31.10.2009 - Diwali Dinner on 23.10.2009

It has been a week from the Diwali Dinner we have in Butterworth. Was too busy with my work lately and forgotten to post some nice meal we have at the Pantai Bersih Seafood stall. We were cracking our head for days wondering where can we go for this dinner but ended up at the regular stall we usually go; the Fisherman's Canteen Pantai Bersih. Joining along are fellow buddies, Veera, Thas, Ng. Praga and Azhar. We ordered about 6 dishes of seafood and 14 bottles of beer. Again I have to break my rule; drinking beer. I put a stop on beer for years but on occasional basis 1 or 2 glass I don't mind but for this time, 4 of us, 14 big bottles within 3 hours. We enjoy the dinner together but not as fun as before when all old colleagues are still around. Well, we do have great time together talking about your past and making fun among each other. The location was ideal; next to seaside and food and drinks were served at the right time. We talked the whole night until the shop is closed. I posted herewith some picture of dishes we have that day. I wish every old friends are still around, having dinner and drinking session together. That will be fun especially those can jokes and tell stories. What I like most is we feel comfortable being together. We don't even bother much how we eat, sit and drink. We even lift up our legs and eat like a trishaw puller, shouting like no body business, laugh as loud as we can and share food without worrying of saliva. 4 out of 6 of us were slightly drunk and the remaining 2 was okay since they are not drinking. We are expecting the 2 to look after 4 of us but end up the 4 drunker looking after the 2 of them. We were surprised that 1 of the 2 who is not drinking stopped at road side taking a nab because he feel too sleepy. Usually he will sleep at 1030pm but that day we finish our session around 1130pm. Everyone was laughing the next day that all the drunker are back home safely without any sign of pulling over at road side but the one that is not drinking is pulling over because of sleepy. Funny. Well, hope that we have more gathering to strengthen our friendship.

Sea view... cool huh

Steamed Flower Crab with ginger

Fried Taufu

Prawn fried with Salty Egg

Honey Chicken

Satay

Sweet Sour Chicken

14 bottles of TIGER

30.10.2009 - Working with a Power crazy colleague

Again weekend! I am sick with my daily routine especially working with someone I hate to work with. Although I have bunch of nice staffs / subordinates, the newly transferred guy from Johor was not in good terms with me. I tried to maintain good relationship with him and ignore what he did but he seems to over take me in all situation. Despite knowing I am the PIC in the branch he is acting like he is one and making calls without seeking for my approval and consideration. I bet this must be my top management instruction. Some donkey that he suppose to report to. I just had a conference with his superior and had a great fight over this issue that in a branch anything relates to operation and matters, I shall be informed to make the decision or discussion. When I voice out bosses are quiet and acknowledge my concern. But in real situation the asshole seems to do whatever he wants; without approaching for my concern and decision. Not sure if he is being instructed to make his own call. Damn, I am so frustrated. As a standard procedure there are many things where I need to make consideration and evaluation if it is necessary or not to make the call. But he seems to approve whatever that new girl request although he knows that he is not suppose to make the decision. End of day the girl is directly requesting things from him instead of me. but when comes to problems, she will come to me! I know that I am suppose to voice out and get his concern over this but if I did, there will be a tense working environment between me and him. I am so pissed off as at now because the new girl seems to ignore and begin to report to him and make request to him instead of me. Well, if both of them think they can do waht they want and survive with it, so be it. I will not help them if there is anything wrong in near future. In fact I've already save her ass 2 times for the last few days due to lack of guidance from that asshole. Since she want to act like she is under him and he is acting like he is the superior, then let it be. I will look after my own people and will not bother about his. I was considering to discuss this matter with my big boss but after awhile I think I rather stay silent and let him screw up himself. In fact these situation is not new at all; it happened in Johor before when he was stationed there. So, I guess I just follow Johor's style by keeping quiet and stay low to make myself free from all the trouble. I wish to leave this company. 11 years of service is too long. Worst of all, he is big boss favorite baby; so touching him will causes bleed to myself. Why waste time arguing for something that at the end I am in the loosing part. Even if I win, there will be a big gab between me and bosses. Aiya... that is what I call working with asshole! If you good in licking bosses balls (apple polishing) then you will get what you want. But not ME.

27.10.2009 - FAT FAT FAT

I have being eat so much lately and put on weight severely. My pants are tight and face are getting bigger like balloon. If I would to keep my jogging schedule in time, I don't think I will gain weight that fast. Previously I jog even raining but now, I only manage to do it twice a week or sometimes once a week. With all the stress and lack of sleep, my stomach is giving me problems especially gastric. I need to fill up my stomach as many time as I can to avoid gastric attack. I need to do something about my food and physical exercise, otherwise I will be as fat as before and will probably look ugly and tedious. I will start reducing my food tomorrow and resume my jogging schedule in my weekly routine.

