l o o n a t i k

Migrated

2011-08-30T12:20:00.001+08:00

I have now migrated to a new den. Cooler, Cleaner, Sexier, Wiser ->

http://tikloon.tumblr.com

Investment Plans forming in August 2011

2011-08-16T23:03:00.003+08:00

Century Logistics announced their Q2 2011 results. Operating Profit has increased and that's comforting. Not sure why, perhaps the exchange rate or their cost control is getting better. The wonderful news is that an interim dividend is announced of 5cts per share.

As for EA Holdings, to my horror there's no liquidity at all for this counter too. My strategy is to hold it until the end of the month and till the quarterly results were announced. It should ride up if another huge revenue/profit comes in. I may or may not cash out to swap for Century Logistics.

Let's wait and see.

Gold has left me flabbergasted. All the research reports are not predicting well. The volatility remains high and is between $1750 - $1780 today. And the margins I have to loss is about 4%, whereas for Shares the total cost of transaction is about 1.5% + RM24. Unless Gold makes another strong leg up from the purchase price, it's not that easy to get another 10+% return.

Next target - EAH

2011-08-15T22:55:00.003+08:00

I'm going to aim to stock up on EA Holdings into my portfolio. One would cringe if we see the charts of this counter. It sparkle during it's IPO but now seem to have taken a severe beating. One wonders why? Doubts creeps in whether it's too good to be true.

However upon more detailed analysis, the stock basically double it's base and it's CEO owns 62.5% of it valued at RM30 million. And the fact that when the stock is taking a beating, strangely enough the CEO parted with his money of about RM226,000 for mini acquiring of the stock. Was it to boost confidence? That paltry addition won't help since he's owning more than half the company anyway, he'll go down with the company if it indeed bust.

Q1 2011, Revenue RM11 million, Net Profit RM1.7 million, EPS 1.11cents
FYE 2010 Revenue RM20 million, Net Profit RM4 million, EPS 3.31 cents

Based on strong results, I see it as a bargain. I'm game for this counter.

First Foray

2011-08-15T18:20:00.004+08:00

Today was my first foray into the market after I've obtained my CDS account and linked it with my Savings Account.

My first purchase was Public Bank, a very safe dividend yielding stock. Last year's dividend payout was RM600 per share. So at today's price, it's about 4.6% yield.

I looked at Hap Seng Plant to get some so as to profit when their new Q results were announced. But then I saw the humongous selling queue and I backed off.

Century Logistics again has liquidity so dried up that it shot up to RM1.66 with minimal volume. Q1 2011 result wasn't that great, with just RM6.2 million (20% of FYE2010) and EPS of 8.18 cents. Revenue was flat as with last year. Why do they need over RM30million in cash? And what's the use of having almost 5% as treasury shares? The directors controls almost half of this company and the PE ratio of just over 4 is the reason why this counter is still tempting despite the extreme low liquidity and low dividend payout policy.

The best way is to buy into a company that grows for years and this seems to fit into that criteria.

As far as my financial tracking began from Year 2004 - 2011, my total transacted investment income is RM 42455.

I last updated via twitter that those who bought Gold at USD$1780 and above were roasted. This 2 days it's hovering around 1740 and has tested the lows of $1730 twice. Now the buyers at $1750 are gone as well. I still hold to the view that Gold will weaken to below $1680.

Recently the idea of EuroBonds are gaining strength with Germany reluctantly to agree to it, but now do not oppose to such idea. George Soros said that the weak ones should leave Euro, namely Greece who was bailed out with 200 billion Euros and Portugal. Maybe this EuroBond is going to save Spain and Italy.

Swiss Franc has weaken and so shall Yen, USD, Euros, and these liquidity must go somewhere. Emerging market equities or Gold ? Will the rating agencies downgrade another big country for another hammering time? Mind boggling times are here.

Investment Strategy

2011-08-14T11:58:00.003+08:00

Blogging this to make a mark on my thoughts and the formation of investment strategy that's in my head.

Matthias Chang is forever the perma-bear, predicting gloom&doom to some somewhat correct predictions but wrong in timing and Dali is almost always long on the market making persuasive analysis on the market overall. I have learnt a lot from both but they are not perfect.

After the Greece debacle which require a second tranche of 110 euro to bailout again. This was soon followed by Spain and Italy where their bonds hold more than 6% of interests. USA did not solve their debt limit problem until the last hour and raised it by a high 2.5 trillion with no view of increased taxes. Then S&P downgraded USA's credit rating to AA+. The market absolutely could not take it anymore and tanked.

In Malaysia, the effects were less and only about 100 points were lost, but a rebound has pushed up 50 points back now. It's hovering at around 1500 now. Meanwhile, Gold exploded to the upside from $1650 to $1810 and then sliding towards $1740. I made a huge exit from Gold at $1750 and somewhat regretted it. I could have made a bigger killing.

It's mid August now and I think Gold will move down below $1700 where I should then be making an entry again. I'm also itching to enter Equities again and Mr. Koon Yew Yin has recommended Plantation sector which the basis of growth in potential earnings concept really intrigued me. I'm planning to enter Hap Seng Plantations as soon as my CDS account is ready. As always, I'm wondering what I should do with Century Logistics. It's a very cheap stock of PE ratio of around 4x and a higher NTA than it's current stock price. But this counter is not moving. Growth in earnings can be seen. Or could it be that their policy of 20-25% dividend payout of net profit is too low? I wonder what do they use their 70% profit for? More expansion?

In any case, I'm happy to make 10% from my Gold this month and my war chest would be doubled by end of this month. Hope I have learned well and will strategise better moving forward.

I'll be posting an update in the very near future. *Crosses Fingers*

My Second Liverpool FC Match Experience

2011-07-21T01:13:00.001+08:00

Circa year 2001 was when I registered my first attendance to an English Premier League match held at St. James Park. I remembered the whole lot of us pull together a huge sum for tickets and set a plan to buy the tickets from the ticket counter at St. James. In order to do that, we had to wake up and be there at an ungodly hour. It was at a time before the sun rises. We had to queue around the stadium for more than 2 hours before it was our turn. And when it was ours, the ticket attendant gave us some wry look when we wanted 9 tickets and asked the possibility of purchasing tickets of the visitor side. With a curt answer, no, we resigned to the fate and just agreed for a normal home side section.

I remember having some nap time in the afternoon after the gruesome queue before dawn. And in the early evening, the Toon Army turned the city into monotone. At every turn you make, you cannot fail but to surmise that, everyone suddenly has the fashion sense of a prisoner.

Our seats were as high as the stadium would go, and in front of us, are typical obese and burley Geordies. It was raining and visibility was poor due to the rain, our blocked view made of fats and the unfair distance allocated to Asians. Newcastle beat Liverpool 3-1 and on that night I wondered why we have to spend that awful sum for such an experience.

16-July-2011, Liverpool FC Asia Tour 2011. Legendary is a given. A historic night no less. Liverpool FC making their debut visit to Kuala Lumpur to meet their koppites from Malaysia.

Knowing that it was a sold out event, chaotic traffic is unavoidable. I planned to be there few hours earlier and to park my car at Sri Petaling with a brief walk towards Bukit Jalil. At every corner you see tons of fans in Jerseys marching towards the stadium. After meeting up with my friends and a quick lunch at Endah Parade, we too made our move.

The noise emanating from the stadium was unbelievable. It’s puzzling why the cheers and the Anthem is being sung few hours earlier from the match time. Upon reaching close to the stadium, it was madness. There’s a huge bazaar selling Jersey replicas for RM30 and scarfs for RM15. I wonder from where they were manufactured from. Vietnam, China, Malaysia? Shit, the quality of copying is astounding.

The hot sun had quickly drenched us in sweat and also we had to push through the crowd to head towards the turnstiles. With 2 hours in spare, the stadium was already almost half filled. We still have plenty of options to choose our seats. Stadium is spacious and the problem of the front row blocking your view eventhough the guy in front of you is standing does not occur. Took my time to let the atmosphere soak in and the sight of the sea of Reds packed this stadium is a sight to behold. The multi-racial crowd also made this a 1Malaysia moment as well.

The fans erupted at the sight of a Liverpool player emerging. Noise was unbelievably boisterous especially with the constant plastic horns. I could hardly hear the whistle.

The match was entertaining with a total of 9 goals. To their credit, Harimaus put up a good performance with notable performances from the captain. Number 7 and 8 stole the limelight. The free kick swerving to the side netting was just unbeatable.

Liverpool FC was gracious enough to change all 11 players for the second half. And with this, 22 players were showcased in this tour.

Joe Cole pulled a Harimau player’s shirt to catch up when he lost the ball and was rightly booed strongly by all. I somehow don’t quite see him fit in.

Adam was magnificent. In fine form and looked sharp. Absolutely dictating the midfield and has excellent devastating passes. He has sealed it as one my top 3 favourite players.

Carroll was slow and seem lost in the field. Everytime he ‘runs’ you feel you want to hit the ‘dash’ button to make him move faster.

Aquilani was dazzling with an array of mesmerizing passes and setup a few goals with his ability to read the game. He reminds me of Alonso.

Spearing, Meireles, Soto, Kelly wasn’t quite themselves and was poor on their touches. They also seem slow compared to Harimaus.

Maxi was always on the mark with clever runs.

Ngog showed speed where Carroll was obviously lacking. But again he’s not as clinical a finisher as I would have liked.

Flanagan showed clumsiness in keeping up with Gunalan and threw in some unnecessary rough tackles.

Kuyt was consistent, controlled the right wing of the field and showed fine technique when he collected a wayward ball at the lower right flank to thunderous claps from the fans.

Insua seems strong and his left crosses were decent.

The echoes of cheers from the stadium during the lap of honors after the match was nothing short but amazing.

The Anthem that was sung after the match was haunting and did not disappoint. Indeed Anfield was in Kuala Lumpur that night.

Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart.

And you’ll never walk alone.

You’ll never, ever walk alone.

See you again in year 2013. I’ll be there.

Astronomical property prices

2011-05-22T17:53:00.000+08:00

Today it is undeniable that property price is a huge concern for the Rakyat. The trend is not isolated in Malaysia but also in many other Asian countries. The other side of the world though is having a direct opposite situation. Now what has caused this situation? As recent as a few years back, there is a huge property glut. Pages and pages of advertisements can be seen in the newspapers. Options and choices are abundant.

The average price of a KL residential property is now about RM485,000, or roughly nine times the average urban household annual income of about RM54,000. The Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey rates markets, whose property prices are 5.1 times median income or more, as “severely unaffordable”.

Developers, bankers, agents are working in cahoots for their own vested interests. Friends and families of developers are loading up units for a good trade. Speculative plays also create artificial demand and further exacerbate the situation. Most worryingly, the people who are joining the speculation are over leveraging themselves with staggering loan to income ratio. Low and prolonged interest rates has always been the most commonly quoted source. But there are many more tricks under the sleeve. Creative packaging of 5/95, no SPA, Legal Fees, no Interest during construction, which in actual fact, is priced into your exorbitant swanky new home. All these sums up to be stoking artificial demand.

Supersized terrace houses, now the trend, is selling at figures near RM1 million. Some which are located deep into Sungai Buloh but conveniently rebranded as Damansara is now fetching RM1.4 million. Owners of such product at Desa Park City is grinning to see it’s going at RM2-4 million. And they proudly justify the valuations by giving one and only reason, that there is no other places in Klang Valley that has such a concept. Condominium units recently launched yesterday near Taman Pertama is asking for RM650k. But if I remember well, the erected board there says ‘Cadangan untuk membina pangsapuri kos sederhana’. Terrace houses nested deep in Cheras is asking for RM740,000 when that area is well known for robbery and cracked houses. Strangely enough the previous launch albeit being smaller units were sold for RM390,000 only. Condominiums in Mont Kiara is asking for RM2 million now.

Affordability does not seem to be having any impact. In fact, affordability today is much more worse than the years before yet the demand seen in the market clearly defies this logic. Rental yields are now fast becoming a laughing stock. Did our income levels gone two fold recently?

All in all, clearly it is a very frothy situation. I cannot for the life of me see the sustainability for this and where the actual demand comes from.

Bank Negara has raised OPR to another 0.25% and 1% increase SRR to 3% soaking up roughly RM7 billion of liquidity. The other policy of 30% downpayment for a third property purchase is also engaged to deter speculaction. It is widely anticipated that Bank Negara will do another round of this by end of the year.

Now this means higher mortgage payments and higher cost of fund for the commercial banks. Which means people will struggle to pay their mortgage and banks will be stricter in giving out loans thereby reducing demand. When more completion is delivered and the supply hits the market, speculators will start to flip and flood the supply. High mortgage payments will also trigger some to default and increase Bank Lelongs and also an increase of supply to the market.

I would hope to see an introduction of RPGT again with progressive tax brackets.

Cash out while you still can. Don’t buy into the cost of building materials is high story. Real actual buyers has the most to lose currently. But speculators will be burned.

Asset - Liability = 500,000

2011-04-10T02:25:00.002+08:00

I have declared in my Facebook Notes, that I will achieve a nett asset of half a million by 1st of January 2013. A SMART objective as the term used in MBO appraisals.

