Thursday, November 8, 2007

November, going December...

Seems like time past so fast lately. Without much noticing, it is already November now year end and the last month will be revealing very soon. Gosh, seems like lighting for this year, can't seem to be able to recall from January until now, November. Guess when we grow up, time past much faster than how we have wanted it to be when we were younger. Now, instead of time to past faster, we hope time could hold back and wait for us. How ironic we humans could be at time.

No point talking about what has past and oping how much more we should have achieved or should have done those things we forgot or overlooked, guess now would be the best time to look forward to the remaining time before year 2008 prevails in about 50 days more days to go.

What i would want to do for the remaining 50 more days for year 2007?
- Christmas gathering with friends...
- Short vacation...
- Wall Climbing?
- Meet some of my old friends, to catch up on life... Min 5 maybe?
- A steamboat session with my family...
- A barbeque with my pals maybe?
- Mahjong Marathon perhaps?
- Get myself a present, E-510?
- many many more...

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Tabung Haji rapped for using non-bumi company

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth executive council member Datuk Azimi Daim hit out at Tabung Haji for engaging a non-bumiputra company to supply mineral water for free to delegates and guests at the Umno general assembly.

Azimi queried the rationale for engaging a non-bumi company when all the investors in Tabung Haji are Muslims.

“Don’t tell me there is no single Malay company that is capable of sourcing mineral water. Even I can dig a well, and collect mineral water,” he said when debating the Umno president's policy speech on Wednesday.

Azimi pointed out that Tabung Haji’s move to engage a non-bumiputra company to supply easily available product like water, was not in line with party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s call to GLCs to jointly shoulder the responsibility to develop the bumiputra commercial and industrial community.

Azimi also hit out at a broadcasting station for interviewing non-Malays who proposed guidelines for Umno speakers.

“We have never set any guidelines when others hold their party general assembly. The duty of Pemuda, Wanita, and Puteri is to use the assembly as a platform to highlight grassroots sentiments. We cannot keep mum,” he said.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/11/7/nation/20071107201106&sec=nation

** I read this news, was surprise that they went to all extend to put it on the local newspaper. Why? To share with all people how they were not able to get water for their people for the meet up? Hmm, not a clever move to slap own's face ourselves. So, this is clever move? Beats me, i drink from the tap, not well :)

What a day, forgot my pass?

Sigh, reached office on time today, parked my car at the parking lot, wanted to collect all my stuff and head to office, then i realize that i forgot to fetch my employee pass when i left my house for work. Sigh, don't think i can do without it, so i went actually rushed back to my house to fetch it. I got my aunt to pass the pass to me at the Putra LRT station rather than for me to travel all the way back to my house.

Not my day i guess...Stupid me to left it back there when i should have kept it close to me all the time. Sigh. Most probably due to my bad hair day, can't seem to get it to the shape that i expected hence took more time than usual. Sigh...sigh...

Sunday, November 4, 2007

New Life, New Job

Last Thursday (1 Nov 2007), started my new path in life where i stated my first day job at Halliburton Energy Services. As usual, first day shall be an excitement as well as worried. Excitement to know of the new environment and also to blend in more quickly into their environment. Worried if we can successfully blend in and to foster the relationship between colleagues. Also the feelings that i have were to part with the old life of Shell which i have accustom to for the past 1 year. Their friendship was more that what i have expected from them, these are some things money can't buy.

First day in HES was a bit boring, as i was looking through some of their online training and also to get know a bit more to the job scope and etc. Seems i would have much more to learn which relates to the Oil & Gas industry. Second day, boss gave me one whole list of chapters or knowledge that i should cover in order to gain the required knowledge in my field of work. Didn't really get to mingle around with my colleagues yet as most of them is still away and some was in in the first day that i came to work. Haha, lunched alone for the first and second day at their cafeteria. Had Rubber band (yee mee) noodle for the first day and the mixed rice for the second day. Not really that nice, but i somehow manage to get it down.

I still feel not up to my tip top health yet lately, perhaps because of the busy lifestyle and also now as i am changing environment for my workplace where changes to my daily routine is not avoidable also. Now i have to wake up early, as early as 6.45am to prepare for work and start my travel at about 7 to reach office by 8am. Later when i am working on shift, practically next week, i have to reach office by 7am. Need to adjust to my sleep time and also my work time.

