Monday, July 30, 2007
Two more days left
Today there was a few reasons that merited a team lunch.
1) Farewell to ex-manager who has been moved to take on another business unit
2) Welcome to new manager who is taking on the mafia team of the current business unit
3) Farewell to those leaving IBM
People keep asking me what is the new manager like. Every time they ask me that, I can only tell them this story:
Last week, as we sat across each other with the cubicle partition in between us, I heard him chuckling to himself. So I lifted my head and asked him over the partition:
Me: KL! Are you reading the
comics again?!?
KL: Not yet! Not yet! But I'm looking at these pictures that are hilarious! See?!?
True enough, the pictures were funny. It just exemplifies how this dude just gets everyone laughing and enjoying his company. He's one of those guys you just want to be friends with and be known as his friend.
On the left is KL. Kennie, KaiSum, Siti and Azlina the ex-manager
KL, posing yet again for the camera. Jason and Kennie
Shirley, posing KL, Jason, Chris, Kennie
Part of Francine, June, Danny
KaiSum, Siti - who was distracted because KL kept telling her there was ice-cream on her cheek, Azlina and Hani
KL sure loves the camera. Jason and Kennie, his posing partner
Doing the TGIF birthday celebrations.
David and Ann
Francine, trying to convince everyone how much she loved her dessert and get us to help her finish it
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Port Dickson getaway
What happens when you stuff 18 people into a four room suite (which actually has five rooms) for 2 days and 1 night?
Quite a bit of mess
Went on an excursion to Port Dickson with my management trainee bunch and stayed at Tanjung Regency, which turned out to be quite good. I thought the hotel was a little older and a little dodgier, but it turned out quite well. We had the four room suite which was a penthouse, and while checking in, I kept looking at the hotel reception with a puzzled look, because I was wondering why in the world they insisted on calling it a four room suite when it had 5 rooms.
The trip has long been an intention of ours, but after two years, we finally did it!
And true to my promise, I helped organise it. And true to my procrastinating habit, I only got everything sorted out the day before we left. Thank God Jessica was in charge of accommodations while I was in charge of logistics.
Had a great turn out, more than enough drivers and cars, no one got pissed drunk despite some evil plotting, ample space for everyone although the room was supposed to only house 7 people instead of 18.
Only glitches, only one mother had the foresight to pack extra food through *ahem* her beloved son, and everyone had to finish off all the un-nutritious junk food. And the most famed
ikan bakar (roast fish) was closed.
And rather than getting sloshed on the beer some of the guys bought, we played
mafia! Sigh... just can't run away from it.
Highlights of the trip for me, sabo-ing Andrew Tay, beach volleyball, the super comfy bed and pillow, lazing the Sunday morning away.
After a game of volleyball - Jessy, SayWan and me
Watching Sunday cartoons together
What scandal brewed in the rooms of Tanjung Regency? Identity kept to protect the perpetrator.
The TB gang (sounds like a disease)
Sunday, July 22, 2007
A degenerative social ailment
It's things like
this that makes you scorn the people who are supposed to lead the country.
I remember a newspaper article that Someone said something along the lines of,
"No hugging in public please, we are Muslims."And this came from a man who is infamous for his adultery.
What respect do you expect people to give?
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Proposals, pizzas, people
Yesterday was mad. Mad mad mad.
Worked 14 hours straight on a single tender. No breakfast or lunch, and it was only in the evening when we realised that we weren't going to have time to join the company BBQ dinner (and from my feeling faint with hunger) that we decided to order pizzas for dinner.
Actually, if following the structure of the company, a number of us didn't have to work so late and do what was done. But they really just did the extra mile just to support each other and make sure everything was done as perfectly as possible.
Despite the long hours and the tiredness, there was really not much resentment or dissatisfaction within the team, even if we did think certain individuals could have been there and done more. The whole day just seemed... fun. Not because I'm a workaholic masochist, but because there did seem to be genuine bonding among the team. I think I gained so much more by being part of the team and slogging through the work together than if I had chosen to participate minimally in the project, which is to do just whatever my portion is required of.
I took this picture and joked to them about how it is to remind me why I am right in leaving the company. But somehow, I think this picture will remind me of what I will most about the company.
For all the friendships made, the comradeship shared.
The ever positive and positively charming JoSuen on the left, who kept us smiling despite all the frustrations. Jason, the ever gentle giant. Poon, who went the extra mile to take the lead as project owner (while I got conned to be assistant project owner), KC who didn't need to be there but decided to just be there to help whatever he could. And Chelsea, who also didn't need to be there, but remained to support the entire team.
Labels: Work tales
Friday, July 20, 2007
Ooooh
Something has popped up. Excited! But, I am adamant in trusting in a good God who is my Shepherd.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Stressful dreams
I had a dream last night. And an annoying one too.
I dreamt that I had only held a diploma to my name and I had to face two exams; one for my SPM finals and the other for my college finals, both equally important for me to pass to obtain a degree. And one of them was a Math paper which I so obscenely sucked at.
