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5 weeks ago
These are NOT ordinary biscuits...
Some people tasted and said it is tasteless. I first ate when my house has plenty of them. At first, yes.... tasteless... These biscuits are made by my mum, she said these biscuits are good to take, less in sugar, butter, etc. and yet very nutritious, it maybe a bit tasteless, but you wont get bored of eating them.... So I thought, 'ok...maybe I just take some to Sg'.
Surprisingly, that is not the first and final time I bring them over here. The one in the picture, given to me maybe 2 weeks ago? But look at how much left?
These biscuits are never in the kitchen, but they just next to my bed. Sometimes I just take them when I'm too lazy to cook or to go outside for a meal. But most of the time I'll just eat them when I 'feel' like eating them.
My mum called me this morning...i mean yesterday morning, to remind me to take care of my health, she was concern of why am I always cooking instead of eating outside. She told me don't just keep thinking of saving money, must eat good meals and fruits.
This is the first time somebody reminded me not to just focus on saving money, all the while people keep telling me I should stop wasting money.
When I was in uni, I can easily spend a lot, especially going supper, because of rushing for assignments, preparing for exams, but sometimes money can just disappear without knowing how they got disappeared.
The moment I got my first official pay, really 'jia lat'.... If that is the nature of a quantity surveyor, I have nothing to say. But everything I do, there are always simple calculations in my mind, something like.... balance that I have, divided by number of days before next payday, should I? I believe I had set a good target for myself for my own financial planning. Saving more than 50% of my income is something I must hit every month, 70% will be tough but it doesnt mean impossible. Therefore I'm very very concern about how much I should allocate for additional items, if I were to spend on each of these item, what shall be the consequences. If I can just delay some of my plans and put them in next month's list, will that be better? Or it will be best not having them in the list at all? These are something I think of, everyday.
When I decided to come over here, I must make sure I wont go back one day empty handed. I ran away from Malaysiaku because I knew at this age, I still have time and energy to run, of course I'm also curious of the world outside Malaysiaku. But one thing I know, if I could just save a little today, I could actually spend a little lesser time in the bloody place. I will definitely return, after I suck enough of these dollars...
So every time I eat these biscuits, I remember this.
100 days of working life. Sometimes when you’re just too free, you begin to think a lot…
I remember when I was in uni life. How do people define achievement? Dean’s list? Getting ‘A’ for integrated projects? Or an ‘A’ for thesis? Well…Does it matter? I got into Dean’s List once, just once…. with a surprising 3.9….That was only enough for me to syok for maybe 1 month? What happens after that? I got an ‘A’ for my final IP4, so what? I guess the happiest ones are my two ‘A-‘s in IP2 and IP3? When when I look back….does it matter? When I come here, some people and even some Malaysians, have not even heard of UM.... MU only larh.....
Similarly, people always questioned me about the bachelor degree that I got. Building Surveying….what the hell? Yes…thank God you don’t know, because I don’t even want you to know. I still remember during my first year, I got so worried, went to look for the Head of Department. The QS HOD agreed to take me in, was really excited! What happen to my own BS HOD. She said there’s no excuse I can quit this course unless I really cannot perform, then only she’ll release. I tell you… that was a great disappointment! But when I look back, does it matter?
