Power failure and a couple of sniffles

Dang!!! Thought that catching a stomach flu was bad enough. But a power failure at 6am??? Honestly, sometimes I think the Big Boss up in the Heavens just love to see me on my toes. This is not the first time too that my power fuse gave up on me. I'm not sure whether it's the main fuse this time coz my neighbour and the guard house had a blackout as well. Let' hope TNB is able to solve this by today since I'm not keen on my fridge not functioning for a long period of time.

About the flu bug, it hit me like a truck running over some road kill yesterday morning. I couldn't even get out of bed! Imagine the kind of energy I've to squeeze out to go to the toilet because there was an added bonus to this flu...diarrhea!!! Anyway, took my ORS, lots of drugs, got myself halucinating in no time and plopped back into la-la land by lunch time. I'm still kinda in a daze from those drugs the doctor prescribed me (dang!!! these pills are really strong lah! no JOKE!) But I'm glad that the diarrhea stopped. So, here I am in the office trying to look sane and have to get all that back logged work cleared out.

Gong Xi, Gong Xi, Gong Xi Ni!

Yay!!! The Lunar Nnew Year is fast approaching. As usual, I'm looking forward to it though I've done zilt preparations this year. So, I guess tomorrow night will be cleaning house ler. Well, to all you drivers out there, drive safely and those who are staying behind, enjoy safely and don't drink and drive. Peace out!

On the ball

Wow... I didn't know anyone could have a shitty day 4 days in a row! I MUST be having a ball BABY!!! Just yesterday, apart from all the crappy things I do called "work," my car got broken in during a quick lunch at ALAMANDA, Putrajaya!!! Now, ain't that pisses you off??? Only thing that probably saved my day was nothing got stolen. There was nothing worth to steal to begin with lah. So, now, I've got a broken key hole and a faulty window to fix. More $$$ flying out of the pocket before the Lunar New Year.

The only explanation I have for this is that since 2006 is not a good year for the Dragon, this is probably the last kopek of bad luck the year is trying to ooze out of me before the Boar is ushered in. Either that, my constalation is clashing with either Venus for being more fabulous and devine than her or I've probably angererd Neptune hence, all the prodding with His fork. So, I guess the Gods are angry with me. Tough luck cause you guys can prod and curse all you want but the year of the Boar is going to be a fabulous year for me. Nyeh, nyeh, nyeh!!! Eat your hearts out, bebbeh!!!

Think happy thoughts...

It's another shitty day. So, I'd like to recollect my happy thoughts to end it with a happy note. Here it goes...

1. I ate a bar of chocolates for lunch.
2. I saw pretty houses in Putrajaya.
3. I managed to solve 80% of the issues that propt out this morning.
4. My customer was very happy with the "kam" that I bought them this morning.
5. My begging worked with the shipping line after telling some really sad story to get some documents done for my client.
6. "Superwoman" did me a favour to send an urgent document to a VIP client.
7. There was no traffic jam today.
8. My phone stopped ringing after 6pm!
9. The office phone stopped ringing after 6.10pm!! :-)
10. I'm going home now! Yippee!!!

Ok, now I'm happy. Taa!

BTW, Desperate Housewives's back! THAT'S happy news.

Joe Jer & Zabrina, you make us proud!

The finale for The Amazing Race Asia finally ended recently and my favourite team won! I'm so happy Joe Jer and Zabrina snagged the big moolah because they have been the most level headed and non-controversial team so far. I guess modesty and brains work very well as a team.

Anyway, having said all that, I've always wondered how tough the entire race is, actually. I mean, do they actually race non-stop? Or do they get a week off at each pit stop and then start again? After all, all the contestants are human right? Mana boleh lari sini sana non-stop one, right??? Would be a great experience though to at least try though... any takers out there for season 2?

2 long days

Ahhh..... such bliss to have my ever Superwoman staff back in the office today! You see, in the name of improving staff's ability, I sent my trusty customer service for a 2 day intensive training. Never mind the reluctance from my staff or that it costs me a bomb. I persuaded her and told her that it was a once in a lifetime chance.