The thing was the finals was held 15 minutes apart and in two different locations. And because I was working and earning an income, it made me all the more bothered about having to study for a degree.
I rushed from where I was to take my SPM finals to where I had to take my college finals to plea for an extension to take the other exam, but I was not allowed to. It was such a stressful dream.
When I finally came to a point when I realised it was just a dream, I felt such a great relief. But though I slept quite early last night, I still woke up tired and lethargic. I went to see my physiotherapist in the evening because my shoulders and neck felt so stiff and he remarked that it was because of stress.
Gosh, as if experiencing stress at work is not enough, now my dreams have to stress me out?!?
Edited: D*mn. I
am subconsciously worrying about the uncertainties ahead of me.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
My new hairdo
Shiva: Hey! I like your hairdo! It has that unkept look!
Me: -_- ... That's because it
is unkept.
Shiva: :D
Monday, July 16, 2007
A weekend of friends, bruises, scratches and body aches
It was a short weekend, but one well worth spent me thinks. :)
Went for a weekend to Pangkor Island with dear friends from university days and stayed at Teluk Dalam Resort. Liked the place, even if the location was a little isolated and the service fell just a little short in expectation. But overall, it was a rather pleasant trip.
I enjoyed the jokes and camaraderie, during the trip and in between my dozes during the car ride. Even at being shouted at for taking somebody's newspaper... hehe.
Labels: Friends
Saturday, July 14, 2007
The changes times bring
Some days back, one of my colleagues remarked that I came across as "soft and feminine". At my raised eyebrow at the remark, my colleague added that being soft did not mean I was not aggressive. Though I was certainly aggressive, I still held a soft demeanor. Soft was definitely a first for me.
Yesterday, when a submission of a tender was due in the evening, my natural aggression came out as I expressed my frustration to a colleague of another colleague who was not responding with his portion. The colleague suggested I put all that I said in an email and so I did. When it comes to verbal lashings, very few can challenge my prowess. I have though, after two years, learn to curb my lashings on emails, so I sent a polite but edgy email.
When I got to the office later, the colleague I indirectly unleashed my ire on in my email and his manager gave me odd looks which I of course ignored. They have never worked with me before, and I always get that look when people experience their first encounter with my brusque and sharp attitude towards work, so I wasn't bothered.
What never fails to amuse me is, people bitch about how short a notice they have been given to respond, but when you give them at least a week beforehand, they will never get it done until the very last day. And they always manage to produce something when they only have one day to work on it.
I only thank God that the team I work with across the organisation are people who are accepting enough of my impatience and mood swings and take my brusqueness in stride knowing that nothing is ever personal with me.
The night before I had dinner with friends, and an ex-colleague joined. During the conversation, Ee Von turned and asked me to do something I used to do during college days that always got the girls going off in peals of laughter and without hesitation, I did so. My ex-colleague was tongue-tied for a few seconds before he declared that this was a side to me that he never knew I had! Heh... actually, I quite nearly forgot about that side of me until Ee Von reminded me of it last night.
Work has definitely turned me into a more uptight person and suddenly, I miss college days. Uni days was definitely a time to remember, but I can never remember a more carefree, mischievous and fun time than college days.
Labels: Friends, Work tales
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Trust Me
Now, there was a time when I hated uncertainties. I needed to know what was going to happen in my life. And if I didn't have an inkling of what to expect in the next 6 months ahead of me, I would get very rankled and unsettled.
When I was in UK, finishing up my last year in university. I wanted to know where I was headed, to stay in UK or to return to Malaysia. I wanted to know what kind of job was I going to find. There were a lot of small question marks dotted everywhere.
What frustrated me most that at that time was that when I wanted answers most, all I got was a purposeful silence. I knew God was being silent, and chose to leave my questions hanging.
And then came two simple words. For all the tears, the worries, the toss and turns in the middle of the night. There was only two simple words to soothe my dozens of questions and my daily pleadings for affirmation, clarity, answers, anything.
Trust Me.
Trust You!??! Sorry for the sudden agitation, but remembering all those tears, worries, toss and turns in the middle of the night, the high blood pressure those two words gave me at that point of time is being brought back to my mind.
You cannot believe how rankled I was at that answer. Sometimes I think no one really knows just how incredibly upset I was during that period of uncertainty.
Then there was a period when I was in between jobs. Having left ME and really wanting to join the company of my dreams, I was in a period where I faced setbacks after setbacks, each time a blow to my pride and dignity.
I hate rejections. I faced a lot of rejections during that time. Some were really sharp slaps in the face. It wasn't an easy time for me.
That was two and a half years ago. Now? Well, we always knew that I somehow managed to develop a small mean streak of masochism in me, don't we?
The pull of the unknown and uncertainty is beckoning me again. The whispers and taunts of the hidden faces caressing me like thin tendrils. I miss those nights of tears, the wrenching of the heart, from glaring upward to the sky in accusing eyes.
