The month that was

Source - tumblr

Finally there's a 3 day break in order to recharge and prepare for the new year. The past weeks were hectic enough that I'm going to stay home this weekend and do nothing :P

First off, I was on leave on Nov 19th to attend the opening of Ikea Cheras. Friends tell me I don't do anything out of the ordinary much so I thought joining a throng of citizens on a Thursday at a furniture store is a start. Then I queued for more than an hour at the cashier only to abandon the idea because I was running late to meet my wedding planner. Also I took the opportunity to visit my former working place and a dear friend. I was supposed to meet my ex boss for dinner but due to miscommunication, we met on Nov 25th instead.

Thanks to the steamed fish I had, I got sick on Nov 26th and was on medical leave. Unplanned leave meant more unfinished work that I had to finish the next day. I was feeling better the next day but the diarrhea continued until Dec 4th that I took a half day leave to visit the doctor. I still have phobia towards steamed fish until now.

The following week was a critical rush week because we had a departmental team building on Dec 9th and 10th. I came earlier to the office on that Wednesday to hopefully get some things done before departing. The next day I was back in office to continue before heading home for a much needed rest. Doze off while waiting for a show on TV and slept on the couch until the next morning.

Dec 11th was a public holiday but I went to the office, and I wasn't the only one. Tee hee. I had to get things running before a replacement for yet another public holiday on Dec 17th. It kind of sucked when your job requires you to finish everything before you go on leave. Just my luck there were so many things happening so close together. Also went to work that weekend.

Because the following week was, you guessed it, another public holiday x2. Dec 24th and 25th were the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday and Christmas respectively. Oh dear God, what is this. And I was taking additional leave on Dec 28th and 29th so that meant more overtime.

But wait, it doesn't stop there. Jan 1st was New Year's so I had 2 days to finish whatever I can in order to have a proper rest for the next few days. Good thing I got it all done by 6pm today and even had time for a discounted Starbucks. Yay!

Some day I'll look back and wonder how I survived all these.

Till then,

Happy New Year 2016 y'all!

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

Thanks ya'll

FYI. I have left Astro after 3 years and 6 months for a better opportunity elsewhere and still, I am sort of in the limb if it was a good choice or otherwise. I will be missing the free parking lot, the very conveniently located cafeteria and the famous faces you see in the hallways.

And these people:

Double celebration at work and we got cake!

One half of the gang and mister boss.

Purple and me. We bonded while watching Miss Universe 2010.

Elephant fetish Daus.

Nalini and myself made plans to go for a drink the day before, and Chitra and Shalini were awesome enough to join at the last minute.

Movida Cheras Selatan it is! And Chitra was due to work the next morning.

Nalz and myself at a bar, almost 2 years since our IOI Mall excursion.

Mirza and I celebrating at Mid Valley. He calls me honey/bini and I counterback with sayang/laki. All at work only though.

Mimie and I. We went to London together for the Olympics. *not the London in UK, the presentation studio next door*

Rina and us. She paid for my supper that very night.

Sheau Jing and I at 6am in the morning. She practically dragged me out for supper that night knowing we probably won't see each other at work anymore.

Yet another 6am look with Daniel.

Sharmi! We were both itching to have our pics taken since news broke I was leaving.

Feeling the love from Kamales as well. To think we were in the same group for almost 2 years and only bonded 2 months ago.

New car! It's not mine. But I drove it!

Vee Howe and his turquoise Wira. I shall add I also drove his car once because he didn't know the way around Sri Petaling. He frequently trained me when I first started working.

That blue car again.

Sunther and Sures also joined.

Sri and myself and the blue car that has to be in the center of attention. Kidding. I'll miss that car.

Deeni and I on my first day of unemployment. She really made sure I'll come back to the office for a photo.

Purp and her cousin Audrey, who is also leaving.

Deeni, Sarah - my roomie in Langkawi and JB, Nalz and Maria.

Sayang and myself.

Mike also had a farewell celebration for me at Bubba Gump, Sunway.

And we could barely finish the chocolate chip sundae. I had it with my cousin Bea once and didn't finish it either.

I didn't get to see Saiful since the beginning of July, and I don't know why he sent me this Raya photo of himself. But I'll throw it in for a good measure because he has been one of the most sporting PIC at work.

And a huge thank you to both Khor and Teng who also took me out for a farewell dinner. All of you kick ass!

3 weeks only

Home for the past 3 weeks
To all of my 3 (yes, 3) readers, hope you had a blast watching the Olympics, and not just that badminton men's singles gold medal match. This photo pretty much explains my disappearance from this place since, well, my last post. So, for the last 3 weeks I had the opportunity to switch my job title to director *pumps fist*, and now I'm demoted to my regular job *face palm*. 

*starts ranting*In the early hours of July 18 (so dramatic, right?) I was told that I needn't to come to work tonight because I was one of the ten who were chosen to handle the Olympics *boo yeah!* with another department that regularly handles live events (Euro, BPL etc). 2 seconds later I realized I had already promised 3 other colleagues months earlier to cover for them while they were on leave.