Anyway, she went, and that's when I was sent down to purgatory for 2 days. Honestly, it doesn't take too long for someone to forget all the tedious paper work of this industry when one has the luxury of very good staff to take care of them. Ahem.... I'm one of the guilty ones. :-P
For the past 2 days, things has been a chaos for me, trying to remember all the steps on how to release an import document, what was needed to release the haulage pick ups, so on and so forth. To make things short, I panicked. There were a few hiccups here and there but eventually, by the end of the first day, I managed to get out with minimal injuries. The 2nd day was just as busy, juggling all her work, while handling the phones. Also, not forgetting the prior appointments I made for myself! Again, it ended late and tiring. Nevertheless, everything was done when night falls.

I guess the actual person who ended up "in training" was me. It certainly took me by surprise and this "refresher course" made me appreciate Superwoman even more now. Ironic isn't it?

Another one of my rants

This new year hasn't really started off quite smoothly, as you've probably read my earlier postings. Today isn't any different (that's why I'm still in the freakin' office at 8:30pm!!!!) Anyway, I'm not going to let it bother me much longer cause it's late and I can't think straight anymore.

We've just passed half of this week and everyday has been a character building day. Just today, I've to send my trusty rusty to the workshop to get an oil change. And while the mechanics were at it, rusty needed it's timing belt changed, a new brake pump, several change of headlight bulbs, a lipo suction, botox jobs, a chemical peel, a nose reconstruction, etc... we did the whole works, we were just short of a boob job. Cost me a freakin' 600 bucks!

Then, I have to inch my way through our famous federal highway all the way from Shah Alam to KL and then waste another 30 mins looking for a blardy car park to get to my suppliers. Thought that I could just grab those curtains and pillow cases and cabut. Luckily I opened the bag. Found out that the pillow cases' trimming was done so badly, I had to reject the whole lot. The entire trip was futile. Kanineh! Have no choice but to inch my way back towards Shah Alam/ Klang and THAT'S why I'm still in the office.

Can't wait for this coming Saturday to rest since it is a public holiday...Wait!!!....There's the condo RA election and then later dinner at mom's since Sis is back home and a cousin is coming over to show off her brand new baby. Sigh.... I wonder how I can still keep my sanity intact.

Cold Feet

It's been two weeks into the New Year and I know that I've said that there are many things in store this year that will and is suppose to change my life this time round. But of late, I've suddenly been asking myself questions whether am I doing the right thing or not? I mean, chartering into new frontiers and new unfamiliar grounds seems quite scary at this moment. It's like going into a foreign land without knowing what is in store for you. That's when I got cold feet.

I'll probably kick myself in the derrier later, but I think I need to take one step back and fully analyse the entire situation before delving and commiting further into the "gold mine" in store for me. Something is telling that it's too good to be true. I've NEVER had anything come so easily in my life and don't think that it will ever happen. There has to be a catch somewhere. Someone out there please tell me what to do cause I'm at a lost at this moment and it's driving me crazy!

2007....and getting nostalgic

Happy New Year to all you readers out there!!! I have meant t0 post earlier but several things (including the recent earthquake in Taiwan which disrupted our broadband services) sort of delayed my first post for the year. Anyway, I hope there will be plenty of positive things to look out for everyone (I know for sure that this is going to be an exciting year for me!) this year.

I was clearing up the house the other day (and to take down that Christmas tree) and stumbled upon a photo album that was about 10 years old. In there were all the pictures I had taken when I was still in college in Illinois, USA. Flipping throught the pages, I went back to memory lane. I can vividly recall the good times and carefree moments I spent with all my friends during those 3 1/2 years. Those were the best moments of my life. It struck me that all these years of climbing the corporate ladder, I lost touch with most of them, one by one, even though we all have email addresses. So, I started a little project to trace back these friends of mine. You never know the power of the internet until you try it. I mean, I could have been a successful stalker if I want to! LOL.