Not an easy target unless I get some kind of windfall between now till the deadline.

My Portfolio in stocks currently registers a -RM1968 on paper and the total worth is only about 6% of my wealth. 81% is in Cash. The others are in Fixed assets.

Somehow my gut feel tells me there's a property bubble brewing as well as high risks that could derail the stock market. I would prefer to see myself being a failure to gain rather than risk losing what I already have.

Year 2008-2010 in review

2011-01-02T23:09:00.003+08:00

Haven't really spent time blogging. Maybe now I do not have enough idle time to permit me to, or I had lost some passion or the urge to blog. I thought it would be good to document this down - a review of year 2008 - 2010 during the beginning of year 2011 so as to remind myself what I was thinking or experiencing at those times. Some blog post are particularly nostalgic when reading in retrospect. I had a quick look into what I've written in year 2007 and year 2006 and the below are the main categories. I shall stick to the same and try to reflect what had happened in these 3 years.

Job
I had resigned from a Top Management Consulting company and joined a SAP HCM Consulting company. The first thing that came into my mind when I first join this company was that, the people were not that (bright, driven, pro-active), afraid to voice out, afraid to challenge status quo. The company culture was also chinese oriented and also practise mickey mouse consulting. I had many months doing nothing except internet surfing until we really onboard to our first assigned project.

This time I was based in Shell for a 1.5 years project. It was a fairly easy project on hindsight and the colleagues are a young bunch and easy going folks. From here, I brushed up on some technical knowledge particularly in SAP HR / HCM / ABAP / Debugging / SmartForms as well as on the soft skills aspect such as email communication, defect communication, doing documentation, international project coordination, working with teams across the world, being a team lead of 7-9 ppl. During UAT times, it was quite stressful due to long working hours which at times crosses towards midnight. Somehow, it was much easier to stomach in due to the great camaraderie we have between the team. I realised this was something missing in my previous company and a sense of disconnect was there. We had a monthly budget for team building events and it was definitely fun and something to look forward to each month.

After this project was over, I was sent back to office to work on a smaller project. Then soon after a new version of the software my company sells was launched; and we had a really hard time trying to deliver this work. And it remains a challenge even now due to quality and immaturity issues.

Currently I lead a team of 2-6 and I have had my first experience in writing project reviews and having 1-to-1 session giving constructive feedback with my team members. I learned how to do effective coaching and gain utmost satisfaction seeing my own team members able to learn and leverage their own skillsets. I also learned that people can exceed expectations, so I should always set the bar a little higher. Having a paternalistic mindset will eventually burnt myself out. Areas that I'm trying to improve is giving clear instructions and delegate work and empower those who are capable.

My department is also expanding massively recently due to the shrinkage of Morocco's team and also due to the growing experience of the team here, the delivery results and the cost factor.

During these period I travel to Singapore on a bi-weekly basis and WFH. It is rather lonely working from home and I feel disconnected with my colleagues, but it's an arrangement that still proves to be working. Work still gets delivered. The drawback is that I tend to work till late hours having to accomplished most of the task myself. I realised I need to talk to my team members and have that human connection in order to be able to absorb better what issues they faced, what they like or do not like, whether they are bullshitting me and to generally achieve a better progress.

In May 2010, I was officially promoted to a Senior Consultant level although I had sort of been functioning in that role ever since I had joined this company.

Relationship
I was attached to a 2 year+ long relationship. Someone who I had met in Shell. It was a whirlwind, confusing, nervous, emotional, passion filled journey. I'm glad I had the chance to experience this infatuation and the feeling of falling in love.

I had learned a lot about being together as a couple, the things and habits we have to tolerate, the extra efforts we have to make, the sacrifices we have to make. It's about finding a life partner and I think I am still learning about this.

We had many memorable trips together and even an adventurous trip to Tokyo, Japan, unguided!

Being in a relationship really makes one mature faster. I learned that as human, we should sometimes trust our gut feel, and do not ignore certain warning signs. Also I have learned not to be so stubborn, learn to let go, and learn to see a relationship from the eyes of others.

Shares
The stock market tanked in year 2008 due to the collapse of sub-prime loans, derivatives and especially the foldup of Lehman Brothers as well as the threat of AIG folding up as well. Many big banks in USA were merged and the bad assets were transferred to the government. Somehow this also affected Malaysia. And the stock market tanked to more than 50%. It was really nerve wrecking and a terrifying experience. We are always trying to average-down and catch the falling knife. At one point I lost more than RM30,000 in paper loss.

After that I became more risk adverse and am happy to be in cash. I could have profited a great deal during the run-up from 2009-2010 but none could be the wiser. Some key points that I learned and I hope will be of good use in future:-
1. Base Lending Rate goes up -> Banking stocks go up
2. Interest rates go down -> Inflation and even the stock market go up
3. Commodities are highly cyclical
4. Invest in what you know
5. Technical candle stick charts are good for short term trade and trending
6. Trust no one but yourself
7. Be disciplined. Set a cut loss target and an exit target. Failing to do this results in aunty investing mentality

I'm currently not holding any portfolio anymore and I'm afraid to enter the market, especially when the KLSE is at an all time high of 1500+.

Trip
2 trips to Bangkok for shopping and thai massage
Adventurous Tokyo, Japan
First couple trip to Bukit Tinggi - first horse riding experience
Trip to Malacca and Kuala Pilah
Valentine day trip to Cameron Highlands - first strawberry picking experience
NYE 2009 trip to Cameron Highlands

Property
Sold my apartment in year 2010. Realised I could have sold it for another RM40 - RM50k if I had been more patient for a few months. Well, who would have thought that property sees a 30% run in a matter of months?

Others
Moved into a new home. Back to staying in a landed house. This time the house is the biggest in my life. I also spent nearly RM20k to renovate the room and buying furniture. Also this residential area is gated and guarded and comes with clubhouse facilities. Begin to play badminton again after a hiatus of more than 10 years.

Now I'm driving a Year 2002 Nissan Sentra 1.6. Finally stop driving a Proton and I realised that what difference the quality a Japan made car and a locally made car is. Also the comfort and image that the car brings to you.

My 27th birthday

2009-09-11T22:46:00.002+08:00

Today is my birthday. Infamous 911.

My youngest brother, Sheng, sent me an sms:

Gor~ happy birthday..haha..It's kinda weird that i sms wish u..sorry nt at home..once again..happy birthday..

My first brother, Siang, of whom I seldom talk to, sent me an sms as well:
Happy birthday.

My second brother, Han, called my mom to asked whether we would be eating outside. My mom told him nope because she wasn't sure what time I'll return from work. I guess his intention was to join if we were to eat outside.

My dad took the effort to buy tapau dinner that cost RM48. It had yam + khau yuk. Pork belly being one of my favourite dish.

My mom gave me a red packet.

My boss bought the whole team Starbucks coffee to celebrate 4 team member's birthday. I took the chance to order a Grande. I usually just get a Tall.

Some colleagues, close friends, not so close friends, sent me birthday wishes in email, facebook wall, facebook message.

My girlfriend already gave me my birthday present in February 2009. And she sent a very touching sms at 12:05 AM.

I just wish in this birthday that I continue to be healthy, to be able to earn and provide, to have time to spent with family and loved ones, to be able to fulfil my promises to my girlfriend, to be able to achieve my little hopes.

The global crisis and me

2008-10-25T18:56:00.006+08:00

No doubt, the financial crisis that has dawned upon us has been amazingly and shockingly fast. At times, it feels as though there is not enough time to register the reflexes that should be appropriate in such conditions. Needless to say, I've not made any changes to my portfolio and was caught out in this sudden plunge. The situation is increasingly worse and no one knows for sure when the tide will turn and a genuine bottom be found. I did a health check to gather the numbers and below is the current result:-

Net yield since I'd stepped foot into equities almost 3 years ago: -11.43%

Current yield of my portfolio: -24.54%

My current portfolio tells me I have lost a Tag Heuer Grand Carrera 17RS and abit more. :(

The half a million ringgit question

2008-10-25T18:56:00.001+08:00

I was miffed about the workshop that I usually go to, trying to up sell me with those exorbitant carbon removing liquid. Just provide the services that I as a customer demand. Mechanics motivated by sales commissions is rather weird. It doesn't then seem to have any other difference as opposed to you going into a butcher to get slayed.

On a separate note, I went to a packed bank today to withdraw some moolah from my FDs since my bank account ran out of them. Long story short, I'm just moving some money around for optimum state so as not to be charged of bank interest that much. We should be careful of these legal loansharks. Later on while doing some bookkeeping, I'd found out surprisingly that I'm very close to surpassing the half a million mark in assets. Seems like a major milestone. Now the question is, what is my leverage? That I think is the question which matters more.

Getting rid of the cobwebs

2008-09-21T18:05:00.002+08:00

Condition
The past 2 and a half months have not been great. The persistent and stubborn inflammation of the skin has returned yet again. I have seen 4 doctors to date. And the amount spent for medical expenses has breached RM500. The third doctor that I went to see is a dermatologist specialist and had diagnosed my condition as pityriasis rosea and had prescribed me with an ointment and probiotics. I was also given a jab and miraculously the condition was almost gone by the next 2-3 days. However, it seem to came back with a vengeance and grew more and in more chronic state. I then decided to see Dr. Mak, who took a quick look and in less than 30 seconds had prescribed ketaconazole, cetrizine hydrachloride and econazole cream; and sent me off the room. He didn't mention what it was and from my research based on the prescription, it could be tinea versicolor or some fungi related infection in the bloodstream. Today is the second day and I have so far see rather positive results. Hope this will finally clear up as I have been very frustrated over this.

Investment
At the current situation, needless to say, my investment porfolio isn't looking great. Couldn't be categorised as abysmal but suffice to say, a -9.41% yield is paltry at best.

To make matters worse, the next progress payment for my apartment shall be disbursed soon. That shall entail more funds to be channeled into the loan account to offset as much of interest charged as possible. If we are not confident of winning 6.85% in investments, we might as well dump the fund there to reduce the amount of principal which is to be charged at -6.85%. Simple arithmetics.

Work
Managed to take 4 days of replacement leaves and went for a short trip to Singapore. Did a lot of walking, as expected, but this time I guess the crux of the trip had opened up my perspective of the lifestyle there and necessary adjustments for working there. I think now, I will only move if the money is right.

With the departure of two team leads, I have suddenly promoted to a higher position, at least on the responsibilities and workload without the pay increment and position change. It has been tough working long hours and trying to solve problems to which I've not had experience on before. Fortunately we have managed to pull through most of it and have gained a lot more understanding and knowledge as a result. To take something out of this, I guess this will clearly mark me as one of the candidates for a promotion in the next upcoming round. Let's be patient and sit out this till March 09 and see what happens.

Misc
Today I have bought my first pillow. It's a dunlopillo and had cost me RM 150. Just a pillow for goodness sake!

Malaysian income statistics snippet

2008-08-03T15:12:00.001+08:00

Some interesting figures:-

38,000 Malaysians have an annual income of more than RM 250,000 ( 0.3% of workforce )
120,000 Malaysians have an annual income of more than RM 150,000 ( 1% of workforce)
7 million Malaysians have a monthly income of RM 3,000 to RM 5,000. (58.3% of workforce)

Yet, why there are only 1.14 million tax payers?

Sad state of Malaysian's economy

2008-07-13T15:46:00.003+08:00

The following chart shows the Monthly Income per household as of 1Q 2008. Isn't it sad to see most Malaysians are actually living close to poverty. As for my family, we are in the top 5% category fortunately. But not so fortunate, in terms of how easily we are in that bracket simply because of the sad state of the overall income of Malaysians.

Apparently, for 1Q 2008, there are only 1.14 million tax payers. In other words, only 1.14 million individuals who has a monthly income of more than RM2500. That is only 10.8% of the total workforce which pays taxes. Isn't that baffling or what?

What this has proven, is clearly that our economy has not been able to move up the value chain and has still remain largely on the manufacturing side. Failure to raise and develop better human capital is one of reason why. Brain drain is also seriously affecting the economy. Wages are extremely low and can't keep up even with neighbouring countries. How are we supposed to attract and retain our own knowledge workers? This becomes a self excaberating situation where the economy does not move up the value chain due to lack of human capital, and our top knowledge workers cannot work in the country because of lack of jobs.

Stagflation

2008-07-06T17:44:00.003+08:00

Zeti's report on CPI inflation at 3.81% are bollocks. First of all, you have a direct 40% hike on petrol and 60% on diesel. The food prices in hawkers and food court nearby the area where I work at has gone up by 12% to 16%. In July, we will see 20% increase in electricity charges. Credit card companies will impose interest charges on future purchases should you not clear your outstanding balances every month. How many people on the street can't do that? Apparently the figure is 1.8 million. That is nearly one fifth of our working population. We see news about price increases everyday in newspaper. Tiles, steel, stationeries, rice, pork, and many more to make the list. And another startling news which is if poverty level is at RM 1500 and in my opinion this is a fair figure, it affects a quarter of the households. In most corporations, the annual increments is less than 10%. Which means, wage earners are getting poorer by the day.

