Terima Kasih Cinta

The title always resulting in me singing a song by Afghan!

Terima Kasih Cinta

That is also a title to a musical play that is now showing at Istana Budaya!

Anywaysss.... A friend of mine happen to have a few extra tickets and offerred it to us!!! Yeayyyy!!!

Ohh.. this is not my ticket...

It's not the most expensive tickets but it is not everyday that we were given a chance to watch musical for free yeah.

The musical was an adaptation from a movie, Cinta, which was released a few years ago.

We are among the first to arrive at Istana Budaya as some of us need to be there early to receive their customers. Yes! the company that we work with bought few tickets for loyal customers.



The free riders



The show was okey... I won't say that it is the best show everr... I like the singing and dancing part... but the dialogue part was boooring... or maybe it's just me I don't know but I did yawn a lot heheh sorry...

From my observation:

1. Tony Eusoff can sing okeyyyy (I didn't know that)
2. There's this little girl (Tony Eusoff's daughter in the show) she is sooo talented that she is the only one who can actually make the audience cry, laugh, happy, etc...
3. Vince has the best-est voice... But he only sing once!
4. I don't like the yellow team.
5. Props were okey... but some of it was spoilt... they should get a new ones or else the audience will laugh at the saddest part of the show.
6. Last but not least, if you are watching a show at Istana Budaya, do not buy seats at X row! it has the smallest legroom ever... Even smaller than AirAsia!

The legroom... My knee is touching pressed against the front seat!

To those who loves musicals, theatre, Istana Budaya, Norish Karman, Vince and love stories, I recommend you to spare some time and watch the show. The last show will be on 6 March so get your tickets now!

Last Year's Trip

2 weeks ago, I received a CD from Encik Nizam with the title " Vietnam 03-06/11/10"!

Yes! November last year!

I remembered it was a very fun trip! That was my first time in Ho Chi Minh City and the trip totally changed my perspective on Vietnam!

I joined a tour group which consists of Uncles and Aunties... As far as I can remember, there are only 2 young girls (including me because I am young) and  maximum of 5 young guys in that tour group.

The city was clean and safe. Even at night, you can walk and still feel safe.

We stayed in Palace Hotel, which are just a walking distance to the shops/ shopping area.



See... So clean

 But please be aware when crossing the road. Look to your left hand side first before your right hand side as the drivers drove on the opposite side of what we have in Malaysia.

Food was okey... Nothing to look forward for and I did not crave for anything in Ho Chi Minh when I'm back from there. But to all Muslims, worry no more... There are a lot of Halal Restaurant in the City!

These are a few restaurant that we went.

I had so much fun shopping for myself and for others that I remembered when I'm there.. Must buy Vietnamese Silk, Cotton and also ready made Baju Kurung. A lot of shops around the city which are only walking distance from the hotel. A MUST place to go for shopping is Ben Thanh Market.



I didn't buy this blouse and I regret it!




Ben Thanh Market - There are too may shoes to look at and it's impossible not to buy one

 Another must go place is Chu Chi Tunnel.. Chu Chi Tunnel were built  during the war. At that time, Vietnamese stays underground and they make themselves underground shelters similar to ant colonies.

We were given a chance to crawl into the tunnel which was made so small so that the opponent army are unable to crawl in. Honestly, I almost got a panic attack in the tunnel but the thought of 'who are gonna drag me out of this tunnel' keeps me strong! :">




Briefing by Mai, our tour guide on Chu Chi Tunnel




to the underground classroom for briefing




The entrance


I must go to Vietnam again but this time with younger group of people so that we can walk further..

 Oh also, I highly recommend Vietnam Airlines as they have more legroom as compared to other Airlines that I have flown before ;) but must request for halal food on board.

Marketing Strategy

Do you know that almost everything that you see or hear everyday is Marketing?

Errr... Do I sound like Marketing Teacher?

Well, I just couldn't help myself.... There are everywhere!!!! I am watching Kate and Leopold with my sister  (yes now now watching while writing) and she pointed out that almost all of Starbucks Paper cup on the meeting table in that movie has their logo facing the audience. That's a part of Marketing as well!

This is Marketing too... Buy 2 huge boxes of cornflakes for RM 9.99!

The original price would be RM 11 something each!

Must finish the 2 boxes before 15 July 2011!

The truth is, this is one of the marketing strategy. Kellogs need to clear off the cornflakes stocks that is about to expire. So they bundle it and make it much cheaper than usual. It's a win win situation! We, the hard core cornflakes fan can get cheap cornflakes and Kellogs can clear off their stocks. Yeayy!!

Now I can have cornflakes with raisin every morning! (with nasi lemak or roti canai after that!)

The Art of Managing Others

I have been neglecting my blog for 3 days...

My days were occupied with TRAINING! It's a part of my KPI that I need to complete 5 days every year. Yeayyy!!! I have 2 more days to go to achieve my KPI!

