2011 Summary

Actually, I have been thinking to write or not write a summary of 2011.

2011 has been quite a change. Not so much, but, it does affect my life. Even though change is the only constant, too much changes is quite hard to swallow at a time.

2011, I have changed job in March. A job and a company that I have stayed for almost 6 years.
2011, I flewed in business class to US. First time flying to the States on work basis. And first time in business class. Only differences were the space and food (though still air craft food)
2011, I went to China (a country that have not in my list to visit) for work. And I was there 4 times in a year and for work.
2011, a year which I didn't go for any mission trip. :(

2011 has been a lot of changes in relation to the people around me too. Few friends left to work or settled overseas. :(

2011 just passed without me realising much. Overall, I didn't really feel so much about the year. Maybe too many things happened that I am still trying to digest.

I realised, life goes on no matter what. Either you follow to move on, or you will be left behind. Everyone has a life to move on, no one actually stop and wait. Sounds cruel, but, that's the reality. We have to pick ourselves up and move on too.

However, with God, my life is not the same. I know God is watching over me on every step that I take. I know He is in control and above all, I know He loves me. And, that's the fact! :) It is good to know that we have God's promises and blessings. :)

Catching up... cheers for friendship

So, Karim told Boon Hwa to arrange for a reunion/ catching up/ gathering. Boon Hwa told me to do so. Seems like a trend. sigh... So, I just sent out FB invite, whatsapp a few, skype Michelle. And set, Saturday lunch.

As Sherine and Michelle went to took our Christmas presents from the car, uncle (Boon Hwa) and I were suppose to choose a restaurant. So, uncle took me round the entire Pavillion in my heels, and I said, just go to Ben's. sooo pengsan...

Then, we ended up at Ben's. The ambience is definitely nice and cosy for friends to catch-up. I think we were the most noisy bunch. hahaha... Food... I won't rate it as nice or so high marks. We have requested for change of water a few times as they didn't come as clean. :s

Then, what's next? Some of us, at least Karim and I, would like to have ice cream (BR is just next door). Then, uncle said, let's go for very nice coffee. So, bye bye ice cream, we went for the very nice coffee instead. That's Illy. Is it nice? I don't know. I cannot take coffee in the afternoon otherwise, I will really suffer at night (cannot sleep lo..). So, I opted for the juice, it's orange + lime + pineapple. It's eye lifting because it's soooo sour. hahaha...

The place was so packed that the waiter initially want to put us to sit under the sun. I was... arhhh... hello... we are Malaysian. We prefer to sit in air-cond, we don't need the sun so much... Thank goodness, 2 ladies left, and we had the table near the door, so, we did get some air-cond. :)

So, it's another gila (crazy) talking and laughing time together. To a point, Karim said, are we too loud? Like our shop? Sigh.. this is the line that we are so used to hearing. But, well...

And we ordered gelato too. Still, I prefer the real ice cream. So, they still owe me my ice cream. hahaha... A slice of tiramisu (which is very strong, I suppose that's good?). And a slice of don't know what cake that aunty (Sherine) cannot remember. So, I called it, the yummy fatt-gou-like cake. :D pengsan...

Karim's ipad had a share of his chocolate gelato too. sigh... we are really gila la..
Overall, I had a great time. Hope the rest did too. I wish we will meet again soon and be gila again. Next time is at uncle's house? I doubt he will open his house or kitchen for us. ;)

Meeting up

Was asked by Audrey Ho if would like to meet up with another few Finance colleagues from DiGi/ ex-DiGi. Well, that's ok. So, was informed to meet at Empire mall. Then, to my surprise, aside the few expected (Viveen, Charles, Ong and Lay), Mee Lin and Suan Suan also appeared. Wow... Out of 8, 5 have left DiGi and 3 still remain.

Di Wei is a Chinese cuisine restaurant. I would say the ambience is quite nice. Mee Lin ordered the food. Some of the food are quite nice, like kai-lan, the bean-curd with special sauce, Shanghai xiao-long-pau. The fish was overcooked and so a bit tough. Whereas, because I am not a pork lover, the mongolian pork came a bit too much for me, as well as the lat-mei-fan. :(

I did like the complimentary steam cake as well as the tang-yuan. :)

Chiffon cake

I have love chiffon cake since young. After trying to bake when I was in NZ, I have been trying to make the pandan chiffon cake for at least 3 - 4 times in Malaysia. Everytime, it doesn't turn out as chiffon cake though I have followed different recipes. :(

Then, I came across this blog: http://ieatishootipost.sg/2010/05/how-to-make-pandan-chiffon-cake-almost.html And I tried again, I followed the steps, the measurements, still, it doesn't. Then, I suspect, it's the oven. So, next, I adjust the oven temperature myself and tested out.

