Memories of Kate

Happy New Year to 2008

2008-01-14T12:14:00.000+08:00

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...

2007-12-13T09:51:00.000+08:00

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

2007-12-05T11:07:00.000+08:00

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

2007-11-24T09:04:00.000+08:00

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!

2007-11-15T08:31:00.000+08:00

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

2007-11-14T09:48:00.000+08:00

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

2007-10-31T09:54:00.000+08:00

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!"

Nothing is permanent except CHANGE!

2007-10-23T11:03:00.000+08:00

Nothing is permanent except Change. How true it rings. I am undergoing changes now at the workplace with yet the changing baton of another new boss. This has been happening for the past 4 years I am in this organization. Mind you, this is boss No. 5. I have enough of such changes as it is extremely unnerving cos I got to learn to adapt to his/her style; brief on the direction of my department etc. The amount of time spent on such is economically not viable. This is on the business side but what about the emotional side of it? As an employee, the uncertainty; the 'lost' rapport; the interpersonal conflict are demoralising, so as to speak. '

The change I have been anticipating is not coming. Nil. Period. Wondered how long I have to wait for a change. Don't get me wrong. I am not afraid of changes. I embrace it with glee. It is just that when I am kept in the 'dark' waiting to be told of my fate, it is such change that I do not welcome. In the meantime, will continue to fulfill the needs and requirements of what life has dished out for me.

Am back in action!

2007-10-18T16:02:00.000+08:00

I had a good vacation, even though I had to cancel my cruise trip. I still regard it as good for I had the rest I needed, spent the time the way I wanted it to be. In short, it worked out fine. I came to work today with mixed emotions. I felt tinges of sadness, envy, happy, disorientated all rolled into one. Why you may ask? Sad cos I have to part from my beloved again for an unknown period of time after a week together. When one is happy, time does fly. Envious and happy because of the upgrade of several ex-colleagues in their professional lives and yet here I am stuck in a rut. Disorientated, you would have guessed. From the one week of bliss and now coming back to face a tirade of paperwork and e-mails to attend to. Life is a myriad of experiences. We can either regret or rejoice. I chose the latter. I am now back in action and tomorrow I will be up and roaring.. ya!

A long-awaited Vacation

2007-10-11T14:36:00.000+08:00

I am sooo.... excited. Finally heading off to a much awaited and anticipated vacation. Have not have one for the past 2/3 months. I am going over to the republic across the Straits to spend time with my beloved and then has checked into a cruise. Have never been on one and truly looking forward to it. I will upload the memories of the cruise on a later entry. When a person is tired, it means physically or mentally. I am both. I need to recharge my 'internal' battery before I burn out and bring about more harm than good. Here's to a relaxing and enjoyable time...

A Most Disheartening Experience

2007-10-09T10:21:00.000+08:00

For the past few days last week, we have no access at all to the Internet or www. Reason??? We were told that the Server exchange maintained by TMNet has some cables missing/stolen/accidentally cut at the exchange server where 5,600 lines were severly affected. As a result, the business and all others have to suffer loss of business opportunities, disruption in daily operations etc. And I had a most disheartening experience. The www. is my world and I need to access to it either to check my mails, to connect and put it shortly, my 'haven' to sanity. So, can you imagine not having access? It was like having one limb missing. I was irritable, listless and about to 'kill'. Then, everything was finally restored on Saturday morning and today is like normal again. Moral of the story: Be thankful for the each day I have connection to my good friend, the Internet. Yahoo!

My adventure during the weekend

2007-10-01T10:06:00.000+08:00

It was meant to be an inter-departmental outing on a lovely Sunday morning. Being so used to doing the routine in the past, it was a welcoming break. So we gathered, some still rubbing blurry eyes, at the entrance of FRIM in Kepong. We are to start off the event with Jungle Trekking with a tour guide and then picnic at the nearby waterfall. The guide, En. Azmi was an extremely 'humorous' guy but after a while, hard as he tried, his jokes became quite stale as we could guessed his modus operandi. First, he would tell you something scientific about the plants and then next, with his deadpan face, he would crack a joke. Halfway down the track, he took us to one spot and asked us to all look up.. Guess what we saw! The most amazing view of all. (please see picture) It is a canopy of these species of trees..(forgot the scientific name) which would grow reaching high up into the sky but abiding by one rule. The leaves would never touch each other which explains the beautiful jigsaw-like formation. This was in fact documented by National Geographic in one of their episodes. And to think off we have it all the while in our very own backyard. The rest of the journey was uneventful. The only one other regret is the Canopy Walk which is suspended 30 meter off ground level is closed for maintenance. Will surely need to visit that one when it opens to public again in November

3rd day without My Daily Dose of Chat

2007-09-25T14:18:00.000+08:00

I am suffering from withdrawal symptoms of not being able to chat. Chatting to some schools of thougth are a complete waste of time. To another, it is preposterous and unthinkable. To me, it is my daily dose of motivation. You see, I am a multi-tasker. When I am at my seat working on the PC, on a project or anything which requires thought process, the chat is like a rejuvenator. It provides me the extra 'omph' as I tap away on the keyboard. People whom I have chatted with will notice that I am able to return a response in real-time even though they can't see me working on something else. Hmmm... now I will have to work around this constraint by maintaining a blog to keep me motivated and going.. like a cup of good aromatic coffee..

One Blog a Week

2007-09-22T11:54:00.001+08:00

Having instant/chat messenging privileges removed, I found myself quite lost and disorientated from it all. I need an avenue to pen my thoughts, vent my frustration while keeping it interactive. So, I decided to dedicate all in my all-new blog. I shall endeavor to include a new experience at least once a week.