Had a busy weekend, went out with my bunch of friends such as KCY, LKH, Sarah, Winnie... Needed some time to catch up on our life lately. Went to have Sushi King, it was CY's second or third time there, recommended some of the food there for him, promoted Wasabi to him also. Haha... Later went to buy DVD before picking up Kee Hon from Yulek where Sarah headed home first. After picking up KH, would then proceed to Winnie's place to pick up my car and my stuff before i head home. At the junction of the roundabout, a Trinton bumped into CY's car as he was listening to his hand phone, but at least he is going to make it up to his mistake and promised to pay back the repair money, it not really that serious just a scar at the rear bumper, but for that to happen to a 3 month old car, its a scar to the heart. Forget to say, CY's driving skill would have pretty much space for improvements.

Now i am sitting in Winnie's house, awaiting for the other people to arrive, late by half an hour. Hope they will come soon...

Monday, October 29, 2007

3 Days 2 Nights @ Club Med, Cherating - GI-D Aloha Away Day 2007

This is the collection of some of the photos that i have took throughout the trip to Club Med, Cherating for the past week. It was indeed a great outing with them and the photos would have shown it all.



As mentioned earlier in my previous post, it was a three days two nights event at Club Med, Cherating. Would like to have a post on this memorable event that i have had throughout my stay in Shell IT. This may not be the first outing with Shell IT staff, last year was the first and it was different as the group i went with was different as this year it was with my team, our team. It made all the difference.

26 Oct 2007 (Day 1):
Boarded the bus (Bus 3) at about 8.45am, as usual they were never on time. Malaysian time i call it. Chuck the lugguage into the luggage compartment, then hop into the bus to find the best seat or to find the seat where most of us could be seated together for the journey to the East, not West :) There were 11 of us in the Bus 3 and the other 9 were in Bus 5. How nice if we were all assigned to the same bus, it could be such a wacko experience to be in the same bus. The bus ride was what i call it pathetic. In total 6 hours in the bus with the bumpy ride. What made it worst was the speed the bus was travelling at. I could say it was about 60-70kmph. Sigh. That was too slow for me and most cars were overtaking us left right. Sigh. Eventually arrived at the Club Med, Cherating at about 2.30pm. We were welcomed by the hotel staff lined up and greeted us as we headed towards the hall awaiting for the briefing and also the welcoming by the hotel management. We have to wait for the other busses to arrive before it would start, perhaps they do not really wants to make 2 rounds, one after the other for like 30 minutes? So since we arrive first, we have to wait for about 20 minutes before the rest arrive and for the briefing to start.



We then were guided to our rooms, it was a lengthy walk but under such condition, tired and stress it was dreadful. Once we arrive at our room, rested and freshen up a little, those are all past. Now what we looking at is to proceed out to adventure more of the hotel or the club. Step out of the room and walk towards the lobby, saw a guys jumping up down at the Bungee. It looks like him, our new boss, Terence Chap. Indeed, he was jumping up, then it was Quennie's turn for it. She was not able to twist and turn much, jump up down like Solero Shot :P At last the operaor shot her up, real high and she was screaming her lungs out. Haha.



Met up with the rest at the Bar area to have some snacks before we start our adventure. There was free flow of drinks all day long, alcohol starts at 5.00pm. We started off with the Bungee jump, it was fun.Most of us tried it out, some even tried twice to get twisting. Sarah tried it too, despite trying to make her way out but she was eventually doing it also. Wanted to do the Wall Climbing also, but they need us to wear shoe to do that, so means a no for me. Anyway, i have done that before, so it does not really matters.



Next in line was Tennis. More and more of us start playing tennis as some were on Badminton. Never tried tennis before, but guess it was a good chance as all was provided, the racket and the tennis balls. First the balls was flying here and there but after some time, able to adjust to the right strength to control the hits. It was tiring, i guessed i play for like more than 45 minutes. No time for other already as it was approaching 6.00pm already. So decided to head back to my room and get showered and dressed for dinner.