Long story short, I spent a good 15 minutes pleading to be taken off (yes, taken off the Olympics team) and the entire day calling and texting other colleagues to take over my OTs to no avail. And my phone bill wasn't pretty either at the end of the month.

All these crap went on until I got the working schedule for the Olympics. Despite what the supervisor said about not allowing us to work in 2 departments, well, that went out the window. So on my off days, I went back to my old place for OTs. 

Yep, but my dedication to work and keeping my promises better be noticed. *hmmmpphrhrhhrr*

But it's the Olympics!, so forget about leave and OTs. All in all, it was the best 3 weeks I've had in recent times and secretly wished it was Olympics everyday. People might not be able to handle my fascination with the Games because I, for one, do not play sports, but it is what it is and if only I could write "2012 Olympics team" on my forehead everytime I go to work.

Yep, life is good.

Pink and more!

Source - thesweetestoccasion.com

Yes, you should know by now I'm obsessed with pink colored graphics and Fun's We Are Young. Okay, maybe just the first one.
I'm officially moving again (soon!). I can finally claim that I live nearby work and I don't have to go through any toll booths. The place has to be repainted, gotta get some Ikea furnishings and forget about the mini bar. Hah!
I'm still keeping the resolutions I made before, and some other random promises I made to myself, especially this one:

"Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished" - Proverbs 17:5
I made my first major mistake at work last month, and I thought I would be depressed by my own carelessness. But it was the mockery and teasing instead that did it for me. Over time I felt being cheated by life, since I have done a good amount of favours for them and this was what I got in return. I then hoped for a similar fate to befall them.
Until I saw that verse above. So I made myself believe that the teasing were accidental, and that I was over sensitive and I took it the wrong way. Anything to stop me from wanting misfortunes to happen on them. And it's not like they've never made mistakes before. So there. Case close.

Which also brings me to a new life plan I've chalked up, but you'll have to wait to know what it is ;) It was sort of inspired by the song title above.
I went on my first vacation since Europe late last month - ate and slept a lot. After working the maximum amount of pay covers I deserve to sleep during a vacation.

Free

I have been meaning to post something about the department's teambuilding in Langkawi since last year when I attended my first one, but a number of pics were in the pendrive and so I told myself I have to transfer them into the laptop someday and start to write about it.

The Langkawi vacation took place in January 2011. It's January 2012 now, and I have just transferred the pics into the laptop 15 mins ago. Talk about uber procrastination. And you ask me why I don't blog often. It takes me one year to transfer pics for the love of God!

January 2011 saw me begin the new year with a handful of firsts: first company vacation, first time flying on Air Asia and first time visiting Langkawi.

There was a mix up with the roommates so both of us got our own rooms. You'd think it'll be more fun but it took me some time to pick which bed to sleep in.

My roomie Sarah, and eventually we shared a room in December 2011's teambuilding in JayBee.

Nalini and me by the seaside before the activities took place.

The thing with teambuilding is they have a different dinner theme everytime, so Langkawi's theme was pirate's night. From here itself you can see I took no interest in renting one. I mean I did try my luck searching for one but renting one costs me 90 bucks, not including deposit (daylight robbery or what?) and I'm only gonna be wearing it for like, what 3 hours? Pfffttt. Not worth it. I'm a team player okay, it's just that I'm cheap cuz the company definitely isn't paying for me. Okay, different story altogether.

Nah, count how many of us actually came equipped with pirate outfits. Anyway if I did wore an outfit I would be selected as a finalist for the best outfit award. And since my catwalk is outta this world.. well, you get the idea. I'm just trying to be modest lah. On a side note, the so-called after party rocked the island wei. And who started it? Take a wild guess.

Apologies for not having sufficient pics, especially from our midnight to early morning escapades getting hammered by the poolside. Seriously, we had booze, cigs, seaweed and some really intoxicated humans.

And all 3 days put together was the reason why I couldn't wait until the next free vacation. At least for the first half of the year. After that it was like, "Ah go to Universal Studios kah? Ah, okay lah".

Unlucky

What is it with some people who do mistakes but don't get caught? But when I made an accidental mistake the supervisor comes running to my channel, pointing at the outgoing screen and I have to suck in my ego and apologize.

Gotta find my work mojo again.

Love

It's 9.20 in the morning and I decided I should start it with a steaming cup of milk and my fav cereal, Post's Honey Bunches of Oats. And seriously, milk in the morning before work and before bed really kept me up at work. (Thank you, milk!). So 8 days marathon is achievable, and oh, I should thank God too for keeping me outta trouble .. well, except for Saturday's incident but that was really my fault so, oh well, I've rectified it yesterday anyways.

