Changes

Source - photography.2eyepickle.com

When I was filling in my first ever resume, I had written this particular sentence in the Strengths section, "I am not afraid to ask questions or seek for assistance". Throughout the 3 jobs I had, my number one rule was to not make mistakes. I am not much of a risk taker and nor do I want to get into trouble for not checking with a senior in the first place. So I asked whenever I was unsure about things.

But in the midst of it all, I was beginning to wonder if I was having too many queries and not using my God given tools enough to think of an answer. I wondered if my seniors were thinking I wasn't using my head enough at work, and I'd usually take the easy road by asking for help.

So I tried a different approach. I tried to think outside the box. I tried to think of logical explanations and reasons. I put myself in another person's shoes and tried to envision what my reaction would be with the solutions given. This one time, I drove myself nuts trying to come up with an answer as to why my boss had a way of calculating an amount (I took 2 days to figure it out). 

And at the end of it, I was pleased that I found an answer all by myself. 

My point is, it doesn't hurt to think. If the positions were reversed and I was a senior, I would want my co-workers to demonstrate their thinking and problem solving capabilities first before I add in my own two cents.

But whenever I hit a dead end and have no whatsoever clue, I tell myself it is okay to ask for help. No matter how dumb a question is. From there, I'd remind myself I am a tad more knowledgeable after asking a question. 

I have pretty much adopted a thick skin after my last job. So what if people make fun of me because I made a fool out of myself? So what if I get yelled at or being called names because I ask dumb questions? So what if they start talking and laughing behind my back?

I'd tell myself to do the mature thing and hold my head up high.

27 Going On 28

Source - Bright Headers

Hiya! I live in Kuala Lumpur now. Never thought I'd still be here, but this will possibly be my second home. I'm obsessed with vintage and pastel photography. I've been a selfish, obstinate, impatient person and a big liar - and I am learning to be a better person from here on out. I've had a few acquaintances who pointed out I'm a braggart - and I hope that's in the past now. I've got a new job which I hope to put my 100% into it. I have met some of the most coolest people in my life, and I hope to meet more. I am not a creative person, so the next best thing to do is to get inspired by other creative people.

403 days later

Source - Google

I officially clocked out off work sometime past midnight. This was my home for the past 403 days which was my ticket out of a gruelling and monotonous job which although paid well but paired with an unhealthy lifestyle. This was where my greener pasture was.

Alas, after an endless amount of blood, sweat and literally tears, I bade farewell for another, well, green pasture.

So, thank you Asia Assistance Network for taking me in and believing in me. It has been a wild roller coaster ride.

Your new Miss Teen USA 2014!

Gahhh!! I can't recall when was the last time I was so stoked for a Miss Teen USA winner!

K. Lee Graham is your Miss Teen USA 2014. Other than the fact she retweeted my post (extra bonus for being a cool teen), her Live Beautifully Blog inspires me to blog (which is why I'm back here) and be an overall positive person. It's not wrong to live on the brighter side, yes? Living on the dark side is so black - trust me, I've been there and frankly, I'm done with being there.

Takes a 17 year old to get you going, eh?

Anyways, less talk and more pics!

Credits - Miss South Carolina USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss Teen USA Fans

Pageant Predictions: Miss Teen USA 2014

I am so stoked for Miss Teen USA 2014 pageant tomorrow! Got a handful of cool teens this year! =)

Alabama - Sarah - Baskin Champion

Arizona - Savannah Wix

Kentucky - Megan Ducharm

Louisiana - Mary Risener

Massachusetts - Bailey Medeiros

Oklahoma - Brooklynne Bond

Pennsylvania - Sydney Robertson

South Carolina - K. Lee Graham

Utah - Savannah Lancaster

Virginia - Olivia Fletcher

West Virginia - Lexsey Marrara

Pics courtesy of:
Miss Alabama Teen USA
Miss Teen USA Fan Page
Miss Louisiana Teen USA
Creative Sparks Imagery
Miss Teen USA

Hello new life!

I tendered my resignation yesterday. Here's to a new and more mature life with nothing but blood and sweat (and hopefully, less tears haha!). 

Suddenly adulthood doesn't seem so fun anymore. 

Source - Savvy Sugar

GTower Hotel

My last vacation was March last year and I do not wish to recall any part of it. Except for the shoes and bracelet.