Oh ya, if you are reading this JIE JIE Evelyn, the shirt you bought for me look fit my size but in actual it is slightly tight. As I explained, I put on weight!!! So sad!!!

21.10.2009 - Haunted Office

Damn! After years working in this company I was now being told that the place I am currently working (ground floor) was haunted. I think the correct word should be cursed or being black magic. Initially when I shifted from the first floor to ground floor I feel uneasy all the time especially when I want to concentrate on my work. When I was out from office, I have alot of things in mind; but when I return to my office, the place where I sit, it is like some disturbance until I cannot even think what I need to do. I cant even sit tight and it forces me to walk around the office and outside the office. Initially I thought I have yet to get use to the new environment, so it takes times for me to get used to it. Well after years, this kind of feeling does happen occasionally but to me I just ignore it and continue my work as usual. Lately, there is 1 of our staff from southern being transferred to Penang. I am not sure how true this is, he claimed that he has the ability to feel and see things beyond normal person. Something in another dimensional of living. We never discuss this matter that much until the day I was assigned to fly down to KL last week with him. I was alerted by my big boss that this new guy act strangely lately after he is transferred to Penang. His performance deteriorates and sales volume drop drastically. I was questioned about his performance and reaction lately but I notice that he is not feeling good and act strange for the past few days. Sometimes it could be due to his personal problem, therefore I did not even ask him anything about this.

While we are on the plane back from KL, he suddenly speaks to me about his problem in Penang. He was like... restlessly telling me he is not feeling good after being transferred here. I was abit sensitive about this and was assuming he is not feeling comfortable working with us. I ask him directly if there is anything wrong with him or is it because of us that he feel unconformable at all? He looks weird and seems lost when I keep asking and then he replied to me he feel strange whenever he is in the office. He started to tell me that he feel lost when he is in the office and sometimes lost and don't even know what to do. Nothing was brought up about spirits or ghost but he seems to be very sad after all the years begging to be transferred to Penang from southern as his parents and family is originated from Kedah. While he continues to complain about feeling bad and sad, I stop him from going further and try to exchange feeling that I have being experiencing since years ago. I told him that how I feel and he was so surprise and kept silence awhile until I finished my talk. He was shocked and says he is feeling the same thing, exactly how I felt it for all the time. Both was quiet and trying to hard to figure out what the hell is happening to both of us. As times goes, I asked him if he has the ability to see things. It reminds him of that and he says he would like to check out with his guru and try to see if there is anything strange in the place where we worked. After 2 days, I was told by him that the place we are currently working is haunted. The shop lot is a hub or sort of a place where all those things meet up or gathered. I was like... huh??? he added that he had tried to chase them away and will see if everything is getting better in times to come. But after a day, our strange feeling seems to disturb us again. He is acting strange for the whole day and I cannot concentrate on my work at all as like someone is kicking on my chair asking me to go out from the office. Sort off okay not exactly kicking and yelling. He was so uncomfortable and went back home early without saying a word except complaining he can no longer take it. Next day after, he returned the next morning telling me that after checking again and again, the shop was not haunted but being cursed / black magic by last 2 occupant. I was like... wondering how true this things is as he changes the story from to another but anyhow I do believe him as the last 2 tenant was not doing well on their business. 1 was shifted and the other bankrupt. During their stay in this shop which I am currently using it, there are lots of loan shark throwing red paint on them and landlord chasing for rental. Arguments and lots of funny activities around. There is where I started to recall all the shits and begin to discuss with fellow friend. He told me that there is nothing much we can do now except going on with our work and did some prayer every month just to show some respect to them. I hate this because my division's business is getting bad and bad after we shifted from the first floor. It seems like we are quite similar to the last 2 tenants. I try not to believe but how could to explain how we both feels?

17.10.2009 - Heart Breaking

It is Deepavali day. I usually call it curry day. Last year I visited almost all of my colleagues and ex-colleague; about 5 of them and my neighbour; total 6 houses. Imagine every houses I need to fill up my stomach with curry chicken, mutton, nasi beriani, muruku, etc. This is really a put on weight program. But for this year, I am not going to visit all of them again. I have decided to follow my rules; if anyone sms me or invited me to go then I'll go otherwise I won't be going even though they call me last minutes. In fact curry is not good for health! I've tried to avoid this kind of foods for almost years but during Deepavali, I cannot avoid it but I can reduce it by disappointing them.
So early in the morning, I woke up early and took mom out for early breakfast. I was planning after my breakfast, I'll pay a visit to my mom's friend who we did not meet her for almost a month. While mom chatting with her I was planning to go to my regular car accessories shop to ask for something for my car and then in the noon I will need to go to Penang island to visit my buddy in conjunction to Deepavali festival. He had called me since morning for lunch session so I cannot miss this one as all other staffs of mine is there waiting for me.