I began my primary seach through google search, last know employment websites and the white pages for my American friends. I managed to get in touch with one of them, who is currently living in Munich. He's a Ph.D holder now. Through him, I managed to reconnect back with my other friends from Germany. I was on top of the world shooting emails back to these friends. I also found out that another good friend from South America married one of our German friends and now live in Frankfurt. Through her, I reconnected with friends who are now living in Equador, Mexico and our dear friend from Lesotho, who is doing her Ph.D as well in the UK. Before long, I managed to get almost everyone's email address from one person or the other. I've also received an invitation to a wedding in Birmingham in Aug! Air Asia X certainly came at the right time. :-)

This is indeed a great start for the new year! I've managed to reconnected with friends I've known 10 years ago. I do intend to keep in touch regularly this time round. You can't afford to loose a friend twice.

Post Christmas Blues

Well, Christmas came and gone like a flash of light. Never knew that I did so much for that 1 day (actually, it was like a few hours). This is how a modern Christmas day is like.

23 Dec.
- Work till 8pm. Have a quick dinner and rush to the airport to pick up long lost friends from Melbourne. After that, send them to the hotel and rush back to the apartment to celebrate Tong Dzi with my neighbors. Alas, Tong Zhi is not meant to be because the flight was delayed for 4 hours. So, I spent Tong Zhi at the airport.

24 Dec.
- Was at the office till 11am. Mom called to emotionally blackmail me for not coming home for Tong Zhi. Further reprimanded me for not coming home because dear ol' sister is back in town. Ended up having to come home to show my face to the family. After dinner, rush back to the apartment and get ready for Midnight Mass. Reached the church late and had to sit outside since the church was already jammed packed. Reached home at 2 am.

25 Dec.
- Crawl out of bed at 10 am to get ready for Chistmas lunch cum gift exchange with some church people and long lost friends. I left at 4 pm to go back to prepare a small dinner for the family. What was meant to be a dinner for 5 ended up with a banquet for 15. Note to myself, never under estimate the power of a free dinner. Slept at 3 am after cleaning up all the mess in the apartment by myself. The family happily went back with a full stomach.

26 Dec.
- Have to work!!! Woke up on Boxing Day with aches all over. But still have to go into the office since there is a ship coming in that day. Worked till 9pm.

27 Dec.
- Pengsan till 11 am. Didn't bother to pick up the phone nor went into the office.

This is the most tiring Christmas yet. :-(

1st order of the day...Blame the public

We've yet again landed ourselves in the land of "Nevermind what I just said coz I'm really stupid." Honestly, I'm getting really worried lah. What type of people are we electing into our public offices!!! Today, some half baked deputy minister decided that it was his turn to point fingers at the public for the rising cases of snatched thefts. Why are we blaming the public for what is happening instead of really addressing the REAL issue??? Are they saying that the snatch thefts did no wrong?

So, as of today, if you get robbed or snatched because you're using your hard earned Prada or LV, then it's tai sei lor. Or, if you get hijacked because you are driving a brand spanking new Beemer, then, it's also your fault because you should not show off! Worse still, you or your loved one gets raped, all because she is wearing something in the form of a camisole or short skirt. So, should the women be blamed again for wearing revealing clothing that caused them to be raped!!!???

We have a serious problem that starts from the head (or the lack of it). By saying that it's the public's fault for snatch thefts, rape, incests, robbery, etc...instead of some insane person's action to satisfy a drug addiction or worse, some crazy sex fantasy is just low. I hope this doink gets mugged, raped and then repeated all over again. Then let's see who's fault is it then. Bah!

Of all horrors!!!!

Picture Courtesy of The STAR

OMG!!! What is this world coming to!!!??? I read with greatest dismay over today's STAR article - "Dog loses jaw after cruel beating by BAVANI M." Apparently, JOY, a little black dog had to have his jaw surgically removed after he was almost beaten to death by some moronic doinks in the form of Indonesian construction workers. Now, how sick is that? What have this poor dog done to deserve to be beaten to the point of breaking his entire jaw?