I've noticed a drastic drop in the traffic on the road. I myself think twice now whenever the need to travel occurs, especially for leisure purposes. Silly trips like going to Klang just for seafood dinner is automatically crossed out.

The stock market is in shambles. I have, currently on paper loss close to RM 8000. FD rates at 3+% eventhough losing out hugely due to inflation looks so much better now. An impending BLR hike will surely accelerate this doldrum. This is the new reality. Stagflation is here to stay.

The depreciating standards of living

2008-06-11T13:49:00.000+08:00

The rising cost of living is certainly beyond worry. A fellow colleague of mine commented over lunch today, that his fixed expenses takes up 70% of his take home pay. That got me startled and prompted me to do a fast calculation of my own. In order to appear healthier than what my finance is supposed to be, I have put in only the minimal amount of what must be spent in each category of expenses every month. To my dismay, it also clock in a 70% rate. The consolation to that is, I can see a 30% buffer or savings every month. Do note that I have entered only the minimal amount for each expense category. I then wondered what might probably happen in year 2010. My house installments will start to kick in, in another 1.5 years. That's not too far away. By then, the ratio has gone up to 95%.

As prudent as I could have been, I am left with only 5% savings. If I had to struggle in such a condition even without the full cascading effects kick in, i.e, the rise in food prices, building materials, financial cost (hope not!!), utilities, car maintenance, etc, one can't imagine how someone with lower income than myself could pull through. I now still have a six figure liability to my name. More probable than not, I have to let go of my condominium unit in the near future. The problem is can I find a buyer?

Moving to 8.2 km rural

2008-05-26T17:34:00.000+08:00

My last weekend was spent visiting show houses and new neighbourhoods. My family's insistence of getting a new house and selling off the current condominium unit, or rather my mom's is definitely against economical sense. At a rough count, the target location now is 8.2 km further than our current home and town. Toll charges and additional petrol cost using the current rate would probably be RM 5 per person per day. Discounting the maintenance and car park rental of RM 300 per month now, it's still costlier to move. So my mom's reason of the high running cost of living in a condominium is not valid.

But it makes all the sense, as was written in The Undercover Economist book, as to why such a decision takes place. It is all in the name of the expansion of family. Of course, my mom would put it in a rather cynical way, saying that sooner, family members will not have much place to stand, let alone sit.

I have to give up my sheltered car park. I dread the tiring process of house moving and the impending ill-fated traffic nightmares. What's in for me? From 54 sq feet to 180 sq feet.

Bonus not enough

2008-04-20T23:45:00.002+08:00

Murphy law strikes again. Few days ago, I was driving back home after work. Going through the usual crawl until I reach Jalan Istana whereby the traffic ease up abit. I fiddled with the air-conditioner switch when I noticed the air blowing out is not as cold as it used to be. Suspecting nothing amiss, I had thought the air-conditioner is about to throw some fuss. And then, I saw some steam rising from the bonnet. In an instant, the focus is now on the engine temperature. Holy crap, it's H till the max as far as the dial can go. A few seconds later, the engine indicator came up on the dashboard and I pulled aside.

I switched off the engine and watch the traffic goes by. A moment later, a smiling indian guy on a motorcycle came by and asked if the car has broken down. Immediately he offered to fix the car on the spot. Weighing between giving him the job or waiting for the tow truck to tow the car back to some workshop, I had decided to take a gamble with that guy. Might have been a very risky decision then. However, his dirty mechanic hands and his immunity to heat by touching the boiling radiator helped in my decision making.

To keep it short, the said guy took the radiator out and took RM 150 from me to purchase a new casing and clean the radiator in a nearby workshop. He later came back with the radiator with new casing and many 1.5 litre bottles of water, still on his motorcycle.

Suffice to say, the whole ordeal came to about RM 350. And on the following day, a trip down to Nissan service centre, to reset the ECU because the engine indicator has refused to go off, and for going through a scheduled maintenance job had took me RM 1100.

Gah! The highlight of this post is of the unnecessary expense incurred this month. :(

My ride

2008-04-06T00:26:00.003+08:00

The picture says it all. Before and after. Now there's the additional RM1k every month. Bah!

Typing speed

2008-03-27T00:31:00.000+08:00

92 words

Speedtest

SAP and ABAP random notes

2008-03-05T15:58:00.002+08:00

Date Formatting
BEGDA should be TYPE DATS. Strangely enough, if BEGDA is declared as TYPE DATE, the date formatting using WRITE won't work. That had baffled me for 30 long minutes.

BEGDA = '20080303'.

WRITE BEGDA DD/MM/YYYY.

Result:-
03.03.2008

Static Method
How to identify static methods in a class?
1. Use TCODE: SE24, to study the class definition
2. Go to Methods tab, and look at 'Level' column. It should be 'Static'.

Use the following syntax to call a static method:-

Observe that it is '=' instead of the conventional '-'.

classname=>get_pernr( ).

CALL METHOD classname=>get_pernr( ).

How to do class Definition Load?

Before a static method can be accessed, the class it is associated with must be loaded into the stack for the compiler to understand it.

class classname definition load.

SAPConnect
How to add the email addresses that should be sent to, in SAPConnect administration, from SAP.

1. SOST - Administration of External Send Processes
2. SCON - SAPConnect : Administration (system status)
3. Double click on the node under INT
4. Click on button for 'Internet'
5. In the 'Address Area', add in the email required or use '*@domain.com'.

Small portfolio change

2008-03-05T15:54:00.000+08:00

KLSE Composite Index is down 32.63 to 1281.39 at the moment. I had just bought my first bluechip stock.

The current yield I'm getting for my cash in FD is slightly above 3% if monthly compounding interest is included in the calculation. I've bought PBBANK @ 9.950. To beat the yield in the form of cash, I'll need it to achieve the target price 10.40 at 5 March 2009 or receive dividends payout of 45 cents during this year long period.

What do you think? I think it's easily achievable.

An unsuccessful sale

2008-02-28T16:45:00.000+08:00

Suddenly I felt compelled to sell all of my shares for one counter seeing that it is gaining strength. I made a call and placed instructions to sell all of my holdings at a specific price. I was told that it'll be going to the Sell queue, but if I could place it at 0.005 lower, it can be done immediately.

I thought to myself then, the Buy queue is only 0.005 in difference, which means there is buying strength. Hence, I opted to wait by placing a Sell queue based on my initial price.

An hour later, I had a check again. To my dismay, the last done price has gone down quite a bit. The total difference for a successful transaction would have been only less RM 100 in profit.

I have succumbed to holding due to greed yet again.

The surprising spike

2008-02-15T18:28:00.003+08:00

This is the chart of a stock I purchased sometime back in September 2007. It was moving sideways for many months and I thought the catalyst for it to spike up is not true. I decided to hold it since it's price, although not moving up, is quite stable.

To my glee, this happened as of late. I once heard that the target price is RM 1.00 due to reevaluation by private equity. I think I'll let go once it reaches 30% yield. This post is to remind myself so.

2007 in review

2008-01-07T00:58:00.000+08:00

It has been a tradition of sorts, which I've noticed at first on others and had adopted it for my own blog as well. A new year shall start with a summary and reflection of yesteryear.

- It was the year where I've purchased my first real estate property, albeit being a box in the sky.

- A supposedly growing relationship ultimately became an illusion. I guess I was delusional.

- I'd discovered an amusing fact, which is my net worth has surpassed 1 billion. However, currency of which shall not be revealed.

- Hit a point where I had seriously ponder and consider a career change despite being in a top consulting firm.

- Not long after that, I had decided to resign and move on. In hindsight, it was a brilliant move. A no brainer. I couldn't figure out what took me so long. That's nothing glorious in associating yourself with the brand name when there's nothing else to be gained from in building my career. That is the bottom line and simply a one line statement to describe it. What I have gained from it is truly life changing and a huge impact to my own character. The experience itself is also enriching, challenging, and had pushed myself to the limit many many times.

- An unplanned but eye opening trip to Jakarta and witnessing the life of my fellow CFO friend is interesting to say the least.

- By calculation or instincts, somehow, I've sold most of my equities near the spike.

- I had a bigger appetite towards risks in stocks.

- I have also been more willing to spend and live life a little more.

My material christmas wish list

2007-12-23T12:40:00.000+08:00

In line with the festive season, below are my material Christmas wish list.

1) New car - My current car is going to be 8 years old in two months time. Mileage has not been that much. Unfortunately, a few untoward incidents courtesy of my brothers have led to it's dismal condition it is now.
Estimated cost: 50,000 - 80,000

2) New leather belt - My current belt from Bhs from year 2002 has been left hanging by the hook for many months.
Estimated cost: 250 - 350

3) New Adidas sneakers - My current Adidas Running is 4 years old and is tearing apart. There's nothing else this can be replaced by. It has to be an Adidas.
Estimated cost: 260 - 350

4) Book:The Age of Turbulence - Just feel like wanting to read this one.
Estimated cost: 130

5) New watch - A new automatic watch, chronograph or not, would be sweet.
Estimated cost: 5,000 - 10,000

6) New phone - My current Nokia 7250i is 4+ years old. Friends have been pestering me enough times and my phone has been many times a banter of such occasions. I don't need a high end phone which comes with functionalities I don't use. Therefore, I will never pay such a price for that.
Estimated cost: 1,000 - 1,800

7) Cufflinks - New bling bling cufflinks to the collection.
Estimated cost: 150 - 250

8) Book:A Banking Thoroughbred - Always fascinating to read about how Public Bank establishes itself and of a highly successful corporate figure.
Estimated cost: 50

9) Book: The monk who sold his ferrari

10) Book: The world according to Jeremy Clarkson

11) Book: Paulo Coelho's The Zahir

small addition to the collection

2007-12-17T11:01:00.000+08:00

Bought the above two books. I had finished Lim Goh Tong - My Story. Quite a compact journal full of life anecdotes told with humility and humour. Interesting to note how he achieved what he had, by being at the right place at the right time, strike when opportunity comes, pure hardwork, going against the odds and by having faith and conviction in his instincts.

Another entry point

2007-11-23T22:53:00.000+08:00

Another selldown in the market. Whatever the reason be it the Yen Carry Trade, Subprime fallout by Bear Stearns, Merill Lynch, Citibank, Credit Crisis, China Bubble, Oil Spike, Interest rates adjustment; corrections are taking place in the markets and these are good opportunities to load in again. Without the ups and downs, it'll be too dull. Anyway, my goal is to beat the paltry bank's FD rates of 3.75%. Therefore, I'm not setting myself up with insane lofty ambitions of gaining >30% returns eventhough I might have done so earlier this year.

They say don't buy when the knife is chopping. They say bottom fishing is dangerous.

But I'm not listening because I want to make money.

Back from Singapore

2007-10-21T22:42:00.000+08:00

Finally I am back from my weekend trip to Singapore. It was fun albeit tiring. I came back with a new wallet, lack of rest, sore feet and a sense that the weekend was well spent.

I spent a total of 23 hours awake on Saturday for having to wakeup and board Airebus that departs at 7.30 AM sharp. All the passengers of that bus were upgraded to business class seats. However, the air conditioning wasn't functioning properly. Due to some miscommunication between my pals, I had to shop around and lunch by myself for a moment. Fortunately, I chanced upon the jovial Mabel who happened to hang around at Scotts road before heading to gym. What coincidence it is to bumped into her. It was great to catch up and hear her boisterous laughter again.

The rest of the day were spent shopping along Orchard Road and people watching with our Singapore host, Kin Yew, Mavis and the rest of the crew. Headed down to Ministry of Sound as our main event of the trip. Everyone was pretty whacked after supper at McDonalds and doze off in our taxi ride back to home at 4+ AM. Yeah, Singapore's supposed to be safe like that.

Below is my new wallet. Come to think of it, it is the first wallet that I purchased for myself. I have always been using and drop wallets which are gifts from other people.

Fuzzy greed

2007-10-03T23:14:00.001+08:00

The magnificent yield now stands at 34.87% YTD. I have accounts in two separate funds with gains of 11.99% and 19.73% in slightly more than 5 months. Have been increasingly feeling uneasy of this vertical hike. Should I sell all and realised the profit? I'll have to come back at a -3.64% rate later.

Update: I was right but I missed the spike by 2 days. In just two days, the NAV has shed 2.75% and 5.44% respectively. Anyhow, I'm betting on a lower entry level in the near future. How low? Well that's the next guess.

Update 2: May not be the spike. Have sold both funds and I hold nothing now. The yields which I've sold at are 10.25% and 14.29%.

When the keyboard stop working with your laptop

2007-09-24T19:28:00.000+08:00

My five year old laptop has always been showing signs of it's age. I had reformatted it about three times, which all has been performed reluctantly, as they involved wiping out all data inside. The CDROM also has refused to work and still remains so. The speakers will occasionally give me a static shock when I place my hands close to it. And it will just power down whenever it's too hot such that I have to constantly monitor it's temperature and CPU usage.

