25.12.2008 - Christmas Holiday

Everyone call it holiday but I call it 'another tiring day'. Its my mom's birthday. The only day in a year that I have to be fresh even though I am extremely tired and sleepy. We went out 1 whole day from 11am till 9pm. We walk at the malls, and then for movie and then for coffee and then to malls again and then dinner and then back home. No end until late evening. I really really speechless. I have no other choices because she is my mother, but I do thank God I do not have any girlfriend yet so far otherwise, this will be my weekly routine! I rather die than be like that for the rest of my life. The most fun throughout the trip is during movie time. We went to Sunway Carnival for movie; IP MAN. Usually I always fresh whenever I am in the cinema but this time, I was like somewhere else when I stare on the screen. I can't concentrate at all when they begin to play the advertisement and movie clips! I keep on slapping my face and pinch my cheek couple of times. Well, I stayed awake for 2 hours then because the movie is so fantastic. the fighhting is like so real and it makes me feels like I am in the show as well. Worth paying so much for this movie and I am keen to go for second time. Really must watch movie.

Right after de movie, we both like... so free and drive along Perai and stopped over at the Honda Sales Office to take a sneak at the new released Honda City. Initially I don't really like the shape especially the rear portion but after a close look on it, I think it is much macho compared to Toyota Vios. Really wonder should I change my car or not.

Christmas is fun but I never enjoy the fun through out my life. Eve and Christmas never be my day because I need to be at home to accompany mom for her birthday. No doubt she always ask me to go out have fun during these days, I never feel comfortable to do so. When I was young that time, it happened once where I went out with bunch of friends for Christmas celebration during eve. I asked for her permission to go out and she agreed; but when I returned home, she is at the living hall waiting for me with anger and tears. As usual la, the nag and complain about how irresponsible I am being a son that forgetful about her birthday. Hmm... from that day onward I never have thoughts of going out or dare to go out during eve or Christmas. I rather sit at home than being nag nag nag and complains.

Well... there goes my day. Nothing much special except busy outing with mom all day long.

24.12.2008 - Bulan seksa

Lets try in Malay...

Setelah sibuk dengan tugasan harian sejak dari awal bulan, kini tibalah masanya utuk berehat seketika di rumah terutama sekali pada hari cuti awam - hari natal. Walaupun ianya satu satunya harapan saya akan tetapi ia tidak akan dikabulkan kerana hari inilah harijadi ibu saya. Sejak pulang dari Vietnam, saya telah bertungkus lumus menyiapkan laporan dan mengendalikan hal-hal syarikat dari pagi hingga ke lewat malam; sehinggalah makan malam saya pun terpaksa saya tangguhkan sehingga 10 malam. Macam manalah tidak gemuk? Walaupun susah, janji kerja saya betul betul dilangsirkan sepenuhnya dari dibiarkan. Akan tetapi, yang paling sedih itu, pihak majikan tidak faham dengan kepiluan saya, padahalnya tambah pulak tugas harian saya walaupun tahu yang saya kini memikul tanggung jawab yang berat. Kini saya bukan sahaja memikul tugas sebagai 'esakutif operasi' tetapi sebagai 'auditor' juga. Tak habis habis buat audit audit audit, dan kena pulak mengendalikan pejabat. Nasib baik ada pembantu kalau tiada, hmm.... sudah tentu lingkup cawagan Penang. Sudahlah penat dan letih kerana terpaksa tidur lewat malam kerana cuba untuk menghabiskan laporan audit, pengurus dekat ibu pejabat tak habis habis memaksa saya menolongnya memeriksa laporan dari projek lain. Sudahlah tak sempat dengan laporan sendiri kini kena periksa pulak laporan orang lain. Mujurlah hari ini hari natal, kalau tidak, hancur saya. Sudah beberapa malam saya tidur lewat sehinggalah kini sudah biasa tidur lewat. Walaupun kepala saya senang berpusing pusing dan sering lupa akan hal hal keluarga, masih segar dari mengantuk.

Sehingga hari ini, saya sudah audit 7 syarikat; dari kilang sehingga gudang. Mujurlah saya ini masih mampu mengendalikannya. Moga moga akan berakhir, kalau tidak tentu saya akan jatuh sakit satu hari nanti.