What moved me to tears was, despite what was done to him, Joy still looks at people to be petted and loved. Even in his simplest form of understanding, he still knows love and still have so much of it to offer. Apparently, these bloody Indon dumbfucks were beating up Joy while repeatedly saying "haram, haram." Now, is beating up an innocent dog halal indeed? Why don't we all beat them dumbfucks till their jaws dangle from their chin, while chanting "pendatang haram?" Joy was probably being friendly and tried to approach these dumbfucks for some food or companionship. I've seen many of such dogs at construction sites. They are normally very friendly. I still remember one of my work assignments landed me at a construction site preparing to send some equipments back to New Zealand for a some Kiwis. They were sharing their lunch with one of those dogs when I arrived. The scenario was so different to this.

Though all is not lost when the news was highlighted, a certain "Dr Habeeb Rahman Ibramsa, a lecturer in Quran and Sunnah studies at the International Islamic University in Gombak, volunteered to give a talk to the foreign workers who were involved in the beating of Joy. But, to date, the owners of KIP Group (the Indon's employers) has refused to co-operate." So much for a bunch of caring Malaysians! I hope your company will go bankrupt for such inconsiderate attitude!

“I wish to end this ignorance. The Quran does not support violence against animals; I am willing to give lectures, presentations and screen videos that support what I am saying.
“I hope the public, Government officials, foreign workers and others who need to hear this truth will attend,” said Dr Habeeb.

Joy may have lost a jaw from a painful and life threatening ordeal, but he has the compassion to forgive and be delighted those who care to fuss over him.

For everyone's information, there will be a gathering held at the Canteen Restaurant in Plaza Damas by the Furry Friends Farm (FFF), to support Joy (May the Lord bless them, they are the very people who saved joy from this ordeal). Those interested in attending can also bring a little gift for him.

For details, call Yeap from FFF at 016-631 9018.

The forgotten celebration

Gosh!!!! There's so much going on with work, Christmas and all, I've totally forgotten about one celebration which I've never missed in my entire life... The Winter Solstice Celebration (Tong Yuen). If it wasn't because of a neighbor's kind invitation, I would have missed it in a blink of an eye!

Actually, it's not a huge celebration or anything, it's just that we've never failed to gather around to roll out colorful little balls of tong yuen (glutinous rice balls) for the celebration. It's more of a family gathering, chatting, and updating each other's lives while we churn out dainty little tong yuens ready for the boiling water. All these activities would be closely monitored under the watchful eyes of my mother. Occasionally, you will hear her yelling, "Who made this gigantic ball???", or "What's with the square one???" or "Who do you think can swallow these tong yuen." Well, it's quite obvious to get "innovative" tong yuen from a family of artistic kids. It's just too bad mom wasn't too keen on them. LOL! I'm sure this yearly commotion was passed on from Great grandma's time. I can just picture her in her sarong kebaya, fussing overe the wood fire stove while yelling the same old phrases to her grandkids as what my mom did.

I guess I may have to forego making tong yuen this year. It would have been fun. But then again, with both sisters across oceans, it would be a quite celebration anyway. Growing up sure takes out a lot of the fun, doesn't it? Anyway, Happy Winter Solstice to all you readers out there!

Blank...

I'm not sure what happened last night when I was sleeping... but it really feels like someone just took a vacuum cleaner and sucked my brains clean. I feel like it's totally blank! I can't seem to remember what to do today. All I know is, there is a lot to do today but I just can't seem to remember them. Perhaps it was just stress that made me think I had a lot to do today? Maybe... But I still think that there is something that I need to do today and I don't remember what it is!!! Grrr.... this is annoying.... :-(

A New Year, A New Beginning

I know this is kinda early, since Christmas has not even gone by yet. But, I've been putting a lot of thought into what I've done with my life, especially on the direction on where my career is moving.

You see, I've been working very hard by building my networks as well as "fire exits" and options, in case one of the businesses do not work. I guess it's time to really start thinking on which one of these business I would want to concentrate on and let go the others... for good. To be honest, I've been toying around this idea for a year but with all the "excitements" last year, it wouldn't have been a smart move to do so. But I guess, it's time to let go of what is not so relevant and move on with a better concentration.

This coming 2007 has a lot to offer in terms of opportunity for me. I'm not going to delve into the details as yet, but a friend did tell me to live life a little and work a lot less. Life is too short. I guess she is right. And next year will be the right time to do just that. I'm looking forward to a phenominal change in my life and perhaps I'll be able to stop and smell the roses just little bit more. 2007, I welcome you with open arms!