Glad I’ve studied something people don’t know. In Malaysia I guess its just so common. Courses like mine are created to ‘answer the market needs’, but there’s no effort to make the public known for our expertise. Anyway, that’s very good! Looking at the diversified career that my coursemates and I started, damn! So unbelievable...You cannot even find more than 30% in one similar profession. Certain courses, I wont say all of them, but MAJORITY….Engineers are engineers because they are trained to be engineers. Architects are architects because they are trained to be architects. QSes are QSes because they are trained to be QSes. BS? We are *whatever you like* because…..because people don’t know what we were trained as. People might think we are 半桶水. But then isn’t Neslo as good as or even better than Nescafe and Milo? But I wont say everything is smooth for us, but once u get a desired job or once there is this opportunity…ho seh liaw lo. In my opinion, for courses like mine, it depends a lot on the performance during interview. A friend told me once, it is very important 'how to you package yourself'... Yes indeed, how you package and of course there are consequences after you got the job (because you said you can do this and that). But at least...we're given more space to package ourselves, because people dont know who we are...But if our mindset is ‘Que sera, sera, What will be, will be…’, jia lat liaw…
So if you ask me, is it important for us to get our BS ACT, which rumours since 3 years ago says its real soon, is it important? I’ll tell u I’m so glad that the Act has NOT approved when I was looking for job, because once it is approved, people will know us and our expertise, the diversified market will be very limited. Just like.... you wont ask a person to sell insurance if you know he's a fishmonger... But for the coming batch(es)… Approve larh....hahaha. Some people will still ask, maybe for now I said so, its really disastrous of not having a professional board… For me very simple, professional board are useful for consultant firms. I don’t need to work for consultant firms, why? You know I know…But for contractor, oh man… everyone can be a hero…. Even if you’re only SPM standard…
My question ---> For all that I’ve said, does it matter?
Very simple ---> whatever it is, it still depends on whether you chiong or not after that... If you never chiong and your mindset is wrong, for example…. ‘I cant because I think cannot la’ or ‘They say cannot like that one’ or maybe ‘I’ll stay at my comfort zone, I just want a simple life’, then jia lat liaw lo.....Again, it reminds me of the issue I posted few weeks ago, ‘obligation or destination’… I think…. If you go and do something because ‘you have to’ not because ‘you would like to’....
Wrong direction, please U-turn!
I started my permanent job on the first day, seventh month of the Chinese calendar, steady right? So far so good, not much work yet since the project is still not officially awarded to us except the demolition works. Currently working together with a workaholic Senior QS... Working life here very interesting. Next week onwards really jia lat... Senior Project Manager asked me to follow the Senior Engineer to site to do morning exercise everyday, 750 am, great... Anyway very thankful it’s a 5 working day job...especially when I woke up at 8am this morning, sibeh shuang leh... But definitely not wise to waste 2 beautiful days. I’m still thinking doing something interesting yet can generate some extra income. My second job still not confirmed, too lazy to take the tests! But one of these days I shall start. I have to.
Japanese company and Japanese bosses are very different, how different? Very different lar.... But I love Japanese souvenirs... already got 3 since my first day of work. By December maybe already collected a box?
Project Director asked me a very simple yet important question the other day when we went to Starbucks. “What is your plan?”
Of course I answered him something simple like my target to be promoted to be ....within.... years. I knew he’s not expecting this kind of answer but its hard for me to tell, I knew I couldn’t tell him things he cannot understand. He suggested me to go home and take a piece of paper. Write or draw something, he said imagine.... imagination is very important; you are what you want to be. Jia lat.... this kind of teaching method even primary school teacher knows how to teach their student, but the ways he explained really touches me. How successfully he is today is definitely not because he understands simple things like this, but it really depends on whether you really remember what you wrote or drew, are you still holding on or not... Writing something to impress others or to make yourself happy but immediately forget what you wrote is definitely not the correct way. Same thing goes with people who often tell others their big dreams or those whom I always call as people of ‘a lot of cita-cita’, but never do something about it. When you asked them ‘Have you tried?’, they will answer you ‘But then ho....I heard people say.....’ wateva larh....
One thing I’m grateful, everywhere I go, there are always companions. Liverpool says “You will never walk alone”. Finally another good friend of mine is coming here, very soon. A lot more next year, I believe.
Back to the ‘imagination’ issue... Everyday I have something new in mind, something I wish to do. I have plenty of things I wish to achieve, even with the years I think they can be achieved. Everyday when I travel to work, ideas coming in.... Lots of download every morning.....
But when I hold the pencil, none of them can be written down on that piece of paper!