Today however gave me the biggest fright of all. The keyboard has gone cuckoo. I can't even logged on to windows anymore given that a number of alphabets cannot be typed by the keyboard anymore. I frantically punished the keys more in hope to log on to the machine at least one last time so I can backup my stuff, and luckily I'm able to do that. I am now typing this with my left hand on the keyboard and my right clicking on the on-screen keyboard. I have also removed my password on this machine.

*Sigh!!!

Retail player's diary

2007-09-05T16:56:00.000+08:00

Bought my first share in year 2004. Sold it in year 2005 and made a lost of RM 668.

Bought my second share this year and sold it in less than a month's time. Made a profit of RM 853. Outstanding 23.5% gain in less than a month's time.

Have bought my third counter and aiming on a fourth one. Let's see how they'll turn out.

Back from Jakarta, Increasing equities

2007-08-29T16:42:00.000+08:00

Had returned from Jakarta two days ago. What I had thought to be a pretty short trip turned out to be more than what I'd expected. I felt that the few days spent over there has indeed opened up my eyes, with the exposure to the lifestyles, culture and reasons behind of why things turn out to be like it is now.

Jakarta has a higher cost of living yet their purchasing power is considerably low. Cost of credit is skyhigh. The huge income disparity is apparent and this unequal distribution will continue. Infrastructure and human capital resources are inadequate and won't be an easy fix due to the mentality entrenched in their people. One hugely noticible traits is the change to the attitude and social dynamics which I think the disbalance of power between gender and master servant relationship surprises me, in a good way though, I should add. I guess what this entails, is allowing opportunities

Went clubbing and the second I stepped foot in there, the words "Oh My God" crossed my mind. KL clubbing really sucks in comparison. Too costly and pretentious.

---

Brought back with me to KL is this information for opportunistic entry in equities. Is it really true? I still wonder in hope. I had increased my exposure to equities during this few weeks. Need to fix and readjust my portfolio. As it stands, the cash ratio is too damn high and it means that I will be losing out to inflation.

The market crash in February and August had left me with some missed opportunities. It is always the herd mentality. The fear and greed of humans. However, I'm glad I had learned from it, that is to make decisions and take action when such opportunities avail themselves.

Weekend in Jakarta

2007-08-21T18:23:00.000+08:00

This is another trip out of the blue. I guess I should just go ahead and take the opportunity after a hellish year and who knows what's in store ahead.

Was just chatting with a long time friend of mine in Jakarta mostly catching up on work life. The said CFO then invited me to visit there for a weekend trip since I have the means to do so, specifically time. Anyway expenses will be slightly subsidised since I have lodging at his condo and will be riding in his beemer. And so, swapping my card online I did for the flight ticket and Jakarta, here I come!

accent to the future not

2007-08-15T22:03:00.000+08:00

Haven't been updating the blog for quite some time. It may be due to having a writer's block or perhaps I was too busy working or figuring things out in my mind which left me tired. When the dust has settled though, it seems that the landscape of my mind has become plain and does not seem to have much to be written about.

I had just like to update a little here about my life and capture the thoughts to ponder for myself in the future as I believe this is a turning point moment in my life. I had recently resigned from the company that I am working for and had secure a position which entails the type of work, learning opportunities, skills I wish to develop, and perhaps an environment I envision to be more suitable for me and as a bonus, a better pay as well. This job seems as if it was crafted as per what I have in my mind, or least what I have been telling my family, friends, colleagues and bosses. Challenges and stress of a different nature may be facing me in the near distance. But I'm darn sure I didn't regret my decision. What made me slightly heavy hearted was leaving behind many acquaintances. Things just weren't falling into place. The timing was bad. The luck wasn't there. And the false hope from the management had left me looking at the floor with no more motivation to fight on. Sometimes I think, perhaps it's the branding. The company's extremely good in that sense, which creates a sense of loyalty from employees to the name itself and the need to be associated with it.

Sometimes, it's amusing yet amazing when what you said as a joke with a false air of confidence really comes true. I had talked about the job and rest time I wanted to my colleagues, friends and family. Both things have indeed came true to my surprise and delight.

I had a wonderful time with close friends last weekend. The camaraderie just took off as if it was a day ago that we had last seen each other. I guess I should be taking this opportunity to catch up with as many friends as possible.

When is enough, enough for you?

2007-06-23T17:10:00.000+08:00

When is it that makes you consider a career move? What sort of threshold would you need to break?

I can name a few. Workload. Working hours. No time off. Being barked at. Work beyond skill. Routineness. Extreme pressure. Location. Low pay. No promotion. Bad management. Family commitments. But also, what is it that holds you back? Job security? Fear for the loss of income? A sense of comfort zone? People? Future promises? Wait and see? No opportunities knocking?

Beleaguering my mind, I have not been able to switch off from work even after reaching home. I suspect it's affecting my sleep, my health and definitely brought about emotional and mental stress.

Wasn't happy with the current state and especially more irked when I got to know what's in store for me in the future. And then with the thought to myself, why would I want to subject to work or in a role that I have totally no interest in and therefore not wanting to invest my time in?

And so, the bottom line is, when is enough, enough for you?

At the expense of reduced future consumption

2007-05-11T15:16:00.000+08:00

At times, I ponder over the lifestyle specifically the expense decisions that people take. In a country with such dismal transportation system that forces owning a vehicle mandatory to continue to make ends meet, one with such poor purchasing power and high cost of living; it has always bewildered me when I examine the lifestyles people had chosen.

Hire purchase loans especially for cars are now extended up till 9 years of repayment which was unheard of, a few years back. This had practically enlarged the market of buyers with such credit availability to the same group of people who was once thought to be ineligible to afford purchasing the car. As such, people are now pledging years of unearned future income to finance such purchases. This has not yet taken into account, which is more likely than not, the depreciation of the car will be faster than the repayments made. And as a result of that, one will eventually face the conundrum of having to pay more money in order to sell the car.

A manager in the company I'm working for once said, "I like to buy growth, not dead items" whilst discussing luxury watches with another manager. It is quite apparent that he detest money spent on expensive but depreciating items.

Two quotes from Kiyosaki are simple yet profound, which define wealth as "The number of days you can survive forward if you stop working today” and "You are rich if your passive income is more than your expenses".

Of course, one has to pamper themselves once a while within reasonable means, both to keep up the sanity in chasing the rat race as well as to actually convert and consume the wealth that is created which otherwise would just remain as nothing but a numerical figure.

I had chanced upon the phrase "at the expense of reduced future consumption" from an article that I read somewhere, and thought, how aptly that summarizes it all.

Go back to your home branch

2007-05-09T15:32:00.000+08:00

This occurred about a week back. It's bemusing to got to know that one can only withdraw a maximum of RM 10k from a Savings that was opened at another branch. And another similar rule applies for FD. One can only withdraw FDs which are RM20k and above from the home branch which the FD account is opened at. And if that's not annoying enough, they (bank employees from another branch) need to wait for the applicant's signature to be faxed over from the home branch before the transaction can be processed. That will take around 15-30 minutes.

Sometimes I can't help but wonder why is the state of our banking system is so limited. The large network of branches everywhere is practically useless given such limitations and policies applied. Customers should not be geographically limited. They should be able to perform any type of transaction without limits at any branch.

The Big B Club

2007-04-26T17:19:00.000+08:00

Today I found a stunning and amusing fact about myself. I have always suspected this, but as I discovered it, it is still quite unbelievable. But here you go, ladies and gentlemen, my net worth has surpassed the billion mark. And before anybody asks, I shall not devulge what currency it is in though. *Wry smile*

Bullseye

2007-03-27T23:10:00.000+08:00

Had chanced upon an ex-colleague online, and we chatted for a short while. Doing the usual catch up of how's things going and what are we doing now and so forth. It is just natural then that we update each other about which company we are working for currently.

Upon hearing the name of the company that I'm working for, she said "I heard your company work people to hell"

How aptly put.

Black is the new black

2007-03-16T00:21:00.000+08:00

Just got this 3 days ago. Brand new HP nc6400.

Growing Asset

2007-03-16T00:13:00.000+08:00

Seems like my 'non-existant' asset is growing. Slowly but surely.

Oh shit

2007-03-06T22:29:00.000+08:00

I am such an idiot. Why can't I see this coming? Really felt out of whack and fell off my chair. This time, hard.

landmark

2007-02-22T16:33:00.000+08:00

My non-existant 'asset' that had led me into a six figure debt.

Ushering into 2007

2006-12-31T16:14:00.000+08:00

Did a quick check on what I had written for the past few years. It's quite nostalgic to find that huge changes had taken place in my life although it hasn't been that long ago. I am also surprised to see that I was highly optimistic for the year 2006 which started with a bang.

Some of the highlights of 2006:-

It was a year which I switched two jobs.

loonatik was temporarily shutdown, moved to another location and resurrected after 4 months.

Got a job, in a relatively small company, which entailed me to work in Beijing. Life was merry, and the camaraderie between colleagues are more akin to a small family.

Had my first outstation trip with colleagues, one activity which I wasn't able to do before. Somehow, didn't quite connect with other colleagues in the previous company.

Got conned in Beijing for buying a fake thumbdrive and the traffic system nearly got me killed. One still need to look around 360 degrees before and whilst crossing eventhough the traffic light is showing green for pedestrian crossing.

Had a pretty fun tour around Beijing, from the famous and hip places like Wang Fu Jing and the popular Roast Duck Restaurant, "Quan Qu De", to the historical sites - the Summer Palace, Great Wall of China and not forgetting to place of work - the swanky LG Twin Towers and many other fancy restaurants and small place of interest.

Consultancy. My supposedly career aspiration. I got it but I fear and hated it. I was mentally disturbed with work and the direction ahead kept bothering me. The first assignment had led me into a management consultancy project. It was indeed a culture shock, empowering as it sounds, but bossing around, hassling, being a pain in the arse, harassing, stabbing and seeing killings in meetings certainly wasn't my cup of tea. I then took a 22% paycut to switch to another role of which I later learnt more about other better alternatives which weren't allowed to me. You either need luck or politics. I don't think I can regret my decision. I made it based on the circumstances then. The gain that I eventually realised was, decidedly a spike in happiness. It is all that matters.

One cannot predict the twist and turns of life. Pretty much summed up the year that was for me.

Milestone

2006-12-17T19:57:00.000+08:00

Early October 2006, would be a milestone in my life. It was when I made my first huge commitment which I made the decision to purchase my first apartment. I am therefore now saddled with a 6 figure sum of loan.

Life has been a rollercoaster of late. Hopes and despairs took turn to cloud the mind. Strings were pulled at the top, promises were told and then took back, flimsy excuses were brought to justify the situation, and finally the bottom line emerges from the surface after a dilly dally of two months. It was one which came with conditions, and explicitly detailed and explained to me. At that point of time, I was too unhappy, depressed and the situation was debilitating me for each and every passing day. So I had triggered my 'joker' card unknowingly. That being said, I knew it was a make or break point which I still pursued on because then, I was prepared and ready to become just a statistic in their turnover rate.

One of the conditions involves a paycut. The second condition would be to accept a less lucrative career path. And the third, well, let's say sacrifices need to be made.

Unbecoming

2006-09-28T21:55:00.000+08:00

It never cross my mind for what that has happened today. Was feeling under stress all along, but the realisation of things to come and recent feedback left me mentally disturbed and I just broke down at my desk. I know I had to initiate something. This is seriously unbecoming.

2 Days, 1 week, less than a month, left without a notice. That's what some had lasted. I broke that but my time is up now. Not looking to quit the firm yet. But I hope, other alternatives can be work out soon enough.

Someone asked, why do you breathe so loud?

2006-09-25T22:14:00.000+08:00

Work has been bothering me even at night whilst going to sleep. It got me so worried and the frequency of this happening is worrying itself.

Today was a bad day. The schedule was jammed packed and I had hardly anytime to even sit at my desk. That being said, it is rather fortunate though that the meetings has not been as excrutiating as I thought they would be.

I simply cannot fathom why the constant pressing emphasis of visibility, promotion, ownership, contribution, etc. It isn't even the least bit of motivating. It may sound a tad unambitious here, but my concern is only on how I'm going to survive the days and weeks ahead.

Grilling. Why must it be in their work culture? I'm not asking for a merry day but at the very least, it can be less hostile, can't it?

Deadlock

2006-09-12T21:50:00.000+08:00

Today marks the day where I had a hard time, having my mind hogged about work and the near future. Mentally I became numb. It is a dog eats dog world out there, and unfortunately, the policy of this company only enforces it to be so.

In order to do well, I had to become not myself. I see myself not fitting in to the so called model of what an employee should be like here. When I think more about it, it isn't me. It is not my aspiration. And I began to wonder then, what my aspiration is. It's hard to change one's personality.

Planning one's career. Sometimes that's futile. Things didn't and won't happen in the way we expected them to be. Some may turn out better but more often than not, for me, it wasn't the case. In fact, it may just screw you hard in the ass.

Looking at my situation now, it may seem that I had escaped from an impending doom if I were to continue with my previous job. And I was thinking and looking forward then, to start anew and long career here with a solid grounding for a significant amount of time. But who would have thought I had land myself in this disastrous tormenting position. I don't think throwing the towel would be an option now.