This time, when I face all the uncertainties and all the unknowns, I feel like I'm standing at the edge of a cliff and all I see is the sky, and I cannot help but turn to Jesus, who holds out His hand and say,
"Trust Me?"And I smile back at him with a slight maniacal grin and say,
"You bet!"Labels: Musings
Monday, July 09, 2007
I miss having Church Aunties
Went back to BGC for service after left it for a few years, only because BLC had its anniversary on Saturday and did not have its usual service on Sunday.
So I thought it would be good to visit my old church before... some impending turn of events in the coming month.
It was really nice being in BGC. It felt so comfortable. I don't regret seeking out different pastures to graze, but it felt good to experience familiar surroundings and reminisce a little.
When I saw Jimmy Lee standing outside church when I first got there, I couldn't help but grin from ear-to-ear, especially at his look of surprise and delight of seeing me again. There has been a few individuals who I've well and truly bonded with, and it was extremely good to see them again after so long.
When I saw two of the older ladies in church who I'm closest with talking to one another, I couldn't resist putting my arms around them and giving them a hug. In fact, there were a few older ladies I really wanted to hug but couldn't find them. I miss having church 'aunties' to chit chat with.
I think the only gripe I could possibly have about BLC is that the demographics tend to veer more towards young adults. I somehow always feel like a church is incomplete without older aunties and uncles to hug and cajole with. Hehehe... I think the correct word is to
'manja' with.
But yeah, the visit gave me a little more to muse over as well.
Labels: Friends
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Celebrating friendships
I'm not one for manuals, artistry, or what not. After a few hours of tinkering with Corel Paint Shop, I finally figured out some basic tricks and I managed to spew out at least one decent looking picture.
Happy birthday.
I was attempting to do my quarterly room spring clean, found some great mementos and great excuse of procrastinating my room cleaning!
Labels: Friends
Thursday, July 05, 2007
The Ceremony
Last weekend was my colleague, Shiva's wedding. I was so excited and thrilled, because this was the first time going to a wedding of a close friend's. The other close friends who got married had their weddings in UK and I couldn't attend, so this qualifies as a first.
Shiva and DeepaThey both make a handsome couple don't they? They met only about a year ago, but you just can't help but be amazed how perfect they both are for each other. By the way, Shiva's the dude who keeps making me laugh during customer meetings.
I've been enjoying myself quite a bit with my colleagues in the last few weeks and I've been annoying most of them with my constant cheerfulness. When I'm grumpy they complain, when I'm happy, they complain. I tell you, EyeBeeAmers are just so hard to please! But more on why I've been so happy later.
Muahahaha... when I saw this pic I just couldn't resist to post it up. Viknas and Andrew. Andrew is an amazingly jovial character who never ceases to amuse and entertain. 
Viki's another guy that's hard to forget.
I hate this girl, Ellie. She's got cuteness, beauty, brains, impeccable sense of dressing, wealth, character, all rolled into one person. Not to mention hot and can you just look at that megawatt smile? Just look at her!
Justin and I
Look at this bunch of jokers. Took pictures of their own ever expanding girths. 
How gorgeous are these two? And so incredibly photogenic!
Labels: Friends
I have a gift for Powerpoints
Sometimes, no, my mother
never ceases to amaze me with her determination and energy to complete her tasks and job responsibilities. She can work through the night day after day while I can only pull off one or two late nights in a week or else my entire system crashes by Friday and I am incapacitated the entire weekend.
But some nights, she would turn to me and ask me for help in certain things she struggle with, particularly when she has to prepare slides for a presentation. She'll spend some minutes explaining what she wants to present and I'll have to help structure her ideas into the slides.
Makes me a lot more useful a daughter to have around when I can help her with stuff like that. I ain't much for house cleaning, ironing or cooking and such. But I can help with Powerpoint slides!
Precious I am!
Labels: Random things
Sunday, July 01, 2007
I'm Transformed!
When I first heard they were making a motion picture on
Transformers, I groaned inwardly.
Another comic/cartoon made into a movie!? Initially nonchalant towards it, I slowly got caught up with the excitement from all the
boys, even if those aged above 30 years old, around me.
I guess it was pretty cool. Ok fine, I loved it!
I loved it so much when I got into my car after the movie, I looked at the steering wheels and asked,
"Hey Wira! Any chance of you turning into a cool robot?"Darn. First it was the Silver Surfer. Now it's Transformers. I soooooo need more excitement and jazz in my life.
Labels: Random things
KL, posing yet again for the camera. Jason and Kennie
Soon it will be my turn....I mean...resignation countdown and bday....haha!!!!
Posted by
StephyQ |
9:37 AM
David's head looks awefully close to that spinning fan. I hope it didn't end in tears? :)
Posted by
Anonymous |
11:49 AM
we had to constantly remind David not to swing his hands in the air because it was dangerously close to the fan! but all was well! :)
Posted by
ee |
11:58 AM