12 days of MIA-FMB

I am eager to be back writing my blog again..a silence since the last one on 17/10/2007. Well, I have been busy for the last 2 weeks or so...working my new business blue print for the next 3 years beside having reviewing my staff performance for the year.

The last whole week, I spent 5 days 4 nights in KL working through my business session...I nearly got stuck in the meeting room as my whole body start to breakdown due to fatigue having going through late night and whole days meeting sessions...average only been sleeping for 4 hours.

When I reached home at 12.30 a.m., I am relieved..slept at 1.30 a.m but then again I was woke up by Rachel at 6.00 a.m. asking for her gifts which I promised few days earlier (another 5 hours of sleep..huh...)...her brother also woke up around 5 minutes later...by then,...we were chit-chatting till around 7.30a.m. as we prepared ourselves for Mass at 8.00a.m.

Having not been with my two kids since Tueday morning, I have discovered that some big changes in Moses where he communicates better and is equally inquisitive as the sister. It is really interesting to experience this change.

On Sunday, I have been mostly at home...resting and getting ready for the bigger events this week...THE END OF THE MONTH !

Chiao first...as have a lunch appointment but due to my "itchyness" to write something & also wanted to freshen up my blog, I will put in some new findings from my last trip to KL.

My Mum Has A Handphone..finally

My mum called me up on Monday asking me about getting a handphone as my dad is grumbling that he cannot find her when she is out in the market (as all this while my dad had a handphone but not my mum)...guess what...yesterday she called me up with her new handphone from the shop.

She has a Nokia but I do not know the model..and costs RM270.00, I guess is the 3000 series.

My mum said everybody now has to have handphone if not, it is difficult to keep contact."...gangku lo nen"...even the kids at the age of 10 also has one...she laments...She never had any handphone and I think she will need to learn a lot on using a phone...hopefully soon she can send me SMSes...but I do not know Mandarin ?

My Birthday Celebration 2007

I have taken this photo on a laptop (at one of the PC outlet at Tun Jugah, Kuching) on my birthday...if you noticed, it is 8 something on 14th Oct..the time is about the same time that I was born as per my mother's handwriting on my birth certificate. (Those days, the govt does not type in the time like now...my children have their exact timing as declared by doctor on their birth certificate.)

Rewind...two days back...

This year's birthday celebration started few days earlier due to holidays. My staff organised a birthday cake and song singing at the office on last Friday, 12th Oct as my birthday this year falls on Sunday. It was the usual birthday singing and wishing as we have set in our office that all staff's birthday must be remembered and celebrated.

It was quite a busy weekend as I have few events to be involved. On the eve, 13th Oct, at 9a.m, I climbed up Mount Singai on a pilgrimage with my fellow brothers and sisters of Legion of Mary (Mater Misericordiae - Mother of Mercy). It was a refreshing session as we have the Station of the Cross from the foot of the hill to the top. We concluded the session with a Mass celebration and rosary recitation in front of the shrine of Mother Mary. As promised, I have also prayed for the peace & health to all my SHS8890 Alumni blog friends...Actually we are supposed to have stayed over night but later due to poor response on the night stay, we have programme it on a day trip. Thus, I descended and arrive back at my sweet home around 2pm.

Refresh myself and zooom...I made a Hari Raya visit to one of my supporter's house and there I met Heroes & his sworn-brother, Tommy. We chit-chat for about an hour and have to rush back to pick up my wife and kids for the sunset mass at St. Peter's Church, Padungan. I am early as I have to sell the Today's Catholic, a monthly Catholic newpaper together with few brothers and sisters (the same Legion as it was my weekly assignment).

The mass ended at sharp 7.00pm. We adjourned for my birthday dinner...organised by my wife specially for me at Kampung Buntal together with my bro-in-law and family from Sibu. We drove for about 40 minutes..a bit slow than usual as the road is quite congested with cars doing the raya visitation along the way to Damai.

Hey, I have a "Kompia" look alike cheese cake as my birthday cake from Secret Recipe...costing RM70 ! The taste is very nice..my kids, wife and inlaws sang the usual birthday song and I made a wish and blow the 36 little candles. A simple and memorable birthday dinner indeed...what else I could ask more ? am already satisfy with the love and presence of my loved ones together with me...