06.12.2008 - 6th day @ Hanoi, Vietnam

Hmm..... working working working. I thought it is time for me to have good sleep before catching a flight back to Malaysia but I have to get up early, pack and have my quick breakfast before they (the last minute site manager) pick me up at 9am. Really wish I can stay longer and rest before catching my flight but Ihave no other choice except doing what I am forced to do. So i got myself checked out early, and then fetched up by another Vietnamese and Australian. They drove me to their new site which is the similar place I been yesterday. Ya .. small world huh. So i spend 2 hours there taking photographs and discussion before they send me to the airport around 12pm. It is really tired rushing here and there but the weather/temperature is so nice which makes me feel like walking outside again and again.

By 1pm, I reached Hanoi airport, and there is when my another miserable day comes. Flying back from hanoi to KL takes nearly 4 hours in the economy class. Imagine you are in the small seat squeezing with stranger on your left and right. Huh... I really hope they won't send me there again. But too bad they will by next year around March

05.12.2008 - 5th day @ Hanoi, Viet Nam- 2

By the way... see this picture... You will be very surprise how skillful their telecommunication company is. I am shocked when I see their phone cable along the street. I pull out my camera and trying so hard to capture it but most of it blur except this one. I guarantee you Malaysia Telecom won't be able to solve this too. Hahahaha... They deserve the world guiness record for being the most mess cable lines on street.

05.12.2008 - 5th day @ Hanoi, Viet Nam

5th day is my happy day since it would be my last audit day. I am so happy when I got up early in the morning, took a hot shower and preparing myself for breakfast and first time the first to got ready to move at any time. My fellow Vietnamese friend who have being accompanying me since day one gave me a call just to wake me up for breakfast but got surprise that I already ready to move while he still on the bed. I am too excited and can't wait to get it done as fast as I can. So we headed to ground floor for our breakfast expecting to be somehow 'good' but the food is more a less similar to like Malaysia and Singapore dishes. I was so surprise how could that be. I scout around and ask around at the counter and get to know that the hotel I am staying in is a Singapore base hotel. No wonder!. I met 1 of Malaysia's minister but I cannot remember which post he is holding and of course... not my god damn business at all. I don't even give a damn who he is. Instead I wish to slap him because of his piggy face. Ha ahahaha. So after meals... We rush to the site for audit. The damn weather is so amazing. It is sunny day but cold weather. Everyone is wearing a coat, jacket, hat, mask, scarf, long sleeve shirt, but me .. Just an ordinary cloth - T shirt. Didn't even feel cold at all. I enjoy the weather so much.

So... talking about the audit... I nearly got a fight with the site's management. It seems like they are ignoring my presence and keep on having internal discussion. They abandon me for sometimes and no one is bothering enough to help me at all. I got pissed off and walk to the manager room, sit quietly and do nothing. Everyone got shock when unable to locate me until they found me in the room sitting alone doing nothing. They surprise the audit completed within an hour and asking if there is anything else I want to look at. I keep quiet and stare at them and say... "you want me to wait until you free then you can escort me around and start explaining to me what the hell is going around or you want me to sit here waiting for someone to guide me through the audit?". Everyone went silence and begin to apologize. I resume the audit later that and managed to get it done by 4pm. We took off early and headed to the downtown of Hanoi just to look for food and some stuffs to bring back home. It takes us about 40 minutes drive to reach the downtown with a cab. The place is nice, crowded and alot of stuffs to look around. Souvenirs are all along the street and you can see alot of visitors/tourist bargaining and scouting for the same thing I am looking for. So we walk up and down the entire area and stop a few places to buy something for my mom and also my close friend. We then stop by one of the restaurant and have some western and local food. We planned to have hawker's food but abit afraid it might not be hygiene so we decided to pull over something better. It is tired day but worth travelling around exploring the Hanoi town area.

We then return to our hotel around 8pm and got ourselves shower and rest. It is our last day seeing each other; so we have a glass of beer at the front counter and then waving good bye to each other. Since I am back to the hotel and free, I thought of getting myself online and checking my backlog mails. To my surprise... my management is arranging another audit for me in Hanoi early next day. Believe me or not; I am leaving on Saturday at 2pm they arrange an audit for me at 9am. I was like... huh? again ? can I make it? Well. Do I have a choice? They really spoil my day..shut off the damn Notebook and lye on my bed watching TV until I felt asleep.