Guess what?! Yes! The above picture came out. And my pandan chiffon cake was well accepted by the family members. Then, I make another 1 few days later, still, not perfect, but, yes. It's pandan chiffon cake. I will try to bake another one before the year end, hopefully. :)

Handmade blanket

Blankets handmande by mom! She sewed each stich with love. Thanks, mom! :)

Costume Party

Children church hold a year end Costume party for all the children. All the children were so excited about this event.

Initially, I was not involve. Then, Cornelia asked if I could to help to prepare watermelon. Well, that's not very tough. I agreed. Then, on the day before the event, I was informed, we need to dress-up in costume too.

Not knowing what to do. I have decided to be tourist. Then, maybe have my face paint. But, I don't know where can I get the face paint. Thank God Cornelia said she has. So, I went to church, got Cornelius draw on my face for whatever that he likes except mouse and cat (as I don't like the 2). And Monica make herself a hat which I took over as she had a better hat.

I think all the kids and adults enjoyed the party very much. And so we end the session with food. :)

Gathering

It was quite complicating to finally fixed this gathering. Our friend, Karim, is leaving the country to join Dtac in Bangkok, Thailand soon. So, we thought of having a gathering (no one likes farewell) until we meet again. So, finally, the time and the venue set.

And, it is quite a mixed feeling of this gathering/ reunion. Happy to see each other and yet unsure when will we meet again.

We have decided to meet at Delicious, Mid Valley.

Aside food, we enjoyed the company of each other very much. Karim just got back from his NZ trip, so, he was having some jetlag.

Sherine and Michelle put in a lot of effort to make an album for Karim. Hoping he will remember us. Well, at least, he was surprised and he really spent time reading and going through all the pictures and words.

So, since uncle Boon Hwa and I had our birthday in October. Our birthdays were celebrated too.

We had a good time together.

Wishing Karim all the best in his future undertaking. Hope we will have more get together.

Planetshakers Concert

Came across this Christian band will be having concert in Malaysia on Facebook. Though I don't know many of their songs, I do like the few songs that I had. Then, I asked a few friends if they would go with me. Well, it's kinda weird, though acceptable, to go alone. I suppose it's better to go in a gang.

So, I asked Viveen, and she said yes. Then, I saw Lee Nyiuk online. Mentioned to her and she wanted to go as well. So, I went to get the ticket and they still have 3. Yeah!!

On the day, I went to meet up with Viveen, we went for some shopping before met up with Lee Nyiuk at PJ. So, there were many youths. We were 'seated' at the balcony, though we ended up standing most of the time.

Then, the pastor shared about Christ. John 3:16, at a total new perspective that I have not heard. I suppose that's the way to target for youth. :)

Well, I had fun at the concert. It's my first ever Christian concert. And, I like it. :)

Pastor Rainier Schmidt

Agape invited Pastor Rainier for an evangelistic meeting. Pastor Rainier is from Germany and have won many medals in paralympics as well as many games in Europe on ping-pong.

He said, without Jesus, it is impossible. He has such joy despite being handicapped. I was indeed touched and inspired by him.

Day-off with Logos crews cum friends

It was since Dec 2010 that I got to know those that I met at mission trip in Turning Point, London will be sailing on Logos ship. And they will stop at Malaysia. It was exciting to know that we will be meeting again. We continued to keep in touch with our friendships via technology, facebook. Though the timing wasn't really and the schedule of the ship docking at Port Klang has been changed a few times.

Logos is the largest floating book store in the world where it will go from port to port, country to country, docking and welcoming everyone to visit her. There are many books on board for one to read and buy at a reasonal price.

Finally, Eunji sent out the schedule and we make plans to meet. It was really hard to find the time for all to meet on the same day. As both Eunji and Jay have been promoted to team leader at the kitchen while Alexandra has duty on that day. Thus, I took leave on that day and Angela is working freelance.

Both Angela and I went to Port Klang to fetch Eunji and Jay out at 9am. It was so exciting seeing both of them walking out the jetty. They ran towards the car and we gave each other a big tight hug. It was really awesome seeing them. :)

Since we were in Klang, we went for pak-kut-teh (herbal prok ribs), and Korean likes port too. It was delicious brunch.