What should I do?

PC got sicky

2006-08-31T18:39:00.000+08:00

My personal laptop gets uppity all of a sudden. The graphics went haywired. The header, menus and everything else basically became black and striking in contrast. I was very sure I didn't turn on the accessibility function. The scrollbars also went missing. I boot it up again and to my horror, the Microsoft Office suite went bonkers. Icons and shortcuts went missing and they somehow became not available. I then reinstall Office but it turns out the installation didn't manage to complete itself. Anyhow, the office programs work again but now, fonts are missing. I download the fonts and redeploy them.

It seems fine again now, but Excel still can't open one excel sheet that contains macros regardless whether I enable or disable it. Rats. It feels like my pc now has got this disability, as if a finger is not working.

Now. How on earth do you explain something like this. I'm from an IT background but can't muster any acceptable reasoning for it. I can only blame it on it's old age. 4 years old.

Flustered but not sunken

2006-08-22T23:28:00.000+08:00

I came back quite late yesterday. Missing two turns to go back didn't help either. I didn't know what was I thinking. I realised my mind was overwhelmed and occupied with work or whatever that happened during work that day even after settling back, sinking myself on the sofa.

Today wasn't a good one either. Wasn't feeling well, especially lunch time. That sucks, doesn't it? Having cold sweats and unable to concentrate. And I still had to quickly figure out and spit out answers eloquently when being questioned all of a sudden whilst walking back.

What it means to be a consultant? It means to be the bad guy. It means to see people disliking your presence. Yes, I can see that. It means cracking the whip and hassling a horde of others. But I do agree with what my mentor said. If we don't do that, all this shit is not going to run.

Perhaps like most things, it will grow on you. I certainly hope so. I'm not sure if this is the kind of career I'm looking at. Perhaps people are meant to adapt to their jobs, not otherwise, that is having the job carved out to fit the individual. There are certain perks and especially small little things that keeps you delighted to last you for the day.

This kinds of reminding me the dark and gloomy days of the past but which I used it again and again to justify my background as though with glory.

I certainly hate work bitching. But it makes up for blogging content at least.

Neighbourhood from the dark room

2006-08-17T17:40:00.000+08:00

No tripods were used. Camera handheld bracing against the balcony grills.

They will do the talking

2006-08-15T00:53:00.000+08:00

Chilli in the sky

This mooncake by Mei Sum was sent to me by my friend from Hong Kong. That was uber cool.

A view from above

Not having photoshop sucks.

When +1% in BLR happens

2006-08-09T17:39:00.000+08:00

Long term interest rates that remained historically low beginning after the 1997 recession as well as relatively low inflation has propelled house prices to their new elevated levels. As inflation is taking off and persistently so, albeit it might be cost pushed rather than demand led, interest rates must rise to levels that give a positive real return and to fight inflation.

By and large, houses are mostly financed by loans, so purchases are heavily affected by interest rates. BLR currently stands at 6.75% and so far, we had witness several hikes in the OPR by Bank Negara for it to reach at this level. From hearsay as well as bankers' prediction, the hikes are going to be continuous due to the high inflation and in sight, another 0.25% is well expected.

So in my moments of idleness, I used a mortgage calculator and did a little experimentation with fictional figures to actually gauge the real financial impact that would befall salaried mortals like myself. The industry practise for calculating the maximum monthly payment and therefore the amount of eligible loan is by using 40% of one's monthly income. From a simple spreadsheet populated with off the head figures, I had managed to come out with the following conclusions.

A hike in interest rate would basically affect debtors in two ways. Increase in the monthly payment or less principal to be borrowed. A 1% increase in BLR actually makes 10.48% increase in the monthly payment. While 0.25% hike in BLR increases monthly payment by 2.569%. So there. I had never realised that one hundred basis points have such an impact to the borrowing cost. In terms of the principal, every 1% increase in BLR would strip off about 10% of the principal one would be eligible to borrow.

So, for current homeowners still paying their home loans, a 1% hike would mean they'll have to absorb the 10% increase in their monthly mortgage payment by means of cutting back from other areas. And if they can't, they'll have to sell. For new borrowers, a 10% of principal would be slashed off from their eligible loan amount. Hence, their purchasing power is directly affected.

Borrowing cost should be viewed properly before one commits to join in the race. Before they know it, an oversupply situation emerges and houses come crashing down.

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Yeah I'm boring. I know.

Lament the state

2006-08-09T11:23:00.000+08:00

Excerpt from a local newspaper.

"..proactive step to speed up MyKad issuing process".

What a joke. After several years, MyKad applicants can get card within 24 hours. Well, 24 hours is certainly better than 3 months. But why would the streamlining and optimization process require such a long time? It is ironic really to have such inefficient system in our home ground when we promote ourselves to be technologically competent and a first class provider through our government's umbrella body MDC. We have managed to help other countries' government to issue identity smart cards within 15 minutes. Yes, you read that right. The moment an applicant gets a queue ticket until him or her receiving the spanking new card is under 15 minutes. The counter officers would have to be profusely apologetic to the applicants should a delay of 15 minutes is to occur. For all intents and purposes, should there be any problems whatsoever that would require the applicants to return the day after, they would need to have a bloody good reason and tact to do the explanation.

Freedom of information. I really hope we are not taking a few steps back. Dr. M kind of hinted of such a scenario to take place recently at the UTP press conference. LKY better get a firm grip on this as the ministry in charge and ensure he walks the talk. Do your part and sign this online petition, "Malaysian Freedom of Information Act".

Needless moments of anxiety

2006-08-06T23:11:00.000+08:00

Wanted to bring my camera to office tomorrow, so I'd searched for my camera to place it on my desk as an ostentatious reminder. The camera's missing from it's usual spot. Strange, I thought. So I went on to find it at other logical places and even not so logical spots within my room, my brothers' room, inside my car and even at the kitchen.

The search has been to no avail. Flashback of memories brought me back to weeks back when I last brought it out and I remembered clearly I did bring it back home safely. And I did what insane people do when they can't find their things. Go over all the spots and look again as if it might mysteriously and miraculously appear to my delight. It need not be said that that wasn't how the script went.

Major suspect is back. My mom. How can that be, you ask? There were many times where she would move my things around to my dismay and give me ludicrous reasons of which I cannot possibly accept. To illustrate an event of that, around 8 years back, I had leapt to my horror when two thousand ringgit were missing from my drawer. Of course, I was still a student and that was then a most ridiculous amount I ever had in cash. It meant the world to me. She gave me a polished remark that she took it for safe keeping on my behalf and that it's not safe to keep it in the drawers. Yeah, and that was the last time I had heard about my money.

So I questioned my mom.

Me: "Ni yiu na nga eh camera mau?"
(Did you take my camera?)

Mom: o.O? *lost for 3 seconds*

Mom: "Ohhh...yiu...choy nyia eh khui eh coat tippoi piang ten"
(Yeap, it's hidden inside your coat inside your wardrobe)

And thanks to smashpOp, that's how I found my camera which would otherwise be hidden in my jacket inside my wardrobe from me.

Boom or Doom

2006-08-04T11:42:00.000+08:00

In my first sentence, I have to declare that I am no economist and whatever below are my personal opinion whether flawed or not. Let me get on with another attempt of an average joe's discussion about the economy. The government predicted a 6% increase in our economy and is still backing that figure eventhough other research house predicted a 5.2% with a rather handful of negative remarks. If the economy is measured by GDP alone, granted, that would be a possible figure to achieve, single handedly helped by our export of oil due to the phenomenal rise in price. But what would happen if we strip the oil factor out of the economy? Are we still looking at growth or a contraction? I'm more inclined to believe the latter.

Focusing on the vehicles sector, which is a big slice of the cake itself. Recent news reported that there is a glut of 250,000 cars in the market. An oversupply situation. In this case, it is not surprising that the multiplier effect would have given rise to the following news such as the EON VSS Scheme, component makers going bankrupt, second hand cars market in a dreadful state and so on. The figures released also indicated a contraction of the vehicles sector or at least, the passenger cars sector. Instead of a 2.5% growth prediction for year 2006, a contraction of 5% is registered for the first half of the year. So is it fair to say that there is a recession going on in this sector?

Even the almighty toyota has drop a 2-3% in sales compared to year 2005. One would shudder then what would befall Proton. I have been told and read from somewhere that the inventory of new Protons (although getting old fast gathering dust) unsold are earth shattering. On a much smaller scale, I had chanced upon a parking complex in Kota Kemuning parked full with brand new Chevrolet cars. Chevrolet may be facing a "Sei Foh Leh" time. It was definitely not a good sight.

My friend has been telling me that the tighter credit conditions imposed and not to mention the persistent rise in interest rate, are turning the tap of credit off. NPLs are creeping up and it is of no suprise the banks have to cut back on the unreasonable loans. People borrow much more than what they can actually afford these days.

Increasing cost of living are no doubt cutting into disposable income and hence affecting consumer spending. On another issue altogether, I am perplexed as to why properties prices have risen so much in recent years. It is pricing out the first time home buyers. I think the credit is a huge culprit here. It is unimaginable to even think of a 30/40 year loan years back. Who profits most from such scenarios? The developer pockets in the expensive sum. The banks happily reports loans growth and the house buyer saddled with an exhorbitant loan for 30 years or more, thinking that he has bought an upmarket property valued at such and such.

With the credit getting more expensive, I wonder how this crunch would affect the market. I've been told horrid stories of the recession as recent as 1997. In some way I seriously feel that the return of the valley is approaching soon.

"It's only when the tide goes out that you learn who's been swimming naked. "

- Warren Buffett

weekend

2006-07-30T23:48:00.000+08:00

Always a great retreat. A time to unwind from the hectic pace. It's nice to forget about the snooze button. It's nice to know that one didn't need to kick a fuss with himself to get over the foggy headed moments of the ungodly hours in the morning. The need to monitor the clock is gone albeit temporarily. Even the slow moving pace of the day is admirable. The worries of the past week vanished as if forgotten. Simply a must, before one gets back to the rat race to make ends meet.

Attended my first ever bloggers meet. Was slightly disappointed that not many forummers were there. Was hoping to meet them as luck would have it, I'm always away, working overseas when there's a forummers meet. Only suan, FA and penny were there. And I only got to know that penny was there the day after because I didn't recognise her then! The crowd is young. Mostly students and whose blogs which I quite frankly don't follow. I tend to follow social political blogs as well as the list of rss feeds that I've added to my list unlike the yesteryears, where I would devour most of the PPS pings. Probably due to a change of liking or simply of the fact that I'm getting older or very much busier or both. Anyhow, I enjoyed it for getting to meet some interesting people and had interesting conversations as well.

Done just like that

2006-07-13T15:32:00.000+08:00

I'm moving on. Surprisingly today, my Managing Director seems joyful enough and even congratulated me. We even talked a bit about the new company that I'll be joining. Such encouragement. She was worried though that I was to leave today itself but I assured her I will stay on for about one more month to see the project till the end.

One cannot predict the twist and turns of life. I am as amazed of the way this episode of my life begins just like everybody else. The earlier frustration and disappointment seem to sizzle out just like that. It all boils down to the timing of events.

Blessing in disguise

2006-07-07T13:57:00.000+08:00

One thing I learnt is that, you should always learn from your failures. There is always something to be learned from a failure. After all, what was the reason of the failure and what did the other party say. I managed to employ that recently, although unexpectedly, but it came off pretty useful in what I had to say.

Change of jobs

2006-06-22T11:12:00.000+08:00

An unexpected call prompted me to think of the above. Well, actually I was expecting that call, but it came 3 months late. What are the factors that you'd consider before switching to another job?

Job satisfaction, pay, higher responsibilities, work life balance, opportunity to travel, international exposure, learning opportunities, good boss, etc. Some of those are what I consider to be important aspects of a job.

I had moved on from a high paying, or rather potentially high-paying-again job, to one that the prospect wouldn't be of par to it. Having said that, I did not regret one bit of doing so and in fact quite contended with that timely decision. Retrospectively, I think it was a great timing.

I am quite satisfied with my current position and the perks of it although much is intangible in form. Namely the work life balance, opportunity for travel, job scope and also the rather informal culture that comes from it being small, but also the stringent process, methodology and innovation that's taking place as the company matures and is expanding beyond 8 countries.

The proposition in mind surely is exciting. I had expect a change in work life balance, learning opportunities, perhaps travelling, and a bigger paycheck. But most of all, it has to be the large established name that I had yet to experience working for.

Anyway, it will be until end of next week before I know what comes out of it. Otherwise I'll just stick back and continue with my 3rd month here.

Round up of Beijing trip 1

2006-06-14T16:11:00.000+08:00

It has been a long time since I last written a post. First of all, one major obstacle of it has to be China's internet connection. I experienced it myself and it irked me to no end. I wasn't able to login to Gmail and even loading the Google search page. How much more worser can it gets? Needless to say, blogger and blogspot are blocked. To me, a big part of the internet is blocked, as I use a lot of google services and so happen to read a lot of blogs hosted on blogspot.