04.12.2008 - 4th day @ Da Nang beach & Hanoi

Its a wonderful day. Thursday is my rest day. I try to sleep as late as I can since it is my rest day after 2 consecutive days auditing from a destination to another but was waken up by the silly Vietnamese for breakfast. So frustrated. I woke then and dressed up for breakfast at the cafeteria where I had my dinner buffet yesterday night. The air is so fresh and you can hear all the natural voices from the insects and of course from the sea. We spend an hour plus with the buffet breakfast and then headed to the beach for some photographing and walk. I took a very long walk from the resort about 1 km away and took alot of photographs. I lie down at the beach chair for an hour relaxing trying so hard diverting my thought to how wonderful life's is than how awful life is going to be for the rest of my life. Look at some picture I posted here. Amazing huh?

Well, it is not easy to forget things and enjoy the nice view; something that keep on triggering me to get my report done before tomorrow audit. So I rush back to my room and continue my work until 1130 am and got my luggage packed before checking out at 1200. It is so hard to leave this wonderful resort. I wish to spend another 2 days here relaxing and of course that would be more nice if there is someone special around too. Ya.... In my dream. So we left the resort around 1215 an drop by a small coffee shop where we took our nice lunch and get our email checked. I hate checking email after days not being connected. As I expected, plenty emails pop up on my screen which needs me to browse thoroughly 1 by 1. The coffee shop is pretty nice place to hand out. Pretty girls are all around, free Internet access and of course nice food is served. I ordered a local food which you hardly find in Malaysia. Very difficult to explain the ingredients just take a look at the picture I posted here. Believe me, it is the best koey teow dish I ever tried.

So, in order not to miss our flight, we took a leave early today since I notice that my ticket to Hanoi will be somehow similar to the one we gone through at Ho Chi Minh. He has to buy a new ticket for me since the current ticket is based on my nick name. The flight is pretty smooth, we got boarded sharp at 4pm and then reaches in Hanoi around 5pm.When we got out from the airport, the weather is about to turn dark; strange at 5pm turn dark? but the temperature... fabulous... about 15C; very nice weather. Well... we took our sweet time walking around and searching for a cab. I thought the distance of the hotel from the airport is about similar to the one I visited in Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang; but this one.... 1 hour drive! 1 hour on the flight and then 1 hour in the cab! by the time we reach the hotel... total darkness like about 9 pm in Malaysia. What I know is.. tired, tired and tired. I quickly check in as usual and then to the room hoping for a nice shower and rest. I can't imagine how nice the room going to be but I hope it looks good than any of my stupid company (SGS - CTS Malaysia) pre approved hotels. i.e. budget hotel, where you will have visitors (special visitor) knocking your door at night. Well this is how my company works. They force their staffs to live in cheap and lousy hotel while managers is enjoying their stay at 5 star hotel. Back to my Hanoi... I am sick and tire talking about my silly bosses. So when I got my hotel door opened, I was like.. ok... nice but not as nice as the resort I live in yesterday. I throw all my things and get myself into the wash room thought of washing and refreshing. To my surprise, there is a Jacuzzi in the wash room..... So do you think I still wan to refresh myself by throwing warm water on my face or jump into the Jacuzzi? of course i undress quickly and jump in! hahahaha.... I took 2 hours soaking in that tubs ...

So right after that we took a cab out from the hotel looking for food. I thought that would be nice to walk around in the cool weather but the dust really make us feel uncomfortable. We tried to look for local food but quite difficult in our area. So we walk quite a distance and end up at the Kentucky Fried Chicken. hahaha... thousand of Kms away from home to eat KFC? do i have any choice? We headed back to our hotel after dinner and I finish all my report until 1 am. Fall sleep around 130am while TV is on.. amazing huh? life really pampered these few days. I wish it last forever.