Then, next. Since the girls preferred outdoor and Sunway lagoon was too expensive for half a day event. We went for Putrajaya instead. So, we ended up at Pullman Hotel. We took picture. Enjoyed a cold fresh juices. Then, next, cycling. Yes! It's a bit insane to cycle at about 1pm. We all had fun. If it's not because of the rain, we would have done more. It was really fun spending time together. Relaxing.. End result: I got myself really tanned. And I know it's going to take months or year to get fair again. But, it didn't really matter as long as we had a good time.

So, what do we want for late lunch? Eunji tried durian before. So, she wanted for durian. Durian has not been my friend, and so does Jay. We left Eunji and Angela to enjoy the durian while we went for Mong-kok-cha-chan-teng for hong kong style food. I had dumpling. Eunji came and she enjoyed my dumpling soup. :)

After late lunch, it was time for pasar malam (night market) at SS2 as it's Monday. It is one of the place where one is able to see a lot of things. We walked around pasar malam. Tried on the peanut soup. And it poured like cats and dogs again. So, instead of having shelter at Maybank, we went over to have dessert (hot) while waiting for the rain to stop before continue walking.

Then, Angela said, let's go for dinner though all of us were still very full. But, the dinner place will be pack if we don't go early, so, we have no choice. We ordered roast duck and fried hokkian mee. Where is this? It's at Damansara Uptown. And yes, both were super yummy. The Koreans love the lard so much! And the noodle was so tasty that though we were full, we still kept eating. So, all of us ended up with no more waist (ie, fat). Then, we went off carrying our stomach. It was really way too much food for the day.

Instead of heading back to Port Klang, we would like to spend more time still. So, Angela said, let's go to Sunway Pyramid. So, there we were. Walking and enjoy the lights. We ended the eating spree with Starbucks. :)

Then, it is time to send the girls back to the ship. We prayed in the car before saying good-bye. Really, after this, we really do not know when will we meet again. Yet, surely, we will meet again. :)

Take care and God bless you my friends. It has been a blessings to know both of you, Eunji and Jay. And Alex, we miss you so much.

Lunch

Called Pastor Mabel and Yen-Ching for lunch on a Friday. Then, they decided to visit this newly opened Taiwanese restaurant at Era Walk. The ambience is really cosy and nice. Personally, I find the food ok, edible. But, I may go for other options the next round. ;)

One day trip Taman Pertanian Bukit Cahaya Shah Alam + Pulau Ketam

Got to know this trip through Chinese Church Service. It's a day trip with the young working adult. Since it's on Malaysia Day (public holiday) and I wanted to exercise - Taman Cahaya to cycle. I have decided to join them though I only know 1 - 2 person in the group.

We met in church at 7am. As usual, there are people where were late.

We arrived at Shah Alam (with some guidance on GPS and personal GPS - my friend through text), we managed to reach there by 8.30am. It was flooded with people. Everyone rushed in to line up for ticket. Next, everyone rushed to rent the bicycle. Then, us? So, some said, very hungry. Took time for breakfast. So, we knew no chance. Thus, opted for free bus.

The weather was hot, sunny + humid.

We only spent half a day there as it's really nothing much. Some of the places like 4 seasons house was closed for renovation.

Then, we decided to go to Pulau Ketam. Where's that? OK. We knew, it's at Klang. But, where to take the ferry? GPS. Now, GPS couldn't locate it. So, we asked. Someone said, very near. Gave some brief direction and off we went.

Waited for about 30 minutes for the ferry to come. A returned trip costs us RM14. The ferry was old. And yet, it's taking more passengers than it should be. We have passengers standing, quite pack, in the ferry. The entire journey was about 30 - 35 minutes from Port Klang. I didn't feel comfortable, the ship would sink kept appearing in my mind. If anything happened, I can't swim. Maybe I will end up floating to Sumatra?

So, what's so nice of Pulau Ketam? We had late lunch. Seafood. A lot of people went there for lunch. It's really a very typical villange life. I think we can get better seafood, just the price that matters. Other than that, it's nothing special. oh... Yes!! Something special, normally, we get oyster fried with egg. There, we get to try clam (la-la) friend with egg. It's quite different. :)

So, we headed back for the ferry at about 5pm. Reached Seremban about 6.30pm. It's a long and tiring day. Well, at least I have been to Pulau Ketam. :)

Liyen's farewell

Another ex-team member left the company. We had a farewell lunch cum reunion at F4, Subang industrial. :'(

Shanghai

It's another Shanghai trip. A number of people envy me for able to travel so often, frankly, it's not that fun. I used to be of those, now, that I know. Nothing so great. Infact, it's very tiring.