Dinner was at the same place as where we had our lunch. Nothing much special, just a change of the dishes and etc. Nothing much spectacular, just enjoyed ourself with the wine and drinks. We were a bit exited and i finish half a bottle of the wine that i ordered. It was great to be drinking with them. Later, after the dinner, we went for the Jungle show which is conducted by the staff of Club Med, it was hillarious actually. The day ended with some jiggling here and there at the dance floor, but instead we were wandering about and having chats here and there.

Later, i was called to Reception area, where bunch of them were at the sofa relaxing. I saw a birthday cake with my name on it. It was my belated birthday celebration. Very thoughtful of them, at last i had a birthday with them :) After the wishes, blowing out candles session, i was asked or demanded to pull out the candle from the cake with my mouth. I got no choice but to adhere. I was pinned down by 7-8 guys forcing my face to touch the surface of the cake. Moments later, my face if with the cream and chocolate already. Then we start playing with the cake than eating it. It is called wasting, but in exchange, we got our own entertaintment. The most challenge would be to mess up Wan Leng's face. It was daring of me to do so. Later, can drink no more as we need to wake up early the next day for the D'Amazing Race. So i went to my bed, bath, changed and crash down to rest.

27 Oct 2007 (Day 2):
Woke up early for the Team Building events, had breakfast before the torturing begins. Not to mention too much about the event here, but it was fun filled and also tiring, quite a hot day also but it turns out better than what i have expected it to be. At least unlike the previous year in Langkawi where we were doing stupid stuff and etc. After the event ended, we went for lunch to recharge ourself and later was thrown into the Pool by my friends. At least they took all my stuff from my pouch and pockets. Too bad for Khai Chen, he got pushed down eventually by Nicholas, lost his handphone though. After that, we went back to our room to freshen up.

Later, we regroup to visit the Turtle Sanctuary where we get the chance to post and photo with baby turtles. It was nice experience again . We were told that they would let the baby turtle to the sea tonight, we wanted to come at first but end up not happening as we still have our events at nght, especially the lucky draw. I know i may not be lucky but would not miss it. Lucky and not being there is two different things. After that, we walk along the beach, no more the long and winding road and we reach our hotel within 8 minutes. Haha. Then we wanted to roller blade, i took part. Gosh, it was harder than it seems. Not the games that count but able to roller with the rest, it matters. Those who joined were; sarah, aida, soo beng, richard, chee wei and me. Nice, took quite an amount of photos there :) Richard is too fat, he cannot balance well, and nearly need to tow him out from the ring as he would not be able to get back on his 'feet'.. Pity him :) **Peace**

Then proceed to dinner as usual, same place same atmosphere. Just people tend to dress more nicely, wonder why... After the dinner, went for the show and where they announce the winners for the D'Amazing Race and also the lucky winners for the Lucky Draw. Nothing for me, only won the 4th placing for the D'Amazing race which gives us RM40 for the JJ voucher. After that we were all tired and most proceed back to rooms to lie and sleep.

As for Chin Dy, Sarah and me decided to have some drinks before heading back. We went to the bar and met Martin, so we sat at the Reception area, more quiet to chit chat and have some conversation. After that, at about 1 plus in the morning, we decided to call it a night and wanted to head back to our room. We sent Sarah back to her room as it was a long walk before me and Chin Dy found a spot to chit chat more. It was a great time chatting with him, hope he gets well soon enough. Went back to our rooms at about 2.30am. Dead tired, showered and slept.

28 Oct 2007 (Day 3):
Tired, aching and burnt so we didn't really bother about the breakfast hence we went for the brunch instead. But first, we clean up ourself, packed up and checked out before we could have our lunch. Since it was still early, so we decided to have a short trip to the other side of the beach, with the shuttle train service. Went there to capture some great moments for about 30 minutes before heading back to the place where we were staying. Had our lunch and hang around the back of the hotel for more casual time and also some drinks and photo sessions before boarded the bus.