Internship is coming to an end soon. 4 more days to go then I'll fly back to my Kolomee hometown with her. The feeling of this entire internship is like the National Service which I went through last time. Before you come, you're excited but a little bit anxious because of the totally new environment. When you're here, things are not as bad as you imagined. When you're about to leave, very jia lat... all sort of weird feelings coming in, partly because really love the environment and people, both in HQ and site, a very big thank you to both my 'si-fu'S Ah Ong and Kar Shean!
Moving to a new company next month, a Japanese company. Really got a good offer this time I guess. I didnt googled much about this company until recently I started to get anxious again, mind keep thinking about how's the company like and the type of project I'll be involved in. Just got to know the company is a world ranked 14 contractor, so I think this job is not an easy one. Just got confirmed last week that I'll be based in Orchard. I googled about the site location, rumours said the existing building is haunted! It could be built on top of cemeteries.
"Heard from my friend, the last time when Citibank staffs worked late in the office, sometimes the aircon tripped by itself, toilet errie and some saw something sometimes. No one dare to stay late after 6pm. Citi eventually moved out. " (skyscrapercity.com, 2010)
The building is developed by Ngee Ann Kongsi so if you know the story of Ngee Ann City and why the building looks like that, you'll understand why i I think it is scary sometimes.
"Ngee Ann Kongsi also owns Ngee Ann Poly. The place where NP situates currently, was a cemetary. This cemetary was removed and NP was built on it. But after NP was built, the old Ngee Ann city did not make money. The enterprise was loosing money despite it is situated at Orchard road. Hence Ngee Ann Kongsi went to look for Feng Shui master for help. The master claimed that he built NP ontop of the cemetary. The removal of cemetary disturbs the ghost and hence they made him loose money. The remedy was to demolish the old Ngee Ann City and then rebuild a new one. The new one must be built in a tomb looking shape to “ji4 nian4″ (english poor) the disturbed ghost. So, if you look at the current Ngee Ann City, you will find that it looks like an old chinese traditional tomb. With 2 stone lions as Tower A and B, and the window where you look out of Coffee Club Express, is where the photos and carvings is. And also there are 5 flag poles that represent joss sticks. Infront of the flag pole is a fountain which represents wine. After it was built this way, Ngee Ann City is making money until now, its so popular." (HungZai.com, n.d.)
Ngee Ann City is just nearby my site so i assumed both sites are.....you know.....
Internship so far so good. Except during the time when I was labeled by somebody as a person who will go to any company as long as they paid me the highest. Let me just clarify something. I was NOT offered in the company at the first place. Yes, there are several meet-ups with the HR but I was not offered still. By the time I got offered by another company, I felt I have the responsibility to inform and thats why I did so. I have no intention to make you pay me higher than that to get me in, I'm telling you so that you don't need to make any more arrangement. By the way, I'm not bonded by you, and even if 'end of the day money is still the deciding factor', I dont see anything wrong with that, since both are reputable companies and I should pick a better one.
Anyway, I'm graduating soon, shouldnt let this troubles me anymore. Kuching, I'm coming!
"Heard from my friend, the last time when Citibank staffs worked late in the office, sometimes the aircon tripped by itself, toilet errie and some saw something sometimes. No one dare to stay late after 6pm. Citi eventually moved out. " (skyscrapercity.com, 2010)
The building is developed by Ngee Ann Kongsi so if you know the story of Ngee Ann City and why the building looks like that, you'll understand why i I think it is scary sometimes.