One evening, a colleague took us out for dinner. Steamboat. I cannot imagine having steamboat in the summer. Anyway, we went. It was raining. And the restaurant was with air-cond. They have started to order. And I let them since they appear to be more experience. The soup came as individual which I quite like the idea. Scallops were huge. One dish that I find it scary was the fish. The fish didn't actually died yet, they sliced the meat and present the fish (still living and grasping for air). OK. I find this aweful and cruel. yeewww..... Overall, it was an OK dinner, aside that horrible fish experience.

On Saturday, another colleague took me out. As I told her about the 水蜜桃 that my parents have been descriping to me. Then, I realised, it's just peaches. So, what's so special. I bought a few back to try in the hotel. It's special, not only that it's big, juicy and it's sweet. Not very sweet, but, not the sourish taste as those from NZ/ Oz. Then, I wonder how could I buy and bring home. It needs to be hand carry as it is so fragile. Let's think....

Of course, we went for lunch and dessert. One thing I find is that the dish presentation is very important.
I was meeting up Hong Seek (someone from Rantau) for dinner. And he has some of his cell members. We went to this place call 小小花园 (little garden). It's located at a very quiet street. Actually, it's a house, they have converted the downstairs to restaurant. They serve western food. Wow... the outside of the place doesn't give one the impression of dining there at all. But, inside. Wow!!! Nice.. they have covered their garden and with transparent roof where one is able to see the skyline still. And the food... yummy... Especially, the dessert. That I didn't even have the chance to take pictures. Only that I am not comfortable as they have few cats in there.

We changed from living hall to garden to another hall throughout the entire dinner. Not because of me. But, we wanted to have a different experience of dining at different place. It's really a cozy place to hang-out.

Oh... their hot chocolate fudge is really super nice....

What else? On Sunday, Christine and her family and I went to Science Center. Yeah... shopping.. it's located at underground, yet, with air-cond. It's quite similar to Chatuchak in BKK, or Petaling Street. But, it's a lot of bigger.

On the way, I saw this kid with 爆炸裤 (bomb blast pants). In fact, most of the local will let the kids to wear like that. They don't wear diapers. Rich or poor, all the same. It's so funny. And imagine, winter to be dressed like that too. oh... poor little butt get frozen....

As we walked back at night, after the 'melting' Haagan Dazs, as the weather was too hot. I saw this tallest building glowing. It's hard to get a clear skyline.

I stayed just behind Nanjing Road. So, I did try to walk a little this time, especially after work. It's a very happening street. A few times, few person came up to me asking me to have my hair cut, they told me they will style it so nicely, etc. It's kinda scary as they are very aggressive.

So, about the peaches. I went to buy some the day before I depart. I told the seller, I am going to bring them up to aeroplane and it's as a gift. So, they wrap them in boxes and arranged them so nice (again presentation) for me. Now, I need to carry 2 big paper bags on flight. It's another story that I managed to get 1 laptop bag + 2 big paper bags pass through the custome in China. ;)

Gunung Angsi via Bukit Putus

Somehow the few of us have the urge to climb. But, all of us do not want too much challenge. We knew that there were a group who are going for Mt. K on Merdeka is climbing as well. But, we don't want to join them. Thus, we decided to use the Bukit Putus route.

This route is steep at the beginning, thereafter easy climb/ walk. And one does not cross any river.

4 of us met at McD at Senawang. We started the climb at about 7.30am or slightly before. For I have not done climbing for a long time, I find it still quite challenging at the beginning. If not mistaken, we took about 1.5 hours to reach the peak. Rested, had some of our food.

Eunice brought along an interesting self heating chocolate drink to share with us. I don't think one can get it in Malaysia. It's not super nice. But, it's nice to have hot drink. :)

We started to descend. And no, we didn't wait for our friends coming up from Ulu Bendul way. On the way down, we saw Panjang Angsi coffee shop was open and he was serving coffee to many climbers. Thumbs up!! :)

We reached the based at around 11.30am and went for lunch before each of us go back and continue the other activities. We took a group of Singaporean whom we met on the climb for curry noodle in Senawang as lunch.

I realised that we didn't take much photos as we climb more often. Could it be we start to take that as an exercise/ routine already?

Happy Birthday - Karim

It's a day to celebrate. Somehow we booked the day earlier, much earlier. And was trying to confirm and confirm.

As our friend loves Japanese food so much, and he choose Rakuzen.

Earlier I got a message 'commanding' not to get any cake as there's a cake ready. It's weird as no one knows what kind of cake. Anyhow, knowing our friend likes ice cream, I went ahead and bought a small ice cream cup cake.

The dinner was ok. It's a friendly and polite dinner.

