to hear the arrangement and it turned out to be 2 limos.


My colleagues feeling tired...


Airport surrounding...

The journey to the hotel was pleasent. The weather was misty and cool. The streets were quiet and the underground tunnel was amazing. The traffic system were very impressive. It took us about 45 minutes to reached our hotel in Wan Chai Road. We stayed at Chatterhouse Hotel due to peak season. It took us a few minutes to settle our check-in and we were on our way up to our rooms.

First impression I saw was the lift was a bit small. When the lift reached my floor, first shock is how narrow the walkway and our room was less than a meter away in front of the lift.

To be continue...