Just to mark the events of the past, I've been to Bataling Great Wall, Wang Fu Jing, Summer Palace, Wax Museum and Xidan shopping area.

The entrance ticket for Bataling Great Wall was about 47 yuan if I remember correctly, inclusive of insurance. I believed it is one of the most visited section of the Great Wall and the crowd there was packed. What surprised me and to my delight really, is that there's some sliding car ride to go all the way down to the entrance gate, saving you from walking back the crowded path from where we went up from. It cost roughly 30 yuan. What's strange of those ubiquitious souvenir shops there is that they attract you by announcing the price first, not of the product.

One of my greatest regret was getting conned at this camera shop in Wang Fu Jing. Being the prime shopping area, I let my guard down and bought a what I thought to be '4 GB Sony thumbdrive' for 430 yuan. It turns out to be a well made fake thumbdrive that has a capacity of only 128 Mb. Well the real capacity has yet to be certain but that didn't discount the fact I was suckered into buying one. They have a cheaper variety of fake '4GB Kingston thumbdrive' which is selling for 380 yuan.

Summer Palace - Yi He Yuan, is awesome! It's the royal garden for the emperors of past. It's so huge that our legs are nearly giving up at the end of the day and we haven't finish looking at all the major spots within the garden.

My office at the LG Twin Towers although limited in space, is swanky and posh. I've also learned to take public bus myself for 1 yuan to work rather than taking taxi which each trip would cost me around 18 yuan. Another thing that I'd learned is to better estimate the volume of gas, water and electricity required. As we use a prepaid system via 3 different smart cards to store credits, and those purchased credits are not refundable, it is wise to be able to estimate the required capacity of utilities needed.

I'll have to be back in Beijing again for the second phase of the project. Seems imminent in early July.

WangFuJing, Beijing

2006-05-11T12:27:00.000+08:00

We headed to Wang Fu Jing for dinner after work. It is one of the busiest area for shopping and food. Our first stop is to this electronics shop. I was looking at the vast selection of DVDs and I was surprised with the price. Most of them are priced from RMB 15 and they were original. The next stop is a huge bookstore though most of the books are in chinese. I bought a bilingual map from there.

Then it's time for dinner, so we went to this much narrow street which is parallel to the Wang Fu Jing street that comprises of a long strech of food stalls. We later settled with the one near the opera singing stage which is a bad choice really. For the sound and the food. There are also shops selling scorpions/seahorse and god knows what with those BBQ sticks. Also there is a wooden structure which I think is the so called Wang Fu Jing well.

Upon finishing our meal, we took a walk there and take pictures along the way. We ended up at this corner just across Sun Dong Xin Place and tried out the weird spherical 360 degrees spinning ride. The ticket cost RMB 20. Due to my forgetfulness, I had to go for a temporary solution to extract the pictures from my camera. I hunted for a SD card reader at one of the shops nearby. The price tag for one is RMB 128, but the shopkeeper offer it at RMB 98. I decided to checkout other shops and she quickly offer it for RMB 78. I was tempted but my colleague suggested RMB 60. The shopkeeper accepted that.

One thing I noticed after taking many trips on taxi is that generally, these taxi drivers, si fus, will ask you to provide detailed direction towards reaching your destination. The fares for the taxis begin from RMB 10 and it increases by RMB 1.

I didn't feel too good after that spinning ride. I felt much better after vomiting when I was in my apartment. I woke up the next day with a stiff neck, sore back and some swollen parts of my back and also slightly at my arms and lower abdomen. I think it has to do with the belts and whatever forces that that thing imposed on me.

Beijing - Day One

2006-05-09T19:43:00.000+08:00

The trip did not begin on a good note. I had to finish work, have my dinner and do my final packing. I had realised only now that I had forgotten to bring the camera cables. Firstly, I had trouble getting to sleep on the plane which in usual cases, it is of no problem to me. After a few hours, I had this nagging stomach ache as well as a striking pinpoint headache. I was constantly rubbing my forehead to mitigate the pain but to no avail.

Fortunately, as we landed, all the problems have gone. Then came the immigration checkpoint. We were given 3 cards to fill. The health declaration, custom declaration and the entry card. When it was my turn at the immigration counter, I handed over my passport. I took the entry card in my hand and wondering if I should hand it to that officer as well. He snatched the card from my hand and gave me a stern "Na lai ar..Gan mar?", visibly furiated. I did nothing to appease him either and his rude behavior pissed me off.

We got on to a taxi from the airport and my colleague told the driver our destination. What left me baffled was that he need to instruct and explain in great detail on how to reach our destination.

As soon as we arrived at the apartment, I was impressed already by the lobby and the doorman opening the door for us. The apartment was swanky and modern, well at least on my standards. There's apparently more than 70 channels on the TV. However, the bulk of it are china produced programmes. A centralised boiler, water heater and heater is included. Fully furnished complete with most kitchen essentials. I was made to understand that I am staying in the Central Business District. The brochure for my 1 bedroom apartment states that the monthly rental rate comes to 14000 RMB. We didn't pay that of course, and got it with a different arrangement.

Didn't have time to do other things, it was time to work. Off we go in another taxi through the incredulous traffic. The traffic light laws is obviously different and I was stunned for not expecting such a system. On a crossroad, assuming the green is for the east and the west path, oncoming traffic from the north and south can join the furious east-west flow eventhough their traffic lights are still beaming red. Pedestrian crossing lights are also very much misleading. Eventhough the pedestrian light may show green, it only tells you that the flow of traffic from your left and right moving forward is halted. We have to keep an eye always as traffic coming from north turning left across our path can still happen.

Had lunch at this quaint chinese restaurant with quite many expats. The food was good and the bill was better. RMB 64 for 4 pax. That is for rice, 3 dishes and mineral water.

We had dinner at Mi Xi Mi Xi Suo Suo Wuo along the Jiang Guo Men Wai Dong Lu I suppose. It's basically steamboat with spicy and clear soup. However, the taste is unlike what we have in Malaysia. The dishes of meat comes in form of thinly sliced meat and each customer is given a bowl of sauce. The sauce taste much like Satay sauce only less tasteful. The bill for that filling meal comes to 133 RMB for four pax.

Countries to work at, Next

2006-05-08T14:05:00.000+08:00

Why is it that I seem to always have a tired body on Monday? Like I was drained and battered from whatever that took place the past weekend.

Just barely two months since I was back for good, it appears that that was shortlived afterall. I will be in Beijing, China by tomorrow. This trip will be of one month's duration. It is hard to predict how long more we will have to be there. Experience has taught me so. My stay at Bahrain was prolonged for a year. Go figure.

Hopefully though, I will be able to post updates from there along with more photos. Apparently, according to my sources, blogspot is blocked over there. I couldn't confirm this now yet and hope I won't need to when I'll know the answer on the following day.

Panasonic Fx9

2006-05-07T17:52:00.000+08:00

Have been so prudent to the point of frugality, I am nearly ashamed of myself.

With a trip not too distant away, the chance and the need to use a digital camera presents itself. I could not wait for a better reason to get one after delaying for so long. I got myself a Panasonic Lumix Fx9 with 1 GB SD yesterday for RM 1300.

Initially I was looking at Canon Ixus 65. But the side by side comparison and testing done by myself confirms the claims and recommendation of the sales person.

The break

2006-05-02T22:13:00.000+08:00

Sometimes one need to stop and look. I did that to find my bearings. I wondered if I did that in a fit of anger. But anger of what? I soon recalled what that was. I think the trade did me good. However, I'm not sure if I can continue on with it. For all intents and purposes, there wasn't any of that anymore. And so it further solidifies my decision and thought to myself that then was the right time. I'm glad I had moved on. And most importantly, I learned the priorities and various aspects of balance to a job.

Today makes the day where I caught a glimpse of the future. The challenges, the opportunity and the rewards at the other end. I don't know and won't know if I like it. But that's the journey to go and I'll gladly stride through it. A whole entirely new domain and who knows, just might be a turning point for the better when I'm looking back, retrospectively in another few years ahead of now.

Legitimate Side Income?

2006-04-27T17:12:00.000+08:00

Venue: Technology Park Malaysia. I stopped my car nearby the hut which sells car park coupons at the rate of RM 3 per day. There is a car park right across the road of where APIIT is. I thought it would be much more convenient if I can park my car there (read: lazy to walk). However, I kinda shrug it off my mind when I saw a sign erected stating it is for Monthly parking. Then the attendant came to the side of my car and asked.

Attendant: "You mau pigi APIIT kar? Mau park sini?"

Me: "Yah. Sini boleh ar? Tapi sini bukan Monthly parking punya kar?"

Attendant: "Sini memang monthly punya. Tapi kalau sekejap, kita orang boleh cover punya. Okay you park yang takda nombor punya"

So I handed him RM 3 but he didn't hand me the coupon. Actually I had even forgotten about it. Later when I settled my stuff, I went to take my car at the car park. I realised I had forgotten to scratch the parking coupon and place it on above the dashboard. But then, I realised that I didn't receive one to begin with.

So there was no receipt or ticket or coupon issued to me. And the attendant was pocketing RM 3 from allowing cars to park temporarily at the monthly parking area. On a rough count, this side income of his can possibly be more than his salary.

Resurrection

2006-04-26T16:16:00.000+08:00

Maybe it is time to post some updates. It has been a while since I last updated this blog. Actually I have moved this blog to another location which somewhat limited my audience as I intended it to be so. However, I have been thinking to give continue this blog after neglecting it for some time. Probably I will simultaneously maintain both blogs and either one will serve like a mirror site.

Due to lack of inspiration, procrastination and the lack of venting materials; I have not been posting as many updates as I used to. Well, to me, that may be a good thing afterall. As I realised how it is, most often than not, the contents of my blog have been mostly on work ventings. So it turns out, I have been having a quiet and slow life of late, which I appreciate the change of pace.

This coming next month, I will be taking on my new job which entails oversea trips again. Thankfully this time round, it is not going to be Middle East for the foreseeable future. I will be travelling to Beijing and we shall see how it turns out.

Blunders galore

2006-03-11T17:17:00.000+08:00

I nearly missed my flight back from Hong Kong to KLIA. Probably had spent too much time in the Business Class Lounge. I was chatting and having a coffee at the comfortable lounge. Fortunately, the departure gate is just above the lounge, so I had made it in time. But strangely, I couldn't find my flight ticket now that I am at home. I need the copy of it to claim my missing frequent flyer miles. Goddamn. What it means now is that around 5000 miles went missing and I'll have no other way to get those miles or ticket number back. It's also a hassle not to be able to claim Cathay Pacific miles when checking in flights that depart from the Bahrain airport. I don't know what's wrong with that airport. Suddenly the company just doesn't allow it.
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After doing the usual which is unpacking my stuffs, I had found many Bahrain coins. I have around 10 of them which after conversion to Ringgit Malaysia, amounts to RM 10.00. That's quite a lot in terms of value for it to be lying around now in a worthless state.
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I am officially unemployed now. The good thing is, I wouldn't need to get up early and be stucked in the traffic and face mundane tasks or stuck up people. No need to work. I'll be visiting friends to catch up and have a good rest to charge up the batteries before the next wave of challenge and stress comes along.

Cooking up

2006-03-03T17:16:00.000+08:00

The goddamn apartment's compressor unit is condemned yet again. The apartment is all stuffy and humid. Why are we paying them RM 5000 for the rent every month?

Internet connection in the apartment is abysmal. Sigh. That's the only available resource which doesn't have any filtering. The internet access in office is adequately fast, however, the proxy server now basically blocks a huge list of keywords, websites and also IMs. Even Meebo was blocked but luckily, I was still able to access it via direct IP connection. Hope they don't find that out soon enough before I leave this place for good.

Living the rich - a jakun entry

2006-03-03T17:13:00.000+08:00

I have had the provision to check in to my flight at the Business Class counter at KLIA yesterday (which means no queue). That is one of the benefits from the upgrade of my frequent flyer club to Marco Polo Silver tier. And my luggages were tagged with the Business Class priority tag which means I will no longer have to wait that long, which could sometimes be quite aggravating, for my luggage to arrive on the belt. I was also given an invitation pass to the KLIA Business Class Lounge and also for HKIA Business Class Lounge as my flight transits at HKIA.

The HKIA Business Class lounge was astounding. It is the best that I have been to. Actually I have only been to 3 other airport lounges. After handing in the invitation pass, my colleague, Teh and I proceeded to roam around the swanky but rather conservative looking lounges. We ended up in one of the available rooms, the Noodles Room. As the name would suggest, it is a noodles restaurant. The interior is just like a mid to high-end restaurant and we ordered Japanese Noodles and Wan Tan Mee. We were given a coaster like tag which blinks in red LEDS when our order is ready for collection. I then surveyed the drinks section, ignoring the coffee and tea section. There were fresh juices and a selection of various soft drinks and beers. I grabbed for myself an Asahi. We had Shanghainese Pao and fresh orange juice after finishing our noodles.