03.12.2008 - 3rd day @ Da Nang, Viet Nam

It is my 3rd day traveling far away from my nest. I miss home so much. My day started at 430am as I need to catch a flight to Da Nang from Saigon about 600am. So he (Vietnamese) pick me up at around 5am with a cab of course. Everything went smoothly from the hotel to the airport and then Q-up at the check-in counter about 100 metres away; until the moment I handed over my passport to the counter, my e-ticket is rejected. Okay let me put it in more simple... I am not allow to go on board the plane because, someone (you know who I am talking about) is so silly booking my flight with my nick name which does not appear in my passport at all. Wait! It is not my fault; I already sent him my details and copy of my passport for them to book my flight earlier but somehow he 'kepo' booked the flight with my nick name instead. Both of us got panic especially another 1/2 an hour before the plane take off. We rush to the front counter seeking for help but believe it or not... they work more a less similar to Malaysian government. Let me put it in this way... they are something like MAS because Vietnam Airline is belong to the government. I tried to prove to them that the nick name is belong to me and the passport number is actually appear in the e-ticket match with my passport. I am just asking if they can help to change the name in order for me to catch this flight but non of them willingly to tolerate at all. Worst of all, it is like chicken and duck talk. So.. he end up purchasing a new ticket for me. Damn airport and management; wish I can burn them down.

So by the time we reach Da Nang, the temperature is about 18C and both of us are so hungry and sleepy. We quickly rush to the resort he booked earlier and got ourselves re-fresh and with some breakfast. Initially, I thought the hotel must be just nice and might not be that luxury compared to the one in Saigon, but to my surprise it is a 5 star resort located next to the beach. The best resort/hotel I ever pull over. The room they got for me is so big and the balcony is an open area to the green garden that can reach the beach about few steps away. My GOD; it is like in the heaven. I wish can sleep and rest whole day no need to work. So; after resting awhile we headed to the work area and as usual, conducted the audit with bunch of ducks and chickens. As expected, communication is still a barrier to us. But to me; I just want to get it done asap in order for me to go back and enjoy my stay in the room and beach.

Well, I really enjoy that particular night. I took my dinner in the cafeteria which cost me USD32; a set of buffet and 2 bottle of beer. I invited my friend to join me but he rejected my offer because he think USD32 is extremely expensive to him. Do I have other choice? I don't think so because we did try to walk around that area but there is nothing to eat or see. I took my sweet time having my buffet alone and enjoy my beer until late evening. I took a slow walk alone at the beach side until 1030pm. I try to stay awake but my tiredness really kills me slowly. I tried to complete my report slowly but the bed and the environment is so tempting. I stop working and lye myself on the bed and begin with all the turns and playing with the TV remote control and end up sleeping. hahahaha.

02.12.2008 - Tough day - 1st Site audit

2nd day in Saigon is .... pretty boring. I woke up at 830am in Msia which is 730am in Saigon and got myself setup for my 1st site audit. It is a nice sleep for that night but still home sick; wishing the next day is Saturday. Have good breakfast in the hotel and then headed off to the site approx. 830am. I was like... huh? The Vietnamese is picking me up with a bike? Gosh...

In fact I can't blame him that much with the bike because the traffic is extremely bad and it is so difficult to travel with a cab or even personal cars. All you can see is hundreds of bikes on the road squeezing each other and even taking over car's lane like no body business. Seriously... I thought I am a bad bike rider in Malaysia, but this trip, I think I am a good bike rider compared to these Vietnamese. Even the women are more fierce than me. You can't imagine the distance between all the bikes. It is like an inch only. Every time these biker and car approach our bike or my little friend approaching someones car or bike, I just close my eyes and do some prayer hoping nothing happen. Horrible.

Well, the audit is pretty smooth going except communication. I tried very best to talk to them word by word but yet non of them seems to understand what I am talking about. Not going to blame much as every country does have their ascent and it is tough to get along with it; especially with my own English more to Singlish style which end up with 'la', 'ma',.... Sometimes

after explaining again and again for couple of times and still they don't understand or giving you a different answer, you can imagine how hard it is going to be for the entire week. I started to get agitated and begin to use hand sign when they still look at me wondering what I am talking about. I know I am not tat good in English but I do try very hard to explain to them. Aiya.. wish I have a translator. Result? I am very surprise that there are so many findings in this site. After getting it done by end of day, I keep on asking how does this site earn their 1st year certification with all the non-conformance I found! It is tough to make such decision since the very first audit done 2 years back is also from my company staff. I guess I need to have a talk with my management on this.

After one whole day busy, I end up having my dinner in the room. Initially I was like hoping to travel to the downtown to have some nice local food and photographing. Of course I need the site's manager to take me along; which he had promised me yesterday. To my surprise, upon my arrival at the hotel, he says that today audit is very tiring for me and him, so he suggested me to plan for my dinner myself somewhere near to the hotel or the same place we went yesterday. I was like.. HUH? duh? is that how you treat your customer? So, I end up ordering American Sandwich and Keow Teow soup from the hotel room service. Believe me, I do feel like back home with these food because it taste exactly like Msia food. I watch TV and having my meal along.. what do you think? cool huh?

