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..

Two Old Buddies' Birthday

I have two friends whose birthday is on today and the day after. Well, I called up this friend of mine to wish him "Happy Birthday", he didnt pick up the first call, in fact I wish to call because I am not too sure whether he still holds the same phone no as for the last few years, I just text him message.

Luckily, he rings back but I was engaged on the other line. Quickly called back and said "Happy Birthday, my friend"...he is surprised.:)

Back in Form 5 (1988 - 18 years back), we have a culture whereby we will treat each other on our birthday (simple dish...kampua mee or those wish to do bigger...somien cooked by mum),...that is how, I have remembered till today.

Those were the days !

Something is not right

Hey, today seems not to be a smooth day in my office...first we have virus attack on few of our PCs...then we have a big dead rat discovered in between the walls though we have been suspecting few months back (the smell is really terrible)....before 5pm just now, we have learnt that our aircon in the server room broke down...

My staff says may be it is good to buy 4D.

Coincidently, today is a senior staff's last day with the company. Any relevances ?

I hope that that is all for today and from tommorow, we shall soar like eagle in the air again !

How Is Life Without A Friend ?

A question seems difficult to understand as one would have a friend somehow, somewhere or someone unless he or she is living in an Island, like Robinson Crusoe ?

A friend can be your wife, family members, sons or daughters, another human beings (some may befriend with their pet animals like dogs or cats...) I know that LIFE without a friend would be meaningless, boring, no worth to live on. Therefore, never try to live alone as we would not be successful. We are all meant to live together as friends. Even those living in old folks, mentally retarded, inmates in social welfare homes, beggars, robbers, killers have friends. They wish to interact, talk, share or give in whatever capacity that they have. Bottom line is that we are not a loner.

I have asked a friend on this same question recently, his reply was, "He is shocked and could not comprehend or imagine one does not have a friend."

Even an enemy can become friends when ciscumstances is right especially when one is in need of the others and the other is willing to forgive and move on.

So, what if Friend ? A friend is one who is able to share, talk to, care and be there for you or dies for you ? Think above it...and value a friend.

Moon Cake Festival

Moon Cake Festival: A Mid-Autumn Festival (Chung Chiu), the third major festival of the Chinese calendar, is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month.

So, this year's celebration shall be on 25th September 2007, Tuesday.

There are several versions of why Chinese celebrates this occassion but for me, I always treasure this occasion as a family reunion or special gathering where as kids this day brings a lot of cheers, foods and enjoyments.

As for now, I am trying to bring back this environment and shared with my own kids so that they could appreciate the celebration of this happy occasion.

I should probably make a trip back to Sibu on this occasion to be with my parents to recollect this celebration, other than Chinese New Year.