So, after weeks waiting for paying a visit to the car accessories shop, finally I manage to make it. Most of the time when I visit them, they are close because of weekend and public holidays. Well these are the days where I am available as most of the time, I will be off at 6 to 8 pm which is impossible as they close around 6pm. So my intention is to fix my old car system into my new car. I just plan to ask them how long is ti gong to take to assemble those things in and how much does it going to cost me. But after noticing all of their staff was so free that time, I ask them to fix it in fastest they can but of course properly la not like quick and cincai. Initially I thought it is going to take about 2 hours but it end up 3 hours. I was there when they dismantle the dash board, seats, covers, player, etc. Seriously it is a pain in the ass seeing something you bought for above 100k being tear off part by part and wires being cut and taped. Well, I have decided this and it is too late to say no since everything has been dismantled and removed. So, after 3 hours of fixing, finally everything is in order. Every parts in the car was placed back as before and system runs as it should be. But I was not satisfied with the sound quality as the player does not come with 'noise' cut. Well, I hope I can find a better player in future and get it change soonest I can. I hate listening to system that contain high 'noise' (background) after change of songs. Ha, this cost me MYR60 to get it done. Take a look at those pictures. Heart breaking moment seeing people tearing parts of parts of your car interior.

Once completed, I went to Penang island visiting my fellow buddy. Mom and myself have our curry lunch and some tidbits and watching some Tamil movie until 4pm. We were so full that day and skipped our dinner. Damn it is a heavy meal!

16.10.2009 - KL Trip

It is Deepavali eve and I was in the plan to have curry lunch and dinner until last minutes was told by my KL management that I need to attend the management meeting on 16.10.2009. I was like... disappointed at the beginning but after awhile, I think there is nothing much to be sad off. Working is part of living and I should be glad that I am one of the important person to attend the meeting despite of my distance with my HQ. Thanks to my KL management who always back me up and support me all the time. I was told that they have planned something for me this year end and will not be announced until early next year. Well I have heard this for couple of months ago and I can sense it a promotion. To what post, seriously I am not sure but I think should be a big jump from y current position otherwise they won't be keep telling me something big gonna happen early of the year. They ask me to be prepared to hold a tough position. Well, I think I'll let them decide. Be honest I don't like that kind of suspense. Sometimes it might be just some talks and might not be true after all. Lets see what is going to happen then.

So the meeting was pretty smooth but I think not that informative. Anyway as it is part of the QS requirement, there is nothing much to be done except complying with it. I was glad that it is only 1 day; so I can arrange a day trip otherwise I have to overnight there and may missed my buddy's Deepavali invitation. This is going to disappoint him as I always be there during the Deepavali festival, and if I disappeared a day I guess he must be very disapointed. In fact I have told him that I might not be able to attend his invitation, but he insisted me to try my best to come if it is day or night as long I come to visit him. Well this is not my concren anyway since the meeting will take me a day and it is a day before Deepavali.

What really concern me is my tiredness. I was so sad because cannot sleep the day before. I don't know why this happen to me all the time especially a day before I have to fly to KL or somewhere else. Hopefully this is not a long term phobia.

10.10.2009 - Am getting better

It was my bad trip after all. I was caught with flu, fever, cough and sore throat the day after I returned from Vietnam. Initially I thought it is H1N1 as I have all symptoms that leads to this sickness. I went to clinic for 2 times and the fever doesn't shows any improvement at all. I contacted the clinic doctor and was told to go to hospital for a check up just to make clear that it is not H1N1 rather than waiting and wondering what is all about. It is really disturbing and depressive day and night worrying that my fever and sore throat is part of the H1N1. I keep telling myself that I am not going to be that bad luck to have this weird kind of decease. It was so coincident that mom's routine medical check was on Monday. I took this opportunity to clear my doubt by seeking for medical attention since the clinic medicine doesn't work on . I was so worry when I reach the hospital as I was told that if it is confirmed H1N1, I have to be quarantine for 2 weeks; I wonder who is going to look after mom and sending her back home. I brace myself by keep repeating 'nothing will happen'. Before I manage to reach my turn, I approach the customer counter and seek for her advise before seeing doctor. I was told that I cannot have blood test as I wish to unless doctor justify that it is a need to do so. Seriously I don't know why, I was frustrated that time and refused to go on with the check up. In fact I pay for the blood test just to make myself clear that nothing is going wrong, why can't they allow me to have the blood test? So, I walk away and return to my seat waiting for mom's turn. This time I say to myself I am okay and nothing is going to happen to me. I remain calm for these few days and fortunately my fever subside and sore throat is improving. I was so happy and continue drinking lots of water and sleep longer hours. I was glad that after 9 days, I fully recovered. Thank GOD!