Happy Birthday, Karim!

SCKLM2011

A friend, Kamal, has been asking me to join marathon since some time ago. For this Standard Chartered, he has suggesting me to join him for 5KM fun run. I went to check on the web site, it's quite costly especially passed the early bird registration. Instead, I saw the word 'Volunteer', after exploring it, it seems quite interesting. Thus, I signed myself up.

It was quiet for awhile unsure if I have been chosen. Then, came the email saying that I have been chosen and will be involved in Route Marshal. The email read that I need to go to Bukit Jalil stadium for a training a Saturday before the run, and on the event itself,I gotta be at the stadium at 10pm on Saturday and the work won't finish till 1pm on Sunday. I read the mail again and again disbelieve on the time required. Thus, I rang up and they said, ya, NO mistake, it's correct. So, I started thinking, should I withdraw.
The training Saturday came, I went for the training. More of a briefing, it finished within 1 hour. Still, I was thinking, should I go for the real day? At least, I make a friend. :)

The weekend. So, I have decided to attend. Well, since I have not done this. It would be a different experience. So, I went to the Putra Stadium/ Hall for the 10pm registration. Then, changed into the volunteer t-shirt. We were given some small snacks and a movie to watch. Then, we were gathered according to our team at 12am. We were (supposed) to be given briefing by our team leader. But, my team didn't get any briefing. We got a bag filled with food and drink, hat, whistle. So, we continued to wait till 2am to be depoted to our station.

Each team covers a radius of 3KM. So, our team started at Sg. Besi highway till the turning at Dewan Pustaka which is about at KM12. We were there waited since 2.30am and the race only started at 5am. So, the first runner would only arrive at our place at 5.30am, fastest. So, we were there walking up and down, feeding/ donating our blood to Mr. Mosquitos. It's a long night and morning. Long wait.....

At 5.45am, traffic police and the official workers riding their bikes came to our area and told us to get ready, runners are coming. So, we stood up (trying as we were exhausted after a long night) awaiting for the runners. The runners from Kenya. Their pace is really steady, a group of them. Even the females.

Then, we saw more. Instead of doing the marshal role, we were more of supporters. :D We saw pacer at 2.30hr, 3.30hr, etc. carrying a big ballon with them. And we saw different ones wearing different costumes. It's facinating and eye opening. I was trying to spot some friends who participated in the run. Well, it's too dark and I couldn't see anyone. Also, I was struggling to open my eyes. We literally sat in the middle of the road trying to cheer them.

Though the road was closed, we also saw how Malaysian still force their way through. Driving attitude definitely needs to improve. Guess what? The bigger/ more expensive the car, the greater the attitude problem. sigh...

So, I believe we finished our duty at almost 8am. Where a bus came to fetch us back to the stadium. Waited to get our token (RM40) of appreciation, sandwich, I went home. I was really tired. Not the work, but, the waiting time.

Overall, it's a good experience. :) And well done to all runners. A big thank you for all volunteers.

Farewell - Gisle

Got to know that Gisle is leaving back to Oslo, Norway. He was my colleague in DiGi. We got to know each other more as we involved in Rainbow (a collaboration project of DiGi - Celcom).

It was quite shocking to know that he is heading back home as his assignment in Msia is only 1 year? Normally, they will be here for at least 2 years.

And he told me to have a get together prior his departure when I met him on Woon's wedding. So, somehow a farewell lunch was arranged at Ole-Ole Bali, Empire Shopping mall, Subang Jaya.

It's a mixed feeling to meet up with old colleagues who hardly get in-touch. Nevertheless, it was a warmth occassion. And with Facebook, it definitely draw the world closer.

Farewell

Aw Wen Wey, our team member, decided to leave us to Oz with wife.

We (Business Performance & Analytics, Technology) were so close with each other then, and decided to meet up more often.

Rather than a farewell, it is more of reunion for us.

So, we met up on 11 June, at Tasty Pot, Sunway, for steamboat. It was awesome! For me, not so much the food, but, the companion. I think all of us just hope the night could last.

Then, again, we meet up on 13 June for dinner and some dessert.

It's been hard to say good-bye. I believe friendship will stay if we want to. And so the quote below shared by Aw to us: No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth. -- Robert Southey

Impromptu PD

I was online and so was Fong. Suddenly, we started chatting and decided to went to PD. It was almost 6pm and yet the sun was scorching hot. I wonder what would we do if it's summer where the sun doesn't set till 10pm.

Anyhow, I went to pick her up from her house, and on our way to PD.

It was a public holiday and so the traffic in PD was awfully packed.