Pillow, I miss you!

Christmas is just around the corner and I've practically done nothing. Yep, nada... The past 1 month or so has been crazy with work and work and more work! It feels like there is no end to it.

One of the ways that I use to gauge if I'm overworked or not, is through how my body reacts and how quick my mind is working. For the past 2 days I was sleeping an average of 3-4 hours, so, my body was crying when it's time to get up in the morning. It's getting more and more difficult to crawl out of those sheets each day, I kid you not. This morning, the attempt to wake up took me more than 40 mins! LOL, now that's bad! My memory tends to get really bad as well, when I get too tired. I've been writing reminder notes for appointments, things to do, etc... of late, I need a reminder to read the reminders! :-P

I'm looking forward to Christmas.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

What I want for Christmas...

Dear Santa,

I've been a very good...umm, pretty good....oklah, somewhat good person this year. Please consider my appended wish list for your kind perusal.

1. I would like to have uninterrupted 8 hours of quality sleep every night.
2. My laundry will be miraculously done and pressed every single day.
3. My fresh produce will be crisp & fresh in the fridge for 6 months instead of 3 days.
4. I would have a super duper house keeper that would clean up my place every single day for FREE (would be nice if she can cook too!)
5. My car would be maintenance free and doesn't need petrol refill for life.
6. My phone would produce and send high voltage electricity to whoever calling me after 11pm.
7. My plants will be healthy and insect free without any watering and pesticides.
8. My savings account interest rates will be compounded daily at 1,000,000%
9. Malaysia Airlines will always have a free 1st class ticket available for me to travel whenever I feel like it.
10. Repeat the above 9 items for the following year.

Thank you for your kind attention. Looking forward to the gifts above soon.

Rgds,
Ginseng

Stupidus Maximus

Ok... Some may call me extreme, some may say it's typical manic Monday. I choose to call it Stupidus Maximus. I'm directing this to one particular staff who have no clue on what is going on around him to the point of giving everyone a heart attack.

How stupid can a person get? Is there a standard measurement to gauge stupidity??? Arrgghhhh!!!! This is one of the reason WHY I need to get out of Klang Valley, and SOON!!! I reckoned that I will probably die from a massive heart attack or a brain hemorrhage triggered by idiotic remarks and actions.

I am really at a lost when it comes to this chap. Perhaps it is another calling that I should just call it quits for this shipping business and move out of town (Think Langkawi...think Langkawi...)

Were-man

Woman...
Why are they so difficult????
Why are they so ill tempered???
Why are they so confusing???
Why are they so sensitive???
Why are they so fickle???
Why are they so evil???
Why are they so quick to judge???
Why? Why? Why?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paradiso

The trip to Langkawi last week did wonders and I'm looking forward to packing my bags at the 13th hour and flying there again for another weekend escapade!!! Actually, I was there to attend a client's beach wedding (Except for the unpredictable showers, the wedding went on wonderfully).

One thing that caught me is how laid back and green Langkawi is! I didn't really take notice of this when I first stp foot to this island 5 years ago. Perhaps I was too busy getting drunk and being a tourist at that time. This time I took a car and took a leisure drive all around the island. I took in so much more this time. Before I knew it, I was in love with this little paradise. I love the laidback lifestyle, the greens, the beach, the people (for being so lepak and cool). The atmosphere and the entire package won my heart. I've decided that this is the place that I am going to move to. I'm not talking about retiring, I'm talking about moving there!!! Yep, move there, open a small coffee place and run the rest of my business from there. Sounds like a plan. At least I'm surrounded by beautiful places, people and cheap booze.

What made me think of taking such a drastic action? I've realised that I am not (and will never be happy living in KL). I can go on breaks upon breaks, feel refreshed and thought that I will come back and conquer the world. but alas, this feeling will only last 2-3 days. This trip's euphoria lasted only 1/2 a day. All this is telling me that I've got to get out of the Klang Valley.

Well, as scary as it sounds, I think I'll just go ahead and plan my options to move to Langkawi. it might take 6 months or 2 years. But, ultimately, I''m moving there.