01.09.200 - 3rd day in Hanoi

3rd day was great. I waited for today to go back home... I miss home so much and of course my bed as well. I woke early in the morning have my breakfast at the lousy restaurant and then took a long walk along the street hoping for something special. Souvenirs and of course side seeing. But to my surprise there is nothing for me to see except heavy traffic and people around that area that thought I am part of their citizen. Some approach me and speak with me in Vietnam but when I wave my hand and says I am not local they look at me strangely. I don't like that looks; I mean when they stare at you one kind like I am an alien. After about 400 meters walk, I decided to turn around and head back to my hotel since there is nothing to buy nothing to see. I pack all my stuffs and took awhile to surf Internet and then way down to the lobby to check out. As I have made reservation for a cab a day before, I requested the front counter staff to check if the cab arrived as I asked but I was told there is no request on a cab because the night shift staff did not make any transaction on cab request. I was so mad and demanded them to arrange it immediately and they do it but with a price increased to 250000 Dong. Initially I was told that it cost only 180000 Dong. Since I was on exact time frame to reach the airport, I say yes without considering any other options , further more this is at my company cost; who cares.

The cab arrived 10 minutes later and I noticed the hotel bell boy was given a tips by the cab driver while I was inside the cab waiting for a take off. No one tells me anything about tips or any additional arrangement. It took approx. 1 hour to reach the airport and no conversation was initiated with the cab driver since language is our barrier. Once we arrived at the airport, he turn around and I hand over the 250000 Dong to him and asked for receipt but he was quiet and weird. He was searching for the receipt in the car front compartment for about 30 seconds and I started to feel strange when he lifts out the receipt then put it back and then took it out again but leave it blank. I ask him to fill it up but he started to talk to me in Vietnam by showing me the money I passed to him. He show me 10000Dong and says "hotel" while the remain in his other hand was pointed back in pocket. I was like.. HUH???? what is he trying to say? I asked in 'WHAT" and he starts to talk none stop in Vietnamese language; like trying to explain to me something which I cannot understand at all. I ask him to stop and give me the receipt but he continues talking. I tried to come out from the cab but he pull my hand and continue talking none stop. From his face and expression, I think he is trying to tell me the amount of money I pay him is not enough as he need to pay the hotel some loyalty money for calling him to pick me up. I asked him what he wants but he continues talking in his language that really makes me agitated. I can see he is getting more loud assuming I am deaf and dumb instead of considering me as a foreigner. I put him a stop and told him that I am not Vietnamese and I cannot understand what he is saying but he never stop talking. I was mad that time and I put a stop for all this! I ask him what he wants but he was quiet and begin to write the receipt and dragging my time. I hand out USD10 from my wallet and show it to him and asked him is this what he wants? He was like.. smile awhile and continue to talk in his language again. I pull his receipt and his pen, I pen down the USD10 in the receipt and then pass him the USD10 and walk out from the can immediately. He jump off from the cab and say 'Thank you sir. You OK?". I was frustrated that time and begin to say out loud I am okay and chase him away. He keeps on saying thank you but I begin to nag along my way into the airport main gate. Everyone is looking at us but I don;t even care about it and walk straight to the check in point. I wish I can just slap him with my bag and punch his nose till it bleed. If he wants to run a cab business why not learn a simple English? Hey asking for a tips or additional fare is not that difficult right? Damn!

So it took me 3.5 hours in the plane to reach KL. I was glad as the flight was equipped with LCD screen. It is showing Transformers2. I feel so good when I step my foot out from the plane. I am back to Malaysia! I can see people that can communicate with me and I can feel ease at all time everywhere I go. Gosh. Miss home so much. I reach Penang about 9pm and straight I go to nearest pub to have few glass of beer to release my tension. By the time I reach home, it is already 1230am. I feel so good and sleep like a pig till the next morning. I hope this is my last trip to Vietnam.