I insisted to go to Teluk Kemang as mom said it's a nice beach. I can't remember when was the last time I went to PD and beach.

So, we arrived after driving and jam for some time. It's worth it. The sunset was so beautiful, the waves, the everything... I like it. And surprisingly, it wasn't as humid as my past beaches experience. This was different. And I like it. :)

After taking some photos, we decided to eat. Well, it's just 2 of us, so, it will be too much for seafood. Further, my PD friend won't really able to direct us. And we both don't mind having Malay food. In fact, somehow, i was craving for food. hahaha.... So, we saw some stall nearby, and so, we started to order: satay, otak-otak, mee rebus, mee goreng, cendol (dara), lychee.. and I was thinking burger, but, might be too much. Yeah!! It was good meal. Maybe because I just got back from Shanghai too. :P

Then, we went back to the beach and it was dark. Yet, it was nice. As it's getting dark, we decided to head home. On the way, we stopped at another beach where we saw on the way to Teluk Kemang. This beach is brighter as there have lights.

Even so, the beach was still have quite a number of people.

It was an awesome trip. I like it. :) Getting away to somewhere without plan is good. I had similar experience in NZ where my friends just pulled me for a weekend get-away from Wellington to Auckland. It's a crazy 8 - 10 hours drive (1 way) and just over the weekend. :D

More about this trip can be found in this link where Eunice had more details. :) I am just too lazy.. hahaha... http://euniceta.blogspot.com/2011/06/another-impromptu-trip-to-pd.html

Singapore - Shanghai - Singapore (May 2011)

This job need me to travel quite a bit. So, after 2 weeks in Malaysia, another (extra) trip to Singapore for SAP transformation. Then, to Shanghai where my boss (was supposed) to introduce me to the bosses there.

Then, it ended up I was introducing myself most of the time. :S

It was a short trip. Staying in Ritz Carlton in Spore which was really cool. And I spent the weekend meeting up with long time friends. A friend (ah-yong) kept the key chain she has bought since 5 years ago and pass it to me. So sweet. :)

Also, Spore trip allow me to visit grandpa and aunt. So, I celebrated mother's day with them. Did cycling. haha...
Reaching Shanghai on Sunday, checked-in, rush to church. Church service is here quite different. Only foreigners can go to church. Locals will have a separate church service. It's a small church and all were pack together.
Then, my HR colleague took me to cheng-huang-miao (tourist spot) and I find that's nothing so special. Food wasn't fantastic, in fact, tasteless. And we saw this hanging pot. ok.. i was impressed. It was just supported by 1 pipe at the bottom.

China. A country that I have never put in my travel list. Now, I have to be here very frequent for work. Where is God leading me? Obedience is key.

This trip was awefully tired. My flights were all early in the morning, so, I have to wake up at 3am or 4am to check-out and go to airport. And this trip makes me sun burnt (don't know from where) and skin was peeling terribly on my forehead.

Seafood

As I missed Malaysian food so much + all of the (Analytics & Performance) members missed me so much. We have decided to meet up even when I was still in US that we are to meet up.

So, I was back. And they took me to this place, Lala Chong, at PJ. Well, we ate. We all have a good time.

Thanks, Wen Wey, Li Yen & Ricky. And, most importantly, it is a reunion dinner for us. :) We enjoyed each other's company so much that we don't really want to go back. Just sit and chat. It was just amazing that we have such close friendship.

First experience

A lot of first time experience with new company:
- to fly with business class (to USA)
- to go Omaha, Nebraka (鸟不生蛋的地方）
- driving in USA
- seeing rat running in the airport in USA
- was thought to be American
- was thought not Malaysian
- making popcorn
- missed home so much when was out
- missed Malaysian food so much

Change in March

It's been a long while since I jot down something in my block.

March 2011.

It's a month with change, it's a month with a lot of difference feelings, it's a month to remember.

Decision make to leave DiGi - the company that I once prayed and longing to join not long after I graduated, found out no chance to go into the industry (banking/ brokerage) that I have dream of since school time (it was recession when I graduated). DiGi, it was small and young then, but, I wanted to join, I don't know why.

One day, DiGi called me for interviewed. I think it was the moment. And I was offered the job. And 11 March, marks the day that I left DiGi. The day. The day that was raining or drizzling the whole day. The day where I left DiGi quietly, except TMT 'forced' me to say a formal good-bye and some 'managed' to hug me.

I am not a person who knows how to say goodbye. And I think saying goodbye means will never meet again. This will sadden me and I don't like to feel sad. I would rather to keep it and have the hope to meet again.

March 2011.