Back to the actual day and time...the time taking the photo on the laptop... after that I bought myself a birthday gift from the shop...not a laptop or N95...but a more meaningful gift..the portable hard disk.:)

Rachel & Moses

Today I put in my son's picture in my personal profile as I think he looks like me when I am 4 years old...isnt it ?

He is really cute-handsome, energetic and playful...probably like the dad..wherever he goes, a lot of onlookers like to "cubit" his face. I have also learnt that his teachers also like to hug and kiss him...

His favourite movie is SPD rangers for now...as previously is Ultraman, Power rangers, sponge-bob, Pikachu...aiyo, I have to be the bad guy always as he is the super Hero...

His sister Rachel...is 6 years old..leh..is very pretty, lady-like and talks a lot. At times, I am surprised that she could communicate to me like an adult...Now, she likes to read books and go to bookshop...also now she is a teacher to Moses. On, yes..she can read Mandarin and better than me. Eventually the sis-bro will be teaching me Mandarin...hehehe.. Rachel also like to sing and dance beside snacking.

My wife always reminded me that we must thank God for giving us two wonderful children. No matter how difficult is our life to be especially challenges ahead, my two kids give us hope to the future..

Moses

Today, I shall have Moses' beautiful and cute face be in my blog. He is such a lovely son and my love for him grows everyday. No matter how tired I was at office, but when I reached home, his laughter will cure the tiredness in me.

His sister is also very cheerful as he is, so I also put her picture in my Yahoo messenger...

Therefore, everytime I blog or message...you will see their smiling faces...and I hope you will also be more relaxed and have a nice time when meeting them on blog or message...:)

Flamigo Flair - An Anniversary to reflect on...

Room No. 324 at Flamingo Hotel was my house/room in KL from 7th October 2006 to 30th March 2007, a total 175 days. Some of you may still recall clearly that I was on my secondment assignment to my head office operations for 6 months aimed for the following;

a) Corporate level exposure to handle bigger issues
b) Enable my Kuching operations to walk through during my absent so that succession planning could be carried out.
c) or exit plan (to some of my friendly competitors?

At times, I do felt that this was my first corporate sabbatical leave to sharpen my corporate thinkings (normally this only for Govt lecturers). I was clearly excited when I first step in the hotel as I shall be away for 6 months from my family since marriage. My wife was supportive though I know she kept her emotion intact as I am also sad when she is on business travelling for a week or two...(of course beside I have to care for my two kids...like Ah Tee, doing penance)
On 9th October 2006, it is my first day to work in KL office...a lot of expectation from myself and also my to-be colleagues of 50 people as I am positioned as 2nd man to my AGM-Underwriting. Just on the mails, my AGM instructed that all mails must be copied to me for my vetting and comments so as to ensure I am hand ons...wow...that is about 100 mails daily...whenever I took few days leave or back in Kuching to be with me family...I have to clear 400-500 mails... Meeting also enormous with average 3 meetings plus several SGAs.

The intensive activities actually provide me with a lot of energy to spend but when comes to evening or weekend when I am alone, I felt lonely and my time seems to be not moving. Therefore I would normally be the last few person to leave the office around 8.00pm to 8.30pm...unless on laundry day, I have to be back at my hotel at 7.00pm. Weekend, I will normally go back to office on Saturday at 10 a.m. then work through lunch till 3pm..after that shall be wandering around all the big megamalls. On Sunday, I will go the St. John Cathedral for the 10.30 a.m. mass, then again wandering around till 2pm sometime till 4pm.

There were ups and downs like in the ocean (but definitely more ups :))...and the most happy time is going back to Kuching for the few weekends as I planned on every alternate weekends (wah collect a lot of points, man...the cost is of course high but it is worth it (per trip is about RM500) and secondly would be with our old buddies in KL/Puchong/USJ. That is a life rejuvenating session.

Another secret, I actually started to be attracted to write blogs during my time in KL. May be due to loneliness (luckily did not spend time on cows...he..he.hhe).