"Ngee Ann Kongsi also owns Ngee Ann Poly. The place where NP situates currently, was a cemetary. This cemetary was removed and NP was built on it. But after NP was built, the old Ngee Ann city did not make money. The enterprise was loosing money despite it is situated at Orchard road. Hence Ngee Ann Kongsi went to look for Feng Shui master for help. The master claimed that he built NP ontop of the cemetary. The removal of cemetary disturbs the ghost and hence they made him loose money. The remedy was to demolish the old Ngee Ann City and then rebuild a new one. The new one must be built in a tomb looking shape to “ji4 nian4″ (english poor) the disturbed ghost. So, if you look at the current Ngee Ann City, you will find that it looks like an old chinese traditional tomb. With 2 stone lions as Tower A and B, and the window where you look out of Coffee Club Express, is where the photos and carvings is. And also there are 5 flag poles that represent joss sticks. Infront of the flag pole is a fountain which represents wine. After it was built this way, Ngee Ann City is making money until now, its so popular." (HungZai.com, n.d.)
Ngee Ann City is just nearby my site so i assumed both sites are.....you know.....
Internship so far so good. Except during the time when I was labeled by somebody as a person who will go to any company as long as they paid me the highest. Let me just clarify something. I was NOT offered in the company at the first place. Yes, there are several meet-ups with the HR but I was not offered still. By the time I got offered by another company, I felt I have the responsibility to inform and thats why I did so. I have no intention to make you pay me higher than that to get me in, I'm telling you so that you don't need to make any more arrangement. By the way, I'm not bonded by you, and even if 'end of the day money is still the deciding factor', I dont see anything wrong with that, since both are reputable companies and I should pick a better one.
Anyway, I'm graduating soon, shouldnt let this troubles me anymore. Kuching, I'm coming!
Dunno why, I like this photo so much... Not bad right?My first blog post in Singapore. How should I start?
My working life. Working life was very bored for the first (maybe the second also) week. Due to the limited space in the company, I was dumped to the meeting room, alone. Its very comfortable but it is still weird to be alone in a room and knowing people passing by all the time and always looking at me. Work load was not heavy but I didn't know how to start, I felt my life was 'taken-off' because of those taking off and measurements, which I didnt learn much in uni. Wrong...something which was taught but I didnt bother to listen and understand. Most of the time, I REALLY DUNNO WHAT TO DO.
I remember the first time I was asked to call the sub-con to requote, this is so so embarrassing.... I was so well-prepared, I knew what I have to say, I picked up the phone and started dialing....
"Hello good morning, I'm Lai calling from Lum Chang Building Contractors"
"Huh, who's this"
"I'm from Lum Chang Building Contractors"
"I am from Lum Chang Buiding Contractors also"
At that moment, I dunno how on earth I heard "was" instead of "am"
She continued, "Which department are you from"
I replied, "I am a QS"
She replied, "I am also a QS, you called the company's number, whats your name?"
Oh my gosh! This is the silliest thing I've ever done on earth!
The best part is, I was transferred to the department where the lady is few hours after that. Haha...Welcome to the Contracts Department.....
Life is never the same after that...Working in the same department with people which 'at least I knew a little bit' is much much better. Working life is totally different than what I've imagined. High School is about text book, Uni is definitely about facebook, how bout working as a QS? Green Book....hahaha.
Thank God for good guidance from my project QS and my senior of course. They had been teaching me from the very basic I know. I know there's still a long long way to go but I'll continue to do my best-est. Thank God for good friends around.....and my '"senior project manager'" and "'project manager'"...
Life in Singapore is not as scary as what people used to tell me. I believe the best is yet to come. I believe God has a plan for me. I believe opportunity is given by yourself to yourself. Lots of stories about Malaysia here, I heard a lot... I don't wish to comment.
Am I homesick....hehe....I'm nearer to my hometown compared to KL.... just that there's this South China Sea. Waiting for the Singaporeans to re-claim the land all the way to Kuching....
Today is the first day of her working life. I dunno whether she is excited. She told me she 'dunno what the Dr. was talking about'. She just nodded her head. Hey I did the same too for my first week....hahaha...
Life here is much healthier compared to KL. Less of Piccadilly and MCD, no mamak life. Mamak cannot survive here... Oh ya....drinks cannot be refilled in MCD, something which I really feel weird. Life in NUS still not bad. I sleep very early every night to make sure I dont feel 'taken-off' the next day. Had been really lazy nowadays, keep giving excuses for sports, weekdays are spent in Geylang, for food, nothing else...