The bus came a little late, but it is acceptable. Went into the bus, this time we were not able to sit together. Nicholas, Chee Wei, Soo Beng and Suet Yi were seated at the back as we other were sitting quite in front. The journey was much faster, but the driver could have travelled a little faster also. Reach the CBJ office at about 6.30pm. Was tired already, didn't waited for Richard as he was still stuck in the jam. Send Sarah home, where she was having headache and then i rushed back home to rest on my own sweet bed. It was a fruitful trip where it bonded me and the team and also realized how great my colleagues were and that we are still friends no matter where i am. Thank you to you all for making a great trip out of a 3 days 2 nights stay at Club Med, Cherating.

**The trip will be a memory where shared between those who cared and enjoyed throughout the Away Day, especially by myself :) Great bunch of colleagues cum friends i have there.

D'Aloha @ Club Med Cherating - 26/10/07-28/10/07

Last Thursday was not a productive day as compared to the other days as our heart is planning and thinking of the upcoming GI-D Away Day @ Club Med, Cherating. We had lots of work, ranging from testing to deployment and etc. As always, work will never come easy on us, some even have to work late night just to get things done. I reach home also quite late, then proceed to pack my stuff and also at the same time to scan those forms to be sent to Halliburton as they need to prepare for my enrolment process.

At last, all things got done by 2am. So decided to get to bed as soon as possible to rest more for the next day which would start quite early, 8.30am. I have been longing forward to this outing as the last outing for my employment in Shell IT International or as the conclusion of my service in SITI and most of all is for me to have a good fun and outing with my whole team of colleagues. That would be the best closure that i could ever wished for.

Today i have just came back from the event and now i am tired and also having body ache all over my body. Have not been having such kind of exercise lately and also performing this type of activity such as bungee jump, roller skate, tennis and etc. Too tired to further elobrate, will have more tomorrow.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Would miss the great time @ SITI

Sigh, just can't lay myself to sleep. Just can't sleep but instead have been lying on the bed, feeling tired and sleepy but yet not able to sleep. My mind is pretty much awake. Funny is that my mind is constantly thinking about my last few days in Shell. Moat probably the coming Wednesday, 24 October 2007. That would be another 3 working days before i end my work in Shell IT Intl. Throughout the hour plus lying on my bed, i have been recalling the past moments and days that i have spend throughout the year in Shell. It was just like yesterday when i started my journey in Shell and tomorrow the journey will be concluding. My heart may feel sad to leave and doesn't really want to leave, but i am left with not much choice.

I have been thinking of what kind of message to leave to the team and to some individuals that have helped me throughout my stay in Shell for the past year. I would really miss them much. Let's hope that our path will cross once again. Thank you to all for the wonderful time. Hope i can get some sleep soon as it is already late in the early morning.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

I am the PROs, stand behind and watch, let me fish out bodies rather than survivors...

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/2062306/Article/index_html

TIOMAN FERRY TRAGEDY: Body of one victim found By : S. Suganthi

Seng May Ying (centre) being comforted by relatives after her husband’s body was found.
MERSING: Police yesterday recovered the body of 37-year-old Wong Sing Ling, one of the three missing victims of Saturday's ferry mishap, 10.5km from the accident site.
Rompin police chief Abdul Rahman Jalil said the body, which was sent to Hospital Mersing, was found by the search and rescue team at 10.30am, near Pulau Harimau.The body was found by the police air wing. It was brought in from Tanjung Gemok, about 45 minutes from Mersing.Rahman said the search and rescue team saw another body in the sea but attempts to retrieve it failed as it quickly disappeared into the water."It was some 30 minutes after the first body was retrieved about 30m away," he said.