Good Articles ... for Lesson

My mom only had one eye. I hated her... She was such an embarrassment. She cooked for students & teachers to support the family.There was this one day during elementary school where my mom came toSay hello to me.I was so embarrassed.How could she do this to me? I ignored her, threw her a hateful look and ran out.The next day at school one of my classmates said, "EEEE, your mom onlyHas one eye!"I wanted to bury myself.I also wanted my mom to just disappear. I confronted her that day and said, " If you're only goanna make me aLaughing stock, why don't you just die?"My mom did not respond...I didn't even stop to think for a second about what I had said, because I was full of anger.I was oblivious to her feelings.I wanted out of that house, and have nothing to do with her.So I studied real hard , got a chance to go abroad to study.Then, I got married.I bought a house of my own. I had kids of my own.I was happy with my life, my kids and the comforts, Then one day, myMother came to visit me.She hadn't seen me in years and she didn't even meet herGrandchildren.When she stood by the door, my children laughed at her, and I yelled at Her for coming over uninvited.I screamed at her, "How dare you come to my house and scare myChildren!"GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!!!"And to this, my mother quietly answered, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I may have Gotten the wrong address,"And she disappeared out of sight.One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house.So I lied to my wife that I was going on a business trip.After the reunion, I went to the old shack just out of curiosity. My neighbors said that she died.I did not shed a single tear.They handed me a letter that she had wanted me to have.

"My dearest son,I think of you all the time. I'm sorry that I came to your house and Scared your children.I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion.But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you.I'm sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you were Growing up.You see........when you were very little, you got into an accident, andLost your eye.As a mother, I couldn't stand watching youHaving to grow up with one eye.So I gave you mine.I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in myPlace, with that eye.

With all my love to you,
Your mother.

I asked God, "How do I get best out of life?"God said, "Face your past without regret. Handle you present with confidence.And prepare your future without fear".

01.12.2008 - 1st Day @ Saigon/Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

It is my travelling day. Woke up early in the morning feeling fresh but moody. Why? Because I hate travelling! Took 2 slice of bread with a glass of Milo (hot chocolate) and moved out from my house at 10am. A friend of my drop me at the airport and took off to KL at around 12pm. There is where my hell day begins. Check-in, boarding, seating, flying, arrival, transiting, again boarding... bla bla bla. It is even worst with my silly stomach today causing me pain and diarrhea. Really a bad day to me.

Well, Saigon is not really a nice place to stay, but a nice place to hang out because alot of young pretty girls here. Damn! I took a quick shower, a nab to ease my stomach pain and then take a slow walk at the surrounding area near to hotel I am in. To my big surprise, there is nothing here, nothing to eat nothing to see nothing to shop! Totally like a cowboy town. The big turn surrounding my hotel (ParkRoyal Saigon which cost me USD120 per night) gives me nothing but sweat and dust. Do you think that Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur is a very very congested area? do you? If you say yes, I think you are wrong. I can't imagine what the hell is happening in Saigon, where you can see all cars and bikes are squeezing each other on the road like no body business. They honk each other all the time. Cars and bikes are only an inch away, bumper to bumper, crossing each other and even drive through red traffic lights. hundreds of cars and bikes is on the road. I was like... blek... blunt wondering what the hell is happening? or some event is on the move? like Malaysia's culture so call procession by multi races every month. But it is not! my GOD! I run back to my room, keep my self busy on the desk chatting and surfing rather than hanging out myself exposing to all the dust and unhealthy fumes. I am lucky because my client is around and took me with his BIKE.. yes his bike despite of you know 'dust and fume'. I can't blame him much because the traffic condition is not encouraging too. Well, we go around from my hotel to again the airport then back to my hotel and then ends up at 1 of the shopping mall in Saigon. I was like... wow shopping mall, but damn it.. do you know Bukit Mertajam Plaza? exactly the same. Lousy, old and ugly. Do I have choices? I was like.. searching for Vietnam food but most of the things in the mall is more to western food and Asian food. I ends up taking fried rice with chicken drum stick and an egg. Thousands of kms away from my town, I have fried rice again? I wish I can go back home now!