Staying with a monkey, sitting behind another monkey in office. This is my life - very interesting... =)
Life has been really tough recently. With a lot of assignments (IP4, Professional Practice, Practice 4, Quality Management, Construction Law) and THESIS, they are enough to make my final semester not enjoyable and very very tiring.
Today is the last day of my 22 years old. Just realised my mum actually read my blog. If you see this, just to let you know, my birthday is not about all the celebrations, those are not the true meaning of my birthday, 23 years ago, u worked the hardest to deliver me, so my birthday is a reminder of my appreciation towards you. =)
Just a little bit of update. Will be going to Spore for internship soon, for 3 months. Probably leaving in May 5th. Working with a construction (contractor) company there, Lum Chang Pte. Ltd., somewhere in Dhoby Ghaut, will be staying at Raffles Hall, NUS for the 3 months....hehe... Thank God for all that, the big company, the great pay and the accommodation (still waiting)....
Celebrated my birthday 3 rounds already since 2 days ago. Thanks to my coursemates, my cell group members and also her. Tomorrow I guess there will still be another round with Sean. This year is wonderful, I got a Swiss Polo working bag from cg and zone and DKNY perfume from her, thanks, i love them and you all so much!
Figure 1.0: My precious
2 more hours she will be bringing the cake down and singing me the birthday song... cant wait =) But then.... She forgotten to ask for candle from the cake shop, i was waiting, waiting, waiting but..........and.....I WAS THE ONE who request from the counter, sigh..... but its ok....i'm happy still...hahaha...
Thats all for now, thanks to all my friends, for your wishes! Take care =)
So....This year's convo will be held in early August.
Time flies... It's February now, but the feeling is near. Not the feeling of earning $, but the worries of where should I start? Applied for several companies in SG but no good news yet. Even if there is, should I go for it? Not an easy decision to make.
So far I'm already offered by 2 big companies here in KL, Gamuda and Mudajaya. Both are good but I still have not decided. Not very easy for me to confirm with them, I have to make decision based on calculations. They're paying me for RM500 per month only, why not I come back to Kuching, RM20 a day is already more than enough. Don't tell me t get $ from parents, sorry I don't want.
So, is KL the right place to stay?
Or the comfortable Kuching, Sarawak?
Or Singapore?
After considering for so long, I still think that KL is not a good place to stay. Why?
Let me explain.
Lets do a little bit of salary survey.
Fresh graduate of BS, QS or whateva it is:
KL - RM2.2 - 2.5k
Kuching - RM1.8k
SG - SGD2.2-2.4k
KL is slightly higher compared to Kuching. But I wont have to face terrible traffic jam everyday and not necessary for me to get a car so soon. Plus, in Kuching I dont need extra for food, rental, bills and all those 'small-small things'
But in Kuching there's definitely not much opportunity. Not much mega projects here. Not many impressive developement here.
Sinapore is good. The figures in KL and Spore slightly the same. In KL I'll spend RM300 on rental and some bills. In Spore I'll spend SGD300 for rental also. In KL probably a day I'll spend RM15 on food and some other stuff. SG also SGD15 i guess. Transportation is roughly the same I guess. So I'll probably have RM800 for savings if I were to stay in KL and SGD 800 if I were to stay in SG. But wait.... SGD800 x 2.38 = RM1.9k. Hey not bad.... But life in Spore is not easy... Some of my friends and seniors are already there. Not many enjoy life there...
I need to clarify I am not $-minded but I wont deny that $$ is so important at this stage. I need money for a car, a house and....ahem....a wife, I am not desperate btw but have to also ma....hahaha...
Very hard to decide....
Somemore this person say she most probably staying KL, further studies somemore... Issit ok to just dump her in KL? =p
Many people told me its just intern....but I gotta think far also... My decision now will have big influence on my decision after I graduate.
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