The training was activity based so I didn't manage to get any nap during the training. And as you can see from the title, the training is on how to manage others. As you may already know, we face different kind of people everyday with totally different attitude. So, it is best if we know how to handle them!



Our desks... 4 in a group and a lots of distractions



Lunchtime! Stalls by the roadside





Props for presentation




Presentation by the first team.... The Blue D-Va!

 Theoretically, it is not that hard to handle different kind of people.. the facilitator makes it sounds easy... I will implement it and will let you know the effectiveness of the theory! :):)

Sambutan Maulidur Rasul

Date : 15 February 2011 (Tuesday)

Venue : Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, Putrajaya

I couldn't sleep last night. I remembered hearing the clock strikes 1 (That's 1 in the morning yah).

As I was just to drift away into the la la land, I heard the horrible banging sound of my alarm clock!

It's 4.30 am! Must wake up!

Must reach office before 5.00 am!

OH CRAP! I'm late!

Oh well... It was still dark when I reached office (Ali drove me to office.. He's worried that I might fell asleep on the way to the office... Such a sweetheart :):)) and I am 15 minutes late....

Oh but I'm relieved to see many many men wearing Electric Blue Baju Melayu at the office lobby. And yes! the chosen theme color for the Company's Contingent is ELECTRIC BLUE! 

We left office to Putrajaya at about 5.45 am... Guys travel in nice big big bus with big big individual chairs and TV... Whereas the girls travel in a small bumpy coaster (Only 7 girls ladies to assist the guys before and after the parade especially in managing the F&B)

All ladies coaster.... Except the driver

Safely arrive in Putrajaya.. It's still dark okeyy

The driver drop us quite far from Masjid Tuanku Mizan.. but it's just a walking distance.

Walking to Masjid Tuanku Mizan.... and it's still dark

Magnificent view from Masjid Tuanku Mizan...

The arrival of Prime Minister... look closely you'll find him :)

Arrival of YDP Agong.... Again.... look closely

The whole event finishes at about 12 noon... Although we didn't get to go inside Masjid Tuanku Mizan during the official event, we waited until the end of the event outside the Masjid :)

Ali picked me up from my office and we went out for lunch with Afif!

Towards a healthier me

I didn't do much exercise these days.

It's not that I'm lazy... I'm just too busy with work... I promised Ali to go cycling after work but when I reached home It's already dark...

On weekends I'll be tooooo lazy tired to go cycling or do any kind of exercise. I'd rather catch up with my beauty sleep or DVD's (currently watcing The Proposal while writing although I'm working tomorrow and YES I work during Public Holidays which results in lack of time for exercise).

So last Sunday, Ali managed to get me lazy bum on a BICYCLE.

Instead of cycling to my house, he decided to dismantle his bike and shove the bike in his car and drove to my house. To show my appreciation, I dragged myself to cycle with him!

My 2 heroes... making sure that the bicycles are ready and safe

Today in history : Off we go......Weeeeehooooo....!!!!!

Getting the hang of it

Phewwww....

Okey so we cycled for 3.28 kilometres... A good start I guess

So 3.28 kilometers and I am already gasping for precious air....... And Ali wanted to go for another round..... But I said "NO WAY!"

But do you know that exercise enhances your mood?  

I do feel a lot happier and healthier after 3 kilometers of cycling and of course I'll cycle again with a different and a more challenging route.

To a healthier me!

Due date

My little red Myvi was due for service in November 2010!

That was like 2 MONTHS AGO!!!

Sorry car.... I did't realize the service stickers says 23 Nov 2010 until u sounded worse than T-Rex in Jurassic Park :(

Usually, I would take one day leave from work so that I could send my car for service as the service center would be less busy on weekdays. This time around, I could not afford to take any leave simply because I need my annual leaves for my end of year Holiday Gateway (if any -___-)

Lucky me I have my 'personal assistant' to help me.... ALI!!!!!

He contacted Perodua Service Centre to check if the queue is 'okey' today and to my relief, it was okay.... So YEAYY for my little red Myvi :):)

To Perodua Service Center!!! Zoooommm.....

See..no queue...

Usually, if I send my car to the service Center on weekdays, I'll just wait at the waiting area until they are done with my car but of course I'll bring my laptop or book to keep me a company. Afterall, it will only take about 1 hour during weekdays.

When I say waiting area, it is not like the waiting area at the clinic or hospital. This waiting area is fully equipped with all sorts of 'entertainment'.

The waiting area... Not too big but comfortable enough.

It has wifi which the passwords are plastered all over the wall so no matter where you are seated, you can always see the password without having to turn your head!

Internet access Yeayy!!

If you forgot to take your breakfast before servicing your car, you don't have to worry... They have refreshment counter.. Usually the refreshment would be coffee, tid bits and mineral water. There's also TV with astro in the waiting area but I forgot to snap a picture of it heheh...