There is something appealing about vacationing in KL. It was so exciting when I first came to KL as a kid - me and my dad would take a bus from Ipoh and we'd spend a whole day in Kinokuniya. Back then, we could sit on the floor and no one would bother us. My favorite spot was at the children's section and the windows overlooked the lake and fountain. Now they put book racks there and chase you off for sitting. Those were good ol' days.

Ya well, my kind of trip is different from yours.

Then I moved to KL for college and subsequently work, so now I see KL in a slightly differently - blah. But it's a whole different story when I go for vacation, well, in KL. (go on, laugh). I get to be a kid again, and I don't have to worry about emails and reports and deadlines.

So this time, I chose GTower Hotel for a 3 days 2 nights stay.

All for me! Clean room, Wifi's speed was fast, TV channels were okay (Star World airing too much of Witches of East End) and there's a Subway downstairs in the cafeteria. The only bummer thing about this hotel is that it shares the building with offices, so I'd end up the only under dressed person around.

Yes, there's a TV in the bathroom. So you can take a dump and watch TV at the same time.

The hotel was situated at the corner of Jalan Tun Razak, and it was right next to the Ampang Park LRT station. So I took the train to KLCC and sat in front of the fountain - just like old times.

Pageant Predictions: Miss USA 2014

It is very rare I only have 5 picks out of all 51 of this year's competition. As always, do note that these are my personal favorites that I hope will make the cut. No hard feelings to anyone out there.

Alabama - Jesica Ahlberg

Louisiana - Brittany Guidry

Minnesota - Haley O'Brien

South Carolina - Christina Zapolski

Utah - Angelia Layton

Pics courtesy of:
Miss Alabama USA
Carter Studios Inc
Miss USA Facebook Fan Page
Miss South Carolina USA
Justin Grant

Morning goodness

I heart this client of mine who made me a latte while waiting for docs to be picked up. If their office hasn't won me over, this simple act of gesture has.

Their office looks like Ikea by the way. Was being told the employees are obliged to keep all their laptops and belongings into a closet before leaving for the day.

A shoutout to Steelcase from here!

Muse - April 19, 2014

Source - Imgfave

Wait for me, USA. I'll be there someday, when I've saved up enough (after paying back college loans, spending on the wedding =P, getting accustomed to paying for the new little shack I've bought and other random payable items that come my way).

Blessed, not stressed

There are a lot of careers I was adamant to never come near to, like insurance, marketing and sales. So when I was offered a position as a marketeer, I begged the interviewer (my future boss) to allow me to handle daily administration jobs because, well, mainly, I do not like talking to people and I get stage fright during presentations, let alone talking to big shot clients.

So for the first 5 months I did clients' daily, monthly and analysis reports and the occasional "office" work. I was missing my former job and the peeps I worked with for 3 years and never so often felt incompetent. 

But here, I was.

I moved closer to work (otherwise it would be a 1 1/2 hours drive to work, and another solid 2 hours drive back home) and the landlady sucks, parking isn't free like it used to, food is expensive (but I did find a mixed rice store here which cost me 4 bucks for 2 types of greens) and I wanted nothing but to hopefully, secure a job at Astro again. The first few months were horrible, I just had to splurge on good food every weekend.

I also told my bosses I was ready for the real marketing job, like everybody else. If I was in the marketing department, then I shall do marketing. I think I did that 3 times. I didn't plead and beg and make a nuisance out of myself, I just said I was ready.

That wish came true last week. 

Now I'm getting more emails than I ever had (not bragging) and struggling to actually understand what the clients are asking (mind you, everything I've learnt so far was through listening to other seniors talking on phones and conversations they have among themselves. and the rest from picking up calls myself and asking seniors and bosses).

And now I am actually taking the time to read up on the clients and the arrangement they have with my company so I don't sound like a bimbo on the phone. Yes sir, I'm doing homework on weekends, just like school days. And I hate Sundays too. 

My boss says she has her reasons as to why she offered me this particular client in the first place. Apart from my asking, she uttered the sentence, "because I have faith in you that you can do this well". Uh huh. Now the stress comes, because I do not want to disappoint her, the other bosses, the team and most importantly, myself.

But instead of ending this on a negative note, I shall put it the other way around.