I then surveyed around looking at the Wifi section, the long bar (for cocktail and liquors), the luggage section, telephone rooms, shower rooms, before settling in the Games Room. There were 2 Grand Turismo sets complete with Sparco Seats, steering wheel and foot pedals. Teh and I tried to hook up a Vs game between ourselves but to no avail. There were several other cubicles with leather sofas and personal headphones for other PlayStation 2 games.

Later on, I was reading some magazines whilst resting on the leather sofas in one of the lounges when Teh came and asked me whether I would be interested for a second helping of the noodles. His reason was for us to be full so that we won't have to eat the horrible plane food later on which I sort of agree to. Little did we know what would be coming.

We came to realise we might be late for our flight. We quickly walked towards our departing gate and saw the staffs ostentatiously looking around and when they spot us, they greet us by name and one of the staffs there were rather in a hurried mode and visibly pissed especially when he said "Please be on time!".

Our boarding passes were exchanged with Business Class seats. Woah! The bonanza of that is actually on the duration of the flight. 9+ hours. That's surely a bliss.

I was surprised when I was greeted to by name by the stewardess. The dinner serving came soon after take off. I was already full from the earlier second helping of noodles. The first appetizer was lobster meat! Then the dinner tray came with second appetizer of salmon slices and cheese salad. There were also personal salt and pepper shakers and steel utensils unlike the plastic ones given on economy class seats. There were also 3 glasses meant for three different drinks. I requested for champagne and mineral water. After the main course and the dessert, I was given pralines too.

The seat were big and the reclining of the seat can be done more significantly than the odd and limited angle that I am more used to. That's a huge plus on comfort not to mention, the leg rest extension was really helpful for the trip. So that's why the ticket came to about RM 6000 which is twice the price of an economy class'. Fortunately I got mine for free. Till today, I still wonder why was I given the upgrade. It could be either because I was late or due to my Marco Polo membership. Either way, the complimentary upgrade was great.

End of jakun entry.

Unit Trust and the Final Bahrain Trip

2006-02-22T17:12:00.000+08:00

Out of some idleness this late afternoon, I had done some calculation on my newly purchased Unit Trust funds. I have concluded that I need 0.0003 increase on the closing prices for every 5 days. I'm not certain if it should be based on working days. If so then, I would need a increase of 0.000845 for every 10 working days. That will only generate 3.7% of returns which will be on par with the one year conservative FD returns. I hope that's easily achievable.

The catch which I realised not accounting for the risk involved, would be the duration. To break even with the initial investment amount, I shall need roughly 150 working days assuming the increase rate as stated above is achievable.

On a different note, my final trip to Bahrain has been delayed from 9th of February to the 22nd of February and now to the targeted date of 28th of February. In any case, I shall be back in Malaysia by 10th of March as that's my last working day for this company. I'm not obliged to perform any other work or duty beyond that.

Murphy law

2006-02-15T17:11:00.000+08:00

What was not accomplished yesterday was successfully achieved by my second brother. That's according to my mom. Yesterday around midnight, my brother wrecked the car again by kissing the butt of some lalachai's car from Kajang. Again, that's the description according to my mom as I didn't went out that night to survey the accident. All in all, this is the fourth time my two brothers were involved with traffic accidents that includes third party damage. With the ratio of number-of-accidents (4) / number-of-times-they-drive (which is not much considering a blanket ban from my mom), it's seriously worrying. To my disgust, my mom actually suggested of selling the Wira off for an Atos.

Rude awakening

2006-02-13T17:09:00.000+08:00

Was driving at Tasik Selatan heading to work this morning. Of a sudden, the Vios in front of me and the cars in front, I presume, was breaking hard. I then applied the brakes and the next thing I know, I'm on this screeching slide as the brake jams. The hazards were on and we stopped at the side of the road. The Vios driver, a middle age fellow came out looking at his rear bumper with his mouth agape. Then he looked at me nodding his head. I guess he was saying okay. His car was fine anyway. And we went back to our cars and to our own workplaces. After I parked my car at my office, I did a quick inspection and found some of the Vios's paint on mine as a souvenir.

A day in TPM

2006-02-09T17:08:00.000+08:00

After nearly 16 months working abroad with interim short holidays, today's my first day actually reporting back to work in my office in TPM. I actually managed to wakeup at 6.30 AM. I woke up at that ungodly hour eventhough I'm no rubber tapper with the intention to get a parking space. I even had time to go round my neighbourhood and bought some nasi lemak for breakfast and brought it for consumption at the company's cafeteria.

The whole day feels strange yet disturbingly familiar. Most of my colleagues are now replaced with new staffs which I hardly know any. My blue jacket is still hung on the chair after 1.5 years gathering dust. The slow pace which is a welcomed change after getting used to the restless days abroad, although boredom manages to seep in after awhile. I guess nothing's ideal.

As the day ends, I had only spent 9.5 hours in office which is joy and wonder, but somewhat unusual when the norm for me had been 14 hours a day. At the same time, the take home pay for the day also is laughable.

a great CNY

2006-02-06T17:07:00.000+08:00

How has your Chinese New Year been? For me, it was great and memorable. I think this year would be the year that I've had the most gatherings and meet ups with friends so far. With some of which I have not seen for quite some years. It hits me then, that everyone has been really busy working and chasing after their dreams. Life's no hunky dory for all times. That applies to everybody. But for the past many days, it's great when your acquaintances get a break and are able to group together to catch up, celebrate and share the moment with each other.

Now it's time again to resume to our busy life. Nevertheless, there's always the next CNY to look forward to.

Bahrain :(

2006-01-24T17:06:00.000+08:00

Life is so unpredictable. Everything you plan may go under in an instant. At the recent turns of events, and as fate would have it, I hate to say it but I have got to come back to Bahrain from 9th February until 23th February 2006. That really threw my whole be jolly and move on agenda into nothingness. I have already resigned, and it's time for a handover of responsibilities and duties to other staffs. If the other staff requires training or in-depth explanation, I'll gladly do that. Unfortunately, the shitty management decides to milk me till the end of my tenure. And not to mention, it's an unfair one to begin with. 2 months of notice period. What good does it make to the company and the employee? A retarded policy. Haihhh

It's incomprehensible when there's no other suitable candidate replacements for me. Then the 40+ staffs in the department must be worthless to say the least. Ultra livid. Sigh. Pokai ar, I hope I do not miss any opportunities from the MNCs that I'm eyeing on because of this upcoming trip. I really do think I stand a good chance for the jobs I applied. Since it is so, I guess I'll just let it sink in and think of how I am going to spend this 9k.

A new home

2006-01-12T18:24:00.000+08:00

Unfortunately, I have moved. Those who know me should already have known about this.

I shall not publish the new add here. Contact me at jltl1 [at] hotmail [dot] com for the new add. Gracias.

No turning back. 4 days countdown.

2006-01-12T17:04:00.000+08:00

Yet another 15 hours ordeal yesterday. I reach my apartment past midnight. I had a shower, a maggi and flu medicine. Then, I plonked myself on the bed and slumbered the night away.

In 13 days time, I'll be heading back to KL. This time it's for good. I'm guaranteeing myself for that. It really has been awhile. Around 15 months to be exact. The 12 months when I was in UK just whizzed pass me but certainly not this one. I'm glad it's going to be over soon. After which, I might be worried about the next job (it's inherent in my nature to worry) or perhaps enjoy myself in a pre-retirement holiday. I guess I shall hangout at my friends' shops and workplaces and travel all around to catch up and pretend to be busy. Yeah, it's time to reap the rewards.

Back to the arabs

2006-01-05T17:03:00.000+08:00

I'll be leaving for Bahrain yet again tomorrow morning. This would mean that my stay over there has been for 15 months altogether. That's at least 11 months more than what it should be. Reflecting back, I would say I have gained as well as lost some in that period. I'm glad I managed to drag my feet and pull myself through it. But that doesn't mean I'm willing to go through another vicious cycle of that nature again.

This time around, I'll be putting my plan into action. I guess the timing is just right. I hope opportunities are there to greet me upon returning here just before Chinese New Year. Even more so the better if I really land myself into consultancy.

Hope. One keeps walking because of hope.

2006

2006-01-01T17:02:00.000+08:00

A splendid start entering year 2006. A new year beckons again. I wonder what the future holds. Wow!

The year that was, a retrospect

2005-12-31T16:53:00.000+08:00

I suppose I should go about with the obligatory the year that was:

I started Year 2005 at home. Home as in the apartment at Plaza 1 in Bahrain. I couldn't recall on celebrating that particular day in whatsoever manner. I think what I did was having an extra longer sleep. It felt alone or lonely. I couldn't figure which.

Year 2005 was a complete change for myself. Mentally as well as what it escalated me to become. I have had a great leap ahead. As a result I become more confident. I thought my lifestyle would be a complete makeover. Instead I realised it depends on individuals and how they succumb to their needs and wants. I did spent more but would still regard myself as being prudent.

I see things from a bigger perspective. I see the sacrifice needed for every wanted achievements. There was a growing dissent in me, the job and the environment. I still couldn't figure out which is the root. The year was punctuated with some fuming mad moments, some of which nearly made me lose myself. The project required us to be saints. I can see also the dissent and frustration in every colleague. At times, it would drive one to absolute madness. At the end of the day, I truly hope the end justified the means.

I became a frequent flyer. More than 50000 miles.

I became familiar with Bahrain. No shit.

Hong Kong was awesome. I was able to meet two of my housemates in UK. We carried off as if from where we stop corresponding 2 years ago. The camaraderie was great as well as the trip itself. Can't get enough of it.

Dilemma money could make

2005-11-14T01:17:00.000+08:00

Everything has gone haywire. My mind is in a state of chaos. There is an opportunity opening its doors to me. But somehow I am rather reluctant for a longing of something that could ultimately be of nothingness. I really don't know what decision should I make. The stakes are high. Or at least they seem to me as so. I hope things will clear up and I'm enlightened to make the right choice. For now, all I could do is to ponder.

The ironing went wrong

2005-11-14T01:16:00.000+08:00

As my weekly ritual dictates, I was ironing my shirts to try and stock up my wardrobe. As it is, the laundry is normally neglected until when times become desperate. And so I was ironing the first shirt that I just pulled up when suddenly I saw a burnt hole on my shirt. With furrowed brows, I laughed a little and then remarked "Chuen Jor Loong. Hehehe". Sonny then joined in with the amusement and commented that luckily it was at the underside of the collar.

It pisses me off when I go to a restaurant and ordered for a cup of tea and the waiter tells me "Sorry sir, we don't have tea. We only have soft drink and juice sir."

I went and have my breakfast at Moosco. I ordered Kerala Meal which is basically a rice meal that comes with different curries, a piece of fried fish (or fish fry as they called it), some chutneys, a papadom, and some purplish vege looking stuff. This meal, I suppose, comes from Kerala, India. The sight of it was acceptable except for one thing. The rice is fat. Somehow the rice looks like a ball more than any other geometrical shape. The shape of it is even more prominent when chewing which is rather irksome. Rice which is fat and round is just not right. Anyway, an old Bahraini man was at the next table of mine. He looked at my meal and presumably was focusing on the small fish floating on the curry.

"Fisshhh. Whyyy?", said the old man.
"..." I just nod without saying pretty much.
"Moornniinng. Eat egggggsss , brreeaaaddd. Whhhyyy fisshhh?", said the old man with furrowed brows and at the same time was shaking his head probably disapproving my meal for the morning.

If you were wondering why the intentional spelling, I was illustrating how the old man speaks, that is with sustained length of pronounciation of each word.

I wonder to myself today after noticing that the majority of cars here in Bahrain is in white colour. Why is it so? Perhaps it is to match their thoube. The second quirky colour would be their buildings. Why on earth must they all be shades of clay? That's dull isn't it? Must they camouflage their building against their sand?

It has been a while and it is all looking good

2005-10-27T20:14:00.000+08:00

27/10/2005
Exactly 30 days ahead. All set to go. The only bumps might be the renewing visa episodes all over again.

26/10/2005
It has been a good week. Excellent if it was to be compared with the dreadful moments not too long ago.

What about the epiphany which I came across not too long ago? Would things fall into place like what has been said? If it is indeed true, it will be mind boggling. I will be in euphoria. Is it going to be a miracle or but a reverie?

I sometimes wonder if I am trapped in my own delusional world. It is better to aim far and high. Possibilities are still there and when it really works out, one cannot be happier than having what he wants.

Like someone who aptly puts it in a rather humourous way, "You cannot run away from it".

21/10/2005
This ramadhan month is annoying for all the shops are closed until 5pm. Yet a calm and slower pace is around and we get to return very much earlier. And that is very much appreciated.

I went around the neighbourhood streets and later to town to search for breakfast this morning. I was baffled to find the streets empty and not even one eatery place in sight was open. I drove around with an empty stomach further ahead. Towards town and mall. Even fast food restaurants were closed. As if the place were deserted or they had went bankrupt. Fortunately, when I went to Al Jazeera later, the bakery there is open. I bought some sausage rolls. Not good but edible at least. After sometime, I have gotten sick of instant noodles and bread.

18/10/2005
My leave has been approved for end of next month. So my promise to a friend at Hong Kong will be fulfilled.