Some of the other facilities

They have 3 or more of this thingy where it can lift your car so the mechanic can see what's at the bottom of your car

Can do balancing for tyres

Happy place for the customers

But on Weekends plus my car needs a major service, it will take a longer time. They promised me that my car would be ready in 4 hours and they would inform when the car is ready. Phewwwww.....

Ali pick me up from the service center and home we go. Until I received this SMS

And we lift our lazy bums, abandon our DVD's, go to the ATM and collect the car.

 So... my dearest red Myvi, I will try my very best to send you for service as the stated date on the service sticker and thank you very much for being a good car. That includes for not being very high mantainence in every way. :)

How to handle difficult people

That was one of the question that the interviewer ask me on my first job interview!

Admit it! we dealt with difficult people in our everyday life and it is not easy to handle them.

I was in a meeting when the project owner is the one who are not the technical type of person and could hardly understand a thing about the technical thingy and expect the technical team to actually explain until he fully understands. To make things worse, the technical team speaks the 'technical language' which are full of jargons that the project owner may not understand. Phewwww...!!!!

Results:

1. Technical team was sweating like mad in the fully air conditioned meeting room trying to find the right words to explain to the project owner who keep on asking the same question over and over again.
2. Others who are not in the technical line but in the meeting were passing thousands of yawns while waiting for their turn.
3. I don't have all day to listen to lectures about technical things that I believe the technical teams has spent three years to actually fully understand and a few more years to actually make things work!
4. I have to stayback at the office until late to finish up my work due to the time wasted listening to the technical lectures that I did not intend to listen to :(

That was not a very productive meeting okeyyyyyy

Ok ok... back to the question... what do we do with this kind of people...

1. They are human too you know... so treat them like one... no harsh words or anything... treat them like how you wanted people to treat you. I know it's not that easy but YOU HAVE TO!
2. If 'that person' is not the one that you have to see everyday, then you can actually just ignore them.. heheh I do this a lot... why waste your energy right... ;)
3. Dont' frown...you don't want to add more wrinkles to your face rightt...
4. Don't talk behind their back.. tell them in front of their face... In the nicest way possible of course.. In the above situation, what we can do is to tell 'that person' that they can discuss the technical thingy with the technical team in other meeting where the rest of us were not in.
5. Be positive.. Challenge yourself... Prepare yourself before meeting with 'that person'... make sure that all the informations are easy to read and understand that even your grandmother can understand it!
6. Don't waste your time worrying about 'that person'... That was such a waste of time....

I know it is not easy to be nice to a difficult people especially if the difficult people is your immediate Boss... OMG I tell you..... It's gonna be a torturous day every day (including weekends and public holidays)... Ok enough with the difficult people... We'll talk about difficult boss later.. 

Have a nice weekend! 

Mondays.......

I LOOOOVEEEE MONDAY!!!

Ughhhhh.....

That is sooo not me!

In fact, no one loves Monday! the most hated day of the week.

Just like any other Monday, last Monday was a totally unproductive day and to make it even worse, it was the MONDAY AFTER THE LONG CHINESE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS!!!!

The clock seems to be moving in a slow-motion. The morning seems like never ending. I don't even think I could make it until 5.30 pm. You know what I mean right!

Until.......

Ali rang me and said:

Ali: I'm coming over! let's go and have lunch somewhere!

Me: Yeay! Food! Drive faster I'll wait at the lobby!

And I get to pick the place for lunch.

Chee Meng Chicken Rice!

I think the original shop is in Jalan Bukit Bintang

The shop is at Jalan Kelang Lama... I seriously don't know the full address but I know where it is. But just look at the crowd!!

So difficult to get seats during lunch hour... we get seats at the back of the shop in front of the vegetable refrigerator

I We had my our favorite lemon juice.... The best lemon juice everrrrr!!!! 

And we had our usual Chicken Rice with roasted chicken.

Without wasting any minute... I must eat nowwwww!!!!

And we manage to clear everything in less than 10 minutes... That's how hungry we are.

See... the refrigerator behind Ali!

The shop is just by the the roadside.. If you are driving towards KL, it should be on your left and if you are lucky enough, you can even park in front of the shop or restaurant or whatever you would like to call it but I prefer shop than restaurant.... Ok enough with the shop and restaurant!

Oh by the way, the total cost for our lunch at Chee Meng is RM 19!

Gigantic!

I was watching TV when I heard someone shouting at the front gate. I ignored it and continued watching TV. 

And then the door bell rings!

It was like 10 pm and everyone is either home or has a house key. I was seriously scared okeyyy... First it was the shouting and then the door bell and It's 10 pm not am. So I have all the rights to be scared.

Ran to brother's room, shaking his door screaming (err not really) to get him out and see what's happening outside.

We open the door and saw

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

UNCLE

Who lives next door holding a big red plastic bag!

Uncle: I'm back and I bought you this BIG PINEAPPLE (Showing us the huge pineapple in the plastic bag)

So here it is... the GIGANTIC pineapple!

And it's heavy too