30.09.2009 - Day 2 in Hanoi

Day 2 is quite stressful. I woke up at 830am in Malaysia = 730am in Vietnam and have some lousy breakfast at 10th floor. I was so disappointed with the cafe as there is nothing to eat except bread, butter, jam, fruits, beacon, sausages and eggs. I was shocked when I reach the restaurant but with empty stomach, you'll whack anything served on the table.
Weather was pretty nice that day, no sun, windy and slightly cloudy. I returned to my room getting myself ready and headed down to ground floor waiting for my client to pick me up. Well, they are very punctual; pick me up sharp at 830am and took 45 minutes drive to reach the destination. Horrible moment starts! My audit was smooth during the opening in the presence of 3 auditees (1 Sri Lankan and 2 Vietnamese) and 1 colleague from Ho Chi Minh. Opening meeting was pretty smooth as everyone is listening and responded positively. Just that communication is really a barrier when trying to ask around / interviewing their staffs. Strange; they look exactly like us but language wise we cannot communicate at all.
My managed to finish my audit by 630pm. I stress was instantly released after the audit. When I walked out from the office, it was like huh.... I am free from everything. But to my surprise, it is already dark out there at 630pm local time. It was windy and wet as it rains an hour ago. I look at my phone and noticed several missed call and SMS. I was not aware that Vietnam was hit by typhoon a day before and condition at that time was under alert. Well, I was too busy and worry about my work and food that is why I didn't even bother much about this. In fact the affect area was in central of Vietnam and not northern area where I am working. Who cares anyway...After all the stressful day, we have wonderful dinner at one of the well known Vietnamese restaurant. Ya... they told me it is famous, how would I know it is famous or not right? wuahahaha. I had 4 glasses of beer. Wonderful! The meal was regular to me as most of the dishes is more alike to Malaysian Chinese cuisine. Well, I have great meal for the day at least. I returned to my hotel around 9pm and took my hot shower. It was a great rest after all. I surf net, play games and trying hard to relax. Nice.. very nice night I have.

29.09.2009 - Day 1 in Hanoi

I hate travelling! I was awake the whole night worrying of traveling for this trip. It has been a while for me to have this kind of bad habits. Whenever I want to travel, I will not have good sleep a night before. Especially for this one. I don't know why but I can feel the strange of this trip. I hate this place so much because of language barrier.

Well, my day starts early in the morning, feeling sleepy for being awake for the whole night. I reached airport in time to catch for my flight at 8am and managed to have my breakfast in the airport (McD). It is not a good breakfast for me because i started to feel strange on my body because I woke up too early, lack of sleep and worries. Anything that goes in my mouth is tasteless and yucks. It leaves me no choice as I don't want to have gastric during my trip. I touched down in KLIA approx. 9am and I quickly get myself to the next gate to catch another flight to Hanoi. And then again my flight is delayed 1 hour! This is me! Every time I travel with flights, there is always delay flight. So there is nothing much I can do except sitting at the conner checking my email and playing games until 12pm. When I boarded on the flight, I felt asleep for almost 45 minutes. Really fresh me up. I touched down in Hanoi at about 3.30pm which means 2.20pm at their local time. The weather was cloudy and hazy. As I walked towards the arrival gate, there are so many taxi promoters around offering for taxi service. I was looking around at the airport hoping for taxi limousine, I mean a registered taxi company until I met someone stood in front of me holding a piece of board read as 'Airport Taxi / Limousine'. He walk towards me while I was looking around for other options. He offered me their service in English (surprise me) and I asked if they are the airport taxis. He replied yes and led me to the main exit door while asking where I am heading to. I was a bit confused as why should they place a promoter for taxi service? So, I asked him how much is the charges to get me to the hotel and he replied USD20. So before I can ask further, a car approached in plain white color without any indication that it is a taxi or somehow a limousine. I was asked to enter the car; which I did entered, with 2 stranger driver on the front seats. I was wondering why should there be 2 drivers in a cab? I lay quiet and wondering if I made a right choice or I have being tricked? Of course I am worry that time but I keep telling myself be brave and stern. They drive me almost an hour, stop by for filling up petrol and then straight to the town area and hotel. I was so happy when I see the hotel right in front of me.

Once I entered into the Hotel, I was like... huh... what kind of hotel is this? budget hotel? Looks like budget hotel but it was awarded with 3 stars. Almost all of the tenant are Caucasian. I was given a suite located at the 7th floor. I was happy when I entered to my room. Everything is in order and I feel comfortable with the facility except my own stomach that keep calling for food. I was planning to have a walk after bath but was too worry about language. I decided to stay in the room and call for room service. I ordered a bowl of chicken rice noodle (Vietnam style) and 6 pieces of 'popia'; and guess what it cost me USD10. And while I was having my meal, I received a call from my client that they will pick me up in half an hour time for dinner. What a waste! I would have save my USD10!