It's the month that I joined new company, PayPal. It's the first time I resume a regional role.

March 2011....

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, 2011

I was make known about the SCHKM even prior my Dec'10 mission trip. Then, I said, I wanted to tag along (unsure if I was welcome or not...). When I was away in London, I was told to book ticket to HK. Still, I was unsure if and should I go or was it because I was too pushy that I wanted to tag along. So, I only booked ticket for Karim. Then, he said, he wanted me to go along and so I bought myself a ticket too. :) But, why do I go? Yeah!!! I wanna meet my friends there.

Then, I started to look for hotels and told my friends that I am coming. It was so exciting. And yes, I wasn't running at all. I just go 'keh-poh' (busy body)... :D

Our flight was supposed to depart at 9.30am, but, it got delayed by 2 hours because the computer was down and the radar was down too. Gee... the cabin door was then opened for emergency purposes and we were served with nuts and drinks. Still, it didn't satisfy me. :( Well, think of it, the journey was supposed to be 3 hours and we gotta spent 5 hours in the flight. It wasn't a bad deal, uh?! hahaha...

So, we got into Hong Kong late. We stayed in B P International Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. It was not so bad. Small, yet clean, tidy. And the most important is it is near to shopping area, food, MTR. I would go back to stay if I ever go to HK again.

After checking into hotel. We went out to shopping while waiting for Chris to meet us for dinner. Karim did lots of shopping, until I almost got myself a job in the Royal Sporting House too. ;P As we walked to the dining area, we saw StandChart having some mascots promoting the marathon. Oh.. the weather. It was a bit cold and I really love the weather as Malaysia was really cold.

Then, we went for Pakistani food. It was nice. I was hungry but ate little. ohh... it was a tiring day...

Next day?! Oh... must remember to collect Karim's running pack. So, we went to Victoria Park. Wow... it was awesome place. Many people were doing picnic, exercise, collecting pack. Most interestingly, the work to prepare the finishing line was on-going. We took lots of pictures, we met a Philipino Chinese group. Ya. They were running too. And so was Karim, not me. :)

Then, we walked/ shopped around at Causeway Bay. Karim's friend, Lim Eng Wah, met up with us and we had lunch. I think it's really nice meeting up old friends.

Timesquare is where we went next. And guess what? We saw tulips!! I love tulips!! :)

We were told another Malaysian running friend, Cynthia (?), fall sick. So...? We went back to hotel, put our things, took some medication and head to Mongkok to visit her. arh... Mongkok, very happening place. Quite complicated. I don't quite like the place. hmm... My friend, Ellen, a friend I met in 2009 at the mission conference trip, she came to meet up with us for dinner. oh.. Chris came to join us too. So, we went for Japanese food. For me, it's not so much of the food, but, the company of friends. Yeah... Nice catching with friends who shared the same vision, passion. :) Karim didn't join us for a show. Ellen's friend, Eunix Lee 李卓庭， a Hong Kong pop artist/ singer, was singing/ having a show. We went to visit her. Then, I found out, they are Christian too. Wow.... what really encourages me was that seeing the real artist busy life, smiling, taking picture, giving autographs, and yet preparing to sing/ perform on stage. I saw her prayed before going on-stage. Ellen asked if I could pray for the team when the whole show was over. Yes. I would. We prayed. It touches me more, they are not ashame to group together to pray. We prayed in the mall, in the corner. Wow.. it was a good experience.

Sunday came. I walked down to the starting point with Karim. Ya.. taking his jacket, bag, etc right before he started the marathon. I thought of getting a bit more sleep before heading to church. Well, it's hard. :( I went to a church at Tsim Sha Tsui, ECC International at YMCA. I found this church on internet. Joined them. It was a short and yet awesome Sunday Service.

Thereafter, took MTR to Causeway Bay. Gee.... it was really jammed pack with people. Why? Because a lot of road close and so many people took MTR than ever. I reached the spot at hour 5 thinking and wondering where's Karim. After about 30 minutes, then, I received a text. Gosh.. He was at the waiting area waiting for me. Then, I found out, he did the full marathon, 42KM, in 4.56 hour. Gee.... That was a great job done!

hmm... ok... I rushed there, seeing him standing in pain and cold. OK. I feel sorry. :s Seriously sorry. So, how? Wanna take a taxi back. But, wait, road were closed, so, no way we can get taxi. We just gotta walk really slowly to the MTR, took train back.