Credit: janetfo747 @ flickr
Why not love life? I got a job, a car, a place to live, folks and good people who care. And that includes fakers and backstabbers who ironically use up their precious time to talk behind my back. (So far none yet, but well, if you're planning to do it go ahead).


Credit: Kenny Kapoor @ flickr
I've a handful of college friends who I still talk with, not on a daily basis but enough to know they still remember who you are. Those who managed to see past me to know that I am imperfect and that I come with flaws but they never judged me, instead, giving me chances to make up for the mistakes I've made. So thank you.


Credit: timothyh75
On my very first day of my 2nd job, I became instant friends with a smiley person who taught me that there is nothing wrong with smiling at people. Makes you feel all warm inside when they smile back at you. So that is what I've been doing since then. I find it hard to start a conversation with people at times, so a simple smile would do.


Credit: Happy Brittany@blogspot
To those who have stuck by me since day 1, thank you. Thank you for your advice. Thank you for watching my back. I am honored to be included in your gang. You guys are worth being friends with.

Apologies, blog

I keep abandoning my blog. Excuse is, because I don't have anything to write. I work, then I work OTs, sometimes I pull all-nighters. I'm a frequent visitor to Mid Valley these days and I still can't find my way to San Francisco's Steakhouse.

I stand in the middle of the walkway to watch TV

I envy lah those who can online at work and complain they're bored - I can't experience both at my place. Loving the company and the people, the food and job - not so much. But they're paying me so who cares lah.

And I still get lost while searching for the department where I work.

I sleep 9 hours per day and I still can't get up early. I'm force myself to have breakfast every morning thinking it'll energize me more at work but I'm sitting directly beneath the air cond so it makes me sleep.

Best thing is I'm meeting a lot of people I didn't believe exist.

I live 10 mins away from Mid Valley. Sincere apologies to KLCC. You've been awesome towards me for the past few years.

Last but not least, thank you to those who called. I may not know you for long but thanks for being there. Got time we go yam cha or lepak at Mid Valley lah.

Since when this became a letter I do not know.

Past and present

Haiz ... graduated already but still need to read those darn scholarly articles on Swetswise and NetLibrary.

What? No lah I'm not going to grad school. But even if I did I wouldn't tell =P

K - who is also my driver, my hotel and occasionally my ATM is in the midst of a college dissertation so I figured I'd lend a helping hand since I'm sitting at home doing nothing but using electricity and raising the Internet bill to a new level.

So I'm back to the terrifying 3 months in Liverpool - doing the infamous literature review. The worst part like, ever.

To the good news - I was in the Mid Valley Boulevard area yesterday for an interview. Not inside the shopping complex. The interviewer said she'd get back to by this week or next. Mana tahu this evening she called me up saying I got the job.

Wuah! Sooooo happy! First time interview lagi wei. And yesterday also marked exactly 1 month after I touched down at KLIA. But anyway the job needs me to have a car and drive around town doing research and attending functions and my dad didn't think the salary is gonna be enough to live on.

Ouish

How it was

So it’s been a year. This time last year I was racking my brains out for the radio assignment. I’m looking forward for a change this time around. Keeping my fingers crossed cuz you know lah things never really go my way usually. There were lies and frustrations and embarrassments and a tong full of mistakes amongst many others. Yup, that’s how I sum up my 2008.

First trip to Genting in years was in February. The class had been contemplating a class trip but got postponed at the last sec. But the hostel gang and some others decided to go anyway. I had an interview for internship the very next day.

The following 3 months was all about my first job. Met some great people, some manipulative people, some grouchy, some nice-but-in-the-end-not-so-nice yea I’m ready for working life. I made mistakes definitely and I can’t change that unfortunately. Hate me for that, but you’ll never know the other side of the story – mine.

Somewhere around there I got my previous finals results back and was somewhat labeled as stupid lah. But I totally made up for it.

T’was also when I made yet another trip to Genting. I loved the wrist ban so much and wouldn’t take it off for nothing but in the end kena sacrifice it in the name of art.

College began in June, and marked the beginning of endless productions and editing. Claws came out, so did the fangs, horns, disagreements, disappointments and misunderstandings that had possibly sealed my fate for the rest of the year.

10 bucks says I’ll never see these again.

Beginning September I was back to me, myself and my room. Instead of hoping for a change, I tried to make the change. It worked but perhaps not so much.

I opted not to join the Penang trip with them classmates, instead I went myself when my roomie invited me over. Ate a lot, walked a lot, went hiking, gawked at houses and just like that, semester break was over.

Final semester in college already began like since semester break. I was busy busting my head for thesis ideas and materials to support it. My self alleged worst nightmare wasn’t the worst after all. There were more setbacks in store for me but I just tutup one mata and say don’t care lah, it’s not gonna change the past.

Somewhere out there Jen was there for me as did other lepaking kakis. See, still got life beyond college wan.

Towards the end I initiated the change again and I think it worked in my favor lah. Not much but it’s a start. I’m happy again finally. There were still occasional bumps along but heck, just live with it lah.