The 120-member search and rescue team had scoured a five-kilometre radius area where the ill-fated Seagull Express 2 ferry caught fire and sank while cruising to Tioman from Mersing.The team was still looking for Chong Yong Kim, 43, from Petaling Jaya and Wong Han Wan, 29, a factory supervisor from Klang.Wong is the fifth victim.
Four others drowned in the incident, which is the second in less than a year. Last November, a 3-year-old boy was killed after a ferry collided with another passenger ferry in Langkawi.In both incidents, passengers complained about the lack of life jackets and of the unhelpful crew.Wong leaves a wife and two sons. Meanwhile, family members of the remaining two missing passengers expressed their disappointment and anger over the way the search and rescue operation was carried out on Tuesday.
They claimed the operation was not carried out seriously and lacked professionalism.Wong Yuh Jen, 24, Han Wan's sister, said the families were told the search and rescue operation would begin at 8am but the team only arrived three hours later."They didn't allow family members to join in the operation. "My sister began crying in front of the officers and only then did they allow us to go," she said, adding that three boats went in the operation.
Sunburnt and filled with emotion, she said the search and rescue team didn't venture into nearby islands to look for the victims."Instead, they only shouted from the boat, calling out the victims' names. What if my brother had fainted or was injured? How could he have responded?" she said as she wiped her tears."These are lives we are talking about, not mere puppets." Chan Ewe Aun, 53, brother-in-law of Sing Ling, said he felt the search and rescue team was not doing enough.Yong Kim's brother, Choong Yoong Fatt, agreed with Chan and was disappointed that helicopters were not sent to look for the missing victims.
The arrival of a civil defence van at the Mersing jetty at 11.20am, with officials carrying stretchers, saw the victims' families rushing to the jetty. Many began to cry openly. Some started praying and chanting loudly.
Seems like the people who is suppose to be helping is not doing enough to help and lack of professionalism. Even mere citizen can think of going nearer to beach side to perform SAR, but the trained professional can't think of it? Shame, shame. All eyes are looking at the related parties, seeing how things will go. Would it be forgotten just like that or would they just be allocated a summon which they can pay within days and then to resume their business?

Dr, no Dr. My FOOT !!!

Went for my full body checkup, pre-employment health check at DrYNnP (can't use full name). The outlook like those old building, first impression - run down and old style. Was imagining if the doctor or nurses would be old aunty and old man. The layout was totally crap, though with a big space but the 'station' is totally messed up. The nurses, rude and not friendly at all, only a few (3) that is friendly and nice. Other than that, menopause came early or hormon imbalance nurses (female).

Thought medical line should be approachable and convincing or friendly? But seems not. Not only the nurses got my big NONO and head shake, the doctor also the same. Saw the doctor, Dr. Peh non stop trying to spit something out from his mouth, 'pui pui pui' even when he is having the consultation session with me. Would a qualified doctor be having such a habit or action in front of his patient? Wanted to comment him on this, but just didn't want to waste the time to comment on someone who is not worth it. Where has his ethic or manners gone to? The people there has pigeon eyes, would know how to distinguish between the rich or poor. Poor service or treatment given to those labeled as not belonging to the high class, good service (with soft voice and manners) for those high class people. How can they, in the service line provide this type of service? Poor service but still charge at high price. What are we paying for?

Sad, sad, sad. Call them doctor, i call them '9 floor doctor' (translate you get 'gau lau yi sang'). Luckily few of my doctor friends are not the same :) Would i go back there again for consultation, no i won't. Not that they don't have qualified doctor, just that their behavoir is not acceptable.

My advice to all mothers out there, don't name your son or daughter the wrong name. Like Dr. Peh, will eventually 'pui pui pui'. Kakaka...

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Waiting Patiently. Dying Slowly. Where are you when we need you?

Yesterday night, i saw the online newspaper with regards to the few missing victims from the Tioman Island ferry incident. The link to the mentioned news is available at the following website.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/Frontpage/20071017163257/Article/index_html

Saw the writeup saying that they have found the body, means it was a dead man after all. It says that the body was found clingging on to two vehicle tyre while floating in the sea. Gosh, when i saw it i was sad and devasted. Why? The reason is due to the the victim might have died due to exhaustion of the heat and the hunger. Imagine he died due to heat exposure in the sea, no fresh water for him, not a single drop, cold in the night and etc. How could he survived it?

He was floating in the sea for about 3 days, 2 night at least. Why was he there so long? Probably the search was not good enough and took too long where it too his life too. Gosh, he was so lucky to got hold of the two float but he still died without hope. So sad to read this on the newspaper.

Sorry and my condolences to all the victims of the ferry tragedy. Hope the authority proceed to take stern actions against them, for being errand and also neglected the welfare and the safety of the passengers.