Happy New Year to 2008

I know that this is a wee bit too late to make this announcement and to welcome the new year but I DID it!!! I finally found the right time to 'free' myself from this bondage called employment. After 4 years of doing training and running around, I am finally taking a rest from this all. A trainer is akin to a stand-up comedian. (something which I often use to humor myself) You have to be able to think of your feet and be ready for any eventualities for the impossibles can and do happen, attested by the Michealian theory. What am I going to do with my life post-employment??? Ha... this is the tough part. First, I am taking a short vacation. Read the word 'short'? For friends who know me best, I am not one who can rest of their laurels and enjoy life and watch the world go by. I am one who has to be in the thick of action and make things happen. We shall leave my plans for my next post. In the meantime, as a friend advised me lately, "you have set up a mission for yourself, stick to it and have a wallup of a time". A toast to the new year, new hopes, new journey

Year-end Festivity in the air...

They say 'Time flies'. I say "Time forgets". What do I mean by that? It was only not too long ago when we first welcomed the year 2007 and now we are already at the brink of it and making plans to welcome the new year. Time seemed to forget that there's the mortals trying to rush through everything without leaving much for themselves. There are also some who waited and waited for something 'good' to happen in their lives, but was forgotten by time in this respect. I can still remember when I was a child waiting for time to zoom by so that I can grow up and be taken seriously by the adults. And now, time is so unforgiving that before we can say 'to fulfill resolutions made in 2007', it is already coming to an end. Sometimes, I wondered what has taken place in the year that I can be proud of. I may have done this and that, but overall.. am I satisfied? Did I achieve what I set out to do? I hope to be able to provide some answers to all this in the next 2 weeks or so before we finally blow the candles out for 2007. In the meantime, be merry and soak in the year-end festivity. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

My pride, my creation

I have been dabbling in jewellery making for some time now. Checked myself into a jewellery making class since June and now have completed till Level 2. My ultimate would be Level 3 which is the last of the series. Have built up a considerable amount of accessories i.e. beads of various kinds, findings and closings for initial practice but now have ventured into making gifts for family and friends. The last set was this matching set of necklace, bracelet and earrings for a charity function to raise funds for SLE sufferers. In spite of contributing money and unable to do so physically too.. the next thing to do is contribute in kind with a set of handmade jewellery set... only one piece in the making. This is truly my pride as I have received good reviews on the design. I will surely be embarking on making more pieces which I am holding off right now due to time constraint.

Working on a Saturday

My my... working on a Saturday when the whole neighbourhood is still snoozing underneath the blankets. Driving out from the driveway seeing most cars still there sends a 'discouraging' message across. I am working in a company which is considered 'dinosauric' (if there's such a word!). Most companies have already adopted the 5-day week but looks like this company of mine ain't gonna change it's set mindset till kingdom come. I have worked in organizations which worked 5-day, 5 1/2 day, flexible hours throughout my career. Nonetheless, this 'working on a Saturday' syndrome, I call it WOAS, is getting to me in terms of mentally and physically after close to 4 years here. The weekend seems so short and with a blink of the eye, it is back to work again on Monday. This kind of work arrangement sure does affect the morale and sap the energy, no matter how positive one's outlook can be. Looking towards to the day where I can joined in the rest of the Malaysian population in saying, "I work on a 5-day week"

Let's get TAGG-ED!

This is my response to Maya’s tag….

LIST OUT THE TOP 5 PRESENTS YOU WISH FOR: (in no particular order)
1. A totally ‘White Christmas’ in Canada overlooking the Blue Moutains
2. A honeymoon retreat at one of those idylic spots on a private island
3. Enough fee to pay for the remainder modules of a professional development program
4. To be able to work and reside in the island south permanently
5. To delay gratification and exercise restraint

LIST OUT THE REASONS FOR YOUR CHOICES: (this is tough!)
1. Mountains often have this pull effect on me, especially if it is during Christmas with snow all around.. how surreal
2. A time where there is only two of us, basking in the romantic settings, with the sea breeze blowing softly on the skin.. WOW!
3. Have completed only Module 1 thus far and that costs me a 3-year service bond to the company. 4 more to go else it will be a total shame to a good program
4. Each time I walked on the ground of this island, the longing only get stronger. It’s a matter of heart willing but circumstances not
5. This have caused a great deal of disappointments, heartache and sometimes resources, as a result of rashness and thoughtlessness.

THE PERSON WHO TAGG-ED YOU IS: Mayakirana aka Piscean

5 IMPRESSIONS OF HIM/HER:
1. A food fanatic. Going everywhere for food and the topic constantly on her lips
2. Cheeky and scheming. (Considering the circumstances of how we met)
3. Very supportive. Could do with an extra shoulder to lean on, an extra pair of ears to listen to my whinings
4. A younger replica of me, but wished I have her courage in approaching matters. Else, I won’t have that many regrets in life today
5. Maniacal fun preson to be with. (this is for me to know and for you to find out)

MOST MEMORABLE THINGS HE/SHE HAS DONE FOR YOU:
Cooking up the most unbelievable story of her life and me falling for it just because I generally trust people. Imagined my horrors to horrors upon discovering that I have been fooled through and through!

MOST LOVED INVENTION
The telephone. Thank you, Alexander Graham Bell

WHAT DO YOU DESPISE THE MOST:
Hypocrisy. Self-defeating attitude

6 PEOPLE YOU WANNA TAG: Krista, Gee, Larry, Joy, Sam, Arthur

Another Week of Exhaustive Venture

Wow! Have been running around with so many ventures lately that I am completely exhausted. Wonder how much longer I can take this onslaught. Let me explain. On the work front, it is another anticipated 'crazy' time of planning, budgetting, strategies for the coming year. And then there's this sudden requests from headhunters wanting to discuss job opportunities, interviews with HR recruitment of prospective companies and on top of sourcing and chasing contractors for the renovation works at my condo. Even spelling all these out makes me pant. Sometimes I marvel at myself for the constant energy level. Someone told me that this is life and what it has dished out for you. You either relish it with glee or reject it with bitterness. I chose the former. I do sincerely hope that all these will kinda of settle down as the year draws nigh to another new beginning. It will be a new beginning for personal and professional front, on both counts.

Elated with pride

It is with elation and pride that I am posting this entry. Finally received the keys to my flat which I have been waiting for its completion since purchasing it last year. Nothing fancy but in a nice neighbourhood, far away from commercial lots. Proud because this is my very first property that I truly own. From my own 'sweat and tears', of working hard for the last 20 years of my career. By other's standards, I may be quite late for this achievement. Nevertheless, it is my achievement. Have been very busy getting the flat ready prior to moving in end of the year. There's the rectification of defects by the developer, the sourcing of quotations for flooring, cabinets, kitchen accessories, wiring, lighting, the renovation proper, the change of address and notification to relevant parties....the list is endless. Both exciting and exhausting at the same time. Good thing moving into one's own place is like having a wedding. One doesn't get to do it too many times in one's life time. "I have finally made it!"