When the time is up for me to complete my attachment, I was requested to extend for another month..well, you know I give no chance for my CEO to bind me as I mention to him that my family needs me dearly. He was actually not expecting me to be so firm as I could remember I was clearing my desk on the 30th March evening (Friday night)...he ask...are sure you are going back tommorow ? I say YES !

Wow, a lot things I can share...but I know if I proceeded it will be a book...but I can't, my alarm bell is ringing as I need to start my work as dad...for which I am already late to work...(FYI, Ah Tee shared with me...dad working time...on normal days is from 6pm to 8am + on calls and weekend and public holidays - 24 hours...Heroes, do think about it before joining the bandwagon...)

10 Years of My Handphone Memory

I had my first handphone in April 1997, a black Nokia-232, a real stylish phone at its era. My Sa-Hia, Joe collected my phone no...019-XXX5108 which I have been using up to this day.. It is a good phone but the problem was the keypad..due to overusage the carbonise form was detached over time...I think I have changed 3 times and each time I spent RM50....until Heroes told me it's time to change...don't remember when but I guess in 1999.




2nd phone is Nokia 3310...a very popular model also...the screen is bigger and can put in more messages, timing and logos...I used for about a year before it was stolen at JPJ counter (I left it there...)


Then, Nokia 5110...a replacement for my lost handset...the function is similar to Nokia 3310 except that it is colourful...



Later in 2001, I changed to better model..colour screen...Nokia 8250. A camera phone also with infra-red












Itchy mind got me again in 2002...I upgraded to a "sabun" phone...Nokia 6610...wow...not only colour screen, camera and infra-red, it can also download programme and recording...




With N70 came out in early 2005,...I switch it almost immediately after I came to know it...it is an almost a palmtop materials...got blue tooth plus high-end photo take..



More stylish and "man" when compared to Nokia 6610...

Unfortunately, I lost the phone during a pasar malam outing in 2006...the phone slipped from my left pocket (remember clearly...as it is a costly phone)...


My wife always supportive in my choice...always says that we must not be replaced with the same model..go for better one...there I got N80....cool and sexy....with 3 mega pixel camera and with Wifi ability...(it has been my good companion when I was in KL from Oct 2006 to April 2007...my walkman, video watching etc...)

I am still holding this phone........although there is a ringing tone of N95 (5 mega pixel, better video quality, internet linked) at the back ground...who knows...somebody will give as my Christmas present...when the 8GM 2nd version-All black came out to our market here...wow !



N95 - down below for those who have not seen or those who would like to fulfil my Christmas wish...I pray sincerely....:)



*** I think I have 1 more model in between, but just could not remember its name...but still a Nokia ! I always love Nokia...as it is reliable, strong and stylish beside more friendlier in its usage....

October Fest 2007

I have never been to an October Fest though have learnt this ocassion since graduating from high school. I was told that it is originated from Germany where people from all life enjoy the harvest of the year, beers all round, food aplenty and boys-girls are playful. Further, a lot of games, activities and entertainments to appreciate the good harvest..probably like our Gawai festival in Sarawak. I hope one day I could experience the real sense of this fest physically in Germany.

Back at home, for me, October is always a gracious, fun and full of activities also probably the most hectic month in term of planning and budgetting as it is a review month for our performance and charting a new course next year. Why gracious, because this month is also a month of Rosary, for us Catholic, it means a month dedicated to rosary recitation, praying together with our Mother Mary. Hey, on this Saturday, I am assigned to lead a rosary recitation in St. Peter's Church, Padungan. Those Catholic friends, remember to recite for the peace of the world.

Oh ya,..36 years back, my mother had a bundle of joy in this month and I am proud and appreciate for my parents' love and without them, I will not be able to share this at this moment. They have not given me monetary wealth but they have definitely mould me by giving the best they have.

Last year, this month, I was preparing to fly over to KL for my six month exposure attachment with my KL underwriting operation. Being the 2nd man in charge of a department of more than 50 people, a centre of command to underwriting issues company wide. Hoosh !... A real experience which I will share in my next blog.

Oops, enough of googling with this blog..I have to chiao for now..