I heard that we may be pulled back by Christmas as per company's decision. I will just take it as it is right now as things do not always go according to plans. Especially so as I had learned about this past year.

twist

2005-10-01T20:42:00.000+08:00

In another few more hours, it will be time for me to leave this place. The packing that I did for this round though, differs from the usual norm. I had packed it as if I am going back for good.

Sonny asked me whether I will be coming back here. Isn't it strange yet funny your superior is asking that sort of question.

To break out from the lifestyle rut of the past, I will have to make do and sacrifice some part of life. For me, I think I have had already done that. It would be fair to say I had made a significant leap. If I dare say, it might be at least some 10 years for some of my peers to catch up.

Life is with its uncertainties and will not be without its imperfections.

Flustered

2005-09-26T22:36:00.000+08:00

Is what sums up the mood right now. I had delayed my returning flight to the 2nd of October last week. But it seems the PD of the main contractor is facing difficulties in renewing our visa extensions and what is worse still, my passport is in his hands. Damn. And I have heard from sources that we are unable to just leave the airport and pay a penalty fine of RM 400 for overstaying anymore. The new law dictates that we must get the extension before we leave the immigration border. How true is that I am not certain. But it is a very risky move to just ignore the rule and attempt to depart.

Another delay seems imminent. I have to get out of this place for as long as I could. Ramadhan here is not a welcoming month. They should realise not everyone is going to fast in that month.

Pilot launch

2005-09-07T15:43:00.000+08:00

The date has been set. The Prime Minister of Bahrain will be coming to officiate the launching of the smart card pilot along with several other Ministers. This has set a sudden frantic pace all over the building. Furnitures and decos are moved from left to right and later right to left again depending on the fickleness of some certain people. Out of the blue, they've now got more than enough people to sit as counter operators and were brief with what if scenarios and how to pretend to do their work. They request tons of things from our side as if we can produce miracles.

The Prime Minister's protocols later came. At least 4 of them came and stayed till late midnight to observe, check and instruct many indian labourers to install red carpets, decos, fountains, grasses, plants, fake plants, posters and flags. The Prime Minister's protocol had a grave look amongst them and all of them never did break into a smile. All done in a couple of hours. The site itself is a wonder really. Astonishing to see the changes that were made in such a short period. We have a fountain and grasses now. How the hell did they make grass over one night? It's a welcoming sight at least unlike the barren sand over the pavement that we are much used to before.

As we arrived at an ungodly hour the next morning, the building is controlled by police and nobody is allowed to park within the vicinity of the building. We were told to park at an obscure car park further away. The main counter section was packed like never before and I suspect they are not allowing the Prime Minister to set foot unless there's carpeting beneath.

After watching the presentation on plasma flat screen and officiate the launching ceremony, the Prime Minister is then led back to the ground to see a demo of a card enrolment. However, a smart card that was prepared the day before was handed over just like in cooking television shows.

Television interviews were conducted later when the Prime Minister and other Ministers have left. The crowd then disperse into various groups to capture photographs.

Our team with some of the clients

It was a great success, particularly to the image of CIO and to his political career. Our bosses and the Sheikh has ostentatiously shown that by thanking everyone profusely. One which he had never done so. We bailed at around 2 pm to rest and to celebrate ourselves later at Ritz Carlton.

After the dark, spring beckons

2005-09-04T02:44:00.000+08:00

After initiating the talk, the bulk which were in a gravely manner, I was made to understand that the total personnel here will be reduced to only two person. The reason was that the management did not wish to place two senior personnels over here. And with that being the case, therefore one senior personnel will eventually be brought back to KL of whom is yet to be determined. Sonny said that in either case, since I am the only one who is not a senior personnel, I will still remain here until no longer needed so.

I asked about the plan for the coming three months and was told that he foresee that our long term presence for the project is to go on until the end of December. I then inquired what about year 2006? And he told me, occasional fly ins will be done to solve problems and issues.

I quickly turn back to the main issue which is to confirm when would be my turn for a trip back again. I suggested early October and I was pleased but expectedly so when told that early October seems to be a good opportunity.

I am no longer able to spend another Christmas and New Year here.

Where has the weekend been?

2005-09-01T17:22:00.000+08:00

My weekend is robbed yet again. It still remains true when I told a friend of mine that I had forgotten what is a weekend. Everyday passes by monotonously such that I had had unlearned an ability. The ability to remember what day the day is today for it now became unrelevant.

Now what

2005-08-26T20:36:00.000+08:00

I cannot wipe out the past. Even if it is mind numbing, heart wrenching or sick that you can feel it in the stomach. Simply because it is what that made me who I am today. Never would I have thought how the events for the past few years would unfold like they did. Never did I imagined myself to ride a camel on an extremely hot day, or got lost in the desert in darkness, or wear shorts about regardless that I am in an Arab country or that it is winter time, or live like there is nothing but work for each week brings about 100 hours of them. But I can chart my way ahead. It is important to have a plan. An optimistic one. You only think again when it begins to fall apart. I am ready to liberate myself.

Never had I, the urge, so strong soaring inside, seeping into my mind and my mind translating it into a sequence of imaginative events of the hopeful what ifs. And that made happy somewhat and caused me to almost being too outspoken about it.

The following days will be crucial as the decision will be made. I am just waiting for consent from family. Not that they dictate my life but with support and encouragement everything will flow smoothly and things will be done easier.

I hope I can make it for my trip to Hong Kong before embarking into my next career stage. That would be ideal. Ideal enough for me.

when it is time to say goodbye

2005-08-21T02:06:00.000+08:00

Sitting on a ledge together, side by side of another, they look far ahead over the horizon. There is neither the ocean nor the greens and not even the stars that met their eyes. However, that did not seem disturb them as they continue to just look in front and enjoy the occasional small gush of wind blowing against their face.

He is sitting on the left of her while holding her hand and placing it on his lap.
He is always on the left side whenever he is near her for some reason. He has this uncanny preference to be on the left regardless whether it is standing, sitting or walking beside her.

They talk and talk about friends, and of work, and of studies and of anything else that came about in their mind. Eventually, there will be a gap of silence. Both seem to just enjoy the others presence and bask in the silence between them.

With a shine against her body from behind; a shadow of hers falls in front covering a longish shade on the ground. They knew time for and between them are running out. Instinctively he knew her ride was here. She took a deep breath and then threw her arms around him.

"Ermm...I..I gotta go. See ya later. Take care"

Before he could form any words to reply, she stood up and walk towards the shiny silver Mercedes. She looked at him and put on a smile so wide that her eyes could not be seen.

"Okay. Bye", he finally replied.

That look was almost as if it is going to be his last glimpse of her face, he thought to himself. Knowingly if such is to happen, she would have put up a smile like that. She is always one to not tell all and everything seems to be all fine and dandy with her to other people. But in reality, he knows better.

He could not fathom why she would have said those words. She was leaving to another country with just some hours left from the moment she stood up. It wasn't the wait of some years that he fears. He told himself that plans don't always work in life as history has taught him that. He couldn't grasp whether they would ever meet again as if they were strangers who walked past each other in the moment which is known as coincidence.

He saw the Mercedes left whilst standing like a statue because he was unable to move. Strangely so, as if he was spellbound. Either that or he simply refused to move.

He decides to return before the darkness falls.

Support, I need also

2005-08-09T19:58:00.000+08:00

Doing support can be so exhausting, I learned. This is especially so when the underlying design of the entire architecutre is so bad. I am strictly against web-based for this kind of system. Reliability is the priority. I don't mind the extra work on installation. At least those are one off.

I had voiced out but my opinions are unheard of. Probably they are just not as smart as I am. Either that or they knew but shrug them off because ultimately I am the only peon anyway. Only the developers and others with the same rank grumble along with me on these stupid decisions.

All the counters are giving problems today. Before I even managed to complete one, another was calling for me already.

I can't find my breakfast

2005-08-07T14:45:00.000+08:00

Just came out of the boss's room and was thrown with a slew of tasks yet again. Who is to blame when I am the only worker here? While being bogged down, suddenly I hear footsteps behind me. It was Krishnan, a general worker here, bringing me a cup of hot tea. It is times like these little things counts.

I need to learn so many things

2005-08-07T01:29:00.000+08:00

After reading juniortok and inspired by his latest post, I shall post of what I need to learn by working and living in Bahrain.

I too have so many things to learn. I need to learn how to fast and not only in month of Ramadan.

I need to learn that honking here doesn't incite anger, is not rude and is just a way of communication on the road. I need to learn to honk others more often.

I need to learn that chinese food here taste like indian food. I need to learn that chowmein is not the same as fried noodles. I need to learn that fast food does not equal economical food so much so that most labourers here could not afford such a meal.

I need to learn that the water heater follows the weather. I have to learn that there are two kinds of water here; the normal salty tap water and the drinking tasteless sweet water.

I need to learn that people here dress only in either black or white depending on their gender. I need to learn that there are no thin people here. I need to learn that there are many bald people here. And that is why they all wear ghatras (the table cloth head gear). I need to learn that women here shop for clothes, wears them but covers them over with a big black abaya.

I need to learn that in order to grow flowers or even grasses; you need to install water pipes surrounding the targeted area.

I need to learn that teenagers drive Mercedes S Class here. I need to learn that local teenagers hangout in the night sitting in a circle on roundabouts. I need to learn that female teenagers hangout in the night sitting on grasses by the beach.

I need to learn that car wash business here means an Indian on his bicycle with a pail of water. I need to learn that car wash business owners gather around car parks.

Many of these do not make sense to me and perhaps even more so to others reading this. Nevertheless, that is how things are and change is what we have to adapt to.

Another dive of amplitude

2005-08-05T22:05:00.000+08:00

I had returned to the land without clouds. Only the vast blue sky and scorching hot heat sums out the surroundings.

Instead of the usual route back here via Doha, I had chosen Cathay Pacific this time as I thought and hoped this would be my last trip to here. So I might as well experience and understand myself as to why other colleagues have been hyped about and praising this airline and the transit at Hong Kong airport.

Indeed the service and flight entertainment has been top notched. This however was set back with an additional 4 hours or so just to get here. And that is some pain in the ass.

As I arrived at HK airport and I looked around, the first thing that caught my sight made me go "Holy crap. Those are some crazy tall condominiums" in my head. And then I saw the goddamn immigration queue. It was in a snake shape and unbelievably long. The passenger next to me, a Malaysian but works in Hong Kong as a MD told me that queue would take at least 1 hour but lucky for her, she has a HK citizen card and the checkpoint is but a brisk moment for her.

I wandered around myself around the HK airport and was looking at the screens for my departure gate. After spending about 3 minutes squinting at the screens, a lady came up next to me and asked "How can I help you?" I thought to myself then "Wow that's some great service" but I told her "Ngo yi ging wan dou ler. Mm goi sai".

I went and exchanged USD 50 to HK Dollars at the travelex to pay for my meal. To my dismay and which escaped my logic, the food shops upstairs actually accepts USD and offered a higher exchange rate than the one below. It is cumbersome to arrange the currencies as I had 4 types of different currencies with me that time. So I seperated them into my different pockets and wallet.

I had Roasted Goose with Cantonese Noodles for HK 55. Didn't want to feel inferior for being unable to read, I had ordered the meal in English instead.

Already back at work even though it is a rest day of the week and a slew of tasks waiting to be finished. I already can't wait to go back.

My boss told me when I was in KL that "..this will be the first and last time that we will approach a project like this. Lucky you". That got me dumbfounded. I wondered whether or not that that is a good thing.

To the north now

2005-08-01T21:09:00.000+08:00

Everytime I come back for a short holiday ala recuperation trip, the same things always happen. And most often, I find myself again readjusting my direction and realise my bearings in all aspects of life. Some of it would have better aim and direction to head to while some will remain unanswered.

Sometimes, you don't realise what you are doing as working life can be unbelievably hectic. Everyday is spent rushing for the next and after a prolonged period of this, one would easily get distorted.

Catching up with family and friends has enabled me to take a glimpse back and chart the way forward. As of this moment, I'm glad to have planned two future trips. A vacation trip to Hong Kong and another trip to Shanghai the following year for business.

I am surprised myself how decisions I've made before I return to KL almost always change. That's how easily one can be distorted when left isolated not keeping in touch with the rest.

I've just received my first Notice of Renewal of one of my FD along with the current statement. Although not by much, I'm glad to see it grew. And I did nothing. That is the best part of it all. But let's not take in the depression part as to how inflation is going to eat it away.

Let me fly, 3734 miles away

2005-07-23T23:17:00.000+08:00

Another 23 hours to go and I shall be at Kuala Lumpur.

This would be my third returning trip to date. And it is one which provided an overwhelming liberating feeling. Such it is, strangely so, for I did not quite felt it that way in my previous two trips. Perhaps, subconsciously, I feel liberated from this indescribable halo that has been plaguing my mind for far too long.

And I was right in my prediction months ago; that my gut feel was that things are getting worse. Whatever it was, I am glad that it had finally past. I had managed to pull myself through.

I shall not ponder for what shall be in the coming days from 5th of August. For now, as far as I am concerned, a break is what I deserve and need.