Yeah.. the afternoon, since Karim was in pain, I went out with another friend, Venus, a friend I met at mission conference trip too. She bought me egg tarts (yummy), almond cookies, and more cookies. So, Karim resting in the hotel, while I went out. hahah... We went to Tsim Sha Tsui, Star walk.. of course, prior reaching there, we went for some shopping. Walk is the thing. We walked a lot.. really a lot.. And art gallery. wow.. all the lights were awesome!! There were amazing. So, we had dinner, huge portion of noddle which I only managed to ate a quarter. It was funny. I couldn't stop but kept laughing. As I asked for more coriander, so, it came as it whole bowl of coriander was what I ordered.

Yeah!! All my friends complaint (as usual) that my trip to Hong Kong was way too short. Yeah!! I wanted to go to Noah's ark exhibition, the outlet malls, etc.. No time.. I wanna go Hong Kong again. And Ocean Park.

Hong Kong friends!! Thank you for making my trip such an unforgettable one. I love you guys! :)

Holiday in Nova Scotia, Canada

Instead of staying in London (alone) for Christmas, I was told that I could go to Canada for Christmas. It cost a bomb though. Instead of Halifax, I went to Grande Pre, a small ‘village’. I was staying with Leung’s family, the parents, 2 girls (Janese and Susan), Pette (the cousin from Perth, Australia), Piper (the dog), Montrose (the cat) and Casti (the big black cat, like leopard).

Vincent (father Leung) took me to the Acadia University where we visiting Irving’s building.

We went to the Christmas Eve church service. It was such a cool church and so traditional (Baptist church?!). Leung father and mother were singing in the choir. As we came back, we stopped for the Christmas lights at one of the neighbor’s house.

Christmas!!! It is weird that we didn’t go to church. In Malaysia, it is Church Service on Christmas day itself with hot and humid. In Nova Scotia, it is sleep-in with cold and dry. (I still have jetlag, I guess as I have been waking up at 4am which means 8am in London.)

So, we woke up, got our presents unwrapped. Dinner on Christmas was awesome. We have few friends over: Forrest, Wanda and her husband.

On boxing day, instead of boxing all the things up, we decorated a ginger bread house. Hahaa….. it was humorous. As we tried to work in the kitchen, where it is warm and nice, the icing kinda melting. Haha…

We have also decided to go for a walk, walked to the beach. It was muddy. The big tree (over 60 years old) fall few days prior my arrival caused by the strong wind.

Curling?! What’s that? I was told it is one of the game in Olympics and we are gonna have fun. So, we arrived and the president of the club came welcome us. He gave us some basic instructions on what to do and techniques as well. We need to have a pair of clean shoe as any sand/ stone will destroy the ice which is not good. Then, we need to masked one of the shoe, if the person is right handed, the left foot to be masked. Then, we went into the ice area which was cold. The president told us a lot of rules, and techniques. I can only remember a team make up of 4 persons and how to curl. The rest, who plays what role, I am sorry.. :p

It was a very fun game where we will need to brush on the ice to warm it up with a broom so that the stone can go further. Haha… Also, the stone can’t go on smooth ice surface as the ice skating type as if it is too smooth, the stone will just vacuum in and not able to move. The shoe with the masking tape is to help us to slide.

We went for hot chocolate and little/ mini doughnuts after the game. It was good. Of course shopping at 2^nd hand store. On that day, we had dinner at 8++pm which was late. Otherwise, it will be dinner at 5.30pm (I will be still at work if I were back home).

As Jean gave me some experience on snow mobile, Janesse and Pette started drawing and colouring on t-shirts. I am truly impressed by their work.

About snow mobile, I need to wear special jump suit which makes me feel like astronaut. Hahah… :D As I went on the bike where Jean was taking me, it was really fun. It reminded me of the movie: Inception. It was so cool….

Instead of going back to the 2^nd hand shop, Joshua and I went to café for internet while they went for shopping. It was good that I managed to get something done.

As it was a fine day, we have decided to go to sledding and building snowman. We went to the field/ park outside Acadia University Hall as it has a little slope. It was really fun sliding down with the sled. It was an awesome experience. Climbing up the slope wasn’t as fun though. It was tiring. Then, we wanted to build snowman, but, the snow were too fine and were sticky enough. Need some rain, I guess. We just played with the snow, had pictures. It was really surprising to see Jean & Vincent came visiting us with hot chocolate. Like the Chinese saying: 血中送炭。It was awesome to have 2 times free hot chocolate delivering (1 in London and another in New Minas, Canada). Sweet as…

That’s about my winter holiday in Nova Scotia. Honestly, I do not know when will I visit again, but, it was truly a good time altogether. :) I enjoyed the company, the sceneries, the food, everything…. :D